Bush, Gore etc... views from across the pond...

[U-96]

In the UK we are getting a lot of coverage of the race for the Presidency. Without getting into party politics, I just wondered what people's initial views (US and elsewhere) are of the four main contenders, Gore, Bush, McCain and Bradley, and to keep it related, who (if any) would benefit the future and progress of technology?

Here's my thoughts to get the ball rolling
Gore A heartbeat away from the big red shiny button. Seems a bit lightweight in the character department. Married to Tipper "censor" Gore. Invented the Internet (or was it Tim Berners-Lee? I forget) IMO VPs don't tend to make good Ps (Dan Quayle syndrome)
Bush Son of President George "here's what I think of Japanese food" Bush. Seems unsure what lies beyond the US coastline. Seems unsure about alleged drug use (that stuff fries the brain I guess). Big money, bad karma.
McCain I have to say I respect this guy. On the USS Forrestal when it went up (it was his plane on deck that was hit by the misfire, I believe), 5 years in a North Vietnam POW camp. Military guys score well with the US electorate (Eisenhower, Kennedy, Bush, etc). With a reputation for frankness and angered easily, US foreign policy could be unpredictable... I can envisage increased military spending under this guy - he knows what the sharp end is like.
Bradley Knicks player in the 60s and 70s, former NJ Senator. I like this guy too, though I think he's a bit too smart for his own good, very similar to UK's Tony Blair. Healthcare and education seem to be his targets. Another to shake up the establishment, but his academic demeanour and dodgy ticker may prove his undoing...

U-96

PS socalgal I won't be offended if you delete/lock this http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[daveleau]

I am typically a Republican and find it difficult to chose between Bush and McCain. I have been looking forward to Bush's campaign and have heard loads of great stuff about him since one of the docs in our lab is from Texas. McCain though has a really compelling story though. I too really respect him and like his campaign of a no BS gov't. I wonder if he will hold true to that if elected...or if it is going to be all smoke and mirrors like Clinton.
As for Gore, we could do a lot worse but he is the worst condidate running. Bradley seems to have alot going for him, but I really don't care for Democrats in the Pres. position. In Congress it is ok but not as President.

I'm surprised that other countries are that interested. I mean it is only the primary. And the people don't really pick the president anyway. It's the Electorial College which doesn't have to go with the public vote. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
Dave

[reddog4629]

algore makes me nauseous and so do the people that support him. Bradley's a dud too.
George is sure having fun at this and I'm not sure he knows how serious the office of president is. McCain-he's getting close to getting my vote from Bush. G'Day http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Dave_H]

Gore- moron
Bush- whimp
Bradley- be an O.K. coach
McCain- America needs a tough president for a change. He is the only one running worthy of the job in my opinion.
Dave

[Todd Beck]

Good calls U-96.

IMO, the only acceptable candidates in this particular campaign are Republicans. Bush, however, is just a maleable lackey for the grand pooh-bahs in the Republican party. Although McCain is from my state, and I think he is a decent choice, the best candidate by far is Forbes. Of course, since his political positions are based on reason and intelligence, there's no way he'll win. It's really too bad, because his junking of our current tax code would truly unleash the U.S. economy.

[pickel]

There is no choice. How could anyone even consider anyone else in a time ,with the state of affairs going on around this hostile planet of ours. Russia bombing that little province, China massing an emmence army,
North Korea, India ,Pakistan and others making nuclear weapons and those idolistic
countries of the middle east. It never ends.
I was in the Navy during the Cold War and The Hot War ( Viet Nam) I hated the results of war.Half the neighborhood either dead, missing or so psychologically warped things were never and will never going to be the same. I want a man with experience. First hand experience. I want a man that is going
to express my veiws, my fears, and what's in my heart. I want someone that is going to demand respect of the other countries of the global community. I want a man that, thru his personal experiences can put the fear of God and be taken at his word the first time,
without doubt, without hesitation and with the strength that is lacking and has been for sometime in the political higherarchial
entities of our government. I want a Kickass
President, not some whimp who talks sh.t and does nothing about the important business at hand.. Preserving our democracy, our way of life that the Founders of our great country worked so hard to acheive and for all those who have shed their blood and guts for.
I want our Senator from Arizona. A man who, at a moments notice might tell someone to go to Hell and not back off. A man who has seen first hand how the quailty of human behavior
is less than demeaning to a great portion of the population of this planet. I've seen it myself. Everyone should have the opportunity to travel to some of these "Third World Countries" You'd have your *** back here so fast your head would swim.There's no place like home!!! Good Ole U.S.A. I, as well as alot of folks want a president we can be proud of and look up to. Someone who you don't have "Read my lips" Well, I've rattled on long enough. Is there any doubt, my votes'
for John McCain a man made in the sixties
with the toughness for the new millenium
( which really doesn't start til next year)

The pickel
(USN 1962-1966)


"Carry a big stick and walk softly"
Ok..Socalgal?

Please accept my personal apology to anyone
who was offended by my choice of words in my post. the pickel

[This message has been edited by pickel (edited 02-03-2000).]

[Chef Mark]

my take on this:

Gore - could be a Clinton clone except for no personality. Tied to closely to some of the wheeling and dealing done during the last seven years.

Bush - letting himself be led by the nose by the poobahs of the Republican party. No deal - may have done a good job in Texas, but I don't like the way he changes stances based on who he is talking to.

Bradley - I really like this guy. I remember his leadership and guts (along with Willis Reed, of course)while he was with the Knicks in the early 70's. I think that he would make a great president, but I believe that his healthcare plan is far to liberal for me to stomach.

McCain - nuff said already. This guy will probably get my vote. I like his stand on soft money and campaign contributions.

[wyvrn]

Daveleau, since when has the electoral college not voted according to popular vote that they represent? Seems like they follow the line year after year to me. Statistics? Any sort of proof, I am really interested. Thanks.

[Ricketybacker]

In the name of clean politics, I refuse to disparage any of the canditates. But my choice, and it seems to be the majority of the people on this forum is Captain John McCain formerly USN. He has all the attributes I want in my President except the fact that he wasn't a Marine. I myself am a fiscal conservative, but I think the medical and legal professions ought to be reined in.

[Wiz]

Bill Bradley is not as smart as you all think. His verbal SAT score was 470, which is not good at all. How can we have a president who cant speak? He comes off as an idiot in all of the debates and most of the interviews i've seen.

I'm hoping Allen Keyes gets in, anyone who crowd surfs is #1 in my book, lol. Seriously, i'd like to see Trump as President and Steve Forbes as VP. Both know how to work with money, and both are billionaires, so i think they can really fix the debt.

[SysOpt]

I respect McCain but he seems like a hot-head to me. If he wasn't quite so quick to anger, as I believe he is, he would be a pretty good choice. Maybe some day Saddam pisses him off so he just says "hell with 'em, lets nuke the bastards!" instead of having patience and working things out (though I think Clinton has had a bit too MUCH patience).

I grew up in Texas and I don't like Bush - go figure. He just seems like a poser. Go grab your shotgun, bush, and hunt something out in the Texas brush.

I think Gore has a bad wrap. Sure he's a bit stiff, but he's a sharp guy. He does seem to be a bit of a wimp I guess but that might just be how he comes off to the public - might not be that way in reality. There have been VP's in the past who took a back seat during a presidency, then ended up getting the job done well as P, but I dunno.

Bradley annoys me. Not quite sure what it is about him, but I'm not sure I could stand looking at him on TV all the time for years to come.

In the end, not sure who gets my vote.

[jad1097]

I do like McCain also. But I would have to say it's going to be Gore.

[bdunn]

While I'm registered to vote in the democratic primary here in NY in a few weeks I vote all over the spectrum in the general election.

In the primary I plan on voting for Bill Bradley. and will prbably vote for him in the general election to if he's there but if it comes to Gore vs McCain John McCain will get my vote.

We in NY also have to stop Hillary Clinton form being our next senator. I think our senate race is interesting. Niether of them looke like they really want to be senator but more likely a dry run for the 2008 presidential race.

[pickel]

Sysopt: Let me just interject something about being decisive,i.e., maybe a little hot headed.In 1965 when LBJ http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif ordered bombing
North Viet Nam, all he did was ***** foot around and made a show which the north laughed at and had a chance to infiltrate and fortified their hold on the South. It wasn't til many years later and many body bags later
( quite a few of which I attended the funerals of)that the true innitiative was implimented and the bombing was done in earnest. By that time it was too late, not only comprimising our military effort but making fools out us in world opinion.Then our dumbass President has to resign showing the quality of leadership to the rest of world.
What a decade!!! WE need someone who's gonna take the bull by the horns!Whose had to ride that bull for a while and taken a few licks to temper his outlook and attitude. A " Been There Done That" President. I say again,
there is no choice here.Americans NEED a hero
a champion, the poeple need John McCain.


the pickel

[yammahoppy]

it appears that daddy bush's coat tails arent long enough for george jr. since he got spanked in new hampshire. i live in texas and dont think bush has done a darn thing for this great state. jmho

will probably end up voting for mccain. it is time to get some one in office with some gumption.

you said it pickel!

[U-96]

Wow I didn't expect such a quick (and good) response!

hehe BBA I wasn't aware of more than one big fire on the Forestal. I seem to remember that a rocket pack on an A-4 cooked off and hit other planes on the deck. As the planes burned, the iron bombs dropped below decks.
There was a programme recently on UK TV that suggested it was McCain's A-4 that was the first one hit, and he was in it. Seems an awful lot of bad luck for one guy, so I'm quite prepared to accept media fabrication for this story http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

U-96

PS sorry I didn't mean to exclude other candidates from the discussion - Forbes, Reform party, etc...

PPS I think there are many ppl outside the US interested in this race. Sometimes I think the US forgets that, like Russia, the rest of planet likes to keep check of the guys in charge... http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

I think McCain could be undiplomatic, though I understand he fulfills the need for a strong leader. Bradley seems the most socially oriented (welfare, health, race issues) but I can see how his patronising attitude p*sses people off. As for Bush and Gore, I really hope for the world's sake that neither of these get in. I don't know enough about the other candidates to form an opinion, but were I a voter I would be looking to the one likely to do least damage (a very British outlook - I appreciate US voters aren't as cowardly http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif )

[chipbgt]

Bush:
Puppet. He has acted like he had the nomination wrapped up for months, and I dont like his subtle arrogance. Soft on issues...Like previously said, hes a republican version of Bill Clinton.

Bradley:
With the exception of Ronald Reagan I try to avoid voting for anyone who has ever been an actor/athelete/entertainer....They know how to act, not how to lead. Only Problem is, Bradley can't even do that. he got WHAT on the SAT verbal? What is he doing in this race?

Gore:
Anyone who wants to single-handedly claim he "made" the internet needs a good slap in the face, let alone a chance to run for presidency. How he got this far I will never know. Hes a good head nodder and clapper when Clinton is out trying to do something though.

McCain-
He got my attention by trying to be the hard nosed no punches pulled candidate, but as soon as he started gaining ground, he has backed off that a little bit, being a little more cautious. But I will probably vote for him. As Far as I know he is the only one of the four who has a negative stance on abortion.

I also like the fact that he's got that military background ( a real one, not like some of these other "I joined the army for my political career" guys) which conveys to foriegn leaders He's willing to layeth the smacketh down. I prefer Isolationists, but I wouldnt mind if McCain were to one day say, "Ya know, im sick and tired of Hussein/Milosivich, im gonna take them out."

I would like Gary Bauer and Alan Keyes, but they just dont have the backing yet...maybe in the future.

I am by far not a political genuis, But with these guys, its pretty clear cut to me.

[socalgal]

Pickel, thank you. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[pickel]

Socalgal: Got an itchy trigger finger?? LOL

the pickel

[narayan]

I do not consider New Hampshire to be a good measure of how the candidates are doing nationwide. That area of the country seems to be more moderate-to-liberal (no offense) with several independants who will not vote democratic for obvious reasons and are afraid of a more conservative leader, therefore John McCain would do very well.

Gore: biggest idiot of all presidential history. typical liberal policies. Boaring to listen to

Bradley: exact same politics as Gore. I feel that he looks down upon us. Boring to listen to.

McCain: I have tremendous respect for this man. I don't think some of his ideas are what this country needs right now. (except for rebuilding the military) somewhat interesting to listen to

Bush: Very likable guy. I like his conservative ideas. He reminds me of Ronald Reagan.

Keyes: I LOVE what this guy has to say. It all needs to be said. this man strengthens the republican parry. However, he is un-electable because he seems to be angry when he speaks.

Forbes and Bauer: Boaring.

[Wiz]

chef,
yeah, he did declare bankruptcy, but he got his money back! thats whats amazing, he became a millionaire, than lost it, now has it all back plus more!! these elections are gonna be bad.

on another note, did anyone see Al Gore's "little buddy" on MTV? Everyone has been talking about it. Just wanted to confirm

[jad1097]

I saw that socalgal, double posting are we?

If Bush is anything like Reagen we are in some serouis trouble if he gets in!
I telling ya Gore will get it. He may be boring and his wife,well I will not say what I think of her, but he does know what he is doing and does a fine job also.
Clinton has screwed up his rep.but I still think he is in in 2001.
Lets see Bush said he tried coke, right?



[This message has been edited by jad1097 (edited 02-03-2000).]

[bell1]

No way will I vote for Al Gore. This country has already been through 7 years (one more to go) of hell!

[Chef Mark]

Wiz - not to meant to be a flame - didn't Trump just declare bankruptcy not too long ago? I think that he got in trouble with all his real estate holdings, the exact details escape me right now.

As far as Steve Forbes, I think he is a straight shooter and I like him, but doesn't have enough experience to be president.

[BBA]

Hmmmmmmmmm....................

I could make this a book, but I won't.

I like Bush for the simple fact that he actually has a sense of common sense!

Everyone else seems to mad at everyone else, which to me shows immaturity!

Gore is almost as bad a liar as the original liar in chief, and being ex-military, I know how far off the deep end attention grabbing pilots and officers tend to be...I do respect McCain's life career of service to the country, but he needs a shot of reality.

Bradleys more incompetant then Gore could ever be.


PS: U-96, Which fire where you talking about on the Forestal,,,err...ForestFire, as we liked to refer to it as (it was on fire everytime my ship relieved it...)

[Joel Kleppinger]

Well, I don't go for the socialism ideas of either Democratic candidate, so they are out for me (not to mention that Al Gore is just a DWEEB with all the media flowering him even after all his stupid "I invented... (fill in the blank)." comments).

I tend not to go for the apparant wishy-washy appearances of Bush. Scares me to think of a Republican Clinton (a slightly more moral/better Pres, but still....). As for McCain - I just don't know much about him (gotta do some homework).

Personally, I really like Steve Forbes - his attitude, stands, and presence. I just wish others saw it the way I do. :-/ (but hey, that's what keeps the US interesting). I also like Gary Bauer, but there's like 2 of me in the country. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

My vote is far from cast though - I don't feel bound to vote for the Republican nominee at all.

[This message has been edited by Joel Kleppinger (edited 02-03-2000).]

[narayan]

You're right about Gore knowing what he's doing, but what he wants to do when in office will further destroy this country. Ronald Reagan was the best thing to happen to this country. Don't take my word for it. Don't listen to the press. Think back, it was a time of incredible growth in technology and the economy, and the public was overwhelmingly optimistic, unlike today when the most optimistic thing people are talking about is getting rid on the Clinton-Gore admin. I can't wait http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif And another thing, if it wasn't for Reagan's military buildup (which we desperately needed) Clinton would not have anything to fight "his" wars with.

[Todd Beck]

If it wasn't for Reagan's military buildup it's conceivable that we all might be speaking Russian, nyet?

The only conservative ideas George W. has are those that he's given. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif The Republican party's effort to elect him is so pervasive they even managed to get the Republican governor of Arizona, McCain's home state, to endorse Bush. McCain has most certainly been a good senator, but our governor instead chose to throw her support behind a candidate with a questionable record. Tell me that she wasn't offered some kind of political reward for doing that. I will remember this when she's up for reelection. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Forbes' ideas might only be considered boring because sound rationale and common sense aren't exactly glamorous qualities. However, glamour fades, the other two do not. As an example, when the problems in Serbia began, Forbes' position was to equip the Kosovars with military equipment so that they could defend themselves. With both sides more evenly armed, the fighting probably would have either stopped or significantly decreased. No U.S. personnel would have died, no stealth fighters would have been lost, no endlessly dropping bombs. I guess that solution would have been too boring, though.

[pickel]

This is a little off the subject, really a long way off the subject. But after reading
U 96 second post ,I couldn't help but be reminded of the day of the Forestal fire.
I was on the USS Independance, the Forestal's sister ship. And when I saw the news footage, I felt as if I was there, knowing almost every inch of it's decks and holds. To get to the point without a long sad story, I would appreciate, if everyone could take a minute to reflect ,to give a part of themselves to remember our boys and girls,men and women, spread all over this planet defending our freedom and keeping our lives secure. You don't hear about them til you need them. Their kinda like anti-virus software, always in the background but ready at a moments notice. May the Force be with them.

the pickel

[Chef Mark]

Good point Pickel - they deserve more recognition and appreciation than they receive between "actions".

[Dave_H]

pickel
I've been following the debates and the race pretty closly on T.V. because it concerns me so much as a citizen of this fine country.
Of all the political pundits and commentators. I have not heard anything as compelling as your first post.
You nailed it.
Sometimes it saddens me how some of the younger people I know take so much for granted. They have no idea the price paid for freedom, or the things that people like you have done, or are willing to do, to preserve the things that have been so hard to obtain.
Thank-you Pickel http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

As for Ronald Regan,
Let's all not forget the war that he won for us. The cold war.
Dave

[BBA]

Not to get off subject, but, I wonder how many people knew the "famous missile fire" that happened on the forestfire was due to a stupid airman support idiot ( who must have known very little about his job ), decided to see if an airplanes missiles would fire if it wasn't actually flying!

What an idiot...must have been one of Gores relatives! Too know that their are men and women like that out there defending our country... ( I read the actual formal report via my USN position at the time )

It turned into a big safety issue.

Oh, and by the way, due to military personnel shortages, the armed forces are reducing the diploma requirements for enlistment...they actually are sending the recruits to remedail school for a GED if the join up!

[bub]

My $.02

If you are concerned about the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution, ie. "the right of the PEOPLE to bear arms SHALL NOT be infringed", Mr. Gore, Mr. Bradley, and Mr. McCain do not believe the citizens (livestock) should have firearms; only the government. Not sure about Bush. However, he did sign concealed carry law in Texas.

Also, I doubt any anti-abortion candidate will ever become president. To many voting folks like it the way it is.

How about Jesse Ventura? Think he would have a chance IF the Republicians & Democrats would let him on the ballet?

[jad1097]

BBA
What is wrong with that? I happen to think it is about time they did something such as that! I was turned down from all the armed forces because of the lack of a diploma( maybe it was the hair down to my *** and the fact that I weighed 130LBS and was 5'10"), right after they changed the requirments. Are you saying just because I do not have a high scool diploma I do not deserve the right to serve my country?
This is why I do not care for the military. They took anyone and everyone when there was a war! But in peacetime the will take a select few? I happen to know for a fact I am much smarter than many that I have known to graduate HS! Public schools in this country are a joke.I was in aglgbra in the 7th grade yet my wife took it in her senior year! And she graduated with a C average!
Maybe it was because we both grew up in fairly bad ares of town. Lets see I was one of the 5% white in my school, and beleive me it was rough. My opinons of the military recruiting approchs are very low. Don't get me wrong I have a great deal of respect for those who have served. I just wished I had the oportunity to do so myself and it has left many very sour feelings. Maybe I would not have got into what I did at that time in my life, maybe something worse could have happend, but I should of had the choice as a US citizen to join our armed forces,don't you think?
Oh but when I turned 18 I had to sign for the selective service right!

Well I will stop here. You get my point!
Pickel what do you think(when you were in they took anyone and everyone)? Also Navy dood what about some input from someone who is still in.


Bub,
I would Like to read about what you have said about the right to bear arms. Any links?

[This message has been edited by jad1097 (edited 02-07-2000).]

[bdunn]

Ronald Reagan was the best thing to happen to this country. Don't take my word for it.

Naryan you can't be serious. Finally now my family is back to where it was economically before Reagan screwed up the tax system. It was a long hard struggle.

When the middle tax brackets were removed some folks found themselves pushed upward and thus owing an inordinate amount more that they could imagine in federal taxes.

It was awful. We may have won the cold war faster than we would have otherwise but look at the cost! This country was running deep in the red.

Till recently the last president who had this country running in the black was Nixon. While he had his share of problems too he also had ideas and a memory that was fully functional. He wanted comprehensive health care and actually proposed a system which apprears to be the inspiration for the Hillary Clinton plan.

The tax code in this nation does need work. It happens to be the only issue I agree with Steve Forbes on. Scrap it and start again.

I look forward to voting for Bradley in the NY primary in a few weeks. The only other candidate of the current filed I could imagine voting for in a general election is John McCain.

Al Gore, while not presidential material, is a fine vice president and the Bradley administration should keep him in that job.

[pickel]

BBA: I got my GED when I was in the Navy.
Imagine back then, alot of undergrads and dumbasses sailing ships and fighting wars http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[BBA]

jad1097, pickel... I do not mean to offend anyone by the responses I write, and if I offended you, please accept my apologies.

I don't know the story behind you two people, but I am sure both of you deserve the right to protect the country as well!

I also not only believe, but know to be a fact, there are far too many dumb-***** idiots in the military right now! Did you know also that on the Forrestal, another one of these 'NAVET' sailors pushed the release and actually bombed it's hangar bay from a stationary airplane? If the bomb would have fell nose first when it hit the deck, it would have exploded! Gee...I wonder how many innocent sailors would have lost their lives from that?

It's all about trusting people who have not proven themselves with extremely dangerous materials, and regardless of your opinions of high school, I'm sorry to say it, but it's diploma is one of the first indicators of a persons capacity and fortitude!

I'm also sure that both of you had the choice to stay in HS until you graduated and you made a choice not to ( If not, you are a sad exception and I feel for you ). Somewhere you did not make the diploma choice, and you should not be bitter at the rest of the population who completed high school.

Again, I do not mean to offend anyone, but that's just the way I see it, and it's apparently only my opinion, as Uncle Sam see's it his own way!

[jad1097]

I did not have the choice to stay in HS. It was made for me by the schools administration and my parents agreed with the school. It is a very long and complicated story. I do however feel I should have completed HS. Maybe if I had parents who where supportive and actualy there I would have.

I would have to agree there are people who are in the service that should not be. At least not have the control over the weapons they have. I do think that every man at the age of 18 should do two years in the service. Could have helped me.

I don't think a HS diploma should cary as much weight as it does. As many people were just pushed or carried through HS. Myself I was made to go to work at the age of 15 for my father and turned out to be a **** good electrican. I had to learn all the therory, math formulas, codes, motor controls, transformers, etc.. I am now a Union Jouneyman Wireman and my work speaks for itself. My specilty is control work. All the stuff other people fear to do because it seems to complicated, though it is really simple.

[pickel]

BBA: The same thing that is ruining( has ruined ) our education system, has totally undermined the armed forces.. Discipline, or lack thereof. When I was in grammar, high school and the service , if you did the crime, you did the time. I don't know how many times I got my .ss whipped and sat back and laughed when it was my buddies turn.WE were never tortured just discipline. In boot camp the company commander would give some "friendly persuation" with his crop or his boot.Nobody ever went to sick bay. Just had to pick up and be a man. They don't teach kids how to men anymore. Fortunately, I think, most of them make it on their own. But due to the "higher" qualifictions, alot of good men, who have had to struggle and become strong, who would be more of an asset to our military, are ignored because they had the hard luck not to finish H.S.. It's like women aboard ship. There is no place for a women aboard a Man of War. It's hard enough without
extra baggage. Example..General Quarters..
Everybody hauls *** to their billet, lock the ship down. You're going thru the shuttle and some guy trips in front of you..you walk over him he'll pick himself up and make it to his station.Same senario..A female sailor trips., everybody stops to help, there's a big traffic jam, the boatswain mate doesn't get the plug back in the hole and the ship sinks.
Too much distraction . And I think alot of it boils down to a lack of pride both for the servicemen and the civilians. There's just no much respect anymore, no appreciation for the sacrifices that have been made so we can be where we are today. And I don't mean myself.
For every guy that's the WALL in Washington, there's a 100, a 1000 more with injuries that don't show, but are there nevertheless, until they freak out and cross the line. The leesons of life, to me ,outweigh the lessons in the classroom.

[narayan]

bdunn, I dont know what to say. 1st of all, Algore is a liar. Ronald Reagan's tax cuts helped my family tremendously. Before he was in office, my family was so broke we could not even pay attention! After the tax cuts, and my parents keeping the same jobs, we had an awesome increase in the standard of our living. Keep in mind that the tax cuts doubled revenue to the Federal government in the 8 years he was in office, it was the congress that spent all of the money. The economic policies of the '80's are the reason for the longest peacetime expansion of our economy in history that continues to this day.