Hello:

So far, it's not going well (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/27/mitt-romney-olympics_n_1709505.html?utm_hp_ref=daily-brief?utm_source=DailyBrief&utm_campaign=072712&utm_medium=email&utm_content=NewsEntry&utm_term=Daily%20Brief)... He's dufus II.

He's going to Poland soon.. Is he going to tell them a polish joke?

excon

Hello:

So far, it's not going well (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/27/mitt-romney-olympics_n_1709505.html?utm_hp_ref=daily-brief?utm_source=DailyBrief&utm_campaign=072712&utm_medium=email&utm_content=NewsEntry&utm_term=Daily%20Brief)... He's dufus II.

He's going to Poland soon.. Is he gonna tell them a polish joke??

excon
Yeah that was an unforced error. Of course the hypocites in London are acting as if he insulted them by returning a bust of Churchill or gave thoughtless gifts to their queen .

An example of the power of the incumbency was on display today. The President (in tal's words ) has peed on the head of Israel since he was sworn in .

But today ;on the eve of the Romney visit to Israel ; the President made a big demonstration of signing into law ,a military aid bill for Israel.

The Israelis will see through this demonstration. But it wasn't meant for their benefit . It was to shore up his Jewish support in Florida.

He really doesn't like them over there:


He wrote this in his 2010 book No Apology:

England [sic] is just a small island. Its roads and houses are small. With few exceptions, it doesn't make things that people in the rest of the world want to buy.


In 2007:
The United States is in danger of becoming a "second-tier" nation like Britain and other European countries if Hillary Clinton wins the White House

He was right in his book. When you read the rest of the paragraph it makes perfect sense.


And if it hadn't been separated from the continent by water, it almost certainly would have been lost to Hitler's ambitions. Yet only two lifetimes ago, Britain ruled the largest and wealthiest empire in the history of humankind. Britain controlled a quarter of the earth's land and a quarter of the earth's population.
That empire was built on the Navy ;a Navy the Brits cannot sustain at levels beyond a '2nd tier power. Today they would have problems defending the Falklands.

I'm sure the UK is loving being called second-tier.

Good thing Londoners don't vote in our election. Or do they? You guys let anyone vote.

I'm sure the UK is loving being called second-tier.

Just like Salt Lake City loves being called "the middle of nowhere." Best retort of the whole affair from the SLC mayor's office:


"(David Cameron) can stop by any time. We'd love to have him and are happy to send a map so he doesn't run into any trouble locating the middle of nowhere." — Spokesperson For Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker

When you have a mouth and half a brain you just have to use both. Romney demonstrated both in Britain and was told appropriately how small his efforts had been. Let's hope he doesn't tell the Polish people how wonderful Dachau was, or let Isreal know his religious beliefs

Or maybe he can go to Berlin and have rally at the Siegessaule column . Oh wait Obama beat him to it .

I have a sense Tom that Obama may have beat him to other things and may prevail particularly if Romney continues his give me's.

Romney wants to elevate the US at the expense of others, rather he should put his expertise to work elevating the US from its second string economic status and take a lesson from the British experience. When you overstretch your resources your inadequacies will one day become obvious

His statement ,although clumbsy ,was not worthy of the over-reaction .All he did was point out some concerns that the Brit press has reported on since they won the bid to hold the games. Perhaps when they stop their over the top bloviating they may consider that Romney had tremendous success managing an Olympics .

When he was called on the bail out the Salt Lake City games the project was a corrupt, bloated, and overbudget, organization that was $400 million in the hole .There were crimes that resulted in jail time for some of the organizers .He had exactly the same security concerns as the Brits have. His Olympics was in the wake of the 9-11 attack ,and there was not a whole lot of extra money to devote to security

Still ,the games were held without a hitch .He transformed it into a spectacular success with a $100 million surplus.

So unless the Brits are over sensitive panty waists ,their explosive reaction to his comments are way over the top.

.

You don't need to defend him because he is a republican, if Obama had said it you would have criticised him. There is a vast difference between the British press commenting on British shortcomings and an american wannabee doing the same to bolster his own ego and his political position..

The Brits have done a marvelous job with the opening ceremony, and guess what? They didn't need Romney's advice. I predict they will find it will all turn out okay

The Brits have done a marvelous job with the opening ceremony
Except for the James Bond scene with the Queen ,the whole ceremony was a snoozer. They could've spared us watching workers strip sod off the field at least .

But I'll be fair. The uniforms the US team wore was lame! How they allowed Ralph Lauren to dress our athletes in French berets ,and too large Polo logos on their suits is beyond me.

you don't need to defend him because he is a republican, if Obama had said it you would have critised him. There is a vast difference between the British press commenting on British shortcomings and an american wannabee doing the same to bolster his own ego and his political position..

The Brits have done a marvelous job with the opening cerimony, and guess what? they didn't need Romney's advice. I predict they will find it will all turn out okay

Considering his social gafs I think it is apropos that the Brits call him 'mitt the twit'. I can't wait to hear what happens in Isreal!

I think Mitt is shambolic

Then again ;maybe Romney has a point. They weren't ready for the games .
London 2012 Olympics: Empty seats on the opening day prompts investigation - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/london-2012/9434744/London-2012-Olympics-Empty-seats-on-the-opening-day-prompts-investigation.html)

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f92/RetSignman/2012-07-28T183200Z_1176463962_LM2E87S1FH1UP_RTRMADP_3_OLY-SWIM-DAY1.jpg

Hello again, tom:

Point or not, it's NOT diplomatic to criticize a country you're about to visit...

To ME, it's more important to see how Romney operates on the world stage. So far, he's failed, and he didn't bow to anybody either.

excon

Except for the James Bond scene with the Queen ,the whole ceremony was a snoozer. They could've spared us watching workers strip sod off the field at least.
Roger Ebert caught all the allusions and droll humor in it and said it was a "gob smacker"! (http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2012/07/oh_how_i_wish_you_could_hear_t.html)

I have to agree with Ebert. I thought the tribute to the National Health Care with hundreds of children in beds having terrible nightmares was hilarious.
Then they made it a point to note that the audience in attendance could get a wiff of industrial pollution coming out of the smoke stacks.

I have to agree with Ebert. I thought the tribute to the National Health Care with hundreds of children in beds having terrible nightmares was hilarious.
And tying that in with "Mary Poppins"...

And tying that in with "Mary Poppins"... representing the 'nanny state ' ?

Hello again, tom:

Point or not, it's NOT diplomatic to criticize a country you're about to visit...

To ME, it's more important to see how Romney operates on the world stage. So far, he's failed, and he didn't bow to anybody either.

excon

" We knew we weren't prepared for this but we don't appreciate an upstart colonist bringing up the point!"

" We knew we weren't prepared for this but we don't appreciate an upstart colonist bringing up the point!"
I will complain about my mother all I want, but don't you dare say one word against her!

Hello again,

Romney Praises (http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/07/30/604111/romney-individual-mandate-israel/)Israel's Universal Health Care System, Which Includes Individual Mandate..

"If I'm President of the United States, we're going to get rid of Obamacare and return, under our constitution, the 10th Amendment, the responsibility and care of health care to the people in the states,” Romney said during a GOP presidential debate.

But during his trip to Israel, Romney inadvertently praised the individual requirement and universal health care. “For an American abroad, you can't get much closer to the ideals and convictions of my own country than you do in Israel,” he said. And according to The New York Times, Romney spoke favorably about the fact that health care makes up a much smaller amount of Israel's gross domestic product compared to the United States:


“Do you realize what health care spending is as a percentage of the G.D.P. in Israel? Eight percent,” he said. “You spend eight percent of G.D.P. on health care. You're a pretty healthy nation. We spend 18 percent of our G.D.P. on health care, 10 percentage points more. That gap, that 10 percent cost, compare that with the size of our military — our military which is 4 percent, 4 percent. Our gap with Israel is 10 points of G.D.P. We have to find ways — not just to provide health care to more people, but to find ways to fund and manage our health care costs.”

I wonder how THAT'S going to play..

Excon

Hello again,

Romney Praises (http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/07/30/604111/romney-individual-mandate-israel/)Israel’s Universal Health Care System, Which Includes Individual Mandate..

"If I’m President of the United States, we’re gonna get rid of Obamacare and return, under our constitution, the 10th Amendment, the responsibility and care of health care to the people in the states,” Romney said during a GOP presidential debate.

But during his trip to Israel, Romney inadvertently praised the individual requirement and universal health care. “For an American abroad, you can’t get much closer to the ideals and convictions of my own country than you do in Israel,” he said. And according to The New York Times, Romney spoke favorably about the fact that health care makes up a much smaller amount of Israel’s gross domestic product compared to the United States:



I wonder how THAT'S gonna play..

excon

This needs its own thread.

Hello again,

Romney Praises (http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/07/30/604111/romney-individual-mandate-israel/)Israel’s Universal Health Care System, Which Includes Individual Mandate..

"If I’m President of the United States, we’re gonna get rid of Obamacare and return, under our constitution, the 10th Amendment, the responsibility and care of health care to the people in the states,” Romney said during a GOP presidential debate.

But during his trip to Israel, Romney inadvertently praised the individual requirement and universal health care. “For an American abroad, you can’t get much closer to the ideals and convictions of my own country than you do in Israel,” he said. And according to The New York Times, Romney spoke favorably about the fact that health care makes up a much smaller amount of Israel’s gross domestic product compared to the United States:



I wonder how THAT'S gonna play..

excon

Are you under the impression that we don't also believe health care is too expensive? No, we just have different ideas of how to fix that. You think government is the solution and I think government is the problem.

You think government is the solution and I think government is the problem.Mittens thinks government is the solution too. You stand alone. :-)

Are you under the impression that we don't also believe health care is too expensive? No, we just have different ideas of how to fix that.Hello again, Steve:

I'm under TWO impressions.

IF you actually believe it's too expensive, your party COULD have offered its ideas back BEFORE the ACA. But, they didn't. I think it's because there WERE none...

The second impression I'm under is that your cure is to offer vouchers to people and send them on their way... That's not going to FIX anything.

excon

I wonder if the Israelis take in anyone and everyone from neighboring states ,and let them use the system for free. I wonder if the Israelis have free universal contraception and abortion. I wonder what part of the Israeli population live permanently on the dole ;or pay no income tax .
Yeah ,if I believed that a US centralized system would effectively run a health care system at 8% GDP I may sign up too. But we all know it can't... not even close.

I wonder if the Israelis take in anyone and everyone from neighboring states ,and let them use the system for free. I wonder if the Israelis have free universal contraception and abortion. I wonder what part of the Israeli population live permanently on the dole ;or pay no income tax .
Yeah ,if I believed that a US centralized system would effectively run a health care system at 8% GDP I may sign up too. But we all know it can't ....not even close.
I guess you know more than your presidential hopeful. That doesn't bode well for him.

Mittens thinks government is the solution too. You stand alone. :-)

At least I don't stand alone in my own reality.

Hello again, Steve:

I'm under TWO impressions.

IF you actually believe it's too expensive, your party COULD have offered its ideas back BEFORE the ACA. But, they didn't. I think it's because there WERE none...

The second impression I'm under is that your cure is to offer vouchers to people and send them on their way... That's not gonna FIX anything.

excon

OK ex, you tell me what Republican bills have been given consideration by Democrats since Obama basically told Republicans to suck rocks in January '09.

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205387_335482839872759_1466794128_n.jpg

Mitt isn't the solution, he's the problem. Its embarrassing for the rest of the world to see we let the loonies out!

Polish Solidarity distances itself from Romney visit | Reuters (http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/07/30/uk-usa-romney-poland-idUKBRE86T15820120730)

"Regretfully, we were informed by our friends from the American headquarters of (trade union federation) AFL-CIO, which represents more than 12 million employees ... that Mitt Romney supported attacks on trade unions and employees' rights," Solidarity said in a statement."

I am shocked, SHOCKED that the AFL-CIO would try and make Romney look bad.

It doesn't take much for Romney to look bad because all you have to do is give Solidarity the YouTube links and they can see for themselves what he says in his own words.

"Solidarity is still known abroad because of its historic role in the collapse of Communism and the fall of the Berlin Wall. At home, it is now closely linked with Poland's biggest opposition party, which promotes conservative social values."

Sounds like they and Mitt are a nice match.

A Nobel Endorsement by former Polish President - 06:30 p.m. CET (11:30 a.m. EST) - Lech Walesa, the Nobel Prize winner and former Polish president, “has effectively endorsed Romney.”

“I wish you to be successful because this success is needed to the United States, of course, but to Europe and the rest of the world, too. Gov Romney, get your success – be successful,” Walesa told Romney, according to a translator.

A Nobel Endorsement by former Polish President - 06:30 p.m. CET (11:30 a.m. EST) - Lech Walesa, the Nobel Prize winner and former Polish president, “has effectively endorsed Romney.”

“I wish you to be successful because this success is needed to the United States, of course, but to Europe and the rest of the world, too. Gov Romney, get your success – be successful,” Walesa told Romney, according to a translator.

And this was by someone that actually EARNED his Nobel.

And this was by someone that actually EARNED his Nobel.
Your guy is a shoe-in then. Congrats!

Hello again,

Romney follows up (http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/186495/mitt-romney-follows-up-insults-in-lodon-with-straight-up-racism-in-israel/)insults in London with straight-up racism in Israel.


As I come here and I look out over this city and consider the accomplishments of the people of this nation, I recognize the power of at least culture and a few other things. …

As you come here and you see the GDP per capita, for instance, in Israel which is about $21,000 dollars, and compare that with the GDP per capita just across the areas managed by the Palestinian Authority, which is more like $10,000 per capita, you notice such a dramatically stark difference in economic vitality.

Rightly, Palestinians were offended by the comment. Tying Israel's economic advantage to cultural superiority rather than acknowledging the geopolitical realities affecting the region is not only racist, it's downright ignorant, they said. Saeb Erekat, top authority in the Palestinian Authority, said:


It is a racist statement and this man doesn't realize that the Palestinian economy cannot reach its potential because there is an Israeli occupation.

It seems to me this man lacks information, knowledge, vision and understanding of this region and its people. He also lacks knowledge about the Israelis themselves. I have not heard any Israeli official speak about cultural superiority.

Looks like THAT situation ain't going to get fixed if he's elected president..

What is Steve fond of saying, you can't make this stuff up?

Excon

One would think that the Gaza Strip would be thriving now that there is no 'occupation' . Romney is not only right ,but he was understated . The Palestinians will never prosper as long as they cling to their anti-semitic hate .

The Palestinian economy will never be fixed while they waste their resources on the goal of the destruction of Israel,and investing their faith in corrupt leaders like Saeb Erekat. He more than any other Palestinian is the reason why the negotiations with Israel always falls short of any real progress.

There was nothing offensive or new in Romney's observation. His words echo UN's Arab Human Development Reports, written by Arab authors , who have noted the lack of freedom, education, women's rights, and other factors holding back the Arab world.
AHDR Reports: Detailed Contents (http://www.arab-hdr.org/contents/index.aspx?rid=6)
He should though give props to Prime Minister Salam Fayyad who has actually been working on solutions to increase educational and economic development in the West Bank rather than simply blaming “Israeli occupation” for all their woes. .

One would think that the Gaza Strip would be thriving now that there is no 'occupation' . Romney is not only right ,but he was understated .
Hello again, tom:

Point or not, it's NOT diplomatic to criticize a country you're about to visit...

To ME, it's more important to see how Romney operates on the world stage. So far, he's failed, and he didn't bow to anybody either.

exconHello again, tom:

What HE, and apparently YOU, don't understand, is that even if it may be FACT, it's NOT the way to fix it.. In fact, it's the way to screw it up during your entire presidency.. Romney does NOT get that.. He seems unable to take off his business mans hat, and wear the presidential hat.

I'd RATHER he kept his MOUTH shut and just bowed!

excon

He should tell it like it is . Nothing destabilizes more than not being sure what a world leader thinks. Do really think it's helpful to the region that the sitting President of the US is not clear on such basic issues as where the Capital of Israel is ?

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/3901/sellingga1.jpg

He should tell it like it is . Nothing destabilizes more than not being sure what a world leader thinks. Hello again, tom:

In my view, telling the Arabs/Palestinians that they're NOT on the cultural level of the Jews, all by itself, destabilizes the world pretty good..

Where did you study diplomacy? Montgomery wards?

excon

If the shoe fits.. wear it . When the Israelis left Gaza ,they left thriving businesses intact. Jewish organizations from Israel, USA, and around the world set up the means for the population to support themselves. It took the Palestinians hours to trash them and the chance for a useful existence with it.
The only export business they have are rockets fired at Israeli elementary schools.


Perhaps if Romney visits Palestine he can talk smooth and cuddly and sooth their bruised egos. He was speaking to an Israeli audience ,and to an American audience.
He has sent a clear signal that he is a friend of Israel ;something the current administration had trouble with.

How tiresome can this get? He insulted the Brits, he insulted the Palestinians, he managed an endoresement from a pole from the archives, and next, wait for it, he will say he had a successful visit. Well he shored up the jewish vote, if there is one in Republican circles, and now we know he has foreign relations credentials. I feel very sad for the american people

Where do you get these cretians from?

if the shoe fits ..wear it . Hello again, tom:

I know you LIKE what he's saying, and you want to get stuff off your chest, but I don't believe that YOU believe a president should go around the world saying stuff like that...

If I'm wrong and you think he SHOULD, I've misjudged you.

excon

Behind me stands a wall that encircles the free sectors of this city, part of a vast system of barriers that divides the entire continent of Europe. From the Baltic, south, those barriers cut across Germany in a gash of barbed wire, concrete, dog runs, and guard towers. Farther south, there may be no visible, no obvious wall. But there remain armed guards and checkpoints all the same--still a restriction on the right to travel, still an instrument to impose upon ordinary men and women the will of a totalitarian state. Yet it is here in Berlin where the wall emerges most clearly; here, cutting across your city, where the news photo and the television screen have imprinted this brutal division of a continent upon the mind of the world. Standing before the Brandenburg Gate, every man is a German, separated from his fellow men. Every man is a Berliner, forced to look upon a scar.

..

Where four decades ago there was rubble, today in West Berlin there is the greatest industrial output of any city in Germany--busy office blocks, fine homes and apartments, proud avenues, and the spreading lawns of parkland. Where a city's culture seemed to have been destroyed, today there are two great universities, orchestras and an opera, countless theaters, and museums. Where there was want, today there's abundance--food, clothing, automobiles--the wonderful goods of the Ku'damm. From devastation, from utter ruin, you Berliners have, in freedom, rebuilt a city that once again ranks as one of the greatest on earth. The Soviets may have had other plans. But my friends, there were a few things the Soviets didn't count on--Berliner Herz, Berliner Humor, ja, und Berliner Schnauze. [Berliner heart, Berliner humor, yes, and a Berliner Schnauze.]

In the 1950s, Khrushchev predicted: "We will bury you." But in the West today, we see a free world that has achieved a level of prosperity and well-being unprecedented in all human history. In the Communist world, we see failure, technological backwardness, declining standards of health, even want of the most basic kind--too little food. Even today, the Soviet Union still cannot feed itself. After these four decades, then, there stands before the entire world one great and inescapable conclusion: Freedom leads to prosperity. Freedom replaces the ancient hatreds among the nations with comity and peace. Freedom is the victor.

And now the Soviets themselves may, in a limited way, be coming to understand the importance of freedom. We hear much from Moscow about a new policy of reform and openness. Some political prisoners have been released. Certain foreign news broadcasts are no longer being jammed. Some economic enterprises have been permitted to operate with greater freedom from state control.

Are these the beginnings of profound changes in the Soviet state? Or are they token gestures, intended to raise false hopes in the West, or to strengthen the Soviet system without changing it? We welcome change and openness; for we believe that freedom and security go together, that the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace. There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace.

General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

Yes, we need a leader who should be going around the world saying stuff like that.

Mitt ain't the one, not even close. I know you aren't comparing the two are you?

Mitt ain't the one, not even close. I know you aren't comparing the two are you??

Ex: "I don't believe that YOU believe a president should go around the world saying stuff like that..."

Yes we should. Reagan was a great example of why we should. But no, I don't compare anyone to Reagan.

Ex: "I don't believe that YOU believe a president should go around the world saying stuff like that..."

Yes we should. Reagan was a great example of why we should. Hello again, Steve:

Telling the Palestinians that their culture doesn't measure up, ISN'T like telling Gorbachov to tear down the wall...

Are you NOT able to make the distinction??

excon

"As you come here and you see the GDP per capita, for instance, in Israel which is about $21,000 dollars, and compare that with the GDP per capita just across the areas managed by the Palestinian Authority, which is more like $10,000 per capita, you notice such a dramatically stark difference in economic vitality," Romney told a group of Jewish donors at a Jerusalem fundraiser that netted more than $1 million for his campaign.


In the 1950s, Khrushchev predicted: "We will bury you." But in the West today, we see a free world that has achieved a level of prosperity and well-being unprecedented in all human history. In the Communist world, we see failure, technological backwardness, declining standards of health, even want of the most basic kind--too little food. Even today, the Soviet Union still cannot feed itself.

Like two peas in a pod. But I'm sure you're going to blame the Palestinians plight on the Israelis and not a culture whose sole ambition is eliminate Israel. Like tom said, Israel left them an infrastructure and they laid waste to it.

Arab Israelis have equal rights and I'm sure have it much better. You have a culture that assures freedom and equal rights for its citizens and one whose singular focus is the destruction of Israel. Which one measures up?

Hello again, Steve:

I'll try ONE more time, but if you keep on mixing up what's SO, with what a presidential candidate should SAY, I'm out of here.

I'll ask you again, can you NOT make that distinction??

Oh, never mind..

excon

Like two peas in a pod. But I'm sure you're going to blame the Palestinians plight on the Israelis and not a culture whose sole ambition is eliminate Israel. Like tom said, Israel left them an infrastructure and they laid waste to it.

Arab Israelis have equal rights and I'm sure have it much better. You have a culture that assures freedom and equal rights for its citizens and one whose singular focus is the destruction of Israel. Which one measures up?

There was no Israel before 1948. Palestinians got along with Hebrews just fine before the Jewish government decided that the Palestinians were second class citizens.

The American Jewish population should closely observe the Palestinian- American progressive alliance ;and vote accordingly. I hope the President uses that exact wording on the campaign trail. By the way ;that is just factually incorrect. Israel predates most Western nations (established 1020–931 BCE) ,and certainly the concept of a 'Palestinian people.'

Israel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel)


Following the adoption of a resolution by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 29 November 1947, recommending the adoption and implementation of the United Nations partition plan of Mandatory Palestine, on 14 May 1948 David Ben-Gurion, the Executive Head of the World Zionist Organization[8] and president of the Jewish Agency for Palestine, declared the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz Israel, to be known as the State of Israel, a state independent from the British Mandate for Palestine.[9][10][11]


The notion of the "Land of Israel", known in Hebrew as Eretz Yisrael (or Eretz Yisroel), has been important and sacred to the Jewish people since Biblical times. According to the Torah, God promised the land to the three Patriarchs of the Jewish people.[33][34] On the basis of scripture, the period of the three Patriarchs has been placed somewhere in the early 2nd millennium BCE,[35] and the first Kingdom of Israel was established around the 11th century BCE. Subsequent Israelite kingdoms and states ruled intermittently over the next four hundred years, and are known from various extra-biblical sources.[36][37][38][39]



The northern Kingdom of Israel, as well as Philistine city states fell in 722 BCE, though the southern Kingdom of Judah and several Phoenician city states continued their existence as the region came under Assyrian rule. With the emergence of Babylonians, Judah was eventually conquered as well.

Lets not confuse ancient tribal affiliations with modern national sovereignty.

Hello again, Steve:

I'll try ONE more time, but if you keep on mixing up what's SO, with what a presidential candidate should SAY, I'm outta here.

I'll ask you again, can you NOT make that distinction???

Oh, never mind..

excon

What should he say?

What should he say?

He should shut up since he knows nothing of the regions nor the history of its people.

yeah that will cement his foreign policy credentials

Hello!! He was speaking to an Israeli audience ;and he was speaking truth .

Israel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel)


Lets not confuse ancient tribal affiliations with modern national sovereignty.

Yes Tal there is a great deal of tribalism in the middle east and few, what we might describe as, modern nations. Democracy in that region is a vague notion, as we are witnessing a few short miles to the north of Juresalem. Romney would do well to stay out of the regions politics

Romney did well to identify a basic truth in the region. For as long as I can remember American leaders have tip-toed around this issue in the hope that the Palestinans would come around to a reasonable solution . I suggest that a little tough truth is needed . There is a simple solution to the problem... The Palestinians should look in the mirror and see where their faith in trust in their leaders have led them .

yeah that will cement his foreign policy credentials

Hello !!! He was speaking to an Israeli audience ;and he was speaking truth .

He was throwing red meat to American conservatives, Jew and Gentiles. The Knesset is not ruled entirely by conservatives, and as an aside, Slick Mitt gave praise to the socialized health care system in the UK, and Israel.

Your link doesn't work, nor does your history, or your truth. Or your candidate.

The Palestinians should look in the mirror and see where their faith in trust in their leaders have led them .

Might I suggest you take your own advice. The palestinians are in most respects a displaced people looking for a homeland. You are asking these people to take a rational approach to an emotive issue, such as when can I have my family property back. I acknowledge that the use of violence to solve their problems is not the way to go, they need to be resettled far away from the Israeli border, but all that has happened is they have been herded into ghettos called camps, unlike many who have taken the refugee trail these people have stayed put and as a result find themselves a repressed minority and a nobody who would be somebody, an american millionaire, a person who wants for nothing, says to them wake up. It is he who needs to wake up

Isn't that how WWII began?

Sorry Tal you will need to be more specific, are you drawing the analogy between the palestinians of the twenty first century and the jews of the twentieth century. WWII began because a despot dictator wanted to enforce his will on the peoples of Europe and while one motivation was for him to solve the "jewish question" it wasn't his sole motivation. Another motivation he has was what he called "living space", an option not open to either the Israeli or the palestinian. I'm sure the Israeli's would like to solve the "palestinian question" but it cannot be solved in the same way. Whether both parties like it or not the only real solution is integration, a solution offered by the Israeli's at the very beginning but rejected in favour of war. Occupation has been tried without success and until they can get rid of the radicals conflict will persist

He was throwing red meat to American conservatives, Jew and Gentiles. The Knesset is not ruled entirely by conservatives, and as an aside, Slick Mitt gave praise to the socialized health care system in the UK, and Israel.

Your link doesn't work, nor does your history, or your truth. Or your candidate.

It wasn't a link, he engaged the sarcasm font.

I think this is a turning point for Mittens. Can he pick Lech Walesa as his running mate?

Seems the president agrees with Romney (http://www.weeklystandard.com/print/blogs/barack-obama-prejudiced-against-arabs_649166.html)...


s Barack Obama Prejudiced Against Arabs?
Noah Pollak
July 31, 2012 5:30 PM

The press is having fun today amplifying the complaint of Palestinian "negotiator" Saeb Ereikat that comments Mitt Romney made in Jerusalem yesterday are "racist." What was Romney's offense? In the course of expressing amazement at Israel's economic miracle, he merely pointed out that cultural differences lead to differences in economic performance.

In Romney's own words:

"And as you come here and you see the GDP per capita for instance in Israel which is about 21,000 dollars [sic] and you compare that with the GDP per capita just across the areas managed by the Palestinian Authority which is more like 10,000 dollars per capita [sic] you notice a dramatic, stark difference in economic vitality. And that is also between other countries that are near or next to each other. Chile and Ecuador, Mexico and the United States.. . there was a book written by a former Harvard professor [David Landes] named ‘The Wealth and Poverty of Nations.’... and he’s in his early 70s at this point, he says this, he says, if you could learn anything from the economic history of the world it’s this: culture makes all the difference. Culture makes all the difference. And as I come here and I look out over this city and consider the accomplishments of the people of this nation, I recognize the power of at least culture and a few other things."

The funny thing is, there's another candidate for president who has also made this point, and in fact made it repeatedly over the past few years. That candidate is the current president, Barack Obama.

In his famous 2009 “Speech to the Muslim World” in Cairo, he said:

“But all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century -- and in too many Muslim communities, there remains underinvestment in these areas.”

He pointed out that "a woman who is denied an education is denied equality... And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well educated are far more likely to be prosperous."

He added that he has "an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose...Governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure."

Two years later, in another speech (this one on the Arab Spring), he told the U.S.-Islamic World Forum:

"Throughout the region, many young people have a solid education, but closed economies leave them unable to find a job. Entrepreneurs are brimming with ideas, but corruption leaves them unable to profit from those ideas."

Maybe Obama has read the same fine David Landes book that Romney cited – which discusses the importance to a healthy economy of women’s empowerment. Why might we think this? Because Obama said:

"History shows that countries are more prosperous and more peaceful when women are empowered… The region will never reach its full potential when more than half of its population is prevented from achieving their full potential."

Reading all this, one might even conclude that Obama has been quite a bit more critical of Arab societies than Romney has. One trusts it isn’t racist to point that out.

How dare he insult their culture that way.

How dare he insult their culture that way.!Hello again, Steve:

Once more with the distinctions...

One was an insult.. The other was inspiration...

excon

Hello again:

By the way, how did Mitt get his horse to London?

excon

LOL, I like the way Obama said it and didn't point fingers and piss people off. He didn't pander to his base, by throwing them red meat.

He looked, spoke, and acted like a leader, Romney didn't. You could tell that by the cheering crowds where ever then Senator Obama went on his 8 country tour.

So much for looking presidential on the world stage.

Hello again, Steve:

Once more with the distinctions....

One was an insult.. The other was inspiration...

excon

There was virtually no difference in the message.

You can tell the difference in the delivery can't you? And the way it was received? That's the difference.

You can tell the difference in the delivery can't you? And the way it was recieved? Thats the difference.

And you tell me which PLO leader is going to receive anything well from an American Israel supporter.

Correction, by a racist american israeli supporter. Using culture instead of conditions is blatantly racist. Right wing fringers love racist rhetoric.

I don't know anyone that loves racist rhetoric so they must all be confined to your part of the state. The culture leads to the conditions, you can't get around it Tal. Nothing racist about it, it's reality, and it's exactly the kind of response you guys have that prevents anything from being done about it because you're so absorbed in not offending anyone - except conservatives and Christians - that you won't tell them the hard truth.

Like tom said, if the shoe fits, wear it.

But what about the Kardashians??

Who?

They are the queens of tom's town I am led to believe.

David Bromwich: Romney, Netanyahu, and George Washington's Warning (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-bromwich/romney-netanyahu-israel_b_1727802.html?utm_hp_ref=daily-brief?utm_source=DailyBrief&utm_campaign=080112&utm_medium=email&utm_content=BlogEntry&utm_term=Daily%20Brief)


Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow-citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government.. . Excessive partiality for one foreign nation and excessive dislike of another cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one side, and serve to veil and even second the arts of influence on the other.

A quote from one of our founders, George Washington.

Racists are those that holler about their rights while they make sure you have NONE! They justify it by saying "you are inferior, and of less value than I am". Then they put a boot up your arse for your own good.

Netenyahu is a racist, why else would he holler peace, and rights as he steadily advances settlements and moves the Palestinians further off their ancient lands? That's the tool of racism, segregation. What you thought he went to Israel to be presidential??

Naw he went to get the rich foreign money, and throw red meat to his crowd to show he was worth it.

I guess you missed where I said Arabs have equal rights in Israel. Arab women have more rights in Israel than many Arab nations. Find another line of attack, this racism bullsh*t has got to stop.

I guess you missed where I said Arabs have equal rights in Israel. Arab women have more rights in Israel than many Arab nations. Find another line of attack, this racism bullsh*t has got to stop.

You can't talk about it even? Your fair, and honest idea of things has nothing to do with what's going on in the world. I agree racism has to stop, but it never will if you don't even acknowledge it exists.

I am not attacking YOU, just stating my opinion of the middle east situation, which is ally or not, following anyone that starts a war that serves his interest, because he uses his enemies rhetoric for an excuse is FOOLISH!

Israel has every right to defend itself, if Iran attacks, NOT if it is afraid they will. Full guns blazing if they do. What's the point? We have a couple of Navys right there in their gulf. And one big a$$ bomb (20 to be precise) just waiting for them to screw up!

The time to stop the Hitlers of the world is before they attack. Maybe you think Israel should respond after Tel Aviv is smoked ? The Mahdi-hatter ;and the 12'ers have made their intentions clear on more than one occasion.
As for the Palestinians ,especially Hamas ,I'd say a good time to stop treating them like the savages they are is when they change their operating charter that states their goal is the destruction of Israel.

You made my first point, Iran doesn't have the capability of smoking Israel, but the Palestinians ARE being pushed further from their land, like those savages from America, the Indians. They fought back too, for all the good it did, for all the good it does the Palestinians.

Wonder why we didn't nuke the Russians before they nuked us, or the Chinese? So why does Israel have to smoke the Iranians? Do you really think the Russians and Chinese will just sit by, and let them do it? You better give this more thought I think.

Custer thought he had easy pickings when he saw the Sioux village, but he found out it wasn't as easy as he thought. You may not like Iran, but they have powerful allies too. Lets not be STUPID!!

You can't talk about it even? Your fair, and honest idea of things has nothing to do with whats going on in the world. I agree racism has to stop, but it never will if you don't even acknowledge it exists.

I've talked racism enough, I'm not racist, Mitt's not racist, we're not racist. You guys just won't drop it, you have a vested interest in fanning the flames of racism.

P.S. We racist conservative Texans just selected a Hispanic over the white guy to run for Senate.

You made my first point, Iran doesn't have the capability of smoking Israel And you made my point.. Germany was in no position to conquer Europe even as late as the march into the Rhineland;breaking the terms of Versaiiles in 1936 . Yet Hitler made Germany's intentions clear long before that.

but the Palestinians ARE being pushed further from their land, Yeah the Israelis pushed them out of Gaza right ? Right now the effective border of 'Palestine' is almost back to the 1967 border . What you are indicating in your rant is that you too do not believe Israel has a right to exist. This is a growing sentiment of the left in this country .

This is all right in the President's playbook . The more he can get us talking about insignificant statements by Romney on his International tour ;the more he diverts attention from the lousy economic number that continue to come out this week.

P.S. We racist conservative Texans just selected a Hispanic over the white guy to run for Senate.

Judging by the smears conservative blacks receive from the left ,I expect that they will soon call him an Uncle Juan .

Tom Germany conquered Europe because no one stood up to Hitler, that may be the point you are making but no one stood up to Israel when they conquered the West Bank. Fifty years on we are still saying give it back and they are arguing about which part. Gaza is a horse of a different colour, Egypt didn't want it back and Israel don't want it, and so like the jews of Warsaw you have an enclave. When will you realise aparteid is alive and well and living in Israel because the solutions the world is trying to force there are unworkable. Four years of this american presidentcy and no progress don't you think it is time you left it to Israel and the palestinians to solve, with or without the gun

They have a right to co exist. So do Palestinians. I also understand Manifest Destiny. Segregation, and the whole bit. I also understand the siege mentality that is the history of the region, and the tribal conflicts that have been going on for centuries.

Its got to be tough being the only Jews in an Arab neighborhood. Starting a war isn't the answer.

They have a right to self defense.. What Clete flippantly describes as a 'conquer ' of the West Bank does not stand up to history. Israel did indeed strike the 1st blow when the combined armies of it's neighbors were poised to attack . So technically yes Israel started that war too . Does that make it the wrong call ? NO Does that make Israel the aggressor ? NO .
So the Iranians ,in defiance of the world ,continues to develop the weapon they desire to succeed in their stated goal of the destruction of Israel . When exactly should Israel take action ?
What would you expect from your nation under similar threat ?

Tom don't sanitise history or put words in my mouth, Israel did not simply acquire the west bank and I made no comment about the necessity of action, my concerns lay wholely in the aftermath working itsself out over fifty years

The question is, is the threat to Isreal real, imagined, or rhetorical. That some iranian despot might make political capital out of Israel's existence might be expected and even foreseen, it is convenient to keep the populace focused on the external, rather than the internal and with Iraq out of the picture, Israel is close enough and has the potential to be an enemy. Israel doesn't need to take action, it can let the US fight this battle, so far they have done the heavy lifting Israel gains more from being a neighbour to arab nations than being a combatant. The moral highground is worth holding

What would my nation's response be? vigilance, a higher percentage of GDP invested in defense and perhaps even advancing our nuclear status, the technology is not unknown to us

my concerns lay wholely in the aftermath working itsself out over fifty years

And if history had turned out differently ,would the world also be so adamant about the Arabs of the Levant returning the land to the Jews ?

The question is, is the threat to Isreal real, imagined, or rhetorical. That some iranian despot might make political capital out of Israel's existence might be expected and even foreseen, it is convenient to keep the populace focused on the external, rather than the internal and with Iraq out of the picture, Israel is close enough and has the potential to be an enemy.
It would appear to be a real threat .The Iranians are defying the collective world to acquire the weapon necessary . Again ;I refer back to Germany's remilitarization in defiance of Versailles .Then is when action was needed.

Israel doesn't need to take action, it can let the US fight this battle, so far they have done the heavy lifting Israel gains more from being a neighbour to arab nations than being a combatant. The moral highground is worth holding

Do you think they can trust the current administration ? If the US was doing the heavy lifting then yes there would be no issue.
Secretly the 'Arab world ' would cheer on if Israel eliminate the threat to the region that the Persians pose. There is no love lost.

and if history had turned out differently ,would the world also be so adamant about the Arabs of the Levant returning the land to the Jews ?

Let's put it this way, the Balfour agreement was a useful piece of British imperialism with a very notable objective, but unrealistic before WWII. The jews returned and reclaimed the land and the arabs were offered citizenship but opted for war. If they want to come back that is the only way they will do it


It would appear to be a real threat .The Iranians are defying the collective world to acquire the weapon necessary . Again ;I refer back to Germany's remilitarization in defiance of Versailles .Then is when action was needed.

Very different circumstances and the Iranians are defying america not the world. If you hadn't interferred in their internal affairs you might have remained friends and then you would have built their reactors for them, you just don't like Russia getting the contract


Do you think they can trust the current administration ? If the US was doing the heavy lifting then yes there would be no issue.
Secretly the 'Arab world ' would cheer on if Israel eliminate the threat to the region that the Persians pose. There is no love lost.

Are your referring to the american administration, personally I wouldn't trust your administrations, any of them, any further than I could kick them and in my physical state that isn't far. The arabs would cheer if Israel were eliminated too. The saudi arabs might cheer, but the persian menace has existed off and on for more than three thousand years, you see Tom we have gone from the Japanese menace, the German menace, communist menace, those nations are now our trading partners, to the persian menace, you have your cuban menace and your venezuaelan menace. If you would learned to look at the world differently you might not attract so much menace and would have time to prevent the takeover of the US by your southern neighbours

Neither side has clean hands, and they have shed blood for centuries. There will be no solution until they get tired, and that's never going to happen. They can't share, or come up with a compromise.

But letting Iran scare them into a stupid action is unacceptable. Iran has its own problems with the world putting on pressure, and a crumbling Syria. Not to mention the covert actions against them.

Be nice if the tribes of Abraham, and the tribes of Canaan could peacefully integrate, and coexist, on the same land.

Be nice if the tribes of Abraham, and the tribes of Canaan could peacefully integrate, and coexist, on the same land.

Tal I think you know the answer to that, certainly from a biblical and therefore jewish perspective, however we are not dealing with the canaanites, the palestinians are arabs, the peoples of the surrounding territories and from even further afield, who filled the vacuum when the romans drove the jews out or even later when mudhatmad spread his falsehoods across the area with the sword and Salahdin conquered Jerusalem.

No one can say the place is theirs except by conquest, good heavens, even we Australians have conquered the place in the company of the British. The Israeli's are now in possession and the peoples of the region should be left to work it out

Here are the official words of the Mahdi-hatter ,published yesterday from his office according to the official state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA)

"It has now been some 400 years that a horrendous Zionist clan has been ruling the major world affairs, and behind the scenes of the major power circles, in political, media, monetary and banking organizations in the world, they have been the decision makers...” the Iranian president claimed.

"The Zionist regime is both the symbol of the hegemony of the Zionism over the world and the means in the hand of the oppressor powers for expansion of their hegemony in the region and in the world,” he went on.

"The Qods Day is not merely a strategic solution for the Palestinian problem, as it is to be viewed as a key for solving the world problems; any freedom lover and justice seeker in the world must do its best for the annihilation of the Zionist regime in order to pave the path for the establishment of justice and freedom in the world,” he declared.

"Zionism is the modern times plight of the human society and when we meet the European politicians they say speak transparently about everything, but they refrain from talking about the Zionist regime, which proves that Israel is the axis of unity of the world hegemonic powers,” he added.
Ahmadinejad: Qods Day to liberate Palestine, solve entire world problems (http://www.irna.ir/News/Politic/Ahmadinejad,-Qods-Day-to-liberate-Palestine,-solve-entire-world-problems/80257558)

Now ,Israel has a sworn ememy speaking like that ,and building the weapon necessary to make it happen . Why should they wait for the missiles to start flying ?

Now ,Israel has a sworn ememy speaking like that ,and building the weapon necessary to make it happen . Why should they wait for the missiles to start flying ?

Surely you don't take that kind of talk from nutjob like that seriously.

"

Now ,Israel has a sworn ememy speaking like that ,and building the weapon necessary to make it happen . Why should they wait for the missiles to start flying ?

Israel has a had a sworn enemy for a long time Tom and many more than Ahmamadjihad, they have prevailed. Any use of atomic weapons in the region will not aid the palestinians since it is likely to kill as many of them as Israeli's and I don't have doubt Ahmamadjihad knows this. A slight miscalculation and he would solve the palestinian question forever.
What you have here is more rhetoric to deflect the argument away from his internal issues.
If he attacks Juresalem he destroys one of Islam's holiest sites, if he hits Gaza or the west bank he destroys the palestinians. Israel can deal with this threat in the way they have shown they are very good at, in the shadows.

Any use of atomic weapons in the region will not aid the palestinians since it is likely to kill as many of them as Israeli's and I don't have doubt Ahmamadjihad knows this. A slight miscalculation and he would solve the palestinian question forever.

You really think he cares about the Palestinian ? You really think the rest of the Arab world does?

No Tom I know they don't care they would have invaded again by now if they did, No the fate of the palestinians is sealed, the arabs know a lot about conquered peoples and right now they have other concerns. Lebanon has torn itself apart, Syria is tearing itself apart, Jordan is happy to let them go, Egypt can't get itself together let alone be concerned about the palestinians. Perhaps there is poetic justice in there somewhere. Right now they are the pawns in the great game being played this time by the US and Russia with Iran in the middle

Not quite .The Great Game being played there is between the Ottomans,the Sauds ,Egypt , and the Persians for control of the Levant . Hamas paid a price for breaking with Iran over Syria .But they are on the rebound because they have aligned themselves with the Brotherhood . 500,000 Palestinians are in Syrian ;and their allegiance is up for grabs .

Would that the US had shown any leadership role( Obama secret executive orders notwithstanding ) .Instead we allowed the UN and Koffi Annan to manage another massacre .The incompetent and criminal Annan resigned with more blood on his hands .

Don't blame Annan for what has no doubt been instigated by the US, As we say he was on a hiding to nothing from the start, the UN is a spent force, always will be while the veto exists, it was never intended to be more than a discussion forum. No, the US could have done much more but decided for obvious reasons to stand back and watch. Don't worry, I expect those 500,000 palestinians will somehow disappear before this conflict is finished because they will have to decide which side they are on and it is very easy to choose the wrong side after all they have had much experience in making wrong choices.

The great game is not about the firtile crescent, it is about the oil. For the moment it is controlled by the arabs, but the iranians know its worth and so do the americans. Russia's interest is in keeping the americans in check and it can play the iranian pawn, just as it is playing the syrian pawn now

There is an active Russian engagement there because, unlike Obama,they see a danger in a regional rebalancing solutuon.
But ,the is powers in the region competing to fill the vacuum of America's retreat are Iran ,Turkey ,Egypt(the Brotherhood) ,and to a lesser extent ,the Sauds.

The US is NOT engaged in the rebalancing even though Assad's survival means a Persian win as the hegemon in the region. Why is the US not engaged except for pompus declarations from the President ,and limitted ,ineffective covert support for the rebels ? Because Obama campaigned on the very notion of regional rebalancing without active US participation .

I honestly don't care what the rest of the world thinks of the US role in the world . It is contradictory ;and we are damned if you do ;damned if you don't .
Prior to WWII the world resented the US because we didn't intervene . But during the Cold War ,that same world resented our interventions . You have expressed that contradiction many times here. What Obama doesn't get ;and I sense Romney does; is that US has to be guided by our own self interest .World resentment cannot drive US policy .The world can resent all they want. It still expects the US to lead. There is more instability in a vacuum ;and if not us ;some other nation(s) will fill it.
The course that Obama has led us on is contributing to instability. I suspect eventually ,whether we like it or not ,we will be called upon to intervene by those same forces that resent US intervention.

Pull the other one Tom it plays dixie, of course america is involved, covertly no doubt but involved

Now ,Israel has a sworn ememy speaking like that ,and building the weapon necessary to make it happen . Why should they wait for the missiles to start flying ?Hello again, tom:

Couple things..

I remember MAD. The only way MAD worked is because we BELIEVED the other side wasn't crazy, and they weren't. I don't believe the Iranians are crazy.

So, what are you talking about, anyway? Wiping THEM off the map first? Starting WWIII? Nahhh. We don't want to do that... You thought Saddam was crazy. Thought a war there would be a good idea. It wasn't. If you liked that war, you'll LOVE this one..

excon

You want to start worrying about the chinese not the Iranians, your posturing in the pacific is upsetting them and they are nuclear capable and have the capacity to cripple you economically

Mitt had to skip a few countries on his presidential tour. Here's one,

Romney Persona Non Grata in Italy for Bain's Deal Skirting Taxes - Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-06/romney-persona-non-grata-in-italy-for-bain-s-deal-skirting-taxes.html)

This is about Mitt and not the middle east ain't it. Or was it about collecting money? You think he cares about history, other than his own? And who PROFITS from an Israeli strike? We don't, but Mitt and Cheney do.

When you are a politician you only go where you are welcome, is that why Obama takes so few trips?

He takes lots of trips to the golf course .

Hello again, tom:

Couple things..

I remember MAD. The only way MAD worked is because we BELIEVED the other side wasn't crazy, and they weren't. I don't believe the Iranians are crazy.

So, what are you talking about, anyway? Wiping THEM off the map first? Starting WWIII? Nahhh. We don't wanna do that... You thought Saddam was crazy. Thought a war there would be a good idea. It wasn't. If you liked that war, you'll LOVE this one..

excon

The regime is crazy . No I am not talking about US armed intervention ;although the path Obama is leading us on is a path where armed intervention will be our only option. He had his chance in 2009 to support the rebels in Iran. That was the last best chance to stop the regime peacefully.

Mitt had to skip a few countries on his presidential tour. Here's one,

Romney Persona Non Grata in Italy for Bain's Deal Skirting Taxes - Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-06/romney-persona-non-grata-in-italy-for-bain-s-deal-skirting-taxes.html)

This is about Mitt and not the middle east ain't it. Or was it about collecting money? You think he cares about history, other than his own? And who PROFITS from an Israeli strike? We don't, but Mitt and Cheney do.

Clearly there was no wrongdoing .




Boston-based Bain wasn’t a subject of the inquiries, which didn’t result in any charges.

By what definition Tom, he wasn't caught?

The sale of the government's directory business is “a dark chapter in the country's privatization history, one that has hurt Italians deeply,” said Bernardo Bortolotti, an economics professor at Turin University who advised the Italian Treasury on asset sales from 2002 through 2005. “It was a mistake from the start, damaged by a lack of transparency and the use of offshore funds.”

How do you know how legal it was, or is without records and data to examine? Even if it was legal, maybe what we will find is the blatant extraction of wealth we have always been accusing the rich, job creator plutocracy of as they and your candidate want more loot from the economy.

Bloomberg has done a great job of documenting how your candidate and his cronies have done this through out the European nations. And for the record, Mr Obama draws crowds that Romney could only dream of when he travels. It's a fact you guys rage raw about all the money he spends on YOUR dime.

This story won't go away, its just to good, and will get deeper.

How do you know how legal it was, or is without records and data to examine? Even if it was legal, maybe what we will find is the blatant extraction of wealth we have always been accusing the rich, job creator plutocracy of as they and your candidate want more loot from the economy.

Bloomberg has done a great job of documenting how your candidate and his cronies have done this through out the European nations. And for the record, Mr Obama draws crowds that Romney could only dream of when he travels. It's a fact you guys rage raw about all the money he spends on YOUR dime.

This story won't go away, its just to good, and will get deeper.

The only story here is the Italians were morons.


The sale of the government’s directory business is “a dark chapter in the country’s privatization history, one that has hurt Italians deeply,” said Bernardo Bortolotti, an economics professor at Turin University who advised the Italian Treasury on asset sales from 2002 through 2005. “It was a mistake from the start, damaged by a lack of transparency and the use of offshore funds.”

While few ordinary Italians realize the link between Romney and the investor group, the deal symbolizes Italy’s economic woes and government futility

So we have a choice between a guy who never ran anything in his life, has an over 8 percent unemployment rate hanging over his head for years, and a guy that keeps showing over and over again how successful he is at running whatever he puts his hand to. You guys just can't stand success in a free market.

No the choice is between the rich getting more at your expense and mine, AND our children, OR a fair shake for 99% of us.

That free market crap is a lie, to hide the stealing, and you are for that?? You get the same results from the free market as you do from a casino. You can't afford either one so where is the free part?

I know where all the money is going to come from (out of my pocket), but have no clue how Romney will whomp up all the jobs he's promising to kick start.

Goodbye London - Olympics closing ceremony (http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/olympics/news-london-2012/goodbye-london--olympics-closing-ceremony-20120813-2436z.html)

Mitt can now eat his words, the games went off without any problems

What do you define as no problems ? Half empty stadiums ;venues and London complaining about the lack of visitors going into London as tourists ?
PressTV - London tourism suffers 30% decline during Olympics (http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/08/04/254405/london-tourism-suffers-30-decline/)

What do you define as no problems ? Half empty stadiums ;venues and London complaining about the lack of visitors going into London as tourists ?
PressTV - London tourism suffers 30% decline during Olympics (http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/08/04/254405/london-tourism-suffers-30-decline/)

Hey you have to know as many do London is a very expensive city, and in any case the empty seats were those allocted to the hangers on who didn't turn up, so blame the international olympic committee for their poor performance in that regard, the seats should have been available for sale. The Brits must be aware you can't have it both ways. It didn't stop the crowds chearing the british athletes home and they did well even doing better than we did which is the first for a very long time.

I expect regular tourists decided they would go other places, I did in 1980 when I toured Europe rather than turning up in Moscow. London has had some recent events, the Olympics might have been one event too many on a busy calendar