[Politics/Religion] On the Eve

[Blader]

Good for you, Stroh.

I view these elections as, more than anything, taking stock of where we are as a democracy and a nation, and creating a vision for where we want to go with all of this.  Basically, in one fell swoop passing out grades to those who've been in charge, and then doing a bit of strategic planning for the near future.

I'm pragmatic enough to realize the shadow will fall some place between the idea and reality---that whomever wins will, by definition, fall short of expectations.... and that is ok by me.

Which is not to say it doesn't matter.  It does matter.  One look at the despicable accomplishments of the UUXcaingang administration proves that point.

But this year's campaign has been particularly disturbing.  

What offended me most was the way the McCain campaign dragged a fresh $100 bill through a trailer park to see what they'd come up with, and sure enough, they found Bible Spice.  

And then when that looked like it was starting to blow up in their faces they did it again and pulled in Joe the Plumber.  

And then McCain turned to the cameras and said, "Look here you *fudge*ers, here's my plan.  I'm gonna give the country to the trailer trash, to these sorry, miserable, proudly ignorant folk who's greatest life accomplishment will be failing to get sucked up into the vortex of a black tornado.  To all these people who's lives are so *fudge*ed up, they won't help but *fudge* up yours and drag us all down to the same level.  And I'm doing all of this because I'm very, very, very confident you wouldn't dare vote for a negro. That's my vision so you can either vote for me or *fudge* you."

That was the point when this sort of shifted from laying out competing strategic visions, and debating arcane points of the geopolitical firmament, into something far more personal.

And I'm not even a negro.

[hobbit]

I have no real interest in getting into a partisan pissing contest. I believe neither candidate, party, ideology, or philosophy has a monopoly in truth, righteousness, or the American way. While I do favor one candidate over the other, I don't convince myself that his victory or defeat will or will not seal the potential for future success of our country.

Whoever is the eventual winner today, I will paraphrase John Wayne (I think) and say regardless of whether he's the candidate I supported, he's our president, and I hope he does a good job. Petty partisanship stands to continue to do much more damage to the country than the current or future occupant of the Oval Office. One thing I've learned by being married is that being right is not the same thing as doing the right thing. People have become so obsessed with being right, they fail to consider whether they're doing the right thing.

That being said- if you haven't yet voted, VOTE. I don't care who you plan on voting for, exercise your right and your obligation as an American. Feeling disenfranchised is a pretty *feces*ty reason to sacrifice your rights.

(Jules and twoiron are naturally excluded from this message, as I believe their government officials are still chosen through knife fights and drinking contests.)

Well said. 

I voted today for the first time in my life.  I have members of this forum to thank for giving me the insight, the interest, the education, and the passion to do what many take for granted, and many others yearn for.

Good chit stroh!

But I fear that using this site as your education for the political arena, will likely leave you walking in circles 

[tdcoly]

I have no real interest in getting into a partisan pissing contest. I believe neither candidate, party, ideology, or philosophy has a monopoly in truth, righteousness, or the American way. While I do favor one candidate over the other, I don't convince myself that his victory or defeat will or will not seal the potential for future success of our country.

Whoever is the eventual winner today, I will paraphrase John Wayne (I think) and say regardless of whether he's the candidate I supported, he's our president, and I hope he does a good job. Petty partisanship stands to continue to do much more damage to the country than the current or future occupant of the Oval Office. One thing I've learned by being married is that being right is not the same thing as doing the right thing. People have become so obsessed with being right, they fail to consider whether they're doing the right thing.

That being said- if you haven't yet voted, VOTE. I don't care who you plan on voting for, exercise your right and your obligation as an American. Feeling disenfranchised is a pretty *feces*ty reason to sacrifice your rights.

(Jules and twoiron are naturally excluded from this message, as I believe their government officials are still chosen through knife fights and drinking contests.)

Well said. 

I voted today for the first time in my life.  I have members of this forum to thank for giving me the insight, the interest, the education, and the passion to do what many take for granted, and many others yearn for.

Good chit stroh!

But I fear that using this site as your education for the political arena, will likely leave you walking in circles 

But, at least, he got off his ass and into the voting booth.

Congratulations,  Stroh[sm_thumbsup2]

[stroh]

 


Thanks.  I regret that I let 30 20* years go by.  But I feel I made a difference today, not just in the election but in my life as well.

I should have edited my post to reflect that I read, learned and was influenced by all members and opinions here.  I simply boiled off and took to the polls what was important to me.

Esp. on prop. 31 about beer.   


* Sorry trying to do too many things at once.  Not the least of which is 5th grade homework.

[twoiron]

* Sorry trying to do too many things at once.  Not the least of which is 5th grade homework.

So are you Smarter than a 5th Grader??

[stroh]

* Sorry trying to do too many things at once.  Not the least of which is 5th grade homework.

So are you Smarter than a 5th Grader??

Right now, 1.  But it's getting close.   

[MFAWG]

Good for you, Stroh.

I view these elections as, more than anything, taking stock of where we are as a democracy and a nation, and creating a vision for where we want to go with all of this.  Basically, in one fell swoop passing out grades to those who've been in charge, and then doing a bit of strategic planning for the near future.

I'm pragmatic enough to realize the shadow will fall some place between the idea and reality---that whomever wins will, by definition, fall short of expectations.... and that is ok by me.

Which is not to say it doesn't matter.  It does matter.  One look at the despicable accomplishments of the UUXcaingang administration proves that point.

But this year's campaign has been particularly disturbing.  

What offended me most was the way the McCain campaign dragged a fresh $100 bill through a trailer park to see what they'd come up with, and sure enough, they found Bible Spice.  

And then when that looked like it was starting to blow up in their faces they did it again and pulled in Joe the Plumber.  

And then McCain turned to the cameras and said, "Look here you *fudge*ers, here's my plan.  I'm gonna give the country to the trailer trash, to these sorry, miserable, proudly ignorant folk who's greatest life accomplishment will be failing to get sucked up into the vortex of a black tornado.  To all these people who's lives are so *fudge*ed up, they won't help but *fudge* up yours and drag us all down to the same level.  And I'm doing all of this because I'm very, very, very confident you wouldn't dare vote for a negro. That's my vision so you can either vote for me or *fudge* you."

That was the point when this sort of shifted from laying out competing strategic visions, and debating arcane points of the geopolitical firmament, into something far more personal.

And I'm not even a negro.

OMG, best post EVAR!

[Blader]

If you take the McCain proposition to its natural conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, please meet who would have been (from left to right, respectively) his Secretaries of the Navy, Army and Air Force.