[QUOTE=Doppelganger]You can not access Yahoo due to the all powerful all knowing all seeing Evangelical Christian Right Wing Conspiracy they have done it all! Maniacal laughter![/QUOTE]The Exons! Literally!;)
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[QUOTE=Doppelganger]You can not access Yahoo due to the all powerful all knowing all seeing Evangelical Christian Right Wing Conspiracy they have done it all! Maniacal laughter![/QUOTE]The Exons! Literally!;)
Yea but you can never find one of those Exons when you need one!
I agree the mulahs are extremely bad and think Isreal should negotiate and compromise a bit more.
[QUOTE=Doggboy]Just an aside on Iran. The majority of the population supports the government's attempts to develop nuclear power and would go bonkers if the US upped the military ante. What they ARE pissed off about is their economy.
And though I certainly don't agree with all of Doppleganger's opinions, the mullahs are a pack of assholes. The comparison in the USA would be if the nutjob christian evangelicals were in power. Oops! They have been for the past eight years!
And, while I'm spouting off a little. Not all, but much of the Middle East mess originates in the ongoing stalemate between Israel and the Palestinians. The inability to make any progress there has led to massive rage throughout the region which as been capitalized on by those with their own power and control agenda (on BOTH sides of the conflict)
If the West was really interested in sorting out alot of the reasons for this mess they would stop allowing the tail to wag the dog (I. E. Get tough with Israel about their stonewalling the peace process) Its a damn shame that this has been allowed to go on for so long. If the peace process had been succesful 10-15 years ago, some of the current problems could have been avoided. But the cat is out of the bag and the horsies have left the barn and it done burnt down. Now you have so many bad apples throughout the region that it will require a monumental effort to make progress (with Pakistan the next to be a big pain in the ass)
My 2 centavos.
AND, why the fuck can't I access Yahoo for the past two days![/QUOTE]
So the Iranians compared the mulahs to the SS? Or was that you? I doubt anyone in Iran was even alive in 1945-little on living in Germany when the SS were doing their shit. All those articles you imply exist must be on the web. Point one out that supports your claim and I would reconsider that what you posted was just your (somewhat biased) opinion. Having said thAt I certainly do not think the mulahs are choirboys.
[QUOTE=Doppelganger]Actually Stowe they don't really have much of a chance since they never get the opportunity to "over throw the government" via the political process which is denied to them by the mullahs. Nor do they have much of a chance by open revolt since all the guns are in the hands of the military and the Revolutionary Guard Units (RGU) Ask yourself Stowe, do you have the "guts" to go head to head with a guy with an AK when all you got is a hoe (garden type not female) It gets a lot different when those bumble bees with a firecracker tied to their tail go flying by your ear.
Guess you did not read those papers very closely; there have been several articles by Iranian dissidents cataloguing the RGU's activities, testimony before Congress by both military and civilian experts, besides intelligence briefs some of which are published. I'll see if I can get you a link for the last one.
Not happy with oppressing their own people they like to export their brand of oppression to other countries via training cadres and material to places like Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq, Afghanistan, ect. Sort of like the old Soviet Union and Cuba did down in Africa. Does any of that ring a bell?
Rave On Guys.
Doppelganger[/QUOTE]
Looks like the McCain folks made an impulsive decision on Palin because the right wing of the party didn't cotton to Lieberman and some others. The consequences:
1. Palin has hired an attorney due to an investigation of possible ethical / criminal lapses of a few years back.
2. Her eldest daughter is a going to be a teenage mommie. No abortion for you, you whoare.
3. Her husband is a drunk.
New Orleans sounds like a bad place for she and her family to be camping. Get out the short leash!
Ha ha ha,
This one made me laugh.
The rest of the thread is crap.
Regards,
BM.[QUOTE=Doggboy]2. Her eldest daughter is a going to be a teenage mommie. No abortion for you, you whoare.[/QUOTE]
The daughter has said that she "will" be getting married.
Now that's a shotgun wedding!
Doppelganger,
"As far as the anti US feelings, in case you have not noticed both Germany and France have installed PRO US leaders who are now helping not bashing the US. The old war monger "W" must have done something right if the folks in these nations are again becoming our allies and not our detractors."
Classic Americancentric thinking. Yep, the citizens of France and Germany elected those new leaders of their countries to honor GW Bush and the nitwits that voted him into office.
"I hope you are of the Michale Moore group that believe God sent Gustov to punish the bad Republicans? Give me a break, we are the only nation in the world that keeps reinventing ourselves to continue to compete in the world, over and over and over again. If we are so evil why do so many people risk their lives to get here?"
Michael Moore? Only evangelical nuts believe in God's retribution on a particular group, although God knows the Republicans would be prime candidates if it were true. People risk their lives to escape poverty and unbearable situations where they live. They come for the money.
"Where else could McCain get a babe like Palin for a running mate, well France does have Carla Brunni, kinda makes Sara look a little shoddy."
Arkansas or Kentucky? Where was that movie "Deliverance" based on?
Originally Posted by Bacchus9
It's all so reminiscent of the fear mongering the modern day Goebels used to manipulate the US population after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center back in the 2002, 2003 and 2004. You know when they wanted to stay in power for another four years.
Keep stoking that fear and adrenaline, it's contagious and you'll bring on just what you say you fear. Like McCain, he likes to excercise that rhetoric and "shoot from the hip". Yeah howdy, head screwed on a little too tight maybe. But he is a POW, so undoubtedly he can point that out in any given difficult situation.
[QUOTE=Jackson]I'm not being manipulated, I've just got my eyes open to the world's realities.
Do you know what's nice about being an appeaser? You get to muddle along with your head in the sand while other good people, in the process of keeping the world safe for themselves, will inadvertently keep it safe for you too.
Thanks,
Jackson[/QUOTE]It doesn't read that way, that you've got your eyes open to the world's realities, only some of them. More like you've got the IV running from Fox News and an antiquated sense of what Americans were once in the world.
Appeaser, ignoramus, coward, raving looney, there's a long list of people in the world who are protected by the bravery and common sense of good leaders.
Unfortunately Republicans and the ideas of their neo-con intellectuals have bankrupted their roles as leaders in the past 8 years. We need good people to keep the world safe, if it's still possible.
[QUOTE=Daddy Rulz]Gotta go with Stowe here even though he is a disgusting butt fucker. We are pretty universally despised.[/QUOTE]Hey DR.
Are you insulting or complimenting me? When the hell you going to be in BA when I am, you pervert?
Suerte.
Stowe
[QUOTE=Doggboy]Looks like the McCain folks made an impulsive decision on Palin because the right wing of the party didn't cotton to Lieberman and some others. The consequences:
1. Palin has hired an attorney due to an investigation of possible ethical / criminal lapses of a few years back.
2. Her eldest daughter is a going to be a teenage mommie. No abortion for you, you whoare.
3. Her husband is a drunk.
New Orleans sounds like a bad place for she and her family to be camping. Get out the short leash![/QUOTE]While this pick looks stupid since she has MUCH less experience than Obama, which has been about the only thing McCain could attack him on, I think the daughter and husband should not be involved in this. Any and all of her actions, yes. But not the daughter or husband. She has little to no control over other people's actions.
This is an example of what is wrong with our politics-everyone attacks everyone for any possible thing. I think it is absolutely wrong for the media and / or the democrats to attack the daughter or husband, just as I think it is wrong when the Republicans do it. We need to actually require politicians to address issues and their record, not bring up this kind of crap. It avoids the real issues of this country.
Once upon a time the media actually investigated and questioned our politicians and held them up to their promises or questioned when they did not stand for anything.
Suerte.
Stowe
Thanks for the letter. I am sure this isn't a unique opinion. I am sure there is not a single person in Alaska that feels differently about her. She probably was elected with 100% of the vote.
Whoever wrote this letter apparently thinks Palin is the second coming of Christ. Jesus, how glowing of a letter. Moses wouldn't have gotten this good of a letter from God. No bias here.
2 years in office in one of the smallest states in the Union and she is Margaret Thatcher! What a crock. How desperate are you to post insignificant stuff like this? One letter out of hundreds of thousands of opinions?
She was mayor of a town with a population of about 8,000, from what I gather. Tremendous experience!
Suerte.
Stowe.
[QUOTE=Sidney]A golfing buddy's wife in Fountain Hills AZ has a friend in Alaska, and emailed her to get a first-hand opinion of Sarah Palin. Forgive me for sending such a lengthy letter, but I considered the information to be important for you to know. Please give it a read, and draw your own conclusion: Hope all is going well with you all.
Best regards,
JIM XXXX.
Judy,
Sarah Palin is the US 's answer to Margaret Thatcher! Anyone who thinks she cannot handle the job or deal briskly and efficiently with ANY issue, including foreign governments. Well, they haven't met our Sarah <grin>.
As an Alaskan resident as well as a resident of Wasilla, AK, where Sarah Palin was at one time Mayor. I can speak with confidence. Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska is exactly what she portrayed during her introduction this morning and exactly what our US Government needs. She is ethical to a fault (if there is such a thing) a refreshing change to the status-quo and as smart and determined a PERSON (gender really isn't an issue here as far as I'm concerned) as anyone could ask for at the head of government.
Sarah is no naïve "small town mayor" – she just *started out* there. Btw, as Mayor of Wasilla, she brought this "small town" through a lot of GOOD changes and left it at the end of her term having grown to the 4th largest CITY in Alaska – a lot of growth and a stronger economic base than ever before.
She has EXECUTIVE experience *running a government* (something NONE of the other candidates can actually boast, even John McCain <g>) as Governor of Alaska and got there by defeating the *incumbent* Republican Governor, who was definitely part of the "old school" and who WAS very much in the pocket of the big oil companies. We in Alaska wanted change – and we got it in the person of Sarah Palin!
Sarah Palin is everything she looks to be and more. Her approval rating as Governor of Alaska has been as high as 95% and is currently leveled out consistently in the upper 80 percentile throughout the state (and in both parties) - the HIGHEST approval rating of ANY sitting Governor.
Sarah has been turning around corruption in the Legislature of Alaska - turning things on their ear for that matter; cutting spending in spite of the increased income the state is currently receiving due to the high oil prices - she has insisted on putting a huge amount of the "windfall" into savings for the future rather than spending, spending, spending - and has insisted from the get-go on what she refers to as "honest, ethical and transparent governing" - no more closed door meetings and dealings - the big oil companies thought she would be a pushover and have learned better to their chagrin.
She understands the "real people" and the economic issues we all face (Alaskans along with the rest of the country) - she was one of "us" not long ago. Rather than passing useless "laws" or throwing money at pet projects, she (most recently) temporarily suspended the state gas tax (on gasoline at the pumps, fuel oil and natural gas for homes, etc. And has ordered checks issued to ALL residents of Alaska this fall in an attempt to assist with the burden of high fuel costs for the upcoming winter. I could go on and on, but that's enough for now <smile>. She isn't doing these things to be popular – she is doing it because her constituents are HURTING financially and she can help.
She became Governor of Alaska by defeating the Incumbent Republican Governor and doing it *without* the money or the support of the Republican Party, which was amazing in itself - and she won by a landslide. The "powers that be" at that time totally underestimated Sarah and learned better the hard way. She has done exactly what she claimed she was going to do and is just as popular today as the day she was elected - perhaps more so since even the Democrats up here seem to like her - she works well with both sides in the Legislature here.
Sarah "belongs" to us (Alaskans) and although we are going to be terribly sorry to see her leave before she finishes the job she started here (two years ago) straightening out OUR State <grin>. We understand she is needed for a bigger purpose and hopefully her Lt. Governor will be able to fill her shoes here and continue the job.
As for worrying about what would happen if McCain were to die or step down or whatever. Theta, up here in AK we've only been wondering how long we would be able to KEEP Sarah in Alaska and have seen her as our first woman President of the USA from the start. It's always been a matter of whether she would wait until the end of her TWO terms as Governor (no doubt at ALL that she would be re-elected if she ran for a second term at the end of her current term) or end up in Washington sooner. She could do the job TODAY.
Personally, I feel a lot better about McCain now that I know he has someone as savvy, as strong, as ethical and as steady as Sarah at his back. She will be an excellent Vice President. And my guess is will be our US Republican Presidential candidate in four years - AND by then the country will KNOW her – will love and respect her as we do here - and she'll win by as much of a landslide as she did here in Alaska. I only wonder if McCain has a clue what he is unleashing on the US of A <grin>. She is going to be a fresh wind, but also a strong wind.
Is that enough of an endorsement? If not, I'll add this. Jerry and I have for many years felt the best "vote" was to vote for the lesser of two "evils" and hope they didn't do too much damage. Two years ago during our State Governor's race was the first time EVER that we actually asked for not just a little sign to put in our yard showing our support of our candidate (something we've never felt the desire to do at all before) - we asked for a full 4' x 8' "SARAH PALIN FOR GOVERNOR!" sign and were proud to have it. She hasn't let us or Alaska down. She will do the same for the USA if given the opportunity.
Feel free to pass this on to anyone who may be interested (and spam those who aren't!
-Deb XXXXX in Alaska[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Stowe]While this pick looks stupid since she has MUCH less experience than Obama, which has been about the only thing McCain could attack him on, I think the daughter and husband should not be involved in this. Any and all of her actions, yes. But not the daughter or husband. She has little to no control over other people's actions.
This is an example of what is wrong with our politics-everyone attacks everyone for any possible thing. I think it is absolutely wrong for the media and / or the democrats to attack the daughter or husband, just as I think it is wrong when the Republicans do it. We need to actually require politicians to address issues and their record, not bring up this kind of crap. It avoids the real issues of this country.
Once upon a time the media actually investigated and questioned our politicians and held them up to their promises or questioned when they did not stand for anything.
Suerte.
Stowe[/QUOTE]Hi Stowe,
I'll admit my post was pretty heavy handed, but also a little tongue in cheek. You can bet that if a Palin type, and a Palin type family, were added to the Democratic ticket, the Republican assault would be light years worse. It will be interesting to see how the whole Palin thing plays out. I hereby reserve the right to bludgeon this choice of Palin again, no holds barred. You gots to fight fire with fire sometimes.
Suerte-Dogg Limbaugh
No apology is necessary when pointing these things out about Palin and her context. This is a nomination for VP, not of Dogpatch, but the United States of America. There's nothing wrong with stating the obvious, the whole scenario looks like a good start on a screenplay for David Lynch, not the dignity and bearing of a leader of a country with the size and power of the US. All in the service of a cynical ploy by Walnuts trying to grab Hillary Clinton's disaffected supporters.
[QUOTE=Bacchus9]No apology is necessary when pointing these things out about Palin and her context. This is a nomination for VP, not of Dogpatch, but the United States of America. There's nothing wrong with stating the obvious, the whole scenario looks like a good start on a screenplay for David Lynch, not the dignity and bearing of a leader of a country with the size and power of the US. All in the service of a cynical ploy by Walnuts trying to grab Hillary Clinton's disaffected supporters.[/QUOTE]Well put. When did Al Bundy move the family to Alaska? Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! Argh! I just swallowed my reefer.
Question: Who would you rather see tortured at Gitmo next?
Joseph Lieberman or Ralph Nader?
As much as Ralph deserves it, maybe a life time of infamy is enough. Put the battery charger cables on high for Joe (The Weenie) Lieberman.
[QUOTE=Sidney]Sad but true. Obama's bullshit has taken him a long way! An ''ivory tower'' university teacher! Get real! Never had a job in business! An indoctrinated Muslim and ''whitey hater'' from a terrible church. No record of success! In fact, all his past records are secret! I have his acceptance speech---I will read, without witnessing his oratorical skills, to determine if there is anything of value (BA Herald 8-31-08) Then post.[/QUOTE]C'Mon Sid. I'm guessing somewhere along the line Obama has fucked a white woman. That counts for something don't it?
[QUOTE=Doggboy]Hi Stowe-I'll admit my post was pretty heavy handed, but also a little tongue in cheek. You can bet that if a Palin type, and a Palin type family, were added to the Democratic ticket, the Republican assault would be light years worse. It will be interesting to see how the whole Palin thing plays out. I hereby reserve the right to bludgeon this choice of Palin again, no holds barred. You gots to fight fire with fire sometimes.
Suerte-Dogg Limbaugh[/QUOTE]Hey DB,
I fully agree with you that the Republicans would be on it like a Pitbull. They invented and perfected the attack method of campaigning. The Dems are amateurs and don't know how to do it like when McCain agreed with a questioner about possibly bringing back the draft, you heard NOTHING from the Dems. And THAT would be a topic to attack on as it is a policy position.
I just think all this distracts from the media actually challenging the candidates-but we will never have that again because the public now wants the attacks.
Suerte.
'Hannity' Stowe
Mongers,
The "experience" factor is being completely overblown here; NOBODY has ever had the relevant experience to be President, except maybe a sitting Vice-President, and even he in most cases is merely a figurehead that does nothing and has marginal influence (Cheney is an exception) Superior Natural intelligence, Ivy-level education, the ability to negotiate / compromise (not falling in love with failed policies / strategies) and an accurate / modern worldview are the most important attributes that a potential president must possess, IMO.
John McCain is an old man and therefore has plenty of "experience", as most 72 year old men do. He managed to crash his way out of the Navy, leave his wife after she was mangled in an accident, and corrupt himself in the Keating 5 scandal. This man turned to politics essentially because he was incompetent as a naval aviator. He only got into the Naval Academy because his father was an Admiral; he graduated in the BOTTOM 5% of his class at Annapolis. I honestly do not believe that John McCain (just like George W. Bush) has the cranial capacity (especially at his age) to be the President of the United States.
Barak Obama, on the other hand, went to Columbia University for undergrad (Political Science, specialized in International Relations) and Harvard Law School (graduated Magna Cum Laude); at Harvard he was President of the Harvard Law Review. He worked as a civil rights attorney, not the most lucrative, but very notable and noble work. In addition, he taught at University Chicago Law School for 12 years, another top notch intellectual institution. This man's intellectual credentials cannot be questioned. He has the educational training to be President, the superior intellect, AND he rose to the position he is in by only his own intelligent and ambition- he came from nothing, a mixed-race broken home.
Suerte,
Rock Harders
[QUOTE=Stowe]2 years in office in one of the smallest states in the Union.[/QUOTE]Haven't we already been through this in the forum?
Alaska is the [u]LARGEST[/u] state in the USA.
Thanks,
Jackson
[QUOTE=Jackson]Haven't we already been through this in the forum?
Alaska is the [u]LARGEST[/u] state in the USA.
Thanks,
Jackson[/QUOTE]Jackson,.
You know VERY well that the discussion was regarding population and economy. Stop being obtuse. Perhaps you didn't know, in that case I overestimated your ability to grasp the obvious. In which case, I apologize and pity you.
Suerte.
Stowe
[QUOTE=Rock Harders]Mongers,
The "experience" factor is being completely overblown here; NOBODY has ever had the relevant experience to be President, except maybe a sitting Vice-President, and even he in most cases is merely a figurehead that does nothing and has marginal influence (Cheney is an exception) Superior Natural intelligence, Ivy-level education, the ability to negotiate / compromise (not falling in love with failed policies / strategies) and an accurate / modern worldview are the most important attributes that a potential president must possess, IMO.
John McCain is an old man and therefore has plenty of "experience", as most 72 year old men do. He managed to crash his way out of the Navy, leave his wife after she was mangled in an accident, and corrupt himself in the Keating 5 scandal. This man turned to politics essentially because he was incompetent as a naval aviator. He only got into the Naval Academy because his father was an Admiral; he graduated in the BOTTOM 5% of his class at Annapolis. I honestly do not believe that John McCain (just like George W. Bush) has the cranial capacity (especially at his age) to be the President of the United States.
Barak Obama, on the other hand, went to Columbia University for undergrad (Political Science, specialized in International Relations) and Harvard Law School (graduated Magna Cum Laude); at Harvard he was President of the Harvard Law Review. He worked as a civil rights attorney, not the most lucrative, but very notable and noble work. In addition, he taught at University Chicago Law School for 12 years, another top notch intellectual institution. This man's intellectual credentials cannot be questioned. He has the educational training to be President, the superior intellect, AND he rose to the position he is in by only his own intelligent and ambition- he came from nothing, a mixed-race broken home.
Suerte,
Rock Harders[/QUOTE]This encapsulates the differences between the two perfectly. Well said!
Suerte.
Stowe
[QUOTE=Stowe]Jackson,
You know VERY well that the discussion was regarding population and economy. Stop being obtuse. Perhaps you didn't know, in that case I overestimated your ability to grasp the obvious. In which case, I apologize and pity you.
Suerte.
Stowe[/QUOTE]You've hurt my feelings!
[QUOTE=Jackson]You've hurt my feelings![/QUOTE]Gee, I am soooo sorry, but we are all big boys here and I am sure you will recover. After all, it's only personal-from the past, so to speak.
Suerte.
Stowe
Originally Posted by Jackson.
You've hurt my feelings!
[QUOTE=Stowe]Gee, I am soooo sorry, but we are all big boys here and I am sure you will recover. After all, it's only personal-from the past, so to speak.
Suerte.
Stowe[/QUOTE]The population of Alaska is estimated to be slightly larger than Bhutan @ 670,000 souls. Less than the population of Fort Worth, Texas.
Sydney, old sport,
You have the most boring posts I've seen on this board, ever. Unfortunately they're the size of billboards and get in the way of reading the interesting ones. Give it a rest, please.
The George W. Bush Presidential Library is now in the planning stages.
The Library will include:
The Hurricane Katrina Room, which is still under construction.
The Alberto Gonzales Room, where you won't be able to remember anything.
The Texas Air National Guard Room, where you don't even have to show up.
The Walter Reed Hospital Room, where they don't let you in.
The Guantanamo Bay Room, where they don't let you out.
The Weapons of Mass Destruction Room, which no one has been able to find.
The National Debt room, which is huge and has no ceiling.
The Tax Cut Room, with entry only to the wealthy.
The Economy Room, which is in the toilet.
The Iraq War Room. After you complete your first tour, they make you go back for a second, third, fourth, and sometimes fifth tour.
The Dick Cheney Room, in an undisclosed location, complete with shotgun gallery.
The Environmental Conservation Room, still empty.
The Supremes Gift Shop, where you can buy an election.
The Airport Men's Room, where you can meet some of your favorite Republican Senators.
The 'Decider Room', complete with dart board, magic 8-ball, Ouija board, dice, coins, and straws.
Admission: Republicans - free; Democrats - $1000 or 3 Euros
I understand that this news will be somewhat of a disappointment to some members, but here it is:
[size=4][color=red][b]George Bush is not running for President.[/b][/color][/size]
Thanks,
Jackson
[QUOTE=HairBalderman]The George W. Bush Presidential Library is now in the planning stages.
The Library will include:
The Hurricane Katrina Room, which is still under construction.
The Alberto Gonzales Room, where you won't be able to remember anything.
The Texas Air National Guard Room, where you don't even have to show up.
The Walter Reed Hospital Room, where they don't let you in.
The Guantanamo Bay Room, where they don't let you out.
The Weapons of Mass Destruction Room, which no one has been able to find.
The National Debt room, which is huge and has no ceiling.
The Tax Cut Room, with entry only to the wealthy.
The Economy Room, which is in the toilet.
The Iraq War Room. After you complete your first tour, they make you go back for a second, third, fourth, and sometimes fifth tour.
The Dick Cheney Room, in an undisclosed location, complete with shotgun gallery.
The Environmental Conservation Room, still empty.
The Supremes Gift Shop, where you can buy an election.
The Airport Men's Room, where you can meet some of your favorite Republican Senators.
The 'Decider Room', complete with dart board, magic 8-ball, Ouija board, dice, coins, and straws.
Admission: Republicans - free; Democrats - $1000 or 3 Euros[/QUOTE]
Why could not Mrs Clinton get the ticket?
Just on the back of her husband who probably has.
Been the best leader in modern times for the US.
The scaring thing in the US, is that the country has.
The longest selection process with the lowest turnout.
Of voters in any western democratic country.
If it gets up to 60 per cent it is a success.
Scaring!
[QUOTE=Isola2000]Why could not Mrs Clinton get the ticket?
Just on the back of her husband who probably has.
Been the best leader in modern times for the US.
The scaring thing in the US, is that the country has.
The longest selection process with the lowest turnout.
Of voters in any western democratic country.
If it gets up to 60 per cent it is a success.
Scaring![/QUOTE]This is just my surmise but somewhere in the 70's the fabric that was America's sense of identity started to loosen. The linchpins of local and regional or state identities started to fade away. Television took over, sports went from real, local teams to groups of players who are only associated because they play for stupid amounts of money. Self owned businesses turned into corporations and eventually became run purely for profit without commitments to the people who worked there, the regions or consequences of their actions on the country they were based in. Marketing and merchandising and television saturated people's lives with consumption and television provided diversion after diversion. Ordinary americans became wealthy relative to the rest of the world and indolent and apathetic. Their children even more so. The foundations of the country and it's principles and a sense of history started to disappear from people's consciousness. The military became a volunteer army and they abolished the draft. Political action and wars asked nothing of the guy on the street. Most recently the news media which is supposed to provide balanced information to keep Americans informed has been transformed in some areas into political tools and hard information is sometimes turned into entertainment blurring the lines between fact and fantasy. Americans live in a bubble in a country so large they have little sense or interest in people and countries outside. Inside the country because the infrastructure is so amorphous and people are so insolated there's less to give people a sense of community and a reason to vote.
It's a dark view and I'm sure there are a thousand exceptions but it's my read on why American's are not as participatory when it comes to minding the country's business.
And yes, Bill Clinton was a great leader with an Achille's heel, but it didn't translate to his wife enough to put her into the White House.
[QUOTE=Bacchus9]This is just my surmise but somewhere in the 70's the fabric that was America's sense of identity started to loosen. The linchpins of local and regional or state identities started to fade away. Television took over, sports went from real, local teams to groups of players who are only associated because they play for stupid amounts of money. Self owned businesses turned into corporations and eventually became run purely for profit without commitments to the people who worked there, the regions or consequences of their actions on the country they were based in. Marketing and merchandising and television saturated people's lives with consumption and television provided diversion after diversion. Ordinary americans became wealthy relative to the rest of the world and indolent and apathetic. Their children even more so. The foundations of the country and it's principles and a sense of history started to disappear from people's consciousness. The military became a volunteer army and they abolished the draft. Political action and wars asked nothing of the guy on the street. Most recently the news media which is supposed to provide balanced information to keep Americans informed has been transformed in some areas into political tools and hard information is sometimes turned into entertainment blurring the lines between fact and fantasy. Americans live in a bubble in a country so large they have little sense or interest in people and countries outside. Inside the country because the infrastructure is so amorphous and people are so insolated there's less to give people a sense of community and a reason to vote.
It's a dark view and I'm sure there are a thousand exceptions but it's my read on why American's are not as participatory when it comes to minding the country's business.
And yes, Bill Clinton was a great leader with an Achille's heel, but it didn't translate to his wife enough to put her into the White House.[/QUOTE]The nail hit squarely on the head! IMHO.
[QUOTE=Jackson]I understand that this news will be somewhat of a disappointment to some members, but here it is:
[size=4][color=red][b]George Bush is not running for President.[/b][/color][/size]
Thanks,
Jackson[/QUOTE]Very true but his clone is!
McCain must know how healthy George Bush's colon is because he has had his head up Bush's ass constantly since last year:-) hehe.
Suerte.
Stowe
[QUOTE=Stowe]Very true but his clone is!
McCain must know how healthy George Bush's colon is because he has had his head up Bush's ass constantly since last year:-) hehe.
Suerte.
Stowe[/QUOTE]AND, he didn't suck Jerry Falwell's dick, but he WOULD have.