Politics 2008 in Book Bunch Reading Group Forum

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Politics 2008

Author	Comment
Olle	Politics 2008		Lead	[-]
Sep 3 08 6:55 AM	Tags : None I thought we had a thread for this topic but couldn't find it so now I'm thinking we didn't. although Politics could be in the chat thread I wondered if it should have it's own as we get closer to the election. Jill, if you think it's proper place is elsewhere please move it and close this down. Why I thought of this today is because of what I heard on the radio this morning. Naturally there's a lot of talk about Sarah Palin's speechifying tonight. I heard someone say that it was sexist to say that SP had little to no experience in running a country, that she had as much experience as Obama. While I won't debate who has more experience I was extremely irritated at someone using the word sexist. It reminded me of Bush calling people unpatriotic if they didn't vote to give $$$$$ to his invasion. It would be like saying someone was racist if they said something bad about Obama. Nonsense. I didn't hear who that 'sexist' comment was attributed to but hopefully it wasn't someone directly working for McCain. Olle Carl Sagan said: "What an astonishing thing a book is. It is a flat object made from a tree with flexible parts, on which are imprinted lots of funny dark squiggles. But one glance at it and you're inside the mind of another person. [...] Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people who never knew each other, citizens of distant epochs. Books break the shackles of time. Books are proof that humans are capable of working magic."
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jodijoy		#1	[url]	[-]
Sep 3 08 8:39 AM BCC ZEN Bookie MASTER	From what I've heard so far, I disagree with Sarah Palin on just about everything. However, I have heard chatter about how can she be VP with five kids? Has anyone asked Joe Biden how he can be VP with 3 kids? Or how John McCain can be president with 7? Now that's SEXIST! Also, I find it ironic that the Republicans are saying kids are off-limits, after they skewered young Chelsea Clinton for being awkward and gawky. Did you notice at the Olympics that there were lots of stories about moms who were athletes, but not one about athlete dads? One more thing, do you think the states at the end of the alphabet were disappointed that they didn't get to make their endearingly corny speeches at the roll call? You know, the great state of _________ birthplace of (insert obscure favorite son or daughter here), home of the winning (insert name of local college sports team), and the leading producer of (insert name of local product), is pleased to vote .... Edited 1 time by jodijoy Sep 3 08 8:52 AM.
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Cierdwyn		#2	[url]	[-]
Sep 3 08 9:19 AM	The story I heard was that it was Mr. Obama who said Ms. Palin's kids were off limits (meaning he didn't want anyone who was associated with him going after them) -- which, as much as I disagree with him on some issues, I thought was very classy That being said, I HATE politics and wouldn't believe a professional politician of either party if they told me water was wet; they all play the same games - cry foul, then pull the exact same stunts when the shoe's on the other foot
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BCCJillster		#3	[url]	[-]
Sep 3 08 2:31 PM BCC ZEN BOOKIE COOKIE Administrator	Olle, I wasn't brave enough to raise this issue, but...now that you have (LOL) I really resent the whole Sarah Palin thing--as if...just because she's a woman that makes her an alternative for previous Hilary supporters. As if she has anything at all that qualifies her to be that close to being president. I don't like Romney but come on--there's no comparison as to who is more fit. It was Obama who pulled his campaign people back from criticizing Palin's family issue by saying families should be off limits--a very classy act. He also reminded everyone that his mother had been a single 18-yr-old when he was born. While I applaud Palin for standing up for her 17-yr old, I question her judgment in exposing her to all of this national publicity. Personally, I think the choice of Palin is reckless, irresponsible, and a sign of the selfish impulsiveness with which McCain makes decisions. But that's just moi. Slinking away now Currently reading: Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, Mitchell Just Finished: Blood Oath; Dissolution
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jodijoy		#4	[url]	[-]
Sep 3 08 2:47 PM BCC ZEN Bookie MASTER	Yes, I know Obama said "no kids" but the Republican strategists were repeating it (as if it was their idea). I was out on the boat with my folks for the weekend and we kept looking at each other and saying, "Alaska?!" over and over again. Oh, and did you see Cindy McCain saying Palin has foreign policy experience cause Alaska is near Russia??? So, does that make our Florida members foreign policy whizzes cause FL is near Cuba??
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kathylaz		#5	[url]	[-]
Sep 3 08 5:50 PM	So, does that make our Florida members foreign policy whizzes cause FL is near Cuba?? Hmmm. Do you doubt it? I guess I'm missing your point. kathy Reading The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa, and listening to A Lonely Death: An Ian Rutledge Myster by Charles Todd
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KScribe		#6	[url]	[-]
Sep 3 08 6:00 PM BCC Frequent Poster	I believe that comment was made by Elizabeth (the blonde host) on THE VIEW. I was watching it this morning and was doing all I could from keeping my head attached to my body and my fist from not going through the screen. Sorry guys- die-hard Democrat here. The rhetoric that this blonde woman spins on that show just drives me insane. She wouldn't even allow Barbara Walters to get her thoughts out. What's with that? Oh yeah -- Freedom of Speech is only for the chosen few now in the good ole' USA. I'm all for everyone having the right to speak their piece and express their views. What I don't like is "dirty" politics, which seem to be the tactic of a lot of Republicans. I guess both sides are guilty of this, but it always seems to me that the Republicans love to throw the first punch. I was also kind of let down this week. Obama had a great speech and it was such a "high" last week watching him speak to that crowd and making history happen. And then the GOP makes this bombshell announcement and have stolen the focus OFF Obama completely (which was their tactic all along, trust me). OK -- I better stop before I get people angry with me on here! We can all agree to disagree, no? Hope you all feel the same way that I do -- that expressing our political views is our right as an American. PS: I loved the comment someone made about being a Floridian makes one an expert on foreign relations. Heck, I have managed thousands of adolescents over the years, ran meetings akin to PTA meetings, organized and directed up to 70 teenagers in musical productions that took months of planning and hours of rehearsal to reach fruition -- and I live in South Florida and teach many ESOL students. Does this mean that I have the qualifications to run a country? Egads! "I haven't the slightest idea how to change people, but still I keep a long list of prospective candidates just in case I should ever figure it out." - David Sedaris (Naked)
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Olle		#7	[url]	[-]
Sep 4 08 11:39 AM	Hmmm, then all the states along the northern border are qualified because they're next to Canada. Whee, that gives Alaska more international experience. I heard a woman on the radio say she's going to write in HC's name which is not what McCain meant to happen when he chose Ms Palin. But the woman also said that she felt such pride when she saw SP giving her speech on tv just knowing that here was a woman running for VP. Have to admit it's nice to see. And who, who, who would McCain have announced as his running-mate if Obama had chosen a woman (whether it was HC or not)? I don't think it would have been SP. I think Obama is smart enough to know that the daughter being pregnant is an issue his people shouldn't approach. Those voters that have problems with it will know about it simply through the media, if he had ads about it it gives him nowhere to stand if someone finds something unclean in one of his closets. Or his wife's. Or... McCain says he knew about it ahead of time and I'm betting his staff were hoping an Obama person would try to make it an Issue. When's the first debate? presidental or veep? Olle Carl Sagan said: "What an astonishing thing a book is. It is a flat object made from a tree with flexible parts, on which are imprinted lots of funny dark squiggles. But one glance at it and you're inside the mind of another person. [...] Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people who never knew each other, citizens of distant epochs. Books break the shackles of time. Books are proof that humans are capable of working magic."
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jodijoy		#8	[url]	[-]
Sep 4 08 11:40 AM BCC ZEN Bookie MASTER	Did anyone see Jon Stewart last night? ROFL!
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BCCJillster		#9	[url]	[-]
Sep 4 08 5:21 PM BCC ZEN BOOKIE COOKIE Administrator	Frankly, as a woman, I don't share anything with Sarah Palin except a couple of ovaries. She reminded me of the mean girls table in the high school cafeteria, the girls who always had something snotty to say about others and oh so pleased with themselves. This whole thing makes me feel awful because we're going right back to all the divisive moral righteousness I hoped was fading out. Phooey. Lucy is yanking the football away from Charlie Brown again isn't she? Currently reading: Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, Mitchell Just Finished: Blood Oath; Dissolution
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KScribe		#10	[url]	[-]
Sep 4 08 8:32 PM BCC Frequent Poster	Jill -- yes, that is exactly who she reminded me of as well! Like smiling broadly as she twists the knife into someone else's back! LOL I don't like this moral divisiveness either, Jill. It seems to me like Puritanical times all over again. I know our country was founded on those beliefs, but you would think that by the 21st century we would be past those agendas? One thing you can't deny - this is one heck of a political debate this election year -- cannot wait to watch the debates. "I haven't the slightest idea how to change people, but still I keep a long list of prospective candidates just in case I should ever figure it out." - David Sedaris (Naked)
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Blanchard		#11	[url]	[-]
Sep 4 08 9:46 PM BCC Zen Bookie Master	What is it, "seen one woman, seen them all"? "Hey, you babes are never satisfied! You wanted a female so I found one for you and now you don't like her? She's a good ol girl and likes huntin' and fishin' and stuff that I like too. What's not to like?" What was wrong with Elizabeth Dole if you want a woman? She has experience galore and has put in her time for the GOP. There are other Rep candidates too btw. What's wrong with them? I really can't like this one no matter how long she's been a mayor!! The hurry-up routine is scary, very scary!! Talk about being a heartbeat away from the presidency! Our sil who is serving in Iraq says that he personally met Sen McCain (we are living in his state after all so he was chosen for some duty during McCain's visit there. He said that he "looked like a walking ghost". I think I mentioned this before but our sil is Republican through and through (alas) and wouldn't ordinarily criticize him but he said that he didn't look even remotely healthy. Yikes! And then they pulled SP out of some circular file at the very last second!! Why, I wonder? Betsy
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kathylaz		#12	[url]	[-]
Sep 6 08 6:26 AM	We went to a gallery opening for and had dinner with a political cartoonist yesterday. All he had to say was: "60 days of campaigning and they give me Palin! I love this!" kathy Reading The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa, and listening to A Lonely Death: An Ian Rutledge Myster by Charles Todd
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treiser		#13	[url]	[-]
Sep 6 08 7:01 AM BCC ZEN Bookie MASTER	Checking in from the "right" side of the aisle--some thoughts on the Palin nomination: 1. I suspect that one of the reasons that they nominated Sarah Palin was that she was aimed at those who were more socially conservative within Hillary's base. There are many areas across the country that come to mind where this would be true such as southern Illinois and parts of Iowa where folks are union and blue collar. Many of these folks may be uncomfortable for a number of reasons voting for Obama. 2. To show that Mc Cain has some empathy for folks who dont fit the following--grumpy, out of touch and loaded to the gills. This way he shows that he "feels their pain"or at least has a running mate who does. 3. Mc Cain wants to "clean up" Washington and a bedroom community for Anchorage AK is about as far as one can get! It also seems to me that certain organizations e.g. NOW also seem to think that women who don't think like they do don't seem to have any rights.
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BCCJillster		#14	[url]	[-]
Sep 6 08 12:00 PM BCC ZEN BOOKIE COOKIE Administrator	ROFL Tom, It also seems to me that certain organizations e.g. NOW also seem to think that women who don't think like they do don't seem to have any rights. I must have missed their comments--what did they say to make you respond that way? And, from the Right, how comfortable are you really with Palin the proverbial "heartbeat away?" Is that not an issue? Also, serious question: You said "Many of these folks may be uncomfortable for a number of reasons voting for Obama." I can't get anyone to tell me what their reasons are for discomfort. I've mentioned before that I too know people who have said that, but I can't find out what the reasons are. Can you help? Currently reading: Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, Mitchell Just Finished: Blood Oath; Dissolution
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treiser		#15	[url]	[-]
Sep 8 08 8:39 PM BCC ZEN Bookie MASTER	BCCJillster wrote: ROFL Tom, It also seems to me that certain organizations e.g. NOW also seem to think that women who don't think like they do don't seem to have any rights. I must have missed their comments--what did they say to make you respond that way? Hearing this mentioned on Fox News almost obsessively over the weekend And, from the Right, how comfortable are you really with Palin the proverbial "heartbeat away?" Is that not an issue? Working on research about Mrs. Palin--the jury is right now out on this one Also, serious question: You said "Many of these folks may be uncomfortable for a number of reasons voting for Obama." I can't get anyone to tell me what their reasons are for discomfort. I've mentioned before that I too know people who have said that, but I can't find out what the reasons are. Can you help? Yes on this one--this would be from areas where African Americans are not welcome at night--known as Sundown towns--many of these are in Central and Southern IL and also in many parts of IN as well. Many of these areas have traditionally voted Democrat in presidential elections as well. Edited to put Tom's answes rin bold--I missed them at first Edited 1 time by BCCJillster Sep 9 08 4:31 AM.
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BCCJillster		#16	[url]	[-]
Sep 9 08 4:47 AM BCC ZEN BOOKIE COOKIE Administrator	Tom, that is so disappointing (that it is racial)--not totally surprising but that means these folks are voting against their pocketbooks and basic issues to continue honoring basic bigotry. What in the world do they think a black president would do to harm them? It's probably just visceral. But THANKS for the honest answer. I was talking to someone who is quite intelligent and worldly and he didn't realize that McCain is ProLife and against abortion rights. He was really shocked. His main concern that favors McCain is that he thinks the 'truly primitive mindset' of the non-Persians in the Middle East and Afghanistan only responds to fear and threats and that it's impossible to talk reason with them.(Persians, Iranians, he warned are far more sophisticated than any of the other peoples involved in these regions--the top of the hierarchy in the regions.) He grew up among these people, so I have to pay some attention to what he says, but I just can't accept that belligerence and taunting are the roads to safety. Don't you have to take into account a person's sense of pride and honor (ie, allowing them a way out) to avoid triggering their willingness to die and take you with them? Is humiliation our only weapon besides bombs? Sigh Currently reading: Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, Mitchell Just Finished: Blood Oath; Dissolution
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jodijoy		#17	[url]	[-]
Sep 9 08 5:20 AM BCC ZEN Bookie MASTER	Tom, what did Fox News claim that NOW said?? Apparently, some Georgia Congressman called the Obamas "uppity" (we ARE in the 21st century, right?)
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treiser		#18	[url]	[-]
Sep 9 08 6:11 AM BCC ZEN Bookie MASTER	Tom, what did Fox News claim that NOW said?? They claimed that the Palin candidacy was immediately rejected by NOW as Palin doesn't think the same way they do.
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jodijoy		#19	[url]	[-]
Sep 9 08 6:15 AM BCC ZEN Bookie MASTER	Did they cite anything that a NOW president or spokesperson actually said, or a formal statement of any kind? Or were they just setting up NOW as a "straw man" (woman?).
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MizPam		#20	[url]	[-]
Sep 9 08 11:05 AM BCC BookieMonster	NOW doesn't like Palin's Right to Life stand. Right now, I believe, the press is watching Palin very carefully in case she breaks out speaking in tongues so they can be there to report first hand. Have I said before that I hate the press?
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Politics 2008

Politics 2008