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I’m off on politics for a while
The Anchoress Blog ^ | 5/12/06 | The Anchoress

Posted on 05/12/2006 8:40:49 PM PDT by M. Thatcher

I’m off on politics for a while

I’ve decided that if I’m going to keep blogging, I’m going to have to leave off writing or reading about politics for a little while, because it’s all making me sick.

But as I put the subject away, I just have to ask all of you people - on every side - who have decided that immigration is one man’s burden, and that every good thing President Bush has done is to be negated because he hasn’t snapped his fingers and done what YOU think is the solution to the immigration problem…what did Clinton do about immigration, what did Bush 41 do? What did St. Reagan do? What did Carter do? What has any president, congressperson or senator done about immigration for the last 30 years, except kick the issue down the road for someone else to deal with?

Reagan, if you remember, was the amnesty president. Clinton was the “borders? What’s borders, everyone is our pal” president.

Lots of bills that were ignored by past presidents, particularly during our “vacation from history” have come due on Dubya’s watch. The whole world seems to be coming due on his watch, and damn him for not handling everything perfectly. What a loser, eh? And it’s easy to kick a guy when he’s down, isn’t it? AJ is getting weary of it, too.

Energy. We were promised back in the 1970’s by President Carter that we would cease to be dependant on Middle East for our energy. How’s that been working out, all these years, all these presidents, later? Oh…Bush DID try to get a comprehensive energy bill passed in congress. No go. Congress kicked it down the road for someone else to deal with. Whatever happened to expanding and strengthening the grid? What will we say this summer when the blackouts and brownouts occur? That bastard Bush…he didn’t fix this. No mention that congress kicked and kicked that ball away.

Social Security. We’ve been told it’s the “most important issue” - or at least we hear it every election year…but everyone knows it’s going to hell. Oh…Bush DID try to get a comprehensive reform of Social Security passed in congress. No go. Congress kicked it down the road for someone else to deal with. Social Security is a joke, but it’s a joke with a lockbox, and the key’s long throw-away.

Terrorism. We’ve essentially been at war with Islamofascism since our countrymen were held hostage for 444 days, since our soldiers were slaughtered in their barracks. Since Saddam tried to kill a former president. “This will not stand,” yeah, yeah, yeah…we heard it all. What did Carter do about it? What did Reagan? What did Bush 41? What did Clinton do - particularly when AlQ began to attack American interests, holdings and naval vessels on an average of every 20 months? What? Are those crickets I hear chirping?

Finally after 3,000 of our countrymen died action was taken, and the action continues…and Bush has worked very hard to keep us safe and to destroy the infrastructure, funding and communications of Al Qaeda and their ilk, but…you know…it’s a bad thing for us to monitor the calling habits of AlQ and their co-horts. That would be an awful abuse of power, wouldn’t it? Right up there with accessing FBI files on political opponants and other Nixonian tactics, right? Better to completely mischaracterize what he’s doing and call a hero a tyrant and a traitor a hero…because…because…well, because the truth is Bush is doing the job on terrorism too damn well, and we can’t bring ourselves to report that.

And now, immigration…one man is to blame, one man is at fault, one man must find the Solomonic solution. And if he doesn’t, he’s a bum no matter what else he’s done. Meanwhile, the press can’t get over the president who smiled and cried his way through two terms, and they still work on his legacy. Can you ever recall a time in history where 6 years after an administration ends, the ex-president is still breathlessly being polled-on, still being given (on most days) as much press as the current president? I can’t.

It’s not just about the president, though. There is a terrible toxicity to our political and social exchanges - there is little real thought and lots of shrieking going on, lots of noise, little real discourse and precious little honesty. There is no way to debate because - no matter which side tries to get serious - a well-thought-out discourse is immediately shot down by the other side with a one-line-sneer, usually a specious one, that distorts or misdirects and never allows a thought to go forward. The disrespect between “sides” is staggering, and completely unproductive. But non-productivity seems to be what people like. It’s “safe.” If you don’t do anything, you can’t get blamed, right? More kicking things down the road. Let the guy who actually wants to take some action bear the brunt of your fear, your insecurity, your anger, your scorn, your impotence. If he doesn’t do it all perfectly, he’s a bum. Prof. Bainbridge and Ed Morrissey report that “conservatives are abandoning Bush.”

Ah, well…I never did think of myself as a conservative, anyway…more like a classical liberal without a home…

I wonder who all those principled conservatives are going to vote for in ‘08. We did this “he’s not conservative enough for me, I’ll vote principles or stay home” thing once before, in 1992, didn’t we? How’d that work out for you?

There are games within games, and strategies within strategies, and in the end, I wonder if anyone - anyone at all - is really looking out for America beyond their own interests. I think the president is. I think certain exceptional blogs and a few - very few - professional folks in the press are. But there is a great deal of stuff out there that is all about taking the easy route - cynicism is easy, sneering is easy, rabble-rousing is easy - in order to promote oneself or one’s cause…and it’s beginning to drown out the rest.

The roiling hate that is the driving force behind the MSM and some parts of the blogosphere and so much more cannot produce anything good. All of these negatives cannot create a positive. I can’t be the only one who is feeling increasingly ill - not ill-at-ease, but physically ill - when looking at it. I have to think that there are folks on both sides, GOP and Dem, Liberal and Conservative who are looking at all of this and thinking…I’m not walking into that insanity. Seems to me both sides are completely infected with a blood-poisoning that could take down the nation. And I have no help to offer, because when I try to read about politics, lately - any story, be it a Kennedy car crash, or an imploding CIA, I want to puke. I physically want to vomit.

And so, for a while, I’m off the subject. We’ll talk sex, religion, baseball, opera and even - Lord help us - television. But to stay in the middle of the deleterious snakepit of politics…no…there be monsters.

I think for the summer, my little boat will sail in the other direction.


TOPICS: Editorial
KEYWORDS: closethebordersfirst; deadrabbits; gangsofnewyork; potatofamine
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To: M. Thatcher

BUMP!


41 posted on 05/12/2006 10:15:07 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: Hound of the Baskervilles

Yup!!!


42 posted on 05/12/2006 10:16:04 PM PDT by Mr Cobol (lead us not into temptation.and deliver us from evil. Heck, at my age I have to pray for temptation)
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To: M. Thatcher
Have you FReepers all lost your minds?

This is not a good post.

A "pox on both your houses" and hiding under the bed is no answer. This is a political forum not an invitation to catatonia.

Conservatives are not equally guilty with libs.

And Bush is wrong on immigration. Because Clinton is also a sinner, ever more egregious than Bush on virtually every issue, does not relieve Bush of responsibility where he is wrong. This posts reeks of relativism, defeatism, feel goodism and the posters are as bad as the author.

We are conservatives. Wake up and fight.Proclaim the right, decry what's wrong. Thats what we do. Stop the hand wringing and sniveling or after the election you will be crying.


43 posted on 05/12/2006 10:17:14 PM PDT by nathanbedford (Attack, repeat, Attack..... Bull Halsey)
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To: M. Thatcher
Has to spend otherwise valuable blogtime on ditching her illegal slaves and covering her slaver tracks?

Lots of that going around...
44 posted on 05/12/2006 10:18:19 PM PDT by sarasmom (To all political staff lurkers: SECURE THE BORDERS, OR YOU'RE FIRED!)
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To: sarasmom
Has to spend otherwise valuable blogtime on ditching her illegal slaves and covering her slaver tracks? Lots of that going around...

Q.E.D.

There is a terrible toxicity to our political and social exchanges - there is little real thought and lots of shrieking going on, lots of noise, little real discourse and precious little honesty. There is no way to debate because - no matter which side tries to get serious - a well-thought-out discourse is immediately shot down by the other side with a one-line-sneer, usually a specious one, that distorts or misdirects and never allows a thought to go forward.

45 posted on 05/12/2006 10:26:03 PM PDT by M. Thatcher
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To: higgmeister
Upon losing the election in 1945 Clementine Churchill, trying to console her husband, said, "perhaps it is a blessing in disguise."

"Rather effectively disguised", was his reply.


46 posted on 05/12/2006 10:27:02 PM PDT by nathanbedford (Attack, repeat, Attack..... Bull Halsey)
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To: Cacique
bump for later read


CACIQUE'S RECOMENDED READING LIST
(CLICK ON ANY BOOK)


47 posted on 05/12/2006 10:28:44 PM PDT by Cacique (quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat ( Islamia Delenda Est ))
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To: M. Thatcher

Thanks for posting this. I'm pretty much in the same camp. I still check FR a few times a day to get the "real" news but I'm taking a break from MSM, Rush, Glenn Beck, and John Corby.

You can find me in the garden, on the river bank with a fishing pole, or join me while I sing along to my Rod Stewart albums...real loud.


48 posted on 05/12/2006 10:31:50 PM PDT by flutters (God Bless The USA)
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To: M. Thatcher
But as I put the subject away, I just have to ask all of you people - on every side - who have decided that immigration is one man’s burden...what did Clinton do about immigration, what did Bush 41 do? What did St. Reagan do? What did Carter do? What has any president, congressperson or senator done about immigration for the last 30 years...

I am angry at Reagan because he gave amnesty, although in fairness, that issue was not as pressing as it is now.

The issue was still not on the radar (and I was too young to realize) when Boosh the Elder was in charge.

KKKlinton is a scumbag who totally screwed our country with Algore's "Shitizenshit USA" in 1996, and other disasters like ushering in the type of liberal drek that STILL rule the federal government at all levels. He would get life in prison if I was Supreme Ruler because this issue became big again in the late '90s, and he should have seen the writing on the wall--except, if ruining the country was his plan all along.

After 9/11/01, we learned of KKKLinton's screw ups, and that THIS administration did next to NOTHING to FIX the problem, and actually did more to make it WORSE!!! giving a 50 grand raise to the State Department hack who OKed the hijacker's visas, the "vigilante" comment, the failing to close the borders the day after the attacks, failing to fire these government flunkies--and failing to fight the ACLU and other groups who were, in their own way, responsible for the events of 9/11/01 for taking place.

He is STILL more concerned with pleasing Fox than his base. This is AMNESTY, with NO real promise of Nat. Guard troops along the border. Using 10000 NG troops on the border sounds nice, but are they only going to come from the SW? Are they going to have to relocate these guys and their families? They have jobs M-F. This does not sound right to me.

I will NOT TOLERATE ANMESTY in exchange for troops along the border! WE WANT A WALL WITH TROOPS, and a WITHDRAWL OF MEXICAN TROOPS FROM THIS OCCUPIED COUNTRY!!!

49 posted on 05/12/2006 10:37:10 PM PDT by Captainpaintball (History is not written by those who win wars, but by those who win the war for the History Dept.)
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To: misterrob

Amen to your post- I have posted about the same thing many times- GWB is the president that we need for the war on terror, and that is the most important thing, and his judicial appointments, but so far he has been an idiot on immigration,and not much better on spending. I feel that Russia and Iran and China are very much beyond his sphere of influence.


50 posted on 05/12/2006 10:38:44 PM PDT by de Buillion (The USA needs a CONSERVATIVE political party NOW! (republicans don't qualify))
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To: M. Thatcher; sageb1; SaxxonWoods; kayak; Echo Talon; Texasforever; PhiKapMom; Unam Sanctam

I am so glad you posted her blog. She is one of the few bloggers I go to everyday. She is not a politico or some profesional blogger. Just a average mom ,with quite extradinory writing talent, trying to get through and enjoy life. Her original post on immigration is exactly where I am at on this issue and her thoughts are my thoughts.
That being said for those interested in her blog let me recommend a part of it to read. The most compelling writing and the writing that gave me so much peace was her posts on her brother in law and his death with aids in the hospice. For all people that have concerns about right to life, a dying friend, aging parents, or your on mortality her opening her family most intimate moments is quite an inspiration. She did it with humor, wit, and wisdom GREAT BEAUTY.

Anyway if interested go here. http://theanchoressonline.com/category/my-brother-s/

I recommend reading the post starting at the last page and reading it in order. Again its a little off topic I suppose from the thread but I always wanted to share with others that might be interested that great writing and insight she gave me.


51 posted on 05/12/2006 10:47:31 PM PDT by catholicfreeper
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To: Captainpaintball
As far his energy policy, Bush has not fought hard enough to get ANWAR open for business. True, the spineless Repblican'ts have made it dificult for him, but use THIS opportunity to go on TV and make a case for why he SIGNED(as in already did it!) AN EXECUTIVE ORDER opening ANWAR for drilling, and repealing KKKlinton's offshore drilling order in 2000.

As far as terrorism goes, I offer two examples: "Islam is a religion of peace" and the fact that Iraqi civillians are placed above our own soldiers (heroes) lives. He is cowering to PC, on this issue, as usual. If he valued our troops the way we Freepers value our troops, this war would have been over 2 years ago, we would have been through Iran and Syria, and ISLAM would learn what "submission" really means.

52 posted on 05/12/2006 10:48:09 PM PDT by Captainpaintball (History is not written by those who win wars, but by those who win the war for the History Dept.)
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To: catholicfreeper

I sure wish she would post on FR. She is really good.


53 posted on 05/12/2006 10:48:22 PM PDT by Texasforever (I have neither been there nor done that.)
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To: catholicfreeper

Thank you!


54 posted on 05/12/2006 10:49:24 PM PDT by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade. There are only 2 sides. Pick one.)
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To: nutmeg

read later


55 posted on 05/12/2006 10:50:26 PM PDT by nutmeg ("We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good." - Hillary Clinton 6/28/04)
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To: Captainpaintball
As far as terrorism goes, I offer two examples: "Islam is a religion of peace" and the fact that Iraqi civillians are placed above our own soldiers (heroes) lives. He is cowering to PC, on this issue, as usual. If he valued our troops the way we Freepers value our troops, this war would have been over 2 years ago, we would have been through Iran and Syria, and ISLAM would learn what "submission" really means.

Ya know, every brain fart doesn't need to be verbalized.

56 posted on 05/12/2006 10:50:31 PM PDT by Texasforever (I have neither been there nor done that.)
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To: catholicfreeper

I agree. I think hers is a mind alive ~ brutally honest, and very often wickedly funny. I never miss her.


57 posted on 05/12/2006 10:52:42 PM PDT by M. Thatcher
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To: Herakles
Failure to keep an oath to protect the country from ALL aggressors, foreign and domestic is treasonous. For whatever political reason, for big business or for some Neo Con whimsical virtue of spreading democracy, there is no defense and no rational explanation for letting our borders unprotected and allowing 20 million unknowns into this country, especially Post 911. More time, blood and treasure has been spent on protecting the borders of foreign governments than our own. There is no ration explanation for ignoring this problem in light of of all the declarations to be vigilant that have been uttered to the contrary. I can only guess of two; stupidity or treason!"

I agree totally. This is a brilliant post!

58 posted on 05/12/2006 11:06:27 PM PDT by de Buillion (The USA needs a CONSERVATIVE political party NOW! (republicans don't qualify))
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To: nathanbedford

You've got a point, but I've grown sick of trying to urge politicians to do the right thing. I'm just sick of politics in general. I would love to see someone enter political office to fight for the Republic instead of their pocket book and power of office.

One example, for me, of the hopelessness of the political process: the offer of one hundred dollars in an attempt to quiet concerns over the price of fuel. Were these democrats who made such an offer, I would be nonplussed. It's expected of them. But when Republicans do it, having taken this mindset, all hope is lost.


59 posted on 05/12/2006 11:12:21 PM PDT by kenth
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To: M. Thatcher

Wow! Immigration has reached the status of religion and politics...unspeakable in polite conversation!


60 posted on 05/12/2006 11:16:59 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (George Allen's conservatism is as ephemeral as his virtual fence.)
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