Debt Relief Like Charity, Begins at home..

[Big Train]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
Yeah well, the difference is that I don't have to buy a U2 or Stones' album if I decide they're phony dicks. I still have to pay taxes to support an immoral, self-destructive war. And you've defended Cheney, and his ties to Halliburton on many occasions.

I guess if it hasn't been recently, then you didn't do it at all, right?

Oh, yea, I guess your right, but it still doesn't make me a spokesperson. More importantly, I was defending them both against things that were proved factually untrue, unlike you in this scenario.

You don't HAVE to pay taxes. You could just be a tax cheat like your heroes...

[FORD]

As long as their accountants keep accurate records, and it's all legal, then what's the problem?

If it's not legal then I would imagine the Irish IRS would go after them like the IRS here went after Willie Nelson

(Except that the Willie Nelson harrassment was more than likely "encouraged" by the Reagan/BCE administration after Willie launched "Farm AID". The timing was very suspicious)

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by Big Train
Oh, yea, I guess your right, but it still doesn't make me a spokesperson. More importantly, I was defending them both against things that were proved factually untrue, unlike you in this scenario.

Actually, it wasn't factually untrue. Just a remarkable coincidence and conflict of interest, but whatever.

You don't HAVE to pay taxes. You could just be a tax cheat like your heroes...

They're not "tax cheats," and I sure you're far more adept at finding loopholes than I am. Does not paying all the taxes to the US gov't make a US corp. a bunch of traitors? That seems to be the analogy you put forth. It's sort of like you are saying if you don't pay all the taxes you can, then you're a traitor?

And again, U2 has done more for Ireland than any other single entity as far as tourism, marketing, and revenue.

[Big Train]

Originally posted by FORD
As long as their accountants keep accurate records, and it's all legal, then what's the problem?

If it's not legal then I would imagine the Irish IRS would go after them like the IRS here went after Willie Nelson

(Except that the Willie Nelson harrassment was more than likely "encouraged" by the Reagan/BCE administration after Willie launched "Farm AID". The timing was very suspicious)

It's interesting to see how this principle applies. If it is someone you like, you sound like a Republican. If it isn't, you sound like it's a conspiracy.

[Big Train]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
Actually, it wasn't factually untrue. Just a remarkable coincidence and conflict of interest, but whatever.


They're not "tax cheats," and I sure you're far more adept at finding loopholes than I am. Does not paying all the taxes to the US gov't make a US corp. a bunch of traitors? That seems to be the analogy you put forth. It's sort of like you are saying if you don't pay all the taxes you can, then you're a traitor?

And again, U2 has done more for Ireland than any other single entity as far as tourism, marketing, and revenue.

Excuse me, it was and I proved it to you. Cheney had no conflict of interest regarding Halliburton. For proof, do a search on my posts. Let's not be revisionists. But yea, whatever.

Using offshore accounts is not technically illegal and that's not what I have a problem with. It's the preaching to the common man and the government that we need to forgive others debts and obligations, while simultaneously minimizing your own.

Walk the walk if you are gonna talk the talk.

[FORD]

Originally posted by Big Train
It's interesting to see how this principle applies. If it is someone you like, you sound like a Republican. If it isn't, you sound like it's a conspiracy.

Not at all.

I don't live in the UK or Ireland, so I don't claim to be an expert on their tax laws, but it's evident that they have enough loopholes for the rich to get out of paying taxes, just as this country does.

I would prefer that these loopholes were closed, and that everyone, especially the rich, pay their fair share of the tax. But as long as the loopholes do exist, you can't blame someone for using them, The 90% tax rate that the Stones were facing in 1970 (when they left England and set up these overseas arrangements) would be ridiculous by any standards.

[Big Train]

Originally posted by FORD
Not at all.

I don't live in the UK or Ireland, so I don't claim to be an expert on their tax laws, but it's evident that they have enough loopholes for the rich to get out of paying taxes, just as this country does.

I would prefer that these loopholes were closed, and that everyone, especially the rich, pay their fair share of the tax. But as long as the loopholes do exist, you can't blame someone for using them, The 90% tax rate that the Stones were facing in 1970 (when they left England and set up these overseas arrangements) would be ridiculous by any standards.

OK fair enough, I will hold you to this conviction in future dicussions of inviduals and corporations tax situations. Especially the companies and individuals you despise.

[FORD]

Originally posted by Big Train
OK fair enough, I will hold you to this conviction in future dicussions of inviduals and corporations tax situations. Especially the companies and individuals you despise.

There's a difference. Mick Jagger and Bono Aren't asking anybody to pay $40 for their new albums because their money's all tied up in the Cayman Islands. As opposed to Exxon Mobil, Chevron Texaco, and other fraudulent corporations.

Nor did Mick & Keith outsource Charlie Watts' job to India. And Bono's not forcing starving African children to press his CD's.

And as far as taxes go, my main objection (aside from the loopholes) has been aimed at the BCE's ridiculous tax cuts, mainly because such loopholes are used, AND because Chimpy tells us we're "at war" and is already bankrupting the country to pay for it.

All of which are totally different issues from a couple of wealthy musicians setting up a Swiss bank account.

[Seshmeister]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
And again, U2 has done more for Ireland than any other single entity as far as tourism, marketing, and revenue.

Whoahhh. Steady there, that's a hell of a stretch...

[FORD]

Yeah, Guinness must help out Ireland's bottom line a little bit. God knows I've done my part to help out

[Seshmeister]

Originally posted by FORD

Chimp sings "Sunday Bloody Sunday" ??

http://powerlineblog.com/archives/010854.php

"Well, I think [President Bush has] done an incredible job, his administration, on AIDS. And 250,000 Africans are on antiviral drugs. They literally owe their lives to America. In one year that's being done. … Yes, there's a lot of pressure on President Bush. If he, though, in his second term, is as bold in his commitments to Africa as he was in the first term, he indeed deserves a place in history in turning the fate of that continent around" Bono

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10366671

Bush called Bono "an amazing guy," and praised him for being "a doer".
"He's used his position to get things done," the president said

[Seshmeister]

Personally I don't think either of them are amazing...

[BigBadBrian]

Originally posted by FORD
than the slaughter of Iraqis or Lebanese people.

There is where people like you are fucked up.

[BigBadBrian]

Originally posted by FORD
As long as their accountants keep accurate records, and it's all legal, then what's the problem?

As long as the Supreme Court has jurisdiction over election disputes and the Electoral College is legal, then what's the problem?

[FORD]

Originally posted by BigBadBrian
As long as the Supreme Court has jurisdiction over election disputes and the Electoral College is legal, then what's the problem?

Are you admitting that tax loopholes should be illegal?