RE:In Mark's case, on the other hand, I suspect intentional duplicity -- now more than ever."
Ricorun,
I seriously doubt that, I think you came to a total mis-understanding of Mark, and are making stuff up intentionally, in order to degrade Mark's character, and that is not a very Christian thing to do, and I would ask that you not resort to such graffiti, Mark is a very intelligent person, and the choices he makes, are his own, and above all, he takes the Christian perspective as first priority to any problem, or situation, in order to have the confidence, and a more steadfast hope as a solution the surrounding problem. Which mean a heck of a lot to me, and many Christian Conservatives here!
"And the fact is, my comments were originally supposed to be a joke."
Ricorun, I wish that I could say with confidence that that is the case, but, It has been my experiences that have taught me to think otherwise when dealing with any people or persons on the left side of the aile, to be wary of any such standings held up to be one hundred percent whole-hearted TRUTH, but, instead, the truth to be far from them. So, I cannot consider your case to be in agreement to the full with your position. but in any case, it is not in the least bit, funny as you say; a joke, not at all! One must refrain from such dialog!
"As such, I suspect they (like me) are particularly sensitive to duplicity, hypocricy, dissembling, and attempts to mislead, misconstrue, misrepresent, or deny reality."
Well, at any rate, this Ricorun, is where your problem lies, you have affiliated yourself with those who I find to every bit or maybe evern MORE of these types of activites than you realise, and must NOT be overlooked if you are to get a head start in the right direction, these things are what the left is noted and famed for, whether it is your decision to take as real or not, This is where you have got to make the choice, Do you want to align yourself with these folks after such behavior has been seen or suspected?, OR, Would you rather be on the side of those who are in the best interest of your safety and well fare? As for myself, I prefer the latter, and I've gotta tell ya, George W. Bush has done a tremendous job as a leader and guardian of the United States of America, bar-none!!!!!!
"And I find it especially ironic that you even have the nerve to ask me why I support leaders who wish to take the right to free speech away."
Ricorun, No offense to you! Sir, but, I only say it because it is the truth, nothing less, nothing more. I would say something like that, if I knew for fact that it was'nt full truth! Believe me! The left is out to satisfy their own desires for their number one goal, and that is POWER, They are POWER HUNGRY!
"How do you condone imprisoning anyone who doesn't agree with you?"
Mr. Ricorun, Sir! I DON'T in any way shape or form condone it, and that is why I stand for GOP, and that's what I've been TRYING to tell you, that the Democrats the party most best describe YOU are the ones who are out to take away your's even though you are democrat, your still Christian, Right? to take your freedom and any else who may be Christians freedom of speech away, and ninety-nine percent of GOP Conservative base is Christian is some form or another, and that is why I fear the worst IF a democratic majority would gain control of this blessed land we all call Home!, agree? YES, MOST DEFINITELY!!
And, Lastly but not leastly, Mr. Ricorun, I appreciate it, that you read my posts and that you learn from them, But again there as in my first paragraph, I must not take it in confidence that you are working to the benefit of me or my party affiliation, I Really wish I could!, I really do, but Sir, with all due respect, I can't trust anyone, ecspecially in our day and time, when there is so much falsehoods, and miss-takings, one person will use anothers words to advance their own parties lines taking it totally in the opposite and WRONG direction.
I also appreciate you faith in God as well, Something though that has troubled me much about your stance on your faith, is that you seem to think that your faith justifies your shortcomings and thus, are Immediately forgiven of any further possibility of eternal happiness, but the bible clearly says; "go forth and sin no more" which is taken in the context as is, Just ask yourself this- When I sin, who am I serving? When I do good or am not sinning who am I serving? pretty simple and worthy advice if you ask me!!
But anyways, You are an itelligent person Ricorun, but there are many issues that you must work on in your theology of Politics and Faith as well, I guess you could say We all have issue's we need to work out, and only a total commitment with Christ will help us through those problems in the by and by!!
I'm not the brightest fellow that ever walked but I do realise and see the necessary responsibilities to vote according to the party that best suit mine and the nations interest in mind, but only time will tell the story! but for now...let's not get too hasty...afterall, the race must start before it can be finished!!
Thanks for responding!
Jeremiah
Mark: "By my rough count, there were 22 books published within the past two years which were about how Bush, or the GOP, or Christians or a combination of the three were destroying America and/or the whole world. Obsess much lately, lefties?"
For the sake of perspective, according to your rough estimation, how many books claimed that Bush, or the GOP, or Christians or a combination of the three are saviors of America and/or the world? Just curious. I could tell you what my rough estimation is with regard to books offered in my locality, but then again I live in a very red area of very blue state. I haven't seen yours yet, though.
Hey Mark,
Orthodoxy is my favorite book of all time. If you've never read it before, enjoy. I'll warn you, though. It is a book you'll have to read dozens of times and each time you'll learn something new. Best book ever.
Ricorun,
That would be zero - the few books at all supportive of President Bush, the GOP and Christianity all point out flaws and make arguments for better ways to do it...the books on the left, however, are rather relentless in their hatred.
I live in metropolitan Las Vegas (strictly speaking, the city of North Las Vegas, but its pretty indistinguishable from Las Vegas proper), which is about evenly divided between left and right.
Brian,
You are correct - see the post above this one.
Mark:
"the few books at all supportive of President Bush, the GOP and Christianity all point out flaws and make arguments for better ways to do it"
Maybe we should start taking them seriously then.
Ignoring the venom, what flaws do they point out? Can we fix the flaws?
A guy who posts daily on a blog devoted to blaming everything he perceives as evil in the world on "the democrats" or "the liberals", is counting books in a bookstore he perceives as ‘hateful’ of his beloved Dear Leader and subsequently lectures the "lefties" on his blog to give it a rest?
It will be hard to find an even more classic example of obsessive behaviour.
BTW. Did you read all those 22 books that afternoon or were you judging the books by its cover?
All those books and those trees destroyed to make those liberal books.
The hypocrisy.
:)
Mark: "That would be zero - the few books at all supportive of President Bush, the GOP and Christianity all point out flaws and make arguments for better ways to do it..."
Well, as Warrior pointed out, at least we have the tree angle. But now I'm wondering if I should wish you luck with your book! :o
If one person has authored a book on how corrupt and cancerous a political party is, possibly they are the one with the problem
If 22 people have authored books on the same, well...
...after you get clobbered next month, please take a generation or two off from politics...its just too stressful for you on the left to handle.
New Franchises opening up in the new year worth a look for investing in 2007?
"Dr FeelGood's BDS Clinics" looking very strong after the 2006 elections.
I notice the same thing every time I am in the local libraries or book stores too, Mark. They are all gloom and doom. Even the ones that are about how the Dems/liberals/progressives can "put America on the right track" are simply screeds against things, ie, religion, Bush, Republicans, etc, rather then about how they are better. Nothing positive. They all say how bad America is.
"we're really not the sum of all evil, ya know?"
Actually, you are.
"Most of us are really rather nice, if you got to know us, and we're sincerely doing what we think is right"
No, you avoid debate at all costs, make false claims about the Left supporting terrorism or that we are communists, which is 100% nonsense. In addition to losing in debate when you get caught in a corner you start denigning reality, lying to save yourself from defeat and say things like there have never been any books detailing the evolution to one species to another, or "a baby is not connected to the women while in the womb nor part of the mother".
"and we can't destroy anything more than you can, so take a chill pill"
That is a lie.
"take a generation or two off from politics...its just too stressful for you on the left to handle."
The criminals would like that wouldn't they? That's why you say it. No, it's not going to stop Mark! You and your sum of evil will not go prancing around destroying people's lives, mudering people, and trying to stop Self-Ownership.
Great logic axis....so if I go to Amazon right now and find over 170 books written about the corrupt Clinton administration....well.....
USA,
Yeah, that's it - Bush is Satan and we are his minions...
"self ownership"
Is that the new euphamism for abortion on demand?
Mark, you're accusing people of obsessively writing about the sins of their political opponents?
This coming from a guy who attacks liberals on a blog daily and has a book coming out attacking democrats.
Does anyone else see the irony here?
I see now that does...
It's mind boggling how one person can such tunnel vision on attacking another group of people that he doesn't even realize he does the same thing he's accussing other of doing.
Oops, meant to say "I see how that Axis does..."
Tom: "Does anyone else see the irony here?"
Well, I tried to be subtle. Lol!
But the irony is only part of it. The other part is Mark's perspective. He claims that there are "22 books published within the past two years which were about how Bush, or the GOP, or Christians or a combination of the three were destroying America and/or the whole world" while the number of books claiming that Bush, or the GOP, or Christians or a combination of the three are saviors of America and/or the world, is "zero". I don't know if you've been to a bookstore lately, and frankly I haven't engaged in even a rough book count, but lately two books that jump out at ME everytime I frequent a bookseller are O'Reilly's and Coulter's latest.
Those aren't the only ones, of course -- Woodward's book is also featured, and you don't have to look too hard before encountering that Kos guy's book or Franken's book. Granted, I live in a very red area of a blue state, but I found it hard to believe that at least O'Reilly's and Coulter's books aren't available just about everywhere. So I asked the question I did of Mark.
And frankly, his response surprised me. Zero?? There's no freakin' way bookstores in his area (which he graciously described for us so there would be no doubt) don't even carry both O'Reilly's and Coulter's books, much less display them prominently. So it would be hard to conclude anything but that Mark considers them too moonbatty for his tastes. Speaking of books, that spoke volumes.
And I really loved Warrior's comment about the trees. Too funny, dude. But that's the third part. This topic is a less than subtle marketing tool -- a sales pitch for Matt and Mark's book. Basically, he's telling us that NOBODY speaks for Bush, AND the GOP, AND Christians like he and Matt do. That's the bottom line message here. Trees be damned, lol!
Good luck on your book Matt and Mark. I hope I have to freakin' trip over it to get into my favorite bookstore.
Ricorun,
Well, lets take a look at some of the titles out there with brief descriptions:
1. "The Greatest Story Ever Sold: The Decline and Fall of Truth from 9/11 to Katrina": This blistering j'accuse has vitriol to spare for George Bush—calling him a "spoiled brat" and "blowhard"...
2. "Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq": ...has written a thorough and devastating history of the war in Iraq from the planning stages through the continued insurgency in early 2006, and he does not shy away from naming those he finds responsible.
3. "The End of Iraq: How American Incompetence Created a War Without End": As a former U.S. diplomat with long experience in Iraq, he offers an insider's view of the American occupation's failures—the poor preparation for post-invasion chaos, the cluelessness about Iraqi politics, the incompetence and corruption of the occupation authority—while advancing a deeper critique.
4. "Conservatives Without Conscience": In his seventh book, Dean, the former Nixon legal counsel whom the FBI has called the "master manipulator" of the Watergate coverup, weighs in with a rebuke to Christian fundamentalists and other right-wing hard-liners.
5. "F.U.B.A.R.: America's Right-Wing Nightmare": In this manifesto, which is occasionally hilarious but more often stale diatribe, Air America radio's Seder and Sherrill have increased the scope of liberal rage to not only our elected leadership, but all those who elected him—the "Rapture Right" as the authors dub them.
6. "American Theocracy: The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21stCentury": The title of political analyst Phillips's latest book may overstate his case (in the text, he prefers the term "theocratic direction"), but his analysis likely will strike chords among those troubled by our current political moment.
7. "How Would a Patriot Act? Defending American Values from a President Run Amok": Greenwald's disinterest in politics was replaced by patriotism, and he supported the war in Afghanistan. He also gave President Bush the benefit of the doubt over his decision to invade Iraq. But, as he saw Americans and others being disappeared, jailed and tortured, without charges or legal representation, he began to worry. And when he learned his president had seized the power to spy on American citizens on American soil, without the oversight required by law, he could stand no more.
8. "The Theocons: Secular America Under Siege": Conventional wisdom on the left holds that conservatives bring up issues ranging from abortion and gay rights to the teaching of evolution primarily as a cynical ploy to activate their political base, but Linker challenges that notion by detailing the inner workings of the "theoconservative" movement. He describes it as a group of mostly Catholic intellectuals who view American society in sometimes apocalyptic terms, whose absolute and uncompromising moral framework for law—their ultimate goal is "the end of secular politics"...
Want me to go on? You guys on the left are obsessed with us - hatred and fear have entirely consumed you...you talk and write about us as if we were worse than Nazis...I write some hard hitting polemics, and I do have a strong distaste for overtly leftist politics (recognising, as I do, that it is anti-God at base), but I don't obsess over the left...
Tom,
The book doesn't attack Democrats - unless you think that getting information from open sources and then writing a book about it is to attack someone...there is no skullduggery, no "ananymous sources", no re-created dialogue...just, as far as can be determined, the unvarnished truth about the Democrats and their Caucus of Corruption.
Mark, you really need to stop obsessing about democrats Or, at the very least, refrain from accussing people of obsessing about republicans while you do.
Mr. Shipley,
We don't obsess about your party, but I find it ironic that you make your little accusation there and So, Why is your party OBSESSING over the so-called October surprise, It's all you hear about in the news now.
No, We GOPers don't obsess, We just realise the unquestionable danger of your party! and what a mistake it would be to be under an adminstration run by you and yours.
Rico,
Why such childish remarks and ill intent? Please, for the sake of humanity, stop such idiocy!
Jeremiah
Bush isn't Satan Mark, rather just a really sick, twisted sociopath that has no place even sweeping out the oval office never mind occupying it.
One good thing, when the democrats take back the house and the investigations begin, showing exactly how bbad and lawless this president is, he will be disgraced and will also disgrace his entire family. Daddy Bush will cut him out of his will and disown him, but most important of all, his disgrace will ensure than the name Bush never again graces the oval office.
Come November Jeremiah, we will see exactly how your percieved danger compares with reality as the Republicans will be on the outside looking in. God willing, maybe a huge shift will allow the US to regain some of its lost integrity and respect by the time Bush gets impeached or leaves office
"No, We GOPers don't obsess, We just realise the unquestionable danger of your party! and what a mistake it would be to be under an adminstration run by you and yours."
Axis,
Really, and I mean this purely in my capacity as a Christian, you've got to let go of your hatred of President Bush.
How bout we make a deal Mark. I will stop the hatred of your president Bush immediately after he starts acting in a presidential manner, stops lying and misleading Americans and stops his assault on fundamental rights and freedoms and the constitution?
I'm ready right now, how about you?
But wait Axis...just last week you said you "didn't hate President Bush"...of course that was a lie because I found about 8 posts where you directly said you hated Bush.
How many times are you going to lie on this board...you've been caught so many times it's pathetic.
Mark: "Want me to go on?"
If you did I still doubt you'd answer the issue I raised. The question is this: are O'Reilly and Coulter too "moonbatty" from your perspective? Everything you say reinforces my impression that you really do think that.
You say further that "You guys on the left are obsessed with us". Again the question is, what defines "the left" to you? Do O'Reilly and Coulter apply? I certainly do if they do. And frankly, given your responses thus far, one wonders who is obsessed with whom.
Olber"man" applies. Coulter applies.
O'Reilly...nah.
Franken...yes
Axis,
It'll be reality alright! when all your friends in the left-wing propaganda machine of Washington will be looking out into the world behind bars for their scandalous and evil regime, and us GOPers will be running things in stride!
Now,Give up your hate and spite for the President and AMERICA, While your still FREE!
and get your heart right with Christ!
Jeremiah
Warrior: "Olber"man" applies. Coulter applies. O'Reilly...nah. Franken...yes"
See that? Even you don't agree with Mark. You leftie moonbat you.
And Jeremiah... well, what can you say about Jeremiah... "While you're still FREE!??" And you call yourself a Christian? What is happening here?
"Yeah, that's it - Bush is Satan and we are his minions..."
Well put, Republican.
"What is happening here?"
Why don't you ask yourself this,
Why do I stand for the hate based party that represent me?
Why do I continue support those who harm AMERICA?, i,e. Al qaeda and other terrorist organizations, which democrats leaders in Washington support?
Why do I continue to support leaders who approve of killing of innocent unborn children?
Why do I continue to support leaders who want to take the name of God away from our country? The only God who can save you, The Father of the only man to come to earth to die for all of mankind, beginning to end!!!
Why do I continue to support leaders who approve of homosexual marriage??
Why do I continue to support leaders who want to take away the privileges of Christian school children??, i,e. prayer in schools, mentioning God's name to other people in school or discussing God in class, all important issue's that keep a proper moral foundation for America, One that teaches values to children!
Why do I continue to approve of leaders who want to drive social security in the ground?
Why do I continue to support leaders who are in no way concerned for the safety of the American people??
Why do I continue to support leaders who wish to take the right to free speech away??
Why do I continue to harbor hate for my fellow citizens the republicans??
Why do I continue to support democrats??
You want to know why? Because Satan has gotten you to believe his lie, and he has gotten you just where he wants you, and the more he can deceive you into supporting the hate and indignation by the democrats, the worse things he will make you to believe.
You can't deny Rico, HATE has got a hold on you and all your left-wing buddies. You and your left-wing buddies are going to do everything in your power to drive the message of hate until you have literally destroyed the name of the democratic party. Myself, I call it, a LIBERAL SICKNESS, and a danger to our safety due to their communistic thinking, If you will, but inspite of all this, they have no place to go, they have no plan to run on, and so, you just lash out. Now this may sound funny but and that's what demons do, they go crazy when they don't have a grip on a possible victory over good.
Make no mistake! GOOD is always going to win, and I believe Christ is going to work for the best of this country, and that's why, the GOP will remain the strong hold for the security and peace of America, my friend!!
So, "What is happening?" Wer'e trying to get it throught the thick skull of you and the democrats that IT IS TIME for you guys to LET GO OF THE HATE!!! or your going to get an ulcer.
So why don't you just consider being a strong advocate of the GOOD of our time, and come join us conservative Christian folk! You'll be glad you did, and much better off if you did, my friend!!!
Jeremiah
Jeremiah, "Why do I stand for the hate based party that represent me?"
As ludicrous as that question is, let me answer it last. But let me ask you a question first: How do you condone imprisoning anyone who doesn't agree with you? Is projecting your own hate into them enough? Is it enough if they deliver a "hard-hitting polemic" you don't agree with? And even if it's true that a given individual actually admits that they harbor hate in his or her heart (but has not acted upon it), is that enough? You might want to think both Ann Coulter and Cindy Sheehan here. But finally, where do you think I, personally, stand in the mix?
I await your answer. But in the mean time it seems to me that on the basis of what you've already written, all a person has to be is more liberal than yourself for you to accuse them of hate, and thus eligible for incarceration.
For the record, I don't support those who wish to harm America. I don't support leaders who approve of killing of innocent unborn children. I don't support leaders who want to take the name of God away from our country. I don't support leaders who approve of homosexual marriage (not for that reason anyway: but to be perfectly honest, it's not a first-tier issue for me -- love and commitment are). As for supporting leaders who want to take away the privileges of Christian school children, it depends upon what you mean by "privileges". In general though, I'm not in favor of privileges for anyone, especially when it comes to the educational system. And I mean that more broadly than just religion. I certainly don't approve of leaders who want to drive social security into the ground. But I certainly don't approve of leaders who want to drive the economy into the ground in the name of social security, either. And my many past comments over the last several months confirm every single one of those positions. I have commented on some issues more than others, of course. But I think I've spoken on all of them, implicitly if not explicitly. And if you need clarification I'd be glad to accommodate you.
And I find it especially ironic that you even have the nerve to ask me why I support leaders who wish to take the right to free speech away. I mean come on, you HAVE to be kidding. My past comments support that contention adamantly. Yours, on the other hand, do not. And Exhibit A is contained right here in the present thread. "While you're still free?" It sounds to me like you have some explaining to do.
The only thing I find worthy of hatred is hate itself. But even then I try very hard to distinguish the person from the sentiments they express. And I certainly won't stand for any hate in any party in which it exists. I also won't stand for any duplicity, any hypocricy, any dissembling, any attempt to mislead, misconstrue, misrepresent, or deny reality. Whether it is done in the name of faith or some other reason, it is unacceptable. But when it is done in the name of faith, either implicitly or explicitly, it is even more unacceptable. Individual Democrats certainly have a lot to answer to in that regard. But then again, so do individual Republicans. And to ignore all that in favor of some simple notion of political ideology, no matter how pure or twisted, makes no sense to me.
Honesty, integrity, and personal responsibility are fundamental values for me, and I constantly pray that anything I say or do are illuminated by my faith in God. That is why I spoke out on this thread (I sensed a fundamental dishonesty in the topic which has yet to be directly addressed). That is why I speak out on any thread. You may not agree with what I say, or even understand it. But that is the case. I fully admit that I am wrong sometimes. And I have no problem admitting I am wrong when either I or others convince me I am. In fact, I actively seek out information that calls my own interpretation into question. And I will similarly help those I feel are similarly interested. That, to me, is the only way one can successfully approach objective truth. I may be going out on something of a limb here, but I don't get the impression you do the same. Rather, I get the impression that you are interested only in whatever information reinforces your own preconceived notions. And you (and others) are way too quick to ignore, disparage, and even criminalize any source of any comment that you disagree with. In other words, you are too willing to kill the messenger if you don't like the message.
So now let me answer your question: I reject your premise. No political party represents me. They never have, never will. I think on my own and I represent only myself. My party affiliation is based upon which of them most closely represents my own views (however imperfectly), not the other way around. As the election approaches I have sensed a concerted effort (especially on this site) to shrink the Republican tent rather than expand it. But the fact is, a growing number of people are like me: they have no particular party affiliation. Rather, they are more forcefully driven by fundamental values which transcend party lines. As such, I suspect they (like me) are particularly sensitive to duplicity, hypocricy, dissembling, and attempts to mislead, misconstrue, misrepresent, or deny reality.
In very real sense, this thread was a microcosm of the overall problem. I didn't intend it as such -- I have given you (not you personally, Jeremiah, but the most conservative faction of the right) ample opportunity to answer my fundamental question: 22 - 0?? What, exactly, does that imply? That's the question I've tried, from the very beginning, to answer. Only Warrior has even attempted anything close to a direct response (and very entertaining ones at that, lol!). And the fact is, my comments were originally supposed to be a joke. I thought at the time of my original post that Mark's original contention was so ludicrous as to be easily dispelled with a little honesty. I even suggested an out for him -- i.e., (1) to admit that he was either overstating his case or (2) to suggest that he lived in a hopelessly liberal area (granted, I knew better on that score), or (3) to admit that he was trying to sell his book. I didn't force him into a corner in any respect. I allowed him to choose.
And the results, I have to say, were disappointing. Mark (in other theads) claims that Truman is a hero -- the guy that is most remembered for the phrase "the buck stops here". As well it should. That is the epitome of anyone who claims that personal responsibilty is a fundamental value. In spite of that, what did Mark do in this thread? Instead of answering my question directly he tried to deflect it. He tried to incriminate me solely on the basis that I am not sufficiently ideologically pure. He attacked me personally, or those that he (erroneously) believe that I was affilitated with, rather than address my argument head-on. And it was a pretty trivial question too. Yet he STILL can't answer it honestly. It wasn't my original intention for that to become to be my central point. But it has come to be that.
In closing let me say this you, Jeremiah: I read your posts, at least most of them. I don't often agree with your conclusions, but I sometimes learn from them. I appreciate your purity of faith as you percieve it. And more than anything I hope you understand that I take you to task only when the fundamentals of your faith directly contradict those of mine. I hope in that way we both grow, and we both widen our paths up the mountain. God bless you. In Mark's case, on the other hand, I suspect intentional duplicity -- now more than ever.
On the other hand, I applaud Mark, and the others at B4B for allowing me to express my views. That in itself is rare. And because it is, it is exceedingly important. IMHO, I am not trying to destroy the Republican party, but to save it. And I do realize that the distinction may be in the eye of the beholder. But the battleground of which I speak is precisely the battleground which will make the difference this November.
Ricorun,
I wish I had time to answer and write about your questions! but I just had a long day and I'm really tired, I may try to write later this evening, If not? later.
One thing that I will say though, In regards to your questioning my comment above "While you're still free?"
I was pretty sure you would'nt understand what I was saying there, I am totally serious when I say that, and it is very simple to understand. Now, take note, I am not trying to sound mean or anything to the effect, but, you've got to realise this, If the left-wing party gains control of America in this upcoming election, and due to they're communistic thinking, many people will lose their rights as citizens, and I believe that with all of my heart, Christians will be given rules as to how, where, when and under what circumstances the left-wing pary tell them they can, and many other people of different moral and ethical organizations that have something to do in any way with God! and if any Christians disobey the rules given them, then they will be imprisoned, or whatever action they may choose as punishment, EVEN member of their own party, to beat all!!!
That's what I meant when I said that, and who knows, it could be coming to worse than that, If the far lunatic left decides to!!
and that's why I pray that the GOP will remain the dominant government leaders in these new elections!!
I'll catch up later.
Jeremiah
Rico,
Ah, if only …
Every engagement has been on the field of ideas. I often pray that the democrats will find their way and engage likewise. But, even as this election enters its final weeks, I have yet to see any ideology other than, not Bush emerge from the left. An ideology based on what you will not do is hardly intelligent debate.
Other than 3moreyears, who firmly believes in the imminent implosion of the economy (without cause, IMHO) no one on the other side of the aisle has offered anything resembling intelligent debate on how to improve the economy that the democrats deride as “anemic.” All we hear is how bad things are and how democrats will “do better.” 3moreyears at least makes sense; I disagree wholeheartedly, but at least he offers something, (when he’s not busy making snide comments about how we don’t listen, ironic ~ isn’t it?)
You and I have discussed cause and effect many times, but causational circumstances are little more than mental masturbation when the only solution offered to real problems is Chimpy McBushitler lied. Even now, as the democrats are barely containing their glee at the prospects of finally winning an election after twelve years in the wilderness; it’s about a scandal, not an idea; it’s about “gotcha” not about leading the nation; it’s about “who knew what and when,” not about “We know how, and our time is now.”
No, it’s not the battleground of ideas where this election will be fought and won in November, it’s the filthy gutter, the politics of personal destruction, it’s about how many homosexuals can be “outed” by the slime merchants, and how many racists can be labeled by association or innuendo in the next three weeks.
If you’re looking for me, I’ll be at the cigar websites until November 9.
RE:In Mark's case, on the other hand, I suspect intentional duplicity -- now more than ever."
Ricorun,
I seriously doubt that, I think you came to a total mis-understanding of Mark, and are making stuff up intentionally, in order to degrade Mark's character, and that is not a very Christian thing to do, and I would ask that you not resort to such graffiti, Mark is a very intelligent person, and the choices he makes, are his own, and above all, he takes the Christian perspective as first priority to any problem, or situation, in order to have the confidence, and a more steadfast hope as a solution the surrounding problem. Which mean a heck of a lot to me, and many Christian Conservatives here!
"And the fact is, my comments were originally supposed to be a joke."
Ricorun, I wish that I could say with confidence that that is the case, but, It has been my experiences that have taught me to think otherwise when dealing with any people or persons on the left side of the aile, to be wary of any such standings held up to be one hundred percent whole-hearted TRUTH, but, instead, the truth to be far from them. So, I cannot consider your case to be in agreement to the full with your position. but in any case, it is not in the least bit, funny as you say; a joke, not at all! One must refrain from such dialog!
"As such, I suspect they (like me) are particularly sensitive to duplicity, hypocricy, dissembling, and attempts to mislead, misconstrue, misrepresent, or deny reality."
Well, at any rate, this Ricorun, is where your problem lies, you have affiliated yourself with those who I find to every bit or maybe evern MORE of these types of activites than you realise, and must NOT be overlooked if you are to get a head start in the right direction, these things are what the left is noted and famed for, whether it is your decision to take as real or not, This is where you have got to make the choice, Do you want to align yourself with these folks after such behavior has been seen or suspected?, OR, Would you rather be on the side of those who are in the best interest of your safety and well fare? As for myself, I prefer the latter, and I've gotta tell ya, George W. Bush has done a tremendous job as a leader and guardian of the United States of America, bar-none!!!!!!
"And I find it especially ironic that you even have the nerve to ask me why I support leaders who wish to take the right to free speech away."
Ricorun, No offense to you! Sir, but, I only say it because it is the truth, nothing less, nothing more. I would say something like that, if I knew for fact that it was'nt full truth! Believe me! The left is out to satisfy their own desires for their number one goal, and that is POWER, They are POWER HUNGRY!
"How do you condone imprisoning anyone who doesn't agree with you?"
Mr. Ricorun, Sir! I DON'T in any way shape or form condone it, and that is why I stand for GOP, and that's what I've been TRYING to tell you, that the Democrats the party most best describe YOU are the ones who are out to take away your's even though you are democrat, your still Christian, Right? to take your freedom and any else who may be Christians freedom of speech away, and ninety-nine percent of GOP Conservative base is Christian is some form or another, and that is why I fear the worst IF a democratic majority would gain control of this blessed land we all call Home!, agree? YES, MOST DEFINITELY!!
And, Lastly but not leastly, Mr. Ricorun, I appreciate it, that you read my posts and that you learn from them, But again there as in my first paragraph, I must not take it in confidence that you are working to the benefit of me or my party affiliation, I Really wish I could!, I really do, but Sir, with all due respect, I can't trust anyone, ecspecially in our day and time, when there is so much falsehoods, and miss-takings, one person will use anothers words to advance their own parties lines taking it totally in the opposite and WRONG direction.
I also appreciate you faith in God as well, Something though that has troubled me much about your stance on your faith, is that you seem to think that your faith justifies your shortcomings and thus, are Immediately forgiven of any further possibility of eternal happiness, but the bible clearly says; "go forth and sin no more" which is taken in the context as is, Just ask yourself this- When I sin, who am I serving? When I do good or am not sinning who am I serving? pretty simple and worthy advice if you ask me!!
But anyways, You are an itelligent person Ricorun, but there are many issues that you must work on in your theology of Politics and Faith as well, I guess you could say We all have issue's we need to work out, and only a total commitment with Christ will help us through those problems in the by and by!!
I'm not the brightest fellow that ever walked but I do realise and see the necessary responsibilities to vote according to the party that best suit mine and the nations interest in mind, but only time will tell the story! but for now...let's not get too hasty...afterall, the race must start before it can be finished!!
Thanks for responding!
Jeremiah