Bush Says Rumsfeld Resigning, Gates to Replace Him

[JWBear]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

In my attempt to be more positive in my life (and failing the last couple of days ) I must spin this thread to put dear Donald in a positive light for just a sec.



When he was younger he was a beefy hunk wrestler.
That's kinda hot.

Oh my! Very hansome. (Why does that make me feel dirty somehow?)

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

I'm not whining GD- I am refusing to participate in a conversation with a person who I feel deliberately twists things to be antagonistic.

This is not a huff- or whining. This is me not wanting to discuss things with you.

This may not surprise you, but I think GD has valid question. I realize that taking the stance of victim is a great way not to take a look at the actual argument but, we seem to have pretty good discussions here without a whole lot of theatrics, with one exception. I think it's time that the constant theatrics be put to rest so we can actually have decent discussions.

And, I'm not being snarky here, I'm quite serious.

[Nephythys]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

This may not surprise you, but I think GD has valid question. I realize that taking the stance of victim is a great way not to take a look at the actual argument but, we seem to have pretty good discussions here without a whole lot of theatrics, with one exception. I think it's time that the constant theatrics be put to rest so we can actually have decent discussions.

And, I'm not being snarky here, I'm quite serious.

These are not "theatrics"- I am just choosing to not engage in the conversation right now. The only one calling someone a victim is you- I have never claimed it- you keep trying to give it to me.

I am being quite serious as well.

Someone tell me why my decision to back out of that conversation is such a problem for you. I have made a choice to not engage in it at this time- that does not make me a victim. It is not theatrics- it's just a choice to not continue with that vein of the discussion at the moment.

Instead of respecting that you keep at me- as if I need to respond in a certain way at a certain time. I needed to step back and wait to discuss it- and you won't let it go.

[Nephythys]

No headache- thanks for asking.

Nope, not emotionally exhausted- but thanks for your concern.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Neph, I have to agree with GD. This is a discussion board. Simply posting a link without providing any commentary that lends itself to a discussion doesn't really get us very far. Just my own opinion but when I see a link that someone provides, I also want to know what their view on the topic is in a way that provokes discussion. I see a lot of provoking but I don't see a lot of reasoned discussion.

Also, for the purposes of discussion, I think it is appropriate (and polite) to answer questions when they are posed to you, even the tough ones. Even "I don't know" or "I really can't answer that" is better than just ignoring the question and changing the subject.

I've always felt that if you truly believe something, you can defend it in a non-aggressive manner. Sure there is going to be occasional snark but in this case, I think what is being perceived as a pile on is merely frustration at attempts to have a reasonable discussion that are often met with being ignored or rolled eyes smilies or anger. I'd much rather you defended your positions in a way that lends itself to honest discussion because then we might better understand each others positions. Doesn't mean we will agree but that is ok too. Anything is better than repeating these catfights every few weeks.

[€uroMeinke]

Kinda reminds me of the Ralph Waldo Emerson quote:

I hate quotations. Tell me what you know.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by €uroMeinke

Kinda reminds me of the Ralph Waldo Emerson quote:

Someone's been listening to KCRW

So, a lot of talk about Rummy...what about Gates? I'm cautiously optomistic. His association with Sr. is a plus. While I didn't love daddy's politics, he is a reasnaoble human being and the Gulf War was run pretty professionally. And Gates was serving on the comittee that was getting ready to make recomendations on strategy change in Iraq, so he's obviously open to reevaluation.

But then, his history of single-minded skewed world view towards blaming everything on the Soviets recalls Dubya's own propensity to try to make everything fit with his "It's all Saddam's fault" view. Hopefully Gates has grown out of that and he'll bring a more open mind to the position.

Hopefully.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Someone's been listening to KCRW

Tee Hee - I've been experienceing a lot of media synergy lately

[innerSpaceman]

I'm not too comfortable with Gates. Iran-Contra and all that. He was a lying creep then, and I don't think political Tigers change their stripes.

Not that I'd likely be comfortable with anyone who might be nominated to head the Dept. of Defense.



(oh, and pssst, Neph ... the way to back out of an internet discussion is to simply stop posting for a while. Writing a half dozen posts about trying to back out is NOT backing out.)

[wendybeth]

Isn't it kind of weird that Ortega is back in power in Nicaragua as well now? I wonder what we'll sell to Iran this time.