freethefly

Nice little PA, Mike. How childish. I'm done with this thread as all to often it comes down personal attacks, which I am also guilty of. I much rather stay off of that road. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

If you had actually read any of the HC proposal you would know that the government would not be providing the healthcare, only setting regulations for the provision of healthcare. Changes are long overdue. The problems at JCVA has been going on for years. If you want to see a real mess, take a look at the Jefferson Barracks VA in St. Louis. It's disgusting. Yes, I'm sure it will be so much different than the V.A. Would you rather see a complete deregulation of the insurance market? Guidelines are needed and people in place to make sure that the guide is followed. People who are not doing their job waste money. Such is the case at the JCVA. The people who dropped the ball will end up costing the taxpayers thousands of dollars. Dollars that would had been put to a better use. The HC bill is far from perfect, but there are provisions in place to remove what does not work. Over time the bill could be tweaked so that it works for everyone. What we have now is a mess. This bill is, at least, a start towards something good. Would you rather prefer the status quo? "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Golly gee, little Mikey, maybe you should use more up to date information (Hint: you really need to enter the real world to find it.) So much of what you post has been discounted as there is no proof that there was ever a working relationship between Bin Laden and Saddam. http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/terror/RL32217.pdf "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

If you had actually read any of the HC proposal you would know that the government would not be providing the healthcare, only setting regulations for the provision of healthcare. Changes are long overdue. The problems at JCVA has been going on for years. If you want to see a real mess, take a look at the Jefferson Barracks VA in St. Louis. It's disgusting. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Nope, that was more in response to the "not terrorist one in Iraq". Nice attempt to move the goalposts, though. Must make it confusing for you when you come back to visit the rest of us in the real world, then. Given that Bin Laden had an intense hatred for Saddam, I doubt that Saddam would had given al Qaeda safe haven in Iraq. Kindly remove your rose tinted glasses when entering the real world, Mike. I still maintain that Saddam would had been a great ally against al Qaeda. The U.S. has been to bed with some of the worst dictators in history. How is it that Saddam demanded that we destroy a country and kill well over 100,000 people just to take out one person? Hell, China poises more of a threat to the U.S. than Saddam ever had. Sad that so many people had to die for nothing. Iraq is far more dangerous to the U.S. today than it had ever been in the past. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

This originally came out a couple of years ago. I was a patient at the John Cochran V.A. hospital (the hospital the op is referencing) in St. Louis for 8 years. I would testify to how bad JCVA is. For one thing, it is located on Grand Ave. in the midst of gang territory. Crack dealers will approach you at the stop lights near JCVA. A large number of people who work at JCVA are black. I have no problem at all with that. My problem and the same for others who use the V.A. in St. Louis is that if you are white, the people who are suppose to pull your files and let the doctor know you are there will push you aside in favor of letting other black people go before you. I cannot tell you how many times that I had sat in the waiting room until the end of the day only to be told to come back on another day. I have reported several V.A. employees for incompetence. The people they employ do not get the grade as they seem to care very little about the patients. The hospital goes, it always seemed to be dirty. JCVA seemed to have the most incompetent people available, so it is no wonder that guidelines were not followed. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Interesting reality you live in - is the sky blue there? So, are you saying that Iraq was a far greater danger than the people who did attack the U.S.? To answer your question, why yes the sky here today is blue. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

So much has been revealed that they trumped up their claims that Iraq was going to invade the U.S.. All of their claims were manufactured lies. How is invading a country that poised zero threat and trying to keep it a secret in the best interest of the U.S.? With over 100,000 dead and still counting someone and all of them in back of that person needs to be held accountable for making the world a far more dangerous place. Had the U.S. held it's course and focused on taking out Bin Laden, the world would be a far more safer place. Putting a noose around Saddam's neck and pulling the lever did zero to curb terrorism. In fact, the U.S. did a favor for them by taking out Saddam. Saddam would had been a great ally in the war against al Qaeda such as he was during our confrontation with Iran. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

It appears that Mubarak has left Cairo. I wonder how much he took with him? I really hope that the U.S. does not give this guy a safe harbor like we did with the Shah and Marcos. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

That is the point. The catalyst for extreme emotion is that you and some others are supporting a low-life who is willing to place American lives in unnecessary danger on the world's stage. Watching the morning news, I see that the Pentagon is calling Iraq a major base for terrorist operations. Hmmm... Before our then President decided to invade a country that poised zero threat to the U.S. there was not terrorist one in Iraq. Now it is a hot bed for terrorist training and the people of Iraq are in far greater danger than they ever were under Saddam. According to the morning report terror sleeper cells have been coming from Iraq and may already be in the U.S.. So tell me, who has put Americans and people around the world at greater danger? Assange or the President who decided to not go after Bin Laden, but focus on invading a country that was no danger to the U.S. or anyone else for that matter. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Actually, that is the power in marijuana. It is a very real medication. The article at the bottom of this post is about a friend of mine whom I have worked with in the past to push the medical marijuana effort in Missouri. She suffers from cerebral palsy and an extremely bad speech impediment. She can barely move about due to CP, yet after she smokes a little bit of pot, she gets up and she is moving as if she has no illness. That and her speech improves to nearly no stutter. I also have a speech impediment. Sometimes it is so hard to get a word out of my mouth that I seldom talk to people. I try to keep conversation to a minimum. I believe people take my silence the wrong way. However, once I smoke a little bit of pot the stutter tends to go away. There are so many people who can testify to the power of pot. I also have extremely bad arthritis in my shoulder, neck, back and hip. Some days are worst than others. One doctor gave me 200 oxy-contin for the pain. I had no idea what they were at the time. After one week on those things, that is all I wanted. Damn do those things make a body feel great. Problem was I felt the addiction coming on. I ended up dumping the bottle out into the dumpster. About 180 of them. I went back to smoking pot for pain management. Local Activist Focus: Jacqueline Patterson, Kansas City, MO Jacqueline Patterson has been an ASA activist in Missouri for several years. In 2002, Jacqueline organized a Kansas City action as part of ASA's "Evict the DEA" national day of action. Since then, she has been active with both federal and state campaigns, working to protect medical marijuana patients like herself. In October 2005, Jacqueline organized another local ASA action - "Rally to Reschedule Marijuana" - at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regional office in Kansas City. Several patients and advocates rallied and called for the rescheduling of marijuana. A representative of the HHS office met with activists in front of the building, including George McMahon, one of the seven patients who receive medical marijuana legally from the federal government. Jacqueline is currently working with the Missouri state legislature to pass a bill that would protect medical marijuana patients. She has testified at two hearings this year for Missouri's medical marijuana bill, House Bill 1831. Most recently, she testified before the Health Committee, sharing her personal story of growing up with cerebral palsy and how medical marijuana has helped her. Jacqueline's efforts have earned her extensive media coverage. Kansas City's Pitch Weekly recently published a feature story on Jacqueline's life and activist efforts. She will also be highlighted in a television documentary on medical marijuana. In addition to her activist work, Jacqueline is busy raising four children. She is currently working on attaining her criminology degree and revamping her campaign to educate the public and legislators about the efficacy of medical marijuana. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

and they should be. Would any American be up in arms if Assange leaked their info? I threw that one in there for comedic relief. This thread desperately needs it. Anyone else feel a need to bash the French? Go right ahead. They have to be good for something other than Grey Poupon and that wonderful marvel known as Le Car. One great, the other not so much. One out of two is not bad, if you're French. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

So... how did that paint job come out? Haze gray, underway! I've thought about painting one of my bikes haze gray. I had a top secret clearance as a Hull Technician as I had to be able to enter any and all compartments on ship. One of the best places to hang out was in the crypto-room. No one ever looked for you in there as only a few were allowed to go in there. That and down in the CHT (collection, holding, and transfer of human waste. The CHT was extremely clean) where nobody but an HT would dare to go. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

This thread would not exist if Assange published embarrassing secrets of, let's say Russia... or maybe even France, or any other country. The vast majority on here would even applaud him. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Every single President since JFK has used the teleprompter. Reagan used one for near every speech. Nothing wrong with doing so as it is no different than reading from a sheet of paper on the podium. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-4848259-503544.html "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Wow. I humbly take back anything I said. I sincerely apologize. We are both, somewhat in the same boat. Only different illnesses. I really do hope that all turns out well for you. I am no fan of Assange. I think he is a little power hungry weasel. Yet, I do not see him as the villain in all of this. I would hope that something good will come from it and that our elected official will be far more careful at what they do. As for pot? I haven't smoked in more than a year. For near fifteen years pot helped me manage the meds I am suppose to take. It kept my appetite up keeping my weight around 180lbs. In the last year I've stopped smoking and it did have an adverse affect as the meds were near intolerable and weight loss has me at 130lbs. Not very good. I see smoking a joint as the same as drinking a few beers (I don't drink), only better. Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems that you may be equating pot with drugs such as heroin. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

I thought the article was much ado about nothing. I'm not a fan of Mrs. Palin. But I will object to the characterization of any woman the way she is described here. I don't mind the profanity in this forum. The bickering between patrons of the forum is ridiculous. but that's goign to happen (I guess). This comment was base and rude for no reason. I'm thinking it's time to take another vacation from this forum. Civil debate seems to be beyond some of the forumites. Yup, SC does seem to bring out the worst in a lot of us. Myself included I did take a very long break from this website and refused to even log on to it. Might have to do that again. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

I've been dealing with a potentially fatal illness since 95 that has kept me from doing a lot of things. As of now, I no longer get the meds that are needed. The V.A. has cut me off (once again), telling me that I should find a doctor outside the V.A.. Impossible, without insurance. Obama's health plan would help to get the treatment that is needed, yet the republican party would rather I die (and many others) than to secure healthcare for those in need. So, what type of SB do you have. The mild form, most do not even know that they have it and live a normal life and some even join the military. A friend of mine has a daughter who suffers the most serious form of SB. She suffers from paralyzes and brain fluid amongst other things. Her condition is very serious and she will never know what a normal life is. So, are you in a wheelchair? Maybe leg braces? Being a welder myself for 30+ years, I know how physically demanding welding can be. I cannot imagine that someone with the more serious forms of SB could twist and move around pipe welding 6G. When I welded pipe, by the end of the day my back was screaming. I just cannot imagine that a person with the more serious types of SB can do the job. I doubt that you have enjoyed more freedom than I will ever know to exist. By reading your statements, I am assuming that you are under 25yo. I take it that you have never known the freedom of riding a chopper across the country. Spend a couple of months just rolling without any destination, then talk to me. An old friend (now deceased due to a cager not paying attention) from West Virgina grew marijuana for more than thirty years. After his harvest he would pack up and roll west on his old Shovel. I would meet up with Jackie T as he rolled into St. Louis and we would head for Sturgis. I asked him as we were camping for the night in the desert in Wyoming if there wasn't something more he wanted from life. He explained, in his way, that what he does is freedom for him. He was not bound to working for someone. He can come and go as he pleases and answers to no one. He did not have a time frame in which to exist in. I, on the other hand, was bound to a time frame in which I had to return to a job. I've always envied Jackie for having that level of freedom. Not a care in the world and just happy to be wherever he was at the moment. He would be about 70 years old today had he not been killed by someone driving a car. He really was a good guy and more than willing to help anyone if they needed his help. As for depending on the "man"? Well, we all depend on what our tax dollars can buy. It is funny, however, that you would quote a song written by a pot smoker (given your open hatred for any person who smokes pot.) Hell, the author of that song (Me and Bobby McGee) was supplementing his income in Nashville by selling marijuana. He openly admitted to doing so. He once ran into his house while it was on fire, despite the warning from the fire department to get away, in order to save his stash! "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

I'm not certain, but I do assume that ponies do not have a make believe eye in the sky guiding them to a make believe paradise in the clouds. Ponies are not delusional. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Since when is it a crime to make money? Her interest in making money is why I believe she won’t run for president. It doesn’t pay enough. Nothing wrong with that. I also believe that is why she left the governors office. That I have a problem with. Not a crime to make money (unless you're actually making money, then it's a issue with the Secret Service.) My issue with Palin is that she uses the Republican party for profit. She has zero concern with serving as a public official. She cares not about America and only what she can get paid to say. She is a joke and not even a funny one. The sooner her and her whore of a daughter disappear, the better. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Nothing is sacred. Fact is every move you make is recorded in one way or another. As you read this Dropzone.com is tracking you and that info is being sold. Don't believe it? Take a look at the crap load of ads that pop up on each page. My screen is filled with advertisement for Springfield, MO. businesses. How does dz.com know what ads to throw at me? Simple, your personal information is bought and sold and used to target you for a sale. What else can be bought? For a few bucks I can get your school records, police records, find out where you work, the names and ages of your children, your credit score, your driving record, life long employment record... The deeper you dig the more you can find. Face the fact that you are for sale and companies are profiting from the sale of your personal information. Technology will eventually be the downfall for many. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703940904575395073512989404.html Does anyone object to persons such as Tom Phillips profiting from selling ones personal information? "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Shouldn't you be busy convincing yourself that you really did threaten to grind out a weld, unless the Dr. paid you the fee that a physician charges? Maybe, you're just to busy convincing yourself that you could not join the military due to a severe, crippling birth defect (yet you skydive?) Waaaaaaaaaa, Get the fuck over it your fucking self. I served while you were still doing the back stroke in your daddy's nut sack. So nice of you to want others to go to war while you cower beneath your mommy's skirt. You do realize that you are not completely male until the ovaries drop and become testicles, do you not? Maybe you should give those ovaries a little nudge. Oh... and there is nothing wrong with rolling the U.S. on a motorcycle for awhile. I've been through near every state on my bike. You have no idea what true freedom is. Of course, it is against the law to entice a riot, much like it is illegal to start an illegal war that killed more than 100k and still killing people everyday. Yup, Iraq is such a paradise that it is major destination for terrorist wishing to soak up some sun. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

The Constitution does not guarantee anything to citizens or persons. The Constitution does not even apply to citizens. It applies only to the Federal government on what it is allowed to do. The Bill of Rights, also does not apply to citizens as it's function is to tell the Federal government what it is not allowed to do. If most of you had actually learned the Constitution and the function of the Bill of Rights, back in 8th grade, you would know this. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Freedom with restrictions is not freedom at all. It is merely a leash with a few more inches to roam. Quote from the movie Easy Rider: "Oh, yeah, that's right. That's what's it's all about, all right. But talkin' about it and bein' it, that's two different things. I mean, it's real hard to be free when you are bought and sold in the marketplace. Of course, don't ever tell anybody that they're not free, 'cause then they're gonna get real busy killin' and maimin' to prove to you that they are. Oh, yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom. But they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Just how does "sleazy" and "congressman" contradict each other? The two appear to go well together. Not an oxymoron. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young