Breaking: Blast rips through U.S. embassy compound in Athens

[|Zach|]

http://today.reuters.com/news/articl...-EXPLOSION.xml

ATHENS (Reuters) - An explosion ripped through the U.S. embassy compound in central Athens on Friday, a police source said.

It was not clear what caused the blast and there was no immediate word on whether there were any casualties.

[Taco John]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Even though TJ is a bronk fan-he is a stand up guy and has more class then a lot of people on here.

not all the time. I'm pretty embarassed about my short fuse last week.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by Taco John

not all the time. I'm pretty embarassed about my short fuse last week.

I wouldn't worry about it.

Yep I have a short fuse THIS week. Funeral on Monday, then had to work Monday night-SUCKED! This whole week has sucked. I especially love threads where people try to tell us what AMERICA is all about.

[pikesome]

This is has got to be one of the biggest piles on this board at the moment and that is saying a lot with all the playoff letdown going around.

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Wow Canada and lots of other places are FREE and they don't have to start an illegal war and send thousands of young men to die for it.

Canada sends many troops on "peacekeeping" missions they just don't take the lead, that's not how they operate. Most European countries send troops to various places all the time. The French Foreign Legion sees combat every single year someplace in the world.

I'm not sure how the Iraqi war is "illegal". Voted on, approved, approved again. Even with the 180 spin some are putting on their votes it doesn't change the fact it was done legally.

Would I die for Bush-fuck no, he has made us the most hated country in the World.

You don't have too, that's what the military does. It does the tasks so the rest of you don't have too. I keep hearing about a draft but till it's being voted on I think it's political maneuvering. We did just have an election, those kids of things happen.

We've been the most hated country in the world for years by most. Hell we have pissed off a good portion of the globe since the end of WWI, Bush isn't solely at fault for any of that. Things like Iraq just scratch open wounds and sores that existed long before.

I respect what you do Johnny, it takes a Brave man to go to that hell hole and do what you did, but just because someone denounces war does not make them Un American.

This is the only thing in here that makes any sense. I look at my time in the service as my way of insuring that people get to denounce whatever they want. If you would like to see how it could be go to the library and look up Wilson's policies during WWI, you might be happy with what you have now.

Bush SR. tried to get the draft going and send me and my friends to the first Gulf War-you know the one where we were Liberators of the Oppressed-NOT the Oppressor!

I joined during the end of the first Gulf War, news of Bush Sr. trying to draft people is news to me.

This war makes ZERO sense- Where are the Nukes Saddam was hiding?? Its all a lie and we will NEVER win. Send 100,000 kids to get their legs blown off- We will never win this.

People keep saying the war makes no sense so I'd like to try an analogy. The police go and arrest a gang leader. During the course of the arrest one of the policemen is shot and killed. The police pack up and quit going to that part of town because of that leaving the people who live there on their own.

At the rate we're going we would need to be in Iraq for almost 100 years to see 100,000 "legs blown off". I'm having trouble finding decent stats if you include all casualties, military and cilivian both sides, but I think you can see the wildly inaccurate numbers you are throwing around.

As to the winning, I'm not sure there is a "winning" at this moment because no one, Bush included, is willing to put down firm victory conditions. I think this is the major failing of the war so far, a problem every government official since Vietnam seems to have.

Bush is running out of men to kill-the draft is around the corner.

This, right here, is the reason I put pen to the Internet on this. This, more than anything you have written on this points to your complete inability to live in reality. You've decided that Bush is out to kill everyone in the country, never mind that your facts are like virgins on prom night, non-existent. It almost sounds like the same kind of thing a truly crazy person believes. I can understand if you don't like the war but if your going to ramble like a bipolar off his meds please do it in the privacy of your own home.

[Halfcan]

It is not the USA's job to Police the World. China has commited more human rights violations in the last two years than Saddam ever did. This war is about OIL and thats it. Say it like it is.

Where was the USA in Rowanda when kids were getting their arms hacked off? Oh yeah they don't have oil.

Don't act like we have ANY justification for being there-let alone sending more brave boys to die. It was voted on under false data and out right lies.

As far as death totals-one death was too many. But I am sure you have accurate totals on the women, children and innocent Iraqi's the US has bombed.

Don't be surprised if your retirment papers are pulled soon-they are sending everyone.

[Hammock Parties]

Halfcan, I highly doubt the draft will be reinstituted. The backlash would be incredibly horrible for the Bush admin.

[Saulbadguy]

"There was a shell that exploded in the toilets of the building ... It was fired from street level," Golfis added."


SHITTER'S FULL!

[Brock]

You guys came so close to witnessing KCJ meltdown #5. damn.

[ChiTown]

Has anyone offered up any Pie yet?

[boogblaster]

Drinks for all..send the bill to Social Security ...

[SLQ]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

I am just glad my boys are too young to draft and George (Hitler) Bush will be gone by the time they get old enough.

I'd say that you missed it. It's not Bush calling for the draft, it's the dems.

Besides, before any draft would be in place your boys would be old enough for the draft.

[SLQ]

Originally Posted by Taco John

Just out of curiosity, when were you last in your 20's? Because I was 20 about a decade ago, and I'm trying to think of one person I knew who was guided to causes that were worth fighting for that didn't involve pussy or pride, and i'm not coming up with a list that would reflect your use of the word "most."

No denver fan is considered to be on that list so your interpetation of the word is irrelevant.

[Braincase]

I don't question the heroism and bravery of our soldiers. I do question the motivations of the policy makers that send the troops into battle without the proper tools to complete the job in an expeditious manner. I also feel that leaders should lead by example. If you want my kid to sign up, he'll be right in line behind the leaders' kids.

[SLQ]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Would I die for Bush?

That is not the question you should be asking. Nobody dies for the man in office, you seem to be missing the greater good.

[pikesome]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

It is not the USA's job to Police the World. China has commited more human rights violations in the last two years than Saddam ever did. This war is about OIL and thats it. Say it like it is.

And the Russians trumped everyone. You are aware that China is a huge country full of difficult terrain and a huge army with even greater reserves to draw on? It would take a full scale war, not the "police action" like in Iraq, to forcibly change China's behavior. The complaint this is all about oil is not wildly inaccurate but how about the end of gas attacks on the Kurds or kidnappings and torture. The oil isn't going to be ours, we still have to buy it.

As to the US's job as "police", I'm not always in favor of it either. The problem is that no one else in the world seems to be willing to try. The UN, besides being a even bigger pool of graft than our own government, screws up more than it fixes without US leadership. Look up East Timor sometime when you think the UN can do the job.

Where was the USA in Rowanda when kids were getting their arms hacked off? Oh yeah they don't have oil.

Look at this story. I would also point out that Bush Jr wasn't president at this time, was a completely different group making decisions. That said, we should have done something, you are very right.

Don't act like we have ANY justification for being there-let alone sending more brave boys to die. It was voted on under false data and out right lies.

I'm sure I could find a Kurd or two that would argue that we did have a justification to go over there. Saddam gassed them with something. As to the claims of WMD being the reason we went I'm pretty sure that they weren't the only reason. Everyone who has decided they don't want us to be there jumps on this without any mention of the end of the torture and oppression. Or even the idea that we might be able to have a democratic government that won't spend years fighting with neighbors.

As far as death totals-one death was too many. But I am sure you have accurate totals on the women, children and innocent Iraqi's the US has bombed.

So do we outlaw driving, climbing on ladders and all of the other ways that people die? One death is too many, right? Soldiers dieing is bad but much like my police analogy that doesn't mean what we are doing is wrong. It would be nice if some of the Iraqis didn't shot their own people because they are unhappy that they are no longer in power. Or that other Iraqis use this as an opportunity to settle old scores.

Don't be surprised if your retirement papers are pulled soon-they are sending everyone.

I didn't retire, I was discharged after serving my enlistment. The four years after my discharge I would have been at the top of the list to be re-activated but since I served in the Navy that's highly unlikely due to the needs of the Navy. It would be nice if you had some, any, information to back up your wild claims about the draft/re-activation. I would suggest you read this about how the draft works but in case your afraid facts might destroy your fragile little fantasy try reading this:

If the military were to require additional troops after all available reserve personnel had been called to active duty, congress and the president would have to consider reinstating the draft. To reinstate the draft, the congress would have to pass appropriate legislation, and the president would have to approve that legislation.

If the draft kicks in you can thank Nancy and Hillary just as much as Bush. This is the way our government works, it usually takes 2 branches to do a damn thing.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Wow Canada and lots of other places are FREE and they don't have to start an illegal war and send thousands of young men to die for it.

Would I die for Bush-fuck no, he has made us the most hated country in the World.

I respect what you do Johnny, it takes a Brave man to go to that hell hole and do what you did, but just because someone denouces war does not make them Un American.

Bush SR. tried to get the draft going and send me and my friends to the first Gulf War-you know the one where we were Liberators of the Oppressed-NOT the Oppressor! This war makes ZERO sense- Where are the Nukes Saddam was hiding?? Its all a lie and we will NEVER win. Send 100,000 kids to get their legs blown off- We will never win this.

If my sons chose to join-I would be devasted but would respect their opinion. If they were drafted-I would do everything in my power to make sure they didn't go. Bush is running out of men to kill-the draft is around the corner.

Canada benefits from the broad umbrella of freedom held by the US just like you do.

If you base an analysis on the number of people trying to emigrate to a country, the US is far from the most hated country on Earth.

Bush Sr. never tried to get the draft going.

No one ever said Saddam was hiding nukes.

The draft is not around the corner, with the caveat that all bets are off if democrats take the WH and decide to get serious about the GWoT.