I have posted with Bob before and even though we see don't always see eye to eye he is a respectful person and in turn receives respect from most people he disagrees with.

But please.........no "Drama Queens" with rolling heads..

Macro
Is this the Mac we use to post with from the Fort Hood area?

Yep, that's me - weird. [img]/domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/happy.gif[/img]

LOL, Calluna ~ yes, I could have been more exacting ~ I was talking about the quote box in my post above that one ~ the "butterfly said" posted fine ~ yours seems a bit, ummm ... shall we say, "off-center" ~

Sooz

Hi, I am a friend of Microscopic (just Micro in the future). I am an Independent, meaning I do not vote ideology, I vote people and issues. Micro can tell you, I have been around the block a few times, I do not preach, but I can hold my own when challenged. I enjoy discussion, I do not like fights.. but beware.. ask for a fight, and I do have claws.

As for me.. I am a Vietnam Veteran... in addition, I am a civil engineer retired... I currently am semi-employed as a photographer, I am a pilot and own my own plane, I kind of play the guitar, ride and own a horse, live in the very large state of Texas.. in past lives (meaning many years back) I was both a Sheriffs Deputy in Arizona and a Fireman EMT in Maryland and New York. So, I have now told you more about myself than you ever wanted to know (TMI).. I am sure I will enjoy my visits here.

hey bobs! it is MACRO by the way. what man would want to be called MICRO?

anyway- Bob is a straight up great guy. i concurr with his self assessment, in that he has shown considerable independence in his conservatism- perfectly willing to go after Republicans as well as Democrats for their indescretions. he also has a kind heart, and is a gentleman on the boards. he can behave himself, but is not afraid to act in his own defense.

i am personally really glad to see him here, because he is above all reasonable. thus i think he is a good fit for most of our members.

welcome, Bob.

Bobspics
Welcome aboard Bob and enjoy it... Looking forard to your posts...

Hi, Bobspics,

Welcome. Do you specialize in your photography work? Hope you'll share sometime.

jd

Welcome bobpicks.. I'm the old Dee/Houston... just not in Houston anymore. Glad to see you again.

Hey, thanks for the welcome... hey Macro... damn.. sorry about the name slip there... really was a mistake. Good to see Dee (ex-Houston) up here also.

JD.. I specialize on concert photograph currently, but I also do pro ice skating, aviation and portrait work. I have been a photographer for over 40 years, doing it on a semi-pro basis for the last 17 years... I will post images and I have a web site up if you wish to look in (I will post the link after I find out if it is OK on this site. I have to head out for my guitar lesson.. so.. I shall return later.

when a photographer starts calling you micro, you KNOW you are in trouble.

I'm a lot less liberal than most of you. But I'm close on most of the topics we discuss regularly, like how bad the previous administration screwed up. Generally though, I'm more libertarian and disagree that there should be a law or a regulation for everything. And I've had some previous lively discussions about centralized government and what the Feds should do. While I'm not a tenther, by any means, I do think most government should be on the local level and a LOT less should be at the federal level.

Aaaaaaaack! A rolling head!!!!!!!!!!!!

Macro is entirely correct about that.. most of what George (my neighbor) Bush did will not be found on my list of pluses in the administration. If fact, I actually liked Clinton in most areas much more than Bush (with the exception of morals, a trait he is devoid of). He spent money like a drunk sailor on R&R in Hong Kong (something and a very familiar with), and he he did not maintain any kind of conservative morals.. other than the mistaken belief that conservatism = religion. On the other hand.. the Obama train has whistle stopped right through the country giving money away in a manner that would even make Bush envious.

I am also curious who on this board (yes, that is a gauntlet being thrown down!) thinks that a company that has dug it's own grave with poor business decisions, unwise spending, and even (in many cases) crooked manipulation, should not be allowed to die a peaceful death and be buried! The government has proved again and again, that it is incapable of running anything efficiently.. the military is a required government evil, but owning car companies, train companies and financial institutions is plain INSANITY. I only had to read the paper the other day that stated Medicare had wasted 46 BILLION dollars last year in overcharges, incorrect charges and fraudulent charges.. and NOTHING was being done about it! Does anyone need a better reason to doubt the governments abilities!

--------------------

Hey bob, I agree that the government cannot run a business. Look at Amtrak and the USPS among others. I also think they should get out of all but the most dire public health issues, because everything they have told us about nutrition for the past 50 years has been wrong and everything else has been for sale ( look at the lies propagated under Bush). And, I've written about education many times on this board- there should be none of it at the federal level. It's a local government function.
Protect the people, manage our natural resources, and handle internaitonal relations.
Welcome aboard.

Welcome, Bob. And cool that others stepping up to be disagree-ers when necessary. I probably won't have to pull my CRAP shift after all.

Their are a number of people that should sit and read the constitution, and the powers granted to the states... the feds should worry about the borders, the military, the interstate transport and international trade requirements... and leave the rest to the states and the PEOPLE! Our government and our courts are currently the best money can buy.. the problem is the people can not afford them!

word. we are about as far from populism as one can get at this juncture- a government that is of, by and for those that can afford it.

Disagreement in political discussion is important, as without it, conversations turn into a "me-too!" roundabout. I'm glad to see Bob here, as I know him to be good-natured and principled in his posting. It's good to know I'm not going to be the only disagreeable one in the mix.

I do have to give all the members here credit for being almost unfailingly courteous and thoughtful during the discussions. It's always very satisfying to be able to have a discussion where disagreement doesn't end up in virtual fisticuffs.

The economy's so bad that the kids in my school can't afford to pay attention or pay their respects.

Sheesh. Now he bails out. [img]/domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/wink.gif[/img]

Hello GOPQED... good to see ya here.. sorry it took so long... I have had a very busy year this year. Taking lot of pictures, and pictures, and pictures.. and since most a bands.. lot's of noise. So i am looking for some peace and quite here...

I just read the paper during dinner.. and the govt has DONE IT AGAIN!!!! Seems that they gave the $250 stimulus to, oh, I don't know, about 15.4 million poor folks that did NOT deserve it. They did not ask of it, but they got it anyway... now they HAVE TO PAY IT BACK! Want to bet the already spent it!