Further proof that BUSH IS EVIL!!

If you use a quote from someone else to prove a point, the context of the quote becomes even more relevant. If the context wasn't there, the quote wouldn't be there either.

Based on the nonsense you've written thus far, it's clear that you're just a waste of my time.

What did I say about argumentum ad verecundiam? Although I suppose we're now moving into argumentum ad hominem, liberally seasoned with a hint of "straw man".

It was a quote, to express a point. My argument is not based on any political philosophy but my own, and I'd challenge *you* to find exclusive parallels in my argument with the source you're claiming. You'll be looking for a long time, as they don't actually exist anywhere outside of your own imagination.

How about you try and debunk my arguments based on their own merits and lack thereof, as opposed to coming up with phantom origins to try and discredit?

I'd also suggest, for your own benefit, to not make assumptions about my socio-political leanings. Mother of all proverbials, and all that.

You can't counter my position within the boundaries of logical and reasonable discourse, because you don't know how.

You (from current observations) don't know the fundamentals of participating in a logical and reasonable debate.

Not understanding what I'm saying, or at least not knowing how to deal with it, you make a derisive and self-superior-slanted retreat from the discussion.

There's a term for that, you know.

Corporate mergers have done FAR more harm to the United States than any social programs from the Democrats.

Health-care:
Reduced nursing staff and the quality of health care.
Reduced doctors to automatons.
Increased the cost of ALL hospital procedures.
Increased the cost of prescription medications.
Reduced the number of over the counter medications available.

Electric Power:
Lead to both the California power crisis, and the failure of the East Coast power grid.
Not to mention the excesses of EnRon.

Manufacturing:
Gee, more and more manufacturing companies are now owned by foreign companies.
RCA
Chrysler
and countless other small companies.

Mega-retailers:
Yes, when Walmart and the like first come to town, the average consumer can get more for their money.
However, as the local restaurants and retailers are forced out of business, there are suddenly fewer jobs that now pay less for more work.
This is a good thing?

With the exception of a few mergers that saved failing companies, I can not think of ANY mergers that have resulted in ANY benefit for the average citizen or worker.

As you take away jobs that pay a living wage and replace them with jobs that pay below the poverty level, you demoralize the low skilled worker.

Why not go on welfare?
It gives you more spending money, and health care to boot.

Chas

I don't believe that is why we were targeted - it was because of support of Israle and our foriegn policies under Clinton that left others out in the cold.

Our continued blind support of Israli and its policies brings us directly into confrontation with others.

That is why - not that we puff up our chests when we talk about our country - not that we believe we are the greatest technology country or anything like that... It is the blind support of the Irsali government - and not taking into account the needs of other peoples and countries in that area.

I seem to recall reading in various places that certain Muslim groups are afraid of their culture being perverted by the very persuasive American culture. American culture violates their moral standards and threatens their lifestyles.

That fits in with some of what Monkeybutter is saying.

At the same time, many of the same groups complain about Israel and how that country deals with the Palestinians and assorted Muslim groups. Since the US is a major supporter of Israel, the US receives some of the anger directed at Israel.

That fits what JimHM is saying.

When you get down to it, there are usually multiple reasons behind something like the September 11th attack. Some of the reasons can be found in newspapers and on television. Other reasons might be found in the perceptions people have of the United States.

And, unfortunately, some of the reasons are the result of radical fundamentalists interpreting the Quran in ways that violate both the spirit and the letter of that book.

Over the years I have wondered if anybody else has seen what could happen if enough industries were outsourced to other countries. Things could reach the point that a 'war' could be waged simply by refusing to ship finished goods to the country that did the outsourcing.

For that matter, if enough PC hardware is designed and built outside the country, what would prevent this hardware from having an "OFF" switch that is triggered by a special signal that comes over the Internet or cell phone systems?

Thanks for bringing up the topic Colin.