Well I read this entire thread this a.m. and I am somewhat amased at what I read. It's good to see you people actually communicating and thinking for yourselves no matter what your thoughts are. You make me very proud.
As for this stuff about how bad kids are in the USA ....... well, I don't know - the kids today don't have any real wars to fight, can live, for the most part, in a free society, are allowed to have an education instead of having to go back and work on the farm, crime is way down, live longer, less disease, will likely live at birth, when they get married they don't need to have a whole bunch of children, they have better tools to work and play with and can access information faster than ever to protect themselves from groups like the WTS and oh yeah girls are allowed to grow up work and be independent from men, and race relations are improving. These are just some examples. I do agree with seeker that there is a serious lack of historical education going on in the schools. However, seeker this has been a problem with the USA (& Canadian) education system for a long long time and not just recently. But the cool thing about the country and this country where I live is that people can do what they want for the most part and the kids today are taking full advantage of that.
As for the war stuff spewed forth. Jan, I'm impressed - few truly understood the Russian role. I am a big history buff - War is hell and a lot of people did their share that don't get the credit. However, remember the only reason why the Russians could fight the eastern front and England stayed in the War was because of the USA's and Canada's industrial might. If Stalin hadn't killed most of his officers and actually kept up his army properly, Hitler would never have invaded. But, again everyone did their share and the big point about that war was about 60 million deaths happened and countless others were hurt. Governments start wars not the people.
I think maybe a lot of you should think that if the USA actually got a true foreign policy together then the world should watch out.
As for the treaty on global warming. Let me hear why you think it is a good treaty for the USA or not. Some say that 95 percent of green house gases are caused natually. Do you agree or not and if yes, why are we worrying about 5%? The press reports this is the warmest time ever in the world, yet any dinansour buff knows different. Do you think this is true or not and quantify? What do you think of the science that suggests a sun spot may be the source of the holes in the ozone and not cfcs as was the science of the 1980s. If the science possibly suggests they were wrong about cfcs why should we jump right in on CO2. Should we focus on CO2 or should we focus on CH4 (methane) and black sute? Do you actually think the USA senate (not Bush and remember that) would ratify a treaty that would not include China or India? Why didn't Clinton get the senate to ratify the treaty. Why did Clinton agree to a treaty that the senate would not ratify?
As for Bush - don't under estimate him. That is what the American press and Democratic party are doing and they are getting creamed. A lot peg him as a conservative blah blah blah. Quite frankly, he is a typical politian - plays to his base and will go out on a limb when necessary. He has managed to get his tax cut through in the first few months since taking office - whether you think it is right or wrong he did it in an era when the democrats said it would not happen. As for the election - interesting thing about those thingys when they get to the court. I suggest you read the two supreme court decisions prior to even discussing the issue.
As for the guy with the pointy hat and Bush not going for stem cell research - it was suggested that Bush was humbled and put in his place by the Pope during his meeting with the Pope. If I remember the meeting between the Pope and Bush did not discuss the stem cell issue. The pope brought it up at the press conference afterwards - very unprofessional. And I think Bush indicated flat out that he would only listen to the Pope but he did not bend to what the Pope wanted on stem cells. Also keep in mind there is still research going on in the US using stem cells and will continue whether Bush wants it or not. All that is being talked about is Federal USA government funding. Quite frankly it is all about how to spin this and get the research grants approved so Bush's "base" stays happy - notice the "tea leaves" in the form of pro-life US republican senators supporting this the federal research grants.
Crossroads - you said " DeGaulle was great AFTER the war". Hmmm....really... I remember DeGaulle coming to Montreal and screaming "via le Quebec" in the 1960s. Yep, a head of state coming to Canada (a free country) supporting a minority of people who wanted a province to become independent. Brilliant don't you think - trying to start a revolution in a country that saved his. He was an asshole ... period .... and the Canadian government did the right thing - giving him the boot.
Just some thoughts and have a great day.
hawk
