New2grammar  +  546591 Sat, 26 Jul 08 09:39 AM I can't believe anyone in his right mind would believe war costs nothing. Is there a formula that I'm not aware of? I think it's just a business cycle. The US has been through the great depression and it turned out to be the strongest economy in the world. This is just another adjustment in the market and I'm sure it will come out strong again. I wonder how the next generations are going to pay for it. Tax increases? As far as I know, there are already numerous taxes in the US. Even so, it has been in deficit every year since Clinton left office. I wonder how much an average American takes home after deducting all taxes such as sales tax, state tax, federal tax, gas tax, etc. 50 cents per dollar? It really depends on the tax bracket and many factors. But I'm quite sure a lot goes to taxes. Though I love Bush's character, I find him really funny and nice, I don't agree with him spending trillions in Iraq. The money could have been put to better use. Maybe there's a way to retire the debt. Perhaps they will get the Iraqi government to share the debt, you know, considering their liberty was attained with the help of the US. Possible?   New2grammar Joined on Tue, Nov 21 2006 Veteran Member 7,676 Who wants to go sailing around the world with me?

	New2grammar  +  546592 Sat, 26 Jul 08 09:49 AM Avangi “When it turned into a total disaster, Colin Powell said, "You broke it, you fix it."  It ain't quiet fixed yet. ” By the way, I don't think it's a disaster if you are referring to the conditions in Iraq. I think significant progress has been made. Women are less oppressed than before. And I saw a report that the economy is starting to grow. Of course, if you look at the expenses and how it has cost the US, it's a real disaster. But I think the Iraqies are starting to enjoy the fruit of the war. Just my opinion. I don't know the truth because I'm clearly not an Iraqi. My sources are newspapers and the Internet. There may be some bad eggs in the army but those are isolated incidents. New2grammar

	Avangi  +  546857 Sun, 27 Jul 08 06:18 AM For years people complained that the money spent on Apolo 13 (moon landing) would have been better spent on their own pet projects.  They sometimes forget how much they personally benefitted from the technological advances spawned by the moon project, especially the miniaturization of electronic components. We usually complain that "the other guy" makes money off the war economy, rather than ourselves.  These days it seems to be going to the oil producers. Avangi Joined on Mon, Nov 19 2007 Veteran Member 8,172 ". . . le plaisir delicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile." - Henri de Regnier

	Avangi  +  546859 Sun, 27 Jul 08 06:34 AM New2grammar “ Women are less oppressed than before. ” When I was in school in the 50's, "modernization" in foreign countries meant "westernization."  But the backlash has been overwhelming, especially in Muslim countries, where the way women are treated is dictated by religion. Avangi Grammar

	New2grammar  +  546879 Sun, 27 Jul 08 08:15 AM Avangi “they personally benefitted from the technological advances spawned by the moon project, ” I totally agree. As far as I know technologies like microwave, MRI traces back to NASA. Those are great contributions to mankind. As an ordinary citizen, I don't see how the war benefits the rest of the world. I feel the money can be put to better use. I hope something good will come out of it. One of them is definitely the freedom for Iraqis, at the expense of the US. Free freedom. I hope the US will invade my country. Just kidding. New2grammar

	ISU_152  +  552426 Fri, 08 Aug 08 09:21 AM OK . You   want to ask ,what looking USA politic from another ? Druing few years USA Goverment spend  money to "support democraty" in Georgia .Georgia was poor land , but  this money was be going to weapon .Today this weapon   fire on russian allied . Five  village was demolished  in this time . one more step to global war , but why this sort of "democraty" need to USA ? ISU_152 Joined on Tue, May 22 2007 Full Member 197 Anarchy - order’s mother

	Avangi  +  552574 Fri, 08 Aug 08 05:01 PM ISU_152 “Today this weapon   fire on russian allied . ” Hi, ISU, I heard the sad news today.  Do you recognize Georgia's sovereignty?  Is their air space sovereign?  Do they have mutual defense treaties with Russia? Best wishes,  - A. Avangi

	ISU_152  +  552629 Fri, 08 Aug 08 07:15 PM Hi Avangi this is sad news , agreed . Sorry for too many emotion in my first post . First - of cause , we recognize Georgia's sovereignty . But we recognize the right of Ossetia people to live , what he want too. Georgia army attack and demolishing the ossetian capital , killed thousand ( god know how many ) innocent people , include russian sitizen and peacekeeper . Goverment of Оssetia ask Russia for help - sorry , but USA send his bombers against foregn country for lesser reason Second - not Russia began this war Thrid - after 22.06.1941 we , in Russia have great paranoia . Best wishes , i hope this madnes will be ended soon ISU_152

	Avangi  +  552639 Fri, 08 Aug 08 08:07 PM Hi, ISU,  It's not clear to me if Ossetia wishes to secede from Georgia and become independent, or if they wish to become part of Russia.  I heard this morning that many Ossetians were crossing the border into Russia to escape the destruction.  Are most of the inhabitants ethnic Russians? Many think the American Civil war under Lincoln was fought over slavery, but it was actually fought over the right of the South to secede from the union. It was a very controversial issue at the time, as you may imagine.  Lincoln wanted to preserve the union at all costs, and stated to some that if he had to keep slavery to keep the union together, he would do so.   - A. Avangi