tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post6188608682713958907..comments2023-11-24T03:48:54.813-05:00Comments on No More Hornets: You Can't Tell the Players Without a ScorecardThe Exterminatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452054124550486048noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-45067167776678024812008-09-05T13:11:00.000-04:002008-09-05T13:11:00.000-04:00Philly:Well, believe it or not, even atheists get ...<B>Philly</B>:<BR/>Well, believe it or not, even atheists get gut feelings and have imaginations. We just don't trust those phenomena as evidence.The Exterminatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452054124550486048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-54617808987454497862008-09-05T10:16:00.000-04:002008-09-05T10:16:00.000-04:00"gut feeling""It's hard for me to imagine..."Wow, ...<I>"gut feeling"<BR/>"It's hard for me to imagine..."</I><BR/><BR/>Wow, and you've got the balls to call others on their psychic powers and feelings when you spout stuff like this? Nice.PhillyChiefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03355892225956705948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-50642257893866981042008-09-05T02:12:00.000-04:002008-09-05T02:12:00.000-04:00Lynet:Well, now that you've explained what you mea...<B>Lynet</B>:<BR/>Well, now that you've explained what you meant, I'll agree with you. Too bad neither of us has any actual evidence to back up our gut-feeling, but I have the exact same take as you do. Because I'm such an elitist, it's hard for me to imagine that a guy with an obviously topnotch intellect like Obama's started out with a thirst for Jesus. But I think he's so spellbinding to himself, that when he <I>decided</I> to believe for political purposes, he actually talked himself into believing that he "believed" for religious ones. Now, I'm afraid, he's indistinguishable from any other deeply committed Christian -- not necessarily a fundy nutball, but someone who is far too influenced by his own perceived relationship with some god.The Exterminatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452054124550486048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-69280943847591796572008-09-05T02:03:00.000-04:002008-09-05T02:03:00.000-04:00Can you tell me how Obama's religion is both since...<I>Can you tell me how Obama's religion is both sincere and taken on for political purposes? That seems like a clear case of A and not-A.</I><BR/><BR/>Well, that's easy. I think Obama cared a heck of a lot more about political success than about the truth of whether there is a God, I think he set out to believe for political purposes, and I think he succeeded in believing. As much as most people believe, anyway, faith being the weird thing that it is.Lynethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06357023675142716573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-31725521629128384372008-09-05T01:33:00.000-04:002008-09-05T01:33:00.000-04:00oz:I read these sorts of articles and think there ...<B>oz</B>:<BR/><I>I read these sorts of articles and think there is no hope for America, that's very sad.</I><BR/>And very infuriating.<BR/><BR/><B>Lynet</B>:<BR/>I don't think any American politicians are sincere. Their skill lies in getting you to <I>believe</I> that they're sincere. <BR/><BR/>One thing I don't understand in your comment: Can you tell me how Obama's religion is both sincere <I>and</I> taken on for political purposes? That seems like a clear case of <I>A</I> and <I>not-A</I>.<BR/><BR/><B>Sean</B>:<BR/>Mr. sp? is correct.<BR/><BR/><B>Evo</B>:<BR/>I have no idea what your comment means. And I have nobody to ask because my Zen Master's gone away.The Exterminatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452054124550486048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-47110860942613929132008-09-05T00:53:00.000-04:002008-09-05T00:53:00.000-04:00Stermie crack corn, but I don't care...Stermie crack corn, but I don't care...John Evohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10868904051881865159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-49685877906138486992008-09-05T00:41:00.000-04:002008-09-05T00:41:00.000-04:00Ex,Jeff Goldblum (sp?) - The Fly or was it Jurassi...Ex,<BR/><BR/>Jeff Goldblum (sp?) - The Fly or was it Jurassic park hmm.Sean Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14485575602984697926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-73562969049492215422008-09-04T19:13:00.000-04:002008-09-04T19:13:00.000-04:00To be honest, I think the Democrats are playing up...To be honest, I think the Democrats are playing <I>up</I> their religiosity. It's probable that Biden is no more sincere than Palin, it's just that they're both trying to 'correct' their current public image to draw it towards the middle.<BR/><BR/>And yes, I think Obama's religion is sincere, too. I also think he took it on for political purposes (quite possibly local political purposes rather than national ones). To be the kind of politician that Obama is -- to be mostly sincere in the way that he is -- you have to have the kind of mind that can bend towards what people want to hear and still mean it.<BR/><BR/>Lots of people are like that. We're all like that to some extent, and I'm glad there are politicians like that because I prefer them to the ones that are just plain insincere. It still feels a little odd when you're watching it, though.Lynethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06357023675142716573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-59425748574838311562008-09-04T18:13:00.000-04:002008-09-04T18:13:00.000-04:00an interesting thing about Palin: a letter from so...an interesting thing about Palin:<BR/><A HREF="http://my2bucks.wordpress.com/2008/09/02/a-letter-from-someone-who-has-known-sarah-palin-since-1992/" REL="nofollow"> a letter from someone who knows her</A><BR/><BR/>and an interesting thing about <A HREF="http://www.abc.net.au/rn/religionreport/stories/2008/2353921.htm#transcript" REL="nofollow">The Family</A>, which I discussed yesterday.<BR/><BR/>I wonder if The Family has had any influence on the choice of Palin?<BR/><BR/>I read these sorts of articles and think there is no hope for America, that's very sad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-9503177572885866572008-09-04T17:50:00.000-04:002008-09-04T17:50:00.000-04:00Evo:You know you're always welcome here. But if Sa...<B>Evo</B>:<BR/>You know you're always welcome here. But if Sarah Palin orders a <A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54mo6VXO17U" REL="nofollow">raid</A>, you might want to make yourself scarce.The Exterminatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452054124550486048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-415067974613837442008-09-04T17:09:00.000-04:002008-09-04T17:09:00.000-04:00Are you trying to swat me away from your blog, or ...Are you trying to swat me away from your blog, or is this some sticky trap you expect me to step into?John Evohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10868904051881865159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-33918093238764202022008-09-04T16:54:00.000-04:002008-09-04T16:54:00.000-04:00OG:If you're talking about the original Addams Fam...<B>OG</B>:<BR/>If you're talking about the original Addams Family TV show of the 60s, your reference is earlier than the one I found. <BR/><BR/><B>Evo</B>:<BR/>I should have known that a guy with a poppy-seed brain would get the right answer.The Exterminatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452054124550486048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-61737320182919728202008-09-04T16:11:00.000-04:002008-09-04T16:11:00.000-04:00"Be afraid. Be very afraid"Yes, I was indeed goin..."Be afraid. Be very afraid"<BR/><BR/>Yes, I was indeed going for something like that, Ex.<BR/><BR/>I knew it was from an 80's or early 90's horror film, but I had to Google too.<BR/><BR/>I went to Google and said: "Help me! Help Meeeee!"John Evohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10868904051881865159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-58545459993506651602008-09-04T16:07:00.000-04:002008-09-04T16:07:00.000-04:00Ex asked: What the fuck is going on here?I'm going...Ex asked: <I>What the fuck is going on here?</I><BR/><BR/>I'm going to give you a hint. But you have to figure it out. Without tea leaves, I hope.<BR/><BR/>Another thing that hardly came out of her mouth during the speech was this word: REPUBLICAN.<BR/><BR/>Interesting, huh? How come? It answers both of your questions.John Evohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10868904051881865159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-47231487083516421682008-09-04T15:52:00.000-04:002008-09-04T15:52:00.000-04:00*Yeah, I don't think that's the original, but that...*Yeah, I don't think that's the original, but that's the only one I remember it from.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09429263099197981481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-36245055471559894852008-09-04T15:49:00.000-04:002008-09-04T15:49:00.000-04:00Be afraid, be very afraid. - Wednesday, Addams Fam...Be afraid, be <I>very</I> afraid. - Wednesday, Addams FamilyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09429263099197981481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-34871345567900463512008-09-04T14:31:00.000-04:002008-09-04T14:31:00.000-04:00Evo:But she IS sincere. Very, very sincere.I can a...<B>Evo</B>:<BR/><I>But she IS sincere. Very, very sincere.</I><BR/>I can almost hear you saying that in the same tone of voice as: <I>Be afraid. Be <B>very</B> afraid.</I><BR/>By the way, totally off-topic, but does anyone know the origin of that expression? No fair Googling (even though I did).<BR/><BR/><B>Philly</B>:<BR/>No tea leaves for me. Although I didn't supply multiple links, my characterizations of Palin and Biden are based on things they've said and done in the past. But you're absolutely right if you're taking me to task for saying what either of them "believes." I should have instead said "has spoken in favor of ...."<BR/><BR/>It's nice to see that you agree with me about the problem with Obama. I've been writing and speaking -- actually yelling -- about that for months, as recently as my last post. Unless he and Biden come out strongly against religious zealots <I>and</I> provide evidence to show that Sarah Palin <I>is</I> one, they're just furthering the theocrats' agenda. <BR/><BR/>But I'm not convinced that Biden's speech was sincere. I think judging another's "sincerity" is a very subjective matter. As a matter of fact, I don't think that <I>any</I> convention speech is sincere in the same way a conversation over a few beers might be. Thinking that a politician in those circumstances is revealing his or her true feelings is the same as thinking that the guy playing Hamlet is really contemplating killing his step-father. Conventions are theater, nothing more.The Exterminatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452054124550486048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-17711105130868339402008-09-04T13:25:00.000-04:002008-09-04T13:25:00.000-04:00Are you one, too? Where did you arrive at your pos...Are you one, too? Where did you arrive at your posted differences between Palin and Biden? Ouija or tea leaves?<BR/><BR/>The problem with someone like Obama is his pro-religion actions open the door for the nutters like Palin. What he fails to see (or ignores) is that although his continuation of the OFBI for instance may not be so bad under his administration, allowing it to exist means it's there to be exploited by a future nutter like Palin. Also, he fails to see (or ignores) that not all Christians or Christian organizations may be moderates and play fair. The biggest thing of course that he fails to see (or ignores) is his actions fly in the face of the Separation of Church and State.<BR/><BR/>I don't think it takes a psychic to see whose religiosity would spell more harm. <BR/><BR/>Evo: What I meant was sincerity in the Convention speeches, which Ex is contrasting here. Biden's religious nods I feel are sincere, whereas Palin's restraint and absence of religious nonsense was insincere because you know she would have LOVED to have given one of those Assembly of God speeches but was no doubt instructed to tone that shit down.PhillyChiefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03355892225956705948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-61481322029567580222008-09-04T13:18:00.000-04:002008-09-04T13:18:00.000-04:00Philly, I ended up sort of agreeing with you, but ...Philly, I ended up sort of agreeing with you, but maybe I misinterpret this:<BR/><BR/><I>I'd go a step further and say not only is Biden, and I think Obama as well, sincere in their religious comments as opposed to Palin</I><BR/><BR/>Really?<BR/><BR/>She's VERY "sincere" about her beliefs. What I'd say (and you did) is that her beliefs are much more "hardcore" than Biden or Obama. But she IS sincere. Very, very sincere.John Evohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10868904051881865159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-31360177368812035572008-09-04T12:58:00.000-04:002008-09-04T12:58:00.000-04:00It makes me proud to know that so many mind-reader...It makes me proud to know that so many mind-readers visit my blog.The Exterminatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452054124550486048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-22093571452511563422008-09-04T11:24:00.000-04:002008-09-04T11:24:00.000-04:00I'd go a step further and say not only is Biden, a...I'd go a step further and say not only is Biden, and I think Obama as well, sincere in their religious comments as opposed to Palin and McCain, their brand of religiosity is far less offensive like Ex described in the post. Here, let's look at it another way as religion should be looked at, like booze...<BR/><BR/>Most people in this country think there's something wrong with you if you don't drink alcohol, so you better be able to drink a beer with the common folk, be the person people would like to have a beer with, or perhaps even throw back some shots at the bar. Now if, however, you go through a fifth or two a day, that's pretty distasteful to all but a few hardcore alcoholics, so you can't down one at the bar or chug a few funnels of beer, especially if word is out that that's your regular behavior. What you do is have your one beer with the folks, smile, and that's it. Palin is that person, a Christianaholic. <BR/><BR/>Now in Obama's case, since they had him pegged as a Muslim (the equivalent of being a chardonay drinker), he had to go overboard selling his Christianity (the equivalent of chugging beers at the bar with the common folk). Sadly though, I think his popularity would have been higher if he was the one doing shots instead of Hillary, and instead of that stupid "Committed Christian" brochure.PhillyChiefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03355892225956705948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-64605090673571765582008-09-04T08:42:00.000-04:002008-09-04T08:42:00.000-04:00The way I see it is this: Palin was lying the who...The way I see it is this: Palin was lying the whole time. Biden was (however flawed his views on religion may be) being honest. I don't agree with Biden's stance, but at least he was speaking what he actually believes and thinks. Palin was regurgitating the pap fed to her by McAin't's stable of Rovian minions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-62379977366770199742008-09-04T06:38:00.000-04:002008-09-04T06:38:00.000-04:00I think you answered your own question - the campa...I think you answered your own question - the campaign knows this may be an issue for her and is intentionally minimizing her rabid religiosity. They let her be herself when she's talking to the smaller theocratic groups without the TV cameras present.vjackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05868095335395368227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-36663192662127162792008-09-04T04:36:00.000-04:002008-09-04T04:36:00.000-04:00DB:No, they won. Freethinking Americans lost. And ...<B>DB</B>:<BR/>No, <I>they</I> won. Freethinking Americans lost. And will continue to lose.The Exterminatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452054124550486048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-61820099415618346872008-09-04T04:32:00.000-04:002008-09-04T04:32:00.000-04:00By the scores, it looks to me like they both lost....By the scores, it looks to me like they both lost.DBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01267112937396907790noreply@blogger.com