I have noticed that International Issues is not of great importance to most on this board. There are 37,000 members and an average of 15 or more visitors, 147 at one point not long ago. Yet the average of readings on International issues is around 10.

The same issues on another board with a membership of 55 and average guest viewers of 2 to 3 exceeds the above.

I will not take up this board with International Issues. I will post the title of the article and the links but all on one posting. You decide what you want to read. I won't post the entire article anymore.

Rice says Carter meeting with Hamas unhelpful
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNew...282183720080422

Carter Says Hamas and Syria Are Open to Peace
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/22/world/mi...rld&oref=slogin

Carter: Hamas will accept Israel
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7358188.stm

A Developer, His Deals and His Ties to McCain
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/22/us/polit...&hp&oref=slogin

In Baghdad, Struggle Ties Security to Basic Services
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/world/index.html

Iraqi Unit Flees Post, Despite American’s Plea
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/world/mi...ml?ref=middleea

UN food chief urges crisis action
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7360485.stm

Hamas readies final response to truce deal with Israel
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idU...eedName=topNews

Rice: Officials Advised Carter Not to Meet With Hamas
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...8042200864.html

US military recruits more ex-cons
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7360157.stm

I hope you find some interest in these. I will be gone for a short time...not in jail...but will keep reading. Good luck

Please keep posting these Al. I like reading these articles and appreciate the effort.

Thanks James, your words were kind. If you enjoy them I'll continue but I do have something that must be taken care of first so I maybe away for a short while, not sure how long.

I made a deal with EM I must keep. But I will be back. Good luck to you and all my other friends and see you soon.

Al001, I don't agree that international issues aren't important to people in this community. I think the reason you don't see much posting activity on it right now is because we are currently going through a historic primary race and everyone's focus is on that. And then we have global climate change, which is a huge concern to everyone on this forum and it is profoundly urgent. With all that energy and focus going into those two things, it doesn't leave much left for international issues, but that doesn't mean we don't care about them. They just aren't Posting Topic Numero Uno right now, that's all. But I surely do thank you for the links you posted!!! We do care!

:Y:

Yes Al, please keep posting the articles. It's not that these issues aren't important, like HC said, but this election has kept us quite distracted. There are so MANY important issues we are facing right now - global warming, the Iraq war, the ecomomy, the state of our Country. Sometimes it gets a little overwhelming. :unsure: I agree that these international issues do affect us here at home.

So please, keep the articles coming. And thank you for your efforts. :good:

Take care of yourself and hope to see you back soon!! :)

hangingchad and Texan for Gore thank you also and I will keep posting.

And hangingchad I do seem to dominate the International issues don't I. Not by intention I just can't seem to find much on Gore and so I pretty much set on Obama. I don't care about the replies to the post. (Except for all of your kind words). I really don't concern myself if I get any replies or not, just that you are aware of the conditions we face.

And hangingchad I was uindoubtly wrong when I said 'I don't agree that international issues aren't important to people in this community'. I do know you care a great deal.

But there is one thing I would like to say and again if I offend I apologize but not to all 37,000 members. But to the few who have put so much of their life in this board and keep it going.

If you wish to know who they are simply watch the postings and replies. It is very clear to see those who never surrender to apathy or disapointment but look for the road that may guide them to their best option.