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28 Nov
President Bush Phones Troops on Thanksgiving to Say “Thanks”
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Friday, November 28th, 2008 at 8:06 pm | 19 views
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Thanks to the president who kept us safe for seven years and had a roaring economy for six years. Thanks to the democrats for destroying the economy in less than 2 years. Thanks to the terrorist for realizing you would get your butt kicked if you messed with America while GWB was in office.
Now you (terrorists) will have an open door beginning on Jan 21, 2009 and you won’t have to worry about anyone coming after you, so kill Americans at will as you did in the 90′s. Pay no attention to the ‘we’ll chase them down and punish them, threats. It will all be BS as Slick Willie’s threats were and only designed to keep his retarded followers kissing his butt hole as they did Slicks + plus whatever else he desired in that line. If you have an old tent and a crippled camel put it where the new POS can make a show of destroying the tent and killing a dying camel. Both houses of congress is now in democrat hands so you can apply to them for any assistance you desire, they have 8 years of practice of providing National security secrets to you already.
GWB is such a fine man. I really like him and will miss him.
This video gives a different perspective of who the man truely is. This is GWB’s video that I prefer. He has such a good sense of humor. I think you will all enjoy it:
President Bush Makes Fun of Himself (really)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dii3mzMQ3SQ
Mike, hasn’t Pres. Bush done this every year since the war started? I think so, but thought you’d know for sure. And, I remember in 2003 he surprised them and was there in Baghdad on Thanksgiving Day:
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/11/27/sprj.irq.main/index.html.
Another link: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/11/20031127.html
What an example of patriotism he is, and one I started missing a few months ago even though he hasn’t left yet!! Thanks, Mike. I know those men and women will never forget that phone call!!
bush has a heart, where obama is a cold machine. it would be fab if he could have called all of our service men and women to tell them happy thanksgiving, but in their hearts they know that he is thankful as are most of the nation. obama will either be at the gym or planning his next news conference seeing as how he loves the sound of his own voice. guess who else was a great orator? hitler, obama really remonds me of him. he could never hold a candle to bush in his love for this nation.
@Craig: I actually really enjoyed that. While it’s clear that someone wrote those jokes for him (someone like Bruce Vilanch, probably), it’s also clear that he has a sense of humor.
I do hope Obama will make the same kinds of calls when he’s in office.
I’ve been trying to post something, and I think it’s caught in lala land. Any suggestions?
Hmmm…this worked! I’ll try again…
Mike, hasn’t Pres. Bush done this every year since the war started? I think so, but thought you’d know for sure. And, I remember in 2003 he surprised them and was there in Baghdad on Thanksgiving Day:
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/11/27/sprj.irq.main/index.html.
Another link: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/11/20031127.html
What an example of patriotism he is, and one I started missing a few months ago even though he hasn’t left yet!! Thanks, Mike. I know those men and women will never forget that phone call!!
SoCal: You got snagged in both spam filters. Not sure why you got singled out.
And yet the moonbats think is a failure and did nothing good. Screw them.
Thank you W. You may not have been all we’d hoped for, but you still did a good job. I wish you well.
President Bush Phones Troops on Thanksgiving to Say “Thanks”
President Bush and the world’s best military has kept us safe for seven years.
Considering the state of the world not bad at all, I am going to miss President Bush
.
I am so grateful that Dubya was our President for these past 8 years. I might not have always agreed with him, but looking at what the political scene has degenerated into, I can’t imagine anyone wanting the job to be perfectly honest. But he did and he did it with a love for our country and her people, great respect for our military and he made the hard decisions when they had to be made whether they were popular or not. He and Mrs. Bush are classy, down to earth people who brought honor to those they represented.
And I’m so sad that we are about to undo so much of what has been accomplished during his tenure as our CIC. As Scrap pointed out, we knew that our well being was very much at the forefront of the Bush Presidency and intentionally or not, our security is going to be less sure with all the old players who are coming back to Washington that created the atmosphere for the first 9-11 to happen. None of this is a battle we wanted, but it will be the battle we have.
Every responsible economist would tell you that the economy (and bubble) is from 2002 to the beginning of 2007. Last time I checked Bush was president the whole time and it is his administration shelling out hundreds of billions of dollars to shore up the economy, corporate welfare at its finest. So go ahead and thank him for such a wonderful job he has done in office. The “permanent Republican majority” lasted less than 8 years because of arrogance and lack of ability to take responsibility.
blast, your statement about the dates of the bubble is simply not true. You will note the begin of the astronomical, and out of control rise in housing prices began between 1997 and 1998 with the introduction of easy money.
More “unqualified” buyers became “qualified” with no doc, low doc, stated income loans, and increased the demand for existing houses… which drove up the supply prices.
In fact, had the housing prices stayed within a normal growth, we would not have the foreclosure problem today. A $300K default on a home with a $300K value would simply be replaced by another qualified buyer. This is what has been done in the real estate world for decades.
Our problem is that $300K mortgage that is in default can only be replaced with a new $210K or so mortgage. The banks are absorbing that loss, on top of the foreclosure costs. This is why they are in dire straits.
Greenspan may have been able to control the inflation with rate adjustments. However after 911, he dropped the rates very low, and kept them there… adding fuel to the fire on the prices. You can see the rapid rise before 911, and the even more rapid rise after 911 with the rates being so low.
MataHarley if you take a close look at the adjusted for inflation number you will see the actual date to 2002 as I stated correctly above. The previous peak of 1991 (near $175,k) was reached in 10 years in 2001 while trading inside a $25,000 value. Following 2001 we see the value increase on nearly a vertical line to $275k. The bubble period therefore is outside the normal trading range, which means 2002 and on.
And blast, if you will take a close look at the adjusted inflation number… the only one I considered… you will see the rise starts in the late 90s, and accelerates after 911 in 2001 with the interest rates tanking. This is because the Clinton admin was on the same quest to increased minority homeownership as well. So it started taking hold after Bob Rubin rewrote the CRA regs, and caught wind from there… continuing into the Bush admin.
You choose to ignore the rise before. Either you are desperate to blame Bush for everything, or you just have a hard time negotiating any honest assessment of what was in the works.
I am saying it is reasonable for housing prices to fluctuate within the $25k window, once it exceeded that window, it was abnormal. You are saying rise, I am saying bubble. The bubble began once it exceeded what might be a normal trading range.
Oh goodness… another perfectly decent comment stream sidetracked onto another issue.
I’d say get a room you two but that would be rude wouldn’t it?
You want to know who is responsible for the financial collapse? Democrats.
Yeah, Bush was President and turned his back far too many times on what he knew was wrong. It’s that whole “new tone” thingee that was such a huge mistake.
I hope we have all learned that lesson and the next GOP President won’t be so eager to be friends with people who are only capable of hating him.
But let’s be very clear about this: if it weren’t for Democrats insistence on pushing their flawed housing scheme we wouldn’t be in this mess today.
Come on, that is no argument… It is not like Democrats are clean on all this, but be real, Republicans dominated this government for 6 of the last 8 years and had the ability to stop just about anything the Democrats wanted.
Look blast, we’ve been through this a hundred times on other posts which concentrate specifically on this issue. Perhaps you haven’t read them.
Bush and the Republicans put forward numerous reforms over the last 8 years and they were blocked by Dems at every available opportunity.
You have heard of a fillibuster haven’t you?
Furthermore, you might go back and look at some of the posts myself and others have done chronicling the great advances our economy made during the last several years. I’ll bet you a donut that some of the same people saying Bush is to blame for the current mess were saying he had nothing to do with the success people were enjoying just a short time ago.
Would you be one of those or can you prove otherwise?
Mike: [SoCal: You got snagged in both spam filters. Not sure why you got singled out].
I don’t know what happened either as it’s never happened before. I was trying to post a couple links, too, and when I got rid of those, it worked. I’ll try one of the links again and see if the filter God likes it or not.
This is with regards to Pres. Bush making a lil’ surprise visit to Bahgdad in 2003:
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/11/27/sprj.irq.main/index.html
Mike, I have said, “It is not like Democrats are clean on all this, but be real, Republicans dominated this government for 6 of the last 8 years and had the ability to stop just about anything the Democrats wanted.” No doubt there is some blame on both sides, but Bush is not Carter and we are not talking about Elvis (as you commented back to me on the other thread). The “great advances our economy” made over the past several years had been made on borrowed money and never were consolidated. Running nearly 5 trillion in deficits along with allowing the private sector access to cheap money without regulation is what made the economy “look” good when it was hollowing out from the inside out.
correction, that was wordsmith with the elvis comment
O.k., it is clear I am losing my mind…I neglected to see my links did in fact post on my original post, so very sorry for the repetition…oy vay!
Really? Prior to 1996-98, it was *not* normal to fluctuate within that window. You are stating that annual appreciation of 15% was “normal”. Right…. The only way that accrued equity could be reasonable is if the annual income kept pace.
And you’re right, Mike’sA. As the house FA “thread nanny”, I shouldn’t have responded to blast’s “distraction” from what was a perfectly good thread. I’ve put him on my “ignore” button now…. LOL That’s about all you can do with those who believe the world only went to hell and a handbasket under this admin. And, of course, they can’t see we aren’t in hell and a handbasket….
Also interesting that same limited mentality equates a very slim Congressional majority to having the ability to stop just about anything the Democrats wanted.
Blast shows the liberal trifecta, denial of reality, irrational hatred of an innocent person simply because they have a different view than theirs, and lying.
Blast you’ve been proven wrong. Now take your meds and move on.
Unless our future DICKtator repents of his military-hating ways, if he does call troops in the future on holidays like President Bush has done, I hope thay all hang up on him!!!!
Hard Right, behind the anonymity of the keyboard you show a lot of vitriol against anyone with a different opinion. Really brave of you.
President Bush had to endure 7 plus years of constant scrutiny, of which was all negative to say the least. Obama gets his panties in a wad with a hard question, and lashes out with anger. I ask you which do you prefer, a man or a sniveling wheenie. Thank you President Bush for your unwavering protection of this country, and for setting so many free. Goodbye and G-DS speed.
Republican administrations are very good at visiting, honoring, and thanking our servicemen & servicewomen.
I’m sure that blast’s entire intent in posting a continuation of his usual broken record of “blame Bush” rhetoric was to take the “thank you Bush” message completely off-topic. I noticed he always does this, ignores everything that has ever been said to him on the other threads to refute his claims, yet post the very same allegations in most of his posts. It’s blast’s childish equivalent of sticking his fingers in his ears and saying, “I can’t hear you! Nya-na-na-na, I can’t hear you! I’m not listening!”, whenever anything good is stated about Bush or any other non-democrat is mentioned. If that isn’t “spamming” an issue to distract from the topic, I’ll eat my hat. It’s also amusing how anyone who refutes his claims is demonstrating “vitriol”. blast just loves that word, I believe it’s popped up in every thread where he has posted more that one post.
You don’t like people pointing out anything good about Bush or non-Democrats blast? Well you are more than welcome to go elsewhere. You are edging very close to that category of moonbats who are not worth even the acknowledgment via response. Why don’t you got back to Kos or the liberal websites and come back when you have something “new” to offer? Your housing market stuff is as stale and moldy as year-old bread.
In the meantime, the educated and informed will still be here, “relishing in our own vitriol” challenging rhetoric with facts.
Mata: Once the genie is out of the bottle you might as well continue trying to cram it back in.
Unless of course I missed it somewhere, it’s clear that Blast prefers to see the down side of the Bush presidency and has yet to see anything good about it.
Here was a prefectly innocuous post where anyone who wanted to show their appreciation to either President Bush or our troops had the opportunity to do so.
Instead, blast used it to slam this good man down one more time on an issue that has already been hotly debated in detail.
What does that say about blast?
blast who?? LOL I *did* promise to use my ignore button on this thread since I so deviated away from honoring Dubya…
I wonder how long or often the trolls would come here if no one responded to them. Why don’t we put them in a vacuum?
President Bush is a wonderful president and historians will wonder what was in the water in this country that the majorityof the people dissapproved of him and the press trashed him all the time. He is a decent honorable man who has protected this country for the last eight years. He tried his best to make Washington bipartisan which is clearly impossible. I will miss him mainly because we will not have a president of his caliber for the next four years and I am also afraid of what Obama will bring to this country during the next four years.
While I’m not a big Bush fan, I certainly do give credit where it is due. Taking the time out of his holiday to boost the moral of our troops is indeed generous, and goes against the charge that he doesn’t care about our men and women in uniform.
I think the main problem illustrated in this thread is the unfortunate need for the Left and the Right to continuously vilify each other. Both sides are American, and just because we disagree as to what the solutions are for the problems we face as a nation doesn’t mean we should forget who our enemies really are.
As a Liberal, I visit Conservative sites much more than Liberal ones because we need to have this dialogue with each other. And when I do post on Liberal sites, I’m arguing with them just fervently. (ie- public surveillance – if you’re in public, don’t get upset about being seen in public!) Spouting opinions to people who already agree accomplishes nothing, and is much less fun. I’d get more out of a porn site than I would a political echo chamber.
But I also know that responses to my opinions are not always going to be civil. That’s okay. Passions run deep when our lives are affected so profoundly as they are with politics.
So, back to the topic: I don’t think Bush is a bad guy. I simply don’t agree with the majority of his policies, particularly domestic. But that doesn’t take away from what good he is doing. I am particular moved and encouraged by how generous he is with his efforts during the current transition. History should record it, as it isn’t common. He deserves credit when and where it is due, so let him have it.
Cary: Bush’s domestic national security policy has kept you and your family safe for the past 7 years. Is that something you disagree with?
@Mike’s America: Mike, my long winded point was that I agree with those who’ve asserted that this isn’t the thread for such a discussion. This post is about giving the President credit where it is due, in spite of where I may not in other areas. Sorry if I wasn’t clear about that, but I’m not taking the bait here.
@Cary: It was you who mentioned your disagreement with Bush’s domestic policies. I think it’s a fair question to ask if you disprove of President Bush keeping you and your family safe?
As you can see this thread was already hijacked into the debate over the financial crisis. On this thread with it’s military dimension, a question about domestic national security seems appropriate.
@Mike’s America: You’re right, Mike, I did mistakenly bring it up – in an effort to share my particular point of view that, in spite of what I might disagree on, I’m not above giving praise.
I do indeed have an answer to your question, but giving that I thought there was an effort to bring this post back on track, in spite of the hijacking, I will continue to maintain that this is not the place. Sorry to disappoint you, I’m sure you’re revved up for a big debate. Well, not tonight.
If you ‘re truly interested in my opinions on Bush, feel free to dig through the archives on my own blog. You’ll have to go back about 4 years or so, and understand that some of my views have changed (for better or worse in your point of view) but that I stand by the vast majority of them.
As for this post, I stand by you with praise for him on this particular issue. I hope you can accept that from a moonbat liberal.
Cary: Perhaps it would be best if you would go back and edit your comment and omit the critical, but non-specific reference. It may strengthen your grudging appreciation for Bush by retracting that part if you are not willing to stand behind it and explain yourself.
Frankly, I doubt you would really want to debate the fact that Bush’s domestic national security policy has kept you and your family safe so I understand your reluctance.
@Mike’s America: Well, Mike, it seems that my ability to edit has passed. I absolutely stand by my views, and have invited you to see what they are for yourself. (hint – click on my name and search “Bush”) I have absolutely stated that I will not voice them here, as I feel it isn’t appropriate. I simply was making the point that while I may disagree with you on many things, I do agree with you here. Why do you insist on picking a fight with me when I’m trying to be civil? I’m standing by the words I have offered, and now I will ignore you. Have a good night.
T@Mike’s America:
Tell you what, I’ll be extra nice and help you by giving you the direct links. I’m sure you’ll have plenty to say about what I wrote three years ago, but I stand by it and will not debate it with you. These are all old arguments, and I’m sure we’ve both heard both sides.
http://caryscolumn.blogspot.com/2005/02/liberty-or-death.html
http://caryscolumn.blogspot.com/2005/01/let-freedom-ring.html
http://caryscolumn.blogspot.com/2004/10/first-presidential-debate.html
Have a good night
Cary: I can only imagine the kinds of things you say about Bush when you are not being civil so I will spare myself a visit to your page to confirm these imaginings.
It’s a shame that you so grudginly offer appreciation to the man who has saved thousands of American lives from enduring yet more horror and tragedy on American soil such as we experienced on September 11th.
I’m not sure why it is so difficult for you to say “thank you” to President Bush for allowing you and your family to live your lives in peace but hey, you refuse to explain yourself so I will have to leave it at that.
You may be seeing more tributes to President Bush in the weeks ahead so I hope you find some genuine words of appreciation you can share without the need to get in a dig or two.
I hope you will understand that my role here is to help you become a better person and achieve that level of civil discourse you claim to want.
@Mike’s America: Well Mike, thank you for the concern and interest in my character. That’s quite noble, especially since you’ve made absolutely no effort to get to know me and choose to judge me solely on my political views. However, if you’re not open enough to read what I’ve provided in response to the questions you’ve tried to back me into a corner with, then your opinion of my character is irrelevant to me. My comments are not meant to pander or get digs in, but simply to be honest about my point of view. That’s my measure of character. Yours seem to be on how much one agrees with you. So, if it offends you so much that you’ll not even read what I’ve written, then I’ll do you a favor and not comment on whatever you may post, and simply ignore you elsewhere. I made an effort more than once with you, now I’m done.
“The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.”
– Friedrich Nietzsche
This is quite a convoluted thread. As tempting it would be to go back down the “what really caused the financial meltdown” road, I just want to respond to the initial post in this thread, which asked the question of whether or not Obama was up to the task of receiving the Commander-in-Chief torch from the outgoing President:
Obama just met with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, after putting together a national security team which is already giving apoplexy to the Leftists in the Obama coalition.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008/11/29/liberals-furious-obama-keeping-gates/
http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/35263339.html?elr=KArks:DCiUBcy7hUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU
Here’s a relevant quote from the second of the above articles:
Larry Weisenthal/Huntington Beach
Oh boy, Larry! You continue to be fooled by this great manipulator. It is all icing on the cake. Obama is a fraud, a liar, a cheater and a flip flopper. If he ever gets to be sworn in, you will realize it rapidly. I can’t believe that this guy will have access to all the military’s secrets, no wonder terrorist countries like him.
Cary: I’ve given you ample opportunity to amplify and explain your views here. Instead of shifting readers to your page it would be more helpful if you would provide a brief summary before dropping your links.
My effort here isn’t to get everyone to agree with me (even though they should) but to let those who do not to explain themselves. This you have failed to do.
Oh, and I like quotes too:
@Mike’s America: Mike, it’s not that I’ve failed to explain as much, as I’ve clearly stated, as I refuse to do so on this thread because I feel it is INAPPROPRIATE.
I’ve noticed a couple of comments from Conservatives who also mention that they don’t agree with him on everything either, but still offered their kudos. I don’t notice you trying to bully THEM with loaded questions, do I?
If you were really interested in an explanation of my views, I directed you where to find them. I would have had no problem discussing them elsewhere, had you not been so personally pompous and condescending towards me, after I honestly shared in good faith. You either missed or deliberately ignored my entire point. Either way, I’m done bothering with you.
I will not further hijack this thread – as YOU were the one who complained about it originally. I will, again, leave the last word to you. Hope it’s better than last time.
Here’s to our CURRENT President, George W. Bush!!!
Everyone, raise a glass and celebrate the dedication and love of country of this fine gentleman from Texas.
Cary:
Your first comment regarding Bush’s domestic policy was inappropriate. Your subsequent failure to explain that comment is indefensible.
It’s disappointing that you choose to raise an issue but not defend your point here without redirecting people on some wild goose chase elsewhere.
It really is a simple matter, it relates directly to whether or not you appreciate the fact that President Bush’s leadership has enabled you and your family to have been spared the horror and tragedy that another 9/11 or similar terrorist attack on U.S. soil would have brought?
You say that my inquisitiveness on this point is bullying and you say you won’t debate the matter, but isn’t that the point of having these discussions in the comment threads?
Or should we just put up a box for you to check upon visiting?
Mark one box “X” if you agree with the post
or
“X” in another box if you disagree?
I’ve conducted this exchange in a civil manner and done everything I could to help you and yet you still treat my response as some sort of personal attack.
I wonder if your tactics aren’t intended to stifle debate and the free exchange of ideas on points where your position is weak?
@Mike’s America: You know what Mike? I actually do get your point now. My intention was not to drop an opinion bomb and then run, but your point about the boxes is well taken. Yes, I agree with your post. [X]
I don’t think that providing direct links is quite a “wild goose chase”, but I do understand that I was late in providing them. My statement regarding domestic policy had more to do with domestic issues such as education, gay rights, stem cells, making a law for a single citizen.. ect… I know we most likely won’t agree on these issues, either, but that’s another discussion as well. Again, you are more than welcome to peruse my blog if you really wish to know where I’m coming from on many issues.
As for keeping us safe – as I have stated in my blog post which I have provided the link to, I do not deny that many of Bush’s policies have thwarted those who would to us harm. My problem is the price we’ve paid to do so. I believe that we could effectively keep our citizens safe without infringing on our liberties. While much of the Patriot Act was good, it was lacking in oversight. And while Bush did rhetorically support revisions, he did not use his influence over his party in Congress, and overstepped in certain areas himself. That’s where my problem lies on the issue you bring up, as I explain in my post…
http://caryscolumn.blogspot.com/2005/02/liberty-or-death.html
Frankly, as a New York City resident, I fully expect another attack. And I know that I live exactly where it is likely to occur. I’m taking absolutely nothing for granted. When I get into an argument with a friend or family member, I do my damnest to make sure everything is cool between us before we part ways. I’ve seen first hand that our subway system is not as secure as our law enforcement would claim. But I will not live in fear, nor will I concede my freedom which many brave men and women have fought and died for in order to secure for me.
Now, I’ll be honest – I’m all up for a debate on this with you, as I appreciate your assurance that none of is meant to be a personal attack. However, with the economy as it is, I feel very fortunate to have three ongoing freelance support jobs, and all three are now in the busiest season of the year. Not only do I not expect it to last, and therefore need to hoard funds, but my best friend just moved to Los Angeles, where the economy and job market is even worse than New York, and is having a horribly rough time, so I feel compelled to help him as best I can. So, my point is that I may not have time for this kind of discussion with you, as I’m gearing up for constant work, but will be happy to when things calm down a bit, if this is still relevant. Until then, I hope you will accept links to what I have already written, while I will take whatever time I have to read and consider whatever you may write. Thanks.
Cary: If your qualms about Bush’s domestic policy was mostly regarding the issues you stated above why did you not say so? Why go on and on about how you weren’t going to respond only to respond with that laundry list now?
What was the point of all that needless contrarianism? Or is that the point?
On those issues, you might be surprised when Obama does little to overturn what you see as Bush’s policy. The same goes double for domestic national security policy.
Most of us feel a desire to protect civil liberties even in a time of crisis. You won’t find any Republicans who have no concern on that score.
However, the handwringing over Bush’s balancing act has been alarmist and false. You would have to look long and hard to find any valid examples of how civil liberties of citizens have been endangered by Bush domestic national security policies.
I can’t think of one example where the Patriot Act was shown to be abused and the rights of citizens wrongfully infringed. Perhaps you can.
Also, there was a great hoo-hah over “domestic spying” because Bush wanted to permit the National Security Agency to monitor the communications of terrorists whose communications might pass through U.S. systems. Another phony issue whose purpose was to frighten the ill-informed and weaken our ability to track the bad guys.
I am pleased that you are blessed with an abundance of work. You’ll need to keep that pace up as it’s likely that taxes and the cost of government will continue to rise no matter what Obama says.
Now, wouldn’t it have been easier and much less time consuming if you simply explained yourself in the first place instead of taking our readers down the garden path?
@Mike’s America:
“Why go on and on about how you weren’t going to respond only to respond with that laundry list now?”
I think you can accept that as a concession to the point you made. Plain and simple.
“Most of us feel a desire to protect civil liberties even in a time of crisis. You won’t find any Republicans who have no concern on that score.”
I’m truly glad to read this.
“I can’t think of one example where the Patriot Act was shown to be abused and the rights of citizens wrongfully infringed. Perhaps you can.”
Well, yes I can, as I provided in the comments section of my blog on the issue:
http://www.amconmag.com/article/2004/oct/11/00021/
“You’ll need to keep that pace up as it’s likely that taxes and the cost of government will continue to rise no matter what Obama says.”
If a few extra bucks out my paycheck means that my nephews and niece have a better chance at affording college, that my mom’s social security won’t run out in her lifetime, or that our soldiers are properly equipped and taken care of as veterans, then I will not begrudge a dime.
“Now, wouldn’t it have been easier and much less time consuming if you simply explained yourself in the first place instead of taking our readers down the garden path?”
Yes. Thus my concession.
Craig.
My suggestion is that you reserve judgement until you see what Obama actually does in office.
I view Obama as a politician. Let’s compare Obama with Mitt Romney. I don’t believe that, had Romney been elected President, you’d be saying that Romney was “a fraud, a liar, a cheater and a flip flopper.”
Up until about December, 2007, Romney was my candidate for President. I extolled him on high profile internet political blogs. The ironic thing is this — had he actually been nominated and elected, I think that he’d have made a terrific President. He would have moved to the center — tossing the hard Right under the bus the same way that Obama is tossing the hard left under the bus. Whatever degree of fraudulence, lying, cheating, and flip flopping Obama has done is dwarfed by what Mitt Romney did, in pursuit of the GOP nomination.
Why don’t you just give Obama the benefit of the doubt.
If/when he screws up, there will be time enough for the I told you sos.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h2qtj24vzZZS2Jid8I03W0bz7zXwD94PII2O1
- Larry Weisenthal/Huntington Beach
Cary,
I read your links. I must say, you are a very thoughtful, fair-minded critic of the President.
Mike, I think Cary’s more like liberal dave than anything else. Definitely not a moonbat liberal, but someone capable of conceding points, if convinced.
@Mike’s America:
The thing is, even if there were a handful of abuses, what is the ratio to successes under the Act? Nothing is full-proof perfect; but does the risk of abuse mean we scrap a means to combating terrorism?
To me, that would be like tanking our whole judicial system, because on occasion, a good apple gets wrongfully sentenced and does prison time. If it happens just once, is that one time too many and does that mean our system “doesn’t work”? Or does it simply mean we need to continue to do what we can to tweak and revise, to legislate oversight so that such abuses and wrongful convictions are minimized/don’t occur?
In life, nothing is perfect and not without their flaws and trade-offs.
Wordsmith,
I know you are a liberal, you have once said it on this blog. But I do agree with Mike on the Patriot Act. That should have been done a long time ago. You need to get all the tools in ways to get to these terrorists. If government acts like “good guys”, they will get nowhere and get nobody. Think of the pedophiles, their addresses in on the Internet. People need to know where they live so they can protect their children. It is the same think for the Patriot Act, Government has the right to know, where and who they are to protect the citizen. I am all for it and I wonder why it took them so long to get that Act passed.
Larry,
No Larry, I will not give Obama the benifit of the doubt like you are willing to do. Why? Because I know that there will be no miracle. Obama will not turn into a beautiful prince because he won the election. He will remain a toad. The same old Obama: a liar, a manipulator, a cheater, a fraud and a crook. The difference between you and me is that I don’t believe in fairy tales.
Wordsmith: It’s possible that Cary and I got off on the wrong foot. I don’t usually take well to people who suggest I need to pray then lecture me on civility but that’s another thread.
In my experience Liberal Dave is a special case. Unfortunately, one that is all too unique for his ability to offer his opinion and not be offended if not everyone appreciates it.
But then, anyone who gives so much of themselves in missionary work in the poorest parts of Mexico is bound to be unique.
In case anyone wants to know who we are talking about:
http://www.adventurenotes.blogspot.com/
He and I share a last name so that may explain my objectivity.
Craig: I wouldn’t exactly call Wordsmith a liberal. You know I don’t associate with that kind of people. But Word is surrounded by liberals in Los Angeles and has managed to survive by avoiding knock down drag out fights with them at every opportunity. That’s one reason why I live in SC and not still in Washington.
Mike I meant a Democrat. Wordsmith once said he was a Democrat…. and I remember saying to him: “I’m sorry to hear that”… lol
But to me, Democrat or liberal is the same word. It was not an insult. I hope Wordsmith didn’t take it like that. You see in Canada, we have the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party. So to me Liberal Party is the equivalent of U.S. Democrats.
I didn’t know Wordsmith used to be a Democrat? At least he grew out of it.
News to me.
I think Craig’s point is that I’m currently a Democrat/liberal.
Which is also news to me.
And we’re derailing Mike’s thread.
That just sounds so…..funny.
Mike,
It’s ridiculous to say I avoid fights. I just refuse to be an obnoxious “in your face” rah-rah Republican politics-on-my-sleeve Bush-boy.
LOL! Well Wordsmith, maybe it wasn’t you after all. But one of the authors of this site have once said he was a Democrat, I don’t really remember who it was. But I remember telling him: “Sorry to hear this.” Do you know who it could be? Sorry Wordsmith… lol
Yes, God Bless President Bush and his family, what a ride they’ve had.
I’ve heard this morning that the President and First Lady will live in Dallas through the week and week end at Crawford, not so significant, but what they will do after their term is. Laura Bush plans to continue work in Afghanistan. She has spent quite a bit of time with the Afghanis working on women’s rights and child care, the real deal.
Don’t know what the President’s plans are, the Bush family has a history of charity, I’m sure he will be a significant contributor, work and money. It will most likely remain quiet, that’s how the Bush family is and our press won’t be interested.
Craig, our Scott thinks he is a democrat. Even though he’s such a young guy, he’s like the dems of long ago, the good kind. Wonder how that happened?
My post is being moderated, P&T
Craig, it was Scott who told you he was a registered Democrat.
That would be the very same Scott who would be apt to tell many of his fellow DNC members that if they can’t stand behind the troops, then by all means… stand in front of them please.
Our own lovely Skye (not to be confused with Sky55110 aka “Real” American Patriot) was also a registered Dem. She recently changed her affiliation to GOP.
That’s right…. Scott voted for Dems in 2006 and I don’t intend to let him forget it.
But Wordsmith… do you mean you DO engage in knock down drag out fights with these lefty La La Land goons?
If only I was close enough to join you in the rumble. Alas, I have to do it from afar.
Mike’sA, if Word’s a gym instructor and personal trainer, I have to wonder if he’s got some martial arts there too…. Perhaps he’s an unregistered “lethal weapon”. LOL
If so, then he must restrain from doing much more than spitting in the path of the LaLa land residents (whom I unrepentently left in my rear view mirror in Nov 2000…). Or perhaps exercising his “wordsmith” skills.
Mata: Word has never fessed up to any martial arts experience… Perhaps we should ask?
Yo! Word, da man! Consider your bad “quasi” liberal (LOL) arse asked by Mr. Mike and myself. You got martial arts training on top of the gymnastics and personal trainer bit?
Or are you afraid to answer in case you have to “register” as a lethal weapon??? :0)
Yeah, I’m the dem, and no, they never let me forget it.
Back OT….did Pres-elect Obama call anyone in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc? No? Well then…let’s just keep this thread in our minds next Thanksgiving.
Once again I state with a smile:
I wholeheartedly look forward to an Obama Administration with sadistic glee for nothing will make President Bush’s foreign policy actions look more brilliant than the reversals, half-stances, inactions, and fubars of the forthcoming Obama Administration. Doubt it? Ok, then all someone has to do is ask Pres Obama, “since you opposed the war in Iraq in 2002, 2003, and you opposed the plan to secure Iraq in 2004, 5, 6, 7, and 8…should Americans support the plan to secure Iraq in 2009? Would that support make the plan easier and more likely to succeed, or is national will irrelevant in war?
btw (OT), if Obama really wants to “talk” to America’s enemies…then why didn’t he? Why didn’t he send out campaign reps to Iran, to Osama, to Pyongyang, to Cuba? Why not? Also, how’s this Sec State Clinton thing supposed to work? I mean, are we really to believe that 1) Ahmadinejad or Kim or any dictator is gonna listen to a woman, 2) to a woman as “softspoken” as Hillary, or 3) to any American? Are we really to believe that she’s gonna commit political suicide, fly to Tehran and get her pic taken shaking hands w Ahmadinejad in front of the ole US embassy that still has DEATH TO AMERICA painted on it? She’s gonna nix any future political creds and get pics of her shaking hands with Kim (if he’s alive)? Is she gonna go to Congo and stop the cannibals? Maybe she’ll go to Israel and NOT piss people off? My gawd…I dunno if I should laugh or cry.
@MataHarley:
Cripes! How the hell are we so far OT?
Not a lethal weapon; but yes, on fighting arts. This was mixed martial arts before cross-training arts was sexy to do. Mostly non-traditional- stuff from Southeast Asia, boxing, grappling, lots of knife craft. Really, leaving no stone unturned and examining everything and anything (from fencing to firearms- anything related to armed and unarmed combat). Every art has something to offer if you have the mental acumen to steal from it, the benefits without acquiring any of the “diseases”.
My primary teacher.
I also trained under Dan Inosanto, Ron Balicki, a little with Erik Paulson, and many others.
If there’s anything I came away with, it’s that anyone on any given day can get his ass kicked. I don’t care who you are. There are just so many variables in life, so many environments and circumstances, the “best” fighters in the world can get sucker punched like the rest of us; they can lose a fight outside their element of training.
At one point in my life, I was doing this 7 days a week, 2-4 hours a day. 8 years ago I tapered off, then stopped entirely.
Yes, I miss it. But things happen in life, and things change.
Now what’s the topic again?
Now can we talk about gardening? Just kidding.
Way off topic:
Wordsmith, have you heard of Ken Knudson?
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:TCxn-WEjK3EJ:www.sybaris.com/modules/company/MAD-feb2003.pdf+ken+knudsen,+karate&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6&gl=us
My parents bought the lot to build our family home on from his uncle. His uncle taught him to fly, I remember watching them take off and land from a makeshift strip on the edge of the corn field across the street. After his father was murdered in Chicago his uncle built his mother a home by ours. Neither Ken or his sister ever lived there, he stayed in the city, his sister was in college then married, and a five year old brother Karl moved in to our neighborhood with who we all affectionately called Gramma Gail, Ken’s mom. Karl is now out there, somewhere by you, we’ve lost touch over the years.
Anyway, thought you might want to look at a bit of what he was like.
Ahh…. gardening… another of my favorite topics. I cut down a 25 foot oak tree yesterday using a pruning saw. Not a smart thing to do. It fell on the patio.
Anyway we might have to start calling Wordsmith by the secret code name Ninja!
I’m jonesin’ for gardening so bad that my mother-in-law gave me her gardening DVDs to tide me over for a bit.
Snow SUCKS!
I’d love to see some snow Scott. I’ll be in Ohio for Christmas and what do you bet it rains instead?
no bet, we got both today. In fact, in the past 30 minutes it’s rained, snowed, then some sorta little white ice balls (not hail), rained again, then snowed, and stopped.
ugh
overcast ceiling is probably 500-1000ft. Visibility 1mi. Strong winds (nice wind chill). Roads clear.
Winter SUCKS!
Mike, you must be pretty tough to be able to cut down an oak with a pruning saw! Thank goodness it was the patio and not you that took the brunt of it. We lost 23 big old elms down at the farm last December. First came an ice storm, next morning 70 mph winds, the tree tops were all broken and the trunks split. Hubby worked for months this year cleaning up the mess. The last tree he did was the biggest, he climbed up into the tree to cut off some branches, one fell on his ladder and he was stuck in the tree. Fortunately he still had one branch left and I was able to throw a rope up to him so he could tie the rope on the branch and slide down.
We cussed those messy trees for years, but now we’re sad that they’re gone. Won’t miss pulling thousands of baby elms out of my gardens every single spring or picking up branches, but from a distance they were lovely and shady. Really changed the scenery.
Scott, it’s time for winter fun with the kiddies, hot chocolate, snowmen and sledding. My kids always liked to make little snow sculptures that we could light up with our old Christmas lights. Just plug them in a couple of times and they are happy and on to their next ideas.
Almost forgot, our neighbor used to make a big snowman football player and used his a sprayer his wife had for cake decorating to spray food coloring on it so it had Packer colors. He also sprayed his kids snow angel wings, pink for his daughter’s and blue for his son’s.
Missy: My chain saw broke the year before and I’ve been too lazy to replace it. The pruner is one of those electric models on a pole and not the best thing to use on a tree that big but it did work. But then the blade that the chain runs on broke when the tree fell and I had to clean up the mess with a bow saw.
I don’t recommend anyone else to try my method. Save yourself the headache and spend the $300 the tree people would charge to do it.
@Missy: Yes, I’ve heard of Ken Knudson. Hope someday you’re able to reconnect with Karl.
@Mike’s America:
Illegals?
Illegals would charge $200. But if the tree falls on one and kills him you have to bury him in the backyard.
Well since we’re on the topic… Scroll down to “Bob And Tom – Mr Obvious – The Dishwasher” near the bottom of this link and click the plus sign for a good laugh.
http://www.dizzler.com/index.search.dv8?q=Bob+And+Tom&pg=2
http://flash.vg.no/grafikk/2008/bush/kast_sko.html
This is the “throw a shoe on Bush” -game.
In the upper curve you adjust the angle.
In the lower curve you adjust the strength.
And if that wasn’t it, this guy has 3 shoes!
(When it pops yellow you have a hit, when it is red you must throw again)
Kast skoen = Throw the shoe
Kast igjen = Throw again