Turned Around

1. Mark Patton 7.29.04 / 5am

   I think you are taking that out of context. I believe that is from a press conference discussing Sadam Husseun and his unwillingness to get rid of W.M.D.

   “I am prepared to filibuster, if necessary, any Supreme Court nominee who would turn back the clock on a woman’s right to choose…” John Kerry (Jun 20, 2003)

   “I oppose abortion, personally. I don’t like abortion. I believe life does begin at conception.” John Kerry (Jul 5, 2004)

   Well which is it John? A woman has the right to choose what she does with her own body, or do you oppose it.

   I just dont know what would happen to us if this guy gets elected. I think as a country, at this time, we need to focus more on national safety than anything else. But that is the problem with democrats. They dont think ahead. They dont think about the 5 suitcase sized nuclear weapons that are missing from the soviet union and are most certainly being held by terrorist, possibly in the United States.

   They dont think about an attack on the United States and how we would react or possibly retaliate.

   All they want to think about is “What can you give me today…What can I get for free.” It is almost disheartning as a nation.

   Im sorry these are just some things I think about when im at the ATM pushing “1″ for english. Because I LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES. I believe that if you are selling me a Dairy Queen shake, a pack of cigarettes, or hotel room you do it in English. As of matter of fact, if you are an American citizen you should speak English. My uncles and forefathers shouldn’t have had to die in vain so you can leave the countries you were born in to come disrespect ours, and make us bend to your will

   By the way Mr. Kerry…how many purple hearts did you win. Im not sure ive heard the count today.
2. Paul Lumpkin 7.29.04 / 4pm

   Not to get in a tit for tat, Bush v. Kerry quotefest (‘cuz I know know my man George W. can say some silly things) but one of my favorite Kerry quotes is :

   “I actually did vote for his $87 billion, before I voted against it.” John Kerry, March 16, 2004 on funding for the war in Iraq.

   On a lighter side of the presidential candidates this year I hope Saturday Night Live can bring back Will Ferrell as W. this season. I thought he was downright hilarious portraying him during the last election. As for Kerry, I have no idea who they are going to get to play him.
3. Michael 7.29.04 / 4pm

   Mark -

   I respect that you feel passionately about this, but let’s not argue the fact that Bush just isn’t that bright. Whatever the context of the quote, simple logic associations should not be so hard to come by for the leader of the most powerful country in the world. If just using grammar and logic correctly in speeches is taxing for him that concerns me. And when you have leagues of websites solely devoted to capturing Bushisms I think it is fair to say the intelligence argument might have some merit. I don’t think the president need be a Rhodes scholar, but I’m sure that many parts of the president’s job demand much more mental effort than that which is required to speak in public. I would just feel better with somebody that I felt was up for the task.

   As for Kerry’s waffling on the issue of abortion, this may sound insensitive, but I don’t care. It’s not a deciding issue for my vote.

   I agree with you that national security is going to be one of if not the biggest issue facing the next administration. However I disagree with you that the Bush administration is capable of dealing with it. A foreign policy that consists of identifying ‘evil’ sovereign nations and forcibly subjecting them to our form of government isn’t one that works. It never has and it never will. I’d like to see an administration in the white house whose foreign policy is a little more than just kicking ass. And even some long time conservatives agree that the Bush administration isn’t going to get there from here.

   One of the other things that I don’t like about the Bush administration is the deceit and arrogance they apply to advance their politics. I’m not too naive. I know most politicians bend the truth. I know that Clinton really did have sex with Monica even though he said he didn’t. I guess sadly that’s just part of the game these days, but my tolerance towards politics as usual ends with presidential abuse of power. The president is entrusted with the ultimate power and with that power comes tremendous responsibility to use that power thoughtfully, carefully, and only when absolutely necessary. The president should never have the power to go to war without a declaration of war from congress, which he should only receive after proving his case to go to war. The president simply stating that he knows we need to go to war – isn’t good enough for me and it isn’t good enough our troops.

   Before you label me Hanoi-Mike here’s what Lincoln (the first Republican president – not a left wing pansy) had to say on the subect.

   Allow the President to invade a neighboring nation whenever he shall deem it necessary to repel an invasion and you allow him to do so whenever he may choose to say he deems it necessary for such purpose, and you allow him to make war at pleasure….

   If today he should choose to say he thinks it necessary to invade Canada to prevent the British from invading us, how could you stop him? You may say to him, “I see no probability of the British invading us,” but he will say to you, “Be silent; I see it, if you don’t.”

   [Abraham Lincoln, in an 1848 letter to his law partner, William Herndon, criticizing Polk's decision to invade Mexico for the purpose of preventing future war (and, in essence, pointing out some of the flaws in what is now called the "Bush Doctrine of Preventative War"), quoted from a letter published in the Post Crescent by Jack Bradford, quoted from a December 26, 2003, letter to Cliff Walker by Robert Nordlander ††]

   But abusing his power by misleading the public to justify a preventative war is exactly what I think he’s done.

   The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa.
   [Bush, State of the Union, 1/28/03]

   In March 2002, both the CIA and State Department learned that evidence linking Iraq to Niger was unfounded. In October, CIA Director Tenet personally intervened with Condoleezza Rice’s deputy National Security Advisor to have the charge removed from Bush’s speech to the nation. Rice herself was sent a memo debunking the claim. In January, just days before Bush uttered the false charge CIA officials tried again to remove the language, but the White House insisted it remain — with added the caveat that they had received the information from British sources.
   [Bush State of the Union, 1/28/03; Time, 7/21/03 Issue; Hadley/Bartlett Gaggle, 7/22/03; New York Times, 7/13/03; Washington Post, 7/20/03; NPR, 6/19/03]

   My problem isn’t with the Republican platform it is with this administration, and specifically this administration’s foregin policy (or lack thereof). I’m not voting based on tax cuts, gay marriage, political party, or abortion issues. My vote is going to the guy that I think can best lead and protect our country and do it honestly, openly, and thoughtfully. And I’ve already seen enough from Bush et al. And I think barring a last minute affair or Willie Horton reveal a lot of other folks that don’t align themselves with the dems will be voting the same way. But that’s just my opinion…I could be wrong
4. Paul 7.29.04 / 6pm

   Mike,

   I do not think that I have done that much reasearch on anything that I have written since my last paper at Auburn. Quite impressive. Just to pick your brain, if you could choose any democrat to be president (including Kerry) who would you choose? I would have to choose Joe Leiberman. That guy is wonderful to listen to. I do not agree with everything he says, but when he talks about a topic, he tells you where he stands, and then gives you the reasons why. I do not know why he was out of the democratic primary so early. I guess he isn’t as flashy as the rest of the dems, but (in my opinion) I think he is the one of the few with any substance. Why Al Sharpton gets more air time than Lieberman I will never know.
5. Mark Patton 7.29.04 / 8pm

   Mike,

   I really cant believe you are saying these words. You are willing to accept a president who lies under oath, commits audultry in the oval office, and leaves our troops out on the battle fields to die and pass it off as merely, “I guess sadly that’s just part of the game these days.”

   You are correct in stating that the ‘presidency’ is entrusted with the ultimate power and with that power comes tremendous responsibility, which the democrats have historically shown they cannot handle.

   Although Bush may not appear to be all that intellegent in his speaking and mannerisms, lets not forget that he is a brilliant business man and I’m sure he is able to tell you what the definition of IS is. Bush’s intellegence can be seen in the personal wealth and accomplishments he has to his name. Kerry’s can be seen by the amount of his wife’s family’s money he spends. Which, when you get to the heart of it, seems to be typical of the democratic creed. “Who is going to pay our way today.”

   As we all know the presidency is way bigger than any one man. And in this day and age of terrorism and the constant threat of some sort of retaliation, I would rather vote for an administration that is going to continue to keep this the most powerful nation in the world. And not one that will simply roll over. We need an administration that is going to show up for work in the morning. During Kerry’s career as a senator he has had an 89% absentee rate.

   As for me…tax cuts are just as important as national security. Im tired of paying the way for others in this country just because they live on this side of the border. Many of which steal my tax dollars from me each month and are not even leagal citizens.

   Do you realize that there was more puclic outcry when Ty announced that they would stop manufacturing beanie babies than at the fact that the goverment steals almost 40% of your income each year due to the tax laws put in place by the Clinton administration?

   And as for Al Sharpton…dont even get me started on that jack ass.
6. Michael 7.29.04 / 9pm

   Paul -

   Thanks for the props on the research! Honestly I don’t know which democrat I would have liked to see get the nomination. I think the democratic congressional leadership is too busy fighting political battles to really define what they stand for. Especially Gephardt all that guy ever does is disagree with the republicans. I was hoping Dean would make it further, but then he went crazy and started screaming. From the right, I’d like to see John McCain get the nod one of these years. He seems like he hasn’t (yet) sold his soul to the special interests.

   Paul & Mark - Guys I’m not some freaking New England, flag burning, war protesting liberal. I’m just calling this one like I see it. I’d be just as content to vote for a moderate republican as a moderate democrat, but I don’t have that choice this time.

   Mark -

   Lying about having an affair and lying about facts used to justify a country going to war aren’t the same – they aren’t even in the same ballpark. To me personally, our going to war in Iraq and the [mis]use of facts that got us there, is the single most important issue. Every other issue pales in comparison to abuse of power by the command and chief. Having said that I’ll offer my opinions to your comments, but, like I said, I think they all come after having a responsible and honest commander and chief of our military.

   Point 1: Bush is not a great businessman. Bush was born into oil money. He’s lived a privileged life – just like Kerry. He’s never had to “make it” in his life. I think “brilliant businessman” is a bit of a stretch.

   Point 2: The tax cuts aren’t such a great deal. I am acutely aware of the tax rate applied to people in our tax bracket. Nobody likes taxes and everybody agrees taxes are too high. Tax cuts that are funded through reducing the size of the federal government are great by me. I’m not so sure that we aren’t really paying more for these tax cuts than we’ll ever receive. I wonder if that’s because these tax cuts weren’t intended for you and me?

   So just to be clear, I’m not arguing against tax cuts. I don’t have too much money or feel the need to give more to the government. I just don’t see how we can grow the size of the federal government, increase (deficit) spending, and give ourselves a tax cut. I just don’t follow the math. Shouldn’t the government cut spending before enacting tax cuts? Otherwise aren’t they just borrowing money from us later to pay us money now? And aren’t we (or our kids) going to have to pay off that loan to ourselves one day?

   Point 3: Showing up for work. If that statistic is accurate that sucks that any public official would take advantage of their position that way. But to be fair Bush isn’t much better about showing up for work.

   But like I said all of the issues you’ve raised, for me, don’t compare to what’s happened with Iraq. I don’t agree with the process (or lack there of) that led to the war. I think lying/deceiving/misleading/even stretching the truth about facts that ultimately lead us into war is an inexcusable offense. People’s lives have been lost and the lives of others still fighting there are on the line. To me the responsible managing of our military is the most important issue for any president. And I think this one dropped the ball.
7. Mark Patton 7.30.04 / 7am

   Mike,

   Unfortunalty you and I are probably never going to agree on the subject. However, I dont consider the steps Bush took that got us into war as lying. I think he was mislead by the lack of intellegence he was given. Clinton flat out lied. And has admited to it in his book. And the sad part of it is..he is making millions off of his book deal in which he admits to lying and decieving the American people. Do you think that the Clintons are going to pay their fair share of taxes off of the millions they are making? At any rate Clinton is not really the issue in our dicussion.

   Im not happy about the fact that many many lives have been lost do to this war. And I would never take for granted the heros that defend our nation day in and day out. I do however, think that this was a necessary evil to help rid the world of terrorist. Back to Clinton real quick…no body got this upset at Clinton’s “Wag the Dog” campaign in which he started bombing Iraq.

   You are right the tax cuts werent really inteded for you or I, however I will take them where I can get them. Unfortunatly, im not one of those Americans that thinks people like the two guys on NBC’s “The Casino” that have made millions by the age of 35, should have to pay higher taxes to cover the low lifes that reside in the projects of our inner cities. These types of people have worked very hard, harder than I and have done things that I sure as hell wouldnt want to do, so they should be able to keep as much of their money as they can. Thats probably a terrible example since there are no taxes in Nevada.

   But my point is this…If im given..No wait, If I EARN $1000.00. I pay taxes on it. I take that money and I invest it company stock and the stock doubles..I then pay taxes on the next $1000.00 gain.

   On the same note, if a local democratic welfare reciepient, who refuses to get a job, because they are paid more through welfare than they can get at the local wal-mart working for a living, recieves $1000.00 and chooses to purchase crack from a local street vendor, they pay nothing on their investment.

   My point is, just because I do something smart with my money im penalized. Our current system, set in place by democrats, penalizes work, discourages marriage, and encourages illegitimacy.

   When Clinton took office he swore up and down that he would put an end to welfare as we know it. During his presidency nearly a million more people enrolled in “welfare as we know it.” And today, 600,000 more children are living on “welfare as we know it.”

   But I digress again.

   I do think that everyone should pay their fair share. You cant run the nation without it. And no matter what happens, this is still the bset nation in the world to live in. I wouldnt want to live anywhere else.

   Im glad we have this medium in which to dicuss these topics. God Bless Al Gore for creating the internet. Oh no wait….I guess I was temporarily blinded by more democratic lies.
8. Michael 7.30.04 / 10am

   I guess well just agree to hate each other.

   Lincoln and Douglas got nothing on us.
9. Paul 7.30.04 / 6pm

   Okay, no hate’n needs to be going on here. Even though everyone can’t agree all the time, at least you both can consider yourself well informed voters.

   On a less intelligent note, are these blogs? I keep hearing about blogs (or bloggs) and since I am not very computer savy I am assuming this is a blog page(?). Please don’t laugh if this is a stupid question. (Okay laugh, I am sure I deserve it, I just feel like the new kid playing D & D in your parents basement and I am the only one who did not show up in a warlock costume.)
10. Michael 7.31.04 / 4pm

    Paul you had me crying with laughter – the only one who didn’t show up in a warlock costume – that’s great! Yes this is a blog. I originally started this when I moved out to Seattle. I wanted to be able to share what I was seeing and doing with family and friends. I’ve been posting a bunch of pictures to shutterfly.com and writing about what’s been happening here.

    Not that anyone is interested in what’s happening with me but it’s still fun to use to argue with Mark.

    You should start one for the Kirby Chronicles.

    If you’re interested check out blogger and Shuterfly.
11. Mark Patton 8.2.04 / 6am

    Man thats the stupids question I ever heard. Nah just kidding. You should do one Paul. They are pretty cool. I had one, I’ll get one again later.

    So we dont agree on anything political. You see that is what makes this country great. Some places you may get a bullet in the head for disagreeing with the establishment.

    On a side note, did either of you catch the Michael Moore/Bill O’Rielly interview?

Powered by Hemingway flavored Wordpress.

Entries RSS Comments RSS