Yes, we can.

[Gemini Cricket]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

As do the dems. Drill for oil, create nevironmental devastation. Our policies in the middle east and regarding terrorism make us less safe. Blah, blah, blah. Both sides do it.

The Democrats are not innocent. But you can't tell me that the Republicans haven't been exploiting fear since 2001 and have had basically no other way to get the citizens of this country to support their party. Obama called Bush, Rove and the Republicans on their usage of fear tactics in the past, now. I'm glad he did.

[innerSpaceman]

BTW, Rand Corporation report out today says the military-might strategy of defeating al-Queda is a complete failure and has done nothing to diminish their terrorist capabilities (i.e., we are not safer). It recommends switching to intelligence-gathering and criminial pursuit tactics, and concludes that, d'uh, there is no battlefield solution to terrorism.


Would it be considered scare tactics to refer to that report?

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Would it be considered scare tactics to refer to that report?

Not in the least.

Nor would any other number of pointing out reports by organization A or organization B supporting whichever side of whatever issue.

[scaeagles]

Perhaps there are those who actually want to keep taxes lowered that support the republicans as well. Just a thought. Or pro-lifers, who are quite possibly the biggest single issue voting block out there. Or any other number of groups. It may be a tactic - again, used by both parties - but it is certainly not all they have to offer. That is how the dems portray the republicans and you buy into it.

[Gemini Cricket]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

That is how the dems portray the republicans and you buy into it.

Tell me, then, what is another reason (besides the whole Republicans keep the country safer thing, which is bunk) to support another Republican for the White House at this moment? The GOP has been in charge for the last several years. I can't see how two f'ed up wars, the huge deficit, the crummy economy and high gas prices are grounds for anyone to vote for a Republican at this point. The only people who will are those who are lockstep voters who will vote red no matter what.
Obama's not perfect, but I am willing to give him a shot. McCain would bring us more of the same. I can't see how that would help our country any.

[Tenigma]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Perhaps there are those who actually want to keep taxes lowered that support the republicans as well. Just a thought.

You probably remember that I have some pretty non-Democratic Party views--on things like illegal immigration, gun ownership, school choice--I am squarely between the Republican and Libertarian parties on a lot of issues.

However after 7 years of a Bush White House (and I will confess here I voted for W in 2000), I am completely and thoroughly disgusted with what his administration has done. It is almost mind-boggling how his administration was able to mess up so much... I think a lot of it has to do with their coming in with a dogmatic ideology and contempt for government, and with Bush's general philosophy that political favoritism should win out over all other qualifications.

That's how you wind up tossing highly qualified people out in favor of a bunch of mindless Dilbert bosses simply because they are pets of the Republican Party and the Bush administration.

I've had enough.

I want to see every single one of those bureaucratic goons out of office and back to their low-level civil service jobs where all they do is annoy people trying to renew their driver's licenses; not in power in DC where they have effectively ground everything to a halt.

For me, I see Obama as a way to flush all of that garbage down the toilet. Out! I say.

That said, I do NOT agree with all of Obama's stances on issues. In fact, there's a running joke at home. Alex periodically reminds me, "What are you going to when Obama becomes president? You don't agree with a lot of his views."

Well, I've come to accept that several months ago (I forgot when I had my conversion but it must have been last fall sometime). I looked at my two possible options, and I went with the one that I feel will be more effective in flushing the current effluent out of the White House.

I voted for W for 2000 because I was tired of supporting a candidate that I felt was part of that hated Clinton administration... but I disliked the Clintons because of their personal choices, not necessarily because of their politics. 9/11 changed Bush in a way nobody expected. And not in a good way. His ideology got in the way and we stopped being ambassadors to the world in any sense.

McCain might have been good for us in a post-9/11 world... in 2004. But not now. And not when his opponent is someone who brings hope and dreams to the entire world.

And before anyone says we need more than hopes and dreams, take a look at Disneyland, and how much wonderful goodness hoping and dreaming can bring to the world.

[scaeagles]

Well, in the same light, what would be the reason to keep the current congress?

I disagree with the premise of your statement. Two f-ed up wars is a matter of opinion. The economy, while not moving along at any sort of rapid pace, is not in recession and just had 1.9% growth. It hasn't had one quarter of negative growth. Huge deficit? With you. But all spending originates in the house. I have oft been a critic of Bush on how much he spends. High gas prices? I would argue that the republicans have better plans than the dems to bring them down and am not sure what policies of the current administration have led to them.

You call me lockstep? Nope. Not me. I think about my choice. We just come to different conclusions.

[Gemini Cricket]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I would argue that the republicans have better plans than the dems to bring them down and am not sure what policies of the current administration have led to them.

Is that your answer to my question?



Let me paint a picture on how I'm feeling about the people bashing Obama right now:

A fire has started in a large building where everyone lives. The people in the building see two firemen coming to their aid. Fireman A is new, Fireman B is a veteran fireman whose friend is the arsonist. Fireman A acknowledges and assess the fire. Fireman B thinks the fire is in everyone's head, a make believe fire. The people can only pick one fireman to help them. Who should one pick?

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

A fire has started in a large building where everyone lives. The people in the building see two firemen coming to their aid. Fireman A is new, Fireman B is a veteran fireman whose friend is the arsonist. Fireman A acknowledges and assess the fire. Fireman B thinks the fire is in everyone's head, a make believe fire. The people can only pick one fireman to help them. Who should one pick?

?????

[Gemini Cricket]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Let me paint a picture on how I'm feeling about the people bashing Obama right now:

A fire has started in a large building where everyone lives. The people in the building see two firemen coming to their aid. Fireman A is new, Fireman B is a veteran fireman whose friend is the arsonist. Fireman A acknowledges and assess the fire. Fireman B thinks the fire is in everyone's head, a make believe fire. The people can only pick one fireman to help them. Who should one pick?

The fire still rages, but the supporters of Fireman B have noticed that Fireman A has a different haircut than Fireman B. They laugh and mock Fireman A for his hair and come to the conclusion that he is a terrible fireman and try to convince everyone else that he's awful as well. The people need to decide, but while everyone is focusing on the controversy of something innocuous, irrelevant as what kind of haircut B has, the condition of the building is getting worse and worse.
Oh, and did I mention that Fireman B is really, really old?