livendive

this part I agree with pitching a pres election as racial issue of any kind is the worst kind of racism - it diminishes Obama's accomplishment severely in a very piss poor way I agree that pitching a Presidential election as a racial issue, or voting for him due to his race...those would be bad things. But I don't see a problem with, once he's been elected on his merits, taking a moment to observe the progress that has been made on race relations in this country. We can walk around ignoring the elephant in the room or we can take a moment to celebrate our growth. Personally, I like the current level of discourse, but I also hope it fades away, eventually closing the book on what has not historically been our greatest strength. We've improved, and that's a good thing, but sometime soon we'll need to stop patting ourselves on the back and get to work on our other problems. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Don't forget "queer", "faggot", "dyke", "drag", and of course "queen". Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I think I generally am more reasonable and articulate, and on this issue I likely will be again, sooner rather than later. But today, I just see a bunch of bullies going after "the homos", for no good reason, and I don't like it. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Hilarious! Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

My friend said the minister of her church could be sued for refusing to marry a gay couple if prop 8 didn't pass and that her church would have to close. Obviously your friend doesn't know any Mormons. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Sorry about the accusation, Dave. However, how useful is it to ever say that another side is small-minded or bigoted? Doesn't that merely harden the walls between people? If someone tells me I'm small minded, I'd have the tendency to think that this person is being unreasonable and little progress can be made. It happens on so many sides so often. Just my thoughts. And my experience. I'm sure you're right that it's unproductive, and I don't really have a dog in this fight. Still, the only effect all these "yes" people can cause by their votes is pain to others with no gain to anyone. Given that, I don't feel particularly guilty about calling them the small-minded bigots that I believe them to be. I don't like watching people hurt others for no reason other than "they can". Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

He doesn't compel me. I see him for exactly what he is; a slick, used car salesman, sans bright plaid coat and ten dollar cigar. Of course, if you are used to getting your hoopde from the No money down, $50 a week, til the day you die, car lot, I'm sure it would be easy to buy into his message. What you or I perceive him to be doesn't affect what he is. I've gotten exceedingly good deals on my last 5 or 6 car purchases and consider myself pretty good at seeing through BS used car salesman tactics. Time will tell whether it's you, me, or both of use who are mistaken, but until then I won't consider your unwillingness to follow to be a character fault of Obama's. I suspect you wouldn't support anyone with a (D) after their name, regardless of their wisdom or abilities. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I don't need my expectations reset. I fully expect it to be slow and sometimes painful. If you came home from an overseas trip and found your spouse had let the house fall into a state of substantial disrepair while simultaneously running your debt up far beyond your ability to pay (and perhaps defaulting on some payments), you wouldn't expect everything to be all better the next day. We've dug ourselves into a hole that is gonna take work to climb out of, but climb we must. Blues, Dave Any specifics? (this is related to the other thread I just started) If you do not have to reset your expectations you must (I make an assumption here) have some specifics in mind. Care to share? Begin repairing relationships with other nations Expedite withdrawal of troops from Iraq Solicit further assistance (not just military) for Afghanistan Develop policies on acceptable treatment of current "detainees" to include trying or releasing them and instruct DOD, DOJ, and intelligence agencies on acceptable methods looking forward Begin working on 2010 budget and tax structure, cutting spending on things like defense and increasing spending on alternative fuel R&D Compel Congress to pass legislation for improved education (K-12 and college) Start vetting SC appointees to replace the ones who last night said "Whew...finally I can retire!" Compel Congress to pass legislation reforming our healthcare system (most likely in graduated steps) Compel Congress to pass some "service" type legislation, e.g. GI bill but including civil service rather than just military etc, etc, etc...he's got his work cut out for him Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I know *I'm* certainly hungover today! Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I don't need my expectations reset. I fully expect it to be slow and sometimes painful. If you came home from an overseas trip and found your spouse had let the house fall into a state of substantial disrepair while simultaneously running your debt up far beyond your ability to pay (and perhaps defaulting on some payments), you wouldn't expect everything to be all better the next day. We've dug ourselves into a hole that is gonna take work to climb out of, but climb we must. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

You realize those books are fiction, right? Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

What he said. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

It would be Bush until January 20, after which it would be Biden. Blues, Dave Nope. Try again. Section 3 of the 20th amendment reads: How is that not applicable to this scenario? Edit to add: Nevermind, I see where my mistake was. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I didn't know there was such a documentary...was it on TV or DVD? I just listened to the audiobook several weeks ago and found it really interesting. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

It would be Bush until January 20, after which it would be Biden. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I had the exact same thing going on a couple of times during the speech. Very disturbing mental images of just that happening. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Nowhere did I say "white" in my post. I think of "hick" as small-minded and bigoted. White, black, or latino makes no difference to me, a hick is a hick. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

No, it doesn't. It states that there will be no designated establishment of religion or anything prohibiting the free exercise of religion. No, it doesn't. It states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Unless I'm missing something, that's the exact same thing I just said.... "There will be no designated establishment of religion" does not imply the same thing as "shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion". Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Alaska is incredibly beautiful, but I don't know anyone who's ever accused Alaskans of having above average intelligence. Somehow, I'm not surprised that the same people who elected Palin to the governorship would elect a Senator who is awaiting sentencing on his felony convictions. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

No, it doesn't. It states that there will be no designated establishment of religion or anything prohibiting the free exercise of religion. No, it doesn't. It states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Personally, I consider prayer, baptism, marriage, creationism, and many other things to be establishments of religion about which Congress should make no law. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

He is more than simply a good speaker. Perhaps the most important quality in a President is leadership, and make no mistake about this...leadership is an individual skill, not something inherent to a title. Obama is a leader. He compels people to want to follow him. By contrast, Bush has been more of a dictator, claiming to be "the decider" and running roughshod over the Constitution and our nation's good reputation. I, for one, am excited about having a leader who actually leads. He may take us down a few wrong paths, as would anyone in that position, but overall I think he'll take us in the right direction. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I got the following e-mail about half an hour before Obama's speech last night. It's a simple "form letter", unremarkable except for one thing. All the pro-Republicans have been talking about how Obama is a liberal elitist, and this, in my mind counters that position. Is he a liberal? Sure...he favors big government and big spending and he ran his campaign on a message of change, those are pretty liberal traits (the former parts common to both major parties). But is he elitist? In my mind, no. It seems to me that an elitist is someone who considers themself better than the masses, above reproach, etc. A simple little email thanking supporters, crediting them with a win, and informally signing off isn't exactly aloof. A guy who is elected by and indebted to people who could only afford to donate tens or hundreds of dollars to the effort, if anything at all, is not an elitist. No, if you want to see elitism, you need look no further than the guy you people elected the last two times. As for this guy who doesn't come from a well-heeled family with big money? Who had to work his way from Baskin-Robbins to the White House? He's the anti-elitist.

It appears Californians are about as hick-ish as any of the redneck states they mock. It's sad that they'd want to wipe out a ton of marriages that have already occurred and prevent others from happening in the future. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Tell him he might as well drag it through mud and then set it on fire while he's at it. Meanwhile the rest of us will celebrate a good day in the story of our nation. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I agree. The popular vote in a congressional districts elects a representative, and the popular vote in a state elects a senator. In my opinion, application of such a system should extend such that the popular vote in the nation should elect the president. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)