USVI-On-Line

Lulu76 wrote:I'm sure as hell glad that Michelle Obama's proud of her country, because I'm not feeling the love right now.

Did someone here actually tell me to leave America because I said there are things about socialism that aren't that bad?

Let's just go back to arguing about whether Trunk or Cinnamon Bay is better, because it's safe to say that I'm spending a lot less time here than I was.

I'm never going to read a post by a McCain supporter and decide that education is properly funded, we don't pay enough taxes and that people who live in the greatest nation in the world should die of a basic illness because they are poor. It's not ever going to happen; I'm just not wired that way. And, frankly, I'm fine with that.

I'm done with this. It isn't why I come here. It was fun at first, but now it is just making me dislike people that I used to like, and that's no fun.

I don't understand the rationale around "spending less time here than I was...". Again, you do not have to read these threads!!!!!!!!! If you look, a couple of these political threads have over 900 views, so somebody is enjoying them. And really...You don't like people now because of these threads? Why? Because someone has a different POV than you?


Again...with your taxes. Here are facts from Oct 2007:

Top 1% pays 40% of income taxes
Top 5% pays 60% of income taxes
Top 10% pays 70% of income taxes
Top 25% pays 86% of income taxes
Top 50% pays 96% of income taxes
Bottom 50% pays 3% of income taxes

Again, facts. How much should the top 50% pay? 99% How much should the top 1% pay? 60%? 75%?

http://www.parapundit.com/archives/004657.html

Did you not read my original post here? Apparently not, or you would see my point.

I felt that your thread title was misleading. Even though I'm not feeling warm and fuzzy about you right now, I have been excited about your new baby. And if I had a baby last week and I was sharing something "warm and fuzzy" with my imaginary Internet friends, it'd be something about that precious bundle of joy, not about Barack Obama. But, maybe that's just me. Although judging from the PMs I've received, I'm not the only person with this opinion.

Anyhow, you can disagree with me all you want. We're not ever going to agree. That's fine. You go be a capitalist, and I'll go pray for my cousin who's dying of cancer because she can't afford health insurance. That's fine.

Disagree with me all you want. Disagree with me about Obama vs. McCain (although I dislike them both pretty much equally, especially after this week's debate). Disagree with me about packing a cooler or renting your car on St. Thomas. Disagree with me about Woody's having a better happy hour than Banana Deck.

Lots of people disagree with me, and that doesn't bother me. But when people insult me or tell me just to go move to Europe if I don't like this country, that it's not fun anymore. (And I know you didn't say that, but that was said to me, and that's not cool. I have as much right as anyone else to be here. Probably more since I am the descendant of a Native American...)

I'm just over it. America is screwed regardless of who wins. As long as we let banks, insurance companies and lobbyists call the shots in this country, nothing's going to change regardless of whom we elect.

My apologies to all who were misled/offended by my thread title. I should've thought before I posted that, but it in no way was meant to mislead. Like I said, there are over 900 views for some of these political threads...So really, is it necessary for me to mislead to get people to read?

Again, my apologies if offended.

As for Woody's over BD, we agree!!!!

I will also add, in reference to your comments re the PM's...I too get PM's in support of my posts - many from conservatives among us who are hesitant to speak out...They see that I have basically been tarred and feathered here, only for my political views. Again, I made one off color comment about Oprah - I apologized. That was a mistake and an error in judgement on my part.

Again...there's one poster who keeps posting a link to "Internet Personality Disorders"...I have been called a Nazi Sympathizer...That I should take a week off from posting...That my views are annoying (in a PM - you know who you are)...etc etc.

So, lets not talk about playing nice.

Hi Sox

I posted that link to the Internet Personality Disorders once on this thread and once on an earlier one. Did you get a chance to look at it? Did you recognize some of the personalities? I find it really insightful in revealing what some people may be up to and why they favor the tactics that they use.


I do want to apologize to the rest of the forum for letting myself get drawn in again. I'll exercise more restraint in the future. It really is an interesting situation for a forum to figure out how to best manage.

I was just trying to avoid political threads, because I feel like we've been reduced from intelligent political discourse to being jerks, and that's when I prefer to stop playing. And, it's not just your opinions. I'm probably a lot further to the left than most people here, and I've tempered my opinions for the most part.

I have been working in politics for a long time. I have a degree in American politics and this is the first year in my life that I have not been very active in some sort of political campaign. I have been called "Godless," "a babykiller," a lesbian, and just about anything else you can think of because of my political opinions.

But no one has ever, before today, told me if I didn't like things the way they were in America to get out.

That's not nice. And it's not what America is all about.

I'm just done talking about politics. It's not fun anymore.

I guess what my whole point is here is that if you'd like to start a new political thread (whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Green Party, Marxist, etc.)please just somehow denote that it's a political thread in the subject so I can avoid it and not get all grumpy again.

I'm stressed at work and I will be until I leave Nov. 7. I just want to come here to be reminded there's a light at the end of the tunnel, not to feel like I'm a second-class citizen...

Just read this thread for first time this A.M.

Heres another warm and fuzzy story---extreme right wing propaganda, such as the original post on this thread, doesn't persuade voters--it just turns people off. My wife and I are prime examples. I was once a moderate Republican----I'm now voting for Obama. The continued takeover of the Republican party by the far right just left me cold. My wife is still a Republican and she is voting for a Democratic president for the first time in her life---she feels that she hasn't changed---the party has.

Lex wrote:Hi Sox

I posted that link to the Internet Personality Disorders once on this thread and once on an earlier one. Did you get a chance to look at it? Did you recognize some of the personalities? I find it really insightful in revealing what some people may be up to and why they favor the tactics that they use.


I do want to apologize to the rest of the forum for letting myself get drawn in again. I'll exercise more restraint in the future. It really is an interesting situation for a forum to figure out how to best manage.

Hey, Lex, I love the link. For those that don't get it, it's called humor. I liked it when you posted it a long time ago, too. By the way, I think that the Evil Clown disorder fits me pretty good. Sometimes. But I'm also a believer in a variation of Lulu76's grandma's profundity about arguing with a fool. Mine is: Never argue with a fool because you only reduce yourself to their level and you can't win because they have a lot more experience at it then you do. Regarding this thread this advise goes both ways.
Folks, I'm going to sign off of these threads with one parting statement. We're all Americans and none of us, in spite of our political leanings, have a lock on righteousness, morality, or patriotism. Except, of course, the ones that God talks to. I'm out. Amen.

soxfan22 wrote:My apologies to all who were misled/offended by my thread title. I should've thought before I posted that, but it in no way was meant to mislead. Like I said, there are over 900 views for some of these political threads...So really, is it necessary for me to mislead to get people to read?

Again, my apologies if offended.

As for Woody's over BD, we agree!!!!

I will also add, in reference to your comments re the PM's...I too get PM's in support of my posts - many from conservatives among us who are hesitant to speak out...They see that I have basically been tarred and feathered here, only for my political views. Again, I made one off color comment about Oprah - I apologized. That was a mistake and an error in judgement on my part.

Again...there's one poster who keeps posting a link to "Internet Personality Disorders"...I have been called a Nazi Sympathizer...That I should take a week off from posting...That my views are annoying (in a PM - you know who you are)...etc etc.

So, lets not talk about playing nice.

Okay, Okay...let's clear up this "nazi sympathizer" issue, because that was my doing.

In my opinion, your views are, well, kind of "out there." I was making a comparison to others whose views also are on the fringe, such as those who try to argue that the holocaust never happened. I didn't call you a nazi or a nazi sympathizer.

It was clear at the time, as it is now, that you didn't understand the point I was trying to make. Rather than trying to explain it, I PM'd you to apologize.

You are getting attacked because your tone is caustic. I often make the same mistake on this forum...and have been the subject of criticism, as well.

Good luck

iowaguy wrote:Just read this thread for first time this A.M.

Heres another warm and fuzzy story---extreme right wing propaganda, such as the original post on this thread, doesn't persuade voters--it just turns people off. My wife and I are prime examples. I was once a moderate Republican----I'm now voting for Obama. The continued takeover of the Republican party by the far right just left me cold. My wife is still a Republican and she is voting for a Democratic president for the first time in her life---she feels that she hasn't changed---the party has.

The takeover by the "extreme far right"?

So by that, you are talking about our Republican President, who authorized the largest expansion of gvt in 40 years with Medicare Part D?

Or, maybe you mean the countless Republicans who voted in favor of the newest largest expansion of government with this bailout?

Or, maybe still, you're pointing our Republican candidate for President who supported McCain/Feingold, McCain/Kennedy, etc? A man who was in favor of amnesty for illegals?

Oh, and not to mention his proposal (McCain's) during the debate to buyback mortgages and renegotiate their terms?

These are HARDLY tenents of conservatism as devined by Ronald Reagan. I don't see how the "Extreme Right" has taken over the repubs.

I do see however, that the extreme left has taken over the democratic party. There is no doubt about that. Just ask Joe Lieberman, moderate they are trying to throw out of their party.

Soxfan---Fair points. The recent economic actions by Bush do not reflect the tenor of the rest of his presidency---I agreed, reluctantly, with Bush's rescue plan---we'll see how it works.

I do think the right wing of the party is reflected in the party platform, and in Sarah Palin's social views. I probably misstated a bit----my wife and I have probably both gotten more "tolerant" as we have gotten older---certain influential elements of the R party have become more "intolerant," in my view. I'm sure you do not agree, but thats how we see it, and thats where you lost my previously solid Republican wife (as an example).

I also think that Dick Cheney's foreign policy views are much different from those of George H. W. Bush, for example, who I admired. I see McCain's foreign policy views as being too much in line with Cheney's, and thats my biggest concern with McCain.

My main point is that comments about Obama being a communist, or that anyone who doesn't agree with a particular policy is therefore unpatriotic-- don't persuade---at least they don't persuade me.

soxfan22 wrote:

iowaguy wrote:Just read this thread for first time this A.M.

Heres another warm and fuzzy story---extreme right wing propaganda, such as the original post on this thread, doesn't persuade voters--it just turns people off. My wife and I are prime examples. I was once a moderate Republican----I'm now voting for Obama. The continued takeover of the Republican party by the far right just left me cold. My wife is still a Republican and she is voting for a Democratic president for the first time in her life---she feels that she hasn't changed---the party has.

The takeover by the "extreme far right"?

So by that, you are talking about our Republican President, who authorized the largest expansion of gvt in 40 years with Medicare Part D?

Or, maybe you mean the countless Republicans who voted in favor of the newest largest expansion of government with this bailout?

Or, maybe still, you're pointing our Republican candidate for President who supported McCain/Feingold, McCain/Kennedy, etc? A man who was in favor of amnesty for illegals?

Oh, and not to mention his proposal (McCain's) during the debate to buyback mortgages and renegotiate their terms?

These are HARDLY tenents of conservatism as devined by Ronald Reagan. I don't see how the "Extreme Right" has taken over the repubs.

I do see however, that the extreme left has taken over the democratic party. There is no doubt about that. Just ask Joe Lieberman, moderate they are trying to throw out of their party.

I hear alot of finger pointing and doomsday scenario's realted to Marxist/Muslim's taking power here...but how about some solutions!

soxfan22 wrote:there are over 900 views for some of these political threads...So really, is it necessary for me to mislead to get people to read?

I am guilty of reading these threads. But not because I like them, or find them educating, but because it's like watching a train wreck. I really don't want to see it, but my morbid sense of curiosity makes me look to see what carnage has been posted this time.

it's like watching a train wreck

What's wrong with watching train wrecks?

Hi Soxfan!

I opened this topic because I like others thought that it might be a warm and fuzzy story about your Ella Rose- congratulations with her, it’s a lovely name you have chosen- but I was a little disappointed, when I saw it’s more NObama talk.

Anyway I have read the topic and can see that Michael Jackson are mentioned here too:

“...I said that he is still revered in Europe. Is that not true?”

So I will like to repeat a bit of my answer in my topic, where you first wrote about this case:

As far as I know M.J. isn’t more revered in Europe than in USA. We don’t hear much about him more and personally I don’t like the way, he behaves. But if he is more revered in Europe, what does that tell about the Europeans and have it anything with Obama to do???

I also have another question:
In the other topic you said some not very nice thing about the Europeans. I simply cannot stop wondering, why you are so negative about Europe and have to ask you, which countries in Europe you have visited??

Hope you will answer me.

the curious Linne

linne wrote:Hi Soxfan!

I opened this topic because I like others thought that it might be a warm and fuzzy story about your Ella Rose- congratulations with her, it’s a lovely name you have chosen- but I was a little disappointed, when I saw it’s more NObama talk.

Anyway I have read the topic and can see that Michael Jackson are mentioned here too:

“...I said that he is still revered in Europe. Is that not true?”

So I will like to repeat a bit of my answer in my topic, where you first wrote about this case:

As far as I know M.J. isn’t more revered in Europe than in USA. We don’t hear much about him more and personally I don’t like the way, he behaves. But if he is more revered in Europe, what does that tell about the Europeans and have it anything with Obama to do???

I also have another question:
In the other topic you said some not very nice thing about the Europeans. I simply cannot stop wondering, why you are so negative about Europe and have to ask you, which countries in Europe you have visited??

Hope you will answer me.

the curious Linne

I brought Michael Jackson up because someone had said that they like the way that Europeans think of Obama - and that that somehow will improve our standing in the world. My point is that Michale Jackson is still loved in Europe (he does not tour here anymore, but he tours in Europe), and he's not exactly the most honest, truthful, and dignified man these days.

Also, with all due respect, he is not running for President of the world. Do you honestly think that countries like France have our best interests in mind. I do not. Obama went to Berlin and said that "my country has not been perfect...". He went there and made those remarks on my dime. That disgusts me. The fact is, we have been more perfect, and more helpful, caring etc to this world than any other nation.

As for the comments about Europe. No, I have never stepped foot on the continent. But, I would LOVE to, as I love history and in my mind, there may be no more interesting place in the world in terms of historical events. I also said kind things about the histories, cultures, people of Europe in that rant - but you chose to overlook those and focus on the negative.

I do not need to go to Europe to know that many of the countries are being overtaken by secularists (I can provide you link after link in proof if you'd like)

I do not need to go to Europe to know that the unemployment rate for all EU nations combined is right around 10% (on average). In the US, our's averages around 5.5% over a ten year period.

I do not have to go to France to know that their Youth Unemployment rate, for those between the ages of 15 and 24, is about 23%, while that of the US is 11%.

I do not have to go to Europe to know that France has a HUGE problem with radical muslim extremists...Muslim Riots of 2 years ago?

I also do not need to go there to know that univesal healthcare is not working...In fact many european countries are transitioning away from a single payor system and back to the private sector.

I work for a large pharma/biotech company here in the US...You may have put our powder on your baby's bum...I talk to physicians everyday who tell me that we will rue the day that we go to a universal healthcare system in the mold of Europe and Canada. Healthcare providers, for the most part, are overwhelmingly NOT in favor.

Last thing...When my wife was in the hospital this week for the baby, the nurse kept coming in and asking if she wanted a flu shot (they're pushing on everyone this year). I know that a) the hospital makes a bit of money on the injection, and b) they have an abundance this year, which is why they are pushing it on everybody, not just infants, the chronically ill, and the elderly. They need to get rid of the stuff. My wife decided no, if she chooses, she will go to her doc for the shot.

My immediate thought was, isn't it great to be able to turn down the shot? If government is in charge, who's to say they won't say everyone HAS to get the shot? Or worse, that you can't get it if you want it (due to costs etc). To me, that is not Liberty...Which, last time I checked, that copper statue that was a gift from France years ago? Yeah, she stands for liberty, not government.