However now that I've gotten a better view of the world, things make me sick. It is basically a crime in this country to get sick, because if you do it can all be taken away. My father is the supposed American ideal, a small business owner for quite some time now. But he also has a few minor medical issues that means no normal insurance company will insure him. The only one that will requires a significant portion of his yearly income. The rest of the industrilized world pays less per capita for their health care and actually does have it guarenteed to them. Here a person can fork over their money to pay for insurance, but when they get sick and can't afford it, they can be kicked right off, making all their payments having gone for nothing.

This doesn't even get me started with the war in Iraq that our President has us involved in. He posed no threat to our country, and that is the only purpose that our armed forces should be used for. I don't want anyone telling me otherwise. I mean if you really belived it, you wouldn't be sitting at home on your computer right now, would you?

Yes, the decline of America. Takes me back to the early 70s when we were going to build a brave new world without hypocrisy and with justice for all.

Didn't happen. And if you find a politician selling that line, and believe him/her, I've got a bridge to sell.

I agree with you an extent on the role of extensive lawsuits causing a problem with this system. I think it would help prices SOME to eliminate frivilous lawsuits, and settlements that are extensive. But let us not forget that sometimes these suits are justified. If the doctor screws up I should get some sort of compensation. Maybe not 10-15 million, but probably more than the $250,000 cap on settlements that is being proposed by the current administration.

There is no cap on actual damages, such as hospitals, continuing medical treatment, property damage, etc. If that will cost you $5,000,000, you will get it.

{It's not my fault.... I'm a Texan...}

quote:

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Originally posted by mikesmith:
I wonder why no "reb" has responded...

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One word: Appomattox.

But honestly, much of the commentary here is about as convincing and substantive as the spelling of this topic is correct. Enlightened minds can make cases for both sides of this polarized election. But too often, our ideas--and decisions at the polls--come from the darkest pits of our guts.

I thought several had, but then some of us do know how to write a literate sentence, so maybe you didn't notice because we did not fit your prejudices.

No apologies for being one, either.

No just kidding,
Democrat

See the Movie "Fahrenheit 911"

You'd be suprized at what bush did to this country, they even have the video of bush being told about the Planes hitting the building then doing nothing, then the footage when the tell him the second plane had hit, and he still did nothing

Now, for a real trivia question (also relevant to your point about the winners writing the history). What was the first permanent European settlement in North America? (hint: it was neither Plymouth nor Jamestown, and it's still inhabited)

To bring this back to trains, it is also served by a U.S. railroad (and not by carfloat, either).

Cons: Michael Moore is very radical.

Pros: There were several things that DEFFINETLY was not edited by Moore.

He did a good job on that film.

Also reccomend Bowling for Columbine and I want to see Roger & Me

I am tired of people who haven't even seen the movie condemning it for being a lie.

It may be false, I don't know, but I doubt it.

I loved Bowling for C'bine.

Mexico(City).

Settled in the early 1500's

Name THREE Amtrak stations whose names are derived (not necessarily named after) from that of a pagan who became a Saint.

Hint; two of the stations start with a Scarlet Letter

OK, St. Paul certainly fits the parameters of part of your question. And I see that there's a Santa Paula, CA on the Amtrak list and a San Pedro - does that count? But I don't seem to be able to come up with the Scarlet Letter part. You've got to give me part credit anyway, right?

St Paul converted to Christianity from Judaism.

Not who I have in mind.

St Paul converted to Christianity from Judaism.

I knew that; just lost my head for a moment there.

I'm looking for three STATIONS, at which trains stop, not religious figures.

You have been very close, Mr. Black.

Hint: I don't mean to talk religion around here, but my church, Episcopalian (Anglican), also recognizes Saints.

I think Mr. Norman is referring to Albany-Rensselaer, NY, St. Albans, VT, and Albany, OR. The honoree: St. Alban, a 4th-Century Romano-Briton soldier who sheltered a Christian priest, converted, and for his troubles promptly became the island's first martyr.

And speaking of Saints, North America's first permanent European settlement (per Mr. Resor's question) is named after one, too: St Augustine, FL. Founded by Spain in 1565. Also home to one of North America's oldest surviving railroad companies, the Florida East Coast.

For the next question, inarguable, inoffensive geography: What state contains the easternmost portion of the US?

"I think Mr. Norman is referring to Albany-Rensselaer, NY, St. Albans, VT, and Albany, OR. The honoree: St. Alban, a 4th-Century Romano-Briton soldier who sheltered a Christian priest, converted, and for his troubles promptly became the island's first martyr"

BINGO, Mr. JFB

As you pointed out earlier, the victors write the textbooks.

And Gilbert, you know of my relationship to St. Alban, and that's who I would have guessed if someone had not gotten there first. St. Albans is obvious, but Albany? I don't actually think that name has anything directly to do with St. Alban.

As to your quiz question, the answer is Columbus. Amtrak does stop at Columbus, WI, but not at Columbus, OH or Columbus, GA (or for that matter at Columbus, MS).

My question was flawed, so let me try again.

Name three Stations (as defined in the Book of Rules) all with the same name at which passenger trains (once again, as defined in the Book of Rules) stop, where Amtrak goes through all three, yet makes a station stop (defined, guess where; the Book) at only one.

Alaska is correct. You can't get more east than the easternmost part of the Eastern Hemisphere. If the Aleut made cigars, you’d get one.

Mr. Resor:

Albany, NY works within the parameters of Mr. Norman's question. Though not named directly for the saint, it was named in honor of James II of England, who at the time was Duke of St. Albans. Namesake by proxy. I don’t know about Albany, OR, but since the British held claim to the Oregon Territory in the late 18th/early 19th Centuries, I'd imagine the nomenclature is the same.

By the way, I think St. Augustine was founded in 1565, not 1535. Still beats Jamestown by a generation.

Mr. Norman:

Hamilton?

Cortez first visited Mexico (city) during 1519 (source: Encarta), it's in North America and the TFM has a substantive American interest.

However, I grant that St Augustine is a better answer. FEC is substantially owned by US interests (can't say exactly how much, stockholder listings, unless the interest is substantive, are private).

Mr. JFB--

You too get a bingo, even if it wasn't what I had in mind. I'd best withdraw the question.

I had in mind Riverside, CT (Corridor MNCR stops, Amtrak doesn't), IL (METRA stops, Amtrak doesn't), CA (both Amtrak and Metrolink stop).

I once remember posing the question before Amtrak added Riverside CA as a stop for the Chief. Then the question was three passenger stations, three states, Amtrak goes through but stops at NONE.