The Random Comic Strip

The Random Comic Strip

Words to live by...

"How beautiful it is to do nothing, and to rest afterward."

[Spanish Proverb]

Ius luxuriae publice datum est

(The right to looseness has been officially given)

"Everyone carries a part of society on his shoulders," wrote Ludwig von Mises, "no one is relieved of his share of responsibility by others. And no one can find a safe way for himself if society is sweeping towards destruction. Therefore everyone, in his own interest, must thrust himself vigorously into the intellectual battle."

Apparently, the crossword puzzle that disappeared from the blog, came back.


Saturday, November 12, 2011

Dirty tricks and politics as usual


I have been paying a small amount of attention to the Republican nomination race. Not a lot of attention, just around the edges. I read a little bit here, listen a little bit there, watch some another place. I see some things going on that I've seen before, in other campaign periods. Dirty tricks. A fine tradition in politics all over the world. Smear your opponent(s), doesn't matter if true or false as long as it is something that will offend voters.

For my generation, Nixon epitomized the phenomenon. Especially in the 1972 election. Nixon's Committee to Re-Elect the President (producing an acronym pronounced "creep", I kid you not) had a squad of people actively engaged in finding ways to destroy potential rivals and then implementing them. It didn't start after the primaries were over and the nominees were determined. It started with the primaries and played a part in who would be the nominees. Of course, the only primaries that mattered were the Democratic ones since Nixon was not going to be challenged by anyone in his own party.

In the end, Nixon faced George McGovern. McGovern was a staunch opponent of the Vietnam War. But he was also extremely liberal. Nixon was also opposed to the war and was supposedly trying to complete his plan
(never explained) to end the war that he ran on in 1968. A lot of people died for that plan. A lot more were hurt very badly. As was the country.

What we are seeing today is very similar. We have an unpopular war (two, actually), we have protesters in the streets, we have a president who wants to be re-elected, and we have a primary race where candidates are being slandered; where the truth of the allegations are second to the fact that they exist.

History repeating itself?

Read Ann Coulter's column...

Addendum: The Scandal No One's Talking About

4 comments:

FTell001 said...

I must pass on reading or listening to anything Ann Coulter has to say..and again on any article by Faux News...;-)

Douglas4517 said...

If you limit your news sources, you limit your thinking. Never a good thing. The Coulter piece is pure opinion; you are entitled to agree or disagree with it. The Fox News article is also opinion but relates facts about which you may be unaware. The facts are easily discerned and easily checked. Ignoring either is closing your eyes and letting yourself be led by one side in an argument. I read as much as I can from all across the spectrum. Especially when it comes to politics.

Sightings said...

I agree you can't limit your news sources, because so many so-called reporters and commentators ARE former (or perhaps even current) political operatives. Why news organizations hire these people is beyond me.

If you're a Democrat, you really should watch FOX News or read the Wall Street Journal, because otherwise you are getting a distorted view of the world. If you're a Republican you'd better read the NY Times or Washington Post, or else you will be ignorant of how the world really works.

FTell001 said...

My husband is of the same opinion as you. He wants to know what "they" are saying. I'm appalled by what "they" spout..and would rather not hear the trash. The hubby is a news hound..and is constantly scannin the channels.