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The RMP Anonymous Presidential Election Poll...

(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)


Posted by: Khashyar

Hello Everyone,

I don't want to get into a political firestorm with this thread , but I thought that it would be interesting to take a rough anonymous poll and see who registered forum members are probably going to vote for in this November's Presidential election.

If you take this poll, you will be casting your "vote" anonymously, and who you voted for will not be displayed for anyone to see.

I am curious as to the political make-up of our forum members, and so this poll could be very interesting...

Khashyar



Posted by: Missouri

In my opinion I put President George W Bush right behind George Washington. I believe a better name for the American Revolution is- "The War Against British Aggression". When Washington took over the Continental Army in the late 1700's, he took on the British Army, the greatest military power in the world, at that time. Washington defeated the Greatest Military power in the world!!! Washington was outnumbered- he started out with a thousand or so, against the Brit's which had thousands of men. There are quite a few other facts, about the situation, which I will enumerate, if I'm encouraged to.

Washington and Bush have many of the same character traits- decisive, determined, both understood and understand the difference between right and wrong, he does what he says, and he follows through to the end.

In no way am I giving these 2 men "Godhead" status. I am saying that they are both men of high character and great leaders- Washington has gone done with a sure place in history, and in my opinion Bush will have a certain place in history for bringing justice to Al Quaeda, and setting terrorists back many years in their "progress".

Hey BRITS- Just as we did in the World Wars, and other situations- I'm for WORKING TOGETHER!



Posted by: rattlesnake6979

Missouri I think you missed a point... the british army was a distinct entity - the soldiers of the british army wore bright red uniforms and brightly coloured hats so they were easy to find and easier to depatch ...Terrorists who are part of al quada do not wear unforms and therefore are even harder to identify !!!

Al quaeda means " study cell " and to the best of my knowledge a " cell " may be one or two or any number of people of any nationality who do not wear unforms and who ( looking at the information gathered since 9/11 ) are highly educated to at least university degree level and who have one fundamental belief which western europeans and americans do not have ie that death through martrydom leads to paradise . We used to have this belief ( early christianity celebrated the martyrs of the faith eg ST Stephen or St Peter ) but christianity has no equivalent to the term jehad which is being used by alqeada adherants to justify thier actions.

Moreover the war in the USA was on one continent - the terrorist war is spread out over several continents .

I think the reference to WWII is true only in so far as the USA got involved at a later stage in the conflict in european soil. Like then , western europeans have lived with terrorist outrages and massacres for many years and what happened in New York had echoes in europe far earlier than 9/11 . I think the 9/11 massacre woke the US government up to the fact that it could no longer see itself as a nation whch has no connections with europe whereas us brits have always had a connection with europe and have always felt that in some way we are clearly inflenced by events in mainland europe.

I think too that the event on 9/11 was a watershed for how the uS govt administration viewed events abroad - I think the US govt is less willing to shoulder the burden of policing western europe and is pulling out of europe as the cold war is now over.
What I sense is that Bush is trying to persuade european leaders that what europe as well as america face is a new and distinct form of war which cannot be won by the usa alone .

rattle



Posted by: AkMike

Missouri, Re-think you perspective about the American War for Independance... From the Brittish stand point. Who is the terrorist? Who shot from behind trees, fences and hedge rows?
I have 16 ancestors from the American Revolution, Most of which were 'Green Mountain Boys'. My ancestors owned the property at Bunker Hill at the time of the battle. And I had 1 that was on the Mayflower. I'm red white and blue thru and thru.
I too fully support George W. So don't get me wrong. I just think it's good to look at the situation from both sides of an issue.



Posted by: Khashyar

I did not want to begin any kind of political firestorm, but I think that the initial results are interesting so far, with 8 out of 11 of our American members supporting George Bush.

Of course, I would like to see the percentages after many more people have cast their preferences, but it is interesting that a clear majority of those who votes support Bush.

I certainly don't want to make any generalizations about the political feelings of men who seek relationships with Russian women but I am interested in seeing how a sample of 100 of our members would vote.

Khashyar



Posted by: Missouri

Ak and rattle- I do appreciate your responses.

My main point is Pres Bush: protected his country which is the very 1st thing that any leader should do.

Rattle/AK- I did make a comparison between Pres Bush and Pres Washington- but I also realize that all the minutia are not the same. But they are/were both wars!

Ak wrote- "Shot from behind trees" - "a terrorist"

Ak- How about comon sense and good military strategy.

Rattle wrote "...americans do not have ie that death through martrydom leads to paradise . We used to have this belief ( early christianity celebrated the martyrs of the faith eg ST Stephen or St Peter )...

Being very knowlegeable about the Bible- that's a new one on me- about- "Christianity- martyrdom leads to paradise" I think you're refering to the first martyr- Stephen in the book of Acts(Bible), and of course Peter- one of the 3 men closest to Jesus when he literally walked on earth. I'm interested- Why did you write the above quote? Who practiced martyrdom? What years- or time period?

Well you guys just might motivate me to start a new thread on "The War Against British Agression".

Again, I have nothing but respect for you Brits, for Tony Blair, and THE man- Winston Churchill!!!



Posted by: Jutman

Hi

I am surprises that G.B, at is so supported on this site. The folks in here most be interested in a better public service.. to reduce the hostile attitude to foriegners so it will be easierr to get your lived ne to America and maybe even visit from family.

My country has a in Europe a extreme hostile attitude, but still the 10 times more easier and quick than USA, regarding visa to my country.



Posted by: ConnerVT

Quote:
Originally posted by Jutman
My country has a in Europe a extreme hostile attitude, but still the 10 times more easier and quick than USA, regarding visa to my country.

I haven't read much about people risking their lives in overloaded, dilapidated boats seeking asylum in Denmark, or many terrorist with plans to crash jet planes into building there, either...



Posted by: Pin Boy

no stuffing the ballot box boys...this ain't chicago...forget the old saying, "Vote early and often!"



Posted by: Khashyar



Fortunately, Pin Boy, this forum software only allows members to vote once....

I'm glad we don't have any hanging chads to consider

Khashyar



Posted by: Jutman

Conner

Actually we have, but of course not like USA concerning boat refugees.

80% of Danes expect we will be hit by terrorists and we we really don't care.

Our Embassy was last week acttacked, even its was a mild one and occasially the bomb squad check possible bombs. Airplanes are held back or force to land for a check.



Posted by: Pawel_PL.USA

Dubya, kanechno. ... Although, I do preffer the Libertarian candidate and especially his economic views.



Posted by: Khashyar

The vote here seems pretty close between John F. and Dubya

I still get the sense that members of the RMP forum are slightly more conservative than the national on average...

Khashyar



Posted by: Jerico

IMHO I think that more conservative viewed people tend to look overseas for possible romance than say liberal.
Just my opinion.
I think most people on this forum looking for a FSU girl tend to be middle class.
They dont depend on the government for entitlements so I imagine they vote conservative.
Even if the only choice is Bush (semi-conservative IMO)
Of course I could be wrong. This is just how I see it is all.
Jerry



Posted by: Pawel_PL.USA

Well, I am more of a nationalist libertarian than a "conservative", but I guess you're right.



Posted by: Keystone

This is a great thread I am surprised with the small percentage of votes cast. Low voter turnout is a problem in America.

I have tried to discuss politics with my Ukrainian fiancee. She dislikes the choices for her leader and says she will not vote. She says that she hates Bush and that she loves Putin. Her hatred for Bush is based on the war in Iraq and that Bush invaded without just cause. I can agree somewhat with this but to me this is only one issue to consider. There are many other issues involved in making a decision before you cast your vote.

My fiancee's English is greatly improved since our last meeting in June so I hope that we can discuss more topics without the help of an interpreter. I will be seeing her again 5 November. I hope that the election will be free of controversy unlike our last Presidential election and that we elect a President free and clear of any doubt. But this probably will not happen as this election looks closer than our last.

Keystone



Posted by: Pawel_PL.USA

My Ukrainian ex was a big fan of Yuschenko and she hated Yanukovych's guts. I don't blame her either, but the problem is that Yuschenko has some rather heavy and not really wanted luggage in the form of admirers of the OUN-UPA and the Banderowcy.

And not to offend anyone, but any Ukrainians that love and admire Putin are probably "Ukrainians" in name only. There is a huge Russian minority in the eastern and southern Ukraine that dearly misses Moscow.

And why some Russians hate Bush is kind of obvious - he's just not enough of a tavarisch (comrade in Russian). I don't mind that at all, though.



Posted by: Jill

Quote:
And not to offend anyone, but any Ukrainians that love and admire Putin are probably "Ukrainians" in name only. There is a huge Russian minority in the eastern and southern Ukraine that dearly misses Moscow.


If I recall correctly, Keystone's fiancee is ethnically Russian--but there are quite a few ethnic Ukrainians who also support Putin. My husband likes Putin (as do many of his friends) and they are 100% Ukrainian. I don't think it has anything to do with "missing Moscow"--it's more a question of missing what, in their perception, is order and stability. They feel Putin has brought order and stability to Russia and Ukrainian leaders have failed to do so. So they like Putin. It doesn't mean they like Moscow or want to be a part of Russia. In fact, the political party Russkii blok always gets VERY few votes even among ethnic Russians, despite a platform that includes making Russian an official language of Ukraine (which Yanukovich also supports actually), and re-unification with Russia. So I doubt "missing Moscow" is as widespread as is sometimes claimed.

Anyway, back on topic. I saw an interesting program on CNN this morning about Americans living in Europe and how their experiences abroad have shaped their views of American politics and, specifically, this election. I think they're going to repeat the broadcast--check it out if you get the chance.



Posted by: FlashingEyes

Interestingly, you could easily replace the comments about "more conservative" people here with "more educated/more intelligent".

For instance:
More "educated/intelligent/open minded" people tend to look overseas for possible romance than say "close minded/non-outside-the-box-thinking/uneducated(especially uneducated and don't use computers much). [replacing "more conservative" in Jerico's comment]

For instance:
I still get the sense that members of the RMP forum are slightly more "educated/intelligent/open minded" than the national on average" [replacing "conservative" in Khashyar's comment]

It's reasonable to conclude that Americans on this board are far more knowledgeable about the the truth of issues regarding these two candidates in respect to how they affect America.

[Significantly off-topic discussion at the end of this thread was split into a new thread topic here> http://www.russianmeetingplace.com/...?&threadid=3193]



Posted by: spamer

I was listening to the radio commentator Paul Harvey today and he had a story that I always think is funny. He was commenting on what the odds are for the Presidential elections. Yes that is right you can place a bet on the elections. He also said something to the effect that the bookies are very seldom wrong.

So what are the odds? Well at this time (and they change all the time)

Bush's odds are .74/1 or 58% chance of winning
Kerry's odds are 1.26/1 or 42% chance of winning

So find your favorite on-line betting site and enjoy.



Posted by: Eryk

Quote:
Originally posted by Missouri
Well you guys just might motivate me to start a new thread on "The War Against British Agression".


ROFL ...if only I had the time .

The American War of Independence was not won by Washington or anyone else on US soil, it was won because Napoleon was tying up too many resources elsewhere and the political view at the time was that it wasn't worth the effort to crush the rebels/terrorists/freedom fighters. The timber reserves in Canada were thought to be valuable so those were not going to be surrendered, but the rest of the explored USA at that time was judged not to be worth the bother. Read the British Parliamentery papers of the time.

The only time US forces tried to take on the British Empire without French assistance (Attempted invasion of Canada, 1775) they lost. It was another hundred years before the USA could have mounted a credible challenge to British forces alone and nearly 175 before they were clearly superior as they are now.

Eryk



Posted by: Vyesna

Quote:
Originally posted by Eryk
ROFL ...if only I had the time .

The American War of Independence was not won by Washington or anyone else on US soil, it was won because Napoleon was tying up too many resources elsewhere and the political view at the time was that it wasn't worth the effort to crush the rebels/terrorists/freedom fighters. The timber reserves in Canada were thought to be valuable so those were not going to be surrendered, but the rest of the explored USA at that time was judged not to be worth the bother. Read the British Parliamentery papers of the time.

Eryk


I agree that the U.S. would never have won the War of Independence without the French. However, I do have to point out that Napoleon had nothing to do with it. The War of Independence was over in 1781, several years before the French Revolution got going and several years beyond that before Napoleon took over power in France. It was the French royal family who funded the Americans (rather hypocritically, but that's realpolitik for you). I'm rather shocked at that slip from someone who puts so much stock into culture and knowledge as yourself.

I took 18th century British history in college and got the other side's point of view...quite interesting. Furthermore, for what it's worth, I thought the movie the Patriot was one of the most gross misrepresentations of history I've ever seen--I mean, you can't expect much from Hollywood, but that was particularly bad.



Posted by: Eryk

>>I agree that the U.S. would never have won the War of >>Independence without the French. However, I do have to >>point out that Napoleon had nothing to do with it.

Wars were not fought in 3 weeks in those days, they took years and sometimes decades to resolve. The fact that the British were kicked out of what is now the USA would not have been the end of the matter if attention had not been distracted elsewhere. The logical timeframe for a counter offensive to recapture the territory lost to the rebels was consumed (as you noted) by the revolution and then by the activities of Napoleon (I mentioned him in an effort to stay close to 'on topic' since the Russians had a big part to play in putting him back in his place). With the French out of the picture the forces in Canada would have been easily enough to recapture the USA ....particularly since most of the Native Americans were on the side of the British.

>> I'm rather shocked at that slip from someone who puts so >>much stock into culture and knowledge as yourself.

Ad hominem .....boring.

>>Furthermore, for what it's worth, I thought the movie the >>Patriot was one of the most gross misrepresentations of >>history I've ever seen--I mean, you can't expect much from >>Hollywood, but that was particularly bad.

Never seen it. However, since a US submarine captured the Enigma machine (according to Hollywood) and the USA 'won' WW2 despite the fact that 95%+ of the people who died stopping Hitler were Russian, I can guess what sort of rubbish it is.

Eryk



Posted by: Vyesna

Well...I don't really buy that. The American War of Independence ended way before British troops were tied up against the French in large-scale battles, so if there was such an urge to recapture the land they could have started well before the French Revolution. I think, and my British history professor who is one of the foremost in her field (Linda Colley) thought that it was more like an 18th century Vietnam for the British-- just not worth it in the end. However, I will grant your theory may apply in some degree to the defeat of the British in the War of 1812.

I think you just messed up the dates and are covering-- na na na.

BTW, I'm teasing, but if you find teasing boring (which is itself boring), I'll stop.



Posted by: Jill

Well, let the games begin!

By this time tomorrow (hopefully) we'll have the results! (Yes, I am an optimist by nature )

My absentee ballot is in! Hope it gets counted! (There's that optimism again).

Anyway, as some of you know, I am a former Peace Corps Volunteer. I just checked out a poll conducted among former PCVs and, by way of comparison to the RMP poll, here are the results:

Quote:
Who do you support for President?

Kerry
87%

Bush
13%

Total Votes: 1646




Interesting, isn't it?



Posted by: sidney

Jill I think things will be much closer among US voters. I've seem sililar polls on this forum but they were from Non US voters. Just as if we had US voters decide Ukraines election there may well have been different results. I do hope we have the results sooner then last time. It was an ongoing joke with my then fiancee that we weren't letting the rest of the world in on our election results.
Sid



Posted by: Jill

Hi Sidney,

These are US voters--they are former Peace Corps Volunteers (one of the requirements for serving in Peace Corps is US citizenship) and, as RPCVs (Returned Peace Corps Volunteers) tend to be fairly politically active, I think many of those represented in this poll will be voting today

I do agree that voting among the general US population will be MUCH closer. However, I just thought that it was interesting that Americans with significant overseas experience (such as RPCVs) seem to be so overwhelmingly for Kerry. Granted this is fairly small sample--but still interesting.



Posted by: ConnerVT

Quote:
Originally posted by Jill
I do agree that voting among the general US population will be MUCH closer. However, I just thought that it was interesting that Americans with significant overseas experience (such as RPCVs) seem to be so overwhelmingly for Kerry. Granted this is fairly small sample--but still interesting.

People with Peace Corp or other international service experience typically tend to vote Democrat, and support liberal views. But I imagine they truly are only a small number of overseas voters.

Obviously, the largest group is the US Military (and civilian military support). This not only includes those in Iraq, but the men and women serving at billets across the world. Polls of this group are overwhelmingly in support of Bush.



Posted by: Jill

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
People with Peace Corp or other international service experience typically tend to vote Democrat, and support liberal views
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And this poll reflects that. But the question that most interests me is why. Care to venture a guess?

You are likely right about the military--but I consider them something of a "special case" in terms of the kind of international experience they have Of course, every vote cast has equal value.

Wonder what the general trend is among foreign service officers? The ones I know are voting democrat--not sure if that's typical or not.

Well, my fellow Americans, get out there and vote today!





Posted by: AkMike

Kerry just finished his defeat speach! Yippeeeee! And as an added bonus Tom Dashele (D S. Dakota) also lost. He was the leader of the Senate minority. I wonder who's next in line for that leadership position? Teddy?



Posted by: sidney

It looks like we have a republican president, senate and house of representatives. Things seem to be looking up for the republican party which I think is a good thing.
Sid



Posted by: Khashyar

Hi Everyone,

It was a close election.

Here are the results (as of 11/3/04)>

BUSH: 274 electoral votes; 59,054,800 votes (51% total)

KERRY: 252 electoral votes; 55,463,227 votes (48% total)

(There is not winner yet in Iowa and New Mexico, and votes are still being counted).

Khashyar



Posted by: Khashyar

When Lena and I were at a Halloween parade in Los Angeles, we saw these two campaigners



Posted by: Khashyar

(I think that it is good to have some fun with life sometimes, and not take things too seriously)...

Khashyar



Posted by: AkMike

Kashyar, Is that you in the blonde wig also?



Posted by: Khashyar

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the compliment But, no, that's not me in either of the two blond wigs Those were two guys who were dressed up for the Halloween parade.





Posted by: Jill



Just no gloating, please



Posted by: AkMike

Is dancing on clouds and kicking up my heels considered gloating?




Posted by: Jill

Hmmmm....Generally, yes. But since you once offered to smuggle me in some Reese's Peanut Butter Cups , I'll let it slide this time



Posted by: Jim_FL

What bothered me more than the Bush win, was hearing many of the lame reasons some people had for voting for him

Well, on the plus side, chances are slim he'll get re-elected next term and I was happy to hear the rumor that Ashcroft is on his way out



Posted by: AkMike

I think I'll get some milage out of the PB cups by turning it into a scavanger hunt. LOL They'll be the prize at the end of the rainbow! You'd be looking for clues for weeks.



Posted by: Jill

Quote:
I think I'll get some milage out of the PB cups by turning it into a scavanger hunt. LOL They'll be the prize at the end of the rainbow! You'd be looking for clues for weeks.


Ahhhh...Someone is certainly in a good mood

Quote:
I was happy to hear the rumor that Ashcroft is on his way out


Yeah, I saw something abou this on CNN.

On a sadder note, I just read that Elizabeth Edwards has announced that she has breast cancer



Posted by: ConnerVT

Quote:
Originally posted by Jim_FL
Well, on the plus side, chances are slim he'll get re-elected next term

I hear his brother Jeb has 8 years of eligibility...



Posted by: lolomarseille

http://www.marryanamerican.ca/



Posted by: Jill

Quote:
I hear his brother Jeb has 8 years of eligibility...




The only thought that scares me more is "Hillary in 2008."





Posted by: lolomarseille

coz she's lawyer?



Posted by: AkMike

Yes, Partially because she's a lawyer.

Do you know what the difference is between a Lawyer and a Liar?

The spelling...........


She's already proven herself dishonest. Public officials SHOULD be honest.



Posted by: lolomarseille

well
we're goin far
Does the prince has to be christian?
i thought machiavel won and buddha loose but it seems not
all politicians have to lie
it's the way to be elected!
the question is when and what and to who ( coz sometimes truth exist too)
for example, bush is a good politician, a good ballot-machine and kerry a pompous truth-believer



Posted by: BradIL

Now... if Illinois will ditch the 'winner take all' format for awarding collegians to the electoral college... and follow the lead of Maine (& Nebraska in one sense) and award the collegians by congressional districts, and 2 collegians based on the aggregate state vote... life will be good.



Posted by: Khashyar

It is interesting how both politics and religion sometimes divide people... In the past 4 years, politics has been very divisive in the U.S.

I want to also point out that although Bush clearly won the election, I think that 51% to 48% is still a very close election.

George Bush: 59,459,765 votes (51%), 286 Electoral Votes

John Kerry: 55,949,407 votes (48%), 252 Electoral Votes

This shows that the country is still pretty evenly divided as to who supported Kerry, and who supported Bush. Which also illustrates, I believe, that the country is very divided as to issues like the Iraq war, the economy, and the direction of the country.

The election really came down to Ohio, and Bush won that state by 136,483 votes (as of November 6, 2004). So, if Kerry would have received 140,000 more votes or so, then he would have won the election. This shows how close the election was.

But, no matter who won the election, Americans (and everyone in the world who either supported or did not support who won the election) need to accept who the leadership of the U.S. will be for the next for years, and work in their own way, and using their unique abilities, to help create positive change in the world.

I think that each individual, as shown by Ghandi or Rev. Billy Graham or Martin Luther King Jr. or Mother Theresa, can make a benefical difference in the world and in their society, and I think that it is important that we each take responsiblity for creating the kind of society that we believe is best.

Khashyar



Posted by: Missouri

For anyone who wants to answer:

Have you seen the Iraq's looking through the graves where they think their missing loved one was buried?

News reports state that 300,000 Iraqi people were found in 360 graves. To clarify- these were mass graves, that were created during Hussein's reign. These are not "proper cemetery plots". Saddam Hussein said those people were thieves, criminals, etc, etc. In other words they got what they deserved- death.

President Bush has provided a solution...Hussein will be brought to justice. For those of you that disagree with the Iraqi war.... and others too.

WHAT IS YOUR SOLUTION???



Posted by: rob_we

Khashyar
Quote:
The election really came down to Ohio, and Bush won that state by 136,483 votes (as of November 6, 2004).


Don´t forget Walden O´Dell from Diebold systems, promised already in 2003 that he will "help" to deliver voices of ohio to Bush
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0828-08.htm


Missouri
Quote:
Hussein will be brought to justice


How can you gain justice by braking the law?
How can you impeace people with war?
1.5 Million innocent civilians killed during the last decade due to blockade or iraqi war... to make up for 300.000 innocent killed?
No offence but do you really think you can convince Iraqi people that thats better?
Just look to Iraq and what happens to the us and brit soldiers there! Open your eyes and ask yourself why the major contracts are done, non reverseable, with a government thats imposed by us, and not elected by the iraqi people! Why are there so many attacks there when those people suffered so much before?
Ask yourself!

..and the solution is negotiations. It is the only one that we have that will prevent us from killing ourselves in the name of justice, whatever this is and whoever claims it...



Posted by: Jutman

Missouri

One of the problem about Iraq, is not that Saddam was a bad man. I think most of world agree on that.

But the interesting part is: there is, 20->25 dictators in the world. Especially a mad man in Zimbabwe, killing white peope and anybody who is agianst him. WHY is America not take that crep out, when they took Saddam away.

So USA is not taking a dictator away, the problem is why him? and sorry the argument that he could have ABC weapon and was a training camp for Al-queda. Its not a big secret that CIA did know and told the adminitration, that he had not. If he had, USA would properly never have invade the country.

Its also very clear that the army was not prepared for the war. They did not have the contacts to the 24 tripes who control Iraq. They did not have a master plan for rebuilding the country. The troops were not properly prepared. Like on patrols, there is nobody who speak arab!! that men bodysearch women (extremely bad in a moslem country).

Instead of being al negative, we must turn it around. The part where the american soldiers are in combat are limited into a triangle, which mean its a small part of Iraq. I got the clear impression, that american media forget to tell that and it otehr parts the local normally like the allied forces.
To explain why this trangle is against america and the new adminitration in Iraq, is rather simple. Saddam and his party origin from this region, so it was loaded with money and influence during his reign. Of course, they have lost all, money and influence, and thats why they are against the American and its allied/ new administration.
Secondly Saddam was not a religious leader and did not realy tolerate them, so when he is away this people emerge and they have a general hate to western civilaztion, because saddam was in the beginning a pro western and one time an allied to American.

And this is where the funny part is: both Osama Bin Laden and saddam was once allied with America and both was left behind by America. Now they are/were the worst enemies of america.



Posted by: Khashyar

Perhaps we should open up a new thread about the "Iraq War" in the offtopic section so that we people can have a CIVIL conversation about the war, if they choose to.

But, we all know that according to the forum guidelines, it needs to be a civil discussion

Khashyar



Posted by: Khashyar

Yes, Rob, I heard the quote from Diebold's founder and owner...

I do think that the Democratic party would have seized upon any irregularity if they could find one. (Each party has an army of lawyers, specialists and analysts who I believe could spot if there was voting fraud.

For example, there WERE two cases in which the vote totals from an Ohio county wer very much above the total number of people who cast their votes, and this was spotted by observers and corrected.

But, I do agree that for future elections, that it is important to have paper backups of all electronic votes as well as other safeguards....

However, I do think that the votes were fairly counted (even though I voted for John Kerry).

Khashyar



Posted by: rob_we

Khashyar
hey good idea (the iraq topic) and you will have the ultimate test pacours for moderators I think



Posted by: Khashyar

By the way, even though I did vote for Kerry as well as Bill Clinton, there is something about Hillary that seems too much like a politician to me.

I did meet Hillary Clinton one time in boulder, Colorado when she was campaigning for her husband in the 1992 election.

I shook her hand and wished she and her husband good luck.

But, as I mentioned, there is something about her that doesn't sit well with me.

Khashyar



Posted by: Khashyar

Hi Rob....

BUT, each of us has to take extra care to make sure that the conversation would be civil and flame, insult and attack-free

I hesitate to open a thread about the Iraq War because I am not sure whether it could be free from flames and a nasty atmosphere...

Khashyar



Posted by: rob_we

Khashyar

thats a hot topic... very confrontational... we have some harsh and controversal opinions here on this board no doubt ... so ... your the man on the trigger... decide



Posted by: ConnerVT

Quote:
Originally posted by Khashyar
By the way, even though I did vote for Kerry as well as Bill Clinton, there is something about Hillary that seems too much like a politician to me.

But, as I mentioned, there is something about her that doesn't sit well with me.

Perhaps it's that she's the antithesis of Russian Women...



Posted by: Khashyar

I am sure that some people might think that...

But, it wasn't that Hillary is too liberated for me, I just feel that she doesn't seem genuine or sincere when I have heard her speak as a politician.

I have a positive feeling towards other femal politicians like Diane Feinstein, but there is something about Hillary that I don't fully trust. I think it is what I sense is a lack of sincerity and openness.

But, perhaps I am not reading her correctly, and I should look at her Senate and personal record to see how her actions line up with my sense about her.

Khashyar



Posted by: Jill

Speaking about something not sitting well...This article makes me a little nervous...

Quote:
Известный американский репортер рассказал в чате, что Пентагон охвачен страхом

05 ноября 2004 18:36 МСК

Известный американский репортер Сеймур Херш (Seymour Hersh) из журнала New Yorker принял участие в чате на сайте Washington Post и изложил свое видение текущей политической ситуации в США. Херш является авторитетным публицистом и автором ряда известных журналистских расследований - в частности, именно благодаря ему получили огласку дело об иракской тюрьме "Абу-Граиб" и дело о массовом расстреле американцами мирных жителей во Вьетнаме в 1968 году. Херш редко принимает участие в поддобных конференциях, и его слова стали объектом пристального внимания прессы. В чате на сайте Washingtonpost.com Херш, поддерживавший в ходе прошедших выборов кандидатуру Джона Керри, выступил с критикой в адрес администрации Джорджа Буша и отметил, что во время кампании у избирателей не было достаточного количества объективной информации, чтобы сделать правильный выбор и адекватно оценить политику Буша и предлагаемую политику Керри. Более того, большинство избирателей и не пытались получить подобную информацию, проявляя гражданскую несознательность, цитирует слова Херша издание Editor & Publisher. Херш также заявил, что, по его информации, в настоящее время военное руководство США находится под давлением правительства, и высшие военные чиновники просто "боятся" сообщать Бушу, Чейни или министру обороны Рамсфелду "какие-либо плохие новости", в том числе и новости из Ирака. По его мнению, ситуация в Ираке не находится под контролем американских войск и вскоре реально может встать вопрос о выводе оттуда войск, однако Буш сейчас об этом не знает.






Posted by: AkMike

And just what does that say for us that still can't read cyrillic?



Posted by: Jill

Well, basically, this journalist (Seymour Hersh from the New Yorker--evidently well respected in the field) recently participated in a chat hosted by the Washington Post about the US Elections. He is obviously not a big Bush fan

Anyway, he claims that he has information that Bush is not well informed about the current situation in Iraq as the Pentagon is afraid to tell him the full truth (and give him bad news). He goes so far as to claim that they may soon raise the question of possibly pulling troops out--and Bush does not know this. He also claims that Bush's real agenda was never spelled out during the elections and, as a result, American voters made an uniformed decision when they went to the polls.

Just one journalist's opinion, of course. But still, these are issues that make me nervous....Which is why I voted for Kerry



Posted by: AkMike

Wasn't it the Washinton Post that had some turnover fairly recently for publishing fiction as a real story. They appear to be a very liberally slanted newspaper based on the few that I've read.
I prefer a more moderate rag.



Posted by: Jill

Yes, the Washington Post does tend to have liberal leanings (the Washington Times is the more conservative DC paper).

Anyway, I found another article, similar in content but pre-election (and in English this time ) Again, this is just one man's opinion, but he raises issues that I am concerned about.

Quote:
Investigative journalist Seymour Hersh spills the secrets of the Iraq quagmire and the war on terror

By Bonnie Azab Powell, NewsCenter | 11 October 2004

BERKELEY – The Iraq war is not winnable, a secret U.S. military unit has been "disappearing" people since December 2001, and America has no idea how irreparably its torture of Iraqis at Abu Ghraib prison has damaged its image in the Middle East. These were just a few of the grim pronouncements made by Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative reporter Seymour "Sy" Hersh to KQED host Michael Krasny before a Berkeley audience on Friday night (Oct. 8).

The past two years will "go down as one of the classic sort of failures" in history, said the man who has been called the "greatest muckraker of all time" and (paradoxically) the "enfant terrible of journalism for more than 30 years." While Hersh blamed the White House and the Pentagon for the Iraq quagmire and America's besmirched world image, he was stymied by how it all happened. "How could eight or nine neoconservatives come and take charge of this government?" he asked. "They overran the bureaucracy, they overran the Congress, they overran the press, and they overran the military! So you say to yourself, How fragile is this democracy?"

From My Lai to Abu Ghraib

That fragility clearly unnerves him. Hersh summarizes his mission as "to hold the people in public office to the highest possible standard of decency and of honesty…to tolerate anything less, even in the name of national security, is wrong." He tries his best. More than any other U.S. journalist alive today, he embodies the statement that "a patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government," a belief defined by the conservationist Edward Abbey.


Hersh was working the phone with sources up until the minute the presidential debate began, which he watched with a crowd in North Gate Hall.

His country has not always thanked him for it — neocon Pentagon adviser Richard Perle has called Hersh "the closest thing we have to a terrorist," while his 1998 book on John F. Kennedy's administration, "The Dark Side of Camelot," cost him many friends on the left. But Hersh's reputation remains more bulletproof than most. The author of eight books, he first received worldwide recognition (and the Pulitzer) in 1969 for exposing the My Lai massacre and its cover-up during the Vietnam War. 1982's "The Price of Power: Kissinger in the Nixon White House," painted Henry Kissinger as a war criminal and won Hersh the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Los Angeles Times book prize in biography.

Most recently, as a staff writer for the New Yorker, Hersh has relentlessly ferreted out the behind-the-scenes deals, trickery, and blunders associated with the U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. Back in May 2003, he was the first American reporter to state unequivocally that we would not find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. (A mea culpa from a Slate journalist who doubted Hersh on WMDs also inadvertently confirms his prescient track record.) And in April of this year, he broke the story of how U.S. soldiers had digitally documented their torture and sexual humiliation of Iraqis at the notorious Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. The several articles he wrote for the New Yorker about Abu Ghraib have been updated and edited into his latest book, "Chain of Command: The Road from 9/11 to Abu Ghraib."

"Bush scares the hell out of me"

Hersh came to Berkeley at the invitation of UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism and the California First Amendment Coalition. His appearance in the packed ballroom of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Union was the fitting end to a week of high-profile events in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Free Speech Movement.

The Hersh event began only minutes after the second debate between President George W. Bush and John Kerry concluded. Krasny naturally asked Hersh — who had watched the debate at North Gate Hall stone-faced in the middle of a rowdy crowd — what he thought of the match.

"It doesn't matter that Bush scares the hell out of me," Hersh answered. "What matters is that he scares the hell out of a lot of very important people in Washington who can't speak out, in the military, in the intelligence community. They know in ways that none of us know, the incredible gap between what is and what [Bush] thinks."

With that, he was off and running. One could safely say that for the next hour, Hersh proceeded to scare the hell out of most of the audience by detailing the gaps between what they knew and what he hears is actually going on in Iraq.

While his writing is dense but digestible, in person Hersh speaks with the rambling urgency of a street-corner doomsayer, leaping from point to point and anecdote to anecdote and frequently failing to finish his clauses, let alone his sentences. His train of thought can be difficult to catch a ride on. This evening, it was a challenge for Krasny to slow him down long enough to get a word or question in edgewise. For example, here's a slice of raw Hersh on the current situation in Iraq:

I've been doing an alternate history of the war, from inside, because people, right after 9/11, because people inside — and there are a lot of good people inside — are scared, as scared as anybody watching this tonight I think should be, because [Bush], if he's re-elected, has only one thing to do, he's going to bomb the hell out of that place. He's been bombing the hell of that place — and here's what really irritates me again, about the press — since he set up this Potemkin Village government with Allawi on June 28 — the bombing, the daily bombing rates inside Iraq, have gone up exponentially. There's no public accounting of how many missions are flown, how much ordnance is dropped, we have no accounting and no demand to know. The only sense you get is we're basically in a full-scale air war against invisible people that we can't find, that we have no intelligence about, so we bomb what we can see.
And yet — despite the more than 1,000 deaths of U.S. soldiers and the horrific number of Iraqi casualties — Bush continues to believe we are doing the right thing, according to Hersh. "He thinks he's wearing the white hat," he said, adding that is what makes this administration different from previous ones whose hypocrisy Hersh has exposed. Bush and the neocons "are not hypocrites."

Enter the utopians

"I think it's real simple to say [Bush] is a liar. But that would also suggest there was a reality that he understood," explained Hersh. "I'm serious. It is funny in sort of a sick, black humor sort of way, but the real serious problem is, he believes what he's doing." In effect, Bush, Dick Cheney, Paul Wolfowitz, and the other neocons are "idealists, you can call them utopians." As Hersh understands them, they really believe that the solution to global terrorism began with invading Baghdad and will end only with the transformation of the last unfriendly government in the Middle East into a democracy.

"No amount of body bags is going to dissuade [Bush]," said Hersh, despite the fact that Hersh's sources say the war in Iraq is "not winnable. It's over." As for Kerry's war plans, Hersh said he wished he could tell him to stop talking as if the senator's plan for Iraq could somehow still eke out a victory there. "This is a disaster that's been going on. It's a civil war, the insurgency. There is no 'win' anymore in this war," he argued. "As somebody said, 'We're playing chess, they're playing Go.'"

Later, Hersh shared something he had yet to write about. Sources were suggesting that the many acts of domestic terrorism in Iraq that U.S. officials have been attributing to suspected Al Qaeda operative Abu Musab al-Zarqawi are in fact a smokescreen set up by the insurgents. "They decided to wage war against their own population," he said. "It's a huge step, with enormous consequences.…The insurgency has simply deflected what they're doing onto this man. And we fell for it."


'We operate on guilt, [Muslims] operate on shame…The idea of photographing an Arab man naked and having him simulate homosexual activity, and having an American GI woman in the photographs, is the end of society in their eyes.'

-Seymour Hersh
What is worse, he said impatiently, was that because U.S. forces had "privatized" so many of Iraq's institutions, it had decimated the job market in the country."This is why Bush can talk about 100,000 people wanting to go work in the police or in the army. It's because there's nothing else for them to do. They're willing to stand in line to get bombed because they want to take care of their family," he said.

Hersh has been accused many times of sympathizing with "the enemy," and told that his publicizing of incidents like the My Lai massacre and the Abu Ghraib torture only fan the flames of anti-American sentiment around the world. He related that he's been asked if he feels guilty about the beheadings of two Americans who were wearing uniforms like those worn at Abu Ghraib. "As if the Iraqis needed me to tell them what's going on in that prison!" he responded. He also repeated a question often posed to him: "Was it immoral to go in … [T]he idea that Saddam was a torturer and a killer, doesn't that lend a patina of morality to going after him?" The answer to that one, he said unsmilingly, "is of course, Saddam tortured and killed his people. And now we're doing it."

In addition to adding more details to the woeful chronology of the Abu Ghraib scandal, in which the military stopped the abuse only after Hersh's story brought it crashing down onto front pages around the world — four months after it was first reported to the Department of Defense — Hersh speculated on why those dehumanizing techniques had been used. He was sure that they were not, as some have claimed, the "stress outlet" or other spontaneous recreational ideas of young soldiers from West Virginia. Instead, he said, they were the outgrowth of a massive manhunt for information, any information, about first Al Qaida, the Taliban, and then the Iraqi insurgency:

My government has a secret unit that since December of 2001 has been disappearing people just like the Brazilians and the Argentineans did. Rumsfeld decided after 9/11 that he could not wait. The president signed a secret document…There's a team of people, they fly in unmarked planes, they fly in Gulfstreams, they have their own choppers, they don't carry American passports, and they just grab people. And maybe in the beginning I can understand there was some rationale. Right after 9/11 we were frightened, we didn't know what to do …
The original idea behind the sexually humiliating photos taken at Abu Ghraib, Hersh said he had heard, was to use them as blackmail so that the newly released prisoners — many of whom were ordinary Iraqi thieves or even civilian bystanders rounded up in dragnets — would act as informants. "We operate on guilt, [Muslims] operate on shame," Hersh explained. "The idea of photographing an Arab man naked and having him simulate homosexual activity, and having an American GI woman in the photographs, is the end of society in their eyes."

And the fact that Americans had perpetrated such acts — and refused to take responsibility for it — ended America's role as any kind of moral leader in the eyes of not just the Middle East, but the world, Hersh railed. He talked about an Israeli, a longtime veteran of the troubles between his country and the Palestinians, who had emailed him to say, in essence, "We've been killing them for 40 or 50 years, and they've been killing us for 40 or 50 years, but we know that somewhere down the line we're going to have to live with those SOBs…If we had treated our Arabs the way you treated them in Abu Ghraib, the sexual stuff, the photographs, we couldn't live with them. You guys do not begin to understand what you've done, where you have put yourself in the Arab world."

"They just shot them one by one"

There was more — rumors of atrocities around Iraq that to Hersh brought back memories of My Lai. In the evening's most emotional moment, Hersh talked about a call he had gotten from a first lieutenant in charge of a unit stationed halfway between Baghdad and the Syrian border. His group was bivouacking outside of town in an agricultural area, and had hired 30 or so Iraqis to guard a local granary. A few weeks passed. They got to know the men they hired, and to like them. Then orders came down from Baghdad that the village would be "cleared." Another platoon from the soldier's company came and executed the Iraqi granary guards. All of them.

"He said they just shot them one by one. And his people, and he, and the villagers of course, went nuts," Hersh said quietly. "He was hysterical, totally hysterical. He went to the company captain, who said, 'No, you don't understand, that's a kill. We got 36 insurgents. Don't you read those stories when the Americans say we had a combat maneuver and 15 insurgents were killed?'

"It's shades of Vietnam again, folks: body counts," Hersh continued. "You know what I told him? I said, 'Fella, you blamed the captain, he knows that you think he committed murder, your troops know that their fellow soldiers committed murder. Shut up. Complete your tour. Just shut up! You're going to get a bullet in the back.' And that's where we are in this war."

The story seemed to leave Hersh sincerely, deeply saddened. While his critics may call him a "muckraker" and unpatriotic, on Friday night it was obvious that Hersh takes the crumbling of America's image, very, very personally.

"My parents were immigrants," Hersh said. "They came here because America meant something…the Statue of Liberty and all that stuff, because America always was this bastion of morality and integrity and a place for a fresh start. And it's right in front of us, not hidden, that they've taken this away from us."




Posted by: rob_we

Jill
actually and basically thats what you hear here too, everywhere in critical magazines, and read in those articles...
Some friends from Iraq say how deeply they hate the US and as far as I could understand noone is "grateful" for the whole thing. Almost everyone there seems to feel "invaded" and afraid and the hate against america seems to grow every day...



Posted by: Jutman

Hi

A little in Bush defense. Its the Rep. party politics who is the problem, and personalied by the President.
Of course there is difference within the party and here is Bush belonging to the extreme-rigth wing or the CC.

Bacisally many people I know believe the CC is an American taliban, just christian.



Posted by: rob_we

Jutman
äääähm I can´t see it this way. If I don´t know whats going on in my country when im president, then i should just run for a different job. If he doesn´t know then who should. I think its hillarious. And the "christian taliban" analogy is quite what I feel too ...



Posted by: AkMike

rob_we,
In the short history of our nation we have been in many wars. Some big ones and some small ones. I haven't agreed with some of them either. But win, lose or draw the US has always helped rebuild the countrys we have fought with. The US has always helped them set up their own governments and rebuild. We have never kept countrys that we have fought.
I'm sure that the Iraqys aren't thrilled with the military there. But the mass graves weren't caused by the US.Sadam was at the helm then. Should he be punished? The new government there (not the US)has begun to bring charges against him IF the news I read is correct.
My brother is in Iraq now and from the letters I have gotten from him, he says the people are much better off now than they ever have been. Running water and electricity is available over a huge area compared to anything Sadam had in his history. Isd this a bad thing? Is teaching the little children both male and female to read bad? Girls weren't allowed in school under Sadam. I believe that eventually Iraq will have living standards equal to any western country. I hope so.



Posted by: rob_we

AkMike
Where did you get your informations from?????
The rights of women in Irak were one of the most liberal in the arabic world BEFORE the invasion.

38% Teachers
31% MDs
15% bookeepers and Managment

75% of all Iraqui women can read and write and are educated!!!!!
Women could vote, women could even be elected in the parliament! It was compulsory education for girls!!!

Look thats the problem. You guys should really get correct infos! We are not talking about taliban here, and the situation of women in Iraq was much better than the situation in maybe saudi arabia is still! Due to the invasion a new government is established that will most probably be more restrictive towards women! All women organisations in iraq are extremely worried about this. And this is what I mean. Be careful, the arab world is not only Taliban! Its actually just a small part of it. Not understanding whats really going on is one of the most problematic things if you act there as the us do. btw i doubt vietnam is now really better off, as i doubt some states in south america are that the us was involved with. Actually i think this "peace" wars that the us is doing constantly is more or less seen much too positive by many us citicens. It reminds me sometimes to the idea the russian citicens had about "freeing" eastern europe.... Just remember there were 2 blocks with different military and economical interrests. It was NEVER about charity Akmike...

btw. rape in iraq is now not punished any more... It was severly punished under Saddam!!!

to compare:
Analphabetism in us: about 20%
Analphabetism in Germany: about 4%

Test-results due to UNESCO testing...



Posted by: Jill

Here the Iraq country profile from the CIA world fact book:

Quote:
Population:
25,374,691 (July 2004 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 40.3% (male 5,198,966; female 5,039,173)
15-64 years: 56.7% (male 7,280,167; female 7,094,688)
65 years and over: 3% (male 357,651; female 404,046) (2004 est.)

Median age:
total: 19.2 years
male: 19.1 years
female: 19.3 years (2004 est.)

Population growth rate:
2.74% (2004 est.)

Birth rate:
33.09 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Death rate:
5.66 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
total: 52.71 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 58.58 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 46.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.26 years
male: 67.09 years
female: 69.48 years (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate:
4.4 children born/woman (2004 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
less than 1,000

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA

Nationality:
noun: Iraqi(s)
adjective: Iraqi

Ethnic groups:
Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian or other 5%

Religions:
Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3%

Languages:
Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 40.4%
male: 55.9%
female: 24.4% (2003 est.)


I was very surprised by the median age, especially as life expectancy is pretty decent (at least compared to, say, Russia). Although I believe that girls were allowed to attend school (could be wrong,though), you can see here that the literacy rate among females is very low.



Posted by: rob_we

Jill
these numbers are somehow contradictive to ANY other numbers I have ever read and seen on the internet and in magazines I have read. Saddam invented 1970 the compusory school system for men and women. Look up some women organisation sites. Here you will find very different numbers.
The numbers I gave, are from an official poll and published in Frankfurter Rundschau in 2004 !

Actually you could see huge discrepancies in all CIA polls (if this is really the original one (including the WMD, Al qaeda involvement, chemical weapons etc.etc....)

document info
Copyright © Frankfurter Rundschau online 2004
Dokument erstellt am 07032004 um 17:48:19 Uhr
Erscheinungsdatum 08032004/i

btw. look here thats a site from 1995... about ten years ago there were already 40% women literates (15 years after school reform) so these numbers fit much better

http://www.nationbynation.com/Iraq/Population.html

(I deliberately chose a us site to show you that something seems to be wrong with this cia report)

btw. The population of Iraq was approx. 24 mio

we know that about 1 mio kids died through the last 10 years. That gives a mortality rate of 100,000 per year.
if you estimate about 25% of the population under 18 years, we talk about 15 mio kids. If we furthermore assume that every year 1/18 of these kids are born we talk about 800,000 kids a year newborn.... So the mortalitiy rate of kids in Iraq is approx. 1/8 or higher due to other reasons. that means approx. 12% of the kids... if we can rely on the facts confirmed even by the us gov...
In fact i think its even higher...



Posted by: lolomarseille

Quote:
Originally posted by AkMike
rob_we,
In the short history of our nation we have been in many wars. Some big ones and some small ones. I haven't agreed with some of them either. But win, lose or draw the US has always helped rebuild the countrys we have fought with. The US has always helped them set up their own governments and rebuild. We have never kept countrys that we have fought.
I'm sure that the Iraqys aren't thrilled with the military there. But the mass graves weren't caused by the US.Sadam was at the helm then. Should he be punished? The new government there (not the US)has begun to bring charges against him IF the news I read is correct.
My brother is in Iraq now and from the letters I have gotten from him, he says the people are much better off now than they ever have been. Running water and electricity is available over a huge area compared to anything Sadam had in his history. Isd this a bad thing? Is teaching the little children both male and female to read bad? Girls weren't allowed in school under Sadam. I believe that eventually Iraq will have living standards equal to any western country. I hope so.


No, sorry Rob is right
arab proverb: lebanon write books, egypt print them, iraq read them
as many other so-called left( ba'ath was left in beginning) dictatures, legal rights of women, school system were "good"
same for water and electricity, wich were better than in some eastern europe country till the embargo; contrary of some others, iraq had engineers and all the stuff, half-third world country ( so the crime of saddam is worse)
CIA world factbook has a lot of problems with reality, it's not new:-))
but "any western country" please no, don't!
it's a different civilisation, really
turkey , iraq, iran, KSA, are four diffrerent systems
important to know and understand that
i've a good friend working for ..halliburton
he resigned
coz he speaks arab; better unemployed than dead



Posted by: Jill

Well, it seems that it depends who you ask. For example, UNICEF has these numbers:

Adult female literacy rate in 1990: 20%
Adult female literacy rate in 2000: 23%
Female primary school enrollment 1997-2000: 86%
Female secondary school enrolment ratio 1997-2000: 29%

Whereas WHO has this to say: The total adult literacy rate and the female adult literacy rate in 1995 were estimated at 54% and 51%, respectively.

And Dr. Abdulrahman Al-khalidy, Ph.D. says this:
Quote:
Literacy rate in Iraq? 58% literacy rate is for the overall population. There are poor tribes in the south with lower literacy rates, but there are much higher rates in other areas. For rural and nomadic groups, education is not the highest priority. Among the elite groups, the literacy rate is up to 95%.

Women in Islamic world? The Taliban has created a lot of stereotypes. This is not to imply there are no problems for women, but in many Islamic countries there are women in very high political positions and many women who are professionals, elected to parliament, etc. Rules oppressing women have more to do with culture than religion. For example, honor killing can be found in different religions and is tied more to the local culture than the religion.


So this is why I don't like statistics



Posted by: ConnerVT

Quote:
Originally posted by rob_we
btw. rape in iraq is now not punished any more... It was severly punished under Saddam!!!

Unless, of course, it was done by Saddam's sons...



Posted by: lolomarseille

perfectly true; you explained it well
saddam system was good for the minimum ( "learn to read or go to secret police") but of course the progressive ideas were not built into the traditions of the people; so
it's true that women's condition and litteracy rate are in trouble in the new iraq
BUT the problem is the building of a new society, with the willing of the majotity of the people



Posted by: lolomarseille

Quote:
Originally posted by ConnerVT
Unless, of course, it was done by Saddam's sons...


not only saddam's sons...
of course

btw, 82nd airbone(and only this unit) loosed its honor in Iraq



Posted by: rob_we

Quote:
Unless, of course, it was done by Saddam's sons...


guys lets not get ridiculous. Of course the elite can do almost whatever the want. But please don´t tell me its different in the us... I dont think so many wealthy or senators kids have ever been procecuted for rape or other things actually....

remember O.J. Simson

if you have influence, you can do whatever you want wherever you want. We won´t want to invade the us for this either, do we



Posted by: lolomarseille

and may be it's a pity ah ah !



Posted by: BradIL

Quote:
Originally posted by Jill
[B]Well, basically, this journalist (Seymour Hersh from the New Yorker-- He goes so far as to claim that they may soon raise the question of possibly pulling troops out--and Bush does not know this. He also claims that Bush's real agenda was never spelled out during the elections and, as a result, American voters made an uniformed decision when they went to the polls.


Well Sy Hersh has a bad run with credibility recently, I recall him being on the hot seat over Iraq & WMD earlier this year, it seems his info/sources didn't pan out. Meanwhile just another batch of speculative rubbish, bordering on paranoia, from the DC liberals. Pre-emptive strikes to cast any troop reductions in Iraq as a failure of Bush policy, when in fact, it could be warranted if coalition operations in Fallujah and elsewhere begin to reduce insurgent activity.

American voters uninformed? No, they are very well informed. The parade of developments since June, 2003 have been staggering. Saddam negotiating with a North Korea for a missle system & missle production system virtually off the shelf. Sarin shells, anthrax, seeking to purchase 'yellowcake' in Niger. A parade of vehicles hustling God knows what into Syria while Saddam buys time acting as if inspectors will be permitted to return before the invasion (when US liberals are calling for the umpteenth last chance for Saddam to comply with the armistice agreement).

And Sen. John Kerry in all this? He sticks by the intelligence of the moment, changes as it changes, is so indecisive and unconfident on how to deal with Saddam that he can't make a clear decision. The man waffles so much there isn't a tryant in the world that can't play him like a piano.

That's why I voted for George W. Bush.

It would behoove you all to read "The Iraqi War Reader", especially an essay by Christopher Hitchens on what he sees as the coming civil war in Islam. Its enlightening.



Posted by: BradIL

Quote:
Originally posted by lolomarseille
perfectly true; you explained it well
saddam system was good for the minimum ( "learn to read or go to secret police") but of course the progressive ideas were not built into the traditions of the people; so
it's true that women's condition and litteracy rate are in trouble in the new iraq
BUT the problem is the building of a new society, with the willing of the majotity of the people


Wait a minute!!! 'Progressive ideas not built into traditions of the people'. Incorrect! Prior to the Baathist seizure of power in 1969, Iraq had a budding middle class, in fact, I recall its per capita income was among the highest of any nation in the Middle East. Literacy was quite strong among the populations in most of the cities, major administrative regions. It suffered greatly among some tribal communities & in the Kurdish areas.

Which is raises an interesting point. Jill, I would ask you & others to try and find the standards for the statistical surveys you cite. There are probably varying standards, and what demographic groups are being surveyed will, of course, generate substantially different results.

If the standards are in the arabic language only, you must remember that the Kurds, and some ethnic Turks in the north may have never had any instruction in arabic. Turkish is used widely when you head north out of the middle east thanks to the Ottoman sultans.

And the survey sample is critically important, if its weighed too heavily from the standard tribal groups in most of the Iraq's large urban areas, you are going to get different results. Statistics are very accurate as long as you understand the nature of the sample they represent.



Posted by: BradIL

Quote:
Originally posted by lolomarseille
not only saddam's sons...
of course btw, 82nd airbone(and only this unit) loosed its honor in Iraq


Well wrong is wrong, but when Odai is pulling women off the street and taking them to the pleasure palace for his gratification, using the Fedayeen/Army to procure them, on a frequent basis I would say it's far different than isolated acts of an unworthy soldier or two.



Posted by: BradIL

Quote:
Originally posted by lolomarseille
CIA world factbook has a lot of problems with reality, it's not new:-))
but "any western country" please no, don't!
it's a different civilisation, really
turkey , iraq, iran, KSA, are four diffrerent systems
important to know and understand that[/i]


Well if there are factual problems lolo, correct them.

Four different systems??? How about four different cultures & people, four different languages, four different histories spanning thousands of years??? I think its a little more than systems.



Posted by: lolomarseille

nice you know that
yes

about systems; european or may be "western "one

latin american

for our case:

gulf one(islamic conservative)Iraqi one ( like syria, egypt, etc: arab dictature)

iranian one: islamic republic ( society is much more opened)

turkey; western one, even if it looks latin american sometimes



Posted by: lolomarseille

Quote:
Originally posted by BradIL
Well wrong is wrong, but when Odai is pulling women off the street and taking them to the pleasure palace for his gratification, using the Fedayeen/Army to procure them, on a frequent basis I would say it's far different than isolated acts of an unworthy soldier or two.


you know, i was in Yugoslavia during the war, working for UNHCR
when european soldiers were 25 km from front lines, and americans on their boats, me i was on mountains roads, checking if they were mined, and in combat zones, so, about the military, well i respect people who accept to be killed for their country, but i did the same for free and for y idea of mankind
so, not so much people involved, and i still have good informations
the 82nd has a serious command and discipline problem, it's strange for an elite division, and especially they used to steal all the iraqi's money, and rapes occured
( no trust in bank with saddam, everything in the house;for the women, you knew that already)
about the way to occupy Iraq, check english press; english soldiers disagree harder and harder with the american methods
i speak about methods to enforce law and order, no moral values in this point



Posted by: rob_we

hey everybody
I know everybody expects this from me anyway, so I will fulfil the expectations and post a link to an article in Moscow Times...
By Chris Floyd
Published: November 5, 2004

http://context.themoscowtimes.com/s.../11/05/120.html

read what quite some people think in europe about the election.

Warning! This is quite radical.... but Im expected to be radical as well so...



Posted by: BradIL

Quote:
Originally posted by lolomarseille---english soldiers disagree harder and harder with the american methods
i speak about methods to enforce law and order, no moral values in this point


There may be some disagreement, but I believe the situation is quite different than the English see in the Southern Iraq. In fact, most of you don't see that much of what occurs in the Sunni triangle is due to foreign fighters who are vigorous elements in the insurgency,. Very few reporters are accurately describing the situation. The US is acting properly and prudently to try and prevent the "Lebanonization" of Central Iraq. Now I would ask what French policy would be in this respect, but I believe I know.

1) As with the Ivory Coast, force a sitting government to share power with rebels hell-bent on destroying the sitting government & violently oppressing that government's supporters.

2) Nothing--- wait to see who gets in power--- don't worry if the new leaders massacre millions--- get the pumping oil--- start taking bribes again--- see if we can get them to pay back the money they owe French business & the government.

Lolo--- I'm very skeptical of any criticism coming from anyone in France. UNHCR is doing what for the millions of black Muslims fighting to stay alive in Darfur province in Sudan? Waiting for americans to guard any food & medicine shipments to the people who need them. In fact didn't UNHCR officials pull out of Darfur recently?

Lolo--- France & much of Europe gains credibility if you will PLEASE stabilize the situation in Bosnia. Now don't do the usual French routine of proposing something, getting agreement, & not doing any follow-up work. Let's try to get Serb-related violence under control this time before it erupts into a major disaster. And whatever plan France proposes, STICK IT WITH IT THIS TIME!



Posted by: BradIL

Quote:
Originally posted by lolomarseille:
the 82nd has a serious command and discipline problem, it's strange for an elite division, and especially they used to steal all the iraqi's money, and rapes occured



Well if you are referring to the crates of billions of dollars that was discovered during the invasion of 2003, the French don't need to throw stones at glass houses.

Let's be forthright & see who in France was taking bribes from Saddam from the UN Oil for Food program. Money that was supposed to be feeding hungry Iraqis.

Command & discipline problem? I think not. I don't think a UNHCR worker understands the nature of the work of combat division that is thrown into very ugly situations. Incidentally, the rape cases are alleged, not proven.



Posted by: rob_we

Quote:
France & much of Europe gains credibility if you will PLEASE stabilize the situation in Bosnia. Now don't do the usual French routine of proposing something, getting agreement, & not doing any follow-up work. Let's try to get Serb-related violence under control this time before it erupts into a major disaster. And whatever plan France proposes, STICK IT WITH IT THIS TIME!


Brad you right with this follow up problems. Actually this was another reason why lots of european politicians, (exept Berlusconi and Blair of course) thought the Iraq war just adds more problems instead of solving some. Yes its true we have the problem in former yugoslavia, severe problems in Afghanistan, and lots of other places in the world (Chechenia). The money it costs to do a propper follow up is immense. (I know what I´m talking about! Germany did the follow up for former eastern germany and thats actually a piece of cake not even comparable to Iraq). Us wont pay and won´t have the money for Irak. This is why its important to stop NOW, actually yesterday, otherwise parts of the world will be thrown in Anachy and will be THE breeding regions what is called now the new enemy of civilisation.
Again look at israel and their politlcs. The made a total desaster, and they gained?... nothing! Just the possibility to be blown up everytime they use a bus or go and eat some icecream....



Posted by: lolomarseille

Quote:
Originally posted by BradIL
Well if you are referring to the crates of billions of dollars that was discovered during the invasion of 2003, the French don't need to throw stones at glass houses.

Let's be forthright & see who in France was taking bribes from Saddam from the UN Oil for Food program. Money that was supposed to be feeding hungry Iraqis.

Command & discipline problem? I think not. I don't think a UNHCR worker understands the nature of the work of combat division that is thrown into very ugly situations. Incidentally, the rape cases are alleged, not proven.


it's you who doesn't understand
in modern war, the safer place is to be soldier
as good war journalists( not embedded), UN workers see more and know more, coz they're(i'm no more) between the front lines and in guerillas countryside
your point on food for oil program is irrelevant, as a i wrote before, i don't go back
about money; i was talking about robbery in the houses, seems you do not understand; it's awfull for enforcing military law and order happens problems like that; the goal by occupying the country is to win the hearts, guerillas are a police problem
hopefully, US attacked falluja; making a stronghold for ennemies was an enormous error, i hope they will capture some, but i'm afraid it's too late



Posted by: lolomarseille

Quote:
Originally posted by BradIL
There may be some disagreement, but I believe the situation is quite different than the English see in the Southern Iraq. In fact, most of you don't see that much of what occurs in the Sunni triangle is due to foreign fighters who are vigorous elements in the insurgency,. Very few reporters are accurately describing the situation. The US is acting properly and prudently to try and prevent the "Lebanonization" of Central Iraq. Now I would ask what French policy would be in this respect, but I believe I know.

1) As with the Ivory Coast, force a sitting government to share power with rebels hell-bent on destroying the sitting government & violently oppressing that government's supporters.

2) Nothing--- wait to see who gets in power--- don't worry if the new leaders massacre millions--- get the pumping oil--- start taking bribes again--- see if we can get them to pay back the money they owe French business & the government.

Lolo--- I'm very skeptical of any criticism coming from anyone in France. UNHCR is doing what for the millions of black Muslims fighting to stay alive in Darfur province in Sudan? Waiting for americans to guard any food & medicine shipments to the people who need them. In fact didn't UNHCR officials pull out of Darfur recently?

Lolo--- France & much of Europe gains credibility if you will PLEASE stabilize the situation in Bosnia. Now don't do the usual French routine of proposing something, getting agreement, & not doing any follow-up work. Let's try to get Serb-related violence under control this time before it erupts into a major disaster. And whatever plan France proposes, STICK IT WITH IT THIS TIME!


ther main difference between us, it's that for me, when my country is wrong, is wrong
so for yugoslavia i'm on your side( more exactly you're on mine)
i remember during kosovo bombing, i was laughin on my leftist friends"hey hey, we bomb with american, will you join slobodan?"
bosnia is working, the problems is in kosovo now, as in 1987.
(do you know the only success of CIA is in world report 89; they wrote that yugoslavia will collapse, nobody belived them)

Sudan?
lifeline sudan has its 20th birthday
UN( WFP, french doctors, Oxfam) is in darfour too
wr could be solution yes ( i hear the yellings, but it's true)

on cote d'ivoire, well, president gbagbo is really like milosevic, destroying the country for staying in power
some say that he's US-backed
but cacao is now traded by US companies, it's a place where muslims are killed by christians and US govt is intersted to defend them, for showing that US are not against muslims ( wich is obvious;bosnia, kosovo, makedonia)
a CIA officer was killed with french troops in bouake
so the situation is not stable
general withdrawal of french troops, with south african coming could be a solution
for usa, if you have interest in africa, wich is new, i suggest you land first closer; in liberia, one of the darkest holes of the world
....



Posted by: lolomarseille

Quote:
Originally posted by Vyesna
Well...I don't really buy that. The American War of Independence ended way before British troops were tied up against the French in large-scale battles, so if there was such an urge to recapture the land they could have started well before the French Revolution. I think, and my British history professor who is one of the foremost in her field (Linda Colley) thought that it was more like an 18th century Vietnam for the British-- just not worth it in the end. However, I will grant your theory may apply in some degree to the defeat of the British in the War of 1812.

I think you just messed up the dates and are covering-- na na na.

BTW, I'm teasing, but if you find teasing boring (which is itself boring), I'll stop.



well, gentleman, in this war between anglosaxons, let the froggy open his mouth?
Eryk was right but unclear; the real independance of usa is after 1812/14 war, when new england merchants, under the english embargo, put their money into the building of a genuine industrial basis and really escaped from europe; from 1783 to 1812, young usa lived with international trade and failed into european mess ( war with france:98;tripoli too) several times, as washington feared



Posted by: BradIL

Quote:
Originally posted by lolomarseille: the real independance of usa is after 1812/14 war, when new england merchants, under the english embargo, put their money into the building of a genuine industrial basis and really escaped from europe;


Lolo--- I simply cannot agree with this view of history. A mountain of facts suggests differently, and the US War of 1812 is given a level of importance it simply does not deserve.

The financial problems the US faced from the revolution were largely solved at this point, Thomas Jefferson expanded the country from the purchase of land from France, there is & has been an agriculture surplus by 1812, and a vigorous trade with europe. The biggest problem for the US prior to this war is Jean Laffite & the pirates in the Carribean & the Gulf of Mexico.

In fact, the companies that are financing development of the Louisiana Purchase are active & moving ahead, war or no war, and from what I read these folks could care less what the US problems with the UK are.

Look the US is really getting its legs at this point. In a few years the great debate over the Bank of the United States emerges, the age of Jacksonian democracy, I mean this war is just so pitifully a non-event. If there's any period that shows the US really getting its feet under it--- its during the administration of Thomas Jefferson. So many important decisions are made then. I don't see where historians find all this... hubris... to justify the war. Its just a freaky thing of US history.

The big event around this period is the national road. Which, if not complete, has big parts of it complete that is sending people west from Cumberland, MD to Vandalia, IL. Illinois is not even a state yet, but there are people streaming across it at this point.



Posted by: bdoug71

Quote:
Originally posted by BradIL
Lolo--- I simply cannot agree with this view of history. A mountain of facts suggests differently, and the US War of 1812 is given a level of importance it simply does not deserve.

The financial problems the US faced from the revolution were largely solved at this point, Thomas Jefferson expanded the country from the purchase of land from France, there is & has been an agriculture surplus by 1812, and a vigorous trade with europe. The biggest problem for the US prior to this war is Jean Laffite & the pirates in the Carribean & the Gulf of Mexico.

In fact, the companies that are financing development of the Louisiana Purchase are active & moving ahead, war or no war, and from what I read these folks could care less what the US problems with the UK are.

Look the US is really getting its legs at this point. In a few years the great debate over the Bank of the United States emerges, the age of Jacksonian democracy, I mean this war is just so pitifully a non-event. If there's any period that shows the US really getting its feet under it--- its during the administration of Thomas Jefferson. So many important decisions are made then. I don't see where historians find all this... hubris... to justify the war. Its just a freaky thing of US history.

The big event around this period is the national road. Which, if not complete, has big parts of it complete that is sending people west from Cumberland, MD to Vandalia, IL. Illinois is not even a state yet, but there are people streaming across it at this point.


I agree with both. We were becoming independant at this time but what 1812 did for us was to show England that we were no longer subjects of the common wealth. Prior to 1812 the British Navy was impressing US citizens into thier Navy from frieghters sailing in international waters. We fought the war to end this and show that we were no longer subects of the King.

Bruce D



Posted by: BradIL

Good point Bruce---impressment was a problem---among other things.

Hey the British burned the White House... so the war did have a couple of colorful gimmicks connected with it.

The story of Jean Laffite is a favorite of mine (who may well be buried somewhere near STL-perhaps in the town where I live).

As is the prospectors who came into... what is now the Shawnee National Forest... looking for gold in Southern Illinois. If you ever find any, let us know.



Posted by: lolomarseille

( yeah; i'm french; on holidays till 12th, and as i live on riviera, russians come)

it's the thesis about 1812 war in french history books; real independance of USA

the foreign look on national history is always funny

i discovered that you americans did not had this point of view, it's very interesting

L.



Posted by: BradIL

Quote:
Originally posted by lolomarseilleit's the thesis about 1812 war in french history books; real independance of USA
the foreign look on national history is always funny
i discovered that you americans did not had this point of view, it's very interestingL.


Oh lolo--- we had great debates about this war in high school & college classes on american history. I am one who finds this war to be one full of contradictions and misperceptions. The very acts that were supposed to be the impetous for the war were solved just before its start, but slow travel made communication impossible. President Thomas Jefferson (my ***favorite*** american) tried to keep the US out of conflict but failed, and it came at such an odd time in our history, when economic growth was really starting to move forward in dramatic fashion.

Well what do modern historians do with this strange series of events? They look for reason, perhaps infer thoughts that did not exist. The War of 1812 has to be one of the most bizarre events in American history. When it was over no one really knew what to do, so shortly thereafter the american monroe doctrine is established, everybody gets back to exporting tobbacco, cotton and rice from the US. the shipbuilders in New England resume their vigorous trade, and british money continues to pour into the US! Its as if everybody wanted to forget this happened. Of course the British navy stopped impressing/taking american sailors-merchantmen, so everything was fine.

But history professors are paid to write and reason. I guess they have done all they can with the War of 1812 without pushing their academic credibility too far.

I find it very interesting that French schools teach this was the start of american independence, in a significant sense. Perhaps French historians are struggling to find a justification for this war as american historians do. Good post lolo. ---Brad///



Posted by: lolomarseille

yes they struggling!
always looking for reasons!
coz human stupidity worth nothing in historical analysis ( specially for marxists)
L



Posted by: Alinka

"Independance"

Even in the beginning of the 19. century the declaration of "independance" seemed to mark the beginning of a new period of fights for resources and land in other countries. Some wars are just fought for helping a nation recognize that they are a nation. It is for creating a sense of unity and shared interests. At least, in the old times, I believe that this is how it was.




"Emotions are wild horses."
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