mikkey

People seem to forget the human cost to all of this (and maybe a reason why there are so many people pissed off with the US in Iraq). Caption for the attached picture is: "An Iraqi doctor treats a wounded two-year-old boy after he was brought to the hospital when his house collapsed during an air raid in Fallujah. " --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

What I can’t understand is why the US seems to make it a hassle to vote. Firstly the voting is done on a working day – when many other countries do it on a week-end. Also, from the TV coverage it looked like that you had to queue for a very long time to get to vote, which indicates to me that there often are not enough polling stations or polling booths. I could imagine that many people would not vote for this reason? --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Hmmmm, did he have help? Looks like being wired? --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

You are making exactly the same mistake Bush does – you are so damn sure you understand the “Arab street” when you don’t. You seem to know what Iraqis and other Muslims are thinking, but what is actually is happening is clearly showing that the Bush administration does not understand how these people are thinking and how they react to the US actions and policies. Do you ever try to listen to non-American sources? Have you tried to listen to Journalists and observers from the Middle East and South Asia? If you did, you would find that they are making exactly some of the points I was making. But you and Bush want only to listen to what you want to hear. That is exactly the reason why the US got it wrong on pre-war intelligence (WMD’s) and post war strategy. They only did listen to Chalabi & Co. who were saying what they thought the Americans wanted to hear and what was helping their particular agenda. The cultural, political and religious issues are far more complex then you portrait. And yes the Palestinian problem is extremely difficult, but it is still the key, and involving Muslim countries – including those in South Asia – is likewise difficult. But this is exactly the reason why the invasion was a major mistake in the way it was done and triggered the mess we are finding now. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

The great mistake posters on this site and the Bush administration are making is not to try to understand the way the Muslim world is thinking. Kerry made a very good point during the debate about “reaching out’ to the Muslim world as a way to combat terrorism. With its actions the US is actually supporting the radicals instead of the moderates. People have to understand that the Palestinian problem is a festering wound in the Muslim “mind”. The issue and the US support for Israel has been the best recruiter for Al Qaeda for many years. If you really want to address the issue of terrorism, you need to solve the Palestinian issue – however difficult it is. If a settlement can be found, it would strengthen the moderates and take most of the wind out of the terrorists’ sails in way of general support. Iraq has become the new issue these radicals are using. Muslims – no matter how much they despised Saddam – see the Iraq issue as an occupation and an attack by the west against Muslims. So invading Iraq without a broad coalition that included Arab countries (like Gulf War 1) was a major mistake and is not combating terrorism but increasing it. The worst consequence is that the moderate forces in the Islamic world are being weakened and if you really want to combat OBL & Co. you need moderate Muslim governments to be strong and supportive. Bush talks a lot about Kerry changing positions. What he forgets is that you need to develop your position as you go along and when reality is different from what was initially assumed. Bush’s inability to adapt to changed circumstances (which he clearly demonstrated in the debate) is very bad foreign policy. I found it interesting how Iraqis blamed the US for the bomb attacks by terrorists that killed all those children a few days ago. This clearly demonstrates how failed the current strategy is faring. The Iraqi issue has to be “internationalised” and Arab countries have to be a big part of that or you have a messy situation on you hand for years to come. Bush’s inability to change position is very similar to the mistakes US administrations made during the Vietnam War. Just my 2 C looking in from the outside. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Yeah, often happens in the Grand Final. It is the last game and if you get suspended you serve it early next season - so the boys get quite aggressive. Was a good fast game with lots of great goals. And in regard to difference between Aussie Rules and Rugby (union and League). Very different sport. The boys are not as big as these plaeyers but it is a much faster game and they run much more so you cant be built like a fridge - you need to able to turn and run faster and you have to be able to jump high to mark the ball. Still a very physical game. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

If you guys want to see some "real" football with no fancy protection - check if your local TV shows the AFL Grand Final from Melbourne. It starts in a couple of hours and is always a great occasion. This year it is the Brisbane Lions against Port Adelaide. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Good points. Depends which political culture you are in. Here in Australia for example the Liberal party are the conservatives. Also, what is "left" or "right" depends on the social structures and traditions of society. Where i live I would be seen (and vote) as a conservative. If I was an American my views would be seen to be "liberal". American society is in general far more conservative then other "western" countries and their political spectrum is set far more to the "right". The one thing I find disturbing is the zeal and "hate" I see from the "right wingers" in this forum. Very difficult to have constructive debates. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Because they are? Down here we call people rednecks if they are racist and bigotted... Not because they like country music and wear a hat... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Just a few points: - I remember Atlanta in 96 and and a few people I know had the same impression as me – that it was the most biased home crowd they had seen at an Olympics. They were only cheering for the US and did not acknowledge great performances by other athletes – even booing them if they beat an American. - Some of those I discussed this with were in Atlanta at the time and one of the tings they noticed was that the US media ignored events without American medal winners. - The antics and arrogance of some US athletes (e.g. the 4*100 M track relay in Sydney and the “dream teams” behaviour and special treatment) do not endear the US team to spectators from other Nations. - It is quite common (and natural) that people think that the place (country/state) they come from is the best place on Earth. However, it seems to me that many Americans have strong “tunnel vision” when it comes to other countries and cultures – i.e. are less interested and accepting. - This attitude does perpetuate a perception of American arrogance and disrespect to other athletes/countries, hence why Americans are not very well liked by many. - Phelps is a good example. His statements pre-games have not come across very well internationally. Hence the “glee” when the relay team he was on did loose to the South Africans. - Before complaining that America is the SOB of the world, Americans might want to ask themselves why that is. And if your answer is that the reason is “envy” (i.e. America is so much better then everything else) – then you are part of the reason why so many are “rooting” against the Americans – arrogance. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

This is a complex issue and things (as in most things) are not black and white. I do agree that the "greens" have over simplified the issue. I can recommend to read some of the stuff the skeptical environmentalists and Dr. Bjorn Lomborg have written. Good starting point is www.lomborg.com Lomborg's take is that there are problems with global warming and pollution, but that the priorities and actions are wrong. He did a study that showed that if Kyoto is fully implemented it would only have a minor effect on global warming and suggests that other measures for the same amount of cost would have far better effect for the environment. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

This comes from that most people visiting France only go to Paris. Parisians are quite rude. If you visits the rest of the country you find most French are nice people . It is a littel like visiting NY and judging the manners of all Americans on that. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

It would be nice if people would not do that but behave in the same way as in a face to face conversation. Find the tone in many posts far too aggressive and insulting for a constructive discussion. Right Tuna? --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Seems to me quite a few people on this board would enjoy living under fundamentalist Islamic law (like under the Taleban). They have the same approach to punishment. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

We have - that is why you are not allowed to kill people except in self-defence. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Nobody independently has confirmed the extend of the injuries. I have seen TV coverage of her (that is more then you have) and told you that IMO she did not look like somebody with "a split open skull". Also mentioned that we need to await the findings of the investigation. Now cut down on that coffee intake. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Start to read a little more than the front page, ok? All right then - only had a quick look. It's late here. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Yes. Read the posts. The claims of the extend of her injuries has not been confirmed. Ok...read it three times to make sure I didn't miss something. Was there a comment there about her injuries? Hmmm, here some samples from posts of mine: --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Yes. Read the posts. The claims of the extend of her injuries has not been confirmed. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

For what its worth. That fucker deserved what he got. He beat a woman for money and did quite a lot of damage to her. She was beaten and in my opinion totaly JUSTIFIED in killing him. Interesting. So people who attack other people and take money should be sentenced to death? Alternatively, if you get robbed and bashed you have the right to kill the robber? Sounds like the type of system you guys had in the early days in the "Wild West" - thought you had progressed from that. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Had a look and mostly non-US media reporting the issue of how old the intel is. Had a quick look at Fox News web site. Full of terror threat stories, Could not find a story that talks about the age of the intel behind the alert. Interesting...... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

System is somewhat different from the US (and don't ask me for details - I am not an expert). At this stage she is charged by the police. The system in regard to prosecution is different I think. First step is is to charge, then there is a court hearing where a judge looks at all the facts gathered and then decides if there is enough evidence to proceed to a full trial (AFAIK). When somebody shoots another person in this way they always would be initially charged. Does not mean it goes to trial. Here is an article: The court hearing above would not be the final trial I think (only if she pleads guilty).AFAIK. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Just read this on the BBC. I hope that what is inferred is not true. How likely is it that this very specific alert was put out for political reasons? http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3530358.stm --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

WTF - have you been drinking too much coffee? Based on the law of the country she has to be charged. Read the posts before going mental. I said that and said it is up to the courts to determine the facts and if she should be convicted and if convicted which penalty. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

You are assuming things. Have you seen pics of her? Have you seen the TV interview? She had stitches in her face and some colouring around the eyes. No "split open skull". Are you basing your posts on one tabloid article? Relax man. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.