Is Bush's goal to suck California dry?

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Red Dawn

Elite Member
Jun 4, 2001
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<< besides, do you think you're the only one here that's ever wanted to kick Red's a$$? Take a number buddy, and stand in line >>

I hope for the day someone actually grows some balls and follows up with their threat to kick my ass.

 

Tripleshot

Elite Member
Jan 29, 2000
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charrison

Sorry to disagree.(well,not that sorry;)) I find forums and BB's stimulating and entertaining to a fault. To think of them otherwise is folly. Never take yourself so seriously as to let it enterfer with what would be otherwise good judgement. I speak from experience.

The discussion boards are supposed to be for a free exchange of ideas,but I have learned the hard way,your free expression comes at a price. The price is your exposure to others who will disagree and not hesitate to let you know they disagree. That is when it becomes entertainment,because any message is totally wasted at that moment.

It's called conviviality. The same thing I did sitting at the bar shooting the bull with my friends and acquntences. We never took things too seriously then,and I won't here either.

That way I can enjoy the forum. You can too.;)
 

charrison

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
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tripleshot,

I dont mind disagreements with the free flow of ideas that occurs here. That is going to happen with this politically diverse bunch here.
The endless mindless insults that flow from few on this board gets old and is not needed.
 

Tripleshot

Elite Member
Jan 29, 2000
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Hmmm. Where have you been when I post liberal slant stuff and get attacked by Russ,Etech and Tominator,just to mention a few? Hell,no one comes to my defense and says &quot;Russ, thats getting old&quot; or &quot;Etech change your tune&quot;. Thats life. Thats the way it is.That is this forum and thats how the game is played here. Don't look for it to change. If you find a more benign forum to post in with people who share your view, let me know. Maybe I'll join you.

In the mean time,I will probably be here posting stuff to educate,stimulate,or entertain you. I have no other stake in it. I hope to bring some balance to the forum before it starts to sound like the Rush Limbaugh show. (He is an entertainer;))

Is this getting off topic?

I do believe Shrub dummy is trying to punish Calif,support his oil buddies,and garner favor with midwest corn farmers in time for the 2002 election. That is how it has played so far. I get to laugh my ass off at this moron for this trip to Europe. With jack asses like Carl Rove leading him,its no wonder the rest of the world looks at the Us and wonders what the hell we did voting this Texas loon as our leader. Read the news. Russia and China just parterned up to stick it to shrub when he comes calling with his half baked star wars scheme. Hell,he doesn't even have an original thought in that. He stole the damn idea from Reagan.

I really get to laugh at this. This is entertainment!
 

shiner

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
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Did this thread used to have a topic?

About Bush's trip to Europe. It is actually turning out to be much better than expected. The European leaders are not coming out against the missle defense system and I think Bush is winning them over in other areas as well. Did you see the news conference in Sweden yesterday when the reporters were asking about the Kyoto treaty? Bush explained his point about global warming being a threat but that the Kyoto treaty was not a good way to go about combating it since it excluded China and India(others as well) from it's provisions. He also went on to say the issue needed both further study and action but that we should not jump to conclusions and take action before we know how to combat the warming or have a good plan to do so. After that one of the two European guys on the panel started to slam him for his statement then some European reported asked the Euro guy that if the treaty was such a good idea why only one country in the EU has endoresed it. It was pretty funny watching the guy to to stumble his way to an answer.
 

Tripleshot

Elite Member
Jan 29, 2000
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'Russia's Putin Can't Afford to Buy Bush's Line on NATO' andThree shot in EU summit riotsafter Spaniards protest over Bush visit

I think he was ill prepared for this little tour and he will not gain a thing for having gone there. The EU is sceptical at best and just being polite in entertaining him,but none of the EU thinks much of shrub or his policy message. Putin will kick this oil mans ars tomorrow. Shrub has nothing to offer Russia ,and is going to tell Putin the US wants to abandon the ICBM treaty designed to get rid of weapons,so shrub can build more missiles for a defense system that is unproven and will certainly result in a dangerous arms race again, putting us back into the cold war era some of us in this forum remember only too well.

Bush is an ass. I don't care who knows it. That's my opinion of him and he will have to do a hell of a lot to change my opinion of him. He doesn't have what it takes to be the leader of this great nation,and I damn sure don't subscribe to a presidency by comittee.

JMHO
 

etech

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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dailynews.yahoo.com/
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - U.S. officials expecting a grilling from NATO (news - web sites) leaders on Wednesday on President Bush (news - web sites)'s missile defense plan came away surprised by what they felt was growing support from some allies.
Senior U.S. officials said that at the meeting, a number of NATO leaders had said there was a need to confront the growing threat of countries developing weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles for delivering them.
-------------
calepa.ca.gov/
There is an immediate need for the waiver of the federal RFG mandatory oxygen requirement. In order to complete the phase-out of MTBE by December 31, 2002 or earlier, the refiners must start immediately with the planning and design phases of the necessary refinery and distribution system modifications. It is clear that the approach taken by a refiner could differ substantially depending on whether upon completion of the modifications the refiner will be subject to a mandatory federal RFG minimum oxygen requirement. Without the mandatory oxygen requirement, the refiner can design in greater flexibility and less costly processes. But in order to make informed planning and design decisions, the refiner must know in 1999 ? not just in 2001 or 2002 or 2003 ? that the mandatory oxygen requirement is being waived. A waiver or other elimination of the oxygen requirement after the refinery investments are made could result in the worst of all worlds for a refiner who has relied on the continued imposition of the requirement.

Interesting, Calif. wanted the waiver back in 1999 and cited an immediate need, who was president then? But lets all bash Pres. Bush, right. Some people should open their eyes and read a little instead of just spouting off random insults.

---------------

I have found that the ones that normally resort to name-calling do so because they have no futher logical argument, sometimes they never had one to begin with.
 

shiner

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
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I think you might be surprised at what happens between us and Russia. Just a gut feeling but I think it's time for even more of a thaw.
 

glenn1

Lifer
Sep 6, 2000
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<< so shrub can build more missiles for a defense system that is unproven and will certainly result in a dangerous arms race again, putting us back into the cold war era some of us in this forum remember only too well. >>



Arms race? With whom? The Russians? Surely you jest... they can't even afford the military they have now, what makes you think they'd be able to pursue an arms race with us, much less consider it? The Chinese? Please, our Pacific fleet would make short work of the Chinese military and any weapons of power projection, and since i don't think we'd be invading them anytime soon, their huge army would be of no avail. In frank terms, the United States at the current time is the most dominant military power the world has ever seen, and the gap between the US and any credible competitor is an utterly vast one... even with the recent Chinese nuclear exploits.

While there are legitimate arguments for not pursuing a missile defense system, the idea of a 'new cold war' starting because of it is not one of them.
 

Tripleshot

Elite Member
Jan 29, 2000
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While there are legitimate arguments for not pursuing a missile defense system, the idea of a 'new cold war' starting because of it is not one of them.

So you say. Thats not what better heads than you or me say.

I have heard on the news from reporters and investigators that if a star wars missile defense system is used,enemies of democracy will find a way to defeat it. That is the arms race, my friend. The pure folly of this mis guided fiasco is embarrasing. If you are going to stop a rouge nation from blowing up a nuclear weapon in San Fransisco or Miami or downtown DC,you are going to have to look for a suitcase or defend against a cruise missle launched from a freighter in a harbor. This star wars crap won't get passed congress.let alone some nimb skull in here trying to convivnce anyone that the EU supports this or even think for a moment Russia or China will support it.

This was not thought out. It's shoot from the hip policy making on the run. Bush floats an idea and sits back waiting for the response. His policy then is driven by public opinion,not sound advice from people who can think.

His global warming aproach is just as dismal. Lead follow or get the hell out of the way. Shrubs method of deciding global warming policy is by checking with the economists that support his domestic policy. Thats sure to engage the rest of the global community in a koombya spirit. ;)
 

SuperTool

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
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I don't think it's worth creating a rift between US and Europe.
I believe the only ones benefitting from this will be the defense contractors. It's probably going to be a waste of billions of dollars just like the Osprey and the B2. Of course, all Americans will have to foot the bill. America is a great counry. You can donate $1Million to a political party and get $100 Billion return on your investment.
The question you have to ask yourself is: do you want $1000 of your money paying for this untested system that might or might not work, and might or might not be useful?
 

MrChicken

Senior member
Feb 18, 2000
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<I have heard on the news from reporters and investigators that if a star wars missile defense system is used,enemies of democracy will find a way to defeat it. >

Fighting with public opinion to get stopped before it starts is the first try at defeating it.

An analogy, accurate or not, you can shoot through a soft bullet proof vest with a rifle easily, you can also be killed by being shot in the head, or the pelvis or leg and even in the arm. Those are not reasons to not wear a BPV if you are a policeman.

Sure a missile shield will be defeated at some point, if it ever works, but that is not a good reason not to build one. You can draw this out to other military developments. Such as suits of armor, forts, tanks, sbmarines, etc. In military terms, you need what wins the conflict when it happens, waiting to develop a weapon when it's needed, usually means you have already lost the battle, and maybe the war.

Build missle defense, make it work, use the time that it works to develop the next thing that keeps the others behind you.
 

yata

Senior member
Jun 2, 2000
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I'm sorry, but Bush himself cannot make a statement to the press that he's the result of the TV generation and now the mere representative of his Republican counterparts. It is just too obvious! And to declare that his motives are from corporations giving him allowance, his verbal ability just can't handle it!

Missile plan won't even become deployable in the near future. By then, social-security crisis will pop its head up. And Tripleshot mentioned impending arms race- woooooo... we're not going to get hit once the umbrella's open. It'll be Bush's legacy: psuedo-security.

This global warming fiasco is the conservative's passive-aggressive attitude, meaning support the idea in &quot;public&quot; but don't do sh!t in private. Yeah, the administration has their own version of the Kyoto Treaty....
 

Red Dawn

Elite Member
Jun 4, 2001
57,529
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Carrison

<< The endless mindless insults that flow from few on this board gets old and is not needed. >>

You and others like you with your mindless California Bashing is what's old and if being told to shove it up your punk ass bothers you then go back to the AOL chatroom where you came from. It's ok for you guys to blather away but then you piss and moan when you get back handed. My insults aren't mindless, they're mindfull.. mindful of what hypocrites you are. You don't see me insulting Etech or Russ even though we don't agree about certain issues. The reason is they aren't petty little weasals like you and Whinerburke who spout your envious distaste about us here in the Golden State.
 

charrison

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
17,033
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red,

Whatever.

I do not recall every insulting you. I do not every recall insulting you lovely home state. I have been there it is nice. I have even agreed with you on a few occasions. I have defended my state against your false claims. I have taken an open view to your energy problem, as my state may face very similar problems with water. If this makes me a weasel, then I guess I am.
 

shiner

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
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<< The reason is they aren't petty little weasals like you and Whinerburke who spout your envious distaste about us here in the Golden State. >>



I neither despise nor envy California. I have relatives in San Diego and L.A. When I do attack Cali it is because the politicians and people there have made terrible decisions that led to the situation the state is in now but rather than accept responsibility for it they seek to blame the federal government and President Bush in particular. This problem was occurring last year, the year before, and probably the year before that. Sure it has become worse but that is due to inaction on the part of the people in Cali.

Keep calling me names if you wish....it just further proves to me and others that you are intellectually bankrupt and need to resort to petty name calling in order to advance your cause.
 

guitronics

Senior member
Apr 4, 2001
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First of all, I want to congradulate etech.Your thoughts are orderly,and you back up your opinions with relevant information.

As for California,please think about this for a moment.It seems obvious to me that Ca.'s energy problems didn't happen overnight, or just this year.It appears to me as if the laws of economics were tampered with for a long time, in order to make political gains.

Why is it that California is the first,and only(to the best of my knowledge)state to have an &quot;Energy Crisis&quot;?

As far as Mr.Bush is concerned,I like the man.He doesn't look into the camera and recite bald-faced lies.He has an air of dignity in his approach.

While nobody is perfect in this world,Bush seems somewhat above pure politics, he actually appears to have a course of action to follow.

I don't think he's trying to be &quot;Mr.Loveable&quot; to all people,he has a job to do, and I feel that he's doing his very best, under unusually difficult circumstances;to do the right thing...even if it's unpopular.
 

MrPALCO

Banned
Nov 14, 1999
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The government of California has saddled its people with an impossible situation.

The militant greens and their sympathizers, have pushed down the energy producers, without curbing energy use. Californians are a curious blend of those demanding a return to cave dwelling and those extreme energy hogging Movie Stars.

While it is tragic that the innocent must suffer, it is satisfying to watch the greens be forced to do this.

California, once a leader, has become a glaring example of the result of a lack of common sense and an over abundance of glitz.

The new standard for common sense government?

The Carolinas.

:)
 

Michael

Elite member
Nov 19, 1999
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Tripleshot - There was a very interesting article in the WSJ this Friday about Bush's visit. They looked at the &quot;protests&quot; and the &quot;anti-American&quot; sentiment in Europe. They found that the protests are small compared to typical European protests and that many are not even linked to Bush's visit (for example, the EU Summit protesters have nothing to do with Bush).

Every indication is that Bush has done well on his trip.

Michael

ps - California has done it to them (our) selves. My town, one of the few Rebublican areas near SF, voted down a peaker power plant that could provide enough power for us and the towns around us just last year.
 

Red Dawn

Elite Member
Jun 4, 2001
57,529
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<< intellectually bankrupt and need to resort to petty name calling in order to advance your cause. >>

;)
 

etech

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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An interesting article, worthy enough to post some excerpts.

The Myth of the Values Gap
By Anne Applebaum
Posted Wednesday, June 13, 2001, at 10:00 a.m. PT
&quot;A shallow, arrogant, abortion-hating, Christian-fundamentalist buffoon.&quot; So frequently have I heard and read this phrase?a description of the European caricature of George W. Bush?quoted over the past few days, that I am no longer absolutely certain of its true origins.....
I should start by saying that &quot;shallow, arrogant, abortion-hating, Christian-fundamentalist buffoon&quot; is not a wholly inaccurate reflection of what a certain slice of the European political elite, and particularly a certain slice of the European media, think of George W. Bush and of the values he embodies.......
Fifty percent of Italians, 50 percent of the French, and between two-thirds and three-quarters of the British actually favor the death penalty. Since, at the same time, support for the death penalty in the United States is dropping?the numbers who oppose it have risen in the past four years from 25 percent to 40 percent?popular views on this subject are actually converging, not growing apart.........
The same is true of the supposed gap between European and American politics and economics. Generally speaking, it is true that Europeans have, in recent years, been happier to pay higher taxes. They have also expected their government to organize more services in return, including some form of state or state-regulated medical care, something which still seems unthinkable in the United States. Yet the larger story of European economics over the past decade has been one of privatization and deregulation, of the shrinking of the role of the state.....
.....
Don't bet on European dislike for shallow, arrogant, abortion-hating, Christian-fundamentalist Americans running very deep.
<<

Even in Europe you have the liberal press making the news.
---------

guitronics, thank you, I appreciate your comments.


 

Tripleshot

Elite Member
Jan 29, 2000
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It's easy to say you support the death penalty when there is no chance of having one; and if support is so high in Europe, how did it vanish? While nobody--not even the poor European--likes bureaucracy, the fact is that government has not shrunk in Europe; a couple of countries, like the Netherlands, excepted. On the other hand, in support of Applebaum, it must be said that it has not shrunk here either. And comparing social overall social expenditure in Europe (very high) with the fraction of the U.S. budget spent on transfers is comparing apples with oranges.

And she?fails to note: no European country is close to eliminating &quot;welfare as we know it,&quot; or universal medical care (which goes well beyond the tepid reforms put forward by Hillary). It is true that Europeans like American culture, and vice versa. In particular, fast food restaurants (both McD and indigenous ones like Quick) fill a vacuum in France, where eating lunch at the bistro (which means &quot;fast&quot; in Russian) can easily take 90 minutes.

Applebaum repeatedly plays the &quot;elite&quot; card: ordinary Europeans are really like Americans. Indeed, they are really like W. But their elites are not. Why not? Well, Applebaum does not explain why even right-wing (by European standards) governments support policies that are left of Ted Kennedy.

The implication is a democracy deficit: U.S. is the only true democracy... W is thus the true representative of the people, despite the embarrassment of having run second in the popular vote. Elected politicians in Europe, by contrast, are unrepresentative elites. But, you know, in France the winner of the popular vote, not the loser, becomes president.

Anyway, does any of this matter? Well, W intends to push ahead with whatever he was elected to do whether Europeans like it or not. And why not? He is the president of the U.S., not Europe. As the world's hyperpower, we are in the comfortable of not having to listen.

--Bob

Way to go Bob.:D your reply to this obviusly biased and flawed Slate expose' is far mor enlightening than what our midwest Etech would try and have the readership here swallow as fact.

Thanks for the link Etech.;)
 

etech

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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Back to the orginal subject for a moment.
Energy Secretary Backs More Relief for California
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration would not be opposed to some additional limits to rein in California's soaring electricity prices, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said in a Washington Times interview published on Saturday.
The Bush administration and the Republican-led FERC has adamantly opposed price caps, arguing that imposed caps would discourage construction of new generating facilities needed to solve California's power crisis over the long term.
Abraham said that while the Democrats were focused on capping prices, he was more concerned with the immediate threat of rolling blackouts.
.... `Minimizing the number of blackouts ought to be our principal goal because of the impact on the economy of California,'' he told the Washington Times. ``The policy being advocated by California legislators, by the governor of California are only going to make blackouts worse.''

TS, care to post &quot;Bobs&quot; credentials or are you Bob?, both of you make about the same amount of sense.

Damn, an American president looking out for the interests of the US and American people, well he should be indicted for that.
 

tkim

Platinum Member
Dec 23, 2000
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I LOVE CA but all this crap that we are going through is making it damn expensive to live here!!