Al Gore, what a loser.

[Bruce Wayne]

So that when republicans watch it they can denounce him as looney right?

Bill O'Reilly (inspiration found me)

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7JPvbVsDdY[/media]

 

[TX Bill]

Surely the whole idea of the constitution written by the "founding fathers" overriding the will of the people expressed in Supreme Court appointments, state decisions, or Congressional or Presidential decrees or laws is directly contrary to your quote above?

I'll pass for the moment on Texas redistricting scandals...

You may want to as that was simply the Republicans beating the Dems at their own game on that one. They've (the Dems) been doing it for years but when it's done to them, it's a scandal I tell ya.

 

[TX Bill]

I havn't really been following the US presidential elections in any great depth, unless you regard what you read in the Economist as great depth, so don't know a great deal about any of the policies on offer. I know that Hillary seems to have sewn up the Democrat nomination but economically at least her healthcare plans and general anti-globalization don't do anything for me, not to mention the Bush/Clinton political dynasty her election would create.

On the Republican side, it seems as though McCain and Guiliani are front runners. As I've said before I don't think religion has any place in government so the mormon guy is out. As a libertarian Michael Bloomberg sounds quite good but it doesn't seem likely that he'll run, despite seeming to do a good job in New York. Likewise, the limited footage I've seen of Ron Paul has been quite positive. I forget his name but there's an interviewer on Fox who's overwhelmingly Republican and he gave him a most obnoxious interview.

When you consider that America was founded largely on the libertarian principles of people such as Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson it seems only natural that the nation should continue along the path of free market liberalism.

The Republican front runners are Giuliani and Thompson. McCain has angered the conservative base so much so that he won't get the nod. Romney (the Mormon) is a bit different in that he's conservative but his past indicates that he's a RINO (Republican in name only) and that won't wash with the conservatives. I think the only Republicans who have a chance in the national election are Giuliani and Thompson anyway.

 

[Cardinal Albert Simon]

The only presidential candidates I actually like are Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel who have about as much chance of becoming president as I do. As for realistic candidates, Obama strikes me as too naive and willing to be heavy handed (for instance stating that he'd send troops into Pakistan with or without permission from their government if there were terrorists there) for my liking. I don't have much hope for the next president but, I suppose, Hillary would be tolerable.

For the Republicans, my money is on Guiliani to get their nomination; I'd be surprised if he didn't. McCain seemed alright, but his largely abandoned his somewhat maverick stances to try and suck up to the more conservative elements of the GOP, managing to blow most of his support in the process. Fantastic.

As for fossil fuels, even those that disagree with the (fairly substantial) evidence supporting climate change, I think the fact that they're running out is proof enough that various other energy sources need to be seriously explored.

 

[SuitsBlue]

selfishness is a lifetime

and stockpiling counts - re: russia planting a flag 2 miles deep under the antarctic*

fossil fuels havnt disappeared completely, theres an angle in their somewhere.

 

[atrottel]

You may want to as that was simply the Republicans beating the Dems at their own game on that one. They've (the Dems) been doing it for years but when it's done to them, it's a scandal I tell ya.

Didn't mention a party at all, a plague on all their elephant and donkey houses!

 

[Cardinal Albert Simon]

selfishness is a lifetime

and stockpiling counts - re: russia planting a flag 2 miles deep under the antarctic*

fossil fuels havnt disappeared completely, theres an angle in their somewhere.

No, but they're disappearing quickly. We certainly won't be able to support ourselves on fossil fuels in a century.

 

[Dylan]

Using current technology, we are only able to access 30% of the fossil fuels deposits on the planet. As the technology improves we will be taking in more and more of the deposits.

HOWEVER, this does not relieve us of the responsibility to find alternative energy sources. The US has a proven track record in Nuclear reactors, (I should know, working on Nuclear powered subs for so long), and while they don't have the best reputation, they are clean and provide an abundance of energy. I am pro-nuke (done the right way).

As for the politics, I am staying out of the discussion except to reiterate I will move to New Zealand if Clinton gets in a third time.

 

[monty]

Using current technology, we are only able to access 30% of the fossil fuels deposits on the planet. As the technology improves we will be taking in more and more of the deposits.

HOWEVER, this does not relieve us of the responsibility to find alternative energy sources. The US has a proven track record in Nuclear reactors, (I should know, working on Nuclear powered subs for so long), and while they don't have the best reputation, they are clean and provide an abundance of energy. I am pro-nuke (done the right way).

As for the politics, I am staying out of the discussion except to reiterate I will move to New Zealand if Clinton gets in a third time.

So you are going awol Dylan, a bit drastic that old son.

On paper I'm also pro nuke but, and this to my mind is vital for nuke industry, is security. Insurgents appear able to get into most places if they are determined enough, perrish the thought if any do manage a break in anywhere in the world, they won't worry about their own mortality and I'm sure they won't give a toss about any one else's:angry:

 

[Dylan]

See Monty, that is exactly the fear they want to breed. Fear of doing something because something might happen. Uranium used for reactors is completely different from uranium in warheads. It would also take quite a force to take down a nuke plant these days, let alone take one down, get the uranium, get away from the plant and then get it out of the country.

 

[monty]

See Monty, that is exactly the fear they want to breed. Fear of doing something because something might happen. Uranium used for reactors is completely different from uranium in warheads. It would also take quite a force to take down a nuke plant these days, let alone take one down, get the uranium, get away from the plant and then get it out of the country.

Who are they?:huh:

What you say about nuke plants applies only to progressive western countries, and even they are not invincible we only feel safe in the assurances given to us. What about India, China, N Korea, Iran and most of all Pakistan. We must also add to that list the Russians who seem to have waste radioactive material dripping from every orrifice. That is what scares me, that terror has been achieved by my own deliberations, no other influences no matter who they are. We do need a sustainable fuel source and in the interim it has to be nuke but it bloody well scares me.

People of my age will recall the horror of the Cuba crisis, we actually gathered on street corners as kids to watch the rockets fly either way on their paths of destruction.................just thank God it never happened

 

[atrottel]

People of my age will recall the horror of the Cuba crisis, we actually gathered on street corners as kids to watch the rockets fly either way on their paths of destruction.................just thank God it never happened

And the Arab-Israeli war when we were also one stage away, monty.

 

[McBain]

Great Gadzooks! Kerry Katana! I mean.. awesome debate.

For starters, Im not as smart as you guys, or care even half as much about the US elections so I cant comment.

The whole world gets screwed anyway when the US are involved in anything so it wont matter. Bush and his puppet masters have really seen to that.

I saw a report on TV that this American journo was explaining that after September 11, there really was a global emotional thingo, where everyone really felt geniunley sorry for the US. It was totally cocked up by the next series of decisions the Prez made tho.

You guys (Americans) used to be really looked up to like big brothers. But you just turned out to be a bunch of bullies. Sure we helped you, and so did the Brits. But Blairs got the arse, Howard is getting spanked by the K-Rudd, and Bush will always be one of the most desteted leaders in history. Notice how now we just mock him, its a great deflection on what he's really done to the world, but hey, thats society.

TX Bill, Im not going to wade into any of your standing beliefs, you uphold them and you believe them, and if a Texan is worth his salt then I wouldnt want you to be any other way. But if you think the face of the world isnt changing, you havent seen the world.

You listen to Montys generation, and if you were to stap back into his 10 year old shoes youd see a totally different world. Maybe you arent on level 5 water restrictions, when back in the day water was so plentiful you could waste it. Not so here. The simple fact is the accelerated growth of the human population has to do something to the atmosphere, to the plants and the animals, and ultimatley to us. Where once there was a forest, theres now houses, all burning more forests.

Every time we get too cocky, we get wiped out.

We arent getting cocky, I reckon were already there.

 

[TX Bill]

Funny that. The old, "The USA is the source of all of the world's problems."

You know, to be truthful, as many of the problems as we have here on our domestic front, I'd love to see the evil USA yank every bit of funding we give to other countries on a yearly basis and take care of some of our domestic issues. We're talking in the billions of dollars that we give in aid around the world.

I'd also love to see us kick the worthless United Nations out of here (and on our dollar I might add) and move 'em some place that might appreciate them, like Belgium perhaps. That's money that can be used in more important areas as well.

Fact is that whether you like us or not, we're the most benevolent country in the world in terms of aid we give to other countries. Yet you don't see much press on that now. Well you won't because once again, it doesn't serve the media's agenda.

Oh, and I agree wholeheartedly, the face of the world IS changing. However it's the politically correct crowd that refuses to see where the real problems lie and want to just continue to point fingers at the USA. I see what's going on. Do you?

 

[monty]

TX, I certainly haven't had a go at the USA, I never do because I really like you lot and I am fully aware of the good you do and you are right in reminding people of that. However at no stage do you address my concerns about the proliferation of matters nuke which scares the crap out of me although the older I get the less it should bother me, I just think what the future may hold for my family and you lot round the world, the conclusion I come is not that nice mate.