[ALUmnus]

Rick Perry, out.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/20 ... ?hpt=hp_t1

[ATrain]

And those state workers can screw it!

I know you're one ATrain lol but seriously cuts must be made somewhere. He's gotta fix what Tim "Make it Rain" Kaine messed up. But of course your not the ones I'm mad at lol

We can also raise revenues by implementing a toll on the new Midtown connector in Lynchburg, and the Odd Fellows Rd. connector as well as I-81 to pay for its intermittent expansion, since that seems to be Gov. McDonnell's plan to pay for roads here in Hampton Roads.

Its more or less McDonnell lied during his campaign to get elected governor. State workers did not prosper under Kaine. Virginia is already rated as "marginally competitive," when compared to the private sector and other states, yet has one of the most competent workforces. What happens when the 20-somethings begin looking at other states?

Anyway, back on-topic, McDonnell would be a good pick for the Republican side.

[Humble_Opinion]

Not sure what you mean by 'marginally competitive' in the private sector. VA has consistently been ranked as one of the more 'Business Friendly' states in recent years. For 2011 we were #1

http://www.cnbc.com/id/41666602/

Just a few years ago, Northrop Grumman moved their headquarters to VA over MD citing our more favorable tax environment.

Also, I agree with you in regards to McDonnell being a solid choice for VP. I think he'd even be a solid choice for a cabinet position. Maybe Atty. Gen. or something like that. Regardless, his success and popularity provide him with an opportunity to extend himself in politics to the national level.

[ATrain]

Not sure what you mean by 'marginally competitive' in the private sector. VA has consistently been ranked as one of the more 'Business Friendly' states in recent years. For 2011 we were #1

http://www.cnbc.com/id/41666602/

Just a few years ago, Northrop Grumman moved their headquarters to VA over MD citing our more favorable tax environment.

Also, I agree with you in regards to McDonnell being a solid choice for VP. I think he'd even be a solid choice for a cabinet position. Maybe Atty. Gen. or something like that. Regardless, his success and popularity provide him with an opportunity to extend himself in politics to the national level.

By Marginally Competitive, I meant the Commonwealth of Virginia as an employer. The state is greatly competitive in attracting the private sector here.

[jbock13]

Anyway, back on-topic, McDonnell would be a good pick for the Republican side.

Agree. Sorry if I came off like I was attacking you for what you do. I worded that absolutely terribly

[ATrain]

Anyway, back on-topic, McDonnell would be a good pick for the Republican side.

Agree. Sorry if I came off like I was attacking you for what you do. I worded that absolutely terribly

You are forgiven young padawan.

[WinthropEagleFan]

I can't wait for this week to be over. Living in SC in primary season is a nightmare. About 20 robo-call messages from the Romney camp in the last week. Gets old really fast.

[jbock13]

What's the difference between a robo-call and Mitt Romney? They're both programmed to tell you exactly what you want to hear!

I remember last year I was having dinner with my parents, and we got a phone call. I suggested it was probably Governor McDonell, and we all laughed because it was election day, so we flippingly stated, "oh, it's just the Governor." Turns out my hunch was right. Can't say that in the past. Getting a call for the Governor wasn't a robo call.

[Purple Haize]

That is the best joke you have?

Iraq either fooled the world's intelligence agency's or divested themselves of them to other countries. Yes, I do believe Iran when they say they want to wipe Israel off the map.

I think Mitt is keeping a lot of his powder dry until the general election.

[jbock13]

But Haize, Iran doesn't have the capability to wipe Israel off the map. Everybody loves that cliche, especially Bill Krystol who never found a Muslim he didn't want to bomb, but it means nothing unless you can back it up. Israel could wipe Iran off the map, right now. Why don't they? Because they know Iran doesn't have the capability yet. If a legitimate threat ever rose, such as an actual miltary invasion, Israel would be able to dispatch the Iranians rather quickly. Oh sure, Isrsel puts out press releases so they can get the U.S involved, but just think about and ask, does this make logical sense? They're no different than North Korea. Give us our allowance or we'll bomb you! You give them their allowance and they whine about it again when they need more attention. Meanwhile you roll your eyes because you know North Korea is nowhere close towards being able to fire a missile. And if they ever did, you know the U.S Military would scortch the entire country in 5 seconds flat.

Just something to chew on there.

[flamehunter]

Ahhh, I remember the good old days when I knew as much as jbock. Then I got old and dumber.

[jbock13]

I do let my ego get the way I admit, I just like to discuss issues. I really do enjoy it and having a good community to discuss it with.

[Purple Haize]

JBOCK. Israel does not wipe Iran off the map because Israelis enjoy life more then death. Israel, and I'll catch crap, is ONLY successful when waging defensive wars and counter attacks. They also subscribe to MAD. Iran has no such restraint. Theirs is a different culture. When they have the capacity, they will do their best to wipe Israel off the map. Look at the support they give Hamas et al. Iran wants to be the Islamic Caliphate and with nuclear weapons they will be a stronger leader in that area then would be wise.
N. Korea is a whole other ball of wax. Partially because they are so backwards compared to their Souther neighbors it isn't even funny.

[Purple Haize]

Paul just called Santorum overly sensitive! Chalk one up for the old fella!

[jbock13]

I would disagree Haize. Do you remember the "Green" Revolution? Obviously Iranians exist who are not in love with the radical Islamofacist government. But if we and Israel bombs them, those people will have to turn towards the radical government to protect them.

We saw this in Afghanistan and Iraq.

[Purple Haize]

I would disagree Haize. Do you remember the "Green" Revolution? Obviously Iranians exist who are not in love with the radical Islamofacist government. But if we and Israel bombs them, those people will have to turn towards the radical government to protect them.

We saw this in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Disagree. Look at the Kurds in Iraq, they were pretty supportive.
You are right that there is a youth movement in Iran to topple the govt. Persians are the most educated of anyone in the region. The more educated, the less people buy into the masogynistic regime. Our CURRENT President dropped the ball on that one.

[jbock13]

Yeah but our current president believes that Hawaii is in Asia, babies should be given breathlyzers in the hospital, that there are 57 states, and that Austrians speak Austrian so that doesn't surprise me

[Purple Haize]

Yeah but our current president believes that Hawaii is in Asia, babies should be given breathlyzers in the hospital, that there are 57 states, and that Austrians speak Austrian so that doesn't surprise me

Well, there is that

[ALUmnus]

But Haize, Iran doesn't have the capability to wipe Israel off the map. Everybody loves that cliche, especially Bill Krystol who never found a Muslim he didn't want to bomb, but it means nothing unless you can back it up. Israel could wipe Iran off the map, right now. Why don't they? Because they know Iran doesn't have the capability yet. If a legitimate threat ever rose, such as an actual miltary invasion, Israel would be able to dispatch the Iranians rather quickly. Oh sure, Isrsel puts out press releases so they can get the U.S involved, but just think about and ask, does this make logical sense? They're no different than North Korea. Give us our allowance or we'll bomb you! You give them their allowance and they whine about it again when they need more attention. Meanwhile you roll your eyes because you know North Korea is nowhere close towards being able to fire a missile. And if they ever did, you know the U.S Military would scortch the entire country in 5 seconds flat.

Just something to chew on there.

You really do excel in hyperbole. So Iran is basically a non-issue....until they actually have nuclear capabilities, is that right? And as for the Israel stuff, you sound like one of these "the Zionists are everywhere!" people (which I guess is common for a doctor Paul supporter).

[jbock13]

Way to just distort what you want to be true. I never said Israel is part of some global conspiracy, I said that Israel is keeping its allies on high alert just so that they will join them in some endevour.

What's your solution? We should just go into Iran and fight now? And then go to Pakistan? And then go to Yemen?

Have you ever opened your mind to the fact that Paul could be right? On even one thing? Or, is he just a kook, cause Karl Rove and Sean Hannity told you so?

[ALUmnus]

Nobody on here brings up Rove and Hannity except for you, I think you're the only one who listens to either. I've said many times that I like a lot of what Ron Paul says, but I also disagree with a lot of what he says. I disagree with a lot of his foreign policy ideas (not all), and think he talks a lot in theory but not reality. And the areas where I think he's wrong are very high-risk. Ron Paul guys, it's okay when someone disagrees with you, it goes along with that whole personal liberty thing.

[Humble_Opinion]

No one knew that North Korea had attained the bomb until they successfully tested it underground. The argument always was that they were a few years away from the technology and that even if they attained it, they would not have a real means to deliver it. These same people now are saying the same sort of things about Iran and it's capabilities. No one truly knows for sure whether or not they have the bomb. We do know that they have reportedly reached the needed levels of enrichment to produce one though. At the same time, they are the largest state sponsor of terror, they are holocaust deniers, and they repeatedly threaten Israel. To then say that Israel is making a bunch of noise to entice the U.S. is silly. You claimed in your post that if Iran were to strike against Israel then they would "easily dispatch" the attack. On what grounds do you base that on? The fact that Israel has successfully defended itself in three open wars on it's borders up to this point is nothing short of a miracle.

As far as Ron Paul goes, I think there are many questions left unanswered about some of his ties to more extreme views on Israel earlier in his career. The man is smart and he knows the Constitution, which I can appreciate, but I think his views on foreign policy would result in fires all over the world.

[jbock13]

Look at Israel's military. And then look at the rest of the surrounding world. It's a joke, and Israel could probably wipe out the entire Middle East if they desired to. Then what's our solution? Should we invade Iran now? You hear on the news of the propaganda the Iranian regime puts out. You truly believe what they say? You all are evading the question by trying to force me into somehow proving a negative.

As for North Korean's bomb, what good is it when they don't even have enough energy to build more than 20 of them? And their range comes nowhere close to affecting us in anyway.

I don't know if Ron Paul is right about them not having capability, but I haven't seen any true objective information that says they are. Remember when our drone crashed? They had to call the Chinese for help, because they were clearly too stupid to understand all the technology (as if the Chinese were much smarter).

Oh, but then again, because the somehow somewhere the Bible says so, Israel should be adopted as our 51'st state (or if you're Obama, 58'th).

[Humble_Opinion]

I will not argue that Israel certainly has a superbly trained and equipped military. The point I'm making though is that they don't have enough of a military to adequately defend their borders and simultaneously launch attacks (counterattacks based on history) against enemies. Sure they have reserve forces, but you're forgetting that their lack of manpower comes in to play for any conflict that wages on longer than a few weeks. When they were attacked in 1973 they almost lost the war in the first three days. Had it not been for the U.S. resupplying them, the result could have been different. Remember that their reserves consist of virtually all males in the country age 18+. If they were engaged in a conflict for longer than a few weeks, their economy might grind to a halt, which would destroy them. The reason you see such an urgency in the reporting, which I admit results in some exagerrations regarding the actual situation, is because Israel does not have a lot of land to defend. In today's mechanized environment, warfare moves extremely fast and there would not be much time to respond to any attack.

Regarding information on the bomb, what would you define as an "objective" source? Plenty of sources exist and have been made known, so one could only assume that based on your statement, your criteria has not yet been met.

[Humble_Opinion]

And I don't think they should be the 51st state... they should be the 58th