[TXplt]

Thx

[Pred]

War with Iran is not a question of if but when. It's going to happen, as either Israel or the US will bomb their nuclear facilities. Bush issued a statement to Iran, yesterday I think, basically saying stop aiding forces in Iraq or we will have to "protect" our interests. As soon as this happens oil/gas will go through the ROOF. And even if that doesn't happen this year, we all know how much gas is going to cost this summer, you really believe these trucking companies can afford to stay in business? Either way food is going up, everything is. I don't know how people are staying above water right now who have a family. The entire planet is having food shortages. Be it from not having enough food or not being able to get the food there. You REALLY want something that screams conspiracy theory, do some research on "Crimson Sky", a simulation the government did a few years ago about what would happen if foot and mouth disease infected 5 farms. Said within 10 days it will spread to 35 states, and our military would run out of ammo having to put animals down, digging a 25 mile ditch in Kansas to bury the dead animals. Now, I'm sure your saying "Why do you mention this Pred?". Easy, because the current administration has decided it would be a good idea to move the research labs from an island, to the states in the middle of our livestock. And as for the war in Iraq, McCain has already said we will have a "presence" there for 100 years. And if I'm not mistaken, both Hitlery and Obama will wait AT LEAST 16 months to even consider bringing troops home. This country can not sustain this war for much longer.

The Associated Press: Dangerous Animal Virus on US Mainland?

[jmp8927]

edit

[Mad Hatter]

GE missed earnings and lost about 50 billion in value, biggest story of the day..

They haven't missed estimates since the crash of 87'

3rd largest company in the world.

[TXplt]

Yeah, I know alot of folks investing in them as blue chip--definitely one of the stronger stocks and more stalwart........if they're having trouble, everthing else is too.

Make good engines -- GE90 is huge. GENx is being put on new 747's

[Coeloptera]

Quote:       Originally Posted by soonerborn

There is a huge difference. At times, men have used Christianity as a cloak to carry out their brutal schemes to gain and keep power. That was men warping the teachings of Jesus, which have never changed. That was during a time when the entire world was barbaric. Christianity has progressed with the times, because it truly is a peaceful religion. Islam is locked, forever, in the middle ages, and it teaches the barbarism from those times even today. And that is the difference.

You don't know who Saladin was, do ya?

Go look him up.

That was a real Muslim. A civilized, honourable, educated man (moreso in some ways than many of his foes). We could really use his kind today to whip those kids back into shape.

And as for Christianity...all I'm gonna do is sigh softly and tell you that I'd sooner die fighting than live in any nation that had any religion as the basis for how I am to live my life. Not that it doesn't have some good ideas. The problem is trusting anyone "in charge" to use a version I feel safe with. You guys have enough internal disagreements as it is. Would abortion be legal? How about birth control? Women's right to vote? Alcohol consumption? Forced prayer in school? Intelligent design? You see where I'm going with this?

The gay thing...just isn't worth getting into.

Oh yeah, and this:



I gotta go with Nathangdad on his view of our culture. No one thinks very much anymore, it seems.

Iran will be a problem, no doubt. It all depends on how much they're really willing to risk losing versus how much bluster they're willing to send out. Remember, there's a world of difference between giving the appearance of being a radical religious zealot to pacify your population and actually being one. I think they want nuclear capability to ensure their own interests and safety, not to invite an attack that would turn their nation into so much radioactive glass. But if they have the capacity, suddenly they can hold us over an (oil) barrel a lot more.

And people wonder why alternative energy should be getting funding these days. Not spending those billions now will make us suffer later. How do you think the OPEC nations would react if we turned around and said "We don't need you, anymore."? They'd crap bricks.

For some of this I blame partisanship. Reasonable political debate is essentially dead on both sides, and make no mistake, we need both sides. The Conservatives should be the voice of reason that keeps government small, plans with fiscal wisdom, and looks back at the values that have worked for our culture and has good, reasonable answers for why we should keep them. A good Liberal looks to the future, planning for tomorrow, making intelligent decisions for upcoming problems and striving for social equality for all.

But we don't get that much, anymore, do we? We get Bible-beating autocrats on one side, and tree-hugging nanny-staters on the other, with moderates being shouted down by the insane extremes.

It is...annoying.

- Coeloptera

[Seabeescotty]

Have to agree with you on the bipartisan BS. They haven't done anything constructive in years, all they accomplish is making the other side look like the enemy. We need some folks up there who can work together for the interests of the nation.

[Rave]

"Sometimes big business trumps peace."
"Stay the course."
"Bring 'em on!" GWB
It's all about Israel and momey.

[Rambo]

Quote:       Originally Posted by TXplt

The first amendment doesn't apply to countries considering pre-emptive strikes. Putin's been attempting to sell Iran (potentially pretty good) anti-aircraft missiles. This is a destablizing force, and, if coupled with Iran attempting to develop a nuclear capability, would likely force Israel's action before said missiles/nuke capability came on line. (possibly ours as well). Oh, why can't we all just live together

Like we're not going to put missles in Europe huh? I guess we didn't learn from the Cuban Missle crisis? We didn't like missles in our back yard and now we're going to put them in Putin's back yard? Alot of war-mongering on everyones part it seems.

[mitch_mckee]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Rambo

Like we're not going to put missles in Europe huh? I guess we didn't learn from the Cuban Missle crisis? We didn't like missles in our back yard and now we're going to put them in Putin's back yard? Alot of war-mongering on everyones part it seems.

The Russians are not our enemies, so why is it they care so much?

I think the answer would lead to wanting the missle defense.

[Seabeescotty]

Mr. Putin wants the old Soviet empire brought back to life! Why do you think he's screaming so loud about missiles so close to him. He wants to accomplish his goals without having to look over his shoulder.

[mitch_mckee]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Seabeescotty

Mr. Putin wants the old Soviet empire brought back to life! Why do you think he's screaming so loud about missiles so close to him. He wants to accomplish his goals without having to look over his shoulder.

DING!! DING!! We have a winner!

[mym1a]

I hate to say this but, a lot of our fellow countrymen are in a serious state of denial! no sence making your self crazy over the issue, just do what have to do for your family and real friends.

[billy]

people have been doomsday yapping since roman times.

[CrazyIvan]

Quote:      

And people wonder why alternative energy should be getting funding these days. Not spending those billions now will make us suffer later. How do you think the OPEC nations would react if we turned around and said "We don't need you, anymore."? They'd crap bricks.

Answer: The Chinese would buy all the oil up...

[Coeloptera]

Quote:       Originally Posted by mitch_mckee

DING!! DING!! We have a winner!

Not a complete answer.

Partially true. Putin is an old KGB hardliner, no doubt about that. But there is more.

We, especially lately, have proven that we cannot be trusted not to attack someone preemptively.

How we used to view the Russians? That's us now. Nobody trusts us anymore, globally. The current administration has horrifically damaged our reputation, internationally.

Also, Ivan, the Chinese wouldn't buy a surplus over what they use if they don't need it. Right now, demand is lightly higher than apparent supply(among other factors), leading to high prices. If our demand plummeted to the point where we could handle all our needs with our own reserves and supplies, the excess just wouldn't get purchased.

- Coeloptera

[CrazyIvan]

The reason our gas costs so much is because of the continually decreasing value of the US Dollar. It isn't worth as much as it was, so we pay more for foreign goods (oil). The reason is the Fed putting more money on the street, a lot which they have no way of backing up with anything.

China wants more oil, it buys up all it can. Some believe it is also hoarding oil and fuel in preparation for a global war. Others say it is simply to fuel their insatiable use of oil, fuel and their utter disregard for fuel efficiency and emission control.

We have a contract with OPEC and other oil nations saying "this is how much oil we will buy" and we follow through. China would be in utter joy to have that oil supply freed up for their purchase.

[mitch_mckee]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Coeloptera

Not a complete answer. Partially true. Putin is an old KGB hardliner, no doubt about that. But there is more. We, especially lately, have proven that we cannot be trusted not to attack someone preemptively. How we used to view the Russians? That's us now. Nobody trusts us anymore, globally. The current administration has horrifically damaged our reputation, internationally. Also, Ivan, the Chinese wouldn't buy a surplus over what they use if they don't need it. Right now, demand is lightly higher than apparent supply(among other factors), leading to high prices. If our demand plummeted to the point where we could handle all our needs with our own reserves and supplies, the excess just wouldn't get purchased. - Coeloptera

You guys keep going on about how the US has had it's reputation "damaged" due to Bush. That is total crap.

If you think that the previous policy of cowering down, or lobbing a bomb at an empty tent or an asprin factory, made for a good reputation, then I'm glad things have changed. I'm certain that Putin and a few others would be just happy for us to go back to just being the whipping boy for the Moslems .

So, you appear upset that Bush hasn't made people that hate us for decades not like us. My only issue with the Bush admin is the enemy body count is way too low. I had hoped at this point most of the Mid East would be inhabited by what would be called the survivors.

[Windwalker]

Soonerborn, that was a most informative post. The information on Islam brought up statements that I had not heard before.Correct me if I am wrong but my understanding of what I read is that without a doubt Islam intends to destroy the United States. Did I read this right and do you unequivocally believe this?

How about you other members, do you believe this?

[mitch_mckee]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Windwalker

Soonerborn, that was a most informative post. The information on Islam brought up statements that I had not heard before.Correct me if I am wrong but my understanding of what I read is that without a doubt Islam intends to destroy the United States. Did I read this right and do you unequivocally believe this? How about you other members, do you believe this?

Yes.