KRAM1

Subject: British Press view of our president http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_L6pDyjqqsvY/SfMb.../H-3BBus-KSs/s1 600-h/telegraph.JPG If al-Qaeda, the Taliban and the <<image001.jpg>> rest of the Looney Tunes brigade want to kick America to death, they had better move in quickly and grab a piece of the action before Barack Obama finishes the job himself. Never in the history of the United States has a president worked so actively against the interests of his own people - not even Jimmy Carter. Obama's problem is that he does not know who the enemy is.. To him, the enemy does not squat in caves in Waziristan, clutching automatic weapons and reciting the more militant verses from the Koran: instead, it sits around at tea parties in Kentucky quoting from the US Constitution. Obama is not at war with terrorists, but with his Republican fellow citizens. He has never abandoned the campaign trail. That is why he opened Pandora's Box by publishing the Justice Department's legal opinions on waterboarding and other hardline interrogation techniques. He cynically subordinated the national interest to his partisan desire to embarrass the Republicans. Then he had to rush to Langley , Virginia to try to reassure a demoralised CIA that had just discovered the President of the United States was an even more formidable foe than al-Qaeda. "Don't be discouraged by what's happened the last few weeks," he told intelligence officers. Is he kidding? Thanks to him, al-Qaeda knows the private interrogation techniques available to the US intelligence agencies and can train its operatives to withstand them - or would do so, if they had not already been outlawed. So, next time a senior al-Qaeda hood is captured, all the CIA can do is ask him nicely if he would care to reveal when a major population centre is due to be hit by a terror spectacular, or which American city is about to be irradiated by a dirty bomb. Your view of this situation will be dictated by one simple criterion: whether or not you watched the people jumping from the twin towers... President Pantywaist's recent world tour, cosying up to all the bad guys, excited the ambitions of America 's enemies. Here, they realised, is a sucker they can really take to the cleaners. His only enemies are fellow Americans. Which prompts the question: why does President Pantywaist hate America so badly? I'm just posting what was said.....you decide!

Since when is Rice in the Big XII...did I miss something?

Thank you...couldn't agree more.

I sure hope the Midshipmen are Bowl eligible. They should be...so, who will the Big XII team be? I know, I know...it's early...but, I want to talk football!

I thought we already found them...Quoner!

And, you know this how? And since when does one have to overpay for anything to "stimulate" the economy or to use it as a "subsidy"? That makes absolutely no sense at all. Can one not stimulate activity through a contract negotiated at a cost efficient price? If you cannot, then we are all in for a massive implosion of the health care system in this country. CBL, do you really belive what you said about "overpaying" in order to stimulate? Good grief...my economics and finance profs would turn over in their graves! I hope you were not a business or economics major at UNT.

If American forces are on "lock-down" in Iraq, should we just leave entirely? What's the point of just being sitting targets for the "bad guys", and if it has come to the point, due to Obama's policies, where American troops can do nothing of any substance, well should we just pack up and leave? Looks like Obama's administration agreed to some pretty tight restrictions on US troop movements and operations. How long before commanders in the field decide to seek withdrawal entirely? If the Iraqi Army and leadership feel that can handle it without US help, then "good for them"...I am sure they will "stand and fight" when the going gets tough just like they did in the battle to oust Saddam. Yea, right...they surrendered faster than the French ever have....and that's pretty darn fast! So, is it time to withdraw to strategic bases far outside the big cities and just "hang around" until the plea for help comes when the bad guys attack again? Because they certainly will...count on that. Can you say, here comes civil war in Iraq??? How long before the Shia start jumping all over the Sunni once again??? Or, vice versa???? You got to wonder. Should be interesting to see how this develops. Oh, well, all that "change" will certainly get things headed in the right direction in Iraq now that the US troops will not be available to bail out the Iraqi army and police as quickly as in the past. Hey, I hope the Iraqi Army and police can handle it. I would like nothing better than to bring all our troops and support personnel home from the "big sand box", but I do not think I'm the only one who pretty much doubts the ability of Iraq to come together and stand against the "bad guys". How long before Iran runs the show????? http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,534069,00.html

No...you missed the point entirely...it is about the inefficiency of government to run any program and keep the costs down...ham purchases or health care...get the government involved and you run costs up...not down as even the administrations own budget office has indicated in the case of the proposed health care "reform" proposal.

On Ham and Health Care Reform Yesterday we learned that, in order to “stimulate the economy,” the federal government spent millions of dollars buying boiled ham. Pushing back against the public outcry, Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack proudly proclaimed that his Department had purchased the ham for the needy, and at $1.50 per pound. It didn’t take long for people to point out that any shopper could purchase that same ham for (drumroll please) about 79 cents per pound. So the federal government paid twice the market price for ham, right? No, it’s worse than that. When you’re buying millions of dollars worth of ham, shouldn’t you be able to negotiate the best possible price? A price lower than the full retail price that any consumer pays at the grocery store? Isn’t it more likely that the Feds paid 3 or 4 times what they should have for boiled ham? This kind of inefficiency is a defining characteristic of government. Absent competition and other market incentives to spend wisely and maximize efficiencies, government routinely pays too much for goods and services, and tolerates a level of fraud that would never occur in the private sector. Which brings us to the current claim that the best way to hold down health care costs is to give government a bigger role and greater control over the health care industry, since it will be able to take advantage of the government’s vast purchasing power and economies of scale. Right. If you can’t do it with boiled ham, how are you going to be able to do it with radiological services and neurosurgery? But there is one unique function in our society that government (and only government) wields, and that’s the use of force. And it’s through the use of force, not through economies of scale, that the Feds will attempt to hold down the growth of health care costs. Force by placing effective price controls on drugs, medical devices and medical services. Force by denying coverage for certain treatments and by denying payments to service providers. The blunt instrument of government force, applied to health care. Do we really want the people who pay 3x the price of boiled ham, and who have the exclusive right to control prices and put people in jail, running the health care system? Thought you might like to see this short piece from The Institute for Policy Innovation...a non-partisan non-profit policy think tank based in Lewisville, Texas. Web-site is www.ipi.org Interesting point to ponder, is it not? Just how efficient do you really think the government will be running YOUR health care program? Think you could "sue" if anything egregious happened? Do you really thin that a health care program run by the government will, in any way, LOWER COSTS???? Think again the next time you bite into a ham sandwich.

The guy is "playing to his audience", and I have absolutely no problem with it at all. Times are lean, you do what works for your client base and you look to find ways to bring client's to your shop...the women is obviously anti-gun and has several of her facts "wrong"...but what did you expect from the media? You think she got the spot because of her great journalistic background and lengthy resume? Maybe, but from the line of her interview, I would say...maybe not. I hope the guy sells lots of vehicles!!!!

Would this mean we would have to drink less beer????

Gee, and how's that going for you here in the land of "not in my backyard"...and "development, what development...we want it to stay a sleepy little college town"..... Just promise them you won't have to cut down any trees, that you will use no trans fats in whatever you do, that you will use solar panels and wind turbines and biodiesel in all your vehicles...and, oh yes, that you love to pay outrageous property taxes and that you will cover 125% of any infrastructure upgrades...and that maybe you will work as a school crossing guard on your time off. Sorry, too many years spent in Denton trying to figure out why Denton hates businesses and business minded people so much.

UNT needs a campus spot on the order of Eskimo Joe's in Stillwater. The spot I miss the most is Texas Pickup. At one time that was a great place and there were times when you had a decent wait to get a table. One of the problems is patronage around the campus. To prosper as a "college hangout" you really have to cater to the local crowd, be involved in the community and offer a good product at a decent price. If you do that...people need to frequent the place and not just for a quick lunch with a 50% off coupon. I like Sweetwater for burgers and beer...nachos, cheese fries, etc. However, I realize it is too far away from campus and too "townie" to be much of a college hangout. Ever been to Eskimo Joe's on a game day in Stillwater? hard to get into the place...and it is full of townies, out of town fans (both teams), mom's and dad's with kids and college students. Interesting mix of clientele...been there awhile and always supports OSU and the City...I wonder if that has anything to do with it? You think? I moved to Denton in 1965 and have lived there "off and on" ever since. From day one it was apparent that the locals do not support restaurants well enough to establish many local restaurants other than burger places, italian and mexican. People would drive to Dallas to eat and let a local place with just as good food and service wither on the vine because it was "cooler" (I guess) to drive to Dallas for an "outing". Go figure. Interesting, but true. I can name you restaurant after restaurant that tried to make a go of it in Denton and couldn't make it after a year or two. Amazing, but true. I do think we are seeing a time in Denton where the local base along with the student population will support local establishments. That being said...i hope someone does open up a new college place. I'd give it a try, but I'll still try Central Grill's new ownership out too.

IMHO...you are not wrong. Agree...either way, a good read.

Looks good to me. I think it's an upgrade. When all is "up and running" it should be even better. I appreciate the fact that the Athletic Dept. is looking for ways to improve its image and its ability to reach fans. GO MEAN GREEN!

Went to Boy Scout camp at PK several times...we would swim from the camp shore to hell's gate...it was a mile swim...pretty cool. I have some great memories of the place. First time I tried that mile swim I thought I was going to drown about half-way through...sure looked easier before I started. Gave me an appreciation of swimmers....anyway...got easier the next few times. BTW...made it the first time, but darn sure rowed back in a canoe!

Wow, big news. I, too, will miss Tom and Cheryl. They were great, but I cannot blame them if they got a great deal. maybe they will open a new place. SUMG...did you ask them? Anyway, absolutely DO NOT boycott the place. Welcome the new owners, try them out (I certainly will) and tell them you are eating there BECAUSE they support the Mean Green and you hope the new ownership will continue that trend. FFR is 100% correct in saying that the service made the place. While the food was very good, indeed, and reasonably priced...Tom and Chery made the place. Let's hope it doesn't turn into "just another burger joint". GO MEAN GREEN!

WOW....such a defeated attitude already. It's OK, Firefighter Rick will be there to give you first aid treatment after you collapse because you can't take the positive results of what you are seeing!

If you contact the folks at Pourhouse and bring a group that will "eat and drink" a bit during the game...my guess is that tey will reserve it for you without cost...Just my guess, but they support UNT Athletics...and they did not charge the Alumni Assoc. for use of the room for their recent Mixer. BUT, I would think they would like to know how many folks you would bring before they agree to the "no charge" thing. Of, course...you must know, I cannot speak for the management...I am just talking about how great they have been to us in the past. GO MEAN GREEN!!!!

At this point it looks like I can help. If the athletic dept. gives their OK, we will be selling our Tank Army T-shirts at the Kick-off cook out, so I'll have some work to do before, during and after the Cookout...so probably could not immediately leave and go hand them out...but could that day a bit later and on subsequent days as I live in Denton. So, just count me in...one way or the other, I can pass 'em out! GO MEAN GREEN! Oh, yes...BUY A TANK ARMY T-SHIRT...it helps raise scholarship $$$ for UNT students (who could possibly be against that, right?).

Can't be expected to be picked much higher in pre-season polls due to recent history. BUT, the good news is that by mid-season folks will be wondering why UNT did not get better treatment in the pre-season polls and why folks had no clue some of the Unt players were so good...(Tobe, of course, but others as well). It's closer and closer to the time when teams have to "strap 'em on" and prove what they can do on the field instead of in the media. Only thing these polls mean is that the season is getting closer and closer. Should be fun! GO MEAN GREEN!

Personally, I don't careif they play naked...just win baby! On second thought.............

Priceless!

Yep, I like the idea of the game being played at Fouts as a forerunner to being played in the new stadium. More exposure and income for UNT and Denton itself gets some added revenue from the fans attending...food, beverage, gasoline, maybe an out of town granparent or two...or just friends...staying at the new hotel. So, tell me again why the City of Denton does not seem to be behind the stadium project in any public way......

Absolutely PRICELESS! Just how can the people of California keep sending folks like this to both the House and the Senate. Pelosi and Boxer make quite a team for Californians. How proud Californians must be! It is pretty obvious that eachj and every time they open their mouths that they have little to nothing of substance to add to any debate. Only saving grace here is that Boxer seems to me to be a bit easier on the eyes than Pelosi...just saying!