More On John Edward's 2 Americas by Jongsstraw

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." -- William Casey, Reagan's presidential campaign manager & CIA Director (from first staff meeting in 1981)

Signy, Rue - I hear ya, but there's a politician's way out of such questions. It's called the Non-Answer Answer. It goes something like this:

Reporter: Mr. Kwicko, have you ever had an extramarital affair, or are you currently having such an affair?

Kwicko: Well, thanks for asking that; I know you're only doing your job, and I respect that. I'm proud of our great nation's history of standing up for the freedom of the press, so I get where you're coming from. Let me just say that I'm human, and I've had temptations in my life that are hard to resist, and I've resisted them to the best of my abilities, and that we've all made mistakes in our personal lives, but questions about my marriage and relationship with my wife are really nobody's business but ours, and I respect your right to ask, but you have to respect my right not to talk about private matters, other than to say that I'm not perfect, but my relationship with my wife is strong, and we are completely open and honest with each other, as all married couples should be. I can say that we are strong, and with her continued strength backing me, I am ready to lead this great nation to ever-greater heights and reclaim our moral standing in the eyes of the world.

See? It doesn't really answer the question, it doesn't really NOT answer the question, it sounds like there are things being said or implied, and it flatters the reporters for being so good at their job, AND it flatters the American people for being so trusting and patriotic.

So there's a way to answer that's not the whole truth, and isn't in any way a lie - and politicians are very, very good at finding that answer.

As 6ixStringJack says, the only real crime is stupidity...

Mike

"I supported Bush in 2000 and 2004 and intellegence[sic] had very little to do with that decision." - Hero, Real World Event Discussions

I can't help the sinking feeling that my country is now being run by people who read "1984" not as a cautionary tale, but rather as an instruction manual. - Michael Mock

The Myrmidons were an ancient nation of very brave and skilled warriors as described in Homer's Iliad, and were commanded by Achilles. - Wikipedia

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Saturday, August 9, 2008 8:40 AM

RUE

I have a vote and I'm not afraid to use it!

I think Edwards did that to the best of his ability and tried to refocus the discussion on the issues.

But when the media keeps bringing it up, and keeps bringing it up, and keeps bringing it up every day for weeks on end - sooner or later it's like listening to a guy plead the fifth. Your eyes glaze over, you say he's guilty, you dismiss him from consideration. Just the repeated accusations - no matter what you say - will bring you down like prey.

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And why are we even talking about this anyway ? B/c the repubicans want us to ? Fuck that !

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Saturday, August 9, 2008 8:47 AM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

Okay now what if the question was... "We've heard rumors about messages between you and an underage page." Or "It's been said that you're taking medication ofr a mood disorder. Should we be concerned about your decision-making?" Does the right to privacy stop there? To me it's a REAL question. One the one end of the spectrum ... do we really need to know that Congressperson X masturbates three times a day and twice on Sunday? OTOH if someone in office is having delusions or is a serial pervert....

BTW- You should run for office.

---------------------------------
Any idea, no matter how much you may agree with it, can be radicalized and employed as an excuse for violence. There is no such thing as a righteous or untouchable philosophy, and when you start thinking that there is, you have become an extremist.- Finn Mac Cumhal

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Saturday, August 9, 2008 8:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kwicko:

Kwicko: Well, thanks for asking that; I know you're only doing your job, and I respect that. I'm proud of our great nation's history of standing up for the freedom of the press, so I get where you're coming from. Let me just say that I'm human, and I've had temptations in my life that are hard to resist, and I've resisted them to the best of my abilities, and that we've all made mistakes in our personal lives, but questions about my marriage and relationship with my wife are really nobody's business but ours, and I respect your right to ask, but you have to respect my right not to talk about private matters, other than to say that I'm not perfect, but my relationship with my wife is strong, and we are completely open and honest with each other, as all married couples should be. I can say that we are strong, and with her continued strength backing me, I am ready to lead this great nation to ever-greater heights and reclaim our moral standing in the eyes of the world.

As usually is the case, I'm with ya 101% here- that's the perfect response IMO.

Chrisisall

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Saturday, August 9, 2008 9:03 AM

RUE

I have a vote and I'm not afraid to use it!

"We've heard rumors about messages between you and an underage page."

Anything proven illegal is of course fair game. However, an arrest record is not, absent a conviction. An accusation of illegality needs a real investigation by police, not a witch-hunt by the media. Any candidate should welcome such an investgation. Personal impropriety is not only off limits, but I consider it a politically-motivated blatant attack campaign that should be investigated by the FCC.

"It's been said that you're taking medication for a mood disorder. Should we be concerned about your decision-making?"

If the person is debilitated like Reagan was with Alzheimer's or Bush is with brain damage, then yes. Perhaps we need candidates (and presidents) to undergo annual psychological and neurologiocal evaluations for fitness, which is separate from private medical records. Well, that takes McLame out of the picture.

Serial pervert - well, that gets into illegalities and devolves to question 1.

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And why are we even talking about this anyway ? B/c the repubicans want us to ? Fuck that !

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Saturday, August 9, 2008 9:03 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SignyM:
Okay now what if the question was... "We've heard rumors about messages between you and an underage page." Or "It's been said that you're taking medication for a mood disorder. Should we be concerned about your decision-making?"

I'd say to myself WWSS*?

(* What Would Spock Say)

"Your first quest is irrelevant, it being merely untrue hearsay.
As to your second query, the medication you refer to is to prevent the untimely re-uptake of a neuro-transmitter that enhances smooth brain activity, the presence or lack of which has no effect upon my brain's decision-making properties- however, I do realize that the sensationalistic nature of the question merits the attention of the ratings-driven press."

Logical Chrisisall

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Saturday, August 9, 2008 9:09 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rue:

But when the media is keeps bringing it up, and keeps bringing it up, and keeps bringing it up every day for weeks on end

That's when you bring the patented

into play.

Chrisisall

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Saturday, August 9, 2008 9:28 AM

Quote:
BTW- You should run for office.

Never not ever. :)

Too many skeletons in the closet. And by that, I mean actual SKELETONS.

Just kidding. But that sense of humor and snark doesn't necessarily play in Peoria. :)

Honestly, I don't want to run for public office. I'm happy here in the background, stirring the pot and offering ideas, and lobbing thought-grenades into the crowd. And I've already got a day job.

But thanks for the vote of confidence.

Mike

"I supported Bush in 2000 and 2004 and intellegence[sic] had very little to do with that decision." - Hero, Real World Event Discussions

I can't help the sinking feeling that my country is now being run by people who read "1984" not as a cautionary tale, but rather as an instruction manual. - Michael Mock

The Myrmidons were an ancient nation of very brave and skilled warriors as described in Homer's Iliad, and were commanded by Achilles. - Wikipedia

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Saturday, August 9, 2008 9:39 AM

RUE

I have a vote and I'm not afraid to use it!

And your little dog too !

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Saturday, August 9, 2008 9:43 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rue:
And your little dog too !

A classic moment of Presidential class.

isall

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Saturday, August 9, 2008 9:54 AM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

Quote:
And your little dog too !

I haven't laughed so much and so hard in a long long time! This thread has been a hoot!

Who needs Prozac when I have you guys????

At some point, when I can read this thread w/o giggling, I'll have to get back to the John Edwards Affair.

---------------------------------
Any idea, no matter how much you may agree with it, can be radicalized and employed as an excuse for violence. There is no such thing as a righteous or untouchable philosophy, and when you start thinking that there is, you have become an extremist.- Finn Mac Cumhal

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Saturday, August 9, 2008 10:12 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SignyM:
the John Edwards Affair.

Wasn't that a movie with Pierce Brosnan & Rene Russo?

Confused Chrisisall

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Saturday, August 9, 2008 1:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by SignyM:
the John Edwards Affair.

Wasn't that a movie with Pierce Brosnan & Rene Russo?

Confused Chrisisall

Nope - Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway.

This thread IS a lot of fun. After all, isn't that what RWED is all about - taking the worst news and trying to throw snark at it and maybe get a few laughs out of a bad situation?

Mike

"I supported Bush in 2000 and 2004 and intellegence[sic] had very little to do with that decision." - Hero, Real World Event Discussions

I can't help the sinking feeling that my country is now being run by people who read "1984" not as a cautionary tale, but rather as an instruction manual. - Michael Mock

The Myrmidons were an ancient nation of very brave and skilled warriors as described in Homer's Iliad, and were commanded by Achilles. - Wikipedia

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Sunday, August 10, 2008 5:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kwicko:

Nope - Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway.

There was never any such pairing of those two- where's your proof? Why do you hate AMERICAN movies? This is typical leftist propaganda. Did I touch a nerve there? Fuck You! You do nothing but insult me. The burden of proof is on you, not me. Republicans have never lied about movies. You're brainwashed.

NotChrisisall

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Sunday, August 10, 2008 7:03 AM

Hey, hey, hey... McQueen WAS an American, unlike that pasty Irish rogue Pierce Brosnan.

But Rene Russo is just SOOOOOOOOOOOO much hotter than Faye Dunaway. I'll give you that, you America-hating terrorist-lover.

:)

Mike

"I supported Bush in 2000 and 2004 and intellegence[sic] had very little to do with that decision." - Hero, Real World Event Discussions

I can't help the sinking feeling that my country is now being run by people who read "1984" not as a cautionary tale, but rather as an instruction manual. - Michael Mock

The Myrmidons were an ancient nation of very brave and skilled warriors as described in Homer's Iliad, and were commanded by Achilles. - Wikipedia

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Sunday, August 10, 2008 2:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by SignyM:
BDN- You're an extraordinary hypocrite, calling Edwards a hypocrite. Boggles the mind....

But yanno? It's actually kinda gigglesome, now that I think about it.

Do expound Signy. Do you have evidence that I cheated on my wife and lied about it? Please explain just how I am an extraordinary hypocrite.

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Sunday, August 10, 2008 2:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rue:
And why are we even talking about this anyway ? B/c the repubicans want us to ? Fuck that !

Number of posts from Rue in this thread, 20.

Justsayinisall.

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Monday, August 11, 2008 3:49 AM

FREMDFIRMA

Two things.

A - I could give a shit who someone ELSE is screwing long as it's not me.

B - Politicians as a general rule will hump anything that moves, let's not delude ourselves about this.

That's one of things I actually like about Hugo Chavez, that he is honest to the point of shameless about his babe-ogling.

I'll take a Magnificent Bastard over a Closet Cretin any day of the week.

-Frem

It cannot be said enough, those who do not learn from history, are doomed to endlessly repeat it

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Monday, August 11, 2008 6:20 AM

Bump for Signy to explain my hypocrisy. Do come up with something please. I would hate to think the only reason you posted that was because you thought I was picking on your buddy Rue.

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Monday, August 11, 2008 6:26 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BigDamnNobody:
Bump for Signy to explain my hypocrisy.

I'll take a shot here- you SAY you ain't stupid, yet you voted for Bush.
*hopes BDN voted for Bush or CIA will look dumb here*

Chrisisall

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Monday, August 11, 2008 6:49 AM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

Okay, as far as I'm concerned this is the bottom line: Most of the outrage about his affair has to do with his politics, not his sex life. SOMEBODY (most likely Rove) had an ongoing affair with Jeff Gannon. Where's the right-wing outrage over that? For everything lie that Edwards told and every betrayal on his ledger I can point to Republican who has done far worse, w/ nary a peep from the right wing. Nobody REALLY cares about Larry Craig's sexual orientation. Nobody REALLY cared about Zoe Baird's illegal nanny. (I bet if you look at Congressmens' gardeners, you'll find plenty of illegals!)

It's "gotcha politics" but it'spolitics, not morality. Instead of having the balls and the honesty to argue what's REALLY bothering folks, they hide behind rationalizations and hypocrisy.

---------------------------------
Any idea, no matter how much you may agree with it, can be radicalized and employed as an excuse for violence. There is no such thing as a righteous or untouchable philosophy, and when you start thinking that there is, you have become an extremist.- Finn Mac Cumhal

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Monday, August 11, 2008 6:58 AM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

BDN, your particular hypocrisy in this thread (not counting the hypocrisy in other threads) is the characterization of Kwicko's response as "But Republicans"

What, you don't like even-handed expectations? You have an issue with fairness? You don't think people should apply the same standards to everyone?

That is the essence of hypocrisy. To have you (of all people) call someone else a hypocrite is not only hypocritical, it's... well... FUNNY!

---------------------------------
Any idea, no matter how much you may agree with it, can be radicalized and employed as an excuse for violence. There is no such thing as a righteous or untouchable philosophy, and when you start thinking that there is, you have become an extremist.- Finn Mac Cumhal

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Monday, August 11, 2008 7:11 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by BigDamnNobody:
Bump for Signy to explain my hypocrisy.

I'll take a shot here- you SAY you ain't stupid,

Show me where I said I wasn't stupid.

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
yet you voted for Bush.
*hopes BDN voted for Bush or CIA will look dumb here*

I have mentioned on more than one occasion that I am not an American citizen. You can draw your own conclusions from that.

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Monday, August 11, 2008 7:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SignyM:
BDN, your particular hypocrisy in this thread (not counting the hypocrisy in other threads) is the characterization of Kwicko's response as "But Republicans"

What, you don't like even-handed expectations? You have an issue with fairness? You don't think people should apply the same standards to everyone?

That is the essence of hypocrisy. To have you (of all people) call someone else a hypocrite is not only hypocritical, it's... well... FUNNY!

I mentioned Kwicko's usual response because I find it tiresome. Just because Republicans do it as well does not take away from Edwards' hypocrisy. I have never once come to the defense of any Republican caught in a scandal. I have never joined in on Republican bashing either because there is already an overabundance of Posters who do quite nicely in that regard. I find it funny and hypocritical that the same Posters who flame Auraptor and Hero for being Republican apologists do not mind doing the same for "their guys".
Would you be more comfortable if I was to tell other Posters to shut-up or call them childish names? What if I was to stoop really low and start calling other Posters out on their grammer? Would you find that as humorous Signy?

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Monday, August 11, 2008 8:00 AM

Yes, "But, Republicans" came up, but only in response to a post that took Edwards's sin and painted THE ENTIRE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WITH IT. I say, if you want to play that game, then I get to play by the same rules.

Have I held back from blasting Edwards since the story was confirmed? Have I defended his actions in lying about his affairs? No. Instead, I get, from Republicans on this board, stuff along the lines of "Of course he's a cheat; he's a Democrat." And I'm asked not to retort? Fuck that logic.

Let's see... By his own words, AuRaptor is a pedophile (he likes 14-to-17 year-old cheerleaders). So it would not be out of line of me to say, "Of course he's a pedophile - he's a Republican!"

So, yeah, you want to call out all of ANY group based on the actions of one of that group, I'm going to have a problem with it. And I'll fee free to respond in kind.

So show me where you were so quick to make the same judgments about Newt Gingrich, when he was in THE EXACT SAME POSITION. All I've heard anyone say so far is, "Newt didn't lie under oath." Funny - I didn't realize Edwards was under oath!

Edwards is a scumbag. Last I checked, though, he didn't speak for or represent everybody on the Left.

Mike

"I supported Bush in 2000 and 2004 and intellegence[sic] had very little to do with that decision." - Hero, Real World Event Discussions

I can't help the sinking feeling that my country is now being run by people who read "1984" not as a cautionary tale, but rather as an instruction manual. - Michael Mock

The Myrmidons were an ancient nation of very brave and skilled warriors as described in Homer's Iliad, and were commanded by Achilles. - Wikipedia

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Monday, August 11, 2008 8:01 AM

And by the way, it's "grammar". But nice try.

Mike

"I supported Bush in 2000 and 2004 and intellegence[sic] had very little to do with that decision." - Hero, Real World Event Discussions

I can't help the sinking feeling that my country is now being run by people who read "1984" not as a cautionary tale, but rather as an instruction manual. - Michael Mock

The Myrmidons were an ancient nation of very brave and skilled warriors as described in Homer's Iliad, and were commanded by Achilles. - Wikipedia

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Monday, August 11, 2008 8:11 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BigDamnNobody:
I find it funny and hypocritical that the same Posters who flame Auraptor and Hero for being Republican apologists do not mind doing the same for "their guys".

Better not be talkin' about ME BDN, "my guys" are whoever's on the correct side of an issue, not Repo's or Dim's...and YES, there are CORRECT sides to issues, it's just that fear-based reactions and/or wishful ignorance of facts can cloud it up for some, left or right.
Edwards behaved badly. So did McCain. Wanna say otherwise of either? Then you'd be an idiot IMO.

Quote:

Would you be more comfortable if I was to tell other Posters to shut-up or call them childish names? What if I was to stoop really low and start calling other Posters out on their grammer? Would you find that as humorous Signy?

Shut up, BDN.

the laughing Chrisisall

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Monday, August 11, 2008 8:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kwicko:
And by the way, it's "grammar".

*shakes head & smiles*

isall

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Monday, August 11, 2008 8:28 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kwicko:
And by the way, it's "grammar". But nice try.
Mike

I bet you wish you could find a way to get at the cheese without losing some fingers in the process as well.

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Monday, August 11, 2008 8:43 AM

KHYRON

Quote:
Originally posted by BigDamnNobody:
I bet you wish you could find a way to get at the cheese without losing some fingers in the process as well.

That one's easy! What I usually do is get a mouse and let it try first. After that, the cheese is aaaaall mine, baby!

Of course, I still need to figure out a way to neutralize the rat poison.

*gack*

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This isn't my signature. I have to type this every time I make a post.

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Monday, August 11, 2008 11:04 AM