Artysim

Reply to Michael Moore Says... in Politics Stardock Forums

[quote]The collapse occurred because of dead beat poor people who took out mortgages they couldn't afford. When the housing market collapsed, these people got foreclosed on and the banks and other related entities started sputtering.[/quote] No, this collapse came because the banks took those mortgages and used turned them into "exotic debt instruments" that they then bought and sold on the market. They took debt and magically turned it into profit, similar to what Enron did. In

Reply to Michael Moore Says... in Politics Stardock Forums

[quote]That's the part I find so fascinating because those people are seen as the victims. They took loans and promised they would pay them back.[/quote] So, let's say a fellow who worked at Citigroup, (who's laid off thousands in the last year) or Ford, or GM, or was a real estate broker (they've been hard hit too) or any other number of reputable, well-appointed occupations was laid off. Maybe Hewlett Packard, they're getting rid of 24,000. Or, he could have worked at a car

Michael Moore Says... in Politics JoeUser Forums

A letter from Michael Moore, on his website here- http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?id=237 Because, well, I think it's interesting, and I know he gets people's blood boiling on this site!! neener neener, Artysim Friends, The richest 400 Americans -- that's right, just four hundred people -- own MORE than the bottom 150 million Ameri

Reply to Say What?? in Politics Stardock Forums

[quote]I bet you, or anyone else, would not be complaining if it were you or anyone else getting 19 million for 3 weeks of work.[/quote] Of course I wouldn't be complaining!!! I'd be all over that like a fat kid on a twinkie! To celebrate, I would go out and buy a H3 and drive it around a struggling neighbourhood with loudspeakers blaring my success, and also at the same time asking for each of them to send my bank 2,300 dollars (further explaining that if they have a family or

Say What?? in Politics JoeUser Forums

Wanna make a quick 19 million bucks? All it'll take is 3 weeks. Cause that's what hapenned to the last CEO of Washington Mutual (WaMu) He worked there for three weeks, during which time the bank nosedived and is now being snapped up by JP Morgan at firesale prices. Okay, well, he's still technically working there. He has to stay on the job for a little while longer while JP Morgan consolidates it's takeover of assets, but comeon! Let's look

Reply to Peace in Life Journals Stardock Forums

[quote]I am curious. Would you think that the Muslim invasions of Christian and Zoroastrian kingdoms were necessary? If they were, Christians trying to take back the lands were certainly unecessary. But if they weren't, wouldn't the Christians have to try to take back the lost land? I myself, based on my knowledge of history, tend to support the Muslim side because the Christian rulers of Jerusalem were not very tolerant and Umar was. My own religious beliefs also align with Umar's and not wi

Reply to Peace in Life Journals Stardock Forums

I apologize in advance for the length of this reply! [quote]Well, the US doesn't have an empire and what little empire it did have it made into independent countries (Philipines) or associated countries (Micronesia). But if the US had an empire I would hope it wouldn't lose it or give it up, because the results of those empires mentioned were terrible.[/quote] The American Empire is different from the British Empire, just as the Brits were markedly different from the Romans. The

Reply to Peace in Life Journals Stardock Forums

Oh leauki, at it again I see! "peace" is simple. It means not going to war unless necessary. Many have tried to compare situations throughout the decades after to WW2 in order to justify a "necessary" war. Quite often these comparisons were absolutely ridiculous, but as a species we tend not to be concerned too much with studying history, more in favor of repeating it! WW2 was a war of necessity. WW1 was not. Korea was not a war of necessity, nor was Vietnam. GW1, was. Koso

Reply to Thought for the Day in Blogging Stardock Forums

[quote]sure ain't collecting none a that here with this one so far is he Kelly! [/quote] [quote]sorry 'bout that Artysim, but the good news is you will get some great lima bean recipes and that will be truly helpful in these tight economic times.[/quote] Throw in a banjo and some moonshine and it's a party!!!

Reply to Am I still the only granola chewing hippie? in Democrat Stardock Forums

Welcome alison! Don't worry about getting into a mudsling-fest. It'll happen on it's own time. Folks here tend to be fairly right wing but it does lead to some interesting, albeit heated discussions. However, I prefer this over a place where everyone agrees with each other, as that is just too boring. If anyone does get under your skin, just fall back on this pearl of wisdom: "The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter" (Twa

Thought for the Day in Blogging JoeUser Forums

I've decided that for the most part I'm going to stop commenting on and posting about the ongoing financial shenanigans. My reason? It's become so ridiculous that satire is no longer necessary. It has become pure satire by it's very nature. Quite possibly, decades or generations from now this whole episode will go down in the history books as one of the biggest gag-reels of all time (next to of course, the creation of man and all the havoc we've visited on this o

Reply to What caused the financial crisis? in Republican Stardock Forums

[quote]So Bush's finance minister trying to stop it means nothing? And Democrats specifically promoting the practices also means nothing?[/quote] Bush and his finance ministers for the last several years have been routinely stating that the economy is fine and all these naysayers are just chicken littles. NOW, suddenly they've changed their tune and are saying that they've known about and have tried to stop this for years. Ha! Satire doesn't even come close to how ridiculou

Reply to What caused the financial crisis? in Republican Stardock Forums

Again, blame everything on the democrats. Clearly, every single thing that's wrong with the U.S has been caused by the democratic party, especially Jimmy Carter. Yes, ALL the problems we're experiencing today can all be traced back to that one term Jimmy served almost 30 years ago. WAKE UP!!!! This has nothing to do with the childish democrat vs republican pissing contest!!!! To try and lay all the blame at the feet of the democrats, or the republicans, is completely missin

Reply to What Gives You the Right? in Blogging Stardock Forums

[quote](or free ice cream or whatever)[/quote] Another great idea. Free ice cream for everyone!

What Gives You the Right? in Blogging JoeUser Forums

The other night I was watching The Office, one of my favorite shows. In this particular episode, the HR rep Toby was quitting after several years. The boss, Michael Scott could hardly contain his glee that Toby was going as he has always hated him for no particular reason, in several episodes calling him "satan" and "judas" whenever he would make any comment. Anywho, Michael confides to the camera that he's been relishing the exit interview for years now and is well prepared

Reply to Democrats root of financial crisis in Democrat Stardock Forums

The title, and assertion, that the democrats are at the "root" of the financial crisis is laughable at best. The republicans controlled the senate, the congress, and the executive for a long time. If it was really as important to them as this report states "they tried but dems blocked 'em!!" then they would have pushed through changes. Furthermore, there is no particular politician OR political party to blame for this. If any, the most politically damning move was made on the wa

Reply to You Cannot Fight the World in Politics Stardock Forums

[quote]Last I looked we weren't at war with Pakistan, Iran, and Russia, not to say they don't deserve attention. Iraq is slowing down. So where exactly should our priorities be?[/quote] No, you indeed aren't. The whole point of this article is that with existing military commitments, and including the new commitments to build and staff a ring of NATO bases in eastern europe bordering Russia, that you soon will be overextended should a "major" conflict occur or multiple regional conflic

Reply to You Cannot Fight the World in Politics Stardock Forums

[quote]Well the OP is a classic realist thought on the possible threats and pitfalls that the US might soon face[/quote] Yay, someone agrees with me! W00t!!

Reply to It all started with the Shah of Iran. in War on Terror Stardock Forums

[quote]By your silly standards then yes we have three mega bases for marines one in California, one in north Carolina, , and one in Okinawa[/quote] Yes, there is no technical official term for "mega base", however the pentagon classifies it's facilities into one of 3 types: MOB- Main operating base. In foreign countries often referred to as "little americas"- Permanent large base with permanent combat forces, extensive infrastructure, munitions depots, C&C, accomo

Reply to It all started with the Shah of Iran. in War on Terror Stardock Forums

[quote]This makes no sense in any way shape or form. We can not logically invade Iran because we would create more enemies there than we have now.[/quote] I agree with you on this 100%! However, it's no secret that Washington has been very unhappy with Iran for a long time. Yes, they'd love for a popular uprising to take over and then they wouldn't have to use military force. Will it happen? I can't say. Please show me the statistics you state that 70% of the population wan

Reply to It all started with the Shah of Iran. in War on Terror Stardock Forums

[quote]It should be noted that Wahabiism started taking power in Arabia before the US even had a foreign policy, i.e. before WW1.[/quote] Absolutely correct. The British can be thanked for that. It was the British who mostly invented and fostered the Wahabi offshoot as a means of controlling much of the local populace!

Reply to It all started with the Shah of Iran. in War on Terror Stardock Forums

-sigh- Sorry Leauki, I know you hate my guts but I gotta jump in on this one again- [quote]Perhaps. But you still fail to explain why that makes the conflict about oil.[/quote] If you look at the major players in the Bush Administration you'll see all of them belong to a group called PNAC- project for a new American century. If you google it you'll find some pretty interesting stuff on what they believe. In essence, they proposed pursuing American global hegemony. The Ira

Reply to The Moral Hazard of the Bail Out in Current Events JoeUser Forums

[quote]With or without the bailout, the government is already the biggest player. But player is not manager. BIG difference. And that 700 billion (not in one year, but over several)?[/quote] Are we talking numbers? I love numbers! One that must be taken into consideration is the national debt. Soon to be 11.3 trillion if this bailout occurs. So, really, the U.S government doesn't actually have the money, but if approved they'll give it out anyway with the hopes that foreigners an

Reply to You Cannot Fight the World in Politics Stardock Forums

Nitro- [quote]And how prosperous would China be if the US didn't buy their stuff? - works both ways. Guess they better work hard to keep their investment (the US) healthy. In your next article why not talk about how China is stupid for buying US debt, they seem to think it's a good investment. I'm sure your insight won't be lost on them.[/quote] Actually, China isn't stupid at all for buying your debt. They're very smart in that they now effectively control your country through

Reply to You Cannot Fight the World in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]The US presence across the globe demonstrates our commitment to our friends and Allies[/quote] No, the U.S presence across the globe demonstrates that Clinton's ideology of using the U.S military as a prime tool of foreign policy is alive and well. More than 60% of U.S energy is imported from foreign countries, and the bulk of your manufacturing base has also been moved out of country. Approximately 70% of your GDP is based on the consumer- that means people going to shopp