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Cynosure 09-10-2008 07:35 PM

"It's like a really bad Disney movie... "
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Damon
You do the actuary tables, and it's a 1 out of 3 chance, if not more, that McCain doesn't survive his first term. And then it will be President Palin... It's like a really bad Disney movie: The hockey mom from Alaska, and she's the President. And she's facing down Vladimir Putin, using the folksy stuff she learned at the hockey rinks... It's totally absurd, and I don't understand why more people aren't talking about it, how absurd it is. It's a really terrifying possibility... I need to know if she really believes that dinosaurs existed 4,000 years ago. I need to know that, because she's going to have the nuclear codes.

Hmm. I don't normally pay much attention to what celebrities have to say about Presidential candidates during the election campaigns, and Matt Damon isn't a celebrity that I've cared much about. But he is soberly, bluntly making some observations and asking some questions that few other celebrities dare to make/ask. (No, I don't count the observations made and the questions asked on the Daily Show or on the Colbert Report, because the pointedness of those are blunted by bufoonery.)

EDIT: Hmm. The BBcode doesn't seem to be working, eventhough I followed the instructions given by Halx.

Cynthetiq 09-10-2008 07:47 PM

not on our end. it's on youtube's end.

as far as him saying something... wait.. he understands or has seen the actuary tables? really? 1 out of 3 chance? really?

Cynosure 09-10-2008 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq (Post 2522150)
wait.. he understands or has seen the actuary tables? really? 1 out of 3 chance? really?

Dude, I don't even need to see the actuary tables and understand them, to realize that McCain is as old as fuck, and that there's a good chance (whatever the actual odds might be) he won't survive his first term as President.

But even if it's only, say, a 1 in 20 chance: the consequences of that possibility becoming a reality, and thus our country – the world, even! – ending up with a President Palin, makes even those low odds, alarming.

I, too, want to know if Palin zealously believes that dinosaurs existed a mere 4,000 years ago.

Cynthetiq 09-10-2008 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynosure (Post 2522162)
Dude, I don't even need to see the actuary tables and understand them, to realize that McCain is as old as fuck, and that there's a good chance (whatever the actual odds might be) he won't survive his first term as President.

But even if it's only, say, a 1 in 20 chance: the consequences of that possibility becoming a reality, and thus our country – the world, even! – ending up with a President Palin, makes even those low odds, alarming.

I, too, want to know if Palin zealously believes that dinosaurs existed a mere 4,000 years ago.

even if it's a 1 in 20 chance, or a 1 in a 100, there are plenty of people who are doing jobs who are in high powered positions. Sumner Redstone comes to mind since he's 85 and still is involved int he day to day operations of one of the most prominent media companies on the planet.

While it's always a possibility, I'm not sold on the idea of the fear aspect of this. To me that's just stupidity in a glass.

RetroGunslinger 09-10-2008 08:11 PM

This is just one more reason that Matt Damon is the man. He just asked the same question I ask of every political candidate.

It's good to know that an actor can actually not suck when giving political views, even if it is something that's on everybody's mind.

ASU2003 09-10-2008 08:18 PM

1 in 3? Is that Jason Bourne talking about his odds of being successful against the secret service?

McCain isn't that old. Hell, I would have a hard time with the non-stop campaigning and I'm not even 30. He will have the best medical care and he's healthier than a lot of people.

Cynosure 09-10-2008 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq (Post 2522169)
even if it's a 1 in 20 chance, or a 1 in a 100, there are plenty of people who are doing jobs who are in high powered positions. Sumner Redstone comes to mind since he's 85 and still is involved int he day to day operations of one of the most prominent media companies on the planet.

So, you're comparing the job of overseeing one of the world's most prominent media companies, to the job of being in control of the world's most powerful military?

Besides, my concern is not so much for the possibility of a President McCain, as it is for a President Palin.

Here's another thing I'd like to know about Palin: Does she sincerely, ardently believe in the Rapture? Because if she does, that's even worse than her believing dinosaurs existed a mere 4,000 years ago. Why? Because, the world doesn't want a U.S. President, in charge of the world's most powerful military, who believes God is going to miraculously teleport her and her fellow fundamentalist Christians away from the earth, and thus sparing them of the Battle of Armageddon and its aftermath.

Willravel 09-10-2008 08:37 PM

I'll admit to being impressed that he is familiar with the actuarial table and understands it's significance to the election. McCain is 3 years away from the average lifespan of an American male, he does have some health problems, and he's applying for the most stressful job in the world. It matters.

I think it's clear which one wrote Good Will Hunting.

pan6467 09-10-2008 08:56 PM

First of all it's total bullshit that McCain is the oldest man to ever run for president.... Ronald Reagan was born 4 days after my now 97 year old grandmother.... his b-day was 2/6/11 my grandmother's b-day is 2/2/11. That made him 73, in 1984 when he ran for his second term, and almost 74 when he was sworn in for that term. A year older than McCain.

Both my grandfather's, were extreme alcoholics and one lived to be 86 after suffering a perforated ulcer Easter weekend 1986 at the age of 74. They said he was dead then. He pulled out, lived 14 more years smoking Camel non filters and never drank again. The other lived to be 76 and had had a stroke at age 70. Neither had great insurance, especially compared to what a president has.

I believe McCain could be very sharp and healthy for quite some time, specially with the best medical care in the world. The last president to die in office was JFK. The last president to die of natural causes was FDR in his 4th term in 1945 and everyone knew he was going to die, that is why they chose Harry S Truman as his VP.

Today, people age differently, we are ale to live longer, be active and productive well into our 60's and 70's. My grandmother and her friends were active well into their 80's.

I take great umbrage and find it despicable this day and age for ANYONE to condemn a person based on age. To me, that is the same as passing judgment against someone because of their race, their religion, their sex, their sexual preference and so on. It is fucking disgusting and another reason for me to be truly disgusted and apathetic towards the Dem. Party I once loved.

The Dem Party I supported and loved fought against ALL prejudice and discrimination.....
Today, they use ageism the same way some use racism, sexism, homophobia and so on.

You don't like McCain's politics and platform, fine...... but don't you dare fucking use his age against him. That would be like someone using Obama's race against him, Hillary or Palin's sex against them, Lieberman's religion against him, Barney Frank's sexual orientation against him.

It's pathetic.

BTW.... as my father used to tell me and it is apparent when studying all he recent presidents... the president is a figurehead, the true power lies in whom he places in his cabinet and how well his advisers advise him. It is still the president's decision, but 99% of the time it is on the advice of his advisers and thorough research as to how he may react. I personally believe McCain will put in his cabinet far more qualified and better people than Obama.

Cynthetiq 09-10-2008 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynosure (Post 2522179)
So, you're comparing the job of overseeing one of the world's most prominent media companies, to the job of being in control of the world's most powerful military?

Besides, my concern is not so much for the possibility of a President McCain, as it is for a President Palin.

Here's another thing I'd like to know about Palin: Does she sincerely, ardently believe in the Rapture? Because if she does, that's even worse than her believing dinosaurs existed a mere 4,000 years ago. Why? Because, the world doesn't want a U.S. President, in charge of the world's most powerful military, who believes God is going to miraculously teleport her and her fellow fundamentalist Christians away from the earth, and thus sparing them of the Battle of Armageddon and its aftermath.

No, I said it comes to mind. Again, I don't buy into hype and I don't buy into the fear mongering, from whomever is doing it, left, right, democrat, republican, green, libertarian.

Again, I'm more worried about what Mr. McCain/Obama will do as opposed to what the VP will do. While it is a possibility the focus of the prize is really who sits there first and foremost

pan6467 09-10-2008 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq (Post 2522186)
No, I said it comes to mind. Again, I don't buy into hype and I don't buy into the fear mongering, from whomever is doing it, left, right, democrat, republican, green, libertarian.

Again, I'm more worried about what Mr. McCain/Obama will do as opposed to what the VP will do. While it is a possibility the focus of the prize is really who sits there first and foremost

I agree, focus on the person actually running for the office.

I don't hear as many people say "Obama will have a bullseye on him from some nutcase because of his race", which is just as much if not more a possibility than McCain dying in office.

VOTE FOR WHOM YOU BELIEVE WILL DO THE BEST JOB AND HAVE THE MOST QUALIFIED AND BEST PEOPLE IN THEIR FIELDS SURROUNDING THEM.... DON'T VOTE AGAINST SOMEONE SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THEIR AGE, RACE, SEX, SEX ORIENTATION, RELIGION AND SO ON.

If we all do the above, then I truly believe the best candidate in this year's field will win. If we vote due to our prejudices and biased fears based on the individual and not his policies and platforms.... we will end up with the worst candidate.

Cynosure 09-10-2008 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan6467 (Post 2522185)
I take great umbrage and find it despicable this day and age for ANYONE to condemn a person based on age. To me, that is the same as passing judgment against someone because of their race, their religion, their sex, their sexual preference and so on. It is fucking disgusting and another reason for me to be truly disgusted and apathetic towards the Dem. Party I once loved.

Whoa. I'm not condemning or even discriminating against McCain because of his old age. I'm criticizing him because of who he chose as his running mate, and why he chose that particular person. And I'm considering the possibility and its consquences – unlikely though that possibility might be, weighed against how dire those consequences probably will be – of that running mate becoming the President of the United States.

Cynthetiq 09-10-2008 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynosure (Post 2522195)
Whoa. I'm not condemning or even discriminating against McCain because of his old age. I'm criticizing him because of who he chose as his running mate, and why he chose that particular person. And I'm considering the possibility and its consquences – unlikely though that possibility might be, weighed against how dire those consequences probably will be – of that running mate becoming the President of the United States.

actually you are because you've stated that he's more than likely going to die in office, and that she'll be the VP.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynosure (Post 2522162)
Dude, I don't even need to see the actuary tables and understand them, to realize that McCain is as old as fuck, and that there's a good chance (whatever the actual odds might be) he won't survive his first term as President.

But even if it's only, say, a 1 in 20 chance: the consequences of that possibility becoming a reality, and thus our country – the world, even! – ending up with a President Palin, makes even those low odds, alarming.

I, too, want to know if Palin zealously believes that dinosaurs existed a mere 4,000 years ago.

did you forget you typed up that highlighted part?

Willravel 09-10-2008 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan6467 (Post 2522185)
First of all it's total bullshit that McCain is the oldest man to ever run for president....

I think what you're refering to is the fact that if McCain won he'd be the oldest inaugurated president of the US. Technically, that's true.
Quote:

Originally Posted by pan6467 (Post 2522185)
I believe McCain could be very sharp and healthy for quite some time, specially with the best medical care in the world.

He went to France?

Look, the current (2008) average life span of an American male is about 3 years off for McCain. Couple that with the fact that he'll be in the most stressful job in the world and he has a long history of medical problems including cancer... Let's please not pretend that he's the picture of health and vitality, that would be very dishonest.
Quote:

Originally Posted by pan6467 (Post 2522185)
I take great umbrage and find it despicable this day and age for ANYONE to condemn a person based on age. To me, that is the same as passing judgment against someone because of their race, their religion, their sex, their sexual preference and so on. It is fucking disgusting and another reason for me to be truly disgusted and apathetic towards the Dem. Party I once loved.

You find anything despicable that could possibly benefit Obama.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan6467 (Post 2522185)
You don't like McCain's politics and platform, fine...... but don't you dare fucking use his age against him. That would be like someone using Obama's race against him, Hillary or Palin's sex against them, Lieberman's religion against him, Barney Frank's sexual orientation against him.

Obama's race doesn't make him a lot more likely to cause him to be sick or die.

Cynosure 09-10-2008 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan6467 (Post 2522190)
VOTE FOR WHOM YOU BELIEVE WILL DO THE BEST JOB AND HAVE THE MOST QUALIFIED AND BEST PEOPLE IN THEIR FIELDS SURROUNDING THEM....

Well, we really don't know yet how good of a job McCain would do as President, should he be elected. But we're already getting a pretty good idea of what kind of people he would place in the field surrounding him, and perhaps even an idea of the sort of thought process he'd have choosing those people. Because, surely Palin isn't among the most qualified and best people for the job of Vice President. And so, we're left wondering why McCain even chose her, in the first place.

pan6467 09-10-2008 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynosure (Post 2522195)
Whoa. I'm not condemning or even discriminating against McCain because of his old age. I'm criticizing him because of who he chose as his running mate, and why he chose that particular person. And I'm considering the possibility and its consquences – unlikely though that possibility might be, weighed against how dire those consequences probably will be – of that running mate becoming the President of the United States.

I can understand that and I wasn't directing it at you. I hear too many say "he's old and will die in office, do we want Palin?" My own mother said that yesterday to me.

I have a news flash for you, ANY president can die in office. Bush I could have died and we'd have had Quayle.... now that was a person to fear. Clinton could have died or been impeached and we'd have had Tipper as first lady and with that power God only knows what she would have done with PMRC and censorship. Look at Bush II with Cheney, that man scares any sane person in the US and unfortunately, he did run the country.... LOL bad example.... Obama has Biden, who I like a lot but the more I read into him and his sons the more I realize how corrupt he may be.

But I don't vote for the VP, never have or I would never have voted for Clinton. As it was in 2000, I voted for Nader because of a dislike for Gore.
-----Added 11/9/2008 at 01 : 40 : 42-----
Quote:

Originally Posted by Willravel (Post 2522198)
You find anything despicable that could possibly benefit Obama.

Yes, I do. I have nothing truly against anyone voting for Obama because they believe him to be he best candidate. I have issues with those voting for him solely because of his race or voting against him because of his race. Same as if Hilary ran and people voted for or against her because of her sex or Lieberman because of his religion and so on.

If you truly believe that Obama is the best candidate vote for him. I don't. I am not a great fan of McCain's but to me he is the better choice.

Cynosure 09-10-2008 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq (Post 2522196)
actually you are because you've stated that he's more than likely going to die in office, and that she'll be the VP... did you forget you typed up that highlighted part?

Saying "there's a good chance" is not the same as saying "the chance is more than likely". I repeat: I'm taking both the probability and the consequences into consideration.

If I say "there's a good chance you'll die of cancer if you smoke cigarettes," I don't mean it's more than likely you will die of cancer from smoking cigarettes; I mean there's a significant (even if small) chance you will die from it; and, considering the consquences - i.e. death - it makes smoking cigarettes not worth that chance.

ObieX 09-10-2008 09:44 PM

My main concern with McCain dying isn't really with his age as it is with him having to have hunks of cancer chopped off his body every other week. The possibility of a candidate dying before his/her term is up and being replaced by a whack job is a real and legitimate concern.

pan6467 09-10-2008 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynosure (Post 2522199)
Well, we really don't know yet how good of a job McCain would do as President, should he be elected. But we're already getting a pretty good idea of what kind of people he would place in the field surrounding him, and perhaps even an idea of the sort of thought process he'd have choosing those people. Because, surely Palin isn't among the most qualified and best people for the job of Vice President. And so, we're left wondering why McCain even chose her, in the first place.

Choosing a VP and your cabinet are 2 totally different animals. One chooses the running mate they believe will help them win votes. I firmly believe had McCain chosen anyone else, he would not have received the bump nor stood even a chance to win. JFK chose Johnson for this reason, neither could stand the other and it was well known, but Johnson on the ticket guaranteed Souhern votes and states needed to win the election.

Obama choosing Biden..... that is a puzzler, I have my theories on that but they are not for this thread.

McCain choosing Palin, helps him get the Conservative, Religious Right that may have sat out if he had chosen say Lieberman. It also helps get some women's votes.

But when the time comes, I see McCain pulling into his cabinet better qualified people than Obama. I truly believe McCain will surround himself not with cronies like Bush but be more independent with his choices like Clinton was.

McCain may make Lieberman Secretary of the Treasury or something. He may jump the aisle and find someone like a Mario Cuomo for secretary of the Interior or whatever. Those would e nice choices and I do think Lieberman will most definitely be in his cabinet somewhere... Cuomo not so much but one can dream.
-----Added 11/9/2008 at 01 : 59 : 06-----
Quote:

Originally Posted by ObieX (Post 2522204)
My main concern with McCain dying isn't really with his age as it is with him having to have hunks of cancer chopped off his body every other week. The possibility of a candidate dying before his/her term is up and being replaced by a whack job is a real and legitimate concern.

But if I believed that, trust me I would NEVER have voted Clinton/Gore. I vote for the head of the ticket.

Johnson did not like many of JFK's policies or platforms, but because he died in office and the nation started loving the man, Johnson pushed through a lot of those policies he didn't agree with.

I think Palin would do her best if something happened to McCain to keep his platform alive. She would want the 2012 election and she is not going to go out and destroy the nation.... especially with a Democratic Congress.

Biden on the other hand.... again I will save that for another thread. All I have to say here is Biden, IMHO has too much of an ego and would decide to run things his way.... which got him how many votes in the primaries?

dc_dux 09-10-2008 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan6467 (Post 2522207)
McCain may make Lieberman Secretary of the Treasury or something. He may jump the aisle and find someone like a Mario Cuomo for secretary of the Interior or whatever. Those would e nice choices and I do think Lieberman will most definitely be in his cabinet somewhere... Cuomo not so much but one can dream.

Candidates often reward their top campaign advisers with cabinet appointments.

The two most likely McCain cabinet members mentioned are former Sen. Phil Gramm, who is his chief economic adviser, as Sec of Treasury...which would mean more supply side economics focused on tax breaks for top taxpayers and corporations.

And Randy Scheunamann, who is his top national security adviser, as his WH National Security Adviser....
Randy Scheunemann was the President of the Committee for the Liberation of Iraq, which was created by the Project for the New American Century (PNAC), of which he is a board member. He was Trent Lott's National Security Aide and was an advisor to U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Iraq. He is 2008 U.S. presidential candidate John McCain's foreign-policy aide.
....more of the same neo-con foreign policy.

Cuomo in a McCan cabinet? Poor Mario would have nightmares tonight if he heard that suggestion!

Lieberman maybe, but I doubt you would see any other current senators in his cabinet....its hard to emphasize enough how many of his colleagues dislike the man personally, while campaiging for him publicly.

pan6467 09-10-2008 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dc_dux (Post 2522213)
Cuomo in a McCan cabinet? Poor Mario would have nightmares tonight if he heard that suggestion!

One can dream. Just like I'd like to see Sherrod Brown get a cabinet spot, not that he's all that qualified or would be the best man for the job.... but again one can dream.

In all honesty, I'd have loved to see Cuomo run in 2000, 2004 or this year. I have no doubt he would have won in 2000 or 2004 by landslide. This year unfortunately, as with McCain, his age would have become an issue.

dc_dux 09-10-2008 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan6467 (Post 2522215)
In all honesty, I'd have loved to see Cuomo run in 2000, 2004 or this year. I have no doubt he would have won in 2000 or 2004 by landslide. This year unfortunately, as with McCain, his age would have become an issue.

On this we agree!

jorgelito 09-10-2008 10:41 PM

John F Kennedy died in office too. At the ripe old age of what, 45? 46?

Seriously, the age thing is getting old.

On to the issues!

dc_dux 09-10-2008 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgelito (Post 2522217)
On to the issues!

IMO, potential cabinet members is an issue.

I would like to see both candidates lay out a list of potential names for the top positions.....State, Defense, Treasury, Attorney General, National Security Adviser.

pan6467 09-10-2008 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dc_dux (Post 2522219)
IMO, potential cabinet members is an issue.

I would like to see both candidates lay out a list of potential names for the top positions.....State, Defense, Treasury, Attorney General, National Security Adviser.

That would be very interesting to see. I think it could definitely sway votes on both sides also. Maybe, someday along with naming their VP candidates will be asked to name whom their choices for cabinet offices would be. At least the big 5: State, Defense, Treasury, Attorney General and Interior.

That way we have some idea who we are getting in power.

jorgelito 09-11-2008 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dc_dux (Post 2522219)
IMO, potential cabinet members is an issue.

I would like to see both candidates lay out a list of potential names for the top positions.....State, Defense, Treasury, Attorney General, National Security Adviser.

Actually, I would be very interested in this too. Especially since McCain has expressed an interest in appointing Democrats and independents to his administration (qualified of course).

Any thoughts? Theories? DC, you have an inside track inside the Beltway. Any illuminations? What are the chances of a bipartisan or multipartisan cabinet for either candidate?

Any chance Colin Powell gets picked up by either side for SECDEF or SECSTATE? I can't really think of anyone else at the moment for any of the positions. Maybe Eric Shinseki for SECDEF or something. It would be poetic justice to have him back.

How about the Supreme Court for that matter? Will Ginsberg resign soon? Will there be any slots open for the next POTUS to appoint?

Tully Mars 09-11-2008 02:25 AM

Well Stevens is 88, Ginsburg 75 and Scalia is 72. I think there a good chance in the next four years at least one appointment will be made.

McCain is old. Is it an issue? I wouldn't base my vote on his age. Hell he probably get better health care then 99% of the rest of the world. People made a big issue out of him not releasing his medical records. So? He seems to be trucking right along on the campaign trail. His moms in her 90's. People are living longer.

I wouldn't let his age influence my vote. I actually might have voted for McCain 4 years ago. He's changed on many of the issues he stood for back then. Now he's either just saying what he thinks the base of his party wants or he's a Bush mini me. Either way I'm not voting for the guy.

Cynthetiq 09-11-2008 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynosure (Post 2522203)
Saying "there's a good chance" is not the same as saying "the chance is more than likely". I repeat: I'm taking both the probability and the consequences into consideration.

If I say "there's a good chance you'll die of cancer if you smoke cigarettes," I don't mean it's more than likely you will die of cancer from smoking cigarettes; I mean there's a significant (even if small) chance you will die from it; and, considering the consquences - i.e. death - it makes smoking cigarettes not worth that chance.

I don't disagree that the risk is greater than zero. I'm all about that in understanding choices and taking risks.

My point still stands, you're looking at this from an ageism point of view. It doesn't matter how you wrap it or lawyer it out, it is ageist.

Now you can rail against it even more to defend the position that you say you don't have, or just like your words are already doing so, admit that it is what it is, and move forward from it.

To point to pan's post, it's definitely a possibility that ANY sitting president can die in office for any reasons, but one generally votes the top of the ticket.

Cynosure 09-11-2008 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq (Post 2522298)
My point still stands, you're looking at this from an ageism point of view. It doesn't matter how you wrap it or lawyer it out, it is ageist.

Whatever. :rolleyes:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq (Post 2522298)
Now you can rail against it even more to defend the position that you say you don't have, or just like your words are already doing so, admit that it is what it is, and move forward from it.

Or I can start making absolute statements about you personally and your stance, as you are with me. But I choose neither one of those options. Instead, I'll simply no longer discuss the matter (with you, at least).

ASU2003 09-11-2008 04:38 PM

Palin leaves open option of war with Russia - Yahoo! News

Quote:

"We will not repeat a Cold War," Palin said in her first television interview...
Asked whether the United States would have to go to war with Russia if it invaded Georgia, and the country was part of NATO, Palin said: "Perhaps so."
This sounds crazy. I don't want to wage war against Russia. It can have Georgia if it wants, does she (or McCain/Obama) understand what the Russians have in terms of a military? True, we have enough defenses I'm not worried about a Russian invasion yet, ICBMs maybe, but not a conventional war on US soil. But, I doubt the US would win if we fought Russia on Russian soil.

Quote:

Pressed on the question, Palin responded: "What I think is that smaller democratic countries that are invaded by a larger power is something for us to be vigilant against ... We have got to show the support, in this case, for Georgia. The support that we can show is economic sanctions perhaps against Russia, if this is what it leads to."
OK, this sound a little better. Go with this answer.

loquitur 09-11-2008 05:38 PM

read the frickin' interview. He posited as a premise for the qeustion that Georgia or Ukraine was admitted to NATO and THEN Russia invaded. As a NATO member we'd have some treaty obligations. Or do you think she should repudiate treaty obligations on national TV?

Sakes alive, read original docs, not the spin from the networks. They're trying to shock you - haven't you figured that out yet? Same old networks they have always been - you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig, you know.
Quote:

GIBSON: And under the NATO treaty, wouldn't we then have to go to war if Russia went into Georgia?

PALIN: Perhaps so. I mean, that is the agreement when you are a NATO ally, is if another country is attacked, you're going to be expected to be called upon and help.

ASU2003 09-11-2008 07:18 PM

I know, but she will have a problem in the debates if she answers like that. And there is no mention of diplomacy or working with our allies to put pressure on Russia. Economic sanctions is a pretty vague answer that probably wouldn't do very much to change their minds.

And while no one may be able to admit that we should back out of our obligations, I would hope they would really think about what will happen in the long term if we have to defend Georgia or another former soviet state against Russia. Is it really worth that much human life lost in war?

smooth 09-12-2008 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan6467 (Post 2522185)
First of all it's total bullshit that McCain is the oldest man to ever run for president.... Ronald Reagan was born 4 days after my now 97 year old grandmother.... his b-day was 2/6/11 my grandmother's b-day is 2/2/11. That made him 73, in 1984 when he ran for his second term, and almost 74 when he was sworn in for that term. A year older than McCain.

Both my grandfather's, were extreme alcoholics and one lived to be 86 after suffering a perforated ulcer Easter weekend 1986 at the age of 74. They said he was dead then. He pulled out, lived 14 more years smoking Camel non filters and never drank again. The other lived to be 76 and had had a stroke at age 70. Neither had great insurance, especially compared to what a president has.

I believe McCain could be very sharp and healthy for quite some time, specially with the best medical care in the world. The last president to die in office was JFK. The last president to die of natural causes was FDR in his 4th term in 1945 and everyone knew he was going to die, that is why they chose Harry S Truman as his VP.

Today, people age differently, we are ale to live longer, be active and productive well into our 60's and 70's. My grandmother and her friends were active well into their 80's.

I take great umbrage and find it despicable this day and age for ANYONE to condemn a person based on age. To me, that is the same as passing judgment against someone because of their race, their religion, their sex, their sexual preference and so on. It is fucking disgusting and another reason for me to be truly disgusted and apathetic towards the Dem. Party I once loved.

The Dem Party I supported and loved fought against ALL prejudice and discrimination.....
Today, they use ageism the same way some use racism, sexism, homophobia and so on.

You don't like McCain's politics and platform, fine...... but don't you dare fucking use his age against him. That would be like someone using Obama's race against him, Hillary or Palin's sex against them, Lieberman's religion against him, Barney Frank's sexual orientation against him.

It's pathetic.

BTW.... as my father used to tell me and it is apparent when studying all he recent presidents... the president is a figurehead, the true power lies in whom he places in his cabinet and how well his advisers advise him. It is still the president's decision, but 99% of the time it is on the advice of his advisers and thorough research as to how he may react. I personally believe McCain will put in his cabinet far more qualified and better people than Obama.

Why would you use Reagan as an example?
During his second term, Reagan was the first president ever to invoke the acting president clause of the 25th amendment during his cancer surgery. Later, his staff contemplated invoking the 25th amendment again because they thought he was becoming inept and inattentive. They thought he was losing his mind...now of course we know that he was suffering from the onset of Alzheimers.

If you want to compare McCain's age to Reagan's age during his 2nd term, I guess it's your choice but history undermines any argument that it's a good idea to put 70+ presidents in office.

loquitur 09-12-2008 07:18 AM

smooth, the US isn't the first country to have people in their 70s or even 80s in office, run for office. The point isn't generalizable from the small data set you're considering. I agree that Reagan was showing signs of Alzheimer's setting in toward the end of his second term, but surely you know that aging is highly idiosyncratic. McCain's mother is 96 y.o. and still very vigorous. In fact, (under the heading of "hilarious stuff") I saw a posting somewhere (I forget where) with the title "who is older?" Underneath were two pictures - McCain's 96-y.o.-mother and Keith Richards. And McCain's mom looked much better. :lol:
-----Added 12/9/2008 at 11 : 19 : 49-----
Oh, and ASU, if you read through the rest of her comments, she actually was careful not to commit to a military approach, only that it shouldn't be off the table. I'll grant you that she isn't fluid yet on foreign policy, and that she was to a large extent spitting back stuff she had memorized.

Baraka_Guru 09-12-2008 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loquitur (Post 2522937)
McCain's mother is 96 y.o. and still very vigorous.

This isn't the first time this has come up. McCain's father and grandfather died at 71 and 61 respectively. Does that factor in? Maybe the men in his family jump 10 years each generation and McCain has until 81.... I dunno.

loquitur 09-12-2008 08:29 AM

Baraka, I don't think it tells you anything necessarily about McCain (though it's suggestive), but it does remind you that just because someone got Alzheimer's at 68 doesn't mean everyone gets it at 68. These are individual things, and some people are fitter than others. I'm not a biologist or a doctor, and I'd certainly agree that older people have more medical issues than younger people, but it does not follow from that every person over 70 is at death's door. David ben-Gurion, for example, was active in politics until he was 82. Nelson Mandela was 77 when he was elected president of South Africa (and from what I understand he is still in good shape). The examples go on and on.

Baraka_Guru 09-12-2008 08:57 AM

Yeah, I agree. Health issues didn't get Fidel Castro until he hit 82. And Robert Mugabe is 84.

loquitur 09-12-2008 12:29 PM

I hate using Robert Mugabe as an example of anything other than a power-hungry terroristic racist psychopath.

But yeah, I understand what you're saying.

noodle 09-12-2008 12:32 PM

So, back to the OP, before everyone started on a tirade about age... Matt Damon is a trip.
He's not one I'd have suspected would open his mouth and be definitive about things...
I agree that it's nice to see celebrities questioning things like those of us in "real life" without screaming at each other.

DOES Palin believe that dinosaurs existed?

dc_dux 09-12-2008 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noodle (Post 2523101)
DOES Palin believe that dinosaurs existed?

In a debate when running for governor, she said creationism should be taught alongside evolution...then later backtracked a bit:
Quote:

The volatile issue of teaching creation science in public schools popped up in the Alaska governor's race...when Republican Sarah Palin said she thinks creationism should be taught alongside evolution in the state's public classrooms....

Palin was answering a question from the moderator.. when she said, "Teach both. You know, don't be afraid of information. Healthy debate is so important, and it's so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both."

(The next day) Palin said she meant only to say that discussion of alternative views should be allowed to arise in Alaska classrooms:

"I don't think there should be a prohibition against debate if it comes up in class. It doesn't have to be part of the curriculum."

She added that, if elected, she would not push the state Board of Education to add such creation-based alternatives to the state's required curriculum.

adn.com | elections : 'Creation science' enters the race
She was a member of the Wasilla Assembly of God church for 20some years. The Assemblies of God's official position is that "even though the Bible is not primarily a book of science, it is as trustworthy in the area of science as when it speaks to any other subject."

Without any specific personal endorsements of teaching creationism (other than the one above, including the limited "retraction)...to hold her accountable for the positions of the church she attends would be the same as holding Obama accountable for the the positions of his church.

But yes, personally, I think she believes that dinosaurs lived along side Adam and Eve and she would feel right at home at the Creation Museum where she could "travel back 6,000 years to the dawn of creation" through Disney-like movies!

smooth 09-12-2008 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loquitur (Post 2522937)
smooth, the US isn't the first country to have people in their 70s or even 80s in office, run for office. The point isn't generalizable from the small data set you're considering. I agree that Reagan was showing signs of Alzheimer's setting in toward the end of his second term, but surely you know that aging is highly idiosyncratic. McCain's mother is 96 y.o. and still very vigorous. In fact, (under the heading of "hilarious stuff") I saw a posting somewhere (I forget where) with the title "who is older?" Underneath were two pictures - McCain's 96-y.o.-mother and Keith Richards. And McCain's mom looked much better. :lol:
-----Added 12/9/2008 at 11 : 19 : 49-----
Oh, and ASU, if you read through the rest of her comments, she actually was careful not to commit to a military approach, only that it shouldn't be off the table. I'll grant you that she isn't fluid yet on foreign policy, and that she was to a large extent spitting back stuff she had memorized.

I didn't make a general argument for or against people in their 70s running for office. I merely questioned why pan would use Reagan's second term as evidence for not being concerned about a 73 year old president. Given the problems associated with Reagan's health during his second term, it undermines his position rather than supporting it.

If someone wanted to make a persuasive argument for not using mcCain's age and health problems against him, I'd suggest using one of the 70+ leaders from another country that you're referring to rather than Reagan's second term.

Tully Mars 09-12-2008 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noodle (Post 2523101)
So, back to the OP, before everyone started on a tirade about age... Matt Damon is a trip.
He's not one I'd have suspected would open his mouth and be definitive about things...
I agree that it's nice to see celebrities questioning things like those of us in "real life" without screaming at each other.

DOES Palin believe that dinosaurs existed?

Damon's been pretty politically active for a long time. He and Robert De Niro were on Hardball with Chris Mathews about a year ago. When asked a question about Cheney he answered-

Quote:

He doesn't strike me as the kind of person who has any real personal courage. When it was his turn to go, he didn't go. He deferred six times
His writing partner and friend Ben Affleck is also active, even speaking of running for office at times.

Mojo_PeiPei 09-12-2008 02:57 PM

Love the chatter coming out of Hollywood these days...

/cue Susan Sarandon

Quote:

"Jesus Christ was a community organizer and Pontius Pilate was a governor."
Pam Anderson

Quote:

"I can't Stand her... She can suck it."
Some pretty insightful, non-offensive, extremely pompous, nor misdirected comparisons to a certain Christian Messiah. For someone who makes such an easy target, these people are really throwing some debris in the wheels on the Obama machine.

host 09-12-2008 10:32 PM

Sometimes the obvious truth just needs to be said....this way:

Quote:

Watchdog Blog Blog Archive Unqualified for Duty
Posted at 7:20 pm, September 2nd, 2008
Dan Froomkin

One of the problems with modern political journalism is that when something manifestly absurd takes place, as long as there are people willing to argue both sides, our top reporters feel obliged to treat it as deserving of serious debate.

Case in point: John McCain’s selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Palin would be spectacularly unqualified for the job of vice president even if McCain were immortal.
But the prospect of her suddenly being thrust into the leadership of the free world has got to leave everyone but the most loyal, talking-point-equipped partisans deeply chilled.

This is not a question of her politics. And it has absolutely nothing to do with her gender. It’s not even strictly speaking a question of experience. Conceivably, somebody with even less experience than Palin could meet what everyone should be able to agree is a basic requirement for the office: That she or he has given serious thought to the national and international issues of our time.

Is there any evidence that Palin is anything other than an utter neophyte when it comes to issues such as Iraq, the economy, health care, and domestic and foreign policy generally?

Palin’s lack of the most basic prerequisite for the job should be the dominant message of the news coverage. Instead, her selection was hailed as a “bold move,” with her lack of qualifications relegated to the status of a Democratic complaint. Instead, the media establishment has let itself get drawn into a number of alternate story lines, some of them certainly quite fascinating, but none of them as essential.

What possible reason is there to nominate someone so lacking in gravitas for the vice presidency? In this case, of course, it couldn’t be more obvious that Palin’s selection has everything to do with politics and nothing to do with governance. Palin’s gender and her hard-right credentials were clearly seen by McCain’s top advisers as just what the campaign needed.

Whether that was a clever or suicidal political calculation remains to be seen. It’s certainly looking more and more like it was a reckless one. But it doesn’t just strain credulity – it pulverizes it – to suggest that she is the best and most qualified person McCain could find for the job.

It’s a tremendous failure of political reporting that such patent spin from McCain supporters is being treated like a supportable position.
By contrast, it seems to me that anyone suggesting that Palin was selected for anything other than political reasons should be considered presumptively a liar from this point on....

......Even though the cable networks can find matched pairs of pundits to take opposite sides on just about anything, I can’t help but think that the vast majority of political journalists recognize that there is something seriously out of whack with the Palin selection.

So it’s time for our elite political reporters to look into their own heads and decide: Do you value what’s in there? Or are you willing to write whatever people tell you?

Willravel 09-12-2008 10:53 PM

Great article, host.

smooth 09-12-2008 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willravel (Post 2523400)
Great article, host.

Definitely.
Thanks for posting it.

Mojo_PeiPei 09-13-2008 12:11 AM

Honestly... In the same breath... What makes Barack so qualified???

He is not Shrub?

That seems to be the test of the times these days... GW sucks as a President... Therefore Obama is qualified.

smooth 09-13-2008 01:21 AM

I'm voting for him because he's young and black.

jorgelito 09-13-2008 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smooth (Post 2523420)
I'm voting for him because he's young and black.

That's certainly your right and no one can take that away from you. I wouldn't denigrate you on your selection or reasons; it's your choice and none of my business. I would hope all of us would respect each others' right to vote and choose whomever we wish for whatever reason.

ottopilot 09-13-2008 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by host (Post 2523393)
Sometimes the obvious truth just needs to be said....this way:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willravel
Great article, host.

Yeah, nice job finding an opinion piece that supports your opinion. Which out of the hundreds, perhaps thousands of opinionated blogs could anyone find something supporting their opinion?

I like Mojo_PeiPei's (perhaps more accurate) comment about Obama... so I'll use it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo_PeiPei
Honestly... In the same breath... What makes Barack so qualified???

He is not Shrub?

That seems to be the test of the times these days... GW sucks as a President... Therefore Obama is qualified.


Mojo_PeiPei 09-13-2008 09:20 AM

And here I thought he was half-white and raised by white women.

host 09-13-2008 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottopilot (Post 2523492)
Yeah, nice job finding an opinion piece that supports your opinion. Which out of the hundreds, perhaps thousands of opinionated blogs could anyone find something supporting their opinion?

I like Mojo_PeiPei's (perhaps more accurate) comment about Obama... so I'll use it.

ottopilot, you've chosen, along with more conservatives than I can possibly count....to marginalize yourself to a fringe POV that cannot be taken seriously...when you criticize the obvious....the "no bullshit", matter of fact opinions of respected and award winning, MAINSTREAM, Washington Post reporter, Dan Froomkin.

Like it or not...American history and Sarah Palin's own recent history and her biography, support what Froomkin said, and what I am posting....let us review where republican standards once were, and where they are today. Let us compare FDR Jr.'s bio, in 1963, and the "controversy" that republicans claimed made him unqualified for the lowly position, compared to the vice presidency....of undersecretary of commerce:

Quote:

News Conference 49 - John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
News Conference 49
President John F. Kennedy
State Department Auditorium
Washington, D.C.
February 14, 1963
4 :00 PM EST (Thursday)
302 In Attendance


....QUESTION: Mr. President, a number of Republicans have questioned the qualifications of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr., to be Under Secretary of Commerce. Would you like to answer them?

THE PRESIDENT: Yes. They questioned the qualifications of his father to be President, and I think that Mr. Roosevelt, I am hopeful, will be confirmed. I wouldn't have sent him up there unless I felt that he would be a good Under Secretary. I served with him in the Congress, and I am for him strongly. I hope the Senate confirms him....
Vidette-Messenger, The (Newspaper) - March 13, 1963, Valparaiso, Indiana
Vidette-Messenger, The (Newspaper) - March 13, 1963, Valparaiso,...
Subscription - Vidette Messenger - NewspaperArchie - Mar 13, 1963
... unworthy of the ad- produce it WASHINGTON Republican Sen Norris Cotton after grilling Franklin D Roosevelt Jr on his qualifications to undersecretary of ...

F.D.R. Jr. Faces Tough Quiz on New U.S. Post
Pay-Per-View - Los Angeles Times - ProQuest Archiver - Mar 9, 1963
... to pepper Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. with some tough questions about his background when he appears before the Senate Commerce Committee next week to be. ...


Quote:

ROOSEVELT, Franklin Delano, Jr. - Biographical Information
ROOSEVELT, Franklin Delano, Jr., (1914 - 1988)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ROOSEVELT, Franklin Delano, Jr., (son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and brother of James Roosevelt), a Representative from New York; born in Campobello, New Brunswick, Canada, August 17, 1914; graduated from Groton School, Groton, Mass., 1933; graduated from Harvard University, 1937; graduated from the University of Virginia Law School at Charlottesville, 1940; was admitted to the bar in 1942; was called from the Naval Reserve on March 13, 1941, to active duty as an ensign in the United States Navy and served in North Africa, Europe, and the Pacific; discharged from active duty in January 1946; awarded the Purple Heart Medal and the Silver Star; lawyer, private practice; vice president of President Truman’s Committee on Civil Rights in 1947 and 1948; chairman of mayor’s committee on unity in New York City in 1948 and 1949; delegate to Democratic National Conventions in 1952 and 1956; elected as a Liberal Party candidate to the Eighty-first Congress, by special election, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States Representative Sol Bloom (May 17, 1949-January 3, 1951); changed from a Liberal to a Democrat on January 3, 1951; elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-second Congress and to the succeeding Congress (January 3, 1951-January 3, 1955); was not a candidate for renomination in 1954, but was unsuccessful for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination; unsuccessful candidate for election for attorney general of New York in 1954; engaged in the automobile import business in 1958; appointed by President Kennedy as chairman of Appalachian Regional Commission, 1963; appointed by President Kennedy as Undersecretary of Commerce, 1963;

Quote:

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin
About the Governor

Governor Sarah Palin made history on Dec. 4, 2006, when she took office. As the 11th governor of Alaska, she is the first woman to hold the office.

...Prior to her election as governor, Palin served two terms on the Wasilla City Council and two terms as the mayor/manager of Wasilla. During her tenure, she reduced property tax levels while increasing services and made Wasilla a business friendly environment, drawing in new industry...

...Sarah Heath Palin arrived in Alaska with her family in 1964, when her parents came to teach school in Skagway. She received a bachelor of science degree in communications-journalism from the University of Idaho in 1987. Palin, who graduated from Wasilla High School in 1982, has lived in Skagway, Eagle River and Wasilla.......

...Prior to taking office, Palin served on numerous boards and commissions throughout the state. She was active in her family’s pursuits – including serving as a sports team mom and school volunteer. She also runs marathons.

Palin is a lifetime member of the NRA and enjoys hunting, fishing, Alaska history, and all that Alaska's great outdoors has to offer....
Quote:

Sarah Palin's husband receives summons in state trooper investigation | World news | The Guardian

Palin's husband receives summons in state trooper investigationDaniel Nasaw and Suzanne Goldenberg in Washington The Guardian, Saturday September 13 2008
Alaska's legislators shook up the presidential race yesterday with a vote to subpoena Todd Palin, the husband of Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, to question him about whether she sacked the state's police chief in order to settle a personal score.

The demand to interview Todd Palin was the latest move in a state senate investigation into accusations that Sarah Palin dismissed state public safety commissioner Walter Monegan because he refused to sack a state trooper caught in a messy divorce with Palin's sister. Palin maintains she let Monegan go over a budget dispute.

If the investigation finds that Palin used her influence as governor to further a family matter, it could threaten McCain's bid for the presidency. The Republican party has sought to portray Palin, Alaska's governor since December 2006, as a corruption fighter.

Stephen Branchflower, the former prosecutor conducting the inquiry for the state senate, did not seek to subpoena the governor but has said he would like to interview her. Todd Palin was one of 13 people the panel voted to subpoena. The state senate panel rejected efforts by two of its Republican members to delay the matter until after the November 4 election. Their report is due next month. The investigation began in the weeks before McCain selected Palin as his running mate . The Republicans say the inquiry is politically motivated.

Monegan says that Palin, her aides and her husband, a commercial fisherman and oilfield worker, approached him and complained that trooper Mike Wooten was still employed by the department. Palin fired Monegan in July, and Monegan has publicly said he believes the firing was connected with his refusal to remove Wooten.....

washingtonpost.com
Palin E-Mails Show Intense Interest in Trooper's Penalty
By James V. Grimaldi and Karl Vick
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, September 4, 2008; Page A27

EAGLE RIVER, Alaska, Sept. 3 -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the running mate for GOP presidential candidate John McCain, wrote e-mails that harshly criticized Alaska state troopers for failing to fire her former brother-in-law and ridiculed an internal affairs investigation into his conduct.

The e-mails were shown to The Washington Post by a former public safety commissioner, Walter Monegan, who was fired by Palin in July. Monegan has given copies of the e-mails to state ethics investigators to support his contention that he was dismissed for failing to fire Trooper Mike Wooten, who at the time was feuding with Palin's family. ....

In 1963, republicans attacked FDR Jr., as "unqualified", even for appointment to a relatively minor office, after JFK appointed him as undersecretary of the commerce dept. because his law firm had accepted a fee for services from a Latin American dicator and FDR Jr., as a law partner, received some of that legal fee as income, he had lost his driver's license after five minor infractions, several not even related to his actual driving, and he was susequently arrested for driving while under suspension....oh yeah.....and he was involved in a business related tax payment dispute with the IRS over which year a payment and penalty were due....yet the grandfathers of the current republican generation declared FDR Jr. to be unqualified to hold even minor office.... even though the man was the son and namesake of the US president who led the country during the great depression and during WWII, and he himself was a wounded and highly decorated war hero, a Harvard grad and a law school grad and practicing attorney and three term US congressman.

When did republicans and other conservatives abandon the high ethical and competence standards of their grandfather's in favor of this....not only in favor of it, but quick to vigorously and enthusiastically defend it all? You don't want to be dismissed as hypocrites, and you want to be taken seriously in your arguments.....but....as Dan Froomkin chided political reporters....c'mon....what choice, when considering your reactions to Palin, her qualifications, and behavior and decisions taken in "troopergate".....do you actually leave, the rest of us?
Quote:

Exclusive: Chief Fired by Palin Speaks Out - Washington Post Investigations
She took office in December 2006 and appointed Monegan, who'd just retired as Anchorage police chief after five years, to be public safety commissioner...

Anchorage Police Department - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Today the Anchorage Police Department is the largest police department in Alaska serving a population of roughly 227,000 in a service area encompassing 159 square miles. There are several specialized units including Canine, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Homicide Response Team, Hostage Negotiations Team, Bomb Team, School Resource Officer (SRO), Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), Identification Section, Data System Section, Records Section, Traffic and Crime Prevention Unit. APD's Homicide Response Team has been nationally recognized for their techniques and solvability rate.

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 08/30/2008 | Fired official: Palin talked to me about ex-brother-in-law
Posted on Saturday, August 30, 2008
ANCHORAGE — Alaska's former commissioner of public safety claims that Gov. Sarah Palin, John McCain's pick to be vice president, personally talked to him on two occasions about a state trooper who was locked in a bitter custody battle with the governor's sister. ...

...The controversy raises questions not only about whether she abused her authority as governor, but about her administrative abilities. Palin's replacement for Monegan, Chuck Kopp, was forced to resign just two weeks after he was appointed because of a sexual harassment complaint that had been filed against him when he was the chief of police in Kenai, Alaska.

Palin, in a news conference announcing Kopp's resignation July 24, said she was unaware that the Kenai city council had reprimanded Kopp as a result of the complaint. She wouldn't discuss how her staff had vetted Kopp before naming him to replace Monegan three days after Monegan was fired.

Palin apologized for the chaos that the Monegan dismissal and the Kopp resignation had caused. "This has been a tumultuous week in the Department of Public Safety, and as your governor, I apologize," she said at the news conference.

Monegan claims his refusal to fire Wooten was a major reason that Palin dismissed him.

Kenai, Alaska - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 6,942 people, 2,622 households, and 1,788 families residing in the city.

Palin Administration Names New Public Safety Commissioner | Alaska Superstation -- Alaska News, Weather and Sports -- Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau
Palin Administration Names New Public Safety Commissioner
Jamey Kirk

Story Updated: Jul 14, 2008 at 7:38 PM AKDT

Anchorage, AK - Kenai's own chief of police will no longer serve and protect the people of Kenai. Charles "Chuck" Kopp will now focus his energies on the safety of both Kenai residents and the citizens of the rest of the state.

On Monday, Gov. Sarah Palin named Kopp Public Safety commissioner. The new head of the state's Department of Public Safety has replaced Walt Monegan, who was fired by the governor. Palin said she wanted the department to head in a new direction, with new leadership.

Speaking on Kopp's behalf, the governor said the he has dedicated his career to public safety, and shares her commitment to strengthening communities and combating drug and alcohol problems in rural Alaska.

Kopp, 43, told Soldotna radio station KSRM that this is a, "great privilege to serve the people of Alaska in this capacity."...
So....to sum it up.....from the collective, bizarro POV you have signed onto.... sudden dismissal of the former chief of police of the department in the state's largest city, from the post as chief of the state Department of Public Safety, suddenly and without further explanation.....NONE OFFERED TO THIS VERY DAY, by Gov. Palin, in favor of the immediate appointment, apparently unvetted or poorly vetted, of the chief of a police depatment of a rural town populated by less than 7,500 people.....yeah....that Change needed to get done, ASAP, didn't it? And it effing lasted less than two weeks!

Ottopilot, mojo, jorgelito, am I even assuming correctly that you want to be taken seriously here, in political discussions? There are degrees of respect, as far as voting decisions anyone takes. The degree of respect is earned, it doesn't just come automatically.

As Dan Froomkin and history make very clear, Palin is a poor, unqualified choice, even if some are willing to argue otherwise. Chief Monegan was clearly much more qualified to head state public safety, than Chief Kopp was....these are obvious conclusions, guys....and it isn't like it isn't pointed out to you, over and over.....you simply refuse to consider the obvious!

ottopilot 09-13-2008 10:39 AM

So what is your equally compelling argument FOR Obama? I'm going with "He's not a shrub."

You say lots of stuff when you say lots of stuff. Are you now in support of Obama? No friends at the daily KOS these days?

host 09-13-2008 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottopilot (Post 2523592)
So what is your equally compelling argument FOR Obama? I'm going with "He's not a shrub."

You say lots of stuff when you say lots of stuff. Are you now in support of Obama? No friends at the daily KOS these days?

I detest Obana....I've made that obvious in recent posts. He's shown himself to be an enabler, instead of a challenger, along with Pelosi, Hoyer, Reed, et al....to what I object to most.....the one party in America, the "property party", with two right wings, democrat and republican..... the "coaltition" that passed "telecomm amnesty" and FISA "reform".....the group that wants to defend Israel as if it was the 51st US state, that proclaims any enemly of Israel to be an enemy of the US, the group that wants to increase the size of the US milifary, and the amount spent on that military, the group that declares preemptive use of military force to be an option, the group that is to the right of president Eisenhower......

....although they are not many, there are members at dailykos who agree with me about Obama....it was one of them who shared the Gore Vidal "property party" quote with me.... I was unfamiliar with it, and it was a revelation to read it...and it still is, every time....

Now again....why do you settle for so little and defend your opinion of what you settle for....when conservatives of your grandfather's day had such loftier and demanding, minimum standards, for qualification to even minor office in the US government?

ottopilot 09-13-2008 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by host
...although they are not many, there are members at dailykos who agree with me about Obama....it was one of them who shared the Gore Vidal "property party" quote with me.... I was unfamiliar with it, and it was a revelation to read it...and it still is, every time...

Wow... my comment about the dailykos was just sarcasm because it fit the profile. I suppose some clichés are based in truth.

Quote:

Originally Posted by host (Post 2523595)
Now again....why do you settle for so little and defend your opinion of what you settle for....when conservatives of your grandfather's day had such loftier and demanding, minimum standards, for qualification to even minor office in the US government?

Since your assumptions appear to serve mostly as a springboard for your daily research or talking points, which opinion? How may I help you clear your desk?

host 09-13-2008 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottopilot (Post 2523492)
Yeah, nice job finding an opinion piece that supports your opinion. Which out of the hundreds, perhaps thousands of opinionated blogs could anyone find something supporting their opinion?

I like Mojo_PeiPei's (perhaps more accurate) comment about Obama... so I'll use it.

.....Froomkin stated the obvious.....that Palin is an unqualified, "minor leaguer", and he chided the political press for providing stenographic services for the idiot pundits who claim Palin was a worthy pick as McCain's running mate.

You seem to support those who claim Palin was a qualified choice. You seem to disagree with Dan Froomkin's point that when something is so obvious.....Palin is unqualified to be US VP..... it does not matter how many say otherwise, if they cannot support their opinion.....you can't....and I posted the examples of your grandfathers' opposite standards.

If you defend the Palin pick, you have no standards.

What is the "wow" reaction to dailykos....why wouldn't I think you were serious? It's a political site open to public posting....like this one....?

smooth 09-13-2008 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo_PeiPei (Post 2523565)
And here I thought he was half-white and raised by white women.

Well I'm not black, but I like rap music and I usually like black people when I meet them in person. I don't really know anything about Obama's background or stance on any issues, but I figure I'd like him if I met him.

Rekna 09-13-2008 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan6467 (Post 2522185)
BTW.... as my father used to tell me and it is apparent when studying all he recent presidents... the president is a figurehead, the true power lies in whom he places in his cabinet and how well his advisers advise him. It is still the president's decision, but 99% of the time it is on the advice of his advisers and thorough research as to how he may react. I personally believe McCain will put in his cabinet far more qualified and better people than Obama.

Ok I'll bite, why don't we compare Palin and Biden and see who is more qualified. If McCain is going to pick is cabinate positions after a 15 minute based on a gut feeling then i'm scared. Good leadership is done through good judgment which takes homework, something McCain doesn't seem willing to do.

Mojo_PeiPei 09-13-2008 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smooth (Post 2523675)
Well I'm not black, but I like rap music and I usually like black people when I meet them in person. I don't really know anything about Obama's background or stance on any issues, but I figure I'd like him if I met him.

Like how people said George Bush seems like a cool guy to have a beer with?

filtherton 09-13-2008 05:57 PM

I like Obama because, as a Blame America First liberal, I appreciate the fact that his middle name is the same as the last name of Saddam Hussein and that if you replace a letter in his first name with another letter you can spell Osama.

loquitur 09-13-2008 06:59 PM

I think I can safely say now that the quality of the discussion on this thread has now hit bottom and is digging.

ngdawg 09-15-2008 02:26 PM

Did someone say "Disney"?


pan6467 09-16-2008 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngdawg (Post 2524927)
Did someone say "Disney"?

YouTube - The Lying King

Very funny and true. Thank you for sharing some humor with us. :thumbsup:

ottopilot 09-16-2008 09:07 AM

das ist ein wunderbar!

asaris 09-16-2008 10:05 AM

Wow, that was a stupid and entirely inaccurate video.

Tully Mars 09-16-2008 10:18 AM

Huh, thought the right hated all things European. Oh well least it wasn't in French.

ASU2003 10-05-2008 06:46 AM


I know this happened a while ago, but I found this (fake) movie trailer today. When they put it like that it does seem like a movie Disney would make.

I wonder what would happen if the Dems used this as a campaign ad?

Seaver 10-05-2008 09:50 AM

Quote:

Did someone say "Disney"?
Funny, True, and proves Host's post in a way he never intended. The batshit crazy stuff posted in the news belongs to the Left much moreso than the right.

dc_dux 10-05-2008 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seaver (Post 2538965)
The batshit crazy stuff posted in the news belongs to the Left much moreso than the right.

In the words of Ronald Reagan......"there you go again!"

Dont you guys on the right ever get tired of making the same baseless argument?


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