Theodore's World

So what, exactly, is it the democrats would do that makes you so determined to keep them out? The only policies refered to in the article are:

1- Higher minimum wage
2- A minor change to drug prices in medicare.
3- Tighter national security
4- Reinstate some rules to control the out-of-control deficit.
5- Launch three investigations:
a - into excessive energy company involvement in policymaking.
b - Into conduct of the Iraq war, and the inteligence leading up to it.
c - Into the probably-illegal use of warrantless domestic wiretaps.

1 is probably good. The minimum wage is barely enough to live on. 2 I really dont know enough to comment on, but its a fairly small change, and not enough to decide a vote on alone. 3, argueable if it would do any real good, but the republicans would probably do the same or similar. 4, again, good - government spending is out of control, and even if the cost of two invasions is deducted it would still be out of control.

It is only 5 that you seem to be concerned about - investigations into actions performed by the Republicans over the last few years. Well, they could benefit from some more accountability - its not good to just let politicians of any party do whatever they want without at least an investigation. And an investigation wont find any evidence of wrongdoing unless there is some to be found anyway. In this case, there probably is some wrongdoing to be found - its obvious to anyone that energy policy is heavily influenced by commercial interests, that the inteligence leading to the war was not reliable (though not actually forged), and that even the President probably shouldn't be personally authorising secret wiretaps without any judicial oversight. *noone* can be trusted with the power to listen in on any conversation without having to give a reason.

It looks to me like you are dissatisfied with the republicans, but would rather vote for the party you dislike than the one you loathe.

When it comes to winning the House, people usually don’t care what Congress is doing for the country, all they care about is what their congressman is doing for them. Face it; we elect congressmen to represent us, not the rest of the country.

Wouldn’t it be something if the Democrats got control of the House but Nancy Pelosi lost reelection?

When the goal of the Democrats is to hamstring and bring down the Bush Administration during a time of war, then that is traitorous. If they want to investigate the intelligence leading to war, they’re going to have to include the intelligence back into the 90’s. The previous administration thundered Iraq and Saddam was the greatest threat to world peace. The previous administration claimed Iraq had WMD’s and the capability to manufacture them. They claimed Saddam would be supplying WMD’s to terrorist organizations and they claimed Saddam had to be stopped. The problem is, they knew this but didn’t do a thing about it.

The unfortunate thing is we will never know how many more attacks against the United States were prevented by wiretapping of overseas calls between suspected terrorists…there was no domestic wiretapping. How many Americans are alive today and going about their daily lives because the President did what was necessary to protect this nation and its people…It could be someone you love and care deeply for. We will never know and that doesn’t matter to Democrats. They could care less how many people die, as long as they can ridicule the President and regain power in Washington. They would gladly sacrifice 1,000 soldiers or citizens for one congressional seat.

Minimum wage is a joke and we all know it. It’ll barley support a high school kid trying to pay their own car insurance, gas, and social life. Minimum wage is for entry level jobs, people who work part time, and high school and college kids wanting to make some extra money. It was never meant to support a family. With all the FREE training and education opportunities available there is no reason for anyone to have to live on minimum wage. If you are, it’s YOUR own fault.

Government spending is out of control. The Republicans have screwed-the-pooch on this one. They have become Pork Barrel Democrats. But, we all know there is no way the Democrats will do any better. Democrats are the ones who perfected Pork Barrel Spending to a fine art…Republicans are novices. I remember what it was like when the Democrats controlled Congress.

Suricou Raven let me explain something to you.
If you had a child that oh let's say your child was in their teens. They were behaving badly so you ground them. That does not mean you hate them, it does not mean you are going to disown them. You let that child know you are disappointed in them and love them but they need to shape up and do the right thing.

You, Suricou Raven, as a Democrat do not understand that obviously. I will never forget during the Clinton regime, how the Dems could care less how horrible he was in so many ways. Perhaps they did not care because Bill and Hillary are exactly like all Democrats.

It is not the case for Republicans. We DO care about America, we are very aware how PC is destroying this country. We let our politicians know when we are unhappy with them when they want to break the laws (i.e. illegal immigration ignoring of the laws we already have) and when they want to pass bills that are wrong and never should be passed or signed. Republicans believe in WE The People unlike Democrats that believe in We The Government. We like to think for ourselves unlike Democrats that want the government to think for them, take care of them and create tons of programs keep people needy instead of wanting them to take care of themselves if at all possible and encouraging that.

You mention “higher minimum wage" no thanks! You obviously want to put small business out of business. You want to start everyone off with a higher wage not caring if one worker is good and the other is lazy. That is the mine is yours mentality like socialism. OK Suricou Raven about this. Whatever you have in your bank account you give me half. Just give it to me and we will have the same amount. I did nothing to earn that but who cares right? Pure socialism and pure Democrat thinking. You want half of my bank account you damn well have to earn it, show me you are a hard worker, and an achiever that I need to give a raise to etc. Oh wait, Dems think a hard worker is someone that just shows up for work and that is enough.

There was an ad in a paper from a employment agency that said..." Dock work job available, must be a hard worker".... The woman that owned the agency had to pull the ad because it was not considered PC. They told her she was discriminating against anyone that was not a hard worker. This is a true story and happened about 4 years ago. And is a good example of the thinking of the left, like you.

I am not going to take your entire list that would bore me. But I will do this one....

“the President probably shouldn't be personally authorizing secret wiretaps without any judicial oversight.">/i>

He did to it legally and that has already been discussed many times. I could care less about wiretaps, I have nothing to hide. It would only be those that did that would be concerned. The people that were wire tapped were high on the list of dangerous and connected to terrorists. Helloo do you understand this?

"It looks to me like you are dissatisfied with the republicans, but would rather vote for the party you dislike than the one you loathe."

ROTFLMAO no, gosh you just don't get it at all. You try though so I will give you credit for that. Yes I do loathe the Democrat party, I am glad they are around though. We have a two party system and I want it to stay that way!!!!

Dissatisfied with Republicans......some of them yes. Many of them no! It is not the party I am mad at it is the individuals that have lost their way and turned into RHINO's if they weren't already. They need to be taught again that it IS ...We the People..... and other things and get back on track of why the Republican party is the best one. Less government for one thing, tell the PC crowd to shove it and take a stand for the reasons this country is the greatest country in the world.

It is time to start honestly considering the patriotism of some of those on the American left. And if there are some on the right then theirs too. Bill and Hillary left a mess for George W. Bush to inherit, and George W. Bush has had the guts to do something about it, whereas the previous administration didn't have the guts to do anything about anything serious. OH they believed in letting terrorists go, they believed in the things that brought us all their "gates".

NO Raven I am very much a Republican and proud to me. Your wishful thinking perhaps that I am not but alas you are wrong.

Bob yesss exactly! Thank you so much!

"That is the mine is yours mentality like socialism."

After attempting to work out what you are trying to say there... I classify you as someone who slaps the 'socialism' label on anyone who disagrees with your views on economics.

"Pure socialism and pure Democrat thinking."

Confirmation.

"There was an ad in a paper from a employment agency that said..." Dock work job available, must be a hard worker".... The woman that owned the agency had to pull the ad because it was not considered PC. They told her she was discriminating against anyone that was not a hard worker. This is a true story and happened about 4 years ago. And is a good example of the thinking of the left, like you."

No, that is an example of the thinking of the PC-crazies. They are as representative of the left as Pat Robertson is of the right. I dont like them either - its their fault I live near a giant hideous concrete block with a half-onion on top that would never have gotten planning permission if it wasn't a temple.

"He did to it legally and that has already been discussed many times. I could care less about wiretaps, I have nothing to hide. It would only be those that did that would be concerned."

In order to prevent cheating in exams and the carrying of concealed weapons, I hereby decree that clothes shall be banned in all secondry schools. Heating will be turned up to compensate. Only those who cheat or carry weapons have anything to fear from this, so clearly it cannot be a violation of the pupils' rights.

" The people that were wire tapped were high on the list of dangerous and connected to terrorists."

- Says who? The orders were secret. The identities still are. I dont know if Bush abused the taps in any way, but he could have. An investigation would determine that. Even if he didn't, would you trust the next president, and the one after, if they continued the policy of secret and unrestrained monitoring of whoever they feel like? A judge shoud decide if the suspects are sufficiently dangerous to warrant a warrant - not the president.

As well as which, they were probably illegal, and likely would be determined as such in court. Listening in on private phone conversations is very much not legal in the US, unless authorised by various government departments empowered to do so. Inteligence and police departments. These departments must go through procedures to prevent abuse. The Office of the President is not one of these departments, and certinly didn't go through any of those procedures. So you have a president who considers himself outside the laws of the country he runs - even if he was doing so in the name of national security (or so he claims), thats still a crime. Although I suppose he could just pardon himself.

The only thing I can think of to begin to cure political woes is extreme term limits.

In the case of the massive Kennedy clan, maybe sobriety tests and restrictions.

Suricou Raven good grief what the heck are you talking about. hahahahaha

Going naked in secondary schools? .....
"In order to prevent cheating in exams and the carrying of concealed weapons, I hereby decree that clothes shall be banned in all secondry schools. Heating will be turned up to compensate. Only those who cheat or carry weapons have anything to fear from this, so clearly it cannot be a violation of the pupils' rights."

Calm down Raven all will be ok. haha

Suricou Raven said: "A judge shoud decide if the suspects are sufficiently dangerous to warrant a warrant - not the president"

4th Amendment to the Bill or Rights of the Constitution of the United States

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Where in this amendment does it say a judge needs to issue the warrant or give permission for searches and wire taps? I cannot find the word judge anyplace. A judge or court is customary but where does it say it has to be a judge?

In the case of the wiretapping of terrorists, we had the Executive Branch of Government exercising its war powers but still including the Legislative Branch of Government, both Democrat and Republican leaders who gave their approval to the wiretapping. These were elected officials, elected by the people of the United States or their particular congressional district. These were not political appointed judges who have, in many cases, their own political agendas.

Bob thank you soooo much for your post and information.

Suricou:

First of all, you don't live in the United States; your own country doesn't require warrants in most cases, nor do you have a constitution in the same way the US has a Constitution. This is not a "clean your own house" reply, it means that systems evolve through common usage and habit that work very well.

Based upon your criticisms of the US, the place formerly called "the UK" should be no better than East Germany under the Stazi. As far as I can see, Blairistan has been very good to you. I've read posts by you at other blogs, and you seem well enough taken care of, if slightly bitter.

The wiretaps were legal, even the FISA Court has ruled so, so get over it. If you don't like the system, become an American citizen and vote to change things. We haven't assembled a government and system over the past 250 years that is based upon the whims and caprice of Suricou Raven or others of your kind.

By the way, we're at war...a fact which you yourself have implied, and also denied, at the same time in the same post. If I want consistency, I'll look elsewhere than to Suricou Raven. But for now, wiretaps of the kind undertaken are legal measures taken during wartime. Since you, in some places, have spoken as if we WERE at war, your opposition to the wiretaps is simply an opinion not founded in fact.

Finally, if this ad hominen, so be it. Your remark about the onion-dome mosque is infused with the Suricou Raven moral system, which is this: What you don't like for purely personal reasons is simply wrong, immoral or illegal, and what you do like is to be accepted as a universal principle.

Your paranoia about, and the reservoir of poison that you spurt on things religious is tedious, and corrodes your every thought on every issue.
You can never leave it alone. When you sort through these issues a little more, then I'll take you seriously.

PS to Suricou Raven:

I'm intrigued by your paragraph equating the pervasive mood of Political Correctness in Western societies with Pat Robertson, and...

Your claim that it is the "fault" of the PC-Crazies" that you live next to a "temple".

Second remark first. Since your country has something like state-support of religion it seems to me your complaint is with British culture in general. How can it be the "fault" of the PC-Crazies that you find yourself next to a mosque? Move away, and if you can't, that's the price you pay for diverse societies. As I recall, you won't resist it yourself because you're afraid of "complaints". So, live with it.

Continue on second remark: The organization laughingly called the Anglican "Church" is simply a tax-funded backwater for relativists, nihilists, socialists (that word again), and secular humanists of all kinds, so eye-bleedingly awful in its doctrine that only about 6% of Britishers even attend services. Your complaint isn't with religion in this case, because there's nothing religious about the Anglican "Church".

Political Correctness has nothing specifically to do with religion, but you can't resist dropping the name Pat Robertson. Political Correctness is the hardened mental cement of the political elites...in the media, in the universities, in government, everywhere The Left is found. Drawing an equivalence to Pat Robertson is simply silly.

I should clarify on the temple.

I dont care about living next to a temple. I really dont care about what goes on inside the temple. I could quite happily live next door to a smaller one. I think its a sikh temple. I have nothing against them, other than some issues I have with religion in general. Actually, I know next to nothing about them. No, it is not the temple I object to.

Its the appearance. The locals call it The Brick, or The Block. Its terrible. Here we have an old city of traditional English architecture... and in the middle of it a big concrete cuboid with half an onion on top. It towers over all the nearby buildings. Where once a grassy embankment was, there is now a reenforcing foundation wall of blocks and cement two stories tall to hold back its weight.

Now, inside, I dont care what they decorate it as. But outside, its ugly. The council would normally never have allowed something so ugly it could lower property values. They could have insisted its external appearance was modified to match the surroundings. Just a facade, no internal changes. I wouldn't want them to alter whatever rituals they perform, or the basic princibles of their religion. Perhaps copy the architecture of the old clock-tower. But, no... if the religion states onions, then onions they must have. To turn down the plans on the basis of having all the visual appeal of Jackson's nosejob would be considered offensive, and not PC.

---

I named Robertson as an example of the far-right, just as the PC fanatics are the far-left.

Where did I mention the anglican church?

Suricou:

You didn't mention the Anglican Church any more than I mentioned "traditional English architecture"...it followed from the point being made. The Anglican Church, such as it is, is a Leftist organization devoted less to ideas of transcendance than to the Kingdom of the Earth. My guess is you have more in common with your nearest vicar than you would like to think. I brought it up because, if you object to the onion dome and the deference paid to Muslims, you must have similar ideas about Anglicans. Maybe not.

I repeat, there is no comparison to Pat Robertson on "the far right" to Political Correctness on the "far left". Pat Robertson represents a strain of Christianity that you reject, or scorn, and associate with conservatism. It isn't conservative or liberal; it merely posits a spiritual reality that you disagree with. Since you're a leftist, you associate Robeertson with "the far right".

The presence of the ugly mosque is a consequence of the bullshit of multiculturalism, of the worship of diversity and the its variations and an elite tolerance for ugliness. Not Political Correctness. In your country so many groups are assigned a specialness attributed merely to their differentiation, that Muslims are just one of many. Which ones do you like and which do you dislike? Do you like the TeleCom Tower? Center Point? The Globe? How about Canary Wharf? Political Correctness gone amok? No, just bad taste, and government by elites.

Political Correctness is a malignant way of thought that has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with social definitions, evidence and with empirical reasoning. It's an attempt to deny and/or alter reality rather than to offer a means to adjust to reality...and runs across a broad spectrum of the population.

On the other hand, you readily dismiss the imputation of "socialism" to the left as either obsolete or primitive, where you accept that Robertson's Christianity is a aspect of the right. Socialism is merely deduced from collectivist think, which is "the far left". Wherever you find it, you find tactit or overt ideas about coercive government, redistributionism and egalitarianism. Because you don't like the word "socialist" doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.

Lets talk about the Min.wage,its a starting point not a life long wage scale to stay on.
Education, Learn English,dress well,and speak
well,no tatoos,no pins and rings in the skin
do this and do very well...If you don't you
will fail plain and simple...

Tincan Sailor Yessssss thank you and I agree completely!!

That picture of San Fran Nan brings to mind
if I had a dog that looked like that I'd shave
his butt and make him walk backwards!!!!

Tincan Sailor hahahaha

I was going post a photo of a black bird next to her with is mouth open like hers is.....but I could not find exactly what I was looking for....so I just did the "caw caw" thing. hahaha

Love you idea heh heh