Friday, October 27, 2006
If you have any friends in Virginia...
...One of, if not the hottest race in the 2006 election cycle is the on-going battle between incumbent Senator George Allen (R) and former Secretary of the Navy Jim Webb (D). Allen appeared to be enjoying a comfortable lead in the polls, until "racist" remarks from Allen became a focus of the campaign. For those of you who don't follow Viriginia politics, a member of the Webb team (who happened to be Middle-eastern looking) was filming an Allen ralley. At one point, Senator Allen pointed to the Webb volunteer, called him "maccaca", and told him "welcome to America." Senator Allen insists that he had no idea that "maccaca" could be considered racist. However, when one learns that Senator Allen keeps a noose in his office, one has to question the good Senator's feelings on racial and ethnic equality.
In fairness, Mr. Webb has come under fire for his formerly held belief that women weren't capable of serving in the military service, stating that they would be a "distraction" to the males in the service, and weren't physically or mentally equipped to handle combat situations. These beliefs were expressed in a written opinion piece over a decade ago (no excuse) and Webb has since apologized for these comments.
The latest Rasmussen polling report shows Senator Allen ahead of Candidate Webb by one point (49%-48% respectively). As history as shown, the closer we get to election day, the uglier things can get. But in Virginia, ugly would be an understatement.
While Jim Webb has served as Secretary of the Navy, he is also a former Marine (served in Vietnam) and author. Most of Webb's novels focus on his experience with war. As those who have served know, war is hell. There isn't that much pleasantness going on during these times of conflict. Mr. Webb's works of fiction reflect many of the terrible things he saw in combat. (Note:some of the events I'm about to list aren't appropriate for the weak of heart). Some of these terrible things include the description of a woman standing up and going to the bathroom, and a man picking up his male child and inserting his private parts into his mouth.
The right wing talking heads and the Allen campaign found these passages in Webb's writings, and are trying to use them against him. This afternoon, on his very popular radio program, Sean Hannity took Webb to task, calling him "sick" for "thinking these things up" in his head. However, Mr. Webb did not think these jarring images up. In a response this morning, Mr. Webb stated that all of the graphic scenes that the right wing has taken issue with actually happened on or around the stage of war. He went further, saying that the man who picked up his male child took place in a "slum in Bangkok," and was actually considered culturally acceptable by the native people there (not that that makes it right, not in the eye's of thefederalist anyway). Of course, Allen and his pals are too busy to listen to the truth (not all that suprising).
Will the people of Virginia punish Mr. Webb for including the real life horrors of war in his fictional work? Let's hope not. Sure, these scenes are disgusting, but that's the great thing about freedom of speech, with it comes the freedom to listen. If you can't handle these terrible facts of war, you don't have to go to war, or read the accounts of people who have been there. An interesting note: one of the novels that Allen and company have taken issue with was actually endorsed by Republican Senator and Vietnam war hero John McCain. Furthermore, a number of Webb's novels on the subject of war have been required reading for appropriate college-level courses throughout the country.
So, if you think that Webb's works are too graphic for you, don't read them. But at the same time, don't be fooled by the political rhetoric. Come to think of it, perhaps the reason why the likes of Allen, Hannity, and Limbaugh (won't be suprised of O'Reilly gets on this tonight either) find Webb's work so shocking is because they have not seen the things Mr. Webb has seen...none of them have served in the armed forces
**There are literally only days left until election day, and this race is extremely critical. If you have the means, please go to http://www.webbforsenate.com and help this patriotic candidate beat back his chicken-hawk opponents. While his previous comments on women in the military are unnacceptable, the littlest bit of research will prove that Mr. Webb is the superior candidate in this race. He and his family have already given so much to this country (his father served, as did his brothers, and now his son is serving in Iraq), that Mr. Webb's success in the US Senate is assured. Donate if you can, and call any friends or family down in Virginia and tell them to vote for Jim Webb for US Senate**
...One of, if not the hottest race in the 2006 election cycle is the on-going battle between incumbent Senator George Allen (R) and former Secretary of the Navy Jim Webb (D). Allen appeared to be enjoying a comfortable lead in the polls, until "racist" remarks from Allen became a focus of the campaign. For those of you who don't follow Viriginia politics, a member of the Webb team (who happened to be Middle-eastern looking) was filming an Allen ralley. At one point, Senator Allen pointed to the Webb volunteer, called him "maccaca", and told him "welcome to America." Senator Allen insists that he had no idea that "maccaca" could be considered racist. However, when one learns that Senator Allen keeps a noose in his office, one has to question the good Senator's feelings on racial and ethnic equality.
In fairness, Mr. Webb has come under fire for his formerly held belief that women weren't capable of serving in the military service, stating that they would be a "distraction" to the males in the service, and weren't physically or mentally equipped to handle combat situations. These beliefs were expressed in a written opinion piece over a decade ago (no excuse) and Webb has since apologized for these comments.
The latest Rasmussen polling report shows Senator Allen ahead of Candidate Webb by one point (49%-48% respectively). As history as shown, the closer we get to election day, the uglier things can get. But in Virginia, ugly would be an understatement.
While Jim Webb has served as Secretary of the Navy, he is also a former Marine (served in Vietnam) and author. Most of Webb's novels focus on his experience with war. As those who have served know, war is hell. There isn't that much pleasantness going on during these times of conflict. Mr. Webb's works of fiction reflect many of the terrible things he saw in combat. (Note:some of the events I'm about to list aren't appropriate for the weak of heart). Some of these terrible things include the description of a woman standing up and going to the bathroom, and a man picking up his male child and inserting his private parts into his mouth.
The right wing talking heads and the Allen campaign found these passages in Webb's writings, and are trying to use them against him. This afternoon, on his very popular radio program, Sean Hannity took Webb to task, calling him "sick" for "thinking these things up" in his head. However, Mr. Webb did not think these jarring images up. In a response this morning, Mr. Webb stated that all of the graphic scenes that the right wing has taken issue with actually happened on or around the stage of war. He went further, saying that the man who picked up his male child took place in a "slum in Bangkok," and was actually considered culturally acceptable by the native people there (not that that makes it right, not in the eye's of thefederalist anyway). Of course, Allen and his pals are too busy to listen to the truth (not all that suprising).
Will the people of Virginia punish Mr. Webb for including the real life horrors of war in his fictional work? Let's hope not. Sure, these scenes are disgusting, but that's the great thing about freedom of speech, with it comes the freedom to listen. If you can't handle these terrible facts of war, you don't have to go to war, or read the accounts of people who have been there. An interesting note: one of the novels that Allen and company have taken issue with was actually endorsed by Republican Senator and Vietnam war hero John McCain. Furthermore, a number of Webb's novels on the subject of war have been required reading for appropriate college-level courses throughout the country.
So, if you think that Webb's works are too graphic for you, don't read them. But at the same time, don't be fooled by the political rhetoric. Come to think of it, perhaps the reason why the likes of Allen, Hannity, and Limbaugh (won't be suprised of O'Reilly gets on this tonight either) find Webb's work so shocking is because they have not seen the things Mr. Webb has seen...none of them have served in the armed forces
**There are literally only days left until election day, and this race is extremely critical. If you have the means, please go to http://www.webbforsenate.com and help this patriotic candidate beat back his chicken-hawk opponents. While his previous comments on women in the military are unnacceptable, the littlest bit of research will prove that Mr. Webb is the superior candidate in this race. He and his family have already given so much to this country (his father served, as did his brothers, and now his son is serving in Iraq), that Mr. Webb's success in the US Senate is assured. Donate if you can, and call any friends or family down in Virginia and tell them to vote for Jim Webb for US Senate**
# posted by thefederalist @ 12:45 PM 
Comments:
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whats bothersome about the Fedearlist is that he/she always tries to pretend that he/she is objective. Meanwhile all logic eventually has him/her favoring Democrats.
Dont try to appear objective if you are not. Thats called manipulative.
Dont try to appear objective if you are not. Thats called manipulative.
# posted by 
: Saturday, 28 October, 2006
: Saturday, 28 October, 2006
With all due respect to Mr./Miss 7:44AM-I think looking at this situation and siding with Allen would be manipulative. Do you agree with Allen? I think all logic in this situation, whether it be Democrat or Republican logic, would favor the Democrat, in this case, former Republican Webb. What is your defense of George Allen? There is only a partisan defense for George. In this instance, the Democrat has truth on his side.
# posted by : Saturday, 28 October, 2006
: Saturday, 28 October, 2006
917
Well--I guess 50% of the state disagrees with you.
But they must all be stupid and illogical?
Talk about narrow minded.
In my mind if you take one statement or one set of facts and exagerate it and embellish it and twist the meanings around, then they are all guilty.
You cant say that the maccacca thing is relevant and that the incest writings is just political.
Its a matter of what yu consider to be offensive.
Personally, I know there are things that I regret saying seconds after having said them.
Its entirely different when you write a book, deliberating over the exacty events and choice of words for effect.
I will say that I doubt Webb is accepting of incest and that I doubt Allen is a full blown racist.
Why would I doubt that?...Because in the case of Allen, if you can only come up with 1 utterance, then I wouldnt draw a blanket conclusion.
I think people want desperately to find negative things about people when they give passes to themselves. Have you never said anything you regret? would you consider it unfair if you were judged soley on 1 statement rather than your entire record?
Well--I guess 50% of the state disagrees with you.
But they must all be stupid and illogical?
Talk about narrow minded.
In my mind if you take one statement or one set of facts and exagerate it and embellish it and twist the meanings around, then they are all guilty.
You cant say that the maccacca thing is relevant and that the incest writings is just political.
Its a matter of what yu consider to be offensive.
Personally, I know there are things that I regret saying seconds after having said them.
Its entirely different when you write a book, deliberating over the exacty events and choice of words for effect.
I will say that I doubt Webb is accepting of incest and that I doubt Allen is a full blown racist.
Why would I doubt that?...Because in the case of Allen, if you can only come up with 1 utterance, then I wouldnt draw a blanket conclusion.
I think people want desperately to find negative things about people when they give passes to themselves. Have you never said anything you regret? would you consider it unfair if you were judged soley on 1 statement rather than your entire record?
# posted by : Saturday, 28 October, 2006
: Saturday, 28 October, 2006
Allen's a whimp. Maybe he finds Webb's books so scary is because he's never been to war.
The difference between Webb's books and Allen's "maccacca" incident? Webb wrote about war, the horrors of war. Allen's possible racism and Webb's stories from war aren't even in the same universe. To compare the two is ridiculous.
The difference between Webb's books and Allen's "maccacca" incident? Webb wrote about war, the horrors of war. Allen's possible racism and Webb's stories from war aren't even in the same universe. To compare the two is ridiculous.
# posted by : Saturday, 28 October, 2006
: Saturday, 28 October, 2006
517
I dont think Allen said he finds Webb's book scary but rather disturbing. Describing a man putting his penis in his infant child's mouth was what Allen described as unneccesary and perhaps a character flaw. You rememeber, there is a guy named Foley who wrote emails to a page that were disturbing. Personally, I would consider this equally so.
If its predjudice you want to argue, ie the maccaca name calling, consider Webb's views on women.
Webb described one of the academy's coed dorms as "a horny woman's dream" and said that he had never met a woman he "would trust to provide . . . combat leadership."
Linda G. Postenrieder, a 1982 Naval Academy graduate and a registered Democrat from California, said the article "infected the brigade with hate and divisive anger." Lisa Stolle, an academy graduate from Virginia Beach, said that for women, Webb's article "was like throwing gasoline" on a fire.
TO say that there is only one person we should consider out of line--would be very blind.
I dont think Allen said he finds Webb's book scary but rather disturbing. Describing a man putting his penis in his infant child's mouth was what Allen described as unneccesary and perhaps a character flaw. You rememeber, there is a guy named Foley who wrote emails to a page that were disturbing. Personally, I would consider this equally so.
If its predjudice you want to argue, ie the maccaca name calling, consider Webb's views on women.
Webb described one of the academy's coed dorms as "a horny woman's dream" and said that he had never met a woman he "would trust to provide . . . combat leadership."
Linda G. Postenrieder, a 1982 Naval Academy graduate and a registered Democrat from California, said the article "infected the brigade with hate and divisive anger." Lisa Stolle, an academy graduate from Virginia Beach, said that for women, Webb's article "was like throwing gasoline" on a fire.
TO say that there is only one person we should consider out of line--would be very blind.
# posted by : Saturday, 28 October, 2006
: Saturday, 28 October, 2006
politicians are almost by definition, weird people.
Ever meet one? They shake your hand and there is an automatic thought that you need to wash your hands.
You cant select a candidate based on your perception that the other one is morally devoid.
There is a great chance they both are.
Congressmen are elected every 2 years. 24 months. And for 8 of those months they campaign. 4 months they are on vacation.
The other 12 are a mixture of photo ops, speeches and appearances and other fund raisers.
Showing up on occasion to vote or look tough in front of a camera...its all an enormous show.
Go ahead cast your vote.
Remember, both the House and Senate voted by a large margin to go to war with Iraq. Larger than the the 1991 conflict.
Now --none of them take responsibility for their vote. Big surprise.
Politicians are actors. Pure and simple. Joey Tribiani for Congress!
Ever meet one? They shake your hand and there is an automatic thought that you need to wash your hands.
You cant select a candidate based on your perception that the other one is morally devoid.
There is a great chance they both are.
Congressmen are elected every 2 years. 24 months. And for 8 of those months they campaign. 4 months they are on vacation.
The other 12 are a mixture of photo ops, speeches and appearances and other fund raisers.
Showing up on occasion to vote or look tough in front of a camera...its all an enormous show.
Go ahead cast your vote.
Remember, both the House and Senate voted by a large margin to go to war with Iraq. Larger than the the 1991 conflict.
Now --none of them take responsibility for their vote. Big surprise.
Politicians are actors. Pure and simple. Joey Tribiani for Congress!
# posted by : Sunday, 29 October, 2006
: Sunday, 29 October, 2006
7:08-Mark Foley's e-mails to little boys and James Webb's descriptions of things that happened during combat are two totally different things. If you don't understand that then I might as well debate this point with a wall.
# posted by : Sunday, 29 October, 2006
: Sunday, 29 October, 2006
Note: If you're going to debate others here please keep it civil. No need to compare one another to inanimate objects.
708
Your term 'combat' is an interesting one.
Can you explain a bit how combat has something to do with incest? Actually I would describe it worse than incest. Wouldnt you?
Somehow, I have a feeling that you are just a partisan fellow. Incapable of actually assessing a situation until first identifying the party that he represents.
Let me inform you--first of all I dont agree with Allen's utterance. But to dismiss the writings of Webb as the product of war is inane. Go over all the other books on the subject. All of them. Then please tell me if anyone else found the necessity to mention this act? Is it true? Did it happen? Who knows. But he took a long time in choosing how he wanted to write his book and decided taht having a man take his penis and insert it into his son's mouth was necessary.
I will call that weird.
There are apologists all over this world. Go ahead vote for the guy. And when we discover he has some quirk, you can find another Republican who uttered an unfortunate label to excuse him.
To me they are unrelated.
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Your term 'combat' is an interesting one.
Can you explain a bit how combat has something to do with incest? Actually I would describe it worse than incest. Wouldnt you?
Somehow, I have a feeling that you are just a partisan fellow. Incapable of actually assessing a situation until first identifying the party that he represents.
Let me inform you--first of all I dont agree with Allen's utterance. But to dismiss the writings of Webb as the product of war is inane. Go over all the other books on the subject. All of them. Then please tell me if anyone else found the necessity to mention this act? Is it true? Did it happen? Who knows. But he took a long time in choosing how he wanted to write his book and decided taht having a man take his penis and insert it into his son's mouth was necessary.
I will call that weird.
There are apologists all over this world. Go ahead vote for the guy. And when we discover he has some quirk, you can find another Republican who uttered an unfortunate label to excuse him.
To me they are unrelated.
# posted by : Sunday, 29 October, 2006
: Sunday, 29 October, 2006 << Home
