ttom500 Forum Posts (10,523)

RE: Taliban or US intelligence -Who is responsible ?

To start the secterian violence in Iraq, AlQeada of Iraq bombed the Golden Dome of Samara. Not once, but twice. Later the Iraqi gov't arrested a AlQeada member for the attack.

Recently the Taliban took 400 madrassas student and their teacher
hostage. So why not a Mosque attack?

If the Mosques or the Madrassess is moderate and opposes the Taliban's hard line positions and theology....then they are targets.

RE: Obama's Cairo Speech

To be honest, I did not catch the speech. A few bits and pieces in the media. So a personal opinion I will pass on giving.

Did catch some DC news media roasting it though. It was the Beltway Gang....

Three did a pretty good deep char and one did a medium rare.

A few Beltway comments that I remember are.

"The US was never a Colonial Power in Muslim world. He used the word 'colonial' to discribe US activity in the region (e.g. Iraq)
when the age of European colonialism was in the 1800s."

"Obama apologised for the US supporting a 1953 coup in Iran that placed the Shan into power. Yet does not say anything about Iran for the past 30 years of terrorism that it has supported."

"He (like GWB) supported democracy in the region. Women's rights in the region. And due process in the region. These are all good. Yet failed to address Shria law and to mention terrorism in his 55 minute speech."

So?

bin laden and his number two man....were condeming the speech prior to even to Obama getting off the plane to give it.

So minority of die hard radicals that are glued to their ideology. It will not have much effect on.

On the other side of the coin, the vast majority of Muslim are moderate and here maybe he has touched some positively and that is indicated in the Muslim media quoted here in the post.

A few grades on the speech I picked up from FOXX.

B-, B, C+

Most felt it was to vague in substance. The B- was by a liberal.
The B was by Carl Rove.

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

DEMs and far left were pretty unamiously against them prior to the election.

Wish me to pull up some of those sites you cannot get to that give quotes on various DEMs to NSA wire taps? It was like every American right of privacy was being violated each time he/she walked by a phone.:-)That nasty phone was going places it should not go......:-)

Here is what happened.

During the transtition, President Obama got a full briefing on what the wire taps were giving in intelligence. He weighted taking the DEM positions to end them....saw that they were still a valued intelligence source...that he could not do with out.

One thing we both agree on...is the Presdient Obama does not want another major terror attack on the US. He realized that he needed them to defend the country during his term.

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

You like the political arguement and that is good. Sure it take time. But what many conservative are seeing with the Obama administration is course changes not necessarily to the country good.

A military news commentator said last night....when asked about Obama's Cairo Speech....what would he, a expert in military and the middle east have Obama say.

He said in effect this.

1) He would do the speech from Isreal. The countries only real ally in the region.
2) He would make the case of how many times in the past, the
US has gone to war to secure liberty for Muslims. Kosovo, Kuwait,
Afghanistan, Iraq were his examples.
3) He would point to how religious freedom here in the US allow Islamic faith to be practiced.
4) Lastly he says, that if Isreal started an offensive war the United States would not back it.

Pretty solid positions directed at the moderate Muslim population, yes?

Here is what President Obama has suggested or mentioned in recent and past.

1) Iran may have a right to nuclear material programs
2) Islam in itself does not make terrorist.
3) That ousting Saddam Hussien was a rash war to fight.
4) That both Isreal and Palestine need to recognize the homelands of the other and right to exists.

In my opinion Driven, Obama is solid on three of the four.

Iran cannot be trusted trust nuclear materials. Iran's history with terrorism....that nuclear materials can be used for both dirty nucs and nuc devices...make it a dangerous combination.

According to a UN study in Pakistan....15 to 20% of the Madrassas are run by radical clerics. Such early education does make terrorist. 80,000 Pakistani madrassas student joined the Taliban to overthrow the Afghan gov't left by the Soviets. 80,000 had training in AlQeada camps prior to the Iraq war.

Ousting Saddam Hussien is one more noble things our country has done these last 8 years.

But I do agree on the last, Isreal and Palestine need to recognize each other right to exists and homelands.

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

Driven, I am a Christian...but I don't deem to know the thoughts of God. Far from it. Who said a Christian bases his thoughts of Gov't on God? The Bible is a guide to a Christian life. And it give examples of men and women in leadership positions that did what God approves morally.

But it just as filled with examples of men and women in life that did what God disapproves.

Driven, let us say ...you and me are judges....we are deciding Roe V Wade. You take a secular position and vote accordingly. I would also weight the presented evidence with reading of Scripture on the ethnics and morality of taking a human life.

Any place in the Constitution that says my reading of scripture cannot be done for such a important case? No....only separation of Church and State. But I also have Freedom of Religion clause that says I can exercise that anytime and place I desire.

Now who has the greater range of knowledge of both evidence and morlity to make a wise decision to the case? You or me?

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

I am not saying in my post he can. So far he has been lucky as I see it. The proof will be if the moderate Muslim begin to trun in radical Muslims that are planning attacks both in their countries and elsewhere.

If speech last accomplish that...even to a small degree...he is on the right path. But if we don't any major increase in tip...in say Iraq, Afhganistan or Pakistan....then it was mostly hot air last night.

Driven, what is leading to winning in Iraq.....was when the Iraqi began to tip. The problem is AlQeada is in a number of countries....we need tips in a number of countries.

President Obama reached out to them. Open hand and new beginning.
But takes to two.....hold hands and two to walk to a new beginning.

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

I posted this little bit of info earlier in a different post, Driven. Maybe you missed it.

General George Washington after winning the war of revolution was invited to talk to Congress. He said (if memory serves me)....that he gave the war outcome to a Holy God and that he was now commending the country in that Holy God's hands.

Most of founding father all a deep sustaining belief in God. Finding me one that was a athesist or agnostic?

What they did not want was a Gov't that religion where a king could be crowned by a church....as was being done in much of Europe. King George had been crowned by the Church England.

So they placed a separation of government and church clause in the Constitution. But had a brief prayer prior to every session of Congress. Had oaths of office done with a Bible.

And lastly, there are a more than a few DEM that are Christian as well.

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

You mean that course that only saw one major terror attack in 8 years. Spending 1/3 of the Obama's adminstration. Growth in certain segments of the economy. A stock market that is nearly 1/3 greater than today. A country with three major auto firms. Banks without gov't ownership.

Not sure, Driven.....but GWB is starting to sound a lot better.

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

I think that President Obama has less time with getting the US Economy rolling than he might think.

It is the Chinese $767b dollar worth of T-Bills pay back dates.

I read yesterday in a National Geographic article....that since China has gone to a one child per family....the age demographics of the country is changing fast. That by 2015 most of China will be over 50 in age. Yes, China is greying faster with this policy.

That means the Chinese work force that has been the dominate factor in the industrialization and economic boom of China is also greying. Simple, China is soon to face a man power shortage to keep the industries it has running. It GNP is expected to reduce with this fast greying.

Now to connect this to the US T-Bills.

Surely the Chinese know this aging and GNP problem. Could it be that the purchase of the US T-Bills is a 'hedge' by their government to having enough funds for the greying population retirement and medical care program costs? With Chinese GNP to likely fall with the greying, China needed a way to hedge and hold present income for this. T-Bills are term financial documents, meaning they come due at a certain time in the future.

All China would have to do is buy T-Bills according the populations retirement rate. Then would then have enough funds incoming as they pay out to the retirees.

Pretty smart planning.

But for President Obama and the FED, if this process is going to begin in 2015....means he has about 4 and 1/2 years to get the US economy rolling again. The Chinese will not roll the T-Bill over for a second investment, they need the principles for the retiree benefits.

Without the US economy giving the US gov't some major tax and revenues, were does he find the billions to cover these Chinese T-Bills pay backs? We are 'broke' remember? If he does not get it rolling....the good old American tax payer is going to be paying for the Chinese retirement benefits come 2015.

Really it would be pretty easy to verify my theory here. Just compare the Chinese T-Bill pay back date, with the age demographic of China. If they match up, then this is what is going on.

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

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Anyone putting together the closing of the 29 GM plants in the USA and the shortened work period of the 9 others....is exactly what many tree huggers have been asking for. Sure keeps those plant emissions from causing acid rain and global warming.

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

Tutenkamon was barely 20 years old when he died. He was barely a adult. Had inherited Egypt from his father. Off all the Pharohs, he had one of the shortest reins of them all.

Why he died is still anyone one guess.

I don't see how President Obama being linked to Tutenkamon is going to improve US & Muslim relationship. Tutenkamon was not Muslim.

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

Please note, I went to bed prior to the big moment.

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

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I thought you were against those unfair international wire taps?
That invasion of privacy that the DEM were all concerned about.

Here you have these 17 Chinese....all locked up in GITMO....and
their sole contact with the world is the net. And you are not going to let them have private contact? So they can contact women, propose online, get engaged and be able to leave GITMO.

DEMs are cutting back on these guys social development with this
wire tapping program. Sounds awful unfair to me. Maybe a lawsuit involved here....

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

Calling it a nite here.......you all play nice.

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

Not if it was registered by ACORN.....it gets to be counted over and over and over again

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

Maybe we should invite Hugo up to DC and ask him in a Congression hearing when he got the CIA briefing on waterboarding

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

Dude........I have seen the Tutenkamon artifact display when it was here in the US. I know exactly what the gold death mask is and what it meant in Egyptian history and culture.

Did you know that they average Egyptian back in those days was about 5'4" in height? They have the actual door of Tutenkamon death chamber on display. Small men in size that have a vast impact on the world around them.

Not me that is placing Obama and Tutenkamon pics on a
T-shirt. Is some Egyptian looking to make Obama look like a 'God'....because that is what Tutenkamon was considered a 'God' by the Egyptian of the day. Also to make a few bucks....which I don't mind.

Everyone else is making a few bucks off President Obama, why not a T-Shirt maker in Egypt.

Fair? Fair, Dude went out the door with the Jenna Bush wedding pics that Obama did not condem.

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

A group of Chinese terrorist in GITMO ...a group called the Uihurs....is getting laptops. For searching the internet and learning post GITMO job skills.

Now China consider them terrorist....will not take them back into the country.

So now at GITMO they have a computer training courses for the Uihurs.

I got it. This is President Obama plan to substitute for waterboarding. I feel so much safer now.

After each Uihurs gets his own hotmail box and gets reconnected to the AlQeada network...(AlQeada is known to use hotmail accounts to communicate)....Pres O can order NSA wire taps of the Uihurs hotmail accounts.....that Presidsent O...he is a sly one....getting all that US threatening AlQeada intell from the Uihurs.

That of course assuming Nancy Polosi has not taken NSA wire taps away from him by then.

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

I know Indy. But is business ethnics 101. You don't sell to your countries enemies. Specially when the stuff sold likely has sanctions on it. Most of the timing circuits and electronic that GE might have.....would be sanctioned by this time.

I hope they do a investigation on GE so deep and through...they know the color and type of GE's CEO's shorts/briefs/bosers.

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

Driven, you are in dangerous waters tonight. The CS amabO Club is on a roll.....keep tossing the one liners out there and some amabO shark with take a bite.

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

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I hear they have a Obama/Tutankhmon T-Shirt being sold in Egypt.
If Obama comes back to the US wearing a large golden Egyptian death face mask along with his Saudi golden chain and medallion...he is going to consider this a very profitable trip.

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

President A of Iran........just did the Holocaust rant and attacked his opponent as teaming up with two previous Iranian
Presidents to take him down.

His opponent is saying that Pres. A position on the Holocaust
is causing Iran to be 'laughing stock' in International community.

The polls are tigthening here. Maybe Obama will get a break. If the opponent wins.....Obama does not have to a debate in the UN
with a ranting President A.

I am starting to sorry for President O. he was in SAudi today.
The Suadi King put the longest and heaviest gold chain and medallion around his neck. The thing had to be nearly 4 foot long. President O nearly fell to the floor trying to stand up with it on.

I started to wonder if the IPOD with downloaded American songs (his gift to the Queen of England) gift to the Saudi King was well received.

Also Chavez is accusing the US of planning a missile attack on his plane while he was in it. Guess Pres. O must not of liked that book Chavez gave him. Chavez is saying.....Obama did not plan it, it was the CIA operating without his approval.

Thank you Nancy.....for giving guys like Chavez ammo on the CIA.

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

A rumor going around in the Tea Parties...a movement to rescind the 2 term clause in the Constitution's Articles.....to allow GWB and DC to run again for a third term........

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

Only if they come from HARvard.......

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

I really do think the US needs to rethink the CO2 emission and Cap and Trade program with China.

The thought of 1 b Chinese driving Hummers spueing out emissions and glusing gas....seems to negate the idea of Cap and Trade and
Co2 emissions problems......

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

Dude who is going to pick up that $4b per year budget for the Afghan Army...if not the US? This one is Obama's war. His comprehensive plan for Afghansitan has set in place...a US presence in the country for years, and years, and years.

He has no exit plan for it. So we are there. Just like the Russian were. Do you think that the Russian military in the
Kremlin is not in total glee over the US presence in Afghanistan?
They are doing Russian dances to the fact the US is bogged down there. Why give us a supply route into the country unless they wanted us there.

I will let you hunt minerals and water sources in Afghanistan.
Me? I will carry my M-16......make that a SQUAD...body armor and kevlar helmet there.

Remember that little comment on how combat in Afghanistan is different than in Iraq, I made earlier. I just saw video of Taliban high ground ambush on a US military convoy. It should bring back a lot memories to the Russian that were there in 1980s. I will let dig rock and find water under such condition.
Me? I pointing a frigin gun at them and shooting back.

Dude you are talking foreign policy and budget expenditures back 10 years ago. Why not add in the cost of the Civil War, Spanish American War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vet Nam into your argument?

Today, Dude, Today.

And yes, Afghanistan has a blank check...for years and years and years......until the Commander in Chief comes up with an exit plan. Maybe we should ask President Obama for a withdrawal date
from Afghanistan, it seems he knows how to ask the question.

One last point. Remember that "missing piece" I mentioned for
Iraq? I found it. The week after the White House got it. GWB was in Baghdad and the first security agreement was negotiated.
I am not even looking for a "missing piece" for Afghanistan.
I got other things to do.

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

Obama is not a magician at all! He is a great politician and he cares for America and so far his administration have done AS GOOD AS POSSIBLE for american economy!

Eight Years you guys had and what did you do ??????

The world most dangerous coalition between the DUMB and the AS****E (W&Cheney) destroyed America and the rest of the world as never before TT !

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Dude, this really show how little you know of Capitolism.

Most of the US wealth is tied up in the stock market. Check when the stock market began to do it nose dive. Some just prior to the Nov4 election....when most realized the Obama lead's could not be over come.....

Then a second major falling after he election.

That is not stealing. That is simply adjusting one's stock portfolio to a changing political climate. but I can understand with your....gov't owns everything approach....that you consider it stealing.

Do you wish to know who is stealing?

Try this.

The stock markets falsl because of Obama's election. People have
billions in cashed out stocks....and they are trying to relocate it everywhere but the US. Most stocks pay modest rates of return
5-10%.

Seeing this, what does Obama do? He begins to sell T-Bills long and mid term T-Bills at 2-3%. Thinking hey, I will get the money back into the country. Only who buys? The frigin Chinese.

President Obama put us in this position of having to sell companies like Hummer, who has a great product line to countries like China.

What is China going to do with Hummer? Well if you can see the idea of China military with up armored HUMVEES, you see one use.
If you like the idea of this Chinese company taking the world's civilian off road market, you see the other idea.

For 8 years, we protected American companies from being bought out by Chinese companies is one thing we did.

If the Mr Geezer (Obamam 31 year old) exec thinks this is a good solution to the GM problem he has a lot to learn. Follow this.

GM owes $80b in loses. It had a $30b failout. Now gos into bankruptcy. Total negative on the balance sheet so far. $110b
Geezer get $30b for Hummer, with Saab and Pontiac yet to sell.
Think that he is going to get $80b for these two lines? No way Hosey. Any deficit from the $80b that he needs for the bankrupcy.....is guess what for the new reorganized GM?

Yep that is right.....is GM lose.....and will be a FED Gov't failout.....I am guessing right now....Saab...$25-35b, Pontaic...
$15-20b....gov't failout for the new GM $25b-40b.

Enjoying your lessons in Capitalism?

RE: Having Too much Money is a problem ?

They have done studies in the US on lottery winners. Many more have problems and troubles after winning than before.

Of course having the troubles with several million dollars
of solutions....is one that I might enjoy having.

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

What I am about to post is about as ironic a situation as it can get.

Back in the old south of the 1930-40 and early 50s, they had prison chain gangs. Most often they were black and poor. Most often they had a prison canteen, where the prison got food, clothing, and other necessities on account. But they were paid so little, that few prisoners could ever work their way out of the
the situation. They were charged everything from room and board to sheets to their beds and the clothes they wore.

Welcome back to the 1930s, 40s and 50s, my friends.

With the economic hard times and FED funds failing to get to main street America. City and county jails have began to charge prisoners for room and board, clothes, necessities. One even for toilet paper.

Mostly on the west coast....CA, WA, OR....one OR jail is charging $60 per day for 3 meal and a 8x8 cell with a guy by the name of Bubba. Most are charging less that this.

Ironic that today's America's poor under the present Administration seems to be treated like the poor of the 1930s and 40s.

RE: Obama Rocks! Some positive signs in american economy already!

Just exercising our right to free speech and to political humor, Fallingman......

with the present administration......political humor is about all we are going to get from DC.