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TPS

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Posts posted by TPS

  1. too many negative comments on this board

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    I'm always positive about the Bills. But when I make predictions, I try to make them based upon objectiveness. I believe this team will win more games than last year, and they might even compete marginally for a playoff spot.

  2. Maybe it's me, but why is lobbying considered espionage only when it relates to Israel?

     

    All of the factors you outlined are legit concerns for Israel's security, so why is it hard to believe that Israel would develop a lobbying team to allow its position to be heard?  Does Tony Blair spy in the US because the goals of both countries in ME are consistent?

     

    Israel gets slammed because its future mirrors the one of the US, and there are very parallel concerns to both countries from the rise of Muslim extremism.  The current US policy also benefits Turkey and Jordan, and hopes to finally rid Lebanon of the Syrian noose.

     

    If US Jews really hold that much sway, don't you think that the only states that would affect the vote would be NY, CA & FL?

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    Oh, and let me make this clear, this isn't about Israelis or Jews in general, it's about Israeli policy. There are just as many Jews against Sharon's policies as there are for his policies.

  3. Maybe it's me, but why is lobbying considered espionage only when it relates to Israel?

     

    All of the factors you outlined are legit concerns for Israel's security, so why is it hard to believe that Israel would develop a lobbying team to allow its position to be heard?  Does Tony Blair spy in the US because the goals of both countries in ME are consistent?

     

    Israel gets slammed because its future mirrors the one of the US, and there are very parallel concerns to both countries from the rise of Muslim extremism.  The current US policy also benefits Turkey and Jordan, and hopes to finally rid Lebanon of the Syrian noose.

     

    If US Jews really hold that much sway, don't you think that the only states that would affect the vote would be NY, CA & FL?

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    Lobbying isn't. But there is an allegation and investigation of spying at the Pentagon going on at the moment.

     

    As I tried to say, what's fascinating to me is that the fued between analysts at the Pentagon (the pro-Israel group) and those at the CIA has become somewhat public. However, I will add that I would hope our foreign policy is based on what's best for us, not Israel.

     

    As for sway, you should know better: it's not the number of Jewish voters; AIPAC is a PAC, and, like any PAC, can (and does) influence any race in the country by pooring money into the campaign coffers of those who support their positions.

  4. Geez, you're 2000 years too late.  We are out to dominate the world, and the US is just a speed bump.

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    So you don't think AIPAC/Israel doesn't try to influence American foreign policy in favor of Israel? You don't think there might be people in the Pentagon who's Middle East policy is consistent with Israel's, so they help each other out in various ways? And certainly Israel has never spied on the US, Mr. Pollard?

     

    I think it's fascinating that the power struggle over the direction of US foreign policy in the ME appears to be being waged (somewhat) on the surface. And I don't think it's fantasy or conspiracy to believe that if the goals of the Neo-cons in the Pentagon are consistent with the goals of Israel, that these two groups would try to help each other out.

  5. How come you never here the crowd that is freaking out about the outsourcing of jobs to other countries not freaking out about the outsourcing of jobs to illegal immigrants?  It's the same thing.  As a matter of fact the crowd that's freaking out about the outsourcing is actually advocating the issuing of driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.  And don't give me that crap about they're just doing the jobs real Americans don't want.  By a show of hands how many of you would line up for a telemarketing position?  And if any of you respond to that question with "if that were the only job available I would".  Then why not line up to pick lettuce if THAT were the only job available?  I bet you would.

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    It's not the same thing. Americans certainly have the choice to take the lousy-paying, hard-a$$ jobs that illegals take, but they don't. You're a chef; how many American cooks and dishwashers are there compared to Mexicans (and other Central/South Americans)?

     

    Outsourcing software development jobs is not the same as allowing immigrants to pick our produce and cook our meals. In the REagan recession of the early 1980s, I read an editorial by a construction worker who was out of work and went to pick strawberries; he lasted less than a week, and wondered how Mexican immigrants could stand the work...

  6. As a matter of fact he brought up cutting spending continuously. I watched much of it and it was amazing. The repubs are trying to paint a good picture, and the dems are whining about the tax cuts and how bad things are.

     

    AD, why does everybody call this a cut for the "rich?" My taxes were reduced and I am anything but rich.

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    The reason people say that is because the top 1% receive over 50% of the total cut:

     

    share of tax cut

     

    In addition, even though federal taxes went down, many people experienced overall tax increases because the slowdown in the economy caused states and localities to raise taxes and fees.

  7. It must truly be a sad campaign when 90% of the arguments made here are, "but the other guy did (or didn't do) this..."

     

    And, by the way, we all know what the other 10% are, "It's Clinton's fault!" :lol:

     

     

     

    Bush is taking heat due to newly found military records.  The irony is that he is taking heat because he signed the SF-180 that allows us to see his records.

     

    John Kerry won't release his military records.  You (the voter) could infer all kinds of nasties from that.  What is he hiding?  Could be nothing, or could be something quite gross.

     

    GW was a stand up guy and released his records...  edge: Bush.

     

    When Kerry signs the SF-180 releasing his reoords, then we can do a fair side by side comparison.  For your convenience, here is a link to the necesary form: SF-180.  Fax it to the campaign.

     

    Until Kerry's military records are released I guess I'll have to rely on the accounts of the 250 eye witnesses (Swifties).

     

    After you get Kerry to release his medical records, get him to release his tax records, Theresa's tax records (their finances are intertwined so her records are fair game), and his medical records.

     

    GW has released all of the above.

     

    (I thought the form number was quite amusing for Kerry... 180!  Get it?)

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  8. n reading the link (BTW, IHT is owned by the NY Times), Cheney said that

    No, it's not. Cheney says that an attack with Kerry in office would be more severe. Many assumed after 9-11, attacks would be soon forthcoming. But they didn't - yet. If I understand Kerry, he wants to allow for some sort of negotiation. But if that takes place, would not one expect a marshaling of forces in the lull? Do you honestly feel that our enemies will be wanting to play nice if Kerry is elected? The seem to hate Bush as much as some of our citizens do.

     

    In 1934, the French stood by while Hitler re-occupied the Rheinland, despite having vastly superior forces. They talked. Had the French acted, war in Europe may well have been avoided...

     

    As an aside, why did you feel the need to type in your thread title with an obvious, directed obscenity?

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    ‘‘It’s absolutely essential that eight weeks from today, on Nov. 2, we make the right choice, because if we make the wrong choice then the danger is that we’ll get hit again and we’ll be hit in a way that will be devastating from the standpoint of the United States,’’ Cheney told supporters in Des Moines, Iowa.

     

    I would interpret that to mean, we will get hit again if we make the wrong choice on Nov. 2. Which means if we make the right choice, then we won't get hit again.

     

    As to your other points. I don't think terrorists care who is in office. I'm not sure "with who" you mean when you say Kerry wants to negotiate? In this day and age I doubt very seriously any elected president will take the threat of terrorism lightly.

     

    In terms of acting against terrorism, we disagree over whether Bush made the right decision using most of our resources to topple Saddam--I think that was a huge mistake. I think Graham's new book quotes Gen. Franks in saying that Bush was redirecting resources into Iraq 6-8 months before the invasion, and that we should've finished the job in Afghanistan, and then Yemen and another country (I can't rember) where Al Queda actuall is.

     

    While I'm not voting for Kerry, I do think he will do a better job of focusing on the terrorist that are a threat to America, and not waste all our resources going after countries that are a threat to Isreal.

     

    As for the title, lighten up Francis! It was meant as humor. Sorry if I'm not being PC.... ;)

  9. How would you compare things that Cheney has said to words that have come out of the mouthes of H. Dean and A. Gore?

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    The point is that the statement is completely hypocritical. Cheney (or at least people in the administration) can't say on the one hand that another act is inevitable, and on the other another say an attack will only occur if Kerry is elected. Which is it? Is it inevitable or is it dependent on Kerry's election? Will he guarantee no new strikes then if they are re-elected? And if there is another act on our soil, will they resign?

  10. Thanks. I also posted a similar link to an earlier thread. See below.

     

     

     

    BiB posted this earlier.  It is not 100% up to date but provides some info.  It is about the conflict overall, not the siege.

     

    link

     

    BTW, If all these terrorists wanted was a separate government did they think they would get it via this act?  Is there any way they could have possibly thought that their goal would be achieved by doing this?  If so, why would they not seek to take more in the same or similar fashion?  If not, why would they want to capture and kill hundreds of children? 

     

    People who would do this offer no evidence that they could ever offer anything of value to the human race IMO.  They may have had unfair circumstances thrust upon them in their individual lives, they may be angry at things around the world they see as unfair, they may have psychological problems, but they offer nothing but fear, suffering and death to the rest of us.  They are too far gone.  They must be found and killed.  I wish it were not true, but it is.  I wish there were another solution, but there is not.  At the same time, we must do everything we can to be sure that new generations do not have incentives (or lack of options) to continue this.  The Muslim community at large around the world must help in this effort.  If they do not, the situation runs the risk of turning far uglier than it is now.

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    Chechnya

     

    And I'm not trying to justify or support this, I just disagree with people who are trying to equate this to Al Queda's global Jihad. Would they also consider the IRA's violence in their effort for an independent North Ireland Al Queda related too?

  11. I think this act is less about religion and more about independence. Chechnya has been trying to become an independent state, and Russia has brutally responded by killing thousands of Chechnyans.

     

    I wonder how people would view this if they were trying to break away from the old USSR regime?

     

    At any rate, it's a brutal act that no one should support, but it is incorrect to say their cause is similar to Al Queda's.

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    I believe that politicians do engage in wagging the dog, and what easier way to do it than with some obtuse terror warning.

     

    As I recall, Jose Padilla was in custody for weeks, but they announced his arrest during that Congressional testimony by the female FBI agent from Minneapolis, who said that their investigation of Moussoui was squelched by DC higer ups.

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