...Even though Senator Kerry says that he'd make that same decision to invade based upon what he knows today.
5 Legislative Days Left Until The AWB Expires
Posted on 08/27/2004 3:18:57 PM PDT by Horatio Gates
Four years ago, this page endorsed George W. Bush for president. We cannot do so again — because of an ill-conceived war and its aftermath, undisciplined spending, a shrinkage of constitutional rights and an intrusive social agenda. The Bush presidency is not what we had in mind. Our endorsement of John Kerry is not without reservations, but he is head and shoulders above the incumbent.
The first issue is the war. When the Bush administration began beating the drums for war on Iraq, this page said repeatedly that he had not justified it. When war came, this page closed ranks, wanting to support our troops and give the president the benefit of the doubt. The troops deserved it. In hindsight, their commander in chief did not.
The first priority of a new president must be to end the military occupation of Iraq. This will be no easy task, but Kerry is more likely to do it — and with some understanding of Middle Eastern realities — than is Bush.
The election of Kerry would sweep away neoconservative war intellectuals who drive policy at the White House and Pentagon. It would end the back-door draft of American reservists and the use of American soldiers as imperial police. It would also provide a chance to repair America's overseas relationships, both with governments and people, particularly in the world of Islam.
A less-belligerent, more-intelligent foreign policy should cause less anger to be directed at the United States. A political change should allow Americans to examine the powers they have given the federal government under the Patriot Act, and the powers the president has claimed by executive order.
This page had high hopes for President Bush regarding taxing and spending. We endorsed his cut in income taxes, expecting that it would help business and discipline new public spending. In the end, there was no discipline in it. In control of the Senate, the House and the presidency for the first time in half a century, the Republicans have had a celebration of spending.
Kerry has made many promises, and might spend as much as Bush if given a Congress under the control of Democrats. He is more likely to get a divided government, which may be a good thing.
Bush was also supposed to be the candidate who understood business. In some ways he has, but he has been too often the candidate of big business only. He has sided with pharmaceutical companies against drug imports from Canada.
In our own industry, the Bush appointees on the Federal Communications Commission have pushed to relax restrictions on how many TV stations, radio stations and newspapers one company may own. In an industry that is the steward of the public's right to speak, this is a threat to democracy itself — and Kerry has stood up against it.
Bush talked like the candidate of free trade, a policy the Pacific Northwest relies upon. He turned protectionist on steel and Canadian lumber. Admittedly, Kerry's campaign rhetoric is even worse on trade. But for the previous 20 years, Kerry had a strong record in support of trade, and we have learned that the best guide to what politicians do is what they have done in the past, not what they say.
On some matters, we always had to hold our noses to endorse Bush. We noted four years ago that he was too willing to toss aside wild nature, and to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. We still disagree. On clean air, forests and fish, we generally side with Kerry.
We also agree with Sen. Kerry that Social Security should not offer private accounts.
Four years ago, we stated our profound disagreement with Bush on abortion, and then in one of his first acts as president, he moved to reinstate a ban on federal money for organizations that provide information about abortions overseas. We disagree also with Bush's ban on federal money for research using any new lines of stem cells.
There is in these positions a presidential blending of politics and religion that is wrong for the government of a diverse republic.
Our largest doubt about Kerry is his idea that the federal debt may be stabilized, and dozens of new programs added, merely by raising taxes on the top 2 percent of Americans. Class warfare is a false promise, and we hope he forgets it.
Certainly, the man now in office forgot some of the things he said so fetchingly four years ago.
I saw this earlier today. I just shook my head. It is obvious that their support for and editorial announcement have more to do with the upcoming gubernatorial race than it does with the presidency.
As I prefer to call these leftists:
what a bunch of Sea**holes!!!
Jeez - Mr. Inspectorette and I are leaning toward moving up there when we retire to be closer to our daughter. It can't be any worse than California!
Total for this search: $2,390
|
Contributor |
Occupation |
Date |
Amount |
Recipient |
|
KELLY, CAROLYN |
SEATTLE TIMES |
12/10/2003 |
$250 |
Murray, Patty |
|
PETERSON, DALE |
SEATTLE TIMES |
6/8/2004 |
$1,000 |
Nethercutt, George R Jr |
|
RUNNBERG, LAWRENCE |
SEATTLE TIMES/ZONE ASSISTANT |
2/15/2002 |
$240 |
Democratic Central Cmte of Washington |
|
TILLER, ANNE |
SEATTLE TIMES/ONLINE ART |
2/9/2004 |
$900 |
Clark, Wesley |
Hmmm. I know these people on the phone are just trying to pay their bills like the rest of us and I try not to be too rude, but there's no thrill in giving 'heck' to some poor sap who's probably sitting in Boise, if not Calcutta. : )
That theory went away in the late 1980's and early 1990's as cable news started to have an impact - and was completely blown away by the widespread impact of the internet. Today the editorial function of major newspapers is to make you ponder how the hell some of these people became editors. And no more.
Carolyn S. Kelly
President/Chief Operating Officer
Seattle Times
It was the least I could do to thank them for their many contributions to unbiased journalism.
...Even though Senator Kerry says that he'd make that same decision to invade based upon what he knows today.
5 Legislative Days Left Until The AWB Expires
Well, just what is your solution and what is Kerry's solution to this impending disaster?
It isn't enough to be against something. You've got to offer an alternative - if you want to he listened to.
...Even though Senator Kerry has promised to send 40,000 *additional* U.S. troops into Iraq...and even though the occupation ended in June with the transfer of sovereignty...and even though pulling our troops out of Iraq will toss 26 million people into anarchy and massive civil war.
5 Legislative Days Left Until The AWB Expires
...Such as the foreign policies held by the U.S. on 9/10/2001 and earlier...
5 Legislative Days Left Until The AWB Expires
...So because we know that Senator Kerry's words mean nothing, and because his wordy rhetoric is even worse on trade, we choose to endorse him.
< /mocking >
5 Legislative Days Left Until The AWB Expires
...Because we radical left-wing Whities know that Blacks don't live to the Social Security retirement age (65, versus average Black male lifespan of 62 years) and we certainly don't want Republicans to change this system so that SS funds can be passed on to their heirs via Privatization...
5 Legislative Days Left Until The AWB Expires
President Bush's ban doesn't touch the stem cells of animals, where early stem cell research should concentrate.
5 Legislative Days Left Until The AWB Expires
Ditto!!!!!!!!!
That is why these guys are F***ing idiots and this country would be so much better off if they relocated to France with the rest of the P**ssies.
LOL...I'll have to keep that method in mind!
Oh no! This might help drive Seattle out of the Bush column! :^)
They are pandering to their constituancy. The left coast is so left that any endorsement of a conservative would result in the cancellation of the three outstanding subscriptions.
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