You're Joking, Right?

[mrdannyg 274]

1) we've heard the national debt hoohah for generations now. simple bursts of true productivity and the resultant creation of wealth are the cures for national debt. problem is, are we really going to do what it takes to create a new burst of productivity? that's what I'm worried about. 2) yeah, actually I *DO* want a frickin cookie. I believe American philanthropy throughout the world is TREMENDOUSLY undervalued. most anti-US bigots would have you believe that we do NOTHING to help people, when the truth is that we are the world's single largest source of aid. as much as the rest of the planet combined. So STFU. Yeah, we DESERVE a ****ing cookie. 3) non-sequiter -- the UN is a dead letter. Another thing costing the US upwards of $2 billion a year. And you don't even say thanks. **** you. 4) most of the world is NOT working towards global good. It just isn't.

1 - i don't have much of a historical perspective, so i can't argue with the first sentence. i do know that your supposed cures are meaningless. those things only help if, using them, the US will balance their budget, and at least try not to fall further into debt. nothing suggests this is the case.maybe this is one of those things that logic says will be a problem, but a historical perspective shows it just will never be one.2 - can't argue with that.all i can say is that giving money is a lot different than giving help. you guys give money.3 - it doesn't cost the US $2 billion a year. the US owes it over $25 billion a year. it is dead (and it is) because of the US, not because it is inherently inefficient.4 - I disagree. Almost every large national and international organization is working towards bypassing national borders. National borders, using things like tariffs, cause inefficiency. Most countries are trying to tear down such things, while only receiving the same benefits every other country does by doing the same thing; the globalization of the market. The US has only shown to be willing to do this when they specifically receive benefits. This may seem logical, but not only does it hurt other countries, it hurts the US since it is giving up opportunities to increase its citizen's standard of living.The US became large and great using protectionist methods, but it seems that they could become even greater by relaxing those.

[FerretKing 0]

why would iran think that they could wipe isreal off the map anyhow?israel have nuclear weapons but do not confirm or deny that in part because they will lose US aid because we do not support nuclear states...israel just purched 2 second strike nuclear subs about 1 month ago, they now have 1st and second strike capabilites...for iran to try anything now or 20 years later would be suicide

Exactly, they don't care if they die. Suicide is the path for glory among radical islam as long as you take the infidels out with you.

[alf13 0]

His temper shows in his words and he often seems out of control. The Iranian president did a much better job of seeming in control of his emotions- in other words, he'd crush Bush at the poker table! Wouldn't even be close. I totally understand that anything a politician says has to be taken with several grains of salt. The same things can be said about anything Bush says publicly. He's just so much easier to read when he's lying since many of his lies are so far fetched and the stories he tells to back them up aren't reasonable. "We are there to liberate the people." How does he even say that without busting up laughing?

ROFL! (Seriously..I fell down and started rolling on the floor laughing...I think I hurt my knee)This reminds me of the times I am sitting at another table and my buddy shows up at the rail...I ask him.."what happened?" and he goes on this elaborate explanation about "why" he called off all his chips on the river with top pair/no kicker. He starts in on all the "info" he recieved in the hand, and why he "would do it again". meanwhile, I know that deep inside all he is trying to do is to justify his play in his mind by repeating all this out loud.It seems to me that you read Bush for J8o and the guy has friggin Aces. On the other hand, you give too much credit to that scumbag hitler wannabee, and allowed yourself to get bluffed by 32 sooooooooooooooooooted. You allowed your prejudices to cloud your read. Just like the macho dude that is hell bent on bluffing the one woman at the table.Balloon Guy also made a pretty good point...Richard Nixon was the best poker playing president of all-time....he said the rest, better than I can.In honor of your blog entry, I am gonna go watch that hand you played on HSP against Gus Hansen again.

[Flack_attack 0]

ROFL! (Seriously..I fell down and started rolling on the floor laughing...I think I hurt my knee)This reminds me of the times I am sitting at another table and my buddy shows up at the rail...I ask him.."what happened?" and he goes on this elaborate explanation about "why" he called off all his chips on the river with top pair/no kicker. He starts in on all the "info" he recieved in the hand, and why he "would do it again". meanwhile, I know that deep inside all he is trying to do is to justify his play in his mind by repeating all this out loud.It seems to me that you read Bush for J8o and the guy has friggin Aces. On the other hand, you give too much credit to that sumbag hitler wannabee, and allowed yourself to get bluffed by 32 sooooooooooooooooooted. You allowed your prejudices to cloud your read. Just like the macho dude that is hell bent on bluffing the one woman at the table.Balloon Guy also made a pretty good point...Richard Nixon was the best poker playing president of all-time....he said the rest, better than I can.In honor of your blog entry, I am gonna go watch that hand you played on HSP against Gus Hansen again.

I didn't really understand all of the poker metaphors, but I probably agree with this post.

[alf13 0]

I didn't really understand all of the poker metaphors, but I probably agree with this post.

It's simple. You consider yourself a better poker player than the guy you lost too. So when you call off all your chips against him...you just make up a reason as to why you did it.

[Flack_attack 0]

It's simple. You consider yourself a better poker player than the guy you lost too. So when you call off all your chips against him...you just make up a reason as to why you did it.

Gotcha.

[Untilted 158]

Wow. Unbelievable blog. Daniel, please come back to us.You are giving this man, who is the Iranian President, all this credibility, just because he looked good in a 60 minutes interview? This man denied the HolocaustThis man want's to eliminate the entire Jewish population and race.He said what he wanted you to hear. I am no Bush lover. He has made horrible mistakes on Iraq. Rumsfeld should be fired. But the fact is that this man is an Islamic extremist who just happens to be the Iranian President. Is it possible that your desire to Bush-Bash is so great, that it clouds your judgement? It sounds like to me, you are on political tilt?

[princeof56k 0]

Wow this thread is all over the place but strangly connected at the same time. Thats not an easy things to do. Started with Danies comments about Iran's leader and Bush. Then splintered off into the Muslim/racism segment, the what the world thinks of the USA segment, and the US economy segment (with somehow China getting thrown in there). There is so much stuff to comment on I dont know where to begin.

[mtdesmoines 3]

3 - it doesn't cost the US $2 billion a year. the US owes it over $25 billion a year. it is dead (and it is) because of the US, not because it is inherently inefficient.4 - I disagree. Almost every large national and international organization is working towards bypassing national borders. National borders, using things like tariffs, cause inefficiency. Most countries are trying to tear down such things, while only receiving the same benefits every other country does by doing the same thing; the globalization of the market. The US has only shown to be willing to do this when they specifically receive benefits. This may seem logical, but not only does it hurt other countries, it hurts the US since it is giving up opportunities to increase its citizen's standard of living.The US became large and great using protectionist methods, but it seems that they could become even greater by relaxing those.

3) The UN is dead because it is a jopke, run by tin-horn dictators pretending to be statesmen. 4) National borders are the only thing protecting you from nutcases around the world. Do away with borders, and we'll all be living in Somalia.

[mrdannyg 274]

3) The UN is dead because it is a jopke, run by tin-horn dictators pretending to be statesmen. 4) National borders are the only thing protecting you from nutcases around the world. Do away with borders, and we'll all be living in Somalia.

you had some salient points, but now you've completely stopped making sense. i guess you guys know why so many people argue against the US' policies - we so rarely run into valid counterarguments./smugness

[DanielNegreanu 141]

Wow. Unbelievable blog. Daniel, please come back to us.You are giving this man, who is the Iranian President, all this credibility, just because he looked good in a 60 minutes interview? This man denied the HolocaustThis man want's to eliminate the entire Jewish population and race.He said what he wanted you to hear. I am no Bush lover. He has made horrible mistakes on Iraq. Rumsfeld should be fired. But the fact is that this man is an Islamic extremist who just happens to be the Iranian President. Is it possible that your desire to Bush-Bash is so great, that it clouds your judgement? It sounds like to me, you are on political tilt?

Do you guys really read what I write? Where did I say that I support, or even like the Iranian leader? Yikes, I never did. Just because he is a nut job, though, doesn't mean that much of what he had to say about Bush's administration wasn't true.

[princeof56k 0]

I'll take a shot at the globalization/protectionism argument. Mrdannyg and mtdesmoines are both write and wrong at the same time. It depends on which time period you're talking about.During the Cold War, the US did benifit from protectionism, but it practically had to practice those types of policies. The Cold War was a strange time.Once the Cold War ended, globilazation took over, and the US played a big role. The US (and other countries) has actually become stronger during this period becuase of globalization, but the US was the most important player. IMO, the globalization going on right now is awsome.

[aucu 3]

Do you guys really read what I write? Where did I say that I support, or even like the Iranian leader? Yikes, I never did. Just because he is a nut job, though, doesn't mean that much of what he had to say about Bush's administration wasn't true.

No you didn't but as soon as you say anything negative about Saint W. the Radicals will come for you.

[princeof56k 0]

Do you guys really read what I write? Where did I say that I support, or even like the Iranian leader? Yikes, I never did. Just because he is a nut job, though, doesn't mean that much of what he had to say about Bush's administration wasn't true.

From your blog

Frankly, the guy kind of blew me away. He came off as extremely intelligent and friendly. It was easy to understand why the people of Iran seem to be so supportive of him as a leader.

I'm not trying to be hard on you here. I realize you probably dont actually like or support the guy, but when you call someone intelligent and friendly, what do you expect people to think? Especially those who only half read the blog anyways.

[poker_cutie 0]

I read it a couple times actually just in case I missed you saying how insane a person he is and how much of a threat he is to anyone who oesnt support his views. He wants Israel destroyed. Do you keep up with these things Daniel? Its just your statements made you look so out of touch with reality. Im sure you really arent that removed from things, but your words made you seem that way. I appreciate and love your blog but this one kinda shocked me. How about some clarification then on what you really think of him?

Do you guys really read what I write? Where did I say that I support, or even like the Iranian leader? Yikes, I never did. Just because he is a nut job, though, doesn't mean that much of what he had to say about Bush's administration wasn't true.

[gca0385 0]

"Just because he is a nut job, though, doesn't mean that much of what he had to say about Bush's administration wasn't true."Yes we should all listen to the nutjob for his valid arguments. Like wow. You basically called the worst leader in the Middle East "likeable" and "friendly" just because you don't like Bush. As you like to say "Yikes."

[grocery_mony 8]

why should anyone believe this administration calling irans nuclear ambitions a threat. sounds alot like what they were saying about iraq before they invaded. they maybe a threat but no one should listen to administration who stretched the truth and outright lied about invading iraq. if the usa has a nuclear weapons they have no right to tell other countries not to have them. fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. or as bush would say fool me once ummm ahhhhh shame on you ummmmmmmmm ahhhhh fool me wont get fooled again

[gca0385 0]

why should anyone believe this administration calling irans nuclear ambitions a threat. sounds alot like what they were saying about iraq before they invaded. they maybe a threat but no one should listen to administration who stretched the truth and outright lied about invading iraq. if the usa has a nuclear weapons they have no right to tell other countries not to have them. fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. or as bush would say fool me once ummm ahhhhh shame on you ummmmmmmmm ahhhhh fool me wont get fooled again

Come on man. It is not like the USA is going around telling every country in the world not to have nuclear weapons. Numerous countries obviously have nuclear weapons. They are telling the country that has said if they had weapons that they would destroy Isreal. Or they could give them to terrorists who would use them against all the western countries of the world. I for one won't put up much of a fight if Iran isn't allowed to have nuclear abilities.

[omahaace 0]

Daniel you must be joking,if alot of those mid east countries had nulear power they would make weapons and use them they don't care about life.next the terrorists that are doing all the violince all a round they world are mostly muslims they are not japanese or chinese or from africa,,,if you don't like it here go back to canada

[blueodum 0]

Daniel is as qualified to comment on politics and racial views as he is to comment on how to hit a major league curveball. Being a popular poker personality does not make u an expert in anything else by "osmosis".If Daniel isn't qualified to comment on politics, then 95% of this forum isn't either. You are basically a simple-minded, ill-informed bunch.

[mrdannyg 274]

Daniel is as qualified to comment on politics and racial views as he is to comment on how to hit a major league curveball. Being a popular poker personality does not make u an expert in anything else by "osmosis".If Daniel isn't qualified to comment on politics, then 95% of this forum isn't either. You are basically a simple-minded, ill-informed bunch.

and amazingly, very few of us do make a post that thousands of people read detailing our views on politics.ill-informed? probably. simple-minded? doubtfully. since you're a god of intellect, maybe you could help us simple-minded folk out.

[alf13 0]

why should anyone believe this administration calling irans nuclear ambitions a threat. sounds alot like what they were saying about iraq before they invaded. they maybe a threat but no one should listen to administration who stretched the truth and outright lied about invading iraq. if the usa has a nuclear weapons they have no right to tell other countries not to have them. fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. or as bush would say fool me once ummm ahhhhh shame on you ummmmmmmmm ahhhhh fool me wont get fooled again

Ah sure...let's just give them the nukes then.We have every right to tell other countries to not have nukes....since WE WOULD BE ONE OF THE COUNTRIES THEY WOULD NUKE.You didn't actually think about what you posted...did ya?

[coesillian 0]

The tower didn't fall because planes flew into them...seriously, it was staged ahead of time with explosives ready to detonate. For those who disregard this simply because its a conspiracy theory should look at the evidence first.Just look at WTC 7 that also fell that day even if it wasn't hit. http://youtube.com/watch?v=X0PjB7RUx_MIt was obviously internally demolished(and evacuated for that reason).Watch Loose Change availble from google video, take what you like and then look at it all objectively.This migth be off topic but I don't get how people still think this was simply a terrorist act, IMO the american government was behind this (think back to Bush's reaction in the kindergarden class when he found out america was under attack)

[alf13 0]

The tower didn't fall because planes flew into them...seriously, it was staged ahead of time with explosives ready to detonate. For those who disregard this simply because its a conspiracy theory should look at the evidence first.Just look at WTC 7 that also fell that day even if it wasn't hit. http://youtube.com/watch?v=X0PjB7RUx_MIt was obviously internally demolished(and evacuated for that reason).Watch Loose Change availble from google video, take what you like and then look at it all objectively.This migth be off topic but I don't get how people still think this was simply a terrorist act, IMO the american government was behind this (think back to Bush's reaction in the kindergarden class when he found out america was under attack)

STFU. You are a stupid moron. Once you realize that, you will cease to post crap like that again.

[Flack_attack 0]

This migth be off topic but I don't get how people still think this was simply a terrorist act, IMO the american government was behind this (think back to Bush's reaction in the kindergarden class when he found out america was under attack)