Reader Posts
« previous | TPM CAFÉ READER POSTS HOME | next »
The Lieberman Maneuver
In the future, after the Eugenics wars of the mid-1990s, humanity will become embroiled in the vast nuclear conflict of World War III. Out of the ashes of this war, during a time of great discontent, a man named Zephram Cochrane will perfect the warp drive and become the first human being to travel faster than the speed of light. The Vulcans, upon detecting the warp signature of Cochrane's ship, will initiate First Contact with the human race. This will usher in a new era of peace and prosperity due to the great awakening that will occur among humankind upon the realization that we are not alone in the universe. Out of this new alliance with the Vulcans will be born the United Federation of Planets and the Federation Starfleet.
In the 24th century, a brash young Starfleet Captain named Jean-Luc Picard will engage an unknown vessel, which will later to be determined to have been of Ferengi origin, at the Battle of Maxia. During this encounter, Picard will use an unprecedented tactic to best his enemy. Unexpectedly, the Captain will accelerate his ship to warp 9 and stop directly off of the bow of the enemy vessel, thus creating the illusion that the ship is in two places at once. Catching the enemy vessel completely off guard, Picard will fire upon the enemy with phasers and photon torpedos and destroy it. This tactic will come to be known as the Picard Maneuver.
In the early 21st century, Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman lost the Democratic primary for his Senate seat to Ned Lamont. Not one to give up easily, Joseph Lieberman vowed to continue on in the general election as an "Independent Democrat" flanked by the likes of Rudolph Giuliani, Jack Kemp and Newt Gingrich and, appearing to be in two parties at the same time, blasted Ned Lamont with Bush Co. rhetoric. Ned Lamont was defeated and Joseph Lieberman retained his seat in the United States Senate. This tactic has come to be known as the Lieberman Maneuver.
The question that I will pose to you now is this: Assuming that Hillary Clinton does not go on to earn the nomination of her party in this year's Democratic primary election, what is the likelihood that she will employ the use of the Lieberman Maneuver? Also, who is the greatest Starfleet Captain of All Time: Captain James Tiberius Kirk or Captain Jean-Luc Picard.
Write-in votes on the second question will be accepted, but met with the fierce, anal-retentive scrutiny that Star Trek nerds are renowned for the world over.
Comments (101)
Impressive. I could practically see the words rolling over that whole star galaxy screen thing they do with a Sam Elliot type voice reading them. Or maybe James Earl Jones. Tough call on that one.
And Lord help us all if that happens. I can't imagine she'd think that would be the politically astute thing to do.
Picard v. Kirk? Hm. Allow me to ponder that for a moment.
By the way, I really love the log-in, log-out, wrong-password, log-in, refresh screen, and finally post a comment dance. I will really miss it when it's gone. If it ever goes.
March 30, 2008 12:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Someone suggested erasing and then retyping the last word of your screen name when you're told your password is wrong. This works for me every time, tho I can't fathom why.
March 30, 2008 1:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
In my experience, you can just hit the send button again as long as you have cookies enabled. I don't think you have to actually retype anything as long as the fields are auto-filled.
March 30, 2008 1:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Many thanks! yes, just resending works.
March 30, 2008 9:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's still annoying, but much less so than re-typing every time.
March 30, 2008 10:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Everyone knows that Jim Kirk was born in the High Stakes Poker Room at the Riverside Casino and Resort in Riverside Iowa, and from there immediately proceeded to put twenty on double zero, let it ride, cash in his stacks, and spend the next seventeen days moving between the buffet and slots, blowing his fortune by the time he hit three weeks of age. This is how he developed the startegy that famously bested the Kobayashi Maru test.
March 31, 2008 12:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
I mean, who can really argue against Shatner? But it was pretty cool when Picard became a borg. Although, I suppose that may reflect poorly on his capability as captain...and I think my views of Shatner have been colored by his awesomeness as Denny Crane...
Working through this one...
March 30, 2008 12:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think he pretty well proved that he was able to make a full recovery from assimilation.
March 30, 2008 1:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'd say no, she won't as she was against Lieberman doing it from the beginning.
I could be wrong.
Kirk.
Piccard is way too fond of the simulator.
March 30, 2008 1:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Simulator? Do you mean the holodeck?
March 30, 2008 1:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, the holodeck.
:)
March 30, 2008 10:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
After all the darn trouble that thing caused I've often wondered why they didn't shut it down.
March 30, 2008 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rules change for Hillary with dizzying speed.
March 30, 2008 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Warp 12?
Or as fast as it took to sour a fun conversation?
Maybe?
March 30, 2008 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
While she is certainly tacking right against Obama, even calling him too liberal (Http://matthewyglesias.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/01/clinton_obamas_too_liberal.php and also http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/12/12/5776/) (but also too conservative as when she attacked him for his discussion of Reagan), doesn't she also claim to be the true Democrat, the standard bearer. I am thinking here of her claims that his health care plan gives up core Democratic party principles.
It seems extremely unlikely to me.
March 30, 2008 1:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Also, Picard. His nerdiness is unparalleled.
March 30, 2008 1:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks ergoquid, I'll try that.
I'm not sure I can really make an educated choice on this. I am by no means a trekkie and I'm just not sure I can back up my decision with evidence. At first glance, I think I'd have to go with Picard. But I watched a lot more Next Generation than the originals. Can we consider their crews in this decision, or are we talking full stand-alone merits of each?
I think I'm going to sleep on this one.
I read the other day that they are considering adding internet addiction to the manual of psychological disorders. One of the symptoms is a seeming loss of time while online. And I just looked at the clock and realized it's 1:30. I have to get up in about 5 hours so much as I love a good character v. character debate, I'm gonna have to get back to you in the morn. Possibly after I consider checking myself into Betty Ford.
Night all.
March 30, 2008 1:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Anyone with half a brain knows it is Picard all the way. He is diplomatic. Cool in stressfull situations. He is an all around admired great leader.
Now look a Kirk. He's a hothead and over dramatic. He's tough and a fighter - though I really think all the fighting was just a clever way to have his shirt ripped and chest exposed entice fans that were his already.
Now you tell me. Who is drinking the James T. Kirk Kool-Aid?
March 30, 2008 2:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not me. I'm in the tank for Picard. Maybe it'll be an interesting experiment to see if there's a correlation between favorite Captain and favorite candidate.
To further expand into nerdiness, here's a sub-question: If Picard were running for President, who should he pick as his VP?
March 30, 2008 3:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think Spock. He has the gravitas to help Picard avoid the "Next" Generation stigma, while also bringing much needed foreign policy experience. I think Riker, while a seemingly obvious choice, might be a little too "Dan Quayle" by half, if you know what I mean. He needs a veep who enhances his stature, not diminishes it. If Spock is unavailable, on his short list should be: the Beastmaster, Boba Fett, Lance Armstrong, and possibly Nathan Lane.
March 30, 2008 4:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes. Yes, I'm sure that I do.
March 30, 2008 4:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nah..Deanna Troi all the way. Not only will she bring in the feminist vote..she can freaking read minds! How cool is that.
March 30, 2008 7:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
A feminist empath? It really could only spell disaster. Best we not understand each other in the future I think.
March 30, 2008 8:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think that she would be a good cabinet member, but I'm not so sure about the VP. I think Picard showed excellent judgment as an executive in the way that he established her role.
March 30, 2008 10:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
True. Hey she'd make a great Sec of State! No one could pull any kind of bullsh*t. Think about it. "No President Picard, the Klingons are not being deceptive when they say they do not have any weapons of mass destrution."
Think about how many lives that would save.
Yes..I think you are right. The VP slot is not aligned with her talents. Sec of State is her perfect position.
March 31, 2008 12:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Since I'm not supporting Picard, I think he should choose Wesley Crusher as his VP. When Wesley has to save the ship on a weekly basis, it will become clear that Picard is less qualified than his 16-year old VP.
As a Kirk supporter, I'd like to see him paired with Worf, to attract the Klingon vote. Spock can still be part of the team, probably as First Spouse.
March 30, 2008 4:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Remember, it was Kirk who, when asked (in "Elaan of Troyius"), "why didn't you fight the Klingon [ship]?" replied, "If I can accomplish my mission by turning tail and running, "I'll gladly do that."
It was Kirk who understood that the rock-monster Horta (in "Devil in the Dark") was not a murderer but a mother protecting her young, and refused to kill it. And Kirk who was willing to sacrifice his career to take Spock to Vulcan in "Amok Time." Definitely not Clintonesque.
March 30, 2008 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Picard all the way. Far sexier than Kirk any day.
March 30, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
But Kirk was the captain when asked in "Elaan of Troyius, "why don't you fight the Klingon?" replied, "If I can accomplish my mission by turning tail and running, I'll gladly do that."
It was Kirk who refused to kill the dangerous Horta, understood that she was a mother protecting her children, and negotiated a modus vivendi. And he met with her without preconditions, too.
It was Kirk who was willing to sacrifice his entire career to take Spock to Vulcan so he could satisfy the seven-year mating drive. Not quite sure of the primary-season parallel here, but you get the picture. Kirk may be willing to fight, but he's not into winning uber alles.
March 30, 2008 4:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Touché.
March 30, 2008 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry, I'm still getting the hang of this. I thought I'd lost my message.
March 30, 2008 4:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
They don't show up right away, but it usually only takes a minute or two tops.
March 30, 2008 5:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
James T, for 2 words: drop kick
I think most? of shillary's backers would rather see a neo con if they can't get their neo lib.
March 30, 2008 2:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Don't forget the John Wayne-style block/haymaker combination. Which of course later gave way to the double-axe handle.
March 30, 2008 3:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'll bet even janeway has a scene using that combo. Once again: drop kick :)
No one can touch the old show, imo, for it's playhouse-threatre like quality. classic drama, classic themes.
March 30, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dammit Jim!
March 30, 2008 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's more complex than that, DF. You see, long ago, buried beneath the desert sands of a lost civilization on planet Gumrup, lies a complex invention called a "convention". Long in disuse and seen as an archaic type of decision council long replaced by a rubber stamp, one of the candidates has decided it might be woken up and made to work again.
And some of us see this bullshit as just the continuation of the "Hillary's really a Republican in a pants suit" that we've heard since last spring. She's been quite clear, she's a Democrat, she will rally behind the Democratic nominee whoever it is. But like the "Obama is Muslim" whisper campaign, there's no way to effectively kill this. (Well, actually, post-Wright-blowup, the Muslim claim may be effectively side-tracked, not that it will help him).
I mentioned Obama challenging the other candidate petitions in his first State Senator run to eliminate all the other candidates. "Just playing by the rules", everyone responded. Obama does well in low turnout caucuses. "Just playing by the rules." Obama picks up a few more delegates later in the primary/caucus process than his percentages would grant. "Just playing by the rules". Well, now Hillary is playing by the rules. Which Obama fans will call "destroying the party". And I keep telling them, there's one effective way out - GET ENOUGH DELEGATES AND SUPERDELEGATES FOR A MAJORITY. Oh, and tell your candidate and his wife not to self-destruct in the meantime.
See, there's one slip-up that Obama made in his campaign that's undeniable - HE DIDN'T GET ENOUGH DELEGATES AND SUPERDELEGATES FOR A MAJORITY. If he did, his fan club wouldn't be squealing and howling for an early decision. Look folks, this ain't Florida Supreme Court. This is the convention. That's when it's scheduled to end, and just because you're used to matches ending early and heading for the parking lots doesn't mean there's never been a sudden death shootout.
March 30, 2008 2:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Uh-huh. So, can I ask you WHICH FINE MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY YOU'LL BE STAYING AT WHEN SHE DOES NOT WIN THE NOMINATION?
March 30, 2008 3:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
You still can't grow a clue no matter how much manure you spread around.
It's up to her to dig up enough delegates and superdelegates for a majority; it's up to Obama to dig up enough delegates and superdelegates for a majority. Whoever does this by the convention or the first few rounds at the convention will be the Democratic nominee.
Why is this so hard for a seasoned space traveller to understand? Will you ever graduate from space cadet to commander of facts?
March 30, 2008 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah. Thank you, Captain Obvious.
March 30, 2008 3:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Also, I think you might be a little confused. Obama currently has the majority. Majority means 50%+1.
March 30, 2008 3:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, he's been impressed with his lead since Iowa.
Read the Tortoise and the Hare, one of the great political treatises of all time.
March 30, 2008 3:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah. So all of your YELLING ABOUT GETTING A MAJORITY wasn't really even what you meant. What you really mean is that you think she's going to blow him out in all the remaining contests. With that kind of probability bravado, I'd say you should take a trip to Vegas. The odds on a roulette table aren't really that far off and you seem like you could you the R&R.
Speaking of which, you may want to have your Chief Engineer perform a level one diagnostic on your humor sensors before it causes a system interlock breech in your phase inducers. If you're not careful, you get end up with a warp core meltdown.
March 30, 2008 3:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I kinda meant the 3000-year-old "It's over when you cross the finish line, not before" fable. Spiking the ball on the 20-yard-line is generally considered a very bad idea, but please, be my guest.
March 30, 2008 4:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
See my response below.
March 30, 2008 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Primaries often end before the convention. 15-round title fights sometimes end in the first round.
Now, if Obama actually went out and won a decisive primaries-ending majority of delegates and super-delegates, kind of like McCain did on the Republican side, it would be over.
If Obama's such hot stuff, why did he lose California and Texas and Massachusetts despite the help of teh awesome Ted Kennedy and teh awesome John Kerry and teh awesome Obama political machine? What happened in Ohio? How come Pennsylvania's such a problem? How come they don't like him in Florida? Is there a fault in the machine you don't want us to see, is that why you want to roll this up so quick? What happened to all your confidence and bravado? Is it "¡Si, se puede!" or "¿Quien sabe?"
March 30, 2008 5:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
You don't seem to understand the difference between a mathematical majority, which he presently has and has had, and the magic number. He has a mathematical majority of the total available pledged delegates and with 110 more delegates, either pledged or super, he will have a mathematical majority of total available delegates, period. This is not 2024, which is the magic number, but it will make it mathematically impossible for Clinton to ever take the lead or reach the number herself. Remember the number 1742 for this reason. Once he hits this number she can never, ever, ever beat him under any circumstances no matter how much you piss and moan.
Confidence is high. It can go to the convention, but she still will not be able to win and it will be a monumental waste of time, money, political capital and energy, not to mention being a tremendous distraction.
Remember the number 1742. If the talk of the math pisses you off now, wait until it's mathematically impossible for her to ever take the lead no matter how big she wins and no matter how many superdelegates she is able to persuade. Once he hits this number she could win every remaining contest at 100% and get every remaining super in her column it and it won't matter one bit.
Consider that there are 286 uncommitted supers right now. He doesn't even need 40% of them to reach 1742. And this is to say nothing of the additional pledged delegates that he will gain even in contests that he loses because of the system of proportional allocation. Is is starting to sink in yet? Am I piercing the fantasy? Every pledged delegate that he wins in subsequent contests reduces his requirement of earning more of the superdelegates. Honestly, if Hillary wasn't who she is this would already be officially over.
Barack Obama didn't say he doesn't mind if she stays in simply because it's the politically correct thing to say. It's because she can't win. So, why should it bother him?
March 30, 2008 6:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Lieberman Maneuver sounds less expensive, albeit much less fun, than the Double Reverse Ferraro. I have also thought she might take this route, and I have thought it might play out something like Best Of Both Worlds, wherein Clinton will capture Obama, hold him hostage, torture him, and leave him a shell of the man he was. She will not be killed, but will emerge stronger two or three seasons later. Obama will win an Emmy. There are four lights!
Picard. Make it so.
March 30, 2008 2:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Chain Of Command. Forgive me.
March 30, 2008 2:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
You are forgiven.
March 30, 2008 3:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
I misspoke. I type millions of words a day, many of them lies.
March 30, 2008 2:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
This may come as a surprise to some people, but I'm a Vulcan.
March 30, 2008 3:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
aut Clinton aut nihil! I don't think it too likely now, but I do think if McCain's numbers drop enough and she is sure of her senate seat, she'll do it.
No Sulu option? ok Picard
March 30, 2008 3:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, I said you're allowed to supply you're own option, but you do so at the risk of incurring the wrath of zealous Star Trek nerds.
Sulu, eh? I'm not sure I would have thought of him. Any particular reason?
March 30, 2008 3:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just because I find George Takei hilarious.
I'm not sure if I am just reading into it, but I swear there is this undercurrent of "f**k you" he injects into Sulu.
March 30, 2008 4:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Did you ever see the Comedy Central roast of William Shatner? He's a pretty funny and pretty weird guy. And it definitely seemed like there was a little friendly animosity between him and Shatner.
March 30, 2008 4:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah they hated each other
and don't forget his Tim Hardaway "PSA"
If you haven't seen it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Hgg_qsU-8E
March 30, 2008 5:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wow! That was awesome!
March 30, 2008 6:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
His part in the Shatner roast made him immortal.
March 30, 2008 4:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm personally quite concerned she'll run as an independent. She has that same sense of entitlement that Lieberman does.
Oh, and Picard, all the way.
March 30, 2008 4:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
It was actually her most recent rhetoric about taking this all the way to the floor that got me thinking about this. I still consider it to be a unlikely, but then again I see certain similarities between Clinton and Lieberman that make me think that this might at least be possible. I guess it just seems like she's so intent on doing this no matter what the circumstances are. Why let not getting the nomination stop her?
March 30, 2008 4:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Do you think it's like a hostage situation, where Clinton wants something and she's going to do all the damage she can until she gets it? If so, what is it she could be holding out for? VP? With her negatives, she could see the VP route as the only way she will ever become President.
I'm been concerned that she will continue to try to undermine Obama after he has the nomination, and then after he becomes President.
March 30, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is obviously just pure speculation, but watching her I'm left to wonder how bad she really wants this. What if she really, really wants to be President at all costs? Another way to look at this would be like Lieberman. He basically said that his beliefs were simply too important to accept the party's nomination. Given that Clinton is already facing a highly improbable scenario, but has vowed to soldier on anyway, I'm left to wonder how bad she really wants this and how far she'll really go. If she truly wants it bad enough, maybe she won't even stop if she doesn't get the nomination. Again, nothing but speculation here, but I'm starting to wonder if this is possible.
March 30, 2008 3:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I fear Lieberman is going to pull the double-Lieberman manuever and join McCain's ticket as the VP candidate. Then Clinton will pull a single-Lieberman, resulting in victory for McCain/Lieberman. Then McCain will get alzheimers and Lieberman will pull off a triple-Lieberman and become President. Then we'll all have to hold our breath waiting for a quadruple-Lieberman. I have no idea what that will be, but I'm afraid in might involve Iran.
March 30, 2008 9:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Brilliant! McCain would choose Lieberman as VP, then later resign due to Alzheimer's; Lieberman would ascend to the Presidency, then choose Clinton as the new VP, a heartbeat from the Presidency.
March 30, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I don't think Joe has forgotten Hillary dissed him in the race with Lamont. That relationship seems pretty broken.
March 30, 2008 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's Kirk, all the way. He leads by inspiration, example and focus on the mission. He knows how to delegate, but he won't ask his crew to do anything he wouldn't do himself. Picard sends "away teams" to new and potentially dangerous planets; Kirk leads the team himself. Kirk can confront his prejudices and grow and change (see "Errand of Mercy"). In contrast, Picard is a wonky detail-oriented type. Besides, with his close teamwork with Spock, Kirk is never without access to the cool, calm, logical qualities of Spock and Spock's mastery of detail.
Kirk had some cool tactical maneuvers, too (see "Balance of Terror" and "The Deadly Years").
Correlation between choice of Star Trek captain and candidate preference? I'm an Obama supporter. Actually, I think Hillary could be compared to Janice, the woman who changed bodies with Kirk in an effort to realize her failed dream of becoming a starship commander ("Turnabout Intruder"). She was so desperate to command a ship that she was willing to destroy the ship for the sake of her own ambition. (I don't endorse the extreme misogyny of that episode, but it *was* the last episode in the series, long after the original producers who made the series great had left.)
March 30, 2008 9:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Kirk? That cheater? Do I have to remind you of his solution to the Kobayashi Maru? I know a lot of people praise him for it, but I call it what it was—cheating.
March 30, 2008 10:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Kirk argued that he didn't "cheat," he just "changed the rules." I admit, that is reminiscent of the tactics of a certain candidate in the current primary.
On the other hand, in defense of my argument that Kirk is the logical captain of choice for an Obama supporter, I remind you that in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, when the peace process between the Feds and the Klingons was in disarray and the Klingons thought they were under attack by the Enterprise, Kirk, instead of ordering his crew into battle, opened hailing frequencies and said "I surrender." In other words, he put the success of the peace process and the safety of the ship before his own personal ambition to win.
March 30, 2008 3:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Given that I am a supporter of Obama and a fan of Picard and I find both choices to be perfectly logical, I must say that I take umbrage with your remark, sir! Umbrage!
March 30, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, to offer a couple of counter-points here, Picard was constantly causing Riker to wet his pants by going on away missions with the crew. It seems like by the time of the Enterprise D there was some sort of Federation policy in place where the Captain was always supposed to stay on the ship, but Picard never seemed to adhere to this very closely.
Also, as Kirk has his Spock, so does Picard have his data. Though Spock was very good at suppressing his human side, Data simply can't be topped if cool, calm, logical qualities and a mastery of detail is what you're after. I mean, his memory capacity is 800 quadrillion bits.
Spock might disagree, but I would argue that his strong suit here is not entirely his Vulcan half, but his human half. I think this gave him undeniable insight into the human experience that allowed him to work so well alongside a human crew. Of course, Data does eventually get his emotion chip, but this doesn't work out terribly well and even if it had I would be skeptical that it was a substitute for the genuine article.
March 30, 2008 3:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oops, should obviously be Data.
March 30, 2008 3:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Um, excuse me? Picard vs. Kirk?
Ben Sisko would take them both without breaking a sweat—until he used their flesh as a secret ingredient in some New Orleans jambalaya.
March 30, 2008 10:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
I endorse Picard.
And no Hillary Lieberman maneuver. Lieberman had a special circumstance, he was more famous than the Lamont, despite losing the primary, and he had major support from outside the party in a state where independents outnumbered Democrats. Those conditions don't exist nationally.
Hillary trying the Lieberman Maneuver on a national stage would be like Picard trying to use his maneuver from Maxia during the fight with the Borg at Wolf 359.
March 30, 2008 11:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Picard could kick all their butts--Sisko, Janeway, Scott Bakula, Kirk--together. THERE! ARE! FOUR! LIGHTS!
March 30, 2008 11:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't remember Captain Bakula! ;)
Captain Archer, on the other hand, is most definitely the Kucinich of the race, and I mean no disrespect to Kucinich.
March 30, 2008 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
The answers to both questions are obvious. Those answers have been neglected only because you're all sexist.
(Note: this wasn't serious, except maybe the Janeway implication. Not that she's been ignored due to sexism, but that she may have been the greates captain. Certainly better than Bakula.)
March 30, 2008 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I didn't rule Janeway out! I mentioned Kirk and Picard because this is the perennial disagreement among Trek fans.
Also, it should be noted that the Federation is obviously not a sexist organization. In fact, if you watch the first season of TNG very carefully, there are men walking around in skirts and dresses. Couple that with the vast interplanetary racial diversity and this is a very progressive organization that we're talking about here!
March 30, 2008 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd like to think that all Hillary and Joe have in common are their resemblance to a Shar-Pei.
Oh, and Picard. Definitely Picard. I prefer a captain/pres who doesn't wear a girdle.
March 30, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
What is the degree of difficulty in landing a quadruple Lieberman? I can see why one might choose the Tonya Harding option.
March 30, 2008 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think it should be called the Liebermaneuver.
March 30, 2008 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Or Liebermanure. Love her or Lieber. Es tut mir leid, lied und lief.
March 30, 2008 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I second this motion.
March 30, 2008 5:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I fear Lieberman is going to pull the double-Lieberman manuever and join McCain's ticket as the VP candidate. Then Clinton will pull a single-Lieberman, resulting in victory for McCain/Lieberman. Then McCain will get alzheimers and Lieberman will pull off a triple-Lieberman and become President. Then we'll all have to hold our breath waiting for a quadruple-Lieberman. I have no idea what that will be, but I'm afraid in might involve Iran.
Eek! [thud!] I just hyperventilated and passed out.
March 30, 2008 3:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
And it will all be over in a short 4 years, count on it.
March 30, 2008 4:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I kinda meant the 3000-year-old "It's over when you cross the finish line, not before" fable. Spiking the ball on the 20-yard-line is generally considered a very bad idea, but please, be my guest.
March 30, 2008 3:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, you're right. Primaries are never decided before the convention. Put the goal-posts wherever you like. I can tell that you need the solace.
March 30, 2008 4:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
As mentioned above, some contests are over early, some contests last till the last second, some even go into overtime (I know, it's sad that one team doesn't just give up for the sake of the sport - don't they know they're killing the league?)
March 30, 2008 5:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's what I'd like-- a nice, crisp horse-race analogy, sprinkled with some savory "drive for show, put for dough," washed down with some sweet "bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, nobody out," and, for dessert, a delicate "checkmate."
March 30, 2008 6:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
The problem with sports analogies is that sometimes they don't translate back. People are dying in Iraq. People are losing their homes. Yes, she is "killing the league" because this is not, in fact, a sporting event. In sports, everyone gets to go home and come back to play another day. The outcomes here are real. They matter. The only way Hillary Clinton can help us now is by recognizing that she cannot win so that we can move on.
March 30, 2008 6:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
It doesn't disturb me that our ideas were the same-- it's that they were both dated 6:33 PM. It's like showing up for school with the same hammerpants. Unless there is some sort of b-boy coordinated breakdance routine, it's a little unseemly.
March 30, 2008 7:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
If only my avatar had been Benjamin Orr perhaps it would not have been as unsettling.
March 30, 2008 7:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
After being evicted by physical force from the Democratic convention after she tries to give the acceptance speech in spite of having failed to gain the nomination, Hillary engages in a bitter fight with Joe Lieberman for nomination as Vice Presidential candidate of the Republican Party to run with McCain. If McCain wins, either Hillary or Lieberman will succeed him in four years when the ravages of age force President McCain to step aside. Chelsea will be appointed Senator from NY to succeed her Mom when her Mom becomes Vice President. New Governor David Patterson will appoint Chelsea to the Senate to keep her from running against Patterson for Governor of New York on a campaign to eliminate from political leadership all men who cheat on their wives.
March 30, 2008 7:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, ya' see ...
On stardate 7100.7 (Earth calendar year 2271), an unidentified nebula-like object with the diameter of over two au skirted the fringes of Klingon space. Impervious to long-range sensors, three heavily armed D-7 Class Klingon Cruisers were dispatched on a reconnaissance mission to the massive cloud, only to vanish soon after initial contact - seemingly vaporised by spheres consisting of a previously unknown form of energy. First thought to be a natural phenomenon, it became clear that the object was not only of artificial origin, but it was immensely powerful, capable of extraordinary destruction, and on a direct heading for Sol System's planet Earth.
Despite an incomplete upgrade and a skeleton crew, as the only Starfleet vessel in the sector, the starship U.S.S. Enterprise was dispatched to intercept the object. Nearing Earth, the Enterprise, utilizing advanced shields, was able to penetrate the cloud, discovering inside a mindboggling collection of what appeared to be all that the mysterious nebula had encountered on its journey. Never before in the history of the Federation had such a fantastical collection of objects been observed. In an effort lead by Commander Spock, a vast amount of data was recorded from the interior of the cloud to the Enterprise's main computer.
Rapidly dissipating upon arrival at the planet Earth, the only remnant of the previously massive cloud, a capsule measuring approximately two meters in height and three meters in diameter, went almost unnoticed as it entered the Earth's atmosp