Thank you Bush ...

[Stace]

I equate this this to the relevancy of the Klan...

Did you know that the KKK was up to a membership of 4 million in the 1920s?...There are plenty of pictures showing parades down Pennsy Avenue with full dress...

Now where are they?...They're just an afterthought in American culture...something to be scoffed at...They're lucky if they have 10,000 members now...I wouldn't be surprised if it was half of that...

That's the intention of the "big picture" in the Middle East...If we open up the culture in that region and draw them away from the idiocy that has been fed to them for decades, they'll be able to drop these extremists down to the relevancy the Klan has in America today...minimal at best...

Do you think if the Klan killed 50 black people tomorrow that something will change in America?...Nope...It would actually work against them...They'd be begging for police to show up, because if the public gets their hands on them, they'll be as good as dead...and rightly so...

That's the same philosophy we're trying to implement in the Middle East...We want it to get to a point where the extremists pull an act that actually turns the public against them...We've already seen instances in Iraq, and more recently, in Jordan...

We've got a long way to go, but just as with the Klan in America, this isn't a situation where you can go back to watching your weekly installment of "American Idol", and when they come to a commercial, it'll be done...

As previously said..."Patience, Grasshopper"...

Point taken....And I certainly never expected anything to happen overnight, but....eh, never mind. Not in the mood to type out all of my thoughts right now.

And just for the record, I don't watch American Idol :2razz:

 

[Billo_Really]

Originally Posted by The Real McCoy
Religious fanatics who go into crowds and blow themselves up and try to take as many people (mostly innocents) with them, armed with the notion that such an act will get them a free pass into heaven aren't our enemy?

Those who have declared war on us numerous times and subscribe to an ideology that condemns everyone else who doesn't support their extremist views as infidels, whether they be Americans or simply normal Muslims are not our enemy?

Those who have no regard for human life are not our enemy?

Perhaps you'd care to enlighten me as to who the enemy really is.

Was Timothy McVie a religious fanatic? No. He was a corn-fed home grown. You talk about innocents a lot. What do you think about people that drop a 500 pound bomb on a hospital?

Originally Posted by The Real McCoy
Please, O great, all knowing one, share your views on what victory in Iraq entails.

I'm not great, I'm not all knowing but don't you mean Iraq entrails?

Originally Posted by The Real McCoy
American Imperialism? That's right... I forgot, everything is America's fault. Correct me if I'm wrong, but last time I checked the World Trade Center was located in New York City, not Israel. Did Iraq play a direct role in 9/11? No, but a free democracy in Iraq would be the first step in dismantling a suicidal and murderous ideology. You don't seem to want to accept reality so I'll ask you what your great vision is for secuiring peace.

No, everything is not Americas fault. The point I am making is that we share some responsiblity in the situation we are in. This applys to everybody (macro and micro). We are, on some level, in part, responsible for some of the hatred. I say this while not justifying what they did. Because I'm not going to do that. What they (terrorists responsible for 9/11) did, was wrong. Totally wrong, completely wrong, humanitarily wrong, internationally wrong and wrong in every sense of the word.

With that being said, I don't appreciate your back-handed accusation that Iraq was linked to 9/11. You say they didn't play a direct role. They didn't have ANY role in 9/11. Just be glad there are rules at DP that prevent me from using language I would rather be using now with you. Because I find this bullshit disgusting. We bombed that country back to the stone-age in the first Persian Gulf war. They barely have running water and electricity. Yet its not enough for you, is it? They got to be bombed more. We bombed their hospitals, we used depleted uranium that now give their children cancer, we used incindiary devices and cluster bombs in urban areas. Yet, this is alright to you. This is all OK. This is democracy in an Islamic state.

Give me a f_cking break!

 

[cnredd]

Point taken....And I certainly never expected anything to happen overnight, but....eh, never mind. Not in the mood to type out all of my thoughts right now.

Why not?...Typing out "All of your thoughts" should take about 20 seconds...(rimshot!)...:doh

Kidding!...:2wave:

And just for the record, I don't watch American Idol :2razz:

Too busy with "Elimidate"?...

 

[jfuh]

Like Bush's tax cuts?

Of course, who doesn't like getting money back? Did it do what it was supposed to do? No. The economy just kept on falling.

He entered office during a recession and shortly after, the economy took another blow from the events of September 11th.

Not quite. The economy actually hung, didn't fall nor rise after the attacks. At least from a percentage and long term perspective with inflation taken into account.

That all but destroyed the airline industry and 25% of lower Manhattan's office space was wiped out.

The Airline industry was already in termoil even before 9/11. Major mergers, major downsizings. 9/11 just tipped the boulder over the edge of the cliff.

Then there was Hurricane Katrina that gave a blow to our petroleum industry, hindering production and refining capacity, sending gas prices through the roof and yet, through it all our economy is booming.

Gasoline prices were already on the rise even before Katrina because the oil industry decided it would be a good idea to shut down several refineries for "maintainance". This occured starting late July then proceeding through August until Katrina hit we were already in a near minimal refining capacity. Yet as soon as the 3rd quarter reports were in the oil industry actually claimed a 10billion dollar profit, unprecedented, and these were the same people that were screaming near bankruptcy when Katrina hit. Strained? Hindered by natrual causes?

Unemployment is below 5% and the Dow has been hovering around 11K.

Yes, floated by a housing bubble. The majority of the economy now is on housing development and rising land values. An extremely unhealthy form of economic growth that signals the actual manufacturing and productive industries are in decline.

If Iraq does become a free, successful democracy in the future (which I'm optimistic about), it will be an unprescedented event in the Arab world (unless you count Israel) that will be another of Bush's contributions. Most of a president's legacy is not felt during his time in office and this is why history has always been the judge of a president.

If Iraq becomes free, you have to keep in mind that it would be the will of the Iraqi people's and not the work of this President. Look at Iran and Saudi ARabia, why don't we attack Saudi Arabia, this country that still has public decapitations and slaves women's rights? Hell even Kuwait limits woman's rights like a *****. In the end this president has been nothing but a puppet for the extreemist right of this country creating an unprecedented devide down ideological lines.

 

[cnredd]

THAT SHOW PISSES ME OFF SO MUCH!
That show exemplifies everything that's wrong with the world, and I think everyone on that show should be placed in a single file line and executed as soon as the taping is over!

Believe me...

The list of shows with that rule should be a mile long...:roll:

 

[alphieb]

I equate this this to the relevancy of the Klan...

Did you know that the KKK was up to a membership of 4 million in the 1920s?...There are plenty of pictures showing parades down Pennsy Avenue with full dress...

Now where are they?...They're just an afterthought in American culture...something to be scoffed at...They're lucky if they have 10,000 members now...I wouldn't be surprised if it was half of that...

That's the intention of the "big picture" in the Middle East...If we open up the culture in that region and draw them away from the idiocy that has been fed to them for decades, they'll be able to drop these extremists down to the relevancy the Klan has in America today...minimal at best...

Do you think if the Klan killed 50 black people tomorrow that something will change in America?...Nope...It would actually work against them...They'd be begging for police to show up, because if the public gets their hands on them, they'll be as good as dead...and rightly so...

That's the same philosophy we're trying to implement in the Middle East...We want it to get to a point where the extremists pull an act that actually turns the public against them...We've already seen instances in Iraq, and more recently, in Jordan...

We've got a long way to go, but just as with the Klan in America, this isn't a situation where you can go back to watching your weekly installment of "American Idol", and when they come to a commercial, it'll be done...

As previously said..."Patience, Grasshopper"...

The KKK was already under our Democracy and the vast majority now/then of religion is Christianity. That is a big difference. The KKK resided on our soil. Once there was a zero tolerance they had no choice but to comply. We don't own Iraq or the Middle East. Who are we to cram our policies down their throats? However, I do see your comparison and who knows maybe your right. Just a different prospective.

 

[jfuh]

And terrorists are not an ideology as well. We fought an ideology that led Germans to slaughter millions of innocents and we prevailed.. now Germany is one of the most successful nations in the world.

Terrorists are indeed not an ideology, they are persons. Terrorism is an ideology.
Germany was a country that represented an ideology, as was imperialist Japan. So when the enemy is so clear in site of course it would be easy to defeat, not to mention clear when victory or "Mission Accomplished" is achieved.
However did we defeat racism, the very basis of nazism? No. Did we defeat totalitarian states? No (we're almost on the road to becoming one now). There're still plenty around, not to mention our support of many of them as long as they are Pro-US.

You can change an ideology by changing the factors responsible for the ideology... one of them being oppressive, totalitarian states.

This really doesn't make any sense at all, as being conservative is also an ideology as is being christian or so on. Does this mean that eliminating oppression or totalitarian states will eliminate them too?
You can not defeat an ideology, unless that is you have a totalitarian state with absolute control that controls the minds of all it's citizens (1984).

 

[The Real McCoy]

Terrorists are indeed not an ideology, they are persons. Terrorism is an ideology.
Germany was a country that represented an ideology, as was imperialist Japan. So when the enemy is so clear in site of course it would be easy to defeat, not to mention clear when victory or "Mission Accomplished" is achieved.
However did we defeat racism, the very basis of nazism? No. Did we defeat totalitarian states? No (we're almost on the road to becoming one now). There're still plenty around, not to mention our support of many of them as long as they are Pro-US.

To your point about defeating racism, I direct you to cnredd's KKK analogy.

As for the United States "almost on the road to becoming totalitarian" I simply laugh. Were we almost on the road to totalitarianism when Lincoln suspended Constitutional rights on numerous occasions during the Civil War? Were we almost on the road to totalitarianism when Roosevelt had 120,000 Japanese-Americans rounded up and placed into internment camps during World War 2?

If you want to get picky, it can be argued that any law which limits civil liberties (yes liberals, this includes gun control laws) is a step toward totalitarianism, but we are a far from a totalitarian state. Any rational person who studies Nazi Germany or Stalinist Russia or any modern totalitarian regime would find the notion of accusing the United States of being close to or on the road to one absurd.

This really doesn't make any sense at all, as being conservative is also an ideology as is being christian or so on. Does this mean that eliminating oppression or totalitarian states will eliminate them too?
You can not defeat an ideology, unless that is you have a totalitarian state with absolute control that controls the minds of all it's citizens (1984).

It makes perfect sense. Most Middle Eastern countries have completely state controlled medias who frequently bombard their people with extremist propaganda. This fact, coupled with the oppressed lives many Arabs live begins to create a mentality that grows into this ideology.

 

[Billo_Really]

Originally Posted by The Real McCoy
It makes perfect sense. Most Middle Eastern countries have completely state controlled medias who frequently bombard their people with extremist propaganda. This fact, coupled with the oppressed lives many Arabs live begins to create a mentality that grows into this ideology.

You mean states like Iraq. Which not only try's to control the media, they threaten the media, they seed the media with pro-US stories and they shoot any opposing reporters that are in the area of conflict.

 

[alphieb]

You mean states like Iraq. Which not only try's to control the media, they threaten the media, they seed the media with pro-US stories and they shoot any opposing reporters that are in the area of conflict.

Did you see the interview with Cheney in Iraq? It will make you sick. http://abcnews.go.com

I tried to get the exact page, but it will not go through for some reason. Do a search for Cheney in Iraq on that site and tell me what you think.

 

[Stace]

Why not?...Typing out "All of your thoughts" should take about 20 seconds...(rimshot!)...:doh

Kidding!...:2wave:

Haha, so funny.

Too busy with "Elimidate"?...

Nah, too busy with Smallville and The O.C....also The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, but they don't come on until much later anyway....

And...My Name Is Earl and Desperate Housewives.....

I think that covers all of the shows I watch regularly....

 

[Billo_Really]

Originally posted by alphieb:
Did you see the interview with Cheney in Iraq? It will make you sick. http://abcnews.go.com

I tried to get the exact page, but it will not go through for some reason. Do a search for Cheney in Iraq on that site and tell me what you think.

Don't get me started on Chaney. He really makes my blood boil. I think he is one of the biggest assholes on the planet!

Here's a few things I have found on 'ole Dick:
http://www.pnews.org/PhpWiki/index.php/BlowingThingsUp

http://thinkprogress.org/2005/11/21/cheney-obl

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2005_06/006559.php

http://www.truthout.org/docs_01/02.23D.Cheney.Circumvented.htm

 

[alphieb]

Don't get me started on Chaney. He really makes my blood boil. I think he is one of the biggest assholes on the planet!

Here's a few things I have found on 'ole Dick:
http://www.pnews.org/PhpWiki/index.php/BlowingThingsUp

http://thinkprogress.org/2005/11/21/cheney-obl

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2005_06/006559.php

http://www.truthout.org/docs_01/02.23D.Cheney.Circumvented.htm

Wouldn't you just love to punch him?

 

[alphieb]

Don't get me started on Chaney. He really makes my blood boil. I think he is one of the biggest assholes on the planet!

Here's a few things I have found on 'ole Dick:
http://www.pnews.org/PhpWiki/index.php/BlowingThingsUp

http://thinkprogress.org/2005/11/21/cheney-obl

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2005_06/006559.php

http://www.truthout.org/docs_01/02.23D.Cheney.Circumvented.htm

His name is Dick.....how appropriate.:rofl

 

[mixedmedia]

She doesn't flirt she just has and open mind on some issues unlike some I know........

I just want to clarify one thing here about aps.....who flirts with me by the way, guess I'm just lucky.:mrgreen:

I don't find her being flirtatious and friendly as a detriment to her credibility AT ALL. Being friendly and non-combative actually makes your arguments more effective. People are more likely to read your entire post with a clearer sense of your viewpoint if they don't feel insulted right out of the gate. It's a tactic I try to use myself, as well.

Hey aps, I think you're awesome. :2wave:
But you know that already, don't you.

 

[Billo_Really]

Originally posted by alphieb:
His name is Dick.....how appropriate

He's Dick the Prick!
As well as being one of the biggest liars on the planet
and one of the biggest abusers of taxpayer dollars.

 

[Billo_Really]

Originally posted by alphieb:
Wouldn't you just love to punch him?

To be quite honest with you, no. I don't advocate physical abuse on anyone at anytime anywhere. Especially with an elected official.

 

[The Real McCoy]

You mean states like Iraq. Which not only try's to control the media, they threaten the media, they seed the media with pro-US stories and they shoot any opposing reporters that are in the area of conflict.

Or the media that glorified Saddam Hussein before we invaded. Anyone who spoke out against him was liable to have their tongues cut out.

 

[jfuh]

To your point about defeating racism, I direct you to cnredd's KKK analogy.

As for the United States "almost on the road to becoming totalitarian" I simply laugh. Were we almost on the road to totalitarianism when Lincoln suspended Constitutional rights on numerous occasions during the Civil War? Were we almost on the road to totalitarianism when Roosevelt had 120,000 Japanese-Americans rounded up and placed into internment camps during World War 2?

If you want to get picky, it can be argued that any law which limits civil liberties (yes liberals, this includes gun control laws) is a step toward totalitarianism, but we are a far from a totalitarian state. Any rational person who studies Nazi Germany or Stalinist Russia or any modern totalitarian regime would find the notion of accusing the United States of being close to or on the road to one absurd.

Real, you completely missed the point. I'm not talking about any of what you have replied to. I'm talking about the defeat of an ideology which is impossible. Sure ppl see the KKK as a joke today, but even today there are still nearly 2million people who claim to be part of the KKK in the US. Racism is an ideologue, it can never be fought against or eliminated. That's what I'm talking about.

Now as for the progression towards a totalitarian state. I say almost onto the road to becoming a totalitarian state. Just take a look at Cheny Inc. Is it not the dark princes very nature to create a society in which both the Judicial branch and the Congressional branch of the US are irrelevant. The Executive branch has never been as privalaged as it is today since LBJ. In fact it now has more executive privalges then did Nixon (whom I strongly feel history has wronged thus far). Yet today our executive branch places itself above the law, why does it have such power? Because, for the first time in over a century, one party controls all three branches of government, this is never good regardless it be liberal or conservative. This is not how a democratic government should ever be. No one party should ever control all three branches to the extent that there is today. This is why we got the scapegoat idiot directer Brown, and also that stupid idiot ambassador Colonal Sander's Bolton to the UN. People completely incompetant in high positions of office. Oh yeah, and the Dark Prince himself as the most powerful VP ever.

It makes perfect sense. Most Middle Eastern countries have completely state controlled medias who frequently bombard their people with extremist propaganda. This fact, coupled with the oppressed lives many Arabs live begins to create a mentality that grows into this ideology.

Hmmm, pardon my ignorance, but how does this relate to the defeat of an idologue? How does free media defeat terrorism? Of course these middle eastern propaganda to hate the US are all state sponsored media right? Just why is it that these Arab's hate us so? Maybe, just maybe, as a better nation, as a leading nation, we need to look at just how our policies our are actions are that **** off so many people, before we go around and label everyone who opposes us a terrorist.
Historically, any powerful nation will have other nations that want to defeat that one nation. We'll always be jealous of the rich. But we will hate the rich when they show nothing but arrogance and swap thier thick packs of money in our faces touting thier riches. Particularily if my poverty today has the slightest bit to do with thier methodology of acquiring wealth. I think anyone would agree with that, whether you be liberal or conservative.
The US, uses 1/4 of the world's annual energy resources, then goes and bombs the bejesus out of oil rich Iraq under false pretenses. Just how does that look? Not very good. The US now has the worst international image in since the establishment of the original 13 colonies. We've never been looked on so poorly. We're now seen as a bunch of rich snobs that know no better where as before even during vietnam, we were seen as the country that would go out of it's way to help the needy.
So indeed, thank you dark lord, thank you Bush

 

[Inuyasha]

Terrorists are indeed not an ideology, they are persons. Terrorism is an ideology.

This is totally incorrect. Terrorism is not an ideology. It is a tactic. It is a tactic that maybe used to further and ideology but in itself it is not an ideology in any way shape or form.

Wm Quantrill used the tactic of terrorism against the people of Kansas and MO. Terrorism was not the ideology of either the South or Quantrill. The Nazis used terrorism against the French. Their ideology was Fascism not terrorism. Attila used terrorism against the western tribes. It was not the ideology of Attila but the tactic used to subdue his enemies.Below is a very complete definition of terrorism. Nowhere does it equate to an ideology. It is clear that it is a tactic

terrorism - the calculated use of violence (or threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear
act of terrorism, terrorist act
biological terrorism, bioterrorism - terrorism using the weapons of biological warfare
chemical terrorism - terrorism using the chemical agents of chemical warfare; can underminethe personal security of citizens; "a good agent for chemical terrorism should be colorless and odorless and inexpensive and readily available and not detectable until symptoms are experienced"
cyber-terrorism, cyberwar - an assault on electronic communication networks
domestic terrorism - terrorism practiced in your own country against your own people; "the 1995 bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City was an instance of domestic terrorism"
eco-warfare, ecological terrorism, ecological warfare, ecoterrorism - violence carried out to further the political or social objectives of the environmentalists
international terrorism - terrorism practiced by a in a foreign country by terrorists who ae not native to that country
narcoterrorism - the financing of terrorist activities by participation in the drug trade
nuclear terrorism - the use of a nuclear device by a terrorist organization to cause massive devastation or the use (or threat of use) of fissionable radioactive materials; "assaults on nuclear power plants is one form of nuclear terrorism"
state-sponsored terrorism - terrorism practiced by a government against its own people or in support of international terrorism
theoterrorism - terrorism for a religious purpose
coercion - the act of compelling by force of authority
terrorist attack - a surprise attack involving the deliberate use of violence against civilians in the hope of attaining political or religious aims

 

[The Real McCoy]

Real, you completely missed the point. I'm not talking about any of what you have replied to. I'm talking about the defeat of an ideology which is impossible. Sure ppl see the KKK as a joke today, but even today there are still nearly 2million people who claim to be part of the KKK in the US. Racism is an ideologue, it can never be fought against or eliminated. That's what I'm talking about.

So we should stop trying to do something about it (terrorism) and ignore it like we have for decades? Quite frankly, I see no other alternative to what we're trying to accomplish right now in that region.

Now as for the progression towards a totalitarian state. I say almost onto the road to becoming a totalitarian state. Just take a look at Cheny Inc. Is it not the dark princes very nature to create a society in which both the Judicial branch and the Congressional branch of the US are irrelevant. The Executive branch has never been as privalaged as it is today since LBJ. In fact it now has more executive privalges then did Nixon (whom I strongly feel history has wronged thus far). Yet today our executive branch places itself above the law, why does it have such power?

The executive branch BARELY places itself above the law. I'm assuming you're referring to the wiretapping issue which isn't as black and white as the left makes it out to be. Besides, there's going to be a bi-partisan investigation into the whole ordeal so if the liberal theories prove true then so be it. The only un-checked executive power I can think of is the power to pardon and we all know Clinton used that like a bandit.

Because, for the first time in over a century, one party controls all three branches of government, this is never good regardless it be liberal or conservative. This is not how a democratic government should ever be. No one party should ever control all three branches to the extent that there is today.

Perhaps if the democrats would pull their heads out of their asses then we wouldn't be in that situation. The people have spoken and lately the majority have been speaking republican.

This is why we got the scapegoat idiot directer Brown

Scapegoat is right. I'm not defending the guy but I've yet to hear a liberal acknowledge the failures at the local and state levels in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.

and also that stupid idiot ambassador Colonal Sander's Bolton to the UN. People completely incompetant in high positions of office.

This is your opinion.

Oh yeah, and the Dark Prince himself as the most powerful VP ever.

What powers does he have that none of his predecessors were entitled to? The fact that he was the former CEO of Halliburton makes him the most powerful?

Although, they say knowledge is power... which is beneficial in this case.

Hmmm, pardon my ignorance, but how does this relate to the defeat of an idologue? How does free media defeat terrorism?

Freedom defeats terrorism. In the case of the media, the state-run Arab media outlets lay the blame for their woes on the west, the governments taking no responsibility whatsoever for the last 100 years of greed and corruption.

In Iran, for example, cartoons are played for children that glorify suicide bombings and the killing of Americans. Extremists twist the great religion of Islam for their own selfish purposes, promising people a ticket to escape their near hopeless lives to a heaven full of virgins if they "join the fight".. in other words: strap on a bomb and go blow up a bunch of innocent people. This is the ultimate in selfishness and evil and needs to be stopped. This is a big reason jihadists are pouring in to Iraq from Iran.

Of course these middle eastern propaganda to hate the US are all state sponsored media right? Just why is it that these Arab's hate us so? Maybe, just maybe, as a better nation, as a leading nation, we need to look at just how our policies our are actions are that **** off so many people, before we go around and label everyone who opposes us a terrorist.

Nobodies labeling "everyone who opposes us a terrorist." We're labeling the people who commit murderous acts as terrorists. There's a difference.

Historically, any powerful nation will have other nations that want to defeat that one nation. We'll always be jealous of the rich. But we will hate the rich when they show nothing but arrogance and swap thier thick packs of money in our faces touting thier riches. Particularily if my poverty today has the slightest bit to do with thier methodology of acquiring wealth. I think anyone would agree with that, whether you be liberal or conservative.
The US, uses 1/4 of the world's annual energy resources, then goes and bombs the bejesus out of oil rich Iraq under false pretenses. Just how does that look? Not very good. The US now has the worst international image in since the establishment of the original 13 colonies. We've never been looked on so poorly. We're now seen as a bunch of rich snobs that know no better where as before even during vietnam, we were seen as the country that would go out of it's way to help the needy.
So indeed, thank you dark lord, thank you Bush

I commend you for summing up so many left-wing talking points in such a relatively short amount of typing.

Since you are obviously a zen master on the subject then perhaps you'd care to enlighten me as to what the proper policy is that we should take regarding the Middle East.

 

[alphieb]

To be quite honest with you, no. I don't advocate physical abuse on anyone at anytime anywhere. Especially with an elected official.

I respect you for that. I have never even been in a fight.

 

[Billo_Really]

Originally posted by alphieb:
I respect you for that. I have never even been in a fight.

Your lucky. Unless you're Chuck Ludell, it's nothing to look forward too.

 

[Billo_Really]

Originally posted by The Real McCoy:
Or the media that glorified Saddam Hussein before we invaded. Anyone who spoke out against him was liable to have their tongues cut out.

I'll agree with you on this point. Hussein was definately not the good guy!

 

[jfuh]

So we should stop trying to do something about it (terrorism) and ignore it like we have for decades? Quite frankly, I see no other alternative to what we're trying to accomplish right now in that region.

Should something be done, absolutely. Has the right course of action been taken? Sadly no. Is free democracy in Iraq a good idea? Of course. Have we been representing ourselves and conducting ourselves worthy of other nations to follow? No.
When that later can be answered yes, then we will have succeeded.

The executive branch BARELY places itself above the law. I'm assuming you're referring to the wiretapping issue which isn't as black and white as the left makes it out to be. Besides, there's going to be a bi-partisan investigation into the whole ordeal so if the liberal theories prove true then so be it. The only un-checked executive power I can think of is the power to pardon and we all know Clinton used that like a bandit.

We'll wait for that investigation then. Thus far though, given what is known now I feel it fair to say that there has been an abuse of power.

Perhaps if the democrats would pull their heads out of their asses then we wouldn't be in that situation. The people have spoken and lately the majority have been speaking republican.

Very constructive. Perhaps if the entire government were red today we'd be better off? Damn that minority democratic party for ruining everything. Damn them for bringing us out of recessions. Damn the entire liberal thought. Yes that's very democratic.

Scapegoat is right. I'm not defending the guy but I've yet to hear a liberal acknowledge the failures at the local and state levels in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.

As the mayor of NO said when asked who was to blame he said it best: "Everyone is to blame" Hurricane, you have freaking weeks to prepare, yet so many were stranded. NO, you know it's under sea level, yet both state and city spend more money on casinos then the levey's and maintainance of local infrastructure. This is true nationwide. Federal REsponse, well enough said, and a few pawns were killed off for the circus show. But who put them there?

This is your opinion.

You really feel Michael Bolton represents what America is about? Name one thing he has done as a diplomat that is in anyway diplomatic or constructive to push through US agenda in the UN. This is not my opinion, even the republicans expressed concern of Bolton.

What powers does he have that none of his predecessors were entitled to? The fact that he was the former CEO of Halliburton makes him the most powerful?

The absolute ear of the President. A relationship more similar to that of a puppet master and a puppet. Unless you have been living in neverland, it is bipartisanly recognized that the dark lord is indeed the most powerful and influential VP in the history of the US.

Freedom defeats terrorism. In the case of the media, the state-run Arab media outlets lay the blame for their woes on the west, the governments taking no responsibility whatsoever for the last 100 years of greed and corruption.

In Iran, for example, cartoons are played for children that glorify suicide bombings and the killing of Americans. Extremists twist the great religion of Islam for their own selfish purposes, promising people a ticket to escape their near hopeless lives to a heaven full of virgins if they "join the fight".. in other words: strap on a bomb and go blow up a bunch of innocent people. This is the ultimate in selfishness and evil and needs to be stopped. This is a big reason jihadists are pouring in to Iraq from Iran.

Is this only present in Iran? As I stated earlier, this is also evident in Saudi ARabia as well. Need I remind, all 9/11 bombers were not Iranian nor Iraqi, but Saudi Nationals.

Nobodies labeling "everyone who opposes us a terrorist." We're labeling the people who commit murderous acts as terrorists. There's a difference.

Let me cite the most famous passage: "You're either with us, or you're with them (terrorist)....." Sound familiar?

I commend you for summing up so many left-wing talking points in such a relatively short amount of typing.

Again, why this left-wing speal? Left wing is not bad, and nor is right wing. It's extreemist fundamentalism that is bad.

Since you are obviously a zen master on the subject then perhaps you'd care to enlighten me as to what the proper policy is that we should take regarding the Middle East.

Stop the support of dictoral regimes, honestly account for human rights of nations under the principles that we hold dear to, and those are the constitutional rights and the bill of rights that we gaurentee our citizens. Stop the out pouring of arms sales to "allied" nations even if they are dictators (ie we put Saddam in Power to fight Iran; Our CIA trained Binladen as the freedom fighter in Afganistan against USSR).
Make our nation a nation that is respectable and admirable as it was during the cold war years when people actually saw the US as a nation to follow in.
Lead through conduct not of a tyrant but as a leader that majority of nations would follow.
I believe that the US constitution coupled with the Bill of rights is something that citizens of any Nation would want to be a part of. But when we can't even execute our own laws the way in which our freedom is gaurenteed, no nation would want to follow us as it would be no better then the soviet propagandas during the cold war. In the end we're nothing but a practical joke.

Iraq was a mistake, but all mistakes can be made right again through the proper steps. Right now we're still making the wrong choices. I say we need to make our presence steel strong in Iraq. Overwhelming force as was with desert storm. Not this trickle in trickle out that is costing more lives each day and greatly weakening moral. If you go to war, go all out, don't hold back because of fear you won't get re-elected.
Too many politicians, both left and right talk loud but do little if not anything at all but stuff thier own pockets.
THis is not what American is, this is not how this country grew strong.