Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Purgatory: A 2012 US election thread
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Porridge
Shipmate
# 15405
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by tclune: quote: Originally posted by Porridge: And I won my primary (not much of a victory, as I was running unopposed).
Congratulations. And think of the ignominy if you had run unopposed and lost!
--Tom Clune
Thanks. It was a close call. I'm only running in hope of preventing an even loopier, stupider candidate than me from joining the fourth-largest legislative body in the English-speaking world (and passing even more idiotic laws in my state). [ 12. September 2012, 19:32: Message edited by: Porridge ]
-------------------- Spiggott: Everything I've ever told you is a lie, including that. Moon: Including what? Spiggott: That everything I've ever told you is a lie. Moon: That's not true!
Posts: 3925 | From: Upper right corner | Registered: Jan 2010
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Sober Preacher's Kid
Presbymethegationalist
# 12699
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Posted
So you live in New Hampshire, then, Porridge?
Do you expect to be elected in your district?
-------------------- NDP Federal Convention Ottawa 2018: A random assortment of Prots and Trots.
Posts: 7646 | From: Peterborough, Upper Canada | Registered: Jun 2007
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Porridge
Shipmate
# 15405
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Posted
Apparently the only opposition I face in November is some sort of write-in campaign. It appears I may be doomed to election and service.
A friend of mine (who won a fairly close primary race) lives on the same street as three other state reps. You trip over a legislator every time you turn around; it's basically a version of jury duty: a civic duty.
-------------------- Spiggott: Everything I've ever told you is a lie, including that. Moon: Including what? Spiggott: That everything I've ever told you is a lie. Moon: That's not true!
Posts: 3925 | From: Upper right corner | Registered: Jan 2010
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Crśsos
Shipmate
# 238
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Posted
Here's an interesting bit from the Republican War on Facts. According to a poll of Ohio voters [PDF] about one in six Ohio Republicans believe Mitt Romney was more responsible for the death of Osama bin-Laden than Barack Obama (see p. 15). Romney, of course, has been a private citizen since 2007.
So do they really believe this, or is it just that they don't want to credit Obama with anything? If the latter, why not simply answer "Not Sure" (which self-identified Republicans did a lot more on this question than self-identified Democrats)? Or is an affected stance of lunacy considered better than an affected stance of ignorance?
-------------------- Humani nil a me alienum puto
Posts: 10706 | From: Sardis, Lydia | Registered: May 2001
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Porridge
Shipmate
# 15405
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Posted
You know, it would be easy to go off on a mini-jeremiad about the stupidity of U.S voters on this issue. It may not be stupidity, though. It may be weariness from trying to scrape a living out of 2-3 McJobs somebody's cobbled together to keep food on the table. It may be complete distraction trying to keep a life and family together despite having lost a home.
Is the real Republican strategy to keep voters in such dire straits they can't begin to pay attention to politics?
But I have to wonder: why did the pollsters pose this question? I really don't know why such a question would be included, except to prove that 37% of the potential voters polled have no clue what's going on.
-------------------- Spiggott: Everything I've ever told you is a lie, including that. Moon: Including what? Spiggott: That everything I've ever told you is a lie. Moon: That's not true!
Posts: 3925 | From: Upper right corner | Registered: Jan 2010
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Sober Preacher's Kid
Presbymethegationalist
# 12699
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Posted
Best of luck to you, Porridge.
Do the Ship proud and advocate that your state copy Vermont in implementing single-payer health care.
C'mon it's much more fun being a crank, especially a crank who's right. Besides, why exactly are you letting your state play second fiddle to Vermont?
-------------------- NDP Federal Convention Ottawa 2018: A random assortment of Prots and Trots.
Posts: 7646 | From: Peterborough, Upper Canada | Registered: Jun 2007
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Josephine
Orthodox Belle
# 3899
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Crśsos: Here's an interesting bit from the Republican War on Facts. According to a poll of Ohio voters [PDF] about one in six Ohio Republicans believe Mitt Romney was more responsible for the death of Osama bin-Laden than Barack Obama (see p. 15). Romney, of course, has been a private citizen since 2007.
So do they really believe this, or is it just that they don't want to credit Obama with anything? If the latter, why not simply answer "Not Sure" (which self-identified Republicans did a lot more on this question than self-identified Democrats)? Or is an affected stance of lunacy considered better than an affected stance of ignorance?
This article about "motivated reasoning" probably explains it as well as anything. The article (which is a bit old, but still very much worth reading) uses the Republican reversals on health care policy as a jumping-off point to talk about political beliefs.
And what it boils down to is that what we believe has more to do with what "team" we're on than with what is true. Beliefs are primarily about belonging. They're about associations.
So if you're an ardent Tea Party Republican, you have to believe that Obama is Muslim, and that he didn't really kill bin Laden, and so on and so forth. Because those are the things that identify you as being part of the team.
But it's not just Tea Party Republicans that fall prey to motivated reasoning. It's not a conservative thing, it's a human thing. The more firmly we identify with a group (whether a church, or a political party, or any other group), the more likely we are to stretch our beliefs until they fit the procrustean bed of our group's identity.
It has been argued that people don't "really" believe things that they say to pollsters. Judging by discussions here on the Ship, I suspect that they really do.
But I also have seen beliefs change over time, as discussions with people from other "teams" developed into relationships, and even friendships. The challenges to entrenched beliefs that results from that aren't comfortable. But I think they're important.
-------------------- I've written a book! Catherine's Pascha: A celebration of Easter in the Orthodox Church. It's a lovely book for children. Take a look!
Posts: 10273 | From: Pacific Northwest, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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New Yorker
Shipmate
# 9898
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Josephine: So if you're an ardent Tea Party Republican, you have to believe that Obama is Muslim, and that he didn't really kill bin Laden, and so on and so forth.
Sorry, but wrong. I am an ardent Tea Pary Republican and neither I nor anyone other TPR that I know believe that Obama is a Muslim. We believe that he is an Obamist: i.e, he worships himself. And if anyone believes that Obama killed Bin Laden, then they really should seek treatment. As I understand it he was on a golf course when the Seal Team was entering the compound and killing Bin Laden.
Posts: 3193 | From: New York City | Registered: Jul 2005
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Doc Tor
Deepest Red
# 9748
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by New Yorker: Sorry, but wrong. I am an ardent Tea Pary Republican and neither I nor anyone other TPR that I know believe that Obama is a Muslim. We believe that he is an Obamist: i.e, he worships himself. And if anyone believes that Obama killed Bin Laden, then they really should seek treatment. As I understand it he was on a golf course when the Seal Team was entering the compound and killing Bin Laden.
1. Over here in the UK, we get a lot of news from the US. Including about Tea Party rallies. Placards saying that Obama is a muslim are a common sight. Either your ardour isn't sufficient for you to attend rallies, or your eyesight is going.
2. The BBC, a usually reliable source, says that "President Obama and his security team watched the operation in real time from the White House". Perhaps the White House does have an indoor golf course. Which usually reliable source are you using for your version?
-------------------- Forward the New Republic
Posts: 9131 | From: Ultima Thule | Registered: Jul 2005
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moron
Shipmate
# 206
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid: When you lose, what exactly is going to be your humble pie, moron?
Having given this some thought all I can say is I don't have a clue. You'd have thought the two not insignificant real life setbacks I've experienced over the past few years would be at least a starting point... and that the imminent significant life change I'm very likely to experience in the near future MIGHT begin to have some effect on my barely mitigated arrogance but no clearly demonstrable progress so far.
Anyway if you have any ideas on the topic I'm open.
Posts: 4236 | From: Bentonville | Registered: May 2001
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New Yorker
Shipmate
# 9898
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Doc Tor: Placards saying that Obama is a muslim are a common sight.
I have never seen such a sign at any rally I've been to. In the media when I have seen them at TP rallies it is always as the person holding the sign is being escorted away from the rally (expelled) by TP security folks.
As for Obama, all I know is that Obama did not kill Bin Laden. He was in DC whether on the golf course, just off the golf course, or sitting in the situation room fuming that he was missing golf.
On a different note, Obama's plan for single payer insurance is coming right along.
Posts: 3193 | From: New York City | Registered: Jul 2005
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tclune
Shipmate
# 7959
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by New Yorker: quote: Originally posted by Doc Tor: Placards saying that Obama is a muslim are a common sight.
I have never seen such a sign at any rally I've been to. In the media when I have seen them at TP rallies it is always as the person holding the sign is being escorted away from the rally (expelled) by TP security folks.
I think this is an important point to remember -- most of us do not attend the rallies of groups that we disagree with. We decide what happened at the rallies based on such things as TV coverage, and that is a highly filtered perspective. Cameramen do not tend to film things that aren't going to help the show's ratings.
--Tom Clune
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Posts: 8013 | From: Western MA | Registered: Jul 2004
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Mere Nick
Shipmate
# 11827
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by tclune: most of us do not attend the rallies of groups that we disagree with.
Most of us don't attend rallies of groups we agree with, either. Not for political groups, anyway.
Posts: 2797 | From: West Carolina | Registered: Sep 2006
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Mere Nick
Shipmate
# 11827
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by New Yorker: In the media when I have seen them at TP rallies it is always as the person holding the sign is being escorted away from the rally (expelled) by TP security folks.
It could very well be a plant, too. It wouldn't be too hard to find some guys on the street and pay them $50 to show up at an Obama rally with signs saying "Shariah Yes, Obama Yes, Liberty No", or "I Nail Michelle".
-------------------- "Well that's it, boys. I've been redeemed. The preacher's done warshed away all my sins and transgressions. It's the straight and narrow from here on out, and heaven everlasting's my reward." Delmar O'Donnell
Posts: 2797 | From: West Carolina | Registered: Sep 2006
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tclune
Shipmate
# 7959
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Mere Nick: It could very well be a plant, too. It wouldn't be too hard to find some guys on the street and pay them $50 to show up at an Obama rally with signs saying "Shariah Yes, Obama Yes, Liberty No", or "I Nail Michelle".
It'll be a cold day in Hell when you have to pay an American to be stupid...
--Tom Clune
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Posts: 8013 | From: Western MA | Registered: Jul 2004
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Mere Nick
Shipmate
# 11827
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by tclune: quote: Originally posted by Mere Nick: It could very well be a plant, too. It wouldn't be too hard to find some guys on the street and pay them $50 to show up at an Obama rally with signs saying "Shariah Yes, Obama Yes, Liberty No", or "I Nail Michelle".
It'll be a cold day in Hell when you have to pay an American to be stupid...
--Tom Clune
You'd probably have to pay to get someone to go out of their way to do something stupid that is different from the stupid thing they had already planned.
-------------------- "Well that's it, boys. I've been redeemed. The preacher's done warshed away all my sins and transgressions. It's the straight and narrow from here on out, and heaven everlasting's my reward." Delmar O'Donnell
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saysay
Ship's Praying Mantis
# 6645
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Mere Nick: quote: Originally posted by tclune: most of us do not attend the rallies of groups that we disagree with.
Most of us don't attend rallies of groups we agree with, either. Not for political groups, anyway.
I thought this was interesting.
-------------------- "It's been a long day without you, my friend I'll tell you all about it when I see you again" "'Oh sweet baby purple Jesus' - that's a direct quote from a 9 year old - shoutout to purple Jesus."
Posts: 2943 | From: The Wire | Registered: May 2004
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cliffdweller
Shipmate
# 13338
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by saysay: quote: Originally posted by Mere Nick: quote: Originally posted by tclune: most of us do not attend the rallies of groups that we disagree with.
Most of us don't attend rallies of groups we agree with, either. Not for political groups, anyway.
I thought this was interesting.
You mean the way a journalist is able to use a public forum to whine that she can't get a public form to air her views? I found that hilarious. Was that the point?
-------------------- "Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid." -Frederick Buechner
Posts: 11242 | From: a small canyon overlooking the city | Registered: Jan 2008
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saysay
Ship's Praying Mantis
# 6645
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by cliffdweller: You mean the way a journalist is able to use a public forum to whine that she can't get a public form to air her views? I found that hilarious. Was that the point?
Odd. I thought his point was right there in the conclusion:
quote: It’s not just a journalistic challenge, either. It’s the challenge we all face as modern political animals, caught in the feedback loops and logic mazes that come of trying to know the truth, our own truth—the truth worth casting our one and only vote for—when we don’t even know where to look, or through whose eyes.
-------------------- "It's been a long day without you, my friend I'll tell you all about it when I see you again" "'Oh sweet baby purple Jesus' - that's a direct quote from a 9 year old - shoutout to purple Jesus."
Posts: 2943 | From: The Wire | Registered: May 2004
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tclune
Shipmate
# 7959
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by cliffdweller: quote: Originally posted by saysay: I thought this was interesting.
You mean the way a journalist is able to use a public forum to whine that she can't get a public forum to air her views? I found that hilarious. Was that the point?
We must have read different articles. The article that I read was focusing on the difference between the experience and the packaging of the experience. It seemed directly relevant to what I had posted, and I appreciated the link and enjoyed the article. FWIW
--Tom Clune
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passer
Indigo
# 13329
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by tclune: I think this is an important point to remember -- most of us do not attend the rallies of groups that we disagree with. We decide what happened at the rallies based on such things as TV coverage, and that is a highly filtered perspective.
--Tom Clune
Tom - that must mean you're middle class!
Posts: 1289 | From: Sheffield | Registered: Jan 2008
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ken
Ship's Roundhead
# 2460
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Mere Nick: quote: Originally posted by New Yorker: In the media when I have seen them at TP rallies it is always as the person holding the sign is being escorted away from the rally (expelled) by TP security folks.
It could very well be a plant, too. It wouldn't be too hard to find some guys on the street and pay them $50 to show up at an Obama rally with signs saying "Shariah Yes, Obama Yes, Liberty No", or "I Nail Michelle".
And it woudl be an acto of charity too, because then they could go and get $500 by selling their story to a newspaper or to another party.
-------------------- Ken
L’amor che move il sole e l’altre stelle.
Posts: 39579 | From: London | Registered: Mar 2002
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Doc Tor
Deepest Red
# 9748
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by New Yorker: quote: Originally posted by Doc Tor: Placards saying that Obama is a muslim are a common sight.
I have never seen such a sign at any rally I've been to. In the media when I have seen them at TP rallies it is always as the person holding the sign is being escorted away from the rally (expelled) by TP security folks.
Consider me unconvinced. link and link
quote: Originally posted by New Yorker: As for Obama, all I know is that Obama did not kill Bin Laden. He was in DC whether on the golf course, just off the golf course, or sitting in the situation room fuming that he was missing golf.
You were caught out repeating a blatant lie which has no basis in truth whatsoever. What's your response? Repeat it and hope no one spotted it. Well done.
-------------------- Forward the New Republic
Posts: 9131 | From: Ultima Thule | Registered: Jul 2005
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Porridge
Shipmate
# 15405
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by New Yorker: As for Obama, all I know is that Obama did not kill Bin Laden.
Who claimed he did?
Surprise us with an actual link to an actual post on this thread or an unedited actual statement by the current president which asserts that Barack Obama personally took out Osama bin Laden.
-------------------- Spiggott: Everything I've ever told you is a lie, including that. Moon: Including what? Spiggott: That everything I've ever told you is a lie. Moon: That's not true!
Posts: 3925 | From: Upper right corner | Registered: Jan 2010
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Og, King of Bashan
Ship's giant Amorite
# 9562
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Porridge: But I have to wonder: why did the pollsters pose this question? I really don't know why such a question would be included, except to prove that 37% of the potential voters polled have no clue what's going on.
According to Wikipedia, Public Policy Polling has a history of asking unusual questions.
I suspect that some of the polled Republicans who said that they thought Romney deserved more credit than Obama thought that the question was intended to force them to admit that Obama has had some success in his term, and decided to troll the pollster.
-------------------- "I like to eat crawfish and drink beer. That's despair?" ― Walker Percy
Posts: 3259 | From: Denver, Colorado, USA | Registered: May 2005
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Sober Preacher's Kid
Presbymethegationalist
# 12699
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Posted
Rolling Stone article based on Freedom of Information Act disclosures that details how Mitt Romney put a squeeze on the FDIC and left that agency with a $10 million loss.
From the Sept. 13th issue of Rolling Stone.
-------------------- NDP Federal Convention Ottawa 2018: A random assortment of Prots and Trots.
Posts: 7646 | From: Peterborough, Upper Canada | Registered: Jun 2007
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Porridge
Shipmate
# 15405
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Posted
Makes you wonder when Mormons will start disavowing this crook.
-------------------- Spiggott: Everything I've ever told you is a lie, including that. Moon: Including what? Spiggott: That everything I've ever told you is a lie. Moon: That's not true!
Posts: 3925 | From: Upper right corner | Registered: Jan 2010
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moron
Shipmate
# 206
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid: Rolling Stone article based on Freedom of Information Act disclosures that details how Mitt Romney put a squeeze on the FDIC and left that agency with a $10 million loss.
So if I'm following: Romney outsmarted the FDIC minions.
Sounds to me like the guy best equipped to run the government.
Posts: 4236 | From: Bentonville | Registered: May 2001
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by moron: quote: Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid: Rolling Stone article based on Freedom of Information Act disclosures that details how Mitt Romney put a squeeze on the FDIC and left that agency with a $10 million loss.
So if I'm following: Romney outsmarted the FDIC minions.
Sounds to me like the guy best equipped to run the government.
But failed to prevent the information getting out. Sounds like Tricky Dickie.
-------------------- "He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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Sober Preacher's Kid
Presbymethegationalist
# 12699
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Posted
The FDIC is paid for through deposit insurance premiums levied on member banks, read depositors in those banks who pay the service fees and forego interest to pay the premiums. Those depositors are 99% of all taxpayers and a good portion besides, like teenagers who have a bank account but don't make enough to pay taxes.
Romney bilked Americans for $10 million through plain crooked contracting.
This man will not get the Presidency. The FDIC episode WILL dog him, it will eat away his lead and it will cost him the election.
-------------------- NDP Federal Convention Ottawa 2018: A random assortment of Prots and Trots.
Posts: 7646 | From: Peterborough, Upper Canada | Registered: Jun 2007
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New Yorker
Shipmate
# 9898
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Doc Tor: quote: Originally posted by New Yorker: As for Obama, all I know is that Obama did not kill Bin Laden. He was in DC whether on the golf course, just off the golf course, or sitting in the situation room fuming that he was missing golf.
You were caught out repeating a blatant lie which has no basis in truth whatsoever. What's your response? Repeat it and hope no one spotted it. Well done.
All I can say is what I read in the paper here and an NBC news transcript here where Brian Williams said Obama was playing golf that day, although not necessarily 20 minutes before the raid. So golf was part of the picture so to speak.
Posts: 3193 | From: New York City | Registered: Jul 2005
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Doc Tor
Deepest Red
# 9748
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by New Yorker: quote: Originally posted by Doc Tor: quote: Originally posted by New Yorker: As for Obama, all I know is that Obama did not kill Bin Laden. He was in DC whether on the golf course, just off the golf course, or sitting in the situation room fuming that he was missing golf.
You were caught out repeating a blatant lie which has no basis in truth whatsoever. What's your response? Repeat it and hope no one spotted it. Well done.
All I can say is what I read in the paper here and an NBC news transcript here where Brian Williams said Obama was playing golf that day, although not necessarily 20 minutes before the raid. So golf was part of the picture so to speak.
Of course it was part of the picture. He was fulfilling a prior commitment in order to make it look like nothing else was happening that day, like, you know, killing Osama Bin Laden.
Do you hate the man so much that you can't tell the difference between a truth and a lie?
-------------------- Forward the New Republic
Posts: 9131 | From: Ultima Thule | Registered: Jul 2005
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Soror Magna
Shipmate
# 9881
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Posted
Well, Mitt Romney appears to be campaigning on the assumption that nobody actually cares about the difference between the truth and a lie.
-------------------- "You come with me to room 1013 over at the hospital, I'll show you America. Terminal, crazy and mean." -- Tony Kushner, "Angels in America"
Posts: 5430 | From: Caprica City | Registered: Jul 2005
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Gramps49
Shipmate
# 16378
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Posted
Perhaps Obama played golf on Sunday afternoon. Shortly before the raid, though, he spoke at the National Press Gathering. After the dinner he went to the Situation Room and witnessed the entire raid in real time through audio and video links.
I know people will howl when I point out how Bush was out of the loop: attending a first grade class as the World Trade Center was attacked; giving a surprise birthday party to McCain as Katrina made landfall outside of New Orleans. He also loved to play golf.
Remember Hilary had an advertisement about who would you want to take that phone call in the White House at 3 a.m.? Well, it seems Obama has met that challenge many times in the past four years and has done well. Do you think Romney could take those calls well (Remember how he insulted the British by questioning their ability to successfully carry off the Olympics, or when he angered the Palestinians by saying the Israeli culture was superior--seem like he does not have any cred in foreign experience).
While I am at it, from the sound of it, the Romney Ryan pair are not being investigated for a election felony in Wisconsin when they provided sandwiches to people who voted for them in the Wisconsin primary. And there is also the episode where Romney voted in a Massachusetts election when he actually was living in California. Romney claimed he was living in an unfinished basement in his son's house in Mass. In other words, he committed voting fraud, something the GOP is trying to prevent. But of course, Romney is white, not brown or black, so do you think he will ever be charged?
Posts: 2193 | From: Pullman WA | Registered: Apr 2011
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Soror Magna
Shipmate
# 9881
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by ken: ... With friends like that the Republicans must be praying for more enemies.
It's also hard to see how piling on Sandra Fluke and enacting voter ID laws would help them get women's votes or minority votes. Duh.
-------------------- "You come with me to room 1013 over at the hospital, I'll show you America. Terminal, crazy and mean." -- Tony Kushner, "Angels in America"
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New Yorker
Shipmate
# 9898
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Posted
Well, if I recall correctly, Bush eventually gave up golf because of the war. He did not think it right to be playing golf while soldiers were dying.
Obama meeting the 3am phone call challenge? Huh? How do you reach that conclusion?
Finally, Romney costing the FDIC $10M is a far better deal than what Obama's cost us with the auto bailout and Solyndra.
Posts: 3193 | From: New York City | Registered: Jul 2005
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by New Yorker: Well, if I recall correctly, Bush eventually gave up golf because of the war. He did not think it right to be playing golf while soldiers were dying.
He did not think it right to be seen playing golf. While he's at the White House he can swim, play tennis and in the interim, he can use the putting green. quote:
Obama meeting the 3am phone call challenge? Huh? How do you reach that conclusion?
Finally, Romney costing the FDIC $10M is a far better deal than what Obama's cost us with the auto bailout and Solyndra.
To the best of my knowledge Obama did not pass the auto bailout program or support Solyndra for personal gain.
-------------------- "He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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Porridge
Shipmate
# 15405
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by New Yorker: Well, if I recall correctly, Bush eventually gave up golf because of the war. He did not think it right to be playing golf while soldiers were dying.
Obama meeting the 3am phone call challenge? Huh? How do you reach that conclusion?
Finally, Romney costing the FDIC $10M is a far better deal than what Obama's cost us with the auto bailout and Solyndra.
And I'm still wondering who on this thread claimed that Obama took out bin Laden, or where you could link to Obama claiming personal credit for having done this. [ 16. September 2012, 18:12: Message edited by: Porridge ]
-------------------- Spiggott: Everything I've ever told you is a lie, including that. Moon: Including what? Spiggott: That everything I've ever told you is a lie. Moon: That's not true!
Posts: 3925 | From: Upper right corner | Registered: Jan 2010
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Doublethink.
Ship's Foolwise Unperson
# 1984
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Posted
In general, if my political leader must prosecute a war involving the deaths of thousands - including our own troops - I would rather they were well fed, well-rested and had regular breaks, and had whatever other resources necessary to optimize their decision making.
-------------------- All political thinking for years past has been vitiated in the same way. People can foresee the future only when it coincides with their own wishes, and the most grossly obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome. George Orwell
Posts: 19219 | From: Erehwon | Registered: Aug 2005
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New Yorker
Shipmate
# 9898
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by Porridge: [And I'm still wondering who on this thread claimed that Obama took out bin Laden, or where you could link to Obama claiming personal credit for having done this.
Because Obama and Biden keep harping on it. Because his speech announcing OBL's death was full of "I did the intelligence" "I made the decision stuff." It's kind of creepy to me actually.
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Doc Tor
Deepest Red
# 9748
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by New Yorker: quote: Originally posted by Porridge: [And I'm still wondering who on this thread claimed that Obama took out bin Laden, or where you could link to Obama claiming personal credit for having done this.
Because Obama and Biden keep harping on it. Because his speech announcing OBL's death was full of "I did the intelligence" "I made the decision stuff." It's kind of creepy to me actually.
So your argument here is that the Commander-in-chief of the US armed forces had the temerity to actually read the reports, listen to the briefings, and after consulting with his advisers, make the decision to kill Bin Laden.
Oookay. From my position on this side of the Pond, I kind of thought that was what he was supposed to do. Clearly I have been wildly misinformed.
-------------------- Forward the New Republic
Posts: 9131 | From: Ultima Thule | Registered: Jul 2005
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CorgiGreta
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# 443
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Posted
New Yorker,
The President did make the decision, and if things had gone badly, I somehow suspect you would be heaping loads of blame on him and him alone.
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CorgiGreta
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# 443
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Posted
I kind of thought GW Bush's (unfulfilled) promise to "smoke Bin Laden out" was creepy as well as being doltish, contrived, bogus cowboy talk.
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Gramps49
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# 16378
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Posted
Fact is, there are at least two documented times where Bush played golf during the Iraqi war. Even though he cut back on playing golf, he took up another sport: mountain biking.
I do not fault Bush for playing golf, or riding a mountain bike.
When people like Hannity complain Obama has played 100 rounds of golf during the past three years (which is around once a week) I see it as a red herring.
The first 3 a.m. call that Obama got as president was about the Somalian pirates seizing an American cargo ship. We know that those sharpshooter who took out the pirates got the go ahead from the Commander in Chief. He has taken similar calls throughout his presidency leading up to this latest episode in Libya. Every time he has acted with reasonable force. Even Hilary Clinton has said the President has done well when it comes to those type of calls.
On the other hand, what did Romney do with that 3 a.m. call? At a time when the candidate should have sided with the President when America was under attack, Romney tries to make political gain, only to have it backfire on him.
Posts: 2193 | From: Pullman WA | Registered: Apr 2011
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Porridge
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# 15405
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by New Yorker: quote: Originally posted by Porridge: [And I'm still wondering who on this thread claimed that Obama took out bin Laden, or where you could link to Obama claiming personal credit for having done this.
Because Obama and Biden keep harping on it. Because his speech announcing OBL's death was full of "I did the intelligence" "I made the decision stuff." It's kind of creepy to me actually.
Here is a link, since you apparently can't be bothered to try proving your own case, to both a video and a transcript of the relevant speech.
Obama does say things like "I directed" and "I decided." He is, after all both the Commander in Chief of U.S. forces as well as the chief executive. Wouldn't one expect direction and decisions from someone in these roles?
He also, if you care to read his words, says "we" a great deal. For example, when saying the following:
quote: Tonight, we give thanks to the countless intelligence and counterterrorism professionals who've worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome. The American people do not see their work, nor know their names. But tonight, they feel the satisfaction of their work and the result of their pursuit of justice.
We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of those who serve our country.
And this is creepy how? [ 17. September 2012, 00:08: Message edited by: Porridge ]
-------------------- Spiggott: Everything I've ever told you is a lie, including that. Moon: Including what? Spiggott: That everything I've ever told you is a lie. Moon: That's not true!
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Porridge
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# 15405
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Posted
Sorry to double-post, but New Yorker might also be interested to read this passage from the speech linked to above:
quote:
A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body.
Way to take credit for someone else's kill, eh?
-------------------- Spiggott: Everything I've ever told you is a lie, including that. Moon: Including what? Spiggott: That everything I've ever told you is a lie. Moon: That's not true!
Posts: 3925 | From: Upper right corner | Registered: Jan 2010
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Golden Key
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# 1468
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Posted
quote: Originally posted by tclune: quote: Originally posted by Mere Nick: It could very well be a plant, too. It wouldn't be too hard to find some guys on the street and pay them $50 to show up at an Obama rally with signs saying "Shariah Yes, Obama Yes, Liberty No", or "I Nail Michelle".
It'll be a cold day in Hell when you have to pay an American to be stupid...
--Tom Clune
But it would sooooooo help the economy!
-------------------- Blessed Gator, pray for us! --"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon") --"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")
Posts: 18601 | From: Chilling out in an undisclosed, sincere pumpkin patch. | Registered: Oct 2001
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