I was looking forward to seeing Sean Penn driving a taxi in Toronto, but cest la vie.
MagieNoire said:
You know what it all comes down to, integrity.
Given I only have "observer status" in US politics, what I see and read and hear from the Republican administration is in accord with what I see and read and hear about what is happening in the world (from a multitude of sources), and also internally consistent.
Your Democrats say things to pander to the voters of the moment, but are very quick to flip flop, and the erasure of their previous positions by the so called MSM is very similar to George Orwell's description of life in "1984". The best example? At a recent White house press conference, an official read a statement outlining the current crisis with the Social Security program. The assembled reporters were all over him, of course, until at the end of the conference, the official revealed the statement was
a direct quote from President Clinton from 1998 or 99. (I feel lazy tonight, but I can find the reference)
I support the military. I support dropping terrorist where the stand. However, I do not support westernizing the middle east at the expense of my brothers and sisters blood. I do not support a government who has used a tragic day in our country's history to further it's political agenda. I do not savor my government feeding on our patriotism and fear as fuel for its endeavors.
I also remember George W Bush running for President in 2000; he had clearly learned the lesson of his father's presidency and campaigned on a fully loaded domestic platform. Nation building and military action was something he pledged to avoid as not being in America's interest and counter to his political agenda. Unfortunately, people had other ideas, and it is the true measure of the man that he wasn't paralyzed or panicked, but turned the ship of state smartly about to deal with the threat. The Jihadis and their sponsors do not care for you or your opinions, and given the chance would happily behead you on live TV. In this forum, we disagree with your position, but don't forget that all the serving members on this forum are pledged to fight and die for our nations, and one of the things we are defending is you. Be thankful that this is the society you live in, and our patriotism helps protect it and keeps you safe.
I am afraid for my country. It has strayed far from its origin. Now, comes more of a melding of church and state. It goes far beyond Iraq.
Your President is a religious man, and is not ashamed to express that part of himself, but I have not seen any indications that he is attempting to convert you or me or anyone else. The separation of Church and State expressly forbids the establishment of a "Church of America", or state sponsored religion. If the Administration truly behaved the way you are saying, life in American would closely resemble life in Iran, Saudi Arabia or Taliban era Afghanistan (or Fallujiah when the Jihadis were in control).
I found the Second Inaugural speech to be a moving testament to what America has stood for over the centuries, and a pledge to continue to do so. It followed in the fine tradition of the Declaration of Independence, and many of Lincoln's speeches. Like Pericles "Funeral Oration", it is a statement of values; how well you follow them is up to you. My own personal hope is you will see the day Condelezza Rice is sworn in as President, the fulfillment of Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech.
Amen to that.
