... is a complete waste of time. I don't know why I feel compelled to visit sites like the Daily Kos or One Hand Clapping. I go there, see some story, notice something worth commenting on, and I get drawn into a political argument. This week in Kos, I objected to Kos's implied statements that the bombings in Iraq are a symbol of the continuing problems in Iraq, and Bush was somehow responsible for the bombings. In One Hand Clapping, I've gotten drawn into an argument about flip flopping. Apparently it's fine for Bush to flip-flop on issues because of 9/11, but when Kerry does it, it's a sign of his unfitness to be President. It seems as things become more and more polarized, I can't visit a site talking about politics without getting drawn into a disagreement. So, for the sake of those who care, this is a brief piece about where I stand politically and why both the left and the right drive me nuts.
So rather than come up with some statement of principles, let's see where I fall on the scales for the contemporary issues of the day.
Bush & Co. - He's gotta go. One of my main desires for government is openness and transparency. This has been the most closed-door administration in some time. Between the Cheney energy meetings, the manipulation of the press via access, and so forth, this is one administration that doesn't care to let the public in on its processes and deliberations and to me, it's a suggestion that they think there must be something worth hiding. Given its lack of openness and transparency, I couldn't trust this administration, even if it were implementing all the policies I want. I have other complaints such as the Halliburton conflicts of interest and so forth, but these will be addressed below.
Kerry - Could the Democrats please pick a better nominee? Given Kerry and his positions in the Senate and changes in those positions, his habit of golddigging, and so forth, I don't see the 2004 presidential election being about anything other than character assassination. We will have two Skull and Bones guys of privileged backgrounds both trying to slander the other and look the most presidential at the same time. Can we talk about issues this election? Please? I should note that I hope that the Kerry-intern story does gain legs as I'd much rather have Edwards as a candidate for President. This is slightly hypocritical given my issues plea above, but what has Kerry talked about other than having been in Vietnam? Maybe it's the press's fault, but I don't see much in him.
Gay Marriage - Let gay people form the same types of unions as married people. If marriage is a religious sacrament, then the state has no business being involved. If it's a contractual matter, then what is the church's objection. I think gay marriage is an issue that is threatening to tear down the church-state wall of separation. And anyone who pushes for a constitutional marriage amendment will find themselves on my shitlist with Bill Richardson, Dick Cheney, Tom Delay, and Sonny Bono.
Bush AWOL? - Why should anyone care? It was thirty years ago. Bush was much worse between then and now, so I find it odd to focus on what should be a simple question to answer. Ironically, if we used the same logic Bush applied to Saddam and the WMD's, we'd all accept that he was indeed AWOL, because afterall "What is he hiding?"
Iraq - I was a supporter of the action in Iraq. I still am. I think that the alleged Al Qaeda letter speaking about how they are not having much success and may have to resort to starting a Sunni - Shiite - Kurd civil war is good news. I don't find the intentions good, but I think that we have taken Al Qaeda down this far is good news. I think Bush was right to go into Iraq, but I think that he was wrong to use the imminent threat of WMDs as his justification. I believe having Saddam out of power is a good thing and I'm generally optimistic about Iraq's future. I'm just nervous that the good we're doing there will be tarnished by the fact that Bush hoisted WMDs as the reason to go, and we're not finding any WMDs. However, I am not happy at all with the apparent Halliburton cronyism that has been going on during the rebuilding. Not at all...
Kerry's Past - See my Bush AWOL bit above. Who cares that he protested Vietnam? I think that he's a lousy candidate and would like to see him replaced, but not on the grounds of things he did thirty years ago.
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http://www.youyesyou.com/welove/index.html
you get the one about stalking...
love you :-)
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