Discussion IV

Here is Rick's response...I don't see an end in sight!!

World Domination: keep an eye on Germany. they lost two wars that almost had us all sprechin Deutch. They are eventually going to figure out that if they have Moscow on their side they can make their dreams come true. They are too intelligent and creative as a culture but are flawed with fanaticism. every time their economy takes a slump they talk them selves into taking actions against "the enemy!" you played far to many games of axis and allies to know they weren't close to victory. in short- if not them, someone.

Even we proved to not be above retaliation. someone smacked us in the eye and we wiped out the biggest bully on the block screaming to the world "who's next!". hopefully we can eventually find a balance between Vietnam and Iraq II.

The rest of the world uses genecide swiftly and precisely as in Darfur. it is planned, executed, and apologize for before the cumbersome world police can even get out their pens. Is it right? no, is if effective? crime is down 20% in Cambodia per latest news.

I have watched many things over the years and IMHO- too much of anything is never a good thing. We should have learned that from Rome.

As for religion, I believe this: As you know, over the years I have attended several different faiths observing pros and cons. The most important thing I learned was, similar except I didn't become "agnostic" as many of my friends have. a great mentor put it best, it doesn't matter what you believe, the spider woman and the 3 underworlds creation of the navajo, immaculate conseption of Jesus, or whatever as long as you have a belief in a higher power. this is a struggle that my family takes serious and has began these discussions. If we don't believe in something then we have no defense against a religion, cult, or group that is devoted to our demise. Hope, confidence and faith is what helped us through victory during WWII, suvival through the last depression, and rebellion from a King that asked far less taxes than we pay now.

As far as trickle down economics- you may be right. Greed always taints those that are most successful. they often get to the top by any means possible no matter how unethical they may be. Wish I knew the answer. My opinion for remaining a republican is that it is truly the "American Dream." The opportunity, no matter how slight, to work hard and make it big. Taxing 40% to those that worked their A__ of so just to give it to generational welfare cases is not my idea of an "American dream!"

Final note: the CVN is the future of the U.S.Navy and yes it is necessary. At a minimum it keeps the honest people of the world honest, and it is actually the fastest, most strategic, and by far the most effective weapon our nation has that will help us sail into another generation with the traditions, values, and beliefs that our nation has stood for since its birth. If you want to get a glimpse of what I am not able to describe in words you should check out the speaches/ commissioning of the George H. W. Bush. http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=commisioning+of+the+George+H.W.+Bush&hl=en&emb=0&aq=f# You may want to skip to the speaches if your not a military nut like me! I still enjoy the pomp and circumstance (about 8 minutes).

My friend Todd followed through on that rate you wanted to follow- Intelligence Speciallist. If I could do anything different it would have been to stick with that instead of taking that "NUKE test." You and I both would have benefitted from it. Until next time, Take care and God bless.