Markit
You know what Jamie, I just wonder what his highly prized Balinese neighbors/family/associates would think of his actions and attitudes as expressed here? I mean, aren't the Balinese world famous for their gentleness, patience and, above all, friendliness? I guess living with them it sure hasn't rubbed off :cry:
JAMIE
Good point markit . Do have a great time on your vacation though . Roy be nice , stop the anger . Internet bully is what your becoming .
JUDY
Markit and James: Are you guys simply joking or.....are you truly serious. My oh My boys stop your constant bickering. You two always want a little uproar in the school yard. Perhaps you guys want to simply stir up excitment. If thats the case, type on...
Bert Vierstra
or not...
Jimbo
One of the things I do each year is to ask forgiveness for those I have hurt in time for the coming of the new year.Even those who were hurt in the various conflicts that happen in the world over time will forgive.Far be it for me to defend the most vociferous 'one' but with one exception he has been pretty good since his return. He will never be easy but in my opinion he is trying (Very trying I hear some say :D ). I do feel however it is time to forgive and forget.I think the forum is getting better recently with lots of contributions, keep it up.
Markit
Jimbo I absolutely agree, life is way too short for pointless bickering, irregardless how much fun it can be. I'll just stay away from threads with US presidents in future - thanks god, most of them are already dead.
tintin
I have a large blue Obama poster on my front lawn (It's the only one in my street), but I now believe it is only wishful thinking on my part: like so many people, I desperately want some change, but after a short moment of euphoria, I now realize that nothing is going to change, except on the cosmetics level. :( Whoever is elected, Clinton or Obama, but I don't rule out McCain, as the stupidity of the American electorate is infinite, they all three represent the policy preferences of an oligarchy that has run the United States almost continuously since the Maine went down in Havana's harbor. This oligarchy has two non-negotiable demands: first, that the leadership of the American finance be in the hands of a small cartel of monopolists misrepresenting itself as advocates of the "free market" system; and second, the care and feeding of the war machine must be attended to. As long as these two demands are met, it doesn't really matter which party sits in the White House. The yokels can exercise themselves to their hearts' content over religion in public life, "family values," or other amusements, as long as the oligarchs control the finance and the arsenal. :) Like they say in my home country, "Plus a change, plus c'est la mme chose." :D
Roy
Daniel, I'd like to be the first to welcome you back to this forum. While we've had our "differences" in the past, and most likely, they will come up again in the future, I seriously enjoyed reading your last post, cynical though as it was.Seriously, your point of view is not unique, but I believe what you wrote is completely destructive, as if you've given up, and are ready to face Armageddon. Daniel, neither of us are young men any more. That is just fact. This election for President will be unlike no other in our recallable history, and it will have nothing to do with your vote, or mine, but rather it will have everything to do with the new generation of American voters, who for the first time, feel motivated to discharge their right to make their voice heard.You ended your post with a quote:Like they say in my home country, "Plus a change, plus c'est la mme chose."[/quote]All along, I thought your "home country" was America, and that you are an American citizen. I'm very sorry that I was mistaken.
tintin
Well, I never left the forum. I was just quiet, because I had nothing to contribute to the discussions. :wink: Actually, I gave up longtime ago, and yet I still want to hope, because without hope how can one live? But how can one not despair in front of the endless continuation of so much misery, so much injustice, and so many missed opportunities? :( I did not think that my point of view was unique, as I see (reassuring) examples of it each and every day. If you are talking about a different kind of Presidential election, you are correct: one black man and one white woman (and of course the geriatric Republican candidate). But maybe this is as far as it goes. We know that Clinton is sold to the powers that be, and Obama, when you think of it, is really an unknown. I appreciate that during the campaign one must say certain things to cater to some of the electorate (being black is handicap enough), in order to be elected, and so he does (brilliantly). Therefore, my optimistic side or what's left of it, still hope. And the only hope I would then have is that President Obama contributes to a less arrogant and aggressive imperialism, if there is such a thing.At least, Obama's intellect is not in question, and he would be an AMAZING relief from the moron presently in charge. :) PS. I wrote "home country," to differentiate it from my "adopted country."
JUDY
Yeah Tinton, your consensus is 100% correct as far as I'm concerned. The maya--play---rambles on and on while the masses simply follow like sheep baah baah baah.Even Eisenhower warned of the Military Industrial Complex as he was departing from office.Sooo, what will be will be, we can hope for a brighter tomorrow and perhaps by the grace of God some enlightenment will shine on these shores for the good of America and the world.
Roy
I agree. Daniel, I think both your posts go to the heart of just how serious is the level of depression felt in America today. Over and over in the past year with Americans we have met here, the feeling is the same. The reality is, who can avoid being cynical?"At least, Obama's intellect is not in question, and he would be an AMAZING relief from the moron presently in charge."[/quote]Amen to that!
Jimbo
Bloody Hell. Lots of great posts aome disagreement, some agrement and some agree to differ. Hey it is looking good in here again
JUDY
Roy just heard today that the expats voted in Europe and all the delegates will go to Obama.Hooray :lol: What I am referring to is those individuals who met representing expats in Europe don't know whether Asia was included in that group??? Do you know??
Roy
Judy, the organization that handles the selection of delegates for American democrats not currently residing in the US is called, Democrats Abroad:[url]http://www.democratsabroad.org/[/url]Specific to what already happened here early last month, you can read this article:[url]http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/05/indonesia.usvote/index.html[/url]The gentleman quoted in that CNN article is a great guy named Arian Ardie who along with Jack Daniels of balidiscovery.com is working on finalizing the design of the Obama tee shirts to be made and sold here. Tell me your size and I'll be sure to have one set aside for you...and the same goes for anyone else who is interested. I don't know what they will cost, but all profits, if not all proceeds will be going to the Obama campaign fund. In case you missed my earlier post about designs being currently considered, you can read about that here:[url]http://balipod.com/bali-part-the-world-f34/thoughts-these-obama-tee-shirts-t20733.html[/url]
JUDY
Hi Roy, thanks for the info. Had no idea the organization was so organized for expats voting in foreign countries. As far as the tee shirts for Obama goes, thank you for offering to hold one or more aside for me. However, just found out my plans for coming this summer might be put on hold because of my fathers illness. If he continues to go downhill I will not be able to make the trip. Fingers crossed. Will let you know. Thanks again.
Roy
OK Judy, and best of luck with your dad.
tintin
Sen. Barack Obama's speech on race this morning showed off exactly why he has become the Democratic frontrunner in the presidential nomination. I am usually more than skeptical about the b.s. of politicians' speeches, but Obama's was just brilliant, and this speech will certainly go in the history books. This was THE most "presidential" speeches I have ever heard a candidate give in my lifetime.For those of you interested, you can read it at [url="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/18/us/po"]http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/18/us/po[/url] ... obama.html
tintin
You can actually watch and hear the whole speech at[url="http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/20"]http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/20[/url] ... le_moment/
Roy
Daniel, I could not possibly agree with you more, ironic as that may seem. I suggest another site to view Senator Obama's speech, link below. Just a while ago, I religiously watched Anderson Cooper's 360 (CNN Atalanta),...which CNN Hong Kong always switches to at 11 AM our time. Almost the entire program was devoted to Senator Obama (to the chagrin of Hillary Clinton), and in my view, they did an excellent job of dealing with Obama's speech. So, let me know your tee shirt size, and I'll make sure you get one...on me by the way.[url]http://my.barackobama.com/hisownwords[/url]
JUDY
Obama's speech was brillant, real, and one for the history books. Hopefully, he will strick a cord with those white voters who are on the fence. Chris Matthews on MSNBC said his speech was reminicient of Lincoln's!!! Of course, the pundits on the right continue to say his former minister could bring down his campaign and that his speech was not enough to seal the deal. hogwash Those dinosaurs are simply shaking in their boots if he is our nominee. I relish the day when Obama debates Mc Cain. I can see it now...Mc Cain sang the song, "Bomb Bomb Bomb, Bomb Bomb Iran" well, Mc Cain, with the grace of God you will be the one who gets annilated when you go up against Obama.
