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Author Topic:   George W. Bush's qualifications to be President
jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 136 of 247 (138629)
08-31-2004 9:14 PM
Reply to: Message 135 by johnfolton
08-31-2004 8:07 PM


Re: an image of leadership?
whatever writes:
The US Bill of Rights being authored by God, as witnessed by Thomas Jefferson's proclamation to the Whole World,
Time to stop and support this statement. You have been asked to do so before and have not yet carried through.
Please show that Mr Jefferson said that.
In addition, you have been asked, "Does President Bush enforce the Laws of the Land" and have refused to answer that as well.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
 Message 135 by johnfolton, posted 08-31-2004 8:07 PM johnfolton has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 138 by johnfolton, posted 08-31-2004 10:20 PM jar has replied

RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 137 of 247 (138637)
08-31-2004 9:49 PM
Reply to: Message 135 by johnfolton
08-31-2004 8:07 PM


Re: an image of leadership? Reality Check
Here is a different view:
We’re Not in Lake Wobegon Anymore
How did the Party of Lincoln and Liberty transmogrify into the Party of Newt Gingrich’s Evil Spawn and their Etch-A-Sketch President, a Dull and Rigid Man, whose Philosophy is a Jumble of badly sutured Body Parts trying to Walk?
by Garrison Keillor
Something has gone seriously haywire with the Republican Party. Once, it was the party of pragmatic Main Street businessmen in steel-rimmed spectacles who decried profligacy and waste, were devoted to their communities and supported the sort of prosperity that raises all ships. They were good-hearted people who vanquished the gnarlier elements of their party, the paranoid Roosevelt-haters, the flat Earthers and Prohibitionists, the antipapist antiforeigner element. The genial Eisenhower was their man, a genuine American hero of D-Day, who made it OK for reasonable people to vote Republican. He brought the Korean
War to a stalemate, produced the Interstate Highway System, declined to rescue the French colonial army in Vietnam, and gave us a period of peace and prosperity, in which (oddly) American arts and letters flourished and higher education burgeonedand there was a degree of plain decency in the country. Fifties Republicans were giants compared to today’s. Richard Nixon was the last Republican leader to feel a Christian obligation toward the poor.
In the years between Nixon and Newt Gingrich, the party migrated southward down the Twisting Trail of Rhetoric and sneered at the idea of public service and became the Scourge of Liberalism, the Great Crusade Against the Sixties, the Death Star of Government, a gang of pirates that diverted and fascinated the media by their sheer chutzpah, such as the misty-eyed flag-waving of Ronald Reagan who, while George McGovern flew bombers in World War II, took a pass and made training films in Long Beach. The Nixon moderate vanished like the passenger pigeon, purged by a legion of angry white men who rose to power on pure punk politics. Bipartisanship is another term of date rape, says Grover Norquist, the Sid Vicious of the GOP. I don’t want to abolish government. I simply want to reduce it to the size where I can drag it into the bathroom and drown it in the bathtub. The boy has Oedipal problems and government is his daddy.
The party of Lincoln and Liberty was transmogrified into the party of hairy-backed swamp developers and corporate shills, faith-based economists, fundamentalist bullies with Bibles, Christians of convenience, freelance racists, misanthropic frat boys, shrieking midgets of AM radio, tax cheats, nihilists in golf pants, brownshirts in pinstripes, sweatshop tycoons, hacks, fakirs, aggressive dorks, Lamborghini libertarians, people who believe Neil Armstrong’s moonwalk was filmed in Roswell, New Mexico, little honkers out to diminish the rest of us, Newt’s evil spawn and their Etch-A-Sketch president, a dull and rigid man suspicious of the free flow of information and of secular institutions, whose philosophy is a jumble of badly sutured body parts trying to walk. Republicans: The No.1 reason the rest of the world thinks we’re deaf, dumb and dangerous.
Rich ironies abound! Lies pop up like toadstools in the forest! Wild swine crowd round the public trough! Outrageous gerrymandering! Pocket lining on a massive scale! Paid lobbyists sit in committee rooms and write legislation to alleviate the suffering of billionaires! Hypocrisies shine like cat turds in the moonlight! O Mark Twain, where art thou at this hour? Arise and behold the Gilded Age reincarnated gaudier than ever, upholding great wealth as the sure sign of Divine Grace.
Here in 2004, George W. Bush is running for reelection on a platform of tragedythe single greatest failure of national defense in our history, the attacks of 9/11 in which 19 men with box cutters put this nation into a tailspin, a failure the details of which the White House fought to keep secret even as it ran the country into hock up to the hubcaps, thanks to generous tax cuts for the well-fixed, hoping to lead us into a box canyon of debt that will render government impotent, even as we engage in a war against a small country that was undertaken for the president’s personal satisfaction but sold to the American public on the basis of brazen misinformation, a war whose purpose is to distract us from an enormous transfer of wealth taking place in this country, flowing upward, and the deception is working beautifully.
The concentration of wealth and power in the hands of the few is the death knell of democracy. No republic in the history of humanity has survived this. The election of 2004 will say something about what happens to ours. The omens are not good.
Our beloved land has been fogged with fearfear, the greatest political strategy ever. An ominous silence, distant sirens, a drumbeat of whispered warnings and alarms to keep the public uneasy and silence the opposition. And in a time of vague fear, you can appoint bullet-brained judges, strip the bark off the Constitution, eviscerate federal regulatory agencies, bring public education to a standstill, stupefy the press, lavish gorgeous tax breaks on the rich.
There is a stink drifting through this election year. It isn’t the Florida recount or the Supreme Court decision. No, it’s 9/11 that we keep coming back to. It wasn’t the end of innocence, or a turning point in our history, or a cosmic occurrence, it was an event, a lapse of security. And patriotism shouldn’t prevent people from asking hard questions of the man who was purportedly in charge of national security at the time.
Whenever I think of those New Yorkers hurrying along Park Place or getting off the No.1 Broadway local, hustling toward their office on the 90th floor, the morning paper under their arms, I think of that non-reader George W. Bush and how he hopes to exploit those people with a little economic uptick, maybe the capture of Osama, cruise to victory in November and proceed to get some serious nation-changing done in his second term.
This year, as in the past, Republicans will portray us Democrats as embittered academics, desiccated Unitarians, whacked-out hippies and communards, people who talk to telephone poles, the party of the Deadheads. They will wave enormous flags and wow over and over the footage of firemen in the wreckage of the World Trade Center and bodies being carried out and they will lie about their economic policies with astonishing enthusiasm.
The Union is what needs defending this year. Government of Enron and by Halliburton and for the Southern Baptists is not the same as what Lincoln spoke of. This gang of Pithecanthropus Republicanii has humbugged us to death on terrorism and tax cuts for the comfy and school prayer and flag burning and claimed the right to know what books we read and to dump their sewage upstream from the town and clear-cut the forests and gut the IRS and mark up the constitution on behalf of intolerance and promote the corporate takeover of the public airwaves and to hell with anybody who opposes them.
This is a great country, and it wasn’t made so by angry people. We have a sacred duty to bequeath it to our grandchildren in better shape than however we found it. We have a long way to go and we’re not getting any younger.
Dante said that the hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who in time of crisis remain neutral, so I have spoken my piece, and thank you, dear reader. It’s a beautiful world, rain or shine, and there is more to life than winning.
2004 In These Times


Don't think I've ever seen him that angry.

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAAmerican.Zen[Deist
{{{Buddha walks off laughing with joy}}}

This message is a reply to:
 Message 135 by johnfolton, posted 08-31-2004 8:07 PM johnfolton has not replied

johnfolton 
Suspended Member (Idle past 5591 days)
Posts: 2024
Joined: 12-04-2005


Message 138 of 247 (138652)
08-31-2004 10:20 PM
Reply to: Message 136 by jar
08-31-2004 9:14 PM


Jar, I took up NoseyNed on temporarily taking back the statement, it appears the link was quoting a famous early republic lawyer, who was quoting Thomas Jefferson, though when one looks at some of the quotes by TJ that the freedoms of liberty, etc... he said were not from the charters of man, but of the King of Kings(suggest the Charter of the Constitution were taken from the holy book)what else could he be implying, so he was quite religious while holding the office of president of the United States, and George Washingtons quote saying that Congress would protect the religion of Jesus Christ, its a mute point that the founding fathers were Christians, etc...
P.S. Thomas Jefferson shares GWB believe that less government is better than more government, because the people discipline themselves, etc...
http://www.thinkexist.com/English/Topic/x/Topic_356_1.htm
That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves.
Thomas Jefferson
This message has been edited by whatever, 08-31-2004 09:32 PM

This message is a reply to:
 Message 136 by jar, posted 08-31-2004 9:14 PM jar has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 140 by jar, posted 08-31-2004 10:47 PM johnfolton has replied
 Message 153 by Silent H, posted 09-01-2004 5:21 AM johnfolton has replied

RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 139 of 247 (138654)
08-31-2004 10:21 PM


The Solution to Pollution is Bush ... NOT!
I was shown this by someone....
Study Finds Top Air Polluters Closely Tied to Bush Administration The nation's top 50 polluting power plants are owned by corporations that are tightly allied with the Bush Administration both as major campaign contributors and in conducting pollution policymaking, according to a new study released yesterday. Conducted by two nonprofit, nonpartisan groups--the Environmental Integrity Project and Public Citizen--the study utilized data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI).
Bush Administration Closeley tied to Top Air Polluters (click to go to the article)
http://www.bushgreenwatch.org/mt_archives/000112.php

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAAmerican.Zen[Deist
{{{Buddha walks off laughing with joy}}}

jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 140 of 247 (138662)
08-31-2004 10:47 PM
Reply to: Message 138 by johnfolton
08-31-2004 10:20 PM


whatever
You are totally incorrigible.
You say...
Jar, I took up NoseyNed on temporarily taking back the statement,
and in the very same paragraph
TJ that the freedoms of liberty, etc... he said were not from the charters of man, but of the King of Kings(suggest the Charter of the Constitution were taken from the holy book)what else could he be implying,...
go on to imply exactly the same thing.
You then continue to avoid the question "Does President Bush enforce the Laws of the Land"?

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
 Message 138 by johnfolton, posted 08-31-2004 10:20 PM johnfolton has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 141 by johnfolton, posted 08-31-2004 11:04 PM jar has replied

johnfolton 
Suspended Member (Idle past 5591 days)
Posts: 2024
Joined: 12-04-2005


Message 141 of 247 (138664)
08-31-2004 11:04 PM
Reply to: Message 140 by jar
08-31-2004 10:47 PM


Re: whatever
Jar, Thought GWB is commander and chief, if he was enforcing the laws, he would of had Kerry thrown in jail for breaking federal law, whatever, got to go, Arnold is speaking, Republican Convention, etc...

This message is a reply to:
 Message 140 by jar, posted 08-31-2004 10:47 PM jar has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 142 by jar, posted 08-31-2004 11:06 PM johnfolton has not replied

jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 142 of 247 (138665)
08-31-2004 11:06 PM
Reply to: Message 141 by johnfolton
08-31-2004 11:04 PM


Re: whatever
You then continue to avoid the question "Does President Bush enforce the Laws of the Land"?

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
 Message 141 by johnfolton, posted 08-31-2004 11:04 PM johnfolton has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 144 by RAZD, posted 08-31-2004 11:40 PM jar has not replied

joz
Inactive Member


Message 143 of 247 (138670)
08-31-2004 11:39 PM


Well Shrubs progeny just introduced a videocast of their father as someone who read them bedtime stories....
I thought of this...
http://politicalhumor.about.com/...s/bush_bookupsidedown.jpg
My sympathy to the twins, it must truly have been a terrible experience for them to learn what a complete nitwit their father is....
Ok back to the train wreck....

RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 144 of 247 (138671)
08-31-2004 11:40 PM
Reply to: Message 142 by jar
08-31-2004 11:06 PM


Re: whatever troll behavior
and what part about troll behavior don't you understand?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 142 by jar, posted 08-31-2004 11:06 PM jar has not replied

bob_gray
Member (Idle past 5013 days)
Posts: 243
From: Virginia
Joined: 05-03-2004


Message 145 of 247 (138672)
08-31-2004 11:42 PM
Reply to: Message 134 by RAZD
08-31-2004 12:34 PM


Bush's #1 qualification is that he is not smart
I was having a discussion with a staunch Republican a couple of weeks ago and they presented the following argument for why GWB is such a great president. (this is not a direct quote but it is close enough)
"It has been noticed that people with IQs at about 120 make the best presidents. Apparently people with high IQs like Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter know too much and see to many choices so they make the wrong one. People like GWB who have IQs around 120 see only one choice so they can't be mislead."
This may well be the stupidest argument I have ever heard. And the person espousing the argument isn't even a moron himself. It was a highly respected neurologist.
The mental gymnastics people have to do to make this guy even seem like a choice are mind boggling.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 134 by RAZD, posted 08-31-2004 12:34 PM RAZD has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 146 by RAZD, posted 08-31-2004 11:54 PM bob_gray has replied

RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 146 of 247 (138677)
08-31-2004 11:54 PM
Reply to: Message 145 by bob_gray
08-31-2004 11:42 PM


Re: Bush's #1 qualification is that he is not smart
LOL
lets see, there are 3 choices on most topics -- good, bad, and indifferent
bush sees only one so his "probability" of seeing the right one is 1/3
IF each choice has an equal "probability" of getting through his "filter"
If the filter takes out all but the bad choice we are in doo-doo
NOTE we are in doo-doo
conclusion anyone?

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAAmerican.Zen[Deist
{{{Buddha walks off laughing with joy}}}

This message is a reply to:
 Message 145 by bob_gray, posted 08-31-2004 11:42 PM bob_gray has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 147 by bob_gray, posted 09-01-2004 12:21 AM RAZD has replied

bob_gray
Member (Idle past 5013 days)
Posts: 243
From: Virginia
Joined: 05-03-2004


Message 147 of 247 (138686)
09-01-2004 12:21 AM
Reply to: Message 146 by RAZD
08-31-2004 11:54 PM


Re: Bush's #1 qualification is that he is not smart
quote:
lets see, there are 3 choices on most topics -- good, bad, and indifferent
bush sees only one so his "probability" of seeing the right one is 1/3
And that is even in the generous case of all three being equally likely. I would venture to say that there are far more bad/indifferent choices than the right one.
The biggest problem with an argument like this one is that you can't even refute it because to do so would pretend that it might have some validity. I was struck dumb when this was told to me.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 146 by RAZD, posted 08-31-2004 11:54 PM RAZD has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 149 by RAZD, posted 09-01-2004 12:47 AM bob_gray has not replied

crashfrog
Member (Idle past 1467 days)
Posts: 19762
From: Silver Spring, MD
Joined: 03-20-2003


Message 148 of 247 (138691)
09-01-2004 12:45 AM


Out of curiosity, Republicans...
... but what exactly is Bush's agenda for the next four years?
What's he going to do about health care costs and the right of patients to sue their HMO's for denial of care?
What's he going to do about the sluggish economy? How many more tax cuts can he offer if he's got an occupation in Iraq to fund?
What's his plan for fighting the war on terror, assuming he even believes that it's a winnable war?
I'm watching the RNC, and all I see is "Kerry this, Kerry that." Just like Bush's website. What's the deal? How does Bush expect to run a campaign based just on "anybody but Kerry"?
Did he maybe forget that he's been the president for the last 4 years? Exactly when is he going to bring up his record instead of the made-up failings of his opponent?

Replies to this message:
 Message 150 by RAZD, posted 09-01-2004 12:54 AM crashfrog has not replied
 Message 151 by berberry, posted 09-01-2004 3:33 AM crashfrog has replied

RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 149 of 247 (138692)
09-01-2004 12:47 AM
Reply to: Message 147 by bob_gray
09-01-2004 12:21 AM


Re: Bush's #1 qualification is that he is not smart
yes
maybe he posts here ...

This message is a reply to:
 Message 147 by bob_gray, posted 09-01-2004 12:21 AM bob_gray has not replied

RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 150 of 247 (138693)
09-01-2004 12:54 AM
Reply to: Message 148 by crashfrog
09-01-2004 12:45 AM


Re: Out of curiosity, Republicans...
yep. when you got nothing, resort to the old ad hominem and attack the opponent.
what's his plan? give larger tax breaks to the rich and greedy, gut more environmental and labour legislation, send social security into permanent bankruptcy, place more restrictions on education with no funding to force schools to go bankrupt to ensure the "no kid gets ahead" plan works, and ensure that more families are sent into poverty and deprived of benefits, especially the vets returning from his wars.
ie - more of same., but without fear of needing to get re-elected by committee of the supreme court.
any questions?

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAAmerican.Zen[Deist
{{{Buddha walks off laughing with joy}}}

This message is a reply to:
 Message 148 by crashfrog, posted 09-01-2004 12:45 AM crashfrog has not replied

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