READER COMMENTS ON
"Question of the Moment"
(22 Responses so far...)
COMMENT #1 [Permalink]
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Mrs. Johanna
said on 9/1/2004 @ 5:59 am PT...
I'd respond, but I'm afraid my answer is all too predictable.
Oh and um....hello to any ladies out there.
COMMENT #2 [Permalink]
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Teddy
said on 9/1/2004 @ 6:18 am PT...
It's enough to make your head spin around like a top...
COMMENT #3 [Permalink]
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Paul
said on 9/1/2004 @ 8:14 am PT...
The Bush's learned in 1988 that one can win with conservative Christians as long as they vote. [20 million Christians did not vote in 2000]. The Bush's were amazed that you could virtually win without Jews and African-Americans. See the documentary on the History Channel about the Bush family.
However, many Christians do not vote because they are one issue voters - abortion, etc. Bush 43 helped the Christian right feel comfortable with Bush 41.
I felt that Bush 41 was way to moderate at the end of his presidency. I really got pissed when he withheld money from Israel.
I like Bush 43 because he is more conservative than his father. We actually got a ban on partial birth abortion. We actually got some conservative judges even though we need a lot more.
Moderates are popular because they have done some good things too. Look how Guliani cleaned up Manhattan. Look how he handled 911. Arnold is a funny guy, has made some good films, and has a great story. I have not seen his speech yet (I was gone but taped it) but will check it out today. The moderates will keep some Christians from voting at all but will pick up other moderates and some independents. Will it be enough to win? We shall see.
In 1994, the Demos really went after Christians and it pissed us off. That, along with Hillary's healthcare and the tax hike, helped in a stunning defeat of the Democrats called the Republican Revolution. Republicans have been in power in both houses ever since except for two years under jumping Jim Jeffords.
Bush will not win if Christian conservatives stay home.
Remember, mainstream America is all of the red counties all over the US (the whole country is virtually red). Only very few areas are blue but they are in the large cities, which tend to be more moderate.
COMMENT #4 [Permalink]
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johnhp
said on 9/1/2004 @ 8:37 am PT...
Paul,
As i Christian i have completely forgotten the 1994 purges of Christians. Could you refresh my memory on that one?
regarding Healthcare, when read a straight up description of the proposal 79% of Americans supported it. At least thats what the rigth wing wall street journal claimed.
BTW, stop speaking for all Christians. As a Christian i find your presentation embarassing and ugly.
As for Mr. Schwarzenegger, i think the real reason republicans like him is that he has the right accent.
COMMENT #5 [Permalink]
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Conrad
said on 9/1/2004 @ 9:37 am PT...
As a moderate, a registered independant and possibly a Libertarian, I'm probably voting for Bush this time. My voting history is, Carter-Reagan-Bush-Perot-Clinton-Gore.
Had Joe Lieberman made the cut, he would be my guy, hands down.
At this stage of the game the conventions have tipped me drastically toward Bush. A super strong showing in the debates may change that, but to be honest Kerry is coming across as a phony, an opportunist and no matter how much he parrots Bush on national security, I don't trust him. I can't see how raising taxes will help the economy or create jobs, I'm all for national healthcare but feel that national security should be our focus.
I will always oppose the invasion of Iraq but Guliani's speech really hit a chord with me in that regard.
I find it refreshing that the republicans would allow those of diverse opinion precious floortime.
P.S. As a second generation proud German, I take offense at JohnHp's accent comment.
COMMENT #6 [Permalink]
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Brad
said on 9/1/2004 @ 10:32 am PT...
Paul, you gave a bunch of the GOP talking points, but failed to answer the question.
If, as you, and many other "Conservatives" have suggested that Bush and the policies of his cronies are the "mainstream" views in America, why is that it's the Republican politicians who disagree on a bulk of those issues who are the acknowledged most popular Republicans in the country?
Doesn't that *prove* that in fact it is the Anti-Gun, Pro-Choice, Pro-Gay crowd that is the *real* Mainstream in America?
COMMENT #7 [Permalink]
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johnhp
said on 9/1/2004 @ 11:18 am PT...
Conrad,
Let's hash out a few things. Bush is parroting Kerry and the democrats on national security issues, not the other way around. What precisely in Giuliani's speech made it seem as if you could be nice and comfy with a ginned up war? Finally, i couldnt care less what you're ethnic heritage is (my family hails from among other places Alsace; yes, i am German too, or French depending upon the year....). It was not a slam against Germans; it was a slam against the ideology of the right winged republicans. i am sorry if you completely misunderstood that.
COMMENT #8 [Permalink]
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Conrad
said on 9/1/2004 @ 1:49 pm PT...
Johnhp
I don't choose to hash out anything with an ignorant bigot who claims that Bush is parroting Kerry on national security issues.
I don't know what I find more repulsive, the veterans attacking Kerry on technical points of his honorable and heroic war record or their leftwing counterparts like you morphing Bush into Hitler and flinging terms like brownshirt around.
Sir, you say you couldn't care less my ethnic heritgage and go on to explain at length that yours is so similar. So shallow. My grandfather died at Dachau, I'm a Jew. And know the difference between Germans and nazis, and would NEVER imply a connection between an American political party and those animals because of the accent of an Austrian actor.
I misunderstood nothing sir.
COMMENT #9 [Permalink]
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Paul
said on 9/1/2004 @ 5:31 pm PT...
Thanks Conrad!
Johnhp - I too am a German from Alsace. My family came to America on 9/3/1639, and founded the town of Hagerstown, MD.
As for Brad's blog:
The second amendment is pro-gun so I believe that is mainsteam America.
A close 50-50 split on abortion but something like 75% believe it is murder. That is mainstream.
Missouri had a vote on gay marriage and it was soundly defeated. That is mainstream America.
I answered the question - the red counties all over the US are the mainstream.
Popularity has nothing to do with it. Ideas are what matters. I like Arnold, but do I want to change the constitution for him to run as president? Nope! Do I think he is better for California than the other guy - you bet cha!
Kerry "is" an arrogant phony.
COMMENT #10 [Permalink]
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johnhp
said on 9/2/2004 @ 5:36 am PT...
Conrad,
A second generation German now a German Jew whose grandfather died at Dachau? Its an interesting but improbable declaration. i would think you would have identified such an ethnicity in your first post; it would have been more to the point from your perspective. i suppose that it didn't occur to you util later that you were Jewish? hardly.
Nevertheless you completely misunderstand the policies of the NSDAP and their policies. i was not compating the final solution to the republican party but the electoral politics of both parties. You know, anti-worker, anti-minority, anti-homosexual etc. i dont think the republicans have an extermination policy and have never made such a claim. Do i think Bush is a nazi? He's the guy who insists that the masses cannot decide their destiny and that a "leader" must mold them to the proper interests.
COMMENT #11 [Permalink]
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johnhp
said on 9/2/2004 @ 5:55 am PT...
Paul,
You ever have some of the traditional food and drink of Alsace? Excellent. i don't know why my family, or at least that part of it ever fled the Kaiser's war maching to Canada. Oh yeah, they had brains.
Reagrding your points the 2nd Amendment is not "pro-gun" it is pro-militia. keeping and bearing arms is related to a well regulated militia. Nevertheless, most Americans are for sensible gun regulations like waiting periods, closing the loop holes for gun shows, no duck hunting with fuill auto m-16s etc.
Making Missouri's anti-homosexual laws mainstream is like polling a leather bar, no pun intended, and proclaiming that fisting or bare backing represent a significant proportion of America's mainstream sexual activity. It's like polling rural Georgia in the mid 60s and discovering that most americans are Klan members.
BTW, if popularity has nothing to do with issues why the appeal to mainstream values?
Could you also please refresh my memory on your claims of the attacks on Christians?
COMMENT #12 [Permalink]
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johnhp
said on 9/2/2004 @ 6:06 am PT...
COMMENT #13 [Permalink]
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Conrad
said on 9/2/2004 @ 7:02 am PT...
Johnhp
It's snide lying bastards like you that are destroying the Democratic Party. Feel free to diparage my heritage and ethnicity all you want with your shallow, dishonest and transparent innuendo,I don't care, I know the facts of my family history.
You are a sick son of a bitch, a man so twisted in hatred and dishonesty that I feel sorry for you and your family.
Twice you have told me that I misunderstood your ethnic slur inferring that Republicans are like nazis because of one man's accent, and now you confirm the meaning of your slur by stating it directly. I assume the logic of that is beyond your grasp of reality.
COMMENT #14 [Permalink]
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Mrs. Johanna
said on 9/2/2004 @ 7:36 am PT...
Whoa Conrad, tone it down there.
You'll never be half the man JHP is and it's obvious you've discovered this and that is why you suddenly have a case of verbal diarrhea.
John is always respectful & articulate in his responses and his posts are all backed up with facts and acute observations. Just because you may be too dense to recognize this doesn't mean you have the right to attack him the way you just did.
He might be too shy to respond to your ugly post, but I'm not. You just insulted a great person buddy boy and while you're entitled to your opinion, I suggest you keep your insults to yourself.
COMMENT #15 [Permalink]
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jaime
said on 9/2/2004 @ 12:08 pm PT...
Bush's campaign went after John McCain's black baby and insiuated his wife was a drunk and he was crazy.
Bush's love of Jesus stops when he has his thugs whisper to the people of N.C...'hey, what do you think of McCain's nigger baby?'
The republican's compared Max Cleland, a man who lost 3 limbs while Bush was puking in a toilet, to Osama Bin Laden.
Throwing one of the few minorities in front of a camera and calling it compassion is phony. Putting moderates like Arnie and McCain on stage instead of the true voices of the party, the Christian Jihadists like Paul is phony.
The majority of the people in the country live on the coasts. Sorry. It's true, Paul. I live in a big city. You have the luxury of living as far away from the people you hate. I don't.
And if abortion is murder, Paul. What's your final solution. I hope you endorse arresting the millions of "murderers". I've you're gonna talk the talk Mullah Paul, walk the walk.
COMMENT #16 [Permalink]
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Conrad
said on 9/2/2004 @ 2:03 pm PT...
Mrs. Johannahp
Maybe if you took some time off of licking your man's boots and actually read some of the things he writes you would see that he is vile, disgusting coward , a bigot a liar and the type of vermin you wouldnt want in your sewer let alone your house.
His respectful & articulate comparison of the Republicans and the nazis should show you how well his words are backed up with facts and acute observations.
I will bet that Republicans would welcome more ignorant, unethical loudmouths like johnhp to have a bigger audience than blogs, but alas, even the most zealous Democrat consider people like him an embarrasment.
I will apologize to you, for my foul language when johnhp apologizes to all Americans for his nazi remarks.
My heritage and religion have been called into question and disputed by this man so I will say it a nother way.
AS AN AMERICAN CITIZENI RESENT JOHNHP IMPYING THAT REPUBLICANS ARE LIKE NAZIS
COMMENT #17 [Permalink]
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Brad
said on 9/2/2004 @ 2:11 pm PT...
"Conrad" your ugliness is completely inappropriate.
I've let you get by with quite a bit here. You well know what I'm talking about.
Please don't test my patience and far-too-generous tolerance.
COMMENT #18 [Permalink]
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Mrs. Johanna
said on 9/2/2004 @ 3:51 pm PT...
Bryan,
Out of respect for Brad (and any women who might be reading this blog), I won't give you a piece of my mind.
This though:
"Maybe if you took some time off of licking your man's boots and actually read some of the things he writes"
Is uncalled for to say the least. I'm really biting my tongue here. I find it necessary to point out that I read JHP's posts on a daily basis - so that remark was pointless.
" you would see that he is vile, disgusting coward , a bigot a liar and the type of vermin you wouldnt want in your sewer let alone your house."
Again. Biting my tongue. Bigot? Give me an example of when he's demonstrated this. I didn't think so. Liar? Prove him wrong. Again. I didn't think so. The rest too is bologna.
" but alas, even the most zealous Democrat consider people like him an embarrasment."
There are quite a few democrats here buddy boy. You're outnumbered and again, your claim is false.
"AS AN AMERICAN CITIZENI RESENT JOHNHP IMPYING THAT REPUBLICANS ARE LIKE NAZIS "
If you'd like to talk about this like a man, let me know. I could tell you a thing or two about the so-called Republicans currently in power.
I'll leave it at that.
COMMENT #19 [Permalink]
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Brad
said on 9/2/2004 @ 4:39 pm PT...
In fairness to Bryan, Johanna. I think you meant to direct that comment at "Conrad".
Trust me. Bryan would not the object of your derision. Ever!
COMMENT #20 [Permalink]
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Mrs. Johanna
said on 9/2/2004 @ 5:36 pm PT...
WOOPS!!!!
My bad and my apologies Bryan! Yes, I meant
CONRAD.
It's a good thing you're keeping an eye on things Brad....Now if only there were another woman posting on this site.....
COMMENT #21 [Permalink]
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jaime
said on 9/2/2004 @ 10:31 pm PT...
NAZI NAZI NAZI NAZI NAZI NAZI!!!! Sheesh. Grow a pair Conrad ya Pussy. We heard Arnie compare Hubert Humphrey to a Soviet Bloc leader.
You mutter "Commie", every time you hear the word "Liberal". If you turned down the sound on th Republican Convention and played a soundtrack from a Hitler rally, the sound would fit the image to a tee. You guys are taking patriotism RIGHT into jingoism and nationalism.
Thank's to Zell out Miller, I'm not gonna let the Conservatitve wrong lie about the real debate. The gloves are off and we're taking the road we learned all to owell from Lee Atwater.
COMMENT #22 [Permalink]
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Mrs. Johanna
said on 9/3/2004 @ 6:20 am PT...
Jaime, as usual, you're hilarious. "Grow a pair". That's a new one for me... *LOL* !!