The Respectfully Republican Conversation

suzfive

Rosemary - where are you in Texas? My 21-year-old dd is in Houston, downtown near the Galleria. She is hunkering down with some friends. She has never been through anything like this before. She is with people who have been through hurricanes so she seems to think she will be okay. I am worried sick though.

To everyone in Texas - my thoughts and prayers are with you - stay safe!

Rosemary44

Suz,

I'm in Houston.  When Alicia came through in '83 we all did fine.  I did better, I was on a trip and found out it hit here via the newspapers.  When I got home, my house was all in one piece.  Not so much as a roof tile loose.  Your daughter will be fine.  I guarantee it.  It's the nerves before the storm that's really the worst and waiting for the electricity in 90 some odd degress to be turned on isn't any fun.  So don't worry for her too much she'll be calling you to complain only about the heat. 

Oh, I meant to add, that's where we're heading to, the Galleria, no trees around.  It's the city.

suzfive

Thanks Rosemary! Actually, I don't think the heat will bother her too much - that is why she chose to go to Houston - she loves the heat - the hotter and more humid the better. She is staying with some friends in a not all that big apartment so I told her to make sure everyone uses plenty of deodorant LOL!

FEB

IBC, that was interesting about reading the old newspaper. It is amazing how things never change. My uncle, a Vietnam vet also, says that if the demonstrations had not changed public opinion so much, the war was close to winning. What do you say on this? That sure would have changed history. All you guys would have come home with the welcome you deserved instead of the likes of Hanoi Jane. I am still trying to find the poem to send you but I lost it when my computer crashed. I know I have it someone where else, just can't find it yet.

I finally caught the Gibson interview. I have never been so disgusted with a reporter in my life. He did not even try to hide his disdain for Palin. What was with the ugly facial expressions? He never once looked her in the eye. He was not questioning her, he was badgering her! She really did handle it well though. I think she showed what a fool he was, trying to get her to say something he wanted to hear, and refusing to hear what she wanted to say. I always thought he was  a decent guy, I will never watch him again!

Paulette531

Rosemary...I am in Lake Jackson, and about half my neighborhood is gone! It is so eeire in town as we had a mandatory evac...the entire town is closed and boarded. At first it looked like we were going to get a direct hit but now it looks like it is between here and Galveston, either way it's going to be a rough ride because of the size of the booger! Wouldn't you know though the media rolled into town last night, their huge trucks are parked out on 288/332 just waiting.

abbadoodles

First of all, you TX gals are in my thoughts and prayers.  I am hoping you fare well with the storm's passing.

Re: the Gibson interview last night.  My impression, from his questioning, facial expression and body language, was that he was trying to make a fool out of Palin.  She did stumble badly when questioned about the "Bush doctrine," but, heavens, I never heard of such a thing either.  I didn't know Bush's tactics and strategies had been formalized and named officially the Bush Doctrine!   So fill me in. Re: Palin's incomprehension - If I had been her I would have been more forthright about not knowing of such a doctine, if there is such a thing.  As it is, she looked like she was trying to make herself know about something of which she knew nothing and was trying to salvage the situation. 

It was my understanding that there would be more of the interview on tonight's evening news and then the entire interview would be aired tonight on 20/20. 

suzfive

I would like to see just one reporter ask BO questions like Charlie asked Palin. Even O'Reilly was soft on BO last week. He asked him questions that he danced around the answers to and O'Reilly did not press him for answers. They were laughing and joking. Even James Carville admitted that it was BO who said he would invade Pakistan without their permission to get Bin Laden - although he has now backtracked on that but the media pays no attention. They are after Palin now because of her answer on the global warming thing. I guess you cannot ever change your mind unless of course you are BO then it is okay.

FEB

Missed the second page when I posted before. Just wanted to add that I hope everyone feels free to post here as long as they do not get nasty. I really enjoy hearing the male and the Canadian point of view. Summer, I guess Canada has to really worry about Obama since he seems to be against free trade. When I built my house I ordered all my windows and doors from a Canadian company because I could not find an American company that made solid wood windows that opened the way  I wanted. They turned out beautiful. They got here with no problem, thanks to free trade. Two years later, the damn state of Illinois sends me a $3000 tax bill for them. I was screaming at them, about free trade, but they said it is a "user tax". If I was not the builder of my own home, they could not tax me, but because I was the contractor, and I would be using the windows, they could. This put the brakes on this company doing business in Illinois ever again and they were trying to find a midwest market. It was do infuriating. If I didn't love my house so much, and have all our family here, I would move to a red state in a heartbeat. I am so sick of the tax and spend idiots that run Illinois. What are we in for if BHO wins and our whole country is run by this ilk!

Suz, that was an interesting thing you noticed about McCain always referring to BO as senator. He is such a gentleman. In the forum last night, it really showed. It was interesting how differently they posed the questions to them. It was as if BO was answering them the same way, so that he would get the right answer.

pinoideae

Texas I hope and pray hurricane Ike loses momentum by the time it reaches Texas.

Shirley Huges, there is not one thing to forgive girl.  IBC spouse, thank you, I will keep posting. I have only started posting on this thread recently, but I have been watching the US Presidential race for 6 months or more, and just recently reached my own conclusion, so why I have been here recently.  Suzfive, good grief, why hate the US?  There is no place for hate for the US in Canada.

ibcspouse

LindaMemm

That loud sucking sound you hear is that big can of worms you just opened.  We won the Viet Nam war.   We destroyed the Viet Cong in 1968, during and after the Tet offensive.  Over 100,00 killed.  They were never a factor after that.  We drove the North Vietnamese Army out of the country, chased they into Cambodia and destroyed their supply lines.  From mid 1970 to troop pull out in 72, we had a hard time finding anybody to fight.  We lost the war at the Democratic Convention in 68.  That turned the tide of public support.  Just before that, the NVA had agreed to negotiations for peace.  They knew they were defeated.  After the DNC in 68, Ho Chi Ming announced they did not have to win in the jungle, they would win on the streets of America and spent the next year negotiaing the shape of the peace table (I guess so there would be room on their side for John Kerry to sit) I blame the war protesters and people like Kerry for the deaths of almost 20,000 brothers of mine after 1968.  The NVA knew that all they had to do was kill US soldiers even without a military purpose and prolong the war and theNYTimes would fight their battle for them.  Even the cease fire agreement in 72, was a win for us, no more viet cong, NorthViet Nam  out of the country and self rule for the South.  In 75, with a weaken Ford in office, and no U S combat troops in South, The NVA tried a test invasion into the south, and waited to see if we would do anything.  we didn't so they took over the country.  So we got what we wanted in 72, they violated the agreement after watergate, and we did not live up to our obligations.  

In the same paper I posted about, Regan said that war protesters should be treated as in all other wars when  one gives aid and comfort to the enemy.  Miss that Man

Sorry to rant but I see the same thing happening in Iraq,  I have always felt that one thing that happened to the Media, in late 60's and thru early   70's many of protesters took general studies courses just to stay in college and avoid draft.  Many took Journalism and they are the editors and ancors of today.  They take the shame of being traitors and rewrite to be heros for stopping the war, when they only prolonged it.  They carry that to now, if they supported Iraq, they would belie their past.

Beesie

Thanks to all who've extended their welcome to the foreigners.  As most of you know, I'm Canadian too, but like Summer I've lived in the U.S. (and was living there at the time of 9/11).  My parents have lived in the U.S. for about 30 years.  I grew up being grilled on U.S. politics by an American aunt so I've pretty much stayed on top of U.S. politics since I was 8.

Suz, I agree with Summer - why hate the U.S.?  I don't think most Canadians do.  After living in the U.S., I'll admit that I prefer to live in Canada (universal healthcare, less extremism on both ends of the political spectrum, fewer racial tensions, not as divided a society in terms of 'haves' and 'have nots').  I'll also add that despite what both McCain and Obama said last night, the U.S. is not the only truly 'free' country in the world or the only country with eqalitarian ideals supported by practices, policies & laws.  Personally I squirm at bit when I hear Americans say that they have a "better" country than any other or take on a superior attitude - JMO, but I think that's what offends people in other countries and perhaps what drives the "hate".  But I think it's great when Americans show pride in and love for their country; the openness of American patriotism is quite unique and wonderful.  I greatly admire the U.S. and there are many things I miss about living in the U.S..  I think Americas as a people are open and more willing to help others.  I also respect the U.S. for being willing to take a position of leadership in the world and even more so for being so careful (generally, anyway) with how they wield the power they have as a result of their world position and size. 

As for the election, Linda, you're right about worrying about Obama because of free trade but my concerns extend well beyond that.  In looking at the U.S. candidates, I have the luxury of not needing to focus on internal U.S. issues such as the Supreme Court and healthcare, although these issues certainly interest me.  My biggest concerns about Obama relate to his overall naivete about international relations and my biggest fears about Obama relate to his positions and/or inconsistencies about the Middle East.  To terrorists, Canada is seen as an adjunct to the U.S., regardless of whether our policies are the same or not (sometimes they are, sometimes they aren't).  Of all the countries on Al Qaeda's known hit list, Canada is the only one that has not had a terrorist attack - yet.  Two are known to have been planned.  The Brits stopped the planned air attacks (the liquid bombs on planes plan - two of the target airplanes were heading to Canada) and Canadians stopped a major attack on key buildings here (details not clear since the case hasn't been to court yet).  I worry that if Obama does something stupid in the Middle East, or even if he just takes his eye off the ball (while he's cheerfully sitting down and chatting with Iran and others), the results could be disastrous for the U.S., for Canada and for Israel.  And even if Canada doesn't suffer a terrorist attack, as part of NATO, we have troops deployed in Afghanistan.  Afghanistan has become more dangerous and deadly for all troops stationed there - Americans, Canadians and all other allies -as recent attacks have shown.  

There is an old saying that compared the relationship between the U.S. and Canada to that of an elephant and a mouse.   The mouse might annoy the elephant a bit, but is easy to swat away (as the U.S. seems to do on occasion and as Obama might do with free trade).  But if the elephant moves just an inch, the mouse can be squished and will certainly be affected.

   

BTW, I sincerely hope that my 2nd paragraph hasn't offended anybody.  For those interested in or skeptical of my comments, here is a link to the U.N. Human Development Report: http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/  Yeah! to Iceland.  And here is Freedom House's 2008 report on freedom by country:  http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=414&year=2008 

saluki

Nice to see you on this thread Beesie........

Ya gotta love this---it will drive the liberal media nuts.......

Hannity will interview Palin on Tuesday in Cincinnati on the campaign trail. The interview will air in two parts on Hannity & Colmes on Tuesday and Wednesday at 9pmET. It will be Palin's first cable news interview, and second after Gibson's.

saluki

Don't get me wrong--McCain's my guy mainly for the reasons Beesie expressed so well in her post.

I just had to post this because it gave me such a chuckle from The Onion

Sometimes you just have to be able to laugh .............

http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/mccain_speechwriter_trying.

suzfive

Beesie and Summer - my comment was not meant to be offensive - if you listen to Obama and the mainstream media here in this country they would have you believe that everyone outside of the US hates us and once he is elected there will suddenly be a lovefest. Sorry if I hurt anyones feelings by that comment. I was actually happy that you guys had proven them wrong. Keep posting. It is good to hear other perspectives.

FEB

Suz, good point. The media makes a big deal about how everyone hates us. I work with the French. Yeah they complain about about our government, but they do the same about the English, and the Germans, etc etc. It is their national pasttime to complain about everyone else. It makes THEM feel better about their own problems. They still have a superiority attitute towards us, and their French Canadian cousins by the way. The Europeans may say they hate us, but they hate each other more!

To our Canadian sisters, when we Americans say that we live in the best country in the world, I am not sure many of us are even thinking of Canada. Canada seems like it is part of us, mostly because we were both created by those who could not make it in the "old world". I think most of us feel lucky to be American because we know what I ancestors had to endure to become American and we are thankful that we have the opportunity to become whatever we can dream. Even today, in Europe, there is a class system, that still keeps some from prospering. Anyone in America, who is willing to work for it, can live the "American Dream". This country isn't perfect by all means. We are made of too many ethnic groups to ever reach a full consenses on anything. But we are all blessed that we can have A good life here if we aspire to. Sometimes I envy you Canadians. You get all the benefits of being one of the world's great democracies, but you do not have to deal with being blamed for everything by having the role of "world power" that the US has. Remember this was not something Americans wanted. It was thrust upon us because Europe kept fighting each other, and we had to keep going to their rescue. Americans wanted to stay home, but we were drawn into 2 world wars to save a continent from tyranny. We emerged from this as a world power and have been trying to keep the peace ever since.For his we are damned. I once heard a French congressman (believe it or not) saying that it is great to talk about peace, but you have to have a strong police force or who will keep the peace. Then he criticized the UN for failing to police the world, and said thank God America is willing to police the world or we  would all be destroyed. I think others fail to remember and/ or appreciate all that America has done and continues to do. I think it was Andrew Jackson who said "Walk tall and carry a big stick". This is what America has to do or we will be stomped. Liberals do not get this. Obama does not get this. Hopefully McCain will prevail, for everyone's sake.

IBC-I was glad to see you vent. You have every right to be mad at the way you were treated by your own country. I wish more Nam vets would speak out and say what you said. More people need to know the facts before they are forgotten. I was reading a French textbook, and it actually bragged that the US "lost in Vietnam". What was really infuriating was that this textbook never even mentioned the fact that the French got us into the mess to begin with. We were months away from total victory and public opinion forced us to pull out. Thankfully, Bush never did the same thing in Iraq. He wants to make sure we leave when the job is done and we leave behind a country that can fend for itself, not one like Nam that was easily toppled. What other country in history has ever gone somewhere where their was no self interest? What did we have to gain by controlling a jungle in SE asia? We wanted to stop people from the bounds of communism. And for this we get lambasted!!! The French still have a stand if Africa, where they control chocolate exports, but they say we are imperialists. The hypocracy of the old world mentality!! I think that every generation of American soldiers who have fought under our flag are heroes. There is no 'greatest generation". For me, guys like you IBC are the best of the best. It is great to applaud heroes who come home with a parade. But for those of you who did not get the one you deserved, you are dearer to my heart. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!

pinoideae

Good grief Suzfive NOT offended at all, no worries.  Lindamemm, well at least America has a backbone, ahem, I mean I hope it continues to.  Don't get me wrong, I love our country Canada, but sometimes I think it is too complacent.  Anyone seen recent headlines?  ABC Mispresents Palin Quote  - and - Washington Post Distorts Palin on Front Page. 

Anonymous

Awwww, you ladies AND gentleman wrote wonderful, thoughtful posts. And we do love our Canadian friends.  You are our neighbor, you cried with us during the horrific attack on 9/11.

Thank you, ibcspouse, for your service to our country.  Like Linda said, thank you for setting the record straight.  You fought for our freedom, and for the freedom of those who spit on you.  And those who want to burn our flag.  I never understood why burning the US flag was "freedom of speech."

Speaking of the respect Senator McCain shows Obama by calling him "Senator," have you noticed how many people call President Bush, "Mr. Bush?"  With his unpopularity and digs and criticism of his pronunciation of words...remember, he's a tough guy and he can take it.  I believe it's much harder on his family.

Suzfive, I doubt Obama will ever be asked the "tough questions."  He has been protected throughout his campaign, and I doubt it will end now. 

I wanted to post this from YouTube.  I believe some say Sen. McCain put this out there, but the guy who put in on YouTube says no.  Sen. McCain (now you've got me saying, Senator) would never use our soldiers for political gain, IMHO.

I received this via email.  I KNOW you will be inspired.

Subject: GOOD COMMERCIAL FROM A LOCAL HERO

"This commercial was done by a local kid. You have to watch the whole thing. When he finishes talking and walks away, you get a sense of how this could be the commercial of the campaign season. 

Hi,  My son, Joe, just did a commercial for John McCain.    Please pass this on.

Thanks
Bob Cook  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4fe9GlWS8  

Anonymous

Summer, I haven't seen the headlines, but it in no way surprises me. 

As far as the "Bush Doctrine," I heard, and I can't recall his name, say there was more than one "doctrine."  He named them, and said which doctrine he thought Pres. Bush's was.  When I heard Griffin ask her that question I had never heard it before.  And, when she answered it I thought she gave a good answer.

As far as whatever is in the the media today I'll have to see what they are talking about.  The media better be careful.  It's gonna backfire even more if they continue to blast this woman.

pinoideae

Anonymous

My brother called me yesterday (we talk a lot about this election), and said he had an epipheny.  He said he woke up at 4:30 AM and couldn't go back to sleep.  He said he heard Biden say that Hillary would have been a better choice for veep.  I had not heard that because I had been gone all day.  Anyway, he said that he had this feeling they were going to put Hillary on the ticket.  I told him he was having a nightmare!    He said he was also suspicious because Clinton and Obama were have "the" meeting.  While in the beauty shop today we were talking about this very subject.  They were saying they heard the same thing.  The beautician said don't you think Biden could get out of it by acting sick...I said he'd need to fake a heart attack.  I can't seeing the women who supported Hillary and are so upset that she was not chosen would buy putting her on the ticket NOW.  It's too late.

Shirley 

FEB

IBC- I was thinking that, if you do not mind, we should change your name to 1BG, for one brave guy. Not only did you bravely fight for our country, you are now fighting for your wife, and you are the one guy brave enough to take on all us women here. What do you think?

Shirley, you made me chuckle with your beauty shop comment. I use to work in my uncle's shop when I was in high school. I got paid 25cents a head. I was the shampoo girl. It was fun listening to all my friends mom's gossip. Love those small town beauty shops! Now we go to the salon here. Not the same. And certainly not the same price! Loved the video!

Sitll worrying about all of you in Texas. Hope you are all doing okay.

Summer, where those Canadian headlines? I never see headlines like that here in Obamaland.

ibcspouse

LindaMemm

ISD would be closer, one scared dude,  I am afraid of stage IV inflammatory breast cancer, it is not in my body, it is in my world,  I'm not the one that can just suck it up, and suffer the pain.  I was able to leave my danger, my wife and all of you carry it with you every day, with strenght, dignity,and an open love for your bc sisters.  I see people like Alaskadeb and so many many others of you that hurt every day, but give all your heart to all that suffer.  No, I'm a coward compared to you, all of you.  

Besides, smart women scare me to death,  and all of you are.  So since my wife is a bc sister, can I be sort of a brother in law to all of you. 

pinoideae

http://riverdaughter.wordpress.com/2008/08/04/america-calls-obamas-bluff-on-the-race-card/

http://www.cbc.ca/world/usvotes/story/2008/07/31/mccain-obama.html

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/01/14/obama_and_the_race_card_1.html

Anonymous

Susan Rice may not be a good choice but his economics plan, welfare reform and tax plan was awesome!

pconn03

Just wanted to bounce in here for a minute to wish Rosemary and everyone in Texas, safety and shelter until the storm passes.  You are in my hearts and prayers.  This is my first time to post on this thread but have been following it all along and am definitely in your camp - McCain/Pailin ticket.  Very interesting campaign to say the least, isn't it but that's what makes it great.  I am in awe of all of your research etc.  I definitely keep up with everything on tv and in the news but have to turn to Fox to check it all out after they're done having their (biased) say!!  Ha, ha

Hugs to all,

Pat 

Bren-2007

Did you guys watch the Palin interview on 20/20 last night? 

First of all, I'm a Hillary supporter BUT not impressed with Obama. So, I don't know what to do.

One important thing I did notice during the interview was a point Gibson brought up about Federal funds being apportioned to AK and IL.  Since Palin has been governor, AK has recevied apx $222 per person in special funding for various projects.  Since Obama has been Senator of IL, his state has received apx $22 per person.  Gibson noted many of the projects Palin requested, and received, federal spending for.  She voted for "the bridge to nowhere" project until the total funding for the project was denied in congress.  Congress did however, send apx $230 million, which she then decided to use for something else.  So much for lobbying against pork barrel spending. 

I wish McCain would have picked a different V.P. choice.

The projects that someone posted above that Obama voted for federal spending were, in my opinion, good ones and would benefit the economy, especially in Louisiana.     

 Hope everyone in the gulf is safe.  Just saw that in Galveston up to Houston 3 million are without power.  Hope Shokk is safe as well, as the storm is heading toward her too.

pinoideae

"In my opinion, the choice could not be more clear: between one candidate, John McCain, who's had experience, been tested in war and tried in peace, another candidate who has not,'' Mr. Lieberman said. "Between one candidate, John McCain, who has always put the country first, worked across party lines to get things done, and one candidate who has not. Between one candidate who's a talker, and the other candidate who's the leader America needs as our next president."

Mr. McCain, for his part, told the town-hall-style meeting here that he had spoken by phone Tuesday morning with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili - he referred to him familiarly as "Misha" - and told him that "today we are all Georgians.''

"My friends, today the killing goes on,'' Mr. McCain said. "And the aggression goes on. Yet I know, from speaking this morning to the president of Georgia, Misha Saakashvili, whom I have known for many years, that he knows that the thoughts and prayers and support of the American people are with that brave little nation as they struggle today for their freedom and independence. And he wanted me to say thank you to you, to give you his heartfelt thanks for the support of the American people for this tiny little Democracy far away from the United States of America. And I told him that I know I speak for every American when I say to him: today we are all Georgians.''

pinoideae

The Obama approach stresses negotiation, while the McCain approach stresses action. The Obama approach appears passive, while the McCain approach is aggressive.

There is no clearer delineation between the two candidates than the last lines of their two statements.

Sen Obama:

Quote:

"Let me be clear: we seek a future of cooperative engagement with the Russian government, and friendship with the Russian people. We want Russia to play its rightful role as a great nation - but with that role comes the responsibility to act as a force for progress in this new century, not regression to the conflicts of the past. That is why the United States and the international community must speak out strongly against this aggression, and for peace and security."

And Sen McCain:

Quote:

"Our united purpose should be to persuade the Russian government to cease its attack, withdraw its troops, and enter into negotiations with Georgia. We must remind Russia's leaders that the benefits they enjoy from being part of the civilized world require their respect for the values, stability and peace of that world. World history is often made in remote, obscure countries. It is being made in Georgia today. It is the responsibility of the leading nations of the world to ensure that history continues to be a record of humanity's progress toward respecting the values and security of free people."

The Obama approach is about Hope and Change. The McCain approach is about concrete action to bring about that hope and change.

Bren-2007

Summer,

 I'm just curious ... how will either candidates views affect you in Canada?  Trade issues?  Border issues? Tariff taxes? Depending on which part of Canada you live, oil and gas pipelines?  How do Obama's approach to negotiating with Russia affect Canada, in your opinion?  Or McCains role in serving in the Armed Forces of the U.S. during the VietNam War, in your opinion affect Canada?

Just curious on someones views who lives outside the U.S.

Anonymous

I saw the interview ... frankly, I don't like that the state pays for her family to fly to join her. I don't know if Arnold does this but I think if the gov't gives you a house to live in, then your family has to choose which one to live in ... home or the gov't mansion. Family travel that doesn't incur more charges is fine but if it's buying a seat on a plane, then pay your way.  I know with Bush, well he has to fly in the Air Force One, so his family boarding the plane is no big deal. I guess maybe even with any famiy travel at that level I am ok with since they have to have security ... but not as a governor.

I did like her interview. I think that getting an 80% approval rating in your state is pretty darn good.

I am pro-choice, though ...  I could not choose abortion but it's not up to me make decisions for everyone.  I just don't want federally funded abortions.  If you want it, pay for it ... and probably in more ways than one.