The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[Motorboat Cruiser]

If the republicans don't want to be ridiculed, perhaps they should avoid pompous statements such as this in the future:

REPUBLICAN CONTRACT WITH AMERICA

As Republican Members of the House of Representatives and as citizens seeking to join that body we propose not just to change its policies, but even more important, to restore the bonds of trust between the people and their elected representatives.

That is why, in this era of official evasion and posturing, we offer instead a detailed agenda for national renewal, a written commitment with no fine print.

This year's election offers the chance, after four decades of one-party control, to bring to the House a new majority that will transform the way Congress works. That historic change would be the end of government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public's money. It can be the beginning of a Congress that respects the values and shares the faith of the American family.

Like Lincoln, our first Republican president, we intend to act "with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right." To restore accountability to Congress. To end its cycle of scandal and disgrace. To make us all proud again of the way free people govern themselves.

Tom Delay
Rob Ney
Scooter Libby
Randy Cunningham
Bill Frist
Tom Foley
Dennis Hastert
Richard Shelby
Michael Scanlon
David Safavian
Katherine Harris
Ralph Reed

All either convicted, indicted, or under investigation.

Federal Budget deficit: 8.5 Trillion

I don't suppose anyone would care to reconcile this information with the "Contract With America"?

[JWBear]

And as for trying to dismiss wrongdoing on one side by saying, “But, but, but… Soandso does that too!” is a poor defense.

Let me ask you this Nephy…. If you were talking to one of your children about something wrong that they had done, what would be your reaction if he/she tried to use the excuse that their brother/sister did it too. Would you let them off the hook? No. Wrongdoing on one side does not excuse wrongdoing on the other.

The actions of some Republican lawmakers can not be dismissed because some Democrats have done bad things as well.

[Nephythys]

Originally Posted by JWBear

But do Republicans not claim to be the party of traditional values and morality? Nothing reeks more of hypocrisy than claiming the moral high ground in public, but being very immoral in private. Republicans tried to crucify Clinton because he lied about his sex life. Yet they defend Foley and those who covered up for him. Can you not see the double standard?

whoa- bad example.

Foley resigned.

Clinton continued to serve.

Stubbs was censured- and continued to serve and be re-elected.

Etc etc.....who protects their sexual predators?

Not us- Leo castigated him- we all did. No one said what he did was right.

Everyone is a hypocrite- at some point.

I guess to some it is ok to be immoral- as long as you make it public.

[Nephythys]

Originally Posted by JWBear

And as for trying to dismiss wrongdoing on one side by saying, “But, but, but… Soandso does that too!” is a poor defense.

Let me ask you this Nephy…. If you were talking to one of your children about something wrong that they had done, what would be your reaction if he/she tried to use the excuse that their brother/sister did it too. Would you let them off the hook? No. Wrongdoing on one side does not excuse wrongdoing on the other.

The actions of some Republican lawmakers can not be dismissed because some Democrats have done bad things as well.

I have never dismissed wrong doing. Two wrongs don't make a right- but I see hypocrisy and a severe double standard on the other side of the aisle here.

- and everything you said works on the flip side too.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

September averaged .7 degrees lower than normal temps. Somehow I'm sure this will be spun as evidence of man caused global warming.

Nor is it evidence against man-caused global warming.

[sleepyjeff]

Originally Posted by JWBear

Yet they defend Foley

Who defends Foley?

[Scrooge McSam]

Hope you all are having fun!

[Nephythys]

Originally Posted by Scrooge McSam

Hope you all are having fun!

Scrooge darlin' we are ALWAYS having fun.

(love the penguin BTW)

[JWBear]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

I have never dismissed wrong doing. Two wrongs don't make a right- but I see hypocrisy and a severe double standard on the other side of the aisle here.

- and everything you said works on the flip side too.

You are one of the worst offenders when it comes to the “But, but, but Democrats!” defense to try and excuse something a Republican did.

Here’s another example… If someone is caught stealing, will the judge dismiss the charges when that someone points out to him that someone else stole too? Not likely.

Crimes committed by democratic politicians do not make the crimes of republican politicians go away. Those Republicans still committed those crimes. Any lawmaker, regardless of party, that commits a crime should be relieved of office. No party should be held above the law.

While I am no lover of the Democratic Party, and will not dismiss the illegal actions of a politician from that party, I find there is far more hypocrisy in the Republican Party. I find he current trend of defending the party at all costs – even to the point of putting party loyalty above the good of the country – to be abhorrent. Republican politicians seem incapable of admitting mistakes or accepting blame. This is especially true of the current administration. This is the reason that I will, for the first time in my life, be voting a straight democratic ticket; not because I am loyal to the DNC (I’m not), but because the Republican Party has become too powerful, too corrupt, too greedy, too out of touch. There needs to be a change. Thank the Goddess that the rest of America is coming to that realization as well.

[JWBear]

Originally Posted by sleepyjeff

Who defends Foley?

The Republican leaders did, until the story became public.