KipWellsFan

More on my government screwing with Obama http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote200...5922&page=1

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Feb 28, 2008 -> 03:13 PM) Already debunked: http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/020...Obama_call.html The Harper Conservatives Are Trying to Sink Obama http://www.bobrae.ca/en/The+Harper+Conserv...g+to+Sink+Obama

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Feb 28, 2008 -> 04:23 PM) ok look... I won't say that Obama is un-patriotic because of this. But, people have DIED fighting for what that flag symbolizes. I mean hell, if the flag as a symbol is that worthless, let's stop giving them out after veterans of our country die. If it's that worthless, then let's stop flying the damn thing. If it's that worthless, let's stop the pledge of allegiance. If it's that worthless... Obama has now made it a point. And that is what is bulls*** to me. Argh, you made me actually have to go and look up what Obama said... All I can find is that he said it seems like a "substitute for true patriotism."

QUOTE(Athomeboy_2000 @ Feb 28, 2008 -> 03:18 PM) I also wonder what the trade ratio is with Canada. i tend to think the REAL problem is Mexico, but no one is going to say that so thy dont piss off the Latinos. I don't really know, but I believe the general impression among decision making elites, and the Liberal and Conservative Parties is that Free Trade is good for Canada. I also believe we get more out of trading with the U.S., than you guys do with Canada.

Well perhaps also good news was that Muqtada al-Sadr renewed his ceasefire for 6 months last saturday. I've heard that this ceasefire was also credited as one of the main reasons that violence is down.

QUOTE(FlaSoxxJim @ Feb 25, 2008 -> 10:27 PM) I find that completely illogical. On a personality level, you find a candidate distasteful, but if her platform and views are so much more in line with those of the person you are supporting, how can you just shrug and be ok with someone with a radically different ideology winning in November? In the various conservative circles, you can bet there's a lot of talk about holding your nose and pulling the handle for McCain even if he's not an ideal candidate in a lot of people's minds. The Democrats and liberal-leaning independents need to be able to do the same thing if it comes to it. I understand that thought but it may be hard for many people who have grown very fond of Obama to accept Clinton who in the past couple days has compared him to both Karl Rove and George W. Bush. On this same note if this race continues much longer I wouldn't be surprised to hear Obama talking about how he's the best guy to unite the party.

I thought this was an interesting piece. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/19/c...o-_n_87433.html

Wisconsin exit poll http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Feb 19, 2008 -> 06:56 PM) Are you referring to the Fox News polling or the exit polling data? Because they're 2 totally different things. Not even done by the same people, I think. If you want to know how accurate those exit polls are, watch right around 8:00 CT. Because if Obama actually scored a win among women, they may well call this thing as soon as the polls close. My impression was that their exit polls had favored Obama, but I don't really have a clue.

Wouldn't it be fair to say that Fox polling has favored Obama thus far?

QUOTE(Soxbadger @ Feb 19, 2008 -> 01:16 AM) Well Kosovo only has 2million people and a total area of 4,000 squar miles. Quebec has 4million people and a total area of 595,000 square miles. For comparison, the state of NJ is 8,000 square miles. The problem with your comparison is as following: 1) Slav is pointing out that Kosovoans are really Albanians (there is no distinct Kosovoan if you look up Kosovo the ethnicities are Albanian 92%, Serb 5.3%, 2.7% other) 2) Because there is no "kosovoan" unlike Quebecois, there is no nationality. Slav is pointing out that the people in Kosovo for the most part still identify themselves as albanians or serbians, not as Kosovoans. As for it being like a latin-american, no its not. Latin-american's are not creating seperate states from the United States. The reason that the "american" part is attached is because they are joining us. Where as Kosovoans are breaking away from the 2 nationalities they normally identify with (albanian and serbian) Or atleast thats what I see. I wasn't trying to say the Quebecois, or Latino-Americans are like the Kosovars, I'm just responding to the notion that you have to have a country to have a legitimate nationality. *** Because I simply don't know, do you guys think it would be appropriate to say that Kosovars see themselves as Albanians, just the same as those in the State of Albania? Or is this just a Serbian argument? Either way having Kosovo fall under the jurisdiction of Serbia no longer seemed like a realistic option. Groups separate when they feel oppressed and are confident they can handle things on their own. Not only does Kosovo seem to satisfy those two conditions, there seems like a massive mandate from people within Kosovo to be independent. I imagine now that they're quasi-independent they won't want to give up powers to the state of Albania but will probably be within their sphere of influence, but they obviously were before the unilateral declaration of independence anyway. I also think it would be fine if the Serbian areas of Kosovo chose to remain Serbian. If Serbia is divisible then so too is Kosovo. Of course that's a ideal situation in a perfectly democratic world. But if the region was perfectly democratic and rights oriented the regions could have all lived together under one umbrella in the first place.

QUOTE(Soxbadger @ Feb 18, 2008 -> 07:40 PM) I think what Slav is trying to get at is as follows: I live in Chicago, therefore I can call myself a Chicagoan. Chicago itself is not recognized as a nation, therefore my national idenity can not be Chicagoan. But if Chicago declares independence and is recognized, my national identity becomes Chicagoan. I think he is trying to point out that if these countries start to recognize every small state/city, that eventually you will have no "nations" left. Most of eastern europe is all messed up because of how boundary lines have been drawn over time. As for the comment about supporting muslim extremists, we supported Saddam too. Why the US support's things is complex and most of the time has nothing to do with whether or not its "right", but more what supports our long term position. My guess (and this is a complete guess), is that Russia has been annyoing the US lately, Kosovo moving out of serbia is a slap to the serb/slav's, thus we let them do it. Well if that's what Slav is trying to say I disagree. Your nation does not have to be your state, and your state doesn't really have to be your nation. Considering the Canadian example, a majority of those residing in the province of Quebec consider themselves to be a nation. This nation being the "Québecois nation," which pretty much entails anyone who identifies with the french speaking culture and history of that region. And while a large number of Québecois want their own country a good number of them are satisfied and or proud to be part of the Québecois nation within Canada. It's kind of like being a Latin-American, you're proud of your identity as a latino but you're still proud to be an American and are loyal to the state.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Feb 18, 2008 -> 12:48 AM) To be totally honest, I don't understand why they are declaring independence. They are Albanian, sure, but there is no such thing as a Kosovar. That term simply means someone who is a resident of Kosovo. Their statehood would only create another retarded subgroup. Kosovo is divided between Serbians and Albanians. Kosovars don't exist, but if independence is recognized, then it just clumps people together that shouldn't be. Independence is pointless unless it is followed by some sort of union with Albania. If Republika Srpska in Bosnia became independent, it would be pointless as well, because they are just Serbians. I'm also quite stumped as to why the US is so pro-independence for Kosovo. The Albanians have terrorist training camps in southern regions of Kosovo and Albania that are tied to Bin Laden. Well, following WWII, Albanians became the majority. There was still a big Serbian population until the NATO bombings when many Serbs fled north. Following that, the UN took control over Kosovo, but the government was run completely by Albanians. On a totally personal note, I feel as though a part of me has died. My father is from Kosovo, as is my godfather and his family, and most of my immediate family has been forced to move to Central Serbia in order to avoid Albanian separatists. My families house was seized by Albanians in Pec, where I lived for a short time when I was younger. Some of the churches that I visited and neighborhoods where I used to play in are now totally destroyed. And the cradle of my people's civilization, the territory that bears our churches and our religion, the land we defended against the Turks, the land we defended against the Austro-Hungarians, is now, for the time being, in the wrong hands. It saddens me deeply. So why do the Serbs get to be a real people but the Kosovars don't count? Is time the only requirement in becoming a people?

Add Afghanistan to the list of challenges. The other NATO countries are getting fed-up with the mission there and I imagine the Americans will have to take a much larger role there in the years to come.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Feb 12, 2008 -> 08:53 PM) I have no doubt anymore that you are correct. It took me a while to get this feeling but I am certain he will be our next president. This is a true movement now. You cannot deny it. No, it's just time for you Obama guys/gals to work harder, and donate more.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Feb 11, 2008 -> 12:44 PM) Here's the question. Would she promise Edwards the VP slot to beat Obama in the primary if she thought it would kill her in the general? I doubt that's what's going on here, but as there's no way of predicting the unforseeable (and the Clintons know that), they'd risk it.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Feb 8, 2008 -> 03:39 PM) Because MSNBC just keeps doing this and won't stop? I think this is a sympathy thing. Clinton can't get traction and this is finally an opportunity for them.

Here's Jon Stewart on the speech. What a loathsome guy Mitt has become over this past while. I sure hope other moderate Republicans don't become complete traitors to reason.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Feb 8, 2008 -> 01:17 PM) Whoah...what is going on here? I need more details. http://tinyurl.com/2kum8p UPDATE: http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmem...es_to_war_w.php It's a totally ridiculous criticism. Of course Chelsea is going to support her mother and good on her for doing it however she wants. That being said the Clinton response is just as over-the-top and we can all see why.

That was a disgraceful speech yesterday by Romney. You know the guy's just way to smart to believe even half the loony crap he rambled off. I gotta agree with Jon Stewart on this one. "f*** You" Mitt Romney!

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 6, 2008 -> 10:04 PM) You don't actually believe that, do you? Because that was Obama's second book in any case. Yah that was Obama's second book. I've heard positive reviews of his first book because Obama seems to really be comfortable in his own skin and with his own identity.

I'm surprised they haven't called Missouri for Obama yet. Boone is the only county left and it's going overwhelmingly for Obama.

QUOTE(Brian @ Feb 5, 2008 -> 11:16 PM) I'm surprised Clinton won Cali by so much. The number will narrow. But how much it will narrow will be interesting.

QUOTE(Reddy @ Feb 5, 2008 -> 11:11 PM) yep, Obama wins MO. crazy... hopefully she can have a solid win in CA though it's prolly not likely Yup, only Obama counties left to report in Missouri.

Obama only down 5% now in Missouri, but only 22% left to report.