Orbitboy responded: 'My point was that the guy in his pick-up with the gun rack and NRA sticker doesn't have to worry about violence being done to him from a lefty. He really has no reasonable worries in that regard.'

I see the point you are trying to make. My point is that he has to worry about violence from me (if they threaten me or vandalize my stuff). My point also was that maybe you & other ACLU personnel should make it obvious that 'we can fight too & if you fuck with me, I'll fuck with you'.

The person who wants to commit violence against you should have some worries that the same can happen to them (IMO). Otherwise, you'll only be bullied by them time & time again.

I do feel for you living in Texas, I guess Kentucky is more civilized. Maybe you should relocate.

Lisa exclaimed: 'No one has legitimately asserted that Israel has pushed for any larger role in the world beyond securing its own population, in sharp contrast to the American neoconservative rhetoric of spreading global democracy, etc. etc. This is a huge distinction that should be remembered!'

Ever wondered if the 'American neoconservative rhetoric' you quoted above was absolute BS, designed to fool stupid people into thinking that their's is a movement to spread Democracy around the world when all they are really interested in is 'facts on the ground'?

Way back in Dec. 1978, UK (down after our NCAA Championship) played a home game against a fine Kansas team. We were down 7 points with 25 secs to go & I was backing up the stairs when some crazy shit happened (Macy or Claytor hits a long 2 pointer (no 3s) & gets fouled, makes free throw), we pressure Darnell Valentine into calling a timeout when they had none (2 free throws & ball). Another basket & we're tied & go into overtime where we win the game!!

One of the damndest things I've ever seen. Almost missed it (& alot of UK fans did). Still gives me good feelings (especially after Kansas wiped the floor with us the other night).

Another quote from Lisa: 'Neocons spout off about democracy in order to justify remaking the middle east according to their larger designs. Do you really think that this is Israel's ultimate aim? I think the reason Israel was concerned about Iraq was that Saddam decided to lob missiles at them during the 91 Gulf War, and I think they;re concerned about Iran because Iranian missiles were lobbed at them by Hezbollah during the Lebanon war this summer.'

IMO, Lisa, the Neocons have no 'larger design' in the Middle East than to make it as easy as possible for Israel to annex whatever land they wish & to ensure the Palestinians never have any kind of legitimate state. Israel doesn't either, they're just getting our troops to fight their battles. What's not to like?

As for Iraq, the neocons didn't like Saddam because he was potentially (this is how they thought of him pre 2003) an Arab leader (with a large standing army) who could rally Arabs to his cause if Israel was ever to implement the Eretz Israel option (which is a wet dream for Neocon Likudnick types). Plus, he was funneling money to families of suicide bombers in West Bank.

As for Iran, Israel is the only nuclear power in the Middle East & wishes it to remain that way (from their self-interested viewpoint, I can't say I blame them).

Some nut named DD-RT said about Egypt: 'In the past decade the US has sent ~14 $billion in direct military aid to the Egypt transforming it into the most formidable army in Africa.'

LOLing my ass off on that one. I'm sure Israel is scared of 'The most formidable army in Africa'. Ohhh, here comes the mighty Egyptian army, we've only whipped their asses 3 times in last 60 or so years.

P.S. I think South Africa could kick Egypt's ass.

I think that if he goes, Bush, Cheney & Rove will do their damndest to put in someone even worse (like Ted Olson, for example).

I would even venture to say that this tactic is one of their standard operating procedures & really ought to have its own moniker (like Godwin's Law, or the Peter Principle). I leave it to wiser commentators to think up a catchy name.

Karma fantasized: 'Trust me, just a week of what he's about to experience for 6 months and we won't have to worry about him ever mistreating a woman again. Mostly because he won't be able to walk for about a year, and by the the hepatitus and AIDS will have kicked in.'

I wish this would happen to him too, but he'll be sent to a minimum security lockup & you're usually safe from violent rape in those places.

Hopefully, he'll do something stupid & get sent to a more 'secure' institution.

James Levy, PhD (no less) said: 'The Dems should just pick their man or woman and come out with all guns blazing like Truman did in 1948, ignore the taunts of the media idiots who want them to "play nice" and give it their best shot. Americans hate Democratic weakness much more than they have ever hated Democratic policies.'

Right on Doc! Pres. Truman wouldn't have taken any of this pathetic hypocritical Republican whining & name calling. If you have principles, you defend them & call a duck a duck & let the chips fall where they may.

I think the American voter respects passion such as Pres. Truman had in great abundance. One of VP Gore's & Sen Kerry's mistakes was that they kept on beating around the bush about the wacky absurd ideas these wack jobs have. Pres. Truman would have called them 'batshit crazy' & then explained in easily understandable talk just why they were batshit crazy & if you vote for them you'll be batshit crazy (and broke) as well.