Bush/Palin would be the most hilarious ticket in history.

So far, Bobby Jindal has been the best damned governor Louisiana has had in decades.

Rudy is a cross-dresser.
Newt is a washed-up hack who blew his title shot once already.
Jeb has the wrong last name. (And is almost as dumb as Dubya.)
Charlie Crist is a closet homosexual. (Plus he supported McCain the Lib.)
Ditto Lindsey Graham on the McCain part.

But General David Petraeus gets a negative of 39%? WTF?!


/I was just speculating about the reasons for the above negative numbers
//Not saying I actually think all those things
///...Except the Rudy one ;-)

Nabb1: So far, Bobby Jindal has been the best damned governor Louisiana has had in decades.

Perhaps, but the moderates that delivered the landslide to Obama aren't going to warm to someone who is so intellectually-bankrupt as to believe in the value of exorcisms.

Nabb1: So far, Bobby Jindal has been the best damned governor Louisiana has had in decades.


Yeah, but he got a pre-emptive, 4-year-early endorsement from Rush. I know it's stupid, but I just can't get past a Rush endorsement.

Palin/Jindal '12...cause theocracy ain't just for the Iranians, donchaknow

PurplePimpSaber: Perhaps, but the moderates that delivered the landslide to Obama aren't going to warm to someone who is so intellectually-bankrupt as to believe in the value of exorcisms.

Yes, he did something foolish once in college. Honestly, if that's the only thing you're going to use to base your opinion off of, then I don't know what else to tell you.

can't see him firing up the gop base, for some reason

Nabb1: PurplePimpSaber: Perhaps, but the moderates that delivered the landslide to Obama aren't going to warm to someone who is so intellectually-bankrupt as to believe in the value of exorcisms.

Yes, he did something foolish once in college. Honestly, if that's the only thing you're going to use to base your opinion off of, then I don't know what else to tell you.

Well, if he disavows it, no problem.

DamnYankees: Well, if he disavows it, no problem.

Why? I don't think he needs to disavow anything like that. It didn't hurt anyone, and honestly - exorcisms have not been pitched as any sort of official policy in Louisiana as of yet. He's been a very adept executive, far better than the last governor. Why should he disavow that?

bud jones: can't see him firing up the gop base, for some reason

You might want to do a little research on how the Democrats ran a last minute race-baiting campaign that put Blanco over the top the first time he ran.

Nabb1: Why? I don't think he needs to disavow anything like that. It didn't hurt anyone, and honestly - exorcisms have not been pitched as any sort of official policy in Louisiana as of yet. He's been a very adept executive, far better than the last governor. Why should he disavow that?

Anyone who believes in exorcism as a real thing belongs nowhere near the oval office.

DamnYankees: Anyone who believes in exorcism as a real thing belongs nowhere near the oval office.

Why not? How do you know he still believes in the efficacy of exorcisms? He was twenty when that happened.

Nabb1: DamnYankees: Anyone who believes in exorcism as a real thing belongs nowhere near the oval office.

Why not? How do you know he still believes in the efficacy of exorcisms? He was twenty when that happened.

He's only 36 now.

And I don't want anyone who beleives in magic to be president.

Nabb1: Why? I don't think he needs to disavow anything like that. It didn't hurt anyone, and honestly - exorcisms have not been pitched as any sort of official policy in Louisiana as of yet. He's been a very adept executive, far better than the last governor. Why should he disavow that?

Because it's pretty insane to think you need to hold people down and drive demons out of them?

What's his stance on evolution as taught in schools, by the way? I'd heard there was a bill in Louisiana to get ID into the classrooms-- how is Jindal dealing with that?

DamnYankees: He's only 36 now.

Well, so am I, and I'm not entirely the same person I was at twenty, and I can assure you I did some things at that age I would not do now.

And I don't want anyone who beleives in magic to be president.

Okay, so that's you're only criteria? And it trumps everything else you know about him? Is there anything else about him you don't like? What do you like about him?

Obdicut: What's his stance on evolution as taught in schools, by the way? I'd heard there was a bill in Louisiana to get ID into the classrooms-- how is Jindal dealing with that?

That's one stance I was disappointed to see him cave in on to the religious right in the northern and western parts of the state. But, on balance, he has been an exceedingly capable executive. Do you know anything else about him that gives you problems, or do you prefer the steady leadership of his predecessor?

bud jones: can't see him firing up the gop base, for some reason

but he's aryan, after all.

it's way too early. we need to wait to see what happens in the first two years of the admin and if the GOP scores congressional gains. someone else may emerge

Nabb1: Well, so am I, and I'm not entirely the same person I was at twenty, and I can assure you I did some things at that age I would not do now.

Of course. Same for me. I wrote political articles in college I'm ashamed of. And if I ever ran for president, I would expect people to ask me if I still believed that stuff.

Nabb1: Okay, so that's you're only criteria? And it trumps everything else you know about him? Is there anything else about him you don't like? What do you like about him?

I know almost nothing about him other than he's a convert to Catholicism, supports ID (I think), and performed an excorcism.

And knowing those things, I'm disposed to not want him as President.

DamnYankees: I know almost nothing about him other than he's a convert to Catholicism, supports ID (I think), and performed an excorcism.

And knowing those things, I'm disposed to not want him as President.

You have a problem with Catholics?

Nabb1: You have a problem with Catholics?

Converting to a religion generally earns a negative response from me.

DamnYankees: Nabb1: You have a problem with Catholics?

Converting to a religion generally earns a negative response from me.

So, the answer is "yes," you have a problem with Catholics. How is that not prejudice? Does Obama's professed deep faith bother you?

DamnYankees: Converting to a religion generally earns a negative response from me.

why? genuinely curious.

Nabb1: So, the answer is "yes," you have a problem with Catholics. How is that not prejudice? Does Obama's professed deep faith bother you?

I have a problem with all religions - I'm an atheist. I think they are false and filled with nonsense, and for an adult to convert into one is a negative for me.

Not a fan of Obama's faith either, but his anounced views on the separation of church and state, his lack of actually implementing anything religious, and his tons of other qualities tip positive.

albo: DamnYankees: Converting to a religion generally earns a negative response from me.

why? genuinely curious.

I'm an atheist who thinks religion lacks an intellectual basis and is not anything worth joining.

I like Jindal. I don't see him running or governing as a social conservative in the Sarah Palin archetype. He's smart, and he's articulate.

Frankly, part of the reason I think folks in the base like Palin so much is because she pisses off the left so much. She'd probably just go away if the left wasn't fixated on her.

DamnYankees: I'm an atheist who thinks religion lacks an intellectual basis and is not anything worth joining

i'm an atheist as well, but i don't disdain those who adopt a religion.

sure, i don't agree with their views, but live and let live--this is the only life we have, after all, and it's silly to not like people for, well, silly decisions.

albo: i'm an atheist as well, but i don't disdain those who adopt a religion.

Never said I 'disdain' it - its just a negative thing. If I'm adding up pros and cons of a candidate, conversion to a religion would be a con.

albo: sure, i don't agree with their views, but live and let live--this is the only life we have, after all, and it's silly to not like people for, well, silly decisions.

I never said otherwise. But I'm perfectly allowed to vote on whatever basis I want.

DamnYankees: Not a fan of Obama's faith either, but his anounced views on the separation of church and state, his lack of actually implementing anything religious, and his tons of other qualities tip positive.

So, when he campaigns with something like this:



And compares his social policies to the Bible's admonishment to "be your brother's keeper," you're okay with that?

Nabb1: That's one stance I was disappointed to see him cave in on to the religious right in the northern and western parts of the state. But, on balance, he has been an exceedingly capable executive. Do you know anything else about him that gives you problems, or do you prefer the steady leadership of his predecessor?

Okay, so... I don't like him because he's got some crazy religion stuff going on, you say "That was back in college, don't worry about it," I point out his religion is obviously still affecting him in a very strong manner, and your response is, "So what, he's good in other ways?"

I know he has a reputation for being smart and capable. That's great. If he can't understand seperation of church and state-- and why it protects religions far more than it harms them-- I have doubts about his ability to navigate those issues well.

And if you haven't noticed, the church/state thing comes up rather a lot these days.

If you feel, on the balance, as a Louisana voter, that his nutty religious stuff is outweighed by his competence, by all means keep voting for him-- your state. But I'm pointing out that that kind of thing is going to make it very, very difficult for him to be taken seriously nationally.

Nabb1: And compares his social policies to the Bible's admonishment to "be your brother's keeper," you're okay with that?

Can you see the difference between someone emphasizing religion as a cultural value and influence, and wanting to legislate based off of religious objections to proven science?

Nabb1: So, when he campaigns with something like this:

Couldn't really care less how he advertises himself. I have no problem with candidates appealing to religious people using the language they know.

Nabb1: And compares his social policies to the Bible's admonishment to "be your brother's keeper," you're okay with that?

Yeah. Why not? I believe in that idea as well.

Obdicut: Nabb1: That's one stance I was disappointed to see him cave in on to the religious right in the northern and western parts of the state. But, on balance, he has been an exceedingly capable executive. Do you know anything else about him that gives you problems, or do you prefer the steady leadership of his predecessor?

Okay, so... I don't like him because he's got some crazy religion stuff going on, you say "That was back in college, don't worry about it," I point out his religion is obviously still affecting him in a very strong manner, and your response is, "So what, he's good in other ways?"

I know he has a reputation for being smart and capable. That's great. If he can't understand seperation of church and state-- and why it protects religions far more than it harms them-- I have doubts about his ability to navigate those issues well.

And if you haven't noticed, the church/state thing comes up rather a lot these days.

If you feel, on the balance, as a Louisana voter, that his nutty religious stuff is outweighed by his competence, by all means keep voting for him-- your state. But I'm pointing out that that kind of thing is going to make it very, very difficult for him to be taken seriously nationally.

Thanks, but a simple, "No, I admit I don't know anything else about him" would have sufficed.

DamnYankees: And I don't want anyone who beleives in magic to be president.

"Does anyone know what Vice President Bush called this in 1980? Anyone? Something-d-o-o economics. "

Running with image loading disabled the first graph is replaced with the text "ckbu1uqibkmc". The second is "jgf2qegkwksx4tfi5itr3q". Is that some sort of secret message to...

...yes, master. Jeb '12. So it is written, so will I vote.

Obdicut: Nabb1: And compares his social policies to the Bible's admonishment to "be your brother's keeper," you're okay with that?

Can you see the difference between someone emphasizing religion as a cultural value and influence, and wanting to legislate based off of religious objections to proven science?

I can, but I'm not going to debate the merits of Bobby Jindal as an executive with you if that's the only issue you want (or can) discuss in relation to him. You've made your predisposition clear. I don't like his stance on ID in schools, but I understand the political pressure on that issue and how it played as a concession in his overall larger ethics reform agenda, but, hey, if you want to lean on that one little issue to base your opinion on him, that's your decision.

Nabb1: You might want to do a little research on how the Democrats ran a last minute race-baiting campaign that put Blanco over the top the first time he ran.

and that translates to jindal firing up the gop base for 2012? really?

Nabb1: Thanks, but a simple, "No, I admit I don't know anything else about him" would have sufficed.

I do know other things about him. Nabb1: I can, but I'm not going to debate the merits of Bobby Jindal as an executive with you if that's the only issue you want (or can) discuss in relation to him. You've made your predisposition clear. I don't like his stance on ID in schools, but I understand the political pressure on that issue and how it played as a concession in his overall larger ethics reform agenda, but, hey, if you want to lean on that one little issue to base your opinion on him, that's your decision.

First of all, Nabb1, do you agree that you minimized the exorcism thing with a "that was just something he did in college" explanation?

Second of all, do you really, honestly think that teaching religion in schools is a little thing? Really and honestly? It's not a big deal? With our schools in serious trouble, fewer Americans going into the sciences than ever before, it's not a big deal to screw up science education?

*stares blankly at thread while slowly starting to shake head back and forth*

Obdicut: First of all, Nabb1, do you agree that you minimized the exorcism thing with a "that was just something he did in college" explanation?

I did because I don't give a shiat about it even if I think it was silly.

Second of all, do you really, honestly think that teaching religion in schools is a little thing? Really and honestly? It's not a big deal? With our schools in serious trouble, fewer Americans going into the sciences than ever before, it's not a big deal to screw up science education?

I didn't say it was. And it's not, but there are other issues, and the fact you refuse to discuss them continues to confirm my suspicions that you really don't know anything else about him but still want to debate it. I experienced Katrina and Gustav as a New Orleans resident. Now, Gustav wasn't nearly as bad as Katrina, but Jindal's preparedness and his handling of press conferences and responding to questions with very specific plans and details without looking at notes and the execution of his directives was incredible after Blanco's deer-in-the-headlights "Please, won't someone comee save us?" wimpering after Katrina. So, you haven't demonstrated you know jack squat about Jindal or his policies or his qualifications or his abilities other than this one issue.

Nabb1: and the fact you refuse to discuss them continues to confirm my suspicions that you really don't know anything else about him but still want to debate it.

Who is refusing to discuss them? Start talking about them.

DamnYankees: Nabb1: and the fact you refuse to discuss them continues to confirm my suspicions that you really don't know anything else about him but still want to debate it.

Who is refusing to discuss them? Start talking about them.

Okay, what do you think of his ethics reforms and his budget initiatives?

DamnYankees: Of course. Same for me. I wrote political articles in college I'm ashamed of. And if I ever ran for president, I would expect people to ask me if I still believed that stuff.

You seemed a lot more intelligent back in those days. I especially liked your article about how President Bush would go down in history as one of the greatest president ever. And this part still brings tears to my eyes:

"Like the greats before him, George Bush has a deep faith in the goodness of democracy and the righteous endeavors of a free people. He has been given a new lease on life by his people, four more years to continue reshaping the world into a better place. It won't be easy, but America will stand behind him. The critics of the world will push on, unable to see the field beyond the ditch. Men will continue to fall, proving their last full measure of devotion. We trust they die not in vain. Godspeed, Mr. President, and may your next four years provide us with a future that reflects the vision of our past."

Wow, that was beautiful. What changed you? Get hit on the head or something?

Nabb1: Okay, what do you think of his ethics reforms and his budget initiatives?

I know nothing about them. He's not my governor.

DamnYankees: I know nothing about them. He's not my governor.

You know nothing about him, but you're willing to condemn him because you read he believes in exorcisms?

That makes absolutely no sense to me.

SkinnyHead: Wow, that was beautiful. What changed you? Get hit on the head or something?

That this question needs to be asked is why we make fun of you.

DamnYankees: Nabb1: Okay, what do you think of his ethics reforms and his budget initiatives?

I know nothing about them. He's not my governor.

So, you know nothing about two of his most important policy acheivements as governor in the past year, but you have decided you can't vote for him because he is Catholic and tried to do an exorcism sixteen years ago.

DamnYankees: I know nothing about them.

DeltaXi65: You know nothing about him

DeltaXi65: DamnYankees: I know nothing about them. He's not my governor.

You know nothing about him, but you're willing to condemn him because you read he believes in exorcisms?

That makes absolutely no sense to me.

When did I condemn him? I didn't bring up the excorcism. All I said was I don't like the fact that he's that religious.

Nabb1: So, you know nothing about two of his most important policy acheivements as governor in the past year, but you have decided you can't vote for him because he is Catholic and tried to do an exorcism sixteen years ago.

When did I say I can't vote for him? Again, all I said was I don't like his religious ideas.

DamnYankees: When did I say I can't vote for him? Again, all I said was I don't like his religious ideas.

Right here:

DamnYankees: Anyone who believes in exorcism as a real thing belongs nowhere near the oval office.

And here:

DamnYankees: I don't want anyone who believes in magic to be president.

Nabb1: DamnYankees: Anyone who believes in exorcism as a real thing belongs nowhere near the oval office.

And here:

DamnYankees: I don't want anyone who believes in magic to be president.

Ok, I'll revise.

If you believe excorcisms are real and you believe in magic, I am going to be incredibly leery of you and you would need to do a lot to convince me to vote for you. I was too categorical earlier.