So here is my answer to your post; would it have made any difference whether Al Gore or G.W. Bush was elected in 2000? I made the same kind of arguments you made here back then. I was wrong. Just ask the 4,000 dead and 32'000 wounded as a result of our actions in Iraq.

I understand Gordon.

Sorry, Hil. My short answer is "yes."

15 minutes ago, WryAwry said:

Sorry, Hil. My short answer is "yes."

I hope so.

No matter who is elected, the problems are the same and solutions are limited.  I believe that the UN should be in charge of foreign policy and that the coallition approach to the matter of world peace is the only smart move.  Why should America be "the gilded war machine", incur the costs both monetary and and in human lives?  While the UN is not a perfect machine, global peace is every nations business, not just the US.  Trying to be the biggest world power does not fly anymore.  Politicians need to acknowledge this fact and work together to minimize the affects of military conflict.

5 hours ago, Admin_01 said:

Hil, your words are indeed correct. This is your blog. You are in control. Blog owners have great leeway in what they post and whether they allow others to reply, etc. See Rule 22. What you have posted here is in full compliance with CL's rules.

We do appreciate your postings and are happy that you use CL. One of these days we would like to meet you in person. (And we owe you a huge thank you for helping us find a great Mexican restaurant in Volcan.)

Keep up the good work.

For the most part I agree with Hil's assessment and also remain apolitical with regard to parties and candidates; though with definite ideas and preferences about specific issues (and also an appreciation for those folks who truly dedicate themselves to public office for the "greater good" rather than their own enrichment).  In looking at the current campaigns, rather than asking all the relevant questions like Hil did, I reviewed the impact that all the Presidents in my adult voting life (from 1968 when I was drafted and went to Vietnam for 13 months) had on my life.  My only conclusion was that their impact on me was minimal, and the greatest impacts on me were always my own personal decisions and actions.  Over this 48 year period I've voted for both Republicans and Democrats, some of whom won and others of whom lost.  But I always did so from an issues orientation position and who I thought best for the common good.  And of those who won, I think maybe 2-3 really made a positive difference on the whole with the others having a more or less neutral impact.  And so I'm also really amazed and saddened at the anger, vitriol, even hate being bandied about this time around, and hope that once the results are in, folks can forget about their own position and get back to making and taking good decisions and actions in their own lives.  I've only been in Boquete for five months and have made friends who support both sides in this election.  And in general they're all really fine, compassionate and giving folks -- no matter their political beliefs.  So in consequence, I really like living here and look forward to lots of non-election years without "me and them" conversations.  And to remain true to the CL mission, I have to say that many folks here have helped me figure out what I didn't know with regard to lots of topics and I think this is the best on-line resource for me as a Boquete resident.  But I also have to say that before moving here I found my current residence and vehicle through B.ning, so both sites have proven valuable when facts are needed.  Here's hoping that I can someday return all the favors.

6 hours ago, Admin_01 said:

Hil, your words are indeed correct. This is your blog. You are in control. Blog owners have great leeway in what they post and whether they allow others to reply, etc. See Rule 22. What you have posted here is in full compliance with CL's rules.

We do appreciate your postings and are happy that you use CL. One of these days we would like to meet you in person. (And we owe you a huge thank you for helping us find a great Mexican restaurant in Volcan.)

Keep up the good work.

Drove over for lunch today at Burricos and they are on vacation!!! We went to another one and it was great. Forgot the name!!!!! I'll do better next time!

On 10/16/2016 at 4:03 PM, Dennis Philpot said:

For the most part I agree with Hil's assessment and also remain apolitical with regard to parties and candidates; though with definite ideas and preferences about specific issues (and also an appreciation for those folks who truly dedicate themselves to public office for the "greater good" rather than their own enrichment).  In looking at the current campaigns, rather than asking all the relevant questions like Hil did, I reviewed the impact that all the Presidents in my adult voting life (from 1968 when I was drafted and went to Vietnam for 13 months) had on my life.  My only conclusion was that their impact on me was minimal, and the greatest impacts on me were always my own personal decisions and actions.  Over this 48 year period I've voted for both Republicans and Democrats, some of whom won and others of whom lost.  But I always did so from an issues orientation position and who I thought best for the common good.  And of those who won, I think maybe 2-3 really made a positive difference on the whole with the others having a more or less neutral impact.  And so I'm also really amazed and saddened at the anger, vitriol, even hate being bandied about this time around, and hope that once the results are in, folks can forget about their own position and get back to making and taking good decisions and actions in their own lives.  I've only been in Boquete for five months and have made friends who support both sides in this election.  And in general they're all really fine, compassionate and giving folks -- no matter their political beliefs.  So in consequence, I really like living here and look forward to lots of non-election years without "me and them" conversations.  And to remain true to the CL mission, I have to say that many folks here have helped me figure out what I didn't know with regard to lots of topics and I think this is the best on-line resource for me as a Boquete resident.  But I also have to say that before moving here I found my current residence and vehicle through B.ning, so both sites have proven valuable when facts are needed.  Here's hoping that I can someday return all the favors.

Dennis, I'm a Vietnam Vet with PTSD and no we should not have been there. Actually Vietnam took my early adulthood away from me. I never knew a normal life since Vietnam. I just did my duty and served honorably. I had two years left when I came  back from Vietnam and was always asking my self; when will it end. I give credit to Nixon for getting us out. And I discredit Eisenhower for going there against the Japanese and French suggestions we would get Exactly what we got. I actually found some French war artifacts while in Vietnam. Kennedy and Johnson did not do a good job trying to win the war or get us out. I have voted across the isle many times on platform & experience & what would be good for everyone and not name. A side note; General Swartzkoff's autobiogrophy is a great book. I just reconnected with two of the guys that were in my platoon after over 45 years ago. Amazing.