They like Bush, and they are not stupid (Superb piece; Must Read)

The Age ^ | Friday, January 23, 2004 | CAROLINE OVERINGTON

[KangarooJacqui]

You DO know your Australian history. Goodonya, mate! (*grin*)

[Snerfling]

not to minimize the sacrifice that those 500 brave souls and their families have made

I believe the killing rate during WWII for American servicemen was 7,000 per week.

[AnAmericanMother]

:-D

I had a boss awhile back who was an Aussie, loved talking about Godzone with him.

I've even eaten damper (hey, after grits, it was nuthin'!)

[Lando Lincoln]

Thank you John. Excellent article!

Lando

[chimera]

Probably during the "peak" years. Total fatal casualties of about 500,000 (a little less, actually) over a four year period.

The average rate for all combatants during the first world war was about 6,000 deaths per day. Those were mostly military personnel. The bad thing about the second war was not only a larger total, but the majority were civilians. The Russkies lost, what, 20,000,000 civilians alone? They really took a hit...

[BibChr]

JohnHuang2 says "must read," so I read.

And am glad of it!

Dan

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for posting this excellent article.

[KangarooJacqui]

Ah yes, damper. (*grins nostalgically*) I must remember to make some of that, next time I go bushwalking (also known as hiking to Americans, tramping to New Zealanders, and trekking to South Africans)...

I spent 13 months in the U.S.*, but I never did eat grits. What, praytell, ARE grits, anyway?

(*I married a north-easterner, and never quite did "get" southern cuisine)

[ohioWfan]

Second, Americans like Bush. They see him as patriotic, family-centred and self-disciplined. He is also teetotal, conservative, and Christian. He supports marriage, and opposes abortion and homosexual marriage. There are people who think this makes him a bit old-fashioned but millions of Americans like old-fashioned values.

This also bears repeating.........with this addendum.......

The only REAL values Americans have are 'old-fashioned' values.

[Mo1]

The only REAL values Americans have are 'old-fashioned' values.

I'll take old-fashioned values any day

[Reagan Man]

American voters will go to the polls this November and choose between either John Kerry, Howard Dean, Wes Clark, John Edwards and the current occupant of the White House, President Bush. In my book, Bush is the best choice and frankly the only choice.

The President has handled the aftermath of the 9-11 attacks with courage, determination and moral clarity. He's done a remarkable job in the prosecuting the war on terrorism and his all around efforts to secure, protect and defend the American people have been highly successful. He has taken the fight to the terrorists in their own homeland and he has waged war in the name of freedom and liberty. For all that, the President deserves the support of all American's.

On domestic economic issues, Bush hasn't controlled federal spending to the satisfaction of many fiscal conservatives and his recent immigration reform proposals are deadwrong. But when I view the alternative choices, there's no doubt who gets my vote on election day 2004. The Bush tax cuts have stimulated earnings, investment and savings, significantly expanding economic growth. America is back on track.

I don't want to see any of the liberal Democrats running today --- Kerry, Dean, Edwards, Clark --- sitting in the Oval Office attempting to prosecute the WoT, as they raise taxes to increase spending for more and larger social welfare and entitlement programs.

All in all, the President deserves another term in office.

[pettifogger]

The couple told me they had just been to a private meeting with Bush to discuss the loss of their son. At the time, it was already clear that Saddam didn't have any weapons of mass destruction.

But, but, the President doesn't CARE about the families of the troops. He hasn't gone to one funeral. He hasn't met with the families. He has the blood of 500 soliders on his hands . . . . < /s>

[AnAmericanMother]

I can tell you what grits are, 'cause I've made 'em from the dried corn, not just bought 'em in the box.

Grits are what you do with the big ears of coarse maize or Indian corn ('mule corn' as in only fit for mules to eat) to make it fit for human consumption.

First, you take the dried corn kernels off the cob. Then you take a can of Red Devil Lye and mix it with enough water to cover your dried and shelled corn. Soak it for 2-3 days in the back yard until the skins split and the little nib (the point of the kernel) comes off. Next, RINSE, RINSE, RINSE that corn until you're sure all the lye is rinsed out along with the skins. Then rinse it again to be sure (if you're a city slicker, get out your Ph paper . . . :-D ) Spread it out on old bedsheets or butcher paper to dry.

Now you have hominy, the little heart or germ cell of the corn kernels. If you grind it fine, it will become corn meal. If you grind it coarse, it will be grits.

Once ground, you can boil it in about the same amount of water you'd use for rice, until it is tender and the consistency of a thick (but very grainy) sauce. Serve with butter or redeye gravy. The only way I can stand it is with lots of butter and cheese cooked in.

I'm afraid grits are an acquired taste, like oysters. (I don't like oysters either.)

[KangarooJacqui]

I like oysters...

That recipe for grits sounds a bit like an "acquired taste" to me, however.

That said, many thanks to you for sharing! :-)

[olliemb]

I agree with your statement re:"Iraq's government is gone. has been for quite some time. We're just there keepin' the streets clean until they can do it themselves"

How true--again the constant ranting of Iraq = Vietnam is so old and so not the same.

[olliemb]

Why do you suppose the United Nations, and all the countries of the security council, and congress and the senate and the Clinton administration all believed that there were WMD? President Bush did not make this up--no one said he was wrong, what they (security council and the antiwar protesters objected to was standing up to Saddam and finally standing up to the 17+resolutions re: SAddam and Iraq). What do you suppose he did after using the WMD on his people? Do you think he ran out of the stuff and then quit making it? Why did they not just admit that and turn over the programs to the UN.

By the way I remember in President Bush's speech in Cincinnati before Iraq war when he was presenting his case--he mentioned WMD programs as well as regime change. Many hear and remember that which they want.

[blackie]

The price of freedom is high ~ GWB Is The Man!

Great read ~ Bump!

[I. M. Trenchant]

Your evaluation notwithstanding, the post does not address the issues that are of greatest importance, and the factual basis for what is claimed in the post is questionable, e.g.,

With more that 100,000 troops the deaths are .005% less than deaths due to training accidents during non battle years.

Have you given any serious thought to what this statement says? Think about it.

This is a 'feelgood post' of the kind that abounded throughout the Vietnam War right up to the total collapse of the U.S. commitment and the fall of South Vietnam, e.g.,

Also it is better and ask ANY SOLDIER, to fight the killers in Iraq than on the streets in America.

Just substitute Vietnam for Iraq in this sentence and the sentiment could have been engraved on LBJ's tombstone.

[Michael121]

Gary Ivan Gordon
Master Sergeant, U.S. Army

Randall David Shughart
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

2 Medal Of Honor Recipients (Posthumously) For Actions in Somalia. Never forget those who risked their lives when in no way were they ordered to do so.

http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/mohsom.htm

For what they did.

I salute them and the rest who wear this Nation's Uniforms.

[P.O.E.]

BTTT