Politics?
The ClubHouse: General Discussions - Jan -Apr. 2001: April:
Politics?
Elitist | Tuesday, April 03, 2001 - 09:11 am  I saw this article and just couldn't resist posting it for your comments: LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Calling President Bush a "destructive man," singing legend Barbra Streisand on Monday fired off a blistering three-page memo to top Democrats in Washington calling for a "strong, strategic, targeted offense against the Republican revolution." "This is not the time to be weak," Streisand writes in the memo titled "Nice Guys Finish Last" sent last week to several dozen top Democratic legislators and released to media outlets Monday through her publicist. "Unless we win, we'll be consistently on the defensive with our fingers holding the dike against the resurgence of the far right. ... You don't have to be ruthless like the Republicans, just be strong." In her note she blasts Bush's record on environmental issues, reproductive rights and the protection of people with disabilities, children, and U.S. workers. She lambastes the record of Bush's father, former President George Bush, on pardons, and urges Democrats and journalists to investigate Republicans vigorously, charging that they are controlled by big business. Streisand writes: "We have a president who was selected rather than elected. He stole the presidency through family ties, arrogance and intimidation, employing Republican operatives to exercise the tactics of voter fraud by disenfranchising thousands of blacks, elderly Jews and other minorities." Streisand's publicist Dick Guttman said on Monday that she has no aspirations to become a politician and her motivation to send the memo was concern about the issues and the American people. "She said people confuse political passion with political ambition," Guttman said, adding that since releasing the memo to Democrats last week Streisand has been flooded with offers to speak publicly. "She sent it to top Democrats who responded very favorably, to it calling it a very important wake up call," Guttman said. |
Twiggyish | Tuesday, April 03, 2001 - 10:02 am  She sure doesn't mince words! I agree with most of what she is saying. My disagreement is with her timing. Why now? What does she expect to happen with her letter? As to Republicans being controlled by BIG business, I agree. But, her implication almost suggests the Democrats are not guilty, as well. A side vent, related to Barbra's letter: I am outraged right now with Bush. There have been far too many "accidents" lately with military aircraft. Why? Every week there is another plane crash. (I am not saying there is a conspiracy) We have a new president and suddenly a large increase in training accidents. Is he pushing our military? As to China, that is a whole issue which has me puzzled. Why are we stirring the "ant" pile. This situation now has us on the verge of war. |
Elitist | Tuesday, April 03, 2001 - 11:03 am  Well my guess is that the accidents have to be related to the condition of the military and their equipment. Wasn't that one of Bush's campaign points - that the military had gone to hell in a handbasket under Clinton's reign? Now whether it is a conspiracy or not to prove that point, who knows? |
Max | Tuesday, April 03, 2001 - 12:56 pm  My beef with Bush starts with his stance (or lack thereof) on the energy crisis in the west. He comes from big oil roots and it shows. Next comes his apparent desire to get us back into a cold war. Push out the Russian diplomats, start talking about the need to beef up our defenses, take a "give 'em back or else" stance on this incident with China. Next thing you know, we're right back into the thick of cold-war paranoia. Why? Because it's good for.... BIG BUSINESS. Oh, and the economy is going straight to the dogs since the election, too. Coincidence? Or investors showing a total lack of confidence in the direction Bush is taking the country. Would we be in this economic position if Democrats were still in control? Hard to say. Only time will tell if Dubya will end up being good or bad for the country. All I know is the guy makes me nervous. As for Barbra's letter. Much ado, very little effect, in my estimation. Makes her get her reclusive name in the press, though.
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Elitist | Tuesday, April 03, 2001 - 01:27 pm  Hmmm, about the economy - I believe that was heading downhill before the election if you check - and in fact was a point that Bush brought up repeatedly during the campaign. |
Azriel | Tuesday, April 03, 2001 - 01:53 pm  Wasn't Barb supposed to pack up the few marbles she had left and move away to a foreign country if Bush was elected? Just an idle threat, not a promise...bummer. When she made that threat, it told me all I needed to know about how much she cares about this country. Blah blah blah, that's all I hear, Barb. |
Flint | Wednesday, April 04, 2001 - 11:49 am  Big Business has ties to both parties, and it could be argued BOTH parties are controlled to an extent by Big business. If I were a Democrat, i wouldn't be whining about the Bush admin being too hardline with China. China donated a LOT of cash to the Democratic election campaign. I am surprised the Republicans haven;t bashed back with that yet. ;) |
Rollerboy | Thursday, April 05, 2001 - 10:10 am  The China connection poured more money into the Republican's coffers, Flint, that's why their hands are sort of tied on this issue. Sure they throw that stone once in awhile, but they want to avoid any rational scrutiny or analysis. The conspiracy the Chinese are perpetuating with the aircraft they forced down is this, in my opinion. They want to heat things up in the area, in order to prevent a huge arms sale to Taiwan, that is in the works. |
Twiggyish | Thursday, April 05, 2001 - 10:56 am  Roller, now that throws a new wrinkle in things! |
Flint | Wednesday, April 11, 2001 - 04:47 am  Thanks for the info Rollerboy. It certainly makes the Republican Governments actions more circumspect. So, they aren't wussies, they are just bought off. |
Rollerboy | Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 11:08 am  According to all the politicians, Flint, other than getting them re-elected, the money has no impact on their actions or votes. I guess we're just cynical. |
Flint | Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 11:11 am  Or they are lieing. ;) |
Rollerboy | Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 11:15 am  I think they prefer disingenuous or mendacious. |
Flint | Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 11:18 am  Heh Mendacious...haven;t seen that in a while. of course, they prefer we didn;t know they were lieing. ;) |
Rollerboy | Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 11:23 am  One of my favorite words Flint. I'll never forget Burl Ives as Big Daddy in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof ranting about being surrounded by "mendacity". |
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