SteveThaiBinh Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 We need to get some of the intolerant language out of our discussions and approach each other in a more respectful manner. There have been complaints, and some the the terms and comments that have been used are not appropriate to a respectful, constructive debate. In other news, a new president was inaugurated in the United States. I watched for a while - did he fluff his lines a bit over the oath, or did I imagine that? "An electric puddle is not what I need right now." (Nina Kalenkov)
Hurlshort Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 I'm not sure what happened to the last thread, but no matter the political party, this is a historic day in US history and I think it is pretty special to look how far this country has come. I'm very positive about the cultural and social implications of this day on our future generations. Barack Obama is takng on an enormously difficult job and I wish him the best.
taks Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 i simply hope he's a poll-driven president ala bill clinton. if so, then he'll wield the veto pen regularly, unlike bush, and we won't spend ourselves into oblivion... well, other than the oblivion we already have ourselves set up to spend in a soon-to-be failed attempt at "saving" us all. taks comrade taks... just because.
Moatilliatta Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 Two times. I think the guy who read it up fluffed the first line and then Obama forgot the second line halfway through. I liked his speech and if it is a sign of things to come then he will be an overall good president.
taks Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 uh, what does that first line mean, moat? taks comrade taks... just because.
samm Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 (edited) Sorry for being partly responsible for the last thread's vanishing (or didn't I post? I sure was upset...) Anyway, I hope he'll do a good job bringing the US back on track for the people living there, and into a position where they're respected again around here. [edit] Moatilliatta may be responding to a post of the previous thread about other people's speeches and a poem or something. Edited January 20, 2009 by samm Citizen of a country with a racist, hypocritical majority
SteveThaiBinh Posted January 20, 2009 Author Posted January 20, 2009 Moatilliatta may be responding to a post of the previous thread about other people's speeches and a poem or something. I think he's responding to me. Obama was better once he got onto his own words. Not the most rousing speech he's ever given, but perhaps that's appropriate? "An electric puddle is not what I need right now." (Nina Kalenkov)
Arkan Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 As I said in the other thread. I was lucky enough to be in attendance at the inauguration. It was once in a lifetime experience. "Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger." - Herman Goering at the Nuremberg trials "I have also been slowly coming to the realisation that knowledge and happiness are not necessarily coincident, and quite often mutually exclusive" - meta
taks Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 oh, OK. i'm not sorry, btw, samm, and you shouldn't be either. this is the internet: we're all retarded for arguing here. while it is noble of STB to hope for respectful, constructive debate, history has proven that ideal out of reach. taks comrade taks... just because.
taks Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 As I said in the other thread. I was lucky enough to be in attendance at the inauguration. It was once in a lifetime experience. i got to see gorbachev speak at the CTIA/WCNC conference in orlando in 2002. that was once in a lifetime, too. taks comrade taks... just because.
SteveThaiBinh Posted January 20, 2009 Author Posted January 20, 2009 As I said in the other thread. I was lucky enough to be in attendance at the inauguration. It was once in a lifetime experience. It looked like great fun on TV (apart from the cold - I hope you wrapped up warm). How far away were you from the event itself? "An electric puddle is not what I need right now." (Nina Kalenkov)
Volourn Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 So.. I guess Bush wasn't the Lifetime Dictator everyone accused him of? Good, goood. Congrats to the new Prez! DWARVES IN PROJECT ETERNITY = VOLOURN HAS PLEDGED $250.
Moatilliatta Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 In case people are confused still, I responded to this: I watched for a while - did he fluff his lines a bit over the oath, or did I imagine that? Preview tricked me by telling me there wasn't any replies yet. I'm especially interested in whether Obama will be able to repeal some of bushes post 9/11 laws without setting himself up for another terrorist attack disgracing him irregardless of whether the laws could have helped or not. Before the cynical Americans come and bit me in the ass, I'm not hoping that he will immediately stop listening in on peoples calls or anything, but rather that he starts something so America doesn't get complacent with them. I strongly dislike such laws and feel that they are as inhibitive to a people as even the worst examples of socialist economics. I was also annoyed by the TV commentators speaking over certain parts of the ceremony and people booing at GWB, I didn't like him either, but is it too much to expect people to be a bit classy and not be offensive on such an occasion?
Arkan Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 As I said in the other thread. I was lucky enough to be in attendance at the inauguration. It was once in a lifetime experience. It looked like great fun on TV (apart from the cold - I hope you wrapped up warm). How far away were you from the event itself? We positioned ourselves at the base of the Washington Monument, facing the Capitol. Facing two big screens and awesome views of the almost 2 million people squeezed onto The Mall. It was, cold, and we got there at 9am so we waited 3 hours in the cold, but we all wrapped up warmly. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and a positive vibe. "Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger." - Herman Goering at the Nuremberg trials "I have also been slowly coming to the realisation that knowledge and happiness are not necessarily coincident, and quite often mutually exclusive" - meta
Deadly_Nightshade Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 I watched for a while - did he fluff his lines a bit over the oath, or did I imagine that? I think Roberts was the one who "fluffed" - but I'm not positive about that. It might have been Obama. Anyways, I thought he gave a great speech. "Geez. It's like we lost some sort of bet and ended up saddled with a bunch of terrible new posters on this forum." -Hurlshot
Killian Kalthorne Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 (edited) There was a huge flamewar about politics and I missed it?!?!? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! On a more serious note, I do think that Obama is probably the best guy for the job in putting the country back in order, but we do need some good fiscal responsibility on part of the government if we are going to get out of this economic cesspool we are in. I am all for socialized medicine, shifts in tax burden, and programs to help the poor which most Democrats are for, but first things first. We can have all that after we develop a plan to cut spending to only the priorities, find a way to maintain a balanced budget, and lower the national debt. Fiscal Conservatism first, then apply the liberal socialism where it can be afforded. It was a nice speech as speeches go, but actions shall always speak louder than words. Edited January 20, 2009 by Killian Kalthorne "Your Job is not to die for your country, but set a man on fire, and take great comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the universe."
taks Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 (edited) i'm curious where we're going to "shift the tax burden" to? the top 10% or so already pay 80-90% of the taxes... your entire post is nothing but contradictory ideas, btw. well, except for your 2nd to last line, but the "where it can be afforded" part is telling: nowhere. taks edit: yes, you missed the flame war. it was gearing up to be ugly. Edited January 20, 2009 by taks comrade taks... just because.
Killian Kalthorne Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 (edited) Maybe shifting the tax burden was the wrong words. Using a completely different tax paradigm is more what I meant. I do think that we need a fairer tax system than the old income tax system. One that will hit the rich and the poor, and everyone in between, equally and fairly. We eliminate the federal income tax and the IRS (as it is now) and introduce a federal sales tax system. After all we are a consumer based society, might as well make use of it. This way will also allow the US goverment to get taxes from those who get paid "under the RADAR" whenever they purchase a taxable item. What I mean that once we get spending under control, devise a budget that gets us a surplus of funds, instead of a deficit, while working on getting the national debt paid off, that is when we see if the country can afford programs that would socialize healthcare. Edited January 20, 2009 by Killian Kalthorne "Your Job is not to die for your country, but set a man on fire, and take great comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the universe."
Guard Dog Posted January 21, 2009 Posted January 21, 2009 As for Obama's speech, I thought it was twenty minutes of nothing. He never settled on a coherent message and bounced back and forth between reciting campaign slogans and citing history. Don't get me wrong, he delivered well as he always does, but the text was choppy and he jumped from one subject to another and back, from historical citations to rehashed campaign slogans and back. Half of it was almost Conservative, talking about taking responsibility and the government cannot solve all problems, then in the next breath stated that people should turn to the government for solutions. That is an exteme contadiction. It's kind of like talking about dry rain. I almost thought he was making it up as he went. Did you notice the crowd was not sure when to applaud? As for Obama himself, he scares me half to death. My biggest fear is that he and his fellow democrats in Congress will radically change and expand the role of government into an Orwellian nightmare. Thay are quite capable of it and some are chomping at the bit to do it. "While it is true you learn with age, the down side is what you often learn is what a damn fool you were before" Thomas Sowell
Moatilliatta Posted January 21, 2009 Posted January 21, 2009 You are aware that you're talking about a president that have been described as pragmatic and seeking compromises, right?
Guard Dog Posted January 21, 2009 Posted January 21, 2009 You are aware that you're talking about a president that have been described as pragmatic and seeking compromises, right? Oh I will agree so far so good. But he is just getting started. Two years from now I'll be in a position to admit I was wrong or prove I was right. I desperately hope it's the former. "While it is true you learn with age, the down side is what you often learn is what a damn fool you were before" Thomas Sowell
Killian Kalthorne Posted January 21, 2009 Posted January 21, 2009 What I am hoping for is some fiscal responsibility and conservatism with some major social changes and liberalism. No to corporate welfare, yes to gay marriage! That sort of thing. "Your Job is not to die for your country, but set a man on fire, and take great comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the universe."
Moatilliatta Posted January 21, 2009 Posted January 21, 2009 What I am hoping for is some fiscal responsibility and conservatism with some major social changes and liberalism. No to corporate welfare, yes to gay marriage! That sort of thing. Those two rarely go together.
Killian Kalthorne Posted January 21, 2009 Posted January 21, 2009 (edited) \Those two rarely go together. Fiscal conservatism, not social conservatism. Notice the "AND" between "responsibility" and "conservatism," which means that both are tied to the word "fiscal." Edited January 21, 2009 by Killian Kalthorne "Your Job is not to die for your country, but set a man on fire, and take great comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the universe."
Aram Posted January 21, 2009 Posted January 21, 2009 I just need to know when they're coming to take my guns. Did he say anything about that in his speech?
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