Politics: J'accuse!

[sgtclub]

http://www.nbc4.com/education/3243015/detail.html

[Plan for RR University]

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by sgtclub
http://www.nbc4.com/education/3243015/detail.html

[Plan for RR University]

Unpatriotic Francophile traitor. You, not RR.

[sgtclub]

Originally posted by ltl/fb
Unpatriotic Francophile traitor. You, not RR.

Is this another stupid FB reference?

[notcasesensitive]

Originally posted by sgtclub
http://www.nbc4.com/education/3243015/detail.html

[Plan for RR University]

Is it implicit that they are expecting him to go ahead and die already before 2010? Or is this more like an Oral Roberts University sort of thing? Whatever happened to waiting for people to die and naming things in honor posthumously?

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by sgtclub
Is this another stupid FB reference?

No, it's a "vive le" reference. Though, I guess that could be another romance language, like portugese or icelandic. I'm ignorant.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
Is it implicit that they are expecting him to go ahead and die already before 2010? Or is this more like an Oral Roberts University sort of thing? Whatever happened to waiting for people to die and naming things in honor posthumously?

You can't prop them up in front of the place if they're dead. Unless they are Lenin, I guess.

[Shape Shifter]

Originally posted by Secret_Agent_Man
I was extremely unimpresed then, and am less impressed as time goes on.

You must lack Gordon Liddy's appreciation for the bulge.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Secret_Agent_Man
I was extremely unimpresed then, and am less impressed as time goes on. S_A_M

This is valuable feedback. How ordinary citizens, free from prejudgement and bias, feel about such events lets pols know how to behave in the future.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Shape Shifter
You must lack Gordon Liddy's appreciation for the bulge.

Just because Atticus has been gone for a day doesn't mena the field's open for someone else to take over the "obscure reference in post" franchise.

[Shape Shifter]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
Just because Atticus has been gone for a day doesn't mena the field's open for someone else to take over the "obscure reference in post" franchise.

"The October 2003 issue of Vanity Fair (which has returned to earth since featuring the Bush administration as stalwart mannequins) includes James Wolcott’s hilarious commentary on the hubbub over Bush’s basket. Saying that MSNBC’s Chris Matthews "gets as gaga as Andrew Sullivan and frequent guest Peggy Noonan over that hickory-smoked hunk of masculinity, George W. Bush," Wolcott wrote:

"One of the more cringe-inducing TV moments in recent memory was Matthews and G. Gordon Liddy sprouting rhetorical woodies over the spectacle of Bush on the carrier deck in his flight suit, his parachute harness showcasing the presidential bulge -- or, to use Liddy’s inimitable phrase, "his manly characteristic." One guy to another, Liddy put Matthews wise. "You know, all those women who say size doesn’t count, they’re all liars. Check that out."

Matthews: "And I’ve got to say why do the Democrats, as you say, want to keep advertising this guy’s greatest moment?"

Liddy: "Look, he’s coming across as a, well, as women would call in my show saying, what a stud. . .""

http://www.buzzflash.com/farrell/03/09/23.html

The was the first account I located, but I'm sure you can find an actual transcript if you're interested.

[bilmore]

Originally posted by Shape Shifter
"The October 2003 issue of Vanity Fair (which has returned to earth since featuring the Bush administration as stalwart mannequins) includes James Wolcott’s hilarious commentary on the hubbub over Bush’s basket. Saying that MSNBC’s Chris Matthews "gets as gaga as Andrew Sullivan and frequent guest Peggy Noonan over that hickory-smoked hunk of masculinity, George W. Bush,"

Wow. Vanity Fair reduced to queer jokes.

[sgtclub]

From OpinionJournal Online - appripot of today's topics - explaining why Kerry's military service has become a liability

He talked about Vietnam entirely too much. We noticed this way back in December 2002, when in an interview with Tim Russert he even managed to work Vietnam into an answer about capital punishment. The incessant repetition makes him seem either opportunistic (trying to exploit his service to further his political ambitions) or obsessive (unable to view Vietnam from a healthy distance even after more than three decades). Either interpretation raises questions about his ability to lead the country effectively today.

The adversarial press being what it is, Kerry's single-minded emphasis on his Vietnam experience also invites scrutiny of such matters as the questionable circumstances surrounding his first purple heart--blemishes on an otherwise honorable record.

He became an antiwar activist. Sure, lots of Americans ended up opposing the Vietnam War, but Kerry did so by becoming the respectable face of Vietnam Veterans Against the War, a group whose stock in trade was accusations that American servicemen had committed war crimes. These claims came in the form of "confessions" from men, some of whom turned out not even to be veterans--and Kerry repeated them in sworn testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in April 1971.

Kerry's involvement with VVAW has drawn attention to the group's most unsavory activities, such as a discussion of an assassination plot against pro-war senators that took place at a November 1971 meeting. Kerry played no part in that plot and might not even have attended the meeting, but inevitably a politician is judged by the company he keeps. By signing up with VVAW way back when, Kerry made it harder today to present himself as a war hero. Whereas veterans might ordinarily identify with one of their own, many are furious over what they see as his betrayal back in 1971.

He attacked his opponents for not serving. This didn't start with his response to Medalgate, in which for the first time he raised the tired old question of President Bush's National Guard attendance record. Here he is in Pittsburgh April 19: "I'm tired of Karl Rove and Dick Cheney and a bunch of people who went out of their way to avoid their chance to serve when they had the chance. I'm not going to listen to them talk to me about patriotism." Such partisan demagoguery might have played well in the primaries, but it's unlikely to win over many wavering voters in the fall.

Is there anything Kerry can do to get himself out of this mess? Maybe. His war record ought to count to his credit, but he'd be better off talking much less about his own heroism in Vietnam and letting others make the case instead. Probably the best moment in his entire campaign came in Iowa, when Lt. James Rassmann thanked him for saving his life.

Kerry says Vietnam informs his views on foreign and military policy today. USA Today's Walter Shapiro "asked Kerry whether his dissenting view of the war, in contrast to Bush's seeming acceptance of the conflict, had larger implications for the 2004 campaign." The answer:

"I think it is very relevant," Kerry said, "because I think it says a lot of things about . . . what your perceptions are about events that are different from the way that public officials are telling you that they are, and the way that military people tell you they are. I think it tells you something about your willingness to stand up and fight for the principles you believe in and the lessons you learn. And I think that it tells a lot about the kind of leadership we need now in respect to Iraq and the war on terror."

Well, OK, but what does it tell us? It might be worthwhile for Kerry to give a speech explaining what lessons he learned from Vietnam and, crucially, how he would apply these to today's war. If he has any regrets about his actions as a VVAW spokesman, this would be the time to tell the country.

If presidential races were decided on the basis of who has the more impressive war record, Kerry would beat Bush. But they are not, or else Bill Clinton never would have defeated a pair of World War II heroes. For that matter, George McGovern served with distinction in World War II, but he didn't have what the country wanted 30 years later. If Kerry does not learn to run a forward-looking campaign, he will surely go the way of McGovern.

[Monstrosity]

Originally posted by bilmore

• quote:
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Originally posted by Secret_Agent_Man
  Bob Dole would never have done it, even if he had served in the AF rather then the Army.
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  Originally posted by me, Ty
  
  WWBDD?

Brian Doyle? Bill Dixon? Big-eye (Elavine) Draper? (I only include him because of the obvious philosophical parrallels.)

Bob Dole.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Monstrosity
Bob Dole.

Have you ever seen proof his bad arm was really injured that badly?

[bilmore]

(From someone's blog - just for fun):

Yes, I want the Democrats to lose, and to lose so big it wipes out their "Bush was selected not elected" delirium. So big that they cry. So big that they actually follow through on their threats to move to France. Still, I just can't stand idly by and watch a train wreck, so here are my ideas to help the Kerry campaign:

* Get Rid of the French-Lookingness: This is a hard one, but essential. Instead of a suit, wear a leather jacket and sunglasses. Mess up that thousand dollar haircut of yours. Then, grow some stubble. If you can't grow stubble because of that Botox stuff, then have a Hollywood makeup artist give you some.

* Stop Talking: You seem to put your foot in your mouth trying to explain your odd positions, so don't talk at all. Be this mysterious, gruff looking individual of few words. Respond to most questions with a grunt or a "whatever". This moves you from aloof - which people hate - to apathetic - which is cool. If someone keeps pestering you with a question, instead of coming up with a lame dodge by attacking Bush, intimidate the individual. For example:

REPORTER: "Senator Kerry, did you or did you not throw your own medals over a fence in protest?"

MO'FO' KERRY: "Who f**king cares? What I do know, if you keep bothering me about it, I'm going to throw my fist in your face."

The average Joe - or even the average Steve - would really respond to that.

* No More Mentioning That You Served Vietnam: Okay, dude, we all know you served in Vietnam and are getting tired of you bringing it up, but there's a better way to mention it. Instead of saying, "By the way, I served in Vietnam", phrase instead as "I've killed people before." Said in a low, menacing voice, it's also a good dodge to questions.

* Pick a VP that Makes You Look Good in Comparison: Since everyone think you're haughty and aloof and uncharismatic, pick a VP that's even more haughty, more aloof, and less charismatic. But who...

Al Gore! He's even already got VP experience. He might be really tired of it, though, so if you get elected and you see him playing with garroting wire, don't turn your back on him.

* Use Reverse Psychology: Usually political ads say why you should vote for one guy or why you shouldn't vote for another guy. That's old and tired. If you want to be cool, have an ad where you say, "I'm John Kerry and... know what? F**k this. I don't even want your stupid vote. I'm outta here." Then just walk off camera. And people will be like, "That guy is cool! He doesn't even care if we vote for him! I'm going to vote for him!" It will totally work.

* Wrestle a Bear: Only a badass could wrestle a bear. And then you'll have something to talk about other than being in Vietnam. No matter what policy question someone asks you, you can be like, "Hey! I wrestled a bear! I can handle that podunk crap!"

* Keep Bill Clinton in His Place: Using his new book, Bill Clinton is going to try and steal the spotlight for himself to the detriment of Democrats in general. You need to have a public meeting with him and then stomp his ass. Be like, "I'm the leader of the Democrats now, bitch!" He might call on Hillary for help, and I'll leave that up to whether you take her on. I hear that in a fight she's all nails and teeth.

* Improve General Badassery: If people are going to take you seriously as a president who can handle the war on terror, you need to be a complete and total badass. Instead of doing the usual politician thing of shaking hands and kissing babies, be like, "Keep your damn hands away from me!" and "Get that ugly baby out of my face!" People will be like, "Damn! That guy is a badass. To once think I believed he was haughty and aloof."

So, Kerry, the choice is yours. You can either known as "John Kerry, the haughty, french-looking Massachusetts Democrat, who by the way served in Vietnam" or as "John F'n Kerry, badass loner of few words who's killed people and, by the way, wrestled a bear". Not much of choice, huh? I'd almost vote for you if you were the latter, except that I'm pretty sure you'd raise my taxes. By the way, I don't care if you wrestled a bear: if you raise my taxes, I kick your ass.

I wonder if that could be a campaign slogan...