JOhn Kerry Doing his level Best to Energize the base

[Straybow]

Originally posted by Eroberer
What about the record-setting month of deaths in Iraq that just ended? The nation deserves to know!

What??!11? Soldiers are dying in Iraq? Why hasn't anybody told me! This changes my whole paradigm about Iraq, Bush, global warming, the evils of capitalism...

[Ramo]

That's what you said. And it's not true.

And I clarified what I wrote. Do you have a point here?

[Ramo]

Incidentally, this is what a single party state means:

A single-party state or one-party system or single-party system is a type of party system government in which a single political party forms the government and no other parties are permitted to run candidates for election. In most cases, parties other than the one in power are banned, although some systems guarantee a majority for one favored party that ensures the impotence of any parties relegated by law or practice (including rigged elections) to a permanent status as a miniscule and impotent minority. Even if some debate appears in the parliament, real power ordinarily lies in the unelected leadership of the dominant Party, as was the norm in the former German Democratic Republic.

Although other political parties are sometimes allowed under a single-party system, these other parties must subordinate themselves to the dominant party and cannot function as an opposition. Also, some one-party states may allow non-party members to run for legislative seats, as was the case with Taiwan's Tangwai movement in the 1970s and 1980s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-party_state

[Drake Tungsten]

My point was that what you said was wrong. I thought that was pretty obvious.

[Ramo]

Again, and I clarified what I meant by "governing party." Do you have a point to make besides saying "you're wrong" repeatedly? Are you saying that politics is not dominated by the LDP?

[Kuciwalker]

Again, and I clarified corrected what I meant by "governing party."

[Drake Tungsten]

Do you have a point to make besides saying "you're wrong" repeatedly?

No. And I only would have had to say it once if you had just admitted that you were wrong, but no, you had to go all Kerry on us...

Are you saying that politics is not dominated by the LDP?

Yes. It was dominated by the LDP, but it isn't anymore.

[Ramo]

Yes, the LDP does not dominate Japanese poltiics. Despite having control of a large majority of the Diet, and nearly three times the seats as the next largest party. Despite handily winning most elections. You're totally right, there's absolutely nothing inconsistent about this formulation.

[Drake Tungsten]

Yes, the LDP does not dominate Japanese poltiics.

Correct. Glad I could enlighten you on the subject.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Wycoff


Canada is a rarity, some of which is caused by the anomolous situation of the Quebec party. How many more countries with first-past-the-post elections have three or more viable parties?

Many, with Parliaments...

Canada and the US are not that similar. In Canada the government can fall in the legislature. That gives third parties some real kick in certain situations. There is no equivalent situation in the US.

[Barnabas]

I have always found Spanish politics, shockingly similar to USA politics (altough the USA obiously lacks the local nationalism from catalans, basques etc)

The PP would be the same as the republicans, support free trade, low taxes, war on terror, against abortion, against homosexual marriage, while the PSOE would be the democrats, against war on terror, more welfare statish, favour legal abortion, gay marriage etc.

Latin american politics are quite different, since parties collapse, becoming completely and absolutely irrelevant, and new parties are born, far more easily, often all you need is just 1 charismatic guy to create a new political party that can win the election.
Thats one big difference, the other is that everything in latin american politics is about the economy, while in the USA foreign policy, their wars, and morals (abortion and gay stuff) are much more important.

[Verto]

Originally posted by Ramo
Olberman's on a roll

http://movies.crooksandliars.com/CD-SC-KerryJoke.mov

QFthisshouldhaveendedthisstupidthread

[Berzerker]

Ogie

I guarantee speaking at a pro-angelides student rally no one would be gasping at another slam against Bush.

Thats what happens when a joke is botched, some get it inspite of the "comedian" and some dont. You supplied the same quote, not the full quote. I recall seeing a tape of him and he was talking about Bush's inept performance before that quote. And the look of disgust on his face as he turns his head after "stuck in Iraq" told me Bush is the one he is talking about.

[Deity Dude]

chiming in late here - I took it just the opposite.

His audience of pro-democrat college students seemed shocked by the comment. Literally, there was a big gasp/silence.

I didn't take it as a knock on the troops (though I understand that point of view) I took it as more of the same old Democratic BS scare tactics implying that there was going to be a draft because of the war.

OK, lets give him the benefit of the doubt. He was taking a shot at Bush. He wasn't belittling the troops or implying that a draft was a necessary outcome of Iraq.

POINT ONE: He's still an idiot. His only job right now is to give speeches that will make the Democrats look more favorable to the electorate. HE FAILED.

POINT TWO: He goes on and on about how horrible Bush is at diplomacy. Yet it took him 2 days to apologize (Day One he said he refused to apologize).
I don't know about you, but if I inadvertantly offend someone - I APOLOGIZE.

Example:

I say: "Gee you look better now that you have lost weight"

Offended person says "Are you saying I was fat?"

My immediate response is "No. I am sorry if you took it that way, I was just trying to say you look nice."

Kerry's response would be "You misunderstood my attempt to complement you and since you are to stupid to understand what I meant, I REFUSE to apologize to you."

Then 2 days later. The apology. "I am sorry you aren't smart enough to understand what I meant, when I said what I didn't mean" Doesn't it sound alot anyways -dm oth is fmrlike And by the way "That was the war I voted for before I didn't vote for it"

Seriously the guy wants to run for president. One of his self proclaimed attributes is that he is a better diplomat than Bush. I just get the feeling that if this came up the other way, Bush, like about 99% of people who find themselves in the position of inadvertantly offending someone would feel embarressed and immediately apologize.

[Gibsie]

You completely and utterly ruined any credibility in that post by suggesting that Bush would apologise for offending someone in that way. You damn well know he wouldn't apologise- more likely he'd refuse to admit he ever said it.