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Rachel Kahler

Rachel Kahler's picture
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
Commenter for
2 years 14 weeks

Recent Comments

Posted on 03/12/12 at 11:02 am in response to Five things they're not telling you about the Vikings stadium

Of course most people don't look at the overall cost of the mortgage, but I would assert that that kind of thinking is exactly why our economy crashed. While we might not look at the overall cost, at the very least, we should be asking "can we afford the payments and all associated costs?" If you can only barely afford the mortgage payments, how are you going to afford the repairs and the maintenance of the house? Property taxes? Improvements? Over 30 years, the brand new stadium of...

Posted on 03/12/12 at 10:18 am in response to John Paton: Business model of newspapers is irretrievably broken

Considering that the difference between a professional journalist and a citizen journalist has become almost negligible these days, I'd say that Paton is, at least in part, right.

And that's not a good thing.

While there may be some very good citizen journalists out there, all ethics related to citizen journalism are internal to the journalist--no professional ethics required. Of course, the rub is that "traditional" journalism has all but done away with professional...

Posted on 03/12/12 at 10:49 am in response to Mental health in crisis in rural Minnesota

Living in a rural community can also exacerbate mental illness outside of the lack of treatment options. Young people, in particular, have little to do outside of work, go to school, and drink. Alcoholism starts at a young age with little else to do aside from finding a secluded spot and socializing with classmates and cheap beer. Many grow out of it, but some don't.

Often related to the alcoholism, though not always, is domestic violence. Where I grew up, at least, domestic...

Posted on 03/09/12 at 11:49 am in response to How we built the same-day registration map

I'm a science dork--give me protein or DNA sequences and I'm happy to run them through various programs to identify key features and characteristics. I'm also interested in exercising my artistic side on paint programs with layers and textures. But this...is intimidating. Nice job--I'll leave these things up to you.

Posted on 03/09/12 at 06:27 pm in response to Minnesota’s marriage amendment battle: Power of ‘messaging’ may be the key

Why did you choose these particular sections? Neither needs to be repealed, and of the two, only 517.03 should be amended. Unless you're suggesting that the slippery slope argument applies. That is, are you indicating that if we allow people of the same sex to get married, kids and relatives must inevitably end up getting married?

To alleviate your fears, let me assure you that slippery slopes are rarely anything more than imaginary. Looking specifically at this one, you must look...

Posted on 03/12/12 at 09:33 am in response to Minnesota’s marriage amendment battle: Power of ‘messaging’ may be the key

Individually, all of the situations you provided in response to Mr. Cygan's comment were perfectly fine, unless your scheme requires the marriage to be between all of those people at once--but then, that doesn't apply to Mr. Cygan's comment (TWO loving, COMMITTED people), does it?

You're arguing the slippery slope. No one with common sense will follow your logic into the pit you're trying to bait them into. If you provide some serious questions, then maybe someone will take you...

Posted on 03/12/12 at 01:35 pm in response to Minnesota’s marriage amendment battle: Power of ‘messaging’ may be the key

Feel free to educate your own children. If you wish to teach them that the sky is pink because you dislike blue, that's up to you. Just don't be surprised when the courts tell you that you can't sue the school district because you relegated your ability to teach your own children to the state. In other words, your religious freedoms have not been affected by your inability to teach your own kids.

Posted on 03/12/12 at 01:49 pm in response to Minnesota’s marriage amendment battle: Power of ‘messaging’ may be the key

Isn't a good way to win your argument.

For example, avoiding facts, such as the fact that not all cultures only considered male/female pairs to be legitimate marriages. Several cultures have for quite some time been much more flexible about "marriage."
...

Posted on 03/12/12 at 01:55 pm in response to Minnesota’s marriage amendment battle: Power of ‘messaging’ may be the key

According to you? I'll bite. Feel free to scan the document and upload it (once you get copyright permission). Go ahead and convince someone that it should be freely available online. Otherwise, I'm not particularly worried about a document that is supposed to provide "Practical strategies to make schools more safe and respectful for all students, families, and staff." Forgive me if it's not on my short list of things I'm afraid of.

Posted on 03/13/12 at 10:48 am in response to Minnesota’s marriage amendment battle: Power of ‘messaging’ may be the key

We're all obligated to pay taxes for things we don't use. I could walk everywhere or ride a bike, while never setting a wheel to the road, but I'd still have to pay taxes for roads. I don't have kids, but I still pay taxes for education. I pay taxes to employ firemen and police, yet I've never directly used their services. It's the price we pay for society--because it's not all about you. You reap the benefits of society due, in part, to your contribution to the things you don't use...