River Valley Blogs

to RC wrote on Aug 4, 2008 9:11 AM:

" Yeah, thats probably not the best answer he could have given. "

Richard Cranium wrote on Aug 1, 2008 11:11 PM:

" To eight forty nine am poster: The significance with Cheney was that's what his answer was when when it was brought up during an interview that two thirds of Americans say the Iraq war "is not worth fighting". A lot of people wondered if Cheney was really saying it doesn't really matter what the American public thinks about war. To me that's not something "irrelevant or pointless". My feeling is that American attitudes should matter more than just every two to four year's when elections are held. "

to nine fifty four pm wrote on Aug 1, 2008 8:49 AM:

" I guess so. As a side note, isn't exclaiming "SO?" when someone says something you find irrelevant or pointless quite common? I remember that going back to my youth..everyone must have done it at one time or another. What is the significance regarding Dick Cheney and that word? "

To nine fifty one am poster wrote on Jul 31, 2008 9:54 PM:

" Ok, I guess your a lot funnier than I am. Even Dead Eye Dick would have might have chuckled at that one. I'm glad that we all embrace Obama's hope for change. "

to seven o two am wrote on Jul 31, 2008 9:51 AM:

" So buttons on a balloon and see if you get a bang out of it.(So-sew...get it?) "

To nine twenty five am poster wrote on Jul 31, 2008 7:02 AM:

" And as Dick Cheney would say, SO? "

to nine forty wrote on Jul 30, 2008 9:25 AM:

" He has stated on other blogs that he practically worships Obama and embraces his hope of change. Yes, my point was that they disagree. "

To eight forty am poster wrote on Jul 29, 2008 9:40 PM:

" So BGS doesn't think America is the greatest country in the world. You also said Obama is his hero and I couldn't find that anywhere. What is your point? That they disagree? Wow, your something else dude... "

to ten o eight pm wrote on Jul 29, 2008 8:40 AM:

" Fact: Barack Hussein Obama claimed that the U.S. is the greatest country in the world. Fact: BGS claimed that the U.S. is not the greatest country in the world. Ergo, they disagree. Savvy? "

To nine seventeen am poster wrote on Jul 28, 2008 10:08 PM:

" I think your wrong and you have too much time on your hands. BGS must have gotten the best of you in a discussion or two somewhere along the way. Or maybe he beat you in a wresting match. I did re-read his posts and in no way did he say anything against Obama. He also never said that Obama was his hero like you have mentioned several times. You better get your facts straight before you post with the big boys. And one more thing... don't call my posts irrelevant unless you can someday acquire enough knowledge to post with the big boys, grasshopper. "

to ten twelve pm wrote on Jul 28, 2008 9:17 AM:

" No, your response was irrelevant. You missed the entire point the poster made, that BGS and his hero, Barack Hussein Obama disagree on whether the US is the greatest country in the world. "

To nine twenty five am poster wrote on Jul 25, 2008 10:12 PM:

" The important thing is that Barack Hussein Obama and John Sidney McCain agree though, right? Why would it make a difference if my response is two weeks later? My response is correct, no? "

Sorry seven o five wrote on Jul 25, 2008 9:25 AM:

" You're a couple weeks too late. But, the point was that BGS disagrees with his hero Barack Hussein Obama on this point. "

To eight forty five am poster wrote on Jul 25, 2008 7:05 AM:

" Your right. That's one area that Barrack Hussein Obama and John Sidney McCain agree on. So?... "

To Brian G Smith wrote on Jul 14, 2008 8:45 AM:

" Re 9:05am You do realize your hero, Barack Hussein Obama, is one of those who "regurgitated" that the US is the greatest nation in the world, don't you? "

Michael Welch The US -- Grown Up Absurd... wrote on Jul 12, 2008 11:49 AM:

" I've believed with the late socialist writer and scholar Michael Harrington that the US has indeed the resources to truly implement a successful socialist 'program'; however its political reality is that its folks are usually taken in by what seems obvious silliness -- like funning Dukakis in a tank; blaming him for Willie Horton; fussing about John Kerry's medals; darkly indicating that McCain is a 'Manchurian candidate' for commies (2000) and now Obama for Islamic extremists. Yet we understand that folks really DO say 'Megadittos Rush!' and fall in! Well EVERY country -- like EVERY religion -- has its absurdities hmmm... "

Michael Welch Why Canada Has National Health Care -- General Brock... wrote on Jul 12, 2008 11:41 AM:

" Because the United States is SO large, has SUCH an abundance of natural resources and a concentration of truly GREAT (that word again!) wealth, one actually WOULD expect more an ability to fashion a first class national health care system hmm but: US power serves US wealth as its uh 'number one' client and that requires continuous war for what amounts to a world wide empire a la the British in the 19th century, which was very successful indeed until it began to slowly fall apart, starting about 1900 say and the Boer war. That marked just about the time the US really got going, i. e. beyond its century+ conquest to the Pacific sea, albeit several attempts to take Canada flopped. (Hurrah for General Sir Isaac Brock eh, 'saviour' of Canada!...) "

Michael Welch How Do I Love Thee Let Me Count The Ways... wrote on Jul 12, 2008 11:30 AM:

" As far as 'comparing' -- what is 'the greatest country in the world' but a comparison? If I 'can't' compare French health care to the US's (lack of) what can one compare the US to re: France that makes the US somehow 'better'? The writer is saying essentially that NO comparisons are possible because countries are obviously different -- fair enough; every place IS unique but nevertheless in what ways could the US be called 'great'? Well the obvious is 'power' as I've written -- Americans equate military power with greatness and militarily the US IS 'number one.' Wealth? Population? Area? Natural beauty? Culture? ALL 'up there' but not necessarily the 'best'; as someone said, a matter of 'subjectivity' eh... "

Michael Welch Sarcozy -- FRANCE Is The Greatest Country In The World... wrote on Jul 12, 2008 11:21 AM:

" I note some considerable commentary below about my ideas -- fine and dandy; I shall respond: first re: the ubiquitous Obama attack no I don't believe Obama is 'lying'; he's a millionaire (made through his own efforts by the way rather than having married into it per Big Jawn) and obviously a VERY successful man. Further he's a mainstream candidate for president of the United States and quite likely to be elected this November. (You can bet the ranch as Dick Nixon would have said but not the farmhouse.) People like that DO believe this is 'the greatest country' because well look how rich and powerful THEY have become. And it's standard campaign boilerplate; Sarcozy has probably said the same thing in his election campaign re: good ol' France eh... "

Dear kevin wrote on Jul 12, 2008 9:16 AM:

" You are correct, everyone wants the same stuff....family, security, food......but so do most living creatures on this planet. There are big differences in human populations across this globe. One only has to get out of the USA to learn this. - BrianGSmith "

BrianGSmith wrote on Jul 12, 2008 9:05 AM:

" Europe is chock full of millions of US ex-Pats who prefer the EU way over the US way. Dick Cheney is moving to Dubai when his term is over. This tiresome regurgitation that the USA is the greatest and everyone wants to get there is absolute BS. The world is different all over, good and bad, and Americans have alot to learn and gain. Sadly few have PassPorts like Bush before he was appointed. "

BGS wrote on Jul 12, 2008 8:55 AM:

" Dear "what's the point"....America is not the only Nation people are trying to reach......hundreds die each month crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa attempting to reach Italian and EU shores. Your view is exactly the narrowheadedness Jimmy was addressing. "

Yo wrote on Jul 11, 2008 9:21 PM:

" Tis true, most of the rest of the world does know more about us than we do about them. Hence their wisdom in moving here by the droves!(legally & illegally) They understand how good we have it, want a piece of it, will do anything to get it, are proud to wear and display the flag, would defend it, and if the USA ever does become a 2nd rate nation God help those who we send help to that need it the most. Surely the whole world would feel the effects. "

harsch wrote on Jul 11, 2008 6:43 PM:

" I well appreciate the size of America, for your highways kill from 40,000 to 50,000 per year. As for the comparison with Chicago, check the poverty and the murder rate. Perhaps small is better. But does America protect Slovenia? Unfortunately, Slovenes voted to join NATO, which means that the Americans have been pressuring the Slovenes to raise their defense budget from about 2% to 3. How would you feel about having such a low defense budget? Would you find it easier to care for your parents? "

Slovenia wrote on Jul 11, 2008 5:42 PM:

" I'm glad your living well, but comparing Slovenia to the US is hilarious. Chicago metro area covers more area then Slovenia and has about the same total population. Slovenia depends on the US for protection, just like all other European 'countries'. Slovenia's ability to peacefully exist is the same as the Amish's ability...they depend on the generocity and sacrifices of others. "

harsch wrote on Jul 11, 2008 4:56 PM:

" You are right, i do pay for them. In Slovenia there is a more equitable tax structure than in the U.S. that leads to fewer social ills (added benefit), better environmental control, etc. However, the taxes are paid by the employer until the employee earns more than most, in which case he earns more still, but pays more tax. A very, very few complain. Regarding migration, if you want to disagree with every single study about it you are of course free to do so. It is your choice whether to be a free man (free thinker) or not. "

kevin wrote on Jul 11, 2008 4:44 PM:

" To:Harsch & Welch

If I read your reply correctly then I will save the dollar I going contribute to the ticket.... : ) I appreciate your ability to recognize my doltish intelligence and I prostrate myself before your highly developed intellect. I shall also start locking my door at night, as now I recognize that I live in an extremely violent area. Thank you for that information I could have been hurt. As for the free press, you mean this blog is being monitored. Should I be concerned the FEDS are going to get me? Do you think I need to go underground? Thank you again for providing me such enlightenment! You guys are such fun, I swear! "

gimme some truth wrote on Jul 11, 2008 4:23 PM:

" we merkins know less 'bout merka too...how many of u can tell me the capital of the state of alberta?...how many of u know the year we defeated hitler's russia?...how many of u know what an arawak was? "

The French have Health Care wrote on Jul 11, 2008 4:10 PM:

" but not air conditioning for the elderly. It took them 2 months to figure out how many codgers died off during the Summer Heat of 2007.
Is it "hot" down there in 'zona? "

CHUCK wrote on Jul 11, 2008 3:49 PM:

" I'm married to a French National and live in the university city of Strasbourg France. The Americans we have met traveling in Europe know very little of what is going on in this part of the world. Just to think I spent a year of high school studing "US History". Schools should teach not only that by also atleast 6 months of world hisory. Those people that complain the loudest have never been outside the U.S. "

Re Harsch wrote on Jul 11, 2008 3:30 PM:

" If you really believe these things are free, you are more gullible than I thought. I guarantee, you DO pay for them. Also, migration is migration. The fact is, people migrate to the US for whatever reason. That tells me this is the place they want to be. You don't, and that is fine. But, most people do not agree with you. "

kevin wrote on Jul 11, 2008 2:55 PM:

" Michael your presumption that I am huddled far away from the world, either psychologically and/or otherwise is similar to your erroneous presumption that ignorance is only a 'virtue' of the 'right'. Your error in that presumption is only eclipsed by Jimmy's mistaken belief that the rest of the world knows more about the US and it's citizens/culture than we do about them. Perhaps both of you should dislodge yourselves from books, movies, pseudo-documentaries and actually visit/listen to the people of your own country as well as these other countries of such high regard. "

Harsch...stupidity I CAN imagine wrote on Jul 11, 2008 2:44 PM:

" I can, however, imagine many coulee region dolts reacting thusly in their minds: 'If you think Slovenia's so great why don't you stay there...wait he is staying there...' "

harsch wrote on Jul 11, 2008 2:42 PM:

" And Slovenia has an intelligent electorate. it would be shocking for me to hear a Slovene suggest that a critic of the country should leave it. So muuch for your fundamental (a word that combines fundament and mental) ideals. Amd I can't imagine anyone here dumb enough to mistake economic migration for idealistic migration. "

Harsch wrote on Jul 11, 2008 2:39 PM:

" Send Welch here. The quality of life by any standard beats that in the U.S. Free college, free medical care, the Julian Alps and the Adriatic, the Soa River, the Kolpa river, the Karst, the domestic wines, liquors, meats, vegetables, the mix of cultures and languages, the nearly free kindergarten starting at any age you choose, the proliferation of various sports (including baseball--I hit .400 two years ago at age 47! Did I mention that I hit .400 two years ago at age 47?), peace (remember that?), a free press, multi-party elections, extremely low violent crime rate (no need to lock my door). But as you all know, there are many such countries... "

Newsbreak wrote on Jul 11, 2008 2:01 PM:

" France's economy is about the same as California. France's population is 61 million, which is about the same as California and Texas. The US population of registered people (who knows exactly how many illegal aliens live here now) is about 300 million. The area occupied by France is slightly less than twice the size of the state of Colorado. France benefited for many years from the protection provided by the US taxpayers, so that they (along with most other European allies) didn't worry about spending much on defense of their own country.

France is pistachios, America is oranges. Not compareable. "

Michael Welch Send The Ticket To --... wrote on Jul 11, 2008 1:58 PM:

" Re: that plane ticket how 'bout Tahiti? Or Helsinki? Or Harschland -- Slovenia? Or -- well I get so carried away with the wonderment of it all, the vast world. I no doubt WOULD have been 'happier' as a Finn say -- the winter war of '39-40 notwithstanding -- or a Swede or --. There I go again! It would have been fascinating to have been a Chinese too! It's a big world out there yeah -- don't huddle so far away from it eh, psychologically or otherwise... "

To Michael wrote on Jul 11, 2008 1:48 PM:

" You mention Barack Huseein Obama can "say what he wants in order to get elected". Are you saying he is lying? "

Michael Welch Not Entirely Subjective No... wrote on Jul 11, 2008 1:06 PM:

" By the way National Public Radio very recently did a piece on the French health care system that revealed its surprising lack of bureaucracy, its attention to patients (day and night) and easy comprehension re: benefits, which are generous by the way. China's and India's economic dynamism can't have altogether eluded my critic eh; both are growing SO fast and though their political systems are panting behind, stuff is changing there too. Tahiti and the south Pacific reference may well be more 'subjective' of course but none other than the Wall Street Journal reported on the fact that Finnish kids come out on top in world wide intelligence and learning tests. You ought to uh 'learn' some more yourself about that wide whirl eh?... "

kevin wrote on Jul 11, 2008 1:02 PM:

" I respectfully disagree with you Jimmy. People all over the world are the same! We all want our families & friends to be safe, well fed, respected, successful and happy. Our social conventions, definitions and priorities which are used to obtain/justify those goals and objectives are different. As you correctly stated the challenge is too understand those differences. The trick is doing this while realizing in the end the goals of people, in general, are the same. Not doing this dehumanizes groups, and creates elitist perspectives. Michael, I think we the readers, should chip in an buy you a plane ticket to a new country where you could be happier. "

Michael Welch Not So Great Anymore... wrote on Jul 11, 2008 12:29 PM:

" My critic below obviously doesn't read many of my comments -- Obama is not 'my hero,' he's merely the candidate for president I would prefer see win, given the rather paltry 'choices' we've had: it was Obama or Hillary or Big Jawn at last and I picked Obama. The senator from Illinois can say what he wishes in order to get elected; that the US is 'the greatest country in the world' is the usual campaign tripe de riguer. A guy (or gal) wants to be president of it so OF COURSE it's 'great' (the greatest!) -- it just could be improved huh by electing 'me.' I am no longer young and naive so I now vote for the 'better,' realizing the 'best' has been beyond 'US' for many decades now... "

To Michael wrote on Jul 11, 2008 11:36 AM:

" Your musings are purely subjective. Obviously, most others disagree with you. Xenophobia is a fear of foreigners or other cultures. It is not the belief that yours happens to be the best. You do realize that even your hero, Barack Hussein Obama, has stated that he believes the US is the greatest country in the world? But, he is ignorant too, I suppose? "

The Ugly Slovenian wrote on Jul 11, 2008 11:23 AM:

" Pubulis, you would think that should be the case. But, these other countries think it is us that should learn from them. Sometimes, I feel like I am in some kind of Bizarro World. "

Michael Welch Is Ignorance Your Bliss... wrote on Jul 11, 2008 11:17 AM:

" The country with the 'best' health care system is probably France; the world's most 'dynamic' countries are no doubt China and India; the most beautiful place may be Tahiti and the south Pacific isles or New Zealand; the 'smartest' folks are apparently the Finns -- so my point ought to be obvious: the world is a great diversity, wonderful and terrible, and those of 'US' who snuggle xenophobically with all the 'answers' simply in being an American are actually embracing willful ignorance, which unfortunately seems an American trait. We even know very little, it's been my experience here on Jim's blog, about the history and culture of our own nation. How did ignorance become such a 'virtue' for right wing dingies hmm?... "

Pubulis wrote on Jul 11, 2008 10:08 AM:

" "In the democracy which I have envisaged....there will be equal freedom for all."-Gandi

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty."-JFK

"We welcome change and openness; for we believe that freedom and security go together, that the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace."-Reagan

Freedom and liberty are not just American or Western Ideals, but they are human ideals. America is one of last great defenders of human freedom. If a culture or religion enslaves people who want freedom, don't we have an obligation to help them? "

Lee Bowers wrote on Jul 11, 2008 9:57 AM:

" Well, let's take it a step further. What about the cultural and political differences within the US. For example, you've got progressive states like Wisconsin and then you've got the hillbilly states like Kentucky and West Virginia. There's the Bible Belt states and the western states where the men are men and the sheep are nervous. "

Whats the Point wrote on Jul 11, 2008 9:49 AM:

" If America is the best country, why would we care to "know" about the rest of the world? The rest of the world should "know" about us. The measure of a country can be gauged by looking at how many people are trying to get in vs how many people are trying to leave. Why would we want to learn from the "not as good"? You should want to learn from the best. And obviously the rest of the world thinks we are the best(despite what some would have you believe), or they wouldn't all want to come here. "

Guy Bannister wrote on Jul 11, 2008 9:21 AM:

" Interesting. Now if ABC would just do a story on the current heron infestation in lovely lively La Crosse. Only the mayflies outnumber the herons. Happy Friday everybody. "

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