I don't generally defend murderers. I think the marines in the heat of battle are deserving of greater consideration than to chain and lock them up and to be described as cold-blooded murderers by a US Congressman who is pitched against the war in the first place. Neither of those was really threatened. They were targets of bad and/or tasteless jokes. Are you trying to say that AC was trying to incite some nutjob to actually pull one of those jobs off? I hope not.
I haven't made Ann Coulter anything. I certainly didn't make her into a mean-sprited person who lacks substance in her debates, is often lacking in facts, and has been caught at it multiple times. I could care less how much money she has or doesn't have. I am sure she is enormously financially successful. So what. That doesn't in any way shape or form change what kind of person she is. The congressman apologized. He knew he was wrong, but you are still defending him. As for making jokes about public figures, a lot depends. If it is in a comedy club, or on stage, then I probably wouldn't either. Though when the victim is an 85 year old woman who hasn't done anything to offend anyone, I might think it wasn't funny, and probably in bad taste. But this man was not in a comedy club, on a comedy show, or any place else where that is called for. I believe in civility and even manners. There is a time and place for things.
I absolutely understand where you are coming from. There's no doubt that the stress levels and the split second decision making required in some situations inevitably create situations like this. Even if this was pre-meditated, you can diagnose a reason for it, namely the sheer combat stress and problems surrounding being part of the US military in Iraq. That being said, I think its extremely dangerous to dilute the punishment because of the situation above. When we actually start to rationalize murder, it sets up for a very dangerous precedent. Many acts of pre-meditated murder don't occur out of the blue, they occur because individuals have some reason to kill another person, and many times they do it for very significant and non-trivial reasons. To let these service members off the hook would functionally take a somewhat objective system of murder that already takes into account, the motive and intent (i.e. our system of first degree, second degree murder, manslaughter etc..) and to turn it upside down because of the introduction of a completely subjective determination as to what qualifies as a more acceptable form of murder. Murder is murder and for our justice system to remain intact, even situations like this, which I can entirely understand, must be prosecuted like any other case.
You are coy! May I capitalilze that? C-O-Y Do you know where he said it? Who was his audience? Why are you not likewise objecting to all these unflattering jokes/portrayals of Cheney and Bush and Condi?
You do realize that Murtha was for the war "in the first place?" And because of rationally looking at how the war has been conducted is now against it?
I suppose so but come on, this is just a politician being a politician. Every member of Congress, on both sides, make absolutely ridiculous and outlandish comments all the time. If you are ever doing research and need to come up with radical claims on either side of an issue, don't even bother wasting time going through research journals, just quote congressmen and senators because those house and senate sessions are filled with absolutely assinine claims. Remember when John Cornyn said that the reason a local judge of a criminal court in Atlanta was killed because of rising judicial activism. We all know that's just bull**** and there's no question that the Congressman's remarks on this situation were a little over the top but that's what you get from Congress. This isn't one Congressman that you can label and call a clown because the whole lot of them do this stuff all the time. You're just focusing on one incident.
I only meant to say that the public conviction of these marines is coming from someone who is against the war in Iraq. I didn't mean "in the first place" to be a historical reference.
I don't doubt that but no one had to go digging to find Murtha's remarks of the last few months. They are foisted upon us with regularity.
i didn't even think about them because the real murderers are the people who put these people in that position/situation.. so she's just joking/kidding..
Yes, now what about my last question? I'm off to the community pool with my daughters; I'll check back breathlessly in a couple of hours. (no smileys allowed)
Those jokes are made by posters on a website, comedians, and the like. I missed any Condi/Bush jokes that called them Ugly old virgens worthy punishing a hellbound terrorist with their company. In addition Bush jokes about himself and sets a tone where good natured ribbing might be ok. If you find any of those outside the normal realms of comedy, please let me know. It wasn't that big of a deal, and the congressman can admit he was wrong. Why can't you? But it did show a general lack civility, and was an unprovoked attack.
BTW, if you are curious as to why a California audience would give Skeletora such a strong response, Right Wing Talk Radio stations in Cali and wingnut blogs made sure that they flooded the audience to give her a warm reception.
Sorry but that joke is reserved for HT. Bush has children; you know he's not a virgin. And Condi may have just lost hers since the election of GWB!! Stuff I've read here goes way beyond good ribbing... and you've missed all of it? Because I'm not running for office.
Thanks, that makes a little more sense. I guess with the mass migration of Fox News anchors to talk radio over the last 2-3 years I've completely forgotten about the Larry Elders and Mike Reagans of the world (even though I don't actually consider either one of them wingnuts). On an unrelated talk radio note, I actually just found out Phil Hendrie was ending his radio talk show. I haven't listened to him in a while, but I remember when he started up on KPRC in around 2000-2001, one of the few humorous people on the air in the days and weeks after 9/11, certainly better than hearing Michael Savage gloat about the death of the Democratic Party.
Since I've answered 20 questions, and was more than pleased to do so...Here is a question for others to anwer such as franchiseblade, and mc mark: Do you agree Ann Coulter is a counterweight to far left personalities? Do think Ann Coulter has substantial political impact? Is she a threat to the democratic or leftward political ideology? Where is your Micheal Moore? Where are the documentaries? Do you feel that there is such a thing as a far left personality? Who is that example? What would Harry Truman do if he was President right now? Have you researched the strong decisiveness of this great President and should his style be emulated by leaders of the Democratic party? Do you believe in the merits of a moderate democracy which allows the embracing of the bill of rights including the 2nd admendment rights, strong foreign policy,..yet strong traditional social democratic policy (insurance, welfare, etc.)? Please answer my questions demmit...ASAP!
