NUKE_CLEVELAND

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061213/ap_on_go_co/johnson If he cant continue serving then control may well shift back to the GOP as the SD governor is a Republican and would likely appoint one of his own. Thoughts?

QUOTE(Texsox @ Dec 13, 2006 -> 03:18 PM) Swift was in a pilot government program to prevent this. People stole identities and produced social security numbers. What else should Swift have done? Come on Tex. 40% of the workforce?! I could see if it was a few people but something really stinks about that place and it aint the carcasses laying around outside the freezer.

QUOTE(Rex Kicka** @ Dec 13, 2006 -> 02:39 PM) I think, if we are serious about illegal immigration - these companies need to be fined hardcore. I think you're absolutely right. Deport the illegal workers back where they came from and fine the living daylights out of whoever hired them. If we're going to dry up the jobs that these people are getting we have to fix it so that the cost in fines makes it unprofitable for them to go after cheap illegal labor. As it stands now that is not the case.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Dec 12, 2006 -> 08:40 AM) Yet when the Soviet menance was no more, and the military was cut back, you disagreed. Why? It was cut back far too deeply. Not only was the military scaled down too far but the intelligence services were gutted. Peace dividend = good Hollowing out our military and intelligence capabilities = bad

QUOTE(Rex Kicka** @ Dec 12, 2006 -> 12:03 AM) You infer that not arming the mujahadeen would have created a war in Europe. There's no way that's true. You infer that actively subverting democratically elected regimes in South and Central America was the only way to avoid a war in Europe. Again, patently false. Cold War II had a vastly different and varied set of potential outcomes that could have been acheived other than "what we did" and "World War III." So what? The other answer was to do nothing? Let the good vibes take over right? Let the commies take over in the Western Hemisphere. You sound a lot like the defeatists back in the 70s and 80s who said our only hope was to co-exist with the Soviets and hope cowboy Reagan didn't do anything stupid and start a war. You're exactly the same type that castigated Reagan for calling a spade a spade and labeling the Soviet Union as an "evil empire". If people like you had their way, people who aren't willing to do what it takes to win, then the Berlin wall would still be standing, Eastern Europe would still be Communist and several Latin American countries would be serving as Soviet client states. You may not like what we did but it worked and Soviet Communisim menaces us no more.

QUOTE(mr_genius @ Dec 12, 2006 -> 12:02 AM) it is BS Balta is right about Russian casualties. I don't know where Texsox got the numbers that suggest the US has killed more people than any other country in History, but he may want to find a new soucre of information. Yeah, that struck me as kind of funny considering the Nazi's and Soviets alone killed somewhere on the order of 50 million people between the 2 of them during the 30s and 40s.

QUOTE(Rex Kicka** @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 10:39 PM) Nuke: Terrorist organizations that we face today were funded by the CIA, the federal government - and in the case of the Mujahadeen in Afghanistan (the cradle of Al-Qaeda) - even Israel herself. All in the name of killing communists, we took poor extremists with a s***ty shotgun and a dream and armed them to the teeth with Stinger missiles and AK's. We trained them on how to use them to attack Soviet warheads. We taught them how to make their insurgency more effective. That ultimately led to the creation of Bin Laden's organization. That ultimately led to September 11, 2001. I love it when you boil your philosophy down simply. Any means necessary to defeat the Soviets. Even if the means cause thousands of innocents to die - in Chile, in Iraq, Iran, Nicaragua - and ultimately on our own soil five years ago. Sometimes history is our greatest teacher. Sometimes means to an end have a way of biting our own ass years later. Nobody ever said the price would be cheap. Would all out war on the plains of Europe have suited you better?

QUOTE(Texsox @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 10:19 PM) Oh yeah, those WMDs. I forgot Is this the new Republican mantra, we're all pussies? It doesn't have to be. It shows.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 09:21 PM) LMAO Yet our murder rate is higher than almost every major country. We've killed more people in wars than any civilization in history. I guess we could step up the torture and take over a few countries. You would have been great during the crusades. Rape and pillage the NukeClevland way. If you think this is the same tough as nails America that fought World War 2 and previous wars you're insane. The word is out on us and its right.........you bog us down and play for time and the pussy-whipped American public will start whining and we'll back off.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 07:48 PM) I want to start getting involved with stocks, but don't know where to start. should I pick and stick with someone online? Is it possible for me to do anything if I don't have access to my stocks because I'm at work from 6:30-3:00? Mutual funds. If you cant be constantly on top of things its better to hand it off to a professional and let them do the work.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 05:54 PM) And for the most part, I agree. Just be aware what they mean. I don't see it as apples and oranges at all. I think its a good comparison. Look. As you said, there is no law against stereotyping, or any other form of bigotry. You want to feel that way, go right ahead. I'm going to see the world otherwise. One more thing. Don't put this "appeasement" crap on me. I don't want appeasement - I want us to win the war. And I believe the way to do that, the way that actually takes some courage, is to stand up for what is right and not stoop to the level or our enemies. Extremists want us to all be paranoid and fearful, and that is what we are becoming. To me, THAT is appeasement, and it makes me sick. It takes courage all right. Takes courage to see the damn thing through. America is a nation of soft-ass pussies. A bunch of pussies who have no stomach to fight against a nasty opponent who would like nothing more than to see American cities burning and its citizens in a panic. You are right that extremists want us to be paranoid and fearful and its a lack of committment to exterminate the threat that undermines us. It does so far more than quibbling about rough interrogation techniques or imperceptable "encroachment" upon civil liberties ever could.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 05:47 PM) The original comment was we trained and funded these guys. You responded that the fall of the USSR made it worth it. Now we have these guys to contend with and the organizations they created. Combine that with the proliferation of nuclear weapons adds up to a different, but equally dangerous threat. The Soviets also bailed out some of these countries when their crops failed, when famine struck, etc. Now it's all on our dime. Point 1: Did I not just get through saying that terrorist organizations were a big problem even during the Cold War? Only thing different about them is that now their plots are far more lethal in nature as they struggle for their various aims. Point 2: As I already said, the greatest threat India and Pakistan posed was that they would go to war with each other. This is far less likely now as their relations have thawed. Additionally, the Indian and Pakistani bombs are not byproducts of the fall of Communisim and North Koreas bomb ( or feeble attempt at one ) is a result of the Pakistanis, not leftovers from Russia. Point 3: This was my favorite one. The Soviets CAUSED nations to have problems with their crops by their collectivization policies. Anything they might have done to mitigate crop problems they themselves caused was far overshadowed by iron fisted communist oppression.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 05:38 PM) And you also have faith in their security. That the material can not be stolen? I suspect their security would be better than what the USSR had? No corrupt officials willing to sell a nuke to a terrorist group in exchange for millions? Since we are safer today, do we need as large of a military? The current threats we face are not at all related to whether or not the Soviets exist or not. Islamofascism was a problem even during the Cold War and their evolution to more lethal forms of terrorism is unrelated to the fall of Communism.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 05:34 PM) Yet these backwards people that can't feed themselves have nuclear weapons. I believe someone with nothing to lose is far more dangerous than someone with everything to lose. The odds of the North Korean population overthrowing the current regime far outweighs the odds of them doing something stupid like using nukes and getting wiped off the map in return.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 05:21 PM) Somehow, according to you, we're better off that they aren't under soviet rule. Wouldn't it be even better if they lived even better? I think we swapped one set of problems for another. Clearly you felt the former Soviet regime was more dangerous than the current trio of India, Pakistan, and North Korea. I believe these three are more dangerous. Indian and Pakistani relations have thawed considerably in the post Cold War era. It was once thought that they were on the brink of war over Kashmir but in recent years they have sat down and hammered out their differences. North Korea is a joke. They bluster and talk a big game but they have a paper army that they cant feed, let alone the rest of their population, and are trying simply to bluff and bluster their way into concessions from the West rather than posing a serious threat.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 04:56 PM) Hundreds of pounds of nuclear material missing, nuclear scientists for sale, Check India, Pakistan, and North Korea all with nukes, Check. Former USSR countries and their robust economies now that the citizens are out from under the rule of communism. Check. Increasing crime in those same countries, check. Is MUF a problem? Sure. Is it worse than having the end of the world come about over something as petty as a false radar signature as happened more than once during the Cold War? Nah. In the odd occurance that you could get your hands on some plutonium without someone finding out about it, there's a lot more that goes into a bomb than that and someone's gonna figure out what you're up to before you can finish your little project. Why do you think that in the 15 years since Soviet Russia disappeared there hasn't been a nuclear incident? OMG!!1!!11!!! Theres street crime in former Eastern Bloc countries?!?!!! SAY IT AINT SO!!!!!!!

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2715462 OH NO!!! YOU MEAN WE CANT RAPE WOMEN WITH IMPUNITY ANYMORE?!?!?!?!? SAY IT AINT SO!!!!!!

QUOTE(Texsox @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 04:38 PM) Some of our friends on the payroll included Bin Laden, Hussein, Noriega, and lesser known, but no less evil people of all races and creeds. I'm not convinced we are any safer with the fall of the Soviet Union. Hmmn. Tens of thousands of nuclear warheads no longer targeted at us? Check Millions of people on the continent of Europe free as opposed to being under the thumb of Communisim? Check.

Is this an overreaction on the part of law enforcement? http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional...rticleid=171422

QUOTE(Texsox @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 08:33 AM) Enemies of our enemies are our friends. The list of people we have backed is truly embarrassing today. I know in some cases it is the lesser of two evils, but during that era we really picked some bad men to support. Sometimes you gotta get some dirt on your hands if you want the job done. When the end was ridding the world of Soviet Communisim its pretty hard to find means that aren't justifiable.

QUOTE(Jenksismyb**** @ Dec 11, 2006 -> 03:45 PM) It's a shame this country continues to pander to the ubber-ubber-minority. What's that? Stereotyping muslims when there is plenty of reasonable suspicion about their activities?! Shame on you! Upset that the Seattle airport is going to have a Christmas tree?! Don't worry! We'll get rid of it for you! Upset about a 'too sexy for shopping' Victoria Secret window display in Detroit?! No problem! We'll have it removed right away! Bless all those groups (all 250 citizens total) that complain and b**** and continue to rule our lives! This says it all right here. What is so freekin hard about looking someplace else if you dont like something? Why do a few malcontent and hypersensitive people have to use the legal system to spoil it for everyone else who view things as Christmas trees or Victorias Secret displays as perfectly normal and acceptable? To me this is nothing more than pettiness and spite manifesting itself in a bitter but vocal minority within a minority. I dont have stats or numbers to back it up but Im willing to bet that 99% of Jewish people out there aren't angered or offended by the sight of a Christmas display during this time of the year and dont see the need to spoil things for everybody else.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Dec 10, 2006 -> 10:05 PM) Seattle's defense is awful, there is no way i'd put them ahead of the Bears, New Orleans, or Dallas. Hell, Grossman destroyed the Seattle Defense lest we all forget.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 10, 2006 -> 06:35 PM) Which was technically supposed to be done 3 months ago by this Congress...but anyway... Oh I know. Not like this is the 1st time Congress has failed to get spending bills done on time.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 10, 2006 -> 06:57 PM) I think it's fairly simple, and it's a matter of momentum. Right now, Dallas feels like they're on top of the world. If they ride that to the playoffs, while the Bears sit around debating whether Grossman is ok with 3 INT's per game, then Dallas is going to come into Chicago and find the Bears not ready, and they'll blow apart the Bears offense enough to win that game. And I think everyone would probably prefer the Saints get the Bye rather than the Cowboys right now for that matter too. Sure Romo has had a little hot streak but Dallas aint the world beaters everybody is making them out to be. Dallas comes to Chicago in January and they're gonna get beat. The only thing that scares me is if the Bears get all overconfident like they did in the week leading up to the Carolina game in last seasons playoffs. QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Dec 10, 2006 -> 07:24 PM) I'd laugh, I highly doubt that happens though. I wouldn't put it past them with their history of one and done playoff appearances but I dont think thats gonna happen this year, especially if Grossman pulls his head out of his ass and starts playing some ball these last few weeks.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 10, 2006 -> 06:50 PM) If the Cowboys win tonight, then I think it pretty much cements that the Cowboys and the Chargers are playing head and shoulders above everyone else in the NFL right now. Seriously, Bears fans ought to be cheering on the Saints tonight. Cowboys are for real but they would have a b**** of a time against our defense. To say they are "head and shoulders above everyone else" isin't exactly accurate.