In The News

truthpatrol · Veteran Member

RE: In The News

alwayswatching · Guru

Hey Scott, how about pulling Friday 7:50 pm?

Mindcrime · Guru

I'm in agreement about the jokes, they're innappropriate (and not even funny).

Ya know, the thing about political parties being abolished is interesting. I've always had the same opinion, but I would prefer keeping them in exchange for leveling the playing field. There are numerous parties out there, many of whom have presidential hopefuls, but they don't stand a chance because of the two giants out there. The closest I can remember to this rule being excepted was when an independently wealthy business man ran against both Rep. & Dem and probably could've won had he stuck with it. How do we level the playing field? Maybe equalizing how much can be spent on a campaign, giving everyone a fair chance? Perhaps we could somehow ensure that ALL the parties are allowed to attend televised debates. Perhaps we could fine any candidate that approves a negative political ad 10% of his votes? (Hmm, I like that one...Have to think about that for another thread...) I don't think a one-party system is the answer. We have that now. Republicans control every branch. So if at the end of Bush's term, things aren't better, we'll all know why.

George Washington was also against political parties, claiming they would serve to divide, rather than unite. And he was right. It seems that no matter what political opinion surfaces these days, rather than stop to think about it logically, people first label it left or right, conservative or liberal, then judge it blindly. I've fallen to pray to this as well as Anonymous (Mar. 5). I'm sure he/she doesn't want to get rid of parties overnight. I've mentioned changes that people seem to think I wanted to occur instantaneously, such as getting rid of gas-powered vehicles. Obviously plans like this need a few years to implement. Don't assume a law will be passed and *blink* cars will be gone.

Don't assume that Mr. Anon was careless with his money. I know people who have dealt with lost jobs, emergency expenses, and other financial pitfalls. Thanks to identity theft, I lost all my savings and spent years trying to pay off someone else's spending spree. I know a lot of college grads who are handing out ketchup at Wendy's. They live within their means. They have to hold down 2 or 3 jobs just to be broke. The majority of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and simply don't have the means to save anything for retirement. It's foolish to assume that anyone with money woes is simply a victim of their own credit cards. It's not jealousy they feel for Bush. It's contempt.

And that sentiment is shared all over the world. Protesters show up everywhere he goes. Not little pockets of 2 dozen people with signs, but thousands. Streets filled with swarms of angry, disgusted people. In every nation he visited in Europe last week he was met with opposition. Does that mean nothing? Headlines from major newspapers in every language point out his follies.

As far as 9/11 is concerned, yes, there was a clamoring for a response. But our response was inneffectual and lame. Period. We had a pretty good idea of where he was. But did we chase him down? Did we send a highly trained assassin? No. We left the task to poorly equipped, disorganized warlords. Somehow he slipped away to safety. Then we attacked a country that had NOTHING TO DO WITH 9/11. As long as bin Laden is at large, Bush is justified in perpetuating this conflict and our major military presence in the middle east. If we caught him now, would there be any reason to stay and attack Syria and Iran? He's probably hiding comfortably in a secret bunker in Arkansas.

P.S. I hate referring to half the people on this board as anonymous. Let's start signing our names to our rants.

-- Edited by Mindcrime at 10:13, 2005-03-07

truthpatrol · Veteran Member

Mindcrime. Excellent and well thought out. I ,of course, don't agree with most of it but I understand your logic and find your idea regarding limiting spending on the elections a good one. Unfortunately money has corrupted both sides of the system and the smaller parties are squashed before they even get going. I mentioned the 527's in a previous post and believe this loop hole needs to be closed and the rest of the McCain Feingold bill should be adhered to.
The only way the current controlling party can be effective is when they achieve a super majority. Anyone that follows judicial appointees is aware of the damage a filibuster can cause. I find this to be one of the most frustrating facets of government. Obstructionism is not good for either party. I think they should stay out of the way and see if things work. If the left is so confident that the ideas will fail then they should step aside and let it happen. This is surely the easiest way for them to gain control and voters will come back if the right implements their plan and then they fail.
You hit it right on the nose with the labels. Most people look to see which party proposes an idea and then get behind it. I was a union delegate and most of the people I worked with did not share my political views. I would read them some current political goings on and ask for there opinion. It always amused me to watch them squirm when they realized they often disagreed with their party.
I understand that change doesn't take place over night. Your mention of ending combustion engines does have merit. As a matter of fact President Bush has budgeted more for the development of hydrogen power than any President before him. Clearly our dependance on foreign oil is a serious issue and technology is the best way to lead us out. I support President Bush's effort for the development of Hydrogen Fuel systems and I support the drilling for oil on our own soil.
I did not intend to insult Mr. Anon regarding his finances. I have been broke and I have made many mistakes. I know that terrible things happen to good people. I also know that this country affords us many opportunities and that most of the people I know carry an enormous credit card burdon. I am sure we can agree that for every person that suffers identity theft there are 10,000 that got themselves in trouble. It is important to live within your means. I have started over a couple of times as a result of bad choices of my own. I choose to get back up and do what needed to be done. Even it it meant taking a job I was grossly over qualified for.
As for the protesters...The beauty of free speech...There will always be people that disagree. Thousands of them...I have traveled to these places and I know first hand that the sentiment of the people I encounter is warm and friendly. Except the French and do we really care....We are THE super power...People will always feel we should do more...or less, or nothing at all...As soon as we start worrying about what everyone else is thinking about us we are dead as a nation..We should always have our best interests first and as a result we will have people in foreign countries that don't like us...They sure like our money and our hand outs...
I don't believe our response to 9/11 was ineffectual and lame. I had goose bumps watching the coverage after the war in Afghanistan broke out. This country was never more united than we were at that point. We have not had a major terrorist attack since. This alone is justifies our efforts. These people hate us not because of our prosperity but because of our freedoms.
I have no doubt that the world is a better place without Saddam in power. A democracy in the Middle East is a good thing. They had more people turn out for their election than we do for ours. They did this despite the hostility on the region. I admire their courage and I appreciatte might right to vote even more and I won't even complain when I have to stand in line for 3 minutes. These people waited all day and faced a dangerous group of fanatical terrorists.
Yes I used the word terrorist regarding members of the militant factions that are still reaking havoc in Iraq. Is there any doubt Saddam hated us and would cause as much damage as he possibly could if given the chance. Bottom line...I am glad he is gone..
I think if we could pull Bin Laden in we would. Even though it is the wrong reason, Bush could use this as a trophy and the sheep would follow..This would give him a major bump in the polls and no politician would miss this opportunity. Do you really think that capturing Bin Laden would stop Bush from going into Iran or Syria? I don't..
Thanks for making me think..Have a nice night...

alwayswatching · Guru

Amber Alert Issued for 4 year old Pensylvania Boy
Posted: Wednesday April 13 2:18 PM CT

TheWilkinsburg Police Department and the state of Pensylvania issued the Amber Alert on Wednesday afternoon after the child was abducted from Mill Street.

Tyre Brooks 4 years old. He's 30 inches tall, 35-40 pounds, black hair, and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing green sweatpants, black and white Nike Tennis shoes, and no socks. He was last seen on Mill street in Wilkinsburg at approximately 1220.

He was reported abducted by Nina AVERYTT, 5’5” black female, 120 pounds, black hair, brown eyes, and a tattoo of “Nina” on her neck. She was last seen wearing ¾ length pajama top, blue jeans, NO shoes or socks.

There is no vehicle information available at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to dial 911.

Date: Sun May 22 9:50 AM, 2005

Nope. No pattern there. May we have another please? Check previous post times.