"John McCain first met Palin in February of this year and had a telephone conversation with her. That is the full extent of his familiarity with Palin until he spent time with her last week. That's how seriously he is taking the presidency of the United States. It's simply unbelievable recklessness. It's Bush-level recklessness.
Putting country first? This is a reckless act of egotism and politics. The more you think about it, and the more you consider how many charges he has leveled against Obama's alleged inexperience in a time of peril, the more outrageous it is that she he picks an unknown local politician he has only met once before to be a heartbeat away from the presidency.
Palin isn't the issue here. McCain's judgment is. It's completely off the wall. Is there something wrong with him?" - Rick Powell via Bookmarklet
"Think about what the Palin pick really says about how McCain views this campaign and how he views his potential responsibilities in national security. Think about what it says about the sincerity of McCain's own central criticism of Obama these past two months in foreign affairs. Think about how he picked a woman to be a heartbeat away from a war presidency who hadn't even thought much, by her own admission, about the Iraq war as late as 2007. Think about how he made this decision barely knowing the woman." - Anthony Citrano via Bookmarklet
From the page: "Whatever the political calculations involved in picking a veep, the most important qualification for the vice presidency is the ability to assume the presidency in a crisis. Given that of the last 12 presidents, three have either died or resigned, this is hardly a hypothetical consideration--in fact, given that McCain is 72, it is a very real consideration. Harry Truman, Lyndon Johnson, and Gerald Ford all faced multiple foreign policy crises immediately upon assuming office, whether it was the onset of the Cold War, the North's invasion of South Korea, the Vietnam War, or the withering of detente and the resulting increase in nuclear tension with the Soviet Union. The next president will have to finish the denuclearization of North Korea; prevent the nuclearization of Iran; organize a departure from Iraq that maintains some level of stability; defeat a resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan; establish, nurture, and make the most of a relationship with Pakistan's new... - William Harryman
my feeling about this is that experience, of the beltway/lobbyist-beholden/election-driven eternal suckass kind, is highly overrated ... intelligence, a heart, a fresh eye, and god help us, common sense are a lot more valuable than establishment figures assume.. hell, even i could have done better than george bush, in katrina or iraq ... so .... - gregory lent
Well, it might have been nice if she had actually formed an opinion about the Iraq War before 2007. Apparently, she's only now thinking about it. And this is who John McCain wants to put a heartbeat away from the Presidency. Unbelievable. - Rick Powell
"There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others." - Anthony Citrano
"i smoke two joints in the morning, i smoke two joints at night. i smoke two joints in the afternoon. it makes me feel alright" - Nick
"i smoke two joints in time of peace, and two in time of war. i smoke two joints before i smoked two joints, and then i smoked two more." - Nick
"So one tenth of her campaign financing in 2002 was from oil company bosses, she's being investigated by her own legislature for a scandal where she appointed a sexual harasser, she vetoed wind and clean coal energy projects, and wanted to impose Christianist censorship on public libraries. I mean: did anyone even vet her?" - Rick Powell via Bookmarklet
"Here's I fear the worst harm that may be done by this selection. The McCain campaign's slogan is "country first." It's a good slogan, and it aptly describes John McCain, one of the most self-sacrificing, gallant, and honorable men ever to seek the presidency.
But question: If it were your decision, and you were putting your country first, would you put an untested small-town mayor a heartbeat away from the presidency?" - Rick Powell via Bookmarklet
"Pier Paolo Pasolini's "Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom" contains some of the most repellent and disturbing imagery ever put on film and was instantly banned in Pasolini's native Italy upon its release in 1975. But that's not the only reason why production history alone has assured "Salò" a morbid notoriety: Pasolini was murdered under highly suspicious circumstances prior to the completed film's contentious premiere." - Rick Powell via Bookmarklet
Looking at her track record in Alaska, I can see it much more easily than Obama - Kevin A. Pierpont
If you are voting on experience your Obama rose-colored glasses must be on full BLIND mode if you want to play the experience issue. Go ahead and walk into that Republican trap--that's a debate the GOP would love to have. - Andrew Leyden
I agree, if you look at her track record she is a better choice for chief executive. . . - Greer Trice
She supports creationism - unbelievable - Dave Hodson
I can't imagine a luddite leading the US in the 21st century. - Tad - just Tad
I thought it was a clever move when I heard the news. But now that I heard her speak, I am not so sure. - Dorai
She is very beautiful...maybe too beautiful? - Cory Brown
Change? A person who's been in the senate longer than John McCain, or a person who's actually made changes as Governor? - Richard
I'd love to have a beautiful president! One who was also a champion for progress, science and technology. - Tad - just Tad
@Richard but the change won't come from the VP seat... - aka Taylor
Was she Miss Alaska or something one time? As a woman, I want someone who is smart, articulate and understands science and technology, not pretty looking. Puh-leaze! - Sally Church
Michele Obama will bring some hotness to the White House. - Rod Bauer via twhirl
@aka Taylor I agree with your statement, but the democrats made such a big deal about VP Cheney, they can't go back now and say the VP seat is no big deal. - Richard
Andrew: you want a trap? Wait for the Biden-Palin debate. Ouch. - Rod Bauer via twhirl
Wow, have you seen the aftermath of the DNC in Denver? All the trash left behind by the environmentally friendly party? - Richard
Pro-life. Creationist. McCain does love the right wing. - Russellreno
I saw his buyer's remorse screaming:) - Roney Smith
@Richard the point being the direction of the administration comes from the President not the VP. The VP can lend experience and does play a major role in the administration but to say the VP is going to make the change that is needed when the Presidential canidate is the farthest thing from change is pretty rose colored glasses.. - aka Taylor
He did look uncomfortable about it. I thought it was just me - Rahsheen(isSoAwesome)
Just a factual question--at about what point did he look uncomfortable (I was listening not watching and want to see for myself). Kind of curious now. - Andrew Leyden
How does McCain differentiate himself from Bush and the last 8 years of misery to dissaffected moderates now? - Sally Church
@Rod Bauer Good point. The trap is also for Biden. He has more to lose, especially if he puts his foot in his mouth. - Andrew Leyden
Leo - There's nothing left to talk about. McCain has hit a home run and just sewed up the HRC voters that BO took a crap on by not even vetting her. Just out of spite, McCain just got a large number of HRC supporters on board who are resentful of BO. - Alberto Lopez
As my friend said, Palin might get the Hillary women who read Redbook and watch HGTV, but the Ms. readers might not jump ship. Wonder if that will be enough? - Andrew Leyden
McCain didn't add any HRC supporters who can think for themselves. - Tad - just Tad
So when we hit reply by twitter it goes to Leo or the person who had a twitter in the comment? Sorry to pound Leo's twitter account if the first is what happens. - Andrew Leyden
Tad++, he just got the irrational ones who would probably vote against Obama anyway because they are bitter about HRC being out of it. - Rahsheen(isSoAwesome)
Jake and Tad, I wouldn't underestimate the power of this. I know three pretty intelligent age-50+ women who have a smidge of misplaced feminism that forces them to consistently make choices based on gender over issue (and openly lambaste younger women who don't automatically side with women on the issue of the day). All backed Hill and are tepid to Obama, and I can see all three of them having an extremely hard time voting AGAINST a woman in November out of some kinda feminist guilt. - Kevin Hessel
My first thought upon hearing: Who the fuck is she? And second thought: He really doesn't think he's going to win, does he? - Rick Powell
@Andrew - A friend mentioned just that thing this morning. - Christopher Welle
We already trail countries like China and Japan in terms of math and science, so by all means, let's teach creationism and fall even further behind. I don't put my politics in your religion, so please keep your religion out of my politics. There have always been private schools for including religious instruction, and I oughta know, since I did 12 years of it. - Cyndy
I also believe in the Constitution, which says "separation of church and state"... i.e. don't teach your religion in public schools... which she wants to do. - Jason Carreira
How much will you pay me for not becoming a Creationist, Tad? - l0ckergn0me
Chris, I'll write ya a check for $0.02! - Tad - just Tad
@l0ckergn0me it only counts if you're nominated for national office ;) - Jason Carreira
I have no problem at all with Christians in the White House. None. I just don't want anti-science luddites in office any more. We just finished with 8 years of one and I'd rather not have another 8. If we keep it up we will completely destroy our education system in this country and become the (fictional) Kazakhstan of the Americas... - Tad - just Tad
this makes me more proud that i made my first *ever* political contribution to the Obama campaign. yes, we can believe in *both* but i rather pick the ticket that shares my worldview. and in my worldview, science and philosophy trump policies which are not based on evidence and critical thinking. - ~C4Chaos
Me too, donate keep the momentum going, we need a chance and with McCain there is no chance for us. - tom sparks
look I am a Christian so I don't knock her on that, but I will be making my donation today as well and larger than usual because time is running out and we can't risk four more years. - Ruth Ferguson
Our educational system is already failing because schools are not free to teach. they spend more time preparing to pass various standardized tests then actually teaching. Politics plays a big influence on schools and our kids are paying the price. Between hot button issues like teaching in the native language of the student, ELL, ESL, SEI, etc. among other things. Schools are for learning, heck I think they should be year round instead of only a portion of the year. If the kids are going to compete with the rest of the world, they need to be committed to learning. - Jason Shultz via twhirl
Christian does not equal creationist. I don't find willful ignorance in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence a desirable characteristic in a world leader, personally. - Matthew Davidson via twhirl
I agree with that too Jason. Throwing out science education would make things much, much worse. - Tad - just Tad
@Matthew I just don't understand why a person can't believe in both. I'm not saying it should be taught in schools. I don't think schools should be teaching morality or religion anyway, that should be a parent's responsibility. Unfortunately, many parents would rather hang by their entrails then teach their kids anything. But, back to the point, saying your a christian but don't believe that God played any part in the creation of the world equates to saying that he was sitting around one day (or 7 lol) while the world was being created and then while thinking cosmic thoughts he looked over and saw the Earth and said, "oh, cool, more people to worship me." For the record, I don't believe the world was created in seven days or even like Genesis put it. I just believe that there is a God and that he played some part in it. Lack of Evidence does not equal evidence against the existence of something. - Jason Shultz via twhirl
Jason, there's a huge difference between that view and what most people think of as creationists. Creationists generally take a LITERAL view of the bible and wish to teach that in science classes to children in lieu of evolution. Some creationists don't believe in a literal view of the bible, but generally they don't believe in evolution. Plenty of Christians believe that God created the universe and helped guide life. That belief doesn't rule out the acceptance of evolution. - Tad - just Tad
interesting observations Jason. I will say I do not know enough about what creationism in the classrooms reflects. I don't have kids. Personally with my limited knowledge I don't mind it being taught as a possible theory along side science. yet I hear and understand religious leaders who would prefer it not be taught b/c too watered down. - Ruth Ferguson
@Ruth creationism and any other religious-based belief is not a theory (in the scientific sense) because it cannot be proven false. - Jason Carreira
@Tad I guess I take the latter view. My wife OTOH does not. I can believe in evolution and have no problem with it. My wife believes we were placed here. It makes for some heated arguments at times. :) - Jason Shultz via twhirl
Just saw this on Wonkette: "Has anyone else noticed, BTW, that Palin is Governor of a state that’s younger than McCain?" - Jason Carreira
Ruth... let me give you my perspective. I believe in a higher power. I'm married to an atheist. I give our kids my belief, while Jason gives them his. When they have questions about either, we send them to the appropriate parent to answer. When they are adults, they can choose what they believe for themselves. However, that's only in terms of religion. We both believe in science. :) Now, to teach creationism in school, you are obviously negating one other theory without offering that opposing viewpoint - Cyndy
Now, in addition, depending on the view of creationism, it ranges anywhere from 7 days as we know them and man riding around on dinosaurs to a much less science-negating version that a higher power set things in motion that resulted in the Big Bang and evolution as we know it. Most people who identify themselves as creationists, however, tend toward the dino rodeo side of the equation. If your impressionable child decides to believe in THAT, then where do they end up as adults in the global marketplace? - Cyndy
Jason thanks for the info. & I must check out wonkette - Ruth Ferguson
Wow, there is a creationist out there that actually believes in creationism because it is the most plausible explanation? That shatters my illusion that creationists are simply people who believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible, and attack evolution because they're afraid if science soundly invalidates something written in the Bible, their entire belief system collapses like a house of cards. Christianity isn't that fragile. If it can survive heliocentrism, it can survive evolution. - Matthew Davidson via twhirl
So much for freedom of religion. Will you at least let them be carpenters like the Cagots or will you burn them at the stake?
-- A Concerned Non-Creationist - Ernie Oporto
How's that Ernie? I don't mind anyone practicing their religion as long as they don't try to enact laws to force it on other people. Creationists activists - those who wish to teach creationism in public schools as science, of which Palin apparently is, are such people. So, no I don't believe in the type of religious freedom that would grant creationists the right to indoctrinate my child in religious non-scientific puffery. - Tad - just Tad
Heh yeah Matthew. Christianity survived the death of its leader. I'm sure a little thing like evolution can't hurt it. - AlexScoble(Robert'sBro)
Religious freedom is the ability to practice whatever religion you choose in the private place of your choosing. It is not the freedom to teach your religion in the classroom. When you try to enforce your beliefs on the rest of us in society, you are taking away our religious freedom. And that's the thing. We don't teach evolution because we BELIEVE it to be true. We teach it because we have found it, through over a century of examination of the facts, to be the BEST explanation for how we got here. - AlexScoble(Robert'sBro)
Is god going to speak to them about their policies as well? - orionstarr
The debate between creationism and evolution is one for a class on religion and/or philosophy and not one for a science class. There is no scientific basis on which to support creationism, therefore there's no way to present it in a scientific forum. - AlexScoble(Robert'sBro)
I just donated $50 to the Paris Hilton campaign to keep a *real* celebrity out of the Whitehouse. - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
Schools should teach *Moral* and parents should attend that class!!! - Alex Sauceda
@ruth ferguson are you nuts? you don't mind a made up 'theory' taught alongside science? so what about my theory of faries? or dragons? or green aliens? - Ivan Pope via twhirl
I always love it when folks bring up that silly argument. You do realize that the most populous religion in our country isn't the holy dragon church, right? I mean you at least have those two brain cells firing, right? - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
Science has nothing to do with the popularity of an idea...all ideas popular or not have to go through rigorous peer review process to be called a theory. - AlexScoble(Robert'sBro)
@Mark The point Ivan is making is there is as much science in creationism as there is in fairies, dragons and green aliens.The fact that Christianity is a popular religion in America is irrelevant in the context of what should be taught in a public school science class. - Matthew Davidson via twhirl
@Jason Schultz: Wherever religion makes claims about reality, it infringes on the domain of science. One can hold certain religious beliefs without them conflicting with known facts/evidence, but creationism is a world-view in conflict with science. It is demonstrably false, and should not be taught as true anywhere, let alone in a public school. - Tanath
No, the point Ivan demonstrates by saying what he says is that he doesn't have the capacity to illustrate his point without sounding incredibly insensitive to those who call themselves Christian. It's ignorance and hypocrisy, particularly when it's in advocacy of "the party of sensitivity and compassion." - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
Well, a person who believes in God is generally the kind of person I don't want anywhere near the White House. But I know I'll never see that in my lifetime. So best case, I want a person who can at least separate religion from politics and has a grip on reality. I'm genuinely shocked that McCain managed to pick someone even less tolerable than Romney in this regard. - Eric
Amen! Why are people adverse to agreeing to disagree? Discourse, people! Try it some time! - JA Castillo
I don't do that unless people get overbearing about their beliefs. I'm atheist & I have bumped heads a few times, but it would have to be severe for me to unsubscribe - Kamilah Gill
If I were to be that way, I wouldn't be subscribed to anybody. I disagree with key issues on all sides. I'm more interested in what we have in common. - Shey
@Kamilah Everyone has a breaking point. But some people don't even try to get along. - Shey
nothing wrong with disagreement, but when you come off as a bitter belligerent a-hole, it's usually tapping into a greater part of one's personality. - Cee Bee
+100 Shey - variety is the spice of life!! agreeing to disagree is sublime. - Morgan
I enjoy the discourse generally. And you have a point Cee Bee. Boy, I hope I don't come off that way ever. It's certainly not part of my personality. - JMS
I believe there is an adage about not discussing religion and politics in polite company. I think that most of us would be better served following that adage in our public feeds and reserve our thoughts, primarily about politics, for rooms dedicated for them. It seems to me that the sort of compartmentalization is a perfect use for rooms. - RAPatton
not at all JMS. i respect your points of view - Cee Bee
Thanks Cee Bee. Was just hoping I wasn't one of those. :-) I try to be logical. Doesn't work all the time. :-P - JMS
I wouldn't unsubscribe from someone b/c I disagree. But if I had followed them for, say, their expertise in technology and suddenly they're all about politics, well then, buh-bye I don't really care to hear your politics if you're not an expert in the field. - Craig Eddy
RAP I try not to start stuff about religion or politics, but I do like to respond sometimes - Kamilah Gill
@JA because "agreeing to disagree" doesn't move the conversation forward. it's a dead end. i prefer conversational intolerance - http://bit.ly/3eWjj0 - ~C4Chaos
RAPatton, apprecaite your point. but I think we learn when we respectfullly engage those who do not share our beliefs. When I see another person's perspective I don't react knee jerk [at least most of the time] and it helps me to consider my own position. Am I just drinking the kool aid or does this represent what I believe is right? So I mine will remain on my public feed. - Ruth Ferguson
when everyone surrounds themselves with only those that think like them, they do themselves and their causes a disservice. - Ruth Ferguson
Kamilah, all we can do is our best. Some conversations need to be had, but most of the political discussion I see on FF isn't really conversation. It is cheerleading or denigration that is more like 12 years old insulting each other mothers. - RAPatton
Ruth, I agree completely. An old axiom I love is, "if everyone is thinking the same thing, then no one is thinking," - RAPatton
ppl are charged up - they are engaged the last 18 hours have included two important moments in US political history. - Ruth Ferguson
Actually RAP- rooms for debate & discussion of politics and/or religion are a good idea. (And I apologize if I have offended anyone.) And +100 Shey. - Abby Martin
picking an unknown is like dividing by zero ... or covering your ears while screaming "not listening" - Scott Moskowitz
I'm going to vigourously disagree that politics and religion should be relegated to specific rooms. They should be kept out of rooms with non-political and non-religious subjects, but in more general areas they should not be avoided. I'm thinking especially about politics, where if we don't talk about it publicly, then mass media will continue to have control over what the issues are and how they are framed. - Bruce Lewis via fftogo
Listen to others to "understand the enemy" and, better still, to solidify your own thoughts. - Ontario Emperor via fftogo
I disgree w/all the above , including shey !! Why ? Who cares, whatever attitude of mine .heheheh - Peter Dawson
I'm somewhat with Bruce. folks just need to keep it civil. folks who don't want to participate can ignore or hide a particular thread. I tend to avoid subscribing to people who *always* talk politics, but when my regular people discuss it occasionally I'm usually alright with that. - Kamilah Gill
Vital to hear what people who do not agree with you are saying. NOT advocating separate rooms for dems & republicans (like MSNBC & Fox) - Advocating a room for political debate- kind of like a designated sparring ring- you want to debate, have at it! (Or maybe I've been handling groups of preschoolers too long?) - Abby Martin
Emotions get the best of everyone... - Rich Harris
then we end up with only those who agree being in a room together - where is the growth in that? that is just creating a designated spot for groupthink. Sorry but I am uncomfortable with the suggestion that in this important time in American political history I should confine myself somewhere. I have lost subbers, OK I can accept that. I do not intend to offend, but I will exercise freedom of speech on FF - Ruth Ferguson
i got a bit uncivil today, but it was kinda necessary. i'm all for discourse & exchange though - Cee Bee
Agreed. This is supposed to be cathartic in nature. - Peter Ghosh
Ruth -Fair enough. I could be wrong. Happens a lot. I obviously like a good political discussion. I just worry about how hot things get how quickly. I've lost subbers too and I'm cool with that. And I'm not against freedom of expression or speech- just don't like some of the vehemence. That's why I thought maybe a room for debate was good. hadn't thought about the groupthink aspect-- had hoped it would be a legit forum for debate where people could really go at it. Oh well- I am wrong- and I accept that. :) - Abby Martin
it's like the old saying "dont mix alcohol and politics/religion" same goes for social media - andy brudtkuhl
"Some conversations need to be had, but most of the political discussion I see on FF isn't really conversation. It is cheerleading or denigration that is more like 12 years old insulting each other mothers" So true RAP - Shey
I have unsubscribed to those that attack me and my views. As a conservative this happens all the time. - Paul L. McCord Jr. via twhirl
Right now, this entry is the "best of Friendfeed" for me. Is Friendfeed's algorithm this bad, or is this really the best of what is here? (I don't mean to pick on you, Shey. - bill giltner
I've actually gained some followers, yes! - orionstarr
@Shey - you are exactly right... that's why i need a politics filter for Twitter, FF, and my Google Reader... People bitching back and forth is not discussion and does not move anything forward. And with that I am going offline until December (i wish) - andy brudtkuhl
Abby you were not wrong before, but now you just considered a different pespective. that is what dialogue can do for all of us. - Ruth Ferguson
BTW my Obama badge is deliberate politics has been a big part of my online experience in 2008 so i wanted potential subbers to know - Ruth Ferguson
when i mention obama i get a few unsubs. same with race.did you think i was going to talk about social media all day? - Lynne d Johnson
i didn't mean you. i meant the people unsubbing. - Lynne d Johnson
I only said it once . . . in jest ;) - Lindsey Smith
I can't agree more, Shey. If I unsubbed from people based on the fact I disagree their political and religious views, I would lose a lot of cool people I've been chatting with. Especially considering I seem to be the minority on my corner of FF being a Christian and a Republican. "Some conversations need to be had, but most of the political discussion I see on FF isn't really conversation. It is cheerleading or denigration that is more like 12 years old insulting each other mothers"I agree 100% with that statement. - Candace Holly
Really Lynne? I don't think I've personally ever unsubbed because of something like that. In fact, I'm likely to subscribe to people with different points of view because I like learning and hearing what others have to say. Just like with Ruth; she put it out there and I really enjoy hearing what she has to say. - JMS
I will say though that civility goes a long way. There is one person I'm considering unsubbing from because several posts have implied that anyone who is a moderate, conservative, Republican, or not voting for Obama is a raving lunatic, uneducated, or ignorant. That kind of talk annoys me because it shows a lack of respect for diversity and other opinions. On FF it's hard to determine sarcasm or irony sometimes, but I don't get the impression that this person means the comments that way. Disappointing. - JMS
(belatedly) Ruth- Good point! But I'm always happy to consider another perspective- always hope others are too. :) - Abby Martin
I've never done that. Life's too short to bear a grudge. - Mo Kargas
I'm on here specifically to hear, and respect, other viewpoints. Who cares if we don't all think alike, last I checked that was part of what America was supposed to stand for. - Matt Hamilton
I agree with JMS. Respect for others' beliefs is a must. - Lindsey Smith
hey to all the above once again.. my 2 cents !! I was once a beta in the Omidyar Network . we factored in many variables. Having said that, all I can and will say, is that, personal ranking, reputation analysis, dichotomy of thought and presences, is not easy to quantify and capture. Its not about politics and relgion. Its about apples and oranges !! :)- - Peter Dawson
"The gulf in health between rich and poor in Britain was thrown into stark relief by the findings of experts from the World Health Organisation.
The research, which took evidence from hundreds of researchers and academics from universities and government bodies around the world in a three-year investigation, found that a boy born in the deprived Glasgow district of Calton was likely to die 28 years earlier than one born just a few miles away in Lenzie." - Rick Powell via Bookmarklet
"What do you want voters to know coming out of the Republican Convention — about you, about your candidacy?
I'm prepared to be President of the United States, and I'll put my country first.
There's a theme that recurs in your books and your speeches, both about putting country first but also about honor. I wonder if you could define honor for us?
Read it in my books.
I've read your books.
No, I'm not going to define it.
But honor in politics?
I defined it in five books. Read my books.
[Your] campaign today is more disciplined, more traditional, more aggressive. From your point of view, why the change?
I will do as much as we possibly can do to provide as much access to the press as possible.
But beyond the press, sir, just in terms of ...
I think we're running a fine campaign, and this is where we are.
Do you miss the old way of doing it?
I don't know what you're talking about." - Rick Powell via Bookmarklet
"I'd like to support a conservative not beholden to the religious right, not indifferent to fiscal degeneracy, respectful of the constitution, hostile to torture, tough with foreign enemies but eager for new and old allies, and intent on making government smaller and leaner and more effective. Such a conservative is not available, and unless the GOP is reformed root and branch by a new generation, there won't be one available for a long while." - Rick Powell via Bookmarklet
"I have been trying, for the past week, to write Barack Obama’s acceptance speech, without much success. And now we’re down to the wire.
Don’t worry, the Obama campaign isn’t waiting on me. It’s just something I do.
Four years ago, I wrote George Bush’s acceptance speech for the GOP convention. The President chose to give a different speech, and even though I think my speech was better, and even though he wound up winning with his approach, I still don’t really hold it against him.
I didn’t have a lot of interest in writing McCain’s speech because I think we all know what it will say. It would be an exercise in pure mimicry or it would have nothing to do with reality.
But Obama has proven very difficult for me. I’m still not entirely sure why, but here are a few reasons." - Rick Powell via Bookmarklet
"[The neocons'] unwillingness to understand how the US might be perceived in the world, how a hegemon needs to exhibit more humility and dexterity to maintain its power, makes them - and McCain - extremely dangerous stewards of American foreign policy in an era of global terror. They are diplomatically and strategically autistic." - Rick Powell via Bookmarklet
"The op-ed in today's WSJ by the McCain duo of Lieberman and Graham is far more important for this election, it seems to me, than parsing the dynamics of the Clinton-Obama marriage. What they are laying out in very clear terms is the agenda of a McCain presidency. The agenda is war and the threat of war - including what would be an end to cooperation with Russia on securing loose nuclear materials and sharing terror intelligence, in favor of a new cold war in defense of ... Moldova and Azerbaijan. I'm sure McCain would like to have his Russian cooperation, while demonizing and attacking them on the world stage, but in the actual world, he cannot. Putin and Medvedev are not agreeable figures, and I do not mean in any way to excuse their bullying. But this is global politics, guys, and these are the cold, hard choices facing American policy makers." - Rick Powell via Bookmarklet
"What does McCain disagree with in that [Obama quote]? And do yourself a favor. Read the quote and then watch the ad. Now think about what it says about McCain that he would lie this blatantly for power." - Rick Powell via Bookmarklet
"FOURTEEN months ago, Richard Ehrlich left his office at the UCLA Medical Center, flew to Berlin and rented the best digital camera available. With the 39-megapixel Hasselblad safely stowed, he drove about 250 miles to the small town of Bad Arolsen and found his way to the International Tracing Service.
Ehrlich, a veteran urological surgeon with a second career in photography, had pulled plenty of strings to take pictures in the sprawling, six-building complex. But what he found was beyond comprehension: 50 million documents of Nazi atrocities in the world's largest Holocaust archive.
The vast repository would become the subject of hundreds of photographs, shot over seven intensely focused days and winnowed to a 54-image portfolio. He started in June 2007 and returned in September, taking long views of the storage system and close-ups of individual items, including Oskar Schindler's list of people who escaped death by working in his factory." - Anna Haro via Bookmarklet
"The hardest part was that I wanted the images to be photographically exciting, but the subject is so nasty," Ehrlich says. "How do you make something artistic when it's so emotional and horrible? I just had to do the best I could." - Anna Haro
"Shrimp, crab, lobster, clams, mussels, all these are an abomination before the Lord, just as gays are an abomination. Why stop at protesting gay marriage? Bring all of God's law unto the heathens and the sodomites. We call upon all Christians to join the crusade against Long John Silver's and Red Lobster. Yea, even Popeye's shall be cleansed. The name of Bubba shall be anathema. We must stop the unbelievers from destroying the sanctity of our restaurants.." - Anthony Citrano via Bookmarklet
I use this with fundamentalist bible-thumpers and they seem to really get confused. Many don't even know it's there. There's a lot of other fun stuff in Leviticus, but the shellfish thing is one that really seems to paralyze fundamentalists. Because they won't cave and say that the old laws don't apply anymore, yet they can't reconcile that all that shellfish they've eaten has them Hellbound... - Anthony Citrano
Old Testament cultism -- it also happens to be the driving force behind neoconservatives and Christians Zionists and their many delightful policies (including the Iraq War, the Clash of Civilizations, World War IV and a domestic police state and theocracy). This is very serious stuff indeed -- it doesn't get more serious. - Sean McBride
Some are pretty crazy. Leviticus is old testament and doesn't apply. With the arrival of Christ, the old laws were replaced. Any normal Christian knows this stuff. - Jason Shultz via twhirl
Let me add that there are many good and positive strains in the Old Testament -- the emphasis on social justice, truth seeking, compassion, philanthropy, etc. -- but fundamentalists focus only on the most ignorant and violent strains. As far as ancient texts go, the OT is probably less benighted than most. In other words, putting an antisemitic spin on the dark side of the OT is as misguided as believing in the most unscientific superstitions in the work. Christian Armaggedonists like John Hagee do not understand what the best of the Jewish tradition is all about. - Sean McBride
Well I would guess if you are an Orthodox Jew this still holds true, but beyond that the majority of people that follow the Book, understand that the old law was fulfilled at least from this perspective. No reason to shun the tasty little creatures now. - Robert
"Normal Christian"? What does that mean? Seventh-day Adventists (and other Christians) don't eat unclean foods. Also, the idea of "clean" and "unclean" foods has been around at least since the time of Noah. The way I see it, the Levitical laws were to remind the children of Israel about principles they might have forgotten while they were in bondage, IMHO. - Harvey Simmons
Just by nature of being raised Buddhist, i'm in the doghouse by default with the Old Testament. So I may as well call up my gay friend today for a shrimp salad lunch. :D - Christine Lu
Further point: thoughout modern European history, many Jews have been in the forefront in ditching the dreck from the OT, while amping up the most enlightened themes. Another reason to blow off any antisemitic exploitation of some disturbing OT beliefs. (Of course, Christian fundamentalists often use these "subversive" intellectual activities on behalf of Enlightenment modernism to try to whip up antisemitism.) - Sean McBride
+1 Harvey - Jason, if you study this, you will see that this PARTICULAR issue is outside of the laws that were replaced (or, rather, fulfilled). Even Christ said it Himself - "I have not come to abolish the them but to fulfill them. Until heaven and earth disappear, no the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will be any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." While the Mosaic law is no longer in effect, dont confuse that with meaning that all old laws are Mosaic... - Andru Edwards
Oh, and I can safely say that God doesn't hate shrimp. If I create something for a specific purpose, and tell my son not to eat that thing, that doesn't imply that I hate what I made. It just means that it isn't food. - Andru Edwards
