[BBC] George W. Bush has some good reflexes for an old guy.

[Puckstop31]

Not necessarily. People I talk to - first and second hand - who travel a great deal are quick to say that they've found that in most instances, Americans are treated well and are generally well-liked, even in some Arabic countries, but Shrub is universally reviled.

Thats swell. It still does not make it right. Look at what I say to Boemy in a sec.

They wonder at how he managed to get himself elected the second time, but most places are, unfortunately, all too well acquainted with election fraud and corruption and don't find it too difficult to attribute his second term to that phenomenon.

Now you know I am no fan of Das Schrub. But I ask you to find me an American General Election in recent history that has not been dirty, one way or the other. And you know what? I don't blame the candidates. I blame the lazy ass American people. We as a people are, save for the few passionate ones, to lazy to REALLY learn about who we are voting for. The latest election is a major case in point.

 

[Puckstop31]

If insulting the president is insulting the entire country, shouldn't the US declare war on itself for its impeaching Nixon?

JUST SAYIN'.

Canadians hate on their own officals, but are still PROUD to be Canadians. Same with the French, Germans, British, etc...

Only in the US to you see a large amount of people hating our government, yet still not proud to be American. Hell, the first lady elect is on record saying that she was only recently proud of our country, because we elected her marxist, idiot husband. But you know what? That idiot, (just like the last one) is going to be MY President.

Unless we can be united in the face of what the rest of the world throws at us... To be proud of and willing to defend our nation... We get what we deserve.

Do we hate each other THAT much that we can't be AMERICANS first? Yes, Bush failed at just about everything he did... Obama IS going to be the same or worse... Are you going to be just as critical of him? I doubt it.

Like lemmings to the cliff....

 

[sparks19]

So... if you **** a group of people off it's OK and funny for them to totally disrespect you?

Well I hope no one on chaz (myself included) finds a shoe flying at their head because we pissed a chaz group off... would it be funny then?

I don't know... I stand by what I said before. Iran President Ahmadinejad came to Columbia University to speak to a group of students. Even though he is not a respected man by many they managed to be RESPECTFUL of him even though he has declared his dislike of America and isreal etc... yet the american people didn't throw things at him or abuse him in anyway. But if we HAD there would be a huge outcry of how disrespectful we are and perhaps some would call for us to be beheaded like a past incident where a cartoon made a joke about Allah... but a cross in a jar of Urine is ART.

 

[Renee750il]

Thing is, Puck, one of the freedoms we are so hot to spread to other countries - or use an excuse to go occupy other countries - is the freedom to express ourselves and to engage in protest. Throwing a shoe certainly isn't an act of deadly force; at best it's misdemeanor civil disobedience. Isn't that ostensibly what we were supposed to be bestowing on the Iraqis?

Even though you can't give someone else their freedom. They have to be willing to take it.

Could be that the shoe throwing dude is one of the few who has a concept of what freedom is supposed to entail - and is ready to take it.

And you're right. The majority of voters have no clue who they are voting for. They're like my parents - they pick a side and believe anything the mouthpieces tell them to believe and disbelieve anything else - no matter how much hard evidence they're faced with. Scary part? There are more of them than there are of us. Way more. And they, Puck, ARE today's Americans. We belong to an American of two centuries past.

 

[iwantmypup]

Well, there are some people I would LOVE to throw a shoe at.

 

[sparks19]

No one said he shouldn't be ALLOWED to throw a shoe... just that it isn't funny... it's disrespectful.

There are MANY people I disagree with and have had heated words with and who I may not like... but I try my best not to flat out disrespect them or HARM them. I would NEVER try to physically hurt anyone just because I didn't LIKE them or TRY to insult them as much as I can on p urpose and I would hope that noone feels so much hatred that they would do that to me.

 

[iwantmypup]

Don't worry, it won't be a high heel.

 

[Renee750il]

Respect has to be earned. I'm not real convinced that anyone owes Bush any respect, and I'd far rather he be shown disrespect as an individual than to be held responsible as a country for his actions.

I doubt you'll be getting pelted with shoes anytime soon, Sparks

 

[sparks19]

Respect has to be earned. I'm not real convinced that anyone owes Bush any respect, and I'd far rather he be shown disrespect as an individual than to be held responsible as a country for his actions.

I doubt you'll be getting pelted with shoes anytime soon, Sparks

I don't know... I think a BASIC respect should be given to anyone. I think TRUST has to be earned but a basic human respect should be given to anyone.

I wouldn't be too sure about that. lol I know there are a lot of people who don't like what I say and I'm sure there are quite a few who have quite a dislike for me... and even though it may not be a high heel I still think I deserve a basic human respect. there are lots of people I disagree with A LOT and people who I flat out dislike... but I won't under any circumstances accost them just because I don't like what they have to say. Now... come at me and try to personally hurt me or my family... that's another story

I mean... if you don't like me sorry... not everyone is going to like everyone. but I don't think I deserve to be physically accosted for it and I don't think anyone I dislike deserves it either. I can't please everyone and I won't stop being honest about my feelings.

But still... it just keeps coming to my mind... what if we did that to one of their officials?

 

[Renee750il]

Oh, if someone here did that to one of their officials it would definitely be an international incident. There is definitely a double standard.

Personally, I think if you're a lying, warmongering asshat, you should have to take your chances with the public, no matter where you're from.

 

[Sapphire-Light]

I wonder what happened to the shoe trowing guy??

Is he in detention / prision/ or free?????

 

[Georgygirl]

Honestly, I kind of find it funny. Not because it was Bush, but just that it happened in general. I think if someone tried throwing their shoe at me I'd at least smirk a little at the absurdity of someone throwing their shoe at me. Sure, I'd probably get a bit annoyed later, but my initial reaction would probably be to laugh at someone doing something I consider pretty childish.

Yes it was very disrespectful and I'm sure there are a lot of Iraqi officials who were embarrassed by the incident.

I still find it a bit funny tho.

 

[Puckstop31]

Thing is, Puck, one of the freedoms we are so hot to spread to other countries - or use an excuse to go occupy other countries - is the freedom to express ourselves and to engage in protest. Throwing a shoe certainly isn't an act of deadly force; at best it's misdemeanor civil disobedience. Isn't that ostensibly what we were supposed to be bestowing on the Iraqis?

Even though you can't give someone else their freedom. They have to be willing to take it.

Could be that the shoe throwing dude is one of the few who has a concept of what freedom is supposed to entail - and is ready to take it.

I am all for that guy using his new found freedom of expression. Granted, he showed it in a odd way, but given the culture.... whatever. What pisses me off is that WE are not insulted by this. Seeing now that what the shoe thrower did is almost universally being praised in the Arab world... We should send those ungrateful pricks a bill for what it cost us to win them THEIR freedom.

OR, if they don't want it.... Fine. But don't come crawling back when the next despot comes online.

And you're right. The majority of voters have no clue who they are voting for. They're like my parents - they pick a side and believe anything the mouthpieces tell them to believe and disbelieve anything else - no matter how much hard evidence they're faced with. Scary part? There are more of them than there are of us. Way more. And they, Puck, ARE today's Americans. We belong to an American of two centuries past.

Yep... Everytime I hear somebody say "Republicans this.... Democrats that...." My blood boils.

I know there are way more of "them". But you know what? While I am angry at them, I am not afraid of them. If what hgistory tells me is coming for this country, I am ready... THEY are not. That's fine, sad but fine.

Nothing in this world is more powerful than a free people willing to fight to preserve that freedom. REAL freedom.... LIBERTY. Not some false sense of security provided by a pseudo-despot.

 

[Renee750il]

I am all for that guy using his new found freedom of expression. Granted, he showed it in a odd way, but given the culture.... whatever. What pisses me off is that WE are not insulted by this. Seeing now that what the shoe thrower did is almost universally being praised in the Arab world... We should send those ungrateful pricks a bill for what it cost us to win them THEIR freedom.

OR, if they don't want it.... Fine. But don't come crawling back when the next despot comes online.

Totally with ya on that. And you know we send millions to JORDAN??? One of the wealthiest countries in the world? Errrr . . . . Oh, yah. It's a BRIBE. Payola.

Ironic that bestowing freedom on someone else has been so instrumental in curtailing so many of OUR freedoms.

Yep... Everytime I hear somebody say "Republicans this.... Democrats that...." My blood boils.

I know there are way more of "them". But you know what? While I am angry at them, I am not afraid of them. If what hgistory tells me is coming for this country, I am ready... THEY are not. That's fine, sad but fine.

Nothing in this world is more powerful than a free people willing to fight to preserve that freedom. REAL freedom.... LIBERTY. Not some false sense of security provided by a pseudo-despot

The only reason to fear that bunch is because of what lies behind them: the entire mililtary industrial complex. Besides, I'm inclined to let the cowards and their coyote masters have the life they've chosen and carving out my own little niche someplace not so ravaged like a wolf in its own territory.

 

[Puckstop31]

Totally with ya on that. And you know we send millions to JORDAN??? One of the wealthiest countries in the world? Errrr . . . . Oh, yah. It's a BRIBE. Payola.

Actually, Jordan is rather poor. No oil there. No anything there really, other than dirt.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/jo.html#Econ

The only reason to fear that bunch is because of what lies behind them: the entire mililtary industrial complex. Besides, I'm inclined to let the cowards and their coyote masters have the life they've chosen and carving out my own little niche someplace not so ravaged like a wolf in its own territory.

A niche? WHERE? I am totally with ya on that idea, but WHERE do you do that in this world? No, it is, sooner or later, going to be a fight. And I think that when that fight comes, you will see there of more of "us" than you think.

 

[release the hounds]

I didn't read the thread, but I heard GW's comment on the plane back was he "saw the sole" of the man that threw the shoe. I don't know why, but I found that very funny

 

[Renee750il]

When the fight comes, though, Puck, I'd rather choose my ground. And I'd far rather let *them* have plenty of time to gnaw on each other. You know that's going to happen. The next big unrest is going to be a socio-economic clash.

You know what really enrages me about all of this? That I've had to learn to think this way . . . That is unforgiveable.

*Oh, and thanks for correcting me on Jordan . . . I looked up a few things - even some blogs. Sounds like they are living like we are.*

 

[sparks19]

Brian... didn't someone in the gift list on Fusion say he could have bought a little island for $350,000 lmao... maybe we can pool our money together

 

[Puckstop31]

Brian... didn't someone in the gift list on Fusion say he could have bought a little island for $350,000 lmao... maybe we can pool our money together

LOL, yes. But I think a couple thousand acres in West BFE, North Dakota would be better. More options should an emergency egress be required.

 

[ACooper]

LOL, yes. But I think a couple thousand acres in West BFE, North Dakota would be better. More options should an emergency egress be required.

I agree, an island would be harder to "shore up" and protect

Now a big mountain/valley in BFE N. Dakota would be the ticket! Find one Puck, let us know the price......I'm in! hahahaha

Chaz Mountain, has a ring to it doesn't it? :lol-sign: