Comments on: Letting History Judge President Bush Accordingly http://www.billyhallowell.com/letting-history-judge-president-bush-accordingly.htm Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:43:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: EBrunton728 http://www.billyhallowell.com/letting-history-judge-president-bush-accordingly.htm/comment-page-1#comment-391 EBrunton728 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 07:03:31 +0000 http://www.williamhallowell.com/?p=392#comment-391 A vital element in keeping the peace is our military establishment. Our arms must be mighty, ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction. Our military organization today bears little relation to that known by any of my predecessors in peacetime, or indeed by the fighting men of World War II or Korea. Until the latest of our world conflicts, the United States had no armaments industry. American makers of plowshares could, with time and as required, make swords as well. But now we can no longer risk emergency improvisation of national defense; we have been compelled to create a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions. Added to this, three and a half million men and women are directly engaged in the defense establishment. We annually spend on military security more than the net income of all United States corporations. This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence -- economic, political, even spiritual -- is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society. In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together. Akin to, and largely responsible for the sweeping changes in our industrial-military posture, has been the technological revolution during recent decades. In this revolution, research has become central; it also becomes more formalized, complex, and costly. A steadily increasing share is conducted for, by, or at the direction of, the Federal government. Today, the solitary inventor, tinkering in his shop, has been overshadowed by task forces of scientists in laboratories and testing fields. In the same fashion, the free university, historically the fountainhead of free ideas and scientific discovery, has experienced a revolution in the conduct of research. Partly because of the huge costs involved, a government contract becomes virtually a substitute for intellectual curiosity. For every old blackboard there are now hundreds of new electronic computers. The prospect of domination of the nation's scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present * and is gravely to be regarded. Yet, in holding scientific research and discovery in respect, as we should, we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientifictechnological elite. It is the task of statesmanship to mold, to balance, and to integrate these and other forces, new and old, within the principles of our democratic system -- ever aiming toward the supreme goals of our free society. Eisenhower A vital element in keeping the peace is our military establishment. Our arms must be mighty, ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction.

Our military organization today bears little relation to that known by any of my predecessors in peacetime, or indeed by the fighting men of World War II or Korea.

Until the latest of our world conflicts, the United States had no armaments industry. American makers of plowshares could, with time and as required, make swords as well. But now we can no longer risk emergency improvisation of national defense; we have been compelled to create a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions. Added to this, three and a half million men and women are directly engaged in the defense establishment. We annually spend on military security more than the net income of all United States corporations.

This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence — economic, political, even spiritual — is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.

We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.

Akin to, and largely responsible for the sweeping changes in our industrial-military posture, has been the technological revolution during recent decades.

In this revolution, research has become central; it also becomes more formalized, complex, and costly. A steadily increasing share is conducted for, by, or at the direction of, the Federal government.

Today, the solitary inventor, tinkering in his shop, has been overshadowed by task forces of scientists in laboratories and testing fields. In the same fashion, the free university, historically the fountainhead of free ideas and scientific discovery, has experienced a revolution in the conduct of research. Partly because of the huge costs involved, a government contract becomes virtually a substitute for intellectual curiosity. For every old blackboard there are now hundreds of new electronic computers.

The prospect of domination of the nation’s scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present

* and is gravely to be regarded.

Yet, in holding scientific research and discovery in respect, as we should, we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientifictechnological elite.

It is the task of statesmanship to mold, to balance, and to integrate these and other forces, new and old, within the principles of our democratic system — ever aiming toward the supreme goals of our free society.
Eisenhower

]]> By: EBrunton728 http://www.billyhallowell.com/letting-history-judge-president-bush-accordingly.htm/comment-page-1#comment-390 EBrunton728 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 07:00:46 +0000 http://www.williamhallowell.com/?p=392#comment-390 Throughout America's adventure in free government, our basic purposes have been to keep the peace; to foster progress in human achievement, and to enhance liberty, dignity and integrity among people and among nations. To strive for less would be unworthy of a free and religious people. Any failure traceable to arrogance, or our lack of comprehension or readiness to sacrifice would inflict upon us grievous hurt both at home and abroad. Throughout America’s adventure in free government, our basic purposes have been to keep the peace; to foster progress in human achievement, and to enhance liberty, dignity and integrity among people and among nations. To strive for less would be unworthy of a free and religious people. Any failure traceable to arrogance, or our lack of comprehension or readiness to sacrifice would inflict upon us grievous hurt both at home and abroad.

]]> By: EBrunton728 http://www.billyhallowell.com/letting-history-judge-president-bush-accordingly.htm/comment-page-1#comment-389 EBrunton728 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:59:03 +0000 http://www.williamhallowell.com/?p=392#comment-389 We now stand ten years past the midpoint of a century that has witnessed four major wars among great nations. Three of these involved our own country. Despite these holocausts America is today the strongest, the most influential and most productive nation in the world. Understandably proud of this pre-eminence, we yet realize that America's leadership and prestige depend, not merely upon our unmatched material progress, riches and military strength, but on how we use our power in the interests of world peace and human betterment. President and General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower We now stand ten years past the midpoint of a century that has witnessed four major wars among great nations. Three of these involved our own country. Despite these holocausts America is today the strongest, the most influential and most productive nation in the world. Understandably proud of this pre-eminence, we yet realize that America’s leadership and prestige depend, not merely upon our unmatched material progress, riches and military strength, but on how we use our power in the interests of world peace and human betterment.
President and General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower

]]> By: EBrunton728 http://www.billyhallowell.com/letting-history-judge-president-bush-accordingly.htm/comment-page-1#comment-388 EBrunton728 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:52:38 +0000 http://www.williamhallowell.com/?p=392#comment-388 The first vote I ever cast was for 43 in his first presidential campaign. I voted for a man who promised national security, fiscal responsibility, and "compassionate conservatism." I feel shortchanged, by a lot. As much as every conservative wants to bitch about the Clinton presidency, he adhered to our basic tenet. He balanced the budget, created jobs, and created a budget surplus. We might not have liked the way he did it, but he did. Clinton also encouraged the welfare to work bill, signed it, created job training. And as much as we hate Universal Healthcare, he understood fifteen years ahead of time that it was better for business. And right now, we as republicans (and I use the lower case r intentionally)are so stuck on stupid, unmaintainable social issues. Let's be realists, let's be intelligent. First and loudest, abortion rights are here to stay. There is no court that will overturn it, regardless of who decides the Supreme Court. Secondly, we should never ask for a Constitutional amendment to prohibit abortions. That is a personal matter most importantly. No artifice of government should deny a woman choices in reproduction. As for evolution vs creationism, evolution wins. It may not be a scientific law, but it is the most proven theory. If you choose not to believe in evolution, fine, that is your choice. But to deny the teaching of evolution, if you want to teach creationism in our public schools, you are an idiot. The rest of the world understands evolution to be the truth. As it is, we are so far behind in basic education, do we really need religious zealots to force us to be the laughing stock of the western world? Gay rights? God we really lost the lead by trying to suck up to evangelicals. There is no reason why we as conservatives need the government to interfere with someone's personal life. If a gay person pays taxes and abides by the laws that we all do, why should they be denied the right to form a family? We all know that they aren't "recruiting". And if two men or women want to commit themselves to each other, how is that worse for marriage as compared to people marrying and divorcing and marrying. But hey, great news, every day our government is spending hundreds of millions on an unwinnable war, we bail out Wall Street, we're contemplating bailing out Detroit. What happened to being fiscally responsible and socially open? And as for the bailout, we are doing the same shit as the s and l controversy of the late 80's. The first vote I ever cast was for 43 in his first presidential campaign. I voted for a man who promised national security, fiscal responsibility, and “compassionate conservatism.” I feel shortchanged, by a lot.
As much as every conservative wants to bitch about the Clinton presidency, he adhered to our basic tenet. He balanced the budget, created jobs, and created a budget surplus. We might not have liked the way he did it, but he did. Clinton also encouraged the welfare to work bill, signed it, created job training. And as much as we hate Universal Healthcare, he understood fifteen years ahead of time that it was better for business.
And right now, we as republicans (and I use the lower case r intentionally)are so stuck on stupid, unmaintainable social issues. Let’s be realists, let’s be intelligent.
First and loudest, abortion rights are here to stay. There is no court that will overturn it, regardless of who decides the Supreme Court.
Secondly, we should never ask for a Constitutional amendment to prohibit abortions. That is a personal matter most importantly. No artifice of government should deny a woman choices in reproduction.
As for evolution vs creationism, evolution wins. It may not be a scientific law, but it is the most proven theory. If you choose not to believe in evolution, fine, that is your choice. But to deny the teaching of evolution, if you want to teach creationism in our public schools, you are an idiot. The rest of the world understands evolution to be the truth. As it is, we are so far behind in basic education, do we really need religious zealots to force us to be the laughing stock of the western world?
Gay rights? God we really lost the lead by trying to suck up to evangelicals. There is no reason why we as conservatives need the government to interfere with someone’s personal life. If a gay person pays taxes and abides by the laws that we all do, why should they be denied the right to form a family? We all know that they aren’t “recruiting”. And if two men or women want to commit themselves to each other, how is that worse for marriage as compared to people marrying and divorcing and marrying.
But hey, great news, every day our government is spending hundreds of millions on an unwinnable war, we bail out Wall Street, we’re contemplating bailing out Detroit. What happened to being fiscally responsible and socially open? And as for the bailout, we are doing the same shit as the s and l controversy of the late 80′s.

]]> By: Dave. http://www.billyhallowell.com/letting-history-judge-president-bush-accordingly.htm/comment-page-1#comment-380 Dave. Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:00:14 +0000 http://www.williamhallowell.com/?p=392#comment-380 My take on the Bush presidency is one of "staying the course" against extreme odds in a number of areas - the conflict against Islamic Extremists, work on keeping this country free despite open borders, staving off the UN efforts to subjugate American citizens to the rule of world-wide despots, and the efforts to educate our future. One must not forget that the Democratic "do nothing, left wing Congress" controlled for the past two years, that several RINO's prevailed in much of the economic fiasco resulting in our current morass and the president's efforts "to reach across the aisle" turned him into the laughable pretzel that Democrats just love to laugh at. Much of his effort was for naught not because of any other force than an unengaged public with particular emphasis on the "conservative Christian". AWOL pastors, willingly ignorant pew sitters, and those looking for "something for nothing" from a god of their own making. A realistic knowledge of history is replete with "praying Christians"; Presidents Washington, Lincoln, and many others, grounded, churchmen such as the Minutemen, the "heroic generation" (T. Brokaw) were fighting men who prayed and saw the blessings of a righteous God act. Our country's first line of defense is SPIRITUAL; rejection of this leaves (has left) us wide open to Satanic Attack. Doubt it?? How do you account for our downward slide in morality, ethics, character with a simultaneous increase in murder, suicide, welfare, poverty, homelessness, drugs, etc. We as a nation have lost our moorings, are adrift and too busy partying to hear the iceberg ripping our hull apart like a zipper - it worked with the Titanic and is surely working with the once great ship of state - the U.S. of A. Dave. My take on the Bush presidency is one of “staying the course” against extreme odds in a number of areas – the conflict against Islamic Extremists, work on keeping this country free despite open borders, staving off the UN efforts to subjugate American citizens to the rule of world-wide despots, and the efforts to educate our future. One must not forget that the Democratic “do nothing, left wing Congress” controlled for the past two years, that several RINO’s prevailed in much of the economic fiasco resulting in our current morass and the president’s efforts “to reach across the aisle” turned him into the laughable pretzel that Democrats just love to laugh at. Much of his effort was for naught not because of any other force than an unengaged public with particular emphasis on the “conservative Christian”. AWOL pastors, willingly ignorant pew sitters, and those looking for “something for nothing” from a god of their own making. A realistic knowledge of history is replete with “praying Christians”; Presidents Washington, Lincoln, and many others, grounded, churchmen such as the Minutemen, the “heroic generation” (T. Brokaw) were fighting men who prayed and saw the blessings of a righteous God act. Our country’s first line of defense is SPIRITUAL; rejection of this leaves (has left) us wide open to Satanic Attack. Doubt it?? How do you account for our downward slide in morality, ethics, character with a simultaneous increase in murder, suicide, welfare, poverty, homelessness, drugs, etc. We as a nation have lost our moorings, are adrift and too busy partying to hear the iceberg ripping our hull apart like a zipper – it worked with the Titanic and is surely working with the once great ship of state – the U.S. of A. Dave.

]]> By: Dave. http://www.billyhallowell.com/letting-history-judge-president-bush-accordingly.htm/comment-page-1#comment-379 Dave. Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:58:23 +0000 http://www.williamhallowell.com/?p=392#comment-379 My take on the Bush presidency is one of "staying the course" against extreme odds in a number of areas - the conflict against Islamic Extremists, work on keeping this country free despite open borders, staving off the UN efforts to subjugate American citizens to the rule of world-wide despots, and the efforts to educate our future. One must not forget that the Democratic "do nothing, left wing Congress" controlled for the past two years, that several RINO's prevailed in much of the economic fiasco resulting in our current morass and the president's efforts "to reach across the aisle" turned him into the laughable pretzel that Democrats just love to laugh at. Much of his effort was for naught not because of any other force than an unengaged public with particular emphasis on the "conservative Christian". AWOL pastors, willingly ignorant pew sitters, and those looking for "something for nothing" from a god of their own making. A realistic knowledge of history is replete with "praying Christians"; Presidents Washington, Lincoln, and many others, grounded, churchmen such as the Minutemen, the "heroic generation" (T. Brokaw) were fighting men who prayed and saw the blessings of a righteous God act. Our country's first line of defense is SPIRITUAL; rejection of this leaves (has left) us wide open to Satanic Attack. Doubt it?? How do you account for our downward slide in morality, ethics, character with a simultaneous increase in murder, suicide, welfare, poverty, homelessness, drugs, etc. We as a nation have lost our moorings, are adrift and too busy partying to hear the iceberg ripping our hull apart like a zipper - it worked with the Titanic and is surely working with the once great ship of state the U.S. of A. Dave. My take on the Bush presidency is one of “staying the course” against extreme odds in a number of areas – the conflict against Islamic Extremists, work on keeping this country free despite open borders, staving off the UN efforts to subjugate American citizens to the rule of world-wide despots, and the efforts to educate our future. One must not forget that the Democratic “do nothing, left wing Congress” controlled for the past two years, that several RINO’s prevailed in much of the economic fiasco resulting in our current morass and the president’s efforts “to reach across the aisle” turned him into the laughable pretzel that Democrats just love to laugh at. Much of his effort was for naught not because of any other force than an unengaged public with particular emphasis on the “conservative Christian”. AWOL pastors, willingly ignorant pew sitters, and those looking for “something for nothing” from a god of their own making. A realistic knowledge of history is replete with “praying Christians”; Presidents Washington, Lincoln, and many others, grounded, churchmen such as the Minutemen, the “heroic generation” (T. Brokaw) were fighting men who prayed and saw the blessings of a righteous God act. Our country’s first line of defense is SPIRITUAL; rejection of this leaves (has left) us wide open to Satanic Attack. Doubt it?? How do you account for our downward slide in morality, ethics, character with a simultaneous increase in murder, suicide, welfare, poverty, homelessness, drugs, etc. We as a nation have lost our moorings, are adrift and too busy partying to hear the iceberg ripping our hull apart like a zipper – it worked with the Titanic and is surely working with the once great ship of state the U.S. of A. Dave.

]]> By: Billy Hallowell http://www.billyhallowell.com/letting-history-judge-president-bush-accordingly.htm/comment-page-1#comment-351 Billy Hallowell Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:17:05 +0000 http://www.williamhallowell.com/?p=392#comment-351 You have also missed the point entirely. If you look objectively, you cannot deny homelessness and HIV/AIDS in particular. This is not a tit for tat; it's reality. While Bush has failed miserably in many arenas, he has had some successes that are widely overlooked. Again, fact. You have also missed the point entirely. If you look objectively, you cannot deny homelessness and HIV/AIDS in particular. This is not a tit for tat; it’s reality. While Bush has failed miserably in many arenas, he has had some successes that are widely overlooked. Again, fact.

]]> By: Billy Hallowell http://www.billyhallowell.com/letting-history-judge-president-bush-accordingly.htm/comment-page-1#comment-350 Billy Hallowell Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:15:37 +0000 http://www.williamhallowell.com/?p=392#comment-350 Comments are never deleted or screened in the manner you've suggested. Comments are never deleted or screened in the manner you’ve suggested.

]]> By: l33tism http://www.billyhallowell.com/letting-history-judge-president-bush-accordingly.htm/comment-page-1#comment-348 l33tism Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:29:56 +0000 http://www.williamhallowell.com/?p=392#comment-348 It's interesting to see the censorship of your comments, even when my last one was deleted after it presented valid conflicting information. Perhaps you should spend less time worrying about the failed president Bush legacy and more time worrying about your 'facts'. I'm not worried though, a quick google search on any of these topics reveals each failure in clear detail. It’s interesting to see the censorship of your comments, even when my last one was deleted after it presented valid conflicting information. Perhaps you should spend less time worrying about the failed president Bush legacy and more time worrying about your ‘facts’. I’m not worried though, a quick google search on any of these topics reveals each failure in clear detail.

]]> By: L33Tism http://www.billyhallowell.com/letting-history-judge-president-bush-accordingly.htm/comment-page-1#comment-347 L33Tism Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:51:23 +0000 http://www.williamhallowell.com/?p=392#comment-347 Privatizing social security is not the answer to the social security problem. Clearly that is demonstrated in the US health care crisis. And as you stated, it failed. Recognizing a problem does not define an accomplishment. The homeless situation is a wreck and I will tell you why. The white house budgeted $35 million dollars total to this cause. To give a sense of how much that means in Washington budgetary terms, $35 million is equal to the money set aside to help keep insects from crossing the border. Another point: virtually no money was spent on trying to get these people education or actual jobs. They hardly focused on the immediate problem, and like a slap in the face, they in no way focused on the long-term problem. This ultimately only encouraged more homeless people to be temporarily placed in a home. As far as being more safe than we were on September 11th; this is highly controversial, if not a clear contradiction, to evidence I've found. And you don't have to take my word for it. Google the words "more safe than Sept 11". The majority of the first page will, in fact, say we are LESS safe. I'm not saying Bush didn't do anything good for the US. I just saying the things you stated were either highly controversial or incorrect. And if that's all you have to say about the Bush legacy, it's one sad legacy indeed. But you're right about one thing. History will define the truth long after we are gone. Privatizing social security is not the answer to the social security problem. Clearly that is demonstrated in the US health care crisis. And as you stated, it failed. Recognizing a problem does not define an accomplishment.

The homeless situation is a wreck and I will tell you why. The white house budgeted $35 million dollars total to this cause. To give a sense of how much that means in Washington budgetary terms, $35 million is equal to the money set aside to help keep insects from crossing the border. Another point: virtually no money was spent on trying to get these people education or actual jobs. They hardly focused on the immediate problem, and like a slap in the face, they in no way focused on the long-term problem. This ultimately only encouraged more homeless people to be temporarily placed in a home.

As far as being more safe than we were on September 11th; this is highly controversial, if not a clear contradiction, to evidence I’ve found. And you don’t have to take my word for it. Google the words “more safe than Sept 11″. The majority of the first page will, in fact, say we are LESS safe.

I’m not saying Bush didn’t do anything good for the US. I just saying the things you stated were either highly controversial or incorrect. And if that’s all you have to say about the Bush legacy, it’s one sad legacy indeed.

But you’re right about one thing. History will define the truth long after we are gone.

]]>