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REAL WORLD EVENT DISCUSSIONS
Hollywood vs. Terrorism
Friday, August 18, 2006 3:30 AM
SKYWALKEN
Friday, August 18, 2006 1:20 PM
FINN MAC CUMHAL
Friday, August 18, 2006 5:11 PM
HKCAVALIER
Saturday, August 19, 2006 1:19 AM
AURAPTOR
America loves a winner!
Quote: Without saying anything beyond "bad things are bad, up with good things" they've just agreed to 1984 (but only if it's necessary, of course
Saturday, August 19, 2006 6:41 AM
Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: Had this been a crowd of stars speaking out against President Bush, you'd be singing their prasies. But alas, it's ONLY terrorism they're denouncing, so you casually dismiss it as dutiful drones gleefully handing over their freedoms to the big bad Alliance.
Saturday, August 19, 2006 6:51 AM
KANEMAN
Saturday, August 19, 2006 7:49 AM
CHRISISALL
Quote:Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal: I think for the first time, I actually agree with Hollywood activism.
Saturday, August 19, 2006 10:45 AM
USBROWNCOAT
Quote:Originally posted by HKCavalier: Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: Had this been a crowd of stars speaking out against President Bush, you'd be singing their prasies. But alas, it's ONLY terrorism they're denouncing, so you casually dismiss it as dutiful drones gleefully handing over their freedoms to the big bad Alliance. AURaptor, your comments are approaching Kanemanian levels of irrelevance and inaccuracy. I have never "sung the praises" of any Bush-bashers. I respect Rue's research and Signy's clarity, for instance, but I don't enjoy or participate in simple Bush-bashing. The Ugly Truth: Our President is an Imbecile thread? Barely read it, never posted there, because I think that kind of stuff is pointless. Getting up in arms about Bush's casual conversation to Blair seems a little hysterical actually. The whole "China is big" thing is something I might say; nobody has to be stupid to state the obvious, particularly when you're just blowing off steam after dinner. I've been reading a lot of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson lately and these men knew perfectly well the danger all governments pose to their citizens. Governmental power is a very dangerous thing, period, and must be kept in check always, not just when we feel safe and cozy and unasailable. Even a president as recent as Eisenhower in '61 understood the grave danger of our "military industrial complex." If that guy were running in '08 I'd vote for him in a second. Do you think Eisenhower was wrong? Do you think the constitution is too limiting a document for a modern super power like ours? Meanwhile, the threat of terrorism, though real enough, has been greatly exagerated by leaders on both sides of the aisle to secure their own power. I may have half-heartedly said something vaguely nice about John Kerry during the lead-up to our last miserable presidential election (and if so, for that, I humbly apologize), but I'm not a fan of either party, AURaptor. I dread Hilary's presidential ambitions more and more with each passing day. AURap, can't you see that the Administration doesn't take the threat of terrorism seriously either? Why would they leave our borders wide open if they did? (Seriously, I haven't read your rationalization for that one anywhere. Do you have one?) And I suppose you blame the local governments for everything that went wrong in New Orleans, but you gotta admit that FIMA and DHS were pretty ineffectual in any event, don'cha? Your fears are simply being played on while our government keeps sinking all our money into their war of choice. Does that seem right to you? HKCavalier Hey, hey, hey, don't be mean. We don't have to be mean, because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are.
Saturday, August 19, 2006 12:34 PM
Quote:Originally posted by USBrowncoat: Terrorism has not been greatly exaggerated to secure power. In fact it has weakened our president if anything.
Saturday, August 19, 2006 10:12 PM
Sunday, August 20, 2006 12:25 AM
Quote: AURap, can't you see that the Administration doesn't take the threat of terrorism seriously either? Why would they leave our borders wide open if they did? (Seriously, I haven't read your rationalization for that one anywhere. Do you have one?) And I suppose you blame the local governments for everything that went wrong in New Orleans, but you gotta admit that FIMA and DHS were pretty ineffectual in any event, don'cha? Your fears are simply being played on while our government keeps sinking all our money into their war of choice. Does that seem right to you? HKCavalier
Sunday, August 20, 2006 1:35 AM
Sunday, August 20, 2006 2:20 AM
CITIZEN
Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: As for Katrina, there's no question where most of the blame lies. The Army Corps of Engineers. It was their levee system which failed. Studies from LSU show that the foundations for the levee systems which failed weren't dug down even 1/2 as far into the ground as needed. The levees failed before the tops were breached. ( read that last line again and let it sink in for a moment ) If the levees live up to anywhere near their expectations, there's no flooding. No flooding, this event is a far smaller disaster than it turned out to be.
Sunday, August 20, 2006 3:33 AM
Quote: It's my understanding that the levees were not designed to withstand a hurricane as powerful as Katrina, and that the army corps of engineers wanted to improve the levee system, but Bush wouldn't authorise the funds necessary (only authorising 20%). Blaming the Army Corps of Engineers is worse than blaming the New Orleans city founders for building a city below sea level.
Sunday, August 20, 2006 4:26 AM
Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: So, to steal a quote - It's worse than you know . And it really is. And much more complicated too. Sorry, but for you or anyone to quip that all this can be laid at the feet of Bush, or even his administration, is quite simply ignorance on a colossal level. I have no need for name calling. It is what it is.
Quote:Martin McCann a civil and environmental engineering professor at Stanford University "As further development goes on behind levees, over decades you need to revisit the question and say, are those levees providing us the protection that we wanted?" "The answer is probably no, because the exposure is probably greater. The number of people and the valuable property is greater."
Quote:New Orleans CityBusiness Feb. 16, 2004 The $750 million Lake Pontchartrain and Vicinity Hurricane Protection project is another major Corps project, which remains about 20% incomplete due to lack of funds, said Al Naomi, project manager. That project consists of building up levees and protection for pumping stations on the east bank of the Mississippi River in Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Charles and Jefferson parishes. The Lake Pontchartrain project is slated to receive $3.9 million in the president's 2005 budget. Naomi said about $20 million is needed. "The longer we wait without funding, the more we sink," he said. "I've got at least six levee construction contracts that need to be done to raise the levee protection back to where it should be (because of settling). Right now I owe my contractors about $5 million. And we're going to have to pay them interest."
Sunday, August 20, 2006 6:07 AM
Quote: It's my understanding that the levees were not designed to withstand a hurricane as powerful as Katrina, and that the army corps of engineers wanted to improve the levee system, but Bush wouldn't authorise the funds necessary (only authorising 20%)
Sunday, August 20, 2006 6:37 AM
RIGHTEOUS9
Sunday, August 20, 2006 6:43 AM
Sunday, August 20, 2006 7:11 AM
Quote:Originally posted by Righteous9: I have no reason to believe that the levies would have been fully upgraded by now, had Bush not cut funding to them. Regardless, in the wake of such a disaster, can't you see that levee funding should have been a priority, and yet again, this administration's are out of wack? Obviously New Orleans needed that funding. Obviously the threat was clear and present - so he cuts the funding? And none of that excuses the reaction to the disaster. Apparently everybody in the white house was getting their Katrina information from one obscure paper that said "New Orleans dodged a bullet." They aren't in contact with anyone down there? Give me a fucking break.
Sunday, August 20, 2006 7:26 AM
Quote:You did say that Bush was to blame for all this, only funding 20% of what was alloted for repairs of the levees. That's horseshit. Then you claim I called you ignorant for NOT making the very point you DID make, you've painted yourself in such a corner that you're sounding like some OTHER trolls we see here.
Quote:Even before the Katrina disaster. Just gloss over the facts, pal.It makes life SOoooo much easier,huh?
Quote:The design of the original levees, which dates to the 1960s, was based on rudimentary storm modeling that, it is now realized, might underestimate the threat of a potential hurricane. Even if the modeling was adequate, however, the levees were designed to withstand only forces associated with a fast-moving hurricane that, according to the National Weather Service’s Saffir-Simpson scale, would be placed in category 3. If a lingering category 3 storm—or a stronger storm, say, category 4 or 5—were to hit the city, much of New Orleans could find itself under more than 20 ft (6 m) of water.
Quote:There is no simplified answer, my friend. But it's you who keeps trying to find one.
Quote:Government engineers performing sonar tests at the site of a major levee failure found exactly what independent investigators said they would -- that steel reinforcements barely went more than half as deep as they were supposed to, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers official said.
Quote:Learn before you post, son.
Quote:Funny how a thread on Hollywood vs Terrorism has become a sqwabble over Hurricane Katrina
Sunday, August 20, 2006 9:40 AM
Sunday, August 20, 2006 9:49 AM
Quote:Originally posted by chrisisall: Quote:Originally posted by USBrowncoat: Terrorism has not been greatly exaggerated to secure power. In fact it has weakened our president if anything. How to put this politely? WRONG! It has been exaggerated and it has strengthened the Presidents agendas. Exactly how has it "weakened" him? 911 made a great # of things possible or at least easier to pass through for this administration. It was a political blessing. Talkin' to children Chrisisall
Sunday, August 20, 2006 9:52 AM
Quote:Originally posted by Skywalken: Here is a picture of the ad:
Sunday, August 20, 2006 10:00 AM
Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: Way back, I did say you OR OTHERS who claim it was all Bush's fault. So, my reply isn't JUST aimed at you.
Quote:Again, learn now to read, and stop being so paranoid.
Sunday, August 20, 2006 10:08 AM
SEVENPERCENT
Quote:Originally posted by USBrowncoat: If you believe terrorism is exaggerated you are a sorry, sorry sort. There is no hope for you. If the tactics taken by this administration are wrong in your mind, fine. But to brush off the threat of terrorism is political hog wash!. I could make a list of terrorist acts around the world in the last five years for you, however you wouldn't read them anyway. Children?
Quote:Nearly 2000 people per year in the world are injured by lightning strikes, and between 25 to 33 % of those struck die.
Quote:There were 208 acts of international terrorism in 2003, a slight increase from the most recently published figure of 198 attacks in 2002, and a 42 % drop from the level in 2001 of 355 attacks. A total of 625 persons were killed in the attacks of 2003
Sunday, August 20, 2006 10:16 AM
Sunday, August 20, 2006 10:24 AM
Quote:Originally posted by USBrowncoat: What does natural lightening strikes have to do with terrorism? One is a natural phenomenon created by a violent planet, The other is a man made brutality created by hate filled humans. And by the way 2000 terror strikes a year is what? Small potatoes. I never said be afraid. You have nothing to worry about. Thanks to our vigilant and commited president.
Sunday, August 20, 2006 10:44 AM
Quote:Originally posted by chrisisall: Quote:Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal: I think for the first time, I actually agree with Hollywood activism. You agree with condemning Hezbollah AND Hamas? Cool. Me too Chrisisall
Sunday, August 20, 2006 10:47 AM
Quote:Originally posted by USBrowncoat: What does natural lightening strikes have to do with terrorism? One is a natural phenomenon created by a violent planet, The other is a man made brutality created by hate filled humans. And by the way 2000 terror strikes a year is what? Small potatoes.
Quote:If you believe terrorism is exaggerated you are a sorry, sorry sort. There is no hope for you. If the tactics taken by this administration are wrong in your mind, fine. But to brush off the threat of terrorism is political hog wash!.
Sunday, August 20, 2006 10:53 AM
Quote:Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal: It really shouldn’t be this difficult to get people to condemn terrorist groups. You don't have to be a Conservative Republican or a “Neo-Con” to condemn terrorist groups.
Sunday, August 20, 2006 10:57 AM
Quote:Originally posted by SevenPercent: It's not difficult to get people to condemn terrorist groups. It's difficult to get people to agree to definitions and solutions. One man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter. That's the way the world works, sad to say.
Sunday, August 20, 2006 12:00 PM
Quote:Originally posted by citizen: Quote:Originally posted by USBrowncoat: What does natural lightening strikes have to do with terrorism? One is a natural phenomenon created by a violent planet, The other is a man made brutality created by hate filled humans. And by the way 2000 terror strikes a year is what? Small potatoes. I never said be afraid. You have nothing to worry about. Thanks to our vigilant and commited president.And you won't get hit by lightning because my ultra top secret weather machine keeps it in check. More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes! No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.
Sunday, August 20, 2006 12:02 PM
DREAMTROVE
Sunday, August 20, 2006 12:14 PM
Quote: Why do you even bother coming here?
Sunday, August 20, 2006 12:15 PM
Quote:Originally posted by SevenPercent: Quote:Originally posted by USBrowncoat: What does natural lightening strikes have to do with terrorism? One is a natural phenomenon created by a violent planet, The other is a man made brutality created by hate filled humans. And by the way 2000 terror strikes a year is what? Small potatoes. Now who's being childish? (answer: you) You said that the terror threat wasn't an exaggerated threat. You said, and I quote, Quote:If you believe terrorism is exaggerated you are a sorry, sorry sort. There is no hope for you. If the tactics taken by this administration are wrong in your mind, fine. But to brush off the threat of terrorism is political hog wash!. Are you afraid of lightning? Do you think we need to have mandatory storm laws? Do you think a crack team of operatives needs to come and check to see if everyone's home has a lightning rod? I seriously doubt you do. According to your post though, anyone who isn't terrified by terror is a sorry sort personified by hogwash. I'm not misquoting, either, because there it is right there in your post. I'm hitting you with your own post; it was you who said to look up the numbers. I did. The same number of people get killed by lightning every year as get killed by terror attacks - so why is the big news splashed across your posts, as well as every news station, how bad terror is? Reality check, USB: The likelyhood of being killed in a terror attack in your lifetime is zero, just like the odds of being hit by lightning. Therefore, I submit to you that the terror threat is exaggerated, and it's your ilk that exaggerates it. You said in your post that a dangerous threat was there, then said 2000 attacks was small potatoes. Which is it? A serious threat, or small potatoes? ------------------------------------------ "A revolution without dancing is no revolution at all." - V Anyone wanting to continue a discussion off board is welcome to email me - check bio for details.
Sunday, August 20, 2006 12:22 PM
Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: Uhh..gee. Lemmie think on that one. Oh yeah, because I'm a huge Firefly fan, for starters. And as to why I come HERE , to the RWED forum, it's to give clarity and truth to an otherwise misinformed array of fellow browncoats. Yeah, * I'm * just happy to be doing good works.
Sunday, August 20, 2006 1:13 PM
Sunday, August 20, 2006 1:27 PM
Sunday, August 20, 2006 2:13 PM
Quote:Originally posted by citizen: To be quite frank USB your testimony carries no weight in this circumstance. More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes! No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.
Sunday, August 20, 2006 2:20 PM
Sunday, August 20, 2006 4:55 PM
Quote: "it's to give clarity and truth to an otherwise misinformed array of fellow browncoats."Hmmm, an arrogant attitude not too dissimilar to that of a religious fundamentalist, you have the universal truths, any who disagrees with you is an idiot. Exactly as I thought, you aren't interested in discussing anything; you are interested in silencing dissent. I guess that means anyone who comes here for a discussion (me and most other people here) should now ignore you completely
Sunday, August 20, 2006 5:12 PM
Quote:Originally posted by dreamtrove: Auraptor, I thought I'd way in here. I disagree with what you post most of the time, mostly I think you put to much faith into the idea that Bush is doing the right-wing thing, or what's best for us, but you're opinions are certainly welcome here. The more thought you put into them the better. You're not a troll, and it's the not a trol aspect of your argument that makes it welcome. Keep saying what we don't want to hear, but do us the favor of listening to the rest of us when we say what you don't want to hear. All of us are going to be wrong some of the time, and life never gives us the hint of letting us know beforehand what we're going to be wrong on, we just find it out as we go along.
Sunday, August 20, 2006 8:45 PM
Quote:Originally posted by USBrowncoat: What I'm getting at is you have to accept one as a possible threat living here on earth. The other should never happen.. that threat should be zero. Secondly, there are millions of lightening strikes a year. Only 2000 unlucky souls get hit. Not very good odds on lightening's behalf. Terror on the other is a direct hit every time, and as a result over 50% of the time it's lethal. It is (ridiculous) to compare or equate the two. Surely, you must see that. Third, terror strikes are aimed at a very small group of people, manly the west, lightening strikes are random for all of humanity.
Monday, August 21, 2006 2:53 AM
Quote:It's clear that Bush is doing what HE thinks is best for the country.
Quote:I was under the false impression that he was more of a right winger, but alas, he's too much like his father. I get that now.
Quote:I think what is rubbing 'some' folks here the wrong way is that , in general, I HAVE thought a great deal about my comments, and don't often speak unless I'm certain of what I'm saying has some, or all basis in attainable fact. One of my favorite motto's is something Carl Sagan said - " I do not want to believe, I want to know. "
Quote:Where I DON'T know, and am simply tossing out pure opinion, I'll try to make that clear. If I'm full of it, and can be shown that my view point is flawed, I have no problem learning from my mistakes or retracting anything false I've stated.
Quote:What annoys me, as it would anyone, is how some completely ignore what I'm saying, and instead accuse me of being a racist, bigot, etc..., simply because they have nothing but emotion guiding their view, and not fact.
Monday, August 21, 2006 3:06 AM
CANTTAKESKY
Quote:Originally posted by HKCavalier: What a non-event.
Monday, August 21, 2006 3:15 AM
Quote:Originally posted by SevenPercent: IIRC from the bet, the number of strikes from the 2003-2004 year (terrorist) was something like 2000 with a total death count of 650 (might have been 950 - been awhile since I looked this up). Oddly, the number of strikes from lightning were nearly identical - 2000/650.
Monday, August 21, 2006 6:22 AM
Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: More empty rhetoric by you from across the pond. First, you mistakenly veiw my comments as 'arrogant' . All i've DONE is discusss the facts, but all YOU'VE done is your usual. Play the role of contrarian, say the opposite of what ever I say, and not ONCE have you ever dealt w/ my comments on a substantive level. Ignore me all you want, if it makes you sleep better at night. If you can't run w/ the big dogs, stay on the porch, brother.
Monday, August 21, 2006 7:53 AM
Quote:Originally posted by USBrowncoat: In my short time here, I've come to expect your frankness. Carry on.
Monday, August 21, 2006 8:22 AM
Quote:Originally posted by citizen: Quote:Originally posted by USBrowncoat: In my short time here, I've come to expect your frankness. Carry on.I apologise, what I meant to say is that there's a lot going on here which I don't think you get (because you've not been here long) and I don't trust your impartiallity here, because it's plain that AU says things you agree with. my responce was too glib.
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