I think this is the beginnings of an economy based on perpetual growth and fossil fuel energy running headlong into geological energy constraints. Basically I see an undulatory downward path for the rest of my life. From here out, I think any rallies in our economic condition are going to be met with spiking commodity prices that knock us right back down.
Does the Bush Administration Sincerely Think It Is Acting In The Best Interest Of The Majority Of Americans?
Absolutely. These people are selfless servants of the American People.
2%
[ 1 ]
Yes. They may not be perfect, but they are lead by the desire to benefit the average American.
0%
[ 0 ]
Yes, but like any politicians, they're somewhat beholden to special interests.
13%
[ 5 ]
No, they serve their base, e.g., the religious right, and aren't very concerned with the needs of the majority.
7%
[ 3 ]
No, they serve their corporate masters, how the American people fare is an afterthought.
44%
[ 17 ]
No, they make the robber barons looks like a bunch of Mother Teresas. They are doing everything they can to fleece the American people.
31%
[ 12 ]
Total Votes : 38
Author
Message
Plantagenet Expert
Joined: Apr 09, 2007 Posts: 6285 Location: Alaska (its much bigger than Texas).
Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 1:09 am Post subject: Re: Carter: Bush administration is worst in history
More on the Carter Doctrine and its relationship to Gulf War I and Gulf War II:
Because the United States did not have significant military capabilities in the Persian Gulf region at the time the Carter Doctrine was proclaimed, the doctrine was criticized for being not backed by sufficient force. The Carter administration began to build up the Rapid Deployment Force, which would eventually become CENTCOM. In the interim, the administration expanded the U.S. naval presence in the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean.
Carter's successor, President Ronald Reagan, extended the policy in October 1981 with what is sometimes called the "Reagan Corollary to the Carter Doctrine", which proclaimed that the United States would intervene to protect Saudi Arabia, whose security was threatened after the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq War. Thus, while the Carter Doctrine warned away outside forces from the region, the Reagan Corollary pledged to secure internal stability. According to diplomat Howard Teicher, "with the enunciation of the Reagan Corollary, the policy ground work was laid for Operation Desert Storm." Some analysts have argued that the implementation of the Carter Doctrine and the Reagan Corollary also played a role in the outbreak of the 2003 Iraq War.
--From Wikipedia _________________ "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 5:18 am Post subject: Re: Carter: Bush administration is worst in history
Niagara wrote:
It's easy to be a Bush Basher, but in all fairness, what choice does he have?
If the American Dream is non-negotiable then cutting back on the black stuff is not an option. The troops need to stay in Iraq because that's where the oil is.
Where's the Plan B? How does America withdraw from the middle east and still keep on chugging along?
(I'm not defending Bush. Far from it. But we need to keep a perspective on things.)
That's a good question.
The same sobbing, crying folks braying the loudest about the unmoral invasion of Iraq will scream like stuck pigs when there's not enough oil and/or gas available.
I too despise Bush (his good buddy "Dick" especially) but regarding the oil/gas situation, I don't see any any way out for him.
What would AlGore do? Invent another internet? Carter would screw things up so badly the US probably would have lost the invasion of Iraq (or anywhere else).
Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 7:44 am Post subject: Re: Carter: Bush administration is worst in history
bshirt wrote:
What would AlGore do? Invent another internet? Carter would screw things up so badly the US probably would have lost the invasion of Iraq (or anywhere else).
Jimmy Carter would have sent in a platoon of Marines in the hopes of scaring them to death, because of course he would have issued orders they weren't actually allowed to shoot at anyone, relying instead on stern looks and harsh words.
The guy couldn't be trusted with a sharp steak knife, let alone the US military.
Former President Jimmy Carter said Monday his remarks that appeared to be critical of the Bush administration were "perhaps careless or misinterpreted" and said he was NOT talking personally about President Bush.
Carter told NBC's "Today Show" that he had confined his remarks to the war in Iraq and what he called the lack of peace efforts between Israel and the Palestinians.
So he's the worst President in history at conducting a war in Iraq?
Peanut farming Nobel prize winning half measure! _________________ Cogito, ergo non satis bibivi
C'mon man, who're you gonna believe?
Joined: Sep 14, 2004 Posts: 6536 Location: Rural Virginia
Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 2:12 pm Post subject: Re: Carter: Bush administration is worst in history
Even with his faults (which I do not dispute), Carter was a hundred times better than Bush. His essential decency helped shape, to some extent, his presidency, and minimize its damage.
Also, Carter was grappling with emerging trends (such as terrorism and energy and environmental issues) the outlines of which were still not clear. To some extent, he was flying blind. Even at his advanced age, he'd be a far better president today than he was then, since his Weltanschauung has clearly matured, as indicated by his comments about BushCo.
Bush is either stupid or evil, more probably both at the same time. Bush wears a dunce cap from which sprouts devil's horns.
Joined: Apr 09, 2007 Posts: 6285 Location: Alaska (its much bigger than Texas).
Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 2:28 pm Post subject: Re: Carter: Bush administration is worst in history
Heineken wrote:
his Weltanschauung has clearly matured, as indicated by his comments about BushCo.
Carter recanted his statements one day later and said he was careless.
That doesn't indicate maturity....that indicates he can't control his own words. _________________ "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 3:30 pm Post subject: Re: Carter: Bush administration is worst in history
Plantagenet wrote:
Heineken wrote:
his Weltanschauung has clearly matured, as indicated by his comments about BushCo.
Carter recanted his statements one day later and said he was careless.
That doesn't indicate maturity....that indicates he can't control his own words.
This is just troll-baiting crap, Plantagenet. Assuming that you actually did read the article about how Carter had perhaps misspoke, then there is just no way you could fairly say what you just said above. This does indicate immaturity on your part.
Since you brought up the topic of immaturity, what exactly does compel you to post some 15 pieces of crap per day? Is it mostly that you're lonely? Will people not play with you? Are you feeling a little isolated up there in cold Alaska? When the weather does gets a little warmer will that be your opportunity to spend more time outdoors, while perhaps spending less time indoors posting crap?
You speak disparagingly of another's "control of words," yet in Carter's case he offered clarification of his earlier remarks when he appeared again in public a day or two later. Now compare that to what you do, where it is constantly shown on this forum that you lose virtually all the arguments you've been engaged in - either by others showing you as the fool (or troll, or shill), or by your being too weak or cowardly to stay engaged in the debate. So please pardon anyone for concluding that the old man has a lot more strength and class than you.
Tell you what, I bet you don't have the starch in you to stand up to this criticism now. I humbly request that you prove me wrong.
Joined: Apr 09, 2007 Posts: 6285 Location: Alaska (its much bigger than Texas).
Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 3:40 pm Post subject: Re: Carter: Bush administration is worst in history
The late Sen. Eugene McCarthy maintained adamantly until he died that it had been right for him to vote for Ronald Reagan over Jimmy Carter in 1980. "Mr. Carter," he said, "quite simply abdicated the whole responsibility of the presidency while in office. He left the nation at the mercy of its enemies at home and abroad. He was the worst president we ever had." _________________ "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 5:24 pm Post subject: Re: Carter: Bush administration is worst in history
Plantagenet wrote:
The late Sen. Eugene McCarthy maintained adamantly until he died that it had been right for him to vote for Ronald Reagan over Jimmy Carter in 1980. "Mr. Carter," he said, "quite simply abdicated the whole responsibility of the presidency while in office. He left the nation at the mercy of its enemies at home and abroad. He was the worst president we ever had."
You left out the attribution, Plantagenet. Is this where you got the quote from...?
Hitchens' article includes a passage similar to yours, as follows:
Christopher Hitchens wrote:
I [i.e., Hitchens] once had quite an argument with the late Sen. Eugene McCarthy, who maintained adamantly that it had been right for him to vote for Ronald Reagan in 1980 for no other reason. "Mr. Carter," he said, "quite simply abdicated the whole responsibility of the presidency while in office. He left the nation at the mercy of its enemies at home and abroad. He was the worst president we ever had."
Take note: I cannot find any other site on the Internet that has yours or Hitchens' quote. Compare and contrast:
Excerpt from your unattributed version:
Quote:
The late Sen. Eugene McCarthy maintained adamantly until he died that it had been right for him to vote for Ronald Reagan over Jimmy Carter in 1980...[identical text]
Excerpt from Christopher Hitchen's version in Slate:
Quote:
I once had quite an argument with the late Sen. Eugene McCarthy, who maintained adamantly that it had been right for him to vote for Ronald Reagan in 1980 for no other reason...[identical text]
So how did the part about "until he died" get into your version, and why also did you leave out the part that indicates the apparent McCarthy-to-Hitchens hearsay? Are you intentionally:
1) leaving out the attributions to your quotations when they originate from dubious sources?
2) editing the quotations to garner the wrong impression or to alter the quotations' meaning?
If you cannot provide me with a suitable explanation then I object. Please respond to this and my previous post.
Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 5:29 pm Post subject: Re: Carter: Bush administration is worst in history
Plantagenet wrote:
Heineken wrote:
his Weltanschauung has clearly matured, as indicated by his comments about BushCo.
Carter recanted his statements one day later and said he was careless.
That doesn't indicate maturity....that indicates he can't control his own words.
I watched his "retraction" this morning. I like Jimmy. I think Jimmy is a good guy. And was the worst President over the past 100 years or so and was perhaps just looking trying to encourage a historical view that others should be joining him in the basement.
Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 5:35 pm Post subject: Re: Carter: Bush administration is worst in history
Zentric wrote:
Plantagenet wrote:
Heineken wrote:
his Weltanschauung has clearly matured, as indicated by his comments about BushCo.
Carter recanted his statements one day later and said he was careless.
That doesn't indicate maturity....that indicates he can't control his own words.
This is just troll-baiting crap, Plantagenet. Assuming that you actually did read the article about how Carter had perhaps misspoke, then there is just no way you could fairly say what you just said above. This does indicate immaturity on your part.
Since you brought up the topic of immaturity, what exactly does compel you to post some 15 pieces of crap per day? Is it mostly that you're lonely? Will people not play with you? Are you feeling a little isolated up there in cold Alaska? When the weather does gets a little warmer will that be your opportunity to spend more time outdoors, while perhaps spending less time indoors posting crap?
You speak disparagingly of another's "control of words," yet in Carter's case he offered clarification of his earlier remarks when he appeared again in public a day or two later. Now compare that to what you do, where it is constantly shown on this forum that you lose virtually all the arguments you've been engaged in - either by others showing you as the fool (or troll, or shill), or by your being too weak or cowardly to stay engaged in the debate. So please pardon anyone for concluding that the old man has a lot more strength and class than you.
Tell you what, I bet you don't have the starch in you to stand up to this criticism now. I humbly request that you prove me wrong.
Joined: Sep 14, 2004 Posts: 6536 Location: Rural Virginia
Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 9:42 pm Post subject: Re: Carter: Bush administration is worst in history
Bush is a far worse president than Carter because Bush has done far more damage, even after adjusting for the longer term in office. No reasonable enlightened person could dispute that.
Carter was inept and naiive, but at least he didn't trash the Constitution. At least he didn't start illegal wars, but was militarily very restrained. And environmentally he was worth at least a C minus, whereas Bush is an F minus minus.
Carter turned down the thermostat in the White House, fer Christ's sake! And put up solar panels. Which Clown Reagan promptly removed.
As an ex-president, Carter has worked tirelessly for poor and sick people around the world, and trying to prop up the national image Bush has been so busily engaged in destroying.
Carter is far, far, from having been our worst president. That notion is a myth perpetuated by rightist propagandists, who use him as a sort of punching bag.
Joined: May 24, 2004 Posts: 3429 Location: California, USA
Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 9:52 pm Post subject: Re: Carter: Bush administration is worst in history
I'll go a bit further and say that Carter was probably the most sincerely Christian president we've had in my lifetime. Yes he made mistakes, who doesn't. But his track record since leaving the White House demonstrates clearly the real Christian spirit of love for one's neighbor and taking care of the least among us. (And even the nontheists in the crowd can see the connection between Carter's acts and the philosophy espoused by a certain Jewish radical two thousand years ago:-)
By the way, every single one of the current crop of Democratic candidates have each been married only once, never divorced, and are still married to the person they first married. Whereas the current crop of Republican candidates have among them an average of 2.3 marriages, and 2.something divorces. I suppose the Republicans are going to spin that one by saying their candidates are better on family values because they get married more than twice as often as the Democrats. Sigh.
As for Carter backpedaling from his earlier statement, people tend to do that when some stranger calls them and reads back a bunch of their personal phone calls. (And the people who worked the collection side of that one probably had no idea, and were probably told they were helping protect a former president from potential threats.)
Joined: Dec 18, 2004 Posts: 4883 Location: One Mile From the Columbia River
Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 10:01 pm Post subject: Re: Carter: Bush administration is worst in history
Carter is correct.
No matter what other actions Bush2 takes during the next 20 months, he became the very worst president in US history when he initiated the military occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq.
A regime change (or at least a change in regime behavior) in Afghanistan could have been accomplished from the air, and Iraq posed no threat whatsoever to the US.
Those actions were by far the most idiotic foreign policy decisions made by any president in US history. In fact, no other foreign policy moves even come close (with the possible exception of the US military occupation of parts of southern Vietnam nearly half a century ago).
The sheer stupidity and unbelieveable wastefulness of these two pointless military occupations shall likely never be surpassed by any future president as well. _________________ Got Dharma?
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