All anyone needs to know in November

[MJZiggy]

[Iron Mike]

The only thing you need to remember in November is this:

Quantum of Solace

Fixed.

[sheepshead]

Regarding this war and the president. No one hates GWB more than John McCain. Bush hosed him in 2000. Also with 3 sons in service and 2 active, and having served in a war and if you dont know his story-look it up-he's not going to flaunt it like John Kerry-no one wants this war over more than John Mccain. Obama is a product of Hollywood and has no business near the white house.

[sheepshead]

The only thing you need to remember in November is my birthday.

[retailguy]

Re: All anyone needs to know in November

The world is sick of your President today. We have been for many years.


But back to my original point. The Free World wants Obama. And, if indeed he has only had 143 days of experience, we want him even more, because maybe, just maybe he will lead the Free World and not just America. He won't be indoctrinated with some of the drivel that The Free World has had to swallow.

Boy, I hope I don't lose any friends here posting this. I should learn when to keep my mouth shut.

This quote should be enough for any good thinking american to vote for McCain.

Tar - the fact that the "free world" wants Obama means he is NOT right for this country. I live in Ill. This idiot has been my senator (I did not vote for him). I will not vote for him. No one else should either.

Oh, and that President that "the free world is sick of" has helped keep you free over the last 5 years, and probably helped keep the number of terrorism related attackes lower than they would have been. Remember Tar, those attacks are happening PRIMARILY in your backyard.... not ours. We got the big one, you got the rest of them.

I shudder to think how the world would look today had the last President that the free world wanted - (Al Gore) been elected. The thought of him handling Sept. 11th sickens me.

Tar - you haven't pissed me off and you shouldn't have to keep your mouth shut, however, ask yourself - is Europe as a whole prepared to deal with terrorist attacks? Are you willing to take the war to them? Quite honestly, I see you folks as prepared to defend yourselves as you were in WWII when the Germans captured everything they invaded until America got involved.

We protected you folks then, and we're doing it again today. Makes no difference to me whether you like the method or not. Maybe you should just be grateful for the free help?

[Scott Campbell]

Re: All anyone needs to know in November

We had a good laugh with Clinton.

If you thought Bubba was funny, you would have loved Hillary. Fortunately Harlan endorsed her, and she lost.

Obama is telegenic and articulate - important qualities in a game show host. But he's starting to look like an empty suit to me - no depth.

Now McCain isn't exactly the best man for the job either. But as is the case in many elections, I think he's the lesser of two evils. He's no George.

This country is in serious, serious trouble. I think terror and the war are the least of our problems now. The credit markets here have completely shriveled up, and there is a lethal bunker mentality among lenders. I'm not even sure Republican leadership could fight our way out of this mess, but I fear an economic nuclear winter with Democratic leadership.

[Tarlam!]

Well, RG, see now you're pushing me on thin ice.

I don't think we get "free help" from the USA, at least not the German taxpayers. Maybe the rest of the free world pays nothing towards financing the wars that the US of A lead. Fact is, Germany almost financed Desert Storm. We had a huge row about it here.

Germany also had a leading role in ex-Yugoslavia and Afghanistan. And, we still do.

I am not really certain I was clear on what I was saying. But here it is again. The world needs leadership and the Free World has pretty much said, hey, that oval office guy/girl seems to be a good bet to lead.

That in itself is a remarkable achievement! I mean, you guys and girls were "colonies" 2 centuries ago and today, you lead the free world! An achievement matched by no one.

But, your President today leads the free world from a biased stance. Biased towards what is great for the USA and may only so-so for the rest. An arrogance that rubs people not American up the wrong way. I again repeat, not me. But I have visited your fine country 20 times and been privileged to work for bosses, American. I am not your average German/Australian/ Other Free world nation taxpayer.

W. Bush, when he's not being laughed at, is not very well liked.

You wanna talk 9/11, RG? O.K. I read reports where Belgian "society" were cocktailing the night of 9/11 and the Belgian high society people quipped how it served you right that terrorists attacked you. That is not my opinion AT ALL. I am merely highlighting how volatile the leadership of the free world is. I was disgusted at those remarks.

Put another way. I grew up especially under the Reagan influence. Believe me, when you elected a star of "b" grade movies, the world laughed. But, He was no laughing matter as he proved over and over again.

Reagan led the world to victory in the cold war in a way where we all knew who was leading, where we all willingly and gladly followed and where we could hold our heads up, proud to being the ass of the donkey and knowing the USA was the head.

We, the free world, have not had that kind of leadership since.

I know, only Americans will get to vote for their President. He/she is after all yours. But, he/she belongs to us a bit as well.

Today, we know very little about McCain. We know little about Obama, but we do know, Obama is so far away from w. Bush, we want him.

[retailguy]

Tar,

The goal wasn’t to push you onto thin ice. Sorry if it appeared that way. I do have a markedly different perspective than you do.

I agree that leadership is sorely lacking since Reagan. I am not a fan of McCain. I think he’s way less dangerous than Obama. In this world, I’ll take the less dangerous guy. In this country, no one dares run with strong views. He’s almost unelectable. There are few people of character willing to subject themselves to what this country describes as “politics” today.

But, please keep in mind that some of the folks in this room that are supporting your candidate also vilify Reagan. What he stood for, and what he believed in and the methods he used are very offensive to them. But with Reagan, in the end, results mattered.

Today, results don’t matter so much. It matters “how it looks” and “how it feels”. Truthfully, could you see the pundits comments today, when Reagan told Gorbachev to “tear down the wall”? Heck, the Senate Democrats would be talking impeachment!

If you look past what went wrong in Iraq, and look at what has gone right, if you look at most of the “terror” activity in Iraq is NOT done by Iraqi’s, if you listen to the Iraqi people and not what we’re spoon fed by the media, if you look at WHO is in Guantanamo Bay, and not whether or not they should be there, you can see progress. Maybe, if you’d stop believing everything you’re told, Bush might not be a laughing stock. Realistically, public opinion is too far gone for that.

But, if you believe that terrorists are evil, if you understand that the terror activity in Iraq is done by “foreigners”, not Iraqi people, HOW can you advocate leaving? Other than “feeling better” for a week, or a month, or maybe a year, what benefit does the world get from destabilizing Iraq? Vengence? Revenge? The ability for the liberal pundits to say they were right? Not much else, unfortunately.

Finally, the money issue. Are others paying the bills? Sure, small portions. Compare our costs to the rest of the world combined. Nothing in life is free, but for the rest of the world, this is ALMOST free. Look at our debt load Tar. Look at it. We’ve been there to help every other country in the world. Who is going to help us? NO ONE.

That’s what happens when you’re at the top of the heap. You are envied. You are judged. People aspire to be where you are. If for no other reason than that, the FREE WORLD CANNOT PICK OUR PRESIDENT.

I pray every day that Obama loses. I’ll also pray that you and others will one day see that before it is too late.

[Freak Out]

Just an FYI...Europe/Germany have been dealing with terrorism, homegrown and outside for many, many years. Saying the US has shielded them from it is debatable....unless you want to classify the USSR as a terrorist state. Both countries have worked well together for the most part protecting each other.

Reagan was a liberal in many cases. He signed the most liberal abortion law in the country while Governor of California and worked with the Democrats in Congress while President on many, many issues. The Dems in Congress respected him. But he was also sold on some very bad policy decisions by the people he had around him. Which almost cost him his job.

[retailguy]

Just an FYI...Europe/Germany have been dealing with terrorism, homegrown and outside for many, many years. Saying the US has shielded them from it is debatable....unless you want to classify the USSR as a terrorist state. Both countries have worked well together for the most part protecting each other.

Reagan was a liberal in many cases. He signed the most liberal abortion law in the country while Governor of California and worked with the Democrats in Congress while President on many, many issues. The Dems in Congress respected him. But he was also sold on some very bad policy decisions by the people he had around him. Which almost cost him his job.

True, they've been dealing with it much longer than we have. But in totality, they aren't any closer to a solution than we are. So, you can't claim much progress from their dealings, can you? Their actions are by default mostly reactionary, and this issue was getting far worse than it was better. Right now, it's largely contained to Iraq. It wasn't this way 5 years ago.

I wouldn't suspect that you or anyone else would argue that keeping the population of Guantanamo Bay locked away has reduced terrorist actions and terrorist threats - the downside is it has pissed other terrorists off, but there isn't a free lunch any way that you look at it. I think all of us can agree with that statement, even if you think the existence of Guantanamo Bay is a crime. If you keep them locked away, they can't plan attacks nor carry them out. This is my point towards reducing terrorism in the short term.

Here's the reality. You can't negotiate with these people. You can't pacify, or mollify them, you can't reason with them, and you can't meet any demand that they have, since their only demand is death. Until we accept that statement as a fact, not much will change. Since their goal is to wipe out "Western Civilization", we should all be on the same side here. Whether they wipe out the Germans or the Americans, or the Austrians, or the Russians, or the Austrailians they don't care. They'll take what they can get. A little debate on our side is healthy, but when we forget this basic premise, it gets dangerous very quickly. Obama gives me ZERO confidence that he gets this point. His insistence on leaving Iraq is a clear sign to me that he does not understand this premis.

History's revisionism of the Reagan years is well documented. My statement is probably easily provable by searching archives here and elsewhere. If we had more people with the fortitude of Reagan this country would be better off. Quite honestly, the fact Reagan didn't blink was as much a part of his success as his policies were.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

So now we know that John McCain has been in the Senate a lot longer than Obama. Glad we got that cleared up.

It isn't just experience. Obama has been running for president almost from the moment he arrived in Washington. Once a politician is that close to the big prize, all of their comments and votes are calibrated.


And what did he do before being a U.S. Senator? Some law teaching. A community organizer. Illinois STate Senate. Not bad experience, but not adequate preparation to understood the ways of the world, business, government.

We really can't know who Obama is, he hasn't had to comment on many controversial issues while he was in a position of accountability. Would he have voted to authorize Bush in Iraq? Who knows.

You've commented that you expect Obama to govern as a centrist. MAybe, but hell, you have no reason to believe this.

Please elaborate on our current president's qualifications. 4 years as governor from a state in which the gov has some of the least power...yep, so much more than obama.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Please elaborate on our current president's qualifications. 4 years as governor from a state in which the gov has some of the least power...yep, so much more than obama.

Being governor of a large state is enough of a credential to run for president, in my view. A gov has to compromise, make decisions, commit his signature to a variety of legisation.

Clinton, Reagon, Carter were state governors. Bush the Elder had a long record in the executive and legislative branch.

OBama's situation is truly biazaare. I'm no historian, but I can't remember a President being nearly so unqualified. The comparison with Kennedy is silly, Kennedy had full terms in the Senate & House. Obama is a phenomena, he will probably shoot from the Illinois State Legislator to the Presidency in 4 years solely on the basis of his charm and novelty.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

Please elaborate on our current president's qualifications. 4 years as governor from a state in which the gov has some of the least power...yep, so much more than obama.

Being governor of a large state is enough of a credential to run for president, in my view. A gov has to compromise, make decisions, commit his signature to a variety of legisation.

Clinton, Reagon, Carter were state governors. Bush the Elder had a long record in the executive and legislative branch.

OBama's situation is truly biazaare. I'm no historian, but I can't remember a President being nearly so unqualified. The comparison with Kennedy is silly, Kennedy had full terms in the Senate & House. Obama is a phenomena, he will probably shoot from the Illinois State Legislator to the Presidency in 4 years solely on the basis of his charm and novelty.

4 years from a state in which the gov has very little power. Sorry, i don't see it. And, a failure at everything he did prior. Plus a drunk and a drug user.

Obama at least has been a success at every level of his life. An achiever.

Experience: Ike was in the military. that ain't exactly someone who had far reaching compromise, policy making, etc.

Washington...um, where was the experience.

Lincoln was a state senator.

I'm with Andrew Sullivan...Obama represents the greatest rebranding of our country since RR.

[mraynrand]

Obama at least has been a success at every level of his life. An achiever.

He was the best community organizer Chicago ever saw. Except according to those who worked with him. He was also a great success as U.S. Senator. All the things he accomplished! He was a great success getting monies for his terrorist buddies. And he was a success prizing monies out of his multiple-felon buddy Tony Reszko. Barak Obama: A success at ever level.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

Obama at least has been a success at every level of his life. An achiever.

He was the best community organizer Chicago ever saw. Except according to those who worked with him. He was also a great success as U.S. Senator. All the things he accomplished! He was a great success getting monies for his terrorist buddies. And he was a success prizing monies out of his multiple-felon buddy Tony Reszko. Barak Obama: A success at ever level.

Spin away, dipshit. Who ever said.."best." It is just hilarious to watch you repeatedly twist and spin.

BTW, hard to be the best at something when you are 26 or so with no experience in that area.

Let's review:

1. Graduateded from an IVY..got in on merit.
2. Worked at BIC, etc. in NYC....no family connections.
3. Community Organizer/Director. Hmm, success:

a: Staff grew from 1 to 13
b: budget increased around 600 percent

4. Attended Harvard Law
5. Editor of Law Review as freshmen....pretty much the top position you can have while attending law school as freshmen.
6. Prez of Law Review.
7. Graduated Magna cum laude....please tell me that isn't success.
8. Book contract based on his election as Prez...hmm, they must know something that you don't.
9. U of Chitown recruited him to be on faculty. Yep, those prestigious schools surely like losers. Progressed in his career there from lecturer to senior lecturer.
10. Voter reg drive meets goal...leading Crains to put him as 40 under 40 powers. Yep, that wasn't a success.
11. Worked several years for private law firm...not fired or had it go under...contrary to current prez.
12. member of board of directors of several orgs.
13. Elected and reelected as state senator...yep, people always reelect.
14. Keynote address at Dem Convention...yep, got that by being unsuccessful.
15. In senate..junior member..still sponsored some bills and was on committees. But, what would you expect of a junior senator...please give me someone who was there for 2 years that was better...

16. Won his parties nomination from widely considered unbeatable and presumptive nominee.

I, and most of america, would call that being a success. Guess it pales in comparison to your life, but...don't we all.