USA Politics Thread - *No gun debate*

[scubaman3D]

To offer my own two cents I'd have to say this election campaign is woeful. Compare it to 1992 Clinton, Bush and Perot debating were at least in heated debate about NAFTA.

Well this I agree with. When "American Idol" gets more votes than the US President, you know we live in a sad state of affairs.

[MehMan]

All that comes out of this current bullshit is personal attacks. Zero on policy from both sides, at a crucial time in US and global history.

Because everybody wants to see poo being thrown around in the big monkey cage.

And that is a bad sign. Also the general disinterest of people in politics is bad bad bad bad.

[Scorpio]

Quote[/b] ]I have read stories of Russian bombers or fighters approaching the airspace and then being escorted away by US fighters - so you're right, thats what I was thinking about.

One example:

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/03/26...nes/index.html

This seems contradict http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/03/26/us.russian.planes/index.html]this story[/URL] that Russian aircraft have never entered Alaskan airspace, but oh well.

Quote[/b] ]However little experience she actually has, its still more than Obama.

You mean foreign policy experience? Surely you cannot be serious? She didn't even travel outside the country until 2007. You get foreign policy experience not only by, say, negotiations and diplomatic missions with foreign countries, but at the very least an understanding of other cultures. That can only be done I think through seeing those countries for yourself. I think its safe to say, even I have more foreign policy experience than her. Here's a bit of the interview with Katie Couric:

Quote[/b] ]Couric: In preparing for this conversation, a lot of our viewers … and Internet users wanted to know why you did not get a passport until last year. And they wondered if that indicated a lack of interest and curiosity in the world.

Palin: I'm not one of those who maybe came from a background of, you know, kids who perhaps graduate college and their parents give them a passport and give them a backpack and say go off and travel the world.

No, I've worked all my life. In fact, I usually had two jobs all my life until I had kids. I was not a part of, I guess, that culture. The way that I have understood the world is through education, through books, through mediums that have provided me a lot of perspective on the world.

Pray tell, Governor, what exactly are those mediums, such as the newspapers, that you get your information from?

Quote[/b] ]Couric: And when it comes to establishing your worldview, I was curious, what newspapers and magazines did you regularly read before you were tapped for this to stay informed and to understand the world?

Palin: I've read most of them, again with a great appreciation for the press, for the media.

Couric: What, specifically?

Palin: Um, all of them, any of them that have been in front of me all these years.

Couric: Can you name a few?

Palin: I have a vast variety of sources where we get our news, too. Alaska isn't a foreign country, where it's kind of suggested, "Wow, how could you keep in touch with what the rest of Washington, D.C., may be thinking when you live up there in Alaska?" Believe me, Alaska is like a microcosm of America.

God knows what her "world view" is. To be fair on her - I think the ***Governor of Alaska wouldnt be particularly interested in the outside world, let alone be worried about foreign policy or military issues. But whats pathetic is how she's trying to enhance her credentials when she obviously has nothing.

Hell, don't vote for Obama just because he's the right man for the job. Vote for him just to save the world from McCain. Which brings me the big guy:

The very fact that he has been involved in almost all foreign policy and natural security issues in the last few years (his words) is reason why he cannot be trusted to be Commander in Chief. I mean, hell, here's what he once said about Al-Qaeda:

Quote[/b] ]It's common knowledge and has been reported in the media that al-Qaeda is going back into Iran and receiving training and are coming back into Iraq from Iran, that's well known. And it's unfortunate.

This claim was repeated twice. That, and many other stupid statements that I'd very happily list if requested. Funny how they excuse every stupid thing he says as a "gaffe" or "simple mistake". Oh that's right - I forgot, he's a maverick.

For a guy who's spending so much effort concentrating on Iraq, you'd think he would at least know what's going on over there.

He's a very angry guy who constantly explodes. Bless him, he just needs a hug. I remember one interview on his campaign jet a reporter asked him why he's so angry. Hehh

His whole career has been wrapped up in the military, albeit a very mediocre one. He graduated 895th out of 899 in the Naval Academy and crashed his aircraft 5 times. Wow. And despite all this, he didn't have so much as a smear on him due to his four-star admiral father taking care of things. Also, in my opinion, its shameful how he constantly exploits his status as a former POW...I've known POW's and victims of torture (my own father was one) and none of them seem stable enough to live a normal life, and I highly doubt being a former POW is a healthy prerequisite to being the President of the US.

[Scorpio]

This election seems to be the seeking out of a King, who must be of noble and brave of heart, wise and genuine who can be the best American there is.

You're exactly right.

however in my opinion they seem to be judging character and past history, rather than policy and plans..which is all fair and well considering that politicians tend to lie to get what they want. However, whats crazy is how they take something small and completely blow it out of proportion, while giving no considerations to the huge flaws and/or lies of the other candidate.

e.g. the "madrassa" claim on Obama.

[scubaman3D]

This seems contradict that Russian aircraft have never entered Alaskan airspace, but oh well.

But then, that's not really the point, is it?

And how does Obama living in a foreign country for 4 years equate to foreign policy experience?

Obama has been in the senate for what, three years. He has been campaigning for 1.5 of those 3 years and he is supposed to be more qualified and experienced than McCain, who has been there for 26 years or Palin, who has actually governed something before?

[Scorpio]

Quote[/b] ]But then, that's not really the point, is it?

No, not at all. That's exactly my point. My remaining question is how does proximity to Russia give her foreign policy experience?

Quote[/b] ]And how does Obama living in a foreign country for 4 years equate to foreign policy experience?

Again, here's what I said:

Quote[/b] ]You get foreign policy experience not only by, say, negotiations and diplomatic missions with foreign countries, but at the very least an understanding of other cultures. That can only be done I think through seeing those countries for yourself.

What I'm saying is: of course, he doesn't have enough foreign policy experience. But he has at least some understanding of the world around him. That, and his very sensible foreign policy outlined in his campaign. That, of course, is my opinion that it is sensible..but the alternative is McCain's...now you'd have to ask yourself: do you really want McCain as Commander in Chief? And if so, why?!

Quote[/b] ]Obama has been in the senate for what, three years. He has been campaigning for 1.5 of those 3 years and he is supposed to be more qualified and experienced than McCain, who has been there for 26 years or Palin, who has actually governed something before?

I for one am not saying that Obama has more experience in government than McCain has. That's absurd. But I do prefer Obama's behavior as senator and previous activites to McCain's.

On a small note, personally I just want the US out of Iraq (and hopefuly the rest of the Mid-East although thats not likely). A responsbile withdrawal is feasible and absolutely essential, (but thats for another topic). And that's why I'd like Obama to win. Couldn't care less if you screw up things at home, it'll be no wonder since these two chaps are the best you can come up with.




[edit] On another subject, I'd like to ask the more conservative posters here (if there are any) whats with this term "liberal"? I've never quite understood why people in the US snarl it as an insult?

[scubaman3D]

On a small note, personally I just want the US out of Iraq (and hopefuly the rest of the Mid-East although thats not likely). A responsbile withdrawal is feasible and absolutely essential, (but thats for another topic). And that's why I'd like Obama to win. Couldn't care less if you screw up things at home, it'll be no wonder since these two chaps are the best you can come up with.

To begin with, if thats all you care about in the context of this election, I'm afraid you're being slightly obtuse.

Anyways, from what I've read, Bush has already instituted a plan to gradually drawdown troops from Iraq over the next 2 or 3 years, I believe. He plans on taking something like 4,000 or 8,000 out before he leaves office.

I guess Obama's thunder has been stolen already.

General Petraeus is saying more cuts could come next year - a decision the next president will need to make.

Oh, and you know that because Palin hasn't traveled abroad as much as Obama, she can't possible understand other cultures and therefore couldn't possibly function as a VP. Is this seriously your argument?

Also, at least Palin knows what the VP does, unlike Joe Biden:
http://washingtontimes.com/news....e-wrong

[Scorpio]

Quote[/b] ]To begin with, if thats all you care about in the context of this election, I'm afraid you're being slightly obtuse.

Of course. I'm not a US citizen. I feel for those Americans who have some sense in them, but this country I believe is headed for collapse, and I stand by my statement.

Quote[/b] ]Anyways, from what I've read, Bush has already instituted a plan to gradually drawdown troops from Iraq over the next 2 or 3 years, I believe. He plans on taking something like 4,000 or 8,000 out before he leaves office.

I guess Obama's thunder has been stolen already.

Hardly. Obama would reduce these numbers much quicker, and anything to spew out of Bush's mouth..well, its just not funny anymore.

Quote[/b] ]General Petraeus is saying more cuts could come next year - a decision the next president will need to make.

Of course. And yet McCain doesn't seem to be worried about that, since he says that he doesn't care if they're in Iraq for "50, 100 or 1000, or 10000 years"...Now, I sincerely hope he's talking about just keeping bases and a strategic presence there after the majority has withdrawn, but even that I disagree with. As I said previously, America should be out of Iraq and the MidEast for good.

Quote[/b] ]Oh, and you know that because Palin hasn't traveled abroad as much as Obama, she can't possible understand other cultures and therefore couldn't possibly function as a VP. Is this seriously your argument?

I never said that I was firstly talking about the whole Alaska-Russia thing, then I said that Obama has at least an understanding of other cultures. And finally I displayed the Couric interview quote to show that: if she can't even name a news source she uses, how does she keep in touch with world affairs?

Quote[/b] ]Also, at least Palin knows what the VP does, unlike Joe Biden:
http://washingtontimes.com/news....e-wrong

I'm sure Joe Biden had at least an idea what the VP does before he got asked to be Obama's running mate, unlike: Miss Wasilla

[froggyluv]

Or Bush is finally letting go of his stubborn,failing ways is more the proper question. Sen. Obama has been calling for these cuts for a long time. Called for starting talks with 'Rogue Nations', which 5 previous Secretary Of States have agreed with and now Bush is finally acting -hardly constitutes stealing anyone's thunder.

And please with the Palin is more knowledgable than Biden material - if you saw her interviews, and debates, I find it nearly impossible for a reasonable person, barring rabid partisanship, to feel like she's got a firm grasp of anything besides, " Isn't it AMAZING how folksy-charmy I am! Ya gotta love me Joe! You betcha!!! Wink-Wink...

[scubaman3D]

Or Bush is finally letting go of his stubborn,failing ways

Or, God-forbid, did Bush's plan for a surge actually work, and its ok to now start a drawdown.

I know, this is an unthinkable alternative - that he might have actually done something right.

Scorpio

I think McCain is stating to his commitment to victory in Iraq, and he used a hyperbole to drive his point home. This is in contrast to democrats like obama who seems to think we were defeated in Iraq. A win in Iraq is bad news for obama, so why would you want a US president to have interest in the loss of our war overseas?

Anyways, all you've managed to prove is that before Palin was picked for VP, she wasn't exactly sure what the VPs role is. In contrast to Biden, who still didn't know as of last week.

Also, this business about the US falling. For your sake, you should hope not. The world's economy is a house of cards the whole thing will crumble after a US crash.