In Search Of Utopia: My Position on Political Issues

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June 06, 2006

My Position on Political Issues - Updated

Abortion - Against it on principle except in cases where the mothers life is in danger, or in cases of rape or incest. But feel it is a personal and moral issue and one women should decide for themselves.

Affirmative Action - For it until we can figure out how to provide opportunity on an equal basis for all our youth.

Social Security - Fix it, but dont take benefits away from those of us who have invested in it all our working lives.

Gay Marriage - If people want to get married, more power to them.

Creationism - I believe in Evolution. I also believe in God, for me THERE IS NO CONFLICT. For others, I respect thier point of view as long as they respect my right to mine.

The War in Iraq - I was, am and will be against it. But I think we have fucked up that country beyond reccognition, we have an obligation to fix it, and not cut and run.

Tax Cuts - Tax cuts in a time of war are idiotic.

Illegal Immigration - There are no shades of breaking the law. People who come to the U.S. illegally should not be entitled to the same protections or benefits under the law as thos who immigrated legally.

The Patriot Act and The War on Terror - Draconian, often abused and often robs us of the very freedoms it is suppossed to protect.

Global Warming - Anyone who looks at the crazy weather patterns we are facing and still does not believe there is a problem is either a.) an idiot or b.) has their head in the sand

Dirty Politics - Anyone who does not believe that our political system is broken, is deluding themselves, probably for political reasons.

Bush - Worst president in history... Nuff Said.

Welfare - Society should be compassionate enough to provide a safety net. That net should not become a safety blanket.

Islam - The religion HAS been hijacked. I know many decent, cool Muslims. They are not the one's leading the religion.

Racism - It's alive and well and global. Anyone who thinks differently is wearing blinders.

UPDATE: Marty, one of my conservative readers writes (For some reason he could not enter a comment, so he sent me an email),

While our opinions in most cases don't differ nearly as much as our ideas for solutions, and since I'm only allowed one comment every six weeks, let's stick to the most laughable on the list.- using Robert Kennedy's weak article as an example of a broken political system.

When Mother Jones, NPR, and Salon all debunk Kennedy's little article in Rolling Stone, you know that it must be wrong. (By the way- I thought Tucker Carlson was more than fair with Robert Kennedy in that interview- though I think the minions over at Tony's place were loaded for bear no matter what Tucker would have said.

Yeah- there are SOME problems with the political system- including real documented voter fraud and intimidation, including indictments and convictions in East St. Louis and Milwaukee (Hmmm- which party was that? But Kennedy's article is even a joke to those who would normally jump right on that bandwagon.

I went to Salon to see what Marty was talking about....

I found this and this, neither of which DEBUNKS anything. If anything they simply add to the debate. I believe Ohio was stolen in 2004, and Florida in 2000. But before you measure me for a tin foil hat, let me say this. My perception is based on what I see as significant circumstantial evidence, including the Ohio Secretary of State's promise to, "deliver Ohio for Bush in '04." I have neither the time nor the inclination to defend Kennedy's piece. What I will do is condemn the so called media for failing to report aggressively on this issue. Faced with facts by an independent media investigation, the WRONG side would simply have to shut up.

But our media has been cowed by this administration to a ridiculous level. Gone are the days when we could depend on the Media to keep politicians honest. Instead we have Faux News and Conservative Blogs and Radio commentators calling anyone who questions this administration traitors or worse. I can not say I KNOW Ohio was stolen, because I dont have the resources to validate my perceptions or for that matter, to change them. I can only say I believe it. I have watched the man who was to, "return honor to the White House," take our nation down a very scary path. And I have seen people like Marty, whom I respect and like, buy into it. History will perhaps prove which of us is right. It may surprise Marty, but I hope he is... Because if he is not, and I am.... Our country has suffered a perhaps irreparable blow, as has democracy.

I did not find anything on Mother Jones or NPR's site "debunking" Kennedy's article. Perhaps Marty will be kind enough to provide a link. Perhaps a REAL debunking rather than the hair splitting he points to on Salon. Because while Salon may have had some problems with many of Kennedy's assesments, they also agreed that Republicans have been up to dirty tricks since 2000, when it comes to elections.

Posted by David A at June 6, 2006 10:23 PM
Filed Under David's Random Notes, Politics | 892 Words

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Comments

Your turn Marty.

Posted by: David Anderson at June 5, 2006 11:48 PM

Salon article with links to more details

Mother Jones article

NPR post on polling, getting around to exit polls and the 2004 election in the sixth paragraph

There's no there there, David. You're letting your rabid, lunatic friends lead you down the garden path.

Posted by: Boyd at June 6, 2006 10:10 AM

I neglected to do a preview, dammit!

Correction: NPR post

Posted by: Boyd at June 6, 2006 10:13 AM

Nice summary!

I wish politicians could come to such quick and obvious conclusions. It sure would free up time to tackle real problems confronting the nation...Not imagined threats like Gay Marriage.

The Repukes have got to go, the the business of America can resume.

Posted by: gary at June 6, 2006 11:24 AM

Oh I think there is some THERE, THERE Bro.

Likewise, I dont see how NPR "debunked" Kennedy's article. In fact, niether the Mother Jones or the NPR article even mentioned Kennedy's piece. Seems to me that there is some spinning going on here, and it aint with me.

Posted by: David Scott Anderson at June 6, 2006 09:11 PM

Jeez, David, read the damn thing. It doesn't have to be written in response to the Kennedy article to debunk it. In fact, they're more powerful by predating Kennedy's piece.

It ain't me that's spinnin' here, Bro.

"Well, it was written before RFK Jr wrote his article, so it can't show that he's out to lunch."

Yeah, right.

Posted by: Boyd at June 7, 2006 06:32 AM

Okay, Bro. The NPR Article did not even attempt to address the broader issues in Ohio, it simply stated that some of those complaining did not make the effort to back up their claims. The Salon articles did, and the Mother Jones article admitted that there were valid issues of concern affecting a large number of Democratic Voters in Ohio. I am not sure what you want me to see.

Posted by: David Scott Anderson at June 7, 2006 11:09 AM

You're right that the NPR post didn't address "the broader issues," but it did clearly rebut one of the most hare-brained claims of theft: exit polling trumps actual votes. I pointed that out when I mentioned it.

You write as though you only read half of the Mother Jones article, namely the first half of each section which cited the complaints in Ohio, without bothering with the parts that showed things aren't quite as claimed. As Mr Hertsgaard stated, it's far from clear that the Republicans stole the election in Ohio, which I think (even) you might agree is at odds with Kennedy's conclusion.

And you blithely dismiss Manjoo's extensive refutation at Salon with "The Salon articles did..." So, do the Salon articles mean nothing? You're focusing on the ones that are less damaging to your (Kennedy's) case, while practically ignoring the stronger rebuttals. You can't just ignore them, David. They took a big bite out of Kennedy's behind.

Do you still say that Salon (specifically the Manjoo piece) doesn't debunk Kennedy's article? I mean, that's the whole point of the article, isn't it? Its title is "Was the 2004 election stolen? No." What do you want for something to qualify as a debunking?

Posted by: Boyd at June 7, 2006 02:08 PM

No, I am no not saying that the Salon article means nothing, nor am I saying that it is certain Ohio was stolen... What I am saying is that the issue is still one of debate, and that debate is healthy. Brushing what happened in Ohio, including Mr. Blacwell's shenadigans, under the rug, is not good for this country. I believe that this is a serious story, perhaps some of Kennedy's assumptions are wrong, perhaps others are valid. But if the debate never happens, there will never be the kind of reform that seems to be called for.

Posted by: David Scott Anderson at June 7, 2006 02:50 PM

"I believe Ohio was stolen in 2004"

"No, I am no not saying that the Salon article means nothing, nor am I saying that it is certain Ohio was stolen"

Huh?!

Posted by: Marty at June 7, 2006 04:50 PM

Where is there an inconsistency in what I wrote Marty. I said, "I Believe," Unlike some of you on the Right, my belief does not a FACT make. What I am saying is that it is a good thing that this issue is being talked about. One of the big differences between progressives and Right Wingers, is you have a tendency to dismiss as "moonbatery," anything that disagrees with your own limited world view. Anyone who reads my positions above, with even a drop of objectivity, will see I share some conservative views. Anyone who has read my blog knows that I dont walk in lockstep with anyone. I have a tendency to stop taking seriously anyone who does.

Posted by: David Scott Anderson at June 7, 2006 09:10 PM