LucidSky

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Posts by LucidSky

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  59

  Changd My Mind About the War In Iraq

  by roybatty in

  1. social
  2. current

  i don't want one more u.s. soldier to die for the iraqi people.

  it's now obvious to me that the international community was right.

  the people of iraq do not deserve to live in a free society.

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  LucidSky

  I don't think we should delude ourselves: terrorists will strike in America again. And smashing them with a sledge hammer might work for awhile -- but unless a broader strategy of (1) international cooperation, (2) stable and representative governments and (3) raising of living conditions is pursued, we will be working against a growing tide.

  I also don't think we should abandon the Iraqis to a bloody civil war at this point. We (or rather our President) committed to finishing the job when we went to war. What we need now is international support.

  The first step to Mid-East stability should have been Israel/Palestine though. In my opinion Iraq was somewhat unstable, but contained. I'm all for pursuing changes in oppressive governments but starting unilateral wars to do it happens to be a great way to build up a terrorist base.

  Lucid
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  39

  Does Bush Qualify???

  by caspian in

  1. social
  2. current

  george w. bush isn?t really a president, but he plays one on television.

  from his ?top gun?

  landing on an aircraft carrier to his ?turkey toting?

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  LucidSky

  War is just one tool we can use. It is also a blunt tool and easily the most costly (in terms of lives and money). Clearly if we weren't directly threatened by Iraq, we should have aggressively exhausted all other options. It seemed like that was even happening... until we just up and decided to invade anyway.

  Lucid
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  35

  George Bush's Vietnam

  by WhyNow2000 in

  1. social
  2. current

  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.

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  LucidSky

  I didn't agree with the pre-war handling -- or the lack of post-war involvement for the world community. But I don't think it has been disasterous yet. Only time will tell if terrorism takes its toll.

  LS
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  Some thoughts on the "anti-occupation" rally on 3/20/04

  by L_A_Big_Dawg in

  1. social
  2. current

  just some thoughts on the rally.. i attended this rally to see and educate myself.

  i took the subway to hollywood to avoid the parking and traffic problems.

  while on the train, i met some of the protesters.

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  LucidSky

  Big Dawg, Interesting to hear your experience. I think total allegiance to an ideology is dangerous, regardless of it being right or left. Ideology should be tempered with reality and the reality is we are in Iraq.

  I don't agree with those that say we should "end the occupation" -- when the US toppled Iraq's government we commited to helping them back up. We must live with the decisions that have been made. The protesting may reiterate how lopsided the original decision was and may stress greater UN involvement though -- something I would also like to see.
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  44

  Bush: I'm God's Delivery Boy

  by William Penwell in

  1. social
  2. current

  published on wednesday, march 17, 2004 by the progressive

  bush: i'm god's delivery boy

  by matthew rothschild

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  LucidSky

  We have to die someday, wouldn't it be better to have done so fighting for freedom, instead of sitting at home and whining about how's come nobody does nothing for US?

  Agree, but in part: There's a hell of a lot of people worse off than those in North Korea and Iraq. Just take a look around Africa. Would it make the world better by bringing war to lift oppression or bringing food/medicine to lift starvation and disease? $200+ billion could have done some amazing things...

  But anyway, what I dislike about the President's decisions is that he ties religion so intimately to them on issues from science to foreign policy. A moral leader is great -- just not someone who sees the world so simplistically in "black-and-white."
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  65

  Bush/Kerry Poll

  by Greenpalmtreestillmine in

  1. social
  2. current

  u.s citizens: if you intend to vote in november will you vote for bush or kerry or are you undecided?

  please with just one word give your vote for this very small poll: bush, kerry or undecided .

  those outside of the u.s.: who are you hoping will become the next u.s. president?

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  LucidSky

  Gotta be: JOHN KERRY
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  135

  Victory for Terrorism

  by Yerusalyim in

  1. social
  2. current

  the terrorists won a great victory in spain.

  mind you, i'm all for the democratic process...it's great...and had the spanish decided to part ways with the us of it's own volition, great!...however, the socialists were project to not win a majority in this weekends election...that is until the terrorist attack.

  now, with the socialist coming into power...and the promise to both withdraw the 1300 spanish soldiers from iraq and to part ways with the us on foriegn policy we can look for more such attacks in other countries.

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  LucidSky

  This is very speculative.

  A terrorist act might actually solidify nationalism and support the current ruling party. Just take a look at Bush's numbers after 9/11. But when governments make decisions that citizens believe inflames terrorism, they might tend to vote for a change. Either way it certainly brings an element of instability to the voting process.
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  46

  Where is Evolution Headed???

  by frankiespeakin in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i believe we are the product of evolution, i think it rediculous to doubt science in this matter.. .

  but what will the evolution of energy and matter finally end up as????.

  abbadon brought up an essay about, "teilhard de chardin and the noosphere", and posted it in another thread,, it is very interesting here the link for the essay:.

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  LucidSky

  The reason Evolution theory was, and is, taught as virtual fact is this-

  Loves_Truth, the scientific community understands biological evolution to be a natural process. Evolution has been proved true since the creation of new species of plants and animals has already been demonstrated.

  As far as where evolution might be going? I think it will take a different route than it has. Humanity is starting to reach the point of controlling evolutionary processes. We will shape our own destiny, rather than leave it up to natural forces.

  But biology has severe limitations. Ultimately, the next evolution-revolution might be led a technological species. As sci-fi as it sounds, humanity may even replace flesh with machine. It's been happening slowly for centuries from wooden legs to occular microchip implants.

  Perhaps in the far distant future I could imagine lifeforms that exist as energy, quasi-spiritual beings still tied to the laws of the universe but not to material form.

  Or then again, may I need to lay off the beer ...

  Lucid
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  101

  Bush Bash, Anti-gay marrige.

  by SC_Guy in

  1. social
  2. current

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  i think bush is trying to screw this country one more time before he's voted out of office....

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  LucidSky

  Anyone that thinks homosexuality is "unnatural" should take a look at the animal kingdom...
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  49

  FLAT TAX

  by Yerusalyim in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the taxes filed thread got me to thinking....what say we here in the us go to a flat tax....18% for those who make over $35,000 a year...no deductions.

  hmmmmm?

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  LucidSky

  Thanks Yeru!

  Am I understanding this correctly... the Flat Tax eliminates deductions, except for dependents. Although I think that could also be done with a progressive tax system... I guess this issue comes down to: should the government be able to influence citizen behavior, such as home ownership, retirement investing, giving to charity, etc, with tax deductions? Those are no longer deductable?

  I do like the elimination of tax shelters and simplified taxes -- my guess is billions in revenue is lost because some rich persons can afford "crafty" accountants. The tax code now really requires perpetual reform.

  So how does flat tax work for unearned income -- stocks and bonds?

  LucidSky