Tired of Dubya

“I have a hard time understanding the republicans who, in the last administration were crying about "big government" getting our tax dollars. Now that we shoot off multi-millions every time we do a bogus missile defense test, hey hey hey it's A-OK! It's not our money any more. It's the big government's money, and if you don't like it, tough. Please, republicans, explain.”

“gojo, if the point is to employ people, wouldn't it be better to give them employment at something that's actually useful> (e.g., teaching, rebuilding decaying infrastructure, protecting the backcountry, or what have you) so it benefits the rest of us as well?

And if the point is technological advancement, then wouldn't it be more efficient to put all the money straight into R&D rather than wasting most of it on something that in itself won't do a damn bit of good?”

“Arrgghh...missed a right tag there. Is that better?”

“The nuther day I paid 97 cents fer a gallon of gas. G-d bless George Bush Jr.!”

“89 cents for 87 octane!

Go play in the yard, George...”

“The biggest point of the missile defence system is not in functinality, but in theory. If other countries believe that it works, then they will hesitate to fire on us because there is no Mutally assured distruction. The shoot us, there is the possibility that we dhoot down the missiles and then shoot them. Who comes out the winner?”

“We also have to keep in mind that this is the first testings. When we tested for the first moon landing we didn't do it by actually LANDING on the moon. It takes refinments and revisions to get a system that exists on paper alone to physicly work. When I think about countries like N. Korea and Iran having missles I'm more apt to not raise a stink about the costs.”

“Great A $100 billion theory. I don't think I'm willing to put my trust or my tax dollars into that one.

There's one small difference here, Nigal. We're talking about nuclear weapons.”

“Nuclear weapons, in all their horrific potential, are what has kept *Europe* at peace for the longest time in recorded history.

$.80 per gal, 87 oct.
And still dropping.

Lackluster teachers last about one semester - you either got it or you ain't. The same problem that business and industry has been facing affects educ, too - the shortage of an adequate labor force. B&I has coaxed lots of teachers with $, but I would venture to guess that the impending recession will bring many of my estranged colleagues back into the fold. But for now, we'll continue to catch as catch can.

We have about 110 teachers at my school, and we started the year with no vacancies - whew! Our school system is growing by leaps and bounds to boot. We will have six high schools next year - that is double what we had seven years ago. I've lost count of elem and middles...

I understand that GA is on the low end of the educ scale, yet I know of no schools that lack libraries (media centers), textbooks, etc. Granted, I wasn't teaching before the lottery funding.

Rosey -
Perhaps I should know how lame our educ system is, but I do not. Please explain.”

““There's one small difference here, Nigal. We're talking about nuclear weapons."

Exactamondo Rosey. We’re talking about a possible way to keep nukes from hitting U.S. soil. It all comes down to weather a person thinks that is a possible threat or not as to weather it will be worth it in the end.”

“Huh?
Beer for breakfast?

And WHO is telling us that N. Korea, etc are threats?

The people who have the most to gain from all this spending are telling these lies....follow the money.

Isn't it enough to waste billions annually to "defend" S. Korea?

These thieves are attempting to make "defense" spending a growth industry.
They use fear and patriotism to manipulate the feeble-minded.

War Is A Racket”

“If all we want is for people to "beleive" that the missile defense works, let's save some big bucks and just start another disinformation campaign.
Defense spending is necessary, but I think even a right-winger would agree that you don't put the fox in charge of the henhouse, as is the case at present.”

“Told you so

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread.php?id=11580&age=9999”

“Link, please.”

“Bush is such a weenie.

Now he wants to poke the Russians and Chinese with a sharp stick.

He's ready to scrap the ABM Treaty.

Bush's pals are eager to make big money on yet another useless defense spend-up.”

“Can you please list these pals Tom?”

“Yoohoo! Tommy! Are ya still working on putting that list together and substantuating your claims or are ya ignoring my a@@? 8)”

“I wonder. Why would a 'rogue state' lob in a missile which would be instantaneously traceable by NORAD when they could float a 'dirty bomb' (radiological device) into San Francisco Harbor?

Bush says that September 11th proves his case when the opposite is true! I think the $60-120+ billion would be better spent on a perimeter defense.

Star Wars: The Next Generation
(from January)

"North Korea, the main impetus behind the current push for an NMD system, has agreed to a moratorium of new missile tests, has begun rapprochement with South Korea, and has expressed willingness to limit its nuclear and ballistic missile programs as part of an agreement with the United States."


There's also the possibility (probability?) of touching off an Asian arms race. If (When?) China seeks to counterbalance a system that covers Taiwan, how would India respond? Then Pakistan?

China urges talks on U.S. missile defense

Here's some of that
Republican Buddy List, *grin*. Unfortunately, they don't have an aerospace category.”

“Oops! That's what I get for trying to think at 5:30 AM! Those are the big money guys for both parties.”

“Thanks for the 411 Tilt but I want Tom's list on DUBYA'S buddies, not repubs in general.”

“Don't know if I'd call them buds, but these companies may have a vested interest.
”

“December 14, 2001 Posted: 11:12 AM EST (1612 GMT)

By Kelly Wallace
CNN Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush has asserted "executive privilege" and is refusing to release confidential Justice Department documents related to campaign fundraising practices during the Clinton administration to a congressional oversight committee.

"It is my decision that you should not release these documents or otherwise make them available to the committee," Bush said in a memorandum to Attorney General John Ashcroft that was released by the White House on Thursday.

"Because I believe that congressional access to these documents would be contrary to the national interest, I have decided to assert executive privilege with respect to the documents and to instruct you not to release them or otherwise make them available to the committee," the president said.

The House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, chaired by Rep. Dan Burton, R-Indiana, had subpoenaed Justice Department records, including memos to and from then-Attorney General Janet Reno on whether a special prosecutor should be appointed to investigate alleged campaign fundraising abuses by the Clinton administration and whether criminal prosecutions should be brought against any individuals.

Bush said disclosure of such documents "threatens to politicize the criminal justice process" and "would inhibit the candor necessary" for the "deliberative processes" that guide Justice Department prosecutorial decisions.

Further, he said releasing such materials would be a violation of the separation of powers set forth in the Constitution.

"Congressional pressure on executive branch prosecutorial decision making is inconsistent with separation of powers and threatens individual liberty," said Bush.

The president asked Ashcroft to notify the committee of his decision and to continue working "informally" with the committee to provide information "without violating the constitutional doctrine of separation of powers."”

“Wow! How could this one slip down so far with no asnwer from Tom about my list of Dubya buds? Got anything yet Tom?”

“2 terms, I garrenty it. Just aslong as he doesn't do any thing clinton like he will get his full 8.”

“Nigal-

I don't need no stinkin' list!

If you don't accept the premise that War Is A Racket, then there's no way that I can alter your fantasy world.

I hope you're happy with your Big Government.”

“LOL! Let me see if I can translate this gobbleygook:

“I don't need no stinkin' list!”

I don’t know chit, I can’t prove chit, I will continue to talk chit, and if you don’t blindly accept what I say, you are chit. Haha!



“If you don't accept the premise that War Is A Racket”

I don’t do “premises”. I do facts as they come to me, and you bring NONE. How is it a racket when government contracts go to the lowest bidder? You ignorantly make it sound as if the contract goes to whoever the Pres wants it to go to. Very untrue.

“then there's no way that I can alter your fantasy world.”

Again, I base my world on the facts that are presented to me, and once again, you bring none.

You post proves that you talk chit and you don’t know chit.

Have a great day Tom. 8)”

“chitty chitty bang bang!”

“I'm not going to give citations and bibliographies.

You got me on rhetorical points dude.

This is a discussion not a legal presentation.

The "War Is A Racket" speech by USMC Gen Smedley Butler (ret) from 1933 must be out there somewhere on the internet.”

“"This is a discussion not a legal presentation."

That's cool. I never said it was but if a person wants to be taken seriously they should be able to back up what they say and not apear totaly out of touch on a subject they are making wild claims about.”

“Not "wild" claims, just unpopular........

I shouldn't talk trash about someone you love.”

“Hey, don't even bring the claims unless ya can at least provide a love story and a stained blue dress. 8)”

“Hmmm....I'll make a note.....”

“OK, I'll make it even easier...it doesn't have to be YOUR dress.”

“yes it does.”

“President Appointee Bush said Monday "it's just a matter of time" before bin Laden and his associates are captured. "When the dust clears, we'll find out where he is, and he'll be brought to justice," Dubya told reporters at the White House.

Someday, justice will be served. I just hope it's not my head for killing everyone in Afghanistan. Damn, why can't I catch UBL? Was it bad stategy?”

“Democrats complaining about big government and Republicans justifying massive government spend? The world really has changed since Sept. 11.

I think I'll go put on a movie about the Democratic Party's idea of heaven. I need a good laugh.


“All men are not created equal. It is the responsibility of the government to render them so”

Harrison Bergeron quoting the 1st Article of the New American Constitution from the movie Harrison Bergeron based on the novel by Kurt Vonnegut.


Then I'll need to find a movie espousing Republican virtues. Can anyone suggest a good one?”

“Kings Row. oh, you want Republican values? I thought you said with a republican in it. lol.”

“arclite -

Could I suggest Star Wars (too obvious?) or Braveheart - all that furious cleaving and hacking is a perfect metaphor for the Ginrich controlled Congress.”

“Republican virtues? Hahahahahahaha.


You're joking, right?”

“Not at all rosey. Although your dogma may not accept it. You can open your mind, I know you can. Just keep saying, "I think I can...I think I can..." and then pray for enlightenment. If that doesn't work you can shoot yourself in the head to get some fresh air in there.

In these times, I was thinking more along the lines of the movie 1984. The Repulicrats are playing fast and loose with some of our civil liberties. Detentions, military tribunals, increased surveillance of our private lives and business transactions. This is scary stuff folks. All we can hope for is that the media is paying attention. Since the White house is controlled by the Republicrats instead of the Demicans, they might be a bit more critical. At least we know that the NY Times will.”

“"Red Dust".....1932
Clark Gable & Jean Harlow
Life, lust(ballin' a prostitute[Harlow]), romance(Gable falls for married woman[Mary Astor]), racial superiority, slave labor, monsoon rain, tropical heat, and more on a rubber plantation in French Indochina.

Gable is the plantation manager......good job for a Republican.

Republican Party's idea of heaven.”

“As opposed to the corrupt union bosses in, say, On the Waterfront? I don't know Tom. You know of any openings? You take plantation manager, I'll take corrupt union boss, and we'll compare notes on who's job is more heavenly.”

“I have come to realize something. As much as I despise the liberal agenda I have come to realize that there has to be a balance in politics. George Washington warned the founding government that a two party system was a bad idea but I feel now that it gives balance. If we had a one party government there would be no one guarding the chicken coop. There can be some truth found in all extremism; it’s just at a different degree than we are presented with. Take Clinton and Monica. Yes, I admit it now, it was a witch-hunt but it did draw attention to a greater problem.

Now we have Pres. Bush who’s approval rating is nearly as high, if not higher than Clinton’s ever was. I read all kinds of crap from armchair politicians about the “Bush Crime Family”, Enron, defense scams, on and on. It makes me wonder: where is the Democratic Party? I don’t hear this stuff coming from Tom Dashelle and the boyz as much as I do from the armchairs. Are they laying off due to critical times and a Pres. With a high approval rating? Are they protecting their own popularity?

Gotta go…it’s time for the cookie of the week on Martha Stewart!”

“Hmmm, sounds like a deal.

The plantation manager gets to crack the whip and whip that crack while the workers do all the work!

If the "pickers" get out of line I'll call in the French Foreign Legion to put a few heads on stakes and get 'em back to pickin'.

You go ahead and hump the heavy cargo!”

“Yeah, Arc. Or "Brazil."”

“You're in high cotton, Tom, I can tell. Me, eyez gunuh get Guido an da boyz tuh handl all-a-muy doity woik. We'll pay a buncha dem illegal chinks to carry da heavy stuff.


Dashelle is too busy obstructing everything he can in the name of bi-partisanship, Nigal. My guess is that the man wants to position himself for the future.

Ahhh, bipartisanship. I say let 'em duke it out in bare knuckle and hair pulling contests down on the floor of the chambers. That's what little kids do.”

“Daschle obstructing? Please...

Bush et al. made it clear that bipartisanship is a one-way street. 'Bipartisanship' in their vocabulary means everybody plays their game, with their rules, using their ball, with their refereees, and they get to win; any deviation from this arrangement is called 'obstructionism'.

If this administration were serious about bipartisanship, they would have held off on pushing the more extreme aspects of the Armey/DeLay agenda, e.g., raping ANWR and free money for the ultra-wealthy.”

“"Free money", what an interesting concept, tehipite. Is that some sort of collectivist belief? Take from the wealthy and give freely to the poor? Gee, in my nieghborhood we call that stealing.

You bet Daschle (thanks for the sp) is obstructing. There is a difference between balancing beliefs and obstruction. And there is no doubt that Daschle is obstructing everything he can.”

“Here's an article which may be in conflict with your beliefs, tehipite. But it contains some interesting ideas.

Advocates of high taxes have denounced President Bush's preferred tax-cut argument--it will help the economy--as outmoded Keynesianism. They have a point.
In his first address to Congress, Bush said, "To create economic growth and opportunity, we must put money back into the hands of the people who buy goods and create jobs." That sounds like the old Keynesian idea made popular during Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal: Cut taxes and increase government spending to "prime the pump" during a recession; raise taxes and reduce spending to slow down an "overheated" economy. Keynesianism seemed to have been finally laid to rest in the 1980s when President Ronald Reagan argued for a tax cut on supply-side grounds, and even liberal economists now agree that such fine-tuning has little effect on the economy. But one weak argument doesn't mean we shouldn't cut taxes. Here are six good reasons for a cut in income tax rates:
1. In a free country, money belongs to the people who earn it. The most fundamental reason to cut taxes is an understanding that wealth doesn't just happen, it has to be produced. And those who produce it have a right to keep it. We may agree to give up a portion of the wealth we create in order to pay for such public goods as national defense and a system of justice. But we don't give the government an unlimited claim on our money to use as it sees fit.
2. Private individuals and businesses use money more efficiently than governments do. People with their own money at risk spend or invest it carefully. You don't find many $600 hammers or insolvent retirement programs in the private sector. Money will do more good for more people in private hands than in government hands.
3. High taxes discourage work and investment. Taxes create a "wedge" between what the employer pays and what the employee receives, so some jobs don't get created. High marginal tax rates also discourage people from working overtime or from making new investments. It's true, as some critics say, that our current marginal rates of 39.6 percent (somewhat higher when combined with other taxes) do not depress economic output as much as the 70 percent rates that taxpayers faced in 1980. But most economists now agree that a reduction in marginal tax rates will increase output to some degree.
4. Income taxes should be cut because the overall tax burden is quite high right now. As of the third quarter of 2000, federal revenues as a share of the gross domestic product hit a peacetime high of 20.8 percent. Prosperity has made Americans more accepting of the rising tax burden, but the current economic slowdown will make high taxes harder to bear.
5. If we don't cut taxes, Congress will spend the money. If one thing is certain in Washington, it is that Congress will spend every dollar it can get its hands on. Every interest group wants something--a road, a dam, a social program, more teachers, more policemen, more corporate welfare--and members of Congress want to be liked. The only way to "put the surplus in a lockbox" is to let the taxpayers keep it.
6. Lower taxes are the only real check on the expanding size and scope of the federal government. If we want smaller government, our best strategy is to reduce the amount of money Congress has to play with.

by David Boaz”