Politics As Usual

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by sgtclub
I've been waiting for this all week. The true feelings finally come out. You've been biting your tounge all week, so as to appear respectful, but it's just getting the best of you isn't?

No. I agree with a lot of what's said. But see Charles Krauthammer's column today, in which he attacked Democrats for praising Reagan's optimism -- it seemed to me an inappropriate and false note, but I have respect for the man. At the same time, I don't have a lot of time for the ritual of saying only nice things about the dead when the dead are public figures, especially when one doesn't need to look very far to see people trying to leverage that ritual for political advantage. But we've had some interesting discussions about Reagan this week, and I haven't been pulling my punches.

For what it's worth, I am a bit bothered by the coverage as well. That is to say that I've had my fill of the lionization. The presidency speaks for itself. There is no reason to push it down the nation's throat.

It's just gone on too long. I don't know who's idea it was to hold the funeral seven days after he died, but it was too long if you ask me.

As to the article, I read it as suggesting that the cold war was really won because some east germans slipped throught fence and Reagan was just on the sidelines. Folks like Walesa, who were on the wrong side of the fence, obviously disagree with that characterization.

A lot of people can share a lot of credit, and Walesa and Reagan are two of them. I think we in this country tend to overstate our own role and do not sufficiently appreciate what went on elsewhere.

[Atticus Grinch]

Brits invent invisible electric "force field" to protect, um, extremely heavy metal items from shaped charge warhead RPG rounds; runs on car battery.

Being a classic liberal, I'm concerned first and foremost about the demoralizing effect on the guy with the RPG at the sight of his round getting vaporized on impact. I mean, c'mon, in tank-versus-people, fair's fair.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
"Customs and Border Protection spokesman Jim Mitchie said, 'We are buying American. But we're also buying elsewhere.'"

That Mitchie guy is worth his salary, let me tell you.

The point of the border patrol isn't to prevent anything from Mexico from coming here- it is supposed to make sure whatever does come here, comes in legally. the uniforms were purchased under proper gov't K standards right? or is this just that its okay to hate Mexicans becuase they'll likely support Bush?

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
The point of the border patrol isn't to prevent anything from Mexico from coming here- it is supposed to make sure whatever does come here, comes in legally. the uniforms were purchased under proper gov't K standards right? or is this just that its okay to hate Mexicans becuase they'll likely support Bush?

I don't hate Mexicans and I don't oppose buying Border Patrol uniforms from them. When the story is about buying Border Patrol uniforms made in Mexico, I admire the dexterity and professional skill of a spokesman who says, "We're buying American. But we're also buying elsewhere."

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
I don't hate Mexicans and I don't oppose buying Border Patrol uniforms from them. When the story is about buying Border Patrol uniforms made in Mexico, I admire the dexterity and professional skill of a spokesman who says, "We're buying American. But we're also buying elsewhere."

I've heard your sort doesn't feel Mexican clothing should even cost, and that you should be able to walk out of stores simply carrying the clothing. If true- you're racist.

[Shape Shifter]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
I've heard your sort doesn't feel Mexican clothing should even cost, and that you should be able to walk out of stores simply carrying the clothing. If true- you're racist.

What does Juan think?

[Say_hello_for_me]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop

It's just gone on too long. I don't know who's idea it was to hold the funeral seven days after he died, but it was too long if you ask me.

I agree, cept wasn't this just announced last Saturday afternoon (after quite blunt denials that anything had recently taken a turn for the worse).

A few things that I think would have made this better:

1.) I've heard talk that he considered Lebanon his biggest mistake. In my family's numerous funerals, our speakers always remember those who have gone before who we believe are waiting to welcome the newly deceased with open arms (no, really, a nice physical hug from grammy Bea!). I think it would have been nice if someone could have tempered the lionizing with a warning about the lessons Ron learned regarding foreign adventures. Specifically, I think it would have been nice if someone mentioned our 242 dead marines and indicated the heartfelt regret that Ron never escaped. It would have been a nice warning to the ages if worded properly.

2.) Someone should have already very publicly nixed the whole Hamilton thing. There's a flippin reason we've honored someone for 200 years, and there's no reason to stop now. OTOH, anything Kennedy is fair game IMHO. And its just about huntin season, taint it?

3.) I still love the Hail to the Chief thing, horrible song that it otherwise is. For these funerals, I think some radio stations should just go to all Hail to the Chief all the time. The commercials can be God Bless America or Our Country Tis of Thee.

4.) The public viewing just should not be as long as it was.

5.) I think its great how the ex-presidents treat deaths respectfully, no matter how much they might have disliked each other's politics. As much as I make fun of Bubba, I'd be as embarrassed if the Bush's didn't show up for his as I am when Chicago junkies* run out onto the field at Comiskey and attack old men.

Hello



*Like how I worked that in?

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by Say_hello_for_me
5.) I think its great how the ex-presidents treat deaths respectfully, no matter how much they might have disliked each other's politics.

Concur strongly. The wry sense of common experience among all of the officeholders is one of the nice ways Sorkin-world coincides with reality. (There was a WW episode about the funeral of an obvious Reagan-analog.)

However, I also strongly feel that when a person ceases to hold the office of President, we should not call him or her "President _________." Let's go back to the honorable traditions of Washington, Jefferson, and Adams --- when you're in office, you're "Mr. President"; when you reenter private life, you're a citizen like the rest of us. This is one way in which I disagree with Mulroney's reference to the "nobility" of the office of President. If I have referred to "President Clinton" on this board, it is accidental and I regret it.

If I were elected President (fat chance), I would also do away with the inauguration. It's just a fucking job, people, not a coronation --- America doesn't have a king for a reason.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Shape Shifter
What does Juan think?

Ah SS! Many here have never experienced the pleasure of a solid Juan the Marine post. Can you imagine the limited lives led? juan the Marine has no voice here, so who could say what humorous web he might weave? The prior administration allowed a sock to hijack the name, tragically rendering his work archival.

if there was a "Board Politics" forum this would lead to a quite lively exchange indeed. Of course, Shape Shifter and I both know who created the Juan the Marine sock back at infirm, and I believe SS would agree with me that the service mark hijack that leagl allowed here was the first step that showed us we'd have to move her out. That combined with robbing me of the Super Bowl pool $$$ put her on par with Bill Clinton letting OBL go because the alternative would be to make a decision.

I think we all agree we are better off with Pres. bush than Clinton, and RT rather than Leagl.

Of course the intelligence ruins that Clinton left came back to haunt us even after we had done what was necessary at the top.

Slave still holds power here, even thought he effected many of leagl's decrees. I suppose it possible he was just following orders, but surely Juan the Marine could supply us all with some words of comfort this rainy weekend in June. if only Slave would admit the prior error, and delete that insidious Juan USMC pathetic attempt at a clone.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
If I were elected President (fat chance), I would also do away with the inauguration. It's just a fucking job, people, not a coronation --- America doesn't have a king for a reason.

reason #367 Atticus most closely tracks J. Carter of the recent Presidents.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

63% say too much media coverage of Reagan's death

(voting continues so the number may change)

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
I've heard your sort doesn't feel Mexican clothing should even cost, and that you should be able to walk out of stores simply carrying the clothing. If true- you're racist.

Yeah, when I run out of socks I send Thottam down to Mexico City to get me more.

[Shape Shifter]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
Ah SS! Many here have never experienced the pleasure of a solid Juan the Marine post. Can you imagine the limited lives led? juan the Marine has no voice here, so who could say what humorous web he might weave? The prior administration allowed a sock to hijack the name, tragically rendering his work archival.

if there was a "Board Politics" forum this would lead to a quite lively exchange indeed. Of course, Shape Shifter and I both know who created the Juan the Marine sock back at infirm, and I believe SS would agree with me that the service mark hijack that leagl allowed here was the first step that showed us we'd have to move her out. That combined with robbing me of the Super Bowl pool $$$ put her on par with Bill Clinton letting OBL go because the alternative would be to make a decision.

I think we all agree we are better off with Pres. bush than Clinton, and RT rather than Leagl.

Of course the intelligence ruins that Clinton left came back to haunt us even after we had done what was necessary at the top.

Slave still holds power here, even thought he effected many of leagl's decrees. I suppose it possible he was just following orders, but surely Juan the Marine could supply us all with some words of comfort this rainy weekend in June. if only Slave would admit the prior error, and delete that insidious Juan USMC pathetic attempt at a clone.

This is outrageous. I am shocked. Shocked! I can fully attest to the fact that the sock that I believe used to be Hank's sock on infirm created the Juan sock (I think) (of course, this was before Hank existed, or the sock that is now Hank existed, whatever). And I witnessed personally the many fine things done by Juan. Juan brought out the inner hispanic Marine in all of us. He brought sides together by building a bridge of love, which we all crossed together to bask in the glow of the great dog of love. Even to this day, when I am thinking of bridges and dogs and love, I often think of the Juan sock

I am truly appalled. Though we are merely an online community, we are a community nonetheless, and I believed that it was community based first and foremost on trust. I feel this trust has been violated. What kind of sick fuck would go around stealing Mexican socks? Who? PT?

[SlaveNoMore]

Tyrone Slothrop
"We're buying American. But we're also buying elsewhere."

"It all depends on what your definition of is, is"

- President William Jefferson Clinton


"I supported the war in Iraq, until I didn't"

-Also-ran John "Fitzgerald" Kerry

[SlaveNoMore]

y Hank Chinaski
reason #367 Atticus most closely tracks J. Carter of the recent Presidents.

And you haven't even met his fat, retarded brother.

But trust me. He makes a killer homebrew.