I love hayestreet apparently is cool w/ republican attacks/degradation of our military, but woe unto any dem that might do the same in retaliation for smear attacks. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Svmd6ps1BMc&color1=11645361&color2=13619151&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Svmd6ps1BMc&color1=11645361&color2=13619151&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
The problem isn't with attacking Kerry's service. That wasn't even brought into this thread until you just did it. Nice strawman. The problem is that you equated having a President that you do not like to actually being a POW. That is simply a dumbass thing to do.
I respect McCain as a man, or I guess, as another human. I, too, am VERY tired of the POW self-victimization facet to his campaign. He brings it up at the most irrelevant times. If McCain was a rapper, he would easily be 50 Cent. 50 repeatedly refers back to getting shot 9 times before his rise, and most perceive him as a "victim" and not a survivor for it. At this point, McCain is a survivor, or "hero", but he's quickly becoming a "victim" in my book.
Fixed Like I said earlier, Fine, next time I'll tone it down and question his mental state and his patriotism ala the Rove smear machine of 2000.
Certainly, it is. As was equating Obama to Paris Hilton. The question is why does one side get to determine what's too far or what is not? Once one side opens the door to "dirty" tactics, they no longer have the moral high ground to argue that the other side is only allowed to go as far as they do.
A perfect description of the Democratic primary race? OF COURSE NOT!!! I think you are right about the McCain campaign. His surrogates are using the POW experience at every opportunity and so is McCain, if not with excusing the breakup of his first marraige. Impeach Bush.
Crashing multiple planes, most of which were your fault, and graduating 5th from the bottom of your class constitutes a leader to you?
And when the closest thing to military service your guy has been to is attending a militantly led church for 20 years that constitutes leadership qualities? Hmmmmm... Just asking.
I agree - McCain is overplaying the victim POW card here. I don't see how being tortured for 25 years makes him better and figuring out how to balance a budget and get us out of the economic mess. I'm sure he'd be great as an inspiration to soldiers - but I doubt the Prez is in danger of being held hostage by the Iranians and dumping a lot of state secrets.
The difference is that Obama doesn't tout his church membership as an excuse for everything that his opponents say about him. He gives actual reasons and rationale for his leadership qualifications.
So there's outrage over a throwaway line like that but Texas Stoke gets to call people terrorist sympathizers without so much as a raised eyebrow?
I have to agree that, in general, the POW line wears a little thin. However, it does seem relevant to this stupid how-many-houses-do-you-have issue.I think that event evoked a number of questions, like "Does he have a grasp on his own finances?", "Does he wear the pants in the family?", "Can he sympathize with people who are losing their homes in the credit crisis?", and "Is he a pampered little beyotch for whom all life comes easily, from his famous father to his privileged job to his wealthy wife?" The POW stint doesn't answer most of those, but it does address the last one in that at least he can say he has suffered like everyone else and, in some ways or compared to some people, moreso. So, I think it is relevant, politically, to bring it up regarding the houses just to say, "he's rich now, but he knows what it is like to live without comforts."
I didnt watch the video but I'm pretty sure it isn't me endorsing republican attacks/degradation of our military. I'm pretty sure I'm one of the biggest hawks on this bbs, but that doesn't even mean I'm Republican, much less in favor of Rovian politics. We agree the earlier comparison was dumb. I don't think equating Obama to Paris Hilton is offensive ala the W/POW comment. Dumb arguably, agreed...but it doesn't trivialize a very real and very sad condition suffered by many soldiers. I'm not on a side, so I certainly can say 'this statement is too much,' or 'that's ok.' However, I don't even think we could find consensus on what dirty tactics actually are - so in that sense you're right that any side will have a hard time holding the high ground unless they abstain completely.
