Some of the comments posted to my latest entry here highlight the problem facing this country, namely blind partisanship married to false hopes that anyone with a (D) following their name will lead this country from the gaping jaws of national disaster. “Know your brand!”? Ridiculous. This isn’t Levi versus Wrangler or Ford versus Chevy. “Cry in your beer.”? Forgive me for expressing an opinion that strays beyond the little white picket fence surrounding the Thomas Kincaid Democratic cottage on the green. A candidate is to be judged on their potential value to the United States, its citizens, and the constitution, not to his or her fealty to a party orthodoxy. And if they can’t be held accountable before they assume the highest office in the land, what can we expect once they occupy that office?
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
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One thing we can probably agree upon, it is going to take a lot more than just a good president to bring about the real change that we need in this country.
Comment by Flying Junior — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 9:22 am
Here friggin here. A “D” after the name guarantees exactly nothing.
Example: Nancy Pelosi. I rest my case.
Comment by mutt — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 9:42 am
I’m sticking to my guns. As someone who tries to get things done by working with elected officials trust me. The vast majority of the time someone with a “D” after their name will be the one to help with any issue concerned with the environment or the needs of people with jobs in this country.
I know that Stacy is an iconoclast and very courageous about speaking his own mind. That is what I started picking up back when I listened to him late afternoon’s on KOGO.
I often find myself agreeing with him. HOWEVER! I can tune to any AM signal on the dial if I want to hear that Obama and Clinton are this or that and I won’t do it. If you have to play both sides of the fence feel free but I won’t be listening to it. If you have a coherent message speaking up for the candidates that appeal to the FIFTY PERCENT of people in this town who are democrats in my opinion you WILL BUILD A FOLLOWING.
If I tell someone to tune in and they do and hear you mocking Hillary do you think they will tune in again? Of course not.
I wish you the best Stacy. I feel for you surrounded by right wingers. Think how we Democratic talk radio listeners feel. Sorry to put all my best hopes on you.
Comment by Virginia M — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 10:14 am
Mutt: it doesn’t guarantee anything, but for example, if you want us to get out of Iraq, the Dems our best hope. Nancy Pelosi is a huge disappointment – I agree with you on that one. We really need a supermajority in congress if we are to undo the mess we’re in.
Comment by Lorelei — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 10:25 am
Stacy: Party orthodoxy at this point is our only hope.
Comment by Lorelei — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 10:26 am
strays beyond the little white picket fence surrounding the Thomas Kincaid Democratic cottage on the green.
Ha ha! Stacy, you crack me up! That is too good. Yay, Hillary! Yay, Obama! Go Democrats!
Comment by Virginia M — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 10:26 am
Dear Mutt,
If you were trying to work with Nancy Pelosi to get something done in your district vs working with a Duncan Hunter you would not be so flippant.
Comment by Virginia M — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 10:30 am
Stacy Taylor
Comment by Virginia M — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 10:43 am
Well said, Stacy!
Comment by Lori from Mission Beach — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 11:52 am
Yes, indeed, hold them accountable! However, we are stuck with senators and congreesmen on both sides who are not only corrupt, but have continued to fund this digusting war. We have worthless leaders and a “do nothing” congress. Mc Cain is war happy. Clinton and Obama aren’t much better. Don’t they have similar voting records, with only a few exceptions? So, what do we do?…”Throw the bums out?” I am sick of the corrupt Republicans. I feel we need to pick the Dem candidate who is the most electable, while making sure we can get the “anti-veto” number in congress. Otherwise, it won’t matter WHO is prez. I’m sick of ALL of them, they’re a bunch of weaklings, can’t stand up to the Bush Admin, afraid they will lose votes. I just think it’s time to go solidly with the Democratic Party and give it a chance. Really, how much worse can it get?
Comment by Kitty — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 2:07 pm
Throw the bums out?” I am sick of the corrupt Republicans.
You are so right, Kitty!
Comment by Virginia M — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
“Mutt: it doesn’t guarantee anything, but for example, if you want us to get out of Iraq, the Dems our best hope.”_
sayeth gracious Lorelei. Of the fishnets. One hopes.
I dont think they are a hope at all, here. I expect Hillary will be even more stubborn & nuts than Dead Eye Dick about the war- she’ll have to prove how tough she is, etc. having no core principles I can discern- and Ive watched this crew since they were confined to Arkansas-other than power for its own sake.
It MIGHT be Obama will pick away at the outskirts- remove some troops, shift some across the wire into Kuwait, shuffle some to Afghanistan, another dismally misrun exercise- - but he is firmly on record as approving the massive use of mercs, promising the Israelis every cluster bomb they want, and I havent seen ANY indication that he is planning to hold accountable the world class thugs & loons who got the US into this mess. and so doing killed, maimed, & ruined so many. And without an accounting- in other words, to just walk away, shine no light, exact no justice….well, it will just lead to the next lunatic blood letting for profit, which Dems have shown time & time again they are quite happy being a part of.
So, I pin ZERO hopes on the Dems. I expect them to do what they always do: whatever they can to get re-elected.
My hopes on ending this war, & having an accounting, is pinned on YOU, actually, luv. You and people like you, and me.
the Dems are an obstacle to be taken over or gone around, or used, or intimidated into doing the right thing. Period.
if Obama gets the nod, he will serve primarily as a vehicle to NOT elect McCain. Hillary? no, no vote here.
But Virginia is correct: Duncan Hunter has set the bar low indeed, and I think there is the rare opportunity to vote FOR a Dem, I being a card carrying member of the Lumpkin Proletariat. We’ll see how far the Dem Party goes to undercut him- he dosnt quack the Party line too well…..
Comment by mutt — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 3:21 pm
if Obama gets the nod, he will serve primarily as a vehicle to NOT elect McCain. Hillary? no, no vote here.
Don’t be that way, Mutt! But we can wait to talk more about this once we know who will be running.
Comment by Virginia M — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 3:53 pm
Hey mutt & everyone else, funny you should bring up Mike Lumpkin. About 1/2 way through your last post, I planned on going into a diatribe about how we also need to be careful about congressional candidates as well. I’m out here in the 52nd and am a Michael Lumpkin supporter. He’s level-headed, with what I consider the correct view on social issues, and he’s a national security expert to boot. He’s the best candidate to capture our conservative district.
Are any of you members of the la mesa-foothills dem club? If you have been a member for more than 30 days, you are welcome to come and ask questions and to vote to endorse Mike (or any other candidate you see fit, I say grudgingly), tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at the meeting.
However, I’m a Hillary supporter. I have heard her twice say that she wants to get us out of the war in the most sensible way possible, including making sure that any Iraqis who may have helped us, and their families, remain safe.
Comment by Lorelei — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 3:54 pm
Stacy, our brother, I humbly retract my fangs.
Comment by Flying Junior — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 4:19 pm
“Don’t be that way, Mutt! But we can wait to talk more about this once we know who will be running.”
Dont be WHAT way? I WILL vote for Obama. Or, rather, I will vote against McC. I will leave that line on the ballot blank if my choice is between them two: I will NOT vote FOR either.
Ive oft enough voted the lesser of two evils. theres no lesser in that matchup. , and Im not in the business of supporting anyone with a “D” after the name. you all have pretty well sunk yourselves, now get to work and bail your own boat out. i didnt sink you, & Im not welcome aboard, so you, as a Party, will have to get by without leaning on me.
Theres plenty of other lines on the ballot come election day.
With any luck, Dems will decide they actually want to win this, & jettison the loathesome Clinton triangulated mess.
then we’ll see where Obama stands as a human being. Dont care where he stands as a Dem: thats some pretty shifty sands….
Comment by mutt — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 4:30 pm
So, mutt, there’s no way to convince you to vote for HRC over McCain? Can you give specifics please?
Comment by Lorelei — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 4:34 pm
Kitty: In response to your “We have worthless leaders and a “do nothing” congress,” that’s what the mainstream media keeps repeating to us over and over, but it’s really because of the GOP obstructionist policy. What we need are more Dems in Congress because right now we don’t have enough votes to override a fillibuster or a presidential veto.
please read these articles:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200707280005
“In fact, Republicans have blocked Senate action at an unprecedented rate — apparently putting into action a strategy that Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott (R-MS) described as ‘obstructionist.’”
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/13977.html
“The 49-member Senate Republican minority has done something no Senate minority in American history has ever done: they’ve filibustered more bills than any Congress ever has — and they broke the record with a full year to spare.”
Comment by goodgolly — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 4:56 pm
Yeah, I’m really taking it on the chin from Nancy today. I feel like a jilted lover. This F.I.S.A. mess is a huge disappointment. Now all the telecom records will be permanently sealed. Bush exonerated. No change.
Comment by Flying Junior — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 5:13 pm
hell, Lorelei- i dont actually have the interest at this point. ill just say when they were swore in for thier first term, I was watching on the TV at the good ol Willy Bear Tavern, and made the first known demand for Bills impeachment….in that case it was serious & multiple violations of the Neutrality Act. Resulting in several 10’s of thousands of deaths. For a buck.
Both her & McCain will do even more serious damage to the country. Some of that damage will be identical: ongoing war, ongoing arms to pet thugs, ongoing paybacks to the corporate interests that own them, yadyada.
Dont fall for the notion a “D” indicates integrety. It does sometimes- like I said, Im lumpkinproletariat. And the R after Jim Jeffords & Barry Goldwater meant integrity you can take to the bank. But to use it as a blanke statement of moral superirity, honesty, competance- no. That just exists in the dreamworld Believers inhabit…..
Both parties are larded with DeLays & Reyes’……the Founders were dead on right: political parties are anethema to a constitutional Republic, as party self interest gets put before the interest of the Republic as a whole. Again I submit: Nancy Pelosi. I hope Sheehan kicks her ass right out of office. I way prefer a honest naif than a Party bagman.
Comment by mutt — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 5:42 pm
OK, mutt. While I agree that Nancy Pelosi sucks, unfortunately, I don’t think Cindy Sheehan has a chance – but I do hope she kicks Nancy’s ass! And, I’d definitely take my chances on Hillary over John McCain!
Comment by Lorelei — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 6:04 pm
Ive been riding along with LtG & his Gravediggers.
a soldier-poet, a warrior/humanitarian, a fine man leading fine men in a hell not of thier choosing. one of many we’ve allowed to be used for small mens desires…..
i check in daily. Keeps me grounded in my humanity…..
http://www.kaboomwarjournal.blogspot.com/
Comment by mutt — Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 6:31 pm
On Tuesday March 4, 2008 @ 3:21 pm, mutt wrote…
“I … made the first known demand for Bills impeachment … in that case it was serious & multiple violations of the Neutrality Act…”
Mutt and Stacy,
Ok, so President Clinton made a lot of bad mistakes. Senator Clinton has made mistakes. We all make mistakes. Even God makes mistakes.
I mean, when Adam and Eve ate the apple, God could’ve started again at square one — wiped their minds, put an invisible barrier around the tree, watched Mr. Snake more closely, and we all would’ve been a ton better off.
Instead, He blows his cool, tosses ‘em out of the garden, and it’s been pretty much downhill for Him and mankind ever since as far as I can tell.
Throwing the baby out with the bath-water just doesn’t make sense. We need to pound McCain and the Repugs with all our energy. Our best chance is to go for control of the Congress and to put Obama or Clinton in the White House. I think we should focus on these goals and save criticism of the Dems for later.
Look, on my scale of 1 to 10, Edwards, Kucinich & Richardson are nine-ish. Barack & Clinton between 6 and 8. I’m an Obama man for many reasons, but Mutt brings up some very good issues with him, and I prefer some of Clinton’s positions to his.
McCain, Bush and the rest of the Repugs? about minus 100.
We need to concentrate our energy on pummeling the righties like they deserve. There’ll be plenty of time and opportunity to criticize Obama or Clinton after one of them is president!
Comment by goodguy — Wednesday, March 5, 2008 @ 7:15 am
Oops — I meant “On Tuesday, March 4, 2008 @ 5:42 pm, Mutt wrote…”
Comment by goodguy — Wednesday, March 5, 2008 @ 7:26 am
“Ok, so President Clinton made a lot of bad mistakes. Senator Clinton has made mistakes.”
“Mistakes”?? No, he knew what he was doing: he was making money. They KNOW what they are DOING.
Or are you recommending them based o the fact they are so stupid they back & support & pimp & sell policies that are disasters, repeatedly? By all means: lets elect them because they are consistant!
nope, no sale…..
Comment by mutt — Wednesday, March 5, 2008 @ 8:52 am
Gosh, God knew what He was doing too. It was still a mistake.
Seriously, what I’m saying is if not them, then McCain. Is that what you want?
Comment by goodguy — Wednesday, March 5, 2008 @ 9:48 am
We need to pound McCain and the Repugs with all our energy
Hey goodguy! Another great post!
Comment by Virginia M — Wednesday, March 5, 2008 @ 9:59 am
To change the subject, how many of you know that it’s Women’s History Month? I would like to take a straw poll on how many of you men consider yourselves feminists? You too Stacy, are you a feminist?
Comment by Lorelei — Wednesday, March 5, 2008 @ 10:32 am
How do you define that, Lorelei? Im sure there aremysogynist nitwits who consider themselves “feminists”- Ive met them. What qualifies in your way of thinkin?
Comment by mutt — Wednesday, March 5, 2008 @ 3:29 pm
c’mon guys, aintcha got no balls? My own father considers himself a feminist.
Comment by Lorelei — Wednesday, March 5, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
“considers himself “…..thats the point. If by feminist you mean “not a mysogynist” OK, thats me.
But Im sure I can, without much work, find women who would consider me as not a feminist in thier eyes, which would be the only eyes that count as far as they go, right?
Tell ya what. My partner, a PHd, punk rocker from way back, who STARTED the rape crisis center at UMASS- Amherst, back in the day, was roundly critized by “real” feminists because she liked the Stones. Ask her some time.She usta ride with the Oakland Hells Angels. Does that throw her out of the club??
And often “feminist” men is just shorthand for whiney wormboys who are using a gimmick to get laid. They are all birkies & every statement ends as a question, big wooden beads, knit hippy hats, and ALL that external crap, but they use women.
Me, Im 6′4, look like a biker/greaser, obviously het, and yet…..when I lived in Varmint, found myself invited into Seperatist space, and called upon by some pretty strong women indeed for this & that. Mutual respect- they appreciated the fact I didnt adopt a persona around them. i respected thier desire to be seperate. They liked gettin thier cars fixed & shootin lessons sans the usual male crap.
So- i shoot, ride harleys, get in the occaaisional fight, enjoy the hell outta punk & rockabilly gals, fishnets or wool leggins and plaid minis positivly get my heart pumpin. Am I a feminist? According to a bunch of rock ribbed Vermont dykes, I am.
according to , say, upper class liberal types, no Im not. Thus my question: how do you define feminist?
Comment by mutt — Wednesday, March 5, 2008 @ 4:42 pm
I would consider myself something of a growing feminist. It’s a long journey from chauvinism and the patriarchal system to truly believing that women have just as much to offer as men. Misogyny, the hatred of women, whether it takes the form of violence or the dissemination of hateful ideas is a brutal, degrading condition. Rush Limbaugh is a mysogynist. Wife-beaters are mysogynists. These bastards hate themselves too. Nobody loves themself and hates half the world. They’re just sick f***s that don’t understand life.
Getting away from traditional patriarchal thinking is more of a process. I still agree with James Brown that men built this world. The great geniuses of creation to me have all been men. It is difficult for me to think there could have been a female Bach or Beethoven or even Teddy Roosevelt or JFK. But I know that our society didn’t allow women to wield that type of power or command vast resources. I still think that Mick Jagger is the greatest singer living. For me, it’s more on an idividual level than about sweeping platitudes. It’s about recognizing one’s personal achievements and honoring them.
I drop in on some feminist websites and I use them to educate myself. And I have often been left with a new point of view. I like to try to understand what really matters to feminists. But, in truth, I shall probably remain hopelessly sexist the rest of my life.
Comment by Flying Junior — Wednesday, March 5, 2008 @ 9:45 pm
Hi guys, a few years ago, (well, specifically 9 years ago) when I was in college, I took a class on communications/gender and I learned that there are many types of feminists: there are the man-haters, the women-who-hate-other-women, and everything in between. As far as my dad goes, he just wanted me and my sister to be “renaissance women”, i.e. work hard and be good at whatever we chose to do and to even go into traditionally “male” jobs and to not have to depend on a man for financial support. He even taught me how to do electrical work on the house and I was the first girl to have a paper route in my neighborhood. It wasn’t until I got into high school that I realized some guys think women aren’t as smart and that they should stay home and have babies. Of course, that’s an oversimplification, as most sexism is more subtle.
Any woman who rides with the Hell’s Angels is definitely a feminist. The fact that they welcomed her shows that they’re on the feminist side too, unless they gang raped her first. Don’t they do that? That’s what I’ve heard. Hell, even strippers can be feminists. They certainly make more money than lots of women.
As far as women in history Flying Junior, great women pop up every now and then, despite being held back. In U.S. history, we have Susan B. Anthony and Eleanor Roosevelt to name two off the top of my head. But every suffragette who fought for our right to vote was a strong woman, as was Margaret Sanger, who fought for birth control in 1916. Without those women fighting for our basic rights, how could there be any female Beethovens or Bachs?
I’m not into classical music, but I’m sure there are some wonderful classical music composers out there. My generation has Exene Cervenka, Sarah McLaughlin, Dixie Chicks, etc.
Don’t give up FJ, you too can be a feminist.
And, FYI: The La Mesa-Foothills Dems voted to endorse Mike Lumpkin last night
Comment by Lorelei — Thursday, March 6, 2008 @ 9:51 am
Hi Lorelei, I am in the 50th but I would like to learn more about Lumpkin. OK OK I’ll google him.
Comment by Virginia M — Thursday, March 6, 2008 @ 10:44 am
Lorelei, I had the same kind of dad. I was the firstborn and maybe that’s the reason, but I was encouraged to not be stopped from what I wanted to do just because I was a woman. As a result I was the family bicycle repair girl, I learned how to fish, and hunt, and ride a motorcycle (I rode one for 20 years - until I moved out here) I went to college at an engineering school that was an all men’s school, before my incoming class. Here I was the #1 student in math and science for my graduating class, and carried many of my male counterparts in group projects. My graduation day, my dad told me was the proudest day of his life. I owed it all to him.
Once in the job market I was brought down to reality. I ran into sexual harassment, and had to prove myself over and over to male co-workers and supervisors. One job interview, here in San Diego I was offered an engineering secretary job, after interviewing for a design engineers job. (the gentleman who interviewed me was Asian and when I was astonished by his offer he said I should just go home and have babies). Even in this new millennium we are confronted by sexism by people who wouldn’t think of being racist. It’s an uphill battle. So now, I mentor girls in middle schools and tell them the same thing my dad told me. “Don’t let anyone tell you can’t do something because you are a woman”
Comment by Lori from Mission Beach — Thursday, March 6, 2008 @ 12:30 pm
WOW, here’s a great article entitiled “Washington Politicians Are Gutting America Like A Fish” more eye-opening commntary.
http://whitehouser.com/politics/bush-fascism-failed-democracy/
Comment by Lori from Mission Beach — Thursday, March 6, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
I guess Susan B. Anthony should probably be right up there with TR. How come I’ve never seen a wax figure of her on horseback? I guess I’ll have to settle for a dollar coin. There was a fledgling women’s suffrage movement after the civil war. The twentieth century seems a little late in the game to grant women the privilege of voting.
For any of you would-be feminists over 45, I recall a little gem from Mary Poppins. I only remember the bridge and the hook,
“Our sisters will adore us, and they’ll sing in grateful chorus, Well done! Well done!”
Comment by Flying Junior — Thursday, March 6, 2008 @ 1:19 pm
Nah, the Angels dont go around rapin people.
Add to you list of local feminist icons the San Diego Derby Dolls.
We hold season tickets- its our way of showing support for wayward women.
then, of course, there is Emma Goldman.
Men fear women. That a prime reason cockamamie religeons came about;
to suppress them. Note a lot of pre “christan” Europe was matrilinear…
So, its not for a lack of ability, but rather a lack of opportunity.
Which aint to say y’all dont talk stuff to death…..
Comment by mutt — Thursday, March 6, 2008 @ 2:04 pm
Thanks everyone for your input. Good for you Lori - I can see we have a lot in common. Did you know it’s Asian Pacific Islander Month as well, but let’s not go there…
Comment by Lorelei — Thursday, March 6, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
Hey has anyone notice that our fishy-smelling friend hasn’t been around? It’s so nice…
Comment by Lorelei — Thursday, March 6, 2008 @ 2:40 pm
Probably the missing fishy smell is because of all the great intellectual conversation going on here, PLEASE, SHHHHhhhhhh,don’t kick over the rock.
Comment by knifemaster — Thursday, March 6, 2008 @ 5:01 pm
funny show Stace- thx, I needed that…….
Comment by mutt — Thursday, March 6, 2008 @ 5:57 pm
Why another decent into Clintonism is a disaster: Andrew Sullivan nails it neatly…
The Beltway And Iraq
07 Mar 2008 10:38 am
In a bunch of conversations - all casual, random, varied - with fellow journalists in Washington this past week, I’m struck when the talk moves to Iraq by one thing. I know no one who believes that either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton will actually remove any troops from Iraq beyond those that might conceivably be removed by John McCain. For those of you who believe that your vote in this primary season means anything, this might be worth passing along. Withdrawal in any meaningful way is off the table, as far as Washington is concerned. And when I have raised the serious possibility that this should happen, I am greeted with That Unserious Look.
Now, there are obvious pragmatic, short term arguments for staying with 150,000 troops or so in Iraq for the next ten years. There are also very powerful strategic, economic and moral arguments for getting out as fast as we can. But what troubles me is that these arguments are not really relevant. The Washington elites have already decided. It’s unthinkable for the US to leave Iraq at any point in the foreseeable future. This, as Greenwald would say, is the Serious Position. You can challenge it in the campaign or on the blogs, but no one actually believes anyone will actually do this. They’re humoring us.
And the primary candidate for maintaining the occupation indefinitely on the Democratic side is Hillary Clinton. As for Obama, I disagree with my fellow hacks. He will be in a very tough spot if he becomes president. But he will be able to leverage a unique movement in the country and a uniquely powerful honeymoon in world opinion with a uniquely potent rhetorical skill to at least attempt an exit from the quicksand of the Middle East occupation. He has a chance to shift the paradigm. The Clintons, to put it bluntly, will not. And Clinton will swiftly realize that the most potent antidote to conservative criticism of her at home will be buttressing her military image, working the Thatcher thing, constructing an Iron Lady persona that will both appeal to her white ethnic base and keep the Republicans at bay. She will no more withdraw troops from Iraq than John McCain will. Anything that could make her look weak - and it’s Hannity and O’Reilly to whom she will defer in this perception game - she will resist. She has so little raw political talent and so few rhetorical skills she will be a captive of polls and caution and, as always, self-preservation. Bush knows this, which is why he is so keen to prevent Obama from changing the Beltway consensus and to preserve his own legacy. In some ways, a return to the Clintons, his fellow dynasts, as long as they legitimize and extend his new empire, is what he really wants.
There are four candidates still left in this race: Clinton, Clinton, McCain, and Obama. The first two are a seamless team. Only one has a small chance of extricating the US from a lifetime of occupation of the Middle East. It’s Obama.
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Comment by mutt — Friday, March 7, 2008 @ 10:31 am
mutt, although I love ya, I still disagree with you on both Clinton and Obama. But hopefully we’ll get a chance to find out. There’s absolutely no hope with with McCain.
Comment by Lorelei — Friday, March 7, 2008 @ 11:41 am
Your not stating why you disagree with Sully’s piece speaks volumes.
Here, try this: http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/
Hell of a writer, a very thoughtful man, & draws from intelligent sources.
He raises a LOT of serious questions about this bunch. He’s pro Obama, he looses me there. But his enthusiasm is tempered by a reasonable skepticism. Skepticism is never to be conflated with cynicism, but it oft is…..
Comment by mutt — Friday, March 7, 2008 @ 4:33 pm
Hey has anyone notice that our fishy-smelling friend hasn’t been around? It’s so nice…
Comment by Lorelei — Thursday, March 6, 2008 @ 2:40 pm
Oh you mean boring as hell. What is there here now. Everyone patting each other on the back and dribbling on about who is an is not a feminist. What a bunch of boring hair splitting.
Comment by fingerfan — Friday, March 7, 2008 @ 7:11 pm
Here’s why I’m disagreeing – it’s all opinion. There are no facts, no sources, no nothing.
Comment by Lorelei — Saturday, March 8, 2008 @ 7:53 am
yuh- his (my) studied opinion, based on observation……the “facts” will be apparent in, say, 2010, as the occupation drags on, with its extensive collateral damage to Iraq & the US. I wont have to say “D’OH!, since i didnt buy Hillary’s twisted mythology, or Obamas hope. Ill just say: “crap. seen that comin”.
Obama is triangulating on this. And he hasnt said word 1 about holding the cheney WH, & war profiteers, at all accountable. Stacy: time for a new blog entry!!!!!
Henry Waxman: I rest my case, #2.
Comment by mutt — Saturday, March 8, 2008 @ 12:40 pm
And then I’ll freely admit that you were right, but until then I’d like to err on the side of hope.
Comment by Lorelei — Saturday, March 8, 2008 @ 12:50 pm
one of my favourite words in the English language is “disillusionment”. This is often , like skepticism, considered a Bad Thing.
Question: who benefits from illusion? Who benefits when illusions are dispelled?
No, disillusionment is a powerful tool for getting to the actual “there” there. hoping an illusion is true serves no useful, good, productive purpose, it just perpetuates….the illusion.
tell ya, Ive seen heaps of corpses. That stench is no illusion…..
What are you doing inside when its so nice out, young lady? go play in the yard….
Comment by mutt — Saturday, March 8, 2008 @ 1:35 pm
Probably the missing fishy smell is because of all the great intellectual conversation going on here
You call this dribble or actually ” want to be intellectuals babbling away with their noses high in the air trying to out wit ( i.e. bullshit) each other and who has the ” real facts ” or gets the ” real news ” and who is the most highly educated and smarter than all the rest. This is what you think is high minded intellectual thinking? It’s boring want to be crap. It’s all of you thinking you are somehow ” better than someone else just because you have a different view point. How totally self centered and phony. At least the fisher guy didn’t tap dance around and talk in circles trying to impress others and acting like he knew it all like most of you others here do. I will be glad when he comes back and wakes this dead blog up again……FF you have your fans. Probably most of them are to afraid to speak in your behalf out of fear of being brow beaten by the phony know it Al’s that infest this place. What a bunch of stereotypical Liberals who like to call themselves ” progressives ” so as to try and make themselves appear even smarter and above the fray and therefore guiltless when it comes to the evils of the world. You go FF. Keep upsetting their fantasy world.
Comment by fingerfan — Saturday, March 8, 2008 @ 6:26 pm
Obama’s forign policy ummm….. advisors…..i remember this Brennan quack……
******************
But that’s not all. John Brennan joined the party. Think Progress has the story:
Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) has consistently spoken out and voted against granting retroactive immunity for telecoms that participated with the administration’s warrantless wiretapping program. This stance was part of the reason he won the support of Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), a leader on civil liberties issues.
One of Obama’s advisers on intelligence and foreign policy advisers, however, is someone who “strongly” supports telecomm immunity. John Brennan is a former CIA official and the current chairman of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance. In a new National Journal interview, Brennan makes it clear that he agrees with the Bush administration on the issue of immunity.
Brennan is not some “Johnny come lately” adviser. He’s an experienced hand. Brennan headed the National Counter Terrorism Center in his last job in the Bush Administration. It was under John Brennan’s watch that the Bush Administration issued false statistics on the number of terrorist attacks in 2004. He tried to cook the books and keep the public in the dark that terrorist attacks had soared to unprecedented levels. So if he is taking a position directly opposite of his candidate it has to mean he’s gotten the same wink and nod that Austan Goolsbee and Samantha Powers got from Senator Obama.
Now, everyone can make a mistake. But this is ridiculous. These people cannot be trusted to accurately represent their candidate’s public positions on key issues and Senator Obama wants the American people to trust his judgment in selecting folks to run the bureaucracies that he already admitted he can’t run? God save us.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/03/07/obamas_foreign_policy_follies/
I know, I know: he has a D after his name, & he’s……what? different? I mean politically……I dont know that he is. Like I said, if given a choice between him & McC- unless i learn even more to me negative info- ill cast a ballot for him & keep expectations low.
But havin guys like brennan on the payroll tells me he is committted to the occupation. That SHOULD give “progressives” pause.
I think he can be pushed to do the right thing, or in that direction. But if hes not pushed, but simply ooohed & ahhed over….well then.
Skepticism. Serving humanity since 25,000BC
C’MON Stacy: write sumpthin…….
Comment by mutt — Sunday, March 9, 2008 @ 4:50 pm
Stace, please talk about the Teachers union and the stranglehold they have on the Education system
things like the Fed Court outlawing Home Schooling
I LOVE THE TEACHERS UNION PEACE!! HUGS!!!
Comment by Lori from Pacific beach — Sunday, March 9, 2008 @ 7:03 pm
GGG
Comment by Lori from Pacific beach — Sunday, March 9, 2008 @ 7:04 pm
PEACE!!! HUGS!!!
Comment by Lori from Pacific beach — Sunday, March 9, 2008 @ 7:04 pm
I agree with much that you have said, Mutt including the need for a NEW BLOG ENTRY!
Yay, Stacy! Go, Stacy!
Comment by Virginia M — Monday, March 10, 2008 @ 9:40 am
Here’s a new topic: New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, D, linked to a prostitution ring. I hate it when stupid, arrogant elected officials do this s**t. How are we to continue saying dems are holier than republicans? mutt, I understand your jadedness…
Comment by Lorelei — Monday, March 10, 2008 @ 10:13 am
On Monday, March 10, 2008 @ 10:13 am Lorelei wrote “mutt, I understand your jadedness…”
Exactly. When Bill Clinton had sex with Lewinski, it was the epitome of stupidity. The Clintons were being bashed for all sorts of hogwash. Anyone remember the supposed LAX delays? And it went on and on from there.
So what does Clinton do? About the most incredibly stupid thing possible. Now they can bash him for real! And not just for falsehoods like airport delays or phony investment scandals that most people don’t care about anyway.
One could argue that a big reason Gore lost in 2000 was fatigue from the Clinton-Lewinski mess. And from that we have Bush, $10 Billion a month down the Iraq-rat-hole, always fearing fear itself and a terrorist under every bed, etc. etc.
Argh!!
I know mutt has bigger issues than this with the Clintons, as do many people. But for Spitzer to have followed this path considering the very real cost to our country — it is just absolutely mind-blowingly frustrating.
p.s. - On the feminist topic — Equal pay for equal work! as long as experience, training, etc. are factored in. Also, every woman should be free to make the most difficult personal choices imaginable. There should be no professional or societal barriers to anyone in a free society, although physical aspects should be factored in for a few jobs. I remember a math professor in college who was very inspirational to me. It was 30 years later I found out it was a big fight for her to get tenure! I hope things like that continue to change for the better…
Comment by goodguy — Monday, March 10, 2008 @ 10:57 am
Thanks goodguy, you really are a good guy…
Comment by Lorelei — Monday, March 10, 2008 @ 11:33 am
Thanks goodguy, you really are a good guy…
I agree, Lorelei. He is a “good guy”. On the topic of the foibles of our leaders, I have thought for awhile that the combined microscopic and telescopic lenses focused on all today has made it very hard for us to raise up any leaders. Who among us can stand the scrutiny?
It seems like the qualities that make a leader are often mixed in with other less than perfect qualities. Who among us is without serious flaws? It is a dumb human thing.
On a related topic why can’t they just say he went to a prostitute instead of “He was involved with a prostitution ring!”
A politician going to a prostitute? I am shocked! Shocked!
Comment by Virginia M — Monday, March 10, 2008 @ 12:07 pm
Yeah, I get your point Virgina, but I think as liberals we should be able to hold ourselves to a higher standard and not fall for that “human” thing. Yes, lots of politicians are known to have gone to prostitutes, but why can’t they just keep their pants zippered (including Bill Clinton) until they’re out of office?
It must be the power thing. Kissinger said that “power is the ultimate aphrodesiac.” Could you imagine sleeping with him? Gross.
Comment by Lorelei — Monday, March 10, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
not jaded (I mean other than sex, drugs, & r&r)-skeptical. and Dis- Illusioned…..
The Spitzer thing isnt the sort of thing I follow, but its absolutely hilarious he imported this skilled artisan ($3500/HOUR!?- )
having her cross multiple state lines for the assignation, thus violating the Mann Act, aka “white slavery”. And thus making a Federal Case out of it……
I mean, that is so stupid my jaw drops. And he, supposedly, is one of the smarter bears…..
Almost time to put on my Unka Stacy Gravitron Powered Tinfoiled Listener Beanie (With Magnum Turbo Propeller Action!) & synchronize my Radio Commander Jorge Decoder Ring! YAY!
Comment by mutt — Monday, March 10, 2008 @ 1:58 pm
You’re funny!
Comment by Lorelei — Monday, March 10, 2008 @ 2:00 pm
oh, okay, if you insist, heres some spitzer snark. I normally dont traffic in such tawdry fare, but since its you…..
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/bushbeat/archives/2008/03/when_will_spitz.php
Comment by mutt — Monday, March 10, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
the old Hitchens! Back again! Brilliant piece.
http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/11/hitchens200711?currentPage=1
What else this war is costing, besides a financial bankruptcy.
Yes, I know Hitch endorsed the war far longer than common sense would dictate. But he’s coming to terms with….well, youll see.
Comment by mutt — Tuesday, March 11, 2008 @ 8:59 am
Mutt,
That was terribly moving and I was shedding tears by the end of the article.
In my opinion, the biggest problem with the supporters of this ‘war for profit’ has been that we hear numbers and maybe even some of us hear names (those that care to find out anyway) but hardly ever do we hear the stories of these boys who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
If every one was a Pat Tillman or a Mark Daley I think there would be more opposition to surges and extended deployments and we would see our boys coming home.
If everyone who spouts “we gotta fight em there or we’re gonna fight em here” sends one of their own, I bet it ends pretty quickly.
If every politician who votes to fund this occupation must give up a child to military service, (and let’s have Cheney send a couple of his) I bet those funds dry up.
If everyone who profits from this mess in Iraq has to pay the ultimate sacrifice of sending a child or a grandchild to his death. I bet they would rather be poor.
Send this article to everyone you know. Let’s end this before our country is bankrupt and another family gets that knock on their door telling them their son or daughter isn’t ever coming home.
Comment by Lori from Mission Beach — Tuesday, March 11, 2008 @ 9:59 am
Don’t for a minute think that all of the shareholders in the war profiteers are Americans! They will never be at risk of losing a family member. There is no reason to believe that they even wish America well.
Comment by Virginia M — Tuesday, March 11, 2008 @ 10:40 am
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/nyregion/11inquire.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
People and especially people in high places need to wake up and realize that there is no more privacy. There is no financial privacy. You need to conduct every conversation as though someone is recording it because they very easily could be.
Don’t even talk about phone conversations. I want to pity the guy but I keep coming back to “What an idiot!” How on God’s Green Earth could he consider doing this to his wife? It is so much like the Lewinski thing. Why would he even want to go to a whore? What an idiot!
It will take a few years for the reality of our all surveillance all the time reality to sink in.
Comment by Virginia M — Tuesday, March 11, 2008 @ 11:00 am
Is 69 comments that magic number that will cause Stacy to make a new post? LOL
Comment by Virginia M — Tuesday, March 11, 2008 @ 11:01 am
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/031108B.shtml
Who knows if they really found out about Spitzer by scrutinizing his financial records or if that was a cover story to obscure the fact that the Bush Administration is spying on Democratic politicians.
Makes Watergate seem like a third rate burglary.
Comment by Virginia M — Tuesday, March 11, 2008 @ 11:55 am
OK, this is the 2nd time since Friday I have sat at my desk and cried over issues pertaining to the Iraq war. The first time was when Stacy and Jorge talked about the marine who threw the puppy over a cliff. How can people be so cruel? Today I cried because of the Vanity Fair article by CH, and posted by mutt. Thanks guys. Way to make me cry like a girl…
Comment by Lorelei — Tuesday, March 11, 2008 @ 2:47 pm
OR MAYBE FISHY HAS BEEN POSTING UNDER SOMEONE ELSE’S NAME, EH?
SORRY, IT’S LORI FROM “MISSION BEACH”, ASSHOLE.
Comment by Lori from Mission Beach — Thursday, March 13, 2008 @ 7:46 am
i dunno, Lori…..a dipfish by any other name would smell the same…….
Comment by mutt — Thursday, March 13, 2008 @ 5:18 pm
FF your posts dont make any sense. Try using quotation marks and indicating who you are quoting when you quote.
Comment by Virginia M — Friday, March 14, 2008 @ 1:11 pm
Oh God! We overturned the rock. Is it my fault for bringing him up? I was hoping that Stacy blocked him.
Comment by Lorelei — Friday, March 14, 2008 @ 3:35 pm
test
Comment by mutt — Wednesday, March 19, 2008 @ 11:43 am
blocking FF would be such a liberal thing to do. Always say they want to hear other opinions but in reality, they hate anyone that disagrees with them and also would resort to blocking differing opinions.
Comment by Bruce — Monday, March 24, 2008 @ 7:47 am