i pretty much lied about going friends only. i decided it was a bad idea. there will probably be more friends-only entries in the future, but this isnt going to be a friends only journal
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Because, obviously, gay partners get sick more often than straight partners and obviously jack the price of insurance up.I agree with you, but I think you are making the Senator's statement a little bit too simple
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I guess it would have been better to focus on how ridiculous it is to with hold health insurance from a sector of people just because people associated with them get sick more often than others. And the Senator is a bigot. He is coming from a bigoted perspective, nothing else.
To your other point, I cannot disagree with you more. It is the job of "world leaders" to "lead the world." Sure, Europe and the US have a lot on their plate, but besides the US, none of them are risks which have people losing lives in violent fashion on a large scale. That is a problem that needs to be dealt with quickly.
Like I said, I agree with your point of view on this for the most part. However, allow me to remind you and your audience that we don't have universal healthcare. So whining about the Senator's views regarding the insurance companies is a waste of time. We are a capitalistic society that has private health insurance companies in place. That is OUR adopted system. That is a choice that all Americans need to learn to live with
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I grudgingly agree with your analysis that the US has to live with the stupid decisions it has made with regards to health care, I would have you note that I said that the the deicisions about health care that are made by UofL are entirely outside of the state, and will not cost the state a penny. So, if anything, the Senator was giving an opinion that didnt have any regard to anything
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There is no really good answer for this. It could be because Jews in the US present a pretty powerful voting bloc, and therefore we keep them happy by being vigilantly pro-Israel. It also may be that a majority of people who run this country are Christian, and feel some sort of draw towards Jewish people and the Jewish homeland. It could be that Israel is a democratic country in the middle of a volatile region full of totalitarian governments. It could be that Israel seeks our alliance by voting nearly 100% with us in the UN. Anyways, its hard to explain. Nearly impossible actually. But the fact of the matter is that we are Israel's best friend.
see, america has no friends. america has interests. i think kissinger said that, i am probably wrong. but israel is our strongest interest in the middle east due to the above reasons, not to mention they are sort of our little pet project since we pretty much birthed that state after dubya dubya too.
also, they can handle themselves fine, but they also have nuclear weapons. israel seems to be a hothead and probably is one of the biggest players to watch so that escalation does not lead to that. i mean honestly, the whole kidnapped soldiers deal is merely an excuse to lay their heavy hand upon terrorist groups and their sponsors. unfortunately for lebanon, who refuses to police its terrorist group(s) (more than likely seen as nationalist groups by the lebanese), it is seen as a sponsor.
most everything about that is right except for the idea that the US birthed Israel. Israel was its own creation....we definietly weren't their friends until after they were born. The Palestinean Jews even got pissed at the American Jews for their lack of help during the nationalist phase.
The only other problem i see is the idea that hizbollah is a nationalist group. lebanon sees them like Focus on the Family with warheads. Hizbollah is pretty much what would happen if Focus on the Family got warhead
i can not believe what ignorant people we have in this state. i think it's SO wonderful what uofl is doing and uk better be right behind them. i still don't understand what gives someone the right to tell ANYONE who they can and can't love. people should not be punished (ex. denied health insurance) because of who they love. it's ridiculous.
the g-8 is a conference of the SIX most powerful democracies, russia, and canada.
and I have no real problems with Israel, in theory at least. But the details of its existence -- its creation, the disproportionate assistance it has continually received, its incredibly stupid location regardless of any cultural consideration, etc. -- cause me to have little real sympathy for them. it's not that I don't support Israel in this fight. They're clearly the most stable and reasonable state in the region. But that doesn't mean I support them in everything else.
i was disparaging russia for not really being a democracy, not because of their power.
Eh, the details of Israel are actually pretty interesting to look into- if you think their location is stupid, the Jews have been there off and on since recorded history began. It may not take modern culture into consideration, but looking beyond that, it has real reason to be there. If you think its creation was the result of some cock-eyed scheme by western countries, read Exodus by Leon Uris. Its a really good book all about the subject. I really liked it.
errr....america is a democracy? sorry what? you don't even directly elect your head of state (before you come back, shut up, the queen has no practical power =P), your political system is monopolised by two parties which essentially represent the same free market rich get richer poor get poorer 100% support to israel and a continuation of your foney "war on terror" approach.
i'm sorry. but as an american you can't go disparaging the democratic structures and institutions of other countries.
You don't directly elect the Prime Minister either, do you? You vote for his/her party, and so for a member of parliament (well.. several, becasue of the percentage seats, right?)... I mean, arguing that a Parliamentary gov't votes directly for a PM is like saying a nation set up like the US votes directly for the speaker of the house.. essentially, we still have an electoral college-esque system.
Furthermore, don't the conservatives and labour have a virtual duopoly in the UK, Canada, and Austrailia? I mean, you have 3rd parties w/ some seats.. but so has the US over the past century. I mean, Green, Libertarians, Progressives, Socialists, and Independents have won major elections...
Although, I do agree.. America is more of a Republic. I prefer to think Democratic Republic. :)
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To your other point, I cannot disagree with you more. It is the job of "world leaders" to "lead the world." Sure, Europe and the US have a lot on their plate, but besides the US, none of them are risks which have people losing lives in violent fashion on a large scale. That is a problem that needs to be dealt with quickly.
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Now, why do we like Israel so much?
(I could probably figure this one out with a bit of digging, but since you are here, you're going to tell me.)
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also, they can handle themselves fine, but they also have nuclear weapons. israel seems to be a hothead and probably is one of the biggest players to watch so that escalation does not lead to that. i mean honestly, the whole kidnapped soldiers deal is merely an excuse to lay their heavy hand upon terrorist groups and their sponsors. unfortunately for lebanon, who refuses to police its terrorist group(s) (more than likely seen as nationalist groups by the lebanese), it is seen as a sponsor.
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The only other problem i see is the idea that hizbollah is a nationalist group. lebanon sees them like Focus on the Family with warheads. Hizbollah is pretty much what would happen if Focus on the Family got warhead
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and I have no real problems with Israel, in theory at least. But the details of its existence -- its creation, the disproportionate assistance it has continually received, its incredibly stupid location regardless of any cultural consideration, etc. -- cause me to have little real sympathy for them. it's not that I don't support Israel in this fight. They're clearly the most stable and reasonable state in the region. But that doesn't mean I support them in everything else.
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Eh, the details of Israel are actually pretty interesting to look into- if you think their location is stupid, the Jews have been there off and on since recorded history began. It may not take modern culture into consideration, but looking beyond that, it has real reason to be there. If you think its creation was the result of some cock-eyed scheme by western countries, read Exodus by Leon Uris. Its a really good book all about the subject. I really liked it.
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i'm sorry. but as an american you can't go disparaging the democratic structures and institutions of other countries.
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Furthermore, don't the conservatives and labour have a virtual duopoly in the UK, Canada, and Austrailia? I mean, you have 3rd parties w/ some seats.. but so has the US over the past century. I mean, Green, Libertarians, Progressives, Socialists, and Independents have won major elections...
Although, I do agree.. America is more of a Republic. I prefer to think Democratic Republic. :)
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