..... some random thoughts on the day's events though ......
That horrible plant explosion was in a town my family lived in for about a year and a half when I was in grammar school. Though I know the town has changed quite a bit in the nearly half a century since I lived there, it was a wonderful little town back then ...... very friendly. My prayers for all those injured in the blast and for the families of those who were killed. Thoughts and prayers also for the emergency personnel responding ..... that's got to be rough to deal with.
I thought the SOTU speech was masterful! Hard to pick a favorite quote because there were so many great ones!
I think that open debate is just grand and appreciate the way we do it on this thread with no ill-will .... from the exchange of ideas we all learn new things.
..... That said, I must also say that true debate requires having facts at one's disposal. One of the most valuable things I have learned during my time here at FR is that one must consider the source of info and data ..... the viewpoint, the veracity, and even the agenda. For example, earlier it was mentioned that Halliburton was going to "get the oil contract for US."
..... First, unless I am badly mistaken, Halliburton is NOT in the business of getting oil contracts. It has something to do with supplies for oil companies and is not an oil company itself.
..... Second, so what if it is Cheney's old company? He has nothing to do with it now ..... had to divest himself of ALL of his holdings ...... at considerable personal financial loss.
My thoughts on the President's issues of compassion ~~~ my initial reaction to those is to bristle just a bit. But when I stop and think about it I realize that those measures are consistent with who President Bush is and what he stands for. Just as I must admire his patience with those who use him despitefully, I must admit that he really does have Bible on his thoughts about the drug addicts, those suffering from AIDS in Africa, etc.
Matthew 25
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Whether or not the federal government should be doing such things is a question with which I am still struggling. But I must say that his proposals are certainly not as bad as a lot of the ways that our tax money is being wasted .... and at least I think that his motives are true and pure ...... I don't think he'll be getting many votes from those he is wanting to help. The 'rats only want to help people if they think those people will vote for them, not because they earnestly care about their sufferings.
And you are quite right: Halliburton is an oil-services company, as well as construction.