Articles written by Phillip Fears

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About me - Phillip Fears

I'm a returnig student living in Portland,Oregon. Politically interested if not always active. I enjoy Air America and Keith Olbermann, can you guess my political bent?
I enjoy writing, sometimes, and am in the middle of a couple of writing classes required

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Politics, News & Issues > Political Issues Will our society be safer with decreased liberties?: 4 of 22
As most people already know, we were all witness to a violation of a persons civil right to free speech when the police at The University of Florida assaulted, subdued and ultimately tasered a student during John Kerry's visit there. It doesn't matter that he was annoying or asked inconvenient questions, he was invited to and... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Politics, News & Issues (Other) Unforgettable and unforgivable nation leaders: 12 of 64
Ode to Dick CheneyDick Cheney is a misunderstood individual. If we only could see him in his correct historical context we would be able to better understand him. Anyone who can use the word hogwash in an interview and keep a straight face is special. What could come next from this mans mouth, "Codswallop" or "Balderdash"? If... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Economy Capitalism critiqued: The new slavery: 6 of 15
My wife and I went through a separation recently that involved the sale of our house. We were always on the cusp of foreclosure due to bad job/school investments, but we always stayed close enough to hold onto our equity. Even though we sold under market, we cleared over 50,000 dollars on the sale, after three years of owners... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Drug Laws & Prevention A case to legalize drugs in America: 25 of 60
The use of medical marijuana as a treatment is gaining acceptance in the medical field, but it is fraught with danger for users due to the fact that the Federal Government does not recognize any medical uses for marijuana. From the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 to The Drug Abuse and Control Act of 1970, the Government has outlawe... More..
Entertainment > Hollywood & Movie Industry Has Hollywood run out of ideas: 19 of 40
When Shawn Levy has to spend 17 paragraphs attempting to put Tarentinos latest into some kind of perspective, we should all be worried. I have not seen it yet, but from all of the trailers and his review, I can see that Tarentino and Rodriguez have gotten it all wrong again. You know they spent enough on giving Rose Mcgowan a... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms How much does culture and lifestyle affect behavior?: 19 of 40
I haven't watched much sports television since the college football season ended, but I have started to watch lately. I understand that the beer advertiser needs to appeal to the 18-35 crowd. I know this because I was once the 18-35 crowd. Oddly enough, I lost my taste for multiple beers at approximately 37 years.This might h... More..
Politics, News & Issues > News (Other) The importance of seeking a balance in positive news to combat the negative: 66 of 113
Bill Moyers has a special on PBS recently about the sales job the Bush White House did in the run up to invading Iraq. Many theories will be laid out including wanting to suck up to the White House for continued access and lingering patriotism left-over from 9/11/2001. I have an alternate theory to throw into the hopper. I ha... More..
Sciences > Ecology & Environment The alternative energy source with the most potential: 23 of 39
While I applaud the 9th Circuit Court for its decision against the Bush Administrations attempts to avoid any responsibility for salmon recovery, I can just hear the conservative pundits ranting and raving about the "Liberal" 9th Court while not providing any solution other than "stay the course". Of course, this delays any h... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political Issues America: Home of the (once) free: 8 of 13
If there were an after-life, and I'm sure he would have denied it more than me, George Orwell would be looking down on us and laughing his ass off. "I tried to tell you, but NO, you wouldn't listen," he'd crow.An appeals court threw out a lawsuit designed to reveal the subjects of top secret government wiretaps. The reason gi... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Politics, News & Issues (Other) The problem with electronic voting: 13 of 21
I cannot believe that states are still leaning toward paperless voting and not moving to the Oregon example of voting by mail. I am of the impression that my vote is at least as important as buying beer and pretzels at 7-11, but for some reason the states with paperless voting cannot provide a detailed receipt? I can get a de... More..