Thursday is Thanksgiving…
November 19th, 2007 | by Scott |…which means we will be exactly 6 weeks away from the Iowa Caucus. And finally we can begin to weed out the riff-raff and actually see some progression in this 6 year campaign cycle.
And if NH follows through with its threat to hold their primary in December we could even begin to figure all of this out sooner. No matter what the Super Tuesday of February 5th, when at least 20 states go to the polls, will finally allow us to kick the contenders to the curb. I need to hurry and register in Oklahoma.
And, man, it’s going to be hard for me to refrain from politics on this blog. Luckily nobody wants my political opinion anyway 
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Now playing: Dar Williams - Fishing In The Morning Feat. Bela Fleck and Michael Kang
via FoxyTunes
47 Responses to “Thursday is Thanksgiving…”
By jasonk on Nov 19, 2007 | Reply
Who do you think is going to get the nom? I am beginning to see an interesting pattern take shape. Hillary and BHO are starting to tear at each other, while Edwards sits back and lets them have at it. He may be the one to benefit most from it, if they begin to sling mud.
By justin on Nov 19, 2007 | Reply
this country is going to hell in a handbasket, regardless of who is in the oval office.
even ron paul can’t stop it now.
By Scott on Nov 19, 2007 | Reply
Jasonk, I don’t know. It’s hard to see Hilary losing the nom without Edwards withdrawing after Iowa and throwing his support to Barack. Anything can happen but it still seems Hillary’s to lose.
On the GOP side, I think Huckabee is the spoiler. He finishes a strong second in Iowa he may parlay that into a Super Tuesday juggernaut.
Justin, you think we are in bad shape? It’s nothing compared to what we would be if Ron Paul won
By Scott on Nov 19, 2007 | Reply
I just saw an ABC poll that has Obama leading in Iowa. Any of the big three could still win it although I don’t think Edwards can pull it off.
By Jeff_R on Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
Scott -
Have you seen the new Mike Huckabee ad? Check it out here. Give it a chance.
And remember, when Chuck Norris does push-ups, he isn’t pushing himself up; he’s pushing the Earth down.
Hoo-yah!
By Scott on Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
I read yesterday that Chuck Norris was originally considered for the lead in 24.
However, he saved the world in just 12 minutes so they couldn’t make a full season out of it.
But I still ain’t voting for Huckabee.
By Doug Freeman on Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
Scott, I wanted to weigh in on the candidates since you brought up the subject. Hopefully, we are not headed toward our doom. There will be 19 on the Arkansas ballot. When I look at the whole lot, it makes my rear end want a dip of snuff. Where are the Ronald Reagans when we need them?
By Scott on Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
Dad, if we could survive the last 8 years I think we can live through anything
By Robin on Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
I’m pulling for Huckabee. I liked him in the FOX debate I watched a couple weeks ago. Why not talk politics? That’s why I started reading this blog.
By justin on Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
Huckabee is not a republican by any stretch of the imagination. He is a statist. His political ideology isn’t based on, say, the constution or limited government. Its all about the nanny state. He has no desire to cut spending. He has no desire to let people live their lives. Its the ultimate in social “conservatism” mixed with economic populism.
He’s basically an idiot.
By Robin on Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
That’s not what I got out of what he said at the debate. Check out this website survey -
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/projects/ongoing/select_a_candidate/poll.php?race_id=13/?refid=6
and see which candidate you relate closest to. It was interesting.
By Scott on Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
If right out of the gate we are just going to dismiss anyone as an idiot then you have the reason why I am fighting the urge to talk politics.
It’s difficult to have these discussions without the discourse sinking low. I have had success in the past handling tough issues and keeping the discussion civil but as we near the election I don’t know how sustainable that is.
When I came out in support of S-Chip I was accused of naive thinking. I really don’t have the time or the energy to those who resort to sound bites and focus on the position rather than the people.
And since I’m not a republican I know that I am in the stark minority.
But, then again, I’ll probably talk about it anyway.
By Jeff_R on Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
Yeah, and Chuck Norris once slammed a revolving door, too!
By Scott on Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
# When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
# Chuck Norris doesn’t read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.
# There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.
By Jeff_R on Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
CHUCK NORRIS FOR PRESIDENT!
By justin on Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
I didn’t think that was right out of the gate. We’d been discussing huck… I thought I explained why I thought he was an idiot. Maybe I should have just said he’s a big government blleding heart “conservative”
By greg on Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
norris, nugent, flair… is there a huge redneck vote out there that previous candidates have ignored? or does Huckabee just not want to be president?
By Scott on Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
# Chuck Norris is so fast, he can run around the world and punch himself in the back of the head.
How could you not vote for that?
Justin, I believe you can make a great argument that Huckabee is not a traditional fiscal republican. That’s different that calling him an idiot. To me, he is a very shrewd politician who never saw a gift he didn’t like. And he’s still a very dangerous candidate.
And with Nugent he gets the NRA vote. And the Motor City vote.
And Flair brings in the “Wrestling Dads.” If he gets Tim the Tool Man to endorse him then surely John Eldredge will follow and it will all be over.
By R-Liz on Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
John Eldredge– ha! I’m glad I wasn’t drinking a beverage when I read that.
And are we seeing more into the Freeman/Huckabee archives with the gift comment? How in the heck are we going to have a mature and sophisticated discussion unless you totally spill the beans on the Huckabee dirt you’ve been sitting on for years?
SPILL THE BEANS! SPILL THE BEANS! SPILL THE BEANS!
Doug, my Dear Mr. Freeman– can we get you to give up a juicy morsel or two?
By Doug Freeman on Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
R Liz, if you are refering to Huckabee, he is not an idiot. However, he is only intrested in what he can gain for himself. I left the Republican Party here because of him. He personally did my family a great injustice by not listening to his own appointed Board and ignored correcting a wrong that had been done. He was so caught up in his own world and only intrested in what he could gain for himself. I have a lot of Baptist friends and I am so thankful they are not of the same mindset as he is even though he claims to be a Baptist minister. My congregation is largely Republican and none of them will consider voting for him based on how we were treated. That is all i’ll comment on at the present. I’ll do everything possible to defeat him.
By Scott on Nov 20, 2007 | Reply
Yeah, it’s safe to say that our family was personally wronged because of Huckabee’s political ambition. It just makes it that much easier to be a Democrat.
By len on Nov 21, 2007 | Reply
Scott,
Count me in as someone who wants more politics in your blog. We can usually keep it civil. Besides, the only people I know who remotely like John Edwards are on this board. I don’t see the attraction to him, and I really do want to hear opinions on this.
I find it ironic that right after your blog on love we go into politics. Admit it: it is easier, and a lot more fun, to judge than to love. But being Christ-like sure isn’t easy.
By Scott on Nov 21, 2007 | Reply
Len, I’m with you. I’m better at judging than loving. One of these days I hope to flip that.
I do want to discuss politics but I hope to do it in the most politic way possible.
By R-Liz on Nov 21, 2007 | Reply
Mr.(Doug) Freeman and Scott–
Thank you both for filling me in more on Huckabee. I think all of this is so important in how we choose our next President.
By R-Liz on Nov 21, 2007 | Reply
Scott– I know you’ve talked about being a fan of John Edwards, but what are your thoughts on Obama? I’m not a Democrat, but the candidate who I keep getting drawn in towards is Obama. (If you’ve already blogged about this, then just link me to it.)
At this point, however, the door is still wide open as to who I’ll vote for next November.
By Doug Freeman on Nov 21, 2007 | Reply
R-Liz, I would like to comment on Obama. I think anyone who will not say the Pledge of Allegience or put his hand over his heart during the National Anthem should not be even priviledge to run for President. I think he is anti American. Anyway, thats my take on him.
By Jonathan on Nov 21, 2007 | Reply
sigh
By Scott on Nov 21, 2007 | Reply
Dad, if you saw that on Fox News then you need to stop watching it.
All we have is one image of Barack not putting his hand over his heart during the anthem, not the pledge but the anthem. There are other pictures that clearly show him putting his hand over his heart.
Here is the snopes link:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/anthem.asp
By Scott on Nov 21, 2007 | Reply
Ruthie, I think he has a great shot to overcome Hillary and if he does I will gladly vote for him. I just don’t think Edwards has the legs left.
Oh, and here is Barack leading the pledge before the Senate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC9veEouqqQ&feature=related
By Jonathan on Nov 21, 2007 | Reply
Another link for Doug:
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2007/11/obama_nabbed_by_the_patriotic.html
By Jonathan on Nov 21, 2007 | Reply
This is why political discussions (and religious ones…and many others) can be such a downer. So much prejudice, so little substance.
the prejudice spreads so easily these days but, thankfully, it’s also easy to push it back with a bit of substance
just staying ahead of jasonk in the comment race…
By Doug Freeman on Nov 21, 2007 | Reply
I really don’t care if you guys want to support a muslim. I still think he is un american.
By Scott on Nov 21, 2007 | Reply
He’s not a Muslim.
By greg on Nov 21, 2007 | Reply
amazing.
By Scott on Nov 21, 2007 | Reply
Judging by my comment counts it seems that people will only respond en masse when there is a chance that I might push the envelope a little. Why is that? Are people lying in wait for me to blog political again?
By Robin on Nov 22, 2007 | Reply
I agree with you Doug. And keep watching FOX News. Happy Thanksgiving to all! Count your blessings - there are many I’m sure - enjoy family and friends and thank the Lord God Almighty today and everyday for all His boundless goodness and mercy.
By Jonathan on Nov 22, 2007 | Reply
Robin,
We’ll arm wrestle this afternoon. Keep an eye on me…I may try to secretly plant Dem campaign materials throughout the house and yard
Doug,
Maybe you could elaborate with a few points of substance documenting the ways that Obama is opposed to America and its culture, but I can only understand your assertion if you have such a narrow definition of American culture to be a faint caricature of reality…to define it as white, Christian, southern, Republican, middle class…and that alone.
Scott,
It’s not a mystery that the provocative provokes a response. Doug does it to me.
About Huckabee…that commercial makes me chuckle. Better than most of the stuff on “The Half-Hour News Hour” (I watched THHNH for quite a while before giving up…I see that it’s been canceled). Shallow though it may be, I like that he seems to have a sense of humor. At least he admits that waterboarding is torture. I’m not crazy about the faint distinction between government and religion but am glad he apparently sees some role for the government to aid its citizens who are in need.
By Robin on Nov 22, 2007 | Reply
Jonathan - just remember you will be in a house full of conservatives. As for the arm wrestling you forget that I am bigger than you! Ha! Ha! See you for turkey and goodies.
As far as Obama goes - if you want a real scare go to his church’s website. The church he affiliates himself with does not have Christ as it’s center.
By greg on Nov 22, 2007 | Reply
Jonathan, if Fox ‘News’ would only cancel the rest of their programming…
By justin on Nov 22, 2007 | Reply
I like calling it “Faux News”. I used to not have a problem with them, even though I disagreed with the worldview that they have (they being Fox). But after seeing how they’ve treated Ron Paul (especially Hannity who makes me throw up in my mouth a little every time he’s mentioned) I am done with them. Strictly internet for my news nowadays.
By Doug Freeman on Nov 22, 2007 | Reply
Yep, its Fox News that really keep us abreast of what is actually happening in the world. It is not the Clinton News Network.
By Scott on Nov 22, 2007 | Reply
Jonathan, I feel you. I am surrounded by conservatives today. Both at Tracy’s parents this afternoon and my parents tonight. And my dad gets to me too. He has for 40 years now
Robin, I see from Obama’s church’s website. It should be a little more clear than United Church of Christ.
And Justin, I’m not sure that the internet is a great idea for your sole source of news. At least we are just a couple of months away from Ron Paul finally achieving his true place in the 2008 election: a footnote
By Doug Freeman on Nov 22, 2007 | Reply
Scott, as I recall it was you who got me turned on to Rush. You bought all his books, received his news letters, purchased his neck ties. I was quiet and reserved but Rush got me started toward my outspoken nature. Thanks, it has enlightened my outlook on things that are happening in our county. Of course, I’m still quiet and reserved. I just like to pick at folks.
By R-Liz on Nov 23, 2007 | Reply
Mr.(Doug) Freeman– Although there’s probably not much we see eye-to-eye on, I can’t help but find you endearing. It’s obvious you care deeply about many things, especially your family. I can see where many of Scott’s positive attributes probably come from.
For the general discussion, regarding Obama:
–First, even if Obama doesn’t place his hand over his heart for every National Anthem, I actually find that appealing. Like the Pharisee praying loudly in the temple courts, I think many politicians are really good at displaying the outward forms of politics, but very few are truly good at leading or governing. Too many of these candidates are overly concerned about image instead of substance, and I think too many Americans are as well. For a candidate like Obama, who is obviously an intelligent, articulate, and American-loving man, to not place his hand on his heart shows me he’s not overly concerned with these forms. And I’m okay with that.
(It’s also why I like Obama’s persona. Even though some folks find it cold, I find it refreshingly honest.)
–Second, I am still amazed at the sheer ignorance of so many regarding Obama and Islam. For those who continue to regard him as Muslim, or who get caught up in his middle name, I ask you: Do you actually have any Muslim friends? I know, Barack isn’t Muslim, but, again, it’s the whole idea of ignorance and fear of something that is unknown. And when I say friends, I really mean friends. Not associates or acquaintances that are Muslim, but people whose home you’ve been to, that you’ve broken bread with. I think it’s important we, especially if we’re believers, start to bridge some of these gaps before we publicly assert anything.
–Third, I find Obama’s ecclectic upbringing and culture to be one of the most positive things on the potential-President table right now. It’s a big part of what makes him stand out to me. We’ve had more than our fair share of WASP males, many of which don’t have a clue about international diplomacy or cultural diversity.
By Doug Freeman on Nov 23, 2007 | Reply
R-Liz, I appreciate your comments. I do care about a lot of things, even beyond family and church. I care deeply about my country. I am very particular about who might be the next one to lead our nation. If it is Obama, I will support him as our Commander in Chief. From 1939 to 1947, four brothers and myself served in the military. three of my brothers came back disabled. Yet my whole family have been and will always be supportive of our country. I am the only one left out of a family of nine. Next week I will reach my 80th birthday, the Lord willing. I often get carried away when it comes to politics. At the moment, I really don’t know for whom I will vote. I do know it will not be Hillary or Huckabee. I apologize for my recent statements about certain individuals. Someone told me recently, that there are two stages for old people, Codgers and Geezers and that I had reached the Geezer stage. Also I like to kid Scott a lot. He means a lot to his mom and myself. Thank you for responding.
By Jeff_R on Nov 23, 2007 | Reply
Mr. Freeman - I hope if I live, Lord willing, to my 80th birthday, I have half the wisdom, grace, passion and energy you display! Happy Thanksgiving!
By Scott on Nov 24, 2007 | Reply
First off, I never had any Rush ties. And I fully repent of my Limbaugh-following days.
Jeff, he’s much more ornery than he used to be.