Really now, I'm appaulled at the way a lot of people think, not just the young, but the old as well.

Of anyone on this board, pgardn makes the most sense in these matters. I will listen to him.

Then continue to be close minded. I like to take in EVERYTHING and then make my own decision based upon the information I've come across. Some of the points you've brought up are valid, and some of them are not. Not everyone agrees with your opinions, but it doesn't make those people bad people. My point is this... don't hate something because you've been told to hate it. Hate something because you've researched it yourself and looked at all of the bases.

well this whole thread has gone to waste.....

i think pgardn makes a lot of sense. but i'm not going to only go by what he says--that's not being open-minded. nor is it being open-minded if you read a lot of material, but it's all the same theme. read every point of view, every side, especially if it is opposite of what you viewed as truth. that's how you learn. you already know what YOU know. always more than one side to any issue.

That is exactly the point I was trying to get across too, but you put it into better words. Thanks.

i think from now on tho i will type things as they sound, rather than correct spelling. monipenny has shown me the light.

or iz it lyte? lyt....lit....liit?? lyyt??? hehhehhe

Man... I hop on for two minutes to the final page in this thread and realize it must have gotten VERY interesting. :) I'll have to go back and read the six or so pages I missed later this weekend... happy Friday; I'm off to see "Black Dahlia."

enjoy, eat some whoppers for me. and popcorn.

Okay-- two more minutes and then I'm out of here. Really.

Mmmm... whoppers. Though I must admit, I did not appreciate malted milk until recently. As a kid, I thought malted milk balls tasted like evil. I like them now, which means either I was wrong as a kid or I have changed my position about evil as a grownup.

i love them, but have't eaten them in forever--not exactly a health food!

and yes, tastes do change. altho i still refuse to eat liver or brussell sprouts.

Well, that is how you and I differ Cajun. I don't hate anything in this world. Problems don't get solved by hating; they get solved by loving. That is one of the major problems with today's society. Everybody thinks that they have to hate someone because they differ from them in opinion. It is why this country is torn in half right now just as it was during Vietnam. I also think that it is ironic that you brought this up...

"Not everyone agrees with your opinions, but it doesn't make those people bad people."

You haven't contributed anything to this tread other than personally criticizing me. I haven't personally attacked anyone on this thread although others have called me hopeless and close-minded and a "liberalist" in very derogatory ways. Well, it isn't your fault that you called me close-minded. American society has taught us to personally attack and criticize those who have opposing views. The capitalist econonmy also contributes to this because it makes us very competitive in which the more competitive succeed, and often succeed by criticizing the others and calling them stupid...kind of like the Democrats and the Republicans do.

While others have made valid points, some are extremely biased, and pgardn presented the facts in a very unbiased way. You are way off based if you think that I am close minded because that is very far from the truth, and just your opinion. Just for the record, I am neither a liberal, conserv., Dem., or Repub.

The fact is that I have researched these topics extensively and this is where I stand. I have even got expert facts, not from the news, but from an astute political scientist.

Whoever thought that I didn't know that the gas prices were going down because the price of barrels of oil were going down...well, let's just say I know a lot more than you think that I do. We get most of our oil from OPEC, which is basically Saudi Arabia. A good argument can be made that the leaders of Saudi Arabia have been doing the same thing that the leaders of Iraq are doing, yet we went to war with one and are allies with another. It is also an important fact, that two leaders in the White House, Bush and Cheney, are oilmen. This is quite a dilemma especially because Cheney was put in charge of this country's energy programs. When Cheney went to Saudi Arabia, he received wild applause. Dalankani was right when he said that the US government didn't/couldn't affect oil prices directly, but did/could indirectly. Also, Bush said that gas prices would go down in the fall of this year anyway because he was going to wait and get through the summer before he turned to our oil reserves. There is little doubt that there was a political agenda behind this. However, instead of using our oil reserves, OPEC is now saying that they miscalculated the amount of oil that Americans were going to consume this year, and that is why the prices of barrels of oil have come down. They also said that they now have competitors. However, earlier in the year, experts said that we wouldn't be seeing a long-term decrease in gas prices for two or three years. With all of this information presented, I will guarantee that both the oil prices and consequently the gas prices will rise again after the elections. Now this may/may not be a cause of the Bush administration. I was just pointing out the facts of the situation and my opinion that gas prices would most likely rise. It is a sensible prediction whether I am right or wrong. I'll leave on this note, money and the power of a limited number of individuals rule the world.

Have fun Genuine Risk!!! I'm getting ready to go out to eat myself.

Now that's what I call a really loving approach.

I've known thousands of people in my lifetime ...

... but I've never known a single one ... friend or foe ... who believed they have to hate someone because they differ from them in opinion.

What type of people do you associate with?

And also, if you can't eat yourself, who will?

Reminds me of my dog...
Q: Why do dogs lick their balls?
A: Because they can.

I've had the good ... nay, blessed ... fortune to abide in America for 63 years now ... and no one has ever tried to teach me to personally attack and criticize those who have opposing views.

In fact ... I've always been taught just the opposite.

Again I ask ... who has taught you to personally attack and criticize those who have opposing views?

ah, how profound. and right on!

Oh ... so that's how all those entrepreneurs whose ideas and productivity have helped improve all our lives got ahead ...

... they criticized others and called them stupid.

How did you find that out ... since all those "How To Succeed" books say just the opposite?

Do you fail to see the irony in that statement?

Ummm ... you don't know quite as much as you think you do.

Most of our oil comes from domestic production ... or is imported from Mexico and other western hemisphere countries.

There are more internal contradictions here than in Rubik's Cube.

This paragraph can become a challenge similar to the deciphering of the Rosetta Stone. I call on all etymologists and linguists to take up the cudgel.

Since the number is so limited ...

... can you please provide a list of the names of those who are controlling my destiny?

I'd like to send them birthday cards ... just to stay on their good sides.

Wow... I never criticized anyone and I surely don't hate anyone on here for being democrat, etc. We are all entitled to our opinions. But with that said, can you ever admit when you are wrong about something, Jessica? I don't understand why you are upset with me over this, but the fact is, you're wrong.

Gator: Jessica has an astute advisor, who has broadened her horizons, and warned about people with different opinions. Her reaction is typical, young, thin-skinned, extemporaneous facts and suppostions undoubtedly clouded by no 'real world' experience to guage the merits of the discussion. No prob... she'll learn..hopefully

It is just your opinion that I am wrong, and I always apologize and admit when I am wrong. Everyone on this board knows that, and I'm sure others will tell you that. However, I believe that I am not wrong, and you can't prove that I am wrong at this point. The only problem with that nothing is set in stone. The facts of this Bush administration and the wars aren't written in the history books, and even if they were, history tends to change itself over the years because new information can be discovered and added. I'm not upset at you over this, but your thinking is flawed, especially if you think that it is a fact that I am wrong because you don't know if I am wrong, and won't know for sure for many years.

Please tell me what the contradictions are BB. I summarized the facts of various websites...you be the judge for yourself what is right and what isn't. It is called an open-minded approach, and I will post the various websites for you if you would like. I posted the facts for both sides of the argument, then gave my opinion.

Sorry, but the personal attacks won't make me shutup or go away. It's called integrity, and nope I haven't been warned about people with different opinions, but I do know that when I start presenting them with facts and they start personally attacking, that I am winning the argument. Thin-skinned...I don't think so. Am I acting like I'm thin-skinned? No, if I was thin-skinned I would have given up a long time ago. No real world experience...let's just say that my own mother has said that I have had a tough enough life for three or four people. Some here know what I am going through, and some of the things that I have gone through. Many would have fallen into extreme depression, but I keep plugging away. I live in the real world and am not naive. You know nothing about me.

KR: I'm not attacking you! The same flawed thinking you accuse CGator of, you are guilty of also. WAAAH If you think THAT was an attack, you'd better stay a student. Other than that ...good luck and hope things work out for you!

And what flawed thinking is that Tim, having a different opinion from you and Cajun. WAAAH. LOL :D

I have never been attacked like I have on this board in real life. That is because most people from this board wouldn't have the balls to say some of this stuff in real life. You can hide behind the screen name here. Sure, I've had people get in my face before, and have gotten into some heated discussions with people in real life, but they never personally attack me...at least, people that I don't know very well. I never back down if I think I am right. However, listening to other people has made me change my mind before. Once I was like you, and thought that the government was good and wouldn't dare lie to its people. I worshipped Bush, but then I changed. I came into the 'real world'. LOL.

"Thin-skinned" describes someone who overreacts to even the most benign attempts at analysis and provision of advice.

That's exactly what you've done on several occasions. Providing contradictory facts and/or expressing opposing opinions ... is not a personal attack.

I sure as hell don't worship Bush. Am I a Republican? Yes, I most certainly am. I was a Republican before GW and I'll be a Republican after GW. He doesn't make the Republican party, but hey... you'd know that if you bothered to look into it. And please point out to me where someone has posted that the "government is good and wouldn't dare lie to its people?" Geesh... everyone knows that there is scum in the government. Hell, anywhere that things are run by humans, there's going to be scum. That's the way it's always been.

Experience ... by definition ... is something which can only be acquired with time ... it's not something which can be manufactured or willed.

Don't feel bad that most people here are older than you are ... because some day you'll be the old one ... and more in a position to understand what experience really is.

We were all once as young as you are ... but you've never been as old as we are.

You got that right, old man ... I'll never be as old as you! HAHA! :D

I think that was a description of the Clinton administration ...

... no lies ... ever.

And Jessica will never be as old as you.

You're right about that... I am feeling the years right now as we type. :eek: :p

Well, some people grow up faster than others do because they have to. Just because I don't supposedly have any "real world experience" according to you all, doesn't mean that I'm not smarter and wiser than some of the people who are older than me. Experience is all what you do with it. For example...I had a friend who had ridden a lot longer than me yet I beat her every time in the big EQ classes. She couldn't figure out how in the world that I was beating her when she had ridden twice as long as me. Well, even though she thought that she had more experience than me, she really didn't. She had only been riding one horse a day, whereas I had been riding four and five. It took me half the time to become a professional trainer than it does most people. By the time I was seventeen, I had clients. Of course, I was lucky. I had a great teacher who saw the potential and determination, took me under her wing, and got me started. Of course, I have had to let off of it because of my college work and other jobs. Boy, do I miss it, but I will rise back to the top one of these days.

I don't get the "real world" experience remarks anyway when it comes to matters such as politics. It's what you know, and how you use what you know...not how old you are or how much experience you have.

[quote=kentuckyrosesinmay]Well, some people grow up faster than others do because they have to. Just because I don't supposedly have any "real world experience" according to you all, doesn't mean that I'm not smarter and wiser than people who are older than me. Experience is all what you do with it. For example...I had a friend who had ridden a lot longer than me yet I beat her every time in the big EQ classes. She couldn't figure out how in the world that I was beating her when she had ridden twice as long as me. Well, even though she thought that she had more experience than me, she really didn't. She had only been riding one horse a day, whereas I had been riding four and five. It took me half the time to become a professional trainer than it does most people. By the time I was seventeen, I had clients. Of course, I was lucky. I had a great teacher who saw the potential and determination, took me under her wing, and got me started. Of course, I have had to let off of it because of my college work and other jobs. Boy, do I miss it, but I will rise back to the top one of these days.

I don't get the "real world" experience remarks anyway when it comes to matters such as politics. It's what you know, and how you use what you

Just curious, but what do you consider "the top?" I would say making the Olympic team would be the top of the equestrian world. Have you done that? If so, I'm impressed.

When did I say that Bush makes up the Republican party? In fact, some of the Republicans are starting to speak up against some of the things that Bush is doing. And please don't assume that I don't know this stuff. I know that Bush doesn't make up the entire Republican party. In fact, please go back and post where I would have directly stated or implied that I thought Bush ran the entire Republican party. You won't find it because I never said it or anything that resembled it. I know that Bush is only "one" representative of the Republican party that has many other representatives.

So...you're a Republican...I must say that was gutsy to admit that under the circumstances. So no wonder your views are different...I'm not in either party or for any party in particular. I'm for the people who I think will best serve this country and its people no matter the party. I don't want to limit myself like that. It's an individual sort of thing for me. I like some things the Repubs do and some things the Dems do.

Most of all, I'm for America, her people, and those who are fighting for this wonderful country. I wish we had a monument rising out of the fallen World Trade Centers symbolizing our strength and the people who died bravely for us. We need to stand together in these times. It is the only way that this great empire will succeed through this struggle. We must have courage like those in 1776 did. We must stand firm and unwavering. It is the only way in which we will win as a country. She is falling on a downhill slope right now.

I was taught by my father that you should always vote for your party. It's the party that rules the country. There are things that I like and dislike about both the Republican party and the Democrat party, but either way, I'm going to vote for the Republican candidate for President because I made up my mind that I was a Republican and that's how you show your support. Basically, it's either one or the other.

Here's what I'd like you to do ...

... save all these political threads on which you've participated ... put them on a disc and/or print them out ... and put them in a drawer or box some place ... with a little note that says ... "Do Not Open Until 2030." And don't lose the box.

When you open the box ... and read what you said here 23 years ago ... you'll be in for quite a shock.

Then contact me on the "Remember When There Used To Be Something Called Thoroughbred Racing?" website ... and we'll have a few laughs.