I think if there were more democrats like mckenziecalhoun the discourse in this forum would be much improved?

Question

I came across a post of his yesterday dealing with Tony Blair. It was quite refreshing to find someone who's opinions may differ from mine yet I can respect and admire.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AstjCIJagGhc89Bk69p2VWzty6IX?qid=20070623184154AA60FMP&show=7#profile-info-FEvGiL5daa

What do you think?

Answer 1

I have seen his posts and although he doesn't always say things I agree with, I will admit that he does a very good job of looking at both sides of an issue and giving an original voice to it. He doesn't just repeat propaganda.

Answer 2

What a stunning question to come across (I had guest today)!

Thank you, ALL. I love being the center of discussion! It means that my words have touched a few. For a teacher, that's everything.

To clarify, I am a democrat, but the poster who said I wasn't would probably appreciate a few notes:
1) I was a democrat for many years in my teens and early twenties.
2) By my twenties I was noticing that welfare was becoming more about things "owed people" than things given in charity. From there it progressed into social programs that were more and more socialist, not an amalgam meant to even out the injustices our country has done quite well at fixing (and still has much to fix, but outshines huge numbers of countries in these areas).
3) In my thirties I left the party as it was tilting more and more toward socialism rather than democrat values (equal rights, free expression, equality), and this became the focus.
4) When President Clinton was being attacked, I came back to the party as it was clear that the Republicans were seditious monsters that were determined to undermine our country (I was young, give me a break!)
5) By the time President Bush was President I was firmly in the party again, fighting socialism in it's ranks, yet to understand both sides I had joined the union, taught public school, and donated time helping people in need in one of the worst developed areas in my state. I also worked in an area, deliberately, that had no buses, no pizza delivery, and where rocks were likely to be your gift for visiting the area. I visited every corner of that neighborhood and found people, who treated me well. When someone stared at me (I look white) I would stop and say, "Hi" and ask directions. They almost always softened and were friendly. People.
6) Then President Bush came along and I realized that it wasn't republicans. It was something else entirely. You've seen it in your own party. You've seen it in mine. A hatred of government. A stance of "they aren't mine because I didn't get who I voted for". I researched. It didn't start in my generation. It started when our country started (perhaps before that).
7) Our country has been "ending" for 200 years. The one's most convinced are the same ones I talk about when I use the word "sedition".
8) I am American born and bred. If anyone knows how someone got the idea I wasn't, tell me. I better correct that!
9) Sedition is easy to look up, but I have wondered if I have been loose in my definition. Sedition is no longer illegal. Here is the definition I use from the original sedition act:

The Sedition Act (official title: An Act for the Punishment of Certain Crimes against the United States) made it a crime to publish "false, scandalous, and malicious writing" against the government or its officials. Enacted July 14, 1798, with an expiration date of March 3, 1801.

10) Amazing that people would actually call me "not a real democrat" when THIS is what I fight against is depressing to me, but I'm used to it. I'm also used to people saying that if you don't support socialist programs, you aren't a democrat.

11) I support free speech, for everyone.
12) I support free expression, for everyone.
13) I support equality, for everyone.

When did we get away from that that it became undemocratic?

I would urge all democrats and republicans, fight the sedition in your party. That includes against Senator and First Lady Hillary Clinton, President Clinton, etc. Doesn't mean agree with their goals. Doesn't even mean don't protest their goals! Goodness, I was ready to jump out and protest one of President Bush's decisions the other day and almost did until family concerns intervened. It means not treating THEM seditiously. It means ALWAYS speaking up if you think it is best for the country (not just your ideology).

It means not tolerating sedition even if you think they "deserve it for..." (fill in the blank with whatever they didn't do for you).

Our country is strong. It will be stronger with citizens who don't let the seditious speak for them.

Lastly, I am O.K. with the second(?) poster's claims that I am not a democrat.

I had hundreds confirm that I am a democrat (along with thousands of other names and epithets) when I spoke up about the seditious way people attacked President Clinton.

So far, the one's who think I am a democrat are far in the majority. I'm glad it isn't up to majority vote, however.

Keep speaking up, everyone. Even if the only way you can do it is being seditious. Better that than SILENCE! Just expect that the number of patriotic democrats and republicans WILL answer you. I hope I've added a few more who will join in that quest.

Gods, thanks for the question! You made my day! I just met you online! I'm crying!

Answer 3

You had better start thinking more in terms of the big picture. Democrat or Republican status is irrelevant. The most important factor should be whether or not someone
represents what is in the best interest of one and all.

Mr. Dan: Thank you for your kindness, but my thoughts and rationale are no different than most. We all owe a debt of gratitude to the people of Yahoo for allowing us to express our opinions in this engaging public forum.

Answer 4

I agree for the most part.

The person in question has a particularly fussy definition of "sedition", though, and uses it too liberally to squelch opposition.

Apparently he comes from another country, so his understanding of free speech may be different from ours. Overall, though, I have enjoyed our exchanges (we once had to work out a disagreement by email) and agree that more thoughtfulness, politeness, and sobriety on yahoo politics would be a good thing.

Answer 5

I don't spend a lot of time here, but have seen posts from a handful of people that really make you think beyond personal opinion. Mckenzie and Ugandan-Prince are two I respect for their input. They seem to put things in perspective.

Answer 6

We definitely need more people like that in the world, not just on Y!A

Answer 7

I'm thrilled to read that someone else has noticed him also. His posts are always well thought out, nonpartisan and thorough. I appreciate them and wish that he was more active than he is.

Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with you.

Answer 8

I appreciate his approach as well.