1. Comment by NightHawk P. (NightHawk)— November 29,2009 @ 12:57AM
Ratings:-5+31
If you want a draft open a window. From the 1970's on we have had a all volunteer Military. Unlike the old days the Support Units were turned over to the National Guard and Reserves or Contractors under Pres. Clinton. What we have now is a highly educated Military using very high tech weapons. The last thing anyone wants is someone that does not want to be there getting everyone killed. Also the Services have no problem filling the numbers they need each year. The requirements for 2011 are more than one third filled now. In fact the Navy, National Guard and Air Force is cutting force as we speak.
3. Comment by Jay B. (mister-jb)— November 29,2009 @ 2:22AM
Ratings:-13+34
Nighthawk it would be ok with me if Uncle Sam drafted all these tough gang members that like to terrorize and act tough and shoot at each other The ones that survive might even go home after their obligation acting and looking like human beings
4. Comment by NightHawk P. (NightHawk)— November 29,2009 @ 3:05AM
Ratings:-4+23
If this Country ever brought back the old Military Jay it could happen. That would be where the Support Units were back under the Active Force, and the Contractors were gone. As it is even on Military Bases/Posts grass cutting, picking up trash, most cooking, supply, motor pool and so on are all done by contractors now. Even Security may be helped or done by local law enforcement or security contractors. We were talking the other day on AKO about pre-70's when Enlisted wounded and on Profiles would be able to stay in till their Retirements. Filling areas like Ranges, POL, Motor Pool and so on. Where having a arm or leg made out of metal made no difference. Today they are just discharged. Often with 17 or even 19 years in.
5. Comment by AzLil M. (azcactuswren)— November 29,2009 @ 3:52AM
Ratings:-18+33
Yes 3 AM is fast approaching. After three months our military members are still hanging out to dry while our enemies are convinced they're dealing with a wuss.
Hillary warned us in one of the debates of Pres. Obama's predilection for voting "present" whether from indecisiveness or reluctance to offend and he's essentially voted present for three months now.
This man had never held a real job in his life and got through college with the help of at least one benefactor. He couldn't even buy a house without the help of a crook, Tony Rezko.
We can't really expect responsible action from someone who's never before been responsible.
7. Comment by Synidar E. (synidar)— November 29,2009 @ 5:01AM
Ratings:-4+27
#3 Jay B.
Regarding your suggestion to put the "Tough Gang Members" in the service.
I proudly served in the Air Force and trusted every one of my fellow serviceman to look out for me as I did for them. I definately could not have the same trust in a "Tough gang member" that was "Put in" the service on the chance that it would reform them.
8. Comment by Cindy L. (ParentX)— November 29,2009 @ 6:25AM
Ratings:-24+18
Mary Marcum
First the facts: property taxes in Arizona are among the lowest in the nation by a mile, and our schools are funded far below what is even considered to be average. These are indisputable facts.
Though I can relate and sympathize with your financial concerns, I guarantee you that you will be paying far more in taxes if we don't get a handle on education in this state. Aside from all of the other, more expensive public services that we need to pay for when we don't invest enough in education (prisons, social services, etc.), people and companies are leaving this area because of the lack of educational investment.
Doctors, business owners, skilled trade workers...folks who provide services that you need - and folks who pay a lot in taxes - are already leaving. Their tax dollars leave and you and I end up paying more to make up the difference in the long run.
Someone paid for your education - even if you don't feel like it is your responsibility to continue contributing to the next generation, you should be doing so for your own self interests. If we don't collectively start supporting our schools, your only chance of 'saving' money these next few years will be because your housing value crashes even lower and your taxes fall because of the lost value.
10. Comment by Paul H. (paul47)— November 29,2009 @ 6:46AM
Ratings:-4+14
We've not been invited to "Discuss" the ADS story on people banned from the U of A campus, but the reporter leaves some very disturbing questions unanswered.
13. Comment by john t. (butchmutt)— November 29,2009 @ 7:36AM
Ratings:-11+21
Seniors can't afford school overrides
It was a foregone conclusion that as soon as the school budget overrides were defeated, the paper would be filled with letters and articles saying the "no" voters are shortsighted, hate children, etc.
Would someone please note that already seniors are being taxed out of our homes? Will these name callers be happy when we have to give up the homes we worked so hard to pay for, and go to unfamiliar surroundings in our last few years on this earth?
We have put in our years of toil. Now leave us in peace!
Mary Marcum
14. Comment by john t. (butchmutt)— November 29,2009 @ 7:43AM
Ratings:-13+26
11. Comment by Phillip D. (pdavid) — November 29,2009 @ 6:47AM
Ratings: -1 +2
Very gratifying to see so many as outraged by Cal Thomas' article as I was.
...............................................
Not at all unlike my feelings about Fitz the outrageous cartoonist.
15. Comment by Cindy R. (ramirezfamily4)— November 29,2009 @ 7:56AM
Ratings:-15+36
I thought Cal Thomas wrote a good piece. I was shocked to see it in the Star, it was actually refreshing.
I wonder if there were any letters to the editor, though, supporting his article?
The Star would do well to keep more articles from the right in the paper in order to keep it more balanced. All too often the Star is tilted heavily to the left with very little room for the other side to voice their opinion.
The question is, though, could they actually handle the barrage of angry letters following each conservative article that is printed?
16. Comment by Phillip D. (pdavid)— November 29,2009 @ 7:57AM
Ratings:-22+17
I wish people would stop B__ching about budget overrides and instead direct their anger where it belongs: The Legislature!
The Legislature and governor are not funding our schools adequately. It used to be that local budget overrides were for extra stuff, above and beyond, basic education. Now they are needed just to fund basic education because the leaders of our state gov't won't fund k-12 properly. They won't even fund adequately.
17. Comment by john t. (butchmutt)— November 29,2009 @ 7:59AM
Ratings:-12+23
12. Comment by Tom M. (tommix14) — November 29,2009 @ 6:58AM
Ratings: -1 +3
"Mary Marcum "
Who do you think is paying for your medicare and social security checks?
...........................................
What do school overrides and property taxes have to do with these two programs that she would have paid into throughout her life?
If you are saying that young taxpayers and future taxpayers need better educational funding in order to keep up with the money needed to fund these two programs, you are incorrect in that it will take many more contributers versus better earning ones.
Both these programs are on a crash course, unfunded and woefully short of future contributers.
30 or 40 million instant contributers, compliments of our friends to the South, would certainly pick up some of the slack temporarily.
Your notion that seniors with modest incomes have a responsibility to help fund education is offensive, in my personal opinion.
JT
If anything, there should be a law that exempts seniors living on fixed incomes or modest levels of income, from paying any property tax.
18. Comment by john t. (butchmutt)— November 29,2009 @ 8:47AM
Ratings:-12+19
16. Comment by Phillip D. (pdavid) — November 29,2009 @ 7:57AM
Ratings: -0 +0
I wish people would stop B__ching about budget overrides and instead direct their anger where it belongs: The Legislature!
The Legislature and governor are not funding our schools adequately.
"It used to be that local budget overrides were for extra stuff, above and beyond, basic education."
......................................
Why should grandma or anyone else be forced to pay through property taxes for extra STUFF? Property ownership should never have been hijacked to satisfy government's inability to spend wisely.
......................................
" Now they are needed just to fund basic education because the leaders of our state gov't won't fund k-12 properly. They won't even fund adequately."
Actually, no they are not NEEDED. Yes this has become a convenient source of income that is automatically requested as often as it can be requested but life would and will go on if this source dried up or was eliminated from future consideration.
..........................................
"But they give tax giveaways to rich people so they can send their kids to private schools which has cost the state general fund $350 million....and we have to try and tax poor grandma into poverty to pay for our local schools."
................................................
I sent two sons through St. Ambrose Catholic school. I know for a fact that I'm not rich and never met any other parents who were sending their children there, who appeared even remotely wealthy. I paid my property taxes and my two sons did not take up space or use any resources offered by the public schools, AND I paid a tidy some to see that our children received the discipline and instruction they should receive. The small amount of financial aid provided by these tax breaks was welcome and helped sustain a basically poor school from falling further behind on it's basic costs.
Your class warfare argument is both tiresome and without merit.
................................................
No more mad than I get when I read another uninformed or poorly thought out argument based on false assumptions and the notion that you or anyone else is ENTITLED to another's income, because you think they have too much or because your cause is so noble.
If you truly believe that public schools need more money than is funded, dig deep and pony up and solicit other like minded people to do the same.
................................................
22. Comment by Jay B. (mister-jb)— November 29,2009 @ 10:25AM
Ratings:-12+10
#7 I will defer to you on that issue You Air Force guys were always right there on the spot looking out for each other when the lead was flying Sometimes as close as 50 miles
23. Comment by Richard O. (taicho1)— November 29,2009 @ 10:26AM
Ratings:-11+10
The problem with the draft during the so called war in Vietnam was that it didn't include everbody like in the second war.
The inclusion of the contractors such as Haliburton occurred during the 1980s.
And why do we need a draft now. We are not at war with Iraq or Afghanistan.
A million dollar a man per year folks.
Politicians whether they are Democrat or Republican are crooks folks. We can't afford proper health care but we can afford a war. That is wonderful for Haliburton and Raytheon.
Smedley Butler was right. War is a racket.
Bring our troops home and put them on a point sytem where combat personnel get a quicker retirement than those who aren't fighters.
24. Comment by Lindsey S. (Lindsey TS)— November 29,2009 @ 11:01AM
Ratings:-13+21
Harvey Wolfe writes:
"The fulminations of Cal Thomas have reached a new level of absurdity. This "Fisherman of Red Herrings" would have written the same dire predictions when Social Security, Medicare — and for that matter free public libraries and public schools — were first introduced into our society."
Free public libraries and public schools? This is where you first screwed up, Harvey. Libraries and schools aren't free - they are paid for by "we the people - taxpayers. Liberals constantly try to ignore the fact that someone has to pay the bill - whether it's for schools, roads, hospitals, fire and police protection and even parks and recreation.
Then there is this:
"Remember it was Theodore Roosevelt who in an earlier time advocated universal health care for Americans, as did Harry Truman many decades later."
Roosevelt had an ® after his name but he was bound and determined to federally control large corporations and just about everything else.
In his speech "The New Nationalism", he said, "It has become increasingly clear that we must have government supervision of the capitalization, not only of public-service corporations, including, particularly, railways, but of all corporations doing an interstate business."
Then Harvey writes:
"Eleanor Roosevelt put it best long ago: "I will do more than live and let live; I will live and help live.""
Well, Harvey, I like this quote from Margaret Thatcher much better:
"Socialism works great until you run out of other people's money."
Harvey, and the others who bashed Cal Thomas's column haven't a clue as to what the current occupant and his minions in congress are doing to this country - either that, or they simply don't care.
25. Comment by Lindsey S. (Lindsey TS)— November 29,2009 @ 11:05AM
Ratings:-14+21
#2
Jack Ransom was absolutely correct when he wrote:
"How many of you Americans trust the man in charge of that "red phone" to make the correct decision, and to make it in a timely manner? Let us hope that the hour of 3 a.m. is not approaching."
The current occupant has been dithering for months regarding the middle east. I can't wait for 2010 and 2012.
26. Comment by Joseph M. (ClrCrk)— November 29,2009 @ 11:56AM
Ratings:-20+13
It took from September 1, 2001, to March 20, 2003, for the former occupant to rally support for retaliation against a nation that had nothing to do with 9/11. It also involved a lot of spinning of cherry-picked and in many cases false "intelligence," and the most intensive fearmongering campaign ever foisted on the American people.
Remember:
We know he has them.
We know where they are.
Saddam could launch a biochemical attack in 45 minutes.
If we wait for a mushroom cloud it will be to late.
Without the diversion of resources to Iraq the situation in Afghanistan should have been long since resolved. Over 4,000 Americans and tens of thousands of Iraqis would still be alive, and Iran's leaders would not likely be so rambunctious.
If we get into a 3 AM red phone call situation I will trust the judgment of the current occupant over that of his predecessor.
27. Comment by Lindsey S. (Lindsey TS)— November 29,2009 @ 12:10PM
Ratings:-12+17
#26
"If we get into a 3 AM red phone call situation I will trust the judgment of the current occupant over that of his predecessor."
Then I hope for your sake, you have a gun, loaded and ****ed by your bed, because you and the rest of us will need our weapons if we have to rely on the current occupant.
35. Comment by Lindsey S. (Lindsey TS)— November 29,2009 @ 3:54PM
Ratings:-8+11
#34
Anyone who would try and take over this country - somehow the religious radicals of the world come to mind. The ones that the current occupant thinks we should appease and talk nice to so that we don't hurt their feelings.
38. Comment by George C. (GeorgeCl)— November 29,2009 @ 4:35PM
Ratings:-6+12
Get this, #29, it's actually FOUR letters!!! Out of nine. I just sat down to read the hard-copy, and was simply amazed by the angry spew towards Cal Thomas. I wonder which word(s) triggered them this time.
Guess they'll need to drive him out the way they did Ann Coulter and anyone else they don't like, and whose columns the intolerant Left isn't open-minded or tolerant enough to "allow" at the ADS.
41. Comment by Lindsey S. (Lindsey TS)— November 29,2009 @ 5:41PM
Ratings:-8+9
#38
George - amazing, isn't it, that the ADS couldn't find even one letter that was pro-Thomas. Cal wrote a great column, exposing the current administration for what it is doing to this country - although Obama and his minions aren't trying to hide the fact that they are doing their best to nationalize everything.
45. Comment by Daren .. (daren)— November 29,2009 @ 5:55PM
Ratings:-10+7
Some Christians feel that the Obama presidency is the end of the world and modify and re-formulate their End Time Bible Prophesy and Eschatology from a ‘Rush Limbaugh’ and ‘Sean Hannity’ repository.
46. Comment by Don V. (Dutch)— November 29,2009 @ 6:14PM
Ratings:-11+7
Number 35
Lindsey,
I happen to be right-wing in my religion, attending a Southern Baptist church and having been raised in the parsonage of an Evangelical church even to the right of Baptists.
However, what I've seen recently from the right wing of the Republican Party aligning with the extreme conservatives gives me more concern than any Islamic terrorists. If you really want to see religious radicals, it may be as close as your mirror. (according to your the pattern of your posts)
47. Comment by Don V. (Dutch)— November 29,2009 @ 6:20PM
Ratings:-9+5
Howwie will be thrilled to know that I do NOT support president Obama's plan to send additional troops to Afghanistan. I'll be wearing sackcloth and ashes for 3 days after Tuesday night's announcement. (I'll only take time out to watch the U of A basketball game Wednesday night. Go Cats!!)
49. Comment by Lindsey S. (Lindsey TS)— November 29,2009 @ 7:47PM
Ratings:-5+9
#46
"However, what I've seen recently from the right wing of the Republican Party aligning with the extreme conservatives gives me more concern than any Islamic terrorists."
You're kidding, right? And as for your last comment, no, I'm not a religious radical - I'm a concerned conservative who will do everything I can to stop the current occupant and his thugs from socializing this country.
How sad you and the rest of the radical lefties either don't see Obama for what he is, or worse, don't care.
56. Comment by Jay B. (mister-jb)— November 29,2009 @ 8:22PM
Ratings:-4+8
#46 I have to wonder about the sanity of anyone who thinks right wingers are more dangerous than islamic terrorists I certainly haven't heard of any right wingers blowing anybody up have you?
58. Comment by George C. (GeorgeCl)— November 29,2009 @ 9:07PM
Ratings:-3+6
How about that press secretary who screwed up the other night and let the gate crashers in? She's claiming to be related to some voodoo doctor. Those are the kind of whackos we have sitting in the White House now... yet nary a word from the Left.
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Letters to the editor
Cal Thomas adds nothing to debateIf you want a draft open a window. From the 1970's on we have had a all volunteer Military. Unlike the old days the Support Units were turned over to the National Guard and Reserves or Contractors under Pres. Clinton. What we have now is a highly educated Military using very high tech weapons. The last thing anyone wants is someone that does not want to be there getting everyone killed. Also the Services have no problem filling the numbers they need each year. The requirements for 2011 are more than one third filled now. In fact the Navy, National Guard and Air Force is cutting force as we speak.
Report this comment
Jack Ransom, 3am is approaching. The time now is 2:45am. 3am approaches every morning. If that frightens you maybe you'd better get to bed.
Report this comment
Nighthawk it would be ok with me if Uncle Sam drafted all these tough gang members that like to terrorize and act tough and shoot at each other The ones that survive might even go home after their obligation acting and looking like human beings
Report this comment
If this Country ever brought back the old Military Jay it could happen. That would be where the Support Units were back under the Active Force, and the Contractors were gone. As it is even on Military Bases/Posts grass cutting, picking up trash, most cooking, supply, motor pool and so on are all done by contractors now. Even Security may be helped or done by local law enforcement or security contractors. We were talking the other day on AKO about pre-70's when Enlisted wounded and on Profiles would be able to stay in till their Retirements. Filling areas like Ranges, POL, Motor Pool and so on. Where having a arm or leg made out of metal made no difference. Today they are just discharged. Often with 17 or even 19 years in.
Report this comment
Yes 3 AM is fast approaching. After three months our military members are still hanging out to dry while our enemies are convinced they're dealing with a wuss.
Hillary warned us in one of the debates of Pres. Obama's predilection for voting "present" whether from indecisiveness or reluctance to offend and he's essentially voted present for three months now.
This man had never held a real job in his life and got through college with the help of at least one benefactor. He couldn't even buy a house without the help of a crook, Tony Rezko.
We can't really expect responsible action from someone who's never before been responsible.
Report this comment
Cal Thomas was right on, Why were their no letters published in support of Cal's piece? I think that is a good question.
Report this comment
#3 Jay B.
Regarding your suggestion to put the "Tough Gang Members" in the service.
I proudly served in the Air Force and trusted every one of my fellow serviceman to look out for me as I did for them. I definately could not have the same trust in a "Tough gang member" that was "Put in" the service on the chance that it would reform them.
Report this comment
Mary Marcum
First the facts: property taxes in Arizona are among the lowest in the nation by a mile, and our schools are funded far below what is even considered to be average. These are indisputable facts.
Though I can relate and sympathize with your financial concerns, I guarantee you that you will be paying far more in taxes if we don't get a handle on education in this state. Aside from all of the other, more expensive public services that we need to pay for when we don't invest enough in education (prisons, social services, etc.), people and companies are leaving this area because of the lack of educational investment.
Doctors, business owners, skilled trade workers...folks who provide services that you need - and folks who pay a lot in taxes - are already leaving. Their tax dollars leave and you and I end up paying more to make up the difference in the long run.
Someone paid for your education - even if you don't feel like it is your responsibility to continue contributing to the next generation, you should be doing so for your own self interests. If we don't collectively start supporting our schools, your only chance of 'saving' money these next few years will be because your housing value crashes even lower and your taxes fall because of the lost value.
Report this comment
To Larry M, the El Tour good samaritan, reading about your kindness just made my day.
Thanks, and well done.
Report this comment
We've not been invited to "Discuss" the ADS story on people banned from the U of A campus, but the reporter leaves some very disturbing questions unanswered.
Report this comment
Very gratifying to see so many as outraged by Cal Thomas' article as I was.
Report this comment
"Mary Marcum "
Who do you think is paying for your medicare and social security checks?
Report this comment
Seniors can't afford school overrides
It was a foregone conclusion that as soon as the school budget overrides were defeated, the paper would be filled with letters and articles saying the "no" voters are shortsighted, hate children, etc.
Would someone please note that already seniors are being taxed out of our homes? Will these name callers be happy when we have to give up the homes we worked so hard to pay for, and go to unfamiliar surroundings in our last few years on this earth?
We have put in our years of toil. Now leave us in peace!
Mary Marcum
..........................................
AMEN!
Report this comment
11. Comment by Phillip D. (pdavid) — November 29,2009 @ 6:47AM
Ratings: -1 +2
Very gratifying to see so many as outraged by Cal Thomas' article as I was.
...............................................
Not at all unlike my feelings about Fitz the outrageous cartoonist.
Report this comment
I thought Cal Thomas wrote a good piece. I was shocked to see it in the Star, it was actually refreshing.
I wonder if there were any letters to the editor, though, supporting his article?
The Star would do well to keep more articles from the right in the paper in order to keep it more balanced. All too often the Star is tilted heavily to the left with very little room for the other side to voice their opinion.
The question is, though, could they actually handle the barrage of angry letters following each conservative article that is printed?
Report this comment
I wish people would stop B__ching about budget overrides and instead direct their anger where it belongs: The Legislature!
The Legislature and governor are not funding our schools adequately. It used to be that local budget overrides were for extra stuff, above and beyond, basic education. Now they are needed just to fund basic education because the leaders of our state gov't won't fund k-12 properly. They won't even fund adequately.
But they give tax giveaways to rich people so they can send their kids to private schools which has cost the state general fund $350 million....and we have to try and tax poor grandma into poverty to pay for our local schools. That makes me MAD!
Report this comment
12. Comment by Tom M. (tommix14) — November 29,2009 @ 6:58AM
Ratings: -1 +3
"Mary Marcum "
Who do you think is paying for your medicare and social security checks?
...........................................
What do school overrides and property taxes have to do with these two programs that she would have paid into throughout her life?
If you are saying that young taxpayers and future taxpayers need better educational funding in order to keep up with the money needed to fund these two programs, you are incorrect in that it will take many more contributers versus better earning ones.
Both these programs are on a crash course, unfunded and woefully short of future contributers.
30 or 40 million instant contributers, compliments of our friends to the South, would certainly pick up some of the slack temporarily.
Your notion that seniors with modest incomes have a responsibility to help fund education is offensive, in my personal opinion.
JT
If anything, there should be a law that exempts seniors living on fixed incomes or modest levels of income, from paying any property tax.
Report this comment
16. Comment by Phillip D. (pdavid) — November 29,2009 @ 7:57AM
Ratings: -0 +0
I wish people would stop B__ching about budget overrides and instead direct their anger where it belongs: The Legislature!
The Legislature and governor are not funding our schools adequately.
"It used to be that local budget overrides were for extra stuff, above and beyond, basic education."
......................................
Why should grandma or anyone else be forced to pay through property taxes for extra STUFF? Property ownership should never have been hijacked to satisfy government's inability to spend wisely.
......................................
" Now they are needed just to fund basic education because the leaders of our state gov't won't fund k-12 properly. They won't even fund adequately."
.................................................................
Actually, no they are not NEEDED. Yes this has become a convenient source of income that is automatically requested as often as it can be requested but life would and will go on if this source dried up or was eliminated from future consideration.
..........................................
"But they give tax giveaways to rich people so they can send their kids to private schools which has cost the state general fund $350 million....and we have to try and tax poor grandma into poverty to pay for our local schools."
................................................
I sent two sons through St. Ambrose Catholic school. I know for a fact that I'm not rich and never met any other parents who were sending their children there, who appeared even remotely wealthy. I paid my property taxes and my two sons did not take up space or use any resources offered by the public schools, AND I paid a tidy some to see that our children received the discipline and instruction they should receive. The small amount of financial aid provided by these tax breaks was welcome and helped sustain a basically poor school from falling further behind on it's basic costs.
Your class warfare argument is both tiresome and without merit.
................................................
"That makes me MAD!"
...................................................
No more mad than I get when I read another uninformed or poorly thought out argument based on false assumptions and the notion that you or anyone else is ENTITLED to another's income, because you think they have too much or because your cause is so noble.
If you truly believe that public schools need more money than is funded, dig deep and pony up and solicit other like minded people to do the same.
................................................
Report this comment
I commend the ADS editorial staff for publishing the Cal Thomas article.
So long and glad your gone, former ADS Ann Brown.
Report this comment
The obots are mad about the Cal Thomas article because he told the truth.
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I wonder if all those Cal Thomas bashers complain when we are subjected to articles by Leonard Pitts and Eugene Robinson...every stinkin week!
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#7 I will defer to you on that issue You Air Force guys were always right there on the spot looking out for each other when the lead was flying Sometimes as close as 50 miles
Report this comment
The problem with the draft during the so called war in Vietnam was that it didn't include everbody like in the second war.
The inclusion of the contractors such as Haliburton occurred during the 1980s.
And why do we need a draft now. We are not at war with Iraq or Afghanistan.
A million dollar a man per year folks.
Politicians whether they are Democrat or Republican are crooks folks. We can't afford proper health care but we can afford a war. That is wonderful for Haliburton and Raytheon.
Smedley Butler was right. War is a racket.
Bring our troops home and put them on a point sytem where combat personnel get a quicker retirement than those who aren't fighters.
Report this comment
Harvey Wolfe writes:
"The fulminations of Cal Thomas have reached a new level of absurdity. This "Fisherman of Red Herrings" would have written the same dire predictions when Social Security, Medicare — and for that matter free public libraries and public schools — were first introduced into our society."
Free public libraries and public schools? This is where you first screwed up, Harvey. Libraries and schools aren't free - they are paid for by "we the people - taxpayers. Liberals constantly try to ignore the fact that someone has to pay the bill - whether it's for schools, roads, hospitals, fire and police protection and even parks and recreation.
Then there is this:
"Remember it was Theodore Roosevelt who in an earlier time advocated universal health care for Americans, as did Harry Truman many decades later."
Roosevelt had an ® after his name but he was bound and determined to federally control large corporations and just about everything else.
In his speech "The New Nationalism", he said, "It has become increasingly clear that we must have government supervision of the capitalization, not only of public-service corporations, including, particularly, railways, but of all corporations doing an interstate business."
Then Harvey writes:
"Eleanor Roosevelt put it best long ago: "I will do more than live and let live; I will live and help live.""
Well, Harvey, I like this quote from Margaret Thatcher much better:
"Socialism works great until you run out of other people's money."
Harvey, and the others who bashed Cal Thomas's column haven't a clue as to what the current occupant and his minions in congress are doing to this country - either that, or they simply don't care.
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#2
Jack Ransom was absolutely correct when he wrote:
"How many of you Americans trust the man in charge of that "red phone" to make the correct decision, and to make it in a timely manner? Let us hope that the hour of 3 a.m. is not approaching."
The current occupant has been dithering for months regarding the middle east. I can't wait for 2010 and 2012.
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It took from September 1, 2001, to March 20, 2003, for the former occupant to rally support for retaliation against a nation that had nothing to do with 9/11. It also involved a lot of spinning of cherry-picked and in many cases false "intelligence," and the most intensive fearmongering campaign ever foisted on the American people.
Remember:
We know he has them.
We know where they are.
Saddam could launch a biochemical attack in 45 minutes.
If we wait for a mushroom cloud it will be to late.
Without the diversion of resources to Iraq the situation in Afghanistan should have been long since resolved. Over 4,000 Americans and tens of thousands of Iraqis would still be alive, and Iran's leaders would not likely be so rambunctious.
If we get into a 3 AM red phone call situation I will trust the judgment of the current occupant over that of his predecessor.
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#26
"If we get into a 3 AM red phone call situation I will trust the judgment of the current occupant over that of his predecessor."
Then I hope for your sake, you have a gun, loaded and ****ed by your bed, because you and the rest of us will need our weapons if we have to rely on the current occupant.
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Bush "dithered" for 8 months before sending more troops to Iraq.
Where were the complaints then???
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Sometimes I agree with Cal Thomas and sometimes I don't. I have the biggest problem with him when he tries to insert religion into his analysis.
Neverhtheless, I find it rather strange that 3 (count 'em) letters against his opinion piece were actually published.
Come on ADS edigoiral board, compared to other opinion pieces and issues doesn't this seem a little over the top
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Interesting, the letters attacking Cal Thomas were more directed against the writer than the issues covered in his column.
Of course the Star will publish more views from the left. That's the "choir" they preach to and that's the choir that responds.
The letters are full of venom and personal attacks and deal with little of substance. It's the "feelings" crowd that dances to the Star's song.
Again, the Star sings, and the choir responds. It's to be expected.
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The Star SUCKS!!!
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Cal Thomas was spot on.
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To those on the extreme right practically everyone else is to the left.
To those on the extreme left practically everyone else is to the right.
Most folks are not part of either extreme, in my opinion.
I would only add that many conservatives are not card-carrying Republicans, nor are they right-wing extremists.
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27. Comment by Lindsey S., in your mind's eye, Lindsey, who do you see you'll be aiming your weapon towards?
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#34
Anyone who would try and take over this country - somehow the religious radicals of the world come to mind. The ones that the current occupant thinks we should appease and talk nice to so that we don't hurt their feelings.
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25. Comment by Lindsey S. "The current occupant has been dithering for months regarding the middle east."
Conservative columnist George Will, "The Bush administration could have used some dithering before they invaded Iraq."
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35. Comment by Lindsey S., "...you have a gun, loaded and ****ed by your bed..."
"religious radicals of the world" are coming to get us?
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Get this, #29, it's actually FOUR letters!!! Out of nine. I just sat down to read the hard-copy, and was simply amazed by the angry spew towards Cal Thomas. I wonder which word(s) triggered them this time.
Guess they'll need to drive him out the way they did Ann Coulter and anyone else they don't like, and whose columns the intolerant Left isn't open-minded or tolerant enough to "allow" at the ADS.
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24. Comment by Lindsey S.
Margaret Thatcher, "Socialism works great until you run out of other people's money."
Conservationism: Socialism for the rich. Democracy for the Middle Class.
During 2000 - 2008 the rich ran out of money.
Remember?
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... and guess who picked up the tab ?????
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#38
George - amazing, isn't it, that the ADS couldn't find even one letter that was pro-Thomas. Cal wrote a great column, exposing the current administration for what it is doing to this country - although Obama and his minions aren't trying to hide the fact that they are doing their best to nationalize everything.
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41. Comment by Lindsey S., "...they are doing their best to nationalize everything."
No they aren't. They're trying to save the country instead of ... I want Obama to fail ... meaning if we lose jobs by the millions, "he" lost.
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CONSPIRACY
Doomsday - nationalize everything
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Limbaugh, Hannity, Right Wing radio:
Armageddon
Sky is Falling
World has Ended
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Some Christians feel that the Obama presidency is the end of the world and modify and re-formulate their End Time Bible Prophesy and Eschatology from a ‘Rush Limbaugh’ and ‘Sean Hannity’ repository.
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Number 35
Lindsey,
I happen to be right-wing in my religion, attending a Southern Baptist church and having been raised in the parsonage of an Evangelical church even to the right of Baptists.
However, what I've seen recently from the right wing of the Republican Party aligning with the extreme conservatives gives me more concern than any Islamic terrorists. If you really want to see religious radicals, it may be as close as your mirror. (according to your the pattern of your posts)
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Howwie will be thrilled to know that I do NOT support president Obama's plan to send additional troops to Afghanistan. I'll be wearing sackcloth and ashes for 3 days after Tuesday night's announcement. (I'll only take time out to watch the U of A basketball game Wednesday night. Go Cats!!)
PS I STILL despise Bush for starting both wars.
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Lindsey,
Religious radicals of the world.
I have wondered who Palin channeled in her campaign rallies and we heard the words: Kill Him.
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#46
"However, what I've seen recently from the right wing of the Republican Party aligning with the extreme conservatives gives me more concern than any Islamic terrorists."
You're kidding, right? And as for your last comment, no, I'm not a religious radical - I'm a concerned conservative who will do everything I can to stop the current occupant and his thugs from socializing this country.
How sad you and the rest of the radical lefties either don't see Obama for what he is, or worse, don't care.
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"What do school overrides and property taxes have to do with these two programs that she would have paid into throughout her life?"
Funny, the Amphi override failed in the sun city area - I dare you to find one retired person there who is poor.
Also, it is a LIE that you only take out what you put it.
Amazing that conservatives love socialism when it comes in the form of medicare or social security checks.
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#47
"PS I STILL despise Bush for starting both wars."
The Islamist butchers started the war in Afghanistan - and Saddam helped to start the war in Iraq. And you taught school ...?
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51. Comment by Lindsey S., "Saddam helped to start the war in Iraq."
Lindsey, you may have missed a few needed classes with this statement.
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49. Comment by Lindsey S., "I'm a concerned conservative who will do everything I can..."
What I and others are concerned about is what are you going to do with the weapons you have under your bed?
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... I'm sorry, it's the "gun, loaded and ****ed by your bed."
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#47 Is " Do not support " the strongest thing you can bring yourself to say about your beloved BO?
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#46 I have to wonder about the sanity of anyone who thinks right wingers are more dangerous than islamic terrorists I certainly haven't heard of any right wingers blowing anybody up have you?
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How rude and inappropriate to imply that a long-time poster and decent person is a radical, simply because someone doesn't agree with her.
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How about that press secretary who screwed up the other night and let the gate crashers in? She's claiming to be related to some voodoo doctor. Those are the kind of whackos we have sitting in the White House now... yet nary a word from the Left.
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#52
Yes, Saddam convinced world leaders that he had WMDs - we are now better off without him and his moronic sons.
p.s. It is still widely thought that he did have WMDs, but was able to move them into Syria before Iraq was invaded.
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Excuse me, "social secretary".....
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