Romney picks his VP?

[Moonlight J]

Bernie -- this isn't a new thing. We've been going down this road for 10+ years starting with "with us or against us" type politics of the previous regime. Hell, we can point back to Newt in the early 90's & his hissyfits.

I too long for the days of the "there you go again" type retorts that Reagan used so well in debates to hammer points home.

[Bernie Brewer]

Bernie -- this isn't a new thing. We've been going down this road for 10+ years starting with "with us or against us" type politics of the previous regime. Hell, we can point back to Newt in the early 90's & his hissyfits.

I too long for the days of the "there you go again" type retorts that Reagan used so well in debates to hammer points home.

And should we aspire to be better than that? Here's my story. I came to this site because I was in a roto league and a friend said this was a great site for sharing knowledge. I am no longer in fantasy leagues and now come to the site because I find there is more here than baseball. I still enjoy the baseball but I enjoy the sports bar as much. I often learn something new by reading things B-Fly, Oakland A's, Chance, Lucky and others write. Sometimes well thought out posts help me analyze my position on issues, either crystallizing them or rethinking them from anothers perspective. There really is knowledge here. There are some really intelligent posters on this board. However, there are a handful of posters that as soon as I see the avatar I skip their postings. And that's too bad because on occasion they too have some worthwhile insight. But they usually derail (which ibfear i have done in this thread, very unintendedly) good conversation with tripe and stupidity. It's unfortunate really. Not that I don't like occasional humor but the venom with which they post is, frankly, kind of sad. I get it, you didn't like Bush!!! Ok. Move on. At least open your mind to the possibility that a Republican can have and original and possibly good idea. I guess I was attempting to push back and my first day on the job a the self appointed decorum police was less than spectacular. But someone needs to push, to Make sure the good discussion doesn't get trampled by the subtrafuge and background noise of anger and closemindedness.

[Hornsby]

In another thread about the recall election a couple of posters were really harsh in their labeling of Scott Walker. I found it interesting that they would feel so deeply negative and strongly passionate about him being a bad guy. Since neither lived any where near Wisconsin it was odd that they would have formed such strong opinions. Oddly they where typically posters who like to bash Republicans. I concluded that the only reason they made those strong comments was because the R after Walkers name. I guess I am troubled by this new phenomenon on both sides. It just seems silly.

I'm pretty sure that Scott Walker being bashed had far lees to do with the "R" behind his name than the blatant union busting that he did with the help of the Koch brothers.

[Bernie Brewer]

I'm pretty sure that Scott Walker being bashed had far lees to do with the "R" behind his name than the blatant union busting that he did with the help of the Koch brothers.

Well when I challenge either poster to explain their strong feelings that wasn't a given reason. But then again, If you told either would have posted in that thread, I could have written Thiergart posts almost word for word before they replied. I expected both to say exactly what they posted.

And, make no mistake, the posters who fit this are on all sides of the issues, partisans of both parties. I just see a much stronger left lean on this site. I suspect a lot of right leaner's don't post. Or arent members of this site.

As I rethink it, horns, one poster did in fact respond to me that unions was in fact one of many reasons he felt strongly about walker. But there were other reasons that sort seemed over the top to me.

[cardboardbox]

you and OJH are comical here.

Silver's analysis is 100000% on the numbers and he routinely smashes the other "experts" out there. His track record speaks for itself.

my comment is more in reference to how stupidly awful the NYT is. Silver should get the hell out of there but I suppose they probably pay well.

[cardboardbox]

The comment was intended to point out hypocricy not to say I feel personally persecuted. I was attempting to point out that if I said something hateful about other religions on this board I'd get huge blow back from posters and likely a vacation from the site. But other posters can say anything they want about Christianity and its Ok. Just seems hypocritical to me.

you are 100% correct about this.

in another thread about the recall election a couple of posters were really harsh in their labeling of Scott Walker. I found it interesting that they would feel so deeply negative and strongly passionate about him being a bad guy. Since neither lived any where near Wisconsin it was odd that they would have formed such strong opinions. Oddly they where typically posters who like to bash Republicans. I concluded that the only reason they made those strong comments was because the R after Walkers name.

Scott Walker is the best thing to happen to Wisconsin in a long time.

[Bernie Brewer]

you are 100% correct about this.

I know, right! ;-)

Scott Walker is the best thing to happen to Wisconsin in a long time.

Now even I wouldn't go that far. I get that people could see him as a union buster, but I think that is it the whole picture.

[Hornsby]

my comment is more in reference to how stupidly awful the NYT is. Silver should get the hell out of there but I suppose they probably pay well.

I hear this meme a lot, can you explain what you mean by awful? I understand that they lean towards the left, but the basic news reporting still is as solid as it gets, IMO. And hiring a guy like Silver and letting him do what he does best is a pretty good way to run a newspaper.

[cardboardbox]

I hear this meme a lot, can you explain what you mean by awful? I understand that they lean towards the left, but the basic news reporting still is as solid as it gets, IMO. And hiring a guy like Silver and letting him do what he does best is a pretty good way to run a newspaper.

you're probably right. I had a longer response that more specifically directed my comment at their reporting of anything political but it got lost when I trimmed down. So I guess I'd trust them if they were discussing the iPhone 5 or something like that. Or most foreign affairs that the US is not invested in.

[frae]

Well when I challenge either poster to explain their strong feelings that wasn't a given reason. But then again, If you told either would have posted in that thread, I could have written Thiergart posts almost word for word before they replied. I expected both to say exactly what they posted.

And, make no mistake, the posters who fit this are on all sides of the issues, partisans of both parties. I just see a much stronger left lean on this site. I suspect a lot of right leaner's don't post. Or arent members of this site.

As I rethink it, horns, one poster did in fact respond to me that unions was in fact one of many reasons he felt strongly about walker. But there were other reasons that sort seemed over the top to me.

It has been a long time since I walked out of the Union Busting Thread I started on Walker. If that is the thread and I am the poster my 100% reason for the thread was I am a teacher and I see what Walker did as a threat to unions. Without rehashing anymore of the debate I will stop there.

[Bernie Brewer]

It has been a long time since I walked out of the Union Busting Thread I started on Walker. If that is the thread and I am the poster my 100% reason for the thread was I am a teacher and I see what Walker did as a threat to unions. Without rehashing anymore of the debate I will stop there.

Nope it wasn't you. AS a teacher you have a very legitimate gripe with walker. And for the record, I support teachers unions, one of the few that are really needed any longer, IMO. Emergency service unions are another I'm still for.

[GwynnInTheHall]

The comment was intended to point out hypocricy not to say I feel personally persecuted. I was attempting to point out that if I said something hateful about other religions on this board I'd get huge blow back from posters and likely a vacation from the site. But other posters can say anything they want about Christianity and its Ok. Just seems hypocritical to me.

Do I feel persecuted? Nope. Never.

My original point in posting in this thread was not about religion it was about the lack civility between people and candidates in the campaign. This religious stuff has taken on a life of its now, which I had no intent or interest in doing. If people disagree with me, I'm totally cool with that. But why can't we discuss without the stupid snarky commentary. And to be clear I am not saying what you wrote calls into that. I meant the nonsense about labeling Ryan as a huge fraud, blatant liar, hypocrite. In another thread about the recall election a couple of posters were really harsh in their labeling of Scott Walker. I found it interesting that they would feel so deeply negative and strongly passionate about him being a bad guy. Since neither lived any where near Wisconsin it was odd that they would have formed such strong opinions. Oddly they where typically posters who like to bash Republicans. I concluded that the only reason they made those strong comments was because the R after Walkers name. I guess I am troubled by this new phenomenon on both sides. It just seems silly.

You seem to cross us up with starting in about jokes, which are designed to denigrate and comments which usually just state differences. Jokes about Christianity would be met with the same "that's not cool" attitude as jokes about any religion would, though I can't for the life of me recall any jokes about religion on this board, just discussion. I think there's almost NO conversation about other religions here as there's no one (or almost no one) who practices or worships those ways. This board is predominantly Christian with some agnostics and atheists sprinkled in.

I know there are those who are a bit heavy handed when it comes to Christianity and though I disagree with many parts of the faith, it's really religion I have issue with--All organized religion. That said, I'm pretty sure my track record in here is that I respect everyone's right to worship in the manner they choose whether I agree with them or not.

[Bernie Brewer]

You seem to cross us up with starting in about jokes, which are designed to denigrate and comments which usually just state differences. Jokes about Christianity would be met with the same "that's not cool" attitude as jokes about any religion would, though I can't for the life of me recall any jokes about religion on this board, just discussion. I think there's almost NO conversation about other religions here as there's no one (or almost no one) who practices or worships those ways. This board is predominantly Christian with some agnostics and atheists sprinkled in.

I know there are those who are a bit heavy handed when it comes to Christianity and though I disagree with many parts of the faith, it's really religion I have issue with--All organized religion. That said, I'm pretty sure my track record in here is that I respect everyone's right to worship in the manner they choose whether I agree with them or not.

Again, my point wasn't really about religion. But I'm glad you feel the way you do as stated above. I am interested in learning about other posters thoughtful beliefs and opinions on many topics including religion and politics. I believe the more I learn about cultures and ideas that different from mine I am able to better see the world from their viewpoint. Good open discussion is fascinating to me. It's when it degrades into name calling, closed mindedness, and pity virtual thuggery, that I get turned off and tuned out. I want my opinions and beliefs challeged and changed if necessary. I don't like bullies and as we all know, the Internet is full of closet bullies. Let the discussions continue. I'll shut up after a two day barrage of Bernie thoughts. I am no angel. If I say something partisan call me on it but be constructive. I'll try to respect others posters in the same way.

[chancellor]

I'm pretty sure that Scott Walker being bashed had far lees to do with the "R" behind his name than the blatant union busting that he did with the help of the Koch brothers.

With the help of the Koch brothers? Exactly which of the Koch brothers unions were busted?

Jeebus, the whole Koch brothers meme is such a joke. Lessee, they were going to take over the whole state utilities once Walker was elected. Oh, yeah...that didn't happen. And then they were going to get a huge state contract to run UW utilities in Madison...and that didn't happen.

[Hornsby]

With the help of the Koch brothers? Exactly which of the Koch brothers unions were busted?

Jeebus, the whole Koch brothers meme is such a joke. Lessee, they were going to take over the whole state utilities once Walker was elected. Oh, yeah...that didn't happen. And then they were going to get a huge state contract to run UW utilities in Madison...and that didn't happen.

C'mon man, Walker spent somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 million to keep his job, and just where do you think a great deal of that money came from? Americans for Prosperity, that's who...a Koch Brothers Super Pac. You get a foot in the door like that, and before too long you're sitting down at the dinner table deciding what's for dinner...