Politics: J'accuse!

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by baltassoc
You keep saying that no one can say how they are different, but you (and Club) have completely failed to say how they are the same.

And you know have learned the patented Not Me method of trolling.

[sgtclub]

Originally posted by ltl/fb
If you sub in Not Me for wacko, liberals for people on the other side, and sgt club for moderates on the side of the wacko, it might be easier to understand. As an example. Everyone participates, though.

This is the first time I've been called a moderate here? Maybe the board IS changing for the better.

[Gattigap]

Originally posted by Tyrone_Slothrop
I can't believe that people are relocating in large numbers to counties of like-minded souls.

Sure, whatever. Just stop with the caterwauling after 10pm, will ya? I know you like 'em, but the Indigo Girls you ain't.

Between you on the one hand, and Atticus' antics on the other bringing in the Health Department at all hours, it's a wonder that anyone in this neighborhood ever gets any sleep.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by sgtclub
This is the first time I've been called a moderate here? Maybe the board IS changing for the better.

Your reading comprehension sucks. The original post made it clear that you are a "(relative) moderate" which basically is a non-moderate who sometimes maybe sort of thinks about things and can see how someone might take another view (but knows that nevertheless, the other view is WRONG WRONG WRONG).

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
And you know have learned the patented Not Me method of trolling.

But is it fighting fire with fire, or sinking to a new low?

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
And you know have learned the patented Not Me method of trolling.

You keep saying this, but where's the evidence?

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by sgtclub
I am speechless.

Well, then, we've accomplished something worthwhile today.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by Tyrone_Slothrop
Somewhat hyperbolically, Noah says, "[t]he likelihood that you will ever argue politics with your neighbor is diminishing rapidly, because it's less and less likely that, politically, you and your neighbor will ever disagree."

Right. Like people talk to their neighbors anymore.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

George Will's latest column says Bush hasn't been leveling with us:

"Since Sept. 11, 2001, Americans have been told that they are at war. They have not been told what sacrifices, material and emotional, they must make to sustain multiple regime changes and nation-building projects. Telling such truths is part of the job description of a war president."

[baltassoc]

Originally posted by ltl/fb
But is it fighting fire with fire, or sinking to a new low?

I'd go with new low, but would note that s/he has still not said how they are the same.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by Tyrone_Slothrop
George Will's latest column says Bush hasn't been leveling with us:

"Since Sept. 11, 2001, Americans have been told that they are at war. They have not been told what sacrifices, material and emotional, they must make to sustain multiple regime changes and nation-building projects. Telling such truths is part of the job description of a war president."

Dammit. The Liberal Media strikes again.


You know damn well that if George Will thought that a Democrat -- let's say Bill Clinton -- had lied about something, he would never write a column saying that. And the press would never print that column.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

If you were wondering what was happening in Iraq late last week, before all the fighting broke out, here, from the White House's web site, is the Iraq Fact of the Day for March 30, 2004:

Iraq Fact of the Day
Civic Pride in Iraq's Capital

The CPA, responding to a Baghdad City Council request, is allocating $10 million to brighten the city's public parks, squares and playgrounds. The funding will provide lighting in the capital's outdoor public places, new murals, sculptures, and landscaping. Revitalization of Baghdad's public areas shows civic pride and is another example of the Iraqis' faith in their future.

Source: Coalition Provisional Authority, Baghdad

[Tyrone Slothrop]

This piece from the BBC is interesting:

Shia split over Iraqi 'uprising'

By Roger Hardy
BBC Middle East analyst

Iraqi Shia are divided in their response to the outbreak of violence between coalition forces and the supporters of cleric Moqtada Sadr.
______________________________________
What is going on in Iraq is not a Shia uprising, though many people are asking whether it might become one.

But it suits Moqtada Sadr to call it an uprising - in Arabic an "intifada" - because that puts his campaign of resistance on the same level as the Palestinian struggle against Israeli occupation.

And in the Iraqi context, the word has another meaning too.

The young cleric wants Iraqis to believe he is in the same heroic mould as the men who led the revolt of 1920 against British colonial rule.

The three-month revolt - which the British subdued with RAF bombers - has become an important part of Iraq's historical memory.

Repeating a mistake?

But some Iraqis draw a very different lesson from the events of 80 years ago.

They argue that by fighting the British, the Shia simply ensured that the British, (following the example of the Ottoman Turks,) would entrust the government of Iraq to a Sunni elite - a pattern which continued until the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime last year.

Thoughtful Iraqis warn that if the Shia make the same mistake now, they could lose a unique opportunity to win a share of power which reflects their majority status.

But the Shia are divided between those who realise this and those who are being swept along on a tide of angry anti-Americanism.

The country's most senior Shia cleric, Ayatollah Sistani, has so far been cautious in the public statements issued in his name.

Whatever he may be feeling privately, the ayatollah clearly has no wish to be seen taking America's side at a time when Shia blood is being spilt.

The Americans are sounding tough, saying they will arrest Moqtada Sadr and crush his militia.

They seem to have lost patience with quiet, behind-the-scenes mediation.

But if the violence continues and the silent majority remains silent, Sadr's support may grow.

[sgtclub]

Originally posted by Tyrone_Slothrop
George Will's latest column says Bush hasn't been leveling with us:

"Since Sept. 11, 2001, Americans have been told that they are at war. They have not been told what sacrifices, material and emotional, they must make to sustain multiple regime changes and nation-building projects. Telling such truths is part of the job description of a war president."

I saw this this morning and meant to post it. What gets very little mention is that there is a fairly large coalition of conservatives that are against this war. I can't remember if Will is included, but there are many big names in that camp.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by sgtclub
I saw this this morning and meant to post it. What gets very little mention is that there is a fairly large coalition of conservatives that are against this war. I can't remember if Will is included, but there are many big names in that camp.

As I read the column, he's not against the war per se, but does think Bush is screwing it up. Which is the position of a healthy number of lefties, including some of the bloggers whose stuff I post here (I think this includes Marshall, Drum and Yglesias, but I could be wrong about any of those).