Blair speaks to Congress

[Bergalad]

Text of Blair's speech (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,92253,00.html)

I encourage everyone to read this speech. I found it quite moving, for example:
Tell the world why you're proud of America. Tell them when the Star-Spangled Banner starts, Americans get to their feet, Hispanics, Irish, Italians, Central Europeans, East Europeans, Jews, Muslims, white, Asian, black, those who go back to the early settlers and those whose English is the same as some New York cab driver's I've dealt with ... but whose sons and daughters could run for this Congress.

Tell them why Americans, one and all, stand upright and respectful. Not because some state official told them to, but because whatever race, color, class or creed they are, being American means being free. That's why they're proud.
and
I know out there there's a guy getting on with his life, perfectly happily, minding his own business, saying to you, the political leaders of this country, "Why me? And why us? And why America?"

And the only answer is, "Because destiny put you in this place in history, in this moment in time, and the task is yours to do."

And our job, my nation that watched you grow, that you fought alongside and now fights alongside you, that takes enormous pride in our alliance and great affection in our common bond, our job is to be there with you.

You are not going to be alone. We will be with you in this fight for liberty.
I gotta get home from work and d/l the whole video of it. Did anyone else like what he said?

[Se7en]

What's this?

3 hours since this thread was started and no one has showed up to bash Blair or Bush yet?

What's become of the Current Events folder?

<img border="0" src="http://se7enrfnet.homestead.com/files/captainamerica.jpg" width="300" height="100">
<br>
<br>
Is the Captain a member of the proud <b>2%</b>?

[canofsoup15]

Who helped Japan renew, or Germany reconstruct, or Europe get back on its feet after World War II? America.

So when we invade Afghanistan or Iraq, our responsibility does not end with military victory.

Finishing the fighting is not finishing the job.




And this is not a war of civilizations, because each civilization has a unique capacity to enrich the stock of human heritage.

We are fighting for the inalienable right of humankind--black or white, Christian or not, left, right or a million different--to be free, free to raise a family in love and hope, free to earn a living and be rewarded by your efforts, free not to bend your knee to any man in fear, free to be you so long as being you does not impair the freedom of others.

That's what we're fighting for. And it's a battle worth fighting.


He is truly an awesome man. And the speech is incredible.

<img src=http://members.aol.com/canofsoup15/images/rad-45.gif>

[furie]

http://63.246.8.173/wwyk/shows/factsoflife/geri.jpg

Hey Blair!

<img src="http://tseery.homestead.com/files/mp3heads.jpg">

[jamesdiggy]

I like the part of the speech where Blair said:


I just had another one of my brilliant ideas


<IMG SRC="http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/diggy.gif">

I am now blessed with an ADF sigpic

[HBox]

He is a great speaker, no doubt about it. But here's a part of that speech your not gonna hear much about:

But frankly, we need to go beyond even Kyoto, and science and technology is the way.

Climate change, deforestation, the voracious drain on natural resources cannot be ignored. Unchecked, these forces will hinder the economic development of the most vulnerable nations first and ultimately all nations.

So we must show the world that we are willing to step up to these challenges around the world and in our own backyards.


Bush forgot to tell Blair that there's no such thing as global warming.

http://members.aol.com/joepersico/myhomepage/sig1.jpg?mtbrand=AOL_US

[keithy_19]

Bush hater...

he never said theres no such thing as global warming, it's just not as big of a deal as some people think it to be...as for Blair, that was a damn good speech.

http://members.aol.com/thetoddsterlsp/sigpics/keithbobeefy1.gif

"Let not your heart be troubled"

[HBox]

he never said theres no such thing as global warming, it's just not as big of a deal as some people think it to be...

sarúcasm

NOUN: 1. A cutting, often ironic remark intended to wound.
2. A form of wit that is marked by the use of sarcastic language and is intended to make its victim the butt of contempt or ridicule.
3. The use of sarcasm.

http://members.aol.com/joepersico/myhomepage/sig1.jpg?mtbrand=AOL_US

[Yerdaddy]

ABC News.com Poll. April 11-15, 2001. N=1,022 adults nationwide. MoE ñ 3. Field work by TNS Intersearch.

"An international treaty calls on the U.S. and other industrialized nations to cut back on their emissions from power plants and cars in order to reduce global warming, also known as the greenhouse effect. Some people say this would hurt the U.S. economy, and is based on uncertain science. Others say this is needed to protect the environment, and could create new business opportunities. What's your view? Do you think the United States should or should not join this treaty requiring less emissions from U.S. power plants and cars?"

ALL Democrats Independents Republicans
% % % %
Should 61 68 66 52
Should not 26 19 25 37
No opinion 13 13 9 11

<IMG SRC="http://czm.racknine.net/images/yersig.gif">
CZM productions

FREE ASS!

[A.J.]

Hey Blair!

I just had another one of my brilliant ideas.


Outstanding!

<IMG SRC="http://www.silentspic.com/images/sighost/ajdcsig.jpg">

A Skidmark production.

[TheMojoPin]

Holy crap in a hat, Se7en and co. showing a little love for one of my socialist homies?!

NICE.

<img src="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=TheMojoPin">
2% << December boys got it BAD >> "You might tell some lies about the good times we've had/But I've kissed your mother twice...and now I'm working on your dad..."

[SuperClerk]

http://www.brianblair.com/gallery/kb/pic48bees.jpg

<IMG SRC="http://home.comcast.net/~wwfallon/RFnetSuperClerk.jpg">

It's always fun until someone gets hurt.....and then it's just hilarious.

Fallon Rules!

[Recyclerz]

Since I'm not getting the in-jokes and, frankly, find that wrestler picture a little disturbing, let me attempt to drag the thread back on point.

Tony Blair is indeed an impressive politician. I wish he was our Prime Minister. :)

Tangentially - I read something by Cristopher Hitchens the other day that called me on my prejudices. He pointed out that most liberals were killing Bush about getting us into the Iraq War but were still holding up Blair as a poster boy of what a Head of State should be when their positions on Iraq are 95% congruent. So given the power of Blair's speech, as well as support from Colin Powell, Thomas Friedman, Kenneth Pollack, Robert Kaplan, etc., I guess I'll keep my Impeach Bush banner in the closet a little while longer.

There ain't no asylum here.
King Solomon, he never lived 'round here.

[TheMojoPin]

He pointed out that most liberals were killing Bush about getting us into the Iraq War but were still holding up Blair as a poster boy of what a Head of State should be when their positions on Iraq are 95% congruent.

Really?

In my "circles", we've always kinds shared the quick disillusionment that many of the British leftists felt once it was realized that Blair was kinda keeping things "same as it ever was."

<img src="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=TheMojoPin">
2% << December boys got it BAD >> "You might tell some lies about the good times we've had/But I've kissed your mother twice...and now I'm working on your dad..."

[CruelCircus]

ABC News.com Poll....


The flaw in attempting to use a poll like this as a call to action for the admin is that if you added a Part B question that said something like "Would you as an American taxpayer and consumer be willing to pay for such a treaty, either through higher taxes or higher prices on the goods you buy or both?" it is highly likely the percentages would be VERY different.

Jim


<br>
<img height=100 src="http://pw2.netcom.com/~jjmace/gifs/clowns.JPG"><br>
If the US Government decides to stick a tracking device up your ass,
you say "Thank you!", and "God Bless America!"
-Red Forman

[Recyclerz]

Mojo

About your "circles"

http://www.chasershirts.com/bands/circlejerkssticker.jpg

Uh, never mind.



There ain't no asylum here.
King Solomon, he never lived 'round here.

[Se7en]

Holy crap in a hat, Se7en and co. showing a little love for one of my socialist homies?!

NICE.

I actually did NOT like Blair prior to 9-11. It was only afterwards, when he took it upon himself to step up and become essentially our greatest foreign ally, that he gained my respect and admiration.

I dislike his politics, but he's cool with me because I feel the good outweights the bad.

I can't say the same for many of the same sort of politician this side of the pond.


<img border="0" src="http://se7enrfnet.homestead.com/files/captainamerica.jpg" width="300" height="100">
<br>
<br>
Is the Captain a member of the proud <b>2%</b>?

[Yerdaddy]

The flaw in attempting to use a poll like this as a call to action for the admin is that if you added a Part B question that said something like "Would you as an American taxpayer and consumer be willing to pay for such a treaty, either through higher taxes or higher prices on the goods you buy or both?" it is highly likely the percentages would be VERY different.
No, that's the problem with simple poll questions like "Do you think we should try to stop global warming?" This is a comprehensive question, which is why I posted it instead of more favorable simple questions.

<IMG SRC="http://czm.racknine.net/images/yersig.gif">
CZM productions

FREE ASS!

[TheMojoPin]

I dislike his politics, but he's cool with me because I feel the good outweights the bad.

In what regard? If you mean by his standing by of us, yes, you're right. But if the Bush-haters think Dubya is "ignoring" key domestic issues these days...look at Blair! He's championing an international issue that's more of a US affair than anything else! His domestic policy record in the past two years is appalling. It's not that he's making poor decisions...he's practically making NO decisions. People think a recount could take out Gray Davis? If such a choice was available in the UK, Blair would have been out at least a year ago.

Hey, I think they guy is a great speaker and a great ally of the US...but I simply can't call him a great leader. He pulled one of the greatest bait and switches in British political history, and that's sickening.

<img src="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=TheMojoPin">
2% << December boys got it BAD >> "You might tell some lies about the good times we've had/But I've kissed your mother twice...and now I'm working on your dad..."

[ChrisTheCop]

I watched this speech replayed on CSPAN last night. It was truly an amazing speech. This guy risked it all to support the US. "Never apologize for standing by your ideals, " he said. He is the epitome of that sentence. In the hopes that he stumbles online some night and accidentally types in site #209.123.198.229; Thank you Mr Blair. Thank you for reminding us what a great country we live in, and yes, what a good thing we've done. And thank you for helping us do it. Thank you for standing by your ideals.

<img src="http://rfcop.50megs.com/images/aggiesox.gif">Go Saux!!! Thanx Aggie

[JerryTaker]

This guy risked it all to support the US. "Never apologize for standing by your ideals, " he said.


I wonder, if our president "risked everything" to help an ally... would we consider him a "great leader?"

<IMG SRC="http://afs30.njit.edu/~gsm2321/snowsig.gif">

Even in death you still look sad.
Don't leave me! Dont leave me, here.

[Bergalad]

I wonder, if our president "risked everything" to help an ally... would we consider him a "great leader?"
I would say Bush has risked everything on trying to make America safer (in his view at least). I think he is a great leader in that he has a vision of what he wants, then he does it. Leaders lead by making hard choices, and he has certainly made some hard choices in the last 2 years.

[ChrisTheCop]

I wonder, if our president "risked everything" to help an ally... would we consider him a "great leader?"
we should. being a leader isnt about playing it safe with your career. it's about doing what's right for your people, whether they know it or not.

<img src="http://rfcop.50megs.com/images/aggiesox.gif">Go Saux!!! Thanx Aggie

[TheMojoPin]

it's about doing what's right for your people, whether they know it or not.

Then they REALLY need to explain it better. Remember, these schmucks work FOR us.

<img src=http://ape-law.com/GAF/Page04/prezseal.GIF>

<img src="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=TheMojoPin">
2% << December boys got it BAD >> "You might tell some lies about the good times we've had/But I've kissed your mother twice...and now I'm working on your dad..."

This message was edited by TheMojoPin on 7-19-03 @ 1:54 PM

[high fly]

Wouldn't "doing what's right for your people" include paying the bills?

How is saddling us with another huge tax increase in the near future "doing what's right"?

Or does anyone else have any bright ideas on how to pay off the deficit?

And when did "fiscal responsibility" stop being a Republican principle?

" and they ask me why I drink"

[Bergalad]

How is saddling us with another huge tax increase in the near future "doing what's right"?

Shit. When did the Democrats get back in the White House?

[JerryTaker]

I would say Bush has risked everything on trying to make America safer


I said ally... as in NOT US

<IMG SRC="http://afs30.njit.edu/~gsm2321/snowsig.gif">

Even in death you still look sad.
Don't leave me! Dont leave me, here.

[high fly]

Shit. When did the Domocrats get back in the White House?

Are you saying that only a Democrat will pay the debt that the Republicans run up?
l admit, Bergalad, that you do have recent history on your side.
The trend is Republicans spend like crazy, even though they don't have the money, bringing on massive record amounts of debt and recessions; then Democrats come in and clean up the Republican mess, while launching the greatest economic boom in history.
How's about some more of that standard Republican blarney about "taking responsibility for your actions"?
C'mon, Bergalad, fill us in on how the Republicans plan on paying off the debt they're running up.

" and they ask me why I drink"

[TheMojoPin]

high fly's posts are like a Rob Liefeld comic book...at first look they seem fantastic, but then you realize that they're as retarded as EATING YOUR GODDAMN LUNCH WITH TWO SPOONS LIKE A RETARD.

http://ape-law.com/GAF/Page06/capgaf8.JPG

<img src="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=TheMojoPin">
2% << December boys got it BAD >> "You might tell some lies about the good times we've had/But I've kissed your mother twice...and now I'm working on your dad..."

[Se7en]

In what regard?


You overanalyze my remarks on Blair.

Frankly, I don't give two shits about his record on UK domestic policy.

When I say "the good outweighs the bad", I'm saying that due to his support of America and his help in Iraq / the war on terror, I can overlook his socialist politics which, in most instances, would make me strongly dislike him.

<img border="0" src="http://se7enrfnet.homestead.com/files/captainamerica.jpg" width="300" height="100">
<br>
<br>
Is the Captain a member of the proud <b>2%</b>?

[high fly]

Comic strip politics! I love it!
Kinda lets you know where people are coming from.
So, uh, MOJO, how's all this new debt gonna get paid?


" and they ask me why I drink"

[TheMojoPin]

Comic strip politics! I love it!
Kinda lets you know where people are coming from.
So, uh, MOJO, how's all this new debt gonna get paid?

Uhm, they're coming from a guy who likes reading comic books? They guy who has nothing but politcal cliches looking down on everyone who isn't deathly serious in this forum? I mean, I know it's not on the level of "Dumbya", but still, give me SOMETHING...

I'm usually trying to make a funny. Whether I succeed or not is usually questionable. YOU, on the other hand, have all the trademarks of a pundit. Points that serve to answer NOTHING and do NOTHING except agitate, questions that you DEMAND be answered easily and quickly, despite the fact that they're ALWAYS complicated issues that only a fool would try and dumb down to the level of, "didheordidhenotsayhewasa"uniter"YESORNO?!?!Becausethat'swhat'sreallyreallyreallyim portantandifI'mrightBushwillexplodeandIshallbeaher ohahahahahahahahahahahahahha!!!"

And the answer for last one...taxes. Sorry it's nothing more glamorous than that, but that's how the Democrats came close to it in the 90's, and it's really the only answer we have. There's no magical cure-all that ANY side can come up with outside of having the payment come from the public's pockets. Sorry, but them's the breaks. That's how it's always been and always will be. There's no pot of gold. But please, keep harping on the Republicans like they're fascist goblins. Apparently it's hunky-dory for you to be as far from being a "uniter" as possible.

<img src="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=TheMojoPin">
2% << December boys got it BAD >> "You might tell some lies about the good times we've had/But I've kissed your mother twice...and now I'm working on your dad..."

This message was edited by TheMojoPin on 7-21-03 @ 10:00 PM

[high fly]

Whatever happened to that Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Bill? Did it have an expiration date or something?
It mandated that for every dollar the budget was increased, 2 dollars had to be cut.
MOJO- the reason I've been all over this deficit issue is I can clearly remember the debate back in the early-to-mid 90's. There was a point where it was projected that if nothing was done, then in 20 years or something [sorry, can't remember the exact figure], then 80% of the budget would go to just the interest on the debt.
It was on this issue that Ross Perot got a lot of political traction.
Many good arguments were made for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, and part of the reason that proposal failed was "fiscal responsibility" was touted as such a big "central principal of Conservatism", or some such hoo ha. The implication was "we've learned our lesson".
I don't like seeing this deficit going up so fast with no plans from either party to deal with it.
The fact that record deficit-producing budgets have Republican president's signiatures of endorsement at the bottom makes them fair game for criticism, especially in light of that "tax and spend" label they like to throw around. It seems to me that "borrow and spend" is even worse when you look at how the interest grows on that debt.
And I haven't even brought up Bush administration post 9-11 deficit projections-- you're gonna love the way they contrast with reality.
So far, MOJO, you've mostly objected to the tone of my posts, it's nice to see you begin to grapple with the actual issues.
By the way, I stopped reading comics back in the early 60's, but if you've got any Baby Huey's that'll illustrate your points, fire away, Bunky!

" and they ask me why I drink"