Comments on: Guest post by Terry Flew: ‘The last trip to send the family pet to the vet’? http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/ Blogging politics, culture, sociology and life from Brisvegas Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:30:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Howard C http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464895 Howard C Thu, 08 May 2008 05:29:31 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464895 If Hillary waits a little longer, then gets a sweetheart deal to drop out, like being made Senate Majority Leader after November, then she has every chance to be the most powerful Democrat in Washington. Maybe now she knows she cannot lose, that is what she is after. And mark my words: if Iran gets close to developing nuclear weapons, then the US will invade, because it's better than the certain alternative (Israel using nukes on Iran). If Hillary waits a little longer, then gets a sweetheart deal to drop out, like being made Senate Majority Leader after November, then she has every chance to be the most powerful Democrat in Washington. Maybe now she knows she cannot lose, that is what she is after.

And mark my words: if Iran gets close to developing nuclear weapons, then the US will invade, because it’s better than the certain alternative (Israel using nukes on Iran).

]]> By: Paul Burns http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464854 Paul Burns Thu, 08 May 2008 02:07:03 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464854 Kim/Anna, Two of my uncomplementary comments could equally apply to men. Hillary is frightening. Any US Presidential candidate willing to nuke Iran is scary, regardless of gender. I apologise to both of you for the second comment listed by Kim at 25, and, indeed to anyone else offended by it, because that was going far.But I do truly believe Hillary Clinton would make a very bad President and I'd believe that if she was a bloke spouting the same garbage. In terms of the delegate count, as I understand it, Obama is peeling away super delegates like crazy, and is certain to be the candidate. The only thing that can help Hillary (since she's also running out of money for campaigfning) would be if the Democratic Party was to recognise delegates from Michigan and Florida, which from all accounts I've read won't happen til he end of the month and is very unlikely. All Hillary will achieve by staying in the race to the end is a Republican Presidency under McCain and a split Democratic Party that could take years to heal = more bloody Republican Presidents, God help us! Kim/Anna,
Two of my uncomplementary comments could equally apply to men. Hillary is frightening. Any US Presidential candidate willing to nuke Iran is scary, regardless of gender. I apologise to both of you for the second comment listed by Kim at 25, and, indeed to anyone else offended by it, because that was going far.But I do truly believe Hillary Clinton would make a very bad President and I’d believe that if she was a bloke spouting the same garbage.
In terms of the delegate count, as I understand it, Obama is peeling away super delegates like crazy, and is certain to be the candidate. The only thing that can help Hillary (since she’s also running out of money for campaigfning) would be if the Democratic Party was to recognise delegates from Michigan and Florida, which from all accounts I’ve read won’t happen til he end of the month and is very unlikely.
All Hillary will achieve by staying in the race to the end is a Republican Presidency under McCain and a split Democratic Party that could take years to heal = more bloody Republican Presidents, God help us!

]]> By: Jenny http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464782 Jenny Thu, 08 May 2008 00:05:33 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464782 I'm no fan of Hilary - as far as I'm concerned, anybody that voted for the Iraq war sholuld be disqualified from any office requiring judgment or common decency. But I suspect that her continued candidancy is invaluable for Obama since by the time the real election starts most of the mud will already have been slung and is going to seem very old and stale. I’m no fan of Hilary - as far as I’m concerned, anybody that voted for the Iraq war sholuld be disqualified from any office requiring judgment or common decency. But I suspect that her continued candidancy is invaluable for Obama since by the time the real election starts most of the mud will already have been slung and is going to seem very old and stale.

]]> By: Kim http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464773 Kim Wed, 07 May 2008 23:51:36 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464773 <blockquote>I hope that my comments on Hillary Clinton weren’t coming across as misogynistic.</blockquote> Not at all, Terry! No one's saying anyone has to like Hillary, or vote for her. Or not analyse what she's up to. Just that attacking her with vehement language which replicates and picks up on some of the themes used to attack her which were misogynistic is problematic.

I hope that my comments on Hillary Clinton weren’t coming across as misogynistic.

Not at all, Terry! No one’s saying anyone has to like Hillary, or vote for her. Or not analyse what she’s up to. Just that attacking her with vehement language which replicates and picks up on some of the themes used to attack her which were misogynistic is problematic.

]]> By: Howard C http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464769 Howard C Wed, 07 May 2008 23:34:47 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464769 Obama's theme is anti-Washington. Does this remind anyone of a campaign theme in 2000? Not Gore, but Bush. And nothing changed. And the reason nothing changed is because it is really hard to change how Washington works. The only man do to it since World War II was Lyndon Johnson in the Senate in the 1950s, and he was a force of nature. And he did it as Senator, not President. Obama is a great orator, and his speeches are great to hear. But I don't see anything about him that engenders in me a feeling that he can fulfill his vague promises to change the way America works, and the way Washington works. I prefer a little realism from my politicians. Obama’s theme is anti-Washington. Does this remind anyone of a campaign theme in 2000? Not Gore, but Bush. And nothing changed.

And the reason nothing changed is because it is really hard to change how Washington works. The only man do to it since World War II was Lyndon Johnson in the Senate in the 1950s, and he was a force of nature. And he did it as Senator, not President.

Obama is a great orator, and his speeches are great to hear. But I don’t see anything about him that engenders in me a feeling that he can fulfill his vague promises to change the way America works, and the way Washington works. I prefer a little realism from my politicians.

]]> By: Terry http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464733 Terry Wed, 07 May 2008 19:27:52 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464733 I hope that my comments on Hillary Clinton weren't coming across as misogynistic. I think it would be great to have a female Presidential candidate in the U.S. election. The problem is that the majority of Democrat voters clearly don't support Hilary Clinton and the policies that she has. And its not changing. Between the Indiana and North Carolina counts, the vote was 55-45 to Obama. Also, Hillary Clinton only won by 15,000 votes (out of 1.3 million) in a conservative state that is 94% white. So it isn't a race-based vote since somewhere close to 50% of white Democrat voters are supporting Obama. Given that an unknown number of voters in Indiana were Republicans voting for Hillary as part of Rush Limbaugh's 'Operation Chaos' (oh, irony!), it would seem at least to me to be time for Hillary to graciously concede and offer to help Obama for the good of the party. The fact is also that this is a campaign of The Clintons, not just Hillary, with all that this entails. It now appears that $6.4 million of the $10 million raised after the Pennsylvania primary came from their own account books. How Obama will go in November is another question. Will he be the first black President in the U.S. since Dennis Haysbert in 24? We'll see. I hope that my comments on Hillary Clinton weren’t coming across as misogynistic. I think it would be great to have a female Presidential candidate in the U.S. election.

The problem is that the majority of Democrat voters clearly don’t support Hilary Clinton and the policies that she has. And its not changing. Between the Indiana and North Carolina counts, the vote was 55-45 to Obama.

Also, Hillary Clinton only won by 15,000 votes (out of 1.3 million) in a conservative state that is 94% white. So it isn’t a race-based vote since somewhere close to 50% of white Democrat voters are supporting Obama. Given that an unknown number of voters in Indiana were Republicans voting for Hillary as part of Rush Limbaugh’s ‘Operation Chaos’ (oh, irony!), it would seem at least to me to be time for Hillary to graciously concede and offer to help Obama for the good of the party.

The fact is also that this is a campaign of The Clintons, not just Hillary, with all that this entails. It now appears that $6.4 million of the $10 million raised after the Pennsylvania primary came from their own account books.

How Obama will go in November is another question. Will he be the first black President in the U.S. since Dennis Haysbert in 24? We’ll see.

]]> By: Kim http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464706 Kim Wed, 07 May 2008 14:45:38 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464706 Well, EC, with the Aussie dollar about to equal the greenback, I could buy a few decent pirate hats to through into the ring! Well, EC, with the Aussie dollar about to equal the greenback, I could buy a few decent pirate hats to through into the ring!

]]> By: Enemy Combatant http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464705 Enemy Combatant Wed, 07 May 2008 14:44:19 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464705 Indeed, Kim, the more redoubts the GOP have to defend, the more thinly their resources will be spread. Not entirely dissimilar to El Rodente's doomed plight of having to defend Maxine's formidable challenge in Bennelong while simultaneously being compelled to schlep his weary old bones around the length and breadth of OZ. And we had a comparitively sort campaign. Bet your bestest pirate hat that over the next six months The Kid will work McBomb-Bomb all over the court. Indeed, Kim, the more redoubts the GOP have to defend, the more thinly their resources will be spread. Not entirely dissimilar to El Rodente’s doomed plight of having to defend Maxine’s formidable challenge in Bennelong while simultaneously being compelled to schlep his weary old bones around the length and breadth of OZ. And we had a comparitively sort campaign.
Bet your bestest pirate hat that over the next six months The Kid will work McBomb-Bomb all over the court.

]]> By: Maggie http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464700 Maggie Wed, 07 May 2008 14:29:45 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464700 I am both a woman and not a Hilary supporter and have been pretty appalled by some of her tactics in smearing Obama, I am also completely opposed to the continuation of the Clinton family in power - under Bill poverty and social justice were marginalised and workers denied increases to the minimum wage. I do not want a two for one deal if we have to get the pathetic "I did not have sex with that women" sexual miscreant back into a positon where he can continue and be validated for the abuse of power he perpetrated and by default Hilary supported by staying with him. I am both a woman and not a Hilary supporter and have been pretty appalled by some of her tactics in smearing Obama, I am also completely opposed to the continuation of the Clinton family in power - under Bill poverty and social justice were marginalised and workers denied increases to the minimum wage. I do not want a two for one deal if we have to get the pathetic “I did not have sex with that women” sexual miscreant back into a positon where he can continue and be validated for the abuse of power he perpetrated and by default Hilary supported by staying with him.

]]> By: Anna Winter http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464694 Anna Winter Wed, 07 May 2008 14:08:24 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464694 Yes Kim, that is what I was referring to. "...since she hasn’t got the numbers..." Neither of them do. If your view was such common sense, people would have stopped voting for Clinton in order to ensure that Obabma got enough delegates not to need any superdelegates. They're still voting for her. Are they all power-hungry bitches too? Are they threatening Obama's ascendency? Yes Kim, that is what I was referring to.

“…since she hasn’t got the numbers…”
Neither of them do.

If your view was such common sense, people would have stopped voting for Clinton in order to ensure that Obabma got enough delegates not to need any superdelegates. They’re still voting for her. Are they all power-hungry bitches too? Are they threatening Obama’s ascendency?

]]> By: Kim http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464686 Kim Wed, 07 May 2008 14:03:15 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464686 EC, sure, but it's a good thing if the vote is also energised in states that are safer for the GOP. Remember turnout will be all important everywhere. EC, sure, but it’s a good thing if the vote is also energised in states that are safer for the GOP. Remember turnout will be all important everywhere.

]]> By: Kim http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464684 Kim Wed, 07 May 2008 14:02:20 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464684 Paul, I suspect what Anna is unhappy about is this: <blockquote>overweaning ambition</blockquote> <blockquote>mindless unmitigated bitchiness</blockquote> <blockquote>The woman is frightening</blockquote> <blockquote>lust for power</blockquote> Most of the specifically misogynistic criticism of Hillary (and there's been tons of it) focuses on her unwomanly desire to reach for the top, and I think the sort of language you're using is playing into that. Paul, I suspect what Anna is unhappy about is this:

overweaning ambition

mindless unmitigated bitchiness

The woman is frightening

lust for power

Most of the specifically misogynistic criticism of Hillary (and there’s been tons of it) focuses on her unwomanly desire to reach for the top, and I think the sort of language you’re using is playing into that.

]]> By: Enemy Combatant http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464681 Enemy Combatant Wed, 07 May 2008 13:59:56 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464681 Fair enough, Kim, I meant that in swing states generally the Dem base has been "energised ....significantly" but wasn't specific. Voters in all states have been watch Obi hang tough throughout this long nomination slugfest. Terry's qualifies Ia and NC, so point taken. BHO would be hard pressed to take Ia from the GOP in Nov, but as Jonathan Alter from the conservative Newsweek says: “Last week, not a soul in politics would have predicted that Obama would win North Carolina by 14 points and virtually tie in Indiana. But through a combination of luck and smarts, the campaign ended on the theme that Obama ran on: Old politics vs. new politics……. http://www.newsweek.com/id/135832 So, yep, Ia certainly is a tall order, but it's by no means out of Dem reach in November. Fair enough, Kim, I meant that in swing states generally the Dem base has been “energised ….significantly” but wasn’t specific. Voters in all states have been watch Obi hang tough throughout this long nomination slugfest. Terry’s qualifies Ia and NC, so point taken. BHO would be hard pressed to take Ia from the GOP in Nov, but as Jonathan Alter from the conservative Newsweek says:

“Last week, not a soul in politics would have predicted that Obama would win North Carolina by 14 points and virtually tie in Indiana. But through a combination of luck and smarts, the campaign ended on the theme that Obama ran on: Old politics vs. new politics…….
[link]

So, yep, Ia certainly is a tall order, but it’s by no means out of Dem reach in November.

]]> By: Paul Burns http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464676 Paul Burns Wed, 07 May 2008 13:45:38 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464676 Anna W, Not a Hillary fan and never really have been. Dislike the fact the fact she hasn't gracefully conceded defeat, since she hasn't got the numbers and is perhaps just weakening Obama's run for the presidency. Its got nothing to do with progressive thought and everything to do with counting delegates. Anna W,
Not a Hillary fan and never really have been. Dislike the fact the fact she hasn’t gracefully conceded defeat, since she hasn’t got the numbers and is perhaps just weakening Obama’s run for the presidency. Its got nothing to do with progressive thought and everything to do with counting delegates.

]]> By: wbb http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464673 wbb Wed, 07 May 2008 13:41:40 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464673 Yes, I think Paul Burns may have drunk just a little too much zeitgeist there, Anna. Yes, I think Paul Burns may have drunk just a little too much zeitgeist there, Anna.

]]> By: Kim http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464671 Kim Wed, 07 May 2008 13:39:33 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464671 Anna, I was an *unenthusiastic* Hillary backer for a long time, longer than I really wanted to be when she started in on the sorts of crap that Terry's talking about. It should have been possible to appeal to the demographics she was targeting without going postal on the negatives, and turning into an ersatz Republican. So am not any more. But I agree with you that there's a real problem with the whole "she has no right to keep running" thing. Anna, I was an *unenthusiastic* Hillary backer for a long time, longer than I really wanted to be when she started in on the sorts of crap that Terry’s talking about. It should have been possible to appeal to the demographics she was targeting without going postal on the negatives, and turning into an ersatz Republican. So am not any more.

But I agree with you that there’s a real problem with the whole “she has no right to keep running” thing.

]]> By: wbb http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464669 wbb Wed, 07 May 2008 13:35:15 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464669 Still don't see how the Rev Wright thing doesn't just sink Obama straight to the bottom once the campaign goes live, me. (But I'm taking the $2.00 anyway out of hope.) Still don’t see how the Rev Wright thing doesn’t just sink Obama straight to the bottom once the campaign goes live, me. (But I’m taking the $2.00 anyway out of hope.)

]]> By: Anna Winter http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464667 Anna Winter Wed, 07 May 2008 13:35:10 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464667 Paul Burns, is that what passes for progressive thought where you live? Why on earth would anyone be in the primaries if they <em>didn't</em> want to win? I suppose democracy <em>would</em> be easier if only one person put their hand up for every position though. Paul Burns, is that what passes for progressive thought where you live? Why on earth would anyone be in the primaries if they didn’t want to win? I suppose democracy would be easier if only one person put their hand up for every position though.

]]> By: Kim http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464666 Kim Wed, 07 May 2008 13:32:36 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464666 Heh! Remember his famous shopping expedition in Bagdhad? Heh!

Remember his famous shopping expedition in Bagdhad?

]]> By: Nabakov http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464665 Nabakov Wed, 07 May 2008 13:32:00 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/07/guest-post-by-terry-flew-the-last-trip-to-send-the-family-pet-to-the-vet/#comment-464665 "Providing he has to drive round Baghdad in his bloody bus!" The Straight Shot Express? “Providing he has to drive round Baghdad in his bloody bus!”

The Straight Shot Express?

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