Reply #16: Of course I won't [View All]

[Febble]

but thanks for agreeing that classifying was what you were doing.

I have no idea why you would decide to trust or not trust someone on the basis of how conclusive, after 2 years study, they think the evidence is. Frankly, I tend to have more trust those who are cautious in their judgements than in those who are over-confident. In my experience, people are prone to error, and admitting the possibility of error is a good starting place. But whatever floats your boat.

Actually, I don't really mind whether you "believe" me or not. I don't offer my conclusions as something to be "believed" or "disbelieved". I'm not in the faith business, I'm in the science business. I offer analyses and provisional conclusions. You can come to your own, as you clearly have. But at least I offered you what I found.

And it would indeed be no big deal, except that you make it so, by repeatedly posting threads that call into question the integrity of those who disagree with you. I don't know why you do it, if it's no big deal.

But I do absolutely share your desire to see the Democrats win. What I don't understand is why disagreeing with you that it is clear that Kerry won in 2004 will stop the Dems winning in future. In fact thinking that Kerry won in 2004 if he didn't might well stop the Dems winning in future if it makes them think that it isn't worth voting. And it may also stop them winning in 2008 if they think that someone like Kerry was a good enough candidate. He wasn't, frankly, though I quite liked what I saw of the guy, and I dearly wish he was your president.

And yes, people died for your democracy, as they died for mine. And your democracy matters not only to you guys but the whole world. Your president is the most powerful man on earth. It's why I am so appalled at the dreadful state your democratic process is in. The fact that we are even having this debate, two years after the election, is a testament to the parlous state of your democracy.

But none of that has anything to do with whether I think that Kerry won more votes than Bush. I don't happen to think he did. It doesn't make the election fair, or square, and it doesn't make Bush a good president. I think we are both on the same side of that particular line.

Peace.