ju'iblex

understatement of the year.

my lack of faith is quite valid given your last "prophecy" outcome.

Abel Stable

Not for FoxNews

While it's always good news when the economy starts to grow again, I doubt that this is the reason:

"The tax relief we passed is working. We left more money in the hands of the American people, and the American people are moving this economy forward," Bush said.

Besides, you were painting the picture of a miraculous recovery in (during) October, where it would be clear to all that the recession has ended. As far as that goes, the prophecy is kaput. As far as the economy goes I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but holding my breath.
Okay...so I'll give him another year to do this. He must have one hell of a plan.

Bumble Bee Tuna

I said it before, twice, and I'll say it again.

Are you going to actually respond to the criticism that the month of Iyar was not "restful" at all?

Combat action was declared to be over, yes. However, the proceeding month was very violent and not restful in the slightest. In this case, the guy making up the prophecies you cite made a fatal error. He was in 'make a vague prophecy' mode, so instead of saying "major combat will be over starting in May" he tried to pick a more vague "The month of Iyar will be restful". Alas, it came to bite him in the ass, because while major combat ended the month was anything but restful. So, that's one prophecy that's a definite failure. And we know what God says about prophets: If what they say does not come to pass, they are false prophets. Sorry bud, but your man is a false prophet.

-B

TrueThinker

OK. This is the problem you are having: Your perception. The proceeding month was restful. But you had the media placing every single death in front of your face. So of course you will think it was "very violent". The reality was very different. April was certainly more chaotic than May (with the looting and all), and attacks did begin to escalate in June and July. They came to a bit of a standstill at the end of July after the death of Saddam's sons (no one saw that coming) and picked up again after.

So 41 coalition servicemen died in May.....Not to minimize their deaths but you're telling me that is 'sooo bad?' How many military personnel died on D-Day? How many American citizens crime-related deaths in the U.S. on a daily basis? Of the 41 deaths in May, what protion of them was combat related? Accidents are included in the death toll. (When Clinton sent troops to fight in Kosovo there wasn't constant coverage of every single military death). If all you are being shown is bad news, of course you will think "nothing is going well".

What I stated before: All you are seeing is the negative, and you focus on that. Has it produced any joy in you or given you hope? Or has it left you feeling more bitter as the days progress?

"Anything but restful?" That was not the reality, but rather your perception of it. I think most of the soldiers over there would agree with me.

TrueThinker

I was willing to believe in a miraculous recovery. What's so bad about that? There was a breakthrough financially and the economy was raised up. So it did not happen in October on the scale that I hoped, but there was a general concensus that October produced a significant improvement. The prophecy is not kaput, because it is headed in the direction that the prophecy said it would.

The economic outlook keeps improving everyday. Did they believe it would 5 months ago? But God sees the future of America and it is a lot better than it looks right now. Are you willing to hold on to such a promise?

Bumble Bee Tuna

Widespread looting and disorder, with a lack of a secure police force and continued geurilla fighting does not equate to restful. It's not my perception, it's the truth. Guarantee that if I ask one of the soldiers if they slept well over in Iraq feeling safe and secure, they didn't, because they were still being attacked and vigilant on a daily basis. If I ask an Iraqi citizen if they had restful evenings in May, they'll tell me no, because they had to worry about looters breaking into their home or being caught in an erupting fight in public. I sincerely doubt that the Iraqis saw Bush declare major combat operations over and thought things were now safe and secure.

What you're telling me is that since things were calmer in May than in April, the prophecy is true. No, the prophecy doesn't say things will calm down a little bit- it says things will be restful. Things were not restful. What, exactly, gives you the idea that it WAS restful? Your only evidence for this prophecy is that Bush declared combat operations to be over on May 1st. So what are you basing your conclusion on? Circular reasoning, anyone? And you claim that I'm the one coming to conclusions because of biased perceptions. Riiiight.

-B

TrueThinker

A little reminder...

The looting happened right after the regime fell. I'm not disputing that.

But there wasn't 'widespread' looting in the month of May. Maybe you have proof of this 'widespread' looting in that month that you can show me. Maybe there was widespread coverage of looting, but not widespread looting. Hardly any coverage was given to the good things that were being done and the progress made; it far outweighed bad. Yet you have one soldier die or something and it's frontpage news.

Things did calm down a whole lot. The little that was not calm was all you saw. And I guess it is all you are willing to see. I'm not going to force you to believe what you don't want to believe.

There is a boatload of crime happening in the U.S. everyday, yet during a time where there is no war it would be considered restful would it not?

Compare the month of May to the other months. It was restful whether you would like to believe it or not.

Negativity:Has it produced any joy in you or given you hope? Or has it left you feeling more bitter as the days progress?
Do you want joy?

I choose to stand on a promise and it brings me joy so my resolve is not weakened.

TrueThinker

Agreed.

But picture this: a day coming like September 11, but instead of news of great devastation, there was news of great victory after great victory. Do you believe this could happen? Things are about to turn around.

I believe God has exposed them and it will be evident shortly. Nobody saw the death of Saddam's sons coming- it happened suddenly.

In the same way.........

ju'iblex

define "victory", because if you're talking about winning wars, there are only losers in that. Do i believe it could happen? no. but I'm a misanthropic pessimist. And judging by your "may = restful month.... <only relatively>" stuff, I'm doubtful as to whether your standards of "victory" measure up to mine at all.

TrueThinker

You're a misanthropic pessimist... Now where has that gotten you?

By that statement, I'm guessing you will still find something to whine about in the midst of good news. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm talking of 'victory' that will bring about a similar effect of the Iron Curtain falling down- but in the Middle East.

And if that were to happen will you still look for the negative, being pessimistic and all?

You are probably right. My standard of victory will never measure up to yours if you are that pessimistic. Now, you can choose to wallow in pessimism or you can opt for the alternative. Do you want the joy of the Lord to be your strength? (no need to reply, but think about this)