There were four words Mr. Baugh used to describe Mayor Cook. How many do you think were intended to be insulting? My guess is no more than four and no less than four.
Obama's great promise during this election is his promise to get beyond the intensely partisan. These next weeks will determine if that promise will be kept, even if the wacko Rightists refuse to play ball. As a SoCal resident, I know very well how poisonous the Rightist movement in Orange County can be. Rightists in the OC were so disgusted by their country that a wide section of them didn't even bother to vote.
We have certain solemn duties as Americans, something that Rightists love to pontificate about. Some of us serve bravely in the Armed Forces, like my brother in the Air Force. Some are public servants, like politicians or bureaucrats. Some are (*gasp*) community organizers. Regardless, we all are called upon to serve, even if we don't want to. Voting is our solemn duty. Even if you think your guy is gonna lose doesn't mean you should pout and home and start running your mouth about hiding your money from the IRS or moving to Portugal. VOTE, for God's sake. I really, truly wish those 20 or 30 percent of OC voters who stayed home had voted, even if it was for McCain, Bob Barr, Ralph Nader or whomever. Every single soul who does not vote is working to stamp the light out of our grand democracy. 2008 was a significant step toward many social goals, but it is especially important for a goal I am most passionate about: 100% exercising of the franchise, our greatest gift.
If I seem overly patriotic, so be it. This is a great moment for our nation. There is a place for both parties, both ideologies in our nation. There is a difference between the intellectual validity of the Conservative ideology and the thugish behavior of the Rightist movement. Let's make sure both sides remember that and that none of us take our gifts of liberty for granted.
Lets be honest, this goes both ways. How many wacko Dems have compared Bush to Hitler and Repubs to Nazis in the past eight years. The hate for Bush and the Repubs from the left has been very extreme in the past eight years. Granted, Bush was not a great President by any stretch, some of the hatred to the man is insane considering some of the challenges he had during his tenure.
Posted By: Jackson (Guest) on November 05, 2008 at 04:05 PM
"Every single soul who does not vote is working to stamp the light out of our grand democracy."
or
I do not feel as though any of the choices given to me are reflective enough of my views to give them my vote.
or
The lesser of two evils is still evil.
Posted By: matthew (Guest) on November 05, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Voting is only noble (and rational) when the citizan can vote for someone who will represent him and his interests. Obama represented only phoniness and the spectre of an authoritarian state, and so did McCain. This is the legacy of Clinton and Bush. True conservatives can not and will not be complicit in such a corrupt, false democracy. The right wing 'flame throwing' is only beginning. Wait for the true backlash to begin when people begin to realize, Republican and Democrat, just how screwed we are.
Posted By: Right Wing Soldier (Guest) on November 05, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Many people are uninformed, others are plain stupid. I prefer that such individuals stay home.
Posted By: Shockmaster (Guest) on November 05, 2008 at 05:00 PM
Have you ever voted, Matthew? Pick the Constitution Party, the Natural Law Party, the Greens, the Libertarians, write someone in, intentionally spoil your ballot, etc.
The 'lesser evil' argument is a bunch of cop-out baloney.
Posted By: Bisch (Guest) on November 05, 2008 at 06:01 PM
You are quite right, Jackson. Both sides have a duty to advance the cause of civility in our national discourse. As I said, Obama absolutely needs to extend his hand to Republicans and offer them spots in his Cabinet. If he does not, it will be a great disappointment to me, one that could affect whether or not he wins my vote again in 2012. He has made many promises and I will hold him to every last one.
Posted By: Dave Schilling (Guest) on November 05, 2008 at 06:02 PM
Sorry, but someone has to say it.
Living in a Democracy give you a freedom of choice. Voting is NOT a "solemn duty". Choosing not to vote is as much of a right as choosing to vote.
Posted By: Brad McLeod (Guest) on November 05, 2008 at 07:01 PM
So true, Bisch. There is a party for every section of the American political spectrum. People who claim they only have two choices are the ones assuring that very system will eventually manifest itself. We are only a two-party system because we allow it. Another great lesson from last night is that if enough people rally to a cause, the improbable can happen.
Posted By: Dave Schilling (Guest) on November 05, 2008 at 07:15 PM
I live in so cal also and I work in the OC. You gotta love em, talk about a different world. Where ALL housewives think they are rich, the kids are spoiled, and common sense is NON existent..
Posted By: shyvoodoo (Guest) on November 05, 2008 at 08:45 PM
STAY CURRENT