Bush is a crook.

Originally Posted by Watts

Intentions don't really matter at this point. The War is on. I didn't mean to say that he should be praised, just that I don't really think intentions have mattered much to history.

How can intentions not matter? If someone accidentally accomplishes something positive, then they aren't going to be remembered as a great visionary. They'll be remembered for pulling a Homer.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Absolutely. But science and politics operate fairly differently. One's character is much more important in a political setting than in a scientific one.

Also scientists who accientaly happened upon a discovery later intentionally developed and investigated it right? That's a far cry from accidentally setting things in motion that other people would subsequently pick up on and expand on.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by PattyNBK

Since when did we punish people based on thoughts and intentions? Since when were thoughts and intentions crimes? I know it's important to protect children and all, but this is ridiculous and overboard.

I agree with you, except for this. I mean, punishments are greatly influenced by someone's intent during a crime. But only if a crime has actually taken place, easiest example is different degrees of murder/manslaughter. I know you know that, just in case another reader took you statement at face value.

I don't know much/anything about these stings, but from what I can gather they would/should be illegal in this country. It'd be fantastic if someone has a link as to how these work in the legal system.

I mean, how often do people come *this* close to doing something they shouldn't, and then decide against it. How does one justify punishing them for being close enough to a criminal?

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.