national defense with Bush or Kerry

lokstah

On the other hand, we shouldn't presume that the noble intention of halting Communism precludes our culpability where blame was due; the policies and operations you speak of were difficult, complex scenarios and the US found itself straddling a lot of moral ambiguities. Only human, are we.

A difficult era.

I hate difficult eras. Too bad we're in another one...

Olasnah

I don't know about Bush, but I'm pretty damned certain that Kerry will not manufacture another war for the United States. I saw the Iraq war coming long before 9/11 happened, as I think everyone here did. By that I do not mean that it was inevitable, but rather that the Bush admin had such a war in its long term plans as soon as they were 'elected' into office. It was, if everyone recalls, a rather big campaign issue for them even in 2000.

I'm still trying to figure out what I am being protected from. I'm more concerned about Bush protecting the soldiers over there in Iraq by giving them more manpower. It's ridiculous that we have such few troops in a country we are supposed to be providing security for.

Jakebrake

But John Kerry voted for the Patriot act, how do you feel about that?

You state that gov't workers are suppose to be apolitical, but we know this not to be the case, one only needs to look at the career bureaucrats in the state department. My misgivings about John Kerry and his approach to National Defense is his voting record in the Senate. Numerous times he voted against weapons systems, defense spending, and against the intelligence community. I would also offer I do have a problem with President Bush and his approach to immigration and our pourous borders in regards to homeland security.

Jakebrake

Well, how do you feel about Senator Kennedy, the hero of Chappaquiddick, and the comments he made today in regards to the Bush Administration?

lokstah

Not great.

The reforms he suggests for the Patriot Act are a step in the right direction, but make no mistake: Kerry ain't no posterboy for the real left. He's the posterboy for the left's current centrist state.

davidmc

If i remember correctly, there was only one nay or abstention. Many saw it as "political suicide" to question it, at the time. Only an army of lawyers could have deciphered it over a period of days/weeks/month's. Also, the bill was unreadable, it contained item's such as "...change paragraph 67, line two to read 'when' instead of 'because'. It contained addendum's to already existing documents. It was'nt a "stand alone document. I could'nt have read it & i'm the smartest person i know

__________________
I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.
George Carlin
US comedian and actor (1937 - )

davidmc

Did'nt hear, what did he say? I only listen to the radio news & read msn & wash post online news. Come to think of it, i really don't care because i hold him in the same camp as bush-elected because of his name. That does'nt impress me. He may be a good legislator but i dismiss him because he inherited his political standing just like bush. It's akin to a monarchy & this country spilled alot of blood, back in the 18th cen., to get away from that unfair gov't model. It was an aristocracy(judged by one's lineage) as opposed to a meritocracy(judged by one's deed's)

__________________
I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.
George Carlin
US comedian and actor (1937 - )

Jakebrake

Cool beans, he actually made it into work, I'm sure his constituents are proud.

limerickman

Tony Blair - addressing the Labour Party Conference - today in Brighton admitted that Her Majesty's goverment were wrong with regard to the reasons for going to War in Iraq.
His statement is important because he has now finally admitted that he and his goverment got it wrong and wrong entirely.
B Liars (that's his moniker in this part of the world) speech was carried live today by all major news channels.

B liar still faces impeachment - under The Commons Parliamentary motion - as
described under the heading "Power, Treason and Gumpowder" legislation
enacted three centuries ago.

I know that this is not the subject matter of this thread - but I think this fact ought to be known to our transatlantic posters.

Jakebrake

Since when have we stuck to the subject matter of the thread? We're a bit more freewheeling over here in the soapbox forum. Doesn't matter if we get off subject, 30-40 posts later the ship makes her turn and gets back on topic. Thanks for the info.

davidmc

Zaps right, i'm proudly in the "anyone but bush" camp. Bush has no accomplishments aside from being able to fly a plane(he walked away from that) and being governor of a republic (that detest's anything outside of its borders). If you're impressed w/ that, vote for 'em. Incidentally, zapper, where have you been?, its refreshing to have you jump into & preempt an intelligent discussion.

__________________
I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.
George Carlin
US comedian and actor (1937 - )

davidmc

No, seriously, it is'nt the same when you're not here. Being used to highly charged exchanges. I may not agree w/ you, most of the time, but i respect you're passionate stand; whether or not i agree w/ it. This election seems to be a very polarizing one & there are'nt many who are "fence sitters" in this one. That would explain the "heated" debates we have in the "bloody soapbox". P.S.-If your project is a residential one, contractors(elect, plumb, carpent., ect...) may be less inclined to take it on because residential projects seem to be more difficult to estimate because some tend to be "open-ended" & they're dealing w/ & have to answer to an individual whereas commercial projects are just "sign on the dotted line" (because they're dealing w/ an entity) & disputes are easier to dismiss/resolve. Just a theory. I do remember what you're were saying( in another thread) though, that the economy is so good [at least in your area] they "can't squueze you in"; maybe that is the reason. You're the only one that will know, in you're case.

__________________
I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.
George Carlin
US comedian and actor (1937 - )