tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12310464.post702480864581872163..comments2024-02-26T13:34:55.746-06:00Comments on Comrade Kevin's Chrestomathy: No GuaranteesComrade Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393718048145784837noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12310464.post-18519245460170922492008-02-01T08:16:00.000-06:002008-02-01T08:16:00.000-06:00Chris,That was certainly not my intention. :-) M...Chris,<BR/><BR/>That was certainly not my intention. :-) Maybe I'm just a little fearful of flame wars, since they happen so easily on an online setting. Without body language, vocal inflection, and context--a massive amount of misunderstanding can resort.<BR/><BR/>You have nothing to apologize for! You care passionately for what you believe in and you make excellent points to support it! <BR/><BR/>If the right wing did a good hatchet job on the Clinton legacy and skewed our perception of both of them, then it's up to us to redefine and reframe the debate in a more proper context. Hence the reason I blog. Maybe it doesn't contribute much on a larger scale, but it makes me feel better, and I have some impact on a handful of other like-minded people.<BR/><BR/>I think it benefits us greatly to have discussions like these that bring many different points of view to the table. Thus we can have a wealth of discussion while realizing that we are all Progressives and that we are all Democrats who desperately want change.<BR/><BR/>What we get hung up on at times is how we best thing change should occur. But there is much more than unites us than separates us.Comrade Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11393718048145784837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12310464.post-62748589403458259632008-02-01T07:59:00.000-06:002008-02-01T07:59:00.000-06:00hey, I didn't think you supported Obama just becau...hey, I didn't think you supported Obama just because he's a guy. and I don't support Hillary just because she's not. I hope I didn't leave that impression.<BR/><BR/>I think the Clintons are ordinary people, brighter and more ambitious than many, but certainly not superhuman forces of evil, as many have chosen to portray them. I do not think they set out or ever intended to be polarizing; if anything they are too compromising. it's my belief that the right wing did such a good hatchet job that generations later the evil Clinton myth is accepted as fact. I don't buy it.<BR/><BR/>she has worked tirelessly all her adult life for causes that support women and children, two groups that often get overlooked in our system. my support for her stems from her activities and what I see as her beliefs, not her gender. honestly.<BR/><BR/>I like Obama too. I don't care about his or anyone's race. I just don't have much to go on with him, except he's an awesome speaker. after the past seven years, an awesome speaker would be a refreshing change.<BR/><BR/>I think everyone wants change.<BR/><BR/>I don't think we're fighting here, Kevin, but if you think we are, then I apologize, because I realize I started it :)chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13648727852178008057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12310464.post-40490103056320632432008-01-31T23:51:00.000-06:002008-01-31T23:51:00.000-06:00I would gladly support a female candidate and inde...I would gladly support a female candidate and indeed I think it is time.<BR/><BR/>But not this female. And not this time. <BR/><BR/>I think politics lends itself easily to corruption. As you said in a previous post, the Clintons may have been idealistic upon their entry to the White House. <BR/><BR/>The criticisms any President gets are often partisan and unfair, but that seems to me to be par for the course. <BR/><BR/>I am of the opinion that a person elected to office needs to provide a new direction without the taint of Washington politics.<BR/><BR/>I, too, am a feminist. But I have seen the excesses of second-generation feminism which lends itself to parody and refuses to fix its internal problems. <BR/><BR/>One of the reasons I included the third video which incorporates a PROGRESSIVE, FEMINIST, THIRD GENERATION mindset and simultaneously criticizes the failings of the second generation was not a condemnation of women.<BR/><BR/>A generational divide between the two of us may be at play. And this goes for politics and philosophy equally.<BR/><BR/>Merely instituting a woman into elected office based on her gender is to me, a strategy that while well-intentioned, totally against the system where merit is favored above all else.<BR/><BR/>The best candidate for the job. I don't care if she's black or he's white (and I reversed the order on purpose).<BR/><BR/>Women might do things differently, but having observed people and examined power dynamics myself I know that if you flipped the genders around, women would be tempted to act in the same domineering Patriarchal ways that men do. Maybe they'd govern better but having a dim view of human nature generally, I seriously doubt it.<BR/><BR/>Chris, I think you're missing the point.<BR/><BR/>The point is that it's beyond women versus men, black versus white, or anything divisive versus anything divisive.<BR/><BR/>Like Obama himself says, "That way of thinking is old. Why would you want to work old ways that have proven ineffective or at least counter-productive? Why not go for new ways?"<BR/><BR/>My support of Obama has NOTHING to do with the fact that he and I share the same gender. Thinking that way is the same politics based on division of the electorate, and it's time to have a unified force. <BR/><BR/>I base my decision on the merit of the candidate, first.Comrade Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11393718048145784837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12310464.post-63512761242335937472008-01-31T23:34:00.000-06:002008-01-31T23:34:00.000-06:00I do get your point. I have a hard time getting p...I do get your point. <BR/><BR/>I have a hard time getting past what I really do feel is unfair criticism of Hillary, who isn't pure as the driven snow, politically, because she's been there. it's easier to be idealistic when you haven't been tested.<BR/><BR/>I lived in D.C. when Bill Clinton was first elected and I remember that on his inauguration day, the Washington Times called for his impeachment over the issue of gay soldiers in the military. I felt then and still feel that the Clintons got an education in Washington politics early on, and that counts for something. he's been roundly criticized for DADT, but that wasn't what he wanted. that's what he learned he had to settle for, to get anything done.<BR/><BR/>and I will admit that I seriously would love to see a woman elected president. I've been a feminist since the 50s (yes, I'm that old) and frankly, I think men have really screwed things up, and a break from them and their ideas would be a breath of fresh air.<BR/><BR/>no offense........chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13648727852178008057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12310464.post-78634209535906550182008-01-31T22:27:00.000-06:002008-01-31T22:27:00.000-06:00Chris,You make excellent points and I don't disagr...Chris,<BR/><BR/>You make excellent points and I don't disagree with most of them. <BR/><BR/>I will certainly, though reluctantly, support Hillary in November if she were to be the nominee.<BR/><BR/>The greater point you raise as to whether or not I am a Hillary-hater or not has some merit. To me, one can only be so tolerant of the politics of division she and Bill both have fostered. I wasn't attempting to make myself into a hypocrite by using the same tactics in my criticism of her. <BR/><BR/>We humans are paradoxical beings. Take the high ground always and people will criticize you for not having the courage to punch back. Fight back, and be criticized for not taking a more diplomatic approach. Take a diplomatic approach and have people fear you are not being realistic. Be realistic and people fear you are too cynical. Be too cynical and...<BR/><BR/>Do you get my point? <BR/><BR/>I am deeply suspicious of Hillary and ultimately our own judgments are formed by our own emotional impressions. Emotional impressions are not always logical. I just don't like her. I've never liked her. She's tried, to her credit, to seem more personable but it's never made much of an impact with me. <BR/><BR/>What's not to like about Obama? Even conservatives like him! :-)<BR/><BR/>But that statement above says the most to me. I believe Obama is the most electable candidate and as I said earlier, I would cast my ballot for Hillary over a GOP or third party candidate without so much as an second thought.<BR/><BR/>However, being that the GOP is so fractured right now, nothing would unify them better than the Clinton name. Love it, hate it, decry it, the name Clinton is toxic and polarizing. <BR/><BR/>I do not want to lose another Presidential election, Chris. The odds are too great. There is just too much at stake. I hope everyone votes as if their life depended on it. I feel that strongly about this election.Comrade Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11393718048145784837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12310464.post-72742008260709386962008-01-31T21:44:00.000-06:002008-01-31T21:44:00.000-06:00I just watched the debate and the truth is, I like...I just watched the debate and the truth is, I like both of them. a lot. I guess my issue is that most Hillary supporters, and yes, I am one, also like Obama, while most Obama supporters trash Hillary. I'm not advocating party over principle (we've seen where that got us with the republicans) but honestly, they're not that far apart. and truthfully, I think Hillary was as idealistic as Barack back in '92, but the reality of politics in D.C. set in. that's not the same as selling out, to me. it's understanding how things can actually get accomplished. I truly admire Hillary - she has been the object of so much scorn from progressives as well as conservatives, some deserved but so much really out there and ridiculous. she's tough and she knows the terrain. I happen to believe her heart's in the right place, even if she plays politics. show me someone who doesn't play politics that's made an impact. I'm open to discussion, but my original point had to do with the fact that Obama supporters feel the need to trash Hillary. I'm a Hillary supporter who will wholeheartedly support Obama if he wins the nomination, without having to regret badmouthing him, because I won't do that. thay are both so far above anyone the republicans are offering.chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13648727852178008057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12310464.post-52727936718821557552008-01-30T22:19:00.000-06:002008-01-30T22:19:00.000-06:00Good points, on my blog I have produced an argumen...Good points, on my blog I have produced an argument for the defense of the current primary system. Check it out some time. Comment on it. <BR/>Peace<BR/>http://usaspolitics.blogspot.com/Mike C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17291791216899270502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12310464.post-26135306615507323232008-01-30T21:54:00.000-06:002008-01-30T21:54:00.000-06:00I found this, plus the bit about the culinary unio...I found this, plus the bit about the culinary union workers being allowed to vote in Nevada, kind of reprehensible on Hilary's part. Her agreements are only as valid as her agenda will allow. One might get the idea that she has learned her tactics from a neocon!Dr. Zaiushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16153875976834518896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12310464.post-19378172190921566822008-01-30T21:01:00.000-06:002008-01-30T21:01:00.000-06:00Chris,Don't let me get all high-minded ideals on y...Chris,<BR/><BR/>Don't let me get all high-minded ideals on your ass. :-)<BR/><BR/>Hillary to me represents politics based on division, corporate interest, backroom deals, cynicism, hatred, fear, and all sorts of things I am sick and tired of in our elected representatives. <BR/><BR/>Any candidate who would use similar tactics would get the same treatment. I think that's the role of the blogger and the activist and the responsible citizen.Comrade Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11393718048145784837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12310464.post-14664783553093649812008-01-30T20:56:00.000-06:002008-01-30T20:56:00.000-06:00damn, why do you hate Hillary so much?damn, why do you hate Hillary so much?chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13648727852178008057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12310464.post-79740923157897250512008-01-30T14:36:00.000-06:002008-01-30T14:36:00.000-06:00Thank you so much!Thank you so much!Comrade Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11393718048145784837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12310464.post-2991482125009945222008-01-30T13:32:00.000-06:002008-01-30T13:32:00.000-06:00You'll been officially added to the Swerve Left (h...You'll been officially added to the Swerve Left (http://swerveleft.blogspot.com) blog roll.Karlohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15647211317186049289noreply@blogger.com