73 replies to this topic

[icemanrulz]

Wanted to post my thoughts on this but I might lose it so ........I think I will pass.

[alf13]

1969_F85, on Tuesday, September 26th, 2006, 10:56 AM, said:

Plagerist? HAHAHAHA!!! Better than a racist war mongering oil baron. Ok, enough of that. We'll see how it plays out in 08.

We are talking about Bush...not Al Gore.

[psujohn]

Read the book Fixing Elections. It's basically about the problems created by our two party winner take all election process. A process btw that we NEVER recommend when helping other countries move to free elections. We have a system that virtually guarantees that 49% of the country will feel that their government doesn't represent their views. This also allows farcical situations like pushing through a bill to ban online gambling when a significant majority of the country thinks it should be legal.There's a simple solution to this - even without a constitutional ammendment. Have each state's electoral votes divided proportionally rather than winner take all. It'll never happen though since the Dems control states like Mass and won't want to give up a portion of their Dem votes and Reps contol states like, well like all those in the middle, and won't want to give up a portion of their votes.We could also stand with some bigger/harder changes like instant runoff elections, 2 days (min) of voting including a Saturday, and reducing the disproportional power of small population states. All of this though would require our politicians to care more about the country than about their own personal interests so it's extremely unlikely.

[Dr_Shakes]

eYank, on Tuesday, September 26th, 2006, 7:18 AM, said:

most people dont understand this, they think we went into Iraq for the oil or just to push our beliefs everywhere. So maybe we didnt find Weapons of Mass Destruction but we saved people from being tortured, what do you think those mass graves we have found just got there. This is the work of Sadaam and I believe when we leave Iraq, it will be in a better state then how it was before we got there.Yes, but I think that is only with our current President although now people are attributing it to the republican party overall and not electing local republicans because they are the same party as Bush. I (having just got the right to vote by turning 18 this year) want to do similar to what you do where not vote for a candidate just because he is Republican or Democrat but because he (or she) will do what will benefit me.Just my opinions

We saved people from being tortured except for the ones we tortured although I will admit not on the same scale. The removal of a torturing dictator may be a benefit of invading Iraq but it certainly wasn't the reason we were told that we needed to invade Iraq. When we leave Iraq (at least a decade) it may be a better place, I'm not sure but will we have a better State?

[drumbum]

The biggest problem I have with all this is that the Men and Women of our Military (which I can proudly say I was a member of during Desert Storm) took an oath to defend and protect thier country. Not an oath to defend somebody else's.Now Im not totally heartless and I do believe that taking Sadam out of power has saved many lives over there, but at what cost, thousands of american lives. Bush has sent our troop into a guerilla war where the other side has the advantage of blending in and hiding while our troops stand out and get slaughtered.

[spinnuh]

stealfromblind, on Monday, September 25th, 2006, 9:34 PM, said:

"I personally believe (just an opinion) that Bush hates Muslims. Then again, I don't think he cares much about black people either."Personally I wouldn't be suprised if Bush blew up the levees in New Orleans himself, he probably took Air Force 1 down there and him and Cheney had a ball. I mean come on people...we all knew he was a dirty racist piece of texan trash when we elected him. Its not like he has the most racially diverse group of advisors in the past CENTURY. Oh yeah, and the Iraq war, this is obviously a modern day christian crusade. I mean what is the worst that could've happened if we left Saddam in power? Its not like he was going to bomb tens of thousands of innocent civilians just because they belong to the minority sect, AGAIN! Definately not, a man with that kind of moral and ethical stature, how can we judge him based on a history of mass genocide? Bush sucks! Power to the flower people!

you're a ****ing moronwe all know if you were in charge of the country, you would make all the right decisions but wait your turnim not sure if they would elect a president who has worked at mcdonalds his whole life, but good luck to you, and i look forward to the day someone like you, who can satisfy everyone in the whole country, is the president

[Scanner313]

DanielNegreanu, on Tuesday, September 26th, 2006, 1:18 AM, said:

Personally, I have no idea who I'd support in the next election. I don't vote along party lines. I'm not a hater of Replicans, and I'm not apposed to the Democratic party either. I'm not blue, I'm not red.

I could be wrong Daniel, but I think you would fit well in the Libertarian party. Firm believers that as adults we can think for ourselves. I'm sure not everyone here will agree, but one thing is for certain, if we had a Libertarian Congress and Senate we wouldn't have to worry about a bunch of self-righteous, overpriveledged blowhards deciding whether or not they feel WE should be allowed to play on-line poker.I don't HATE any party either, as everyone has certain reasons for their beliefs. But I don't understand why people stick to the 2 major parties as if they are the only option when there are others out there that may fit their beliefs so much more closely. I guess it's the human desire to be part of the group. To go along with what everyone else you know is doing/supporting. It takes courage to stand against what everyone else believes, and I truly believe we have a lot of weak people in this country. And I'm certainly not saying that if you support the major parties that you're weak, but I think many people do so blindly simply because they are.I'm not going to stand here and preach or lecture the forum that the Libertarian party is right and all others are wrong, but for me they are the one that makes sense to me. I researched their platform and consciously made that decision. I just wish this country would wake up and do the same, because I don't think MOST Americans care enough to look outside the norm. They accept the things they don't like about their party because they dislike the other side so much more. Well, there are more than 2 options here people.Anyway, the only political argument I'm going to make here is that people should be allowed to make decisions about their own lives, and they should have to live with the consequences of their decisions. The 2 majors in this country do not believe this to be true. They treat us all like children who are incapable of making decisions about our money, bodies, hobbies, etc. How ANYONE can support either party under those circumstances is just baffling to me. As an adult, I don't want anyone telling me what I can and can't do when it has no effect on anyone else. There are always going to be people who can't restrain themselves when involved in a certain activity, but that certainlyshouldn't be a reason why the rest of us (who can control ourselves) can't partake in that activity. OK, I'm off my box now.

psujohn, on Tuesday, September 26th, 2006, 7:30 AM, said:

All of this though would require our politicians to care more about the country than about their own personal interests so it's extremely unlikely.

You hit the nail on the head. Our electoral system makes no sense in the world of today. Every person's vote could be accounted for and yet the electoral vote system proved in 2000 that a guy with less overall votes can still win the election. It's idiotic. There are so many things that should be changed and OUR elected leaders won't do it because they know it'll have repercussions that they can't predict. I mean, god forbid our system should actually represent the true will of the people of America. That would be wrong!

[mpcoan]

psujohn, on Tuesday, September 26th, 2006, 5:06 PM, said:

Bush has acted illegally (wiretaps, torture, illegal detension of citizens, etc) so often that I really can't understand how he hasn't been removed from office. It really saddens me that so many Americans are so ignorant about the constitution and so willing to give up their rights in the face of fear.

You forgot the perjury...He should've been removed from office after that...Oh, wrong president.

[ripptyde]

I really don't believe that political 'parties' even matter anymore. Republican, Democrat or Purple Headed People Eaters...it's mostly the same self-serving career politicians who are not concerned about the American publics welfare and only care about their own interests and line their own pockets.Naturally there are a handful of congressman and elected officials who truly have a passion for this country and its citizens, and don't fall under the aforementioned description...but unfortunately they are a huge minority and have little, if any political clout or influence in Washington.Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time. Winston Churchill 1947 This country is about MONEY. Its as simple as that. Its not about protecting the rights of its citizens...its not about democracy or preserving the ideals defined in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. Its about special interests milking John Q Public for every last red cent. It doesn't matter one damn bit if Bill Clinton, George Bush or Ronald Mc Donald is in the White House...the American public is going to get the shaft. Always have...always will.As far as George Bush and his posse' of henchmen goes, I think this administration and its captain have done more damage to this country than we can possibly imagine. Never before in this countries history has a president done so much to erode our civil liberties. 9/11 has been one giant whitewash and the American public has bought it...hook, line and sinker."It works like a charm. A fearful people are the easiest to govern. Their freedom and liberty can be taken away, and they can be convinced to believe that it was done for their own good - to give them security. They can be convinced to give up their liberty - voluntarily." --Gene E. Franchini, retired Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court, 12 September 2003 The problem with the American people is that we all have this cool buzz going...we have our flat screen TV's, high speed internet, hybrid cars, TIVO, timeshares, and boob jobs....but nobody seems to care about anyone else anymore. Its all about who can screw the other guy better and profit from it. We are a GREED driven society. So as long as everything is hunky dory and all the bills are paid....WHO CARES about the other guy. IMO this country is in for a SERIOUS wake up call within 5-10 years. (if not sooner) I think we are going to get spanked so hard that 9/11 is going to look like a tupperware party. Pandoras Box was opened when we invaded Iraq and now there are 100,000 little Bin Ladens in a dozen middle eastern countries in training... who will gladly give their lives to destroy us and everything we claim to represent. When a tactical nuclear weapon goes off in downtown L.A. or Vegas or some other major city...you can thank George Bush for it.God I hate this president...I have to stop writing now. Thinking about how great this country COULD be, and what it has become in the last 6 years saddens me beyond words...and quite frankly is a source for a lot of my personal depression. I'm losing faith in humanity lately, and its difficult to stay positive and upbeat when John Q Public gets sodomized on a daily basis.

[LITTLEPOPPA]

DanielNegreanu, on Tuesday, September 26th, 2006, 1:18 AM, said:

If there is one thing I've learned after writing the blog it's that too many people are unable to seperate someone's politic views with their view of that person. It's amazing really, and frankly, it's the key reason most people in the public eye shy away from any political discussion. I never expected to have everyone agree with me that Bush is a lousy president, but I foolishly expected that people would be able to disagree without losing it. If people in this country can't even deal with those that disagree with them, well, that doesn't exactly bode well for disagreements with other countries and their respective cultures. Is this country doomed to be split in half? Where half the country can't be friends with the other half? That's not a good thing in my opinion, but is seems more and more that, that's exactly what we have in this country. There doesn't seem to be a middle ground with the current administration. People either love what Bush has done here, or others are baffled by the decisions he's made. Personally, I have no idea who I'd support in the next election. I don't vote along party lines. I'm not a hater of Replicans, and I'm not apposed to the Democratic party either. I'm not blue, I'm not red.

Daniel in order for a educated discussion to happen you need to make a point, hence then we can discuss like normal people and we can give our counterpoint. You are spouting flaming generalities with no substance, therefore we are going by what it seems you are implying. Things like, Bush sucks and the President of Iran seems like a cool customer and he would be a good poker player leaves a lot to the imagination. Not liking decisions that Bush has made is fine, saying that and not listing any is your error as it seems you dont really know why you dont like bush, other than what you hear on tv or saw in Michael Moore's move Farenheit 911. We all saw the same movies and shows but went a few layers down in the onion to 1. check on the validity of these things and 2. to be able to come up with an opinion by knowing details on both sides in the argumentamazing still is the fact that with all the terrible things the leader of Iran said..you came away with :he had a lot of good points against bush"again you were oly waiting to hear what validated your thoughts and missed the forest thru the trees...and yes there is a reason people in the public eye dont comment on political issues...hint hint...you want to talk about Jack Bauer or Boston Rob fine, be as general or as specific as you please, but when u decide to comment on issues about the USA and its politics with biased views on either side of the spectrum....a recommendationDONT BRING A KNIFE TO A GUNFIGHT....

[doublemeup]

WTF? I thought I had the best blog ever

[PMJackson21]

LITTLEPOPPA, on Tuesday, September 26th, 2006, 11:44 AM, said:

DONT BRING A KNIFE TO A GUNFIGHT....

Yeah DN, next time you decide to write your own opinion in your own blog, try to come off more informed...Like this guy.Honestly, I'm usually very diplomatic, but some of you should print out your posts and have at least 3 people read them before actually posting. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I don't think DN set out to publically debate every Bush supporter by writing this blog. He simply stated his own opinion, which we are all allowed to have. Saying obnoxious things like "We all saw the same movies and shows but went a few layers down in the onion" doesn't make you more informed then DN. For all you know, DN did investigate both sides of the story, and (aghast) still doesn't think Bush is a good president. So in closing, your post did everything you accused DN of, and yet you portray it as some sort of truth, while DN (multiple times) refers to his thoughts as his own opinion. If you don't agree with DN, tell us why/be specific; don't just make pompous sounding statements like "DONT BRING A KNIFE TO A GUNFIGHT...."

[eYank]

Dr_Shakes, on Tuesday, September 26th, 2006, 7:33 AM, said:

We saved people from being tortured except for the ones we tortured although I will admit not on the same scale. The removal of a torturing dictator may be a benefit of invading Iraq but it certainly wasn't the reason we were told that we needed to invade Iraq. When we leave Iraq (at least a decade) it may be a better place, I'm not sure but will we have a better State?

true....you are 100% correct and i have nothing to say about that

[ahosang]

British here, so I hope I can offer a worthwhile foreign view.I personally don't think Bush has been a great president. He is not a great orator and has not got the country united behind him. However, he has most probably done what he has thought best for his country, and has made several difficult decisions.The important thing for me is that the USA heals itself and doesn't continue as a divided nation. This world needs a strong America.As for the poster who visually compares Bush to Hitler, you really are letting your dislike for Bush cloud your judgement. Either that or you're ignorant...

[ripptyde]

ahosang, on Tuesday, September 26th, 2006, 12:36 PM, said:

As for the poster who visually compares Bush to Hitler, you really are letting your dislike for Bush cloud your judgement. Either that or you're ignorant...

dont shoot the messenger. All I did was google 'bush/hitler' and post the results for your viewing pleasuregoogle bush/hitler, bush/satan, bush/antichrist etc. I didnt create those images just passed on the sentiment of countless others

[Balloon guy]

DanielNegreanu, on Tuesday, September 26th, 2006, 2:18 AM, said:

Personally, I have no idea who I'd support in the next election. I don't vote along party lines. I'm not a hater of Replicans, and I'm not apposed to the Democratic party either. I'm not blue, I'm not red.

So you're purple?

ripptyde, on Tuesday, September 26th, 2006, 12:44 PM, said:

dont shoot the messenger. All I did was google 'bush/hitler' and post the results for your viewing pleasuregoogle bush/hitler, bush/satan, bush/antichrist etc. I didnt create those images just passed on the sentiment of countless others

I love the mentality of these protesters. Notice the sign on the right: US out of Puerto Rico.....hhmmmm, How would the people there survive without full access to our social benefits such as Medicare, Welfare, etc.Google Protest Warriors. They use to go to protest like these and carry funny signs like:Communism has only killed 400 million people, let's give it another chance.&Except for ending slavery, communism, fascism and nazism...WAR HAS NEVER SOLVED ANYTHING.I love their stuff.

[showstopper24]

Why was this not in Daniels blog section.

[El Guapo]

Two things:First, I have a very good friend who is from Iran originally, his father was broker of multi-billion dollar intra-continential construction deals, a very wealthy man, prior to his oldest sons 13 birthday (the age in which Iranian children are forced to do a min 2 year stint in the aremed forces) he used his wealth and connections to leave his country via Britian and come to the US, he had only $10,000 remaining when he got here, they are now Americans and even celebrated Chistmes for the first time a couple of years ago. My friends father has sinced passed but his sacrifice may have just saved his sones lives.Second, I have a good family friend who is a cop and was the Driver for Bush on a couple of occasions while he was Govenor in Texas. What he has to say was that he was a "real" person and was not concerned about public polls and he was going to do what he though was right and moral at the time, and if he did not get re-elected so be it, he did what he could to help this country. This came from a few longh talks they had during long drives.I do not think W is the best or worst president we have ever had, he is proably not as good as his father was, he has made mistakes in his public handling of the war. But to say he hates "Muslim" and "Blacks" is just ignorant. I would like to point out that he had 2 high ranking "Blacks" in his cabinet. Powell and Rice, there may be more I am not sure about that. People also have to realize that the president doesn't have the utmost authority to go to war and to realive the hurricane victims. Congress overwhelmingly voted to go to war, he has generals in his war cabinet, along with the CIA, NSC, and the NSA and Homeland Security that give him information that he uses to determine strategy, if that info is incorrect, his decisions can look bad, i.e. WMD's. He is probably the worst public speaking president we have ever had, and follwoing one of the best speaking presidents makes it that much worse.And if anybody does not think that suddam did not at least have chemical weapons, you are just naive. He used them on his own people in the 80's. In fact right after we went into Iraq, there were three ships leaving the Persain gulf that were unnaccounted for and not found until much later. I personally believe that he had stuff on those ships and dumped them in the Indian Ocean. Just a theory and for the flamers I have no way of proving it.I do not begrudge DN for his comments, I do not agree with him, but people need to get their panties out of a knot, good political, economical and religious banter is healthy and can be fun. I am pretty much republican, and I have a very good friend who is not and we get into discussions all the time, nobody wins, but it can be a good release and sharing of ideas.

[Balloon guy]

El Guapo, on Tuesday, September 26th, 2006, 2:31 PM, said:

Two things:First, I have a very good friend who is from Iran originally, his father was broker of multi-billion dollar intra-continential construction deals, a very wealthy man, prior to his oldest sons 13 birthday (the age in which Iranian children are forced to do a min 2 year stint in the aremed forces) he used his wealth and connections to leave his country via Britian and come to the US, he had only $10,000 remaining when he got here, they are now Americans and even celebrated Chistmes for the first time a couple of years ago. My friends father has sinced passed but his sacrifice may have just saved his sones lives.Second, I have a good family friend who is a cop and was the Driver for Bush on a couple of occasions while he was Govenor in Texas. What he has to say was that he was a "real" person and was not concerned about public polls and he was going to do what he though was right and moral at the time, and if he did not get re-elected so be it, he did what he could to help this country. This came from a few longh talks they had during long drives.I do not think W is the best or worst president we have ever had, he is proably not as good as his father was, he has made mistakes in his public handling of the war. But to say he hates "Muslim" and "Blacks" is just ignorant. I would like to point out that he had 2 high ranking "Blacks" in his cabinet. Powell and Rice, there may be more I am not sure about that. People also have to realize that the president doesn't have the utmost authority to go to war and to realive the hurricane victims. Congress overwhelmingly voted to go to war, he has generals in his war cabinet, along with the CIA, NSC, and the NSA and Homeland Security that give him information that he uses to determine strategy, if that info is incorrect, his decisions can look bad, i.e. WMD's. He is probably the worst public speaking president we have ever had, and follwoing one of the best speaking presidents makes it that much worse.And if anybody does not think that suddam did not at least have chemical weapons, you are just naive. He used them on his own people in the 80's. In fact right after we went into Iraq, there were three ships leaving the Persain gulf that were unnaccounted for and not found until much later. I personally believe that he had stuff on those ships and dumped them in the Indian Ocean. Just a theory and for the flamers I have no way of proving it.I do not begrudge DN for his comments, I do not agree with him, but people need to get their panties out of a knot, good political, economical and religious banter is healthy and can be fun. I am pretty much republican, and I have a very good friend who is not and we get into discussions all the time, nobody wins, but it can be a good release and sharing of ideas.

El Guapo, you are wise and speak truth.

[ripptyde]

1. terrorists fly planes into the WTC2. terrorists identified within hours as Al Qaeda ops3. US bombs Afghanistan goes hunting for the big bad wolf Bin Laden4. US gives up on finding Bin Laden and dramatically reduces military presense in Afghanistan5. US invades .....Iraq ????kinda like losing your car keys in the garage and going to look for them in the kitchenHow many HUNDREDS of times did we hear the term 'weapons of mass destruction' crammed down our collective throats in the early months of 2002what did we find ?a bb gun , a slingshot and a whole lot of nothingThe Iraq invasion was predicated upon the 'WMD's. Lets face it...this war is one giant LIE. Even Colin Powell couldn't stomach working under this monkey and quietly resigned at the first opportunity.