I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

Anonymous

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BarbaraA

Blue, a friend emailed me this Jim quote and I just had to share:

There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors.
-- Jim Morrison

1Athena1

Barbara, as I said,  I can understand not caring about politics period and I can understand not voting, not feeling that it will affect you or that what you say matters, etc.... I have lived in other places too, so I know that levels of involvement vary drastically (although some of the most apolitical people I know are very urbane).

What I can NOT understand is actually reading and following events and THEN not being able to, in your own mind, tell the difference between two politicians. Those perennial undecideds who say they read ther papers, watch television, follow the debates and still can't make up their minds.

I suppose I can't understand someone who eats at restaurants every night and, after a year, can't tell you which ones he would recommend. See what I mean?

1Athena1

Caerus:

The chocolate Moose on K St? I have not been there, but I will try it out! The name definitely sounds enticing.

BarbaraA

Athena, it is called apathy and many, many people suffer from it. They are passionate about racquetball or crocheting but the political crap happening is totally off their radar screen. I get where you are coming from because I am like that also. I do care. As they say. different strokes for different folks. I have always been politically active as I moved to DC in 1970, fresh out of college. I lived there until the late 90's and I remain active. It is difficult for me to get others to even engage in discussions here. No problem in DC but here? Everyone is agog about the Phil Mickelson/Tiger Woods pairing. Not that I am not loving that but it seems all the 'away from the North East' Americans are just not engaged in our political process. 

JMO.

bluedahlia

Yes Barb,  they wanted to break on through, to the other side. LOL! Actually, I think the original quote that gave them the idea was Blake's "When the doors of perception are cleansed, things will appear to man as they truly are...infinite." .

1Athena1

Now I'm understanding Jim's wonderful music a bit better.

Barbara, I once lived not too far from you, BTW (within 200 miles).  Sorry to be a ridiculous privacy freak and not say more on this public forum, but I certainly know what it's like to hear the news and have either the latest box office hit, the latest sports scandal  or the weather be the only stories of interest.

It was beautiful but just too relaxed. I am waaaaay too neurotic for that laid back lifestyle. Up north suits me better.  

CherrylH

Athena & Barb,

I, too, am a refugee from DC. I lived there from 1972 - 86. I think having national news as our local news makes political junkies out of us. I still miss it at time.

1Athena1

I love it here. At first it struck me as a bit of a backwater because I was used to larger cities, but I have really grown fond of it.

konakat

I read last night that HBO is making a TV movie about the 2008 elections, based on the book Game Change by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin.  Julianne Moore will play Palin.  Should be good!

riley702

My mother says we should be able to vote "none of the above", and if that pulls the most votes, throw all the candidates out and start over. Not practical, but it could be very satisfying some elections. A lot of my votes have been choosing the lesser of two evils (which I think is what Athena is advocating), and I'm tired of not liking any of them. Obama excepted. Before '08, I can't remember the last time I stayed up, excited about who would win.

annettek

I truly appreciated my BS telling me at diagnosis that the cause of my BC was bad luck. It took me aback for a minute, but then I got it. It was perhaps one of the best things anybody has had to offer since all of this began. She is a brilliant doctor with a well-deserved great reputation. So to hear her admit something like that so freely and honestly, well, what more could I ask for. Of course I still racked my brain trying to figure out WHY and HOW and did extensive research only to land up with the same conclusion...bad luck. For nobody really knows, as someone said in a previous post...what flips the switch in some of us. Scientific theories abound, even in regards to treatment, and all of it is really educated guesses. It drives me mad as I like to know WHY and I like to know HOW. Ha! It is truly a case of going with what feels right and our own common sense tells us to do. We might make the wrong choice, we might make the right one. We really don't know. I can never be who I was before BC but I am pulling to find out who I am now. As they say, I guess it is the journey. I am in no hurry to get to a destination as I realize that this is it right now, what we all have. I have to use some common sense....and even that will cause some to think that is a sketchy thing to rely on but in the end, what choice is there? It is all a balancing act with mistakes to be made along the way. If I hit a brick wall, I will just have to think on it some more and revevaluate. Isn't that what we all do anyway? Not just in regards to BC? I am just looking for that sweet spot that keeps me on the journey with more good than bad... ahhh just in a contemplative mood I guess...I really do appreciate all of you-even the ones I disagree with for all of you teach me something and that is no small thing. Thanks:)

ananda8

Obama's election was mind boggling.  The repercussion will not be truly felt for a generation or two, but it was the beginning of the end of the rampant racism in the American culture.  Yes, the birthers are really racists in disguise and the hearings by Congressman King are racially motivated, but these are just the last vestiges of disease working its way out of the body politic. 

I think Obama is a fairly weak President who may get stronger if he wins a second term. He needs to select a better team for Treasury, Homeland Security and Secretary of Veterans Affairs  The real star in his administration is Hillary Clinton who is finally out from under her husband's shadow and is becoming a real Statesman. 

Those people who can listen to debates and not have a preference are simply followers who will follow anyone who wins.  They wait until the last minute to make up their minds because when it comes down to it, they vote for the guy most likely to win.  They are incapable of making an independent decision.

annettek

wow- when i posted my last response it was after reading about three pages or so back- do it seems like a rather random missive in the midst of what everyone is talking about now...oh well..random works;).

Medigal

I think Obama is going to pay the price for our economy going down the tubes.  He said before he was elected, he was going to surround himself with the best people to help him make the best decisions.  Looks like some of the "best" missed a lot of meetings.  The government is out of control on the spending, and the Republicans are making fools of themselves playing "I got you last!" with the Democrats.  I am angry at both parties for not doing the right thing to keep spending under control.  At this point, unless Obama can "wake up" and get these reps to make the right decisons for our country, I would never vote for him a second term.  In fact, I am sick of both parties and hope an Independent comes in with some good qualifications. 

I will no longer let myself be fooled by empty promises of these politicians.  I am disillusioned with Hillary Clinton because she backed Obama and made him sound like a great leader.  If she ever runs, I would not vote for her either.  While Obama stays glued to his seat, our country is going over the cliff financially and they won't do what the best mines state can save our country. If you want to know what that is, ask any one who keeps track of what is going on.  

sheila888

How about him?

bluedahlia

China would call in their loans if he made it.

Medigal

The Donald??  Well I heard him recently on tv and he was furious about what Obama is allowing to happen to our country.  Frankly, I think we could do worse than giving him a try at it.  First, I would want to see him in a real debate with one of the other runners (not Palin!) and get his answers to what he would do for certain problems. He certainly knows about money and I think he would do what it takes to turn our country around.  He is an intelligent, well-known person who would not have a problem being a leader, imo. 

I think the Republicans would be fools not to try to get him to run.  I am not sure if he is a Republican or an Independent.  Either way, from all the names I have seen who are running at this time, I would definitely give him my vote if he gives good answers in any debates.  Being a President takes more than just being able to handle money.  He has to be willing to "lead" and take charge.  Two abilities, I have yet to see in Obama.  Just my opinion.

sheila888

I feel the same way Medigal.

He is a businessman. And he talks well.

Medigal

Blue:  Why do you think China will call in their loans if Trump makes it?.  I think the Chinese respect people who know how to make money and money is Trump's life. 

 My real concern is that China will call in their loans if  Obama keeps showing his inability to make the decisions to keep our economy stable.  China already basically owns us and if they call in their loans, I am concerned other nations may follow.  Yet Obama seems to be sleepwalking through one of the most tragic times in our history since the Great Depression!

bluedahlia

He would implement more taxes in any imports from China and anger the heck out of them.

bluedahlia

Besides, I heard he's not really serious about it.  Don't get me wrong, I like the guy.

1Athena1

ROFLMAO!!!!!

Blue, you are TOO funny.

You know what? I think I'd stop paying taxes if that clown made it.

Medigal

Blue:  I figured that's what you meant since I heard him on that show.  However I think he's smart enough to figure out a way to do it without angering the Chinese.  He would work out something with them.  They need us to buy their goods and if we are bankrupt, we won't have the money to keep  buying at the rate we do now.  I sure hope he is serious.  I think he said he would give his answer by this June. 

1Athena1

I wouldn't worry about China calling their loans any time soon. If they did, they would be so flush with dollars that they would finally run out of excuses for artificially inflating the value of the remninbi, which would in turn lead to revaluation of their currency and a massive increase in the price of Chinese goods.

ananda8

The Donald has filed bankruptcy or restructured debt on numerous occasions, 1991, 1992,1994, and 2004.  Just think of what a great job he'll do with the US debt problems. 

Medigal

Athena:  That is why I think Trump could be a good President.  He says he has dealt with the Chinese and knows how to deal with them.  I think he could convince them not to do any thing that could cause both of our countries greater monetary problems.  Unfortuntely, Obama seems unconcerned about China or the problems of our country, imo.  For anyone who thinks I am against Obama, we voted for him but his actions have not been up to what he promised. IMO, he has not shown leadership qualities and I would not vote for him again.  Now please remember that is my opinion and if you feel differently, that's fine with me.  The right to be different is what makes us who we are.

1Athena1

Be it noted, Medi-pal-of-mine, that we disagree about my friend Barack.

bluedahlia

I don't have a say in the matter.  Can only give my perspective.

Medigal

Athena:  Duly noted Athena-pal-of-mine.  If I only liked people who agreed with me politically, I would have a very lonely life.  How I wish Obama would come across for us so I could  be happy I voted for him.  You have no idea how much I truly wanted him to succeed.  So let's hope he comes through for us any way.  I also hope your opinion of me is not based on who I vote or don't vote for.  Thanks!