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Name:   lotowner - Email Member
Subject:   Obama's Directive to NASA
Date:   7/6/2010 11:43:09 AM


I heard the head of NASA state that one of the 3 directives given to him when appointed by Obama specifically called for praise to the Muslim world for their contributions to mathematics, geometry, Calculus, etc.  As I recall, the other two did not call for exploration to Mar; a second visit to the Moon; or continuation of the Space Shuttle program.

I continue to be amazed at the tolerance level of the people of the USA for a leader that obviously has an agenda that is not good for long term for this country. The longer he RULES, the more convinced I am of his sympathies for Islam and a socialism agenda for this country.

1. Netanyahu - watch out for this Chavez/Castro supporter in today's meeting. Israel, in his opinion, is not a factor in the Middle East.
2. Arizona - Be prepared for today's lawsuit.
3. BP - Nationalization is coming.



Name:   water_watcher - Email Member
Subject:   Obama's Directive to NASA
Date:   7/6/2010 1:28:50 PM

Because I do not believe that Obama is stupid enough to believe what he is doing is actually going to improve the economy and the right direction for the US .... I have to believe that he has a mission of destruction by overwhelming the system with massive socialist programs, while raising taxes, creating more job losses or no job creation, wanting to legalize illegals, all to make more people look to the government for help. I honestly believe he wants to create a total collapse of the system and change our form of government how we have known it. All so he can be a dictator in power like Chavez. He says the words to keep a certain level of support that buys him time with his agenda of destruction. Many people have said his form of stimulus would not work and others said give it a chance ... now he wants stimulus 2 and is still blaming Bush for his own failures. So one by one, what many predicted would happen is happening ... but I do not think it was by chance that Obama is repeating the mistakes of teh Great Depression ... I believe it is calculated and he knows exactly what he is doing.



Name:   Talullahhound - Email Member
Subject:   Obama's Directive to NASA
Date:   7/6/2010 3:30:25 PM

I really don't believe he got "directives". What he likely got was suggested talking points to be used when meeting with heads of Arab nations. What you are not hearing, he probably also got suggested talking points when meeting with Isreali officials too, and talking points for any specific agenda items we have with our closest allies. It's not unusual for the State Department or the NSC to provide talking points to the Department heads to use when they are meeting with specific heads of state to further US national security points. That way, the foreign heads of state get a consistent message as they meet with senior US officials. Clearly, for better or worse, the Administration is trying to drive home the point that we are not at war with Islam, but at war with the terrorist factions. I don't think it is particuarly onerous to do this. Of course, if you want to twist anything that this Adminsitration would do to a negative point, then of course you can. Just like the left twisting Bush's actions to their negative point.



Name:   MAJ USA RET - Email Member
Subject:   Obama's Directive to NASA
Date:   7/6/2010 4:17:07 PM

The nation's unemployment is 9.5% (not counting the underemployed and those who have given up) and this buffoon we have for a president is stressing the betterment of relations with the Muslim world.  Hopeless change.





Name:   Lifer - Email Member
Subject:   Do you EVER research ANYTHING?
Date:   7/6/2010 4:41:26 PM

Heres the story with direct quotes: NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said in a recent interview that his "foremost" mission as the head of America's space exploration agency is to improve relations with the Muslim world. Though international diplomacy would seem well outside NASA's orbit, Bolden said in an interview with Al Jazeera that strengthening those ties was among the top tasks President Obama assigned him. He said better interaction with the Muslim world would ultimately advance space travel. "When I became the NASA administrator -- or before I became the NASA administrator -- he charged me with three things. One was he wanted me to help re-inspire children to want to get into science and math, he wanted me to expand our international relationships, and third, and perhaps foremost, he wanted me to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science ... and math and engineering," Bolden said in the interview. The NASA administrator was in the Middle East last month marking the one-year anniversary since Obama delivered an address to Muslim nations in Cairo. Bolden spoke in June at the American University in Cairo -- in his interview with Al Jazeera, he described space travel as an international collaboration of which Muslim nations must be a part. "It is a matter of trying to reach out and get the best of all worlds, if you will, and there is much to be gained by drawing in the contributions that are possible from the Muslim (nations)," he said. He held up the International Space Station as a model, praising the contributions there from the Russians and the Chinese. However, Bolden denied the suggestion that he was on a diplomatic mission -- in a distinctly non-diplomatic role. "Not at all. It's not a diplomatic anything," he said. He said the United States is not going to travel beyond low-Earth orbit on its own and that no country is going to make it to Mars without international help. Bolden has faced criticism this year for overseeing the cancellation of the agency's Constellation program, which was building new rockets and spaceships capable of returning astronauts to the moon. Stressing the importance of international cooperation in future missions, Bolden told Al Jazeera that the moon, Mars and asteroids are still planned destinations for ******************************************************************************* Sounds like more than 'talking points' to me. But I am just a lowly tax payer what would I know about such high level guvmint buzniss? So this admin thinks it is important to bring muslims to the the 21st century space travel. That is what 'he' wants for them. What they want for themselvs and the rest of the world is to revert to the 7th century, and enslave all women and non-believers. Sounds like a great plan to me.



Name:   MAJ USA RET - Email Member
Subject:   No... never done any research in my whole Life
Date:   7/6/2010 4:48:46 PM

Seems like this is an invitation for Muslims to have access to out highest technology.  Making them partners in space could have real dividends for them.  I still don't see how this could possibly benefit us. 



Name:   Lifer - Email Member
Subject:   The research commment was for hound.
Date:   7/6/2010 5:17:58 PM

It was in reply to her, not you Maj. You have to learn to connect the dots. MY post appearred under yours directly, not indented like this one. That means we both responded to Hound, but mine posted after yours. It was NOT in response to you. Hound is infamous for coming on here to defend govment workers and democratic politicians without having any of the facts at hand. Just like O declaring that the Harvard police acted 'stupidly'.



Name:   lotowner - Email Member
Subject:   Space Travelers, First Time
Date:   7/6/2010 5:22:57 PM

One idea that NASA should consider to encourage particular segments of the brotherhood to be a part of the space program!!

Charter a rocket specially designed for a one way trip and promote this trip for suicide bombers only. 

Just think!

72 virgins and a massive explosion in space for the world to view.

The only problem that I can see is that 72 virgins per suicide bomber might not be possible and they would be so disappointed.



Name:   lotowner - Email Member
Subject:   Ex-NASA Chief Slams 'Muslim Outreach' Mission
Date:   7/6/2010 6:00:04 PM


The former head of NASA says the idea that the space exploration agency's priority should be outreach to Muslim countries is "deeply flawed" after current Administrator Charles Bolden made that assertion in an interview last month.

"NASA ... represents the best of America. Its purpose is not to inspire Muslims or any other cultural entity," Michael Griffin, who served as NASA administrator during the latter half of the Bush administration, told FoxNews.com.

Bolden created a firestorm after telling Al Jazeera last month that President Obama told him before he took the job that he wanted him to do three things: inspire children to learn math and science, expand international relationships and "perhaps foremost, he wanted me to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science ... and math and engineering."

Officials from the White House and NASA on Tuesday stood by Bolden's statement that part of his mission is to improve relations with Muslim countries -- though NASA backed off the claim that such international diplomacy is Bolden's "foremost" responsibility.

Griffin said Tuesday that collaboration with other countries, including Muslim nations, is welcome and should be encouraged -- but that it would be a mistake to prioritize that over NASA's "fundamental mission" of space exploration.

"If by doing great things, people are inspired, well then that's wonderful," Griffin said. "If you get it in the wrong order ... it becomes an empty shell."

Griffin added: "That is exactly what is in danger of happening."

He also said that while welcome, Muslim-nation cooperation is not vital for U.S. advancements in space exploration.

"There is no technology they have that we need," Griffin said.





Name:   MartiniMan - Email Member
Subject:   Even Mora Liasson thinks its bizarre
Date:   7/6/2010 7:30:55 PM

Saw the panel on Fox with Bill Kristol, Mora Liasson and Charles Krauthammer and even she thought the entire thing was bizarre and she is the resident Obamapologist.  Taken in the context of everything else about this administration and it forms a tapestry of abject incompetence. 

Does anyone need to imagine the derision Bush would have been subjected to by the government media had he asked something similar of his head of NASA?



Name:   alahusker - Email Member
Subject:   Obama's Directive to NASA
Date:   7/6/2010 8:30:28 PM

I'm happy that Hound cleared this up..  the NASA director was not placating Muslims in the El Jazira interview..   He was just passing on Administration 'talking points'  That makes sense..  I'm also delighted the Nation's space proogram has been eviscerated.. and we can proudly travel to the ISS on Russian rockets..   I'm delighted with this "hope and change..



Name:   Talullahhound - Email Member
Subject:   No, I don't read much RW propaganda
Date:   7/6/2010 9:05:55 PM

I finally did find the article and read it. He only said it was one of three things the President charged him with doing, and he IS traveling to the Middle East, so we must think that they have something. If you take a break from RW propaganda and think about it, it makes some sense in the context I mentioned -- that the Administration wants a consistent message that we are not at war with Islam, but at war with extremists and terrorists. Did you ever think that it might serve the interests of the US to have moderate Islamists contributing to our sciences? They have scientists and mathemeticans too. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with bringing moderate Islamic nations into the fold. So my question to you Lifer -- Do you ever stop being reactionary?



Name:   Talullahhound - Email Member
Subject:   The Idea
Date:   7/6/2010 9:18:11 PM

is that you would provide a consistent message every time a senior official travels. It's Diplomacy 101. When did all Islamic countries become our enemy? Every administration has "reached out" to the Middle East. Back in the 80's, we did a massive upgrade of the Saudi military -- sold them all kinds of advanced technology. We did the same for Kuwait. We have a strong military relationship with Jordan. Before Iraq invaded Kuwait, we had a relationship with Iraq. So I'm not really sure what the point is. We obviously cater to Pakistan because they are of strategic importance to the US. All of these countries are, not to mention their large oil reserves. Remember GWB holding the Saudi King's hand when he visited? I'm glad they finally found something else for NASA to do other than waste taxpayers money. They don't have a contract that isn't seriously over budget and almost all were always over schedule. Arrogance has always been NASA and their contractors. I'm just sorry they didn't dissolve the agency.



Name:   alahusker - Email Member
Subject:   The Idea
Date:   7/6/2010 9:35:14 PM


Sometimes your posts make me sad...  You seem to apologize for this Nation's greatness at every turn and dismiss it as trivial..  .  Were you not proud when your Nation landed men on the moon??  Are you now proud that the United States will rely on the Russian Space Agency to carry our astronauts to the International Space Station??  Appears to me that you got your wish, President Obama has essentially abolished NASA in a short 1 1/2 years..  That's the change he was talking about..   



Name:   MartiniMan - Email Member
Subject:   The Idea
Date:   7/6/2010 10:49:30 PM

I just wish you felt the same way about the Dept of Education, the Dept of Commerce, the Dept of Agriculture, Commerce Department, Commission of Fine Arts, Dept of Health and Human Services, Dept of the Interior, and so on and so on and so on and so on........

Go to this website and you will see what an all intrusive, all encompassing federal government looks like.  We all pay for this.........  http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/Federal/All_Agencies/



Name:   Lifer - Email Member
Subject:   No, I don't read much RW propaganda
Date:   7/7/2010 8:22:34 AM

RW propaganda.....haha. you are the joke around here gal. Who am i going to believe, you or my lying eyes and ears.



Name:   lamont - Email Member
Subject:   "Moderate Islamists?"
Date:   7/7/2010 11:32:16 AM

Who, what and especially, where are these moderate Muslims you speak of Hound? They seem perfectly content to sit back, keep their mouths shut and let their radical faction define their religion. Signed, Concerned Infidel



Name:   Talullahhound - Email Member
Subject:   Lifer
Date:   7/7/2010 4:49:13 PM

You can believe whatever you want -- you seem to gravitate towards any wild butt idea any extreme RW icon puts forth, instead of thinking for yourself.



Name:   Talullahhound - Email Member
Subject:   "Moderate Islamists?"
Date:   7/7/2010 4:54:08 PM

As far as I know, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Jordan, Turkey are moderate. I'm sure there are others, but I'm not looking at the map. I'm not saying that there aren't any radicals in these countries, but no state sponsored terrorism, and they take a much more moderate view of Islam than say Iran, Saudi, Yemen, Syria, and some parts of Pakistan.



Name:   Talullahhound - Email Member
Subject:   The Idea
Date:   7/7/2010 5:05:33 PM

Yes, I think it is great when we walked on the moon. And the fact that we can actually land a space vehicle after re-entry to the atmosphere, I think is stunning. Our early space program was much different than what NASA represents now. How about two shuttle explosions? Careless and preventable. Bad management. The Space Station? A total waste of dollars. Money much better spent on other things. NASA has been wasting our money now for years -- poor management and an arrogance in the whole of the space industry. Do we really need a space shuttle? If there was no space station, what would they be shuttling? For years, they've seen themselves as "untouchable". I don't think NASA will go away, but hopefully, this will bring them back to "earth" and get focused on a new mission, maybe within a realistic budget. Frankly, I don't think we can afford an aggressive space program at this point. When I think of all the things that are wrong right now, not having a space shuttle program doesn't make my list.



Name:   alahusker - Email Member
Subject:   The Idea
Date:   7/7/2010 7:35:40 PM

Hound, you have a point, if it's that NASA lacks efficiency and or vision..  Should the President commit to a manned mission to Mars in this decade and turn it over to industry, it would happen and I would be fully behind it.. ..  But to direct the NASA director to make his number one priority  outreach to Muslims is just sorta strange..  Think NASA was also tasked with figuring out what was going on with Toyota??  What am I missing?? 





Name:   Talullahhound - Email Member
Subject:   The Idea
Date:   7/7/2010 8:58:02 PM

Don't think it was #1 -- wasn't that reaching out and getting kids excited about science? No, I don't think reaching out to Muslims should necessarily be a priority for the Director of NASA -- only when the opportunity to do so presents itself. But, I'm wondering, what was he doing in the Middle East? He said he was not on a diplomatic mission, so what was the purpose of the trip? Was it specifically to do an "outreach" to Muslims (but then, he said it wasn't a diplomatic trip... confused). Frankly, I think it is fine that we are making it a point to let Muslims know we are not at war with Islam, but I think Obama is perhaps being a bit ham-fisted in his efforts. He hasn't proved himself to be the Fred Astaire of Diplomats. Maybe he shouldn't try so hard. It's obviously hitting a raw nerve with Americans. Only 9 years since 9/11.



Name:   Lifer - Email Member
Subject:   "Moderate Islamists?" in Turkey
Date:   7/8/2010 9:24:47 AM

I seem to recall them REFUSING us flyover priviledges for a war with an Islamic nation. Yes, very moderate of them!!!!



Name:   Lifer - Email Member
Subject:   Of course...
Date:   7/8/2010 9:36:00 AM

... the $600 hammers and $1200 toilet seats represent the absolute BEST management that tax money can buy. Two shuttle explosions, while tragic, are mearly a drop in the DoD sea of blood from bad design and even worse decisions. Personally I don't want my NASA 'back down to earth', I want them in space. Heres an idea for you. Try doing a little research and seeing what discoveries and inventions are directly related to the space program and then tell me it is a waste of money.



Name:   Talullahhound - Email Member
Subject:   "Moderate Islamists?" in Turkey
Date:   7/8/2010 10:23:47 AM

Yes, that is true, but they are still considered moderate. They are a member of NATO.



Name:   Talullahhound - Email Member
Subject:   Of course...
Date:   7/8/2010 10:28:35 AM

I thought you were a big fan of our military... Aren't you the one always wrapping yourself in their flag? You can't have it both ways. Typical.



Name:   MrHodja - Email Member
Subject:   "Moderate Islamists?" in Turkey
Date:   7/8/2010 11:07:24 AM

And we have an active Foreign Military Sales program going with them. 

I spent two years in Turkey and they indeed walk a tightrope between wanting to be Western without being so Western that they rile their Muslim population. 

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk took Turkey from the dark ages into modernization back in the early 1900s...and he is revered in that country.  Still, it is a Muslim country (for the year we lived downtown five times a day we had to listed to the mezin (sp?) sing that awful chant from the mosque loudspeakers). Thankfully we were able to live on the AF bases the last year we were there. 

Unlike other hard-line Muslim countries Turkey tolerates other religions.  My secretary was a Jewish Turk (Turkish Jew?), and one of the many earthquakes they had while we were there flushed the catholic priest and his girlfriend out into the street about 5 AM one day...:>).

So, having lived there I would agree that Turkey is a "moderate" Muslim country.



Name:   MAJ USA RET - Email Member
Subject:   "Moderate Islamists?" in Turkey
Date:   7/8/2010 3:11:23 PM

A remnant of the Ataturk, is that Turkey has a secular government.  He (rightfully so) realized that Islam would arrest the development of Turkey.  The Turkish constitution provides that NO religion in general, but specifically Islam, would take over the governance of the country.  To that end, the constitution provides for a military takeover to reestablish the secular government.  There will be no Caliphate.  A military coup d’état trumps Islam in Turkey!





Name:   gabby - Email Member
Subject:   "Moderate Islamists?" in Turkey
Date:   7/8/2010 4:23:56 PM

Sounds like a good law to me ,we need one.



Name:   Lifer - Email Member
Subject:   What a joke you are.
Date:   7/8/2010 4:28:38 PM

"I thought you were a big fan of our military... Aren't you the one always wrapping yourself in their flag? You can't have it both ways. Typical." I am a big fan, that doesn't mean that everything 'they' do is perfect. Our millitary are humans with all the human frailties, just like our astronouts. "thier flag". I am not sure what that statement says of you, but I am certain it ain't nothing good.



Name:   Talullahhound - Email Member
Subject:   Joke's on you
Date:   7/8/2010 7:49:28 PM

Each one of the miitary services has a flag of their own. You are so far from any understanding of the military, it's really sad. Typical.



Name:   MrHodja - Email Member
Subject:   Now Children...
Date:   7/8/2010 7:58:05 PM

That's what my Momma would say to me and my sister when we would get into arguments like you two are in now.

As they say in Italy, basta!!

Please!

Nasreddin Hodja



Name:   alahusker - Email Member
Subject:   Joke's on you
Date:   7/8/2010 8:09:00 PM

Hound, your contempt for the military is apparent..  Actually confirms the visceral feeling I developed regarding many career Civil Servants after a 4 year tour on the Air Staff.  Not a comforting thing.. 



Name:   MrHodja - Email Member
Subject:   Mixed Bag
Date:   7/8/2010 10:00:33 PM

In my four years in the five-sided funny farm I had the pleasure of working with some very mission-oriented civil servants - and as many dolts feeding at the public trough.  About that same ratio as the number of mission oriented Action Officers and AOs only interested in furthering their careers.

But the Civil Service Law of Rocketry still applied, as it does today:  If it won't work, you can't fire it.



Name:   Lifer - Email Member
Subject:   Joke's on you
Date:   7/9/2010 8:37:03 AM

I never claimed any millitary experience, other that testing to get in when I was young. I failed the physical. Of all the Vets I have known not one of them has EVER said anything about fighting for ANY flag but OLD GLORY. I don't do 'gruop' identity Hound. I leave that to you and your liberal ilk.



Name:   lamont - Email Member
Subject:   Yo Hound....
Date:   7/9/2010 2:32:51 PM

You answered half of the ? Yes there are Moderate Muslims but, why don't they speak out and defend there beliefs. Also, were you referring to my "butt?" Just curious.



Name:   Talullahhound - Email Member
Subject:   Yo Hound....
Date:   7/9/2010 7:29:34 PM

Not referring to your butt. Not sure what you are referring to, but I assume it was my "wild butt" instead of "wild a__" as in idea. Not being Muslim myself, I don't know why the moderates don't speak out. It's an interesting question.



Name:   Talullahhound - Email Member
Subject:   AWWW
Date:   7/9/2010 7:31:05 PM

He hit me first... LOL.



Name:   Talullahhound - Email Member
Subject:   Joke's on you
Date:   7/9/2010 7:40:37 PM

Alahusker, I have no idea why you would say I have comtempt for the military. Generally speaking, I like the military or else I wouldn't have worked for them and supported them for 32 years. Fought the bureaucracy, and in some cases industry to protect their interests and maintain their technological edge. If I disliked the military, it would have been easy for me to go to work for the State Department or the Commerce Department. I think you are an out-of-touch, grumpy retiree. You should cheer up. H-Hob -- I worked out in the field for a number of years for the Army, and I have never once heard any civilian component referred to as "seagulls". Must be a local thing. Sounds like you have a lot of contempt for the civil service. Maybe you and Alahusker should get together.



Name:   Talullahhound - Email Member
Subject:   Understand
Date:   7/10/2010 8:58:47 AM

your frustration with the Pentagon. There are a lot of people there that have never worked in the field. I used to think that to work there you had to have some kind of special insight and understanding, but sadly that is not the case. I worked for CECOM for a good portion long time, did a stint at AMC, worked on the Army staff and finally moved to OSD. I remember when I worked on the Army Staff, one of my bosses said that "the most important thing we do is give the field a good regulatory framework", and I remember rolling my eyes. Once you work in the Pentagon, it is really easy to lose touch with reality, because you don't generally deal with reality. You spend your day answering questions from Generals who seem to believe that the answer to every question resides in the big computer and all you do is push a button (quickly) to get them the answer, or political appointees who are working some kind of agenda and have no idea what reality would even look like. They go somewhere, kick tires and believe they are experts. There's not a whole lot of black and white there, but endless shades of gray. One also spenda a fair amount of time on "let's build a snowman in the desert and see if it melts" exercises. Common sense is not all that common. If I feel contempt for anything, it is the political element of the Pentagon, and the Washington environs. I found it very frustrating myself, and part of the reason I took an early retirement.



Name:   MartiniMan - Email Member
Subject:   Moderate Muslims
Date:   7/10/2010 10:12:12 PM

I am not sure I have an answer about why they are so silent but I am guessing it is a combination of things.  One, I truly think there is genuine fear about being an outspoken Muslim opposed to jihad, violence, etc.  I also think that the number of truly moderate Muslims is probably less than believed.  I suspect many more Muslims, even those not politically active or actively supporting jihad are sympathetic to their desired outcome. Because of that they are willing to turn a blind eye or try to ignore the more radical elements.  It can probably be argued that there is no such thing as moderate Muslim.  There are either observant Muslims or secular Muslims, the latter not supportive of radicalism.  The secular Muslims are not great in number and those that are probably keep a very low profile in Islamic nations.







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