Why criticizing America is the right thing to do..

[doris13]

great post buff

[DaBurglar]

I don't think politics should be debated in a video poker forum, especially one-sided politics attacking "right wing conservatives, including tea baggers." But since DaBurgIar brought up the topic, I'm insulted that he thinks Republicans don't care about poverty, homelessness, nutrition and healthcare. Further, to say that right wing conservatives only want to kill middle east residents who worship Allah and make defense contractors wealthy is obscene. I do agree with your assessment that the United States is not as secure since 9/11, but could that be because we have no meaningful border control, we prematurely withdrew troops from the Middle East, allowing the rise of ISIS, we trade terrorists for traitors, we allow chemical warfare to be carried out on innocent citizens, and we allow Russia to supply weapons to terrorists?

You are right, we are not safer and we are not safe. A strong military makes a strong country, and I do not think my tax dollars are wasted taking care of the men and women who have sacrificed for this country. They are not a burden, they are heroes.Of course, I respect your opinion and your desire to state it....but to first answer your concern about "debating politics", THIS IS THE "ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING" SECTION......you would be totally correct if I had plopped this in the Video Game Strategy section, or somewhere else.......Enough said?  Or do you still disagree????Did you (or anyone else) bother to read the article I linked which prompted me to vent this thread initially?  what do you think of that and all the absolute obscene WASTE that has gone in to 14 plus YEAR twin wars in Iraq and Afghanistan???Your post and argument, like all Republican arguments, has absolutely NO specifics, no logic, no substance....just total SENTIMENTAL EMOTIONAL baloney.    1)  What do you mean "we have no meaningful border control?"    Seriously, when was the last time you attempted to cross either north or south of the border?    It is NOT at all like people on the right lover to scream that people are "pouring over the border" unchecked.      Do you understand just exactly HOW HUGE our borders really are?   How much are you prepared to spend checking and screening EVERY SINGLE PERSON coming and going EVERY hour of EVERY day?   DO you understand just how much money, manpower and resources it would cost to actually do what people on the right insist we must do?   But reality is we currently are doing the only realistic thing possible, and it is not nearly as "bad" as some insist......nothing is ever going to be perfect, but throwing up a huge wall on the north and south borders is NOT the answer.     I thought Republicans want LESS government and smaller, not MORE and Bigger?    Do you know how BIG the departments of Border Control, Homeland security, coast guard and many others would have to BECOME to do what Donald Trump insists he will do "the first day he is in office?"       Please, make an effort to address this......2 "PREMATURELY pulling our troops out of Iraq and Afgahnistan?"     Well first, they are still in Afghanistan along with NATO, and it looks like they will not be leaving next year as originally planned.......it seems after nearly fifteen years Afghanistan is still not nearly capable of governing itself without Taliban controlling everything.     So what do we have to show for 15 years and a  TRILLION (and change) of US dollars in tax money?  Things like that article relates.....Iraq is worse.....after 13 years we "Prematurely pulled out and ISIS sprung up" is NOT at all what happened......Isis formed in SYRIA in the chaos of that country.    It spread to Iraq because, indeed, after 13 years and TWO TRILLION (and change) of US Taxpayer dollars there was NOT a stable solid Iraqi government in power.......HOW LONG (and how much) should the US be prepared to actually EXPEND in this godforsaken partof the world?     What about all the many urgent and important "needs" here in out own country that go unmet and unfixed?    What would not be "premature" in your opinion?    And WHY is it not the rest of the world's problem too?I never ever denied that we need to support the many veterans and disabled soldiers we now have to deal with thanks to these two inept incompetent wars.....the soldiers themselves are NOT the reason we have failed in the middle east.   Indeed, I am all for spending ALL THAT is required for Veterans......and yet, going all the way back to George W. Bush's administration, it has been made apparent that the Veterans bureau was a total fiasco in many states and cities and not nearly enough money was being spent on veterans services.....this is exactly what I mean by "evil defense contractors".....the HUGE defense budget the USA puts out year after year SHOULD automatically have everything Veterans need, but the reality has been that fat weapons contracts have always been the priority over helping the poor guys who got clobbered fighting in countries that will never ever accept American brand democracy!Finally, you say we "Allow" Russia to supply weapons to terrorists....???   Where?   When?  Who?  What?    I missed that story Buffalita.....can you enlighten me as to when this happened?   I'm serious......I am very interested to know.     But here again, when people on the right make statements like this, how we ALLOW this to happen, or ALLOW that to happen......I hate to tell everyone but the USA is NOT "ALLOWING" (or disallowing) anyone or anything......stuff just happens.     Russia will do what it wants, and the USA is actually quite limited in what it can and cannot DO to prevent it......unless you mean actually fighting a war (or even proxy wars.)    If THAT is what you think the USA should be doing, then sorry, I totally disagree with that.....we have been down that road already, and lest anyone forget, Russia still has 10,000 nukes in various states of disrepair and obsolescence waiting to be launched.     We dodged that bullet once already......do you want to gamble a second time?

[DaBurglar]

   Worth repeating, and thanks Buffilita.
CKYou couldn't at least expound a little or actually argue something SPECIFIC??   No wonder your type lost twice to one of the most hollow presidents of all time, and will lose again to a female version of a "Hollow Man"  (i.e.  Hillarity)......Republicans have NOTHING solid or specific to put forth to replace all the things they insist are killing this country.....You cannot go around knocking everything, criticizing everything, and then have NOTHING realistic or substantial to offer in its place.And furthermore, unless all you people are VERY wealthy, supporting the Republican party is about the worst thing you could do for yourselves......seriously, it boggles my mind when middle class people actually think the Republicans actually are "good" for them.....I am not saying the Democrats are the greatest thing either, but they are clearly the lesser of two evils, way way less......at least they insist on making the Super Rich pay their fair share of taxes and eliminating all the absurd loopholes and breaks and favoritism that exists in the financial world for the super wealthy.    If any of you currently are collecting, or plan on collecting, Social Security, or plan on using Medicare, I would make sure you have alternative sources of income and health care lined up if the Extreme elements in the Republican Party (i.e. the Tea Baggers) have their way.

[Tedlark]

DaBurglar you DO treat us all here as idiots. You try to prove you are above us intellectually in several different ways. You trash people who disagree with you (at least I only trash you), you constantly slam experts in the field of video poker, yes Bob Dancer, in several different ways.

What I meant by current is simple and is a basic term used in business. I'm surprised a consultant with the stature that you have overlooked this basic term. Current means; "are your membership dues up to date?" I later saw that you have dropped your gold membership and went back to freeloader status.

I reserve freeloader status just for you because you pay NOTHING for running us all into the ground. Other members who only have a basic membership do not act in the same manner that you do. I equate this to a person who goes to a membership store (think Costco or Sam's Club) with their friend who happens to have a purchased membership. The person (freeloader) then proceeds to eat handfuls of every free sample in the store and ends up not buying ANYTHING in the store. Get it?

For you to play so little on this site but post so much really doesn't make much sense. I originally came to this site, many years before you I might add, to play video poker. I have accumulated over 2.5 million hands played since they started the counter and playing video poker here is STILL my main purpose and posting in the forum or participating in live chat are secondary. You are the exact opposite of this. I also now think that you got the gold membership just to get the award for the monthly Seven Stars contest.

Go away, learn how to make and keep friends, and then come back.

I edited this post because I saw I was over 2.5 million hands and not 2.4 million.

[Casino Knight]

Worth repeating, and thanks Buffilita.

[ko king]

[QUOTE=Casino Knight]   Worth repeating, and thanks Buffilita.
CKYou couldn't at least expound a little or actually argue something SPECIFIC??   No wonder your type lost twice to one of the most hollow presidents of all time, and will lose again to a female version of a "Hollow Man"  (i.e.  Hillarity)......Republicans have NOTHING solid or specific to put forth to replace all the things they insist are killing this country.....You cannot go around knocking everything, criticizing everything, and then have NOTHING realistic or substantial to offer in its place.And furthermore, unless all you people are VERY wealthy, supporting the Republican party is about the worst thing you could do for yourselves......seriously, it boggles my mind when middle class people actually think the Republicans actually are "good" for them.....I am not saying the Democrats are the greatest thing either, but they are clearly the lesser of two evils, way way less......at least they insist on making the Super Rich pay their fair share of taxes and eliminating all the absurd loopholes and breaks and favoritism that exists in the financial world for the super wealthy.    If any of you currently are collecting, or plan on collecting, Social Security, or plan on using Medicare, I would make sure you have alternative sources of income and health care lined up if the Extreme elements in the Republican Party (i.e. the Tea Baggers) have their way.[/QUOTE]

Why do you call the Dems the lessor of two evils, they're really no different they just have a different style of screwing us all. The only thing I can say good about the Republicans is you can see them coming, they don't hide who they are and what they're about. The Democrats are snakes in the grass, backstabbers and liars, they say one thing and deliver something entirely different. They camouflage and conceal their true intentions behind an eye catching headline or issue knowing full well the public wouldn't support what they're pushing if they were told the entire truth. Here's an example of the Democrats at work, Obama says no way to Keystone Pipeline, I'm fine with that, says it won't be the job creator some contend it will be, fair enough. Obama says yes in a big way to TPP trade agreement even though he knows full well it will cost Americans to lose jobs, he also knows full well it will encourage and support child labor and exploitation of workers in these newly preferred trade status countries. He also knows the TPP trade agreement will allow currently denied food products and goods into this country that don't meet U.S. regulations or meet FDA specifications, the TPP trade agreement will allow these products into this country without being subjected to U.S. inspections and standards. Hillary Clinton was for this trade agreement but she flip flopped and now says she is against it, oh by the way she played a huge part in negotiating and the writing of the trade agreement.

[Casino Knight]

DB....To paraphrase GB Shaw, arguing with you is like wrestling with a pig. What's to argue? You have all the answers or so you think. Speaking of "Hollow Man", in this forum you are a hollow man, and empty suit, trolling for an argument at the drop of a hat. No wonder your grip and grins end up the way they do. Have you ever wondered WHY? I don't.
Not that it would do you any good, you might want to read some self help books on how to win friends and not be a pompous ass.

Inasmuch as you've determined my type. I'll take a guess at your type.

Since Vietnam, it's been YOUR TYPE that has been spitting on Veterans, and the military in general. YOUR TYPE continues that today begrudging those who would have given all, decent healthcare and support.
YOUR TYPE, has set up Sanctuary Cities that allow criminals to be set free to RAPE and MURDER innocent Americans.
YOUR TYPE, restricted Border Patrol Agents from arming themselves appropriately and being MURDERED by armed invaders.
YOUR TYPE, withheld support to the defenders of our Embassy in Benghazi.
YOUR TYPE, has opened our borders so that non-citizens who have contributed NOTHING, can feed in the public trough. with more benefits than our senior citizens who worked a lifetime building up this country.
YOUR TYPE, sets terrorist free, enabling them to re-engage us on the battlefield.
YOUR TYPE, wants America unarmed except for themselves or their security guards.

Just curious. Did you learn the term "Tea Baggers" from your work in the Porn Industry? I looked it up and it has nothing to do with the Tea Party.

[DaBurglar]

Ko king, excellent post.    Seriously, I applaud your argument and agree with what you posted 100%In my claiming the democrats are the lesser of two evils, it does not mean I support or endorse them, I am simply stating my collective analysis and conclusion that, when ALL things are taken into consideration, I currently would choose the Dems to the Repugs....  I agree with you strongly that the democrats also have lots of things that are ridiculous, its just that on this sight, currently, right wing republicans seem to be the more vociferous of the two camps.I will answer your rhetorical question about Obama and his apparent hypocrisy concerning the pipeline and the TPP....its simple:  Obama most likely has something lined up AFTER he leaves office to work for or with the interests who are benefitted most by the TPP, whereas with the pipeline he does not have those considerations.  I'm guessing of course, that is only my opinion......I do not think he has been a very effective president, and most of what he actually promised 8 years ago has been lost or forgotten..... but he is no different than every other politician or elected official who must "think" about what he or she does after public service is over......it's a crock, but that is how our system works.    Congressmen and Senators do it all the time, advocate for some huge company or corporation, and then when they lose or leave office, they are rewarded for their advocacy.  I do not know how else "capitalism" with democracy can work.....hence why many people prefer socialism, where public service is actually a possible career.  (note;  most americans have not a single clue at what "socialism" means, or how it works.....)But Ko King, you stand way way above everyone else here with your ability to recognize that all this post is (or was) on my part was a simple conversation starter and chance to debate and dialogue......and thanks for not adding fuel to Ted's broken down bandwagon (one which probably burns fossil fuels ala Volkswagen and those cheatin' Germans!).

[DaBurglar]

DaBurglar you DO treat us all here as idiots. You try to prove you are above us intellectually in several different ways. You trash people who disagree with you (at least I only trash you), you constantly slam experts in the field of video poker, yes Bob Dancer, in several different ways.

What I meant by current is simple and is a basic term used in business. I'm surprised a consultant with the stature that you have overlooked this basic term. Current means; "are your membership dues up to date?" I later saw that you have dropped your gold membership and went back to freeloader status.

I reserve freeloader status just for you because you pay NOTHING for running us all into the ground. Other members who only have a basic membership do not act in the same manner that you do. I equate this to a person who goes to a membership store (think Costco or Sam's Club) with their friend who happens to have a purchased membership. The person (freeloader) then proceeds to eat handfuls of every free sample in the store and ends up not buying ANYTHING in the store. Get it?

For you to play so little on this site but post so much really doesn't make much sense. I originally came to this site, many years before you I might add, to play video poker. I have accumulated over 2.5 million hands played since they started the counter and playing video poker here is STILL my main purpose and posting in the forum or participating in live chat are secondary. You are the exact opposite of this. I also now think that you got the gold membership just to get the award for the monthly Seven Stars contest.

Go away, learn how to make and keep friends, and then come back.

I edited this post because I saw I was over 2.5 million hands and not 2.4 million.I defy you (yet again) to actually show me WHERE I ..."trashed"....anyone here.....and nope, simply responding to all your bullying and BS does not count as "trashing", sorry, no matter how much you want to insist or carry on or complain......as you are fond of saying, "if you cannot take it, do not dish it out...."   And Bob dancer and all his video poker advice has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with this thread (and I deny I "CONSTANTLY" trash him or any other video poker "expert"....wow you are one ridiculous desperate person)....stop reaching for straws, trying to abscure the subject or issue, and desperately trying to cover up your own inadequacy or the fact that, YET AGAIN, I have trounced you in another thread (all without trying or intending to do so...)THIS IS THE  "ANYTHING & EVERYTHING" section....I will post what I want, when I want, to whom I want.   You Tedlark do NOT run or own this forum, ergo you have no say (NONE ZERO CAPUT) about who does what and how here.     NONE.   Not that it is anyone's business, but I have indeed been a member here TWICE....i tried it once for a few months, then let it lapse for reasons I do not remember.......I then rejoined after a few more months and had it on "Auto renew" for almost a year, and then consciously decided I did not want to pay the very small or reasonable fee ...... that's my business and no one else's.     But you do not get to define or dictate what constitutes a proper amount of activity or posting (or playing) on this website.  The fact you would actually attempt to tell me all the crap you did in your above post CLEARLY paints a picture of what type of person you are:   BULLY (but more of a wannabe than anything else.)  Hapless, clueless BUSYBODY might also apply as well, given how much thought and analysis you put into looking at my website activity here.     Have a nice day. I LIKE this website and this forum, and almost all the people here......until or unless the actual owner/administrator tells me to change or "do" something different, i will continue to interact with this website how I want.....Edited to add:   In my experience (48 years on earth and 30 plus as a productive member of society), when people start resorting to actually saying things (HYPERBOLE really)  like "ALL you do is make others look or seem stupid"  or "All you do is "TRASH" others..." ,  what they are really saying is "We are not smart enough, or energetic enough to engage with you on your level, so I will instead sling mud and baseless accusations your way in an attempt to appear like I am engaging with you on your level in the eyes of other people who ALSO are incapable of engaging on your level."   In other words Ted, nice job of making not only yourself, but everyone else here who sides with YOU, look really dumb (or lazy).   THAT, sir, was not (nor never IS) my intention You do not seem to understand that, as with your "freeloader" irresponsible accusation, you run the risk of collateral damage, or a boomerang effect.     But even if....IF all you accuse me of being were true, the question THEN becomes ("so tell us ted, WHY do you even bother with Daburglar if he is as horrible as you insist?"   Don't you trust everyone else to ALSO see your conclusions about him?   Obviously you do not, because at least 80% of your entire posting the past 3-4 years has simply been to respond or harass or otherwise argue with Daburglar.....does not make a whole lot of sense Ted)   And nope, your acting on "behalf of everyone else" to protect them from the likes of me does not hold water either.  

[ko king]

Ko king, excellent post.    Seriously, I applaud your argument and agree with what you posted 100%In my claiming the democrats are the lesser of two evils, it does not mean I support or endorse them, I am simply stating my collective analysis and conclusion that, when ALL things are taken into consideration, I currently would choose the Dems to the Repugs....  I agree with you strongly that the democrats also have lots of things that are ridiculous, its just that on this sight, currently, right wing republicans seem to be the more vociferous of the two camps.I will answer your rhetorical question about Obama and his apparent hypocrisy concerning the pipeline and the TPP....its simple:  Obama most likely has something lined up AFTER he leaves office to work for or with the interests who are benefitted most by the TPP, whereas with the pipeline he does not have those considerations.  I'm guessing of course, that is only my opinion......I do not think he has been a very effective president, and most of what he actually promised 8 years ago has been lost or forgotten..... but he is no different than every other politician or elected official who must "think" about what he or she does after public service is over......it's a crock, but that is how our system works.    Congressmen and Senators do it all the time, advocate for some huge company or corporation, and then when they lose or leave office, they are rewarded for their advocacy.  I do not know how else "capitalism" with democracy can work.....hence why many people prefer socialism, where public service is actually a possible career.  (note;  most americans have not a single clue at what "socialism" means, or how it works.....)But Ko King, you stand way way above everyone else here with your ability to recognize that all this post is (or was) on my part was a simple conversation starter and chance to debate and dialogue......and thanks for not adding fuel to Ted's broken down bandwagon (one which probably burns fossil fuels ala Volkswagen and those cheatin' Germans!).







Good post on your part also. I wished more people would look beyond the headline and read the entire content of every bill and regulation passed because most of them get real ugly the further you dive into them. The thing that disturbs me more than anything is Obama keep the Keystone Pipeline issue front and center in an effort to run cover for the TPP, he had his mind made up long ago but kept the issue going. The man is a crook, liar and deceiver, no better or worse than most politicians, Hillary Clinton is a crook, liar and deceiver in the same class as Obama. Are the two of them any better or worse than what the Republicans are offering up, no, they are the same. I'm almost at the point I can longer stand to vote, I'm tired of holding my nose every time I place a vote for a candidate. Who will end up being the Republicans candidate for POTUS, who cares because it will just be a crude version of what the Democrats offer up. I have to hand it to the Democrats though, they have style and flair, they're good at pretending they really care and always make sure to put a chocolate chip in every crap cookie they offer up. Bernie Sanders appears to be the only candidate for POTUS that is different, he actually doesn't lie or attempt to mislead anyone as to who he is and what he's all about. Will Bernie win, no way, the powers that be will push with everything they have to insure Hillary is the next POTUS because she has already been bought and paid for. The real people running this country behind the scenes can't lose, elect one of these dorky Republicans we are offering up or Hillary, the fix is in and it's business as usual.