Pres. Bill Clinton Warns of Possible Crisises to Come

[Nickdfresh]

Bill Clinton Headlines Harvard Conference on Disaster Preparation, Warns of Looming Crises

05-04-2007 4:45 PM
By JESSE HARLAN ALDERMAN, Associated Press Writer

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (Associated Press) -- Former President Bill Clinton said Friday that disasters such as worldwide famine and an obesity epidemic could destroy the U.S. health care system unless politicians begin to look ahead and cooperate.

Clinton, speaking at a forum sponsored by Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, said losses of natural resources such as oil and farmable soil, coupled with rising population and climate change is a "combustible mix."

"This is coming," Clinton said. "And I know there is no great political constituency for these things, but we can avert these disasters for not very much money if they can be put into the public debate."

The Kennedy School is spending $1.5 million over two years to study why governments across the world have failed to act on threats such as heat waves and hurricanes, even when they know they are coming.

From looking back at Hurricane Katrina and forward to the absence of firm plans to cool the planet or stem malaria, some of the school's top researchers will study the roots of government inaction.

The studies will help Congress, presidential candidates and world leaders learn from past mistakes and prepare for future action, said Christopher Stone, a Kennedy School professor and head of the initiative.

The program was born in the botched response to Katrina _ the hurricane that experts had warned for years would ravage New Orleans' inadequate levies and poorly sheltered coast.

From looking at the failures, the world can better prepare for future disasters, just as the architects of World War II righted the woeful preparation for World War I, Stone said.

"Each of these are threats that we know are going to happen. This is not like saying, 'What do we do if the president of China is kidnapped tomorrow,'" Stone said. "It's not even that there is really technical disagreement about these things. It's just a matter of figuring how we can get governments to act."

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

I miss Bubba...:(

[EAT MY ASSHOLE]

Oh please. Will it matter if we're all fat or skinny if Iran drops a nuclear bomb on us???

EAT MY ASSHOLE/Some Republican Hawk '08
Make your vote count. Have your cake and eat it too.

[ULTRAMAN VH]

Well if the Libby run public school system spent more time using common sense, children would not be obese, drugged, indoctrinated robots. Lets start with bringing back physical education classes and recess, instead of brainwashing children into thinking that homosexuality is cool and we are all going to die from global warming because a fat bloated, millionaire, "Do as I say, not as I do", politician said so. Gee how about this refreshing idea. Lets teach kids, reading, writing, history and math skills. And how about a gym class to burn off those calories and youthful energy they have, after sitting at a desk for 4 hours. Thanks again for your infinite wisdom Mr. BIG DOG.

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by ULTRAMAN VH
Well if the Libby run public school system spent more time using common sense, children would not be obese, drugged, indoctrinated robots. Lets start with bringing back physical education classes and recess, instead of brainwashing children into thinking that homosexuality is cool and we are all going to die from global warming because a fat bloated, millionaire, "Do as I say, not as I do", politician said so. Gee how about this refreshing idea. Lets teach kids, reading, writing, history and math skills. And how about a gym class to burn off those calories and youthful energy they have, after sitting at a desk for 4 hours. Thanks again for your infinite wisdom Mr. BIG DOG.

LMFAO!!:D

No childs left behind...:p

[sadaist]

Originally posted by ULTRAMAN VH
And how about a gym class to burn off those calories and youthful energy they have, after sitting at a desk for 4 hours.

If a kid today has a lot of energy, they diagnose it as ADD and drug them. If you don't want fat kids, it's not up to gym class to keep them thin, it's up to the parents to start cooking at home & quit feeding them Big Mac's & KFC. Take away the X-box and make them play outside. Yep, outside. What a concept.

[FORD]

So let me see if I'm interpreting Ultradouche correctly....

High Fructose Corn Syrup not only makes you fat, but turns you gay, and Al Gore invented global warming, just to fuck with us.

Is that about it??

[Guitar Shark]

Originally posted by ULTRAMAN VH
Well if the Libby run public school system spent more time using common sense, children would not be obese, drugged, indoctrinated robots. Lets start with bringing back physical education classes and recess, instead of brainwashing children into thinking that homosexuality is cool and we are all going to die from global warming because a fat bloated, millionaire, "Do as I say, not as I do", politician said so. Gee how about this refreshing idea. Lets teach kids, reading, writing, history and math skills. And how about a gym class to burn off those calories and youthful energy they have, after sitting at a desk for 4 hours. Thanks again for your infinite wisdom Mr. BIG DOG.

My vote for funniest post of the month.

Oh, the ironicy!

[Nickdfresh]

It made me laugh out loud, literally...

He must be a liberal troll!

[MERRYKISSMASS2U]

Try crises...

[Nickdfresh]

Try fucking off and going back to the homoerotic Megadeath fixation...

Both spellings are acceptable...

[DrMaddVibe]

but Clinton....

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by DrMaddVibe
but Clinton....

Yeah, the last REAL leader we had...:(

[SilvioDante]

Originally posted by FORD
and Al Gore invented global warming, just to fuck with us.



Global warming is a myth...

Al Gore "invented" the internet. He is "misleading" the public about global warming for his own benefit.

[Ellyllions]

He's not wrong.

But he's no saint on any of the mentioned topics.

I could go on, but I wont about his stance on global warming.

But I'm in agreement with Ultra on the PE, actually. Physical education and recess is a part of the problem with obese and drugged children. Of course, kids parents are more sedentary than they used to be as well, but an hour of good active play a day will do more good for a child than that same hour spend in front of a computer.

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by SilvioDante
Global warming is a myth...

Al Gore "invented" the internet. He is "misleading" the public about global warming for his own benefit.

Dude, if you believe that, what can I say: "no child left behind" indeed...

Nobody serious is even debating the science anymore. The "debate" is over whether it's more expensive to fix than too allow coastal areas to go underwater...

And BTW, Gore never claimed to have "invented" the Internets, just to have supported it through legislation. Another idiotic myth started by liars devoid of the facts and actual arguments...

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by Ellyllions
He's not wrong.

But he's no saint on any of the mentioned topics.

I could go on, but I wont about his stance on global warming.

But I'm in agreement with Ultra on the PE, actually. Physical education and recess is a part of the problem with obese and drugged children. Of course, kids parents are more sedentary than they used to be as well, but an hour of good active play a day will do more good for a child than that same hour spend in front of a computer.

I agree on the PE thingy actually, kids need more exercise. Where their little pea brains fail is trying to tie all ills to a supposed "liberal PC agenda" with posts too stupid and self-nullifying to even retort...

Actually, it's mostly local school boards run by douche bags --with a "conservative" tax-cutting agenda that is underfunding schools, often even if they have very affluent tax basis.

And oh yeah, did I not mention the typical "conservative" lie-by-omission when it comes to education critism in America --that the quality of ones' education is determined by where you were born, and things are far from equal this country?

[Ellyllions]

I love this guy....


Ritalin Me This by Slade Ham

I wrote this a few years back, though it's never seen the light of day on MySpace. Someone asked about it though, and I figured I would repost it for them. It should be new to all of you but that one...

See, I've been hearing people use terms like ADD and depression and bipolar a lot lately. I'm one of those people that doesn't really believe in all that stuff. I'm not saying mental disorders are fiction, because there are extreme cases. I don't think Jeffrey Dahmer was a candidate for the cover of Sanity Fair. Anytime you opt to chow down on dead people instead of picking up a combo meal it's for one of two reasons… Either 1) You play rugby for Uruguay, or 2) you are one sick, sick, sonofabitch. Some people are the latter.

There are people out there that have some issues. Some people talk to Satan on a regular basis – and not just in their head either. They actually invite him over for dinner to get their new marching orders. I question the sanity of the Heaven's Gate type folks too. Somehow I think they need a rule that says you can't use "God" and "mothership" in the same sentence …ever. Unless you use it the way I did just now. There are rapists and child molesters and Scientologists out there that defy every rule I know about how the human mind works. Yes, they need to be heavily medicated. I'm not talking about them.

I'm talking about this new generation that will take a dose of whatever the doctor has available to help them cope with "their problems". It's funny how the majority will bitch and moan about how they "need" their medication to get them through a death in the family, or the loss of their job, or their financial problems, or their low self-esteem, or their financial "stress", or their hectic schedules… Those things are the cause of their "depression". No… that's called life. I suppose it is a disease, 'cause eventually it's gonna kill all of us. It's not one that calls for medication though.

We are pretty much pathetic. I can't stand seeing people that refuse to kick back at life when things get antagonistic. I don't understand why we see the need to pop a pill every single time we accidentally "feel" something. Oooooh, what was that? It was an emotion. I better take my medicine – I don't wanna mess around and have to cope with all these feelings. If I'm not careful I might actually push my boundaries and grow a little.

And we're force feeding these pills to kids now, like there's actually something wrong. But Little Johnny can't pay attention in school! No shit? Surely you jest! Maybe it's because the girl next to him is wearing a dish towel for a dress. She's young, in shape, and her nipples are harder than trigonometry… That'd distract me. Maybe it's because he's ten years old and honestly doesn't give a damn about algebraic equations. I remember watching "Autumn in New York" while being held at gunpoint quite a few years ago. I sat through the entire film and when I left had absolutely no idea what it was about. I was there physically, but mentally I was having a discussion with myself about the financial potential of the belly-button lint market. Does it mean I have ADD? No. It means the movie sucked like an overweight vampire.

I kinda think ADD was made up by parents with stupid kids. Believe it or not, some kids really are just stupid. But by re-labeling "stupid" with a cool name like Attention Deficit Disorder all of a sudden you have a Great Equalizer. Each kid is just as smart as the next – it's just that some of them are challenged by this "disease". No. They're not. You just needed an excuse so your kid wouldn't be put in the class with the helmet kids.

There's a girl I know that gets a lot of money every month because she's wrapped herself in the "Crazy" label. She works a regular job as a school teacher (one more reason why today's kids don't pay attention by the way… who wants to listen to her transition between physics lessons and crying spells?). She goes out and parties with her friends. She's waaaaay out there, but it's the product of too many drugs – not some disorder. Now my tax dollars are paying for this nutjob's Ectasy trips. Why do we support this? I'm all for helping out the Pigeon Talker at the park. He needs a little help. All his friends are birds. But your regular everyday person that can't find it within themselves to bow up a little bit and get back in the game? No thanks.

I think we need to change the "application process" for medication and government help. Maybe when one of these supposed looney toons walks in wanting a prescription we ought to make them prove their eligibility. "Oh, you're crazy? Really? Bite the head off this snake then. Here's a spork - stab yourself. Prove it! See, I knew you weren't crazy"… We need to stop looking for the easy way out. As a people we have bred a looooong list of brilliant minds over the past few centuries, and not one of them was on medication. Not one of this nation's Founding Fathers needed Ritalin to form a "more perfect union". According to those percentages, out of the 56 people that signed The Declaration of Independence, 2 or 3 of those guys must have been a real pain in the ass to nail down. No pills, yet we formed a brand new democracy! Amazing! Yet your kid can't seem to answer one essay question without a bloodstream pumped full of "help".

The National Institute of Mental Health claims that as many as 5% of the children in the United States have ADHD. 5%! Note that the principal characteristics of ADHD are fidgeting, restlessness, difficulty remaining seated, being easily distracted, difficulty waiting their turn, blurting out answers; difficulty obeying instructions, difficulty paying attention, shifting from one uncompleted activity to another, difficulty playing quietly, talking excessively, interrupting, not listening. Do you realize that I can give any kid in the world ADHD with one sugar cookie? On top of that, if those truly are the symptoms then they just described every kid I've ever met! That one list of symptoms just covered 99.9% of the children in America. I leave the .1% open to cover paraplegic children and those in comas.

Maybe one day we'll stop looking for excuses for our actions. Maybe we won't find it necessary to blame every jacked up decision in our lives on our depression or our Attention-Deficient-Can't-Sit-Still-Got-Bills-To-Pay-Life-Sucks-But-Now-I-Have-An-Excuse-Disorder. Maybe we can just own up to the fact that some of us are better in certain areas than others, and then we can all get on with doing the things we are good at. Maybe one day we'll stop leaning on these self-created crutches and actually do something.

-S


www.sladeham.com

[PlexiBrown]

Yeah, the last REAL leader we had...

:rolleyes:

[Ellyllions]

He meant to type "lawyer"...

I was gonna let it slip just to be nice.

[Ellyllions]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh

Actually, it's mostly local school boards run by douche bags --with a "conservative" tax-cutting agenda that is underfunding schools, often even if they have very affluent tax basis.

And oh yeah, did I not mention the typical "conservative" lie-by-omission when it comes to education critism in America --that the quality of ones' education is determined by where you were born, and things are far from equal this country?

Whoa, when did you add this?

Um, how does tax cutting affect PE in schools? Letting the kids outside to play freely or a rousing game of kickball is kinda cheap.

....and I really shouldn't get started on the bullshit about the quality of education and slightism.... You shouldn't be surprised that I have an opinion on that.

[Nickdfresh]

Apparently, a lot has to do with spending time drilling kids for the relentless testing. And it does cost money to hire gym teachers and to even organize and supervise lick-ball...

Why do you think it was cut in the first place?


Uhuhuhuh! Freudian slip alert!!:D

[Ellyllions]

Gym Teachers?
I'm talking PE and Recess, not organized sports.

See, we've completely forgotten that kids need to "play".

[Nickdfresh]

But who's going to supervise them so they're not stabbing each other with pencils, getting sports injuries, or being abducted by Joe Thunder or pflo?

It's not quite so simple...

[SilvioDante]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
[B]Dude, if you believe that, what can I say: "no child left behind" indeed...

/B]

Explain to me why the temperature of the Earth was 7 degrees warmer during the Dark ages than in the Middle ages. (There is a reason it was named Greenland) There were no carbon burning engines and no ozone destroying hair spray at the time.

[Nickdfresh]

Um, it was "warmer" during the Dark Ages? Really? I think there is speculation that it was much colder, and that weather may have been altered by a volcano or even a (small) meteor strike!

Secondly, Global Warming closely follows a pattern of human civilization beginning with organized agriculture such cattle herding.

And why are you debating me? Why not debate the 99% of all scientists that regard the human release of co2 as responsible. Yeah, you can find the odd meteorologist (out of his element) trying to "debunk" what is generally considered scientific fact, but dude, you're reaching...

[MERRYKISSMASS2U]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
Try fucking off and going back to the homoerotic Megade<s>a</s>th fixation...

Both spellings are acceptable...

What do Nick and Dubya have in common? Both are idiots that cannot spell!



<img src="http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/7306/picture10cp5.png"></img>
<img src="http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/1105/picture11wq8.png"></img>
<img src="http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/3667/picture12wx3.png"></img>

[DEMON CUNT]

It is amusing to watch all of the conservative robots repeat the agenda items handed to them with such thought-free fervor. Such a bizarre phenomenon.

The same fucking lot of people who issued the WMD and 911 talking point lies concerning Iraq are the same ones issuing these "then why was it was so-and-so degrees in the dark ages..." talking points. Coincidence? Not to you irony impaired conservatives.

All Sean Hannity has to do is say it in TV and it becomes gospel.

Cancer is going to kill way more of us here at the Army than terrorism. Yet, no war on Cancer. These people are more interested in vilifying Gore than their own health. Imagine where we could be if we spent the Iraq Invasion budget on our health care system.

Also, why do the schools get blamed for the current shape of younger Americans? Aren't their parents ultimately responsible?

[Ellyllions]

Originally posted by DEMON CUNT


Also, why do the schools get blamed for the current shape of younger Americans? Aren't their parents ultimately responsible?

Yes and no.

I think it was Hillary Clinton who said, "It takes a villiage...", right?:D

[blueturk]

Originally posted by ULTRAMAN VH
... Gee how about this refreshing idea. Lets teach kids, reading, writing, history and math skills....

How ambitious! Don't just teach the kids, teach the skills too. I say we start rounding up the reading, writing, history and math skills and start educating them NOW!

[Ellyllions]

Let's add a little financial education, and some motor vehicle with a dash of criminal law (issuing a General Statutes for their respective state ).

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by MERRYKISSMASS2U
What do Nick and Dubya have in common? Both are idiots that cannot spell!



<img src="http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/7306/picture10cp5.png"></img>
<img src="http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/1105/picture11wq8.png"></img>
<img src="http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/3667/picture12wx3.png"></img>

You fuckbag! How dare you? You started here as little more than a sad troll with an obsessing over Megagays and communing with (other?) 16-year old boys, all while posting strange pics of post-op transsexuals and "pene."

Now Merrykissmas my ass and shove your Altavista Russian translator up yours!

And Bush doesn't misspell words since he rarely writes anything (or reads), he just mispronounces them!

Crises is the "classical" English plural spelling, but "Crisises would be the "English" plural. Both are acceptable usages of the English language, regardless of what your dictionary states!

Now go back to illegally downloading MP3s and spamming the Music forum...


Read under "Current Literary Topics:"

http://books.google.com/books?id=UigmeXLLKi4C&pg=PA126&lpg=PA126&dq=crisises+a+word+plural+for+crisis&source=web&ots=jeWaKhMePY&sig=KLplkIAI9qTwExmWqCbu5XZW34k#PPA126,M1

[ULTRAMAN VH]

It is quite amusing how The Big Dog is now an authority on childhood obesity. In fact up until Clinton discovered he had severe heart desease, he was a frequent patronizer of Ronald McDonald's Golden Arches. In all honesty from a celebrity/rock star status, the guy was great. He possessed some serious charisma. As a leader of the country, he was piss weak.

[FORD]

Originally posted by ULTRAMAN VH
As a leader of the country, he was piss weak.

As opposed to the "pillar of strength" who followed him, right? :rolleyes:

http://www.allhatnocattle.net/bush_Military_Moron.jpg

[MERRYKISSMASS2U]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
You fuckbag! How dare you? You started here as little more than a sad troll with an obsessing over Megagays and communing with (other?) 16-year old boys, all while posting strange pics of post-op transsexuals and "pene."

Now Merrykissmas my ass and shove your Altavista Russian translator up yours!

And Bush doesn't misspell words since he rarely writes anything (or reads), he just mispronounces them!

Crises is the "classical" English plural spelling, but "Crisises would be the "English" plural. Both are acceptable usages of the English language, regardless of what your dictionary states!

Now go back to illegally downloading MP3s and spamming the Music forum...


Read under "Current Literary Topics:"

http://books.google.com/books?id=UigmeXLLKi4C&pg=PA126&lpg=PA126&dq=crisises+a+word+plural+for+crisis&source=web&ots=jeWaKhMePY&sig=KLplkIAI9qTwExmWqCbu5XZW34k#PPA126,M1

Russian translators.... right. Ok.

You're just dumb. Nothing more to say.

[MERRYKISSMASS2U]

Altavista is one of the shittiest translation services out there anyway.

[DEMON CUNT]

Originally posted by Ellyllions
Let's add a little financial education, and some motor vehicle with a dash of criminal law (issuing a General Statutes for their respective state ).

Throw in some Music Classes, American Government & Politics, World Governments & Politics. Half the day to be spent on vocational classes.

I took a television production class for half the day my Junior Year. It kicked ass.

Also, four years of foreign language will be required for High School Graduation.

Why isn't America the worlds most educated country?

[DEMON CUNT]

Originally posted by Ellyllions
He's not wrong.

But he's no saint on any of the mentioned topics.

Yeah, Bill made some poor choices.

Speaking of saints. Who would consider a saint?

[Ellyllions]

Originally posted by DEMON CUNT


Why isn't America the worlds most educated country?

Because we're scared to death that we might hurt kids feelings. We might give them too much homework, or tax their sweet little minds with too much stress of learning.

Gotta keep that glass ceiling low so that everyone feels successful with mediocracy.

I don't consider anyone to be a "saint" DC. And the closest role models I have are nowhere NEAR policians.

[hideyoursheep]

Originally posted by ULTRAMAN VH
Well if the Libby run public school system spent more time using common sense, children would not be obese, drugged, indoctrinated robots. Lets start with bringing back physical education classes and recess, instead of brainwashing children into thinking that homosexuality is cool and we are all going to die from global warming because a fat bloated, millionaire, "Do as I say, not as I do", politician said so. Gee how about this refreshing idea. Lets teach kids, reading, writing, history and math skills. And how about a gym class to burn off those calories and youthful energy they have, after sitting at a desk for 4 hours. Thanks again for your infinite wisdom Mr. BIG DOG.
"Libby run school system?"

Do some research on who holds the contracts to providing school lunches in your area. Find out do they issue contracts to the most nutritious or cheapest, and look at the menu...is there a similarity to the "fast food" menus @ the local drive thru? I'll bet there is. Also check out the number of schools with soda machines inside. That was unheard of 20 years ago. But so was the X Box. As was having to fork out over $500 so your kid can play sports. Now those who can't afford it ,but have potential to be exellent atheletes are forced to watch those who are mediocre,but have the wherewithall to sign up. I see it all the time, and it's not only the districts with a low tax revenue, it's some of the most affluent areas as well.
And as for the testing requirements for children? That's a fucking JOKE! Schools who are or test below state or federal standards lose that respective funding. They will spend more time preparing the students for the test, which is already sub-standard, than they do trying to actually TEACH them something they will retain in their memory. The school district I live in now just LOST funding from the state over this for being below the state standards, but PASSED THE FEDERAL STANDARDIZED TEST! They haven't had school bus service for children who live in town for over 8 years, although I've only been here 2. That's for ALL kids K-12. I'm not sending a 1st grader walking down a busy state highway to school. All the buses run, but only have about 6-15 student on them. Kids attending the Catholic school in town GET PICKED UP BY THE CITY SCHOOL BUSES REGARDLESS!! And they had enough money to build a brand new Elementary school that wasnt occupied until last year.
This isn't about lib or cons, this is about spending money wisely. As if any Con has done so in the past 7 years! :rolleyes:
*Kicking soapbox out from under you*

[DEMON CUNT]

Originally posted by Ellyllions
Because we're scared to death that we might hurt kids feelings. We might give them too much homework, or tax their sweet little minds with too much stress of learning.

Gotta keep that glass ceiling low so that everyone feels successful with mediocracy.

I don't consider anyone to be a "saint" DC. And the closest role models I have are nowhere NEAR policians.

I have heard this before. The low standards that young Americans are held to cannot be good for our country. 'No child left behind' was a lie.

I feel as though the American population is being 'homoginized' by our media and school system.

Are you comfortable with describing the whole American educational system in such terms?

Have you seen a movie called "Idiocracy"? It's a frighteningly hilarious vision of America 500 years in the future directed by Mike "Office Space" Judge. It's pretty thought provoking. IMDB page: http://imdb.com/title/tt0387808/

So, why the "saint" qualifier in your Clinton comments?

[Nickdfresh]

Exactly! There is also criticism of "libbies" that the "homogenized" standards of constant "no child left behind" required testing has little to do with producing a well rounded, intellectually capable person and has more to do with producing store clerks for local businesses. The whole process is set up largely for producing mindless, droning worker bees for business interests, not the student's best interests, nor for society's long term interests...

[DEMON CUNT]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
The whole process is set up largely for producing mindless, droning worker bees for business interests, not the student's best interests, nor for society's long term interests...

Don't forget about the servant soldiers the military industrial complex will need for further (extremely profitable) preemptive invasions. Our education creates may of them too.

[hideyoursheep]

Originally posted by DEMON CUNT
Don't forget about the servant soldiers the military industrial complex will need for further (extremely profitable) preemptive invasions. Our education creates may of them too.

Right...

You can't have a "worker bee" class if too many climb out of it.