SS: Yet another friend falling to cancer while we spend billions in Iraq

[LegendKiller]

There were a few kids in my neighborhood that I hung out with, two were brothers, Ben and Bill. Their mom was super super nice. Eventually she got divorced from their father and remarried to a guy named Leo.

Leo had lost his wife and 2 kids to a drunk driver. He lost Lisa 4 years after they married and had their kid Matt. I saw matt days after he was born and I saw him grow, he is now a senior in high school. Great kid, Leo took awesome care of him, straight A's, going to the UofMN next year, all without Lisa.

Leo found out 3 years ago that he had a rare degenerative marrow disease and they told him that in 3 years he'd come up with a super rare form of cancer. He now has Leukemia, a very aggressive strain. Matt is now losing his father.

This is the 2nd person this year that I know personally that has fallen to cancer. Yet we spend 200 BILLION in Iraq, for what? So people can drive their SUV's with cheap gas? So we could eliminate a man that had no direct threat to us?

Why couldn't we spend that 200 billion on cancer research?

Why would we want to vote for a president who has eliminated government research on stem cells? Sure, stem cells might not be the silver bullet, but why not give it a chance? Why eliminate it BEFORE we have explored it?


I my eyes, President Bush hasn't just killed 1000+ soldiers, but he has also killed the two people I know and countless others in the future.


Thanks GWB, I am sure all of the H2, Expedition, Aviator, Navigator and other gas guzzling drivers really appreciate the sacrifices you have volunteered others to make on their behalf.


LK

[johnnymk]

I lost a friend a couple of weeks ago to leukemia. His daughter is convinced that the radiation treatment performed around 7 years ago for his prostate cancer caused the leukemia.

[nickel]

what are you doing to make a difference in the fight against cancer research LK?
that is where your energies should be directed.

my father died of cancer 2 yrs and 4 mos ago. i am not blaming the Bush Administration for his death. :(

[Cantacuzene]

what are you doing to make a difference in the fight against cancer research LK?
that is where your energies should be directed.

my father died of cancer 2 yrs and 4 mos ago. i am not blaming the Bush Administration for his death. :(


LK isn't in a position to affect any great changes in cancer research, the President is.

Do you honestly think cancer or AIDS or fuel efficient cars would remain problems if we directed our zeal (and money) in government towards them? I sure don't.

[nickel]

LK isn't in a position to affect any great changes in cancer research, the President is.

Do you honestly think cancer or AIDS or fuel efficient cars would remain problems if we directed our zeal (and money) in government towards them? I sure don't.
tsk-tsk Canta, that is just like telling someone not to vote, because their one vote won't make a difference.

[cheapie]

I my eyes, President Bush hasn't just killed 1000+ soldiers, but he has also killed the two people I know and countless others in the future.

i'm sorry about your friend but this is probably the stupidest thing you've ever said here.

[ray]

i'm sorry about your friend but this is probably the stupidest thing you've ever said here.

:stupid:

[LegendKiller]

i'm sorry about your friend but this is probably the stupidest thing you've ever said here.



Why? Because our President would rather focus his attention and OUR money on misadventures aimed at keeping his friends rich and gas prices down?


Ohhhh, thats right, who gives a flying fvck about our people and research for cancer as long as the Iraqi's are free, yeah, thats pretty stupid of me to forget that.

Yeah, its stupid to think that instead of wasting 1000 lives on war that has gotten us NOTHING we should have devoted resources to RESEARCH. Its STUPID to think that 200 BILLION could have been spent on something OTHER than his idiotic war in Iraq.


Yeah, I am so damn stupid for thinking that our president has been neglectful to cancer research while going to war, wasting 1000+ lives, 200 billion dollars, and 4 years of presidency while squandering international alliances.


You know what is REALLY stupid cheapie? Rubber stamping a president because he is republican, because he is a wartime president. Its stupid to think that 200 billion is best spent in Iraq. Its stupid to think that 1000 of our soldiers died for a good cause that will not improve because the morons in the white house mismanaged the whole thing. Its stupid to think that Stem Cell research should be stopped.


Its really stupid to even vote for a president that cares more about Iraq than our own people.


LK


tsk-tsk Canta, that is just like telling someone not to vote, because their one vote won't make a difference.



I guess you cannot see the irony in this situation.

How can I affect change? I can tell as many people I know about the problem, HOPING that they vote for a person who would solve the problem, or will not repeat the same thing.

Yet, when I tell people this they would rather say I am doing nothing. The act of telling them is an attempt to do something, however, they would rather ignore the problem and say its ME rather than affect change.


Its people that ignore Iraq, 200 billion, 1000+ dead, Stem Cell gov't research cut, that affect NO change at all. Its people like you who rubber stamp Bush that are the problem, because you ignore everything else.


LK

[gear02]

Its people like you who rubber stamp Bush that are the problem, because you ignore everything else.

LK

:stupid:

well said. Republicans never question their leaders, always giving them their approval, even if they end up screwing them. But hey, he's our GOP leader, we can't question him. That' unpatriotic. :rolleyes:

[ray]

I blame George Bush for the failure of my Toyota Camry for not spending $200B on automotive research and safety.

I blame Bill Clinton for the dot-bomb, when he could have spent $200B saving all the start-up companies.

I blame Apex for spending money to set up this website, when he could be donating his money to AIDS research instead.

I blame everybody on these boards for buying something from one of the deals, wasting time posting on these boards, and congregating at G|A get togethers when they could be out helping the community.

Please dude. Bad things happen to everyone, and there will always be the people who feel so helpless. How do you think I felt when my dog died of cancer? I'm not going to blame anybody for my dog's tumor. Unfortunately, it is what it is until someone can find a cure. C'est la vie. Life goes on.

[nickel]

I guess you cannot see the irony in this situation.

How can I affect change? I can tell as many people I know about the problem, HOPING that they vote for a person who would solve the problem, or will not repeat the same thing.

Yet, when I tell people this they would rather say I am doing nothing. The act of telling them is an attempt to do something, however, they would rather ignore the problem and say its ME rather than affect change.


Its people that ignore Iraq, 200 billion, 1000+ dead, Stem Cell gov't research cut, that affect NO change at all. Its people like you who rubber stamp Bush that are the problem, because you ignore everything else.


LK
that was very callous. i have not rubberstamped Bush. i do not agree with everything he has done. i am not the problem. i am not ignoring everything else. you are very presumptious.

you are speaking of finding a cure for cancer in your original post. i am wondering what you have done at all to help the quest besides trying to place the blame on someone?

you have already said that stem cell research may not be the "silver bullet" - so it is not a set in stone remedy for the situation. although, i too would like to see this research continue.

personally, i have donated money, and i have participated in fundraisers for cancer research. if it's all about the money as you say, i am doing my part more than just telling people who to vote for.

-

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

:stupid:

well said. Republicans never question their leaders, always giving them their approval, even if they end up screwing them. But hey, he's our GOP leader, we can't question him. That' unpatriotic. :rolleyes:
so wrong...
i am Republican. i do not think our President is infallible.

[Merlin]

Let's cut LK a little slack. He lost someone and as such should not be expected to be rational. Regardless of your view on the war it had nothing to do with your friend's cancer. To think that those funds or anything else could have saved him is just desperate. I'm sorry for your loss and I hope the pain does not prompt you to lash out too much.

[nickel]

i agree with you Merly.
i apologize LK if i went off on you too strongly. cancer has hit home with me too.
all anyone has to do is say the word and i can feel a flurry of emotions.
unfortunately sometimes our emotions get the best of us.

[cheapie]

Why?


cuz he didn't kill your friend. that's why it's stupid.


snipped


:stupid: on pretty much everything.


i too have lost close family to cancer, heart disease, etc. but it wasn't clinton's fault when it happened to my family and it's not bush's fault now.

[LegendKiller]

No, he hasn't killed Leo (although he isn't dead yet), but he has allowed the focus to be shifted from what is important.

I also agree that money isn't always the best solution and it certainly has a point of marginal return. However, do you seriously think that even 50 billion extra couldn't help research?

Additionally, perhaps just ONE of those 1000 troops we have lost would have been a world reknown cancer researcher, yet now he is lost. And for what?

What I am pissed about is priorities. I am pissed about the greater good. I am REALLY pissed about a President who seems more concerned with Iraq than most other issues that will plague us in the future. Seriously, he has cut some of the most important research we have had going, or severely limited it. These range from Cold Fusion, Alt Fuels, Stem Cells, all of the way to reduction in ground pollution.


When you look at him, what is his trademark for presidency? He has gone to war in Afghanistan, which is great. He has gone to war in Iraq, which as cost us 200 billion and 1000 lives, he has reduced key research, both medical and environmental, and he has hurt international relationships.

He didn't kill my two friends, but he, through his neglect of the country, has probably aided in killing thousands more in the future. That is a shame and is something that most people should think about when they go to the polls.


What is better? Cheaper gas, freedom for Iraqi's, or medical research that could save millions?

LK

[nickel]

Additionally, perhaps just ONE of those 1000 troops we have lost would have been a world reknown cancer researcher, yet now he is lost. And for what?


LK
dude, that is such a can o' worms.

that same cancer researcher could've been aborted.

[LegendKiller]

dude, that is such a can o' worms.

that same cancer researcher could've been aborted.


Don't jump the shark, the topic is the stupid idiotic moves the president has made in war, both in men and money.


LK

[nickel]

Don't jump the shark, the topic is the stupid idiotic moves the president has made in war, both in men and money.


LK
zing ;)

[cheapie]

No, he hasn't killed Leo (although he isn't dead yet), but he has allowed the focus to be shifted from what is important.

I also agree that money isn't always the best solution and it certainly has a point of marginal return. However, do you seriously think that even 50 billion extra couldn't help research?

Additionally, perhaps just ONE of those 1000 troops we have lost would have been a world reknown cancer researcher, yet now he is lost. And for what?

What I am pissed about is priorities. I am pissed about the greater good. I am REALLY pissed about a President who seems more concerned with Iraq than most other issues that will plague us in the future. Seriously, he has cut some of the most important research we have had going, or severely limited it. These range from Cold Fusion, Alt Fuels, Stem Cells, all of the way to reduction in ground pollution.


When you look at him, what is his trademark for presidency? He has gone to war in Afghanistan, which is great. He has gone to war in Iraq, which as cost us 200 billion and 1000 lives, he has reduced key research, both medical and environmental, and he has hurt international relationships.

He didn't kill my two friends, but he, through his neglect of the country, has probably aided in killing thousands more in the future. That is a shame and is something that most people should think about when they go to the polls.


What is better? Cheaper gas, freedom for Iraqi's, or medical research that could save millions?

LK


dude....don't be looking for me to argue w/you regarding priorities. i was just contesting what you said. imho, we should chop the military budget by having fewer conflicts and soldiers stationed elsewhere and spend it on heart disease and cancer, both of which have killed my g'parents. additionally, i think the disproportionate amount of money we spend on aids research is silly as well. but that's just mho.

[ski]

that same cancer researcher could've been aborted.
very good point that many fail to realize. although, there's a flip side that that person may have done nothing to contribute society, but the fact remains that there is a small chance, so you are both right in a way.


I blame George Bush for the failure of my Toyota Camry for not spending $200B on automotive research and safety.

I blame Bill Clinton for the dot-bomb, when he could have spent $200B saving all the start-up companies.

I blame Apex for spending money to set up this website, when he could be donating his money to AIDS research instead.

I blame everybody on these boards for buying something from one of the deals, wasting time posting on these boards, and congregating at G|A get togethers when they could be out helping the community.

Please dude. Bad things happen to everyone, and there will always be the people who feel so helpless. How do you think I felt when my dog died of cancer? I'm not going to blame anybody for my dog's tumor. Unfortunately, it is what it is until someone can find a cure. C'est la vie. Life goes on.
Well said.

[Merlin]

Actually if you want to blame a president for your problem you should blame Kennedy. If 35 years ago he took all the money we "wasted" to go to the Moon and put it into research we *might* have a cure today. If Bush put the war money there we *might* have a cure in 10 or 20 years. So if you must blame someone, blame the person who actually could have made a difference in your friend's situation.

[johnnymk]

If I remember correctly, Congress had to vote on the $186 Billion budget for Iraq and approved it.

[LegendKiller]

If I remember correctly, Congress had to vote on the $186 Billion budget for Iraq and approved it.


If I remember correctly it was Bush who went to war in the first place?


Actually if you want to blame a president for your problem you should blame Kennedy. If 35 years ago he took all the money we "wasted" to go to the Moon and put it into research we *might* have a cure today. If Bush put the war money there we *might* have a cure in 10 or 20 years. So if you must blame someone, blame the person who actually could have made a difference in your friend's situation.


Again, you fail to see the logic. Yes, my friend is dying. Yet why do we continue to support Bush on Iraq when that money could have been spent for the future? Why do people STILL want Bush in office despite his idiotic adventures?


Also, comparing the Apollo missions to Iraq is rediculous. Iraq will do what for us? Ohh yeah, cheaper gas!

[Merlin]

Also, comparing the Apollo missions to Iraq is rediculous. Iraq will do what for us? Ohh yeah, cheaper gas!
The war is still going on. Wait a few years before assessing the impact of it on our lives. Only then can you rightfully determine if the money was well spent. I'm sorry for your friend but your rant is :nuts:

[LegendKiller]

The war is still going on. Wait a few years before assessing the impact of it on our lives. Only then can you rightfully determine if the money was well spent. I'm sorry for your friend but your rant is :nuts:


I thought the war was over and we are just dealing with bands of foreign fighters?


Face it, the outlook in Iraq is BAD. It won't improve for a long time, and even then its going to take a decade for that country to get back to its pre-GW1 levels of production. Between insurgents destroying the pipeline every day to increased bombings, things are going from bad to worse and its going to get even more worse before it gets better.

We screwed the pooch in Iraq. In the end what dividends will we see for 200+ billion and probably over 1500 casualties? Some cheaper gas and a "democracy" forced upon people.

Yeah, sounds like a real great business proposition.


How about this. I create a company by stealing my neighbors car and killing him. Then his brother and kids come after me and try to kill me. All the while I force you, cheapie, Nickel, and ray to invest 200 billion in cash so you can get free rides in my car. Meanwhile, the car breaks down all of the time and requires more money. Furthermore, while running from the relatives of the dead guy, I run over a few thousand people and kill the rest of his family...ohhh and don't forget, cheapie and nickel die.


Sounds like a GREAT proposition, I bet we could sucker P3rsian into betting on it!!


LK

[psycho-]

Again, you fail to see the logic. Yes, my friend is dying. Yet why do we continue to support Bush on Iraq when that money could have been spent for the future? Why do people STILL want Bush in office despite his idiotic adventures?

Also, comparing the Apollo missions to Iraq is rediculous. Iraq will do what for us? Ohh yeah, cheaper gas!

If that 200 billion wasn't spent on the war, would it have been spent on Cancer research? Probably not. It'd probably not be spent and we'd just have a smaller deficit instead.

Also, you are right about Apollo missions vs. Iraq.

But, truth be said: last time I checked, Apollo missions haven't helped your friend either.

[Showtime]

He would still be dying of cancer no matter who was in office. Nothing any president could do to change that. The only good thing about cancer is that you get a chance to prepare for death. Better to give him a call and tell how much you respect him and lend support than belittling Bush. Bush gets plenty of that for things he does have control over.

-j

[LegendKiller]

Sigh, yet again I must explain that yes, my friend is dying. Yes, people have died in the past. Yes, money has been squandered in the past.

HOWEVER


Does that mean that we should support a president that continues to do this?!?!?! One that has squandered MORE, cut MORE good programs, and wasted MORE good lives?


I really wonder if some people can see the forest through the trees.


LK

[ray]

Can you guarantee that Kerry will do a better job with funds? Can you guarantee what the next 10 presidents will do to this country? I can see the forest through the trees, but the reality is, I don't trust any of the recent presidential candidates. If you don't like the way things are done here, perhaps going to a different country is the best solution.

[psycho-]

LK-

I think you're starting to cross over the line into making this into a political thread. I can understand the fustration in the original post, but you've dragged it out to more than it needs to be.

It's not about your friend anymore.

[InfiniteNothing]

Can you guarantee that Kerry will do a better job with funds? Can you guarantee what the next 10 presidents will do to this country? I can see the forest through the trees, but the reality is, I don't trust any of the recent presidential candidates. If you don't like the way things are done here, perhaps going to a different country is the best solution.

Nope no guarantees. I think Kerry will do the right thing. He will certainly use war (a big expense) as a last resort, as he has seen war first hand. But if Kerry blocks reasearch like Bush, I will rethink my 2008 vote.

And NB, he probably does donate to cancer. But his word can do so much more in the fight against cancer especially in FL

[LPMiller]

dude....don't be looking for me to argue w/you regarding priorities. i was just contesting what you said. imho, we should chop the military budget by having fewer conflicts and soldiers stationed elsewhere and spend it on heart disease and cancer, both of which have killed my g'parents. additionally, i think the disproportionate amount of money we spend on aids research is silly as well. but that's just mho.

you're right, it should be more.

I mean, with the money we HAVE spent, AIDS has gone from a for sure, less then 5 years of life death sentence to something people can at least live with - well, some of them.

But, if SARS and West Nile and what ever show us anything, is that viruses mutate. HIV is notorius for this, as there is more than one strain that have appeared just in the last few years. Being the kind of virus it is, well, it could easily mutate into something that IS passed by insects, or breathing infected air, or whatever. Considering HIV is a very rare type of virus, that is still not fully understood, we need to spend as much money as possible and learn as much as we can before it decides to change tactics - AGAIN. This is a virus that jumped species, for pete's sake.

There is no wasted money when one researches viruses.

[Showtime]

Sorry my friend, but there is a lot of wasted money in all research fields. A million dollar grant for someone to test their theory is hit or miss.
Also if it's not SARs or HIV it will be something new or something old thats lying dormant. There will always be something affecting us.

-j

[LegendKiller]

Can you guarantee that Kerry will do a better job with funds? Can you guarantee what the next 10 presidents will do to this country? I can see the forest through the trees, but the reality is, I don't trust any of the recent presidential candidates. If you don't like the way things are done here, perhaps going to a different country is the best solution.


ROFL, gotta love the "Put up with it or leave it" apathatic reply. Nice one, I expected that from somebody other than you, but I was waiting for it.

Thats part of the problem, people are apathetic towards the whole process, yet it is their apathy that causes the problem.

LK

[InfiniteNothing]

ROFL, gotta love the "Put up with it or leave it" apathatic reply. Nice one, I expected that from somebody other than you, but I was waiting for it.

Thats part of the problem, people are apathetic towards the whole process, yet it is their apathy that causes the problem.

LK

LK, what ever you're doing over there, it's working. Kerry just took Florida from Bush in the polls (thus taking the lead in the electorate). If you need me to come down one weekend and hold up signs give me a PM. Of course, it's within the margin of error (49%to48%)

[ray]

ROFL, gotta love the "Put up with it or leave it" apathatic reply. Nice one, I expected that from somebody other than you, but I was waiting for it.

Thats part of the problem, people are apathetic towards the whole process, yet it is their apathy that causes the problem.

LK

ROFL, gotta love the fact that the thread that drew some sympathy from visitors of this board has turned into a political thread. We were sympathetic towards you, your friend and everyone else affected. I am apathetic towards your crusade for a better America because some of the things you say make me want to leave America. You have come to a point where your constructive thoughts are becoming destructive.

[ShawnLee]

LK, I feel for you and your friend, but...

First, I wonder how you went from the defender of the libertarian cause to the promoter of gov't spending.

More importantly, I'm quite offended that you've managed to imply that if someone is pro-Bush, he is therefore pro-cancer. I don't like cancer. I know people that have been touched by cancer. Back in my early college years, I wanted to become a doctor, and namely a pediatric oncologist. Your comparison doesn't compute with me.

[ski]

I accept that humanity comes with malice such as disease and illness. If someone in my family were to become seriously ill again, I will feel sorrow for their pain, but I won't blame political figures for spending money on war for whatever reasons you believe he did.

Ad naseum, I am sympthetic for your sorrow about your friend, and he seems like a very good man, some things are out of reach, and this isolated case seems like one of them. You might be able to slide by with blaming our leader for not promoting future research, but there is very little in this time period that the money could have done in research in your particular case, unfortunately.

[usedillusion]

Originally Posted by the jello is jigglin
Sorry my friend, but there is a lot of wasted money in all research fields. A million dollar grant for someone to test their theory is hit or miss.
i go on cancer fundraising walks every time they're in town so that kinda sucks... actually going on one in october for leukemia & lymphoma :gle: sometimes i do think it's just futile but others i feel like it's the only thing i do that's worth a damn.

[Kim]

I'm sorry for your loss

[LegendKiller]

ROFL, gotta love the fact that the thread that drew some sympathy from visitors of this board has turned into a political thread. We were sympathetic towards you, your friend and everyone else affected. I am apathetic towards your crusade for a better America because some of the things you say make me want to leave America. You have come to a point where your constructive thoughts are becoming destructive.


If this is a political thread, then it is a political thread, perhaps I should have put it into the poltics forums. I wasn't looking for sympathy as much as I was saying how much it sucked that we have made so little progress in research in this area and we continue to ignore it and other important areas while we go to war for the "good" cause of cheaper oil and more money for Bushy.

Do I abhor gov't spending in massive amounts? Yes! However, I would rather see 200 billion spent on research that would save millions in the future than see 200 billion spent on a stupid war that isn't going to yield returns for a long time and those returns won't amount to much in the first place.

America has made a VERY bad investment. Our investment advisor counseled that it was a good one. What do you do with a bad investment advisor? You fire his ass and get a new one.


LK

[InfiniteNothing]

LK, I feel for you and your friend, but...

First, I wonder how you went from the defender of the libertarian cause to the promoter of gov't spending.

More importantly, I'm quite offended that you've managed to imply that if someone is pro-Bush, he is therefore pro-cancer. I don't like cancer. I know people that have been touched by cancer. Back in my early college years, I wanted to become a doctor, and namely a pediatric oncologist. Your comparison doesn't compute with me.

I think the missing connection is stem cells. Bush stood in the way of research. I think the other connection was war: Bush spends big. The truth is, this war does in the long run take money away from research. There will be cuts or fewer grants to offset the spending.

[Houdini]

If this is a political thread, then it is a political thread, perhaps I should have put it into the poltics forums. I wasn't looking for sympathy as much as I was saying how much it sucked that we have made so little progress in research in this area and we continue to ignore it and other important areas while we go to war for the "good" cause of cheaper oil and more money for Bushy.


No. We have made MUCH progress in cancer research. What makes you think we haven't and that it's being ignored? Thousands of researchers have devoted their lives to finding treatments. Some forms of cancer that were absolute death sentences 30 years ago can be knocked into remission today. Even with an unlimited budget there's no guarantee a cure would be found tomorrow. Perhaps it's not just a financial problem? Perhaps more treatments will be found tomorrow.

Again, and I've been through this before, stem cells are necessarily not a magic cure-all and research has not been banned. They're simply pluripotent cells, and much research into how they work and what can be done with them is being performed now, in the US, with federal money. Do I think they will yield treatments in the future? Yes, I hope so.

I feel terribly sorry for your friend's battle. I understand your frustration. But connecting the Iraq war or anything like that to his illness is ludicrous.

[molecularfire]

You don't like Bush and don't agree with his policies, we get it. It is your right to verbalize your disapproval of Bush's policies. However, IMO using your friend with cancer as a tool like this is just low.

[LegendKiller]

You don't like Bush and don't agree with his policies, we get it. It is your right to verbalize your disapproval of Bush's policies. However, IMO using your friend with cancer as a tool like this is just low.



Ok, so let me get this straight.


My friend dies in a car accident while a drunk driver hits him head on. So I CANNOT use that as a crusade to stop drinking and driving?


THe president is drunk, he's fvcking up this country, he's poorly utilizing resources, and he's stagnating research while squandering 100's of billions so I can't say "Look, we are killing people in the future just like my friend is dying now". !?!??!


Gimme a friggin break.


LK

[molecularfire]

The drunk driver is directly responsible for the death of the friend who died in a car accident. Drinking and driving is a reasonable target to blame. Whether you chose to believe this or not, there really is nothing that Bush could've done that would've helped your friend. If he had pumped the entire national budget into cancer research, the odds that your friend's fate would've changed is still microscopic. The problem that I have with this thread is that I don't get the feeling that you started it to grieve for your friend, you did it to attack Bush's policies... that your friend's situation is just a tool. That IMO is pretty low. JMO.

[LegendKiller]

The drunk driver is directly responsible for the death of the friend who died in a car accident. Drinking and driving is a reasonable target to blame. Whether you chose to believe this or not, there really is nothing that Bush could've done that would've helped your friend. If he had pumped the entire national budget into cancer research, the odds that your friend's fate would've changed is still microscopic. The problem that I have with this thread is that I don't get the feeling that you started it to grieve for your friend, you did it to attack Bush's policies... that your friend's situation is just a tool. That IMO is pretty low. JMO.


Ok, so lets start from the beginning.


We have a limited "pot" of money. From that pot a whole slew of stuff has to be taken to pay bills. Now, we have made many, very important, things get smaller parts of the pot lately. A couple examples would be medical research, alt fuels/elec, and pollution controls.

This issue has been exacerbated by a President who wants to make the pot smaller by giving larger tax cuts WHILE spending more on single things, such as wars.

Now, I grieve for my friend because his and his son's situation are so sad. Its even more sad that this issue will CONTINUE to be so horrible in the future because Presidents with severe myopia will continue to spend hundreds of billions of senseless wars that keep us tied to fossil fuels instead of investing money into worthwhile ventures such as increased medical research.

Again, I grieve for my friend, a lot. However, I am also VERY pissed that the future will suffer for the presents mistakes. It is Bush's fault, he is the drunken driver that will kill people.


LK

[nickel]

some day you will be able to deal with your grief without lashing out and blaming others. it took me a long time, too.

[Grubbie]

Hey, it's his thread he can walk it where ever he likes....

[LegendKiller]

some day you will be able to deal with your grief without lashing out and blaming others. it took me a long time, too.


So you are telling me that 200 billion dollars couldn't have been spent in better ways?


Or are you telling me that $50 billion in funding towards cancer would not save any lives 10 years down the road?


These are logical arguments, something which many people deny.

LK

[DaFunkyUnit]

but we are spending millions on finding the cure for cancer.


the cancer that is known as terrorism!



(GWB, eat your heart out! :hihi: )

[molecularfire]

Same token, you could've blamed Bush for not pumping the money that went into Iraq into making cars that would swerve out of the way of accidents even if driven by drunk drivers (heck at this stage that car is just about as likely as the cure for cancer). Anything money that you spend on something, you can't spend on something else worthwhile. Given that argument, anything we do kills. I can argue that the 20 billion dollars that the american public spends on coffee could have been used to find a cure for cancer so coffee drinkers are responsible for the deaths of cancer patients (I hate coffee probably about as much as you hate Bush.
I am not arguing that you don't have a right to your opinions or that you may have some valid points. I am just disgusted on how you chose to present it. Using a dying friend as an emotional pull to garner support for your argument is low IMO, that's all. :(