ThinkFast: May 3, 2006
ThinkFast: May 3, 2006
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said yesterday that the Armed Services subcommittee he chairs “would reject one of the most controversial aspects of President Bush’s fiscal 2007 defense budget request, a proposal to charge some military retirees more for their health care.”
67: Number of U.S. troops who have died this year due to attacks on their Humvees caused by IEDs. The number of deaths is up from 27 at a comparable point last year.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) “warned the Bush administration Tuesday that he intends to ride herd on its efforts to crack down on leaks to reporters. He also said his panel would consider legislation that would establish a federal shield law for journalists.”
A government study commissioned by the Bush administration concluded there is “no statistically significant conflict between measures of global warming on the earth’s surface and in the atmosphere,” thus eliminating “a significant area of uncertainty in the debate over global warming, one that the administration has long cited as a rationale for proceeding cautiously” on curbing harmful emissions.
Two-thirds of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students (ages 13-20) report having been verbally harassed because of their sexual orientation, a new study shows. More than a third have suffered anti-gay physical harassment.
10. Number of children who die every minute from malnutrition. A new UNICEF report finds that “146 million children under five in the developing world are suffering from insufficient food intake, repeated infectious diseases, muscle wastage and vitamin deficiencies.”
Critical Darfur peace talks have been extended, as high-powered diplomats from the United States and Britain worked to place pressure on the Khartoum government and warring rebels.
A new report by Amnesty International indicates that torture and inhumane treatment are “widespread” in U.S.-run detention centers in Afghanistan, Iraq, Cuba and elsewhere despite Washington’s denials. Amnesty accused the U.S. government of “creating a climate in which torture and other ill-treatment can flourish.”
A Roper poll for National Geographic found that 6 in 10 Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 could not locate Iraq on a map. Nearly a third could not locate the state of Louisiana, and “fewer than three in 10 think it important to know the locations of countries in the news.â€
Iraq and Afghanistan rank among the world’s 10 weakest states, according to a new index released by the Fund for Peace and Foreign Policy magazine.
Gov. Brian Schweitzer yesterday posthumously pardoned 79 Montanans convicted under the state’s harsh Sedition Act “for speaking out in ways deemed critical of the United States. In one instance, a traveling wine and brandy salesman was sentenced to 7 to 20 years in prison for calling wartime food regulations a ‘big joke.’” “I’m going to say what Gov. Sam Stewart should have said,” Schweitzer said, referring to the man who signed the sedition legislation into law in 1918. “I’m sorry, forgive me, and God bless America, because we can criticize our government.”
And finally: Cheney’s diet — Atkins approved. “At age 65, Cheney is easily 30 or more pounds overweight, seems to have slacked off on what was once a more rigorous diet, and appears to suffer from recurrent bouts of gout. At a roundtable lunch with reporters a couple of years ago, two who were present say, he cut his buffalo steak in bite-size pieces the moment it arrived, then proceeded to salt each side of each piece.”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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[Comment deleted by admin]
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:07 am#1 Maybe is the reason you’re so bitter every day…
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:10 amYou act as if they Should IRI. are you a pervert, or is this reason for your general hatred towards mankind?
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:11 amIt still amazes me that millions of children starve every year, dwarfing any terrorist attack on America or any other country and yet we have no global “war on hunger”. If the people dying are wealthy white businessmen and women then we seem to have a knee jerk reaction to use force first. When the victims are poor undernourished children, it is always a problem that will take “study and time”.
It’s time progressive stood up and showed their moral souls. In a world of such plenty, and in a country where we sometimes pay farmers not to grow crops, we must call the epidemic of hunger what it is, a moral crisis. Every religion teaches that it’s followers must “feed the hungry”. Now progressives must take up that call and not be afraid to appear spiritual.
UNICEF is doing all it can, now we should do more.
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:11 amWhat did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
Exxon CEO: Use less of our stuff
Some notable excerpts:
“Exxon chief executive Rex Tillerson said Tuesday there is little lawmakers can do to combat rising energy costs and urged consumers to reduce demand by using less”
“He said Exxon, for its part, was investing $20 billion over the next five years to develop new sources of energy.”
“A new report by Amnesty International indicates that torture and inhumane treatment are “widespread†in U.S.-run detention centers”
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:12 amArn’t these also the people who said force feeding someone so they wouldn’t starve was torture?
“Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) “warned the Bush administration Tuesday that he intends to ride herd on its efforts to crack down on leaks to reporters. He also said his panel would consider legislation that would establish a federal shield law for journalists.â€
Spector wants to make leaking classified information a protected past time for subversives in our government? That figures.
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:12 amFinally! A Republican senator that doesn’t (obviously) hate our Veterans by wanting them to pay higher out-of-pocket prices for their medical care!
Sen. Spector is going to “ride herd on its efforts to crack down on leaks to reporters”?
You’ll understand that I won’t hold my breath. “He also said his panel would consider legislation that would establish a federal shield law for journalists.” Well, this is an election year for him, so maybe he’s trying to distance himself from his toadying to the Bush administration in a vain effort to portray himself as something other than a rubber-stamp legislator. Too little, too late.
“Two-thirds of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students have been verbally harassed because of their sexual orientation, reports a new survey. More than a third have suffered anti-gay physical harassment.” Well, this is down from the 100% that would have been verbally/physically harassed about 20 years ago, so things are looking up. Far from an ideal situation, though.
“6 in 10 Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 could locate Iraq on a map.” We discussed this at work, and everyone on my team was able to identify Iraq and Iran on the map. Some of our team was better at more obscure locations, such as Sudan, Vietnam, Laos, Sweden, and Argentina. We also took the National Geographic online “quiz”, and nobody missed more than one nation. I guess we fall in the higher percentile than the average American!
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:14 amSexual perverts never have a nice day.
Comment by I-RIGHT-I — May 3, 2006 @ 9:07 am
Well, try anyway IRI.
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:16 am#1 – “Sexual perverts never have a nice day.”
I’m sorry to hear that “Right between the I’s”! I’m sure your day will get better if you keep a positive attitude. Keep a stiff upper lip! (Unless that interferes with your sex life.)
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:16 amIRI is just a Hater. Its in his Edomite Blood. They run around blaming people for all kinds of things. IRI is but a caricature, he is irresponsible, unfettered, and allowed to run loose by his wacko Edomite upbringing. IRI you will not get my hate. Try that Stuff somewhere else.
——
Spector wants to protect Journalists? Like Judith Miller?
This is backwards. They should not be allowed to intentionally leak, this appears to say, YES, Bush can Leak, but we will Protect the Journalist, no the whistleblower, so Bush can continue to Leak.
Catch 22 Folks
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:16 amGee, DC should try the Kamikaze – two ounces of sake and two ounces of soy sauce, both chilled. Does wonders for the old heart, especially after downing a dozen raw oysters harvested at the peak of the red tide season. Not that I wish him any ill will.
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:17 amA Roper poll for National Geographic found that only 6 in 10 Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 could locate Iraq on a map. Nearly a third could not locate the state of Louisiana, and “fewer than three in 10 think it important to know the locations of countries in the news.â€
And that is WITH the names printed on the map…. right I-R-I?
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:18 amSpector wants to make leaking classified information a protected past time for subversives in our government? That figures.
Comment by I-RIGHT-I — May 3, 2006 @ 9:12 am
Actually I can agree with this point of IRI’s Judith Miller and her Ilk have been useful for creating wars and fomenting other “problems”
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:20 amMaybe Cheney is actually one of those shapeshifting salt vampires from Star Trek. Have any staffers been found dead with strange sucker marks on their faces?
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:22 amI-R-I. “In the First Amendment, the Government’s power to censor the press was abolished so that the press would remain forever free to censure the government. Far from deserving condemnation for their courageous reporting, the [newspapers who published the Pentagon Papers] should be commended for serving the purpose that the Founding Fathers saw so clearly. The guarding of military and diplomatic secrets at the expense of an informed representative government provides no real security to our Republic.” Justice Hugo Black, writing for the majority of the Supreme Court, New York Times v. United States (1973).
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:26 amBut I dont agree with IRI, whos trying to polarize the issue, because hes a democrat or a republican, IT’S He’s just another Crooked Poltico, like Bush, Or Dick, Or Don, or Abramoff, Delay, Cunningham etc..
Creeps of a Feather Flock Together.
Like Lantos and his “Darfur” Oil Rebels.
A human rights kinda crowd? Yeh Right.
BS!
And the Subversives IRI mentions is of course the Cercopes, Dick and George.
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:27 amDo you know what brings on bouts of gout?
Drinking alcohol.
I think Cheny’s busted.
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:27 amHow do you like me now IRI?
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:29 amYou have been Spun, again.
I like the part in the Vanity Fair interview with Oily Dick where it implies bypass surgery can cause neurological disturbances… and I would call salting both sides of small pieces of meat obsessive compulsive…… but then, we have witnessed such behavior consistently, yes?
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:30 amThis man was unfit for public service physically, mentally, ethically and emotionally from day one.
Do you know what brings on bouts of gout?
Drinking alcohol.
~~~
And here I’m thinking it was overfeeding on the public trough in the Pig Sty =)
Animals shall not drink…To Excess.
4 legs good-2 legs better.
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:32 amFlash news…the diehard 32% figured out…
Bush Solidifies Base: Tongues wag as 32% of U.S. turns into pillars of salt.
EWM- (May 2, 2006) The nation is reeling over a poll released today that shows the 32 percent of Americans that still approve of the president have turned into pillars of salt. The stunning discovery may account for the impervious few that still regard the Bush years as a success, despite abundant stimuli indicating otherwise…
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:36 amCheney’s diet is of no consequence since most of his body functions have been mechanized and replacement parts are readily available. I think what appears to be gout is more likely a hydraulic leak.
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:37 amIRI, Government malfeasance isn’t a security threat to it’s citiizens it’s a threat to the party in control. .Just to classsify everything to hide corruption, ineptness and poor judgement in the name of national security is insulting. Why does anything that appears to be bi-partisan to the GOP means loss of control? As far as Lindsey Graham’s suggestions about not lowering Military retirees’ pensions, he and his party know this would be the kiss of death for them. I’d put money on a large part of Military retirees are Republicans.Lots of pork but no we’ll just have to cut Military retirements. Thanks for letting us exploit you, oh yeah and don’t forget you enlisted. Bait and switch Patriotism by our own government.
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:39 am2/3 of students have been bullied. Their sexual orientation was only a handle for the Bully to grab on to.
Kids are Bullied for being skinny, or nerdy, or quiet, or because of appearance, or simple a name, kinda like Anne Coulter, You Know, tha skank who runs around school calling the other girls whores, when she is the Slut of the County. in my view.
———————————–
a proposal to charge some military retirees more for their health care.â€
Who proposed this Bill?
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:41 amDid you notice these percentages are about the same as the percentage of the population that still supports the Commander in Chief?
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:43 am#25 “fewer than three in 10 think it important to know the locations of countries in the news.â€
This one is also close the same percantage that supports Bush.
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:48 amHeres a better link to that geography talking point above, has a few more of the questions in it.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/05/02/geog.test/index.html
My fav:
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:53 am“Six in 10 did not know the border between North and South Korea is the most heavily fortified in the world.
Thirty percent thought the most heavily fortified border was between the United States and Mexico. “
Study: Americans sicker than English
“A higher rate of Americans tested positive for diabetes and heart disease than the English. Americans also self-reported more diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, lung disease and cancer.”
Is there a doctor in the house? How many of these are related to being fat, huge, obese, gynormous, whale-esc. in proportion, etc, etc?
May 3rd, 2006 at 10:03 am“”This puts the nail in the coffin of [the huamn-activity-caused warming skeptics'] argument as much as anything I’ve seen,” Pomerance said. “It may not be the first time it’s been said, but it’s the clearest I’ve seen it stated coming out of a government agency. Game over.”
No, no, not for these people. They hate science because it disagrees with their subconscious view of how they think things are. They think journalists should be prosecuted for revealing information about illegal activity because it doesn’t agree with what they believe. Their minds won’t be changed because to them there is no impartial reality, and they lash out and attack anyone or anything that says otherwise.
These are the same people that are Revolutionary Guards in Iran, Nazi Party members in 1938, the Taliban in 2000. . . they’re all the same. Same dog, just different leg action. The only thing that keeps them from really metastisizing like a cancer in our society is the horrendously inept handling of government by the Bush administration, a relatively well-informed and educated citizenry, and the vestiges of a free press.
May 3rd, 2006 at 10:08 am[Comment deleted by admin]
Comment by I-RIGHT-I — May 3, 2006 @ 9:07 am
Off to a great start already, I see…
How about some lithium to go with that breakfast taco? :)
May 3rd, 2006 at 10:37 am#30 – “Right between the I’s” would never voluntarily take lithium. To do so would require admitting that he’s got a problem, and he firmly believes that it’s everyone else in the world that has the problem, not himself.
May 3rd, 2006 at 10:42 am10. Number of children who die every minute from malnutrition. A new UNICEF report finds that “146 million children under five in the developing world are suffering from insufficient food intake, repeated infectious diseases, muscle wastage and vitamin deficiencies.â€
That’s because greedy pigs like Dick-tator Cheney and Lee ‘Jabba the Hutt’ Raymond take more than their share. Seriously. With limited respurces, when you take more than you need, someone else does without. And from their combined overage, they are starving an entire country in Africa. Atleast.
May 3rd, 2006 at 10:42 amWhat did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
http://www.military.com/MilitaryReport/0,12914,95705,00.html?ESRC=vr.nl
VA to Seek DNA of All Veterans
Researchers are mapping the human genome for the day when physicians will use a patient’s genetic profile as preventive medicine. To that end, the Department of Veterans Affairs plans to create a genetic database from potentially millions of VA patients. The VA plans to collect the first 100,000 samples in October, 2007 and foresees a database as large as the number of veterans who are willing to contribute samples of their DNA. VA also plans to write rules regarding handling a person’s genetic profile while using it in research.
3 words ‘Cold Dead Fingers”
May 3rd, 2006 at 10:50 am#33 – I can understand your hesitance to provide a genetic sample. IF it’s only for “preventive medicine”, I’m all for it. I feel quite confident, however, that it will be used for more than just genetic mapping for “preventive medicine” purposes. When the federal military starts talking about altruistic programs, my immediate response it to distrust their altruism.
It’s a bit late for me to “opt out”. I’ve been on a clinical trials with the VA and CDC since 2002, and they’ve got more blood samples from me than I could count.
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:03 amRaw Story has an article from the UK describing the rage of Iraqis concerning the $multi-million, 104-acre embassy being built in Iraq, complete with pool, shops, theater, etc. Insulting them for importing foreign workers, and all while Iraqis don’t have power, water, jobs and basic human needs.
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:05 amhttp://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,7374-2162249,00.html
Add that to the number of military bases being built in Iraq under similar conditions.
#33 3 words ‘Cold Dead Fingersâ€
You probably don’t donate blood either. typical CONservative, all for helping out other people until it’s time for YOU to actually DO something. YOU make me sick, go back to the REICHwing sites were people are just as dumb as YOU are.
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:12 am34,
I don’t trust the idea of “preventive medicine†that much in itself (In general). I understand eating right, exercising etc but trying to prevent a heart attack by taking medication because of a gene that 70% of the people that have heart attacks has just seems odd. Medical Science is always changing (What is the good cholesterol number now?). What they end up trying to prevent causes some other problem and then they say oh that was wrong, but I am still left with headaches, nausia, vomiting and ED.
But beyond all that a genetic blueprint of me, Nah I don’t think so. They should also not be able to take yours even though you gave samples. Placing your DNA into a database should not be a condition of VA benefits. The Privacy rights have to back that up.
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:15 amYou probably don’t donate blood either.
LOL, Bastard.
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:17 amA Roper poll for National Geographic found that 6 in 10 Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 could not locate Iraq on a map.
I am betting they will be able to find Iraq if once the draft starts.
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:26 amI see that I-R-I already got a post deleted this morning from TP > lol. He needs to chill out before he blows a fuse in his brain, that is if he has a brain > lol.
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:27 am#36 – You’re so funny, Squeegy. Good morning!
#37 – Tundra, even a year ago I might not have given too much thought to this topic, but given all the intrusions into our privacy by the government, I am suspicious of their motives. My concern is they do up the genetic blueprint and find a potential defect or illness, they sell or give that information to the insurance companies, and that’s the end of medical insurance for that person. My mother has an immune disorder that is killing her by inches; what if I have that genetic marker, but never become ill? Insurance companies won’t give a shit — not their problem.
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:27 amTundra you obviously have not spent time in the military. There are no privacy rights.
When I was in they pulled a molar from me becaue it “might” cause me a problem sometime in the future. I had no say.
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:30 am#25 “fewer than three in 10 think it important to know the locations of countries in the news.â€
This one is also close the same percantage that supports Bush.
Comment by squegeeboo
Did I miss it?
Has squegeeboo been converted to the light side?
Or was his dark side defense a farse?
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:32 am#41 Zoo, thanks, I do what I can, good morning also! Sorry to hear about your mother’s illness.
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:32 amA Roper poll for National Geographic found that 6 in 10 Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 could not locate Iraq on a map. Nearly a third could not locate the state of Louisiana, and “fewer than three in 10 think it important to know the locations of countries in the news.â€
This is absolutely shocking! Ok, it’s pretty stupid not to be able to find Iraq on a map, since it’s on the news every day; but not being able to find Louisiana!? I think they’re being stupid on purpose. The thing that just floored me was that 30% didn’t think it important to know the information. What are these people doing? They must feel a complete disconnect from the very planet they inhabit. It’s probably a safe bet they’re not voting. *banging head on desk*
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:34 am#37 – “Placing your DNA into a database should not be a condition of VA benefits.”
It’s not. I receive my medical benefits from the company for whom I work. I voluntarily joined the clinical trial, and part of the “agreement” is that my samples will be kept by the VA for other similar clinical trials. I’m supposed to be informed if this does occur, but I’m not holding my breath. Then again, with the security clearances I’ve had over the years, my DNA on file is no worse than my fingerprints in every federal database known to man! ;-)
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:34 amDhimicrat Soldier, Didn’t they teach you to aim before you shoot? Seems like you are on full auto attempting to hit something? Further, I am SHOCKED that kids tease each other in school because of differences! My wife works at the school and trust me that gays are not teased with any more vigor than fat kids, kids wearing glasses, dumb kids, smart kids, kids that talk with an accent, or kids with weird features or hair. Unless you want to seal each kid in a capsule during school hours you are going to have teasing, fyi it’s something you just have to learn to deal with. When you strike out into the big world of adults you will find that some people are made fun of for their shortcomings or perceived shortcomings. If your only response is to run away in tears then you are in for a very hard life.
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:35 amWhile I am far from “normal” I found the increase fair and modest. Don’t get me wrong I don’t like paying more for anything, but given the cost of healthcare even with the changes we vets were getting a sweet deal. I have six family members and my cost is about $50 a month. Even if they doubled my payments I would be far ahead of my civilian friend who pays about $300 a month for his family of four. You can’t really expect to get the same service for the same price forever? The fees will have to go up or the program will have to cut either members or services. But I guess like Social Security the Dhimicrats just would rather kick this can down the road.
#45
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:38 amZookeeper, check out my link in #27, it shows a few more of the questions then TP’s link. I was almost expecting something like 4/10 students couldn’t point to water on the map, or some other ludicrous thing. (1/10 students can’t spell ludicrous)
#44 – Sorry to hear about your mother’s illness.
Comment by squegeeboo
Thanks, Squeegy, it’s been going on for over ten years. She’s the strongest person I know.
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:38 amit’s something you just have to learn to deal with. When you strike out into the big world of adults you will find that some people are made fun of for their shortcomings or perceived shortcomings. If your only response is to run away in tears then you are in for a very hard life.
Comment by Retired Republican Soldier
Ever hear of Columbine? Who had the tears?
You can’t really expect to get the same service for the same price forever? The fees will have to go up or the program will have to cut either members or services. But I guess like Social Security the Dhimicrats just would rather kick this can down the road.
OR if the choice must be between profits and reasonably priced health care then we just need to nationalize health care and remove the profit issue all together… the original idea before deregulation was that a business would be more efficient and so cost less for health care… well that didnt pan out did it? A noncorrupt nonprofit will be a much better system for things that should not be forprofit like health care anyways. Same goes for drug research. Drug scientists dont care if they get their pay checks from a business or a government or a nonprofit…as long as they get paid and get to do their science… so we dont need the forprofit businesses in health care / drug science at all.
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:42 am#47 – Shorter Retired Republican Soldier: I’m all set in life and highly satisfied with myself, so ya’ll can go f*ck yourselves.
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:43 am#45 – I think it’s due to propinquity. If it’s not happening in our state, are a neighboring state, we just tend to not really care about it that much.
As for not knowing where Louisiana is, that’s just plain lazy. There are a total of five states that border the Gulf of Mexico, and if you can’t rule out Texas and Florida, then you’re just not trying.
I’m not trying to claim to know every state, but I like to think I’m better than average! I also watch cartoons, and there’s an old Animaniacs cong about all the states and their capitals. I memorized that one right before I memorized the one about all the countries on our planet!
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:44 am#50 Gerald
“the original idea before deregulation was that a business would be more efficient and so cost less for health care”
TP even linked to articles about this a few days ago. It showed that 50-60% of people on medicare saved money under the new system, just over 20% spent more, and the remaining portion were basically a wash.
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:46 am#52 “As for not knowing where Louisiana is, that’s just plain lazy. There are a total of five states that border the Gulf of Mexico, and if you can’t rule out Texas and Florida, then you’re just not trying.”
Yah, but I always get confused on which one of the remaining 3 is Tennessee.
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:48 amhttp://www.sheppardsoftware.com/states_experiment_drag-drop_Intermed_State15s_500.html
Check this out, makes you place states on a blank map of the US and tracks your total error margin, mine was 12 miles.
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:50 am#54 – LOL!!! Squegeeboo, if you weren’t such a “con”, I’d kiss you! ;-)
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:58 amLet’s face it. Americans are stupid.
One thing I’ve notice on my business trip to Canada so far. Like the rest of the world, people here at least read the newspaper. You can hear conversations about world events in coffee shops/restaurants/bars (lots of hockey playoff conversation, too).
Most of America is content to think the world is about as big as they’re car can drive on 5 gallons of gas.
I can’t stand the fact that most of my countrymen and women are intentionally choosing to remain ignorant. Instead, they sit in front of the tube and swallow pop-culture tidbits like the sheep they are.
After all, Paris Hilton’s latest charade is more important than international politics, right?
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:59 am#43 – Or was his dark side defense a farse?
Comment by Gerald Gibson
We have a winner! Actually Gerald, Squeegy’s not always on farce-mode, but when in doubt…
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:00 pmOoops. In #57, I rant about stupid Americans.
Then I pull a grammar boo-boo.
Replace ‘they’re’ with ‘thier’ please. That’s one of biggest pet peeves, and then I do it myself.
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:02 pmAt a roundtable lunch with reporters a couple of years ago, two who were present say, he cut his buffalo steak in bite-size pieces the moment it arrived, then proceeded to salt each side of each piece.â€
No wonder “Dick” Cheney has a rusty tin can where his heart belongs.
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:04 pmExcellent…
Holy Dumbass, Batman.
Now I can’t spell.
‘Their’ instead of ‘Thier.’ I’m smacking myself now.
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:04 pm#61 – Thanks bobcat_grad, my hair was standing on end. ;)
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:05 pmAdult Journal lesbian…
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said yesterday that the Armed Services subcommittee he chairs “would reject one of the most controversial aspects of President Bush’s fiscal 2007 defense budget request, a proposal to charge some military retirees more fo…
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:07 pm#43 Gerald
“Has squegeeboo been converted to the light side?
Or was his dark side defense a farse? ”
The point I was making, is if the other guy was showing how stupid 1/3 are and Bush has 1/3 support, heres an example where only 1/3 got it right, and Bush has 1/3
If it helps clarify my position, first refer to comment #58, then, if some how I’m actually not making a joke (roughly 2% of the time), I’m conservative libertarian, not a Republican.
#48 (1/10 students can’t spell ludicrous)
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:07 pmFigures, I make a joke about my lack of spelling ability, and I actually manage to stumble into the correct spelling.
And finally: Cheney’s diet — Atkins approved. “At age 65, Cheney is easily 30 or more pounds overweight, seems to have slacked off on what was once a more rigorous diet, and appears to suffer from recurrent bouts of gout. At a roundtable lunch with reporters a couple of years ago, two who were present say, he cut his buffalo steak in bite-size pieces the moment it arrived, then proceeded to salt each side of each piece.â€
Easy now, no need to hit below–or within–the belt. There but for the grace of God go I. Besides, our patron saint WJC would have put cheese on the buffalo steak, then battered and deep-fried it.
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:15 pm#65 – Besides, our patron saint WJC would have put cheese on the buffalo steak, then battered and deep-fried it.
Comment by Yachts and Lattes
*gag* *eyes watering* *gagging more*
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:29 pm[Comment deleted by admin]
Comment by I-RIGHT-I #1
How can science progress…
…if we aren’t allowed to study the missing links?
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:32 pmTP even linked to articles about this a few days ago. It showed that 50-60% of people on medicare saved money under the new system, just over 20% spent more, and the remaining portion were basically a wash.
Comment by squegeeboo
Imagine how much they would save in a profitless environment? Imagine how much better people would feel about their country, their society, and their future knowing that no matter what happens profits will never be part of the equation in deciding how their health care will be treated.
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:37 pm48
I voluntarily joined the clinical trial, and part of the “agreement†is that my samples will be kept by the VA for other similar clinical trials.
That makes sense I guess, you opted in.
41
they sell or give that information to the insurance companies
Oh yeah, I didn’t think of that, but they sure as hell would.
42
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:40 pmTundra you obviously have not spent time in the military. There are no privacy rights.
That was Squeeges joke about me giving blood, I can’t because of the countries I was in. You don’t have rights why you are in but once you are out they are back.
“Imagine how much better people would feel about their country, their society, and their future knowing that no matter what happens profits will never be part of the equation in deciding how their health care will be treated.”
Canada’s is collapsing because profits don’t play a part. And most of Europe has a for profit along side their Gov’t sponsored to act as a relief value. With out profit you loose incentive for the majority of people, why study to be a health care professional, with all the bad hours and school that come with it, if you don’t get compensated in kind?
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:54 pmAll Who Desire War On Iran Must Serve On Front Lines!
Wednesday 3rd of May 2006
By Jay Randal
The Bush Regime intends to attack Iran by October, before the November elections, so anyone in the U.S. Congress who wants war on Iran must serve on the front lines, or their children must fight for them!
If Sen. Hillary Clinton opts for war on Iran, then her daughter Chelsea must join the military, and be one of the first soldiers forced into the battle, or if Sen. John Kerry wants war, then his daughters must fight too!
Dubya Dunce Decider fooled the American people for his war for OIL on Iraq, and many in the Congress claim they were duped too, but nobody can make any such claim for Iran, so means willful support for war!
Everyone who votes for an attack on Iran, in House or Senate, might someday be charged with war crimes, so to willfully help Bush commit aggression against Iran is plain crazy and collusion in mass murder of civilians!
Impeach Bush and Cheney, and stop the war on Iran!!!
( Jay Randal, political activist and writer in Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA.)
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:54 pmYou don’t have rights why you are in but once you are out they are back.
Comment by Tundra — May 3, 2006 @ 12:40 pm
Oh, I see, so the people who are fighting to “protect our rights” should not be allowed any?
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:56 pm#71 Jay, are you a policeman/firefighter/paramedic/teacher/nurse/doctor? Any of those that you are not, you have no right supporting.
That said, no sane person desires war against Iran, but it has to be considered in case diplomacy fails.
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:58 pmOh, I see, so the people who are fighting to “protect our rights†should not be allowed any?
Sadly yes
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:59 pmPost 73 unless you intend to fight on the front lines in the Iran war, then you have ZERO right to promote that war or ask others to die in it!
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:01 pm71,
Jay,
According to your logic we no longer have a volunteer military. Parents are allowed to send their kids off. So if I was a staunch Conservative and had a very Liberal son/daughter, I could support war and send them off?
Sweet!!!!
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:03 pmSo you don’t support policeman/firefighter/paramedic/teacher/nurse/doctor then? If theres gang activity in my area, do I need to be a policeman to back up their decision to use force against the gang? If a house is on fire, do I need to be a fireman to support the efforts of firefighters to put it out? If I’m not on welfare am I not allowed to support the welfare system?
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:05 pmPost 76 > if you are Repub or Dem and desire war on Iran, then you or your children must go fight in it! Why should others die for you or anybody else? Those who want war must fight in it!
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:07 pmSquege and Tundra – If you put a person in harms way it is your legal duty to assist them. If I set a building on fire and a firefighter is harmed, I am responsible for the harm to that person.
This administration put our troops in harms way. They did not provide adequate troop stength and they did not provide adequate equipment. If they are going to put our troops in harms way where there is no valid cause for them to be there then their families should be the first to lead the charge!
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:09 pmPost 77 I repeat if you desire and promote war on Iran, then you must go fight in it! The support for doctors and other stuff you mention is a diversion from what I said!
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:10 pmJules,
Iran getting Nukes is a valid threat to our, and our allies, national security. For the US to do nothing about it would be equivalant of criminal negligance towards its citizens.
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:12 pmTo Think Progress,
We need a little rhetorical progress!
From the Think Fast section,
“lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students (ages 13-20) report having been verbally harassed BECAUSE OF THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION,”
Correction: the students are harassed BECAUSE OF THE HARASSERS’ BIGOTRY, not because of their sexual orientation.
Said another way: the students’ identities don’t cause the verbal harassment, the BIGOTS DO!
So, to think progressively, the sentence should read that LGBT students report having been verbally harassed because of their attacker’s bigotry.
Let’s not transfer responsibility from those who harm to those they harm.
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:14 pmThank you.
Squege – N. Korea has nukes and we have done nothing about it. China has them. India has them. Pakistan has them. And please do not give me the line of crap about the threat to Israel. Analysts say it will be about 10 years befor Iran has them. So, that means we have to attack now? Bull freakin sh**!
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:16 pmCheck this out, makes you place states on a blank map of the US and tracks your total error margin, mine was 12 miles.
Comment by squegeeboo — May 3, 2006 @ 11:50 am
Mine was 0. :P
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:17 pmYes post 79 Jules > those in the Congress who desire war on Iran, or any other war that is not justified, must serve in the front lines or their sons and daughters! If they had to sacrifice their children first, then they would NOT be so quick to vote for war, such as in Iraq!
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:17 pm#80 Jay
“The support for doctors and other stuff you mention is a diversion from what I said!”
No, actually, it shows the flaw in your statement. That you are allowed to support professions or actions that you agree with at no cost to your person besides monitarily, but that if someone supports professions or actions that you disagree with, they are required to do it at cost to their person beyond that of monitarily.
“I repeat if you desire and promote war on Iran”
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:17 pmI repeat, I have no desire for war with Iran, but if diplomacy fails I do not think they should be allowed to aquire nuclear weapons. No sane person wants war, that does not mean a sane person can not be prepaired if necissary though.
Jay I totally agree with you. I do not believe these people would be so quick to rattle that particular sabre if it were their family facing the threat. Our troops have no choice but to go where they are told. The very least the so called leaders of this country could do is to assure when we are placing American citizens in harms way it is for a just cause!
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:20 pmthen you have ZERO right to promote that war
Then unless you are a woman you have ZERO right to have an opinion on Abortion
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:20 pmUnless you are a Polar Bear you have Zero rights to have an opinion on environmental issues
Unless you are a gun owner you have ZERO rights to have a gun rights opinion.
Unless you work for a oil company you have ZERO rights to have an opinion on their profit.
That said, no sane person desires war against Iran, but it has to be considered in case diplomacy fails.
Comment by squegeeboo — May 3, 2006 @ 12:58 pm
Nonsense. They don’t have to make their own. They can just buy one or two from Russian, or Korea… Then what? They bomb us back?
We and the Iranian people need to oust our corrupt lunatic ‘Presidents’ and let everyone get back to living their own lives. Bushie and Ahmadinejad need hobbies. Non-nuclear hobbies. Peaceful hobbies that don’t take millions of lives. Perhaps needlepoint or bird watching?
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:22 pm#82 – Correction: the students are harassed BECAUSE OF THE HARASSERS’ BIGOTRY, not because of their sexual orientation.
Excellent point, Deborah.
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:22 pmIran even if it had a nuke is NOT a threat to the United States, because we have like 30,000 nukes, so it would be suicide for Iran to use their nuke, and then be completely destroyed in retaliation! Mutual assured destruction is why India and Pakistan do NOT use nukes on each other! Israel has between 200 and 400 nukes themselves, so Iran will NOT attack them!
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:22 pmTrue trolls right to the end huh squege and Tundra?
What part of needlessly putting another in harms way do you not understand?
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:25 pmso it would be suicide for Iran to use their nuke
Yeah good point, never see a suicide run from the mid-east.
Israel has between 200 and 400 nukes themselves
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:26 pmSource Please?
#89 – Perhaps needlepoint or bird watching?
Comment by unbelievable
Hell, at this point I think even internet porn would be a great hobby for both of them. ;)
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:26 pm#91 Assuming the Iranians are rational enough to follow MAD, including every one of their generals/Mullahs who could send a nuke into the terrorist network. I’m not willing to risk the lose of an American City on the percieved rational thoughts of an enemy that has flat out called for our, and Isreal’s destruction.
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:26 pmPost 86 you must go fight in Iran if you promote that war > that is the issue, not the other things you try to divert attention to on here! War affects the entire nation, but a house catching fire somewhere does NOT interfere in everyones lives!
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:30 pmTrue trolls right to the end huh squege and Tundra?
What part of needlessly putting another in harms way do you not understand?
What part of Volunteer Military do you not understand? You guys are awful quick to say that George Bush has to send little Jenna on over (Ever think she may hate him and his policies?)
If you aren’t willing to go over to Darfur and fight the thugs there, you have no right to ask others to. If you aren’t willing to take 6 months off and go over there (Or send your kids) you have no right to ask for humanitarian aid to go over.
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:30 pm#84 Mine was 0. :P
Comment by unbelievable
I could have done it too, if I had wanted too….congrats, you’ve beaten everyone I know by at least 9 miles, what, did you get to start with the coasts and move your way in?
Jules
“What part of needlessly putting another in harms way do you not understand?”
Isn’t that what would happen if Iran gets nukes? I have no problem with diplomacy, but if it fails, which, from the lack of progress made so far by Europe, seems likely, there needs to be a contigency plan.
“True trolls right to the end huh squege and Tundra?”
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:31 pmWould you expect anything less?
I’m not willing to risk the lose of an American City on the percieved rational thoughts of an enemy that has flat out called for our, and Isreal’s destruction.
Comment by squegeeboo — May 3, 2006 @ 1:26 pm
Then I suggest you volunteer to go first, because I do not want to risk the loss of another American life and this administration cannot be trusted to tell us the truth about what Iran does or does not have, they do not recognize the truth.
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:32 pm#99 – Go, Jules!
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:36 pmPost 93 > Israel has had nukes since 1966 > United States gave them the technology! Israel does NOT allow inspections of its Dimona nuclear complex, but it sole function is the enrichment of uranium into plutonium for nuclear bombs! Israel does not like to mention how many nukes they have, but many analyists in DC use the 200 number a lot, some claim twice that many! Israel has never signed the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, so like Iran it is not possible to know all the facts!
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:38 pmTundra – my daughters plans since age 12 (she is now 17) have been to go to medical school and then work with doctors without borders or some such organization. Her preference is to go to Africa and assist with the horrendous problem they have wiyth AIDS. However, she has recently become involved with organizations that are trying to assist Ugandans.
You see, my child has been taught the importance of giving back. Having said that, she will never fight in a war that has as its sole purpose to steal another countries oil.
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:40 pm#96 Jay
you must go fight in Iran if you promote that war > that is the issue, not the other things you try to divert attention to on here!
I have answered you, I don’t feel you should be required to be a member of the military to support the gov’ts decisions on when it should be used.
So you don’t support firefighters/cops/etc? Why am I not allowed to support what I choose with out being a member, yet you are?
“but a house catching fire somewhere does NOT interfere in everyones lives!”
But theres a lot more fires a year then their are US invasions, add them all up and see which one has a higher death rate for US citizens.
Jules
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:41 pm“What part of needlessly putting another in harms way do you not understand?”
So if a house is on fire, but no one is in it, the Fire Dept. should just let it burn down? How many injuries could be avoided by getting rid of sports, or bikes, or cars?
#103 – first, a house burning down, even if abandoned could cause additional harm. Harm to property and to lives. Otherwise, using your logic, why fight forest fires.
Secondly, I am not asking individuals to play sports, etc. I am not intentionally, and needlessly, putting them in harms way without proper equipment and support.
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:46 pmI could have done it too, if I had wanted too….congrats, you’ve beaten everyone I know by at least 9 miles, what, did you get to start with the coasts and move your way in?
Comment by squegeeboo — May 3, 2006 @ 1:31 pm
No, don’t be absurd. It started with Arizona, then went something like New Hampshire, Illinois, Rhode Island, Ohio, Iowa, North Carolina, and so on. Random order. Just like yours. I just know where they all go. Even Montana and Nebraska. That’s what happens when you pay attention. You learn stuff :)
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:48 pmHell, at this point I think even internet porn would be a great hobby for both of them. ;)
Comment by Zookeeper — May 3, 2006 @ 1:26 pm
LOL! Priceless!
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:49 pmOK, So we can’t support being in Korea, Egypt or any of the other places we have troops stationed?
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:51 pmLol post 103 you are using apples to compare to oranges on here! War is a completely different thing from doctors doing their daily jobs! This issue has nothing to do with any group you mentioned! War collectively impacts the entire nation and those who promote it must serve in it! Nobody else should be forced to fight in war against their beliefs! This is NOT about fighting to protect America > Bush wants to attack Iran for OIL and other reasons!
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:52 pm“a house burning down, even if abandoned could cause additional harm.”
It could, but it could also not spread to neighboring areas. And really, it’s not worth the risk of putting it out until it has started to spread to other areas, while it might make it harder to deal with when you are eventual forced to put it out, imagine if it was one of the few that didn’t spread and someone did get hurt fighting it when they didn’t even have to.
I am not asking individuals to play sports, etc.
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:53 pmtrue, I realised that logic flaw right after I posted, however for things like cars, what about other people, pedestrians for example, that get hit by someone in a car? With out cars, that would have never happened.
post 103 you are using apples to compare to oranges on here!
Comment by Jay Randal — May 3, 2006 @ 1:52 pm
Squeegie does not use logic to debate. Jokes and ‘connect the dots’ M.C. Escher style.
It’s from his gut – just where Colbert says all truth originates from. :)
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:55 pmTundra –
Nobody said not to support the troops. We are saying we will not support this administration sending our troops into another war without justification.
This administration has shown that it cannot be trusted. They will not tell the American people the truth. Why should I believe the rhetoric coming form this WH about Iran when all analysts I have read and heard speak said it will be at least 10 years before Iran has the technology for a nuke?
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:56 pm#108 “Nobody else should be forced to fight in war against their beliefs!”
Volunter army. If fighting is against your beliefs, prob not your best career decision ever.
“War collectively impacts the entire nation and those who promote it must serve in it!
Must have missed that in the constitution.
“Bush wants to attack Iran for OIL and other reasons!”
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:56 pmOther reasons, like them developing nuclear weapons, coupled with them not being an ally, or even a friend, coupled with them activily calling for ours, and our ally’s(Isreal) destruction.
Tundra and squege as Jay and I have said repeatedly – if you find war with Iran so appealing and important than you should march your reich wing asses straight down to the recruiters and volunteer to do your duty!
May 3rd, 2006 at 1:59 pmJust so you know Sen. Hillary Clinton is NOT happy about my article today, because she is one of those promoting a war on Iran, but she has NO intention to have Chelsea fight in it, nor does she intend to personally sacrifice for it! But she wants other Americans to sacrifice their kids!
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:00 pmJay In addition
“Lol post 103 you are using apples to compare to oranges on here! War is a completely different thing from doctors doing their daily jobs! This issue has nothing to do with any group you mentioned! War collectively impacts the entire nation and those who promote it must serve in it!”
It is a soldiers job to fight in war (hopefully they can serve their time with out having to, but that is their job) so it is the same as doctors doing their daily job.
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:02 pm“This issue has nothing to do with any group you mentioned!” The specific issue of war, yes you are correct, the issue with the fallacy in your argument however has everything to do with all the groups I mentioned. You are allowed to support a profession/service with out being a part of that profession/service, however I am not. Explain.
“War collectively impacts the entire nation and those who promote it must serve in it!”"
Try having a nation with out police/doctors/firemen/teachers and then tell me each of those groups don’t have a ollective impact on the nation. The difference is they are always there, so you don’t notice their impact, whereas war is not always there, so it is easier to notice.
Hillary used to be the most liberal woman in America… Guess in order to get funding to be the Democratic Candidate she has become another greedy-Coprorate hand puppet. November will change nothing, and neither will 2008. The system won’t change until we change the system – and get rid of the money in politics.
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:04 pmTundra and squege as Jay and I have said repeatedly – if you find war with Iran so appealing and important
First off I am against it. But I am against someone telling me that if I so choose to have an opinion that was different I would have to be in the service
.than you should march your reich wing asses straight down to the recruiters and volunteer to do your duty!
I HAVE!!!!!
If you say that in order to support the Iran war, then you have to be in, is the same thing as saying that if you support our troops being moved around by the U.N unless you are in.
I am against war in Iran, I have stated that on these boards many times, but I will not follow the decision that to support it you have to be in.
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:05 pmBush’s two daughters must serve in his war on Iran too! Maybe they do NOT believe in Dubya’s warmongering? If that is so, then they need to go to the press and announce that their father is crazy > that would help to stop the war on Iran and their having to serve in fighting it!
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:06 pm111
Nobody said not to support the troops. We are saying we will not support this administration sending our troops into another war without justification.
No, you are saying if you support this specific action, then you should be required to be in. If you support other actions that people in charge have choosen, it’s ok not to be in.
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:08 pmOK, Jay, Jules here we go.
Do you support the U.S being anywhere we currently are?
Or are you a build a war around the U.S and we help noone ever crowd (Which I am most likely a whole lot closer than you are)
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:10 pmZoo, Not set for life, still have two kids in college, one in high school, one in middle school, and a house mortage to make. Spent 20 years in the Air force, got a degree before my discharge, and now make a decent living as a civilian. Not ashamed of those facts. FYI anybody can do the same and even skip the whole military career. If you fell short in life and looking for blame start with the mirror and not with me.
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:13 pmPost 115 > those who volunteered for the military for a few years, not a profession as you claim, never agreed to fight for OIL or Israel either! Just so you know the war on Iran, most likely will require a draft to fight it, so NO longer a volunteer thing!
Note: Doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc. choose to do their particular vocation, but none of them put their life on the line like those in the military! A police officer or fireman can quit their job at any time, but in the military that is not so easy!
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:16 pmOr are you a build a war around the U.S and we help noone ever crowd (Which I am most likely a whole lot closer than you are)
Wow, Way off.(Should read)
Or are you a build a wall around the U.S and we help noone ever crowd (Which I am most likely a whole lot closer to than you are)
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:22 pm#119 – No I am not saying that. And I do not think we need to build a war (or would that be wall) around the US. I will repeat, this administration has hurt the security of this country by sending our troops to fight a country for the sole purpose of stealing the oil in that country. If you believe we should send troops to another country to steal products from that country then yes, you should be there getting shot up instead of someone else’s kid, father, son, brother, etc. This is how you can support them. Take their place so they will not die a needless death. As you believe this is justified, then you go.
We went to Afganistan to find the individuals responsible for 9/11. I can understand the need for this. Then this administration concocted an excuse to stop going after Bin Laden to invade Iran. We were lied to. Our troops are dying so Exxon can get their hands on even more oil.
AGAIN, Iran is NOT a current threat. N. Korea is more of a threat to us than Iran at the moment.
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:23 pmPost 120 > I would prefer that our military defend our borders, coastlines, ports, airports, etc.!
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:24 pmThere is NO need to have troops sitting in Germany or any part of Europe either! Japan can take care of themselves and South Korea too! If an operation was proven to be humanitarian only then that is debatable! Iraq and Iran are for OIL, military bases, and for Israel!
#121 – If you fell short in life and looking for blame start with the mirror and not with me.
Comment by Retired Republican Soldier
Hey, I’m doing fine, thanks. But not everybody does, and sometimes it’s actually out of their control. A little compassion is a good thing.
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:24 pmIf Jay Leno’s Jay-Walking is any indicator of our knowledge of anything, than we don’t know much. That goes for religion too. But really, how much do you need to know to blindly consume :-( If you knew where places were, then my gosh you might want to know more, and we can’t have any of that learning going on.
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:26 pmSqueegy, here’s a good place to go for information on Iran/Iraq/Arab world.
http://www.juancole.com/
Just try it, please.
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:29 pmAddition:
Is Social Security this bad? Do we really want to privatize Social Security!
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:30 pm124
We went to Afganistan to find the individuals responsible for 9/11. I can understand the need for this
Did you volunteer for that, or send your child?
If an operation was proven to be humanitarian only then that is debatable!
Provided you volunteer or send a kid right?
That’s my point. I will say again. Iran is a bad idea, but pulling the “holyer than thou” card and saying send your own kid when you haven’t on things you supported is wrong. So you have to be in for War against Iran, but not for war against Afganastan. You can send them off if it’s humanatarian (Maybe) without being in. But maybe not. perhaps if it’s humanatarian we should have to be in or if the country has oil we should or not depending on if the humanatarian cost is higher. But maybe you can have an opinion if you aren’t in if the uniforms are really cool. But maybe that’s not good enough.
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:32 pm#130 – Did you volunteer for that, or send your child?
I am too old and my daughter is too young.
If an operation was proven to be humanitarian only then that is debatable!
As I wrote in a previous post
my daughters plans since age 12 (she is now 17) have been to go to medical school and then work with doctors without borders or some such organization. Her preference is to go to Africa and assist with the horrendous problem they have wiyth AIDS. However, she has recently become involved with organizations that are trying to assist Ugandans.
You see, my child has been taught the importance of giving back. Having said that, she will never fight in a war that has as its sole purpose to steal another countries oil.
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:36 pmJay,
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:36 pmPlease refer to Tundras post, #130. Also, explain how humanitarian issues are worth the lives of our troops, while issues involving the national security of our nation somehow do not warrant them?
Volunteer Army – Bushshit. I know of two cases where individuals were called up after they had turned in their papers and base passes for retirement, each after more than 30 years of service. One had lost a forearm to a mulching machine which sparked his earlier departure from the service. His papers had not been forwarded from his home base because their reserves were below quota. He escaped. The second drove trucks in Iraq for 15 months after failing to escape from the “stop loss” program through the AG program. He had “retired” three years prior to that.
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:36 pmWalt – you are right – how about the 52 year old grandmom who was just sent over. I know they are recalling retired military as my ex is worried about it. He retired about 5 years ago.
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:39 pmPost 130 > Tundra this issue is about Bush and the Congress sending average Americans kids off to wars that they foment or create! Iraq and Iran in particular! As long as Senators and Representatives can exempt themselves, and their kids from fighting in wars, then warfare for OIL and profiteers will continue!
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:42 pmHe had “retired†three years prior to that.
Not sure how retirement works, myself. I do know that I was Infantry (The most required MOS currently) and am currently 31 years old (I could reenlist still with no problems). I have called to see if I had any obligation and was told no.
Walt – you are right – how about the 52 year old grandmom who was just sent over
She was active reserves.
I am too old and my daughter is too young.
Then how are you allowed to have an opinion?
my daughters plans since age 12 (she is now 17) have been to go to medical school and then work with doctors without borders or some such organization. Her preference is to go to Africa and assist with the horrendous problem they have wiyth AIDS. However, she has recently become involved with organizations that are trying to assist Ugandans.
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:47 pmOk, so you can support whichever places she will go. Otherwise you can have no opinion. Currently you are not allowed to have an opinion on Darfur etc, until she passes med school and is eligibile to go (Based on your stance that to support anything like this you have to go or send your children). Otherwise what about the politicians with kids that are too young and they are too old, are they allowed to have an opinion?
My article is particularly about an unjust war on Iran, but applies to Iraq as well! President Clinton sent troops to Haiti once to end a civil war between wealthy Haitians and poor Haitians! One soldier committed suicide, and a couple wounded, and the troops were pulled out without building permanent bases or setting up OIL rigs!
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:47 pmI have to go do errands but I will be back tonight to check posts > good day all and thanks for all the comments!
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:50 pmPresident Clinton sent troops to Haiti once to end a civil war between wealthy Haitians and poor Haitians!
Wow I was there on that one. I hope you don’t support it because I don’t recall seeing you there.
You are choosing which items you have to be enlisted to believe in and which ones you don’t.
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:52 pmTundra – you can have an opinion on anything you want. After all Bush has not destroyed the entire constitution…yet. But, if you believe the killing of innocent people for oil is justified, then you should be the first to go.
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:52 pmJules
you can have an opinion on anything you want. After all Bush has not destroyed the entire constitution…yet. But, if you believe the killing of innocent people for oil is justified, then you should be the first to go.
So I can only have an opinion in favor of a war, that you consider unjust, if I sign up? Dosn’t sound like I’m allowed to have an opinion on anything I want.
I’m against any use of US military force in Darfur, they have no strategic/economic importance to the US, why should the administration put the lives of our service people on the line on an issue that has no direct effect on the US? However I don’t tell anyone who supports interventin in Darfur that they, or their family members must sign up for that particular theater, if it comes to it.
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:56 pm#137 One soldier committed suicide, and a couple wounded, and the troops were pulled out without building permanent bases or setting up OIL rigs!
Thats because no one really cared what happened to Haiti, it was a nice little human interest story, but if it went back into a bloody mess, it dosn’t affect any world commodity.
May 3rd, 2006 at 3:02 pm#141 – I am not in favor of our troops going into Dafur. That is not what I consider humanitarian aid. Himanitarian aid would be like ood, clothing, doctors, medicine and the use of diplomacy. You remember diplomacy don’t you. Yeah, it was something we used pre-Bush.
Unless we are attacked, or threatend with imminent attack, the troops of this country should not be placed in harms way.
May 3rd, 2006 at 3:07 pmJules,
I am unsure that this crisis can be resolved with diplomacy alone. A peace keeping troop to prevent continued attacks would be the best starting point IMO, followed by aid and diplomacy.
May 3rd, 2006 at 3:11 pm“You remember diplomacy don’t you. Yeah, it was something we used pre-Bush.”
Clintons Years:
Haiti-threat of force caused the military to finally step down
Yugoslavia-Force
N. Korea -Diplomacy, that led to the Korean’s continueing work on their weapons until Bush was forced to stop shippments due to them breaking their word
Pakistan 1998-Becomes a Nuclear Power
Paper Tiger view of the US, by Bin-Laden and other groups that led them to think ideas like 9/11 were worth the cost.
Seems like diplomacy didn’t work so well in those years either. I have no issue with diplomacy, but when diplomacy fails, you can either acquiesce or they can. After all, war is just the extension of Diplomacy through other means.
May 3rd, 2006 at 3:14 pm#144 – I disagree. look what happend in South Africa with diplomacy alone. We did not need to send troops in, we used our voices, our wallets and pressured the US government to get involved. John Bolten managed to get the UN not to impose sanctions against four Sudenese officials. Now, you will read in the headlines that he “fought” for four others, but only one of them was sudanese and was a mid-level official. Now why would he do that? Could it be…I don’t know….money? Probably.
Diplomacy took time with South Africa, but it worked.
May 3rd, 2006 at 3:21 pmI am sorry Jules, but when people are dying, I don’t see diplomacy as the solution. We need to first stop the killing then worry about diplomacy.
May 3rd, 2006 at 3:27 pmKrazny – you do not think people were dying in SA? Maybe not to the extent of Darfur, but they were. When has our military invading a country to bring them peace worked in the past 50 years?
May 3rd, 2006 at 3:41 pmJules,
I once worked with a Zulu woman from SA. Her Father was killed by the ruling Boer party for political activism, so no I don’t think people were not being killed in SA. What we didn’t have in South Africa, that we do in Sudan, is government backed genocide. This movement has left tens of thousands dead, and displaced tens of thousands more. This is not a matter of repression, this is a matter of genocide, something the world did not want to see again after WWII. The problem would be, unless the sudanese government welcomed a peace keeping troop, we would be an invading army. If a peace keeping brigade was placed in sudan, and welcomed by the sudanese government then we could see about establishing first a cease fire, and then a lasting diplomatic truce. As long as the Sudanese government and the jajaweed militia can continue attacking with no threat of reprisal they will. If they were facing trained and armed troops instead of unarmed women and children they might decide that negotiation is in their best interest.
May 3rd, 2006 at 4:15 pm[...] Think Progress [...]
May 3rd, 2006 at 6:28 pmHow mant times have we been told that BushCo was operating on intelligence that was later proven to be “bad”? Not their fault, ‘everyone’ else thought it was true also. None of their dire predictions materialized, not one. So I don’t feel that it is unreasonable to be skeptical of any claims they are making about Iran being a threat to us. Having a desire to PROTECT themselves from the increasingly threatining actions of the Bush administration, is understandable. It defies logic to think that the U.S. can invade any country, based on nothing more than paranoia and rumors, and that is ok, but those countries with the target on them are being belligerent, when attempting to protect themselves, and so MUST be attacked. That is just so damn stupid.
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:28 pmI’m against any use of US military force in Darfur, they have no strategic/economic importance to the US, why should the administration put the lives of our service people on the line on an issue that has no direct effect on the US? However I don’t tell anyone who supports interventin in Darfur that they, or their family members must sign up for that particular theater, if it comes to it.
Comment by squegeeboo — May 3, 2006 @ 2:56 pm
So where do we draw the line? Is it morale to sit by and allow thousands to die and we could stop it? Is the test that we would lay down our lives? If it is not “Strategic” let them suffer and die. What is it to be noble ? Is there a final judge? How few will without hesatation rush into a burning building to save a life. Oh many will say they would but, I know from experince that very few will. Most of you are cowards, not fit to sit at the table. Talk a good game but, are poor excuses for humans. Just like IRI & MA sick lonely losers filled with hate.
May 3rd, 2006 at 10:31 pmPost 139 Tundra > I worked at an orphanage in Haiti in 1983 and before then was in the Peace Corps in Costa Rica in 1980! Since I am a political activist I helped President Aristide when he was overthrown in 1991 by a CIA backed military coup! When President Clinton became president in January 1993 I contacted him to restore Aristide to his position! Was I for a military intervention into Haiti? I would have preferred that not to occur, but since it did I helped in its operation with advice! If you were one of the soldiers that took part in that, then sorry you had to go if you hated the poverty you saw there?! Troops were removed after a few months and NO oil found there > lol. I am against wars or interventions for OIL and profiteers!
As you know Aristide was overthrown by another CIA backed coup a couple years ago > Bush family never liked him! I did not contact Bush to do anything since he helped to oust Aristide!
Since the United States government tends to mess up the world, instead of helping out, it is best probably to not send troops anywhere now! My article was written for the Iran situation!
May 3rd, 2006 at 10:35 pm… ages of 18 and 24 could not locate Iraq on a map.
well, when the bushitheads finally have to rev up the draft to stay on top of the Iraqi Oil Fields, i bet the dumba** pukes figure out where Iraq is on a map. LOL
and if i were one of the dummies that cannot find their way around on a map, i’d be looking real hard to find out where Iran was located also. LMAOOOOOOOO
wonder if they know that Afghanistan is where 98% of their opium / heroin is being grown ??? ROFLMAO
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:13 pm