State of the Union: What do You think?

[Agathon]

Why don't you discuss the topic instead of just throwing insults around. Because if you continue, you will get the same treatment he does.

I am discussing the topic and that's what I think. I don't see any need to mince words about the irrational, fascist, and homophobic policies that Bush endorses, and my opinion is clearly that of the majority of the world's inhabitants.

[Ming]

Originally posted by Agathon
I am discussing the topic and that's what I think.

While you are welcome to your own opinions, that's not discussing the topic. So stick to the topic and keep your silly little insults to yourself, or you will find we have other ways to make you stop

[Agathon]

While you are welcome to your own opinions, that's not discussing the topic. So stick to the topic and keep your silly little insults to yourself, or you will find we have other ways to make you stop

FASCIST!!!

[Agathon]

Seriously though, I reckon I'm right that it was a pretty uninspiring speech. Almost no posts except my troll and your growlings for ages now.

[Ming]

From what I read (the BBall game was good), it was a typical boring and useless speech. The repubs are saying he was great, and the Dems are picking holes in it. What else is there really to say since there was really nothing new in the speech. Heck, the biggest discussion on news radio this morning was how annoying all the applause were

[Agathon]

Yeah, I turned it off. The applause was just too fake. Some variety (gasps, hoots, shouts of "you go girl!") would have made it more credible.

Still on the topic of sports I ed at today's slashdot poll

[The diplomat]

Originally posted by Ming
From what I read (the BBall game was good), it was a typical boring and useless speech. The repubs are saying he was great, and the Dems are picking holes in it. What else is there really to say since there was really nothing new in the speech. Heck, the biggest discussion on news radio this morning was how annoying all the applause were

That pretty typical for every State of the Union Speech. A Democrat President will promise free healthcare to every man, woman, child and Martian and the Dems give him a million standing ovations. A Republican President will promise tax cuts and promise to kill every terrorist and Republicans give him a million standing ovations. It's called US politics! Don't you love it?

[GePap]

Originally posted by The diplomat
Excellent speech. Bush laid out a very strong and bold agenda. I do think Bush should not have mentionned those estimates about Social Security. It's impossible to know what the US economy will be like in 30 years from now so you can't give estimates about when SS will go bankrupt and treat them as fact. Bush did not need to give those guesses. We all know that SS is at risk of going bankrupt so Congress needs to reform it now so that all workers can depend on their benefits when they retire.

Social Security risks "going bankrupt" in 36 years if the economy grows at half the rate it has been growing for the last 50 years and minor changes like raising th retirement age again don;t happen. If you agree that the economy will grow much more slowly in the future, then you can say so. I guess Republican stewardship of the economy is that bad.

And the private accounts do nothing at all to lessen the financial issues, and mean that the government will have to borrow 2 trillion to meet is obligations of not cutting current benefits, though certainly cutting the benefits of everyone in the future, a cut that the private accounts will most likely not make up.

The Dems. booed for a good reason.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by GePap


Social Security risks "going bankrupt" in 36 years if the economy grows at half the rate it has been growing for the last 50 years and minor changes like raising th retirement age again don;t happen.

Here's a question. How isn't that we can easily believe that we can borrow money now to pay for the transition costs of the privatization plan, but we can not, as a whole, believe that we can borrow money to fund SS in the future?

[Dis]

Originally posted by Agathon
Yeah, I turned it off. The applause was just too fake. Some variety (gasps, hoots, shouts of "you go girl!") would have made it more credible.

Still on the topic of sports I ed at today's slashdot poll

you missed the gasps and boos when he talked about social security being bankrupt.

[alva]

Originally posted by Winston
And I noticed Cheney's parka is back in the closet on his return from Europe. But I'm sure the regular crowd will be able to spot some other insignificant bit to bicker about.

You mean like he's speech?

[alva]

Originally posted by Admiral

"In the long term, the peace we seek will only be achieved by eliminating the conditions that feed radicalism and ideologies of murder. If whole regions of the world remain in despair and grow in hatred, they will be the recruiting grounds for terror, and that terror will stalk America and other free nations for decades."
However, it's Bush. His idea of addressing this problem is invasion, and heavy handedness. However, the fact that he mentions this at all means that at least his speechwriter has some idea of the problems of the world (if not their solution). I find this heartening. Maybe there is some hope for the Bush administration yet.
But I'm probably just feeling optimistic due to the effects of the SotU drinking game. Who knows.

While he was saying this, the only thing I think of was; "huh dude, that's what the world has trying to tell you for several years now and it don't involve any 'Shock & Awe'".

[Ned]

Originally posted by Dissident




you know I've called people on the left trolls. But I feel this way about Bush supporters. You can't possibly believe Bush is doing a good job. He's an average president at best.

Iraq was a mistake no matter which way you look at it.

Dis, I do not have cynicism concerning Bush as you apparently do. What we are doing in the ME now, promoting democracy, has the best chance of bringing peace to that region the world has ever known. Iraq is not a mistake. I, rather, was long overdue. Democrats sharply criticized Bush's father for not taking out Saddam in '91. They were right then and were right through the '90s when they continued to insist that Saddam had to go. (Most) Democrats only changed their tune recently for purely political reasons.

You have to recall that it was Republicans who were leary of getting involved in "nation building." Bush said as much during the 2000 campaign. Well, 9/11 changed Bush's mind, and Bush changed the minds of most Republicans. It is too bad that the Dems have also reversed positions.

[Ned]

Originally posted by Kidicious


Iraq is a permanent disaster. He will never be able to reform SS, which is what he's betting the farm on. On what basis do you make that judgement.

Kid, see my response to Dis.

SS will be reformed and it will include private accounts. You guys on the left have always underestimated Bush.

[Dis]

don't try to convince me, I'm an isolationist.