tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post2806895408989669037..comments2024-03-28T06:32:24.557-04:00Comments on The Elephant Bar: Political Stupidity, Historical Ignorance and Naive Ideology.Deuce ☂http://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-70455008407673066372007-08-30T16:41:00.000-04:002007-08-30T16:41:00.000-04:00an interesting article in atimes had this in it:"B...an interesting article in atimes had this in it:<BR/><BR/>"But the real source of China's power lies not with American consumers reclining in their Barcaloungers, with their Wal-Mart-bought chips and soft drinks, watching the latest Adam Sandler digital video disc that they picked up at the checkout counter while waiting to pay for the Wal-Mart big-screen TV. Americans may be unable to control their addiction to Chinese consumer products; it's a lot more important that the US ruling corporate sector is equally or more addicted to Chinese profits.<BR/><BR/>Just as a religious believer might trumpet the growth in a society's virtue, a believer in the religion of free-market capitalism holds no value higher than growth in productivity. Productivity growth, making an equal quantity of a product with less cost, or making a larger quantity of a product with the same quantity of value of input, is capitalism's glorious bright Elysium; it is the core process by which profit is generated.<BR/><BR/>Wal-Mart and other US retailers have managed to keep many of their prices stable in an era of general 2-4% retail inflation. Others have declined; they actually have been at Wal-Mart. However, this has only been accomplished through the enormous reduction in labor input costs made possible through non-unionized Chinese labor; save 80% or more on your labor costs, you can roll back prices on a $3 tube of toothpaste a few quarters and still make out like bandits. It is this process, the globalization two-step, fire in the US and hire in China, that is in large part responsible for the massive shift in US national income away from wages and salaries toward profits: the US profit-wage ratio is at its most extreme value since 1966.<BR/><BR/>Seen this way, the addiction of the US corporate class to profits from ships arriving from China represents perhaps the most significant great-power naval victory since Jutland in World War I. The addiction of the US consuming classes is nice but, ultimately, it has its limits; once you have two or three plasma TVs in your house, your appetite for more is probably moving toward being slaked.<BR/><BR/>However, for the corporate classes that comprise America's ruling elite, there will always be that one bigger next artificial high, be it from a grander beach house, a shinier Ferrari, a faster private jet, an older classical painting or a younger trophy wife, that continuing to mainline the Chinese profit needle might get one closer to. On the unlikely possibility that there still are a few communists left in the Chinese Communist Party, they must find the irony nothing short of ambrosial - once again, just as Vladimir Lenin said they would, communists are selling capitalists the rope with which they will hang themselves.<BR/>"<BR/><BR/>http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/IH31Ad02.htmlAshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06232405130481114127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-89217067002961292252007-08-30T16:05:00.000-04:002007-08-30T16:05:00.000-04:00A trip down memory lane--The Boys of Boise Scandal...A trip down memory lane--<A HREF="http://www.yffn.org/admin/history/virta.html" REL="nofollow">The Boys of Boise Scandal</A>Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-31344135895480634952007-08-30T15:16:00.000-04:002007-08-30T15:16:00.000-04:00Maybe God can manipulate DNA, but it seems no one ...Maybe God can manipulate DNA, but it seems no one is manipulating the <A HREF="http://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/story/145494.html" REL="nofollow">Idaho Statesman</A>, who enthusiastically endorsed Craig last time around, and now is calling for him to exeunt, stage right.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-63605765399237269012007-08-30T15:09:00.000-04:002007-08-30T15:09:00.000-04:00God can manipulate DNA, bob.That is no proof, eith...God can manipulate DNA, bob.<BR/>That is no proof, either way, if one believes.<BR/><BR/>That is part of the story of intellegent design and the blessed Earth doctrine.<BR/><BR/>God's manipulation of the science, it easily explains away those objections to the truth.desert rathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02369546288659566961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-19602297012492903762007-08-30T14:27:00.000-04:002007-08-30T14:27:00.000-04:00My Nez Perce friends wouldn't buy it. Besides, DNA...My Nez Perce friends wouldn't buy it. Besides, <A HREF="http://www.runawayplanet.com/dons_blog/2006/02/mormon_dna.html" REL="nofollow">DNA</A> seems to tell a different story. <BR/><BR/>I remember talking to a LDSer in Hawaii years ago, nice lady, she held to the truth of it, it's in the book. :)Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-28846276926963807632007-08-30T14:17:00.000-04:002007-08-30T14:17:00.000-04:00Unlikely, bob, come on!Just a hop, skip and a jump...Unlikely, bob, come on!<BR/><BR/>Just a hop, skip and a jump from the Levant to Mexico, or Missouri.<BR/><BR/>They got to Mexico and were so home sick for Eygpt, they built the pyramids at Teotihuacan.<BR/><BR/>Everyone knows that.<BR/><BR/>Then Christ came, after the crucifiction, and preached the good word. <BR/>It's historical Mormon fact.<BR/><BR/>Those Teotihuacan pyramids a damned impressive sight to behold.<BR/><BR/>The desencents of those Jews, then branched off into the Aztec and Mayan peoples, just look at the noses in the wall reliefs, Jewish ancestry, plain as day. <BR/>All that are missing is the little skull caps. :)desert rathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02369546288659566961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-20870567909241328152007-08-30T14:08:00.000-04:002007-08-30T14:08:00.000-04:00I think this is fascinating. Lost Tribe of Israel ...I think this is fascinating. <A HREF="http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57374" REL="nofollow">Lost Tribe of Israel Returns Home</A> There must be something to this, as I can't understand how a group could keep up the basics of a tradition for so long otherwise.<BR/><BR/>If I understand the Mormons, and I am not saying I do, I think they believe the 'lost tribes' or some of them were here in the Americas. I think this highly unlikely to say the least.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-46541696226570565232007-08-30T13:22:00.000-04:002007-08-30T13:22:00.000-04:00pissing in the windbetting on a losing friendmakin...<I><B>pissing in the wind<BR/>betting on a losing friend<BR/>making the same mistakes we swore we'd never make again ...<BR/></I></B>desert rathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02369546288659566961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-8999239945360064142007-08-30T12:48:00.000-04:002007-08-30T12:48:00.000-04:00"But my favorite is his claim that he only pleaded..."But my favorite is his claim that he only pleaded guilty because he didn't consult a lawyer or understand his rights. Another lie. Eleven days after his arrest, he specifically asked for a police contact with whom his lawyer could communicate. He arranged a plea deal; his staff is full of lawyers. Senator Craig had easier access to legal counsel than 99 percent of those charged with crimes in this country."--Susan Estrich, on Craig, whom I ususally can't stand. She needs a voice coach, but she's got the Senator figured out.<BR/><BR/>The Idaho pols seem to be circling the wagons in defense of Craig. Big mistake. 'Butch' Otter, our governor from Simplot Company, a real horses arse, says, I've had my troubles too,etc. Representative Sali, whom his republican colleagues have called 'brain dead', coming to his defense too.<BR/><BR/>Say the curse, Doug.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-32474535810719775792007-08-30T12:44:00.000-04:002007-08-30T12:44:00.000-04:00Thankfully for our history, the French were willin...Thankfully for our history, the French were willing to intervene in American internal affairs to balance out the British.Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10089498195545182330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-11978698638530958512007-08-30T12:40:00.000-04:002007-08-30T12:40:00.000-04:00"(Well-armed) Sheep amongst lions.""(Well-armed) Sheep amongst lions."Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10089498195545182330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-2470310851058172242007-08-30T12:23:00.000-04:002007-08-30T12:23:00.000-04:00Audio of Above, plus Hitchens<A HREF="http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/talkradio/Show.aspx?RadioShowID=5" REL="nofollow">Audio of Above, plus Hitchens</A>Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-42411752932939498652007-08-30T12:17:00.000-04:002007-08-30T12:17:00.000-04:00Major General James E. Simmons ,---And from Dr. Ki...<A LID="From Major General James E. Simmons" HREF="http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/talkradio/transcripts/Transcript.aspx?ContentGuid=d3daae76-7f52-4b29-a9b5-06573738a55f" REL="nofollow">Major General James E. Simmons </A>,<BR/>---<BR/>And from Dr. Kimberly Kagan, who authored <BR/><A HREF="http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/014/030aryoy.asp" REL="nofollow"><STRONG>a just-published comprehensive assessment of Iran's actions in Iraq:</STRONG></A>Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-40251987666691576252007-08-30T12:15:00.000-04:002007-08-30T12:15:00.000-04:00DAMN!xxxxxxxxGoin' into town to get the fish wrap,...DAMN!<BR/>xxxxxxxx<BR/>Goin' into town to get the fish wrap, see what the latest skinny is on Senator Wide Stance. If there is anything good, or humorous, I'll give you a report.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-76416693581664519012007-08-30T12:09:00.000-04:002007-08-30T12:09:00.000-04:00We do, doug, that is why they recieved $220 millio...We do, doug, that is why they recieved $220 million USD in subsidies from US this year, with another $820 million in the pipeline.desert rathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02369546288659566961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-17981917967697873862007-08-30T12:08:00.000-04:002007-08-30T12:08:00.000-04:00"IAEA inspectors are taking seriously threats by I..."<I>IAEA inspectors are taking seriously threats by Iran's leadership that the country will drop the initiative to cooperate more closely if additional Security Council sanctions are imposed, said the UN diplomats.</I>"<BR/>---<BR/>We must not learn from History.<BR/>We Must be doomed to repeat.<BR/>Stay the Course!<BR/>Say the Curse!Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-31919411119900752302007-08-30T11:53:00.000-04:002007-08-30T11:53:00.000-04:00I thot Oliver North had lost his mind!Looks like a...I thot Oliver North had lost his mind!<BR/><BR/>Looks like a fat version of Bill Gates ten years ago.<BR/><BR/>Put your trust in Iran.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-46778003716290507972007-08-30T11:51:00.000-04:002007-08-30T11:51:00.000-04:00Hewitt interviewed a General that was very optimis...Hewitt interviewed a General that was very optimistic about events in Iraq.<BR/>He also interviewed a War Historian or some such from Harvard that just came back from Iraq.<BR/>---<BR/>Both the General and the Professor agreed that Iran has been matching our surge in kind, with record numbers of explosively formed penetrators and etc.<BR/><BR/>Luckily, we continue to pretend this aspect of the war does not exist, so we are not responsible, and don't need to do anything about it.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-57141062140577394122007-08-30T11:47:00.000-04:002007-08-30T11:47:00.000-04:00Olli says everything is ok, Iran is coming round.Olli says everything is ok, <A HREF="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aXeZi9oIatSU&refer=worldwide" REL="nofollow">Iran</A> is coming round.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-50786075818868722222007-08-30T11:44:00.000-04:002007-08-30T11:44:00.000-04:00If George is the promoter and developer, then we m...If George is the promoter and developer, then we must be the lender. This makes me uncomfortable, as I don't see we have adequate securtiy on the project. I think I might rather be in the position to pick up the project cheap, after it is foreclosed upon, and auctioned off.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-49993632831050080262007-08-30T10:34:00.000-04:002007-08-30T10:34:00.000-04:00..there is no depth to the discourse.But there's a...<I>..there is no depth to the discourse.</I><BR/><BR/><BR/>But there's a guiding force. Money and Corruption.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11132252460964519368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-55059608457183510832007-08-30T09:50:00.000-04:002007-08-30T09:50:00.000-04:00Yes, it seems so.One can discuss that Bremer said ...Yes, it seems so.<BR/>One can discuss that Bremer said this, while the Marines did that...<BR/><BR/>Rumsfeld was a ... fill in your own blank. Fallujah I or Fallujah II, how the Insurgents back was broken, before it wasn't.<BR/><BR/>But none of that matters, really. Those events were, many still are, representative the US efforts. <BR/>As in China with Marshall, Vietnam with Mr Ford, Iran with Carter or Iraq and the Bush family dynasty. It is the United States that is acting, not individual players. <BR/>The US is a team, sport.<BR/><BR/>Who lost China, the US. Or Vietnam, or Iran or stability in Iraq. The US did it. All of US, together.<BR/><BR/>Some of our governments are more inept and feckelss than others, that seems sure from a historical perspective, but Mr Lewis's sentiment streches through time. Touching each Administration for the last fifty years.<BR/><BR/>That the US has done so well, vis a vie the rest of the planet, not to be credited to the US governmnent, but achieved despite its interference.<BR/><BR/>Now I give credit to Teddy Roosevelt, he made Arizona bloom with public works projects. He and other Presidents expoused great public works projects, the Panama Canal, Grand Coolie, Hoover Dam and the Inter State Hiway System, but a few of the good quantifiable works done.<BR/><BR/>But the War on Poverty, War on Drugs, Wars in Korea and Vietnam ...<BR/>The more recentFederal efforts, wallowing in failure and division.<BR/>Until we reach today, where we war aganst the fog. Each day bringing a new challenge, directly from yesterday's "solution".<BR/>No one in the government can tell US who we fight, nor why. Each explaination is mired in the hypocricy of yesterday's explaination or tomorrow's excuse.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and the Iraq Asventure, another $50 BILLION USD, supplemental, if you please.<BR/>We must expand upon the current success, you know.<BR/><BR/>Each of the defenders of "Staying the Course", fade to black. After the name calling diatribes, there is no depth to the discourse.<BR/>And like good soldiers, they fade away.desert rathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02369546288659566961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-72723234363655402992007-08-30T07:36:00.000-04:002007-08-30T07:36:00.000-04:00The Republican versus Democratic debate of who wil...The Republican versus Democratic debate of who will win or lose Iraq is a continuation of the naïveté. I am not sure who were the architects but George Bush is the promoter and developer.Deuce ☂https://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-91802057238838849752007-08-30T07:13:00.000-04:002007-08-30T07:13:00.000-04:00Mr. Maliki is the logical product of the system t...Mr. Maliki is the logical product of the system the United States created. The creation was not based on fact or observation nor experience nor advice, not history, tradition or culture. Iraq and our Islamic nation building experiment is advancing from a cluster fuck to something more on a galactic scale.Deuce ☂https://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-38289804375298911442007-08-30T07:10:00.000-04:002007-08-30T07:10:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Deuce ☂https://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.com