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- (14 May '08) In "Viewing Water in Waterview", Benedict says,
Seeing RAPIDS on Drive H is one of the more amazing sights I have ever seen at UTD. The street is literally a river and the intersection with Drive A has become a lake. Intramurals should plan for extreme outdoor sports (e.g. a real cardboard boat race) for next year.
As for Waterview, I'm not saying I was really right, but you could infer that. - (14 May '08) In "Viewing Water in Waterview", Benedict says,
Seeing RAPIDS on Drive H is one of the more amazing sights I have ever seen at UTD. The street is literally a river and the intersection with Drive A has become a lake. Intramurals should plan for extreme outdoor sports (e.g. a real cardboard boat race) for next year.
As for Waterview, I'm not saying I was really right, but you could infer that. - (13 May '08) In "Summertime Cinema", Ben Dower says,
I hadn't heard of some of these. Thanks for the heads up!
- (13 May '08) In "Questioning Obama", Richard Badgett says,
I'm actually with Justin here. I've been an outspoken critic of Hagee, but more of the system that villifies a black man for his outrageous statements, but not a white one. I don't understand how Hagee's ignorant hate-mongering isn't news. At a more fundamental level, I don't understand why anyone would want his endorsement, or accept it.
- (13 May '08) In "Questioning Obama", Justin says,
Questioning McCain by Justin “The Jackass” Kirk
Associations can be a bitch – I mean, if everyone who ever went to UTD were held responsible in their future political lives for what I have said all of you would have been fired a long, long time ago. As we all know Obama has some questionable associations with people he as sat on panels with, attended church with, and received money from. However, these associations pale in comparison to the gay-bashing, women-hating, xenophobic, eschatological, and anti-Catholic friends that McCain has received support from.
Pastor Hagee -
From the Huffington Post on Febraury 29th:
“Hagee on Hurricane Katrina
"All hurricanes are acts of God because God controls the heavens. I believe that New Orleans had a level of sin that was offensive to God and they were recipients of the judgment of God for that." [NPR Fresh Air, 9/18/06]
Hagee on Islamic Beliefs
Fresh Air host Terry Gross asked if Hagee believed that "all Muslims have a mandate to kill Christians and Jews," to which Hagee replied, "Well, the Quran teaches that. Yes, it teaches that very clearly." [NPR Fresh Air, 9/18/06]
Hagee on African-Americans
The San Antonio Express-News reported that Hagee was going to "meet with black religious leaders privately at an unspecified future date to discuss comments he made in his newsletter about a 'slave sale,' an East Side minister said Wednesday." The Express-News reported:
"Hagee, pastor of the 16,000-member Cornerstone Church, last week had announced a 'slave sale' to raise funds for high school seniors in his church bulletin, 'The Cluster.'
"The item was introduced with the sentence 'Slavery in America is returning to Cornerstone" and ended with "Make plans to come and go home with a slave." [San Antonio Express-News 3/7/96]
Hagee on Catholicism
"Most readers will be shocked by the clear record of history linking Adolf Hitler and the Roman Catholic Church in a conspiracy to exterminate the Jews." [Jerusalem Countdown by John Hagee]
Hagee on Women
"Do you know the difference between a woman with PMS and a snarling Doberman pinscher? The answer is lipstick. Do you know the difference between a terrorist and a woman with PMS? You can negotiate with a terrorist." [God's Profits: Faith, Fraud and the Republican Crusade for Values Voters, Sarah Posner]
"[T]he feminist movement today is throwing off authority in rebellion against God's pattern for the family." ["Bible Positions on Political Issues," John Hagee]
Hagee on LGBT Americans
"The newspaper carried the story in our local area that was not carried nationally that there was to be a homosexual parade there on the Monday that the Katrina came. And the promise of that parade was that it was going to reach a level of sexuality never demonstrated before in any of the other Gay Pride parades. So I believe that the judgment of God is a very real thing. I know that there are people who demur from that, but I believe that the Bible teaches that when you violate the law of God, that God brings punishment sometimes before the day of judgment." [NPR Fresh Air, 9/18/06]
Hagee on Iran
"The coming nuclear showdown with Iran is a certainty," Hagee wrote [in 2006] in the Pentecostal magazine Charisma. "Israel and America must confront Iran's nuclear ability and willingness to destroy Israel with nuclear weapons. For Israel to wait is to risk committing national suicide." [The Nation, 8/8/2006]”
From progressiveinvolvement.com on January 7th:
"It was the disobedience and rebellion of the Jews, God's chosen people, to their covenantal responsibility to serve only the one true God, Jehovah, that gave rise to the opposition and persecution that they experienced beginning in Canaan and continuing to this very day.... How utterly repulsive, insulting, and heartbreaking to God for His chosen people to credit idols with bringing blessings He had showered upon the chosen people. Their own rebellion had birthed the seed of anti-Semitism that would arise and bring destruction to them for centuries to come.... it rises from the judgment of God uppon his rebellious chosen people." ( "Jerusalem Countdown: A Prelude To War", paperback edition, pages 92 and 93 )
From Glenn Greenwald @ Salon.com on February 28th:
“Thus, white evangelical Ministers are free to advocate American wars based on Biblical mandates, rant hatefully against Islam, and argue that natural disasters occur because God hates gay people. They are still fit for good company, an important and cherished part of our mainstream American political system. The entire GOP establishment is permitted actively to lavish them with praise and court their support without the slightest backlash or controversy. Both George Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sent formal greetings to the 2006 gathering of Hagee's group.
By contrast, black Muslim ministers like Farrakhan, or even black Christian ministers like Rev. Jeremiah Wright, are held with deep suspicion, even contempt. McCain is free to hug and praise the Rev. Hagees of the world, but Obama is required to prove over and over and over and over that he does not share the more extreme views of black Ministers.”
Pastor Parsley –
From David Corn @ Mother Jones on March 12th:
In a chapter titled "Islam: The Deception of Allah," Parsley warns there is a "war between Islam and Christian civilization." He continues: “I cannot tell you how important it is that we understand the true nature of Islam, that we see it for what it really is. In fact, I will tell you this: I do not believe our country can truly fulfill its divine purpose until we understand our historical conflict with Islam. I know that this statement sounds extreme, but I do not shrink from its implications. The fact is that America was founded, in part, with the intention of seeing this false religion destroyed, and I believe September 11, 2001, was a generational call to arms that we can no longer ignore.”
From Katie Halper @ 236.com on April 25th:
9. "Gay sexuality inevitably involves brutal physical abusiveness and the unnatural imposition of alien substances into internal organs, orally and anally, that inevitably suppress the immune system and heighten susceptibility to disease."
-Parsley in Silent No More
10. "Only 1 percent of the homosexual population in America will die of old age. The average life expectancy for a homosexual in the United States of America is 43 years of age. A lesbian can only expect to live to be 45 years of age. Homosexuals represent 2 percent of the population, yet today they're carrying 60 percent of the known cases of syphilis."
McCain on McCain:
From Drudge Retort on April 16th:
“In his book The Real McCain, author Cliff Schecter claims that John McCain made extremely ugly remarks about his wife Cindy McCain during a tirade witnessed by three reporters and two aides. "At one point, Cindy playfully twirled McCain's hair and said, 'You're getting a little thin up there,'" Schechter writes. "McCain's face reddened, and he responded, 'At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you cunt.'
I guess if you are gay, a woman, a Muslim, black, Catholic, Iranian, are from New Orleans, are married to him, or Jewish you probably don’t want to vote for a man who takes spiritual guidance from these fine fellows. I guess that leaves white, protestant, heterosexual males who are not from Iran, not from New Orleans, and are not married to him. Benny, who ya votin’ for?
- (12 May '08) In "Questioning Obama", Hahahahaha says,
Hey *smirks*
I would say Benedict does not = pwnd. Given the quality of the counter argument that Racer X gave, the only person who looks even more pwnd is Justin, whose inability to leave a coherent and relevent comment now leave him with the dubious mark of being quintuple pwnd. Justin's own latest remarks don't even try to speak to Benedict's last post, he just gives a crappy retort to Richard's pwnage of him. Justin's inability to give a decent argument coupled with it's contrast with Racer X's amazingly coherent and relevent comment leave Justin super pwned, and leaves Benedict room to come back with a reasoned response.
Justin = quintuple pwnd. - (12 May '08) In "Questioning Obama", Jordan says,
Guys, let's all stop and focus on what was really the most important thing in Justin's first post: the possibility of a Pegasus-driven, wand-utilizing ball itch removal service for all of mankind and how this will affect the election
- (12 May '08) In "Questioning Obama", *smirks* says,
Benedict = pwnd
- (12 May '08) In "Questioning Obama", Racer X says,
I can’t argue with the perception of breaking from the old politics that Obama’s supporters have put him up on. I would maintain that his campaign is more about the people than either of the two major contenders for the presidency this time around. His campaign recently hit the 1,500,000 mark for individuals donating sums of money. It doesn’t quite compare to a Ron Paul money-bomb, but it does say something about his support base.
What lack of policy are you referring to? Foreign policy? I seem to remember (according to Reuters) that the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has been nearing a peaceful ceasefire as a result of calls from Obama, and is a well respected figure in the region. I’m not asserting his presidency will be universally respected, but this is an example of foreign policy if I’ve ever seen one.
His domestic policies could certainly be called “Liberal” but most definitely not a “lack thereof.” You could call his votes to pass a Stem Cell Research Bill (Jun 2004), to protect a woman’s right to choose (May 2004), voting to end tax breaks for companies sending jobs overseas (Aug 2007), voting to reduce oil use by 40% by 2025 (Jun 2005), and voting to ban drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Mar 2005) liberal. I would call them rather intensely liberal, honestly. However, I believe assigning such monikers in today’s politics are neither necessary or appropriate. Given our last two presidents, there have been focuses shifted away from fiscal responsibility, or even ethical mores. The politics have changed now that we’ve had a president that some call “neo-conservative” -- the old rules don’t apply anymore. I feel I could argue that the American people are more likely to rally against someone they see as the exact opposite of what we have now. That’s another argument, however.
Whether or not his own party is in line with him or not isn’t the question. He’s consistently gaining on Clinton and passing her (or nearly so) in each state that comes. Clinton had a 30% lead in Pennsylvania, though once it came to the caucus, the point spread was in the single-digits if i recall correctly. Obama is campaigning against a once “sure thing” candidate. You have to consider the strengths of each person in play here before you criticize his ability to unify the party. He’s going against a titan of sorts.
On his ties to leadership, Reverend White. At least now the allegations of being a Muslim are dying down (quote Hillary: “He’s not a muslim that I’m aware of.”) The original offending video of him referring to “the chickens coming to roost” was actually in context of Malcolm X if I’m not mistaken. Still, his remarks, while inflammatory, are his own. If one pastor’s words are damning to a campaign, look into Pastors James Manning, James Dobson and Rod Parsely. Each of these religious leaders have avoided nearly as much time (read: none) under the MSM’s focus. It’s an unfair assertion that Obama’s pastor has that much influence.
As I understand it, the portion of the article referring to the real-estate’s real intent is to paint Obama as an elitist. While not unreasonable, I post this quote by John Stewart, as it makes the point better than I could: “I want a president who is embarrassingly superior to me.” Otherwise, when it comes to money issues, I would suggest looking into Clinton’s lack of a released tax returns, her ties to Stan Lee and Peter Paul, never mind Bill’s speeches. Then look to McCain’s involvement in the Keating Five, and his alleged violation of campaign funding laws (which he voted to pass.)
As for Ayers, that’s a little like expecting students to be apologetic for knowing the former student (whose name regrettably escapes me) that was arrested in Indiana for a high-speed chase while not wearing pants and then fighting the police dogs. Anything beyond that is another Rev. White-style association. Ron Paul’s campaign was plagued by assertions he was a racist because racists groups made donations. Knowing someone does not mean you take on their characteristics.
I don’t understand your last rhetorical question, are you referring to hegemony in a positive or negative connotation? I won’t disagree with you that the economy is best left alone to correct itself. However I don’t believe it’s within a candidate’s control (or the president much more specifically) to control the economy. I believe The Fed exercises that level of control.
Rather than arguing with your blanket statements about tax bracketing or referring to Obama’s tax platform, I would postulate that the intended goal of his plans are more jobs. A simple statement, I’m aware, but as you’ve said: America is the great innovator. It’s difficult to maintain that position when our innovators are unemployed, or having their homes foreclosed on (that too is an entirely different argument, however.)
Otherwise, taxation is one of those issues I feel isn’t empirical enough to make a catch-all argument.
Obama’s pledge has failed miserably? I feel that language is too strong for the arguments presented here. If his politics are a miserable failure, I’m curious to see a similar article on both John McCain, and Hillary Clinton. Actually, forget either of them. I’d like to see one on Ralph Nader.
- (11 May '08) In "Questioning Obama", Justin says,
"you commit a terrible logical fallacy. . .
You invoke the motive principle. . .
Asserting that Benedict is "right-wing""
actually . . .
what was written was . . .
"Gathering a few incendiary quotes from right wing rags, . . . "
"Again, you invoke the motive fallacy. . .
that moral high horse, . . . "
. . .assumes I have morals, or that morality was my motive. . .
"I would ask . . . how you KNOW any of this, and lastly, why it's relevant. "
"But if you're upset that (Justin's) personal ideologies don't coincide with your own, then just admit that you disagree with his politics, and leave the personal attacks off of this forum."
"Again, you invoke the motive fallacy. . ."
". . . we'll see that you're a tawdry internet bully."
". . . leave the personal attacks off of this forum."
". . . get back on that moral high horse, . . "
"Really?"
"Jackass."
Hey thanks for contradicting yourself, taking my arguments, however ignorant they may be, out of context . . . Richard, your company is always welcome down here in the pigsty, thanks for getting off your horse for a moment to join me.
"Jackass."
