GOP kill their chance of victory

[Captain Seafort]

To be honest I really don't see why people are getting so het up about this. Yes, it's distasteful, but 1) these are politicians we're talking about, 2) Bush did much the same four years ago, so it's nothing new, 3) the attacks had the greatest impact on global politics since the fall of the Berlin Wall, and 4) McCain's greatest political asset is his experience in foreign policy - since 9/11 effectively defines the last seven years of US foreign policy, it's inevitable that it'll play a sgnificant role in his campaign.

[Teaos]

Yeah thats what I was saying, while its not classy there is much worse stuff out there. And anyone who didnt see this coming is more optimistic than me.

[Mikey]

It's upsetting to us - at least, those of us who recognize it for what it is - because McCain is playing upon such a horrible and tragic event in order to jingo up votes, which IMHO is completely distasteful and disrespectful to the memories of those who perished, their survivors, and those who sacrificed to help.

[Sionnach Glic]

I agree that it was clear it was going to happen sometime, Seafort, but I consider it morally reprehensible to play up the deaths of hundreds for your own advantage.

[Captain Seafort]

"Friends, Romans, countrymen led me your ears; I come to bury Caesar not to praise him."

It always has been and, I believe, always will be the nature of politicians to take any advantage then can to one-up their opponents, even when this involves parading the dead as campaign slogans.

[Mikey]

"Friends, Romans, countrymen led me your ears; I come to bury Caesar not to praise him."

It always has been and, I believe, always will be the nature of politicians to take any advantage then can to one-up their opponents, even when this involves parading the dead as campaign slogans.

You are correct; it still doesn't invalidate our criticism of it as reprehensible.

[Sionnach Glic]

Exactly. The fact that it's common does not excuse it.

[Captain Seafort]

Complaining about politicians using whatever means are at their disposal to get themselves elected is like complaining about rain being wet - it's a complete waste of time, that would be better spent challenging them on what they're claiming to be able to do.

In any event, in this case, while the video is certainly distasteful, mainly thanks to it's insistence on beating the audience over the head repeatedly and graphically with its message of "9/11 happened and was a Bad Thing", I think reprehensible is too strong a word.

The bare facts are that the attacks on New York and Washington defined the first decade of the 21st century. They will continue to define US foreign policy in particular for years to come. Given that al-Qaida and its off shoots are the most serious current threat to the United States, it would be remiss of any presidential candidate to fail to address them, and with McCain basing his entire campaign on the basis of "I'd be better at foreign policy than Obama", it'd be downright stupid of him not to make an issue out of the attacks. The style of the video may be somewhat ghoulish, and as is typical of US political broadcasts somewhat in-your face, but the point it makes is a good one.

[Mikey]

The problem is that this sort of jingoism evades any true point that might have originally been buried, and comes out to be "9/11 was bad so vote for McCain."

[Captain Seafort]

It came out as combination of jingoism, rubbernecker mentality and unintelligable waffle, and was greeted with the sort of reaction I'd expect from a goal scored in the World Cup finals.

Doesn't change the fact that the underlying point, while somewhat buried, is valid.

[Mikey]

My problem isn't with the message, it's with the form of delivery.

[Mikey]

And now, the other shoe drops at MSNBC:

Olbermann and Matthews can't call a spade a spade

[Tsukiyumi]

And now, the other shoe drops at MSNBC:

Olbermann and Matthews can't call a spade a spade

Yeah I heard about that. I saw Olbermann's reaction yesterday, and it's about the same as mine was. "Freedom of the Press", huh? As long as your views match the managements' and owners' opinions.

[Teaos]

I gotta say as much as I find Olbvermann amusing I think its the right call. If you want fair news you can't have a guy who is so obviously opinionated presenting it.

[Tsukiyumi]

Fox doesn't seem to have a problem with it...