The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux) - Page 64

scaeagles · 05-10-2006, 06:17 AM

I find it interesting that in a world where tolerance and openness to ideas is supposed to be a sign of enlightenment that people are unwilling to listen to those who think differently.

GC, we share differing opinions. Would you turn your back on me should I be speaking because of that?

Let's say (purely hypothetically, of course) that BC invited an openly homosexual speaker. As the position of the Catholic Church is not a pro homossexual position, would you find it acceptable or offensive for students to turn their backs?

Gemini Cricket · 05-10-2006, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I find it interesting that in a world where tolerance and openness to ideas is supposed to be a sign of enlightenment that people are unwilling to listen to those who think differently.

That seems to be something that's learned isn't it? I mean, this is one of the most secretive and stealthy administrations in US history. I'm sure they can recognize their own tactics of not paying attention...

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaeagles

GC, we share differing opinions. Would you turn your back on me should I be speaking because of that?

It would depend upon what you were speaking about.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Let's say (purely hypothetically, of course) that BC invited an openly homosexual speaker. As the position of the Catholic Church is not a pro homossexual position, would you find it acceptable or offensive for students to turn their backs?

Yes. If that's what they believed. I don't agree, but I understand it.

I have come to learn that there are grey areas in the CC. Not everyone agrees on everything. I'd cling to hoping that not everyone in the CC agrees with the CC on homosexuality and marriage equality. Our intern, for example, is Catholic and is pro-marriage equality. So is my dad. Good for them!

ie. I don't know where I stand as far as this immigration fight goes. But as I posted somewhere else here, it is nice to see people expressing themselves. I saw the Boston Common protests live. I didn't agree with everyone, but I would fight for their right to speak out as they were.

scaeagles · 05-10-2006, 06:52 AM

Alright. That's cool. While I wouldn't go out of my way to listen to someone speak that I disagree with, should I find myself at an event where the person speaking was someone with opinions I am completely opposed to, I would be polite and listen.

In terms of expressing that they don't want someone to speak, I can see where that's not a problem. But the right to express themselves certainly ends when they enter the venue in which the speaker will be speaking, as now the house rules apply or they can be expelled.

scaeagles · 05-10-2006, 07:22 AM

Politics makes for strange bedfellows....Rupert Murdoch is hosting a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton.

Gemini Cricket · 05-10-2006, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Politics makes for strange bedfellows....Rupert Murdoch is hosting a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton.

That seems so odd to me. I'm wondering who is becoming more like who?

Alex · 05-10-2006, 10:04 AM

Congress has been moved to Lake Wobegon.

I was browsing through the details of the latest NYT/CBS poll that is all over the news and found this:

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job? 23% approve

How about the Representative in Congress from your district? Do you approve or disapprove of the way your Representative is handling his or her job? 53% approve.

In Lake Wobegon all of the Congressman are above average. Not that this is new, according to the historical numbers in June 1978 the same two numbers were 30% and 60%. It also shows that no matter how much people are unhappy with the president they are pretty much equally or more unhappy with Congress (in 30 years the approval rating for Congress has rarely tipped over 50%).

Question #13 is also interesting ("Do you think the economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?") in that it shows that public opinion of how the economy is doing doesn't correlate very well with what the economy is actually doing.

Question #33 also reinforces that the general public isn't necessarily the smartest group of people. 63% think the president can do a lot to control the price of gas. Though it does shed a light on a political problem when you are held responsible for something over which you have little control.

The historical numbers on party approval are interesting since it shows that the party out of power in congress tends to have higher approval numbers (the grass is always greener).

In the "Sometimes we lie to the pollster" category there is Question 54 in which 63% say they are driving less because of high gas prices. This doesn't conform at all the fact that demand for gasoline has not dropped and other polls indicate that driving plans for this summer are up slightly over last year.

sleepyjeff · 05-10-2006, 10:10 AM

Very interesting info there Alex.

Gemini Cricket · 05-10-2006, 10:12 AM

The problem I have is that even if there is a huge shift of power to the Dems, I feel like we'll be having the same story in the media about corruption in about 6 or 7 years from now. Only this time the color will be blue instead of red.
:shurg:

sleepyjeff · 05-10-2006, 10:18 AM

If you're looking for an end to political corruption you may have a very long wait........it has been around since before the cave man.

scaeagles · 05-10-2006, 10:21 AM

The general public is stupid. I really mean that. Uninformed, under educated.

I don't mean that about anyone here. I don't regard anyone here as stupid.

This is why I pay little attention to polls. I don't care what the general public thinks, to be frank. Most of that general public can't find Mississippi on a map (according to a recent study.....the reaction to the study was "we need a special program to deal with this lack of knowledge". Seriously. How about school to deal with this lack of knowledge? Anyway, I digress....).

The "gas price" question doesn't surprise me in the least, because our society has been led by politicians to believe (sadly, my republican party is now counted among those) that government is there to solve all of our problems. Gas prices too high? The President should be able to fix it!

Bleh.

05-10-2006, 06:17 AM	#631
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	I find it interesting that in a world where tolerance and openness to ideas is supposed to be a sign of enlightenment that people are unwilling to listen to those who think differently. GC, we share differing opinions. Would you turn your back on me should I be speaking because of that? Let's say (purely hypothetically, of course) that BC invited an openly homosexual speaker. As the position of the Catholic Church is not a pro homossexual position, would you find it acceptable or offensive for students to turn their backs?
	Submit to Quotes

05-10-2006, 06:52 AM	#633
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	Alright. That's cool. While I wouldn't go out of my way to listen to someone speak that I disagree with, should I find myself at an event where the person speaking was someone with opinions I am completely opposed to, I would be polite and listen. In terms of expressing that they don't want someone to speak, I can see where that's not a problem. But the right to express themselves certainly ends when they enter the venue in which the speaker will be speaking, as now the house rules apply or they can be expelled.
	Submit to Quotes

05-10-2006, 07:22 AM	#634
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	Politics makes for strange bedfellows....Rupert Murdoch is hosting a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton.
	Submit to Quotes

05-10-2006, 10:04 AM	#636
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Congress has been moved to Lake Wobegon. I was browsing through the details of the latest NYT/CBS poll that is all over the news and found this: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job? 23% approve How about the Representative in Congress from your district? Do you approve or disapprove of the way your Representative is handling his or her job? 53% approve. In Lake Wobegon all of the Congressman are above average. Not that this is new, according to the historical numbers in June 1978 the same two numbers were 30% and 60%. It also shows that no matter how much people are unhappy with the president they are pretty much equally or more unhappy with Congress (in 30 years the approval rating for Congress has rarely tipped over 50%). Question #13 is also interesting ("Do you think the economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?") in that it shows that public opinion of how the economy is doing doesn't correlate very well with what the economy is actually doing. Question #33 also reinforces that the general public isn't necessarily the smartest group of people. 63% think the president can do a lot to control the price of gas. Though it does shed a light on a political problem when you are held responsible for something over which you have little control. The historical numbers on party approval are interesting since it shows that the party out of power in congress tends to have higher approval numbers (the grass is always greener). In the "Sometimes we lie to the pollster" category there is Question 54 in which 63% say they are driving less because of high gas prices. This doesn't conform at all the fact that demand for gasoline has not dropped and other polls indicate that driving plans for this summer are up slightly over last year.
	Submit to Quotes

05-10-2006, 10:10 AM	#637
sleepyjeff Go Hawks Go! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parkrose Posts: 2,632	Very interesting info there Alex. __________________ River Guardian-less
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05-10-2006, 10:12 AM	#638
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	The problem I have is that even if there is a huge shift of power to the Dems, I feel like we'll be having the same story in the media about corruption in about 6 or 7 years from now. Only this time the color will be blue instead of red. :shurg:
	Submit to Quotes

05-10-2006, 10:18 AM	#639
sleepyjeff Go Hawks Go! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parkrose Posts: 2,632	If you're looking for an end to political corruption you may have a very long wait........it has been around since before the cave man. __________________ River Guardian-less
	Submit to Quotes

05-10-2006, 10:21 AM	#640
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	The general public is stupid. I really mean that. Uninformed, under educated. I don't mean that about anyone here. I don't regard anyone here as stupid. This is why I pay little attention to polls. I don't care what the general public thinks, to be frank. Most of that general public can't find Mississippi on a map (according to a recent study.....the reaction to the study was "we need a special program to deal with this lack of knowledge". Seriously. How about school to deal with this lack of knowledge? Anyway, I digress....). The "gas price" question doesn't surprise me in the least, because our society has been led by politicians to believe (sadly, my republican party is now counted among those) that government is there to solve all of our problems. Gas prices too high? The President should be able to fix it! Bleh.
	Submit to Quotes