"I've listened carefully to the president's speech [to a joint session of Congress and the nation]. I think it is the boldest effort we've seen to create a European socialist model," - Newt Gingrich
First of all, Newt (may I call you Newt?) There are no countries in Europe that are socialist. Almost all are democracies. Social democracies, yes. Some controlled by social democrats, yes. But they are not socialist.
Second, I'd like to know why so many conservatives are hostile towards European models. They produce some pretty solid results:
Percent of population living with HIV:
Germany .6%
Switzerland .4%
Denmark .2%
Netherlands- .2%
Italy- .5%
United States- .6%
Rate of Inflation
France 3.4%
Germany 2.8%
Switzerland 2.4%
Denmark 3.5%
Netherlands 2.6%
Italy- 3.6%
United States- 4.2%
Number of citizens without health insurance:
France- Zero
Germany - Zero
Switzerland- Zero
Denmark - Zero
Netherlands- Zero
Italy- Zero
United States- 40 million plus
Amongst European nations, only Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova have higher homicide rates than the U.S. The U.S. has more rapes per capita than any European nation.
I'm not moving there anytime soon, but what is so wrong with Europe, Newt?
Message to the Democrats:
In case you've been asleep the last three months, allow me to point something out:
YOU WON!!!
Stop giving in to the GOP on the stimulus bill!!! Because they would never give in to you.
Overeager fans and writers are already calling Super Bowl 43 one of the best ever played, and better than last year's game.
Whoa. Slow down there!
There were 16 penalties in this game, including 5 personal fouls. That's twice as many penalties as last year.
Last year, neither team ever lead by more than 4 points. This year, AZ played one decent quarter to take the lead after sinking to a 13 point deficit.
Last year, history was on the line. While the Cardinals could have won their first SB title in team history this year, that pales in comparrison to New England's attempt to go 19-0.
This year's media focus was on individuals- Warner, Fitzgerald, Tomlin, Roethlisberger. Last year was about two TEAMS.
Last year's game had a shocking final result. This one did not.
In short, 3 and a half minutes of a frantic finish does not make up for 56 and a half minutes of sloppy, undisciplined football.
Allow me to express myself via the ancient Japanese art of Haiku:
Guantanamo? Closed!
Habeas Corpus? Alive!
No more torture, too!
From an interview on ABC news
BUSH: One of the major theaters against al Qaeda turns out to have been Iraq. This is where al Qaeda said they were going to take their stand. This is where al Qaeda was hoping to take–
RADDATZ: But not until
after the U.S. invaded.
BUSH:
Yeah, that’s right. So what? The point is that al Qaeda said they’re going to take a stand. Well, first of all in the post-9/11 environment Saddam Hussein posed a threat. And then upon removal, al Qaeda decides to take a stand.
A "Don't blame me, I voted for McCain" T shirt was spotted by a friend on November 10.
Way to be optimistic, people.
Mike wins major points for his guess of November 15.
Let's do something different this time.
Anyone can pick the numbers. The Electoral College, the Senate races. Let's see who REALLY knows their politics.
Predict the dates on which the following will occur:
1) Assuming an Obama victory, on what date will Bristol Palin's baby-daddy announce he is NOT going to marry the mother of his child?
2) On what day will we see the first "Don't Blame Me, I voted for (insert loser here)" bumper sticker? (working on the honor system here, people.)
3) On what day will the new administration announce its first cabinet appointee?
4) On what day will the Vice President elect appear on Meet the Press?
Whoever is the closest, assigning one point per day away from accuracy (lowest point total wins) gets a guest post on Southpawspot.
