Washington Post: HOLMES: U.S. backtracks on missile shield

[Stan Shannon]

Oakman wrote:

My impression is that the Canadians, one on one, are just as tough as the Americans.

Quite a lot tougher, I would suspect, considering the climate they have to put up with.

Oakman wrote:

Why should they? If we stop, they will start.

With what? There is no way they are going to dismantle the welfare state. It will continue to grow, consuming their economy and finally their society.

Chaining ourselves to the moral high ground does not make us good guys. Aside from making us easy targets, it merely makes us idiotic prisoners of our own self loathing.

[Lost User]

As I said I dont imagine that our discussion will be worthwhile.

[Stan Shannon]

Richard A. Abbott wrote:

It is demeaning.

So, you are too good to ask me for my money, but empowering the state to reach into my pocket and take my money away from me in order to give to you is a source of pride for you? Are you even capable of thinking about how ridiculous and dangerous that is?

Chaining ourselves to the moral high ground does not make us good guys. Aside from making us easy targets, it merely makes us idiotic prisoners of our own self loathing.

[Lost User]

Nice response. Accuse me of all sorts of things... then when I ask "where/what/when" - you bail out.

[Lost User]

Mike Mullikin wrote:

Nice response. Accuse me of all sorts of things... then when I ask "where/what/when" - you bail out.

Sorry I'd assumed you could reread your own posts for yourself.

[Lost User]

Josh Gray wrote:

Sorry I'd assumed you could reread your own posts for yourself.

I read them the first time. I never stated or implied that US presence in Australia was a "favour" to you. I never stated or implied that the US paid for all the hardware at Pine Gap.

[Ilion]

_Damian S_ wrote:

ah, back to normal I see... ;P

Rather depends upon "normal," doesn't it? Is "normal" that CG and company can vanish my posts? Is "normal" that CG and company can call me "full of shit" and then vanish the post in which I show the reverse to be the actual case? Is "normal" that CG and company can attempt to insult me and then pretend that I am "the problem" if I happen (which happens with amusing frequency) to top them? Or, is "normal" that CG and company must be man enough to get back what they want to serve -- or modify their behavior?

[Lost User]

National Insurance [^] and PAYE (Pay As You Earn) is a form of income tax on employment [^]. Both are a source (not the only source) of revenue for all government spending including healthcare. These contributions are compulsory, but contributions are not equal. This means the more you actually earn the more you'll end up paying upto a certain ceiling. BUT if you would much prefer to go private then BUPA membership is available [^] and if provided by an employer, it is a taxable benefit in kind. But that is not an either-or situation, as said, National Insurance and PAYE is compulsory irrespective of any private arrangements that exist. So to answer your question, NO, you can't opt out of contributions.

[Gary Kirkham]

73Zeppelin wrote:

In other words, if Iran fires a missile at Europe, it's Europe's problem, not America's.

Yes! I would love to see America pull completely out of Europe and leave them to their own devices. Most of them don't like us anyway and some even go out of their way to sabotage our efforts. Unfortunately, it will probably cost America fewer lives to help repel invaders than it would to come in later and kick the invaders out, re WWI and WWII. I would fight to protect England and I think that most of England would fight to protect us. But, Europe...meh.

Gary Kirkham Forever Forgiven and Alive in the Spirit "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. Me blog, You read

[Lost User]

Mike Mullikin wrote:

Josh Gray wrote: Sorry I'd assumed you could reread your own posts for yourself. I read them the first time. I never stated or implied that US presence in Australia was a "favour" to you. I never stated or implied that the US paid for all the hardware at Pine Gap.

FFS

Mike Mullikin wrote:

I never stated or implied that US presence in Australia was a "favour" to you.

Josh Gray wrote: You look out primarily for your own interests as you should and as other countries do. Mike Mullikin wrote: I disagree.

Mike Mullikin wrote:

I never stated or implied that the US paid for all the hardware at Pine Gap.

The key word there is all and you're right, you said half.

[Lost User]

Richard A. Abbott wrote:

So to answer your question, NO, you can't opt out of contributions.

Then in Britain one doesn't really "choose" national health care as you implied.

[Lost User]

I do not like asking, friend or foe, or anybody for a free hand-out, so, after you have paid your taxes etc., your money in your pocket is perfectly safe from my prying eyes. Yet, if you lived in Britain, even as a foreigner who has made their home in Britain, I would have no hesitation contributing through our National Insurance and PAYE schemes to and for your well being through our NHS. Call it strange or stupid or whatever, but that is how things are in Britain.

[Lost User]

Oakman wrote:

I apologise

Not needed. You have nothing to apologize for. Yes, you are right. We are like a large family. We may fall out from time to time but we soon kiss and make-up (so to speak) and look after our own howsoever far away we might actually live.

[Stan Shannon]

Richard A. Abbott wrote:

I do not like asking, friend or foe, or anybody for a free hand-out,

But you're perfectly ok with stealing. Ok, got it...

Chaining ourselves to the moral high ground does not make us good guys. Aside from making us easy targets, it merely makes us idiotic prisoners of our own self loathing.

[Lost User]

If there was a referendum tomorrow with the choice of (A) private arranged healthcare or (B) NHS healthcare, my choice would be NHS healthcare. I could have a private healthcare policy if I so choose, but I don't choose that option.

[Lost User]

Let me re-phrase what I said. I do not like asking, friend or foe, or anybody for a free hand-out. I will not take money out of your personal pocket. The taxes you are required to pay is all you are required to pay and NOT A PENNY MORE, but if you want to contribute to your favorite charity, then good for you. Yet none of that which I have said authorizes me or excuses me to steal from you or anybody else, and that act of theft is not permitted. But if you look at socialized healthcare as some kind of legalized theft, then, that is your privilege.

[Stan Shannon]

Richard A. Abbott wrote:

But if you look at socialized healthcare as some kind of legalized theft, then, that is your privilege.

When government takes money from one person and gives it to someone else, that is absolutely no different at all from that same person picking up a gun and taking the money themselves. It is precisely the same thing (except that the latter is more efficient becuase it doesn't require a bureaucracy which also has to be supported by stealing money from free people)

Chaining ourselves to the moral high ground does not make us good guys. Aside from making us easy targets, it merely makes us idiotic prisoners of our own self loathing.

[Ilion]

Stan Shannon wrote:

But you're perfectly ok with stealing.

... under threat of violent death.

[Oakman]

Stan Shannon wrote:

It will continue to grow, consuming their economy and finally their society.

I bet when you read the Wizard of Oz to your kids you let the Wicked Witch of the West win.

Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Algoraphobia: An exaggerated fear of the outside world rooted in the belief that one might spontaneously combust due to global warming.

[_Damian S_]

Personally I thought it was more along the lines of wanting to make a snide remark instead of gracefully accepting a compliment in the good faith that it was made... Of course, I might be wrong, but hasn't happened yet! :laugh:

Knowledge is knowing that the tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad!! Booger Mobile - Camp Quality esCarpade 2010