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ExpectingJoy
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/05 751 total posts
Name:
Cari
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
Posted by JRD2008
I completely understand being wary of his policies- I am too, that's why I voted McCain! I was talking more about the people who are convinced our country is doomed and we are all going to become some socialist, horrible country. Many of his policies that are EXTREMELY to the left- will probably not pass in that form anyway. Maybe a version of it, but remember, even many democrats in congress are not as liberal as Obama. I asked Obama supporters this because the few sour apples in the McCain camp were the ones who scared the cr*p out of me, and I was looking for some reassurance.
And if he is really THAT bad...we'll just vote him out in 4 years. There is no guarantee he will have an 8 yr. term. 
For you, there is some good news here on Obama's policies. The senate didn't get 60 seats last night for the democrats, so all bills have to have republican involvement to pass. You can look at it like a mandatory check and balance.
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Posted 11/5/08 7:37 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
I did not vote for Obama but I am in no way scared for our country. Some people are just ignorant.
Message edited 11/5/2008 7:52:13 AM.
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| Posted 11/5/08 7:43 AM |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
Change can be VERY scary and induce panic in some. It's nothing to be worried about
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| Posted 11/5/08 7:54 AM |
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Acerone
I hate ants and ugly people.
Member since 3/07 6437 total posts
Name:
Chris
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
Posted by JRD2008
I was dissapointed that McCain lost. But that was it, dissapointed. But now these threads have me freakin TERRIFIED!!!! I never even THOUGHT to be afraid of Obama! I just don't agree with his policies. Why are people so afraid? I see posts saying good bye to America? Ummm what?? Am I missing something? I'm asking Obama supporters because I know that you will rationally help me see why I shouldn't be sitting here thinking of America's demise!!! 
When J.F.K was elected they said the same things about him because of his religion.... Look it up.... He was our first Catholic president.... And my 100 year old grandmother wasn't happy at the time but grew to like and respect him....
Although she didn't like her kid "my uncle" playing with the catholic children...
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| Posted 11/5/08 8:01 AM |
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Sherwood
LIF Adult
Member since 8/08 1643 total posts
Name:
s
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
I'm sorry...I think we said "goodbye to America" 8 years ago.
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| Posted 11/5/08 8:12 AM |
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heathergirl
Cocktail Time!
Member since 10/08 4978 total posts
Name:
American mouth
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
Posted by usuk2004
Posted by clwp
Posted by heathergirl
Ignorance and apathy. Notice how no McCain supporter has come on here to make any type of statement as to why they are scared?
That's not true - there are concerns over policies.
Honestly - to call people ignorant is name calling and ignorant as well. What I find most sad is the name calling on these threads. While I think the "historical" aspect of his winning is a good thing in the sense of the first black president... instead of using the word "scared" I will use the words: I have concerns about policies (i.e. healthcare, economy, etc.). While I'm not saying Bush did a good job with the economy (and it's not Bush that I voted for in this election anyway), I'm just not convinced Obama's policies will be in the best interest of our country. I hope I'm wrong, but who really knows. Please though - the name calling just makes the postings seem childish and as if people have to defend themselves by putting other's down.
Edited to add: maybe instead it would be helpful if those who supported Obama would post their reasons for doing so - other than the token: because "it's time for change" - be more specific about how you feel we will be a better America. Maybe this will eliviate fears moreso than calling someone ignorant. I can only speak for myself, but I didn't not vote for the man b/c of his race... I didn't support his policies. So insightful responses would be a breath of fresh air.
Great post. And I don't think this is what heathergirl meant by ignorance - you are clearly saying you have concerns about his policies and that's absolutely fair. It's the people that post God help us! Our society and our government as we know it will be lost forever! It's just scaremongering and just not rational.
To answer your question, I supported Obama because I agree with his policies - on healthcare, on the war, on abortion, on the environment. I think McCain would've made a fine president, but I voted for Obama because beyond the fact that I agree with his political stance I feel that he has a natural talent for diplomacy and for dealing with people in a fair, balanced, calming way. Those are the qualities I want to see in my president and those are the qualities I think will help the US move forward in every issue on the agenda.
To reiterate what everyone said, I wasn't calling the individuals ignorant or apathetic; but like others said, the melodramatic notions, the Socialism here we come  attitude is ignorant and apathetic. Lots of people have no clue about his policies; for them it was a race issue.
I applaud your intelligent response in this issue.
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| Posted 11/5/08 8:14 AM |
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MeeshMosh
last month on leave!
Member since 6/08 4551 total posts
Name:
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
Posted by sideshowbob
I'm sorry...I think we said "goodbye to America" 8 years ago.
 ITA
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| Posted 11/5/08 8:23 AM |
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snowflake08
Love my boys!!!
Member since 8/07 5148 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
its funny because yesterday when i said that people (SOME people) assume that if you voted for mccain it was because of race; I got belittled AGAIN
but here, some of you are saying the same thing
funny
anyway, it is what it is
I love my country and I HOPE he does a good job. Let him prove me wrong, and I will vote for him in 2012.
Otherwise, if he shoots himself in the foot; it's his fault.
Message edited 11/5/2008 9:21:47 AM.
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| Posted 11/5/08 9:20 AM |
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Cpt2007
A new love!
Member since 1/08 5946 total posts
Name:
Liz
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
Posted by snowflake08
anyway, it is what it is
I love my country and I HOPE he does a good job. Let him prove me wrong, and I will vote for him in 2012.
Otherwise, if he shoots himself in the foot; it's his fault.
just as i'm sure many of us would have said the same for McCain.
What saddens me this morning is hearing clips on the radio of McCain supporters saying things that we heard Gore supporters saying in 2000....things like "he'll never be my president." that rubs me the wrong way and in my opinion, i find that un-American, just as I do when people say that they are going to move to another country if so-and-so wins. it's sad that some people can't get past their loss.
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| Posted 11/5/08 9:56 AM |
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Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
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They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
Posted by heathergirl
Ignorance and apathy. Notice how no McCain supporter has come on here to make any type of statement as to why they are scared?
Perhaps because we are tired of being called ignorant and apathetic? Or perhaps because the OP made it clear that she only wanted answers from Obama supporters? Or perhaps because we're tired of everyone telling us we're all terrified that the country will fall apart because of the posts of a few people with more extreme views?
I heard LOTS of talk about fear for our country and the country going to hell in a handbasket under Bush. I didn't call those people ignorant or apathetic. Conservatives are just as capable of fearing for the effects of policies without being as ignorant and apathetic as we're painted to be by certain others.
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| Posted 11/5/08 10:04 AM |
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MrsRbk
<3 <3 <3 <3
Member since 1/06 19197 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
Posted by Kara
Posted by heathergirl
Ignorance and apathy. Notice how no McCain supporter has come on here to make any type of statement as to why they are scared?
Perhaps because we are tired of being called ignorant and apathetic? Or perhaps because the OP made it clear that she only wanted answers from Obama supporters? Or perhaps because we're tired of everyone telling us we're all terrified that the country will fall apart because of the posts of a few people with more extreme views?
I heard LOTS of talk about fear for our country and the country going to hell in a handbasket under Bush. I didn't call those people ignorant or apathetic. Conservatives are just as capable of fearing for the effects of policies without being as ignorant and apathetic as we're painted to be by certain others.
I will say it again as I did a few posts back. Just because I don't agree with Obama's policies, does not make me ignorant.
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| Posted 11/5/08 10:09 AM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
Posted by heathergirl
he melodramatic notions, the Socialism here we come attitude is ignorant and apathetic.
Lots of people have no clue about his policies; for them it was a race issue.
Exactly, as was the reason many many people supported Obama as well (race only). Race does play into this BOTH ways, pro and con Obama.
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| Posted 11/5/08 10:15 AM |
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cjik
Welcome 2010!
Member since 2/06 8879 total posts
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
I think this thread demonstrates what a huge, nearly insurmountable job Obama has ahead of him. Our country has become very partisan, more so than I can recall from a number of years ago, and people on both sides are doing a lot of name calling and fear mongering.
I am delighted Obama won, he was my pick all along, and I am proud that our country has elected a biracial president. I don't think you need to be afraid of the more extreme rumors that have been circulating--that he's a Muslim terroirst, a radical Socialist, etc. I do think he will reach towards the center and pick his battles. This has been his message all along--we need to stop being a country divided between red and blue states.
At the same time, I am afraid of the future just because the problems he has ahead of him are so huge. Bush has left a tremendous mess, and I would be afraid if McCain was the president elect as well. Not that I think McCain or Obama are incompetent, I think both are 1000 times better than the leadership we have right now. But our problems are big. Can Obama fix them? We'll see, but I truly do not think you need to be afraid of his tax proposals, relationships, or his turning our nation into a socialist country.
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| Posted 11/5/08 10:28 AM |
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Cpt2007
A new love!
Member since 1/08 5946 total posts
Name:
Liz
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
I can't speak directly for the others that posted on this thread last night and used the word "ignorant" but in my own case, I used the word in the sense of the definition of "lack of knowledge", not an ill-informed opinion, when people talk--without context-- about fears of absolute and total doom and gloom. I know that is splitting hairs, but that's what I meant. And certainly, just b/c you don't agree with one side's policies does not mean you are wrong, misinformed, or apathetic! Quite the contrary!!
We can have real differences, but when people devolve into fear mongering, that only brings us down and does nothing to further the debate and the national discourse that is so desperately needed at this time.
I for one, was trying to answer the OP's question about why people are so afraid (and don't back it up with any other information, and don't even try to have a rational discussion about differences of policy) and some of these fears that we have all seen IRL and at points, stated on these very boards, honestly have been viewed as irrational. They may be irrational, they may not be. But at no point would I ever call anyone "ignorant" in the "ignoramus" sense of the word.
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| Posted 11/5/08 10:36 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
Posted by MrsERod
Posted by JRD2008
I was dissapointed that McCain lost. But that was it, dissapointed. But now these threads have me freakin TERRIFIED!!!! I never even THOUGHT to be afraid of Obama! I just don't agree with his policies. Why are people so afraid?
one word:
IGNORANCE
ITA!
I can't speak for this site because I have not been on much, but in terms of other people I've been around (and the cousin we're now not speaking to over it   ), there has been a lot going around.
Particularly on Fox News, and on conservative radio and the conservative blogosphere, there has been a lot of chatter and (IMO) fear-mongering about Obama being a secret Muslim manchurian candidate, he's an extremist, he's a radical, he supprts terrorists, he's a socialist, etc. It's gotten to the point where it's really quite silly. In the past few days I heard people saying Obama wanted to cute education funding, bankrupt the coal industry, kill babies, make religious observance illegal, etc etc.
The people making these specious claims are really compelling and it feeds into the fear and anger our country has been feeling since 9/11, and in some cases, latent racism.
Even though certain things have been disproved over and over (higher taxes on the middle class, Obama not born in US, Obama saying he would side with Muslims, Michele Obama calling someone"whitey", etc), people still continue to tout them, and so millions of people continue to believe them.
For my part, I have loved Barack Obama since I saw him speak at the DNC in 2004. I still have the speech on my iPod. I said "that man is going to be president of the United States someday." I think he's incredibly intelligent, I think he really cares about our country, aprticularly the needs of the middle and lower classes and minorities. I think yes, he has made mistakes and done things out of political expedience, but I think he is going to be a great president. He came from a single parent household, and a really unremarkable life until he became politically awakened in college and went on to graduate from Columbia and become the first black president of the HArvard Law Review. With that distinction he could have gotten a job at any major NYC law firm or clerking in DC, but instead he went back to the streets of Chicago to continue to work for justice. He wasn't a rich man until he wrote his books. I also think he's a man who clealry loves his family and loves his country.
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| Posted 11/5/08 10:41 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
Knowing what the policies actually are and disagreeing with them is NOT ignorant. What IS ignorant is buying into the fear-mongering.
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| Posted 11/5/08 10:44 AM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
Posted by cjik
I think this thread demonstrates what a huge, nearly insurmountable job Obama has ahead of him. Our country has become very partisan, more so than I can recall from a number of years ago, and people on both sides are doing a lot of name calling and fear mongering.
I am delighted Obama won, he was my pick all along, and I am proud that our country has elected a biracial president. I don't think you need to be afraid of the more extreme rumors that have been circulating--that he's a Muslim terroirst, a radical Socialist, etc. I do think he will reach towards the center and pick his battles. This has been his message all along--we need to stop being a country divided between red and blue states.
At the same time, I am afraid of the future just because the problems he has ahead of him are so huge. Bush has left a tremendous mess, and I would be afraid if McCain was the president elect as well. Not that I think McCain or Obama are incompetent, I think both are 1000 times better than the leadership we have right now. But our problems are big. Can Obama fix them? We'll see, but I truly do not think you need to be afraid of his tax proposals, relationships, or his turning our nation into a socialist country.
ITA.
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| Posted 11/5/08 10:44 AM |
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metagefken
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/08 679 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
since 9/11 we have been a country living in fear. fear that has been advocated by this current administration. if you didnt "stay the course" no matter what the problem was you needed to be afraid. afraid of what would happen to your personally and afraid of what would happen to you as a citizen of the world. it has been so engrained into our psyches that when we even entertain the idea of going another way we have to stop and maybe assume that it would be a mistake and this new way would probably hurt us. we heard the same rhetoric in this campaign. that change would do us more harm than good. its what we were used to. but, no more.
Obama brings hope. hope for us as Americans and hope for us as part of the bigger picture. we shouldnt be a country living with fear. we should be a country holding our heads up and facing head on with pride any problems that may come our way. we should be a country that is looked upon by other countrys as one who builds up and not destroys. we should be a country that leads in a thoughtful, caring, compassionate manner and not one who bullies our way through life. we should be all that we and the world know we can be and then some. we havent been that way for some time and now we have a chance.
this has been my 10th presidential election and i have never seen someone bring a country together as Obama has. he crossed all lines. age, race, religion, regional, party affiliation. he has the stuff that greatness is made of but he cant do it alone. we need to help it along and we need to do it together. instead of asking what he can do for us as indivuduals we should be asking what we can do as a whole for this country. so instead of waiting for him to fail lets work together and help him succeed. if he does we will not only here but around the world as well.
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| Posted 11/5/08 10:59 AM |
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Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
Posted by Cpt2007
I can't speak directly for the others that posted on this thread last night and used the word "ignorant" but in my own case, I used the word in the sense of the definition of "lack of knowledge", not an ill-informed opinion, when people talk--without context-- about fears of absolute and total doom and gloom. I know that is splitting hairs, but that's what I meant. And certainly, just b/c you don't agree with one side's policies does not mean you are wrong, misinformed, or apathetic! Quite the contrary!!
That definition of ignorant doesn't change my opinion on this. I still don't think people who fear for the effects of Obama's policies are necessarily lacking in knowledge. Sure, some are. So are some Obama supporters. I am of the opinion that two intelligent, informed people can still disagree. I think it is unfair to assume that people who disagree must be ignorant.
We can have real differences, but when people devolve into fear mongering, that only brings us down and does nothing to further the debate and the national discourse that is so desperately needed at this time.
I for one, was trying to answer the OP's question about why people are so afraid (and don't back it up with any other information, and don't even try to have a rational discussion about differences of policy) and some of these fears that we have all seen IRL and at points, stated on these very boards, honestly have been viewed as irrational. They may be irrational, they may not be. But at no point would I ever call anyone "ignorant" in the "ignoramus" sense of the word.
ITA with you about spreading hatred and fear mongering. It's no secret on these boards that I am a John McCain supporter, and I've been vocal AGAINST the hatred and fear mongering and misinformation out there about Obama. My point to the comment about why McCain supporters are not running over here to explain themselves if that the MAJORITY of us are not hateful people who are fearful of Obama and think the country is going to literally fall apart or be blown off the map. Yet, we seem to get grouped together frequently as just "conservatives who are buying into the fear mongering and are terrified of Barack Obama."
I DO have very, very serious concerns about the effects of many of his policies. I do NOT buy into the inflammatory crap that has been posted here or elsewhere, though. A small, vocal population is being seen as THE voice of McCain supporters or conservatives and that is unfair and inaccurate. I'm not defending the inflammatory remarks. I'm just not going to run over here and feel like I have to explain conservatives' positions when the question was clearly asked of the Obama supporters.
I should be able to say "I fear X" without that meaning I buy into every inflammatory piece of conservative propaganda out there. I feel like people on the boards are splitting hairs over words these days. "Fear" isn't a horrible word. "Fear" doesn't make someone ignorant or apathetic or stupid or racist. I've heard plenty of democrats out there say they fear what would happen if McCain were elected. I don't think that makes them uninformed or apathetic. (And if one is fearful, aren't they by definition then not apathetic?) Many people feared what would happen when Bush was re-elected. I fear some of the effects of proposed policies, though I recognize that they are just that PROPOSED policies and I may or may not be right about the outcome of them. Perhaps we need to replace the word "fear" with concern. Sometimes it feels like if you feared Bush's administration, that's normal, but if you use the word fear about Obama, you're ignorant. (Yes, yes, yes, I know, I know - I am setting myself up here.  )
I don't support or buy into the fear mongering AT ALL -- and I've stood up for that belief, too. I do, however, object to classifying ALL conservatives and XZY or ALL liberals as ABC. I just wanted to make clear that not every McCain supporter who uses the word "fear" or even "terrified" buys into inflammatory, untrue conservative propaganda.
Hopefully that makes sense. Yes, sometimes I think people exaggerate their feelings, especially over something as important to people as this election. I just don't think it's fair to split hairs over people who say "I fear for our country" while venting over the election and automatically assume they must be hateful, terrified people buying into false propaganda. I never made that assumption about the people who say "I'm terrified what would happen if John McCain was President" or the people who in 2004 were saying they were terrified.
Hopefully that's a bit clearer... I think the point I'm trying to get across is that there's no excuse for the fear-mongering and the spread of hatred. At the same time, though, that's being done by a small, vocal group of conservatives. Many of us are NOT doing that and don't condone what is being done. That doesn't mean we don't have valid concerns.
Edited b/c I answered my own question...
Message edited 11/5/2008 11:14:07 AM.
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| Posted 11/5/08 11:02 AM |
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Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
Posted by JenniferEver
Knowing what the policies actually are and disagreeing with them is NOT ignorant. What IS ignorant is buying into the fear-mongering.
No one is disagreeing with that.
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| Posted 11/5/08 11:06 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
Posted by Kara
Posted by JenniferEver
Knowing what the policies actually are and disagreeing with them is NOT ignorant. What IS ignorant is buying into the fear-mongering.
No one is disagreeing with that.
Right. Well I am just clarifying what I am calling ignorant. I am NOT calling ratonal, informed people who fall on the right side of the spectrum ignorant (though I can come up with some other names  ). The thing that has really disturbed me has been the fear-mongering and all of the lies
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| Posted 11/5/08 11:12 AM |
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Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
Posted by JenniferEver
Posted by Kara
Posted by JenniferEver
Knowing what the policies actually are and disagreeing with them is NOT ignorant. What IS ignorant is buying into the fear-mongering.
No one is disagreeing with that.
Right. Well I am just clarifying what I am calling ignorant. I am NOT calling ratonal, informed people who fall on the right side of the spectrum ignorant (though I can come up with some other names ). The thing that has really disturbed me has been the fear-mongering and all of the lies
I know. I was agreeing with you.
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| Posted 11/5/08 11:15 AM |
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Cpt2007
A new love!
Member since 1/08 5946 total posts
Name:
Liz
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
Posted by Kara
Hopefully that's a bit clearer... I think the point I'm trying to get across is that there's no excuse for the fear-mongering and the spread of hatred. At the same time, though, that's being done by a small, vocal group of conservatives. Many of us are NOT doing that and don't condone what is being done. That doesn't mean we don't have valid concerns.
Edited b/c I answered my own question...
yes, very clear. ty for explaining. and I do apologize if it seemed that I was lumping in everyone into one basket. not my intent and i need to be more cognizant and careful that what I write does not come off as a broad stroke generalization.
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| Posted 11/5/08 11:15 AM |
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Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
Posted by Cpt2007
Posted by Kara
Hopefully that's a bit clearer... I think the point I'm trying to get across is that there's no excuse for the fear-mongering and the spread of hatred. At the same time, though, that's being done by a small, vocal group of conservatives. Many of us are NOT doing that and don't condone what is being done. That doesn't mean we don't have valid concerns.
Edited b/c I answered my own question...
yes, very clear. ty for explaining. and I do apologize if it seemed that I was lumping in everyone into one basket. not my intent and i need to be more cognizant and careful that what I write does not come off as a broad stroke generalization.
No, no, no. I wasn't looking for an apology. I actually think we agree more than we disagree. We are maybe just phrasing things differently. I know I did quote your post and was responding to the ideas in it, but I did not mean it as a debate-like response to your post. Your post just made me realize I was not clear earlier.
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| Posted 11/5/08 11:19 AM |
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Cpt2007
A new love!
Member since 1/08 5946 total posts
Name:
Liz
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Re: Obama supporters...I have a question?
Posted by Kara
Posted by Cpt2007
Posted by Kara
Hopefully that's a bit clearer... I think the point I'm trying to get across is that there's no excuse for the fear-mongering and the spread of hatred. At the same time, though, that's being done by a small, vocal group of conservatives. Many of us are NOT doing that and don't condone what is being done. That doesn't mean we don't have valid concerns.
Edited b/c I answered my own question...
yes, very clear. ty for explaining. and I do apologize if it seemed that I was lumping in everyone into one basket. not my intent and i need to be more cognizant and careful that what I write does not come off as a broad stroke generalization.
No, no, no. I wasn't looking for an apology. I actually think we agree more than we disagree. We are maybe just phrasing things differently. I know I did quote your post and was responding to the ideas in it, but I did not mean it as a debate-like response to your post. Your post just made me realize I was not clear earlier.
No, I know. I just wanted to say that in case I had offended anyone that was lurking on the thread.
And I agree, we very likely do agree on more things than not.
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| Posted 11/5/08 11:22 AM |
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