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I prefer Franken to Moore because he presents a significantly more balanced argument than Moore. Yes, he's clearly left-wing, but compared to the likes of Bill O'Reilly, Hannity & Colmes and others paraded by Fox, he's like a toothless old lady. What's more, he doesn't get caught on in LIES.

The studies he conducted into bias in mainstream US media make interesting reading. As someone who used to be a proper journalist, I like to look at several sources and check confirmations before making a judgement.

All the evidence I have read suggests that the current US administration is one of the most corrupt in living memory. I doubt whether the Democrats would do any better, but I do think there's a case to be made for fair debate. And I don't think criticising your government because you disagree with their policies makes you "hate" that country. That's the sort of rhetoric I'd expect to hear from Bill O'Reilly. And we all know what a decent, upstanding chap he is. Well, you do if you keep up to date with the news.

As an example, I have no problem with the UK, but I think the government is morally bankrupt. See? That's what we call Free Speech. And we don't even have it protected in a constitution.

Its always comical to see how Business is lumped together and the general public never seems to realise that there are 2 distinct classes

The Entrepreneur/Self Employed who risk everything to begin with

The Executive/Board Director who risk nothing of their own except their reputation

Sure in the decade of excess the Eighties some entrpreneurs gave the title a bad name but they were few & far between compared with the Executives/Directorship revolving Money "Snouts in the Trough" World

Little Wonder some Executive Schools charge USD25,000 for a years tuition

cheers
B....OZ

True but who's more likely to invade another country unilaterally in the name of defending their country agains terrorism ? ie North Korea

Answer....George Bush

Its one thing to be assertive and protect your country and a whole different thing to be aggressive and make more problems than you solve

I still think Bush ordered Iraq invaded for economic reasons(not just Oil)
The link between Halibuton & Cheney just strengthens my view

Many have said that Americas Economy is geared towards War
Who would disagree?

When you see the Politicians bend over backwards and give George a blank cheque on the war on terrorism without any real opposition you know something stinks....afraid of not getting re-elected

cheers
B....OZ

I suppose my perspective is Australian

In the Eighties we had entrepreneurs like Skase & Bond building empires at the expense of smaller shareholders and when the bubble burst in 87-wall street all hell broke loose

Most of the problems of the 90s on OZ were a direct response from the Eighties....3 state banks bankrupt to the tune of AUS$15 billion dollars

Must admit I'd forgotten about the dot.com bubble

Morons that invested in that are typical of sheep following their shepherd over the cliff edge

The biggest winners were those in the know about the share floats-brokers
Pure corruption/insider trading at its worst

cheers
B....OZ

And here we are debating socio-political arguments as they fit in to capitalism (or rather bend it until it's roughly the right shape for the shareholders) when I thought we were about to embark on a worthy debate on the removal or reduction of civil liberties by governments who use fear as their main weapon.

Shame you can't get the BBC. A very interesting series began last night called The Power of Nightmares, which examines the way governments and the media manipulate the public to their own ends using 'the bogeyman'. Last night's installment was particularly good, since it showed the rise of neo conservatives in the US and the parallel way Islamic fundamentalism gained ground in the Middle East at the same time. Oh, with nods towards Kissenger, Rumsfeld, Strauss...

Paranoia is a wonderful thing. Or is it...

Fear & Bad News somehow get our attention more than Good News
which is the main reason I ignore the Media

Sure there is a world wide terrorist threat but if you really read the news/watch the TV you'll see there are just as many fatal accidents world wide that don't involve terrorism

So when terrorism is whipped into place and we have Governmnets serving the people,

Who's going to quell NATURES ANGER?

I'll grant you that Greenpeace are radical and confronting9anyone wish they hadn't confronted the french Nuclear testing in the pacific) with some of their modelling but even if theres a fraction of truth in them our childrens children are going to be done like a roasted chicken in quick time

Bottom line...the world is a dangerous place so enjoy it while your here

Anyone that thinks oneday we will be living in a 'garden of Eden' in which we all co-habitate peacefully is deluding themselves

News is just a major distraction from actually leading a happy life IMHO

cheers
B....OZ