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Some unanswered questions
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We, the voters, have extensive media election coverage, and the parties and candidates spend large sums of money to be sure we are informed, but we still come to the polling places with unanswered questions.
One area of confusion and an area of importance for me is that John McCain states he is pro-life and that he is also pro-war. These are diametric opposites. He has sometimes been anti-torture and sometimes pro-torture, and this increases my confusion. Is he pro-life or is he pro-war?
I am aware of the opportunity to send questions to his Web site, that he may be asked this question in a debate and that there is the unlikely possibility that the media will ask the question, but am suspicious that the answer would be, "All of the above and also none of the above. Next question."
There is one other question I would like to ask. He, I suppose, buys his own shoes, but he spends a lot of time in flip-flops. If he should be elected president, who would pay for the flip-flops? This would add a large item to the national budget.
Bill Wilkerson
Abilene
Posted by apricottx on September 6, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There's going to be a lot of comments on this one. Some people agreeing and giving examples of McCain's flipflops, some disagreeing and claiming Obama is the one that flipflops.
Folks, I've read enough to have learned they HAVE ALL flipflopped. Even Palin, she was for the bridge before she was against it.
What I am doing is looking into the positions they have changed their stance on and trying to figure out why they did. Was it because they learned something else on the issue and changed their stance? Are they doing it to appeal to the masses, i.e. the idea is unpopular?
So, go ahead, start the back and forth of who is worse. Based on that kind of argument, you won't be able to vote for any of them.
Posted by Gillett on September 6, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Newsflash to Bill Wilkerson: you CAN be pro-life and Pro-war! One is defending the life of a baby and the other is defending the country by attacking the enemy who has his sights on you.
According to your illogical distortions, a SWAT team member or a military grunt must necessarily be pro-choice. Drink more carrot juice -- it's good for the brain.
Posted by itlldo on September 6, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gillett, are you always this mean to everyone? Lighten up.
Posted by greatsociety on September 6, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Republicans are the biggest hypocrites in the world.
Posted by pcdrs on September 6, 2008 at 9:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mccain was opposed to the bush tax cuts but is now for them. To do away with them would amount to a lot of money to him and his wife's family.
Most of Palin's claims about what she has done in Alaska have proven to be misleading or untrue but that's what republicans do.
Posted by reaganite on September 6, 2008 at 9:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
pcdrs
"Most of Palin's claims about what she has done in Alaska have proven to be misleading or untrue but that's what republicans do."
You made the claim, why don't you actually back it up with factual links?
Posted by robertwp on September 7, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The truth is that you don't really know what McCain will be for or against if he becomes president because he has built a political career on choosing his stance on the issues based entirely on political opportunity. That is not an opinion. That is a fact.
Strongly pro-choice then Strongly anti-choice
Iraq war will be short and easy then War will be long and difficult
Against the Bush tax cuts then For making the Bush tax cuts permanent.
Against the stranglehold of the Religious right and then pandering to the RR with the Palin pick.
Anti-torture then Pro-torture
Anti Grover Norquist and then buddies with Grover Norquist when he needed his support
For Campaign Finance Reform and then against Campaign Finance Reform
Against Ethanol and now For Ethanol
Thought that the Confederate Flag was a symbol of hate until he needed votes from Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia
Absolutely no Timetable in Iraq and Now thinks it is a good idea
Who knows what McCain will be fore or against? It depends on what a change in his stance can get him.
If you like to gamble then vote for McCain. There is absolutely no way to tell what this man stands for. The only thing driving him is a lust for power. He has proven that beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Posted by robertwp on September 7, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
“And then you get mad. And you say, the hell with them. And you renounce allegiance, and you pledge your efforts, your effects, your honor, your life to Alaska. The fires of hell are frozen glaciers compared to my hatred for the American government, and I won't be buried under their damn flag. I'll be buried in Dawson. And when Alaska is an independent nation they can bring my bones home."
Joe Vogler – Founder of the Alaska Independence Party
Sarah Palin has been a member of the AIP and addressed their 2008 convention. Sarah is a registered Republican in Alaska but Todd Palin and son Track are independents – not registered Republicans.
Someone explain how this is different from the Rev. Wright story.
Posted by hspower2003 on September 7, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is the election where everyone will have to wear flipflops to be able to wade through all the stuff, because a lot of what is being expelled by all the candidates is liquid, and smelly but hip boots might be better to keep it from getting on yourself.
Posted by whatuthink on September 7, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Despite Pledging To Withdraw American Troops From Iraq Immediately, Barack Obama Now Says He Would "Refine" His Policy After Listening To The Commanders On The Ground
Despite Pledging To Accept Public Financing, Barack Obama Has Reversed His Position And Opted Out Of The System
Barack Obama Is Backtracking On His Support For Unilaterally Renegotiating NAFTA
Barack Obama Has Changed Positions On The D.C. Handgun Ban
Barack Obama Has Shifted From Opposing Welfare Reform To Celebrating Welfare Reform In A Television Ad
As A Presidential Candidate, Barack Obama Criticizes The Administration's Energy Policy Despite Having Voted For The 2005 Bush-Cheney Energy Bill
Barack Obama Has Shifted Positions On Nuclear Power
Obama Adviser Said Obama Was Not Opposed To An Individual Health Care Mandate Despite His Opposition During The Primary
Barack Obama Disagreed With The Supreme Court Decision Striking Down The Use Of The Death Penalty For A Convicted Child Rapist Although In The Past He Opposed The Death Penalty
Barack Obama Has Backtracked From His Earlier Commitment To Meet With The Leaders Of State Sponsors Of Terror "Without Precondition"
Barack Obama Said He Would Debate "Anywhere, Anytime" But Has Rejected Joint Town Hall Meetings
Obama insists he voted for protecting infants who survive abortion, but he actually voted against just such a law. When he insisted that he only voted against it because it would water down abortion, he lied because the law included such a provision.
Posted by whatuthink on September 7, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Governor's political registration shows that she has been a Republican since 1982 and she has never been a member of the AIP, though her husband has in the past.
Posted by whatuthink on September 7, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I listed some of Obama's flip flops just to show that both candidates have changed their views.
I hope that with any leader, they have their ideas but with education and experience they will be able to change their decisions or rethink policies to always maintain what is right for the greater good of all people. Someone who sticks to their guns just for that sole purpose is a danger to society as society is always changing.
Posted by billannwi on September 7, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gillett. A swat team is used in carefully selected, investigated, and defined situations and with specified targets. Swat teams and swat operations are controlled and reviewed by written laws. This is vastly different from military operations or Cruise missiles. One real world account of this difference is a soldier finding the body of a 3-year-old Iraq girl with half her face blown off in the remains of a dwelling he had just fired a tank shell into. This young man had a daughter of about that same age and the story for him ended with his suicide. Carrot juice is not the answer.
Posted by robertwp on September 7, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Palin and her husband attended the Alaska Independence Party's 1994 convention at a Best Western in Wasilla, Alaska. She might say that she isn't a member but her actions say otherwise.
Posted by Shootstir on September 7, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rasmussen Poll (8/5) McCain/Obama -Even
Zogby Poll (8/5) McCain by 2
YAHOO (8/3) Obama by 2
This is getting very tight, folks. This is definitely going to be a horse race.
Posted by robertwp on September 7, 2008 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Those polls might be interesting if we had a political system where the majority vote was the deciding factor in the presidential election. However, we use the Electoral College that will once again give the people in the states where the election is close more of a say in our political process than those of us who live in a state where a larger majority favors one party or the other.
Too bad.
Posted by Reagan_Bush08 on September 7, 2008 at 8:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bobby, your complaining never ceases to amaze me. You're already making excuses for your loss in November. Have you already given in? That didn't take long.
Posted by tomg130 on September 7, 2008 at 9:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Isnt it kind of sad we have to decide who has lied and is lying the least now and vote for them. I dont believe 1/10 of what either is saying they will do.
Posted by robertwp on September 7, 2008 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Raygun Bushed,
You can read my previous thread where I lay out the way the Electoral College would go if the election were held today. Obama is way out in front. The election is his to lose.
No apologies here.
The debate between Biden and Caribou Barbie should be great. It should be interesting to see how someone with a law degree from Syracuse matches up with someone with a journalism degree from Hawaii Pacific College/North Idaho College/University of Idaho/Matanuska-Susitna College. I can’t wait.
Posted by whatuthink on September 8, 2008 at 2:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The latest numbers from the Rasmussen Reports Balance of Power Calculator show Obama leading in states with 193 Electoral College votes and McCain ahead in states with 183 Electoral College votes. Previously, Obama had enjoyed a 210–165 advantage.
Posted by goatfart on September 8, 2008 at 6:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gillet No way can you be both pro-war and pro-life. This is a hypocritical statement. If this was the case, Bush would not have invaded Iraq (war of choice), killing thousands of innocent children, women, (and pregnant women). SO, it's OK to shoot a pregnant woman in the gut, killing her and her unborn child, and still call yourself pro-life?? But a doctor finds that a woman's life is in risk, because of a pregnancy, and its immoral, illegal, for him to save her life, by giving her a needed abortion?? Sounds like you are "pro-death" and somebody urinated in your carrot juice!
Posted by robertwp on September 8, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Gillet No way can you be both pro-war and pro-life."
Sure he can. He/she is a hypocrite. Gillet doesn't want little pink babies aborted by mothers who don't want them and Gillet doesn't want to adopt them and Gillet doesn't think that little Iraqi babies are even human and should be counted in Bush’s war. This is the very definition of a hypocrite.
Gillet can avoid this hypocrite label if he has the guts to admit that he isn’t actually pro-life at all but that she/he is anti-choice.
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