ThinkFast: June 15, 2007
ThinkFast: June 15, 2007
A controversial Sept. 2005 government memo suggests that in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, FEMA authorized private insurance companies to overbill the taxpayer-funded federal flood program “while shorting people on their wind damage payments.”
The escalation is now complete. “The full contingent of new U.S. forces being sent to Iraq…was completed by Friday, with 28,500 additional troops now posted in the country.” Five U.S. soldiers died yesterday.
“Senate leaders agreed on Thursday to revive a stalled immigration overhaul,” announcing an effort “to overcome conservatives’ objections” by immediately setting aside “more than $4 billion to beef up enforcement of immigration laws.”
Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK), “dogged by a federal probe of political corruption in Alaska, disclosed Thursday that he has asked the Senate Ethics Committee to review his latest financial disclosure report.” Ethics reviews of lawmakers’ financial reports “are unusual unless they are under a legal cloud.”
The Supreme Court struck a blow against unions yesterday, ruling that states may “force public sector labor unions to get consent from workers before using their fees for political activities.” Justice Antonin Scalia, writing for the court, said a Washington state law requiring such consent “does not violate the union’s First Amendment rights.”
“The increased demand for ‘green’ vehicles is spilling over to the rental car counter,” as Hertz and Avis rental companies announced plans to add thousands more hybrid vehicles to their fleets.
“The Justice Department is investigating whether British defense giant BAE Systems, which supplies Bradley fighting vehicles to the U.S. military and is becoming a major player in the U.S. defense industry, paid bribes to win contracts in Saudi Arabia, Chile and elsewhere.”
“The military’s mental health system has ‘fallen significantly short’ of meeting the needs of troops and their families, according to a year-long task force study released Thursday.” The report also notes that the “Pentagon must immediately start recruiting to fill a mental health staff ‘woefully inadequate” to deal with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder.”
And finally: Yeeeaaaarrrrrggghhh!!: The Musical. An “unlikely subject may be headed for Broadway this fall: Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential campaign. Last week, Oscar-nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal did a private reading of ‘Farragut North’ (written by playwright and former Dean campaigner Beau Willimon) about the presidential hopes of a charismatic, unorthodox candidate and his staff.”
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Fighting Wars for Oil to Fight Wars
Sixteen gallons of oil. That’s how much the average American soldier in Iraq and Afghanistan consumes on a daily basis – either directly, through the use of Humvees, tanks, trucks, and helicopters, or indirectly, by calling in air strikes. Multiply this figure by 162,000 soldiers in Iraq, 24,000 in Afghanistan, and 30,000 in the surrounding region (including sailors aboard U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf) and you arrive at approximately 3.5 million gallons of oil: the daily petroleum tab for U.S. combat operations in the Middle East war zone.
Multiply that daily tab by 365 and you get 1.3 billion gallons: the estimated annual oil expenditure for U.S. combat operations in Southwest Asia. That’s greater than the total annual oil usage of Bangladesh, population 150 million – and yet it’s a gross underestimate of the Pentagon’s wartime consumption.
http://www.antiwar.com/engelhardt/?articleid=11138
June 15th, 2007 at 9:12 am3519 5 more today
June 15th, 2007 at 9:13 am1# Tobey Tall
approximately 3.5 million gallons of oil: the daily petroleum tab for U.S. combat operations in the Middle East war zone.
June 15th, 2007 at 9:16 amThe escalation is now complete.
let the wirhdrawal begin then
June 15th, 2007 at 9:17 amThe inSURGEncy is complete.
We lost.
Let’s go home now.
June 15th, 2007 at 9:24 amUS Hometowns Strained as Police Go Off to War
ALEXANDRIA, Ky (Reuters) – Police Chief Keith Hill respects Americans who have left civilian jobs to fight wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But the fact that so many of them are police officers means he’s been short-staffed for years.
Communities across America have been especially hard-hit by the deployment of some 24,000 police officers since September 11, 2001. Police officers make up 5.1 percent of the National Guard and military reserve —
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070614/us_nm/usa_iraq_guard_dc
June 15th, 2007 at 9:29 amA controversial Sept. 2005 government memo suggests that in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, FEMA authorized private insurance companies to overbill the taxpayer-funded flood program “while shorting people on their wind damage payments.â€
Looks as a coordinated effort to undermine the government agencies efficiency and public image.
The Supreme Court struck a blow against unions yesterday, ruling that states may “force public sector labor unions to get consent from workers before using their fees for political activities.†Justice Antonin Scalia, writing for the court, said a Washington state law requiring such consent “does not violate the union’s First Amendment rights.â€
This is simply absurd. Unions are, by definition, political organizations. They represent the will of a group of persons, and their right to organize and defend themselves, and politics is simply, the enactement of the will, and therefore, the actions of groups of persons, in the landscape of a country’s laws and people’s right to civil organization, it’s impossible to strip the “political” part of any union without destroying its purpose.
The intent of curtailing these worker’s rights is simply illegal and inmoral.
June 15th, 2007 at 9:30 amMr. President,
Today would be a good day to fire your Attorney General.
Surprise us and do the right thing once, OK?
June 15th, 2007 at 9:31 amUS Army Wants to Enlist Illegal Aliens Quickly as Recruitment Falls
Officials Hope to Rekindle Interest in Immigration Bill Provision
http://www.defenselink.mil//news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46369
June 15th, 2007 at 9:31 amNow, why is there a difference between private sector and public sector labor unions? I’d also like to know why publicly traded corporations aren’t required to solicit their shareholders’ advice on who to support in politics. It seems odd that many corporations give heavily to the GOP when they have major shareholders who would favor the Dems. Indeed, shouldn’t a division of political contributions be set at the AGM?
June 15th, 2007 at 9:32 amThis FEMA memo simply puts an exclamation point on the deliberate mismanagement of the post-Katrina period. As the rethugs continually point out that government administration is incompetent, and then they do everything they can to prove it.
Almost all of the fraud and waste shows up when commercial companies get involved in raiding the treasury. When I hear the snide comments about $500 toilet seats, I just think about the paper trail that certifies that the item is correctly made. Without the certified statement that the item is correctly made, the supplier can provide substandard equipment without fear of punishment. Of course, that assumes a government that will actually care about the result.
June 15th, 2007 at 9:40 amYou think New Orlins looks bad wait till you see what america starts looking like all over once these racist communists from mexico start taking over.
June 15th, 2007 at 9:41 am“The increased demand for ‘green’ vehicles is spilling over to the rental car counter,†as Hertz and Avis rental companies announced plans to add thousands more hybrid vehicles to their fleets.”
Further proof that the Average American is Progressive… :D
June 15th, 2007 at 9:42 amOf course, that assumes a government that will actually care about the result.
Comment by BearCountry — June 15, 2007 @ 9:40 am
I’ve seen it in action – the government will spend hundreds of dollars in Administrative paperwork and time to make sure a ‘lesser’ employee won’t steal a few dollars…
When I worked in the private sector, we would write off balances on accounts under $500 because it wasn’t worth the administrative costs to pursue it.
As a government employee, I can tell you that while oversight is generally a good idea, there is such a thing as too much… Way, way, way too much.
June 15th, 2007 at 9:46 amFurther proof that the Average American is Progressive… :D
Comment by unbelievable — June 15, 2007 @ 9:42 am
So true. And the corporations try and tellus that “green” energy is too ineficient, too expensive. With the citizenry backing green, and the average American wanting to have green options, I believe the only ones holding us back is the gov’t and their bed partners, big corporations.
June 15th, 2007 at 9:50 amOy, sorry about all the typos above. No coffee yet. =(
June 15th, 2007 at 9:51 amYou think New Orlins looks bad wait till you see what america starts looking like all over once these racist communists from mexico start taking over.
Comment by old hack — June 15, 2007 @ 9:41 am
Mexico isn’t a Communistic country. In fact, no country has ever been a true Communistic country – though Argentina might be on the verge of it. Those who claimed they were/are were actually using it as a shield to the fact that they were Authoritarian Dictatorships.
As far as them taking over, you’re being ridiculously paranoid. Go hide under your bed. I hear that they can’t see under beds very well. Hurry!
June 15th, 2007 at 9:51 am“The escalation is now complete…. Five U.S. soldiers died yesterday.”
Another “Mission Accomplished” for King George the Dumb.
When will we ever learn? IMPEACH NOW!
June 15th, 2007 at 9:52 amOops…. Meant Venezuela not Argentina…
June 15th, 2007 at 9:53 amI believe the only ones holding us back is the gov’t and their bed partners, big corporations.
Comment by Bluedahlia — June 15, 2007 @ 9:50 am
Absolutely! They don’t want to spend the capital-on-hand that it would take to convert to green sources, even though it would be a new source for jobs as well as revenue for them. Those corporate idiots would shoot themselves in the face if they thought they could keep a nickel in their own pockets… Ridiculous.
June 15th, 2007 at 9:55 amWhen will we ever learn
I don’t really see us as the problem. =)
June 15th, 2007 at 9:57 amTake this court decision written by Scalia with a large grain of salt. After all, this is the guy who doesn’t have the legal sense to recuse himself, or to see the inherent conflict of interest of he and the vice Prez going on a hunting expedition during a time when his court is considering a case involving the vice Prez. His career is not about the hallowed halls of American justice, he is rather, a high paid ideologue and political hack appointed to the Court by the corporate world and who’s loyalty is to those corporations, not to the court he serves on, and who would just as soon put union leaders in Guantanamo if his masters instructed him so. This is a man who is empty of any sense of duty to the Constitution, or responsibility to the citizenry of these United States.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:03 amGood people of Alaska ======= PULEEEEZE don’t re-elect Teddy “Bridge to Nowhere” Stevens to his 97th Senate term!! I have been to your state many times and find it a wonderful place……..just help us do some House (and Senate) Cleaning and get the scumbags out.
We will all be better off if you do, I promise!!
June 15th, 2007 at 10:11 amAnyone heard the radio ads by Detroit, using fear & smear to stop congress from increasing the CAFE standards?
Cute, eh? They’ve fought this for over 40 years.
Detroit, this why Toyota sold more vehicles than you last year!
I recently began using CA40g. It’s a fuel additive that frees up the Calcium molecule in the distillates to enhance lubricity.
I’ve seen a 17% increase in fuel efficiency. It reduces harmful emissions significantly, & only 1 oz. is needed per 20 gallons of fuel. It works in all fuel blends, including Bio-diesel.
Do you think Detroit or the government will support this? NO!
Why? Because they don’t own the patent. If they did, it wouldn’t be on the market.
More info here
June 15th, 2007 at 10:12 amOoops, that link would be http://www.ca40g.com/home.php?xid=77b7771175dba7eab5486ed68e4037a2
June 15th, 2007 at 10:13 amTobey Tall at #4
Well said. One wonders if there are still U.S. troops who do not realize that they are mercilessly being fed and used for no justifiable reason in Iraq. The hope is that more and more of them will emulate the positions taken by Lt. Watada and the IVAW [Iraq Veterans Against the War] and those featured in the documentary Sir! No Sir!, which centered upon the GI Resistance during the Vietnam War, all of whom had said that they will no longer participate in the illegal and immoral occupation of a country which was never a threat to any citizen in these United States.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:17 amWhen we get all the evidence and can prove that Bush stole both the 2000 and 2004 elections, can we kick Roberts and Alito off the court, please? If not, we’ll be paying the price of this administration for the next 40 years.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:17 amFrom Yahoo news:
“Consumer prices shot up at the fastest pace in 20 months in May, fueled by a surge in gas prices”
Consumer prices up, interest rates up, because gas prices are up. The great majority of Americans in this country are being squeezed. As a very slim minority of people in this country get filthy rich we are all paying for the consequences.
The Fed chairman continues to talk about fears of inflation and is poised to further increase the prime interest rate to curb inflation when the primary influence affecting inflation is energy costs, particularly gasoline. Witness Exxon-Mobile and their continued obscene profits (and the rest are making plenty of money also). Meanwhile we all pay for this adjusting for inflation. It’s redistribution of wealth through other means.
When will the great American majority rise up and say enough is enough?
The Republicans who controlled this country for six years enacted legislation that granted credit card companies the right to apply what used to be considered usury rates. The legislation also allowed credit companies to instantly increase their rates for a given consumer if they were late in paying any card from any company. Then through manipulation as gas prices continue to put the squeeze on consumers they fall further and further behind. Add to that the increasing price of everything because of the effect of ever increasing gas prices and the great American working man is slowly squeezed to death while this Presidents “have’s and have more’s” are getting filthy rich.
Why have we not heard more about predatory credit policies from the Democrats?
Working Americans need relief from this burden.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:21 amAs far as them taking over, you’re being ridiculously paranoid. Go hide under your bed. I hear that they can’t see under beds very well. Hurry!
Comment by unbelievable
come to Califnornia and see it for yourself. All the diversity that used to be here is being replaced by one race. You know people said the same thing about Nazi Germany for years befor we finally had to get envolved.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:22 amold hack,
Love the tired old “Nazi Germany” reference, how original.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:24 amseriously. your grandfather if he was brave enough to join the fight wouldnt appreciate having what their generation died fighting against be called “tired”.
what other nation believed that one race would best serve a nation? don’t say americans America has always been a nation that believed in diversity with a constitution to prove it.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:28 amYes, the Mexicans have now implemented the Final Solution. It is just a matter of time before they throw you in a brick oven. Nice hyperbole.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:31 am#21 Bluedahlia
The problem with using pronouns without properly defining their antecedents is clearly delineated in our exchange. Obviously, or maybe not so, your “us” and my “we” do not comprise the identical body of antecedents. My “we” was meant to encompass those that empowered, by action or inaction, but are now opposed to the bushco that cannot or will not act to resolve the “problem.” I assume your “us” was meant to depict those opposed to the bushco but who will not take action to correct the “problem.” Again, the pronoun, “problem,” presents a problem in adjudicating our two seemingly opposing but actually corresponding points of view. While my “we” was actually a bit of poetic license based upon an old song presented by “The Kingston Trio” and “Peter, Paul, and Mary” entitled “Where have all the flowers gone?” it also was meant to include all those individuals that tend to be more vocal than active when it comes to forcing political change. Perhaps I would have been better spoken if I had used a different pronoun.
When will they ever learn?
June 15th, 2007 at 10:32 ameww, there’s some old hack all over my computer screen!! Whose going to clean that up? Any willing Anglo-Saxon, heterosexual, jingoist American?
June 15th, 2007 at 10:33 amI went to the doctor yesterday and I was the only non mexican in the entire clinic, doctors and nurses included.
A year ago at art school my hispanic teacher proudly said “you know in 50 years theres not going to be any more blonde hair or blue eyes”. If thats not a direct implication to extermination then what is friend?
June 15th, 2007 at 10:35 amSo Mexicans are “racist communist” Nazi’s?
June 15th, 2007 at 10:36 amWe better hire more of them so we can get that wall built faster!
First of all hack,
Not that I need to justify an opinion to you by detailing my families history of military service, but we’ve served in every major conflict going back to WWII and possibly before. I hope that allows me an opinion.
There’s a credo in this nation that might sound familiar:
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Ring a bell?
Things are changing, get used to it.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:39 amAnd you’re arguing we fought against the Nazi’s and Japanese to keep the Mexicans out?
June 15th, 2007 at 10:40 amUnion Fees
“The narrow issue before the justices was whether, as the law formerly prescribed, employees must opt in, or affirmatively consent, to having some of their money used in election campaigns.”
Why is this a controversy, and why are liberals against it? Aren’t the unions supposed to be representing the workers? This is as bad, probably worse than collecting fees from non-union members working for the same company. If I don’t agree with what the union is doing, don’t I have the right to say “No. Don’t use my money to screw up my job.” ?
Every time I start to think unions might be a good idea, something like this happens that shows the unions to have their own agenda and screw anyone who thinks they might be wrong. The IDEA of unions is a really good idea. It’s too bad many unions today have f*cked it up. I want to join a union that is going to represent my interests. I don’t just want to flip a coin to see who I’m going to get screwed by today. People should ALWAYS have the ability to say “No, I’m not going to support that.” If you don’t have that power, what the hell is the point?
June 15th, 2007 at 10:43 amim argueing that we fought the Nazi invasion from imposeing their civilization on us. Which is a basic fact.
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!â€
that was when there were only 20 million people in this country. alot has changed since we brought over the statue of liberty.
secondly my family has been here since 1781 and fought in every war beyond the revolution. I assumed you didnt have ties to the conflict since you showed such disreguard for the situation.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:46 amIm all for “change” but I refuse to support racism from any creed. Why is that only non whites are allowed pride in their race and culturre?
June 15th, 2007 at 10:48 amA year ago at art school my hispanic teacher proudly said “you know in 50 years theres not going to be any more blonde hair or blue eyesâ€. If thats not a direct implication to extermination then what is friend?
Comment by old hack — June 15, 2007 @ 10:35 am
Actually that’s not true – one of my Mexican friends (well, her mother is Italian but she was born in Mexico) is blonde-haired and blue-eyed. So that argument’s out.
But seriously – what’s wrong with Native Americans repopulating their land?
June 15th, 2007 at 10:49 amThat really excites you, doesn’t it Tobey? Tell me, do you know without looking how many young Iranian girls have been kidnapped by Islamic fanatics to be sold into slavery? Do you know how many people in Darfur died yesterday? How about how many Palestinians have died in the past week due to Islamic infighting? Any clue as to how many Americans have died at the hands of illegal aliens in the past month?
June 15th, 2007 at 10:49 amWhy should unions be able to use your union dues for non-worker related activities such as political contributions?
Shouldn’t the unions be using your contributions trying to bargain better wages and benefits instead of squandering money?
June 15th, 2007 at 10:49 amSeveral years ago we lived in Oxnard, California. A new shopping mall was built that quickly became the center for the Mexican population. In ten years the concrete sidewalks in the mall had to be replaced due to the lack of care and personal hygiene by the patrons of the center. We subsequently moved to Albany, Oregon, where we purchased a commercial building on the Historical Record. The building and SIDEWALK were over 100 years old and in excellent condition.
Given the differences in the weather extremes of the two locations one would expect the reverse to be true.
One of the purposes of requiring a civil examination to attain citizenship in this Country is to assure that the proper attitude toward public and private property is instilled in all citizens.
If there is no attempt to alter the “Tiajuana Syndrome” of immigrants then there is no point in having any immigration policy or borders.
There is a lot of common sense in that old adage: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
June 15th, 2007 at 10:50 am“The increased demand for ‘green’ vehicles is spilling over to the rental car counter
This is why we don’t need CAFE standards. People are DEMANDING higher mileage vehicles. Companies like Toyota are providing hybrids. Others are joining.
A CAFE standard of 30 or 35 MPG is meaningless when consumers are DEMANDING cars and companies are providing cars that get close to 60 MPG.
Free markets are a wonderful thing. You should read up on them.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:52 amOH,
Oh so there’s a statue of limitations (pun intended)?
“I assumed you didnt have ties to the conflict since you showed such disreguard for the situation”. I must admit I have no idea what you are talking about here.
What I mostly disregard is old codgers like you that yearn for a bygone day. Move to… oh I don’t know because I don’t think this way.. but maybe Ireland, it’s pretty white there.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:53 am“only non whites are allowed pride in their race and culturre”
Too rediculous for words.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:55 amsee? there it goes again. because I’m for diversity people start automatically assumeing that I must be some kind of white supremacist. I have absolutley no problem at all with any race increasing their population as long as we all get our fair shair of the land and work.
Let me make this absolutley undeniably clear so none of you think ill of me.
I’m for DIVERSITY in America. Which is what this country has always been about.
What I’m trying to explain is that where I’m from Im being faced with one race claiming they are entitled to more rights then the others here.
WHy is that so hard to understand.. Oh yea. I have white skin.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:56 amThe intent of curtailing these worker’s rights is simply illegal and inmoral.
Comment by Evil Spaniard
History of mankind, my friend. Then they wonder why Bolsheviks took over.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:56 amFree markets are a wonderful thing. You should read up on them.
Comment by muckdog
Free market? With corporations exchanging goods between their own companies? With US government support for inner products? Whats free market? You really have a clue…
June 15th, 2007 at 10:58 amSave America…
…DEPORT all racist right wing…
…red neck cuntfederate flag loving…
…al CRACKERS…
…and al CRACKER wannabes…
June 15th, 2007 at 10:59 amAny clue as to how many Americans have died at the hands of illegal aliens in the past month?
Comment by Dale
How many?
June 15th, 2007 at 10:59 amhack, what rights are they claiming they should have but others shouldn’t?
June 15th, 2007 at 10:59 amTexas Democrat. You’re displaying alot more racism towards me then I am but yet because of where I stand on the argument I’m the racist.
and yes I’m Irish. But my family moved here to become American. Not Irish american. but American. We didnt assimilate. We inherited the noble ideals of what it means to be American.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:00 amMexicans are marching in Californias streets screaming in megaphones that “This is Our Land” meaning that Latinos are the only race of people that truly deserve to be here.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:01 amThe TREASONOUS, mass murdering, corrupt…
…WASP male privilege cabal in the criminalBushite junta…
…is RIPPING us OFF big time…
…unless they are brought to justice for their crimes against humanity…
…America will NEVER recover…
June 15th, 2007 at 11:03 am“Mexicans are marching in Californias streets screaming in megaphones that “This is Our Land†meaning that Latinos are the only race of people that truly deserve to be here.”
Umm, couldn’t it be they mean they feel they deserve to be here too?
June 15th, 2007 at 11:04 amWell, see. If we actually had free markets we wouldn’t be spending hundreds of billions on corporate welfare.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:05 amWe inherited the noble ideals of what it means to be American.
Comment by old hack
Wow, my empty patriotic propaganda dose started very early today…
June 15th, 2007 at 11:07 amDid I imply that I don’t want them here? They are claiming that they are the only race that belongs here. and they’re implementing this ideology through immigration. Me and my gf get treated like dirt by them everywhere we go. and we’re the minority. So I’m under no illusions that they are willing to shair this land as much as I am.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:08 amJuan, you are quite the cynic
June 15th, 2007 at 11:09 amDon’t fault the man for believing in the ideals of his country
not all displays of patriotism is propaganda friend.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:09 am43# Dale
was that TV program “clueless” named after you,
your website is also right wing
June 15th, 2007 at 11:09 amhack, I never want to hear you complain about any leftwing conspiracy theories!
June 15th, 2007 at 11:12 amYou’re implying that Mexicans are systematically taking over at least your location through some long ago planned immigration policy
43# Dale
was that TV program “clueless†named after you,
your website is also right wing
Comment by Tobey Tall — June 15, 2007 @ 11:09 am
Oh shit!!!
Toby’s hittin’ hard in the a.m.!!!!!!!
June 15th, 2007 at 11:13 amMy, my. How tolerant and generous so many people are of “comprehensive immigration reform” and “pathways to citizenship.” Allowing corporations to offer jobs to the lowest bidders in the meatpacking, construction, factory, and other labor-intensive industries is really all it boils down to. Since when are these jobs Americans won’t do? Many in my family were financially secure meatpackers with pensions and healthcare benefits when Oscar Mayer was the employer in the small Iowa farming community in which I was raised. It’s owned by Tyson now. Most employees are Hispanic and working for $9.00/hour. No benefits. No healthcare. Nothing. I’ll bet many people all across the country have stories similar to mine.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:13 amDon’t fault the man for believing in the ideals of his country
Comment by Wilco
Countries have no ideals. People do. Countries are not moral agents. To be American, Canadian, Peruvian, East Timorese, Samoan, etc., etc., means nothing, except the connotation you want for yourself.
BTW, good posts.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:15 amAre you with Bush Juan in saying the constitution is just a god damn piece of paper?
direct example of complete disreguard for this countries principles
June 15th, 2007 at 11:18 amSolving the “problem” of hyper immigration…
…would REALLY be simple…
…if the corrupt elitist TRAITORous slave masters in the CORPORATE-owned government wanted it solved…
…but they don’t…
…they’re PROFITING from this near slave labor force…
…THINK about it…
…couldn’t EMPLOYERS who are responsible for hiring this segment o fthe population…
…be COMPELLED to SPONSOR the workers they claim the NEED so badly?
…under threat of heavy fines and prison time…
…couldn’t EMPLOYERS be COMPELLED to pay for their workers’ healthcare, education, housing, and other expenses…
…instead of relying on public assistance?
…like Walmart’s (the nation’s LARGEST EMPLOYER) workers having to seek state sponsored medical care…that’sCRIMINAL!
…look at all of the housing construction and road crews, hospitality industry and farm workers…
…they’re all immigrants who are making the slave masters RICH…
…why are CONGRESS (and the preznit) so reluctant to FORCE EMPLOYERS…
…to SPONSOR these workers?
June 15th, 2007 at 11:18 amJuan, a government absolutely can be founded on certain principles and beliefs. There’s nothing wrong with agreeing with them or having great pride in them.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:18 amThe escalation is now complete.
Expect more cities to end up like Fallujah now
1/ Curfew Begins to Choke Samarra
2/ Baguba is surrounded , civillians have been leaving in there droves waiting an attack
3/ FALLUJAH – The city that was mostly destroyed by the U.S. military operation Phantom Fury in November 2004 has been under curfew for over two weeks, with no signs of relief.
THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING AGAIN
June 15th, 2007 at 11:19 amCountries have no ideals. People do. Countries are not moral agents. To be American, Canadian, Peruvian, East Timorese, Samoan, etc., etc., means nothing, except the connotation you want for yourself.
Comment by Juan C — June 15, 2007 @ 11:15 am
Well, you’re also “supposed” to follow the laws of the country of which you are a citizen. But that is a minor point.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:19 amwilco. I’m as left as it gets. But allowing one nation over all other nations take advantage of our liberal ideals of allowing immigrants to take refuge in our country is unbalanced to say the least. Did you know for example that we only allowed 59 Iraqis to become citizens here last year? compare that to the Million mexicans who came here between o5 and o6 who are trying to escape Nafta.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:21 amhack, that statement I agree with
June 15th, 2007 at 11:23 amI have no problem with millions of Mexican nationals being here, so long as they’re here legally
There’s nothing wrong with agreeing with them or having great pride in them.
Comment by Wilco
When I go into a country, I follow the same laws that everybody. But Im not “that country inhabitant”. I have great pride in what some humans have done for their fellow humans. You have to take into account: French, Russian, American, Latinamerican, etc., etc. I would end up being from “everywhere”, which is exactly where Im from. Nationalism is just a tool.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:24 amwilco- well they’re not coming here legally. and even worse they take pride in the fact that coming here illegaly gives them certain libertys over the rest of us like free health care and if they get caught commiting a crime they dont go to prison they just get sent back to Mexico where the laws there are much less strict.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:25 amOH,
“You’re displaying alot more racism towards me then I am but yet because of where I stand on the argument I’m the racist”. -Again I have no idea what you are talking about, I’ve not called you a rascist.
“But my family moved here to become American. Not Irish american. but American”- O.K. so everyone has to do just like you and your family?
And I suppose that if an ocean wasn’t between your ancestors and America that they wouldn’t have walked across the border. You have no claim to somehow having paid a special price to be here, your family had no choice but to arrive on a ship and be processed, otherwise they would have done just what the Mexicans are dong.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:25 amNationalism for me is not just a tool. I would be much less proud to have been born in Darfur seeing how liberated americans are.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:26 amI would be much less proud to have been born in Darfur seeing how liberated americans are.
Comment by old hack
See? Just a tool.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:27 amthe Mexicans are dong.
Comment by Texas Democrat
hahaha
June 15th, 2007 at 11:28 amJuan C,
Right you are.
“Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel”.-Samuel Johnson
June 15th, 2007 at 11:28 amJuan, if you see yourself as a world citizen, great!
June 15th, 2007 at 11:28 amBut I think it’s unfair for you to judge another for believing in the ideals and principles of their native land over those of any other country.
I do not want to be a citizen of Venezuela. Or Uzbekistan. Definitely not Iraq (did you hear about all the people dying there?)
And France? Maybe if the women shaved.
old hack,
Oops, obviously I missed an “i”.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:29 ampatriotism is the first refuge for someone standing for something.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:29 am“patriotism is the first refuge for someone standing for something”.
Wow, how profound.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:30 am#79 Comment by Dale — June 15, 2007 @ 11:25 am
Are kiddin’ me???
June 15th, 2007 at 11:31 amI object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.
I aggree with this statement by Gandhi and thats why Iraq has become unwinnable for the US
as for the other countries . thats American foreign policy at its worst
June 15th, 2007 at 11:31 amI think it’s a sad belief that national pride is for scoundrels.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:33 amDo you feel the same about state pride? TEXAS democrat?
What about civic pride?
Family pride?
What about rooting for the home team?
Is that for scoundrels?
I’m from Cleveland. Should I be chastized for being disappointed the Cavs didn’t win the finals?
Are you a latino texas democrat?
and yes after seeing how hard of a struggle it was for my family to become an american versus as you say “crossing the desert” I do feel Im obliged a certain right to critisize others who come here with far less of a struggle.
Because of the struggle my ancestors went through to become americans at the end of the day they felt like they had Earned citizenship. As oppose to someone who just fills a water jug and walks on in. My family fought malaria, starvation, displacement, Weeks upon Weeks of riding on a ship and then when we got here they were forced to live on an island Not unlike guantonimo bay. so please spare me your ilk comparisons of strife.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:33 amRE: Supreme Court Ruling
It seems to me that if Public Employee Unions will have to ask for permission from union members to use union dues for political contributions, it stands to reason that corporations should also likewise have to ask permission from shareholders to do the same. Wonky thinktank lawsuit anyone?
June 15th, 2007 at 11:33 am“Nationalism for me is not just a tool. I would be much less proud to have been born in Darfur seeing how liberated americans are.”
You might want to look up the history of the word “nationalism”. It is a pretty negative word along with jingoism, flag-waving and chauvenistic patriotism.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:34 amold hack,
June 15th, 2007 at 11:37 ammaybe if your ancestors had taught you proper sentence structure and punctuation, your post would make more sense.
Wilco, for me to be patriotic is to be as critic as possible towards my government, my people. Not to be the cheerleader and to promote empty, useless mottos like America is the best country in the world.
According to what? Jet carriers? Sure. Extension? No. Education? Which one: elementary school or Graduate School? See? This patriotic stuff is only to sell stuff and ideas. It is on the verge of stupidity, becuz at the end it is a personal feeling. I am proud about some things of my country and Im very critic of some others… who is gonna tell me how patriotic I am or I am not?
Now, the danger lies in what that feeling makes me do. If it makes me to agree with the killing of “enemies”, then I am a human failure. If it makes me question, fight to be a better person, to treat people different to me with respect, then yes, Im patriotic, but at the end Argentina has nothing to do with it. It was my personal choice, even if I was from Puerto Rico.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:37 ambeing a nationalist from america for me is diffrent then for someone who doesnt live in a country as diverse as mine.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:38 amAmerica has its problems but I still firmly believe that we still, EVen after the damage Bush and the corperates have done, is the best nation to live in. Otherwise why would youn not be taking refuge in some other country right now? Noone is dieing trying to escape america.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:39 amOld hack. Try one illegal immigrant describe you what he/she needed to do, endure in order to get to your country, just to work 16 hours straight. You will learn something.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:41 amLove of country is one thing. Nationalism is extremism.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:42 amI appreciate the struggle of latinos who want to become citizens. I dont appreciate people who don’t want to follow our liberal laws just because its time consuming.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:44 am“America has its problems but I still firmly believe that we still, EVen after the damage Bush and the corperates have done, is the best nation to live in. Otherwise why would youn not be taking refuge in some other country right now? Noone is dieing trying to escape america.”
Sorry, old hack, unchecked immigration is the fault of the US. The greedy corporations want to end run labor laws by hiring illegals. Why do you rail against those “racist, communists from mexico” and not the greedy, amoral companies that are creating the demand?
June 15th, 2007 at 11:45 amLove of country is one thing. Nationalism is extremism.
Comment by JPark
extreme situations call for extreme measures.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:45 amextreme situations call for extreme measures.
Comment by old hack
Spoken like a true Nazi against the “evil jews”.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:47 amI’d like to thank whoever it is that moderates these comments for letting me speak my mind.
I had this exact same debate on crooksandliars.com but they deleted all my comments and banned me. where a latino deeply insulted my heritage yet was allowed to without the same amount of scrutiny
June 15th, 2007 at 11:47 amWilco,
Patriotism is referenced when a cogent argument can’t be made.
As in, you are somehow more patriotic than me, or her, or him. It’s not an argument, it’s a state of mind that claims some special place as being more entitled than others to some specific claim about being American.
Me and mine have paid the price and we say to hell with those of you that think you have some special place or say because you choose to attempt to marginalioze people by measuring patriotism.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:47 amJuan, I’m not suggesting anyone can really determine how patriotic another person is. I don’t know why that came up.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:49 amThe criticism on your end came from old hack stating he is patriotic, and you argued against patriotism, that it’s a tool, and now that it’s used to sell stuff.
But you just stated you too are patriotic. So what are you selling?
Unless I’m not understanding, it seems a double standard.
Now you are arguing that being patriotic can be positive.
So I don’t understand your posts about how patriotism is a tool
Anything positive can be manipulated and destroyed. It’s unfair to argue patriotism can’t be because it’s already a horrible thing, something for scoundrels. That’s ridiculous.
Being proud of your country (its achievements and failures included) is healthy. I would argue, hatred for your country is not.
Jaun. You’re descriminating me. Id suggest you take it down a notch and show some respect.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:49 amLove of country is one thing. Nationalism is extremism.
Comment by JPark
No, it isn’t.
extreme situations call for extreme measures.
Comment by old hack — June 15, 2007 @ 11:45 am
R U stupid?
June 15th, 2007 at 11:50 amAnyone who says our constitution isn’t noble is unpatriotic. period. including Bush.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:51 amWilco,
The quote “patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel” is over your head, get to the shallow end of the pool.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:51 amJaun. You’re descriminating me. Id suggest you take it down a notch and show some respect.
Comment by old hack — June 15, 2007 @ 11:49 am
U R stupid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 15th, 2007 at 11:51 amR U stupid?
Comment by Mr. President
Im guessing you don’t live on a border state and aren’t a direct witness to what exactly is going on down here.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:52 amTexas Dem, I’m sorry you have such a negative take on patriotism.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:53 amI don’t share that outlook or that definition.
Perhaps you’re referring to the Reps attacks on the Dems patriotism? In that case, I agree with your statement.
But to have a bleak view on patriotism is, in my opinion, depressing.
I love my country and the ideals on which she was founded. I do believe she’s the best country for me.
If that’s wrong then I don’t want to be right. (I love cliches)
Im guessing you don’t live on a border state and aren’t a direct witness to what exactly is going on down here.
Comment by old hack — June 15, 2007 @ 11:52 am
I’m from Virginia, bitch.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:53 amwrong border mr president
June 15th, 2007 at 11:54 amtexas dem. Ill tell you something my mother taught me when I was little. “just cuz someone says it doesnt make it true”
June 15th, 2007 at 11:56 amTexas Dem, please treat me with the same civility with which I treat you.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:56 amI respect your views even if I disagree with them, and I don’t attack you.
Being proud of your country (its achievements and failures included) is healthy. I would argue, hatred for your country is not.
Comment by Wilco
You are right, I dont master English that much in order to use different words to describe different things.
Everytime US citizens speak about patriotism it is intended as propaganda. You will not let me lie. It is intended as putting your feeling for the country above everything else and intended to win your support for your government´s actions. Thats not new and thats not exclusive of US. Every country in the world does it.
Now, to be proud of your country is the same as to be proud of your mom. Nobody should care becuz it is a personal relationship between you and the object of affection. No one is gonna say, I support the invasion of a country becuz I love my mom. But, this sounds really well when you change “mom” for “country”. Thats how the propaganda works. Nobody understands pretty well what you wanted to say, but awakens my chauvinistic-self.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:59 amI’d like to thank whoever it is that moderates these comments for letting me speak my mind.
I had this exact same debate on crooksandliars.com but they deleted all my comments and banned me. where a latino deeply insulted my heritage yet was allowed to without the same amount of scrutiny
Comment by old hack — June 15, 2007 @ 11:47 am
TP doesn’t pull people often and stay away from words like f*** and zio***t and debate about Israel. In other words keep it clean and robust discussion is possible – until Mr President accuses you of s***ing d*** and it all falls apart. Welcome.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:00 pmDale #43,
…place the blame for HOW Iraq looks where it belongs…
…with George W.Bush, Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld, Colin Powell, Condi Rice, Karl Rove, Doug Feith, Bill Kristol, Richard Perle, AIPAC, Ken Adelman, Ahmad Chalabi, PNAC…
…and the tens ofmillions of you dumb ass inbred Bushites…
…who vote Republican…
…Tobey’s NOT responsible for Iraq…
…but YOU most certainly are…
June 15th, 2007 at 12:04 pmIm not looking for favors from my government juan. I’m looking for people coming to this country to take hold these truths that prove to be self evident.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:04 pmOf course bush’s immigration plan will work! Especially when his true plan is to abolish our borders and wipe away our national Sovereignty with his promotion of the North American Union!!
Prepare for new national borders and a new currency.. by 2010!!
http://nauinfo.blogspot.com/
June 15th, 2007 at 12:04 pm“extreme situations call for extreme measures.”
What extreme measures are you calling for?
June 15th, 2007 at 12:05 pmIts not really that extreme to be honest. I’m desprately waiting for our government to stop allowing an invasion of illegal immigrants to get free passage. Not that extreme at all. but the consequences of Not protecting our borders and enforcing our laws is extreme.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:08 pmThen you must also strongly support significant penalties for employers who hire and for identity theft. What role do American corporations play in this fiasco?
June 15th, 2007 at 12:17 pmAgain, old hack, illegal immigration is not going to go away until we do away with the corporatocracy that has all of the Republicans and half of the Democrats in their pockets. Demand drives the market, not supply.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:17 pmIm not placing blame completly on the latinos coming here. If not for Nafta destroying their farms and destroying their economy they wouldnt feel the need to come here. But at the same time I still have discontent for any person who comes here and doesnt respect our laws.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:20 pmold hack, companies are breaking the law by hiring them. Where is your outrage about that?
June 15th, 2007 at 12:28 pmThe companies that hire these workers knowing that they are illegal must be punished harshly. After that, we have to do away with these B/S lawsuits brought on by the ACLU and others who punich police officers and communities for enforcing existing laws. Also, there must be more $$ spent to deal with deportation of ILLEGALS WHO COMMIT CRIMES. (I’m still all for giving a chance at legalization for a majority of workers).
June 15th, 2007 at 12:28 pmBut, until you start bird dogging all the companies that hire “Cheap Labor” it’s like pissing into the wind….
whoopps……punish…..
June 15th, 2007 at 12:28 pmI had this exact same debate on crooksandliars.com but they deleted all my comments and banned me. where a latino deeply insulted my heritage yet was allowed to without the same amount of scrutiny
Comment by old hack — June 15, 2007 @ 11:47 am
#
They must have pulled you pronto from C&L, I don’t remember you there.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:30 pmI think you are well-meaning but really ignorant of the cause of illegal immigration.
Have you been to Mexico? Have you seen the conditions that these people are trying to escape from?
Don’t you see that the corporations and businesses that hire illegals are doing it to save money – we used to have good jobs for everyone in America, and now Americans won’t work at subsistence wages with no benefits, so those jobs are going to the poor and desperate people of Latin America (they are not all Mexicans, even if they do all speak Spanish).
Your argument should not be with the victims of this system, but with the companies that are using it to get rich and to undermine our rights as workers.
And please, what free health care? Emergency room service? What’s wrong with that? If I was to be visiting Mexico, and got sick, I would get free health care there.
Please stop to think a little bit, you are being controlled and carrying water for these criminals.
until Mr President accuses you of s***ing d*** and it all falls apart. Welcome.
Comment by TerrytheTurtle — June 15, 2007 @ 12:00 pm
“Eating dick,” that is, until I accuse you of eating dick.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:37 pmIm not placing blame completly on the latinos coming here. If not for Nafta destroying their farms and destroying their economy they wouldnt feel the need to come here. But at the same time I still have discontent for any person who comes here and doesnt respect our laws.
Comment by old hack — June 15, 2007 @ 12:20 pm
That is right on. NAFTA was pushed through by the old PRI, the Mexican corporatist party and backed by…. shock Bill-Bob and Al Gore (Al and Perot debate, CNN anyone?)
The impact of agricultural decisions (now being illustrated by the ethanol subsidy craze and the Mexican Tortilla Riots) continues to fuel illegal immigration. Before NAFTA, some 20% of agricultural workers were ‘foreign-born’ – now well over 80% are. Hmm.
Mr President – heading straight for the gutter as usual?
June 15th, 2007 at 12:46 pmJaun. You’re descriminating me. Id suggest you take it down a notch and show some respect.
Comment by old hack — June 15, 2007 @ 11:49 am
Always best to take one’s own advice.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:58 pmGotta love these unions, forcing their Republican members to contribute to Democratic campaigns.
June 15th, 2007 at 1:19 pmComment by SKdeA
Just because their country sucks doesnt mean they have the right to have a massive invasion into my country. And it’s not even that that bothers me. It’s the fact that they are Racist against me and my girlfriend and that they have no allegience or appreciation for what america stands for once we take them in.
June 15th, 2007 at 1:27 pm#40 that was when there were only 20 million people in this country. alot has changed since we brought over the statue of liberty.
You mean the statue of liberty, that gift from the french people?
secondly my family has been here since 1781 and fought in every war beyond the revolution. I assumed you didnt have ties to the conflict since you showed such disreguard for the situation.
Comment by old hack — June 15, 2007 @ 10:46 am
So your family is in America since 1781.
Take a look to those poor brown skinned mexicans. You know why they are brown skinned? Because they descend from NATIVE AMERICANS. And, Texas, California and a couple other states were Mexican territory, so I guess that they have more right to be there that a NEW ARRIVED IRISH DESCENDANT.
BTW, you remember why so many irish came to America? Because there was an enormous famine in Ireland, due to a fungus that did make all the potato plantations rot. Thousands of broken farmers migrated. You’re not very empathic, isn’t?
June 15th, 2007 at 1:28 pmI havnt discriminated against anyone. Quit projecting things on me that aren’t true.
June 15th, 2007 at 1:28 pmLooks like the Clintons are making big money off oil and the war.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070615/ap_on_el_pr/clintons_blind_trust;_ylt=AstXRMN.b4tysXBgIvT33dvMWM0F
Once they peered inside it, they discovered it included investments in oil and drug companies, military contractors and Wal-Mart.
The report, filed Friday with the Federal Election Commission and the Office of Government Ethics, provides the most detailed look at the Clintons’ holdings as their wealth has expanded since the former president left the White House in 2001.
June 15th, 2007 at 1:35 pm#138 The report, filed Friday with the Federal Election Commission and the Office of Government Ethics, provides the most detailed look at the Clintons’ holdings as their wealth has expanded since the former president left the White House in 2001.
Comment by m12 — June 15, 2007 @ 1:35 pm
How are going the Haliburton shares of Cheney?
June 15th, 2007 at 1:37 pmComment by Evil Spaniard
You’re missing my point. My point once again spoken as plainly as possible is that once my ancestory got here we accepted American tradition and American values as our own. We didn’t come and impose abunch of guilt on the people that were here befor us just to justify our coming here. And we didn’t just assimilate. We had to go through a very long process of screening and learning of tradition to become legal citizens. And after that we didn’t look at America as being an evil country trying to keep us down. We accepted the fact that we were imposing on them and that we should show gratitude towards this countrys willingness to be a place of refuge.
I can’t spell it out any clearer then that. If you can’t accept the fact that my people have shown more gratitude towards this nations generosity then the mexican immigrants then that’s noones fault but your own.
And I’m not being disciminitive. I am simply expressing the facts as I see them from a directly eye witness’ perspective. When we came here we didn’t keep waving Irelands flag. We accepted the fact that our country was in shambles and that we were no longer Irish and that we had become Americans.
June 15th, 2007 at 1:42 pm“When we came here we didn’t keep waving Irelands flag. We accepted the fact that our country was in shambles and that we were no longer Irish and that we had become Americans.
Comment by old hack — June 15, 2007 @ 1:42 pm”
St Patrick’s Day? “A few dollars for the old country in their struggle” Support for terrorism against an old ally…. come off it.
June 15th, 2007 at 1:44 pmAnd please, what free health care? Emergency room service? What’s wrong with that? If I was to be visiting Mexico, and got sick, I would get free health care there.
Please stop to think a little bit, you are being controlled and carrying water for these criminals….
Comment by SKdeA
its not as simple as you think. anytime they get a cold, have a child, have any illness at all they go to the emergency room and because of the massive influx of their need for medical treatment which they only seek through emergency rooms, They are Bankrupting our health care system in California. because of the Illegal mexicans here Noone in this state that doesnt make enough income to pay for health insurance can get the same amount of medicaid provided quality care that other states are destributed. Even in the most conservative states the medicaid is much more beneficial.
June 15th, 2007 at 1:53 pm#141 “When we came here we didn’t keep waving Irelands flag. We accepted the fact that our country was in shambles and that we were no longer Irish and that we had become Americans.
Comment by old hack — June 15, 2007 @ 1:42 pmâ€
St Patrick’s Day? “A few dollars for the old country in their struggle†Support for terrorism against an old ally…. come off it.
Comment by TerrytheTurtle — June 15, 2007 @ 1:44 pm
Don’t forget the Irish ceremonies (pipers playing the bagpipes) for the dead members of some police or firefighter’s departments, like in the movie Backdraft, located in Chicago.
Or the hillbily population and music.
Or the tap dance.
Those damn immigrants and their weird traditions!
June 15th, 2007 at 2:02 pmTerrytheTurtle
“cinco de mayo”.. they’re afforded their culture. I just want them to respect mine. Which they don’t.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:02 pmagain you people are starting to project on to me that I don’t appreciate mexican culture.
we have st patricks day as americans. the old country?
emphasis on the word OLD
bag pipes? whens the last time you heard someone play some bagpipes versus how often you hear chicano music?
the hillbilly music is American music. all these points are completly off target. you’re talking about Irish traditions we creatd as Americans. Not traditions we brought here from Ireland but traditions we created here as Americans. come off it.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:05 pm#142 And please, what free health care? Emergency room service? What’s wrong with that? If I was to be visiting Mexico, and got sick, I would get free health care there.
Please stop to think a little bit, you are being controlled and carrying water for these criminals….
Comment by SKdeA
its not as simple as you think. anytime they get a cold, have a child, have any illness at all they go to the emergency room and because of the massive influx of their need for medical treatment which they only seek through emergency rooms, They are Bankrupting our health care system in California. because of the Illegal mexicans here Noone in this state that doesnt make enough income to pay for health insurance can get the same amount of medicaid provided quality care that other states are destributed. Even in the most conservative states the medicaid is much more beneficial.
Comment by old hack — June 15, 2007 @ 1:53 pm
As a ER doctor explained some days ago in another thread about immigration where this claim was done, ER care is payed over the counter, and mostly in money, to evade paper trail. So I see it more like a great income source for hospitals. No need of cash checks, or pay money to the bank to receive the money done with a credit card.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:06 pmits not as simple as you think. anytime they get a cold, have a child, have any illness at all they go to the emergency room and because of the massive influx of their need for medical treatment which they only seek through emergency rooms, They are Bankrupting our health care system in California.
When’s the last time you went to an emergency room? Last time I was there, the room was full of poor people, and not an overwhelming number of Hispanics, either. I live in San Diego, so if anyone would be in a position to see it, it would be me, who goes there on regular occasion with my wife, who has COPD. I see poor whites, blacks, asians, and yes, hispanics, but in a pretty even mix. If anything, it’s the uninsured, not hispanics, who are overwhelming the system.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:06 pmthe hillbilly music is American music. all these points are completly off target. you’re talking about Irish traditions we creatd as Americans. Not traditions we brought here from Ireland but traditions we created here as Americans. come off it.
Comment by old hack — June 15, 2007 @ 2:05 pm
#145 the hillbilly music is American music. all these points are completly off target. you’re talking about Irish traditions we creatd as Americans. Not traditions we brought here from Ireland but traditions we created here as Americans. come off it.
Comment by old hack — June 15, 2007 @ 2:05 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillbilly
Yet another point lost, old hack. Is a protestant irish-scottish tradition, and descendants.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:09 pmdo you live in california. Just yesterday I went to the doctor and me and my girlfriend were the only Non mexicans in the entire facility, doctors and nurses included. where none of them spoke any english. They are allowed to apply for what here is called M.I.A. which is medicaid for illegal immigrants. The ones that live here illegally but are permenent residents can see doctors legally. How come the border patrol isn’t there? because this invasion is being facilitated by our government.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:12 pmold hack seems to be a big fan of assimiliation, rather than multi-culturalism.
His family made a choice to assimiliate, which was the tradition back then. Now we have a tradition of cultural pride, and while many immigrants wish to become Americans, they wish to retain their cultural heritage.
Nothing wrong with either idea — it’s a choice.
Since it seems to bother old hack, let’s all be as white bread as possible, curb those accents, and do SOMETHING about about your skin color! It’s making old hack uncomfortable!
Maybe in the interest of assimilation, old hack won’t mind if his lily white daughters marry nice hispanic boys? It really would be for the best….
June 15th, 2007 at 2:14 pm“Yet another explanation for the term comes from the European immigrants to the United States who settled in the Appalachian Mountains.”
yet another explanation is that banjo and fiddle music is a celebrated music in america and widely accepted as traditional American music.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:17 pmIf you read my earlier statements I made it very clear I am for multiculturalism and that wide variety of traditions is what makes this country so fascinating.
In California we are slowly loseing that variety to an invasion of hispanic culture. I am more for diversity then you it would seem. And by standing up against this invasion I am willing to protect that multiculturalism from One culture being more dominant then the other.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:20 pm#151 “Yet another explanation for the term comes from the European immigrants to the United States who settled in the Appalachian Mountains.â€
yet another explanation is that banjo and fiddle music is a celebrated music in america and widely accepted as traditional American music.
Comment by old hack — June 15, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
So it’s perfectly acceptable to brand as “traditional” the mexican music in Texas, California or New Mexico, isn’t?
June 15th, 2007 at 2:22 pmIn California we are slowly loseing that variety to an invasion of hispanic culture. I am more for diversity then you it would seem. And by standing up against this invasion I am willing to protect that multiculturalism from One culture being more dominant then the other.
Comment by old hack — June 15, 2007 @ 2:20 pm
But I don’t see you advocating for multiculturalism in Mississippi, Missouri or Utah. Or complaining that there are too few hispanics or blacks.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:24 pmIn California we are slowly loseing that variety to an invasion of hispanic culture. I am more for diversity then you it would seem. And by standing up against this invasion I am willing to protect that multiculturalism from One culture being more dominant then the other.
Comment by old hack
You are contradicting yourself within the same comments, old hack.
You seem to be all for multiculturalism, as long as it’s the right sort of multiculturalism. If the Bay Area is becoming to brown for you, I suggest you move. I moved away from the Bay Area because it was too crowded.
But don’t come to Idaho, we have Mexican here as well. Wouldn’t want you to feel uncomfortable.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:29 pmI don’t live in those states. so you’re point is mute. I’m standing for Califnornias Diversity because that is where I am from. simply stated.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:29 pmI just want them to respect mine. Which they don’t.
Comment by old hack — June 15, 2007 @ 2:02 pm
Need more here, and some sources to help.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:30 pmTEX MEX is an american tradition yes. I never said it wasn’t
June 15th, 2007 at 2:30 pmBut I don’t see you advocating for multiculturalism in Mississippi, Missouri or Utah. Or complaining that there are too few hispanics or blacks.
Comment by Evil Spaniard
Nice debate, Senor Evil! :)
I’m leaving for Portland in half an hour, but thought I’d stop by for a little debate and troll whacking.
old hack — I’m not calling YOU a troll.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:31 pmI didnt contradict myself within that statement. not once.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:31 pmterry. Ive statede plenty of sources within my earlier statements. I don’t enjoy having to repeat myself.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:33 pmIm not uncomfortable around mexicans. Im uncorfortable with there being nothing BUT mexicans. thats unamerican.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:34 pmI didnt contradict myself within that statement. not once.
Comment by old hack
Did so. Twice.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:35 pmIm not uncomfortable around mexicans. Im uncorfortable with there being nothing BUT mexicans. thats unamerican.
Comment by old hack
Are you saying that in the time since I left the Bay Area, all the white people moved out, and only Mexicans live there?
That’s ridiculous, old hack.
I’m sorry, I was giving you the benefit of the doubt, but you’re a racist.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:37 pmBut I don’t see you advocating for multiculturalism in Mississippi, Missouri or Utah. Or complaining that there are too few hispanics or blacks.
Comment by Evil Spaniard
if youve evr been to kansas city or st louis you would never say there are too few blacks.
world class barbeque? JAZZ? Charley Parker ring a bell?
June 15th, 2007 at 2:37 pmdon’t forget Ike and Tina Turner, Chuck Berry…long list.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:38 pmDid I say anything about the bay area? ever? even once?
You’re projecting again. and all just so you can play the “you’re a racist” card. which obviously you were holding on me the entire time because anyone thats not a person of color is not allowed to speak about issues reguarding race and multiculturalism without being immediatly considerd racist.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:40 pmComment by Zooey — June 15, 2007 @ 2:31 pm
Nice travel, Mrs Z :)
I’ll leave for the weekend in some minutes, so well speak in some days, then.
Have fun in your travels :)
June 15th, 2007 at 2:41 pmThen I want a ruling that states that corporations cannot spend money on political activities without the express consent of all its employees. No employees, no money. No money, no corporation.
If unions need to get permission from their members, than so do corporations.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:43 pmterry. Ive statede plenty of sources within my earlier statements. I don’t enjoy having to repeat myself.
Comment by old hack — June 15, 2007 @ 2:33 pm
Er no, you didn’t – not a single one, nothing or should I say ‘nada’. And now that you’ve made me go back and waste my time reading every single one of your posts, you can read this and check your facts before you waste anymore.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journalism_sourcing
June 15th, 2007 at 2:46 pm#169 Exactly what I was thinking. (R)’s don’t want any corporation lobbying left out of politics because many CEOs and high executives are Republicans, thus they receive big bucks from the corporation’s political activism.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:47 pmDid I say anything about the bay area? ever? even once?
Your myspace indicates you are in Oakland, CA. Are you lying on your myspace page?
You’re projecting again. and all just so you can play the “you’re a racist†card. which obviously you were holding on me the entire time because anyone thats not a person of color is not allowed to speak about issues reguarding race and multiculturalism without being immediatly considerd racist.
Comment by old hack
No one ever said you couldn’t speak on these issues — and you are speaking on them. You DO realize that, don’t you? You haven’t been banned, have you?
I was not holding that card”the whole time.” How old are you? 14? I read every single one of your comments on this thread, right down to the last one. And yeah, you ARE a racist. Don’t think you’re fooling anyone here, like you’re fooling yourself.
I’m as f*cking lily white as people come, old hack. I guess I’m not allowed to speak either.
I’m off to Portland — I hope I see lots of different types of people there. Oh yeah, I will.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:52 pmI’ll leave for the weekend in some minutes, so well speak in some days, then.
Have fun in your travels :)
Comment by Evil Spaniard
Have a great weekend, Senor Evil. I’ll put up pictures when I get back. :)
June 15th, 2007 at 2:53 pmjust because I have shows in Oakland and the bay doesnt mean I reside there.
More projecting and assumptions that don’t apply.
Since you’re the one throwing out racism into the debate I’d say you’re more inclined to think in a racist manner then I am so..
I’m off to the bay now. it’s been real everyone.
June 15th, 2007 at 3:03 pmSorry to be so late to the party today..I will weigh in briefly about the illegal immigration mess…
Many of you have read my post’s in the past, note I have never thought my self a racest, indeed I have work hard for civil right’s all my life…Having said that may I add I agree with Old hack on a lot of what he wrote…
Because of personal experience in my area….It is now “we ” in many areas who are being discriminated against….Our services are being stretched to the limet’s, our clinic’s over run and old white’s like myself are having a dreadful time getting health care because, one, we are not illegals and 2 because we don’t have the free medical card’s they all carry upon arrival to our country….Legal is one thing,illegal quite another…Our crime rate’s have scyrocketed and in reviewing the arrest cases it is 3 to 1 with the illegal’s being the highest..The drug trade has also gone over the top..Because of all of the cut’s to support the bush war’s or what ever, a citizen can no longer count on police protection getting to a citizen in time…
While the school’s and clinic’s are being deluged by the hispanic impact we also have another mixed problem of hispanic and asian gang’s…We have a hell of a mess folk’s and it is compounded by employer’s that use illegals at low wages to make huge profit’s…At the top of the crises is the stolen S.S. #’s that the illegal’s use and abuse…I agree with legal immigration from all countries, not illegal, coming over our border’s and stealing ideneties to stay here is criminal…
Of course this all a hollow post when one consideres the bush regime intend’s to make us all part of Mexico and Canada…On the up shot to that I man escape to the wood’s of Canada…You all have a nice day, I need a nap…Blessings
June 15th, 2007 at 3:32 pmThen I want a ruling that states that corporations cannot spend money on political activities without the express consent of all its employees. No employees, no money. No money, no corporation.
If unions need to get permission from their members, than so do corporations.
The corporation does not represent it’s employees, unlike the union.
Unlike corporations, unions force nonmembers to pay dues. People didn’t like that in Washington, so this law was passed.
June 16th, 2007 at 12:16 am