Gunman Assassinates U.S. Congresswoman

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

I don't know if wry chuckling is called for or not after reading this thread.

One thing is for sure sanity appears in short supply.

[Elok]

It baffles my mind how people can consider Obama left-wing.

Yes, he's to the left of crazies like McCain and Limbaugh and Palin, but he's not a left-winger.

By Euro/Canadian standards, very few people in the U.S. are left-wing, barring actual communists. And they have their own crackhead version of religion, too--it's called Liberation Theology. It's just that they're such a fringe group you don't hear about them much outside of college campuses.

[MOBIUS]

It baffles my mind how people can consider Obama left-wing.

Yes, he's to the left of crazies like McCain and Limbaugh and Palin, but he's not a left-winger.

Exactly. Left-wingers the world over are probably deeply disappointed that the US basically hasn't changed in any way outwardly - basically business as usual...

Far as I'm concerned:

Democrats = right-wing

Republicans = virtually extremists

[Felch]

What constitutes left-wing for you? Is socialism a prerequisite?

The two parties here vary geographically. A Republican in the northeast will often be to the left of a Democrat from the south. They rise through the ranks of state parties, and state parties are pragmatic.

[Imran Siddiqui]

It baffles my mind how people can consider Obama left-wing.

Yes, he's to the left of crazies like McCain and Limbaugh and Palin, but he's not a left-winger.

I didn't call him a left winger. I said he is on the Christian left, as opposed to the Christian right. Meaning, on those type of social issues that concern Christians he's more with Wallis than he is with Robertson.

[Arrian]

A Republican in the northeast will often be to the left of a Democrat from the south

This used to be more true than it is today. Liberal NE Republicans have taken a beating (either by losing to Dems or via primaries).

-Arrian

[Wezil]

Submitted without comment:

[Felch]

This used to be more true than it is today. Liberal NE Republicans have taken a beating (either by losing to Dems or via primaries).

-Arrian

Those few that still exist are around because they veer left. They are a dying breed though.

[dannubis]

What constitutes left-wing for you? Is socialism a prerequisite?

Duh. What else would you call left wing... in the real world, not lala-land

[Hauldren Collider]

There is a very strong Christian left presence, epitomized by Rev. Jim Wallis and, of course, President Obama is far more on the Christian left.

President Obama does not strike me as particularly Christian (not that it matters to me).

[MOBIUS]

I agree. I imagine he's far too smart to actually believe in God. I bet he only plays lip service because he knows he wouldn't stand a chance in becoming president otherwise...

PS thanks for supporting my initial point.

[MOBIUS]

BTW, the repub... er right-wing homophobes are gonna love this!

Two gay heroes thwart assassinations -- what a difference 35 years make

[Imran Siddiqui]

President Obama does not strike me as particularly Christian (not that it matters to me).

Does he have to beat his chest?

A lot of his speeches show a deep spirituality in the language he uses.

[Hauldren Collider]

Does he have to beat his chest?

A lot of his speeches show a deep spirituality in the language he uses.

I disagree, he seems more cynical to me. What really makes me doubt his religion was his comment on "guns and religion" and a few others that are escaping me at the moment. In the end I don't really care about his religion one bit, but he's certainly not as religious as Reagan or GW Bush.

[Asher]

Probably why he's a better president.