Does this matter? What's the point. Making progress is the point. After loosing CA50, I just can't help asking what is the point?

This is further proof of the geostrategic brilliance of the greatest political genius of all time, George W. Bush and the failure of liberalism and the death of Europe as they are overtaken by the relentlessly breeding brown Islamic immigrant hordes while America's GDP skyrockets and the signatories to Kyoto are stupid while all Americans enjoy their God-given birthright of suburban sprawl and giant SUVs in every garage.

I think it's because so many of the rides at Disney World are out of order these days. These folks travel 20 hours to hit a theme park expecting "the good old days", and then get let down like that (??). Hateful rage.

Totally off topic, a Peak Oil post: here's a Rand study about Western US oil shale that I've just finished the Introduction to, and am getting ready to dive into the body of the report.

The quick summary: we've got a shitload of potentially recoverable petroleum - between 0.5 and 1.1 trillion barrels of it - locked up in the oil shales of the Green River formation in western Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. Extraction has for a long time seemed kinda pointless, because with current technology, each barrel of oil would cost us $70-95 a barrel. But $70/barrel oil is clearly here to stay, so it's getting another look.

But given the speed at which these things move, we're probably 20 years from producing 1 million barrels a day, and 30 years from 3 million barrels a day. Plus the recovery process needs 3 barrels of water in for every barrel of oil out - this in the arid West, where every drop of water in the Colorado River basin (where the oil shale is) is long since spoken for. (Do they need fresh water? Could we pump in sea water from California? I don't know.) Also, the process would unlock toxic metals and salts from the rock, which is hazardous, plus the process produces a hell of a lot of chewed-up rock that would need to be dumped somewhere.

Still, I'd think research into this would be a high governmental priority. Anything happening?

All those bank account numbers we've been sending to Nigeria have started paying off. Don't mess this up for us William Jefferson.

Charlie posting as "Cheney" wrote: I believe history will vindicate Bush re: Middle East.

"History" will show what we already know: that George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Condoleeza Rice, Colin Powell and other principals of the Bush administration LIED -- deliberately, repeatedly, elaborately and sickeningly LIED -- to the American people, the United States Congress, the United Nations Security Council and the entire world about what they knew to be nonexistent Iraqi weapons of mass destruction in order to mislead America into an illegal war of unprovoked aggression against Iraq, which has directly caused the deaths of many hundreds of Americans and many tens of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians and has maimed and impoverished many tens of thousands more.

Further, history will show that -- as we already know -- that the invasion of Iraq had nothing to do with establishing "democracy" in Iraq or in the Middle East or anywhere else. It had to do with an attempt to establish permanent and unchallengeable US military domination of Middle Eastern oil supplies, beginning with the installation of Chalabi as the "new improved Saddam" -- an obedient puppet dictator of Iraq -- and the "privatization" of all of Iraq's resources and wealth into the hands of US corporations.

With the enrichment of Bush / Cheney cronies in the military-industrial-petroleum complex (e.g Halliburton) through blatant corruption and fraud as the icing on the cake.

Charlie posting as "Cheney" wrote: I believe history will vindicate Bush re: Middle East.

"History" will show what we already know: that George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Condoleeza Rice, Colin Powell and other principals of the Bush administration LIED -- deliberately, repeatedly, elaborately and sickeningly LIED -- to the American people, the United States Congress, the United Nations Security Council and the entire world about what they knew to be nonexistent Iraqi weapons of mass destruction in order to mislead America into an illegal war of unprovoked aggression against Iraq, which has directly caused the deaths of many hundreds of Americans and many tens of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians and has maimed and impoverished many tens of thousands more.

Further, history will show that -- as we already know -- that the invasion of Iraq had nothing to do with establishing "democracy" in Iraq or in the Middle East or anywhere else. It had to do with an attempt to establish permanent and unchallengeable US military domination of Middle Eastern oil supplies, beginning with the installation of Chalabi as the "new improved Saddam" -- an obedient puppet dictator of Iraq -- and the "privatization" of all of Iraq's resources and wealth into the hands of US corporations.

With the enrichment of Bush / Cheney cronies in the military-industrial-petroleum complex (e.g Halliburton) through blatant corruption and fraud as the icing on the cake.

Totally off topic, a Peak Oil post: here's a Rand study about Western US oil shale that I've just finished the Introduction to, and am getting ready to dive into the body of the report.

The quick summary: we've got a shitload of potentially recoverable petroleum - between 0.5 and 1.1 trillion barrels of it - locked up in the oil shales of the Green River formation in western Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. Extraction has for a long time seemed kinda pointless, because with current technology, each barrel of oil would cost us $70-95 a barrel. But $70/barrel oil is clearly here to stay, so it's getting another look.

But given the speed at which these things move, we're probably 20 years from producing 1 million barrels a day, and 30 years from 3 million barrels a day. Plus the recovery process needs 3 barrels of water in for every barrel of oil out - this in the arid West, where every drop of water in the Colorado River basin (where the oil shale is) is long since spoken for. (Do they need fresh water? Could we pump in sea water from California? I don't know.) Also, the process would unlock toxic metals and salts from the rock, which is hazardous, plus the process produces a hell of a lot of chewed-up rock that would need to be dumped somewhere.

Still, I'd think research into this would be a high governmental priority. But we sure haven't heard much about it.

"geostrategic brilliance"

I know you are probably being satricial here, but geostratefic brilliance is just plain funny.

The double post from me above was some sort of glitch related to a server timeout ... sorry about that.

RT wrote about shale oil: Still, I'd think research into this would be a high governmental priority. Anything happening?

Hopefully not, and hopefully the "oil shales" of the Green River formation will be left alone.

We need to stop burning fossil fuels as quickly as possible, not find billions more barrels of the stuff to burn. Perhaps you've heard about global warming?

It is silly and mindless for Americans to focus on our own daily presidential job approval and other opinion polls. It is idiotic to attempt to find meaning in polling of small samples in foreign countries about whether they have a favorable opinion of U.S.

Two points: (1) I once asked a Pakistani American whether people in Pakistani (where he regularly returned to visit family) did not like us -- he said, "yeah, all the ones who can't get visas," (2) if anyone thinks presidential approval ratings are a valid judge of presidential achievement, think of Presdient Truman and his approval ratings in the 20's (someday, there will be jokes about Clinton's 60% approval rating while he had sex in the White House and slept on the terrorism issue while focusing on school uniforms).

this survey was taken on first two weeks of May. What's the opinion in Jordan like today?

Bomb Pakistan.

Pakistanis favor Iran getting nuclear weapons by a margin of 52%-15%...

Now see, that's just f***ing crazy. (Pakistan in general is f***ing crazy, too.)

Iran is right next door to Pakistan. I know they're upset with the West, and there's the whole Islamic unity thing (although Pakistan is mostly Sunni), but what kind of lunatic wants nuclear weapons in a nearby country? I think Canada's great, but a non-nuclear Canada is definitely preferable, if you ask me.

RT re: Oil Shale

There are tremendous problems with oil shale extraction, as you indicate, but I understand that the big oil companies are testing a thermal extraction in situ process whereby there isn' a lot of digging/stripping.

Naturally, a more benign method such as this will not be what is put forth and any proposals will involve the raping of the earth/destruction of the western basin. Just as with coal extraction the call will be for huge strip mines and deregulation to allow arsenic, mercury, and other toxins to just be dumped into rivers and streams.

Be that as it may, there is at least some examination of a non-mining-based option.

Never has there been more telling documentary evidence of the victory of Osama Bin Laden.

Thanks Dubya!

In my home Bush is negative 200%. Only two of us live there but we despise him enough for four.

but what kind of lunatic wants nuclear weapons in a nearby country?

I'm okay with Americans having nukes, and I'm not a lunatic.

In my home Bush is negative 200%. Only two of us live there but we despise him enough for four.

That's pretty funny. I once said to my 6-year-old, "Stop lying. That's what George Bush does."

At which point she burst into tears and said "Daddy, you know we hate Bush!"

I hadta laugh...

Gee I thought moving all our jobs into sweatshops in "developing" countries was supposed to make them love us. Didn;t I used to read that on this blog? Wonder what happened?

Terrorism does not exist in a vaccum, this data is another piece of evidence showing that Bush's policies are not making the world more secure for America but less secure.

Bush fulfilled his own warnings by doing exactly what he promised he would not do:

"I think one way for us to end up being viewed as the ugly American is for us to go around the world saying, we do it this way, so should you."
- George W. Bush Source: Presidential Debate at Wake Forest University Oct 11, 2000
Q: Should the people of the world fear us, or see us as a friend?
BUSH: They ought to look at us as a country that understands freedom where it doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from that you can succeed. I don’t think they ought to look at us with envy. It really depends upon how [our] nation conducts itself in foreign policy. If we’re an arrogant nation, they’ll resent us. If we’re a humble nation, but strong, they’ll welcome us. Our nation stands alone right now in the world in terms of power. And that’s why we’ve got to be humble and yet project strength in a way that promotes freedom. We’re a freedom-loving nation. If we’re an arrogant nation, they’ll view us that way, but if we’re humble nation, they’ll respect us.

Ours should not be the paternalistic leadership of an arrogant big brother, but the inviting and welcoming leadership of a great & noble nation.

I believe history will vindicate Bush re: Middle East.

This is undoubtedly true. 50,000 to 100,000 years from now, the Middle East will definitely be a placid, peaceful place. Mark my words!

Gee I thought moving all our jobs into sweatshops in "developing" countries was supposed to make them love us.

Well, we just haven't built enough sweatshops yet.

Bush: "I think one way for us to end up being viewed as the ugly American is for us to go around the world saying, we do it this way, so should you."

Does that include unionizing workshops?

brian: It is silly and mindless for Americans to focus on our own daily presidential job approval and other opinion polls. It is idiotic to attempt to find meaning in polling of small samples in foreign countries about whether they have a favorable opinion of U.S.

Two points: (1) I once asked a Pakistani American whether people in Pakistani (where he regularly returned to visit family) did not like us -- he said, "yeah, all the ones who can't get visas," (2) if anyone thinks presidential approval ratings are a valid judge of presidential achievement, think of Presdient Truman and his approval ratings in the 20's (someday, there will be jokes about Clinton's 60% approval rating while he had sex in the White House and slept on the terrorism issue while focusing on school uniforms).

1) Good point, Bri! That polling sample was too small to have meaning, but from your conversation with one Pakistani we can extrapolate boatloads of useful data!
2) I know contributions to the GOP are down, but surely the RNC can come up with more and better talking points to explain the hatred of the American people for Bush. C'mon, we're through laughing at this one and now we're bored!

However, the news from Pakistan continues to be mostly bad. Pakistanis favor Iran getting nuclear weapons by a margin of 52%-15% and support the Hamas victory in Palestine by a margin of 87%-4%.

Thank God they're our allies. Imagine how much they'd hate us if they were our enemies....

Brian, you´re totally right!

Who cares about "small" opinion polls in "foreign" countries when you give the perfect counter example.
Why, they´re just polling a few thousand people there while you...
just asked a SINGLE Pakistani American guy!

That's pretty funny. I once said to my 6-year-old, "Stop lying. That's what George Bush does."

A six-year-old. Because they're never too young for political indoctrination.

Bet you can't wait for those rebellious teenage years.

Geez, I missed that Brian's "example" wasn't even living in Pakistan. Brian, your post was even dumber than I previously thought!

GOP, I taught my son Republicans are the spawn of Satan. You're right, they're never too young. He rightfully knows them as the despicable, pathetic examples of humanity gone wrong that they are. Unfortunately they don't wear armbands or other identifying marks so you'd know which ones to bypass were lifesaving measures needed for some reason.

Gee I thought moving all our jobs into sweatshops in "developing" countries was supposed to make them love us. Didn;t I used to read that on this blog? Wonder what happened?

I don't know who told you that. They do seem to love getting the jobs, though.

I notice Russia's opinion of the U.S. has increased since the Clinton years. Fitting for a country that's supposedly becoming disillusioned with democracy.

all this talk about whether history will or will not vindicate bush rests upon the assumption that, despite bush's policies, historians will be around to debate the topic.

Two points: (1) I once asked a Pakistani American whether people in Pakistani (where he regularly returned to visit family) did not like us -- he said, "yeah, all the ones who can't get visas,"

Huh. I once asked a Pakistani who lives in Pakistan whether Pakistanis did not like America, and he said "yes." So I'll see your Pakistani-American and raise you one Pakistani!

(2) if anyone thinks presidential approval ratings are a valid judge of presidential achievement, think of Presdient Truman and his approval ratings in the 20's (someday, there will be jokes about Clinton's 60% approval rating while he had sex in the White House and slept on the terrorism issue while focusing on school uniforms).

Shorter brian: Look! Over there! It's Bill Clinton! Following Stefan's Law, my new corollary to Godwin's Law, the first wingnut to bring up President Clinton in a feeble effort to distract from one of Bush's many failures loses.

steve duncan

GOP, I taught my son Republicans are the spawn of Satan. You're right, they're never too young. He rightfully knows them as the despicable, pathetic examples of humanity gone wrong that they are. Unfortunately they don't wear armbands or other identifying marks so you'd know which ones to bypass were lifesaving measures needed for some reason.

Do you have any Republicans in your family? Any Republican friends, or colleagues at work? Any Republican neighbors? Have you told them you consider them despicable, pathetic examples of humanity and that you think they should wear armbands or other identifying marks?--just like the Jews in Nazi Germany.

A six-year-old. Because they're never too young for political indoctrination.

You mean like this?

A six-year-old. Because they're never too young for political indoctrination.

You mean like this?

Leaders never worry what others think of them, only followers do.

Guess which one of the two the liberals are?

Leaders never worry what others think of them, only followers do.

Guess which one of the two the liberals are?

Does this matter?

It matters to some degree, but not all that much. They need us at least as much as we need them, and if push comes to shove they'll swallow their pride and do what's in their own best interests. Europeans are increasingly aware of their own diminishing influence in the world, so it's not surprising that many of them resent the United States.

You mean like this?

Yes.

You mean like this?

C'mon, nut, of course it's OK if you're Rape-ublican!

Good old Don P., as humorless as ever.

This explains the existence of all the trolls on this board.

troll: Leaders never worry what others think of them, only followers do.

Aside from the inherent ridiculousness of the statement, apparently it means that Bush is not a leader: The Other War Room

craggie,

Your home must be like the homes where they teach their children to hate Israelis and America then strap a bomb on their backs and send them the kill.

Interesting that the largest trading partner of the US is not listed (canada). I'm not sure if I should be thankfull or insulted. Either way, I still like americans with their small brains.

Hey Clinton Era.

Do you tell your children that it's OK to go and kill off them brownies based upon falsified evidence?

"Leaders never worry what others think of them, only followers do."

Actually that is a false statement on its face since sometimes its very appropriate to consider what voters think of how you are doing especially in a Democracy. Only totalitarian dictators try to get away without ever considering what the people think about the job they are doing.

Odd, but in the 2000 Presidential campaign Bush promoised to keep in mind what others thought about the US and stressed the importance that the US not be viewed as an arrogant nation.

Between US Germany France Japan AND China, the US consistently had the lowest favorability ratings overall. In the 14 countries polled the US's favorability was dead last in 9, second to last in 3 more, and in no country other than in the US itself did the US have the highest rating of the 5.

In a world that the US wants to move towards Democracy, the fact that most people prefer countries like China does not bode well for international diplomacy.

Ah yes, Canada. The future 51st, 52nd and 53rd states of the union.

No, most liberals prefer countries like China.

Kevin

I think you owe it your readers to find out if your blogs (and comments therein) too are being monitored by these guys.

Keep in mind that, according to right-wingers, we're not supposed to care about "world opinion," but what "the terrorists" think of us and how they perceive us is of paramount importance and must be taken into account regarding every action we take, especially with Iraq and whether we should start pulling out of the country.

Watching the left become more and more desperate as their agenda unravels is pure entertainment. They're reduced now to saying "oh yeah, well the Uzbekistani's don't like us!"

This may be the best year yet.

Watching the left become more and more desperate as their agenda unravels is pure entertainment.

Funniest post of the day.

Good job.

Bomb Pakistan
My pakistani girlfriend will appreciate this comment SO much. Thanks, douche nozzle.

Watching the left become more and more desperate as their agenda unravels is pure entertainment.

It's more fun to watch the king of Kafiristan being mobbed by his own subjects.

What is amazing is that any foreigners like Americans at all! From Ike overthrowing Mossadegh in Iran in 1953, to the Kennedy administration authorizing terrorist acts by the CIA in Cuba in the early 1960s, to the coup in Argentina on September 11th, 1973 (the “other” 9-11) where the CIA helped start a reign of terror where over 50,000 people were slaughtered, to supporting Suharto in Indonesia in 1965 when he slaughtered hundreds of thousands, to Reagan and his nitwit Administration supporting the bloodthirsty mujahadeen in Afghanistan and death squads in El Salvador – the U.S. has been the largest state sponsor of terror since the Third Reich. Seems to me that we get what we deserve…

Kriz, you're the only that doesn't like America. Oh wait, I would include Howard Dean too. Good company huh?

Yeah, we wouldn't want to offend your girlfriend.

That's priceless.

Bomb Pakistan

We don't have to.

All we have to do is turn a blind eye while India builds up its nuclear arsenal, and let nature take its course in the region.

Yeah, we wouldn't want to offend your girlfriend.

That's priceless.
Posted by: Jay
don't worry about offending anyone, your little pigeyed god will "forgive" you.

Bush on poll numbers: "Karen Hughes is doing a heckuva job!"

jay: Leaders never worry what others think of them, only followers do.

If An "Aide Looks Nervous, The President Will Think There's Something To Be Nervous About. So You Look Calm Even When Everything Is Going Wrong"

-- 26-year-old Blake Gottesman, aide to President Bush

I believe history will vindicate Bush re: Middle East.

Posted by: Cheney on June 13, 2006 at 1:52 PM | PERMALINK

How could there be any possible vindication. It will be pure accident if any good at all comes out of this misadventure.

His Israel-Palestine policy is weak and one-sided. He has never shown any inclination to provide any initiative since his roadmap to peace (which is rejected by Israel) or in changing circumstances.

He's shown a willingness to disrupt Syria in the same way as Iraq (if only his hands were free) but significant oil producers are tolerated.

He screwed up the Iran diplomacy from the start and has recently shown that he has learned nothing in 5 years.

The reasons for war with Iraq were either lies (WMD) or misguided (PNAC). The strategy has been illconceived and poorly executed (if at all). The assumptions have proven to be fallacious, the adopted policies have misguided and failures, and the outcomes have been overwhelmingly worse than predicted and have yet to show any measurable improvement. The administration has shown itself remarkably inflexible and unable to change policies to gain control. Indeed unable to admit (atleast publicly) any failure or lack of control although in plain view.

Nothing good that comes out of the Middle East will be because of anyting under W's control.

And I'd make the same argument for his misconceived "War on Terra". In both senses.

No, most liberals prefer countries like China.

Uhh...wrong. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch aren't exactly conservative bastions and they routinely bash China. Next talking point please (and while I'm at it, smarter trolls too).

Ah yes, Canada. The future 51st, 52nd and 53rd states of the union.

Posted by: GOP on June 13, 2006 at 4:13 PM | PERMALINK

You know, You guys have been saying that for about 175 years now. Up here, we are begining to think that you aren't serious.

But I still like you guys.

"Global attitudes" don't matter any more than John Kerry's "global test". The only attitudes that matter are the attitudes of well-off, jingoistic, xenophobic racist right-wing Republican white males in the USA, who fawningly worship ultra-rich right-wing Republican white males. In other words, people like me.

I believe history will vindicate Bush re: Middle East.Posted by: Cheney

Of course you do - bless your heart. You also believe the Earth is 3000 years old. Correct?

They just hate us for our freedom.

I think Canada's great, but a non-nuclear Canada is definitely preferable, if you ask me.

I think the US is great, but a non-nuclear US is definitely preferable, if you ask me.

If only Bush could have been reading the History of the World instead of My pey goat on 9/11.Oh well,My pet goat was easier to read.

You know, You guys have been saying that for about 175 years now.

Nah, we let the British have you back then. That was their consolation prize. This time, you'll come running. NAFTA was a good first step.

And we like you guys, too. Especially your maple syrup.

Do I know any Republicans? Let me tell you Mister I just got out of Prison,The place is full of them,and because of them I will never go back to prison again,Even in Prison they can,t tell the diffrence between a Penis and a French Fry.

Your home must be like the homes where they teach their children to hate Israelis and America then strap a bomb on their backs and send them the kill.

Yep, that's exactly what my home is like. It's like a tiny little madrassa, right here in the heart of red-state America! How'd you guess?

It's uncanny the way you and Jay keep identifying us America-haters to a T. Your insight and sophisticated analysis are truly a wonder to behold. But come the revolution, you and your fellow imperialists will die like the running dogs you are!

Compare this item with the post a few down. Jordan has been helping the US in the WoT despite the fact that only 15% of Jordanians have a favorable opinion of us. To me, that suggests that a county's percentage favorable toward the US may not be that important.

BTW I'd like the see the question that was asked to obtain these ratings.

Fidel, is that you?

someday, there will be jokes about Clinton's 60% approval rating while he had sex in the White House and slept on the terrorism issue while focusing on school uniforms)..

Is this before or after history will vindicate Bush re: Middle East?

You guys are hilarious.

Nah, we let the British have you back then.

Posted by: GOP on June 13, 2006 at 5:25 PM | PERMALINK

Yea, I forgot, considering that my family was UEL, I forgot the differentiation. Lets call it 140 years more or less then.

Warmest Regards,

Why how Ann Coulterish of you.And if Grandpa Bush where still alive Germany would like us better.Oh wait that was Nazis Germany Sorry.

Jordan has been helping the US in the WoT despite the fact that only 15% of Jordanians have a favorable opinion of us. To me, that suggests that a county's percentage favorable toward the US may not be that important.

Other countries have an interest in stopping terrorism because it could harm them - not because they're feeling so gosh-darned altruistic toward the U.S. I know Jordan is a U.S. ally, but to the extent they're helping us, it's surely to help themselves first and any benefits that come our way are coincidental.

Incidentally, just out of curiosity, why are you an "ex-liberal"?

Although a trend may seem discernable among this data, there can be little doubt that its veracity is highly suspect. Scientific polling simply is not possible in quite a few of the countries listed; and to the extent that it is possible in some of them, you can bet the circumstances will vary dramatically. For that reason it is probably not valid even to compare these results side-by-side.

You know what you call a trucker hauling sheep through Texas? a PIMP!!

Under the current Democratic foreign policy platform, we should have never been involved in WWII. Hitler never attacked the US and was not an imminent threat. FDR lied us into that war and I am offended at how insensitive NOW's comments were re: that conflict where tens of thousands of innocent people were killed and injured. We occupied Europe for far too long and that's why people don't like us.

Jordan has been helping the US in the WoT despite the fact that only 15% of Jordanians have a favorable opinion of us. To me, that suggests that a county's percentage favorable toward the US may not be that important.

To me, that suggests that Jordan isn't exactly a country where popular sovereignty has much practical expression, and it suggests further that the current administration's stated policy of promoting democracy in the Middle East does not align well with the administration's demonstrated policies in pursuing the so-called "War on Terror".

You know how you can tell a Texas repulican.Head up his ass and dollars flowing from his back pockets.

Under the current Democratic foreign policy platform...[Insert idiotic strawman statements here]
Posted by: Jay

Regardless of whether foreigners say they like or dislike us in opinion polls, they are decreasingly willing to accept our dollars in return for various goods and services.

That means that either the United States must boost its capacity to produce goods and services that foreigners will buy or prepare to do without the imports of goods and services it now enjoys.

In any event, business as usual cannot continue and future standards will to some significant degree be dictated from abroad.

oh I am just fucking with you ckelly. The left really needs to lighten up, these are the golden years afterall.

cmdicely,

How does it suggest that "the current administration's stated policy of promoting democracy in the Middle East does not align well with the administration's demonstrated policies in pursuing the so-called 'War on Terror'?"

Under the current Democratic foreign policy platform, we should have never been involved in WWII. Hitler never attacked the US and was not an imminent threat.

Right again, Shaver! Boy, you're good!

When a sovereign nation makes a formal declaration of war on us, we'll sit back and let it happen. Better not respond!

By the way, under the current Republican foreign policy platform, Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor was completely justified. After all, it was a preemptive strike on a country that posed an imminent danger to them.

Old granpa Bush was a millionaire,Kept the Nazis fed oh what a pair,Then one day grandpa Bush bought them a war,Then ole Hilter said Granpa Bush I need some toxic air,So they packed up the jews and moved to Where? Death Camps that's where.

How does it suggest that "the current administration's stated policy of promoting democracy in the Middle East does not align well with the administration's demonstrated policies in pursuing the so-called 'War on Terror'?"

Because the demonstrated policy in pursuing the so-called "War on Terror" relies on encouraging various existing regimes to act undemocratically.

Anybody know how to tell the diffrence between Ann Coulter and a Turd? Yea ,I am at a loss also.

So if Grandpa Bush was a Nazis would that not make his Children spawns of Satan?

A lot of angry defensive liberals today. Fitzmas was cancelled, the DNC spokesperson in Iraq, Zarqawi was killed, Bilbray won in CA.......

What is a liberal to do?

Anybody know how to tell the difference between a drunk driver and a Kennedy? One of them goes to jail.

There is a simple way to win the War on Terror. Saturate the Earth's atmosphere with aerosols of psychoactive drugs that induce a permanent state of mildly disassociative euphoric hilarity in all humans exposed to them. No one will ever experience "terror" again. No matter what happens to them, they will just laugh and laugh.

Regardless of whether foreigners say they like or dislike us in opinion polls, they are decreasingly willing to accept our dollars in return for various goods and services.

Huh? U.S. imports increased from $1.763 trillion in 2004 to $1.992 trillion in 2005. For January through April of this year (April is the latest month for which figures are available), U.S. imports were $714 billion. Imports for the corresponding period last year were $637 billion.

Orwell wrote: Anybody know how to tell the difference between a drunk driver and a Kennedy? One of them goes to jail.

So does that mean that Bush and Cheney are Kennedys? Both of them were arrested for drunk driving, and neither one went to jail.

A lot of angry defensive liberals today.

What? I've just read through this thread and laughed out loud at a lot of it. Seems to me that the libs are whacking you humorless righties all over the place. Sorry, I guess "humorless righties" is redundant.

cmdicely,

Because the demonstrated policy in pursuing the so-called "War on Terror" relies on encouraging various existing regimes to act undemocratically.

How? Even if only a minority of Jordanians have a "favorable view" of the U.S. overall, that obviously doesn't mean only a minority favor assisting the U.S. in the WoT, either in general, or in terms of specific acts and policies such as extraditing known terrorists or sharing intelligence information on terrorist activities.

It's that reality based thing craigie.

'Kriz, you're the only that doesn't like America.'
--jay

An infantile response, but I wouldn't expect much more from you. My comment has nothing to do with my "liking" America. I love America and I am glad that I live here. I am also ashamed of the things that have been done by the American government in my name (and yours). Both political parties have committed atrocities against foreigners that have brought shame to this country. If you knew anything about his history, you would understand that. That is why these poll numbers are so abysmal.

Never forget - The Founding Fathers wanted the government to be afraid of the American people, not the other way around...

Reality based community. Just keep saying that to yourself Kriz.

(2) if anyone thinks presidential approval ratings are a valid judge of presidential achievement, think of Presdient Truman and his approval ratings in the 20's

I bet money that these guys didn't even know who Truman was until Bush got down into everybody-hates-him territory. Now suddenly Truman is their only hope for salvaging the worst presidency in the history of the known universe.

Oh yeah, and all of a sudden opinion polls don't matter. Whatever happened to "you're all out of touch with the rest of the country"? Guess now that you guys don't have chairs after the music has stopped, it's time to change the rules.

Tragedy, farce, it's all going according to plan...

How?

A wide number of weighs, from quietly subverting legal/constitutional processes in Bosnia-Hercegovina, Nigeria, and elsewhere to secure "suspects" (in quotes because they were never subjected to criminal process here and we subverted the extradition process there) in the war on terror without process, to openly praising and radically expanidng support for select totalitarian, terrorist supporting regimes (Pakistan particularly), and so forth.

Sure, Jordan is, in the grand scale, a minor and debatable example, a reminder rather than the central focus.

Stephen Kriz,

So, according to you, you "love" the "largest state sponsor of terror since the Third Reich," and you're glad you live in it.

This blog is just a goldmine for quotes of far-left looniness.

Tragedy, farce..

Or, for your pleasure, a tragic farce.

This is one of the more troll-heavy threads in a good long time, with Jay working overtime. What is it about this self-obvious topic -- the world opinion of the USA is very low -- that's gotten them riled up into a crazed frenzy?

As I've said, I think it's pathological insanity brought on by being forced to constantly argue that the slightest opinion about the USA on the part of muslim fundamentalists is of paramount importance when it comes to deciding what the USA should do while at the same arguing that "what the rest of the world thinks doesn't matter." Advocating for the Bush agenda, frankly, drives people insane.

Advocating for the Bush agenda, frankly, drives people insane.

From the samples available here, it would appear that the ones trolling here did not have to be driven to insanity-they had arrived there by themselves a long time ago.

cmdicely,

A wide number of weighs, from quietly subverting legal/constitutional processes in Bosnia-Hercegovina, Nigeria,

The Pew study finding that you claimed "suggests" your conclusion concerns Jordan, not Bosnia, Nigeria or any other country.

Even if only a minority of Jordanians have a "favorable view" of the U.S. overall, that obviously doesn't mean that only a minority of Jordanians favor assisting the U.S. in the WoT, either in general, or in terms of specific acts and policies such as extraditing known terrorists or sharing intelligence information on terrorist activities.

So, again, how does the finding "suggest" your conclusion?

This blog is just a goldmine for quotes of far-left looniness.

For a loser such as yourself who really has nothing better to do with his time, feel free to catalog as many quotes as you'd like. What a way to spend your life.

The Pew study finding that you claimed "suggests" your conclusion concerns Jordan

It suggests it in the context of the universe of other available information.

Certainly not so much from a tabular rasa position.

Even if only a minority of Jordanians have a "favorable view" of the U.S. overall, that obviously doesn't mean that only a minority of Jordanians favor assisting the U.S. in the WoT, either in general, or in terms of specific acts and policies such as extraditing known terrorists or sharing intelligence information on terrorist activities.

If it did mean that, I would say "demonstrates clearly" rather than "suggests"; the two words have, after all, very different meanings.

cmdicely,

It suggests it in the context of the universe of other available information.

You claim that the premise:

"Jordan has been helping the US in the WoT despite the fact that only 15% of Jordanians have a favorable opinion of us"

"suggests" that:

"the current [U.S.] administration's stated policy of promoting democracy in the Middle East does not align well with the administration's demonstrated policies in pursuing the so-called 'War on Terror.'"

Still waiting for your explanation of how the premise you cited "suggests" your stated conclusion.

What? I've just read through this thread and laughed out loud at a lot of it. Seems to me that the libs are whacking you humorless righties all over the place.

Have to agree that this thread has been a goldmine of whack-a-troll humor. Hint to trolls: It's still funny even if you don't get it! Extra Crackerjacks for Alek, who's been on fire all day.

GOP:

That's because I can differentiate between the American government (which at present, is an open sewer) and the American people, who by and large are decent, hard-working people. Not so hard, when you have the ability to reason and think, skills lost on most of the conservatives who post here.

Peace,

Stephen Kriz

I am waiting for Kevin to post something on the financial markets so the trolls have the opportunity to enlighen us on how well the things are going in that domain.

Extra Crackerjacks for Alek, who's been on fire all day.

Well, if we're patting people on the back, I also appreciated steve duncan's and nut's contributions immensely.

What a rotten 10 days for the Democrats!

Rove cleared, Patrick Kennedy pleads to a misdemeanor, Francine Busby loses the election to Cunningham's seat, Al Zarquari gets offed, and Bush visits Baghdad to offer support and encouragement to the new Iraqi government.

And all the Dems can do is whine!

Do they do anything else?

A European speaking. I had US flags flying in my room. I considered myself a virtual American. No longer. US exceptionalism is dead, but most Americans have not yet noted it. "Land of the free, home of the brave" is deeply tarnished by images of Abu Ghraib and Gitmo. US media have been cleaned from blood (not a good ad environment), foreigners mostly see the ghastly truth.

The US has become a sad (and for some darker-skinned people brutal) joke. It started with vote counting and currently ends with grave human right violations. The US continues not to play by the rules and shows no decent respect for the opinions of mankind, a phrase that had some importance in the past in some document.

I am sick of the double standards your government applies, such as:

1. From Europeans, they require a biometric passport and finger prints (treating guests like criminals). Americans themselves, however, have only crappy identification.

2. Spying and recording Americans is no-no, listening to and recording foreign communications is ok?

3. You proclaim human rights but prevent an International Court of Justice.

4. You are the world's largest polluter, but demand from still poor India and China that they also adhere to Kyoto before you lift a finger.

Sadly, Europeans can currently no longer count on their American allies to make the world a better place (And please do not trouble the World Wars -- or if you do, ask yourself when the Americans did finally shed their first blood abroad. Remember, the first started in 1914, the second in 1939.).

And please fix your economy. An Argentina on a global scale would be horrible. Your currency, deficits, savings etc are going south. For most Europeans, it is deeply troubling in being affected by US actions without having a say -- just like sitting in the passenger seat of a drunk driver, which brings us back to why you are not good company anymore.

Alek Hidell - the first blow to my liberalism came at age 20 when I visited Berlin in 1963. I had been taught to believe that communism and capitalism both had virtues, with an amalgam of the two being desirable. The contrast between the excitement and prosperity of WB vs. the drabness of EB astounded me. EB still had unrepaired WWII damage! I still remember tightly holding my American passport so that I could leave EB when I felt like, whereas the people on the street around me would be shot if they tried to leave.

Later, after I left graduate school in Berkeley for the business world, my opinions gradually changed, due to discovering that people in business weren't demons and thanks to powerful editorials in the Wall Street Journal. Maybe having children affected me.

OK enough laughing at you worthless righties.Have a nice Coulter and see you another day.What a Bush!!!

ex-liberal: BTW I'd like the see the question that was asked to obtain these ratings.

Read the report; see Pew Global Attitudes Project.

the first blow to my liberalism came at age 20 when I visited Berlin in 1963. I had been taught to believe that communism and capitalism both had virtues, with an amalgam of the two being desirable. The contrast between the excitement and prosperity of WB vs. the drabness of EB astounded me.

The Eastern Bloc consisted of Communist countries. The Western Bloc without exception consisted of countries that were mixed economies.

How could the relative prosperity of the latter compared to the former challenge the idea that mixed economies were better than either extreme capitalist systems -- virtually none of which are to be found in large, developed countries -- or extreme communist systems, which were found in the Soviet sphere, among other places?

jaywalker has that victim, and racist thing down. Well done. BTW, anyone who points to skin color to identify another is, by definition racist. Just FYI.

And please don't consider yourself a virtual American, we don't want you. We have enough losers like you already.

Just say it ex-lib, you became an adult and therefore a conservative.

cmdicely asks, "How could the relative prosperity of the latter compared to the former challenge the idea that mixed economies were better than either extreme capitalist systems -- virtually none of which are to be found in large, developed countries -- or extreme communist systems, which were found in the Soviet sphere, among other places?"

It's not that I was sold on extreme capitalism. Rather, it's that I saw with my own eyes that communism worked dreadfully, which caused me to question my belief system.

And just in case anyone was wondering, doctors have determined that I have an IQ of 45, and am what is known by definition as "retarded".

EX-LIBERAL: the first blow to my liberalism came at age 20 when I visited Berlin in 1963. I had been taught to believe that communism and capitalism both had virtues, with an amalgam of the two being desirable.

Just to clarify--by "become an adult" I mean "suffer severe head trauma".

Stephen Kriz,

That's because I can differentiate between the American government ...and the American people,

Well, perhaps you can do that, but you didn't do it. You said that you believe America is the "largest state sponsor of terror since the Third Reich" and then declared that you "love" it anyway and that you're glad you live in it.

And your attempt to extricate yourself from this absurd position by pretending that you accused only particular "American governments" of these terrible acts rather than the American people or America as a nation doesn't work even if we go along with that pretense. In a democracy, the government reflects the will of the people, and if "American governments" have been the "largest state sponsor of terror since the Third Reich" it is only because the American people told them or allowed them to do so. So you're ultimately accusing the American people of these terrible crimes, people you now say are "by and large ... decent, hard-working people."

So, according to Stephen Kriz, the American people are "decent, hard-working people," but they're also responsible for the "largest state sponsor of terror since the Third Reich," but you love them anyway, and you're glad you live amoung them.

I'm used to seeing lots of absurd loony-left statements on this blog, but today really has been an especially rich source of them.

You need to hang out a little more often GOP, this is just fare today. Glad to have you on board.

Standard fare that is.

GOP: I'm used to seeing lots of absurd loony-left statements on this blog, but today really has been an especially rich source of them.

Sure, GOP and Jay, you guys deserve each other.

You know, You guys have been saying that for about 175 years now.

Nah, we let the British have you back then.

More accurate would be that the British let you have your independence. The Revolutionary War has hugely unpopular among the thinking class in Britain. Had the UK truly wanted to win...

And I've got a bullet for GOP's forehead should he ever think of arriving in Canada as anything other than a tourist. But as tourist, peace.

I may like (some of) you guys. But American? No how. No way. No never. Please keep your failing experiment to yourselves. I'd sooner federate with France or New Zealand.

Re. the Pew results, some solace. Americans remain the most popular people in...
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.
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America.

Interestingly, France, Japan and Germany ranked other countries ahead of themselves but China joined the States in this overwhelming self-love.

And you're just a tad behind Japan in Nigeria. But Britain has the accursed French !?!? ahead of you.

A bit late to the party, but this poll isn't all that suprising. It's quite clear to everyone who travels, works and/or lives outside of the United States that attitudes towards our country are growing rapidly more negative, perhaps even towards a tipping point beyond which it will take a generation to repair.

While there were of course many critiques of America during the Cold War era, there was still an underlying consensus around the globe that, whatever its faults, the US was deep down on the side of "good," of free speech, fair play, human rights, freedom of the press and of movement. There is no such feeling these days.

Quite the contrary -- the US has become a sort of shorthand for intolerance and the crushing of dissent, an illustration of the path other nations don't want to take. I've had more than one conversation with a European, Asian, etc. in which that person has said something along the lines of "oh, we don't spy on our people, we respect privacy -- we're not the US, you know" or "in our country we don't lock people up without trial, not like you do in America." I can't tell you how depressing it is to hear my country's name invoked as a byword for oppression and, even worse, not be able to argue because they're right. People used to make those sorts of comments about the USSR, or Latin American banana republicans -- now they make them about the United States. How far we've fallen....

jaywalker: 2. Spying and recording Americans is no-no, listening to and recording foreign communications is ok?

Sadly, jaywalker, you can no longer accuse us of hypocrisy there -- now the Bush regime is spying on everyone, American and non-American alike.

ex-liberal: the first blow to my liberalism came at age 20 when