Texas
 

This is really academic (obviously) because getting redistricting reform through is impossible. To get it done through proposition is tough becuase the voters just don't understand it. And of course the legilature is never going to pass it. The states that have it, it was written in their consitution, or they had such a bad Gerrymander experience the people finally saw something was wrong. I think that was the case in Iowa. And as I said, in Iowa all five seats used to be a lock and now three of their five seats are swing seats.

In california some sort of refrom has been on the ballot six time since 1940 and it has never passed. The conventional wisdom was that before Arnold came along it couldn't be done. They thought he could do it with his star power but now everyone in the reform movement has agreed that it is a lost cause. And in politics perception is reality.

Finally, someone steps up to the plate.....
 

Author blasts Cruise's beliefs
By Alexa Baracaia, Evening Standard
14 December 2005
Best-selling crime writer Patricia Cornwell has attacked Hollywood star Tom Cruise, claiming his Scientology beliefs are "dangerous" and could endanger the lives of impressionable young fans.


The author said she was horrified by Cruise's dismissal of psychiatry and his claim that mental disorders are imaginary and the medication to treat them is an attempt to suppress people.

Writing on her website, Cornwell, who has studied psychiatry while researching her books, said: "There are misconceptions about psychology, especially when people out there like Tom Cruise say there's no evidence of chemical imbalance and psychiatric disorders. There's going to be some girl or boy who worships this megastar, who decides, 'I'm not going to take my anti-depressants because Tom Cruise said I don't need drugs'."

One of the key principles of the wealthy cult is the condemnation of psychiatry.

The Scientology website explains it is the duty of all members to "expose and help abolish any and all physically damaging practices in the field of mental health".

Cruise has repeatedly added to the criticism. He has also railed against the use of drugs to control chemical imbalances in children.

This year he criticised Brooke Shields for her use of anti-depressants to treat post-natal depression.

Shields replied that Cruise "should stick to saving the world from aliens and let women [with] the condition decide what treatment options are best for them".

Finally, someone steps up to the plate.....
 

It is good to see that Tom Cruise has given Brooke Shields an opportunity to do her very best work. I now see that Cruise does have a function in life.

But, that is more than I can say for most of these physciatrists.

Real Liberal and Conservative wanted...
 

Boy, I eat those namby pamby California dreaming do-gooder race mixing Northern Liberals for breakfast.

You got a true conservative here, but let me tell you, I'm not one of those pro-theocracy types like they have up in Massachusetts. But I am all for state's rights, and you should be, too, boy.

Real Liberal and Conservative wanted...
 

I thought you were a sock?

Real Liberal and Conservative wanted...
 

What do people always malign me by reference to my garments? Look, it is what is in your head and what you do with your feet that matter, not how you cover them.

Real Liberal and Conservative wanted...
 

Whether free trade is liberal or conservative has flipped around considerably as time goes on. Good luck on finding someone pro Sheehan. On the other hand, I'm fairly pro-Dean. But then again, except for his stance on Iraq, he's actually a pretty conservative Democrat.

I'm pro-education, pro-welfare, pro-science research, pro-federalism, pro-choice, pro-gun control, pro-privacy, pro-free speech, pro-affirmative action and pro-Fourth Amendment. Isn't that liberal enough without also having to subscribe to wacked out theories that aren't really traditionally liberal but just happen to be opposed to the current policies in place?

Texas
 

Strongly dissent.

Both parties have valid points, meritorious arguments, defensible philosophies, and laudable goals. It takes time and effort and - yes - intelligence to figure them out sometimes, but they are there. Analysis of the available information does allow people to make an informed and rational and efficacious vote.

That's all good and well for the people who read, and listen, and learn about each side's positions and rationales. Unfortunately, there are far too many people who will, instead, merely watch a few ads, read a few hot-button gotcha headlines, and then vote if they have free time after the bar. These are the people for whom Edwards fixed his hair.

It's this second group whose participation you look to increase, thus raising the value of the noise and garbage of the "lead the dummies" "stoopid school of political discourse" advertising. Do you want more elections decided by people who figure out their political affiliation by watching Leno or Michael Moore? I think that's what you get when you "get out the vote."

Real Liberal and Conservative wanted...
 

And for the former, you really want a Progressive, not a liberal.

We had one once, Pete Thottham, but then he lost his job and became an itinerant troublemaker. The true Progressive lawyers are too damn busy fighting the Man or saving the world to waste their time posting here with a bunch of soft-bellied lackeys.

S_A_M

Texas
 

Or Rush Limbaugh or Pat Robertson.

S_A_M

Texas
 

Agreed. I was artificially limiting my lists. I could have found a counterpart to Edward's hair, too.

Real Liberal and Conservative wanted...
 

Actually, the True Progressives are fighting The Man and The Woman.

Real Liberal and Conservative wanted...
 

Sexist fuck.

Real Liberal and Conservative wanted...
 

What exactly are "states' rights"?

Real Liberal and Conservative wanted...
 

Wrong. True Progressives believe that The Man has made it impossible for The Woman to exist.