Many others and I watched the memorial ceremony. The Bush's are a class act in many ways - I agree. The Obama's were there the day of the ceremony and met privately with the families. It was not necessary for you to attempt to belittle them. It took away from the honest gratitude that many of us feel towards the Bush family and the way they have been gracious to the Obama family. We are proud of both of these families. . .and the families at Fort Hood are proud of them also.

Many of us get the HILL also.

President Obama belittles former President Bush nearly every time he steps in front of the teleprompter to speak. It's high time that he took responsibility for the high unemployment rate caused by unneccessary government spending and all the pain and suffering that is a result of his inaction in Afghanistan.

I didn't belittle the Obama's - they're doing a fine job of belittling themselves on their own.

LIBERALISM: The triumph of mindless, wishful thinking over logic, reason, and experience.

We can all learn from the way that these families have treated each other - with class. We are in this situation because of a number of missteps by those in power - and our own individual mistakes. Overspending was 'accomplished' by the individual as well as the government. We're in the process of correcting that - but it is a process. The overspending did not begin with the Obama administration or the Bush administration. You do the research. As long as we were getting 15-21% interest on investments - we (the public) were 'happy'. Obama did not initiate the first 'stimulus' bill. Right?

Wrong! This administration had the audacity to think that a wreckless, illogical, pork-laded spending program would bring our nation back to prosperity. The President said that it would jump start the economy.

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND HIS ADMINISTRATION WAS WRONG and will not admit that it was a miserable failure. No, they just want to keep printing money and driving our economy further and further into the mud on the backs of our children and grandchildren while continuing to blame George Bush for their FAILURES.

LIBERALISM: The triumph of mindless, wishful thinking over logic, reason, and experience.

Thanks for your input.

US alleges company laundered money for Iran
CNN International - ‎51 minutes ago‎
The US government seeks forfeiture of at least three mosques, including this one in Houston, Texas. Alavi Foundation, Assa Corp. accused of transferring money to Iran New York (CNN) -- The federal government is seeking forfeiture of properties

Agreed.

Usama Bin Laden
Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah
Anas Al-Liby
Ahmed Mohammed Hamed Ali
Abdul Rahman Yasin
Ali Saed Bin Ali El-Hoorie
Ramadan Abdullah Mohammad Shallah
Mohammed Ali Hamadei
Ayman Al-Zawahiri
Fazul Abdullah Mohammed
Jaber A. Elbaneh
Fahid Mohammed Ally Msalam
Saif Al-Adel
Abd Al Aziz Awda
Jamel Ahmed Mohammed Ali Al-Badawi
Ali Atwa
Ibrahim Salih Mohammed Al-Yacoub

The point of this list is that it is from the FBI, and these are known terrorists. We realize that terrorists come in other ilk, but this list, and many more that I can pull represent over 90% of all terroristic activity worldwide.
Finally, why is the CDC pushing Gardisil on our girl children if its efficacy is somewhere between 18% to 46% better than placebo? They are not claiming 100% coverage. They are saying some is better than none.

How many of this list have perpetrated terroristic acts here on American soil? How many were once members of the US military? My point is arbitrary criteria are foolish.

Please provide the source for your claim of "90%." As dubious as that figure is, are you saying that you're happy with a plan that simply screens out terrorists based on religion (more than a few Christians on my list) or name or appearance? Do you think those who wish to destroy America are willing to be confined to some again-dubious 10% estimate? 19 guys carried out more destruction on US soil than the entire Japanese or German empires were able to do. Those 10% figures can be a dangerous thing to ignore- especially when the guy suddenly looks like Mr. Clean-cut, ex-Army Timothy McVeigh or the Christian crusader Eric Rudolph.

As Sun Tzu said, all warfare is based on deception.

You forgot obumbles friend William Ayers.

Another example, albeit not quite within the parameters of the above. But still and to your point, which profile would've caught Ayers? The "Unamerican sounding name" or the "doesn't look like a Christian, white guy?"

FDR was so fearful that the blood ties of Japanese citizens and residents would trump their loyalty to the United States he ordered 110,000 transferred from California to detention camps for the duration of the war.

Always wondered why the German Americans weren't interned.

DM, It is my understanding that around 11,000 German-Americans were interred during WWII. Now obviously, there seemed to be a different standard-most likely racially based and biased, for the internment of Japanese-Americans vs German-Americans. Perhaps it was first generation, etc.
In WW1, many American towns changed their name from German names- East Germantown IN became Pershing, many burghs got changed to burgs, etc

After saying the above subject, then you say later that Muslims have died fighting for us!

Then, if you see one (what do they look like) search him out; then you say "they all should not be under suspicion!"

I'm baffled by all that!

Ike's America was "Euro-Christian" of 160 million, and you say in 2050: 435 million of everything! (we only have 320 million). Maybe the swine flue will help there!.

Why don't you send a picture of a destroyed Mecca to Bin Laden? Tell him to come and get you!

OK, what is a "Euro-Christian?" Is that different than a Roman Catholic, or a "other six continents Christian?"

Want to deport the Buddhists, the Hindu, Jews, Confucians, Aborigines, Atheists, Agnostics, Witches, Warlocks, Voo-Doers, and maybe a thousand other "religions or non-religions?

We are "One nation" however, and "one people" made up of them what come on the Mayflower (English resistors), all of the crooks and emptied Jails in the world, Lords and Ladies from Europe (to be the boss), Irish bums, poor Welsh Coal miners, Hungarian refugees, African slaves and refugees, Eskimos, Mongolians, Viet Namese, Koreans, Japanese, Tais, Filipinos, and many others.
We then proceeded to kill (burn) the witches.

You seem confused about all of this "invasion!"
(I've always considered South America and Canada part of us--especially Mexico and Puerto Rico.)

I understand what you are saying. We have tried so hard not to use the broad brush - and it is difficult. No one said let's get rid of all 'white' militiamen after Oklahoma City - right? Espionage comes in all 'colors'. What holds us together? The AMERICAN spirit of opportunity for all. These radicals (jihadists) are killing their own - just like the militiaman killed his own in Oklahoma City. The melting pot idea ended when some Americans wanted other Americans to forget their 'roots'. This was not just a 'white'/'black' thing. There were the 'gangs of New York' syndrome - Irish, Italians, Germans, etc. against one another. Then it took hold - the white against people of color thing. The younger generation of Americans - especially those in the military are moving beyond this - and working very hard to become one. Not all Mosques are cursing America. (Certainly not the one in Fayetteville) I was here during the Eisenhower Administration - my black family, Japanese families, Chinese families, Hispanic/Latino families, - are you saying that we weren't Americans? Wow! In 2050, America will be the beacon of peace on this planet - but we'll have to work at it. What will hold us together? The HUMAN spirit!

YThen let us pass a law saying "It shall only be lawful to solve all of our problems by the HUMAN SPIRIT!" (whatever that is and does.)

1. Encouraged thousands of young men and women to volunteer for the war effort after Pearl Harbor.
2. Changed housewives into factory workers to support the war effort during WW II.
3. Had thousands of young and 'experienced' Americans volunteer for the Peace Corp.
4. Has many Americans adopting children from war-torn countries.
5. Supports Americans (who serve in the military) who return home broken by 'being there for them and their families'.
6. Gives needed support to Americans and other humans throughout the world who suffer from devastating situations.
7. There was a time when some citizens said that Americans would never accept an integrated society. . .and look what the human spirit has accomplished. {Even though there were some sections of the country that found this very difficult - the human spirit prevailed - and lo and behold most Americans judge by content of character rather than color of skin.
Don't under estimate the 'human spirit' for getting the 'unthinkable' accomplished.
No law or religion can denigrate the 'human spirit'.

I associate spirit with cheerleaders, or someone excited about something.

But the meaning to some is that it is innate in a human as the "thing" that departs the body when it dies, or, controls actions upon foul circumstances.

In other simple words, standing up and producing for right from wrong when needed. Not just yelling about it.

Actually the "spirit" only provokes others to take the real necessary action---like the government or others.

Thanks for your input.

I can't remember the exact year or battle; but, there was a battle during WWII in which we had been fighting the Germans for days/weeks. This battle ensued up to Christmas day at which time, both sides set aside their weapons to celebrate the holiday. German and American soldiers shared food and cigars with one another. Despite the language barrier, despite the war raging around them, they came together that Christmas and celebrated the best in the human spirit. This was a problem; however, for on December 26th neither side wanted to take arms against the other and both had to replace their troops so that the battle could continue.

"The most beautiful things in life cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart." - Helen Keller

This Christmas thing of course is not true!

Maybe, just maybe a couple did this somewhere, but replacement of troops---no.

Some preacher said that!

There are many different versions of this story - but many soldiers reflected on this unbelievable moment during the Battle of the Bulge."

I remember that story! When the human spirit has an opportunity to express 'love' and 'respect' - it leaves very little room for 'hate'.
By the way - I'm getting ready to make Christmas ornaments with my youngest grands next week! I'll let you know how we succeed in using the material you suggested.

"In 2050, America will be the beacon of peace on this planet - but we'll have to work at it. What will hold us together? The HUMAN spirit!"

A balkanized America is a dead America. You are existing in a sad, sad state of naivete if you think everyone is just going to put aside their differences and hold each other's hands. Identity politics are here to stay (did 97% of white people vote for the white candidate?).

And the human spirit will, if anything, drive us apart before it will bring us together. Even a cursory reading of history will show that.

There are many who don't agree with you. Their spirit will prevail. I have witnessed the human spirit in action in this country. I have seen positive and negative change. You can choose to see the glass half empty - I choose to see it half full. There is still water in the glass. Peace.

.

Was it political correctness that had the Bin Laden family flown out of the US after 9/11? Was it political correctness to not suspect 11 Saudis who were in the US taking flying lessons - but no LANDING lessons? I thank Martin Luther King for teaching the political correctness of not assuming that all 'white' people were members of the KKK. I thank him for making the young people of the 50's aware that there were wonderful 'white' people who were not hateful or dangerous. It is politically correct to not paint one group of Americans with a broad brush. It is not common sense to ignore when one is showing signs of discontent with who he is and what his responsibilities are. IF what is being reported is true - it doesn't take a PhD in Psychology to determine that Hasan was in trouble. (And he asked for help) He did receive an excellent education from the military - but was it worth it to keep him in the service? He deserves whatever justice is warranted for murder. However - the Red flags were there.

Yeah he cried out for help.. With 2 guns,,

"A Government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have." Thomas Jefferson

Discussion? Herding cats. Bye.

We can apoligize later if we are wrong.

You and I may be among the lucky ones who had relatives return from Iraq alive and whole. How do you apologize to those lost in any 'wrong' military action? We have generals and the President who have the responsibility of making sure we are 'right' before sending our sons and daughters into harms way. It is an awesome responsibility - not one to be taken lightly. Right? War should be the last resort. Terrorism has been the bane of society for generations. I think Wedge makes a good point. Do you only paint a group with a broad brush if they are not 'white'?

How much plainer could he have been.

They knew!! - and 13 are dead and others wounded. Politically correct or lack of common sense?

He will probably be advised to take the 5th. What is happening to our intelligence agencies? I'm sure someone here knows the answer.

Many families really need the support in ways that we can't even imagine. Any amount is appreciated.