Thursday, February 28, 2013

Does this constitute littering and was the verdict appropriate?

Does this constitute littering and was the verdict appropriate?
Do you believe we should prosecute these people? Could they also be charged with aiding and abetting illegals? If illegals cross the desert, should they not be responsible for themselves instead of these groups helping them? By Brian J. Pedersen Arizona Daily Star Tucson, Arizona | Published: 06.04.2009 advertisementA Tucson man convicted of littering on federal land said he will continue to leave out water for illegal immigrants walking through the desert, even if that means risking further citations. "We're committed to our humanitarian efforts," said Walt Staton, 27, who was found guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court of knowingly littering on a national wildlife refuge. "We're not asking permission from the United States to save people's lives. We never have, because we know they'd say no," Staton said. Staton, a Web designer and volunteer with the humanitarian group No More Deaths, faces up to one year in prison and a $10,000 fine when he is sentenced Aug. 11 by U.S. District Magistrate Judge Jennifer Guerin. He was cited Dec. 4 for littering when U.S. Border Patrol agents spotted him placing unopened gallon containers of water in the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge southwest of Tucson. It was one of dozens of times in his five years of volunteering with the group that he had left out water, Staton said. This time, though, Staton said a Border Patrol agent stopped his pursuit of a group of illegal immigrants to seize the water. "I was just trying to save lives," Staton said. "I was trying to end the death and suffering in the desert. The best we can understand, the United States wants to enforce the border by making the desert itself a deterrent." Staton's attorney, William Walker, argued during the two-day trial that leaving full, unopened water jugs out didn't constitute littering just because someone else later disposed of the empty container elsewhere. He told the jury of four men and eight women that, based on the prosecutor's theory, if they were given a meal in the jury room and then tossed an empty wrapper on the floor, it would mean the court was guilty of littering. "Just because something can turn into litter from someone else doesn't make it litter," Walker said. "His intent and purpose was for them to drink the water, not to litter." Prosecutors argued it shouldn't matter what Staton's intentions were, or a person's motives for committing a crime would matter in other cases. "Every bank robber would come in here and say they did it to save their dying grandmother," Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence Lee said. The verdict shocked Walker, who said about one-third of the jury pool was disqualified because they'd acknowledged sympathy for Staton. He said he didn't think it would be possible for those chosen to find Staton guilty. "What really surprised me, though, was . . . this trial must have cost the government more than $50,000," Walker said. "They say there aren't enough agents on the border, that they can't stop terrorists from coming into the country . . . and then they spend all of this time and money prosecuting a humanitarian who is putting out water to save lives." Staton is the second No More Deaths volunteer to go to trial on a federal littering charge. Daniel Millis was found guilty at a bench trial in September, though Walker — who also handled that case — said he has appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Walker said he also plans to appeal Staton's conviction, taking it to the U.S. Supreme Court if needed. Contact reporter Brian J. Pedersen at 573-4224 or bjp@azstarnet.com. low mo - you are one of the ones who likes to answer my questions but block me from yours, is this no hypocritical?
Immigration - 7 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
" We're not asking permission from the United States to save people's lives" BRAVO! I think I will donate another 10,000 to help out his efforts. What a great man this guy is! You can't have more heart than that!
2 :
Yes, it's littering. It's kind of stupid for the government to waste time prosecuting this crime, but it's still a crime. I'd recommend Mr. Staton not leave plastic containers of any kind in federal parks.
3 :
yeah Kize, that low mow did the same thing to me so I just blocked it too. It is littering. Trash will create more trash if you get my point!
4 :
they only charged him with littering? why was he not charged with encouraging illegals to come to the USA. don't sweat mo, he has blocked me to.
5 :
WOW! prosecute people that are out there to save others lives.......now you are really getting delirious! When has saving peoples lives been considered "Aiding and a Betting"? MY ANSWER IS NO! to all your questions.
6 :
There was an article this last week about volunteers cleaning up trash along the immigrant trails in Santa Cruz Co. 3,000 pds of trash was removed. Not only is it littering it is aiding and abetting and he should be prosecuted for that also. He should be made to "volunteer" to clean after the illegal aliens. Let him see how much they really appreciate his efforts. The more you research and the more facts you put out here the more the illegal lovers will hound you. You'll be racist, xenophobic, a hate monger and what ever other flavor of the month. They claim the facts aren't facts because they come from groups who are against illegals. But the facts they get from group who do support illegals is the true facts. Write your Senator and Congress person and see what they have to tell you about illegal aliens and the cost. Maybe they are racist, hatemonger, xenophobes too.
7 :
Yes! They are helping non-US Citizens coming into this country illegally by disguising their efforts under the “humanitarian clause”. If they really want to save lives then they should go to Mexico and preach economic and cultural reforms to the people, private sector, and government. They should also preach birth control to poor people.




Thursday, February 14, 2013

moving to argentina and playing poker?

moving to argentina and playing poker?
I'm 18 years old. Yes I know, young and foolish and filled with hope for life just waiting to get his spirits crushed. And so, before stands me one option. Accept money from the parents i most deeply dislike, attend a state university, get some degree in financing, making my 60-80k over a career, maybe one day 100k?!?!, hope america's infrastructure doesn' collapse one day, and die on the inside, shitting on every ideal of freedom and staying true to your dreams i ever held. Or... I become a poker pro. Now just stay with me here. An online professional poker player might make anywhere from 15k (you gotta be god awful) to 100k a year (you gotta be really good). Its quiet even possible I hit it lucky and I win a few lucrative tournaments here and there, cashing in some extra few hundred grand. On average, lets say an online poker pro, as myself, will make 50k a year... (Then again, I say I'm going to be making hundreds of thousands, but thats just arrogance speaking =P) At this point, financial analyst for the win. Poker earnings are still taxed as an income tax, the job would seem far to volatile and unreliable (no health benefeits and such), and quiet honestly I come out looking like a fool unless I am the new Phil Ivey of poker. Stage two... I move to buenos aires. Buenos Aires, Argentina, is deemed "the paris of south america". With warm weather, great nice people, and a happy atmosphere, the place seems great from everything I ever read. Not once have I read anything bad about the place. On top of that, due to inflation, on 20k u.s. A year, I'd be living like a prince there (Somewhat). For example, on average a person there makes 1500 pesos a month, 18000 a year. The exchange rate is 1 us dollar to 3.5 pesos. Thus, 20k is 70k pesos. A top notch lawyer makes about 6k a month, or about the equivelant to my 20k U.S. (which i also plan to switch into euros, for the dollars quickly losing value). Anyways, with due practice and diligence, even if I hit the lowest of cielings in poker, I can live happily in argentina. Part three. As a U.S. citizen, living abroad you still follow a U.S. income tax. At first I was infuriated by this, until I learned more... if you make under 95k a year though, your exempt from the income tax. :O. Thus, all my poker winnings now become tax free, and seeing as Argentina has much bigger problems to tackle, I don't see them making online gambling a policy of theres anytime soon. But thats the beautty of online poker! If things get heated in Buenos aires, I pick up my things and move somewhere else. All I need is an internet connection and a bank account and whalla! I am employed no matter where I go :). Part four. I get to argentina, I live happy, and say I'm not a retarted monkey at poker. I make say 50k a year? That leaves 30k a year extra. Those 30k, I invest in mutual fund, (stock and money), which can overtime lead to a year roi of say 5-10%. Say I get better at investing, manage to get my portofolio to a steady RoI of 8%, and continually pump in 30-50k of savings each year (hell, win a tournament or two, and I could throw in something like 100k in a given year.) In about 20 years, at that pace, my investment portfolio would be worth millions. Forty years? ITs not too hard to imagine anything in the range of 10-30 million. Of course, this is all cirumstantial! I can get shot in the head by a maniac who randomly let out a gun shot in the direction of my window as soon as I finished writing this. But what do you think? Is it too insane? I mean the average american savings per year is 400 bux, and on average the debt is something like 150k? Even as a financial analyst, pressured to live up to "Societal standards" I don't see myself investing more than 6-10k a year, and thats without the strain of a family or wife. So, PUT IN YOUR INPUT GUYS!
Other - Careers & Employment - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
If you own a degree - or any other qualification - then you'll already be in advace of of the bunch when it comes to looking for careers. My friend has a degree and he wasn't sure what direction to go with it, but he discovered some good tips on the resource in the resource box below which aided him to decide that he wanted to be a lab assistant. There is loads of guidance on the resource regarding other careers.



Thursday, February 7, 2013

Wilderness survival book..?

Wilderness survival book..?
Have had this terrible incurable disease for a few years now,It has actually hindered everything in my life including my backpacking/vagabonding trips around the world while i attempt to treat it and ive finally come to the conclusion,on my own,that im never going to get over this and i am going to die in the next year or two(Per my doctor.),The only vestige i have is doing what i want and have been holding back on which is vagabonding/attempting to live as meager in the wild as possible,I have some experience but not much and its more or less been a fantasy of mine so i might as well do it before i am gone,nothing to lose... i did not post that for anyone to empathize with me,just to tell my situation so i may get adequate information and that i am not a totally irrational person... My main question really is,What book would be the best informative wise on fire starting,Bedding,Edible plants,Nat. Water filtering and the basics,i have gathered a pretty large notebook full of facts on these things over the years just for this occasion but i would like a reference in terms of a book as well... I will be heading south from PA and going to try to make it as far south as i can possible to Buenos Aires,going through Mexico and Central America on very little money(Yes i know,foolish but you have to look at it from my perspective)...I would rather die noble and on my own terms than a domesticated medicated rat(No disrespect)... So any literature(Pref. that i can get from a bookstore and not online) or other websites i should print things off from would be a tremendous help...thank you:) P.S. I am NOT looking for opinions on what to do with my life,I just want to know the information i inquired about,thanks.....
Other - Outdoor Recreation - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
The SAS survival handbook, by John "Lofty" Wiseman. I can respect wanting to live out your dreams-I must ask however, what do you plan to do when this disease incapacitates you? It would seem a hard way to go. Each to his own though. That book will help you.
2 :
I have this book, and i like it quite a bit. http://www.walmart.com/ip/10731593?wmlspartner=GPA&sourceid=44444444440321629755 This guy seems to know what he is talking about.


Friday, February 1, 2013

What do you think of a 27-year-old guy dating an 18-year-old girl who is a senior in high school?

What do you think of a 27-year-old guy dating an 18-year-old girl who is a senior in high school?
I'm 27, and I'm a lawyer who specializes in international contract arbitration. I make good money. A few months ago I hired a high school girl for an afterschool job to do simple things like stuff envelopes and sort the mail at my office. She brought in her sister one day, and whoa, that girl was just amazingly hot. We hit it off, and ended up having sex. She apparently wants to be my "girlfriend." Is this a good idea? For one thing, I am not monogamous. I visit Paris pretty often for business. I have a girl there, too. We're not dating (actually, she is married to an older guy), but she's my girl, and when I'm there, we always get together for sex and fun. I have a girl like this in Shanghai, too. I also have an ex-girlfriend who lives in Buenos Aires, and we still have sex sometimes. I'm not giving that up. Would an 18-year-old girl understand this arrangement? What are some difficulties I might encounter if I try to date a girl who is still in high school? I should mention that I also have an ex-wife, but we don't have sex anymore, because we hate each other.
Singles & Dating - 44 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
sounds like a good idea.
2 :
cradle robber!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3 :
grow up and sleep with women your own age....she is still a baby for christ sakes!
4 :
I think your a perv. I don't care if she's legal. She still in high school.
5 :
What if it were your daughter? You wouldn't want some older guy screwing her. So stop!!!!!!
6 :
It's a bit strange and makes me think the guy really likes immaturity....and hopefully no girl in the world would "understand" you having sex with your ex on a regular basis. And technically the girl in Paris is not your girlfriend....she's a wife...and not your wife. People like you are the reason std's spread.
7 :
Sounds like you have problems. Don't put this poor 18 y/o girl in the middle of your issues. Stop having sex with this girl, and the 3 others!!
8 :
um i dont know if you'll have difficulties since she technically is an adult, but thats kind of weird and gross and i think you need to grow up and quit sleeping around
9 :
sunds like ur a perv if i were her bro id kick your ass
10 :
NO NO NO. i respect you and all, but that girl needs to get a brain transplant and realize that a 9 age difference isn't that cool.
11 :
I hope this is a joke because if not, you disgust me. I hate guys like you who have "girls" (espeically married ones!) here there and everywhere and won't commit to one. Do you just have sex with anybody who is willing? I don't even want to think about the diseases you have. And if you ever grow up and want an actual relationship, good luck finding a decent girl.
12 :
Tell her to bring more friends
13 :
Seriously, Dude, you supposedly get through law school and have to post this question? I smell a troll. Stop dating all together. You shouldn't reproduce.
14 :
She's in high school, did you miss your senior prom? Get over yourself and let this poor girl go. Gross!
15 :
whoah you seem to be a player!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you should defintely tell this girl what your up to. but as long as shes willing to have a relationship eith you then let it be because shes legal. but she would be very stupid to stay with you! stupid girls these days
16 :
it s defintly wrong its a thin line between illegal and legal and the guys probaly pressuring her to do thingss.......
17 :
It depends on the girl, but my assumption would be she would assume the relationship to be monogamous, but really it depends on her. If she wants you two to "date" as in go out to movies, etc, then a typical high school girl would get pissed
18 :
I think that you and her are both desperate and need to get lives.
19 :
You are awful. She wouldn't understand that one bit. You are a total user and wrong.
20 :
I'm telling you from expierence NOT a good idea. I was 18 and I was "in love" with a 26 yr old. We were at 2 totally different stages in our lives. i was just starting college, and he already had his degree and his career established. She can be very mature, but girls between 16-19 get their feelings attached WAY too soon. I would play it with caution! Good Luck!
21 :
You're using your position and power to have sex with her.. end of story. If she's ok with that fine.. otherwise you're leading her on.
22 :
Well, while she's 18 and that's considered legal, it's still wrong. Find some girl who is closer to your age and play with her. Don't corrupt this young child.
23 :
Sounds like you have enough girls at the present to be honest!! And you know what younger girls are like...once she's slept with you she will get attached and she will want to spend lots of time with you and of course she will not want you to be seeing anyone else. Explain what you're up to with other girls and let her decide if she's willing to get involved with you but please do not lie to her and cover things up because you'll hurt her a lot. I've been through this before with an older guy, i'm 18 and he's als 27 and i hated it. But hey, this girl might like it, who knows?
24 :
Are you nuts. This eighteen year old girl is thinking wedding bells picket fences and "Happily ever after". Find someone a bit more mature and a lot more "understanding".
25 :
wow what a player well done...im amazed you hae all this worked out so nicely. a high school girl usually 9 out of 10 wont understand and well she will get her feelings hurt and you'll be stuck in a sh*t storm without an umbrella i say you should hit it a few more times and tell her to hit the road bc shes too young and immature
26 :
Your disturbed and need help. Leave the girl alone. Don't break her heart.
27 :
Good for him, bad for her.
28 :
it sounds like ur a fuc*ing perv u nasty FUC* grow up and go out w/ people ur own age and stop sleeping around imma laugh my ass off when u get std's u fuc*ing pig!!!!!! Casanova
29 :
Proust, this sounds rather doubtful but if it is indeed true then there are many downfalls. Not many of your peers are going to feel comfortable around a girl this young so you couldn't really take her anywhere with you, same with her friends not wanting to hang around a guy your age. There is no way in hell that she is going to agree with your having a female in every port so forget about that one. Her folks would probably want to sue your ass off. And won't you feel like a real man going back to high school to pick her up. Time for this lawyer to do some growing up and acting his age, getting someone not so vulnerable and more an equal with you.
30 :
holy **** dude im 15 who has dated guys and girls around 10 yrs older then me but damn... tell her that you have girls that are married who cheat on their husbands and that you still sleep with your ex and her at the same time... she's a teenager and that wont last long. scary part is, your a lawyer, you could get out of the legal bind if you needed to so either way your fine, which isnt fair...
31 :
Problem is 18 year old are dumb & wont understand it. I'm also 27 & have fooled around with younger girls (18 to 20 yr olds) It usually ends poorly because they have soo much growing up to do. Casual sex is usually tied to emotions at that age. But it sounds like you are pretty good at juggling girls & like I said, she is only 18 & dumb. Im sure you can make it work. Difficulties you will face: not being able to hang out with her bars, dealing with her parents, having to hang out on occasion with her lame 18 year old friends, listening to her complain about how hard AP Calculus is, basically dealing with high school drama.
32 :
I think you're looking for women to join your harem. Most women aren't going to be cool with a cheater. So stick with the ones who don't seem to mind. Most 18 year olds haven't been hurt enough to be cynical and have either jaded relationships or they aren't experienecd enough to consider open relationships. She's legal, but leading her on is wrong is a different way. If you tell her all these things you told us, and she is still interested, go for it. But I doubt it. Congrats on potentially being her first heartbreak!
33 :
Numbers are just digits! My sisters hubby is 45, and she is 32 My nan was 14 when she met my grandad who was 20..and they were together till he died at the age of 92, my my mum and step dad has 20 yer age gap. yet all of these people were in love. The worrying thing is your other women! TELL HER about the other women, and see what she thinks!
34 :
no body should have to understand sharing you with other women. Most really want you to themselves. And a 18 year old will get more attached then you really want her to be.
35 :
thats hot. jump in balls deep.
36 :
There is nouthing wrong with what you are doing.Its her motives you need to be concerned about.
37 :
i think your helping the girl in paris cheat on her husband which is stupid on both parts, she should just divorce if she goes through all the trouble to cheat.... infedelity and adultery is a sin! im no christian but that is definitely one commandment i do abide by, your a bastard individual, and people like you aren't meant to have any future with any self respecting woman..... your ignorant and immature so if i ever met you i would probably become full blown lesbian...
38 :
dude not cool beside she will change her mind in about 3 years.
39 :
Be honest with this girlfriend-wanna-be. She is young. It surprises me why an educated person you claim to be is so promiscuous. (?) All the diseases you could be getting and then unknowingly passing on to your admitted stable of girls. It's too bad you don't have the emotional or social maturity to date in your own age group.
40 :
Dude, 18 year old girl's in High School have NO CLUE what they want. They think they want something, but really, they are just stupid. Not stupid in all, just at that time in their life. Just let her go, obviously you have a pretty sweet situation. Don't corrupt her, let her go, and let her be 18. Ya'll are at two COMPLETELY different stages in your life and it just doesn't match at all period. Do her a favor and end it.
41 :
Play on Playa.Chances are she wont understand,so dont tell her anything.Just date her for as long as it works out.
42 :
they aren't GF's, they're hookups
43 :
Sounds you have lived and had a good time. Why don't you leave her alone so she can do the same. A 18 year old, especially still in high school is not usually at a mature mental stage in her life do determine the difference between love and lust. I know my daughter who is almost 18 thinks that she is in love with every guy she goes out with for more than 3 dates. Then like most high school kids falls out of love when the next cute guy comes along. So I guess what I am saying is be careful you don't open up a can of worms you wish you would have left closed.
44 :
WOW.. So you are a Lawyer? I cannot believe you are actually on here asking for advice on this subject!!!! Leave the poor girl alone and tell her it is no longer appropriate to be involved with her. WTF is your problem. I am so very offended and reading everything you wrote makes me sick to my stomach. Have you ever heard of ummm STD's, getting people pregnant. Who do you think you are??? Seriously buddy, if you were a real man, Then grow up and do your f****n job!!