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Air Conditioning Is a Human Right

Posted by awebb 7 years, 10 months ago to News
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"And while free citizens should be able to set their thermostat to whatever level they feel comfortable at (the Department of Energy conservatively recommends 78), imprisoning people in buildings where there is no thermostat to keep the temperature below 90 isn’t just uncomfortable, nor is it just dangerous—it’s a violation of a human right."

Give me a break. While I think that prisons have a responsibility to keep the facility at a temperature that is livable (this is for workers as much as prisoners) they do not have the responsibility to provide AC.

My fiancé and I just bought a house and guess what... it doesn't have central air. Is someone going to come out and give us a unit for free because the builder has violated our human rights?

Comfort is not a human right.

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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 7 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    You just didn't compare unfairly. As I recall it was a civilian concern that did the waterboarding. How ever it's part of normal POW camp preparation or SERE Training. We got it after Vietnam and the only comment was where was the training when we needed it.
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  • Posted by $ puzzlelady 7 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Yes, and that is how billions of people to this day find ways to deal with their temperatures, both extreme heat and cold.

    The problem with Texas prisons is that the prisoners have no means to provide themselves with cross-ventilation, forest shade, loose clothing, dipping into streams, etc. Prisoners are packed into closed spaces and not only high temperatures but high humidity. They are basically helpless to avoid fatal reactions to their environment.
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  • Posted by $ puzzlelady 7 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Ingenious proposal! Prisoners should be allowed to do productive work. How else will "correctional" institutions meet that goal?

    I have to wonder, though, about the Larry McCollum case. They say he received a "short" sentence of two years for writing a bad check. In what universe does that make sense as a just punishment? He was warehoused with no way to make amends or repay his debt, and ended up with a death sentence. Is Texas unique in its combination of fiercely hot weather and gross negligence in their prisons? Who should be held responsible for letting prisoners die?

    No, air-conditioning is not a human right. But the right to life is, and prisoners should be maintained in basic survival conditions--neither a country club nor incinerators.
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 7 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    True and your original statement on take care of your own is also valid. The other readers get an unexpected side trip and we, you and me, weren't speaking hot air. Who decides. In the US your ewxample would replace ISIS with USA Government or the school board.
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  • Posted by roneida 7 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Michael Aarethun... Agreed, But you are moving over towards the realm of religion or un provable values or beliefs. Enforcing feelings is a pit with no bottom. The ISIS violence is done in the name of religious beliefs and mystical feelings. Who decides who gets taken care of is no longer a family decision...good or bad. The motto of "Take from each according to his ability to produce, and give to each according to his ability to need." still puts the greater value on need. Who decides is the trick...???
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  • Posted by roneida 7 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    awebb... your first word, legitimate, is the key to the your truth. What we have now is the government decrees and SCOUTS rules being imposed without the authority of the Constitution.
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  • Posted by awebb 7 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Legitimate rights are never at the expense of someone else.

    "Any alleged “right” of one man, which necessitates the violation of the rights of another, is not and cannot be a right.

    No man can have a right to impose an unchosen obligation, an unrewarded duty or an involuntary servitude on another man. There can be no such thing as “the right to enslave.”     - Ayn Rand (http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/ind...)
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 7 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    No one is forcing anyone to read Heinlein. One can watch the movie instead. The good stuff is not included. Awareness levels are not forced beliefs. But after reading Heinleins original comment and others i've watched for some decades and will stand by my observations that in this country we treat our dogs better than our old people and our children. Nothing to do with government it's people doing that.
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  • Posted by roneida 7 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    awebb...I definitely,plainly,clearly, in no way compared our military.to prisoners. I SAID, it would be interesting to see the military people give their comments on AC for prisoners. All so called rights are at the expense of someone. A few months ago a baker was fined 130,000 for failing to bake a wedding cake for a service he objected to. Whose rights are more important. Rights is a very slippery word favored by the socialist-commie propaganda to force their views on people non-conforming to their politics.
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  • Posted by awebb 7 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I believe that prisoners do have a right to humane treatment. They should not be starved, waterboarded, deprived of access to clean water, etc. I do not believe humane treatment necessarily includes AC provided at taxpayer expense. Especially if there are other ways to keep the temperature livable.

    I also don't think it is fair to compare prisoners and military personnel.
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  • Posted by roneida 7 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Michael Aarethun...my first response is that our dogs behave better...seriously, one of the unasked, and unanswered questions is overpopulation and diversity. Humans are designed to prefer their own, seek privacy and individual rights and be left alone. when irresponsible overbreeding is not only smiled on but encouraged with money, the outcome is obvious. Charles Darwin did NOT invent survival of the fittest, he just observed it. I assume that you are a reader of Ayn Rand as I am and can only refer your questions to her writings...she explains the complicated, but really simple, way to live..give all the energy, love and devotion to those you love and leave everyone else the hell alone. DOn't force your beliefs on anyone and don't let them force theirs on you. Band together for common defense and friendship if desired, but mind our own business, Governments are designed to do just the opposite,,,no matter what their name, and so are religions. Who was John Galt??? may he RIP.
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 7 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Ever seen up close what conditions are like in most old folks homes that are suipposed to be giving them care? I've seen three one in Oregon and two in Florida. When the seniors have to start using diapers and often arent aware the need for them is in a trail from their bed to the john? When they get sick and beg for no treatment so they can die. Why? They are a shell of a once proud able individual forced to live beyond their time. Inhumane treatment we have lots of it's cruel but it isn't unusual. Ever watch how people treat their dogs. House trainig other kinds of training lots of attention. thn't say 'now puppy' you shouldn't crap on the carpet and shake their finger. no they rub the nose and speak sternly and and praise then when they go outside with treat. And when the kiids are hauled in for one thing or another and their hand lightly slapped and they are sternly spoken to by judge and finally....let's jumpt to adult hood. Adult Dog still crapping on the carpet? Not at all. You didn't have to have them gassed or taken out in the woods and shot. Adult kid still crapping on society. Social promotions did't work Teachers failed worse than the parents who aren't allowed to touch them anymore. Finally and maybe jail where they can learn to be worse and find it' till a slap on the wrist. first few times and then one day the magic age is reached - the lfly swatter appears. Little Johnny has been taken the human pound.

    We are not in incaninemane but you can't say we are humane and as Heinlein wrote. treat our dogs better than our kids. Which wouldn't happen in any humane country so why is it happening in the USA?
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  • Posted by Sassy1Rebel 7 years, 9 months ago
    I grew up without AC and it didn't kill me. We had fans to keep us cool. I think we have just gotten comfortable with AC. Don't get me wrong, I love my AC, but it is not a human right to have it.
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  • Posted by roneida 7 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    awebb..... Of course in a humane country, prisoners should be treated decently and not subjected to torture, People confined do not have the ability that free people do to move around and avoid suffocating heat or freezing cold. Being in prison is the punishment for their crimes and that is enough. However, I would not want to depend on any government to guarantee my comfort or safety so I do my best to avoid being under their dominion. It would be of interest to hear from our military people and get their opinion on airconditioning....field people, not office.
    A famous philosopher and author, with the initials A R, once wrote in response to someones' demands for something they felt was deserved,' " But at whose expense??.
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  • Posted by gary29ct 7 years, 9 months ago
    As Ms. Rand pointed out, a "right" by definition, can't obligate another person to provide it, no matter how beneficial it might be. I believe her comment in Atlas, when Dagny was told that workers have a right to a job, was, "Then go pick it off the bush where you think it grows."
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  • Posted by Maritimus 7 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    "... how do they avoid heatstroke?"
    The same way humans did while living for millennia in the tropics and during the summer seasons on either hemisphere. When has the air conditioner first become available?
    EDIT: Inserted two missing words.
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  • Posted by term2 7 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Why dont the prison wardens just allow the prisoners to work at productive enterprises, like maybe growing pot. They they could afford to get the prison AC working.
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  • Posted by Eyecu2 7 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I agree that bothers me as well.

    Another thing that bothers me is how those on the Government Dole can afford excellent dental care for their kids and themselves but I can not.
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  • Posted by richrobinson 7 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I saw that comment and thought it insanely stupid even for Kerry. Then again, he also said the increased attacks from ISIS show they are losing and desperate. How does a moron like that become Secretary of State? January 2017 can't come fast enough.
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