Posts by blacksheep

109

Daddy, why did we have to attack Iraq?

by Larry in

daddy, why did we have to attack iraq?.

questions and answers about foreign policy (and the u.s. invasion of iraq).

anyway, saddam hussein came to power through a military coup, so he's not really a legitimate leader anyway.

blacksheep

So while I'm here with "peanuts" for tax breaks to buy new equipment or hire more people, my own government helps US companies ship jobs overseas. Why do companies do this? Because Wal-Mart literally sqweezes them for every penny. When I worked as a project engineer for Plano Molding (the tackle box people) our biggest customer was Wal-Mart. What Wal-Mart now does is take the best selling items they use to buy from Plano, Rubbermaid, Newell, etc., goes to China and has them make it for them. Does this fit in the realm for "free enterprise"? Sure does. But at some point there is also a sense of social resposibilty.

So, are you complaining that, as a small business owner, you do not get comparable tax breaks that the big guys do? Are you complaining that these huge companies, but outsourcing jobs, can pay much lower wages and are not subject to the more strict employment laws of the US?

Beyond that, where does "social responsiblity" end and a free market begin? How would you suggest we deal with the apparent inequities?

109

Daddy, why did we have to attack Iraq?

by Larry in

daddy, why did we have to attack iraq?.

questions and answers about foreign policy (and the u.s. invasion of iraq).

anyway, saddam hussein came to power through a military coup, so he's not really a legitimate leader anyway.

blacksheep

as i said there are a handful of honest people who are actually interested in doing good for the population who get to the top. but you can count the number of those on one hand.

But the ones who'll ultimately succeed are those who figure out what skills/abilities they can exploit in themselves. Maybe in a differenet job. But, life changes.

with this you underline exactly what i am saying. survival of the fittest!

You really ARE confused. You were talking about how US presidents will our only out for themselves; that they would knowingly let a 9/11 happen just to avenge an old vendetta. I say you are deranged.

What I was talking about was FREE MARKET. The fact that we are not a socialist state. Two VERY different things.

You are jumping all over the place to make some sort of point: I guess it is that US people, presidents in particular, would just as soon kill their grandmothers if it meant more money for them. Yes, the big corporations are out to get everybody. Go back to reading your Marxist books.

109

Daddy, why did we have to attack Iraq?

by Larry in

daddy, why did we have to attack iraq?.

questions and answers about foreign policy (and the u.s. invasion of iraq).

anyway, saddam hussein came to power through a military coup, so he's not really a legitimate leader anyway.

blacksheep

All I'm saying is that people are quick to point the finger at politians, when in fact the fault is our own. How is Wal-Mart able to sell a lawn mower for only $100.00? Cheap Chinese labor. Think it doesn't effect you? Think again.

I understand what you are saying. But we live in a FREE market. We are the greatest economy in the world. Why? Because in part we are flexible. We figure out how to do things better and faster. We are highly creative and the most customer focused nation in the world. Just because jobs are being outsourced to other nations should not be a reason to feel we are somehow threatened. We are a global economy. People who don't have the flexibility to move onto other endeavors from what they've ALWAYS done, yes, will likely suffer. They'll have to take lower paying jobs. And curse the government. But the ones who'll ultimately succeed are those who figure out what skills/abilities they can exploit in themselves. Maybe in a differenet job. But, life changes.

109

Daddy, why did we have to attack Iraq?

by Larry in

daddy, why did we have to attack iraq?.

questions and answers about foreign policy (and the u.s. invasion of iraq).

anyway, saddam hussein came to power through a military coup, so he's not really a legitimate leader anyway.

blacksheep

but people in general do what is best for them. and so do politicians. and fact is that in most cases the thoughest cookies make it to the top not the ones who worry about huring other people. politicians don't do bad things intentionally because they want to hurt people...but they simply do what is best for them and the people who pay them (the industry etc.).

Sorry you have such a jaded view of the world. You cannot seem to fathom that great leaders do what they do for the good of the country.

It is very telling that you think everyone is out for themselves. Don't project your skewed view of reality and values onto others.

66

Who do you blame for the time you wasted as a DUB?

by Thunder Rider in

jw
friends

think of all the time and energy you wasted sitting in meetings, going door to door and refraining from making friends and having enjoyable association with non dubs.

think about how much of your finite life is lost to you because you were a witness.

think about how foolish you looked, hanging on to the false teachings and empty hopes for the future.

blacksheep

Is this not like a person who has been abused or molested as a child who is made to feel as if they are the ones to blame. I feel abused and molested (mentally, spiritually, emotionally) by the WT society--therefore I feel like a victim and I blame the perpetuators of my abuse. It is hard for me to sort this one out.

You make an excellent point. For me, I continue to harbor resentment and blame my mother/father because they are still doing what they have done. There was never any admission or acknowlegement; in fact I'M still the problem. They persist in believing they are wonderful parents, and even are highly judgemental of OTHER parents in our extended family. It's like I've been abused/molested, and they continue with the charade.

I don't think you can necessarily get past that. And I DON'T think you are obligated to forgive them.

35

George Bush's Vietnam

by WhyNow2000 in

that's what sen edward kennedy of massachusetts called it.

do you agree?.

washington (reuters) - u.s. senators argued on wednesday over whether the conflict in iraq was becoming another vietnam and some republican supporters of president bush suggested he consider extending a june 30 deadline for the handover of power there.

blacksheep

Are you encouraging your sons and daughters to sign up and go fight? If you could, would you yourself volunteer and go fight in Fallujah?

No, I'm teaching my son and daughter to back down. When you depose a horrible despotic tyrant who killed masses of innocent people and plays a cat and mouse game with the world as to whether he has the ability and will to harm, not only his people, but others, and then it turns out that it makes OTHER terrorists mad, it's time to cut and run.

No, kids, just keep your head down low. Don't make trouble. And if you DO offend terrorists, just back away.

109

Daddy, why did we have to attack Iraq?

by Larry in

daddy, why did we have to attack iraq?.

questions and answers about foreign policy (and the u.s. invasion of iraq).

anyway, saddam hussein came to power through a military coup, so he's not really a legitimate leader anyway.

blacksheep

Hey Czar, I'll thank you not to characterize me as someone who "really loved people who would kill and torture and threaten" or someone who "felt no obligation to defend the innocent."

Let's see. This, from the person who characterized me as not giving a sh*t about human life?

How does it feel, 6? Oh, wait, I'm gathering from you comments after this statement that it doesn't feel good...

109

Daddy, why did we have to attack Iraq?

by Larry in

daddy, why did we have to attack iraq?.

questions and answers about foreign policy (and the u.s. invasion of iraq).

anyway, saddam hussein came to power through a military coup, so he's not really a legitimate leader anyway.

blacksheep

The problems we face today is our own making. Good paying manufacturing jobs are leaving the US for China and are being replaced with low-paying, service jobs. Is this Bush's fault? Is it Clinton's fault? Nope. It's my fault and your fault for shopping ay Wal-Mart and buying the cheapest shi* we can find. Instead of buying that American made lawnmower, we buy the lawnmower made in China.

Sorry folks, times have changed. A "good job" is not an entitlement. We are not a union, socialist state. And why SHOULDN'T people by a product that costs less? Or is made better? We live in a capitalistic system, like it or no. We are constantly searching for ways to do things faster, better, smarter.

109

Daddy, why did we have to attack Iraq?

by Larry in

daddy, why did we have to attack iraq?.

questions and answers about foreign policy (and the u.s. invasion of iraq).

anyway, saddam hussein came to power through a military coup, so he's not really a legitimate leader anyway.

blacksheep

Conservative columnist Andrew Sullivan, in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, blamed the Clinton administration. "

Was this conservative columnist a member of the Bush Administration? Because that's what I expressly referring to in my post. A columnist can write and believe anything he wants. He wasn't representing Bush.

During his administration, Clinton offered legislation that would give the Treasury Secretary broad powers to ban foreign nations and banks from accessing American financial markets unless they cooperated with money-laundering investigations that would expose and terminate terrorist cash flows.

Oh wow. Now there's a big major blow to terrorism!! And, ironically, Clinton wasn't able to push it through. Now, in the Bush admin., there are many such precautions that have been put into place to stop money laundering. I know, I'm in the finance industry. So, guess 'ol Clinton just wasn't strong enough on terror to get what needed to be done, done.

There was Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell blaming the attacks on gays, feminists and the ACLU a couple of days after the horror. They claimed the attacks were God's justice being levied against America for tolerating such people. No one quite explained the glaring hole in this logic -

The heck they didn't. There was a major bi-partisan hue and cry from everyone. Falwell was forced to apologize for his bizarre remarks. NO one, certainly not the Bush admin, was in any was affiliated with this wacko neantherthal..

Really, you've got to do better than that.

109

Daddy, why did we have to attack Iraq?

by Larry in

daddy, why did we have to attack iraq?.

questions and answers about foreign policy (and the u.s. invasion of iraq).

anyway, saddam hussein came to power through a military coup, so he's not really a legitimate leader anyway.

blacksheep

what actions should clinton have taken that bush has? as is revealed right now bush knew about the threat month before the attack yet did virtually nothing.

why not? most likely because an attack would give him the right in the public opinion to attack iraq

Just read the rest of your comments. This is the most assinine, hateful, and igornant accusation I have heard yet. You actually believe that GWB knew that 9/11 was about to occur, but did nothing so that he could attack Iraq? A year later?

You have a lot of nerve. I really have no interest in debating you. You are not an American and obviously clueless about what's going on. And for someone to suggest that are president knowingly and willingly allowed the 9/11 to happen, you are simply deranged.

The US fortunetly, does not breed Nazis and Hitlers...unlike Europe. And middle eastern countries.