tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post750743394319331033..comments2024-02-15T02:46:48.670-05:00Comments on Erin O'Brien: Homeland terrorismErin O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09089592061725346901noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-65634925396727138372010-02-18T12:03:18.587-05:002010-02-18T12:03:18.587-05:00rj: these conservate rubes really have you baffle...rj: these conservate rubes really have you baffled. i think your proplem might be traced back to one person: roger ailes. he's managed to brainwash half the country. save guantanamo bay.Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17626884939818771077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-59603262093003844042010-02-18T11:40:59.447-05:002010-02-18T11:40:59.447-05:00OK, now we've established that the US is in pa...OK, now we've established that the US is in partisan and political gridlock, and facing political instability if it can't do the right thing and get its domestic act together, it's worth remembering that when Bush needed Democrat support - they offered it: <a href="http://mediamatters.org/blog/201002180007" rel="nofollow">FLASHBACK: When Dems delivered bipartisan votes for Bush</a>.<br /><br />The above link illustrating the polar opposite of what the Republican right is offering, today, in terms of any bipartisan cooperation, or working "for America" and the sad sap tax-payers who pay their wages.<br /><br />I never thought I'd live to see the day when a man with such a limited personal (let alone political) vocabulary as Bush jnr was bested in that condition by a shower of partisan Republican congressmen, who've now managed to hone their vocabulary down to just one word: "No!"Cosmic Navel Linthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07301190881761763414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-47616547997485346192010-02-18T11:33:50.618-05:002010-02-18T11:33:50.618-05:00I have the good fortune to work with a physician b...I have the good fortune to work with a physician born in India. He is quite knowledgeable about India/Pakistan/Afghanistan. When time allows we have wide ranging discussions about British rule (He speaks impecable English as well as Hindi and his native dialect English only motherfuckers) and colonial India as well as the historical struggles of the tribal peoples occupying that part of the world. The solutions to the geopolitical conflicts seem impossibly complex. I once remarked after one of these talks that we do a great job of describing the problem but a poor job of coming up with a solution. He responded "If you want to do something to help the situation, figure out why a loaf of bread costs 2 dollars."<br /><br />RJAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-20511224792570000452010-02-18T11:33:38.295-05:002010-02-18T11:33:38.295-05:00is there a good definition of political instabilit...is there a good definition of political instability? might it be a good thing? a national common cause would be nice.Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17626884939818771077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-36729322411721763962010-02-18T11:28:29.577-05:002010-02-18T11:28:29.577-05:00Just derail this political stuff slightly, I offer...Just derail this political stuff slightly, I offer a quick read by Cass Sunstein. I'll be walking about 60 1st year engineering students through much of this argument today: we need to more fully consider the role of technology (read: the internet) in how reach our decisions/opinions, especially about political issues. <br /><br />http://bostonreview.net/BR26.3/sunstein.htmljonasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-92082873444329802112010-02-18T11:13:26.696-05:002010-02-18T11:13:26.696-05:00You know what jemison? I'm your age, have a pr...You know what jemison? I'm your age, have a professional degree and a family. <br /><br />I am a girl.<br /><br />The WOT really took off after 911, no one can deny that. In the past 9 years, this country has taken a precipitous drop on many fronts, no one can deny that. I believe those two things are closely intertwined. I also believe we need to figure this shit out or we're in for catastrophe, which is all the terrorists ever wanted--to see our power topple and our soldiers leave the Middle East.<br /><br />I am not even going to start in on oil.<br /><br />Did anyone notice that I called out both Dems and Repubs in my original post? This is EVERYONE'S problem. The worse our political division and paralysis becomes, the more points the terrorists score.<br /><br />Since you don't like ME saying "political instability," go dig <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/opinion/31friedman.html" rel="nofollow">what Thomas Friedman has to say</a> about it for the NYT:<br /><br /><i>As a political barometer, the Davos World Economic Forum usually offers up some revealing indicators of the global mood, and this year is no exception. I heard of a phrase being bandied about here by non-Americans — about the United States — that I can honestly say I’ve never heard before: “political instability.”</i>Erin O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09089592061725346901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-8859587346207324962010-02-18T10:46:31.611-05:002010-02-18T10:46:31.611-05:00Jemison wrote: "Yemen is politically unstable...Jemison wrote: <i>"Yemen is politically unstable. Somalia is politically unstable. Our country has a divided electorate. Period. And guess what? It's nothing new."</i><br /><br />Err...no. That's more than just a tad wildly inaccurate.<br /><br />The Yemen used to be two nations; at least one of which was a former Soviet 'client nation' satellite, and both being riven with regional conflict, before and after being cemented back together again - the "reunification" hasn't gone particularly well. It's a tribal thing.<br /><br />And Somalia isn't just "politically unstable" - that's like accusing the Visigoths of being 'mildly undiplomatic' and having 'poor table manners': it's actually a fully-fledged, bona fide example of a failed state, with everything that description entails.<br /><br />If what you offer above are your terms of reference, then it's easy to see how you get confused.Cosmic Navel Linthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07301190881761763414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-11003858127682499402010-02-18T10:29:29.912-05:002010-02-18T10:29:29.912-05:00You know what Erin? I'm your age, have a prof...You know what Erin? I'm your age, have a professional degree and a family. I'm not a fucking boy.<br /><br />That said--volatility does not equal political instability. I've said this before and I'll say it again--I'm for health care reform. I think it's shameful that our country hasn't lived up to Obama's statement during the presidential debates that "healthcare is a right." <br /><br />But to say politicians who oppose this administration's initiatives are "abetting the terrorists" is ludicrous. Why not expand that and say the people of Massachusettes are abetting the terrorists since they elected a senator who won't get on board the healthcare reform bill? It's tantamount to the Bush creed that voting against the administration's war policies was siding with the terrorists. It was as stupid an argument then as it is now.<br /><br />Yemen is politically unstable. Somalia is politically unstable. Our country has a divided electorate. Period. And guess what? It's nothing new. <br /><br />If you are going to defend your argument, do it with something other than platitudes. Of course people without healthcare are worried--that doesn't mean the terrorists did it.<br /><br />In my opinion, the administration needs to tackle the deficit (lift the SS cap from $100K to $250K) and start over with some broad healthcare intiatives (e.g. no denial of coverage for pre-exisiting conditions) that everyone can agree on. Build on those baby steps and bring in those senators like Ben Nelson (D) and Olympia Snowe (R) who may be ready for some reform but not up to a dramatic restructuring in the middle of a recession. jemisonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-78610417641396814622010-02-18T10:23:18.569-05:002010-02-18T10:23:18.569-05:00I'll gladly stipulate all those you named be t...I'll gladly stipulate all those you named be tried H. I do wear glasses but I ain't blind.<br /><br /><br />RJAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-35703352585996997162010-02-18T10:16:40.387-05:002010-02-18T10:16:40.387-05:00since th eObama Administration is continuing with ...since th eObama Administration is continuing with the same Bush policies I assume you want The Obama tried as well, RJ?<br /><br />perhaps we should also include the 99% of Congress who authorized going to war and who provided the funding?<br /><br />maybe we should include Albright and Clinton since the yalso bombed Iraq and maintained Hussein was building WMDs?<br /><br />Perhaps you are blinded by politiccs?<br /><br />I am not sure if there is a medical cure for selective memory.Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269114655802698386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-27626005797033017052010-02-18T10:01:23.588-05:002010-02-18T10:01:23.588-05:00I'd be satisfied if the Executive Branch of Th...I'd be satisfied if the Executive Branch of The Bush Administration were tried for war crimes in a military tribunal.<br /><br />"I have never been able to look upon America as young and vital but rather as prematurely old, as a fruit which rotted before it had a chance to ripen." <br />Henry Miller <br /><br />RJAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-57811724465069925362010-02-18T09:33:34.712-05:002010-02-18T09:33:34.712-05:00Thanks for making my point for me, Hoose.Thanks for making my point for me, Hoose.Cosmic Navel Linthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07301190881761763414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-70206056452997276632010-02-18T09:27:28.814-05:002010-02-18T09:27:28.814-05:00Bill you are wasting your time trying to reason wi...Bill you are wasting your time trying to reason with the Navel Lint. he is an intelecctual lightweight, just as his name implies.<br /><br />Let me save time and complete the thread:<br /><br />Reasonable American: I guess you would have objected to the trials at Nurnburg in 1946 CNL, since they were military tribunals and the Nazis were not tried by civilian courts and afforded the Bill of Rights and protections of the US Constitution?<br /><br />CNL: foxnews foxnews foxnews<br /><br />RA: You do realise there is a aHealth Insurance issue and a health care cost issue in the US? While not perfect every citizen and non-citizen is guaranteed treatment at any public hospital? Are there cracks, of course but you find many of the same problems in Socialized medice. can it be improved? sure, but socializing the entire industry is not the answer. While you may not agree, most Americans DO.<br /><br />CNL: foxnews foxnewsJoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269114655802698386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-52390167501159598582010-02-18T07:55:03.892-05:002010-02-18T07:55:03.892-05:00Again, folks, please keep it polite. No one here i...Again, folks, please keep it polite. No one here is like a "gnat."Erin O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09089592061725346901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-25232470680766527352010-02-18T07:09:17.035-05:002010-02-18T07:09:17.035-05:00Actually Al, I stole the instability concept about...Actually Al, I stole the instability concept about Brown and HCR from uber-conservative and Gingrich lackey Tony Blankley. He starts talking about this at the 3:30 mark on this show:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.kcrw.com/news/programs/lr/lr100122ma_election_healthca" rel="nofollow">Jan. 22 "Left, Right, and Center"</a><br /><br />(Confidential to Mr. Jemison: I'm trusting you'll be a good boy and listen to Blankley's bit)Erin O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09089592061725346901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-27838822765063577872010-02-18T06:45:00.301-05:002010-02-18T06:45:00.301-05:00Glad you can find the time to make specious points...Glad you can find the time to make specious points and take cheap partisan shots Al - alas those denied any healthcare at all are forced to take a different view than you.<br /><br />Enjoy your free Medicare in retirement, Al.Cosmic Navel Linthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07301190881761763414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-49699707355738287292010-02-18T01:40:36.232-05:002010-02-18T01:40:36.232-05:00"One day we're about to pass a sweeping H..."One day we're about to pass a sweeping HCR bill, the next it's dead because one man is elected to the Senate. This is political instability, people. It is borne of fear and inability to unite."<br /><br />I'm wondering that if the tables were turned (Republicans in power instead of Democrats) and a Democrat was elected to replace a long-standing member of the senate who'd recently passed (ending a filibuster proof super majority), that Erin would use the same "political instability" argument. My guess is she (and most Democrats) would not, but I could be wrong.<br /><br />Just sayin' ....<br /><br />Al<br />TRAGAl The Retired Army Guynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-39621250183512258832010-02-17T21:42:34.367-05:002010-02-17T21:42:34.367-05:00ZzzzzzzzzzZzzzzzzzzzCosmic Navel Linthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07301190881761763414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-78433136360723611132010-02-17T21:39:55.546-05:002010-02-17T21:39:55.546-05:00whilst i'd love to continue, alas, i must see ...whilst i'd love to continue, alas, i must see if there's anything to watch on fox news. for all the comedic material i'm providing, you aren't very funny. unhappy, even.Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17626884939818771077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-37782239626968051212010-02-17T21:20:53.395-05:002010-02-17T21:20:53.395-05:00Bill, you plainly have the attention-span of a gna...Bill, you plainly have the attention-span of a gnat, or you simply don't read what's being written here: so allow me to repeat that, where you are concerned, I make mention of Fox as you seem to be happy to regurgitate its knee-jerk platitudes and paranoias almost verbatim. I can't help it if you keep presenting me with such good comedic material.<br /><br />Oh, and having been in harm's way myself, on more than one occasion, not being picked for 'your team' holds not the slightest upset or concern for me - in fact, it rather improves my odds of survival.Cosmic Navel Linthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07301190881761763414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-71402411554922297312010-02-17T21:04:45.202-05:002010-02-17T21:04:45.202-05:00cos: i still don't get this fixation on fox. ...cos: i still don't get this fixation on fox. is that your "real enemy"? my god man. give it a rest. and what's with this "thinking world" shit? let's put it this way. if i were picking people for my team to fight a common enemy, you would not get picked. in other words, you wouldn't make a good fox hole buddy! know what I mean?Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17626884939818771077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-45065346386996535652010-02-17T20:47:31.901-05:002010-02-17T20:47:31.901-05:00Whilst that's very good of you, Bill, unfortun...Whilst that's very good of you, Bill, unfortunately, I can neither go along with nor respect yours, as it openly denies all due legal process to those suspected of any alleged crime - and whilst simply 'disappearing' them is an approach popular with followers of the Bush-Cheney doctrine, it's also one which is largely discredited as being despotic by the rest of the thinking world, who unsurprisingly prefer the securities and safeguards of The Rule of Law.<br /><br />And it's worth remembering, too, contrary to all the Fox myths, that <b>nowhere</b> in either the Bill of Rights, or The US Constitution, does it say that due process & Miranda Rights are the sole preserve of the US citizen and should in turn be denied to non-US citizens.<br /><br />So hopefully you'll perhaps see why I can't condone them being simply "disappeared immediately after being taken into custody" - as you don't resolve one offence with one of your own...Cosmic Navel Linthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07301190881761763414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-60082183418948030062010-02-17T19:13:07.437-05:002010-02-17T19:13:07.437-05:00i totally get, and respect, your point of view but...i totally get, and respect, your point of view but i would rather have them disappear right after being taken into custody. i don't like giving them a platform. just my preference.Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17626884939818771077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-4617184598022169652010-02-17T17:49:08.346-05:002010-02-17T17:49:08.346-05:00Yes, you're right, Bill: and the little someth...Yes, you're right, Bill: and the little something it adds is a faith in the knowledge that suspected terrorists can be successfully prosecuted in civilian courts without any nonsense or concocted voodoo about a need to have them tried under the aegis of the military.<br /><br />One Manhattan courthouse alone has over 200 successfully tried terror-related cases to date - and strangely enough, and contrary to the lies punted by Bush-Cheney-Rove, the world hasn't ended, the American way of life has not ceased, and world civilisation and democracy have not been overrun by Communists.<br /><br />So these fuckers in the Australian court case can smile all they want - they're the ones doing a life stretch whilst the rest of us get on with our lives.Cosmic Navel Linthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07301190881761763414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-90296472612442417292010-02-17T15:51:07.262-05:002010-02-17T15:51:07.262-05:00i know this tread is officially closed but i think...i know this tread is officially closed but i think this article adds a little something:<br />http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/terrorists-smile-as-theyre-jailed/story-e6frg6n6-1225830682530Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17626884939818771077noreply@blogger.com