Hi All,

Mr. Karzai has been declared the winner of the Afghan election by the Afghani Election Commission today, one day after the challenger, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah pulled out of the race.

It makes one wonder whether it's all been an internal set up between Karzai and Abdullah or whether Abdullah has been paid off or threatened in some way. I can't conceive any other explanation since Dr. Abdullah must have known that he may lose the election to Mr. Karzai anyway, but to pull out at the last minute and leave the field to Mr. Karzai unopposed, just doesn't pass the smell test.

Of course this win means the biggest losers are the Afghan people who will be subject to the same foul system for another five years.

Clem

Mike,

Well whatever  in Afghanistan -the US stays and the the US Taxpayer Pays -with a few billion from others. and  Allied soldiers die ----------------

That's been the pivotal question for me. How long is it going to take for the voters to rise up and vote out any candidates who endorse 'endless' wars and endless billions being poured into distant sands.

Clem

Good Evening Mike,

Well Clemmy I read in a political magazine about a prediction that 30 years from10% of earths animal life will be extinct.

That doesn't surprise me. I don't know the rate but I read where each year quite a few species become extinct.

Today I saw a video about kangaroos and emus invading a tiny outback town in Queensland looking for water. If they don't find any, they will surely die.

In a set of well known Biblical Books of the new testement  it seems that a man called jesus  did say that being a follower of his beliefs wouls not bring peace-but severe division.

A reasonable conclusion   !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually, it's an understatement. It's centuries of war and misery.

Just think what it would be like if we didn't have religious fanatics of all stripes who see their cause as the only true cause?

Clem

Mike,

Ah well just imagine if all the beatles  became Southern Baptists or catholics  or islamic sandflies !

A pox on all religions.

If we're talking about "The Beatles",  they had a very appropriate song out years ago called, "Imagine"

Now you have your new steam cleaner -who needs men ??

Oh, I don't know. Men have their uses.<gg>

But I'm really excited about the steam cleaner. As a matter of fact, I'm about ready to go do some more stuff after I finish my posts. It works just as advertised. Amazing. Fabrics, hard surfaces and it comes out great. Finally bought something that actually works as advertised.

Now I can't get that Beatle song out of my head. Sheesh.

Clem

Good Morning Mike,

Imagine -believe it was linked with John Lennon  -who was murdered in New York -married a japanese lady /Artist called Yoko Ono I believe.

Correct. It was an anti-war song.

Second verse:

"...Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace..."

John Lennon.

For pacifists and anti-war protesters, it was the perfect song of its day.

Clem

Good Morning Mike,

You would be suprised how many military folk hate war more than most -because they know its violence it would much rather have peace.

No, that doesn't surprise me. They get a first hand look at what the war machine does when they're wading knee deep in body parts.

Many are employed in doing their best to protect those vunerable to forces who like to kill.

And that should be their major purpose. Defense.

But Politics and religion can generated such hatred -for it convinces them that their way is the only one.

That brings me to the tragedy at Ft. Hood and how conflicted people, even soldiers can be, when religion, politics and war collide.

It goes back to what had I posted just recently that we need to look here at home at domestic terror, whether they are religious fanatics bent on terror, deranged people who want to do harm or infiltrators bent on  carnage, who have crossed our borders illegally.

Another of my pet peeves is the idea of dual citizenship. That should not be allowed especially if a person serves/has served in the military of the other country rather than in the US military.

Both dual citizenship and religion can drive a wedge in a person's thinking and at a critical moment make him/her question what comes first. Their loyalty to the US or their religion or loyalty to the other country. If they have to think about it, there is obviously a problem for the rest of us.

That situation should never occur and would not if people automatically lose  their US citizenship when they apply for dual citizenship or serve in a foreign military or even vote in elections in another country.

Immigrants who adhere to a faith or certain beliefs incompatible with their host country need to ask themselves why they are here and whether they can assimilate and accept the values of their host country. If not, they should return to their own country where they can practice their beliefs.

That's also a job for immigration officials prior to entry into the US to determine whether those entering the country will assimilate and become productive citizens.

In short, immigration laws either need to be strenghtened or radically changed. 

Clem

Good Morning Mike,

now and then I know some may not agree with you -but you do try.

I don't expect everyone to agree. They can always refute my opinion with their opinion, based on something tangible.

Ancient writings and records would indicate that trouble does start within families and tribes.

Cain and Abel, anyone?<s>

Freedom was not considered all that much. But then I am a mixed mongrel -I am not an American  either !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.vbg

Probably because survival was the top priority?

I wonder how that will work out for the EU's 27 states/countries in the future? Those with less power may band together on certain issues and will probably scheme against the powerful three.

Clem

Good Afternoon Mike,

<<Almost certain -they are at it -even now. With a side order from The Vatican and immigration and unrest in countries like Belgium.Holland and Denmark -The European wheel just keeps turning.>>

What will interesting to me to watch is whether, if Mr. Cameron is elected, he will keep his promise to put the Lisbon Treaty to a referendum for the UK which is what the voters have been clamoring for and which has been denied by the Brown government, since all 27 countries have now signed on and it will become law throughout the EU?

Somehow I doubt it will happen and whether New Labor or Tory, the government will weasel out of its promise to the voters, just like the Obama administration is breaking one promise after another to US voters.

Clem.

Mike,

And people are so guilable or apathetic  and allow expectations to seduce them.

Amen!

I am afraid a British Referendum on the EC is too late-we are part of Europe -and thats it.

OK, but couldn't they have a referendum by the voters to give them a choice whether they wanted to stay in or opt out? I thought that was always possible.

Italy is proposing a European Army !!!!!!!!!!!(Dazed smile)<

Are they planning to participate themselves or does this only apply to the other 26 member countries?<g>

The Queen has opened another session of Parliament -the government have laid out a few objectives .....but methinks their swansong -probably get replaced by toads.

Oh dear. It's hard to chose between tweedle dee and tweedle dum when you're a voter, isn't it?

The Queen is looking old now - looks like some of the younger lot will have work delegated.

Well, there are enough of them living off the largesse of the British taxpayer to take on the work.

Clem

Good Morning Mike,

<<Subtle as a steam roller and rock crusher in a fine pottery factory !!...vbg<<

And here I thought I had a future as a diplomat.<gg>

.With Germany and France -a treaty of Rome and Lisbon and a centre in Brussels -bound to be a disaster.<

It also looks like the Germans and French will dictate to the rest of the EC the outcome of the first EU presidential and PM bid. Chancellor Merkel and little Napoleon favor the Belgian guy to the dismay of the Poles and the other 24 or so EU countries who would like a say in the matter as well. Frankly, it looks like the two most powerful EU countries will run rings round the EC along with Brussells.

Not long to the 2012 -Olympics -----Labour will want to loose the election -rather than take the blame for the debts

I don't think I have ever understood why a heavily indebted country would bid on the Olympics since those games usually end up costing much more than they bring in.

Clem