Posts by Cole Thornton

No comments on Bonanza for over four years?!? Yikes!

I've been waychng the first six seasons of Bonanza on DVD again and am amazed all over again at the variety the program offered. No wonder it was so beloved and the biggest git of the 1960s.

Bonanza could boast a wide variety of episodes. One week it was a social commentary episode like 12 Angry Men, the next week a "psychological" western a la a 3:10 to Yuma, a supernatural or spiritually-themed episode, an action shoot 'em up, or a slapstick comedy episode.

Regardless of any given week's plot, what I believe people loved anout the series is that the viewer could always depend on fine performances from the four (later three) leads and a chemistry among them that is rare in telelvision.

I joined in March 2004. Does that qualify me as an "older" member?

After years away, I suppose I am back, not that anyone here would remember me! I see some familiar handles and our conversations all come back to me. I am saddened to learn of the recent passings of a few ongtime Duke board posters, but time relentlessly marches on.

Years back in the In Harm's Way thread we had a discussion about recasting a "What if?" sequel. I'd like to start a thread and have that conversation again, so I'll get to work on that and look forward to everyone's contributions.

Nice to be here at the forum again.

Quote from Stumpy

Our economic downturn started near the end of Bush's watch and has only gotten worse since the Democrats assumed power. With their tax-and-spend policies, things will undoubtedly get worse yet.

The seeds for this economic crash were planted during Clinton's term, when stringent oversight of certain lending practices, especially mortgage lending, was relaxed at the urging of various interests. In other words, a lot of people began buying houses and otherwise living way beyond their means.

Jim

As opposed to the republicans' "tax cut and spend" tactics, right?

Please.

It's a public relations coup that the republicans advertise themselves as the party for the common man, yet at every turn, without fail, they defend and prop up multinational corporations and stick it to the middle class. "Don't punish success!" the conservatives scream. Yet the only success they don't punish with their tax cuts is the top one percent of all Americans. The republicans have let the middle class dangle while their fatcat contributors prosper, though the banks still managed to collapse when left on their own. But God forbid should there be any regulation!

Also, isn't it ironic as Hell that those same capitalist corporations must depend on socialism in order to get out from under? And guess who ends up footing that bill?

You guessed it--the middle class! The politicians must serve their corporate masters or else the funding stops.

And for a group of people who wrap themselves in the flag and the Bible, conservatives certainly don't heed this Biblical passage:

"For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Luke 18:25

Of course, this country has always served Mammon over God despite its reputed religiosity.

It's sickening. But that's America, isn't it?

It's amazing to me how the Kennedy administration was able to avoid a war with a country ninety miles away from the US, with actual, proven visual evidence of weapons of mass destruction, while the Bush administration failed to avoid a war with a country on the other side of the world, with what turned out to be zero weapons of mass destruction.

Shows what a real leader like JFK could do, even with someone like McNamara in his cabinet.

The stupidity of Bush and his chickenhawk minions will go down as the very worst in presidential leadership.

And note to Donald Rumsfeld: When you shuffle off your mortal coil, you'll be remembered--and reviled--just like Robert S. McNamara.

Quote from chester7777

You may think George was bad, if you have a few minutes, . . .

I watched the first fifteen minutes and will finish off the remainder later.

There's much, much more in that presentation than I can comment on here, but what it discusses is really nothing new, as the banks and later the Gilded Age of America's 19th century set the precedent. Jesus Christ (or Allah, or Buddha et al.) isn't the God in which we trust, but the Almighty Dollar; always has been, always will be.

I don't know anything about the makers of this production, but I'm surpised at how much of what I've seen so far jibes with what I've been going on about in this thread.

Thought provoking and fascinating for someone who hadn't previously been exposed to the corruption that lies within, but business as usual to those of us who've studied history...

I'm glad we can agree on something here!

Quote from chester7777

I would tend to disagree with that statement. I can still remember Slick Willy sitting up there, trying to remember what the definition of "is" is. Does the name Paula Jones ring a bell? Only one of dozens. A couple of them met their maker for inadvertent disclosure. How about Vince Foster? Ron Brown? It seems being associated with the Clintons was not a healthy pastime.

I will agree with you that both presidents did not seem to be looking out for our country's best interests. I do think that both of them were knowledgeable about the CIA's drug-running activities. And the oil companies sure did make a bit of money last year, didn't they?

As erthomp and Stumpy indicated - vote 'em ALL out and start over with a fresh bunch. As I've mentioned before, the higher echelon in our government is totally controlled by international power brokers. If they deviate from the 'program' they die.

Chester

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I'm no apologist for Bill Clinton, that's for sure, but his personal flaws--of which there are MANY--didn't cause us to invade Iraq and bankrupt the nation. Clinton's roving eye, cocky self assuredeness, and dirty southern political tactics were nowhere near as ruinous to this nation as Bush 43's ineptitude.

Where ARE those WMDs, anyway?

Before you all moan about how the left is taking us down the road to oblivion, remember that the people who voted Obama in weren't so much choosing Obama, but REJECTING George W. Bush. His ineptitude in EVERY aspect of his administration, with a litany of lies that makes Slick Willy Clinton look like Honest Abe Lincoln! Remember that load of crap about being "a uniter, not a divider"? My word, was there anything that this man said that was actually true? Oh, there was--perpetual tax cuts for the richest Americans! How come republicans like to think that they represent the "average Joe", yet their ilk, like the fundamentalist christians, always side with the wealthy and the powerful? They'll argue on behalf of thieves like Ken Lay until they're blue in the face.

Quote from William T Brooks

Sarah Palin, is Stepping Down as Governor at the End Of The Month, and going to Fight the Crooks in Washinton, and I think you are Going to See The First Woman President in 2012, and My Kind Of Woman With a Rifle in one Hand and a Fishing Pole in The Other Hand !!!

GO SARAH
Chilibill

Are you kidding? Palin has just handed any future opponent a very powerful weapon. No matter how she tries to spin this, the simple fact is that Palin couldn't manage to serve a single term as Governor. She failed to uphold her oath of office. When the going got tough, Sarah turned and ran.... and now you want her running the country???

The GOP is in shambles.

Quote from William T Brooks

My Kind Of Woman With a Rifle in one Hand and a Fishing Pole in The Other Hand !!!

GO SARAH
Chilibill

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...Not to mention all of those magazines she "reads."

Quote from erthomp143

Well you have to admit that WWII was a much different war than the ones that followed. If you did not do everything in your power to be part of WWII there was something wrong with you, that is contrasted by Vietnam. Where if you did not do everything in your power to stay out of it, there was something wrong with you. That's my take on the general public view of things. So to compare the two is like comparing apples and oranges.

I wanted to also mention that unless one was running on an far left, anti-war platform or had such a career in mind, it probably wouldn't have hurt a career if the scion of a political figure did serve in Vietnam.

Quote from erthomp143

Well you have to admit that WWII was a much different war than the ones that followed. If you did not do everything in your power to be part of WWII there was something wrong with you, that is contrasted by Vietnam. Where if you did not do everything in your power to stay out of it, there was something wrong with you. That's my take on the general public view of things. So to compare the two is like comparing apples and oranges.

That's why I titled my post "How Things Have Changed."

Does it not boggle the mind that John F. Kennedy had to get his father to pull strings to get him into the Navy? Jack was 4F due to his chronic back condition, among many other things and yet he wanted to serve--in dangerous PT Boat duty!

Quote from Stumpy

What was it Sue said, Jim? Oh yeah, opinions are like noses in that most people have one. However, I prefer Eric's version.

Stumpy, I hope that you're man enough someday to admit that I cleaned your hypocrital conservative clock in this debate.

Quote from chester7777

Gentlemen,

I hate to get involved in your rigorous debate, but I can't help but wonder if you aren't arguing about apples and oranges. I personally feel that no one in the higher echelons of either party has any concept of what being a conservative is. I believe that they have all been inserted in the positions they are in through the efforts of the multi-national banking and industrial complex that are working towards a "new world order." There are people in this country that consider themselves conservative, who believe in our Constitution and Bill of Rights, but rarely are they able to get into positions of power. Currently, the forces that control this world have placed us into fast-forward as far as accomplishing their goals, so hold on for the ride.

As far as Dick Cheney's activities dodging the draft, I wouldn't condone that, or anyone else's, but that's small in comparison to his activities in helping subvert our country's future (along with all of his pals in the Council of Foreign Relations, the Trilateral Commission, the Club of Rome, et al).

Chester

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Bravo!

Quote from Stumpy

To introduce a subject that is almost guaranteed to start an argument..............

You should've listened to your own words, from the very first post on this topic.

Quote from Stumpy

CT is a typical Cheney-hater who vociferously condemns the former VP's avoidance of the draft while studiously ignoring the fact that hundreds of thousands of other "Americans", including one of the left's icons named Clinton, committed the very same act by arranging college deferments or fleeing to Canada and Sweden. His irrationality and hypocrisy in this matter has convinced me that despite his protestations to the contrary, he's not a conservative but is in fact a liberal troll. For that reason, I've placed him on my "ignore" list and will no longer read or respond to his rants.

There you go again, attacking the liberals but conveniently forgetting that your own ilk are guilty of the same behavior.

Your "head in the sand" tactics used to ignore the facts are laughable. If you thought that this thread would merely serve as one long, Neo-Con rant, you were mistaken. You can't handle honest, rigorous debate. I've said nothing personal about anyone here, and you know it. Label me a "troll" all you want, but remember that you won't answer a simple, direct question.

So much for "walking the walk."

Quote from Duke_Wayne

The Libs have been attacking Cheney ever since Dubya was elected. Halliburton, He staged the War in Iraq, Shady business dealings, now Viet Nam-era Draft Dodging? Wow, what's next... Is he the reason The Beatles broke up too?

The only Presidents and/ or Vice Presidents I know about as far as draft dodging goes were Slick Willy Clinton (We could go on for days about his shady dealings.), and now our current President that may or may not even be an American citizen. (We will probably never knoww if Nobama ever even registered with the Selective Service.) Wasn't he too busy hanging with Terrorist William Ayers and Jeremiah Wright?

Don't know about the Beatles breakup, but you forgot to mention the shooting incident when Cheney shot Harry Whittington and didn't immediately inform the President of the United States!

If you're unaware of Dick Cheney's draft-dodging past, I have a lot to teach you.

Another "tell it like it is" conservative NOT answering the question!

Draft-dodger Cheney's so good with guns! The USMC could've used his deadly skills at Khe Sanh...but those "other priorities" must've been more important.

So do you condone Cheney's draft dodging, too? Everyone here makes counter accusations and attacks on the liberals-- everything but answer the question!

I noticed Stumpy won't respond to the question I've been asking, nor will ChilliBill.

Let's try this again, for any "straight shooters":

Since Dick Cheney is a conservative, do you condone his Vietnam-era draft dodging?

Quote from dukefan1

I would love to know how they justify the high cost of pills these days. Being mass produced, wouldn't that bring the cost down? My Mother-In-Law lives with me and is on so many meds, I hate to see her swallow them all. And most of them send me into sticker shock when I see what we pay for them. Does it really cost that much to make them?

Mark

Good old fashioned Greed. I know that's nothing new, but you know that that's the number one reason. Anything else is just semantics. And you know that those companies are just rolling in do-re-mi because their omnipresent national ads must cost millions to run as often as they do.

During almost every television commercial break, the newest prescription drugs are marketed like chocolate candy. It's getting to the point where people are being reduced to believing they can't scratch their own arses without the assistance of the latest government-approved pill.

And aside from the buku $$$, why do drug companies even advertise? Isn't that advocating self medication? "Hey doc, I saw an ad for seconals and maybe that's what'll cure my insomnia."

Is that how it works? Patients see the ads, run to their doctor and make prescription "suggestions"?

Quote from Elly

Firstly not quite sure about what you mean by a hipper actor LOL

secondly not sure I agree with this JW said a few times he was gald he turned down the role cos he did not like the violence and language that had crept into films by then.

just my thoughts on the subject

Notice that I put "hipper" in quotes...hipper-- meaning a trendy, flavor-of-the-month actor circa 1974.

And if Duke didn't agree initially with the DH content, he didn't waste any time starring in a knock-off of same. I'm still glad that he did, though, as McQ is a favorite Duke film of mine.