The French can go to hell!

[Cons]

OK, well having lived in four countries I can safely say that American drivers don't qualify for the top 10.

McDonald's is garbage, but like TrendSetter said the choice is up to you as to whether you want to eat there. If people wouldn't go there then they wouldn't be around. And yet they're everywhere and prospering. A lot of it is the marketing scheme they employ to target kids. But then the choice is still up to the people.

Same with films, though I guess you have to see it before you know if it's any good. Obviously the US is the biggest producer of film, though many countries have had an impact on world cinema. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was good, the subtitled version. British director Ridley Scott: Blade Runner, Alien... Gladiator (didn't like it though).

TrendSetter, how do you rate your experience in the military? Interesting/boring? Worthwhile?

[TrendSetter]

When I first came in (1975-77) it was great. I was 17 and that was my first real job. Had a paper route when I turned 12 until 2 days before leaving for basic.

After 3 layoffs with oil companys I rejoined in 86. It's not like it was. Too much bull. I guess it depends on the unit you get assigned to. I've only been in one good one since. That was from 89-92. It's a secure job with low pay. For a high school graduate it's a good start. No rent. I have to stay until at least October of 2004 for retirement. For me, since I have prior service, I would get 50%. If you know someone who's interested let me know so I can give the low down (how to get the better job, first duty assignment; if qualified). I was a recruiter in 96.

[This message has been edited by TrendSetter (edited 02-25-2001).]

[alec]

Wait a second! I love McDonald's, especially those cakes. Actually I think that their restaurants in Kiev are better than those in the US.

Now, does this post qualify to this "Post Leader" contest?

[JT]

Trendsetter, can't say I have any figures. My understanding is that one must go thru a academy to get a license in Germany. Choices are fine also. It is a opinion in the end when it comes to food, music and movies. In regards to French films someone the other day told me they are nothing more than soft porn. A generalization of course. One thing about "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is how it is praised so highly here but I read that is has been trashed by critics in the Far East. If Germany is so "cultured" why do they like David Hasselhoff singing? We could all go back and forth on this subject forever. Regards, JT...

[tripleplay]

Cons- If your going to rip the American Military at least get the story straight. The pilot was given the order to fire by an overzealous pumped up superior sitting in a command bunker who was a trigger happy fool. HE was relieved of his command not the pilot. Repeat the pilot did not make the final judgement. I heard the actual communication between them and believe me the pilot was very unsure and said so but was told to fire anyway. Im sure there isnt a day goes by that pilot doesnt blame himself for obeying an order that should never have been given. But these are casulties of war and they will happen in thse situations. OZ- I may not agree with your philosophy which downplays the importance of U.S. contributions in the wars against tyranny, but I have to say that after the reams of voluminous pontificating Ive read in all these posts you definitely win hands down for the most unforgettable line- "If 10 million dead isn't a sob story, what is?" Priceless.

[AussieVamp2]

Originally posted by alec:
Wait a second! I love McDonald's, especially those cakes. Actually I think that their restaurants in Kiev are better than those in the US.

Now, does this post qualify to this "Post Leader" contest?

Alec, come back after those tequila slammers wear off

[Geekinstein]

Cons: If Saddam had had the Moxie, he would have pushed on thru to Al Jubal, etc and captured the ports on the Persian (Arabian?)Gulf side of Saudi and we would have had to come in on the Red Sea side and had to fight over the mountains. This was the Americans/Gulf Alliance's greatest fear.

This did not take great technology and could well have been a winning move. Big tech does not win every time. Witness Germany in WW II.

[Cons]

Well, there's a different version of what happened and why and I'll post it as soon as I have the time. Saddam had no chance no matter what he would do. Attacking the Saudis was not part of the picture, and a move like that would have spelled disaster for him. You must remember that the Saudis have a very sophisticated air force. In fact they have F-16's that were purchased from the US. In addition there are US bases in Saudi Arabia, so a move like that would have been suicidal. Also, satellites would track any army movement as it happens so Iraq was never going to surprise anyone with anything.

The choice to dismantle Sadam's military was a good one, but I can't agree with the continued bombing campaigns which don't make sense any more. It's like kicking someone who's already on the ground. What kind of person does that? It only infuriates the extremists and does nothing to further plans for permanent peace in the region. I'm a supporter supporter of peace in the region so anything that hurts the process is not going to get a positive remark from me.

[Geekinstein]

Cons, I'm talking about the very start, when Saddam rolled into Kuwait he should have kept going. This was our biggest sweat, and believe me I know, I was working in the CENTCOM HQ at the time.

You're right about the continued bombing, it just continues to piss off the Arabs.

[tripleplay]

Saddam is toast. Within a year informed sources in the Pentagon tell us something is going to happen. Yes, Saddam is a coward. He could have made that war interesting by taking Al Jubal. If he had used his Republican Guard instead of those ragtag recruits he would have caused a major problem for the U.S. But in the end what good would it have done? He had no chance of long term victories, only short-term ones. Without his R. Guard, cut down by the Americans eventually, he would be out of power by now. But no one here sees the obvious. Bush senior lost face to Saddam because he is still in power. It is also said the Saddam was shocked and disturbed when Bush Jr. was elected, instantly creating the son avenges the fathers politital death. Yes, the President provoked Saddam the other day, letting him know it aint over till its over, and its round 2 now. Saddam did nothing, correctly, for George Jr. is looking for an excuse to get him, take him out off the political chesa board forever, like his father had tried but failed to do. But sooner or later Saddam will forget too look both ways while crossing the street and Bush will be right there to run him down.

[Jeff K]

Well, I'm not so sure we were on the right side in the Gulf War. After saving their a$$es, they turn around and stab us in the back with higher oil prices. They're all a bunch of greedy ba$tards. Maybe we should have left Saddam take Saudia Arabia too. If he did, I'll bet oil prices would be lower today.

[Geekinstein]

Not that I care for him or anything, but what kind of odds would you like to offer me Triple: that Saddam will be in power 1 year from today?

This clown is a serious survivor...better than Cher.

[tripleplay]

Geek- I never said he would be ousted in 12 short months. I said within a year something will happen that will lead directly to a massive military action build up against Iraq that will be Saddams downfall. Of course the build up will take months as before in the last Gulf War so one year OOP is ridulous to assume. But in 24 to 36 months at the least and at maximum by the end of the U.S. Presidents first Saddam is toast. The American Military have already tested the waters of Bushes resolve ala last weeks routine restarting of the bombing of Iraq to get this mission done right this time and Bush signed off as easy as he upholds executions in Texas. He will continue to provoke Saddam untill he blinks and then destroy him. Or he will be assasinated by the CIA. And for that I would take take even money right now. Still interested?

[reno]

I'm at war with popular American "culture," which, via Hollywood, the recording industry, Madison Avenue, and plastic, nauseating mega-chains like Mc Donald's, Domino's, and Dunkin' donuts is infesting the Third World with a vision of life that is sickening. Hell, every place I eat or go here in the Philippines plays utterly disgusting, heavy-base American disco-rap "music." Go to a quaint small town and a neon-light Mc Dondald's is there to spoil the vibe. Walmart is planning on entering the Philippines. In 30 years this country could look like Los Angeles. I fully understand why guys like Marlon Brando and James Arness got the hell out of plastic, ultra-commercial and ultra politically correct America. American culture is an oxymoron.

[tripleplay]

I was prompted to bring this Topic back because of the events of today which I condemm as an American, and that I thought the topic which began as a snipe at the French, became a tremendously interesting discussion about would history that becomes even more of a must read from a historical perspective now. As of now my prayers are said. Im angry and I want to know who what and where. We already know why.
My heart goes out to all victims of this terrible attack by terrorists. America is now in mourning. May God bless the thousands as they now wait in heaven for the violence to end forever on this earth, but Im afraid there are many years ahead before we as human beings will ever see that. I firmly believe that by evolutionary standards we are still to primitive to lay claim to that vice conquered. We all of us are not to blame. Its that fu+king neanderthal gene that still makes us think explosions fire and death whenever we think we have been wronged. We are drawn to movies,we men anyway, that isnt an Action movie not worth its salt unless it contains these images? And that is why the French have said nothing ChuckyZ,because they are above all that in their own minds, but they are still wrong because we need time to evolve into a peace loving species, and we cant do that unless sombody, us, prevent other countries, with their collateral damage state sponsored terrorist employees, from constantly daring the self destruction of the human race by chemical and nuclear means. God bless those who didnt make it out of those buildings on time this morning. And my eyes fill with tears when I think of those brave NYC Fireman some 200 or more that died trying to get people out in time before the building collapsed. But why exactly did this happen? Geek- if your still around this topic what I said would happen just did. Now, Bush knows this was a state sponsored deal by Saddams Iraq using Bin Laden to execute HIS evil machinations about payback for the Gulf War, sanctions, etc. And you can thank God we obviously did destroy biological weaponry or it could have been much worse, or else Saddam thinks that would have been too obvious. I fear the death tolls from these terrorist attacks will be much worse some day. If we can except 10-30 thousand dead tomorrow, it seems like it can only get worse. And Im scared for the people of New York right now and for myself in Boston and all cities of this great country, because whats going to happen next? Look at what happened today. 3 out of 4 planes did their dirty jobs perfectly. Too much perfect execution spells perfect training and that in turn means money. You dont think they have 757-767 Simulators in Iraq? Now, Bush knows that Saddam did this- that he has finally blinked and now Bush can go ahead and get rid of the b+stard once and for all. It was so typical of Saddam today to brazenly applaud his own action. The team of Bin Laden and Saddam will now be dealt by an American military response. Bush will not move until the proof that this intentional act of war was commited by Iraq is uncovered, but when it is, believe me, the U.S. declares War on Iraq and Saddam will be either killed or captured and tried for War Crimes against humanity like Milosevich, but against the Kurds, essentially his own people! Ironically for Saddam they very thing that he thought made him strong will make him weak, this will go along way to show the dictators of the world wherever they pop up that Chemical Weapons are not an advantage anymore on the world stage, they are a liability so dont even think about it for your military options, because they will ultimately get you out of power tried convicted and sentenced to death. How long before this happens? Well Im sure every general in the Pentagon wants to declare war on Iraq tommorrow.If it had been a chemical attack by air today it would be tommorrrow. Even so, after todays horror, the wheels have been set in motion, Saddams knows it and his fate is sealed. Soon it will all be traced to him, and Bush will avenge his fathers failure to oust him and save the American people any more worry about the madman forever. But like Bob Dylan sings in his latest song "Things have changed." Boy, have they.