LDD
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Joined: 5/20/2004
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Bughawk
What Bass mentioned is true and perhaps I jumped the gun a bit by hitting on some of the hot button words used to describe Palin, but that is exactly my point. She was brought out with just enough info and with the right adjectives associated with her like Evangelical, Pro-life, NRA member, conservative that would define her. It seemed to work. From the commentaries that I have heard in the press such as "the green light is on for the ultra conservatives", "they finally have someone they can vote for", "a candidate they we can get behind", say to me the tactic worked. It also worked on me as well.
For some those handful of adjectives spoke volumes as to her qualifications, they said just the opposite to me. I have had experience with people before, not all but quite a few that have used those same words to describe their political views and I had major disagreements with them and when I explained my positions, more often than not got the attitude that if I was not with them, I was against them because anything other than what they believed was wrong. The intolerance of my views and the lack of acceptance of a different opinion is what I find offensive. I really don't mind living with people who do not agree with me, but I don't appreciate being told I am the enemy and people like me should have no say in the governance of the country. I will work with anyone to come up with a compromise where we all have a say and all can find something we can live with, but my experience is that is not acceptable to some people.
In all fairness I have the same problems listed above with people who are ultra-liberal, animal rights proponents, vegetarian tofu eating, abortion promoting, new age nut jobs. The intolerance on their part is equally offensive and equally distasteful to me.
What I am saying here is I jumped at the adjectives used to describe Palin just as did most people. My reaction was negative because of my experiences and for others it was positive. What kind of VP she will make, no one knows until if and when she takes that office. But the reality is the spin doctors got exactly what they wanted and we all, myself included, took the bait. In modern politics a few words that get associated with a person define them for good or for ill and judgments are made. Perhaps I was to quick to judge. Time will tell.
For the record I want to say the following:
1) I am a Christian, an Anglican and believe Christianity is a far more diverse religion than the narrow interpretations of any one denomination or group of individuals. I support and respect all Christians and people of faith who are not Christian. All I ask is the same of others and not to be told I am wrong because I don't hold all their beliefs.
2) I am pro-life. If you are a Christian there is no other option in my opinion, but I also believe that we do not honestly know exactly when human life begins and I do not believe I have the right to tell another person they cannot have an abortion. To be absolutely clear about this I do not believe abortions are an option for birth control and should be an extremely rare thing and only happen in circumstances where the life of the mother is at risk. As far as pro-life goes, I do not believe in the death penalty for any reason. I am against war for any reason except as the absolute last ditch effort to defend the country and then should be limited to doing that which is necessary for defense.
3) I am not, nor have I ever been a member of the NRA nor will I be. I support the right to own arms and I have no problems with reasonable gun control laws. My position on guns is that they are for recreational use only, ie. hunting and shooting sports. I am not opposed to people carrying guns for self defense, but I would not do so. See above concerning pro-life. There are other methods of personal defense besides guns.
4) I hunt, fish and generally enjoy being in the outdoors. I have never been to Alaska, but hope to go some day. I think there is nothing better than connecting with nature and being immersed in it.
I realize my views and opinions are not the same as many of those on this board. I can live with that and I hope you can too. As an American it is not only my right to have my opinion, but also to express them as it is yours. All I ask is that when we do so, we try and show respect for each other. We may not agree, but we all are still members of this country and that bond should be what holds us together. If my opinions have offended anyone, I apologize for that.
Excellent points Bug. The conservatives want to think about Palin right now because she aligns herself with their beliefs. That's fine. What they don't want to think about is McCain if he wins returning to the same old maverick ways and following his true beliefs and THE WILL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. Palin will essentially be what a VP is...not much. She's no Cheney and I doubt she will heavily influence any policy or serious decision making. Conservatives don't want to think about that. They want to think about a Moose Huntin chick...awww yeah. 
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Printable Version
RE: Here's Palin.... - 
This, of course, is my opinion of what will happen knowing McCain's political history and the fact that he doesn't really have much in common with her.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (CNN) -- While Democrats have questioned her budget priorities, some Alaskans see Gov. Sarah Palin as a modern-day Robin Hood who has slashed government spending and given money to the people. 
"She has helped to balance our budget. She has done a very good job," Alaskan Kim Brink said of the GOP vice presidential nominee. "She gave, she fought to get us a little bit of extra money in these hard economic times." 
