Comments Posted By B.Poster
Displaying 41 To 50 Of 397 Comments
WILL WE MAKE HEZBALLAH ANOTHER 'PARTNER FOR PEACE?'
Why are we involved in this at all? Ronald Regaen made a mistake by getting us involved in this in the first place. Everyone knows about the mistakes Mr. Regaen made here and I'm not aware of anyone trying to cover for him on either the Republican or Democrat side.
Again, why are we involved in this at all? We have enormous problems right here at home. Our economy is cratering horribly. We have massive national debt, and our military is worn so thin that even basic national defense could prove to be a major challenge. In other words, it going to be virtually impossible for us to compete militarily with the major world powers such as Russia and China in any military confrontation for the foreseeable future.
We can begin addressing this by pulling all of our forces and personnel out of the Middle East. This means ALL of them and it should began and it should be completed as quickly as our transport ships and planes can extract them. The situation in Lebanon should be left to the folks in these countries to decide. If they interfere in our affairs, it should be made known to them that we will meet such interference forcefully. The nuclear arsenal needs to be upgraded to handle contingencies like this. Again, we are not able to match up with the major powers or a number of others in any conventional conflict. Therefore the nuclear arsenal becomes even more important.
We can begin to fix the economy by slashing the maximum corporate income tax rate from its current 35% to 15%. This would result in more money being invested back in the economy. We should begin to develop all of our own oil, gas, and coal reserves. This means ALL of them and build more refineries. This will have the added benefit of less money going to people who don't like us.
Finally, for our national security interests we should secure the borders and place a moratorium on all immigration for a minimum of ten years. The moratorium on immigration from Middle Eastern countries should be indefinite. This will give the immigrants who are already here ample time to become assimilated into our society and it will give us breathing space to fix the immirgration system.
In order to get talent from other countries that we may need, we could institute some type of a guest worker program. Ohter countries use things like this. Perhaps this can work for us as well.
Comment Posted By B.Poster On 26.10.2009 @ 13:49
OBAMA'S RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY IS THE RIGHT APPROACH
Actually with our own oil and with coal to oil technologies that are currently available we have at least as much oil as OPEC does and possibly more. It is time for us to go get it with every thing we have. This means jettisoning the theory of man caused global warming or at least questioning it. I'm not sure about it but what I am sure about is our attempts to solve this problem that might not even be a problem at all are literally killing us!!
Openning up all of the sources for drilling an building more refineries probably will create milliions of jobs in a very short amount of time. Also, cutting the maximum corporate income tax rate from 35% to 15% combined with other tax incentives may encourage companies to bring more manufacturing jobs back to America that have been outsourced.
Comment Posted By B.Poster On 26.10.2009 @ 14:09
SHOULD THE PRESIDENT DECLINE THE PEACE PRIZE?
Should Obama decline the Nobel Peace Prize? No he shouldn't such an action would likely be seen as insulting. I'm pleased by the NBI survey that says apparently we are apparently admired. This is one of the reasons that the voters voted for Obama, to fix America's image in the world. Fairly or not Bush is blamed for us formerly being the world's most hated country without any real allies. If Obama has begun to rectify this, this is good, however, I must wonder what kind of "admiration" this is.
Bullies "admire" people who give them their lunch money when told to do so. A person who has a rich partner, often "admires" their sugar daddy or sugar mama as the case may be. Hopefully this is not the kind of admiration thw world has for us.
In any event, while this is tentatively encouraging, I'm waiting, hoping, and praying this will translate into real action on the part of the world. For example, should Iran attack the United States is Russia prepared to tell us where the Iraninan nuclear sites are? Will the Russians assist us in circumventing the anti-aircraft system that they have put in place for Iran? Should the United States suffer a major earth quake in say San Francisco and two hurricanes with the devestating effect of say a hurricane Ike or Hurricane Katrina all at the same time this would be devestating to a country like America that is already deeply in debt with a struggling economy. Is the world ready to send us massive food shipments and other basic necessities with no or few strings attached? Is the world prepared to offer us grants or low interest loans to help us recover? And no we are not talking about things like the token assistance offered by Hugo Chavez of Venezuela a couple of years ago that was designed solely to score political points. In the event of an Iranian attack or an attack by Russia or China, is Western Europe ready to assist us in thwarting it? The top US commander in Afghanistan has stated that 40,000 or so more troops are needed for Afghanistan. Are NATO countries prepared or will they prepare to help us meet this need? I'm asking these questions and many others like these. I'm sure many Americans are too. As President Bush did foul things up mightily, I am patient but patience grows shorts. I have yet to see any tangible results of our supposed improved image in the world. At some point and probably soon, real tangible things will be expected.
Michael Reynolds (#3),
"One of the only downsides of being the world's only super power..." you're incorrect. While the United States is certainly currently very powerful and influential, it is not the world's only super power. Miltarily it is checked by Russia's superior nuclear arsenal and any qualitative edge it may have militarily over China is offset by China's vast numbers. Also, America's military, especially its Army, is worn down from continuing operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere in the "War on Terror." This further limits America's military capabilities. Again, America is a very formidable power, however, it is not the world's only super power. In fact, there are at least seven countries and possibly more who could prevail in a conventional military conflict against the United States right now. Note I did NOT say they would be favored to win, just that they are fully capable of winning. American leaders no doubt keep this in mind when they formulate foreign policy. At least they should.
While the United States is a currenly a formidable economic power, at least it used to be before the current recession. It is hardly the preeminent economic power. Economically the United States is checked by its dependence upon others for its energy needs, namely in the form of oil. Often times the suppliers don't have America's best interests at heart. The United States is further checked economically by its dependence on others, mostly China, for many of its manufacturing of consumer and industrial goods.
The United States probably can be effective diplomatically, however, it is hardly preeminent in this area either. Diplomacy involves the art of carrots and sticks so to speak. In order to be effective, one needs to have things they can offer "carrots" as well "sticks" they are willing and able to use against the other party. As stated previously the United States is checked both militarily and economically by others. While the United States certainly can be effective, its abilities are strictly limited. America, while currently powerful, is hardly the stuff of preeminence.
American culture is certainly influential. By preeminent, I think you must mean Hollywood and the like. This may be true, however, Hollywood is but one small part of American culture. The movers and shakers behind Hollywood are much closer ideologically to Europe and as such this part of American power is influenced more by Europe than by main stream America. Europe has just as much influence culturaly on the United States and possibly more than the United States has culturealy on it. Again, harldy the stuff of preeminence.
Comment Posted By B.Poster On 14.10.2009 @ 23:43
'SILENCE EQUALS ASSENT:' WHY POINTING OUT CONSERVATIVE LUNACY MUST BE DONE
How to defend America vs. missle attack sounds like it might actually be a useful seminar. With Russia, China, and others upgrading their nuclear arsenals and the means to deliver them unless we improve our own defenses, as well as our offensive capabilities, we may be subject to nuclear blackmail by these powers.
Comment Posted By B.Poster On 29.09.2009 @ 13:37
CONSPIRACY MONGERING, PARANOID TV HOST IS NO CONSERVATIVE
Glenn Beck is a political commentator who has a very small but somewhat vocal following. His influence over political policy is virtually non existent.
Comment Posted By B.Poster On 22.09.2009 @ 14:50
THE GOOD AND THE BAD OF OBAMA'S EURO-MISSILE DEFENSE PLAN
Guuny G,
It's to early to tell what the results of Obama's foreign policy will be. We should all hope and pray for his success. After the disaster of Prrsident Bush, the country cannot afford another failed presidency.
What is clear is missle defense system being proposed for Poland and the Czech Republic was not designed for Russia and was completely inadequate to defend against Russia. The system was designed with Iran in mind. As the nature of the Iranian threat changed, it made perfect sense to alter the systems designed to defend against Iran.
In addition, it needs to be understood by all Americans that the American military as it is currently constituted, is no match for Russia at any level. Given the massive debt the country has, there is no realistic hope of building a military that can compete with Russia. American military planners are no doubt aware of this reality and have advised the President and his team accordingly.
While America should support liberty every where, we can only guarantee our own. As such, we cannot guarantee the liberty of Poland, the Czech Republic, or any other former Eastern Bloc country. To try and do so is unwise on many levels. Most importantly it risks an un winnable war with Russia.
If we were to set out to build a military equal to the Russians it would take at least decade and probably longer. This assumes we could afford it and the Russians would largely stand pat.
Most importantly we should act to upgrade and expand the nuclear arsenal and the delivery systems. This could be done right now, possibly by ending our deployments outside of the country. The resultung savings could go to these programs. It's certainly better tgan what we are currently doing. It would give us a fighting chance to defend ourselves.
Comment Posted By b.poster On 23.09.2009 @ 09:48
Funny Man,
Thanks for supplying the link on the poll regarding lack of support for Poles on the proposed missle defense system. The figures I quoted were from an older poll. It appears opposition to the proposed system had increased. This isn't surprising. The proposed system was not deesigned with Russia in mind and would have done nothing to defend against Russia and was making the situation worse with regards to Russia. Apparently the majority of polls are smarter than some pundits.
As a result of cancelling the system, Russia has appareently said they will not deploy Iskander missles. Using Iskander missles against the proposed system is a bit like using a jack hammer to squash a bug. As such, I'm left wondering what the Russians are up to but not having these weapons in action is better for security for Poland and the Czech Republic. Now follow up will be needed to ensure Russia follows through.
It seems every one wins by scrapping this system, however, what disturbs me is the scathing attacks the Aemrican government has come under in the Czech and Polish press, as well as by certain pundits here in America. The parliments of the Czech Republic and Poland had not even ratified the construction yet. They were never going to. Presumably they want to get reelected.
Apparently the plan of the Polish and Czech governments was to string the Americans along and extract all they could from America and its taxpayers before cancelling the project. Then along comes the US government and upsets the apple cart so to speak.
As for the American pundits who are carping, you are not bright enough to figure out you and your country were being played by the Polish and Czech governments. As for those pundits in Poland and the Czech Republic, if you expect us to assist you, which we probably would if we could, you make it less likely by your disgusting actions in response to America acting in its best security interests while not harming yours one iota.
Finally, in order to "sell" either of these countries as some have suggested, we would need to actually own the countries in question. We don't own them. As such, selling them would be impossible. On a side note, American power is often overestimated. If one's power is overstated, they become much eaiser to vilify.
Comment Posted By B.Poster On 22.09.2009 @ 09:50
American security is enhanced by the removal of this system. Continuing witg it would have only increased the likelyhood of war witg Russia. Right now a war with Russia would mean almost certain defeat for America. Even if the American military were capable of successfully engaging the Russians right now, which there not, the American people are ynprepared for the kind of sacrifices that would be necessary to win such a conflict. Even if the American people and the milirary were preapred, we can't afford it financially. Ultimately America should support liberty where and when it is possible but it can only guarantee its own.
Comment Posted By b.poster On 19.09.2009 @ 15:57
It is hard to imagine how a diplomatic situation could be messed up worse. The missle defense system was designed soley to defend against the threats posed by Iran and North Korea. As the nature of the Iranian threat became more acute, it became clear that this system would be inadequate and it made sense to scrap it. The system as proposed would offer no protection against Russia and only served to inflame the situation. A plurality of Poles and Czechs understood this. That is why Poles at least opposed the system by a 47-39 percent margin. Obviously in return for their assistance to America against Iran they expected some consideration. Specifically they wanted help in modernizing their militaries. This no longer makes sense to America. How can we modernize or upgrade Poland's miliary? We need someone to help us modernize ours. I expected this system to be scrapped. If we hadn't scrapped it, Poland and Czechoslovakia would have eventually after they were done extracting all they could out of America. This is why their glum. They hadn't finished taking advantage of America.
Comment Posted By B.Poster On 19.09.2009 @ 14:46
Funny Man,
I'm not aware of anyone making fun of the French per say. They did fight bravely in WWII and they were there long before the Americans even thought about getting involved. There is no question about this.
What some people are concerned about is the here and now not about what happened in WWII. Some of us believe the French could have and should have helped us more in Afghanistan and Iraq. Also, some people have percieved the French as trying to undermine us. This may or may not be fair. What does seem clear is the French put their economic interests ahead of America's national security interests and this has some people upset.
The French have the right to act in their economic interests. I'm sure we've put our economic interests ahead of the security of others at some time in the history of our country. The French certainly did not do any thing that others have not done, nevertheless, it has left some Americans disappointed at France and with a bad taste for the French in general. Some people have expressed frustration at French actions but I'm not aware of anyone making fun of the French.
Maybe some have made fun of the French. Some times they and Europeans in general seem to act like the Americans are inferior to them. This has been extremely disappointing to some people so perhaps, as a reaction to being belittled some folks have reacted by "making fun" of the French.
Comment Posted By B.Poster On 5.09.2009 @ 14:28
