Mr. Speaker

Among the best is Indian cousine, especially when you add Ukrainian pumpernickle bread. Chinese and Japanese dishes are mostly great meal to go with Ukrainian vodka, too. Especially, their pickled veggie salads. And, of course, the Ukrainian cousine itself is absolutely fantastic. Any other ethnic meals/cousines I missed?

I just heard on the radio: in Japan, an MRI costs $140. Here, in the US you can go to one hospital and pay $900 and to another - just across the street - and get the same MRI for $450. What surprised me was that the representatives of the hospital which charges more could not explain how their high price is justified or calculated other than said "well, that's how it is". So, my question is: why don't we talk that maybe it's ok for doctors - radiologists in this case - to make 500K a year instead of 800K? I personally don't see a problem with it, especially if we will manage to cover everybody who's legally here and already pays taxes.

Can somebody lay out the main arguments against the universal (single-payer) health insurance in the United States? I am looking for comprehensive arguments based on facts, not ideological or philosophical ones. Thank you.

I'm looking at Chrysler 300C SRT and Dodge Charger SRT, like what I see but realize that I really fear of driving this thing in the winter. Anybody who perhaps has relevant experience? Thanx.

I asked a guy at the dealership - and boy they're empty right now, I mean almost no customers! - and he said it will be taken over by the government. Well, wording "by the government" is sort of ambiguous for me plus there's no guarantee the gov't will want to take this mess over. So, who knows what? Appreciate any wisdom on it.

Free speech is an inalienable right of a human being. Free speech includes but not limited to one's right to make statements that may be offensive, insulting and/or provocative to other people individually or the society in general. Free speech is one's freedom of criticizing and mocking any religion as well as religious figures. I believe, the only limitation free speech should have is anybody's calls to committing violence against other people (for example, "kill the jews" or "bomb the arabs" is not free speech and people should be punished for saying stuff like this). And, of course, nobody should have the right to shout "fire!" in a crowded movie theater if such alarm would be false.

Of course, one should always understand that he/she is or may be held responsible for his/her words.

I've been reading a lot about her views, approaches etc., watching interviews with her, including those which she was doing together with Barack. I believe, she may run as a Presidential candidate 8 years from now. You don't believe it? Mark my words.

These days, she herself may not be even dreaming of anything remotely resembling a national-scaled political ambition. But there's good chance that fruit will ripe in due time as she walks along her husband on the path of life. Especially, if this path now lies through the White House.

Isn't this frickin' genious?

I personally think it's normal regardless of whether you're a religious believer or not.

I personally think it's normal regardless of whether you're a religious believer or not.

This is something that has always puzzled me and I've read Koran twice - in Russian and English translations. I have my explanation of it, of course, but would be interested to know what other people think.

I don't mean "God" or "Allah" or "Yakhve" or something like that. I am interested to know if anybody knows the God's REAL name?

I am absolutely pro-universal health care, however, I am not sure that the government should be that infamous "single payer". I'd like a healthy debate on this issue. So, please, those who oppose universal health care, can you please provide arguments? To those who just like to waste everybody's time showing their stupidity: please, refrain from posting your answers. Thank you.

Here are my views on the most important issues:

a) I am OK with abortions done in the first trimester but absolutely against partial-birth abortions – well, with certain known exceptions

b) I am unconditionally against the death penalty at all times

c) I have no problem with people buying hunting rifles or other hunting firearms, knives or arches but oppose availability of any other kinds of firearms to the public because my right to safety superceeds one's "right" to carry a handgun or an automatic gun.

d) I am for limited government, broad states’ rights and low taxes but I want a real debate on what “low taxes” mean instead of repeating like a parrot “lower my taxes, lower my taxes…”

e) I am sure that universal heath care is the only solution but we can and should have discussion on who will be that “single payer”, government or somebody else

f) I have absolutely no problem with gay people marrying each other and believe people are born gay

g) I believe religion must be kept in the places of worship. I don’t want “one nation under god”, I want “one nation under Constitution”

h) I am absolutely pro-free trade as long as it is also fair trade

i) I believe the US must continue to play the leading role in the world affairs and to protect its interests worldwide, even if we have to use our military might for it

j) I have always been against the war in Iraq

k) I believe that all illegal immigrants should be deported first and then, if they qualify, be given a chance to apply for their work visas and/or green cards. BTW, I am a first generation immigrant (came to the US legally)

l) I believe we should drastically reduce our dependance on foreign oil but to do that in full steps, not half steps like drilling in Alaska

m) I do not believe that life begins at conception. I believes it begins with the first beat of the fetuce’s heart

n) I wholeheartedly support steam-cell research

o) I belive marijuana should be de-criminalized and available to adults in special cafes like it is in the Netherlands

Thank you in advance for your opinions.

It's soooooo much worse than the previous one, Casino Royale which I think is the best 007 movie so far. I was absolutely surprised how dumb the Quantum's plot is and how many inconsistencies this flick has.

My fellow Ukie, Olga Kurylenko, to the contrary, was pretty good in it, I am totally surprised. Not a hint of Ukrainian accent, she is convincing in her role as a girl from South America.

This is the question I have for the president of my country, the United States of America: Mr. Bush, where were the US when Russia invaded Georgia, our strategic ally in the Caucasis?

Our country has pledged military support for Taiwan if China decides to use military force against it. Don't you think it is highly hypocritical? I mean, we do not even recognize Taiwan as a sovereign country, no, we say it's a part of China! And Georgia IS a sovereign country and its importance to us is at least equal, if not higher, than Taiwan. Were you afraid of confrontation with Russia? I guess, you were. But aren't you afraid of confrontation with China over Taiwan? China, mind you, has nukes, too, and its economic and military potential exceeds that of Russia.

What will our allies think of us from now on? Perhaps that strong words shake the air but not the enemy.

Oh yeah, they are not to be trusted on healthcare, either, so it really puzzles me why a sixpack Joe who lives in a trailer somewhere in Alabama, drives a beatup gas-guzzling truck and has no insurance whatsoever keeps voting GOP? My guess, because sixpack Joe is a rasist.

I've been wondering every time I hear him speak on Middle Eastern issues

It's not only that he's old. His views are even more rooted into the past than he himself