en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/2528903 Comments by mountainguy1 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Ex-Penn-St-assistant-Sandusky-convicted-of-abuse-160089995.html#IDComment387732973 Wow. Talk about an open and shut case. A jury reaching a verdict on 48 counts in less than 24 hours must be really unprecedented. I'm glad this monster will never breathe free air again, and I hope the victims and their families can begin to heal. And my guess is, the victims that came forward are just the tip of the iceberg of the pain and devastation this animal has caused. I really commend their courage to come forward, on behalf, I have little doubt, of many more victims that simply couldn't relieve their nightmares again. And there's a lesson here for all of. No one, absolutely no one is beyond scrutiny. We live in culture of celebrity - worshiping individuals for non-extraordinary talents that more often than not have nothing to do with any real character. Sat, 23 Jun 2012 05:23:21 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Ex-Penn-St-assistant-Sandusky-convicted-of-abuse-160089995.html#IDComment387732973 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/2-critically-injured-in-crash-with-telephone-pole-in-Wallingford--151960075.html#IDComment362498021 And yet, day after day, hundreds and hundreds of cars pass by without hitting them... Hmmmm....the mind toils. Fri, 18 May 2012 06:53:22 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/2-critically-injured-in-crash-with-telephone-pole-in-Wallingford--151960075.html#IDComment362498021 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Sex-offender-caught-taking-upskirt-photos-at-Lynnwood-store-151729065.html#IDComment361598633 Therein lies the real problem. While I cannot fathom what would turn a guy on about "upskirt porn" (bad angle, bad lighting, nothing flattering, nothing erotic or beautiful or sexy about it in my mind... icky, icky, icky), it would seem that part of the thrill these guys get is SPECIFICALLY DERIVED from the violation they commit. That's what makes it, and them scary. Wed, 16 May 2012 17:14:49 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Sex-offender-caught-taking-upskirt-photos-at-Lynnwood-store-151729065.html#IDComment361598633 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Videos-released-by-Powell-family-paint-happier-family-ties-151613995.html#IDComment361314687 "Alina Powell told ABC the videos on the new website won't affect the outcome of her father's case, but are intended to begin offering another side of the Susan Powell story to those who are interested." Powell family: I'm sorry that you have gotten dragged into this tragedy. But you will never get closure until you come to terms with the fact that happiest, most wonderful family life in the world can wiped away in an instant with one selfish, evil act. We know Josh committed at least two, probably three selfish, evil acts. It renders everything else - every happy moment together - irrelevant and all the more tragic. Nothing you can ever do or say will ever convince the public that Josh Powell is anything but a monster. Neither is there any socially redeemable explanation for the evidence found on Steven, whether he is convicted or not. Share you happy memories alone if serves you, but will never get you anything but outrage and disbelieve from the public. Wed, 16 May 2012 05:46:44 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Videos-released-by-Powell-family-paint-happier-family-ties-151613995.html#IDComment361314687 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/150789075.html#IDComment357481708 I'm willing to bet no amount of therapy, hypnosis, wishful think or prayer could ever make me homosexual, so why would someone think it would work in reverse? Neither do recall ever making a "choice" to be heterosexual. These people are breathtakingly obtuse, and have obviously never shared more words a gay person than "would you like fries with that". Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:09 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/150789075.html#IDComment357481708 http://www.komonews.com/news/health/No-end-to-obesity-epidemic-20-year-forecast-shows-150509295.html#IDComment356120886 It's time to start holding people accountable for the poor health choices that they make. If insurance rates are higher for smokers, than they should be higher for people who are obese. Part of the problem is that we, as a society, are normalizing being overweight and obese in the constant obsession to protect our fragile self-esteems. Terms like Big Beautiful Woman, and all sorts of terms that have infiltrated the teen culture (I can't even repeat them) are nothing more than enabling devices that try to glorify the tragic. In our media we often stereotype obese people as jolly, happy, and funny. The reality is often quite different. There is nothing normal or natural about body shapes today - look at photos from 40 years ago and you'll rarely see someone who is even considered overweight by today's standards. Our bodies in 2012 are only natural if you eat too much crap food and don't get enough exercise. It's basic math. Genetics have not changed in 40 years. We're just making bad choices, and in many cases, not demanding better options. Tue, 8 May 2012 00:07:16 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/health/No-end-to-obesity-epidemic-20-year-forecast-shows-150509295.html#IDComment356120886 http://www.komonews.com/news/entertainment/Octomom-Nadya-Suleman-broke-and-considering-porn-150163285.html?clmob=y#IDComment354363804 You do realize, I hope, that if every woman on earth decided to have 14 children we'd completely deplete the earth's resources in about 2 generations. I'm not talking about the resources need to ensure every family has a constant supply of plasma screens, iPods, automobiles, and globe-trotting vacation - I'm talking about the resources needed to feed every hungry mouth. The simple fact - the basic math - is that the planet is barely supporting the people we have now. While I, too, love the idea of a huge family, the fundamental truth that the decision to do than more than replace yourself and your partner through reproduction is rather selfish act, and one that will ultimately prove catastrophic to future generations. Sat, 5 May 2012 01:24:55 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/entertainment/Octomom-Nadya-Suleman-broke-and-considering-porn-150163285.html?clmob=y#IDComment354363804 http://www.komonews.com/news/entertainment/Octomom-Nadya-Suleman-broke-and-considering-porn-150163285.html?clmob=y#IDComment354336581 However she decides to make money, I hope she puts a little aside for therapy and medication. She's in desperate need. Personally, I can't imagine paying money to see her neked (she's gross, IMHO), but I guess there's a porn market for just about everything. Sat, 5 May 2012 00:29:24 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/entertainment/Octomom-Nadya-Suleman-broke-and-considering-porn-150163285.html?clmob=y#IDComment354336581 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Barefoot-Bandit-out-of-solitary-confinement-150040635.html#IDComment353614983 I think "brilliant mind" is being a little generous. Clever, maybe, but I question the functional intelligence of someone who goes on a crime spree with the near inevitability that sooner or later you're going to get caught and pay the price. Smart is the kid that can see beyond the challenges of his immediate challenges (a worthless mother) and do everything in his/her power to overcome them: do your best in school, be active in the community, look for better mentors. It's not easy, but these are the kids who should be celebrated. Thu, 3 May 2012 23:31:14 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Barefoot-Bandit-out-of-solitary-confinement-150040635.html#IDComment353614983 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Sneak-peak-at-the-Chihuly-Garden-and-Glass-exhibit-149932775.html#IDComment353541073 Chihuly has become Seattle's answer to Thomas Kincaid. Thu, 3 May 2012 21:00:24 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Sneak-peak-at-the-Chihuly-Garden-and-Glass-exhibit-149932775.html#IDComment353541073 http://www.komonews.com/weather/blogs/scott/La-Nina-part-2-dies-at-246-days-150049325.html#IDComment353539945 La Nina rocks. Sorry to see you go, but let's hope for a nice, warm, sunny summer. It's been a few years since we had that. Thu, 3 May 2012 20:58:01 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/weather/blogs/scott/La-Nina-part-2-dies-at-246-days-150049325.html#IDComment353539945 http://www.komonews.com/news/entertainment/Beyonce-named-Peoples-most-beautiful-woman-148894365.html#IDComment348799719 What a pointless list, as if beauty could be quantified by some absolute measure. Beyonce does absolutely nothing for me personally, but likewise I'm sure some of the women I'd put at the top of my list would "do nothing" for others. Now I know why I rarely venture into the Variety section. Shame on me. Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:02:43 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/entertainment/Beyonce-named-Peoples-most-beautiful-woman-148894365.html#IDComment348799719 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Analysts-say-North-Koreas-new-missiles-are-fakes-149057185.html#IDComment348663979 You raise a valid point with regard to people choosing to participate in activities that have a higher level of risk than walking in circles in their living room (of note, walking in circles is far less risky than sitting on the couch watching TV). Point taken. However, driving a car or riding a motorcycle on a public road is not a right, it's a privilege. So laws requiring seat belts and helmets do not impinge on anyone's rights - they are just two of the many reasonable expectations we place on people if they want to exercise that privilege. Helmet and seat belt laws are no different than requiring that people get a license, have a safe vehicle, speed limits and other traffic laws. Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:44:16 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Analysts-say-North-Koreas-new-missiles-are-fakes-149057185.html#IDComment348663979 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Analysts-say-North-Koreas-new-missiles-are-fakes-149057185.html#IDComment348631351 I read your inane, irrelevant, completely witless comment and scratch my head. Then I read your user name and suddenly it all makes sense. . Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:47:49 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Analysts-say-North-Koreas-new-missiles-are-fakes-149057185.html#IDComment348631351 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Elderly--148979135.html#IDComment348600996 When was the last time you heard about someone being mauled by a Golden Retriever? I realize Pit Bulls can be sweet dogs, but they clearly have a higher propensity to be unpredictable and aggressive than other breeds. Combine that with the fact that irresponsible people with violent tendencies are often attracted to Pit Bulls, and encourage Pit Bulls' aggressiveness, and you get a stereotype that's 99% true. So as a compromise, how about we neuter Pit Bull owners? Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:50:13 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Elderly--148979135.html#IDComment348600996 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Christina-Marie-Lopez-sentenced-for-allowing-teen-daughter-to-strip-149053365.html#IDComment348542763 What do you want to bet there's not a high school diploma in the entire family? I'm not so much being critical of their lack of education individually, but rather expressing sadness that an astonishingly high number of Americans might as well be living in an undeveloped country. Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:06:28 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Christina-Marie-Lopez-sentenced-for-allowing-teen-daughter-to-strip-149053365.html#IDComment348542763 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Murder-charges-filed-against-fugitive-in-North-Bend-slayings-148970435.html#IDComment348261776 Well, I hope everyone doesn't freak and let this coward deprive of us of our trails. My guess is he will be well off the beaten path, and not too eager to draw attention to himself. It's not going to stop me from getting out and stretching the legs. Thu, 26 Apr 2012 06:38:23 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Murder-charges-filed-against-fugitive-in-North-Bend-slayings-148970435.html#IDComment348261776 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Gingrich-to-end-presidential-campaign-next-week-148919585.html#IDComment348047251 Agreed. That was kind of my point. Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:45:03 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Gingrich-to-end-presidential-campaign-next-week-148919585.html#IDComment348047251 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Teens-sinkhole-plunge-caught-on-video-148883505.html#IDComment348029896 While I commend the taxi driver's heroism, I'm not sure about the collective intelligence level of people on-scene. A piece of sidewalk collapses, and within minutes there are 30 people standing on the exact same slab of concrete? Not smart. Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:14:51 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Teens-sinkhole-plunge-caught-on-video-148883505.html#IDComment348029896 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Gingrich-to-end-presidential-campaign-next-week-148919585.html#IDComment348020985 I always find it amusing that conservatives often seem to point to Fox News' ratings success as some sort of indication that "America is conservative nation" in one breath, then blame the entire mainstream media for being liberal in the next. So which is it? Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:00:20 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Gingrich-to-end-presidential-campaign-next-week-148919585.html#IDComment348020985