Your political affiliation?

[cclanofirish]

Irishlegend, remember it is also against a Catholic upbringing to be both anti-abortion and pro-death penalty, a mainstay of conservatives. Kerry is as you may remember a Catholic and his stance on the the subject was always quite clear, anti-abortion and pro-choice. It is the duty of elected officials to govern by the rules of the land. It is possible to say that a woman has the right to choose and not agree morally with that choice. Also remember that christian conservatives are fearful of Catholics as well as their unified distaste of the Catholic church.

Actually, thats a false assumption. The death penalty shoud be judged on a case by case basis, because there are times when all of us, as represented by the state, must protect oursleves from violent criminals.

 

[onenybrother]

A Hillary Clinton Democrat.

 

[irish9331]

I am an independent democrat that really doesn't care what a woman does with her body as long as its not my child, am all for bombing the shit out of countries that mess with us, and wish that I could put some people to death, but would let out people who like to smoke weed out of prison because....come on its just weed.

 

[BGIF]

Actually, thats a false assumption. The death penalty shoud be judged on a case by case basis, because there are times when all of us, as represented by the state, must protect oursleves from violent criminals.

I support the Death Penalty but not your point. The State does not have to kill to protect us. Life without parole does the same thing. My arch conservative brother-in-law who used to support the Death Penalty tells me incarceration is considerably less expensive in our country. He's a fiscally responsible, compassionate kind of guy.

 

[lattedatte]

I'm about as independent as they come. As both parties become more and more polarized, i find myself more and more alienated. I'm looking for a moderate in either party(in no particular order) that is small gov't, pro-choice, want's to abolish the welfare system(OK, I'm ok with a drastic reform), actually has a real plan for health care and oil dependency, understands there is a difference between church and state, strong on terror but understands there is a difference between terror and Iraq, balanced budget(even if I have to pay a couple extra bucks in taxes), let's me listen to howard stern so I don't have to pay for it.... what else.. O, is a good public speaker and is good with the ladies...

So that pretty much narrows it down to Guliani or McClain(except the lady part), neither of which will get the nod becuase they aren't extreme enough.. So I'll vote for the smart one in the dumb row, like I did last time, Bush, and the time before, Gore... And make fun of whoever gets elected for 4 more years... Gotta love it..

 

[BGIF]

... As both parties become more and more polarized, i find myself more and more alienated. ...

They both say they want your vote but both parties treat middle America as the taxable base.

I'm looking for a moderate in either party(in no particular order) ...

My list of issues and color commentary would be a little different but that's why were independents. We don't vote blindly for yellow dogs or party planks.

So that pretty much narrows it down to Guliani or McClain(except the lady part), neither of which will get the nod becuase they aren't extreme enough

I really like John McClain. There's a guy that knows how to deal with terrorists. "Adios M.F!"

I know you mean McCain but I never thought of New York's finest until your typo. Typo or Freudian slip.

But you're spot on about a moderate (or perceived moderate) making it through the primary in either party. Then they both wonder why neither can get a plurality.

... So I'll vote for the smart one in the dumb row...

The greater of two lessors wins again!

 

[lattedatte]

They both say they want your vote but both parties treat middle America as the taxable base.


My list of issues and color commentary would be a little different but that's why were independents. We don't vote blindly for yellow dogs or party planks.



I really like John McClain. There's a guy that knows how to deal with terrorists. "Adios M.F!"

I know you mean McCain but I never thought of New York's finest until your typo. Typo or Freudian slip.

But you're spot on about a moderate (or perceived moderate) making it through the primary in either party. Then they both wonder why neither can get a plurality.



The greater of two lessors wins again!

OOPS, good catch.... Definitely McCain, good guy, tough on terror, doesn't seem to be terribly influenced by special interest(though I'm probably wrong), knows what it's like to be in a real war, doesn't walk the party line as evidenced by his recent criticism of Bush' admin. I would vote for him in a second. But probably will not get a chance. The other guy that I need to do some research on is Evan bayh(D), I know very little about what he stands for but i know he as voted with the Reps a lot, so I respect him for that.

 

[cclanofirish]

I support the Death Penalty but not your point. The State does not have to kill to protect us. Life without parole does the same thing. My arch conservative brother-in-law who used to support the Death Penalty tells me incarceration is considerably less expensive in our country. He's a fiscally responsible, compassionate kind of guy.

As long as a furlough program like Dukakis was known for isnt allowed, I would have no problems abolishing the death penalty. However, with these screwy judges letting criminals off, many sleep better at night knowing psychos arent gonna have a chance to roam the streets.

 

[WalshND]

Fiscally I consider myself a Republican. But i don't always toe the party line. I like to think of myself as a "thinking Republican". I'm hoping that Rudy Giuliani or John McCain will be the next one behind the big desk.

 

[irishwavend]

I am proud to be an American Catholic where I can support the Death Penalty and piss off the Pope. Boy, he hates us doesn't he? Ethically, I am not for abortion, but politically, I don't believe that it can be totally outlawed. I like the limits on when you can abort and when you can't, but I don't believe in totally outlawing it politically.

And, as far as the death penalty is concerned, you knew the laws when you broke them, so in essence, you killed yourself. I didn't kill you, I am merely enforcing the laws that you already knew...mainly, don't murder people. My argument with the Dems is that they don't believe in accountability as a whole. It is always somebody else's fault or there is some excuse why somebody shouldn't hold themselves accountable for their own actions. I am not going to generalize and say that corporations who support Republicans are any better, but the value system of Republicans as a whole demand a bit more accountability. Of course, there is always gray area, and that is why you should take everything on a case by case basis; but as a whole, that is where I see a big difference in republicans & dems.

 

[ShivaIrish]

And, as far as the death penalty is concerned, you knew the laws when you broke them, so in essence, you killed yourself. I didn't kill you, I am merely enforcing the laws that you already knew...mainly, don't murder people.

Just because there is a law does not mean that that law is right. I don't care if people smoke pot, even though my preference right now is alcohol. It's a bogus law, and if people want to do it, they should be able to. Should people not do it even though they want to, simply because it is illegal?

This country (and I imagine most countries) have had bad laws. Slavery? Pretty bad. At one time there was prohibition. Scopes trial? Heck, this country is partly founded on breaking laws.

I know the parallel isn't exact to your comment, irishwavend, because you're just talking about the magnitude of the punishment which I disagree with. However, obviously, we both think murder is a crime, whereas others may disagree about pot, slavery, etc. I think laws do have to be followed for the most part. And murder is bad, but two wrongs don't make a right. And it doesn't even have to go as far a purely morality argument. What about the cases where people were proved innocent after being on death row. How many were killed before being exonerated?
So in essence, I'm saying murder is not a just punishment...even for murder.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

And, as far as the death penalty is concerned, you knew the laws when you broke them, so in essence, you killed yourself. I didn't kill you, I am merely enforcing the laws that you already knew...mainly, don't murder people.

So it would be ok to have the death penalty for speeding? Or jaywalking?

After all, you knew the law and you broke it...right?

My argument with the Dems is that they don't believe in accountability as a whole. It is always somebody else's fault or there is some excuse why somebody shouldn't hold themselves accountable for their own actions.

Nice strawman. I would love to see some evidence.

 

[cclanofirish]

Just because there is a law does not mean that that law is right. I don't care if people smoke pot, even though my preference right now is alcohol. It's a bogus law, and if people want to do it, they should be able to. Should people not do it even though they want to, simply because it is illegal?

This country (and I imagine most countries) have had bad laws. Slavery? Pretty bad. At one time there was prohibition. Scopes trial? Heck, this country is partly founded on breaking laws.

I know the parallel isn't exact to your comment, irishwavend, because you're just talking about the magnitude of the punishment which I disagree with. However, obviously, we both think murder is a crime, whereas others may disagree about pot, slavery, etc. I think laws do have to be followed for the most part. And murder is bad, but two wrongs don't make a right. And it doesn't even have to go as far a purely morality argument. What about the cases where people were proved innocent after being on death row. How many were killed before being exonerated?
So in essence, I'm saying murder is not a just punishment...even for murder.

Slavery is a great example of when people can be absolute pricks and abuse the democratic system, so yes I agree on that issue. On the issue of drugs, I also believe that they shouldnt be outlawed, as long as the laws punishing those for DWI/ DUI, etc are kept. However, I dont see any real argument for why the state, regardless of how stupid and inane the law is, cant punish drug use. The privacy issue doesnt cut it for me because there is no explicit right to use drugs. Prohibition, if you may recall, was done away by the voters who forced the legislature to scrap the Amendment.

 

[cclanofirish]

So it would be ok to have the death penalty for speeding? Or jaywalking?

After all, you knew the law and you broke it...right?




Nice strawman. I would love to see some evidence.

My snetiments as well. My only problem is with politicians who stupidly activate these furlough type programs, and as a result, murders get committed and violent criminals dont get just punishment, even if that means life in prison.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

My snetiments as well. My only problem is with politicians who stupidly activate these furlough type programs, and as a result, murders get committed and violent criminals dont get just punishment, even if that means life in prison.

Life for murder should equal life, period. Makes sense.

 

[cclanofirish]

Life for murder should equal life, period. Makes sense.

My sentiments exactly. If only everyone would have that attitude and make it enforceable.

 

[jiggafini19]

Can we add Terrorist Sympathizer to this list?

 

[marv81s]

Its on there, AKA = Democrat

 

[lattedatte]

Its on there, AKA = Democrat

And what about McCain and the republicans that just passed the detainee bill...

 

[jiggafini19]

And what about McCain and the republicans that just passed the detainee bill...

Does this thing have any real power to it at all?

 

[lattedatte]

Does this thing have any real power to it at all?

I think it does becuase the had to define what cruel treatment was...

I really like mccain becuase he is moderate but he dropped the ball on this one, we should use whatever tactics necessary on these bastards.