Has Gordon Brown endorsed Obama?
As the outside world gets increasingly nervous about the prospects of Obama losing (prospects which, frankly, are neither increased nor decreased by recent events I suspect) this is an interesting aside.
Gordon Brown and John McCain share a temper (according to those who claim to know) but little else it seems.
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Justin - although the polls might just be on McCain's side, at the moment the Electoral College calculations show Obama ahead. I hope that on Guy Fawkes Day I shall not have to say "I told you say" concerning the choice of the vice-presidential candidate. I think that now can be seen as a blunder.
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I can't see where Brown endorses Obama in that link; it looks more like Brown hoping he can prove that he wasnt a bad Chancellor as Obama is also admitting there are faults in the Global economy. Whether McCain or Obama win the US election, one thing for certain is that Brown and New Labour are going to lose the next UK election.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Buses come to mind!
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I've never heard of The Monitor, and can't find a website for it (there are lots of Monitors), but I'm pretty sure most American voters do not care what any UK PM thinks about our presidential candidates.
Doesn't Mr. Brown need to worry about getting a proper mandate of his own?
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Why would I possibly care whether someone from a country other than my own
endorses Obama or McCain. It makes no difference to me when government officials inside the States endorse a candidate. I read and listen and cast my own vote. Please stay out of our politics. British politicians are getting carried away with their own perceived importance.
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One thing I find interesting about this election year is that Mr. Harper, the PM of Canada, has just called an election and the whole process, including change of government if necessary, will be completed before our own (US) election day.
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Gary_A_Hill -
Ah, but that's what makes our contests so darned interesting!
It wouldn't be any fun if we didn't get to play the politics game for 2 years.
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Gary-
Besides, I've heard there are only like 47 people in all of Canada. It's gotta be pretty easy to coordinate that election. ;)
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Has Gordon Brown endorsed Obama? Hopefully no foreign leader will endorse Obama because that could very well prove to be a kiss of death. If there is one thing that antagonizes Americans is meddling in our internal affairs.
The fact that we intervene, diplomatically and physically, in the affairs of other nations does not mean we welcome even the most benign endorsement from foreign leaders, including allies.
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Has any leader outside the U.S. expressed enthusiasm for McCain?
Not to my knowledge.
Goodness knows Obama is popular among citizens of other countries. I know that fact doesn't affect most Americans' perception of the candidates; but while others' perceptions of the U.S. candidates shouldn't decide Americans' opinions, it's still a pity that most Americans seem not to care at all about the nation's relationship with the rest of the world. Except when it comes to dominance.
Maybe we Americans with more international ties see this whole thing differently.
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Perhaps more interesting, if you asked him, is whether Cameron would endorse McCain. I suspect not: Cameron and Obama are cut from the same cloth, and Cameron would find a way to equivocate.
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10, DV
If there is one thing that antagonizes Americans is meddling in our internal affairs.
It's just such a pity that the US almost sytematically does it in other countries where it feels it has 'an interest', especially if their relationship is ambiguous.
But your point is taken.
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ref #11
We care about the relationship, but most of us don't think that if the EU came out and endorsed a canidate it should matter anymore than a celeb's endorsement.
The problem will be for Obama if a European news source does what they did for Kerry and openly campaigns for him.
The British idiot on MTV did Obama no favors.
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#5. Gary_A_Hill: "I've never heard of The Monitor, and can't find a website for it" It's a publication of the British House of Commons, more properly called the Parliamentary Monitor. The current cover and article quoted is shown towards the right side of the site.
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11, AnyPenny
I can't understand why others don't think about it either. I don't particularly have many ties outside of the US, but even I can see that we're all on the same planet and we need to live with one another somehow.
Acting self important and getting indignant whenever another country voices an opinion doesn't help anything.
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Brown is effectively dead in the water right now. An endorsement from him is of no value to anyone.
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I agree that many Americans would disagree with foreign leaders endorsing political candidates. On the other hand, Brown's endorsement may not only turn off conservatives (small-c, since they're American). If there are people in the USA who prefer Old Labour to New Labour, this could turn them off as well.
The only non-US political figure likely to endorse McCain is Mikhail Saakashvili.
(Personal note: I consider both Tony Blair and Mikhail Saakashvili to be among my least favourite people. Also, despite being an American, I'm using British spelling on this British blog.)
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David (#15), thank you. Then Mr. Brown is writing for a UK readership. I see nothing presumptuous about that, at all.
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Once again Europe will cost the Dems the election. Shhh Europe don't get involved, stay out of our politics - it just pisses most americans off! Give Obama a chance.
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After reading the original article, following the link kindly provided by Mr. Cunard, I see that Mr. Brown is actually writing for a New Labour readership, in anticipation of an upcoming party conference, and the focus is on New Labour policies, not the US election. Nothing objectionable about that.
Mr. Webb has stirred up a lot of American readers for nothing, I think, which could have been avoided had his original item explained the context. Then, I suppose stirring things up is what this blog is all about.
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Believe it or not, the citizens of the United States that are actually voting in our Presidential election have ZERO interest or concern about what "the rest of the world" wants with regard to who we elect as our President.
It's obvious that there are a lot of countries that despise the United States for many reasons, and therefore have a vested interest in supporting the Presidential candidate that would weaken or otherwise damage the United States politically or financially.
There are many, many countries in the world - particularly throughout Europe - that can owe THEIR FREEDOM to men and women from the United States who fought and died there against tyranny and FOR freedom. Unfortunately that reality and that history seems to elude most of the citizenry of Europe these days.
So do us all a favor. We don't interfere in your elections, stay out of ours. We are not interested in changing our country into a socialist state like most of Europe is becoming. This is not sustainable, and simply does not work, as most of you are now realizing.
Good luck with all of that.
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One reason many people in other countries don't much like us is our self-righteousness.
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The opinion expressed by PM Gordon Brown reflect the feelings of most world leaders and investors, and anyone who have taken the time to examine Obama's fiscal and economic proposals.
However, from a campaign perspective the most important endorsement of his domestic agenda is the fact that several prominent Republican and Independent fiscal conservatives have joined the Obama campaign team in a clear rejection of policies that are nothing more than an endorsement of the current failed policies that are bankrupting our country and destroying our economy.
Hopefully we will put an end to the liberal borrow and spend fiscal policies of the Bush Administration before further and irreversible damage is done to our country. We must stop giving tax breaks to corporations and the wealthiest Americans who instead of reciprocating by making their products and services more affordable keep raising them, regulation and oversight must be restored, interest rates should remain low, and we must attempt to raise the value of our currency to promote foreign investment and improve our balance of payments.
Obama's economic and fiscal proposals, which include tax reductions for the middle class, should restore consumer confidence, should generate investment, promote growth and should produce new jobs; but progress will be tenuous as a result of the damage already done.
Hopefully Obama will manage to focus our attention on domestic policies, and shift our focus from POWs, pit bulls, unwanted pregnancies and other such issues to matters that are critical to our future.
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Seems like some Americans don't like foreigners commenting on their internal politics. Annoying isn't it?
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If the Community Organizer was any further to the left...he'd be Canadian
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#22 - JeffRoe:
"Believe it or not, the citizens of the United States that are actually voting in our Presidential election have ZERO interest or concern about what "the rest of the world" wants with regard to who we elect as our President. "
I do believe that, and therein lies the problem.
The US presidency is too important globally to leave it to the US citicens. ;)
"There are many, many countries in the world - particularly throughout Europe - that can owe THEIR FREEDOM to men and women from the United States who fought and died there against tyranny and FOR freedom."
The Russians actually won WW II, with the Brits being a close second; granted, they have been supported by the US factory workers quite a bit .
After that, or before that, I don't recall any effort made by the US to fight for freedom.
And even back then, I can't help but to believe the reasons to chime in were sort of political, not moral, and about gaining power in the future.
A luxury re. decission making one can not afford if his nation might become involved in a war carried out on its own soil.
Good for you, I guess.
Sorry about the rant, but that silly old argument gets me a bit upset.
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I doubt many Americans have heard of Gordon Brown. If Tony Blair endorsed, it might mean something, but as already mentioned, they don't care what foreigners think
Anyway, in addition to the flip flop on the bridge to nowhere, earmarks, troopergate etc, other things are emerging. She's not the wonder woman some people think she is at the moment. That lipstick gloss will gradually start to wear off...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/johnmccain/2712570/John-McCain-running-mate-Sarah-Palin-claims-expenses-for-nights-spent-at-home.html
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First off, let me just say that I don't agree one iota with those Americans who tell the Europeans (and other foreigners) to "stay out of our business!!" I care very much what they think of us, and for the life of me can't understand why an endorsement of a candidate by a foreign leader (or the leader of the opposition in another country, particularly if said country is our only ally left on this earth!) would infuriate so many Americans so much that they would kill that candidate's chances of entering the white house at the balad box!! Don't you all realise that we're not the only country on earth? Don't you realise that whether we like it or not, for now we are the most powerful country on earth, and as such, other citizens of other countries (and yes leaders too!) are going to have an opinion on our election and that they have just as much a right to express those opinions as we Americans do? God! Would a foreigner ever chastise an American for commenting on their election? Of course not! Grow up and get over yourselves!! It is your pompous, self richous attitudes that is one of the strongest fewelers of anti-American sentament!! To all foreign readers reading these comments, I appologize!! They don't represent all Americans!!
That having been said, Justin, what do you think the outside world will do if McCain wins? They'll disown us won't they? They will completely and utterly walk away and not look back!!
I honestly just dearly hope that is just me fretting too much, but seriously if McCain wins...if we think we have troubles on the international stage now...if McCain wins, well, it'll be as if we have transformed into Iran overnight!!
America under McCain...the beacon of despair!
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The BBC has run its own poll about overseas views on the US election. Doesn't Justin Webb know that ? Left hand, right hand ?
It shows overwhelming support for Obama. I hope the McCain campaign puts it to good use. The kiss of death for obama's campaign - just like the Guardian's attempted interfence last time round.
Presubaly the Europeans like his appeasing, moral equivocating tone.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/09/2360240.htm?section=world
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It is outrageous for a British Prime Minister to make a public statement like that. It shows an amazing lack of diplomatic tact. If the US president made such a statement, it would be deemed completely inappropriate on both sides of the Atlantic.
It is also likely to backfire.
Iam from Pennsylvania and for the first time in my life I am personally offended by the pathetic grovelling British Government.
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@22
"Believe it or not, the citizens of the United States that are actually voting in our Presidential election have ZERO interest or concern about what "the rest of the world" wants with regard to who we elect as our President."
You speak for 126million people?
""It's obvious that there are a lot of countries that despise the United States for many reasons, and therefore have a vested interest in supporting the Presidential candidate that would weaken or otherwise damage the United States politically or financially."
There are also a lot of countries that like the US and have a vested interest in the election. We hope that if the US economy gets back on its feet there will be a knock on effect and things will pick up here too. I know its one of the reasons im paying attention and hoping for an Obama win.
"There are many, many countries in the world - particularly throughout Europe - that can owe THEIR FREEDOM to men and women from the United States who fought and died there against tyranny and FOR freedom. Unfortunately that reality and that history seems to elude most of the citizenry of Europe these days."
You embarrass the memory and heroism of the many US and Allied forces that fought and died TOGETHER to deafeat tyranny with that ignorance.
"So do us all a favor. We don't interfere in your elections, stay out of ours. We are not interested in changing our country into a socialist state like most of Europe is becoming. This is not sustainable, and simply does not work, as most of you are now realizing.
Good luck with all of that."
Can the US economy sustain another 5 years of incompetence on the level of Bush in McCain and Pailin??
I hope you/we dont have to.
So good luck with all of that ; )
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I make my decisions about a candidate based on my own perceptions and beliefs but after the past years of Bush and what McCain and Palin promise us, I am very willing to hear the input of those outside the US. After all, many of them have had to suffer with us for the current government's failed policies. It is a very small world, good people. None of us live in a vacuum. Survive together or die alone.
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All the latest polls show McCain leading, some by as much as 10 points. Most importantly, on the issue of personal attributes, which is usually the deciding factor, McCain is leading by over 20 points.
I don't know if Gov. Palin was chosen by McCain, campaign strategists or the GOP leadership but whomever did it deserves a pay raise!
The size and enthusiasm of the crowds attending the stump speeches of the candidates are the opposite to the pre-Palin days. I think any objective observer will agree that the electorate has been "Palinized".
Sales of the glasses she wears have skyrocketed, and Palin action figures are now one of the hottest items in the market.
Unless Obama does something very dramatic within the next few days he is history, and Biden will just be a caption in our history books.
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Americans whining because they don't like the idea of non-Americans having any influence on American politics? We're going to have to invent an entirely new word for this. "Irony" just doesn't come close.
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Ref 29
"I honestly just dearly hope that is just me fretting too much, but seriously if McCain wins...if we think we have troubles on the international stage now...if McCain wins, well, it'll be as if we have transformed into Iran overnight!!"
If McCain/Palin win, which is very likely, and I was in Ahmadinejad and Chavez' shoes, I would hurry up and get a better life insurance.
BTW, you are not the only one that values the opinion of our friends overseas. Unfortunately, for better or worse, those opinions and/or endorsements, are not welcome by most Americans and are quite often detrimental to the recipient.
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US readers might be interested in dismissive comments last Friday by a former very senior BBC executive about Sarah Palin. Scroll diown a bit to get the flavour:
http://biased-bbc.blogspot.com/2008/09/more-on-sarah-palin.html
Leftie views are endemic at the BBC. And we her are forced to pay for all the bias - in spite of a Royal Charter requirement on the BBC to be impartial.
The statements at the right hand side of the blog are all by senior BBC presenters, past and present.
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Be fair to Gordon Brown though - he is nowhere near as socialist as Obama.
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You must have thought the rednecks were kidding when they only say God Bless America.
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To 'MarkfromOxford (#13) and others, America's involvement (be it diplomatically or militarily) in the affairs of other countries (involvement which I wholeheartatly disagree with for the most part!!) is a result of the current ocupant of the white house's policies and beliefs. It is not a result of what the average American on the street thinks about the candidates in another country's election. You are compareing apples to oranges. If Americans offten commented strongly on other countries's elections and electoral processes, but those same Americans who felt the need to comment so freely in the same breath expressed disapointment and disgust at foreigners feeling the need to comment on the US election, then I see where you are comeing from, find it hipacritical, and completely disagree with those Americans's sentaments!! But the above mentioned instances do not stack up, and I feel do not warrant fair criticism.
AnyPenny (#11): David Cameron (the leader of the opposition Tories in the UK) has actually endorsed McCain on Super Tuesday (February 5th) of this year, as is explained in this Tellegraph article:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1576478/David-Cameron-backs-John-McCain-in-US-race.html
MarkfromOxford (#12): You'd be surprised. Apparently McCain and Cameron have more of the basics with respect to the political leanings of their parties in common, while it is also true that Cameron and Obama have the 'encouragement of personal responsibility and involvement in the comunity from citizens in common. Either way, it'll be one interesting first summet!!
O and Justin, 'Brown and McCain share a temper? Really? Are we talking about the same Brown?
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American superpower/ rest of the world leaders!
--------------------------------
Bush,Mc'Cain / winston churchill. gladstone, jawaharlal nehru, Degaulle, etc etc. !!!
Palin / margaret thatcher,indira gandhi, golda meir etc, etc !!!
Americans don't get it!Amazing!
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Why should anyone in the US or Great Britain care what Gordon Brown thinks?
There has been a long history of British PMs, and, by any objective standard, Gordon Brown would rank much nearer the bottom than the top of any such list.
Mr. Brown has distinguished himself as PM only by his mediocrity. In addition, since Tony Blair has often been referred to as Bush's poodle, it is probably not inappropriate to refer to Gordon Brown as the poodle's poodle.
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I find it very interesting that Bush is now doing what Obama advised months ago, that is: withdrawing troops from Iraq and sending more troops to Afghanistan. Will Bush and McCain take the credit for what Obama has been saying all along? Just a question.
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CirylCroydon #28: Any American, such as myself, with a firm (or even passing) interest in international affairs and the US's relationship with the rest of the world knows who Gordan Brown is. That having been said, I wonder, would the average Britain care one way or the other if the average American expressed their opinions on either Brown, Clegg, or Cameron during a general election in Britain? Thanks
DominickVila #34: Try to have faith!!
DominickVila #36: Your not kidding!! And yes, that is very sad.
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Ref 38
"Be fair to Gordon Brown though - he is nowhere near as socialist as Obama".
I suggest you go to the Obama website and take a close look at his proposals. Even his much maligned health care solution involves using insurance companies as healthcare service providers. What specific policy do you consider socialist?
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mdeymd (#41): I'm sorry, but I don't quite understand just what your getting at. Call me another dumb yank, but please explain.
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43 aquarizonagal
Bush is moving troops because the surge has largely succeeded. That's the surge that Obama opposed, said wouldn't work. The surge he still says hasn't worked.
Obama and Biden wanted to throw in the towel in Iraq. That's the Obama who virtually never visited Iraq until forced to by McCain. The Obama who chairs a sub-committee on Afghanistan that has never convened.
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This is the second report I have seen today about Obama running into money problems, having to divert his time to fundraising. In this case - having to spend precious campaigning time time in Beverly Hills with the glitterati, that'll look good !
http://tinyurl.com/6fomwu
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Do people really believe that Obama is the best candidate? Let's see, he supports Weather Underground and his cousin in Kenya is responsible for killing Christians during a Sunday morning church service and Obama never denounced it. So just because the
man says change, who is going to have to change and who is going to benefit by the "change"?
Barack Obama is offering nothing to the nation he is supposed to care about leading and instead posturing for the rest of the world to look at him being such an international man about town, but as pretty as he is making himself look for you all, the more Americans he is harming. And he is running for American president, not world overlord. But if that's what you want then you can have him.
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For those (lazy?) posters who have not actually read what Gordon Brown wrote, the article (see #15) directed at his own party members, mentions the contributions by Australian and New Zealand leaders as "progressive" politicians "And in the electrifying US presidential campaign, it is the Democrats who are generating the ideas to help people through more difficult times. To help prevent people from losing their home, Barack Obama has proposed a Foreclosure Prevention Fund to increase emergency pre-foreclosure counselling, and help families facing repossession."
That hardly is an endorsement of Mr Obama for president, simply an acknowledgement that he has a proposal. To read anything more into it is ludicrous.
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The McCain campaign have complained that "Brown praised Obama and didn't mention McCain"
I heard it on the World Service
;-)
ed
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JohnAAA
Obama does not have money problems. This is just another example of media rumors. The Republicans just wish that this was really true.
The Surge! The Surge! The Surge!
We could do this as a chant. The Iraqi government has asked us to leave. Afghanistan is becoming very unstable. The political winds of change are blowing very cold for George Bush and the Republicans. Even his own party did not want him at their convention which was an insult to a standing president. Maybe Bush would like to not see himself completely pilloried in the history books. Whatever? Bush is doing what Obama has talked about months ago. I am sure that the Republicans will take credit that all is RIGHT now in the world!
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MAII (#26), in the words of that memorable left-wing Canadian, Pierre Trudeau:
"I have been called worse things by better men."
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jephston (#31), did you read the original statement? He was writing to his New Labour Party colleagues, not to US voters. Why is that outrageous? Why can't members of a political party in another country say anything they want to each other? Seems to me it is you who are interfering in their political business, not the reverse.
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Obama looked insipid on ABC, says a Dem journalist in the Washington Post ? Not good :
http://tinyurl.com/6rsn3a
LA Times columnist says TeamObama is rattled :
http://tinyurl.com/59t52f
Criticism of Gordon Brown's blunder :
http://tinyurl.com/6fy443
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#49, karakittle, can you provide some proof
of your claims regarding Obama?
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It almost hardly matters who wins. What's about to happen will not be under the control of either of them and their reactions wouldn't be all that different. The importance of the President in the tide of American history is often vastly overstated. The bail out of Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac last Sunday is an example. They got into trouble without the President's help and they got rescued without the President's hand. 5.4 tillion dollars of home mortgages, half that of the entire US are held between them.
The US economy, about 28% of the entire world's is two thirds driven by consumers. That part of the US economy is on a fixed track now. American consumers' personal finances are currently being driven by escalating non discretionary costs such as housing, energy, food, medical insurance and by fear of job loss, reduced personal net worth, etc. It is beyond the power of the President or Congress to affect it much, the tax stimulus was their one shot at it and its effect is largely over. (A national health insurance plan will not change the cost of medical care for America, it will just change the distribution of how it is paid for.)
The Federal Reserve has just about exhausted what it can do too. The fate of the US economy and the world's is up to the Treasury. And it has already been decided just the way it's been since the great depression. The way for the US to avoid a major recession is for the Treasury to print vast quantities of mony devaluing the currency and all dollar denominated fixed debt with it. This will drive US interest rates up and the value of the US dollar down. Bad news for lenders like banks, foreign holders of US government obligations, foreign exporters to the US, American importers and great news for borrowers at fixed rates including struggling homeowners with a fixed rate mortgage, exporters, and the biggest debtor of all, the US government. That is the principle of it, pay back expensive debt with cheap easy to get dollars. This happens about every ten or fifteen years. The only difference this time is that the numbers will be so huge.
Seems Iraq is becoming less of an issue. The US will draw down troops, the only difference between McCain and Obama is how fast (Obama might not be so quick to walk out of Iraq if he actually had to face the consequences of being responsible for allowing the Iraqi government to collapse) and more will be sent to Afghanistan because there is no choice. The rest of NATO is not pulling its weight (except for Britain) and the situation is deteriorating.
Non Americans can watch as spectators but they can't play. Anyone from the outside such as Gordon Brown or BBC who tries to affect the outcome of the game by running out on the field will at most cost penalty points to the side they are trying to help. And if they actually do interfere, they might just get thrown out of the stadium. Right Nick Robinson? Well he wasn't actually ejected but...he should have been. Hey Nick, ever get invited back to the White House after your little "incident?"
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47, JohnAAA.
It is only to trump Obama that Bush is pullin troups out of Iraq. .
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Gary-Ahill
"MAII (#26), in the words of that memorable left-wing Canadian, Pierre Trudeau:
"I have been called worse things by better men.""
Well yes, I could have called him....a Brit. Hahahaha.
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DominickVila #45: But to be fair, the only reason (I suspect) why Obama isn't perposeing an American-styled NHS is because our country is just simply too big (both geographicly and population wise) for it to be affective.
I do find it somewhat embarrissing though that Brown knows every minute detail of our failing and faultering economy. I wonder how the news would be recieved in the UK if Bush (or perhaps Clinton when he was in office) were to comment on the details of the UK economy and give their opinion on the Tory's plans to fix it. Interesting thought.
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Folks, if you do enough research on Obama's philosophy, and the philosophy of his mentors - those he chose to associate with - and those who had the longest and strongest influence in his life, you will find that Obama, at heart, adheres to Marxist philosophy.
Obama has been mentored to throughout his life by believers in socialism, communism, as well as former bonafide terrorists (William Ayers). The left (aka, Liberals, Democrats) will have you believe this is simply the old "guilt by association" trick and does not mean anything. Really? I think every father and mother has at some time in their lives even taught their children about how important it is to choose carefully the people you associate with "lest you be judged". And for good reason. This is common sense.
For some good insight into this, read "The Obama Nation: Leftist Politics and the Cult of Personality" by Jerome Corsi. (Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in this book)
For an even deeper real-world example into how Obama thinks, check out this article:
http://www.therealitycheck.org/2008/08/30/obama-and-domestic-terrorist-ad-campaign-examines-the-relationship
It's obvious, for anyone capable of impartial objectivity, that Obama is way beyond Socialism. If you listen carefully and decrypt the political rhetoric, it is quite clear he wants to take money out of some American citizen's pockets and put into other American citizen's pockets. But that's just the beginning.
America's largest social programs (Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security) are U.S. Government obligations into the future of an estimated $57 trillion (US). The U.S. Department of Health and Human services has reported for the last 3 years that Medicaid and Medicare are on the brink of failure, and that Social Security will collapse within 20 years.
And yet, Obama has already proposed programs and entitlements that will cost over $1 Billion (US).
The more one digs into Obama's past, the more questions about his character and flawed world view are raised. And he and his cronies are doing everything possible to prevent this information from getting out - including the unprecedented action of making formal requests to the U.S. Justice Department to investigate and (unbelievably) PROSECUTE the financial contributors to advertisements raising some of the concerns about his background.
Ever heard the term "Freedom Of Speech"? It's a constitutionally protected right in the United States Constitution.
Are you starting to get the picture now? Open your eyes and let some light in.
Good luck with all of that.
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I have a notification that the Republican supporting Newsmax Magazine for September has an article headed "Dick Morris warns of Obama victory in his electoral map." Looks good to me!
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Some posts here claim to speak for all Americans saying we don't care what anyone else in the world thinks. Not true, not by a long shot. There are many of us who realize that the USA is a citizen of the world and not the dictator. In such a dangerous place it is to our benefit to have allies. This is not weak self loathing but a reasoned acceptance of facts. I can't say for certain who will win this election, but there are those of us who will continue to work for a change to the corrupt and dangerous policies of the Republicans.
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Justin - I have always trusted the BBC to offer impartial reporting and your obvious support for Obama over the McCain / Palin ticket is shocking to me. Comments such as "put lipstick on a pig, and it is still a pig" are a true reflection on the man you support (and claim the rest of the world suports) and deeply offensive to a large number of Americans, clearly referring (in a sexist manner) to Sarah Palin. This is the reason Obama will lose in November. Please make you reporting more objective, or else sign off.
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#49. karakittle wrote: "his cousin in Kenya is responsible for killing Christians during a Sunday morning church service" Just where do you get that information? As JohnAAA would say, this is an outrageous smear. Repeating it makes you and others who do so look desperate, but then, Republicans are.
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Gordo is for Obama? What an endorsement for McCain. Gordon Brown sole billions from people's personal pension funds, wrecked the economy, does nothing about the UK being flooded with immigrants and committed treason by signing the anti-democratic Lisbon Treaty.
I wouldn't trust Gordon Brown to run a lemonade stand, and wouldn't want his endorsement on anything I do.
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David Cunard
Just an aside - you asked on the earlier "Disappointment" thread about Simon21 playiing the racist card today. I have posted 4 specific instances in posts 1361 and 1362 there, to answer your question. You seem to have glided over his race-baiting behaviour today.
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I wonder if the BBC fully understands how much headlines like:
"Obama win preferred in world poll "
actually help John McCain?
The only thing that Mr. Brown could do to help Senator Obama is to remain silent and in the words of Benjamin Franklin "...merely be though a fool..."
A sizable percentage the U.S. electorate deeply resents outside interference in our internal politics. I understand that Europe has a stake in the outcome however.
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Gordon Brown loves Obama?
This means two things:
1. All the more reason for us here to vote Republican, and
2. All the more reason for our British cousins to vote Conservative.
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Since this is the blog of the North America Editor, will we be hearing about the election going on up here in Canada?
If you find a map of the US and look above, it's right there. if you reach the North Pole, you've gone too far.
Just one blog post would be nice. We are feeling left out.
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The civilized World needs to develop a "plan B".
Assume McCain/PALIN get in and thus America continues down the tubes.
The World must reorganize and find better leadership.
Step One is to get the UN and other international organizations out of the USA.
Montreal is a quick, logistically favorable destination.
Strassburg could (and should) send its EU session back to Bruxelles. It will then have the facilities ready for the UN.
If Eastern oil funding could be found, Scandanavia has leaders capable of leading an internationalized World.
Any better ideas?
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Newsweek is fairly and properly looking at the various rumours about Sarah Palin and is keeping a log. It says all the rumours so far are false - and then prints complete rebuttals.
www.newsweek.com/id/157986
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I'm with #63 Paul_Fulghum, it's what I was trying to say but he said it better.
Thanks #40 NoRashDecisions for the info on Cameron/McCain. I was curious.
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#67. JohnAAA: reference "playing the race card" you write "I have posted 4 specific instances in posts 1361 and 1362." I checked these and can't see anything remotely connected with a "race card". It appears that you object to Mr Obama's colour ever being mentioned; in that case no one should mistake Mrs Palin for a female. To note that she is the first of her sex to be nominated as a Republican vice-presidential candidate must also be sexist, wouldn't you agree? The fact of the matter is that both these nominations are greatly different to what America is accustomed, so mentioning them is understandable, whether from one poster or several.
#64. California_Brit: "I have always trusted the BBC to offer impartial reporting" You do your fellow California Brits a disservice since it appears you do not understand what a blog is. It is not "impartial reporting" but a forum for discussion, often lively and partisan. Not "news". As Harry Truman said, 'if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.'
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26, staphylococcus aureus.
If Obama were further to the left, he wouldn't be in Canada, he'd be in the Pacific, dummy.
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26, s. aureus.
My last comment should have said Community Organizer, not Obama. I don't take back that I called you "dummy."
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What does it matter to me, an American miles and miles away, whom a failed British PM endorses? A non- citizen of the US should not be telling us Americans who to vote for. We don't interfere in your politics, even when your current PM is less than stellar. The more the world cries OBAMA!the more Americans will vote McCain. Mark my words.
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67, JohnAAA.
How could calling a black man "black" be racist? We could call him "white," but that would be pretty stupid.
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Palin has energised the conservative base and has attracted the Reagan Democrats and have grabbed the woman vote( 20 point swing).
Americans detest socialist candidates and Obama has revealed himself to be just that.
Although you Euro's see a seemingly bright well spoken candidate in Obama, he is an empty suit with a number of nefarious "friends". His bubble has burst. His Presidential run has peaked, the American people have pulled the curtain on "the wizard of Oz."
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"I do believe that, and therein lies the problem.
The US presidency is too important globally to leave it to the US citicens."
Fritz Kraut:
Thanks for the patronizing nonsense.
While I understand the interest of other nations in our elections, it is anti-American insults like this that make us want to slam the door.
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68, Windy.
Before reading your comment I never thought about whether or not Americans cared what the world thought about their election. Off the cuff I should think they would be flattered at gettig so much attention.
But you have another view and I would like to know your thinking.
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imranazo:
"Seems like some Americans don't like foreigners commenting on their internal politics. Annoying isn't it?"
When the comments are petty insults, it certainly is annoying, but we have become patient with the spiteful and childish anti-Americanism of recent years.
But there is no question we are heading towards isolationism, so you'll have to find another nation to whine about.
No doubt you will succeed.
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Heaven Forbid, look what Tony Blair did for George Bush.
Not in this article but according to Sean Hannity, Barack h Obama is the choice of all twenty two,.. Muslim countries,... Is Neoenglandastan near to Formerfrancistan?
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"I can't understand why others don't think about it either. I don't particularly have many ties outside of the US, but even I can see that we're all on the same planet and we need to live with one another somehow.
Acting self important and getting indignant whenever another country voices an opinion doesn't help anything."
Anypenny:
And neither does self-righteous posturing and smugger-than-thou lectures.
Open disagreement is fine, but clucking and finger-wagging is nauseating stuff.
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72, JohnAAA.
If the rumors are false why hasn't McCain sued the National Enquirer? They would love to win anothr case in court. And what is Newsweek's stake in all this? Just because it isn't a "rag," doesn't mean it doesn't have its own bias.
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"It is your pompous, self richous attitudes that is one of the strongest fewelers of anti-American sentament!! To all foreign readers reading these comments, I appologize!! They don't represent all Americans!!"
No reash decisions:
Ye gods!
You apparently ignored your own forum name when you posted this.
Spare me this wallow in self-indulgent masochism and hysterical left-wing self-pity. You sound like Obama doing his routine in Berlin.
It's fine to hear the opinions of others, but when those opinions becomes sarcastic and obnoxious, they are not acceptable.
And by the way - apologize for YOURSELF and your own antics.
You speak for no one but yourself, least of all me.
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79, cambones.
"Americans detest socialist candidates...." We are a socialist nation in case you haven't noticed. That we don't say so, doesn't change the fact.
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71, Xie.
Sorry, Xie, there is no utopia on this earth. Any nation you mention has its own problems.
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60, NoRash.
The UK economy isn't doing so well either.
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61. At 03:28am on 10 Sep 2008, JeffRoe
Great post.
Like the link and especially this little part from "The Reality Check":
WSJ on how Palin beat the 'establishment'.
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70, canuk.
I know you don't love us, Canada, but we love you.
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"Americans whining because they don't like the idea of non-Americans having any influence on American politics? We're going to have to invent an entirely new word for this. "Irony" just doesn't come close"
Habitual Hero:
Brits whining because their insults, mockery and contempt are not taken as seriously as you would like?
How very difficult for you.
Here is a suggestion: Concern yourself with your own nation and your own government. Save your insults for your fellow Brits.
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I am an American and am embarrassed to see the responses of some of my compatriots..To say "we don't interfere in your/other nations' politics" demonstrates how the individual is in a bliss. Certainly we've done great things, but by the same token we have done some very dreadful things. Our international alliances are in shambles, Bush has denigrated our image as a nation, and has been a devastating embarrassment for Americans.. Those of us who realize this aren't the lunatics jumping up and down screaming out imbecilic chants like "drill baby drill" or "the surge"..I cringe when I hear people joyfully chiming in..Of COURSE Obama would be the better of the two because he has the presence to make a difference and try and restore our foreign alliances.We have to go back to using DIPLOMACY, not brute strength. And indeed foreign opinions DO matter to MANY of us. I consult BBC because our news alternatives (one of them coincidentally consisting of 3 letters) are blatantly pro-republican (McCain/Palin). I think that if the day came where Miss Hockey Mom would have her chance as a president, it will be the end of us. She is far from presidential material (I fear for McCain's health), but would definitely make a great national PTA ambassador..God help us. I agree with #63, as do many, many other Americans who don't post in this blog..
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30, JohnAAA.
This comment sounds very involved. You told me you just presented the facts and followed events. No more. I wonder why I don't believe that.
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The Party of Change can even conduct itself in a civilised manner at the Republican convention. Odd how this wasn't a problem at the "Other" convention, and there was no 'civil unrest' by the "Right Guys".
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MAII, saw you at... shhhh, I think I saw a wabbit.
So how far into the woods can you go?
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The McCain camp is pathetic. They ignore the substantive issues and just continually drone on about 9/11 and McCain being a POW. As if that is what makes a President. Then they nominate Palin who is inexperienced, a liar (concerning the 'bridge to nowhere'), and an extremist by most international standards.
First McCain uses a gimmick to boost his flagging campaign, and now he basically steals Obama's idea of being an agent of change. The Republicans will do anything to win, and unfortunately they have for the past 2 elections.
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I can't understand why everyone is so het up about Europe taking an interest in our elections. Our choice will affect relationships all around the world.
Anyway, a lot of it is our fault. If we had a rational campaign period, lasting two or three months, instead of two years, by the time the world got interested, it would all be over.
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canukqc, Justin appears to be a little busy
at the moment, but you could of course fill
in with a post or 2.
We're hoping that politics somehow becomes
more rational north of the border.
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#95, DT, interesting article, but what is an
"anticaplitalista?" Is that someone without
any money?
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TimothyR444- 82, Mere opinions on the US election are not 'petty insults' and 'childish anti-Americanism'. Seeing as so many Americans have no qualms meddling in the affairs of every single other country in the world, whether it is militarily, politically and/or economically, one should be forgiven for a few comments on a blog.
And kindly spare us the 'threat' of American isolationism. The world doesn't live in fear of Americans abandoning the rest of us. Besides, America needs the rest of the world at least as much as the world needs America.
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With all due respect, Gordon Brown is the last person to comment on any elections be it in the USA or Zimbabwe because he is an unelected prime minister.
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imranazo, the left hand doesn't know what the
right hand is doing... or even know that there is
a right hand.
We don't mean to meddle, we just don't know
what our government is doing, and sometimes
it appears that they do not, either.
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101, imranazo.
Bravo. Bravissimo.
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#27 Fritz_Kraut
"The Russians actually won WW II, with the Brits being a close second; granted, they have been supported by the US factory workers quite a bit .
After that, or before that, I don't recall any effort made by the US to fight for freedom."
You show a comprehensive ignorance of historical facts... Perhaps your user name underscores a rationale for lacking education in that area. I've heard the Japanese also gloss over WWII history in their schooling.
OK, I've had my rant now too.
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#102. truechampswintitles: "Gordon Brown is the last person to comment on any elections be it in the USA or Zimbabwe because he is an unelected prime minister."
Whether British, American or any other nationality, you have a very poor understanding of the British electoral and constitutional system. Britain does not vote for a prime minister - he or she is the one who can command a majority in the House of Commons. Most often these days it is the Leader of the party concerned, but if something unexpected happened to Mr Brown, or any other prime minister, it would be up to the monarch, having taken advice, to ask someone to form a government in her name. Despite Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair, the office of prime minister is not to be equated with that of the President of the United States; Parliament is supreme.
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100, guns.
"Anticapitalista" is a girl without money, because it ends in "a."
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Calling all European politicians - please keep on endorsing our fussy celebrity messiah- it can only help McCain!
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I for one believe it is vital for the U.S. to work on it's relationship with the world. However, Obama is not the man to lead our country. Is McCain going to do so? I don't know. But he's far better the candidate to lead us. Obama ruined it for himself. If only he hadn't let his ego take control, we'd have a very dedicated, hard working Woman as our President, a black man as our Vice President, eight years of prosperity and unity with most of the world, and THEN if Vice President Obama still wanted the job, it would be all his for the taking. Now he has shattered that chance.
And just for the record, most Americans are worried about fixing our country first than what the rest of you are thinking. People biting off more than they can chew on a mortgage, complaining that their luxury SUV cost $120 to fill up it's tank, and rebuilding their houses that flooded when they KNEW that were living in a hole without insurance.
It's irritating to me that I held back, yet still have to suffer. I bought the less luxurious car that I have to bend my tall frame to get into. I didn't by a house I couldn't afford. I pay insurance and taxes on everything because I don't expect much from my government except to keep me safe.
Don't forget we are filled with millions of ILLEGAL immigrants living tax-free and taking our hard earned money so they can keep popping out babies for free -- making me teach them English, making me pay for their food, and making me pay for their healthcare, when they drive around in their new, large trucks, with t.v. screens in them.
So, to the rest of the world...I'm sorry if you don't get your Obama. You'll have a female Democrat in four years we can all root for.
To my fellow Americans...I pray that we don't get the world's Obama. We'll be fine with McCain. He's not Bush. He really isn't. We'll have a great democrat running in four years.
I've never been so excited for something that was happening four years from now.
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I detect a great deal of bitter, defensive behaviour by posters on this blog, it seems to be me a reflection of the pressure that the populations of our two countries are feeling.
The truth is that we are all suffering the effects of a major economic downturn, and I think most people suspect that it will be other countries who will profit - countries who don't really deserve to do so, but are merely fortunate in their natural resources.
We don't wish to be held to ransom by the likes of Putin and Chavez, but we are going to have to accept the situation and face up to a significant revaluation of our economies and standards of living. In our favour we should remember that we both share an entrepreneurial culture; we are strong on team work and technology, and these things can take us into the next cycle of growth.
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107, allmy, now I know why my dates always
look like female versions of Che, and want to
borrow my car.
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111, guns.
I'll let you borrow my car if you let me borrow your car.
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Gordon endorsing Obama? I hope not. Whatever Brown touches is turned into brass
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Gordon Brown endorsing Obama is probably a cunning attempt to actually endorse McCain. Just wait for a Osama bin Laden video to emerge soon, also endorsing Obama and it will be game set and match to McCain. What Obama desperately needs is for someone like Castro or Chavez or Ahmadinejad to endorse McCain which would give him a fighting chance. But the GOP have a knack for October surprises, hanging chads, and voting machines that produce results that no opinion poll could or would. So it looks as though McCain will be the next Commander-In-Thief, sorry, Criminal-In-Chief, and Obama will play the part of Al Gore, John Kerry etc. in rolling over. And if you like Bush, you're gonna love McCain.
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112, allmy, only if it comes with a full tank.
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#27, Fritz_Kraut, you are even more cynical than I.
I'll bet you're a French spy.
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74 David_Cunard
I have never referred to Obama's colour. I have criticised his lutter ack of executive experience, his lack of even any significant legislative experience, the decidedly dodgy people he has had close links with, his inability to answer straight questions, his extreme leftwing views and voting record (when he finds the time to vote), his narcissism ... the list is long.
But I have never referred to his colour.
Simon21 has said repeatedly things like "We all know the real reason you really don't like him.", making it clear that he is referring to colour.
You pretend he has not played the race card repeatedly. You know what you say is false.
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#71 Xie_Ming
You might want to explain to Americans here (who may not know) where the EU parliament meets.
It sets the scene for EU leadership of the world.
#18 Orvillethird
Melvin Bragg pointed out in his documentaries on the english language that american spellings like 'favor' rather than 'favour' are closer to the original english spellings.
English spelling in Britain was influenced by french spelling in the 19th century.
Americans are more english than we are.
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117, JohnAAA.
You have said twice in your comment that you have never refered to Obama's color. Why is that? Does it bother you that he is half black? You don't mind speaking of Palin as a woman. That apparently doesn't bother you.
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# 71
Any system that could re-elect Bush is beyond hope.
The inevitable crash in the USA will be followed by the brilliant novelty of a military draft, even more massive "defense" spending and NeoCon-directed attack against Iran and Syria and beyond.
The UN and all international organizations must leave the USA if the World is to make any progress.
For the OAS, (Organization of American States), Brazil and Venezuela are potential destinations.
For the UN: Scandanavia (assuming Eastern oil funding); or, Strassburg (as a ready location).
Leadership must be provided and, with a McCain/Palin administration, all hope is lost for any worthwhile US leadership.
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115, guns.
I would agree to that, but I should tell you that as a girl born in congested city and then living to a part of the world where traffic is like Russian roulette, I never learned to drive. Well, actually I can drive if I have to, but you would be nuts to put me behind the wheel of your car.
That said I am willing to take you up on your offer. Remember, leaving town is not gentlemanly.
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118, Chill
Is that good or bad for the Jews? (old joke)
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23, Gary.
You talk of people not liking us because of our self-rightousness. You don't know the Brits well, do you? They just don't talk as loudly.
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119 allmymarbles
I have never said anything about colour - because I do not regard it as relevant to comments on Obama's lack of executive experience or his extreme leftwing record. It is Simon21 that is trying to play the race card, with no cause whatsoever.
And now David_Cunard on the "Disappointment " thread has suggested I am a miscegenist - that I object to the mixing of races. That too is totally false. It is the race card in another guise. But I don't expect he will have the grace to withdraw.
And now you too are asking if Obama's colour bothers me - directly after I have stated that colour plays no part in my judgment of Obama. That looks like you trying to play the race card too.
Playing the race card repeatedly seems to me to be a sure sign of having weak arguments on matters of substance. As in "When did you stop beating your wife" - prejudicial.
.
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This sort of news helps McCain and hurts Obama. I myself prefer Obama but any sort of overwhelming support for him from Europe is a political negative in the US. Similar things hurt Kerry in 04!
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#124 JohnAAA
Let's cut to the chase and talk about the big elephant in the room that everyone seems scared to allude to.
Are you seriously trying to tell me that the fact that Barack Obama is a mixed raced man hasn't influenced the way that you feel about this electoral race? Who are you trying to kid? It is in every nuance of all the posts that you write!
I'm sure you, like most Republicans, know full well that Barack Obama is the most viable candidate of the two, but you choose to use spurious reasons such as his lack of "experience" as a smokescreen for what you really want to say, which is: We don't want America being led by a BLACK man.
The aforementioned mantra was etched on the faces of all of the (white) Republicans at the Republican conference last week, knowing full well that they have one of the weakest candidates in the history of U.S. elections vying for the conveted position of President.
Don't think for one minute that you're fooling me or anyone else who is lucid enough to see the 'wood for the trees' on this particular issue. The fact that you continue to write a myriad of ripostes tells me that you're trying to convince yourself that McCain is that man for the job, when deep down you know he's not.
You say that Obama's colour doesn't bother you. Well, I say you're a liar, as if he had blonde hair and blue eyes and skin devoid of melanin, I think your outlook on this electoral race would be wholly different.
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This article (from a UK journalist) takes Obama apart on his radical activist background :
http://tinyurl.com/5s4don
Marxism, Gramsci, seditious - juicy stuff. No doubt the BBC will avert its gaze.
Evidently Obama tells self-aggrandising untruths in his book
http://tinyurl.com/62c6ep
Meanwhile -
"Palin did not ban books in Wasilla as mayor"
http://tinyurl.com/6pcs5l
(as in "ell", not "one"
"Yes, Palin did stop that bridge" -
http://tinyurl.com/597o2z
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I agree Justin that events at the moment are being blown out of proportion to their significance to the race. It's natural McCain should experience a bounce after the convention, just as Obama did. One thing that interests me is- who decided that the Republican convention should come second?
There will be plenty more pitfalls along the way for both candidates... The Dems have got to be very careful that they don't go overboard attacking Palin- she represents a potential trap for their supporters. Obama's team are too smart to fall for it, but his endorsers aren't.
Also did anyone else think McCAin's repeated references to corruption in his speech indicated that he might have some dirt on Obama to be released at the right time? I thought he was hinting that way at times...
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#126 ezekielthemack
You've lost your marbles if you can say with a straight face that you believe Obama is "the most viable candidate"...
I'd love for America to be led by a "BLACK" person... if they were qualified... just so you could get off of your victimization soapbox...
I'd vote for Colin Powell or Condoleeza Rice over either present candidate... they have experience... they've actually done something with their lives...
I also believe that Clarence Thomas is a superb Constitutional jurist... and I believe Bill Cosby was right when he chastized fathers for not being responsible for their children.
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I hate to break it to the assembled crowd, but
the fact that Brown or anybody else has endorsed
Obama will have no bearing on the election.
Most Americans have no idea what people
in other parts of the world think about us,
we're just too isolated.
It's not like the average American picks up
a copy of "The Economist" or "Der Spiegel"
to get another viewpoint.
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126 ezekialthemack
You too choose to play the race card with no cause - simply on the basis of what YOU think I think.
That's truly pathetic. You are projecting - can't you see that ?
I think Obama is an extreme-left charlatan with a pitifully thin resume, nothing to do with his colour. Why do you Dems keep reaching for the race card all the time ?
And it is ridiculous to say that deep down I do not believe McCain is the better candidate.
Try sticking to the issues, why dontcha ?
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Post 118 Chill0
FYI The European parliament meets in Brussels but it also has 12 session a year in Stasbourg. It's an odd arrangement which no one seems to benefit from apart from the hoteliers and bar owners of Strasbourg. Perhaps one one day it will settle down in Brussels. I think Xie meant that if the parliant abandoned Strasbourg then the offcices there would become available fo ruse by the UN - althrough the UN already have offices in Geneva which I don't think are fully utilised. I think the the location of the office is irrelevant and the US should continue to paly a role in the UN.
If anyone wants to see more about the European parliament then follow the link..european
parliament
You're all doing very well !!
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131 JohnAAA (again - yawn)
Firstly I have NOT played the race card, I have made observations. The only pathetic person on here is you with your insular and misguided views.
What I abhor are automatons like you who do not look at the whole picture and use spurious reasons for not voting for a candidate. If you had an ounce of sense, you would know that Obama's politics are not to the far left at all, they are extremely centred, which shows you how little you do know.
Don't think for one second that because you extol the virtues of Clarence Thomas, Colin Powell and Bill Cosby that I'm going to be impressed. The key here is that none of the above are running for president and Barack Obama IS. I'm sure it makes it very easy for you to extol their virtues because none of the above are on the cusp of becoming the leader of America. I think you'll find that Barack Obama is.
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No, but you have.
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#132 Young-Mr-Grace
Thing is, despite numerous attempts, the EU cannot decide on the parliament's location.
Cost estimates vary but certainly more than £100 million per year is spent on what is commonly called the 'travelling circus' of the EU parliament.
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Ms Marbles,
I think Gary was being sly in direct response to #22.;-)
ed
As to Brown's comments, they were, as noted by many here already, simply comments on an Obama proposal, and intended for internal consumption of the Labour party in the UK. It was far less an "endorsement" than Cameron's remarks about McCain in February...
"John McCain Says He's About Change, Too - Except For Economic Policy, Healthcare Policy, Tax Policy, Education Policy, Foreign Policy And Karl Rove-Style Politics"
1. The Real McCain 2: Watch as McCain's YouTube problem became his nightmare in the video that received over 4 million views.
2. Less Jobs. More Wars: What is this 'Iraq war' charge on my bill?
3. John McCain vs. John McCain: Tell McCain to get off the Double Talk Express.
4. McCain's Spiritual Guide: The video that caused McCain to renounce Rev. Rod Parsley's bigoted endorsement.
5. Why Won't McCain Sign the GI Bill? Presenting the most blatant hypocrisy of the McCain campaign.
Enjoy the show!
And, by the way, the BBC's Radio 4 is celebrating this week's 80th anniversary in The book of the Week, which can be listened daily after the re-broadcast in the evening. I recommend a visit to the link above for some background...
Salaam, etc.
ed
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Young Mr Grace,
You're doing very well, yourself"
;-)
ed
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133 ezekielthmack
Can you keep a straight face when you claim that Obama is a centrist ? Of course how he seeks to present himself now - he's running for office. But he has the most liberal voting record in the Senate, for goodness sake. It is on the public record - why pretend it isn't ?
You may be suckered by the Obama propaganda and spin. A lot of people are not.
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I don't mind foreigners voicing their opinions on the candidates in a US election. Almost without fail it improves my liking of the one they don't support as I know that will be someone looking out for MY interests and not pandering to their popularity on the world stage.
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# 135
Geneva is too expensive for any useful purpose.
Strasburg is presently a waste for the EU and the facilities are ready for a UN transfer.
Montreal could even serve as a center for those UN functions whose employees want to commute from NYC.
The World needs to move on and let the USA stew in its own miserable actions.
A continuation of what re-elected Bush does not warrant the tolerance of the civilized World.
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#136 Ed Iglehart
It seems John McCain said:
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ezekielthemack wrote "You say that Obama's colour doesn't bother you. Well, I say you're a liar, as if he had blonde hair and blue eyes and skin devoid of melanin, I think your outlook on this electoral race would be wholly different."
Well he would still be far too left wing for me to vote for however pure an Aryan, Inuit or Ainu he was. You seem very hung up on how we should overlook what he says and has said in the past solely because of the color of his skin.
Whether someone is perceived as left or right wing is subjective. For you Obama is a centrist. For me he is more on the left of center. Similarly McCain more on the right of it.
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Chill,
Aye, talk, talk, but avoid actually voting on the GI Bill.Noun, verb, POW.
xx
ed
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Post 135 Chill0
I agree the two centre arrangement is a bit of a farce. Perhaps if the Lisbon treaty is ratified there could be a citizens initiative to end the "travelling circus".
Post 137
Thanks Ed
You're all doing very well !!
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JohnAAA
At 1100hrs today a Service of Commemoration is starting at St Paul's Cathedral, London marking the cessation of OP Banner and paying tribute to the fallen and injured (for international contributors this was given name for the British military's continuous operation in Northern Ireland that lasted over c.38 years).
Being a former RAF serviceman yourself, I ask that today, particularly, you focus your attentions and reflections more on this milestone and the memory of individuals that gave their today for your and my tomorrow.
Please kindly refain from bombarding this site with repetitively made points and increasing vitriol at this time.
Thank you.
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#143 Ed Iglehart
McCain also said:
Webb says that if McCain had had time to study the bill he would have supported it.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0408/9966.html
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Xie_Ming #140
The US needs to move on and let the rest of the world stew in its own miserable juices.
Gordon Brown's endorsement of Obama wlll be the perfect pretext for Pesident McCain to pull out of NATO and cut off all relations with the UK. Right after he gives the UN 30 days to pack up and get out of America.
One if by land and two if by sea....
#120
It's almost too much to hope for. But you can be surprised at what Santa might bring for Chirstmas. If the UN pulled out of New York City, ordinary Americans might actually be able to find a parking space in Manhattan, rent and apartment, and restaurant prices might come down to earth. Or better yet, just blow the thing up with the stinking lying lot of diplomats inside.
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145 BillTyrone
I hear what you say and I respect your service. Yes, today proper respects are being paid to all those who served in Northern Ireland. Not before time.
You refer to vitriol. I regard the race-baiting by some of the people here as real vitriol.
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President Bush just signed legislation outlawing the UK. We start bombing Britain in five minutes :-)
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Doesn't Obama need to win Ohio to have any real chance of getting to the White House ?
http://tinyurl.com/5b3y58
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Chill0,
Yeah! Right! From your link:More like if he had the wit to study it...
Salaam, etc.
ed
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Is that not incitement to terrorism?Complain about this comment
#136 Ed Iglehart
The piece linked to from Justin Webb's piece at the top ends with:
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
#151 Ed Iglehart
What I was trying to get at is that this appears to be a storm in a teacup.
I do not believe it expresses any great political difference between anyone and anyone else.
It is the appearance which is the problem, like as a headline 'McCain opposes GI bill'.
Of course politicians exploit appearances.
Pity.
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At the risk of repetition, some clarity from the BBC,
Another storm in a thimble, but McChip was quick to take offence:Salaam, etc.ed
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After he's elected, John McCain should send letters of thanks to Gordon Brown and BBC. They may have just put a stake through the heart of whatever chances Obama has of getting elected. Between Britain's Labor government and a poll of foreigners endorsing Obama, it would appear to many Americans that Obama would be voted the most likely to sell America out to internationalist interests. Funny how wrong perceptions are. Obama is the candidate of protectionism. He's also the candidate who is ready to invade or bomb Pakistan. People should be careful what they wish for, they never know when their wish might come true.
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Fair's fair!
Sauce for the goose?;-)
ed
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Ed Iglehart
"Is that not incitement to terrorism?"
Hardly any more than your rabid antisemitic postings are an incitement to commit terror by killing Jews in what you and others euphemistically refer to as "anti-Zionism."
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Obama must win for the sake of all of us. America needs to move on from its disastrous 19th century-style attempts to ape the British Empire. In short, it must let go of its history and re-integrate itself around the values it fought a civil war for. Hopefully Obama with his heritage and ties to the wider world will bring the US back as a partner to the emerging powers of Europe, China and India. A benign America relatively silent on the world stage for a political generation or two would be good while it restores its reputation.
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It should be obvious to anyone who is familiar with the UN building that it can't be blown up with all of the diplomats inside. That would be a violation of the law. The UN building is filled with asbestos and blowing it up without an extensive asbestos abatement project first would illegally spew asbestos into the environment. Nor can that work likely be performed safely with the occupants inside. Removing the asbestos is a project that would take years. Then it can be blown up. Can anyone think of a good way to do that? (Next posting for a suggestion which will probably be censored.)
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The most poetic way to eliminate the UN as a scar of 20th century political naivete' on the New York City skyline would be to take all of the worst terrorists captured everywhere, put them in a plane, and fly it by remote control into the Secretariat building. I think the surrounding area would need to be evacuated for awhile until the dust settles. :-) It would be a lot faster than dismantling it piece by piece although a controlled implosion using explosives would be a lot faster.
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148. At 11:27am on 10 Sep 2008, JohnAAA wrote:
145 BillTyrone
I hear what you say and I respect your service. Yes, today proper respects are being paid to all those who served in Northern Ireland. Not before time.
You refer to vitriol. I regard the race-baiting by some of the people here as real vitriol."
Yes so why not stop doing it. We all know the source of your dislike of one of the candidates and it isn't politics - as you admit you have a limited knowedge of US politics and political structures.
Yesterday, entirely forgetting President Johnson (though how one could forget Johnson in the mid sixties is amazing) you went on to announce that no Senator had become US president since Kennedy
This apparently meant to you that US Senators had no hope of winning an Presidential election.
Apparently forgetting that both candidates in this election are US Senators.
This was hilarious to witness, but yet again demonstrates your antipathy to Obama (claiming he has no achievements, something John McCain would dispute) and indicates that it does not come from knowledge but for or other reasons
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142. shwerpunkt
You seem to be have trouble construing the points that I am making in regard to this issue. Nowhere, have I said that anyone should overlook any of the arguments Obama has put forward thus far in this presidential race.
What I AM saying is that people are coming up with spurious reasons not to vote for him. The talk of him not "being ready" is completely ludicrous. Are you seriously suggesting that George Bush was more ready go govern America 8 years ago than Barack Obama is now? Moreover, look at the mess that he's made of governing America. I suppose you now see how insipid your argument really is.
The next thing you'll be telling me is that Bush is smarter than Obama, the former editor of the Harvard Law Review!!
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# 159
From two unfortunates who post here, we need to begin an examination of anti-Gentilism.
Most immediately, with the influence of the NeoCons and their associated lobbies exerted on the Congress and the gullible
evangelicals.
The most obvious first step would be the recognition of AIPAC as the lobby of a foreign power.
Americans of undivided loyalty need to recognize that Israel is not a "friend" at all, but is interested only in Israel.
The activities of the MOSSAD teams within the USA on 9/11, particularly the "Urban Moving Systems" group in Weehawken, need to be recalled.
This goes beyond anti-Gentilism and is clearly anti-Americanism.
An entirely separate thread can be devoted to the anti-Gentilism of the Israeli regime.
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150. At 11:39am on 10 Sep 2008, JohnAAA wrote:
Doesn't Obama need to win Ohio to have any real chance of getting to the White House ?
http://tinyurl.com/5b3y58
No, next question. He doesn't need to sing blues songs and pick cotton either.
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Touchy are we?
Ooooh Errr! She's having a hizzy fit!Anti-Semitic? Judge for yourself
[Unsuitable/Broken URL removed by Moderator] and
a British parable.
Discuss.
Peace to all (even the anal oracle)
ed
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Touchy are we?
Ooooh Errr! She's having a hizzy fit!Anti-Semitic? Judge for yourself
[Unsuitable/Broken URL removed by Moderator] and
a British parable.
Discuss.
Peace to all ()
ed
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Simon21
You claim to know all about US politics - but then said Jimmy Carter served in WW2. Just a slip - but you didn't withdraw it.
Instead you deal with any poiint I make by playing the race card. You have done it twice in the last half hour, after repeated instances yesterday.
Try kicking the man, not the ball. You think Obama is a good candidate on his merits - I don't.
Were you one of the people retailing here - repeatedly - some of the filthy smears and disproven about Sarah Palin's baby ? It wouldn't surprise me, the way you operate.
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Touchy are we?
Ooooh Errr! She's having a hizzy fit!Anti-Semitic? Judge for yourself
Discuss.
Peace to all ()
ed
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168. At 12:38pm on 10 Sep 2008, JohnAAA wrote:
Simon21
You are a race baiter. Period."
Sticks and stones
Am I baiting your race? Do try to grow up and recognise your own prejudices.
No one compels you to come out with the various remarks you do.
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a British parable.
Discuss.
Peace to all ()
ed
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Look,it's simple.....no matter what hype the BBC or its leftie staff throw in our faces constantly,Obama is going to lose.Period!
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#163 Simon21
I don't.
#164 ezekielthemack
That's not necessarily a guide to 'smartness', although it probably helps:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE2DC1631F935A35751C0A966958260
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170. At 12:45pm on 10 Sep 2008, JohnAAA wrote:
Simon21
You claim to know all about US politics - but then said Jimmy Carter served in WW2. Just a slip - but you didn't withdraw it. "
I was wriong in that he joined in 1946. But I was correct in the essential that his joining the navy was not particalry distinguished at the time, as millions were joining the Armed forces all over the world.
you claimed that having a miliatry rank of any kind mysteriously endows you with the ability to be president.
"Instead you deal with any poiint I make by playing the race card. You have done it twice in the last half hour, after repeated instances yesterday."
I and others tied you in knots yesterday.
And if someone exhibits prejudice then I will point it out yes.
Your visceral dislike of Obama is irrational - claiming he had "no achievements", was a "socialist appeaser" and "consorted" with terrorists.
None of which made any sense and which would be disputed by his republican opponent.
That is not political comment but hatred of another kind.
Try kicking the man, not the ball. You think Obama is a good candidate on his merits - I don't."
But you don't debate his merits, you claim, unique among men, he has none.
You make irrational, bizzare claims.
"Were you one of the people retailing here - repeatedly - some of the filthy smears and disproven about Sarah Palin's baby ? It wouldn't surprise me, the way you operate."
Hmm but accusing Obama of consorting with terrorists (a criminal act) is OK?
Your view is so distorted with hatred (and we know where it comes from since you have never met the man) you have lost all sense of balance.
Sarah Palin's campaign has degenerated into fighting off the multiple allegations against her.
Did I not say these would emerge every day/week of the campaign?
Shows McCain's appalling judgement in the matter.
There will be more to come.
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Simon21
OK - you wave the race card even to a post I make about Obama needing to win Ohio.
Ffrom now on I will add to every post I make :
"I expect Simon21 will resort to the kneejerk race card on this, he always does"
You failed to answer - were you pushing the filthy smears about Palin's baby, that it was not her baby ? It is the sort of game you seem to play.
Please confirm that you don'tsuggest that Trig is not her baby. agree that Trig is sarah Palin's baby. We can take silence as meaning you back the smear.
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#173 Ed Iglehart
You have not provided links to the source of your percentages of population and land.
They are quite important.
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#45, DominickVila:
First, dealing with insurance companies to pay for health care is nearly impossible. Now you would like me to deal with them to provide the service? Cost will go down, and so will care.
As for socialism, that would be his tax policy. First, rolling back the last tax cuts would increase taxes on everyone, but mostly on the lower 60 percent of wage earners.
European Levels of Taxation: Barack Obama's Tax Plan
Socialism is where the people that are most productive carry those who are not productive. I have two issues with America and their taxation, 1) unnecessary and wasteful spending 2) injustice.
For example, if two farmers plant 100 acres of corn, and one farmer tends his crops diligently and doubles his yield and profits, his taxes would be higher than the lazy farmer. And, then the lazy farmer actually qualifies for more benefits from the government. This is the injustice.
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Simon 21
Live in dreams, sunshine. You operate by trying to play the race card at every turn - and you also spread filthy rumours about Sarah Palin's baby. Sick or what. You represent the depths to which many Dems have now sunk.
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When we, in Europe watch a black man beaten a hundred times while cowering on the floor and another one being shot dozens of times both by police oficers and in the first case on film and in both cases the police are found to be innocent of any crime, maybe that is why we treat with sceptisism, the possibility of a black man becoming president.
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Palin's troubles with the truth just keep on coming
http://www.smh.com.au/news/us-election/palin-bid-to-get-over-bridge-to-nowhere/2008/09/10/1220857603216.html
Her problem is probably that having been used to a fairly closed and closeted political world she is being subjected to Federal scrutiny, and matters she could get away with at home are not working in the wider world.
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Marcus 11
#57=sane
#59=not so
#149=start to rant
#161=barking
Now, we have not been taking our medication again have we,Its the little pink ones by your TV, so be a good fellow and do it right away....
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*** President Obama ***
Continued Iraq occupation: Yes
Continued Afghan occupation: Yes
War against Pakistan: Most Likely Yes
War with Iran: Possibly
War with North Korea: Probably Not
Nuclear War with Russia: No
Guantanamo Bay: Closed - Probably
Free Health Care: No, sorry
Income Taxes - Poor: Same
Income Taxes - Middle Class: Same
Income Taxes - Rich: Same
Income Taxes - Super Rich: Lower
Regard for other nations: A Little
*** President McCain ***
Continued Iraq occupation: Definitely
Continued Afghan occupation: Definitely
War against Pakistan: Most Likely Yes
War with Iran: Most Likely Yes
War with North Korea: Probably
Nuclear War with Russia: Possibly
Guantanamo Bay: Open for Business
Free Health Care: No Way Jose
Income Taxes - Poor: Same
Income Taxes - Middle Class: Same
Income Taxes - Rich: Lower
Income Taxes - Super Rich: Much Lower
Regard for other nations: None
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177. At 1:05pm on 10 Sep 2008, JohnAAA wrote:
Simon21
OK - you wave the race card even to a post I make about Obama needing to win Ohio. "
You made no point about Ohio. The link was to a far right article talking about a Republican district.
Ffrom now on I will add to every post I make :
"I expect Simon21 will resort to the kneejerk race card on this, he always does"
Why not just abandon the prejudice. I am not responsible for making you say the things you do.
Don't blame me for your prejudices.
Plenty of people (like John McCain) can oppose Obama without degenerating into making bizzare, irrational, assertions.
"You failed to answer - were you pushing the filthy smears about Palin's baby, that it was not her baby ? It is the sort of game you seem to play."
What like you accused Obama of a criminal offence you mean?
I will answer your question when you answer mine.
I am still waiting for the evidence for that assertion. You won't have any because if you did he would have been arrested
"Please confirm that you don'tsuggest that Trig is not her baby. agree that Trig is sarah Palin's baby. We can take silence as meaning you back the smear."
What smear, how is having a baby a smear? This is the 21st century we have got over the prejudices of the 19th. Who cares who the baby's father is? As long as it is taken care of.[
You apparently maybe we have found another prejudice.
Now about the criminal accusation put up or kindly....
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180. At 1:11pm on 10 Sep 2008, JohnAAA wrote:
Simon 21
Live in dreams, sunshine. You operate by trying to play the race card at every turn - and you also spread filthy rumours about Sarah Palin's baby. Sick or what. You represent the depths to which many Dems have now sunk.
Having a baby is not filthy John, try having one yourself and you will see.
Do you have a problem with women? Most of us have moved on from Jane Austen.
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'Brown is effectively dead in the water right now. An endorsement from him is of no value to anyone. ' See this youtube clip here... but be warned it contains a lot of swearing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMi776jah1w
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Gordon's endorsement would do nothing good. I don't think that American people care what the rest of the world think about their presidential candidate.
Bytheway, I am getting tired of hearing the same line of words Palin used in the convention on and on and on and....
I really doubt that she can make a good debate. Let alone debating, I don't think she would answer challenging questions from the media. How long is Mccain going to keep her away from the media. If he is not confident enough on her, why would he pick her at the first place? just to energize his campaign for the time being to get into the whitehouse? what happen latter when American people know her capacity and where she stands on issues that matter to the public? it seems like for me that Mccain don't give a damn about the aftermath. be a president one day and who cares about US. Mccain is on do-anything to win scenario !
I can't wait to see Palin being open to the media( not to handpicked media ppl but to all), hope she would do that before the election, I mean it.
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138. JohnAAA
You refer to me as being "suckered into Obama's propaganda and spin". I think the biggest pile of spin that we've seen this week is McCain's mantra of "Change is here". Is he for real? When has the Republican party's theme been predicated on "change".
This is a theme that has been clearly stolen from Obama, to freshen up the image of the Republican's for the current election. It is so blantantly obvious, it's embarrassing.
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A couple of concerns of mine about Obama are character issues. I've struggled with believing the "hope" and after watching the CNN "Obama revealed" show last weekend I think I have put my finger on what troubles me. (beyond the raising of my taxes).
1. His actions are sometimes inconsistent with his words and image as a reformer. I was particularly troubled by the way he achieved office by having his opponents eliminated from the ballot. Fully legal, but not democratic. This is not the "noble" character of the rising rock star Barry Obama.
Obama Played by Chicago Rules by David Freddoso
I also have policy disagreements with Obama, but I find the character issues more troubling.
2. There were comments in the CNN documentary, where some of Obama's friends said things like, "The legislature wasn't big enough for Barrack, he wasn't getting enough press". Then, on the campaign trail in 2004, fawning worshipers told him he should seek the Presidency. Which gave me the impression that this was a quest for self aggrandizement. Perhaps having tasted the hubris of Columbia and Harvard, he has set his sites on the Presidency as the consummation of a mission of ego.
Charles Krauthammer -- The Audacity of Vanity
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Simon21
You are again ducking the issue.
I have stated outright that I am not racist, whatever you say. The criticisms I have made of Obama are no different to - say - the fact that he was being asked on Fox about consorting with William Ayers. Or the fact that many many people say he has no exeutive experience - or that he has the farthest-left voting record in the Senate. None of that is racist to th slightst degree except in your head.
The Ohio article I posted to was an account of a campaign meeting. With some poll figures showing Obama trailing badly in Ohio. No more no less. I did not comment on the article except to say that I thought Obama needs to win Ohio to get to the White House. Which most pollwatchers would agree - Ohio is a key swing state with 20 votes in the electoral college. You gave a kneejerk response that the post was racist.
Which simply shows that you throw the rac card around without any cause.
Do you or do you not accept that Trig is Sarah Palin's baby ? You keep wriggling on this, but your answers imply that you do not accept that Sarah Palin is the mother.. My recollection is that you were previously suggesting that Palin's daughter is the actual mother of Trig. Do you deny that ?
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jenniminder
What do you mean? the sames as they do in the USA
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189 ezekealthemack
Yes, McCain is fighting Obama for the manrtle of "Change" Clever isn't it - if McCain can persuade people that he is the real agent for changing the way Washington operates, Obama's theme is weakened. The move was deliberate.
It is called politics. We shall see who wins on this.
I am glad you recognise that McCain's campaign has been freshened up. It badly needed it. Now it is motoring.
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According to many folk here, the thinking on November 11 will go like this:
"Who do the British (or the French, or the Iranians, or the Taliban) want me to vote for? OK, better vote for the other guy. I ain't gonna be pushed around by anyone".
I'm sure a tiny proportion of Americans (in common with any country) are that stupid but, please God, surely not enough of them to influence the outcome.
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I'm all for McCain. He did after all give the great oven chips.
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None of Gordon Browns' business. He gets to deal with whoever, we, the American people choose.
Prime Minister Brown has to make the obligatory trip to see the Queen, our President Elect does not (but probably will at some point anyway). If the electee is Senator McCain, can Governor Palin bring her 30.06 to Buckingham Palace? Dressed in buckskins would really bring an image of "Americana."
Just some tongue in cheek Pythonesque silliness.
Mike
http://www.tucsonmike.wordpress.com
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What is nit with Justin Webb's remark "Brown and McCain share a temper".
The drip-drip-drip of BBC bias. You think Obama hasn't got a temper ?
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Chill0,
Indeed. And there is data Here andhere and
here and
here
Salaam/Shalom
ed
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196 tucsonmike
Actually HM The Queen woud probably invite Sarah Palin out to shootr a stag or some game birds. They would get on like a houe on fire, I think. And they both drive 4 x 4s.
On a good day they might get to shoot haggis together - if they are in season.
Can't say the same about Biden HM would probably be muttering "who is this dreadful boring man"
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First, I am not a Europhobe. I like Europe, and wish I could visit more often. I even like your health and welfare systems. I especially like the Brittish parliamentary system- I wish our president had to submit to question day. However, concerning Obama, you can have him. He has no chance of winning. Americans will not elect someone whose friends include unrepentent anarchists and a crazy anti-american preacher. Also, he is turning out to be an even more inept campaigner than John Kerry.
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JohnAAA:
Lots of pots calling kettles black here.
#190, RealFrigid:
Obama's greatest (and single) accomplishment has been orchestrating his ascendency in politics. He is a master politician.
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197. JohnAAA:
"You think Obama hasn't got a temper ? "
Well, he's missing something. (Backbone?)
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RealFrigid,
an interestedforeigner really gave you a free lecture in the other forum.
I recommend that to all the people who refuse to vote Democrat because of Obama's skin color, thus they will vote McCain/Palin and the primitive order of good ol' bible and gun.
think people, think...there is this fantastic thing inside your head called brain. IT IS SUPPOSED TO STAY ON ALWAYS...
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194. potatoman:
"According to many folk here, the thinking on November 11 will go like this:
"Who do the British (or the French, or the Iranians, or the Taliban) want me to vote for? OK, better vote for the other guy. I ain't gonna be pushed around by anyone".
It may actually be more like this:
"If the Europeans want it, it may not be right for us. After all, we don't want to end up with their system."
Americans who don't like socialism here don't appreciate it there either.
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MuzPaw,
You say Europe does not want to move towards socialism...then why on earth would you vote for Obama?
You need to quit following the winds of political fashion and start digging a little deeper on these two candidates.
If you are more interested in freedom and liberty, Mccain and Palin are your ticket.
Obama has never met a tax he didn't like.
If Europe would like a vote in the American election...we could put you on the fast track to American statehood...I don't think Americans would sign onto it though.
Also, now that Europe has such disdain for America, which emerging super power do you think Europe is going to stand behind, China or Russia?
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AndreainNY
Icarus comes to mind
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#199, JohnAAA :
"On a good day they might get to shoot haggis together - if they are in season."
When you see a haggis run by, you know you are having a very bad nightmare.
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*159
Ed Iglehart wrote "Is that not incitement to terrorism?"
Marcus Aurellius ll responded: "Hardly any more than your rabid antisemitic postings are an incitement to commit terror by killing Jews in what you and others euphemistically refer to as "anti-Zionism.""
Marcus, I was watching a program on the holocaust recently, and trying hard to get my head round the horror. Not for the first time I was failing to understand how ordinary Germans could be persuaded to get involved in such hideous hate crimes. Oddly, I started to think of your bile filled, racist rants on these blog pages (thinly cloaked in a veil of "intellectual" and moral smugness) ...you have become the missing link in my understanding of that horrific phenomenon.
So I find your comment (quoted above) to be ironic. Truly you have a sack load of self deluding nerve (not to mention the ignorance shown in your total failure to read comments correctly) in trying to link Ed Iglehart's "Anti Zionism" with anti-semitism. I would suggest a look in the mirror, but fear that it is too late for you.
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Hmmm, the Parliamentary Monitor? Is this an off-shoot of the Manchester Guardian? Or maybe like our Congressional Quarterly which is filled with garbage also. My partner is English (liberal) and I am a Texan (conservative) --makes things interesting around the house. I have lived in Europe (Holland 3 years) - Germany (6 years). Have learned a few truisms in that time.
No. 1 Europe wears rose-tinted glasses (meaning they see things as they wish they were, not as they actually are.)
No. 2 Europe (England included) reflects on it's rich history and great empires which no longer exist except in history books and museums.
No. 3 And unless Gordon Brown or anyone else in Europe has an absentee ballot for the November election, what you say, doesn't really matter does it?
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MTV toned down the act of Russel Brand, the British so-called comedian. That is, the original was even worse.
Here in Britain the leftie BBC fills the airwaves withj leftie unfunny "comedians", invites them on panel discussions of politics or news quizzes. And we are foced to pay for thei rubbish through the BBC licence fee.
Isn't Brand's cringe-worthy and offensive performance worthy of any reporting by the BBC - either here or on the website or by broadcast ? Or is he just one of them, they just love him.
http://tinyurl.com/6xm4cl
for the video
Meanwhile BBC radio in the UK is reporting the allegist sexist rmarks by Obama about lipstick and pig. I don't think it was deliberate - but it was a real stupid mistake.
Flipping the finger to Hillary may have led people to think this was part of a pattern, however. TeamMcCain has now turned the idiotic remarks into an ad.
http://tinyurl.com/6x6agr
for the videos
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dtedford,
There is more to the United Kingdom than England!Ah, but I'm in Scotland, and I do have an absentee ballot. As can any absentee, but time is getting short
Register and vote
ed
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209. At 2:58pm on 10 Sep 2008, dtedford wrote:
Hmmm, the Parliamentary Monitor? Is this an off-shoot of the Manchester Guardian? Or maybe like our Congressional Quarterly which is filled with garbage also. My partner is English (liberal) and I am a Texan (conservative) --makes things interesting around the house. I have lived in Europe (Holland 3 years) - Germany (6 years). Have learned a few truisms in that time.
No. 1 Europe wears rose-tinted glasses (meaning they see things as they wish they were, not as they actually are.)"
Hmmm what like an ex-governor of texas who became President but proved incapable of seeing what was in front of his own nose - as the people of New Orleans found.
Who told us all about WMD which did not exist and speedy victories which did not happen?
"No. 2 Europe (England included) reflects on it's rich history and great empires which no longer exist except in history books and museums."
Well history by definition not longer exists.
How many Civil war reenactment societies are there in the US? What is the size of the antiques trade in this area alone?
"No. 3 And unless Gordon Brown or anyone else in Europe has an absentee ballot for the November election, what you say, doesn't really matter does it?"
No one presumes it does. The vast majority of electors in the US would not know who Gordon Brown is.
In fact, going on past performance, many of the electors in the US do not care about the presidential election full stop.
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201. At 2:44pm on 10 Sep 2008, AndreainNY wrote:
JohnAAA:
Lots of pots calling kettles black here.
#190, RealFrigid:
Obama's greatest (and single) accomplishment has been orchestrating his ascendency in politics. He is a master politician."
Just discovered this?
Rather the point in an election year is it not?
He is also a master campaigner.
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199. At 2:39pm on 10 Sep 2008, JohnAAA wrote:
196 tucsonmike
Actually HM The Queen woud probably invite Sarah Palin out to shootr a stag or some game birds. They would get on like a houe on fire, I think. And they both drive 4 x 4s."
And they both have marital problems with their children
"
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193. At 1:57pm on 10 Sep 2008, JohnAAA wrote:
189 ezekealthemack
Yes, McCain is fighting Obama for the manrtle of "Change" Clever isn't it - if McCain can persuade people that he is the real agent for changing the way Washington operates, Obama's theme is weakened. The move was deliberate."
And desperate since he is a Washington insider and belongs to the same party as the incumbent.
"It is called politics. We shall see who wins on this."
We certainly shall
"I am glad you recognise that McCain's campaign has been freshened up. It badly needed it. Now it is motoring."
It got a boost, nothing more. Palin is already damaged goods.
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210. At 3:10pm on 10 Sep 2008, JohnAAA
Meanwhile BBC radio in the UK is reporting the allegist sexist rmarks by Obama about lipstick and pig. I don't think it was deliberate - but it was a real stupid mistake.
Flipping the finger to Hillary may have led people to think this was part of a pattern, however. TeamMcCain has now turned the idiotic remarks into an ad."
Yep Stupid enough to gain him a standing ovation
Which in yoiur eyes probably counts as a negative point
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#109 Nathan,
Urm why are you blaming Obama's ego for him being the democratic candidate?
American democrats voted him in as their leader. He won fair and square. Surely it was Hillary's ego that caused the fractions within the Democrats? I.E. she kept going because she thought she would win and she didn't, causing obvious harm to the party. People such as yourself still aren't over it.
I'm also sick of all this elitist mumbo jumbo. Im beginning to think that middle white america thinks Obama is elitist and egotisitical because he is percieved to be an over-achieving black man, whose intelligent enough and hard-working enough to put himself through Harvard. I hope Im wrong about this. I really can't see any other reason why so many people would be threatening to vote for the Republicans after the last 8 years...I really can't. Oh, except of course that they so many people believe Obama's muslim.
I think the Republicans are going to win the next election. It makes me sick to my stomach that Sarah Palin has made such a difference to the campaign, when McCain was clearly getting her in to appeal to women voters. It would seem people really are as easily swayed as I feared.
One thing still baffles me though...how can someone SO right wing appeal to independents???
Sally
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My bet is that most Americans, and certainly the media, won't even notice. The media is too enthralled by Palin for the moment. Yet, it seems to me that it would be valuable to me as a voter to know how other world leaders would view each candidate. In this global age, it's nice to have friends! I don't want a president that other world leaders dread to invite to a sit-down. And I would hope that, should the unfavored candidate win, he would be gracious enough to accept that he's not everybody's favorite person. He should work all the harder in that case to win favor with allies who reflect our own ideals of peace between nations and good lives for citizens of all nations.
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Obama's buddy William Ayers, in his own website cartoon :
http://therealrevo.com/blog/?p=1352
(The BBC will avert its gaze)
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# 194 potatoman65
I guarantee you that on November 11th the American population will be thinking this...
"Thank goodness the election is over."
It is my hope that the Obama sycophants will also be thinking "How could we have lost so badly? We should have asked Hillary to run as the VP."
US election day is November 4th. It's a small thing, but it adds credibility to your other arguments if you don't get the basic stuff wrong.
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AndreainNY *204 wrote:
"It may actually be more like this:
"If the Europeans want it, it may not be right for us. After all, we don't want to end up with their system." "
Fair enough, though, truth be told, we have a lot of different governing systems in Europe for the moment. Anyway, I would still argue that it is a weak basis on which to cast a vote...not a good way of getting the right person for the job.
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So much for Obama staying out of the pig pen...
Obama Courts Trouble With "Lipstick On A Pig" Comment
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#147 MAII
I've been reading this blogs for a couple of months now, mostly just to try and get a feel for what people think about the election (as I think it's a much better way of prediciting what will happen than looking at articles or polls). Your postings nearly always infuriate me. I kind of like it tho, in a bizarre way.
This latest thing about the UN is actually hysterical. I've always wanted to work for the UN. I can respectfully say that I hope we never meet each other. Im english, female, and what you would probably dismiss as a "godless commie". I am also about as opinionated as you appear to be, and as I studied politics and economics and university I tend to think Im right (as do you). I'm also studying International Development for my masters, which probably seems like a total waste of time for you, who prob doesn't believe in helping Africa.
Im sure you would hate me
Sally
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#218, regular_josephina :
Perception is not always reality. Remember Ronny Raygun?
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@FritzKraut (27)
The USA actually supplied more soldiers to the allied cause than anyone except the Soviet Union. In the Pacific the US contribution was decisive. In terms of lend-lease, the US supplied 50% or more of most raw materials, railwaytracks, railengines, telegraphlines, rubber, jeeps, canned spam, radiosets etc... to the Soviets between 1941 and 1944 so the Soviets could concentrate on tanks, planes and artillery. Read Overy's "Russia's war", about Stalin and Krushchev acknowledging the decisive US contribution. The US also more or less supplied the Canadian army, British army and French army units.
Speaking of contributing to peace, what exactly did Germany fight for in 1939-1945? Remember that?
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191. At 1:50pm on 10 Sep 2008, JohnAAA wrote:
Simon21
You are again ducking the issue.
Sorry your evidence on Obama's criminality
"I have stated outright that I am not racist, whatever you say."
No it is what you say that counts. And there is a clear pattern.
Haven't you worked that out?
Pickpockets often deny being pickpockets.
"The criticisms I have made of Obama are no different to - say - the fact that he was being asked on Fox about consorting with William Ayers."
You said he consorted with terrorists. Please display the evidence for this remark.
A known accepted terrorist with whom he consorts.
As far as I know William Ayers is a proffessor of education. He has never been convicted of terrorism and is not a terrorist.
He is also one man.
Back up your claim, or withdraw it.
"Or the fact that many many people say he has no exeutive experience - or that he has the farthest-left voting record in the Senate. None of that is racist to th slightst degree except in your head."
Many people? Many of your sort of people. Simply sprouting prejudicial remarks by others does not clear you of prejudice.
And you have never defined your executive experience remarks presumably because you cannot.
"The Ohio article I posted to was an account of a campaign meeting. With some poll figures showing Obama trailing badly in Ohio. No more no less. I did not comment on the article except to say that I thought Obama needs to win Ohio to get to the White House. Which most pollwatchers would agree - Ohio is a key swing state with 20 votes in the electoral college. You gave a kneejerk response that the post was racist. "
The Ohio article was an interview by a far right magazine of a republican organiser.
And I answered your question - does Obama need to win Ohio to become President, answer no.
Do you argue with that?
"Which simply shows that you throw the rac card around without any cause."
Your remarks follow a clear pattern
You claim he has "no achievements", his background is murky etc etc.
And your arguments about him make no politcal or rational sense, other than to indicate prejudice.
You have dropped your ridiculous remarks about the qualifications of Senators.
"Do you or do you not accept that Trig is Sarah Palin's baby ? You keep wriggling on this, but your answers imply that you do not accept that Sarah Palin is the mother.. My recollection is that you were previously suggesting that Palin's daughter is the actual mother of Trig. Do you deny that ?"
I do not care, I do not know this is your, slightly unhealthy, obssession not mine. I would be interested how you can claim to know, were you there at conception?
Now, once again, you accused Obama of a criminal offence. Are you withdrawing that remark as you seem to have based it solely on a Fox interview which proved no such thing.
Is that the extent of your evidence? Who are these terrorists with whom he consorts?
Simple question
Do you see what I mean by prejudice.
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@Simon21
and Obama and particularly Biden are not Washington DC insiders? Don't make me laugh.
Exactly what are Obamas qualifications and achievements? I'm afraid I can't think of a single thing.
Being a college professor signals he might well be out of touch with the real world, as many college professors are.
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#203, goleooo :
Every village needs an idiot, thanks for coming along.
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Triple A-whole,
First used by McBushPots & kettles.;-)
ed
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Folks
As for Bottler Brown he will undoubtably do more harm than good to Baracks campaign. Any American with half a knowledge will see what disaray he has left this country in and think to themselves is he backing a candidate that will follow along a similar line of policies in the US and further destabilise the US. Otherwise anyone hearing of him may look him up and be goaded by cheesy grins, impulsive and ridiculous hand gesticulation, a thick head and down right arrogant personality. They may think why sould this man back Barack unless he sees similarities, worryingly a possibility. Alternatively his "Brownies" may show the American people how lucky they are to have a fantastic candidate like Barack Obama. I know UK politics needs a youthful and exciting candidate.
What is really worrying is the focus on Mrs Palin and not on her policies, attitudes, priorities. Apart from a high level view this woman is a mystery. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't.
Also I have to say look at Baracks history both in the Senate which literally until the last minute was loosing until some bad press (be aware this could happen to the McCain Palin Camp - believe me people are undoubtably digging and me thinks Mrs P has a few dirty skeletons in the closet). Secondly the Democratic Primaries, Hilary was trumping him until late on.
I believe Barack Obama will win but it will be his traditional late minute rally.
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#212 Simon21
You say the vast majority of electors in the US would not know who Gordon Brown is.
I would add that the vast majority of the electors in the UK wish they did not know who Gordon Brown was. Maybe Obama could run for Parliament, become PM and gain some executive experience in a smaller nation. You seem to admire him so much.
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217. blondesally85:
"One thing still baffles me though...how can someone SO right wing appeal to independents???"
Maybe it's about more than abortion and religion to them?
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What's offensive here?
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193. John AAA For the record, your last post to me was littered with spelling errors, but I digress.
Rhetorical question for you: How can a man that has voted 90% of the time in alignment with Bush tout himself as an "agent for change". Are you plain stupid or just out of your mind? If McCain is projecting himself as a proponent of change, his political stance must reflect that and it does not, so there's no way that the electorate can perceive him as an agent for change, unless they are extremely stupid.
Lastly, how can McCain change all the ills that are occurring in Washington when he is a contributory factor to said ills?
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R-snail,
you're welcome to comment but may I ask what sort of guarantees you give? Has the Almighty perhaps showed you the future that you are so certain McCain will win and Americans will be proud of that. WOW...and than they say Nostradamus is a fake. Holy ***.
DO you really think Americans are that blind, naive, and uneducated that they cannot even smell a trap?
But I see people like you all over this country and I feel sorry for the world that has to deal with the low intelligent creatures like yourself who decide on the fate of many others. People like you scream against George Bush yet support more of George Bush.
I really feel sorry for you. I think you would rightfully fall into BBC's category for redneck: a symbol of the ignorant, the primitive, the anti-science, religious fanatics with a gun and a bible, who think they are better than anyone else, and talk about a freedom they cannot possibly comprehend.
time will tell, and if you are right, time will also tell what will become of America. Too bad people like you won't be around to suffer the consequences of your idiotic choices. But I hope there are just enough real men and women in this country who would step on the brakes and end this countries journey backwards.
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Simon21
You still don't accept that Trig Palin is Sarah Palin's baby.
That is truly sick behaviour.
re Terrorists - William Ayers got off the charge on a technicality. He freely admits being in the Weather Underground - a terrorist outfit. He publicly rejoiced over it, said he wished he had done more. His partner Doehrn was convicted for terrorist activities. Obama's political carrer was launched in thir house. And you try to describe Ayers simply as a professor of education ? He is an unrepentant terrorist. Read his remarks published on 9/11.
And in his work in eductaion he is recognised as an arch-left radical activist. Again, he is proud of it.
Pointing out that association is not being racist. Nor is it illegal..
'I posted an article about an election meeting in Ohio. You said it was from a right-wing source - therefore my post was racist.
You must be out of your tiny mind.
You and your ilk are probably throwing away Obama's chances. People don't like your extreme opinions.
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RealFrigid,
It takes one to know one!
you still haven't answered my question why exactly did you leave mother Svea!
Was it because you were the villiage idiot, so to make your self feel better you came to a greater village where you would be surrounded by more idiots, even greater than you?
you know, politicians are scum, but than there are those blind sheep like you good sir, who are the fungus growing beneath the scum. All in good spirit.
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A small number of Americans have travelled beyond North America. Most regard the world as an inferior and dangerous place with millions who are potentially enemies or illegal immigrants. The culture wars display a widening fault line threatening the coherence of society with Republicans dominating in the poorest states where there is most fear and ignorance, and the Democrats finding greater support in wealthier, educated, travelled, cosmopolitan, multi-cultural, agnostic, tolerant, generous, sexually diverse and practical rather than dogmatic personalities. There are those who read one book, and say it is the Bible, and there are those who go beyond reading the books and try to discover the world as it is , and are sure that there is more than one way to the truth, the good, and the beautiful. At present, these people had better start really working to get everyone they know to cast their vote, or the disciplined ranks of the dogmatic will triumph again and that is very dangerous for everyone.
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I find it funny how many Euros are saying how America won't vote a black man president.
When did Europe ever do so? O sorry I forgot, in Europe's EU one does not get to vote, the politicians get to appoint eachother. And in many Euro countries it has been decided that the most qualified person to be head of state is the previous's head of states oldest child, regardless of qualifications. Yes, Europe still does hereditary titles and many in Europe think it is a wonderful achievement to have inherited a title.
When did Europe ever have African-European supreme court justices, or secretaries of state? Like, never, I'd wager.
And as for warmongering, who started WW's I and II? Who started the Vietnam war (hint: they were kicked out at Dien Bhin Phu)? Who wanted to go to war over the Suez canal?
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#234, ezekielthemack:
The 90% in alignment with Bush is a Democrat talking point.
How many times has Barrak voted in alignment with Bush? Has he been 100% against everything Bush supports? No.
Obama supports Bush 40 to 50 Percent during his 2 years in Congress
So the salient difference of 40% is what we need to focus on. Where did Obama and McCain differ on issues and votes in Congress?
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I used to think, way back when, maybe a month ago, that this presidential election would be different.
The issues, I told my friends, are far too important this time. People are losing their houses! The Iraq war is woefully mismanaged! Millions are on the brink of despair!
How naive I was!
I would like to thank my Republican friends for putting me straight. This election is about rimless glasses, Caribou hunting, and how to apply lipstick to a pit bull.
Why do I feel like I've stepped through the looking glass?
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234 ezekiel
I did not say McCain will succeed in grabbing the label of Change. I said it was a deliberate move - and if it works, Obama suffers.n
Each side will argue its case.
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#159 MAII
Anti-zionism is not and never will be the same as anti-semitism. People equate the two together in a ploy to let Zionists get away with murder and, unfortunately, it is rather good ploy because obviously no one wants to be branded an anti-semite.
However, it only serves to stifle debate on the palestine issue, and I would have thought that however right wing you were you would be able to see this argument for what it is, and come up with more intelligent arguments.
The fact that you just threw it in during a thread which didnt even involve Israel, palestine or the jewish race AT ALL proves that people just use it to silence their opponents.
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#234, ezekielthemack;
Washington Post site to compare actual Senate votes
I like to get to the real facts, rather than stop at the spin and talking points.
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MAII
Seriously Im worried about your psyhcological wellbeing. All this hatred isn't good for anyone. Did something really bad happen to you when you were younger? Absentee father? Unrequited love maybe? Or did u just never get that train set you were after?
For your sake, I just hope you're a really sad computer geek, with a bizarre sense of humour and A LOT of time on his hands
Sally
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234. ezekielthemack:
'Rhetorical question for you: How can a man that has voted 90% of the time in alignment with Bush tout himself as an "agent for change". '
Question (not so rhetorical) for you:
How can someone who has voted with Bush 40% of the time tout himself as the unBush candidate?
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235. goleooo:
"I really feel sorry for you. I think you would rightfully fall into BBC's category for redneck: a symbol of the ignorant, the primitive, the anti-science, religious fanatics with a gun and a bible, who think they are better than anyone else, and talk about a freedom they cannot possibly comprehend"
Ah. Enlightenment.
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Jenniminder requests that foreign countries stay out of American politics. Will America return the favour? Not likely...
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Here's an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, which articulates the differences between Obama and McCain on foreign policy:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122100330959617081.html?mod=opinion_main_commentaries
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allmymarbles (#123), that post (#23) was merely a comment on the immediately preceding post (#22). Perhaps that was not obvious, but I prefer terseness.
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“If you can't answer a man's arguments, all is not lost; you can still call him vile names.” -- Elbert Hubbard
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Ed (#136), yes, you got it.
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227. At 3:40pm on 10 Sep 2008, mcdv-1975 wrote:
@Simon21
and Obama and particularly Biden are not Washington DC insiders? Don't make me laugh."
Can any member of the US Senate not be a Washington insider?
WHere do you think the Senate is - Mauii?
"Exactly what are Obamas qualifications and achievements? I'm afraid I can't think of a single thing."
Winning a Harvard law scholarship is not an achievement?
Would not many families in the US regard that as an achievmen?
Getting elected to the US senate, is that not an acheivement?
John McCain would say it is an achievement.
Do you understand the meaning of the word acheivement?
"Being a college professor signals he might well be out of touch with the real world, as many college professors are."
Are they, how many do you know? Being a son of an admiral and living with millionaires might make you out of touch also.
Depends on what you regard as the "real world", doesn't it.
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#204 Andrea,
Good lord woman, Europe (or the UK at least) is pretty goddamn far from being socialist. I dont know how many times we have to point this out.
In the UK BOTH major parties are right of centre. Surely you know enough about politics to realise therefore that the UK isn;t socialist.
If you were referring to ALL the other European countries aside from the UK, please don't try and tell me that Sarkozy and Berlusconi are socialist, cuz that's so funny it hurts.
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#235 goleooo
Hello again goleooo. If you'd read the post which I referred to, you would note that my only guarantee was that the US election date is not 11 November, but in fact on the 4th...
With your vitriol as an indicator, I ask you to feel free to show up at the polls early on the 11th and cast your vote.
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#235
When McCain wins this election, as every day it seems he is getting closer to this goal, will you leave America?
I would really hate for you to have to stay in a country you feel so full of ignorant, bigoted, irrational, rascist individuals ...
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Gadfly, HI!
Indeed! Register and Vote!Salaam/Shalom
ed
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A reformed Maverick!!!! HEEYAAAA
Small town redneks...the educated Americans who support the pitbull and the maverick....
MORE LIKE KEN AND BARBIE EH!!!
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Sally,
Thanks but It ain't that easy to shut me up. I don't wear lipstick, but I'm a bit of a terrier-ist.;-)
ed
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“There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation” - Herbert Spencer
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236. At 4:11pm on 10 Sep 2008, JohnAAA wrote:
Simon21
You still don't accept that Trig Palin is Sarah Palin's baby.
No I said I don't know. And I asked how you did.
And you gave no answer.
That is truly sick behaviour.
No being obsessed with a baby's origins is pretty odd and you clearly are obsessed. It is rather unhealthy.
"re Terrorists - William Ayers got off the charge on a technicality. He freely admits being in the Weather Underground - a terrorist outfit. He publicly rejoiced over it, said he wished he had done more. His partner Doehrn was convicted for terrorist activities."
So neither of these people are terrorists.
Thank you for admitting it.
Now do you withdraw your remark that Obama "consorts with terrorists".
"Obama's political carrer was launched in thir house. And you try to describe Ayers simply as a professor of education ? He is an unrepentant terrorist. Read his remarks published on 9/11."
If he was he would be under arrest. He is not. He is not a terrorist.
Unless you are now claiming terroism is legal in the US?
And who knows with you?
"And in his work in eductaion he is recognised as an arch-left radical activist. Again, he is proud of it."
That does not make him a terrorist.
Do you understand what a terrorist is?
Do you think the people of Iniskillen, Omagh were attacked by "far-left" educational methods?
How low can you get. Show some respect.
Pointing out that association is not being racist. Nor is it illegal.. "
You said "consorts with terrorists" a criminal offence.
Are you rrying to change what you said because you have no evidence?
Do you stand by your remark, then show the evidence.
Name the terrorists
'I posted an article about an election meeting in Ohio. You said it was from a right-wing source - therefore my post was racist.
You must be out of your tiny mind. "
It was right wing source and followed a pattern of visceral contempt you have for this candidate.
"You and your ilk are probably throwing away Obama's chances. People don't like your extreme opinions."
This from someone who doesn't know what terrorism is and seems to think that it involves education. I imagine the people of Omagh might take issue with you over that.
Just admit you have no evidence for your remarks.
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AndreainNY...
o....shhhh....don't talk about that...that's heresy!
more reality behind the bull*** Republican cloud!
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#124. JohnAAA: "David_Cunard on the "Disappointment " thread has suggested I am a miscegenist - that I object to the mixing of races. That too is totally false. It is the race card in another guise. But I don't expect he will have the grace to withdraw."
In fact "miscegenist" has an additional meaning, that of being anti-black, which your continued harping on "the race card" strongly suggests. We only have your word that you are not prejudiced, but your writing indicates otherwise. Ezekielthemack replies in the same way as I would, so kindly look again at #126 and #133. As with your repeated references to "the smears", reiterating the words simply draw attention to the inadequacies of your argument and thus gives the appearance of being racist, even when you may not mean to do so. Nevertheless, I still suspect that you have grave reservations about Mr Obama because of his heritage.
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Andrea,
I guess it must just be about taxes. That's what it's always about.
Personally I see the merit in public spending and clearly you can't increase that without increasing taxes (altho politicians like to tell you the opposite). I'm all for taxing the rich, but I know most people aren't. I guess that's why right wing parties are in power everywhere.
It's sad, but there really is no such thing as society; just the individual.
Sally
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#247, AndreainNY :
Worse, an example of Christian Enlightenment. Obviously one who worships our Sacred Lady of the Invective.
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#244 RealFrigid
Very interesting, that Washigton Post list.
I made:
Joe Biden 8th
Barack Obama 12th
John McCain 65th
Shows a lot more independent thinking by John McCain.
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?If you can't answer a man's arguments, all is not lost; you can still call him vile names.? -- Elbert Hubbard"
When a man has got no brain power of his own, he hides behind the quotes of others to make himself sound intellectual
-- Me
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# 238 gadfly55
egads... where do you get your facts?
Ohh, they're opinions!
You are so very persuasive in your denigration of those poor, uneducated Republicans who don't travel the world for fear that the savage masses will take away their guns and Bibles. In contrast you say the Democrats are wealthier, well travelled, better educated, agnostic, multi-cultural, more tolerant, sexually perverse, and practical.
I always thought the Repubs were the party of big business who want less taxation so that they can keep more of their hard earned money to travel, whereas the Dems want to take as much in taxes as possible to dole out to those poor miscreants who don't have a job but still feel that they deserve government handouts for food stamps, welfare health systems, council houses, and a state (failing) educational system.
Thanks for setting me straight. It's all perfectly clear now... I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.
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Andrea (249), From your linked article:
Kinda says it all, don't it?;-)
ed
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#29 No rash deci,
#32 muz paw,
After walking for a little while in thr US cemetary near Cambridge, nothing will alter my deepest deepest gratitude for the US.
All thoes young men,they came to help and had to stay for all time,no rude blogger of any nation can spoil this.My feelings they can not reach ; it goes too deep....
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"There are many, many countries in the world - particularly throughout Europe - that can owe THEIR FREEDOM to men and women from the United States who fought and died there against tyranny and FOR freedom. Unfortunately that reality and that history seems to elude most of the citizenry of Europe these days."
JeffROE, to think that anyone would forget the brave men and women from ALL OVER the world that gave their lives is quite frankly an insult and i find it completely irrelevant in this matter. If it eludes anyone, it would be the US because it wasn't their country that was bombed flat for two years before the US realized what was going on. (sound familiar? Iraq Cough*) A lot of the US is so detached from the rest of the world it doesn't realize that it influences it immensely. But you're right, why should you give a damn.
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R-snail,
that's not the answer to my question. You know darn well what my question was referring too. I am giving you a margin of intelligence to figure it out, but next time I will be 5yr old specific.
By the way, don't pride yourself with remembering dates. may I suggest you put as much effort into priding yourself with understanding some truth, facts, and a fair vision for the future of this country by considering the failures that have been our bane for the past 8 years.
there's a good old saying: when you're deep in Sh** up to your nose, keep your mouth shut. Sounds to me like the Republicans enjoy the taste!
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Ed,
Lol, I know I should have realised as much! That anti-semitism line just always riles me big time! It's nonsencial. MAII probably think's Chomsky is a "self-loathing Jew" like many Zionist writers.
Oh and R.E. the lipstick on a pig comment. The way all the headlines were reading and people on here were going on, I thought Obama might have actually been sexist. Thankfully on closer inspection I realise this isn't the case. Frankly, I think it's a little sexist to assume he would be referring to Palin.
I don't know if I can wait till November for the election. The suspense is killing me!
Sally
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#253, Simon21:
Winning a scholarship is not an achievement for a person who had average scores at a mediocre high school. It is affirmative action.
That he was elected president of Harvard Law Review and graduated from Harvard Law Summa Cum Laude is an accomplishment.
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"249. At 4:39pm on 10 Sep 2008, AndreainNY wrote:
Here's an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, which articulates the differences between Obama and McCain on foreign policy:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122100330959617081.html?mod=opinion_main_commentaries"
Articulates? It could have been written by a child.
"Foreign lands" oh er who writes like this anymore?
And when confronted with teh CLinton presidnecy which undercuts his whole argument the author flounders.
And then we have this immortal phrase:
"When we elect a president, we elect a commander in chief. This remains an imperial republic with military obligations and a military calling. "
What is a "military calling?" And an "imperial republic? Don't most right-wing Americans deny they have an empire?.
This is the problem with much (thankfully not all) of the political discourse in the US it consists of little more than cliches, half-understood slogans and smears.
Do tell us your definition of socialism some time, it should be a laugh. You seem to think it is another word for witchcraft or heresy
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Goleooo,
Pereant, inquit, qui ante nos nostra dixerunt."Confound those who have said our remarks before us."
-- Aelius Donatus
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Simon and Ed,
I've largely stayed out of this one because it seems to me that this is one of the worst group of postings for some time and that the moderators have been extremely lax (unlike a few days ago) in allowing vituperative and offensive off-topic material.
It seems to me that no matter how often you or I point out various things, some are unable to listen. Hence, Obama is 'far-left': well, about as far left as David Cameron and a one-nation Tory: I guess everyone is far left if the politics of the person making the accusation are so extreme as to not be able to distinguish between a moderate and a Marxist.
Or, Obama has 'spent two years in the Senate': except that he was elected in 2004.
I just hope that Obama does the one important thing: to leave the McCain campaign to swim in the cess-pit it has created. A firm line on talking about the real issues is all that is required. What is sad, very sad, is that McCain is destroying a lifetime's achievement through conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.
John McCain was an honourable man; no more, and not even victory can redeem him.
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R-Snail
you are very right, the republicans who do dictate the government are those rich money launders you say work hard for their money. Are you kidding me? i would really like you to come with me to some places where you can see for yourself the hard work your republicans do. But you are right, someone else in a third world country is working hard, but as Americans we always like to take the credit for something its not ours.
I think you might be right on the bottle. I would buy you a second and a third just for you to stay busy with anything but believing your own lies. if by miscreants you are refering to someone who has taught in 3 countries for 30 some years but now in America is struggling to find a job to educate the idiots than sir you are a fascist!
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Sally,
I have to admit that, for stupid folk, it might be easy to mistake me for an anti-semite.
;-)
ed
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#267, goleooo:
So far, you have used invective, and charges of racism to shout down anyone who does not agree with your position. Your entire contribution to this blog has been making false assumptions on peoples positions, hostility, anger and childish name calling. How does that make you the superior intellect?
I'm sure that even those here who support Obama are chagrined by your obtuse and unsubstantiated maliciousness. I disagree with some people who post here, but I don't disrespect them.
It may be beyond your capabilities to engage in civil discourse, but I would encourage you to try.
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McCain was acually correct when he asserted recently that this election is not about issues but about personal attributes. Incredibly, instead of reviewing the proposals presented by both parties to solve our fiscal and economic woes, our political focus is on pit bulls, lipstick, abortion, teenage pregnancies, and religion.
Unfortunately for the USA, barring a total collapse of our economy or mass bank defaults, I doubt our attitude will change within the next two months. In all likelihood we will continue to fret about the possibility of voting for a "brainy" African-American man who has the audacity of running against a war hero and an attractive gun-toting amazon that invokes God for wisdom and courage in a manner than is nothing short that a resurrection of Joan d'Arc.
I am afraid that, if elected, our mystical duo will need more than divine intervention to preserve our way of life.
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On selling jets on auction sites
Oh well,...;-)
ed
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(No doubt Simon21 will pathetically call me a cists for posting this)
I do not think Obama deliberately intended the word pig to be aimed at Sarah Palin. I have said that before.
I do think his remark was extremely stupid right now. He is looking rattled to me.
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#277
Don't yet count Obama out. If the election was held today, Obama would win the electorals. McCain would be left swimming in nothing but campaign signs ...
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#266, chill0:
I don't take issue with who vote what percentage with their party, the correct analysis is which issues are important and who voted the proper way.
If you believe that the Republican or Democrat position is always right, or always wrong then party line vote is your measure.
For example, Obama voted Yes for the continuation of FISA, and against the Democratic position. What voters need to do is ask themselves on these issues if this is in sync with your position.
I for one, do not believe the Democrats or Republicans are correct 100% of the time.
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I live in the UK. Gordon Brown has the right to make any comment he likes. It's called freedom of speech.
Earlier someone with letters and numbers for a name posted something to the effect that the US saved Britain and other European countries during the Second World War. Personally I am grateful for the sacrifice that ALL Allied servicemen and women made during the war to allow us to defeat fascism. However, I just want to point out that the UK lost more soldiers, sailors and airmen than the US did, and that from a smaller population. People like MA2 and the aforementioned poster seem to like to make statements to the effect that Europe can just go hang because we have wars. I seem to recall that vast areas of the US were either conquered in wars (Mexico, Spain) or bought (Russia and France). And since then the US has only fought wars on other people's territory. The US also made vast sums during both World Wars.
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Two points struck me forcibly when watching the main speeches last week.
First, Palin is clearly a confident woman, a woman of genuine executive achievement, who became Governor because she wanted ethics reform in her state. She fought against her own party to achieve it. But in talking of her approach to public office, she spoke of having a "servant's heart".
Secondly, McCain is obviously a big tough character. But he spoke very movingly of being broken while in captivity - physically and mentally - and of his gratirude to his comrades for rehabilitating his self-belief, his self-esteem. He exprssed gratitude for everything shat America stands for - not just its material benefits - and his wish thenceforth to serve his country throughout his life.
The concept of service in public office. Not to control.
Among recent UK Prime Ministers Joha Major had I think this service ethic, but was a rather bumbling servant. Blair was less a servant than a manipulator - but brilliant at it. Brown has the aura of wanting to control - indeed he is frequently described by colleagues and those who work for him as a control freak. That is a large part of his unpopularity, I think.
Personally, I was persuaded that both Palin and McCain have this "service" ethic at the root of their approach. People concede, for example, that Palin did not try to impose her own social conservatism on state legislation - she concentrated - with help for Democrats in her state - to better serve the public weal by makiing ethics reforms and standing up against her party and against the international oil companies,
I believe this could be an important factor in the election. The question is - can they convince the American people that if they gain office they will use it to serve, rather than simpy control.
I don't see Biden persuading anyone in a month of Sundays that his objective is service.
Obama may however be able to persuafe the electorate on this point..
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Halperin On Palin: "Stop The Madness"
Pretty comprehensive de-bunking, eh?Salaam, etc.
ed
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No one in this country cares what Gordon Brown thinks.
We're very much like the British in that respect.
:)
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RealFrigid
wow...did you reform yourself overnight? Because that was not your position yesterday, assuming you remember yesterday's position...
p.s. compared to you, I am childish...for real! About half your age.
But if I say something that you are not, why does it bother you? Unless deep down you are, but you don't want to come out as such. But when I see the injustices that you fail to see, because your eyes may have caught some fat, I speak and fight against it. Offending those who eat and rejoice at the expense of those who are too weak to fight for their own lives is the least of my worries. Offending those who lecture others on common sense but have none, is also the least of my worries. Offending those who rebuke journalists in one front, and than refer to newspapers to support their claim like you do, is the least of my worries. In other words, I don't worry if it offends you. it offends me too, to know that someone like you has the view you have, very limited, and cannot see past Obama/McCain show.
And so that you know, i don't care who Obama is. I care about what he stands for.
Racism, sexism, bla bla bla...go and watch Jon Stewart the Daily show, and get some insight into the reality behind the curtain that you cannot seem to see through, clever man. And than come to me with racism and sexism. You don't even know what racism is, other than what you have read in the dictionary I have a feeling, swed man. And sexism? What is that? Republican pitbulls bullying everyone else yet accuse them of making a female a target, when they themselves made a target of another famale who didn't share their views....?
It is not my mission to convert you to support Obama, but I will stand up to my facts and do what I can not to allow more people to fall under your propaganda of religious/patriotic/maveristic agenda of the Janus people, if you haven't noticed. You don't like my names...did you like palin's name? do you like to refer to your wife as a pitbull with lipstick, too? I bet she wouldn't like it.
And i am not angry. Far from it actually. But I am past the point of laughing at ignorance. But I get it, you are a civilized man. Are you the civilized man who just loves to challenge in wars the uncivilized of the world for money and power? Are you the civilized man who doesn't care if a mother never sees her son again, because he fought to make rich a golden oldie? or about those people who day after day wake up to work at a minimal pay job to pay their rent and put their sick kids to bed with an empty stomach? Are you the civilized man who is proud of globalization because it enriches you at the expense of child labor elsewhere? Are you the civilized man whose children are more important than someone else's children? Are you? Civilized man?
you are still engaged in a show sir. It's not a show. What has happened to this country is very real, and the more those like you live in your little dream world inside your living room, the worst it will be for all.
I bid you farewell now! Enough is enough.
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Justin Webb is on BBC Radio 4 right now saying that Obama is in trouble in his campaigning. Not just the lipstick kerfuffle, but the fact he is on the defensive, and his supporters are worried.
(I expect Simon21 will accuse me yet again of racism for mentioning this)
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There's nothing at all stupid about the "lipstick on a pig" remark. It's a well-known joke, and it was the Republicans who introduced "lipstick" into the campaign rhetoric. They (the Reps) are trying to make something of it because they have no substantive issues.
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all hail obama!!
once their is a black president, america will truely be the land of oportunity.
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One last comment.
If for no other reason, the "rest of the world" should be supporting John McCain's campaign because he, not Obama, will come to their aid in their hour of need - militarily if needed.
Obama is an appeaser, and while he patiently discusses options and negotiations with your attackers (if and when this occurs), your citizens will be dying.
McCain has a proven record of standing firm in support of his allies.
And to those that belittle his 5 AND A HALF YEARS in captivity, tortured nearly every day of this period of time:
1) When he first arrived at the prison camp, after crashing in his plane, sustaining multiple serious injuries including broken bones, and then being severely beaten by the people who found him on the ground, his fellow prisoners believed he would die THAT NIGHT. He didn't.
2) He never uttered a word of information to his captors, although he was tortured often.
3) When it was realized he was the son of an Navy Admiral and his captors offered to release him, he refused unless they released everyone else who had been captured before he had. They would not so he remained in captivity.
No, this experience does not give him the "right" to be President. You are entirely missing the point, as usual. It has to do with character, tenacity, his sheer will to survive - not to mention his service to his country. This level of service and dedication to one's country, as unfortunate at it is, is very rare.
The sum and substance of Obama's entire "life experience" thus far cannot in any way compare to the magnitude of McCain's. That is the difference between a rookie and a seasoned professional.
McCain has proven himself to be one tough fellow, but one with compassion for his fellow citizens, and that is what we need in a President.
He's no Ronald Reagon, but he's the closest thing we've got right now.
Good luck with all of that.
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stupendousMadBadger (#286), yes, and the UK also lost many civilian lives and property to bombing during WWII. We in the United States had it easy, protected as we were by our geography.
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#284, invisibleserendipity:
Latest Rasmussen Data on Electoral Votes
Obama 264, McCain 247, with 27 a toss up. The news is that the shifts are moving McCains direction. This might be Palin euphoria that may subside before November. As Simon has previously indicated the slow grind of the press might tear her down, or she might be the new rock star on the block.
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This is the video that gave Kim Jong Il his stroke. Send in the wolves...
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#286, stupendousMadBadger:
It seems the US gets criticized for both entering wars too late and too early.
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Justin,
Your report today for Radio 4 News started with the words "Barack Obama is in trouble". What utter twaddle.
Historical data going back decades suggest that the party conventions are followed by a "bounce" in the polls that almost never lasts, and often produces the best polling that candidate will see all year. Which is exactly where we are at the moment.
If the best McCain can produce at this point in the calendar is anaemic leads in a handful of polls then it is a sign of vulnerability, not strength.
Either the BBC must learn to read and contextualise polling data or replace this sort of knuckleheaded horse-race coverage with actual news.
I'm frankly a bit fed up with the BBC reporting things like "some say" or "polls show that" or "opinion in Washington is", the content of which is often credulously recycled talking points from one campaign or the other. We the British punters expect a bit more dispassionate analysis and nuance for our license fee!
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I think Gadfly (#238) is very perceptive and I believe that you got it right. It is true that most Americans rarely travel far, and let me add that when most do(I said"most") they go with a group of American tourists--most wouldn't consider just going on their own. Dealing with change is difficult--some Americans avoid opportunities to socialize because of fear. It's unfortunate, because in many ways (I said MANY) we're all the same. Withdrawing into a small comfortable American world has made us quite ignorant on international issues. To have the arrogance to say "I don't care how other countries think" is unfortunate, and the precursor for many serious problems. The US's leadership and decisions DOES affect the world AND vice-versa. McCain is the wrong person to reach out for diplomacy and peace. He's the wrong man to help us bring us out of our reliance of oil (whether foreign or drilled from protected and pristine areas in the US and the gulf of Mexico) and in fact prolong the harm to our environment. He can't defend his positions because he's always changing (great video from one of the bloggers by the way! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEtZlR3zp4c) , and now that he came in with a bang (Palin), but he doesn't want her to have an interview for fear she may blow it if she can't be told what to say. Great speech she gave with those one-liners, by the way--WRITTEN BY BUSH'S SPEECH WRITERS.
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#278 goleooo
You taught in 3 countries for 30 years? What on earth is someone as vitriolic as you are qualified to teach... tolerance? More importantly, why on earth would you uproot yourself from wherever you were and inflict yourself on America?
I really would like to come with you and see your world, unfortunately I'm currently in a 3rd world country, trying to teach people to make better lives... All the while you have moved to America to complain how life is better in 3rd world countries! That my uneducated educator is called irony.
And you call me a fascist. I call you merely pitiful. Grow some balls man and think beyond yourself.
If you need a job, I assure you McDonalds is hiring... although they may not appreciate someone with your poor social skills behind the counter.
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Amusing remark by Chris Hoy of Scotland who won 3 gold medals. A journalist asked him "What does Chris Hoy think of Chris Hoy"
He replied "The day I start referring to myself in the third person is the day I disappear up my own ...."
Reminds people of anyone ?
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Watching the race from the other side of the pond, it looks like the Republicans have the momentum irrespective of Gordon Brown’s opinion..
In a way its similar to whats happening in the UK, here Labour are the story, the Tories sit quietly in the back ground not doing much but watching their popularity rise as Labour get slaughtered by the media, in the US it appears Obama is the story and the Republicans who lets face it will give us four more years of the same sit back whilst he takes a beating.
Having said that I believe the Republicans have outflanked the Democrats with Sarah Palin, its ironic that Hilary Clinton would probably have had massive female support that could have carried her to the White House and its now the Republicans who have tuned into the female demographic.
Just as the Tories were mighty relieved that Labour themselves un seated their most successful leader, I get the feeling that the Republicans were mighty relieved when the Democrats dispensed with the services of Hilary Clinton, because the Republicans know the Clintons would have made formidable election opponents.
Thank you.
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Obamas friend is not his running mate. Though he is......
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#286. stupendousMadBadger: "I just want to point out that the UK lost more soldiers, sailors and airmen than the US did, and that from a smaller population." Before any American does so, I must point out that's not strictly true; the UK lost 382,600 and the USA lost 416,800 - however, the civilian losses were far great than that of the US: 67,800 to 1,700. Both the Soviet Union and China had far greater losses than both of the Anglo-American allies.
Gordon Brown's remarks, barely a sentence, were made to his own party and despite what some posters here say, and UK papers such as The Daily Telegraph, he did not endorse Mr Obama. Using the link at #15 his words can be read easily. As MadBadger says, there is freedom of speech and mentioning Mr Obama's proposal does not amount to an endorsement. Say what one will about Gordon Brown, but he's not completely stupid!
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Some of us in the States do indeed care what people in other countries think of us and our politicians. I think there is a lot of concern in the US right now, that we have not been paying enough attention to what other countries, including Britain, are doing and what they think of us.
Please, we are interested, what do you think of our presidential nominees?
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To a certain constituency of American posters on this blog: why the insecurity? Why, why, why? You guys are top dogs - relax! Enjoy it! No one's time in the sun lasts forever, so why squander it in such bitterness and ugly rage? You'll only regret it later, for time and chance shall happen to you eventually.
Brown was addressing his own party. He said that Obama had the right idea, to exemplify the fact that, in his eyes, progressive politicians tend to be the ones with the right ideas.
At no point does he lecture the American people on how to vote; he wasn't even talking to you! To put it in an American way - self-involved much? The piece was remarkable in that it broke unwritten British protocol: i.e. this is an internal affair and therefore 'like, totally nothing to do with you so, like, leave us alone'.
This lust for indignation and anger - it's poisonous for everyone else, but the main thing - don't you find it exhausting? I mean, I'm tired and jaded just reading it.
Go on, do us all a favour - unclench those fists and relax. If that doesn't work, maybe try a blog that doesn't give you palpitations?
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#290 goleooo
Yes. I am the civilized man whose children are more important than someone else's children.
And I'm proud of it... and them.
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#80 Timothy R444
"While I understand the interest of other nations in our elections, it is anti-American insults like this that make us want to slam the door."
Maybe before you slam the door, you should ask yourself why the majority of the other humans on the planet have these opinions about your country and politics. I believe it may have something to do with slamming the door so much. Sometimes it's like you folks never quite outgrow the high school attitude that 'our team is best', regardless of our record or anyone else's opinion.
We are finally entering a period in world history where nationalism can die the tortured death that it has been approaching for decades, and you folks seem to be one of the last holdouts to a outdated attitude.
If one person tells you you're crazy, look for a second opinion. If the majority are saying so, maybe it's time for some self examination.
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#239 mcdv-1975
You're right about no European State ever having an African-European as it's head of State (or Government for that matter). Yes, USA has a more racist streak in it's public consciousness than Europe, but Europe can in no way preach. Racism is an issue in Europe too, albeit more related to immigration.
If the USA elects an African-American as it's head of State then America can claim it's mantle of being the heart of the revolution that is the Enlightenment.
Racism, I believe, stems from the old European colonialism and imperialism. A disease that has spread from Europe to it's former colonies.
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State puts a bounty on wolves
No comment;-)
ed
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#294 JeffRoe: re Mr McCain: "He's no Ronald Reagon, but he's the closest thing we've got right now." And you think that's good? McCain is older and far more likely to become incapacitated or die in office, and then with what would America be left? The electorate is being sold a complete package and half of that package, which might inherit the Presidency, leaves much to be desired.
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This is the bus the BBC is using in the US on the election. Looks a real gas-guzzler. Which is odd, because the BBC is always preaching Al Gore stuff.
http://tinyurl.com/5sg9y6
Any chance of getting some detailed poltical reporting as well ? Not the sort of trite stuff on the blog of the young BBC lad riding the bus :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/talkingamerica/
Still, with a budget of $7 billion a year for the BBC, they can afford to spend our money on this stuff
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.....instead of proceeding any further with the proposed $398 million bridge.
And Ed, 2.1 million on the sale of a Jet that "Was not her purchase", saving the State the cost of airport fees, hanger, pilot. crew and maintaince. Ok, didn't make anything but it is evident it saved plenty.
Hmmm.
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RealFrigid 298
Yes, timing is all.
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#296
Shifts are moving in McCain's direction. I believe he has made a 13 pt. climb over the past two weeks and cut Obama's lead to only 1 pt. Tied. Still, it is the electoral. And, if the election were held today Obama would win.
What will happen in the remaining 50 odd days is difficult to determine as this race has been unpredictable from start to present day. But, the debates will determine the race and they will be fierce.
My feeling is that McCain will outperform Obama. Obama is not a good debater - at least, in the primary debates he was quite flat. He will not have the necessary time to stoke the fires. McCain will be sharp and concise. The question is whether Palin will outperform Biden. That will be one of the critical moments of these campaigns.
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#303 bluedefence
Sir, your intellect and insight is what make pouring through the rest of this partisan vitriol worthwhile.
Well said.
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"Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama hasn't asked for any earmarks this year. The Illinois senator sought $311 million in such funding last year. McCain, an Arizona senator, doesn't seek earmarks for his state."
Like I've said before, it is the History on the canidate that we ultimately vote on. I see in this article that Obama hasn't asked for anything for his state this year,.. oh yeah, he's been campaigning. I wonder how much Richard Durbin has requested this year?
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
I am put in mind of the WB Yeats'line -
"Things fall apart, the centre cannot hold"
One poll yesterday showed that a lead for Obama of 8 points had been reversed into a lead for McCain of 12 points in just a week or so. That is one huge shift - the Palin effect.
I truly think Obama blew it when he did not choose Clinton as his running mate. Up to that point, the election was his to win or lose. And how will the Clintonistas be feeling now - hardly very energised ?
And today's gaffe re. lipstick - not deliberately malicious, just a big gaffe - will hardly help.
(I expect Simon21 will immediately say this is a racist post)
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Only a few days ago did I join, after having enjoyed following this blog's comments for some months.
Now it seems this place is spammed by the ususal USA-uber-alles-crowd as well, like so many internet fora discussing politics.
People like triple-A, has it ever occured to you that maintaining a 50+ years old point of view makes you sound like an ancient broken record ?
I wished there'd be more open minded US Americans as outspoken as the right-wing nuts, or the moderaters would do something about them.
After all, the latter don't care much about freedom of speech to begin with, and hardly deserve it.
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290. At 6:13pm on 10 Sep 2008, goleooo wrote: A well worded diatribe. Insulting to all, self righteous and short sighted.
Who ever said they were "proud" of living better off of child labor,..................
"And i am not angry. Far from it actually. But I am past the point of laughing at ignorance. But I get it, you are a civilized man. Are you the civilized man who just loves to challenge in wars the uncivilized of the world for money and power? Are you the civilized man who doesn't care if a mother never sees her son again, because he fought to make rich a golden oldie? or about those people who day after day wake up to work at a minimal pay job to pay their rent and put their sick kids to bed with an empty stomach? Are you the civilized man who is proud of globalization because it enriches you at the expense of child labor elsewhere? Are you the civilized man whose children are more important than someone else's children? Are you? Civilized man?>
I don't get this, are you saying that McCain and Palin want this stuff for the world or are you saying we should be suffering like them,...or is it a Miracle will happen when Obama is elected, and all suffering will end.
Just wave is hands and the waters will part and the land will heal....?!!*?
What the hell do you think the United States has striven for over our history? Who has fed more of the world then us? Who are you to say we don't about the loss of a mothers child, a fathers son?
Who has done more to uncover and stop child abuse? Who has been everywhere a catastrophie has struck, not with just Government (our taxes) money but our above and beyond contributions to the Red Cross and Church charities?
Either your ignorant insults to all Americans and self righteous atitude is an act or you really need a reality check up with your prefered psyhcological medical doctor.
"Just words, just speeches" BhObama
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Ed (#288), a bylined opinion piece does not amount to "losing the Wall Street Journal." The WSJ is a Republican Rag, and I expect them to endorse the Republican ticket.
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Noe here's a significant endorsement:
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2008/01/31/volcker-i-endorse-obama/
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#309
You say:
We are finally entering a period in world history where nationalism can die the tortured death that it has been approaching for decades, and you folks seem to be one of the last holdouts to a outdated attitude.
Nothing can be further from the truth. The world is trending in the opposite direction. We are witnessing exponential spikes in nationalism on a global scale. All one has to do is look at nationalism movements worldwide.
Although, for example, nationalism in the PRC has been on the rise for over a decade and expected, the sudden surge of a nationalism movement in its neighbor, Japan, is of consequence and has been somewhat surprising in scope.
Samuel Huntington published an article nearly two decades ago, which earned him heaps of trouble and nearly cost him his tenor at Harvard. He was castigated and called a heretic for publishing something so controversial. That someone in academia (Huntington) could say that the mounting conflicts in the world would be due to culture and nationalism was just not on, so to speak. Now, one and all are praising his insight.
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Now here's a significant endorsement:
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2008/01/31/volcker-i-endorse-obama/
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Sorry for the mis-spelling. I, of course, meant tenure as in teaching and not tenor as in singing.
Time for a coffee break ...
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#294, JeffRoe :
"Obama is an appeaser, and while he patiently discusses options and negotiations with your attackers (if and when this occurs), your citizens will be dying."
This is unproven for both candidates where it really matters, in a position of executive leadership. I would grant that McCain probably understands and supports the military better than Obama.
"And to those that belittle his 5 AND A HALF YEARS in captivity, tortured nearly every day of this period of time:"
I believe he was tortured frequently for the first few months while in solitary confinement, but less until August 1968, when he was severely tortured every two hours for a week until he made a forced confession. After that, he was tortured two or three times a week because he refused to sign any additional statements. McCain was an active resister to camp authorities until he was released on March 14, 1973.
"1) When he first arrived at the prison camp, after crashing in his plane, sustaining multiple serious injuries including broken bones, and then being severely beaten by the people who found him on the ground, his fellow prisoners believed he would die THAT NIGHT. He didn't."
More accurately he had a wing shot off by a SAM, and ejected. That he was badly injured, and mistreated on the ground is true.
"2) He never uttered a word of information to his captors, although he was tortured often."
I believe he resisted the best he could, but after intense torture he too eventually caved into their brutality.
"3) When it was realized he was the son of an Navy Admiral and his captors offered to release him, he refused unless they released everyone else who had been captured before he had. They would not so he remained in captivity."
True, but the set policy was first in, first out. So it would have been against regulations to accept release out of turn. It is admirable that he followed his orders, and didn't seek special treatment.
"It has to do with character, tenacity, his sheer will to survive - not to mention his service to his country. This level of service and dedication to one's country, as unfortunate at it is, is very rare."
And, often, the forgotten heroes who are undecorated and buried in the battlefield or just lost in the canopy of some jungle never get the accolades they too deserve.
"He's no Ronald Reagan, but he's the closest thing we've got right now."
Reagan did his service by making films, while McCain is the real deal.
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I don't consider the opinions of others offensive, in fact, I regard them as positive contributions that deserve consideration and constructive dialogue, what I dislike intensely are the childish insults voiced by some commentators from both sides of the Atlantic.
What I find interesting is the contrast between the opinions expressed by Europeans, whose society is focused on social programs designed to improve the standard of living of the population and on scientific experimentation, and a country that emphasizes individual responsibility and relies heavily on divine intervention.
Instead of rejecting each others ideas we should pause and consider the positive consequences of both ideologies and what they mean to our future, from a material and social perspective...and our peace of mind.
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Rednecks Rule, in more places then Texas.
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Ref 298
"It seems the US gets criticized for both entering wars too late and too early"
I think we are criticized because of our tendency to use force to solve international problems or protect our global interests.
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Does anybody know what the actuarial predictions
are regarding McCain being able to serve out
his full term?
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Gamblers odds.
Obama and McCain even (McCain favored by just a tad).
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Comment 27, Fritz_Kraut :
I am a student of history, as I hope all members of this forum are and I have just started my study of the 20th century (as my name would imply I have predominatly studied the 19th century).
As an American, I have been bombarded by the notion that the USA was the savior of Europe during WWII, so my viewpoint as of late has been lacking to what really occured during this time. I therefore implore you, and anyone else who will help, allow me to learn the truth. Can you recomend any books that truly expresses the heroism of the British and Russian soliders so that I can truly learn the history?
Currently, I am trying to dispel the idea that the French were cowerdly in their surrender to the Germans. God bless the American educational system for filling my head with such nonsence!
On a point that is more related to this topic, I feel that as an ever increasing global community, Europe, or any other part of the world, has every right to comment on the current state of the United State's political process and election for they have as much at stake as the we do (I am American). We do not need a continuation of the past 7.5 years and that is why my vote is for Obama/Biden
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Has anyone watched Jon Stewarts The Daily show lately? Please people do watch it, and see for yourself.
I just watched some of his clips about the conventions, and wow the republicans are one wrong bunch for the future of America.
But I would not be surprised if the old man and his unethical choice wins. it would be a move backwards that generations to follow will pay for dearly, but this election will tell the world much about America and what sort of people we have become.
If a "pitbull with lipstick" can fool us after eight years of lies and deceptions, than well it speaks for itself about our national ignorance. Some people here are very right in saying that we have become slaves to religious fanatics and politicians who know a truth they do not want the rest of us to know.
I hear Palin is a firm believer in creationism...That alone should be enough of a reason to worry about this sort of a person to push this country forward. Progress is made through science and search for knowledge and truth, not through scripture and wars.
Peace to all. The democrat's agenda gets my vote, regardless of who they have elected President. The President is not going to work alone, but with qualified people in the respective fields. The republicans just don't have any, and I fear the country is getting fooled by a an old veteran and a "pitbull with lipstick"
As Obama said, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig. There is an old roman proverb also: A wolf can change his skin but not his ways. McCain is too old the bring any sort of change. The only change he really promises is a skirt to the white house.
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124, JohnAAA.
Obama's color has nothing to do with your opinions, so you never refer to him as black.
If that is the case, then your opinion of Palin has nothing to do with her sex. Yet you mention her sex.
There's a little problem with your reasoning. And quite a lot of prejudice.
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#290,goleooo;
"wow...did you reform yourself overnight? Because that was not your position yesterday, assuming you remember yesterday's position...No. I suspect that since you are so quick to make assumptions about peoples beliefs and character, that you probably have no idea where I really stand.
"But if I say something that you are not, why does it bother you? Unless deep down you are, but you don't want to come out as such."There is this concept I have that intellectual honesty in debate requires one to try to expose an ommision or err in fact or logic. For example, you labeling me a racist, when in fact I am bi-racial and left my nation to escape racism. Your assumption is deeply offensive to me.
But when I see the injustices that you fail to see, because your eyes may have caught some fat, I speak and fight against it.And you assume that I am rich, and that I have exploited people. You accuse me of injustice?
Offending those who eat and rejoice at the expense of those who are too weak to fight for their own lives is the least of my worries.And, you assume that I eat and rejoice at others expense?
Offending those who lecture others on common sense but have none, is also the least of my worries.I'm not sure how you are measuring and comparing common sense. I do have the common decency to not ascribe to people traits and beliefs they do not claim.
Offending those who rebuke journalists in one front, and than refer to newspapers to support their claim like you do, is the least of my worries.Where do I rebuke journalists? I may rebuke errs and omissions in their reporting, but that is intellectually honest debate.
In other words, I don't worry if it offends you. it offends me too, to know that someone like you has the view you have, very limited, and cannot see past Obama/McCain show.You do not know me or my views. I've shared some of my opinions, but you do not know me. And, you who have the audacity to claim to be the one true Christian, also show very little evidence in understanding its philosophy here.
Racism, sexism, bla bla bla...go and watch Jon Stewart the Daily show, and get some insight into the reality behind the curtain that you cannot seem to see through, clever man. And than come to me with racism and sexism. You don't even know what racism is, other than what you have read in the dictionary I have a feeling, swed man. And sexism? What is that? Republican pitbulls bullying everyone else yet accuse them of making a female a target, when they themselves made a target of another famale who didn't share their views....?I'm sorry, but I don't watch TV to get educated.
It is not my mission to convert you to support Obama, but I will stand up to my facts and do what I can not to allow more people to fall under your propaganda of religious/patriotic/maveristic agenda of the Janus people, if you haven't noticed. You don't like my names...did you like palin's name? do you like to refer to your wife as a pitbull with lipstick, too? I bet she wouldn't like it.What facts? Who are the Janus people? You have only shown your narrow minded opinions, and like a brown shirt at a Munich beer hall, shout down anyone who disagrees with you.
And i am not angry. Far from it actually. But I am past the point of laughing at ignorance. But I get it, you are a civilized man. Are you the civilized man who just loves to challenge in wars the uncivilized of the world for money and power? Are you the civilized man who doesn't care if a mother never sees her son again, because he fought to make rich a golden oldie? or about those people who day after day wake up to work at a minimal pay job to pay their rent and put their sick kids to bed with an empty stomach? Are you the civilized man who is proud of globalization because it enriches you at the expense of child labor elsewhere? Are you the civilized man whose children are more important than someone else's children? Are you? Civilized man?Again, you purport to understand my positions and then ask all these bizarre questions. Do you have a clue what you are talking about? You come across here as either wasted on drugs, or totally insane.
I'm a civilized man who can engage in a civil discourse with people without calling them names.
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"And Ed, 2.1 million on the sale of a Jet that "Was not her purchase", saving the State the cost of airport fees, hanger, pilot. crew and maintaince. Ok, didn't make anything but it is evident it saved plenty."
You make a deal of 2.1 million to support Palin and talk about saving and making a change, yet you ignore billiions going into making weapons and bombs to kill?
I am sorry, I only looked at some previous comments of yours, and seems to me you support republicans agenda...maybe i am wrong, in which case I apologise, but if I am not, don't pride with saving chickens when butcher cows.
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#316, invisible, one would think that Palin vs. Biden
would be a valid comparison, but the McCain
folks are quite cleverly drawing Obama into a
trap where the debate is reframed as Obama vs Palin.
That's what pit-bulls are for.
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Ref 299
"Historical data going back decades suggest that the party conventions are followed by a "bounce" in the polls that almost never lasts, and often produces the best polling that candidate will see all year. Which is exactly where we are at the moment".
Unfortunately, Obama did not get a bounce from the Democratic convention; in contrast with the huge lead that McCain has gotten since Gov. Palin's nomination, which may very well prove insurmountable. Obama lost the senior, women and Independent votes; unless he does something very dramatic the next week or two he is history.
The debates are not going to help him. If he comes across as too "brainy" he will be portrayed as an elitist. If he falters he will be viewed as unprepared. McCain will be viewed as a hero who deserves to be CIC regardless of his limited grasp of economic issues, and Palin will be viewed as a Mom fighting for the well being of America with the help of the Lord against evil socialists intent on destroying her all-American image and everything that is good in our society.
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The tide has turned in McCains favor!
I think that the tide of popular support which has turned in McCain's favor has every sign of turning into a deluge, come
November. I feel, the British PM might have contributed to some extent, unwittingly, to
this welcome change.
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288, Ed Iglehart:
I don't expect much balance from huffing tons.
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To#318Dougtexan
McCain has done virtually NOTHING for the state of Arizona in nearly eight years. It is also questionable if he has ever done much of anything for his ADOPTED state except show up on Veteran's Day and talk to the VFW. A NOUN AND A VERB AND I WAS A POW! He IS NOT our native son.
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"What the hell do you think the United States has striven for over our history? Who has fed more of the world then us? Who are you to say we don't about the loss of a mothers child, a fathers son?
Who has done more to uncover and stop child abuse? Who has been everywhere a catastrophie has struck, not with just Government (our taxes) money but our above and beyond contributions to the Red Cross and Church charities?"
To be fair to the other blogger, that has not really been our priority for the past 8 years. And having lived in Europe and Canada I can tell you they too contribute to the world, in a more peaceful way than us as of lately. (sad to accept that). A common mistake we make, is that we give too much credit to ourselves and none to others, which you seem to do clearly.
I read some of the other blogger's posts and he/she does speak bluntly about some truths most of us would rather not hear, but you can't escape reality. We all have different experiences and some of us are more involved in our communities and the world than the typical American who a few of you have noted have never heard of BBC.
Personally I don't agree with your position either, and I don't think when you state your view you refer to the America of the past 8 years, which the other bloggers are refering too. We are not what we used to be, and the world can testify to that, our economy can testify to that. But we are too proud for our own good to accept failure and move forward. That will cost us hugely in the future. Goleooo and some others have made their point very clear that we need to evolve and stop putting limits to science and knowledge by imprisoning ourselves in religious ideologies and political lies. Knowledge reveals the truth and the truth sets us free. Religion won't, neither will hatred or wars.
There I agree with those who support Obama, even though he himself is not perfect and will not produce change. At least he has the vision to start it. McCain and change are far appart from one another. If you have learned anything through your life, experience, history, etc, you would agree with me, that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. What makes you think McCain will change this country or at least attempt to? you might be disillusioned yourself if you think so.
As for Palin, she is the greatest political insult this country has ever faced.
But than again, in a violent country like ours, even a quote from the movie Gladiator finds application: "he will bring them death, and they will love him for it."
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#237, goleooo:
"you still haven't answered my question why exactly did you leave mother Svea!"
To escape racists, and people who measure pedigree as a potential for success.
"Was it because you were the villiage idiot, so to make your self feel better you came to a greater village where you would be surrounded by more idiots, even greater than you?"
No. I choose to work and live with intelligent people.
"you know, politicians are scum, but than there are those blind sheep like you good sir, who are the fungus growing beneath the scum. All in good spirit."
I refuse to stoop to your level of discourse. I hope this is entertainment for your "Christian" soul. Have a great day.
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As I was educated by a American on this very site, in the US the political party system is used as vehicle for the individual, in the UK the reverse is the case.
Therefore the present Prime Minister, nor any previous Prime Minister has taken over mid-term (and there are a few), is not required to seek their own mandate, this is irrelevant.
Gordon Brown is an MP and as such was elected to represent his constituency, in 2005, as was the Labour party, therefore he and his party have mandate until the next general election. This is obviously significantly different to the US system, in which you have an elected head of state which we (still sadly) lack, as we have a Parliamentary democracy. In which the make up of the Parliament and the Cabniet government is the import factor not the individual who happens to be in charge overall.
Finally I don't think anybody here is suggesting that just because Gordon Brown may (or may not) have endorsed Obama it will make any difference to the election in the US.
It is just the British political establishment getting all hot-under-the-collar about people breaking with precedent.
Storm in tea cup (and our American cousins know how much we Brits love our tea ;)
Much love/
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allmymarbles
Some of your marbles are missing if you think I am racist.
(Simon21 will now pitch in and say that is a racist remark)
Most of the time I refer to Palin as Palin, I see her strength as one of relative executive experience and a determimation to hack into corrupt government.
Plus I don't see McCain as morally equivocating on defence issues. I do see Obama looking that way - eg his vies on Russia / Georgia, failure to back the surge.
Obama was meant to be talking about education today. His gaffe has lost any oxygen today for that. McCain promised to put public education at the top of his social agenda. No more of the failing publkic schools, kids being trapped into underperformance. That harms the black population disproportionately, if you think about it, He wants to help them in particular. Obama wants to continue the same old, same old. Teachers unions rule - not parents. Which is faling, with sad and serious human consequences.
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"brown shirt at a Munich beer hall"
How did you know that I am at a Munich beer hall? WOW...
I mean, I really am...awesome guess. OK maybe I went out of line a bit, blame the good beer we have in munich...that's what happens when you're having a good time with friends watching football and have a computer next to you... sorry...i know a bit tackless of me, to entertain us at your expense...But we were losing the game, so had to do something.
Apologies for offending you. Not my intention to assume you were racist!
Skal!
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RealFrigid,
are you saying the swedes are not intelligent? OUCH!
I know Europe is racist, but so is America. here he just pretend is doesn't exist.
And, apologies if my comment offended you, but first you have to define "christian"
If you mean a bible waving, gun totting white southerner, I am not your man.
If you mean one of those who go to church to pray for the week's sins, I am not your man either.
If you mean one of those who while they look out for other's interests, look out for their own a little bit more, than I am not your man either.
I am sorry to disappoint you, but perhaps you haven't gotten the point, that religious is not what I am. The christianity that perhaps you are referring to, is to me the christianity that popes used to convert criminals into knights to fight in crusades agaiinst people who had a different religious view, the christianity that condemned scientiests as heretics, and burned free spirited women as witches.
Anyhow, a great day to you too! Cheers
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#22 JeffRoe
What is it with 'you people'!
Europe a "socialist state"?
What do you think socialism is exactly?
Not making people pay for health treatment? No thats just being humane?
The USSR/China? No, thats communism. There is very important distinction known as dictatorship.
Canada? Ha! don't make me laugh!
I for one would welcome a socialist Europe but that dear Jeff is beacuse I KNOW what socialism is and don't conflate it with communsim Soviet or Sino or dictatorship.
And enough of how America saved the world in WW2, you didn't and we're still in debt (financially) to your government from 1945, thanks for that 'aid'.
I guess you missed the fact that Britain, India, Burma, Australia, China, Indonesia and Filipinos helped your boys out in Asia during WW2 quite a bit. But feel free to gloss over that one.
Much love/
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aquarizonagal (#343), what difference does it make that McCain was not born in Arizona? Biden, Obama, and Palin were also born elsewhere than in their current states. Likewise, the Clintons, Romney, and many other Americans, politicians or not. I was born in Oregon and live in California. The governor of California was born in Austria. So what?
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347, JohnAAA.
Bush did not decide the end the war in Iraq because he is really a peace-loving guy. What he did was steal Obama's trump card. If you think he or his successor (if McCain is his successor) has given up on aggression, think again.
Under McCain war will again rear its ugly head. Its next target will be Iran. The smoke screen this time will be nuclear bombs. A lie worked for Iraq and they are betting it will work for Iran.
That would leave only one country in the Middle East, independent of America, to be beaten into submission - Syria. Game, set, match.
The present set of republicans are dangerous people. They are also stupid. The destabilization of the Middle East can have extremely serious consequences. What they do not take into account is that those Middle East nations "friendly" to America harbor simmering revolutionaries who long to take down their governments. Further interference on our part may well give them the impetus to do just that.
You are a shallow thinker who does not see the implications of a republican win.
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#80 Timothy R444
"While I understand the interest of other nations in our elections, it is anti-American insults like this that make us want to slam the door."
Maybe before you slam the door, you should ask yourself why the majority of the other humans on the planet have these opinions about your country and politics. I believe it may have something to do with slamming the door so much.
Sometimes it's like you folks never quite outgrow the high school attitude that 'our team is best', regardless of our record or anyone else's opinion.
We are finally entering a period in world history where nationalism can die the tortured death that it has been approaching for decades, and you folks seem to be one of the last holdouts to an outdated attitude.
If one person tells you you're crazy, look for a second opinion. If the majority are saying so, maybe it's time for some self examination.
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#83 DougTexan
neoenglandistan?
I presume you think any country that doesn't try and string up people of another colour/religion (lynching i believe you good ole southern boys call it) is in hock to the enemy your invented clash of civilisations.
I live in a part of England with a significant Muslim population.
I have news for you:
1) not all Muslims are terrorists
2) allowing decent and free speech (real free speech: see the Netherlands) is not the same as AGREEING with everything people say.
Numpty!
Much love/
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If he hasn't he ought to. I believe this election result in USA, will affect everyone around the globe, we are no longer living in isolation. If Obama is chosen, it could be looked at as a beacon of hope to all those that still believe, “America is the leading country for liberty and change”. He will ,it seems will concentrate inwards to solve all economical and social issues.
It will affect the way we look at a Black man or colored person in street and give out the signal, that we are living in a multi racial/multicultural society, with equal opportunities for all. Obama is also a signal of peace and negotiation and middle ground as oppose to McCain signal of eyeballing the enemy and dominance and strength. The choice will affect us all. The big question is America and world in general is ready for Obama, or is he 10 years early.
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To#351Garyahill
Sorry!
Birthplace was not my point at all! My point is that he has done very little for our state but locally he has actually been celebrated as a native son. As if this was something special!
I despise the man so my comments are probably out of order but I have had to live with his politics for too long and really do not want this on a national level.
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Gary,
It's a Murdoch rag now. ;-)I agree about Volcker and friends. Now there's an economist/banker with some smarts!
Salaam etc.
ed
And Cool One, I don't expect much "balance" from any single source, Huff or other. My favourite columnist is here ;-)
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Ms Marbles, Namaste.
I truly hope you're wrong for all the reasons I've noted before. Iran is four times as big as Iraq and at least twice as difficult terrain. It has a huge military establishment. Invasion would be sheer folly, and I hope the alternative is beyond even the stupidest and most amoral neocon wet dreams.God(s) save us from Zealots!
Salaam/Shalom/Shanthi/Dorood/Peace
ed
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Ohbmas trip through the EU pissed off a lot of us American and his speech in Germany made blood shoot out of my eyes. From what I understand from my friend, who is from Africa the French and English are no better then we are about meddling in other affairs. They are Africa’s problem.
My self, I say if the world hate us so much, then lets give them a real reason for it and pull ALL foreign aide. I real don’t care what you all think of us and just don’t get the people who do. My self I don’t have to be liked by all.
Please keep cheering on Obama. That WILL put one more nail in his campaign. You all have a nice year.
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To#358Edinglehart
An even scarier thought is the relative distance from Alaska to Russia. We already have military bases in Alaska. Siberia is sparsely populated and has oil. This is just a random thought.
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Addendum
And save us from despots wearing lipstick!
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At #332, gunsandreligion asked "Does anybody know what the actuarial predictions
are regarding McCain being able to serve out
his full term?"
I read an estimate somewhere that he has approximately a 1 in 6 chance of death before the end of his first term. But not to worry, with such a well qualified replacement waiting in the wings....
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358, Ed.
I don't think we can depend on Bush and his tribe for common sense. But they might not try to invade, just bomb.
It woud be very difficult to conduct a war in Iran. In the first place the people are more cohesive than the Iraqis. The vast majority is Shia and, in general, the Iranians tend to be more tolerant. Some groups are semi-autonomous. That would include the Kurds, the Baluchi and the Turkoman. The small Jewish population, that dates back to 539 BC, was not expelled when Israel was created. In fact some of the Jews that fled the Arab countries settled in Iran. People forget that Iranians are not Arabs, but Indo-Europeans.
A serious problem for an invading force would be the topography. The country is mostly encircled by rugged mountains, a perfect setup for guerrilla warfare. The highest peaks are to the north and reach 19,000 feet.
.
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221. At 3:31pm on 10 Sep 2008, potatoman65 wrote:
AndreainNY *204 wrote:
"It may actually be more like this:
"If the Europeans want it, it may not be right for us. After all, we don't want to end up with their system." "
Fair enough, though, truth be told, we have a lot of different governing systems in Europe for the moment. Anyway, I would still argue that it is a weak basis on which to cast a vote...not a good way of getting the right person for the job.
**********************
I highly doubt Americans are going to base their votes entirely on opinions from abroad. We have many diverse opinions here. What are a few more?
More likely, it'll just irritate Americans to have to listen to others tell them how arrogant Americans are for thinking they know everything. The fact that these same others seldom refrain from taking every opportunity to tell Americans this is what gets so tiresome.
What's also tiresome is hearing how Americans never travel. The US is a very large country. Most Americans have been around it several times. We've got plenty of ground to cover right here. We could spend a decade of vacations and not cover our own country. Each region is different geographically and culturally. Surely, they can't be faulted for discovering their own country first?
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329. DominickVila:
"I don't consider the opinions of others offensive, in fact, I regard them as positive contributions that deserve consideration and constructive dialogue, what I dislike intensely are the childish insults voiced by some commentators from both sides of the Atlantic.
What I find interesting is the contrast between the opinions expressed by Europeans, whose society is focused on social programs designed to improve the standard of living of the population and on scientific experimentation, and a country that emphasizes individual responsibility and relies heavily on divine intervention.
Instead of rejecting each others ideas we should pause and consider the positive consequences of both ideologies and what they mean to our future, from a material and social perspective...and our peace of mind."
This is a great post. Thank you.
I would say that Americans pray for divine intervention but take responsibility for making things happen.
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Immersed in the chaff were some interesting points above:
There are several "civilizations": Western "Christian"; Eastern Orthodox; Islamic; Sino; possibly Latin American and black African.
Fundamentalist, "rednecks" exist in most places. The stranger is a threat on several levels. This is one aspect of the democratic fallacy/myth- in reality, the common man can neither lead nor govern. [We see this in the unfolding of the US election campaign and the pandering of the media types to childish issues.]
As Eisenhower saw, foretold and warned:
the USA is in the control of the miliary/industrial complex; opinion-formers are bought and perform to have the public believe as desired.
It is inevitable that the economic crash will have a Republican response: military conscription, a war economy and an attack against Iran and Syria [that may involve a Russian response and a big nuclear war].
The NeoCons will continue their successful manipulation of the evangelicals and milking of the US taxpayers, fostering further aggression in the Mid-East.
The child-minds of the voters will continue to be concerned with trivia about gays, lipstick, abortion, etc., while the probability of global disaster escalates.
The way out is for rational and far-sighted leaders to emerge and be supported. The evidence indicates that this will not happen within the USA and so there should be an international search to identify and foster such leadership.
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#362 - john-In-Dublin
I'd also read around 1 in 6 chance of dying in a first term, and 1 in 3 if he gets a second term. The man also has a quite extensive medical history, including four bouts with malignant melanoma. In my opinion we shouldn't overlook the possibility of debilitating illness either.
Yes, to agree with what's been said here many times, having an endorsement of any sort from anyone in the EU seems to be the kiss of death for a politician here. As is being tied in any way to "European socialist policies." Many Americans will reflexively run to the other candidate if a politician is tied to the EU in any nebulous way. It's very, very strange.
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What we need to shake up this campaign and add a little humor is to have McCain put the make on Palin. Actually I think they would suit each other. He already said they were soul mates and he loved her. That's a start.
I bet the moderators (who can be very mean-spirited) will scrub this.
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Addendum to my previous post: They at least run to the other candidate in sentiment. Perhaps it is just my part of the country.
On the subject of Iran, there was a 9/11 "tribute" video shown at the Republican National Convention last week. It opened with footage from the Iranian hostage crisis. The narrator at the time was explaining that "The first attack occurred in Iran."
I never heard them explicitly attempting to link the two, but it was (loosely) there at least visually. Then again, they (to my knowledge) never explicitly tried to link Saddam Hussein to 9/11 before we invaded Iraq, but did speak in such a way as to help foster that association. As of 2007 around 40% of surveyed Americans still believed that link was there.
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369. littlebeth.
The republicans have, for the duration of the campaign, put war on the back burner (they want to win, right?). But thugh the flame is on low, it is still on. Should McCain win, guess what - war with Iran. And there will be Joe Lieberman, the weasel, egging him on. Am I the only one who can see this?
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alaska-me-hardplace:
"Maybe before you slam the door, you should ask yourself why the majority of the other humans on the planet have these opinions about your country and politics. I believe it may have something to do with slamming the door so much. Sometimes it's like you folks never quite outgrow the high school attitude that 'our team is best', regardless of our record or anyone else's opinion.
We are finally entering a period in world history where nationalism can die the tortured death that it has been approaching for decades, and you folks seem to be one of the last holdouts to a outdated attitude.
If one person tells you you're crazy, look for a second opinion. If the majority are saying so, maybe it's time for some self examination."
You misunderstood my post.
It is precisely BECAUSE we have not slammed the door that so many here assume the right to tell us how to live, what to thik, how to respond, how to vote and how to behave.
Read your own post again. The condescension and arrogance of your remarks are fabulous, incredible.
Read other posts here and on other threads on this blog. Hatred and contempt for Americans have become so intense that even the deaths of Americans in WWII are mocked and ridiculed. That is how bad it has gotten.
Enough is enough. It is time to return to the isolationism of the pre-1941 world. The Brits can work out their own problems and stop endlessly whining and complaining about Americans. An entire blog given over to anti-American insults? Enough is MORE than enough.
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27, Fritz.
So the Brits and Russians won the war without us. Are you putting that in your history books? HaHaHa.
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183, ukwales.
When I told staphylococcus aureus to take his medication, the moderators punished me. I call that favoritism. What color are the pills?
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287, JohnAAA
I don't see Sarah Palin as god's gift. I think she is vulgar, ignorant redneck. She is an embarrassment.
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339, guns.
Blame Obama for being drawn into the trap.
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345 real.
I think you must have got lost somewhere on your way.
ninny most americans have not been around the states as much as you would claim.Incase you did not notice on your travels the american flags randomly placed every where in the states you were still in the uSA.
and no matter how different you think the southis from the north or east to west they still are all americans.
IT is not the same as visiting a country where you do not speak their language .
If all you do is travel around the states good on you, no planes because they are bad for the environment.
Timmmmaaay from south park welcome back you remind me of the guy, the one on MTV awards mentioned him , a cowboy who should not be trusted with scissors .
BTW your wrong and sad if you think you have heard america bashing you will just have to wait to see if mrs piggy and the old frat make it in. then you will hear some stuff. that I guarantee.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
john don't worry about being racist there's a lot of company.
And to Europe caused racism.whoever made that wow american remark
Really
never any problems with racial conflict before then.
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376, Jack.
I would love to hear Sarah Pallin say, "Moi?"
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370 - allmymarbles
No, you're absolutely right. Should they win, we'll certainly be at war with what McCain refers to as the "Iraq-Pakistan border" (known to people familiar with geography as "Iran.") McCain has surrounded himself with old members from the "Project for a New American Century" (PNAC), so it all makes sense in that context.
It's all playing out like a bad movie and many of us are playing our parts perfectly. It's quite frightening in many ways.
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I would love to hear her say "glub glub glub..............."
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night marbles btw .
I have heard rumour that if the president was to order an attack to bring the start of a war with Iran that the US military would fight for peace. and some would get the president.
some would say
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382. Jack.
Well, of course, attacking Iran would be an act of insanity. Scary rumor. I guess I can't ask where you heard it.
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I think war with Iran - namely a bombing attack by Israel on the nuclear sites - is more likely if Obama won on 4 November. I do not believe the Isralis feel that Obama will fight the Iranian nuclear threat as hard as McCain. Obama will follow the European line of endless negotiations with Iran that get nowhere - while letting the nuclear programme proceed, under an Iranian leader that would like to wipe Israel off the map.
There could be an Israeli air strike in the period between 4 November and the Inauguration, before Obama could take over.
So - if you don't want war with Iran - vote Mccain ?
Jut a thought.
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Greetings from California. I'm an American and absolutely love Europeans. I think you are all amazing and we have a lot to learn from you and your culture. I think the comments on here are correct and that is better to let us manage the campaign. I think it would be helpful if other EU Leaders including Gorden Brown validated some of Obama's foreign policy and economic plans (that is if they agree). It would help endorse without officially endorsing him.
The election is making a turn and people are starting to see McCain/Palin as gimmicks and the truth will be clear at the debates.
The American press are not reporting in their polls all the new democrat voters and young voters that will decide this election. The McCain camp is in trouble and Obama just check mated them in their own game today.
Obama is smart and is a truthful leader. As the saying goes "the truth will set you free". Obama will win and will bring our World back to peace again (of course after getting those terrorists). Obama is highly intelligent, strategic, calm and forceful and that is what we need to fight terrorism, not more erratic behavior and unnecessary wars. Americans are sick of war and we did not support what Bush has done. Bush has a 20% approval rating. Bush is more like a dictator and McCain will be even worse, with a bad temper.
The reason it is so close is the American media is not showing the real campaign speeches. The media want it to be close so it keeps people excited. American media likes controversy. It is sad, but we are not getting fair press on the election.
Thank you for caring. Please keep us in your prayers. We need all the prayers we can get for a better future, peaceful world and hope for our children. I wish we listened more to EU then we wouldn't be in this mess.
Obama for Peace '08
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What may have upset a lot of people about the now-trashed hate smears against Palin was a sense rooted in Biblical text -
"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour"
Which is right there in the Ten Commandments.
The BBC has told people in the UK that it feels free to carry rubbish rumours about Sarah Palin because they are part of the discussion going on in the campaign.
Even though it is long-standing policy that the BBC should rigorously cross-check stuff before it is broadcast - that the BBC should be a bit behind the news, to get it right, rather than striving to be first.
If the BBC feels it is fair to carry the attack stuff against Palin , true or false , relevant or irrelevant, why is it not carrying the attack stuff against Obama and Biden ? There is a lot of it, true of false, relevant or irrelevant. I have not seen any of it from the BBC.
How about a post by Justin Webb on the stuff swirling round about the Dem ticket ?
As long as the BBC carries on in this vein, and especially if it follows the talking points of the Dem campaign (Eagleton !!!) but does not give equal time to Repub talking points, it will be regarded as in the tank for Obama.
The stupid pig/lipstick story is huge in the US so the BBC is forced to report it. But there are other stories from the Repub side that the BBC is not covering. Which it appears to be SUPPRESSING.
How about - at the most innocuous level, no dirt, an assessment of the mood within th two parties ? A fervent and united Prub side now - and the Dems still dogged by the Hillary refuseniks not contributing, not pulling as hard as they might ?
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Ms Marbles,
My points precisely! Wet dreams about nuking them, lack of understanding that Persians are not over-fond of Arabs (notably including the Mullahs) and some of the most difficult terrain on Earth.Should be good for decades of endless war (and profit) - a solution to the incipient economic collapse?
Salaam, etc.
ed
P.S. Welcome Lindlk, and you are in my prayers. I hope you're right.
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Once again Justin you point us to a right wing leaning article, (judging by the comments), this article is an attempt to get the American right riled up about foreigners. Are you assuming that most people will see the nuances of this?
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In #386 my semi-namesake John AAA is a tad more temperate than in most of his many, many, ever-so-many postings.
He writes "What may have upset a lot of people about the now-trashed hate smears against Palin was a sense rooted in Biblical text - "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour""
Firstly I'd have to point out that, on this blog at least, I haven't seen anyone nearly as repeatedly, endlessly and obsessively upset about the "hate-smears", or allegations as we refer to them in English, as JohnAAA.
Secondly, I'm no theologian, but from my RE days, as I understand it, said commandment is generally interpreted to mean 'You shall not tell lies'.
Personally, what I find particularly offensive is people who claim to be Christians, adopt a high moral tone, then lie through their teeth.
Any good lies? How about 'McCain has an illegitimate black daughter'. Spread to great effect by the Bushies c 2000. Or 'Obama is a Muslim'. Spread to great effect by the Repubs and McCainiacs recently. Or 'I was against the Bridge to Nowhere' by JohnAAA's friend Sarah. Who was against it after she was for it.
JohnAAA's other neverending whinge is about those leftie pinko commies in the British Bolshevik Corporation who always print good things about extreme Marxist lefties (ie the Democrats) and bad things about sensible centrist moderates (ie the Republicans). And naturally he says that just while the Beeb is giving loads of attention to the latest dishonest and hypocritical smear by McCain, ie condemning Obama for using exactly the same expression he's used himself.
"Naturally the BBC will avert their eyes from this " etc, etc, etc
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JohninDublin
I don't like patent lies from either side. I don't like Obama being traduced by accusations that he is a closet Muslim, for example, I reject them out of hand as being plain stupid smears.
Last week there has been a flurry of really sick lies about Palin. I admit to being very exercised about them, any gentleman would.
And yes, I agre the lipstick/pig thing is much ado about nothing. Putting lipstick on a pig is a well-known phrase. But using the word lipstick right now is at least unfortunate - the word is linked so closly to Palin.- which naturally gets magnified deliberately.
It drowned out Obama's theme for the day, education -and I would like to see a lot of open debate about education.
But the battle is always about each side promoting its own message - and drowning out the other side's message. Both sides will try it, that was the root of all the personal attacks and smears on Palin.
Troopergate is a legitimate question to attack on, but the family stuff was plain sick and I think has rebounded. Obama himself didn't want all those smears flying around, he took a decent approach for which I have said he deserves proper credit.
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#387, Ed Iglehart:
In the interest of full disclosure, I used to date an Iranian girl before she left the US to join the revolution. They are wonderful people, and I think the US might have a very cordial relationship if certain religious extremists in their government and certain militarists in the US government would moderate their positions.
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good on gordy.
how come it seems that obama's ideas of two years ago are being jumped on by Mc crying lying shameful palin and GW then they are adopted.
and in some cases by the generals.
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391 now i'm starting to like you
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marbles maybe I was not very clear there.
I have a thought that the president who wants to start another war which we KNOW we cannot win might not live that long.
Then Palin would be in.
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#371 Timothy R444:
"It is precisely BECAUSE we have not slammed the door that so many here assume the right to tell us how to live, what to thik, how to respond, how to vote and how to behave."
Part of my point was that we all do live on a 'world stage' now, and all of our actions as a country affect the rest of the world. Although no one has the right to TELL you what to do, I'm suggesting that the rest of the world does have a right to suggest that you folks should try to look at things from this perspective. Most commenters are really just trying to help, believe it or not. A friendly nudge, if you will.
I agree that there are a bunch of extreme people out there that make thoughtless comments, and I'm not surprised at some of your reactions to this idiocy. They are living in glass houses as well.??
"Read your own post again. The condescension and arrogance of your remarks are fabulous, incredible."
I thought I was tempering my response, so I apologize if it came across as condescending. Maybe my incredulity leaked through a bit, as I have seen you people elect a president TWICE, who can't finish a sentence to save his life, and generally just touts a hardline policy of "I may not be right, but at least I won't change my mind". Hanging on to an idea has become the issue, more than consideration if the original decision was correct or not. There is a threat of a continuance of these policies with McCain, in my opinion.
I've been watching your election process with great interest since the beginning of the primaries. I can't even get that interested in my own country's politics. (A bunch of wishy-washy do nothings.) What struck me from the beginning, is that Obama is the thoughtful one here, who isn't afraid to reconsider his positions when presented with new facts. Most folks there seem to consider this 'flip-flopping'.
I would suggest that flip-flopping requires two steps. You have to flip and then flop back to your original take on things. I see no problem with flipping, as this indicates open-mindedness, but I, like you, would not vote for anyone who flopped back as well. This is indecisiveness or pandering. There is a difference.?
?"Read other posts here and on other threads on this blog. Hatred and contempt for Americans have become so intense that even the deaths of Americans in WWII are mocked and ridiculed. That is how bad it has gotten."
As I mentioned above, disregard these people. There are lots of mindless bozos out there, who seem to need to vent their daily frustrations in any convenient direction. This is all history anyway. We spend too much time rehashing the past and not enough time looking to the future.??
"Enough is enough. It is time to return to the isolationism of the pre-1941 world. The Brits can work out their own problems and stop endlessly whining and complaining about Americans. An entire blog given over to anti-American insults? Enough is MORE than enough."
This is exactly my point. If you folks go back into your shell, then eventually the rest of the world will not even invite you to the game, and there are other big players out there. As I understand it, China practically owns you guys already, with them guaranteeing most of your debt, and filling your country with cheap goods that undercut the price of your domestic goods. (Lost jobs, bad GDP) Not to mention rampant lead poisoning.
Being from Canada, I know how it feels to live in a country where another country owns half your resources and industry (failings of our own past governments). It's why I keep hoping for a politician up here who owns a pair, and can recognize our own abilities to process these resources, rather than ship them south and overseas for refinement. I wish we HAD an Obama here!
I realize that there are lots of thoughtful Americans, and really I have nothing against you as a population. (Politicians are the problem, private industry grabs all the smart ones). Maybe a bit more incredulity that, in this day and age, there are still people who make something of a person's colour or gender, and that this affects the outcome of your elections to the degree it does.
I will tout my country a bit here, in that we have had a female Prime Minister and Governor General, and many other Premiers etc. of varied ethnic backgrounds. We didn't make a big deal out of it. It just isn't an issue.
I believe that every group of people on the planet has valid ideas, and we need to start sharing these more. Let's start celebrating our similarities, rather than accentuating our differences and hanging on to old paradigms.
The bumper stickers shouldn't read 'Save the Planet', they should say 'Save the Humans'. The planet will still be here looong after we're gone!
I apologize for my long-winded response, but I'm enjoying discussing this with you.
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Many Americans explore their own country, which is significantly larger than Europe. We can take a 1-hour, 3-hour or 6-hour flight and still be within our borders.
To imply that since there are only Americans there and, so, travel within the US somehow doesn't count, is silly.
The truth is that there are limited hours and funds for most people, and travel within the US uses up a great deal of these.
There is nothing like travelling to different countries. I do it every year; however, I try to make time to explore the parts of my own country that I haven't seen also.
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391, Real.
Iranian women are isunderstood. They are gutsy and not the meek little wimps the West pictures. And the nice thing about Iranian men is that they like them that way.
One of the great Iranian gifts is humor. I don't know about your ex-girlfriend, but I found Iranians to be hilariously funny.
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To imply that since there are only Americans there and, so, travel within the US somehow doesn't count, is silly.
The truth is that there are limited hours and funds for most people, and travel within the US uses up a great deal of these.
when it comes to "WORLD EXPERIENCE"
travelling the states does not count . that is fact not silly.
As for limited hours and money.
now wait are you admitting that people in europe have more holidays and are richer?
that may be because we do not have republicans ,?or it could justbe because europeans are not a bunch of blood thirsy petty me me me
" I want to pay no taxes"",why should we make it harder for empolyers to compete by giving people the rights to holidays ,PAID holidays," "why we can't help no one but ourselves mentality"" you can always go elsewhere is you don't like working 10 hour days for 6 days a week"
pathetic.
you say you travel.
Yea as a tourist.
go live there ,anywhere,for a while really get to know a place.
I moved to the netherlands, great legal smoking, freedom from persecution on that front, but you know what, I also learned enough dutch to understand "buiterlander"
the dutch equivelent of" oestlander".
it means foreigner .
and is used in the same way the nazi's used oestlander.
And I also learned that the dutch while free to do much practice that freedom little.
Just as americans seem to hate free speech if it derides them.
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Palin does not have a clue.
She gave canned answers during the interview very robotic.
The Governor did not know what the Busch doctrine is.
Can you imagine if something happens to the McCain and she is VP?
God save us all
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I traveled the world before I traveled America. When I finally did I realized what this country's greatest asset was. Not the museums or the universities, or the glamor - it was the natural beauty of ths great expanse.
There is nowhere in the world that has the miraculous fall colors of New England. Nowhere in the world does Spanish Moss drip from the trees and the scent of honeysuckle fill the air. Nowhere else can be found the oddly beautiful painted desert or the impossibility of the giant redwoods. Nature gave us everything.
I have lots of complaints about this country, but I cannot fault its beauty.
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I love the idea that the US Government (not the people, I had) never interferes in other countries' affairs or oversteps itself.
You don't mind if we use your military bases for our crazy missile defence scheme do you?
You won't mind signing this totally one sided new extradition treaty, will you?
Oh and while you're at it, would you sending your young men and women off to fight and die in Iraq and Afghanistan.. we promise not to fund or back the IRA any more.. honest.
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#400.
You are right about the beauty of the US.
You folk are sooo blessed....
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ukWals,
Only PARTS of Wales are ugly, and many are beautiful.
;-)
ed
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#403, Ed.
Spot on, I live in Pembrokshire,our coast path of 180 miles, is world class,when its
not raining!!!..
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Maybe he has endorsed Obama? I don't know...
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I don't know whether or not Mr Brown has endorsed Mr Obama's candidature but i think it would be a very good thing he did. As i've come saying at our cherished "have you say" web-site the world is already fed up with this new-con elite that governs the US, more over i think the americans themselves should be fed up of these republicans but being sincere i think many of them are fearful of a change, many of them are fearful may economic situations in the country get worst, i would ask them tough is it still posible these economical conditions get worst?, i think they just don't. The bush administration has just mortaged the US economy takeing the budget of this nation straightly to the ruin, they (the americans) own money elsewhere, and whether some sectors of the US' local economy have gone not too bad the sure stuff is that they've still a lot unemployment and many middle and small companies have gone bankrupt due this remarkable custome this harrowing adminstration has had flattering to those who have and forgeting to those who have not. Besides the US' foreign policy has achieved very little in these last 8 years, look out the middle east it continues being a mess, what did condeliza rice have really achieved there looking after the israeli-palestinian conflict?, as i've said very little when not nothing, instead they've originated two absurd wars which the whole of the world is already more than fed up and have originated hardship, death, economic downturns, etc, elsewhere, so there won't be enough words to list the unnumerable amount of blunders this US current administration has been having. Americans have a paramount task ahead which will consists on November the 4th go out to the street and cast their ballots electing Mr Obama as their new president, they shan't be fearful of it as there is nothing to be fearful of, neither the whole world nor the americans themselves will be able to withstand this awful right wing republican party for other 4 years, that would mean dig deep into the ground to set up their own graves as many of us citizens of the world as a whole as well and they don't have right to do so, if you americans aren't gonna do this for you, do it for your children since otherwise what kind of land are you gonna inheritate them, a land of poverty?, a land of hate?, a land just for a fistful of thieves?, you know americans you aren't wrong what's wrong with you tough is that lack of choice that has taken you to allow those scoundrels you've for governers to give the face for you out there in the world, they are short and ugly, you instead are and have always been generous, ope-minded positive folks, so don't allow these crooked guys to govern you neither your children, it's time for the democratic party to come back down to govern you so that you the land of freedom can as well come back blosooming on your feet. Thanks very much editors to allow me if this is the case handing this message out to the old and good Americans.
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I think that it is absolutely splendid that the prime minister of Great Britain has taken a stand on our upcoming election. However, I am concerned that there may be an American or two who do not realize the great historical value of this. After all, we are not so insular a people as to only think of ourselves are we? Or to say "heck with what the rest of the world thinks". That would be boorish. On this point I believe that I can say, with a great degree of confidence, that I am speaking here for my american sisters and bros as well. Thank you, Mr. Brown.
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I herald from the US. The sentiment that goes with economic down turn here is none like I've ever known. I'm a Barack Obama hopeful. The third opportunity for reasonable leadership. It is dispairing how oft the American public disregards real facts and will go for the latest hype. It's irresponsible of Mr. McCain to put the US and globe at risk by chosing aggression with a smile, Ms. Palin, whose international experience is touting her first passport acquired last year. The networks are so nervous about ratings that mainstream TV focussed on the long time interviewers performance rather than hers. Her answers are right out of high school civics, there's even recent footage of her calling this disgraceful war God's plan and will, she's in favor of Americans owning automatic weapons, she is against abortion in all circumstances other than risk to the mother, she's under investigation and much more. And yet the presentation is perky so people fall for it. I used to feel patriotism and after 8 years of this nonsense am deeply embarrassed. I hope the debates go well for Mr. Obama. Our war hero Mr. McCain is hiding behind her lipstick for popularity and running an ignoble campaign - laughably untrue ads jarring the media to keep the failings of the GOP out of the spotlight and off the issues. Mr. Obama has the smarts, integrity and appropriate world view.Think positively for Mr. Obama!
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Re posts 405, 406, 407, no, Brown has not "endorsed" Obama. In an article addressed to members of his New Labour Party, he referenced an idea in Obama's program in the context of proposing policies for his own party to pursue. The article is in the following link:
http://www.housemag.co.uk/index.php?id=315&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=8113&tx_ttnews[backPid]=92&type=editorial
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Who really cares what Gordon Brown thinks? He is expected not to be Prime Minister next election. So whether Obama or McKain is preferred by him its neither here nor there.
Everybody is talking about the lack of experience of Mrs. Palin, but what about Obama, does he have the experience? McKain is more experienced than Obama and Biden is more experienced than Palin.
So lets stop being hypocritical. Both are balanced tickets.
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"Please stay out of our politics."
This is a cruel thing to say, and it doesn't reflect all Americans' views, since Britain isn't over here interfering.
If you remember, in his speech in Berlin, Obama stressed regaining the respect of our allies, which justly diminished from eight years of George Bush atrocities, lies, un-Constitutional hijinks, etc.
I personally welcome the views from leaders and citizens of countries other than my own. They can provide a more objective view of what we do than we can.
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"Do people really believe that Obama is the best candidate? Let's see, he supports Weather Underground and his cousin in Kenya is responsible for killing Christians during a Sunday morning church service and Obama never denounced it."
Where is the supporting evidence that he is for the Weather Underground, now a do-nothing gaggle of morons missing the '60s.
Obama barely knows his African relatives and certainly bears no responsibility for what they do. He has enough on his mind right now fighting off slander and libel, some of the lowest of the low of political smears that his opponents relish in throwing at him.
And don't kid yourself; if he were white, they wouldn't treat him this badly.
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In regards to a post made by MarcusAureliusII concerning the 'fact' that NATO forces are not pulling their own weight in Afghanistan. I have to say that you sir, are seriously uninformed. There are 36 member states of NATO currently in Afghanistan with Canada fielding over 2,500 military personal who have been involved in some of the worst fighting seen in that country to date. Considering the fact that Canada is less than a tenth the size of the US in terms of population I would think that would be 'pulling ones own weight'. As far as 'The War in Iraq' goes, if for no other reason I'm quite proud of the fact that our Prime Minister of the day, Jean Chretien, said "NO" to our involvement in that country. I found that the 'proof' provided to the UN by poor Colin Powel (which to anyone with a modicum of intelligence would have laughed at) of a grainy photo of what looked like a goat shed in the middle of the desert to be particularily insulting. Even Colin Powell himself seemed to be ashamed of having to present that evidence. Fact of the matter is "There were no Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq". I for one am a little sick of hearing about what a great country the US is and how they 'saved the world' time and time again. Hell.... the US was late in getting involved in WWII, even though we all knew that Hitler did have weapons of mass destruction. You DID NOT break the 'Enigma Code' (despite what Hollywood says it was the British, no the Americans), and for the last number of decades you HAVE NOT helped other countries with their efforts for freedom UNLESS it suited your political needs of the day. So tell me..... Just how many dictators were installed by the US machine over the years because they were US friendly? One I can think of is the one that you targeted in Iraq.... So congratulations..... You've had to deal with what you created in the first place.
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Many Americans do care what Europeans think. However, just like in America, Europeans have more than one opinion. Being someone who is in the category that Barak Obama plans to hit hard with taxes, its going to take a lot more than dismal relations with the rest of the world to get me to favor him. Besides, George Bush has been very good for Europe and the Euro. Just the knowing that this tenure is coming to and end, is driving the euro down. And shoot, I was hoping to be able to afford the Obama's tax increase with my European investments. Tell your friends to vote for Sara Palin and the old guy.
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#179 - comments re: "socialism"
You aren't referring to Marx's description of Socialism: "From each according to his ability,to each according to his work" with workers owning the means of production.
Nothing in there about hard-workers supporting slackers. In fact, under Socialism the slackers at the top would be made to work with those at the bottom, and working-class people would be enforcing that work.
Actually it's under what I call "crapitalism" that the top few percents get to slide by and are TOTALLY carried by all the rest of us.
All this romanticism about "entrepreneurs" and "small business" is just a smokescreen for the robber-baron bigshots to whom the USA Republicans are slavishly devoted.
And yes I'm a leftist - but that doesn't mean I'm interested in carrying lazy-ass types for one hot second - for example, I'm definitely not interested in carrying jerks like Karl Rove and Dubya and Cheney any farther than we here already have done.
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414, Nich.
Sorry I am voting against adding to your treasury. But you fat cats have benefitted sufficiently, and the disparity between rich and poor grows steadily. Is is now someone else's turn.
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#10 DominickVila
Thank you Dominick. We don't really want to interfere in your democratic process but unfortunately your tendency to elect people who can only count up beyond 10 if they takes their shoes and socks off is a problem. You see Gordon, bless him, didn't do a bad job with our economy and it's a shame that Republicanomics has rather soured his acheivement . The lousy regulatory system (created and nurtured by the Republicans) allowed anyone to vet and give mortgage loans, it also allowed and even encouraged a lot of overpaid overhyped persons in Wall Street to sell bad debt as good. I can see his point in not wanting yet more Republican laissez faire nonsense.
By the way is it true that GWB thinks that Economix is a family sized pack of cake mix?
# DarreninCanada
Darren, I am sorry, either you are making a mistake or your comment '(which to anyone with a modicum of intelligence would have laughed at)' is irony. The fact is that MarcusAurelius11 and intelligence are mutually exclusive. I would however hate for him to stop because he is such good value for money.
Have a good day folks
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#384 JohnAAA
John I think we have quite enough war and if the Israelis do carry out that attack it will probably be the end of Israel. Iran is three times the size of France has a population of 67 million and is well armed. True they don't have nukes and the Israelis do but remember what a mess they made of the Iraqis even though the US armed the Iraqis courtesy of the ever unlovely Donald Rumsfeld. The Israelis with a population of 7 million would do well to consider their moves very carefully
As someone else said on here today it would be a very long messy war and it least that will keep the US arms industry busy. You as a nation of course will have to fund it all because, unlike the Iranians who have a lot of the stuff, the Israelis have no oil and therefore can't pay for their weapons. Never mind just add it to the bill for 'aid'. I read somewhere recently, and here I quote
"Since 1949 the U.S. has given Israel a total of $83.205 billion. The interest costs borne by U.S. tax payers on behalf of Israel are $49.937 billion, thus making the total amount of aid given to Israel since 1949 $133.132 billion. This may mean that U.S. government has given more federal aid to the average Israeli citizen in a given year than it has given to the average American citizen."
Not bad that, it would have been a lot cheaper to have given them a chunk of the US to settle in. You could give them a big chunk of Wyoming, after all nobody lives there and they would have their very own right wing thug as Representative. Perfect.
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As an American, I am definitely concerned with what the world community thinks about the presidential candidates. I hate to see my countrymen come to the BBC site and tell non-Americans to mind their own business. These narrow-minded people just don't know how to handle opinions opposite of their own. It's truly shameful. No wonder so many people call Americans ignorant.
I support Obama because he is open-minded and won't rush us into another war. Go Obama!!
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1) I agree the US is country with incredible natural beauty.
2) Like it or not you get less time off work than most of the developed world. We in Australia get more than you but less than Europe.
3) Thus understandable that it is more difficult to travel outside your own region, especially when you have so many beautiful places close at hand.
4) Thus many find it difficult to accept that we overseas are so concerned about your affairs when you do not have a need to be concerned about ours.
5) Try to understand that our retirement savings, retirement age, the way we will live in the future is currently as much affected by affairs in the US as by our own efforts, because of the globalisation of the world. Thus our anxiety.
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Justin:
Revised to the original remarks of yours, I think that he "may have" endorsed Obama...
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