I
Iaculus
Hrrm. Wonder which'll schism first - libertarians or the Religious Right?GasBandit said:
Gas Bandit's Political Thread III
- Thread starter GasBandit
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A new Prime Minister has been appointed in Malaysia.
Let me just say that I'm not too happy about his appointment. He is very unpopular with the city folk who actually bother reading about politics, not that the alternative political parties are any better.
He is especially known for shameless pork barrel spending. Either that or he is an idiot who does not do the research when spending government money.
/rant on
1. When he was Defence Minister, he spent lots of money on a "National Service" programme. Thousands of kids are selected to join these training camps for 3 months. It might've been bad food, facilities or hygiene practices from the staff but lots of kids have been hospitalised from preventable illnesses along with the death of approximately 20 kids, along with complaints of students being molested by trainers. Of course, the media questioned him about stopping the whole thing due to the problems.
His response: There are too many parties involved. I cannot stop this programme.
2. When the military helicopters are getting old and the military had to buy new ones, he bought a few of those uber high-tech and especially unnecessarily expensive French models. A rejected supplier broke it out to the press that he offered to sell them 18 plain and sensible helicopters for a lot less.
I'll clarify that Malaysia is a NATO member, which does not actively participate in wars. So, there's pretty much no good reason for spending a lot on fancy expensive military stuff.
/rant off
Oh, and the previous Prime Minister? Nice guy. But he's like one of those ineffectual bosses. Whenever a politician from his side does or says something really stupid and/or offensive, he is either left alone or given a slap on the wrist at most. Naturally, there was plenty of stupidity during his tenure. And he did not "step down", he was voted out unanimously in the party elections.
Let me just say that I'm not too happy about his appointment. He is very unpopular with the city folk who actually bother reading about politics, not that the alternative political parties are any better.
He is especially known for shameless pork barrel spending. Either that or he is an idiot who does not do the research when spending government money.
/rant on
1. When he was Defence Minister, he spent lots of money on a "National Service" programme. Thousands of kids are selected to join these training camps for 3 months. It might've been bad food, facilities or hygiene practices from the staff but lots of kids have been hospitalised from preventable illnesses along with the death of approximately 20 kids, along with complaints of students being molested by trainers. Of course, the media questioned him about stopping the whole thing due to the problems.
His response: There are too many parties involved. I cannot stop this programme.
2. When the military helicopters are getting old and the military had to buy new ones, he bought a few of those uber high-tech and especially unnecessarily expensive French models. A rejected supplier broke it out to the press that he offered to sell them 18 plain and sensible helicopters for a lot less.
I'll clarify that Malaysia is a NATO member, which does not actively participate in wars. So, there's pretty much no good reason for spending a lot on fancy expensive military stuff.
/rant off
Oh, and the previous Prime Minister? Nice guy. But he's like one of those ineffectual bosses. Whenever a politician from his side does or says something really stupid and/or offensive, he is either left alone or given a slap on the wrist at most. Naturally, there was plenty of stupidity during his tenure. And he did not "step down", he was voted out unanimously in the party elections.
I
Iaculus
Well, yeah, but I meant the second batch. No capital L.GasBandit said:Well, technically, the Libertarians already haveIaculus said:decades ago.
Yea, charging underage girls for taking pictures of themselves really is amazingly stupid.GasBandit said:
Picture of Jesus spanking young girl = HAAAAWWWWTT
Wait, what? Malaysia is not a NATO member. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Members_of_NATO) Of course, that only strengthens your point. But after reading that, I had to look it up, so I thought I'd share my findings with everyone else
K
Kitty Sinatra
While they're not a member, are they a sort of close ally, then? It would kinda make sense with what little I know about Malaysia.
Right. I got that. Apparently, it's called the Non-Alignment Movement, which was established in the cold war. Members of this group do not ally with either side. It's obsolete since the cold war no longer exists. It's called the G-15 now.Dieb said:Wait, what? Malaysia is not a NATO member. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Members_of_NATO) Of course, that only strengthens your point. But after reading that, I had to look it up, so I thought I'd share my findings with everyone else
..My nation's history syllabus is obsolete.
http://www.hmceurope.org/2009/docs/guid ... he_G15.pdf
The saga of The Tubes continues. The judge who presided over the Stevens case doesn't seem ready to let it go, directing federal prosecutors to supply copies of everything from the post-trial review and everything they had discovered in relation to the complaint issued by an Anchorage FBI agent.
Weirder and weirder. First gets prosecuted, then Holder says he should be have charges dropped, then Alaska's governor says the man Stevens lost to should step down as Senator, then the judge issues orders regarding the case.
I think Alaska is bat-shit nuts.
Weirder and weirder. First gets prosecuted, then Holder says he should be have charges dropped, then Alaska's governor says the man Stevens lost to should step down as Senator, then the judge issues orders regarding the case.
I think Alaska is bat-shit nuts.
GasBandit
Staff member
Well, it IS dark up there 6 months of the year, innit?
Obama sez: "My administration is the only thing between you [Bank CEOs] and the pitchforks."
Despite reservations from Russia (and obviously Iran), Obama has decided to continue with the missile defense shield to be built in the Czech Republic and Poland. Score one for Obama.
Teacher's unions are more important to Democrats than the kids are. Democrats are sitting on evidence of voucher system successes.
Which states lead the way when it comes to the tax burden on its citizens?
Here's a side of the financial crisis that you will rarely read about .. the story of the computer programmer who created the software to bundled home mortgages into bonds, eventually leading to the collapse in subprime loans.
The New York Times Company has threatened to close The Boston Globe unless labor unions agree to concessions.
The Obama administration is going to "protect Antarctica's fragile environment" by imposing mandatory limits on tourism to the region. Wait... we own Antarctica?
Why Legalizing Marijuana Makes Sense
I guess there really isn't a point to have red-light cameras in place if the government can't make enough money off of them. Turns out it's better just to make yellows 1 second longer.
Obama sez: "My administration is the only thing between you [Bank CEOs] and the pitchforks."
Despite reservations from Russia (and obviously Iran), Obama has decided to continue with the missile defense shield to be built in the Czech Republic and Poland. Score one for Obama.
Teacher's unions are more important to Democrats than the kids are. Democrats are sitting on evidence of voucher system successes.
Which states lead the way when it comes to the tax burden on its citizens?
Here's a side of the financial crisis that you will rarely read about .. the story of the computer programmer who created the software to bundled home mortgages into bonds, eventually leading to the collapse in subprime loans.
The New York Times Company has threatened to close The Boston Globe unless labor unions agree to concessions.
The Obama administration is going to "protect Antarctica's fragile environment" by imposing mandatory limits on tourism to the region. Wait... we own Antarctica?
Why Legalizing Marijuana Makes Sense
I guess there really isn't a point to have red-light cameras in place if the government can't make enough money off of them. Turns out it's better just to make yellows 1 second longer.
A
Anubinomicon
even just decriminalizing it makes alot of sense. less people in jail, less people falling into poverty from losing jobs from going to jail, less tax dollars for people going to jail, more money going to the state from ticket fines, etc. the list goes on.GasBandit said:
Not everywhere vouchers are a "success". Just look at the utter failure it is in Milwaukee.
GOP threatens to filibuster all of Obama's justice appointments if hereleases the Bush torture memos.
GOP threatens to filibuster all of Obama's justice appointments if hereleases the Bush torture memos.
GasBandit
Staff member
Accepting the assertions of that article at face value, it was a failure of school certification and accounting practices that imploded their voucher program. Apparently schools were overreporting the number of students they had so they could get more money. It's a little funny, I remember my public high school teachers at one point browbeating students all to coming in on a certain monday, because that was the day when headcount was taken for funding. It also goes on a wild tangent about catholic schools. The failures of the Milwaukee school system were not inherent to vouchers, they were already present in the milwaukee school systemKrisken said:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090406/ap_ ... nFYEkDW7oF
Great, the Secretary of Defense Gates wants to cut several major weapons systems that are in the works. The one that irks me is the loss of the F-22 Raptor. Now the Russians will have a better Air Superiority fighter than the US.
i:
Not to mention next gen spy satellites, and a replacement for our 50 year old tankers for the Air Force are getting axed too.
Great, the Secretary of Defense Gates wants to cut several major weapons systems that are in the works. The one that irks me is the loss of the F-22 Raptor. Now the Russians will have a better Air Superiority fighter than the US.
i: Not to mention next gen spy satellites, and a replacement for our 50 year old tankers for the Air Force are getting axed too.
Interesting. It would be better if they ranked them by percentage of income taxed though, that would seem more relevent.GasBandit said:
Did you read the article? Obama isn't doing this all by himself, he's calling for the Antarctic Treaty (which has 28 member states and 19 observing nations and orginizations) to be amended at the next meeting of the members, which is in Baltimore this month.
Agreed. It makes no sense for alcohol, but not pot, to be legal.
Oh please. First of all, we'll still have about 200 Raptors. Secondly, what Russian jet could compete with the F-35? Which is nearly as good as the F-22, but not nearly as expensive.sixpackshaker said:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090406/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/defense_budget;_ylt=Al1zgR289VZ1028BVGnFYEkDW7oF
Great, the Secretary of Defense Gates wants to cut several major weapons systems that are in the works. The one that irks me is the loss of the F-22 Raptor. Now the Russians will have a better Air Superiority fighter than the US.
Not to mention next gen spy satellites, and a replacement for our 50 year old tankers for the Air Force are getting axed too.
Plot to assassinate Obama prevented by Turkish security.
A place where GasBandit really ought to go to fulfill his heart's delights: http://rall.com/forum/
J
JCM
Guess I shouldnt renew my Malaysian citizenship?Futureking said:
Good luck.
J
JCM
Brazilian, Malaysian and Singaporean.Krisken said:
Hopefully I'll add Canadian to that in a few years.
GasBandit
Staff member
So yesterday, after the North Korean missile test, Defense Secretary Gates announced cuts to our missile defense program.
Tarp 1's cost estimate has been revised upward to twice what Bush said it would cost.
Have you heard of the Cybersecurity Act of 2009? It has been proposed by Sen. John Rockefeller and Sen. Olympia Snowe. This is a bill that would give the president the ability to "declare a cybersecurity emergency" and shut down or limit Internet traffic in any "critical" information network "in the interest of national security."
Study out today detailing the huge savings that could be realized in Great Britain if they would decriminalize drugs.
Our social security system is in a lot worse shape than most would like to believe.
CNN's still asking the tough questions. "Should Michelle Obama run in 2020?"
CVS pharmacies are teaming up with Google Health to provide an online medical management system. Who needs the government to do it for you?
A Republican Alabama Congressman called Nancy Pelosi "Tom DeLay in a skirt."
Tarp 1's cost estimate has been revised upward to twice what Bush said it would cost.
Have you heard of the Cybersecurity Act of 2009? It has been proposed by Sen. John Rockefeller and Sen. Olympia Snowe. This is a bill that would give the president the ability to "declare a cybersecurity emergency" and shut down or limit Internet traffic in any "critical" information network "in the interest of national security."
Study out today detailing the huge savings that could be realized in Great Britain if they would decriminalize drugs.
Our social security system is in a lot worse shape than most would like to believe.
CNN's still asking the tough questions. "Should Michelle Obama run in 2020?"
CVS pharmacies are teaming up with Google Health to provide an online medical management system. Who needs the government to do it for you?
A Republican Alabama Congressman called Nancy Pelosi "Tom DeLay in a skirt."
It's a good thing that soldiers & military staff don't have giant behemoth unions like the auto industry. Otherwise, the Democrats would have to fight for their continued employment in the military and double, even triple the budget.Krisken said:
Don't start a fight you can't win, bud. For all the bluster by Republicans in how they "support the troops", the last 8 years has been nothing but sabotaging veterans benefits and the disgusting no bid contracts given to companies who allow our soldiers to get shocked by faulty wiring. Add to that Senator Burr blocking the nomination of Tammy Duckworth, a decorated double amputee and director of Veterans affairs in Illinois for 2 years, without giving a reason.Futureking said:
Stop acting like Democrats are somehow unable to hear veterans. It's a sad, tired pile of B.S.
Edit: I really shouldn't allow myself to get riled up, but this is one of those things that really gets on my nerves. Nationalism is not patriotism.
-- Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:28 am --
Obama claims government secrecy in wiretapping claim.
Dammit all. As put by Glenn Greenwald-Glenn Greenwald said:
Nationalism isn't patriotism. Much as I'm partial to the right wing, I'm not altogether heartless....yet.Krisken said:Edit: I really shouldn't allow myself to get riled up, but this is one of those things that really gets on my nerves. Nationalism is not patriotism.
-- Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:28 am --
Obama claims government secrecy in wiretapping claim.
Glenn Greenwald said:
For the sake of argument, what will the government do about the downsized..ahem...*discharged* soldiers should the military budget be cut? Give them pensions/unemployment benefits?
There's re-training for other possible jobs. But firms aren't going to hire a person who was recently trained over another person with a few years of industry experience.
Edit: I'm not using this to justify maintaining the budget. I'm just saying the government better have a real plan for the newly discharged troops rather than just toss money at them and let them idle about.
Oh, and on wiretapping? I'll repeat the same old argument. If you aren't doing something wrong or particularly suspicious, you have no real reason to fear.
What downsizing? Troops aren't being downsized and there really isn't talk of doing so(though I think recruitment should be decreased and bases across the world shut down, that's neither here nor there). Money spent on defense rose by $20 billionFutureking said:Nationalism isn't patriotism. Much as I'm partial to the right wing, I'm not altogether heartless....yet.Krisken said:Edit: I really shouldn't allow myself to get riled up, but this is one of those things that really gets on my nerves. Nationalism is not patriotism.
-- Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:28 am --
Obama claims government secrecy in wiretapping claim.
Glenn Greenwald said:
For the sake of argument, what will the government do about the downsized..ahem...*discharged* soldiers should the military budget be cut? Give them pensions/unemployment benefits?
There's re-training for other possible jobs. But firms aren't going to hire a person who was recently trained over another person with a few years of industry experience.
Edit: I'm not using this to justify maintaining the budget. I'm just saying the government better have a real plan for the newly discharged troops rather than just toss money at them and let them idle about.
Oh, and on wiretapping? I'll repeat the same old argument. If you aren't doing something wrong or particularly suspicious, you have no real reason to fear.
As for wiretapping- The point is that we are supposed to be free from government intrusion as per the 4th amendment.
I fear for a world where it is ok to surrender this right. Just as the right to bare arms and the right to free speech.The Fourth Amendment wrote said:
GasBandit
Staff member
I actually only have problems with phone taps if they involve agents entering your house to place the bugs. If they butt in at the exchange box, I think they're still in line with the constitution.
I'm more grumpy about the act that lets them turn off the internet when they deem it necessary. There are organizations that depend on the internet for their cashflow. If people can't get to Amazon for 2 weeks because of an "emergency," is the government going to be liable for damages to Amazon's business?
I'm more grumpy about the act that lets them turn off the internet when they deem it necessary. There are organizations that depend on the internet for their cashflow. If people can't get to Amazon for 2 weeks because of an "emergency," is the government going to be liable for damages to Amazon's business?
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