Comments Posted By Marv
Displaying 41 To 50 Of 53 Comments
RACE, CLASS, AND BALONEY IN THE BIG EASY
I have tried 3 times to reply to Gene's comments....I can't do it. I am speechless.
That is its own kind thinking that just makes me shake my head is disbelief.
The government (local, state or federal) does not have an "easy button" that it can push and make it all better right now. It's that simple. It is not God, it is not all powerful. The sooner people realise that the better off we all will be.
And if Hilton Head or Palm Beach washed into the ocean along with the roads, airports and bridges, I would bet that the response would be pretty much the same, because it's logistics, not race.
Gene:
You said
"...tell us all that this country did everything it could to help..." Well Gene, the "country" is us. You, me, Rick.... you know, US.Take a look around at the volunteers who are going down to help, the charities, the people who are giving money, donating needed goods. We ARE doing everything we can to help whether you appreciate it or not.
Comment Posted By Marv On 2.09.2005 @ 10:56
I dunno Rick, maybe I have an overly simplistic view of what happened there.
I think the key is the opening sentence " They had flocked to the arena seeking sanctuary from the winds and waters of Hurricane Katrina"...for a matter of hours, not days.
Piss poor planning? Maybe But hind sight is usually 20/20. Let's put it in this context: I suspect that they planned for a 6 to 8 hour stay during which time the storm would blow over the city, after which the people inside would wander out to survey the damage to the city and go, hopefully,home. Stocking food and medical supplies beforehand was not something that they saw as necessary. I suspect that it was assumed that the medical personnel already there would be sufficient. Delivering food and medical supplies after the fact would have been very tough given the situation.
I am not suggesting that the situation is or was acceptable, but I can understand why it existed.
I doubt that any one expected the situation that they found themselves in, at least not in time to do anything about it.
Don't forget, none of this would be taking place had the levees held.
I also expect that other cities in similar hurricane prone areas will learn from this and adapt.
If I am missing something here I would appreciate having the blanks filled in...
Comment Posted By Marv On 1.09.2005 @ 13:43
Years ago I was waaay left. As I grew up and became aware of what was going on around me I became more conservative. Seeing things the way they are instead of seeing them through your fantasy glasses is the first step to maturity.
The left refuses to give up their glasses.
They can bash Bush all they want for not being in Louisiana or DC but the fact is, he doesn't to be anywhere. He has all the command he needs wherever he goes. But the left doesn't realize that because of their fantasy glasses.The after the fact stupid questions like "Why wasn't the Nat'l Guard there yesterday" are questions that are asked not for an answer, because no answer would satisfy them. It is asked because they have only one thing in mind...to bash, scream, yell and have a temper tantrum like the spoiled little kids that they are.
Frankly, I am tired of it as well. To paraphrase what I learned a long time ago....
Comment Posted By Marv On 31.08.2005 @ 10:50
"if you won't help, then STFU and get out of the way"
THE COMPACT OF CIVIL SOCIETIES
I think what we are beginning to see is what happens when a society's infrastructure is virtually destroyed or at least severely damaged.
Comment Posted By Marv On 31.08.2005 @ 14:31
Picture this in New Orleans via a hurricane, and then, within days, in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles via a chemical or nuclear attack and you can get an idea of how vulnerable we can be.
I would think that if OBL has the means but is waiting for the right time, now would be that time.
See, I have the opposite problem. I have a grip on the technology, just don't know how to write!
Comment Posted By Marv On 25.08.2005 @ 14:17
If you do cut back, it'll be tough for us out here. Just promise that it'll be worth the sacrifice.
"These questions go to the root of my problem; how should I approach the future?"
But Rick, isn't that everyones worry? About jobs, relationships, finances, what's for dinner......Que Sera, Sera, the future's not ours to see.
The transformation of Information exchanege has only just begun. It will swell and ebb and change through the coming years. But just as you have adapted thus far, you will see the trends and adapt again. You will evolve with this new medium.
I dare say that you will go down as one of the best of the pioneers of it as well.
At the risk of sounding sheehanish, I have a sinking feeling that the future holds a major confligration and that this form of communication will hold an invaluable place in how we, as civilians, approach it, much like the underground papers during previous wars.
You have already proven that you are sober, smart and adaptive. You have your ear already to the ground and your eyes wide open. I would say that you are ahead of the game.
Comment Posted By Marv On 25.08.2005 @ 10:32
Keep on keepin' on...
"We don't differentiate between military and civilian"....a maybe not so accurate quote by OBL.
Comment Posted By Marv On 23.08.2005 @ 17:40
This is why we fight and these scenes of the destruction of the WTC and the innocent people who died a horrible death should be seen every day of every week of every month of every year by every American until we are victorious in this 6th crusade.
I am re-re watching it as I type this.
Comment Posted By Marv On 23.08.2005 @ 16:33
Can't argue with you at all (well almost...)
The film is very even handed and non partisan, not to mention scary.
The only criticism I might have is that it fails, I think, to drive home the point that these people are still among us and are planning to continue. Rather it seems to sound as though these terrorists have accomplished what they came for.
Other suggested watching would be "TERRORISTS AMONG US, JIHAD IN AMERICA " by Stephen Emerson (the reporter seen at the beginning of this show) and "CLEAR THE SKIES" by the BBC which documents the activities of the FDNY, President Bush and various US Govt. agencies and personnel on that terrible morning. Both gripping films.
A WORD ABOUT LOYALTY DURING A TIME OF WAR
Dean,
Thanks for your appreciation :-). My references to Iraq and Vietnam were only to serve as an example of how public opinion plays a part in troop morale, enemy morale and public perception. I see no other comparisons past that. Iraq certainly is not Vietnam.
If the Government of the United States, as directed by the Constitution of the United States dictates a course of military action, I believe that the government in obligated to prosecute that action to the best of their ability in the best interests of the nation. In return the Government, military included, should expect and deserves the support of its citizens in executing those actions.
Some things do not belong in the public domain. Prosecution of a war is one of those things. At some point we must trust that the government is fulfilling its obligation in the prosecution of that action and in protecting the national interests of the United States and its citizens.
And here is where the labels come in. Yes, they can be simply incorrect. That is their (and my often exercised)right. If they simply disagree with the policy they have the option of acting on the disagreement at the ballot box.
But when they actively work against the strategy and purpose of the Commander In Chief in his prosecution of the war,to the benefit of the enemy, that is, at the least, disloyal.
Comment Posted By Marv On 27.09.2005 @ 16:56
Dean,
You ignore history lessons learned during Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh knew the value of public opinion. See
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=13121
for an interesting interview on the subject.
As quoted in the referenced interview,Col. Tin had the following comments"Question: How did Hanoi intend to defeat the Americans?
Answer: By fighting a long war which would break their will to help South Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh said,"We don't need to win military victories, we only need to hit them until they give up and get out."
Q: Was the American antiwar movement important to Hanoi's victory?
A: It was essential to our strategy. Support of the war from our rear was completely secure while the American rear was vulnerable. Every day our leadership would listen to world news over the radio at 9 a.m. to follow the growth of the American antiwar movement. Visits to Hanoi by people like Jane Fonda, and former Attorney General Ramsey Clark and ministers gave us confidence that we should hold on in the face of battlefield reverses. We were elated when Jane Fonda, wearing a red Vietnamese dress, said at a press conference that she was ashamed of American actions in the war and that she would struggle along with us.Will they be less committed or dangerous? No, probably not,unless we succeed in giving them pause by our unity, determination and resolve. By doing that you do take away the incentive that longevity will eventually turn the tide in their favor. You eventually take away their ability to wage war.
If you meet a stronger more determined foe who will fight forcefully to the finish, you will probably loose. If you meet a stronger foe that shows he hasn't the stomach for a long, strong fight, all you have to do is hold your own and bide your time.
Comment Posted By Marv On 27.09.2005 @ 11:09
