.

"Free Trade" always ends up costing 'some' bunch of folks, some where, an awful lot for it to be called Free.

I wonder how that works ???

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(04-21-2009 07:48 PM)Tripster Wrote:  .

"Free Trade" always ends up costing 'some' bunch of folks, some where, an awful lot for it to be called Free.

I wonder how that works ???

.

If the government stopped screwing with the marketplace....you would not have to ask that question. In a true free market...you either respond to market signals or you lose market share. Its just that simple. Unlike the mommy government indoctrinated masses...I know that competition in the marketplace is the life blood of mans progress and I embrace it!!!

I think he is doing well so far on foreign policy. He handled the pirate situation well. Two foreign trips and set some ground work for more progress. I do think opening Cuba for trade could help as they might buy our stuff. They need new cars there from what I hear. I would hope Obama cuts Castro a deal on some new chevy trucks. Perhaps some Cubans get to leave the island and buy some foreclosed homes in south florida. Sell Castro a vaction home and tell him he needs to retire and live in a gated community in Florida. Obama needs to sell some retirement properties to Chavez and Ortega too. With their entourages you probably sell a lot of homes.

(04-22-2009 12:56 AM)OUBOBCATJOHN Wrote:  I think he is doing well so far on foreign policy. He handled the pirate situation well.

It took Obama "4 Days & 17 Critical Staff Conferences" to finally be OK with allowing the U.S. Navy/SEALS to rescue a Single Man from '4' Pirates adrift in a fuel-less boat, armed with only AK47's against Battle Guns, .50 Cal Machine Guns, Snipers, and other support.

The poor hostage Captain got so desperate, that HE JUMPED INTO THE OCEAN to save him self !!!!!! AND STILL, the Navy/SEALS were not able to act on ANY CLEAR "RULES OF ENGAGEMENT" because NONE had been OK'd and the Pirates RETOOK the Man after being left WIDE OPEN TO A STRIKE from ANY KIND of WEAPON while the Hostage was OFF THE BOAT !!!!!!

The freggin Hostage DID Obamagog's JOB FOR HIM and BO STILL didn't have a CLUE

So before you go lavishing Olive Branches and Dogwoods at the feet of Barack Obama for "His Decisive Action with the Pirate Situation", know that he dropped the ball Big Time and almost cost this Captain his life.

Trying to ACT all Diplomatic and he ALMOST BLEW IT for everyone involved, especially the Hostage.

I hope that if I am kidnapped my Somali Pirates, they let Ahmadinejad or Kim 'Big J' Mentally Ill or somebody with a Spine, make the Military Decisions rather then Mr. Peace and Talk 2009 !!!!!

This mess would have been over before Supper on the day it happened if Bush had been in "Da Howze" and yet it went on for "4 Days" with what we have ourselves in there now - - I just can not fathom this silliness ????

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(04-22-2009 12:56 AM)OUBOBCATJOHN Wrote:  He handled the pirate situation well.

Bush still gets criticized for setting in a classroom reading to small children for a few minutes on 911, and Obama gets praise after setting on the entire military for 4 days. Amazing!

(04-21-2009 10:18 AM)onlinepole Wrote:  

(04-21-2009 10:01 AM)GGniner Wrote:  oh i can still go negative, not about columbia but in this quote from Obama on Ortega's lecture

Quote:“I’m grateful that President Ortega did not blame me for things that happened when I was three months old.” - Obama

1) this is immature for any POTUS to ever say as representive of the United States, it looks insecure and narcissitic to boot.

It's called having a sense of humor and telling a a small joke. Obama is winning nations over due to style and personable behavior. The US has made fumbles in the past, by acknowledging them in a joking way you move on and allow a new better relationship to develop

It's sarcasm and it's unbecoming of a US President to use it in that situation. It definitely reveals his immaturity in public relations and I agree that it's narcissistic for him to say it in reference to himself. But, if he goes to Europe and takes blame for US mistakes, why should the Central and Southern American states expect anything different? And, why did he rebuke the Europeans for anti-Americanism and stand by through genuine anti-American speeches and pass it off with a joke?

There is an awful lot wrong with Obama's style in handling his first major trips abroad. I am somewhat more optimistic about the substance, Iraq-Iran policies excepted.

As an aside, does anyone else know who Donald Regan and James Baker were? I think Donald Regan came under disfavor with the public, congress, and the administration while Baker was Chief of Staff. I remember seeing a photo of the two coming out of a meeting. It was striking that Bakerr was caught looking angry off in the distance - anywhere but in the vicinity of Regan. To me that did not seem accidental (it could have been just the shot that the photographer/editor had chosen). It seemed like Baker was savvy enough to never get caught in range of a camera looking in any way like he wanted to be associated with Regan at that point. Just seeing that picture, I knew for sure that Regan was on his way out. I never liked the political side of James Baker, but Obama is in great need of at least a little bit of that savvy ... getting caught with a wry smile directed towards Chavez is enough to empower dictators like Chavez at home any dishearten any kind of dissent.

(04-22-2009 09:25 AM)I45owl Wrote:  As an aside, does anyone else know who Donald Regan and James Baker were? I think Donald Regan came under disfavor with the public, congress, and the administration while Baker was Chief of Staff. I remember seeing a photo of the two coming out of a meeting. It was striking that Bakerr was caught looking angry off in the distance - anywhere but in the vicinity of Regan. To me that did not seem accidental (it could have been just the shot that the photographer/editor had chosen). It seemed like Baker was savvy enough to never get caught in range of a camera looking in any way like he wanted to be associated with Regan at that point. Just seeing that picture, I knew for sure that Regan was on his way out. I never liked the political side of James Baker, but Obama is in great need of at least a little bit of that savvy ... getting caught with a wry smile directed towards Chavez is enough to empower dictators like Chavez at home any dishearten any kind of dissent.

Sure do and come to think of it, I don't think I ever remember seeing James Baker actually in "Anger Mode" where he wasn't in pretty much total control of his arena.

What I remember about Baker, is even when he was dressing someone down in a very demeaning way to the Victim, Baker always maintained that "Gentlemanly Gait" about himself that said, "I am confident in who I am and I am going to Destroy you with Wit and Knowledge" ... and then he destroyed the person with Wit and Knowledge ... LOL

That was the Reagan Years and it was a Regal White House during that time instead of "Da Howze" like we have at present.

Thank God and the Cosmos for 8 Years of Ronald Reagan !!!!! I would hate to see REALLY how bad it could be had we never been so Blessed, or if we would even be here at all ....

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(04-21-2009 07:32 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  I give BO a good grade thus far for his foreign policy forays. I give him a failing grade for his policies at home. I have a feeling he is going to be a better POTUS when he is away.... than at home!

Seriously...This is no surprise. He is good communicator(or BS artist) and his ethnic background is a positive when dealing with the leaders of this region. I applaud ANY and ALL free trade that he can foster. I have made it clear that I believe in the power of the marketplace and its ability to solve almost ALL problems. Anyone that fears the marketplace...is either a bureaucrat or they have been lead to believe that the state is the only answer. They are wrong.

Now that is a shock. Since you and Obama are pretty much opposite in the political spectrum when it comes to policies at home. He thinks Americans shold have a safety net. You think you are on your own. Lose your job-out on the street with you(unless of course that ends up being you). "Go beg for money with the rest of the bums. I have mine. F-you."

(04-22-2009 01:55 PM)RobertN Wrote:  Since you and Obama are pretty much opposite in the political spectrum when it comes to policies at home.

Very true Robert, very true.

FoShizzle: "I have mine. F-you."
Obama: "I have yours. F-you."

(04-22-2009 11:23 AM)Tripster Wrote:  

(04-22-2009 09:25 AM)I45owl Wrote:  As an aside, does anyone else know who Donald Regan and James Baker were?

Sure do and come to think of it, I don't think I ever remember seeing James Baker actually in "Anger Mode" where he wasn't in pretty much total control of his arena.

What I remember about Baker, is even when he was dressing someone down in a very demeaning way to the Victim, Baker always maintained that "Gentlemanly Gait" about himself that said, "I am confident in who I am and I am going to Destroy you with Wit and Knowledge" ... and then he destroyed the person with Wit and Knowledge ... LOL
.

I would not want to be on that guy's bad side. Not in a political dispute...

Looking at Regan on wikipedia, I guess Baker started out as Chief of Staff and was replaced by Regan. Regan was forced out by Iran Contra issues and replaced by Tower. I don't know what happen, but still suspect Baker was somehow nudging Regan out or perhaps just didn't want to be tainted by whatever scandal was there.

(04-22-2009 01:55 PM)RobertN Wrote:  

(04-21-2009 07:32 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  I give BO a good grade thus far for his foreign policy forays. I give him a failing grade for his policies at home. I have a feeling he is going to be a better POTUS when he is away.... than at home!

Seriously...This is no surprise. He is good communicator(or BS artist) and his ethnic background is a positive when dealing with the leaders of this region. I applaud ANY and ALL free trade that he can foster. I have made it clear that I believe in the power of the marketplace and its ability to solve almost ALL problems. Anyone that fears the marketplace...is either a bureaucrat or they have been lead to believe that the state is the only answer. They are wrong.

Now that is a shock. Since you and Obama are pretty much opposite in the political spectrum when it comes to policies at home. He thinks Americans shold have a safety net. You think you are on your own. Lose your job-out on the street with you(unless of course that ends up being you). "Go beg for money with the rest of the bums. I have mine. F-you."

I disagree...We are not on opposite sides of this issue. We do however differ as to implementation.

You seem to be under the impression that I lack compassion for my fellow man. I'd submit that I am more compassionate than your leader. I fully advocate charity to anyone that hard times has befallen. Unlike your leader...I won't use the violence of state to achieve that goal.

Stealing from others and using coercion and threats of violence to achieve goals is certainly not being a compassionate person. I understand that it is hard to fathom that people actually would "give" to others in need without having a gun put to their heads to do it. The fact of the matter is that Americans are the most generous people on this planet...despite having almost 1/2 of their income extracted from them by a violent gang of thugs that does not cares about anyone but themselves and their campaign contributors.

The Salvation Army is a perfect example of how a charitable system can work. They not only give the help that is needed...they foster accountability and self sufficiency in those they serve. Imagine the contributions this type of organization could garner if Americans had most of the money that is stolen from them...back in their pockets.

I urge to to read....."Healing our World" by Dr. Mary Ruwart. You can download a free PDF at freetalklive.com She explains how government actually does more harm than good in it efforts to help people and offers free market solutions for the eventual evolution to a voluntary society.

(04-22-2009 01:55 PM)RobertN Wrote:  

(04-21-2009 07:32 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  I give BO a good grade thus far for his foreign policy forays. I give him a failing grade for his policies at home. I have a feeling he is going to be a better POTUS when he is away.... than at home!

Seriously...This is no surprise. He is good communicator(or BS artist) and his ethnic background is a positive when dealing with the leaders of this region. I applaud ANY and ALL free trade that he can foster. I have made it clear that I believe in the power of the marketplace and its ability to solve almost ALL problems. Anyone that fears the marketplace...is either a bureaucrat or they have been lead to believe that the state is the only answer. They are wrong.

Now that is a shock. Since you and Obama are pretty much opposite in the political spectrum when it comes to policies at home. He thinks Americans shold have a safety net. You think you are on your own. Lose your job-out on the street with you(unless of course that ends up being you). "Go beg for money with the rest of the bums. I have mine. F-you." Whereas Obama's policy is you have yours but F-you, I'm taking it.

Roberto, fixed it for ya....