Disqus - Latest Comments for Anna

Re: The GDP Number Is A Good Start, But…

Anna — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:58:55 -0000

That's quite a stretch for you to surmise that just because I only focused on your "damned if they do, damned if they don't" attitude towards the administration as my defense of mismanagement by the states...in fact, it's a logical fallacy.

I do think the stimulus was necessary to keep us from going over the cliff but maybe next time the states should check with you first to make sure they're spending their stimulus money in the way that you approve of. /snark

Re: The GDP Number Is A Good Start, But…

Anna — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:29:53 -0000

Yet, you would've also complained had the Federal government dictated to the states how to spend that money...yelling "State's Rights!" at the top of your voice along the way. I guess there's just no pleasing some people...

Re: Hundreds Mourn Fallen Georgia Soldier

Anna — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:57:35 -0000

Are you actually suggesting that had more troops been thrown in willy-nilly that SSgt. French would've been saved?! Give me deliberation and getting things right over "gut" leadership and possibly putting more of our troops in possibly unnecessary danger any day!

Re: President Bush: Graceful Invitation to President Obama

Anna — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:03:42 -0000

Not sure if you noticed, but the Bush that authored the letter was Bush the Elder (#41) and not the more recent former President Bush.

Re: Chicago Eliminated From 2016 Olympics

Anna — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:02:13 -0000

Obviously you've never been to Chicago, it's impolite to knock someone's hometown when you've never even visited it (and no, being in Detroit or St. Louis, while in somewhat close proximity doesn't count).

We even accept Republican passports to our "old Blue Nation". /snark

Re: Chicago Eliminated From 2016 Olympics

Anna — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:49:19 -0000

As a Chicagoan, I'm disappointed that the Olympics aren't coming here.

I'm wondering how long it will take Obama's critics to start gloating that even his personally making a pitch didn't help?

Re: Applebaum: I am not my husband’s keeper

Anna — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:07:16 -0000

JD: "If I were personally in front of a gentleman that had information that could save the lives of my wife and children, I don't think I would have the self-control to NOT beat him into submission."

As an individual, that is a perfectly understandable feeling. Torture is abhorrent and I agree that there is never a valid reason to torture. The main crux of the torture issue that did occur on Bush's watch was that it was institutionalized, for probably the first time in American history. Say you, as an individual, are in the situation you describe above and do get the information (if it's even valid, but that's another point) from the torture and even if you save not only your wife & children's lives, but thousands of others, while being a hero you would've also committed a crime that you'd have to answer for. For someone to commit the crime for the greater good, that's a choice they'd have to realize would also carry consequences to their actions (at least, their day in court). Institutionalized torture flaunts the rule of law because it carries no consequences and makes the abhorrent acceptable.

Re: Ahmadinejad on Holocaust

Anna — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:56:07 -0000

shannonlee:

Perhaps I interpreted it differently than you. I didn't see it as apologizing for Ahmadinejad (who I think is despicable) but as offering some of the reasons why Ahmadinejad plays the game that he plays. Would he like to see the Jews wiped out? It sure seems that way although then a convenient scapegoat (for the Arab world) would be lost. It seems to me that Ahmadinejad's Holocaust denial is more for manipulation of the masses and annoying Israel & the West all in one fell swoop. It doesn't make it less disgusting though.

Actually, Reza Aslan is the only author I read on the Daily Beast ever since Jon Stewart had him on the Daily Show during the height of the Iranian election protests. He has no love for Ahmadinejad (another reason I didn't interpret this as a defense of him) and he's often had some fascinating perspectives on Iran.

Re: Ahmadinejad on Holocaust

Anna — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:33:08 -0000

Actually, Reza Aslan has an interesting take on this here: http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/... and he's very knowledgeable about Iran.

Re: They’re all a bunch of hypocrites!

Anna — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:03:20 -0000

...Sincerly yours...The Breakfast Club :)

Re: Enough’s Enough America

Anna — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:05:28 -0000

"The rebuke was demanded by the Democratic black caucus because Wilson refused to apologize on the House floor although he did, upon instructions from Republican house leaders, relay his forgiveness to the White House which Obama accepted."

Jerry, just an FYI...in this paragraph it doesn't seem like "forgiveness" was the correct word to word since it's Obama doing the forgiving. :)

Re: Quote of the Day: The Republican Civility Meltdown

Anna — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:34:53 -0000

Thanks, on that we both agree. If I may nitpick for a moment, though. I went to the link you supplied on the "un-American" thing and have a small quibble. I'm no great fan of Pelosi but a direct quote from the article is "Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American." and, to me, it's a bit of a stretch to go from the quote to the conclusion that it means that protesting is un-American. I do, however, think that having un-American in the title, even in quotes, is stupid. I do think that drowning out opposing views is just another example of the deterioration of civility.

Re: Quote of the Day: The Republican Civility Meltdown

Anna — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:58:47 -0000

I completely agree that your quote from the article is over the top as far as the "un-American" bit is concerned (I think we can agree that it was undignified). Be that as it may, I don't recall anyone of consequence on the Democratic side claiming that protesting is "un-American" although I seem to recall references to people against the Iraq war as unpatriotic and un-American. Heck, America was founded on protesting!

As to the polarization, it's not so much that it's worse as it appears more visceral (seriously, how many people who despised George W Bush on the left showed up outside his speaking events carrying guns?! I'd bet dollars to donuts none.). What does it say about America when people who disagree can't at least be civil and respectful of each other? Aren't we ultimately all supposed to be in this together; united we stand, divided we fall and all that? Yes, there are those on both sides that are to blame for this so those that insist on acting like children should step out of the way to let those willing to act like adults work to get things done.

Re: Is There a Politician Lower Than Joe Wilson?

Anna — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:20:30 -0000

Funny how there is a similarity on 1 specific level between Congress and street gangs...factions in both tend to "protect their own".

Convicted crooks regardless of party should be subject to the law, kicked out of Congress and thrown in jail by a jury. One thing to recall though is that during an investigation, we do have such a thing as "innocent until proven guilty" in a court of law. The court of public opinion is a whole different enchilada, however.

Re: Obama’s Health Care Reset (Guest Voice)

Anna — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:55:07 -0000

It's my opinion. I just find it a tad rich when multiple Republicans, with Joe Wilson being the most egregious, show textbook examples of (unprecedented) disrespect to the President and then turn around and lecture on mutual respect (I do tire of using the "H" word).

As to Obama doing just that, no he isn't simply because he was also admonishing his own progressive supporters to also quit the nonsense. When both kids are misbehaving and you take them both to task for it, that's parenting...however, different degrees of misbehavior call for different levels of reprimand. Sad though that it comes to this when Congress is supposed to be composed of rational adults.

Re: Obama’s Health Care Reset (Guest Voice)

Anna — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:09:17 -0000

When Obama has to play the role of the adult that has to get into the middle of the kids fighting (i.e. "He touched me!", "Well, he touched me first!") and tell them to quit fighting, get back to work & do their jobs...as a parent I'm willing to cut him some slack for sounding a bit exasperated. It's also funny how it seems some Republicans are only interested in calling for mutual respect after they've slinged all sorts of ... stuff...and are called to the carpet for it. Color me skeptical when they start lecturing on "mutual respect".

Re: Obama’s Health Care Reform Will Decimate Our Population

Anna — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:42:09 -0000

Do you honestly think that talking about how the status quo will bankrupt us in the not-too-distant future is "fear-mongering" on par with "death panels" and "pull the plug on Grandma"? At least talking about the status quo bankrupting us is based on truth and the others are complete fabrications so there is a false equivalence there. Considering there really is no single "plan" yet (I assume you are referring to the House bill since there isn't really one out of the Senate yet), we can't know about what flaws might make it to the final bill until it exists.

I also think you have a false assumption about what happens if healthcare reform in general is stopped. You say that it "would give us a chance to possibly start over and get it right". Considering the loudest voices on the right (see Dorian's post) seem to have no interest in reform, do not want Obama to accomplish anything of note and have not (all) been honest brokers so far, I think the possibility of starting over is slim to when does hell freeze over?

I will add, however, that I think the current Congressional leadership of Reid & Pelosi has got to go. They are a a big part of the problem.

Re: Rhetoric Is Now Dangerously Beneath Contempt

Anna — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:31:28 -0000

Lit3Bolt said "Hate sells. That's about all there is to it."

Sad but very, very true. A combination of hate, constant one-upsmanship and a constant race for more shrill hyperbole & rhetoric.

Re: Watching the Democratic Implosion

Anna — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:32:58 -0000

A handful of more-liberal politicians making unfortunate remarks about Blue Dogs and the Democrats are "imploding"? The Democratic party has (in my recollection) never been a party of lockstep agreement/support of anything so by your logic, the Democrats are in a perpetual state of "implosion". Sometimes, it's very irritating but for the most part, it's a good thing that actually gives some semblance of "loyal opposition" which is a role that the Republicans (in general) should be playing and have failed miserably. If more liberal politicians want to try a primary run against Blue Dogs in more conservative districts...guess what...they probably won't win if they're too liberal, not much purge there.

Re: 5 Myths About Health Care Around the World

Anna — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:27:56 -0000

I'm probably going to regret replying to you but here goes...

You used to be a commenter that I would always read, whether I agreed with you or not (more often not) because you were more reasoned & thoughtful and I'd sometimes even learn something new. Now you're insulting and condescending to those who don't agree with you and often long-winded and incoherent in your postings. I used to respect that your aim seemed to be to help illuminate & change minds but now your goal seems to be to endlessly rant at anyone even slightly left of yourself (and you definitely do not strike me as center-right by any stretch) that they're stupid and to get off your damn lawn. If you were to tone down the insults and condescension, that would be a significant step in the correct direction. This is in a spirit of constructive criticism so I would hope that you'd take it as such. If not...then we're all a bit worse off for it.

Re: The long arm of the law reaches for Jack Murtha

Anna — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:30:45 -0000

I agree that if Murtha is convicted of being a crook (and he sure seems like a crook to me), he should be tossed out of the Senate and go to jail. Criminal activity shouldn't be determined to be criminal by party designation. That being said, your comparison of Murtha speaking out on the sacrifice of the soldiers in Iraq and his alleged criminal activity are apples and oranges, unless of course you have actual evidence that what Murtha allegedly did caused soldiers in Iraq to lose their lives. I won't hold my breath that you do.

Re: Neocons and Ahmadinejad: Perfect Together

Anna — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:13:33 -0000

I interpreted it as Majd saying that all the bombastic rhetoric (and past actions vis-a-vis Iraq) that comes from the neocons plays directly into the hands of Khamenei and Ahmadinejad. The neocons seem not to realize (or care) that Iranians are a very nationalistic people and their rhetoric is the perfect distraction for the leadership to toss out to the people. I have a hunch that had it been a President McCain making the the less-than-measured remarks (compared to Obama's) that's he's been making as Senator McCain, there's a decent chance that the protests and any divisions in Iranian leadership could've been papered over by uniting everyone against the "interlopers" of the West (interlopers in quotes since we obviously wouldn't have had any direct involvement in Iran's elections under McCain or Obama). McCain's rhetoric could quite possibly have made it easier for Iranians to buy the (IMO desperate) attempt of the Iranian leadership to paint the US as meddling whereas Obama's rhetoric makes it harder for them to buy into.

Re: Racism First: Pat Buchanan, the Republican Party, and the New (White Nationalist) Majority

Anna — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:44:22 -0000

jwest:

Now this I found truly stunning...on the one hand you say that people of differing viewpoints aren't "evil" or "fantasy villains" (which I would agree with) and then in almost the same breath claim that Michael (who is someone of a differing viewpoint than yourself) is "warped", lives a "demented life" who has to "validate your insanity". You are also the same person who has referred to liberalism as an "infection" in other comments. I guess if you're recommending that others "get help" and "find the right medications", then I can only assume that you will do the same since you are spewing exactly (albeit the opposite side of the same coin) what you are accusing them of doing. Truly unbelievable.

Re: Obama vs. McCain Redux: Vote Vindicated

Anna — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:10:55 -0000

Pete, I agree with you 100%. A cool, level-headed leader is exactly what the Iran situation needs instead of "Bomb Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran". The U.S. can't be seen as meddling and I guess that intervening to Twitter to have their system maintenance not impact communications during Tehran's day so that the protesters can continue to communicate for some folks just isn't as good as playing right into the mullahs' hands.

Re: Obama the Fiscal Conservative

Anna — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:57:24 -0000

Funny how so many so-called "fiscal conservatives" weren't as concerned about deficits when their boy was running them up during a supposedly good economy...I guess they were enjoying their tax cuts geared to the wealthy too much. Unfortunately when you have to pursue stimulus spending when you've already inherited a trillion dollar deficit from the previous administration, deficits will need to be a bit worse before they can get better.