ATS.MIX: Above Politics Show 06

Above Politics Show 06

Martin and Justin enjoy their very own studio. Martin tells all about the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Justin loses his mind, and the volume control on his microphone. Hillary Clinton's Presidential prospects are considered, while Martin waxes philosophical about oil, war, and cocaine. ATS Member Xpert11 wins the trivia challenge. Justin worries about British body snatchers and political zombies, forcing Martin to defend Nationalized Health Care and the possibility of free body parts for everyone!



PLEASE POST YOUR COMMENTS ON THIS SHOW THREAD ONLY OR GO TO THE ABOVEPOLITICS.COM HOME BELOW




To DOWNLOAD This Program, Put Your Mouse Cursor Over the BLUE SHOW FILE NAME, Then RIGHT CLICK. Slide The Cursor Down To SAVE TARGET AS And Then CLICK .... Now Just Decide WHERE You Want To Download The File To And CLICK SAVE. You Might Also Consider SUBSCRIBING To The Shows Through iTunes Where They Are Downloaded To Your computer Automatically.

VISIT The ABOVE POLITICS Home NOW

length: 60:06
file: atsmix_2847.mp3
size: 30897k
feed: atsmix

[edit on 3/7/2008 by Dave Rabbit]

Did I hear Justin and Martin agree that there are two living U.S. Presidents? Guys, when did you kill Jimmie Carter? Please note there are three living former U.S. Presidents: Carter, Bush 1 and Clinton. Sorry if I've posted this is the wrong spot -- still new to ATS.

reply to post by peace82670

---

peace82670, this is the right place to take us to task. I do have an better excuse as I live on the other side of the pond.

You are quite right and we should hang our heads in shame

And if President Carter sees this thread, we are sorry.

And finally thanks for listening

OK sometimes I couldn't make out what Justin was saying so Justin you might have set me straight if I mistakenly misrepresent what you have said in this thread.

Anyway here are my thoughts.

Chavez is leading his country down the path to economic ruin . What he is leading his country reminds me of NZ in the 70s . Thirty odd years ago NZ was on the brink of economic disaster the economy was regulated and the government ran the likes of the railways. The straw that very nearly the camels back was borrowing money from Japan to pay for large scale infrastructure projects. Another factor was that Britain had recently joined the common market which meant NZ had no export markets.

The Free Market reforms which occurred under a Labour Government in the 80s bailed us out of jail. Chavez is drumming up outrage about what has happened to distract people from attention from his failed policy's at home . Distraction is a play in the political hand book of any politician worth there salt .

Problems arise when armed conflicts are used as a political distraction aka The Falklands War. I admit that I don't know a whole lot about South America so all input is welcome.

On another matter I think that the Airbus deal is great. I hold the view of that the main problem with the US defence sector is that it doesn't operate in Free Market. IMO it is sad that the US defence sector wont ever operate in the Free Market because the cultural of failure and monopolistic(SP) practices will continue. Both the US military and the American tax payer are the big losers.

Answer to trivia question Obama.

I share the sentiment that new Cold War is brewing if it isnt here already . The difference this time around is that China and Russia are competing at the same as we are capitalism.

Something related to the last show. Thatcher is in hospital and in a stable condition she is expected only to stay overnight. Source . I wish the Iron Lady a quick recovery .

My question .

Can you the US afford to maintain strategic that military deal with China , Russia and the War on Terror ?

Light Hearted Questions for Justin .

Will your liver be in a usable state by the time you die of old age ?

Is the "red key " the control to US Nuclear weapons ?

I mean who would trust there country's Nuclear arsenal to a man who chokes on pretzels(SP?) .






[edit on 8-3-2008 by xpert11]

[edit on 8-3-2008 by xpert11]

[edit on 8-3-2008 by xpert11]

[edit on 8-3-2008 by xpert11]

I see yer point Martin. We like our $1 sandals made in Korea. But we also like our well-paying jobs.

@#$% globalization. We liked it better when there was no other world out there...

reply to post by xpert11

---

Some great points you make xpert11 but I would come back to you on the point that Chavez is leading Venezuela to economic ruin. There is a big difference between Venezuela and NZ in the 70s. Oil.

Venezuela sits on huge reserves of oil that give the Chavez government the ability to attempt to project power beyond their borders. As oil supplies start to dwindle, countries with oil with try and influence world policy, no different to the way the British, US, Russia, China and Japan have and continue to do.

Even if Chavez promised the people the earth and delivered on say 30% of his promises, Venezuela will still be a wealth country. Chavez can afford to spend heavy for a number of years and the world will lend money because of oil.

I agree that the recent US tanker deal awarded to a EADS and Northrop Grumman is good for global business and shows that even the US MIlitary will go for best value rather than protectionism.

And I saw the press reports of Baroness Thatcher in hospital, and I would join you in wishing her well and a speedy recovery.


I think the US has no alternative but to keep involved in the war of terror and ensure it has good relationship with Russia and China. Both are growing their military and if they can work even more closely togther, they will have a great influence on the world that the US and its allies. And we are still in "The Cold War" which as you stated, was the point I wanted to make by mentioned TheOracle's thread.

And maybe we need the balance on world affairs that Russia and China bring?

As for the red key. Not sure you would want either Justin or me in charge of the US nuclear stockpile..............Hang on, I think we are a safer pair of hands that the current holder!!!


And thanks for listening.

reply to post by Tuning Spork

---

You hit the nail on the head Tuning Spork, we all want those cheap consumer goods but want to keep jobs at home. It a tough one but at some stage we will have to choose. Cheap goods or jobs at home.

Who knows, maybe in 30 years time, the old West will be seen as the cheap labour economy?

Martian I certainly cant say that you haven't made valid points concerning the factor of oil in Venezuela . Given that the CIA installed the Shah in Iran and the US has given support the the Saudis who are religious nuts I am certainly going to watch events with interest.

As for China and Russia I see a competition for political influence. China in particular is eying up Africa's vast untaped natural resources. Africa is the next political and economic battle ground. A sort of poorer and more corrupt version of what Asia is today.

You could be right about the "old west " becoming what India is today. The key to NZ future is keeping our best in brightest on our shores and reducing the exodus to Australia.

On another note I have no problem with organ donation should something happen to me . My drivers license states that I am an organ donor. The stupid thing is that my Mum permission is still required before my organs can be donated.

If you don't like the idea of your organs being reused the only sure way to avoid organ donation is to drink and smoke yourself stupid .

Wow, I did forget that Jimmy Carter is still alive. Wow. He is medically "alive" isn't he? It's hard to tell from current photos...

That's such a good question...I'm going to answer in the next show.




I follow Dave's example. Drink nothing but the best, and have a liver transplant much later in life so that I can live to be 100.



I was sooo embarrassed that Martin asked me that question on air. We're not supposed to talk about it. That's really all I can say.

YouTube Link

This may be the answer you are looking for in terms of anyone from Carter to Helen Clark . Clark has been in office since 1981.

Either that or your just seeing special interest groups at work.

[edit on 10-3-2008 by xpert11]

[edit on 10-3-2008 by xpert11]

*Justin looks at video*

Yikes, man. Yikes. I'm glad to see that you've got such a good sense of humor.

Update



Source

Its none of the US military business if Airbus receives subsides which lead the company to making a lower bid. The US military only has to concern itself if there is a chance that lower cost comes with lower quality .

It is up to the politicians to sort out any trade wranglings . Plus I would venture that the tax payer may care more about value for money then anything else.

Do I still support the US military decision ?

Someone on the boards who knows my political views was bound to ask this and it is a hard question to answer. I would say that the recommendation to go with Airbus was correct because they meet the requirements for less cost.

So I am going to say that I still support the decision for reasons already stated. As for the unhealthy state of affairs that is Airbus receiving subsides I would say that that US military contracts are not the avenue to deal with this.

Its not like there isnt the WTO with this matter.

: Puts on political strategist hat :

By the time the partisan spin machines have finished with the fact that some McCain staff were lobbyist for Airbus it will have hurt his chances of winning the Blue Collar vote.

reply to post by xpert11

---

I saw a statement from Boeing today want this decision to be reviewed by the GAO.

This one I think will rumble on for a while.

When a nation doesn't make its own defense tools, it allows itself to be vulnerable. I expect the backlash from this to have an effect on the general election.

I can understand where your coming from .
Do you think that Australia should develop its own next generation of combat aircraft for the RAAF ?

This in spite of the fact it is unlikely Australia could afford to do so and the final product wouldn't be as good as what is on available or could be available from the US. Sure there are times when the best deal can found locally or in co operation with regional allies . One such example of regional co operation is the ANZAC Class Frigate.


I certainly think it is a bad idea to go without the tools . I disagreed with the NZ government decision to scrap the RNZAF combat wing and the decision not to buy a third Frigate.

Now please go get a pillow to beat up .




Source

:Avoids flying pillow and other objects :

Even if Boeing had won the contract you would still have elements of the work being done in India.

so that's why the U.S. doesn't want certain others making their own weapons...so they remain vulnerable to dominant desires... democracy in our own model as we've been criticized in light of the Russian election. Is there a country where self interest does not stand in the way of world interest -- human interest?

Perhpas I should add this next thought that the backlash might grow into a wholesale questioning of trust in our governing bodies. And that certainly is already an issue in the primary as it well undoubtedly be in the general election.

Perhpas I should add this next thought that the backlash might grow into a wholesale questioning of trust in our governing bodies. And that certainly is already an issue in the primary as it well undoubtedly be in the general election.