A new home for another fortnight or so’s worth of top quality US election repartee. I’m only one minor irritation away from pulling the plug on these threads, so please try not to annoy me (annoy each other by all means, but not me).
UPDATE (9/7/2008): After careful reflection, I have decided this will be the final US election thread. It will close for business in a week’s time, at which point American politics will be declared off-topic across the site. Many thanks for your co-operation.
UPDATE: (10/7/2008): New US site open for business. Thanks to Catrina for getting this off the ground.
304 Comments
Pages: « 1 … 3 4 [5] 6 7 » Show All
i love youse all. is Poss ready for us?
Catrina,
I blame you, the rot set in with your excessively boring turds on this blog.
Catrina, you’ve been a lovely addition to this swamp, so just ignore bogman,er sorry, blogman Eddy, he’s a distasteful creature with a personality disorder who usually attacks women for gratuitous amusement or makes impossibly ludicrous claims about whatever is said about his disgraceful behaviour.
One character nobody will miss.
And the Persians are doing some ’shock and awe’ rehearsals I see, just to ratchet up the stakes for anyone (hint: nuclear armed neighbour) even thinking about a bit of ‘pre-emptive strike’ in the Bush mode.
Let’s wait for McCain to climb aboard this one.
KirriR,
Wow! You blew me away with that buddy!
yes, one woman yapping 4am and one hand bloggin all day long did not help at all
Please don’t, ESJ.
I haven’t been paying much attention lately, but I take it we have an axis of ESJ/Finns/GG/Ron going on here? An arch-conservative, a revolutionary Marxist of some description, an old-left Laborite and whatever it is that Ron is? Am I categorising you all correctly?
I think that William should be nominated for sainthood (while the Big Man is in town) for the patience he has shown in the face of extreme provocation in most (all?) of the threads on the US election.
It’s been riveting stuff at its best, but clearly there are plenty of other sites (alas, mainly based across the Pacific) where junkies can continue to get their fix.
It’s also true that during this period of comparative hiatus, there’s little new ground to be canvassed. An enforced spell for the Barry Halls on all sides of these debates (there’s certainly more than two) seems highly desirable.
What you have William is a good example of the crap that Catrina and many of the rest of us has copped for no good reason. So give us some leeway if we arcked up at times in response.
Well said Kirri. Nothing to lose now I guess.
who’s Barry Hall?
Meanwhile back at the ranch, yet another electable Democrat passes on being VEEP candidate:
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/07/08/virginias-warner-saying-no-to-obama-vp-spot/
I wonder why?
And for those seeking a genuine left alternative:
http://www.votenader.org/
William, Muchas Gracias and ‘Onya for your moderation time and tolerance.
For those unable to cope with withdrawal, a good blog site for your contributions is Tim’s Dunlop’s Blogocracy at, incredibly, news.com.au. :
http://blogs.news.com.au/news/blogocracy/
However, it’s got a much, much slower moderation process, so the thrust and parry of viewpoints is not quite the same. For some here (no names, no pack drill) that might be a positive.
Cheers, William!
AL & FINNS
#117
“the Repubs best chance was to paint him as a “Dukakis liberal”. By coming out with some conservative views now, it neuters that line of attack.”
I replied to you today from viewpot of aiming to win but winning with most your cloths (that FINNS liked) ie. Keeping your core policys & principals like Rudd did & ‘avoiding’ the minor wedgies like the $34 bill tax cuts & put then in 1 year intead of 2 at th expense of infastuctur spending , but took out the rich’s tax cuts So i criticise this Obama tactic on principals policy I could hav critisised it as poor politicl tactics as well as it is Firstly by jumping from the ‘left’ to the ‘right’ on these many issues , instead of to the ‘centre’ Obam can be cleverley attacked by Mccain as juming too far doing so for shaby votes & just being a ‘another politican’ ie attacjking Obama’s bigest asset , ‘change’ & him being new & not a normal wahington pollie & bringing Oba dowwn to his mcCains level However i admit the Repugs campaign/Mccain haven’t shhown much nous todate The second tactic Obama leaves himself open for , if the Repugs were smart is to use the examples to paint Obama has lite on what he stands four & force him to be specific onpolicy Its here here , Obama does have big problams as most are motherhood general one meaning noithing , seeing he’s got no big ‘left’ core issue in his pocket like univeral heathcar , unqualifed Kyoto nor unambigious iraq withdrawl policys Then Obama would be in serious credibility problem & politcal problem a pollie without core ‘left’ policys , but not sure the Repugs hav the ‘howard political smarts’ to expose him there either so on 2 basic politcal tctics & on principals , Obama’s move not to the ‘centre’ , but to the ‘right’ without core big ticket ‘left’ policys is flawed But with a weak oponent , a comlient press & poor Repug politcal tactics it may not matter Whats you 2 guys take
Just tried the other thread. Yawn.
There are a couple of people who I have contaced via William who’s connection I value. I submit the folllowing – those of us who would like to stay in touch via email let william know (via his email). Then we can take it or leave it. Or is that a dumb idea ?
Seems a shame to let the connections made just disappear. but then again, that’s life.Not sure.
But i do want to watch teh US elections with the other interseted people from here – so we better sort it out fast.
At this point Brisbane appears to be the go. Any takers for organising Sydney?
Otherwise I’m booking my ticket next week.
(Pressure’s on Ecky.)
No WB, there is no axis of ESJ/Finns/GG/Ron. It was just too much one hand clappin’ from the Obama side, so someone has to clap with the other hand.
But methinks you are close to the mark with [An arch-conservative, a revolutionary Marxist of some description, an old-left Laborite and whatever it is that Ron]
Finns I prefer to think of it as a Rainbow coalition of truth against the forces of prejudice and intolerance.
Interesting to see how amny lurkers are emerging. Maybe we’ve been entertainment for the hidden. Why on earth else would you bother reading what we say?!
jen, what would life be now without you
Margo Kingston’s Webdiary
http://webdiary.com.au/cms/
But it is moderated and much more focus. But it is not the same since Margo departed.
Finns- from your comments to date I can only think you will be blissfully happy.
jen, you are not SERIOUS
Oh look – they have a word just for us.
http://www.slate.com/id/2195006/
(No Finns- I know you really love me.)
The Anti-Obama Coalition has effectively taken over the board, it’s a little hard for the rest of us to get our points across!
William
“Am I categorising you all correctly? ”
No you are not , unless you are jesting Thought my views were clear to my opponents , perhaps not
195
William Bowe Says:
July 9th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
As far as I’m concerned, the more esoteric the subject matter on this site, the better. The best threads here have been about electoral law, court rulings, redistributions, state by-elections and the Tasmanian upper house. I’ve never written about environmental policy, the Iraq war and the Middle East situation, so why am I moderating discussion about it?
Esoteric? Better?
Esoteric…hmmm; better, err than what? The book keeper run over by the ‘economy’ syndrome here Mr Bowe.
Unfortunately your last sentence is as they say ‘where it’s at’; and the answer is you put the posts up!
You seem confused and to be fair, having opened the gate, some of your ‘moderation’ & ‘non moderation’ of the ’sheep’ reflect that; to be or not to be etc.
That said, many thanks Bill, it has been a pleasure and okay fess up to a wild & delicious indulgence to boot.
Suitably dwalfied, & wings folded, codger.
All ‘pissant’ posters made this. Thanks.
Progressive-
they are in fact the ABO’s- Anyone But Obama party- which in effect means they are happy to see McCain in office. Canyou believe it???
I mean “better” than what you write, Codger. Antony Green, Graeme Orr, Geoff Lambert, Kevin Bonham and Peter Tucker on the one hand, you on the other. Dig?
geez William –
harsh.
Speaking of McCain Jen, I caught a snippet of him speaking (if that’s an accurate term, more like intoning in monotones), to some near geriatric looking room, and as he delivered his ‘punch line’ about how he would not be raising their taxes, it was as if the room turned to waxwork dummies, for there was not even a murmur of recognition or approval. So he went at it sideways, and still not a breath.
I almost, (almost) felt sorry for him. He just died at the lectern, stone dead.
It’s a long time to carry that shtick around like an albatross, but someone’s gotta carry the Republican trash to November and get walloped with it.
William
” Antony Green, Graeme Orr, Geoff Lambert, Kevin Bonham and Peter Tucker”
You missed my name from that list ?
If we wanna move toward more esoteric electoral matters, I suggest that we discuss the myriad ways in which the Repugs are likely to violate the democratic rights of U.S voters in this election.
The U.S calls itself the greatest democracy in the world – the way in which voters are regularly disenfranchised undermines that statement utterly.
What’s more, I would contend that any nation that doesn’t require it’s citizens to attend the polls on election day is, at best, a flawed and disfunctional democracy.
Just hoping that might stir a little discussion that goes beyond partisan cheerleading.
Or conversely William, you could compare 202 above with anything from Codger and come to the conclusion that the latter is not a self-inflated pompous git with a penchant for gratuitous and grubby personal remarks.
If character is the measure, and not literary style, I’ll give my vote to Codger as a decent (albeit somewhat eccentric) chap.
Comparing anyone here to professional scribes is hardly the point. We may as well shut down the internet and subscribe to whatever Murdoch has not yet managed to shovel down his maw, and be done with it.
Just my two bobs worth…
Alternatively, we could talk about the eerie similarities between the campaign we are all observing now and the last two seasons of the West Wing.
You know, the young, fresh, non-white Democratic candidate versus the ageing, veteran of the Senate who ticks off his right-wing base.
Does anyone like this idea?
http://pollbludgerus.blogspot.com/
KR,
I like your style.
Codger is indeed a much nicer chap than ESJ, but he should know by now that I don’t take being needled with good humour.
Optmist-
you’re raising the issue of compulsary voting. A fraught one indeed.
In principle it should not happen – democracy by definition should mean that you have the right to vote -or not. But in practice it means that the groups with the dough can mobilise thier supporters, and therfore have the most power – like in the US the Natonal Rifle association or the Fundies.
So if everyone is forced to vote those that disagree are made to state their oppositon- albeit unwillingly. Therefore greater representation from the masses.
Mind you – they do get it wrong sometimes – 8 years of Howard here is a good example.
But then they toss them out-…
Willim- dare I ask?
Yes.
I still don’t get why you are so pissed off with us having read the stuff on the other sites.
Are we really so much worse, or what…?
sorry – WilliAm.
237
William Bowe
Bare knuckle blogging is it to be then William?
I seriously wonder what we’ve done to deserve this! LOL
Jen,
glad to chat about it, particularly with someone as open-minded and reflective as your good self.
I’m not actually raising the issue of compulsory voting. I’m raising the issue of compulsory attendance at the polls on election day – which is what we have here in Australia. There is nothing to stop us from voting informal or “donkey” on election day and thereby making whatever statement of non-participation we might wanna make.
It’s my firm and passionate belief that a true democracy should not force its citizens to vote, but that it should be compulsory for those citizens to attend the polls on election day.
Those who enjoy the freedom and rights that a democracy bestows, should discharge one simple responsibility in return – attend the polls and at least consider participating in the proper functioning of that democracy.
Whaddaya reackon?
Optimist
without re starting the specfics of the FL in paricular primary but th principal that the US idea of democracy is somewhat different to ‘oz’ We did have 1.7 million peope vote in FL , both candidates were on the ticket , a legal election under the US constitution & under the UN , and even the hillary side in the US and the US media I thought partly acepted the idea of a committe disnechasing an election 4 months in advance , but the FL election did happen and the reaction as i said even from the hillary side as not the outrage the same americans would have said if the process of a committee vs 1.7 million voters had of occurred ina non democratic country And i think it goes to the idea of voluntary voting and partys using ‘tricks’ to mobilise voters to actualy come out to vote vs us we ALL aussies do make the ‘voluntary’ effort (a swe ar educated early its compulsory)
me too Kirri-.
and I’m not LOL’lling. I’m affronted.
It should be very much the same as it was early last month, when I went away for a week and nobody noticed.
We missed you Wiliam. Don’t underestimate yourself.
William Bowe at 237
Yuck …
But I was going to suggest that we could put in place a replacement using the wordpress public blog site. William, could you provide details of the theme your using and any plugins needed to pull things into a familiar place?
I’m happy to set it up.
I didn’t mean you Jen, if that’s any comfort.
Pages: « 1 … 3 4 [5] 6 7 » Show All