Ted Cruz speaks truth to power

[keysersosay#1]

There are many inside the Beltway..... the media, the democrats and the Left in general who despise this man. THIS speech, in which he calls out his OWN leader and calls him a liar , is a MUST for those who desire the truth and some straight talk

it is one of the greatest political dressing downs I have ever heard. it is also an complete and total indictment what REALLY is happening in the government

Many on the left will applaud his attacks on corporate welfare and crony capitalism . Conservatives like me Love this guy and always have

It is 20 minutes long and worth every minute.

 

[uncboy10]

The guy is building his platform partly on anti-immigration laws, yet he was born in Canada... The same guy who shouted "The world is on fire!" at a little girl. Of course despite that assertion, he fervently maintains there is no scientific evidence of climate change whatsoever.

He announced his presidential campaign at Liberty "University," a fundamentalist institution that just so happens to teach its students that the Earth is 6,000 years old and that evolution by natural selection is a hoax. Attendance to the announcement was also mandatory .

When are people going to wake up and realize we need to stop electing these kind of jerk offs? I mean how could anyone even consider voting for an immigrant who wants to campaign against immigrants? Oh but wait he loves Jesus, and that's what we really need more of in Washington... Ted Cruz makes me sick. He's the perfect caricature of everything that's wrong with American politics. This imbecile read Green Eggs and Ham at a freakin filibuster and you actually take him seriously? We aren't going to solve our problems by electing leaders who childishly flaunt their ignorance of science to pander to religious conservative voters.

But hey anything is better than Obama right? Ted Cruz has a pretty brilliant healthcare proposal

.......

 

[UNC71-00]

These far right candidates scare the crap out of me. Not because they are going to win, but because they will muck up the primary and we will end up with Jeb vs Hillary.

There are at least a few really good GOP candidates, but Ted Cruz isn't one of them. And there are very few good Democrat candidates- Webb might be the only one.

I really would be depressed if we ended up with another Bush or Clinton though.

 

[uncboy10]

The Senator from Vermont is lurking

 

[UNC71-00]

The Senator from Vermont is lurking

I'm not saying a self proclaimed socialist can't win. But it would very much surprise me.

I would much prefer Bernie to Hillary though. I would actually vote for Bernie over several GOP candidates, starting with Jeb Bush.

 

[strummingram]

I'm not saying a self proclaimed socialist can't win. But it would very much surprise me.

I would much prefer Bernie to Hillary though. I would actually vote for Bernie over several GOP candidates, starting with Jeb Bush.

Sanders is someone I'm somewhat torn over. I actually TRUST Bernie Sanders. I don't fear he will sell-out to blank & blank Inc. or Lockheed Martin.

However, his policies are extremely flawed. They sound good and it paints a pretty picture, but I don't believe Socialism is a fundamentally sound system. I also don't think it ever really works. The proposed outcomes are idyllic and positive, but there's not a lot of detail in how you get there. When you look at the details (or when you're forced to analyze what the details would be), then it gets more like "Ohhh, well, it sounded good anyway." But, he's not as much of a party guy. I like those kinds of statesmen. The party people are worse and totally untrustworthy. Hillary Clinton is a paid employee of Goldman Sachs. She's actually more of a centrist conservative/GOP candidate than a leftist! She's like Mitt Romney from a social perspective.

Ted Cruz is red meat for Fox News-type neo-cons. There's nothing particularly conservative about him.

Of the GOP field, the only one I'd consider is Rand Paul. He's actually the only conservative Republican. The rest are just mouthpieces for social issues that are never going to change, and people ready to press the war button, or both. I'm not sure how those traits became the defining points of conservative Republican. They're really Neo-Cons. They love gigantic federal government.

I remember last cycle being most afraid of Rick Santorum. Now Santorum isn't at the top of the "Holy sh*t! This guy's dangerous!" list... but he's in the Top 3. It would be nice if Neo-Cons would go back to being Democrats and let conservative Republicans have their party back. If the church people would leave, it might happen.

 

[GACMAN]

The caveat is that Cruz is running for President…so I question his TRUE motives…with that being said…I 100% agree with his speech and the fact that he is calling out these assholes that are supposedly leading our country….for them it is about power and money!!! One thing that I have noticed with Cruz is that he is vary careful about calling out any of his Republican opponents for President but everyone else is on both sides of the aisle are fair game……to be honest I respect that!!!

 

[dgheel57]

So Bernie is a self proclaimed socialist,what the hell do you think Obama is?He just won't admit it and numbnuts that worship him refuse to believe it.The reason Trump is making so much noise is...He's saying what everybody in both parties doesn't have the balls to say.People are fed up with this PC crap and Whoever wins the Dem and REP nominations better wake up and smell the roses.I really feel a revolution coming if things remain the same.

 

[UNC71-00]

So Bernie is a self proclaimed socialist,what the hell do you think Obama is?He just won't admit it and numbnuts that worship him refuse to believe it.The reason Trump is making so much noise is...He's saying what everybody in both parties doesn't have the balls to say.People are fed up with this PC crap and Whoever wins the Dem and REP nominations better wake up and smell the roses.I really feel a revolution coming if things remain the same.

Sanders at least says what he is, which is why, like Strum, I trust him (or at least I am more likely to cut him some slack).

You are right about why people are paying attention to Trump. You are wrong about the revolution thought. People with central A/C and cable TV don't revolt, and as 99% of the population has both, no one will do much more than shake an angry fist at the TV while sitting in a 70 degree room.

 

[uncboy10]

I like the look of Rand Paul's tax proposal. A simple flat tax would prevent the fat cats from writing loopholes and exemptions into the tax code and take some of the tax burden off of lower and middle class families.

 

[UNC71-00]

I like the look of Rand Paul's tax proposal. A simple flat tax would prevent the fat cats from writing loopholes and exemptions into the tax code and take some of the tax burden off of lower and middle class families.

Simple flat tax is the way to go. Unfortunately, far too many people make their money off a confusing tax code, so it will never change.

 

[Raising Heel]

So Bernie is a self proclaimed socialist,what the hell do you think Obama is? He just won't admit it and numbnuts that worship him refuse to believe it.

Obama's a socialist! Obama's not an American! Obama's a Muslim!

Just stop it. That is the very kind of idiotic rhetoric that makes reasonable political discourse in this country impossible. Here's an excerpt from some recommended reading from neo-con and former GWB speech writer David Frum, penned after Obama's reelection:

The United States did not vote for socialism. It could not do so, because neither party offers socialism. Both parties champion a free enterprise economy cushioned by a certain amount of social insurance. The Democrats (mostly) want more social insurance; the Republicans want less. National politics is a contest to move the line of scrimmage, in a game where there's no such thing as a forward pass, only a straight charge ahead at the defensive line. To gain three yards is a big play.

Whatever you think of the Obama record, it's worth keeping in mind that by any measure, free enterprise has been winning the game for a long, long time to this point.

Compare the United States of 2012 with the United States of 1962. Leave aside the obvious points about segregation and discrimination, and look only at the economy.

In 1962, the government regulated the price and route of every airplane, every freight train, every truck and every merchant ship in the United States. The government regulated the price of natural gas. It regulated the interest on every checking account and the commission on every purchase or sale of stock. Owning a gold bar was a serious crime that could be prosecuted under the Trading with the Enemy Act. The top rate of income tax was 91%.

It was illegal to own a telephone. Phones had to be rented from the giant government-regulated monopoly that controlled all telecommunications in the United States. All young men were subject to the military draft and could escape only if they entered a government-approved graduate course of study....

 

[dgheel57]

Obama's a socialist! Obama's not an American! Obama's a Muslim!

Just stop it. That is the very kind of idiotic rhetoric that makes reasonable political discourse in this country impossible. Here's an excerpt from some recommended reading from neo-con and former GWB speech writer David Frum, penned after Obama's reelection:

The United States did not vote for socialism. It could not do so, because neither party offers socialism. Both parties champion a free enterprise economy cushioned by a certain amount of social insurance. The Democrats (mostly) want more social insurance; the Republicans want less. National politics is a contest to move the line of scrimmage, in a game where there's no such thing as a forward pass, only a straight charge ahead at the defensive line. To gain three yards is a big play.

Whatever you think of the Obama record, it's worth keeping in mind that by any measure, free enterprise has been winning the game for a long, long time to this point.

Compare the United States of 2012 with the United States of 1962. Leave aside the obvious points about segregation and discrimination, and look only at the economy.

In 1962, the government regulated the price and route of every airplane, every freight train, every truck and every merchant ship in the United States. The government regulated the price of natural gas. It regulated the interest on every checking account and the commission on every purchase or sale of stock. Owning a gold bar was a serious crime that could be prosecuted under the Trading with the Enemy Act. The top rate of income tax was 91%.

It was illegal to own a telephone. Phones had to be rented from the giant government-regulated monopoly that controlled all telecommunications in the United States. All young men were subject to the military draft and could escape only if they entered a government-approved graduate course of study....

LOL! Damn!

 

[dgheel57]

Sanders at least says what he is, which is why, like Strum, I trust him (or at least I am more likely to cut him some slack).

You are right about why people are paying attention to Trump. You are wrong about the revolution thought. People with central A/C and cable TV don't revolt, and as 99% of the population has both, no one will do much more than shake an angry fist at the TV while sitting in a 70 degree room.

BS,people can only be pushed so far and those with AC and Cable you are talking about are the leaches on Government assistance.LOL!They're to damn lazy to do anything.

 

[UNC71-00]

BS,people can only be pushed so far and those with AC and Cable you are talking about are the leaches on Government assistance.LOL!They're to damn lazy to do anything.

I think you just confirmed my point, but I am having a hard time, truth be told, figuring out exactly what it is that you are trying to say.

 

[Nuk'EM Heels]

Simple flat tax is the way to go. Unfortunately, far too many people make their money off a confusing tax code, so it will never change.

I like the flat tax as well; if enough people push for it, maybe it can happen...

 

[Grayhead]

I like the flat tax as well; if enough people push for it, maybe it can happen...

Flat tax sounds good.

 

[UNC71-00]

I like the flat tax as well; if enough people push for it, maybe it can happen...

It ain't happening. Too many jobs lost in government as well as attorneys and CPAs. Plus it would make each person's tax liability much easier to figure out and they definitely don't want that.

 

[Heels in Space]

It ain't happening. Too many jobs lost in government as well as attorneys and CPAs. Plus it would make each person's tax liability much easier to figure out and they definitely don't want that.

I think the more realistic criticism is that it adds $3 trillion to the deficit.

 

[heelmanwilm]

I wouldnt buy a used car from any of em. Very discouraged at this point as all i see is same old shit with different hairdos. Speaking of hairdos trump is growing on me. His brutal honesty and the fact he isnt financially beholden to anyone is quite appealing. I could see him standing up to putin and the media.

 

[strummingram]

I think the more realistic criticism is that it adds $3 trillion to the deficit.

3 trillion is coming anyway. What's 3 trillion when you already have 50 trillion out there?

 

[UNC71-00]

I think the more realistic criticism is that it adds $3 trillion to the deficit.

Huh? Why is that? Juat increase the % everyone pays in order to balance the budget. And if that is unacceptable, cut spending.

It's pretty simple, really.

Oh, and I would also like to see a balanced budget amendment too along with the flat tax. That would really make things interesting.

 

[Heels in Space]

Huh? Why is that? Juat increase the % everyone pays in order to balance the budget. And if that is unacceptable, cut spending.

But his plan is 14.5% for everyone. That's what I thought we were discussing. What would the percentage have to be to balance the budget? Probably higher than it is now for most people. As for spending, the sequester that both sides went ballistic over cut just about half of the three trillion this plan would add (correct me if my math is wrong). How would the two sides agree to cut twice that much (just to get back to the deficit we have today)?

I'm not necessarily against this type of plan in some form. It's just interesting that conservatives, who claim to be such deficit hawks, are so willing to jump on board a plan that explodes the deficit when there's been no real explanation as to how to address it.

 

[gunslingerdick]

The guy is building his platform partly on anti-immigration laws, yet he was born in Canada... The same guy who shouted "The world is on fire!" at a little girl. Of course despite that assertion, he fervently maintains there is no scientific evidence of climate change whatsoever.

He announced his presidential campaign at Liberty "University," a fundamentalist institution that just so happens to teach its students that the Earth is 6,000 years old and that evolution by natural selection is a hoax. Attendance to the announcement was also mandatory .

When are people going to wake up and realize we need to stop electing these kind of jerk offs? I mean how could anyone even consider voting for an immigrant who wants to campaign against immigrants? Oh but wait he loves Jesus, and that's what we really need more of in Washington... Ted Cruz makes me sick. He's the perfect caricature of everything that's wrong with American politics. This imbecile read Green Eggs and Ham at a freakin filibuster and you actually take him seriously? We aren't going to solve our problems by electing leaders who childishly flaunt their ignorance of science to pander to religious conservative voters.

But hey anything is better than Obama right? Ted Cruz has a pretty brilliant healthcare proposal

.......

I don't like Cruz, but there's some liberal spin in this post and flat out inaccuracies.

 

[uncboy10]

I don't like Cruz, but there's some liberal spin in this post and flat out inaccuracies.

Care to elaborate?

 

[gunslingerdick]

I wouldnt buy a used car from any of em. Very discouraged at this point as all i see is same old shit with different hairdos. Speaking of hairdos trump is growing on me. His brutal honesty and the fact he isnt financially beholden to anyone is quite appealing. I could see him standing up to putin and the media.

I like Paul but, like you, there are some things I admire about Trump. The left absolutely hates him. That's almost good enough for me.

 

[gunslingerdick]

Care to elaborate?

First of all, the statement about Liberty is patently false. They do not teach all their students that the earth is only 6000 years old. I don't give a rat's ass what you go finding on the internet. I live in Lynchburg. My job requires me to work with Liberty students regularly as they frequently volunteer with my organizations (those terrible Christians!). We have had close to 1000 LU students volunteer at my organization in the 12 years I've been here. So I know what I'm talking about. And I know that what you wrote is down right wrong. Do they have religion classes that teach that some people believe the earth is only 6000 years old? Probably. But I remember hearing that in my religion course when I was in school 20 years ago.

Secondly, memes are cute and all but I want to see and hear Cruz say what that meme says he said. It could have happened. But I'm guessing that (1) it was taken out of context and (2) wasn't in reference to any plans he proposes regarding healthcare.

Regarding climate change, I don't even know Cruz's stance but I guess I'll believe you (although I'm sure it's not quite as black and white and you pitch it). But I'm a reasonable person and I can fathom that 6 million people inhabiting a planet would indeed cause it to slowly warm. So yes, humans, in part, are to blame for climate change. But here's also where I am - "ok". I'm not going to freak the f*ck out because the earth has warmed a couple of degrees in the last 100 years. I chalk it up to the cost of living. So really, it's a moot point to me.

Lastly, if you can't recognize that our country significantly lowered the standards of the office when Obama was elected, you're being a complete liberally biased hack. He was no more qualified for his position than the man in the moon. Just because he was slick talking and capitalized on selling a "revolution" rather than any kind of legit political platform, doesn't make him qualified to be President. He's been an embarrassment. Yet you refuse to recognize that. You simply trot out the liberal playbook - make fun of conservative Christians and make them look like bad people. But I can't blame you. It's working for the liberals. So I expect them to keep it up.

 

[UNC71-00]

But his plan is 14.5% for everyone. That's what I thought we were discussing. What would the percentage have to be to balance the budget? Probably higher than it is now for most people. As for spending, the sequester that both sides went ballistic over cut just about half of the three trillion this plan would add (correct me if my math is wrong). How would the two sides agree to cut twice that much (just to get back to the deficit we have today)?

I'm not necessarily against this type of plan in some form. It's just interesting that conservatives, who claim to be such deficit hawks, are so willing to jump on board a plan that explodes the deficit when there's been no real explanation as to how to address it.

I wasn't discussing any particular plan- just the flat tax in general. I am not for any deficit spending.

Here's the thing about Congress- they don't get elected by cutting spending in their own districts/states. People just want spending cut in other regions. Which is why we need a balanced budget amendment- it will only happen if they are forced.

 

[uncboy10]

Well first of all I never made Christians out to be bad people. I made them out to be people with bad ideas.

But you know who was actually a bad guy? Jerry Fallwell. The guy who said that 9/11 was God's punishment to America for accepting homosexuality. Who coincidentally also founded Liberty University. I'm completely certain there are good people who work for LU or are students there. But the institution was founded by a very bad example of a Christian, and works to this day to advance his families bigoted beliefs.

With regards to climate change, rising temperatures are not the only or even primary concern. Even if you forget about CO2 emissions which are frankly never going to go away, but many of the ways we produce goods and dispose of waste are directly harming the environment in ways that absolutely can and will come back to bite us. I dont expect anyone to freak out, I'm certainly not a green nut, but I think its pretty much common sense to take care of the only place you've got to live.

Look man, I'm not an Obama supporter, but you've gotta have your head in the sand if you think he's the one that lower the standard of the office considering who he followed.

"W" managed to take a growing budget surplus, and run into the ground and leave office with 12 trillion dollars worth of debt to our name, and a workforce losing 800 thousand jobs a month. The brilliant trickle down economics Republicans love gutted working class families. But tax cuts for the rich are supposed to create jobs right? Nope, Bush had the worst job creation record of any president since Hoover.

I didn't vote for Obama, and I'm not really in the business of defending him. He's done some good, and he's disappointed me at times. Is he qualified? He's absolutely intelligent enough, but he lacked the experience one would usually like to see in the oval office. But the same was also said about JFK. Do you really think the alternative would've been better? Every looked at the top 5 contributors to Romney's campaign? Do you really think your interests align with the executives at Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs? If so then good for you, but if I had that much money I'd have better things to do than be here.

But really? He's been an embarrassment? At least he can make it through a speech without fumbling every word with more than 2 syllables. Sandwiched between arguably the most economically prosperous time of the past 100 years (Clinton), and the guy who had to stop the bleeding (Obama) was the dunce with the trickle down economics who took said prosperous time, and baked up a nice recession. Clearly Americans lowered the standards of the office of the presidency. I'm afraid you're 8 years off on the timing though.

 

[gunslingerdick]

Well first of all I never made Christians out to be bad people. I made them out to be people with bad ideas.

But you know who was actually a bad guy? Jerry Fallwell. The guy who said that 9/11 was God's punishment to America for accepting homosexuality. Who coincidentally also founded Liberty University. I'm completely certain there are good people who work for LU or are students there. But the institution was founded by a very bad example of a Christian, and works to this day to advance his families bigoted beliefs.
.

Well, Jerry Falwell is dead so he's not advancing anything. His two sons, Jerry Jr and Jonathan, have taken over the university and Thomas Road Baptist Church respectively. They are much more progressive yet still holding true to their beliefs. Why is believing that homosexuality is wrong "bigoted"? It's a religious conviction. And why is it only wrong for Christians? Where is the outcry against how muslims see it? Why is Obama not grandstanding on that point? Look, I'm not a Liberty-ite. But I respect them. I admire their convictions. I admire that they're not going to be bullied. And I appreciate that they bring $1 billion to this community annually. I'm sick of the way the left portrays them. Do they have some faults? Sure. But a first semester freshman at Liberty has probably done more to improve the lives of others in a few months than you have in the last 5 years. So I think we can overlook some of their faults to celebrate the great shit they do.

With regards to climate change, rising temperatures are not the only or even primary concern. Even if you forget about CO2 emissions which are frankly never going to go away, but many of the ways we produce goods and dispose of waste are directly harming the environment in ways that absolutely can and will come back to bite us. I dont expect anyone to freak out, I'm certainly not a green nut, but I think its pretty much common sense to take care of the only place you've got to live.

Agreed. We'll do what we can. But again, I'm not freaking out. And if you believe the left is in it for the future of our planet, then you're a damn fool. It's political posturing. It's the epitome of political posturing. They don't care anymore than Ted Cruz. But they'll ride it all the way to their office.

Look man, I'm not an Obama supporter, but you've gotta have your head in the sand if you think he's the one that lower the standard of the office considering who he followed.

"W" managed to take a growing budget surplus, and run into the ground and leave office with 12 trillion dollars worth of debt to our name, and a workforce losing 800 thousand jobs a month. The brilliant trickle down economics Republicans love gutted working class families. But tax cuts for the rich are supposed to create jobs right? Nope, Bush had the worst job creation record of any president since Hoover.

We will be at impasse here. I truly believed W was a good man; a good American that wanted what is best for this country. I thought his first term was a good one. His second, not so much. But he was a real man with real convictions and a patriot. He also faced things that no other President before him had to face. He went to war because he believed it to be best. Everyone believed the same. That's the reason for the debt. Hindsight is 20/20. But we went on the offensive. And if nothing else, it made a statement that we can't be f*cked with. But let's not forget, he also was right about some things and they have come to light since. We were getting destroyed in Iraq until he sent in more troops much to the chagrin of many. But it worked. As far as job creation, any President can create govt jobs. That's easy.

I didn't vote for Obama, and I'm not really in the business of defending him. He's done some good, and he's disappointed me at times. Is he qualified? He's absolutely intelligent enough, but he lacked the experience one would usually like to see in the oval office. But the same was also said about JFK. Do you really think the alternative would've been better? Every looked at the top 5 contributors to Romney's campaign? Do you really think your interests align with the executives at Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs? If so then good for you, but if I had that much money I'd have better things to do than be here.

But really? He's been an embarrassment? At least he can make it through a speech without fumbling every word with more than 2 syllables. Sandwiched between arguably the most economically prosperous time of the past 100 years (Clinton), and the guy who had to stop the bleeding (Obama) was the dunce with the trickle down economics who took said prosperous time, and baked up a nice recession. Clearly Americans lowered the standards of the office of the presidency. I'm afraid you're 8 years off on the timing though.

Where's the evidence of this brilliance from Obama I've heard so much about? What do you cite when you say something like, "he's absolutely intelligent enough." What are you pointing to? And as far as Romney's supporters, so what? Are you naive enough to think your boy Obama wasn't bought? As far as making it through a speech, goodie for him. I prefer content over delivery. If you want to fall for the slick talkin', that's on you. I see through that crap. Clinton's time was prosperous. But why does the republican controlled congress get no credit for that? 6 of the 8 years Clinton was in office, the GOP controlled congress. Stop the bleeding? You can talk national numbers all you want but here's what I know. Personally - I have gotten less and less back from my taxes over the last 4 years. Professionally - our charitable giving is on a massive decrease. The United Way in my area used to raise 3.5 million per year (2008). Last year they raised 2.4 million. People are holding onto their money for fear of another crash. Obama spits on it and makes it look shiny, but the proof is that people do not feel financially secure. And what about the healthcare debacle? Are people still saying what we have now is better? I had a plan that cost me just under $500 per month for my whole family. That plan was killed. Now I pay $800 per month. In my world, that's not improvement. And what about his race baiting? We are more divided than ever before. I attribute that to the nation's tone setter. He has promoted racial divide (political divide as well) at every chance he gets. So, Obama's public speaking ability is irrelevant to me. What's he saying?

 

[uncboy10]

I clearly said in my post that I wasn't an Obama supporter but by the fifth sentence you've already referred to him as "my boy." This just proves how people build up an idea of how people with differing political opinions think and then try to force them to fit that mold. Had it occurred to you that I might be left of center but not support Obama? Try some nuance.

I'm sorry that you've gotten less back on your taxes but when Obama took office 800,000 Americans were losing their jobs every single month. Those millions of Americans almost certainly had it at least a little worse off than you.

Look at your defense of Bush. You like him because he was a patriot, was aggressive in foreign policy, and because you genuinely believed he wanted whats best for America. Basically for being a cowboy. Are you actually going to sit here and try to argue that Obama is a malicious president who doesn't want what's best for America, or to even hurt us? Surely you can see how subjective that is. Especially when you're defending a president who traded American lives for oil. The same president that was so concerned with "whats best for America" that he kept reading to children during an attack on the United States after being informed. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence as to why George W. Bush was arguably the worst president in the history of the United States, but you call me biased for presenting a neutral position about Obama while defending Bush... This is plain and simple tribalism. What convictions did you like? The religious ones he shares with you. No surprises there.

What exactly was Bush right about? His aggressiveness that you liked so much made things infinitely worse in the middle east, and accomplished nothing but swelling the ranks of the theocratic fascists who are leading the anti-American movement. But at least he managed to set the vacation record for the presidency while he was at it. I mean this guy seriously took a two week trip to the "ranch" so that he could make up his mind about stem cell research. In the 21st century, that is absurd.

Its absurd to suggest that Obama is the "national tone setter." The major media (primarily faux news) are the national tone setters but I will agree that the wrong approach to solving racial inequity has been taking by them. The only way we're going to solve that problem is by destroying the mental construct of race, so that we no longer subgroup ourselves based on our skin tone.

The best quote about Fallwell came from Christopher Hitchens: "If you gave him an enema you could bury him in a matchbox."

With regards to the lack of liberal criticism of Islam, this could be another rant all to itself but trust me, Muslims will receive no quarter for me. Fortunately for us, Christianity has already gone through an something of an enlightenment and reformation or else we'd still have be-headings and crucifixions as well. While I think all monotheistic religions are equally wrong because they appeal to our wish-thinking and credulity instead of our skepticism, they simply are not equally dangerous. Islam is particularly dangerous because of its claim to being the last and final word of God, and because of the harsh socioeconomic climate in the middle-east.

Muslims need a reformation. They need to learn that if a religion teaches that one of your convictions should be to throw acid in the faces of women because they aren't properly wearing their hijab then you either rewrite or abandon that religion all together. Christians could use the same lesson with regards to homosexuals.

Major religious institutions have been on the wrong side of history for practically every major upheaval in recorded history. Christians in America alone opposed ending slavery, women's suffrage, child labor laws, and now equal marriage rights. Why? Because it was a deeply held religious conviction that blacks should be slaves. Because it was God's will that women remain in the position of chattel, property of their husbands. Because it was God's will that children should work in the factories. You want to know why Christian values are fading? Because they aren't worth a damn and they continue to prove it throughout history

 

[gunslingerdick]

tl;dr



Nah, I'm kidding. I read it. It's your opinion and we all have them. I mean, I don't give yours any credence whatsoever, but hey, you're free to have that opinion regardless of how misguided I think it is. I've already gone through one of your posts and spoken to what I see as wrong. I'd essentially be doing that again if I took on your above post point by point. I think democrats are dangerous to the lifestyle that I have enjoyed for 40 years on earth and I think Obama is the most dangerous I've seen to date. You disagree. We'll have to leave it at that because you're an atheist, I presume. So that alone starts us off wrong. You lean left, which is really troubling for any hopes of you and I coming to a meeting ground. And you think a Christopher Hitchens quote means something which is also problematic as I see him as a egomaniac, self-serving lunatic. When it comes to politics, let's just agree to disagree. In the meantime, I'll hope you lose your voter registration before any upcoming elections.

 

[uncboy10]

Honestly I'm surprised you've even heard of Hitch. I guess I just always think of him as more obscure than he really was. Ego maniac would probably be a fair assertion, but lunatic is a bit harsh. I'm sure it would be difficult to have any appreciation of him whatsoever as a religious person but he was incredibly brilliant as a writer and polemicist. IMO he probably had the most impressive vocabulary of any human being to have lived in the 21st century. There's plenty of stuff on youtube of him debating his views on the war in Iraq that you would probably find quite agreeable. He actually supported and defended Bush (astonishingly) throughout the process

& I prefer anti-theist. That shouldn't mean we can't get along though

 

[gunslingerdick]

Honestly I'm surprised you've even heard of Hitch. I guess I just always think of him as more obscure than he really was. Ego maniac would probably be a fair assertion, but lunatic is a bit harsh. I'm sure it would be difficult to have any appreciation of him whatsoever as a religious person but he was incredibly brilliant as a writer and polemicist. IMO he probably had the most impressive vocabulary of any human being to have lived in the 21st century. There's plenty of stuff on youtube of him debating his views on the war in Iraq that you would probably find quite agreeable. He actually supported and defended Bush (astonishingly) throughout the process

& I prefer anti-theist. That shouldn't mean we can't get along though

Oh yeah, I know. And then he'd just as soon turn around and blast him for something different...or the same thing. He was a contrarian for the sake of being contrarian. He thought of himself as "thought provoking" but I just see him as the verbose, argumentative type.

Of course we can "get along" as much as two internet posters who don't know each other can.

 

[uncboy10]

Well he certainly made his career out of being a contrarian. It was what he was great at, he was one of the greatest debaters in recent history. So obvious when people sought him ought to get his opinion that's what they were looking for and he had to deliver. But it's not like its hard to find things to disagree with nowadays, so I'm not sure that means he was contrarian just for the sake of being contrarian. In fact he said repeatedly that wasn't the case. Remember he also very serio

Regardless of anyone's opinion though, I miss his style /:

Hitchens also had plenty negative to say about Obama. I'm sure you can at least appreciate that lol

 

[UNC71-00]

You two get a room.

But just a quick heads up to @uncboy10 - @gunslingerdick is on the rebound after @nctransplant dropped his ass like a sack of potatoes.

 

[gunslingerdick]

You two get a room.

But just a quick heads up to @uncboy10 - @gunslingerdick is on the rebound after @nctransplant dropped his ass like a sack of potatoes.

I just cackled.

 

[nctransplant]

How did I end up in this conversation?

 

[gunslingerdick]

How did I end up in this conversation?

Where have you been?!! I have been sitting around here waiting for you. If you think you're gonna stroll in here after being gone so long and everything is gonna be the same as it was, you have another thing coming, Mister!

 

[nctransplant]

Easy now.....I've been on summer break. Lots of golf and construction work for me.