http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20060218210909990001OK… This is not a political Blog, but what kind of stuff is Bush smoking? They didn’t help us during the war in Afghanistan, they obviously have a conflict of interest, but Bush seems to think that it’s OK if a UAE company buys the company that runs our ports. Argue against it? That’s bigotry.BULL! It’s not bigotry to recognise the conflict here. It’s not bigotry to understand that Arab Counrties have huge sections of the population that HATE US. Would we allow HAMAS to own this company? Iran? I think not. It’s one thing to make gestures and honest efforts to mend fences, but it’s completely something different to allow this kind of hole to form in our security.In my opinion, which is right. Hey Pres, don’t bogart that!
bob:
Tax cuts (for the rich): saddam in jail (can’t say that’s a BAD thing, but the right thing for the wrong reasons), no attacks since 2001 (but we are kept severely uninformed: too many secret variables there – unknowable, unprovable), force-fed democracy?
Not only do those 3 sentences contradict each other, but you said this previously:
Also:
Must be nice to have that kind of disposable income.
Must be nice to own a home.
Must be nice.
So you’re rich. You have every reason to like the guy.
I’m dirt poor. Small wonder I can’t stand him.
Thus far, the score (IMO) is still zero.
RA: I said “I’m too rich to work”. It would be more accurate to say I’m too lazy to work. I was almost wiped out in the stock market last year. I’m too lazy to get a job so I talked my wealthy brother into bailing me out. I survive by living frugally and I still got to pay off my brother. Fortunately my investments are doing a lot better this year.
My original point is that no one here can say one nice thing about bush. That’s OK I guess. Actually I’m looking forward to having another president.
bob:
“Do what they say, say what you mean
One thing leads to another
You told me something wrong, I know I listen too long
But then one thing leads to another. “
The Fixx – “One thing leads to Another”
Hey, I will:
He married a good woman. I like Laura.
Had to have something going for him.
RA: “I like Laura.” I voted for Clinton because I liked his wife.
I think our shrub supporters are spending too much time digging for something positive to say about him.
reluctant: Spouses don’t count as they don’t represent the measure of the people they’re married to. Ask any divorcee.
Bob,
If you’d chill on the absolutes, it might be worth responding. GWB is similar to the rest of humanity in that he and his administration are neither all good nor all bad. Just as not everyone here is all one thing or another.
I for one do not think that GWB is always wrong. So that invalidates at least one of your absolutes.
Please don’t assume that because no-one took the bait to decry your absolutes, that that means everyone agrees with you. Perhaps some just cosidered it a meaningless rant…
HeatheNZ: “I for one do not think that GWB is always wrong. So that invalidates at least one of your absolutes.” I’m glad to hear I was wrong.
I’ve been doing some reading on this port thing. It seems to me that Bush is doing the right thing here.
This is someone’s opinion from the Washington Post:
http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/thedebate/2006/02/ports_of_dubai.html
To those governors and members of Congress who are loudly criticizing the deal without the facts to back up their assumptions, Bush said, “I want those who are questioning it to step up and explain why all of a sudden a Middle Eastern company is held to a different standard than a Great British company. I am trying to conduct foreign policy now by saying to the people of the world, ‘We’ll treat you fairly.’”
3E8:
Hey, it’s all I could come up with.
I’m sure the Shrub has some sort of redeeming virtue to him. He is human, after all.
I just can’t come up w/1. Don’t mean it ain’t there.
I feel no need to find any redeeming virtue in Bush. He’s a rich spoiled son of the rich who has screwed up everything he’s ever done. And, he has done so much damage to this country, I doubt I will live long enough to see it repaired. (And, I don’t like his wife or his children either!)
Well Then if he wants to treat everyone fairly then he should allow the Iraqi’s have a go at it. Or how about the North Koreans? It would give them the much needed world influence they so desperately need. Plus they could get to know us Americans. Or not.
I’m with you Rosemary
I don’t think Bush is always wrong so much as I think that even what little good he does do. Is done poorly and is tainted with his dishonest ways. I think it has something to do with the stench of many generations of lies and swindles.
Check this out for a brief chuckle
http://www.danielcurran.com/2006/02/visual-proof-of-flaming-idiot.php
JIM
“Someday I want to be rich. Some people get so rich they lose all respect for humanity. That’s how rich I want to be.”
– Rita Rudner
hey bob i found this quote and thought of you lol
Bush says he never heard of the deal until he read about it in the paper (I doubt he can read). 5 minutes later he says he will veto any attempt to block it. That’s some reaction to a deal he’s never heard of.
Bush says he never heard of the deal until he read about it in the paper (I doubt he can read). 5 minutes later he says he will veto any attempt to block it. That’s some reaction to a deal he’s never heard of.
Incomes lost ground 2001 – 2004 more o the Bush teams good ideas in action.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/income/2006-02-23-fed-incomes_x.htm?csp=23&RM_Exclude=aol
Christians moving to South Carolina
http://articles.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20060222074809990044
Everyone here except HeatheNZ thinks bush is ALWAYS wrong.
Is that better or is that still a rant? Take a look at all the posts here. I’ve never seen so much hatred for one person.
It’s not just this thread. I may have missed something but I have never noticed any atheist saying anything nice about bush.
How many people here have agreed with bush on the port thing? I counted one (me), did I miss anyone?
So far one bush hater has invited me to leave this blog and another bush hater said I rant. Any other suggestions for me out there?
Bobby-boy,
being a Bush-basher myself,
I urge you to stay.
Nothing’s worse than being absolutely unanimous.
‘cept in the Shrubs White House…
Sorry, sorry…
But I DO REALLY mean that you should STAY AND SAY EXACTLY WHATEVER IT IS you wish to say.
Censorship is bad, indeed,
but self-censorship is the worst kind of behaviour a human being can exhibit.
So, please, please, PLEASE stay here, bob.
Bob,
Not really any better. I could go with something likepeople on this blog seem to be universally crital of Bush. Just try to avoid those pesky absolutes.
I’ve seen relatively few invocations of hatred. Certainly a lot of criticism of the man, his faith, and his policies. I don’t think that equates to hatred. Being a divisive leader, with legitimacy problems and apoor track record is pretty much a recipe for criticism.
I’m sure there are good things GWB has done. But that’s what he is supposed to do. It’s the negative stuff (perceived) that seems contrary to his mandate.
But, Bob, boy-in-the-bubble,
I have to say that a tax cut to the wealthy doesn’t excuse starting wars on false pretenses…
(Depends on the bribality of the common populace)
ESPECIALLY NOT when FAR MORE dangerous enemies are readily appearant.
The Iraq War was senseless from the start.
-Iraq- being touted as a clear and present danger to the U.S.?!?
Yeahhh… maybe Iraq would have come a close fifth, or fourth at most.
North Korea? IRAN? Or Saudi-Arabia?
Nooooooo…. trade would suffer too much.
The business of America (Or any country, for that matter, including my own)
is, indeed, business.
Truth just about never brings a resolution to anything.
Only greed promotes peace…
and starts wars.
Oh, yeah, simplistic stupidity does so as well,
but the two usually goes hand in hand.
After doing some digging, I have to admit I am inclined to agree with Bob and (gulp) Bush on this one. There does not seem to be much opportunity for the port’s business operator to mess up security operations. Someone blamed Bush for saying the deal was OK without doing any serious research on the subject. This may be true, but it does not look to me that most the people here who took a stance did any research before coming to their conclusion either (Tomwright excepted, though I don’t agree with his conclusion).
As to WHY these guys got the contract and Bush went along with it: Did anyone notice that a US company is working a deal to build a spaceport in UAE? The initial development work alone is worth tens of millions of dollars. Smells like an odd coincidence to me… Actually, I would think a spaceport in UAE would be more of a security risk than port operations in the US. Any rocket which can reach space with a useful payload can also come down in the US with said payload. Fortunately, that problem is years in the future.
I bought a Nikon camera and it has a made in Thailand sticker. I bought a Toyota which I assumed was a Japanese car only to find it was made in California. If I shop at Walmart I’m donating to China. I bought a sony T.V. at Best Buy and the box said assembled in Mexico.
The blame has to ultimately rest with the consumer because we are the ones with the final say on where our dollars go.
Putting all the blame on our leaders is copping out on our own responsibilty. If you feel Walmart or any other business is selling us out don’t give them your business. Don’t continue to buy foreign stuff and then blame the government for screwing us.
I doubt very few of us could do a better job as president. It is a lot easier to find fault than it is to do a better job.
I don’t hate Bush. Nor do I think he’s always wrong.
I just dislike him immensely and think that he’s usually wrong.
Seriously, though, I don’t automatically assume everything he does is something I’ll disagree with. I actually have not had enough time to look into this port thing to even form an opinion on it. I usually try to look at all sides of an issue before forming an opinion, even if it’s something to do with Bush.
But pretty much I think many of the things he’s done are just stupid, and tragic for our country. And his pandering to the RR just gets under my skin. I still haven’t decided if he’s really “one of them” or if he’s just saying that because he knows that’s what they want to hear – and that’s the only way he could be elected.
Though I technically agree with ThatAin’tMyFather,
I have to say that the average consumer has little opportunity to investigate every piece of merchandise he places in his basket.
It’s an impossible task.
bob:
Well, you got your 1 vote.
Something you said vibed w/something on Egyptian SandMonkey’s blog, & I went back, & re-read it.
http://egyptiansandmonkey.blogspot.com/2006/02/on-ports.html#comments
“The way I see it, logically there should be no reason why an arab company- especially one that is a MNC- can’t bid and win the right to operate US ports. To deny them the right to in the bid, based on the fact that they are arab alone, is, as you know, wrong. It may not feel right, but, technically, that was never a problem in business. It didn’t feel right when Halliburton took those no bid contracts in Iraq either, but, you know, they are one of the few qualified companies to do their kind of work and chances are it would’ve been them winning the bid, if not on the very short list of contenders. But then again, Halliburton is a US company, so little to fear there for reactionaries.
However…
There is legitimate concern when a foriegn government is the one handeling your ports, arab or not. It just goes a little on the bad side when that foreign goverment is an arabic Islamic one, in a time where the US is fighting this war right next door. That, my friends , I agree, doesn’t feel right. I am the first to admit and defend how moderate the UAE is and how they haven’t been involved in terrorism or funding it in any way as far as I am concerned and can see. However, imagine the uproar if it was a company owned by the US government the one in charge of the UAE ports. Accusations of imperialism and zionistic conspiracies would spring eternal. It’s sad, but it’s expected and while I disapprove of it, I understand it. Anyway…
It seems to me, personally, that the actual problem with US ports is the fact that only 3% of all Cargo containers get checked. This means that Anyone who wants to smuggle anything in has a 97% success rate. That’s scary! That’s the thing you should all be up in arms about. Shit, if there are too many ships in your opinion, then at least go for 30% getting checked. Least you can do, you know?”
& I got to thinking about it.
I mean really, can you (or I count) how many countries hate us? I don’t think I have enough fingers & toes to do that. Does that mean we don’t do business w/them? Hardly.
& it’s hardly established that there are any links to terrorist activity/groups in DP.
So I think Bush could very well be right on this 1.
Pass the ketchup, this crow is a little stringy.
P.S, STILL can’t stand the guy. STILL anti-Shrub. But what are ya gonna do?
this is one of those times when you must cast a yes vote with one hand raised, the other hand holding your nose, and wishing you had a third to keep your fingers crossed.
Well, if you’re smuggling stuff each day, then this number diminishes. After 114 trials, it’s about a 3% chance of success. Hmm.. maybe we do need to tighten things a bit.
I totally agree that foreign countries shouldn’t be running our ports. BIG conflict of interest. Any sensitive info they get from their position will go straight to their gov’t. I still think it’s a seriously bad idea.
The real problem with the current political religious goings on. They believe in and plan for ARMEGEDDON. I was reading about it today. They don’t need to concern themselves with the long term because there is no long term. Not in their thinking. No need to worry about your children paying off the national debt, heck no Jesus will be here by then.
So why should the politicians care at all about who runs our ports. They don’t have any worries because it is ordained by god that they will be the ones who prevail.
I get so mad at these liars and schizofrenic morons. When will it end?
JIM
LA port workers avg over 80K for part time, and 140K for full time.
jimmerone i know how oyu feel – there are those who believe these things and i would not be surprised if bush was one of them.
bob – we have to be critical of bush, afterall he is our F-ING president. he is practically running the world. if we do not keep a close eye on him we will have more than just a lil iraq war on our hands. it is our damned duty as americans to be critical of our presidnet and government – if ever we get lax on our inquiries we will be exploited and lose our rights bit by bit.
the number of countries that hate us – it would not be incorrect to assume this number has doubled since bush stepped(sneaked/broke in cheated, etc..)into office.
the 3% fact about smuggling in our ports – oh yeah its true. one of my friends works at the port here in town. if somebody wanted to nuke us they would send a bomb via cargo conatiner to nolens or houston or boston. easy as swatting a wingless fly.
i dont trust our current security any more than i would a foreign security. we are not secure – it is just simply a matter of time before one of those who hates us suckerpunches us by nuking one of our cities – or bombs a mall during christmas shopping, or poisons food supply – a dirty trick would be to spread mad cow disease. all of this can – and possibly will happen.
it is only a matter of time before one of our enemies decides to man up, grow a pair, and do somehting.
its a matter of time – not security.
bush has done much to contribute to our list of enemies. even our old friends in eruope start to look away when we walk in the room.
why do i critisize bush – because it is so goddamned easy. the man is a walking billboard for the best idiot/puppet money can buy. he is not MY president and i recognize him as having no power. i used to give him some credit but he has struck out long ago. 1 mistake is ok – but abomination after abomination, failure after failure – i just can think of no reason why this fool deserves an ounce of my respect.
this paragraph thing is weird. hope it helps upchuck my point across.
3E8:
Here’s a little gem I picked up via Sandmonkey’s blog, to IMAO:
http://www.imao.us/archives/004892.html
“Get one thing straight, this has nothing to do with port security. Your own Zionist-aligned government does all of that, you abominations to my sight. It’s not like because we run a couple cranes in America that suddenly we can sneak in some nerve gas, you idiots. Even if we could, how suicidal do you think we are? If we let terrorists use the ports, it’s not like it would take Sherlock Holmes to trace that back to us since we own them. Do you know how rich I am? Do you really think I want to be hiding in some spider hole like that ass Saddam? Of course, I’m using logic that would take a moment’s reflection, something that’s a little too advance for you mindless critics. This makes me so mad, I want to murder all you Americans in your sleep… until I remember the economic implications of that.”
Mind you, somehow this is supposed to be a fake(?) post (unclear how that works, might be satirical), but it’s sorta amusing, in a daft way.
Oh, & this bit is interesting, for all those folks out there who carry on about moderate muslims not coming forth & protesting the violence:
http://egyptiansandmonkey.blogspot.com/2006/02/no-mystery.html#comments
” Riley: Sure it does. Pretend you’re some stupid parent activist person: Who would you rather start beef with- Some nerd who makes video games or some dude with a warehouse full of AK-47s?”
Which put me in mind of this old saw:
“Why do people protest rich white women wearing fur, but nobody gives the Hell’s Angels a hard time about wearing animal skin?”
Fairly self-explanatory.
IMAO is a well known satirical sight, though from a right wing point of view.
This is highlighted by their foreign policy suggestion of ‘nuke the moon’. The premise being if you are powerful enough and insane enough to do that, no one will mess with you.
They get better/worse from there.
OK guys and gals, got a question. I was always curious where King George got his nickname ’shrub’ from. Found this link which shows all of the presidents nicknames. King George has the most (unfortunately my nickname for his is not listed there) I know there was a book written with the title ’shrub’ in it. I also know the plant life reference. How is ’shrub’ associated with this moron? Anyone know? (Hate to sound stupid but really curious)
“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._Presidential_nicknames”
W, often pronounced “Dubya” in Texas style
GW
GWB
43, or Bush 43
Bush Jr.
Bush the Younger
Baby Bush
Shrub (used by Molly Ivins as the title of a book)
Bush II
Bush fils
Uncurious George or Incurious George
The Smirking Chimp (used in the name of a well-known anti-Bush web site)
Chimpy and many variants such as Chimpy McFlightsuit
The Great Divider
King George (with strong allusion to King George III, the monarch the Thirteen Colonies rebelled against during the American Revolution)
aWol and AWOL Bush
President Evil
Resident Bush
Commander-in-Thief
George W. Bush nicknames at about.com
poor bush, its not his fault the alcohol nuked his brain. He didnt mean to get super wasted in college. he didnt even mean do fail in everyhting hes ever done. you give him such a hard time. hes like the retarted cousin everybody has. give him a break. poor baby. he didnt mean to nominate some nobody miers as justice, he didnt mean to believe god when god told him to invade and opress the people of iraq. cheney and wolfowitz are picking on him and making him do stuff he dont wants to does. poor baby.
’shrub’ is from the PS2/Xbox/PC game, Grand Theft Auto III. The corrupt mayor of city is named ‘Shrub’ as sort of a spoof on Bush.
Ah, modern satire in video games… ya gotta love it.
Actually, it may have been GTA2… it’s been awhile since i played.
On the U.A.E. deal, this is about “free trade” and multinational corporations expanding their turf.Of course they will spin it to fit the ‘nascar” boys,they control ALL media except the internet,and they’re after that. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, the Pentagon will have a new parking place for a “carrier battle group”
I think he started a company that he named Bush and translated into Spanish. But he mistranslated and the name of the company was shrub.
You can’t even get that right you dubyass.
I’m all for free trade and outsourcing, until someone with ties to terror orgs. can have the contract and take our money from our country and use it for? What? More violence? More protest about cartoons? More royal treatment for themselves?
JIM
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