Friends don't let friends...

[ragani]

Things you have to believe to be a Republican today:

Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.

Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is communist, but trade With China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.

The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest national priority is enforcing U.N. resolutions against Iraq.

A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multi-national corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation.

Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.

The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.

If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.

A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our long-time allies, then demand their cooperation and money.

Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism.

HMOs and insurance companies have the best interests of the public at heart.

Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.

A president lying about an extramarital affair is a impeachable offense. A president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.

Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.

The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's driving record is none of our business.

Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness, and you need our prayers for your recovery.

You support states' rights, which means Attorney General John Ashcroft can tell states what local voter initiatives they have the right to adopt.

What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the '80s is irrelevant.

Friends don't let friends vote Republican.

I am feeling rather cynical today and this suited mood.
Sent to me from my friend msvwrose.

Comments

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

Having read both your list and anthony's, I am saddened by what passes for political humor nowadays.

there's so much anger, so much hate, so much stereotyping. (I know, it's/they are a humor piece, bla bla bla)

Here's my list of one:

In order to be either a Republican or a Democratic jokester, you have to be able to see only the worst the other party has to offer and to write about it with highest attention to insult, stigma, and stereotype and with zero attempt to think about the humanity of the targets or the validity of the arguments.

No offense meant. This exchange just... cheapens my ideal of the spirit of political intercourse, or rather of what it could be if people stopped having calcified opinions.

*sigh*

none taken

[ragani.livejournal.com]

Actually, I do agree with you. I happen to be in a really cynical mood right now, especially about politics, and the current administration. Seeing as the list I posted came from a friend who used to be a navy wife (and the navy husband was in the Gulf War) it is hardly from one of my most left-wing friends. If I had the time and energy to respond to Anthony's list point by point it would be to demonstrate how much of it does not apply to me (which would have been a much more constructive response from him to my post).

Re: none taken

[terpsichoros.livejournal.com]

Y'know, I could respond point-by-point to the list you posted, but why bother? Nobody would read the entire thing, and nobody's mind would be changed by it. Instead, I thought it would be more appropriate to post the missing half of the email that's being circulated, for balance.

While I am a Republican, and am still planning to vote for Bush (rather than against Kerry), I recognize that the Republicans are flawed and that there are some pretty ridiculous things about what the Bush administration and/or the Republican Congress has done. What I don't see, at least here in the Bay Area, is any recognition that the Democrats are at least equally as ridiculous; nor how alienating the politics of personalized vitriolic hatred directed at Bush is to anyone who isn't already convinced that he's the AntiChrist.

I'm actually pretty libertarian, and fairly socially liberal, but the stifling orthodoxy of the Left here in the Bay Area almost makes me regret voting against Prop 22 (the State DOMA) or the old Gann anti-AIDS-patient initiative. I did vote for Tom McClintock for governor, knowing full well just how anti-abortion he is, because I don't care enough about that to let it affect my vote.

Re: none taken

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

yes. I would reply point-by-point to each, both yours and his (cos I don't agree with all the points about Republicans either) but I just find it too depressing.

Folk in the military are getting cynical, prolly cos there's no end in sight for all this Iraq war stuff, and GW doesn't treat the military with real respect - the cutting of the pensions while saying "our brave and noble soldiers" etc - taking with one hand what you're giving with the other. (sigh)

I was a bit cynical about Clinton, too, but I agree with the bumper sticker, "Nobody died when Clinton lied." It's an entirely different kind of ball-game.

Re: none taken

[ragani.livejournal.com]

GW doesn't treat the military with real respect

This is one of the things that really makes me sad. My grandfather, a former Secretary of Defense, found the most difficult part of the job was putting all those soldiers lives at risk, even when he felt it was necessary for a military action. It was one of the big reasons he decided that no one should have to do that job for more than 4 years.

I was a bit cynical about Clinton, too, but I agree with the bumper sticker, "Nobody died when Clinton lied." It's an entirely different kind of ball-game.
Yes, this rings true for me as well.

Also, see Rose's comments, as she was the one who sent this to me, and had some interesting points.