[Rhodes22-list] Politics

[stan]

OK

we have to add one more name to the candidates for the Rhodes Prize for 
Political astuteness.

stan/gbi

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ronald Lipton" <rlipton at earthlink.net>
To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2004 5:54 PM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Politics


> Why wait 4 years to say "I told you so".  This president has been a
> complete disaster and the fact that he is even in the race is a sad
> comment on the judgement of the American people and the efficiency
> of the PR machine.  He has:
>
> - Invaded a country for reasons that were just wrong, despite protests of
>  many of our friends and allies.  Defended that invasion for a different
> set of reasons and has stuck our country with a problem that will linger
> for
> decades.  There are a whole lot more people with strong personal reasons
> to hate the US and will be willing to resort to terrorism to get their
> revenge.
>
> - Before the war there were MANY warnings about the lack of planning for
>  the "peace".  Clearly the administration did not have a realistic plan,
> misjudged
>  the situation that has ensued, and is at a loss for an effective 
> response.
>
> - We went from a substantial surplus to a record deficit.  Not all GB's
> fault but the
>  tax cut, weighted toward the higher income folks, is a major 
> contribution.
> The
>  combination of this and the huge trade deficit is a problem that our
> children and
>  grandchildren will be dealing with.
>
> - He has consistantly made decisions on policy matters based on 
> conservative
>  doctrine rather than rational policy.  The recent protest by Nobel Prize
> winners
>  cites detailed instances where decisions and appointments, previously
> based on
>  scientific advice and reputation are now based on politics.
>
> - He has instituted an education policy based on testing which many
> districts have
>  found so restricting that they have forfeit federal dollars rather than
> participate.
>  Much of this is based on the Houston(?) program which whose success has
> turned
>  out to be based on fraudulent reporting.
>
> - Are arrogent unilateral policies (the war, global warming, world court)
> have
>  alienated our friends.  The world and it's problems are increasingly
> intertwined
>  the "go it alone" policy won't work.
>
> The country has real problems. Terrorism is one (I personnally think that 
> we
> were
> in greater danger in the cold war with hundreds of millions of lives
> balanced on a
> hair trigger - but somehow people got used to it and it doesn't seem so
> bad).
> The loss of manufacturing and, more seriously, the loss of associated
> infrastructure that will allow innovation (I have had to buy most high 
> tech
> parts
> from Europe or Japan) is an issue which we will have to face sooner rather
> than
> later.  W has not really faced these issues, Kerry may not succeed with 
> them
> either
> but I would like to see someone leading this country who will make 
> rational
> judgements
> based on unbiased thought and analysis.
>
> Ron Lipton
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "stan" <stan at rhodes22.com>
> To: <sifood at austin.rr.com>; "The Rhodes 22 mail list"
> <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Sent: Friday, October 15, 2004 11:24 AM
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Mohammed, Prophet of Doom
>
>
>> Thanks Mike,
>>
>> We share the same logic:  The only reason I am voting for Kerry is I do
> not
>> like the other guy.  Actually Bush is not that bad.  He is reported as
>> saying to his bosses that he thought a tax cut tilted to the high end was
>> not right, but he is not in control.  Of the two, Kerry is the finer guy.
>> You are being brain washed by flip flop propaganda when Bush really wins
>> that one by far - even down to flip flopping on the 9-11 commission's
> birth.
>> You might want to catch the NOVA presentation that covers them both
>> simultaneously from Yale on, I think tonight on Public TV.  Anyway, I'll
>> defend your right to vote for Bush.  (But if he squeaks in, 4 years from
> now
>> I don't want to hear you complaining without putting up with my saying I
>> told you so.)
>>
>> stan/gbi
>>
>> ---- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Mike Abdullah" <sifood at austin.rr.com>
>> To: "stan" <stan at rhodes22.com>; "The Rhodes 22 mail list"
>> <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>> Sent: Friday, October 15, 2004 11:35 AM
>> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Mohammed, Prophet of Doom
>>
>>
>> > Mr Arab here.
>> >
>> > Thanks Stan you made me think (and it hurts ;-))!  The Saudis are the
>> > villians! I spent years in Mecca and Medina (cities with no infidels
>> > allowed) installing telephone equipment. The only reason that they did
> not
>> > kill me for my opinions was that they thought I was a stupid American
>> > muslim that did not know the real (their fake) Islam. Plus they were to
>> > dumb to put in telephones themselves ;-)! Actually, the common/normal
>> > people are normal just like any other group - but they are trapped in a
>> > system that does not allow them to express and exchange ideas. When I
>> > would point out that the  Book of Islam (Koran) supports Isreal they
> would
>> > have a fit and run to their Holy Book and then try to re translate it
> and
>> > make justifications. Quite funny but dangerous for me, luckly (being
> from
>> > the south) I know how to play dumb just like Bush does.
>> >
>> > Only reason I'm voting for Bush is because I'm anti Kerry. I just don't
>> > like the man. If  Liberman or some other sensible Democrat was running
>> > then I'd vote democrate, maybe.
>> >
>> > Happy Sails,
>> > Mike Abdullah
>> >
>> >
>>
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