Comments on: Freedom to like who I want to like http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/ Blogging one sidereal day at a time Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:26:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: BL http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/comment-page-1/#comment-23474 BL Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:26:40 +0000 http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/#comment-23474 It's not a matter of "liking," as someone noted above. It's more a matter of being careful about the company you keep and who your friends are. Let's say, for instance, that Larry Flynt or the Aryan Nation endorsed John McCain. You can be certain that either Clinton or Obama would point to that and say, "See what you get for president if you support THAT GUY?" That said, you're right about controversial people being able to support whoever they want. There are just some campaigns that will be more cautious about accepting their support. It’s not a matter of “liking,” as someone noted above. It’s more a matter of being careful about the company you keep and who your friends are. Let’s say, for instance, that Larry Flynt or the Aryan Nation endorsed John McCain. You can be certain that either Clinton or Obama would point to that and say, “See what you get for president if you support THAT GUY?”

That said, you’re right about controversial people being able to support whoever they want. There are just some campaigns that will be more cautious about accepting their support.

]]> By: Steve P. http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/comment-page-1/#comment-23452 Steve P. Sat, 01 Mar 2008 10:12:50 +0000 http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/#comment-23452 http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/local/stories/DN-calleao_28pol.ART.State.Edition2.3ee536b.html Pot... Kettle.... http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/local/stories/DN-calleao_28pol.ART.State.Edition2.3ee536b.html

Pot… Kettle….

]]> By: michael cassidy http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/comment-page-1/#comment-23437 michael cassidy Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:28:56 +0000 http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/#comment-23437 John, "labeled as racist," you said racist I didn't. I said "swift boating" - playing on RACIAL fears dishonestly; and I expected better from Hillary; I don't expect better from McCain and Bush & company. John,

“labeled as racist,” you said racist I didn’t.

I said “swift boating” – playing on RACIAL fears dishonestly; and I expected better from Hillary; I don’t expect better from McCain and Bush & company.

]]> By: Tim http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/comment-page-1/#comment-23429 Tim Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:05:33 +0000 http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/#comment-23429 Pamela L. Gay, I really enjoy listening to you on Astronomy cast. I'm glad I discovered that a few days ago. You're great! As a child, I wanted to be an astronomer. Too bad I failed higher math. As an "old" guy, I still love astronomy. Now that my eyesight is getting worse, it's nice to be able to listen to astronomy. Thank you. Regards, Tim Pamela L. Gay,

I really enjoy listening to you on Astronomy cast. I’m glad I discovered that a few days ago. You’re great! As a child, I wanted to be an astronomer. Too bad I failed higher math. As an “old” guy, I still love astronomy. Now that my eyesight is getting worse, it’s nice to be able to listen to astronomy. Thank you.

Regards,
Tim

]]> By: Beth http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/comment-page-1/#comment-23427 Beth Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:20:09 +0000 http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/#comment-23427 I was watching that part of the discussion last night. My take was that Obama did say that he did not seek Farrakan’s endorsement but supported his right to free speech. Clinton noted that in one of her races for the Senate that she rejected the support of an anti-Semitic group. I haven't watched that section of the discussion again (is that supposed to be a link to video above?), but I felt that it was a matter of degree of rejection. I didn't feel that Clinton was attacking Obama on that point or demanding. I've tried explaining to my kids that one of these two people will be the Democratic nominee for President. When that happens, whichever one is not the nominee will wholeheartedly endorse and support and campaign for the other. They have a lot in common. They really don't want to be attacking each other. But they have to find ways to show how they are different. This is one way where they differ by degree. Clinton feels right saying that she rejects the support of a group she feels is wrong. It's that offensive to her. I might defend your right to say something, but I don't want to be associated with you because your views are so contrary to mine. I saw this less as an attack and more as a way of distinguishing the candidates. I agree with you, Pamela, that society has grown too divisive. But sometimes you have to put your foot down and say "No, you're wrong. I don't accept that view." I don't think that means you can't talk and try to persuade. But sometimes you decide to just not argue over it. I know that there are some topics where I and someone I love are on opposite sides (evolution is one such issue) . We will never change each other's views. But we love each other anyway. I was watching that part of the discussion last night. My take was that Obama did say that he did not seek Farrakan’s endorsement but supported his right to free speech. Clinton noted that in one of her races for the Senate that she rejected the support of an anti-Semitic group.

I haven’t watched that section of the discussion again (is that supposed to be a link to video above?), but I felt that it was a matter of degree of rejection. I didn’t feel that Clinton was attacking Obama on that point or demanding.

I’ve tried explaining to my kids that one of these two people will be the Democratic nominee for President. When that happens, whichever one is not the nominee will wholeheartedly endorse and support and campaign for the other. They have a lot in common. They really don’t want to be attacking each other.

But they have to find ways to show how they are different. This is one way where they differ by degree. Clinton feels right saying that she rejects the support of a group she feels is wrong. It’s that offensive to her. I might defend your right to say something, but I don’t want to be associated with you because your views are so contrary to mine. I saw this less as an attack and more as a way of distinguishing the candidates.

I agree with you, Pamela, that society has grown too divisive. But sometimes you have to put your foot down and say “No, you’re wrong. I don’t accept that view.” I don’t think that means you can’t talk and try to persuade.

But sometimes you decide to just not argue over it. I know that there are some topics where I and someone I love are on opposite sides (evolution is one such issue) . We will never change each other’s views. But we love each other anyway.

]]> By: Ed http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/comment-page-1/#comment-23424 Ed Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:00:34 +0000 http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/#comment-23424 "We can legislate actions - banning murder is a good thing - but we can’t legislate thought." We do, all the time actually. Let's take murder. If you kill someone, and are found guilty of course, you will be sentenced X number of years to jail as prescribed by law. If, however, you killed that person because they were of a different race, gender, or sexual orientation as defined by hate crime laws, then your sentence will be greater. The law is obviously trying to steer society to a state of tolerance and acceptance, and one could certainly argue that's a very good thing, but it's legislating thought nonetheless. The same can be said for hiring or firing of people, again making sure there is no form of discrimination. Sadly, we legislate thought day in and day out, and I think the pattern is for more of it. “We can legislate actions – banning murder is a good thing – but we can’t legislate thought.” We do, all the time actually. Let’s take murder. If you kill someone, and are found guilty of course, you will be sentenced X number of years to jail as prescribed by law. If, however, you killed that person because they were of a different race, gender, or sexual orientation as defined by hate crime laws, then your sentence will be greater. The law is obviously trying to steer society to a state of tolerance and acceptance, and one could certainly argue that’s a very good thing, but it’s legislating thought nonetheless.

The same can be said for hiring or firing of people, again making sure there is no form of discrimination. Sadly, we legislate thought day in and day out, and I think the pattern is for more of it.

]]> By: John M. http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/comment-page-1/#comment-23422 John M. Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:44:47 +0000 http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/#comment-23422 Michael, I knew that the day would come that any criticism of Obama would be immediately labeled as racist, but I didn't expect it this soon. I do think it's silly to demand an arbitrary level of stridency in rejecting Farrakahn's endorsement, but it is legitimate to ask why such a divisive figure likes Obama so much. The other thing we need to keep in mind is that everything politicians say is carefully calculated to maximize votes. Their words have nothing whatever to do with their actual beleifs or what they will do in office. Michael, I knew that the day would come that any criticism of Obama would be immediately labeled as racist, but I didn’t expect it this soon.

I do think it’s silly to demand an arbitrary level of stridency in rejecting Farrakahn’s endorsement, but it is legitimate to ask why such a divisive figure likes Obama so much.

The other thing we need to keep in mind is that everything politicians say is carefully calculated to maximize votes. Their words have nothing whatever to do with their actual beleifs or what they will do in office.

]]> By: michael cassidy http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/comment-page-1/#comment-23421 michael cassidy Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:03:15 +0000 http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/#comment-23421 No Lena, it is 'swift boat attack' with racial overtones. Its about scaring white voters. Show me that Obama asked or campaigned for Farrakan's endorsement then you have a story; otherwise its Willy Horton. Hillary is better than this; hopefully she doesn't end up making me ashamed I voted for her. No Lena, it is ‘swift boat attack’ with racial overtones. Its about scaring white voters.

Show me that Obama asked or campaigned for Farrakan’s endorsement then you have a story; otherwise its Willy Horton.

Hillary is better than this; hopefully she doesn’t end up making me ashamed I voted for her.

]]> By: Philip Atherton http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/comment-page-1/#comment-23420 Philip Atherton Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:53:13 +0000 http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/#comment-23420 Well said. Well said.

]]> By: Lena http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/comment-page-1/#comment-23417 Lena Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:33:03 +0000 http://www.starstryder.com/2008/02/27/freedom-to-like-who-i-want-to-like/#comment-23417 It's not about "liking" a person. Obama is basing his campaign of hope and change as unifing the American people, but the church he attends with the pastor he's close to and now Farrakan are completely divisive. It's a matter of logic because it raises questions. It’s not about “liking” a person. Obama is basing his campaign of hope and change as unifing the American people, but the church he attends with the pastor he’s close to and now Farrakan are completely divisive. It’s a matter of logic because it raises questions.

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