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POPSSome REAL Changes
Although people are saying that Obama is emphasizing experience over change, they overlook the fact that it in and of itself is a change. Here are the changes I'm excited about: 1. Expertise Over Loyalty Most recent presidents have surrounded themselves with yes-men and toadies. Obama is forsaking the insular model of the Bush Administration in favor of one that will certainly promote debate. This is VERY good for making realistic policy decisions. 2. Expertise over Ideology Thompson says this "doesn't make political sense." However, did it occur to him that the Defense Department is not an appropriate place to play politics? A military that is motivated by ideological concerns rather than strategic ones is exactly how we have gotten ourselves into destructive, counter-productive, and losing wars in the past. 3. Experience at all The Bush Administration went out of its way to disregard experts of all stripes. Finally, a President who values people who are good at what th
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POPSOn The Difference Between Belief and Politics If someone holds conservative, right wing beliefs, I've got not problem with them. I might even find myself agreeing with them sometimes. On the other hand, right wing politics are what really get under my skin. And when it comes to Bush, it's pretty much 100% pure politics. So what's the difference? Well beliefs are ideas - principles you think are right, and that you are willing to stand up for. Politics is using other people's beliefs to get what you want. Bush doesn't believe in being a "fiscal conservative!" He just talks about that so that right wing voters will support him. He wants to be fiscally conservative on public schools and health care and other areas that don't directly benefit him or his friends, but when it comes to something he wants, belief takes a back seat to unadulterated greed. Why do conservatives feel they have to defend him? Why deny reality to defend something that is against your values? Bush has dragged the entire GOP into deluded solipsism
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POPSA Positive Political Process Frank Rich, in an op-ed I don't feel like clipping (too glib), declared the GOP Platform to be Dead on Arrival. I beg to differ. Although McCain had a dark period of pandering, he seems to be back to saying what he thinks, and playing clean. He's the Boy Scout of Electoral Politics, and he's got my respect. (Not something I give out often to candidates.) But the really interesting thing is that Huckabee, who was always a nice guy, seems to have become more insightful and philosophical as the campaign goes on. His observations on political process I thought were exactly what America should be. We'll put him on my "provisional respect" list. Although his last bizarre bit about the Confederate flag will probably cost him the Hootie and the Blowfish vote, I'd bet they were already going to vote for Hillary anyway. Now if only the losers like Thompson and Giuliani will take a hint: sharpen up, start thinking, or drop out.
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POPSSinister Socialist Conspiracy Afoot in Spain You got to love Spain's conservatives. It's like they are being run by Colonel Ripper, protecting their "Purity of Essence"! "No Gays! No Girls! And no filthy Catalans! Viva Espagne! Down with Barcelona!" ;) But in the end, isn't this also what Americans fear? That some liberal will screw up our country by protecting "gays" and "working women" and "illegal immigrants"? Are we really any different? On the whole, and interesting article, though. This is a process that China has yet to go through, although I think the situations are extremely analogous.
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POPSConflict in Iran: Symbiosis between Bush and Ahmadinejad I've stitched together three very interesting articles over the last week, which become much more interesting when you read them in sequence. Look carefully at what is happening. If there is anything that lays bare the role of the Bush Administration's jingoistic belligerence in the Middle East, it is the recent conflict in the Strait of Hormuz. With the international pressure off Ahmadinejad, he starts taking heat in Iran for the shortcomings of his leadership. Without fear, his belligerent and isolationist politics lose their appeal. In order to defend his world view, and preserve the source of his power, he needs America as an enemy... So some Iranian boats play around with one of our convoys, Bush comes out with some insane saber-rattling press conference, and, Ahmadinejad is back in business, courtesy of the Bush administration. If you desire war, you need an enemy. If you need an enemy, you desire war. Bush needs Ahmadinejad. Just like Ahmadinejad needs Bush.
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POPSIn Memoriam to a soldier, not unknown This is the conclusion of Hitchen's essay on the death of Mark Daily, a young man who was inspired by Hitchens to join the army, and gave his life in Mosul, Iraq. The essay is a very interesting and introspective piece, and was one of David Brooks' picks for best essays of the year. It is well worth reading to contemplate the reality of the war, separate from the propaganda and politics. A very refreshing change.
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POPSPat Robertson's Endorsement: Blessing or Curse? Leave it to national politics to turn a normal guy into Crazy McGee. Giuliani is campaigning so hard to the Republican fringe that he seems to be sabotaging the traits that might have made him appealing in a general election. On the other hand, think about what Pat Robertson is saying: "the defense of our population from the blood lust of Islamic terrorists" W*$# the F@&#!!!! Now imagine if a liberal candidate got endorsed by a national figure who talked about the "Blood lust of Christian Colonialism and Capitalist Neo-Fascism." That would pretty much be the end of the trail for that campaign. It is horrific that someone who could say something like this is actually thought of as an important endorsement. How many people seriously think like that? Are we really that ignorant and angry? Why would anyone be proud to be endorsed by someone who sounds increasingly apocalyptic, paranoid, and deranged?
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POPSRepublicans who like Spankings (a year of fond memories) Oh you sexy sexy conservative big boys, gay-bashing by day and lurking in mens bathrooms by night - so naughty! Good to know that deep down inside theres a little rainbow in all of you. Oh yeah and check out Haggards ripped boyfriend - would of figured him the top type but guess I called that wrong! This isn't mature content this is a serious trend in conservative politics. Seriously now, allegations and confessions are piling up I just picked out the four biggest profile cases, don't be surprised if there are more. Not all these guys are proved guilty but you read it and evaluate it. Look around - new republicans on the block? Do you feel safe as a homophobic straight man? By the way anyone wanna pitch in on making a Republican Hotties 2008 calender?
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POPSA Conservative Youth Culture Comming? Although my politics match my parents, left for left, sometimes I dress more conservatively than they do. They listen to Rancid and Radiohead, and worry about me when I get fed up and talk trash about raw-vegan hippies. Nothing stays the same for long. I have always wondered whether the pendulum will swing back towards the conservative, or whether we will simply become increasingly liberal, liberated and libertine? Looking back, history seems to suggest the later, and each subsequent age has been more liberated than the last... Or am I wrong? Is there in fact a cycle at work here? If so, what place and time has been as socially liberal as we are today?
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POPSZogby Survey Uncovers American Bias, Hypocrisy Detailed results worth viewing at source. Pollster John Zogby said, “Over my years of polling, I’ve learned that Americans tend to offer socially acceptable responses when questioned on their own views about race and prejudice. That’s why in this poll we predominantly asked people about “most Americans’” views on race and prejudice. We believe this provides a far more accurate window into how people really think about these issues. Americans are more forthcoming when discussing the problem in the context of their neighbors’ lives than in the context of their own lives.”
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POPSRupert Murdoch Loves The Communist Chinese Government Does politics really make strange bedfellows? Is it so odd that Murdoch should support another corrupt, brutal and authoritarian goverment? We should read this and ask ourselves: what is it that Rupert Murdoch and his ilk really believe in? Are they really conservatives or simply autocrats mascarading behind a "small government" agenda? What is meant by "small" anyway? From one angle, the smallest government possible is a single dictator, while the largest government possible is a democracy where everyone holds equal share in the governance of their society.
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POPSObservations on Democracy & Despotism: Thai Mai Rak Thai! Once again, we see a leader use democracy to gain autocratic power. We see a man claim to love his country but instead use his power only for his own beniffit. How can we improve a democratic system in a practical way so that it will be less subject to these kind of manipulations.
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POPSOakeshott on Rationalism and Tyrany Although, needless to say, my politics follow a very different path from Oakeshott, he's still a fascinating thinker, who knew how to provoke good questions. For instance, why did mankind feel the need to create Rationalism when we already had rationality?
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POPSThe Devil & Reverend Falwell I offer the late Reverand Falwell the best eulogy I can craft for him: He was a great man, who accomplished much. He opposed civil-rights. He opposed gay rights. He opposed women's rights. He opposed all independent political thought beyond his own opinions. He united thousands of otherwise well meaning Americans behind an agenda of hate and intolerance. He wanted to destroy anything that was different, and pushed our government from defending liberty into attacking it. I have seen people enobled by the purity of their faith, but he was not one of them. He became as grotesque and monstrous as the venomous ideas he believed in. The greatest tragedy is that he died without ever using his power and influence for the good of mankind, and instead expended that precious capital on petty politics.
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POPSTears for the future... You know I hate to admit it, but it's true. Obama may be a "rock star" (although he's no Jim Morrison) and he may be a great guy (although he's no Bobby Kennedy) I have to agree: on the hard issues, he hasn't shown us that he has what it takes. This was exactly the failure of Royale (Sego) in France. The sad thing is that, although it took me years of college and field research to do it the hard way, I estimate that with the resources of a national politician, and about $25,000,000 it would only take about three or four months of intensive study to come up to speed on the relevant facts of Islamic "terrorism" and the situation in Iraq, both military and civilian. Why is it that I some how feel that quite a few of the people on Clipmarks are more qualified to lead the country than any of the people currently running? (Both left and right!) Come to think of it, why aren't any of you guys running? How long will it be before we get an erudite, informed and passionate leader?
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POPSThis Old Earth - Part 1 Response to a young earth creationist's arguments. The first two parts are debunking the arguments for a 6,000 year old earth, and the third part will detail how we know the earth is 4.5 billion years old.
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