A Nation Divided

[mrbowler]

Sure seems like it to me.

[bobbcat]

mrbowler, I think it would be interesting to delve into just why this is happening. I'll do some digging, but don't have much time. Got loose ends to tie up, and will be starting a new job on the 3rd (can't wait, nervous and excited and all that).

Right off the bat, that image comes from faireconomy.org.

Exerpt:

United for a Fair Economy is a national, independent, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. UFE raises awareness that concentrated wealth and power undermine the economy, corrupt democracy, deepen the racial divide, and tear communities apart. (emphasis mine) We support and help build social movements for greater equality.

Nonpartisan? They have got to be kidding or they are full of beans.

Here's another one:

More Americans have died in Iraq than in all U.S. military operations since Vietnam combined. Meanwhile, millionaires are getting tax breaks.

What planet did they get those stats from? I'm sorry, mrbowler, but you need to go to a more reliable source for your info. These people are crazy!

[mrbowler]

The source was quoted as:

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I have no idea about the item you posted.

[mrbowler]

Originally Posted by bobbcat

Here's another one:

What planet did they get those stats from? I'm sorry, mrbowler, but you need to go to a more reliable source for your info. These people are crazy!

The item you are talking about comes from a article by commondreams.org

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"More Americans have died in Iraq than in all U.S. military operations since Vietnam combined."

[bobbcat]

I right-clicked on the image in your original post and faireconomy.org showed up. You trying to pull a fast one on me, mrbowler? LOL

It doesn't matter who quotes those stats. They are insane (the stats and the people who are quoting them).

[mrbowler]

Bobbcat-I believe that they are correct if you read the way it is worded(us military operations)

841 If this site is accurate
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I believe the number in Iraq is over 1000

28
168
7
77
19

299 Terrorism




So if you included terrorist attacks 1140

[bobbcat]

Exerpt

More Americans have died in Iraq than in all U.S. military operations since Vietnam combined.

I must be blind. Show me from your latest link where the statement quoted above is reflected as correct, mrbowler. I just added up to 1945 and got 1,154,884.

[mrbowler]

Originally Posted by bobbcat

I right-clicked on the image in your original post and faireconomy.org showed up. You trying to pull a fast one on me, mrbowler? LOL

It doesn't matter who quotes those stats. They are insane (the stats and the people who are quoting them).

I didn't try to pull a fast one. Faireconomy.org used a article by commondreams

I usually fight fair BTW-Best to you on your job

[mrbowler]

Originally Posted by bobbcat

Exerpt

I must be blind. Show me from your latest link where the statement quoted above is reflected as correct, mrbowler. I just added up to 1945 and got 1,154,884.

I believe they are saying since Vietnam so you would take numbers after Vietnam. Maybe someone else reading can interpret the wording.

[bobbcat]

BTW-Best to you on your job

Oh thank you! It has been a long wait since I graduated (January of this year) from the course I took to prepare for it.

Oh.........since Vietnam. Let me number-crunch again. I came up with 9540. In Vietnam, 58,219 were lost. Of that 9540, 7040 were lost under Vietnam Tet in 1968.

[mrbowler]

Originally Posted by bobbcat

Oh thank you! It has been a long wait since I graduated (January of this year) from the course I took to prepare for it.

Oh.........since Vietnam. Let me number-crunch again. I came up with 9540. In Vietnam, 58,219 were lost. Of that 9540, 7040 were lost under Vietnam Tet in 1968.

Ha.Ha..How about since the end of Vietnam(Tet) I feel like i'm doing the Chubby Checker song "Let's Twist Again". It does have fuzzy logic, but it does work.

[bobbcat]

Then the number becomes even smaller, mrbowler. Don't you see how erroneous this statement is?

More Americans have died in Iraq than in all U.S. military operations since Vietnam combined.

Maybe I should be pinched to see if I am awake? I dunno, I just don't see how it works.

[mrbowler]

What can I say....I was able to understand what was meant. Maybe a english major can clarify the word "since", and how it is being used in the sentence.

[mrbowler]

Gap between haves, have-nots expands

This explains pretty well what is happening.

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[bobbcat]

Technology has eliminated many U.S. jobs, as has global competition, particularly from low-wage countries such as China. Highly skilled, educated workers in America will thrive as demand rises, Sohn said, while low-skilled jobs remain vulnerable to outsourcing.

"This really has nothing to do with Bush or Kerry, but more to do with the longer-term shift in the structure of the economy," Sohn said.

I am not at all sure this whole thing should be looked at as a picture of the gap between the "haves" and the "have nots" widening. It always takes time for people to adjust to major changes in the job market, such as the advent of outsourcing.

I think it is important to look at the standard of living of even the poorest of the poor here in the US as it compares to other countries. Most of these folks have cars, TVs, access to cable, stereos, boom boxes, etc.

Any news of people doing well, regardless of the context in which it is reported should be looked upon as a good thing, even if it is regarding those "filthy rich" folks. Class-envy rhetoric just doesn't cut any ice with me, as this is the land of opportunity, and people should be encouraged to reach the fullest extent of their potential, not made to feel guilty over enjoying the rewards of their success. If you could afford to shop at Nordstrom's, you'd be there, ready for bear.