Maverick ......

There are some reasons to be optimistic - just like there are two sides to each story .... and statistics can be 'turned up' or 'down'.
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I don't think Powell was 'ousted' ...... I think he had (just about) enough ........... ditto for a few others ........
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Rumsfeld leaving ..... ? I have seen no confirmation of this ........ many would feel this step would be a positive one ......
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Bush environment-related policies have issues, but I DONT see an issue with drilling in Alaska .... not in the spot where they plan to drill. Where (else) can we drill ? ........ NYC ? Is there a better spot in the US ? As I stated in an previous post - maybe we should not drill - and only then drill *after* the Middle East oil supply slows to a mere trickle ............
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'largest battle since the war ended' ...... see 'Rumsfeld' above .....
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I don't see significant progress with the deficit ...... however, Bush did not generate the 'entire deficit- - his policies may be responsible for 20-25% of it ..........
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it appears the 'mess' in the Middle East might continue for a while ......... they are dealing with a country that has lived under hostile rule for generations .......
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