i might have been beaten up in public school, anthonyc, but at least, unlike you, i went to school. to this day, even the most erudite of minds still refer to the military operations in Iraq as the war in Iraq. terrorist insurgency? you listen to too much talk radio. but, since you have steadfastly refused to seek the benefits of even a minimal education, we on this forum will consider you what Manhattanite characterises as a "lowly dog-man", short on brains, but long on opinion and arrogance. then again, 73% of people who see George Bush as a failure trumps the idiots like you, who approve of the current state of affairs, you absolute and incorrigible imbecile.

Only the Liberal, MSM refers to it as the Iraq war. Real Men refer to it as the War on Terror. Those involved in the process refer to it as the I.T.O..

Stop watching the ultra left MSM and at least watch something that reports something fair and middle of the road like Fox.

The schools I attended did not brainwash me with anti-corporate, anti-military, anti-American ideas. In other words I didn't go to Public Schools. You see, my parents cared about me.

The Majority of people voted for Carter and Obama.
That is proof that the majority isn't always right.

maybe your parents cared too much about you, so they kept you at home. they should have let you go to school. unlike you, i do not get my education by watching TV. i get it from books. you have heard of books, haven't you? i am sure you have seen one on TV.

a little tidbit for you, Dr Anthonyc;
T)hese Bush hypocrites who spewed for years the glory of unfettered wild west laissez faire jungle capitalism allowed the biggest debt bubble ever to fester without any control (and) have caused the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression.”

from Professor Nouriel Roubini, the man who predicted the economic meltdown 5 years ago. so much for the greatness of George Bush. this mess we are in can be laid squarely at his door.

According to official statistics, the national monthly consumption of margarine is about 130,000 tons while the consumption of edible oil is 235,000 tons. In fact, Venezuela imports currently 90 percent of the raw material the domestic processing industry needs to meet local demand, while the increase of soybean and sunflower production has not curbed the dependence on imports.

According to the Annual Report and Accounts of the Ministry of Food, in 2007 the authorities issued licenses to import 279,000 tons of oil seeds, 275,000 tons of soybean meal and 107,000 tons of yellow fat. The Corporation of Food Supply and Agricultural Services (CASA) imported for the Food Market Program (Mercal) 23,150 tons of margarine and 39,000 tons of processed soybean oil.

However, despite Chávez's wishes, the Ministry of Food reported that in 2007 it issued only one export license, for the equivalent of 20 kilos of sunflower oil.

Meager production figures
Since 1998, the production of items such as sesame oil, sunflower oil, palm oil, soybean oil or peanuts does not meet the needs of the Venezuelan market. According to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Land, provided by the Federation of Agricultural Associations (Fedeagro), in 1998-2007, the production of sesame oil fell from 27,300 tons to 17,000 tons (down 37.6 percent); whereas the production of palm oil dropped from 338,700 tons to 327,700 (down 3.2 percent).

In the same period, soybean production increased significantly from 5,680 tons to 60,180 tons (959 percent) while the production of sunflower grew from 5,600 tons to 15,500 tons (176 percent), but their growth came only in 2006-2007.

The first paragraph states that while production has incresed, the still import 90% of all goods needed to process for consumption, some progress an increse of 176% yet they still import 90%

dready, poor dready.

If Dewey had know met he never would have come up with his stupid idea.

Oh I read books.
Even ones that the NY Times doesn't approve of.

Besides the highest minimum wage they also can claim the highest inflation rate


Inflation edges 30.9 percent ending 2008
Inflation last December amounted to 2.6 percent, completing an annual rate higher than 30 percent and beyond the government goal of 27 percent
Economy
The inflation rate climbed to 30.9 percent in 2008, reported on Thursday the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV).

The accrued rate is the highest in Latin America, which is a sour welcome to the refreshed local currency that entered into force one year ago.

Based on the BCV monthly account, inflation last December amounted to 2.6 percent, completing an annual rate higher than 30 percent and beyond the government goal of 27 percent, DPA noted.

BCV stated that last December, the variation in the item of food and non-alcoholic beverages was over the overall average, that is, a hike of 3.9 percent.

The inflation rate, which ended 2007 at 22.7 percent, took away purchasing power from the new local currency with three zeros less and issued one year ago.

The government introduced the new currency to simplify trade and financial operations, arguing that it would help curb inflation.

Sorry to interrupt the convo, but Venezuelan inflation has nothing on Zimbabwe. Here is the largest check ever cashed, equivalent to about $4.



http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1039909/Is-biggest-cheque-EVER-For-Zimbabwe-1-072-418-000-000-000---2.html

I'd laugh but it is actually not funny

Manhattanite, where in God's name do you dredge up this stuff? and to think that last week that same check was probably worth 5 dollars.

Caracas has Highest murder rate in the world at 2165 for 2008 almost 6 per day EVERY DAY. The story says it EXCLUDES crimes of passion, justifiable hommicides and others.

http://www.eluniversal.com/2009/01/12/sucgc_art_en-caracas-hubo-2.16_1220812.shtml