RoR: Forum

Barbara, what are your opinions on this?

I find it terrifying that the caprice of this Newspaper could've been of such awful moment. I wonder what else has quietly influenced the election in this same way; I wonder how hard the editors and readers of that newspaper are kicking themselves.

Well...thanks for the harrowing article.

-Michael the kid

Post 1

Sunday, November 7, 2004 - 8:18pm

Thanks Miss Branden. Interesting read.

When an election is so close there are a thousand things that could be pointed to as relevant to the its outcome.

Foreign influence is truly the Grecian horse to a republic. We cannot be too careful to exclude its influence.

Alexander Hamilton, Pacificus, No. 6, July 17, 1793

I'm happy that Kerry lost but I'm unhappy that a man such as Kerry could come so close. Can we please put an ad hoc committee together and create significant term limitations for our public servants? This will have the effect of discouraging weasels from running for office and it will encourage better men and women to be active in government, if only for a short time.

(Edited by Lance Moore on 11/07, 8:41pm)

Post 2

Sunday, November 7, 2004 - 9:58pm

Michael, you wrote: "I find it terrifying that the caprice of this Newspaper could've been of such awful moment."

But it isn't of awful moment. I don't for an instant think that anyone who had intended voting for Kerry changed his mind because of the presumptuous letters from England. And the real Bush-haters probably were delighted with the letters. I'm sure some undecideds were swayed, quite legitimately; despite Tony Blair, America is decidedly unpopular in England, and it is reasonable to conclude that the haters of America also hate Bush for the same reasons they hate his country -- meaning: both must be doing a great deal that is right.

The liberal media here were administered a real slap by the vote. They, who posture as being of great moment, were told that they are not taken seriously by a majority of the American public.

Lance, you said: "Can we please put an ad hoc committee together and create significant term limitations for our public servants?"

But there already is a two-term limit for the presidency. I don't think anything less would be a good idea.

Barbara

Post 3

Sunday, November 7, 2004 - 10:29pm

Foreign influence is truly the Grecian horse to a republic. We cannot be too careful to exclude its influence.

Y'know, it really should be called the 'Grecian horse', shouldn't it? Kind of like the 'French and Indian War', which was a world war started by Prussia and Silesia.

'I fear the Greeks, even bearing gifts'

People forget how utterly amoral most of the 'great civilizations' in history are. I mean this both as a caution to our attributions of greatness and our confidence in morality.

thoughts,

Jeanine Ring ))(*)((

Post 4

Monday, November 8, 2004 - 12:16am

But there already is a two-term limit for the presidency. I don't think anything less would be a good idea.

The term limits on the presidency are pretty reasonable. It's the lifetime politicians that I object to. For example, I was born in Maryland and Paul Sarbanes has been one of Maryland's Senators since 1976. And he began in the House of Representatives in 1970. That's 34 years as a public servant! And he's not done yet.

The Founding Fathers had it right by trying to make political service something you felt obliged to do rather than something you wanted to do. The political environment becomes corrupt when the same people are making the decisions for, say, 34 years.

It fascinates me that others are not clamoring to put the kabash on lifetime politicians. The reason that better people don't enter into politics is because they aren't crazy enough to put in the decade or two necessary to make a go of it. If term limitations were in effect it would discourage the bozos from entering the environment. They wouldn't be so interested because their power would be much less than it is today.

I'm not barking at you Miss Branden. I'm just barking to see if anyone agrees with me.

(Edited by Lance Moore on 11/08, 12:19am)

(Edited by Lance Moore on 11/08, 12:33am)

Post 5

Monday, November 8, 2004 - 1:20am

Barbara, I think you are absolutely right on this. I makes me embarrased to be an Englishman,frankly. Sad to see Richard Dawkins involved, if you read the essays in "A Devil's Chaplain" you would think he was an ally not a foe of objectivism.
The Anti-americanism I am aware of is thoughtless rather than deeply philosophical.
I have friends who read the Guardian and think it is the only paper worth reading. They are almost all in the employ of the state,one way or another!
So, I in a way it is not so suprising,just dumb.

In contrast may I use this space to pay tribute to Sergeant Stuart Gray and Privates Paul Lowe and Scott McArdle of the Black Watch(Highland Regiment)who were killed near Camp Dogwood last week.
                  High in the misty highland
                   Out by the purple island
                   Brave are the hearts that beat
                   Beneath Scottish skies

                   Wild are the winds that meet you
                    Staunch are the friends that greet you
                    Kind is the light that shines
                    From fair maiden's eyes

Post 6

Monday, November 8, 2004 - 4:48am

David, if you are embarrassed to be an Englishman because of the Guardian, then I should be embarrassed to be an American because Kerry was nominated for the presidency. But you didn't suggest that Englishmen write anti-Bush letters to American voters, and I didn't nominate Kerry -- so neither of us has reason to be ashamed of ourselves.

Barbara

Post 7

Monday, November 8, 2004 - 7:09am

Enacting term limits would be the best thing ever for America. Our Founding Fathers were businessmen, farmers, fathers, lawyers, doctors, merchants. They served their political term, and by and large, returned to a normal, productive life. These days, politicians become life-long leeches on the public teet. And those that do not, migrate in and out of public service, serving in cushy private sector political-favor jobs when not in office.

Maybe then we would get some ~real~ people in office.

Great article, Barbara. Non-Americans need to understand that we Americans still have a mean independence streak in us--we dont like other nations telling us whats good for us. We got where we are by deciding that for ourselves.

Post 8

Monday, November 8, 2004 - 9:28am