First posting
Welcome to Blayney's Blog. I will continue to send out Zone Notes to any who ask to receive them. This site will be used to put up brief, perhaps more provocative notes to which I invite you to respond. I am just building the blog site, so be patient.
Blayney
Blayney
posted by Blayney at 7:53 AM
20 Comments:
Just testing to see if I can make this thing work...
So Arkansas Governor Huckabee and his wife renewed their marriage vows, with special emphasis on Til Death Do Us Part, in front of 15,000 cheering people. Does anyone believe this is anything other than fear and loathing translated into the worst kind of politics?
By all means read Paul Krugman's editorial about Howard Dean becoming chair of the Democratic National Committee in today's NY Times. His point is that Dean, a centrist Democrat, not the leftist the Republicans have always tried to portray him, is a sign the days of Democrats going along apologetically with the Republican agenda are over. Dean says the Republicans know what kind of America they want, a country accomodating rich and powerful people, and will do anything to acheive it. What they fear most is the Democrats standing clear and tall for their beliefs in justice and fairness for everyone, especially the middle and lower classes.
Yesterday, from a source I can not remember now, I read that climate scientists talking among themselves (they won't say it beyond their guild) say that global warning and attendant climate change are a done deal, nothing we can do to head it off now. Some believe we will extinct ourselves, others that the changes will trigger warfare over dwindling resources.
If you believed this, what difference would it make in the way you live your life?
The globe will warm and it will create changes in all our lives that go beyond our ability to predict - perhaps beyond our ability to live with. But as you note - it is an incredible surprise just to realize that we are here - even if it is just for a season.
CBC takes the cosmos to the blogosphere. watchout over there.
Blayney -
Nice work. These hors d'oevres keep us going until we receive your main course - the Zone Notes.
Also, read Tom Friedman for a very good international perspective (NY Times on Thursdays & Sundays).
Victor
Coarse (pun, get it !) we got too much time on our hands, we be retired on your next 30 years of toil !
When is it that the all-fired conservative "preserve marriage" types will realize that divorce is antithetical to their position and outlaw it? Also, if marriage is all about a covenant with God, why permit civil ceremonies at all? Those same supporters of marriage for purpose of procreation have no litmus test of either inclination or capability of having kids.
I still think that the concept of separating the religious marriage and the civil partnership makes sense. The Church and State should truly not be in each other's business.
Hey Blayney. You'll get the hang of it soon. Remember to go to your dashboard to post new thoughts, rather than using the comment feature. I know that you'll be a very important addition to the blog world.
Be well.
Blayney, when you are in VT can you pick up a couple of gallons of that Gov. Dean "I hate all Republicans !" suryp for me ?
This response is to anonymous who described Howard Dean as hating all Republicans. Interesting how Dean has been portrayed as a left wing crazy when his long tenure as Vermont governor was the picture of moderation. He insisted on balancing the budget which the Vermont constitution does not require. He worked to provide health care for all children. He finally supported the civil union (not marriage) bill after initial skepticism. In addition to liking and agreeing with him on many things, my main reason for wanting him as the candidate in 2004 was because he isn't intimidated by Bush and Cheney's bullying tactics.
Ian said: When is it that the all-fired conservative "preserve marriage" types will realize that divorce is antithetical to their position and outlaw it?
My reply: It appears that you have assumed that the “all-fired conservative” “preserve marriage” types’ position is to preserve marriage at any cost; and also that all “conservatives” are united in that one position. I can assure you that this is not so.
Ian said: Also, if marriage is all about a covenant with God, why permit civil ceremonies at all? I still think that the concept of separating the religious marriage and the civil partnership makes sense.
My reply: So far as the state is concerned, marriage is a social contract – no “God” about it. Who is it that you think should not “permit” this kind of civil union? Shouldn’t people be able to opt out of a church-sponsored union? Religious marriage and civil partnership are already separate things. One can only be granted by the church, and the other only by the state, and each has its own requirements. I agree with you; let the state be in charge of civil unions – same sex, opposite sex, whatever – and requirements for civil unions and let the church – pick one - be in charge of marriage and the requirements for marriage, including restricting it to opposite-sex couples only.
Ian said: Those same supporters of marriage for purpose of procreation have no litmus test of either inclination or capability of having kids.
My reply: Sorry, Ian, but I’m not following you here – what is it you are trying to say? Clarify.
Ian said: The Church and State should truly not be in each other's business.
My reply: It can’t be avoided. Get over it.
Blayney - It's all well and good that Howard Dean was the picture of moderation while governor in Vermont, but that's not how most people know him. Have you HEARD this guy lately??? He sounds like he thinks that the best place for Republicans is under a bus.
Hey Kim,
Who asked you? Enough with the facts and reason. Some of us want to get down with our feelings, intentions, and the heartfelt, righteous, p.c. agenda. You friend, are about as welcome as the proverbial muddy punch bowl. Amscray, Logic Boy.
This is actually the Howard Dean quote from the final DNC forum before the Feb. 12 vote for Chairman. Here's the full sentence:
"I hate the Republicans and everything they stand for, but I admire their discipline and their organization."
Howie, we are both prepies. But that is just a genuinely bad sentence. The first part of the sentence actually negates the second part. That is, unless of course, you believe you can admire something you hate.
When you hate all Republicans and their policies you are hating me.
I am a Republican because I am a heartless, priveledged ,capitalist swine. What's wrong with that ?
Thanks, Anonymous, but I think I'll stay - if only because you don't want me to. How you you FEEL about THAT? Does someone need to ask me something for me to be permitted to speak? Aren't I allowed to express myself? Or is it just that I can express my feelings so long as they jibe with yours? I'm being disenfranchised here. Nobody asked YOU, did they? Have you taken it upon yourself to create some rules for this page concerning who is welcome and who is not? Should I do the same? Do you object to something I wrote? If you do, why don't you let me know what it is - c'mon! Share your feelings! Your intentions! Your heartfelt, righteous, pc agenda! Share! I have the guts to listen to what other people have to say and when it conflicts with what I have to say I also have the guts to not tell them to shut up and leave the room. I would ask if you do as well, but you have already pretty much answered that question. I suspect that the goal of this blog is to help anyone who is interested to find a way toward greater understanding; kindergarten-style social ejectment does not help anyone toward anything useful. I welcome your presence on this blog, but let's try some meaningful discourse.
Kim Said: "that the goal of this blog is to help anyone who is interested to find a way toward greater understanding.."
We agree. I attempted to use irony to make bold the point that you were a breath of fresh air on a pc site. As our heroine says in "Something About Mary": I was just funning you !"
Clearly, I crossed the line from irony into sarcasm. Fact is that we are completely of a mind. I agree wholehartedly with your tone and content.
We share the quest for greater understanding. But I want to use this site to drag a few along with us toward enlightenment !
No harm, no foul ?
Thanks, Anonymous, for your response. I will work on my sense of humor.
not sure why everyone continues to respond to this first posting and not to any others. Flattered though I am to have anonymous call this a PC site, I'd say it all depends on whose ox is being gored...or not gored. Anonymous chooses to remain in the shadows, like a sniper.
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