Three strikes for you, Mr. Republican!

[DukeLeto]

Welcome to another thread designed to destroy all credibility in the Republican party start a calm rational discussion on conservative vs. liberal. And this time, I can do it without even mentioning Iraq!

---

Burn a flag? Go to jail!

Yes, the US Republican part, moral crusaders that they are, have passed a bill, no, not just a bill, a CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT (no overkill there!) banning flag-burning as a form of political protest. Source(s): Kansas City News, Newsweek, The Daily Show (Requires RealOne Player to view)

The leading advocate of the bill, a representative from California, "Duke" (he discraces the name >:() Cunningham, said, and I quote: "Some people, in my opinion, like to hide behind the first amendment." He and other advocates also stated that the desecration of the American flag would lead to the "gradual decline of our great country."

WOW! Amazing! Burning flags will cause the gradual decline of our country. I didn't know that. Given the entire rest of the world hating us over Iraq won't even do that. ::)

But I jest. I'm sure there's a good reason for this. If anyone sould point it out, I'd love to hear it.

Strike One!

---

Slot Slut

Recently, Newsweek reported that William Bennet, former Secretary of Education, Drug Czar (which, contrary to what it sounds like, is actually head of the DEA), and conservative moral crusader, has a bit of a gabling problem. Say, eight MILLION dollars over the past ten years. (This man's retirement is paid with your tax dollars, folks!) Source(s): Newsweek, The Daily Show (requires RealOne - All Daily Show reports are video clips {it's a cable news show}), the Orlando Sentinel

During the Monica Lewinsky scandal, Bennet was one of the most prominent people calling for Clinton's resignation. He has written many books on morality, such as "The Moral Compass" and "The Book of Virtues".

But you say "Every man has his faults, Duke." Sure they do. But when most people are caught with them, they apologize. Especially when said people are in the business of telling others how to live virtuous lives. But no, not Billy Bennet. He said to Newsweek reporters, quote, "I don't put my family at risk, I don't owe anyone anything. I play fairly high stakes. I adhere to the law. I don't play the milk money." (8 million dollars over the past ten years isn't "the milk money"? Mind you, most Americans won't make $8 million their whole lives.)

Shining star of conservative morality. ::)

Strike Two!

---

Hey, I don't have one of these!

Imangine this horrific thought: You are on your way back from vacation. You send your baggage off to be checked. Inside, you ahve a beaustiful crystal figurine. It must have cost you at least $100. You get home and open up your luggage. You are really looking forward to displaying your beautiful figurine on the mantle of your rustic fireplace. You go to open your luggage, but notice something pecular: the lock is missing. You figure you just didn't close it good and it fell off during the filight. Nonetheless, paranoia gets the better of you, and you look through the suitcase to make sure nothing is missing. Everything seems to be there, except...Omygosh, where is the crystal figurine? You dig through your suitcase, but still can't find it. You franticly look through your carry-on, hoping you had just placed it in there by mistake. But no luck...your $100 piece of hand-carved crystal is gone! You hurry back to the ariport, and tell the whole story to airport security. The guard simply looks at you and says: "The baggage screeners can open your luggage and remove anything they feel is 'suspicious'. Sorry, sir." You practically have a stroke! What nightmarish place are you living in?!

You would be in the good old U.S. of A.

Under new revisions to airport security, brought to you courtesy of the Patriot Act, airport baggage screener have the right o break through any locks on your luggage (if they can't get thropugh the lock(s), they can simply keep your luggage) and remove anything they feel is "suspicious". Source(s): Newsweek, your local airport/travel agency will give you the government-approved version (They don't specifically mention your stuff can be taken, unless you aks/until it is.) when you schedule a trip.

Bottom line: you buy it, they get it. ::)

Strike Three! Yer outta here!

[Egeides]

Sorry to say I don't believe in Clinton's party more... The second party only serves as a evacuation switch when pressure is too high and lobbies cannot push their interests as much as they wanted... Then the economy gets a little less pro-ultra-rich and goes pro-rich.

I know I have a pessimistic view, but it's based on passed mandates.

[DukeLeto]

Ah, both Dems and Rpeublicans are slime, the Democrats are just slightly less slimy. The Democrats f*ck your young women while the Republicans f*ck your wallet and civil liberties. That's one reason why I'm registering Socialist. ;)

[TMA_1]

hmm, maybe just a little biased? ;)

[SurlyPIG]

Baggage handlers have the right to remove and inspect anything suspicious, they don't have the right to KEEP it. It happened to a guy I know from online, he had a big metal box of kitchen knives that he bought at a specialty store in NY that the scanners couldn't penetrate. When he opened his case up after he got home all that was different was that some stuff was moved around and the knives weren't as they were when he packed it, they didn't STEAL anything. He was a little creeped out by it so he called the airline's baggage services, told 'em the story and they explained the security measures to him and apologised for any invonvenience. For all the airport screeners knew the metal case could just as easily have been filled with TNT, and if it had been and there were another airplane disaster, I'd bet a $100 crystal figurine that you'd be listing "continuing Republican failure to protect American travelers" as strike #1.

And since when is gambling illegal? Bennet is a multi-millionaire, 8 million over 10 years to him is like a weekly lottery ticket to most people. I'm not saying he's in the right but you failed to mention that while he said he didn't have anything to apologise for he made a promise to stop gambling and seek help.

[ordos45]

Bah, its illegal actually in my state for anyone other than a Democrat or a Republican to run for office. Leftover courtesy of the McArthy era so no Communists, Socialists, or Independents could run.

[Scrinlord]

Before you read this, please be aware that it makes some statments that sound racist. I promise you that I am not racist, sexist, or anything else of that nature.

Imagine this: You have worked hard and payed 50,000+ bucks for the best college education money can buy. You have spent the past 5-8 years of your life working your @$$ off to get this education. You finally graduate, with a 5.0 GPA, at the top of your class. You have been taught your subject by the best of the best, and you learned it as best you could. You go to a company and apply for a job there. with your credentials, you should be a shoe-in, right? But come next week, you find that your application has been put aside in favor of a person who barly passed school, who went to a no-name state college, and was taught by graduate students who did not know the material well themselves. Why did this person beat you out for a job? Because he is black.

This is the wonderful result of "Affirmitive Action" brought to you by your very own Democratic Party.

The federal government, under a democratic white house and congress, has given special benifits including but not limited to :Scholarships, social services, social security, health care and many other benifits to (Takes big breath)

African people, Asian people, European people, Mexican people, Latin American people, Native American people, Inuits(Eskimos), Arab people Neo-Nazis, Hindu people, Muslim people, Jewish people, Buddist people, Other non-major religions, such as Mormons and Jehovas(sp) Wittness, Gay people, Lesbians, illigal aliens and prison convicts.

But if I am a straight, white, Christan male who was born in the USA, the government does not even care that I exist. Now, when you consider that 75% of the country is straight, white, and Christian, does that sound fair to you?

Please, remember that I am not a racist or anything like that. I only chose this aspect to attack because I was discussing it earlier today with someone

[Scrinlord]

And as for the moral issues: How many times before he got caught with Monica did Clinton say something along the lines of "I am proud to represent the fine virtues of this country!" in his speaches?

[Dante]

Well standing up for minorities sounds like a good idea to me... And has it occured to you that the people passing these laws are almost certainly part of the 75%? It's done for a reason; these people are prejudiced against by many others, thus this is attempting to aid them in some way. The others don't need help. Except in some individual cases.

[Scrinlord]

not true. I dont know the exact percentage, but most poor/homless people are white. And you are right, standing up for minorities is a good thing, when those minorities are being oppressed. Legally, the United States is almost in a position of reverse racism, being the average person is a bad thing. The affirmitive action laws made a lot of sense back in the 1960's and 70's when they were passed, but now they are completely uncalled for. Why should a minority member get a job before me, just because his great-great-great grandfather was a slave? I am not prejudiced against minority members, I just dont like how they are being elevated above everybody else. Some cable companies carry BET: Black Entertainment Television. I really have no problem with this, and no body else complains about it either, but my problem comes from the fact that if I were to create a WET: White Entertainment Television, I would be labled as a bigot and a Racist and there is a good chance the government would try to get me to shut down if they could.

Do you see my point?

And if my earlier post sounded kinda mean, I am sorry, my day just kinda sucked today and I tried to take it out by discussing politics, not a good idea.

[Navaros]

burning flags is cool

my Q is: is it still legal to burn effigys of Bush in the USA? effigy burnings are always hilarious. they never get boring. that would be the BEST new reality TV show: effigy burnings! LOL oh my, i'm a genius aren't i? i should go market my brilliant idea!

[Dante]

You'd make more money marketing Bush voodoo dolls. They'd sell like there was no tomorrow. ;D

And yes I see your point, I've thought of it myself before. But why should that be a bad thing? The last thing I want to be is average. Except perhaps bankrupt... 'You can either make evryone the same, or make everyone different. Since the latter is almost the case there will always be differences in the way people treat each other. You have to live with it.

[DukeLeto]

Baggage handlers have the right to remove and inspect anything suspicious, they don't have the right to KEEP it. It happened to a guy I know from online, he had a big metal box of kitchen knives that he bought at a specialty store in NY that the scanners couldn't penetrate. When he opened his case up after he got home all that was different was that some stuff was moved around and the knives weren't as they were when he packed it, they didn't STEAL anything. He was a little creeped out by it so he called the airline's baggage services, told 'em the story and they explained the security measures to him and apologised for any invonvenience. For all the airport screeners knew the metal case could just as easily have been filled with TNT, and if it had been and there were another airplane disaster, I'd bet a $100 crystal figurine that you'd be listing "continuing Republican failure to protect American travelers" as strike #1.

And since when is gambling illegal? Bennet is a multi-millionaire, 8 million over 10 years to him is like a weekly lottery ticket to most people. I'm not saying he's in the right but you failed to mention that while he said he didn't have anything to apologise for he made a promise to stop gambling and seek help.

1. I came up with that scenario because that very thing played out to a friend of mine. And frankly, if you give people the right to look through your luggage, you don't think any of theses screeners are ever going to take anything?

Convieniently, when you try to get to the text of the Transportation Security Act from the DOT page, you get a 404 error. ::)

2.So you are saying you find nothing wrong with getting huge payments telling people how to lead vituous lives, then turning around and gambling it off? ::)

[Dante]

2.So you are saying you find nothing wrong with getting huge payments telling people how to lead vituous lives, then turning around and gambling it off? ::)

Yes. ;)

No, seriously; it's hypocritical but so what? He wants to do it, let him. It's not like he's breaking any laws.

[die4honr]

Ah, both Dems and Rpeublicans are slime, the Democrats are just slightly less slimy. The Democrats f*ck your young women while the Republicans f*ck your wallet and civil liberties. That's one reason why I'm registering Socialist. ;)

what is scocialist?

[DukeLeto]

2.So you are saying you find nothing wrong with getting huge payments telling people how to lead vituous lives, then turning around and gambling it off? ::)

Yes. ;)

No, seriously; it's hypocritical but so what? He wants to do it, let him. It's not like he's breaking any laws.

I don't think he should be making millions of dollars a year telling people how to live virtuous live and being addicted to gambling at the same time. That's past hypocritical, it's disgusting!

ESPECIALLY given he was ranting on CLinton to resign, (and you can sleep with whoever you want-there's no law against it) and this SOB won't even apologize!

[TMA_1]

burning flags is cool

you used to be mister america, your such a confused guy.lol

I agree that the democrats and republicans are pretty sick, and like what frank wrote in Whipping Star and Desodi Experament. The major problem with democracy is the unstability it causes, and the fact that though it should be for the people, it degrades into a chaotic mess. Legislature is passed and rejected by the day, ratifications of laws occures and it all leads to a shallow form of government. That is why I think we need to go back towards our federalist republic roots, and stop acting like all these western nations are democracies. Nobody seems to know what a democracy really is! beh.

[Acriku]

I don't think he should be making millions of dollars a year telling people how to live virtuous live and being addicted to gambling at the same time. That's past hypocritical, it's disgusting!

This is not hypocritical. What a man does with his money he earns, provided he breaks no laws, is his business. What foundation do you have to criticize him for it? He's still going to get the money. So what if he loses it to somebody else? Are you just pissy because you don't get that money? Sorry if your job is not adequate.

[DukeLeto]

You don't find it hypocritical to tell someone not to do something and be doing it yourself? How do you define hypocritical, then? ::)

[number6]

I fail to see what you have proven here DukeLeto. I love how liberals love to generalize. One Senator's personal life does not represent the whole parties behaviour. Sure the guy may have a gambling addiction and maybe he needs some counseling. The point is until he has done something wrong that is not a strike against him or the Republican party. Why does it matter how much he spends? I doubt that $8 million comes from his government pay. More likely from the books he publishes which you mentioned. I never read the book, so he did not make any money from me. Obeviously some people find that stuff interesting and are willing to pay for it. You don't see any conservatives in here whining about Hillary Clinton's latest book do you? She is also a multi millionaire so does that count for a strike against your beloved Democractic party?

How is the flag burning law a strike against the Republican party? I think that is a great idea. If you burn a flag just because you think it is your right you have a serious problem. How about all the men and women that gave their lives to protect this country? Do you think they would appreciate you burning the US flag. I think not. When you burn the US flag you are disrespecting all the people that fought to make the US what it is today. If you hate the US and live in the US, then you should leave. Is the US government perfect? Of course not, but I guarentee you it is one of the best places to live in the world and a lot of people want to live here. The reason you have any rights in the first place is rooted in that flag. It should be treated with the highest respect. I see people in this forum getting upset over what rank they have in the forum so don't tell me that most people don't care about the flag of their country. I think you are on the border of being a traitor myself when you make your point based on how other countries treat the American flag.

I won't even comment on the baggage scenrario other than again I fail to see the point. Please provide facts as to why the republican party is to blame.

[Acriku]

Well I could whine about her (and I put that very lightly) book, but it'll just get boring as that's all I've been talking about with a couple of my friends.

[DukeLeto]

I fail to see what you have proven here DukeLeto. I love how liberals love to generalize. One Senator's personal life does not represent the whole parties behaviour. Sure the guy may have a gambling addiction and maybe he needs some counseling. The point is until he has done something wrong that is not a strike against him or the Republican party. Why does it matter how much he spends? I doubt that $8 million comes from his government pay. More likely from the books he publishes which you mentioned. I never read the book, so he did not make any money from me. Obeviously some people find that stuff interesting and are willing to pay for it. You don't see any conservatives in here whining about Hillary Clinton's latest book do you? She is also a multi millionaire so does that count for a strike against your beloved Democractic party?

How is the flag burning law a strike against the Republican party? I think that is a great idea. If you burn a flag just because you think it is your right you have a serious problem. How about all the men and women that gave their lives to protect this country? Do you think they would appreciate you burning the US flag. I think not. When you burn the US flag you are disrespecting all the people that fought to make the US what it is today. If you hate the US and live in the US, then you should leave. Is the US government perfect? Of course not, but I guarentee you it is one of the best places to live in the world and a lot of people want to live here. The reason you have any rights in the first place is rooted in that flag. It should be treated with the highest respect. I see people in this forum getting upset over what rank they have in the forum so don't tell me that most people don't care about the flag of their country. I think you are on the border of being a traitor myself when you make your point based on how other countries treat the American flag.

1. Now wait...Bill Clinton isn't alowed to have an affair, even though it's his personal life and breaking no laws. But William Bennet can gamble away millions, and it be fine because it's his personal business and not against the law. Clinton is an icon of the evils of the Democratic party, yet Bennet is just an pordinary guy. Care to point out the logic here to me? ::)

2. Wow, you actually favor abridging people's rights because you don't like what they're doing?

"Disrespecting all people who fought to make the US what it is today"? How DARE you even SUGGEST the founding fathers wanted this fascist dicatorship America has become!! DO YOU think Washington would have supported invading Iraq? DO YOU EVEN THINK FOR A SECOND that Franklin would have supported disobeying the UN?! YOU ARE A SHINING EXAMPLE OF THE SLIME AND FILTH THAT INFESTS THIS ONCE GREAT NATION! AMERICA IS FALLING APART BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU! The government is dysfunctional, oppressive, and aggresive! We rely on international imports, WE USE OIL FOR EVERYTHING, WE ARE FLATTENING STATES IN A QUEST FOR COAL, WE ARE INSULTING AND PUTTING OFF THE ENTIRE UNITED NATIONS, WE ARE GIVING GOVERNMENT MONEY TO CHURCHES! OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM SUCKS, OUR ECONOMY IS IN THE DUMPER, AND WE ARE ATTACKING OTHER NATIONS TO COVER IT ALL UP! WE ARE DESTROYING THE ENVIRONMENT, OUR ALLIANCES, AND OTHER COUNTRIES' TRUST IN US! THE WORLD HATES US! AND YOU THINK THIS IS WAHT THE FOUNDING FATHERS WANTED?! WHAT IN THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?! >:( >:( >:(

---

Whew, Ok Duke, cool down boy... :-X

[Acriku]

The controversy over Clinton was that he committed perjury. The affair was the cause of that perjury, and thus was publicized. He lied while under oath, which was an impeachable offense. That is why.

[DukeLeto]

But he should not have been questioned about the affair in the first place.

[Acriku]

It was a public reaction. And of course some people wanted dirt on him so they investigated it. He was fine until he lied under oath. Maybe not fine to the public's eye, but to the law yes.