Politics: Where we struggle to kneel in the muck.

[Not Me]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
"I agree, I'm not the expert on how the Iraqi people think, because I live in America where it's nice and safe and secure."

-- George W. Bush, September 23

Iraq= flypaper for terrorist. Those of us living in the US are safer because we invaded Iraq. No doubt about it.

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by Gattigap
Neither did Congress. That's the magic of it.

And the really funny part is how few of them know they really can't.

[Say_hello_for_me]

Originally posted by Not Me
Iraq= flypaper for terrorist. Those of us living in the US are safer because we invaded Iraq. No doubt about it.

I'm beginning to think that its making Israelis safer with respect to Palestinians too. There were several reports this week of Palestinian-origin terrorists being killed in Iraq. Before anyone points this out though, I'll note that at least one was a Jordanian of Palestinian origin.

[Not Me]

Originally posted by Say_hello_for_me
I'm beginning to think that its making Israelis safer with respect to Palestinians too. There were several reports this week of Palestinian-origin terrorists being killed in Iraq. Before anyone points this out though, I'll note that at least one was a Jordanian of Palestinian origin.

That wall separating Israel from the terrorist breeding grounds is helping, too.

[ilikenewsocks]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop

You know, if you'd just ditch the sarong, grow your hair out a bit and start hanging out at Dead tribute band shows, you'd be a damn fine spinning hippie chick.

[dtb]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
The niceties of "Peace Train" aside, when you refer to him as Yusef Islam and look at the anti-West comments he's made over the years (and his verbal support of the fatwah for the death of Salman Rushdie), it makes perfect sense to me.

Why is no one mentioning the fact that the dude got on the plane?!? Sure, they sent him to Maine instead of DC, but it doesn't inspire a lot of confidence that they get hip to his presence while the plane is over the Atlantic.

I'm not saying I think Yusef/Cat is a terrorist (in fact, I think that's laughable), but that someone on the "watch list", or whatever they call it, could merrily board the plane without incident is not overly comforting.


ETA: Cite please, for the statement that YS/CS verbally supported the fatwah against Salman Rushdie. As far as I can tell, that is horse poo. (I think the guy's a kook, but sue me, I liked his songs when he was Cat Stevens. I do not own any Cat Stevens records because of his "activities" -- but I will cop to owning tapes made from a friend's pre-conversion record -- yes, vinyl -- collection.)

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by dtb
.


ETA: Cite please, for the statement that YS/CS verbally supported the fatwah against Salman Rushdie. As far as I can tell, that is horse poo.

He stated that Rushdie had committed blasphemy and that under Islamic law for that he should die. He later explained that he was merely stating the legal principle, not advocating it. But the initial quote certainly didn't sound like a dispassionate analysis (it was replayed on ABC News last night--maybe their website has it)

Google yusuf islam rushdie for various accounts.

[sgtclub]

Originally posted by Replaced_Texan
The House did. Here's hoping for rationality in the Senate. Of course the Senate may also want to "protect an affirmation of religion that is part of the national heritage."

Joe Scarborough had an op-ed in the WSJ yesterday, laying out how disappointed he is with what the Republican Revolution has become. I agree. This is ridiculous. Bring back Newt..

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
Am I deriving comfort from this tactic?

Personally, I think that anyone who refuses to recite the Pledge should be either jailed or deported.

Pledge affirmation, flag-burning bans... can there be any greater pile of rubbish for those jakasses in DC to jerk each other off about? I've recited the pledge about 1000 times and I have a huge flag waving from my house. If you refused to recite the pledge or wiped your ass with the flag, I wouldn't bad a fucking eyelash. Adherence to protocols of pomp and circumstance and reverence for symbols is a topic for idiots to debate.

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally posted by dtb
Why is no one mentioning the fact that the dude got on the plane?!? Sure, they sent him to Maine instead of DC, but it doesn't inspire a lot of confidence that they get hip to his presence while the plane is over the Atlantic.

I'm not saying I think Yusef/Cat is a terrorist (in fact, I think that's laughable), but that someone on the "watch list", or whatever they call it, could merrily board the plane without incident is not overly comforting.


ETA: Cite please, for the statement that YS/CS verbally supported the fatwah against Salman Rushdie. As far as I can tell, that is horse poo. (I think the guy's a kook, but sue me, I liked his songs when he was Cat Stevens. I do not own any Cat Stevens records because of his "activities" -- but I will cop to owning tapes made from a friend's pre-conversion record -- yes, vinyl -- collection.)

We diverted a 747 to Maine because of Cat Stevens. I repeat... nah, on second thought, once is enough.

"Cheney, Cheney what have we done? What happened to the post war dream?"

Governance by jackasses for jackasses.

[SlaveNoMore]

sgtclub
Joe Scarborough had an op-ed in the WSJ yesterday, laying out how disappointed he is with what the Republican Revolution has become. I agree. This is ridiculous. Bring back Newt..

If you've watched Scarborough Country lately, you'll note he's moved far to the left from his Rep days. Too many celebrity interviews and too much hanging with Reagan's prodgial son.

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop

"That's a hell of a chub you've got. I'm going to work that thing raw. Room 443 - seven sharp. Whisper 'Crawford Steamer' to the man in sunglasses at the door."

"Thank you, Mr. President. I'm glad you like my junk."

[Say_hello_for_me]

Originally posted by sebastian_dangerfield
Pledge affirmation, flag-burning bans... can there be any greater pile of rubbish for those jakasses in DC to jerk each other off about? I've recited the pledge about 1000 times and I have a huge flag waving from my house. If you refused to recite the pledge or wiped your ass with the flag, I wouldn't bad a fucking eyelash. Adherence to protocols of pomp and circumstance and reverence for symbols is a topic for idiots to debate.

I personally don't get offended by the symbolism, except in the following circumstance:

Someone publicly burns a flag in front of a veteran who cares (if I knew this for certain), I'm going to do one of two things:

1.) stand by and laugh as the veteran and anyone else who cares kicks his ass; or

2.) if I see someone I personally know, and personally know to be a veteran, getting agitated by said flag burning, I'll join in the ass-kicking.

Aside from San Francisco, I'm not sure any police officer in the country would care to intervene.

Note: what you do in the privacy of your backyard or whatever is none of my business.

Also note: cities that prohibit burning things outdoors (e.g., Chicago) should strictly and evenly enforce the prohibition on people who burn flags.

Like you are saying though, there is no need for Congress to get involved. This is a giant circle jerk in an election year.

Hello

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally posted by sgtclub
Bring back Newt..

Agreed. Newt - call him what you will - was smarter than 90% of the imbeciles ruining the GOP at the moment. He paid lip service to the social conservatives, but obviously from the both his lifestyle and his post-public sector commentary, he's really only interested in fiscal issues. Unfortunately, he'd never rise to power in the present environment - he's too fucking intellectual and could be easily pegged a Rockefeller Republican (or "moral relativist"). That's a scary scenario - Newt Gingrich is now too left for the GOP.

I can't wait for the backlash in the midterm elections.

[dtb]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
He stated that Rushdie had committed blasphemy and that under Islamic law for that he should die. He later explained that he was merely stating the legal principle, not advocating it. But the initial quote certainly didn't sound like a dispassionate analysis (it was replayed on ABC News last night--maybe their website has it)

Google yusuf islam rushdie for various accounts.

Correct. I don't think you'll find many "terrorists" who are shy about standing behind and advocating the "he should die" principle. Probably not the most politic thing for good 'ol Yusef to have said, but the true fanatics, uh, I mean "believers", would never disavow the principle that he should (and, what's more, each one of them would happily volunteer to make him) die.