The pulse of America-My breakfast from hell

[bjfinste]

It is ironic, at least to me, that you'll keep quiet then, yet later you post the scenario on the internet and then comment.

That's part of the reason I like the GD forum here. I've learned long ago not to bring stuff like that up in person, but a forum like this gives an outlet to vent. The worst thing that's going to happen in here is someone might call me a liberal fag or something, or I'll call someone an idiot hick. Not really a big deal. It surely beats the alternative of getting into a tense confrontation with a stranger over something neither side will change their minds about, and risking it escalating to physical violence.

 

[Chain Saw]

I think you'all are missing a major point in your discussion about the South and its stereotypes. Kosar lives in or near Miami, Florida. Gentlemen, that is not the South. I bet you can't even get sweet tea at that delux eating establishment he went to.

In the future, please refrain from calling any part of Florida as the South(except for maybe the panhandle area).

 

[Chanman]

Sorry if I was taken as offensive. My fiirst impression was that we always seem to try to look@ the other person's perspective and critique ourselves especially when it is someone foreign to us. Now I have alot of respect fror all on this board, especially Kosar. My thoughts were that BO was probably an uneducated, paycheck by paycheck working class hero who blamed those different from himself as a cause for his troubles. Not unlike the Muslim Extremists most would say we have to try to understand and see their views or rationale for hating the US. I've ran into the same sort here in Cali and overseas, (Mexican, Korean, Thai, Filipeno, etc.). What if he was a Cubano, Mexican or Black? Don't think you'd be dedicating an article to the run-in or opining his political party.

My wife is Thai and most ppl think she was a bargirl or worked in the Rub-Rub Industry. (WTF my folks like her better than me). Anyway I run into this alot and not just from the White Trash. Push comes to shove though I don't think BO would be beheading any Arabs for his religion. I think gardenweasel was thinking along the same line of thought. Maybe I'm way off base here and if so I apologize. By the way BJfinste, you make an excellent point. I don't think confrontations are the answer either. Best to you... :thumb:

I don't have the answers, but I get alot of ? answered on this board. Thanx to all.

P.S.- Who knows, maybe you were sitting next to the real Michael Moore? *rimshot coutesy of gardenweasel*

 

[kosar]

I think you'all are missing a major point in your discussion about the South and its stereotypes. Kosar lives in or near Miami, Florida. Gentlemen, that is not the South. I bet you can't even get sweet tea at that delux eating establishment he went to.

In the future, please refrain from calling any part of Florida as the South(except for maybe the panhandle area).

Chainsaw,

Yes and no. You're correct that Miami etal should not be considered the 'south'. I don't live near Miami, but that's beside the point. I live in Fort Myers and that's not the south either. But a lot more than the panhandle would, or should, be considered the south. Anything north in any direction of Orlando. Anything due south of Orlando all the way to the bottom of the state. Most of the state, at least land square acre wise, if not population %, is quite 'southish'. Pretty much everything except Orlando, the west coast from Tampa down and the East coast from Cape Canaveral down is quite 'southy'.

 

[Chain Saw]

You're right about Orlando. My whole family lives there(except for me) I hate the place. Remember years ago when we lived in Cocoa Beach, I drove over to Orlando to see what it was like. What a dump it was. This was pre Mickey you understand.

I mentioned the panhandle area only because of the people I've met from there. Hardscrabble country men and women. They work hard, play hard and if you ain't from around there you best keep your mouth shut until spoken to.

Anyhow, on to your little story about your dining neighbors. I don't think these two are the republican base. They're obviously members of a union. That puts them back on your side where they belong.

 

[kosar]

I mentioned the panhandle area only because of the people I've met from there. Hardscrabble country men and women. They work hard, play hard and if you ain't from around there you best keep your mouth shut until spoken to.

Anyhow, on to your little story about your dining neighbors. I don't think these two are the republican base. They're obviously members of a union. That puts them back on your side where they belong.

Oh yeah, the panhandle for sure. But people don't realize that a large part of the state is like the panhandle. Not saying that's bad, but not everything here is condos and Mickey Mouse and the ocean and the gulf. That's just what all the tourists see, and therefore talk about. A large part of the Florida population would fit right in in Birmingham. That's not bad, I love the deep south, but i'm just saying.

I dunno, man. When BO guy said that 'Ashcroft rocks' and that this admin is 'way too liberal', I really have to wonder what side they fall on. Ok, he didn't say those things, but i'm just saying.

 

[Nosigar]

lol- hey, I don't disagree that given a choice between everybody speaking English or 25% speaking English, i'll take the former.

Honestly, that's why I would never live in Dade county. But it was funny(?) the way these guys expressed it.

The Miami airport is the single biggest hellhole of any airport in America. I HATE that place and I will do anything to avoid it. Partially because of some of the aforementioned thoughts, but also for a ton of other reasons.

You don't have to go all the way up to Palm Beach, though. Maybe to Hallandale. But then you'd run into the huge flock of French-Canadians running around in their speedos. That's enough to send anyone flying back to Liberty City.

Yeah, Dade county (now Miami-Dade) is like the twilight zone. It is so weird. Hell, most S. Florida is. And I can gurantee that S. Florida is not "South". Actually northern Florida is called South Georgia by many down here.
In Dade you can be driving along quietly and all of a sudden find yourself in the middle of a third world latin town. You'd think you were drugged and kidnapped and let go in some town in Colombia or Peru, Cuba, etc. Not only the spanish, but the whole environment, old smoking cars, cars triple parked on the street, ugly painted drugstores and coffee shops and cars honking their horns to the tune of "La Cucaracha".
I don't live in Dade but did for many years and go down there almost daily. i don't mind the spanish so much as the fact that most clerks and attendants will automatically address you in spanish as if you had to know their language. Since I do look kinda rednecky sometimes I'll get a "Halo - cang eye hellp ju". And even the english speaking people, born and raised and educated here, have a whacky accent.

The problem with the beach areas are not only the french canadian, it's the transplanted New Yorkers who honestly believe they own the damn place. I honestly prefer the spanish folks, at least I can understand them, I've got a problem understanding hebrew.

 

[kosar]

Sorry if I was taken as offensive.

My thoughts were that BO was probably an uneducated, paycheck by paycheck working class hero who blamed those different from himself as a cause for his troubles.

I think gardenweasel was thinking along the same line of thought.

It wasn't taken as offensive at all, man.

My thoughts are that BO sounded a lot like some people on this board who want to nuke Iraq every time another head gets lopped off.

I think gardenweasel was cranky and hungover after the July 4th festivities.

 

[kosar]

The problem with the beach areas are not only the french canadian, it's the transplanted New Yorkers who honestly believe they own the damn place.

I lived in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton for 6 years. Don't even get me started on *that*.

 

[Nolan Dalla]

I think Kosar's point was to illustrate George W. Bush's political base -- rural, lower middle class simpletons who think in one-dimensional terms. I too, have heard exchanges much like this -- some involving the use of nuclear weapons (e.g. "Let's drop an H-bomb on all those towel heads and all of America's problems will be solved").

I certainly do think a case can be made to vote for George W. Bush that has merit. Some pro-Bush supporters here at this forum have made valid points. The most convincing of all, in my view, is that the alternative is named "John Kerry." Could the Democrats have possibly nominated a worse Presidential candidate?

I plan on voting for Kerry, despite numerous concerns and misgivings about this man and his political beliefs. I'm not sure there is any course of events that would allow me to vote for the incumbent Presdient. We are very well on a path to Armedgeddon with this Adminstration, and four more years of this insane foreign policy could leave the United States in serious peril beyond just a few acts of terrorism.

What these political discussions reveal should be of grave concern to those who support George W. Bush. This group, for the most part, is comprised of middle-class white males who supposedly consistitute the President's largest voting block. By my estimate, the numbers are running more anit-Bush than pro-Bush at this forum, which can be taken two ways: Either pro-Bush forces are a silent majority, or (more probable) there is an intense level of anger against Adminstration that comes from average Americans -- so much so that the President's re-election chances are in serious jeopardy.

In my 25 or so years of political involvement, I do not ever recall being as emotional and determined to defeat a candidate as I am against George W. Bush. This change of attitude is from someone who voted for Ronald Reagan twice, and worked as a volunteer for several Republican candidates back in the 1980s.

I hope these discussions can continue on a respectful level, without name calling and insults. I will say that while I believe George W. Bush's political base generally lacks intelligence, it does not mean that EVERY pro-Bush voter is dumb. Misguided and misinformed -- yes. Dumb -- no.

-- Nolan Dalla

 

[Eddie Haskell]

Nolan:

Very nice piece. I am a reformed republican. That does not mean I'm a democrat. I agree that Bush's base (in addition to the "haves" and the "have mores" from the movie) is your basic middle class white male, somewhat short on brain cells, who has trouble initiating an independent thought. However, I would add to that a certain element of our society that I feel is increasing in number and too me, threatens the very fabric of this soceity and country.

That element is the upper middle class white male who IS aware of the evil done by this administration yet condones the same as his personal greed trumps the overall good. Although I do not know the economic status of many on this board, I feel that some here fit into this category. Friend of mine, millionaire in-house counsel up in Cleveland told me he was going to vote for Bush based on the amount of money saved in taxes coupled with a fear as to what Kerry will do in that regard.

Regrettably, I place my friend in this category. Knows Bush is bad for the country, yet will vote for him as a Bush reelection will personally benefit him. For those of you on the fence and are concerned that Kerry will double your taxes and Edwards will repeal tort reform, think again. Remember the house and senate are dominated by republicans. Congress passes new taxes and tort reform laws. You don't have anything to worry about (even though most of this crap is republican spin anyway).

If you are satisfied with American foreign policy, then vote for Bush. However, if you are not, then vote for a change. It won't drastically affect your lives, give-aways are not around the bend, the only thing a Kerry win will do is provide a much needed check and balance to a government out of control. Give the white house back to the people and take it from the corporations.

Eddie

 

[Eddie Haskell]

One other point. When I first started posting rationale and reasoned thought on these boards there were very few voices that were also thinking. The board was dominated by neaderthals and minions. Although they still exist here and post daily, like Farenheit 911, it is refreshing, and I might add, encouraging to read posts nowadays from good, honest, fair minded people who are not so arrogant to think that this country can do no wrong.

We can be a better country if we look at the problems, and I mean look at the problems, not pay lip service to them, then work to correct the same. Not blow up everything and everybody who disagrees with us whether by race, custom or religion. Lets find the criminals who bombed our buildings on 9-11 and lets not get distracted due to other concerns already mentioned (ad nauseum) by me and others on this board.

This is the America I live in, not the one headed by the current administration. I want my leader making decisions based on his intelligence, compassion, reason and what is good for this country not making decisions on what his deity is telling him. With that said, God bless America. I would be proud to be an American in the country I described above. If that country can be recaptured, Michael Moores movie would be in the dollar theatres already.

Eddie

 

[IntenseOperator]

In my 25 or so years of political involvement, I do not ever recall being as emotional and determined to defeat a candidate as I am against George W. Bush. This change of attitude is from someone who voted for Ronald Reagan twice, and worked as a volunteer for several Republican candidates back in the 1980s.



-- Nolan Dalla

I believe a lot of what I have heard from political discussions over various airwaves. While you may be correct in Bush's core of support, (not directing this at you) Kerry has just as blind and ignorant support simply based on the fact that they still feel personally violated somehow from the results of an election a few years back. Much of this you can visibly see on this board. There is no issue oriented driven passion, just complete and blind hatred. Moore (and Al Franken to some degree) may be the ultimate culmination of this feeling. I'm not saying the Florida elections where handled totally properly or that the current president is without fault, but Kerry is seriously spineless. I haven't seen someone of his ilke since Carter. Despite the passionate undertones pushing his campaign, unless this Moore movie works real magic, I don't see Kerry having any chance of pulling this off. With all the hits Bush has taken, and the anger against his current administration, Kerry has to bring much more as far as numbers than he has to this point. He hasn't actually brought any substance of his own, spineless and positionless. He has ridden the Bush hatred wave and the Monday morning quarterbacking of Bush's foreign policy. Basing a campaign on these two points and a movie is surely something that can't bring enough energy to last through the finish line IMO.

 

[Eddie Haskell]

IO:

I agree with the way Kerry has handled his campaign so far. At every turn your boy is shooting himself in the foot. As a young lawyer I was taught that if the Judge is going your way, shut up, even if you have a ton of things to say cause 9 times out of 10 you will say something that will hurt your position. I think Kerry is doing the same thing.

The Bush administration has been so inept in its handling of the Iraq war, Kerry doesnt have to say anything yet. However, that can and probably will change. I also liken these campaigns to a fireworks display. We all know Bush will outspend Kerry at least 2 to 1. In a half hour fire works display do you shoot the big rockets first or save them for the finale. You set up the finale with some nice stuff then fire away in September and October.

You just gotta love that little clip of Bush talking about the terrorists and then saying "....now watch this drive." Bob Dole would be better than this guy.

Eddie

 

[gardenweasel]

"I hope these discussions can continue on a respectful level, without name calling and insults".......................and then without skipping a beat...

""""" I will say that while I believe George W. Bush's political base generally lacks intelligence""""", it does not mean that EVERY pro-Bush voter is dumb. Misguided and misinformed -- yes. Dumb -- no.

probably one of the most condescending things ever written on this forum.......that wasn`t written with at least a little humorous intent.......

ohhh nolan.....

george bush`s political base is basicallly the working class....not the college crowd....not the university faculty.....the backbone of this country.......and i don`t think they`re unintelligent...

nolan,you know,i hope,that i like and respect you.....but,this is the type of elitist attitude that just makes you shake your head...

a very subtle insult...i hope everyone that read it understood the intent...

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

Nolan per your statement
"I think Kosar's point was to illustrate George W. Bush's political base -- rural, lower middle class simpletons who think in one-dimensional terms."
Were you supporting this or just making note? While I agree there are those that fit in that catagory I do not think the majority of Bush supporters fit in that catagory.
---and while on the subject what catagory do you think most liberals fit into?
Being a #'s person surely you are aware of the demographics that make up both the conservative and liberal base.

 

[gardenweasel]

it`s pretty sad that a thread that was started by something that was more than likely an incident that was made up out of wholecloth......that was nothing more than a silly,veiled slur at the opposition....an insult that only the politically correct can get away with... .. garnered the volume of response that it did...

well done...

 

[kosar]

it`s pretty sad that a thread that was started by something that was more than likely an incident that was made up out of wholecloth......that was nothing more than a silly,veiled slur at the opposition....an insult that only the politically correct can get away with... .. garnered the volume of response that it did...

well done...

GW,

If you want to play it that way, then you can go f*ck yourself. No offense.

I didn't make it up and it's not a 'silly, veiled slur'.

It is what it is. Of all the things posted here, this thread seems to have gotten your whining, hysterical instincts flying at full mast. You have no comment on what those guys talked about, but you're gonna accuse me of making the situation up? After being the only whiner in the thread?

I don't sit around thinking of stories that I can make up and post at madjacks. I always respect your take on things, even if you're a little shrill. You make sense a lot of times and I respect your posts a lot, but please.

 

[AR182]

""I hope these discussions can continue on a respectful level, without name calling and insults".......................and then without skipping a beat...

""""" I will say that while I believe George W. Bush's political base generally lacks intelligence""""", it does not mean that EVERY pro-Bush voter is dumb. Misguided and misinformed -- yes. Dumb -- no.

probably one of the most condescending things ever written on this forum.......that wasn`t written with at least a little humorous intent....... "


gw, did you expect anything different ?

 

[gardenweasel]

jeez.....i think i`m losing my sense of humor.......time to back off the political forum for awhile......

time to start getting the football juices flowing again....this is,after all,a gambling forum.....

sorry for the attitude...

g.l.