Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign Off List

2008-02-17 Thread Martin
Nononono...(shuddering)

Astromancer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:   No...You 
really don't want to see Keith with that hatchet again, do you??
 
 Martin [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  Pal, maybe I should've gone with 
the extra onions?
 
 Astromancer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Yup...this discussion is much older 
than you realize...We've been badgering Keith to do his thing for a while now 
with me and Martin breathing down his neck! LOL
 
 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: i was saying yes, dad to Astro. No, no offense at 
all! I appreciate your compliment and comments, same for everyone else.
 
 -- Original message -- 
 From: Bosco Bosco 
 Hey Keith
 
 I am sure that I am probably just missing something here. I didnt
 really understand your response and I wanted to make sure I had not
 caused offense.
 
 thanks
 
 B
 --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 
  yes, dad! :) 
  
  thanks, seriously, though
  
  -- Original message -- 
  From: Astromancer 
  Ditto, Keith...What are you waiting for???
  
  
  Bosco Bosco wrote:
  Damn Keith. You're a hell of a good writer. I love your insights
  and
  the skill with which you present them. Have you ever considered
  pursuing it further? If so, have you written anything I could see?
  
  Bravo!!!
  
  Bosco
  --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
  
   well, that's the balancing act of being a leader of any kind:
   weighing what you think is right versus what those you serve
  think.
   Always keep only your own counsel, and you're an autocrat,
  harmful
   to the people. Do whatever is popular, and you're a weakling, not
   helping the people to see what's best for them in times when they
   don't know it themselves. 
   
   Maybe I'm a cynic, maybe I distrust authority. But I always think
   of those times in history when the majority (or the most vocal
  and
   influential minority) of the population wanted something that
   wasn't right or moral, or simply efficacious in the long run:
  when
   whites wanted slavery, then later, Jim Crow. When men didn't want
   women to vote. When Germans actively wanted--or passively agreed
   with--the subjugation of the Jews. When white South Africans
  wanted
   their colored countrymen to remain as second class citizens. A
   century from now, perhaps some will look back on a society that
   taxed gays but refused to let them serve in the military equally,
   or enjoy the same domestic rights as the rest of us, and say If
   only there had been a leader who'd done what was right instead of
   what was popular. After 9-11, this country wanted
  blood--anyone's
   blood. I always liken America's mood then to that of a crazed dog
   that snaps at and attacks whomever happens to be near. Bush and
  his
   gang poin
   ted us in that direction, then said This is what they want. And
   all of our leaders--almost every dang one of them with a few
   notable exceptions--went along with that fevered fervor, afraid
  to
   buck the will of the people. Well, that's why I have a leader: to
   see things more clearly in times when perhaps I can't, to make
   decisions based on more information and considered thought than I
   have. 
   
   If I'm going to have someone lead me, it's because he or she has
   the capacity sometimes to make me better, to see the bigger
  picture
   in ways I can't always do. That requires someone with certain
   convictions and basic principles that will guide him or her, that
   won't change with the times or the whim of the public. A leader
   should be a rudder for a ship in a storm (lots of metaphors I
   know!) that can guide us in the right direction. Yes, sometimes
   sticking to a set of beliefs stubbornly can be wrong. Bush is
  proof
   of that in the way he's singlemindedly pursued a disastrous
  foreign
   policy. But you know, at least I know where Bush stands, and
   that's a good thing because i can then decide that he's not right
   for the job and get him out. I know who and what he is, and I've
   decided he's not right for me. There's a certain honesty and
   courage in his stance, that allows me to see him for what he is
  and
   then--fire him. And that's the point: a leader leads by trying to
   get us to go in cert
   ain ways, based on what we want and what he or she thinks is best
   for us. If those two views differ greatly, then perhaps that
  leader
   will be sent packing. Look at how McCain is hated for
   ultra-conservatives because he wants a more reasoned approach to
   illegal immigration, and the Bush tax cuts. But despite what it's
   costing him, he still holds to those views. yet at the same time,
   he's trying to modify them somewhat to go along with the people.
  A
   balancing act.
   
   But with someone like Romney, who keeps changing to meet the mood
   of the day, how can we ever know whether he's ultimately good or
   bad for us? How will I know that in that one moment when I am
   wrong, and I need him to 

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign Off List

2008-02-16 Thread Astromancer
No...You really don't want to see Keith with that hatchet again, do you??

Martin [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  Pal, maybe I should've gone with the 
extra onions?

Astromancer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Yup...this discussion is much older than 
you realize...We've been badgering Keith to do his thing for a while now with 
me and Martin breathing down his neck! LOL

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: i was saying yes, dad to Astro. No, no offense at 
all! I appreciate your compliment and comments, same for everyone else.

-- Original message -- 
From: Bosco Bosco 
Hey Keith

I am sure that I am probably just missing something here. I didnt
really understand your response and I wanted to make sure I had not
caused offense.

thanks

B
--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 yes, dad! :) 
 
 thanks, seriously, though
 
 -- Original message -- 
 From: Astromancer 
 Ditto, Keith...What are you waiting for???
 
 
 Bosco Bosco wrote:
 Damn Keith. You're a hell of a good writer. I love your insights
 and
 the skill with which you present them. Have you ever considered
 pursuing it further? If so, have you written anything I could see?
 
 Bravo!!!
 
 Bosco
 --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 
  well, that's the balancing act of being a leader of any kind:
  weighing what you think is right versus what those you serve
 think.
  Always keep only your own counsel, and you're an autocrat,
 harmful
  to the people. Do whatever is popular, and you're a weakling, not
  helping the people to see what's best for them in times when they
  don't know it themselves. 
  
  Maybe I'm a cynic, maybe I distrust authority. But I always think
  of those times in history when the majority (or the most vocal
 and
  influential minority) of the population wanted something that
  wasn't right or moral, or simply efficacious in the long run:
 when
  whites wanted slavery, then later, Jim Crow. When men didn't want
  women to vote. When Germans actively wanted--or passively agreed
  with--the subjugation of the Jews. When white South Africans
 wanted
  their colored countrymen to remain as second class citizens. A
  century from now, perhaps some will look back on a society that
  taxed gays but refused to let them serve in the military equally,
  or enjoy the same domestic rights as the rest of us, and say If
  only there had been a leader who'd done what was right instead of
  what was popular. After 9-11, this country wanted
 blood--anyone's
  blood. I always liken America's mood then to that of a crazed dog
  that snaps at and attacks whomever happens to be near. Bush and
 his
  gang poin
  ted us in that direction, then said This is what they want. And
  all of our leaders--almost every dang one of them with a few
  notable exceptions--went along with that fevered fervor, afraid
 to
  buck the will of the people. Well, that's why I have a leader: to
  see things more clearly in times when perhaps I can't, to make
  decisions based on more information and considered thought than I
  have. 
  
  If I'm going to have someone lead me, it's because he or she has
  the capacity sometimes to make me better, to see the bigger
 picture
  in ways I can't always do. That requires someone with certain
  convictions and basic principles that will guide him or her, that
  won't change with the times or the whim of the public. A leader
  should be a rudder for a ship in a storm (lots of metaphors I
  know!) that can guide us in the right direction. Yes, sometimes
  sticking to a set of beliefs stubbornly can be wrong. Bush is
 proof
  of that in the way he's singlemindedly pursued a disastrous
 foreign
  policy. But you know, at least I know where Bush stands, and
  that's a good thing because i can then decide that he's not right
  for the job and get him out. I know who and what he is, and I've
  decided he's not right for me. There's a certain honesty and
  courage in his stance, that allows me to see him for what he is
 and
  then--fire him. And that's the point: a leader leads by trying to
  get us to go in cert
  ain ways, based on what we want and what he or she thinks is best
  for us. If those two views differ greatly, then perhaps that
 leader
  will be sent packing. Look at how McCain is hated for
  ultra-conservatives because he wants a more reasoned approach to
  illegal immigration, and the Bush tax cuts. But despite what it's
  costing him, he still holds to those views. yet at the same time,
  he's trying to modify them somewhat to go along with the people.
 A
  balancing act.
  
  But with someone like Romney, who keeps changing to meet the mood
  of the day, how can we ever know whether he's ultimately good or
  bad for us? How will I know that in that one moment when I am
  wrong, and I need him to be right, he won't do the popular thing
  instead of the right thing?
  
  A
  -- Original message -- 
  From: maidmarian_thepoet 
  I may be stepping into it...but what exactly is 

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign Off List

2008-02-15 Thread Martin
Pal, maybe I should've gone with the extra onions?

Astromancer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:   Yup...this 
discussion is much older than you realize...We've been badgering Keith to do 
his thing for a while now with me and Martin breathing down his neck! LOL
 
 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  i was saying yes, dad to Astro. No, no offense at 
all! I appreciate your compliment and comments, same for everyone else.
 
 -- Original message -- 
 From: Bosco Bosco 
 Hey Keith
 
 I am sure that I am probably just missing something here. I didnt
 really understand your response and I wanted to make sure I had not
 caused offense.
 
 thanks
 
 B
 --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 
  yes, dad! :) 
  
  thanks, seriously, though
  
  -- Original message -- 
  From: Astromancer 
  Ditto, Keith...What are you waiting for???
  
  
  Bosco Bosco wrote:
  Damn Keith. You're a hell of a good writer. I love your insights
  and
  the skill with which you present them. Have you ever considered
  pursuing it further? If so, have you written anything I could see?
  
  Bravo!!!
  
  Bosco
  --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
  
   well, that's the balancing act of being a leader of any kind:
   weighing what you think is right versus what those you serve
  think.
   Always keep only your own counsel, and you're an autocrat,
  harmful
   to the people. Do whatever is popular, and you're a weakling, not
   helping the people to see what's best for them in times when they
   don't know it themselves. 
   
   Maybe I'm a cynic, maybe I distrust authority. But I always think
   of those times in history when the majority (or the most vocal
  and
   influential minority) of the population wanted something that
   wasn't right or moral, or simply efficacious in the long run:
  when
   whites wanted slavery, then later, Jim Crow. When men didn't want
   women to vote. When Germans actively wanted--or passively agreed
   with--the subjugation of the Jews. When white South Africans
  wanted
   their colored countrymen to remain as second class citizens. A
   century from now, perhaps some will look back on a society that
   taxed gays but refused to let them serve in the military equally,
   or enjoy the same domestic rights as the rest of us, and say If
   only there had been a leader who'd done what was right instead of
   what was popular. After 9-11, this country wanted
  blood--anyone's
   blood. I always liken America's mood then to that of a crazed dog
   that snaps at and attacks whomever happens to be near. Bush and
  his
   gang poin
   ted us in that direction, then said This is what they want. And
   all of our leaders--almost every dang one of them with a few
   notable exceptions--went along with that fevered fervor, afraid
  to
   buck the will of the people. Well, that's why I have a leader: to
   see things more clearly in times when perhaps I can't, to make
   decisions based on more information and considered thought than I
   have. 
   
   If I'm going to have someone lead me, it's because he or she has
   the capacity sometimes to make me better, to see the bigger
  picture
   in ways I can't always do. That requires someone with certain
   convictions and basic principles that will guide him or her, that
   won't change with the times or the whim of the public. A leader
   should be a rudder for a ship in a storm (lots of metaphors I
   know!) that can guide us in the right direction. Yes, sometimes
   sticking to a set of beliefs stubbornly can be wrong. Bush is
  proof
   of that in the way he's singlemindedly pursued a disastrous
  foreign
   policy. But you know, at least I know where Bush stands, and
   that's a good thing because i can then decide that he's not right
   for the job and get him out. I know who and what he is, and I've
   decided he's not right for me. There's a certain honesty and
   courage in his stance, that allows me to see him for what he is
  and
   then--fire him. And that's the point: a leader leads by trying to
   get us to go in cert
   ain ways, based on what we want and what he or she thinks is best
   for us. If those two views differ greatly, then perhaps that
  leader
   will be sent packing. Look at how McCain is hated for
   ultra-conservatives because he wants a more reasoned approach to
   illegal immigration, and the Bush tax cuts. But despite what it's
   costing him, he still holds to those views. yet at the same time,
   he's trying to modify them somewhat to go along with the people.
  A
   balancing act.
   
   But with someone like Romney, who keeps changing to meet the mood
   of the day, how can we ever know whether he's ultimately good or
   bad for us? How will I know that in that one moment when I am
   wrong, and I need him to be right, he won't do the popular thing
   instead of the right thing?
   
   A
   -- Original message -- 
   From: maidmarian_thepoet 
   I may be stepping 

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign Off List

2008-02-13 Thread Daryle

This is a good season for you to get going, Keith.

There are a bunch of blogs and websites launching and your POV would be  
refreshing to read and see responses on.



On Wed, 13 Feb 2008 01:05:38 -0500, Astromancer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 Yup...this discussion is much older than you realize...We've been  
 badgering Keith to do his thing for a while now with me and Martin  
 breathing down his neck! LOL

 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  i was saying yes, dad to Astro. No,  
 no offense at all! I appreciate your compliment and comments, same for  
 everyone else.

 -- Original message --
 From: Bosco Bosco
 Hey Keith

 I am sure that I am probably just missing something here. I didnt
 really understand your response and I wanted to make sure I had not
 caused offense.

 thanks

 B
 --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 yes, dad! :)

 thanks, seriously, though

 -- Original message --
 From: Astromancer
 Ditto, Keith...What are you waiting for???


 Bosco Bosco wrote:
 Damn Keith. You're a hell of a good writer. I love your insights
 and
 the skill with which you present them. Have you ever considered
 pursuing it further? If so, have you written anything I could see?

 Bravo!!!

 Bosco
 --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

  well, that's the balancing act of being a leader of any kind:
  weighing what you think is right versus what those you serve
 think.
  Always keep only your own counsel, and you're an autocrat,
 harmful
  to the people. Do whatever is popular, and you're a weakling, not
  helping the people to see what's best for them in times when they
  don't know it themselves.
 
  Maybe I'm a cynic, maybe I distrust authority. But I always think
  of those times in history when the majority (or the most vocal
 and
  influential minority) of the population wanted something that
  wasn't right or moral, or simply efficacious in the long run:
 when
  whites wanted slavery, then later, Jim Crow. When men didn't want
  women to vote. When Germans actively wanted--or passively agreed
  with--the subjugation of the Jews. When white South Africans
 wanted
  their colored countrymen to remain as second class citizens. A
  century from now, perhaps some will look back on a society that
  taxed gays but refused to let them serve in the military equally,
  or enjoy the same domestic rights as the rest of us, and say If
  only there had been a leader who'd done what was right instead of
  what was popular. After 9-11, this country wanted
 blood--anyone's
  blood. I always liken America's mood then to that of a crazed dog
  that snaps at and attacks whomever happens to be near. Bush and
 his
  gang poin
  ted us in that direction, then said This is what they want. And
  all of our leaders--almost every dang one of them with a few
  notable exceptions--went along with that fevered fervor, afraid
 to
  buck the will of the people. Well, that's why I have a leader: to
  see things more clearly in times when perhaps I can't, to make
  decisions based on more information and considered thought than I
  have.
 
  If I'm going to have someone lead me, it's because he or she has
  the capacity sometimes to make me better, to see the bigger
 picture
  in ways I can't always do. That requires someone with certain
  convictions and basic principles that will guide him or her, that
  won't change with the times or the whim of the public. A leader
  should be a rudder for a ship in a storm (lots of metaphors I
  know!) that can guide us in the right direction. Yes, sometimes
  sticking to a set of beliefs stubbornly can be wrong. Bush is
 proof
  of that in the way he's singlemindedly pursued a disastrous
 foreign
  policy. But you know, at least I know where Bush stands, and
  that's a good thing because i can then decide that he's not right
  for the job and get him out. I know who and what he is, and I've
  decided he's not right for me. There's a certain honesty and
  courage in his stance, that allows me to see him for what he is
 and
  then--fire him. And that's the point: a leader leads by trying to
  get us to go in cert
  ain ways, based on what we want and what he or she thinks is best
  for us. If those two views differ greatly, then perhaps that
 leader
  will be sent packing. Look at how McCain is hated for
  ultra-conservatives because he wants a more reasoned approach to
  illegal immigration, and the Bush tax cuts. But despite what it's
  costing him, he still holds to those views. yet at the same time,
  he's trying to modify them somewhat to go along with the people.
 A
  balancing act.
 
  But with someone like Romney, who keeps changing to meet the mood
  of the day, how can we ever know whether he's ultimately good or
  bad for us? How will I know that in that one moment when I am
  wrong, and I need him to be right, he won't do the popular thing
  instead of the right thing?
 
  A
  -- Original message --
  From: maidmarian_thepoet
  I may be 

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign Off List

2008-02-13 Thread KeithBJohnson
thanks. I mean that.

-- Original message -- 
From: Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor) [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
PressureAlert. so when you going to call me so I can set up a fast blog 
for you. a simple one with a few add ons can be done in less than two 
hours. 

Pressure over. I know you got a lot going on. Take care of the 
important stuff first. I will be here when you are ready

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 i was saying yes, dad to Astro. No, no offense at all! I appreciate your 
 compliment and comments, same for everyone else.

 -- Original message -- 
 From: Bosco Bosco [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
 Hey Keith

 I am sure that I am probably just missing something here. I didnt
 really understand your response and I wanted to make sure I had not
 caused offense.

 thanks

 B
 --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 
 yes, dad! :) 

 thanks, seriously, though

 -- Original message -- 
 From: Astromancer [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
 Ditto, Keith...What are you waiting for???


 Bosco Bosco [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 Damn Keith. You're a hell of a good writer. I love your insights
 and
 the skill with which you present them. Have you ever considered
 pursuing it further? If so, have you written anything I could see?

 Bravo!!!

 Bosco
 --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 
 well, that's the balancing act of being a leader of any kind:
 weighing what you think is right versus what those you serve
 
 think.
 
 Always keep only your own counsel, and you're an autocrat,
 
 harmful
 
 to the people. Do whatever is popular, and you're a weakling, not
 helping the people to see what's best for them in times when they
 don't know it themselves. 

 Maybe I'm a cynic, maybe I distrust authority. But I always think
 of those times in history when the majority (or the most vocal
 
 and
 
 influential minority) of the population wanted something that
 wasn't right or moral, or simply efficacious in the long run:
 
 when
 
 whites wanted slavery, then later, Jim Crow. When men didn't want
 women to vote. When Germans actively wanted--or passively agreed
 with--the subjugation of the Jews. When white South Africans
 
 wanted
 
 their colored countrymen to remain as second class citizens. A
 century from now, perhaps some will look back on a society that
 taxed gays but refused to let them serve in the military equally,
 or enjoy the same domestic rights as the rest of us, and say If
 only there had been a leader who'd done what was right instead of
 what was popular. After 9-11, this country wanted
 
 blood--anyone's
 
 blood. I always liken America's mood then to that of a crazed dog
 that snaps at and attacks whomever happens to be near. Bush and
 
 his
 
 gang poin
 ted us in that direction, then said This is what they want. And
 all of our leaders--almost every dang one of them with a few
 notable exceptions--went along with that fevered fervor, afraid
 
 to
 
 buck the will of the people. Well, that's why I have a leader: to
 see things more clearly in times when perhaps I can't, to make
 decisions based on more information and considered thought than I
 have. 

 If I'm going to have someone lead me, it's because he or she has
 the capacity sometimes to make me better, to see the bigger
 
 picture
 
 in ways I can't always do. That requires someone with certain
 convictions and basic principles that will guide him or her, that
 won't change with the times or the whim of the public. A leader
 should be a rudder for a ship in a storm (lots of metaphors I
 know!) that can guide us in the right direction. Yes, sometimes
 sticking to a set of beliefs stubbornly can be wrong. Bush is
 
 proof
 
 of that in the way he's singlemindedly pursued a disastrous
 
 foreign
 
 policy. But you know, at least I know where Bush stands, and
 that's a good thing because i can then decide that he's not right
 for the job and get him out. I know who and what he is, and I've
 decided he's not right for me. There's a certain honesty and
 courage in his stance, that allows me to see him for what he is
 
 and
 
 then--fire him. And that's the point: a leader leads by trying to
 get us to go in cert
 ain ways, based on what we want and what he or she thinks is best
 for us. If those two views differ greatly, then perhaps that
 
 leader
 
 will be sent packing. Look at how McCain is hated for
 ultra-conservatives because he wants a more reasoned approach to
 illegal immigration, and the Bush tax cuts. But despite what it's
 costing him, he still holds to those views. yet at the same time,
 he's trying to modify them somewhat to go along with the people.
 
 A
 
 balancing act.

 But with someone like Romney, who keeps changing to meet the mood
 of the day, how can we ever know whether he's ultimately good or
 bad for us? How will I know that in that one moment when I am
 wrong, and I need him to be right, he won't do the popular thing
 instead of the right thing?

 A
 -- Original message 

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign Off List

2008-02-13 Thread james
Keith:

When you are ready and do start to blog, I'll be happy to reprint some of
your entries in my own blog with links back to your blog.  My feed is
syndicated into LexisNexis and EBSCO and the extra exposure can help you
build your readership a little quicker than with conventional weapons.

__
James Landrith
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
cell: 703-593-2065 * fax: 760-875-8547
AIM: jlnales * ICQ: 148600159
MSN and Yahoo! Messenger: jlandrith
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jlandrith
http://www.jameslandrith.com
http://www.multiracial.com
http://www.multiracial.com/abolitionist/
__

Keith Johnson said:

 thanks. I mean that.

 -- Original message --
 From: Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)
 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 PressureAlert. so when you going to call me so I can set up a fast blog
 for you. a simple one with a few add ons can be done in less than two
 hours.

 Pressure over. I know you got a lot going on. Take care of the
 important stuff first. I will be here when you are ready





Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign Off List

2008-02-13 Thread Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)
James:

That is wonderful!

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 Keith:

 When you are ready and do start to blog, I'll be happy to reprint some of
 your entries in my own blog with links back to your blog.  My feed is
 syndicated into LexisNexis and EBSCO and the extra exposure can help you
 build your readership a little quicker than with conventional weapons.

 __
 James Landrith
 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 cell: 703-593-2065 * fax: 760-875-8547
 AIM: jlnales * ICQ: 148600159
 MSN and Yahoo! Messenger: jlandrith
 http://www.linkedin.com/in/jlandrith
 http://www.jameslandrith.com
 http://www.multiracial.com
 http://www.multiracial.com/abolitionist/
 __

 Keith Johnson said:

   
 thanks. I mean that.

 -- Original message --
 From: Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)
 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 PressureAlert. so when you going to call me so I can set up a fast blog
 for you. a simple one with a few add ons can be done in less than two
 hours.

 Pressure over. I know you got a lot going on. Take care of the
 important stuff first. I will be here when you are ready

 




  
 Yahoo! Groups Links





   


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign Off List

2008-02-13 Thread KeithBJohnson
okay, y'all are really guilting me into this. I will take everyone up on this, 
promise. I have a couple of things to take care of, hopefully in the next week 
or two, then i'll be free to concentrate on this.
Thanks, James

-- Original message -- 
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Keith:

When you are ready and do start to blog, I'll be happy to reprint some of
your entries in my own blog with links back to your blog. My feed is
syndicated into LexisNexis and EBSCO and the extra exposure can help you
build your readership a little quicker than with conventional weapons.

__
James Landrith
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
cell: 703-593-2065 * fax: 760-875-8547
AIM: jlnales * ICQ: 148600159
MSN and Yahoo! Messenger: jlandrith
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__

Keith Johnson said:

 thanks. I mean that.

 -- Original message --
 From: Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)
 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 PressureAlert. so when you going to call me so I can set up a fast blog
 for you. a simple one with a few add ons can be done in less than two
 hours.

 Pressure over. I know you got a lot going on. Take care of the
 important stuff first. I will be here when you are ready



 

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign Off List

2008-02-12 Thread Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)
PressureAlert. so when you going to call me so I can set up a fast blog 
for you.  a simple one with a few add ons can be done in less than two 
hours. 

Pressure over.  I know you got a lot going on.   Take care of the 
important stuff first.   I will be here when you are ready

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 i was saying yes, dad to Astro. No, no offense at all! I appreciate your 
 compliment and comments, same for everyone else.

 -- Original message -- 
 From: Bosco Bosco [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
 Hey Keith

 I am sure that I am probably just missing something here. I didnt
 really understand your response and I wanted to make sure I had not
 caused offense.

 thanks

 B
 --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

   
 yes, dad! :) 

 thanks, seriously, though

 -- Original message -- 
 From: Astromancer [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
 Ditto, Keith...What are you waiting for???


 Bosco Bosco [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 Damn Keith. You're a hell of a good writer. I love your insights
 and
 the skill with which you present them. Have you ever considered
 pursuing it further? If so, have you written anything I could see?

 Bravo!!!

 Bosco
 --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 
 well, that's the balancing act of being a leader of any kind:
 weighing what you think is right versus what those you serve
   
 think.
 
 Always keep only your own counsel, and you're an autocrat,
   
 harmful
 
 to the people. Do whatever is popular, and you're a weakling, not
 helping the people to see what's best for them in times when they
 don't know it themselves. 

 Maybe I'm a cynic, maybe I distrust authority. But I always think
 of those times in history when the majority (or the most vocal
   
 and
 
 influential minority) of the population wanted something that
 wasn't right or moral, or simply efficacious in the long run:
   
 when
 
 whites wanted slavery, then later, Jim Crow. When men didn't want
 women to vote. When Germans actively wanted--or passively agreed
 with--the subjugation of the Jews. When white South Africans
   
 wanted
 
 their colored countrymen to remain as second class citizens. A
 century from now, perhaps some will look back on a society that
 taxed gays but refused to let them serve in the military equally,
 or enjoy the same domestic rights as the rest of us, and say If
 only there had been a leader who'd done what was right instead of
 what was popular. After 9-11, this country wanted
   
 blood--anyone's
 
 blood. I always liken America's mood then to that of a crazed dog
 that snaps at and attacks whomever happens to be near. Bush and
   
 his
 
 gang poin
 ted us in that direction, then said This is what they want. And
 all of our leaders--almost every dang one of them with a few
 notable exceptions--went along with that fevered fervor, afraid
   
 to
 
 buck the will of the people. Well, that's why I have a leader: to
 see things more clearly in times when perhaps I can't, to make
 decisions based on more information and considered thought than I
 have. 

 If I'm going to have someone lead me, it's because he or she has
 the capacity sometimes to make me better, to see the bigger
   
 picture
 
 in ways I can't always do. That requires someone with certain
 convictions and basic principles that will guide him or her, that
 won't change with the times or the whim of the public. A leader
 should be a rudder for a ship in a storm (lots of metaphors I
 know!) that can guide us in the right direction. Yes, sometimes
 sticking to a set of beliefs stubbornly can be wrong. Bush is
   
 proof
 
 of that in the way he's singlemindedly pursued a disastrous
   
 foreign
 
 policy. But you know, at least I know where Bush stands, and
 that's a good thing because i can then decide that he's not right
 for the job and get him out. I know who and what he is, and I've
 decided he's not right for me. There's a certain honesty and
 courage in his stance, that allows me to see him for what he is
   
 and
 
 then--fire him. And that's the point: a leader leads by trying to
 get us to go in cert
 ain ways, based on what we want and what he or she thinks is best
 for us. If those two views differ greatly, then perhaps that
   
 leader
 
 will be sent packing. Look at how McCain is hated for
 ultra-conservatives because he wants a more reasoned approach to
 illegal immigration, and the Bush tax cuts. But despite what it's
 costing him, he still holds to those views. yet at the same time,
 he's trying to modify them somewhat to go along with the people.
   
 A
 
 balancing act.

 But with someone like Romney, who keeps changing to meet the mood
 of the day, how can we ever know whether he's ultimately good or
 bad for us? How will I know that in that one moment when I am
 wrong, and I need him to be right, he won't do the popular thing
 instead of the right thing?

 A
 -- Original 

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign Off List

2008-02-12 Thread KeithBJohnson
i was saying yes, dad to Astro. No, no offense at all! I appreciate your 
compliment and comments, same for everyone else.

-- Original message -- 
From: Bosco Bosco [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Hey Keith

I am sure that I am probably just missing something here. I didnt
really understand your response and I wanted to make sure I had not
caused offense.

thanks

B
--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 yes, dad! :) 
 
 thanks, seriously, though
 
 -- Original message -- 
 From: Astromancer [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
 Ditto, Keith...What are you waiting for???
 
 
 Bosco Bosco [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 Damn Keith. You're a hell of a good writer. I love your insights
 and
 the skill with which you present them. Have you ever considered
 pursuing it further? If so, have you written anything I could see?
 
 Bravo!!!
 
 Bosco
 --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 
  well, that's the balancing act of being a leader of any kind:
  weighing what you think is right versus what those you serve
 think.
  Always keep only your own counsel, and you're an autocrat,
 harmful
  to the people. Do whatever is popular, and you're a weakling, not
  helping the people to see what's best for them in times when they
  don't know it themselves. 
  
  Maybe I'm a cynic, maybe I distrust authority. But I always think
  of those times in history when the majority (or the most vocal
 and
  influential minority) of the population wanted something that
  wasn't right or moral, or simply efficacious in the long run:
 when
  whites wanted slavery, then later, Jim Crow. When men didn't want
  women to vote. When Germans actively wanted--or passively agreed
  with--the subjugation of the Jews. When white South Africans
 wanted
  their colored countrymen to remain as second class citizens. A
  century from now, perhaps some will look back on a society that
  taxed gays but refused to let them serve in the military equally,
  or enjoy the same domestic rights as the rest of us, and say If
  only there had been a leader who'd done what was right instead of
  what was popular. After 9-11, this country wanted
 blood--anyone's
  blood. I always liken America's mood then to that of a crazed dog
  that snaps at and attacks whomever happens to be near. Bush and
 his
  gang poin
  ted us in that direction, then said This is what they want. And
  all of our leaders--almost every dang one of them with a few
  notable exceptions--went along with that fevered fervor, afraid
 to
  buck the will of the people. Well, that's why I have a leader: to
  see things more clearly in times when perhaps I can't, to make
  decisions based on more information and considered thought than I
  have. 
  
  If I'm going to have someone lead me, it's because he or she has
  the capacity sometimes to make me better, to see the bigger
 picture
  in ways I can't always do. That requires someone with certain
  convictions and basic principles that will guide him or her, that
  won't change with the times or the whim of the public. A leader
  should be a rudder for a ship in a storm (lots of metaphors I
  know!) that can guide us in the right direction. Yes, sometimes
  sticking to a set of beliefs stubbornly can be wrong. Bush is
 proof
  of that in the way he's singlemindedly pursued a disastrous
 foreign
  policy. But you know, at least I know where Bush stands, and
  that's a good thing because i can then decide that he's not right
  for the job and get him out. I know who and what he is, and I've
  decided he's not right for me. There's a certain honesty and
  courage in his stance, that allows me to see him for what he is
 and
  then--fire him. And that's the point: a leader leads by trying to
  get us to go in cert
  ain ways, based on what we want and what he or she thinks is best
  for us. If those two views differ greatly, then perhaps that
 leader
  will be sent packing. Look at how McCain is hated for
  ultra-conservatives because he wants a more reasoned approach to
  illegal immigration, and the Bush tax cuts. But despite what it's
  costing him, he still holds to those views. yet at the same time,
  he's trying to modify them somewhat to go along with the people.
 A
  balancing act.
  
  But with someone like Romney, who keeps changing to meet the mood
  of the day, how can we ever know whether he's ultimately good or
  bad for us? How will I know that in that one moment when I am
  wrong, and I need him to be right, he won't do the popular thing
  instead of the right thing?
  
  A
  -- Original message -- 
  From: maidmarian_thepoet [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
  I may be stepping into it...but what exactly is wrong with a
 public
  official supporting the wishes of his constituents? I wish that
 my
  officials here really supported my beliefs instead of catering to
  the
  religious right. Of course, you can say that they are supporting
  them---but that's my point. Wasn't he being a true representative
  of
  Mass. voters at that 

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign Off List

2008-02-12 Thread Astromancer
Yup...this discussion is much older than you realize...We've been badgering 
Keith to do his thing for a while now with me and Martin breathing down his 
neck! LOL

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  i was saying yes, dad to Astro. No, no offense at 
all! I appreciate your compliment and comments, same for everyone else.

-- Original message -- 
From: Bosco Bosco 
Hey Keith

I am sure that I am probably just missing something here. I didnt
really understand your response and I wanted to make sure I had not
caused offense.

thanks

B
--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 yes, dad! :) 
 
 thanks, seriously, though
 
 -- Original message -- 
 From: Astromancer 
 Ditto, Keith...What are you waiting for???
 
 
 Bosco Bosco wrote:
 Damn Keith. You're a hell of a good writer. I love your insights
 and
 the skill with which you present them. Have you ever considered
 pursuing it further? If so, have you written anything I could see?
 
 Bravo!!!
 
 Bosco
 --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 
  well, that's the balancing act of being a leader of any kind:
  weighing what you think is right versus what those you serve
 think.
  Always keep only your own counsel, and you're an autocrat,
 harmful
  to the people. Do whatever is popular, and you're a weakling, not
  helping the people to see what's best for them in times when they
  don't know it themselves. 
  
  Maybe I'm a cynic, maybe I distrust authority. But I always think
  of those times in history when the majority (or the most vocal
 and
  influential minority) of the population wanted something that
  wasn't right or moral, or simply efficacious in the long run:
 when
  whites wanted slavery, then later, Jim Crow. When men didn't want
  women to vote. When Germans actively wanted--or passively agreed
  with--the subjugation of the Jews. When white South Africans
 wanted
  their colored countrymen to remain as second class citizens. A
  century from now, perhaps some will look back on a society that
  taxed gays but refused to let them serve in the military equally,
  or enjoy the same domestic rights as the rest of us, and say If
  only there had been a leader who'd done what was right instead of
  what was popular. After 9-11, this country wanted
 blood--anyone's
  blood. I always liken America's mood then to that of a crazed dog
  that snaps at and attacks whomever happens to be near. Bush and
 his
  gang poin
  ted us in that direction, then said This is what they want. And
  all of our leaders--almost every dang one of them with a few
  notable exceptions--went along with that fevered fervor, afraid
 to
  buck the will of the people. Well, that's why I have a leader: to
  see things more clearly in times when perhaps I can't, to make
  decisions based on more information and considered thought than I
  have. 
  
  If I'm going to have someone lead me, it's because he or she has
  the capacity sometimes to make me better, to see the bigger
 picture
  in ways I can't always do. That requires someone with certain
  convictions and basic principles that will guide him or her, that
  won't change with the times or the whim of the public. A leader
  should be a rudder for a ship in a storm (lots of metaphors I
  know!) that can guide us in the right direction. Yes, sometimes
  sticking to a set of beliefs stubbornly can be wrong. Bush is
 proof
  of that in the way he's singlemindedly pursued a disastrous
 foreign
  policy. But you know, at least I know where Bush stands, and
  that's a good thing because i can then decide that he's not right
  for the job and get him out. I know who and what he is, and I've
  decided he's not right for me. There's a certain honesty and
  courage in his stance, that allows me to see him for what he is
 and
  then--fire him. And that's the point: a leader leads by trying to
  get us to go in cert
  ain ways, based on what we want and what he or she thinks is best
  for us. If those two views differ greatly, then perhaps that
 leader
  will be sent packing. Look at how McCain is hated for
  ultra-conservatives because he wants a more reasoned approach to
  illegal immigration, and the Bush tax cuts. But despite what it's
  costing him, he still holds to those views. yet at the same time,
  he's trying to modify them somewhat to go along with the people.
 A
  balancing act.
  
  But with someone like Romney, who keeps changing to meet the mood
  of the day, how can we ever know whether he's ultimately good or
  bad for us? How will I know that in that one moment when I am
  wrong, and I need him to be right, he won't do the popular thing
  instead of the right thing?
  
  A
  -- Original message -- 
  From: maidmarian_thepoet 
  I may be stepping into it...but what exactly is wrong with a
 public
  official supporting the wishes of his constituents? I wish that
 my
  officials here really supported my beliefs instead of catering to
  the
  religious right. Of course, you can say 

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign Off List

2008-02-12 Thread Bosco Bosco
oops

that was supposed to go directly to Keith. Please ignore

B
--- Bosco Bosco [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 Hey Keith
 
 I am sure that I am probably just missing something here. I didnt
 really understand your response and I wanted to make sure I had not
 caused offense.
 
 thanks
 
 B
 --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 
  yes, dad! :)  
  
  thanks, seriously, though
  
  -- Original message -- 
  From: Astromancer [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
  Ditto, Keith...What are you waiting for???
  
  
  Bosco Bosco [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
  Damn Keith. You're a hell of a good writer. I love your insights
  and
  the skill with which you present them. Have you ever considered
  pursuing it further? If so, have you written anything I could
 see?
  
  Bravo!!!
  
  Bosco
  --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
  
   well, that's the balancing act of being a leader of any kind:
   weighing what you think is right versus what those you serve
  think.
   Always keep only your own counsel, and you're an autocrat,
  harmful
   to the people. Do whatever is popular, and you're a weakling,
 not
   helping the people to see what's best for them in times when
 they
   don't know it themselves. 
   
   Maybe I'm a cynic, maybe I distrust authority. But I always
 think
   of those times in history when the majority (or the most vocal
  and
   influential minority) of the population wanted something that
   wasn't right or moral, or simply efficacious in the long run:
  when
   whites wanted slavery, then later, Jim Crow. When men didn't
 want
   women to vote. When Germans actively wanted--or passively
 agreed
   with--the subjugation of the Jews. When white South Africans
  wanted
   their colored countrymen to remain as second class citizens. A
   century from now, perhaps some will look back on a society that
   taxed gays but refused to let them serve in the military
 equally,
   or enjoy the same domestic rights as the rest of us, and say
 If
   only there had been a leader who'd done what was right instead
 of
   what was popular. After 9-11, this country wanted
  blood--anyone's
   blood. I always liken America's mood then to that of a crazed
 dog
   that snaps at and attacks whomever happens to be near. Bush and
  his
   gang poin
   ted us in that direction, then said This is what they want.
 And
   all of our leaders--almost every dang one of them with a few
   notable exceptions--went along with that fevered fervor, afraid
  to
   buck the will of the people. Well, that's why I have a leader:
 to
   see things more clearly in times when perhaps I can't, to make
   decisions based on more information and considered thought than
 I
   have. 
   
   If I'm going to have someone lead me, it's because he or she
 has
   the capacity sometimes to make me better, to see the bigger
  picture
   in ways I can't always do. That requires someone with certain
   convictions and basic principles that will guide him or her,
 that
   won't change with the times or the whim of the public. A leader
   should be a rudder for a ship in a storm (lots of metaphors I
   know!) that can guide us in the right direction. Yes, sometimes
   sticking to a set of beliefs stubbornly can be wrong. Bush is
  proof
   of that in the way he's singlemindedly pursued a disastrous
  foreign
   policy. But you know, at least I know where Bush stands, and
   that's a good thing because i can then decide that he's not
 right
   for the job and get him out. I know who and what he is, and
 I've
   decided he's not right for me. There's a certain honesty and
   courage in his stance, that allows me to see him for what he is
  and
   then--fire him. And that's the point: a leader leads by trying
 to
   get us to go in cert
   ain ways, based on what we want and what he or she thinks is
 best
   for us. If those two views differ greatly, then perhaps that
  leader
   will be sent packing. Look at how McCain is hated for
   ultra-conservatives because he wants a more reasoned approach
 to
   illegal immigration, and the Bush tax cuts. But despite what
 it's
   costing him, he still holds to those views. yet at the same
 time,
   he's trying to modify them somewhat to go along with the
 people.
  A
   balancing act.
   
   But with someone like Romney, who keeps changing to meet the
 mood
   of the day, how can we ever know whether he's ultimately good
 or
   bad for us? How will I know that in that one moment when I am
   wrong, and I need him to be right, he won't do the popular
 thing
   instead of the right thing?
   
   A
   -- Original message -- 
   From: maidmarian_thepoet [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
   I may be stepping into it...but what exactly is wrong with a
  public
   official supporting the wishes of his constituents? I wish that
  my
   officials here really supported my beliefs instead of catering
 to
   the
   religious right. Of course, you can say that they are
 supporting
   them---but that's my point. Wasn't he being a 

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign Off List

2008-02-12 Thread Bosco Bosco
Hey Keith

I am sure that I am probably just missing something here. I didnt
really understand your response and I wanted to make sure I had not
caused offense.

thanks

B
--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 yes, dad! :)  
 
 thanks, seriously, though
 
 -- Original message -- 
 From: Astromancer [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
 Ditto, Keith...What are you waiting for???
 
 
 Bosco Bosco [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 Damn Keith. You're a hell of a good writer. I love your insights
 and
 the skill with which you present them. Have you ever considered
 pursuing it further? If so, have you written anything I could see?
 
 Bravo!!!
 
 Bosco
 --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 
  well, that's the balancing act of being a leader of any kind:
  weighing what you think is right versus what those you serve
 think.
  Always keep only your own counsel, and you're an autocrat,
 harmful
  to the people. Do whatever is popular, and you're a weakling, not
  helping the people to see what's best for them in times when they
  don't know it themselves. 
  
  Maybe I'm a cynic, maybe I distrust authority. But I always think
  of those times in history when the majority (or the most vocal
 and
  influential minority) of the population wanted something that
  wasn't right or moral, or simply efficacious in the long run:
 when
  whites wanted slavery, then later, Jim Crow. When men didn't want
  women to vote. When Germans actively wanted--or passively agreed
  with--the subjugation of the Jews. When white South Africans
 wanted
  their colored countrymen to remain as second class citizens. A
  century from now, perhaps some will look back on a society that
  taxed gays but refused to let them serve in the military equally,
  or enjoy the same domestic rights as the rest of us, and say If
  only there had been a leader who'd done what was right instead of
  what was popular. After 9-11, this country wanted
 blood--anyone's
  blood. I always liken America's mood then to that of a crazed dog
  that snaps at and attacks whomever happens to be near. Bush and
 his
  gang poin
  ted us in that direction, then said This is what they want. And
  all of our leaders--almost every dang one of them with a few
  notable exceptions--went along with that fevered fervor, afraid
 to
  buck the will of the people. Well, that's why I have a leader: to
  see things more clearly in times when perhaps I can't, to make
  decisions based on more information and considered thought than I
  have. 
  
  If I'm going to have someone lead me, it's because he or she has
  the capacity sometimes to make me better, to see the bigger
 picture
  in ways I can't always do. That requires someone with certain
  convictions and basic principles that will guide him or her, that
  won't change with the times or the whim of the public. A leader
  should be a rudder for a ship in a storm (lots of metaphors I
  know!) that can guide us in the right direction. Yes, sometimes
  sticking to a set of beliefs stubbornly can be wrong. Bush is
 proof
  of that in the way he's singlemindedly pursued a disastrous
 foreign
  policy. But you know, at least I know where Bush stands, and
  that's a good thing because i can then decide that he's not right
  for the job and get him out. I know who and what he is, and I've
  decided he's not right for me. There's a certain honesty and
  courage in his stance, that allows me to see him for what he is
 and
  then--fire him. And that's the point: a leader leads by trying to
  get us to go in cert
  ain ways, based on what we want and what he or she thinks is best
  for us. If those two views differ greatly, then perhaps that
 leader
  will be sent packing. Look at how McCain is hated for
  ultra-conservatives because he wants a more reasoned approach to
  illegal immigration, and the Bush tax cuts. But despite what it's
  costing him, he still holds to those views. yet at the same time,
  he's trying to modify them somewhat to go along with the people.
 A
  balancing act.
  
  But with someone like Romney, who keeps changing to meet the mood
  of the day, how can we ever know whether he's ultimately good or
  bad for us? How will I know that in that one moment when I am
  wrong, and I need him to be right, he won't do the popular thing
  instead of the right thing?
  
  A
  -- Original message -- 
  From: maidmarian_thepoet [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
  I may be stepping into it...but what exactly is wrong with a
 public
  official supporting the wishes of his constituents? I wish that
 my
  officials here really supported my beliefs instead of catering to
  the
  religious right. Of course, you can say that they are supporting
  them---but that's my point. Wasn't he being a true representative
  of
  Mass. voters at that time? Now he is claiming that he could be a
  true
  representative of conservative voters. Isn't that his job?
  
  I am still recalling listening to a This American Life episode
 in
  which a guy who was 

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign

2008-02-11 Thread KeithBJohnson
thanks, i have no real excuse--none at all

-- Original message -- 
From: Martin [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Queueing in third.

Astromancer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ditto, Keith...What are you waiting 
for???


Bosco Bosco [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Damn Keith. You're a hell of a good writer. I love your insights and
the skill with which you present them. Have you ever considered
pursuing it further? If so, have you written anything I could see?

Bravo!!!

Bosco
--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 well, that's the balancing act of being a leader of any kind:
 weighing what you think is right versus what those you serve think.
 Always keep only your own counsel, and you're an autocrat, harmful
 to the people. Do whatever is popular, and you're a weakling, not
 helping the people to see what's best for them in times when they
 don't know it themselves. 
 
 Maybe I'm a cynic, maybe I distrust authority. But I always think
 of those times in history when the majority (or the most vocal and
 influential minority) of the population wanted something that
 wasn't right or moral, or simply efficacious in the long run: when
 whites wanted slavery, then later, Jim Crow. When men didn't want
 women to vote. When Germans actively wanted--or passively agreed
 with--the subjugation of the Jews. When white South Africans wanted
 their colored countrymen to remain as second class citizens. A
 century from now, perhaps some will look back on a society that
 taxed gays but refused to let them serve in the military equally,
 or enjoy the same domestic rights as the rest of us, and say If
 only there had been a leader who'd done what was right instead of
 what was popular. After 9-11, this country wanted blood--anyone's
 blood. I always liken America's mood then to that of a crazed dog
 that snaps at and attacks whomever happens to be near. Bush and his
 gang poin
 ted us in that direction, then said This is what they want. And
 all of our leaders--almost every dang one of them with a few
 notable exceptions--went along with that fevered fervor, afraid to
 buck the will of the people. Well, that's why I have a leader: to
 see things more clearly in times when perhaps I can't, to make
 decisions based on more information and considered thought than I
 have. 
 
 If I'm going to have someone lead me, it's because he or she has
 the capacity sometimes to make me better, to see the bigger picture
 in ways I can't always do. That requires someone with certain
 convictions and basic principles that will guide him or her, that
 won't change with the times or the whim of the public. A leader
 should be a rudder for a ship in a storm (lots of metaphors I
 know!) that can guide us in the right direction. Yes, sometimes
 sticking to a set of beliefs stubbornly can be wrong. Bush is proof
 of that in the way he's singlemindedly pursued a disastrous foreign
 policy. But you know, at least I know where Bush stands, and
 that's a good thing because i can then decide that he's not right
 for the job and get him out. I know who and what he is, and I've
 decided he's not right for me. There's a certain honesty and
 courage in his stance, that allows me to see him for what he is and
 then--fire him. And that's the point: a leader leads by trying to
 get us to go in cert
 ain ways, based on what we want and what he or she thinks is best
 for us. If those two views differ greatly, then perhaps that leader
 will be sent packing. Look at how McCain is hated for
 ultra-conservatives because he wants a more reasoned approach to
 illegal immigration, and the Bush tax cuts. But despite what it's
 costing him, he still holds to those views. yet at the same time,
 he's trying to modify them somewhat to go along with the people. A
 balancing act.
 
 But with someone like Romney, who keeps changing to meet the mood
 of the day, how can we ever know whether he's ultimately good or
 bad for us? How will I know that in that one moment when I am
 wrong, and I need him to be right, he won't do the popular thing
 instead of the right thing?
 
 A
 -- Original message -- 
 From: maidmarian_thepoet [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
 I may be stepping into it...but what exactly is wrong with a public
 official supporting the wishes of his constituents? I wish that my
 officials here really supported my beliefs instead of catering to
 the
 religious right. Of course, you can say that they are supporting
 them---but that's my point. Wasn't he being a true representative
 of
 Mass. voters at that time? Now he is claiming that he could be a
 true
 representative of conservative voters. Isn't that his job?
 
 I am still recalling listening to a This American Life episode in
 which a guy who was pro-choice supported Bush because he didn't
 flip-flop on issues. He admitted that he didn't like any of Bush's
 stances on issuses, but he voted for him because he didn't
 flip-flop. 
 Why on earth should I vote for someone who won't vote my way? He's
 my
 

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign

2008-02-11 Thread KeithBJohnson
yes, dad! :)  

thanks, seriously, though

-- Original message -- 
From: Astromancer [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Ditto, Keith...What are you waiting for???


Bosco Bosco [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Damn Keith. You're a hell of a good writer. I love your insights and
the skill with which you present them. Have you ever considered
pursuing it further? If so, have you written anything I could see?

Bravo!!!

Bosco
--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 well, that's the balancing act of being a leader of any kind:
 weighing what you think is right versus what those you serve think.
 Always keep only your own counsel, and you're an autocrat, harmful
 to the people. Do whatever is popular, and you're a weakling, not
 helping the people to see what's best for them in times when they
 don't know it themselves. 
 
 Maybe I'm a cynic, maybe I distrust authority. But I always think
 of those times in history when the majority (or the most vocal and
 influential minority) of the population wanted something that
 wasn't right or moral, or simply efficacious in the long run: when
 whites wanted slavery, then later, Jim Crow. When men didn't want
 women to vote. When Germans actively wanted--or passively agreed
 with--the subjugation of the Jews. When white South Africans wanted
 their colored countrymen to remain as second class citizens. A
 century from now, perhaps some will look back on a society that
 taxed gays but refused to let them serve in the military equally,
 or enjoy the same domestic rights as the rest of us, and say If
 only there had been a leader who'd done what was right instead of
 what was popular. After 9-11, this country wanted blood--anyone's
 blood. I always liken America's mood then to that of a crazed dog
 that snaps at and attacks whomever happens to be near. Bush and his
 gang poin
 ted us in that direction, then said This is what they want. And
 all of our leaders--almost every dang one of them with a few
 notable exceptions--went along with that fevered fervor, afraid to
 buck the will of the people. Well, that's why I have a leader: to
 see things more clearly in times when perhaps I can't, to make
 decisions based on more information and considered thought than I
 have. 
 
 If I'm going to have someone lead me, it's because he or she has
 the capacity sometimes to make me better, to see the bigger picture
 in ways I can't always do. That requires someone with certain
 convictions and basic principles that will guide him or her, that
 won't change with the times or the whim of the public. A leader
 should be a rudder for a ship in a storm (lots of metaphors I
 know!) that can guide us in the right direction. Yes, sometimes
 sticking to a set of beliefs stubbornly can be wrong. Bush is proof
 of that in the way he's singlemindedly pursued a disastrous foreign
 policy. But you know, at least I know where Bush stands, and
 that's a good thing because i can then decide that he's not right
 for the job and get him out. I know who and what he is, and I've
 decided he's not right for me. There's a certain honesty and
 courage in his stance, that allows me to see him for what he is and
 then--fire him. And that's the point: a leader leads by trying to
 get us to go in cert
 ain ways, based on what we want and what he or she thinks is best
 for us. If those two views differ greatly, then perhaps that leader
 will be sent packing. Look at how McCain is hated for
 ultra-conservatives because he wants a more reasoned approach to
 illegal immigration, and the Bush tax cuts. But despite what it's
 costing him, he still holds to those views. yet at the same time,
 he's trying to modify them somewhat to go along with the people. A
 balancing act.
 
 But with someone like Romney, who keeps changing to meet the mood
 of the day, how can we ever know whether he's ultimately good or
 bad for us? How will I know that in that one moment when I am
 wrong, and I need him to be right, he won't do the popular thing
 instead of the right thing?
 
 A
 -- Original message -- 
 From: maidmarian_thepoet [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
 I may be stepping into it...but what exactly is wrong with a public
 official supporting the wishes of his constituents? I wish that my
 officials here really supported my beliefs instead of catering to
 the
 religious right. Of course, you can say that they are supporting
 them---but that's my point. Wasn't he being a true representative
 of
 Mass. voters at that time? Now he is claiming that he could be a
 true
 representative of conservative voters. Isn't that his job?
 
 I am still recalling listening to a This American Life episode in
 which a guy who was pro-choice supported Bush because he didn't
 flip-flop on issues. He admitted that he didn't like any of Bush's
 stances on issuses, but he voted for him because he didn't
 flip-flop. 
 Why on earth should I vote for someone who won't vote my way? He's
 my
 representative, not a representative of his own convictions. 

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign

2008-02-10 Thread Martin
Queueing in third.

Astromancer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:   Ditto, 
Keith...What are you waiting for???
   
 
 Bosco Bosco [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
   Damn Keith. You're a hell of a good writer. I love your insights and
 the skill with which you present them. Have you ever considered
 pursuing it further? If so, have you written anything I could see?
 
 Bravo!!!
 
 Bosco
 --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 
  well, that's the balancing act of being a leader of any kind:
  weighing what you think is right versus what those you serve think.
  Always keep only your own counsel, and you're an autocrat, harmful
  to the people. Do whatever is popular, and you're a weakling, not
  helping the people to see what's best for them in times when they
  don't know it themselves. 
  
  Maybe I'm a cynic, maybe I distrust authority. But I always think
  of those times in history when the majority (or the most vocal and
  influential minority) of the population wanted something that
  wasn't right or moral, or simply efficacious in the long run: when
  whites wanted slavery, then later, Jim Crow. When men didn't want
  women to vote. When Germans actively wanted--or passively agreed
  with--the subjugation of the Jews. When white South Africans wanted
  their colored countrymen to remain as second class citizens. A
  century from now, perhaps some will look back on a society that
  taxed gays but refused to let them serve in the military equally,
  or enjoy the same domestic rights as the rest of us, and say If
  only there had been a leader who'd done what was right instead of
  what was popular. After 9-11, this country wanted blood--anyone's
  blood. I always liken America's mood then to that of a crazed dog
  that snaps at and attacks whomever happens to be near. Bush and his
  gang poin
  ted us in that direction, then said This is what they want. And
  all of our leaders--almost every dang one of them with a few
  notable exceptions--went along with that fevered fervor, afraid to
  buck the will of the people. Well, that's why I have a leader: to
  see things more clearly in times when perhaps I can't, to make
  decisions based on more information and considered thought than I
  have. 
  
  If I'm going to have someone lead me, it's because he or she has
  the capacity sometimes to make me better, to see the bigger picture
  in ways I can't always do. That requires someone with certain
  convictions and basic principles that will guide him or her, that
  won't change with the times or the whim of the public. A leader
  should be a rudder for a ship in a storm (lots of metaphors I
  know!) that can guide us in the right direction. Yes, sometimes
  sticking to a set of beliefs stubbornly can be wrong. Bush is proof
  of that in the way he's singlemindedly pursued a disastrous foreign
  policy. But you know, at least I know where Bush stands, and
  that's a good thing because i can then decide that he's not right
  for the job and get him out. I know who and what he is, and I've
  decided he's not right for me. There's a certain honesty and
  courage in his stance, that allows me to see him for what he is and
  then--fire him. And that's the point: a leader leads by trying to
  get us to go in cert
  ain ways, based on what we want and what he or she thinks is best
  for us. If those two views differ greatly, then perhaps that leader
  will be sent packing. Look at how McCain is hated for
  ultra-conservatives because he wants a more reasoned approach to
  illegal immigration, and the Bush tax cuts. But despite what it's
  costing him, he still holds to those views. yet at the same time,
  he's trying to modify them somewhat to go along with the people. A
  balancing act.
  
  But with someone like Romney, who keeps changing to meet the mood
  of the day, how can we ever know whether he's ultimately good or
  bad for us? How will I know that in that one moment when I am
  wrong, and I need him to be right, he won't do the popular thing
  instead of the right thing?
  
  A
  -- Original message -- 
  From: maidmarian_thepoet [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
  I may be stepping into it...but what exactly is wrong with a public
  official supporting the wishes of his constituents? I wish that my
  officials here really supported my beliefs instead of catering to
  the
  religious right. Of course, you can say that they are supporting
  them---but that's my point. Wasn't he being a true representative
  of
  Mass. voters at that time? Now he is claiming that he could be a
  true
  representative of conservative voters. Isn't that his job?
  
  I am still recalling listening to a This American Life episode in
  which a guy who was pro-choice supported Bush because he didn't
  flip-flop on issues. He admitted that he didn't like any of Bush's
  stances on issuses, but he voted for him because he didn't
  flip-flop. 
  Why on earth should I vote for someone who won't vote my way? He's

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign

2008-02-09 Thread Martin
(standing ovation)

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:   well, that's the 
balancing act of being a leader of any kind: weighing what you think is right 
versus what those you serve think.  Always keep only your own counsel, and 
you're an autocrat, harmful to the people. Do whatever is popular, and you're a 
weakling, not helping the people to see what's best for them in times when they 
don't know it themselves. 
 
 Maybe I'm a cynic, maybe I distrust authority. But I always think of those 
times in history when the majority (or the most vocal and influential minority) 
of the population wanted something that wasn't right or moral, or simply 
efficacious in the long run: when whites wanted slavery, then later, Jim Crow. 
When men didn't want women to vote. When Germans actively wanted--or passively 
agreed with--the subjugation of the Jews. When white South Africans wanted 
their colored countrymen to remain as second class citizens. A century from 
now, perhaps some will look back on a society that taxed gays but refused to 
let them serve in the military equally, or enjoy the same domestic rights as 
the rest of us, and say If only there had been a leader who'd done what was 
right instead of what was popular.  After 9-11, this country wanted 
blood--anyone's blood. I always liken America's mood then to that of a crazed 
dog that snaps at and attacks whomever happens to be near. Bush and his
 gang poin
 ted us in that direction, then said This is what they want. And all of our 
leaders--almost every dang one of them with a few notable exceptions--went 
along with that fevered fervor, afraid to buck the will of the people. Well, 
that's why I have a leader: to see things more clearly in times when perhaps I 
can't, to make decisions based on more information and considered thought than 
I have.  
 
 If I'm going to have someone lead me, it's because he or she has the capacity 
sometimes to make me better, to see the bigger picture in ways I can't always 
do. That requires someone with certain convictions and basic principles that 
will guide him or her, that won't change with the times or the whim of the 
public.  A leader should be a rudder for a ship in a storm (lots of metaphors I 
know!) that can guide us in the right direction. Yes, sometimes sticking to a 
set of beliefs stubbornly can be wrong. Bush is proof of that in the way he's 
singlemindedly pursued a disastrous foreign policy.  But you know, at least I 
know where Bush stands, and that's a good thing because i can then decide that 
he's not right for the job and get him out. I know who and what he is, and I've 
decided he's not right for me. There's a certain honesty and courage in his 
stance, that allows me to see him for what he is and then--fire him. And that's 
the point: a leader leads by trying to get us to
 go in cert
 ain ways, based on what we want and what he or she thinks is best for us. If 
those two views differ greatly, then perhaps that leader will be sent packing. 
Look at how McCain is hated for ultra-conservatives because he wants a more 
reasoned approach to illegal immigration, and the Bush tax cuts.  But despite 
what it's costing him, he still holds to those views. yet at the same time, 
he's trying to modify them somewhat to go along with the people. A balancing 
act.
 
 But with someone like Romney, who keeps changing to meet the mood of the day, 
how can we ever know whether he's ultimately good or bad for us? How will I 
know that in that one moment when I am wrong, and I need him to be right, he 
won't do the popular thing instead of the right thing?
 
 A
 -- Original message -- 
 From: maidmarian_thepoet [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
 I may be stepping into it...but what exactly is wrong with a public
 official supporting the wishes of his constituents? I wish that my
 officials here really supported my beliefs instead of catering to the
 religious right. Of course, you can say that they are supporting
 them---but that's my point. Wasn't he being a true representative of
 Mass. voters at that time? Now he is claiming that he could be a true
 representative of conservative voters. Isn't that his job?
 
 I am still recalling listening to a This American Life episode in
 which a guy who was pro-choice supported Bush because he didn't
 flip-flop on issues. He admitted that he didn't like any of Bush's
 stances on issuses, but he voted for him because he didn't flip-flop. 
 Why on earth should I vote for someone who won't vote my way? He's my
 representative, not a representative of his own convictions. If he can
 change my mind because he believes me wrong, that's one thing. But he
 shouldn't be voting his convictions whilly-nilly.
 
 Ok, I will get off my soapbox now. :-)
 
 --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 
  Like i said, an opportunistic flip-flopper. He was pro-choice, pro
 immigration (in terms of working something out instead of sounding like
 a 

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign

2008-02-09 Thread Bosco Bosco
Damn Keith. You're a hell of a good writer. I love your insights and
the skill with which you present them. Have you ever considered
pursuing it further? If so, have you written anything I could see?


Bravo!!!

Bosco
--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 well, that's the balancing act of being a leader of any kind:
 weighing what you think is right versus what those you serve think.
  Always keep only your own counsel, and you're an autocrat, harmful
 to the people. Do whatever is popular, and you're a weakling, not
 helping the people to see what's best for them in times when they
 don't know it themselves. 
 
 Maybe I'm a cynic, maybe I distrust authority. But I always think
 of those times in history when the majority (or the most vocal and
 influential minority) of the population wanted something that
 wasn't right or moral, or simply efficacious in the long run: when
 whites wanted slavery, then later, Jim Crow. When men didn't want
 women to vote. When Germans actively wanted--or passively agreed
 with--the subjugation of the Jews. When white South Africans wanted
 their colored countrymen to remain as second class citizens. A
 century from now, perhaps some will look back on a society that
 taxed gays but refused to let them serve in the military equally,
 or enjoy the same domestic rights as the rest of us, and say If
 only there had been a leader who'd done what was right instead of
 what was popular.  After 9-11, this country wanted blood--anyone's
 blood. I always liken America's mood then to that of a crazed dog
 that snaps at and attacks whomever happens to be near. Bush and his
 gang poin
 ted us in that direction, then said This is what they want. And
 all of our leaders--almost every dang one of them with a few
 notable exceptions--went along with that fevered fervor, afraid to
 buck the will of the people. Well, that's why I have a leader: to
 see things more clearly in times when perhaps I can't, to make
 decisions based on more information and considered thought than I
 have.  
 
 If I'm going to have someone lead me, it's because he or she has
 the capacity sometimes to make me better, to see the bigger picture
 in ways I can't always do. That requires someone with certain
 convictions and basic principles that will guide him or her, that
 won't change with the times or the whim of the public.  A leader
 should be a rudder for a ship in a storm (lots of metaphors I
 know!) that can guide us in the right direction. Yes, sometimes
 sticking to a set of beliefs stubbornly can be wrong. Bush is proof
 of that in the way he's singlemindedly pursued a disastrous foreign
 policy.  But you know, at least I know where Bush stands, and
 that's a good thing because i can then decide that he's not right
 for the job and get him out. I know who and what he is, and I've
 decided he's not right for me. There's a certain honesty and
 courage in his stance, that allows me to see him for what he is and
 then--fire him. And that's the point: a leader leads by trying to
 get us to go in cert
 ain ways, based on what we want and what he or she thinks is best
 for us. If those two views differ greatly, then perhaps that leader
 will be sent packing. Look at how McCain is hated for
 ultra-conservatives because he wants a more reasoned approach to
 illegal immigration, and the Bush tax cuts.  But despite what it's
 costing him, he still holds to those views. yet at the same time,
 he's trying to modify them somewhat to go along with the people. A
 balancing act.
 
 But with someone like Romney, who keeps changing to meet the mood
 of the day, how can we ever know whether he's ultimately good or
 bad for us? How will I know that in that one moment when I am
 wrong, and I need him to be right, he won't do the popular thing
 instead of the right thing?
 
 A
 -- Original message -- 
 From: maidmarian_thepoet [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
 I may be stepping into it...but what exactly is wrong with a public
 official supporting the wishes of his constituents? I wish that my
 officials here really supported my beliefs instead of catering to
 the
 religious right. Of course, you can say that they are supporting
 them---but that's my point. Wasn't he being a true representative
 of
 Mass. voters at that time? Now he is claiming that he could be a
 true
 representative of conservative voters. Isn't that his job?
 
 I am still recalling listening to a This American Life episode in
 which a guy who was pro-choice supported Bush because he didn't
 flip-flop on issues. He admitted that he didn't like any of Bush's
 stances on issuses, but he voted for him because he didn't
 flip-flop. 
 Why on earth should I vote for someone who won't vote my way? He's
 my
 representative, not a representative of his own convictions. If he
 can
 change my mind because he believes me wrong, that's one thing. But
 he
 shouldn't be voting his convictions whilly-nilly.
 
 Ok, I will get off my soapbox now. :-)
 
 --- In 

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign

2008-02-09 Thread Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)
That is why i am pressuring him to set up a blog.  Keith?  I will help you

Bosco Bosco wrote:
 Damn Keith. You're a hell of a good writer. I love your insights and
 the skill with which you present them. Have you ever considered
 pursuing it further? If so, have you written anything I could see?


 Bravo!!!

 Bosco
 --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

   
 well, that's the balancing act of being a leader of any kind:
 weighing what you think is right versus what those you serve think.
  Always keep only your own counsel, and you're an autocrat, harmful
 to the people. Do whatever is popular, and you're a weakling, not
 helping the people to see what's best for them in times when they
 don't know it themselves. 

 Maybe I'm a cynic, maybe I distrust authority. But I always think
 of those times in history when the majority (or the most vocal and
 influential minority) of the population wanted something that
 wasn't right or moral, or simply efficacious in the long run: when
 whites wanted slavery, then later, Jim Crow. When men didn't want
 women to vote. When Germans actively wanted--or passively agreed
 with--the subjugation of the Jews. When white South Africans wanted
 their colored countrymen to remain as second class citizens. A
 century from now, perhaps some will look back on a society that
 taxed gays but refused to let them serve in the military equally,
 or enjoy the same domestic rights as the rest of us, and say If
 only there had been a leader who'd done what was right instead of
 what was popular.  After 9-11, this country wanted blood--anyone's
 blood. I always liken America's mood then to that of a crazed dog
 that snaps at and attacks whomever happens to be near. Bush and his
 gang poin
 ted us in that direction, then said This is what they want. And
 all of our leaders--almost every dang one of them with a few
 notable exceptions--went along with that fevered fervor, afraid to
 buck the will of the people. Well, that's why I have a leader: to
 see things more clearly in times when perhaps I can't, to make
 decisions based on more information and considered thought than I
 have.  

 If I'm going to have someone lead me, it's because he or she has
 the capacity sometimes to make me better, to see the bigger picture
 in ways I can't always do. That requires someone with certain
 convictions and basic principles that will guide him or her, that
 won't change with the times or the whim of the public.  A leader
 should be a rudder for a ship in a storm (lots of metaphors I
 know!) that can guide us in the right direction. Yes, sometimes
 sticking to a set of beliefs stubbornly can be wrong. Bush is proof
 of that in the way he's singlemindedly pursued a disastrous foreign
 policy.  But you know, at least I know where Bush stands, and
 that's a good thing because i can then decide that he's not right
 for the job and get him out. I know who and what he is, and I've
 decided he's not right for me. There's a certain honesty and
 courage in his stance, that allows me to see him for what he is and
 then--fire him. And that's the point: a leader leads by trying to
 get us to go in cert
 ain ways, based on what we want and what he or she thinks is best
 for us. If those two views differ greatly, then perhaps that leader
 will be sent packing. Look at how McCain is hated for
 ultra-conservatives because he wants a more reasoned approach to
 illegal immigration, and the Bush tax cuts.  But despite what it's
 costing him, he still holds to those views. yet at the same time,
 he's trying to modify them somewhat to go along with the people. A
 balancing act.

 But with someone like Romney, who keeps changing to meet the mood
 of the day, how can we ever know whether he's ultimately good or
 bad for us? How will I know that in that one moment when I am
 wrong, and I need him to be right, he won't do the popular thing
 instead of the right thing?

 A
 -- Original message -- 
 From: maidmarian_thepoet [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
 I may be stepping into it...but what exactly is wrong with a public
 official supporting the wishes of his constituents? I wish that my
 officials here really supported my beliefs instead of catering to
 the
 religious right. Of course, you can say that they are supporting
 them---but that's my point. Wasn't he being a true representative
 of
 Mass. voters at that time? Now he is claiming that he could be a
 true
 representative of conservative voters. Isn't that his job?

 I am still recalling listening to a This American Life episode in
 which a guy who was pro-choice supported Bush because he didn't
 flip-flop on issues. He admitted that he didn't like any of Bush's
 stances on issuses, but he voted for him because he didn't
 flip-flop. 
 Why on earth should I vote for someone who won't vote my way? He's
 my
 representative, not a representative of his own convictions. If he
 can
 change my mind because he believes me wrong, that's one thing. But
 he
 shouldn't be 

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign

2008-02-09 Thread Astromancer
Ditto, Keith...What are you waiting for???
  

Bosco Bosco [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
  Damn Keith. You're a hell of a good writer. I love your insights and
the skill with which you present them. Have you ever considered
pursuing it further? If so, have you written anything I could see?

Bravo!!!

Bosco
--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 well, that's the balancing act of being a leader of any kind:
 weighing what you think is right versus what those you serve think.
 Always keep only your own counsel, and you're an autocrat, harmful
 to the people. Do whatever is popular, and you're a weakling, not
 helping the people to see what's best for them in times when they
 don't know it themselves. 
 
 Maybe I'm a cynic, maybe I distrust authority. But I always think
 of those times in history when the majority (or the most vocal and
 influential minority) of the population wanted something that
 wasn't right or moral, or simply efficacious in the long run: when
 whites wanted slavery, then later, Jim Crow. When men didn't want
 women to vote. When Germans actively wanted--or passively agreed
 with--the subjugation of the Jews. When white South Africans wanted
 their colored countrymen to remain as second class citizens. A
 century from now, perhaps some will look back on a society that
 taxed gays but refused to let them serve in the military equally,
 or enjoy the same domestic rights as the rest of us, and say If
 only there had been a leader who'd done what was right instead of
 what was popular. After 9-11, this country wanted blood--anyone's
 blood. I always liken America's mood then to that of a crazed dog
 that snaps at and attacks whomever happens to be near. Bush and his
 gang poin
 ted us in that direction, then said This is what they want. And
 all of our leaders--almost every dang one of them with a few
 notable exceptions--went along with that fevered fervor, afraid to
 buck the will of the people. Well, that's why I have a leader: to
 see things more clearly in times when perhaps I can't, to make
 decisions based on more information and considered thought than I
 have. 
 
 If I'm going to have someone lead me, it's because he or she has
 the capacity sometimes to make me better, to see the bigger picture
 in ways I can't always do. That requires someone with certain
 convictions and basic principles that will guide him or her, that
 won't change with the times or the whim of the public. A leader
 should be a rudder for a ship in a storm (lots of metaphors I
 know!) that can guide us in the right direction. Yes, sometimes
 sticking to a set of beliefs stubbornly can be wrong. Bush is proof
 of that in the way he's singlemindedly pursued a disastrous foreign
 policy. But you know, at least I know where Bush stands, and
 that's a good thing because i can then decide that he's not right
 for the job and get him out. I know who and what he is, and I've
 decided he's not right for me. There's a certain honesty and
 courage in his stance, that allows me to see him for what he is and
 then--fire him. And that's the point: a leader leads by trying to
 get us to go in cert
 ain ways, based on what we want and what he or she thinks is best
 for us. If those two views differ greatly, then perhaps that leader
 will be sent packing. Look at how McCain is hated for
 ultra-conservatives because he wants a more reasoned approach to
 illegal immigration, and the Bush tax cuts. But despite what it's
 costing him, he still holds to those views. yet at the same time,
 he's trying to modify them somewhat to go along with the people. A
 balancing act.
 
 But with someone like Romney, who keeps changing to meet the mood
 of the day, how can we ever know whether he's ultimately good or
 bad for us? How will I know that in that one moment when I am
 wrong, and I need him to be right, he won't do the popular thing
 instead of the right thing?
 
 A
 -- Original message -- 
 From: maidmarian_thepoet [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
 I may be stepping into it...but what exactly is wrong with a public
 official supporting the wishes of his constituents? I wish that my
 officials here really supported my beliefs instead of catering to
 the
 religious right. Of course, you can say that they are supporting
 them---but that's my point. Wasn't he being a true representative
 of
 Mass. voters at that time? Now he is claiming that he could be a
 true
 representative of conservative voters. Isn't that his job?
 
 I am still recalling listening to a This American Life episode in
 which a guy who was pro-choice supported Bush because he didn't
 flip-flop on issues. He admitted that he didn't like any of Bush's
 stances on issuses, but he voted for him because he didn't
 flip-flop. 
 Why on earth should I vote for someone who won't vote my way? He's
 my
 representative, not a representative of his own convictions. If he
 can
 change my mind because he believes me wrong, that's one thing. But
 he
 shouldn't be voting his 

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign

2008-02-08 Thread Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)
I agree that they all do it to some extent.  I do not think the 
republicans do it any more than the dems. Most dems and republicans 
alike are more subtle about it.  But I think Romney perfected it. Since 
he has been liberal and conservative, depending on which way his 
prospects were blowing, I do not think any group should have to claim 
his unique brand of of mood campaigning.  ,   I'm not coming at him as a 
liberal, but seeing it as a political junkie.  Also, I've got a problem 
with any one who runs attack ads that are not at least true.  If Mc Cain 
were not a moderate and a hothead who alienated would be allies. I do 
not think right wing talk radio and top Republican politicos would be 
rallying behind Romney.  Many conservatives perceive Romney as buying 
voters and delegates.  I think if say Thompson had feared better or 
some, they would not even be giving him the time of day.   That being 
said, since i am a liberal, I admit that I could be seeing this all wrong

maidmarian_thepoet wrote:
 Point taken.  If he is going to change his position to fit a
 conservative base, it shouldn't need to be adjusted every day.  And he
 certainly needs to be honest enough to admit that is what he is doing.

 However, I can't say that the same problem doesn't exist on the
 Democratic site.  Hillary has adjusted her stance to be more
 middle-america since her announcement to run for president.  I don't
 know if anyone has caught Obama in an adjustment, but I can't say that
 I like his need to say that he would love to hunt down terrorists
 in-country without  local permission
 (http://www.barackobama.com/2007/08/01/obama_vows_to_hunt_down_terror.ph\
 p).  It sounds like he is trying to prove how tough he is despite being
 against the Iraq war.Entering Pakistan without local permission
 would be an act of war.



 --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey
 L. Minor) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
   
 You are not off, but he changes his positions every days depending on
 who he talks to and if he is shown video footage as proof of what he
 said, he will still deny he said that.  Even if it was only 24 hours
 ago. One might argue that since he changes so much so fast that he
 
 does
   
 not belief what he says and might not  do what he promised.  Some
 republicans feel that bush misrepresented himself, so they might be a
 little leary of someone who changes because it is advantageous to do
 
 so.
   
 maidmarian_thepoet wrote:
 
 I may be stepping into it...but what exactly is wrong with a public
 official supporting the wishes of his constituents?  I wish that my
 officials here really supported my beliefs instead of catering to
   
 the
   
 religious right.  Of course, you can say that they are supporting
 them---but that's my point.  Wasn't he being a true representative
   
 of
   
 Mass. voters at that time?  Now he is claiming that he could be a
   
 true
   
 representative of conservative voters.  Isn't that his job?

 I am still recalling listening to a This American Life episode in
 which a guy who was pro-choice supported Bush because he didn't
 flip-flop on issues.  He admitted that he didn't like any of Bush's
 stances on issuses, but he voted for him because he didn't
   
 flip-flop.
   
 Why on earth should I vote for someone who won't vote my way?  He's
   
 my
   
 representative, not a representative of his own convictions.  If he
   
 can
   
 change my mind because he believes me wrong, that's one thing.  But
   
 he
   
 shouldn't be voting his convictions whilly-nilly.

 Ok, I will get off my soapbox now.  :-)


 --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, KeithBJohnson@ wrote:

   
 Like i said, an opportunistic flip-flopper. He was pro-choice, pro

 
 immigration (in terms of working something out instead of sounding
   
 like
   
 a Klansman), not averse to taxes as needed (which he calls fees,
   
 but
   
 same difference). I heard a speech he gave just a few years back
   
 where
   
 he explicitly said he didn't want to try and recreate the Reagan
   
 days.
   
 Now he's a rabid ultr-conservative nut who evokes Reagan more than
   
 some
   
 of us call on God!




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Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign

2008-02-08 Thread KeithBJohnson
well, that's the balancing act of being a leader of any kind: weighing what you 
think is right versus what those you serve think.  Always keep only your own 
counsel, and you're an autocrat, harmful to the people. Do whatever is popular, 
and you're a weakling, not helping the people to see what's best for them in 
times when they don't know it themselves. 

Maybe I'm a cynic, maybe I distrust authority. But I always think of those 
times in history when the majority (or the most vocal and influential minority) 
of the population wanted something that wasn't right or moral, or simply 
efficacious in the long run: when whites wanted slavery, then later, Jim Crow. 
When men didn't want women to vote. When Germans actively wanted--or passively 
agreed with--the subjugation of the Jews. When white South Africans wanted 
their colored countrymen to remain as second class citizens. A century from 
now, perhaps some will look back on a society that taxed gays but refused to 
let them serve in the military equally, or enjoy the same domestic rights as 
the rest of us, and say If only there had been a leader who'd done what was 
right instead of what was popular.  After 9-11, this country wanted 
blood--anyone's blood. I always liken America's mood then to that of a crazed 
dog that snaps at and attacks whomever happens to be near. Bush and his gang 
poin
ted us in that direction, then said This is what they want. And all of our 
leaders--almost every dang one of them with a few notable exceptions--went 
along with that fevered fervor, afraid to buck the will of the people. Well, 
that's why I have a leader: to see things more clearly in times when perhaps I 
can't, to make decisions based on more information and considered thought than 
I have.  

If I'm going to have someone lead me, it's because he or she has the capacity 
sometimes to make me better, to see the bigger picture in ways I can't always 
do. That requires someone with certain convictions and basic principles that 
will guide him or her, that won't change with the times or the whim of the 
public.  A leader should be a rudder for a ship in a storm (lots of metaphors I 
know!) that can guide us in the right direction. Yes, sometimes sticking to a 
set of beliefs stubbornly can be wrong. Bush is proof of that in the way he's 
singlemindedly pursued a disastrous foreign policy.  But you know, at least I 
know where Bush stands, and that's a good thing because i can then decide that 
he's not right for the job and get him out. I know who and what he is, and I've 
decided he's not right for me. There's a certain honesty and courage in his 
stance, that allows me to see him for what he is and then--fire him. And that's 
the point: a leader leads by trying to get us to go in cert
ain ways, based on what we want and what he or she thinks is best for us. If 
those two views differ greatly, then perhaps that leader will be sent packing. 
Look at how McCain is hated for ultra-conservatives because he wants a more 
reasoned approach to illegal immigration, and the Bush tax cuts.  But despite 
what it's costing him, he still holds to those views. yet at the same time, 
he's trying to modify them somewhat to go along with the people. A balancing 
act.

But with someone like Romney, who keeps changing to meet the mood of the day, 
how can we ever know whether he's ultimately good or bad for us? How will I 
know that in that one moment when I am wrong, and I need him to be right, he 
won't do the popular thing instead of the right thing?

A
-- Original message -- 
From: maidmarian_thepoet [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
I may be stepping into it...but what exactly is wrong with a public
official supporting the wishes of his constituents? I wish that my
officials here really supported my beliefs instead of catering to the
religious right. Of course, you can say that they are supporting
them---but that's my point. Wasn't he being a true representative of
Mass. voters at that time? Now he is claiming that he could be a true
representative of conservative voters. Isn't that his job?

I am still recalling listening to a This American Life episode in
which a guy who was pro-choice supported Bush because he didn't
flip-flop on issues. He admitted that he didn't like any of Bush's
stances on issuses, but he voted for him because he didn't flip-flop. 
Why on earth should I vote for someone who won't vote my way? He's my
representative, not a representative of his own convictions. If he can
change my mind because he believes me wrong, that's one thing. But he
shouldn't be voting his convictions whilly-nilly.

Ok, I will get off my soapbox now. :-)

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 Like i said, an opportunistic flip-flopper. He was pro-choice, pro
immigration (in terms of working something out instead of sounding like
a Klansman), not averse to taxes as needed (which he calls fees, but
same difference). I heard a speech he gave just a 

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Romney Rumoured to Be Suspending Campaign

2008-02-07 Thread KeithBJohnson
i hear you. What did you think of him when he was gubnor?

-- Original message -- 
From: g123curious [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
I live and work in Massachusetts. Romney will not be missed. On the 
way out, don't let the door hit him where the sun don't shine.

George

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 I'll be darned! this is the most interesting election year I can 
remember since, well, the last couple of election years! Good 
riddance, I say: spend some time looking at how he *used* to feel on 
issues, and how he feels now, and you talk bout an opportunistic flip-
flopper! I'm also amazed at how Limbaugh and the others of his ilk 
have so embraced this Mormon ( who in other times they'd be attacking 
as not a real Christian, no doubt), just because they hate 
the liberal McCain! 
 More interesting is the reaction of many of my co-workers, who are 
perfect barometers for the ultra-conservative, braindead segment of 
society. They're all but in morning. Oh, it might be a riot up in 
here if Obama or Hillary wins come Election Day!
 
 **
 
 CNN) -- Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will suspend his bid 
for the Republican presidential nomination, GOP sources tell CNN.
 Romney had won 270 delegates in through the Super Tuesday contests, 
compared with front-runner John McCain's 680.

snip


 

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