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hey smee, your not american, so you have no right to complain about us complaining about OUR country, and if you want to debate it i would be glad to. before you do I suggest reading the declaration of Independence, and the constitution! it says in there, that we have the right to form a new government if the current one isn't working! how are the rest of us supposed to know if others feel the same way we do if we don't discuss it? so if you don't like the context of the article you are reading, then don't read it, its free will! free will is great ain't it! oh yeah by the way we have the right of FREEDOM of SPEECH! and just so you know I am a patriot, but I served my country, that is why we cherish the right to complain about how corrupt our system is, or how slow government moves, or how health care cost so much. so please don't try to infringe upon OUR rights! and heads up, my wife is Canadian, my kids are dual citizenship so you may not want to go down that road either! GO RV GO USA

They usually update inflation numbers two weeks after the fact. ECONOMIC DATA 4/21/2012 Interest rates CBI policy rate (valid 1 Apr 2010) 6% IQD 7 day deposit 4% Primary credit facility 8% Economic indicators Core inflation (YoY): Feb 2012 6.30% Inflation (YoY): Feb 2012 5.73% M2 growth (YoY): Jan 2012 14.8% 2012 Forecasts GDP - real growth rate 11.1% Budget deficit/GDP 10.0% Current account surplus/GDP 9.1% Net foreign reserves $60B ECONOMIC DATA 5/5/2012 Interest rates CBI policy rate (valid 1 Apr 2010) 6% IQD 7 day deposit 4% Primary credit facility 8% Economic indicators Core inflation (YoY): Mar 2012 6.21% <<< Inflation (YoY): Mar 2012 8.31% <<<<<< M2 growth (YoY): Jan 2012 14.8% 2012 Forecasts GDP - real growth rate 11.1% Budget deficit/GDP 10.0% Current account surplus/GDP 9.1% Net foreign reserves $60B CBI Site One more thing: If you subtract Inflation (YoY): Feb 2012 5.73% from Inflation (YoY): Mar 2012 8.31%, you get 2.58% difference. Now, add that 2.58% to this month's 8.31% - whatcha get? Thought so. It really doesn't actually work that way, but it shows you just how freaked out they are.

I am at the store right now. Does anyone need a tissue or maybe a Depends? I cannot think of much more disrespect than putting up a post labelling your President as a Dictator. Hmmm, after a thinking a long time about that, oh about 1 sec, He is a dictator. Disrespect, uh wrong word used in the wrong place. He is disrespecting the People.

https://www.freeconferencecallhd.com/playback.asp?n=88105-17-65-6715-17-65-6718-17-65-671058819115-17-65-67-17-65-67-17-65-672725;0MTAwNTkwMDY=1

Smee, you make some valid points. And I'm sick of the Political Bashing also. The American people are weary of our political parties. We've seen division happen because our systems are corrupt, the media feeds half truth, half false information to the people. Our leaders have caused division within the American people. So you see we can't just get up and leave because we're not happy, it doesn't make things better when we run away. Things just don't change because we run away from the problems. America has issues and it will take the people to make the changes for the better. We the people need to have our voices heard throughout. Whether it be through TV, radio, newspapers, faxes and of course the internet. You see Smee, America is not a terrible place to live, its a God given place that God gave to us to share, and take care of. And that is what the American people are trying to do. We are making a difference, but we all have our own way of making a difference. Some might be a little louder than others, there are some that will pray their heart out for a better world. We all make a difference in some form. I think the American people have the conviction of an American heart, to see that this country is run with peace and integrity. Just cause we have one bad apple in the bunch, doesn't mean we are all bad apples. This is just my simple opinion of what I think is going on in America. I said this before, Peace and Justice in this world require a divinely inspired change in the human heart.

Bondlady Chat With Kaperoni - 5/4/2012 [bondLady] hi kap and welcome [bondLady] welcome all u newbys to BLC [bondLady] hello all [bondLady] and ty for all comming to **************** [bondLady] BondLady and Kaperoni chat in progress please sit on hands [bondLady] ty all [bondLady] let me make a couple of announcements 1st please [bondLady] sit on hands all please [bondLady] ok lets get started [bondLady] 1st [bondLady] i wanna say that some time during our chat [bondLady] we will be haveing a open Q&A [bondLady] with questions to kaperoni and myself [bondLady] plz specify at the time who youd like to answer ur question [bondLady] next [bondLady] we like to always pay tribute to our military men and women [bondLady] and ty so much for your service to our country [bondLady] and we have our own lil whitney houston bhere [bondLady] oogie please take it away [: ) oogie] All rise! ????????????????????????????????????????????? [: ) oogie] ???.?***???.?*** Oohh Say Can You See… [: ) oogie] ???.?***???.?*** By The dawns Early Light [: ) oogie] ???.?***???.?** What So Proouuuudly we Hail, At the Twighlights Last Gleaming. [: ) oogie] Whose Broud Stripes and Bright Stars , ?.? Through the Perilous Fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? [: ) oogie] ???.?***And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air , ??? [: ) oogie] Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. ? ????? [: ) oogie] ???.?***Oh, say does tha-at star-spangled bann-nnner yet waaaaave???.?*** [: ) oogie] O'er the laaaand of the freeeeeeeeee, ?.? and the hoooooome of the braaaaaave ???.?*** [bondLady] awsome oogie [bondLady] and ty [bondLady] ok lets begin [bondLady] i would like to thank our honored guest kaperoni for graciously comming to BLC and doing this chat with us [kaperoni] Thanks for letting me come over and chat. It’s a pleasure to hang out with BL and her friends. [bondLady] were glad to have u kap [bondLady] i have a few questions lined up [bondLady] if your ready we will begin [kaperoni] Yes [bondLady] alrighty then [bondLady] lets do this [bondLady] 1ST.. question..... esi] ? for Kap..About the high auctions....Could this be the funding to the banks before the CBI stops the auctions? [kaperoni] Well the Auctions are used for many different things. [kaperoni] We have seen them used to remove liquidity, and also inject it. I don’t see it so much as ‘funding” them at this time. I see them more as pumped billions of dollars into Iraq to remove the dinar (3 zero notes) in preparation for the RV. In essence, “dollarizing” the country. [kaperoni] This is substantiated almost daily by articles stating that Iraqis prefer the dollar. And are using the dollar over the dinar. [kaperoni] The problem is, the CBI is frustrated as many of those dollars are being smuggled out of the country to Iran, Syria, etc. Which I am sure [upsets] off the US also as they are trying to put the “big hurt” on them. [kaperoni] So we the see the auctions higher and higher each week. This is damaging the CBI reserves as there is no chance to recover those lost dollars. [kaperoni] Done [bondLady] ty kap [bondLady] 2ND .. QUESTION.....question kap....iyo, what do u make of this auction 1. thru 4. , and what do u make of the auction showing 124,524,000 then on down it shows remitances at .....2. quantity sold in cash of $ (3,933,000) dollars and quantity sold amount of remittances (591,000,117) dollars ty , BondLady [kaperoni] I really wish I knew more about the auctions. But I don’t …lol It though is clear from articles, that in recent weeks, the higher the dollars out, the worse it is for the CBI. [kaperoni] Last month alone (April), they spend 3 billion which has got to hurt the reserves. At the very least, it is taking revenue away from other things just to maintain the exchange rate at 1166. [kaperoni] One can clearly see that they cannot do this much longer or risk hurting themselves by draining the reserves. Here is a quote… [kaperoni] “I learned the conference that the total sales of the Iraqi Central Bank to banks for the month of April last at auction the dollar stood at 3,183,500,000 billion dollars (three billion, one hundred and three and eighty million five hundred thousand dollars) which is composed of 65% of the proceeds from exports of the total Iraqi oil for the same month.” [kaperoni] You can see they are now spending 65% of the monthly oil proceeds just to susstain the exchange rate..lol [kaperoni] Done [bondLady] tyvm [bondLady] 3RD.. question, ....would u care to comment on this paragraph in this article? He pointed out that the decision to delete the zeros since 2007, plans to cut 117 points in 2012 meaning it was seeking to have $ 1 is equal to 1 dinar and so Akunan equal, but what happened is that change the dollar 110 points instead of to achieve 117 points and you can imagine the situation. [kaperoni] This is an interesting comment…but IMO very good for us. [kaperoni] . Some I assume will take it as a LOP, but I don’t see it that way. First, I think it’s a clear typo. not 117, but 1170. [kaperoni] They left off the 0 at the end. [kaperoni] cause we know the rate is not 117 to $1. But 1170 (1166 now) to $1. [kaperoni] What I see here is a clear explanation that the plan was to raise the dinar exchange rate to be equal to the USD in the year 2012. [kaperoni] That is good news for us. Just “when” is the question. IMO they need to do it now, if they plan to benefit at all in 2012 from that rate. Otherwise, why would they even mention Tariffs, or WTO, etc in 2012? [kaperoni] The end of that quote basically says that due to the “black market” sales, the dinar has gone the wrong way and the dinar lost value, rather than gained…some 110 point to 1280 to $1 [kaperoni] The end of that article just seems to be an opinion, that using the old method (before Feb 1 Basel implementation) worked better. Which I don’t they understand what is really happening. [kaperoni] Done [bondLady] tyvm [bondLady] 4TH.. question...... kap do you feel for this to take place, the distribution of oil profits to the people, that, that would require a hcl to be passed, i feel like it would have to be as the 4th part of the hcl is about disbursement of oil an gas profits and who gets what and how much, and if you agree , why or if you dont why lol.... [kaperoni] I don’t think the HCL has anything to do with the CBI’s monetary policy. Clearly the CBI has wanted to implement the project since last June. If the HCL was a condition, it would have been stated. I think these are two separate issues. [kaperoni] Done [bondLady] tyvm [bondLady] 5TH.. question.....[luckyintx] [Kaperoni, do you think] tariffs will still go into effect, and not be postponed again? I don’t see how they can implement any tariffs that could possible increase prices on goods with the current economic and financial condition in Iraq until after the currency changes. The Tariff plan has a tax rate of 5 to 35% depending on the item which certainly would be passed on to the consumer in some aspect. You want to see some angry Iraqis? Apply that before they have more buying power..lol [kaperoni] I don’t see how they can implement any tariffs that could possible increase prices on goods with the current economic and financial condition in Iraq until after the currency changes. [kaperoni] The Tariff plan has a tax rate of 5 to 35% depending on the item which certainly would be passed on to the consumer in some aspect. You want to see some angry Iraqis? Apply that before they have more buying power..lol [kaperoni] done [bondLady] tyvm [bondLady] 6TH.. question.......[player46] Does he expect Iraq to come out of Chapter 7 in it's entirity in June when U.N. meets.. [kaperoni] Yes, I think if they get there house in order (the GOI), the RV, etc, they will get out. [kaperoni] Despite the fact that the UN sanctions don’t really have anything to do with these issues, the US has great clout, and IMO will use that clout to make Iraq conform before lifting Chapter 7. [kaperoni] There obviously is strong push now with the recent meetings with Kuwait. And I expect Biden will preside over the UN meeting to lift the final sanctions/resolutions. [kaperoni] Done [bondLady] tyvm [bondLady] tyvm [bondLady] 7TH.. question...........[luckyintx] BondLady since Parliaments approval of delete zeros, is there anything else he needs to consult with them on, like the approval of implementation, or can he now implement on his own? [kaperoni] I still have the one concern over the law that was stated back in Nov 2011 that needed to be passed to “Adjust the accounting records” within Iraq. I never saw it passed so it may still be lingering and needs Parliament to pass it before the RV. [kaperoni] Other than that, I don’t see any holdups with Parliament. This issue as I see it is more of a logistical and that needs all parties to cooperate with each other. [kaperoni] That is why we have seen often that the CBI has stated ..Yes they have full control over the monetary policy, but need help and want this to be a unified event. [kaperoni] That being said, I don’t see the CBI moving forward without this support. That appears to be the toughest hurdle for Shabs to get them to all agree and participate. [kaperoni] With that being said, I would like to elaborate a bit on this with another article. This quote came out a few weeks ago… [kaperoni] “And reveals the source of the newspaper described as the "Future of Iraq" as close to the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, from the pressures exercised by the United States on reset as soon as the Iraqi currency.” [kaperoni] Here we see clearly that the US wants to over as well. But timing is important to minimize corruption. Here is the link http://www.iraqhurr....e/24543610.html [kaperoni] Done [bondLady] tyvm [bondLady] 8TH.. question........hey kap can you tell us a little about your site, what does it offer the dinar comunity etc, whatever you would like to say? [kaperoni] Sure, well first it really is not my site. It is my good friend Bob and he reminds me everyday [kaperoni] second, the site is *******, and it was created because of the continued non-sense, hype and false rumors that are put out almost daily. ********** is a fact based site so we don’t follow any of that. The site has a chat room, video conference room, forums & research library, It also is fully functional from either Android or iPhone mobile devices. [kaperoni] The site has no outside advertising support so members can be assured that there is no motivation other than seeking the facts on this investment. [kaperoni] The site is also the only one that I am aware of that offers not only SMS texting but a cool automated Voice Call to subscribers. That is Bobs expertise as he is a very successful stock trader who is watching the CBI 24/7 for the rate change. [kaperoni] Signing up for one of these services gives a member real piece of mind that they will get a real notification and not some fake RV notice. The one time fee is $7.95 and helps pay the sites operational fees. [kaperoni] I also have a cool ********* or Kaperoni merchandise store on the site. So anyone who wants to get a Kaperoni T-shirt, hat, coffee mug, or mouse pad can get one…lol. Again, purchasing from the store helps support the site and you are cool! [kaperoni] Done [bondLady] tyvm [bondLady] question.......[luckyintx] BondLady I'd like to know how likely, or unlikely chances are for an RI..RV...RD....?.and why?.................................... [kaperoni] I am not an expert in these types of events. I simple went where the facts took me. [kaperoni] And that being said, I have never seen wavered from a RV. [kaperoni] The facts IMO even going back to a few years ago conform to the plan that was created by Shabibi and Dr. Fadel. The only thing that has changed IMO is the constant embellishment and pumping to get people to buy dinar. [kaperoni] Dr. Fadel stated in 2006 when the plan was written the following… “The deletion process will be on according to the following: it becomes the U.S. dollar at today's prices = 1200 fils in the sense that the U.S. $ 100 = 120 dinars, which is very suitable for such a stage that the government control inflation and keep it at reasonable levels.” [kaperoni] That clearly implies a 1 to $1 rate and we can see today some 5 years later the CBI, Parliament are still talking 1 to $1. Therefore, I think they have followed this plan to a tee. Implementation (when) has always been the issue. We know they are behind schedule and hopefully soon we will see this event unfold. [kaperoni] As for the chance of LOP, etc. [kaperoni] I also have this quote from Dr. Fadel… “We must emphasize the extremely important issue is that if you remove three zeroes from the currency should not affect the actual value thereof to be trading in the old currency and gradually withdrawn until the end of 2009.” [kaperoni] This quote has been repeated on numerous accession by other individuals including Dr. Bakri from the University of Babylon who has hosted and educated many at the various CBI symposiums and seminars. Therefore, I fully expect the dinar to RV. [kaperoni] Thank you again Bondlady for having me on your site. I always enjoy chatting with people who really want to learn about this investment. This was fun. [kaperoni] Done [bondLady] tyvm [kaperoni] BTW, [kaperoni] that last quote about 2009 is how far the CBI is behind on the RV [kaperoni] lol [bondLady] lol ty [priscilla927] [sW FloridaguyThanks Bondlady and Kaperoni for doing this chat. My question if for either of you. Can you put in chronological order for us how you think the removing the zeros, raising the rate (to where it's visible to the public), introducing the new currency [sWFloridaGuy] (LD's) will happen and how long of a time period do you think the 2 currencies will run concurrent? [bondLady] i know they have missed so many opurtunities to rv [bondLady] he didnt want much did he kap [bondLady] [bondLady] u can have that [kaperoni] Well i have done better than that...I put an actual chart together [kaperoni] u can find that over next door [bondLady] do u have a link where they might be able to view it later [kaperoni] let me get it [kaperoni] [bondLady] kap u wanna try to address all floridaguys questions [bondLady] or will the chart be self explanitory [kaperoni] well its all in the chart [kaperoni] lol [kaperoni] i can try [kaperoni] i think rate change first [bondLady] im good at what i know cbi isnt 1 of them thats when i ask scooter to come hes the numbers guy [bondLady] but i appreciate u givein it a shot kap [kaperoni] then a period of time for the Iraqis to come to banks and open accounts etc. They do not need smaller denoms as they are dollarized [kaperoni] 1-3 months timeframe [kaperoni] Then in Sept they can start to give them new bills [kaperoni] By Jan, I would expect most of the larger 3 zero notes gone... [kaperoni] but the CBI has stated they will let them run concurrently for 2 years [kaperoni] so Iraqis are not feeling pressure [bondLady] right [kaperoni] or fear [kaperoni] done [bondLady] they do tend to freak out over the unknown [bondLady] ty kap [bondLady] next 1 plz pris [priscilla927] [kamalayan] Spoke with a banker at wells fargo and he says they are waiting like the rest of us and from there end it all seems to be done, is there any truth you think to this [bondLady] there is no way any of "us" could know [kaperoni] Well, my Well Fargo contact talks less than that [kaperoni] lol [bondLady] agreed [bondLady] and theres this lil thing called insider tradeing [bondLady] thatll sure get u a vacation in club fed [bondLady] so to answer that [bondLady] id say no [bondLady] next please [priscilla927] [RickeyT] Please ask Kap, does he expect the RV before chapter7 is removed? [kaperoni] Yes [kaperoni] absolutely [bondLady] id like to chime in a bit too on this 1 plz [bondLady] they are makeing great strides to come out of ch 7 [bondLady] and i believe it could be to our advantage they could do it before [bondLady] and for all we know that could very well be the plan [bondLady] in order to give them ch7 release [bondLady] they might have to finally grow up and give us and them a rate [bondLady] maybe a precondition to comming out of ch 7 [bondLady] did u have any thing more per that question kap [kaperoni] nope [bondLady] tyvm [kaperoni] lol [bondLady] next plz [priscilla927] [COSMO] will they need to get rid of Milaki before they can seat the GOI? [kaperoni] That would be a dream come true [bondLady] i can try to address some of this 1 too [kaperoni] but it not going to happen [kaperoni] that all i had on that [kaperoni] lol [bondLady] as long as weve seen maliki in the pm post [bondLady] he has done every thing possible to hold on to his power [bondLady] and imo all the threats of no confidence [bondLady] and putting up names of replacments [bondLady] is all just pressure on him [bondLady] theres many points of the erbril agreements he should have already kept [bondLady] but didnt [bondLady] some he cant keep [bondLady] like allawis supreme council post [bondLady] they must MUST [bondLady] abide by the constitution [bondLady] and that part [bondLady] there are 8 points in the constituion that says it cant be done [bondLady] 8 points that go against that [bondLady] but he should be able to put good names up for the ministers [bondLady] he should get that [bondLady] and the kurds should get all or most of there agreements as it seemed the kurds an maliki knew the constitution more than allawi did [bondLady] maybe he should a took the time to read it if he wanted to be the prime minister [bondLady] so to answer u cossy [bondLady] no maliki isnt goin anywhere [bondLady] he will do what hes always done [bondLady] he will drag it out till he has no choice [bondLady] then he will give just enough to get them off his back [bondLady] and keep his power [bondLady] hope that answered u cossy and ty [bondLady] next pris plz [priscilla927] [: ) oogie] ok so !bubbies wants to know this from Kap: do you think there will come a point that Shabibi will just go ahead and RV without the GOI ok just because they cannot trust Maliki and Maliki has lied over and over again to Shabibi.... ?? [kaperoni] No. He needs the help to pull this off from areas that are not his expertise [kaperoni] security [kaperoni] coordination [kaperoni] etc. [kaperoni] this RV is a team game [kaperoni] donr [kaperoni] done [bondLady] ty [bondLady] next pris plz [priscilla927] dddnnaarr Hi..question for kaperoni...There is an article out today that the UN says Iraq failed the 5 year plan and there will now be a new 5 year plan beginning in 2013..do you think this will delay the rv even longer? [kaperoni] no [kaperoni] The 5 year plan that just ended or any other plan [kaperoni] is not related to the rv [kaperoni] the rv will come as soon as they can coordinate it [kaperoni] they are ready [kaperoni] it is a priority [kaperoni] i should say #1 [kaperoni] done [bondLady] ty i also would like to chime in on that too [bondLady] with inflation biting at there heels [bondLady] and the dinar rate being crucified [bondLady] the economy doing poorly even tho they have a ton of money pouring in [bondLady] and new contracts daily [bondLady] with iran and syria doing what they are doing to iraqs economy [bondLady] by buying up all the usd an iqd they can [bondLady] whether its to help there own un sanctioned currency stay afloat [bondLady] or hold there own economy up [bondLady] even tho its crushing iraqs [bondLady] and shabibis monetary policy [bondLady] somethings got to give imo [bondLady] whether iran an syria have alternative motives other than what i just stated [bondLady] like possibly owning dinar themselves and have it in there own central bank reserves [bondLady] and they have had to spend extreme amounts [bondLady] so maybe they are trying to screw with shabibis monetary policy and force his hand faster than iraqs economy was prepared for to replentish there own reserves they are being forced to use [bondLady] and a rv'd dinar would go a long long way in helpin them build bk up what they had to use to survive [bondLady] whether thats the case or not we dont know [bondLady] but seeing all we are seeing [bondLady] and adding all these things together [bondLady] i cannot imo see this going on and iraq surviving [bondLady] if they dont rv pretty soon [bondLady] they have to do something to get the people to not want the usd [bondLady] and want to use there own currency [bondLady] which would build the iqd back up and give it more piwer [bondLady] hope that helped [bondLady] next 1 plz pris [priscilla927] [shredd] Kap: what are the chances Iraq could simply change their monetary policy as to how inflation is calculated and simply "fudge" the true rate? [kaperoni] I dont know how to answer Shredds Q.... Sure they can fudge if they want. But what is good is that? They know the true rate and that is what is the problem for them. [bondLady] ty [bondLady] imo they have already fudged about as much as they can an get by with it [bondLady] next 1 plz pris [priscilla927] [Ruth27] So the rv is now totally up to the iraqi govt and had no outside pressure from the powers that be??? wanting this done [kaperoni] so pressure is everywhere [kaperoni] Ecnomic pressure [kaperoni] US pressure [kaperoni] Iraqi people [kaperoni] u name it [kaperoni] thats all i got [bondLady] tyvm [bondLady] tyvm [bondLady] was that it pris? [priscilla927] That's it.... [bondLady] id like to ty kap u was awsome [kaperoni] Thank you again for letting me come hang out! [bondLady] and id like to thank my team [bondLady] and all my members [bondLady] hope u all enjoyed it [kaperoni] Take care [bondLady] tyvm kap [bondLady] apprecite u

sorry smee, but if you dont like the political posts, just like any other thing, dont read them, that is a choice we all have, to change the channel so to speak. One thing I as an American really dislike, is someone from another country telling me how I should feel or behave, what I should do. Quit the crying cuz we are still free to speak our mind. And most of us that do the complaining, do the voting as well. So if you dont like what we have to say, we just might remember that, the next time you are getting your arse kicked by some terrorist state or scumbag orginization. Maybe next time we will keep to ourselves and let the arse kickings proceed. Cheers!

The week prior to Easter my nephew was critically wounded in Afghanistan. On his return to home for a 30 day leave he received this: http://www.toledonewsnow.com/story/18019488/hundreds-turn-out-to-welcome-home-bryan-soldier I can't say enough about the men and women serving our country around the world. Everyone of them should receive a welcome like Austin. I know I'm not alone. I am proud to share this with you all, I know that some of you have family and friends serving. From the bottom of my heart, "Thank you to all who have, are and will serve our country!"

bank story by...We Are Blessed PTR Friday. Bank Story.....Late Afternoon CST 5-4-2012 5-4-2012 Oublood: My son works at Arvest (bank) and knows I have this Dinar, but I don’t tell him anything. He called me about 3.30 PM CST and asked if I still was involved. I said yes. Then he said there was a notice that said a foreign trade money was coming out Monday 5-7-12. I laugh at bank stories but now this is my son!! Wow, I now believe they are really trying to get all the banks help. This is the first time I think we are there!!

"bite to it"??? I have seen better bank stories that could gum you to death....

I have to be honest here. I am so proud of Austin that I had to share this. But I am proud of all those who serve our country. It's great to see this for anyone but when it's family it makes it even better. You know he shed tears and had some yahoo write on his facebook that he was a Pu_ _y for crying. Some of his buddies in Afghanistan read the comment and invited the poster to come join them in Afghanistan. My daughter dated a young man in the Navy. When he graduated from bootcamp up around Chicago he and his mother and father went to Applebee's to eat and he was literally spit on. I don't understand people like that. He kept his composure and did not deck the person that spit on him, I don't understand that either. I've had 3 nephews and 1 brother-in-law serve overseas, hopefully Austin is the only one to go through hell serving. I'm not sure if that sounds right but what I'm trying to say is I hope no one else has to experience what Austin experienced. War is nasty and when we have an enemy that could care less about the Geneva convention or fighting fair (if that's even possible in war) it makes it harder. Like Austin stated, thay had been on that patrol 1000 times. The really sad part is he lost buddies/friends. I think working through this will be more difficult then he realizes. He is mad because he doesn't think he's healing fast enough. I told the family it's a man thing and I would expect him to think that way but hopefully he gets the revelation that he is doing fine and the recovering will be a long process. I'm sure there are others on this site that will read this and weigh in with their experiences, and rightfully so. Like I stated earlier, I am proud of all of you that have, are and will serve our country. As a christian I feel God has shown me a truth in His word about all of you, "no greater love will a man KNOW, then to lay your life down for another." See to me this is what I get out of it, you have experienced a love I will never get to experience, you laid it down for me, something I have never experienced and at my age will never get to experience like you have. God bless each and everyone of you serving, or having served, I can't thank you enough. Pappy

BUCHANAN TO OBAMA By Patrick J. Buchanan Barack says we need to have a conversation about race in America . Fair enough. But this time, it has to be a two-way conversation.. White America needs to be heard from, not just lectured to.... This time, the Silent Majority needs to have its convictions, grievances and demands heard. And among them are these: First, America has been the best country on earth for black folks. It was here that 600,000 black people, brought from Africa in slave ships, grew into a community of 40 million, were introduced to Christian salvation, and reached the greatest levels of freedom and prosperity blacks have ever known.. Wright ought to go down on his knees and thank God he is an American. Second, no people anywhere has done more to lift up blacks than white Americans. Untold trillions have been spent since the ' 60s on welfare, food stamps, rent supplements, Section 8 housing, Pell grants, student loans, legal services, Medicaid, Earned Income Tax Credits and poverty programs designed to bring the African-American community into the mainstream. Governments, businesses and colleges have engaged in discrimination against white folks -- with affirmative action, contract set-asides and quotas -- to advance black applicants over white applicants. Churches, foundations, civic groups, schools and individuals all over America have donated their time and money to support soup kitchens, adult education, day care, retirement and nursing homes for blacks. We hear the grievances. Where is the gratitude?? Barack talks about new 'ladders of opportunity' for blacks. Let him go to Altoona ? And Johnstown , and ask the white kids in Catholic schools how many were visited lately by Ivy League recruiters handing out scholarships for 'deserving' white kids...? Is white America really responsible for the fact that the crime and incarceration rates for African-Americans are seven times those of white America ? Is it really white America 's fault that illegitimacy in the African-American community has hit 70 percent and the black dropout rate from high schools in some cities has reached 50 percent? Is that the fault of white America or, first and foremost, a failure of the black community itself? As for racism, its ugliest manifestation is in interracial crime, and especially interracial crimes of violence. Is Barack Obama aware that while white criminals choose black victims 3 percent of the time, black criminals choose white victims 45 percent of the time? Is Barack aware that black-on-white rapes are 100 times more common than the reverse, that black-on-white robberies were 139 times as common in the first three years of this decade as the reverse? We have all heard ad nauseam from the Rev. Al about Tawana Brawley, the Duke rape case and Jena . And all turned out to be hoaxes. But about the epidemic of black assaults on whites that are real, we hear nothing. Sorry, Barack, some of us have heard it all before, about 40 years and 40 trillion tax dollars ago. This needs to be passed around because, This is a message everyone needs to hear!!! OK........... Will you pass it on ? YES. I did but will you? Because I'm for a better America

WOW!!! Obama is acting like a Dictator, threatening the Supreme Court, writing Executive Orders that are detrimental to our sovereign country and all some of you can do is cry about what Forum it's in. No wonder this country is circling the bowl. Keep your head in the sand, you people haven't a clue what's happening. Keep watching you're idiot box. Most Americans have absolutely no idea how far plans to integrate the United States, Canada and Mexico have advanced. Last year, Barack Obama signed an agreement to create a “North American security perimeter” and most Americans never even heard about it because the mainstream news networks almost entirely ignored it. But this is exactly what the globalists want. They don’t want people to become alarmed by these moves toward North American integration. In fact, a document uncovered by Wikileaks shows that those involved in the effort to integrate North America believe that an “incremental” approach is best. Apparently they believe that small moves toward integration are less likely to alarm the general population. The following is from an article that appeared in The National Post last year….The integration of North America’s economies would best be achieved through an “incremental” approach, according to a leaked U.S. diplomatic cable.The cable, released through the WikiLeaks website and apparently written Jan. 28, 2005, discusses some of the obstacles surrounding the merger of the economies of Canada, the United States and Mexico in a fashion similar to the European Union.“An incremental and pragmatic package of tasks for a new North American Initiative (NAI) will likely gain the most support among Canadian policymakers,” the document said. “The economic payoff of the prospective North American initiative … is available, but its size and timing are unpredictable, so it should not be oversold.”If the people of Canada, the United States and Mexico were told that there was a plan to merge all three economies, there might be massive protests to stop it, and the globalists do not want that. Link

Obama Administration has been quietly sending missives to the Supreme Court threatening that if it doesn’t rule in his favor on ObamaCare, Medicare will face disruption and “chaos.” Dictator Obama Issues New Threat to Supreme Court over ObamaCare By Sher Zieve Thursday, May 3, 2012 In his latest display of his full USA federal government dictatorship over both the American people and the former co-branches of government, Dictator Obama is warning the Supreme Court to either rule in his favor or face severe consequences. Fox News’ Martha McCallum advised Thursday that the Obama Administration has been quietly sending missives to the Supreme Court threatening that if it doesn’t rule in his favor on ObamaCare, Medicare will face disruption and “chaos.” Therefore, if SCOTUS rules in favor of the US Constitution, Obama & Co will begin its campaign to either destroy Medicare or make those on it suffer greatly. The Obama syndicate is said to be threatening to hold off Medicare payments to doctors and hospitals if SCOTUS does not comply with Obama’s demands and submit to him. As an additional example of Obama’s illegal and (I believe) highly treasonous behaviors, on 1 May and 2 May Obama issued two additional unconstitutional and illegal Executive Orders. The first E.O., issued 1 May 2012, makes the USA subject to “international regulations” as opposed to looking to and following the US Constitution. Also, with this new E.O., the US FDA will now be able to be bypassed by International committees—thus, replacing the FDA with any international group which may be chosen. In essence, Obama is quickly eliminating US Sovereignty and selling the USA to the international “community.” The second E.O. issued in 2 days was signed by Obama on 2 May 2012. This E.O. instructs the USA to bow to international regulations instead of the US Constitution and Businessweek reports: “Obama’s order provides a framework to organize scattered efforts to promote international regulatory cooperation, the chamber’s top global regulatory official said today. “Today’s executive order marks a paradigm shift for U.S. regulators by directing them to take the international implications of their work into account in a consistent and comprehensive way,” Sean Heather, vice president of the chamber’s Center for Global Regulatory Cooperation, said in an e-mailed statement.” This also brings the USA closer to becoming a “North American Union” and—also—eliminating its sovereignty—in toto. Suffice it to say, no one in Congress has issued even the proverbial “peep” over either of these illegal “orders.” Do the American people really want to continue to live under this blatant tyranny? The second question is “Will the Supreme Court of the United States of America bow to Obama and give up its co-equal status to the dictator as the US Congress has already done?” If so, perhaps its time for We-the-People to recruit the Honduran Supreme Court who, along with their military, ousted its then President Manuel Zelaya who had become a dictator. Oppression under the Obama syndicate becomes worse each and every day, folks. Will we ever choose to go back to the sunshine? “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?”—Revelation 13:4 Sher Zieve is an author and political commentator. Zieve’s op-ed columns are widely carried by multiple internet journals and sites, and she also writes hard news. Her columns have also appeared in The Oregon Herald, Dallas Times, Sacramento Sun, in international news publications, and on multiple university websites. Sher is also a guest on multiple national radio shows. Sher can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Yasiri: Iraqi dinar is being subjected to an international war in order to weaken 5.5.2012 | (Voice of Iraq) - add comment - Baghdad (news) warned a member of the Finance Committee National Alliance MP Abdul-Hussein al-Yasiri the vulnerability of the Iraqi dinar for international war to weaken it, pointing to the importance of a plan by the Central Bank to combat speculators on the dollar and reduce its value. Yasiri said (of the Agency news) on Saturday: plan should be developed scientifically accurate by the Central Bank to lower the exchange rate of the dinar against the dollar, by not selling hard currency few days in a row, but must be Payam sporadic surprise speculators who buy the dollar high, and the development of complicated procedures for the sale in order to reduce the demand for dollars from the auction of the Central . And Yasiri: that the Iraqi dinar is being subjected to an international war regional to weaken and reduce its value against hard currencies, as doing their best to drain dollars from Iraq and increase the rate of exchange. It is noteworthy that the value of the U.S. dollar increased during the nineties of the last century to reach (3000) dinars to the dollar as a result of economic sanctions to impose on Iraq, and after a year (2003) picked up the dinar is somewhat due to increased oil exports and providing international assistance to Iraq, bringing the total amount provided by (62) billion dollars, and on its impact on the price of the dinar exchange (1166) to the dollar and continued for a long time while maintaining the same price. Read more: http://www.sotaliraq.com/mobile-news.php?id=54767#ixzz1tzMWyk8a

I see your point Smee ..... but then again I don't care about the american political stuff I just dont read half of it !! and why should I ..... I have no plan to ever live in the US .... i'm an Irishman living in Scotland right now, pretty happy here too... Just do what I do ... dont read them

http://www.nevadagop.org/nvgop-caucus-results-certified/ LINK Dive can you post your link to show Ron Paul won 50 percent of the vote? Mitt Romney won 50 percent of the vote Dr Paul was 3rd with 18.7 Percent so can you show us the link that states otherwise. Not the Results of delegate total from the take over of the selection of delegate process. NVGOP Caucus Results Certified Romney wins, Gingrich 2nd, Paul 3rd, Santorum 4th LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – The Nevada Republican Party (NVGOP) has certified the results of the 2012 Nevada Republican Caucus, officially declaring Governor Mitt Romney the winner. This evening the NVGOP received final certified ballot counts from the Clark County Republican Party and final statewide totals were certified by the NVGOP Executive Board as required by party rules. Party rules state that NVGOP must certify the entire state within a day of the caucus. The final results have been reviewed by the presidential campaigns and unanimously certified by the Nevada GOP Executive Board to ensure accuracy and transparency. While in some states it takes days or weeks to complete certification, NVGOP certified the results in less than a day. Results as follows: Nevada Caucus February 4, 2012 100% reporting (1800/1800) All Candidates Romney 50.0% 16,486 Gingrich 21.1% 6,956 Paul 18.7% 6,175 Santorum 9.9% 3,277 Acting Nevada Republican Party Chairman James Smack and Secretary Jim DeGraffenried issued the following statements: “The Nevada Republican Party congratulates Governor Mitt Romney on his victory as well as the entire field for their participation in the caucuses,” said acting Chairman James Smack. “Republicans in Nevada are moving in the right direction, we continue to register more voters than the Democratic Party, and we are enthusiastic to move forward after our caucuses to beat Barack Obama and build on our GOP victories in 2010,” Smack continued. “This evening after a unanimous approval by the Nevada GOP Executive Board, consultation with the presidential campaigns, I have officially certified the 2012 Nevada Caucus results,” said DeGraffenried.

I don't think we have all the facts right now. But, if your are going to accuse Zimmerman of using deadly force when not necessary, then you may want to look at what Trayvon Martin did also. Zimmerman may have been following Trayvon but who was the person that made the first aggressive move and who attacked who first, and was Zimmermans life in danger when his head was being pounded in the cement. We will soon find out in a court of law. Would we have had all the outrage if Zimmerman was killed by Trayvon, when all was doing wrong was following the guy.

Hugh, Why are you spending your time trying to belittle me? You calling me names in a public forum because you don't agree with what I have to say. Very immature. I'm sure most who read through this thread will see that. Also, you don't know what I do with my money. In fact, the more I get, the more I can give. Judge not, lest ye be judged. This thread obviously has run its course, you win.

Maggie...Maggie ...........Maggie!!!.........What are we going to do with you liberal thinking Democrats? You use words like, Hateful, Racist, hatemongering,but what you fail to see is Logic and Common sense Think for yourself, use reason, don't follow the liberal crowd like Nancy Pelosi(you will have to pass this bill to see whats in it) Now let's go back once again.................Zimmerman was the neighborhood watch captain, they walk around at night to help protect the homes from break-ins they don't stalk, prowl or sneak(they are the good guys) when they see someone prowling(bad guys) around the neighborhood at 2 or 3 in the morning after a string of break-ins, pay attention, this is where logic, reason and common sense comes in, you put 2&2 together and guess what it equals 4, so you call 911(which is not the police)they call the police, you follow at a distance so as not to lose eye contact.Martin didn't like being followed and confronted Zimmerman(why would he do that) now this is where logic,reason and common sense come in once again. If you have plans to do something and someone stops you from said plans,what ever the situation illegal or otherwise, you get mad, sometimes very angry so he assaults Zimmerman in a rage and beats the **** out of him. so Zimmerman has to make a decision(because this guy won't stop beating him) he pulls his 9mm, there is a struggle for the gun, it goes off,.... martin is hit with the bullet Now there is nothing Racist, or hateful about this Zimmerman had every right to protect himself while preforming his duties as a night watchman

A Huge Opportunity To Profit From Runaway Inflation Most investors already know that buying gold and silver is a smart way to hedge against high inflation. And especially against Zimbabwe-like inflation where as recently as 2008 people literally hauled cash around in wheelbarrows instead of wallets. But many forget about the second best way to invest in a climate of high-inflation: Fixed- rate real estate debt. Here’s why... Inflation means there’s more money available in the system and it’s easier to get. Prices usually rise, but so do our incomes. When you hold a mortgage in a time of high inflation, our incomes rise but the amount we owe does NOT. So essentially the more inflation we experience, the easier it is to get money and pay off a mortgage that NEVER increases. During hyperinflation, money is so easy to get that you can pay off a fixed-rate mortgage possibly overnight... with just one wheelbarrow full of cash! So Mike is scrambling to secure as many fixed-rate mortgages as he can. And that means raising his credit score.

From other sources... PM Maliki Given Two Weeks To Implement Erbil Agreement. 05/05/2012 10:28 BAGHDAD, May 5 (AKnews) – Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has been given only two weeks to implement the demands raised in the meeting of five Iraqi and Kurdistan leaders in Erbil on Saturday. A week ago Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani and his Iraqi counterpart Jalal Talabani met with Iraqiya List leaders Ayad Allawi and Osama al-Nujaifi as well as Sadrist Movement leader Muqtada Sadr in Erbil. The leaders discussed the challenges the country is facing and agreed on their demands in a letter which was handed yesterday to Ibrahim Jaafari, the head of the largest bloc, the National Alliance (NA). The letter Maliki received from Jaafari does not express Sadr’s view but expresses the decisions of the Erbil meeting, said Sadrist MP Amir Kinani. Read more. See link below.... http://bit.ly/KC6qLk What are your thoughts on this latest development?

1.tell me again why the bank would know what the rate is and all of iraq doesn't ? 2. the goi isn't seated 3. "foreign trade money"..what dose that mean??

You really don't have to "cycle through" much to stay on Dinar and Iraq, what a crock. All you have to do is peruse through the titles and PASS UP THE POLITICAL ONES. You have posted much in the "Off Topics Section" with political substance. If you really can't stand the subjects you complain about, STAY OUT OF THE POLITICAL SUBJECTS! It REALLY is that easy. It has a HEADLINE that YOU CHOOSE to enter. I can't understand and can't stand a CANADIAN sticking her nose into OUR political problems and trying to stifle our political views of them. You don't have a dog in this hunt, so, please go whine on a CANADIAN site. I for one appreciate very much what this site has given us in all respects. It allows me to vent with like minded individuals, with the same concerns for our country that I have and debate some with a differing view. But, for you to come in here and want to change the site to fit yourself is selfish and unappreciated. Please take your sniffling somewhere else. I just looked at ONE page of what you post and out of 25 you posted 14 in "OFF TOPIC" but yet you claim to come here to read about "Dinar and Iraq". But on the other hand, if creating a "POLITICAL TOPICS SECTION" will keep YOU out of OUR political discussions, THEN I'M ALL FOR IT.

I like Randalln. He keeps me dreaming, and if it weren't for dreams, this quasi-, semi-literate, so-called "investment" would have me going nuts daily. So, YOU GO, RANDALLN!!! Keep up the good work!! Keep giving me dreams!! Hopes!! A bright, shiny, golden future!!

My link You have missed the point TP. The inconclusive results so far has RP winning it. There was so much fraud in the GOP reporting that there is now a tally for each states voters to register their votes after the respective caucus and primaries. Because of this the GOP has no choice but to try and rig the RNC by refusing to allow any delegates that do not support their puppet. Can you see what this means? The Ron Paul campaign has begun to instil real hope in real people. As a matter of fact we CAN make a difference. We CAN force the government to represent The People instead of oppressing us. We CAN refuse to be forced to capitulate to unethical corporatism through corrupt self-serving politicians. I think you are ready too, aren't you? after 8 years of Bush it was obvious the old GOP style was not going to work. Now after only 3 years of liberal progressiveness it is obvious that is not the way either. Time for a "new" thing. Time to go back to the founding principals. That ALL humans are created EQUAL. That each Human has RIGHTS, evidenced through life. Not privileges bestowed by a benevolent government.

A good read for both conservatives and liberals, shows the utter fultily of a two party system: The Two-Party System: A Catastrophic Failure By Justin Soutar, on August 30th, 2007 The Republican and Democratic parties have divided the American people over fundamental moral values, they have failed to rectify longstanding national problems, and their existence chiefly benefits special interest groups, politicians, and mega-corporate executives. As George Washington wrote, the constant alternation of two parties in the federal government would be a “frightful despotism.” For a number of years now, respected pundits have lauded the American two-party political system as an excellent balance between the dictatorship of a one-party system and the instability of a multi-party system. Yet the two-party system has caused our country great harm. The Republican and Democratic parties have divided the American people over fundamental moral values, they have failed to rectify longstanding national problems, and their existence chiefly benefits special interest groups, politicians, and mega-corporate executives. Most unfortunately of all, however, the two-party setup does not represent the people of the United States. Many people believe that political parties are essential in a democracy such as the United States. These individuals claim that since a democracy encourages dissent and disagreement, it is only natural that such differences of opinion will find expression in organized factions. But this strain of thought clashes with the judgment of our nation’s founders. In his Observations on History, Benjamin Franklin wrote that parties engender confusion. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay warned against the evils to the general public that a “spirit of faction” would cause. And George Washington refused allegiance to any political party during his eight-year service as first president of the United States. Despite these early statements against partisanship, opposing factions emerged at the end of the 1700s representing two different opinions about the role of the federal government. The Federalists urged a strong central administration that would dominate the states and ensure national unity, while the Republicans believed that the individual states should have more power. In fact, the form of government officially established by the Constitution was a federal republic, so these parties were emphasizing the importance of either national or state power. Alexander Hamilton found himself in the Federalist camp, whereas Thomas Jefferson sided with the Republicans — although neither prominent national founder held the rigidly partisan or doctrinaire outlook typical of many American politicians today. Moreover, the chief disagreement of these early parties was over the distribution of power within the United States government; their members agreed on most moral, economic, social, and foreign policy issues such as slavery, domestic trade, the family, and isolationism. During the 1800s, the parties evolved and grew further apart, especially over the issue of slavery. Federalists changed their name to Republicans and opposed slavery and the secession of the South, while the heretofore Republicans became Democratic-Republicans and declared support for slavery and secession. At this stage, one party was championing a grave injustice which most Americans instinctively understood was evil. The Democratic-Republicans received backing primarily from wealthy Southern landowners, who insisted on keeping slaves for cheap labor. After Republican president Abraham Lincoln waged the Civil War, declared emancipation, and reunited the South, the Democratic Party remained the faction of Southern landlords’ continued rebellion against the North and repression of Black political rights. However, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Democrats also gained support from blue-collar workers in Northern cities as the Industrial Revolution created a new underclass. Meanwhile, Republicans attracted backing from the new class of wealthy Northern capitalists and from supporters of Black civil rights nationwide. Around the turn of the twentieth century, the importance of economic and foreign policy issues increased. The Republican Party came to stand for Northern farmers, retention of the gold standard, fiscally disciplined government, and isolationism, while the Democratic Party represented Southern landowners and Northern laborers, a flexible money supply, growth of the federal government, and foreign engagement. During the Cold War, the two parties achieved a significant level of bipartisanship, agreeing on the necessity of confronting Communism and promoting freedom abroad. Another major change occurred in the 1960s, when Democratic president Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law. From then onward the Democratic Party took up the “liberal” causes of civil rights and urban workers, leading the “conservative” faction of farmers, limited government and big business — the Republican Party — to dominate the South. Another element was added to the American political landscape with the social upheavals of the 1960s and the Supreme Court’s decision of Roe v. Wade which legalized abortion in 1973. When a number of Democrats who had favored the abandonment of traditional social and moral guidelines came to realize the bitter failure of those upheavals, they converted into social “conservatives” and found a new home in the Republican Party. President Ronald Reagan emerged as the standard-bearer of these new Republicans, who established their party on the firm foundation of God’s Law and strove to restore our nation’s identity as a Christian country. The end of the Cold War signaled the arrival of two more simultaneous factional changes. One was President Bill Clinton and the “New Democrats,” who championed unrestricted globalization and free market economics alongside social spending. The other change had been planted during the Reagan administration, hibernated under the Clinton administration, and blossomed fully after the events of September 11, 2001: the ascendancy of neoconservatives within the Republican Party. Led by President Bush, these individuals likewise championed unrestricted globalization and free market economics, but they also demanded an aggressive military response to “Islamic” terrorism with vast increases in military spending and in the size of the federal government, as well as cuts in social spending and foreign economic aid. We can learn important lessons from this condensed review of American partisan history. One of the reasons for the constant switching back and forth between parties appears to be that the country has different needs at different times. The American people chose Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln because of his firm stand against slavery during a critical time in the nation’s history. They selected Democratic runner Franklin D. Roosevelt and his increased government spending to mitigate the effects of the Great Depression. In 1980, they chose Republican candidate Ronald Reagan in reaction to economic stagnation and moral decline. And in 1992, American voters picked the Democratic contender Bill Clinton as a result of economic recession. But though our country has different needs at different times, political parties are not the proper instrument to satisfy these needs. According to George Washington, the constant alternation of two parties in the federal government would be a “frightful despotism.” The main reason for this alternation, especially in the past few decades, is that neither party is adequately solving the key problems America faces. Two factors explain this failure. First, each party represents some of the policies America needs. For example, the Republican Party traditionally stands for the right to life of each human person from conception to natural death; a free marketplace; limited government; a strong (but not bloated) national defense; secure borders; fiscal responsibility; and strict interpretation of the Constitution. The Democratic Party traditionally stands for the right of the poor to government assistance; the rights of ethnic and religious minorities to an equal place in our society; regulation of big business and trade; protection of the environment; multilateral nuclear disarmament; and increased foreign economic aid to impoverished countries. However, the US really needs both sets of policies. We need pro-life laws and multilateral nuclear disarmament, tax cuts and deficit reduction, a free market and social security nets, not one or the other. The second factor explaining the failure of the two-party system is corruption. When a new president is elected, people anticipate that he will get things done. When he fails to meet even reasonable expectations and his administration becomes plagued by scandal (as has happened all too often in recent decades), people turn with hope to the other party, which generally does not improve matters much. This is because most members of both parties have been corrupted by special interests. Our last three presidents have been mega-corporate moguls whose ownership of major industries presented flagrant conflicts of interest. In addition, wealthy and vocal lobby groups have bullied our senators, representatives and president into enacting policies that benefit a few large companies at the expense of the average American citizen. For example, President Bill Clinton was elected in 1992 on a platform that featured tax cuts, economic growth for everyone, and an ambitious social welfare program. Although the economy did grow, Clinton broke other promises by instituting the largest tax raise in American history, keeping social spending to a minimum, and permitting corporations such as Wal-Mart, Microsoft, and McDonalds to reap the lion’s share of gains. Then in 2000 President George W. Bush was elected on a platform that featured the right to life, tax cuts, free-market economics, secure borders, and fiscal discipline. Although Bush has generally held to his pro-life pledge and did sign into law some token tax cuts, in September of 2006 he declared support for the Plan B contraceptive pills for minors. Furthermore, President Bush has allowed big businesses such as Wal-Mart, Microsoft, McDonalds, Halliburton, Boeing, Verizon Wireless, and News Corporation to choke the “free” market; has pandered to illegal aliens; and ran up the largest federal budget deficits and national debt in American history. Both presidents ended up serving the interests of mega-corporations first and foremost. The two-party political system does not accurately represent opposing viewpoints of the role of the federal government as it did in the young United States. Though it was a bad idea to begin with, since the latter part of the last century the system has become decrepit with corruption and has fallen sadly out of touch with the average American. Most of the Republican and Democratic candidates allege certain principles and make attractive promises during their campaigns, but upon entering office compromise overtakes principle like a weed and promises are thrown to the wind. Unfortunately, the current corrupt political climate is hostile to honest, traditionally-minded candidates with unwavering principles from Middle America such as “Average Joe” Schriner, Mike Huckabee and Sam Brownback. In general, only those individuals who habitually cater to — or are susceptible to manipulation by — hawkish pressure groups have a chance at federal public office. Despite the manifest failure of the modern Republican and Democratic parties to deliver, however, well-defined groups of American voters across the map of the United States continue to choose congressional and presidential candidates along party lines because no viable alternatives are in sight. These dedicated factional adherents are stuck in the rut of the two-party system. Economics has long vied with fundamental moral convictions as a major factor determining political affiliation. In the US today, richer individuals (who generally dominate rural areas) tend to vote Republican, while poorer individuals (who generally dominate the cities) tend to vote Democratic. These choices are based largely on the economic and moral policies that the parties stand for and on the hope that new candidates will do a better job than their predecessors. It is true that some Republicans and Democrats in Congress keep their campaign promises and actually work hard to deliver significant pro-life victories or greater socioeconomic equality, and it is those few exceptions that keep hope alive. On the other hand, contented middle-class individuals (who generally dominate suburbs and small towns and comprise a significant minority of the American people) tend to hold a more independent, traditionally-minded outlook and are more likely to spread their votes around based on fundamental moral convictions as well as their common-sense perception of local and national needs. These are the “swing voters” to which enterprising candidates of both parties direct so much of their campaigning energy. The degree of distinction between the two parties is a matter of controversy. To figure this out, it is helpful to distinguish between theory and practice. In theory, the Republican and Democratic factions are ideological opposites, with Republicans focusing on traditional values and responsibility while Democrats are grounded in progressive values and opportunity. But in practice, thanks to the endemic corruption of the system, there is little difference between parties. Republicans turn out to be not really Republican, and Democrats turn out to be not really Democrats: both sets of politicians operate together in a hazy and confused middle ground defined by special interest groups. This has been clearly demonstrated on a number of occasions, such as the overwhelming Congressional approval for war in Iraq in 2002, the Republicans’ passage of a bill that would have provided federal funds for embryonic stem-cell research involving abortions in 2006, and the refusal of Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to consider impeaching President Bush. All of these decisions were driven by mega-corporations, which stood to profit immensely from them. Even though President Bush vetoed the embryonic stem-cell act, soon afterward he accepted limited access to contraceptive pills for minors in order to mollify the big business executives. Some might point to these occasions of crossing party lines as examples of bipartisanship. However, selling one’s fundamental principles to money-hungry American firms does not make for true bipartisanship. Real bipartisanship involves consistent agreement on fundamental, non-negotiable moral values such as the right to life and frequent compromise on the wide range of negotiable issues such as national security, economic policy, environmental protection, domestic poverty relief, and foreign aid. But instead of the way things should be, the pressure of the unrestricted free-market ideology has inverted values. Republicans and Democrats treat the negotiable issues as the most crucial of all and generally are absolutely unbending on them, whereas the fundamental moral values elicit disgraceful compromises and persistent disagreement. After all, big business tycoons do not like to have their enormous profits curtailed by the Ten Commandments, and they demand a totally unregulated market in order to reap those profits. The two-party setup in the United States has severely divided our nation. Having names and labels for different political persuasions can be helpful, but they have too often led to pigeonholing and name-calling which hampers a free exchange of ideas. “Republican” and “Democrat,” “conservative” and “liberal,” “right” and “left” have degenerated into terms used to ostracize and vilify the opposition and to stifle discussion of topics deemed politically incorrect. A private citizen or political candidate who opposes the war in Iraq should not be dubbed a “radical leftist” any more than a private citizen or political candidate who advocates illegalizing abortion should be denounced as a “right-winger.” Moreover, the true meanings of the terms “conservative” and “liberal” have been obscured. In modern parlance, a “conservative” is someone who defends fundamental moral values and wishes to preserve traditional national ideals, and a “liberal” is someone who disputes fundamental moral values and wishes to radically change our country around. But these meanings are inadequate. The words originally referred to political approaches, not to a person’s moral values or lack thereof. “Conservative” basically means someone who applauds the status quo, while “liberal” means someone who wishes to effect change. Neither conservatism nor liberalism is good or evil per se; it depends on what specific policy you wish to maintain or to alter. Continuing a bad policy such as torture of terrorist suspects is just as detrimental to our national well-being as changing a good policy such as the ban on federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research involving abortion would be. Beneficial policies need to be maintained and harmful policies need to be changed. Thus in the original sense of the words, few if any human beings could be described as completely conservative or completely liberal. Political factions tend to be driven by ideologies that, in their members’ pursuit of particular goals, obscure rather than clarify the truth. Indeed, truth itself has been politicized. Inconvenient truths (such as the inability of embryonic stem-cells to cure diseases) are derided as falsehood, while falsehoods that make a few people rich (such as the impossibility of conducting a dialogue with terrorists) are glorified as absolute truth. Nowhere are these destructive elements of partisan politics more evident than in the meteoric rise of the neoconservative ideology following the terrorist attacks of September 11. This intolerant, extremist, and totalitarian belief system seems to have become a religion for many people, yet it is a deception that worships the false gods of national security and an unfettered free market. It was cunningly crafted by a handful of rich American tycoons to justify an aggressive foreign policy that enables them to engage in the age-old practice of war profiteering, to expand their globalized business operations across the world, and to exploit more and more human beings without hindrance. In contravention of history, it insists that terrorism is an act of war rather than a criminal tactic employed to draw a government’s attention to real grievances, and that only all-out armed force can “defeat” terrorism. Its view of the terrorist threat is based on mistaken assumptions, numerous fallacies, and blanket denials of many important facts that contradict their view. Although it masquerades as patriotic, the neoconservative ideology and its loyal adherents have done tremendous harm to the American political landscape. Neoconservatives have viciously attacked their opponents, twisted moral values, and used false guilt to silence opposition. They are utilizing the ancient strategy of divide and conquer to destroy American public debate and ultimately to dominate the world. Their ability to find common ground with Americans of other opinions on negotiable issues is nil. In the pursuit of greed and power, they are willing to exacerbate partisan divisions among the American people and make them forget their nonpartisan heritage. According to our nation’s founders, it would be better to have no political parties at all. Individuals should form their opinion on each individual negotiable matter through a careful review of all the relevant facts and without pressure from a corporate-controlled media, comfortable politicians, wealthy pundits, celebrities, or mega-corporate leaders. If that were to happen, if Americans were to discard ideologies and agree on the fundamental moral values, they would find much common ground on the negotiable issues. Instead of constant bickering and division, we would begin to experience true reconciliation and unity. With each Congressional partisan victory and each new presidential administration, the newly elected have vowed to make a fresh start precisely because the previous faction led America to a dead end. The Democratic Party is now taking advantage of the myriad failures of the Bush administration and of Congressional Republicans to shore up their image as the faction that America desperately needs, the party that will rescue Americans from the clutches of right-wing insanity and deliver than a brighter future in 2009. For Americans weary of Republican mistakes and desirous of substantial changes in many political areas, the carrot held out by Democratic candidates looks tempting. It would be easy to accept this carrot and elect Democrats to Congress and the presidency alike. But if Americans choose this easy route next year, they will find that it leads to a dead end. A Democratic triumph next year will simply turn out to be a repetition of recent political history. How long will Americans dance to the tune of this dishonest and corrupt two-party scheme? Choosing the easy route will not get us anywhere. Instead, we should make known loudly and clearly our intense desire for candidates whose integrity is unsullied by a web of political connections and whose records are unsullied by corruption (such as “Average Joe” Schriner, Mick Huckabee or Sam Brownback for president), and then write the name of one of those candidates on the ballot in state primary elections and again in the November 2008 election. Otherwise, Americans eight years from now will again be whining about the dishonesty, corruption and ineffectiveness of Washington, D.C. The “frightful dictatorship” and corrupt farce that is our two-party system should be dismantled. Parties give us temptations to attack opponents, become demagogues, and garner followers, distracting us from seeking the true good of the country. If we nevertheless wish to belong to a particular group of Americans with a clear identity, let us unite with all Americans of good will. Instead of saying, “I am a Republican” or “I am a Democrat,” let us rediscover the heritage bequeathed to us by our wise and farsighted national founders and try to grasp what it really means to say, “I am an American.” The United States was established by our founders as a nation that is too great to be defined by just two colors. Interestingly, the American flag contains some red and some blue, but the color most evenly spread thruout the flag is white. White can be thought of as a mixture of all political shades, and thus as a symbol of unity. Unity on the basis of the fundamental, universal moral truths enshrined in the hearts of all Americans and willingness to compromise on negotiable issues is what America needs now more than ever.

Deadlines seem to mean absolutely nothing to Maliki. Hopefully, this time, when he ignores or makes excuses or sets his own time line off in the future for some reason, the government might find the nads to do something constructive, like booting his sorry butt out and putting someone else in who will get things done. smee2

giving Maliki a 2 weeks ultimatum is like telling your kids to do something or you will count to 10!

He was even kind enough to take a poll on the subject a couple of years ago. The result was basically, not too many people care. I think a lot of members use the category functions of the forum rather than constantly hitting 'What's New?'. My suggestion is, as soon as you read something you don't like, avert your eye to your keyboard, hold down the 'alt' key, and hit the left arrow. If you're really super-duper offended hold the 'alt' key and hit the F4, this will get you out of any sticky internet situation.

If someone had told me, then repeating it would be heresay. There was a thread posted not long ago that was entitled:" Obama's 50 trillion dollar mistake", that said that the US had paid China most the dinar that it held in reserve to resolve debts between the two nations. There was additional information provided by myself and others that made it possible to connect the dots to establish a pretty good argument in defence of the fact that the US, and therefore the Western Banksters no longer had the bulk of the US dinar holdings but, rather China. The line of dots also showed how it was that China, and later the rest of the non-aligned nations, Russia, Korea, Japan, and India have found a front row seat in Iraq for the concessions. The evidence is undeniable in my point of view, that principly Iraq has turned the table on the Western Banksters in the Middle East in favor of China. I suspect that after the US invation for alledged humanitarian reasons in Iraq, the Iraqis realised the hypocricy in Washingtons message to it's own people, by telling them that we were there to defend our "freedom" and to remove a ruthless dictator, when in fact we were there primarily to control Iraq's oil and Central bank and nothing more. This caused the Iraqis to tacitly ignore Washington's priorities, and simply wait out their inevitable departure, so that they could be free of the influence of the Western Banksters. And, it worked! Maybe this is why Washington and Israel are now looking to Iran, since their plan failed in Iraq? This is the purpose of these threads 20MillionDinar....to share information! I appreciate your contributions! Carlos

20Mil, I love you, but I think we need some time apart... it's not you, it's me... really. I'm too young for this kind of commitment, hopefully we can reconcile our relationship in the future... I leave you with this...

I'm going to try and compose myself, this brings great joy to know that your nephew is home safe with his family. Our God is an awesome God. May Our God continue to protect our men and women of the service. They need to know we are behind them 100% and our love for them will be held close to our hearts. WELCOME HOME AUSTIN

If this is true (personally, it wouldn't surprise me at all), then it's just another reason "O" should be impeached, tried, and hung by his b@!!$....not necessarily in that order

Thats it I just made popcorn

I disagree. Think about it. With all the former veterans, the current soldiers, marines, sailors, and air force that are based here in the US, plus the vast number of police, then add the number of the hunters and "good ole boys"...not to mention armed women, it would be extremely stupid for any country to attack the US mainland, especially by invasion. The main reason why Japan didn't do that in World War II is because they said that if they attack the US, there will be an American with a weapon behind every blade of grass. Many, many Americans believe in their 2nd Amendment rights (as do I) and many of them have stock piles of weapons and ammunition. Our own citizens will kick a country's butt if they would attack, not counting the military.

Just a stupid question I have.....neg if you must. With Ron Paul's foreign policy.....the entire military of the United States of America would be stationed here on our shores. Am I the only one who thinks that would be very dangerous? Once again, it is just a question. GO RV, then BV

And your kind of ignorance has destroyed this nation. If you want to be African then move to kenya, been there and I can assure you, you wont like it. If you want to be an American then for crying out loud be one. Ignorance is the belief that you can be both. Some were born black, so what's your problem with that? Some were born red, some brown, some with a yellow tint to them. Get over yourself, we all BLEED RED. Racism is the most absolute stupid thing on this planet. We are all victims of the human condition, and it is only a tool that governments use to divide and conquer.

I don't do hyphenated Americans....you are an American or not. People don't call themselves Irish-Americans or Florida-Americans. So I don't do African-Americans. Sorry you have such a weak stomach, I wonder what that says about your spine?