Osama Bin Laden: 1957 - 2011

[DCG]

I agree with Sanjeev, and have been very happy with Obama.

 

Not to turn this into a political discussion, but there are a lot of Republicans out there that will dislike a Demorcrat president (and vice versa) for no real reason. I don't like our partisan system, but it's not going to change any time soon.

 

What more do people want Obama to do?

 

Lastly, I've never understood the view that many investors always seem to have that republicans are better for the stock market, since history has been the complete opposite of that. http://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-theory/08/political-party-democrat-republican-stock-returns.asp

 

Back to the main subject...I'm very happy Bin Laden is dead (although I do worry a bit about retaliation from the Al Qaeda crazies.

 

-And Fox news channels are terrible and are not representative of most American news outlets.

[Guest Bronco]

DCG-ok, you got me in.

 

I think many Americans want Obama to do nothing, if that means staying out of our lives. 

 

He is not the type of President that promotes individual responsbility and freedoms. 

 

He's just not.  He wants more governemnt in our lives, for better or worse.  There is no right or wrong here, it is defining the role of government.  People such as myself would like less and less and less, period.  We would prefer more of the priniciples that this country was founded on.

 

Some people prefer a more European, socialistic society.  That is ok.  Different thoughts for different people.  But there is absolutely nothing wrong with identifying the above and then speaking out on defense of your own individual beliefs. 

 

 

[Myth465]

I'm glad he's dead, he was a murderer and a terrorists, but it certainly isn't a clear victory for the USA.

 

10 years and trillions of dollars spent... not to mention all of the additional lives lost.

 

Bin Laden's goal was to bankrupt the United States.  One could make the argument that he won.

 

--Eric

 

[Smazz]

10 years and trillions of dollars spent... not to mention all of the additional lives lost.

 

Bin Laden's goal was to bankrupt the United States.  One could make the argument that he won.

 

 

That is so true - but to be brutally honest, and I know alot of people are not going to like this but half the problem was how Bush and his administration handled the situation. When Bush left office they admitted they had no clue where Bin Laden was and his actions leading into the war on terror were rediculous and so costly in terms of lives not only $.

Surprisingly Frank, (in Canada we have an election today y'know ;)) the CBC asked all Canadian Party Leaders what their biggest mistake has been since being leader of their party and our current PM - Harper, stated it was his declaration at the time that Canada should follow the US into Iraq. This was a surprisingly candid statement to make just days before his own election - I honestly didnt think he would own up to this at this point in the election.

[rkbabang]

10 years and trillions of dollars spent... not to mention all of the additional lives lost.

 

Bin Laden's goal was to bankrupt the United States.  One could make the argument that he won.

 

 

That is so true - but to be brutally honest, and I know alot of people are not going to like this but half the problem was how Bush and his administration handled the situation. When Bush left office they admitted they had no clue where Bin Laden was and his actions leading into the war on terror were rediculous and so costly in terms of lives not only $.

Surprisingly Frank, (in Canada we have an election today y'know ;)) the CBC asked all Canadian Party Leaders what their biggest mistake has been since being leader of their party and our current PM - Harper, stated it was his declaration at the time that Canada should follow the US into Iraq. This was a surprisingly candid statement to make just days before his own election - I honestly didnt think he would own up to this at this point in the election.

 

Absolutely.  You won't get any argument from me here.  I think Bush was more than half the problem, but Obama was the rest of the problem.  When he won in 2008 I thought to myself "well he's a socialist, but at least he'll bring the troops home"  LOL, was I naive.  Mr. Peace-prize has done no such thing.  Will he end these insane wars now?  No, he won't.  He's as much a part of the military industrial complex as Bush was.  All B.S. campaign rhetoric aside, there isn't a dimes worth of difference between the two parties in the US when it comes to the military and expanding the empire.

 

--Eric

 

[Guest broxburnboy]

DCG-ok, you got me in.

 

I think many Americans want Obama to do nothing, if that means staying out of our lives. 

 

He is not the type of President that promotes individual responsbility and freedoms. 

 

He's just not.  He wants more governemnt in our lives, for better or worse.  There is no right or wrong here, it is defining the role of government.  People such as myself would like less and less and less, period.  We would prefer more of the priniciples that this country was founded on.

 

Some people prefer a more European, socialistic society.  That is ok.  Different thoughts for different people.  But there is absolutely nothing wrong with identifying the above and then speaking out on defense of your own individual beliefs. 

 

I always find it curious that Republicans always call for more freedoms and smaller government yet support insanely high wasteful military spending and increased "security" which clearly infringes on personal liberties and freedoms. The biggest deficit spenders are always republicans.

The American constitution describes a liberal democratic republic, yet the right wing hates liberals and liberalism and promotes an elitist "Randian", hivelike society. Go figure.

Bin Laden's death may give some closure to America, but it isn't the defeat of Islamic fundamentalism and it won't result in bringing the troops home.

 

[Guest ValueCarl]

I see that certain Canadian constituents on this board believe in Santa Clause too.  :'(

[DCG]

DCG-ok, you got me in.

 

I think many Americans want Obama to do nothing, if that means staying out of our lives. 

 

He is not the type of President that promotes individual responsbility and freedoms. 

 

He's just not.  He wants more governemnt in our lives, for better or worse.  There is no right or wrong here, it is defining the role of government.  People such as myself would like less and less and less, period.  We would prefer more of the priniciples that this country was founded on.

 

Some people prefer a more European, socialistic society.  That is ok.  Different thoughts for different people.  But there is absolutely nothing wrong with identifying the above and then speaking out on defense of your own individual beliefs. 

 

 

 

I don't disagree with that, but the other side of it is if he didn't do anything the people would complain about that. A lot of people just like to complain about the govt no matter what, and form opinions without understanding what they're complaining about. And unfortunately too many people don't make intelligent decisions on their own without the government setting some rules (it was largey people that got themselves into trouble with things like the sub prime mortgage mess. People like to use things like the banks as a scapegoat, but it was their own stupidity that led them to buy houses they can't afford). I know that's a broad example, and i don't want to get too far i to it, but i think there are some things that the govt should have a say in, and of course other things which they should not. I think people just think the government I more involved in their lives than they actually are.

[Guest Bronco]

Bronxburnout- I agree with almost everything you said.

 

Especialy, under today's circumstances, considering our role of world cop is no longer sustainable or affordable.

 

Being a Republican is certainly tough these days.  Just as many aholes on both sides of the isle.

 

But I still prefer my personal freedoms to government intervention.

[DCG]

Bin Laden's death may give some closure to America, but it isn't the defeat of Islamic fundamentalism and it won't result in bringing the troops home.

 

Yep. Bin Laden's death obviously will not end Al Qaeda or terrorism, and won't bring the troops home, and I don't know if there will ever truly be closure, but the one thing it does bring is satisfaction that Bin Laden was finally directly punished for his actions.

 

 

[SouthernYankee]

Parsad,

Obama has continued Bush-era policies in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and has actually gone further than Bush was allowed to. I applaud President Obama for DISREGARDING the fact that Pakistan may get upset that they were not asked first before we invaded their country. Bush should have DISREGARDED international opinion a lot more, IMHO!

 

I wonder if Obama's foreign policies are good for this country, but since he is the duly-elected President of my country, I support those policies. But when it comes to domestic policies, he is a person who believes in government more than the individual. That is my problem with our President, not his race, not our lack of knowledge about his birth, his schooling, or his associates. (I do have a problem with our so-called journalists, I would like them to treat ALL politicians and government workers by the same standard!)

 

Otherwise, you have your opinion and I have mine.

(Let's go HARPER!)

 

Regards.

 

[Myth465]

I feel like Personal freedoms, or belief in government over the individual is nonsense code speak. Im not saying its code speak for racism. I am just saying its what you say when a Democrat is in the White House, when you need a reason to make your dislike sound legit / intellectual.

 

Civil liberties have been under attack for decades, and really went down hill after 9/11. I dont see many differences in terms of personal freedoms under either administration or party. They seem to get chipped at with each passing crisis, and never get fully restored. I also think Americans and perhaps Canadians have no idea what its like to be have your real and true freedoms under attack, to have your wealth redistributed, or to have your land appropriated. Some of the stuff I read about in the third world is truly scary (Check out the Obit in the economist the week before last about a white farmer from South Africa), and makes the Obama assault on our personal freedoms seem quite comical.

 

Also where is this smaller government everyone speaks of. It seems to grow regardless of who is in power. Some people want to give money to colleges and poor people, some want to buy military kit and maintain bases all over the world. Some want to pay for things today via tax hikes, some want to put it on the credit card and let the magic of the market work its magic. Either way year after year, the Government grows. Yet we have a party of smaller government (that seems to expand the government more then the other party), and one of big government.

 

Its all quite amusing. Just my thoughts.

[txlaw]

The President's speech was great. 

 

Today is a good day.

[Guest Bronco]

How did I get roped into this? 

 

Myth - unfortunately for you, with your youth and investment prowess - you will pay millions to the government over the years.  Then, someday when your 50 -55, you will realize that you have another 30 years before you collect social security or medicare. 

And although you will be independtly wealthly, perhaps running a spin-off of Berkshire, you will still get mad.  And then you'll remember this day, no doubt.

 

 

It is a good day. 

 

Anyone buying RIMM?  I can't wait to use my Iphone for work emails? 

 

Anyone buying BRK?  It is down I am assuming due to the natural disaster losses.  Was this a surprise?

 

Anyone buying MSFT?

 

I will buy more BRK under $80.  I bought some L today at $42.75.  You buyback MF'ers should be loving L.  Under 400 million shares soon enough.

 

CNA - historically poorly run.  But $2.5B in annual investment income v. $8B market cap.  Just saying.

 

Hoping GOOG drops.  Do people realize that Apple and Google are running away with this?  Right now RIMM and Softee and Nokia remind me of the Flyers - a bunch of tough competitors trying to catch their rivals but inevitably will fall short.

[Myth465]

Bronco you are probably right though I am not sure if I will be that successful. Paying millions in taxes is a problem I would like to have for now, but would likely hate it upon writing my first check to the feds. What did you think of Loews, earnings. Feel free to reply in that thread, we have already derailed this thread enough. I am looking at all the companies you listed.

[rkbabang]

I feel like Personal freedoms, or belief in government over the individual is nonsense code speak. Im not saying its code speak for racism. I am just saying its what you say when a Democrat is in the White House, when you need a reason to make your dislike sound legit / intellectual.

 

I've been against these wars since 2001.  I don't say anything different regardless of who is in the whitehouse.  The left wants to tax, borrow, and spend us to death for social reasons, the right wants to do it for security reasons, and they both want to fight the insane drug war.

When one side is in power they increase government in their favorite areas while doing nothing to reduce it in the other side's favorite areas, and vice versa when the other side is in power.  Thus government increases regardless.  And both sides are hypocrites to the extreme.  Where have the anti-war left been since January 2009?  Just like those on the right who only oppose spending and debt when a Democrat is in the Whitehouse, those on the left only oppose war and random murder of countless innocents when a Republican resides in the Whitehouse.  It is lunacy.

 

Civil liberties have been under attack for decades, and really went down hill after 9/11. I dont see many differences in terms of personal freedoms under either administration or party. They seem to get chipped at with each passing crisis, and never get fully restored. I also think Americans and perhaps Canadians have no idea what its like to be have your real and true freedoms under attack, to have your wealth redistributed, or to have your land appropriated. Some of the stuff I read about in the third world is truly scary (Check out the Obit in the economist the week before last about a white farmer from South Africa), and makes the Obama assault on our personal freedoms seem quite comical.

 

Quite true as far as it goes.  Some people have it far, far, worse than we do.  But just because the slaves on other plantations have much crueler masters than yours or mine, doesn't mean that we are free.

 

Also where is this smaller government everyone speaks of. It seems to grow regardless of who is in power. Some people want to give money to colleges and poor people, some want to buy military kit and maintain bases all over the world. Some want to pay for things today via tax hikes, some want to put it on the credit card and let the magic of the market work its magic. Either way year after year, the Government grows. Yet we have a party of smaller government (that seems to expand the government more then the other party), and one of big government.

 

Its all quite amusing. Just my thoughts.

 

Jefferson once said that it is government's tendency to grow and liberty to shrink. (I'm paraphrasing, I'm too lazy to look it up).  Government is a cancer on society.  It behaves the same in society as cancer does in the body,  the end results are always the same, and it is just as necessary.

 

--Eric

 

[Guest ValueCarl]

He is buried at sea so you can't make this stuff up, right. It reminds me of the bright minds that come to this board willing to buy into it today. God help the globe. imo

 

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/05/02/bin.laden.burial.at.sea/

[rkbabang]

He is buried at sea so you can't make this stuff up, right. It reminds me of the bright minds that come to this board willing to buy into it today. God help the globe. imo

 

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/05/02/bin.laden.burial.at.sea/

 

 

It's a very real possibillity that this is total B.S. and he died in December of 2001 or some time after that.  Throughout Bush's presidency I wondered if he was really dead and Bush just didn't want to lose his valuable bogyman.

 

Like so many things, we may never know the truth. 

 

--Eric

 

[Parsad]

I see that certain Canadian constituents on this board believe in Santa Clause too.

 

Yes Carl!  There is a Santa Clause:

 

- We don't have 25% of our black population under 25 living their lives in incarceration. 

- We don't spend 5% of GDP on the military. 

- We have universal healthcare for our entire population. 

- The number of people living below the poverty line is half of what it is in the U.S. 

- Our debt to GDP is nearly half of yours. 

- Our dollar is stronger. 

- We have lower unemployment.

 

And interestingly enough, I would still be much happier to have your President lead my country!  He's smart, ethical, honest, works hard, turns the other cheek more often than I can count, and is determined to make the U.S. a better country.  But the population isn't interested in giving him enough time to do his job. 

 

You guys want everything done now...regardless of how many years of excess it took to get into the mess that was created!  Bush was the guy who crapped on the floor and Obama came in to clean it up.  Now everyone is asking why he spent money on soap and bleach to clean up the mess, and how the heck are you going to pay for it.  You're blaming the wrong guy.  Cheers!

[Alekbaylee]

Well said, Sanjeev, except that we do treat our Aboriginal people as bad as the US treats its black population. IMHO. And of course, it's very sad in both case.

[Smazz]

LOOK OUT! HERE COME THE CONSPIRACY THEORISTS!!!!! :o

[Parsad]

He is buried at sea so you can't make this stuff up, right. It reminds me of the bright minds that come to this board willing to buy into it today. God help the globe. imo

 

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/05/02/bin.laden.burial.at.sea/

 

Yes Carl!  That's why Pakistan is willing to be the world's scapegoat and take the blame for hiding Osama.  Do you think any country in their right mind, regardless of any sort of pressure persuaded upon them by the U.S., would accept such responsibility while perpetrating a hoax?  Pakistan validated the U.S.'s operation and termination of Osama in their own statement.

 

Now let's talk about how the moon landing was a hoax, Donald Trump has good hair, and Rand Paul loves big government!   ;D  Cheers!

[Guest broxburnboy]

  Throughout Bush's presidency I wondered if he was really dead and Bush just didn't want to lose his valuable bogyman.

 

Like so many things, we may never know the truth. 

 

--Eric

 

Don't worry we have a new bogeyman: Khadaffi. Look for a ground invasion of Libya to "take him out", now that there is some fresh enthusiasm for invasions.

Fox News headline on OBL's death:

"Elderly Man on Dialysis Killed by Young African-American Male"  

[brker_guy]

Sanjeev,

 

You forgot to mention that you guys have GST, PST, HST and even QST(if you live in Quebec) that equal to 15-20% making purchasing any goods extremely difficult and impossible for bargain hunters.  ;D

 

BTW: Does it always seem to you that a Republican president creates a pile of poops, and a Democrat president came along to clean it?  Let's count the way shall we?  Eisenhower created the VN mess, and Kennedy had to clean it up before he was killed.  Nixon created another pile of mess, and Carter had to clean up his mess but wasn't given enough time.  Reagan, for all of his wonderful credits of helping end Communisium created a budget mess, and Clinton had to clean that up.  Then, we had Bush Jr. created this $5 Trillion mess in Iraq, and now Obama had to clean that up.

 

Needless to say, Sanjeev, today is a GREAT DAY to be an American!  Great Day!!!  

 

So, we will clean up our GDP mess, our deficit and our health care problem.  Just give us time.

 

Oh, enjoy your strong dollar!  Please come and spend it on us.  We want Canadian tourism in America.

[Parsad]

Well said, Sanjeev, except that we do treat our Aboriginal people as bad as the US treats its black population. IMHO. And of course, it's very sad in both case.

 

True Alek!  But at least we are making attempts at treaties and creating an environment that will perhaps help foster a more equitable life for Canada's aboriginals.  Aboriginal's are also a sixth of the size of Canada's population relative to the black population in the U.S.  Cheers!