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As a side note, do you think we'll actually hit 50 serious comments in this story? A first for SRU for sure. :-)
Yes, there are the Edwin Meeses and the Jim(?) Bauers of the world. Sure, there are elements within the administration and the party who would like to ban porn, and keep it off the shelves and off of the Internet. And you know what else, there are also millions of Republican voters who would never let them get away with it.
Yes, like Ashcroft. Frankly, I think you're kidding yourself about the 'control' you think you will exert over those you allowed to ascend to the throne. I pray to God in heaven that I am wrong about this. I suspect I am not.
You need to understand that the vast, vast majority of Americans love basic freedoms - the ability to speak freely, move freely, look at what we want, play the way we want. And the vast, vast majority of Americans, even Republicans, are tolerant of other Americans doing the same. Everyone in power knows this, and knows that we live in a Democracy, and they are one election away from losing their jobs. Even the most freedom-hating SOBs like John Ashcroft know this.
<Sarcasm mode=on>Oh - good news, everyone! We only have to wait 1,427 days to hold these guys accountable! Isn't that wonderful?</Sarcasm>
The people in power always act like people in power. Power corrupts. And what do all people in power want? More power.
Now that said, how hard is it, really, to keep your porn out of sight of your kids, or people who are offended by it? Is it really a freedom to open up your Juggs in the middle of a public park, or is this just a convenience? My point is, there should be restrictions and controls. Your freedom is in tension with the freedoms of many others.
Not at all difficult to keep porn our of the hands of Children, or others - it's called be a responsible adult, and stop trying to tell others what they can do - with their time, money, body, what ever. That's what the Religious Right misses - it's NOT appropriate for you (you being the Religious Right in this case, not you specifically) to tell others what they have to, or should, do. Let them make their own decisions. When it boils down to it, the Right only thinks the word 'Choice' applies to the abortion debate (which they can't be honest about to save their lives) when in fact, it's a philosophy. It's a way of life. Live and let live. Don't tell me what to do, I can take care of my self. Keep your laws off my body, my property, and out of my religion and way of thinking. In return, I'll do the same to you.
On the subject of Halliburton:
Yeah, no-bid contracts kinda suck. I think this is very poor behavior on the part of the administration. However, we are not giving money away. We are purchasing a service from them. That's what a contract is.
We are getting RIPPED OFF. Why was it such a bad thing for the congress, when democrats were in charge, to reign in $300 space tested toilet seats, and yet it's ok for the shameless, wasteful spending now to go on? Are we forgetting that the VP used to run Halliburton? When I was in the service, even the APPEARANCE of bad conduct was enough to ROAST YOUR ASS. You didn't have to be guilty, you just had to do something that called your honor, commitment, or integrity into question. Why is it any different for those in charge of the Nation?
On religious freedoms:
First, the Nicean Creed is an ecumenical creed, not just a Catholic one. Second, in no place in the Constitution is it guaranteed that you are free from anyone else's religion, or lack or religion, or religious intolerance. And if the Baptists want to be bigoted and arrogant, what does that have to do with the government?
So, your argument is that discrimination is ok? I work for about 850 labor and employment lawyers who will tell you otherwise. If you want to argue constitutional law, get some qualifications. And when Baptists (like GWB) are running the country, it has everything to do with it.
On homeland security measures:
You think that your freedoms have been violated because you have to take your shoes off at an airport and can't carry a knife on board a plane? Once again, you are confusing freedoms with conveniences. How about the freedom of the other passengers to be assured that no one on the flight can pull out a knife, slit the throats of the attendants, and hold everyone hostage. Or worse. I will not trade freedom for security. I will, however, gladly inconvenience myself for security, and the security of others.
A leatherman is a FRICKING PAIR OF PLIERS! It has a screw driver attachment, sure! And How about FSCK'ing NAIL CLIPPERS?!? Oh, it must be the terrorists! as Bea Arthur exclaimed. Ridiculous! EVERYONE has a right to security. EVERYONE has a right to liberty.
I am certainly not the biggest fan of PATRIOT. Parts of it need to be repealed ASAP. The administration's disregard for the sanctity of civil liberties is the #1 reason Bush very nearly lost my vote. But let's put things into perspective. You and I are no less free now than we were in 2000. You are over-reacting, and blaming the wrong people for your troubles.
Now, on this we mostly agree. PATRIOT is EVIL. I wouldn't have voted for bush, short of a lobotomy, but I agree that the administration has disregard for civil liberties. We ARE less free now. In 2000, and part of 2001, I could fly with my leatherman on my belt, not having had to take off my shoes, carrying a broken laptop with me onto the plain if I so chose. I have friends who immigrated to this country, went home to visit, and were denied entry back in to the US simply because they came from a country that has a lot of Muslims. They had lived here for over 20 years. That's FSCK'ing bullshit. Does it really sound like we're 'just as free' <sic> now as we were in 2000? I don't think so.
Re Lying, arrogance, greed: welcome to politics as usual. I think, however, you only want to see one side of the issues, and are more likely to detect lying arrogance, and greed, and lack of human decency where there isn't any. I know of one leader who did possess those qualities in spades. He's currently in the custody of the people he tortured and terrorized.
When we become jaded, and allow ourselves to view this as 'politics as usual' that is when we are at our worst. This should NOT be politics as usual. I try very hard to see both sides. I was in the service for a long time, and nearly everyone I worked with was a conservative Republican. I have been over and over what they say and do, and some of it makes sense. The problem is, they won't talk about the parts that don't - like their dishonesty over choice issues. Saddam is the end of the spectrum. If we keep going down the path we're on now, that's the end we're likely to meet.
No, not everyone who disagrees with me - just the ones who voted for Bush for the wrong reasons. Who is the arbiter of what is a right and a wrong reason to vote for something? We all have our passions and our priorities.
I AM. For my purposes, that's ME. I decide who I think is, or isn't right, wrong, smart, stupid, etc. NO ONE ELSE can make those judgments for me - I have to make them for myself. I am the only one who can make those judgments for myself, as I am the one held accountable for them. As you basically point out, it's the same for you - and everyone else.
I deeply respect your opinions, and I am very thankful that you defended me for eight years. I believe you are a true patriot. But I'd like you to have some amount of perspective, and faith in Democracy and the ability of people to choose their leaders and their government. The American people love liberty, and none of us, even those who are John Ashcroft fans, are going to let liberty be destroyed.
I was happy to be of service. I still serve in my own way, which is by participating in our democracy. I am a voter registrar for Will county Il, and also an election judge. I do have faith in the people. I'm just not certain it was their voice we heard. I only hope that people learn from the next four years, and realize that sometimes, gridlock was not such a bad thing.
"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it. - G.W. Bush"
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Inspiration
