theloniusfleabag

Dear maplesyrup, I agree. I agree. I disagree, but with some caveats and would require further definintion. I am a bit dubious.

Dear maplesyrup, People who quickly and mindlessly come up with solutions such as... regarding things and situations that they know nothing about.

Dear maplesyrup, Osama Bin Laden is most likely in or near the Khyber Pass, bordering Afghanistan and Pakistan. There is a tribal folk there that NO ONE messes with. ( I don't have their name handy, that book is at work) Hamid Karzai, derogatorily nicknamed 'The Mayor of Kabul', can't find him because he can't leave the city, the only place ruled by the gov't in Afghanistan. Since Bin Laden called Allawi 'the leader of Al qaeda in Iraq', we can assume bin Laden isn't there. The Safed Koh range, near a source of water for several, and near a main travelling route between Afghanistan and Pakistan is the most likely place. Given the abilities of US satellites that can read a cigarette pack in the desert from space, and my bit of common sense, I bet I could find him within a week.

Dear ceemes, (and Black Dog) A couple of years ago, (just after Russia and the Berlin Wall officially crumbled) the USA declared 'global military superiority' and that "no other nation would be allowed, to not just match them, but to even come close". I am assuming that this is what Black Dog refers to with the term 'superpower'. The ability and the will to maintain a heavily funded and manned military presence throughout the world.

I have seen a couple of ideas that I like. Pateris' idea of raising the exemption bar to 20,000...terrific, and would create employment and wealth. As 'I miss Reagan' points out, although he has it backward, the 'wealth creators' should be given tax breaks. Only it is not the 'rich' that create wealth, it is the poor! (well, at least the low to middle income earners) The economy depends on spending, and that means 'disposable income'. Studies show that the 'highest disposable income ratio' exists in 'poorer' (or less valued/desired neighborhoods.) To keep the economy going, that 'disposable income' must be spent, and dispose of it they do! The 'rich' are 'collectors' of such wealth, and the hope is that they re-distribute it, rather than saving it in a mattress or investing in the Mongo. I think Canada would do well by having a 'militia' style national military, which has worked well for other countries, and cost far less.

Dear maplesyrup, I had posted a previous (and lengthy) post about dog breeds. Hope you read it. In short, Rotties are not 'aggressive' like pit fighters, they were brought up to be cattle drover/guard dogs. "The butcher of Rottweil" used them to drive his cattle for slaughter, and on the return trip to guard his purse from bandits. Now, poor ownership can be a large factor, but rotties are not, by nature, aggressive to the point of open attacks. They are large, however, and capable of great damage should they attack. Dogs are also much different, behaviourally, in a 'pack' than as individuals. In my opinion, only pit-fighting breeds should be banned from breeding. Dear daniel, Bright light, especially at night, temporarily blinds dogs (and deer) and usually they freeze. I was walking with my brother in law near Victoria one night, and two dogs came charging out from someone's property at us. (This was in acreage territory) My bro-in-law shone his 1,000,000 candle power halogen at them, and they stopped in their tracks. Not sure if this works in the daylight, but my brother in law said it works every time at night.

Dear Shakeyhands, It employs the tactic 'manufacturing consent' and it is spun by the US mainstream media to 'strike at the heart' of every American. There is a quote I previously had as a signature, by Hermann Goering (although I think it sounded more like Goebbels) "All you have to do is accuse those opposed of cowardice and being unpatriotic, and for placing the country at risk" or something similar. Now, yes. The Bush administration is protecting the ability and the god-given right to oppress others in other nations for the sole benefit of the USA.It has nothing to do with democracy, for even Bin Laden urged the US citizens to use it. One of the few people/politicians in this whole mess that hasn't (evidently) lied has been Osama Bin Laden himself.

Dear I miss Reagan, I have never written a word about Laura Bush.I have my eyes open, and am not full of rage, only cynicism and a healthy dose of pragmatism. I am also proud that I have never posted childish drivel here, and usually try not to respond to it when I see it.

Dear Argus, Indeed, I have worked a couple myself. My first 'good paying' job was in a grocery warehouse, on the midnight shift. It was a large, and at the time, non-union company. The night janitor used to 'spy' on us, and he quickly got promoted to be our supervisor. Since our crew knew what we were doing, and he didn't have a clue, that situation didn't last long. Both he and the guy who hired him were demoted, and a guy from our crew was promoted to supervisor. However, happy endings like this are probably few and far between.However, one of my beefs with unions, where seniority is god, is that the most senior person would have been promoted regardless of ability. He may have been fit for the job, or a complete boob, but it doesn't matter if he has seniority.

Dear PocketRocket, I have heard the same argument many times. "Put two sets of two people in two rooms. In one room, give them a bottle of rye, in the other give them a joint. Who would get in a fight first?"Further, a marijuana user has never killed someone (like a Subway clerk) with a hammer for 50 bucks to 'get their next fix'. Crack and smack, yes. I found it interesting that most of our present Fed Libs admitted to using pot at least once (with the noted exception of Jean Chretien, who seemed like the most likely to be still smokin') while most people who use crack or heroin generally have a large list of convictions(few of them from drug possession), not accomplishments. While I am a proponent of decriminalization, perhaps legalization can work. The biggest concerns from the public seem to be un-safe grow-ops, not roving bands of cheeto-munching, kumbayah-singing stoners.

Dear August1991, Departures are standard. The scale and breadth of these many departures is unprecedented.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4131639.stm The CIA does not historically lose 6 senior officials in such a short time. Pres. Bush knowingly misrepresented CIA info in his justification of the Iraq war. Those that criticized him for doing so have been punished or are gone, with the CIA and US intelligence headed in a 'new direction', away from worrying about truth or fact.

Dear August1991, Ostensibly, yes. As I said, this story is not the original one I read. To the best of my recollection, the workers were led to believe that they were going to 'well-paying' jobs overseas, and then were essentially sold into slavery. From what I recall, the 'slaver' was paid a 'headhunters fee' or bounty, on the number of slaves it imorted. Many people from 'poorer' countries, especially the Phillipines and Indonesia, work overseas for more money than could be made at home, and send money back to their families. I do believe the Phillipinos are the most prolific overseas workers. I honestly don't know if there is a minimum wage in Vietnam or what it would be, but I am guessing that these workers were misled, then enslaved. My point was that the USA is one of those regimes, with many of their companies using exploitation to boost profits.

Further to the above, I have begun reading "The Politics of Truth, Inside the Lies That Led to War and Betrayed My Wife's CIA Identity" by Ambassador Joseph Wilson. Evidently, Wilson was the one that de-bunked the myth that Saddam had sought uranium from Niger. In retaliation, Carl Rove declared "Joe Wilson's wife is fair game". The sanctity of anonymity in the CIA is paramount. This, and the trust between the CIA and the Bush admin., has been shattered.

It sees that recently a number of high ranking officials have bailed recently from the second term of Pres. Bush. there is also a tremendous split between the CIA and the administration. Partly, fresh blood is not new to new administrations. However, I suspect that these changes are largely to do with the famous "you are with us or you are against us" speech. This seems to include whether or not one is willing to blindly support outright lies in pursuit of a president's agenda or not. It seems Powell and the CIA are not. Rice and Rumsfeld, no questioning what a loyal dog will do for you.

Dear I miss Reagan, How about 'daddy's' strings? After all, G.H.W. Bush was the man controlling everyone's favorite marionette, Ronald Reagan. Further, Bush Sr. was 'pulling strings' since before his days as CIA chief under Ford. Then he started turning on his friends, such as Noriega, and got mixed up with that Bin Laden family, what a mess.Further, what Rove did (or did by authorizing) regarding the wife of a respected ambassador of the US, was absolutely and utterly beneath contempt.

Dear eureka, Different perspectives is what history is all about. Usually the history books are written by the winner. Say, didn't you say that your two (or is it 3) brothers served in WWII? That should put you around 70-80 yrs old. Odd that you are only discovering different perspectives from websites just now.

Dear Argus, Indeed, I would like to agree with you. Some argue that the poor labourers in China would suffer worse if we didn't buy their goods. For others, it is what makes the world go round. If companies such as Nike, or JC Penny didn't use every effort to maximize profit, people might stop investing. Tiger Woods depends on that money.Besides, the cost of a pair of shoes would skyrocket, when Nike marks them up some 5,000% or more above manufacturing costs, to give Tiger Woods his fair share. It is why jogging shoes are not made in the USA anymore.

Dear seebee, Legalizing it would mean that the organized criminals would be guilty of tax evasion, one of the few crimes that the gov't zealously pursues. It is the 'crime' that took down Al Capone!

Dear August1991, I hope the link works for you, but it is not the original source I read. Originally, I had read that some workers were offered jobs in factories, and when they boarded the ship, they were basically locked up and sold to the factory.http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf...07/samoa.labor/

Dear Cartman, Pure, outright fraud. The gun registry was designed to be done by mail, the cheapest way for the gov't to do it. (I have a friend that worked at Rev Can for almost 20 years). The original 2 million was a reasonable estimate. For it to balloon to 1 billion+ means that fraudulent expenses have been used on such a scale that it should put the Liberal advertising scandal to shame.

Dear August1991, Marijuana would be very difficult to control if legalized. The only thing the gov't would be able to control is 'marijuana bars' such as in Amsterdam. Anyone can grow a plant or two in a closet or basement, just as anyone can brew beer or wine. Perhaps these 'pot bars' can charge a 'rollage fee' like restaurants that allow you to bring your own wine. I think decriminalization is the way to go. As to cocaine and heroin, these are what the police should 'crack' down on. Marijuana makes you a bit lazy, and unfocused (as well as affecting your short term memory, but it will return after .. um,... what was I saying?) but hard drugs ruin your life as well as the lives of those around you. If you are looking for a comprehensive solution, I have long argued that any natural plant (or drug) should be 'decriminalized', and any refining of said plants should be illegal. Marijuana, the coca plant, and the opium poppy are all natural, but refining the coca into cocaine is where the trouble begins. Of the 'big four' drugs; alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and heroin, only alcohol destroys brain cells. Yet it is the only one that is legal!

Dear Argus, Not so. For changing job descriptions, cutting hours (from full time, I believe) and reducing pay, one full pay period's notice must be given. As to firing, just cause must be given, along with the appropriate severance. As to transfers, I haven't done much research as I haven't had to do it either as an employee or an employer.Do a google search on 'employment standards' or Gov't labour standards and you will see how un-whimsical' being an employer is.

Dear caesar, Rumsfeld himself authorized the use of techniques that 'made the prisoner feel like he/she was being suffocated'. One of the Iraqi Generals at Abu Ghraib was bound and gagged, wrapped in a sleeping bag and had his chest sat on. Oddly enough, he died of suffocation.

Dear eureka, Sounds like a reasonable account. The info I have about was 422, combined. Rommel had 50,000 men, 54,000 crappy Italian troops, 500 tanks, and 1300 guns (but only 86 of the deadly .88). The Germans were completely outnumbered, especially in aircraft, and every 3 out of 4 ships bringing supplies accross the Med were sunk.A decisive victory for Montgomery and the Brits, to be sure, but hardly attributable to American-made tanks.

Dear ontariogal22, Here's a tip, but it isn't foolproof. Look at the poster's (like greyhound or MisterRogers) local user time. If it is x number of hours +1/2 an hour ahead, it is usually (but not always) a flame/troll poster with many aliases. Don't take these too seriously. It is a pleasure to have as many 'realistic' perspectives on issues such as this as possible.