The World Situation

[Oliver]

Frivilous as it may seem, I have no opinion of any importance on the overall situation. I believe, though, optimist that I am, that eventually all the little crack-pot countries will get hold of nuclear weapons and though there may never be the total destruction of a full exchange between this country and say, the former Soviet Union, or Red China, major cities-even in this country-will be nuked someday. Do you really believe that someone like Ben Laden would show any restraint if he could wipe out Washington D.C.?

[Oliver]

When it comes to the world situation, there is practically nothing that I can comment on that would display any sense of insight into anything relevant. And with that brutally honest evaluation, I should simply say "good day."
 

[admin]

Hey Oliver,

I'm sure there is something you can comment about! What do you think of the recent news that Iraq had over a $30 billion surplus from 05 to now and is currently projected to have another $80 billion in surplus over the next couple years.

We have paid almost $50 billion of our hard earned tax dollars on reconstruction of Iraq since the invasion. While Iraq has anted up around $4 billion of their own money the whole time. I think its about time they started to pony up some cash to rebuild their own country.

[Oliver]

Sounds good to me.

Do you know how to go about getting that to happen? It'd probably take a little more than one of these collection agencies, right?

[admin]

I don't think there is much we can do about what we already spent, aside from ask nicely. What we can do is contact our representive and demand that they support cutting future spending on Iraq's reconstruction. The Iraq's are building this huge surplus while we foot the bill. Most of the windfall surpluses are a result of the price of crude going through the roof. So we are not only giving them our tax dollars but all there surplus is coming from us too, in the form of these outrageous gas prices.

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[Oliver]

To borrow from the poet Robert Frost who said about life: "It goes on.",  I'd sum up the "world situation" as: "It goes on."

Is the human population now 5 billion?  Or more? I wonder what everyone's thinking about all those extra numbers? Considering a lot of the problems human face, and have gone to war over, such as scarce resources,  especially within certain "established' boundaries, the Chinese attempt to curb their population may eventually spread to the other countries.   

Even the optimistic part of me could see a crowded world where places like Iraq, etc; could have nukes, and sneak some in or near enough somehow. (they're pretty sneaky as 9-11 revealed AND, gosh, willing to commit suicide to accomplish it, so, I don't doubt that those who have a burning hate for this country would not hesitate to use the nukes on NY or D.C., Chicago, L.A. anywhere to get the most bang for the buck.)

Anyway, so far the caucasians have only used two of their thousands (?) of bombs, and those ended WWII from a prolonged, horrible toll all around.

When that unknown date comes when other races may not be so restrictive, heaven help whomever is our commander-in-chief to judge what best to do. I would not be surprised if nukes on several of our cities would not end up with our retaliation that would wipe out a small country, such as Iran, etc; the innocent along with those responsible.

But when the last earth life succumbs whether by mankind's actions or nature's or God's or the devil's, the mass of this planet will be around quite some time, till life from elsewhere comes and sizes up what happened..

But in the meantime, keep a'smilin' through! It goes on.   

[Oliver]

Gosh, it's probably amazing it works as well as it does, don't you think?

[Oliver]

The lastest spam is about gas milage. Well, how about that? What is needed is something other than gas for a change.

[Oliver]

It does not seem clear to me why life in this country, or the world for that matter, is suffering so right now. Was it all the banking thing that knocked down the stock market?

There was a BIG increase in the price of oil and gas.....BUT now it's lower than before it sky-rocketed....Does not that help??

Could it be that all that's happening is sort of a shedding of excess?? I absolutely mean not a trace of disrespect for anyone who has lost a job because that must be devastating unless one has another source of income, but, perhaps it is in some sense a sort of "weight loss"----which could be a healthy thing(?)

[Oliver]

I've recently heard the term "bear market rally". What that suggests is that the recent several weeks of gains in the DOW Jones, I believe some 20%, does not mean the bottom has been hit.  That would mean that it will again go down to 6500 pts or lesssssss.. What a downer.....

[Country Gal]

This Swine Flu ordeal.. Is it really as bad as they say?...Its like a plane crash.. you hear about it because so many have tragically lost their life, but look at the amount of people that die in car crashes, cancer, or some other disease.   When its one at a time, its rarely mentioned..I've read where people have died of complications to flu, and other medical reasons, but, now, we have swine flu.. and everyone is running for cover.. I'm not saying its not bad, but now we have the drug companies making millions of dollars so everyone can run out and buy the antibiotic to help control this, the masks, and anything else possible to raise prices and scare the heck out of people.  Its not been that long ago everyone was scared out of their wits with MRSA.. and its still around, and some are not surviving.. but we aren't hearing much about it.. am I worried?.. not much, am I concerned, yes.. but I'm not running out to the Dr. to get a prescription for something I hopefully won't need.. If I do, I will make that friendly visit to the Dr. but hopefully, I won't.. and yes.. I do feel sorry for those going thru this...

[Oliver]

Hi, CG. I hear you. It's one of those things that you're danged if you do or don't. Probably better to be over-advised rather than under-advised. People should stay rational and calm, but, a lot don't. Bottom line is to avoid the unthinkable: millions dying as has happened in the past.

It would be hard to fathom millions dying of a flu in this modern age, though.

So, yes, someone makes money somewhere. And yes, whatever the finally flu tally will be, the staggering numbers of deaths from other illnesses and/or accidents go unreported since it is customary.

And yes, I am not all that concerned. As a matter of fact, I'm not around a lot of sneezing and coughing anymore.......

And yes, that "mersa" potential consequence on a perfectly healthy person is horribly frightening!