FastNed

To me, one of the most interesting developments of the Bush Presidency has been his movement away from 'political' positions to a pragmatic view of existing problems. 10 Million illegals are a rather large elephant in our backyard which too many have refused to see for too long. They can not continue to be invisible and ignored! There is no question that politics as well as our relations with Mexico were factors in the announcement and timing of this new immigration policy but President Bush has made it plain that we can not continue to sweep this matter under the rug and ignore the lump in the corner. It's long past time that we do so. This is not Mexico's problem, nor is it 'Central/South America's' problem. This matter directly effects the Sovereignty of America and requires an American solution. That is not to say we must be suckers for Presidente Fox or other "Southern" politicians and under no circumstances may we accept "Dual" citizenship - Fox's delusions that he can use 'dual' citizenship to create a 'Fifth Column" within America must have a stake driven into its heart. It has been settled for some time that imposition of Federal Programs and their costs upon the States can only be achieved when there is Federal funding. What can be thought more Federal than Immigration Policy? We can not continue to force States to pay the medical and educational costs of these Ten Million people! Perhaps there should be reimbursement of medical costs a la Medicare schedules and educational costs using schedules such as those for reimbursement for children of military persons in local school systems. This is a Federal problem and the Congress must adopt a Federal solution. As much as possible, the political posturing must cease. This is America's problem and it can not be the basis to force Mexico to open its Petroleum Industry to American investment; neither should it be used as a NAFTA negotiation lever or tied to vague 'human rights' issues - the posturing must stop! But there is also no reason we should give away the farm. So long as they are Mexican citizens, I believe the Mexican Government owes something for their health care costs and eduction and these are legitimate matters to place upon the table with Mexico. We must demand some percentage of reimbursement from Mexico for these costs as part of our 'solution'. President Bush has taken the elephant and placed it in public view. Americans and Congress must now decide how to resolve the situation.

The election of an American President is not decided by a plurality of votes. There are a number of scenarios under our Electoral College voting which result in an elected President without a plurality of votes - the majority of States allocate electoral votes on a 'winner-take-all' system so the determining factor is the number of votes per State rather than the national popular vote. Candidate Dean has clearly established himself as a member of the post-modern elite and should he be the Democratic Candidate, there will indeed be a real choice. President Bush as the candidate of "God" and "Country" versus Dr. Dean as the candidate of the "UN" and "EU". It will be "No Contest!"

No one who has served in the American military questions why President Bush visited with the Troops on Thanksgiving Day. It was a gesture of respect and an expression of thanks to each and every serving member of our Armed Forces. That the Commander-in-Chief left his family and home, spent his day on a plane to drop in to thank them and share their Thanksgiving, however briefly, conveyed a message to every one of them of the respect he holds for them and their service to their Country. If you don't 'get it' or think this was just politics as usual then nothing anyone could say will explain this to you.

There is an option open but I doubt your Liberal Government would elect it! If the Canadian Military were dedicated to the defense of Canada and North America and were available to fill the gaps in North American defense created by the federalization of the American National Guard, America would modernize Canadian Forces across the board. We do both live in North America and for most of the last Century, we did agree to jointly defend our homelands. Why should we not resume our traditional joint defensive posture?

I understand exactly where Nuclear came from in his comment: it was an understandable human response to others killing our people. I am rather more direct - injure or kill me or mine and 10 to 1, a thousand to one doesn't hack it; each and every enemy has invited a death sentence. Leave no live enemy behind. Works for me, and ICCL what world opinion thinks - if, as and when those 'opinion' holders are willing to stand shield between the enemy and my people, I will listen to them but not until. And please note I used the term 'enemy' not women, children and babes in arms! Nuclear has no great knowledge of counter-insurgency tactics because such slaughter is a one time final approach, not an effective interim policy. Over the weekend, we have seen the beginning of a directed intense counter-insurgency response. In non-Sunni areas, we are being inundated with intelligence info on non–Iraqi groups suspected of involvement in such attacks. The Iraqis are PO'd and are turning these people in where-ever possible. The Sunni triangle is about to become a "War Zone" with all that entails. Expect attacks against Americans to have a stiff cost - but not random slaughter, that's not the American way unless or until we determine it is them or us. Should American's become enraged, fear the response of the American Street.

Nuke, I understand the frustration which leads to such a suggestion, believe me, I do! At the present time, under the existing circumstances such a response would be counter-productive. There is a time and place when a scorched earth policy is appropriate but we are not there, as yet. When you are up to your a$$ in alligators, it's difficult to retain focus on draining the swamp but we must. The intent of much of what is happening is exactly to goad us into such responses, to completely destabilize Iraq and turn its people against us. After this weeks consultations in Washington, I suspect you will see the Sunni area declared a War zone and locked down. If they wish to play hardball, there is a lesson or two we have to teach but our response must be focused and targeted against those who wish to regain control of Iraq for their own purposes. Mr Farrius - what would be second prize? We would have to keep the world after we took it over? Haven't we made it plain - we don't want your stinkin' world!

Let me attempt to clarify the issue of the Bin Laden Family departure from America shortly after 9.11. I can not provide cites as I am responding from my memory of information provided by sources in Massachusetts at that time. This is a large family and supposedly had long since disavowed the fanatic. A brother, family members and others were resident in Cambridge at the time. In the immediate aftermath, there was concern expressed by the Saudi Ambassador to the State Dept. that these family members could be in danger due to the family relationship and an official request was made for diplomatic clearance to fly them home from the US. Diplomatic clearance was provided to appropriate officials at Logan Airport and they all left the US. Standard Diplomatic stuff, protection of citizens in a foreign country. Not sure how this has morphed into Conspiracy Theory but this is what was conveyed to people at Logan, at the time, and the State Dept. paperwork had every 'i' dotted and 't' crossed or that plane would not have left the ground.

American Special Forces went in to rescue an American female P.O.W. who was badly injured. They went locked and loaded for bear and were live linked (and recorded) to higher Command (as usual). Those of you who have read any SAS account of Hostage situations will recognize the tactics used by the SOF. So where's the beef? She was being held in hostile territory and they went in for a live retrieval. They should have gone in expecting the Tooth Fairy to hand her over? Get real!

Cknykid, let's just keep the record straight without the BS. As you well know, the slaughter in the Lebanese Camps was done by Lebanese Christian Militias which had their own bone to pick with the Palestinians. Sharon took the rap because he was the top of the Chain of Command. Not to excuse Sharon for anything for which he was responsible anywhere else but in this case, he took the heat because it occurred on his Watch.

Hi Nuke, the Steel tariff issue is part of a high-stakes poker game between the EU and America on the subject of access to EU Markets for American products. Some hands you win, some you loose and sometimes, your bluff gets called. In this matter, there was also a domestic political content and while the end game was a loss, it served well its domestic purpose at that time. SirRiff, you're off topic but what else is new as you beat on your anti-American drum - tell me, are India and China beating off applicants for Green Cards, are the best and brightest of the World attempting to move there? Will you be telling us soon that you are moving to India because they are leading the World in your specialty? Take note: When Americans are threatened is when we pull out all the stops, go full speed ahead at full volume, both feet beating away and display the technical innovation for which we are famous. When America stands and shouts "Let's Roll", kindly get out of the way unless you wish to become road kill. India has a bureaucracy which makes the French look advanced and China is busy awaiting its old men to die off so they can join the rest of the World. These are going to replace America? Get real!

Crusader, the part I love best is: " the White House is prohibiting the media from reporting the whole story. " Right, the Media just rolls over and does whatever it is told to do by the Bush White House. And if you really believe that, I have this ocean front land in Phoenix I'd like to talk to you about!

Thomas, you said: "And also, prove to me that they killed children." I invite you to review the flight manifests and memorial sites to those passengers on the planes of 9.11 - I need say no more. You are missing or ignoring my primary point. Do not talk to me of 'root causes', do not mention history as to what you believe could be motivation for those who attacked us. It doesn't matter anymore and I could care less. On 9.11 a line was crossed removing this conflict from the rules of civilization and placing it under the law of the jungle. I will not require 100 % certainty or proof beyond any reasonable doubt - these are civilized concepts which do not apply when dealing with genocidal barbarians.

Aidan yes, the Cold War is over and the enemy against whom we guarded the gates for fifty years no longer exists - or so we hope, only time will tell where Russia will go. But any responsible government, acting on behalf of its citizens must perform a "Threat Analysis" of potential dangers to the civilization which it represents. This is, after all, one of the main reasons we form governments here in the West. To provide collective security for our families and lives. Let's forget politics and just look at "Threats" - do you doubt that the NoK's are off-the-wall nut jobs? But they happen to be nut-jobs that have worked on development of long range missiles for quite some time. They have demonstrated an ability to overfly Japan with what is either a real good IRBM or a nascent ICBM. In either case, a rough measurement indicates that it would not take much more range to target our mutual West Coast from Alaska down. And they are selling this technology to any one with cash. I suggest that this constitutes sufficient threat that any government which ignores it is failing its responsibilities to protect its citizens. Canada has missed deadline after deadline to participate in the missile shield (for about three years) and America has gone ahead, created a Command Structure - which unlike NORAD, does not have Canadian members - and is acting alone. If time and assets allow, we will shield Canada because you guys are family but this is not the same as active participation. Based upon the history of NORAD, you have also passed on millions of dollars of research and development contracts. I don't believe Canadians should be this naif, but its your Country.

Not too sure how this will play but I believe it significant that these attacks were against Iraqi's and the Red Cross. The one person captured was a Syrian (or at least carried a Syrian Passport) and I am told that by the Arabic accent, it is rather easy to determine where someone is from. Iraqi cops and civilians are being killed and while some Iraqi's may not care if Americans are killed, I suspect there will be an increase in Iraq's reporting 'outsiders' to the Police

Hello, Mexican, welcome to the Forum. You apparently wish Nirvana - some supra-national organization which will dictate what can and can not be done around this World. How do you suggest this be accomplished? No organization has more power than that ceded to it by its members or more strength than the collective of its membership. Even if every Nation of the World were to join in an organization against America, they would lack the physical strength to dictate action for America. And you surely can not mean to claim the likes of Syria, NoKorea, Burma and so forth can speak with some sort of moral authority which would convince Americans to follow their suggestions/dictates? We Americans are the first to admit we are not perfect, we made many mistakes during the Fifty year period of the Cold War and much that was done was Hobbs Choice - the lesser of two evils, or so we thought at the time. We will tell you that there are problems in our form of government and that we have had many failures attempting to live up to our stated principles. But we will also tell you that of the many imperfect forms of government, we believe ours to be the best of a bad lot. NATO was a military alliance between America and Free Europe which successfully prevented the Soviet Union from sweeping across all of Europe as they did to Eastern Europe. When we speak of closing it down and bringing our troops home, Europe begins to scream: "Oh no, don't do that!". The military strength of Europe is such that they can either live up to their commitment to NATO or have a Euro-force - they lack the forces to have both. Our position is simple, one or the other but not both! America will not now or ever allow any outside group to dictate its response to an armed attack against it. If you kill Americans, you will pay the Ferryman's Fee. It is as simple as that.

I will say it again, directly to you, CK... The Palestinians have crossed the line of civilized behavior. By their genocidal acts against Israeli women and children they have defined themselves - rabid animals with which no discourse is possible. You do not engage in civilized discourse with a rabid animal - you put it down. You do not negotiate or bargain with a rabid animal - you put it down. You do not grant territory or make concessions to a rabid animal - you put it down. And those who provide aid and comfort, shelter and support for rabid animals - you put them down also. If you are unable to differentiate between Palestinian attacks against the IDF and the random slaughter of women and children, I do pity you.

I regret to say that as presently constituted, this US Supreme Court may hold this legislation to be unconstitutional. This case and the pending "Pledge" matter, i.e., the 9th Circuit decisions, are causing some to quietly question if the time has not come for a major change in our Constitutional system. Thirty years of Judges pre-empting the legislative functions have lead to the current perversion of the "Advise and Consent" function of the US Senate by Democratic fanatics - and I use that word advisedly. After all, if you can have the Judicial Branch hijack the functions of the Legislative, why can't the Legislative hijack the functions of the Executive Branch? At a minimum, "Life Tenure" will be removed from the Federal Judiciary by Constitutional Amendment. The major open question will be to retain the present system of appointment or go to overall election of Judges to mandate control by the people. I suspect the better course (lesser of two evils) will be popular election for a term of years. The vast majority of people in America are religious and by our religious, moral and ethical views we believe abortion to be murder. We could be wrong and our commitment to religious freedom makes us hesitate to ban abortion as this would be the imposition of our religious views on another. But I believe we have reached a cusp, a decision that we can not allow what we consider to be murder to continue. With that decision comes a responsibility to those unwillingly pregnant. And to those who don't wish to become pregnant. We must make certain that every woman who is fertile knows and has freely available 'morning after' pills. You do all know that certain birth control pills if taken for three or four days after unprotected sex prevent conception, correct? I doubt it as this seems to be rather restricted information, and it shouldn't be! If there is no conception, there is no abortion necessary. Let me request some expert help on this one: KK, I presume you are reading this thread, would you post some information on the types of programs a responsible society would create and support to allow those women pregnant options other than abortion?

I suggest the Palestinians try to act like responsible, civilized human beings. Except for a propaganda ploy, "the Right of Return", they were offered everything they wished, and the rejection of these offers by their leadership made it quite plain - as they have repeatedly said in Arabic but not English - that their remaining goal is the total destruction of Israel and the death of all "Jews". Christian Arabs who don't get in line are promised the same fate. Poll after poll, survey after survey makes plain that a majority of Palestinians support terrorist activities as sponsored by their leadership. Fifty years of brainwashing has been quite effective. In this respect, the Palestinians are once again the victims of the Arab World and are held in contempt by that world for being so stupid as to believe the garbage they have been feed. And of course, they have been turned into rabid creatures too damned dangerous to be allowed house room in any other Arab land. Were it simply a matter of real estate, I would suggest that America purchase Baja California from Mexico and relocate Israel. That blessed (and seemingly accursed) Land is the Font of three of the major religions of the World and it is not merely 'location, location, location'! And as the "Jews" (like America) are the "Whipping Boy's" of the Arab World, their removal would stop nothing as the Islamic Leaders need someone to blame for their own failures. But were it to occur, we could then sit back and watch another Mid-East country turned into an Islamic slum. The more they listen to the fanatics within, the better they get at that. I know the only answer but it is not one that I like or am comfortable with - but it is the only answer. Until enough Palestinians, terrorists and otherwise, are killed to convince them their only option is peace or death, there will be no solution. Palestinians deserve a home but until they opt for peace, they are entitled to exactly six feet of land - a grave. Hard times make hard people make hard choices.

I believe you to be incorrect, Morgan, with your focus in this particular matter. The basis of this problem is the 2000 Census and President Bush had nothing to do with the rules under which that was conducted. Look to the prior administration for those. Plans for an Immigration initiative which was to lead to a joint program with the Government of Mexico died on 9.11. No doubt, something will be pulled out of a hat for the Latino Voters prior to next years election but nothing with the depth or as extensive as was then contemplated. There have been numerous media articles lately indicating that Border Security in the South has been improved to the point that economic immigrants have increased their stay from an average of three years to nine! Doesn't sound like ineffective or ignored border security to me.

Black Dog, I have watched/read the back and forth between you and Hugo and there was one point of yours that had some merit but you missed it - or at least the cause of it. While the Government of Israel is not 'expansionist', there is a real problem on the Settlement issue. There is a group of Ultra-Religious who believe that Israel must expand to include all the biblical lands and they are responsible for some of the settlements. I have no doubt that those Settlers involved in vigilante acts and these secret weapon stashes have connections on the Ultra-Religious end of the political/religious spectrum. These people are the "Crazy Uncle" in the attic for Israeli politicians and are damned difficult to control. It's a curse of their particular form of Parliamentary Democracy. The Ultras always seem to get a handful of seats in Parliament and advance their causes by trading their support to form coalition governments and have made or brought down P.M.'s in the past. They are also the reason for some discriminatory laws against non-orthodox jews and christians. But the problems these few create are insignificant in the larger picture which is that with every terrorist act against women and children, the Palestinians loose (in fact throw away) all reasons for anyone to support them and their cause. There is a line which can not be crossed in any civilization and that line is crossed again and again when innocent women and children are targeted and killed. With that act, all possibility of discourse ends. Forever! That is America's position against these Islamic Fanatics and it should be Israel's against the terrorists who attack them. I suspect it would be had it not been for coercion and pressure from America. Those who target a peoples women and children are committing genocide or attempting to do so. Having crossed that line, the Palestinians have created the rules for this engagement and they should be treated as they deserve. Where I an Israeli, I would drive them into the sea, each and every one of them. And if that makes me a primitive, barbaric American Cowboy - so be it! I get tired of saying this but if you wish to call the tune, you have to pay the Piper. So do not be surprised if Israel finally has enough and follows the rules of engagement established by the Palestinians. I would have done so long ago.

It is truly unfortunate that the Ten Dwarfs running as Democrats as so busy pandering to the ultra-left activists of their Party that they are either unable or unwilling to enter into serious debate on the issues we face. Must we wait for an A-Bomb or other WMD to be used in America before we take action against the Islamic fanatics &/or members of the Axis of Evil? What would be acceptable as proof of an "immanent" danger? How is this to be gathered/proven in terms of a closed and hidden society such as NoK? Is there a point where we will accept that the danger is not 'merely' from fanatics within Islam but is from Islam itself? These questions exist and demand resolution; serious questions on serious issues exist - perhaps too important to leave to political squabbles!

To be candid, cknykid, your rant makes as much sense as those Canadians do who rant about this or that claiming Canadians can't do something or another because America will not let them! This is regurgitated BS spread by politicians looking for an excuse for their inaction. "The Devil made me do it!" makes just as much sense. When politicians ruin the economy, run the printing presses 24/7 and turn their currency into toilet paper, do you expect them to admit the mess is their problem? Especially when they can play on existing prejudice and blame "the Other" for the resulting problems? There are thousands of indicators which disclose the condition of an economy and the currency used by that particular country and there are educated people who can distinguish those signs and evaluate the direction ahead for that economy and currency. Politicians wish this wasn't so but they are unable to hide the evidence of what is going on. Sharp investors, which Mr. Soros is reported to be read these indicators and invest their own money intending to make a profit. More power to them - I wish I had the knowledge to do the same. Evidently Mr. Soros is a Jew - well, so what? What does his religion have to do with his intelligence? Oh, right, his intelligence proves the Jewish World-wide conspiracy! Dumb and thieving politicians hope that people will be ignorant enough to believe that because it gets the politicians off the hook.

Yes, Hugo & KK - the World does not understand the result should WMD be used against America but our reaction to 9.11 should have given a clue. The rage of the American People will be such that no politician of any political party will be able to withstand, even should they be so inclined. No-one - NOBODY - sneaks into our home and kills our women and children. There is no excuse, no cause which will justify such action nor will there be forgiveness. Those who do such a deed, indeed even those we merely suspect had some small involvement will face the fires of Hell as we burn them and their Countries into radioactive rubble. You should remember that America was ready, willing and able to remove every center of civilization within the Soviet Union in response to an attack from that Country. Why should there be any doubt that we would do the same to Islam should we be attacked? Fear the American Street for if we are attacked, our rage will be unbound.

Say, Black Dog, I don't understand why you cast this in terms of the State. I am willing to accept and acknowledge that you, as a non-believer, have no requirement to say those words when the Pledge is said. You are free to take that position and I would defend your right to do so. So why are you not willing to grant me the same right to express my belief? Because you do not believe, you wish to prevent me from expressing my belief? For that is the effect of what you propose! That is exactly the tyranny of the minority! Those who take this position are treading on thin ice - very, very thin ice! Let me predict for you the majority reaction should the Supremes be left tied at 4 - 4 and this Circuit Court decision remain as Law, in the 9th Circuit. On this issue, those who push it are attacking not only the Majority views on religion, there is also an issue of patriotism. The majority are going to pass the swiftest Constitutional Amendment in American History and it will not be limited solely to these words in the Pledge. Trust me, no atheist is going to like the results of a constitutional change in this area - the majority are going to shove back and do so with interest added!

Palestinians who are outside of Israel are "out" for one reason: their ancestors listened to the Grand Mufti and fled so the invading Arab armies could kill all the jews. After the War, Israel refused to let them come back - sorry but those are the facts. For political reason, Arab Rulers forced the Palestinians into refugee camps, refused to allow them to resettle in other Arab Lands and did so for only one reason. They choose to use these Palestinians as political pawns in a continuation of their war against the jews - one that continues fifty years later. Bluntly, Saladin, your people were screwed by their own but that is history now. So long as Palestinians continue to pursue terrorist acts against the Israeli people, you will never go home. I regret that, myself, because everyone should have a home. In reality, I think its time for Palestinians to move onward because killing Israelis is not going to gain them a home - it ain't gonna happen. This world and North America is full of people who used to live elsewhere but who have made the best of bad circumstances and moved on to a new life. In a better world, perhaps your grandchildren will buy a retirement home in a peaceful Israel after great financial success in the West. I believe that to be a more realistic dream than hopes of a future life in the radioactive rubble that will be Israel should the more reactionary elements of the Arab World have their way. We North Americans know all about coming to a new land to find a better life - why is that not a more reasonable dream for the Palestinian People? And Saladin, welcome to the Forum!