airdvr

Several times I've heard commercials on XM. I almost didn't notice it at first but a couple of times I'm like "hey...wtf?" Seriously thinking about voting with my wallet. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

the loss in value of the $US in world currency markets. That too will affect you. http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=business&id=5668191 When the United States dropped its rate, other banks did not follow. Now the spread between the interest rate at the European Central Bank (home of the euro) and the Federal Reserve (home of the dollar) is smaller than it has traditionally been, and that has weakened the value of the dollar against the euro. Second, central banks around the world have been diversifying their holdings away from dollars to euros, British pounds and so on. That means there are more dollars out there in currency markets available to purchase. More dollars floating around means diminished value. The news is mixed. It's good, because it makes what we produce here cheaper to sell in foreign markets, and that in turn spurs exports of our products around the world. That translates into more manufacturing and more jobs. For example, BMW and Mercedes Benz want to build cars in the United States, because they can do it cheaper in nonunion states than in Germany, where they'd pay labor and parts in euros, and then bring the cars to the United States, where they would be too expensive to sell at a profit. The free market system at work. Like water, it will always seek it's own level. It has little to do with our "standing" in the world. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

If you're not saying our standing hasn't diminished on account of the war, are you admitting that it has diminished? Not sure what the question is here. Do I agree our standing has diminished because of the war? I'd say yes. Aren't you affected by the incredible waste of resources involved in the war? You view them differently than I do. Government waste has always existed...war or no war. I'll always be affected by it...so will you. If you're saying the war and the dollars spent are a waste I disagree Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Well, since doing the right thing obviously doesn't matter, maybe your own self-interest does. You wouldn't owe YOUR share of the cost of a $TRILLION war. How does that relate to our standing in the world John? Try to stay focused on the topic please. Knew I'd have fun with this. You don't think invading and occupying a sovereign nation under false premises affects the USA's standing among the other nations of the world? Your opinion...duly noted. You don't think killing tens of thousands of civilians in that nation affects the USA's standing in the world? Last time I checked it wasn't the US detonating bombs in markets. You don't think holding citizens of that nation without trial, and torturing some of them, affects the USA's standing in the world? Citizens? Enemy combatants. You don't think imposing a subservient puppet government on that nation affects the USA's standing in the world? Subservient government? As opposed to a brutal dictatorship? You're views on the 4 points you made are well documented. As are mine. I'm not saying that our standing hasn't diminished. I'm saying I really don't care about our "standing" in the world. It makes no difference to me. Why do I care what the other countries of the world "think & feel" about the US? Hell, someone a couple of posts ago felt bad cause some little Iranian girl doesn't like us. There's enough to worry about without worrying about how other nations feel about us. Leave that crap to a group session. Slick Willy was so concerned about our "standing" that all he was willing to do was fire off a few cruise missiles. Imagine what would have happened if Geo H.W. was so worried about our standing that he let Saddam invade Kuwait. He made his famous "this will not stand" speech without worrying about who he pissed off. The "oh my gosh, they won't like us doing that" crowd is a big reason we are where we are today. I've seen where worrying about our standing gets us. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Which countries are 5 top recipients of US direct foreign aid (not even counting Iraq)? In 2006 it was Israel, Egypt, Pakistan, Columbia & Jordan in that order In what form does that vast majority of that foreign aid take? Military aid...most of it to Israel and Egypt. What percentage of the US's GDP goes to foreign aid? A very small percentage. Where does the US rank w/r/t assistance as percentage for foreign aid compared other states? Something like 17th? But it's 1st in total dollars. For the first time since Dwight Eisenhower was President, the US will be the second largest (in absolute amount) donor to the World Bank. The UK now surpasses the US contribution. China now contributes to the World Bank as a (albeit small) donor. U.S. officials stressed that the increase in their pledge was the biggest in three decades. The United States, which provided $22.7 billion in development assistance last year, remains the world's most generous nation in foreign aid. But analysts and some critics described the U.S. fall to No. 2 in IDA pledges as part of a trend, particularly during the Bush administration, of emphasizing bilateral channels that provide greater accountability and more flexibility in promoting U.S. interests overseas. Some have pointed to the Millennium Challenge Corp., the federal agency created in 2004 to lend to poor countries determined to have solid records on "good governance" and "economic freedom." I'm good with this. There are many countries who haven't seen much if any improvement after decades of aid. It's not the peoples fault, it's most definitley their governance. I think it's very telling that people start squeaking if the bank vault door closes just a bit. Here's a intellectually provocative Op-Ed, originally published in the Washington Times, which argues: "if you look at which nation benefits most from foreign subsidies, the U.S. would come out on top by a very wide margin." I disagree with some of Rahn's underlying thesis, but he does provide something about which to think, regarding net benefit of 'foreign aid.' VR/Marg A good article but I think he's confusing world markets with foreign aid, or at least he's lumping them together. I'll never un derstand why someone thinks it's a bad thing if we benefit from a trade agreement. Lord know we've taken it on the chin with some of them. A wise old man once told me it's better to trade with a country than fight them. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Are you ok with US soldiers being tortured? Do you approve of torture as a tool for information that is ok to be used by both sides? Or do you just believe as long as we are doing it it’s ok, but if any one else does it to us they are evil? I'm not OK with it. I'm also not OK with world hunger, oppressive dictatorships, and the designated hitter rule. Because I'm not OK with any of it doesn't mean it's not going to occur. It's an ugly world out there kids...better run for cover. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

On May 16, 1997, the surviving participants of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and the members of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study Legacy Committee gathered at the White House and witnessed the President's apology on behalf of the United States goverment. http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/library/wdc-lib/historical/medical_history/bad_blood/apology.cfm To acknowledge the 100th anniversary of the January 17, 1893 overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii, and to offer an apology to Native Hawaiians on behalf of the United States for the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii. http://www.hawaii-nation.org/publawsum.html “The United States of America apologizes to Mr. Brandon Mayfield and his family for the suffering caused” by his mistaken arrest, the government’s apology began. It added that the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which erroneously linked him to the Madrid bombs through a fingerprinting mistake, had taken steps “to ensure that what happened to Mr. Mayfield and the Mayfield family does not happen again.” http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/30/us/30settle.html?_r=1&oref=slogin Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

On that I concur. Radical Islamists/members of the global salafists 'hate' me a lot more: independent, educated, feisty female! VR/Marg Oh it's worse than that. You wouldn't be who you are if they had their say. Edited to add: No. This has been so frequently debunked. Torture does not lead to actionable intelligence I have to disagree here. We wouldn't be discussing it's use of it wasn't somewhat actionable. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

wow. sad, and telling. Too funny! We're now concerned with how Iranians "feel" about us. HAHA Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

I'm not disagreeing that the world view of the US has declined. I know it has. I'm saying I don't think it's a big a problem as some do, and I really don't give a rat's ass about what other countries think of us. If they really don't like us they should decline our aid. I don't see any of them saying "no, we don't like you. Take your financial aid and stick it up your ass." Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Really? Sad that FDR got involved in WWII? Sad that Truman used a nuke on Japan? Cuban missile crisis was wrong? C'mon. Revisionist historians will always spin things to fit their views. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Well, since doing the right thing obviously doesn't matter, maybe your own self-interest does. You wouldn't owe YOUR share of the cost of a $TRILLION war. How does that relate to our standing in the world John? Try to stay focused on the topic please. Knew I'd have fun with this. The greatest critics of America are often Americans, forever striving to improve every sector of its national life. America is not above criticism, but it remains a nation that is by far the most dynamic, most innovative, most devoted to the rule of law and equality for all its citizens. Americans need not worry much about “restoring” our standing among the nations of the world. We are held in very good standing, thank you. http://www.usadaily.com/article.cfm?articleID=183759 Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Most dramatically: when the Soviet Union broke up, the US became the lone superpower. More recently: as part of GWOT - the invasion of Iraq, Abu Ghraib, ‘extraordinary rendition,’ and Guantanamo. Fair enough. But what about the Iran hostages in 1979? Pan AM 103? Achille Lauro? The list goes on and on. All of it prior to the fall of the USSR. Why is it a problem now and not then? EDITED to add: it's a legitimate question that deserves a response. "Why should America's standing matter?" From a 100k perspective: From a capitalist perspective, it’s a globalized world out there. Markets. According to the Department of State foreign investment $1.5 trillion on a historical cost basis or, as of 2006, $2.7 trillion at market value of publicly traded firms. They hate us but they keep investing here. Bill provided the domestic national security and the foreign deployment reasons. From a normative (moral) perspective, it’s President Reagan’s invocation John Winthrop’s vision for America to be that “shining city on a hill.” It was President Reagan, who in March 1989, called the U.N.’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights (which was led to adoption (w/out dissent) by Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt): “For people of good will around the world, that document is more than just words: It's a global testament of humanity, a standard by which any humble person on Earth can stand in judgment of any government on Earth.” So it's only the US that doesn't adhere to this doctrine? We're the only country open enough to reveal what we're doing. Is it right? I can't answer that. Necessary...perhaps. I can assure you that if it was my son or daughter in harm's way and we had someone who knew details that would save their lives I'd be standing by at the faucet ready to fill the tank for the waterboarding excercise. VR/Marg Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Let's assume we needed to "work" on our standing in the world (I don't) What would be different? Why should I be concerned about it? When did our "standing" change? Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

OK. Take a look outside where the cable comes into the house. You'll probably see one of 2 things. Either they simply disconnected the cable somewhere before it enters the house or they've installed a filter. I haven't been in the biz for a long time so I might be wrong, but I doubt they diconnected it at the pole. Simply re-connect the cable or remove the filter. I'm sure there's someone else who knows more on here. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Kucinich#Cleveland_Mayoralty.2C_1977.E2.80.931979 In the book Best and Worst of the Big-City Leaders, 1820–1993, Melvin G. Holli, in consultation with a panel of experts, placed Kucinich among the ten worst big-city mayors of all time for reasons of temperament and performance... He certainly "livened" things up as mayor of Cleveland. I remember the town under this asshat. I'm sure he's hoping people will forget what a terrible job he did. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

My '03 Bonneville's sucks. Not accurate at all. The miles to empty reading is so far off it's laughable. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

yeah I have contributed a little to sexual threads here, its fun.. and Im a huge flirt... but actual contact, that is reserved for my man!!! as evidenced by the statement above no doubt Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Ummm...I found this on another post by you... I would have to go with no becuase Im dating someone who gives great spankings Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Pussy problems Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

I don't know the answer...but I can just imagine you trying to explain that to a statey. Just get a license from somewhere and avoid the potential for trouble. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

...or has the tone around the bonfire gotten more sexual as of late? I think y'all need to get some! Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

It's been my experience that women are more inclined to cheat as they get older because the men in their life aren't paying attention to them anymore. I think for men it's craving variety or conquest...for women it's craving attention or intimacy. I was divorced a little over 4 years ago. (wife cheated, not me). I was amazed at how many women there are in their late 30's and early 40's whose husband/boyfriend had left them behind for a younger model. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

This morning I wish I didn't drink Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne