I still don't understand what the restriction will limit..... does this go for just cups in restaurants? What about convenience stores? Is Mr. Bloomberg aware that most soda bottles that we buy in the stores are 1/2 liter, or 16.9 ounces? What about those free refills in restaurants? Bigger question.... when will this ever end?

As you note the timing of the quotes, I am struck by two changes that make what you say possible.... one, the whole country no longer has "skin in the game", as our armed forces are not drafted anymore, but volunteer. Therefore, those who disagree with the policies are much less likely to be supportive of the political opponents whose children are in harm's way. Two, the media brings images of war to our homes, but our homes are already saturated with the faux wars in movies and games, lessening the emotional impact of the real events, making it easier to ridicule or ignore.

I think maybe that "the Answer's" point was that, regardless of the inborn genetic heritage, when a child is subjected to the negative environmental upbringing so prevalent in inner-city areas, with only one parent, who may or may not be emotionally present, drugs, alcohol, violence, etc, that child's prospects are greatly reduced from whatever that genetic predisposition would otherwise allow the child to achieve. This wasted human potential is a true tragedy.

Much of that mythology you read was allegory.......

I think Sowell is also referring back to a quote that I think comes from Thomas Jefferson (someone please correct me if the quote is misattributed) that states "the Constitution is meant for a moral and religious people; it is wholly inadequate for anyone else". My understanding of at least part of Sowell's point is that as the moral and religious foundations have crumbled, so have the restraints placed on the United States citizens (of which I am one) by the Constitution and the moral and religious values that have always undergirded it.

Try telling that falsehood to all the women whose husbands are soooo consumed by porn that they ignore normal life: kid's plays or sports, vacations, spending time actually talking to one's wife, and so on. Then try to say that the "only ones opposing it" are the selfish ones........ I guess you like being laughed derisively out of the room........

Cut out the school-yard garbage mouth.... What ever happened to leave the kids out of it?

"return the favor" in the sense of leaving me alone to live my life, just as I leave you alone to live your life...........

If you do not want other's "religious views foisted upon" you, then you would be better off voting for someone other than current-day Democrats. They are the ones who are forcing the politically correct "religion" of false, redefined "tolerance" and "multi-culteralism" (to name a few, there are many others) down the throats of everyone who does not think the way they do......... For the most part, as a conservative Christian, I don't care what you do or think, as long as you return the favor!

Sounds to me like you just proved the "forced" issue! (at least in this one case)