Liberals & Citgo

[Nerves]

So you folks rather buy your oil/gas from Iran, Saudi Arabia? What the heck is going on?!!!!!!

[DoctorDawg]

Originally Posted by hacker15

A. I am not a "neo-con" (whatever the h**l that is).

Thanks for the tip regarding KwikFil, Hacker; I'll look into that.

Regarding what the h*ll a neo-con (yes, short for 'neo-conservative') is...it is such an interesting phenomenon that I don't mind taking a moment to discuss it. Like a lot of neologisms, I guess, 'neo-con' means different things to different people. You can find a fairly thoughtful discussion of its recent history in Wikipedia. But to me, 'neo-cons' are new-age conservatives who have lost the intellectual and moral compass that once, many years ago, made conservatism a legitimate idea that was worthy of respect. Where, once upon a time, conservatives were for small government, neo-cons are for huge government (like the one we have re-built under the current administration). Where once conservatives were for fiscal responsibility, neo-cons favor massive deficit spending and crushing public debt (like the one we have re-built under the current administration). Where once conservatives were for individual freedom and keeping government out of our private lives, neo-cons support spying on U.S. citizens, harrassing gays, holding suspects indefinitely without habeus corpus or trial, and government-sanctioned torture. Where once conservatives believed that our country had no business trying to be the world's policeman, neo-cons favor wading in and busting heads (and countries) for no good reason. Where once conservatives passionately supported the Constitution and the rule of law, neo-cons tend to devote a lot of time to trying to sidestep these inconvenient institutions in order to better pursue their political agendas.

In short, take a smart, respectable, thoughtful old-time conservative, turn him upside down, and you've got you a neo-con.

[hacker15]

Originally Posted by DoctorDawg

Thanks for the tip regarding KwikFil, Hacker; I'll look into that.

Regarding what the h*ll a neo-con (yes, short for 'neo-conservative') is...it is such an interesting phenomenon that I don't mind taking a moment to discuss it. Like a lot of neologisms, I guess, 'neo-con' means different things to different people. You can find a fairly thoughtful discussion of its recent history in Wikipedia. But to me, 'neo-cons' are new-age conservatives who have lost the intellectual and moral compass that once, many years ago, made conservatism a legitimate idea that was worthy of respect. Where, once upon a time, conservatives were for small government, neo-cons are for huge government (like the one we have re-built under the current administration). Where once conservatives were for fiscal responsibility, neo-cons favor massive deficit spending and crushing public debt (like the one we have re-built under the current administration). Where once conservatives were for individual freedom and keeping government out of our private lives, neo-cons support spying on U.S. citizens, harrassing gays, holding suspects indefinitely without habeus corpus or trial, and government-sanctioned torture. Where once conservatives believed that our country had no business trying to be the world's policeman, neo-cons favor wading in and busting heads (and countries) for no good reason. Where once conservatives passionately supported the Constitution and the rule of law, neo-cons tend to devote a lot of time to trying to sidestep these inconvenient institutions in order to better pursue their political agendas.

In short, take a smart, respectable, thoughtful old-time conservative, turn him upside down, and you've got you a neo-con.

Sorry, Doc - I don't qualify for the label. As I said, I've been a conservative since Eisenhower was in office. I've ranted and railed at every elected official who grew the government, spent the tax money entrusted to him/her unwisely (which is the OVERWHELMING majority of them from both parties), written to my elected officials on a number of occasions to decry their intrusion into my private life and to ask that they support ALL of my civil liberties (like some support for the 2nd Amendment!), asked them to stop this glut of "foreign aid" (another way to prop up unpopular governments elsewhere in the world). I believe everyone has a right to chose his/her lifestyle, but I won't support (through buying their products or watching them preform, etc.) those I disagree with or find objectionable (i.e., Jane Fonda and her like in Hollywood, rap music in general, you get my drift here).

Condone torture? Hell, no! We had it in 'Nam and I found it very repugnent. Did we ever get anything from it (except more "insurgants")? You read the books and watch the films and answer that question.

I support the rule of law and the Constitution. I also believe in separation of the branches of government and, when the court starts to legislate from the bench, I get really upset. We've seen far too many judges who talk about the "rule of law" and allow their own bias to filter into their decisions and rulings - and please don't point to the current US Supreme Court. There are far too many examples of liberal judges making rulings that are counter to established law and the Constitution to further their agenda that it makes my head swim.

Neo-Con? I don't think so. Maybe we need a new label (if we have to label everything).



How about

AMERICAN

?

[DoctorDawg]

Originally Posted by hacker15

Sorry, Doc - I don't qualify for the label.

Not to worry, Hacker. I never said ya did.

[hacker15]

Originally Posted by DoctorDawg

Not to worry, Hacker. I never said ya did.

Well, thanks for that!

[VAXDGUY]

So who's more corrupt? Hugo Chavez or the compensation committee of Exxon-Mobil?

--who filled up at Shell on the way home who, because of the wonderful lack of competition now since Bush let everyone buy everyone else antitrust be damned, has two Shells, one Exxon, one Mobil, and one Citgo at the major intersection near me.

[Bigtime]

No "neo" for me. Just...

[DoctorDawg]

Originally Posted by hacker15

Well, thanks for that!

No worries, mate.

[TwoValveKid]

So...what is wawa? lol

[Nerves]

Originally Posted by Nerves

So you folks rather buy your oil/gas from Iran, Saudi Arabia? What the heck is going on?!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!