today is 9-11....

[Zabka]

Condor--you need to read the news a bit more carefully. Troop deployment hasn't ever been close to equal. And we are facing a lot of problems in Afghanistan. Never have we had either "mission accomplished" nor was Saddam an islamist extremist--he was a dangerous and deranged secularist. Either way, we never took care of business in Afghanistan...it wasn't important to the foreign policy of the administration. Iraq may have been a worthy foreign policy objective--I don't disagree with that--I just disagree with the characterizations that have been put in place to justify it all.

Patriotism is a far cry from supporting the administration no questions asked. The founding fathers of this great land became so because they questioned and revolted against an unjust leadership to begin with. Nonetheless, I support our troops and pray for their safety. It does not mean that I believe that the administration was correct in any of its assertions nor its attempts to remake the Middle East.

I am neither conservative nor liberal. I prefer to try to be reasonable. Unfortunately, the parties in this country (and all others) are unable to see anything but the extremes.

All of that aside,

[condor_5]

the miedia is nehe news. afghanistan is successful. one of my best friends dads is over there right now making jobs for women

[Deslock]

On the morning of September 11, 2001, there was an unprecedented amount of activity at the Rainbow Bridge. Decisions had to be made. They had to be made quickly. And, they were.

An issue, not often addressed here, is the fact that many residents really have no loved ones for whom to wait. Think of the pups who lived and died in hideous puppy mills. No one on earth loved or protected them. What about the many who spent unhappy lives tied in backyards? And all the dogs and cats who were abused. Who are they to wait for?

We don't talk about that much up here. We share our loved ones as they arrive, happy to do so. But we all know there is nothing like having your very own person who thinks you are the most special pup or kitty in the Heavens.

That Tuesday morning a request rang out for pups and kitties not waiting for specific persons to volunteer for special assignment. An eager, curious crowd surged excitedly forward, each one wondering what the assignment would be.

They were told by a solemn voice that unexpectedly, all at once, over 3,000 loving people had left Earth long before they were ready. All the pups and kitties, as all pups and kitties do, felt the humans' pain deep in their own hearts. Without hearing more, there was a clamoring among them - "May I have one to comfort?" "I'll take two, I have a big heart." "I have been saving kisses forever."

One after another, they came forward begging for assignment. One cozy-looking fluffy kitty hesitantly asked, "Are there any children coming? I would be very comforting for a child 'cause I'm soft and squishy and I always wanted to be hugged." A group of Dalmatians came forward asking to meet the Firemen and be their friends. The larger working breeds offered to greet the Police Officers and make them feel at home. Little dogs and kitties volunteered to do what they do best, cuddle and kiss.

Dogs and cats who on Earth had never been given a kind word or a pat on the head, stepped forward and said, "I will love any human who needs love."

Then all the dogs and cats, wherever on Earth they originally came from, rushed to the Rainbow Bridge and stood waiting, overflowing with love to share -- each tail wagging a little American Flag.

[Kamui]

Im sorry if this offends anyone,but that hackjob of a president is only doing this for his benefit.One word "Oil".That idiot doesn't know what hes doing as president.He knew about the whole threat two months in advance and didn't he take a lovely vacation in Florida?

If I recall abit the economy was better before that man came into power.With him around things got worse hes only worried about his people.Im sorry if im getting alittle heated.I'll stay quiet now.

[THeDRiZZLe]

...

....I'm not going to get into a political arguement here since nothing good will come of it, but I will say this on your economic point:

Economy was tanking before Bush took office due to the dot.com bust, I was working in the IT cert industry at the time and watched it happen. Clinton rode the internet economic wave (not to mention the end of the cold war and gutting of the military freeing up billions of dollars tfor domestic programs)and left office as the IT bubble was bursting, Bush took over an economy that was already moving towards recession and then 9/11 just accerated the current trend. Fact is, you never hear the Dems talking about the economy because they know as well as everyone else, Bush's tax cuts stopped us from going into a very long recession and minimized it's effects after 9/11.

Rant over....no offense meant!!!

[norm]

must refrain from politics.....

they can only lead to the Darkside. and not the good darkside either.

[THeDRiZZLe]

...

...I second that one! That's the nice thing about DSA, no politics, just a ruthless dictatorship!

[condor_5]

cilno=ton had a ginman trained on osama and called it off for PR. how do you know bush knew. we dont need oil we need refineries. bush knows that. if this dosent change minds you are too fat out there and i cant change you

[THeDRiZZLe]

...

cilno=ton had a ginman trained on osama and called it off for PR. how do you know bush knew. we dont need oil we need refineries. bush knows that. if this dosent change minds you are too fat out there and i cant change you

Condor, I know you are new here, but be very careful right now! Kamui and Zabka are very well respected officers (not to imply some aren't) and this statement seems rather disrespectful. Higher rank or not, DSA does not look kindly on disrespect towards anyone, but disrespecting a high ranking officer is even worse (especially when you have been a stormie for only a week)and you're walking a tight rope with statements such as this, unless I misinterpreted, in which case I apologize.

PS: I would also recommmend editing your posts before submitting them, because that last one made very little sense. What the hell is a ginman?

[Zabka]

This is why I try to refrain from politics. As somebody who works on Wall Street, part of my job is to digest all of the news and determine how it might affect the markets (my names of interest specifically). As such, you hear the WSJ point of view, the NYT point of view, and then even points further right and left than those. I don't have to have a point of view-I just need to figure out how to make or not lose money from it.

Much is misunderstood about the reasons behind the wars. Partially because the way it was sold to the public was not actually fully representative of the various reasons.The agenda is not so hidden actually, but most people don't take the time to read and think for themselves. over 20% of America still believes that Iraq was behind the 9/11 attack. It's a sad reflection on the lack of education and curiosity in our country. Many of the comments written above are representative of what broad swaths of the population believe (we have to stay current on all the polls). However, few of them really take multiple viewpoints into consideration. That's my problem with the 2 party system---everything gets boiled down into soundbytes without context and is presented as either/or.

Drizzle--thanks for the commentrary. You and Norm are right---this isn't a place for politics, democracy, or anything of that. Ratix lays down the law here.

Condor, I don't want to be dismissive--but I highly doubt this is a topic in which you are current or well-read enough to have a meaningful debate with on the matter. So I will pass on the matter. However, I hope you do take Drizzle's suggestion without offense--a little editing is always appreciated since posts are a big way we communicate here--passable english, grammar, and spelling are highly encouraged.

[Kamui]

Yea....I really didn't wanna say anythng,but this is what I feel and im sorry if I offended you condor.We all have our own beliefs on the whole situation.

[Tomahawk]

A wise man once said there are 3 things you should never discuss or debate with friends. Religion, Politics, and Sports ( Ratix). No one agrees 100% with each other and everyone wants their own opinion to be heard. These types of "discussions" get feelings hurt and build animosity within a group. If everyone wants to talk about politics, it's your choice. Don't say I didn't warn you though, lol. I think this thread got slightly off topic as well. Weren't we supposed to be honoring and remembering the Sept.11 tragedy?

Although I am Canadian and the attack may have been less painful to my own sense of patriotism, I still was deeply saddened to see it. War is war and understandably people will die, but these people were civilians. Very uncalled for and can only be described as Fubar. So in closing I salute the poor innocent people that lost their lives that day and honor the ones that tried to save them. FUBAR

[Deslock]

Rainbow bridge

The original reason for my post for 9/11, the Rainbow bridge:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

I recently lost my kitty of 13 years, and it devastated me, it was like losing a child, and a close friend. When I saw that 9/11 mention of the Rainbow bridge, it spoke to me.

[MajinTony]

5 years ago on Sept 11 something occured. A Death Metal Band named SLAYER released an album titiled "God Hates Us All"

No point to this, just a little interesting side note I wanted to throw out there.

[EliteTrooper]

Going to Iraq was just a way to get oil while calling them attackers and saying they needed our help. I support the war 0%. I support the troops 100%