Seat 19A

[James48843]

http://www.tsptalk.com/mb/showthread.php?p=248740#post248740

So UPS delivered my free shipping order today, just getting started on 'the utility of force', i hope it takes a while longer than usual, most times i start a book then stay up all night(s) reading until it's finished, one of new year's resolution is quality over quantity.


alevin has first dibs but i think after that the library is open.

So- Burrocrat-

Have you finished "Utility of Force" yet?

(took me about a month- and you said you got it about a month ago).

And your thoughts?

I know it can be a bit dry at times, but I gained a better perspective after reading it... How about you?

 

[burrocrat]

So- Burrocrat-

Have you finished "Utility of Force" yet?

(took me about a month- and you said you got it about a month ago).

And your toughts?

I know it can be a bit dry at times, but I gained a better perspective after reading it... How about you?

yeah, i finished it over a week ago, been meaning to write a basic review and post it, i think i saw some book threads somewhere, maybe in the lounge. i haven't found the time to do a fair job of it yet though, dog-eared some pages that i wanted to think a bit more about.

i thought it was a good book, did a good job of the timeline/evolution of warfare and strategies, especially relating to techonology and available resources. not too much info to get off track, actually piqued my interest in history a bit, there's a couple of periods and personalities i'd like to learn about in more detail.

it's not as fresh in my mind right now, but the general impression i got was that effective confrontation needs to be flexible with preparation for multiple scenarios/possibilities, awareness of the ever changing multiple environments, taking into account the advantages or disadvantages of available resources, and most of all the plan must be 'bought into' up and down the chain and across the societal and political spectrum to be successful.

nothing groundbreaking there but well presented in the book, actually i think many people employ those strategies - possibly without knowing or defining it as such in many life situations, can be quite effective.

 

[James48843]

I think what I got out of it was the disconnect between what the general public thinks "war" is today, and the reality of what war is today. Two entirely different things. We are no longer in a time when hundreds of thousands can simply go out and take down a foreign government, make peace, and move forward after that. there really isn't such a thing as a "win" militarily any more- instead there is a different dimension to warfare- one that means "hearts and minds" , and simply sending troops there isn't the only thing- in fact it's more like simply a supporting role.

That there are far bigger aspects to it that those on the battlefield recognize, but most of the civilian population does not- and most of the politicians probably do not. We're decades after that kind of a solution.

And it means we're going to be bleeding for a long, long time.

Yep- buy-in to the plan up and down, and widely as well. 3 dimensional thinking is needed.

Glad you enjoyed it, and it gave you some things to think about.

 

[Show-me]

James,

How can you be pro-life and support a pro-choice President with your vote and money?

For that reason alone the Democrats could gain much ground. I think about that every time I see a known Democrat step into one of God's churches.

Sorry- I do not believe in the death sentence.

Vengence is the Lord's. Not mine.

I am pro-life.

Period.

The Amish have it right on this - we must all forgive. That's what God intended.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/04/national/main2059816.shtml

 

[CountryBoy]

James,

How can you be pro-life and support a pro-choice President with your vote and money?

For that reason alone the Democrats could gain much ground. I think about that every time I see a known Democrat step into one of God's churches.

Quite a quandry and a true lack of principle, no death penalty for terrorists killing Americans, but full and unrepentent support for murder of the most defenseless amongst us.

 

[Buster]

Good points they make Jim...you can't have it one way and then another.

 

[burrocrat]

hmmm, let me think about this.... to horse!

we are all blessed with free agency yet think so highly of ourselves that we deny others choice.

careful what you ask for, we will all 'get it' in the end.

 

[James48843]

James,

How can you be pro-life and support a pro-choice President with your vote and money?

For that reason alone the Democrats could gain much ground. I think about that every time I see a known Democrat step into one of God's churches.

Because I am also a member of Democrats for Life, a pro-life Democratic group. http://www.democratsforlife.org/

We are working very hard to change the party platform to one that recognized the pro-life position. Pro-Life democrats are in fact a significant force within the party. Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson (D) is on the advisory board of DFL.

You have a choice when it comes to political parties- you can point fingers from outside, or you can work to make change from within.

I have no inconsistencies in my position.

In my state, there are several pro-life Democratic Congressmen, and many pro-life Dem state and local leaders. You remember during the Health Care Dedate, the "Stupak Amendment"? That's Bart Stupak, a pro-life Democrat from Michigan. As is the man who was my Congressman for many years, Representative Dale Kildee, (D-Flint), another pro-life Michigan Democrat.

The only people who think Democrats are all pro-choice, are those who are not familiar with the Democratic Party and what they do.

 

[James48843]

I think about that every time I see a known Democrat step into one of God's churches.

Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist Minister. And very pro-life. And supported Democrats.

Just one example of religious leaders who are pro-life democrats.

Republicans will lie to you and try and tell you all Democrats are for abortion.

But the record says otherwise. For the Stupak Amendment, 64 Democrats voted in favor of it.
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll884.xml


Thing is- if you repeat a lie enough times, republicans will start to believe it. They (lying republicans) are good at that- convincing you of something that simply isn't true. When you check out the truth on your own, you'll find that what some scum sucking power hungry right-wing politicians want you to believe simply isn't the case. All democrats are not pro-choice.

But all republicans eat kittens. It's a well know fact.

 

[alevin]

Oh man, James! That MUST be why I've only ever registered as I or D, never R! :laugh:

 

[CountryBoy]

And this from a guy, when asked point blank, if he would protect the life of his family from a BG, failed to answer. That sure says alot. That's who I want watching my back. Get it right to Jimmy boy, I don't eat kittens, I swing dead cats. :nuts: and for the more gullible, that's an old country saying. And I don't consider myself a repub, but a conservative. Repubs are no better than Dims.

 

[WorkFE]

I swing dead cats

And enjoy the occasional dead cat bounce

 

[Show-me]

No matter how you slice it the Democratic party has a pro-choice agenda with a definite pro-choice President.

You send money and votes to a pro-choice Presidential or Congressional candidate, therefore you are allowing pro-choice to gain ground and support.

You can say you are for one thing, but you are voting and giving money to another. One that kills a American child, but thank God we won't execute mass bombers or terrorist, that is just unchristian of us.

 

[James48843]

No matter how you slice it the Democratic party has a pro-choice agenda with a definite pro-choice President.

You send money and votes to a pro-choice Presidential or Congressional candidate, therefore you are allowing pro-choice to gain ground and support.

You can say you are for one thing, but you are voting and giving money to another. One that kills a American child, but thank God we won't execute mass bombers or terrorist, that is just unchristian of us.

Republicans (particularly conservatives) promote abortion. You just don't recognize it.

They had the House, the Senate, and the White House, at the same time they had the majority of the Supreme Court.

IF they really wanted to change abortion laws in this country, they had the opportunity to do so. They did nothing.

They wont do anything to change it.

Why?

Because it is the biggest "flash point" fundraiser they have. They can sit there and say they are against abortion, and use the controversy to raise money to try and obtain/maintain power.

 

[James48843]

And this from a guy, when asked point blank, if he would protect the life of his family from a BG, failed to answer.

What are you talking about?

 

[Show-me]

I'm not a Republican or a avid supporter. I'm a Independent, but I am not happy with that title either.

 

[Show-me]

Lol, that is like saying the Democrats don't really support health care reform. The have had control of both houses of Congress with a super majority in the Senate and the White House. Try again James.

Just replace the subject you wrote about below with "health care reform". lol Fits to a tee.

Republicans (particularly conservatives) promote abortion. You just don't recognize it.

They had the House, the Senate, and the White House, at the same time they had the majority of the Supreme Court.

IF they really wanted to change abortion laws in this country, they had the opportunity to do so. They did nothing.

They wont do anything to change it.

Why?

Because it is the biggest "flash point" fundraiser they have. They can sit there and say they are against abortion, and use the controversy to raise money to try and obtain/maintain power.

 

[CountryBoy]

What are you talking about?

Post # 277 Health Care the Bill, was directed right at you and you totally ignored it, cause 2 posts later you responded to another post. But now we know what you would do, or rather not do.

This is just one example. I know you're comprehensivly challenged, but you also totally ignored who and what the Czars really stand for, after you sung their praises of being American Socialist. You always ignore those tough ones, cause I guess wiki can't answer for ya.

After much soul searching, I've made myself a promise, to not respond to anymore of your posts, unless personal, since you conveniently ignore them or maybe the dog ate them. I know that'll make you and so many others happy, since they won't have to hear about all the hope and change, your idol bHo, is making in our life's and our children's future so much better. and my continually ranting of daily hope and change we see. I'm kinda like the crazy uncle or town cryer and people do get tired of it.

Anyway, he, bHo, still hasn't had the nads to man up. He wanted the job, then he should quit his cry baby act and quit blaming Bush and any body else and act like an adult. Problem is he doesn;t know how, he's always had someone there to clean up for him and he feels so entitled, that any one that questions his decisions, gets the old temper tantrum bully routine. Sorry I just couldn't go w/o one less rant.

Now if you come tromping into the Conservatives only "Please" room throwing your Rahm all over the place or just plain old Rahming all over people, then all bets are off.

Sorry Phil, the Grammar Queen, left, I'll miss seeing his ignore list messages, but there is always Fire boy's messages, but he's seems to have dissappeared also. It does make my life much more enjoyable and stress free now, that I;ve decided to stay as mum as possible and I'm sure others feel the same way, with me shutting my yap. Anyway, there are so many others that are much more diplomatic than me and can express themselves more eloquently than me.

I feel so much better now and can now concentrate on the folks that offer good financial advice, general commentary on the markets and life and are just plain fun to read. We all have it tough, but ya get tired of hearing how tough it is, cause we all have problems, there is no utopia.

Everyone enjoy the long 3 day weekend and stay warm, dang the fire burned down during this tome.

CB

 

[James48843]

Post # 277 Health Care the Bill, was directed right at you and you totally ignored it, cause 2 posts later you responded to another post. But now we know what you would do, or rather not do.

What are you talking about? No where in Post #277 do you mention my name.

http://www.tsptalk.com/mb/showpost.php?p=246393&postcount=277

IF that was me that you were insulting in Post #277, I suppose I should respond here and now. Is that your preference?

 

[James48843]

From Post #277 (if this is directed at me, I'll respond with MY answers:

On gun control, he obviously believes the cops will be their to protect his loved ones, when all the facts prove, they only show up after the crime has been committed. He'd rather he and his family be victims than have a chance to defend themselves.

No, I have no belief that the cops will prevent crime, or get there before the bad guys do. I believe in the right-to-bear-arms, and own guns in my household. Nothing that the current President has said or done is anti-gun, or threatens to take away your guns. But you don't believe that, because you listen to fear mongering instead of looking at actual press statements or Presidential quotes.

In short- you let other people do your thinking for you.

Obama- on the Heller Case:
""I have always believed that the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to bear arms," Obama said."