billvon 3,132 #26 December 14, 2006 >If we had to knee jerk to a Dem - then it would likely be someone highly partisan . . . Actually I think it might be his son Brendan. Not a politician, which would be nice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #27 December 14, 2006 I'm always confused by the "appoint his (son/wife/etc)" concept. What's the benefit if the relative has no leadership experience? ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,132 #28 December 14, 2006 >What's the benefit if the relative has no leadership experience? Traditionally? It's been assumed that family members a) have more 'right' to inherit a position than anyone else and b) will do a better job carrying out their relative's politices (since they know them better than most.) From my point of view? A relative who has no leadership experience is much preferable (in my book) to a politician chosen by a party to represent their interests. Of course, a randomly selected professional would serve the same function - but no one would stand for that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbrown 26 #29 December 15, 2006 QuoteThat was just the most recent example. Sen. Biden (D-DE) was out for several months due to surgery, but I don't know what he was suffering. Sen. Biden had some sort of cancer. There was another Senator who had a stroke in the late sixties, who never returned to Washington before the end of his term. Never voted again either, but as he never resigned, he kept his seat. Pretty similar deal with Strom Thurmond, who near the end of his life had an escort walking him around the Capitol, even though the Senator couldn't recognize old friends. So unless Sen. Johnson dies or actually resigns, he IS a U.S. Senator to the end of his six year term. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbrown 26 #30 December 15, 2006 Quote>What's the benefit if the relative has no leadership experience? Traditionally? It's been assumed that family members a) have more 'right' to inherit a position than anyone else and b) will do a better job carrying out their relative's politices (since they know them better than most.) From my point of view? A relative who has no leadership experience is much preferable (in my book) to a politician chosen by a party to represent their interests. Of course, a randomly selected professional would serve the same function - but no one would stand for that. When Robert Kennedy was assasinated in 1968 he was a U.S. Senator from New York. Governor Nelson Rockefeller appointed U.S. Rep. Charles Goodell, a Republican, to complete Kennedy's term in the Senate. Rocky took a lot of shit for it too, but legally there was nothing anybody could do about it. Goodell was defeated for re-election in 1970 by James Buckley, the Conservative party candidate (NY in those days actually had Liberal and Conservative parties on the ballot). Once the Senator is dead or has resigned, a governor can pretty well appoint whoever they damn well please. this may go back to the days when U.S. Senators were elected by the state legislatures. the U.S. Comstitution was not amended to allow popular election of the Senate until 1916. As I've already posted twice, I'll wrap this up with one final question - are there ANY signs of Polonium 210 radiation ??? Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 3 #31 December 15, 2006 QuoteAs I've already posted twice, I'll wrap this up with one final question - are there ANY signs of Polonium 210 radiation ??? Of course not, Tom. If I did every time I stuck a joke in, I'd fall asleep. P.S. - You realize, of course, that the Trilateral Commission reads all your mail. Oh, I almost forgot: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 3 #32 December 15, 2006 QuoteStricken Senator Said to Be Recovering http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/stricken-senator-said-to-be-recovering/20061214100409990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001 Nyeah, nyea. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbrown 26 #33 December 16, 2006 Well I just think ever since the Litvinenko poisoning happened, Dick Cheney has been kicking asses and demanding to know why we're not doing stuff like this. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #34 December 18, 2006 Quote>What's the benefit if the relative has no leadership experience? Traditionally? It's been assumed that family members a) have more 'right' to inherit a position than anyone else and b) will do a better job carrying out their relative's politices (since they know them better than most.) nuts, we reject the whole concept of "birthright" for leadership by definition in this country (I saw your point of view, and have similar opinions, so no comment there) ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,182 #35 December 18, 2006 QuoteQuote>What's the benefit if the relative has no leadership experience? Traditionally? It's been assumed that family members a) have more 'right' to inherit a position than anyone else and b) will do a better job carrying out their relative's politices (since they know them better than most.) nuts, we reject the whole concept of "birthright" for leadership by definition in this country ) Hmmm. Kennedies, Bushes, Clintons, Daleys, Rockefellers...... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #36 December 18, 2006 QuoteHmmm. Kennedies, Bushes, Clintons, Daleys, Rockefellers... Hmmm - are you saying all these people 'deserved' their positions by the sole virtue of their bloodlines? Note Billvon stated (his quotes too) - family members a) have more 'right' to inherit a position than anyone else - The people 'may' vote for someone on that basis. IMO it's a pretty stupid criteria regardless of which party you belong to. Either way, it isn't a "right" ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
