Posts Made By: Mike Strieber

Rod Kaufman said:

More details of the technology described in Bob Woodward's book, "The War Within" have surfaced and constitute the theme of a provocative article in the LA Times:
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-rutten13-2008sep13,0,1586694.column
It appears the US military can look through buildings, accurately identify insurgent leaders and target them, effectively "head-hunting" instead of confronting a large insurgent force. Thus the success in Iraq, as opposed the Republican mantra of the surge being responsible for the decrease in violence in Iraq.
Now it's time to go head-hunting for Bin Laden. Politically speaking, it will help the Republicans because everybody knows they protect us more...

Tom Rodstrom said:

Loose your home loose your vote. It appears that Republicans are contemplating using foreclosure lists to prevent voters from voting. Brilliant, Rove has been taking his vitamins! Just what I would expect from the Republican machine. Now if they can only find a way to keep out everyone making $250K or less they will be on a roll.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclatchy/3047244;_ylt=AoW7_Au1IKbfTXQaGhNQTORhr7sF

Tom Rodstrom said:

In the years I've been posting on this forum Jim and I have blasted each other mercilessly, but I gradually came to like and respect the man. We both care deeply about this country and want the best for it. We just have much different ideas of what that is and how to get there.

In the past I have chastised Jim for making money as a military contractor. I was wrong. As I came to know Jim better I became absolutely certain that Jim's only motivation was love of country. He selflessly put himself in harms way and was wounded in Afghanistan. That makes him a fallen hero in my book.

The injuries he received in Afghanistan are almost certainly are the cause of his recent stroke and heart attack making him a casualty of war once again. I miss Jim on this forum and shed some tears when I think of him and what his service has cost him and his family.

I would like to send him a card and some flowers wishing him a complete and speedy recovery. My only contact with Jim is through Astromart so I do not have his address. It would be nice if Herb, or someone who knows him better could help me and anyone else to send best wishes to Jim. In the mean time for those who are so inclined please keep Jim in your prayers. For those who don't pray, perhaps a random act of kindness as a tribute might be in order.

Health, Happiness, and Clear Steady Skies to All
Tom

jeff glancy said:

Unvarnished truth is a rare commodity, especially in political campaigns:

http://news.yahoo.com/story//ap/20080918/ap_on_el_pr/hagel_palin

Jim E. Gleason said:

BO had his little Nazis doing this for him during the primaries too...little did anyone know that his suggestions turned into death threats on the part of many of his Cult followers!

Here is a clip of what he said at a Nevada rally:

"..."I need you to go out and talk to your friends and talk to your neighbors. I want you to talk to them whether they are independent or whether they are Republican. I want you to argue with them and get in their face," he said.

"And if they tell you that, 'Well, we're not sure where he stands on guns.' I want you to say, 'He believes in the Second Amendment.', LIE! If they tell you, 'Well, he's going to raise your taxes,' you say, 'No, he's not, he's going lower them.'Another Lie! You are my ambassadors. You guys are the ones who can make the case..."

Is it just me or does this actually sound a little scary?? If an Obot gets in my face, he won`t live to see tomorrow...I guarantee you! :S :S :S

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/09/17/politics/p185733D40.DTL&type=politics

Jim Babcock said:

Hello everyone. I am Jeannie. From time to time I get on hear and other places that Jim frequents when he is not available to tell him what is going on. I have never posted a message here before for myself, but I have put messages for Jim when he could not. This message is from me. I have read the very nice messages that you have all written here about and to Jim. I have passed them to him and we are both very thankful that a bunch of people who only know each other through the Internet would actually care so much for each other. Jim was not pleased that I came here to burden you all with his problems, but I did and he is appreciative of your thoughts and prayers. After Jim's heart attack and stroke I tried several times to write a message to you all, but until now have been unable to emotionally complete it.

Jim is in intensive care and it will be a very long time before he recovers. His passions for ancient Greek mythology (how he explains astronomy to the rest of us), science, world affairs and politics are things that will take time for him to recover. We do not know how much brain damage has occurred, but there certainly has been some. Even though he cannot speak, he has shown that he still has his fighting spirit. Hopefully he will turn out to be the same man that many have come to know and love.

To all of you here, Jim truly considers you to be his friends. He speaks of many of you to me often. I can attest to the fact that those he respects and has as his closest of friends often are the ones he argues with the most. Before his father died, Jim and his father would spend countless hours arguing about politics and anything else that they could think of. I know that Jim sees it as the highest of complements when another person takes the time to present an alternative perspective with conviction and passion. Since this incident I have taken the time to read more of the messages here. I can see why Jim would want to be here, all of you are the types of people that Jim and any intelligent person would want to be around.

Tom, I am sure that Jim would appreciate a card from any of his friends, but instead of sending flowers, please instead help those who are in your family who need your assistance. I know that this is what Jim would really prefer. Jim has a blessed life. He is surrounded by many family and friends. Those who know him the best understand that this man who commands attention is often loud and demanding, he is also one of the most compassionate and charitable. Since he was forced to retire this last time, word has trickled out and I have been amazed at the number of people from around the world who this man has impacted. What better tribute is there than that. What is even better is to learn this while you are still alive.

When he is better, you will have your soldier back. I am sure that he looks forward to the day when he can argue with those darned "libs".

Thank you and bless you all.

Jeannie

Mike Strieber said:

"Biden calls paying higher taxes a patriotic act"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080918/ap_on_el_pr/biden_taxes_3

Now that's disturbing. I guess the folks paying less taxes are therefore less patriotic also? Now I'm not big into the gaffe stuff, as much as these folks are in the limelight they'll say some goofy things sometimes. But this isn't a gaffe, it's a philosophy. I just have a tough time rationalizing a thought process like this. If you're going to raise taxes, then do so, don't insult me by telling me it's the patriotic thing to do. I know what you're going to say about the rich, corporations, etc. Don't need to hear it again, and no, I don't even come close to either candidates definition of rich. I'd say you're being a bit naive to think significantly increasing taxes on corporations and the wealthy won't extract a toll on the middle class (in the form of higher prices, jobs, etc.). The patriotic thing to do? Ridiculous. Just rape me of my hard earned wealth, what little I have, and hand me a flag pin, I'm easy.
Mike

Jim Moscheck said:

Hmmm, haven't seen her and her stump speech lately. I suppose she's at an undisclosed location and cramming for the debate. Maybe this economic crisis will go on long enough to postpone her debate, too. Seems to me there's a press conference with her name on it if she'd only come out to play with the boys.

Rod Kaufman said:

CNN reported today the race factor will cost Obama six points, a fact borne out by steel workers who are encountering pushback from their community while campaigning for the Obama Biden ticket. Typical comments they report, "we won't vote for that black boy" and the like.
Now, CNN reports McCain has narrowed the gap in Ohio:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/12/ohio-poll-of-polls-mccain-gains-ground-in-tight-race/
My prediction is that McCain will win by 3 to 6 points in Ohio and by similar margins in other close "battleground states."