All those decades spend combating the Communists in every corner of the world. But of course, it always was about America's economic interests. That's why, we should forget about Syria, we are not the Red Cross.
Yes, stupid me. So easily conned.
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All those decades spend combating the Communists in every corner of the world. But of course, it always was about America's economic interests. That's why, we should forget about Syria, we are not the Red Cross.
Yes, stupid me. So easily conned.
[QUOTE=Esten;435526]My take is Obama has to play hardball with Russia...[/QUOTE]ROTFLMAO!
When it comes to playing "hardball", Obama doesn't have the skill or the experience, and most importantly he doesn't have the balls.
Thanks,
Jax.
[QUOTE=Jackson;435533]ROTFLMAO!
When it comes to playing "hardball", Obama doesn't have the skill or the experience, and most importantly he doesn't have the balls.
Thanks,
Jax.[/QUOTE]Only difference, Putin does not have to answer to anybody in Russia, but Obama has to answer to you and every joker in town. Actually, like you, I am quite partial to dictatorships, as long I'm the dictator.
Bin Laden, Moammar Gaddafi, and a historic shift in Syria's position on chemical weapons under the credible threat of a military strike? Obama's already got the foreign policy credentials as a player to be taken seriously. Will Putin stall and play hardball too? Quite possible. Will Jackson be eating his words when Obama pushes the lever further on a military strike? Quite possible. One thing for sure, it's sad to see the Obama haters reduced to lame zingers.
Just because we don't have a direct, '51% wins' democracy in all cases doesn't mean we do not have a form of democracy. Some people are just desperate to play down the fact that citizens can and do influence what their government does. I wonder why?
Between mob paranoia and government paranoia, the right wingers have a sure-fire formula for staying paranoid all the time.
[QUOTE]Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens participate equally—either directly or through elected representatives—in the proposal, development, and creation of laws.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy
[/QUOTE]
Esten, in a democracy ALL the people vote and who / whatever garners 51% of the vote wins. No president in the last 20+ years has been elected by 51% of the electorate. In all these past election 30% or less of registered voters cast a ballot for the people elected to lord over us.
Voter Turnout.
2012 57.5%.
2008 62%.
2004 60%.
Had the Conservative voters turned out in the same numbers in 2012 as in 2008 the results would have been very different, but alas they stayed home due to a lack luster candidate.
We have a constitutional Republic, not a democracy.
[QUOTE=BlackShirt;435532]So, it never was about democracy?
All those decades spend combating the Communists in every corner of the world. But of course, it always was about America's economic interests. That's why, we should forget about Syria, we are not the Red Cross.
Yes, stupid me. So easily conned.[/QUOTE]Nope never a democracy, we supported freedom for "all those decades", but we are a Constitutional Republic, and for very good reasons. (see below).
[QUOTE=Esten;435539]Democracy
Just because we don't have a direct, '51% wins' democracy in all cases doesn't mean we do not have a form of democracy. Some people are just desperate to play down the fact that citizens can and do influence what their government does. I wonder why?
Between mob paranoia and government paranoia, the right wingers have a sure-fire formula for staying paranoid all the time.[/QUOTE]Assuming you know the difference between a democracy and a republic, which is a huge assumption, I'd say people like you give us good reason for concern. I wonder why you want to replace the constitution with "critical thinking"? I think the answer to that question will be obvious to those that watch the videos below.
[B]Democracy vs Republic.[/B]
"The key difference between a democracy and a republic lies in the limits placed on government by the law, which has implications on minority rights. Both forms of government tend to use a representational system where citizens vote to elect politicians to represent their interests and form the government. However, in a republic, a constitution or charter of rights protects certain [u][b]inalienable rights[/u][/b] that cannot be taken away by the government, even if it has been elected by a majority of voters. In a "pure" democracy, the majority is not restrained and can impose its will on the minority.
The various forms of government can be briefly summarized as:
Monarchy or dictatorship: Rule by one (a king or emperor).
Oligarchy: Rule by a few.
Democracy: Rule by a majority.
Republic: Rule by law ".
Two very good videos that I challenge our resident lefties to watch, they're about ten minutes each.
We await your response.
[URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C_YBhY11yA[/URL]
[URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFXuGIpsdE0[/URL]
[QUOTE=Punter127;435524]I knew you could get a resident visa, but did not know you could get Argie passport. As Tiny 12 pointed out most of the time they are expensive.
I've been worried for some time and I'd say we're already well on our way to becoming a "totalitarian state". Just MHO.[/QUOTE]I don't read this often. I don't really know and need to find out. I found a pretty good site with the laws translated but really need to speak with a lawyer. A friend of a friend is a judge here so maybe I'll start with a coffee with her.
I agree with the "well on the way" part. Some scary stuff going on up there.
[QUOTE=DaddyRulz;435584]I don't read this often. I don't really know and need to find out. I found a pretty good site with the laws translated but really need to speak with a lawyer. A friend of a friend is a judge here so maybe I'll start with a coffee with her.
I agree with the "well on the way" part. Some scary stuff going on up there.[/QUOTE]Thanks Daddy, I'd be interested in knowing what you find out, and I'm sure others would also be interested. Maybe a new thread? Up to you.
Who is dysfunctional here?
The political right & left have changed sides about Syria. And what is the underlying reason for this ladyboy transformation. Are you sure you know who you are?
And Congress? A bunch of cocksuckers who is not even good at sucking.
Obama is merely a symptom of the dysfunctionality of the majority of the American voters.
So are many (if not most) of congressmen, senators and judges who claim affiliation from both of the major parties.
My ex-wife used to say it best: "I deserve..."
[QUOTE=ElQueso;435624]Obama is merely a symptom of the dysfunctionality of the majority of the American voters.
So are many (if not most) of congressmen, senators and judges who claim affiliation from both of the major parties.
My ex-wife used to say it best: "I deserve..."[/QUOTE]That's what I was saying a few pages back...
[QUOTE=Jackson;435395]Some people have the vocabulary to sum up things in a way that you can quickly understand them. This quote came from the Czech Republic. Someone over there has it figured out. It was translated into English from an article in the Prague newspaper Prager Zeitungon.
[quote]The danger to America is not Barack Obama, but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency. It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their president. The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails America. Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince. The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools, such as those who made him their president.[/quote][/QUOTE]
Whether you like it or now, we are the leader of the free world. And Americans do enjoy displaying the strut that our affluence and power generates. Not so long ago, just having an American passport in your shirt pocket would generate envious looks, and women to drop their panties. Now, sadly, not so much, and the passport has to be supplemented with 3 or 4 platinum credit cards, and pictures of your 5 bedroom house, with at least 2 BMWs in the driveway.
So we stand for freedom, justice, human dignity?
We can argue about the reasons for going to Iraq. But Syria, we are stepping in for humanitarian reason, and for a major voice in the outcome. For this reason, we can stand tall & be proud to be Americans. We have given enough time for their civil war to run its course, but it is not a fair fight anymore. With Russia & Iran giving help to Assad, we need to step in. And only by playing tough, can we convince the other parties to contribute to a resolution. On this issue, Obama has shown restrain and leadership and I am proud that Obama has taken this stance. No ladyboy here.
The rest of you are just playing politics, as usual. It's about the next elections, you know.
[B]Did you just come out of the warmonger closet?[/B]
[QUOTE=BlackShirt;435627]
So we stand for freedom, justice, human dignity?[/QUOTE]And if they don't believe it will blow their asses off.
[QUOTE=BlackShirt;435627]We can argue about the reasons for going to Iraq. [/QUOTE]Nothing to argue about, there's no comparison.
[QUOTE=BlackShirt;435627]But Syria, we are stepping in for humanitarian reason, and for a major voice in the outcome. [/QUOTE]Lets see if I got this right, they killed people in a manner we don't approve of, so to teach them a lesson we are going to kill people in an approved manner? OK, got it.
BTW, why should we have a voice in the outcome?
[QUOTE=BlackShirt;435627]For this reason, we can stand tall & be proud to be Americans. We have given enough time for their civil war to run its course, but it is not a fair fight anymore. [/QUOTE]Well how self-righteous of us! On what authority would the US act in Syria, and what goal would be achieved with an 'Unbelievably Small' Strike?
[QUOTE=BlackShirt;435627]With Russia & Iran giving help to Assad, we need to step in. And only by playing tough, can we convince the other parties to contribute to a resolution.[/QUOTE]And who will we help, Al-Qaeda?
[QUOTE=BlackShirt;435627]On this issue, Obama has shown restrain and leadership and I am proud that Obama has taken this stance. No ladyboy here.[/QUOTE]Yes, you should be proud that Obama can get both of his feet in his mouth at the same time!
[QUOTE=BlackShirt;435627]The rest of you are just playing politics, as usual. It's about the next elections, you know.[/QUOTE]How can you call it a " political right & left" issue when you see Obama and McCain and others from both sides saber rattling together? I don't think this is a party line issue for most people, I know many on the left oppose military action, not to speak of the military itself.
People who support military action at this time appear to fall into one of two groups, warmongers, or boot licking, ass kissing, Obama zombies, which are you?
I believe the American people are tired of the US government sticking its nose in the business of other countries. Remember this is not an international issue, at this time it's completely within the Syrian borders, and the vast majority of the world agrees with the American people. Who stands with Obama, the French? I guess they will bring the white flags.
But fear not your bloodlust will most likely be satisfied soon. But be careful what you wish for because this could easily lead to WW III. If you don't believe that just look at movements of both Russian and US forces in the last few weeks, and then consider the huge egos at play here. Make no mistake Russia controls Syria and they will not give up that control easily. This situation could very easily escalate, this is nothing like Libya.
[QUOTE=Punter127;435628][B]
People who support military action at this time appear to fall into one of two groups, warmongers, or boot licking, ass kissing, Obama zombies, which are you?[/QUOTE]
It seem the Far Right woke up yesterday and saw the staircase to heaven. When Bush wanted to go to Iraq, they couldn't get their boots on fast enough.
Obama may not be everything that I wanted as a president, but he was RELECTED only a year ago. How soon we forget! Out of many mouths, was that he was going to go down faster than Gatorade. Anybody with 2 fingers & a conical hat could beat him! Yeah, how soon we forget! If nothing else, I support the Presidential office, and the Commander-in-Chief. Somebody has to lead, and he is not as stupid as you think. I saw alot BS rhetoric from the know-it-all crowd last year, and then came the elections.
Something astounding has happen. I was informed that we no longer believe in democracy, majority rule in America. Yeah right, do you resolve all your conflicts in a showdown at High Noon? You think you have the fastest draw? I might be the only one slower than you, but there is always going to be somebody faster than you. Then, where will you be.