The inevitable politics thread

I know a lot of people hate political talk, but I figured it was bound to happen sooner or later so we might as well contain it all in one heated thread.

Before I get critical, I do want to go to bat for the president over his recent so-called "gaffe" on The Tonight Show. He made a reference to his poor bowling ability by joking that he could play at the Special Olympics; a joke made at himself, NOT at people with disabilities. And yet people are coming out of the woodwork to crucify him, a lot of those being conservatives trying to score political points. 1.) This is stupid. He was making a joke at his own expense and no one elses'. There was clearly no venom intended in his comment. 2.) A large portion of the people attacking him are conservatives who are generally against strict political correctness, yet they have no problem being uber-P.C. now that the o-called "enemy" is the one who is being lad back. Hypocrites.

All that said, in regards to Obama's press conference I have to ask: why is no one asking about the troops? One of Obama's biggest talking points before the election was installing a time table to being the troops home. How come he didn't bring that up at all last night and how come none of the reporters asked about that? I understand that the economy is a pressing matter right now, but I would expect the president to be able to multi-task and handle more than one issue at a time. While I was never against the surge (especially since it ended up working), I do take umbrage with someone who so adamantly promises to bring home the troops and then seemingly do nothing about it. If there is a reason it hasn't been done, fine, but at least talk about it.

Oh yeah, mad props to the president for his wonderful handling of that jackass from CNN, "Because I like to know what I'm talking about." Which, based on that icy stare, translated to "Quit trying to trap me, em-effer." Well played.

Edit: Added a poll for curiosity's sake. If you're unsure about where you lie, here's a handy (and short) quiz to help you out: http://www.theadvocates.org/quizp/index.html.

The timetable for bringing the troops home has been set...I believe by the end of next year they'll be home (yet we'll still have a shitload of troops there as a "presence")

Silent K wrote:The timetable for bringing the troops home has been set...I believe by the end of next year they'll be home (yet we'll still have a shitload of troops there as a "presence")

Really? When was this said? I know that's what he said prior to getting elected, but has anything been mentioned post-inauguration?

Yes...it was 3-4 weeks ago that the troop withdrawal was news.

Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit

Can't say that I agree with his plan, but at least he has put one in place.

I want to have Obama's man babies.

All due respect, the Republican Party is pretty laughable nowadays. Their standout personalities are two batshit crazies (Limbaugh and Coulter), a Kenneth the Page lookalike (Bobby Jindall), and a 14-year old kid. Plus, Michael Steele is trying to reach out to "hip hop kids" like a Republican Bulworth. Strange things going on.

I think Obama's still got the potential to be a great president. I did find it odd that, after all his talk about change and the end of "politics as usual," he filled his cabinet with the most established Democrats (and a handful of Republicans). He's still got my confidence, though, and my vote in four years.

Debaser77 wrote:All due respect, the Republican Party is pretty laughable nowadays. Their standout personalities are two batshit crazies (Limbaugh and Coulter), a Kenneth the Page lookalike (Bobby Jindall), and a 14-year old kid. Plus, Michael Steele is trying to reach out to "hip hop kids" like a Republican Bulworth. Strange things going on.

What does that have to do with anything?

Joshua wrote:
What does that have to do with anything?

You mentioned the Right's bashing of Obama for the "Special Olympics" comment.

Joshua wrote:
What does that have to do with anything?

I just think their strategy is very odd. They seem to be looking more and more like a freak show and really need a major image overhaul if they want to get the White House back.

Political power is a cyclical thing. The dominant party has their time in the spotlight, while the opposition looks inane. It happened during Bush's first four years, and now it seems the tables have turned. The more conspiratorial of us may find something to theorize about this.

Debaser77 wrote:
I just think their strategy is very odd. They seem to be looking more and more like a freak show and really need a major image overhaul if they want to get the White House back.

Political power is a cyclical thing. The dominant party has their time in the spotlight, while the opposition looks inane. It happened during Bush's first four years, and now it seems the tables have turned. The more conspiratorial of us may find something to theorize about this.

I think it's like the console wars. Whoever is on top tends to get cocky and after awhile try to bully people, so eventually people get fed up and choose someone else. Rinse. Repeat. Unfortunately I think all politicians are worthless so the country loses either way.

Joshua wrote:
I think it's like the console wars. Whoever is on top tends to get cocky and after awhile try to bully people, so eventually people get fed up and choose someone else. Rinse. Repeat. Unfortunately I think all politicians are worthless so the country loses either way.

I agree, for the most part. Which is why I hope Obama's tenure is a different story. Time will still tell.

I really feel like the republican party just didn't want to try anymore. Like the uber rich got their fill during the Bush-Clinton-Bush II years, and now they've just abandoned the Republican party. No real support, so they let Skeletor and the Ice Princess go up against Black Jesus and Sad Sack.

O How the mighty have fallen

I don't classify myself politically other than the fact I vote for who I feel is going to do the most for me, although I do believe I'm a moderate conservative.

Esbat wrote:I don't classify myself politically other than the fact I vote for who I feel is going to do the most for me, although I do believe I'm a moderate conservative.

I like the cut of your jib!

Can one of the options be, "Don't give a shit?" Nothing against anybody else, but I could care less about politics, wonder if that will change in the next three or four years?

I went with "bi-curious" as my political stance. I don't really find a need to label myself one thing or the other. And I'm not trying to be pretentious. There's a good few points made by the conservatives and liberals. But, to label yourself liberal or conservative is too black and white for my taste.

Plus, anyone who considers themself a party. Like people say, I'm a Democrat, etc. are dumb. You may vote Democrat, you may vote Republican, but you are neither. Try showing up to one of their prestige balls. The security will laugh you off the property with a choke-hold as you try desperately between pinched breathes to announce your affiliation. Heh.

I will say that Obama is disappointing me. Don't get me wrong, when I voted, I wasn't expecting to be able to rub a lamp or some deal, but he's coming up short even for my low-expectations of "change". He isn't a dumb guy. He's just coming off as a do-nothing. As far as letting congress bend him to their wills. And, like Joshua said, they're worthless. Me, me, and don't forget me. Their mentality at it's zenith.

Done for now. Nice that this is allowed here. Don't get to really chat about politics online with others much with all the over-sensitivity our society has created. To me, it's actually tearing us apart in a lot of cases. Hopefully, and I'm sure, it'll stay civil. Debates can get hot, but never personal.

Anyone else think that our nation is slowly slipping into a Socialist state so to speak? The government seems to be gaining more control of the goods we produce,the lands we live on, and just about anything else they can get their greedy little hands on. Now I don't know as much about Socialism as I should but I do know that it's not a political movement, more of an economic structure. Anyways, the short of it is, the state of this country at the moment is really got me worried.

FroZen wrote:Anyone else think that our nation is slowly slipping into a Socialist state so to speak? The government seems to be gaining more control of the goods we produce,the lands we live on, and just about anything else they can get their greedy little hands on. Now I don't know as much about Socialism as I should but I do know that it's not a political movement, more of an economic structure. Anyways, the short of it is, the state of this country at the moment is really got me worried.

SOCIALISM IS NOT COMMUNISM.

superdoug wrote:
SOCIALISM IS NOT COMMUNISM.

That doesn't mean it's good.

Joshua wrote:

superdoug wrote:
SOCIALISM IS NOT COMMUNISM.

That doesn't mean it's good.

But it's not necessarily bad, either. Britain, through its socialist programs, provides healthcare and lodgings for just about every person in the country. So, while Socialism as a complete philosophy may be doomed to corruption and the inevitable slide into totalitarianism, there are some good results from aspects of its purest form.

I really want to get into this, but I'm still running hot from combatting douchenozzles at the WUMB, so I'm going to sit this one out for awhile to ensure that I don't say something that I may later regret.

Joshua wrote:I really want to get into this, but I'm still running hot from combatting douchenozzles at the WUMB

You see where I've got your back in that scrap, yes?

Absolutely and it's appreciated. Those guys are imbeciles.