What are the odds for a nuclear attack?

[Donald]

This didn't get much coverage yesterday, but it certainly should have. Maybe people just don't want to be reminded .. or they're tired of coping with the threat.

Harvard security expert Graham Allison has written a new book titled "Nuclear Terrorism." Allison says that the chance of terrorists detonating a 10 kiloton nuclear devise in the United States in the next 10 years is 50/50.

Now ... if you want a sobering reality just go to this website. http://www.nuclearterror.org. On this site you will have a chance to enter your zip code and see a blast map showing the effects of a 10K nuclear explosion. The site is very well done ... so head on over for a dose of reality.

While you're at it, you can thank the Red States for saving you from an appeasement administration that would have made the terrorist's job all that much easier.

[Richard Haut]

- but Graham Allison doesn't think too much of Bush, does he ? (according to the Harvard Gazette).

As for your "concern", Donald, it is a fake. The EU reached a deal with Iran and immediately corrupt little hirelings like you and Powell started shrieking.

You WANT American to be in danger, you want enemies.

You are what used to be called a fifth columnist. The expression not familiar in the US ? It means a traitor - someone who spreads propaganda and tries to cause fear and alarm in their own country.

[Donald]

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I wonder if some Americans who would not ordinarily be predisposed to do so will set aside some time to give thanks for all that we have in this country. While we're at it, let's remember to give thanks for the men and women in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere who are on the front line of the war on terror. And another thing ... how about some thanks that JK is not the president-elect.

[phansford]

[Donald]

Yes RH, its the other faction speaking and if you are on the side of phansy's paranoia from ohio, you will be in tune with those who are well read in "The Iron Trinagle" amongst other web slants such as those found here ( in reality??) for example:
http://www.hereinreality.com/carlyle.html

Well read yourself into the doings of the Carlyle Group in "The Iron Triangle"...doing their business at the confluence of the war on terrorism and corporate responsibility???...you can just imagine the cut and pasty paranoia phansy gets out of this garble.

[Richard Haut]

"the cut and pasty paranoia phansy gets out of this garble."

the pernicious influence of the Carlyle Group is hardly a secret.

once the armaments industry starts dictating policy then the notion of the military acting in a defensive role, and keeping itself to a technologically ready level state, vanishes.

the industry talks "bigger" and "more expensive", but is not wasting time on real development.

when the policy is dictated by the arms industry, then the policy is the creation of violence and fear. Anybody bother to investigate the massive market placements taken before 9.11 ready to profit from it - or was that obstructed by Bush as well ?

the Bush family has a particularly nasty history of war profiteering. What was it the US courts called it in the 1940's ? Oh yes - trading with the enemy.

[phansford]

[Donald]

Kuddos to you and your resume...keep up the good work in the community...of government work. And being that I am a member of my family's that have served our country in various armed forces, I will have to add that one to my resume also.

To begin with here, its Thanksgiving weekend, and we can all start by giving Thanks and remember the men and women who have given their lives in service to this country as members of our armed forces. Since we are still going through a war in Iraq the feelings at this time should be stronger than usual. Americans appreciate their veterans, and Americans have especially strong feelings for those who gave their lives.

So – this is a ripe occasion for the political factions to also take advantage. For example the Democrat thought process has gone something like this:

Americans love their veterans.


Americans will react harshly against anyone who tries to hurt out veterans.


Democrats can win points by speaking out for veterans.


Democrats rant and rave and paint evil Republicans as being enemies of veterans.


One particularly way to attack Republicans would be to say that the Bush tax cut is taking money away from Veterans.

And so it begins. On this Thanksgiving weekend that one here is trying to to spread the word that Republicans are cutting troops support and spending for veterans programs ... all I suppose its all to pay for Bush's tax cut. It really doesn't matter whether or not there is any truth to this charge ... just make the charge and Americans will accept it as the truth.

So --- what is the truth? Well, it seems that the 2004 budget for veterans benefits is going up by $6.2 billion. Dollars for veteran's health care are going up by $3.1 billion. The Washington Times has reported that funding for veterans health care has gone up by an average of 7.9% per year since 1996. Does that sound like spending cuts to you? There are 25 million veterans in the U.S. If you can convince them that your political enemies are trying to cut spending for their programs you will have a strong claim to obtaining their votes (guess it didn't work this time) --- even if you have to lie to do it.

SUPPORT YOUR TROOPS at ALL TIMES!

[phansford]

Poor poor Donald, Always has to break it down into Democrat verses Republican nonsense.

Like I said before, I qoute and referenced two great Republicans and you have no response but to attack and ridicule. I have not stated whether I am a Democrat or a Republican, but you make assumptions. Very interesting.

My resume does not include my families military experiences - your rude and juvenile for implying such. I served my community and continue to do so. But Donald, what have you given your community?

I felt compelled to serve. I did and still do. It was and is an honor and a privilage. We need more people in our profession to participate in the process. It might be an eye-opening experience for you. You may even have something to contribute. But I fear you are too much like Oliver Stone - everthing is a conspiracy - against you of course.

Engaging in this thread reminds me of a conversation with a former professor of mine concerning Anne Coulter. She came to speak at my alma mater about a month ago. As the professor said, "I would not go to an Anne Coulter lecture, as I would not go to a Klan rally." I think that relates to you. You seem to thrive on hate, being rude and foul. So - responsing to any of your future posts would be the same for me- and I won't be attending an Anne Coulter lecture anytime soon.

Have fun talking to yourself. Which is too bad, because, there are a few times, when you can stop the ranting and bashing, you have a very thoughtful post.

BTW - Thanksgiving isn't about being thankful for the military or veterans - that's Memorial Day (for the dead) and Veteran's Day (for the Living). You can't even get the American Holidays start. Please stop showing your ignorance of MY country.

[Donald]

Yes phansy, thank a Vet today, or any day...as we all settle into our patio chairs after that sumptuous turkey feast, or as we cancel our tee times because of the weather, it's a good time to take stock of our current situation. First of all, if you truly know any veterans, you should thank them. Were it not for their service, the world today might be ruled by communism or the Nazis. Not to mention the fascist Islamic terrorist fanatics like Al-Qaeda that want to turn every country in the world into a theocracy. Just something to think about.

Now .. having said that about veterans. This is Thanksgiving Day weekend. We have lost over 1400 men and women in Afghanistan and Iraq in our war against Islamic terrorism. If you know family members or friends of any of these men or women ... they're owed a special thanks for the sacrifice they have made.

I used to think this saying was a bit trite. "Freedom is not free." I know better now. I know better because I've seen and read of the sacrifices being made in the Middle East, and I talked to servicemen who, once they've spent a few weeks at home with their families, are eager to head right back over there to finish the job. Right now there are troops all over the world fighting the war on terror. In this weekend let's not forget about these soldiers fighting World War IV. Like it or not, the world is governed by the overwhelming use of force, and we wouldn't enjoy the freedom we have today if we didn't have a military that was ready to defend it. Be thankful for those freedoms you so enjoy.

So if you know a family member or friend of someone who has given their all in service to their country, try to thank them for their sacrifice. And if you are such a family member, my thanks to you.

Happy Thanksgiving Day weekend.... now quite whining and SUPPORT YOUR TROOPS at ALL TIMES!

[Donald]

Oh, I almost forgot the most important part. The US president you need to be referencing to during this Thanksgiving Day weekend is Lincoln. Thought you might need to well read into his "Thanksgiving Day Proclamation" which gives true thanks to a nation of troops that were divided...sort of like our Red and Blue nation might be today:

http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/thanks.htm

[phansford]

There is no need on my part to response in detail, but to only say that you have no concept of the sacrifice my family has made over the centuries - yes centuries - both in the military and public service to this country. The most recent is my nephew who is starting his third of a six year committment in the USAF and will soon be deployed overseas for his second tour. I don't need to read the newspaper or go find someone who knows someone who has served their country.

I was a young child when I watch my cousin (second in his Ranger class) come back from Viet Nam missing a leg, only to run for and win public office (township trustee) and continue serving. He was an inspiration to me. Was - because he died this year after suffering for two years of complications that may be attributed to Agent Orange. He was 56 years old. He had to fight to get help in the last two years of his life from the VA. He was bed ridden. It was disgusting. He was considered 70% disabled by the Army upon discharge - but worked every day of his post-war life.

You are beneath contempt. Being an American is not the same as living in America.

[SDR]

The Reds -- and I think maybe it's time to revive that term, and use it as their predecessors used it during the 'fifties, as a pejorative -- are comfortable with the fantasy that every Loyal American Soldier is just champing at the bit, to rejoin the (Holy) Noble Fight against the Islamic Infidel. (And any that aren't so inclined, are ripe for court-martial.) This, despite the obvious insanity of this "war" and the all-too-understandable disillusionment of many of those who (unlike us) have been there and seen it. The incomprehensible reversal, three weeks into the "post-conflict" "Liberation of Baghdad," that coincided with the elevation of L Paul Bremer, followed by the "deBaathification" that "cleansed" the scene of any and all competent native technical, bureaucratic or military help, is only one example of the wrong-headedness which typifies this campaign.

The fantasy of this as something any Red-blooded Right-thinking American would give (the other) leg for, reminds one of the old depiction of the common con-man or neighborhood weasel, as having "a handful of 'Gimme,' and a mouthful of 'Much obliged'". . .

No, thank you. SDR

[phansford]

SDR - Could not agree more.

We have to hope that we can get the elections over, try to convince other nations to help provide security afterwards, and we need to get out of Iraq.

[Donald]

Now we have another one out there in Pelosi-land (where they can't use the Declaration of Independence in class) bashing the war on terrorism movement...no thank you too.

Time will come soon enough when the war on terrorism will "get out of Iraq", but as for other nations helping afterwards, its wishful thinking that you will find that happening anytime soon.

The United Nations is now and has been since its inception a decidedly anti-American institution. The majority of the member nations of the UN openly wish for a weakened United States. The UN is only all-too-happy to do all that it can to please its membership.

Isn't it about time we recognize the UN for what it is? Why are we funding an organization that would make Libya the chair of a Human Rights Commission, and would hand the seat on that commission once occupied by the United States to the country of Syria? And we take the UN seriously? Why should the taxpayers of this country continue to support an organization that actively opposes almost every foreign policy initiative pursued by their country?