Shady

I assume Obama is a patriotic person. However, photos such as these don't help his image problem. Obama You add the Rev. Wright controversy, as well as Mrs. Obama claiming that this is the first time she's ever been proud of her country, and it leads to a rather problematic perception of him as a candidate.

The junta douche-bags are supported in large part by China. So shame on both of them.

And to address this thread topic, I actually think it's the Palestinians that need to get their act together. As the Democrats say in Chicago, vote early, vote often!

Exactly. I had no idea that slow growth was equated with an economy going "down the tubes."

You'd have a stronger argument if the premise you constructed was true.

Beyond the four-day cease-fire, it looks like major concessions were made. They recognize the elected government as the sole legitimate authority in Sadr City and everywhere else in Iraq, Iraqi forces will take over security in Sadr City, attacks from the there are now prohibited, and the Iraqi government now can impose the law and pursue illegal situations. Hopefully this is a step toward large-scale reductions in American troops. I think it should be. Iraqi lawmakers, Sadrists sign four-day cease-fire “We have signed the agreement today,” said Khalid al-Attiyah, the deputy parliamentary speaker from the main Shiite political bloc, United Iraqi Alliance. Al-Attiyah said the cease-fire went into effect on Sunday and Iraqi forces will be allowed to enter the area as early as Wednesday and “take over the security there.” The statement said “the government will decide on the number of Iraqi forces to be deployed in Sadr City to achieve security, in order to refrain from asking help from foreign forces,” a reference to the U.S. military. “Any attack against residential areas, government offices and the Green Zone are prohibited from Sadr City or from another area,” the agreement said. The cease-fire stipulates that Iraqi forces have the right to “impose the law and to pursue illegal situations.” AP And Drive in Basra by Iraqi Army Makes Gains BASRA, Iraq — Three hundred miles south of Baghdad, the oil-saturated city of Basra has been transformed by its own surge, now seven weeks old. In a rare success, forces loyal to Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki have largely quieted the city, to the initial surprise and growing delight of many inhabitants who only a month ago shuddered under deadly clashes between Iraqi troops and Shiite militias. NY Times

Blacks and whites do ride on the same bus, and "gay marriage" has been pretty much adopted by society, so I'm not sure where you're going with such comparisons. Also, the idea that military stocks would plummet is laughable, as is the idea of this combined state as being a good one. Isreali's would become the minority, ruled again by a majority muslim population. I'm not sure I understand the need to take a functioning democracy and turn it into a monarchy and dress it up as pseudo-peace. Seems like the more progressive thing to do, would be to switch monarchies to democracies, not the other way around.

I'm also in the process of reading 1776. It's an amazing book, and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

I agree 100%. In fact, America will have a Black President before Canada ever will.

I see, so is "somebody else" to blame for Carter demanding the Shah of Iran step down and turn over power to the Ayatollah Khomeini? That worked out well didn't it? Yes, we all continue to reap the benefits of that decision.

Everyone's assuming that if a white person doesn't vote for Obama, it's because he's black. In my opinion, that says more about those of you who automatically assume that, than it does about the voters themselves.And Clinton is right. Obama has trouble with white working class voters. Probably for a whole host of reasons. She has better name recognition. She has more of a political resume. She has a more populist message (at least over the last couple of months). And she is the wife of a popular former President. Obama is a former law professor. He's further to the left politically than she is. He's not as well known, and he's just gone through a 6 - 8 week period of having to clarify his association with Rev. Wright and former domestic terrorist Bill Ayres. Not to mention, that not long ago, Obama was caught describing white working class people as bitter, clinging to religion and guns. Gee, I wonder why he might be having a bit of a problem. But that's alright, let's just keep pretending it's because he's black. I guess that's a lot easier for some people.

I disagree with your premise. No one was firing "blindly". Your characterization of the events is false. You make it sound as though the police officers were shooting their guns up in the air, and in all kinds of directions. That's not what happened. So either you're misinformed, or lying. Take your pick.

Um, the theme park isn't being funded by the U.S. Government or the U.S. military. It's not as though they're choosing the theme park over water, food, or security. So you're wrong on that point.And the Iraqi's can approve or disapprove of this development through their participation. If no one attends the theme park, it won't be open long, and can go back to being a parking lot, or whatever the land is used for now. Also, you're forgetting about the jobs this development will create. There will probably be construction jobs as a result, as well as the fact that people have to be hired to run the park when it's completed. So, jobs for Iraqi's. If the prerequisite to theme parks in a city or country was the taming of hunger, water, and security, then there wouldn't be theme parks anywhere in the world.The big picture is that Iraq is going to enjoy some foreign investment. If more investment in other industries follows, then the lives of Iraqi's can improve dramatically.

Many of you are absolutely right. There isn't an oil supply problem. The problem is in the oil production. In America, it's been some 3 decades since a new oil refinery has been constructed. Mostly, if not entirely because of environmental government regulations. Also, because of environmental concerns, vast oil deposits within North America have gone undeveloped, particularly in Alaska, and off the coasts of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile, you have the Chinese drilling in places like off the coast of Cuba/Florida, where American oil companies can just sit and watch. A.N.W.R itself isn't the whole answer, but that, and the Florida coast, and North Dakota, as well as the construction of new refineries absolutely is. However, good luck trying to impliment any of that policy/development. You'll have the same idiots who complain about gas prices, protesting your efforts for "destroying the environment". I'm not sure analysis from 2004 when oil prices, as well as demand was significantly lower, has much relevance to today's situation. Case in point: I'm still eagerly waiting for the oil price declines these environmentalists refer to. Let me know when it happens, just in case I'm busy that day and miss it on the news.

I mentioned the fake gun instance to point out that police officers are trained to shoot to kill if they feel their lives are in danger. I never said that anyone in this situation used or pointed a fake gun. I thought that was pretty obvious. And yes they were up for manslaughter and assault charges, as well as reckless endangerment. But they were found not guilty. There wasn't enough evidence suggesting that to be the case. The prosecution's witnesses provided very questionable testimony. If you wan't to believe they were guilty, fine, that's up to you.I never said that because the night club was under investigation it was justification for the shootings. I'm not sure where you're getting that from either. The other points provide a context to the incident in question. It's not the picture you'd like to paint, of officers, coming out of nowhere, shooting at people for no reason. Link

I think some of you need to look beyond the amount of bullets fired, and delve a little deeper into this case before automatically convicting these officers. One's guilt or innocence isn't based on how many shots were fired. The police are trained to shoot to kill if they feel their lives are in danger. For example, point a fake gun at a cop and see what happens. They won't be aiming for your knees. A few facts: 1) For the officers to have been found guilty, the prosecution would have had to prove there was no justification for the shooting. 2) The club the victim attended was under investigation for suspected prostitution and drug offenses. 3) The deceased had been arrested three times, twice for drugs and once for a gun. 4) The second victim had nine arrests including one for armed robbery. 5) The third has a juvenile record for gun possession and robbery. 6) The police involved, believed that some type of altercation was about to occur, and that a gun/guns were in the possession of the suspects. 7) Of the five officers involved in the shooting, according to police sources, none have ever discharged their weapons while on duty.

You're absolutely right. Personally, I think he just needs to take time off and relax a bit. Maybe go back to his 10 million dollar home in his gated community and sort things out.

Jesus and Muhammed are not the same entity. I'm not sure if you're aware, but they're two entirely different people, who once lived in this world. Now, one can obviously believe, or not believe in the religious doctrine that's associated with them. However, they're are/were not the same person, and they're also not invisible. I think somebody might be reading too many Justice League comics or something.I think some people may be confusing God and Allah, which in fact, are different names for the same entity. And to answer the original question of what difference does it make whether someone is Catholic or Muslim. The main differences reside in their religious practices, not with semantics related to names. Anyone with the slightest knowledge of world religions would know this.

It should be obvious to most by now, that President Bush was correct to advocate a policy for developing oil in A.N.W.R. Not only would there be several hundred thousand more barrels of oil per day available for consumption in North America, but would there would also be several hundred thousand more jobs (mostly unionized jobs) created as well. Unfortunately, many short-sighted people, and short-sighted interest groups got in the way of the development. They pushed their influence, and scared enough people as to so far kill any type of action on this issue. And ironically, it's many of the same people, who have the nerve to complain, about a struggling economy, increased job losses, and skyrocketing oil/gasoline prices. Ironic, because many of the problems that exist today, were either created, or exasperated by the same people and/or interest groups. It's a shame, because the A.N.W.R development enjoyed broad support, amongst big business and labour, including The AFL-CIO, Sheet Metal Workers, Maritime Officers, Maritime Engineers, United Mine Workers, Building and Construction Trades, Operating Engineers and several other American National unions. Simply put, to those of you who contributed to the fearmongering, and/or supported those primarily responsible for it. STFU about the current economic situation. You reap what you sow. And hopefully you realize, that actions have consquences.

I'd like to see more tax cuts. Mostly income tax cuts. And I'd also like to see some spending cuts, or at least a slower rate of growth. And depending on inflation, a cut in interest rates.

Threads like this make me laugh.

Exactly. Oh woe-is-me for being treated badly by some Israelis, while Palestinians have tried to exterminate them for some 70+ years. How many invasions by how many Arab states over how many decades? Then, they lose a war in which they started, they lose land because of it, and now want to go back to the conditions which existed before the invasion they began. That's rich. I'm sure Israel would give back any "occupied" territory, if they knew it wouldn't be used as a staging ground for more attacks. Which seems to be the case. And what's really pathetic, is hearing people who strap suicide belts on their children, complain about children being "abused" by Israeli soldiers. That's also very rich.

I guess the children or grandchildren could inherit their jihad, and the commanders may come from them, if they're not used as suicide bombers during the current jihad.This is a great reminder to everyone of Islam, the religion of peace.

Why are people using bits of sentences instead of full quotes? Seems disingenuous to say the least. But hey, I can try the same thing. Anyways. The President doesn't tell people what to think. He has opinions. And he expresses his opinions. Free speech is a right for all, even Presidents. You are clearly free to disagree with his opinions, as I'm free to disagree with his and/or yours.

I respectfully disagree. The current economic situation has very little to do with any spending in Iraq, and almost entirely based on the sub-prime mortgage situation/housing market problems.And remember. After all of the negative economic news over the last several months, the American unemployment rate is still at 5%. 5% people! During the depression, unemployment rates soared to 25+ percent. Even a deep recession wouldn't push the unemployment rate past 10%.