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Letters to the Editor - July 26
Triathlon
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Share and Enjoy Good Samaritans
helped out
This past Sunday, I participated in the Peak Triathlon, held at the Boulder Reservoir. I did the race in 2006 and had a great experience -- with some swim lessons under my belt, I was trying to more than survive the swim this year and enjoy the rest of the race. For a couple reasons, however, I was on edge as I thought about the bike ride and especially the descent on Olde Stage Road. First, my car struck a deer on the way back from Crested Butte two weeks ago (my wife and dog were OK but the deer and Volvo weren't). So I've been "jumpy" on the roads, reacting to anything moving in my peripheral vision.
Second, my race number was nine-one-one (911). Nothing like the universal emergency number to set images of ambulances dancing in your head. This translated into a premonition that something was going to happen on the descent down Olde Stage Road -- go figure. I was hoping it wasn't another deer -- or a bear, as in the race a few years ago.
During the descent, shortly after the 35 mph zone, something did happen -- I heard a loud "pop" at 30 mph. I didn't go out of control and came to a rolling, frustrated stop with a flat front tire. Not having an extra tube, I thought my race was over. A Good Samaritan couple who live on the course went into their garage, appeared with a tube and air pump, and proceeded to give me a lesson on speed bicycle tire changing. In about five minutes I was on my way. Thanks to this athletic Boulder couple for their generosity and kindness to an average Joe who got a flat. My premonition for a negative experience, turned into a positive. And I'm saving that 911 race number as a reminder of the kindness of strangers that helps us when we are in need.
SCOTT MOSIER
Boulder
Obama/McCain
Intelligence
important, not
military experience
The article about John McCain and Obama's lack of military experience (July 21) gave me pause. McCain was quoted as saying "...he has had 'no military experience' whatsoever."
Ah, how quickly we forget or do we? For seven years, we've had a president who entered the White House with no military experience whatsoever; he didn't even show for National Guard duty lest he actually be forced to do something. Can it get any worse than that? I don't think so. It's precisely because of his lack of military experience and of common sense that we got into this war in the first place.
Obama has no military experience? I'm not worried. He's got brains.
MIREILLE KEY
Boulder
Political campaigns
Campaign donations
needed elsewhere
At a time when thousands are having their Xcel service cut off, food shares with almost bare shelves and the Red Cross struggling to provide emergency assistance, it's difficult for me to grasp the concept of donating to political campaigns.
The theory must be that by enabling your chosen candidate to increase their message, converts can be won over from the less informed. Since I doubt that there are many truly undecided voters this seems questionable at best.
Personally, this simply means that more TV is watched with one finger on the mute key.
JOHN A. SCHOON
Boulder
Party support
Campaign
history
I n considering the election some campaign history is needed. Back in 1929 the economy collapsed into the Great Depression under Republican rule. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) was elected in 1932 and began the New Deal aimed at getting people back to work from the 25 percent unemployment rate. The plutocrats who had flourished under the Republican regimes were really upset. They blasted FDR for his "tax and spend" policies. Now we have "borrow and spend," which has laid a huge burden upon our children. It has enriched royally a small group. We are embroiled in an endless, futile, war that has antagonized most of the other nations. Our economy has been wrecked by massive, arcane manipulations. How anyone can support the party behind these problems is beyond me.
FREDERICK C. SAGE
Boulder
KVOD radio
An obligation
to listeners
K VOD's switch to 88.1 FM is lamentable. I hope both the Federal Communications Commission and the Bridge Broadcast Center come to fully understand this lapse of service to the community. First of all, I am appalled by the arrogance. My 84-year-old mother does not have and does not want to have, nor has the means for the "alternative" receiving options so cavalierly suggested. And, actually, neither should I have to spend my time and money to acquire another batch of gadgets which may or may not improve my reception of this station. KVOD/KCFR has revealed its callous disregard for all other loyal listeners and subscribers in similar circumstances. Secondly, KVOD, as a consequence of its public licensure, has a fiduciary obligation to serve the public.
Classical music in Colorado is deplorably inadequate. KVOD was the only station that has had a consistently good classical playlist. This station is entrusted to bring this medium to the public. It's a shame it has to be reminded of its obligation. And, the claim that KVOD's reception is "spotty" just in parts of Boulder is untrue. My mother lives in Longmont and I live in Lafayette and both of us have lost reception to KVOD, which demonstrates loss of reception throughout is previous range. Furthermore, KCFR/KVOD has been promoting the switchover as if it was momentous. There was no discernible effort to disclose the lack of range and strength of KVOD at 88.1 FM.
In that light, my support to KVOD/KCFR will stop. While small, I have been a loyal contributor for 20 years. Their decision is just plain short-sighted and their rationale for pursuing it is contemptuous of their audience.
I will continue to listen to KCFR just fine at 1490 AM, as I have for years. In fact, my support will now go to KUNC and KGNU to which I will happily switch during what will now be long membership drive campaigns that will have to be held to regain KVOD's lost following. I encourage all contributors to voice your opinion with your pocketbook. A letter to the FCC wouldn't hurt either. Otherwise if, as suggested by Mr. Wier in a July 22 editorial, KVOD's future claim that "no one is listening" will go uncontested.
SHERRIL POTTER
Lafayette
Posted by dvbugbee on July 26, 2008 at 5:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm glad the "Daily Camera" has published letters regarding the lamentable decision to move KVOD to a weak signal. I hope others will protest CPR's decision and that CPR will get the message. It is a great cultural loss to effectively ban Classical music from the airwaves of Colorado. (Maybe those in Denver can still hear it, but that does not help us up here.)
Posted by trappist99 on July 26, 2008 at 5:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Military Experience......
The fact is that McCain's vaunted military experience is not that impressive. He certainly deserves respect, which is why many tiptoe round the subject, but being a PoW is not an automatic qualification for the White House. He is not a Colin Powell for example.
McCain is the son of an Admiral, husband of an Heiress and superbly connected, similar to the incumbent in fact, except he may have more personal courage.
Posted by grossman on July 26, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
For those who are upset, like myself, about the 'lamentable' situation with KVOD (you can even hear it in the voices of their professional, not volunteer, announcers; they aren't happy), appearance at the next public meeting of the Board of Directors, should be in order. Letters to the FCC might also get their attention.
Raising awareness through letters to the editor and news stories is just fine but more can be done.
The 'movers and shakers' at CPR may not notice a few hundred contributors 'dropping out' but they will notice a few hundred at the Board meeting.
Posted by dvbugbee on July 26, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Grossman, you have a very good idea! When is the next public meeting of the Board of Directors for CPR?
Posted by blacksho89 on July 26, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Secondly, KVOD, as a consequence of its public licensure, has a fiduciary obligation to serve the public."
Really! Well, then, I want to know why I can't hear the fine programming on WKNA-FM. I think I'll write the FCC and demand a translator be placed on Flagstaff Mountain!
KVOD decided that Boulder County was not important.
This may be a bad business decision; but that is up to the board of directors to decide. Otherwise; perhaps classical lovers can start a new radio station of their own. Or maybe listen to the other classical choices available on Comcast, Dish, or Direct TV.
KVOD has been going downhill since Gene Amole sold it. Perhaps it's time to let it die a natural death.
As an aside, do you now see why conservatives and libertarians tend to distrust "public" radio? There is no accountability to assure that "public" radio actually gives the public what it wants. Instead, it gives the public what the board thinks it needs, and the tax dollars keep coming.
Posted by bobcat77 on July 26, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree, military experience isn't necessary a qualification for being president, but then neither is being a community organizer.
And I will take wisdom over brains any day.
Posted by wgstrand on July 26, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have cancelled my monthly pledge to CPR over the KVOD insult; more than a few people have done the same. I'd like to see CPR produce a chart showing its donations over time, before and after the dropping of KVOD. I suspect there will be a significant drop, as there should be.
Posted by JakPott on July 26, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Please tell us what acts of wisdom McCain has demonstrated in his career.
Posted by JakPott on July 26, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OH YEAH, there was that time he decided to dump his wife after her disfiguring car crash for a rich young girl . . .
Posted by JakPott on July 26, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Chalk that one up for 'honor'
Posted by JakPott on July 26, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Then, there was that time his wisdom told him to keep his mouth shut while his wife stole perscription drugs, then lied about it......
and that took COURAGE...
Posted by buffsjam on July 26, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Experience, in and of itself, is not so important. What matters in politics is knowledge, which can be garnered in many ways, only one of which is through experience. In fact, if experience is all you've got, it can be a hindrance, especially if you count on it too much. For example, McCain is touting his experience so much that he has not kept up with technology. It's not good for America to have a modern day president who is technologically challenged as is McCain.
In every walk of life (business, sports, even politics), rookies routinely beat out experienced veterans. For instance, in sports, both professional and amateur, there are examples every year where a rookie out performs the more experienced player (the veteran) and takes over the starting job.
What counts is competence, performance, knowledge, etc., not experience. Like a commanding officer I once had in the Navy said, "It's not what you did that counts. It's what you can do now."
Posted by albanal on July 26, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Then, there was that time his wisdom told him to keep his mouth shut while his wife stole perscription drugs, then lied about it......
and that took COURAGE..."
The personal smear technique is what is wrong with current politics.
Posted by rasinden57 on July 26, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So if Obama is smart, is that the only qualification? It is obvious that he is a gifted orator, and certainly will bend to the political winds. But what exactly has Obama done other than get elected? A list of achievments would be telling. So, as in previous forums, we will wait for a list of notable accomplishments that can be attributed directly to Mr. Obama. Or even one or two would be a start.
Posted by RalphShnelvar on July 26, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
blacksho89: "As an aside, do you now see why conservatives and libertarians tend to distrust "public" radio? There is no accountability to assure that "public" radio actually gives the public what it wants. Instead, it gives the public what the board thinks it needs, and the tax dollars keep coming."
The above argument, slightly paraphrased, is about as good an argument against the upcoming "Worthy cause tax" as I have ever heard.
Ralph Shnelvar
Proudly running as a Libertarian for Boulder County Commissioner from District 1.
Posted by Doc_Brinkley on July 26, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
By Jove, Mr. Mosier, you've done it! Discovered the 100% certain cure for insomnia.
Posted by jadam12 on July 26, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would think that leadership abilities are probably the most important qualities of a good leader.
Posted by Robert_Paul_Smoke on July 26, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
trapblap -- more personal courage? taking more money from more corporate lobbyists more often than any living elected official -- yeah, come to think of that, i guess that is courage
Posted by bobcat77 on July 26, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"And we will wait for you to learn how to do your own research."
---
I've researched it, and other then being elected for Congress he has accomplished nothing, squat, zip, zero, nada.
Posted by jadam12 on July 26, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is interesting that conservatives elected the most incompetent president 2 terms in a row and now they are finally looking at qualifications for presidential candidates.
Go figure.
Posted by bobcat77 on July 26, 2008 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"He's conducting one hell of political campaign."
Yep, and for democrats, thats a good enough reason to vote for him, go figure.
Posted by jadam12 on July 26, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Obama also exemplifies the direction I'd like to see our country go towards and has just shown that he can work with the leaders of other countries instead of telling them it's my way or the highway like we've had for the last 7 years.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 26, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
JakPott on July 26, 2008 at 9:01 a.m."Then, there was that time his wisdom told him to keep his mouth shut while his wife stole perscription drugs, then lied about it...... and that took COURAGE..."
Backing an arbitrary pullout for political expedience, against the advice of our military advisers and the concerns of the Sunnis for what the Shiite majority might do to them once we leave....also takes COURAGE.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 26, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hatmonger on July 26, 2008 at 11:39 a.m.
Very good!
Posted by bobcat77 on July 26, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"has just shown that he can work with the leaders of other countries"
---
Huh?
He won't even talk to the European media!
Posted by arschloch on July 26, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MIRIELLE KEY-"Obama's got no military experience? I'm not worried, he's got brains."
Well, Mirielle, like anyone else, he only has one brain, and what he does with it is anyone's guess.
Obama has expert coaches, handlers, and trainers. They prop hin up in front of teleprompters, and make him say whatever people like you want to hear, so you won't worry, cause "he's got brains."
Next time you watch him bumble, stumble, and babble through a press conference, don't be worried he cannot think on his feet. "He's got brains."
This is a manufactured candidate very limited on substance, or experience, and long on naivete. Don't worry, though, cause "he's got brains".
Barack "the messiah" Hussein Obama, is a black liberation theologist, whose mantra hates white people. "Keel whitey! KEEL HEEM!"
Oh but not to worry cause "he's got brains."
As his self aggrandizing campaign continues to unabashedly inflate his already stunningly self righteous, elitist, and arrogant ego, just remember...."he's got brains..."
....and so did Hitler.
No worries.
Posted by albanal on July 26, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"....and so did Hitler."
Cheap, cheap, cheap shot. Just the kind of shabby right-wing Shinola® that McCain, for the most part, has avoided, to his credit.
He does not respect or encourage this kind of political dreck.
GO WITH THE RINO !
..it's a poke in the eye for the Repuglican right.
Posted by bobcat77 on July 26, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cheap, cheap, cheap shot.
Like "warmonger"?
Posted by albanal on July 26, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes. Exactly.
Posted by rasinden57 on July 26, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bill Clinton was an example of a leader without ability to lead. He did however know how to conduct a hell of a campaign, how to wow the left leaning media, and how to sign republican written/passed legislation and get credit for that. He also knew how to respond to the daily polls that were conducted to ascertain how he could remain popular, despite the goofiest presidency in recent history.
That is a good blueprint to get elected and loved by dreamy eyed liberals. The strong economy that we experienced at the last of Clinton's reign was the result of the republicans in the senate and legislature, not Billy. But as in all other things Billy did, he fast talked his way into the limlight and kept it on him.
So, is Obama headed down the same road? Looks like it to me. Great on public posture, sounds very bright, makes a good speech, has the media strongly on his side, and has nothing of substance to back it up.
Lets go! I'm gaining confidence in this guy already! If all it takes is good publicity, he is the GREATEST!
Posted by qmmckenna on July 26, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bobcat77 on July 26, 2008 at 12:24 p.m.'has just shown that he can work with the leaders of other countries'
--- "Huh? He won't even talk to the European media!"
Smart guy! He knows his limitations.
Being a politician himself he knows how world leaders are chummy and won't ask him the kind of embarrassing and substantive questions that the media would ask him.
Posted by albanal on July 26, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't really care what you and the rest of the malicious right think.
It's enough that you're going to suck it up and vote for my man John, after bashing him in the primaries.
This came from the man now the front runner for the VP slot:
"Just a reminder for some of you on (John) McCain's history with the Republican Party. Senator McCain has been there for Democrats when they needed his votes against the Bush tax cuts and he was a reliable agitator against Republicans when the Democrats sought to prevent up-or-down votes against conservative judges nominated to the federal bench. Not surprising, in view of the fact that Senator McCain once considered serving as Senator John Kerry's running mate in 2004."
- Sarah Pompei, Deputy Press Secretary for Regional Media, Romney for President, 2/4/08
GO WITH THE RINO !
Posted by flaven on July 26, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
“And I will take wisdom over brains any day.”
That worked well over the last 7+ years.
“Or even one or two would be a start.”
Look it up: you’ll find a few.
“And exactly when did notable accomplishments become a requirement for running for office?”
That worked well over the last 7+ years.
“I've researched it…”
Rush does not count as a reliable resource.
“Yep, and for democrats, thats a good enough reason to vote for him, go figure.”
Sour grapes.
“…whose mantra hates white people.”
Better than his manna.
“Bill Clinton was an example of a leader without ability to lead.”
Straw man: the same can be more aptly said about shrub.
“…and has nothing of substance to back it up.”
Neither do your statements.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 26, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
flaven on July 26, 2008 at 2:24 p.m."Rush does not count as a reliable resource."
Why not? The ideological source for information is no reason to reject it out of hand. Nowadays information can be so easily checked and cross-checked for factualness on its own.
Brand loyalty for information went out with Walter Cronkite.
Our founding fathers already understood Walter Cronkite to be an antiquated relic when they wrote the First Amendment two hundred years ago.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 26, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hatmonger on July 26, 2008 at 2:29 p.m."With most of the primary elections still to come, the media has anointed John McCain the inevitable Republican candidate. That's understandable -- McCain has been in the pocket of the mainstream media for years."
Is that B.O. (Before Obama) or A.O. (Anno Obama)?
Posted by MikeEllis on July 26, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Scott Mosier, I'm glad you were able to finish the race. However, I would be more careful about publicly broadcasting how you did so. As I would hope you know, accepting outside assistance is a violation of the rules of triathlon, so in essence you did not legally finish the course. Next time, I urge you to be prepared to fix your own flat.
Posted by MikeEllis on July 26, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bobcat, try this link:
http://www.obama08-wa.com/files/exper...
Posted by Flatirony on July 26, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
McCain; analog man for a modern world.
Though he stood up to the president and sounded the warning on global warming to congress. He's still the right wing's guy.
His traditional family values; divorcing his wife and abondoning a daughter, he's the right wing's guy.
He's not only bipartisan, he's omnipartisan and has been on every side of every issue, thus a maverick. When the stuff hits the fan we can be assured he'll get the troops to the Iraq/Pakistan border.
Funnier still, when Bush ran against him in 2000 Republicans said 'he had snakes in his head'. Yet now...well....he's the right wing's guy.
Married a multi-millionare, has seven residences, which he has a hard time paying taxes on, but he's not elitist.
Wait, even funnier, he campaigned against recognizing MLK day in Az.
Posted by MikeEllis on July 26, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What I find freakiest is that McCain used to be willing to stand up to the religious nut jobs. But then he actually went out and courted Hagee, who is one of the biggest nut jobs of them all. I have no idea any more who McCain is or what he stands for.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 26, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hatmonger on July 26, 2008 at 3:13 p.m."I think Q, if you work on it, you can figure out when that quote was written. I want you to do this one yourself."
I meant that to say that McCain is no longer the darling of the media and now Obama is. It is so recorded that we are in 1 A.O.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 26, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
dhs on July 26, 2008 at 3:22 p.m."Wait, even funnier, he campaigned against recognizing MLK day in Az."
Just my opinion, but I think the Civil Rights Movement has been mostly a mixed bag for Blacks.
George Washington, the political self-promoter that he was, has done for more for this country.
Posted by billy_goat_gruff on July 26, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"I meant that to say that McCain is no longer the darling of the media and now Obama is."
TOM ROSENSTIEL, Project for Excellence in Journalism: Well, there's been an enormous amount of coverage. This is more akin to a presidential trip than a candidate trip. And I don't think that all the coverage has been positive, however. We've been now about a week into questions about whether the press is favoring Obama. And as a consequence of that scrutiny and that reflection, I think the press has doubled over backwards to be tough and skeptical in the treatment of the trip, even if the trip has been deemed to be fairly successful for Obama or at least not -- some of the risks that people anticipated not coming true.
NewsHour, 7/25
Posted by qmmckenna on July 26, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ditto for Columbus.
Inspirational history is more about valiant boldness than it is about victimhood that Martin Luther King embraces.
To help underscore that point, Crazy Horse has a huge monument being erected in his honor in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and with no act of Congress even being involved, though regrettably it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 26, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
billy_goat_gruff on July 26, 2008 at 5:01 p.m."I think the press has doubled over backwards to be tough and skeptical in the treatment of the trip, even if the trip has been deemed to be fairly successful for Obama or at least not -- some of the risks that people anticipated not coming true.
NewsHour, 7/25"
Goody good!... And to borrow a yadda yadda phrase from a competing network "always fair and balanced."
They can bend over backward and twist themselves into knots and try to be "fair" but McCain is still old news and Obama is new news. Obama is the current glamo.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 26, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
billy_goat_gruff on July 26, 2008 at 5:01 p.m."even if the trip has been deemed to be fairly successful for Obama or at least not -- some of the risks that people anticipated not coming true."
What risks? From what I read it was a mainly glamor hello trip with very little substance. He said mainly that the U.S. isn't going to be the tough guy any more if he becomes president. Even the foreign press, hearing this kind of news they like to hear, was very skeptical.
Posted by billy_goat_gruff on July 26, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
JUDY WOODRUFF: Well, Andrew Tyndall, the news -- I think many news reporters would argue, well, Obama is more newsworthy. He's new on the scene. And yet I think one question is, don't journalists have an obligation in a presidential campaign to balance out, to equal -- equalize the coverage as much as possible?
ANDREW TYNDALL, The Tyndall Report: No, that's not their first and foremost obligation. The first and foremost obligation of a journalist is to reflect reality. And if the reality is that Obama is speaking to 200,000 people in Germany and John McCain is in an aisle in the supermarket, the 200,000 people are more newsworthy than Obama. And you wouldn't be reflecting reality accurately if you gave those two events equal weight. You'd lose all credibility in the eyes of your audience, because you'd be saying this spectacular phenomenon that's happening in Berlin is no more or less important than a photo-op in a supermarket.
NewsHour 7/25
Posted by billy_goat_gruff on July 26, 2008 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"A charismatic leader speaking to hundreds of thousands of Germans in an open area, getting them all feeling good about themselves and stamping thier jackboots. Just saying."
Just a Nazi smear. Desperation reigns.
Posted by MikeEllis on July 26, 2008 at 8:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Surfy, I know you know this and so I shouldn't have to tell you, but since this century the term "jackboot" is very strongly associated, if not synonymous with, fascism. You cannot use that word today to refer to a crowd of Germans without the assumption that you are calling them Nazis.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 26, 2008 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
billy_goat_gruff on July 26, 2008 at 5:46 p.m."And you wouldn't be reflecting reality accurately if you gave those two events equal weight. You'd lose all credibility in the eyes of your audience, because you'd be saying this spectacular phenomenon that's happening in Berlin is no more or less important than a photo-op in a supermarket."
Probably true. Yes, from a mass media point of view MASS is usually more interesting. But "reflecting reality", the same as art itself, is a very difficult concept to define.
Posted by MikeEllis on July 26, 2008 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Of course I'm showing my age and I meant since the 20th century.
When you use words, you have to assume that people will interpret them according to common usage. You are free to use whatever words you like. But you can be sure that almost everybody will assume you are comparing Obama to Hitler when you say he was speaking to jackbooted Germans. I know you know that.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 26, 2008 at 8:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To the mass media reality = $$$$$s
Who's to say they are wrong?
Posted by qmmckenna on July 26, 2008 at 8:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MikeEllis on July 26, 2008 at 8:36 p.m."But you can be sure that almost everybody will assume you are comparing Obama to Hitler when you say he was speaking to jackbooted Germans. I know you know that."
Words have a good deal more power when they can be interpreted emotionally. I'm sure Hitler and Obama would both agree.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 26, 2008 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Aside from the Hitler thing a jackboot is also a powerful symbol of state authority. They are still favored by police forces around the world for many practical reasons.
German culture still puts a high value on civil obedience and authority.
It seems like the boot still fits.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 26, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I recently went through German customs.
You should have seen how they leafed through my passport with sharp distinct strokes.
It was just like in the movies.
Posted by MikeEllis on July 27, 2008 at 12:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Pretend to not understand me if you like, but conflating Obama with Hitler, Saddam, and the like just makes you seem ridiculous.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 27, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
hatmonger on July 26, 2008 at 11:08 p.m."I hope you never play poker. You don't know when to hold and when to fold."
Actually I'm not a bad poker player.... though not a great one!
I enjoy observing people and have natural sociologue tendencies.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 27, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
MikeEllis on July 27, 2008 at 12:05 a.m."Pretend to not understand me if you like, but conflating Obama with Hitler, Saddam, and the like just makes you seem ridiculous."
I lived in Europe during the bloody antics of the left-wing Red Brigade (Italy), and the Meinhoff-Bader gang (Germany). Black intellectual radicals were also tied in with those movements.
Given Obama's intellectual leanings and long time membership in an influential radical church the association with Hitler doesn't seem too far fetched.
Granted people can always outgrow the radicalism they had in their younger years.
Posted by MikeEllis on July 27, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow. Hitler killed 11-14 million people, and Obama's former pastor is a conspiracy theorist who said G.D. America. I get how you could confuse the two.
By the way, I hate to admit it but I have "intellectual leanings" myself, so there's a good chance that I'm a Nazi too.
Posted by MikeEllis on July 27, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
By the way, McCain's former buddy Hagee wants to have nuclear war with Iran so that Israel will be destroyed and he can go to heaven. Who's scarier?
Posted by qmmckenna on July 27, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe Hagee is scarier but I would have to check more closely into Rev. Wrights writings to make any comparison. I think though that comparing the two would be a waste of time. The far left and the far right want basically the same thing anyway.
They even sometimes run on the same ticket. Buchanan ran for President some years back with a Communist running mate.
I have a feeling though that Obama's radical connections are probably more genuine than McCain's. I read in the news recently of some (bomber?) radical whom he also had befriended.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 27, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MikeEllis on July 27, 2008 at 12:31 p.m."By the way, I hate to admit it but I have "intellectual leanings" myself, so there's a good chance that I'm a Nazi too."
Who knows? Are you easily swayed by totalitarian arguments?
Posted by MikeEllis on July 27, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Fortunately or not, not much of anything sways me. At least that's the impression many people have of me. The thing is, I don't much care for Kool-Aid of any flavor.
Posted by MikeEllis on July 27, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You read in the news? Which right-wing blog are you referring to?
Obama was on the same board of directors of a non-profit anti-poverty group as someone who had formerly been a member of the radical Weathermen group. If that level of connection is enough to make someone a radical, then I'm guessing most of us would fit that category. Let's see -- I'm on the board of a non-profit, and I haven't done background checks on any of the other members. My wife in on another board, which puts me in double jeopardy. I guess I'm screwed if I ever want to run for office.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 27, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MikeEllis on July 27, 2008 at 4:17 p.m."Fortunately or not, not much of anything sways me. At least that's the impression many people have of me. The thing is, I don't much care for Kool-Aid of any flavor."
Good!
Nothing worse in my opinion than someone who gets riled up about something and then wants to impose his "solution" on everyone else.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 27, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MikeEllis on July 27, 2008 at 4:26 p.m."Obama was on the same board of directors of a non-profit anti-poverty group as someone who had formerly been a member of the radical Weathermen group. If that level of connection is enough to make someone a radical, then I'm guessing most of us would fit that category."
Your point may be perfectly valid.
On the other hand, I don't know what degree of contact they had, what the nature of this anti-poverty group they were members of actually was, nor what level of mutual sympathy they may have had with each other.
Posted by MikeEllis on July 27, 2008 at 5:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"I don't know what degree of contact they had, what the nature of this anti-poverty group they were members of actually was, nor what level of mutual sympathy they may have had with each other."
So why is it relevant to even bring it up? If you have no evidence to back up your allegations, then you are as guilty of using the politics of fear as you accuse them of doing.
Posted by flaven on July 27, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Qm: “On the other hand, I don't know what degree of contact they had, what the nature of this anti-poverty group they were members of actually was, nor what level of mutual sympathy they may have had with each other.”
Oooooooooooo…that is really important stuff. I’ve heard, on good authority, that McCain spent five or so years actively consorting with Communists. During this time, he was a resident of the Communist cell facility, a hotel—even, at one point, refusing to leave. One of his Communist buddies, located recently by a news service, openly stated he admired John McCain, and hoped McCain would be elected president. Do we really want a Communist sympathizer as president?
I’ve also heard, on good authority, that Ralph meets every Thursday with a cabal of splinter-group “citizens”, some of whom have secret logon handles on this very page. I don’t know what degree of contact they have, but they are no anti-poverty group. It appears there is mutual sympathy with each other…
Posted by qmmckenna on July 27, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
flaven on July 27, 2008 at 5:10 p.m."Oooooooooooo…that is really important stuff. I’ve heard, on good authority, that McCain spent five or so years actively consorting with Communists. During this time, he was a resident of the Communist cell facility, a hotel—even, at one point, refusing to leave. One of his Communist buddies, located recently by a news service, openly stated he admired John McCain, and hoped McCain would be elected president. Do we really want a Communist sympathizer as president?"
Hey, did you see the Manchurian Candidate? Suppose McCain was brainwashed at the Hanoi Hilton and has been a sleeper in the U.S. Senate all these years.... finally been activated with the words "global warming."
Anyway, what's the biggie? Politics being what it is, maybe we have had a few presidents already who were Communist sympathizers.
Posted by boulderbikerfan1 on July 27, 2008 at 6:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am supporting Obama for my own reasons, but please inform yourselves with facts:
McCain DOES have leadership ecperience beyond his time as a POW. He also served as XO of a Naval flight squad, leading its men to their first unit Meritorious Unit Comendation. And all that AFTER completing surgery and physical therapy that led to him being FLIGHT CERTIFIED again.
So, while he may have protected his wife's abuse of painkillers, I believe he showed himself to be more than knoweldge in the military realm.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 27, 2008 at 7:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Leadership skills" is nothing but spin in a crock pot. I am not supporting Obama for one simple reason: he is a certified liberal with big spending habits.
You might well be supporting him for the same reasons.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 27, 2008 at 7:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't mean to deride McCain's character, courage, or leadership experience, but I think it is all besides the point.
People select a candidate based on their own world view. Talk about a candidate's so-called "qualifications" is just rationalizing.
Posted by flaven on July 27, 2008 at 7:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"So, while he may have protected his wife's abuse of painkillers..."
And then dumped her, like wilted cabbage, for arm candy.
Military experience as cred for executive leadership is illusory; it's pandering, at best, as the noble and sacrificial being obviously beneficial arts for the act of citizenry.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 27, 2008 at 8:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought liberals were in favor of sacrifice for a good that's greater than the individual.
Posted by flaven on July 27, 2008 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't know: you should ask around.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 27, 2008 at 8:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
flaven on July 27, 2008 at 8:16 p.m.
"I don't know: you should ask around."
I would but too many of them are too busy amassing carbon credits and saving the planet.
Posted by qmmckenna on July 27, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
FUN FACTOID:
The Chicago-based Delta Institute, a not-for-profit broker for the Chicago Climate Exchange, has recently paid 18 forest landowners in the state of Arkansas a total of $126,000 to sequester CO2 with their trees.
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