Comments on: A CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEKEND http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/ E AHO LA'ULA Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:40:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Brock Sides http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/#comment-1050 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000 http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/#comment-1050 Three words: stem cell research. The first executive order Kerry will make will be to allow federal funding for stem cell research. And Kerry can do this unilaterally, without having to get the support of Congress. Everything else is a wash. Iraq? No real difference in policy. War on terror? Same as Iraq. Returning to a sane fiscal policy? Divided government might do some good. Maybe. Abortion/Gay marriage? That's just red meat for the right-wing base. Free trade? The only difference will be in rhetoric. But every year we put off stem cell research is a year we don't have a cure for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Type I diabetes. And I don't know about you, but I fear the long slow decay of Alzheimer's far more than I fear being blown up by a crazed Islamic terrorist. And, just to lay my cards on the table, someone I love very much has Type I diabetes, and I'd pay everything I have to cure her. And right now, stem cells are the best hope I have for a cure. Three words: stem cell research.

The first executive order Kerry will make will be to allow federal funding for stem cell research. And Kerry can do this unilaterally, without having to get the support of Congress.

Everything else is a wash. Iraq? No real difference in policy. War on terror? Same as Iraq. Returning to a sane fiscal policy? Divided government might do some good. Maybe. Abortion/Gay marriage? That’s just red meat for the right-wing base. Free trade? The only difference will be in rhetoric.

But every year we put off stem cell research is a year we don’t have a cure for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Type I diabetes. And I don’t know about you, but I fear the long slow decay of Alzheimer’s far more than I fear being blown up by a crazed Islamic terrorist. And, just to lay my cards on the table, someone I love very much has Type I diabetes, and I’d pay everything I have to cure her. And right now, stem cells are the best hope I have for a cure.

]]> by: Mark Hasty http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/#comment-1051 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000 http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/#comment-1051 There you go. <i>That's</i> what I'm talking about. Thanks, Brock, and even though I'm not in favor of [a-word], I think the ban on stem-cell research is silly--and I have never seen what [a-word] and stem-cell research have to do with each other, anyway. There you go. That’s what I’m talking about. Thanks, Brock, and even though I’m not in favor of [a-word], I think the ban on stem-cell research is silly–and I have never seen what [a-word] and stem-cell research have to do with each other, anyway.

]]> by: Dave http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/#comment-1052 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000 http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/#comment-1052 We've heard plenty in the past four days about John Kerry's Vietnam service, but I think what is impressive is actually his congressional record. The thing that impresses me the most is that he devoted a huge amount of time, especially in his first few years in office, to the military, and specifically to veterans' issues. He fought to get MIA/POW's (or their bodies, or even just knowledge about their fates) from Vietnam long after the war. He fought for veterans' benefits when it was fashionable to cut them to trim the budget. I think that shows a lot of loyalty. There are myriad Democratic causes, and Kerry could have, like many people in his party, tried to straddle them all. Instead, while he *did* take (often complex and nuanced) positions on these issues, he kept his focus on the people who he felt we owed the most to - those who had been asked to fight, bleed, and die for their country. When Kerry talks about his "band of brothers", he isn't just generating platitudes, and his 20 years of service in the Senate proves it. I like the idea of a guy who is willing to lay it all on the line for people nobody else gives a crap about. It makes me feel like, if he's elected, he's going to do the right thing by me too. We’ve heard plenty in the past four days about John Kerry’s Vietnam service, but I think what is impressive is actually his congressional record.

The thing that impresses me the most is that he devoted a huge amount of time, especially in his first few years in office, to the military, and specifically to veterans’ issues. He fought to get MIA/POW’s (or their bodies, or even just knowledge about their fates) from Vietnam long after the war. He fought for veterans’ benefits when it was fashionable to cut them to trim the budget.

I think that shows a lot of loyalty. There are myriad Democratic causes, and Kerry could have, like many people in his party, tried to straddle them all. Instead, while he *did* take (often complex and nuanced) positions on these issues, he kept his focus on the people who he felt we owed the most to - those who had been asked to fight, bleed, and die for their country. When Kerry talks about his “band of brothers”, he isn’t just generating platitudes, and his 20 years of service in the Senate proves it.

I like the idea of a guy who is willing to lay it all on the line for people nobody else gives a crap about. It makes me feel like, if he’s elected, he’s going to do the right thing by me too.

]]> by: Peter http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/#comment-1053 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000 http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/#comment-1053 I'm voting Bush. Here are a few reasons, in no particular order. Tax cuts. Somehow a deputy sheriff with a postal clerk wife has become the rich. Our taxes skyrocketed in the previous administration, they're down a little. Meanwhile the tax cut shortened the recession, adding revenue to the Treasury. The war. I'm not real happy to have our troops in harm's way but at least they're fighting this bunch over there, rather than over here. Since the 1970's when this current round of expansionist Islamic terror first reared it's ugly head the administrations (of BOTH Parties) have reacted rather than acted. Finally we are acting, they are reacting to us. In any kind of fight the one taking the initiative is usually the victor. I don't claim that this war is going perfectly, no war ever does. I do claim that for the first time in thirty-odd years we aren't standing around with our dicks in our hands, waiting to be attacked. Integrity. Ennron, Global Crossing and a bunch of other corporate thugs turned once-proud corporations into Ponzi schemes under the previous administration. This administration caught them. Energy. The technnology to free us from dependence on fossil fuels is at least another generation away. One Party wants to ease our dependence on foreign oil by drilling our own sources, one Party wants to close our own sources off (and do what? That question is unanswered). Social Security. The Bush Administration is at least trying to keep it solvent, the other side merely wants to kick the can down the road. We can't afford that, in less than fifteen years, if nothing is done, the whole rotten mess is going to fall down around our ears. Education. Unless we put in meaningful reforms, especially competition, more generations of America's poor will be condemned to stay that way. In my youth political figures of one party would stand in the schoolhouse door to keep poor, minorities out of the better schools. Today that same Party is standing in the schoolhouse door to keep poor minority children IN the failing schools. Stem cell research. This administration is spending more than ever before on stem cell research. They're spending on adult stem cell, umbilical cord and the sixty existing lines of stem cells. The only thing that Federal money isn't being used for is 'harvesting' human fetuses for more. Since all available evidence points toward that as the least promising line of research, fine with me. I'm the guy that had to take early retirement because of Parkinson's, I'm following this. Gun control. It's an abject failure. Everywhere that citizens are allowed to own and carry firearms violent crime trends down. Everywhere the ownership of firearms is restricted it trends up or stays the same. I'm not usually the smartest guy in a large, crowded room but I can read the crime stats. I have many other reasons but this is getting long. I met George Bush during his first run for Governor. I spent most of an hour with him in a very small group, no more than six as people came and went. I spent some time active in local politics, I was a Precinct Chairman. I've met a lot of politicos. During the time I spent with Dubya he talked TO me where just about every other politico I've met talked AT me. He listened to what I had to say and responded with more than canned talking points. I like the guy. During his time as Governor and his term as president he's given me no reason to change my mind. He's smart, he's tough enough to handle the challenges and he's humble enough to listen to the little guys. I think that George W. Bush will go down in history as the Republican version of Harry Truman. Underrated in office, growing in stature as history examines him. I’m voting Bush. Here are a few reasons, in no particular order.
Tax cuts. Somehow a deputy sheriff with a postal clerk wife has become the rich. Our taxes skyrocketed in the previous administration, they’re down a little. Meanwhile the tax cut shortened the recession, adding revenue to the Treasury.
The war. I’m not real happy to have our troops in harm’s way but at least they’re fighting this bunch over there, rather than over here. Since the 1970’s when this current round of expansionist Islamic terror first reared it’s ugly head the administrations (of BOTH Parties) have reacted rather than acted. Finally we are acting, they are reacting to us. In any kind of fight the one taking the initiative is usually the victor. I don’t claim that this war is going perfectly, no war ever does. I do claim that for the first time in thirty-odd years we aren’t standing around with our dicks in our hands, waiting to be attacked.
Integrity. Ennron, Global Crossing and a bunch of other corporate thugs turned once-proud corporations into Ponzi schemes under the previous administration. This administration caught them.
Energy. The technnology to free us from dependence on fossil fuels is at least another generation away. One Party wants to ease our dependence on foreign oil by drilling our own sources, one Party wants to close our own sources off (and do what? That question is unanswered).
Social Security. The Bush Administration is at least trying to keep it solvent, the other side merely wants to kick the can down the road. We can’t afford that, in less than fifteen years, if nothing is done, the whole rotten mess is going to fall down around our ears.
Education. Unless we put in meaningful reforms, especially competition, more generations of America’s poor will be condemned to stay that way.
In my youth political figures of one party would stand in the schoolhouse door to keep poor, minorities out of the better schools. Today that same Party is standing in the schoolhouse door to keep poor minority children IN the failing schools.
Stem cell research. This administration is spending more than ever before on stem cell research. They’re spending on adult stem cell, umbilical cord and the sixty existing lines of stem cells. The only thing that Federal money isn’t being used for is ‘harvesting’ human fetuses for more. Since all available evidence points toward that as the least promising line of research, fine with me. I’m the guy that had to take early retirement because of Parkinson’s, I’m following this.
Gun control. It’s an abject failure. Everywhere that citizens are allowed to own and carry firearms violent crime trends down. Everywhere the ownership of firearms is restricted it trends up or stays the same. I’m not usually the smartest guy in a large, crowded room but I can read the crime stats.
I have many other reasons but this is getting long. I met George Bush during his first run for Governor. I spent most of an hour with him in a very small group, no more than six as people came and went. I spent some time active in local politics, I was a Precinct Chairman. I’ve met a lot of politicos. During the time I spent with Dubya he talked TO me where just about every other politico I’ve met talked AT me. He listened to what I had to say and responded with more than canned talking points. I like the guy. During his time as Governor and his term as president he’s given me no reason to change my mind. He’s smart, he’s tough enough to handle the challenges and he’s humble enough to listen to the little guys.
I think that George W. Bush will go down in history as the Republican version of Harry Truman. Underrated in office, growing in stature as history examines him.

]]> by: Dave http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/#comment-1054 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000 http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/#comment-1054 Here's another reason to vote for Kerry: as Americans, one of our fundamental values is that we want our kids to be able to achieve more than we could. I know I want that dream to be a reality for <i>everyone's</i> children and not just my own. With 40,000,000 Americans having no health care at all, and with health care, drug, and college costs increasing far faster than real incomes (often at double-digit annual rates), even many hard-working parents are finding it difficult to make ends meet, protect their kids' health (and their own, so that they can continue to be providers), and afford decent higher education. Nobody likes taxes, but I like the current picture for working Americans even less. As someone who could easily end up in one of the top tax brackets, I don't mind contributing a bit more so that my neighbors' children can have the same opportunities I've had. John Kerry has said over and over again that his top domestic priorities are affordable health care and education. More than that, he wants to reverse the trend towards unregulated "free" trade with countries that have far lower labor and environmental standards, so that American workers can compete on a level playing field. John Kerry's entire domestic plan is geared towards keeping the middle class - and therefore the American Dream - alive. Here’s another reason to vote for Kerry: as Americans, one of our fundamental values is that we want our kids to be able to achieve more than we could. I know I want that dream to be a reality for everyone’s children and not just my own.

With 40,000,000 Americans having no health care at all, and with health care, drug, and college costs increasing far faster than real incomes (often at double-digit annual rates), even many hard-working parents are finding it difficult to make ends meet, protect their kids’ health (and their own, so that they can continue to be providers), and afford decent higher education.

Nobody likes taxes, but I like the current picture for working Americans even less. As someone who could easily end up in one of the top tax brackets, I don’t mind contributing a bit more so that my neighbors’ children can have the same opportunities I’ve had.

John Kerry has said over and over again that his top domestic priorities are affordable health care and education. More than that, he wants to reverse the trend towards unregulated “free” trade with countries that have far lower labor and environmental standards, so that American workers can compete on a level playing field. John Kerry’s entire domestic plan is geared towards keeping the middle class - and therefore the American Dream - alive.

]]> by: Mark Hasty http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/#comment-1055 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000 http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/#comment-1055 Peter: You point about education is <i>excellent</i>. I live in a state where the teachers' union is the 400-lb gorilla of politics, and I share the frustration. I wish somebody would stand up to them. Dave: You're right, I see it as almost inevitable that taxes are going to go up under the next admnistration, whomever may be in charge. I don't mind, so long as we get something for our money, y'know? And health care and education are two things that are always on my mind. Peter:

You point about education is excellent. I live in a state where the teachers’ union is the 400-lb gorilla of politics, and I share the frustration. I wish somebody would stand up to them.

Dave:

You’re right, I see it as almost inevitable that taxes are going to go up under the next admnistration, whomever may be in charge. I don’t mind, so long as we get something for our money, y’know? And health care and education are two things that are always on my mind.

]]> by: Harry http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/#comment-1056 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000 http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/#comment-1056 Despite all the rhetoric, I see - and have always seen - the two parties as essentially a wash on defense issues. So that doesn't factor in to my decision-making. Two areas that do factor in are the environment (I know this isn't high on most priority lists, but this is my list) and health care. I see environmental issues as tremendously important, because they tend to be far-reaching and significant in ways we don't always suspect. And my position is that we should err on the side of caution environmentally, because having air or water that's a little too clean is not such a bad thing. Health care? We may not need a national health care system, but wer're spending an incredible amount on health care in this country, and we're not getting a great health care system out of it. So we need something better than what we have. I trust Democrats much more on those issues. Decision made, for me. Despite all the rhetoric, I see - and have always seen - the two parties as essentially a wash on defense issues. So that doesn’t factor in to my decision-making. Two areas that do factor in are the environment (I know this isn’t high on most priority lists, but this is my list) and health care. I see environmental issues as tremendously important, because they tend to be far-reaching and significant in ways we don’t always suspect. And my position is that we should err on the side of caution environmentally, because having air or water that’s a little too clean is not such a bad thing. Health care? We may not need a national health care system, but wer’re spending an incredible amount on health care in this country, and we’re not getting a great health care system out of it. So we need something better than what we have. I trust Democrats much more on those issues. Decision made, for me.

]]> by: bryan http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/#comment-1057 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000 http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/#comment-1057 There is no *ban* on stem cell research. There is a federal ban on using federal funds to pay for *embryonic* stem cell research. Any private company can fund all the embryonic stem cell research they want. And the federal government can fund adult stem cell research. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/08/20010809-2.html There is no *ban* on stem cell research. There is a federal ban on using federal funds to pay for *embryonic* stem cell research. Any private company can fund all the embryonic stem cell research they want. And the federal government can fund adult stem cell research.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/08/20010809-2.html

]]> by: M1EK http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/#comment-1058 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000 http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/#comment-1058 I have a friend who thinks like you do, and it's infuriating. Why shouldn't you vote against an incumbent if you think he's done horrible damaging things to our country? Letting him off with "just tell me positives about the other guy" is a huge handicap. I have a friend who thinks like you do, and it’s infuriating. Why shouldn’t you vote against an incumbent if you think he’s done horrible damaging things to our country? Letting him off with “just tell me positives about the other guy” is a huge handicap.

]]> by: Dave http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/#comment-1059 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000 http://markhasty.com/archives/2004/07/30/a-challenge-for-the-weekend/#comment-1059 I wasn't going to say it, but I sort of agree with Mike (well, not on the "infuriating" part). I like Kerry a lot, and I agree with him on most points. But I would vote for any Democrat with a pulse because of how dissatisfied I am with the job the current Administration has done. On the other hand, I also understand that there are many people out there like Mark who don't have an interest in politics and need a <i>positive</i> reason to vote for one candidate over another. This includes both jaded independents and those who are outside the "normal" political spectrum - Greens, Libertarians, etc. - who don't normally see much difference between the two parties. I don't think those of us on either side can afford to dismiss a request like Mark's, because (a) <i>we</i> care so deeply about who gets elected, and (b) it's people like Mark who will decide this election. I wasn’t going to say it, but I sort of agree with Mike (well, not on the “infuriating” part). I like Kerry a lot, and I agree with him on most points. But I would vote for any Democrat with a pulse because of how dissatisfied I am with the job the current Administration has done.

On the other hand, I also understand that there are many people out there like Mark who don’t have an interest in politics and need a positive reason to vote for one candidate over another. This includes both jaded independents and those who are outside the “normal” political spectrum - Greens, Libertarians, etc. - who don’t normally see much difference between the two parties.

I don’t think those of us on either side can afford to dismiss a request like Mark’s, because (a) we care so deeply about who gets elected, and (b) it’s people like Mark who will decide this election.

]]>