Yes, appearance is everything in politics, Angakuk, agreed ...Which is why I am not impressed with Bush's post-sympathetic act. I guess I just go from the gut and not always the 'facts', because his act smacks of inauthenticity. Yet we're supposed to credit him for making the situation better. I suppose my views are rather naive that way. I know politics are full of shit, it's the way things are.
But it's almost as though I'd have more respect for a man who acts like an asshole all the way, doesn't try to hide it with 'awww shucks' crap, and shows his true colors instead of that pandering shit he does to try and save face. Not that he does so well at THAT either, lol.
In truth, I don't think he gave a shit about what he initially said to the girl. I don't think he was even paying attention - just went on auto- pilot and let the inner asshole emerge. I wish he'd continue with it all the way so there can be no argument of 'well, at least he DID act to make things better."
Ah, me.
I guess it's pretty obvious I can't stand the guy.
Actually, I think this is a pretty accurate analysis of both the news article and the response it generated here. It's kind of you to come and stand by me at this burning stake...
If mick had made this his first post in the thread it just might have generated some worthwhile discussion... And it's not too late - Watser's dead horse metaphor can be taken too seriously! Real discussions are always revivable, I think.
I take your point about how the discussion would have been different if I had started it differently. The post you are complimenting was a response to BDS's suggestion that the misinterpretation was all on the part of the readers, and that 'the raw story' was spin-free. I am grateful to him for engaging in a proper discussion and taking it in that direction. I think it's a shame none of the others was willing to take up the issue of spin and bias with me earlier. But as I say, it's still not too late.
Mick
...rather than rapidly degenerating into yet another "but you said / no that's not what I said and you all suck" thread. I think the various discussions arising from the way in which it degenerated may also be quite worthwhile?
It seems as if you've completely ignored several perfectly serious and polite replies, including from me. You'll note, for instance, that I quite clearly stated that I didn't think Bush's response to the little girl was "asshole-ish." Insensitive, yes, but almost certainly not deliberately so.
On the other hand, it's hard to see how his behavior toward the Washington Press Corpse (thanks Dingfod!) could be seen as anything but "asshole-ish." But I could be wrong ...
Anyway.
Speaking of "spin" and "bias," it seems as if you had a bit of a bias about FF before you arrived. As such, you seem to be practicing selection bias insofar as you appear to be ignoring polite replies while focusing on what you perceive as impolite replies. You seem to have made up your mind about FF and the people here before getting to know us.
Isn't that a bit ... biased?
Maybe it's just that we all got off on the wrong foot, so to speak. Perhaps we could start over?
Cheers,
Michael
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“The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.”
Wow, you're bullying me. That's not very nice, is it now? Have you always been a bully, or did you take a few lessons in 'Bullying 101' from George?
Quote:
And Bush has AlWAYS been a bully. He just hides it well, usually.
Which is irrelevant. Whether Bush is a bully is incidental, at best. The fact of the matter is that in this specific instance, his conduct towards the little girl was acceptable. It's hardly Bush's fault that the girl was a shrinking violet.
Wow, you're bullying me. That's not very nice, is it now? Have you always been a bully, or did you take a few lessons in 'Bullying 101' from George?
That's not bullying, that's just answering a stupid question.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mountain_hare
Quote:
And Bush has AlWAYS been a bully. He just hides it well, usually.
Which is irrelevant. Whether Bush is a bully is incidental, at best. The fact of the matter is that in this specific instance, his conduct towards the little girl was acceptable. It's hardly Bush's fault that the girl was a shrinking violet.
First of all there were two instances. Second: in neither case was his conduct acceptable, we are getting used to him being an asshole is all. Third: why am I even talking to you?
didn't call you anything, I merely reflected your words.
No. I asked whether you people were retards. You then assertion that that position was taken by me. Such a statement pretty amounts to calling me a retard.
So tell me, what do you call it when someone tries to use words to hurt someone's feelings, to belittle them and make them smaller? Isn't that bullying, Wattle? Aren't you guilty of bullying, even while condemning Bush for 'bullying' that 13 year old girl?
I think I'm going to have to put this thread on ignore just so that visual from the constantly appearing title on the New Posts list doesn't give me nightmares.
I obviously never said that I'm not concerned about the quality of the evidence
You said even if it wasn't strong evidence, you'd draw the conclusion anyway. That doesn't leave you much room for serious concern about the strength of the evidence.
That's prejudice, in my view
Mick
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Last edited by mickthinks; 07-25-2007 at 01:27 AM.