Question & Answer

You seem to lean right. Do you criticize them at all?
Anonymous

I do lean “right” on the political spectrum. Though I really think that the necessity of categorizing ones political beliefs is kind of limiting. I know that’s probably waxing too philosophical for such a question, but whatever…

I’m guessing by “them” you mean the GOP and other conservatives? Yeah, I do. I may not be as vocal about it here, but there’s idiotic political moves and policies that I disagree with on both sides. The left draws more fire because:

  1. I’m more opposed to some of the beliefs they are associated with than I am their right-wing counterparts.
  2. They’re the party in power.

And I think I need to elaborate a little more on point #2. The party in power always needs an adversary to keep it in check or else it will be recklessly stupid. However, the minority needs to act responsibly as well. The Democratic majority has attempted to create a narrative that the GOP is the “party of no.” I find this ironic when in the months leading up to the left’s power gain in 2006, you saw similar tactics being demonstrated when they were in the minority in Congress.

What I’m in favor of more than any party or movement is responsibility. Without that, you’re in need of a swift kick in the teeth.

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Question & Answer

So what are your thoughts on Elena Kagan being nominated for the Supreme Court?
Anonymous

From the things I’ve read on her, I’m kind of opposed to it. There’s no question that she has the intellectual knowledge to perform on a high level of the Judicial branch but without any actual prior experience, I can’t really say that she should be on the court.

Nominating her is like putting Greg Gumbel’s name in for the NFL Draft. They may know much about how the game is played, but to actually do it is something beyond their ability.

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Question & Answer

How the hell can you live with yourself considering that you're a bigoted, evil, capitalist, racist, bible-thumping asshole of a right-wing scumbag. You and all your kind would do America a favor by committing mass-suicide.
Anonymous

Oh boy, I guess I should hash all this out.

I have no difficulty and no guilt in admitting that I am a capitalist. I know that word instantly causes instant, narrow-minded reactions and thoughts of a fat CEO, chomping on his cigar as he steals bags of cash and laughs at the starving poor person on the street. Unfortunately, that isn’t how capitalism works. Capitalism, at its core, is about efficiency. That efficiency does not have to include screwing over another human being for your own gain. Believe it or not, there is not a black-white/take-steal mode of capitalist operations.

As far as being a racist, I don’t hate people based on such shallow terms as their ethnicity alone. I have much greater things to do in life than participate in such the destruction of other human beings on a personal level just because of ancestral background or the level of melanin in their skin.

In regards to bible-thumping, I believe you have me confused with someone that is religious. I have faith. Faith and religion are two completely different things. Faith is a relationship that comes from knowing a God that loves me more than I deserve. Religion is control that comes out of any belief. I’m assuming that by “bible-thumping” you’re identifying me with the classic stereotype of a fanatical Christian that is quick to condemn others to hell. That’s not what Christ wants me to do. Christianity’s about God’s love. Sorry.

And as far as the “right-wing scumbag” comment goes, I’m assuming that you feel the need to associate me with the Republican party’s dirtiest players or the fringe aspects of “Tea partiers” or whatever. If you actually read my political thoughts/rants/raves you see that I have a bigger issue with policy and applying proper legality to government actions rather than sensationalist fears of terrorism, taxation, corporations, and tax cuts. I will gladly admit my errors in policy considerations and other things because I allow the facts, rather than politics, to influence my views.

And in regards to me being a “bigoted” and “evil” person, I would just like to say that an anonymous individual who makes sweeping generalizations based on an individual due to their faith and opinions on public policy and proceeds to cheer for that person’s death has no grounds to call anyone a bigot or evil.

The level of hate found in politics is absolutely sickening and you, my friend, are a prime example of that. I wish that you would channel your energy into something more productive to benefit those around you rather than letting this level of hate consume you. Calling someone “scum” or encouraging the death of someone never made the world a better place.

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Question & Answer

Suppose we lived in a world where it was of our moral responsibility to exact revenge on the people who wronged us.

In your mind, what would be the most brilliant and creative way to pay back a roommate who repeatedly served you with undue annoyance and injustice?
tagueurit

I think that forcing them to watch this would probably get the job done.

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Question & Answer

What do you honestly think of Sarah Palin?
Anonymous

Oh boy, I knew that this was eventually going to be asked. I’ll try to answer this without going on a huge political rant that will only cause my political sobriety to lapse…

Do I like her? No, not much at all. I honestly consider her to be one of the weaker aspects of the “conservative” movement. I think she is a shallow representation of ideas that have potential for good in the United States, which only harms the delivery of said ideas to the public. She appeals to a large niche of individuals that base their political philosophies and ideas based on knee-jerk reactions to what they are told rather than what they discover and ponder (not unlike a Fox News, MSNBC, or DailyKos fan).

Do I think she’s an idiot? Not necessarily. I don’t think she’s a profound intellectual, if that’s what you’re asking. She’s just a public figure and nothing more. She’s become a straw-man to those wanting to tear down right-leaning ideas in the same way that they do with Fox News or the Tea Party movement or “birthers.” When she’s attacked, I always see it as an attack on her as a person rather than the tattered shreds of the mediocre representations of ideas that she presents. I honestly feel that insulting or trying to discredit her is kind of redundant and only makes you look like the bigger fool.

In short, I think of Sarah Palin in the same regard that I do Sean Hannity and Keith Olbermann.

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