The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[Alex]

Which is the same as getting "rid of the filibuster altogether" how?

Even if implemented, the rules change that some Republicans were after in relation to presidential nominations would not have prevented the filibuster of a non-binding position statement.

As for the square dance that happens whenever power changes sides, I heartily recommend the final story of last weekend's This American Life (available as a podcast). It was a very amusing look at how both sides do it, both sides then bitch about the other side doing it, and both sides pretend that it is somehow worse this time around.

[wendybeth]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Frist 12/13/2004
Article

It sounds pretty clear to me that they wanted filibustering of all Bush's nominees to end.

I remember very clearly the HateRadio calls for the end to filibustering. Robert Bork was on one of them and the host made that very suggestion to him, probably expecting Bork to agree. Instead, Bork made a very reasoned and vehement statement against such a move, and spelled out the many ways it would harm the Republicans in the long run. I'll have to try and find the transcript if I can.

[JWBear]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

It also sounds a lot like the treatment of those who, despite massive evidence to the contrary continue to believe that the world is flat and the earth is the center of the universe.

I would hope that a state paleontologist who believes that dinosaur bones are a joke played by god to trick us would be fired (and would find it difficult to get a job). I would hope that a doctor who literally (and always) believes that laughter is the best medicine would find tenure difficult to acquire. A USDA agricultural biologist proposing Lamarckian genetics shouldn't be allowed within a mile of a corn field (see Lysenko, Trofim).

Like it or not, a view that the earth is not warming is way outside the mainstream. And while less so, disputing its anthrogenic nature is still pretty far outside the mainstream and in a very small minority.

Academic freedom is important in a university setting when it comes to direct state employees, the state should have people squarely in the mainstream.

I say that with absolutely no knowledge of the specific case in question.

Absolutly!

[JWBear]

Taylor is listed as a scientific adviser for a group that receives money from ExxonMobil and says on its Web site that escalating greenhouse gases are good for the Earth, promoting plant life and bringing "growth and prosperity to man and nature alike.

Which makes him completely impartial and unbiased….

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

The Republicans want to filibuster Iraq debate. Weren't they the ones saying that we should get rid of filibustering altogether.

They only want to get rid of it when they are in power.

[Gemini Cricket]

I think you totally know what I mean when I posted what I posted. I know you're not obtuse. I'm not about to be your audience while you lecture this board yet again about semantics and then ask for an explanation of each and every one of my words.

[Alex]

I asked for no explanation, I simply disagreed with what you said. You then lectured me on how I was wrong and in so doing highlighted the error of your original statement.

I don't have a secret decoder ring to let me know that when GC says "altogether" he means "not altogether but rather in a certain limited situation." If you could provide me with a table of such things it would help avoid these periodic flare-ups where you get annoyed that I assume you mean what you say.

And I honestly have no idea what you meant to say since the alternative (since Republicans opposed X they are hypocritical to support Y) doesn't even make sense. So color me obtuse.

[Gemini Cricket]

Re-read post #2173.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Re-read post #2173.

Ok, I have. I stand by post #2174.

Or, when you said #2174 did you mean something else and I'm just supposed to know what you meant to say?

I think you know why you and I have trouble conversing, but I really don't know how to fix it. The way it seems to me is that you write things and you think the fundamentally important thing about it is the feeling that went into it and not so much what it actually says.

Whereas I have no idea what feelings went into it so I rely on what it actually says. I still have (and this gods honest truth, not some attempt to get you to say something I can further pounce on) no idea what you meant to say other than what you actually said.

[Gemini Cricket]

Gavin Newsom cheated on his wife with another woman?
Awww, there goes my hopes for being First Lady of San Francisco.

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Gavin Newsom cheated on his wife with another woman?
Awww, there goes my hopes for being First Lady of San Francisco.

Gavin Newsom divorced his wife a couple of years ago. He shtooped the wife of his campaign manager. Newsom remains single, so anything's possible.