I popped a gasket a short while ago

[whosinpower]

After reading a post here on DU. I countered with my own "open Letter" and a fellow poster asked me to start a new thread.

So - here is my statement -


I am a wacko liberal who feels that things like freedom mean more than the right for corporations to take over other nations services, cultures and resources.
I am a wacko liberal who DOES wish for peace - damn straight!
I am a wacko liberal who thinks that society should work to the betterment of everyone - not just a privilaged few.
I am a wacko liberal who thinks that healthcare should be accessable to everyone REGARDLESS of their age, race, gender, religion or income.
I am a wacko liberal who believes that every vote should be counted and accounted for with a paper trail.
I am a wacko liberal who thinks that government is accountable to us - THE PEOPLE - and not the other way around.
I am a wacko liberal that thinks that government is in place for the betterment of WE THE PEOPLE - not we the corporations.

What do YOU believe in? What makes you a wacko liberal?

There is one other thing I'd add to my statement -

I am a wacko liberal who feels education should be accessable to everyone, regardless of their age, gender, race, religion or income.
Call me crazy - but I like to think that taxpayers money should be spent on bettering the quality of life for everyone - not buying weapons, bombs and tools of death.

[eleny]

1. A woman's right to choose a safe and legal abortion

[Just Me]

69. Intervention: normal, healthy human beings want to help others.

There is nothing "wacko liberal" about compassion or gratitude or graciousness or tolerance or empathy. Such traits reflect healthy, caring human beings.

All those who attack such beautiful aspects of the best of humanity are the "wackos", the diseased and sick pieces of human existence.

[motely36]

2. I agree with all of your statements

I also believe that education through college should be free.

I also believe government should get out of the marriage business and allow civil unions for everyone.

[noamnety]

12. maybe churches should get out of the marriage business

since it started as a secular contract. ;)

(or, you know, they could do their own thing and not worry about what happens outside their church)

[AllyCat]

76. I think STATES should get out of the marriage business

There is absolutely no reason why the government should have ANY SAY AT ALL with my marriage to another person of my choosing as long as I am:

An adult
A human
Not incapacitated

While I don't agree with it, I really don't think it should matter if someone has more than one wife or husband. And I do agree that same-sex marriage should be completely okay. Churches can be in the marriage business. States can be in the legal contract business.

[noamnety]

81. That's what a marriage IS

a legal contract.

It's the name given to a legal contract between two people that decide to spend their lives together. That's the origin of marriage.

Churches got involved because typically the village priest was the only guy in town who could read and write, so he was the guy that started writing marriage contracts when the legal system got formal enough that people started wanting written contracts.

Historically a marriage is a LEGAL CONTRACT BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE. To say states shouldn't be involved in marriage because they should only be in the business of legal contracts is absurd.

It's like saying we should allow enclosed motorized devices that carry people around on our highways, but not cars.

[AllyCat]

82. Not absurd

The state can recognize the legal contract of marriage. Churches, many of whom are spouting the one man-one woman crapola are trying to define what that contract is going to be. So my thought is that if the church wants to limit who I marry, then that's fine, I'll leave that church and find something more sensible. But the state defines the legal contract between two people and cannot make a distinction about who those people happen to be as long as they are adults and enter contract willingly.

[noamnety]

84. Why let the church redefine marriage?

Historically marriage has included gay marriage. In China, Japan, Africa, Europe, America, etc.

Why do they get to redefine a secular contract, and start dictating the rules on it? Why would we allow them to?

[AllyCat]

87. Why? Because they are a church and can form their own belief

system if they want. I don't agree with most of them. But they can believe what they want. If they want to have a spiritual ceremony that allows one kind of marriage, but not another, welcome new babies into the church, rites of passage for their adolescents, that is their choice.

They define NOTHING, nada, not one little thing regarding state legal contracts, marriage or otherwise.

Frankly, this is a separation of church and state issue in my mind. The churches can define marriage however they want. It should have no bearing on what the state allows as a legal contract. If the state feels they need a legal contract in order to figure out taxation, insurance, and whatnot when two humans choose to live together in a committed relationship, then marriage should be a legal contract allowing for civil unions or whatever.

The state should not recognize church marriage and shape their contracts to match the churches' ceremonies.

[noamnety]

89. Absolutely.

"The churches can define marriage however they want."

of course.

And their definition of marriage is irrelevant to the state definition of marriage. That's my point. They can define it as putting a frog on your head for three days if they like. So what?

They do not have a right to demand that the STATE'S definition of marriage is defined according to their beliefs. The state should NOT reshape marriage to match the church's ceremonies, nor should it have to do away with civil marriages if those don't comply with church doctrine.

Legally, states define marriage, not churches. Churches can perform all the ceremonies they like. At the end of the day, the thing that makes you legally married isn't the frog on your head; it's the legal document you sign at the time of the wedding.

[AllyCat]

93. I think we are arguing the same thing.

Frogs? Well, I like frogs, but they are certainly better in the pond than as a chapeau.

I disagree with the church telling the state what marriage is. The state should not be in the marriage business. It is in the legal contract business.

[in_cog_ni_to]

3. All of the above and the rights of women to choose

what to do with THEIR own body.

War should be a LAST, LAST, LAST resort!

[Name removed]

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[XemaSab]

23. nice one

n/t

[Bluebear]

27. Thank you, thank you. nt

[Name removed]

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[Bluebear]

60. So the 3 kids you are watching, does that include the daughter in Guard?

We need the family tree here.

[greenbriar]

90. dang it

I always miss the fun

[Just Me]

30. *LOL* way big whoopsie,...

:rofl:

I bought it, too!!! UGH!!!

[Bluebear]

35. Someone's banging their head on their keyboard

Damn damn damn damn damn, overstated my case. Must check my fictitious dossier before posting in haste! Damn!

[Just Me]

50. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

:rofl:

[motely36]

21. I don't hate you

I just don't agree with you.

I will pray for your wife that she is safe. I just don't believe she should have to be there.

I hope she comes home soon.

[Just Me]

25. You believe "politics" is a reason to hate.

You don't help your wife in such a belief. So, don't throw her life out there to justify your hatred. To do so diminishes her life and yours.

[Name removed]

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[XemaSab]

36. Way to spell illiterate.

n/t

[Just Me]

58. Okay. Now, let's get back to the life of your wife.

She is apparently in the MOST dangerous positions of service and you must know that.

[Bluebear]

26. If your wife is fighting in Iraq why do you advertise as a "bachelor"??

What kind of "family values" is that?

[Name removed]

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[XemaSab]

47. Bachelor:

2 entries found for bachelor.
bach·e·lor ( P ) Pronunciation Key (bch-lr, bchlr)
n.

An unmarried man.

A person who has completed the undergraduate curriculum of a college or university and holds a bachelor's degree.

A male animal that does not mate during the breeding season, especially a young male fur seal kept from the breeding territory by older males.

A young knight in the service of another knight in feudal times.

[Bluebear]

53. Wow.

Talk about nitpicking. Besides, he supports his "wife". He bought a Toby Keith CD and a yellow ribbon magnet for his truck.

[Name removed]

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[cornermouse]

68. No he doesn't.

His wife joined for money, because he wouldn't go out and get a job.

[Name removed]

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[EstimatedProphet]

64. No more of this

You have been weighed
You have been measured
And you have been found wanting. Begone.

[ret5hd]

28. yeah, pretty much...read the rules of this forum, then PISS OFF

[Name removed]

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[LSK]

46. mkay??

What are you ? Eric CArtman??? Grow up.

[motely36]

51. I haveno problem with debate

The problem is that the rules for this forum say that it is for Democrats and Progressives. If you are not, then you don't belong her.

And I do hope your wife comes home soon and safely

[Jara sang]

42. It is a shame that your wife is over there fighting.

But get this straight, I didn't ask her to go over there. I wish that she could be back here where she belongs. Unfortunately, she is there to secure oilfields for Cheney and Bush to line their pockets with even more dough. You can support her by getting those two out of D.C.

[Name removed]

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[Just Me]

55. You must be very frightened for her life.

She is serving the most dangerous job.

Why would you sign on as a bachelor if you care about either her or our troops?

What's up with that?

[Name removed]

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[Bluebear]

66. Does she have a purple heart?

Careful, Republicans make fun of those people!

[Jara sang]

59. So she isn't part of the Joint Task Force?

Coalition of the willing and all that? Oh and if you don't think we are over there securing oilfields for our consumption just read Cheney's energy policy... Oh wait... you can't, he won't let you see it.

[Individualist]

9. Bush lied, thousands died

All who support Bush's war have blood on their hands.

[hippiegranny]

11. educate yourself

then come back

buh-bye

[motely36]

13. to me last means never!

Have a nice visit!

:)

[NYC Liberal]

14. .....no weapons whatsoever.

Oh and MILLIONS of us knew that before the war.

If you didn't, you should have.

[noamnety]

15. well, for starters

if access to inspection sites was being denied by the US (Bolton), that would be a clue it's not a last resort.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

17. was your father a bachelor too?

[Name removed]

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[EstimatedProphet]

32. No, stating Republican talking points that have been disproved

garnishes a vile and hateful response.
If this is the best you have, you've lost already.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

34. You didn't post a differing opinion..you posted RW crap

This is not a board to debate conservatives

[Individualist]

44. You people love to play the victim

:crazy:

[Just Me]

19. If "politics is a hell of a reason to hate someone",...I feel sad for you.

I do.

[goodboy]

22. you are the weakest link

goodbye

[LSK]

37. ummmm

"Multiple attacks on US/British planes over No-Fly zones"

Before or after we started bombing the crap out of Saddam in 2002??

"Denial of access to inspection sites for WMD inspectors"

Not in 2003. He was cooperating more than ever right when we had to go stop the "threat" and "grave danger" of Saddam.

Find the WMD yet?

[Beaverhausen]

38. I 'll address two of your points

we were bombing Iraq daily- that is why they shot at our planes. And that was ramped up in the months before the war. Ever heard of the Downing Street Memo?

The WMD inspectors were not denied access - the problem is they didn't find anything.

[LSK]

40. 17 UN Resolutions

Ok, cite them.

When were they passed, when did Saddam break them, what did they say would happen if Saddam broke them???

[ksilvas]

48. What's with all the Trolls today? Desperate for the truth I suppose.

[sasquatch]

52. Their master Karl Rove is going down and taking them with him

If this was football they'd be in the 2:00 minute drill phase of the game.

[eleny]

61. Did you take out the trash today? I did!

[Ladyhawk]

86. Great graphic!!!! n/t

[PA Democrat]

67. About those "No Fly Zones"

Following the Gulf War, no-fly zones were set up north of the 36th parallel to protect Iraq's Kurdish minority and, later, south of the 32nd parallel to protect the country's Shiite Muslims. They were implemented by the United States (under President George H. W. Bush), Great Britain, and France. As justification, the trio of nations cited U.N. Security Council Resolution 688, adopted in 1991 to condemn Iraq's brutal repression of the Kurds and Shiites. The resolution demanded that Iraq cease its "repression of the Iraqi civilian population."

However, the New York Times editorialized at the time that Resolution 688 provided a "dubious justification" for setting up the no-fly zones because it did not authorize the use of force to stop Iraqi abuses. And in 1993, the U.N. legal department announced that it could find no existing Security Council resolutions authorizing the United States, Britain, and France to enforce the no-fly zones. They are never explicitly mentioned in Resolution 688 or elsewhere. Furthermore, Resolution 688 was not enacted under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, the section that is used to authorize and legitimize the use of force.



http://slate.msn.com/id/2074302/

Also, to which sites were UN weapons inspectors denied access when inspections resumed in November, 2002? Can you provide the name of a site (along with a source) to which the inspectors were denied access?

[sagesnow]

72. We need a primer for truly open minded right wingers...

The answers to his questions were:
1. 17 UN Resolution was an open-ended resolution against Iraq from the 1st Iraq war that the Bush II administration conveniently reactivated in order to have an excuse to invade a nonthreatening country. The reason the Bush I administration did not act to remove Hussein was that his advisers including Colin Powell felt it would be a long protracted war that would in the end cost more than US citizens would be willing to bear to oust Hussein in order to win.
2. Most people on the left believe that the US deliberately flew over in the no fly zone in order to provoke war with Iraq so war hawks could fan the flames for war.
3. Scott Ritter and other inspectors believed that there were no appreciable weapons of mass destruction left in Iraq. He said something to the effect that the US had receipts and knew how many weapons that Halliburton had sold Hussein while he was our ally in the US attempt to overthrow Iran.
Inspectors believed that the unaccounted 2-5% of weapons had probably been destroyed by US bombing. Ritter also stated that biological weapons that Iraq had were outdated and inert due to age. If I recall the US weapons inspectors were pulled out by the US for their protection prior to the start of bombing.

I am not a historian and have no database of footnotes..So it would be nice if someone could recommend a good book for truth seeking republicans to read to bring them up to date on how US citizens were hoodwinked into supporting this fraudulent war.

[justinsb]

4. I agree with all of the above so much that I moved to Canada n/t

[Talismom]

63. Best of luck and keep in touch! We need all the help we can get! n/t

[justinsb]

65. Don't worry..I'm 2 hours north of the border

still vote and am in position when the draft comes. :hi:

[zippy890]

5. Science is a good thing

and has great potential to help the human quest for knowledge in so many ways.

If we can cure diseases, then we should try and do that, without influence of any religions.

[MissWaverly]

6. sounds like our manifesto

oh, please, let's have a party platform like this, and not some
republican lite baloney like - let's stay the course in Iraq, let's
continue freedom's march in the Middle East, Let's spend more on the military when almost half of our federal tax dollars are now going for military spending, 1700 out of an average 4000 tax payment goes to the military. (and the money is being squandered in Iraq with
no visible results, it's not to adequately support the troops and it's not to rebuild Baghdad, which is falling apart.)

[noamnety]

10. Here's what I support

Cutting off terrorist funds. Even if they're really good friends. *cough* Saudi Arabia *cough*

Diplomacy.

Renewable Energy as a solution to our energy problems.

Trickle UP not down.

Both preventative and emergency health care that's not tied to your economic status.

Medical decisions being made by doctors and patients, not insurance companies, not congress, not churches.

Environmental accountability. You break it, you fix it or go broke trying.

Keeping religion where it belongs - in churches and in people's hearts.

Equal rights for everyone, even if it pisses off some people that others get the same rights as them.

Not torturing people.

[BamaBecky]

73. Don't forget Poland...Ah....... I mean Pakistan!

[Just Me]

16. You're not a "wacko liberal". You're a caring human being.

'kay? In spite of the "wacko corporacultists" in charge who attack those who hold such fundamental, decent, human dignities,...the vast majority of people, American and otherwise, hold the same value you express in you OP.

So, you are normal and healthy. It's the bastards in charge who are sick.

[Robbien]

43. And regulators should get out of the bedroom and get back to

protecting us from corporate elitist greed.


Great list.

[bear425]

70. Nice post. Glad to see the freep is gone now. n/t

[Lorien]

71. I am a wacko liberal who thinks that clean air, water, a healthy

environment and biodiversity are the birthright of every human being on earth. Our future survival depends on them, and should not be compromised by the greedy, short sighted, and intellectually lazy.

[kineneb]

80. yes!

same here- no environment=no life! duh

[BrklynLiberal]

88. I can't say it any better, so I won't try.

:thumbsup: Thanks Lorien.
:hi:

[bvar22]

74. Bwahahahahah. Boy , you guys are OUT THERE

on the EDGE of the FRINGE. I mean Hard Left Looney Wackos.
:rofl: :rofl::rofl: :rofl::rofl: :rofl::rofl: :rofl:
I bet you all want to see MM's F9-11 and liked it!
Don't you know YOU are hurting the Democratic party!
At least the propagandameisters of the DLC say so.


Here are MY Looney Left Positions:



*Single Payer (Universal) HealthCare

*Criminalizing and enforcing bans on Corporate Money and Influence in Government

*Criminalize Secret Offshore Corporate Bank Accounts

*STRONG LABOR PROTECTIONS

*Protection for American JOBS (No NAFTAs)

*Restrictions on the SIZE and POWER of Corporations

*Fair Competition laws protecting Mom & Pop businesses from the Wal-Marts

*STRONG EFFECTIVE Environmental Protections

*Caps on Corporate Profits (Record Prices and Record Profits shouldn't happen in Democratic Capitalism) That used to be called "market rigging" or gouging.

*Strong Transparent Governmental Regulation of Transportation, Utilities, Insurance, Energy, Banking, Credit, and Investment.

*Individual Protection from Government Intrusion (No Patriot Acts)

*Affordable (Universal?) Education for EVERYONE

*Living Wages

*Childcare for Working Mothers

*Use the Military for DEFENSE ONLY

*Cut Defense Spending by 50% and scrap development of expensive weapon systems that are unnecessary for the World's Only Superpower, and legislate oversight and accountability for Government Spending

*Transparency for Corporate Ownership and Limit Corporations owning other Corporations. If someone OWNS a Corporation doing business in the US, the public has a right to know that.

*Transparency in Corporate Accounting. Books are open for public inspection and published daily on the Internet.. A 10% bounty awarded to ANY individual who uncovers Corporate Fraud

*Deep Reforms of the Corrections System. Privitizing Prisons NOT allowed. The punishment of offenders is a RESPONSIBILITY of the CITIZENS of the US and should be ACCOUNTABLE to the citizens of the US, not some Corporate Board.

*Decriminalize Drugs and Prostitution. Regulate and Tax. Fund treatment

*Alternative Energy a NATIONAL PRIORITY (10 year plan for 50% reduction on foreign oil)

*Blind Draw and Universal access to Legal Representation. Liberty and Justice FOR ALL means the RICH can't buy their way out with fancy corrupt lawyers.



Those are just a few. Am I Looney Yet? I believe that ALL of the above are possible. I don't insist that ALL be implemented immediately. I DO insist that the Party I vote for and send my money to be headed in that direction and NOT away from the above reforms.

[sojourner]

91. ummm..........sorry to tell ya, you are way out there in left looney land!

Good to see ya! :toast:

[bvar22]

92. When Democrats are focused on the issues.....

...instead of the Labels or Candidate loyalty, the overwhelming MAJORITY agree with MOST of the reforms presented in this thread. The MAJORITY of Democrats actually agree with Dennis Kucinich on the issues.
The stuff about the DLC representing the center mainstream of the Democratic Party is total BULLSHIT!

The DLC is the HARD RIGHT FRINGE of the Democratic Party. The DLC just has better professional Corporate Marketers, Packagers, Media Spokespersons, Spinmasters, propagandists, message crafters, talking points, and access to the CorpoMedia.

[Fly by night]

75. states should be able to allow sick/dying citizens to use cannabis.

Fortunately, over 70% of Americans over the age of 45 are "wacko liberals" on this issue also, according to a recent AARP survey.

It's a shame that compassionate liberals and states rights conservatives on our Supreme Court had their heads far up the criminal justice/industrial complex ass when the Raich v. Asswipe/Gonzo-lez case was decided.

[Fly by night]

77. and ex-felons should be able to vote but not program our voting equipment

[Jersey Devil]

78. None of that "wacko" stuff for me

Everything you said sound sensible to me and I agree with all of it. However, under no circumstances could those beliefs be described as "wacko".

[proud patriot]

79. count me in Too

:hug:

[mike_c]

83. (raises hand) proud moonbat liberal checking in....

:hi:

[nashville_brook]

85. it's the pizza guy thing -- for me, being a decent human means

treating other humans with dignity. humans -- not corporations.

Be Cool to the Pizza Delivery Dude
by Sarah Adams

All Things Considered, May 16, 2005 · If I have one operating philosophy about life it is this: "Be cool to the pizza delivery dude; it’s good luck." Four principles guide the pizza dude philosophy.

http://johnsoncity.blogspot.com/2005/05/be-cool-to-pizza-delivery-dude.html

my fave part:
"I am the equal to all I meet because of the kindness in my heart. And it all starts here — with the pizza delivery dude."

[JHB]

94. I haven't been a "pizza dude" for ~10 yrs, but thanks

Best tips: carpenters, plumbers, and other tradesmen (you could tell from the truck in the driveway), and giggly freshmen girls at the college.

Worst tips: spoiled kids in the rich neighborhood who'se parents were out but left them pizza money, and guys at the college who didn't obviously haddn't heard of this newfangled thing called "bathing".

[nashville_brook]

95. as a former waitress, you hit the tip nail on the head

people who understand "work," tip well. those who have never worked for their copious cabbage are the biggest jerks.

you can tell a lot about a person by how they tip. i have ended friendships (in my heart... you know) over restaurant behavior.