A'Merka

Optimus Prime Rib · Post by **Optimus Prime Rib** » Thu Aug 19, 2010 4:51 pm

Sorry this stupid debate on Obama's religious preference has caused me to snap slightly and write the following article on Facebook

A'Merka

We are not a "Christian" country. Freedom of religion is one of our defining ideals. That being said: so is Separation of Church and State.Now, before everyone goes running off screaming "LALALALALA" with their hands over their ears hear me out:
There is a HUGE difference between a religion and a religious extremist. You are all now nodding your heads and thinking of something along the lines of "Im not racist.. BUT.."Move away from this line of thought. Its still racism even when you put "but" in it. And then my friend, you become "A'Merkin".A'Merkin's cant think for themselves. They say things like "Its not my fault, its how I was raised" or "You dont know what Ive been through."
Let me tell you something, I dont give a **** what youve been through if you can't put together a single thought of your own and just spout off whatever CNN or Fox News tells you to think. You do not want to compare notes on bad **** happening, and I can still think for myself.

Anyway back to the difference between religion and religious extremists:If you start punishing a whole group for what a few idiots did, then we have some reparations of our own as Christians to make.Whats that? Our religion is perfect because God said so and we dont have to answer to anyone? Whos the extremist now?
Break out you History books children!
Timmy! Read to us about The Crusades!
Bobby! Lets hear about the Spanish Inquisition!
Claire! You get to read to us about the Conquering of South A'Merka
Too far back? Ok! Susie! Lets read about the Holocaust!

Anyone there? You can come out now. I have stopped talking about things that your religion caused."But Joey, those were crazy people that did those things.. they were extreme- ah- mentally challenged and obviously did not know the true will of God!"

Really?

REALLY?

Anyway.. glass houses and all that.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Thu Aug 19, 2010 5:40 pm

Unfortunately, it seems like that view is becoming more of a minority opinion. Maybe its' because I live in the South.

This other issue, this "Ground Zero Mosque", is another issue, like the "Which religion is Obama?" one, that hardline right wingers use to stoke prejudicial fires and further personal ends.

As a Muslim, I wish someone would just lay it out for me. Am I allowed to worship here or not? If not, then please change the Constitution so it reads "..except for Muslims" so I know what to do with myself. The real insult to those who died in 9/11 is to actually use this mosque, which nobody would have cared to hear about had it not been made an issue, to further political ends.

The other thing is, how far away does this mosque have to be from Ground Zero before it's no longer offensive? As it stands, it's two blocks away. I mean, where's the cutoff? Four blocks? Eight blocks? I think for most of those in an uproar, it would be England. But then BF would have to deal with me, so the cutoff might be even further.

Which is fine. Just tell me where I can live so I can go there.

Politicians suck. Things only become issues when they make it so, and then everyone gets hurt.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Thu Aug 19, 2010 8:21 pm

Amen, amen, amen. Why is this an issue? There are bloody porn shops in the neighborhood of the mosque. Strip clubs and porn shops aren't disrespectful to the hallowed Ground Zero, but a mosque is?

The Last Autobot · Post by **The Last Autobot** » Thu Aug 19, 2010 8:48 pm

bumblemusprime wrote:Amen, amen, amen. Why is this an issue? There are bloody porn shops in the neighborhood of the mosque. Strip clubs and porn shops aren't disrespectful to the hallowed Ground Zero, but a mosque is?

IF ITS NICE AMERICAN PORN ITS NOT A DISRESPECT, BUT IF ITS ARAB PORN THERE LETS BAN IT AND CLOSE THOSE FILTHY SHOPSSSS!

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Thu Aug 19, 2010 9:42 pm

replace all the fairy castles with some decent hardcore porn shops!

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Thu Aug 19, 2010 11:24 pm

The Last Autobot wrote:
bumblemusprime wrote:Amen, amen, amen. Why is this an issue? There are bloody porn shops in the neighborhood of the mosque. Strip clubs and porn shops aren't disrespectful to the hallowed Ground Zero, but a mosque is?
IF ITS NICE AMERICAN PORN ITS NOT A DISRESPECT, BUT IF ITS ARAB PORN THERE LETS BAN IT AND CLOSE THOSE FILTHY SHOPSSSS!

Would you like to see my... camel?

The Last Autobot · Post by **The Last Autobot** » Thu Aug 19, 2010 11:27 pm

bumblemusprime wrote:
The Last Autobot wrote:
bumblemusprime wrote:Amen, amen, amen. Why is this an issue? There are bloody porn shops in the neighborhood of the mosque. Strip clubs and porn shops aren't disrespectful to the hallowed Ground Zero, but a mosque is?
IF ITS NICE AMERICAN PORN ITS NOT A DISRESPECT, BUT IF ITS ARAB PORN THERE LETS BAN IT AND CLOSE THOSE FILTHY SHOPSSSS!
Would you like to see my... camel?

...toe?

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 2:45 am

I like how that Yahoo News report's headline changed. Last night it read, "Nearly 1 in 5 Americans Think Obama is Muslim. He's Not."

This morning its, "Is Obama a Muslim? Rumors gain steam, defy facts."

I wouldn't be surprised if that last part gets dropped by this evening.

The political climate in the US amazes me right now. On multiple levels.

At the top, you've got the Democrats and the Republicans. The Democrats are in power and are trying to push through their agenda. The Republicans, however, are not worried about the benefit of the nation, only about re-taking power. To that end, they are blocking the Democrats attempts to do everything.

This, in and of itself, is shameful.

It's made worse when you realize that the US is in serious trouble. Everybody SHOULD realize that that vast majority of that trouble was caused directly by the eight years of Bush/Republican policies. The Republicans BROKE the US. Literally. In eight years, they went from a huge surplus to a massive deficit. And now (NOW), they're BLAMING OBAMA (and the Democrats) FOR THAT DEFICIT.

So, that's the top. That's the people in power. How about below that? The media.

Let me just cut to the chase. Fox News makes me question how "free" the press should be. They do not have a "conservative bias." They are propaganda. Plain and simple. EVERYTHING that the Democrats do is wrong. Not just wrong, but (according to some on the network) idiotic, treasonous, and morally bankrupt. When the Republicans were in power, they spent all of their airtime defending Executive Power, and absolutely every single thing that Republicans did (while trying to tear down any opposition). There were no exceptions. EVERYTHING Republicans do is good. EVERYTHING Democrats say is bad.

This has had a PROFOUND effect on the US. Rounding up support people and policies that are harmful keeps them in place. Tearing down people and policies that are helpful slows them down. It's The Emperor's New Clothes. No matter what the facts of the matter are, DEMOCRATS BAD! REPUBLICANS GOOD!

That's the media. Then, below them, are the PEOPLE.

People who SHOULD KNOW BETTER! They should not be fooled by Fox News, or by people in the government using fear-mongering/pandering/race/religion baiting tactics. They should notice when their favorite commentator flips his opinion the SECOND the other party comes in to power. They should not blindly support one party's candidate simply BECAUSE of party affiliation. Fox News should be off the air, not because they've been censored by the government, but because people were smart enough not to watch. They should realize that the network is just telling them what they want to hear.

Which leads me to this whole Ground Zero Mosque debate. The fact that there's even a debate hurts me. "Do they have the right to build a mosque?" YES! YES! YES! Freedom of religion! It's what brought people to American in the first place! But, once again, you've got Fox News and Republicans using the issue to sway people. What kinds of people? Apparently STUPID (or at least uninformed) people.

1) The mosque is not AT (or on) Ground Zero. It's two blocks away. I believe the building is currently a store that sells coats.

2) There's ALREADY a mosque about 5 blocks away. And it's never been a problem.

And then there's the Tea Party. Or the Birthers.

You know what? I miss Bush. I really do. It was so much better being able to blame all of the country's problems on one guy (and his cronies).

Hot Shot · Post by **Hot Shot** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:39 am

I agree with Smooth.

I feel dirty.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 12:10 pm

I also agree with everything in the Smoothie post.

It's politics at it's ugliest. The kind of politics that can destroy a nation before they even realize what happened.

I especially agree with the whole Republican bit about how they are primarily responsible for the current situation our country now finds itself in, how they base their arguments not on what they believe is right but on what the Democrats stance is at the time, taking the opposite stance to them.

There's a good example of this in a recent Jon Stewart clip about the "Ground Zero Mosque" on YouTube. I'll find the post, it's Glenn Beck. Flat out contradicting himself on two of his shows just to run counter to the Dems stance that proves Smooth's point above.

The Republican party is an enigma. It really is. Their leaders are elitist, yet they're supported mostly by poor Southern folk who suffer the most from Republican shenanigans that are effected to fill the coffers of a small white upper class for countless generations to come at their expense. Either financial expense by protecting the rich from taxation that would benefit the poor or expense of life by sending them into war for Texas tea.

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 2:54 am

I'm genuinely curious what will happen if Republicans get back into power in 2012.

Will they throw themselves behind policies that will help pull the US out of the current downturn, now that they can take credit for them? It'd be unbelievably petty, of course. But, they've shown that they're united enough to push through pretty much anything.

Will they continue the same policies that put the country in its current state? Thus, making things worse? Safe in the knowledge that, even if the country (for all intents and purposes) collapses, most of them have enough power and influence to simply relocate to a more stable place?

More and more, I find myself concerned that they'll continue the race and religion baiting tactics that have become so prominent since Obama took office. Already, we've turn anti-immigrant sentiment up to hysterical levels (trying to change/repeal the 14th amendment, for example). It's almost become acceptable to discriminate against Muslims. These are not switches that can just be flipped at will. Even if Republicans take power in 2012, there's still a sizable portion of their base that will STILL be anti-immigrant, Muslim, and gay. They will be the people who vote people into office...and keep them there. Republicans have shown that they will do pretty much anything to get re-elected. If it means pandering to these people, they will.

These are not small problems. They are problems that people can, will, and do go to war for. When some church members went down to that mosque and started chanting "Jesus hates Muslims! and calling children murders, I got really worried. Fortunately, patrons of that mosque saw these people for what they were. Loud-mouthed idiots just trying to start trouble. These idiots were safe in the knowledge that no immediate harm would come to any of them and that they wouldn't be punished for what they did.

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 7:28 am

I just had a thought. Without Fox News telling people what they want to hear (and now, giving money directly to Republican candidates), the Republican base might actually become aware of what they've done, are doing, want (threaten) to do.

With that knowledge in hand, perhaps Republicans would be forced to change some of their policies in order to get elected.

Every other news organization: Mr. Republican. We have you on tape lying, being corrupt, and going against everything you campaigned on. You are a terrible elected official.

Guy at home watching TV: Oh, no! It looks the guy I voted for has no business wielding power and influence. Can this possibly be true? *switches to Fox News*

Fox: Don't be fooled by these Liberal Elite bloggers, intellectuals, and bought-and-paid for media. All of these allegations are absurd. It's a typical plot by a treasonous illegal alien loving, big government to take down the people fighting for your freedoms. America is the greatest best country ever created by God. And now a word from our sponsors.

Guy at home watching TV: I knew it all along! Fox News is so patriotic.

Me, sitting at my computer, wanting to strangle this hypothetical person I've just made up: FOX NEWS IS OWNED BY AN AUSTRALIAN GUY AND A SAUDI! FOR FOX' SAKE, MAN!

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 5:23 pm

On that note, here's a funny clip from the Daily Show last night debating whether Fox News is stupid or evil.

Professor Smooth wrote: More and more, I find myself concerned that they'll continue the race and religion baiting tactics that have become so prominent since Obama took office. Already, we've turn anti-immigrant sentiment up to hysterical levels (trying to change/repeal the 14th amendment, for example). It's almost become acceptable to discriminate against Muslims. These are not switches that can just be flipped at will. Even if Republicans take power in 2012, there's still a sizable portion of their base that will STILL be anti-immigrant, Muslim, and gay. They will be the people who vote people into office...and keep them there. Republicans have shown that they will do pretty much anything to get re-elected. If it means pandering to these people, they will.

These are not small problems. They are problems that people can, will, and do go to war for. When some church members went down to that mosque and started chanting "Jesus hates Muslims! and calling children murders, I got really worried. Fortunately, patrons of that mosque saw these people for what they were. Loud-mouthed idiots just trying to start trouble. These idiots were safe in the knowledge that no immediate harm would come to any of them and that they wouldn't be punished for what they did.

I think we can all agree that racial and religious tensions are high in America, but I think there are two important things to be raised.

While Republicans have certainly rode the coattails of this fervor, to quote Billy Joel, "they didn't start the fire." The economy is always first and foremost, and in times of economic distress, people ALWAYS blame the cultural other and circle the wagons around their own "community", however they conceive of it. To quote South Park, "they took our jobs!" When the wheels of capital are not flowing freely, these kinds of tensions always historically rise to the surface. Furthermore, there is a real demographic shift going on in America, ie in 30 years we will not longer demographically be a white majority country. The hegemony of power/privledge/prestige that white people thought to have in American society is crumbling away, and they can see it, they can feel it, but they don't know exactly what the problem is, hence why their anger pops up in "Obama is a Muslim," or "I want MY country back."

So I think these things (racial/religious tensions heightened due to economic distress and demographic shifts) would be happening no matter what Republicans and Fox News are doing. Now what they ARE doing is, as Smooth said, pouring gas on these flames in the name of scoring political points, and this (again as Smooth said) is a toxic mix that will soon be out of their control if not already. But the Republicans (the political establishment Republicans) didn't start the Tea Party, the Republicans didn't start the Birther movement, they're just willing to jump into bed with anyone who will vote for them.

Secondly, and this is the question that I always wonder about, Is this really special? Is this really different? Part of me goes, "history comes in waves. Glen Beck is Father Coughlin, the Internet are pamphleteers, and the economy sucks." There's always a tendency to go, "Oh, this thing happening in MY life? Wow, it's so different and unique and conseqential!," when really, if you study history (and to quote BSG) everything has happened before and will happen again. Not to say it's great that it's happening, but that when the s*** hits the fan, this is basically what people do.

To me, I hate to say it's almost a moot point. America not being the biggest bully on the playground will happen, if it hasn't already. (a bit of irony that the thing that has truly crippled our middle class is our free trade policies + our lack of social welfare) Humans are willing and able to coexist with each other as long as we all have our daily bread. But once people start running out of bread, it gets to be Lord of the Flies at least in ideology and rhetoric sooner rather than later. As Smooth said, America has SUCH SUCH SUCH a myriad of problems that Barack Obama was ALREADY our last, best hope for pulling ourselves out of a nose dive, and if the Republicans gain power, they would only steer ourselves resolutely towards the mountain.

But there's also a part of me who DOES believe in our chronological exceptionalism, but I believe it to say that environmental disasters, nuclear/chemical terrorism, pandemics, etc. will render our existence as we currently know it an anachronism in 50 years' time. We will return to perhaps a more splintered existence, and people in America will long for a time in which we had the time and energy to bitch about dumb things like the placement of a mosque.

Anyways, apologies for the rant. I feel like I might have been Yayaesque in some of my generalizations, absolutes, and/or meta pontifications with no evidence, so apologies in advance, only trying to jump in on a topic that I'm really fascinated with.

Optimus Prime Rib · Post by **Optimus Prime Rib** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 7:16 am

Its not just Fox news. Its pretty much every single media outlet available now that is making sure you only drink their Flavor-Aide (I hate when people say Kool-Aid when making a reference to Jim Jones.. He was never one to splurge on the top shelf mass suicide).

For example, Jessy comes in screaming at me "OMG OBAMA IS GOING TO ALLOW A MOSQUE IN GROUND ZERO"

I replied with "Um.. no hes not. Its two blocks away and honestly it is a municipal decision, not an executive decision."

"NO I SAW ON THE NEWS--"

"Stop... shut up.. You have obviously been told what your opinion is going to be, so I no longer have any desire to continue this conversation."

She then went on to pleasure me like I was James Bond and I had given her the mother of all bitch slaps.

Ok I cant back that last part up.

Another situation

My boss throwing a fit about illegal immigration. Now lets be honest.. it IS a problem. However, he sees NO problem with hiring illegal immigrants as long as HE doesnt get in trouble for it (hence we contract a 3rd party 'background check' company) so he can pay these guys next to nothing and demand they break their backs for him.

I was a kitchen guy for a LOOOOONG time and I told him "Ya know.. I quit my old job because I was making MORE per hour than what we pay these guys in overtime."

I let him know that he cant bitch about illegal immigration if he himself is going to help support it.

He then goes on to grumble about how he has "no problem with illegals getting a temporary work visa.. but shouldnt be allowed health care and government subsidies"

Once again, I finished the conversation early and said "so how exactly are they supposed to pay for anything when we dont pay them enough to get by?"

God Bless A'Merka

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 11:25 am

Optimus Prime Rib wrote:Its not just Fox news. Its pretty much every single media outlet available now that is making sure you only drink their Flavor-Aide.

Admittedly, a lot of media outlets have some bias, but it's not anywhere near on the level of Fox News. If anything, Fox News itself blows even most minor biases on the other networks way out of proportion. I think the closest thing "the other side" has is the Huffington Post. That's just a blog. It's not a multi-billion dollar print/television/online empire.

At any rate, this kind of thing is always harmful. However, when a country is thriving, it's easy to just marginalize it. When Clinton was president, and pretty much everything was going well (relatively peaceful, economy was kicking, etc) it was easy to ignore the "Democrats are ruining this country! Look how terrible everything is! Vote Republican!" loudmouths.

Every now and again, something bad happens to me here in Japan that makes me think about giving up and going back to the US. But whenever I look at what's going on "back home," it's easy to push those thoughts out of my mind.

Optimus Prime Rib · Post by **Optimus Prime Rib** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 12:46 pm

Honestly, both major parties have become major douchebags that do nothing more than pander to the masses to get elected into power.

Democrats: "We are going to punish the prosperous and increase their taxes so you can have a better life without having to work any harder for it."

Republicans: "ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION! OBAMA SOUNDS LIKE OSAMA!"

Im sick of the whole thing. I am about ready to just say screw it and move to Toronto.

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 1:29 pm

Optimus Prime Rib wrote: Democrats: "We are going to punish the prosperous and increase their taxes so you can have a better life without having to work any harder for it."
.

It's not a punishment. It's taxation. Every government needs to collect taxes to provide services to its citizens. Taxes on the wealthy are lower now than at pretty much any other time in history. People in the US, across the board, pay FAR less in taxes than in most other major countries (including Canada). And how does taxing the wealthy contribute to giving other people a better life without having to work any harder for it?

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 2:21 pm

If I knew for certain my taxes were going to good causes, like helping the needy and cleaning up the enviroment, I wouldn't mind paying extra taxes.

I think it's safe to say the Rebuplicans, in playing to the racial tendencies and prejudices of half the nation, have accomplished their mission. And how quickly the nation turned! They have effectually made Obama seem not only inept, but devious; they have managed to distort the building of an Islamic center two blocks away from Ground Zero into the idea that Democrats have allowed for the building of a terrorist-funded center there.

I should have realized the truth of things years ago. As accomplished a nation as we are, we are getting dumber. When George Bush Sr. sold the first Iraq war as Operation: Free Kuwait (because we love Kuwait so much) and the people bought it, I should have taken a hint. When George W. Bush sold the second Iraq war as a Operation: Find WMD and the nation bought it, it should have hit me again. The message? That no matter how many times the government sends the wrong message to it's people and has them fooled to accomplish their own personal ends, even at the cost of citizens lives, all it takes are little white lies to play on the chords of patriotism and the sheep of America are put back into line for the next deception.

As Bush said:
"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice......if ya fool me, ya can't fool me again."

Yeah. Apparently, America can be fooled again. And again. And again.

Optimus Prime Rib · Post by **Optimus Prime Rib** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 3:47 pm

Other countries pay more in taxes and have socialized medicine.. this is true. However, what people fail to recognize is that they also have MUCH stricter immigration policies.

In my opinion, Taxes should be a base percentage of income. There should not be different caps and rates.

There is work out there. People dont want to find the work. The new unemployment law now allows you to draw for 120 weeks. REALLY? Over 2 years? Why should I pay for some jackass to sit on his ass because hes "too good" to work at mcdonalds after he got shitcanned from his construction job?

I actually said that to my wifes best friend last week when he was bragging about being laid off an getting paid for it.. and that he was too good to work at mcdonalds, so he was going to ride on the governments dime.

I just realized that this is pretty incoherent.. I am really sick. Ill try not to write anything else while high as a kite on NyQuil.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 4:01 pm

Optimus Prime Rib wrote: I just realized that this is pretty incoherent..

Not at all. America is getting lazier too. You should see the kind of things people are claiming disability for so they don't have to work. As you say, ultimately on our dime.

Post by **Kaylee** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 6:20 pm

What sort of problems do you get out in Japan?

Professor Smooth wrote:
Optimus Prime Rib wrote:Its not just Fox news. Its pretty much every single media outlet available now that is making sure you only drink their Flavor-Aide.
Admittedly, a lot of media outlets have some bias, but it's not anywhere near on the level of Fox News. If anything, Fox News itself blows even most minor biases on the other networks way out of proportion. I think the closest thing "the other side" has is the Huffington Post. That's just a blog. It's not a multi-billion dollar print/television/online empire.

At any rate, this kind of thing is always harmful. However, when a country is thriving, it's easy to just marginalize it. When Clinton was president, and pretty much everything was going well (relatively peaceful, economy was kicking, etc) it was easy to ignore the "Democrats are ruining this country! Look how terrible everything is! Vote Republican!" loudmouths.

Every now and again, something bad happens to me here in Japan that makes me think about giving up and going back to the US. But whenever I look at what's going on "back home," it's easy to push those thoughts out of my mind.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 7:22 pm

Optimus Prime Rib wrote:Other countries pay more in taxes and have socialized medicine.. this is true. However, what people fail to recognize is that they also have MUCH stricter immigration policies.

True, but the immigration policy is in the mess it's in BECAUSE of Republicans trying to win the vote of people like your boss. Fiscal Republicans know two things. One, that really immigrants put more into the system financially right now than they take out in terms of taxes and services. Two, that illegal immigration is a good source of cheap labor for business owners. Meanwhile, you've got this whole other group of Republicans saying "Why does the automated call center say press two for Spanish? Dammit, this is A'merka!" So the Republican party in general talks out both sides of their mouth, and seeks to maintain the status quo as it both helps the interests of business (cheap labor) and the interest of Republicans (gin up support by pumping up fear of immigrants). Furthermore, I would venture to say that if you cut the US defense budget by 50% or even 25%, we could easily EASILY EASILY pay for things like universal health care, or pulling our educational system out of the toilet.

In my opinion, Taxes should be a base percentage of income. There should not be different caps and rates.

But even with the system NOT being based solely on income, there are things like stock options, offshore accounts, trust funds, etc. etc. which already allow wealthy people to avoid taxation and which would only be exacerbated in a system based solely upon annual income.

There is work out there. People dont want to find the work. The new unemployment law now allows you to draw for 120 weeks. REALLY? Over 2 years? Why should I pay for some jackass to sit on his ass because hes "too good" to work at mcdonalds after he got shitcanned from his construction job?

I actually said that to my wifes best friend last week when he was bragging about being laid off an getting paid for it.. and that he was too good to work at mcdonalds, so he was going to ride on the governments dime.

Any system will have free riders. That's the way it is. Should we not have libraries because some people steal books? Should we not have worker's compensation laws because some lawsuits are stupid and some lawyers chase ambulances? Yes, there are people that abuse unemployment. But I also think that most people are proud and because of American ideology, think that not having a job/taking unemployment signals a failure on their part. (Not trying to read into it TOO much, but perhaps your wife's friend was trying to change his personal story from "I lost my job" to "I'm taking advantage of the stupid, taking-my-money government") Unemployment was not extended because tens of thousands of people are gaming the system. Unemployment was extended because millions of families had rent to pay and mouths to feed and they still didn't have a job. And even then, let's imagine us in someone else's shoes. I have a family of four. I lost my $3000/month job. I now get unemployment of $1200/month. My bills are $1500/month. Am I going to try to play the system to keep my family afloat? Yes, yes, and yes.

Optimus Prime Rib · Post by **Optimus Prime Rib** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 8:18 pm

Shanti im not saying I agree or disagree. Right now I am just in no real condition to discuss things, so my thoughts are coming out pretty raw and one sided. While I try to not let this be the norm, I still feel its important to get my thoughts out while I have them.

I hope to have a more intelligent statement after some more sleep. Standing in the South Texas sun waiting for my kids bus driver to be 20 minutes late didnt help my being sick.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 9:57 pm

Hope you feel better , Rib.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 10:26 pm

Mrs. Bumblemus also has a killer hot-weather cold, as does Young Master Bumblemus. Something going around? Too many Craigslist close encounters?

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 1:06 am

As if on cue, this today:

http://www.newsweek.com/photo/2010/08/2 ... ?gt1=43002

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 1:39 am

This too... http://www.newsweek.com/blogs/the-gaggl ... ttack.html

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 12:28 pm

This is likely more a case of "The Crazy Drunk" than "The Guy Who Stabs Muslims".

Then again, had the guy not been Muslim, there's a chance he would have keep his unihibited tendencies under better control.

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 2:14 pm

A bunch of the 9/11 victims' families have come out in support of the (several blocks away from) Ground Zero mosque (that's actually community center).

Which is kind of awesome.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 4:27 pm

Interesting reading on an IRA priest, Israeli hypocrisy, and, oh yeah, that building in New York:

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/08/25/what ... =obnetwork