quote:

Originally posted by shaolin_Z You do realize that only adds to my point about bolstering image?

But certainly not to my point that the CFR incorporates a diverse membership that brings a wide array of different viewpoints, perspectives, and experiences in the realm of international affairs, in order to promote free exchange of information and ideas that contribute to more effective and thorough discussion of global issues.

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quote:

Originally posted by Lebezniatnikov But certainly not to my point that the CFR incorporates a diverse membership that brings a wide array of different viewpoints, perspectives, and experiences in the realm of international affairs, in order to promote free exchange of information and ideas that contribute to more effective and thorough discussion of global issues.

Yes, it fits that naive perspective too.

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"The Greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge." -Stephen Hawking
"First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me— and there was no one left to speak out for me." -Martin Niemöller

quote:

Originally posted by shaolin_Z Yes, it fits that perspective too.

Well I'm glad we could agree on something.

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quote:

Originally posted by Lebezniatnikov Well I'm glad we could agree on something.

LOL, indeed.

___________________
"The Greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge." -Stephen Hawking
"First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me— and there was no one left to speak out for me." -Martin Niemöller

quote:

Originally posted by Lebezniatnikov Well I'm glad we could agree on something.

Just out of curiosity, do you find diebolt to be a disturbing developement in the electoral process at all? (just a question, no "ill intentons" or anything with that one )

___________________
"The Greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge." -Stephen Hawking
"First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me— and there was no one left to speak out for me." -Martin Niemöller

quote:

Originally posted by shaolin_Z Just out of curiosity, do you find diebolt to be a disturbing developement in the electoral process at all? (just a question, no "ill intentons" or anything with that one )

Yes.

I'm no fan of corporatism in politics - I just don't see CFR fitting that trend. As an International Affairs student, I've looked up to CFR for a long time with everything they have done to promote debate on foreign policy issues in the public. Back in the days of the Cold War, most policy decisions were made in dark rooms and little justification was ever given to the public. If anything, I would even make the argument that CFR has done a great public service in actually increasing transparency in foreign policy formulation through their public forums held by public officials and private analysts with a lot of influence in government. The input from reputable voices in the non-profit sector and at the UN also gives a more accessible appraisal of situations on the ground around the world. CFR certainly gave a great deal more context to the current Administration's plans in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as providing an appropriate venue for criticism of those agendas.

"Foreign Affairs" is by far and away my favorite publication, and I think CFR does a great job maintaining a balance between opposing views.

But to your original question - I find Diebold and it's ties to various political machines to be very troublesome. I understand that counting paper ballots is tedious and subject to distortion in its own way, but I am leery of one corporation being responsible for tabulating every vote in this country with no paper trail to speak of.

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Oh fuck off the both of you, you're both retarded.

shaolin: "My words are big!"
Lebezniatnikov: "you hide beind your big words"
shaolin: "big big BIG words"
Lebezniatnikov: "you're a fag for hiding behind big words"
shalin: "I own you all with hidden meanings because I'm a 14 year old who passed history"
Lebezniatnikov: "my name is big, but not as big as your hidden meaning words"

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quote:

Originally posted by Alex Oh fuck off the both of you, you're both retarded. shaolin: "My words are big!" Lebezniatnikov: "you hide beind your big words" shaolin: "big big BIG words" Lebezniatnikov: "you're a fag for hiding behind big words" shalin: "I own you all with hidden meanings because I'm a 14 year old who passed history" Lebezniatnikov: "my name is big, but not as big as your hidden meaning words"

HAHAHAHAHA.....classic!!!

quote:

Originally posted by shaolin_Z I'll give you a hint, the CFR, Bildergerg group, and Trilateral Commision have had top politicians and CEOs from all over the world attend meetings that went unreported in the press for years, and still go completely uncovered, not to mention are heavily guarded to maintain security and keep and kind of journalists or press completely out and the public absolutely in the dark. Doesn't sound very democratic to me. Especially when an unknown governor from Arkansas goes to meeting before his 1992 campaign and magically becomes president. That's just one of many examples. Some key funders are the Morgans, Rockefellars, and Rothchilds. That should tell you a little something. Ofcourse, it means absolutely nothing to some people, just pure coincidence.

We need to be e-friends I might be going to Bilderberg next year

quote:

Originally posted by Alex Oh fuck off the both of you, you're both retarded. shaolin: "My words are big!" Lebezniatnikov: "you hide beind your big words" shaolin: "big big BIG words" Lebezniatnikov: "you're a fag for hiding behind big words" shalin: "I own you all with hidden meanings because I'm a 14 year old who passed history" Lebezniatnikov: "my name is big, but not as big as your hidden meaning words"

That's funny - I don't recall any comments on vocabulary usage.

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quote:

Originally posted by Alex Oh fuck off the both of you, you're both retarded. shaolin: "My words are big!" Lebezniatnikov: "you hide beind your big words" shaolin: "big big BIG words" Lebezniatnikov: "you're a fag for hiding behind big words" shalin: "I own you all with hidden meanings because I'm a 14 year old who passed history" Lebezniatnikov: "my name is big, but not as big as your hidden meaning words"

LOL, that was [big big BIG] awesome.

___________________
"The Greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge." -Stephen Hawking
"First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me— and there was no one left to speak out for me." -Martin Niemöller