Paul

Nice photos. Never got into the photography bit but I have been observing for about 15 yrs. The CCD has certainly revolutionised things. A few minutes before I read your post, I was looking at both Jupiter and Saturn using my 4″ refractor (achromatic) which is all my budget allows.

The 10 inch Meade is a nice machine. Owned a C8 for about 10 years. I agree with you opinion about Cloudy Nights. A great site.

Regards

Sauron

Flood

Yes I did screw up the date. It was mighty kind or you to point it out. Never was a great speeler or tipist. I mostly blame it on my tri-focals.

Make a capital case out of it if it makes you feel good. :rolleyes:

Still for a 9/11 conspiracy theory fan, there are some interesting items out there.

Sauron

The trick is to know how to Google.

Anyway, it might help if you knew that the event took place on September 11, 2001. :rolleyes:

Sauron

Flood

You asked:

Please provide information on this one – seemed to have missed it.

concerning 9/11. Really?

Well if are serious Google for The U.S.caused 9/11 or something similar I think you will find many articles/statements/opinion pieces/editorials some of which suggest that view.

Sauron

Arthur

Linguistically challanged! Very cute but a bit clumsy. You should have saved it for a better time.

I am surprised you didn’t catch my meaning when I said

Maybe, when certain governments begin to agree with U.S. foreign policy there will be real cause to worry.

Think “certain governments” like North Korea, Cuba, Iran and perhaps you will understand Arthur.

Your must be referring to what someone else said about the “two Belgians”. But why would the Belgians have to be dragged into the fight againt terrorism? Is it not in their interests? Why would they not wish to co-operate because of a minor issue? Why take the chance?

I think we all know that the U.S. is in the UN, in light of how much the U.S contributes towards the UN’s annual budget. 😉

You ask “Where do i exactly deny the US to defend itself from terrorism” Well exactly where do you state that it does and to what degree? Have you ever actually supported any U.S. action, deed or policy, or given it credit for anything (past or present) on this forum? The current administration or any preceeding one? If you have, it must have been grudgingly.

Your complaints about how the U.S. is handling terrorists and terrorism would have more creditability if you proposed solutions rather than simply complaining. From the european experience with terrorist you are obviously aware of how difficult it is to prevent terrorist attacks, find the guilty and prosecute them. Those held in Cuba are at least temporarly out of action.

You complain that the U.S. sometimes acts alone and is proud of it! Imagine that! The nerve that the U.S. dosn’t clear every aspect of it’s foreign policy and bi-lateral agreements with UN or EU central beforehand. You resent that it can and does act in it’s own intersets. You could at least admit that there is significant day to day co-operation with others in confronting terrorism. Wht the reluctance?

As to your evenhandedness in having made “plenty of posts i’ve made in which i’m critical of Russia or the Soviet Union”. Perhaps, but you have also made plenty of posts where you praise and defend both.

It’s quite apparent Arthur, that you harbour a dislike for the Bush administration and that’s OK but it’s equally obvious that you dislike the U.S.
Your posts are replete with anti-American views.

I suspect this attitude is due to a combination of your left wing beliefs, the fact that the U.S. made such a large contribution to winning the cold war, and resentment that Europe has had to depend on U.S military power for protection during most of your lifetime.

Finally Arthur I see you are contibuting to the sly suggestion that the U.S. has supported IRA terrorism by supplying money and weapons. No one would argue that there isn’t some support in the American Irish communities for the IRA, but to advance the notion that the U.S. government supports terrorism in the UK is lunacy. Is the fact that U.S. weapons have been involved, proof? Would the existance of AK47’s prove Russia is involved? What other government outside the UK, has worked harder with all sides in an attempt to find a political solution than the U.S.? Belgium perhaps? Then there is the suggestion that the U.S. is somehow late for the war on terror as it was for WW1 and WW2.

Do you agree with the theory that the U.S. brought on the Sep 02 NY attack because of it’s poor treatment of Arab nations and support for Israel? If so are the Brits responsible for the Irish problem because of their mistreatment of the Irish? No? Better to blame the Americans.

Sauron

Arthur

Maybe, when certain governments begin to agree with U.S. foreign policy there will be real cause to worry.

You say, “what i find most incredible is that the US’ arrogant attitude isn’t only doing a lot of damage in the image the US has abroad, but actually doing a tremendous disservice to The War Against Terror. Somewhere, someone should be told there is no “US” in “team”.’

What I find incredible, is that you resent the fact that the U.S. is attempting to defend itself from terrorism just as other countries are doing. Funny you never talk about the pros and cons of what others do ( Russia for example).

The implication behind your “team” comment is simply rediculous if we consider the number of joint military deployments the U.S. shares with others, not to mention the amount of co-operative policing, intel gathering and sharing, money and terrorist tracking, and the like, that goes on daily all over the world as well as numerious bilateral and multilateral diplomatic iniiatives, and the economic, political and social development that takes place in co-operation with many nations. You have heard of the U.N and NATO have you not? Why do you promote the false notion that the U.S. only works alone?

Sauron

CB

I am not qualified tp provide you with any but I think the net would give you more information than you could ever use in an outline. As a start try the CIA world fact book. It has useful (but dry) stats if you need a brief summary of key historical, demographic, social and political background. Gazeteer type info. Travel sites would be good. Try http://www.ask.com.

I would love to visit NZ. I have family in Sydney so I am hoping to work in at least a short stay in NZ as well.

Regards

Sauron

Coanda posted:

PPS Sauron, I cannot add to steve touchdowns last reply.

Based your last two attempts, I can understand that at least.

Regards

Sauron