Letters to the Editor
NotOrbitBoy
Published Letters: 286 Editor's Choice: 4
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@GG
[Read the article: "Great American Hypocrites: Toppling the Big Myths of Republican Politics"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]You are right. I have not read the book. I have, however, read your description of it.
1. Paranoid Rants - "dismantling of our Constitutional framework, the creation of a lawless Surveillance State and a virtually omnipotent President" . . . Bush's push for FISA renewal failed, disproving the notion that he is omnipotent, and weakening your claim of a lawless Surveillance State. There are many more examples where Bush has failed to get what he wants, further disproving the "omnipotent" hyperbole.
I personally think your anti-FISA arguments have been over the top. I believe that the drift-netting and data-mining techniques are meant to spot, and stop, terrorist activity. I admit that I can't prove that. On the other hand, I don't see the system as having caused big problems, hence use of the term "paranoid".
2. Colorful Language - "Drudgian Freak Show", "media-led Freak Show referendum", "sickly weakness"
3. Broken Logic - "Many liberals, Democrats and other opponents of this right-wing faction have been squeamish in the past about engaging these low-life Freak Show tactics" . . . apparently you haven't read sidney blumenthal's columns.
I don't mind that you sell your ideas hard. I mind that people make judgements based more on their emotion rather than objective reasoning. Do Republicans make emotional appeals? Yes. I stand by my comparison of your efforts to that of Ann Coulter.
I don't see how any of this is a "talking point".
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@retired mil. patriot
[Read the article: "Great American Hypocrites: Toppling the Big Myths of Republican Politics"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Open my mind.
Please describe how Dick Cheney's position re. FISA and Iraq further his personal, selfish goals.
Try backing it up with specific examples where Cheney's actions caused him to personally benefit, to act selfishly. Do this without imagining his motive for him. Prove it.
I dare you.
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You're Right Jebbie
[Read the article: "Great American Hypocrites: Toppling the Big Myths of Republican Politics"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I shouldn't challenge RMP.
He ain't up to it.
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Hey Ret. Mil. Pat. - Why the closed mind?
[Read the article: "Great American Hypocrites: Toppling the Big Myths of Republican Politics"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]You told me you don't care, you have a preconceived notion as to what I think, and why, but I'm still looking for an answer regarding your post that people like Cheney are acting for their own selfish goals.
Can you, or anyone, back up your claim?
Please describe how Dick Cheney's position re. FISA and Iraq further his personal, selfish goals.
A couple posters mentioned Haliburton, as in "duh, Haliburton".
Please explain Cheney's personal, selfish goal and how it was satisfied by his policies.
I'm not calling anyone names, I'm looking for someone to explain why the "Haliburton-Cheney conspiracy" is reality, as opposed to a myth, you know, like Glenn is complaining about.
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Iokannan Outlines the Myth
[Read the article: "Great American Hypocrites: Toppling the Big Myths of Republican Politics"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Thanks for the post Iokannan, that's what I think most salonista's believe, the myth.
I know most of you dislike Cheney (some use the word hate). I know most of you disagree with his policies. Unfortunately, many of you go a step further and buy into the Cheney-Haliburton myth, put forward by people like halliburtonwatch.org.
Some facts;
1. Dick Cheney voluntarily left his position as CEO of Haliburton. It was a job that paid him millions, annually. He took the job of VP. What does it pay? $100K? $200K?
2. Dick Cheney purchased an insurance policy to pay him his deferred compensation from Haliburton. This was deferred money he had agreed to prior to becoming VP. The insurance policy was used to set a fixed value on that compensation, independent from the success or failure of Haliburton. In other words, Cheney's pay was no longer tied to Haliburton's success. It is safe to say that in doing so, he also lessened the value of that deferred compensation.
3. Dick Cheney turned his stock options over to an irrevocable trust. To charity. Being irrevocable, he cannot get the money back. The trust is run by an independent trustee. The money goes to U of Wyoming, George Washington Medical, and for educating underpriviledged youth. The trust has been valued at around $8 Million. He gave this money away. He did this two days before becoming VP.
4. Cheney could have quit as VP after 4 years. His heart is bad. He could have claimed "medical reasons". He could have returned to private industry, and cashed in. Like the $50 Million bill clinton got. He didn't.
I am sure you have all kinds of reasons for opposing Dick Cheney.
But, given these facts, which are easily verified to all of you of open mind, how does one conclude that Cheney is acting out of greed?
You have to believe the democrat myth to reach that conclusion.
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@Aycharaych
[Read the article: "Great American Hypocrites: Toppling the Big Myths of Republican Politics"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]1. Your prediction is wrong.
2. My understandig as to why Cheney was in favor of the Iraq war was that he saw Iraq as a threat to US interests. That is also my understanding as to why he favors drift-netting and data-mining (high-tech surveillance). He wants to prevent a terrorist attack.
Maybe he's wrong on both points.
My previous posts addressed the notion put forward by Retired Military Patriot (aka Captain Courageous) that Cheney is acting to fulfill a selfish goal. I think that is, as another poster referred to me, "stooopid".
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@Cocktailhag
[Read the article: "Great American Hypocrites: Toppling the Big Myths of Republican Politics"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I pose a challenge, "show me how Cheney selfishly gained from his policies", which you seem to describe as simple to respond to. But then you don't respoind to it, and instead change the subject (plus insults).
Time to pour yourself another one.
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Leaving...
[Read the article: "Great American Hypocrites: Toppling the Big Myths of Republican Politics"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I need sleep. These paranoid rants are starting to creep me out.
Cocktailhag, I take it you are all-in on embryonic stem cell research?
I'm afraid you're going to need a new liver soon.
Take care.