Why should I be celebrating today ?

This was after he was elected, when he was appointing cabinet members and his 'Science Team.' I remember hearing him say something to the effect of 'My administration will make its decisions based on fact and science, rather than faith and beliefs.' That is not a direct quote, but it is close. And it was made in reference to his recent and soon-to-come appointees. Why are you getting so hung up on this? Do you really not think that he is in favor of stem cell research, or that he claims to 'not know' if evolution is real?

One too many 'buts' in there. There is resentment, or jealousy, in many walks of life, and this is no different. Many people outside of America didn't like us strictly out of envy or resentment. However, when Bush basically flipped off and alienated many of our long-time allies, it typified and reinforced already an widespread image of arrogance and disrespect towards the rest of the world.

I agree, but also believe (as stated above) that the situation has been exacerbated.

Why in the hell are you using capital letters?

For one, I never actually said anything about 'global warming.' There are many other areas of environmental protection that I feel we should make efforts to improve in. One example is water quality. I deal directly with this at my job, and many municipalities (esp. BTR) are well behind the times. However, and I don't want to go into too much detail, but topographical and geographical limitations put us at a severe disadvantage (as compared to hillier places with less rainfall). And frankly, we just need better technology to assess the situation more adequately.

Furthe, to an extent, I agree that we don't know all of the exact causes of global warming and which processes contribute more than others. However, I believe it is foolish to discount the impact of anthropogenic processes, especially when icebergs supply us with the information that CO2 levels were much higher before the industrial revolution. Bush always insisted that we just 'didn't know enough' to do even a damn thing about it. He said that in 2002, and again in 2007. That kind of attitude has no place in a 21st century society.

It is clear that there is a problem, and it is clear that industrial practices are contributing to it (even though they may not be the sole cause). We can no longer afford to be stubborn about it.

That number is completely arbitrary, so I don't see why it's even worth discussing.

The only person that I'm smitten with is my fiance' (actually Chad Ogea's cousin, fyi). I am optimistic about Obama, and I think that he provides an opportunity for America to...wait for it...change for the better. He is a fresh face and could turn out to be just the shot in the arm that the country needs so badly. Of course, I could be completely wrong about him, just as I was about Bush in 2000 (granted I didn't hold GWB in quite the same regard). But, given what I know now, I believe he's our best chance to 'turn things around.'

Honestly, tirk, I did not even watch the inauguration. I didn't even know about Roberts flubbing the lines until I saw it on the news late last night. I don't care for all the fanfare and 'pomp' surrounding it. I can tell that your perception is different, but I'm not one that sees him as a god. I'm giving you the honest reasons about why I like him, and that seems to confuse you (and SabanFan) into lumping me in with the morons who think he's going to suddenly solve all of their problems. Really, that image that people have about him kept me from warming up to him for a very long time. It really turned me off. But once I took the time to see what he was all about, I came to the conclusion that he would be an effective leader, and could at least point the country in the right direction. I've never been one to look to leaders to improve my life. I firmly believe that sort of thing has to come from within the individual. But I also recognize the country's need for someone to make the right decisions about the things that have an impact on all of us.

 

I hope he stands by his claims and wanted a quote to hang my hat on specifically. I remember him saying he would 'explore' stem-cell research and it seems he certainly leans that way. I dont want him reneging when the far right freaks out about it again. I think its a huge key to finally curing many of these diseases.

I dont give a phuck about that. As a matter of fact, when we feel we are right in doing something, I dont want our image to affect in any way how we attain that goal. If theres a better way to accomplish the same task, sobeit. Otherwise, Im beyond indifferent. their fickle mindsets be damned.

props to my editor.

the same way I knew you were smitten with obama I knew you were one who thinks we should live without electricity and motorized vehicles.

actually, I was going to bring this up but my diatribe had gone far too long. I was going to say Im more worried about the affect the disposal of our energy waste is impacting our water supply over global warming. I think we will die out from lack of fresh water long before AGW.

its fine to want to help the environment and save mankind. its not ok to assume we directly affect global warming and/or can control it either way.

Just because someone doesnt agree with mandates, it doesnt mean its being ignored. It just means perhaps theres no real solution.

Doing something merely for the sake of self-importance is beyond counterproductive. Much moreso than someone doing nothing.

actually its the right attitude instead of passing it onto the taxpayers before having nearly enough empirical data to make any assertions into facts. Is global warming simply a natural phase for our planet? you dont act simply for the sake of acting.

sure it may be clear its contributing although until its proven to what extent then you cannot possibly begin to fix it.

why reduce factory production in countries where it is a means to their survival and better way of life in hopes that it MIGHT help mankind in 50, 100 or even 1000 yrs.

Should kids' medicines and foods production be ceased in hopes it might extend the species.

and if we stop production, reduce emissions and salvage the rainforest, how do we measure success? Less catastrophic hurricanes next decade? a half a degree drop in surface temperature? next century? do we really know that we actually helped even if we have? how is it quantified? what do we do then?

we are using such a minute time-frame on earth its extremely short-sighted to assume we have any of the answers.

should we work on things that we know are more productive like recycling or turning off the lights when we leave the house? certainly. only because its cost-effective!

if the byproduct is well, it may help the ozone in the long-run, then good deal. even better.

until then, its just ridiculous to assume we know--much less do anything about it just because.

yeah whatever. congrats or what have you.

i share some of the same sentiments and am hoping his better judgment and critical thinking skills supercede some of his share the wealth socialist ideals.


and to be frank, I never trust any damned politician, much less one who has incurred enough power to sit atop the highest perch governing the free world.

i believe you somewhat and was yanking your chain to some extent. I like the optimism and the fact the country has seemed to come together for many reasons and hope is a good thing. Ill approach it with guarded optimism while hoping for the best as always.

 

Clear, foggy or not, you need to get out more. Your assertion is echoed by Bush haters as a way to rename America haters. It's been going on for as long as this country has existed, and if it comforts you to think Bush is responsible for this, then there isn't much else to say.

I don't have it backwards at all. I stated very clearly what I meant and it is not incorrect. You can dislike him for any number of reasons, it's a free country after all. But trying to pin anti-Americanism on him is pathetically naive. As I stated before, the chorus has changed to incorporate Iraq/Bush, but the tune has not changed one iota.

 

Believe me, the last thing this does is comfort me. And I think that you suggesting otherwise typifies exactly how flawed your perspective is on this topic. And I get out plenty, thank you...enough to have a broader perception than those who think that America-hating hasn't increased in the past 6 years.

You very much have it backwards. You think that, because I don't like Bush, I'm using that as a convenient excuse to blame him for a perception problem. But the fact is, that is one of the main reasonsthat I don't like him. I don't know how much more clearly I can spell it out. And the only thing that's 'pathetically naive' about this situation is your unwillingness to admit that GWB's foreign policy amplified anti-American sentiment in the rest of the world. There have already been posts in this very thread offering quantifiable data that prove that point.

 

Spoken like a man who did not live through the 50's, 60's, or 70's. I am unimpressed.

Not at all. You can claim it as your main reason for disliking Bush. My point is, the hatred/envy towards America was in full force long before Bush and will increase under Obama. It has done so every year. If Clinton is popular on the cocktail circuit, you somehow equate that with love. Good for you. Our citizens were being blown up under him as well. I guess they just loved us too much.

And as to our supposed allies? The last meaningful support we got was under Bush2(Afghanistan), and Bush1(Iraq). What support do you expect for Obama other than total lip service? Can't wait to see your claims in 4 years about how much more loved we are.

 

I did make my case and furthermore you knew it. Many people in here often make their case but you love to twist things around pretending you're some genius. The only problem is you're the only one who believes it. :thumb:

Enjoy your solitude!