No, Howgozit, Bush took, all told, nearly two years of vacation throughout his term – a record. Obama is not taking a vacation, he’s working hard. And not “clearing brush,” either.
Those choosing authoritarians are “leftists”? Jeez, Andy, Hitler, Saddam, and Pinochet were commies? I also think folks might even be more ready to accept sharia than go back to the centuries under the Inquisition. Wait, they’re both based on strict interpretation of the Old Testament, so what IS the difference?
What’s to explain. Armed right-wing extremists are dangerous. And the Taliban left-wing? How do you figure that? They bear no resemblance to the progressive left as we know it in the US and Europe. But they do bear a striking resemblance to those we call right-wing who would control reproductive rights of others, imprison gays (or at least deny their right to marry), encourage carrying weapons (you did see the article about the Kentucky pastor holding a “gun Sunday” where he invited everyone to bring their handgun to church), shut out millions from medical coverage — you get the idea.
Howie, when the president is traveling and meeting with leaders from other nations, that’s work.
When the president is at his private retreat bicycling and clearing brush for the exercise, that’s vacation.
Surely you have been on a business trip before and can tell the difference between that and family vacation.
ANandy has really gone off the deep end or his anti-psychotic meds, one of the two. Hint: being on the left side of the political spectrum is about policy, it is not just anyone you don’t like. The Taliban is as right wing as you can possibly be, gratefully much more right wing than is possible in this country!
For the record, it appears Andy is referring to Adolf Hitler. However, he worked hand-in-hand with industrialists, hated socialism (despite the “socialist” in the Nazi party’s title), and especially Communism. He wanted empire (thus the Third Reich), not democracy in any sense of the word. The Nazi party is considered right wing.
A couple more examples to show how completely ANandy misunderstands the labels of liberal and conservative:
The Taliban wants religion to predominate in their government and laws. Whenever religion-based law is attempted in the US, it’s always from the Republican conservative side. Most recent example: The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security got passed two Commonwealth statutes that decree that reliance upon “god” must be part of the foundation in the war on terror; that the Office must promulgate this belief in its materials and activities; and that a plaque stating this decree shall be displayed in the Homeland Security office lobby.
Compare the actions of conservatives Bush, Cheney and Rove after 9/11 with this:
“Naturally, the common people don’t want war, but after all, it is the leaders of a country who determine the policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag people along whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliment, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. This is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and DENOUNCE THE PACIFISTS FOR LACK OF PATRIOTISM and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country.” – Hermann Goering, Hitler’s Reich-Marshall at the Nuremberg Trials after WWII.
Now ANandy is saying the Taliban is leftist because they’re a non-representative government???
His new definitions are flying thick and fast!
I think he just defines anything he doesn’t like as “leftist”, in the same way that Puppy uses “libs”.
Next ANandy will be telling us that the Taliban are leftist because of their insistence on women’s rights, gay rights, and separation of church and state.
Mr. Nandy, why do you bother to lie about it when your post is available for all to see. You said, and I quote: “These are leftists, big, non-representative governments.”
And to say that they “are leftists, regardless of the doctrine they espouse” is just plain wrong. The doctrine that a government espouses obviously defines what type of government it is.
Which is why you chose not to reply to my comment: “Next ANandy will be telling us that the Taliban are leftist because of their insistence on women’s rights, gay rights, and separation of church and state.”
The Taliban is far closer to our fundie-christian-far-right than any “leftist” philosophy.
“Authoritarian, centralized governments are leftists, regardless of the doctrine they espouse.”
ANandy, just I make sure I understand what you’re saying. ALL authoritarian, centralized governments are leftists although not all leftist governments are authoritarian and centralized. Is that right?
Perhaps this is semantics, but I would say all authoritarian, centralized governments are authoritarian, centralized governments whether they lean left or right. Hitler’s Nazi party was the very definition of right-wing in its public/private partnerships that so richly rewarded the industrialists (including, of course, Henry Ford).
This might help you to know what most of us here mean when we talk about liberal or left-wing. I looked up “leftist” which led me to “Left-wing” which led to “Liberal”: “favoring maximum individual liberty in political and social reform… favorable to or respectful of individual rights and freedoms.”
ANandy, English lacks gender-neutral pronouns, so get over it. Not everything is about you.
And you still haven’t explained how anyone can call the Taliban “leftist” given their suppression of women’s rights, gay rights, and using religious law. Those are all far-right characteristics.
Standing by your statement is not the same as supporting it.
ANandy hypocritically says to Dr. Canuck: “You are free to sit on the sideline and watch; otherwise butt out. You are welcome to bad mouth your country all you wish and when you have the privilege of participating in our decisions, you are welcome to engage us in those decisions.”
tpenna rebukes the xenophobic ANandy and reminds him of his own transgressions of this rule: Could you be any more of a jack@$$, ANandy?!! Ask yourself whether you would be inviting a “foreigner” to leave the forum if he or she were advocating your position.
And how many times have you pontificated on the virtues or vices of regimes in other countries? It is the prerogative of all posters to this forum, regardless of their nationality, to engage in discussions about topics that interest them.
Who’s butting in here, ANandy? This is a public forum. Everybody who posts here can comment on the toon, other comments, US foreign or domestic policy, global markets, whatever. And I reserve the right to point out when you’re being a hypocritical jerk.
As to the verb pontificate, ANandy, I’ll give you credit for looking up a word you weren’t familiar with. If you’d look at the second definition, though, you would find that one needn’t be a pope to pontificate. You just have to carry on in a pompous manner. For an illustration of such, see your own last several comments (particularly the ones about whether or not other people should even be involved in these discussions). Who the h€ll made you the arbiter of who’s welcome around here? As a matter of fact, if it were put to a vote, just how well do you think you’d fare against DrCanuck?
And for the last time, I don’t give a flip whether you’re a man or a woman (or a hermaphrodite, for that matter). English contains no neuter personal pronouns, so I’m picking one and sticking to it. If you’d prefer another, let me know.
As for the plank in my own eye, do you see me telling people to butt out of conversations because I’m threatened by their experience and viewpoint?
In other words, “She started it, and that excuses any of my arrogant posturing.”
Sweden is neither our neighbor nor the most powerful country in the world. As a Canadian, DrCanuck is directly affected by the policies of the US. And besides that, even if I did decide to take an interest in Swedish politics, that would be my prerogative. We’re not making policy decisions here. We’re exchanging ideas in a public forum. It’s a free-for-all, and you are not empowered to kick out Canadians, much as you might like to.
And yes, ANandy, I am in a position to judge your xenophobic remarks. What more do I need than your comments here?
cdward almost 15 years ago
It’s the “armed right-wing extremism” that is the real problem. The religious part is a prop.
Motivemagus almost 15 years ago
No, Howgozit, Bush took, all told, nearly two years of vacation throughout his term – a record. Obama is not taking a vacation, he’s working hard. And not “clearing brush,” either.
TrickyPickle almost 15 years ago
Extremists of all kinds need to be tackled and marginalized. Religious or not, armed or not, right-wing or not..
Dtroutma almost 15 years ago
Those choosing authoritarians are “leftists”? Jeez, Andy, Hitler, Saddam, and Pinochet were commies? I also think folks might even be more ready to accept sharia than go back to the centuries under the Inquisition. Wait, they’re both based on strict interpretation of the Old Testament, so what IS the difference?
cdward almost 15 years ago
What’s to explain. Armed right-wing extremists are dangerous. And the Taliban left-wing? How do you figure that? They bear no resemblance to the progressive left as we know it in the US and Europe. But they do bear a striking resemblance to those we call right-wing who would control reproductive rights of others, imprison gays (or at least deny their right to marry), encourage carrying weapons (you did see the article about the Kentucky pastor holding a “gun Sunday” where he invited everyone to bring their handgun to church), shut out millions from medical coverage — you get the idea.
cdward almost 15 years ago
Howie, when the president is traveling and meeting with leaders from other nations, that’s work. When the president is at his private retreat bicycling and clearing brush for the exercise, that’s vacation. Surely you have been on a business trip before and can tell the difference between that and family vacation.
foxglove16 almost 15 years ago
ANandy has really gone off the deep end or his anti-psychotic meds, one of the two. Hint: being on the left side of the political spectrum is about policy, it is not just anyone you don’t like. The Taliban is as right wing as you can possibly be, gratefully much more right wing than is possible in this country!
jkshaw almost 15 years ago
I wish there were a detergent available to wash ANandy off this site.
cdward almost 15 years ago
For the record, it appears Andy is referring to Adolf Hitler. However, he worked hand-in-hand with industrialists, hated socialism (despite the “socialist” in the Nazi party’s title), and especially Communism. He wanted empire (thus the Third Reich), not democracy in any sense of the word. The Nazi party is considered right wing.
riley05 almost 15 years ago
A couple more examples to show how completely ANandy misunderstands the labels of liberal and conservative:
The Taliban wants religion to predominate in their government and laws. Whenever religion-based law is attempted in the US, it’s always from the Republican conservative side. Most recent example: The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security got passed two Commonwealth statutes that decree that reliance upon “god” must be part of the foundation in the war on terror; that the Office must promulgate this belief in its materials and activities; and that a plaque stating this decree shall be displayed in the Homeland Security office lobby.
Compare the actions of conservatives Bush, Cheney and Rove after 9/11 with this:
“Naturally, the common people don’t want war, but after all, it is the leaders of a country who determine the policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag people along whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliment, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. This is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and DENOUNCE THE PACIFISTS FOR LACK OF PATRIOTISM and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country.” – Hermann Goering, Hitler’s Reich-Marshall at the Nuremberg Trials after WWII.
‘Nuff said.
CorosiveFrog Premium Member almost 15 years ago
Taliban=leftist?
…or right-wing, since they think religion should control everything?
riley05 almost 15 years ago
Now ANandy is saying the Taliban is leftist because they’re a non-representative government???
His new definitions are flying thick and fast!
I think he just defines anything he doesn’t like as “leftist”, in the same way that Puppy uses “libs”.
Next ANandy will be telling us that the Taliban are leftist because of their insistence on women’s rights, gay rights, and separation of church and state.
cdward almost 15 years ago
ANandy, just because you say it’s so doesn’t make it so.
riley05 almost 15 years ago
Mr. Nandy, why do you bother to lie about it when your post is available for all to see. You said, and I quote: “These are leftists, big, non-representative governments.”
And to say that they “are leftists, regardless of the doctrine they espouse” is just plain wrong. The doctrine that a government espouses obviously defines what type of government it is.
Which is why you chose not to reply to my comment: “Next ANandy will be telling us that the Taliban are leftist because of their insistence on women’s rights, gay rights, and separation of church and state.”
The Taliban is far closer to our fundie-christian-far-right than any “leftist” philosophy.
cdward almost 15 years ago
“Authoritarian, centralized governments are leftists, regardless of the doctrine they espouse.”
ANandy, just I make sure I understand what you’re saying. ALL authoritarian, centralized governments are leftists although not all leftist governments are authoritarian and centralized. Is that right?
Perhaps this is semantics, but I would say all authoritarian, centralized governments are authoritarian, centralized governments whether they lean left or right. Hitler’s Nazi party was the very definition of right-wing in its public/private partnerships that so richly rewarded the industrialists (including, of course, Henry Ford).
This might help you to know what most of us here mean when we talk about liberal or left-wing. I looked up “leftist” which led me to “Left-wing” which led to “Liberal”: “favoring maximum individual liberty in political and social reform… favorable to or respectful of individual rights and freedoms.”
riley05 almost 15 years ago
ANandy, English lacks gender-neutral pronouns, so get over it. Not everything is about you.
And you still haven’t explained how anyone can call the Taliban “leftist” given their suppression of women’s rights, gay rights, and using religious law. Those are all far-right characteristics.
Standing by your statement is not the same as supporting it.
tpenna almost 15 years ago
ANandy hypocritically says to Dr. Canuck: “You are free to sit on the sideline and watch; otherwise butt out. You are welcome to bad mouth your country all you wish and when you have the privilege of participating in our decisions, you are welcome to engage us in those decisions.”
tpenna rebukes the xenophobic ANandy and reminds him of his own transgressions of this rule: Could you be any more of a jack@$$, ANandy?!! Ask yourself whether you would be inviting a “foreigner” to leave the forum if he or she were advocating your position.
And how many times have you pontificated on the virtues or vices of regimes in other countries? It is the prerogative of all posters to this forum, regardless of their nationality, to engage in discussions about topics that interest them.
tpenna almost 15 years ago
Who’s butting in here, ANandy? This is a public forum. Everybody who posts here can comment on the toon, other comments, US foreign or domestic policy, global markets, whatever. And I reserve the right to point out when you’re being a hypocritical jerk.
As to the verb pontificate, ANandy, I’ll give you credit for looking up a word you weren’t familiar with. If you’d look at the second definition, though, you would find that one needn’t be a pope to pontificate. You just have to carry on in a pompous manner. For an illustration of such, see your own last several comments (particularly the ones about whether or not other people should even be involved in these discussions). Who the h€ll made you the arbiter of who’s welcome around here? As a matter of fact, if it were put to a vote, just how well do you think you’d fare against DrCanuck?
And for the last time, I don’t give a flip whether you’re a man or a woman (or a hermaphrodite, for that matter). English contains no neuter personal pronouns, so I’m picking one and sticking to it. If you’d prefer another, let me know.
As for the plank in my own eye, do you see me telling people to butt out of conversations because I’m threatened by their experience and viewpoint?
tpenna almost 15 years ago
In other words, “She started it, and that excuses any of my arrogant posturing.”
Sweden is neither our neighbor nor the most powerful country in the world. As a Canadian, DrCanuck is directly affected by the policies of the US. And besides that, even if I did decide to take an interest in Swedish politics, that would be my prerogative. We’re not making policy decisions here. We’re exchanging ideas in a public forum. It’s a free-for-all, and you are not empowered to kick out Canadians, much as you might like to.
And yes, ANandy, I am in a position to judge your xenophobic remarks. What more do I need than your comments here?