Ever since the American Civil War, industrial capacity has been the engine behind US military might.  While the South might have out-soldiered the North, the North out-produced them.  WWII was won by American industry, that supplied both its own and the Soviet armies. World War II was American power at its peak.  German prisoners being transported by train to POW camps stared out at the industrial plants as they passed and asked themselves:  How could we have ever challenged such a nation with such productive capacity? But follow the same route now, and everywhere you will see ruin: derelict plants, abandoned factories, rusting scrap heaps.  The region that used to be the heart of American power is now called the Rust Belt.  The muscle of American industry has atrophied.  The forces of globalization have rotted it away.  Manufacturing is no longer the engine of the nation’s economy, and as industrial capacity declines, so does our military capacity. For the first time since America emerged as a first-rank war and industrial power in the 1890s, some U.S. military planners openly doubt the country’s manufacturers can sustain the nation in a major war larger than the Iraq conflict. "What kind of superpower are you if you can’t make what you need?” asked systems engineer Sheila Ronis, a lecturer at the Pentagon’s Industrial College of the Armed Forces. The decline of the Detroit auto industry and the rise of industrial China have decimated a supporting cast of die, machine, mold and tooling shops, a metalworks industry centered in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. For the same reason imported chairs, televisions and clothes fill American homes, imported parts appear in increasing volumes in military hardware. Imports cost less than homemade. While no one is sure how many imported parts are used in weapons systems, a growing chorus of researchers and trade groups express concern. They warn the rise of imports and the demise of the metalworks trades threaten the nation’s manufacturing base. http://www.indystar.com/… Increasingly, the only plants that survive are those that are subsidized by government conracts, insulated from the market forces that drive consumer-based manufacturing either into bankruptcy or overseas.  But how much of the supply chain, the necessary parts, the raw materials, is still produced in this country?  What if it were cut off? The United States is increasingly senescent, a declining, dying power holding onto its empire only by force.  But even this is almost beyond us.  Compared to WWII, the Iraq War is a minor effort, yet it has all but exhausted US military capacity, both human and material.  How far we have fallen, how weak we have become. when the bushies and corporate profiteers started looking for cheaper product and higher profits, american interests were not of concern. this country (translate: politicians) has allowed the massive selloff of our industries, we lost the ability to be self sufficient. we need to stress that the failed policies of the reagan, bush pere and bush fil admins to turn america into a "service" economy (at the enrichment of their corporate donors) has made america extremely vulnerable and incapable of self-sustenance. we are not only incapable of making anything now, we are incapable of meeting our nation’s needs in the future, as the "corporate bankruptcies" have allowed the sell-off of the industrial infrastructure to the nations taking over those activities. when pillowtex (formerly, cannon mills) ended up bankrupt, they sold off the machinery that ran the mills in kannapolis to china.  Now that’s homeland insecurity for you.

Response:

> Yep one of the maing reasons we won WWII is that the US flat-out > outproduced Germany.  Our tanks weren’t as good as theirs but we could make > and replace them faster, for example. > At the present time, it is very hard to imagine this could happen.  We > outsource so many raw materials, not to mention the manufacturing itself.

And isn’t that retarded? And a breach in security? Having another country manufacture our military equipment? I can see it now. US arms company sends out design plans for a bazooka in American Standard measurements to a country that uses the Metric System. Soldier attempts to load bazooka with an American made warhead…AND IT DON’T FIT!!! [sic] – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Ever since the American Civil War, industrial capacity has been the >engine behind US military might.  While the South might have >out-soldiered the North, the North out-produced them.  WWII was won by >American industry, that supplied both its own and the Soviet armies. >World War II was American power at its peak.  German prisoners being >transported by train to POW camps stared out at the industrial plants >as they passed and asked themselves:  How could we have ever challenged >such a nation with such productive capacity? >But follow the same route now, and everywhere you will see ruin: >derelict plants, abandoned factories, rusting scrap heaps.  The region >that used to be the heart of American power is now called the Rust >Belt.  The muscle of American industry has atrophied.  The forces of >globalization have rotted it away.  Manufacturing is no longer the >engine of the nation’s economy, and as industrial capacity declines, so >does our military capacity. >For the first time since America emerged as a first-rank war and >industrial power in the 1890s, some U.S. military planners openly doubt >the country’s manufacturers can sustain the nation in a major war >larger than the Iraq conflict. >"What kind of superpower are you if you can’t make what you need?” >asked systems engineer Sheila Ronis, a lecturer at the Pentagon’s >Industrial College of the Armed Forces. >The decline of the Detroit auto industry and the rise of industrial >China have decimated a supporting cast of die, machine, mold and >tooling shops, a metalworks industry centered in Indiana, Illinois, >Michigan and Ohio. >For the same reason imported chairs, televisions and clothes fill >American homes, imported parts appear in increasing volumes in military >hardware. Imports cost less than homemade. >While no one is sure how many imported parts are used in weapons >systems, a growing chorus of researchers and trade groups express >concern. They warn the rise of imports and the demise of the metalworks >trades threaten the nation’s manufacturing base. >http://www.indystar.com/… >Increasingly, the only plants that survive are those that are >subsidized by government conracts, insulated from the market forces >that drive consumer-based manufacturing either into bankruptcy or >overseas.  But how much of the supply chain, the necessary parts, the >raw materials, is still produced in this country?  What if it were cut >off? >The United States is increasingly senescent, a declining, dying power >holding onto its empire only by force.  But even this is almost beyond >us.  Compared to WWII, the Iraq War is a minor effort, yet it has all >but exhausted US military capacity, both human and material.  How far >we have fallen, how weak we have become. >when the bushies and corporate profiteers started looking for cheaper >product and higher profits, american interests were not of concern. >this country (translate: politicians) has allowed the massive selloff >of our industries, we lost the ability to be self sufficient. >we need to stress that the failed policies of the reagan, bush pere and >bush fil admins to turn america into a "service" economy (at the >enrichment of their corporate donors) has made america extremely >vulnerable and incapable of self-sustenance. >we are not only incapable of making anything now, we are incapable of >meeting our nation’s needs in the future, as the "corporate >bankruptcies" have allowed the sell-off of the industrial >infrastructure to the nations taking over those activities. >when pillowtex (formerly, cannon mills) ended up bankrupt, they sold >off the machinery that ran the mills in kannapolis to china.  Now >that’s homeland insecurity for you.

Response:

Finally at least 1 Republican is starting to see the truth about Iraq. And I think he’s basically coming around to Murtha’s position that our military presence is not helping the situation in Iraq & that there needs to be a diplomatic solution now (see http://www.counterpunch.org/murtha11172005.html). Most liberals knews that the chance for success in building a democracy in Iraq was less than 50% which is one reason why many of us didn’t support the war in the first place.  Of course, there were many other good reasons not to support war but this was a BIG one. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15155638/ CAPITOL HILL – The Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, a Bush loyalist offered his darkest assessment of Iraq yet on Thursday, suggesting the war there was "drifting sideways" without a firm commitment from its government to disarm militias and rebuild the country. Returning from a recent trip to the region, Sen. John Warner said the military had done what it could, and if after three months the Iraqis have made no progress to calm ethnic violence and hasten reconstruction, then Congress will have to make some "bold decisions." Warner did not say what he thinks Congress should do but said all options will be considered. Lawmakers have suggested various remedies, including a timetable to pull out U.S. troops and dividing the country into smaller, independent ethnic states. "There is progress being made in certain areas," Warner said, but "you just find that so many communities don’t even have drinking water. … It seems to me that the situation is simply drifting sideways."

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Finally at least 1 Republican is starting to see the truth about Iraq. > And I think he’s basically coming around to Murtha’s position that our > military presence is not helping the situation in Iraq & that there > needs to be a diplomatic solution now (see > http://www.counterpunch.org/murtha11172005.html). > Most liberals knews that the chance for success in building a democracy > in Iraq was less than 50% which is one reason why many of us didn’t > support the war in the first place.  Of course, there were many other > good reasons not to support war but this was a BIG one. > http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15155638/ > CAPITOL HILL – The Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services > Committee, a Bush loyalist offered his darkest assessment of Iraq yet > on Thursday, suggesting the war there was "drifting sideways" > without a firm commitment from its government to disarm militias and > rebuild the country. > Returning from a recent trip to the region, Sen. John Warner said the > military had done what it could, and if after three months the Iraqis > have made no progress to calm ethnic violence and hasten > reconstruction, then Congress will have to make some "bold > decisions." > Warner did not say what he thinks Congress should do but said all > options will be considered. Lawmakers have suggested various remedies, > including a timetable to pull out U.S. troops and dividing the country > into smaller, independent ethnic states. > "There is progress being made in certain areas," Warner said, but > "you just find that so many communities don’t even have drinking > water. … It seems to me that the situation is simply drifting > sideways."

Hmmm, Yup! Big screw up #3. #1 was Korean war. #2 was Vietnam war. I hope and pray U.S. won’t make #4. 65% of Iraqis want U.S. troops out of their country so they can have peace. Tony

Response:

courageously avow: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> Finally at least 1 Republican is starting to see the truth about Iraq. >> And I think he’s basically coming around to Murtha’s position that our >> military presence is not helping the situation in Iraq & that there >> needs to be a diplomatic solution now (see >> http://www.counterpunch.org/murtha11172005.html). >> Most liberals knews that the chance for success in building a democracy >> in Iraq was less than 50% which is one reason why many of us didn’t >> support the war in the first place.  Of course, there were many other >> good reasons not to support war but this was a BIG one. >> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15155638/ >> CAPITOL HILL – The Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services >> Committee, a Bush loyalist offered his darkest assessment of Iraq yet >> on Thursday, suggesting the war there was "drifting sideways" >> without a firm commitment from its government to disarm militias and >> rebuild the country. >> Returning from a recent trip to the region, Sen. John Warner said the >> military had done what it could, and if after three months the Iraqis >> have made no progress to calm ethnic violence and hasten >> reconstruction, then Congress will have to make some "bold >> decisions." >> Warner did not say what he thinks Congress should do but said all >> options will be considered. Lawmakers have suggested various remedies, >> including a timetable to pull out U.S. troops and dividing the country >> into smaller, independent ethnic states. >> "There is progress being made in certain areas," Warner said, but >> "you just find that so many communities don’t even have drinking >> water. … It seems to me that the situation is simply drifting >> sideways." >Hmmm, >Yup! >Big screw up #3. >#1 was Korean war. #2 was Vietnam war. >I hope and pray U.S. won’t make #4. >Look out, Iran.

Bush needs Iraq and Afghanistan stable so troops can be deployed both sides of Iran. While he might like to make a go of Iran now it would be more than just dicey.  The NATO commitment and control of operations in Afghanistan might be extended to add Iran to the mix either.  This may explain why he’s so suddenly ready to play diplomat. It’s called buying some time. — Ken Wilson

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Finally at least 1 Republican is starting to see the truth about Iraq. > And I think he’s basically coming around to Murtha’s position that our > military presence is not helping the situation in Iraq & that there > needs to be a diplomatic solution now (see > http://www.counterpunch.org/murtha11172005.html). > Most liberals knews that the chance for success in building a democracy > in Iraq was less than 50% which is one reason why many of us didn’t > support the war in the first place.  Of course, there were many other > good reasons not to support war but this was a BIG one. > http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15155638/ > CAPITOL HILL – The Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services > Committee, a Bush loyalist offered his darkest assessment of Iraq yet > on Thursday, suggesting the war there was "drifting sideways" > without a firm commitment from its government to disarm militias and > rebuild the country. > Returning from a recent trip to the region, Sen. John Warner said the > military had done what it could, and if after three months the Iraqis > have made no progress to calm ethnic violence and hasten > reconstruction, then Congress will have to make some "bold > decisions." > Warner did not say what he thinks Congress should do but said all > options will be considered. Lawmakers have suggested various remedies, > including a timetable to pull out U.S. troops and dividing the country > into smaller, independent ethnic states. > "There is progress being made in certain areas," Warner said, but > "you just find that so many communities don’t even have drinking > water. … It seems to me that the situation is simply drifting > sideways." > Hmmm, > Yup! > Big screw up #3. > #1 was Korean war. #2 was Vietnam war. > I hope and pray U.S. won’t make #4. > 65% of Iraqis want U.S. troops out of their country so they can have > peace. > Tony

WOW… Tony, are you claiming there will be "peace" once the U.S. Are you claiming that the ’solution’ to the insurgency is U.S. Thanks for going ‘on record’ . . . .

Response:

> Hmmm, > Yup! > Big screw up #3. > #1 was Korean war.

If memory serves that was a UN operation. > #2 was Vietnam war.

What about Malaya, and Greece?  Does the fact that Communism was turned aside in those countries no longer count? > I hope and pray U.S. won’t make #4.

Or China, or India, or Russia. . . . > 65% of Iraqis want U.S. troops out of their country so they can have > peace. > Tony

Yeah, when the U.S. pulls out they’ll be real peace all right, the peace of the grave.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Finally at least 1 Republican is starting to see the truth about Iraq. > And I think he’s basically coming around to Murtha’s position that our > military presence is not helping the situation in Iraq & that there > needs to be a diplomatic solution now (see > http://www.counterpunch.org/murtha11172005.html). > Most liberals knews that the chance for success in building a democracy > in Iraq was less than 50% which is one reason why many of us didn’t > support the war in the first place.  Of course, there were many other > good reasons not to support war but this was a BIG one. > http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15155638/ > CAPITOL HILL – The Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services > Committee, a Bush loyalist offered his darkest assessment of Iraq yet > on Thursday, suggesting the war there was "drifting sideways" > without a firm commitment from its government to disarm militias and > rebuild the country. > Returning from a recent trip to the region, Sen. John Warner said the > military had done what it could, and if after three months the Iraqis > have made no progress to calm ethnic violence and hasten > reconstruction, then Congress will have to make some "bold > decisions." > Warner did not say what he thinks Congress should do but said all > options will be considered. Lawmakers have suggested various remedies, > including a timetable to pull out U.S. troops and dividing the country > into smaller, independent ethnic states. > "There is progress being made in certain areas," Warner said, but > "you just find that so many communities don’t even have drinking > water. … It seems to me that the situation is simply drifting > sideways." > Hmmm, > Yup! > Big screw up #3. > #1 was Korean war. #2 was Vietnam war. > I hope and pray U.S. won’t make #4. > 65% of Iraqis want U.S. troops out of their country so they can have > peace. > Tony

#4: When D.C. / Pentagon rushes in to "save" Taiwan from China. Best Guess: Anywhere from ‘11-’15. At that point, 9/11/01 will be looked back upon like "Operation Just Cause" (Panama/Noriega). mvm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> Finally at least 1 Republican is starting to see the truth about Iraq. >> And I think he’s basically coming around to Murtha’s position that our >> military presence is not helping the situation in Iraq & that there >> needs to be a diplomatic solution now (see >> http://www.counterpunch.org/murtha11172005.html). >> Most liberals knews that the chance for success in building a democracy >> in Iraq was less than 50% which is one reason why many of us didn’t >> support the war in the first place.  Of course, there were many other >> good reasons not to support war but this was a BIG one. >> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15155638/ >> CAPITOL HILL – The Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services >> Committee, a Bush loyalist offered his darkest assessment of Iraq yet >> on Thursday, suggesting the war there was "drifting sideways" >> without a firm commitment from its government to disarm militias and >> rebuild the country. >> Returning from a recent trip to the region, Sen. John Warner said the >> military had done what it could, and if after three months the Iraqis >> have made no progress to calm ethnic violence and hasten >> reconstruction, then Congress will have to make some "bold >> decisions." >> Warner did not say what he thinks Congress should do but said all >> options will be considered. Lawmakers have suggested various remedies, >> including a timetable to pull out U.S. troops and dividing the country >> into smaller, independent ethnic states. >> "There is progress being made in certain areas," Warner said, but >> "you just find that so many communities don’t even have drinking >> water. … It seems to me that the situation is simply drifting >> sideways." >Hmmm, >Yup! >Big screw up #3. >#1 was Korean war. #2 was Vietnam war. >I hope and pray U.S. won’t make #4. > Look out, Iran.

no shit, the airforce practised bombing us today. Everytime that happens….well they don’t practise for no reason. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to hear that noise and having no place to go. Meanwhile we are brought to our constituional knees by fear of a guy with a belt bomb. What cowards we are.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> Finally at least 1 Republican is starting to see the truth about Iraq. >> And I think he’s basically coming around to Murtha’s position that our >> military presence is not helping the situation in Iraq & that there >> needs to be a diplomatic solution now (see >> http://www.counterpunch.org/murtha11172005.html). >> Most liberals knews that the chance for success in building a democracy >> in Iraq was less than 50% which is one reason why many of us didn’t >> support the war in the first place.  Of course, there were many other >> good reasons not to support war but this was a BIG one. >> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15155638/ >> CAPITOL HILL – The Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services >> Committee, a Bush loyalist offered his darkest assessment of Iraq yet >> on Thursday, suggesting the war there was "drifting sideways" >> without a firm commitment from its government to disarm militias and >> rebuild the country. >> Returning from a recent trip to the region, Sen. John Warner said the >> military had done what it could, and if after three months the Iraqis >> have made no progress to calm ethnic violence and hasten >> reconstruction, then Congress will have to make some "bold >> decisions." >> Warner did not say what he thinks Congress should do but said all >> options will be considered. Lawmakers have suggested various remedies, >> including a timetable to pull out U.S. troops and dividing the country >> into smaller, independent ethnic states. >> "There is progress being made in certain areas," Warner said, but >> "you just find that so many communities don’t even have drinking >> water. … It seems to me that the situation is simply drifting >> sideways." > Hmmm, > Yup! > Big screw up #3. > #1 was Korean war. #2 was Vietnam war. > I hope and pray U.S. won’t make #4. > 65% of Iraqis want U.S. troops out of their country so they can have > peace. > Tony > WOW… Tony, are you claiming there will be "peace" once the U.S. > Are you claiming that the ’solution’ to the insurgency is U.S. > Thanks for going ‘on record’ . . . .

well it worked in Vietnam.

Response:

courageously avow: >WOW… Tony, are you claiming there will be "peace" once the U.S. >I’ll go out on a limb and predict their will be less killing in Iraq if we >leave.

By American GIs at least.  I would say the jury is out on the other one but, hopefully, cooler heads will prevail. — Ken Wilson

Response:

> By American GIs at least.  I would say the jury is out on the other > one but, hopefully, cooler heads will prevail.

You’ve got to be kidding, the only thing that kept the lid on that situation was everybody was more afraid of Saddam than of anyone else.  If they couldn’t keep from killing each other when they had a chance at peace, what would motivate them to stop when the govt. has fallen apart?

Response:

did courageously avow: > By American GIs at least.  I would say the jury is out on the other > one but, hopefully, cooler heads will prevail. >You’ve got to be kidding, the only thing that kept the lid on that situation >was everybody was more afraid of Saddam than of anyone else.  If they >couldn’t keep from killing each other when they had a chance at peace, what >would motivate them to stop when the govt. has fallen apart?

I heard one comedian/pundit suggest giving Saddam a shower, new suit, a rifle and make him boss again.  After that you leave.  Somehow I think that’s probably a non-starter. — Ken Wilson

Response:

> > By American GIs at least.  I would say the jury is out on the other > one but, hopefully, cooler heads will prevail. > You’ve got to be kidding, the only thing that kept the lid on that situation > was everybody was more afraid of Saddam than of anyone else.  If they > couldn’t keep from killing each other when they had a chance at peace, what > would motivate them to stop when the govt. has fallen apart?

and isn’t that what happend in the old USSR??? Are former "states" now fighting each other?

Response:

….& some dude comes out endorsing $1 ea. Made in China pre-amp tubes…same guy who thinks SRV’s tone was 100% due to a Leslie and that Elliott Randall could not have reproduced his 1972 Reelin’ In the Years guitar lead using a modern Marshall Valvestate 80 …AGA

[ Attached Message ]

To: Local:

NEW (not NOS) PreAmp tube advice? A  modern / new mfr. quality parallel for Mullard ECC83’s? *IS* it Ruby? *COULD* it be EH? If you’ve got a nominee, please defend it with any data sheet comparisons you may have, AS WELL AS any sonic links. "5 Star" 6072a Cryos. Now on topic; NEW (not N.O.S.)12AX7’s…  _anyone_ ?

Response:

> ….& some dude comes out endorsing $1 ea. Made in China pre-amp > tubes…same guy who > thinks SRV’s tone was 100% due to a Leslie and that Elliott Randall > could not have reproduced > his 1972 Reelin’ In the Years guitar lead using a modern Marshall > Valvestate 80

    yes it blows your mind that someone has a different idea than you     do, and this person has tried many different ideas over the past 35     years that you have not tried. as i told you before, i have mixed     monitors for SRV and i was passing on the information! this will     introduce you to the idea that all that is known is not written in     advertisments and spec sheets, guitar player magazine. if you were     not so closed minded, you might learn something new, or at least     accept the idea that someone other than you might want to learn     something new. keep in mind that many of the posters here are     pushing products they sell, i am not! love you all, even the thickheads–mykey

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> ….& some dude comes out endorsing $1 ea. Made in China pre-amp > tubes…same guy who > thinks SRV’s tone was 100% due to a Leslie and that Elliott Randall > could not have reproduced > his 1972 Reelin’ In the Years guitar lead using a modern Marshall > Valvestate 80 >     yes it blows your mind that someone has a different idea than you >     do, and this person has tried many different ideas over the past 35 >     years that you have not tried. as i told you before, i have mixed >     monitors for SRV and i was passing on the information! this will >     introduce you to the idea that all that is known is not written in >     advertisments and spec sheets, guitar player magazine. if you were >     not so closed minded, you might learn something new, or at least >     accept the idea that someone other than you might want to learn >     something new. keep in mind that many of the posters here are >     pushing products they sell, i am not! love you all, even the > thickheads–mykey

1.] SRV Two Vibroverbs, two Super Reverbs, a Dumble 150W Steel String Singer, and a Leslie. Main effect; Tube Screamer. Tune 1/2 step low (Eb) and learn to play with seriously big strings; .13-.56 mvm 2.] Elliott Randall played a ‘63 Strat w/ a neck HB for his "Reelin’ in the Years". Thickhead on that, ‘lover’

Response:

China’s surging trade surplus this year, driven by continued increases in high-tech exports, "constitutes a major challenge to U.S. global competitiveness, " declares the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI. If the issue is not addressed and the trade imbalance continues to grow — "like the gallows" — then "sooner rather than later the markets will trigger the inevitable adjustment, with what will almost certainly be more grim financial reaping," says the analysis prepared by Ernest Preeg, MAPI’s senior fellow in trade and productivity. During the first six months of this year, China surpassed the United States as being the world’s largest exporter. Only five years ago, the United States exported more than double the amount of China. During the first half of 2006, Chinese exports of manufactured goods reached $404 billion compared to $367 billion in exports by the United States. "This dramatic reversal, together with the increasingly high-tech orientation of Chinese exports, poses a serious challenge to U.S. export competitiveness and long-standing leadership in technological innovation," writes Preeg. The composition of Chinese exports is undergoing a "structural shift" away from labor-intensive products to high tech and value-added goods. Chinese exports of textiles and apparel declined to 14.6 percent of total exports during the first half of 2006. China’s trade surplus in manufactured goods increased to $128 billion during the first half of 2006, an increase of $43 billion over the same period of 2005. China’s trade surplus in information technology products has more than doubled from the first half of 2004 to the first half of 2006, from $18.8 billion to $44.8 billion. China’s large and growing external trade imbalance "foreshadows what will be a difficult and potentially disruptive adjustment for the Chinese economy, again concentrated in the manufacturing sector," warns Preeg. "It will certainly be a central subject for discussion at the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in September and will trigger congressional action to impose tariffs on imports from China unless the yuan is promptly revalued." Exports of mechanical and electrical products during the first half of 2006 reached $244 billion, "more than two and one-half times larger than the $91.5 billion of labor-intensive exports," according to Preeg. The "hi-tech products" category recorded exports of $123.5 billion, also higher than the labor-intensive category. "The highest growth sectors during the first half of 2006 were other transport equipment (68 percent), telecommunications equipment (40 percent), auto parts (37 percent), scientific instruments (36 percent), electrical machinery and parts (34 percent), and machinery, except electronics (31 percent)." The data also reflect another fundamental change in Chinese manufacturing. For years, China imported large quantities of parts and components and its cheap labor shops were used as a platform for final assembly. But the share of imported content "is not nearly as large as sometimes reported, and the share of Chinese value added is rising steadily," writes Preeg. Foreign firms manufacturing in China are buying more of their parts from local suppliers. Large companies are providing suppliers with training, technical support and systems for improving quality. "One Japanese automotive company is in the process of increasing Chinese value added from 75 percent to 95 percent, as a result of almost all of its Japanese parts suppliers shifting production to China," says Preeg. "The Chinese export platform issue…has been largely a myth." If Chinese exports continue growing at their current pace, then Chinese manufactured exports will be more than double those of the United States in five years, Preeg points out. "This dramatic reversal defines the bottom line challenge to U.S. export competitiveness." and you’re all worried about parts disappearing from Radio Shack.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > China’s surging trade surplus this year, driven by continued increases > in high-tech exports, "constitutes a major challenge to U.S. global > competitiveness, " declares the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI. If the > issue is not addressed and the trade imbalance continues to grow — > "like the gallows" — then "sooner rather than later the markets will > trigger the inevitable adjustment, with what will almost certainly be > more grim financial reaping," says the analysis prepared by Ernest > Preeg, MAPI’s senior fellow in trade and productivity. > During the first six months of this year, China surpassed the United > States as being the world’s largest exporter. Only five years ago, the > United States exported more than double the amount of China. During the > first half of 2006, Chinese exports of manufactured goods reached $404 > billion compared to $367 billion in exports by the United States. > "This dramatic reversal, together with the increasingly high-tech > orientation of Chinese exports, poses a serious challenge to U.S. > export competitiveness and long-standing leadership in technological > innovation," writes Preeg. > The composition of Chinese exports is undergoing a "structural shift" > away from labor-intensive products to high tech and value-added goods. > Chinese exports of textiles and apparel declined to 14.6 percent of > total exports during the first half of 2006. > China’s trade surplus in manufactured goods increased to $128 billion > during the first half of 2006, an increase of $43 billion over the same > period of 2005. China’s trade surplus in information technology > products has more than doubled from the first half of 2004 to the first > half of 2006, from $18.8 billion to $44.8 billion. > China’s large and growing external trade imbalance "foreshadows what > will be a difficult and potentially disruptive adjustment for the > Chinese economy, again concentrated in the manufacturing sector," warns > Preeg. "It will certainly be a central subject for discussion at the > IMF and World Bank annual meetings in September and will trigger > congressional action to impose tariffs on imports from China unless the > yuan is promptly revalued." > Exports of mechanical and electrical products during the first half of > 2006 reached $244 billion, "more than two and one-half times larger > than the $91.5 billion of labor-intensive exports," according to Preeg. > The "hi-tech products" category recorded exports of $123.5 billion, > also higher than the labor-intensive category. "The highest growth > sectors during the first half of 2006 were other transport equipment > (68 percent), telecommunications equipment (40 percent), auto parts (37 > percent), scientific instruments (36 percent), electrical machinery and > parts (34 percent), and machinery, except electronics (31 percent)." > The data also reflect another fundamental change in Chinese > manufacturing. For years, China imported large quantities of parts and > components and its cheap labor shops were used as a platform for final > assembly. But the share of imported content "is not nearly as large as > sometimes reported, and the share of Chinese value added is rising > steadily," writes Preeg. > Foreign firms manufacturing in China are buying more of their parts > from local suppliers. Large companies are providing suppliers with > training, technical support and systems for improving quality. "One > Japanese automotive company is in the process of increasing Chinese > value added from 75 percent to 95 percent, as a result of almost all of > its Japanese parts suppliers shifting production to China," says Preeg. > "The Chinese export platform issue…has been largely a myth." > If Chinese exports continue growing at their current pace, then Chinese > manufactured exports will be more than double those of the United > States in five years, Preeg points out. "This dramatic reversal defines > the bottom line challenge to U.S. export competitiveness." > and you’re all worried about parts disappearing from Radio Shack.

So… you’re loaded up with "China funds" in your portfolio…. right..????

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->China’s surging trade surplus this year, driven by continued increases >in high-tech exports, "constitutes a major challenge to U.S. global >competitiveness, " declares the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI. If the >issue is not addressed and the trade imbalance continues to grow — >"like the gallows" — then "sooner rather than later the markets will >trigger the inevitable adjustment, with what will almost certainly be >more grim financial reaping," says the analysis prepared by Ernest >Preeg, MAPI’s senior fellow in trade and productivity. >During the first six months of this year, China surpassed the United >States as being the world’s largest exporter. Only five years ago, the >United States exported more than double the amount of China. During the >first half of 2006, Chinese exports of manufactured goods reached $404 >billion compared to $367 billion in exports by the United States. >"This dramatic reversal, together with the increasingly high-tech >orientation of Chinese exports, poses a serious challenge to U.S. >export competitiveness and long-standing leadership in technological >innovation," writes Preeg. >The composition of Chinese exports is undergoing a "structural shift" >away from labor-intensive products to high tech and value-added goods. >Chinese exports of textiles and apparel declined to 14.6 percent of >total exports during the first half of 2006. >China’s trade surplus in manufactured goods increased to $128 billion >during the first half of 2006, an increase of $43 billion over the same >period of 2005. China’s trade surplus in information technology >products has more than doubled from the first half of 2004 to the first >half of 2006, from $18.8 billion to $44.8 billion. >China’s large and growing external trade imbalance "foreshadows what >will be a difficult and potentially disruptive adjustment for the >Chinese economy, again concentrated in the manufacturing sector," warns >Preeg. "It will certainly be a central subject for discussion at the >IMF and World Bank annual meetings in September and will trigger >congressional action to impose tariffs on imports from China unless the >yuan is promptly revalued." >Exports of mechanical and electrical products during the first half of >2006 reached $244 billion, "more than two and one-half times larger >than the $91.5 billion of labor-intensive exports," according to Preeg. >The "hi-tech products" category recorded exports of $123.5 billion, >also higher than the labor-intensive category. "The highest growth >sectors during the first half of 2006 were other transport equipment >(68 percent), telecommunications equipment (40 percent), auto parts (37 >percent), scientific instruments (36 percent), electrical machinery and >parts (34 percent), and machinery, except electronics (31 percent)." >The data also reflect another fundamental change in Chinese >manufacturing. For years, China imported large quantities of parts and >components and its cheap labor shops were used as a platform for final >assembly. But the share of imported content "is not nearly as large as >sometimes reported, and the share of Chinese value added is rising >steadily," writes Preeg. >Foreign firms manufacturing in China are buying more of their parts >from local suppliers. Large companies are providing suppliers with >training, technical support and systems for improving quality. "One >Japanese automotive company is in the process of increasing Chinese >value added from 75 percent to 95 percent, as a result of almost all of >its Japanese parts suppliers shifting production to China," says Preeg. >"The Chinese export platform issue…has been largely a myth." >If Chinese exports continue growing at their current pace, then Chinese >manufactured exports will be more than double those of the United >States in five years, Preeg points out. "This dramatic reversal defines >the bottom line challenge to U.S. export competitiveness." >and you’re all worried about parts disappearing from Radio Shack.

One worlders like the way Chinese rulers handle their slaves. One of them objects about something  and they just slick them off to some obscure prison, kill them, and sell the organs. Barely keep their families fed, screwing their kids at any age they choose and selling them to the perve crowd after they abuse them, taking all of the profit for themselves and giving back the right to breathe another day as pay for most of them.And they call others terriorist!….

Response:

… >If Chinese exports continue growing at their current pace, then Chinese >manufactured exports will be more than double those of the United >States in five years, Preeg points out. "This dramatic reversal defines >the bottom line challenge to U.S. export competitiveness." >and you’re all worried about parts disappearing from Radio Shack. > One worlders like the way Chinese rulers handle their slaves. One of > them objects about something  and they just slick them off to some > obscure prison, kill them, and sell the organs. Barely keep their > families fed, screwing their kids at any age they choose and selling > them to the perve crowd after they abuse them, taking all of the > profit for themselves and giving back the right to breathe another day > as pay for most of them.And they call others terriorist!….

Don’t forget… they’re Heathen, too!  Weren’t we given dominion over the heathen, somewhere?… I’m sure we were. __ Steve .

Response:

> Don’t forget… they’re Heathen, too!  Weren’t we given > dominion over the heathen, somewhere?… I’m sure we were. > __ > Steve

Sure, but we still have to smite them hip and thigh ourselves, and that’s a lot of smiting, it will take years and by the time we’re done there’s another ten million of the buggers.  This looks like something we should contract out to the Japanese, when they put their mind to it they’re first-rate smiters.

Response:

> Don’t forget… they’re Heathen, too!  Weren’t we given > dominion over the heathen, somewhere?… I’m sure we were. > __ > Steve > Sure, but we still have to smite them hip and thigh ourselves, and that’s > a lot of smiting, it will take years and by the time we’re done there’s > another ten million of the buggers.  This looks like something we should > contract out to the Japanese, when they put their mind to it they’re > first-rate smiters.

Pith helmets and swagger sticks for everyone! twee twee……. twee twee twee TWEE…TWEE …twee…. __ Steve .

Response:

> Pith helmets and swagger sticks for everyone! > twee twee……. twee twee twee TWEE…TWEE …twee…. > __ > Steve

Oh I say, well done old chap, spot on.

Response:

> So… you’re loaded up with "China funds" in your portfolio…. > right..????

no but I was thinkin about buying a case of LED christmas lights direct since they last 23 years and are as cheap as dirt. 26 sets in a case. Whadda ya think Gold ones? or muti colored? http://www.diogenlighting.com/commercial-g25.asp the color changing ones are cool too. They’re stealing /Christmas too

Response:

> > Pith helmets and swagger sticks for everyone! > twee twee……. twee twee twee TWEE…TWEE …twee…. > __ > Steve > Oh I say, well done old chap, spot on.

which one whould you choose? http://www.villagehatshop.com/pith_helmet.html I rawtha fancy the Zulu War helmet.

Response:

Bought this amp at a pawn shop.  Kicks ass.  I know its a low end product, but it sure sounds good.  Guess its because I crank it with a Gibson and a Strat.  Anyway, anybody know who manufactures this amp…and where I can get a users manuel.  I have gone online but cant find the manufacturer  Any info would be helpful.  TIA

Response:

> Bought this amp at a pawn shop.  Kicks ass.  I know its a low end product, > but it sure sounds good.  Guess its because I crank it with a Gibson and a > Strat.  Anyway, anybody know who manufactures this amp…and where I can > get a users manuel.  I have gone online but cant find the manufacturer  Any > info would be helpful.  TIA

Hi, As you said, low end stuff coming from either China or Korea.

Response:

>> Bought this amp at a pawn shop.  Kicks ass.  I know its a low end > product, but it sure sounds good.  Guess its because I crank it with a > Gibson and a Strat.  Anyway, anybody know who manufactures this > amp…and where I can get a users manuel.  I have gone online but cant > find the manufacturer  Any info would be helpful.  TIA > Hi, > As you said, low end stuff coming from either China or Korea.

To be more precise, Thailand. 2006. (800)211-3319 Ext. 911

Response:

Just got back from vaca & was rested enough to watch a little of Bush’s press conference.  The thing that struct me the most was his passive/aggressive flip/flop this with the UN.  He would stand behind a UN resolution when if suited him (or made his life easier), but in the next breath, he was criticize the UN for being ineffectual.  Sorry Bush but you can’t have it both ways – you either have to support the UN or not.  The US also has a responsibility to make sure the UN’s mission succeeds.  It won’t if the US isn’t behind it. I also love how the US took a hands-off policy while Israel bombed Lebanon but now we’re going to spend $250 milltion to rebuild it. Seems likes our policy is in shambles or just plain stupid or both. Mr Soul http://www.MusicIsLove.com http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/cressey

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Just got back from vaca & was rested enough to watch a little of Bush’s > press conference.  The thing that struct me the most was his > passive/aggressive flip/flop this with the UN.  He would stand behind a > UN resolution when if suited him (or made his life easier), but in the > next breath, he was criticize the UN for being ineffectual.  Sorry Bush > but you can’t have it both ways – you either have to support the UN or > not.  The US also has a responsibility to make sure the UN’s mission > succeeds.  It won’t if the US isn’t behind it. > I also love how the US took a hands-off policy while Israel bombed > Lebanon but now we’re going to spend $250 milltion to rebuild it. > Seems likes our policy is in shambles or just plain stupid or both. > Mr Soul > http://www.MusicIsLove.com > http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/cressey

Vote 1: 73 days away. "The Issue": Iraq Vote 2: 806 days away. Prediction…"The Issue": Worst U.S. Recession since ‘73-’74. Middle Class Revolt. Past that, -shrug- the pendulum _MIGHT_ swing. US Sinking, China Rising. http://www.geocities.com/mvm55555 mvm

Response:

Crystal Ball and a Taste of Things to Come….2008 A revolt is brewing in the middle class http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion…oints-headlines Something is brewing in Portland, and it isn’t coffee. This metropolis that is so often listed among America’s most livable cities is living the economic crisis of our time. For three consecutive years median income in Portland has declined, City Commissioner Sam Adams said last week at a conference of editorial writers from around the nation. After taking a vicious hit when the tech bubble burst, jobs are back. Good wages aren’t. "We are getting our butts kicked in the world economy," Adams says. This is not Detroit or Pittsburgh or a town in the textile belt. This is the prototype of the places we were told would catch the globalization wave and ride it – not be drowned by it. The Portland area has a young, educated and agile workforce, a spectacular location with easy access to the Pacific, and economic synergy with innovative neighbors in California and Washington. But its middle class struggles to stay in the middle. Oregon has regained the jobs it lost during what was, for this state, a deep recession. But when the semi-conductor industry rebounded, says David Cooke, an economist with the state employment department, many new jobs went to Asia. "A lot of that production is being done in other countries where wages are much lower," he said in an interview. The state’s biggest recent job gains have come in "leisure and hospitality" – the hotels and restaurants that are notorious for low pay and often nonexistent benefits. Work is to be found in serving the well-off. And so, in a town where local pollster Tim Hibbetts says the political spectrum usually ranges from "liberals to strong liberals to ultra-liberals to leftists," a different undercurrent is churning. "There’s a lot of simmering anger out there, and it’s mostly in the broad middle," he says. In his polls done in Oregon and elsewhere, about 80 percent of voters say they are worse off, or no better off, than they were a year ago. The discontent is national and chronic – and chronically ignored. Neither political party gets it. Before Katrina, before $3-a-gallon gas and before the latest airline bankruptcies reminded middle-class workers that they are one corporate strategy away from losing their paycheck and their pension, the middle class was overburdened and burning out. It doesn’t understand why globalization is good if it is so obviously concentrating wealth, not spreading it. It’s furious that it works hard and plays by the rules, as Bill Clinton used to say, but loses anyway. It is fed up with a political system that hasn’t seen fit to even talk about this turmoil as a first step in groping toward a solution. "We are facing globalization – I don’t think we have the capacity to change that," says Adams. "But what’s the backup plan?" There isn’t one. That’s why the primal scream that Washington does not yet hear will become deafening, and soon. It is not just Katrina and Iraq and frayed national nerves over terrorism. Any politician who believes this risks a layoff. Median household income, adjusted for inflation, has fallen for five straight years, according to an Economic Policy Institute analysis of government data. The political moment most resembles 1992, when Ross Perot burst onto the scene, a pyrotechnic display of middle-class frustration. The upheaval continued in 1994, when voters turned the Democrats out from control of what had been their congressional kingdom. No one can know what form the coming middle-class revolt will take. But any politician who wants to survive had better be able to answer some questions. If we are no longer to expect employers to provide affordable health insurance or decent pensions, what is the alternative? If the unrestrained forces of globalization don’t benefit – and indeed, hurt – the broad middle class, what would you do to restrain them? If education and innovation are the answers, then what are the education and innovation strategies? Really, what’s the backup plan? Mic What might send people over the edge is when masses of American’s have to declare BK because health care is getting more expenisve and yet people are losing their benefits (medical costs being a large precipitator of BK), and then they realize that they are going to be indentured for the rest of their lives because of the new rules. We are either going to develop a large barter or underground economy or there will be a lot of public protest and discontent. The question that I have longer term is will this spur creative thinking, entreprenurial spirit, and better cost and risk management (now that the BK escaoe is more onerous) and make the law produce a net positive? I don’t think the article is about taxation or government waste. It’s about the fact that there are no high paying jobs in the city, the only new jobs are low paying no-benefit jobs in leisure and hospitality industry. Trust me, If they are making $5.15 hr working for McDonalds they are not worried about taxes. They are not paying taxes on minimum wage. risktaker So far, the only thing that’s kept the middle class afloat has been rising equity in their homes, allowing them to keep borrowing. Once that spigot stops, the pain will set in.

Response:

I just came back form market. I was told by a buyer that there is no middle class in Waco. How about that! no middle clas in Waco.

Response:

> I just came back form market. I was told by a buyer that there is no > middle class in Waco. > How about that! no middle clas in Waco.

That’s one way to suppress a revolt

Response:

First it was tattoos,then women by the tens of millions began shaving the entrance to their moisture missile silos. I say they just couldn’t stomach the thought of having a bush on them. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Crystal Ball and a Taste of Things to Come….2008 > A revolt is brewing in the middle class > http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion…oints-headlines > Something is brewing in Portland, and it isn’t coffee. > This metropolis that is so often listed among America’s most livable > cities is living the economic crisis of our time. > For three consecutive years median income in Portland has declined, City > Commissioner Sam Adams said last week at a conference of editorial > writers from around the nation. After taking a vicious hit when the tech > bubble burst, jobs are back. Good wages aren’t. "We are getting our > butts kicked in the world economy," Adams says. > This is not Detroit or Pittsburgh or a town in the textile belt. This is > the prototype of the places we were told would catch the globalization > wave and ride it – not be drowned by it. The Portland area has a young, > educated and agile workforce, a spectacular location with easy access to > the Pacific, and economic synergy with innovative neighbors in > California and Washington. > But its middle class struggles to stay in the middle. > Oregon has regained the jobs it lost during what was, for this state, a > deep recession. But when the semi-conductor industry rebounded, says > David Cooke, an economist with the state employment department, many new > jobs went to Asia. "A lot of that production is being done in other > countries where wages are much lower," he said in an interview. > The state’s biggest recent job gains have come in "leisure and > hospitality" – the hotels and restaurants that are notorious for low pay > and often nonexistent benefits. Work is to be found in serving the > well-off. > And so, in a town where local pollster Tim Hibbetts says the political > spectrum usually ranges from "liberals to strong liberals to > ultra-liberals to leftists," a different undercurrent is churning. > "There’s a lot of simmering anger out there, and it’s mostly in the > broad middle," he says. In his polls done in Oregon and elsewhere, about > 80 percent of voters say they are worse off, or no better off, than they > were a year ago. The discontent is national and chronic – and > chronically ignored. > Neither political party gets it. > Before Katrina, before $3-a-gallon gas and before the latest airline > bankruptcies reminded middle-class workers that they are one corporate > strategy away from losing their paycheck and their pension, the middle > class was overburdened and burning out. It doesn’t understand why > globalization is good if it is so obviously concentrating wealth, not > spreading it. It’s furious that it works hard and plays by the rules, as > Bill Clinton used to say, but loses anyway. > It is fed up with a political system that hasn’t seen fit to even talk > about this turmoil as a first step in groping toward a solution. "We are > facing globalization – I don’t think we have the capacity to change > that," says Adams. "But what’s the backup plan?" > There isn’t one. That’s why the primal scream that Washington does not > yet hear will become deafening, and soon. It is not just Katrina and > Iraq and frayed national nerves over terrorism. Any politician who > believes this risks a layoff. Median household income, adjusted for > inflation, has fallen for five straight years, according to an Economic > Policy Institute analysis of government data. > The political moment most resembles 1992, when Ross Perot burst onto the > scene, a pyrotechnic display of middle-class frustration. The upheaval > continued in 1994, when voters turned the Democrats out from control of > what had been their congressional kingdom. > No one can know what form the coming middle-class revolt will take. But > any politician who wants to survive had better be able to answer some > questions. > If we are no longer to expect employers to provide affordable health > insurance or decent pensions, what is the alternative? If the > unrestrained forces of globalization don’t benefit – and indeed, hurt – > the broad middle class, what would you do to restrain them? If education > and innovation are the answers, then what are the education and > innovation strategies? > Really, what’s the backup plan? > Mic > What might send people over the edge is when masses of American’s have > to declare BK because health care is getting more expenisve and yet > people are losing their benefits (medical costs being a large > precipitator of BK), and then they realize that they are going to be > indentured for the rest of their lives because of the new rules. > We are either going to develop a large barter or underground economy or > there will be a lot of public protest and discontent. > The question that I have longer term is will this spur creative > thinking, entreprenurial spirit, and better cost and risk management > (now that the BK escaoe is more onerous) and make the law produce a net > positive? > I don’t think the article is about taxation or government waste. It’s > about the fact that there are no high paying jobs in the city, the only > new jobs are low paying no-benefit jobs in leisure and hospitality > industry. Trust me, If they are making $5.15 hr working for McDonalds > they are not worried about taxes. They are not paying taxes on minimum > wage. > risktaker > So far, the only thing that’s kept the middle class afloat has been > rising equity in their homes, allowing them to keep borrowing. Once that > spigot stops, the pain will set in.

Response:

>From U.S. News & World Report:

He loves to cuss, gets a jolly when a mountain biker wipes out trying to keep up with him, and now we’re learning that the first frat boy loves flatulence jokes. A top insider let that slip when explaining why President Bush is paranoid around women, always worried about his behavior. But he’s still a funny, earthy guy who, for example, can’t get enough of fart jokes. He’s also known to cut a few for laughs, especially when greeting new young aides. By the Numbers: Days `til Labor Day: 13 Days `til the mid-term elections: 77 Number of words in TIME magazine’s coverage of judge Anna Diggs Taylor’s ruling that Bush’s domestic wiretapping activities were unconstitutional: 35 Number of words on the extradition of John Mark Karr: 1,109 (Source: Think Progress via Bill in Portland Maine. Heh.) Acres of broccoli fields in Maine in 1978: 33 Acres of broccoli fields in Maine today: 5,500 Lovely bit of fun from the Bush administration and its lapdog congress.  First they fired IRS tax lawyers whose job was to go after wealthy cheaters.  Now they want the agency to sic private bill collectors on the little guy.  Just one catch…the move will be 6,429 percent less efficient than hiring more IRS agents.  Wait a minute…less efficient?  Actually, I think I could live with that. Reading the story a little more closely than before, a disturbing fact comes out: this privatization scheme is 64 times less efficient than doing the same actions in-house. 6,429 percent. http://www.mydd.com/story/2006/8/19/202443/131

Response:

>>From U.S. News & World Report: > He loves to cuss, gets a jolly when a mountain biker wipes out trying > to keep up with him, and now we’re learning that the first frat boy > loves flatulence jokes. A top insider let that slip when explaining why > President Bush is paranoid around women, always worried about his > behavior. But he’s still a funny, earthy guy who, for example, can’t > get enough of fart jokes. He’s also known to cut a few for laughs, > especially when greeting new young aides.

Godamnit all I SHOULD HAVE VOTED FOR HIM! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> By the Numbers: > Days `til Labor Day: 13 > Days `til the mid-term elections: 77 > Number of words in TIME magazine’s coverage of judge Anna Diggs > Taylor’s ruling that Bush’s domestic wiretapping activities were > unconstitutional: 35 > Number of words on the extradition of John Mark Karr: 1,109 > (Source: Think Progress via Bill in Portland Maine. Heh.) > Acres of broccoli fields in Maine in 1978: 33 > Acres of broccoli fields in Maine today: 5,500 > Lovely bit of fun from the Bush administration and its lapdog congress. >  First they fired IRS tax lawyers whose job was to go after wealthy > cheaters.  Now they want the agency to sic private bill collectors on > the little guy.  Just one catch…the move will be 6,429 percent less > efficient than hiring more IRS agents.  Wait a minute…less efficient? >  Actually, I think I could live with that. > Reading the story a little more closely than before, a disturbing fact > comes out: this privatization scheme is 64 times less efficient than > doing the same actions in-house. 6,429 percent. > http://www.mydd.com/story/2006/8/19/202443/131

Response:

Most of you sub-menial imbeciles are incapable of cognition beyond polemics. You are uncreative, binary circuits. Republican—Democrat Good Guy—–Bad Guy This also extends to the usual typists taking on the neocons. It’s why I’ve laughed at those berating me for "not knowing who my ‘freinds’ are", choosing instead, to assail them as needy ‘friend felchers’. Once the Jews (via Israel) got into the equation, notice who insta-disappeared, -gutless, thoughtless, cowards, *all.* In my opinion, since 1949, Israel has _finally_ managed to squander virtually all of its post Nazi-Germany political capital, in much the same manner the Neocons driving Bush did in the years since 9/11/01. Today, The United States of America and Israel have *ALMOST* managed to lower themselves to the level of Cuba and North Korea. So what? We’ll see what that means when WWIII alignments reveal themselves… When China and Russia snap up the temporary loyalty of the Muslim/Arab oil nations and leave the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Poland and Japan to form yet another round of allies vs. axis horror which- YOU, ME and LIFE ON EARTH CAN NOT AFFORD. Chickenhawks* can always afford it, however. Watch ‘em. mvm *Pro-war violence typists who themselves, have never so much as been in a fist-fight let alone dozens or served in any branch of the military as an enlisted gopher, let alone an officer.

Response:

Marc Mulay, sad, pathetic, lying asshole posing today as Baltasar Gracian  <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7XHNzfxfwo> blathered: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Most of you sub-menial imbeciles are incapable of cognition beyond >polemics. You are uncreative, binary circuits. >Republican—Democrat >Good Guy—–Bad Guy >This also extends to the usual typists taking on the neocons. >It’s why I’ve laughed at those berating me for "not knowing >who my ‘freinds’ are", choosing instead, to assail them as needy >’friend felchers’. >Once the Jews (via Israel) got into the equation, notice who >insta-disappeared, -gutless, thoughtless, cowards, *all.* >In my opinion, since 1949, Israel has _finally_ managed to squander >virtually all of its post Nazi-Germany political capital, in much the >same manner the Neocons driving Bush did in the years since 9/11/01. >Today, The United States of America and Israel have *ALMOST* managed to >lower themselves to the level of Cuba and North Korea. >So what? >We’ll see what that means when WWIII alignments reveal themselves… >When China and Russia snap up the temporary loyalty of the Muslim/Arab >oil nations and leave the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Poland and Japan >to form yet another round of allies vs. axis horror which- >YOU, ME and LIFE ON EARTH CAN NOT AFFORD. >Chickenhawks* can always afford it, however. Watch ‘em. mvm >*Pro-war violence typists who themselves, have never so much as >been in a fist-fight let alone dozens or served in any branch of >the military as an enlisted gopher, let alone an officer.

Still no proof. Only more whining bullshit.

Response:

Dick Clark when he was still a teenager http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpLEAPGowNY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nS51SbZ0ngk

Response:

(AP Photo) http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/4090601.html This image is believed to have been taken a day or two after the Haditha incident, and was made available in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, June 2, 2006, by lawyer Khaled Salem Rsayef, but was not taken by him. It purportedly shows the scene in one of the houses in Haditha, Iraq after two dozen civilian Iraqis were allegedly killed by U.S. Marines last November, which Rsayef said Friday was carried out by three or four Marines while about 20 more waited outside. EDS NOTE: Khaled Salem Rsayef, 40, is a lawyer representing several of the families and says he himself lost a sister, her husband, an aunt and her husband, and several cousins in the alleged massacre. Evidence collected on the deaths of the 24 Iraqis in Haditha supports accusations that U.S. Marines deliberately shot the civilians, including unarmed women and children, a Pentagon official said Wednesday, Aug 2, 2006. AP Aug. 2, 2006, 6:34PM Probe backs allegations against Marines By ROBERT BURNS AP Military Writer

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Below is a list of security incidents from one day (July 11, 2006) in Iraq. > Iraq is slightly bigger than California, and Iraq has a slightly smaller > population, but they are a close match.  Now, join with me on an imaginary > situation, where the Chinese army invaded California to rid the country of > California of an evil Governor, Mr. Schwarzenegger.  The Chinese military > is still there, three plus years after the invasion, but California has > held elections and now has a new Governor and cabinet.   The California > National Guard is being refit and retrained, but they have no Air Force or > heavy artillery yet.  There are lots of Chinese advisors in the country, > but California is awash in violence.  The occupying Chinese troops don’t > know a word of English or Spanish, and have no understanding of the culture > or the two primary religions:  Catholic and Baptist. > This is a PARTIAL listing of security incidents and if the situation is > transposed, this is what the headlines would look like in California: > -A bomb planted under a fuel tanker exploded between a market and a medical > center in the southeastern greater Los Angeles suburb of Whittier exploded, > killing two people and wounding 18. > -Gunmen in three cars attacked an Indian import/export company in the > upscale Beverly Hills neighborhood in western greater Los Angeles, killing > five Californian employees before fleeing. > -Gunmen killed at least 10 people in greater Los Angeles Tuesday in an > ambush attack on a vehicle carrying a coffin for burial in the Catholic > cemetery in the city of Santa Claria. The attack took place in Glendale, a > predominantly Baptist Anglo city. > -California’s consul to the Mexican district of Sonora – Andrew Schmidt – > was abducted near his home in greater Los Angeles’s mostly Catholic > district of Long Beach. > -At least five people were killed and 10 others wounded when a suicide > bomber blew himself up outside greater Los Angeles’s heavily fortified > "Green Zone". > -Gunmen stormed the greater Los Angeles offices of a Mexican contracting > company and sprayed its employees with bullets, killing eight and wounding > one on Tuesday. The attack took place in the western district of Norwalk. > -A car bomb killed three people and wounded seven in greater Los Angeles’s > central Willow Brook district on Tuesday. > -Gunmen blocked streets in the mostly Baptist area of Inglewood in greater > Los Angeles and opened fire on a Baptist church Monday, no casualties > reported. > -Nine California National Guard were killed and four wounded on Monday when > gunmen attacked them in Monterey, 300 miles north of Greater Los Angeles. A > civilian was wounded in the attack. > -Gunmen killed an engineer working for the North Oil Company, along with > his driver, while he was heading to work in the northern oil city of > Redding. > -Redding police arrested six suspected insurgents during a search and raid > operation. > -An IED killed two insurgents as they were planting it on a Chico-Redding > road. > -In Eureka, an engineer and an acquaintance in Redding’s agriculture > authority were killed in a drive-by shooting by militant. > -Police recovered the body of Peter Julian, a California National Guard > officer who was kidnapped yesterday in Eureka. > -Three police officers and three civilians were injured when an improvised > explosive device (IED) blasted in a police patrol, location uncertain, > possibly Eureka. > -Gunmen in a speeding car fired randomly at textile shops in Sacramento, > killing two shop owners and wounding four others. > -Clashes between California National Guard and insurgents broke out near > the central city of Stockton. > -Lt. John Klingman said 10 policemen who were part of an oil-protection > force were killed in the fighting near Sacramento, 45 miles north of > Stockton. > -Gunmen opened fire on a California National Guard convoy near Oakland on > Monday evening, killing nine soldiers and wounding three. > -Gunmen ambushed a minivan in Roseville, 12 miles northwest of the capital, > killing one passenger and wounding five. > -While condemning in public the sectarian death squads that gunned down 40 > people on Sunday in a Baptist part of greater Los Angeles, some California > Catholic leaders say in private retaliation for Baptist insurgent bomb > attacks is understandable. > -The bloodiest such violence yet in the capital has rekindled fears of > all-out civil war and posed serious questions over California President > Thomas Smith’s ability to keep a promise to curb violence by fellow > Catholics. > -Catholic leaders, talking privately on Monday, spoke with resignation, > saying more bloodshed is inevitable in California’s culture of vendetta and > that clerical restraint on Catholics is flagging in the face of repeated > Baptist bombings. [Insurgents or fundamentalist Baptists claims the > bombings, but there is little to prove that the mainstream Baptists are > behind these violent events.] > -Visiting the University Hospital in central Greater Los Angeles has long > been a routine part of covering the violent events in California. But on > Sunday, following an outbreak of fighting between rival Baptist and > Catholic gangs in the Riverside area, there were no wounded witnesses to > interview, no details to glean about the fighting. > -NGOs devoted to health issues in southern California say that dozens of > children have died of relatively common diseases since January due to a > lack of medicine.   "There are no official statistics about the number of > children who have died in San Diego since January," said Mr. Peterson, a > senior official in the San Diego Health Department.  "But local health > department employees and volunteers from some NGOs have collected > information suggesting that about 90 children have died as result of the > lack of medicine." According to Peterson, this is worse than the same > period last year, when some 40 children died for similar reasons. > -Baptist politicians requested assistance from the United Nations as > sectarian tensions have dramatically escalated in California.  Mr. Atwood, > a member of the largest Baptist block in the parliament, the Baptist > Accordance Front, said that the United Nations should send peacekeepers to > California because "the occupation forces cannot protect the people." > -A bookstore in eastern Greater Los Angeles is getting more customers these > days, but they aren’t looking for something to read. The owner sells fake > IDs, a booming business as Catholics try to hide their identities in hopes > of staying alive.  Although it’s nearly impossible to distinguish between a > Baptist and a Catholic by sight, names can be telling.  Surnames refer to > family and historical roots of the family, while first names are often > chosen to honor religious figures revered by one sect but sometimes > despised by the other.  For about $35, someone with a common Baptist name > like Martin Luther could become John or James, a Catholic name that might > provide safe passage through dangerous areas. > – Mr. Doug Jones is the mayor with 29 lives.  That’s the number of > assassination attempts he has counted since joining the Monterey government > in January 2005.  "You see, over there, that is where the suicide bomber > tried to kill me," Jones said with a smile as he drove his armored S.U.V. > to work. Across the road, where he was pointing, lay the charred shells of > a half-dozen automobiles.  "Over here," he said after a time, pointing > again, "this is where they tried to shoot me."  Car bomb, suicide bomber, > mortar, gun; in his car, in his house, in a church: insurgents have tried > to kill Jones so many times and in so many different ways that he has > nearly lost count. But life being what it is in Monterey, Jones probably > will need a few more lives to survive until his term expires later this > year. > – California’s sabotage-prone northern pipeline has been shut down for > maintenance, halting crude oil exports from Redding oil fields to Canada, > the oil minister said Sunday. > Mr. Moss said the flow is expected to resume in two to three days at an > average of 400,000 barrels per day.  The pipeline was shut down Friday > morning because there was not enough crude at Redding reservoir, an oil > official told Dow Jones Newswires on Saturday.  Regular insurgent bombings > of the crucial northern export pipeline have idled it for all but a few > brief periods since the war began.

  This sounds like everyday in L.A. winnard

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > This sounds like everyday in L.A. > phuctard

Response:

> Below is a list of security incidents from one day (July 11, 2006) in > Iraq.

Wrote that all by yourself did you?  Or just the new screen name?  Kerplonk.

Response:

The president of China, Mr Bushikai, announces that "we are winning the war in California, and most of our goals are being met. All is well. This is a war that Confucious would approve of, I know, I have consulted with him. So happy to have God on our side." …..

Response:

> The president of China, Mr Bushikai, announces that "we are winning the > war in California, and most of our goals are being met. All is well. > This is a war that Confucious would approve of, I know, I have > consulted with him. So happy to have God on our side." …..

Google: Mulay The First Casualty …After the Beijng Summer Olympics….Taiwan.

Response:

> This sounds like everyday in L.A. > phuctard

 Chill out, have some humor, asshole. winnard

Response:

>>> This sounds like everyday in L.A. >> phuctard >  Chill out, have some humor, asshole. > winnard

Roger that, phuctard.

Response:

> > This sounds like everyday in L.A. > > phuctard > Chill out, have some humor, asshole.

Be careful what you ask for, you might get it.  Mulay’s idea of "humor" is writing detailed fantasies about abducting and murdering children, with the names of people he doesn’t like spliced in.  What he calls "humor" most folks would consider evidence of mental illness. . . .

Response:

>>>> This sounds like everyday in L.A. >>> phuctard > Chill out, have some humor, asshole. > Be careful what you ask for, you might get it.  Mulay’s idea of "humor" is

"Last week I couldn’t spell officer and now I are one," was the way it happened.  It was their idea, not mine, frankly I was embarrassed to suddenly show up outranking guys who had been working their little fingers to the bone to get there." -Dead Gas Diver Now tell us more about how; "…I once impressed the crap out of a tatooed young clerk in an especially hip music shop by buying a Flamin’ Groovies CD, he seemed stunned that someone as old as his parents would even know of this band much less buy their CDs. I had the fun of telling him I was actually replacing some old FG vinyl I’d purchased before he was born…"                                                     -Dead Gas Diver

Response:

I am wondering if this is some kind of new internet scam and if it is, where in lies the scam??? or am I just having a paranoia attack???? Today, for the first time, I got two different emails (but when you check the headers they are from the same source in China via a San Diego server) The emails states that they are a frequent visitor to my website and they like it a lot. They have a website which is about a similar product, mainly reviews about Nike shoes, has a bunch of links to shoes and music (mainly hip hop). They say want to exchange links – my web site and their website. Their website doesn’t appear to sell anything, just lists pictures of the latest Nikes and gives the viewer an opportunity to review them. The reviews are mainly written in hip hop slang. The favorite links section where this person want to put my link had some interesting sites. The reason I feel suspicious about it is that I got two apparently different emails from the same source pretending to be different, different names, slightly different pitches, different signatures; and then theres the fact that the Who is showed them registered to someone in China.  Here’s the sites www.Myairshoes.com  and www.bayareakicks.com Well, what do you guys think? or is it one of you guys?? there was a link to ballroom dancing shoes in the links section???? Wheaton??? I didn’t think any of you were hip hop fans? What’s the deal?

Response:

> I am wondering if this is some kind of new internet scam and if it is, > where in lies the scam??? or am I just having a paranoia attack????

  *new* … naaah. You just haven’t discovered it yet. > Today, for the first time, I got two different emails (but when you > check the headers they are from the same source in China via a San > Diego server) The emails states that they are a frequent visitor to my > website and they like it a lot.

 I spent 30 seconds at the sites below .. and neither sells anything that I could tell .. they seem a store front for google adds and shit with gangster comment…. I don’t get it.  i could be slow. internet stuff is all suppose to be true and useful. Now they may wanta front your site and a % of a sale .. or have you sell cheap China made copies of $200 niggra  shoes … Being mid-40’s .. thats about the total I’ve spent on ALL my shoes in my life > The reason I feel suspicious registered to someone > in China.

Bingo. ( not the dog ) > Well, what do you guys think? or is it one of you guys??

Give me your tax number, SS number, or bank number so I can confirm your an American Recognized Business and I’ll get back to you after my lawyer reviews them.  Yah. Hurry up. > Wheaton???

 Jon been AWOL .. I guess PGM’s YouTube OT’s overwhemed him. > I didn’t think any of you were hip hop fans?

 Yo ! .. my niggra .. gangster tones ain’t got no glass ‘hore tubes in thad turd  .. it’s all solid as shit . bitch.

Response:

>   I think you’re being a little paranoid if you think someone is > organizing that just to jerk your chain.

  don’t tell him that .. next he’ll think those black copers REALLY ARE  for traffic reporting !

Response: