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     our economy was great, because it was based on an abundance of good paying manufacturing jobs. with the implementation of the global free trade agreements, those jobs were unceremoniously exported to the third world, where the wages are a tiny fraction of here. corp. profits explode, while american real wages have stagnated, or fallen. it took a while, but we reached the tipping point,where incomes didn't meet rising prices, and the defaults began. we cannot have the economy that we had before as a service economy. the ones who produce the goods are the ones with the power. after ww2, we had most of the global factories, every one else was bombed into oblivion. so the 50's, and 60's were a magical time for us. but as manufacturing was being rebuilt in the rest of the world, we didn't care. so we weren't worried when the first agreements started, more markets for our products, right? but when we rolled over for china, that was the end, we just didn't realize it. so, until we repeal these unpatriotic laws, no president can do much. my father didn't graduate from high school, but found a job as a machinist, and made a very good living. his job is in china now. thankfully he didn't live to see it. can an individual make enough to raise a family now, without a diploma? don't bet on it. a degree isn't even a guarantee. well said and I'm glad there are still people around who can think. Read this article: http://www.opednews.com/articles/De-Dollarization-Dismantl-by-Dr-Michael-Hudson-090615-96.html   it is soo soo tragic   
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     its hard to support soldiers who kill women an children in Iraq. War is hell. There is no way around it and innocents do get killed. I cannot hold the soldier responsible, soldiers do not start or order wars. The responsible parties are the politicians. Soldiers do what they are told to do and if they don't they aren't in the military anymore. Soldiers fight for this country be this country right or wrong at the whim of the politicians. Lay the blame where it belongs. Suppport the soldiers, bring them home!!!!!   Amen ..  thank you Dragoness     
 
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     its hard to support soldiers who kill women an children in Iraq. Dare Greatly   
It is not the critic who counts;   
nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled,   
or where the doer of deeds could have done better.   
The credit belongs to the man   
who is actually in the arena;   : 
whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood;   
who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again   
because there is no effort without error and shortcomings;   
who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions;   
who spends himself in a worthy cause;   
who at best knows in the end,   
the triumph of high achievement;   
and who at worst, if he fails,   
at least fails while daring greatly;   
so that his place shall never be   
with those cold and timid souls    
who know neither victory nor defeat.   
~ Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919  
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     I'm with you all the way on this Nessa!!   
I always thank any military people I see on the street or while traveling, especially in the airports.. I've seem many a tear come to their eyes when I thank them.. Its never said enough....   
  you're soo right   <<< Carole >>>   
  It is so rewarding to thank a Military Man or Woman or a True Honorable Veteran   
  They are soo appreciative   & soo worthy   of our love & gratitiude   
  it is impossible for the emotion   to not   well up   inside and stream out   
 
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     I just wanted to say thanks oh so much for posting this. I am a sister of a brother who is in the navy and a brother who is in the Air Force.   thanks for stopping by <  Kelly Rose >   
  and thanks greatly   to your Brother   in the Air Force   
  & thank you also    to Your Sailor   who is in the Navy   
 
 
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     The only reason Obama would fail is due to being handed a big mess when he came into office. And in that case any president would have failed so it would not have matter who it was. That's becoming a lame excuse. Everybody knows he got a mess on his hands and he wasn't the creator, the whole point of the article is that his strategy isn't working so far.           Hail Atlantis            
Hi hon!       
    
I got something for you.  
  awww...      You are soo   Cool !!!   
  thank you   immensely   
 
 
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      Obamas strategy is working great and it is a total success. I am seeing improvements daily.  
  GO USA  
Amen !!! Three Cheers for the USA  
  UNITED WE STAND   
  AND DIVIDED WE FALL   
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      now that gives a whole new meaning to yellow snow! i live in northern in. around ft.wayne. never been to connersville, but i've heard of it. the largest city i have lived in was about 50,000 pop. 7 years was all i could take.  sirens are no substitute for crickets.  if you come this way, stop by and i'll show you some hoosier hospitality, a cook out, and a bake out.   i'm green with envy. you are lucky to have a sibling that helps, my sis is... well, let's just say she leaves something to be desired in the helpful catagory.   
   Well, Todd    All of my Good Friends   can get a hold of me   by phone   
  So, I am going to send you my Number   and hopefully we can chat sometime   
  I have been online for waaayy   too long today   
  and i am hurting for certain    I need a serious break   
  Good Night Everyone    Love and hugs   and Sleep Well   
 
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      A lot of people dont like Obama because he ia black and successful and it makes them jealous  
   maybe so... but those are not   valid concerns to many people    
  the Color & Worth of one's Soul has much more Value & Importance   
   than the color of one's skin or their Financial Status   
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     The only reason Obama would fail is due to being handed a big mess when he came into office. And in that case any president would have failed so it would not have matter who it was. That's becoming a lame excuse. Everybody knows he got a mess on his hands and he wasn't the creator, the whole point of the article is that his strategy isn't working so far.           Hail Atlantis            
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     Uhhh Rapunzel Honey...you may want to hold off on the gratitude...   uuuuuuuuuuummm      i don't think so...    
yes I served.       
I also figured out that there are just as many shady no-good and lazy dirt bags in the military as there are in civilian society. (I didn't want to be the one to bust your bubble honey.. .but, it is true)   i do have to agree with you completely there   
  and i do happen to know a few serious dirtbags myself   
I do agree that it p*sses me off to no end when the vets who can't get a break or a hand get stiffed by society. Cause there are plenty of honorable veterans that our gov't and society owe a deep debt of gratitude, compassion and support (especially in the medical expense reguard)           
   absolutely   
...and those are the ones   i am referring to here   
The other side of that coin is, some vets are used to having thier lives dictated to them and got no idea how to function in the real world on thier own.... (hence no motivation or drive to attain a level of self-sufficiency)....   i have met & seen many men like that too   
that would be the guys with the card board signs that say "God Bless" and cuss at you when you drop them off a sandwich and a gallon of tea instead of beer money. at least that is how it is out here....   and that is EXACTLY how it is here too   
  but really I seriously Doubt   
that Most of them Even are Veterans   
they just say that to get sympathy & handouts   
and make the real Veterans look bad   
What really gets my goat is the ones who wear freshly donated BDU's and post "Disabled Vet" on thier begging signs...   
yet ignore the fact that the VFW is a quarter mile away from where they are standing.   
that is not good ...   
I am not sure what BDU's are   
but i am wondering if they are even Vets   
most Vets i know are affiliated with the VFW somehow       
But, in the spirit of the original post.... I do think it is tragic and inexcusable the way our gov't has let our troops down.                 
To the politicians...   our men and women who do combat tours are faceless disposable #'s.   
That is what really p*sses me off.       
  yes   ..i hear you    
  It is those things       which get me sooo angry too   
Oh yeah...USN! Represent! USS America...Cv-66...aircraft carrier baby!                             
Had to edit cause the big pics make half my ramblings disappear into the black border to the right of the thread.           
 
 
 
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        Sun 07/19/09 06:24 PM
       
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     no,    but the day's not over yet  
  Yes, the day is far   from over    
   sending Much Love   to you   my new friend    Todd    
      and Love to all my Older Friends too       
   like Lee   &  Beckie    etcetera   etcetera .  
 
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     We will probably have justice right after we get peace on Earth and good will towards man. I have a feeling that we are in for a long wait.    yes, i have that sinking feeling too   
  but one can always hope and pray   & work toward better days   
  & by the way Krupa < Eric > is it ???   
  it's been a while since we've spoken   
  thanks for stopping by, Dear   
  I read somewhere on the threads that you are a Veteran   
  I was totally not aware of that & am very impressed   
      Thank You so much   for your Defending Our Freedom      
 
 
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     Hopefully soon, a 23 year old U.S. soldier is being held prisoner   yes, it is soo sad and those who have been killed   
  I do hope Our Young Soldier is released unharmed & fully intact soon   
I have quite a few threads going   
in support of our Mighty Troops   
& here is one of them ,   
   but this is all just soo tough to handle   
Please Pray for the Defenders of Our Freedom http://mingle2.com/topic/show/235335  
 
 
 
 
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      I am soo upset to see this kind of injustice going on   
  all the time in <America the Beautiful > in The Land that I love   
   In the Land of the Free   because   of Our very brave   Military Warriors   
  and why this injustice goes on   is one of the worst abominations imaginable   
 
 
 
  There has got to be an organized uprising against those who allow such insane unfair treatment    
  I know that this is Prophesied in the Bible but it is very tough to watch   
  I just don't know when all these horrors are going to end   
  and when will Righteousness prevail ???   
 
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        Sun 07/19/09 04:45 PM
       
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     high there, well i guess i can tell you, it's todd. and i am very handy! i have been a self-employed carpenter for 15 years. i can design, and build anything from a bird house, to your house. i build animal cages right now. the economy here is terrible. most of my work was in elkhart county, you know the one with 18% unemployment. no one can afford to repair what they have, let alone something new. i just smile and wave, wondering if it is time to move. i grew up on a farm in northern in. and i can't abide cities. they are fun to visit, but i wouldn't want to live in one. you talk of a lake, i'm sorry it isn't as peaceful as you would like. the drawback of people who do not have respect for the world and it's living things. i can watch deer in the cornfield from my porch, listen to the wild turkeys when the wind is right, and defend my trash from the wiley raccoons. a lot better than watching the crackheads on the corner, or listening to loud gangsta rap, and defending my truck and tools from thieves, and the unscrupulous.   
Wow..i have had a chance to live in both worlds   
and this one in the city isn't even worthy   
of the pigeons that grace its community   
 
  i just had to throw this one in there too   
 
 
 
I miss the Country   but i will get there again    
it is only a matter of time for that is my main goal i am like a fish completely out of water where i live now   
and i am the Lone Rangeress   , for sure   
  my Brother and i are joining forces to help Our Mother   
  and to help each other cause < communal living > is where it is at   
I always knew way back when that we were going to have to get savvy    
& collectively really innovative   
to make it successfully in this world   
  I have a very very good friend in Indiana   , near Connorsville   
  and actually two other people in that same vicinity I'd love to see   
      My Sun Sign    <<< Libra >>>         
 
 
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      it's 4:20  
                              
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     high everybody,    not only did i not drown, but the canoe didn't even try to tip! the river, she loves me.  maybe next time, we can all go!  alone time with nature is awesome, but canoeing is more fun with friends. i don't know what happened before,i tried to do the quote thing, but it's will was more powerful than mine,   and didn't cooperate. but no, i haven't read that book, but i have read the writings of the buddha, siddhartha gautama. very enlightening.   dear rapunzel, where do you get the wonderful images that you post. i am using the copper lady with the lightning ball as my desktop background. thank you! well, i hear bowlio calling my name, so i'm off to see the wizard! i'll save a place for you, but you better hurry!    
  Oh Yes and by the way  ..Siddhartha   
   the enlightened one ...Gotama Buddha   
  spelled either way  Gautama or Gotama   
http://www.serve.com/cmtan/LifeBuddha/buddha.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha   splendid reading and noble patterns for life   
  although I regard Jesus Christ   as an even more Highly Ascended Being   
  for I believe that He rose from the Dead,   whereas i believe that the others did not   
  but that does not negate or downplay the lessons to be learned in their teachings   
  I read that book Siddhartha & The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran as a young teenage girl   
  & to this day  ~   
  The books Siddhartha & The Prophet still   reveal new understanding & wisdom to me    
  as i go through different stages in my life   
  oh I have been using glittergraphics & photobucket for many of my pics   
  it is really time consuming  but they are beautiful   & i have found such gems    
  and i love it   when i have a positive   spiritual effect on others   
  I am a mature & experienced   well versed Teacher   
  as well as a youthful, naive', knowledge ~thirsty Student   
  I need to expand my horizons grow & learn more   
   & unfurl my wings   & fly as much as possible    
  just as much as i need to teach others of the Light    
  and share with them my own wealth of life experiences   
 
 
 
 
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     high everybody,    not only did i not drown, but the canoe didn't even try to tip! the river, she loves me.  maybe next time, we can all go!  alone time with nature is awesome, but canoeing is more fun with friends. i don't know what happened before,i tried to do the quote thing, but it's will was more powerful than mine,   and didn't cooperate. but no, i haven't read that book, but i have read the writings of the buddha, siddhartha gautama. very enlightening.   dear rapunzel, where do you get the wonderful images that you post. i am using the copper lady with the lightning ball as my desktop background. thank you! well, i hear bowlio calling my name, so i'm off to see the wizard! i'll save a place for you, but you better hurry!    
      well Hello there    Mr. Handy Hippie       
  i still don't know your name   
   but just how handy are you ???  
      i sure could use a handy man       
  i am kidding with you but i am also being truthful   
  Well, your trip sounded like a lot of fun, R & R    
  and it is good that you didn't tip the canoe either   
  I have not always been so lucky in all my endeavors   
  I once rode with an old friend in a < Scanoe > with the end squared off   
  so you could mount a trolling motor   and that is just what we did   
  that was fun    i felt like Pocohontus rowing   with my hair in braids   
  and it hauled us   and our gear   to a quiet place without lowlives    on the lake    
 
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 it is soo soo tragic 
 Amen ..
 thank you Dragoness   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 They are soo appreciative 
 to not 
 well up 
 
 awww...
 
 now that gives a whole new meaning to yellow snow! i live in northern in. around ft.wayne. never been to connersville, but i've heard of it. the largest city i have lived in was about 50,000 pop. 7 years was all i could take.
 if you come this way, stop by and i'll show you some hoosier hospitality, a cook out, and a bake out. 
 and hopefully we can chat sometime 
 uuuuuuuuuuummm   
 
 and i do happen to know a few serious dirtbags myself 
 
 
 It is those things 
 
 
 from over  
 There has got to be an organized uprising against those who allow such insane unfair treatment 
  
 maybe next time, we can all go!
  and didn't cooperate. but no, i haven't read that book, but i have read the writings of the buddha, siddhartha gautama. very enlightening. 
 dear rapunzel, where do you get the wonderful images that you post. i am using the copper lady with the lightning ball as my desktop background. thank you! well, i hear bowlio calling my name, so i'm off to see the wizard! i'll save a place for you, but you better hurry!