14th November 2007, 8:00 PM
(On an 'election' note, did anyone else actually vote in this year's elections earlier this month? I wasn't sure if I was going to because all that was on the ballot was a few ballot issues and bonds, but I did... voting against gambling (the measure for another racino failed, fortunately) and for longer term limits (that failed too, unfortunately... the four terms limit we have in the legislature just doesn't work at all. As soon as people start to figure out how the system works they're kicked out and replaced with new people who have no clue...) was worth it.)
Anyway, I'd say "vote for who you want to actually win in the primary, if you're lucky enough to live in a state where the primary/caucus is early enough to matter, but in the general election if you care at all you should vote for one of the major candidates if you don't want to hurt the party you more identify with. It does matter...
Ron Paul is a Republican as much as he is a Libertarian. He's anti-abortion, for instance, from the Republican side, and his ideas of what the government can do... well, Libertarians are weird. They're halfway on each side, really... on some issues libertarians and liberals agree, but on others they're total opposites...
Anyway, while he certainly is opposed to the Iraq War, it's for totally different reasons from why I am. His reasons are like the Pat Buchanan Republicans' reasons, in a way -- "AMerica shouldn't be involved in the rest of the world", ie isolationism. I am very strongly against isolationism. As much as I know that a great many (or perhaps even most) of America's efforts to involve ourself with the rest of the world have failed or ended up doing more harm than good, I think that we have to try... just giving up and sticking our heads in the sand when bad things happen isn't right, and that's where you head with that line of thinking.
I've never liked Chavez... he has always seemed like he wants to be like Castro, and while I think the US embargo of Cuba is really stupid when there many nations that are orders of magnitude worse that we aren't punishing at all, Castro IS a dictator and wanting to be like him isn't a good thing.
As for the media, sure the media spins stories. You can't help that. You can look at their coverage with a critical eye though, or look at multiple news venues (such as online as well as the mass media, or papers or something as well as TV, or whatever)... oh yeah, and don't watch Fox News unless you want 100% pro-Bush Administration spin.
He resigned several months ago... FINALLY...
Anyway, I'd say "vote for who you want to actually win in the primary, if you're lucky enough to live in a state where the primary/caucus is early enough to matter, but in the general election if you care at all you should vote for one of the major candidates if you don't want to hurt the party you more identify with. It does matter...
Quote:Thank goodness free thinkers.
When elections come I might vote civil libertarian rather then any of the official parties.
I recommend giving Ron Paul a look for the up coming elections.
Quote:
Ron Paul is a Republican as much as he is a Libertarian. He's anti-abortion, for instance, from the Republican side, and his ideas of what the government can do... well, Libertarians are weird. They're halfway on each side, really... on some issues libertarians and liberals agree, but on others they're total opposites...
Anyway, while he certainly is opposed to the Iraq War, it's for totally different reasons from why I am. His reasons are like the Pat Buchanan Republicans' reasons, in a way -- "AMerica shouldn't be involved in the rest of the world", ie isolationism. I am very strongly against isolationism. As much as I know that a great many (or perhaps even most) of America's efforts to involve ourself with the rest of the world have failed or ended up doing more harm than good, I think that we have to try... just giving up and sticking our heads in the sand when bad things happen isn't right, and that's where you head with that line of thinking.
Quote:That is a very similar issue in Venezuela right now; Its why Chavez is paranoid of being assassinated or overthrown.Chavez big mouth will get him in trouble....
I've never liked Chavez... he has always seemed like he wants to be like Castro, and while I think the US embargo of Cuba is really stupid when there many nations that are orders of magnitude worse that we aren't punishing at all, Castro IS a dictator and wanting to be like him isn't a good thing.
As for the media, sure the media spins stories. You can't help that. You can look at their coverage with a critical eye though, or look at multiple news venues (such as online as well as the mass media, or papers or something as well as TV, or whatever)... oh yeah, and don't watch Fox News unless you want 100% pro-Bush Administration spin.
Quote:So what happened to Gonzales? I haven't been watching the national news lately.
He resigned several months ago... FINALLY...