57 Comments

• seanomelbourne | Jan 02, 2011, 05:26 PM EST

  We can look after ourselves Mman. It appears that anyone to the left of Genghis Khan is a communist. The area covered by flood water is larger than Spain and Germany combined as big as Texas.But when you have a strong economy and a Prime Minister at the coalface helping it lift's ones spirit,unlike "do nothing" Bush (remember Katrina)or reading to school kids while Rome burned.Uranium profits are a drop in the bucket compared to our iron ore /gold /silver/copper/mineral sands/aluminum/gas/nickel profits and so on.Not to mention Meat/grain and so the list goes on BTW we have a number of yellow-cake mines not affected by the flood.we have it all, maybe you need a few Aussie labor politicians to show congress how it's done. I do hope the U.S. economy improves in the new year after all, vibrant economies make for vibrant people.

• Monsoonman | Jan 01, 2011, 08:37 PM EST

  That's right lad, choice/clash of civilizations between capitalism-freedom and socialism-communism. Communism lost the first round, but the present manchurian candidate wwho sneaked into the whitehouse started up where carter left off, look it up. BTW: Looks like G*d is smiting you for ignoring him, floods of "biblical proportions" I see. Can't even mine uranium to sell for nuclear arms manufacturing, you've lost your main cash cow. What are you going to do? If you can make it to Bluff Knoll, I might be able to rescue you if you can carve out an airstrip. Let me know.

• seanomelbourne | Jan 01, 2011, 08:15 PM EST

  What do you mean by a choice of civilizations? sounds like the Third Reich is making a comeback.Jimmy Carter was your president not mine.

• Monsoonman | Jan 01, 2011, 01:21 PM EST

  What it comes down to Lad is a choice of civilizations. The proxy wars were a relief valve from all out wars, we just fought fire with fire. We witnessed your do-gooder, jimmy carter, practice his uber left ideologies by weakening America. We are reaping the results of his inactions today. obama has put miracle grow on the situation.

• seanomelbourne | Jan 01, 2011, 02:14 AM EST

  You are the the one in denial you tacitly support American excesses and their murder squads,North,Gates and other U.S. operatives in Chile,Argentina and so on. Castro supported what are now the governments of Angola and Mozambique.Your the one with the blind spot I castigated both the U.S. and Russia.You are selective in your support of any one who pays homage to the U.S. For e.g. the Shah of Iran and his secret police(SAVAK)trained by the likes of Ollie North That's another story I suppose. So nothing has changed for the Iranian people since the overthrow of Mossedeq(by the CIA) The democratically elected government.They have suffered one oppressor after another for over 50 years.

• Monsoonman | Dec 31, 2010, 07:02 PM EST

  Lad, you fail over and over to see your blind spot when you try to defend these brutal dictatorships. I think you try to glamorize them in some way. Usually their biggest export is violent revolution designed to further their cause. Cuba was in africa for crying out loud killing africans. Don't get me started on the terror death and destruction they wreaked in my hemisphere...All of this would have been unnecessary if kennedy hadn't abandoned the freedom fighters at the Bay of pigs, left them like pigs to be slaughtered on the shores of cuba.

• seanomelbourne | Dec 31, 2010, 06:07 PM EST

  I never said Cuba was a paradise Mman. I wonder why you fail to answer the criticism of the American supported terrorist dictators (maybe you agree with me). I really did write a fair and balanced piece after all I condemned the Russians as I condemned the U.S.Maybe you should spend time justifying your point of view rather than concocting a story to attack the messenger, accusing me of something I did not write or allude to.Remember I visited Cuba and found it distressing.But who do we blame? the U.S. for denying medicines and infrastructure by there economic stranglehold,The Russians for trading Cuban sugar for arms and some fault must lie with the Cuban government.But at the end of the day the big powers should keep their collective noses out of other peoples business.

• Monsoonman | Dec 31, 2010, 12:35 AM EST

  Lad...if castro & his peoples paradise is so wonderful, why have millions of cubans fled the hell hole on anything that floats to reach the shores of the U.S.? Or float to the peoples paradise of chavez's venezuela?...funny about those pesky things known as facts.

• seanomelbourne | Dec 30, 2010, 11:24 PM EST

  Always remember when dealing with super powers it's never about democracy or the rights of the people,it's about control. Chavez-drugs,Noriega-drugs.Get your head out of the sand Mman

• seanomelbourne | Dec 30, 2010, 11:20 PM EST

  He also nationalized hotels,the Havana Riviera being one of them(Which was owned by that "great" American Myra Lansky). And after the ugly American came the Ugly Russian tourist who's treatment of Cubans was no better.At least Fidel refused to be anyone's acolyte just like Chavez.

• seanomelbourne | Dec 30, 2010, 11:14 PM EST

  Maybe I'm not as easily led by the nose as you are with U.S. lies,indeed I've been to Cuba and have seen first hand how the U.S. bully small nations by economic embargo's. I agree Cuba is hardly an ideal society but after the "bay of pigs"they substituted one oppressive regime for another. It's quite ironic Cubans were treated like 2nd class citizens by the U.S.(segregated hotels and beaches)Fidel's 1st crime was to open the beaches to everyone and kick out the mafia and their Cuban acolytes E.G. the mayor of Havana Desi Arnaz's father the acolytes took up residents in Florida.

• Monsoonman | Dec 30, 2010, 08:31 PM EST

  I like wikileaks, we just found out that chavez is involved with the cocaine drug trade, he has set up communist guerilla camps on the border with neighboring Colombia to try to destabilize that democrat country, he has strong ties to the iranian regime, he is selling oil to china for 5.00 per barrel and is warping venezuelas constitution to set himself up as dictator for life. If you think he is a good man lad, you should do some self examination. You still haven't told us why you think Fidel Castro is such a fabulous dictator for life? Could it be the nations great gdp? His respect for huuman rights? The vintage cars? Just what is it lad?

• seanomelbourne | Dec 29, 2010, 06:01 PM EST

  Mman you condone the overthrow of elected governments and you ask me comment on Chavez who was overthrown (briefly)by am American financed coup.Chavez was elected by a majority in his country. He refused to be a U.S. puppet. We now have a richer S.America because money is reinvested in infrastructure and not into the pockets of petty little American installed dictators or corporations. Power to the people.

• Monsoonman | Dec 28, 2010, 12:40 AM EST

  Lad, in your mind is fidel castros Cuba a "liberal country"? Is Venezuela under the dictator hugo chavez a "liberal country". Just want to establish the bar...and yes obama seems intent on bringing America down, the trickle up poverty is working its magic.

• seanomelbourne | Dec 27, 2010, 10:16 PM EST

  You usurped the democratically elected governments of some of these countries,who were recognised by the U.N. and in some cases elections were supervised by the U.N.(including American supervisors).Most S.American countries are liberal governments.The U.S. no longer appoints petty criminals as dictators.It's about time you realised your proper place in the scheme of things or the world will just pass you by.

• Monsoonman | Dec 26, 2010, 08:42 PM EST

  We "interfered" because other super powers were doing the same thing during the proxy wars, aka: the cold war. We made it fair between iran and iraq when the two crazy nations were killing each other instead of us, we supplied both sides with arms to keep it even. The profits from those arm sales went to fund the freedom fighters in Nicaragua who were battling to take their country back from communist thugs armed and supplied by your hero fidel castro...and no hugo chavez is a dictator for life, you should go down there and visit/live in the country Lad, you will see what I mean.

• seanomelbourne | Dec 26, 2010, 05:27 PM EST

  I stated that the U.S. subverted elected governments in central and south America for almost a century. Chavez was freely elected his presidency is the responsibility of the Venezuelan people not the U.S. state dept. The problem is you cannot mind your own business and let everyone else look after themselves. As far as Reagan is concerned you believe your own propaganda,maybe Nancy consulted her star chart and advised him,(as she was prone to doing).

• Monsoonman | Dec 26, 2010, 04:56 PM EST

  Go check up on your facks Lad, Reagan negotiated through strength, that's the only thing the russians respect. obama and co. are groveling for a political favor in order to look like they are actually accomplishing something. We negotiated our missile defenses away, in order to get a paper signed...shades of neville chamberlain....So you think the dictator/thug hugo chavez is a good man?

• seanomelbourne | Dec 25, 2010, 09:13 PM EST

  Have one to many Mman? cannot find a blog by Dennis on these pages. the present START treaty is technically an annexure to the original treaty. The U.S. has subverted democratically elected governments in central and south America for almost a century.

• Monsoonman | Dec 25, 2010, 11:40 AM EST

  Reagans START treaty looked out for the best interests of the US and was negotiated through our strength, that's why it was ratified so quickly O'Dennis. If obamas START treaty was so good why didn't it get instantly ratified since the democrats held a super majority in the house and senate for the past 2 years? Because it is a bad deal for the US and could only get passed by a corrupt lame duck congress...Look up wikileaks Dennis, there is an interesting bit on how we subvert our friends(Honduras), in order to placate communist dictators(hugo chavez)...fact! But it ought to warm the cockles of yer heart to know that, eh Dennis? Oh yeah, Merry CHRISTmas.

• hancock | Dec 24, 2010, 11:24 PM EST

  It was also caused by the Dems having no guts.

• seanomelbourne | Dec 24, 2010, 08:19 PM EST

  The late passing of the bills were due to the intransigence of the GOP,for example,the start bill was presented 13 times and knocked back by the party of no. It spent 6 days in congress before it was eventually passed.Reagan's 1st.start treaty only took 5 days in total to pass.The first casualty here is truth The immorality lie's with those who have spent 2 years filibustering every piece of legislation and presidential appointment. Your crocodile tears are noted Mman. I wish you a happy season.

• Monsoonman | Dec 24, 2010, 05:32 PM EST

  Lad, even if the lameducks passage of important legislation is constitutional, it certainly is immoral and an affront to the majority of the American people. A large portion of this lameduck congress, that could be fired, were just fired by the American taxpaying citizens...They come back without anything to lose or anyone to answer to and pass perverse legislation.

• seanomelbourne | Dec 23, 2010, 05:56 PM EST

  Southbendnative reading from Fox talking points to justify his minimum standard of literacy. If passing bills during the lame duck session is unconstitutional what amendment is been broken dunderhead.

• SouthBendNative | Dec 23, 2010, 01:38 AM EST

  olovely, the GOP wants to hold the DEMS to their promise to cut spending elsewhere to pay for new spending..perhaps you have not read of Paygo in the newspapers you idiot. They have not said it is a public giveaway. They are correct that it would add to the debt. All they are after is offsetting spending cuts and to debate the bill properly. The Dems as usual, are using this to convince dopes like you that they care..when in fact, they could have and should have brought this up for debate ages ago. Oh and never mind the fact that passing bills like this during a lame duck session is unconstitutional..read a book sometime or ask your mommy to read one to you if you aren't capable. The brilliant line that Cahir uses to conclude his drivel filled column is more accurately applied to the left. Sadly idiots like you lap it up.

• seanomelbourne | Dec 22, 2010, 06:39 PM EST

  I see the three stooges Carlson,Kilmeade and big ears are now blaming Obama and the Dems for the delays in passing the responders bill,what a miserable bunch they are.

• olovely | Dec 22, 2010, 10:11 AM EST

  Pick up a paper sometime SouthBendNative before you start abusing people on public forums, eh? Republicans have said clearly the 9/11 health bill is a special-interest giveaway that would add to the nation’s debt. They are absolutely against taking care of the first responders, that's why the first attempt to pass the bill in the House failed in July. Whatever happened to supporting our nation’s heroes?

• SouthBendNative | Dec 22, 2010, 08:21 AM EST

  Cahir, it is dopes like you who make it impossible for serious people from opposite sides to ever get together on anything. The GOP is not against taking care of the 1st responders. They are simply wanting a reasonable time frame for discussion and to determine the best delivery method to ensure fraud and abuse is limited. Idiots like you try to reward poor behavior by the leftists who could have brought this up for discussion anytime in the past 2 years and decided to ram a bunch of legislation thru in a lame duck session to avoid scrutiny of the crap these bills contain. It is actually in violation of the constitution to pass legislation during a lame duck session anyway. You lefies control the media, so facts that don't fit your template are not discussed. What a shame you and your side have no conscience. This can and should be taken care of when the new congress is seated. We'll see then how much the Dems support it when they can't demonize the GOP. The complete lack of scruples on the left is breathtaking.

• Monsoonman | Dec 22, 2010, 12:15 AM EST

  Next time we have an act of war committed against us on our soil, we should suspend possee comitatis and have the military go in. A lot less litigation and they are more prepared to operate in post apocalyptic conditions.

• McNamara31 | Dec 21, 2010, 10:48 PM EST

  Yaright You stated: "first responders`were only too happy to become media darlings." Are you kidding me?If it were your son or daughter they were digging out of the Towers you wouldn't be the cold hearted basta*d your words imply. What do you propose? Let them become homeless because of mounting medical bills and die in the streets? The proposed responder health coverage only kicks in after their "own" medical, workmen's comp or other settlements have been exhausted. So we are not talking about a payday here. Next time a terrorist attack of this magnitude happens and you are buried beneath the rubble you can tell the "darlings" to pass you by because as you also stated, "bad stuff happens".

• yaright | Dec 21, 2010, 10:12 PM EST

  Quite a few of these `first responders`were only too happy to become media darlings.In simple economic terms, each FDNY widow walked away with a million dollars. It`s all part of what could be called the `Cindy Sheahan`culture. In general, fire officers, policemen, federal law enforcement officials, and soldiers sign up to perform duties with certain in-built risks. Bad stuff happens, the blame onus is diverted to the taxpayer, as if the tax-paying collegiate had a part in the original carrer choice of the victim. This harpie, liberal crazy nonsense has to cease. Change the oil in your automobile, and the liklihood is that your hands will show signs of your labor. Ditto with emergency responders. Let the leftie wingnuts draw up a list of situations where an ewmergency worker doesn`t have to attend, include these conditions in their contracts and cut their pay by 50%. These clowns have been high on the hog for far too long. Simples.

• hancock | Dec 21, 2010, 10:06 PM EST

  I agree with you guys, this should be tight and only for those who truly need it. If 3 billion does it close the book, but the iron workers who were down there are going to need this too. Trust me.

• hancock | Dec 21, 2010, 10:04 PM EST

  I hope they do go after assets but I doubt that will happen, as I believe you do.

• michaelidaho | Dec 21, 2010, 09:54 PM EST

  Monsoonman and others, I agree with you wholeheartedly. The only bill anybody should support is one that compensates first responders for any wages and medical costs they lost or may lose due to injuries suffered from the 9/11 attacks. Most of this should already be covered by very generous health and pension benefits from NYC. The federal government should make up the difference but I doubt it would even come close to 6 billion. Moreover, it is ridiculous that non emergency personnel are included in this bill. Did any military personnel, never mind civilians, receive extra money for Pearl Harbor? Cahir, please enough with your bleeding heart nonsense.

• Monsoonman | Dec 21, 2010, 09:39 PM EST

  Why not go after the assets? Our bold ag has ventured as far as to sue the state of az. for enforcing immigration law, he is trying to break new legal ground by treating prisoners of war like US citizens...why can't he go after the Saudi lineage that drove those aircraft into the buildings? Our other AG's got money for the US citizens who died over lockerbie...All I am trying to ascertain and say is when is enough enough? It was an act of terror/war? There are certain risks you take when you do that line of work and are already compensated for it.

• hancock | Dec 21, 2010, 09:19 PM EST

  Liftime bennies for you and wife, which aren't that good when you retire. Pension to wife if you take death gamble, which nobody takes unless they love their wife and are about to drop dead. This isn't Line of duty, just an incredible spike in rare cancers, so thats out. Good luck with the assetts, unless that was a joke to lighten the mood.

• Monsoonman | Dec 21, 2010, 08:53 PM EST

  I am looking on the nyc firefightrs salary site and see the benefits include lifetime health benefits for family, generous pension transferred over to family. There is also a life insurance provision for those killed in the line of duty? What am I missing? Other than the attorney general should be going after the assets of those behind the 911 attacks?

• hancock | Dec 21, 2010, 07:41 PM EST

  Emotinally? I think you feel a little defensive yourself. You ask questions, I gave you answers for the FD. If guys die from 9/11 diseases should we pretend they didn't? I don't think their wives should get lottery tickets, I just think their medical care should be covered. What do you think they should get?

• Monsoonman | Dec 21, 2010, 07:35 PM EST

  "How do you know? The Fire Dept aren't even making these deaths line of duty. Like its one big coincidence that all these young guys are suffering and dropping dead."...OK I guess I ht a nerve by asking for specifics, seems none of you know and would rather react emotionally. So until the details are released my vote is no....But curious, how much are the taxpayers supposed to pay for each dead fireman? 1-2-3-4-5-6-10 mil each? How about our heroic attorney general holder whose main goal is to protect muslims civil rights (yes he said that), go after the funders of the 911 and get damages from them? I sure as hell didn't slam those planes into the buildings. How much did we pay the civilians who got killed/wounded in the attack on Pearl harbor?

• IrishEddy | Dec 21, 2010, 07:16 PM EST

  I bet most of these Senators were crying foul about the so-called Ground Zero Mosque. If it does pass you'll hear Rush doing one of oxycondin rants about being raped.

• mayoman | Dec 21, 2010, 06:12 PM EST

  We need to do the right thing and see to it that every brave fireman, cop, construction worker, EMT, and every other Good Samaritan that came from all walks of life receives the proper health care that they now need for the selfless sacrifices that they made without hesitation to rescue their brothers and sisters on and after 9/11. They have paid a high price, and now we need to step forward and help them. They are our finest citizens. May God bless them all.

• jamieLM | Dec 21, 2010, 05:41 PM EST

  olovely, just curious if you've actually been able to read a copy of this entire bill? I'm not being sarcastic, just interested in what you've read. So often these bills are long and so complex and written in "legalese" that they're difficult to understand.

• seanomelbourne | Dec 21, 2010, 05:34 PM EST

  Who covers the const.workers or the citizens who were caught up in the dust and debris on that faithful day. wjb1tex may have a point.

• Searlit | Dec 21, 2010, 05:10 PM EST

  Aopparently, the states don't want to pay the medical expenses because they see this as a federal issue.

• Searlit | Dec 21, 2010, 05:08 PM EST

  Disgraceful!

• docmikey | Dec 21, 2010, 03:55 PM EST

  The Gang Of Prevaricators AKA the Greedy Obstructionist Party is at it again!

• hancock | Dec 21, 2010, 03:34 PM EST

  How do you know? The Fire Dept aren't even making these deaths line of duty. Like its one big coincidence that all thes young guys are suffering and dropping dead.

• Monsoonman | Dec 21, 2010, 02:25 PM EST

  Are non unionized const. workers included in this bill? Unionized workers should be covered entirely by their benefits packages as well as workers comp.

• hancock | Dec 21, 2010, 02:18 PM EST

  Construction workers aren't govt workers. What about them?

• Nicomax | Dec 21, 2010, 12:31 PM EST

  The best part of the GOP not willing to pass this bill is that it has kept Rudy Giuliani quite.

• Monsoonman | Dec 21, 2010, 11:57 AM EST

  I have asked this before and got only silence as an answer: Govt. employees & their families are already covered by lifetime health/disability/full pensions, for retirement as well as if they get disabled and can no longer work, especially if they are injured in the line of work. What is this all about? Am I missing something? Until these questions are answered, wjb1tex has a very valid point.

• hjfarmer | Dec 21, 2010, 11:37 AM EST

  wjb1tex, you are in the same position as the GOP. This is yet another bill that no one has read that the majority wants to push through. There have been no, none, zero hearings. I heard three GOP senators say on morning shows they want to get the responders the money.. they just want a good bill. Goodness, hasn't this country learned its lesson the past year in passing bills no one has read?

• olovely | Dec 21, 2010, 11:27 AM EST

  Oh there has to be something buried in the bill? Wel, there isn't, in fact. These Christmas Scrooge's have money to throw away on tax cuts for the rich but not one thin dime for the cops and firefighters. Why are you surprised by that?

• seamusmoore | Dec 21, 2010, 11:10 AM EST

  wjb1tex Congrats, you qualify as one of few adults on this board. There has to be something else buried in the bill, otherwise, who could oppose it?

• TheOldPerfessor | Dec 21, 2010, 10:47 AM EST

  The party line is that it's all about the money. We have enough money to give Donald Trump his tax break. We had enough money to invade and occupy a country based on trumped-up charges that turned out to be lies - that one cost us at least a trillion dollars. Money for helping 9-11 heroes who are sick? Sorry.

• wjb1tex | Dec 21, 2010, 09:59 AM EST

  Not having read this bill I wonder what details are in there to give people reason to oppose it ? I also find it a little strange that it was introduced in February and with the Democrats in full control there was no effort to pass it before now ? There might be a little more here than meets the eye.

• McNamara31 | Dec 21, 2010, 09:15 AM EST

  What do we stand for if we cannot get this bill signed during the Christmas season? Anyone who considers themselves Christian and is not enraged by the treatment these sick responders have received thus far by the party of "no" should review the tenets and teachings of Christ especially towards the sick and the poor which these responders have become because of their illnesses and mounting health care debts. It sickens me the way the GOP waved the Americans flag in the days after the Towers fell and now time and time again have turned their back on theses brave sick men and women.