Talk Politics

Comment

Comment by steve on December 31, 2009 at 12:29pm

Paul,please don't do that.As an American and a parent you also have opinions and ideas that I for one believe are pertinent to this group.The reason peoples beliefs should be put out here,whether they are right,centrist or left is for discussion.One of the reasons I try to stay away from the two topics I mentioned previously is that sometimes things can be taken to personally when a topic gets a little heated.The things we talk about are our beliefs yet all in all I feel that they do pertain to all of our children those in the military and those still at home.It has to do with our future.

Mike,I do enjoy reading your posts.Don't know that I agree with the majority of them,but I am learning quite a bit.That in itself is worth something.I still believe that our beliefs are on opposite ends of the spectrum and there is nothing wrong with that and I don't think either one of us is gonna change.

The thing that I wonder about is how did we arrive at our beliefs,what makes us think the way we do when it comes to what is,in our minds right or wrong with and for our country.Is it the way we were raised or was it the things we saw or did in our lives on the way to adulthood?Just a thought!

You all have a safe and Happy New Year !!!!!

Steve !!!!!!!!

Comment by ctyankee on December 31, 2009 at 12:27pm

Hey Paul,

I see you dropped the group. I hope that's only in the role of admin, and I hope you'll continue to participate or at least lurk via a user account... ;^)

Mike said: "Racial and religious prejudice is still out there, and in a free country people are entitled to their prejudices, but if you make policy based on them you are in trouble."

I agree with the 1st & 3rd parts, but kwestion if anyone is *entitled to their prejudices"... (heh-heh-heh) Since prejudices are generally irrational, I believe that they are subject to casual criticism... That's when the boards are fun!

The snow has let up, but we're expecting another 4-6" before it quits. The driveway is capped by a solid ice-dam from the plows...

Happy New Year!

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on December 31, 2009 at 11:00am

ok--- I'll exit the group...and just deal with the Navy stuff and my two sailors....sorry to have caused the ruckus

Comment by Mike Stark on December 31, 2009 at 10:49am

@pat -- nowhere did I say that the tea party movement and birthers are one and the same. And I certainly meant no insult to anyone here. But when you have a substantial number of Americans believing Orly Taitz's forgeries, you have to question why they want to believe this. Racial and religious prejudice is still out there, and in a free country people are entitled to their prejudices, but if you make policy based on them you are in trouble. As an example, almost all the counterterrorism experts I've read or seen on TV say that airport profilers should be looking for questionable behavior, rather than Muslim names or dress. This is indeed profiling, but behavioral profiling is more effective.

I do think an area of agreement between liberals and libertarians is that we both believe that the USA should not be an empire. I challenge us here to think about what a non-imperial American military would look like.

I'll have to leave off now -- I'm driving up to PA to visit my sister (my reactor-tending nephew's mom) for New Year's. You all have a good evening, and don't forget about designated drivers!!!!!

Comment by Rex on December 31, 2009 at 10:35am

Happy New Year every one ! may we all continue to have great debates in the new year.

Comment by ctyankee on December 31, 2009 at 10:15am

Hi Randy,

Yes, we should focus on constructive topics. However if we were to limit discussion to what we all agree upon the discussion becomes quite boring. IMHO there is nothing quite as useless as the consensus of a group. If there is no controversy whatsoever you can be certain that something is lurking below the surface.

If we were to allow certain topics to retain sacred cow status then you can be certain that the opposition will use those as safe-houses from which to undermine our position. In battle, valor is measured by ones ability to stand in the face of overwhelming force, or the charge into impenetrable defense, at the risk of life and limb. In politics the physical consequences dwindle by comparison; that make s cowardice to explore so much more despicable. Let us be brave and explore topics without fear. Freedom is what our kids are serving for after all...^_^

I hope everyone has a Happy and Healthy New year!

Comment by Randy Weston on December 31, 2009 at 9:49am

I am a very strong proponent of civil discussions, agree to disagree, and the lack of personal attacks for what one believes. But as Paul said in an earlier post, our discussions should focus on the affect our country's politics is going to have on our kids who have unselishly made the decision to serve this fine nation.

I served under 4 different administrations and I can assure you, that the party in power has a direct affect on our military. When I am considering candidates for national office, my first priority is national defense. Does the candidate have the same priority and will they do what is necessary to protect this nation and also at the same time, protect our most valuable assets, our kids. This nation was built on the blood of our military, whether regular or malitia. Unfortunately, it will have to be defended in the same manner. Therefore the individuals we put in power have the responsibility to protect us, the military, and our constitution. The same oath our kids took. And I firmly believe that our current leadership in Congress is not living up to their end of the deal.

Not to take away from our domestic issues, but we have some serious stuff going on all over the world that could directly impact our sailors. Potential nukes in Iran and Korea, Russia rebuilding her military, not to mention the current conflicts in Iraq and Afganistan. And what is going on in China these days? There is still a threat out there to our way of life and it is not all coming from the muslim nation.

Just a few points to ponder while we are discussing "politics".

Comment by ctyankee on December 30, 2009 at 11:43pm

Hey Paul,

I couldn't agree more -- civility is crucial! If someone were to go off on a tear and make threats, or to directly attack another member then the ultimate decision to sanction that post and even to temporarily punish the offender is justified. But I haven't seen anything here even come close to that.

Certainly when it comes to insulting a public official, as well as his/her ideas, the standard is... less stringent... If I refer to "Slobbering Barney Frank" as a fool, I've not even broached the threshold of inappropriate. Of course it would be better if I criticized any given statement he's make, but since he's public I can save a step and tar with a broader brush ;^)

If I were to make the same 'slobbering' comment about a member here, I would expect to be called out for crossing the boundaries of civility and certainly apologize for the infraction as soon as I cooled off... All in all I think we're reading from the same sheet of music.

I suppose it's your profile ID that caused a bit of concern... On most of the boards I participate on the admins almost never participate in their admin role. They maintain a regular non-privileged account for commenting, and mixing with the rest of us 'mere-mortals'. This way when the admin does comment there can be no misunderstanding... (there can and still might be discussion, but it's on a different level)

BTW: Steve, I actually got a 419 letter from a dude in Hong Kong this AM. It's amazing that they still try, I mean it's been more than 20 years since I saw the first one via fax... Then again if the demographics are to be believed the Nigerians that sent it 20 years ago are probably all dead and this is the next generation that's trying to score on some dumb greedy SOB. -- Amazing!?

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on December 30, 2009 at 10:59pm

It's not my group as EG started it...and I enjoy saying what I think here, but I always try to attack the policy or those in government rahter than what another NavyDads member has said...as far as I can recall!!! i just want us to be able to discuss these important issues without the danger of anyone feeling that they need to get defensive. I'll be the first in line to call our Senate leadership the south end of a north bound horse...but I'll sure defend the right of anyone of us to disagree...all I'm asking that we all, me included, make every effort to stay civil and to remain an example of what we aspire our children to be...engaged citizens that have a passionate love of our country that can discuss and agree to disagree.

Comment by steve on December 30, 2009 at 10:27pm

Just trying to lighten things up! Sorry!!

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