Politicians.

Beagle · Post by **Beagle** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:35 pm

I just saw that the value of existing homes dropped again in Jan. That's 5 straight months. That is, indeed, an indicator that we are heading into a recession.

Beagle · Post by **Beagle** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:42 pm

Tonight's debate is hosted by MSNBC. I don't know if any of the Brit. channels will cover it or not.

It looks like they're going to do that silly sit down thing again.

Digit · Post by **Digit** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:12 pm

I don't know if any of the Brit. channels will cover it or not.

Damned unlikely Beag. The people in power here were all raised with 'Ban the Bomb' and 'America out of Vietnam' banners sticking out of their backsides.
Some are more anti American than Bin Laden. They are more likely to cover 'Israel attack kills women and children in Gaza' than what happens in the States.
An example of the anti American hype here is in the debate about capital punishment. According our lot 'America imposes the death penalty' not a single mention that half the states don't.
Every time there is a shooting Stateside we are told how wonderful it is over here because hand guns are banned. Not a mention of the fact that the shootings here are from illegal weapons, I wonder if the victims are concerned?
What ever his faults may be GWB was crucified here before he even took the oath of office!
Obama would be able to get away with selling Alaska back to the Russians here because he is black!
Which I see as racism in reverse.

Beagle · Post by **Beagle** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:51 pm

Sorry. I thought maybe you had something like our C-Span channel. It often shows British politics. Watching politics as it happens, without the talking heads, is the best way.

Beagle · Post by **Beagle** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:28 pm

Tonight's debate was a little better, but still no economic discussion and very little on foreign policy.

The way things stand right now, with a week to go, I'm going to predict that they split the delegates in Texas, and Clinton wins Ohio by a small margin.

Beagle · Post by **Beagle** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:10 pm

Post by **Minimalist** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:25 pm

Sigh....we really aren't any good at this 'nation-building' stuff.

http://apnews.excite.com/article/200802 ... 37T00.html

WASHINGTON (AP) - More than six years after the U.S. invaded to establish a stable central regime in Afghanistan, the Kabul government under President Hamid Karzai controls just 30 percent of the country, the top U.S. intelligence official said Wednesday.

Digit · Post by **Digit** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 6:23 am

The problem Min comes from the fact that you and your country have the belief that secular democracy is the best type of government.
The vast majority of Arabic, African and Asian peoples are still wedded to a tribalistic system of local control that in many instances does not even recognise the concept of nation.
The Highlanders of Scotland who died on the bayonets of the British army at Culloden, your own NAs and the Welsh were also similarly governed and controlled.
The hill tribes of Pakistan and Myanmar do not even recognise their country's government and follw their tribal leader's orders.
Your people must learn to recognise that a secular democracy is the last thing these people understand or want.

Post by **Minimalist** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:54 am

I'm not even so sure that it works here, Dig.

Look at the jackass we elected last time.

Digit · Post by **Digit** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 10:12 am

Same here Min, though I can at least plead not guilty for our present mob.

Beagle · Post by **Beagle** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 1:11 pm

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0419887/

I have not seen this movie, but I'm certain that it is not as good as the book. That is usually the case.

For a really good look at the Afghani people and their recent political history, this book is a must read. When I read it a few years ago, I thought then that there might be a movie made of it.

"The Kite Runner"

Beagle · Post by **Beagle** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 3:52 pm

A note on Texas:

Texas is a "cross-over" state. Again, Republicans can influence the election, because McCain has it in the bag, and they can cast a vote in the Democrat primary.

I crossed over in Tennessee and voted for Obama. Super Tuesday seems like a long time ago, and at that time I thought Clinton would win. If it had not been for terrible tornadoes all day long in Memphis I think Obama would have won here. The Memphis area is heavy Obama area, statistically. They actually had to close 3 voting precincts. You never know what can happen on election day.

Anyway, the thinking then was to keep Clinton spending money all the way to the convention. Now, it seems, Obama is going to win, although nothing is certain, especially with the Clintons.

So I don't know what Texas Republicans may do. It will be interesting. Nobody is polling them.

Post by **Minimalist** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 4:05 pm

They'll vote for Obama because it will be their only chance to vote against Clinton.

Beagle · Post by **Beagle** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 4:15 pm

I can sure understand anybody wanting to cast an anti-Clinton vote. But keeping the fight going destroys them both.

DNC insiders are beginning to panic. Plus, if Hillary hangs in there 'till Pennsylvania, she is going to win that state handily.

Beagle · Post by **Beagle** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:04 pm

Super Tuesday II tomorrow. I still feel good about my earlier prediction but once again weather threatens to be a factor. The upper two thirds of Ohio are expected to have a severe ice storm. Demographically that hurts Clinton if there is any vote suppresion.

I also think Huckabee may be with us for another six weeks. Hope not though.