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-   -   Dear Mr. Obama (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=275883)

  • Nov 1, 2008, 06:33 AM
    speechlesstx
    Dear Mr. Obama
    Say what you want, but this guy deserves to be heard. In fact he has... over 12 million times:

  • Nov 1, 2008, 06:43 AM
    excon
    Hello Steve:

    Iraq was a mistake. Even if you get a kid to say it wasn't, doesn't make it so. He says the Iraqi people are better off today than before we invaded...

    Bwa, ha ha ha ha.

    excon
  • Nov 1, 2008, 06:56 AM
    NeedKarma
    Hi Steve,

    You have OCD. There is medication for that.

    NK.
  • Nov 1, 2008, 09:42 AM
    speechlesstx
    What is that you guys like to say about shooting the messenger?
  • Nov 1, 2008, 12:16 PM
    excon
    Hello again, Steve:

    Shooting the messenger?? Dude! I think the kid is just great - you too. But, your messages stink.

    excon
  • Nov 1, 2008, 03:54 PM
    speechlesstx
    Over 12 million Youtube hits? Must be something to the message.
  • Nov 1, 2008, 04:00 PM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by excon View Post
    He says the Iraqi people are better off today than before we invaded....

    Bwa, ha ha ha ha.

    excon

    What about all the dead ones?
  • Nov 1, 2008, 04:11 PM
    J_9
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Wondergirl View Post
    What about all the dead ones?

    And what about the ones who are just waiting in line to go? What about the ones who are upset because they are on a medical delay?

    They all signed up knowing that this was a possibility. Shouldn't we support them? I know I support my son who will be leaving on November 29. Whether I believe in his decision or not, he is my son and I support his decisions.
  • Nov 1, 2008, 04:29 PM
    progunr

    Anyone who doesn't believe that the Iraq people better off now, minus the dictator who loved to kill his own people, is not facing reality.

    Not to say that we didn't mismanage the war after Saddam was captured, but to insinuate that they are not better off is just plain crazy.
  • Nov 1, 2008, 04:38 PM
    BABRAM
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by speechlesstx View Post
    Over 12 million Youtube hits? Must be something to the message.

    Faulty logic. Youtube.com became a debate ground where people go to listen to cases made for and against the war. Out of 12 million hits, approximately only 41K of those viewers thought it was worth rating. That comes out to a little over a small amount of 29 percent.


    Iraq War Debated On YouTube, New Generation Takes To The 'Net Instead Of The Streets - CBS News
  • Nov 1, 2008, 05:24 PM
    BABRAM
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by progunr View Post
    Anyone who doesn't believe that the Iraq people better off now, minus the dictator who loved to kill his own people, is not facing reality.

    Not to say that we didn't mismanage the war after Saddam was captured, but to insinuate that they are not better off is just plain crazy.


    You mean the Iraqi people that survived, and hopefully, future generations. The history of their country suggests otherwise though. However I do hope they're ready to accept responsibility in their government, and secure their own perimeters, after our phased re-deployment. They've certainly have been afforded the opportunity to prepare. The vast majority of our American population acknowledges that Saddam Hussein was a dictator that deservedly was executed for crimes against humanity, mainly his own people. Ironically the US war on Iraq has killed approximately two and half times as many Iraqis than Saddam did in his whole lifetime.
  • Nov 1, 2008, 05:28 PM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by BABRAM View Post
    You mean the Iraqi people that survived, and hopefully, future generations. The history of their country suggests otherwise though. However I do hope they're ready to accept responsibility in their government, and secure their own perimeters, after our phased re-deployment. They've certainly have been afforded the opportunity to prepare. The vast majority of our American population acknowledges that Saddam Hussein was a dictator that deservedly was executed for crimes against humanity, mainly his own people. Ironically the US war on Iraq has killed approximately two and half times as many Iraqis than Saddam did in his whole lifetime.

    And we've done a great job of helping them rebuild their country and their infrastructure is more solid than ever?
  • Nov 1, 2008, 05:35 PM
    J_9
    I don't mean to go off topic, but how many of us actually know someone who has been there once, twice, three times?

    How many have sat down and actually talked to a soldier who has helped these people, children even?

    It seems many of us rely on the media for our information, but I wonder who, if any of you have actually known soldiers who have come home with a feeling of pride that they helped.
  • Nov 1, 2008, 05:43 PM
    BABRAM
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Wondergirl View Post
    And we've done a great job of helping them rebuild their country and their infrastructure is more solid than ever?


    No, it's poor. IMO the Iraqi government will have to start spending of some their own money instead of relying on ours, and by various reports they have plenty.
  • Nov 1, 2008, 05:55 PM
    BABRAM
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by J_9 View Post
    I don't mean to go off topic, but how many of us actually know someone who has been there once, twice, three times?

    How many have sat down and actually talked to a soldier who has helped these people, children even?

    It seems many of us rely on the media for our information, but I wonder who, if any of you have actually known soldiers who have come home with a feeling of pride that they helped.



    My brother went to the Gulf war under George Herbert Walker Bush once, and three times he has served in Iraq under Dubya. He currently is an active recruiter in Katy, Texas and has about three left years until retirement. He could sale cinnamon sticks in hell, if he had to. My family has supported him personally since day one. Neither my father, mother, myself or siblings are happy with Dubya. But we will always be proud of my brother regardless of circumstance.
  • Nov 1, 2008, 06:21 PM
    excon
    Hello J_9:

    This has nothing to do with the soldiers. They're good men and women who volunteered to protect their country. Nobody is questioning whether they did THEIR jobs.

    It's the policy that I have a problem with - not the soldiers who carry it out.

    Yes, the Iraqi's had a cruel dictator running the show. But, if you didn't run afoul of Saddam or his family, you could earn a living and take care of your family in a safe environment. There were no terrorists. There were no suicide bombers. There was no invading army.

    They were, INDEED, better off before we invaded their country. And no, I didn't have to go there to come to that conclusion. And, because I haven't been there doesn't diminish the truth of my post.

    excon
  • Nov 2, 2008, 04:01 AM
    tomder55

    J9 My cousin will be going back after the new year for his 3rd tour in this conflict after returning stateside for a year for his mandatory "dwell time" . He also served in Operation Desert Storm. He currently is a Lt Col. On General Odierno's staff .
    I have spoken with him and shared email with him while he has been deployed .
    Here is a bit of one of those emails (I will delete information about area of actual deploment).It was written last year right before he returned on leave:


    All, once again thank you for your wonderful support for our Troops in
    the III Corps (Multi-National Corps Iraq) ******. We share with the
    masses. I am very bad about writing regular "snail" mail, so wanted
    everyone to have a thank you note from all of us at the *****.
    11 months with 4 more to go, great progress over the last 7 months.
    Long road ahead, but more and more people are shunning the evil of
    terrorists and wanting a better life for their children.
    Keep up your prayers, it is working. The power of prayer is felt by all
    here. Yes, this is a worthwhile effort in Iraq. It is reinforced each
    time you look an Iraqi child in the face. The Children have hope, so
    should we. Despair and defeat are not an option. We should be
    encouraging leaders espousing optimism and victory.

    Several have asked me how they can help on the homefront. I highly
    recommend joining with a veterns group supporting wounded warriors,
    their families and the families that have suffered loss. They need to
    know you support them and what their sons, daughters,
    mothers and
    fathers are fighting for or have paid the ultimate sacrifice for with
    their lives.
  • Nov 2, 2008, 06:21 AM
    speechlesstx
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by BABRAM View Post
    Faulty logic. Youtube.com became a debate ground where people go to listen to cases made for and against the war. Out of 12 million hits, approximately only 41K of those viewers thought it was worth rating. That comes out to a little over a small amount of 29 percent.[/url]

    Figure this math out for us, Bobby. What's the percentage of ratings versus views on all Youtube videos? Do you really think most people ever rate ANY Youtube video?
  • Nov 2, 2008, 06:49 AM
    speechlesstx
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Wondergirl View Post
    What about all the dead ones?

    Should they have died in vain also?
  • Nov 2, 2008, 07:25 AM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Wondergirl View Post
    What about all the dead ones?

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by speechlesstx View Post
    Should they have died in vain also?

    Hello Steve:

    She is talking about the dead Iraqi's - maybe up to 600,000 of 'em. I'm SURE, that every single one of them died in vain.

    And, you know what?? OUR dead soldiers died in vain too. The logic that we should continue a failed war because some of our soldiers DIED in it, is one of the most stupid things I've ever heard from a very stupid dufus in chief.

    excon
  • Nov 2, 2008, 07:48 AM
    asking
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by J_9 View Post
    Shouldn't we support them? I know I support my son who will be leaving on November 29. Whether I believe in his decision or not, he is my son and I support his decisions.

    For once, I will disagree with you. :(
    I am sorry to hear your son is going over there, J-9. I have two teenagers and I feel an ache when I think of how it would feel, for you and others.

    But I think there's a huge difference between supporting one's children and supporting all their decisions. I am sure you would not support his decision to do something dangerous such as driving too fast or not wearing a seat belt or hurting someone else. This decision is dangerous to him and to the mental well-being of his family.

    I do not think you are morally obliged to support an entire war just because your son is involved in it. You can say you love someone and respect their right as a legal adult to make a decision you disagree with. You don't have to advocate for the decision itself. And even if you fully support his decision to enter the military, you don't have to support a particular war.

    Of course, if you support the war for other reasons, that's a different matter. I was arguing with your reasoning.

    Take care,
    Asking
  • Nov 2, 2008, 08:02 PM
    Galveston1

    Does anyone here remember that congress voted bi-partisan to go to war in Iraq? You continue to blame Bush when he had the backing of both Democrats and Republicans in Congress who used available intelligence reports.
    At least put blame where it belongs and quit using a scapegoat. Doing that doesn't impress me with your smarts.
  • Nov 2, 2008, 08:17 PM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Galveston1 View Post
    available intelligence reports

    We know more now about those and how they came to be.
  • Nov 2, 2008, 09:20 PM
    speechlesstx
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by excon View Post
    Hello Steve:

    She is talking about the dead Iraqi's - maybe up to 600,000 of 'em. I'm SURE, that every single one of them died in vain.

    Um, ex, that's what my question was about.

    Quote:

    And, you know what?? OUR dead soldiers died in vain too. The logic that we should continue a failed war because some of our soldiers DIED in it, is one of the most stupid things I've ever heard from a very stupid dufus in chief.
    Iraq has failed? I thought even Obama finally admitted the surge turned the tide. Of course if my logic was "that we should continue a failed war because some of our soldiers DIED" you'd be right, but you know that's not the logic. What's the logic in removing a genocidal dictator and then abandoning the people he oppressed? What's the logic in standing down in Iraq and emboldening their neighbor which has their sights set on Iraq and desires our demise and in the last few days has threatened us with suicide bomber attacks? What's the logic in turning our backs on liberty because we didn't like the price?
  • Nov 2, 2008, 09:47 PM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by speechlesstx View Post
    the surge turned the tide

    Even we school teachers know all about that. When the students act up in the hallway during bathroom and drink breaks, and if the teachers can't control them, we get hall monitors (our "surge") to help us ride herd on the naughty ones and keep a close eye on the rest. Eventually, if it's done right, peace is restored and the hall monitors can go back to what they were doing. If it isn't done right, more severe action will be taken.

    Sure, Obama agreed with the surge, but, if you remember, he was against going into Iraq in the first place. And oh yes, had we not gone into Iraq in the first place, we wouldn't have needed a surge at all, and an awful lot of people would still be alive.

    Of course, once we had gotten to Baghdad (without securing the country as we marched), we shocked and awed and then cleverly sent home the Iraq army, so that took care of the hall monitors that were already trained and in place.

    We sure did knock ourselves out doing things that weren't necessary.
  • Nov 3, 2008, 06:10 AM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by speechlesstx View Post
    Iraq has failed? I thought even Obama finally admitted the surge turned the tide.

    Hello again, Steve:

    Turned the tide to what? Where are the WMD's? Did you forget that's why we went? If you wish to rewrite history, then you won...

    But, I'm not as gullible or as forgetful as you righty's are. You're just stuck on this word "victory". But, you haven't a clue what that is. Even under McCain, we would be pretty much out by 2010 - and he'd call it victory. Obama is going to have our troops out a little sooner, and he isn't going to call it victory...

    But, IRAQ will be the same NO MATTER which president brings our troops home. It won't be defeated and it won't be victorious... It will be a FAILED exercise.

    excon
  • Nov 3, 2008, 06:18 AM
    speechlesstx
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Wondergirl View Post
    Sure, Obama agreed with the surge, but, if you remember, he was against going into Iraq in the first place.

    No, Obama did not agree with the surge, he finally admitted it worked - after lying about what he's said all along.

    “It is clear at this point that we cannot, through putting in more troops or maintaining the presence that we have, expect that somehow the situation is going to improve, and we have to do something significant to break the pattern that we’ve been in right now.” 10/06

    “I am not persuaded that 20,000 additional troops in Iraq is going to solve the sectarian violence there. In fact, I think it will do the reverse.” 1/10/07

    “we’re not going to baby sit a civil war.” 1/11/07

    “We cannot impose a military solution on what has effectively become a civil war. And until we acknowledge that reality, we can send 15,000 more troops, 20,000 more troops, 30,000 more troops, I don’t know any expert on the region or any military officer that I’ve spoken to privately that believes that that is going to make a substantial difference on the situation on the ground.” 1/14/07

    My assessment is that the surge has not worked and we will not see a different report eight weeks from now." 7/18/07

    "Finally, in 2006-2007, we started to see that, even after an election, George Bush continued to want to pursue a course that didn't withdraw troops from Iraq but actually
    doubled them and initiated a search and at that stage I said very clearly, not only have we not seen improvements, but we're actually worsening, potentially, a situation there." 11/11/07


    After all that, Obama claimed he believed it would work all along at the NH debate:.

    I had no doubt, and I said at the time when I opposed the surge, that given how wonderfully our troops perform, if we, uh, place 30,000 more troops in there, then we would see an improvement in the security situation and, would we would see a reduction in the violence.” 1/5/08

    Liar, liar, pants on fire Mr, Obama.

    Quote:

    And oh yes, had we not gone into Iraq in the first place, we wouldn't have needed a surge at all, and an awful lot of people would still be alive.
    I've heard and read this line so many times and it's as irrelevant today as it was the first time. It doesn't matter, the fact is we're there so the question is what do we do now? Finish the job or run away?

    Quote:

    Of course, once we had gotten to Baghdad (without securing the country as we marched), we shocked and awed and then cleverly sent home the Iraq army, so that took care of the hall monitors that were already trained and in place.
    As if they were going to suddenly turn their allegiance from Saddam to Bush?
  • Nov 3, 2008, 10:59 PM
    BABRAM
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by speechlesstx View Post
    Figure this math out for us, Bobby. What's the percentage of ratings versus views on all Youtube videos? Do you really think most people ever rate ANY Youtube video?

    Who is the "us?" You and your ego? That means it's insignificant enough not to be worthy of rating. Like rubber necking as you pass a wreck. You just slow down traffic as you continue peering through the rear view mirror. I know you hate it when I punch holes in your statements. Just think! I do it 100 percent of the time for FREE! How you like that math? ;)
  • Nov 3, 2008, 11:00 PM
    BABRAM
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by excon View Post
    Hello again, Steve:

    Turned the tide to what? Where are the WMD's? Did you forget that's why we went? If you wish to rewrite history, then you won.....

    But, I'm not as gullible or as forgetful as you righty's are. You're just stuck on this word "victory". But, you haven't a clue what that is. Even under McCain, we would be pretty much out by 2010 - and he'd call it victory. Obama is gonna have our troops out a little sooner, and he isn't gonna call it victory...

    But, IRAQ will be the same NO MATTER which president brings our troops home. It won't be defeated and it won't be victorious..... It will be a FAILED excercise.

    excon


    BINGO! We have a winner here folks!
  • Nov 4, 2008, 05:37 AM
    speechlesstx
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by BABRAM View Post
    Who is the "us?" You and your ego?! That means it's insignificant enough not to be worthy of rating. Like rubber necking as you pass a wreck. You just slow down traffic as you continue peering through the rear view mirror. I know you hate it when I punch holes in your statements. Just think! I do it 100 percent of the time for FREE! How you like that math?! ;)

    Apparently you failed at math... and logic, statistical analysis, and playing nice with others. Since your argument was about the percentage of ratings, the validity of your argument rests on the probability of ANY video being rated. As one has to sign in as a member to rate videos and most people are not members of Youtube I think it's highly likely that most videos viewed are never rated. I picked this random video and it was viewed 4655 times and rated 25 for a total of .537 percent. I picked the one below it, viewed 238,383 times, rated 1768 times for a percentage of .741 percent. Makes Dear Mr. Obama look like a smash hit at "a little over a small amount of 29 percent."

    Stuff that in your ego and chew on it.
  • Nov 4, 2008, 05:47 AM
    Capuchin
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by speechlesstx View Post
    Apparently you failed at math ... and logic, statistical analysis, and playing nice with others. Since your argument was about the percentage of ratings, the validity of your argument rests on the probability of ANY video being rated. As one has to sign in as a member to rate videos and most people are not members of Youtube I think it's highly likely that most videos viewed are never rated. I picked this random video and it was viewed 4655 times and rated 25 for a total of .537 percent. I picked the one below it, viewed 238,383 times, rated 1768 times for a percentage of .741 percent. Makes Dear Mr. Obama look like a smash hit at "a little over a small amount of 29 percent."

    Stuff that in your ego and chew on it.

    29 percent is huge, you're right, but like you say, Bab got their math wrong, it's actually 0.34%, somewhere around half of the percentage of the videos you cited. But I don't think this tells you anything. It just means that people forwarded this video to their moms and grandmoms who don't know how or why to rate a video. *shrug*. I try to stay out of these debates. As a brit it's not something I'm really able to take part in. But I'm happy to point out bad math and people putting importance on things which in reality mean nothing.
  • Nov 4, 2008, 06:08 AM
    michealb

    I'd like to point out that no one is better off under a dictator. I don't care if there was less killing. I for one believe in freedom and while it may not be Americas place to bring it to everyone. I do think it is something that everyone should understand how important freedom is.

    The quote is "Give me liberty or give me death." not give me liberty or at least allow me to make enough to feed my family.
  • Nov 4, 2008, 07:50 AM
    speechlesstx
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Capuchin View Post
    29 percent is huge, you're right, but like you say, Bab got their math wrong, it's actually 0.34%, somewhere around half of the percentage of the videos you cited. But I don't think this tells you anything. It just means that people forwarded this video to their moms and grandmoms who don't know how or why to rate a video. *shrug*. I try to stay out of these debates. As a brit it's not something I'm really able to take part in. But i'm happy to point out bad math and people putting importance on things which in reality mean nothing.

    Thank you Capuchin, you're right and that was my point, ratings don't tell us a thing.
  • Nov 4, 2008, 07:57 AM
    speechlesstx
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by excon View Post
    Turned the tide to what? Where are the WMD's? Did you forget that's why we went? If you wish to rewrite history, then you won...

    I'd still like to know where the WMD's are myself, but then you guys like to forget that the EVERYONE believed they had them, including that pinnacle of excellence the UN - which is largely what all those resolutions were about.

    Quote:

    But, I'm not as gullible or as forgetful as you righty's are. You're just stuck on this word "victory"...

    But, IRAQ will be the same NO MATTER which president brings our troops home. It won't be defeated and it won't be victorious... It will be a FAILED exercise.
    I'm not stuck on the word "victory," I'm just not as cynical about Iraq as you are.
  • Nov 4, 2008, 08:18 AM
    BABRAM
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Capuchin View Post
    It just means that people forwarded this video to their moms and grandmoms who don't know how or why to rate a video. *shrug*.

    Hey Crapuchin, your granny knows how to click into watching a YouTube video, but not how to rate what was viewed? :p And Stevie found another video that wasn't worth no more than a look-see. ;) (yaaaawwwwnnnn... )
  • Nov 4, 2008, 10:56 AM
    Capuchin
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by BABRAM View Post
    Hey Crapuchin, your granny knows how to click into watching a youtube video, but not how to rate what was viewed?! :p And Stevie found another video that wasn't worth no more than a look-see. ;) (yaaaawwwwnnnn...)

    Crapuchin? Glad we're having an adult debate here.

    I don't think my point was really that she wouldn't know how to, but rather that she wouldn't have any reason to. We don't all have time to rate things on the internet.
  • Nov 4, 2008, 11:20 AM
    speechlesstx
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by BABRAM View Post
    Hey Crapuchin, your granny knows how to click into watching a youtube video, but not how to rate what was viewed?! :p And Stevie found another video that wasn't worth no more than a look-see. ;) (yaaaawwwwnnnn...)

    Gee, Bobby, maybe while your off and your wife has you by the testicles she can teach you the word "random," as in "I picked this random video" which was the first one on Youtube's home page at the time. Or go ahead, you pick a random video, everyone pick a random video and show us the ratings percentages.
  • Nov 4, 2008, 11:31 AM
    NeedKarma
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by speechlesstx View Post
    Gee, Bobby, maybe while your off and your wife has you by the testicles ...

    You are hitting new lows every day. Enjoy your lonely internet life.
  • Nov 4, 2008, 11:58 AM
    speechlesstx
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by NeedKarma View Post
    You are hitting new lows every day. Enjoy your lonely internet life.

    Ah, NK, I love you, too. I call it like I see it, apparently you only see what you want or you think unrestrained arrogance, complete disregard for facts and calling someone "Crapuchin" elevates the discussion.

    Steve
    P.S. As for my "lonely internet life," your profile currently shows 6098 posts to my 1045. Looks like you're almost 6 times lonelier than me. :D
  • Nov 4, 2008, 12:08 PM
    NeedKarma
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by speechlesstx View Post
    P.S. As for my "lonely internet life," your profile currently shows 6098 posts to my 1045. Looks like you're almost 6 times lonelier than me.

    You --> Join Date: Jan 2007
    Me --> Join Date: Dec 2004

    Another at your attempt at misleading people. Also my livelihood is based on being on the internet.

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