I Have a Polytical Question

“I have a Republican friend of 20+ years and when we get together, she always sneaks in something so that a political conversation starts. She is very aware that I am not into politics and I barely keep up with MSNBC/CNN/FOXNEWS/BUCK REPORTS. I sleep well most nights but she on the other hand, has repeated nightmares about aliens, terrorists, cancer, and other earth shattering things. I don't watch much TV but find that someone like Oprah has helped many many people in her career, while my friend finds "Oprah", entertaining. She also finds Jerry Springer very entertaining on the same level.

I have a relative who thinks all democrats should burn in hell, and if they don't vote for Bush this year, they are "low lifes". Again, the TV is tuned in to all the above channels minus the BUCK REPORTS of which can only be found here.

I am neither demo or repub. I vote for who I think can protect this country and the very thing we stand for as a country...Freedom. What is so wrong with that?

You see, a hurricane came a couple of weeks ago and turned upside down, quite a few people's lives. When the sun rose over the horizon after Charley tore through, there were many different people standing amid devestation and some of that was their very own home, what was left of it. I highly doubt that they cared about color, sexual orientation, political parties, what religion, etc. They simply had each other, whoever was standing next to them, or in some cases, who was lying next to them. They frantically tried to find their loved ones, and some never did. Some people to this day, have no where to go. They have lost everything.

My question is then: What does it matter what side, what color, what sex we choose, what relgion we are, when in the end of things beyond our control, we simply just need each other...no matter what?”

“when in the end of things beyond our control

It matters because most of the time, things are under control.”

“Not true, Mutt. Everything can be taken from you in a New York minute. We think we are in control but really, we are not. We cannot and will never control fate.”

“I know what you mean wolfeyes. I have a friend that is as far right as you can be. Pretty much feels the same about all democrats.

I, on the other hand come from a very strong democratic family. (very union)

I don't pay attention as much as I should to what is going on, and really don't care. The people around me that ram it down my throat about how great Bush is and how he should be able to serve forever make me sick.

I am with you, just give us someone that can fix the problems.”

“Just so, wolfeyes. But, for the most part, for most people, for most of the time things are under control - even if that can collapse in an instant.”

“And it is that very instant that I am talking about because after that instance comes a whole new chunk of time we didn't think would "ever happen to us/me".”

“"And it is that very instant that I am talking about because after that instance comes a whole new chunk of time we didn't think would "ever happen to us/me"."
wolfeyes
01:03:59 PM

and the next instant we're saying 'now who's gonna help me build a new house? where's that money gonna some from? how much federal aid is gonna be granted? I wish that basturd ________ didn't already give all the money away to the welfare/haliburton/iraqis/south/north/west/east/.... ect.”

“It matters in how we prepare for things that go wrong.

Some things will never go wrong if we prepare adequately. Other things that go wrong regardless of preparation we can lessen or shorten the misery.

Adequate prep example is disaster relief funds and emergency services, cannot help anyone who loses a loved one but water, food, and medical aid can prevent additional people from dying.

A big one is Defense, how much is enough ? like an insurance policy every dollar spent is something that could be better used for immediate needs, but when you need it you really need it.

Take a look at the US budget income and expense graphs of different Presidents Dem or Rep and see which allocation of funds is more in line with how YOU would assign priorities.

Still a little unfair because a lot depends on what the country is facing at that time.
FDR fighting WW II needed a lot more defense $$ than DDE after the war.

and yes, they are your $$ that are being spent.”

“WE - I think the prime example you seek, is that of what happened right after 9/11. Everyone came together, no matter where they came from, no matter what they did. I, personally, walked around on 9/12 looking around and thinking to myself, "We're all in this together". You see, it had always been my belief up to that point that maybe something needed to happen on that scale that would drive the demons of division away forever.

Sadly, it was short lived. Our civilization is just too panic sticken and suffers from short term memory loss. Materialism drives the social thinking in this country, nobody cares about their brothers or sisters next door. Nobody want to follow the rules. There is no in between anymore, it's either one way or the other. Your a Nazi or a Commie, take your pick or one will be picked for you.

This is what is called the "Jerry Springer" effect in Political Science. It's a sad reflection on us, but it is, what is.”

“Your problem, Sarge, is that you are thinking critically and challenging people who latch onto dogma for their daily fix. Under control is a relative term. There are any number of natural disasters that can occur in a minute, and if that's not enough, the entire dynamics of the planet and solar system could change and wipe out life in a very short time.

We tend not to think of these things. Destruction is not where we want to put our emphasis in life. We are an optimistic lot and want to see bright futures.

On the other hand, politics cannot protect us from these things. It can only help us pick up the pieces. And when things go down the tube in a big hurry, as they do in a hurricane or after Sept. 11, people coming together is the very first response.

My respect for New Yorkers rose 1,000 percent in the wake of 9-11. And among the people who rushed in to help in any way they could were our own treebeard and mapleleaf.

So yeah, people generally trump the pols when it comes to being there for one another.”

“Yes we should all live in a vanilla world.

*******

"Vanilla? What about chocolate?"

*******

Oh no, Here we go again.”

“A "polytical" question?

There is only one TICAL (Technology Information Center for Administrative Leadership) Not many of them. Sorry, does that answer your question?”

“My question is then: What does it matter what side, what color, what sex we choose, what relgion we are, when in the end of things beyond our control, we simply just need each other...no matter what?"

First…I think your friend’s condition is due her own situation, not because she’s a republican. [wink wink]. I don’t care to be around people who can’t get past their political views and leave politics where it belongs. If someone’s a liberal, conservative, communist I don’t care as long as they keep it to themselves. If they want to spout off all the time then I choose not to spend time with them. I do openly admit that I don’t care to spend my time with liberals who can’t keep their opinions to themselves. Call me closed minded but I do actually like spending time with people of a like mind. But when it comes to people who need help or in every day dealings I deal with everyone the same way.

We all like to think that when have these big political discussions that we are somehow exhibiting control over what happens and that we are some how an actual cog in the big wheel. Our actual extent of political control is voting and very little else. Unless you consider banging on doors and trying to get others to think your way, which is even more irritating.”

“It matter because this is one option...

”

“Perhaps not the best option Rosey, but maybe the best currently being offered.”

“Manuka's referring to the monkey...”

“Obviously Manuka was not refering to Kerry's voting record, because Liberals treat it like a black hole, eh 'Treebeard.'”

“Is that what the AM radio turds are saying bbw?”

“I hear the apes are filing a class action lawsuit over that animation.”

“Nigal How would you know that you’re spending your time with like-minded people unless they’re spouting off about it? I’d say your post is just a tad contradictory.”

“"Nigal How would you know that you’re spending your time with like-minded people unless they’re spouting off about it? I’d say your post is just a tad contradictory."

I was generally speaking of people here on TT. I have hiked with a lot of liberals from TT and some don't even bring up politics and we get on fine. Then there are those who never shut up about it. Those are the ones I don't hang around with.”

“is that why we don't hang out nigal?”

“Would you hike with a conservative who didn't shut up about it?”

“Associating with people of contrasting political views can be hazardous to your thinking.”

“"Nigal..........I’d say your post is just a tad contradictory."

Flip-Flopper !!!!!!”

“Liberal - anyone to the left of my position.

Facist - anyone to the right of my position

Idiot - person from the kingdom of Id, such as the wizard.

Cypriot - person from Cyprus.

Lesson - a period of instruction

Moron - opposite of Lesson

Tics - small spasms

Polytics - many small spasms.”

“"is that why we don't hang out nigal?"

No Sacco! I wanna go fishin’ with you ya little pinko commie fly fisherman! LOL!

"Would you hike with a conservative who didn't shut up about it?"

Generally no. I do have a few people I consider close friends I hike with such as birch and politics come up every once in a while and we have some good discussions. But it’s not like I sit around with other conservatives and talk about sKerry and liberals all weekend. That craps for the boards, hiking is for getting away from the boards.”

“What about polytheism?”

“"Associating with people of contrasting political views can be hazardous to your thinking."

With all due respect geo I am very comfortable with my political views and I don't fear anyone differing views. Just because I don't care to spend time with some one because they have differing views doesn't somehow make me any less well rounded socially.

I don't agree with racism. Am I being closed minded because I choose not to hike with racists? Again, no.”

“No, I was just talking about political views Nigal, not prejudices. And I was just tweaking. I don't discuss, or care to discuss, politics or religion while hiking. Like you say, that's what we're out there to get away from.

On the other hand, if I come into a clear cut, I don't think you'd want to hear what comes out of my mouth.”

“What about polygamy? Why can't y'all accept us? I mean them. Definitly them.”

“I did something yesterday I rarely do. I answered the phone while at home and of course it’s a call from the Bush/Chaney campaign. When she asked me if she could ask me 5 questions I told her I wanted to ask her a question. I asked her why is it that these politicians can get away with exempting themselves from the do not call list. She didn’t know what to say, so I told her I would never vote for someone who doesn’t support the banning of political telemarketing calls and that I do not want them calling my house ever again and I hung up.

If I get a call from the Kerry/Edwards campaign I’ll ask them the same question.”

“i got an email or something one time that listed a bunch of really funny ways to handle telemarketers.

maybe i can find it...”

“I’d take a phone call over having some greasy 20-something with a nose ring banging on my door with a clip board. I agree though, they shouldn’t be calling if you’re on the list.”

“I used to get a lot of calls from the GOP and various right wing orgs (NRA ect.) for fundraising.

They finally stopped calling me when I told them that they wanted to spend my money more than the democrats.

I also got a pretty healthy number of calls from DNC and assorted left leaning orgs.

They finally stopped calling when I told them that they lusted after my money worse than the Republicans.”

“My in-laws are rabid right. It's very disconcerting that if I mention an opinion of mine that leans right, they take it and run with it so far right that I get disgusted and wish I never opened my mouth.

I think there is a very large majority of people on this planet who need to feel different or better than the next person.

Political affiliation is one method of doing so but politics should be more about choosing a path to accomplish a goal to better a society rather than a simple us vs them.”

“"Political affiliation is one method of doing so but politics should be more about choosing a path to accomplish a goal to better a society rather than a simple us vs them."

I used to think this also but after the last four years I'd say we've gone too far to the extremes. For all my bantering here on TT many would be surprised to know that I an nearly right in the middle of the spectrum.”

“? Your friend is a Republican yet sounds like a conspiracy theorist. Maybe it's a stereotype but I thought those kinds of people were liberal. Maybe her conflicting political affiliation is keeping her from sleeping at night? Being a republican would put her in the oxymoron classification of voters such as Gay Republicans, Black Republicans, Young Republicans, Poor Republicans....damn if there's not a lot of confused Republicans.”

“Silent J, I beleive you might be right. When I first met her in the 80's, she was very liberal. It has been in the last few years that she has changed her views which is fine...she just needs to remember that not all people change. Funny thing, too, is that she had a very strong opinion of me going into the Army when I did. That opinion leaned to the left.”

“Personally, I think that politics is very important. Life and death decisions are made every day.

And I think that average people can make a big difference. One of my favorite moments happened about 6 or 7 years ago. A jail was proposed for the end of my parents' street.

On the 4th of July, my brother and I went up and down the area neighborhoods with petitions against the plan and a notice about the county commissioners meeting.

The meeting was packed with all our neighbors and the commissioners, facing overwhelming opposition, removed the site.

A couple of weeks ago, I helped my local teacher's association raid a Republican primary for US Congress. The candidate we wanted won by a few percentage points and our crossover made the difference.

We helped change Congress a little bit.

Voting is important, but it is the bare minimum. Every citizen has a responsibility to make the community better.”

“here..here.. RL.

Many people out ther efeel that they are powerless to do anything. This might be from some actions that have taken place on the national scale, or juts a general feeling of *who cares*.

The main thing, as you have done and pointed out, is that people can make an impact, by voting at the level the directly effects them, the local level.

Voter turn out for simple things like school board elections, city Mayor, are about 5 to 10 percent, if yer lucky. That's sad, because most of the people that #&%!$ about what happens around them, didn't even give the time to un-stick their ass from the easy chair to get out and vote. Phucking fantastic, I say.

Right now, how many -- honestly -- voted in their last city elections, for school board, for college trustee, for a bond issue.....

be honest, it will not be held against you.

People -- get involved and get off TT. We all here know where everyone stands, go out there and try and DO something. That's where it counts....in the streets. At the meetings.....You do nothing for anything by staying here and laying a log. Now is the time.

Dems and Repubs...get off yer ass and say WHY we should vote for yer guy.


RIGHT NOW!”

“I always vote.”

“as much as i agree with you guys i do think it's a very sad fact that my vote in november will not matter in the least.

it's very disheartening to me to know that no matter what, the president will be determined by the 11 *battle ground* states.”

“Well, not really. If one looses one of the big 11, they need to make it up in a couple of more states. The E.C. has been with us for so long, thta I find it very troubling that people #&%!$ about it.

The main thing is:

Don't stay home and feel that your vote is wasted. The E.C. is based on *winner take all*, so make sure that yer guy takes the state!”

“laq there are some states that are going to be landslides.

i live in new york state.

i could hold my entire COUNTY hostage and make them vote but it wouldn't matter. john kerry is getting NY's electorals. period.

the same way that if you live in texas...”

“Great thread, Wolfeyes. I think that when the proverbial sh_t hits the proverbial fan, good-hearted people of all types band together, and politics disappears. Unfortunately, it seems to take a crisis to bring about cooperation between the many disparate groups.”