Offering constructive criticism to the social cripples in our midst since early 2005.

[sgtclub]

Originally posted by Gattigap
Agreed.

OTOH, it's somewhat refreshing to hear GOP apologists come out and actually say "oh, it's no problem for someone to have leaked the identity of a CIA WMD specialist during wartime, because it was in pursuit of a nobler partisan goal to crush our political enemies whom we really really don't like, and as because far as the mainstream media has reported, I've not heard of anyone actually dying as a result."

This degree of candor is rare.

That facts, as we know them today, indicate that Rove did not "leak" as that term is commonly understood. It does, however, appear that he may have used poor judgment in disclosing non-classified information. Whether you view this as a malicious political hit or stupid misstake depends on what you are predetermined to believe about this administration. If this had happended in the Clinton administration, I have no doubt I would be appauled and calling for his regination. But then again, I believe that Clinton raped Juanita, so you be the judge.

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally posted by Gattigap
Agreed.

OTOH, it's somewhat refreshing to hear GOP apologists come out and actually say "oh, it's no problem for someone to have leaked the identity of a CIA WMD specialist during wartime, because it was in pursuit of a nobler partisan goal to crush our political enemies whom we really really don't like, and as because far as the mainstream media has reported, I've not heard of anyone actually dying as a result."

This degree of candor is rare.

Its always amusing to watch moralists turn into pragmatists and proceduralists overnight.

Schaedenfreude is always satisfying.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by sebastian_dangerfield
Its always amusing to watch moralists turn into pragmatists and proceduralists overnight.

Overnight? Or in a nanosecond?

It's actually kind of depressing to have the suspicions of complete and utter hypocricy confirmed so quickly and resoundingly.

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally posted by ltl/fb
Overnight? Or in a nanosecond?

It's actually kind of depressing to have the suspicions of complete and utter hypocricy confirmed so quickly and resoundingly.

If this Rove thing is the first development that confirmed this admin's hypocrisy, you've had your head under an awful lot of sand.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by sebastian_dangerfield
If this Rove thing is the first development that confirmed this admin's hypocrisy, you've had your head under an awful lot of sand.

Not the admin. The board.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Spanky
They author is an idiot because he says that Yemenis don't want or don't need democracy. Who is he to say what they want. Until he conducts a poll that sort of statement makes him an idiot.

I believe that the United States should encourage human rights through out the world.

I believe democracy is a basic human right.

Do you agree with the above statements?

Do you not think that that article was arguing against both those points?

The author said Yemenis don't want democracy, and note that Sullivan disagreed in part, pointing to the Iraqis who voted last January. For the umpteenth time, no one -- no one -- said that Yemenis don't "need" democracy. This is your own little canard.

The author -- who may be a woman, I don't know -- lives in Yemen right now, and that qualifies him or her to describe what he or she sees there. Many people have offered astute political commentary without taking opinion polls. Indeed, I suspect that if you ask Yemenis whether they "want democracy," they would say yes, and yet they might generally act in ways that reflects other priorities.

You are not paying attention to what I am writing, so I will say it again. I believe that democracy is a human right -- grammatically poorly put, but a shorthand I think we both understand -- and that the United States should promote human rights around the world. I do not think Sullivan or the author of that e-mail to him -- it wasn't an article, it was an e-mail to a blog, so you should consider that it was perhaps more anecdotal than the sort piece that might be based on opinion polling -- indeed I suspect you have formed opinions about, say, California politics and what Californians want, in the past without taking a poll, and might even have posted on a chat board or sent a friend an e-mail about them -- what was I saying? -- neither Sullivan nor his correspondent disagrees with me on those points.

I think the fear is that the U.S. policy is not helping us reach those goals. We used to be a beacon for Yemenis -- they envied us -- and now they increasingly hate us.

And perhaps it shouldn't be surprising that this is happening, given the number of conservatives on this board who advocate nuking Mecca, etc.

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally posted by ltl/fb
Not the admin. The board.

Oh, they're just being partisans. If we all sat down and had drinks and discussed this crap, people would find loads of middle ground. This medium invites confrontation.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by sebastian_dangerfield
Oh, they're just being partisans. If we all sat down and had drinks and discussed this crap, people would find loads of middle ground. This medium invites confrontation.

I don't get that feeling, but OK.

Originally posted by sebastian_dangerfield
Oh, they're just being partisans. If we all sat down and had drinks and discussed this crap, people would find loads of middle ground. This medium invites confrontation.

Exactly. Especially when Penske is not around to act as the voice of moderation. In his absence Spanky runs wild and it's just a giant shitstorm.

P.S. - Trust me, drinks don't help.

[Did you just call me Coltrane?]

Originally posted by sebastian_dangerfield
Oh, they're just being partisans. If we all sat down and had drinks and discussed this crap, people would find loads of middle ground. This medium invites confrontation.

I actually agree with this.

[Replaced_Texan]

Originally posted by ironweed

P.S. - Trust me, drinks don't help.

I actually agree with this.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by Replaced_Texan
I actually agree with this.

I think some would get better, some would get worse.

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally posted by ltl/fb
I don't get that feeling, but OK.

You think I'm as unfiltered IRL as I am here? I wouldn't have any teeth.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by sebastian_dangerfield
You think I'm as unfiltered IRL as I am here? I wouldn't have any teeth.

Not you so much. In real life you probably have that thing going where you want people to like you, so you shift the subject, make jokes, and charm.

Originally posted by ltl/fb
that thing going where you want people to like you, so you shift the subject, make jokes, and charm.

You mean "personality"? I hate those kind of people. So shallow.