"You decide on the ingredients, they cook it. It's as simple as that. But even better, the service by an excellent staff is top notch. Our kids especially LOVED Genghis Grill."
- Chris Reed
"Getting insurance can be akin to going to the dentist and insisting on no Novocaine. But I can't rave more about the help I received from the AmeriSent folks. I was coming off a bad situation with…"
- Chris Reed
Debate: Help me understand, should US stay in Middle East "finish the job" (McCain) so they don't have to return, or leave in near future, around 2010 (Obama). Let's keep this civil, but defned your stance. Also, it would be interesting if you mentioned where you are from
Honestly, I have mixed reactions, but hearing the many intelligent points you're going to offer below will help me to make a decision, and influence my vote.
- Jeremiah Owyang
Well, since the Iraqi government appears eager to attempt to handle control of their own country, I say we allow them to do that and get forces out as soon as possible.
- Nathaniel Payne
finish the job and keep a small base there, ie(Germany, Korea, Japan)
- Caleb Easterwood
I'm from the midwest. It's been time to leave for a while now. McCain talks about not leaving before we've won. We left Nam & didn't win. We went to Iraq under false pretenses. There were no WMD's or serious Al Queda threat. It's been a cluster **** ever since. They want us out & it's time to go.
- W!cKeD
I think its time to go home. What really did it for me was hearing the Prime Minister of Iraq this week. He's saying he wants the U.S. to leave. Why are we still debating this issue? They don't want us there. If we stay we're officially denying Iraq of its sovereign right to self determination. The majority of the American people want to end the war too. Let's get out.
- Bukola
What frustrates me is what's missing in the public dialog. Few candidates--except perhaps Cynthia McKinney, Ralph Nader, and Ron Paul--are able to ask whether it is an ethical position to "finish the job." The American government/military is an invader in Iraq, and we Americans need to take the perspective suggested by Noam Chomsky several months ago: What did we say about the Soviet invaders in Afghanistan? Shouldn't we be held to the same standard? As an American, I don't want any invaders to succeed.
- Paul Allison, NYC teacher
We can't stay there forever and we shouldn't even if we could. However, we can't just say, 'Welp, it's be fun! Good luck!' and then leave suddenly. It will have to be gradual but it needs to happen eventually. The Democratic candidates irritate me to no end when they act like they're just going to be able to have the troops pack up and leave overnight. Caleb's right, too, we may pull out most of our forces but we'll still have troops there for the next decade.
- Akiva
Has anyone ever properly defined "finish the job"? Or "victory" for that matter? Wars can be won - occupations can not. Proof is in history.
- Zoli Erdos
I am from NYC. I believe that it is in our and the Iraqis' best interest to leave in the near future. Our presence there drives insurgent activity and anti American sentiment - it fuels non religious nationalist insurgents and helps Al Qaeda recruit more converts. We created an independent, sovereign government and they want us to leave. McCain himself said that when they want us to leave, we will. Will he keep this very important promise with the world watching?
- mike
Finish -- but that depends on what degree. Leave when the Iraqi government can sustain stability without losing too much control. Toronto here.
- Shey
Agreed, Zoli, we need to define what the "job" is before we can have a prayer at finishing said job. I'm in San Francisco, though I do travel to London frequently
- Prolific Programmer
Thank you Paul for such a well laid out argument. Keeping troops there for another decade would appear to be occupation. It seems to me that it is easy to make a semantic change and "Invaders" are "Liberators". Same thing with Rebels or Freedom fighters. Sure, it will take some time to pull out, but it can be done over a relatively short amount of time and there's no need to be there suffering attrition for another decade. IMHO
- W!cKeD
I think we need to gradually draw down our forces and leave only enough troops to ensure that the Iraqi government can control any anti-government forces. Don't forget that there are more than just US forces in Iraq. There are still British, Australian, and Dutch forces. Maybe a NATO or UN contingent can possibly take over peacekeeping tasks in the future for as long as they are needed. That said, it is all contingent on whether or not the legitimate Iraqi government wants any future assistance.
- Michael Tefft
The administration said they began the surge so that we could secure the country so we could bring our boys home. After our fine men and women accomplished that mission with flying colors, as usual the mission changed. Now, we're told we have to continue the surge so things don't get bad again. Talk about a perpetual motion machine. But the true judges on whether we should get out are the Iraqi government and their people. If they want us out, we should leave.
- Chris Reed
I forgot to mention that I am from Virginia.
- Michael Tefft
We should take our troops home and leave our money. If Iraq enhances it's infrastructure through legitimate means (i.e. not drug / guns sales) it will mean real jobs for real people...
- gregory
I'll echo the same. Define what 'the job' is and then finish that before you leave. Then everyone -- Americans, Iraqis and the RoW -- will know what to expect and when. Then move resources to Afghanistan and do the exact same thing.
- ɥsıuɐʎɹ
Recently, someone in a FriendFeed post brought up the phenomenon of typing out a comment and then censoring yourself and deleting it. I've done that about 10 times with this thread. Time to walk away.
- Akiva
Why do we need to even wait for a signal from the Iraqis? Has history ever know an occupied people who didn't want the occupiers out?
- Paul Allison, NYC teacher
It is long past time to leave this war that is only costing us money we don't have and risking the lives of soldiers who are trying so hard to do a job that, in this case, is poorly defined. This war is costly in lives, international relations and money - ending it can only benefit us.
- Leslie Poston
I think that there is nothing to accomplish by remaining. They should leave before more soldiers are killed and more money is wasted (money that can be spend more constructively on the US economy). I am from Ireland.
- Mark
The problem is that the folks who have been writing the definition for the past 8 years have freely rewritten it as needed. Revisionist politics at it's best. The rhetoric has changed as quickly as Bush needed a new scare tactic or talking point. We are way past the point of coming up with definitions at this stage in the game. We should have been focusing on Afghanistan & Pakistan this entire time. IMO it has never truly been about the terrorists. If it were we'd have Osama BL. Listen to the Iraqis.
- W!cKeD
Iran has nuclear power, Isreal has nuclear power , Saudi is inbetween. Iraq was pwned by by the Us on WMD. US needs to control this theater or else .. they will not have Saudi oil. Between Isreal and Iran if a flare up takes place, US is FUBAR'ed even more. Firstly the whole WMD was a lie and Bush used it just to bloster fear in the country. Thats what you all get for electing Bush in...
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- Peter Dawson
BENCHMARK (I'll be doing this over the next few hours to summarize what I'm hearing) This is primarily swaying towards the following: 1) define what 'exit' means. 2) Leave now
- Jeremiah Owyang
Kirkland WA. McCain needs to define what the job is and how we know when we've finished. If the goal is to secure a U.S. military presence to ensure access to oil, then meeting the goal is just a ticket to stay. Hence the McCain 50 or a 100 or a 1000 years.
- Michael Markman
Gainesville, FL: Without really dropping a vote in either "bucket", I believe that staying or leaving is all about what's happening on the ground. When, based upon what's happening on the ground, we or Iraq believe our help is no longer needed then we should exit in the safest manner possible. That should drive our troop actions, not election sound bites. The candidate that comes closest to that reasoned approach on this and other topics will likely get my vote.
- Dan Rua
Dallas, TX - As we did not have accurate information, I do not believe we should have ever entered. That said, I agree with the NY Times & others define what success means to McCain. Finally, as we have so many critical problems within our country spending billions in Iraq appears unwarranted to me. We are the USA, not the world police force. As a super power, certainly we have a measure of responsiblity to help others, but not to such tremendous cost in lives and money for our own citizens.
- R. Ferguson
"I could not say enough great things about Dr. Vu and the care he has provided our two children. The true definition of a family doctor who feels like he's a part of your family, and goes the extra…"
- Chris Reed
No offense meant to the Lakers' fine D-League team, though it is D-League.....
- Chris Reed
The D-League made a splash at the NBA Summer League:http://myespn.go.com/blogs... You should watch some of our games on Futurecast next year! Maybe the guys can earn your respect that way. I'm just getting all our web accounts squared away in the off-season.
- D-Fenders
That's terrific! It's funny how Hillary still loses states she 'wins' (Texas and Nevada, I'm lookin' at you)
- Kevin Fox
Sure, but I tend to think of that as extreme recklessness on the part of the press. Certainly, in the case of her loss in Texas, there was no reason to report that she 'won'. Not quite sure how that happened.
- j1m
And I think this paradox Kevin mentions hi-lights the strength of Obama's campaign. HRC has been conducting a pretty traditional primary campaign. Obama is running away with it thanks to some new-fangled ideas.
- Shellee
Yes. He's good at winning elections, in a way we haven't seen since at least Reagan.
- j1m
I'm really excited about a project that I want to work on. Whether or not it will happen is another thing, but I love the spark of creativity. (It includes the South, food, writing and photography, btw). :)
- Derrick
That we are alive. That we can think.
- Chris Reed
Yes that certainly does. Thank you. Love, M
- Michelle Jones
No matter what you do, where you go and how you live, Jesus still loves you. That Boy just sticks with the whole 'Love Everyone' mantra. He's like the original hippie! But it's all good.
- Morgan
I'm always accepting of love from a fellow Jew. ;)
- Michelle Jones
"Sixteen miles off the coast of Newfoundland and just 800 miles from Boston lie the tiny islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, the last vestiges of the colonial empire of New France. Though these islands are 3,000 miles from Paris, they're French in every way. Residents celebrate Bastille Day, vote in French elections and pay for everything in Euros."
- M F
from Bookmarklet
awesome. so it should go without saying that the residents are french citizens, yes? i mean, they're voting in the french elections. so cool
- Cee Bee
"There are always new French cars on the islands," Marc Cormier of St-Pierre-et-Miquelon.com told Wired.com. "One of the reasons being the state and government offices only buy French cars." That means all of the cars driven by such agencies as the post office, gendarmerie and health care system are sent over from France. Did we mention they all have French license plates? That doesn't...
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- Cee Bee
Very interesting. I can honestly say I have never heard of this place.
- Chris Reed
It's bad enough that a congressman actually asks Nobel Prize-winning Energy Secretary Steven Chu "How did oil and gas get to Alaska." Even worse that even after a fifth grade lesson on plate tectonics he still wonders how it got there without a pipeline from Texas. The true facepalm moment is that the said congressman posts it on HIS Youtube page as an example of how he "confused" Chu. I figure at a later hearing, Rep. Barton will confront the health secretary about how babies are made and be angered that a stork isn't mentioned.
- Chris Reed
from Bookmarklet
Just CW, Eragon was just sad to begin with... pretty good special effects, and a decent cast - but it was either horrible acting or a horrible script that just tanked it for me :-D
- Ken Stewart | ChangeForge
Oh Abby, I rewatched that movie when I was 19 and thought, "What a load of crap!" Friends in college wanted to rent it and I asked them, "Have you seen ET since you were 6? It sucks!" They didn't even make it halfway through.
- Anika
SLAM 128's special KICKS section is now available online! Check out the best sneakers of the past three decades here: http://www.slamonline.com/kickssp...
"Yes... Yet another plea searching for alternatives to Cox. In a lot of ways, we've liked their service and offerings. Technically, there are few issues. The issues come with cost. Our Internet bill…"
- Chris Reed
"Yes... Yet another plea searching for alternatives to Cox. In a lot of ways, we've liked their service and offerings. Technically, there are few issues. The issues come with cost. Our Internet bill…"
- Chris Reed
"Yes... Yet another plea searching for alternatives to Cox. In a lot of ways, we've liked their service and offerings. Technically, there are few issues. The issues come with cost. Our Internet bill…"
- Chris Reed
"I've found what is by far the best activity you can do in Vegas that doesn't involve games of chance or Cirque du Soleil. When I took my wife on a mystery adventure for her birthday, my expectation…"
- Chris Reed
In the space of history, this isn't really that long ago... "Hi, little girl... Stop dreaming of working for Disney because you are a girl."
- Chris Reed
from Bookmarklet
Interesting list of companies that may not get past this year. Some are to be expected, like Blockbuster (why ARE they still in business? It's like an 8-Track maker still being out there) But others could be felt hard. Certainly Chrysler would. And what fun would life be without Krispy Kreme or Six Flags? But here in Vegas, Station Casinos going down would be a major blow. They own 15 resorts and pretty much most of the locals market, which was great for them when the economy was building, but has been disastrous in this recession.
- Chris Reed
from Bookmarklet
They all tend to blur together, but IIRC... Minneapolis, Orlando and some others are as much malls as they are airports, with tons of shops, book stores, and food options. I'd rather have the option to do stuff than just sit waiting to get on a plane to sit waiting.
- Ken Sheppardson
Atlanta cause I could sleep in the crew room, Boston so I could enjoy clam chowder, Pittsburgh cause there is a mall, Orlando cause there is an Outback, and I stay in West Palm about once a week for about 3 hours and they have a mini golf coarse, big chairs, and a great buffalo salad at one of the restaurants.What can I say I am a PRO at sitting in airports!
- Brandy Lea
Singapore Changi International Airport.I've been told is incredible
- Manuela
Las Vegas-- video games with consequences. Maybe the better question-- which one wouldn't you choose? LaGuardia. It's the worst.
- Kevin Gamble
united sfo, gate 27, there's a Peet's, and it's quiet, and nobody goes there!
- anna sauce
revise my answer: terminal A- for Awesome at PDX, it's got a microbrew, free wi-fi
- anna sauce
OH shit how did I forget VEGAS! Slots!
- Brandy Lea
I assume you're disqualifying Crown Room style accomodation. Washington National is pretty painless - tables and a place to plug in within sight of the gate, decent food (i.e. not just unhealthy crap).
- John Craft
That one in Tom Hank's movie seemed pretty versatile.
- Micah
Vegas is not a bad option. Denver is okay. I am in San Jose right now and not complaining. Free WiFi! Nothing else matters.
- Louis Gray
Terminal C at PHL because there's shopping and cozy tables at Vino Volo (sp?) or the Northwest terminal at DTW because the lights and music in the connecting walkway are very calming.
- Sarah Miller
Hong Kong airport. Better than Singapore, IMO
- Roshan Vyas
I'm not a big traveller, but Roshan is absolutely correct. Hong Kong International Airport is spectacular. The food is very good and not too pricey, WiFi is free and surprisingly strong and the people in Hong Kong are very kind :)
- Michael Forian
Keflavik, baby. In Reykjavik for those not in the know. Just because of the name. And all the gorgeous wood.
- Nathan Rein
I've not done enough, either, but Charlotte's has that place where I can get gummy candy, especially those wonderful candy apples.
- MiniMage
Narita, Japan. Clean, organised and everything happens on time. 2nd choice Zurich - same reason.
- Vernonkell
I like Midway -- they've got decent food. I love potbelly.
- Ginger Makela Riker
Us Vegas locals know that the airport slot machines are actually the tightest in all Nevada. Put it this way. I've never been in McCarran and seen someone whooping and hollering about winning a fortune. That said, loved the Vegas airport as one of the nicest before I even lived here. Also love Orlando, which is by far the airport that most doesn't feel like an airport. Also marks to Phoenix for the best airport name: Sky Harbor.
- Chris Reed
HKG many different lounge options, food, shopping, and is clean. Better than SIN unless you compare the baggage claim area, where Singapore has caged songbirds.
- Ryan
Changi airport is good (no free wifi) but has butterfly farm to while away time in plus good shopping
- Kate
Baltimore-Washington International (or whatever they're calling BWI these days)
- Nine Ferdinand
Vegas. Gambling, drinking, hookers. Well, I haven't confirmed the hookers, but everything else.
- Eric - Too Hot
Vancouver YVR for sure! Beautifully laid out by far in advance of the Winter Olympics '10 all the amenities, you'd be super surprised how tranquil it makes your airport experience http://www.yvr.ca/
- sofarsoShawn
Phoenix, hands down. It's an f'ing mall, people. Who couldn't love that?! (I should add, I've only flown domestically, so there could be awesomeness outside the US that I've not yet been introduced to...)
- Hookuh Tinypants
Another vote for Singapore and Koh Samui's airport, also adding BKK and Detroit's international terminal.
- Adam Kazwell
an airport with true FREE wifi. is there something like this?
- Chris Hofmann
Chris - Airports that use ATT as the wifi provider are free for iPhones. Also at least PHL is free for students if you visit the info kiosk.
- Sarah Miller
Any airport terminal with a nice bookshop would do
- Shakeel Mahate
Another vote for Schipol (AMS) from me. Best part, in 3 hours you could hop the train to the city, walk to the Museum of Sex, do a full tour, and hop a train back. A site worth checking out: http://www.sleepinginairports.net/
- Ryan Kaisoglus
Here it is! The first single of U2's new album!!!! Click to listen.. OK... my thoughts.... To be honest, I didn't at first know what to make of it. Very similar to when I heard "The Fly" for the first time as the introduction to "Achtung Baby." I'm just not sure whether I like it or not. At the very least, this album will be a much bigger change in direction for the Dublin boys than we were led to believe. Similar to the jump from Joshua Tree/Rattle and Hum to the aforementioned Achtung Baby. Edge has never sounded so different. And there's no doubt that the reaction of many is that Bono and the Boys are trying to sound like the Beatles, and maybe that's the intention. At least this first track sounds like U2 if they were a group in the 60s and Phil Spector was producing them. It's growing on my on repeated listens, but I can't say it grabbed me like the first tracks from AYCLB and HTBANB did. Your thoughts?
- Chris Reed
from Bookmarklet
RIP Ricardo. Remember him telling the story about how there's no such thing as Corithian leather. He just made it up because it sounded good....
- Chris Reed
from Bookmarklet