GoldenDogs

I had previously stated to Greg that the world was not happy with President Obama. I guess I'll offer this for Roman, who demands that I provide links to the "bullshit" that I'm "making up". "It is a meddling in the internal affairs of Europe. The EU is not Obama's plaything. ...He should accept Turkey as America's 51st state instead." --Bernd Posselt, European Parliament, Bavaria. "There is no question that the US has a voice in NATO. But when it comes to membership in its own club, the EU decides by itself. We don't need any tutoring from abroad." --Markus Ferber, European Parliament Candidate http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe...00.html#ref=rss One group that isn't angry with him currently, though, are Muslims. I'm relieved that they have cheered him for his comments that we are not at war with Islam. Oddly enough, Bush said that same thing repeatedly. I guess it isn't what is said... but who says it that matters.

Ahh, yes, we agree about that. I also work in education, though not directly with students. My son is a freshman in high school so I have a front row seat right now in what he is doing at that level, while my nieces are both in elementary school. Most of the electives offered are time-fillers and time-wasters... But back to what we were previously discussing... Do you feel that free will should be disregarded and mandatory community service be pushed forth as a graduation requirement? Do you feel kids would put their heart and soul into something they didn't wish to be involved in?

Huh? What is it I've posted that you are curious about? I'm asking what it is you think I've made up, or what it is you wish for me to offer a link for. Let me know what you want me to provide, and I'll provide it. Thanks! B

LOL!! Thanks, Greg... but I'm in a fairly decent enough mood. I am enjoying the debate here... UCLAN and even Roman have been great to chat with these days, whether or not we all agree on something. It's just nice to have intelligent conversation about issues with cool people... haven't done this in a good while! I actually want Obama to succeed and turn things around. The world is a scary, uncertain place right now and I'll frankly take positive results from anyone, even a Democrat! And I'm missed chatting with you, dude! I look forward to catching up via email... Lots of stuff to talk about...

Agree with all that you have said, UCLAN, however I still don't think it should be a mandatory requirement for graduation. Offer an incentive to entice them to engage in some form of community service, but don't force it. Forcing people to do things against their will never works... Do you believe, UCLAN, that free will is overrated?

Hi Roman! What information are you referring to that needs some backup reference? If you like, I can try to excerpt some stuff from the "crooks and liars" website you like to like to, if you find that more reliable...

Ummm, actually no, Roman. I wasn't speaking of court-ordered community service. I'm discussing mandatory community service as imposed upon us by the Obama Administration. UCLAN, as to your comments regarded court-ordered community service, it is a shame it is regarded as a punishment -- helping others. But when a judge orders it, a person serves it. However, I don't agree it should be imposed upon students. There are already many clubs in high school where students do positive work in the community... why give them yet ANOTHER requirement to meet for graduation? Are we not disgusted with the requirements No Child Left Behind has imposed upon teachers and students? Let's not burden them more with some ridiculous community service requirement... it's ridiculous.

Yes, there IS a problem with community service when you are required to complete it not of your own free will.

It's a huge problem when it inches us closer to socialism, unless, of course, you desire that far left a move. I don't. http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/iain_martin/b...oes_go_on_a_bit And on an unrelated note, it seems the Brits are ready for Obama to go home. There was only one "Great Communicator", and Obama it ain't.

http://cdt.org/security/CYBERSEC4.pdf Interesting... Couple this with a revived "Fairness Doctrine" and I wonder how the news and information landscape might change under President Obama... Mix in a little "Mandatory Community Service" and we have interesting developments in America today.

Actually, I don't agree with that. During the election, I spent more time debating issues at hand that encouraging people vote Republican. I can't recall a time I ever encouraged, say, Roman for example, to vote Republican. Why would I waste my breath? I wouldn't agree with that, either. My standards for Bush were never met and I have often made that a big deal. The man with an ® behind his name failed. However, the man with an ® behind his name did not campaign on a platform of "CHANGE". Tax cheaters galore, worsening economic outlook, skyrocketing debt thanks to the porkulus, government takeover of the banking and auto industries, mandatory community service for all young people (the Obama Youth Corp?), failure to keep his promise on bringing troops home, turning US foreign policy into a joke, etc. In addition to doing everything BUT "CHANGE", I see some scary socialistic items on Obama's agenda. I didn't set higher standards for Obama... Obama did. And he has failed to meet them. Actually, I will say that the Reagan and Clinton Administrations did quite well for themselves. I think both can be termed as successful and I personally regard them as having performed to their highest levels of competency. Prosperious times... America was secure... I don't feel so secure today. And I don't feel the greatest threat to America now is external. Just my humble opinion. And my condolences on the news of GL's cancellation. I honestly can say that I'm not surprised as I predicted this... Next to fall will be DAYS... then ABC will follow suit by cancelling either AMC or OLTL. At this point, I'm leaning heavily toward AMC. I believe the industry has held its collective breath for a while now... but with the ax having finally fallen on the vintage crown jewel of daytime (though tarnished the last year or two), the rest will start falling like dominoes...

I am not only an open-minded Republican, but I am also partisan. Greg, I always lean right. However, I'm tolerant to opposing viewpoints. If I wasn't, I wouldn't like YOU at all! Nice try to discredit me on this issue, buddy... But people can be partial to one set of beliefs while still being tolerant of others. And I never EVER needled and egged on hard left-leaning Dems to vote for Republicans. I have occasionally discussed ideology, but have I ever stated to others "YOU MUST VOTE FOR REPUBLICANS"?? Hell no. Even YOU know that McCain was my last choice to run for the party. His APPROACH to resolving issues indicates that his priorities are out of whack, Greg. Pork? How does that resolve the economic issues? Why would he sign so much waste into law? How does spending more pork on Acorn and other pet projects of lawmakers resolve our economic woes? Do you agree that Obama has displayed remarkable judgement in how he has proceeded? Do you agree that his administration has performed to its highest level of competency? Not a problem. I don't have time to post more right now as I must get ready for work, but I will today or tomorrow... See ya bud!!

I agree with you 100%, UCLAN. And to take Steve's examples a step further, Obama's "60 Minutes" interview, in which he chuckled and seemed amused by the plight of struggling Americans, is yet another example. But my concern is that a fuss was made when it seemed as if Bush was detached, but when it seems as if Obama is disconnected, little is said about it. Is Obama a better man than Bush? Is he more compassionate? I didn't feel Bush was disconnected or lacking compassion when he shed tears in the oval office following the 9/11 attacks. Perception... it is an interesting thing, indeed.

Why not? Obama got elected President and he doesn't have any experience! Sorry... I'm teasing now... LOL... a little levity, of course. But with all that said, Michael, I still say the ultimate resposibility for what went down during Katrina lies with local authorities there. As others have pointed out, Mississippi and Alabama were hit, too... but those folks had their act together. Just my opinion, though, based on observations and news reports. B

Thanks, UCLAN... I hope all is well with you right now, too. I sincerely hope Obama can stabilize the economy and improve things in America for us all... B

<<sighs>> You're cool, Steve. Your stand on issues match mine almost identically!!!

Hey Steve, Excellent points and I disagree with absolutely NOTHING you have said. In fact, I wish more would say it often and loudly... B

Well, I'm not sure what Bush could have done to prevent the hurricane... Ummm, did you happen to see "The Simpsons Movie"? Perhaps a huge, clear shield would have done the trick and stopped the hurricane from lashing the Gulf Coast. I know, silly statement... but I have yet to see accountability demanded from Ray Naggin, or the former Louisiana Governor What's-Her-Name... There have been hurricanes since and the toll hasn't been as high. Why? Certainly not because federal government has its crap together... Any improvements are likely due to leadership at the state level, which is where regional crisis management originates anyway. That fact has long been lost on Katrina-ites who desire to pin natural disaster on a sitting President. B

Well, TC, at least the bumbling fool kept us safe from attack for seven years. I hope Obama can continue that policy... B

The thing is: 1. I have been quite judgemental of George W. Bush. I've expressed my disappointment in his presidency more times than I can count. But apparently not enough times for you to have read it, Greg. 2. You haven't figured out my political persuasion yet? Again, I have hardly kept that secret. Why would you be deceived by the blatantly obvious, Greg? Describe my "duplicitous" nature... I'm curious. If need be, quote me from previous posts. 3. I have repeatedly complained about how George W. Bush handled the budget during his time in office. Again, I have done so here in this forum repeatedly. How you could have missed those posts, Greg, is beyond me. But, if you like, I can state it again: President Bush failed on many levels in office. If need be, I'll send you a private message echoing those statements. 4. I agree that Obama fielded tough questions. The media is no longer handling him with kid gloves. I say this because even THEY are uneasy right now about Obama's performance to date. Read the papers, Greg. 5. I agree that Obama is working his ass off... problem is, his priorities have been out of whack. And, in many cases, he's doing things nobody wants him to do. Greg, you're acting as if nobody actually reads the posts here... I mean, you call me out for things I haven't said or done. Of all the people who post here who are clearly partisan, I frankly feel as if *I* have been generally fair-minded about things. I trash Republicans when they are behaving foolishly, just as I do Democrats. I have been VERY harsh with Republicans here in the forum. However, I have also acknowledged, unlike you, that Democrats are as responsible for the budget crisis as Republicans. As disappointed as I am with George W. Bush, it is clear that Democrats, too, have contributed to our economic plight. It isn't just me who is not pleased with Obama... search the headlines, my friend. The world is unhappy with our President, too. But all that aside... how you been buddy? I've missed chatting with you!!! Email or IM me so we can catch up!! B

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_politi...E2%80%9850-50_/ Just thought I'd add this article to the conversation, from the Boston Herald. It indicates that Obama's approval is slipping. I thought this was relevant to our discussion here, as the article was just posted today. B

Regardless of my personal politics, Michael, I definitely hope Obama can get us out of the mess we're in. I'm feeling fairly secure in my situation... we're doing very well right now... but I also believe things can change quickly in this economic environment. We just bought a house and a car. While at one of the dealerships we visited this past weekend, there was a couple nearby who was told flat-out by the salesman that he couldn't sell them a car because the bank wouldn't give them a loan because of poor credit. I felt kind of bad for them, particularly because we were obviously working on a deal (meaning WE were in a position to buy) -- but more so because the salesman said it so loud that everyone nearby could hear. The woman had this distressed look on her face... While I felt bad, I couldn't help but wonder how they could be out shopping for a car... they HAD to know they had rotten credit! While I agree that Bush bears some responsibility for the current crisis, I think it is unfair to pin it ALL on him. I think a lot of the problem really rests on the banks, lenders, greedy wall street dicks, realtors and their dishonest brokers, and stupid people living beyond their means.

Hey Roman, Actually, we don't disagree on your point. You may recall that I have said many times that President Bush failed on many levels, particularly managing government spending. It is a laugh to state that he is a fiscal conservative because he had absolutely no reservations about signing into law any and every pork-filled bill that passed across his desk. A majority of those polled in America do NOT like the stimulus bill(s). But the majority of those polled in America still like Barack Obama. You can like a guy but dislike his policies. You can be uneasy about the guy's capabilities in office but still concede that he's a nice guy. I think Bush is, for example, a really nice guy... I just think he and his administration derailed. I think Obama is attempting to do too much too early... and many aren't ready for much of what he wishes to do. And whoever is counseling him to go on Leno and "60 Minutes" needs to be fired. We don't want to be entertained by our President... we desire that he lead the country. I'm much more interested in his policy decisions than his March Madness picks...

Actually, Michael, Reagan DID take a LOT of heat but somehow sold his economic policies to both Democrats and Republicans. And America did prosper in those "self-indulgent" 80's. Some have argued that Clinton rode the crest of Reagan's wave. Maybe he did, maybe he didn't. As for Clinton, then Bush, Jr., I don't really recall a rocky start to Clinton's presidency - at least policywise. And I don't really recall much about Bush's first months in office... nothing really happened until 9/11.

Roman, no gain - no loss. Honestly, Obama is having a really bad run out of the gate. I'm not making it up... The country is uncomfortable with the massive waste in the stimulus, and every time the man courts the media, he puts his foot in his mouth. I wasn't particularly offended by the joke about special olympics... but his performance on "60 Minutes" was stunningly poor. He just isn't doing well and, yes, it is strictly and solely my opinion. But please don't take my opinion personally, Roman. I was just responding to Steve's post so don't be angry with me... B