and why not nominate Chuck Manson as Veep. It'd be a 1-2 punch

It's so cute how the green party thinks anyone actually takes them seriously.

biatch be trippin

Wow, I was kinda wondering where she had gone to.

She is crazy crazy crazy.

Seriously though I think she is intelligent but supports some really insane causes and of course sees racism in every little thing that doesnt go her way.

She should've been a contender...

I'm sorry, I have to check the the ruling Democrablicans before I can form an opinion on this issue.

Go ahead, throw your vote away!

I signed a petition to put her on the ballot in CT this fall. I signed primarily because the pretty girl holding the petition asked me to.

/I do what pretty girls want me to do. Its a weakness.

PLEASE LET HER IN THE DEBATES

Disapproves.

What exactly does the Green party stand for?

Wait...

It seems they stand for "Social Justice"

Bwahahahahahah!

Social Justice is a progressive phrase for "Punish succesful people for being wealthy".

Swampthing in Korea: What exactly does the Green party stand for?

Take your average anarcho-capitalist libertarian rant and replace the words "free market" with "the environment". You're somewhere close.

Swampthing in Korea: What exactly does the Green party stand for?

Pull out a dollar bill. Notice the color. Now burn it.

Summary done.

I just came to say bwahahahahahahahaha! But I see some people already beat me to it.

/Could be worse, could be Monica Conyers calling people "Shrek" :P

Former Congresswoman and Green Party presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney: "We know that if the media covered our platform . . . they would establish us as the second political party in this nation"


http://www.gp.org/platform/2004/

umm not really.

there's some good ideas, but most of it is just ok or just plain bad.

the fact that they put up McKinney all by itself shows that they're not even taking themselves that seriously.

10 KEY VALUES
1. GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY

Every human being deserves a say in the decisions that affect his or her life and should not be subject to the will of another. Therefore, we will work to increase public participation at every level of government and to ensure that our public representatives are fully accountable to the people who elect them. We will also work to create new types of political organizations which expand the process of participatory democracy by directly including citizens in the decision-making process.

2. SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

All persons should have the rights and opportunity to benefit equally from the resources afforded us by society and the environment. We must consciously confront in ourselves, our organizations, and society at large, barriers such as racism and class oppression, sexism and homophobia, ageism and disability, which act to deny fair treatment and equal justice under the law.

3. ECOLOGICAL WISDOM

Human societies must operate with the understanding that we are part of nature, not separate from nature.
We must maintain an ecological balance and live within the ecological and resource limits of our communities and our planet. We support a sustainable society which utilizes resources in such a way that future generations will benefit and not suffer from the practices of our generation. To this end we must practice agriculture which replenishes the soil; move to an energy efficient economy; and live in ways that respect the integrity of natural systems.

4. NON-VIOLENCE

It is essential that we develop effective alternatives to society's current patterns of violence. We will work to demilitarize, and eliminate weapons of mass destruction, without being naive about the intentions of other governments.
We recognize the need for self-defense and the defense of others who are in helpless situations. We promote non-violent methods to oppose practices and policies with which we disagree, and will guide our actions toward lasting personal, community and global peace.

5. DECENTRALIZATION

Centralization of wealth and power contributes to social and economic injustice, environmental destruction, and militarization. Therefore, we support a restructuring of social, political and economic institutions away from a system which is controlled by and mostly benefits the powerful few, to a democratic, less bureaucratic system. Decision-making should, as much as possible, remain at the individual and local level, while assuring that civil rights are protected for all citizens.

6. COMMUNITY BASED ECONOMICS

Redesign our work structures to encourage employee ownership and workplace democracy. Develop new economic activities and institutions that will allow us to use our new technologies in ways that are humane, freeing, ecological and accountable, and responsive to communities.
Establish some form of basic economic security, open to all.
Move beyond the narrow "job ethic" to new definitions of "work," jobs" and "income" that reflect the changing economy.
Restructure our patterns of income distribution to reflect the wealth created by those outside the formal monetary economy: those who take responsibility for parenting, housekeeping, home gardens, community volunteer work, etc.
Restrict the size and concentrated power of corporations without discouraging superior efficiency or technological innovation.

7. FEMINISM AND GENDER EQUITY

We have inherited a social system based on male domination of politics and economics. We call for the replacement of the cultural ethics of domination and control with more cooperative ways of interacting that respect differences of opinion and gender. Human values such as equity between the sexes, interpersonal responsibility, and honesty must be developed with moral conscience. We should remember that the process that determines our decisions and actions is just as important as achieving the outcome we want.

8. RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY

We believe it is important to value cultural, ethnic, racial, sexual, religious and spiritual diversity, and to promote the development of respectful relationships across these lines.
We believe that the many diverse elements of society should be reflected in our organizations and decision-making bodies, and we support the leadership of people who have been traditionally closed out of leadership roles. We acknowledge and encourage respect for other life forms than our own and the preservation of biodiversity.

9. PERSONAL AND GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY

We encourage individuals to act to improve their personal well-being and, at the same time, to enhance ecological balance and social harmony. We seek to join with people and organizations around the world to foster peace, economic justice, and the health of the planet.

10. FUTURE FOCUS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Our actions and policies should be motivated by long-term goals. We seek to protect valuable natural resources, safely disposing of or "unmaking" all waste we create, while developing a sustainable economics that does not depend on continual expansion for survival. We must counterbalance the drive for short-term profits by assuring that economic development, new technologies, and fiscal policies are responsible to future generations who will inherit the results of our actions.
Make the quality of life, rather than open-ended economic growth, the focus of future thinking.

http://www.gp.org/platform/2004/intro.html#998247

some of their key points aren't really what I would consider the most pressing issues...relatively speaking.

I'm not to sure about how they intend to implement some of this stuff. I think they're taking government into some areas that it shouldn't be. I guess it depends on how they intend to do this shiat.

in any case, what McKinney said is not true. there isn't a big desire for what they're offering IMO.

DamnYankees: PLEASE LET HER IN THE DEBATES

This.

She would shoot to superstardom on Youtube.

I can't stand McKinney, but there is a valid point to be made here. If the media covered a third party in any kind of respectful way, then that party would have a significant portion of the nation supporting them. Lucky for us, the media only allows us to see the same 2 brand names each election, with a smattering of ridicule mixed in for the 3rd place team, to make sure they're kept in 3rd place.

Her goal in running for president is to retire the debt from her failed congressional campaign. Ah, the truthiness of politics.

2nd Political party?

unexplained bacon:4. NON-VIOLENCE

It is essential that we develop effective alternatives to society's current patterns of violence. We will work to demilitarize, and eliminate weapons of mass destruction, without being naive about the intentions of other governments. We recognize the need for self-defense and the defense of others who are in helpless situations. We promote non-violent methods to oppose practices and policies with which we disagree, and will guide our actions toward lasting personal, community and global peace.

So they nominate a woman who slapped a cop. Somewhat hypocritical, no?

Yesterday outside the co-op by my house there was a guy in a McKinney/Green Party shirt with a petition or something. Some guy was already talking to him so he didn't bother me.

The first thing I thought of when I saw her picture on the shirt was the time she assaulted that Capitol Police officer for not letting her in without ID, then immediately playing the race card.

As I was walking by the two guys, the only thing I heard was the Green Party guy say "...but charges were never filed." It was pure comedy gold.

McKinney should be in the debates. So should Barr, and so should Nader.

The SOLE criteria should be as follows: A candidate must be on the ballot in enough states with enough electoral votes to mathematically win.

You'll never see that as long as the debate process is run by the CPD (co-chaired by the former heads of the DNC and RNC).

Sir Cumference the Flatulent: McKinney should be in the debates. So should Barr, and so should Nader.

The SOLE criteria should be as follows: A candidate must be on the ballot in enough states with enough electoral votes to mathematically win.

You'll never see that as long as the debate process is run by the CPD (co-chaired by the former heads of the DNC and RNC).

It's probably for the best, actually. Once some of their more...questionable ideas are brought into the limelight, they'd either lose membership (I know people who'd vote Libertarian because a friend told them RON PAUL was cool), or be the target of even more ridicule.

I came for the crazy Cynthia McKinney pictures, and I leave disappointed.

Fredster: I came for the crazy Cynthia McKinney pictures, and I leave disappointed.

This. Come on Fark!

Crazy Democrats

Tell you what, there, Cindy, you get yourself out there in the public eye, and rant, and bury the Green party once and for all.

/Don't assault any cops, though.

BranMuffins: Wow, I was kinda wondering where she had gone to.

She is crazy crazy crazy.

Seriously though I think she is intelligent but supports some really insane causes and of course sees racism in every little thing that doesnt go her way.


I saw her announcement to run on YouTube, and I was incredibly surprised and even impressed by her speech.

There's also a great video of her grilling Rumsfeld.

Between her being intelligent, confrontational, and completely nuts, I think she'd be the best thing in national debates this fall. I wish they'd let her it. That would def be some Must See TV.

mactheknife: unexplained bacon:4. NON-VIOLENCE

It is essential that we develop effective alternatives to society's current patterns of violence. We will work to demilitarize, and eliminate weapons of mass destruction, without being naive about the intentions of other governments. We recognize the need for self-defense and the defense of others who are in helpless situations. We promote non-violent methods to oppose practices and policies with which we disagree, and will guide our actions toward lasting personal, community and global peace.

So they nominate a woman who slapped a cop. Somewhat hypocritical, no?

yeah, I wasn't really a green party guy in the first place, but putting McKinney up there knocks 'em down a few more pegs in my eyes.

McKinney slapped a cop and then tried to weasel out of it by crying racism where there clearly wasn't any.

she's quite the personal responsibility guru.

9. PERSONAL AND GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY

We encourage individuals to act to improve their personal well-being and, at the same time, to enhance ecological balance and social harmony. We seek to join with people and organizations around the world to foster peace, economic justice, and the health of the planet.

The Green Party is the craziest party in the US. I think the Libertarian platform is a little nuts, then I read the Green and think that they are so nuts I need to create a new word for it. I remember when they advocated a 100% tax for income over 250k. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool liberal and Democrat but even I think that's crazy. I just wish there was a nice truly middle ground party.

mactheknife: unexplained bacon:4. NON-VIOLENCE

It is essential that we develop effective alternatives to society's current patterns of violence. We will work to demilitarize, and eliminate weapons of mass destruction, without being naive about the intentions of other governments. We recognize the need for self-defense and the defense of others who are in helpless situations. We promote non-violent methods to oppose practices and policies with which we disagree, and will guide our actions toward lasting personal, community and global peace.

So they nominate a woman who slapped a cop. Somewhat hypocritical, no?

Not any more hypocritical than the party "small government" nominating Reagan or GWB.

Tsk, tsk. I enjoy seeing all the hate for the Green Party in this thread. The only people who truly care about civil liberties and you call them 'crazy'. Fine people - vote Republicrat, let's have another 50 years of global warfare and erosion of our rights at home!

farking idiots.

DarkLancelot: The Green Party is the craziest party in the US. I think the Libertarian platform is a little nuts, then I read the Green and think that they are so nuts I need to create a new word for it. I remember when they advocated a 100% tax for income over 250k. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool liberal and Democrat but even I think that's crazy. I just wish there was a nice truly middle ground party.

That was Ralph Nader alone. That's not the Green Party platform.

They are for environmental concerns, abolishing the death penalty, and restriction of unilateral involvement in foreign affairs.

See, this is why the 3rd parties are failing to establish themselves as anything other than variants of the major parties. Look at their presidential candidates: Bob Barr and Cynthia McKinney, both perfect examples of the dregs of the Republican and Democratic parties, who both follow the worst of the party lines.

McKinney is a loud, entitled race-warrior, and Barr is a typical "fiscally liberal, socially conservative" Republican and really not much of a libertarian at all - he introduced the Defense of Marriage act (gay bashing), blocked medical marijuana, and was chasing Clinton over the blow-job thing. Hardly a big man for individual liberty - at best, he's a states-rights freak, which is a perversion of the Libertarian principles (localized authoritarianism is still authoritarianism).

America's 3rd-parties have revealed themselves to be a sham. The Green party is just the leftmost wing of the democratic party, and the Libertarian party are just Republicans who don't want to be associated with the Jesus-and-bombs AM radio wing.

Shaggy_C: Tsk, tsk. I enjoy seeing all the hate for the Green Party in this thread. The only people who truly care about civil liberties and you call them 'crazy'. Fine people - vote Republicrat, let's have another 50 years of global warfare and erosion of our rights at home!

farking idiots.

Anything to marginalize a third party.

/Been registed Green since I turned voting age
//And because my "state" goes Democrat no matter what--so its a perfect chance to show the viability of third parties.

This: McKinney is a loud, entitled race-warrior

Based on what? Being a loud black woman? Here's a Protip: If you think that attidude is hers and hers alone, never come to DC. Just come out and say it... she's an uppity nagger. Just say it. You know you want to.

America's 3rd-parties have revealed themselves to be a sham. The Green party is just the leftmost wing of the democratic party

Based on what exactly? Have you actually learned about the platform? Care to explain to a Green Party member how we qualify as a sham version of Democrats?

If it wasn't for our party there would be almost zero concern of environmentalism in any of the major parties today.

absoluteparanoia: Anything to marginalize a third party.

They're marginalizing themselves just fine by nominating a woman like McKinney.

absoluteparanoia: Based on what exactly? Have you actually learned about the platform? Care to explain to a Green Party member how we qualify as a sham version of Democrats?

My point is that the platform is not an accurate representation of the beliefs of the people who chose their presidential candidate, or they would not have selected McKinney. Likewise, the Libertarians failed to represent their interest in individual liberty when they selected Barr.

Both of their candidates are the exact kind of party-line losers that scare people off of the big 2 parties.

absoluteparanoia: Anything to marginalize a third party.

I think it's a problem where people get this 'pie in the sky' idea about their particular team - their mainstream party - and fall for the rhetoric. It amazes me year after year that people argue for particular policy planks for the major parties without any regard for the actual actions of those parties while they're in office. It's like they enjoy being lied to again and again.

Sorry but this lady is just crazy and stupid in my opinion. Couldn't the Green Party have picked a better candidate, like that Native American guy from Predator?

This: My point is that the platform is not an accurate representation of the beliefs of the people who chose their presidential candidate, or they would not have selected McKinney.

This is true of every party today. Especially the major two. I didn't vote for her in the primaries. She won by default since no one shows up. The choice is a consequence of popularity. You hear about where Dem and Repub primaries are on TV. Did you ever hear about the Green party primaries?


Likewise, the Libertarians failed to represent their interest in individual liberty when they selected Barr.

Both of their candidates are the exact kind of party-line losers that scare people off of the big 2 parties.

That doesn't mean we should throw out third parties.

Shaggy_C: absoluteparanoia: Anything to marginalize a third party.

I think it's a problem where people get this 'pie in the sky' idea about their particular team - their mainstream party - and fall for the rhetoric. It amazes me year after year that people argue for particular policy planks for the major parties without any regard for the actual actions of those parties while they're in office. It's like they enjoy being lied to again and again.

Exactly. I could get behind some of the ideas of the major parties--if they ever actually practiced them.

Geoge "small gov't" Bush created an entirely new (and useless) branch of government for christ sake?

There's nothing that branch does that couldn't be accomplished with greater cooperation between the FBI and CIA (and to a lesser extent the NSA).

absoluteparanoia: That doesn't mean we should throw out third parties.

Never said it did. It just means that the two main "third" parties, despite their platforms, revealing themselves to act as shadows of their main parties.

This: absoluteparanoia: That doesn't mean we should throw out third parties.

Never said it did. It just means that the two main "third" parties, despite their platforms, revealing themselves to act as shadows of their main parties.

Libertarians, maybe. Green party? No way. Seriously. One grew directly out of the Republicans and the other rejected both parties as two sides of the same coin.

absoluteparanoia: Exactly. I could get behind some of the ideas of the major parties--if they ever actually practiced them.

Geoge "small gov't" Bush created an entirely new (and useless) branch of government for christ sake?

Not to mention "We're not the world's police" Bush taking us to war while the people who were arguing all through the '90s for war became the anti-war party. And the 'teams' stayed the same - the supporters on each side took it in stride like nothing had changed.

BraveNewCheneyWorld: Lucky for us, the media only allows us to see the same 2 brand names each election, with a smattering of ridicule mixed in for the 3rd place team, to make sure they're kept in 3rd place.

wake me up when we get a viable third party that doesn't just harp on one sort-of/not-really important issue.

absoluteparanoia: rejected both parties as two sides of the same coin.

Dude, they chose Cynthia McKinney. If she's not a part the two-party system, I don't know what is. Look at her record - she's a black advocate and nothing else (not that there's anything wrong with that). Her only connection to environmentalism was concern about toxins in the New Orleans flooding, which was really just an extension of black advocacy.

It makes no sense whatsoever to put her in charge of the Green party unless they're trying to strengthen their ties with the Democratic party.

Shaggy_C: Not to mention "We're not the world's police" Bush taking us to war while the people who were arguing all through the '90s for war became the anti-war party. And the 'teams' stayed the same - the supporters on each side took it in stride like nothing had changed.

Most of the Democratic party supports the invasion of Afghanistan (except guys like the redhead's husband), as well as intervention in massacres-in-action and whatnot. Their opposition to the Iraq war is entirely consistent with the party's previous opinions on the matter.