Politics: A new beginning

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally posted by Say_hello_for_me
In 50 years, the outcome of the '03 invasion of Iraq will be one of two or three defining markers for Dubya's first term, but it won't be favorable if the outcome is not the establishment of a democracy.

My god, it's starting to sink in.

These no-good, signal stealing Republicans who have condoned lying for the greater good are finally starting to understand: we may not be able to create a democracy by force!

[Say_hello_for_me]

Originally posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy
My god, it's starting to sink in.

These no-good, signal stealing Republicans who have condoned lying for the greater good are finally starting to understand: we may not be able to create a democracy by force!

And yet, I somehow manage to wake up each day and go to work so I can pay my taxes, even though they are going to combat drug dealers who are selling to drug-addled lawyers (not you that I know of). Who said my concern is the establishment of democracy by force, and why in the world would that be a problem.

Its simple really. You round up all the adult males on the block. You tell them, at the point of a gun, "tell us who your leader is, elect one right now". Voila, you've had an election.

Now, if they thought you were playing a trick and they all named the guy they hated most, that could be a problem.

As for signal stealing, I'd bet there are more dope addicts then obtainers-of-enhanced-services-using-existing-signals in this country. And of course I just feel so guilty about it in the age of MP3, which is way worse in my book. So guilt me not, mr holier than thou.

So there.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
Methinks we're going to be very lonely at Athens 2004. On the bright side, we might actually win men's soccer if all the early rounds are byes.

if you're fucking with me on this, I swear I will never never forgive you! if you're right this is sooooooo cool. just last night Ty and i are at the pool, you know practicing our synchronized swimming for the county meeting. I'm saying T., let's quit our jobs and train seriously for the Olympics '04. Ty's like, "yeah thats my dream too, but have you heard of the Chinese? I ain't quitting my job for silver." But now you're saying massive boycott- and I'm saying OPA, Ty, OPA!

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally posted by Say_hello_for_me
Yada, yada, yada.

Say, hello, what would you have the military do to signal stealers in Iraq?

And how come its adult males doing the voting -- didn't Barbara Bush say we needed to do something about women's rights (oops, sorry, that was the last invasion, wasn't it)?

Also, what was your position on Zoe Baird?

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
just last night Ty and i are at the pool, you know practicing our synchronized swimming for the county meeting. I'm saying T., let's quit our jobs and train seriously for the Olympics '04.

"No, not angry! You're just pointing at him, saying 'I know you! I know you!'" That scene has gotta be the kernal from which "Waiting for Guffman" was to sprout.

[Say_hello_for_me]

Originally posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy
Say, hello, what would you have the military do to signal stealers in Iraq?

Well, it depends. If its a DirectTV signal, I'd say let em die, they knew what they were getting into when they put it on the airwaves. But if you are talking about file-shares, PPP networkers generally, cable pirates, or any other dirty, filthy freeriders... I'd still probably do nothing. Too many other problems to worry about, and all that free western media would probably do some of those people a world of good.

Originally posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy

And how come its adult males doing the voting -- didn't Barbara Bush say we needed to do something about women's rights (oops, sorry, that was the last invasion, wasn't it)?

Also, what was your position on Zoe Baird?

As to the first, dude, that was sooooo gratuitous. I can't believe you even bothered to ask. Ya know, sometimes I picture you walking around wide-eyed and innocent. Yet, I have this nagging feeling...

As to the second, I forget who she was though the name sounds familiar. But I like the name Zoe for important people, so I guess I was in favor.

Hello

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally posted by Say_hello_for_me
As to the second, I forget who she was though the name sounds familiar. But I like the name Zoe for important people, so I guess I was in favor.

Hello

The Honorable Zoe Baird

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy


The Honorable Zoe Baird

did the repubs. filibuster against her?

[Secret_Agent_Man]

Originally posted by Say_hello_for_me
I mean, if 9/11 was 8 months after Bush came into office, and that provocative "axis of evil" speech was in, what, October 2001, and you started arguing that NK was essentially nukular about a year ago, then what is the GWB culpability timeline here?

1 year from a meathead statement to NK goes nukular? You know any other countries that could do that?

Hello

I don't blame the NK situation on the axis of evil speech, necessarily, but you're forgetting that NK was right on the very brink of being a nuclear power before the deal was reached in 1994. That is why the U.S. was secretly on the very brink of attacking NK in 1994. Boy, wouldn't THAT have changed Clinton's legacy? You'd have seen more Republican peaceniks than you'd think possible.

In fact, the intel saying that NK had 2-3 small bombs (although not tested by actual explosions) hadn't changed from pre-1994 through about 2000.

So, while the program was in suspended animation for 7-8 years, they didn't have far to go once started.

I would like to say, though, that we should all admire the way that the current administration has strengthened America's network of alliances in this most difficult time.

S_A_M

[Skeks in the city]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski

just last night Ty and i are at the pool, you know practicing our synchronized swimming for the county meeting. I'm saying T., let's quit our jobs and train seriously for the Olympics '04. Ty's like, "yeah thats my dream too, but have you heard of the Chinese? I ain't quitting my job for silver." But now you're saying massive boycott- and I'm saying OPA, Ty, OPA!

If there's no boycott, you could improve your chances with sexual reassignment surgery.

[Say_hello_for_me]

Originally posted by Secret_Agent_Man
I don't blame the NK situation on the axis of evil speech, necessarily, but you're forgetting that NK was right on the very brink of being a nuclear power before the deal was reached in 1994. That is why the U.S. was secretly on the very brink of attacking NK in 1994. Boy, wouldn't THAT have changed Clinton's legacy? You'd have seen more Republican peaceniks than you'd think possible.

In fact, the intel saying that NK had 2-3 small bombs (although not tested by actual explosions) hadn't changed from pre-1994 through about 2000.

So, while the program was in suspended animation for 7-8 years, they didn't have far to go once started.

I would like to say, though, that we should all admire the way that the current administration has strengthened America's network of alliances in this most difficult time.

S_A_M

Well, if the choice is between feeding and energizing our enemies ad infinitem and, well, something else, I'll take choice #2 in this case. Guess I shoulda said that in response to Ty's query though. Broken record in progress here, but the correct policy IMHO is to give them nothing, withdraw our troops, and let them know that NK will be a complete nuclear wasteland the minute they send a missile, an artillery barrage, a nuke, or more than a regiment across the border. Militarily speaking, NK is a special case though (to be distinguished from any other similarly sized and categorized nation) because of the threat their conventional forces already pose to SK.

As for the network of alliances, feel free to chime in and inform me who, with any sizable military force that they show a willingness to commit, doesn't stand with us now whereas they did previously. See the earlier post about european defense budgets. Even if they wanted to confront their enemies, I think the most we have ever been able to reasonably expect is the French Foreign legion. Today they've been replaced by Spaniards, Poles and Italians.

And there certainly seems to be a consensus on NK, including the input of the Chinese, Soviets, Japanese and South Koreans. But maybe you weren't being facetious, in which case I'm not being confrontational.

Hello

[sgtclub]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...nguage=printer

[Dean proposes to "re-regulate" business]

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Governor Arnold's first day in office. So much for his plan to balance the state's budget -- we're another $4 billion in the hole after he spiked the car fees, and he wants to borrow $15 billion. Oh yeah, and tell the legislators to find something to cut.

[Say_hello_for_me]

Originally posted by sgtclub
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...nguage=printer

[Dean proposes to "re-regulate" business]

Well, I'm not sure the TSA is perfect, but the airlines should never have been allowed to regulate their own security.

Otherwise, I'm beginning to think the story I posted yesterday might have legs. Specifically, putting myself into the shoes of a right-wing-nut, e.g., John Kerry, I'm gonna be wondering what the kid brother was doing in Laos in 1974, what with his work on behalf of George McGovern's antiwar campaign and all.

Sorry, but now would probably be a great time for a 10 or 15 page story on the little brother to appear in one of the sunday newspaper supplements. Because if his family and friends cannot explain exactly what he was doing, and what he was thinking, someone may start planting ugly little stories about this.

Seriously. If anyone knows someone in the Dean camp, you might be doing all of us a favor (fair elections and all) if you called them and asked for someone to do a nice write-up on the dead brother. Something about who he was and what he believed and what a nice kid he was in hgh school and college etc....

Because you can only imagine what can be done with this if its left to someone's imagination.

Hello

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by Tyrone_Slothrop
Governor Arnold's first day in office. So much for his plan to balance the state's budget -- we're another $4 billion in the hole after he spiked the car fees, and he wants to borrow $15 billion. Oh yeah, and tell the legislators to find something to cut.

Not to mention the fact that while he (1) wants to ban legislators' fundraising while the legislature is in session, and (2) promised not to accept money from special interests; he nevertheless plans to retire his $7 million in campaign debt through accepting contributions from stakeholders in the budget process throughout December, after the campaign is over and while he's drafting a budget and worker's compensation reform.

In other words, while the legislature can't raise money when writing legislation, he can incur massive campaign debts rather than raise cash and then bend his knee to special interests AFTER he's safely elected to office.

It's true. He's no dummy. He is, however, a hypocrite.