Cont,

You say >> “Refused to hand over the Saudi leader of a Saudi organisation ... ”

In case you forgot, the Saudis exiled Bin Laden. AlQaeda’s main organisational/logistic and military forces were in Afghanistan. The Taliban refused to hand them over. And the Saudi security forces are at war with AlQaeda and hunt them down wherever they are hiding. But to suggest that somehow Saudi Arabia was the place to do most damage to operational AlQaeda is total BS.

The 9/11 attacks were without doubt among the largest mass murders in a single day. I don’t think that devalues, in any sense at all, the massacres of Jews, Africans or others and it is a petty point to even bring up.

The total lack of understanding of military issues by loony-lefters like cuphandle leads to frequent problems. He doesn’t understand why McCain would say we will stay in Afghanistan until we win. Well put yourself in the shoes of a soldier in Afghanistan. How can you maintain morale and do the things you need to do if your leaders are constantly talking about pulling out. Who wants to risk getting hurt in a conflict your leaders aren’t even sure they will see through? And from the enemies perspective, how easy is it to continue fighting when you hear the US/Coalition leaders talk about giving up?

I am glad that you realise that the US is an overwhelming force for good. I agree that this should not make them immune from criticism. For example I totally accept that the aftermath of the war in Iraq was handled badly. However they have really turned it around and the coalition may well leave Iraq in 1-2 years time, a democracy. Which is a MASSIVE victory.

But to then go on and suggest “EVIL” acts perpetrated under the cover of “moral righteousness” is totally contradictory. Yes they make mistakes which should be pointed out. But this conspiracy theory nonsense that the US administration is waging war for the purposes of enriching themselves and their cronies is just intellectually vacuous.

Jl Deland, many thanks for that interesting URL. The reader comment
from the woman in her town, kind of explains how Sarah Palin's mind
works. That's the worry, that a woman with that kind of mind,
could land up with her finger on the nuclear button. Americans
may well be gullible and stupid enough to elect her. From Cheney
to Palin, from the frying pan into the fire!

Keith, Millions of Americans live in poverty. So I don't know how you are separating the economy from policy, pray tell?

Obama has committed to spending $6 billion to fight the problem of urban poverty in America.

The republicans believe inequality will be solved by market forces (Code for leave the corporations who run the economy alone)

I see rainier is his usual venal and irreverent self

“Palin will be hard pressed to respond and articulate the bigger picture.”

Talking the talk is one thing, promises are cheap,

inexperience is a real risk and being a "social worker", employed to do as one is told, differs from being a mayor or governor , making decisions or 4 time elected senator.

But in Obamas case, no experience of managing anything remains no experience of managing anything and on that single point, both McCain and Palin are streets ahead.

“No doubt Hillary Clinton will step in soon and do the deed (after she finishes laughing her guts out)”

One would observe, dear Hilary is suffering a problem which sounds as if it is more often associated with males.

In her dealings of negotiations with Obama, she prematurely ejected herself.

I am sure the American people will elect the right choice for the American people and when I look at McCain and Palin versus Obama and Biden,

the combination older and experienced presidential nominee, younger vice presidential nominee, combined with the embrace of both genders on the one ticket, makes for a better offering than the alternative of a mono-gender, inexperienced and untested leader on the ticket.

“still trying to convince us they are relevant”

I am still trying to remember when rainier was ever relevant… maybe he could prompt us.

Either way, what the white house needs, if it is to remain the centre of world political power is strong characters, not limp wristed wannabes with no experience.

Palin has the character to standup as a new Iron lady on the world stage and the last one we had like that was instrumental in achieving much not only for her own country but, as a tag-team with Reagan, brought us the last twenty years of relative peace, out from under the cloud of soviet intimidation.

rainier “Millions of Americans live in poverty.”

And the millions more queuing up to get in, would prefer to accept poverty in USA than the riches of their homelands.

Explain that rainier

Col Rouge You have the audacity to post " And there are millions queing up to to get in". What an insulting comment, Yet you left your country. Was it for economical reasons, or you where looking for a better life?

Mate. Before you question others look at yourself first!

Kipp “Col Rouge You have the audacity to post " And there are millions queing up to to get in". What an insulting comment, Yet you left your country. Was it for economical reasons, or you where looking for a better life?”

Anyway, I am not being audacious. I applied to migrate and got accepted. One chosen, from among many rejected, because I have scarce skills, valued in Australia.

What you are whimping on about is people who want to migrate to USA, exactly the same as me coming here.

Btw, I also lived in USA for a few years, green card, the lot but the marriage did not work out so I came back here.

Not that it has anything to do with you, the reason I moved here was for a better life for my daughters and family, as well as myself.

The reason I moved to USA was for marriage but it did not work out, cost me $200K (about $10K / month) but not to worry, easy come, easy go. Just one of those learning experiences.

The emotional reasoning is probably well above your understanding, because you needed to ask if was for “economic reasons”.

Reality is “economics” is merely an enabling process and not what “lifestyle” is, which is the goal.

As dearest Margaret said “Economics are the method; the object is to change the soul.”

Now all you have to do is

find a soul.

“Mate. Before you question others look at yourself first!”

Firstly, I am not your ‘mate’.

Just think of me as a flying fish, the sort that does not mix with bottom feeders.

I questioned no one, I stated FACT.

When anyone asks me that question I have to ask of them…

So, did you get chosen or did you just happen to be spawned here (in a night of likely terror for both participants)?

I wonder, did they know each others names?