2nd Term, Part VI: Burnin' down the House

[5mn_Major]

Re: 2nd Term, Part VI: Burnin' down the House

The House needs more vacation days.

The GOP still needs to find something to stand for.

There are a number of respected conservatives on the site who maybe have an opinion on this. Not saying its a bad thing, but I am wondering if its the nature of conservatism to not have a plan for any sort of progress...

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: 2nd Term, Part VI: Burnin' down the House

The GOP still needs to find something to stand for.

There are a number of respected conservatives on the site who maybe have an opinion on this. Not saying its a bad thing, but I am wondering if its the nature of conservatism to not have a plan for any sort of progress...

Haven't you been paying attention to what their agenda is across the country?

1. Voter ID.
2. Abolish Obamacare.
3. Abortion Restrictions leading to eventual abolishment.
4. NO NEW TAXES.
5. NO NEW SPENDING.
6. More war in the Middle East.

 

[Rover]

Re: 2nd Term, Part VI: Burnin' down the House

The GOP still needs to find something to stand for.

There are a number of respected conservatives on the site who maybe have an opinion on this. Not saying its a bad thing, but I am wondering if its the nature of conservatism to not have a plan for any sort of progress...

With the least amount of sarcasm I can manage, I would say that conservatism has been adrift since the end of the Cold War. That was a unifying cause that could tie together several things that were right up the ideology's alley: big defense spending financed by deficits, interventionalist foreign policy to keep communism at bay, public display of religion as opposed to godless Soviet system, tax breaks for corporations in the name of capitalism. I'd also say that this nostaglia for a sense of purpose coupled with the age of a typical conservative makes them long for the 1980's. To borrow an old expression, if I had a quarter for every time I heard about the Reagan-Carter election last year I'd be 10 bucks shy of being a conservative myself.

Cold War is long since over. Its tough to justify another war for a larger cause post-Iraq. GOP inadvertantly slashed defense spending by 25% in budget negotiations with Obama. Most holier-than-thou politicians have been exposed as frauds. Taxes were raised by the last two Democratic Presidents and they both won re-election.

So, what's left? A lot of lazy pundits want to chalk up Obamacare opposition to hatred of Obama. I'm sure there's some of that, but IMHO conservatism is looking for a reason to be. Right now that cause is repealing Obamcare no matter that 1) it originated as a conservative idea, and 2) the chances of repeal are somewhere between slim and none.

I'll defer to the righties here, but I'm not 100% sure given demographic changes what's next for them.

 

[5mn_Major]

Re: 2nd Term, Part VI: Burnin' down the House

People thought we had weak fields for presidential elections in the past...you ain't seen nothing yet.

Paul and Christie are the two for the GOP. Clinton is mopping the floor. Too much age for such a job...and I just don't see Christie getting close. I'm personally not impressed.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: 2nd Term, Part VI: Burnin' down the House

It amazes me Republicans still think this way. Who in 2013 still questions the morality or legality of freakin' slavery? Yikes.

Used to be, guilt by association ("I only went to a couple of meetings when I was in college") was a bad thing, engaged in only by Joe McCarthy and the like. For years now, that formulation has been reversed. And it's libtards who daily, hourly engage in smears. Can you ladies explain why it's so important to you to prove to the word that you're superior? I mean, personally superior? Not the superiority of your ideas.. Why are you so insecure?

 

[joecct]

Re: 2nd Term, Part VI: Burnin' down the House

Free speech is only free when I agree with you.....http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...028-de922d7a3f47_story.html?tid=auto_complete

Why don't these things happen at conservative schools? Maybe their parents taught them manners?

 

[Old Pio]

Re: 2nd Term, Part VI: Burnin' down the House

Free speech is only free when I agree with you.....http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...028-de922d7a3f47_story.html?tid=auto_complete

Why don't these things happen at conservative schools? Maybe their parents taught them manners?

The ideological descendants of the SA are alive and well on some college campuses. You'll recall a few years ago Brown was a hot bed of feminist ardor, with the "ladies" putting up "wanted" posters for alleged "rapists." The central truth, which these brats will never acknowledge is: not all forums are open. They would raise bloody h*ll if you misbehaved at one of their rallies. But don't think twice about attempting to shut down an appearance by someone of whom they disapprove.

 

[5mn_Major]

Re: 2nd Term, Part VI: Burnin' down the House

Free speech is only free when I agree with you.....http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...028-de922d7a3f47_story.html?tid=auto_complete

Why don't these things happen at conservative schools? Maybe their parents taught them manners?

Not a free speech issue. Or then, why shut down the students right to free speech? It is very impolite on the other hand and does not reflect well on the school. Regardless, I support Kelly's efforts to get guns off of the streets. He just needs to frisk a balanced cross section of folks.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: 2nd Term, Part VI: Burnin' down the House

Not a free speech issue. Or then, why shut down the students right to free speech? It is very impolite on the other hand and does not reflect well on the school. Regardless, I support Kelly's efforts to get guns off of the streets. He just needs to frisk a balanced cross section of folks.

Yeah, Kelly needs to frisk more old white ladies.--preferably the ones in walkers or wheel chairs. That'll keep crime down in NY. Of course it's a free speech issue. Kelly was invited and shouted down. This is what left wing brown shirts specialize in. Did you read what the lefty b*tch said? I paraphrase: if the university won't disinvite him we'll shut him down. Nice.

By your standards the SA was "impolite" when it crashed opposition meetings, then bashed in your skull when opponents tried to crash AH's meetings. Was it "free speech" when ACTUP thugs desecrated the host during Mass in NYC? Would it be "free speech" if WBC thugs interrupted funeral services for a fallen GI? Would it be "free speech" if some David Duke clones interrupted services at a temple some place? Of course not.

Oh, wait a minute, it's been so long I've forgotten: you're the least serious and thoughtful person who posts here. Never mind.

 

[pirate]

Re: 2nd Term, Part VI: Burnin' down the House

Not a free speech issue. Or then, why shut down the students right to free speech? It is very impolite on the other hand and does not reflect well on the school. Regardless, I support Kelly's efforts to get guns off of the streets. He just needs to frisk a balanced cross section of folks.

The incident is similar to events recounted in the "what does Bowdoin teach?" article...that writer's perspective was that it is only ok for one side to shout down the other on that college campus; that is the opposite of critical thinking or whatever the school touts as its mission.

The article was one-sided due to the issue between the author and the president of the school, it presented Bowdoin being as 'religious' as Liberty U...the administration supports one way of thinking and 'alternative' lifestyles are not welcomed on campus. Just different religions.

That and they produce scores of in-debt graduates with degrees in topics of little to no value in today's job market.

 

[unofan]

Why don't these things happen at conservative schools? Maybe their parents taught them manners?

Because conservative (aka religious) schools likely would never invite a conflicting view to campus in the first place? Or is it a trick question?

 

[Bob Gray]

Re: 2nd Term, Part VI: Burnin' down the House

Free speech is only free when I agree with you

Sadly this is gradually becoming the norm in our society.

 

[5mn_Major]

Re: 2nd Term, Part VI: Burnin' down the House

The incident is similar to events recounted in the "what does Bowdoin teach?" article...that writer's perspective was that it is only ok for one side to shout down the other on that college campus; that is the opposite of critical thinking or whatever the school touts as its mission.

The article was one-sided due to the issue between the author and the president of the school, it presented Bowdoin being as 'religious' as Liberty U...the administration supports one way of thinking and 'alternative' lifestyles are not welcomed on campus. Just different religions.

That and they produce scores of in-debt graduates with degrees in topics of little to no value in today's job market.

Obviously if its kosher to shout down one side...the other side needs to have the ability to shout down the first as well. Although not unconstitutional, it isn't the right way to reach conclusions which afterall is the point of the event and university as a whole.

Regarding university programs adding little to no value in today's job market. I believe that having programs and education add value to the job market is potentially the #1 we can do to be globally competitive. However, we can't dictate education...just like we can't dictate news or diet. People will consume what ever they want...and often what is least healthy for them.

 

[5mn_Major]

Re: 2nd Term, Part VI: Burnin' down the House

Yeah, Kelly needs to frisk more old white ladies.--preferably the ones in walkers or wheel chairs. That'll keep crime down in NY.

Only speaking to the goal of keeping guns off the streets...putting it into practice may not work effectively.

 

[SJHovey]

Re: 2nd Term, Part VI: Burnin' down the House

Because conservative (aka religious) schools likely would never invite a conflicting view to campus in the first place? Or is it a trick question?

I think it's a trick question because there are no conservative schools.

 

[Rover]

Re: 2nd Term, Part VI: Burnin' down the House

Used to be, guilt by association ("I only went to a couple of meetings when I was in college") was a bad thing, engaged in only by Joe McCarthy and the like. For years now, that formulation has been reversed. And it's libtards who daily, hourly engage in smears. Can you ladies explain why it's so important to you to prove to the word that you're superior? I mean, personally superior? Not the superiority of your ideas.. Why are you so insecure?

I've been described as a lot of things Opie, and "insecure" ain't one of 'em. Must be from all the titles my city's sports teams keep winning!

But I will answer your question. The problem conservatives have is that by and large they are the most joyless, bitter, wet-blankets you will ever meet. I personally blame the slick product of right wing media, which generates rating and money via outrage. Used to be you could disagree with the righties but not get into a discussion about black helicopters and the end of the world. Think back to the optimism of Ronald Reagan.

After a good 20 years of nothing but petty, juvenile, stupid BS out of the right that has no basis in any reality, its far, far more fun to make fun of them then try to engage in a rational conversation with people who's badge of honor is to be irrational. What is the conservative/Republican/right wing/Teaparty/whatever label you'd like to use solution to.....anything? The budget deficit? Eliminate Medicare while bringing defense spending back to Bush era levels. This is a plan? Gay marriage? Join the side defending DOMA...but then spend the next year pretending you have no involvement. Syria? Invent a time machine to go back and convince Assad to give up his weapons. The Arab Spring? I have no idea what righties think we should be doing there, do you? First we were weak for not leading the charge against Quadaffi, then we were too rash for threating to bomb Syria, then we apparently should have forced Egypt to elect the people we wanted, but we should outsource Iran policy to Israel...

Need I go on? Republicanism, to my surprise, has no solutions to anything. Its all second guessing and demagoguery. Its like dealing with an obnoxious sports fan. After telling you all season that your team is going to lose, how do you react when they win? Probably by rubbing their face in it. I suspect you would rather see solutions, but you're slowly being driven crazy by a constant din in the backround telling you Kenyan Indonesian socialists want to re-instate gulags and force you to marry another man.

 

[LynahFan]

Re: 2nd Term, Part VI: Burnin' down the House

Republicanism, to my surprise, has no solutions to anything.

Did you maybe stop to think for a second that this is because conservatives don't believe the government should be in the business of providing solutions in the first place? You seem to see government programs as the solution to EVERYTHING, regardless of outcome, and the ones that do produce good outcomes as especially spectacular. I don't care if the government could have run Apple Computer better than Steve Jobs did and could have tripled their profits - I don't think the government ought to be in the business of running electronics companies, period. It sure feels like some would argue that if the government COULD do that, they SHOULD do that, since a more profitable Apple would be good for the "general welfare."

The government's mission should be to set a level playing field in terms of ensuring equal opportunity (not outcomes), protecting individuals' rights, and enforcing well understood groundrules for economic activity. After that, let the chips fall where they may.

 

[Rover]

Re: 2nd Term, Part VI: Burnin' down the House

Did you maybe stop to think for a second that this is because conservatives don't believe the government should be in the business of providing solutions in the first place? You seem to see government programs as the solution to EVERYTHING, regardless of outcome, and the ones that do produce good outcomes as especially spectacular. I don't care if the government could have run Apple Computer better than Steve Jobs did and could have tripled their profits - I don't think the government ought to be in the business of running electronics companies, period. It sure feels like some would argue that if the government COULD do that, they SHOULD do that, since a more profitable Apple would be good for the "general welfare."

The government's mission should be to set a level playing field in terms of ensuring equal opportunity (not outcomes), protecting individuals' rights, and enforcing well understood groundrules for economic activity. After that, let the chips fall where they may.

Sorry, but I disagree. This is a libertarian view with no basis in reality, and I'm a bit surprised to see it come out of you. The country needs everyone to succeed, not just the ones born into wealth or born with the intellect of Steve Jobs. What would you do when a national crisis ensued? Tell the people left behind "oh by the way, sorry we couldn't do anything to give you a leg up now would you mind going overseas and getting shot for us in the latest war? Thanks.".

When this country succeeds, it does so when everyone comes together. WWII. The Cold War. The Space Race. You name it. Adopt an "everybody for themselves" mantra and you'd better hope there's more haves than have nots, or the have nots are going to seize power (electorally of course) and start hunting bear. Then you delve into successive govts looking for retribution against the people out of power. Our current political discourse is tame. Back in the 30's, due to a "you're on your own" attitude in the Great Depression, horrific movements came into power with popular support in places like Italy (Fascists), Germany (Nazis) and Japan (Military govt). This is example A why libertarianism just doesn't work.

 

[Priceless]

Re: 2nd Term, Part VI: Burnin' down the House

I think it's a trick question because there are no conservative schools.

Right. Liberty, for instance, is a very liberal school. BYU is a liberal paradise. Baylor, Texas A&M and SMU are blue dots in the midst of a large red ocean. Bob Jones University is perhaps the most liberal of all.

 

[Foxton]

Re: 2nd Term, Part VI: Burnin' down the House

Did you maybe stop to think for a second that this is because conservatives don't believe the government should be in the business of providing solutions in the first place? You seem to see government programs as the solution to EVERYTHING, regardless of outcome, and the ones that do produce good outcomes as especially spectacular. I don't care if the government could have run Apple Computer better than Steve Jobs did and could have tripled their profits - I don't think the government ought to be in the business of running electronics companies, period. It sure feels like some would argue that if the government COULD do that, they SHOULD do that, since a more profitable Apple would be good for the "general welfare."

The government's mission should be to set a level playing field in terms of ensuring equal opportunity (not outcomes), protecting individuals' rights, and enforcing well understood groundrules for economic activity. After that, let the chips fall where they may.

Still no solution, just moving the responsibility.