tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post1425551523797236153..comments2024-03-28T06:32:24.557-04:00Comments on The Elephant Bar: National self-delusion and un-winnable wars: The blame game of Republicans claiming if only Obama had done this or that, Bush’s Folly in Iraq would have been different, this time. Deuce ☂http://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-52955422513932350622015-05-26T22:41:48.641-04:002015-05-26T22:41:48.641-04:00I'm not for putting our troops back in, but a ...I'm not for putting our troops back in, but a wonderful ethical argument can be made for doing just that.<br /><br />Our earth has become a small place. One can fly around it in a day. One can talk to one's Niece on Skype have way around the world. Communications are instantaneous. We know what is going on in Iraq. We know how bad it is. We know what they do to the little kids, to the young girls.<br /><br />Knowing this, are we, and everyone else with a conscience, to simply stand back and watch ?<br /><br />Are not the innocent there in Iraq in a deep way part of us all ?<br /><br />No man is an island, the poet said.<br /><br />Are we not complicit if we do nothing, when he could do something to alleviate the suffering, not coming to the aid of our innocent brothers and sister over there ?<br /><br />What kind of people are we then ?<br /><br />etc etc<br /><br />Maybe this is the correct argument and we are all of us wrong.<br /><br />That is to say, it's not such a simple issue, and people of good heart can disagree.Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02337923317977922025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-40753966002766342272015-05-26T22:31:04.727-04:002015-05-26T22:31:04.727-04:00I get the idea, stop foreign idiots from going to ...I get the idea, stop foreign idiots from going to Iraq joining ISIS, however this is small potatoes and all the 'social media' I think she called it isn't going to influence those there one bit. It's a home grown monster and will mostly remain so, in my opinion.Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02337923317977922025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-76136278467763890092015-05-26T22:27:45.310-04:002015-05-26T22:27:45.310-04:00How do you explain the three years of peace (relat...How do you explain the three years of peace (relative, but real) between the ending of the Surge, and the coming of Obama and chaos ?<br /><br />Your paragraph is quite something.<br /><br />>>I stated half way through Bush's war that the US was laying the seeds and that chaos would ensue when we left<<<br /><br />(By the way it wasn't Bush's war, The United States Congress voted for it, including Hillary and Kerry)<br /><br />You were right.<br /><br />Then you wiggle wiggle about 'a few thousand troops' etc.<br /><br />That paragraph is, well to my mind it is just inane.<br /><br />A sad last gasp attempt to wiggle off the hook.<br /><br />Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02337923317977922025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-20737819479979864492015-05-26T20:43:14.208-04:002015-05-26T20:43:14.208-04:00.
He pulled the troops out, chaos ensues, and ISI....<br /><br /><i>He pulled the troops out, chaos ensues, and ISIS arises.</i><br /><br />I stated half way through Bush's war that the US was laying the seeds and that chaos would ensue when we left. The writing was on the wall. However, given the sectarian divisions there, given the corrupt Shia government we helped install, to argue that a few thousand US troops there would have stopped the rise of ISIS (which began in Syria), especially when the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Staff admitted today that the US had no idea and no strategy for addressing a group like ISIS, well to my mind it is just inane. <br /><br />.<br /> <br />Quirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00272168240606512672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-71597734345963730862015-05-26T20:27:44.420-04:002015-05-26T20:27:44.420-04:00.
This is utterly stupid.
Gee, since this is com....<br /><br /><i>This is utterly stupid.</i><br /><br />Gee, since this is coming from a representative of the Idaho Mensa and Quilting Club, I will be forced to give it all the consideration it deserve.<br /><br />.Quirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00272168240606512672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-20076234848515175142015-05-26T20:24:21.606-04:002015-05-26T20:24:21.606-04:00Try to think of it this way, Quirk:
If you remove...Try to think of it this way, Quirk:<br /><br />If you remove the dam on the river, the water behind the dam will rapidly run down the river.<br /><br />Does that help ?Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02337923317977922025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-56076537946768798422015-05-26T20:23:44.500-04:002015-05-26T20:23:44.500-04:00.
In my opinion, it's not quite as stupid as ....<br /><br />In my opinion, it's not quite as stupid as it sounds on its face.<br /><br />.Quirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00272168240606512672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-70204251355121195752015-05-26T20:18:30.449-04:002015-05-26T20:18:30.449-04:00The military brass pointed out to our Napoleon on ...The military brass pointed out to our Napoleon on the Potomac endlessly that if you do this, the result will be that.<br /><br />They begged him.<br /><br />He did this and the result is that.<br /><br />He pulled the troops out, chaos ensues, and ISIS arises.<br /><br />It is not THAT complex Quirk.<br /><br />Rather it is self evident.<br /><br />Try harder.Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02337923317977922025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-10256099628206690892015-05-26T20:14:35.369-04:002015-05-26T20:14:35.369-04:00Many GOPers have suggested a worthy plan on immigr...Many GOPers have suggested a worthy plan on immigration.<br /><br />Close the borders.<br /><br />Tight.<br /><br />The problem is, Quirk, while the GOP controls both Houses of Congress, Obama is President, and he has a veto they cannot over ride in the Senate.<br /><br />>>They argue a hypothetical that there would be no war in Iraq had Obama not withdrawn all the troops in 2011, a claim that obviously can't be proved.<<<br /><br />This is utterly stupid. Don't give me any more of your correlation/causation or what it was bullshit.<br /><br />If you can't see that, hell you can't see anything.<br /><br />You might as well go walk your mangy mutt.Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02337923317977922025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-91689638502750523532015-05-26T20:08:05.862-04:002015-05-26T20:08:05.862-04:00.
I notice that the GOP still has not offered a.... <br /><br />I notice that the GOP still has not offered any comprehensive proposals for immigration reform. They bitch, they complain, they correctly point out problems with the Dem proposals but they are so busy bitching they seemingly never have time to offer alternatives. This even though they control both houses of Congress.<br /><br />The GOP has been bitching about Obamacare for 7 years, pointing out all its faults, demanding it be repealed; yet they never get around to offering a comprehensive alternative. Seven years (and decades before that) and no proposals.<br /><br />The war in Iraq. They argue a hypothetical that there would be no war in Iraq had Obama not withdrawn all the troops in 2011, a claim that obviously can't be proved. They argue Obama has no strategy in Iraq or if he does have one it is flawed. Evidently, they are so busy bitching they are too busy to offer one themselves. Oh, you have the isolated nut jobs (McCain, Lindsay) who want to send in combat troops never mind that Baghdad refuses to entertain the idea. However, for the most part likely GOP candidates for 2016 have bitched but offered no alternatives.<br /><br />.Quirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00272168240606512672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-26840022276597451062015-05-26T20:03:38.900-04:002015-05-26T20:03:38.900-04:00Nancy Pelosi says we must engage ISIS - wait for i...Nancy Pelosi says we must engage ISIS - wait for it - on the Internet.Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02337923317977922025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-69816921779373001082015-05-26T19:33:31.105-04:002015-05-26T19:33:31.105-04:00Sometimes I just LOVE the Courts.Sometimes I just LOVE the Courts.Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02337923317977922025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-60583927141252445562015-05-26T17:52:02.882-04:002015-05-26T17:52:02.882-04:00.
Washington (CNN)A federal appeals court on Tues....<br /><br /><i>Washington (CNN)A federal appeals court on Tuesday denied a request from Justice Department lawyers to allow President Barack Obama's controversial immigration actions to go into effect pending appeal.<br /><br />The decision is a victory for Texas and 25 other states that are challenging the Obama administration's actions, which were blocked by a District Court judge in February. Tuesday's decision means that while the issue is appealed, eligible undocumented immigrants will be unable to apply for the programs aimed at easing deportation threats.<br /><br />"Because the government is unlikely to succeed on the merits of its appeal of the injunction, we deny the motion for stay and the request to narrow the scope of the injunction," according to the 2-1 decision by a panel of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals...</i><br /><br />http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/26/politics/obama-immigration-texas-federal-appeals-court/index.html<br /><br />.Quirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00272168240606512672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-32367743236176141042015-05-26T15:27:48.608-04:002015-05-26T15:27:48.608-04:00Oh GOODY...
Gaza JUST ATTCKED Israel with Rockets...Oh GOODY...<br /><br />Gaza JUST ATTCKED Israel with Rockets and coordinated suicide car attacks...<br /><br />It's going to be a deadly summer for the Palestinians.....<br /><br />:)<br />What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-9637382328124036182015-05-26T13:46:01.443-04:002015-05-26T13:46:01.443-04:00.
If he is thoroughly corrupt that helps.
..<br /><br />If he is thoroughly corrupt that helps.<br /><br />.Quirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00272168240606512672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-20030022929345699912015-05-26T13:42:08.373-04:002015-05-26T13:42:08.373-04:00.
Revisionist history aside, the argument that eq....<br /><br />Revisionist history aside, the argument that equates the Palestinians who were on the ground in 1948 with Arab countries that invaded Israel/Palestine back then is self-serving and simplistic. The invading Arab countries didn't give a shit about the indigenous Palestinians. It was the beginning of the 'Palestinian excuse' used by both sides since 1948. What they wanted was the land the same as the Israelis.<br /><br />.<br /> Quirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00272168240606512672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-46726434963120111452015-05-26T13:28:54.362-04:002015-05-26T13:28:54.362-04:00.
Arguing that future generations of Palestinians....<br /><br />Arguing that future generations of Palestinians have a right to return is like arguing for compensation for today's blacks in the US because of crimes committed a century or more ago. While the plan's fairness can be questioned, the key hurdle is its lack of practicality. That being said, the PA cannot accept just dropping their position on 'right of return', not and maintain their position as leader of the Palestinians. However, a token arrangement could be easily be agreed to. Well, it could if the Israelis had any intention of negotiating a settlement.<br /><br />To be honest, no one gives a shit about the Palestinian refugees. They are pawns used as an excuse by both sides, the various Arab countries to pound Israel and Israel to avoid a settlement. If anyone wanted a settlement, the 'right of return' issue could be easily settled.<br /><br />The same would apply to all the other issues if there were any honest negotiating.<br /><br />.Quirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00272168240606512672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-47036161815730244672015-05-26T13:21:45.716-04:002015-05-26T13:21:45.716-04:00I think that is called "hearsay"
Ash...I think that is called "hearsay"<br /><br />Ash's claims are Ash's to make.<br /><br />I call you a serial stalker, directly. That's why I call the AZ FBI on you and reported you.<br /><br />See no, hearsay. <br /><br />Direct, legal and authentic....<br /><br />I swore to the officer that you in fact made death threats, under penalty of false statement and perjury...<br /><br />I stand by my sworn statement.<br /><br />You threatened me, you stalked me (or at least tried to, since you stalked the wrong jew for a decade as we later learned)<br /><br />See how it works Jack?<br /><br />No what he or she said....<br /><br />Just direct, 1st person accusations or charges...<br /><br />:)<br />What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-37353875473039834612015-05-26T13:18:21.030-04:002015-05-26T13:18:21.030-04:00It is an amazing leap that Jack Hawkins makes, aga...It is an amazing leap that Jack Hawkins makes, again, when he says what he says....<br /><br />Notice how Jack's ill conceived logic is once on display for the readers.<br /><br />He apparent lack of English understanding reminds me that Jack's 1st language is Arabic.<br /><br />Readers take heed. Jack, the RAT, Hawkins, never met a sentence he could not distort, this is why most of the readers, including a founding blogger has left.<br />What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-38104426699378491732015-05-26T13:14:04.634-04:002015-05-26T13:14:04.634-04:00.
The Zionists maintain Mr Abbas in power with t....<br /><br /><i> The Zionists maintain Mr Abbas in power with that money. It is the ISraeli that legitimize Mr Abbas</i><br /><br />Recent events would indicate that if the Israelis are actually paying for the PA and legitimizing Mr. Abbas, they are likely disappointed in their investment at the moment.<br /><br />Mr. Arafat is a different matter all together.<br /><br />What follows is strictly my opinion and is based on circumstantial (a lot of circumstantial) evidence.<br /><br />By 1992, Arafat was at his nadir. He had supported Hussein in the Desert Storm conflict and had lost all credibility. He had lost support and influence as well as aid from key Gulf States and the West including the US. He had lost influence and support amongst Fatah and even the PLO. The PLO was de facto bankrupt. Arafat was exiled and isolated in Tunisia. Things had rarely been worse for him.<br /><br />Israel was being forced by the West (read US) to restart negotiations with the Palestinians and were in the middle of the Madrid Conference which was failing. Then suddenly, Israel called Arafat out of exile for secret meetings in Norway, strange since Israel had previously refused to negotiate with Arafat. It would have been interesting to be a fly on the wall in those secret meeting, to see what was agreed to, to see what promises were given or implied, to count the number of winks and nudges. Unfortunately, the meetings themselves remain secret with no meeting notes or reminiscences of the participants published.<br /><br />What came out of these secret meetings was the Oslo Accords, the first of which was skewed heavily to Israel’s advantage. Arafat then proceeded to start skimming the reported $1.3 billion he is said to accumulated for himself. It is worth noting that Arafat’s bank accounts weren’t only held in Switzerland but also in Israel. There is no doubt that Arafat was corrupt on a massive scale. The only question is was he able to do it on his own or did he do it with a little help. <br /><br />If you are a party being forced into a negotiation you want no part of it is probably in your interest to get the weakest opponent you can find to negotiate with.<br /><br />.Quirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00272168240606512672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-43828170654142299812015-05-26T13:12:34.803-04:002015-05-26T13:12:34.803-04:00quirk As mentioned above, the Palestinians provide...quirk As mentioned above, the Palestinians provide a reciprocal service for the Israelis. But this is minor. Israel also collects a handling fee for the service, the last article I saw indicated they keep about 25% of the taxes collected (plus whatever the Palestinians owe for the utilities they purchase from Israel)<br /><br />The PA and Hamas are in arrears about 1/2 billion<br /><br />The Israeli power company, which supplies most of the electricity to the West Bank, said it decided to limit the supply to the districts of Nablus and Jenin for less than an hour on Monday afternoon given the Palestinian Authority’s debt, which has been building over a number of years, and is now at a peak of 1.9 billion shekels, or around $490 million.<br /><br />Over the last year, the company said, it has issued warnings and tried to find an arrangement to reduce the debt through contacts with the Israeli government and international bodies, to no avail. The company said it has been stopped in the past from taking the step of reducing supply for political reasons. There have, however, been proposals in Israel to divert some of the withheld Palestinian tax revenue toward paying down the debt.<br /><br />What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-87129859636856064412015-05-26T13:09:46.087-04:002015-05-26T13:09:46.087-04:00All refugees have the "Right of Return"
...All refugees have the "Right of Return"<br /><br /><br />The term "refugees" only apply to those actually made refugees..<br /><br />Not that made up invention of generational refugees...<br /><br />No the universal accepted definition...<br /><br />no 4th or 5th generation wannabe refugee...<br /><br />In a few more years? there will be no more "refugees" alive...<br /><br />so no changing meanings Jack...<br /><br />ref·u·gee<br />ˌrefyo͝oˈjē/Submit<br />noun<br />a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.<br />"tens of thousands of refugees fled their homes"<br />synonyms: émigré, fugitive, exile, displaced person, asylum seeker; boat people<br />"collecting blankets for the refugees"<br /><br />Not those descended FROM refugees...<br /><br />:)<br /><br />don't you hate it when you are wrong Jack?What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1560395930811970432015-05-26T13:07:08.593-04:002015-05-26T13:07:08.593-04:00Sure, working on it...
Equal rights for all non v...Sure, working on it...<br /><br />Equal rights for all non violent citizens...<br /><br />I am sure those that are violent, or have been will be deported or executed.....<br /><br />:)<br /><br />But the arrest of the Fatah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad member and their incarceration and or execution is a must...<br /><br />that's the 1st step...<br /><br />What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-43896898259757798782015-05-26T12:50:32.138-04:002015-05-26T12:50:32.138-04:00In the beginning the members tried to resist Germa...<i>In the beginning the members tried to resist German pressure. However, as time went on, the Judenrat was forced to deliver Jews to the deportation trains that were bringing them to their deaths. Under pressure many members of the Judenrat cooperated with the Germans. </i> - Wikipedia ...<br /><br />Jack Hawkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00342056653466462640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-56529408044604661202015-05-26T12:49:10.543-04:002015-05-26T12:49:10.543-04:00Of course the ISraeli are funding the Palestinian ...Of course the ISraeli are funding the Palestinian Authority out of their own self-interest, Legionnaire Q.<br /><br />That is the whole point.<br />The PA is an ISreali proxy, in place to keep the Palestinian people in place.<br />The ISraeli using the PA the same way the NAZI used the "Judenrat", a Jewish council created under German orders which was responsible for internal matters in a ghetto. <br />Jack Hawkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00342056653466462640noreply@blogger.com