To Ride or Not? (political content)

[John Brase]

I have in front of me a three day weekend with nothing better to do. The weather is glorious, sunny, highs in the low 80's. But gas is $3.19 a gallon and the President has asked us to conserve fuel. Me? I'm a political liberal. I don't mind paying my fair share of taxes, I don't necessarily think the government is the enemy, I am willing to make some personal sacrifice for the benefit of my fellow man. I'm willing to forego my ride for the greater good.

Then this dumbass texican president decides to fly his big damned fuel guzzling airplane to Louisania, tie up a whole airport that could be better used to fly in relief supplies, and do what? Spout some blithering nonsense, as is his wont. Hell, a couple of days ago he could have driven there from his ranch and maybe saved a couple of gallons. So much for sacrifice.

I'm going for a ride. See you in the doghouse.

John

[boofer]

Amen, brother :dog

Tim

[Bob_M]

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. I am driving my gas guzzeling truck to Home Depot on Saturday to get chore supplies (lime for the soil) Running a 1/2 day on my motorcycle on Sunday (through the coast range) and riding my bicycle for about 30 miles on Monday. Last Sunday my wife traded in our SUV (Jeep Liberty, 16 mpg hwy.) for a used small luxury car (Mercedes 1.8 liter C230 coupe Kompressor, 32 mpg hwy.) at a net gain of $2.00 per month on the payments. I make no apologies for living in the world as it is. The world is full of contradictions.

[BradfordBenn]

I am still unpacking, so I am not able to go for a ride, so go for one for me, please :brad

[Emoto]

Then this dumbass texican president decides to fly his big damned fuel guzzling airplane to Louisania, tie up a whole airport that could be better used to fly in relief supplies, and do what? Spout some blithering nonsense, as is his wont.

I am so sick of the Bush bashers. I strongly disagree with some of his policies and decisions, but will not stoop to this sort of childish namecalling that so many do.

[MarkF]

Then this dumbass texican president decides to fly his big damned fuel guzzling airplane to Louisania, tie up a whole airport that could be better used to fly in relief supplies, and do what? Spout some blithering nonsense, as is his wont. Hell, a couple of days ago he could have driven there from his ranch and maybe saved a couple of gallons. So much for sacrifice.

Wonder what you and others would have said if he stayed home, said nothing and let those paid to run disaster relief run the show. Exactly what I think he should have done. Probably what he wanted to do. The main reason for his trip was to lessen criticisim.

[Bob_M]

Bush is bashed not so much to satisfy the vanity of the basher, but in an ill concieved and usually ineffective manner to shake the Republican "true believers" to look at the man through a different lens. One such view is epoused in todays Frank Rich editorial.
http://www.iht.com/protected/articles/2005/09/04/news/edrich.php

[goferu]

Mark I think that is what he did do until babies and the elderly started to die. People were floating dead in the streets. There was looting...I wasn't there on site to see all this....but did see it on TV. CONSTANTLY.....saw the people screaming for help....food and water....and medical attention....You don't have to dislike the Pres. to see that this was a horrible horrible happening. If I had babies that needed food and water....you bet your sweet bippie I would have been one of the looters...wouldn't have taken TV's or watches...but would have taken me a gun...women were raped down there....there was no protection for the good folk....and the stupid looters they were in the minority....I saw a lot of wonderful people just suffering and not causing problems......but just asking that their govt. help them. I don't care who is Pres. this is just not right. And to hear the experts talk about all the reasons they couldn't get help in there. Shame on them...I'm sickened beyond belief about it.....

[37687]

It's important to remember that the Bush bashers are more interested in feelings than facts, and that they accept information presented by the media and refuse to engage in rational argument.

Hence, the relief effort was too slow, Bush should have gotten there sooner, Bush wasted precious fuel getting there, Bush should not have gone, the effort was poor because the people needing help were minorities who typically vote Democratic, Bush gave a lousy speech, Bush was golfing and Rice was laughing and playing cards while people died, ... the list goes on.

Facts: criminal looters and violent shooters were the main cause of relief delays, local government failed the citizens by not providing transportation before the storm hit (there were several hundred school buses available but never used), thousands and thousands of individuals were rescued every day however the media only showed people waving flags and crying out for help, while reminding viewers that Guard troops under orders from President Bush were in Iraq and Afghanistan instead of in New Orleans saving lives...

And of course we all know that if Gore (the guy who won the 2000 election) flew down there it would be praised as proper and effective.

It's never OK when a Republican is in office, and it's always great if a Democrat is in office.

[MarkF]

Mark I think that is what he did do until babies and the elderly started to die. People were floating dead in the streets. There was looting...I wasn't there on site to see all this....but did see it on TV.

So, was it better that Bush went or did not? So, was it only the federal government's responsibility? The real experts are stating that the federal government was about 24 hrs late in their decisions to go in and to increase the response. How about the state and local government? The local goverment was responsible for evacuation before it happened (police, public transport, etc.) they failed! The state government was responsible for immediate response (state police, emergency preparedness, national guard, etc.) they failed. Perhaps the federal government's failure was made worse by the local and state failures. But, they won't be blamed because they are already blaming Bush.

[YB in IN]

Bush is bashed not so much to satisfy the vanity of the basher, but in an ill concieved and usually ineffective manner to shake the Republican "true believers" to look at the man through a different lens. One such view is epoused in todays Frank Rich editorial.
http://www.iht.com/protected/articles/2005/09/04/news/edrich.php

That was a really good article.

[IAMBOB]

I have in front of me a three day weekend with nothing better to do. The weather is glorious, sunny, highs in the low 80's. But gas is $3.19 a gallon and the President has asked us to conserve fuel. Me? I'm a political liberal. I don't mind paying my fair share of taxes, I don't necessarily think the government is the enemy, I am willing to make some personal sacrifice for the benefit of my fellow man. I'm willing to forego my ride for the greater good.

Then this dumbass texican president decides to fly his big damned fuel guzzling airplane to Louisania, tie up a whole airport that could be better used to fly in relief supplies, and do what? Spout some blithering nonsense, as is his wont. Hell, a couple of days ago he could have driven there from his ranch and maybe saved a couple of gallons. So much for sacrifice.

I'm going for a ride. See you in the doghouse.

John

Saving gas cuts a stream of revenue for fed, state and local government, get out there and GO!! FOr every gallon used it's $.54 in the gov't coffers!!

Read in the post today that when the President requested the Feds take over the situation because it was just TOO much for a State Gov't to handle. The Governor blocked him (with the help of a Cinton FEMA appointee), and prevented him from doing what needed to be done.. all the while her constituents were suffering, she was protecting her political backside...

And this from one of the most liberal of newspapers in the country!!

[37687]

The Republican-controlled Congress tried to spend hundreds of millions to improve the levies back in the Clinton days, but Clinton used his veto power to stop the expenditure.

Don't blame Bush.

http://junkyardblog.net/archives/wee...28.html#004749

205 school buses not used, 364 transit buses not
used.. No reason for there to be ANYONE left in N.O.
before the hurricane hit.

Not Bush's Fault, Not FEMA's fault.

And where were the Louisiana State National Guard. How
many of them SHOULD have been activated PRIOR to the
hurricane?

From The LANG website:

"Today's Louisiana Army and Air National Guard
consists of 74 units spread among 43 cities and towns
of the state and numbers some 11,500 Army and Air
Guardsmen. As a result of various reorganizations the
present Army Guard is composed of a State Headquarters
and Headquarters Detachment, 204th Area Support Group,
the 256th Separate Infantry Brigade, the 225th
Engineer Group and various Medical, Maintenance,
Aviation, Military Police, Armored Cavalry and Special
Forces units and the 156th Army Band.

The National Guard of the United States is the only
component of the Armed Forces with a dual federal -
state role. The Guard is organized, trained and
equipped to be available in times of national
emergency, upon the call of the President. It can also
be called upon by the Governor for state duty, to
preserve peace and order and protect life and property
in the event of natural disasters or civil
disturbances. The federal Government is responsible
for equipping, training and paying the Guardsmen
(except the state pays them for active state duty).
The state is also responsible for providing Guard
personnel and training facilities.

In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Mitch, the
Louisiana Army National Guard opened its armories for
two days to collect goods from concerned citizens.
More than 500,000 pounds of medicine, water, clothing,
food and personal items were collected. "

11,500 Guardsmen under the command of the Louisiana
Governor and are comprised of Command and Control,
support (food, water, fuel), Infantry (boots on the
ground to maintain order), Engineer group (to clear
roads so that vehicles can move), Medical, Aviation,
Military Police, Maintenance (help keep generators
running at hospitals and command facilities and
refugee sites), Armored Cav (Tanks and Armored
Personnel Carriers), and Special Forces (search and
rescue).

They should have been mobilized prior to the storm.

Blame the government? Yeah, blame the city government
for not moving people out and blame the State
government for not having support ready to go and
doing nothing AFTER the hurricane hit.

[MarkF]

Blame the government? Yeah, blame the city government
for not moving people out and blame the State
government for not having support ready to go and
doing nothing AFTER the hurricane hit.

He's right! But don't let that stop you from blaming Bush! :usa

[shoeman]

Send this to Time Out. This is a club about riding, owning and maintaining BMW Motorcycles, not about politics. Please post your political thoughts on DU, Young Republicans or whatever website is synchophantic with your thoughts. We have suffered through enough Media Editor BS without more of that type S**t here.

[37687]

Whatever.

[shoeman]

Read posting guidelines for this section.

[Hodag]

Read posting guidelines for this section.

so far this thread fits in perfectly why campfire was created. It has not sresorted to any name calling, pretty discussion. Or do you want everythread sent to doghouse (4 of your last six posts at least?)?

[MarkF]

so far this thread fits in perfectly why campfire was created. It has not sresorted to any name calling, pretty discussion. Or do you want everythread sent to doghouse (4 of your last six posts at least?)?

Mark and I might totally disagree in our politics but on this we are total agreement. The campfire is for discussion and that is what this is - a discussion. If you don't like the conversation take a stroll away from the campfire.

[GeoffMiller]

Well said, Mark X2

[The_Veg]

pretty discussion

I didn't think it was pretty.

[Hodag]

I didn't think it was pretty.

I can't remember whether I meant:
pretty good
or pretty decent


I do know leinenkugel creamy darks are
pretty

[goferu]

Don't think I will be a Bush basher but a 37687 basher...lol....I live in Texas...y'al think Crawford people backed Bush heck no he ain't a Texan folks......their newspaper didn't endorse him...boys and girls that boy ain't a texan...just a wanna be.....That boy is a Northern dude through and through... y'al love him that's gooooooooooooooooooooooooooood... I just think that he dresses strange...we don't necessarily dress that way here unless we are dressin up to go to a all out Texas Bash with the fancy shirts and string ties, texas cowboy boots and special cut coat... only who knows made up that style of jacket.....and of course the cowboy hat.....the good ole boys here in Texas are the ones that love to dress that way...and since George has been here he has tried to be one of the good ole boys...but that is a hard group to get into...even if you are the Pres. of the United States.....It is just the way it is...They may act like you are one of them ..but trust me ya know...lol......

[PacWestGS]

I wuz just gonna say you might as well go on out and have yo' self a most excellent ride. Because them folks that enjoy motor racin were gonna have a good time in Caleeforniaa racing them gas guzzlen NAS cars around in circles for over 8-hunered miles in two days this weekend.

Never mind that we be in a crises of Biblical proportions and loss of life, not to mention loss of gas producing facilities along the Gulf Coast.

Sheese, have a good time enjoy, some people can't, some people better.

I hear that Football will start on time and the New Orleans Saints will have their first home game in the "Sewerdome" right after they get the "Port-o-lets" cleaned out and the bodies policed up.

I think Lysol is their new sponsor "If it smells clean, it is clean" Lets Play...

"Nothing is political until sides are choosen"

[Braddog]

I do know leinenkugel creamy darks are
pretty

But I've really been enjoying the Leinie Northwoods Lager these days. A very good utility beer, meaning large quantities. :brad

[YB in IN]

But I've really been enjoying the Leinie Northwoods Lager these days. A very good utility beer, meaning large quantities. :brad

Also good but I think that I like the creamy dark a little better.

[GeneT]

When it comes to government it appears that somehow the monkeys are always in charge of the bananas, this administration is no exception. :nyah

[Belquar]

history has proven time and time again that after the $%*& hits the fan everyone wants to blame someone. it is human nature to try and remove the speck out of your neighbor's eye without first removing the telephone pole from your own. all that needs to happen is some sleeve rolling and hard work. this was a storm of biblical proportions, choices were made and with all choices come consequences. it was not a surprise like the tsunami in indonesia, this storm was predicted. want to blame someone...blame the dopes who built a entire city below sea level and protected it with a levee system. it is just by the grace of god and mother nature this hasn't happened more often. forward looking thought and action are all that we have left to do. And as history has also proven time and again...We the People will pick ourselves up and move on.

bash who you want, if you could do it better...run for office. we are not the most powerful country in the world because we put idiots in office. don't like this guy, vote for the other guy. doesn't work out for ya...better luck next time. politics...while annoying and :banghead and :fight and :dunno and :love and :buds are variables that assist with checks and balances.

[goferu]

well said Belguar...

[riderR1150GSAdv]

...blame the dopes who built a entire city below sea level and protected it with a levee system.

The French...... :sick

[MarkF]

The French......

Who were kicked out of Canada.

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

Just a thought from somebody who lived in FL...the other hurricane magnet. When the storms are announced and the warnings are delivered to evacuate...there have been so many cases where people (and myself included) did not really take them too seriously because they mostly fizzled before making real landfall. It was as like crying wolf as it were. A really pathetic reason in the face of what could and would come.

Of course Hurricane Andrew proved us wrong that year although the strange thing is since then evacuations have not been heeded either. There will be countless committees to accuse and indemnify all kinds of people after this...and it will make people feel as though progress is being made etc. The truth is that people, even when presented a way out...if the 200 plus busses came to pick them up may still not evacuate. It is as though people honestly feel as though they would rather die than lose what they have and live without it.

I cannot comment on politics for other reasons...although it does seem that an element of blame may be placed at each department door justified or not, and we have that luxury in the perspective of hindsight. Okay shred me up now....lol

[Hodag]

we all need to sit down with many many many, and a few more cases of beer and solve all the problems.

[YB in IN]

we all need to sit down with many many many, and a few more cases of beer and solve all the problems.

Beer,the the cause of, and solution to all of life's problems.
-Homer Simpson-

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

Beer? Did I hear beer mentioned? It is not just for breakfast anymore eh?...lol.

Are any of you good folks heading to the open house in SL?