The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

I understand the urge to defend yourself scaeagles, but you're really just as guilty in perpetuating the Godwin tangent as anyone. You could just as easily change the subject or stop addressing that one.

Everytime I get out they keep pulling me back in. I did try to stop, but JW kept pressing for an answer.

I think the Godwin angle is a bore, too. What about the element flippyshark brought up? Do you disagree with the sense that conservatives tend more to complain about the not-yet-happened than progressives do? Or do you think that's an equal-opportunity failing as well?

I think it depends on the issue. I would agree conservatives do tend to be more paranoid about what could happen. I think the left, however, does tend to extrapolate on what could happen. Whether one agreed with FISA (that was the phone conversation monitoring? was that the right acronym?) or not, I always thought it funny that so many were worried that the government had the time, desire, or resources to be even interested in their conversations. Without a doubt the potential for abuse did (and does, unless I missed some repealing of it recently) exist, but I wasn't concerned about it. It seemed the left was incredibly paranoid about the potential. And the charges of the government abuse of it were certainly there prior to passage.

Which is what I think the health care debate comes down to. It is a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG bill, and as with any legislation, there is potential for abuse, varied interpretations, and unintended consequences. Are some being put forth ridiculous? Certainly. Are all extrapolations? No.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Whether one agreed with FISA (that was the phone conversation monitoring? was that the right acronym?)

FISA is the act (and by extension the court process defined by that act) that was circumvented to carry out the wiretapping. Perhaps there was some extrapolation as to where the ultimate endpoint was, but the fact was that the administration had already started making up their own rules and had already actively played CYA games by declaring the President above the law to do the thing it had already done by not submitting their actions to the FISA court for review.

[Gemini Cricket]

Ding ding ding! We have a winnah!

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Ding ding ding! We have a winnah!

I must spread some Mojo around before giving it to Gemini Cricket again.

[Betty]

Originally Posted by Andrew

I must spread some Mojo around before giving it to Gemini Cricket again.

No worries - I mojo'd him up good!