The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[Alex]

Arithmetic does reject god's omnipotence so it is pernicious as taught in our schools and should be avoided if possible.

2+2 always equals 4 should more properly be taught as "Some say that 2+2 always equals 4 but it is an equally valid view -- and, frankly, the right one -- that 2+2 only appears to always equal 4 but that is because you do not take into account the almighty awe-inspiring power of our lord creator to have 2+2 equal 5 when it suits his purposes in answering our prayers or smiting Jews and pagans. So, when doing your homework this evening it may be that at that moment in time 2+2 will equal 5. Unfortunately, when you turn it in tomorrow and I grade it, we may be back to 2+2 equalling 4. So I am going to have to assume than any non-4 answers were not actually erroneously but simply evidence of God's active role in our daily lives. Perfect scores for everybody."

Obviously, a proper education will require much longer lectures, but much easier tests.

[BarTopDancer]

We used to be a nuclear powerhouse, one of the most powerful countries in the world.

The political division we are seeing (from both sides) is going to leave us ripe for an invasion in a few decades.

[scaeagles]

JW -

As far as right-wing domestic terrorism, I think the last specific instance was the killing of an abortion doctor? I do know I condemned that and have condemned abortion clinic bombings. What specific right wong terrorism would you like me to condemn? I condemn all bombings, shootings, whatever, that are done for political motives.

I was not attempting to justify in the least anything said or done by the right wing by pointing out examples of similar things said or done by the left wing. My point was simply that those on the left wing that say and do similar things are never accused of inciting violence. Should an abortion clinic be bombed, there is typically an attempt to link that to those who speak out against abortion. Should a soldier blow up a grenade in the barracks, I am not aware of the attempt to link it to those on the left wing saying the Iraq was is illegal.

All such acts of violence are wrong and should be condemned. Anyone who decides that they can or should take matters into their own hands in such a matter is wrong and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Quite frankly, I'm rather disgusted with your implication that I find any act of terrorism acceptable, but hopefully this will clear it up.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Should a soldier blow up a grenade in the barracks, I am not aware of the attempt to link it to those on the left wing saying the Iraq was is illegal.

On that one I think everybody was distracted by trying to tie it to the fact that the soldier is a Muslim and therefore must have been in the pocket of Al Qaeda or, as this NRO article suggests Saudi Wahhabists.

But here's an article tying his action to his anti-war views and involvement. Here's another linking his actions to slogans from the anti-war movement (and a perfectly awful slogan it is). Here is an article connecting the dots between the anti-war movement and Asan Akbar.

So rather than saying it didn't happen, maybe you just didn't notice it so much when you were likely more in agreement with the connections being made.

[JWBear]

Leo,

The difference is that right-wing pundant are and do incite violence. Beck, Limbaugh, Bachman, etc, ect, etc... They do it all day long; day after day. Name one left-wing pundant - who has the reach, audience, and corporate support of their right-wing counterparts - who espouses violence.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Seriously, scaeagles and Mousey Girl.

Even if you dislike Obama, do you really think that he is going to push his agenda in a broadcast to schools? Even without reading the transcript, I can tell you that ANY sitting president would not have the balls to do that. I daresay that even Dubya, even at the height of his evil, would not have tried it. I would not have a problem letting my child see ANY sitting president speak specifically to children.

Telling your child that he should not watch something the president has to say tells them two things:

1. When we don't agree with someone, we don't listen to them.

2. I don't trust you to listen to them and then talk to me afterwards if you have questions.

Your kids may not even realize that you can READ THE TRANSCRIPT AHEAD OF TIME and discuss it with them fully after they see it, but I do, and I'm rather let down that those of you who are suspicious of Obama wouldn't use this as an ultimate teachable moment. That is, if you find anything up for debate in his transcript, which again, is beyond thinkable.

How does a child learn to listen to opposing viewpoints, parse out information vs. spin, and make up their own mind? Is it a part of the brain that doesn't function until they cross the threshold of a high school campus? Are they not listening when you have an opinion on something and they are 10 or even 5 years old?

Again - I'm really, really disappointed in you, and I'm really sad for all the kids of America that have parents clapping hands over their ears for no good reason at all.

[JWBear]

Listen to opposing viewpoints, CP!?!? That's un-American! You must be one of those unpatriotic commie liberals!


<Tongue firmly in cheek>

[scaeagles]

CP,

I have REPEATEDLY stated that I would be happy to watch the speech with my kids. I think I indirectly stated that I wouldn't have a problem with my 15 year old seeing it without me because she has critical thinking skills and can apply them. I do not think my almost 8 year old does. My 10 year old might be getting close, but knowing him, I doubt it.

So no, I haven't said in the least we shouldn't listen to people we don't agree with. Why the hell would I be on the LoT if I thought that, when I am constantly bombarded with things I don't agree with? However, I have changed my mind on some things through discussions on this board.

[innerSpaceman]

Really, you guys have really picked a wrong thing to pick on. I'm not saying you are nutjobs, but sky-fall shouting on this particular Obamamoment really makes you look like reactionary nutjobs. Do yourselves a favor and wait another 10 minutes for one of Obama's genuine failings. They are many and often enough if you desire to be critical of the president on a weekly basis.

Oh, also ... here's a clue. And I'm not saying you are, but when you go out on the panic limb about this sort of harmless fluffery, you ARE going to seem racist to the casual observer who can see no reasonable basis for your disdain.


So, Leo, what about the pertinent point that the rightwing has the de facto monopoly on (in)famous and wide-reaching inciters of violence? Does that not figure into it at all? Even if any perpetrators are individually responsible for their actions, are the public inciters righteous and good men?

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

So, Leo, what about the pertinent point that the rightwing has the de facto monopoly on (in)famous and wide-reaching inciters of violence? Does that not figure into it at all? Even if any perpetrators are individually responsible for their actions, are the public inciters righteous and good men?

I would not say all are righteous and good, no. There is a recent story of a pastor at a Baptist church in the Phoenix area who has been preaching sermons on why he hopes Obama dies. I do not think he is a good man.

I forget who it was, but some journalist, shortly after Clarence Thomas was confirmed, said the only hope was that he eat large amounts of fatty food and dies of heart disease at a young age. Is that different? I think it's stupid, but I'm not going to blame that journalist if someone goes and kills Clarence Thomas.

I think the problem isnt the speech, but the people who decide what they've heard is reason to be violent. I'm pretty right wing, but I'm not going to be going to kill anyone.

Perhaps I am ignorant on the subject, and I might be, but what domestic violence from the right has there been lately? I don't recall any abortion bombings or assassinations recently.