Obama probably knows little more than what he's been told and it wouldn't be proper for him to question the veracity of the administration's intelligence without some evidence to the contrary. While, we on the other hand can theorize to our heart's content.

Posted at May 17, 2008 1:32 AM in response to Bin Laden, murdered in 2002, releases new audio tape

With the idea if bin Laden being alive, the administration can better capitalize on the " politics of fear" and they can trot him out at suspiciously convenient times, as they've done for the past few years.

Posted at May 17, 2008 1:23 AM in response to Bin Laden, murdered in 2002, releases new audio tape

There's been plenty of books written about what happened and perhaps someone could do something before the UN, but I really don't see the value, nor do I think anyone would set the precedent of a Presidential explanation on foreign soil to a foreigh populace, where they say X and y happened. Plus, as I noted above, all we really have now are the assertions made in the various books and the "truths" that some have acknowledged, but we really don't have an unquestioned timeline.

There's another point that I'd like to make in the form of a question, but I've decided that it'd be better as a separate post, which I'll throw up later and in the process, I intend to reference back to this post.

Posted at May 16, 2008 5:26 PM in response to Bush vs Obama: The Realist vs. the Realistic Empathy Schools of International Relations

I agree. Though I'd say that one of the big differences is that the Clinton cultists forgive them of their trespasses, while those who worship Obama believe he can do no wrong.

(Plus, I was really bothered by that "we're the ones we've been waiting for". I now understand that it may have had something to do with an obscure poem, but it sounded like prophesy to me)

Posted at May 16, 2008 5:01 PM in response to Hillary should have won!

I used to blame Close Encounters for a lot of our societal problems, but after Bush/Cheney, I no longer think Spielberg was just being paranoid.

Posted at May 16, 2008 2:37 PM in response to Bin Laden, murdered in 2002, releases new audio tape

Speaking for only my opinion, I'd have to say that the majority of Obama voters are reasonable, well-adjusted people, but there do seem to be some elements similar to a cult among certain segments.

I guess that I should be glad that he drives such passion and I really hope they vote in November. Some time ago, I read something which quoted from a psychologist or a sociologist who theorized that boomers are all about the individual and themselves, while the younger generations more often seek validation from groups.

Posted at May 16, 2008 2:33 PM in response to Hillary should have won!

I'm really not sure why you drug Hillary into it, except maybe to say that she's old school, but perhaps so am I. Personally, I'd have no problem with the next President visiting Iraq and I fully expect them to make the trip. I'd also have no issue with them expressing empathy, but as far as I'm concerned, they wouldn't need to explain Bush's actions because that's why we have historians and memoirs.

Also, there's the whole issue of rebuking Americans or criticizing the President, while on foreign soil; Naturally the next President could say something in private, but they really don't need to be airing our linens in public because if for no other reason, unless there's going to be an extensive investigation and nothing "foreign" happens in the meantime, the next President will have only one version of the truth.

Posted at May 16, 2008 2:00 PM in response to Bush vs Obama: The Realist vs. the Realistic Empathy Schools of International Relations

Not to seem contrarian and lately we've all shorthanded an unfair, misleading or nasty campaign as Rovian, but I'd actually put the blame more on Lee Atwater.

Though, what prompted me to comment is that for another reason, I just happened to be looking through several local media reports about Rove's pre-retirement tour, when I decided take a break and read some of this forum while I think.

And, that's where the irony steps-in...

Your conclusion is that we should concentrate on swaying our neighbors and there's certainly no better way to win an election. In fact, back in April of last year, Karl Rove told a gathering of Republicans in North Carolina's 11th District;

"Make a perfect list of voters, ascertain their vote, talk to the undecideds and make sure you get them to the polls. It boils down to a grassroots effort that "takes volunteers with a passion to talk to friends and neighbors about why they need to get out and vote".

Posted at May 16, 2008 1:22 PM in response to McCain's Rove Campaign - Focus on Your Neighbors

Theoretically or in general, I don't think a lot of campaign staff would make the transition and if she were to become VP, I'd hope that the Clinton name would get her better staffers.

Rabbit didn't clip the bit about proportional allocation, but if you use some of Karen Tumulty's thing from last week to expand upon TNR's longer list, she did seem to have at least one Kevin James-like idiot.

Posted at May 16, 2008 1:05 PM in response to Hillary should have won!

Bhutto says that he was "murdered" in '02; The French say that the Saudis think he died of typhoid in '06 and I've long held that based on an old news report (which I can't quickly find) that because Special Forces suddenly quit searching Tora Bora caves when they were about a quarter of the way through, to the surprise of their Afghan guides because they had been recovering weapons and intelligence, he was most likely killed in the bombing.

You'd think though, by this point they'd at least be doctoring the tapes or something because if the convenient timings weren't enough, the fact that they really don't have any contemporary references are a dead giveaway.

Posted at May 16, 2008 12:49 PM in response to Bin Laden, murdered in 2002, releases new audio tape