News-Record.com

Benjamin,

Hate to break it to you but it's a done deal. The Arabs are giving us a wee bit of time to get used to the idea. As in it's too late to "do something".

It is just like the Everglades International Port project in Southport, NC. It's a done deal. They are going to dredge to ungodly depths so as to make a port deep enough for any ship to enter. Then they are making this port a storage container area.

"This project has two phases with a total estimated cost of $296 million." This does not include all the money it's going to cost to widen Hwy.87 to four lanes inland, plus all the other associated costs. And it is of little note that Wilmington, just a few miles away is a deep water port. So is Morehead and Sunny Point (but that is military).

They are done deals. Screw the public and any concerns they may have regarding any of this. A government for the people, by the people is a big fat joke. We have been brainwashed to believe we are a free nation. We are as free as the government wants us to be.

Good morning Yvonne,

Great feedback.

I agree that we are only as free as the government wants us to be.

Whatever happened to open discussion and public feedback before such decisions of magnitude are made for our ports?

Whatever happened to representation for the people by the people?

I hope in 2008 we can at least have some better choices.

Thank you, Kat. And I pray you are right about 2008. As it stands now, our only hope, as a nation, is the end of Bush's reign. While he is not the sole cause of our problems, he has done nothing to improve our circumstances. He has, in fact, done much to divide us as a country and alienate the rest of the world. I don't know that there is anyone in the political arena that can undo the damage he has done.

That is one of the main reasons we need to turn to God for deliverance. Perhaps there is a Ghandi here that we know nothing of but will be inspired by God to help heal this nation.

I agree with the letter and the comments. I get so angry and then realize I am only hurting myself. We can all pray for a miracle.

Yvonne, just saw last night that you are a 60 year old liberal female. We sure do have a lot in common...I just have a year's more exerience than you. Wish all the bloggers could meet face to face. How interesting that would be. We could form a club...

MrP you out there? You have explained this issue very well in previous LTEs and have cut through the misinformation. Would you please write a "Counterpoint" LTE to the N&R and explain it to the folks who read the N&R but not the blog?

Yvonne, Bush isn't running in '08. Sometimes you guys act as if he is.

Bottom line here is:
The Bush administration is inept, and is in power for the next several years.
REMEMBER AND VOTE ACCORDINGLY.

Dan,

Don't have the slightest idea what your remark to me means. Nowhere did I say or imply Bush is eligible for re-election in 2008. Not had your coffee this morning? Not fully awake?

If Bush can order the wiretapping of U.S citizens by citing executive privilege, why can't he order a review of the Dubai Ports deal? Could it be because he doesn't want to?

If Bush can order the wiretapping of U.S citizens by citing executive privilege, why can't he order a review of the Dubai Ports deal? Could it be because he doesn't want to?

I have often thought, Carol, that if bloggers met face to face, there would be less disrespect in discussions. This forum could be a (to borrow a word from Buz today) catalyst for some powerful changes in the political arena. It is very easy for politicians to ignore a few. But it is difficult to sidestep a focused, determined, organized group.

Most of us feel strongly about illegal immigration. It is going to bankrupt us, not only here in NC, but also the nation. Meanwhile, the politicians are trying to keep the focus elsewhere (and succeeding).

However, Greensboro is very progressive in the blogging world. Are we going to take advantage of our opportunity or let it slip by?

I am glad to have your mature wisdom interjected into this forum. I respect your knowledge and presentation. Keep up the good work.

If Bush can order the wiretapping of Americans citizens in this country by citing executive privilege, why can't he order a review of the Dubai Ports deal the same way?

Yvonne: "As it stands now, our only hope, as a nation, is the end of Bush's reign."

I quit drinking coffee several years ago Yvonne, but I'm still awake thanks. I realize you didn't say Bush is runnin again, but I noted the use of the word "reign". My handy dandy Websters defines reign as: to hold royal office, to be monarch. Silly me, I thought it was called a presidency.

The only hope for the Democratic party is to come up with some people who have ideas/policies/proposals/platform/positive message that will encourage people to vote for them. Constantly bashing a lame duck president isn't going to win elections.

Your buddy Hillary hasn't come up with much positive yet. In fact she's pissed off the left wing of the base for being too hawkish.

Dan, please tell the Bush admim. that they are not royalty...they act as if they are. They continue to have your support, no matter what they do, and unless we take up arms (not that I advocate taking up arms before you get upset), they cannot be stopped.

Did you see the info about the pre-Katrina video. Did it make you proud?

carol,
"Did you see the info about the pre-Katrina video. Did it make you proud? ".............
i usually do not comment on politics, but i was blown away by what transpired during that secure video conference between brown and bush. it appears that brown has been telling the truth all along and bush is caught (again) with his foot in his mouth. i am wondering how his camp will spin this one ? i don't like bush as president but b/c he is the appointed leader of this country i still pray that he leads us well.

So, we are horrified that Bush wants to turn over our ports to the Arabs, and he should resign for lack of judgment? Is this any different than what Bill Clinton tried to do in 1997 with Long Beach, and without even national security review? Where was the outrage in 1997? Or are the Chinese Communists our close allies? Hum, I wonder if this was another of the John Huang deals?

March 7, 1997
Chinese Got Long Beach Deal!

By Staff Investigative Journalists

LONG BEACH DESK - The Long Beach Naval Station was tentatively placed on the Military Base Closure-List by president George Bush in 1991. President Bill Clinton, closed the naval base last in 1993. That resulted in the loss to Long Beach, California of 17,500 military and civilian jobs. The economic impact of the of loss was $52.5 million and drove the California economy into the tank. It has never recovered.

Between 1995-1996, during the heat of the Clinton-Gore Campaign fund raising activity, the Clinton administration actively intervened to make sure a Communist Chinese cargo container shipping interest got a too-good deal on a Long Beach, California, shipping terminal.

The Secretary of the Navy has formally turned the base over to the City of Long Beach. But, the Port of Long Beach has signed a letter of intent to lease the property to the China Ocean Shipping Co., a steamship line run by the Communist Chinese government.

The Navy base property is about to be leased to a Communist China-owned shipping company under an agreement that was only made possible by the intervention of the White House.

Forced by a court order, Port of Long Beach officials have now set March 12, 1997 for a new public hearing on plans to bulldoze the Naval Station and lease the property to the Comunist Chinese shipping company.

After a hearing before the court, a judge ruled last week that the deal had been rushed and proper procedures had not been in place.

Clinton was so eager to push the deal through that he met twice with Long Beach officials and once at a White House meeting in 1995 that included his then-chief of staff and the Pentagon's No. 2 official and others.

The deal finally approved by the Secretary of the Navy turns over control of the Long Beach Naval Station, with a value of at least $65 million, free of charge to the City of Long Beach. The city has agreed to lease it to the China Ocean Shipping Co. of the People's Republic of China.

The Chinese deal apparently went forward without a national security review by wither the CIA or National Security Council. The White House apparently avoided normal and routine government channels in pushing the deal through in 1995. '... there seemed to be no reason to check with the National Security Council on the decision ...' White House spokesman Lanny Davis said.

However, the China Ocean Shipping Co. of the People's Republic of China has been actively involved in several recent controversies in addition to a Russian AK-47 gun-smuggling episode on the streets of Oakland, California. In another shocking incident in December, one of the company's ships plowed into a crowded boardwalk in New Orleans, injuring 116 people.

Then, in 1992, the shipping company was fined $400,000 in a violation of U.S. shipping law in connection with is practices involving bribery of government officials in order to avoid paying U.S. tariffs on its imports at United States ports of entry.

There is still more. Six of the company's ships were detained by the Navy and Coast Guard for violating international safety regulations just in the last year. The Coast Guard said, that is has placed the China Ocean Shipping Co. of the People's Republic of China on a target list of shippers to monitor and search.

Last summer China admitted that the China Ocean Shipping Co. was shipping 640 tons of raw waste from the United States to China when it suddenly decided to dump it into the open sea.

In 1993 U.S. Navy shadowed a China Ocean Shipping Co. ship passing in the Persian Gulf after U.S. intelligence warned it was suspected of carrying chemical weapons materials.

CIA director Robert Gates has said ' ... any time you turn over an American port facility to a foreign-owned company, especially one with significant [Communist Chinese] government connection, then at least it ought to be vetted through national security agencies.'

A Navy Department career official said that no intelligence review was sought because the China Ocean Shipping Company's was not considered a security threat, by the Clinton White House.

The Chinese will lease the Long Beach Naval Station base for a 10 year term at a fee of $14.5 million per year. The Chinese will have the option to expand the perimeter of the operation onto another 150 acres of old Navy shipyards that will be developed at the City of Long Beach taxpayer's expense.

Officials at the Chinese shipping interest's headquarters in New Jersey and in Beijing refused to comment or respond to questions about president Clinton's involvement.

Oak Ridge,
You make my point exactly. Your right wing nut jobs went apesh_t when Clinton inked the China deal, but now defend Bush because he's an "R".
Consistency, please!

As for Bush, a guy painting my house said it best. "I didn't vote for Bush because this is America and just because your daddy was President doesn't mean you are qualified for the job". AMEN!

Carol, I don't know how many times I have to say this, maybe in the future I'll post it at the bottom of EVERY post I make.

I do not blindly follow ANY administration. There are things I approve of with Bush admin., others I don't. So your statement about the admin. continuing to have my support no matter what they do is false. You seem like a level headed person, not a bombthrower like Deacon, so please lay off the inaccuracies and don't sink to his level.

As for Katrina, there were mistakes made on all levels, no one doubts that. It's not too often a Cat. 4 storm hits a major city. Did the picture of all the flooded school busses Nagin could have used for evacuations make you proud? Good reason why I don't want to rely on govt. at any level to save my arse, I'm gonna do it myself.

Ever notice Florida got wacked by 4 major hurricanes and you never hear all the whining and bitching that you do from New Orleans? Ever hear whining and bitching from Mississippi? Nope you sure don't. That's because the people in these areas chose to take care of themselves instead of relying on the govt. to make every decision for them. We could use a little more of that IMO.

Posted by Dan, the guy who doesn't blindly follow any administration.

ORR,

You are talking one port as opposed to six. You are talking a country that owns half our debt as opposed one with terrorists ties. Apples to apples, please.

Dan,

If you have not heard the people of FL and MS whining, you haven't been listening. The people in FL are still living in makeshift housing (in many cases) because the money they got, if any, was not enough to repair or rebuild. Just like the people in Princeville, NC are still living in trailers 10 years later.

While you were denying supporting Bush on everything, you were doing just that. Now I know you are po'ed with his stance on illegals. However, you still come to bat for him in almost all other areas. I can't figure out if you are a Bush or party follower. Either way, your defense of him at almost every turn sounds like blind allegiance to me. All my opinion.

Yvonne, if someone is living in a trailer 10 years after a hurricane then that is their choice. Why does the federal govt. (i.e. us taxpayers) have to pay for people's homes? If a tornado takes out my house should I expect the govt. to provide me housing for 10 years?

I believe the Fed, state, and local govts. should rebuild infrastructure after such a disaster. I have no problem with charities helping people either. But if one is going to own a home, then it is their responsibility to insure it or assume all risks. I know that sounds harsh for you bleeding hearts out there, but too bad. The govt. has no business giving everyone $2500 debit cards either, many of which showed up in Houston topless bars.

As for my affiliation, I'm a conservative. Actually I don't think Bush is conservative enough. A true conservative would curtail excessive govt. spending and do something about the borders, neither of which Bush has done.

Democrats, with very few exceptions, are not conservative, hence the reason I usually vote Republican. I would however vote for Zell Miller if he were running.

Yvonne,

Excuse me, but is one port any less of a concern than six? How many is too many?

And, I don't understand how you can be OK with the Communist Chinese, but not an Arab country. I guess you must feel that the communist are not a threat to us anymore. Plus, if you read the story completely, Clinton tried to make this deal without even a review by the national security agency. Is that satisfactory?

In all honesty, I am not comfortable with any of these deals where foreign governments have such access in our country. I'm just indicating that there was very little noise made about the Clinton deal, as least compared to the Bush deal. I'm not sure that many people that are making a big political deal out of this even knew about what happened 10 years ago. Did you even know about the Chinese deal and make a decision that it was OK?

Demon Deacon,

Was a big splash made about the Clinton/China deal? I dont even recall the MSM speaking to it. Do you remember it?

Do you really think that a house painter is a significant expdert to quote on the matter? He may be an excellent house painter, but his opinion on Bush is just that - his opinion. I'm not duly impressed by your reference.

Dan and Yvonne,

What's so dang bad about living in a trailer? My aunt has been living in one for nearly 40 years and never had a problem.

I don't support this port deal with the Arabs. But, to be fair, the real deal (as mr produce and others have pointed out before) isn't nearly as exciting as the overzealous media have made it out to be. People hear what they want to hear. Me? I don't think you contract our ports out to ANY foreign country, much less one like the UAE. That means that you can't just hate on Bush. Which defeats the purpose for many of you. It's a bad idea no matter WHO does it.

Yellowdog, not busting on folks who live in trailers. I lived in one for 2 years during my first marriage. I just said if someone was displaced by a storm and 10 years later still living in a trailer, then it must be their choice. Seems like one could come up with a few $$ for a house in 10 years if they choose to do so.

I can see your point on the ports. I really don't see the reason why we outsource running our ports when there must be American companies that can do it. Anybody know why we outsource port management to any foreign country?

Dan,
This is just an FYI...I wanted to let you know that many of the people that are still living in trailers/or waiting to get their roofs fixed are not just waiting on the money from the federal government to get it done, they are waiting for it because there are not enough licensed roofers to fix the roofs. They are really strict in florida about licensing (not saying this is wrong or right...pretty sure strict licensing is a good thing really)And since hurricanes come every year, the process is complicated further. So sometimes the money is there, but the people to do the building are already tied up, or there is a shortage of materials or another hurricane is coming. Just wanted to fill you in that not all the people waiting are doing it so the govt can bail them out. Now, personally I would be frustrated after years of waiting and more hurricanes and would leave the state.

Dan, I have explained this deal on at least three different post and 3 blogs on the N&R. People don't want to read the facts and know what is real and what is just BS spread by politicians seeking re-election and those who would hope put the blame on one administration when it is a deal that has been going on for over 40 years. No one questioned it to any extent during any of this time but suddenly because there is an Arab nation involved , It's OMG the ARABS will be shipping nukes in the containers into our ports.
Frankly it's nothing more than smoke and mirrors to take the heat off a do nothing Congress and a bunch of failures who have sat on their duffs and done nothing but yammer at each other and point fingers just try to make themselves look good and in the mean time they have allowed this country to go to hades in a hand basket. BOTH DANG SIDES so don't go throwing any of this apology crap on me. I have a long list of ills toward this administration but at least I voice them in a manner that is not disrespectful of the office nor the individual.

Dan if they want to read about the port deal let em look it up like I did and educate themselves.Or else they can go back into the archives and on the other blogs and find FACTUAL posting not a bunch of rumor and heresay. Unfortunately most would rather just rant than learn.

Oak Ridge,
The house painter quote was put in to show that even the ones who were buffaloed by Bush/Cheney have now come around to seeing the light. He voted for Bush in the first election, but realized the poor fellow just isn't up to the job.

Yes! The MSM covered it wholesale! Right wing radio was consumed with it as it was ALL about Clinton. I guess Dan, Hugh, and neoCON would say they were "Clinton Haters". No, nevermind, their memory doesn't work when it comes to Clinton being tarred and feathered---Bush is the very first President, according to them, to EVER be disliked by so many. LOL.

Yvonne,
Thanks for pointing out Dan's continued support for Bush no matter what. He points to border security one minute and in the next minute he's supporting Bush's plan to make our ports more available to unfriendly nationals. His own anger at being unable to defend his "man" makes him lash out at trailers, poor people and the like. I pity Dan, but do not "hate" him.

Demon,

That's strange, I don't rememeber much in the MSM about the Long Beach deal, oh, and I think that it was Los Agenles port as well one year later. I sure don't remember a big flap like that which is going on now in the congress and senate either. Perhaps, you could give me a reference on who in the press was making a huge deal about it? I'd like to do some research on it? Oh, and the congress and senate as well.

So, are you comfortable that Clinton tried to make this deal without any security review? We are talking about Communist China. Or are we no longer concerned about communists?

From what I have heard on NPR and read on the net, there is so little control over what comes in our ports that it doesn't matter who manages them. Only 5% of cargo is "inspected" and some of that is done with a computer checking manifest info.

Let's face it, how could everything that comes in to our ports be inspected...impossible.

Using the defense used by the the Bush adm., the deal with the Chinese company was before 9/11 which changed everything; and 2 of the terrorists involved with 9/11 were from the UAE. Also heard that the Dubai government owns the company involved. Also heard that the Chinese company in Cal. has "close ties" to the Chinese gov. So who among us knows what is best???

Must admit that Bush's bold threat to veto got my hackles up. Made me very suspicious of the whole thing. Also will admit that I cringe at every word that comes from Bush, feel sure it a lie or fancy spin. Can't stand his arrogance. Also wish he could pronounce words. OK..that's my Bush bash for the day.

As I have no control over any of this, I have decided not to worry about it anymore. I will only pray for miracles. Discussing and sparring with yawl helps my blood pressure.

MRP: I think Dan is asking a different question ... here's my shallow answer to:

"Why we outsource port management to any foreign country."

America makes fewer widgets than Americans want to buy.

Foreign countries, often with built in advantages - like citizens use to taking a crap in a community trench just off Main Street - are THRILLED to work for 1/200th of what typical Americans "require".

Through a complex chain of middlemen, each making a nice cut of the profit and usually with “help” from the foreign countries - these overseas products - cheap but often of very high quality - are sold in America.

A few products, made in America, are sent overseas.

When these transactions are totaled - the so-called “balance of trade” - America ends up sending hundreds of billions of US Dollars overseas. Hundreds of billions of US Dollars is a lot more than anyone I know can comprehend (and I typically deal with multi-million dollar budgets).

Overseas folks – including all the middlemen and often in collusion with foreign governments (see above) – want to invest the profits rather than bury it in their back yard. One good place is to purchase US Treasury notes - this looks especially good in political discussions.

Often a better place to invest is buying another business. Sometimes American Citizens own these businesses’, either privately or as part of a publicly held company. These businesses’ include ports in America where big boats unload lots of stuff and return partially full to overseas ports (see above).

Often there is complicity between the American Citizen Seller and the American Tax Structure – Tax Structure written by genuinely clever lawyers and accountants specifically to make these deals even sweeter. It is not unusual for politicians to discretely stick their hand inside a pocket for some indirect albeit legal reward.

Often the American Citizen Seller has business connections beyond our 3 mile coastal limit, which makes them a Multi-National Corporation, with even more money to hire more clever lawyers and accountants (see above) to ... let’s say in unison this time: make these deals the sweetest ever.

Occasionally, these sweet deals have effects that are in America's interest, and the deals just happen.

On occasion, these sweet deals have effects that are not in America's interest, but the effects are subtile and take a while to be noticed (after which it's too late anyway) - and the deals just happen. To be fair, sometimes it is totally subjective whether a specific deal is or is not in America's interest.

Sometimes, these sweet deals are clearly not in America's interest - but since, for decades, laws have been written and rewritten years (see again "genuinely clever lawyers and accountants" above), the deals have to go through or America risks reprisal from tariffs, or the cashing in of political favors, or a whole bunch of other things more complicated than anyone I know can comprehend.

Simple huh!

ORR,
We were not in a war in Asia at the time, so it was more of a diplomatic step. With several of the hijackers originating from Bahrain, things are a little more serious.

Uhhh, Deacon, will you please read the post from Yellowdog that you need to grow up? Please try to follow said advise, you are alienating others not just me.

Lashing out at trailers? What does that mean? Read my 5:12 pm post please. I lived in a trailer for 2 years!! My statement was that anyone who lives in a trailer 10 years after a hurricane chooses to do so. Can you provide any factual proof otherwise?

Please spare me your pity, I don't need it thanks. Please spare me my anger, tis not I that called someone an a**hole (remember calling ol Dan an a**hole recently?), I believe it was you. Tis not I who referred to himself a pissed off American, I believe it was you. Tis not me who claims that I follow every step Bush makes despite my posts to the contrary, I believe it was you.

I tend to agree with Yellowdog, your posts are nothing but ranting and immature insults. Please try to offer something more useful. You are simply a bombthrower unlike some folks on the left who have some spinless insight like Yvonne, Carol, Denzien, Buz, Darryl, and others. I can RESPECT these folks, but you are an exception. Go look at Yellowdogs post, it is full of insight, GROW UP.

I am a happily married man with a wonderful wife and two beautiful children who is not consumed with hatred for presidents, whomever they may be. Since my life is not consumed by who is president, maybe you need to consider the same.

In case you missed it Deacon, here is Yellowdogs post (brought to you courtesy of Dan) Please take it to heart, Yellowdog has knowledge. I agree with Yellowdog and hope others will too, please ignore Deacon if he keeps this attitude.

Just as you describe Rush Deacon, you are simply entertainment, not information.

Dan, Hugh, Yvonne, and Others:

I will say this once. I will not repeat it. You guys were doing much better about being courteous towards one another until DemonDeacon came along with his blistering attacks, inability to read and comprehend, constant needling and baiting, insults and stupidity.

DemonDeacon. This is the only time I will address you and I'll never do it again in the future.
GROW UP!!! I agree with most of what you say politically but you make an ass out of yourself every single time you make a political comment.

On other forums you come across as a nice guy.

It took a lot of soul-searching because I used to act just like you but I did GROW UP and though I'm not perfect, I don't go around starting fights all the time either..

Hope you do the same cause I don't think you're nearly as stupid as you come across.

Now, the rest of you. Don't let him bring this blog down like it was in the past. Ignore him and his attacks. It's the only way.

That's all I'm going to say and I ain't going to say no more about Demon Deacon.

Deacon:

"ORR,
We were not in a war in Asia at the time, so it was more of a diplomatic step. With several of the hijackers originating from Bahrain, things are a little more serious."

I believe we are talking about the United Arab Emirates, not Bahrain.

Yellowdog,

Off topic but to answer your question. I was not speaking of mobile homes in my post. I was referring to temporary trailers. Big difference.

I lived in a mobile home during the early years of my (now defunct) marriage. So I have no negative judgements about folks who still live in them. They serve a most useful purpose, imo.

Carol,

It is the feeling that none of us have any control over what is happening to and in our country that is causing such a reaction to this ports deal. When people feel helpless to do anything in a situation, they get angry. Thus we are an angry nation.

I am not being a defeatist nor a whiner. The fact is, as I stated earlier, we have no power or influence over our government. Did you read the link James provided in the "Don't Even Consider It" thread? If this is not enough to prove how powerful and scary this government is, I don't know what would.

If we all had mega bucks, we would be listen to and could have an influence. Individually we don't but collectively we do. Unfortunately, almost everyone in the boat is rowing in a different direction. Not only on the ports issue but most issues. Divide and conquer is what the two major parties have succeeded in accomplishing. It is to their benefit to do this.

Every time Mr. P says the UAE is our friend and others say they have terrorist ties, I can't help but wonder. I am reminded of Sun Tsu's advise in his book "The Art of War". He says victorious is the general that knows his enemy (paraphrased). What do we really know well enough to stake our lives and security on?

I think how patient and calculating Bin laden has been thus far. Is the UAE just as patient and calculating? Can we trust they will always be our friend? Would you bet your children's lives on it? Cause that is exactly what we are doing.

Every time Mr. P says the UAE is our friend and others say they have terrorist ties, I can't help but wonder. I am reminded of Sun Tsu's advise in his book "The Art of War". He says victorious is the general that knows his enemy (paraphrased). What do we really know well enough to stake our lives and security on?

Yvonne, how about Saudi Arabia, China, Germany, Japan, Korea, VietNam, , all those other "friends". Can we trust them? Or do we become so dang paranoid that we become isolates in the world of commerce? Just stop and think of all the countries who we once accepted as friends who at one time or the other has stabbed us in the back. Not a lot of them out there is there? To pick one small country, the UAE, who HAD money laundering problems with terror groups is not a good example. I belive that Britain banks did some laundering, Swiss banks did a right good bit, German, Italian, Turkish, Singapore, Indonesian, Chinese, Mexico, a few in South America, Canadian probably a few here in this country as well.
I would come closer betting my grandchildrens safety on a deal with the UAE than China, Korea, or many of the other countries that I have named.

Every time we throw off another ME country as suspect, OBL wins another round. Think about that!

Yvonne, you nailed it. I feel powerless, and I am well off. I have all my needs and wants met. I can't imagine the feelings of those who are struggling financially. I also agree that we are being divided for a purpose, total control by a few. I don't trust any politicians in any area. I fear they have sold their souls to the devil to get where they are.

Was watching cspan last night. One channel had the Dems showing charts about the national debt, how it is growing, the interest we will have to pay, and the fact that future generations will be saddled with the debt. The other channel had a Rep from Maine discussing the hardship on her constituents due to the high price of fuel and asking for help from the Fed gov. Then a Rep blasted her and said we shouldn't saddle future generations with the debt this would incur. Now this distresses me. Where are our priorities? OK to be in debt for WAR but not for HEAT.

Dan, thanks for the support. Was feeling good until you said we had spineless insight. You need a little more work. I also see hatred for Kennedy, Hillary, Kerry and others popping up. I don't hate anyone, but I sure hate their actions, GWB in particular.

You have obviously been blessed financially. Please don't let that be too important.

Carol, re read my post please. I said SPINLESS insight, not spinEless. Meaning you don't spin your arguments for your own political gain. That was a compliment to you. Apology accepted in advance.

Carol Dunn Wrote:

Yvonne, you nailed it. I feel powerless, and I am well off. I have all my needs and wants met. I can't imagine the feelings of those who are struggling financially.

Carol, would you consider adopting me? :)

Actually, I agree with your assessment of politicians with very few exceptions. Corruption abounds from every angle as lobbying rules the law-makers.
As Mr. Gump may have remarked referring to politicians, "...You never know what your gonna get".

Soooooo sorry, Dan..... My proofreading skills must be leaving me...or it may be my eyesight, remember I am a Senior Citizen. (Was that a good enough excuse???)

Vera, how old are you? I have raised two kids already, but would consider adopting a grownup who likes to play bridge, work in the yard, read, walk, and travel. Since my husband and I are retired educators, well off is probably a relative term.

Nooooooo problem Carol, now that you are a retired educator you don't have to worry about proofreading. My eyesight left me in 7th grade so you can't chalk that up to being a senior citizen either. Isn't it amazing how one letter can totally change the meaning?

Hope you have a good weekend. Your friend Dan.

Carol
I was born during LBJ's presidency. I can do all those things you listed, rather well, except for Bridge. But..I'm proficient in poker. And thanks to my kids, I can Go Fish and Uno with the best of them!

Have a pleasant weekend from me as well..to everyone.