Fairweather

What will happen if one of our "mercy" flight C-17's is "accidentally" shot down by a trigger-happy Russian fighter pilot? Are we really willing to go to the wall for Georgia?

You don't think a government health history database would be established that could (would) be used to deny employment, government-backed lending, genetic predisposition, etc? Sure, private insurance companies have access to this information right now, but the government acts as a (somewhat lethargic) watchdog. Do you really think they would be inclined to keep themselves above board?

The devil went down to Georgia...

I like the way you are more willing to hijack another thread than you are to address privacy problems inherent in your health care ideas when asked in the appropriate thread. So what do you really think about the gloved-hand of a government doctor shoved up your rectum? Would that be less invasive than, say, listening in on Hajib's phone call to Vancouver B.C.?

So the upset you and Matt always express about Bush's perceived privacy invasions is just unfounded hysteria. Got it.

Hillary Clinton's proposal in 1993/94 proposed just that.

Sorry I'm getting to you FW. My point is that here are several "use the military anytime we want" chickenhawks that never served. Our current administration which is one of the worst. Sure Obama didn't serve. But he doesn't turn to the military everytime things don't go his way. Clinton too was true to his beliefs and was not a promoter of indiscrimenate use of our forces. He attacked Serbia proper while supporting KLA thugs, and refused to intervene in the slaughter of 800,000 in Rwanda/Brundi. Great leadership.

I haven't had a chance to see the series (or read the book by David McCullough) on John Adams. Have you?

Good. IMO, he probably gave his "target" as much thought and consideration as the last video game character he blew away.

You never participated. What are your picks? Okay! 5 Best George Washington FDR - some may say he took advantage by having three terms but he was the right man at the time Theodore Roosevelt - leadership, conservation, etc. Abraham Lincoln Andrew Jackson/Dwight D. Eisenhower 5 Worst James Buchanan - put economy in toilet and corruption Ulysses S. Grant - what were they thinking George W. Bush - 'nough said! William H. Harrison Warren Harding US Grant ran what many historians say was the most corrupt administration in American history to this day. I've never thought Buchanan was associated with too much corruption, but he failed to take any steps whatsoever to calm the sectionalism that led to war. Harding fathered a child with his mistress in a broom closet adjacent to the oval office--claimed he never wanted to be president and was not qualified. GWB will rate mediocre IMO. Too soon to say in any event. William Henry Harrison died in office after only 30 days! Why him? Andrew Jackson is much revered, but he was basically a butcher. Research "Trail of Tears" and you'll understand.

Cut and paste cut and paste cut and paste never an original thought of your own must run to the interweb now and reveal this injustice cut and paste cut and paste Obama never served Clinton never served but your sources tell you thats ok so thats ok go about your business safe with the knowledge you now possess find out what to think next

You never participated. What are your picks?

Obama doesn't have much meat on his bones, and McCain would require a lot of marinade...

After more thought, I guess I've always been a big fan of Polk's work ethic. I'm surprised you haven't asked me about Tyler. Who is your favorite politician that never became president? (ie: Alexander Hamilton, Stephen Douglas, William Jennings Bryan...) I've always liked Henry Cabot Lodge.

I asked you the question again in the health care thread just two days ago. And I've asked it regularly of you for the past few years. I believe you stated recently that you were "tired" and "didn't have the time or patience to answer..." or something along those lines. Frankly, you present some good arguments re trickle-down econ, but I'm not inclined to discuss because of your well-established intransigence.

As usual, you demand answers to your questions while refusing to respond in-kind. Once you answer the question I've been asking you for the past three years--how do you reconcile issues of privacy and liberty within a government-controlled health care system?--I will be happy to respond (again) to your challenge, but I won't fall victim to your usual tactic of parsing replies and attempting to control debate through continuous offense.

Imagine that.

"Best president Allende"? He was well on his way to being another Chavez...or Castro. Why would you consider that model 'best'?

Did Edwards cost Hillary the nomination? http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/08/11/clinton-adviser-blames-edwards-for-her-nomination-loss/

FWIW: Suggesting a book to someone usually implies that it has been read by the one making the recommendation unless stated otherwise. It's what I've always assumed, anyway. Maybe others see it differently.

You're like a cross between Rob and...Kevbone.

You have no fucking clue.

So, Fairweather - Why are FDR & Jimmy Carter in the Worst section?? What gives? FDR's attempt to stack the supreme court is unforgivable--probably the most blatant attempted power grab in US history. Jimmy Carter probably isn't worse than any number of others like Harding, Coolidge, Pierce, Filmore. Just a more modern incarnation of bumbling idiocy followed up post-office with an almost Wilson-esque arrogance.

Like this? I think you give yourself too much credit, but I'll bite anyway: If 40 million Americans are without health insurance at any given time, let's assume that like my daughter who recently graduated from college, half of them are in transition. That still leaves 20 million chronically uninsured out of a population of 300 million--or less than seven percent. I have never claimed our current system is good or equitable--clearly it's not. But until privacy and control issues are resolved I just don't see how someone like you is so willing to hand over your life. Please explain.

Here's a book for you: what's the matter with Kansas? Uh, yea, Matt, I heard the author of this book giving an interview on The Dave Ross Show on AM 710KIRO just this morning too. Aren't you the one always bashing "talk radio" ditto heads? --yet here you are, implying you've read a book that you clearly have not, and passing on KoolAid that you clearly like the taste of. You're a spoon fed Seattlite, for sure.