bluespaceoddity comments

Posted in: Remembering See in context

Throughout the city and within the park ceremonies are held for individual groups -for a variety of reasons- but as in previous years a representative of the Korean people also participated in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony on the morning of August 6, 2011. On the list of participating countries (As of August 2) -provided inside the booklet which every visitor to the ceremony receives- Republic of Korea is mentioned (Between Rep. of Kenya and Rep. of Latvia). Between 08:07 and 08:15 the representative of Korea laid a wreath of flowers at the side of the cenotaph together with other distinguished guests participating in the Dedication of Flowers, just prior to the tolling of the Peace Bell and moment of silence. 黙とう

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Brazil, Argentina could lead S American sweep See in context

... and then there was one.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Anger, sadness over fabricated Holocaust story See in context

People have moved on from this topic but I keep coming back to Bebert's comments.

Since the collapse of the wall there has been quite a lot of forensic investigation into -and at- the sites of former concentration camps. Some examples:

There was an archeological survey, conducted under the guidance of Andrzej Kola, prior to the construction of a new memorial at Belzec. The surveys revealed evidence of mass graves and remnants of structures of this Aktion Reinhard camp that was destroyed and abandoned by the Nazis before the end of the war. (See: Belzec, the Nazi camp for Jews in the light of archaeological sources: Excavations 1997-1999, Andrzej Kola) At Sobibor there are still ongoing archeological projects . See: www.undersobibor.com

In 1994, "A Study of the Cyanide Compounds Content in the Walls of the Gas Chambers in the former Auschwitz and Birkenau Concentration Camps." by Markiewicz, Gubala, Labedz, The Institute of Forensic Research, Cracow, was published about samples collected at various locations in the Auschwitz camps. Their findings are consistent with previous use of hydrogen cyanide, the gas released from Zyklon B, in these locations.

This list is by no means exhaustive. I'm curious if Bebert was aware of these studies and what, if any, his opinions are of their findings?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Anger, sadness over fabricated Holocaust story See in context

Anne Frank did keep a diary (June 1942-August 1944). Several volumes of her own, handwritten, entries survive. These volumes have been forensically tested and found authentic, repeatedly. Many events she describes in her diaries have been corroborated through other sources. External sources also provide historical evidence for events later in her short life, after the last entry in her diary (August 4, 1944). These include her arrest, deportation, transportation to and from various camps. (Westerbork, Auschwitz-Birkenau) We know that she, unlike her writing, didn't survive the holocaust. She died in Bergen Belsen. These camps also exist today, as a stark and undeniable memorials. There may be details from post war publications of her writing that you can question -and I'd like you be specific if you reply- but the broad narrative of this era in our history is indisputable and Anne Frank herself was one of its narrators. She commented on her own life and events in Amsterdam at the time of the German occupation. No belief is required to know that her diary is real nor that these events took place.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: McCain steps up attacks on Obama over ties to Ayers See in context

Obama has repeatedly denounced Farrakhan and criticized any kind of anti-semitism. Here is one example. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4pcZ2u8h_g

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Obama, McCain argue over war, taxes in 1st debate See in context

McCain has just released an other ad that distorts Obama's record on funding the troops while neglecting to inform people of his own record on the bill referenced in the ad. I had a look at the entry you mentioned at factcheck.org and agree that McCain isn't the only one stretching the record in this election. That site is filled with critical analysis of the distortions from both campaigns. I wish they would both stop distorting each others record and let people vote on the real merit of their own positions and actions.

I focused on the veterans issue since it is so central to the image McCain projects of himself. It seems more logical to assume that Obama doesn't have a record on this issue. The truth is that he has consistently voted for funding and introduced measures that benefit troops and veterans. I would argue that lack of exposure of his actions and voting history and not necessarily inexperience is the biggest problem he still faces. In that respect Obama has more to gain from the debates than McCain IMO.

I could come back and push the point a bit more but if you had a good look at Obama's record and have come to the conclusion that he at least has a Senate history that shows support for the troops and veterans that is as much as I could have hoped for with my recent comments here, I suppose.

Maybe an issue you can return to and reevaluate for yourself if doubt about McCain/Palin creeps in over the next couple of weeks. Maybe if you find yourself more on the fence, an evaluation of both their records on veterans affairs could tip you over. hehe

I don't know how you judge the reliability of votesmart or factcheck, I can appreciate that you want to go directly to the source but I don't have an other direct link or method to access the DAV scorecard.

Here is a link to the other org's evaluation of voting records Biden mentioned http://www.iava.org/full-ratings-list

Anyway thanks for the exchange of ideas. I am admittedly biased and on some issues further to the left than Obama but I'm glad my partisanship doesn't come across as shrieking.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Obama, McCain argue over war, taxes in 1st debate See in context

http://capwiz.com/dav/scorecard.xc

They issue a score card but the link is tricky to access. I suspect it is traffic heavy because of the elections and their server may get overwhelmed from time to time.

http://www.dav.org/voters/key_votes.html

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Obama, McCain argue over war, taxes in 1st debate See in context

Are the voting records inaccurate and are those grades not real?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Obama, McCain argue over war, taxes in 1st debate See in context

Is Biden's comment inaccurate?

Biden was respectful in the way he phrased his criticism and lauded McCain's service in uniform, he called McCain a hero. Service in uniform doesn't make a person immune to scrutiny of their record after they take that uniform off, though. That is what this is about. Comparing the claims and promises made by McCain with the record that reveals if he followed through on those promises. Comparing candidates and deciding which one best supports the issues you value the most.

The people who did serve in uniform rate their political leaders. As Biden also said "... don’t take it from me. Ask Disabled American Veterans, which represents millions of vets. They keep track of these things… John voted with DAV 20 percent of the time. Barack Obama – 80 percent of the time." and "Or ask the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. They keep track, too. They give letter grades, and they gave John McCain a “D”. Barack got at B plus."

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Obama, McCain argue over war, taxes in 1st debate See in context

Because Obama's own record shows that he has drafted, co-sponsored and voted for legislation that aids veterans and active duty troops. His words are supported by his actions as a Senator.

The factcheck link above shows it. Compare the voting records here by doing a name search and you'll see that it is accurate.

http://www.votesmart.org

Obama's and McCain's pages at that site but direct links may not work: http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=9490

http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=53270

Biden's quote above is also accurate "Being a veteran isn’t the same as being there for veterans."

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Obama, McCain argue over war, taxes in 1st debate See in context

Such as ...

Many veterans think McCain blew it on the MIA/POW issue during Vietnam normalization. Many veterans criticize McCain for his poor voting record and lack of action related to veterans healthcare etc. Obama should have stood up for those vets by countering McCain's comments more forcefully. Obama should have elaborated in detail about the bill's he himself has introduced and/or voted for that improve the lives of active duty and reired troops. Obama has been more active in that field and has a better voting record than McCain but doesn't get the credit for it. Even though Obama disgreed with the Iraq war and the way it was fought he did support bills that made funds available for armor, longer rests between deployments and care for returning troops etc. It's hard to tackle McCain on it since McCain is a veteran but as Biden said recently. "Being a veteran isn’t the same as being there for veterans." McCain has the reputation that he once again emotionally tried to reinforce during the debate but it is not supported by his record as a Senator. He tried to make the same claims during the debate that were previously proven inaccurate when he launched an ad with similar contend. http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/the_truth_on_troop_support.html

For tabling proposed measures, for voting against or abstaining from voting McCain gets lower grades than Obama when reviewing the way the candidates vote and the way the vet orgs would like them to vote on legislation related to veterans issues. Disabled American Veterans: McCain 20%, Obama 80% voting record. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America: McCain a D, Obama a B plus rating.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: McCain suspends campaigning over financial crisis; Obama rejects call for debate delay See in context

I understand your point and actually agree with it. It would indeed be good if the jobs they were originally hired/elected/or appointed to do would not suffer from their candidacy.

There is no argument that they had better voting and attendance records before they announced their candidacy. With the situation as it stands currently, however, two Senators running for President, I think the negotiations don't benefit from the presence of these candidates in DC.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: No bailout deal after McCain, Obama, Bush meeting See in context

Obama has introduced and supported several measures that improve the life and safety of active duty deployed troops and veterans. McCain's poor voting record on military related and veteran related issues is in contrast to his reputation. Veterans organizations who rate the voting records give Obama a better grade than McCain.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: McCain suspends campaigning over financial crisis; Obama rejects call for debate delay See in context

My original reply was to a comment, made by RomeoRamenII, about Obama's performance as a Senator.

You want to appoint a temp. while they campaign or fire and replace them completely when they accept a candidacy?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: McCain suspends campaigning over financial crisis; Obama rejects call for debate delay See in context

Earlier in this thread the suggestion was made that Obama has been derelict in his duties as a Senator. I pointed out that this claim can apply to both Presidential candidates and provided voting statistics to substantiate my rebuttal. You noted that Biden's performance was even worse by citing the numbers from the previous session of Congress. I provided the numbers for the current session. Regardless of the reasons, those numbers show that your claim about Biden isn't accurate.

Now let's go beyond voting records and see if either candidate has introduced any legislation. Introducing and sponsoring presumably means doing some actual work beyond merely showing up at the end of the process to vote. Turns out that:

McCain is the lead sponsor of 38 pieces of legislation during the 110th Congress, none of which have been referred to the Banking panel, according to a review of Thomas, a congressional website.

Obama has introduced 130 measures during this Congress. Five of Obama’s standalone bills fall within the Banking Committee's jurisdiction.

That seems to me an indication that some actual work was done by the Senators. I think that information like this once again makes the original claim somewhat dubious. Is it a reality that campaigns take candidates away from their original jobs? Yes, but it is true for all candidates, The record reflects that currently one candidates' record is worse than the other in that respect and it isn't the one against whom the original accusation was leveled.

Actual negotiators on the bail-out legislation from both parties have suggested that the presence in DC of both campaigns is an obstacle, not an aid to getting this deal approved.

Furthermore if the three Senators are to return to DC it would be only fair to have the Governor return to her state as well. After all her presence there was actually requested, backed by a subpoena.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: McCain suspends campaigning over financial crisis; Obama rejects call for debate delay See in context

Bail out deal struck. John I-never-really-stopped-campaigning-but-I-made-a-coupl'a quick-detours Mccain can now debate as scheduled. Savior of the nation.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: McCain suspends campaigning over financial crisis; Obama rejects call for debate delay See in context

Biden did not beat them all during the current, 110th, Congress. McCain currenly leads for votes missed since January 2007 at 64.1%

Biden did the dopey dance and still voted more often than McCain. Biden also squeezed in some speeches. On 22 Sept. he addressed the National Guard and made some remarks about McCain's record.

"Being a veteran isn’t the same as being there for veterans. We need more than a great soldier, we need a wise leader."

McCain isn't a wise leader. if he was he wouldn't have voted along with Bush so often.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: McCain suspends campaigning over financial crisis; Obama rejects call for debate delay See in context

Both have missed a lot of votes but McCain (412 votes missed (64.1%), 231 votes cast) has missed more votes than Obama. (295 votes missed (45.9%), 348 votes cast) http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/110/senate/vote-missers/

The previous voting record is even more in favor of Obama (11 votes missed (1.7%), 634 votes cast). McCain Votes: (58 votes missed (9.0%), 587 votes cast) http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/109/senate/vote-missers/

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Obama to head south to prepare for debates See in context

In case you return to this topic, and since the video is kinda long, here is an excerpt from the transcipt of Joe Biden's address to the National Guard on Sept. 22, 2008, relevant to the comments I made above.

"John McCain is a friend, a patriot, and a hero.

But John and I have some fundamental disagreements as it relates to the Guard, and the interests of veterans.

John McCain voted against billions of dollars in additional funding for veterans’ health care – against $2 million for TBI research… against $500 million for mental health issues… against $400 million for inpatient and outpatient care.

John wants to ration veterans’ health care to those with combat injuries, which would mean that millions fewer veterans would have access to VA medical care.

And while Barack and I supported Senator Jim Webb’s bipartisan bill to update the GI Bill from the get-go, John initially opposed it because he thought it was too generous.

John’s version treated the Guard as second class citizens when it came to educational benefits.

Those are the facts. But don’t take it from me. Ask Disabled American Veterans, which represents millions of vets. They keep track of these things… John voted with DAV 20 percent of the time.

Barack Obama – 80 percent of the time.

Or ask the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. They keep track, too. They give letter grades, and they gave John McCain a “D”. Barack got at B+.

So as much as I admire John, I disagree with him.

Being a veteran isn’t the same as being there for veterans.

We need more than a great soldier, we need a wise leader."

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Obama to head south to prepare for debates See in context

2008 G.I. Bill for example. Yes from Obama. No vote from McCain.

The record I found shows that it isn't merely appearance. Biden mentions these.

Disabled American Veterans: McCain 20%, Obama 80% voting record.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America: McCain a D, Obama a B pus rating.

These links show the same numbers. Inaccurate or unreliable source? Please correct if they are. http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_detail.php?r_id=3483 http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_detail.php?r_id=3439

You can also get the voting record for each candidate at this votesmart site by clicking their name in the lists.

Here is a link to the video of Biden's address to the National Guard. He mentions the ratings around 30min. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQCAKawrvfI

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Obama to head south to prepare for debates See in context

I just watched a YouTube clip of Joe Biden addressing the National Guard. It was good to see Joe Biden challenge the perception that John McCain is the candidate who supports the troops the most. Biden compared McCain's voting record with that of Obama. It appears that several veterans' organizations give Obama a better mark for his voting record than McCain. While Biden praised McCain for his service in uniform and was very respectful he nevertheless made the point that McCain's positions and actions have not always benefitted the troops and veterans. A quick look verifies what he said.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Recent Comments

Popular

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites


©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.