Global trade is full of ironies...I believe the criminals responsible for airline food--LSG Sky Chiefs are owned by Lufthansa. And one of the biggest shipping companies in the world...is Danish (Maersk..1,400,000 containers).

Maersk has some of the most sophisticated security and tracking measures in the world. And you will note that without Maersk the cartoon-enraged jihadi's would have no footwear made in China with which to slap against American and Danish flags.

If you want something to worry about, consider the feasibility of a Columbia-launched terrorist attack on the Aruba Marriott? Or a chartered powerboat out of the Bahamas, piloted and detonated next to a cruise ship in Miami?....No, Dr. Evil does not work for me, but terror by nature has to be cheap, adaptable, and fluid.

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But....Wagner is not a red-head with a popular "in-box"

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I really wish The Lounge was not on the main page of new posts, or not on any page at all.

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Rockin' is my business and business is good!
2005 4.4 X5 Black/Black, the goods

So for those who believe this is a security hazard... are all people from the middle east terrorists?

Absolutely not, but only one needs to be. And it's not only about the security. This country survives on imports from other countries, and this is turning over the keys to our economy.

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Current:
2016 X6 ///M Black Sapphire Metallic

Only one needs to be, much like only one from ANY country needs to be. There are as many bad apples shared equally throught the world population; For a country that seems to want to increase their reach globally through militaristic might and quasi imperialism it is an interesting response to be espousing isolationism by not allowing a gloabally recognized company to conduct fair business.

I believe Timothy McVeigh was a bad apple....good point. All countries live in glass houses...and except for Noranda and Newmont Mining leaching cyanide in third world countries, (and the annual clubbing of the harp seal pups-- still can't quite get over that) I think Canada rocks. (And Canada is like one of two countries who still sort of like us). And Whistler. Whistler kicks a$$.

As an American with a relative buried in Arlington, I submit that the United States does not choose to be imperialist or militaristic; we were dragged into WWI due to a Serbian ultra-nationalist. We were dragged into WWII (as Canada and England was) due to the failures of Versaille and the unfortunate arrival of facism coupled with damn good Panzer divisions...but, the US happened to be the last and toughest dog standing in 1945...and we basically kept the candle of democracy burning in Germany and Japan as the Iron Curtain descended in Europe and communism ruled China.

We tend to mind our own business as long as possible, but we happen have more aircraft carriers than France and things like Pearl Harbor and 9/11 tend to get our attention in a big way. When the Gitane-smoking, Hermes-wearing, Citroen-driving politicos fail to step up to the plate, the 82nd Airborne has to fill the frickin' void. If not for the 82nd Airborne, nobody in Kabul or Baghdad would have felt the power of the a purple ink stain on their finger.

Yes, the Shah of Iran likely came to power thanks to the CIA, but ask any Persian who lost a father or brother in the Iran-Iraq war, who they'd rather have in power. Ask any Iraqi with a pretty daughter if he misses living in fear that Uday or Kusay Hussei will take her for a concubine. And Kuwait--they are probably pretty damn happy about the Abrams tanks that we sent over the berms about 15 years ago.

Collectively, we want nothing more than to keep our lawns free of crabgrass, coach some Little League, have a beer at Hooters, and watch some NASCAR. History will take note that, on the night of 9/11, hordes of men wearing Dale Earnhardt ballcaps did not march in the streets and burn down mosques and convenience stores. I'd bet the safest place in the world for a Danish cartoonist is the infield of the Daytona 500.

Unfortunately, fascists, fanatics, fundamentalists, and people who execute women in soccer stadiums don't play by the rules of the ballot box. Playing by the rules means you don't kidnap Canadian aid workers when they are volunteering to help rebuild your country. Over and out.

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EXCELLENT rebuttal, I like America( in small doses) I like the buffets, Victoria's Secret, free pouring, the NFL, Bill Walton and most of all the abundance of hot women.

What I question is the secular belief that some ( I didnt say ALL) Americans dont feel they get a fair shake in the rest of the world. I say this ( and I dont claim to speak for the rest of the world,lol..just me) "perception truly is 9/10ths of reality" and the good ol USA is perceived as a hypocritical bastion of apparent freedom and land of opportunity.


In light of handgun deaths(you knew I would bring it up), Guantanamo, and the disturbing images of Katrina that shine the light on the casual and often undisturbed reality of a caste system that is racist and showcases values that often put personal property above people.

I for one believe America is better then this, but unfortunately an economy that is based on a cheap unrenewable resource is probably headed for an enentual dramatic downturn.

The myth of social mobility and "anyone can be President" is just that "a myth" When citizens of the U.S.A. can die of thirst and then have more spent on a congressional inquiry into the matter then on housing for the underprivileged there is a problem.

A prosperous America is a prosperous Canada, and America does make Canada a safer place, no doubt about it.

And I could not help it, given news reports today, it seems some members of the 82nd Airborne are experts at filling a different void

Accella fine job.it is amazing to me NICK that you seem to believe it is ok to dip the paint brush that is your opinion and just cast a broad stroke that we Americans are all fat, overpaid, under educated warmongerers. Don't you dare paint me with that brush pal! I for one was of the group that wanted to stay out of IRAQ this time and complete the mission of finding Osama, destroy him, and then once completed, if Sadamn still refused diplomacy then act with the world not alone to secure the middle east.

I also fought in Desert Storm, with 3rd Armored, 5/5 Cav, 23 ENGR...I have seen first hand what was done to Kuwait and it's people. I've worn the colors of my country on my right arm and worn them proudly. This is capitalistic society and not a socialist one. While I do find it unfortunate that some people do go hungry, thirsty, or without clothing, there are people like me that will give time and money to help them. I will only help those that help themselves. After you have five babies and still do smack I put my wallet away. I would rather have lower taxes and choose who I help then have perpetual welfare and 30% off the top go to govt. The difference in America is that if your willing to sacrifice, put in the effort, and work, there is nothing that you cannot do.

To your point about being the President, there is a flaw in the system. The flaw is that a CEO of a fortune 500 company can earn 5-50x what the same position in public office does. The postion often only lends it self to life long politicians that have work the rooms and made the right friends. It does not attract the best and brightest as they stay in the private sector, but if someone is willing to do what it takes and was born within our borders they can in deed become president. Call me naive but I believe that. P/R is half the battle the rest is money. There is flaw, not your infernce of a system of rich families with speres of influence. Look at Rosss Perot, Forbes...both guys were loaded but thier P/R buzz failed them. How in the hell do you think W. Bush won 2 elections...he had the best strategic advisor anyone has ever seen in Carl Rove seting up the right moves focusing the country on non points. For instance in last election every where you turned it was gay marriage rights this...gay marriages rights that....to me...who gives damn...but what did it do? It got the bible thumping conservative Americans out in droves and while they are were out voting down gay marriage rights...oh yeah...vote for the pres, even though he sucks he does not like gay rights either logic...once the election was over it was like bad joke...never heard or talked about again. Freakin brillint when you think about it really.

The last thing that I am going to say here is this. I would have rather of spent every penny that has been sunk into Iraq into our own security. Fix the flaws in the borders...put up a fence along Mex, hell while we are at it fence up the borders between our and yours. This debate has not been about racism, or protectionism, or isolationism. It is the fact that most of us have become fed up with how one thing is said and something else completely different is being done. Young men and women are dying for our supposed security and billions burned that my kids that I don't even have will have to pay for at some point. Yet in a matter of fact way W. said last week that "security is not a concern for American's, that we should just leave it up to the government to sort out" I have dropped my jaw in the past but that one really burned my ass.

NICKNICK we are all tired of the BS and playing fun with numbers, follow the money and want someone to use common sense. Major ports into this country should be run by this country while there is a war on terror and until that war is over it should not be available to the highest bidder. PERIOD.