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Kidnapped Journalist Freed In Iraq
News:
In a piece of good news out of Iraq—as welcome as it is rare—freelance journalist Jill Carroll has been released from captivity, apparently healthy and unharmed. Carroll had been missing since her abduction in January, during which her translator was shot and killed. Though at least two deadlines set by her captors for her execution came and went, Carroll’s friends, family, and colleagues at the Christian Science Monitor mounted an apparently effective campaign on her behalf, gaining public support among Iraqis for her release.
This is very good news.
From what has become a very bad place to be. It's encouraging to see that there are those in the Iraqi insurgency who are willing to show restraint. It's cleary discouraging that so many others who have been kidnapped have yet to be released, and we shouldn't lose sight of this.
One question I have... How is this administration going to "spin" this? Are they going to take credit for it for political gain? We shall see...
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful and committed citizens can change the world."
Check out my blog:
http://truth-for-a-change.blogspot.com/
republicans CAN'T spin this
While they had the photo-op on the male journos,
all reports say that they had nothing to do
with her release.
And why would they? She's not a photo-op Christian,
she's just a journalist, who was trying to talk
to the real people suffering in Iraq. I doubt
if they will try to spin this, because it will
give her an opportunity to report on what's really
happening to the Iraqi people. No american media
outlet will allow that to happen.
You Wrote: One question I
You Wrote: One question I have... How is this administration going to "spin" this? Are they going to take credit for it for political gain? We shall see...
If you are talking about the Iraqi gov. then yes we need to wait and see. They will establish their own gov. At the least they can vote for whom they want to run their country. Even the USA when being established was no easy task.
re-read my post.
"If you are talking about the Iraqi gov. then yes we need to wait and see. They will establish their own gov. At the least they can vote for whom they want to run their country. Even the USA when being established was no easy task."
wasn't referring to the Iraqi's *spinning*, I
was referring to the Bush Crime Cabal. They are
the ones who will most likely try to take
credit.
Oh yeah, on rightwing radio they are already
trying to claim Ms. Carroll's abduction was a hoax.
How frigging pathetic! Because the White House
goons can't take credit for her release,
because she said her captors were *humane* to her --
it's gotta be a fraud. Is it *just* because
she was a woman, or is it because she didn't
get beheaded? Of course, a white woman being
treated badly gives the spindoctors even more
reason to rail against those DANGEROUS Iraqis...
You Wrote: because she said
You Wrote: because she said her captors were *humane* to her
Did you ever think that maybe just maybe they are running out of people that believe in there cause.... And maybe just maybe they really wish then can be somewhere else... In the beginning they would hesitate to cut the head off of an infidel. Could it be we are winning? Or is that to hard for you to fathom.
Theological Question For the Religious Right
Theological Question For the Religious Right
I would like to ask these folks in the religious right, since they seem to be experts in biblical theology, if they could answer this theological question for me:
Is it a violation of the biblical prohibition against sodomy for the religious right to have its collective head completely stuck up its ass?
Jill Carroll
I am so happy to hear of Jill's release, and that she appears to have been unharmed and treated well. Here is "the good news out of Iraq"! I can't wait to hear more from Jill in the coming weeks and months. I hope she will have much to say. I don't, however, expect Bushco. to say much about her release, just as they have remained nearly silent on the rescue of the Christian Peacemaker activists last week. Those are voices they'd rather not spotlight. Welcome back, Jill!!!
Wasn't it our troops whom
Wasn't it our troops whom rescued them and they gave no thanks to them for what the troops did?
re: Wasn't it our troops whom....
no - that's actually just a "talking point" you are repeating - not actually true.
The TRUTH: http://www.cpt.org/iraq/response/06-23-03statement.
They thanked "the soldiers who risked their lives to free Jim, Norman and Harmeet", at the same time maintaining their deeply held belief, "We believe that the illegal occupation of Iraq by Multinational Forces is the root cause of the insecurity which led to this kidnapping and so much pain and suffering in Iraq. The occupation must end."
That is called "integrity".
This is called "Christlike" -
"Today, in the face of this joyful news, our faith compels us to love our enemies even when they have committed acts which caused great hardship to our friends and sorrow to their families. In the spirit of the prophetic nonviolence that motivated Jim, Norman, Harmeet and Tom to go to Iraq, we refuse to yield to a spirit of vengeance.
Page could not be found. So
Page could not be found. So much for the truth......
JPN--it wasn't con chickenhawk troops, it was couragious
JPN--it wasn't con chickenhawk troops, it was couragious AMERICAN Troops!!
Clarity my dear !!!
Your kind is UN-American.
Cowards, all of ya in the CON party !!!
Treated well?
Being kidnapped against your own free will is NOT being treated well. Why and what would Pres Bush have to say about her anyway?
re:Treated well?
I was simply pleased and relieved to hear that Jill is free, and that she had not been beaten , starved, or otherwise tortured during her captivity. I feared for her every day she was held, because, as we all know, Iraq is a scary, dangerous place these days (Istanbul - not so much). Jill is a courageous, committed journalist who put her life on the line to bring us the truth. As for your question - "What would Pres Bush have to say about her anyway?" - pecisely my point. She does nothing to advance his agenda and will call him on his lies. Therefore, even though she is the "good news" he has been whining for, he and his machine will ignore her.
Good news
It is very good news that she is once again free AND unharmed. Her release is insignificant in the overall scheme of things going on in Iraq. Until she was captured she was a nobody but to the people who knew her. Ignoring her is not the question as there is nothing of her ordeal that will change/alter how the war is won in Iraq or how Pres. Bush moves forward.
I am not attempting to demean her, her life only crossed mine as she made the news. Now, soon enough she will drop from site.
Dipshit509er---Do your homework, juvenile imbecile!!
Dipshit509er---Do your homework, juvenile imbecile!!
Lost in Space
Your inability to articulate any serious line of reasoning for discussion is evident in your ignorance, your constant pasting of hatred as well as the fact that you claim to have served in the US military and now question those who CHOOSE not to, the very people you supposedly defended. As you are a rat for this site, I would like to suggest that you open your door and go for a walk once in awhile. There is too much venom and hatred in your posts for you to ever clearly discuss with anyone subjects that require intelligence, a point of view, the ability to accept others viewpoint; though not always agreeing with, and that America is a country with people who WILL have different perspectives than you (meaning you are not always correct in your assumptions/analysis and/or suggestion; which are extremely rare)
I know that this is to much for you and that’s ok, as I believe that people like yourself, NutStrut, HobbinGobbin and Al Gores sister AG need one another, for you have no one else who will not only listen/read your pitiful comments but believe in them (everyone wants to be needed right?). After the elections this year and the re-election of a President not of YOUR choosing in 2008, I figure by than you will have gone completely berserk and head off to Cuba to live. So that I don’t miss out than I say for now, good riddance punk.
Hey DEETY, I'm.....
....still here...you didn't mention me, I noted. Why not? You say you want to engage the others here in a conversation. Ok, how about me? You spew some crap, I respond as reasonably as my snotty nature allows and you run off and hide. Show up on another thread and puke out some silliness....I engage you there and "poof"...DEETY is gone down the rabbit hole with his pointy tinfoil hat....Stop whining and get to it.
"Liberalism is trust of the people tempered by prudence. Conservatism is distrust of the people tempered by fear."
William Gladstone, 4-time Prime Minister of Great Britain.
Poof there he is!
Ah snotlib, it takes some patience to not only deal with the stupidity within but to search for it all. Me whine?, only with an Italian red vino and a brunette (sorry I smoke the cigars, not poke'm!). Now geramundo(sp?) and I had an interesting discussion and I hope to read more from. Can you match that?
I would be more the willing to discuss issues with you, but as I have fallen into the gutter here with you and the others, best of luck at your ability to articulate clear points of discussion. If you can do that and refrain from the leftist favorite pastime of screaming 'he touched me, that’s why I punched him' we can go forward. If not, well...
Well, that was non-.....
....responsive. Whaddaya wanna talk about?
How about this? What will the Pud pres. candidate promise America in 08? What will he run on? The "accomplishments" of the previous 8 years? A New Vision For America?...and what would that be?
"Liberalism is trust of the people tempered by prudence. Conservatism is distrust of the people tempered by fear."
William Gladstone, 4-time Prime Minister of Great Britain.
2008?
It’s 2006, and currently the law does not allow for GB Jr. to run for office again. I speak not for what the potential candidates may or may not offer in 2008, as of right now who are they in the Dem/Rep/Ind parties?
Accomplishments:
The economy continues to grow; over 15 qtrs growth, low unemployment, bin Laden is a non-factor, Saddam is out and his sons are dead, Afghanistan and Iraq have a gov't that operates on their choosing without the potential for losing ones head at the hint of disagreement. Pres Bush brought two Supreme Court Justices to the bench that are stable, honorable and showed as much with their dignity intact after the embarrassing behavior of the dems during the hearings and the Patriot Act continues (sometimes the dems get it, sometimes).
Some negatives in the US:
The border is out of control and has been for YEARS! We continue to do business with Communist China while they swallow up oil reserves, metal stock for production and support Iran (is it an oil thing with them too?), the dems just came out with their ‘vision’ and McKinney must have read a few posts here as she seems to have a good right cross for sucker-punching, abortion rears its ugly head again as being a decisive factor of politics (pro or con it SHOULD NOT be the ONLY issue), some knuckle head in San Francisco believes we can get rid of the US military and have the ‘police’ protect us (somewhere in history I have read about Police States before!!).
re: Page could not be found. So
oops... sorry - http://www.cpt.org/iraq/response/06-23-03statement.htm
Thanks for that. I would not
Thanks for that. I would not have known that they added that at a later time. I can see that in the thick of things we leave out important facts.
"We are grateful to the soldiers who risked their lives to free Jim, Norman and Harmeet. As peacemakers who hold firm to our commitment to nonviolence, we are also deeply grateful that they fired no shots to free our colleagues. We are thankful to all the people who gave of themselves sacrificially to free Jim, Norman, Harmeet and Tom over the last four months, and those supporters who prayed and wept for our brothers in captivity, for their loved ones and for us, their co-workers".
Dialog
dt509er & JPN
I would rather dialog than brawl with conservatives. So herein an attempt at dialog. You made two points in your post. You argue that Jill Carrol’s release is not a significant development in the Iraq war. I can’t imagine anyone disagreeing with that. I certainly don’t. Did you feel that someone was arguing for the release having a huge impact?
Your other point, rather briefly stated was “Bush moves forward.
'Dialog' 2
Bush moves forward, meaning he continues to go about his business of being President, regardless of the scenario behind the going ons with this paricular situation. Nothing any grander than that is what I meant by that statement.
Dialog 3
dt509er
Thanks for the response. Perhaps I read more into your post than was there. Here's where I was heading. The term "Bush moves forward" seemed to me indicative of the thrust of most of your posts on this blog. You seem to be an ardent supporter of Bush and the campaign in Iraq. I stand in ardent opposition. So, we are both passionate about these things. Iraq is problematic (certainly because of disagreement if nothing else) and is largely the central focus of this blog. So, i will try again.
If you support the campaign in Iraq I would have to assume you believe it is succeeding. This is what I meant by forward motion. I am throwing to you basically two questions 1. What are the criteria for success and 2. What is the evidence we are succeeding based on those criteria? I believe that, addressing the criteria I stated above, there has been massive deterioration. Given the occupation, the insurgency, and widespread sectarian conflict, the infrastructure, government, economy and security of the country have been hugely damaged.
Perhaps your postion is chaos now but stability later. I don't know. The insurgency I am seeing seems to flow from a bottomless artesian well of hatred. Iraq is permeable. I don't see how the insurgency will ever be controlled given the massive sectarian conflict in Iraq. So I am suggesting that, rather than you and I call each other morons, we exhange the rhetoric, argumentation, data, and evidence that evinces a rational discussion. Perhaps you can help me see something I don't see. I will post this in the thread at the top of the blog also where I have posted the staement above. It more closely related to this possible dialog. You may not want to engage at all but I am making the invitation. PS I am not addressing the issue of the wars justification. I am asking about the current reality. Thanks
Man I hope this is for real- gerardomundo
gerardomundo:
“Thanks for the response. Perhaps I read more into your post than was there. Here's where I was heading. The term "Bush moves forward" seemed to me indicative of the thrust of most of your posts on this blog.
You Wrote:rather than you
You Wrote:
rather than you and I call each other morons
Gerard--Don't fall for JPN con ploy! Slithering snake--see belo
Gerard--Don't fall for JPN con ploy! Slithering snake--see below:
Here is a quote from Republican REICHwing activist psycho David Horowitz which PROVES real agenda of the ilk of JPN,Dippy509er,wavey Dave,etc. ( all kool-aid drinkers)
"Politics is war conducted by other means... You do not fight just to prevail in an argument, but to destroy the enemy's fighting ability." In political wars, the aggressor usually prevails... In political conflicts, the goal is not to refute your opponent's argument, but to wipe him from the face of the earth."
The above quote is from The Art of Political War: How Republicans Can Fight to Win, a pamphlet written by David Horowitz, a conservative activist. During the 2000 election this pamphlet was handed out to all Republican members of Congress by the head honcho known as “The Hammer;
Thanks
dt509er & JPN
Thanks for a thoughtful response. Lincoln said that a house divided against itself cannot stand. We in this country have to figure out a way to talk to each other. My apology for those who have been abusive. I just think it's hugely counterproductive. I'm sure the heat generated here stems from the anguish about the losses (deaths, injuries, fincncial) that have come from this conflict.
My own sense is that countries like Iraq (e.g. Iran, North Korea, Syria, Sudan etc.) must be approached through diplomacy and international organizations. This could have been done in Iraq. The weapons inspectors wanted to continue and I can see no reason why the inspection process was halted. I simply do not believe that Iraq had loaded barrels pointed at the US. Saddam, monster that he was, was a secularist which suggests to me that he was open to the influx of Western capital, ideas, technicians, academics etc. My belief is that through the right pressures he would have fallen like the rotten apple he was. Now we will never know.
I see the Bush policy of unliteral preemption as quite dangerous. For one, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. If it is valid for us it is valid for everyone else. China can thus take out Taiwan on the same grounds. North Korea can take out S. Korea on the same grounds. And Iran can link up with other jihadists and take out Isreal. I think it is incredibly destabilizing. And if it is seen by Muslims as a capitalistic/Chrisitan Crusade, they will come at us increasingly with swords in their teeth.
I know that the United Nations is controversial. But there has to be a way for an International entity to address these issues. Democracy itself is not like a Sears & Roebick device you can drop in a country and install. It evolves from the ground up. My sense is that the cultural linkages must be established between the different sects before the political linkages.
We have tried to arrange Iraq's fate artificially with no coherent understanding of the substantial tribal and sectarian conflicts that have existed their for decades.
I need to head off to work. I want to thank you again for a thoughtful response.
Debate such as this is why
Debate such as this is why I'm here. It seems some like to cut paste and call names without substance this makes for a heated exchange and you are right nothing can be accomplished with a house divided. Governments need to stop this as well. You have to admit, how does your party intend to win if it runs on BUSH LIED. Without a PLAN with action items as too what a party intends to do when in power is what the people crave for, well at least ones on both sides that weigh the Plans and conclude which party they want to have lead them. This country is so divided it is not off the hook to ask the question "Are we headed in a civil war? I think it is a possibility unless we take the best ideas on both sides and come up with solutions.
Gerard--Don't fall for JPN con ploy! Slithering snake--see below
Gerard--Don't fall for JPN con ploy! Slithering snake--see below:
Here is a quote from Republican REICHwing activist psycho David Horowitz which PROVES real agenda of the ilk of JPN,Dippy509er,wavey Dave,etc. ( all kool-aid drinkers)
"Politics is war conducted by other means... You do not fight just to prevail in an argument, but to destroy the enemy's fighting ability." In political wars, the aggressor usually prevails... In political conflicts, the goal is not to refute your opponent's argument, but to wipe him from the face of the earth."
The above quote is from The Art of Political War: How Republicans Can Fight to Win, a pamphlet written by David Horowitz, a conservative activist. During the 2000 election this pamphlet was handed out to all Republican members of Congress by the head honcho known as “The Hammer;
Points well taken
gerardomundo:
“My own sense is that countries like Iraq (e.g. Iran, North Korea, Syria, Sudan etc.) must be approached through diplomacy and international organizations. “
The lessons of Iraq should be there for all who were involved in the processes prior to war as lessons learned. The Chinese I believe control N. Korea at least in controlling their little temper tantrums from going full scale. Iran is different, very different. There is a huge influnce of the west within Iran and the Iranians are comfortable with that(I base this on time I spent with a young Iranian student who had just returned from Iran visiting family (this time last yr our discussion took place). The UN and the major power countries of the world have their hands full with Iran, but you are right, diplomacy first and than…(?)
“My belief is that through the right pressures he would have fallen like the rotten apple he was. Now we will never know.
From one who knows....
Saddam admired Stalin's techniques and put them to work. Dubya uses Hitler's and Mussolini's techniques. So what?
Saudi Arabia also had a large influence with the 9/11 hijackers....being that they were financed by them and that most of the hijackers were Saudi. So what?
Dictatorships don't need support from the world, just acquiesence. We did that with the Saudis, Saddam, Khadaffi, and any number of horror stories because of oil. Marcos and any number of tin horn dictators for political leverage. So what?
"Liberalism is trust of the people tempered by prudence. Conservatism is distrust of the people tempered by fear."
William Gladstone, 4-time Prime Minister of Great Britain.
Rocky--left jab, and another--another-oooh,right hook! down to t
Rocky--left jab, and another--another-oooh,right hook! down to the mat he goes!!
Dipshit509er is on his knees crawling to his corner begging for mercy.
Rocky looks back and hurls a A.bamba juicy,sloppy goober-loogy and laughs,
" wimpy chickenhawk, NeeeeeeXT !!! "
Buuwaaaaaa haaaaaa haaaaaa.....
Welll.....
.....duhhhh...I own a calendar. I asked what the republican CANDIDATE for PRESIDENT will run on in 08...and, yes, that candidate won't be Bushbaby. In other words, whad do you think the puds should use as incentive to vote for them?
"It’s 2006, and currently the law does not allow for GB Jr. to run for office again. I speak not for what the potential candidates may or may not offer in 2008, as of right now who are they in the Dem/Rep/Ind parties?"
Good question....a JPN keeps asking what the Dems are gonna do and who we're gonna run....I figured I'd ask you...since he hasn't bothered to answer.
Accomplishments:
"The economy continues to grow;"
Slow and spotty growth, not too impressive.
"over 15 qtrs growth,
Still lame.
"low unemployment,"
Not bad, but job growth still lags significantly where it should be to simply accomodate new job-seekers entering the market...not a strong selling point.
"bin Laden is a non-factor",
I disagree....and why do you suppose the guy who pulled off the most deadly attack on the US since WW2 and has continued to threaten up is not a FACTOR????? You are gonna have to pull something impressive outta your ass to convince me of THIS!!!
"Saddam is out and his sons are dead,"
So what? And at what cost?
"Afghanistan and Iraq have a gov't that operates on their choosing
without the potential for losing ones head at the hint of disagreement."
I assume you mean that there is wonderful US style freedom of speech and concience in Iraq and Afghanistan.....where have you been hiding? Didn't a Christian convert nearly lose his head in Afghanistan?? Women are still oppressed in Afghanistan, and are MORE Oppressed in Iraq than they were during SADDAM'S REGIME! NOPE, things are farther away from good in both places, and, according to some who know, who have been there....Iraq is a loser, Afghanistan is a maybe, but LOOOOONNNNNG term. And very expensive.
Pres Bush brought two Supreme Court Justices to the bench that are stable, honorable and showed as much with their dignity intact after the embarrassing behavior of the dems during the hearings and the Patriot Act continues (sometimes the dems get it, sometimes)."
Let's just say that I DISAGREE about the ENTIRE content of that one!
Some negatives in the US:
The border is out of control and has been for YEARS! We continue to do business with Communist China while they swallow up oil reserves, metal stock for production and support Iran (is it an oil thing with them too?),
(YES, IT IS.....AND INFLUENCE)the dems just came out with their ‘vision’ and McKinney must have read a few posts here as she seems to have a good right cross for sucker-punching, abortion rears its ugly head again as being a decisive factor of politics (pro or con it SHOULD NOT be the ONLY issue),
(It will be NO issue...RU486 renders it MOOT)
some knuckle head in San Francisco believes we can get rid of the US military and have the ‘police’ protect us (somewhere in history I have read about Police States before!!)."
There is a significant difference between State Police and a Police State. Give it some thought. And how does THAT bear on the election??
"Liberalism is trust of the people tempered by prudence. Conservatism is distrust of the people tempered by fear."
William Gladstone, 4-time Prime Minister of Great Britain.
double ** for my follow up
.....duhhhh...I own a calendar. I asked what the republican CANDIDATE for PRESIDENT will run on in 08...and, yes, that candidate won't be Bushbaby. In other words, whad do you think the puds should use as incentive to vote for them?
**Need a candidate first to accept and include agendas.
"It’s 2006, and currently the law does not allow for GB Jr. to run for office again. I speak not for what the potential candidates may or may not offer in 2008, as of right now who are they in the Dem/Rep/Ind parties?"
Good question....a JPN keeps asking what the Dems are gonna do and who we're gonna run....I figured I'd ask you...since he hasn't bothered to answer.
Accomplishments:
"The economy continues to grow;"
Slow and spotty growth, not too impressive.
**BUT growing
"over 15 qtrs growth,
Still lame.
**still growing
"low unemployment,"
Not bad, but job growth still lags significantly where it should be to simply accomodate new job-seekers entering the market...not a strong selling point.
** simply accommodate? Care to expand on that?
"bin Laden is a non-factor",
I disagree....and why do you suppose the guy who pulled off the most deadly attack on the US since WW2 and has continued to threaten up is not a FACTOR????? You are gonna have to pull something impressive outta your ass to convince me of THIS!!!
**As bin Laden goes he has little impact now, his greatest impact beside the 9/11 attacks was his marketability to other Muslims, an overnight sensation so to speak.
"Saddam is out and his sons are dead,"
So what? And at what cost?
**Voting in Iraq with their own gov’t
"Afghanistan and Iraq have a gov't that operates on their choosing
without the potential for losing ones head at the hint of disagreement."
I assume you mean that there is wonderful US style freedom of speech and concience in Iraq and Afghanistan.....where have you been hiding? Didn't a Christian convert nearly lose his head in Afghanistan?? Women are still oppressed in Afghanistan, and are MORE Oppressed in Iraq than they were during SADDAM'S REGIME! NOPE, things are farther away from good in both places, and, according to some who know, who have been there....Iraq is a loser, Afghanistan is a maybe, but LOOOOONNNNNG term. And very expensive.
**I have never stated and NEVER will that American democracy will work in the mid-east. However; the end of dictatorships in Iraq may, MAY be the start for a solid foundation. And according to “…some who know, who have been there…
I asked what the republican
I asked what the republican CANDIDATE for PRESIDENT will run on in 08...and, yes, that candidate won't be Bushbaby. In other words, whad do you think the puds should use as incentive to vote for them?
**Need a candidate first to accept and include agendas.
WRONG..YOU NEED PRINCIPLES AND VALUES, UNLESS YOU JUST PLAN ON VOTING FOR THE POPULAR GUY, THE "CULT OF PERSONALITY", AS THE MAOISTS PUT IT.
"It’s 2006, and currently the law does not allow for GB Jr. to run for office again. I speak not for what the potential candidates may or may not offer in 2008, as of right now who are they in the Dem/Rep/Ind parties?"
Good question....a JPN keeps asking what the Dems are gonna do and who we're gonna run....I figured I'd ask you...since he hasn't bothered to answer.
Accomplishments:
"The economy continues to grow;"
Slow and spotty growth, not too impressive.
**BUT growing
SURE, BUT THAT IS FAR, FAR FROM AN ACCOMPLISHMENT, IT GENERALLY GROWS, EXCEPT IN DEPRESSIONS. A RARE ADMINISTRATION WHERE THERE ISN'T ECONOMIC GROWTH...JUST THE INCREASE IN POPULATION REQUIRES ECONOMIC GROWTH JUST TO HOLD GROUND. ALL THIS SO-CALLED GROWTH IS JUST CATCH-UP, AND WE ARE STILL BEHIND THE NUMBER OF JOBS WE SHOULD HAVE AVAILABLE...AND THE EARNING POWER OF THE AVERAGE WORKER HAS DROPPED..THAT IS MOST UNUSUAL...BUT NOT FOR CON REGIMES.
"over 15 qtrs growth,
Still lame.
**still growing
LAME GROWTH, TRYING TO CATCH UP, AND STILL IMPOVERISHING THE WORKERS.
"low unemployment,"
Not bad, but job growth still lags significantly where it should be to simply accomodate new job-seekers entering the market...not a strong selling point.
** simply accommodate? Care to expand on that?
THE ECONOMY NEEDS TO GENERATE OVER 2 MILLION NEW JOBS A YEAR TO EMPLOY THE LARGER WORK FORCE, TO ACCOMODATE POPULATION INCREASES. BUSH'S STEWARDSHIP HAS FAILED THIS. Take a look...
http://www.bls.gov/bdm/total_private.gif GO TO THE HOME PAGE AN LOOK AROUND. INTERESTING.
"bin Laden is a non-factor",
I disagree....and why do you suppose the guy who pulled off the most deadly attack on the US since WW2 and has continued to threaten up is not a FACTOR????? You are gonna have to pull something impressive outta your ass to convince me of THIS!!!
**As bin Laden goes he has little impact now, his greatest impact beside the 9/11 attacks was his marketability to other Muslims, an overnight sensation so to speak.
THE IMPACT IS THAT HE'S STILL AT LARGE....THE MAJOR MASS MURDERER IN US HISTORY IS RUNNING LOOSE AND ISSUING NEW THREATS AND THAT'S NO BIG DEAL FOR YOU....WHOOO, BOY, TALK ABOUT WIERD IDEATION....SO THE WAR IN IRAQ IS BECAUSE SADDAM WAS A BAD GUY...WORSE THAN BIN LADEN, I GUESS...AND BECAUSE THE IRAQIS, WHO NEVER ATTACKED US, WERE A BIGGER THREAT THAN BIN LADEN???? WHAT ARE YOU SMOKING?
"Saddam is out and his sons are dead,"
So what? And at what cost?
**Voting in Iraq with their own gov’t
AND THEN THE CANDIDATES AND APPOINTEES GET BLOWN TO SHIT. VOTING IS HIGHLY OVERRATED....THE IRANIANS VOTED AND LOOK WHAT YA GOT....THE PALESTINIANS VOTED AND YA GOT HAMAS. THE IRAQIS VOTED AND YA GOT A CIVIL WAR...AND WHOEVER WINS THAT ONE WON'T LIKELY BE A CLONE OF THOMAS JEFFERSON. VOTING....PHOOEY.
"Afghanistan and Iraq have a gov't that operates on their choosing
without the potential for losing ones head at the hint of disagreement."
I assume you mean that there is wonderful US style freedom of speech and concience in Iraq and Afghanistan.....where have you been hiding? Didn't a Christian convert nearly lose his head in Afghanistan?? Women are still oppressed in Afghanistan, and are MORE Oppressed in Iraq than they were during SADDAM'S REGIME! NOPE, things are farther away from good in both places, and, according to some who know, who have been there....Iraq is a loser, Afghanistan is a maybe, but LOOOOONNNNNG term. And very expensive.
**I have never stated and NEVER will that American democracy will work in the mid-east. However; the end of dictatorships in Iraq may, MAY be the start for a solid foundation. And according to “…some who know, who have been there…