Slashdot Mirror
Help Bush and Gore Answer Slashdot Questions
1) War on Drugs
by Tim Doran
The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election. My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
Your answer:
2) Minority Religions...
by Electric Angst
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Your answer:
3) Why give a tax cut?
by funkman
With the surplus, everyone has been saying "Let's have a tax cut, Let's have a tax cut." In the meantime, Alan Greenspan and friends are trying to keep inflation and the speed of the growing economy in check so it doesn't burst. Which they are doing by raising interest rates periodically. (6 times this year)
A tax cut flies in the face of what Greenspan is trying to do. A tax cut will inject more money into the economy and do what Greenspan is preventing.
Why is a tax cut so big? Wouldn't the money be better spent on the deficit so when worse times roll along, a tax cut can be easily given by not paying as much on the debt?
Your answer:
4) electoral reform
by carleton
Some people, especially those that favor '3-rd' party candidates, have called for the ending of the electoral college system to be replaced by a simple purely popular vote, or at least allowing for splitting the electoral votes by each state. The best recent example was the Bush-Clinton election. Clinton received 43% of the popular vote (but a sufficient majority of the electoral vote), whereas Perot got at least 10% of the popular vote but zero electoral votes. If memory serves, Vermont is the only state which does currently allow for its votes to be split; if someone wins 60% of the Vermont popular vote, they get 2 votes and the 40% candidate gets 1. This in contrast to California, where someone can get 51% of the popular vote, and therefore gets 53 (or whatever it is nowadays) electoral votes. What is your position on this issue?
Your answer:
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
by Phil Gregory
In this age of the Internet, intellectual property has become a very important concept to many people. Many companies make their living on the artificial scarcity provided by intellectual property laws, selling information that they have either created or aggregated. Some others, mostly in the Free Software world, make their living seemingly in spite of these laws, selling their services based on information that is freely given.
Do you feel that out current system of intellectual property is a good one? Which parts of it (e.g. trademarks, patents, copyrights) do you feel are well suited to the world of the Internet and which do you think need to be changed (and, if changes are needed, what changes are needed)?
Your answer:
6) Encryption....
by SquadBoy
Many tech people think that strong encryption is one of the best ways we have to protect freedom both now and for future generations. For example to preserve information that future not so friendly governments may think we don't need to have and to make sure that things we want to have remain private remain private. Given this what would you do to help preserve our right to privacy through the use of strong encryption? Also in a related question what are your thoughts and what do you plan to do about the fact that we can not export many forms of strong encryption?
Your answer:
7) Rising Political Protests
by sterno
In the last year or so we have seen a tremendous escalation in the quantity and size of political protests against globalization and the rising power of corporate multi-nationals. Do you believe that these people have reason to be concerned? If you do believe that they have reason for concern, what steps would you take as president to deal with their concerns?
Your answer:
8) Asteroid Defenses
by Ethelred Unraed
Would you renew funding of programs to research and develop global defense systems against asteroids or other such threats from space?
Your answer:
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
by 11223
I'm very concerned with the future of the country, and about what our national mission seems to be. Looking back through American history, every period seems to have a defining popular mission - like the "manifest destiny" movement in the 19th century, the Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. During these times, there would be one struggle or idea that captivated the attention of the nation, sort of providing a national mission.
I'm a little confused as I look around today. What is our mission? To me, it seems to be "to watch TV and use the Internet." What would you say the defining national mission of today is? What should it be? Furthermore, how would you show this in your activities as a lawmaker? (For instance, if our national mission is the pursuit of science, then would you increase funding for scientific pursuits in the budget?)
Your answer:
Gore: You go to hell, Nader! YOU GO TO HELL AND YOU DIE!
*cough*
GWB: sorry. If the questions don't involve coke or killing people through capital *sniff* punishment. *sniff* i'm not interested *sniff*
Of course they screwed it up! They're women, they're different. Things are never the same once they changed.
Some people feel that it is for the worst, some thing for the best. Who knows? It's all about point of view.
People need to quit being such babioes and deal with it. Hell, I'll vote for Bush 'cause he had the balls to that!
Next, I want to educate your kids, but don't worry, we won't make them feel bad by ranking them with evil grading, nor will we teach anything even remotely controversial (no more "THEORY" of evolution). And remember, 2+2=5 isn't "wrong" or deserving of an "F". It just "needs improvement" and is pretty darn close, and deserves a pat on the back for effort. It's my new fuzzy math!
Third, the constitution gurantees that everyone may own a firearm, but don't worry, we'll make the process so expensive and restrictive with 15,000 forms to fill out, long lists of banned weapons, "impact" studies to carry out and submit, 50% of your annual income gun taxes, extensive background investigations (that the gun buyer must pay for) of all the gun owners associations over his lifetime so as to make ownership nearly impossible.... but it's still legal just like getting a NEW mining permit in Colorado where the paperwork process is expected to take 400 years to complete. This is my gun purchase model.
Fourth, states get in the way of helping kids and protecting the elderly and block us from diong what's right, so we plan to merge all state and municipal govt's into the Federal gov't. State boundaries will be erased and will become the 50 Federal Districts of America. Then with no more meaning to the 10th Amendment, we can do things like decide speed limits, blood alcohol levels, and ban college sports betting without having to extort states into compliance with their highway funds like we do now. And won't that make us all feel better?
Fifth, I intend to eventually end the private ownership of automobiles. Pollution is killing the planet. But to start with, though, the strictest Calif emmissions standards will be retroactively applied to ALL cars, trucks, busses, lawn mowers, boat engines, airplanes, leaf blowers, scooters, motorcycles, etc. Non compliant vehicles will be ordered destroyed without compensation to the environmental KILLER that owned the polluting vehicle. And we can't have exemptions for car collectors to abuse and flout the pollution laws either. A 57 Chevy pollutes as much as 200 new cars. That is an unforgivable crime.
So vote for me, Al Gore, on Nov 7th. Because everyone else supports gun crime, murder, rape, pedophillia, financial irresponsibility, and getting high. I care about you, and your kids!
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Paid for by the "God is on Al Gore's side" foundation.
This is what the Bible tells us about the morality of taking another human life: if it's wrong (murder) then it's wrong (thou shalt not).
I don't know where we'd be without its moral guidance!
--
Xenu loves you!
I know it says Bush or Gore, but it figgures answering third party's would be ignored.
1: This is a issue for the individual states. The constituion does not allow the federal goverment to get involved. We belive the states should legislate against the use of deadly drugs, but that is their buisness. However all enforcement must be in a mannor respecting the limits placed by the constitution, in particular the fourth ammendment.
In addition consider the following quote from http://www.constitut ion party.org/lets_take_back_america.htm[On Colombia] This war is not about fighting drugs. It is not about defeating the narco-terrorists or the Communist influences from Cuba and from China in Colombia. This is another New World Order adventure in which American lives will be lost for no good purpose unless we can provide leadership in cutting off the money for this unconstitutional activity.
2: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." That said I'm a Christian, and so I don't recignise other religions as valid. However, as president, my country doesn't recignise any religion. So long as your religion isn't horrid (that is human sacrafice is out) the US should stay out of your way. So as long as you can freely practice your rediogigion (which means not participating in mine) you should have no cause for complaint.
I belive that tax breaks for religions (churches) simply are a way to bribe ministers [to not mention anything the goverment is doing wrong], and when looked at that way, it is clearly something the first ammendment was trying to prevent.
To turn this around, is your minority religion oppressed because there are many who belive you are wrong, or are you oppressed because laws are preventing you from practicing. If the former, I will not prevent one person from having free speach so you can have your religion, but if the latter I will work to repeal the oppressive laws.
3: Anytime you do major changes to the tax code there will be changes are people adjust to them. However my platform is more then a massive tax cut, it is also a spending cut. So we are allowing you to spend more money, but because the goverment is spending less, there will overall be LESS money in the system. This money will come from unconstituional programs, of which there are many. Of course many people will be hurt in the short run, but in the long run we will be better off, and can adjust if they have to.
4: As a third party I don't like the current system, but there are worse things the goverment does. However since we are touching election reform let me ask why tax payer dollars are going to political partys. My party has pledged to never take any goverment money to run our campaign (even if the current rules didn't discriminate against us)
5: [Congress shall have power] "To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries;"
I belive in the constitution, and will enforce keep patents and copyrights for a limited time as required. It is however unclear to me how to call the current duration of copyrights as limited. Otherwise, while there are specifics of everything that is wrong, the reforms needed are minor.
6: "Amendment IV: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, ..." That looks like encrption to me. I am secure at home against unreasonable searches and seizures in part becuase I use a lock. My comptuer papers are secure (or not) because I use (or don't) encryption.
This does not cover reasonable searches. If there is probable cause (and other requirments met), then things change, a court may order you to give up your keys if they cannot break the lock.
As for exporting strong encryption, the constitution does not allow anyone to prevent exports.
7: The following was taken from an essay by Howard Phillips, and ways it better then I can (url in answer to question one):
"We favor, and given the chance, will secure the immediate withdraw of our country from the United Nations.
"The other day I received a questionnaire from the League of Women Voters of Nevada, and they said we have a nuclear waste problem in America and a lot of the nuclear waste is targeted for certain locations in the state of Nevada. Do you agree that the nuclear waste should go to Nevada? I was asked. And I said, absolutely not. We should place that nuclear waste in Turtle Bay, New York under the United Nations Building.
8: Congress (Not the president) is charged with protecting the nation from invasion. While the framers of the constitution could not envision a day when we could defend ourselves from asteroids or other threats from space, today we can envison it, and in the future can achive it. Congress has power to maintain a navy, and I expect one day the navy will provide defense against space based attacks.
That said, today while we can envision technolody to do this defense we cannot achive it now. However we should consider threats from space in defense plans. Our missile defense plan should eventially extend to cover them. Today however we cannot reasonably defend ourselves against those attacks.
9: History makes it easy to see these times. Some were obvious while we were in them, others not. Manifest destiny didn't cover all the 19th century, and much of the population didn't move west as new territory opened up.
I suspect that history will give the answer, if anyone has a time machine to go forwards and check. However we can move to a mission of freedom, and limited goverment, and that is what a vote for me represents.
8) Asteroid Defenses
by Ethelred Unraed
Would you renew funding of programs to research and develop global defense systems against
asteroids or other such threats from space?
Answer: Al Gore
As an asteroid sufferer myself, I would most definitely aprove of a spending bill that would further research and defense against this maligned condition, whether it originates from space OR Earth.
I think most adults are aware of the problems with things like alcohol or smoking, but kids are not.
Most legalization advocates support keeping the prohibition on selling to minors. In the current situation, there's no disincentive for selling to kids.
As for the rest, there's really no reason to believe the other drugs are any better or worse than alcohol. If the drug war was 100% effective, people who abuse drugs would mostly abuse alcohol instead. And the 20,000+ who die at the hands of drunk drivers aren't better off because the person wasn't using cocaine.
Ooh, a sarcasm detector. Oh, that's a real useful invention.
Now, I do thing that Gore and Bush are too close in ideals that after you add the Congress to it, they will probably have about the same effectiveness on American policy. (even if it is Bush with a Rep-controlled Congress). I am getting tired of hearing the same stump speeches, and the treatment of Nader, etc etc. But this is also a result of how close this election is -- if it were already a landslide, I can tell you that the media would be half as interested in the election speeches as they are now. And this is not bad, as it gives voters more input to make a well-informed decision. But it does lead to a lot of repetition : I'm ready to vote, and vote now.
"Pinky, you've left the lens cap of your mind on again." - P&TB
"I can see my house from here!" - ST:
I think drugs are good: it taught an entire generation the metric system!
-----
If Bill Gates had a nickel for every time Windows crashed...
benevolent dictatorship.
Know any benevolent dictators?
These are my friends, See how they glisten. See this one shine, how he smiles in the light.
John McCain lost due to some dirty tricks specifically funded by "soft money". Some right-wing christian looneys (Falwell and freinds) got together in a key state (Michigan), and spammed phone calls out to the electorate saying that John McCain cut funding for breast cancer research - which was true, but it was simply that he voted against a bill that had a ton of unacceptable riders, He's not "pro breast cancer", as the phone calls said.
I believe that without serious campaign finance reform, this sort of crap is going to continue to ruin our country. Who's for campaign finance reform? Not the guy who's winning because he's getting financed by these special interests. So, it's not just the big corporations that are buying this election, it's George Bush's rich golfing buddies, and the freinds of the republican party who are counting on him to make abortion illegal. Yes, that's the outcome of democracy in a nation of sheep. But stampeding voters with expensive lies is more at the root of how this nation works. The majority of voters don't think like you because the majority of voters don't think.
Personally, I'm voting for Nader. I sure as hell wouldn't want him being elected, and I wouldn't want a Green-run United States, but this country needs a third party, because some of these issues NEED discussion, and their being ignored.
These are my friends, See how they glisten. See this one shine, how he smiles in the light.
1) War on Drugs
Well, drugs certainly are popular with young people today, especially Slashdot readers, though many have agreed that "pot makes you stupid" - despite many links to solid research done by those in support of decriminalization. I believe that as long as this controversy exists, we should seek out more articles on this topic, because they generate a LOT of hits. Unfortunately, unless it's about Carl Sagan, it's hard to find any drug articles that have anything to do with Nerds.
2) Minority Religions...
Though Christians and Wiccans seem to be the majority readership here, the Athiests seem to have the most support from the moderators. I support the discussion of all religions, because when you get down to it, religion is a very Nerdy topic, especially for anthropologists, angst-ridden philosophy majors, and of course those hard-core Darwinist/Athiests.
3) Why give a tax cut?
I get a LOT of email. Most of my email lately is on the so-called Karma Tax, whereby if a skilled troll previously earned 70, 80, 100 or even more karma points, they were just hording them, and kept posting inane drivel that got modded up anyway. Now, we've enacted the Karma Tax, where all accounts with more than 50 karma can no longer accumulate more karma points. This spreads the wealth to our less fortunate members, the First Posters, and especially, the rare, and endangered Penis Birds. Some argue that capping karma at 50 points takes away anyone's incentive to earn more karma by posting thoughtful comments. This is patently untrue, because nobody needs more than 20 karma anyway, to get the +2 bonus. That's already capped. If we didn't apply caps to these values, the discussions would be dominated by people like Signal 11, posting at +20 - even though people can set their thresholds lower, they just don't. Some people say that this is simply a failure of the moderation and metamoderation system, that the moderators simply aren't doing a quality job. Well, what should we do then, hire a subcontractor to do moderation? Turning it over to the private sector isn't the answer. The answer is meta moderation. Anyone can meta moderate, but nobody is doing it. If you have a problem with a moderator, metamoderate, and let's bitchslap that ho.
4) electoral reform
This ties in nicely to the last issue. The way moderators are chosen is well documented in the FAQ, if you don't like it, go to post on Kuro5hin with the other 3 people. Changing the rules at this point of the game is silly.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
Of course, all posts become the property of Slasdot, and BenDover.net. Got a problem with that? Don't post. If you post someone else's intellectual property, and they try to sue us, well, we'll try and fight it, but of course in reality, we're not going down for your silly little cause.
6) Encryption....
Since we're not really banned anywhere yet, there's really no reason for encryption. But someday soon, since we nerds and hackers seem to be becoming a persecuted minority, we'll probably have to encrypt the whole damn site soon. When that happens, we'll have to post a story and we'll let the readers decide on an implementation. I'm guessing we'll end up using the NP-HG (Natalie Portman-Hot Grits) algorithm. It's not GPL-ed yet. But if we whine enough it will be.
7) Rising Political Protests
Also another very popular topic, but difficult to rationalize it's relationship to "News for Nerds". Luckily, the Slashdot readership has become more mainstream over the years, and accepts this kind of thing. Good thing article submissions themselves don't get moderated. Otherwise we'd post only discussions on Linux and x86 hardware, and we'd have NO traffic.
8) Asteroid Defenses
There's really nothing we can do about this except make sure we've got good offsite backup.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
Well, hopefully, the incessant whining about the moderation system will stop, because it was a pain in the ass coming up with the system we have, and it works well enough to keep generating banner revenue, so it's not going to change. Like I said before, if you don't like it, go read Kuro5hit.
These are my friends, See how they glisten. See this one shine, how he smiles in the light.
Wordnik, a dictionary project which aims to collect
Hal Duston
hald@sound.net
As far as spending the money on a tax-cut, that is a non-meaningful statement. A tax-cut would mean that the money was never collected, and could never, therefore, be spent. Where is that money now? I have not paid it. How can "letting me keep more of the money I earn" be called "spending".
As for the tax cut benefitting the wealthies 10 percent the most, almost any tax-cut is going to do that, unless it has a "cap". I would bet if the following tax-cut was implemented, the top 10 percent would still see the most benefit by dollar value
- top 10% - 10% tax-cut - pays over million, so saves $100,000
- 10-20% - 20% tax-cut - pays around $100,000, so saves $20,000
- 20-30% - 30% tax-cut - pays $10,000, so saves $3,000
- ...
- 70-80% - 80% tax-cut - pays $1,000, so saves $800
- 80-90% - 90% tax-cut - pays $100, so saves $90
- bottom 10% - 100% tax-cut - already pays nothing, so saves nothing
(All numbers made up)Hal Duston
hald@sound.net
Why the hell would anybody moderate this up? The only "insight" here is proof of the old saying: "Opinions are like assholes. Everybody's got one."
Wow. You obviously put a lot of time into that. However, your clear bias towards Gore makes the entire piece less useful.
By the way, I take issue with your statement "Bush wants to increase military budget a lot." As I understand it, Gore intends to increase the military budget at roughly twice the rate as Bush.
4) electoral reform
by carleton
Some people, especially those that favor '3-rd' party candidates, have called for the ending of the electoral college system to be replaced by a simple purely popular vote, or at least allowing for splitting the electoral votes by each state. The best recent example was the Bush-Clinton election. Clinton received 43% of the popular vote (but a sufficient majority of the electoral vote), whereas Perot got at least 10% of the popular vote but zero electoral votes. If memory serves, Vermont is the only state which does currently allow for its votes to be split; if someone wins 60% of the Vermont popular vote, they get 2 votes and the 40% candidate gets 1. This in contrast to California, where someone can get 51% of the popular vote, and therefore gets 53 (or whatever it is nowadays) electoral votes. What is your position on this issue?
Gush:
Well Carelton, this is a question I have been asked quite frequently. The electoral system doesn't inhibit the voting system that much. It makes it easy for people to relate the size of their state to the size of other states. Originally, the U.S. was 13 colonies, with 13 separate democracies. The electoral system promotes the individuality of the various states, and thus preserves our heritage.
Bore:
Well Carelton, unlike my opponent, I am for a fair electoral system, one that gives each person an equal voice. As president, I will push this issue just like all my other promises.
Yes. Vote Nader. Just make sure you ignore the fact the he did not answer the question about encryption either. This does not excuse GW or gore, but It does say something about Nader.
That sure was worth you +1 point bonus, now wasn't it???
What is wrong with softmoney? Money=Speach so if Nader wants to ban softmoney what will he do about info on the net he does not agree with??? IF he is a logical person he will have to ban it also...
Ok.
So Nader is an expert in the following fields?
Medical care
National Defense
The enviroment
Race relations
Campaign finance reform
???
If violent criminals are walking the streets, why is violent crime down???
by Electric Angst
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
G.W Bush:
"Well. Let me say this about that. What you will get under my program is not, it's not that I don't like minorities, well, some of my best friends are minorities, like Spanish, I love the Spanish and I hope they vote for me!
The record shows that I love Spanish food, Spanish food if it's not too hot, or spicy. I really like Taco Bell and that's Spanish that's not too hot -- I mean, it's good food, American food, that's not hot, I mean it's warm enough to eat and it's good.
Good American food. Food that's Spanish. A minority of Americans eat Spanish food. And I do.
And I think that we need to get Big Government out of Spanish food, and out of minorities.
And we need to get minorites out of Big Government unless they're Spanish and they eat food.
Thank you."
t_t_b
--
I think not; therefore I ain't®
I'm on PJ's "enemies" list! Are you?
by Tim Doran
The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election. My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
G.W. Bush:
"The Democrat administration, Bill's been letting defense fall all apart under his watch and I wouldn't.
It's really important that these United States have a strong military and the military defend us against the hundreds of thousands of United Nations troops that right at this moment are hiding in the woods of Northern Minnesota, just waiting for word from the Trilateral Commission or from the Free Masons or from the Wicans, to come sweeping down out of the woods of Northern Michigan and take away all our guns and make us a one-world government of socialists and atheist-humanists and Wicans, too, whatever they are.
The Democrat administration under Bill, Bill's been too busy letting his morals get all soft to be hard on defense and I'm hard on defense, very hard, but under my program I'd be easy on making defense hard, it would be easy for defense to be harder and stronger and tougher because a good defense is a strong offense.
And offense is important, too, in a war, a war on drugs or the commies or the Libyans or what have you.
And a war on Wicans.
What ever they are.
Thank you."
t_t_b
--
I think not; therefore I ain't®
I'm on PJ's "enemies" list! Are you?
The war on drugs:
Al Bush: Drugs represent a danger to the poor and disadvantaged in our inner cities, as well as young people everywhere. Since we know what's best for them, we're going to give more power to all of the police and anti-drug groups who say that they need more power. Al Bush is not soft on crime!
Minority religions:
George Gore: Our nation prides itself on freedom of religion. It's in our Constitution. Everyone should be free to worship or not to worship as they wish. We respect the spiritual decisions of all Americans, and recognize the importance of religion to American life, and that the government has no place in it.
Why give a tax cut?
George Bush: It's your money!
Al Gore: It's your government!
Electoral Reform:
Al Bush: No answer.
Intellectual Property:
George Gore: We must protect the rights of those who create and invent, while at the same time protecting the rights of consumers. We'll get "experts" in these areas to produce more great, high quality legislation like the DMCA to make sure this happens. What? What check from the MPAA? I don't know what you're talking about.
Encryption:
This one was answered by the candidates elsewhere. Gore is for continual bans on its export, Bush believes in opening the market, as well as making encryption and privacy an important right for all Americans.
Rising Political protests:
Al Bush: Certainly, the concerns of those protesters are valid, and we should take them into account before turning the world into one giant Starbucks.
Asteroid Defenses:
George Gore: We don't know much about that, but we'll hire "experts" to "inform" us what to do.
The Future of the Country, and of Humanity:
Al Bush: Blah blah dawn of a new millennium blah blah we're prosperous now but we need to be even more so blah blah spiritual renewal blah blah fairness and opportunities for all people and stuff like that.
--
"How many six year olds does it take to design software?"
dinner: it's what's for beer
Would Bush be a better man if he'd spent 10 years in prison for snorting cocaine when he was young?
Well, he wouldn't be running for President today, which I see as an improvement...
Gore: "whatever Bush says."
--
You don't become a failure until you are content with being one.
Or perhaps just an anti-Gore rant. Just in case you are pro-Bush (and you weren't merely being sarcastic), let me challenge you on one issue:
I think thay we should be leading the way in the war on drugs.
And how, exactly, is the government going to "lead the way" in the war on drugs? The same way it's been "leading the way" in the drug war for the past few decades (and still failing miserably)? The same way it was "leading the way" in prohibition (which everyone agrees was a miserable failure)?
Tell me, at what point will we have decided that we've "won" the war on drugs? And how is alcohol prohibition different from marijuana prohibition (or any other drug prohibition)? Also, do you think that Bush would be a better candidate if he had spent ten years in prison for his "youthful indescretions"?
I don't make the rules. I just make fun of them.
I guess it's a good topic to laugh about, but let's keep one thing in mind, one thing that's not exactly funny: Bush is a criminal, a criminal because he has a sad track records with death penalty. Legal murders are the worst of all developed countries, and Texas alone compares quite "well" with such "democracies" as Saudi Arabia or China.
Way to go, Dubya! To all of you who are going to vote Bush, FUCK YOU, you're a bunch of criminals, or accomplices at best. Especially those of you who are stupid enough to elect him for tax cuts.
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1) War on Drugs (by Tim Doran)
The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election. My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
Bush: I will personally see to it that we start running anti-drug commercials with subliminmal messages in them to help keep drug out of our childrens' lives. Furthermore, I will make sure that all drug offenders are executed, because the death penalty helps to reduce crime. In fact, you can take a look at my record in Texas to back that up!
Gore: My position as Vice President has taught me that drugs are okay as long as you don't inhale. I will see too it that criminals who commit violent crimes will be placed in a lockbox but drug users who don't inhale will not suffer any ill consequences.
CmdrTaco: Personally, I believe drugs are great. I even bought one of CowboyNeal's infernal torches since I thought it'd be a great way to help me smoke up on the go.
2) Minority Religions... (by Electric Angst)
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Gore: While Tipper and I passionately believe in Christianity, we both believe that it's very important to keep freedom of religion in the United States and throw all of those who don't believe in freedom of religion into an iron clad lockbox.
CmdrTaco: Religions are great, and I believe that everyone should be able to choose their own faith and have it protected by the federal government.
Bush: You mean there are religions besides Christianity? Well by golly, they must not be very important, I almost never hear about them on the news!
3) Why give a tax cut? (by funkman)
With the surplus, everyone has been saying "Let's have a tax cut, Let's have a tax cut." In the meantime, Alan Greenspan and friends are trying to keep inflation and the speed of the growing economy in check so it doesn't burst. Which they are doing by raising interest rates periodically. (6 times this year). A tax cut flies in the face of what Greenspan is trying to do. A tax cut will inject more money into the economy and do what Greenspan is preventing. Why is a tax cut so big? Wouldn't the money be better spent on the deficit so when worse times roll along, a tax cut can be easily given by not paying as much on the debt?
CmdrTaco: I believe that tax cuts should be granted to all citizens, but these cuts should be small enough to keep the economy running smoothly and inflation rates stable.
Bush: Rich people pay more taxes than those who are not! This simple is an unfair and unjust practice and I want to see to it that the playing field is leveled for every citizen.
Gore: My opponents tax cut is simple bizarre. I propose giving tax cuts only to those who are in need of it and putting the rest of money in a lockbox to make sure that money helps reduce the national debt.
4) electoral reform (by carleton)
Some people, especially those that favor '3-rd' party candidates, have called for the ending of the electoral college system to be replaced by a simple purely popular vote, or at least allowing for splitting the electoral votes by each state. The best recent example was the Bush-Clinton election. Clinton received 43% of the popular vote (but a sufficient majority of the electoral vote), whereas Perot got at least 10% of the popular vote but zero electoral votes. If memory serves, Vermont is the only state which does currently allow for its votes to be split; if someone wins 60% of the Vermont popular vote, they get 2 votes and the 40% candidate gets 1. This in contrast to California, where someone can get 51% of the popular vote, and therefore gets 53 (or whatever it is nowadays) electoral votes. What is your position on this issue?
Bush: I believe that this is a very important issue, and that we should give all the electoral votes to the republican party so that we can stop letting partisanship interfere with the way the Government works.
Gore: If my opponent's plan went into effect years ago, I may not have been able to get into the government position I was in when I invented the Internet. The drastic positive changes the Internet has made in our daily lives goes to show that my opponent's plan is bad for the American people. Politicians like Mr. Bush should be put into a lockbox.
CmdrTaco: I totally agree with this and will push to get the electoral system reformed if I am elected. The current system makes it nearly impossible for anyone who's not part of the major two political parties to be elected.
5) How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property? (by Phil Gregory)
In this age of the Internet, intellectual property has become a very important concept to many people. Many companies make their living on the artificial scarcity provided by intellectual property laws, selling information that they have either created or aggregated. Some others, mostly in the Free Software world, make their living seemingly in spite of these laws, selling their services based on information that is freely given. Do you feel that out current system of intellectual property is a good one? Which parts of it (e.g. trademarks, patents, copyrights) do you feel are well suited to the world of the Internet and which do you think need to be changed (and, if changes are needed, what changes are needed)?
Gore: When I invented the Internet, I foresaw these problems and they're one of the reasons I'm running for president. The current intellectual property laws need to be drastically reformed, and I will strive to make sure that they are, and that the old laws are put into a lockbox.
CmdrTaco: The current IP system is so broken that nothing but a complete re-drafting of the entire IP system can fix it. I, too, will push for this if I am elected.
Bush: I believe that intellectual property should be put into the hands of the people, not big government. I also believe that violations of intellectual property laws should be punishable by the the death penalty, because it helps to reduce crime
6) Encryption.... (by SquadBoy)
Many tech people think that strong encryption is one of the best ways we have to protect freedom both now and for future generations. For example to preserve information that future not so friendly governments may think we don't need to have and to make sure that things we want to have remain private remain private. Given this what would you do to help preserve our right to privacy through the use of strong encryption? Also in a related question what are your thoughts and what do you plan to do about the fact that we can not export many forms of strong encryption?
CmdrTaco: I believe that we must fight to protect our rights to encryption and that we also must fight to allow exportation of all kinds of encryption. Not only does this help protect citizens, but it will help strengthen the economy by letting corporations securely communicate with foreign subsidiaries.
Bush: I believe that the decisions about encryption should be placed into the hands of the people, not handled by big government. I believe that the American public is smart enough to make their own decisions.
Gore: I strongly believe in encryption rights for everyone, domestic and foreign. Everybody should have the right to their own personal lockbox to protect their private information.
7) Rising Political Protests (by sterno)
In the last year or so we have seen a tremendous escalation in the quantity and size of political protests against globalization and the rising power of corporate multi-nationals. Do you believe that these people have reason to be concerned? If you do believe that they have reason for concern, what steps would you take as president to deal with their concerns?
Bush: I believe that everyone has the right to peacefully demonstrate, but I want to make sure that when protests go violent, everyone is arrested and sentenced to death. I believe this is the only way to keep our streets safe and preserve our childrens' future.
Gore: I agree with the concerns of many of these people, and I propose using antitrust laws to help put these companies in a lockbox so that they cannot gain any more power.
CmdrTaco: I have to agree that this is a problem, and I want to make sure that the power of big corporations are kept in check by the government, rather than the current policy which seems to be promoting it.
8) Asteroid Defenses (by Ethelred Unraed)
Would you renew funding of programs to research and develop global defense systems against asteroids or other such threats from space?
Gore: Yes, I believe that it's important to develop a system which can stop incoming astral threats so that we can both protect our citizens and put the threads in a lockbox to more closely study them.
CmdrTaco: Maybe, though I don't believe that this will be a problem in the immediate future based on current projections.
Bush: I believe that aliens invaders should suffer the death penalty if they try to harm our citizens. Not only is this a great way to protect our citizens, but it also sends a message of "hey, don't screw with us" to other aliens who may consider attacking us.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity (by 11223)
I'm very concerned with the future of the country, and about what our national mission seems to be. Looking back through American history, every period seems to have a defining popular mission - like the "manifest destiny" movement in the 19th century, the Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. During these times, there would be one struggle or idea that captivated the attention of the nation, sort of providing a national mission. I'm a little confused as I look around today. What is our mission? To me, it seems to be "to watch TV and use the Internet." What would you say the defining national mission of today is? What should it be? Furthermore, how would you show this in your activities as a lawmaker? (For instance, if our national mission is the pursuit of science, then would you increase funding for scientific pursuits in the budget?)
CmdrTaco: Quite frankly, I'm quite content with watching TV and using the Internet.
Bush: I believe our mission must be returning power to the citizens. The government simply can't make optimal choices based on the wide variety of people living in America today.
Gore: I believe that we should continue our missions of developing the Internet, trying to ensure that all families have access to the Internet, and also to ensure that every American family has a lockbox.
Note: This is satire. Please don't hurt me.
--
Ben Winslow..........rain@bluecherry.net
bluecherry internet..http://www.bluecherry.net/
You know, my dad has been saying that for years. Being a native of Saint Paul, MN, I offer up the portions of Minneapolis west of the Mississippi River as the "prison" space. Build stadium seating around it, with bulletproof glass so we can make a sporting event of it.
Who are you going to vote for? Check the candidate fact sheet
Speaking of which, I'm sure glad that I support the death penalty... Because I don't have a choice! I wouldn't want those minority types to get all snooty thinking that it's wrong that they're disproportionately represented on death row.
"We already have compassionate conservatives; they're called Democrats." --Bill Maher
-Peter
. Penguins Surely Ca
Bush: We can assure you the Republican Party has no intellectual property whatsoever. Gore: But under our administration, this would apply to the majority of US citizens and not just the top 1%!
Bush's answer:
We gotta do what's right, we gotta do what's fair. And that means that ex-cokeheads like mahself should stay out of prison at all costs, while we fuel the prison industry by locking up minorities at a rate that surpasses most other countries in the world. Ah have trust in our joodishul systum, because that's what governors do when they're not giving out hugs.
In fact, ah don't think the war has gone far enough - ah mean, in a real war, you have casualties, right? It's time to start killing drug users! We have a mighty-fine death chamber down here in texas, and ah gotta tell you, hard as we try, there are still a few days when it goes unused.
If ah could sign a law that made people love each other, ah would, and we'd do what's prudent, on the right timetable - but until then, ah think it's time to step up the war on drugs with mandatory death penalties for first time abusers. ah'd mandate that from the federal level, to keep those liberal judges from legislating from the bench. It's up to the congress to control the legislative branch, tie their hands in any way we can. That's not big government, that's tough on crime!
Query from the audience:
Mr. Bush, do you really think that locking up small-time users is a cost-effective way to approach this problem? How much is all this costing us?
Mr Bush:
Ooh, look at the time, gotta go... Did you know Al Gore claimed he invented the internet?
---
1 We have same number of people with drug problems now as we did 80 years ago before criminalization. Except now we have crminals. And 2 million people locked up on drug charges. Several thousand locked up for LIFE for selling a few ounces of weed.
2 We've seen the beginnings of a 'Protestant roots and awareness' movement (a quote not my words) to stop the tide of anti-Christian godlessness. This ought to chill you.
3 I'm on going to say this one million times. THE PRESIDENT CANNOT SET TAX POLICY THAT IS CONGRESS'S JOB. Any candidate for any office in the executive branch that tells you anything about what he or she is going to do about taxes is deceiving you or doesn't know basic civics.
4 What difference does an electoral system make where the difference between the candidates is almost zero. We would be better served with a random lottery. Who cares about if a candidate gets 10% of the pop vote but 0 electoral votes. Isn't it much more serious when a candidate wins with say 45% of the total vote and that vote represents 45% of the people who can vote. One could say that you no longer live in a Democracy with numbers like that.
5 Is this thing on? Who buys candidates? Organizations with serious money in in IP. Why? That is the way you legally justify beating the shit out of people via lawyers. Are you serious? IP Reform. You might as well ask for free water or clean air.
6 Encryption. Wonk wonk wonk wonk. Both candidates are asleep by now. That's a nit that propjockeys like you and me are concerned with. The real question is how many civil rights are you willing to give up in the face of some hysterical call to pull the wagons in a circle?
7 First off there has not been a rise. They've always been there on the front lines. You just notice it more now. Second: These are the little people. They don't count. Even the unions don't count. What counts is money.
8 Asteroid.....In case you haven't been listening we don't have the attention span to watch a music video unless there is something else going on on the screen at the same time. 2 minutes 45 tops. You expect anyone to give a shit or even pay attention to something that might happen in the next century? You expect someone to pay for it? I can't someone to come 3 times in a row to mow my lawn and you expect me to worry about taking years out to devise a complex solution for this.
9 National mission? This is our national mission. Its our fucking manifest destiny. Push ever onward until everyone in the world is us or just like us so we'll have something in common with the people we kill or let kill each other. Here's a quick quiz. See if you can find the thing that is not like the others:
Sports
News
Politics
Entertainment
Religion
Technology
Warfare
purple balloons
Did you get it? Did you find the one item that isn't another name for each of the other items. Good. Now don't look up, push another fucking cheeseburger in your face, beat your wife, turn on the tube and shut the fuck up while we run shit. If you have any stupid fucking questions about that we suggest you run naked into a police station, waving a gun.
That is all. Dismissed.
What bothers you, the use of the word 'nation'? Does it mean a government or a community? Does that distinction matter? At any rate I think its covenient to talk about Lieberman because what he says is not altogether inflammatory and who basically talks the talk of modern Orthodoxy .No real surprises there it's what you expect to hear from someone who not only is deeply religious but someone who was brought up that way, that is, someone who hasn't come to their religion in middle age full of that y'all-gonna-burn-in-hellfire sanctimony. On the other hand I'm much more worried about people who shout "God hates you and it is my holy mission to execute His will". Whether you belive that they are sincere or not, be not confused that people like that will easily rationalize their own participation in another genocide.
I was talking w/friends recently about how both candidates are open w/their drug/alcohol use of the past (or possibly present).
:)
.02
It seems that we will be hardpressed to find a leader in the future that has not done some sort of hardcore partying. Is this a bad thing? Most certainly not. Considering the numerous people that do smoke/drink in this country I see it as better than them not having experienced the life we all did (or lying about it).
The thing that bothers me though is this: why the fuck are they lying about their past (I didn't inhale, etc). Just come out in the open and admit it. It isn't as big of a deal as it used to be, and *I* *personally* would rather have an honest, open candidate than some bigger bullshit artist..
What do I know though? I am looking at the world from a drug-ridden brain. I see things on a differnt plane
Just my worthless
1 War on drugs. Well, the problem is that its been a war too long. Lets declair peace and leagalize them. Why fight them when we could tax them.
2. Minority religions. As far as I'm concerned as long as you are not sacrificing innocent people you have nothing to worry about. If you want protection, I'd suggest your local gun merchant.
3. Tax cut. We don't need tax cuts, a flat tax would be the answer. Everyone pays 15%. No deductions, no oversized tax books. No more IRS. Taxes will take all of 15 min.
4. Electoral Colledge. In my opinion its far out of date. It was designed based on a country that lacked fast communications. When you had to wait for the pony express to arive that tended to slow the whole progress. But since congress is against change it would be a hard fight.
5. Intellectual Property. To start with the copywrite system needs to be overhauled and sectioned to different departments. Works of art, literatur, artwork, ect is pretty simple. For computers there needs to be a complete review of all copyrights and a change to make public domain and concepts used by many companies/people listed as non copywritable. Also a technical oreinted staff to review and process computer copywrites. Also a review system so the public can comment on the possibilies of invallid copywrite attempts.
6. Encryption. We should pass laws allowing all to create and use whatever encryption they feel they need. As for exporting encryption program, since we have many world wide companies based in the US, the restrictions should be removed to allow secure information regardless of location.
7. Corporat power. That is an issue that really needs attention. We need a set of laws allowing for criminal prosecution of corporate people abusing individuals. The selling of private information without the owners concent in writing should be a jailable offence. Large corporation who like to squash smaller companies (no names need be spoken here) should be cruely delt with with as drastic an action as needed. CEO's who continue to abuse their power after being informed of their violation would be brought up on criminal charges.
9. The future of the country. I think the future of the country should be to continue growth. Funding scientists to find new forms of energy to drive the nation. More funding towards space exploration. Allowing competition with NASA from private companies to promote the growth of new ways of getting into space. We should stop policing the world and move towards colonizing the moon, mars. Mining the asteroid belt, and many other possibilities.
If ignorance is bliss, the world is full of blissful people
If only Gore could measure up to the high standards of intelligence that you so clearly possess.
---
The War on Drugs problem could be solved by dropping a small nuclear warhead on every plantation the US satelites could locate. Naturally, marijuana erradication would call for some droppings in continental US, what lead us to the minority religions problem.
The judicious use of tactical nuclear weapons could solve the minority religions problem too (or at least avoid the main problem presented by Wacco, survivors). The same solution can be used with marijuana fields in continental US.
1. War on drugs
"Drug therapies are replacing a lot of medicines as we used to know it."
2. Minority Religions
"Our priorities is our faith."
3. Tax Cut
"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it."
4. Electoral Reform
(no response)
5. IP
'This campaign not only hears the voices of the entrepreneurs and the farmers and the entrepreneurs, we hear the voices of those struggling to get ahead."
6. Encryption
We cannot let terrorists and rogue nations hold this nation hostile or hold our allies hostile.''
7. Asteriod Defences
"It's going to require numerous IRA agents."
8. The future
"That's a chapter, the last chapter of the 20th, 20th, the 21st century that most of us would rather forget. The last chapter of the 20th century. This is the first chapter of the 21st century."
All quotes from here
ZOMG I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS ON MACINTOSH VERSUS WINDOWS, VI VERSUS EMACS, AND HOW YOU'RE NOT A DORK
War on Drugs:
We haven't been putting enough money into it. Being a Democrat, expect higher taxes to fund this.
Minority Religions:
I invented Wicca. Shinto, too. Santaria was Tipper's, though.
Tax cut:
Tax cuts? Democrats? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Electoral reform:
Like hell. Do you think I want to be in for just one term?
Intellectual Property:
Well, it's all on the Internet nowadays, isn't it? I invented that, so by extension, it's all mine. Same with your question. I own it now, too.
Encryption:
...
Sure, but not on Saturdays. At least that's what Joe says.
Rising Political Protests:
You will *all* be crushed under my boot.
Asteroid Defenses:
I plan on sending GW on a collision with the first asteroid to even *look* at me the wrong way. Oh, and the ISS has a giant butterfly net for catching them. You know, just in case. I invented that, too.
The Future:
Our mission? To take over everything else. Once we all live in the United Continents of Goreland (TM), you will see the light.
Of course, I suppose you want to know where this money's *really* coming from. The lockbox, of course. And while you may think you know where the lockbox is, you really don't.
Raptor
Raptor
"Procrastination is great. It gives me a lot more time to do things that I'm never going to do."
War on Drugs
I think thay we should be leading the way in the war on drugs. And furthermore, if you elect me president, you'll never hear the words "No controlling legal authority" in the White House.
Minority Religions
I think that religions are important, and our nation must elect a leader who is trustworthy and doesn't claim to have invented the Internet.
Why give a tax cut?
My tax cut will give money to EVERY American. I don't like the sound of "targeted tax cuts" which is what you would expect from a candidate who continues to claim many things that he hasn't done.
Electoral Reform
The best electoral reform that America can do is to completely turn away from a administration that has undergone impeachment and has never shown any clear moral values and elect ME to be president.
Intellectual Property
Intellectual property is an important concern, but not as important as getting rid of candidates who claim that they didn't know they were fund raising in a Buddhist temple.
Encryption
America has some of the best encryption techniques in the word, no thanks to an administration that has acted in such a recklessly immoral fashion, such as that incident with the White House Intern.
Political Protests
I think that EVERYBODY in America should protest the current administration that has taken the credit for the last eight years of prosperity. Come on, what did President Clinton and Al Gore actually DO THEMSELVES to make this happen? I truly believe it was the work of the state Governors, especially in the last six years or so.
Asteroid Defenses
Mr. Gore has made some comments about how shameful it is that Hollywood is targeting minors for R-rated pictures with violence, while at the same time, taking their money in contributions.
The Future of the Country
I want to believe in an America, where just about ANY IDIOT AT ALL can spend six years in politics and then find himself the party's best candidate for President.
--
"May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"
Drugs are bad.
Religions are good.
Tax cuts good.
I'm for it, except where it allows third party candidates in presidential debates.
I'll have Mr. Gore remove all his stuff when he vacates the Vice Presidential mansion.
Encryption good. Except when it's bad.
Protests bad.
I thought Bruce Willis did a pretty good job, even though Hollywood is corrupting our youngsters.
Humanity is good.
--
"May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"
All he said was "Women changed the social dynamic for the worse". He didn't say women shouldn't be allowed to go to University. Obviously something was lost, you can't have change without losing something. In his opinion what was lost was greater than what was gained.
Bite the hand.
Well, many people may not believe this, with the democrats portrayal of me as a bumbler, but I am actually quite the intellectualizer when it comes to freedom of warship. I've spoken many times, many times, of my love of Wiccan furniture. Those folks really know the sense of good old American hard work, weaving away as thay do. Not only do I support the, what did you call them?... Jahovah's Witnesses? That one of my first acts as President, with the help of former CIA head, Dad, I'll enact the the first Federal Jahovah's Witness Protection Act. And I've been supporting my friends in Utah so much that some folks think actually I'm a Moron! I'd say about the only relijun I have a problem with are the Boodists. Especially around holloween I don't think we need talk of Monsteraries. And I don't like their choice of who to support financially (though I CAN change my opinion if they can... wink). Lastly, as proof of my support of religun, it's a known fact that as Governor of the great state of Florida... huh? what's that? Oh yeah, I mean Texas, that I've sent more people to meet their maker than any other Governor.
1) War on Drugs
If the polls show that I can get the most votes by continuing the war on drugs, I will support it. Otherwise, I'll speak out passoinatly against it but I will not do anything real.
2) Minority religions
Even though these are "minority" religions, it is very popular to embrace these in today's culture so I will do so also. You will probably see me practicing various religions depending on where I am and what is popular in that area
3)Why give a tax cut?
Well...I'm not going to really, but I like to say that I am because everyone would like to keep more of their own money and the polls say I should.
4) Electoral reform
If I win the election there will be no need for electoral reform because the people will have voted for the correct canidate and we can all celibrate how wonderful democracy is. If I lose then there is obviously no democracy in America and the system must be broken or the people are just stupid so I will be forced to whine and complain until it is fixed (along with the main-stream media)
5) How do you feel about intelectual property?
I think its a good thing - I own the internet you know.
6) Encryption
Encryption should be used, but only if there is a backdoor that the goverment or other theifs can use.
7) Rising political protests
Hey, if they are getting more popular and this is shown in the polls then I'm all for them.
8) Asteroid defenses
To defend against an asteroid collision would be to interfere with the natural order of things. Just let the damn thing hit earth and I'll come out of my bunker after a few years and start working to repopulate the earth.
9) The future of the country, and of humanity
Only the polls know.
\forall code \in C, \frac{\Delta readability(code)}{\Delta t} < 0
That's funny, but it's also an argument I've seen used seriously, as a rationale for DOMA.
(DOMA == the so-called Defense Of Marriage Act, which said that US states don't have to recognize any same-sex marriages recognized in any other states (if that ever happens) and also defined marriage as far as the US federal government as "one man & one woman". This "Defense Of Marriage Act" was championed -- at least in part -- by many people who are guilty of adultery and/or who have been divorced at least once ... and it was signed by Bill Clinton. Talk about pegging the ol' ironicometer ...)
While I don't think our health care system is good, all the ones "solved by fiat" are worse - and that's even *BEFORE* you think about how expensive they'd be if *WE* weren't paying for *ALL* the significant research.
I've seen healthcare by decree, and I've seen what we have. What we have is *better*.
"Better" doesn't mean "good", and I'd like to see people keep trying to solve this problem, but the one thing we know for sure is that *no one* has solved this problem.
The fundemental problem is that it is possible, but insanely expensive, to push the envelope a few percent. If we don't, we are letting people die. If we do, we are devoting *all* of our resources to healthcare. We have found one compromise - we do it for people that can afford it. It's not the best answer, maybe, but it's *an* answer.
Environmental issues: Yes, a lot of people endorse Gore. A lot of people think Superfund works, too. I don't buy an endorsement from a group with one agenda item picking the candidate who *says* the most. Bush has a better record on *improvements*, even though Texas sucked when he got there.
Yes, Bush is a politician, and I don't believe *everything* he says... But he doesn't lie as often or as much as Gore does. Also, with the sold vote thing, I have to say that I think Gore is more deeply dishonest.
Anyway, I appreciate the feedback, and I'm aware that not everyone will agree. (BTW, don't worry about being "slashdotted". That article has gotten no more than 400-500 hits so far today.)
My blog: http://www.seebs.net/log/ --- My iPhone/iPad app: http://www.seebs.net/seebsfrac/
http://www.plethora.net/~seebs/pres.html
Also have a look at the description of how Gore sold his vote: http://www.culturaldissident.com/Simpson.htm.
My blog: http://www.seebs.net/log/ --- My iPhone/iPad app: http://www.seebs.net/seebsfrac/
In the case of Bush vs. McCain, Bush put together an ad where he was with some Vietnam vet and got the guy to say that McCain had ignored vets and let them down. McCain was livid. Not only did this break the agreement they had against mud slinging, but he is very sensitive on Veterans issues, and so it was a big blow below the belt.
So, McCain got angry and he went all out after Bush. Bush's camp of course accused McCain's of brining down the level of the campaign, and it turned into a giant mud slinging fest quickly. So, less independents showed up and Bush won it.
Oh, and if you believe Bush's rhetoric about being somebody who will improve the tone of washington politics, just look at how he operated in the Primary to see what a crock that is.
---
This sig has been temporarily disconnected or is no longer in service
Thanks for the laugh, this election has been sooooo boring, I love reading what /. people have to say. We need to take the election.
VOTE NADER
or
VOTE BROWN
Even if neither wins, it will send a message.
LoRider
that's a good comment, keep up the good work.
LoRider
it doesn't matter if Bush or Gore answered these questions. They would give their scripted answers and even if they did put some thought into any of the questions, like they will ever do anything they say they will.
The election is a joke, just not a funny one.
LoRider
this is from
u sh/question/
http://www.webwhiteblue.org/debate/2000-10-15/b
Quote:
Religious Freedom And Tolerance Is A Protected Right
I am committed to the First Amendment principles of religious freedom, tolerance, and diversity.
Whether Mormon, Methodist, Jewish, or Muslim, Americans should be able to participate in their constitutional free exercise of religion. I do not think witchcraft is a religion, and I do not think it is in any way appropriate for the U.S. military to promote it.
endQuote:
Run. I like water. Push My rutabaga.
This is, of course, anti-Semitic horseshit.
Here is Exodus 21:12-14:
"One who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death, but not if it is unintentional, but God allows it to happen: then I will apoint you a place where he shall flee."
There's nothing there about "Hebrew" or "Israelite" or anything else. It says MAN (which in Hebrew includes the feminine gender). It also includes the concept of unintentional murder, which is vaguely analagous to homicide in American law.
As for the amazingly bloody wars described in the Torah and the rest of the Jewish Bible, they were quite the norm at the time. The Amalakites, for example, are singled out for destruction because rather than attacking the Hebrews head-on (where the men would be), they attacked the rear, where the women, children, and the feeble would be.
Now go crawl back under the rock from whence you came.
-jon
Remember Amalek.
We've gotten no direct responses from either Gore or Bush
So what indirect responses have you got? This seems like something's being held back - if they, or their press office gave you some sort of answer (eg "We don't want to do it") that still merits a mention. I didn't think that Slashdot was in the business of editorial control. Maybe I was wrong.
--Remove SPAM from my address to mail me
Please read THIS sir, and then tell me its just liberal leftists. Don't be fooled, democracy really has left the building.
-=Gargoyle_sNake
-=-=-=-
This is my sig. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
8. Asteroid Defenses
Bush: "If some rogue asteroid goes around threatening our planet, there's got to be a consequence."
Gore: "I will make sure the Earth is placed in a lockbox so it is safe from asteroids."
Glückwünsche, haben Sie Slashdot ermordet, indem Sie zum korporativen Druck beugten und Subskriptionen einlei
"My vote for Ralph Nader will send this country a powerful message: Bush is a bad president."
--
Okay, I got Linux installed. So where's the free beer everyone keeps talking about??
1) War on Drugs
;) :P
by Tim Doran
The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election. My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
Vice President Gore: I do not believe that there is such a thing as unqualified success. To have true success in any endeavor, one must qualify in every regard. I would like to impress upon you that I am my own man. If I were elected to the office of President, I would seek to improve our nation's drug situation.
Governor Bush: If not for the war on drugs, I would have had an easier time scoring blow, I'll tell ya!
2) Minority Religions...
by Electric Angst
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Vice President Gore: Those with different beliefs should have equal rights to those who hold the same beliefs as the majority. I would endeavor to improve our nation's situation with regard to this problem.
Governor Bush: Well, I have never personally met any practicioners of the "et al" religion... But that Santaria guy plays some mean guitar.
3) Why give a tax cut?
by funkman
With the surplus, everyone has been saying "Let's have a tax cut, Let's have a tax cut." In the meantime, Alan Greenspan and friends are trying to keep inflation and the speed of the growing economy in check so it doesn't burst. Which they are doing by raising interest rates periodically. (6 times this year)
A tax cut flies in the face of what Greenspan is trying to do. A tax cut will inject more money into the economy and do what Greenspan is preventing.
Why is a tax cut so big? Wouldn't the money be better spent on the deficit so when worse times roll along, a tax cut can be easily given by not paying as much on the debt?
Vice President Gore: I'm a Democrat! We cut taxes! We're your friends!
Governor Bush: I'm a Republican! We cut taxes! We're your friends!
4) electoral reform
by carleton
Some people, especially those that favor '3-rd' party candidates, have called for the ending of the electoral college system to be replaced by a simple purely popular vote, or at least allowing for splitting the electoral votes by each state. The best recent example was the Bush-Clinton election. Clinton received 43% of the popular vote (but a sufficient majority of the electoral vote), whereas Perot got at least 10% of the popular vote but zero electoral votes. If memory serves, Vermont is the only state which does currently allow for its votes to be split; if someone wins 60% of the Vermont popular vote, they get 2 votes and the 40% candidate gets 1. This in contrast to California, where someone can get 51% of the popular vote, and therefore gets 53 (or whatever it is nowadays) electoral votes. What is your position on this issue?
Vice President Gore: As I stand to take California, currently, I consider this issue to be very important. Once elected, I will put in motion a 5 or 9 year plan, depending on the circumstances of the next 4 years, to investigate the electoral college and potentially initiate reform if need be.
Governor Bush: 3rd party? What are you smokin' son? There's only two parties in our political system. Us and Them. And if ya ain't one of Us, then ya must be one of Them.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
by Phil Gregory
In this age of the Internet, intellectual property has become a very important concept to many people. Many companies make their living on the artificial scarcity provided by intellectual property laws, selling information that they have either created or aggregated. Some others, mostly in the Free Software world, make their living seemingly in spite of these laws, selling their services based on information that is freely given.
Do you feel that out current system of intellectual property is a good one? Which parts of it (e.g. trademarks, patents, copyrights) do you feel are well suited to the world of the Internet and which do you think need to be changed (and, if changes are needed, what changes are needed)?
Vice President Gore: Ah yes, the Internet. As you know, I invented the internet.* Please, please, hold the applause. And during my terms as your president, I will strive to implement that same brand of forward thinking to all areas of the "cyberworld."
Governor Bush: Intellectual property is important. Free software is very hard to make money off of.
6) Encryption....
by SquadBoy
Many tech people think that strong encryption is one of the best ways we have to protect freedom both now and for future generations. For example to preserve information that future not so friendly governments may think we don't need to have and to make sure that things we want to have remain private remain private. Given this what would you do to help preserve our right to privacy through the use of strong encryption? Also in a related question what are your thoughts and what do you plan to do about the fact that we can not export many forms of strong encryption?
Vice President Gore: I am all for strong encryption. It is a powerful tool that must remain in very responsible hands. That's why I will be in favor of any bill that ensures that the US Government will be as hands-on as possible in this area.
Governor Bush: The Czech people issue is an important one. I feel for the Czech people, but we cannot go on being the world's big brother and get involved in every little internal dispute around the globe. I wish the Czech people much luck in their quest for freedom. I think that... what? Tech people? Oh. Nevermind.
7) Rising Political Protests
by sterno
In the last year or so we have seen a tremendous escalation in the quantity and size of political protests against globalization and the rising power of corporate multi-nationals. Do you believe that these people have reason to be concerned? If you do believe that they have reason for concern, what steps would you take as president to deal with their concerns?
Vice President Gore: The WTO and EU are your friends. You shouldn't fear them any more than you would fear your own loving US Government.
Governor Bush: Foreign people are bad. Unless they live here and can vote.
8) Asteroid Defenses
by Ethelred Unraed
Would you renew funding of programs to research and develop global defense systems against asteroids or other such threats from space?
Vice President Gore: Asteroids. Threats from space. I am very aware of this issue and will ensure that a commity is created to study this ongoing danger and best determine how we should face such an event.
Governor Bush: Asteroids can be very painful. I know, my dad has some and has to use a little rubber donut to sit.**
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
by 11223
I'm very concerned with the future of the country, and about what our national mission seems to be. Looking back through American history, every period seems to have a defining popular mission - like the "manifest destiny" movement in the 19th century, the Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. During these times, there would be one struggle or idea that captivated the attention of the nation, sort of providing a national mission.
I'm a little confused as I look around today. What is our mission? To me, it seems to be "to watch TV and use the Internet." What would you say the defining national mission of today is? What should it be? Furthermore, how would you show this in your activities as a lawmaker? (For instance, if our national mission is the pursuit of science, then would you increase funding for scientific pursuits in the budget?)
Vice President Gore: I, too, am very concerned with the future of the country. Especially the next 4 or 8 years. If I am elected I will make clear what our agenda as a nation should be. There will be no doubt in my mind, that we can all focus on moving forward. Right now, that agenda is getting me elected.
Governor Bush: I'm concerned about the futute of my dad's ass! Did you hear he has asteroids?
-W
Fine Print:
* = I KNOW THAT HE NEVER SAID THIS... I kid.
** = Ok... I admit it. The hemmoroid/asteroid gag is old... but I'm tired.
\//
1) War on Drugs
I would help win the war on drugs to make our children safe.
2) Minority Religions...
My aunt is Wiccan, so I can sympathize with minority religions. I've considered Buddhism.
3) Why give a tax cut?
Tax cut? Bahahaha. Sure, if you're married, have kids, and make next to nothing, I'll give you a tax cut.
I want to continue to hike taxes, especially for the upper-middle class (who we call wealthy), so that we can continue to waste money in our already oversized government.
4) electoral reform
The system works, we aren't gonna do anything that would allow 3rd parties to get elected. Keeping the two parties in power is a strategic goal.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
I actually took the initiative in sponsoring the term Intellectual Property to Congress in 1985. It's very important and I'll do everything I can to protect the rights of innovators.
6) Encryption....
I am a big supporter of encryption to protect our (and our children's) privacy. However, you must first get your encryption cleared with us first to ensure you don't sacrifice national security.
If you elect me as your next President the very first Bill I pass is to grant more money to the NSA for encryption research.
7) Rising Political Protests
(no answer)
8) Asteroid Defenses
Yes, yes I would.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
Buy my book.
---
Well, at least that's my best guess.
1) War on Drugs
Bush: I've been in a war and done drugs. Personally I think war is bad, so we should just stop doing it.
Gore: I personally drove 60 elderly people in a bus to Canada to help them get their prescription drugs. I think we need to roll our tanks into Canada and take all their drugs.
2) Minority Religions...
Bush: I think as long as law abiding Americans believe in God and Jesus Christ our savior that they should be protected from persecution by the government.
Gore: I have no problems with Minorities or their religion. As a matter of fact I was just having coffee with some of my Chinese friends not that long ago where we were discussing God. They seemed a bit unclear about Jesus' role in things, but I'm sure they were just pulling my leg. Everyone believes in Jesus, right Joe? Tipper and I also proud to have a number of minority acquaintances. Our maid, our chauffer and our nanny...
3) Why give a tax cut?
Bush: I have some friends... Lets call them "major campaign contributors" for lack of a better word. They pay an astonishing $500,000 a year in taxes. Don't you think we should give these poor folks back some of that hard earned money?
Gore: I favor a tax cut. We should cut taxes but only for the poor. The wealthy people in this world can afford taxes so I'm in favor of a 50% tax cut for those people that are paying less than $200 in taxes annually.
4) electoral reform
Bush: I fully support the death penalty. If there is a problem with the electoral system, I say hire an electrician.
Gore: I say down with the third party - the third party is merely pulling away attention from the primary candidates (Nader supporters: Wake up, he doesn't stand a snowball's chance in hell. Vote for me!)
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
Bush: Uh.... Well, I try to leave all my property dealings to the my real-estate agent. You might want to check with her.
Gore: Ever since I invented the Internet I've had strong opinions about this subject. Who does this Tim Berners-Lee guy think he is anyway? Companies and people should be able to lock their ideas up tighter than my lips on Clinton's ass. I mean, an idea is something that can't possibly be had by more than one person right? So clearly whoever thought of it first should retain full rights and get paid lots of money.
6) Encryption....
Bush: Its clear to me that no law abiding citizen has any need for encryption. American families should need to hide stuff from each other. We need to strengthen our families and foster brotherhood and friendship amongst all God fairing people under the watchfully eye of our savior Jesus Christ.
Gore: I don't see what the big deal is; some people want to be cremated, others want to be buried. If you want to be encrypted then so be it. Now one thing that we should address is international trade. I think it's a travesty that we're banning the export of American made strong crypts. We make some of the finest products in the world and I think we should vigorously pursue the open exchange of these products with our foreign friends who are passing on to the next world.
7) Rising Political Protests
Bush: My personal stock portfolio has seen a 153% gain in the past 5 years thanks to corporate interests. I think these folks are just sore because they didn't get a piece of the pie.
Gore: Yeah! What he said!
8) Asteroid Defenses
Bush: I'm all for military spending. Lets just build one really big missile and blast those asteroids into outer space.
Gore: Well, I'm no doctor, but I believe there are a number of discrete inexpensive treatments for asteroids that can be purchased at your local Walgreen's.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
Bush: Well this campaign really isn't about young people. However to address the aging population: I'll help you get your prescription drugs so your remaining years can be nothing but a pain free drug induced haze.
Gore: I must say that I am very concerned about the future of this country for all elderly people and undecided single female voters. I will promise anything you want to hear in order to get your vote back from that bastard Nader!
It is quite simple
Haiku should not be funny
Try a Senryu
I'm voting with my lungs. Ever since Bush gutted the Texas environmental laws my lungs have been getting worse and worse and may force me to move out of a high tech area to find cleaner air. To me a vote for Bush would send a message that the environment is not at all important. A vote for Nader is a throw-away and a vote for Gore at least gets cleaner air for the rest of the country.
The yelling about how there is no democracy and corporations control the whole process is coming from a few leftists who can't accept the possibility that the majority of voters don't share their views
The majority of eligible voters won't be voting. That's not democracy by any stretch of the imagination.
I read the New Republic article you linked to (thanks). I don't give a lot of credence to an article that regards quotes from other authors as damning Ralph Nader's character just because they were published in the same edition of a magazine.
--
--
E_NOSIG
"Warren who? No, I'm sorry, I don't know, nor have I ever known anyone named Warren who sold me drugs. I mean, Warren didn't sell me drugs. I mean, if I ever bought drugs, it would have been a youthfull indescription. But that's not saying I did anything 25 years ago, because I'm not sure what I took, I mean did back then."
SlashDot: What do you guys think about the following issues? blah blah blah
Bush and Gore: We don't give a shit about you guys. There aren't enough of you. You don't give us any money. You don't vote. When you do vote, you don't vote for us. Go fuck yourselves.----
don't waste your vote - vote third party.
AFAIR, George Bush (the ex-president that is) was some years ago asked if he would ensure the citizen rights of atheists, and replied something like "I don't consider atheists citizens, and therefore they have no rights. This is one nation under God". I don't know if Bush jr. inherited that attitute, but he is, well, not mentally stable, so I would expect absolutely anything when this election is over and he can speak his own opinion again. I don't live in USA, but if I did, I'm quite sure I would prefer the notorious liar who thinks he invented the Internet.
-segfault
How would reform of soft money have prevented the scenario you portrayed? Should there be a law preventing me from calling everyone in the phone book and explaning how Bush/Gore is an idiot/hero?
Everyone says we need to change, but change in and of itself isn't necessarily good. You have to move to something better. What do you propose?
Aah, change is good. -- Rafiki
Yeah, but it ain't easy. -- Simba
He compared single-sex schooling to single-race schooling. This demonstrated a masterful ability to ignore what I wrote: that men and women enjoy the benefits of a single-sex education. Segregated schooling was all about public school funds going to rich white schools and not to black schools, and about seperating the races because they were somehow 'bad' for one another. Complete and utter bovine excrement, of course--race means nothing.
OTOH, same-sex schooling is not about discrimination at all. It's about having a hoice to go to a private institution, one which will better support one's educational goals. Men do better; women do better. Contrast this with segragation, in which whites were better off and blacks were mistreated. No-one is forced into a same-sex school; it is of one's volition. And no-one has a right to force a private institution to accept him or her.
Women's colleges fight just as hard as men's colleges to prevent integration of the sexes. Men and women are different, unlike blacks and whites, and men and women tend to distract one another from their studies. Students do perform better in single-sex schools--a large number of them, at the very least.
It's about freedom, folks. The freedom to choose one's circumstances. Why would a man want to go to a school which would hate him? Why would a woman want to go to a school which would hate her? There are more than enough alternatives; once again, it is unlike segregation, in which public institutions offered no widely-used alternative. Blacks were subjugated under that system; with same-sex eduation, both men and women are better off.
I went to co-ed institutions for my entire academic career, of course, like most people. My brothers, OTOH, went to a Jesuit high school--they enjoyed it. I know several men and women who went to some of the few same-sex colleges left--they all much preferred them to the alternatives.
Ask anyone who has gone to a same-sec school--the bonding there is incredible. All-girls schools and all-boys schools are excellent for many students, from elementary school to college. When one sex or another (usually women, but sometimes men) forces its way in, the social climate changes for the worse. Why exactly do you think all-male and all-female schools resist integration so? It's not because they hate the other sex--it's because they enjoy the atmoosphere they have.
A guy can love his wife but want to go drinking with his buddies. A woman can love her husband but want to talk with her friends. Or the man talk with his friends while his wife goes drinking with her buddies--whatever. And people can be quite amicable to the opposite sex but prefer to study with their own.
Seniors need their drugs paid for by Medicaid. My opponent wants to take away old people's money and let them live in homeless shelters until he closes them all down, too.
2. Rights of Atheists and minority religions
I support all religions. As you know, I make it a point to visit the worship places of various religions so that I can understand their views. Sometimes my visits are misunderstood by the press, however.
3. Tax cuts
We can't cut taxes for everyone. We need to cut taxes for Working Americans, they're the ones who are out there making car payments and house payments. The rich, who my opponent is looking out for, don't make car payments or house payments. That's why they're rich. We must tax them because they are taking advantage of the Working Americans because they don't work.
4. Third party candidates and the electoral college
As a senator, I took the initiative in creating the Electoral College and I am proud of it. As for third-party candidates, I am told that some of these third parties haven't been paying their taxes properly. As president, I will call for a complete audit of the books of any third-party candidate named Ralph who doesn't drop out of the race before election day.
5. Intellectual property
Intellectual property is very important. When someone works hard to create something, they get very angry when some stiff-necked bozo from Washington comes along and takes credit for their invention. People have as much a right to their intellectual property as seniors have to their prescription drugs, which Medicaid should pay for 100%.
6. Exporting strong encryption
Strong encryption is very important for our national security. Right now, although you can't export strong encryption software without complying to certain government restrictions, you can print the source code to the encryption software in a book and then export the book. We are safe because the books are in English. Our enemies can't read them or type in the code. We must work to keep our encryption secrets safe. Our encryption should be sitting in an ironclad lockbox, right next to social security.
7. Protests against globalization
Many people are worried about the growth of large, multinational corporations. For instance, many drug companies span the world. Their products for seniors should be covered 100% by medicaid.
8. Global defense systems
You shouldn't have to go to bed worrying about whether an asteroid will destroy life as we know it. I will work to insure that you can live to a ripe old age, and when you get old, your prescription drugs will be paid for 100% by Medicaid.
9. Our national mission
We should be setting a good example for other nations. These other nations don't pay for their seniors' prescription drugs 100%, nor do they have iron-clad lockboxes for their social security. We need to teach them all how to be Working Americans and let them come to our country and vote for people who will take money away from the evil rich and give it to the poor, overworked people who are making car payments and house payments.
Commere, Tipper, let daddy give ya some luvvinz!
I think it's time we end the war on drugs. War is never good, except when it increases your approval rating. I would send an ambassador to Drugs and ask them to sign a peace agreement. As far as being an unqualified success, I'm not sure whether Drugs qualifies or not. I will review their voting record with the United Nations.
2. Rights of Atheists and minority religions
I am unfamiliar with some of those religious, but I have heard a lot about Atheists - mostly about their God, Les. I'm not sure that they all believe in Les, because sometimes I hear them called God Les Atheists, and other times Wicked Atheists, so maybe some of them are Wiccans. I am sure they have some rights because I often hear about religious rights.
3. Tax cuts
Everyone needs tax cuts, because tax cuts are money and money is part of the economy and the economy is what Warren Greenspan works for. The economy helps the homeless through EconoLodge, too.
4. 3rd party candidates and the electoral college
Every election people talk about the electoral college. I think we're focusing on the wrong college. According to my figures, there are roughly 500 people from the electoral college that bother to vote for the president. I am quite sure that colleges like Yale have more people that vote for the president, why don't we talk about them? I am in favor of some 3rd party candidates like Ralph Nader. I think he should get more time. Pat Buchanan is bad.
5. Intellectual property
I think everyone should be allowed to own property, not just intellectuals.
6. Exporting strong encryption
Our trade deficit is bad. We need to export more things and if we can export more of our encryptions, that is good. It's better for us to export our encryptions to China than it is to buy them from China. Do you want to give your kid an encryption for Christmas that is labeled "Made in China" ?
7. Political protests against globalization
Globalization is a safe, clean and effective process that no one should be afraid of. I had my car globalized last week and it looks better than it ever did. Sure, some poorer nations are afraid of globalization because they live in dirty huts and have no cars. If they had windows or shoes that could be globalized, they'd realize how good it is.
8. Space defense against asteroids
Stay in the middle. Try to focus on eliminating one asteroid at a time. If you break too many of them up at once, you'll get killed. When you get down to one tiny asteroid, start flying around. Shoot the little saucer over and over to get more points.
9. Our national mission
I think our national mission is to be a nation. Right now we are a republic, but we can do better than that. Our pledge of allegiance says "One nation" not "one republic". We should strive to fulfil our pledge and become a nation under God, invisible, with liberty and justice for all. I think the president hasn't worked on making us invisible, so I will work to increase our stealth technology.
I thought this commercial sums it up nicely...
Snickers
I'm afraid the 'answers' below aren't actually funny. They're what the candidates truly believe. Check www.issues2000.org for confirmation, they're more or less paraphrasing what Gore and Bush have said before. As Lando said.. here goes nothing.
Q: The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election. My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
Gore: We must protect the young. We must fight drug dealers. Harsher sentences for those who corrupt the young. Etc. Marijuana will not be legalized, Science says it isn't proper. Lead a national crusade against drugs. More $ to fight drugs. Yes, he did pot himself, like 'young people today.'
Bush: Drug on wars has failed with this administration, need to fight a bigger war on drugs, mroe money for fighting this evil. Full background drug use checks for appointees are necessary. Supports military package to Columbia to fight drug supply.
The truth: The war on drugs has failed. US stats show that 75% of all drug users are white, whereas 75% of people imprisoned on drugs offences are black. Criminalization doesn't reduce drug use. Sending weapons to Columbia will turn the country into even more of a civil warzone than it is now. Would Bush be a better man if he'd spent 10 years in prison for snorting cocaine when he was young?
Q: What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Gore: Believes in personal approaches to religion, etc.
Bush: When asked who his idol/hero was, answered 'Jesus'. Is in discrepancy with the bible - has put 145 to death under his rule as Gov. of Texas, yet bible claims thou shalt not kill.
The truth: Gore tries to appear tolerant, Bush has to answer to the vast right wing of the Republicans, who are puppets of the Christian right.
Q: With the surplus, everyone has been saying "Let's have a tax cut, Let's have a tax cut." In the meantime, Alan Greenspan and friends are trying to keep inflation and the speed of the growing economy in check so it doesn't burst. Which they are doing by raising interest rates periodically. (6 times this year) A tax cut flies in the face of what Greenspan is trying to do. A tax cut will inject more money into the economy and do what Greenspan is preventing. Why is a tax cut so big? Wouldn't the money be better spent on the deficit so when worse times roll along, a tax cut can be easily given by not paying as much on the debt?
Gore: Doesn't want any tax cuts right now, although future tax reform should give tax breaks to people earning less than $100k, working families, middle class. Wants to end tax marriage penalty.
Bush: Wants to give tax cuts benefitting principally the 10% richest in the country. Claims lower income people benefit more from taxes than the rich.
The truth: Gore says what he thinks will be popular. Bush actually wants to make rich people pay less taxes, to appeal to corporations, etc.
Q: Some people, especially those that favor '3-rd' party candidates, have called for the ending of the electoral college system to be replaced by a simple purely popular vote, or at least allowing for splitting the electoral votes by each state. The best recent example was the Bush-Clinton election. Clinton received 43% of the popular vote (but a sufficient majority of the electoral vote), whereas Perot got at least 10% of the popular vote but zero electoral votes. If memory serves, Vermont is the only state which does currently allow for its votes to be split; if someone wins 60% of the Vermont popular vote, they get 2 votes and the 40% candidate gets 1. This in contrast to California, where someone can get 51% of the popular vote, and therefore gets 53 (or whatever it is nowadays) electoral votes. What is your position on this issue?
Gore: Doesn't want to end electoral college, but wants to look into alternatives.
Bush: Doesn't know. Alternatives, yes...
The truth: Both oppose alternatives but don't say so. In tight elections, swing voters decide everything, and have so far brought victories to both Clinton and Bush Sr in surprise results. This will be the tightest election ever, if the polls are right. Do the math. They would have to completely rebuild their parties' campaign/spending machines to match any changes.
Q: In this age of the Internet, intellectual property has become a very important concept to many people. Many companies make their living on the artificial scarcity provided by intellectual property laws, selling information that they have either created or aggregated. Some others, mostly in the Free Software world, make their living seemingly in spite of these laws, selling their services based on information that is freely given. Do you feel that out current system of intellectual property is a good one? Which parts of it (e.g. trademarks, patents, copyrights) do you feel are well suited to the world of the Internet and which do you think need to be changed (and, if changes are needed, what changes are needed)?
Gore: Supports intellectual property, but wants to see exactly who is getting what in those money/artist relationships, and what damage Napster is doing.
Bush: Supports innovative new ways of music distributions but wants 'artist's rights protected'. His party would crucify him if he didn't try to ban Napster, as they get massive soft money from record companies, etc. The RIAA/MPAA rely on corporate-friendly Republican congresses to pass their dubious laws.
The truth: Both don't want to piss off young voters, which is why they dance around the issue. Bush would be quicker to ban everything suspicious that might upsets corporations.
Q: Many tech people think that strong encryption is one of the best ways we have to protect freedom both now and for future generations. For example to preserve information that future not so friendly governments may think we don't need to have and to make sure that things we want to have remain private remain private. Given this what would you do to help preserve our right to privacy through the use of strong encryption? Also in a related question what are your thoughts and what do you plan to do about the fact that we can not export many forms of strong encryption?
Gore: Doesn't really know, but supports people's right to use what he pioneered. Will look into this. Democrat presidents relaxed crypto exports laws, etc.
Bush: Republicans consider any technological advance, like crypto, to be weaponry that must be horded and protected. Rep-controlled Congress sees no problem with Carnivore.
The truth: Both oppose crypto for everyone, as they're dubious of what people would do, and how that'd be monitored by the state. However, Gore will try to protect people's rights more, sensing pressure from his party and the Left.
Q: In the last year or so we have seen a tremendous escalation in the quantity and size of political protests against globalization and the rising power of corporate multi-nationals. Do you believe that these people have reason to be concerned? If you do believe that they have reason for concern, what steps would you take as president to deal with their concerns?
Gore: Wants to protect consumers' rights, etc, but thinks violence is the wrong way to protest.
Bush: Doesn't understand what the fuss is about, must protect companies from economic damage, must monitor trouble-makers.
The truth: Both are afraid of companies putting the thumb-screws on if there's too much trouble, and are afraid of America's image. Both remember the 60s protests, especially Gore.
Q: Would you renew funding of programs to research and develop global defense systems against asteroids or other such threats from space?
Gore: Doesn't know. Probably not.
Bush: Absolutely loves idea of resurrecting 'Star Wars' programme, putting defense systems into space. The only problem: He wants the weapons to point downwards, to defend the US.
The truth: Bush wants to increase military budget a lot, although all weapons would point at us, rather than the other way 'round. Probably would find no money after that for any other space things, including NASA. Gore wants to fund NASA more, which is where the money *might* come from.
Q: I'm very concerned with the future of the country, and about what our national mission seems to be. Looking back through American history, every period seems to have a defining popular mission - like the "manifest destiny" movement in the 19th century, the Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. During these times, there would be one struggle or idea that captivated the attention of the nation, sort of providing a national mission. I'm a little confused as I look around today. What is our mission? To me, it seems to be "to watch TV and use the Internet." What would you say the defining national mission of today is? What should it be? Furthermore, how would you show this in your activities as a lawmaker? (For instance, if our national mission is the pursuit of science, then would you increase funding for scientific pursuits in the budget?)
Gore: Has as his mission to improv quality of life, provide good future for Americans, protect environment, empower citizens.
Bush: Has as his mission to restore traditional values to America, preside over a healthy, economic country, fight all unwholesome influences.
The truth: Neither of them has a clue about true social undercurrents: Gore is concerned over environmental issues, and where we will all be in 30 years. Bush is concerned with restoring proper values, and protecting the people from that what is evil, like childrens' hearts turning black on the Internet.
The final conclusion: Have a look at www.issues2000.org which will show you all candidates' positions and their quotations on relevant issues. This will be a very, very tight election.
Alex T-B
St Andrews
1) War on Drugs
by Tim Doran
Your answer:
Bush: I say let's execute 'em all! Just like we are in good ol' Texas!
Gore: I already admitted to smoking pot, unlike Bush. Please don't execute me!
2) Minority Religions...
by Electric Angst
Your answer:
Bush: Execute 'em all! The Bible says so!
Gore: Unless they're Buddhists. They have $$$.
3) Why give a tax cut?
by funkman
Your answer:
Bush: Execute 'em all! Oh, sorry, didn't listen to the question. Whatever Mr. Greenspan says....
Gore: We need to put every dollar in an iron clad lock box. Then put the Fed in there with it.
4) electoral reform
by carleton
Your answer:
Bush: When I buy my electoral votes I expect them to stay bought, dammit!
Gore: Ditto.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
by Phil Gregory
Your answer:
Bush: Well, nobody ever accused me of being an intellectual, but I am in favor of property! More property, less taxes!
Gore: Ever since I invented the Internet everybody seems upset. Maybe I should have patented it in the first place....
6) Encryption....
by SquadBoy
Your answer:
Bush: Use all the encryption you want. We'll just find you and execute you anyway!
Gore: Nobody can understand most of what I'm saying anyway, so I don't need crypto. Why should anybody else?
7) Rising Political Protests
by sterno
Your answer:
Bush: Execute those pesky protesters!
Gore: I am concerned about the environment as well; but first let's see how my Oxy stock is doing before I say anything too "radical"....
8) Asteroid Defenses
by Ethelred Unraed
Your answer:
Bush: Absolutely! Star Wars all the way baby!
Gore: Only if I get credit for inventing it.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
by 11223
Your answer:
Bush: What's wrong with watching TV? Shut up and be happy!
Gore: What's wrong with using the Internet? Shut up and be happy!
#include "disclaim.h"
"All the best people in life seem to like LINUX." - Steve Wozniak
#include "disclaim.h"
"All the best people in life seem to like LINUX." - Steve Wozniak
1. War on Drugs
I beleive the war on drugs has been one. When Tipper entered rehab, the drug companies realized that their days were numbered do to a massive drop in valium sales. Can heroin, cocaine and marijuana be far behind?
2. Minority Religions...
I believe in minorities. I've often thought to myself that many in these positions need something, and I will work to make sure that they all get what I think they deserve.
3. Why give a tax cut?
'Cuz the republicans say they will.
4. electoral reform
I believe in reform. I've often thought to myself that many in these positions need something, and I will work to make sure that they all get what I think they deserve.
5. How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
I believe in intellectual property. I've often thought to myself that many in these positions need something, and I will work to make sure that they all get what I think they deserve.
6. Encryption...
I believe in encryption. I've often thought to myself that many in these positions need something, and I will work to make sure that they all get what I think they deserve.
7. Rising Political Protests
No, I don't beleive they have reason to be concerned. After all, as long as I've been in office, no-one has successfully changed anything of consequence. However, I've often thought to myself that many in these positions need something, and I will work to make sure that they all get what I think they deserve.
8. Asteroid Defenses
I was a great fan of Asteroids in the 80's. I look forward to a day where I can get a full one for the Oval Office.
9. The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
I believe in missions. I've often thought to myself that many in these positions need something, and I will work to make sure that everyone will get what I think they deserve.
Actually, a recent PBS/NPR special on the (failing) "war on drugs" stated that dealers can loose 90% of their product and still turn a profit... not a bad margin. And even if the U.S. was able to push dealers down into the 95% lose column (e.g. by nuking everything south of texas), dealers would just get more efficient.
Actually, a better translation of that commandment is Thou shall not murder. The difference is that "kill" applies to all, while "murder" applies to individuals alone. When the state does it, it's something else: execution, war, ethnic cleansing, et al.
This might seem like a small point, but the Bible is extremely bloody (R-rated, if it were a movie) with all of the mandatory death sentences in Lev., mandatory death of all men, women and children in conquered lands, etc.
For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong. -- H L Mencken
I think you mean something more like, "We must move forward, not backward; upward, not forward; and always twirling, twirling, TWIRLING towards freedom!"
To which I must reply, "The politics of failure have failed! We must make them work again!!!" <grin>
< tofuhead >
It is still the dark of night.
I know I'm getting a lot of flack on this from you people, but you have to realize that if I say I'll put an end to the drug war, I'll be labled as some whiny liberal. I'm not a whiny liberal dammit!
Minority ReligionsI think I'll take George's answer on this, because it's one of the very few areas where we agree. I don't believe any religion should determine the laws of any nation, except for how we watch movies, how we raise our children and how we go to church everyday.
Why give a tax cutBecause it's what the American People want! How can I ignore the the needs of our great country, especially those that are cried the loudest. But we also have to pay down the defecit... Luckily my plan does them both, so you really should vote for me, you know.
Electoral ReformHow dare you attack the great American system of election! It has survived over two hundred years intact because it was perfect from the very beginning. I refuse to answer this question, and I'm not even going to discuss the fact that you think I'm only saying this to keep the status-quo.
Intellectual PropertyI believe everyone needs to understand that patents are here for everyone's benefits! My aides tell me that patents have a very bad reputation in this community, but I think I should defend them. I'm not going to give the same old lines that they foster innovation, though it's true. What I will say is that without them, our poor inventors would never get credit for the hard work they've done! Like that guy that invented the Television, would he be known today if we had no patent office?
EncryptionI think we should keep a tight reign on our encryption laws as they are. We don't seem to have learned our lesson in WWII. If a foolproof encryption system really did fall into the hands of our future enemies, we'd be helpless to intercept their communications! We'd be dooming millions of people! What's to say they won't come up with their own encryption schemes? Simple. I believe the American People have some of the brightest minds in the world, and I'm strongly convinced that so long as they're under our control, our enemies have no bite.
Rising Political ProtestsI always have to wonder what these people are protesting about. You all know I'm a union boy, and I've never heard so much hubub. The simple fact of the matter, something Nader doesn't want you to hear, is that free trade is *good* for everybody. We can't control other governments! Look at us back when we had kids working in factories. The simple fact is that these other countries simply need to catch up! Our companies see this and just take advantage while they still can. When the governments move on, so will our companies - simply looking to keep their profits high. Let them! If it raises outrage and makes these countries start treating their citizens right, then it's our duty as Americans to buy these exploitive products!
Asteroid DefencesWhile I think it's a good idea in theory, we just don't seem to be able to pull off a demonstration that's worthy of any notice. The Russions seem to think we'll use our new shield as a come-on and smack around the rest of the world with impunity due to our newfound immunity to missile attack, but that's just silly. We do that already, for crying out loud, and they ask for it! They want us to police the rest of the world, or they wouldn't keep asking us for aid!
The FutureNeed I say "The opiat of the masses," to get my point across? It's not just our national image that's fading. We don't like basebal anymore. What used to be our national pasttime is now a boring specticle. We're simply a nation of disenchanted people full of apathy for what we think we can't control. If we would simply clean up our schools, get rid of those violent movies, games, and books, and give everyone a good taxcut to boost their self esteem, we'd be set! The answer is right there, people!
--
Shaun Thomas: INN Programmer
Read: Rabbit Rue - Free serial nove
On the other hand, this might inspire the politicians to pay a little more attention next time around. Provided there is a next time.
-------
CAIMLAS
~/ssh slashdot.org ssh: connect to host slashdot.org port 22: too many beers
Uhh, what have Rush Limbaugh and Al Franken (just to pick two examples) been doing all these years then?
"Oh, I hope he doesn't give us halyatchkies," said Heinrich.
Dang, missed that. But note that W. probably wouldn't answer every question anyway =)
"Oh, I hope he doesn't give us halyatchkies," said Heinrich.
Better we should trust the guy who claims credit for laws that were (a) passed before he got the governorship (patient's bill of rights) and/or (b) he tried to veto (hate crimes laws).
Or would that be Governor Integrity, whose response to questions about differences between his public face and private behavior (the cocaine use allegations, the "major league asshole" comment -- both valid challenges) is to refuse to talk and say the question is "out of bounds". Wow, there's a guy who applies principles fairly.
Check the high-silica composition of thine own dwelling.
"Oh, I hope he doesn't give us halyatchkies," said Heinrich.
I am pointing out that Bush has a double standard. Really, I don't think it's a big deal that he called somebody a name. But 'dubya' is the one who's insisted character is an issue, and when he's called on character issues (certainly, he's presented himself as a good Christian; but notice he didn't apologize for the comment, which is the least one should expect out of a Christian.) he stonewalls or claims it's an 'out of bounds' question. That's weasel behavior. That's what lack of integrity is.
"Oh, I hope he doesn't give us halyatchkies," said Heinrich.
use focus_groups;
use slashdot_questions;
# to hell with warnings and strict
# this script emulates W.
focus_groups(\@slashdot_question);
foreach (@slashdot_question) {
push @answers, $what_polled_well_in_the_focus_group{$_};
}
for ($i = 0; $i < $#answers; $i ++) {
print $slashdot_question[$i], "\n";
print $answers[$i], "\n";
}
It's a feature of the focus_groups pragma that most of your answers involve chiding someone for "following polls" or "using focus groups".
"Oh, I hope he doesn't give us halyatchkies," said Heinrich.
If this election has shown one thing, it would be the need for reform in our electorial process. We need to implement a prefernce system. I.e. I would rather have nader than gore, and gore than bush. so instead of just selecting one, we select who we would rather run the country, in order of prefernce. We also need to implement a proper polling system, which current polling systems run by all campains have been biased. -Benjamin Chan Just Vote for the Pig
4) electoral reform
by carleton
Response from a back room Republicrat lacky that can read and browse the web, to be fired from the campaign for failing to obfuscate the issue.
First of all, the way those votes are cast is NOT a federal issue, it is a State issue. The Constitution leaves the procedure of casting the electorial college votes to the States. See The Electorial College Homepage for detailed info like this:
Procedures
The States
The United States Constitution and Federal law place certain responsibilities relating to the Presidential election upon State executives and the electors for President and Vice President. Neither the Constitution nor Federal law prescribe the manner in which each State appoints its electors other than directing that they be appointed on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November (November 7, 2000). The Constitution forbids a Senator, Representative, or person holding an office of trust or profit under the United States from being appointed as an elector.
There is plenty of information on that site that, apparently, nobody that discusses this topic bothers to learn.
For one thing, it is Maine and Nebraska that have proportional electors, sort of. They have 2 electors that are elected "a large" and all other electors are elected by congressional district.
If you want it to be changed, lobby your own State legeslatures and skip the Constitutional Ammendment nonsense.
Also, the current system is the closest mechanism that would allow a less "popular" candidate to be elected. Since so many of the electors are bound by nothing but their own concience (some States do have penalties and/or other safeguards for electors that do not vote as they were pleged to do), they *could* elect someone that is not the winner of the popular vote. That has happened at least once.
Note: The only "electorial college" electors that meet in Washington, DC, are the electors from DC (per Amendment XXIII, currently 3), the rest meet in thier respective States and their ballots are counted by the President of the Senate (currently Albert Gore, Jr.) in December.
Another related non-issue: Calafornia hears the "winner" long before their polls are closed.
OK, west coast, do what TN, OH and KY do, open your polls 15 days early, let people vote at the mall, use a nice laid back easy system and then all you need to do is count votes on "election day" since everybody had plenty of time to vote already. Or you could encourage absantee balloting, like Washington State and keep the east coast in the dark as the snail-mail dribbles in for the count.
Either way, the States have the power. Leave the Constitution alone please.
Visit DC2600
Eve Fairbanks says I drive a hybrid!LOL
OK, Albert Gore Jr. counts all of the votes on Jan. 6th 2001, not sometime in December.
December is when the various electors in the States meet to vote and the results are sent to DC within about a week.
Amendment only has 2 "m"'s
Visit DC2600
Eve Fairbanks says I drive a hybrid!LOL
Here are my answers to these questions. I will give you my honest opinions (as best as I can) on each of these - if you think I would make a good President, write me in!
Answers:
Question 1 - The War on Drugs has been an abject failure. Plain and simple. It it responsible for the large numbers of non-violent prisoners in our jails today. I am especially incensed at the wrongs it perpetuates against our Constitution (wrongful search and seizure, etc). If elected, I promise to do whatever I can to end this waste of taxpayer money.
Question 2 - People may follow whatever path they wish toward enlightenment, if they so choose. I do not believe it is in our government's interest to determine what religion, if any, an individual should follow. To take such an interest would be in patent violation of the Constitution.
Question 3 - Taxes are a necessary evil. However, something should be done. Our current income tax situation is especially problematic. I feel that it should be done away with - the Constitution expressly forbids any form of income tax. The income tax was enacted as a supposedly "temporary" measure during the crisis of war. However, it was never repealed, and we are thus mired in the issue. I promise that if elected, I will work towards removal of this violation, and to seek better ways toward solving our nation's debt.
Question 4 - The electoral college should stay. I do not think that removal of this system will help anything. The problem isn't in the system, it is in the representatives voting in a manner not representative of the people they supposedly represent. This problem should be examined - to determine if corporate or other funds are being used to sway opinions. Once that is determined (and fixed if need be), the electoral college will once again work the way it was intended.
Question 5 - I am very close to the issue of intellectual property, being a long time programmer myself. Much of the system in place currently for IP doesn't address the quick changing nature of the internet. Changes to copyright and patent law need to be examined and implemented to correct these deficiencies. Various measures in patent law probably need to be repealed or drastically changed (such as patenting of business methods and algorithms). Similarly, copyright law needs to be re-examined. I feel the DMCA, as well as the UCITA, are both examples of problems in our copyright law (the DMCA being especially damaging, threating the fair-use clause of copyright). I believe that both patents and copyrights should exist, but that they should foster innovation, and not cause stagnation through overly long terms and extensions. I also feel that both should provide for more protection and help for the individual, and less for corporate interests (as a side note, I am very much against a corporation having rights like a citizen). I also support an individuals right to learn, and the right to own things, not license them. To this end, individuals should be able to learn from how something works - reverse engineering should be a protected right...
Question 6 - I promise that if elected I will do whatever I can to make encryption available to the masses, worldwide. I believe privacy is very important. It is not the government's job to nanny the population, and it is certainly not our government's job to "lord over" the world. In today's internet connected world, we must push for privacy, with strong encryption leading this push.
Question 7 - These people raise a valid point. Corporations are reaching the size (some would say they have already) to take on national governments, to possibly overshadow them or control them. I am not against the import or export of goods, but I have to be concerned when it seems that corporations are placing money before the intests of the people. People are not cattle to be slaughtered before the almighty dollar. Corporations are not people, and should not be treated as such. The people should come first.
Question 8 - Natural threats from outer space are very real. Living in Arizona, and having been to Meteor Crater twice, I can verify what a small chunk of iron can do to an area. Most asteroids are much bigger than this, and would quite probably wipe out life on earth if one breached the atmosphere and struck us. I feel that we should do what we can as a nation to come up with a way to reliably detect, track and defend against such an issue.
Question 9 - I believe our national mission should be promoting peace among the people of the world - to get them to look around, and see how petty their differences are - but how great their similarities are. We should be an example to the world, and learn to be more tolerant, respectful, and caring toward one another - in our neighborhoods, workplace, cities and states. We claim that we have conquered racism, and to anyone with half a brain, this statement is patently false. We have not stopped racism - it is still a major problem. We have not stopped discrimination (Don't ask/Don't tell - my ass!). I promise that if elected - I will do everything in my power to help make peace, tolerance, and general respect a reality.
There you have it - my promises on these issues. I furthermore wish to relate to you that I will do what I can to get science and math in schools more agressively promoted as subjects worth knowing. I am a geek - and I would love to see more money going toward programs that support this issue. America as a whole seems to be going down the drain intellectually. Our national goal does seem to tend toward "couch potatoism". I want to get us away from that, and back on the road to a nation of respect, intelligence and peace.
Thank you.
I support the EFF - do you?
Reason is the Path to God - Anon
1) War on Drugs
Gore: I invented drugs
2) Minority Religions...
Gore: I invented both minorities and religion
3) Why give a tax cut?
Gore: Taxes & cutting... Invented 'em
4) electoral reform
Gore: I invented the electoral process as a reform to the rampant socialism present in the united states during the 1940's ( i invented the 40's too)
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
Gore: Since i invented everything, it's really a moot point, isn't it?
6) Encryption....
Gore: I devised the first encryption algorithms to circumvent ancient chinese from reading the king's military orders.
7) Rising Political Protests
Gore: Being a 'hippie', i helped to invent political protests in the 60's, and then moved to china, where i was that guy in front of the tank.
8) Asteroid Defenses
Gore: When i came up with asteriods, i never thought they would hit the earth... my bad.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
...a sacrifice required for the future of the human race. I hasten to add that since each man will be required to do prodigious... service along these lines, the women will have to be selected for their sexual characteristics which will have to be of a highly stimulating nature...
with apologies to stanley kubrick
Regarding atheism (part of the minority religions question), he has come forward against the concept of freedom FROM religion.
LIEBERMAN AGAIN CLAIMS "NO FREEDOM FROM RELIGION" IN NOTRE DAME ADDRESS: CITES JUDEO-CHRISTIAN ROOTS OF AMERICA
---
Absolutly nothing - I'm going to hell, why should I give a damn about them ?
Success and failure - success for the users, failure for those who want to ban certain substances (remember - these same authorities now hand out amphetamines to kiddies who 'suffer' from attention deficit disorder).
Change ? Give up the fight... there are enough stupid people out there to get lured into a life of drugs - if said stupid people die through drug abuse, it'll be natural selection... and let's face it - NO ONE who gets involved in drugs and has gone to school doesn't know the potential dangers.
So there.
---
I may not be able to spel, but I sure can rite.
Of course Dubya will protect the rights of religions. He will appoint Jerry Falwell as "religion czar" to ensure equal rights. For instance, due process shall be upheld with thorough and efficient witch hunts and tribunals; fair punishment by burning them all at equal-sized stakes at the same temperature.
As far as tax cuts and defense spending... hey, tax cuts and Star Wars worked for Reagan, why not try it again?
I believe the intent of the story was to create humorous responses. America has been saturated with political-speak for the past month.
--
1) War on Drugs
George Bush :
I think the war on drugs is an important war because it is against drugs. I know a lot about drugs and I'm against them. As Governor of Texas I spent a lot of time working on the war on drugs. My father fought the war on drugs. My wife and kids are important to me and that's why I think we need to win this war. When I'm elected this great nation will empower people to help win the war.
Al Gore:
As vice president I've been deeply and intimately involved in the war on drugs. When my wife and I are making passionate love together we will frequently discuss the war on drugs and how we can better fight it. Did you know that 1 out of every 5.67345249 children will be approached by a drug dealer tomorrow? In fact, a mere 1.36752 ounces of cocaine is enough to trigger violent seizures in my son. I've studied drugs extensively and invented several myself. My running mate, who is Jewish, has often asked me how someone as unready as George W. Bush could possibly be allowed to lead this nation in the war on drugs. I have no opinion on this, but I thought you should know what he's been asking me.
2) Minority Religions...
George Bush:
Many smaller religions are minority religions. We have several in my home state of Texas. I think these people have religions that are different from ours and I respect that.
Al Gore:
I know a lot about minority religions. I have studied all of the minority religions and believe in them all. Why just last night, as my wife was kissing me passionately, we were talking about the epistemology of the Baha'i religion. I don't think George Bush knows how to spell Baha'i.
3) Why give a tax cut?
George Bush:
Tax cuts are important to me and as Governor of Texas I was very familiar with taxes and cuts. By giving a tax cut we will help the American people to do all the important and wonderful things that make this nation great!
Al Gore:
I think that targeted tax cuts will help right all of the historical wrongs done to the many people of this nation. When elected I will form a panel to find every individual who should be targeted and make sure they are. My proposal includes targeted cuts to seven people in Alabama, that's how well I know the needs of this country. I don't think George W. Bush knows any people in Alabama.
4) electoral reform
George Bush:
I support election reform to help stop the special interests like lawyers, teachers, and labor unions from controlling the electoral process.
Al Gore:
I support election reform to help stop the special interests like gun fanatics, oil drillers, and wealthy people unions from controlling the electoral process.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
George Bush:
As Governor of Texas, I had to deal with many intellectuals, and I still own some property. When Elected, I'll help empower all the people of this great nation so that many of them can become intellectuals and own property.
Al Gore:
I think that it's very important for government to support intellectual property rights. Many of the issues related to IP are complex and involved. I know all of these issues. In fact, I'm responsible for writing most of the existing laws on intellectual property. When elected I'll take time out from kissing my lovely wife to personally decide every complicated issue related to intellectual property. I don't think George Bush has a wife who's as prettyu as mine.
5) Encryption....
George Bush:
My father was head of the CIA. The CIA has lots of encryption. The government should stay out of people's encryption issues. In Texas we stayed out of peoples encryption issues.
Al Gore:
Encryption is an issue I know a lot about. In fact, I invented 3DES, Idea, and several other encryption technologies. As president I'll pass many good and important laws about encryption. I don't think that George Bush ever invented encryption.
6) Rising Political Protests
George Bush:
It's hard to believe that anyone could know as much about Politics and protests as I do. My father was president and there were many protests at that time. People protest many different things. Even people who speak other languages often protest. My Nephew speaks Spanish and so I know. As president I would energize people and empower them so that political protests would be less of an issue.
Al Gore:
I am my own man. As an independent thinker, I believe that people have the right to protest. Many protests involve complicated national and international issues. In fact, 32.767854 per cent of all protests involve issues of complexity. As president I will enact many specific measures that will solve all of these complex issues. I'll even take time out from making passionate love to my wife to speak to many of these protesters so that they can learn many of the things that I can teach them.
7) Asteroid Defenses
George Bush:
Asteroids are a serious problem. We have asteroids in Texas. In fact, many truck drivers in Texas often complain about the problem of Asteroids. I myself have had asteroids and can tell you they are very painful. Asteroids are a personal problem and as president I will empower people to solve the problem of asteroids. This great country can solve any problem if the government stays out of the way.
Al Gore:
I know a lot about asteroids. Did you know that the EROS asteroid circles the sun every 1.23452 earth years. In fact I've been to several asteroids. Many asteroids are so impressed by my loving relationship with my wife that they will want to come to earth when I am elected.
8) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
George Bush:
I'm glad you asked that question. As president I will empower the people and move this country to a glorious future that is filled with empowered people. I'll surround myself with the kind of people who will make this country and this world a better place. I'll cut taxes and give people the chance to make the country better.
Al Gore:
This is an important question and one that sets me apart from the other candidate. I understand what is going on in this nation and the world. I'll pass many laws that will solve many complex issues and make this country better. Did you know that a woman in Montana named Betty is one of my advisors? By asking questions of common people like Betty, who is dying of five incurable diseases, I'll be able to know how best to guide this country. Betty thinks that George Bush isn't ready to be president. I have no opinion about that
Really, that's what they told me.
Kevin Barnes
kbarnes@onesecure.com
Question about topic X
Gore: I invented X. I want to spend all of our money on X.
Bush: I like X as long as it's a Christian X or as long as X hurts minorities.
Please stop! I wish I knew enough to write a constructive answer for one of the canidates but since I don't I guess I should just write unconstructive answers for the canidates.
for our choice. Consider these facts:
All but one president elected in a zero year (James Monroe [1920]) either died in office, was assassinated, or an attempt was made on his life.
Of the nine presidents elected in zero years, only three survived the office.
All four assassinated presidents were elected in zero years.
This is a zero year presidency folks!
James Monroe (1820) served out his term without incident.
William Harrison (1840), died in office.
Abraham Lincoln (1860), assassinated.
James Garfield (1880), assassinated.
William McKinley (1900), assassinated.
Warren Harding (1920), died in office.
Franklin D Roosevelt (1940), attempted assassination.
John F. Kennedy (1960), assassinated.
Ronald Reagan (1980), attempted assassination.
satire, n: 1) witty language used to convey insults or scorn; 2) a form of humor lost on most slashdot moderators.
1) War on Drugs
by Tim Doran
The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election. My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
The war on drugs has been an unqualified success. We have an incarceration rate higher than that of Communist China and jail 10 times as many non-violent marijuana offenders as murderers, rapists and armed robbers combined. Plus, we got to militarize the police, which was a lot of fun! And will help quiet dissent. The new police forces have been highly effective during this election cycle.
2) Minority Religions...
by Electric Angst
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Nothing. I believe in putting the church back into the school, and teaching the 10 commandments in the classroom. Godless atheists are a relic of the failed Soviet era totalitarianism. Same goes for nutball religions like "shinto".
3) Why give a tax cut?
by funkman
With the surplus, everyone has been saying "Let's have a tax cut, Let's have a tax cut." In the meantime, Alan Greenspan and friends are trying to keep inflation and the speed of the growing economy in check so it doesn't burst. Which they are doing by raising interest rates periodically. (6 times this year)
A tax cut flies in the face of what Greenspan is trying to do. A tax cut will inject more money into the economy and do what Greenspan is preventing.
Why is a tax cut so big? Wouldn't the money be better spent on the deficit so when worse times roll along, a tax cut can be easily given by not paying as much on the debt?
To get votes and engage in social engineering; that's why I haven't proposed across-the-board tax cuts, but targeted ones instead. I don't actually believe in letting you control your life. And a public debt is a good thing; it keeps the bankers happy and allows the treasury to make money. Plus, it helps seniors, who vote, at the expense of young people, who don't vote and therefore don't matter.
4) electoral reform
by carleton
Some people, especially those that favor '3-rd' party candidates, have called for the ending of the electoral college system to be replaced by a simple purely popular vote, or at least allowing for splitting the electoral votes by each state. The best recent example was the Bush-Clinton election. Clinton received 43% of the popular vote (but a sufficient majority of the electoral vote), whereas Perot got at least 10% of the popular vote but zero electoral votes. If memory serves, Vermont is the only state which does currently allow for its votes to be split; if someone wins 60% of the Vermont popular vote, they get 2 votes and the 40% candidate gets 1. This in contrast to California, where someone can get 51% of the popular vote, and therefore gets 53 (or whatever it is nowadays) electoral votes. What is your position on this issue?
I support making it difficult for so-called "third parties" to participate because it will loosen our control over America. I don't think that choice is a good thing; that there should be limits to freedom. This is why I support the Commission on Presidential Debates and the states' effort to increase the barriers to getting on the ballot. I also support campaign finance reform because it will help silence dissent. The electoral college system suits my purposes fine.
5) How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
by Phil Gregory
In this age of the Internet, intellectual property has become a very important concept to many people. Many companies make their living on the artificial scarcity provided by intellectual property laws, selling information that they have either created or aggregated. Some others, mostly in the Free Software world, make their living seemingly in spite of these laws, selling their services based on information that is freely given.
Do you feel that out current system of intellectual property is a good one? Which parts of it (e.g. trademarks, patents, copyrights) do you feel are well suited to the world of the Internet and which do you think need to be changed (and, if changes are needed, what changes are needed)?
I think the system is fine, including software patents and other protections for our large contributors. The little guy never invents anything anyway. I think napster is great -- American Democracy is like napster, you know.
6) Encryption....
by SquadBoy
Many tech people think that strong encryption is one of the best ways we have to protect freedom both now and for future generations. For example to preserve information that future not so friendly governments may think we don't need to have and to make sure that things we want to have remain private remain private. Given this what would you do to help preserve our right to privacy through the use of strong encryption? Also in a related question what are your thoughts and what do you plan to do about the fact that we can not export many forms of strong encryption?
I support giving law enforcement all the tools they need to do their job. And if letting citizens use encryption doesn't conflict with that, then they can use it.
7) Rising Political Protests
by sterno
In the last year or so we have seen a tremendous escalation in the quantity and size of political protests against globalization and the rising power of corporate multi-nationals. Do you believe that these people have reason to be concerned? If you do believe that they have reason for concern, what steps would you take as president to deal with their concerns?
I don't think they have any reason to be concerned. The move towards global international control of their lives through a system of interlocking treaties and financial systems is a good one; they will be happier for it. Sovreignty for individuals is overrated, and a dangerous idea when you get down to it. We can't have people running around doing whatever they want!
8) Asteroid Defenses
by Ethelred Unraed
Would you renew funding of programs to research and develop global defense systems against asteroids or other such threats from space?
Well, not so much asteroids as rogue states, but yes. And if any rogue states gained control over any asteroids, we would blow them out of the sky to prevent their use against American interests.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
by 11223
I'm very concerned with the future of the country, and about what our national mission seems to be. Looking back through American history, every period seems to have a defining popular mission - like the "manifest destiny" movement in the 19th century, the Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. During these times, there would be one struggle or idea that captivated the attention of the nation, sort of providing a national mission.
I'm a little confused as I look around today. What is our mission? To me, it seems to be "to watch TV and use the Internet." What would you say the defining national mission of today is? What should it be? Furthermore, how would you show this in your activities as a lawmaker? (For instance, if our national mission is the pursuit of science, then would you increase funding for scientific pursuits in the budget?)
Of course we need a mission. We also need enemies. Both unite the people behind their leaders. It's not enough to simply promote a civil, peaceful, prosperous and free society. The people have to be united in common causes because it quiets dissent and keeps people from complaining about their taxes. And, if we make enough enemies, we can never scale back our intelligence and "peacekeeping" infrastructures.
________________________________________
Napster-to-go says "Fill and refill your compatible MP3 player", which is a lie. It's not MP3. It's WMA with DRM.
1) War on Drugs
The Candidate Comparitor on Quorum gives these answers:
Gore wants to expand federally sponsored drug education and drug treatment programs and support programs to provide prison inmates with drug and alcohol addiction treatment
Bush wants to improve drug interdiction and subsidy programs to reduce drug export from abroad (georgewbush.com, 9/23), support character education in schools, drug prevention programs in communities, and faith-based drug treatment programs (georgewbush.com, 9/23), and prosecute as adults, youths accused of a felony.
2) Minority Religions...
Wow, you really want to get people pissed off at them, don't you?
3) Why give a tax cut?
Because the government has spare money and the people want some. Since one of the candidates is giving away free money, the other one is required to. "If you vote for me, I will personally hand you a fresh, crisp, $100 bill..." Oddly enough, it works.
4) electoral reform
Isn't the electoral college system written into the constitution? Last time I checked, a presidential race was no time to fly in the face of tradition. Besides, both the Republicans and the Democrats rely on the Electoral College to convince people that third-party votes are throw-away votes.
Again, from Quorum, here is how they stand out on other election reform issues:
Gore wants to:
o Require full disclosure of funding sources of issue advocacy commercials which appear within 60 days of an election
o Ban unregulated soft money campaign contributions to political parties or committees
o Prohibit Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions to candidates for federal office
o Strengthen and enforce legislation that encourages full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information
Bush wants to:
o Require unions to get members' permission before using union dues for political advocacy
o Increase the amount individuals are permitted to contribute to federal campaigns
o "Supports instant disclosure of campaign contributions" (georgewbush.com, 9/23)
o "Supports banning 'soft money' contributions from labor unions and corporations" (georgewbush.com, 9/23)
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
Honestly, I'm still on the fence about this one myself, and I think there are at least a dozen issues that are wrapped up in this one question, each which should be addressed separately.
6) Encryption....
The current politicians have the issues so screwed around that talking pro-encryption is like talking pro-drugs or pro-terrorism. I can understand why they wouldn't want to respond to this one.
7) Rising Political Protests
Oh, so you'd want them to bite the hand that feeds them, eh? Just because the World Trade Organization violates our constitution by handing lawmaking power to an extra-national organization is no reason to be concerned. They really have the people's best interests in mind (assuming handing money to large corporations in is our best interest)
8) Asteroid Defenses
I have a friend's daughter that insisted that she should be able to take my mint-condition, still-it-its-box Buzz Lightyear off of the shelf and play with it. "It's a toy" she said "what good is it if you don't play with it."
Unfortunately, building anything that could protect us from asteroid would also mean creating something that could reduce most small countries to a smoking hole in the ground. I have no problem with this, but I'm afraid that many military types might just feel a need to take it off the shelf and play with it.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
Ok, this one is going just a little too far. Not only do you want the candidates to solve all of your problems, you want them to hand you the meaning of life? Presidents aren't supposed to give you the meaning of life - that's what Popes are for. They're just supposed to make your meaning of life possible.
If you really need it, the answer is 42. Just don't go asking for the question.
Mythological Beast
Wake up - the future is arriving faster than you think.
Agreed. This is the most fascinating race I've w seen in my life. Less than a week to go, and the outcomes for both the Presidency and Congress are still in doubt.
If it seems bitter, it's because both sides are desperate. If you're new to politics and have found a candidate or party whom you can support, get involved with them at the local level. The next four years are gonna be damn interesting, and in an era of ever-declining voter turnout, both your party (whatever it may be) and your country need you.
> 5) How do you feel about IP?
> 6) Encryption. > 7) Rising Political Protests > 8) Asteroid Defenses > 9) The Future of the Country, and of HumanityWar on Drugs
If we executed drug users, we wouldn't have the huge drug problem that we have now. Drug users are hurting themselves and I am dedicated to doing whatever it takes to stop them. This is a war, dammit, and there are casualties in a war.
Minority Relitions
I support the right of all minority religions to convert to Christianity.
Why give a tax cut?
Because, moron, I'm running for the fucking president of the United States of America. You think I'm gonna get there without promising a tax cut? Where did you grow up, dumbass?
electoral reform
Wait until next week, if I'm not elected president I promise to spearhead electoral reform.
How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
I think that people who are intellectualable have as much right to protect their property as the rest of us.
Encryption....
If people aren't breaking the law, they have nothing to worry about.
Rising Political Protests
If we executed protestors, we wouldn't have a problem with protests. All these people think they know how to run the country, but how many of them are leading in the polls? What's that? None of them are? Hmmmm, I wonder who is, oh yeah, it's me, now sit down and shut up!
Asteroid Defenses
I remember once in the 80's getting all coked out and playing asteroids for like twelve hours straight, man that was a good video game.
The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
Our national mission should be to help large corporations become larger, and to make sure that the poor people who commit crime are executed.
..and so is Gore.
Come to think of it almost everyone involved with US Politics is a criminal.
Bitchslapped? Give Rob a bitchslap from bitchslapped.com.
(1)
[BUSH] The war on drugs began with my father, and I will continue that struggle on behalf of the american people. I don't believe this war is in our own streets; It's in foreign military relations!
[GORE] I invented drugs.
(2)
[BUSH] My father wanted me not to be known as a racist, but instead as anti-sematic! Hey, we got that witch-girl in oaklahoma on trial, didn't we?
[GORE] We should protect all religions equally; they don't require special rights, and they shouldn't be given them.
(3)
[BUSH] My dad got lower taxes.
[GORE] I invented lower taxes.
(4)
[BUSH] The electoral collage has been reformed. Don't you guys know I'm going to be president? Hey dad! When do I get to push the button?
[GORE] We need to stay focused on the issues. Perot had more than "enough" money at his disposal, and I believe that's what truly proves that we have the greatest nation in the world.
(5)
[BUSH] When do I get to rule the world dad! You said I could do it! You said!!!!
[GORE] I invented the internet.
(6)
[BUSH] You promised! You promised! You promised!
[GORE] I invented encryption.
(7)
[BUSH] You promised! You promised! You promised!
[GORE] As more and more companies wish to do business with the united states, more and more companies gain a better understanding on how to do business with america. Monoplies are not inherently bad, they simply are not adaquitely controlled, and that is something I plan to rectify.
(8)
[BUSH] Oh, sorry... What was the last question? Oh, asteroids. Yeah, we need to relive the star-wars project just for this reason. And to help engage foreign military policies, and to strengthen our own military hold as good americans.
[GORE] I invented Asteroids[tm].
(9)
[BUSH] Something about a thousand points of light. It sounds great!
[GORE] People still want conflict. The media proves this! But as media begins to embrace my internet, we will get more into personal ideas and ideals that can do nothing but improve our quality of life, and the flow of information. This is our mission: To inform and understand. And we are already doing a great job of it!
[BUSH] bdah, bdha, that's all folks!
[GORE] I invented folks.
I believe these are all improtant questions that affect our nation every day. If elected I will work hard to make sure that these issues are dealt with in a way that everyone can be proud of. I'm proud of this country and what it stands for, and though these issues are important, we must not forget the men and women that made our country what it is today.
Interpretation: Whichever side of the issue the corporation that is bankrolling me is on is how I will proceed.
XeoMage
Actually, most were not intended to be funny but an honest guess of what GWB would say if he were honest.
There is one reference to coke, which was obvious since the question was about the drug war and I don't think GWB gives two shits about the drug war except that it scares old people and he wants their votes, as I said in the last sentence.
There are also references to GWB having a limited vocabulary and being fairly unintelligent. The first you can't argue with as he illustrates this on a weekly basis. The second you can argue a little more, but I think it is recognized by even his own party that he is not the most brilliant man. Their comments are often along the lines of "He just has a thick tongue, he is actually not a stupid guy." which is not a resounding endorsement. The media has not skewed my thoughts on this. I have heard him with my own ears not be able to pronounce common words many times. I don't think he is retarded or has a learning disability, I think that he has never used the word "subliminal" before in his life. That, among other things, says to me that he is not very intelligent. I have never heard Al Gore do the same.
"Redundant" should be used when someone knowingly posts a duplicate either because they are stupid or too lazy to read the previous posts. Since I wrote 10 times more than most of the posts ahead of mine, and it takes a little while to write them, I probably started writing before many of the posts before me.
Lastly, Funny, is relative. Maybe we shouldn't have the moderation "Funny" because people will use it willy nilly on things that you don't think are funny.
Don't get mad because someone doesn't like your candidate.
- I like pudding.
1) War on Drugs
by Tim Doran
The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election.
My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would
you change about it if elected president?
Answer: The war on drugs is a failure. I can speak from personal experience. You can get coke in almost any city in America, especially if you are willing to turn a trick. And this shit is good! Not that shit blow from Mexico, either, good Bolivian, Peruvian stuff. Coca para los todas.
This problem mainly effects poor black people, so frankly, I have little interest in it.
2) Minority Religions...
by Electric Angst
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca,
Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Answer: I don't know much about Santana, Shinta, or Etal, but I do know this. I want to move forward, not backward, rightwise, not leftwise, and twirling, forever twirling.
3) Why give a tax cut?
by funkman
With the surplus, everyone has been saying "Let's have a tax cut, Let's have a tax cut." In the meantime,
Alan Greenspan and friends are trying to keep inflation and the speed of the growing economy in check so
it doesn't burst. Which they are doing by raising interest rates periodically. (6 times this year)
A tax cut flies in the face of what Greenspan is trying to do. A tax cut will inject more money into the
economy and do what Greenspan is preventing.
Why is a tax cut so big? Wouldn't the money be better spent on the deficit so when worse times roll along, a
tax cut can be easily given by not paying as much on the debt?
Answer: You talk a lot and I get confused, but I did get the beginning. Because that is what I promised all the rich people that paid to get me into office and I keep my promises. I am rich, my father is rich, my vice president is rich, all my friends are rich. What do we get from the government? Nothing, we pay and get nothing back. We aren't on welfare, foods stamps, we have the best private insurance money can buy, we don't need medicare, medicaid, or any government services. All the government does for us is make us let black kids in our kids schools, pay crack whores to have more babies, and give condoms to children so they fuck like rabbits, and thats not right.
4) electoral reform
by carleton
Some people, especially those that favor '3-rd' party candidates, have called for the ending of the electoral
college system to be replaced by a simple purely popular vote, or at least allowing for splitting the electoral
votes by each state. The best recent example was the Bush-Clinton election. Clinton received 43% of the
popular vote (but a sufficient majority of the electoral vote), whereas Perot got at least 10% of the popular
vote but zero electoral votes. If memory serves, Vermont is the only state which does currently allow for its
votes to be split; if someone wins 60% of the Vermont popular vote, they get 2 votes and the 40% candidate
gets 1. This in contrast to California, where someone can get 51% of the popular vote, and therefore gets
53 (or whatever it is nowadays) electoral votes. What is your position on this issue?
Answer: Again, I became confused on the third sentence. Please keep these short. Why should I want to change this? The system is set up to continue the two party system, of which I am one. If you have more choice, I and my friends have a lesser chance of winning.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
by Phil Gregory
In this age of the Internet, intellectual property has become a very important concept to many people. Many
companies make their living on the artificial scarcity provided by intellectual property laws, selling
information that they have either created or aggregated. Some others, mostly in the Free Software world,
make their living seemingly in spite of these laws, selling their services based on information that is freely
given.
Do you feel that out current system of intellectual property is a good one? Which parts of it (e.g.
trademarks, patents, copyrights) do you feel are well suited to the world of the Internet and which do you
think need to be changed (and, if changes are needed, what changes are needed)?
Answer: Alright, I'm with you on this one, this is money again. The laws have been written with the large companies in mind, not the general population. This is because large companies give money to the parties, specifically my Republican party, and so we try to accomodate those that keep us in office. I will support current intillectural property laws as long as it is politically in my best interest, which right now looks to continue into the foreseeable future. I am here, running for President of the United States, because I can "play ball". John McCain is much more popular than I with the general public, but he can not "play ball" with those at the top of the Republican Party, and as we discussed earlier, the system is set up for the two party and those that fund them.
I am the type of person that believes in keeping things the way they are, as is Al, because I am rich and powerful, and the things that got me here are the things I will continue to support. I will get NOTHING from changing intillectural property laws and all the large companies will lose important revenue streams.
6) Encryption....
by SquadBoy
Many tech people think that strong encryption is one of the best ways we have to protect freedom both now
and for future generations. For example to preserve information that future not so friendly governments
may think we don't need to have and to make sure that things we want to have remain private remain
private. Given this what would you do to help preserve our right to privacy through the use of strong
encryption? Also in a related question what are your thoughts and what do you plan to do about the fact
that we can not export many forms of strong encryption?
Answer: Now we know I am not too smart so I am going to keep this simple. Whatever helps business, I am for. I think this will help businesses, so I am for strong encryption available to them. If I can do this without giving the general population, (i.e. criminals) this strong encryption, I will, but I am told by smart people that this would be impossible, so we'll give it to everyone.
7) Rising Political Protests
by sterno
In the last year or so we have seen a tremendous escalation in the quantity and size of political protests
against globalization and the rising power of corporate multi-nationals. Do you believe that these people
have reason to be concerned? If you do believe that they have reason for concern, what steps would you
take as president to deal with their concerns?
Answer: This is not a problem yet. They are small and ineffectual up till now, so we can ignore them for the forseeable future.
8) Asteroid Defenses
by Ethelred Unraed
Would you renew funding of programs to research and develop global defense systems against asteroids or
other such threats from space?
Answer: Is this Ross Perot? Whoo, you are out there buddy. "Threats from space?" (Someone put a tail on this guy.)
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
by 11223
I'm very concerned with the future of the country, and about what our national mission seems to be.
Looking back through American history, every period seems to have a defining popular mission - like the
"manifest destiny" movement in the 19th century, the Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. During
these times, there would be one struggle or idea that captivated the attention of the nation, sort of
providing a national mission.
I'm a little confused as I look around today. What is our mission? To me, it seems to be "to watch TV and
use the Internet." What would you say the defining national mission of today is? What should it be?
Furthermore, how would you show this in your activities as a lawmaker? (For instance, if our national
mission is the pursuit of science, then would you increase funding for scientific pursuits in the budget?)
Answer: This is right up my alley.
I am for a strong America, a good America. An America that is strong and good. I am against our children being killed, and us losing money. I am for us not dying, and am indifferent to people in other countries dying unless it effects us in a bad way. Africa is far away, black, and has only minimal economic ties, so I will talk about how horrible things are there but will never send our children to fight there.
I am for rich people mainly, but will tell you I am for everyone, even though I do little to nothing for those who actually need help from the government.
I promise to always talk in generallities, like "I am inclusive, not devicive. I want prosperity to continue..." and not talk specifics that make people angry and confused.
Thank you for this time. I hope you understand me a little better now.
- I like pudding.
1) War on Drugs
.. uh what was the question?
.. uh .. I invented the internet .. man
by Tim Doran
Bush: snooooooooooooort
Gore: dude
--
you are not what you own
it's a sig, wtf?
1.War on drugs.
Druggies will be arested when we achieve a police state
2.Minority Religions
Minorities will be arested when we achieve a police state
3.Why give a tax cut?
Taxes won't matter when we achive a police state.
4.Electoral Reform
Other parties will be arested when we achieve a police state
5.Intellectual Property
All property will be controled by the government after we achieve a police state.
6.Encryption
Encryption will be controlled by the government when we achieve a police state.
7.Rising Political Protests
Protesters will be arested when we achieve a police state
8.Asteroid Defenses
We will hurl our millions of captives at an astroid when we achieve a police state.
9.The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
Humanity will end when we achieve a police state.
--
you are not what you own
it's a sig, wtf?
That's the point - this argument was used seriously by Bush. If you can consider anything he says "serious".
--
Obfuscated e-mail addresses won't stop sadistic 12-year-old ACs.
Win dain a lotica, en vai tu ri silota
So you think it's al close enough that planting subliminal messages will decide the outcome? :)
--
Obfuscated e-mail addresses won't stop sadistic 12-year-old ACs.
Win dain a lotica, en vai tu ri silota
Hey, I think you missed something. This thread is supposed to be to lighten up about the election.
--
Obfuscated e-mail addresses won't stop sadistic 12-year-old ACs.
Win dain a lotica, en vai tu ri silota
Further, by making sure that just about everyone has some criminality in their background, arbitrary law enforcement is easier.
See if you can answer the following question correctly...
Speed limits are set below the 85th percentile (scientifically the safest speed) because:
a) Speed Kills!
b) Speeding tickets represent a very profitable tax on driving.
c) If someone is driving over the speed limit they can be pulled over for speeding and searched.
d) If someone is driving under the speed limit they can be pulled over for looking suspicious and searched.
e) All of the above and then some.
I've always wondered what a judge would say if I told him that I was obeying the speed limit by not driving below it (as in a lower limit, kind of like -1 is for sine and cosine curves).
By the way, for all the Nader supporters, Ralphie is in favor of a national speed limit. But I think that sits well with the majority of voters who are ignorant of the facts.
-- "Complacency is a far more dangerous attitude than outrage." -Naomi Littlebear
Yep. We are all doped out, strung out, tripping, shooting up, drooling all over ourselves, lying in our own vomit, and having an all-around good time.
:)
AND we're beating you in the drug war! Now isn't THAT a humbling thought.
Ok, so yeah, because we grab people of the street and slap 'em in the slammer fer smokin' some pot, or shootin' some heroine, there are places fer more lawyers, more judges, etc.
Does anybody *really* see the need for more lawyers as a benefit? Anybody?
Also, how many more innocent citizens are called to jury duty because of the war on drugs? Prolly a fair number, most of whom would probably be happier leading their self-involved, materialistic lives.
Finally, suppose some currently illegal drugs (such as pot) were legalised. Suppose you could walk into a local shop and buy a few grams.. imaging the taxes the gov't could raise with that. Using that money, good drug-abuse programs could be started, more drug-abuse facilities built, etc. Better prevention measures could be taken, the list goes on...
For example, in Holland, we were (in gr. 9) given an informative booklet about e, or xtc, or whatever you like to call it. It wasn't patronising at all - it simply talked about the way e works, how it can be dangerous, where you can have your pills checked to make sure they're ok (in Holland they have facilities at most clubs that will check your pills for a small fee).
To me, this seems much better than simply saying "say no to drugs" to kids and showing them pictures of stoned/high/whatever people lying on the street. It's less patronising, more humanistic, and overall more reasonable. I don't think anybody takes it seriously when they hear "say no to drugs" - it's a joke.
So, legalise pot, e, and some of the other `lighter' drugs (perhaps 'shrooms?) Then the gov't would be able to tax the hell outta them, have quality-control measures, implement good drug-abuse programs, etc. I think the taxes would work because, given a choice between a dealer in a dark street and a legitimate place to buy stuff, where would you go? Illegal dealing could also be siginificantly reduced.
As it stands right now, people use drugs despite the "war," but don't have very many good places to turn when they want help. I think the gov't should just accept that people use drugs and try to make something good of it...
"Caffeine is not an option. Caffeine is a way of life."
Whom in their right mind would ever expect a straight (let alone honest) answer from a politician?
I don't see the point of asking them questions.
Their answers range from:
1. Lie
2. Unfulfilled Promise.
3. Score point at oppossition's expense
4. Misrepresentation of truth
5. Political Sound bite
6. Politically correct empty statement
7. Politically correct statement based on a knee-jerk reaction to something in the news.
8. Nonesence
9. Playing party politics
10. Dodging the issue
11. Re-directing blame
Have I missed anything?
-- "To ask a question is to show ignorance; Not to ask a question means you'll remain ignorant."
war on drugs
Gore: I met a gentleman last week who had to pay $35 for his crack rock. This kind of prescription price gouging must stop!
Bush: Never use a drug named after a body part. Like Crack. That's a ghetto drug.
Nader: Unsafe on any Speed!
why give a tax cut
Gore: We should cut taxes, but never trees. Trees our our friends. My tree loves me.
Bush: We need to give money back to the corporations that create value and jobs in this country, like Exxon. Er, wait... um... there should be limits to what i say...
Nader: I'm not as much in favor of cutting taxes as taxing cuts, as no one likes cuts, and we should tax things we don't like.
electoral reform
Gore: We need electoral reform now! We should be able to dance with our happy buddhist monk friends, as their money showers down upon us!
Bush: Electoral reform is key, I think in particular we need to make those damn black people inelegible to vote. They never voted for my dad.
Nader: Look at these two clowns. Enough said.
intellectual property
Gore: I like my stuff.
Bush: Who let intellectuals own property! Nerds are queer!
Nader: This sound bite is copyright (c) 2000 Nader Productions, Inc.
encryption
Gore: I invented it.
Bush: See! He's queer! Nerd! NERD!
Nader: +++Q,SJD8AJS@#$1JSDFA+++
political protests
Gore: I remember the protests back in the 60's for nam, man, the weed was so thick... er, wait.
Bush: There should be limits to freedom. In particular, we need to shoot those damn people.
Nader: I am a political protest, damnit!
asteroids
Gore: aAAAHAHAHAHAH! Where! flee!
Bush: I remember that game. I could never figure out how to stop my ship.
Nader: Bush is a nerd! Queer!
the future
Gore: I'm gonna write a book about that.
Bush: I'm gonna outlaw the queer's book.
Nader: One of these two is gonna win a Darwin Award. It's in the cards, I tell ya.
--
What happens when you outlaw guns
Al Gore's rec room 8:45pm,
.... next question"
/...the other other one...fuck it move I'll do it"
Gore:"I got it, take a look"
Bush:"Scroll down ok lets try"
Gore:"pass me a beer, I'll read them out"
1. War on Drugs
Bush:"Not touching it, that bunch will say I was a wimp for not doing More Drugs"
Gore:"Right, same here...next"
2. Minority Religions
Bush:"Like I want to blow all my votes by not saying they are all tools of Satan"
Gore:"UhhHuh, two in a row, let me get ya a new beer."
3. Tax Cuts
Bush:"Daddy won on it so Read my Hips, Lips ahh hell"
Gore:"Hahahahha burp hehe back in a sec gotta wizz"
4. Electoral Reform
Bush:"What is that book again Al?"
Gore:"Lone Star Planet, Piper"(bath echo)
Bush:"Anything but that!!"
Gore:"Fuck yeah!"(bath echo)
5. IP
Bush:"IPi-ipia, I ho for silver"
Gore:"Yep, silver, gold, bonds, kickbacks, beer oh is that one mine. glug"
6. Encryption
Bush:"Dad told me they had a machine that...
SSA: "Sorry sir I knocked your beer over..."
Gore:"Ahh right
7. Political Protests
Bush:"Pinko junky faggots!!"
Gore:"Misguided youth in need of forced education"
Bush:"I wish I had said that"
Gore:"You will George you will.
Both:"hahahahaa"
8. Asteroid Defenses
Bush:"Al the emulator Locked Up on me again!"
Gore:"sigh, CD
9. Mission
Bush:"I support the economic annexation of Mexico"
Gore:"Yeah we're out of fucking Corrona's"
The Bible also says that the rulers do not wield the sword in vain. There is no "discrepancy" with the Bible when the government excecutes citizens who have committed wrongdoing. The Bible explicitly gives this authority to the government. Get your theology (or conventional wisdom or hearsay) straight, please.
Maybe personally you're voting for Nader but actually, you're voting for Bush. With actual "serious campaign reform" that wouldn't be the case but dream on if you think it isn't. esp since you don't want a "green run US" don't expect any thanks if Bush wins.
Check out salon.com today and be impressed that Bush thought Yale "went downhill" after it admitted women. To Ken Burns' co-producer (a woman) no less:
From salon: "There's also Lynn Novick, a co-producer of Ken Burns' PBS series "Baseball," who had the rare treat of accompanying Bush to a Texas Rangers game in the summer of 1994, before he was elected governor. "He was a very gracious host," Novick says. "He was perfectly pleasant. Until he changed the subject."
Bush mentioned something about Yale University, from which he graduated in 1968. Novick graduated from Yale in 1983, so she brought it up, thinking it would be "like a bonding thing."
"When did you graduate?" Bush asked her, as she recalls. She told him. That's when Bush told her that Yale "went downhill since they admitted women."
"I said, 'Excuse me?'" Novick says. "I thought
he was kidding. But he didn't seem to be kidding. I said, 'What do you mean?'"
Bush replied that "something had been lost" when women were fully admitted to Yale in 1969, that fraternities were big when he'd been there, providing a "great camaraderie for the men." But that went out the window when women were allowed in, Bush said.
"He said something like, 'Women changed the social dynamic for the worse,'" she says. "I was so stunned, shocked and insulted, I didn't know what to say."
She says two things offended her the most:"That he would think that, but almost more so that he would say that to a woman who went to Yale."
Then combine that with his position on abortion.
So much for trotting out Condoleeza Rice all the time.
I cannot vouch for the first paragraph but the second is right from the Constitution Party platform!
-Vel
I believe that privacy is a very important issue. Encryption is one of those things that helps privacy. The clinton administration has done nothing on this issue, and so we have less freedom and less national security than ever before in the past. I will change all that. I can ensure both more freedom and more national security. It's good for business if we allow them to extort encryption overseas. I mean, export. Except to China, because they already have all of our nuclear secrets. That is a bad thing. Clinton has done nothing to prevent that. Gore would continue to do nothing. I won't be a do nothing president. I work well with people, in getting things done.
What was the question again?
yours,
yours,
kbs
Arguably, to demand. An awful lot of people are willing to pay awful lots of money to procure drugs. That's one heck of an incentive.
Apparently, it's very profitable to synthesize and smuggle drugs; borders are pretty porous (the level of manpower needed to stop and search every potential drug smuggler would be INSANE -- and it wouldn't cover domestic operations, such as labs not dependent on opiates), investigations are difficult (other countries, such as Mexico, aren't too fond of US DEA agents operating there... national sovereignty and all that. This is problematic when many local of the officals screaming national sovereignty aren't going to do much because they're taking money from the cartels); and the distribution system is firmly in place.
Sure, you can take down individual dealers. But the money's good enough that more will probably take their place...
Only the dead have seen the end of war.
If elected supreme dictator i would take care of it for sure. :)
Probably the best thing to do would be legalize all the drugs. Laws forbidding them just create an artifical scarcity, which drives up price, and since its illegel, the dealers of course have a lot of fire power. Eliminate the laws, and the price will drop, and the dealers would have no need for guns. Crazy? Probably not, just look at prohibition.
Again, if we legalized it, the artifical scarcity would disapper, and the price would drop. It would be alot cheaper, and people won't go to that extreme to do it.
I'm having a hard time understanding where you are going with your post. The violence that goes along with drugs? I think that would be the violence created b/c the drug supply buisness is illegal. I've never heard on the news 'so and so went on a crack indused killing spree today.' I'll grant you i've heard of people ODing on stuff, but that is hardly violence. OTOH i have heard on the news 'shootout over a drug deal gone bad.' Thats the violence caused by making drugs illegal.
It is a shame that people OD on drugs and die, but ya know what, that doesn't really matter at all. I think that all drugs should be legalized, but i also think education in the schools should be continued. That way people have an educatec choice. If they know something builds up in their spinal cord and chooose to do it anyway, well, thats their choice.
Now, should anyone pay for that mistake (except the person making it, of course). No. Take seat belt laws for instance. Its basically a way for the state police to make money. Everyone knows they are at greater risk of being seriously hurt in an accident if they don't ware one. Now, if someone not wearing one got into an accident their insurance should be able to refuse payment of any medical bills. You know the risks, you take the chance, and if you fuck up, you take the fall.
AS far as your concern about gangs and kids smoking. Well i think you must be smoking something if you think gangs are a lesser issue then smoking. A kid smoking can quit, and even if he doesn't for the most part only hurts himself. A kid in a gang is usually involved in robbery or worse, murder. Why you're not as worried about that is beyond me. Besides, most of the kids that smoke to try drugs or drink under age do it simply b/c it IS illegal. Teen drinking is not the problem in Germany or France that it is here, b/c its nothing special there. here its illegal, and breaking the rules and being a 'rebel' is pretty damn cool to kids. Thats why we have so many kids smoking.
About your note. 'Non-harmful/non-addictive' drugs are really not that harmless at all. It seems to me that a chemical made in a test tube and has a name that is 40 characters long couldn't be that good ot put into your body. Our bodies were designed to work in the natural world with natural things. Any drug used for medical purposes should probably be only used as a last resort. Besides there are plenty of legal drugs that are addictive. Sleep aids being the most commonly abused.
You must have missed one of the parent posts. Let me quote a bit from one of them, so you can know where I got the whole drug violence bit:
...
That's where the inital 'violence' thing came from.
Um, thanks, but I was the one that posted the parent post. The person replying to it seemed to think that people high on drugs were causing most of the drug related violence, at least thats how i took it.
I don't think it's necessarily the rebellion aspect that appeals to kids, but more the 'i want to be an adult' mentality. I think kids want to do it because they see the adults doing it.
I agree, i don't think the rebel factor is the only cause, but i'm sure it does get alot of kids. As far as seeing parents do it, well that doesn't explain why kids in Europe aren't obsessed with getting drunk. Most kids i know that got drunk on weekends had parents that didn't drink, or drank responsibily. And i'm sure they weren't idolizing the local town drunk.
I do not think this is valid a reason to legalize highly-addictive and destructive drugs, however. That is basically condoning their casual use (like with cigarettes).
I don't think smoking is condoned. I think most people (esp nonsmokers) seem to hate it. The resent drive to push smokers out of just about everywhere is evidence of that.
If someone has a resonable response backing why kids won't be interested in drugs the same way they are in cigarettes, I may change my mind on this.
Tell me, why would they? Kids are kids. And if educated early enough, i think they'd be too scared to risk anything by doing drugs. I don't think legalizing crack would cause it to suddenly appear in your local grocery store. Besides, if something is legal, it can be regulated. While i don't agree with the age limit laws on cigerretes and alcohol, it could be done with something like crack. You seem to think that if drugs were illegal, the kids would just jump to them. I doubt that. And if i'm to believe the local tv commercials, 1 out of 10 kids (or something) has tried pot by 6th grade. Obviously making them illegal hasn't stopped the kids from getting it. I think the reason is that there is no education at that low a level. There sure wasn't when i was in 6th grade (granted, 11years ago...). Why not educate as early as possible. Make them (rightfully) scared of things like crack and heroin. I didn't get drug ed until 10th grade i think. Thats way too late.
At any rate, i'd like to see some evidence that kids would actually jump to harder drugs just b/c they became legal.
Nic, Nic, now Nic, under our traditional American system of jurisprudence a "criminal" is not defined as a fellow who in the real world performs a specific act which violates the statutes. But instead a "criminal" is defined as he, that unlucky sucker, who has been convicted by a court of law (whether or not, in the real world, he ever laid finger one upon the gravamen) of having performed said illegality. "Innocent until proven guilty," understand? That's the way we Anglo-Saxons undertake jurisprudence.
And as you surely must realize, our Mr. Bush in his official status as Executioner-in-Chief, could indeed factually leave the corpses of countless guiltless dead men heaped up in fucking windrows, and not only that but on top of that, in his unofficial personal capacity, he could shove whole kilograms of cocaine (news flash! possesion of cocaine is and has been for decades illegal in all fifty states!) right up up up his narrow Anglo-Saxon nostrils. But as rich as Duh-byuh is, and as connected as he is, you ought to know damned well Hell will freeze over seven times before the gilded likes of him could ever be convicted in any court of any crime whatsoever. Even if the foul, base act, whatever it were, were captured on videotape.
The fact is, the filthy rich enjoy different laws than you and I - well, than I anyway, you happily live under an altogether different judiciary... Anyhow, gee, I mean, it's not as though he ever got caught committing so unforgivable offense such as one time letting a horny interness suck his dick, especially after having raised slightly the marginal tax rate weighing upon millionaires...
Vive la France!
Yours WDK - WKiernan@concentric.net
(Bush|Gore): I am firmly opposed to drug use, and I feel that we must increase penalties for drug dealers, users, and manufacturers (Bush: unless they're pharmaceutical manufacturers; they are the closest thing to God in this country. I love God.) Let's be honest, folks. My "youthful indiscretions" taught me that drugs just aren't something to mess around with. I wish there had been super harsh sentencing laws then like there are now, so that I could have had the piss scared out of me when I was caught (smoking|snorting), for all of about 15 minutes until daddy brought in the lawyers and the judge, being a reasonable man, agreed that I was not black and of course didn't deserve to go to jail. Furthermore, I'm sure it would have taught my college roommate, er I mean vicious drug dealer, a lesson or two if he was sentenced to life in prison and raped weekly. Instead he's gone on to become a wealthy lawyer (boy, what those drug dealers won't do for a buck). In conclusion, we all messed around with drugs when we were kids, but today's kids are different, dammit, and I don't trust them farther than I can throw them and so let's toss everybody in jail. Thank you.
1) War on drugs
Every heart has a promise in it. A promise to keep. Now some say that the war on drugs has been one of the nation's biggest boondonglethingys. TO those critics I say false! We have a promise to protect our childs, and to keep our hearts true.
2) Minority religions
There are those among you who feel that the GOP has not been inclusive, but we have opened our hearts. Those whose hearts have been darkened by the following of Satan and Wicker need to feel the thousands points of light that we can carry forward to build a nation of peace and prosperity.
3) Tax cuts
To build our future on the peace and prosperity of inclusivnits that our hearts can bring I promis to open our hearts with a tax relief plan for every man, woman, and child. We'll leave no child behind and refund them our money they need.
4) Election Reform
I have stood before every man, woman, and child and opened my heart, and my administration would be one of inclusiveness. Why our party is even helping our friend Mr. Nader by advertising for him. That's my open heart, and answer of integrity.
5) IP
When an artist or writer opens his heart to bring his or her work to every man, woman or child, they deserve tax relief and to be rightfully compensated. Let no child or artist be left behind, and let those whose hearts have been darkened by the internet be force to pay.
6) Encryption
We need less power for the bureaucrats in Washington. Every American should open their heart and let us look into see what they have to hide, so we can make sure this nation is never again the vitim of terror. We must protect every man, woman, and child.
7) Protests
I cannot answer this one, becuase there are group that do not support me, and for those groups there ought to be limits on freedom. They want to leave people behind.
8) Asteroids
****snort**** Whoa... I remember playing that game. That kicked ass! Dude! Um, yeah, protect the nation from terror and leave no child behind.
9) The future
As I have said and i will reiterirritate, we cannot leave any man, woman, or child behind as we build a future of peace and prosperity and protect our children from open hearts.
Thank you and God bless.
-George W. Bush
If I could only live my life with my threshold at 4...
http://www.webwhiteblue.org/debat e/2 000-10-30/
Al gore:
Striking A Balance On Encryption
Between Privacy Interests and National Security
I believe that the best encryption policy is one that balances our commercial and privacy interests with national security and law enforcement concerns.
The current Administration has worked hard to achieve that balance -- a balanced encryption policy that increases privacy and security for families and businesses, while addressing the legitimate needs of national security and law enforcement. This year, for instance, the Administration has allowed U.S. companies to export strong encryption to Europe and other major allies without a license, a move that was praised by the computer industry.
Under our policy, any widely available encryption product can also be exported to anyone except the seven state supporters of terrorism. I believe that technologies like encryption are now more important than ever to our economy and to electronic commerce.
As president, I will support encryption policies that allow companies to compete internationally, while also protecting our vital national security interests.
Bush
Protecting Privacy
I believe that strong encryption products enhance consumer privacy.
In October 1999, I proposed fundamental reform of the U.S. high technology export system -- including encryption export laws -- to allow companies to export products when those products are already readily available in foreign or mass markets, while building high walls around technologies of the highest sensitivity. The current system needlessly penalizes U.S. businesses while failing to strengthen our national security.
Strong encryption products are an important tool that gives Americans absolute control over his or her personal information. I believe that it is especially important to protect highly sensitive medical, genetic, and financial information.
I share many people's concerns that, with the advent of the Internet, personal privacy is increasingly at risk, and I am committed to protecting personal privacy for everyone. Though industry now appears to be making some efforts to meet consumer demands for privacy protection, as President I will ensure:
Notice and Consent. Everyone has the right to know what information is collected and how it will be used, and to accept or decline the collection or dissemination of this information - particularly financial and medical information.
Access. Individuals have the right to correct any inaccurate personal information.
Security. Institutions must provide sufficient security to prevent unauthorized access to personal information.
The Clinton Administration has repeatedly been slow to recognize the realities of the international market for encryption products regulated by our nation's export laws. Rather than act in a timely way to keep export limits in line with technology available from foreign sources, the Administration has threatened exporters with outdated rules blocking sales of widely available commercial technology.
In addition, unlike Gore's "reinvented" government which has failed to protect the personal information of Americans, my own Web site sets a high privacy standard. The August 17, 2000 Los Angeles Times "E-Review" examines the two major campaigns' Web sites and concludes, "If the presidential election were based on Internet sites, E-Review would give the edge to Texas Gov. George W. Bush." At GeorgeWBush.com, "visitors still must opt in to be included on Bush's mailing lists. E-commerce sites that profess to care about protecting their customers' privacy would do well to follow this lead."
1. War on Drugs
The war on Drugs has not been as successful as I had hoped, but I believe this is because I did not play a large part in inventing both war and drugs while in Congress.
2. Minority Religions
Minorities should be given special benefits since there are fewer of them. Minorities include the richest 5% of the country.
3. Tax cut
Taxes should be as high as possible, or at least as high as congress will let me make them. After all, a newer, smaller government requires more money.
4. Electoral Reform
The electoral college should be reformed, preferably in such a manner as to make it more confusing and possibly more beneficial to me.
5. Intellectual Property
Intellectual property should be protected, even though I did allow several companies to blatantly steal my leg-protection invention. (Those bastards call them "pants," but we know the truth.)
6. Encryption
My cue card says I'm for reducing encryption restrictions, but I voted against it in Congress...::tongue kisses Tipper::
7. Rising Political Protests
I was there with James Lee Witt, so my position on this issue should be clear.
8. Asteroid Defenses
This are should be researched, but I think it will be up to me to invent a "LASER" with which to destroy any incoming asteroids.
9. The Future
The children are our future, but I'm pro choice, so feel free to not have children if you choose.
Gore: As an animatronic robot created, operated, and solely owned by Disney corporation, I strongly believe it is our nation's responsibility to protect our precious children from the likes of governer George W. Bush. The governer claims that he is in support of better education and lower pollution for our children, but in reality we all know that he wants to force children to suck on automobile tail pipes at least 4 hours a day and joyously release tens of cans of flourocarbons into the atmosphere as punishment for being elderly. After all, who's smirk are you going to trust--my pretentious one, or Bush's sheepish one?
Bush:As governer of Texas, I have worked to bring smart Democrats and Republicans together on key issues so that I wouldn't have to think about such difficult things as gradeschool education and individual rights. While driving our gas-guzzling SUV by the local oil refinery last week, my wife and I were reminded of the importance of taking money from special interest groups and then accusing the vice-president of doing the same. My opponent's heart has been darkened by his own invention, twisting him into a Satanic freak like those third party candidates. (Although, those third party candidates aren't as bad as Gore, so vote for them if you don't vote for me).
- "It's just a matter of opinion!" - PRIMUS
I'm a big supporter of marijuana legalization. Just look at my bong!
---
DO NOT DISTURB THE SE
If Gore and Bush were l33t h4x0r d00dz, I guess this is what they'd say about some of the questions:
5.Intellectual Property
G0r3: d00d, 1 0wn IP, s0 1 0wn j00!
Bu5h: 0wn3d by G0r3.
6.Encryption
Gore: d00d, i 0wn j00r l33t crypt0.
Bush: zl q4q 4aq 1 w00m3q ebg13 ju3a j3 j3e3 fxe1c7 x1qq13m, f0 gu4gm y33g. 4yy 3y53 1m y4z3, q00q.
(feel free to rot13 that Bush statement... but wow, the un-rot13'ed Bush statement looks funky!)
present day... present time.... hahahahahahahahahaa
present day... present time... hahahaha...
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Pick a candidate for this one...
I would put them on reservations for their own protection, we could give them blankets. But we don't want just any derilect cult running around practicing beliefs in this country. I believe in 'Freedom of Christainity' er, religion that is and everyone has the right to practice whatever religion they want as long as they do it so that it doesn't piss off the christians.
A closed mouth gathers no foot...
It's not government's place to decide what the "future of the country" or "goal of society" should be. When you ask for that, the answers are usually quite unappealing, and look a lot like totalitarianism. Government is only there to allow society to proceed on its own, and the best we can do is keep government out of the way, so that people are not prohibited from achieving their goals.
The arguments Bush uses to support his tax cut are very simple -- it's not the government's money. If the phone company noticed they had been overcharging you for the past few years, would you want them to:
a) Keep it for themselves
b) Give you more services you never asked for
c) Write you a refund check
d) Hand it out to people they like
Gore says (d): he wants to use tax cuts to encourage activities he likes, like putting kids in childcare (but not choosing not to work while your kids are young), paying for your childrens college (but not paying for college yourself), and so on.
Bush says (b): if the federal government is taking more money than it needs from the citizens, then it should stop taking so much.
Do Bush's tax cuts target the rich? No, they do not target the rich. Do the rich get the principle benefit? Depends how you measure it. They will have the biggest savings overall, but this is just because they pay the most in taxes. Percentages wise, I don't know whether it's exactly fair or if the rich or the poor get a bigger benefit.
Gore's "tax cuts" target people so specifically, you will pretty much not get them unless you plan your life around them. I went through the online calculators, using mine and my parents incomes to see who these tax cuts will benefit. I would have saved a few hundred dollars last year with Bush's plan. I couldn't get a single hypothetical to show me a savings under Gore's plan. I guess I have to have kids, start saving for college, buy an electric car, and invest in the trial lawyers association to be elegible for his tax breaks.
As a libertarian, I'm hoping Bush wins, because he at least seems to have some inkling of the idea that government is only there to do certain things, and society is separate from government. Gore on the other hand thinks that government is there to dictate, er, I mean encourage, all aspects of peoples lives. I won't be voting for either of them, of course.
Tom Campbell, senate candidate in California, and one of the handful of politicians who understand economics, says, "none of the above". The "surplus" has just been accounting tricks until this year, and we should pay down the debt while times are good.
Just to respond to a few of your points:
There is no violence associated with drugs, rather with the illegality of drugs. There is a demand for them, so a supply will be there. That is the main guiding principal of our (American) society. We are better described as a capitalistic society than a democracy or republic. I am not stating an opinion on this, just stating that it's true.
consider replacing cigaretts (already addictive) with something even more addictive and traumatic
There is nothing more addictive than cigarettes. More traumatic is really a more personal issue as to what you consider traumatic.
Nicotine is more addictive than heroin. The physical withdrawal is not as bad, but the addiction is very similar.
---CONFLICT!!---
Reminds me of a nice ambiguous question on an Economics Exam:
... presidents going to war on drugs ...
Now, are the presidents fighting a war against the drugs, or are they fighting a war while on drugs?
Answers by Inference
War on Drugs
The Bush-Gore Symbiot:
People who care about this will vote for third parties, so I/we don't need to take a position.
Minority Religions...
The Bush-Gore Symbiot:
...are exactly that, the minority, and therefor don't represent enough of the voting public to take seriously. I/we would like to point out to these people that voting for a third party means nothing under the electoral college . . . so they really don't count at all!
Why give a tax cut?
The Bush-Gore Symbiot:
Because making this promise will make voters vote for me/us.
Electoral reform?
The Bush-Gore Symbiot:
People who care about this will vote for third parties, so I/we don't need to take a position.
How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
The Bush-Gore Symbiot:
I/we get lots of money from big companies like Microsoft who have told me/us that these are a big deal. Don't worry, we promise to keep supporting the freedom of American's to squash innovation and grow fat.
Encryption....
The Bush-Gore Symbiot:
People who care about this will vote for third parties, so I/we don't need to take a position.
Rising Political Protests
The Bush-Gore Symbiot:
People who care about this will vote for third parties, so I/we don't need to take a position.
Asteroid Defenses
The Bush-Gore Symbiot:
Just like issues like global warming, I/we are clinging to the idea that this problem still hasn't been proven enough of a threat to worry about. I/we will continue to do so until enough voters are convinced otherwise, though I/we will continue to suppress the ideas that may convince them.
The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
The Bush-Gore Symbiot:
The American people (or the majority, the voters) have an attention span of about three minutes. I/we will continue to spout platitudes to ensure my/our election, but will leave the world of 2005 to whomever the Companies chose next.
My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
Gore: Illicit drugs are associated with a whole lot of bad things in our society, and we need to work on reducing those bad things on all ends. We need to attack the supply of drugs, which we have been doing, but we also need to ensure that a person who would like help can get help. I remember getting such help back when I was smoking marijuana in college, and I think everyone should be able to get such help.
Bush: We will, if I am elected president, end the scourge of drugs on our society. I will press for execution standards to be lowered so much that if some young cokehead son of a congressman is caught, he will be hung from the highest yardarm.
Why give a tax cut?
Gore: We have a surplus, and it is only natural that some of that would be returned to the people, to help the middle class. However, I would not give 50% of the tax cut to the wealthiest 1% of Americans.
Bush: Because it is not the government's money. I think people should decide what to do with their money, not the government.
Some people, especially those that favor '3-rd' party candidates, have called for the ending of the electoral college system to be replaced by a simple purely popular vote, or at least allowing for splitting the electoral votes by each state.
Gore: The system we have in place has been a resounding success for hundreds of years.
Bush: I am opposed to a change in the election system. Where else can a drunk loser C student executioner be favored for the presidency ?
Do you feel that out current system of intellectual property is a good one? Which parts of it (e.g. trademarks, patents, copyrights) do you feel are well suited to the world of the Internet and which do you think need to be changed (and, if changes are needed, what changes are needed)?
Bush: Absolutely. The intellectual property laws help business in the US. And without business, my campaign wouldn't have any money. So I would have to say I am beholden to the intellectual property laws.
Gore: It is becoming clear that intellectual property in the US is undergoing quite a strain. On one side we have peer to peer sharing of copyrighted material, and on the other we have simple business method patents applied to the Internet. We really need to have a thorough overview on intellectual property issues before we ultimately do nothing about it. I remember back when I invented the internet, we never could have imagined the way it would transform the landscape of IP in the US.
[Disclaimer: I already voted, and it wasn't for one of these two]
by Tim Doran
The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election. My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
This is a good question, and an imporant one, in that by asking the question we're really asking a question which is pretty important. We've gotta make sure that we're not losing any wars, including the one in Columbia, where Boris Putin is fighting a war on our drugs. Seniors need precrciption drugs, but we can't let the beurocRATS do that to them. In order to win this war, we have to bring our level of military levelness to a fightering stance. Its the lowerest level its been in years because of Al Gore. With the exception of the Civil War, the United States has never lost any war, I'll make darn sure that we never do.
2) Minority Religions...
by Electric Angst
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Well, to be honest with you, I've never heard of the religions Santaria and Et Al, but I'm sure they are a valid and important asset to the smoking pot I like to call America. I fully support the rights these other demonimations of christainity, and even some jews.
3) Why give a tax cut?
by funkman
With the surplus, everyone has been saying "Let's have a tax cut, Let's have a tax cut." In the meantime, Alan Greenspan and friends are trying to keep inflation and the speed of the growing economy in check so it doesn't burst. Which they are doing by raising interest rates periodically. (6 times this year) A tax cut flies in the face of what Greenspan is trying to do. A tax cut will inject more money into the economy and do what Greenspan is preventing. Why is a tax cut so big? Wouldn't the money be better spent on the deficit so when worse times roll along, a tax cut can be easily given by not paying as much on the debt?
I'm glad that the educatated young people in America like you are agreeing with me on the subject of tax cuts. Alan Greenspan is probably a good man, I've met him. I don't have anything wrong with him personally, but we have to move away from the seperationistism in washington and have some kinder gentler leaderership. Its a common misconception that we have a debt, but we acutally have a surplus of money. This is not the goverment's money, it's your money. Well, it's mostly my money, and dick cheney's money, but its every family that pays taxes that gets a check! Its not about targeting people. Targeting people is bad. We can't target people just because our racial profiling tells us to. We need to target everyone.
4) electoral reform
by carleton
Some people, especially those that favor '3-rd' party candidates, have called for the ending of the electoral college system to be replaced by a simple purely popular vote, or at least allowing for splitting the electoral votes by each state. The best recent example was the Bush-Clinton election. Clinton received 43% of the popular vote (but a sufficient majority of the electoral vote), whereas Perot got at least 10% of the popular vote but zero electoral votes. If memory serves, Vermont is the only state which does currently allow for its votes to be split; if someone wins 60% of the Vermont popular vote, they get 2 votes and the 40% candidate gets 1. This in contrast to California, where someone can get 51% of the popular vote, and therefore gets 53 (or whatever it is nowadays) electoral votes. What is your position on this issue?
We need electoral reform. That's why I'm going to get all the soft money out the elections. You're not going to be able to go to a buddist temple and pretend it's not a fundrasier. You need to get 100% of the soft money out of californa, where they make that smut that goes on the internet, not just 51% to get those 53 electrician's votes. I'm strongly in favor of a third party. In fact, I was the one who was in charge of pciking up the burbon for the second one, so they just had me get a whole case and it lasted half way through the fourth one. How many party's has Al Gore had the last eight years that he had the opppotunity to have that didn't involve chinks sleeping in the lincon bedroom. We need to change the tone in Washington DC.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
by Phil Gregory
In this age of the Internet, intellectual property has become a very important concept to many people. Many companies make their living on the artificial scarcity provided by intellectual property laws, selling information that they have either created or aggregated. Some others, mostly in the Free Software world, make their living seemingly in spite of these laws, selling their services based on information that is freely given. Do you feel that out current system of intellectual property is a good one? Which parts of it (e.g. trademarks, patents, copyrights) do you feel are well suited to the world of the Internet and which do you think need to be changed (and, if changes are needed, what changes are needed)?
I read a book the other day nosomuch as in i read it but in that i had a tape and i put it in my car so i could read while i was driving to church, which is a lot better than a lot of our schools are doing which is why we need to make sure that our intellectualness is our most valued property. You hit on a good point of the filth on the Internet killing the intellect of our children when it should be our property that we protect, just like we protect our nation with a strong military. but this all comes back to how it takes a village. I mean, how a reformer with results needs to change the tone in washington. I promise to do everything I can to stop Itellection Internet destruction of our youth. They deserver better, and Al gore will give it to them
more answers to come....
---
/bin/fortune | slashdotsig.sh
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Well, my wife's an evil witch, so I can sympathise with this question...Oh, wait, did I say that out loud?
Well, Gore himself said internet taxes are inevitable. Now, will there be an e-mail tax as well?
"No fair, you changed the outcome by measuring it!" - Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth
Well, there's Guido...
The Web is like Usenet, but
the elephants are untrained.
1. Considering that i invented drugs and processes associated with creating them, i am moving to legalize drugs in th US provded that i get royalties on all sales. See #5.
2. Not sure about those you listed, but those eastern religions, budhists in partivular, will get protection.
3. I believe we should elimate taxes on money collected from royalties, and leave everyone elses taxes where they are at. see #5.
4. 3 parties? I invented a 2 party system, thats just how it is.
5. Considering the sheer amount of my inventions, and thier pervasive use throughout society, i am moving to completely abolish IP law and just create a system that reflects my ownership of all new inventions. Even if someone besides me can figure out how to invent something new and innovative, its going to be derivative of one of my many inventions, and i'll own it anyway, so this will save time, i'll just own all your thoughts.
6. I invented the Internet as all you slashdotters are aware, and i should be able to see everything that goes on on my invention, so is NSA approved crypto or no crypto.
7. No reason to concern, big corprations are good, since i will own all innvoation they might stumble accross under my new IP law.
8. Reagen called off the StarWars Defence system wen i threatened to sue him over the patent i hold on a planetary defense system, once i become presisdent i might decide to build it finally.
9. i think my^H^Hthe nation's mission is clear from the rest of my answers, define a new system for IP so i can get rich. The nation will benefit from that.
Gore: Well, I never had any trouble buying pot while I was at harvard, so I will have to say that the war on drugs has been a failure. I wanna fight for you! I want to fight to keep you from buying drugs!
Bush: My daddy always got me plenty of booze and cocaine! The current administration has done nothing to stop him. They've had 8 years to do something about drugs, and they haven't done it. It's time for someone new to take over.
Seriously, both of these guys are hypocrites where the war on drugs is concerned...
John McCain lost due to some dirty tricks specifically funded by "soft money". Some right-wing christian looneys (Falwell and freinds) got together in a key state (Michigan), and spammed phone calls out to the electorate saying that John McCain cut funding for breast cancer research - which was true, but it was simply that he voted against a bill that had a ton of unacceptable riders, He's not "pro breast cancer", as the phone calls said.
McCain won Michigan.
However, you are correct that the pro-Bush troops drained their vast soft money reserves to run a negative ad blitz against McCain. Since McCain did not respond with similarly effective dirty tricks, he lost.
8) Asteroid Defenses
by Ethelred Unraed
Would you renew funding of programs to research and develop global defense systems against asteroids or other such threats from space?
Bush: It won't be the first time that a big rock fell from the sky. Besides, I've only allocated $0.25 of the federal budget to such a program. You are welcome to chip in $0.25 if you want, and then we can compete against each other for highest score.
Wouldn't you use a single device that "puts money into every american's pocket" to get elected? It's an easy one to run with, and a hard one to argue against in its entirety.
Evan - needs to hit preview before submitting
Unfortunately, like everything else, I am doing this better than Al Gore. According to an article on Boston.com my website is getting more hits, than his.
This proves that I am better than Gore in every way, including corrupting our population.
Those who don't know me, probably shouldn't trust me. Those that do know me, DEFINITELY shouldn't trust me.
for me the definitive issue on this campaign is regulation of the internet, which is why I'm voting nader.
-neil
"Now you see that evil will always triumph because good is dumb."
You say that like its bad! I sez fuggit, let darwin figure it out. Make drugs legal, people too stupid to live will waltz into 7-11, pick up a half pound of crack for 2 bucks and be dead by morning. Population controls right there, hell we can probably clear all of the losers (note, only the LOSERS. Not people who are legitimately in need. Those people are presumably smart enough to not OD on crack, even if it IS sold at 7-11) on welfare with this in on fell swoop!!
:)
(And yes, i'm joking...sorta. I wouldn't cry to see the stupidist 10% of our population choke on a crack rock.
Oh yeah...uh, natalie portman naked and petrified pouring hot grits down your pants with every crack rock purchase for a limited time only. What a marketing campaign!
------
Your answer:
Bush: "I *sniff* never did cocaine (since sometime in the seventies). Why do y'all keep bringing it up? I won't... I tell ya... Discuss it. Next questrin."
Gore: "Are you for or against drugs? I mean I smoked a little, but nothing major. In fact, my dog had better drugs."
2) Minority Religions...
Your answer:
Chorus: "I'd ask myself: WWJD? What would Jesus do?"
Bush: "Obviously. He'd put 'em ta death."
Gore: "Obviously. He'd marginalize them and treat them as evil if they didn't have enough votes to matter."
3) Why give a tax cut?
Your answer:
Bush: "It's not the Gubmint's money, it's your money. Besides, people give you more money if you run something into the ground. I learned that from running my own business."
Gore: "I can do both!!! As a matter of fact, I invented money AND surpluses."
4) electoral reform
Your answer:
Bush: "I'm a Reformer with Results. Just look at Texas. What was the question?"
Gore: "I don't support third parties. Especially green ones with no experience."
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
Your answer:
Bush: "If someone steals from you it's wrong. I may not have invented the internet, but I know that it is what is pushing our economy forward. Not the Gubmint. This is why we should implement filters in schools and support American businesses."
Gore: "I didn't really invent the internet, but if it weren't for me, it wouldn't be like it is today. I know that it is what is pushing our economy forward. The Government must control it. This is why we should support American businesses."
6) Encryption....
Your answer:
Bush: "What? Of course people should have privacy. I may not have invented the internet, but I know that it is what is pushing our economy forward. Not the Gubmint. This is why we should implement filters in schools and support American businesses. To protect privacy."
Gore: "I took a resonsible leadership role in bringing encryption to the people of the United States. I think we should let the FBI decide the extent of it. I think we all know that they know best."
7) Rising Political Protests
Your answer:
Bush: "No."
Gore: "I believe that their concerns are exaggerated or even misplaced. While I will fight for you against the brutality and tyranny of big business, I think that it is best to let the market decide internationally."
8) Asteroid Defenses
Your answer:
Bush: "My missle shield should cover that."
Gore: "I don't know. It sounds like a risky scheme."
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
Your answer:
Chorus: "Obviously. Our mission is to follow in my father's footsteps and do exactly what Daddy would do."
B. Elgin
B. Elgin
"Read at your own risk; feel free to ignore."
First sentence: Can be deemed correct, partially. It certainly wasn't everything though.
Second sentence: "Some "; insert "Bush Campaign people "; delete "right-wing christian looneys (Fallwell and friends)"; continue with "got together in a key state "; replace "(Michigan)" with "(New York)"; replace "and spammed phone calls out" with "and sent advertisements throughout the media"; continue with "to the electorate saying that John McCain"; insert "planned to "; continue with "cut funding for breast cancer research"; insert "as Garden-variety Pork Barrel spending"; continue with " - which was true,but it was simply that he voted against a bill that had a ton of unacceptable riders, He's not "pro breast cancer", as the phone calls said."
Grammar aside, this is now correct: "Some Bush Campaign people got together in a key state (New York) and sent advertisements throughout the media to the electorate saying that John McCain planned to cut funding for breast cancer research as Garden-variety Pork Barrel spending - which was true, but it was simply that he voted against a bill that had a ton of unacceptable riders, He's not "pro breast cancer", as the phone calls said."
Now as for the soft money. That was a pair of brother oil tycoons from Texas (the Wily brothers) who sent out an ad that claimed that McCain was anti-environment in an ad sponsered by "Republicans for Clean Air", a group they had made specifically for the ad.
I agree with you on Campaign Finance Reform, but it makes a better statement for the cause if you get the details right.
B. Elgin
B. Elgin
"Read at your own risk; feel free to ignore."
"The question of whether a computer can think is no more interesting than that of whether a submarine can swim" -EWD
Mod this guy up!
I think one of the most important things to realize, if you believe in democracy, is that you need to do a lot more than just vote. Getting involved on a local level helps you see that there are a lot of people with a lot of integrity who care about the future of our nation, people who aren't motivated by selfishness and greed.
The Federal Government is only a small piece of the pie.
Huh?
What about RollingStone-Cover-Gate and Esquire-Cover-Gate? Two of the funniest things I've ever seen: presidential crotch shots. Hillarious!
What about chameleon-gate: the auto-morphing Gore during the 3 debates (would the real Gore please stand up?).
What about Nader's statement that if Gore can not beat the bumbling Gov from Texas on his own, why should Nader help him? Should be a slam dunk. "Is he entitled to these votes?" Funny.
What about the sloppy kiss at the end of the Democratic convention? Icky.
What about "I've been known to mangle a few syl-LA
-bles...," which Bush the Second used so self-depreciatingly (and effectively)?
What about the fact that the incumbent president who has overseen a fantastically strong economy during his 8 years being completely shunned by the Vice President? Who woulda thunk it? Ironic...
How about the Vice President picking the aforementioned incumbent's most vociferous intra-party critic as his own running mate? "In your face, Bill!" Funny.
I don't know--I've had quite a number of laughs this political season. But, I guess it depends on one's affinity to the laughing stock candidacy...
Now hiring experienced client- & server-side developers
-- @rjamestaylor on Ello
by Electric Angst
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Dubya Says:I am a born-again Christian. I will try to do my best to make life on earth pleasant for the heathens that you mentioned, because I firmly believe that they will spend eternity in Hell.
Albert Gore Says:Unlike Governor Bush, I invented my own relationship with Jesus Christ. I was also influential (along with Jesus and others) in opening my heart to religions of all kinds, pagan and Christian alike. In fact, my good friend Joe Lieberman is going to make sure that at least one minority religion gets plenty of support from Government.
Amazing magic tricks
I also promise to take away your cars, make you ride public transportation regardless if you want to and to stick my nose into every facet of your life. It'll make for a better nation; I know this because you are stupid whereas I am the Supreme Intellect. Thank you.
If today someone released a (verified) picture of Al Gore having gay sex with George Bush Jr., would Ralph Nader then win the election? This is purely hypothetical, of course.
With all due respect to Bill Hicks.
"We`re losing the war on drugs. Do you know what that means? It means the people on drugs are winning!"
FYI, most of the information in that article was made up or taken out of context. 1/3 of government spending is military? Um sure. $250B (military budget)/$1.8T(total government spending) = 13%. Off by a little there. Is that a "rounding" error?
You must know a lot of those "unemployed" people. Pick up a book about the economy and learn about what actually makes up the unemployment rate (people switching jobs, college students back in school). You ought to know a little about the numbers BEFORE you copy them. Can you prove to me that most of the unemployed are not lazy? No. Can I prove they are. No. But I can state that there is a labor shortage, so anyone who wants a job can find a job. It might not be the perfect job, but they rarely are.
There aren't 14,500 banks in the U.S. only about 9000. We are the only nation that has a large number of banks. Most countries only have 5-10 banks, and they control 100% of the assets.
Violent crime is down. Murder, rape, robbery, assult. It's been going down the last 10 years. Check out the FBI website and their yearly stats.
Please explain to me about our "forced labor slave system?" Where does it take place? Who is being oppressed? If you get me some hard evidence I'll be there right beside you fighting the system.
Do you have any solutions to these problems that you claim? Any person can critize, but it take a real person to give solutions to these problems. I didn't know there was a place on Earth where there are no homeless, unemployed people and everyone eats enough. We're not there yet, but then again prosperity (as we know it) has only been around for about 60 years. Nothing happens instantly. Things take time. Stop complaining about all these issues and go out and HELP PEOPLE!
--a mind is like a paracute, it only functions when opened
I remain suprised that I am in a minority that view this election as somewhat crucial to both humanity and freedom as we move into the future.
It was the ability to control media (Radio and TV) that allowed Hitler's unhindered rise to power.
To allow Microsoft continued dominance of PC software opens the door to that very same threat.
Bush will fight to stop restrictions on Microsoft.
Gore is the only opponent who can beat Bush.
This election is a no-brainer, if you value things like the Constitution, civil rights, and keeping the lines of national/international communication free.
Treatment, not tyranny. End the drug war and free our American POWs.
See my user info for links.
Hey, wait a minute. Who let Pat Buchannan in here? Next thing you know, Harry Browne, Ralph Nader, and Alan Keyes will want their share of time too.
#naabhaprzrag, #sverubfr-000, #agi-fcbafberq, negvpyr[pynff*=' negvpyr-ary-'] { qvfcynl: abar !vzcbegnag; }
Gore:
Sure I did some pot when I was young, but that was many years ago. I have learned the errors of my ways and I think I'm a much better person becasue of it. (and I didn't even have to spend time in prison -- what??? no you wern't supposed to hear that)
Bush:
I have never done any drug in my life. Unlike my opponent gore who actually admitted to smoking marajuana. When I am elected president I will put an end to all drug use forever. I put my trust in the american people to make the right decision.
2) Minority Religions
Gore:
The constitution directly prohibits discrimination of any faith.
Bush:
I am not sure what you mean by minority religions. When I am elected I will make it my duty to insure that all americans come to know God as I have. I put my trust in the american people to make the right decision.
3) Why give a tax cut?
Gore:
I support any tax cut as long as it can be proven to benefit everyone.
Bush:
Under my system the top 1% of the top 25% of the bottom 6% will get a small refund if the square root of the number of letters in their name is less than or equal to the cube root of 5 times the number of children they have. I put my trust in the american people to make the right decision.
4) electoral reform
Gore:
No comment
Bush:
I put my trust in the american people to make the right decision.
Sorry I didn't have time to finish this... I'm off to PHY 183 lecture. I'll post the rest of my humor at a later time
Kibo
"Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know."
-- Ernest Hemingway
Not gonna do it. My dad says it wouldn't be prudent. Bad questions! Bad!
For all intensive purposes, "whom" is no longer a word. That begs the question, "who cares"?
What makes you people think that you're entitled to an answer from these two candidates. These candidate get 'tons' of mail. Paper and Electronic. What makes these questions standout in a pile of garbage. These are busy people. Just because you sent it does mean your entitles to a response. Get over it. I receive a relatively small amount of e-mail, but I still don't have time to respond to everything. Your have the right to speak, but no one has to listen to you.
Show's how much you know.
The tax cut. I'm not even going to explain why the wealthy would get more. This is simple math!
On social security. Bush is going to dump the $2.4tr social security surplus back into social security. While gore is going to spend the social security surplus on reducing the debt, while also sticking it in a lock box. Now Mr. Gore. How can you do two things with the same amount of money?
On medicare. Gore wants to through some bucks at a system that is failing. While Bush wants to revamp it, or modernize it.
My brother lived in Wyoming during the "55 saves lives" campaign. Their traffic death rates and insurance premiums went up as a result. Perhaps "55 saves lives" when the greatest hazard on the road is a collision with another vehicle. But when the greatest hazard is fatigue, because long trips are a necessary part of life in that area, 55 kills. I'm sure there are other fatality factors in other parts of the country.
Oh, I imagine the answer to your question can't be anything but (e).
The living have better things to do than to continue hating the dead.
The war on drugs helps all of us by financing legal and criminal systems, as well as the construction industry in building new prisons. Further, by making sure that just about everyone has some criminality in their background, arbitrary law enforcement is easier. Just wait till we put teeth in the old sodomy laws.
And if you thing the War on Drugs was something, just wait until you see our War on Hackers!
The living have better things to do than to continue hating the dead.
1) War on Drugs
ARE YOU SOEM SORT OF DURG SMOKING SMARTEY MAN?!?!?! I HAEV A VERY QUALITY DRUG IDEA THING!!!!
2) Minority Religions...
Y0U = f4g0T!
3) Why give a tax cut?
4) electoral reform
VOTE JEFF K FOR PRESEDINT!! I AM L33T HAX0R SMARTEY MAN!
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
I AM A VREY INTELECTAL GUY!! I WILL MAEK AMREICANS VERY RICH!!!!
6) Encryption....
WE WILL MAKE GOOD ENRPTIEN STUFF SO WE CAN KILL RUSSAI HAHAHAHAHAHHAAH!!!
7) Rising Political Protests
BEEP BEEP BEEP!!! FAG0T ALERT!!!!
8) Asteroid Defenses
I HAEV ALREDY HIRED GAME SMARTEY MAN JHON CARMACEE TO MAKE A BIG LASER BAEM!!
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
EAT A BAG OF HELL!!!!
True, there has always been Trolling of the Presidential candidates. (In fact, if you look, you'll find that 'pundit' is actually an ancient Summerian word for 'Troll'.) ...oops, wrong Katz reference...
In the past, however, that Trolling ability was in the hands of the few. Now, thanks to Slashdot, the many have their chances. It's New Media! It's the Post-Democracy world! It's the Hellmouth!
--
Feminism is the wild notion that women are human beings.
Once again, Slashdot has done something truely innovative... /.!
Now, you can Troll the major presidential candidates!
God Bless America, and God Bless
--
Feminism is the wild notion that women are human beings.
Gore: I totally support the war on drugs, but I'm concerned about racial profiling, and discrimination against the poor. I am, therefore, proposing a "blind warrant" policy, to ensure fairer treatment. By regularly issuing search warrants for random addresses, we can continue to protect America's children from the scourge of drugs, while taking the taint of racism and class warfare out of the picture.
Bush: mmm... drugs... Sorry, what was the question?
2) Minority Religions...
Gore: I have always supported minority religions, and will always continue to do so. My track record on this subject speaks for itself.
Thank goodness they didn't ask about majority religions...
Bush: Dang... what was it... "I support Religion, but not Minorities?" No, that's not right. "I support Minorities... " hmm that sounds funny, like something Ted Kennedy'd say. Uhh...
"Yes"
3) Why give a tax cut?
Gore:That's really an insightful question. The fact is that, as Galbraith showed long ago, unregulated economies are subject to bust and boom cycles. When the economy is weak, it's necessary to raise taxes, so that government spending can stimulate the economy. Naturally anybody with extra money will be trying to hide it in his sock drawer.
On the other hand, if the economy's stronger, it is necessary to raise taxes in order to keep the economy from getting overstimulated. After all, nobody wants to live in a society with an overstimulated economy. It's like an overstimulated child; it stops listening to the folks who know better and want what's best for it.
So why a tax cut? Because it's so darned hard to talk the voters out of it. The best we can hope for is to try to minimize the damage, and keep the door open for the eventual triumph of the proletariat. Um... middle class.
Bush: Sounds to me like you been listening to a lot of that Washington fuzzy math. I can tell, you're going to pull out numbers next, and there's no sense talking to folks who do math with numbers, 'cuz you just can't trust them. I'm giving the American people a tax cut because it's their money, and they earned it. folks love it when I say that...
4) electoral reform
Gore: I totally support third party activity, and I think it's a shame that there are no alternative candidates running for the presidency.
Bush: I agree, and I applaud my opponent's position. Too bad there are only two parties. Next question.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
Gore: I am running an open-source campaign, and my White House will be an open-source White House. My web page runs on Linus.
Bush: You see, this is just where you can really see the differences between my views and those of my opponent. My vision applies to all Americans, not just a priviledged few.
Rather than give "targeted tax cuts" to a certain class of people, my tax cuts will apply to everyone. Even though intellectuals are mostly big government liberals, I would protect their property like everyone else's. Everyone benefits under my plan.
6) Encryption....
Gore: I believe my history on this topic speaks for itself. After all, I invented the Clipper Chip.
You did?
Initiative. The Clipper Chip Initiative.
Really?
Supported. I supported the Clipper Chip Initiative. You conservative reporters are putting words in my mouth.
Bush: Ah can wiggle mah ears. *wiggle* See that? *wiggle wiggle*
---------------
I'll cut it short there... really should get back to work. :-P
"The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed." - Alexander Hamilton
1)War on Drugs
By Tim Doran
Bush's Answer: I believe that the Clinton/Gore Administration has already been too lenient on those dregs of society. I will make it my personal mission to jail every drug user in this country unless they have money or power and then I will take all their drugs and place them in an underground stronghold, under my house that is.
Gore's Answer: I have no clue as to what to do with the ongoing Drug "war" in this country. But I will say this: I will take all the drugs and put them in a "Locked box" in the Lincoln Bedroom, where my campaign contributors can have easy access to them.
2)Minority Religions
By Electric Angst
Bush's Answer: Are there any religions other than Christianity?
Gore's Answer: I will put all minority religions in a "locked box".
3)Why give a tax cut?
By funkman
Bush's Answer: The wealthy need their money back.
Gore's Answer: I will take all tax cuts and put them in a "locked box".
4)electoral reform
by Carleton
Bush's Answer: I will do my best to make sure that all candidates have strict rules and regulations that they must follow during the presidential race, except republicans. They can do whatever they want.
Gore's Answer: long as I continue to get funding I don't care, but I'll say I do.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
by Phil Gregory
Bush's Answer: all intellectuals will get to keep their stuff. By property you mean couches and clothes, right?
Gore's Answer: I invented the internet, and I put it in a "locked box".
6) Encryption....
by SquadBoy
Bush's Answer: encryption??? what's that?
Gore's Answer: see above. And also I will put encryption in a "locked box".
7) Rising Political Protests
by sterno
Bush's Answer: I go to bat on our protestors, oops I mean "for" our protestors.
Gore's Answer: I will make sure that people have the right to protest....in a "locked box".
8) Asteroid Defenses
by Ethelred Unraed
Bush's Answer: I will make sure that the US has enough missiles to destroy all their enemies even if they are big mean asteroids.
Gore's Answer: I will go the distance to put in place a "locked box" to put world killing asteroids in.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
by 11223
Bush's Answer: We will only have a future if I am elected president and shortly afterward I will declare myself "Emperor of Earth"!! then I can continue to lord over my country, strip the ground of all its resources and live high on the hog. Oops did I say that aloud?
Gore's Answer: Our future is guaranteed, only if we put ourselves into a "locked box". There we will be safe. Until we die of suffocation.
Gore and Bush are a joke. Vote for the Natural law Party.
"Never wrestle with a pig, you both get dirty and the pig likes it."
1) War on Drugs
I would make it easier for me to get them.
2) Minority Religions...
Freedom of religion does not apply to non Christians.
3) Why give a tax cut?
People will vote for me if they think I will save them money. Realistically only rich people will get tax cuts though.
4) electoral reform
There are more then 2 parties?
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
I will have to check with my corperate sponsers before I answer this.
6) Encryption....
Why would you need to hide anything from the government?
7) Rising Political Protests
Globalization is good for corperations, and therefore good for the citizens.
8) Asteroid Defenses
I am glad you asked this. I am a firm believer in Reagan's starwars plans, but unfortunately they met with failure. I plan on redesigning the basic premise and starting work on the third deathstar. That should make us safe from all space bound threats.
- WeaselGod
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet turbines
Bush: " Let me check with my political cronies and get back to you on that."
Gore: " Let me check the opinion polls and get back to you on that."
War on Drugs
Bush: I think it goes without saying that the war on drugs is an unqualified failure. I, for example, have not been caught doing drugs under the Clinton administration. I believe that the drug surplus should be equally spread to every American citizen, and not just the most addicted 1%.
Gore: When I was in Congress, I took the initiative in creating the war on drugs. When I'm your President, I will make sure that a rating system is put in place categorizing just how harmful drugs are to your children.
Minority Religions...
Bush: Back in Texas, my record shows that minorities have been receiving extra special treatment when it comes to law enforcement. As president, I will do everything in my power to put those same policies to work for the nation.
Gore: The rights of people who follow minority religions are definitely in need of protection. That is why I propose putting all of them in an iron-clad lockbox, where Congress can't interfere with them.
Why give a tax cut?
Bush: When I was in Texas, I received a lot of money from big oil companies, and guess what? I liked it. I think the American people will like having extra money too.
Gore: I agree with G.W. Bush on this one. As the economy starts to weaken, the American people will need extra money in their pocket to feed their children. I will also take the initiaitive in creating a rating system so you can be sure to know how much of a tax cut you'll be receiving.
electoral reform
Bush: Those numbers you quoted are a good example of fuzzy math. In my plan, if someone gets 51% of the popular vote in California, that candidate will receive 85% of the electoral vote, while the other candidate will receive 64% of the electoral vote.
Gore: I firmly believe that a webcam should be set up in the electoral college, so you can see the system at work.
How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
Bush: In Texas, three 11th graders were found to have plaguarized several reports in their English classes. Guess what's gonna happen to those three students? They're gonna be put to death.
Gore: Intellectual Property rights need to be protected. Which is why when I am President, I will lock all intellectual property in an iron-clad lockbox.
Encryption....
Bush: That's where you take all the big numbers and multiply them together? It's fuzzy math. I want to give privacy to all citizens, not just the top 1%.
Gore: When I was in Congress, inventing encryption, I was thinking about these very same issues. I support the free use of encryption, as I believe everybody has a right to lock their data in an iron-clad lockbox.
Rising Political Protests
Bush: When I was in Texas, we didn't have a problem with globalization. When I am President, I predict the same thing.
Gore: By requiring mandatory gun registration and trigger locks, I feel we can take a lot of the danger out of political protests.
Asteroid Defenses
Bush: I propose we build a death star.
Gore: I agree. And I think we should hook a webcam up to it.
The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
Bush: The answer is simple. What is five times seven? 42.
Gore: I will put the country in an iron-clad lockbox. And then I will rate it.
NO CARRIER
Here are answers from Ficus. For more information on Ficus's candidacy, see Ficus's campaign
webpage.
1) War on Drugs
Ficus:
2) Minority Religions...
Ficus:
3) Why give a tax cut?
Ficus:
4) electoral reform
Ficus:
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
Ficus:
6) Encryption....
Ficus:
7) Rising Political Protests
Ficus:
8) Asteroid Defenses
Ficus:
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
Ficus:
As you can see, Ficus's answers are a lot less stupid than any of the other candidates' responses so far. When you go to the polls, vote Ficus. Because you deserve better.
--
Bush:I would give a tax cut because I believe the American People can spend their money better than some Washington bureaucrat. I trust the American people to make their own decisions...well, except for deciding whether they should have an abortion...or deciding which sites they should be able to visit on the Internet...or deciding whether they should be able to serve in the military if they are homosexual...
I'm sick of hearing Bush talk about how much he trusts the American people when so many of his policies don't back him up. The only thing he trusts people with are money...and with his tax cut giving so much to the wealthy and not the middle or lower classes, what he really is saying is "I trust the wealthy minority of American citizens to spend their money on things that are better than preserving Social Security and funding Medicare reform." I disagree.
When violence rules the world outside / And the headlines make me want to cry / It's not the time to just keep quiet
As I was saying to Tipper last night after we tenderly made love the way we have so often during the 30 years of our rock-solid marriage, the downtrodden have a clear choice in this election. My opponent wants to cut taxes for the richest 1 percent of Americans. I, on the other hand, want to put the richest 1 percent in an ironclad lockbox so they can't hurt old people like Roberta Frampinhamper, who is here tonight. Mrs. Frampinhamper has been selling her internal organs, one by one, to pay for gas so that she can travel to these debates and personify problems for me. Also, her poodle has arthritis.
Where am I going and how did I get in this handbasket?
I believe that all people should have the same rights. Just like in Texas, people of Wicca, Santeria, Shinto, et al have the right to worship the Christian God in any Christian church that they please.
It's like I don't believe in any special rights for homosexuals. Heterosexuals have the right to marry any person of the opposite gender that they choose. Homosexuals should have exactly the same right: to marry anyone of the opposite gender that they choose.
Never play leapfrog with a unicorn. Or a juggernaut.
If I remember correctly, he ignored ALL of the questions...what happened is his campaign pieced together answers from things he said in speeches.
On the other hand:
Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos. --Homer
The choice has to be Gore. After eight years of Clinton does America really need another four years of Bush and Dick stories coming out of Washington?
Forget Bush and Gore, let's see what some popular video game characters have to say about these questions:
1) War on Drugs
Pac-Man: If by "drugs" you mean Power Pills, then I would have to say that we need to keep them. How else am I supposed to get away from those ghosts past the Banana level?
2) Minority Religions...
Cloud Strife: I don't care about religions, I'm just doing this job for the money. If you want to believe in that kind of stuff, it doesn't really matter to me.
3) Why give a tax cut?
Simon Belmont: I've cut a bunch of stuff in my time, mostly shitloads of zombies and vampires. Let me tell you, those zombies stink like you wouldn't believe when you burn them with Holy Water.
4) electoral reform
Mappy: We need some electoral reform. Those damn cats are all over this place, and as far as I can tell I'm the only one who's trying to do something about it! At least there are some trampolines to help me out.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
Glass Joe: Take whatever you want! Just don't hit me in the face!
6) Encryption....
Solid Snake: Encryption seems like a waste of time to me. I mean, just tune the radio to the right frequency, and the enemy will tell you whatever you need to know.
7) Rising Political Protests
Command&Conquer's Kane: If the people would ever rise up against me, I'd probably just travel back in time and change history to my liking.
8) Asteroid Defenses
Samus Aran: Forget asteroids, it's those damn Metroids we have to watch out for.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
MegaMan: I don't know about you, but my mission has always been killing evil robots. You try doing that for a while, and then tell me how your not satisfied with surfing the internet anymore.
1) War on Drugs
We should take all of the drugs in this country and put them in a lockbox. Only Nancy Reagan and myself would have a key.
2) Minority Religions
I invented Paganism
3) Why give a tax cut
We should take all the people who don't think there should be a tax cut and put them in a lockbox.
4) Electoral Reform
I invented campaign violations, so I don't think they should be reformed.
5) Intellectual Property
I think all intellectual property should be put into a virtual lockbox, which I will invent.
6) Encryption
I haven't gotten around to inventing Encryption yet, what with all of the lockboxes I've had to keep track of. But I will.
7) Rising Political Protests
I haven't seen any political protests in the last several months because I have spent a large percentage of my free time in a lockbox. It helps me think of new ways to use lockboxes.
8) Asteroid Defenses
We should just encase the earth in a giant lockbox that nothing can penetrate. That way we can keep it open when everything is okay, and close it when there is a threat from an asteroid or from aliens that want to steal the contents of our other lockboxes.
9) The Future of the Country and of Humanity
The future of humanity depends on the strength of our lockboxes and on a number of things that I haven't invented yet. It also depends on things that I have invented but haven't revealed because they are in a lockbox and I misplaced the key. But as soon as I find the key, humanity's salvation will be unlocked!
by Tim Doran
Your answer:
Bush: If you take a look at the efforts made in the War on Drugs today, you'll find a very positive pattern. Not since the days of prohibition has the US government made so much money, while at the same time allowing us to crack down further and further on individual rights - especially minorities. Not only that, but the Republican plan for drug control enforcement has not only brought wealth to the federal government, but at the local level as well. Not only can we confiscate a drug user's or dealer's property at will, but we don't even need to charge them with a crime to do so! While my father was President, he instigated the RICO enforcement methods allowing both federal and local governments to confiscate property, but also allowing both to keep some of the proceeds, providing a unique incentive to keep law enforcement officers active in the Drug War.
Gore: The Drug War supports the underprivileged. Local communities benefit from the ever increasing job opportunities created by an expanding prison system. Why, back in 1980, before the War on Drugs really started moving, we only had 136 prisoners per 100,000. That was a little under 360,000 prisoners in state and federal prisons. By 1990, just ten years later, we had 426 prisoners per 100,000, which was a little bit over 1,100,000 prisoners in state and federal prison. This number has been rising ever since at an astounding rate. In the meantime, or drug intra-diction efforts have risen dramatically, yet the drugs are flowing into the country at a higher rate than ever before! The jobs available through all of these efforts is perhaps one of the most important reasons that the economy is doing as well as it is today. Mark my words, if we end the War on Drugs, the welfare of both the federal government and the American people, will fall to a deplorable level.
2) Minority Religions...
by Electric Angst
Your answer:
Gore: I feel it is important to protect the rights of each and every American citizen - and that includes religious freedom. Of course, the more popular the religion, the more I feel they should have a right to exercise their influence on the government. Swaying people of a religious faith, any religious faith, is a powerful way to garner votes, which are necessary to manipulate the final results in an election. My own religious convictions are no stronger than when November comes along.
Bush: The American people want to be secure in knowing that the American way of life is being preserved. Part of our heritage is a firm belief in a Christian God and Christian moral values. Besides, there are more Christians than pagans in this country, which is important around election time, to help sway the votes toward the Republican party, as they have always favored us. Why think, if it were not for the efforts of the Christian influence into government, we never would have added in the phrase "under God" to the national anthem after WWII!
3) Why give a tax cut?
by funkman
Your answer:
Bush: Giving a tax cut to the American people has been long overdue. Government spending aside, if we don't throw a bone out to the less fortunate once in a while, making them think that we actual work for them, they just might revolt. By the time you add up all the taxes the average American pays, you're looking at over 50% of their earnings. Not making an effort to make the middle class feel like they're just as important to us as the wealthy, is simply political suicide. Besides, we can make up for the loss of money by tightening up the War on Drugs even further.
Gore: I am not one to want to give a tax cut to the American people without carefully weighing what effects it will have on our ability to raise taxes later in my term. President Clinton, who I have been honored to serve with, not only made the largest tax increase in history, but he made it retroactively! Whether a tax cut is given or not, I ultimately feel that following in this great man's footsteps is the way to go. Part of being able to accomplish this goal is the disarming of the American citizen. By clouding over the issue of "Enumerated Rights" and the "right to self-protection" with calls for protecting the children, we can woo over those who are either fence walking the issue or too unfamiliar with the effective use of firearms for protecting themselves and their country - especially from us. Fortunately, the Republican party is in full agreement on this issue, so we can make real progress. After all, in the last fifteen years or so, every gun control bill which the Republicans down played by mouth, was passed with, and only with, their help. I'm thankful for that. The last thing we need is a citizenry which can stand up with something more than words!
4) electoral reform
by carleton
Your answer:
Gore: I would be very interested in seeing how modern technology, such as the Internet, could be used to improve the voting system. Of course, unless it provided such a method for the poor to use, which favors their capability to vote, (such as putting a voting tax on people with a middle class income, without taxing the poor,) then I could not support it. Buying the vote of the lower class through welfare has been a key to keeping the Democratic party in office for years.
Bush: I would favor such a system, simply because it would be easier to manipulate votes through electronic means than by an electoral college. By manipulating the vote behind the scenes, the American people would have no easy method of determining that something is wrong. If the electoral vote goes against the popular vote, there is a quick and simple to understand discrepancy which would have people quite upset rapidly. As for the lower class and minority vote, which has always favored the Democrats, I'm not concerned. Increased efforts in the War on Drugs will make more and more of these undesirable people felons, who then lose the right to vote. It's simple attrition.
5) How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
by Phil Gregory
Your answer:
Bush: I simply do not see any part of intellectual property which cannot be governed by our centuries old method. In the end, as long the federal government is the one with control, the system itself does not matter.
Gore: We need to develop new methods of dealing with these new technologies and the very nature of intellectual property. Our current laws are simply incapable of creating the strangle-hold controls which are needed by the federal government. If we don't come up with new approaches, the American people just might come to understand that we want to control every aspect of their creativity and productivity.
6) Encryption....
by SquadBoy
Your answer:
Gore: I think that it's obvious by my previous efforts to invent the Clipper Chip, that encryption is an important protection to American freedoms. However, without federal key escrow into encryption systems, we cannot determine whether or not someone is committing an illegal act. Besides, if you haven't done anything wrong, why are you hiding things?
Bush: The problem that I see with encryption, is that it is used by criminals to further their activities. How can we manage to maintain our lead in money making in the War on Drugs, if we can't keep an eye on what the cartels and drug syndicate are doing? Besides, if you haven't done anything wrong, why are you hiding things?
7) Rising Political Protests
by sterno
Your answer:
Bush: We live in a world community. It is important that we realize that multi-nationals are becoming the true world government, and as such they are pulling the purse strings of major campaign donations. By maintaining an appearance that these companies act within the law, we can ensure that not only the American resources, but the world resources can be exploited to the fullest. If needed, we can even stage events which allow us to garner our military to be used to enforce corporate interests. After all, the Gulf War was about crude oil, but we have been able to convince the American people that it's all about maintaining a free world. My father, and President Reagan before him, were able to use such scare tactics of military force, to force the second most powerful nation in the world to crumble. Now it is the United States which is set to become the key factor in creating and controlling the world economy - all through the guise of protecting the free world! Such genius, should not be overlooked come election time.
Gore: We live in a world community. To not consider the major impact that the United States has on this global community would be a dire mistake. We cannot do without foreign products. If we were to make any effort to decrease the effectiveness of multi-national corporations, the American economy would suffer as jobs flee to other countries. We must also consider the effectiveness of global ecological policy in a world with bickering factions. The sooner we can make a one world government, the sooner we can ban the internal combustion engine.
8) Asteroid Defenses
by Ethelred Unraed
Your answer:
Gore: I feel it is important to continue the space program, if for no other reason than to have one more shiny item to place in front of the American public on TV, to give them feelings of national pride and accomplishment. That's why we pushed so hard to reach the moon. This in turn helps to rid their mind of thoughts about how much we're taxing them and how many freedoms we've stripped away.
Bush: Absolutely. By creating an atmosphere of fear in the American people, we can continue an otherwise unfashionable space program which has created so many wonderful technologies for military use. Space based weapons can be put into place, all under the aegis of "saving the planet", but in turn allow us to have powerful military control over other countries, without having to worry about the number of military personal or military equipment. We simply can't afford to keep a military running terrestrially, when so many armed forces personnel need to be used for the War on Drugs.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
by 11223
Your answer:
Bush: A mission is not needed at the moment. Since the average American has become cynical to the effectiveness of the government to work, let alone accomplish goals, they have in turn lost their "American ideals". This is easily replaced by fear, however. By maintaining pressure on the War on Drugs, we can create an atmosphere of tension which will allows us not only to continue to make money with Drug War policy, but remove other rights from the American people by convincing them that they will be safer. Hitler was able to use this exact technique to round up the Jews, why not use it for our ends.
Gore: We need to move beyond an "American" vision, and move towards a world view. By doing so, we can create an atmosphere of fear needed to control the general populace. Global warming, deforestation, animal extinction; can all be used through the press to invoke a feeling of helplessness which will allow us to further erode individual rights, "for the sake of the planet".
-Xiombarg
Hypocrisy is the Vaseline of social intercourse. -- R. Heinlein
I'd like to work together in a bi-partisan way, much as I have in Texas, to get rid of those pesky asteroids. All they do is threaten us! Much like those middle eastern oil producing countries. So I'd like to drill in Alaskan national parks for oil to send out big missiles to blow up the asteroids.
Al Gore:
Now, I've got this great idea that I helped invent, the rocket-laser. It'll be funded by the government, taking no money out my lockboxes (of which I keep several around for my wife Tipper to lock me up in). I'd like to harness those asteroids, harness their energy with my new invention, and put it all back into my lockboxes for storage. And that will be for everyone, not just the wealthiest one percent.
So there I was. Naked. In a refrigerator. With a potroast on my knees. Smokin a cigar. That's when it got REALLY weird.
1. c
2. c
3. c
4. c
5. c
6. d
7. c
8. c
9. #FF
War On Drugs
The war on drugs is perfectly effective. The real problem lies in the donut consumption of cops inforcing it.
Minority Religions
It is our duty to save these people by harrassing them untill they tear their hair out and surrender to the love of god.
Tax Cut
Uuuh.. Money: Good!
Electorial Reform
You mean the third party canidates are still running? Drat.
Intellectual Property
Free software..? You mean Bill Gates is giving it away now?
Encription
Encription? Oh, yeah, that evil stuff someone told me about once. I'm against it.
The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
Promoting the grace of God is our mission! Oh, and re-electing me too.
Everyone says it's going to be a tight election, which they said fifty years ago (abouts) when the media polls showed a close race between two candidates (for the life of me I can't remember who) and when some scientists entered stats for both candidates into one of modern day computers back then found that one candidate would win by a landslide and I believe the computer was off by one percent.
No sig for you!!
The big problem with drugs isn't really the violence associated with them, it's the problems drugs can bring to this society.
Unless you live in a pretty poor place (which of course some people do) then you probably don't even see the violence that comes along with drugs. I don't see drug-related crimes on a daily basis, but I DO see people smoking on a daily basis. How can you even consider gang wars a problem when we have this other problem where more kids are smoking and drinking? I don't think drinking is that big a deal, but a curious kid checking out smoking can end up a life-time customer of ((insert big cigarette company here.)) That just sucks. Even with all the bad things that smoking brings, I think it's tolerated because it's not (immediately) deadly. I have never heard of someone overdosing on smoking. I have never heard of someoen getting so high from nicotine that they drove their car into a ditch. I know, alcohol does this and why is it legal? Well, not sure but I think it could have to do with the fact that alcohol isn't addictive. While there are some people who develop dependencies on it, the number of addicts of alcohol is nowhere in sight of the number of people who smoke because their bodies need it.
Now don't get me wrong, I don't think anything is wrong with drugs that make you feel good (minus addictions and harmful effects), but I don't see how our society will benefit by legalizing proven harmful and addictive drugs.
I agree, we may have less violence (which I haven't seend and you probably haven't seen either) , but I don't think giving people the OK to use harmful drugs to cut back on gang wars is a good idea. Instead of watching cigarette addictions soaring, we'll be seeing cigarette & cocaine addictions soaring.. The cigarette deal is bad enough as it is.
note: I am NOT saying non-harmful/non-addictive drugs are bad!
Why do I keep typing pythong?
You make a good point, and perhaps you have this base covered:
What were 2 things many people did in school, like at parties?
Smoke and drink.
Even though most people weren't old enough to buy the stuff, they still got it. I can assure you, that age restriction doesn't do much for keeping kids away.
That being said, what are we going to do if kids replace cigarettes with cocaine? I think most people here can agree that anything that is addictive is bad. If only half of the future cigarette addicts become some-other-drug addict, that is not going to be good, and this is going to affect many times more people that the current "drug war" affects. Basically I don't want to replace cigarettes (which is bad enough) with a more addictive/deadly drug.
Why do I keep typing pythong?
Make drugs legal, people too stupid to live will waltz into 7-11, pick up a half pound of crack for 2 bucks and be dead by morning.
I somewhat agree with you there, but I'm thinking that the problem wouldn't with people too dumb to know better, but the people who are too young/inexperienced to know better.
Why do I keep typing pythong?
I'm having a hard time understanding where you are going with your post. The violence that goes along with drugs?
:)
...
You must have missed one of the parent posts. Let me quote a bit from one of them, so you can know where I got the whole drug violence bit:
Weapons are not the solution in this case. In fact, they are a result of the restrictive laws and harsh trafficing penalties in the US. A large portion of our nations crime is already caused by drug wars. Legalizing certain drugs would eliminate this crime. Just look at the effects Prohibition caused on crime rates in the 1920's.
That's where the inital 'violence' thing came from.
It is a shame that people OD on drugs and die, but ya know what, that doesn't really matter at all. I think that all drugs should be legalized, but i also think education in the schools should be continued.
I think people are VERY aware at the adverse affects of cigarettes, yet each year more people start smoking. I think with younger America, this isn't going to help them (education that is.)
We are already educated.
No. Take seat belt laws for instance. Its basically a way for the state police to make money.
This is a very debatable topic as well, so let's just stick to drugs.
Teen drinking is not the problem in Germany or France that it is here, b/c its nothing special there. here its illegal, and breaking the rules and being a 'rebel' is pretty damn cool to kids. Thats why we have so many kids smoking
I don't think it's necessarily the rebellion aspect that appeals to kids, but more the 'i want to be an adult' mentality. I think kids want to do it because they see the adults doing it.
Any drug used for medical purposes should probably be only used as a last resort. Sleep aids being the most commonly abused.
I agree with the last resort thing, and I agree that some over the counter drugs do get abused. I do not think this is valid a reason to legalize highly-addictive and destructive drugs, however. That is basically condoning their casual use (like with cigarettes).
To summarize everything here:
I think our main concern with legalizing drugs is it getting in the hands of kids. To help you consider the potential consequences of legalizing all drugs (to adults), consider how kids respond to cigarettes, and consider replacing cigaretts (already addictive) with something even more addictive and traumatic. We will have almost the exact same situation we have here in America with underage smoking, except they'll be addicted to way more dangerous drugs.
If someone has a resonable response backing why kids won't be interested in drugs the same way they are in cigarettes, I may change my mind on this.
Why do I keep typing pythong?
Somehow I just can't imagine allowing cocaine to be for sale at your local 7-11.
I think most adults are aware of the problems with things like alcohol or smoking, but kids are not. I'm not an expert on this, but I bet 90% of people who smoke got hooked on it while in their younger years, and I bet 99% of the people who smoke wish they wouldn't have started, because they can't stop.
Narcotics are supposedly way more addictive AND lethal (together) than both alcohol and smoking, and I don't think we need to give our youth (or adults who act like youth) a way to easily get access to them.
I kind of like it the way it is, because I can honestly say I have NEVER seen cocaine or any other narcotic in my life. Alcohol and cigarettes, however, I see almost daily. And no, I didn't see drugs in my school (I DID see smoking & alcohol), and I'm only 22.
The bottom line is if we DO legalize, say, narcotics, then we are going to see alot more people using them, and most of them will be people who aren't yet out of high school.
Why do I keep typing pythong?
In a rare sign of bipartisan cooperation, candidates Gore and Bush have presented their answers for the Slashdot community.
1) War on Drugs
Bush - What is needed is leadership and cooperation. I will lead the nation in drug use and cooperate with whoever wants to help.
Gore - Only the top 1% of Americans will use drugs under Governor Bush's plan. I want a system of targeted drug use for all Americans.
Minority Religions
Bush - I have always liked minority religions. Especially those black people when they sing that gospel music, everyone clapping and dancing and shouting "Amen!". It just makes me happy.
Gore - Let's face it, these religions are only open to the richest 1% of society. I want a religion that is for working families and not for special interest, big religion groups only.
Why give a tax cut?
Bush - Because I need one.
Gore - Smirk - It wouldn't hurt me either.
Electoral reform
Bush - We need to reform, not eliminate the electoral college. Besides, I think Yale played those electoral boys in '67 and we gave them a pretty good whoopin'.
Gore - I did not attend the electoral college because I was serving in Vietnam for working families at the time, fighting against big colleges, big electorals and for a clean electoral environment.
How do you feel about intellectual property?
Bush - I don't have any. Just a ranch in Texas!
Gore - It only benefits the top 1% of property owners. My opponent voted against property taxes in Texas 6 times, thereby hurting schools, the environment and my feelings.
Encryption
Bush - I support it. In Houston, flooding makes many cemetaries unuseable. We have to put our loved ones in crypts or they will float away, just like in 1900 during the big hurricane.
Gore - Encryption only benefits the top 1% of data in this country. Data my opponent cares more about than working families.
Rising Political Protests
Bush - Laura and I raised two beautiful girls, we have no problem raising protests, cattle, chickens, whatever.
Gore - Protests are either for or against working families. As soon as my focus groups get back to me on that, I will have an unmoving opinion.
Asteroid defenses
Bush - I hate those things. Once I was on my horse all day and had a whopper. Give me anything that will prevent those buggers.
Gore - Our asteroid defenses are the best trained, best equipped and highest motivated in the history of the world.
The future of the country and humanity
Bush - sounds great.
Gore - vote early, vote often.
During our last-but-one federal election in Australia, Albert Langer (an old comrade from the campaign against the military adventure in Vietnam) pointed out that our two major parties were like Tweedledum and Tweedledee - AND THEY DIFFER MORE THAN YOUR TWO MAJOR PARTIES! No wonder something like 95% of Americans don't bother to vote.
What a long, strange trip it's been.
I'm launching a last-minute write-in campaign for President. Below is my platform, as the answers to these nine questions. Remember, vote InfinityWpi on election day!
1) War on Drugs
by Tim Doran
The 'War on Drugs' is a sticky issue. But we need to look at it the same we look at all wars, in the cost to human life. Because of the war on drugs, we have law enforcement officers and those who are on the other side dying violent deaths. In all matters, human life must be our first priority. The war must end, by legallizing drugs and taxing the hell out of them, just like nicotine. We'll institute the same rules for them we have for smoking and drinking, that is, no driving, no opperating heavy machinery, and withhold federal benefits from HMOs that do not include a "We don't pay for drug-related injuries" clause. The war on drugs shouldn't be fought with bullets, it should be fought with money and advertising.
2) Minority Religions...
by Electric Angst
The fact that this question even needs to be asked goes to show why the American Civil Liberties Union exists. A new cabinet post, Secretary of Civil Liberties, would be created, and this person would work closely with the ACLU and other groups with the same goals, to help insure that in the future, the government doesn't railroad over the rights of the few at the whim of the many.
3) Why give a tax cut?
by funkman
Exactly. We do not need a tax cut at this time. Instead, that money should be going to fund programs like the construction of homeless shelters, free clinics, and other programs that go to improve the quality of life for the poor. The goal is to help those without money, not to give more money back to those who already have it.
4) electoral reform
by carleton
As a union of states as set forth in the Constitution, it's truely up to the states to determine hwo they go about with their seperate electoral processes. I would surely hope that more states adopt Vermont's attitude, as the current system is a holdover from the days when representative democary was required simply due ot the long travel tiems involved with getting from place to place. With the speed of communication being nearly instantaneous, we only rely on the antiquated electoral process out of habit, and the feeling that any new system cold not make everybody happy.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
by Phil Gregory
Obviously, changes are needed. Patents are being issued, no longer on devices, but on broad concepts. You patent the cash register, not "Use of a cash register to store money for a business." You trademark your brand name, not "Everythign even slightly resembling our brand name." Ina capitalist society, it's only natural to try to make money wherever possible, but the government needs to be more strict in deciding when to say "We're not idiots, you can't do that." Or else someone will have a patent on "the use of lower extremeties for the reproductive effor of conceiving children" and we'll all have to pay to have families.
6) Encryption....
by SquadBoy
At the basest level, we shouldn't have a need for encryption. Nobody would look at our data without permission, and we'd feel safe that it would only be read by those we want to read it. But this is not a perfect world. Encryption, much like home safes and safety deposit boxes, is a vital part of keeping things safe from 'the outside world'. Encryption is much like a gun. On it's own, it is harmless. But if loaded with the right data (bullets) and used by someone with an intent to harm (shoot), it's dangerous. And it's far easier to regulate the gun itself than to outlaw certain types of data or determine after the fact if harm was meant. It's an unfortunate thing, but if someone were planning to kill my daughter, and the only conviction-worthy evidence sits on his hard drive under encryption, I damn sure want the government ot be able to go get it. Does this mean I give up some of my rights, in that the government can search my hard drive when they want to? Maybe. But with a warrent, they can search my house, my car, even search me with only reasonable cause. The same should be true of encrypted data.
7) Rising Political Protests
by sterno
Let's be honest for a moment... the people elect the president. But big companies 'elect' how congressmen vote on bills. We have so many protests because there's so much corruption to protest. I would introduce a law that specifical bans congressmen from accepting any assets, directly or indirectly, from a corporation. Congressmen used to seek to get elected so they could pass good laws, now, they seek to be re-elected because they like th money that comes with the job. We must take away that narcotic, not by artificially imposing term limits, but by saying, "You were elected to serve the people, not the multi-nationals. You do not need private jet rides, you do not need new cars, you will have to live like the majority of the American people live. Lease your car for three years, live in an apartment, buy your own groceries." Unfortunately, any such bill would have to be voted on by Congress, the one great failing in our system of checks and balances. Any Constitutional amendment allowing the Executive and Judicial branches power to say, "Sorry, but you should pass this law," would also have to go through Congress.
8) Asteroid Defenses
by Ethelred Unraed
To study and explore space, yes. But the threat of an asteroid collusion is so small, we'd be better off spending billions of dollars to establish a counter-Cyborg defense system or (not so sarcasticly) an anti-flesh-eating-virus defense system. Terrorists are far more likely to use chemical and germ warfare, and these are what we shoudl plan to defend against. If an asteroid is going to hit Earth, there's very little we can do abut it, and one would have to ask if we're -meant- to do anything about it.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
by 11223
The main problem here is that 'manifest destiny' still exists, science is just behind the times. The Moon, Mars, space, is all out there waiting to be explored and colonized, but science is behind the times. We spend trillions on 'national defense', but pitifally little on our attempts to enlarge the nation. I would call for military spending to be cut in half. Of that half, ten percent for soucial security and medicare. Ten percent for education. Ten percent for homeless shelters and free clinics (using personel that the Armed Forces may fire instead of reducing a general's salary). Ten percent to improve our information infostructure. And ten percent to science research and NASA. The reason the expensive missions fail is that we don't spend enough money on making sure they'll succeed. And that must change. America does still have a driving passion, but we've become complacent in allowing science time to catch up with us.
The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election. My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
Both candidates are far too spineless to do what really needs to happen to end the war on drugs:
Legalize/decriminalize everything.
Short term impact would be a little messy, but the long run would pay for all. Once all recreational drugs are legal, the 'illegal thrill' goes away, legitimate businesses can capitalize where only the mafia has previously, and problem drug users (addicts) will overdose themselves and die. Prisons could be used for actual criminals again, law enforcement could focus on achievable goals again, and the economy would boom with the newfound trade.
Know why this will never happen? Because our government REFUSES to ever admit it was wrong about anything, even if doing so will solve a national crisis.
-Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music.
The _respect_ in my subject line was to Bill Hicks!
One of the funniest men to come out of America.
I just wish I could have remembered the quote more closely.
FatPhil
(mashing his spectacles against his face as he types...)
Also FatPhil on SoylentNews, id 863
Thank you.
I'll try to not forget it next time!
Out of respect, of course!
FatPhil
Also FatPhil on SoylentNews, id 863
We're losing the War On Drugs? To a bunch of junkies?
FatPhil
Also FatPhil on SoylentNews, id 863
1) War on Drugs
Drug users are the real victims here. I propose a new federal program on drug education. They need our help. My opponent on the other hand wants to divide, call this criminal behavior.
2) Minority Religions...
I don't think we've come far enough in supporting minority religions. It's not just enough to have religious freedom. My opponent is against affirmative action, but I don't think we've come far enough.
3) Why give a tax cut?
Look, it's about what's fair. We have prosperity now. Why should we give back to the rich when there are those who we need to work for.
4) electoral reform
In this election there is a clear choice. A vote for Mr. Nader will help elect my opponent. Think about it. Who is farthest from Mr. Nader's ideals?
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
Well oviously my statements on the origin of the internet have been misinterpreted. Yes, there were some others who helped.
6) Encryption....
I am for protection. I was instrumental in the V-chip initiative. We need to embrace technology to help society.
7) Rising Political Protests
Well people are not happy, but I will work for the people. My opponent complains that I take money from Hollywood, but Sen. Lieberman, Tipper and I are in the forefront in the battle against them.
8) Asteroid Defenses
I hate the disparaging of the military that my opponent has done. They are the finest young men and women our country has. There is not a better prepared military in the world.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
I feel good about the future. If you vote for me, you can feel good about the future.
The US drug war has done wonders *sniff* for my families welf.. err *sniff* America's welfare. *sniff*.
Answer from either candidate:
Well, being the rational person that I am, I will most certainly not make any tax cuts. It would be bad for the economy at this time and the money would be better spent on ten billion other things anyway, from building anti-asteroid nuclear missiles through imprisoning small-time drug users to protecting national security by holding encryption down and overthrowing Cuba. I will, however, being the good politician that I am, bounce the idea of cutting taxes around a lot 'cause poor folk think it'll help them and rich folk know it will...
----------
Even as you read this, your pants are strangling your loins! Aaa!
Imagine the same race with a well funded, well spoken and informed candidate. Too bad this race doesn't have a third candidate who fits that description.
The question asked is:
.plan.
2) Minority Religions...
by Electric Angst
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Atheism IS a minority religion, albeit a large one. Atheists, humanists, wiccans, shintos, etc. are routinely discriminated against in this country. Lieberman was chosen by Gore as his running mate. Thus, Lieberman's views can be seen as reflective on Gore. Additionally, the Vice President is only a heartbeat away from the presidency.
I realize this quote is not as bad as Bush Sr's opinion that atheists are not patriots and should not be considered citizens, but it is certainly relevant to this discussion.
Seems like a moderator moderating based on his beliefs rather than the relevance of the quote or the opinion expressed around it.
Some day I hope to have a
Portable versions of Firefox, GIMP, LibreOffice, etc
Forgot to mention... a better resolution version was posted to AdCritic. (Note: Requires Quicktime plugin.)
.plan.
Some day I hope to have a
Portable versions of Firefox, GIMP, LibreOffice, etc
BUSH: Psst! Vote for me. My dad was president. I even look like my dad.
;
.plan.
GORE: Big deal! My dad was a senator. Yup.
BUSH: We have the same shoe size.
GORE: Yeah? Well, I invented the internet. Uh-huh. Lots of other stuff, too.
BUSH: Once my mom thought I was my dad.
GORE: Space shuttle... that was mine.
BUSH: On the phone, people think I'm my dad.
GORE: *kiss* *kiss* Kiss me, I'm on TV.
BUSH: We have the same name, my dad and I, that is.
ANNOUNCER: Not going anywhere for a while? Grab a Snickers. Peanuts, caramel and chocolate. That outta hold ya.
BUSH: My dad and I wear the same pants.
GORE: I invented pants!
ANNOUNCER: Hungry? Grab a snickers.
Check this commercial out at: http://www.snickers.com/video/
One Note: Part way through, Bush says 'Once my mom thought I was my dad.' What in the hell does *that* mean? Open to some interesting interpretations, no?
Some day I hope to have a
Portable versions of Firefox, GIMP, LibreOffice, etc
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Gore: I wouldn't say I invented minority faiths, per se, but as an original proponent of their creation, they would have my full support as president.
Bush: The faith of the minority is important to me, and I assure you they will have full and equal access to Christianity as anyone else.
1.The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election. My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
2) What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
3. With the surplus, everyone has been saying "Let's have a tax cut, Let's have a tax cut." In the meantime, Alan Greenspan and friends are trying to keep inflation and the speed of the growing economy in check so it doesn't burst. Which they are doing by raising interest rates periodically. (6 times this year) A tax cut flies in the face of what Greenspan is trying to do. A tax cut will inject more money into the economy and do what Greenspan is preventing. Why is a tax cut so big? Wouldn't the money be better spent on the deficit so when worse times roll along, a tax cut can be easily given by not paying as much on the debt?--
invent something better than the internet if elected as your president.
- Al Gore
One future, two choices. Oppose them or let them destroy us.
I agree that Protestants need to be more tolerant of Catholics.
Shit I don't read Slahsdot. Guess i'm screwed >2) Minority Religions... > >All non-Slahsdot readers will surely burn in >hell.
it was "Read my lips, know new taxes" Bush won and we did know new taxes because of it.
Information wants to be free like speech wants to be free, not like we want beer to be free.
First of all I would like to thank you for your earnest and thoughtful questions. The technological community is important to me and I...
[an aide leans in from the side and whispers something to Gore, who looks quizzically and says, sotto voce. "They're not rich or a minority? What the hell am I doing here? They're computer geeks? You mean those guys I used to give wedgies to in high school? Oh hell. Let's get this over with.]
I value young people and I want you all to know that I'm going to ensure that our Government takes good care of you. That's why I'm putting much of the surpluses I've helped to create into a lockbox. I'm also going to make sure that your parents and Grandparents are taken care of also, so I've put the surplus into a lockbox. It's vitally important that we pay down this national debt that threatens everyone's safety and security, so I've put the budget surplus into a lockbox...
[an aide leans in and hands Gore a note. Gore reads it and says again, sotto voce, "What do you mean I can't give all three lockbox speeches here? These geeks aren't smart enough to know that I'm promising the same surplus to three different groups! Hell...my proposals are a trillion dollars more than the surplus already and nobody's noticed. These guys won't either. If they get all nervous, I'll just say something about Napster and defending freedom of information and I"ll just look all "alpha male" and they'll forget all about it!]
Pardon me for that interruption. As I was saying...when I am elected your President, I'm going to ensure that you are kept safe, secure, and free using every tool the government can provide. And when there's a need, we will not hesitate to provide more government programs to address any further needs which may arise. We will give no tax relief, except that which has been specially targeted, such as tuition assistance, and child tax credits. The wealthiest one percent should not and does not deserve tax relief.
[an aide leans in again, Gore forestalls him by saying, "Look. I know these nerds don't have kids and are already college educated. It doesn't matter. We're bashing the rich here! What do you mean these nerds are becoming the rich? You don't seriously think that by the time they make their wealth, they're believe that we'll cut taxes so they can actually invest their money as they wish, do you?]
Thank you for your time today, and for your vote. Good night.
1. War on drugs.
I've seen the best minds of my generation expanded, but it's not for everyone.
2. Minority Religions.
Does the Green Party count as one?
3. Why give a tax cut.
men in suits run in Because mfff mfff arr mfffft mtt!
4. Electoral Reform
sound of men in suits dragging gagged Nader away
5. Intellectual Property
pttht If you wrote it, it's yours. How hard can it be?
6. Encryption.
I can't figure it out.
7. Rising Political Protests
men in suits reapply gag Mfffttt!! Mffft!
8. Asteroid Defenses.
moving chin sideway A good use for our nuclear stockpiuhhh!
9. The future of the Country and of Humanity.
men in suits get him out of auditorium
Laughter is the Spackle of the Soul.
I apologize if this is redundant and/or a bit off topic...
Jim Lehrer: Welcome to the second presidential debate between Vice President Al Gore and Gov. George W. Bush. The candidates have agreed on these rules:
I will ask a question. The candidate will ignore the question and deliver rehearsed remarks designed to appeal to undecided women voters. The opponent will then have one minute to respond by trying to frighten senior citizens into voting for him. When a speaker's time has expired, I will whimper softly while he continues to spew incomprehensible statistics for three more minutes.
Let's start with the vice president. Mr. Gore, can you give us the name of a downtrodden citizen and then tell us his or her story in a way that strains the bounds of common sense?
Gore: As I was saying to Tipper last night after we tenderly made love the way we have so often during the 30 years of our rock-solid marriage, the downtrodden have a clear choice in this election. My opponent wants to cut taxes for the richest 1 percent of Americans. I, on the other hand, want to put the richest 1 percent in an ironclad lockbox so they can't hurt old people like Roberta Frampinhamper, who is here tonight. Mrs.Frampinhamper has been selling her internal organs, one by one, to pay for gas so that she can travel to these debates and personify problems for me. Also, her poodle has arthritis.
Lehrer: Gov. Bush, your rebuttal.
Bush: Governors are on the front lines every day, hugging people, crying with them, relieving suffering anywhere a photo opportunity exists. I want to empower those crying people to make their own decisions, unlike my opponent, whose mother is not Barbara Bush.
Lehrer: Let's turn to foreign affairs. Gov. Bush, if Slobodan Milosevic were to launch a bid to return to power in Yugoslavia, would you be able to pronounce his name?
Bush: The current administration had eight years to deal with that guy and didn't get it done. If I'm elected, the first thing I would do about that guy is have Dick Cheney confer with our allies. And then Dick would present me several options for dealing with that guy. And then Dick would tell me which one to choose. You know, as governor of Texas, I have to make tough foreign policy decisions every day about how we're going to deal with New Mexico.
Lehrer: Mr. Gore, your rebuttal.
Gore: Foreign policy is something I've always been keenly interested in. I served my country in Vietnam. I had an uncle who was a victim of poison gas in World War I. I myself lost a leg in the Franco-Prussian War. And when that war was over, I came home and tenderly made love to Tipper in away that any undecided woman voter would find romantic. If I'm entrusted with the office of president, I pledge to deal knowledgeably with any threat, foreign or domestic, by putting it in an ironclad lockbox, because the American people deserve a president who can comfort them with simple metaphors.
Lehrer: Vice President Gore, how would you reform the Social Security system?
Gore: It's a vital issue, Jim. That's why Joe Lieberman and I have proposed changing the laws of mathematics to allow us to give $50,000 to every senior citizen without having it cost the federal treasury a single penny until the year 2250. In addition, my budget commits $60 trillion over the next 10 years to guarantee that all senior citizens can have drugs delivered free to their homes every Monday by a federal employee who will also help them with the child-proof cap.
Lehrer: Gov. Bush?
Bush: That's fuzzy math. I know, because as governor of Texas, I have to do math every day. I have to add up the numbers and decide whether I'm going to fill potholes out on Rt. 36 east of Abilene or commit funds to re-roof the sheep barn at the Texas state fairgrounds.
Lehrer: It's time for closing statements.
Gore: I'm my own man. I may not be the most exciting politician, but I will fight for the working families of America, in addition to turning the White House into a lusty pit of marital love for Tipper and me.
Bush: It's time to put aside the partisanship of the past by electing no one but Republicans.
Lehrer: Good night.
Despite the cost of living, it remains popular.
2) I am not sure what you mean by minority religions. Everyone in Texas is a god fearing Christian. These other so-called religions are just cults and I hope that through prayer in school and other social engineering we can show them the errors of their ways.
3) Currently the top 10 percent of earners in the population pay the vast majority of the taxes. This is unfair. I am compassionate, so I do not want to make poor people pay taxes. On the other hand, there is not reason for the top 10 percents to pay for busses that they do not even use.
4) This is a very complex issue. I am not in the business of making inside the beltway decisions for outside the beltway politics.
5) Companies spend an awful lot of money to research new products. These companies must have the freedom to patent their products and market them as they see fit. Interference from the EPA, FDA, and other like agencies creates a world in which innovation is stifled. Likewise, laws that strengthen the patent and trademarks on a product, and thus increase the revenue stream for a company, goes a long way to increase the incentive to innovate.
6) We must allow the government the ability to prosecute criminals. My father went to the bar to destroy Iraq, and one of our best weapons was out intelligence. If Iraq had strong encryptions, they may have been more able to kill even more babies in Kuwait.
7)t is important to separate protests into two groups. In the first group are the god-fearing protests, like those who kill the doctors that kill babies. The second group are bad and self serving protests, like the hippies who chain themselves to trees, thus denying job to loggers and many of my corporate contributors in Houston. Obviously, we should have laws to put the later group in jail. In Texas, we are building plenty of prison space for the second group.
8) I fully support all levels of missile defense. It is not only critical for our safety, but also to the well being of our aerospace industry.
9) We are going through a period of faithlessness. As I said, I am fighting this by supporting prayer in school, faith based health care, and other Christian initiatives. I do not know when Jesus is coming, but I plan to spend my administration making America ready for his arrival.
Gore: I would put drugs in a lockbox, rolling papers in my wallet, a bong in a duffel bag and a pipe in my sock.
I spent a little time in the US recently - holiday in California and buisiness in Denver, Colorado and managed to catch 2 of the 3 televised debates between Bush and Gore.
I attempted to watch them without my preconceptions coming into play (i.e. the fact that Bush is a xenphoibic fascist).
There was so little to choose from them because they both resolutely ignored the questions to score cheap political points.
In the end I fell to the tried and tested method of choosing by deciding who has the best hair (i have it on the authorith of Bill Bryson that this is how most US presidents have been chosen since the TV age came to be).
:-)
Better the pride that resides in a Citizen of the world, than the pride that divides when a colourful rag is unfurled
Gov. Bush I think that this is a problem which private industry can handle better than the government ever could. In my experience fine products like Preparation H already do a good job of relieving the pain caused by Asteroids.
Vice President Gore: The governor and I are in complete agreement on this subject.
1) War on Drugs
When I was young, I made mistakes. The fact that I was able to evade law enforcement for decades, and then become the president of our great state, proves that we need to step up the war on drugs. As a fateful executioner in Texas, I am proven that I can execute the war on drugs more gooder than the democrat will.
2) Minority Religions...
Black folks can be whatever flavor of Christian they prefer.
3) Why give a tax cut?
It's your money, and I trust you. My opponent wants to decide who gets a tax cut. I say the hell with it. The harder you work, the bigger the tax cut you get, because the more money you inherit, the harder you must have worked. Trust me, this is one of those things I knowed from personal executions.
4) electoral reform
That sounds like a bunch of warshington malarkey to me. I'm a uniter, not a divider. Boo-ya.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
That's like asking Joe Lieberman how he feels about bacon.
6) Encryption....
I think rarely is the question asked, is our children ending up in crypts too many? In a culture where a child can log on to the internet and become a ruthless satanic killer bent on bloodthirsty vengeance against mom and apple pie, I think far to many of our children is ending up in crypts, so encryption is something as president I would execute, in terms of getting rid of it.
7) Rising Political Protests
Liberals. Sheesh.
8) Asteroid Defenses
I think you'll have to ask Dick about this one. He was telling me something the other day about satellites with rockets that we could build to defend us against that thieving Chernomyrdin in case he ever gets his dirty thieving fingers on "The button". I guess we could just turn that to face outward, but again, I'll have to ask Dick. Dick. Dick.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
I feel your concern, and I want you to know that I am as concerned about our great State as you are. I do a lot of things as Governor: cry with flood victims- (but don't give them a handout!) (snicker snicker), veto health care legislation, protect the rights of firearm bears, and so on. So I want you to knew, I saw where you were coming from. And the President is part of the Executive Branch. Our government is made up of two branches, the legislatiary, the Judiciure, and the Executive. And when it comes to Executing your dreams and hopes, well, with God as my witness, I'm your man.
microsoftword.mp3 - it doesn't care that they're not words...
1) War on Drugs
by Tim Doran
Answer from Bush
You're going to be safe. Safe from things that harm you. It's about principles. Don't listen to them journalists. I'm gonna make you safe from evil and dark hearts. I have a good heart. It's good, not bad. Take the military for instance... **censored due to lack of content**
2) Minority Religions...
by Electric Angst
I'm a uniter, not a divider. We ought to welcome people into our hearts and spirits, regardless of their past sins. It's never too late to open your heart to Jesus. That's called forgiveness. I forgive. Every time I put someone to death in Texas, I forgive them for their sins first. I always make sure I do that. If they were innocent, then they're in heaven anyway. I let God sort 'em out. But the death penalty is their to keep order. Order is important. Rules ought to mean something.
3) Why give a tax cut?
by funkman
Because it's not the governments money. The government is an entity wholly separate from the people. The governments money should never be confused with the peoples money. How can the government hope to lead people if it's using their own money? I lead differently. I get things done. I plan to finance government like I financed my campagn: corporate donation. That's what leaders do, they lead. *chuckle* The government to trust people. I trust. I have a record. I trusted the people in Texas. Now we're number one in pollution! That's called leadership. Leadership. I lead. I'm a leader.
4) electoral reform
by carleton
Whatever gets me into office. I've got some debts to repay. *chuckle* That's called honesty. I'm honest, with a good heart. It's important to pay back debts. A matter of principle. I support my friends. I trust them. They like me. They give me money. If what they want in return is my autograph, I'll give it to them. That's called trust.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
by Phil Gregory
I'm for it. You heard what I was for. I'm for it. If what I said I was for is this, then I'm for it, if it isn't, then I'm not. You heard it.
6) Encryption....
by SquadBoy
I think we should do everything in our power to prevent encryption. The military needs to be strong. If our country were encrypted today by a rogue nation, we wouldn't be ready. The military supports me. I know how to get things done. I know how to motivate the military: by offering them a cushy job with a defense subcontractor when they retire. I'll do everything in my power to make that possible. So the military has to be strong to prevent encryption.
7) Rising Political Protests
by sterno
I think the protests are an important expression. We have to ask: what's causing these protests? I'll tell you: an education recession. Under my plan, students will be punished frequently for their mistakes when reading. It's called accountability. If you make a mistake while learning to read, you ought to be punished. That's called compassion. After a while of this teaching, they will learn: don't read unless you have to. That should fix things.
8) Asteroid Defenses
by Ethelred Unraed
Asteroid Defense is turning hearts dark. These video games ought to be regulated. I trust people to allow me to regulate these things. Trust. We ought to hold these digital butchers accountable. Accountability. In Texas, when we hold people accountable, we put 'em to death. *wide turned-on grin*.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
by 11223
Our mission ought to be that we keep things in perspective. The proper perspective, I might add. My perspective. I tell you, when I turned forty, and my wife threatened to leave me if I didn't stop drinking and smoking crack, I had a "spiritual awakening". I realized that if I just did what I was told, I could accomplish anything. Now I'm about to become President! They told me this would happen when I became governor, but I didn't believe 'em! So our goal should be to enforce existing laws. People should follow rules. That's what a leader does, enforces laws. I enforce laws to get things done. Rules ought to mean something. They mean: don't do that, or else you'll get into trouble. Accountability. That's what America is all about.
Join NORML!
-atrowe: Card-carrying Mensa member. I have no toleranse for stupidity.
Religious Minorities?
Gun Control?
*zips up Nomex suit in preparation for flamewar of the century.*
-atrowe: Card-carrying Mensa member. I have no toleranse for stupidity.
Bush: I believe all minorities has a place in our churches. In the great state of Texas, we've introduced legislation that ensures that our children won't be discriminated upon in their respective religions.
Gore: Well, Electric, there's a reader in this forum right now, Booker, user ID 6173. Booker spent most of his childhood being humiliated for his homosexual tendencies and his pronounced limp. When Booker began practicing Shinto, he was further ostracized from his community. I think it's a travesty that a person like Booker can't exercise his right to practice the religion of his choice without fear of persecution from other Slashbots. That's why the very first religion bill I will send to Congress will make it illegal to call him nasty names on the Web.
--
--
You are a fucking moron.
Question :
"The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election. My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president? "
Mr Bush:
As your President, the very first thing I would
do is to become committed to the War on drugs.
I will launch a "strategagoric" strike against them.
We know who these drug companies are,
so I will have Mr cheney put together a list of
their company headquarters (after checking with
the IRS database of course)
I hereby commit to the American people that within 48 hours
after I am elected we will drop a large number of
REALLY REALLY REALLY big bombs that make REALLY
REALLY REALLY big craters on each
of these factories of death, and win,
once and for all, this War......
OR perhaps this :
I am committed to winning the war on drugs.
As your president, I will redouble my efforts
to destroying these substances, by snorting
twice as much cocaine as I used to.
I will have Presidential Cocaine party bowls
at all governmental functions, and will commision the franklin mint to create a set of commemorative
Dubya Prez cocaine party spoons, straws and scales.
I will also appoint my opponent Mr Gore to be in charge of smoking the demon weed marijuana out of existence. If we all work together as one nation I am sure we can snort this problem away in no time......
Service guarantees Citizenship! Questions Guarantee GITMO.... Amerika Uber Alles!
Although I'd like to know the positions Mr. Gore might take, I don't think he has any to give. Check this out:
A New Refutation of the Very Possibility of Gore by Crispin Sartwell
All of those non-Christian socialist nations out there are finally too degenerate to ever be saved (just look at places like France, where they eat snails for Christ's sake!).
If that were true, wouldn't they also be a Christian nation?
"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence."
"And like that
From your page, I don't like any of the options this year a whole lot, but Bush will do substantially less harm than Gore.
That's funny, you apparantly think there are only two people running for president, just like the national media... how sad.
"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence."
"And like that
1) War on Drugs
by Tim Doran
The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election. My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
Your answer:
The war on drugs has been a success on several fronts:
It is a little known fact that the war on drugs was never intended to be "won" in the conventional sense. If we did (accidentally) win this war, we would lose the justification for spending so many tax dollars on really cool toys!
2) Minority Religions...
by Electric Angst
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Your answer:
What makes you think they need protection in the fist place? They do not represent a sizeable voting block. Many of them are pacifists and do not want to spend a lot of money on federal causes (like the military) so I really don't care if they want protection, they hardly deserve it!
3) Why give a tax cut?
by funkman
With the surplus, everyone has been saying "Let's have a tax cut, Let's have a tax cut." In the meantime, Alan Greenspan and friends are trying to keep inflation and the speed of the growing economy in check so it doesn't burst. Which they are doing by raising interest rates periodically. (6 times this year)
A tax cut flies in the face of what Greenspan is trying to do. A tax cut will inject more money into the economy and do what Greenspan is preventing.
Why is a tax cut so big? Wouldn't the money be better spent on the deficit so when worse times roll along, a tax cut can be easily given by not paying as much on the debt?
Your answer:
Because to the typical voting schmoe, a tax cut is a popular campaign promise. I doubt that I could be a contender if I didn't make the promise. Don't worry, even if I make a cut one place, I can raise it (and raise it even more) somewhere else.
4) electoral reform
by carleton
Some people, especially those that favor '3-rd' party candidates, have called for the ending of the electoral college system to be replaced by a simple purely popular vote, or at least allowing for splitting the electoral votes by each state. The best recent example was the Bush-Clinton election. Clinton received 43% of the popular vote (but a sufficient majority of the electoral vote), whereas Perot got at least 10% of the popular vote but zero electoral votes. If memory serves, Vermont is the only state which does currently allow for its votes to be split; if someone wins 60% of the Vermont popular vote, they get 2 votes and the 40% candidate gets 1. This in contrast to California, where someone can get 51% of the popular vote, and therefore gets 53 (or whatever it is nowadays) electoral votes. What is your position on this issue?
Your answer:
You see, the house, the senate, and the presidency are all controlled by one of the two "real" political parties. Since this is the case, do you really expect that there will be a change made. It only hurts the folks that don't play the game and all of us in a major party play the game and play it well.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
by Phil Gregory
In this age of the Internet, intellectual property has become a very important concept to many people. Many companies make their living on the artificial scarcity provided by intellectual property laws, selling information that they have either created or aggregated. Some others, mostly in the Free Software world, make their living seemingly in spite of these laws, selling their services based on information that is freely given.
Do you feel that out current system of intellectual property is a good one? Which parts of it (e.g. trademarks, patents, copyrights) do you feel are well suited to the world of the Internet and which do you think need to be changed (and, if changes are needed, what changes are needed)?
Your answer:
Our current system is a good one. Most of the property that you are talking about is owned or controlled by major corporations. Since these companies all help finance the SIGs that help to finance my campaign, obviously the concept is a good and sound process. 'Nuff said.
6) Encryption....
by SquadBoy
Many tech people think that strong encryption is one of the best ways we have to protect freedom both now and for future generations. For example to preserve information that future not so friendly governments may think we don't need to have and to make sure that things we want to have remain private remain private. Given this what would you do to help preserve our right to privacy through the use of strong encryption? Also in a related question what are your thoughts and what do you plan to do about the fact that we can not export many forms of strong encryption?
Your answer:
This is pretty potent hogwash! Any idiot knows that the best way to protect our individual freedom is to finance a strong military and provide our police forces with enough funding (and cool toys) so that we can leave this protection in the hands of the government and not worry about it! With enough qualified professionals protecting us from foreign governments, spies, and crooks. You really do not need to worry about corporations or the government, we would never do anything to you that would require encryption.
7) Rising Political Protests
by sterno
In the last year or so we have seen a tremendous escalation in the quantity and size of political protests against globalization and the rising power of corporate multi-nationals. Do you believe that these people have reason to be concerned? If you do believe that they have reason for concern, what steps would you take as president to deal with their concerns?
Your answer:
Nah. These companies contribute to the SIG's that fund my campaign therefore I know they are well intentioned.
8) Asteroid Defenses
by Ethelred Unraed
Would you renew funding of programs to research and develop global defense systems against asteroids or other such threats from space?
Your answer:
Frankly, I haven't given this a lot of thought. I suppose that I would be receptive to it if the device were a mega-weapon controlled by the military and constructed by a defense contractor that contributes to the SIG's that fund my campaign.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
by 11223
I'm very concerned with the future of the country, and about what our national mission seems to be. Looking back through American history, every period seems to have a defining popular mission - like the "manifest destiny" movement in the 19th century, the Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. During these times, there would be one struggle or idea that captivated the attention of the nation, sort of providing a national mission.
I'm a little confused as I look around today. What is our mission? To me, it seems to be "to watch TV and use the Internet." What would you say the defining national mission of today is? What should it be? Furthermore, how would you show this in your activities as a lawmaker? (For instance, if our national mission is the pursuit of science, then would you increase funding for scientific pursuits in the budget?)
Your answer:
I'm a little confused. I have a mission, it is to be president and to get as many campaign contributions as possible.
[foghorn leghorn voice]
It was a joke son... a joke I say.
[/foghorn leghorn voice]
--- What parts of "shall make no law", "shall not be infringed", and "shall not be violated" don't you understand?
Damn right we're winning. And we need to step up the fight against all things that are potentially dangerous. Drugs are just the beginning. Next we outlaw tobacco. Lots of tobacco deaths every year. Then fatty and high-cholesterol foods. Heart disease is a leading killer. Lawsuits agains Hershey and M&M Mars begin shortly. Cars are also a big cause of death. The danger involved surely isn't worth the benefit of being able to transport yourself from one place to another.
2) Minority Religions...
All non-Slahsdot readers will surely burn in hell.
3) Why give a tax cut?
Everyone will give 100% of their pay to the US government. We'll then keep 50% to run things and the other 50% will be evenly distributed to everyone. That's the only way to keep it fair for everyone.
4) electoral reform
No more elections. Once this one is over, and I'm in power, that's it. I rule.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
If you want to keep it your own, then you should keep it in your brain. The only way to keep a secret is to not tell anyone.
6) Encryption....
Ab Pbzzrag.
7) Rising Political Protests
Once I'm in power, there will be no need for political protests.
8) Asteroid Defenses
At this point, we pretty much deserve to be taken out by a huge asteriod. I just hope I'm around to see it.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
See 8)
-S
--- What parts of "shall make no law", "shall not be infringed", and "shall not be violated" don't you understand?
1) War on Drugs by Tim Doran.
Well, Tim. It hurts my heart to see so many minorities put in jail by a unequal judicial system. As many of you know, I've admitted to using marijauna before, and true, I've voted for every major drug crime bill when I was, but that doesn't make my a hypocrit. Because I truly believe that we as a people need to send the right message to the lowly masses that drug use is bad. If we judge the war on drugs on that basis, then I think we have to assume that it is in fact an unqualified success. The most recent polls in fact, state that 53% of all Americans think drugs are bad.
2) Minority Religions...by Electric Angst
Well, Electric, I'm definately pro-special legislation to protect the special nature of these religions against persecution. I don't think many of you know that, while I was doing back breaking work on my dad's farm in Tennesse, I had a friend who was a bitch. I mean a witch. I mean a wiccan. She was also who I smoked pot with.
3) Why give a tax cut? by funkman
Why indeed? We need to have more taxes, especially on gasoline. As you know, I wrote in my book that the internal combustion engine is the single greatest threat to the world. Not only that, but people just aren't responsible with their money. Think of the great social programs we can enact with more tax money.
6) Encryption....by SquadBoy
Not many people know this, but when I'm hacking my Debian Kernal, I like to encrypt it. That way, Bill can't look at my porn.
I also posted an Al Gore satire as well. I actually prefer Bush over Gore, since I'm in the top 5% tax bracket.
1) War on Drugs by Tim Doran
The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election. My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
Now Tom, we all know that drugs are a very serious issue confronting our families today. Contrary to what my opponent says, I am not in the pocket of the big drug companies. I am not declaring war on grandma. I'm all for better healthcare and cheaper drugs. Thank you for your question.
2) Minority Religions...by Electric Angst
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Santa what? My solution for atheists is to put a rifle in their hands and send them to Vietnam. As my papa's buddy Colin (you might know him from Desert Storm) used to say, there ain't no atheists in foxholes.
3) Why give a tax cut? by funkman
Well, Mr. Funk, I think its a crime that the average American citizen works an average of 87 days a year just to pay his taxes. So with that in mind, I'm proposing to cut the taxes off of the top 1% of the wage earners, because heck, they work the hardest. Why punish productivity?
4) electoral reform by carleton
Some people, especially those that favor '3-rd' party candidates, have called for the ending of the electoral college system to be replaced by a simple purely popular vote, or at least allowing for splitting the electoral votes by each state. The best recent example was the Bush-Clinton election. Clinton received 43% of the popular vote (but a sufficient majority of the electoral vote), whereas Perot got at least 10% of the popular vote but zero electoral votes. If memory serves, Vermont is the only state which does currently allow for its votes to be split; if someone wins 60% of the Vermont popular vote, they get 2 votes and the 40% candidate gets 1. This in contrast to California, where someone can get 51% of the popular vote, and therefore gets 53 (or whatever it is nowadays) electoral votes. What is your position on this issue?
I'm against it Larry. I'm not sure why, I just am.
8) Asteroid Defenses by Ethelred Unraed
I know when my asteroids flare up, its a serious situation. Unlike my candidate, I support further research into treatment of this painful malady.
Bitter? On the contrary -- for the first time since 1976 (maybe even 1956) we have two candidates who are both acceptable, if not necessarily ideal, to the vast majority of Americans. If the campaign hasn't seemed impassioned, it's because most of the electorate will be comfortable with either outcome. (And would have been with McCain or Bradley, for that matter.)
The yelling about how there is no democracy and corporations control the whole process is coming from a few leftists who can't accept the possibility that the majority of voters don't share their views and amplified by media that push cynicism and conspiracy at the expense of journalism and edification.
Look -- I voted for John McCain in the primary. I wish he had won but more people voted for Bush. People. Not one corporation cast a vote. I'm not thrilled about that outcome but I accept it as the outcome of democrarcy. I don't go off bitching about how there's some conspiracy holding down all the Real Voters who just happen to think exactly like me.
If I haven't antagonized the leftists enough yet, check out the New Republic on Nader. And you know, of course, that when a disgruntled ex-employee followed Michael Moore around with a camera, your hero had him arrested, right?
Yes! I was in disbelief when I first saw this commecial. I should get it on tape.
--
A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
I've followed the debates and read some Noozweak articles, etc. on either candidates position and I'm confident of my choices stance being closest to what I consider sane. The other one is from Texas.
To this point tho, direct responses, even Jim Lehrer had a tough time corraling the top two on questions. Too often the response would weave off to grind some axe somewhere else. If there's anything which has driven me to cynicism on politics its the lack of a direct answer.
Senator, how would your administration handle an alien assault on Richard Stahlman's house?
Well, Jim, if these aliens would not be benefitting from any tax cuts which favor the wealthy or take any money out of Medicare or Social Security, further my opponent would likely favor increasing their numbers by overturning Roe vs Wade with Supreme Court appointements...etc.
Governor, how would your administration handle Weehawken, New Jersey being swept away in a "Perfect Storm?"
First let me point out that those residents of Weehawken would enjoy a tax cut which would favor every one of them, not just the rich and that my plan to allow an individual to divert up to half of their Social Security contribution to private investment would encourage innovation in the rubber lifeboat industry and create jobs, further my opponent's Washington-insider fuzzy math suggests there would not be sufficient funding to shore up a reformed medicare, he's using Medi-Scare tactics, because he's so desperate that he'd say anything to win...etc.
--
A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
"While Nader will never win, his supporters would likely have voted for Gore if they had to vote for one of the big two..." "HAD" to vote for one of the big two? I thought we lived in a democracy, a government made up by choices made by intelligent, informed citizens. You are obviously not an informed citizen. Even if you do use the argument that a vote for Nader is a vote for Bush, which is mathematically inaccurate, then what you still don't understand is that the message sent out by voting for someone like Nader is that change NEEDS to come even at the cost of four years of an administration run by a bumbling, corporate-backed, right-wing moron which would not be far from a conniving, calculated, ecologically hypocritical, near right-wing anyways, administration run by the GoreBot. Wake up, and drag yourself out of the morass of the corporate funded, strong two party system that drags the political atmosphere of this country through the mud.
I like the war on drugs, it allows my friends to make lots of money, both through increased law enforcement budgets and my CIA friends involved in transport.
2) Minority Religions
There is no such thing as a minority religion. You are either Christian or a infidel who is going to hell.
3) Why give a tax cut?
Because my rich friends need to get richer, what a stupid question!
4) Electoral Reform
I like the electoral college just the way it is, because it allows my rich friends to continue to usurp the democratic process in favor of partisan influence.
5) How do you feel about intellectual property?
Intellectual property is being horded by my rich friends, therefore I believe that anybody who steels that property should be to death, in the tradtion of my governance in the great state of Texas.
6) Encryption
Encryption is wonderful, as long has my friend have a monopoly on it (CIA, FBI, NSA).
7) Rising Political Protests
Since they are protesting the increaing power of corporations, and those corporations are my freinds, then those protestors must be stopped! Those damn anarchists!
8) Asteroid Defenses
I love that stuff, reminds me of one of my favorit video games - Asteroids! Shoot em!!
9) The Furture of the Country and Humanity
What do I care as long as my friends are still on the top!
10)
www.enthea.org
1. War on drugs. If we must fight a war, and my advisors suggest it, I will support putting our soldiers on drugs if it helps them fight more effectively. 2. Minority Religions I think minorities in religion is a good thing. 3. Why give a tax cut? The average taxpayer can do better things with the $300/per year they will save than the folks in Washington can do with the billions it will cost in revenue. Think about it, every middle class American taxpayer will have the equivalent of $25 for each month. That's alot of Americans! 4. Electoral Reform The people should decide. 5. Intellectual Property no comment (confused look) 6. Encryption We are a strong country and a proud people. (followed by a confused look) 7. Rising Political Protests That's Clinton's fault! 8. Asteroid Defenses I'll bring Democrats and Republicans together to fight them if needed. We have rockets and stuff. 9. The Future of the Country, and of Humanity Character is the most important ingredient that our country needs right now. And I'm quite a character. Some folks even call me a clown.
--- -- - -
Give me LIBERTY, or give me a check.
Bush: What's a technology? What's an encryption? My daddy was the president so that means I will win.
by Electric Angst
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Your answer:
Now, I must admit that I don't personally agree with all the hub-bub and pure hogwash surrounding these religions, but as my Daddy once told me: "Son, some people are right as rain, and others wrong as theat geography teacher of yours in High School, but you gotta listen to them anyway" I don't really know how this relates to the question, but it seemed fitting. Now I'm sure Vice President Gore will try to wobble around the issue, sidestep and just flat-out avoid answering... I wont do that, I'll get right to the point and give you, the American Public (TM), an honest, straight answer... and to do that I need to mention my Health Care plan....
[100% ISO 646 Compliant]
SVM, ERGO MONSTRO.
And you sir, your answer to the War on Drugs?.. Snoorrt snort, cough cough, huhh? what? Oh.. I beleive that the rights of the individual must be set first while perserving the security of the state and not allowing the curvature of space time to reduce the fundamentals of this issue concerning the issues of such importance so I promise .. blah blah blah..
Sig?
1) War on Drugs I would legalize all drugs and tax them to raise my salary. (er I mean to give a tax cut to all good people of this country). 2) Minority Religions... The constitution says simply "Make now law.." All exoisting laws would be repealed and you could practice ANY religion anywhere as long as you broke no major laws in the practice thereof.. i.e. human sacrafice would be frowned upon. 3) Why give a tax cut? NO Pay off the debt. (ok well tax cut to me and my friends, but not a general tax cut). 4) electoral reform The idea of a split vote sounds good. As long as it did not cost me an election, I am for it. 5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property? A mind is a terrible thing to waste. You think of it, you own it, and if I think of a way to get it, I own it. 6) Encryption.... Irrelevant. This is a matter for the NSA, and individual companies to evaluate, not a president. People will learn (many times the hard way) to protect their own intererst. 7) Rising Political Protests Just dont shoot me. (change is inevitable). 8) Asteroid Defenses Sorry I missed Armegged and that other movie. let me rent them and do some research. 9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity I am also not familiar with thee topics, let me check TV guide for a program on the history channel about them. If I cannot find one, I will research it on the net and get back to you.
David Dominick Security is the opiate of the masses -- twist on an old quote
The Vice President and me just have a difference of opinion. I've been the governor of Texas and that's what governors do.
2.Minority Religions
I am Christian. The Vice President and me just have a difference of opinion. I've been the governor of Texas and that's what governors do. I respect the heretics, but non-Christians should have no special rights.
3.Why give a tax cut?
The Vice President and me just have a difference of opinion. I've been the governor of Texas and that's what governors do. The people who pay taxes should get a tax break.
5.Intellectual Property
Are you attacking my intellectual property? That's not fair. The Vice President and me just have a difference of opinion. I've been the governor of Texas and that's what governors do.
6.Encryption
Um...we have a fundamental difference of opinion. I've been the governor of Texas and that's what governors do.
7.Rising Political Protests
Yes. My opponent and I have a fundamental difference of opinion. I've been the governor of Texas and that's what governors do.
8.Asteroid Defenses ... ummm, my opponent and I have a fundamental difference of opinion. I've been the governor of Texas and that's what governors do.
That was my favorite game to play on Atari in the 80's when I used smoke and drink and
9.The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
Do I have to answer that, Jim? Al Gore and I have a fundamental difference of opinion on this one. I've been the governor of Texas and that's what governors do.
Well I am commitificated to supportifying the rights of the populatory constituents of the Unified Statifications of Americanism to Dis-encryptificate as strengthily as possibility permissions.
Best quote from Bush:Why do you think all those internet addresses start with a dubya?
That's the world wide web, George.
I'd vote for Nader but for one detail: the complexion of the surpreme court for the next twenty or thirty years rests on the outcome of this election.
Personally, I'd rather not see Bush make those appointments.
my opinion is currently not wearing any pants.
2) Minority Religions...
by Electric Angst
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Your answer: The best way of protecting these innocent people from the barbaric hordes usually known as "civilization" would be by providing these good people with some sort of protection. Since they are greatly outnumbered by the "Civilized" people my suggestion would be to construct a number of large circular objects somewhere in Alaska where these groups of people can reside. In order to prevent future sieges and other types of problems we might wish to consider to constructs these circular objects using these things known as "walls", preferrably high ones, while paying very much attention to the fact that we should at all times prevent the construction of these things we all know as "doors".
People replying to my sig annoy me. That's why I change it all the time.
1) War on Drugs
by Tim Doran
The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election. My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
Your answer:
In order to hold an effective campaign against drugs it is necessary to really understand the nature of the problem. To increase the knowledge about drugs and the effects they have on the human being my first order as president will be for all government personnel to start using the substance known at Slashdot as "3$ Crack". I'm confident that this will bring enlightenment to the current drugs regulations, as well as the government as we know it.
People replying to my sig annoy me. That's why I change it all the time.
From www.issues2000.org:
Q: There are 15 million atheists in this country, 5 million Jews, 5 million Muslims.. Should they feel excluded because of your allegiance to Jesus?A: No. I was asked what [philosopher most] influenced my life and I gave an honest, unvarnished answer. It doesn't make me better than you or better than anybody else, but it's a foundation for how I live my life. Some may accept the answer and some may not. But, I really don't care. It's me. It's what I'm all about. It's how I live my life.
-jimbo
"Hold me Bob!" "I would if I could man!" -Bob and Larry from VeggieTales
From www.issues2000.org:
Q: On Internet Privacy: Should the federal government step in to safeguard people's online privacy or can that be done through self-regulation and users' education? A: "I believe privacy is a fundamental right, and that every American should have absolute control over his or her personal information. Now, with the advent of the Internet, personal privacy is increasingly at risk. I am committed to protecting personal privacy for every American and I believe the marketplace
(The quote seems to have been cut off.)
-jimbo
"Hold me Bob!" "I would if I could man!" -Bob and Larry from VeggieTales
Admit it, "-S", you're really Dogbert, aren't you?
-jimbo
"Hold me Bob!" "I would if I could man!" -Bob and Larry from VeggieTales
The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election. My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
Bush: I would make dope cheaper.
Gore: I would make dope more accessible for the needy. No more going to Guido!
2) Minority Religions... by Electric Angst
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Bush: I will give Satanists high office.
Gore: I think Harry Christnia deserves to get more out of life. I'll give him some soft money to get into heaven. As for Santaria -- I understand that is the Pagan relegion dedicated to the worship of Santa Claus, who is a fat jolly man that wears a red jolly jumper suit. He can move to Florida if I'm elected. That North Pole must be cold!
3) Why give a tax cut? by funkman
With the surplus, everyone has been saying "Let's have a tax cut, Let's have a tax cut." In the meantime, Alan Greenspan and friends are trying to keep inflation and the speed of the growing economy in check so it doesn't burst. Which they are doing by raising interest rates periodically. (6 times this year)
A tax cut flies in the face of what Greenspan is trying to do. A tax cut will inject more money into the economy and do what Greenspan is preventing.
Why is a tax cut so big? Wouldn't the money be better spent on the deficit so when worse times roll along, a tax cut can be easily given by not paying as much on the debt?
Bush: Taxes are a really easy way to swing the vote.
Gore: As voters, we need to look at the bypartisan influence stemming from post-Keensian spending thrifs. Cutting taxes is important because it proves that the candidate can do the impossible. If you elect me, I will put more money in your pocket and make more for projects all over America! Cutting taxes and increasing spending while lowering the deficit, proves that zero energy can actually generate some energy! Who would not vote for someone who can break a natural law?
4) electoral reform by carleton
Some people, especially those that favor '3-rd' party candidates, have called for the ending of the electoral college system to be replaced by a simple purely popular vote, or at least allowing for splitting the electoral votes by each state. The best recent example was the Bush-Clinton election. Clinton received 43% of the popular vote (but a sufficient majority of the electoral vote), whereas Perot got at least 10% of the popular vote but zero electoral votes. If memory serves, Vermont is the only state which does currently allow for its votes to be split; if someone wins 60% of the Vermont popular vote, they get 2 votes and the 40% candidate gets 1. This in contrast to California, where someone can get 51% of the popular vote, and therefore gets 53 (or whatever it is nowadays) electoral votes. What is your position on this issue?
Bush: No third party candidate is ever going to win an election, and therefore anyone who would support such a waste of time and money is a complete bafoon.
Gore: I was once in great support of the third party Rhino Party in Quebec, back in the late 1930's. I had a lover who lived in Montreal and she told me that I had to follow the big Rhino to power. Because of the Rhino, I am who I am today -- the next president of this great Nation. If you elect me, I will annex Quebec from Canada, so that I can have an affair on my wife with Celine Dion.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property? by Phil Gregory
In this age of the Internet, intellectual property has become a very important concept to many people. Many companies make their living on the artificial scarcity provided by intellectual property laws, selling information that they have either created or aggregated. Some others, mostly in the Free Software world, make their living seemingly in spite of these laws, selling their services based on information that is freely given.
Do you feel that out current system of intellectual property is a good one? Which parts of it (e.g. trademarks, patents, copyrights) do you feel are well suited to the world of the Internet and which do you think need to be changed (and, if changes are needed, what changes are needed)?
Bush: I believe that if you own something, you will have bought it. Anyone who says they can think up new ideas is either a couch potato or a pot philosopher. Tell me now, do you think either kind of person deserves a million or more dollars? Part of the reason these people come up with new ideas is because they are losers trying to get out of poverty. I believe we should enact laws stipulating that inventors remain broke to ensure better inventions.
Gore: If you are stupid enough to trust anyone on this internet, you are stupid enough to be taken advantage of. Get a lawyer if you have a good idea. If you don't have money, download a NDA (non disclosure agreement) and ask that any potential investor must sign it. I think our system today works. It might not always turn up the right results, but it actually does work.
6) Encryption.... by SquadBoy
Many tech people think that strong encryption is one of the best ways we have to protect freedom both now and for future generations. For example to preserve information that future not so friendly governments may think we don't need to have and to make sure that things we want to have remain private remain private. Given this what would you do to help preserve our right to privacy through the use of strong encryption? Also in a related question what are your thoughts and what do you plan to do about the fact that we can not export many forms of strong encryption?
Bush: Nice question. We do not need to spend any money on encryption as a nation. The Warez community is stimulating our market to develop better encryption for us. Why would I ever spend any money when some big company is going to do it for me? Plus, too strong encryption will lead to a disaster if we were ever hit by a giant pulse bomb, like in that hit TV show, Dark Angel. I think we need to put money into decryption, rather than encryption.
Gore: What he said.
7) Rising Political Protests by sterno
In the last year or so we have seen a tremendous escalation in the quantity and size of political protests against globalization and the rising power of corporate multi-nationals. Do you believe that these people have reason to be concerned? If you do believe that they have reason for concern, what steps would you take as president to deal with their concerns?
Bush: We need more guns in schools.
Gore: Yes, definately more guns.
8) Asteroid Defenses by Ethelred Unraed
Would you renew funding of programs to research and develop global defense systems against asteroids or other such threats from space?
Bush: Yes.
Gore: Well, I think falling asteroids are really just like the fable of Chicken Little. The sky is not falling. It is never going to fall and it never has fallen, except that time about a gazllion years ago, when the dinosaurs bit the dust. Can you honestly say that we are at risk? One in a gazillion... hrmph!
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity by 11223
I'm very concerned with the future of the country, and about what our national mission seems to be. Looking back through American history, every period seems to have a defining popular mission - like the "manifest destiny" movement in the 19th century, the Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. During these times, there would be one struggle or idea that captivated the attention of the nation, sort of providing a national mission.
I'm a little confused as I look around today. What is our mission? To me, it seems to be "to watch TV and use the Internet." What would you say the defining national mission of today is? What should it be? Furthermore, how would you show this in your activities as a lawmaker? (For instance, if our national mission is the pursuit of science, then would you increase funding for scientific pursuits in the budget?)
Bush: Did you see Dark Angel last night? Great episode.
Gore: Just look into the little glowing box and forget about what I'm doing!
Bush: Any questions?
Gore: What he said.
*****************
Fix?
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If it says "Troll" on this post,
I successfully annoyed a nerd herd!
1) War on Drugs: Do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
Your real answer:
Bush - No, it hasn't been stringent enough. We need to lock up more drug dealers and anyone who uses drugs, impose drug testing at all public facilities (schools, military, any government jobs), provide tax writeoffs for companies that drug test, and increase jail time for anyone who does drugs, while minimizing any chance of legalistic appeals. Plus, we should fry anyone on a second conviction, turn them into BBQ. Especially if they're not American or are poor.
Gore - Nah, I think Bush is a cokehead. I figure we should cut the drug enforcement budget outside US borders (except for interdiction in the Caribbean) in half, figure which types of interdictions actually work, double the size of the treatment budget, and get rid of mandatory penalties. But I'll never admit this in public and I won't propose legislation on the issue, cause I'd be crucified. I will shift the budget though, but over eight years. Hey, face it, both Bush and me toked a few and he did way more - should we make you pay for doing what we did - nah?
2) Minority Religions...: What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Your real answer:
Bush - nothing. If they're not Christians I won't do a darned thing. I won't go after those devil-worshippers, but I won't help them, that's for damned sure.
Gore - Oh get real. Not much, really. I won't let the feds or those we contract with discriminate against them, but I can't do much else.
3) Why give a tax cut?: Why is a tax cut so big? Wouldn't the money be better spent on the deficit so when worse times roll along, a tax cut can be easily given by not paying as much on the debt?
Your real answer:
Bush - because I promised the people who gave me hundreds of millions of dollars that I would. And if I don't they'll hunt me down and kill me, no matter how many Secret Service agents I have. They don't call me George "Wuss" Bush for nothing. Oh, also cause it'll help all my buds and stick it to people who hardly ever vote for me anyway.
Gore - because Bush made it such an issue and you all yammer about it all the time. Face it, I'd rather put it all into deficit reduction, building Internet II, and NASA, but that's not going to happen. I've gotta deal with Congress and the Senate - it's like herding cats without a rifle.
4) electoral reform: What is your position on this (electoral college) issue?
Your real answer:
Bush - if I lose I want to get rid of it. If I win, I like it. So I won't do anything, but I'll pass some bill on campaign finance reform with tons of loopholes for corporations and big spenders to use, and pretend I fixed it.
Gore - man, that Nader pisses me off. Yeah, I'm gonna take out the electoral college, but I doubt it will get through both the House and Senate in four years. I will get that campaign finance passed, cause I don't get no nookie with Tipper when I get embarrassed by those scandals and it's boring pretending to be friends with big money people.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?: Do you feel that out current system of intellectual property is a good one? Which parts of it (e.g. trademarks, patents, copyrights) do you feel are well suited to the world of the Internet and which do you think need to be changed (and, if changes are needed, what changes are needed)?
Your real answer:
Bush - I like intellectual property. We need to extend patents even more, increase copyrights, except for movies and music, cause I hate those Hollywood types and they gave to Gore mostly. Screw the public.
Gore - I hate it. I'm going to cut copyright back to lifetime plus 10 years, except 20 years for paintings since most artists die penniless. And I'm going to reform the patent office and cut patents back to reasonable lengths. But Congress and the Senate will probably sneak something past and I may have to settle for holding steady.
6) Encryption....: what would you do to help preserve our right to privacy through the use of strong encryption? Also in a related question what are your thoughts and what do you plan to do about the fact that we can not export many forms of strong encryption?
Your real answer:
Bush: Forget it. My dad ran the CIA. No joe blow will be safe from us, and I'll make it illegal to use encryption for normal people, so I can preserve the freedom of big government and big business like every GOP President before me.
Gore: Man, I know what you mean, but I'm afraid some terrorist will attack us. So I'll keep going back and forth on this issue, which is the best you're going to get from any American politician.
7) Rising Political Protests: we have seen a tremendous escalation in the quantity and size of political protests against globalization and the rising power of corporate multi-nationals. Do you believe that these people have reason to be concerned? If you do believe that they have reason for concern, what steps would you take as president to deal with their concerns?
Your real answer:
Bush: Nah, why would I help those liberal commies. Crush them all. Won't do a damned thing to help those protesters, want 'em locked up in fact.
Gore: I'm going to help the environmental protesters, but I'll screw over the globalization protesters. Sorry, I know which side my bread is buttered on. And if I did more, Congress would have my head on a platter.
8) Asteroid Defenses: Would you renew funding of programs to research and develop global defense systems against asteroids or other such threats from space?
Your answer:
Bush: Yup. Lots of military bucks to help my friends on the corporate boards there, like Dick Cheney's wife, call her Buttercup, that's her nickname. Probably won't work, don't much care if it does. This is what I really think government is good at - helping the Military Industrial Complex.
Gore: Yup. I'll try to do it efficiently, figure which plans work best, but will have to watch out for all the military bloat you usually get when you do this.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity: What is our mission? To me, it seems to be "to watch TV and use the Internet." What would you say the defining national mission of today is? What should it be? Furthermore, how would you show this in your activities as a lawmaker?
Your real answer:
Bush - Our mission is to make business owners rich. And control the world. Hate the internet - those commie liberals are starting to use it to attack me. Other than that, I don't care.
Gore - Our mission is to promote environmentally sound pro-market democracy throughout the world. And keep ourselves from getting into one of our war cycles, as we always do.
--- Will in Seattle - What are you doing to fight the War?
1) The War on Drugs has been a failure. Let's concentrate on something easier, like the War on Mimes. .. nevermind.
2) I will do nothing. As religion is a personal choice, it's up to them to protect their own rights. After all, we're all free to bear arms... *hint* *hint*
3) Let's not worry about that now. Concentrate on the War on Mimes!!!!!
4) I have no position. Just vote for me and shut the f**k up. Have you clobbered a mime with a baggette today? No? WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
5) I feel fine, thanks. Must be all the exercise I got during my excursions into MimeLand.
6) Jesus H. Christ on a pink pogostick, what is with you people and all these hard questions? Find a mime as soon as possible and
7) We all long for the 60's. Being a hippie was one of the most amazing things ever. I have never had acid as pure as the one I got me during the anti-Vietnam protests in DC... Ahh... good times. That's why I think we should not worry about globalization, but instead worry about the Underground Mime Liberation Front (UMLF). They are the true danger we must fight to keep down!
8) Only if there is conclusive proof of the existence of superhuman alien mimes.
9) Like I have been saying, the War on Mimes is the cause which we should look at for inspiration. Our goal is the complete and utter eradication of all mime-like life in this planet, and eventually rid the universe of this pesky creature. By god, I hope we have enough baggettes to handle all of these mimes!!!!!
"We'll need 2000 crickets, 4 cans of Easy Cheese, and the fluid from 18 glowsticks for this plan to work...." - ph0n1c
sorry.
We're so much more organized and motivated than you! Right guys...um...
What was I talking about?
Gore: I'm for smaller government and women's right to choose. However I'm against cutting any program or funding for any program. I am for a women's right to choose, unless she chooses to opt out of social security, chooses to smoke pot, chooses where to send her kids to school or chooses to send less of her income to the federal government. I'm not for those kind of choices.
1) War on Drugs
Bush: No the war on drugs has not been a success. If I were elected, I would immediately move our military forces in to bomb Saddam Hussein until the USA is free of drugs!
2) Minority Religions...
Bush: Do you mean to tell me there are people with different beliefs than me? And they have rights? Are you sure we're talking about the same USA?
3) Why give a tax cut?
Bush: Because we're capitalists, and we want to encourage the rich to get richer. Mr. Gore will tell you that we shouldn't have a tax cut, and it's obvious why he would think such a thing. He's a red commie.
4) electoral reform
Bush: It's a complex issue. The issue is change. Change, for the future. If you can't stand the heat, get our of the kitchen. Live free or die! And in conclusion, read my lips.
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
Bush: I'm completely for the freedom of intellect. Hopefully I will be able to get some of somebody else.
6) Encryption....
Bush: If we allow the development and export of strong encryption, the Russians will use it against us!
*We see an advisor whisper something to Bush*
And we just can't have the Chinese using our own technology against us!
7) Rising Political Protests
by sterno
Bush: Sterno, as a 22 year old white 5 foot 10 male who works at NewTech, lives at 232 Parkland Drive, Silicon Valley, and is currently wearing either light blue boxer shorts, you have no need to worry about the power of multi-nationals. Say hello to jenny for me, I understand today is your 6 month aniversary?
8) Asteroid Defenses
Bush: I would scrap the program. We have already negotiated a deal with the ETs, the "Roswell Treaty", to destroy any dangerous asteroids in exchange for all the water in our oceans.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
Bush: I think it's very clear that every American should be thinking about getting me into Office. I know it's an ambitious idea, but it will only be slightly more difficult than landing a man on the moon.
1) War on Drugs
Bush: The war on drugs has been a resounding success.... I've finally given up.
Gore: I invented the War on Drugs!
2) Minority Religions...
by Electric Angst
Bush: I will allow Satanists to hold ceremonies around state executions, and thus reduce the number of sacrifices required. And then I'll cut taxes with the money saved!
Gore: I even let Linux users onto the internet.
3) Why give a tax cut?
Bush: I need to give a slingback to my rich buddies.
Gore: I need to give a slingback to Bush's rich buddies.
4) electoral reform
Bush: What an excellent idea - let's charge people 50,000USD to vote!
Gore: I invented electoral reform!
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
Bush: I would love to have some intellectual real estate.
Gore: Information wants to be free. - I invented that slogan!
6) Encryption....
Bush: The socio-political synergistic demands of a multifacted errmm. information dynastic ummm strategic alignment ummm what was the question again?
Gore: "$J%H£^£(%*$TGSJKNG$W*(WRWJEHR($*%
7) Rising Political Protests
Bush: Multinationals are great. As long as they're american. Well. Texan.
Gore: The world is just one small village composed of cottage industries. And I invented that!
8) Asteroid Defenses
Bush: Computer games are bad for kids. Keep them away.
Gore: I've got some Preparation H, if that helps.
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
Bush: Our mission is to get elected, whatever the cost.
Gore: Our mission is to get elected, whatever the cost.
I believe that the American people deserve a workable plan to prevent mass-extinction from a possible collision with a near-earth-asteroid. I am commited to providing that system, something that my opponent has failed to do. He has fai.. refu.. I mean, he has not commited to... Yes, well we are talking about preventing collisions with asteroids. The answer is simple. Scientists tell us that it would be nearly impossible to insure a direct hit on an asteroid approaching earth. So if we can't be sure to move the asteroid into a new path, we should focus on moving the earth. I believe that enough nuclear missiles detonated on the eastern hemisphere might be enough to move the earth out of the way of any approaching asteroid. Now. I would like to hear if Vice President Gore has a plan that could be any better than this. He won't because those damn democrats want to take away our right to bear arms.
This is why I will be voting for Nader comes next week, he will talk to slashdot while Bush/Gore wont... that's not my only reason, but one none the least.
Help Brendan pay off his student loans
Why yes all of these are good, very good, questions, and I can answer all of them in one word... "Strategery" ... now ya'll run along now I gotta go huntin' with pa(He was an american president) Vote for me!
1) War on Drugs
The War on Drugs has been a consistently neglected topic in discussions surrounding this federal election. My question is, do you believe the War on Drugs has been an unqualified success, and if not, what would you change about it if elected president?
Bush: Though I have personally indulged in recreational drugs, a large part of my voting block feels that certain drugs are bad. Since I don't wish to alienate them, I shall lead this country into a more aggressive role in the War on Drugs, sparing no expense or human life to make it look as though I care.
Gore: (See above)
2) Minority Religions...
What will you do to protect the rights of atheists and those who hold minority faiths, such as Wicca, Santaria, Shinto, et al?
Bush: Freedom of Religion is basic right of all Americans, as laid out in the Declaration of Independence.
Gore: I remember growing up in rural Tennessee... My family was a strict Episcopalian family while our neighbors across the road were devout Anglicans. You'd think that this might have caused a problem, but myself and our neighbors son, Herbert, got along just fine... (etc., ad nauseum)
3) Why give a tax cut?
With the surplus, everyone has been saying "Let's have a tax cut, Let's have a tax cut." In the meantime, Alan Greenspan and friends are trying to keep inflation and the speed of the growing economy in check so it doesn't burst. Which they are doing by raising interest rates periodically. A tax cut flies in the face of what Greenspan is trying to do. A tax cut will inject more money into the economy and do what Greenspan is preventing. Why is a tax cut so big? Wouldn't the money be better spent on the deficit so when worse times roll along, a tax cut can be easily given by not paying as much on the debt?
Bush: The tax money that the government keeps still finds its way into the economy (you moron!) The American people should decide what happens with a larger percentage of it.
Gore: Hunter S. Thompson, a well-known and respected journalist, has conducted a study indicating that BUSH's tax cut would only benefit the TOP ONE PERCENT of U.S. citizens.
4) electoral reform
Some people, especially those that favor '3-rd' party candidates, have called for the ending of the electoral college system to be replaced by a simple purely popular vote, or at least allowing for splitting the electoral votes by each state. The best recent example was the Bush-Clinton election. Clinton received 43% of the popular vote (but a sufficient majority of the electoral vote), whereas Perot got at least 10% of the popular vote but zero electoral votes. If memory serves, Vermont is the only state which does currently allow for its votes to be split; if someone wins 60% of the Vermont popular vote, they get 2 votes and the 40% candidate gets 1. This in contrast to California, where someone can get 51% of the popular vote, and therefore gets 53 (or whatever it is nowadays) electoral votes. What is your position on this issue?
Bush: This is bad. When I am president I shall gather a bi-partisan coalition to spend millions of dollars putting an end to the electorial college. The traditional electorial college system should be blasted out existence like the evil Satan-worshipping lapdogs that they are.
Gore: As one of the writers of the Constitution, I think that the Electorial College originally served an important purpose, but that purpose has now passed... (etc., ad nauseum)
5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property?
In this age of the Internet, intellectual property has become a very important concept to many people. Many companies make their living on the artificial scarcity provided by intellectual property laws, selling information that they have either created or aggregated. Some others, mostly in the Free Software world, make their living seemingly in spite of these laws, selling their services based on information that is freely given. Do you feel that out current system of intellectual property is a good one? Which parts of it (e.g. trademarks, patents, copyrights) do you feel are well suited to the world of the Internet and which do you think need to be changed (and, if changes are needed, what changes are needed)?
Bush: I feel good about our system of patents. (Shrug?)
Gore: The ridiculous patents being issued are sandbagging the truth and beauty that is being spread by my creation, the Internet. Porno is bad.
6) Encryption....
Many tech people think that strong encryption is one of the best ways we have to protect freedom both now and for future generations. For example to preserve information that future not so friendly governments may think we don't need to have and to make sure that things we want to have remain private remain private. Given this what would you do to help preserve our right to privacy through the use of strong encryption? Also in a related question what are your thoughts and what do you plan to do about the fact that we can not export many forms of strong encryption?
Bush: I am all in favor of privacy, but not where it threatens national security. Drugs are bad. Drug dealers use encryption. Thus: Encryption is bad.
Gore: I would like to argue this point with my opponent - TERRORISTS bad! Terrorists use encryption (and tobacco!) Thus: Encryption is bad!
7) Rising Political Protests
In the last year or so we have seen a tremendous escalation in the quantity and size of political protests against globalization and the rising power of corporate multi-nationals. Do you believe that these people have reason to be concerned? If you do believe that they have reason for concern, what steps would you take as president to deal with their concerns?
Bush: I defend the right of Americans to be concerned with that which they please.
Gore: The environment. The economy. Children's safety. The environment. Tobacco. Unions. All of these subjects have been on the minds of a great many Americans... And as the next President, I will agree that Yes, Americans should deal with their concerns.
8) Asteroid Defenses
Would you renew funding of programs to research and develop global defense systems against asteroids or other such threats from space?
Bush: I see no reason to defend asteroids. Let asteroids defend themselves.
Gore: As one of the founders of the space program, I believe that asteroid pose a serious risk to the environment... one as serious or possibly even more serious than automobiles. I talked about this in my book Earth in the Balance... (etc., ad nauseum)
9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity
I'm very concerned with the future of the country, and about what our national mission seems to be. Looking back through American history, every period seems to have a defining popular mission - like the "manifest destiny" movement in the 19th century, the Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. During these times, there would be one struggle or idea that captivated the attention of the nation, sort of providing a national mission. I'm a little confused as I look around today. What is our mission? To me, it seems to be "to watch TV and use the Internet." What would you say the defining national mission of today is? What should it be? Furthermore, how would you show this in your activities as a lawmaker? (For instance, if our national mission is the pursuit of science, then would you increase funding for scientific pursuits in the budget?)
Bush: If I am elected President, I can guarantee every citizen of this country that there will, indeed, be a future.
Gore: As one of the founders of the Peace Corps, I noticed that the economic good times of the United States wasn't being shared by third world nation. Sergeant Shriver and I looked at African and Asian nation where despite the fact that people were using environment-friendly oxen to plow fields, rather that dangerous tractors, they simply weren't able to produce enough yams to feed their families (etc., ad nauseum)
The only thing that we learn from history is that nobody learns anything from history.
8) Asteroid Defenses by Ethelred Unraed
Would you renew funding of programs to research and develop global defense systems against asteroids or other such threats from space?
"Hi, I'm Al Gore, and I invented Asteroid Defenses."
1) War on Drugs by Tim Doran Your answer: Keep doing them, we'll keep fighting you. 2) Minority Religions... by Electric Angst Your answer: That which is not Christian is not a religion! 3) Why give a tax cut? by funkman Your answer: So that when I'm done being president, I can have more of the money I've earned taking bribes and doing other less than legit activities to retire in style on my ranch in Texas. 4) electoral reform by carleton Your answer: The electoral voting system allows the best man to win - the one who's got the most money backing him. Obviously people wouldn't give them so much money if they didn't want them to win! 5)How Do You Feel About Intellectual Property? by Phil Gregory Your answer: Your mind is your own. Your thoughts, however, are ours. 6) Encryption.... Your answer: The whole Internet should be encrypted and the key thrown away, all it's doing is turning children into killers and promoting pr0no and quake games. 7) Rising Political Protests Your answer: People would have no reason to protest under my government. 8) Asteroid Defenses by Ethelred Unraed Your answer: Great movie. 9) The Future of the Country, and of Humanity by 11223 The future of the country under me is a blissful heaven. Imagine the hell the others would put you through!
"Champagne for my real friends - and real pain for my sham friends!" http://ericblade.postalboard.com/