If you've been following the Dixie Chicks' saga - and based upon the traffic and comments, in the days just before the war, few were concerned with much else - you know that after Natalie Maines slammed President Bush in London, she apologized the next day.…
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— go to most recent comments376 - Dan in Alaska
I'd welcome them here, as long as they will go through immigration and assimilate into society.
I know I know that hasn't been happening much lately, it's a free for all on the borders.
I think any Iraqi gay person who hasn't moved to a free nation where at the very least, they can be themselves without going into hiding, is suicidal. Why they would stay there is beyond me, unless they just cannot leave. In which case, we will arrange things so that they CAN leave, or stay with much less fear for their safety and well being, and their ability to function as a member of society.
How do you think they would be recieved by other Iraqis living in the U.S.? My guess is that it would be a very chilly welcome.
I can yank stats out of rear and cite studies all day long, most of which are at least, partially bogus. As far as studies go, it is no huge feat to show what you set out to show.
Look at yours, it says that 85% of the 60% of those polled who had negative feelings are actually, in fact homosexuals themselves.
I really have a hard time believing that, I'm reasonably certain that your citing a partisan study where the results were a foregone conclusion.
The three gay people I have known well enough to speak of, think that people like yourself and the Gay/Bi coalition of NA are the real problem here, in fact they find the sort of thing humiliating, and it's not because they are embarrassed about being Homosexual. Why doesn't the group include Lesbians, are you excluding lesbians from your club? Do they have some sort of prejudice against lesbians? Hmmm?
377 - Ronisue Smith
Not questioning her Freedom of Speech, but I do question her sense of responsibility. Freedom of Speech DOES NOT give anyone the right to yell "Fire!" in a crowded theatre, where no fire exists. People can be hurt in the resulting scramble. Criticizing the President in such a place, and at a critical time in our history will also have a result, and in this short time the Dixie Chickens have dropped from 3rd place to 23rd place in the listings. That is her doing, and it is just. (Though perhaps a bit unfair to her partners.) It really is time for people to come to the realization that "Words have specific meanings", and to think before they speak. Thank you!
378 - s
Char - you hit it on the head when you commented on the US percieved as the bad guys - the timing of this invasion is very suspect. What does 9/11 have to do with Iraq? The Tailban was (supposedly) behind that and you've bombed them all out of the water. I don't know a person that wasn't horrified by the senseless deaths of 9/11 and I don't know a person that doesn't want your troops to come home safe and sound. We're just worried that your troops will sacrifice themselves for naught - and create more ill-will in Arab countries - which in turn may spark another 9/11 type attack. Violence is a very nasty circle - once it starts, how does it end? Ireland and Isreal are good examples of what we do not want the rest of the world to turn into.
By the way, N.Korea and Zimbabwe (China, too) are ruled by nasty people, as well. When do you think GW will pre-emt on them? N.Korea HAS weapons of mass destruction and Zimbabwe has nothing - is that the difference between them and Iraq? Please enlighten me!
(ps: the point is that there are many countries in the world where you can not speak your mind as easily as you can on this post; Iraq is not unique in this respect)
379 - Dan in Alaska
Well....Ronisue is abosolutely correct. I was avoiding the crowded theatre analogy. I wonder how her cohorts actually do feel about the damage done to their careers as a result of Maines comments. I wonder if they are all similar in their political views or if they are cursing her for shooting off at the mouth.
I still say that about 95% of the anti-war folk are really anti-Bush people in costume. They wouldn't be there if their candidate had WON the SELECTION from the courts in Florida then started a war with Iraq.
This whole mess could have been avoided if Gore would have dropped the matter like a man when the first recount or two didn't come out in his favor. The more recounts they had, the worse the spread got for Gore. Then he decides to file suit....what a sorry bastard he turned out to be.
Despite my lack of support for the candidacy of G.W., I'm sure relieved to have avoided the alternative.
380 - Enrique Juavez
What do you mean about the studies? They were done under a secret guise! The numbers do not lie.
If you knew anything about the gay community you would know Lesbians are included in our group and therefore are represented.
We are not going anywhere Dan. If you cannot hear our voices we will make you hear them by legislations to protect our rights. Get over it!
381 - chris
I have read all of your emails, and most of you have some great comments! But the fact remains that we are at war, like it of not! We all need to pull together in this great country of ours and not be so devided. The country chic's comments do not matter nor do we have to agree about Bush either. He is here to stay, for now. What we all should be mostly concerned about is the families who have loved ones over there and for their safe return home.
Do remember, the war will end, and so will Bush!
Proud to be a american!
382 - Dan in Alaska
~S~
The Iraqi gov. sent agents of the Baath party to train people in asymetrical warfare in Afghanistan. This notion that Saddam and Osama are seething with hatred for each other. The Baath party is supposedly very secular, I don't know if I by that. I KNOW that I don't buy it when they say that the two men are enemies. Politics makes for strange bedfellows.
Personally I don't need a connection between them to justify the Iraq conflict, it has been brewing on the side since Bush 41 left Saddam in power. That policy, the policy of containment and appeasment does not work. A policy of pre-emption, is necessary, and it does work.
Zimbabwe, Iran, and N. Korea probably will be pre-empted, and should be with the possible exception of the Koreans. None of those issues can be made to compare to the Iraq issue. So far, N. Korea hasn't used any nuke/chem/bio warfare on civillian targets to illustrate one simple difference. The scene in Zimbabwe is horrifying yes, but where are the precious UN-united nations on either of those two problems. Are we supposed to wait for Nuke inspectors in N. Korea now? What would you do if you were president?
This argument that you make is nothing but a regurgitation of what your hearing from the Daschle democrats.
383 - Dan in Alaska
I never thought you were going away, never asked you to go away, and never wanted you to go away. You'll get nowhere with your legislation, so legislate away ole boy!!!
I'm not arguing this ridiculous garbage with you any more, have a nice life. I can't hear you way up here in Alaska, why don't you throw a parade or something.
384 - Stan
I sincerely hope the U.S. does not pursue a policy of pre-emption in Zimbabwe, Iran, or North Korea... The Koreans would certainly launch a nuke if we attacked them, no question about it. Iran can, at the moment, be contained diplomatically. Zimbabwe would be pointless. If we start attacking nations for any reason other than the fact that they constitute a real and present danger than we as a nation will have gone completely off the deep end.
The whole idea of a pre-emptive strike is going to come back to haunt us...
385 - verax
Skeej wrote:
"Just like they missed the point about Clinton - it wasn't about the sex, it was about lying, and his abuse of his power and responsibility as the the chief law enforcer."
(I assume you realize that the original reference to Clinton came in the form of SATIRE.)
I hope you understand that with Bush it also "about lying and his abuse of his power and responsibility as the chief law enforcer." Bush consistently uses his position of power to put forth the illusion that his priority is to be responsible for the safety and well-being of Americans. He repeatedly spews propaganda that makes it look as if he is really concerned about the well-being of Americans, but then often fails to act upon his own promises. Time and again, he says one thing and does another. Need examples?:
1. First Responders--Bush talked about the importance of first-responder funding (3-02) and then tried to CUT more than $1 Billion out of existing grants to local police/fire to fund this and then REJECTED (8-02) $150 million for grants to state and local first responders.
2. Port Security--Bush talked about the need to fund port security (6-02) and then VETOED (8-02) all $39 million for the Container Security Initiative (an initiative he specifically touted) and provided $0 for port security grants in his proposed 2003 & 2004 budgets.
3. Border Security--Bush talked about the importance of border security (9-02) and promised more INS/Border Patrol staff and facilities, but his budget provided no additional money for this. Bush VETOED $6.25 million for promised pay upgrades for border patrol agents. His 2004 budget slashes total "Border and Transportation Security" by $284 million.
4. Fiscal Responsibility--Bush stressed budget discipline and fiscal restraint (9-02) and then proposed a budget that would put the government more than $300 billion into deficit (and it doesn't include any money for the war with Iraq, estimated cost= $200 billion).
5. VETERANS--Bush talked about how we owe the veterans our respect and everlasting gratitude (Veteran's Day 2002), but then cut off access to its health care system for approximately 164,000 veterans. Veterans groups say that Bush's 2003 budget "falls $1.5 Billion short" of adequately funding veterans care. (How's that for "Supporting our Troops"???? I guess Bush means you should offer support to them when they are out in the field dying for you, but withdraw your support when they are here at home dying.)
6. No Child Left Behind--Bush promised in his campaign that he would make education a priority and "Leave No Child Behind" and he passed the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Then, in the first budget after he signed the NCLB Act, he proposed to cut NCLB programs by $90 million, leaving these programs more than $7 billion short of what was authorized under the bill. His 2004 budget proposes to cut $307 million in vocational & technical education grants and to freeze funding for pell grants for low income students.
source: http://www.house.gov/appropriations_democrats/caughtonfilm.htm
Bush has used this "bait & switch" technique with many other issues as well (such as the environment, care for the elderly, aiding the disadvantaged, retirement security, job training/creation, health care for children, corporate reform...).
The fact that Bush seems to have no qualms about being blatantly deceitful to the American people on a regular basis is extremely disturbing and should serve as an alarm to all Americans. Americans should not blindly follow the dissemination of misinformation put forth by the Bush administration. It is our duty as Americans to pay close attention and constantly question the veracity of the propaganda being paraded before us. It is our patriotic responsibility to be aware of and oppose the misguided policies of our government.
386 - Stan
Verax wrote:
"The fact that Bush seems to have no qualms about being blatantly deceitful to the American people on a regular basis is extremely disturbing and should serve as an alarm to all Americans."
You've just described every single person ever elected to public office, regardless of political affiliation!
387 - Dan in Alaska
I'm afraid you may be correct about pre-emptive strikes outside of the context of Iraq.
The question is have we started down a road we can't turn back from? We have pissed people off all over the place, don't expect much in the way of support for the U.S. in ANY Arab nation after this. Expect to be attacked by them as a matter of fact. So that being said, what do we do, crouch defensively and hope? I'm open, what do you think Bush should do once he mops up in Iraq?
The point is that we are already there, and we better stick together and get through this crap Bush is putting us through. None of us really know what's going on out there in the world. CNN is not going to give us the straight skinny, neither is MSNBC, or FOX, or any other alphabet or cable network. The white house is privy to the freshest, hottest, and most credible intelligence in the world as a matter of course, right along side breakfast each morning.
Our internal divisions are seen as weakness by those who would kill us, and it is very encouraging to them. You can't blame Arab/Muslim hatred for the west on Bush, it's been there for many many years.
How long do you think it will take N.Korea to nuke the west coast without any intervention from the U.S.? I think the diplomacy will take center stage on the N. Korea issue, perhaps it will even work. Zimbabwe...? What a mess...it's proof positive of the corruption in the U.N.
388 - Enrique Juavez
Why would we "pre-empt" against Zimbabwe? Why are you even debating this? Almost all of the African nations are ruled by oppressive dictators (outside of the country of South Africa). We cannot possibly pursue every single evil country on this planet. True, Robert Mugabe is an evil b*stard. He poses no threat to anyone outside of Zimbabwe though.
Iran, maybe we would go after. I doubt it though. They would have to have some damning evidence against them that they intended on striking us first. North Korea, we are smart enough to not make the first move there. A lot of people would die on both sides. If anything happens I would expect it to come from their end first.
And Dan... We are going to bring a parade into your town! Where do you live?
389 - Dan in Alaska
I live in Wasilla Alaska, c'mon up!!! Take your best crack at it!!!
See if I give a darn either way.
Be carefull what town you go to though, there are some hick types out here, and they aren't nice guys at all. You need to stay in Anchorage to do that sort of thing, please take my word for it.
You'd probably actually find a good amount of support for your cause in Anchorage, the city has a significant gay community who live well here in our fine state. The problem with your type is that simply carving out a slice of the American pie for yourselves is not enough, your a radical, and a militant, and you'll always be on the fringe of society for that reason alone.
390 - Enrique Vuarez
LOL. Now I am a radical and a militant?
Thanks for the info on the gay community in Alaska. I always figured ya'all had nothing better to do than sit around in yer igloos and bump rumps.
I'll see you at the parade. I expect you to be there! Later.
391 - berrybear
Amen, verax.....I hope you are spreading that knowledge daily. I'm trying here my hometown and most people are responding well and listening attentively. For all of the Bush supporters do ya'll not realize that the fact that he took our miltary to war without UN support and with so little support from countries around the world has destroyed diplomatic relations for years to come. Its very sad to see little George doing what Daddy did to. Big George destroyed our diplomicy with many countries and it was left for the next guy to clean up. Bill Clinton fixed what was broken and our economy was in a surplus when he left office. Now, all that money is gone. It was squandered away within the first year of Dubya's term. Now he's putting us more in debt. Who's benifiting from it? I can guarentee not anyone who doesn't fill the top 5% of the tax bracket.
392 - Char
Thanks, verax, for something with teeth.
In regard to "bait and switch", here's the hoot of the day on the spin front. The administration says that the media has "misrepresented" the timeframe for the war by reporting it would be short. Like the media made it up! I remember the sheer incredulity I felt when "a quick resolution with minimal loss" was being spoon-fed to us by GW him self. Now they are saying they never said it wouldn't be long and costly.
393 - Dan in Alaska
Verax, someone finally decided to present a case against Bush, instead of the typical BS, much appreciated.
(I hope you dug this up on your own instead of pasting it in from some spun-out website.)
Enrique--Be there with bells on!!!! :)
Berrybear--I can't stand the U.N. or most of it's members, as far as I'm concerned, kick em right out of NYC, and right out of the U.S. and quit sending them money, see how long they can float it without us. I guarantee you within 2 years it will be in worse shambles then it already is...if it takes that long. Bunch of tin-horns anyway, I mean cmon, your gonna try and make a case for the U.N. with Libya running the human rights commission and...well what was Iraq would have been heading up disarmarment!!! No wonder the worlds in the shape it's in.
You can't blame the U.S. for crushing Saddam, it's been a long time coming. As far as the International community goes, there isn't one. There is nothing even remotely resembling any kind of community, they're waaaaaaaay more crooked than the Bush/Cheney crowd w/their business deals. At least they work with commodities like oil, instead of slaves and human sex toys.
They all roll about in Limousines banging street girls and doing dope in NYC, or plenty worse then that if you dig I'm sure. Then they deride the U.S. for consuming energy.
Diplomatic immunity, let's settle our budget by taking them to task on parking violations. I have no respect for the United Nations, they're everything but.
394 - Dan in Alaska
Enrique, you should take your parade to texas where they seem to believe they can legislate sexual practices, about as useful and effective as legislating morals and opinion on the matter.
Supreme Court hears sodomy case:
http://www.msnbc.com/news/891114_asp.htm?0cv=CB20
These guys were arrested for "bumping rumps" as you so elegantly stated it.
395 - Annette reading Superman in Tim Hortons'
Remember reading Superman when you were a kid? And how we all wondered why he couldn't just go in and make the bad guys behave so there would be no more wars?
Well, he said it was not his place to use his superior strength to force good on man. Change has to come from within. He felt that once you start playing God, or Superman gone megalomaniacal, it is hard to draw the line and just stop. You can always justify one more fight, one more military "adjustment."
Think of the United States as Superman. Sooner or later, even your friends are going to be desperately needing some Kryptonite.
396 - Caitlin from Texas
I live in Texas, and I thought i was the only liberal thinker in this hypocritical state. I couldn't agree with her more! I always found it quite annoying that everyone is quick to crack jokes about Clinton, but disagreeing with President Bush is considered a sin. I understand that perhaps Clinton made some personal decisions that were not right, but his presidency was not shameful; at least he didn't send us to war. And for all the people who think that the Dixie Chicks are "unpatriotic" and "not proud of their country", how American and patriotic is it to deny an American's right of free speech? Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but I am so glad that someone with high status in our society decided to speek out...just wait, no good will come of this war.
397 - Dan in Alaska
Well, I don't agree with Maines and yourself on the main point, because I'm not from Texas. Also I do make a distinction between sitting presidents, and ex-presidents, or war-time presidents, and peace-time presidents. Each is a seperate and important point.
I do see a certain hypocrisy to bashing Clinton all day long and not Bush nonetheless. I think they are both crooked. I have more respect for Bush generally, but I tend to avoid trashing Clinton if I can possibly help it. I've even avoided trashing Clinton here, it isn't all that relevent and neither is he. I felt ashamed of his presidency as an American.
I really don't see how the woman was denied her right to free speach. Trashing someone for what they said in public is American as apple pie, just watch Congress. It says something about you that you hold a "Dixie Chick" in such high regard...
~"someone with high status in our society decided to speek"~ (your sp*)
"We are all anti-war -- and American troops in Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf represent the kind of protest that terrorists can understand."
--George Will
398 - Audrey
The entire war situation is a catch 22. We are damned by others if we go to war and damned by others if we didn't go to war. Some people don't understand that the USA is a HUGE melting pot of other cultures and countries. The USA contains English, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, etc. What makes people from those other countries better than the people here?
In addition to the Maines situation, all I have to say is that freedom of speech is exactly that, free. However, the concern should be the soldiers who are dying to maintain the freedoms that so many people take for granted. I honestly believe that the soldiers need our support more than anything, whether the cause is justified or not.
399 - Audrey
I just received this in an email.
A California mother whose son is right now in Kuwait wrote her son
asking how he would feel if she joined other relatives of service
members in an anti-war demonstration in Hollywood last month. After
reading her son's response, she elected not to participate.
Dear Mom, It's really your decision to march if you want to or not.
You are the one who has to decide if what we are doing out here is
right or not. My opinion is not yours. I do, however, have things I
would like for you and Grandma and everyone else at home to know. I
am a United States soldier. I was sworn to defend my country against
all enemies, foreign and domestic. People may not agree with the
things we are ordered to do. I would like to address those people by
telling them that terrorism is not only a threat to us as Americans,
but to many other innocent people in the world. What type of country
would we be if we didn't defend the rights and freedoms of others,
not because they're Americans, but how about just because they're
human? We live in a country where people feel secure with their
daily lives. They do business like usual and don't worry about the
thought of terrorism actually happening to them. The people of 9-11
thought the same thing. We now know that it can happen to anyone at
any time. Yet as Americans we're afraid of losing our soldiers to
defend our security. I can only speak for myself when I say that my
life is an easy expense to ensure that my family and friends can
live in peace. I strongly believe in what we are doing and wish you
were here to see for yourselves the honor and privilege that
American soldiers aboard this ship are feeling, knowing that we are
going to be a part of something so strong and so meaningful to the
safety of our loved ones. Then you would know what this potential
war is about. We will stand tall in front of terrorism and defeat
it. We as soldiers are not afraid of what may happen. We are only
afraid of Americans not being able to understand why we are here. I
ask for your courage as Americans to be strong for us; I ask for
your understanding in what we believe is right. I ask for your
support in what we are sworn to do: defend our country and the life
of all. We will succeed in our task and will end the threat of
terrorism in our back yard. We will also end the threat of terrorism
in our neighbors'. We have to remind ourselves of what this country
stands for: life, liberty and justice for all. In order to maintain
those rights we have to stop the threat of terrorism. I am proud to
be here. I will be coming home, but not until I know that it's going
to be safe for all Americans and for everyone I love. My family is
first. My country is where they live. I will defend it.
Lonnie J. Lewis Navy corpsman
C Co. 1/4 WPN PLT
UIC 39726
FPO AP 966139726
I couldn't have said it better myself.
400 - Dan in Alaska
Well damn...I can't follow that.
401 - Z
FREEDOM OF SPEECH does not come without a price! The # 1 priority of America should be to SUPPORT OUR TROOPS. Who provide us the right to FREE SPEECH! The president is replaceable. There will be another and another..... Our right to say what we think, and do what we feel is an honor given to us by soldiers. And not all people have this right. Those who don't wish they did. So lets not try to take it away so quickly. You never know how it could end up.
402 - Z
FREEDOM OF SPEECH does not come without a price! The # 1 priority of America should be to SUPPORT OUR TROOPS. Who provide us the right to FREE SPEECH! The president is replaceable. There will be another and another..... Our right to say what we think, and do what we feel is an honor given to us by soldiers. And not all people have this right. Those who don't wish they did. So lets not try to take it away so quickly. You never know how it could end up.
403 - no love for the chicks
Dan, how did we get on the subject of sodomy and parades while we are talking about Natalie Maines??? Is this a favorite subject of yours?
I think the state of Texas is now ashamed of Natalie for her moronic comments. Shame on her.
404 - Stan
Dan wrote:
"I'm afraid you may be correct about pre-emptive strikes outside of the context of Iraq.
The question is have we started down a road we can't turn back from? We have pissed people off all over the place, don't expect much in the way of support for the U.S. in ANY Arab nation after this. Expect to be attacked by them as a matter of fact. So that being said, what do we do, crouch defensively and hope? I'm open, what do you think Bush should do once he mops up in Iraq?"
I packed away my crystal ball years ago. Your guess is as good as mine in regards to what the next steps should be. It largely depends on how other nations and organizations posture themselves.
My biggest problem with the policy of pre-emption is that, if successful, other countries may attempt to use it. India and Pakistan notably would likely utilize any justification to attack the other. Of course one could argue that based on the global outcry over our attack of Iraq it is obvious that the doctrine of pre-emptive strikes is not acceptable to the most nations. The U.S.A. is really the only nation powerful enough to completely ignore world opinion; any other nation attempting pre-emption could not be able to stand up to the world pressure that would likely be exerted upon them (exceptions: UK and Israel for obvious reasons). But all it takes is one nation that believes in the doctrine of pre-emptive strikes and is willing to carry it out (North Korea comes to mind). How do we as a nation argue against their actions? Do as I say not as I do?
405 - Andy
Enrique, I am not harboring any same-sex tendancies. Nor am I a homophobe. If you actually read my first post instead of finding words that stand out, you would have understood that I was using that as an illustration. I guess it was a pretty shitty one. I was trying to show that if someone does something to you or says something to you, your first reaction is one of malace. I wasn't downin gays. And my sexual preference also has nothing to do with this. Maybe you want me to be gay?
Stan, thanks for setting me straight. I guess I am the dumbass for not researching the source.
Please boycott my statements. Censor a bias voice. Even if some of what is said is true. Give way to those who are oppressed. Oppress those who are standing up. Hate those who are different. Make divisions in the body. Divide us, divide us. Escape a reality known since time began. Don't say anything that will step on toes.
-Jimmy Knives and the Slitthroats
St. Pete RocknRoll
Believe what you want.
406 - Susan
Natalie Maines may want to start thinking before she speaks. Yes, she has every right to speak just as each one of us has every right to respond. By responding we are utilizing our right to speak. What goes around comes around is something I think of when it comes to Natalie Maines. First it was her record company that she was putting down because she, as a legal adult, had signed a contract that she no longer liked! Next it was Toby Keith and his music that Natalie felt she needed to exercise her freedom of speech on. Finally, it was the President that Natalie exercised her freedom of speech on. But the last was the worst because she said it to another Country not ever expecting the citizens of the United States to ever learn about. We did! The same people who made and pay for her career have utilized their right to speak, vote, buy or not buy CD's and tickets.
407 - Enrique Juavez
Andy - Your comments are hateful and I am considering legal action. Expect to hear from the Gay/Bisexual Coalition of North America. You should be ashamed of your comments.
You better be like Dan and back off. He was wise enough to know the threat posed by the GBCNA. So make like a tree and split!
408 - AB
"War is God’s way of teaching Americans geography."
-Ambrose Bierce
409 - no love for the chicks
I really think ya'll are gettin off the subject.
Enrique, calm down!
Andy, I would back off with the strong language.
I still do not understand what ya'll are talkin about has to do with the Dixie Hogs.
410 - no fan of stan
Stan since when are you this big political expert on foreign policy? I've seen you in other blogs before. You tend to steal the ideas of others and pretend as if they are your own. You act as if you are this revolutionary thinking individual who thinks of things that no one else thinks of.
And what's with all the gay rights discussion in here? I agree with no love, what in the hell does that stuff have to do with the Dixie chix?
411 - Andy
You're gay
412 - tomato
These comments are unbelievable. I have a right to verbally attack the president on personal and political issues. I'm entitled to have and express my opinions. He's a public figure and must put up with whatever we want to say about him. Natalie Maines has the same right I have. But that's not the point I want to make. I agree with what someone wrote above - aren't we in Iraq to give the Iraqi citizens the same freedoms we enjoy? Well, actually, that's not really why we're there (oil, finishing W's father's business, our own arrogance as police of the world), but whoever brought that up made a good point. I am deeply disappointed by the attitude "either you're with us or you're against us". Disagreement with the government does not indicate lack of pride in the U.S. or mean that someone is not a good American citizen. It simply means one does not agree with some of the country's policies - not that one's against the whole damn country. Since when did we become so judgemental and unforgiving of other people's opinions? OK, I got myself there because I disagree with the conservatives who've written above. Yes, open-minded liberal here. It is a shame that we have decided to attack Iraq. Natalie made sense when she noted (in her real comments) that she, as a mother, just wants everyone to be home and safe. It is a shame that we couldn't find another way to resolve the conflict. And, honestly, if Saddam has had weapons holed up somewhere all these years, have we ever really been truly threatened or put in danger because of it? I support the troops who are subjected to this war because most of them have no choice. Doubtless, many of them joined during peace time and find themselves now in a horrible situation - and yes, I'm sure there are also those who relish the adventure. I support the troops. I do not support Bush - who is not in the least inconvenienced by our actions in Iraq. But, don't tell me that the troops are in Iraq to protect our freedoms - what a crock. Our freedoms are intact, written down, and have not been threatened. The troops are in Iraq as political pawns - not to support my freedoms - and yet I support them. Let's be honest and stop throwing around the party line of "they are there for us" because they are not. It bothers me no end to hear that they're there in my name. I haven't given my permission. But OK, we're at war. I'm done objecting. I'll accept the fact of our situation and I'll support the troops - but I don't have to like what we're doing. All we here about now is the poor Iraqis and how they suffer. While we spend $75 billion on this action, what is happening to millions of Americans (living here in this wonderful country with us and entitled to the same benefits) who don't have adequate housing, health care, jobs, education, or resources to raise their children? How about the elderly who are alone and can't afford senior care? I am fearful that not only will we care badly for our citizens - but that we will set up the Iraqis to be as badly cared for by us and the world after we have bombed the hell out of their home.
413 - Tom J.
Well said, tomato. I completely agree.
414 - Stan
Ha ha ha... my first hater.
I'm not a "big political expert on foreign policy", but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
415 - weirdo
Andy you won a towel!
416 - Andy
Is it as straight towel?
xxxStraight Pridexxx
417 - AB
Caitlin, I hardly think the Dixie Pigs have "high status in our society". And Slick Willy "perhaps" made some personal decisions that weren't right? And his presidency wasn't "shameful"? What planet are you from?? You think that because we didn't go to war while he was in office that he was a good president? Welcome to the world sister, wars happen and I can only thank God that Willie didn't have a hand in this, we'd all be dead.
418 - no fan of stan
AB - does your name stand for "Another Bisexual" or is it ABBA? Either way you are a sissy.
419 - Andy
Ok ok. I am a flaming homosexual. Dan in Alaska is my lover. I hope you all feel better now. I am leaving this blog and never coming back. I am taking Dan with me. Good bye cruel bloggers. Dan and I have some floggin to do. Peace. We're out and stuff.
420 - AB
No Fan of Stan, Grow up.
421 - Dan in Alaska
Oooops, careful Enrique, you may find yourself to be the one who faces legal action. We wouldn't want to stomp on any ones first amendment toes here now would we.
Enrique, I didn't back off you sorry little excuse for a fruit, your not worth it either way and this is not the place.
Andy, don't let em spook ya, his issue doesn't belong here, and he isn't going to initiate any legal action, he's posturing for effect. The first amendment protects you both...unless his coalition manages to trash the constitution which is the main purpose for their existence.
~no love~ I didn't bring sodomy into this, Enrique did, see my comments above. I also tried to point Enrique toward the proper target for his venting, anti-sodomy laws are useless except for the persectution of ones lifestyle.
Stan, good one. More than just a valid point, India and Pakistan, what a mess that could turn out to be. They've been waving their nukes around again this week too....I dunno either, but I support knocking off Iraq and setting up a nice pro-west government for lots of reasons, I don't think Baghdad is our last stop.
AB, I'm with you, but I'm avoiding bashing Clinton here.
The blixie chicks can vomit up the lines they get from NPR all day long, I was a fan, now I realize my mistake, done deal.
422 - AB
Thanks Dan, The Clinton thing was laid out there though so I had to take it.
:)
423 - KIMBERLY
All this gay talk is ridiculous Enrique. This is suppose to be about the Dixies Twits. Why don't you round up the GBCNA and discuss your issues. They would listen, nobody hear really cares.
424 - KIMBERLY
All this gay talk is ridiculous Enrique. This is suppose to be about the Dixies Twits. Why don't you round up the GBCNA and let them know that you are ready to come out of the closet finally.
425 - soldier_girl
I am an American soldier currently deployed in support of Iraqi Freedom. I would just like to say that all people have the right to express their opinions, and that Ms. Maines was just utilizing this right. I also believe that it is okay for people to protest war, as long as it is done without disregarding the rights of the general public (no blocking of streets, etc.). However, those of you who equate Ms. Maines to the devil and then make racist comments themselves should really take a moment and reflect on what they are truely saying. To complain that Ms. Maines has said something close to treason and then state you wish to kill all Canadians is rather loathesome. Which is worse- saying something to criticise your President, or saying "Kill all the Canadians, or French, or British," or whoever else you feel has slighted you? Everyone just needs to relax, and realize that one comment does not justify the other. One of the reasons I feel we are here in the sand is because Hussein's government, composed of one religous sect, is terrorizing the people they are ruling, which is composed of another religous sect. How is stating you wish to kill all people from another country any different? I realize making the statement in anger and actually doing the deed are two different things, but people should really think before they post. Also, if everyone took as much time talking with their Congressmen, Representatives, and other political figures as they did posting on this website, perhaps your views and criticisms of our government would bear more weight.