We gave our blood. Where's our oil? The most common slogan upon placards at major anti-war protests is "No Blood for Oil." The record-high cost of gasoline two years after the launch of the Iraq war exposes this Marxist canard. The U.S. neither went into Iraq seeking profit, nor left with booty.

I thought I'd join before I got drafted. Remember all those threats about George W. Bush's secret plan to reinstitute the draft after his reelection? Well, it's 139 days since election day and--guess what!--no draft. John Hawkins of RightWingNews is calling on liberals to apologize for their election-season scare-tactics.

Under the Influenza. How about that flu epidemic ready to pounce on America all because of George W. Bush? Like the warnings of the coming draft, discussion of the looming influenza epidemic died with the election.

Machiavelli said, "one who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived." The ideologically-induced gullibility of present-day partisans demonstrates the wisdom of the Florentine's maxim.

I'm not saying Bush was responsible for the flu...lol...but I do know that there has been some nasty strains going around the Washington D.C. area this winter.

I could have used that flu shot, and not have had to deal with 4 miserable days of the flu, and the after effects (which i'm still dealing with).

It seems like this year's flu season was larger than usual. Or am I just imagining this because I had a bad one?

I think that George Bush, knowing that he was purposely going to hold back on the flu vaccine, found some way to spread the disease in D.C.

Evil bastige!

And we know: everything is all Bush's fault!!

asdf,

Me thoughts exactly. I usually just blame all my problems on Bush. It works for the liberals.

The military gave me the flu shot this winter.
I still got the flu. So those of you who missed the shot and still got the flu should not be too upset.

Regarding the flu shot: 1. There was a shortage (how did that happen? The government was in charge of it and the technology is old -- is that right?). 2. Prioritizing at-risk demographic groups was the right response. 3. Liberals went crazy.

Isn't this basically what they would do to all of our medical system?

I hear ya' CJD. He's definately their Bogyman. Root of all that's evil, don't you know.

Good point. If they can screw up something as linear and simple as a bloody flu shot, should they be trusted with the management of a myriad of more complicated, life determining, medical procedures?

Putting ANY healthcare issues in the hands of the Government is not a good idea. Too big; too bureaucratic; too slow. And they need five times the resources that any private concern would need to get the same job done.

The scaremongering from both camps was pretty disgusting in the last presidential election. As the post points out, the Left tried to scare voters by invoking the specter of a mandatory draft, as well as an influenza epidemic. The Right was just as bad in '04, insinuating that Iraq had nuclear weapons, suggesting that Chicago would end up a pile of rubble if John Kerry were to be elected and blowing out of all proportion the number of times Kerry had voted for a tax increase.

Relying on distortions and scare tactics in order to win votes is unfortunately nothing new. It is one of the oldest traditions of American politics. As P.T. Barnum put it, "there's a sucker born every minute." Politicians and hacks from all political parties devote significant manpower and resources to finding these suckers, and conning them into voting by telling them fantastic stories that bear little--if any--resemblance to reality.

It is a scientifically proven fact that flu shots have in no incidences, prevented any individual from contracting a flu virus. If you don't believe me, do the research yourselves. I just thought I would throw that out there.

Also Flynn, I am neither a Dem or Repub but if you don't see that we are not attempting to gain a stronger foothold in the Middle East right now, you are a blind man and your interpretations of the media are just as warped as the media itself. U.S. Corporations of the likes of Halliburton are gaining major prophets from their presence in Iraq and Iran this very second. Do the research. These are the insiders in high up posisition who unfortunately have found themselves appointed or elected into ofice. "Reader" was correct when he stated that recent scare tactics from both parties were pretty low. This whole right and left civil-war-thing is pathetic. We should work together to uphold the constitution, extract the truth and seek truthful and honest governence.

Well, once again Flynn, I have to present EVIDENCE to the contrary regarding the US' presence in Iraq. The following link http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/4354269.stm
lays down solid rationale for an oil driven war. Please read and again, I am not causing trouble here, just relaying a more realistic interpretation. Longterm, U.S. replaces OPEC. Have a little read boys and girls. Or Click my name for link.

Truth, apparently, you missed the only substantive statement in this piece:

A State Department spokesman told Newsnight they intended "to provide all possibilities to the Oil Ministry of Iraq and advocate none".

I'm sure that there are people who will smuggle overheard quotes from the Bilderburg Group as well. But that Bush was planning to attack Iraq from the beginning is about as unsubstantiated from that piece as that Hussein was asking around for yellow cake uranium in Nigeria. People proffered that information as well.

It’s entirely possible, as most vaccines are a strain of the bacteria, that when getting a shot to combat a disease that a person might get a mild case of that sickness.

When I was a wee’ lad in the service of our country, they used to give what they called a ‘bicillin’ shot. Some orderly would walk in back of a line of guys and (literally) punch the one and half inch needle into the top of the buttocks and inject a who’s who of mixed serums and antibiotics.

Some people didn’t get out of bed for a couple of days after this; some people walked funny but never got sick.

Dan, forgot to say this earlier---great Machiavelli quote!!

"Also Flynn, I am neither a Dem or Repub but if you don't see that we are not attempting to gain a stronger foothold in the Middle East right now, you are a blind man and your interpretations of the media are just as warped as the media itself. U.S. Corporations of the likes of Halliburton are gaining major prophets from their presence in Iraq and Iran this very second."

-Truth

Indeed this is all true, Oil plays a major role in middle east policy, it is also only a very tiny portion of the picture. What is your e-mail address? I can send you an extensive paper I wrote on the topic of US foreign policy in the middle east towards Iran, and how it all ties in with the world energy market. (NOTE: Its nothing that reveals any secret underlying conspiracy or shadow government plot, so you may not like it.)

Reader,

Funny, I remember the Republicans talking about WMD's (which by the way, integral parts of WMD's were found in Iraq the other day, but CNN forgot to report it), but I never actually heard the word "nuclear".

Truth,

The only reason Haliburton is in Iraq, is because they are the only company capable of doing a project the size of what needs to be done there. Do you have any other examples of "insider" companies in cahoots with Bush? Or is all this another big conspiracy that will unravel it's tangly web when you reveal to all that you are the anti-christ?

Ben-T,

LMAO! Could you send my your paper? I would be interested to read it.

Hey Rambo, vaccines are a composite mixture solution. However, vaccines are predominantly used for viruses which are very different from bacteria. They are not considered to be "alive" because they need to utilize a host's molecular machinery to replicate their DNA molecules. They use are cells to create a pluthera of viral bodies. Bacteria on the other hand are single celled organisms and can reproduce on their own. Both are dangerous but also we could not live without bacteria as numerous strains (enterogens) reside in our intestines to help break down organic compounds. In short, vaccines usually contain the "protein coat" of a virus, minus the genetic information. Our immune system codes for this specific protein coat for years to come. However, viruses can mutate this coat in one generation and a new variant strain is born. Some mutate easier than others, like HIV and Influenzavirus. Vaccinations for these types of viruses are useless. The key is keeping your immune system functioning at optimal levels.There are other chemical compounds in vaccines, which are toxic to our bodies i.e. formaldehyde and multiple aluminum species. The dreary affect one feels subsequent a vaccination is often times these substances that the government administers without patient awareness. Check for yourselves.

Ben-T, Regardless of size, the companies are present; and for one reason only. Democracy does not fit into the Cheney-Halliburton equation.Do you?

Truth,

I only play a Dr. on T.V., so I'll take your word for it.

Very impressive response though. Really.

There is a clear connection between oil and the administration's concerns over Saddam Hussein's development of wmd- there is no "either . . . or" here. Members of the administration have made clear their principal motive for going to war: Saddam Hussein had to be prevented from using wmd to threaten or control his neighbors (specifically Kuwait and Saudia Arabia) and thereby threaten or control key sources of oil for the United States. See PNAC's letter to Clinton.

Rambo, I just graduted with a degree in bio-chemistry. Thats the only reason I know this stuff, as it is still fresh in the old noodle.

CLARIFICATION:

"Yes oil plays a very major role in mideast policy, it is also only a very tiny portion of the picture."

I was referring to the fact that Truth is only presenting a very tiny portion of the picture, not the size of oil companies.

"Ben-T, Regardless of size, the companies are present; and for one reason only. Democracy does not fit into the Cheney-Halliburton equation.Do you?"

-Truth

Even disregarding the rest of your argument, this statement is demonstrably false! Private companies in US-friendly democracies would sell oil cheaper than corrupt, anti-US governments (overtly or not.) There is no question about that. If you can't even get something that simple about the middle east right, than you shouldn't even be TRYING to post about complicated US foreign policy.

Yes christopher I will be happy to send you the paper.

Who is Corrupt? And demonstrably??

Ben T,

christopherdoyle2004@hotmail.com

Thanks!

Thanks for the address Doyle, now I know where to forward all my spam and junkmail!

Both parties used the draft as a scare tactic. The Democrats said that the president was a war monger who was going to institute the draft after the election.

Fox News and other conservative outlets played footage from 1980 of John Kerry saying he would be in favor of a draft.

Perhaps both parties should apologize for not giving the citizens a chance to choose on the merits of the canidates and issues as opposed to scare tactics and spin.