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#216180 - 07/27/04 05:36 PM
Bashing Politicians & Their Family Members
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10K Club
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 21,939
Next to Harvey
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Apparently, the grass roots sentiment runs contrary to the wisdom currently expressed by both poltical parties. Please assume that bashing means attacking the person rather than the person's ideas.
I'm confident that if other options are necessary some respondents will provide them.
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#216181 - 07/27/04 06:53 PM
Re: Bashing Politicians & Their Family Members
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Power Poster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,719
PA
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#216183 - 07/27/04 07:42 PM
Re: Bashing Politicians & Their Family Members
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Power Poster
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,455
The Pennant Race
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Quote:
but harsh and accusatory criticism seems like the American way, especially harsh criticism...
That, Paragon, is the problem with our current manner (or lack thereof) in our civil discourse: if we don't agree with another persons ideas, our response is to attack that person individually, rather than refute the ideas.
When I was in high school and college and studying argumentation, we spent some time reviewing common forms of argumantation that were considered non-effective. At the top of the list was a form of argument called ad hominem argument - literally "at the man."
As a society, we now believe that it's perfectly normal to debate policy issues by calling our opponents "pro-life extremists," "tax and spend liberals," etc. Instead of furthering the national debate, all this does is make people angry. Angry people tend to respond in kind. And the cycle continues.
We are never going to solve some of our most intractable national issues - Social Security, abortion rights, health care, by hurling invective and names at each each other. As Ken's poll notes, all that this accomplishes is a little therapy for the name-caller.
That does not mean that we cannot have spirited, animated, (and even heated) debate. But our remarks need to be directed at the policies and ideas we discuss, not at each other. Otherwise, we'll never solve these problems, jsut sit around and argue about them.
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#216184 - 07/27/04 08:12 PM
Re: Bashing Politicians & Their Family Members
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Platinum Poster
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 833
Michigan
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Quote:
Bashing is OK, but only if they deserve it.
I'm sorry, I can't agree. This election has to be about where we're going, not about what either candidate did 30 years ago.
I'm so conservative I won't eat chicken wings unless they come from the right side of the bird but I've got to tell you, I'm embarassed by the tone of the Republican advertising. I'm also embarassed by our attacks on Mr. Kerry and his wife.
We need to get the discouse out of the gutter. . . we deserve better than that.
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#216185 - 07/27/04 08:22 PM
Re: Bashing Politicians & Their Family Members
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10K Club
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,846
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Quote:
...I'm embarassed by the tone of the Republican advertising. I'm also embarassed by our attacks on Mr. Kerry and his wife.
We need to get the discouse out of the gutter. . . we deserve better than that.
Specifics, please?
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#216186 - 07/27/04 08:22 PM
Re: Bashing Politicians & Their Family Members
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 42
North Texas
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Can I get an AMEN! I agree completely, pbrinker. You put very eloquently what I was thinking but would not have expressed so well. Thanks for reading my mind!
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#216188 - 07/27/04 09:12 PM
Re: Bashing Politicians & Their Family Members
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I didn't like Chelsea-bashing or Gore-daughter-bashing - and it's a courtesy I extend to the Bush daughters as well.
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#216190 - 07/28/04 12:25 AM
Re: Bashing Politicians & Their Family Members
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Power Poster
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,353
Anchorage Alaska
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I'm not an old fogey who wants to go back to the old days. I'm a young voter who gets SICK of hearing crap about the candidates families, their personal lifes, etc., and nothing about the issues.
Has anyone spoken on the Kerry decision to disallow this type of negative speaking at the Democratic convention? I for one think it's high time this sort of decision was made. Will I vote for Kerry, I don't know, but if Bush proceeds with attacks he'll make up my mind for me.
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#216194 - 07/28/04 06:58 PM
Re: Bashing Politicians & Their Family Members
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Speaking of families... I've been told that a sitting President's personal assets are placed in trust during the term of the presidency (to avoid conflcit of interest?).
Does the same apply to First Ladies? It stands to reason that they would - for example, the SEC's "beneficial ownership" rules that apply to publicly held companies.
Please, I intend this as a non-partisan question, although you may correctly surmise that the prospect of an independently wealthy billionaire First Lady is what has piqued my curiosity.
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#216195 - 07/28/04 07:21 PM
Re: Bashing Politicians & Their Family Members
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10K Club
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,846
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Quote:
Speaking of families... I've been told that a sitting President's personal assets are placed in trust during the term of the presidency (to avoid conflcit of interest?).
Does the same apply to First Ladies? It stands to reason that they would - for example, the SEC's "beneficial ownership" rules that apply to publicly held companies.
Please, I intend this as a non-partisan question, although you may correctly surmise that the prospect of an independently wealthy billionaire First Lady is what has piqued my curiosity.
Generally, an individual elected President places their (and their family's) assets in a blind trust to do avoid any conflicts of interest.
This would be a very interesting question, whether THK would do so. We are all aware that her money is not his money - thus she was ostensibly unable to spend her fortune on his campaign.
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#216198 - 07/29/04 01:07 PM
Re: Bashing Politicians & Their Family Members
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10K Club
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,858
Pulling people out of the ditc...
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Hey Dawnie - I'm not sure what convention you are watching, but the snippets I've watched (I can only take about 15 minutes per night) have all had Bush bashing. They don't name Bush per se, but use the term "This Administration." Al Shartpton did it, Obama did it, AL Gore did it, Hillary (gag) did it, Bill (Mr. Monica) did it, and John Edwards did it. I found Mr. Gore's comments funniest of all..."It is time to bring integrity back to the office of the President." I'm sure he was referencing Mr. Clinton's dalliances in the oval office.
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#216200 - 07/29/04 08:21 PM
Re: Bashing Politicians & Their Family Members
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10K Club
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,766
Turnpike Exit 10
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#216202 - 07/29/04 08:45 PM
Re: Bashing Politicians & Their Family Members
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10K Club
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,766
Turnpike Exit 10
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Quote:
PARAGON! Dads should not stalk their daughters!
But, in any event, my devil may look more innocent than yours, but she is not.
Oh, yes she is and sensitive, also!
Anyway, I've changed my avatar to a friendly duck out having a good time.
At this particular time, it does not look that way to me (your avatar). And yes, I am a thin-skinned liberal, remember?
I love you. Paragon, you are so surly and self righteous! XOX XOX 
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#216204 - 07/29/04 08:54 PM
Re: Bashing Politicians & Their Family Members
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Power Poster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,719
PA
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 *slowly backs out of the thread...*
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