Douglas Erisman's Comments
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Dec 23, 2009 | recommended: 8 | comments: 335
Douglas Erisman Dec 27, 2009, 8:24pm EST
I repeat it since it was taken out of context by John Knight.

I should say LIBERAL THINKING. Sorry John, if you want to be a liberal and define it differently, then by all means, that's up to you, but this IS what liberal, rational, objective, and even logical thinking is:

Here, let me explain what liberalism is:

*Pro-choice when it comes to euthanasia and abortion
*Pro-environmentalism (if youo want to think that means I would tie myself to a tree, that's your business
*Pro-culture (any culture including Islamism)
*Pro-capitalism (as long as corporations and people are accountable, just like you and I)
*Pro-America (that means you can burn the flag if you want, but you better be prepared for the backlash and you better have a good reason)
*Pro-freedom of religion (except religion that pervades culture, see above)
*Pro-liberty (no burning of books no matter how offensive you think they are, no banning viseo games because you can choose not to buy them, no banning pornography because that DOESN'T work idiots, no banning liquor, marijuana, fellatio, homosexuality, or any other privacy issue topics as long as it DOESN'T INFRINGE ON THE RIGHTS OR THE POSSIBILITY OF RIGHTS OF OTHERS
*Pro-civil rights (even if you have endure several years of feeling like minorities are getting some breaks, even though we ALL KNOW they are not)

Seems simple, doesn't it?

But, we all know that ther are many people, even on this blog who have problems with:

*homosexuality
*liquor or alcohol
*death rights
*abortion
*minorities
*rap music
*provactive books


Hmmm. and I wonder why we all have a bad perception of upper class white America?
Dec 23, 2009 | recommended: 8 | comments: 335
Douglas Erisman Dec 23, 2009, 10:56pm EST
Here, let me explain what liberalism is:

*Pro-choice when it comes to euthanasia and abortion
*Pro-environmentalism (if youo want to think that means I would tie myself to a tree, that's your business
*Pro-culture (any culture including Islamism)
*Pro-capitalism (as long as corporations and people are accountable, just like you and I)
*Pro-America (that means you can burn the flag if you want, but you better be prepared for the backlash and you better have a good reason)
*Pro-freedom of religion (except religion that pervades culture, see above)
*Pro-liberty (no burning of books no matter how offensive you think they are, no banning viseo games because you can choose not to buy them, no banning pornography because that DOESN'T work idiots, no banning liquor, marijuana, fellatio, homosexuality, or any other privacy issue topics as long as it DOESN'T INFRINGE ON THE RIGHTS OR THE POSSIBILITY OF RIGHTS OF OTHERS
*Pro-civil rights (even if you have endure several years of feeling like minorities are getting some breaks, even though we ALL KNOW they are not)

Seems simple, doesn't it?

But, we all know that ther are many people, even on this blog who have problems with:

*homosexuality
*liquor or alcohol
*death rights
*abortion
*minorities
*rap music
*provactive books


Hmmm. and I wonder why we all have a bad perception of upper class white America?
Dec 23, 2009 | recommended: 4 | comments: 29
Douglas Erisman Dec 23, 2009, 10:42pm EST
Let's see....I will try to actually stay objective here......

Enumerated Powers........

AC W says:

Nowhere in the Constitution is Congress given the power to mandate that an individual enter into a contract with a private party or purchase a good or service.

Your tax dollars go to public education, highways, transportation including airlines, trains, and buses....are you suggesting that we should not consider some form of healthcare reform because you interpreted the Constitution which has been ammended over and over to support your dissaproval of this allocation?

5th Ammendment

AC W says:

But, Mr. President, if a Nevadan does not want to spend his or her hard-earned income on health insurance coverage and would prefer to spend it on something else, such as rent or a car payment,

AC W, you are going to have to come up with better analogies because these are weak. Please see above.




Race Discrimination

Ac W says:

The current race-based provisions of the Senate Health Care bill display none of these qualities.” (What? The Democrat bill is racist?)

All I can say Ac is that you made your bed, now lie in it. I can't empathize with you for at least another hundred years after you have adequately endured race equality legislation. If you have to suffer with a few inequalities here and there, well I am okay with that.

Unequal State Treatment

AC W says:

The Attorneys General of Alabama, Colorado, Michigan, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas and Washington state are jointly investigating the deal to see if special treatment for only one state in the nation at the expense of the other 49 violates the Constitution.

Again, I can't empathize because this happens across the board. I can't realistically say that only Democrats use earmarks to their advantage.

Well, is this all you have on healthcare reform. Quite honestly, you are better off with fear-mongering death panels or abortion scare tactics.




But, Mr. President, if a Nevadan does not want to spend his or her hard-earned income on health insurance coverage and would prefer to spend it on something else, such as rent or a car payment,

AC W, you are going to have to come up with better analogies because these are weak. Please see above.
Dec 14, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 138
Douglas Erisman Dec 22, 2009, 10:16pm EST
So Micky, Your solution would have been to have done nothing?

Are you saying that these programs were complete failures?

I suppose it's easier to play Monday morning quaterback now that there is doubt.

I would urge you to consider what our country would have been like if we did not offer resources and welfare for all Americans.

You fail to see how disfunctional this country was in it's inception. You need to think a little more objectively and stop seeing only the money and your cut of the expense.
Dec 14, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 138
Douglas Erisman Dec 19, 2009, 4:49pm EST
Micky,

Why is it that you feel as if you know exactly why we are losing this so-called dream of yours?

Why would I even think that 312 days into another presidency that all of the sudden America is lost?

It is ridiculous to try and spread that crap.

Your comments are the same as thousands of Americans throughout history who didn't want the following events to happen:

Public Education
Repealling Prohibition
Women's Suffrage
Social Security
Worker's Unions

These and many more events and programs were poorly received in their inception but in almost EVERY case, they were proven to be in the best interest of the COUNTRY.

Why do conservatives like you continue to fight change?
Dec 14, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 138
Douglas Erisman Dec 19, 2009, 4:43pm EST
micky d says:

"I love having limited intellect"

Thanks for clearing that up mick.


Anyway, mick, if you read your own diatribe, you will see where the real lack of objectivity is coming from.
Dec 15, 2009 | recommended: 3 | comments: 87
Douglas Erisman Dec 18, 2009, 3:50pm EST
It is always ironic that we never hear from the ACTUAL scientists that have been studying the effects of GHG, carbon emissions, pollution, animal species, deforestation, sea levels, artic ice shifts, continental plates, etc...but we ALWAYS hear from people speaking on their behalf.

I can tell you that I KNOW for a fact that there are thousands of scientists from across the globe that agree that climate change is a factor. To what extent, I do not claim to know nor do I choose to try and influence people one way or another.

People should be smart enough to use COMMON SENSE to realize that when you introduce a species like man into a natural habitat and man alters the function of natural resources, there will be issues.

If you want to keep beleiving that because there are 60 or 259 scientists that have conducted a 23 day or 69 month study that rebukes global warming so IT MUST BE TRUE, then that's your right.

I will only tell you that I believe that is not thinking rationally or objectively.

It is one thing to be skeptical, it is totally another to be purposely ignorant
Dec 14, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 138
Douglas Erisman Dec 18, 2009, 3:09pm EST
If you were to look on a red/blue map, you would see that almost EVERY major city in the U.S. votes Democrat.
Dec 14, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 138
Douglas Erisman Dec 18, 2009, 3:08pm EST
I heard today on Rushie's show that there are more stimulus funds going towards Deomcrat districts that Repub districts.

Hmmmm.............at first listen it sounds like we can call it slush right? Well ,that's what Rush did faster than you can say rhetoric.

My question is..........aren't the majority of Democrat districts within urban communities with higher populations? Wouldn't it make sense that larger cities would receive larger portions of stimulus money and those cities are represented mostly by Democrat Senators and Representatives?

Seems like simple math to me.
Dec 15, 2009 | recommended: 1 | comments: 65
Douglas Erisman Dec 15, 2009, 10:02pm EST
I don't care if I am being judgmental, but I saw the video of the tea parties in Washington D.C., and please tell me if I am wrong but I did not see ANY minorities within the crowd.

How am supposed to be empathetic towards an issue when it seems to be so obviously one-sided?
Dec 15, 2009 | comments: 43
Douglas Erisman Dec 15, 2009, 9:36pm EST
I don't really care if people watch or don't watch Adam.

Artists come and artists go.

My point was exactly what Clifford highlighted. He failed to see that he is hypocritical when it comes to sexuality on TV which is analagous to being homophobic or biased.

And yes Clifford, I did see the performance and felt it was just as lewd and vulgar as 10 or 20 performances I have seen in the past 5 years.

If you want to clean up TV, that's one thing, but don't discriminate.
Nov 25, 2009 | comments: 27
Douglas Erisman Dec 15, 2009, 3:12pm EST
???? Col

The decisions have been made, the troops are being sent, the money is there.

Are you happy yet?
Nov 25, 2009 | comments: 349
Douglas Erisman Dec 15, 2009, 3:04pm EST
Gary says:

"Definitely a double standard. When I was an atheist, I believed in live and let live, but very few atheists today practice that creed. At RichardDawkins.net, one atheist declared that "all theists should be executed!" I pointed out to him that he was worse than Hitler--Hitler limited his persecution to Jews. I was banned from the sight for standing up for your life. "

How ridiculous is this? So Gary, I am supposed to now be afraid of atheists possibly doing the same thing Christians did throughout history?

The tables have turned?

The poor persecuted believers?

Seriously?

It even compares to the scope of religious pervasion of today?

When you come close to making a good analogy, I will listen with empathy.

In the meantime, let's bring some rational and objective thought back into the debate.

Hey Texas, I am sure your father was a great man, but seriously?

You think because you make some compassionate interpretation of a few passages out of a book written by assorted men from thousands of years ago that we are to believe that is the reason you are a good person today?

HELLO??? Could it be because you were raised on principles and morals passed down from the earliest man?

Could it be because by man realizing the only way to survive within a group was to either lead or be lead?

And what is point of "spreading" the gospel if the intent isn't to "change" the culture percieved to be "at risk" of damnation if not saved by your missionaries?

Ridiculous
Nov 25, 2009 | comments: 349
Douglas Erisman Dec 15, 2009, 2:53pm EST
Texas Rocks says:

"It is my opinion that the evidence for intelligent design of life and our universe literally leaps out at you from our current body of scientific knowledge. Over the next couple of decades intelligent design will roll in along side of evolution in school curriculums."

How ridiculous is this?

There have ALWAYS been more doctors, lawyers, scientists, anthropologists, people in general who believe in some GOD, so by you saying that science will eventually prove the existence of intelligent design is comical.

DUUHHHH....they have had all of history to try and prove it and still have NOTHING!!!

Science actually moves farther and farther away from a GOD you morons.

I don't claim to KNOW, I claim to KNOW you are intolerant.

I AM tolerant of intelligent design. You want to teach it, teach it. Just as we have taught illogical and misrepresented theories throughout history.

No problem. Just understand that your line of thought is irrational and illogical which leads to self-righteousness, indignation, and eventually eradication, whether at your hands or by others.

Liberal thinking (objective, empathetic, inquisitive, non-judgmental) leads to study which leads to theory which leads to fact and ultimately, understanding.
Dec 15, 2009 | comments: 43
Douglas Erisman Dec 15, 2009, 2:28pm EST
You can't have it both ways guys.

You can't be critical and judgmental to that extent of someone or something and then on the otherhand say "but I'm not racist", or "but I'm not a homophobe", or "but I belive in freedom of expression".

Clifford, you are the one who said you were offended. What exactly were you offended by?

I say you were offended by the same things that are shoved in your face every day by the opposite sex but you don't feel the need to equate that with this example.

And Christopher, I shouldn't have to tell you that if given the chance, Bill would have been the first one screaming at NBC for allowing Elvis and The Beatles to go on TV. Bill IS that guy. He has always been THAT guy.
Dec 14, 2009 | recommended: 1 | comments: 77
Douglas Erisman Dec 15, 2009, 2:15pm EST
You have not heard this anywhere else and I will not give my source nor do I claim that anything I write in this blog is actually true, but here is what I have heard from a source:

* Tiger actually got into his Escalade and Elin chased him outside with a golf club or heavy object which then was thrown through the window not out of safety for Tiger, but out of anger.

*Elin was chasing Tiger outside because they were obviously arguing inside where Tiger was repeatedly hit with an object in the head causing SEVERE injuries.

*The reason noone has heard directly from Tiger is because he was and is still seriously injured and recovering.

*The reason Tiger was reportedly at a different location was because his injuries were actually so severe that he was on life support but his family and confidants did not want the public to be aware of the extent of his injuries for fear of the backlash towards Elin.

* The major injuries were diagnosed by the attending physician and determined to have been caused before he crashed his vehicle. Remember, Escalades have air bags and the damage to the car body was minimal.
Dec 15, 2009 | comments: 8
Douglas Erisman Dec 15, 2009, 2:02pm EST
Unfortunately Jack, this topic will be overshadowed on FAUX NEWS by stories about tea parties, Tiger Woods, and Obama giving himself a B+ on Oprah's show.

I would like to think that it would be important for small business to have the ability to donate to political parties just as individuals, but I would hope that the Supreme Court would realize the possibilities of abuse and the impact that would have is far too great to allow this legislation to pass.

Presented with the option of possibly infringing upon the rights of "unnatural" persons or possibly damaging the impact of the importance of "individual" freedoms and influence, I would hope the Court would see that broadening the scope of defining "individuals" is a dangerous step away from "all men are created equal".
Dec 14, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 138
Douglas Erisman Dec 15, 2009, 12:30pm EST
Marilyn says:

"Perhaps if they had gone into this really being concerned about our health care costs and about making sure everyone was covered "

"Exactly, Dan. Look to reform, not take over."

I don't make statements claiming to KNOW that UHC will work or benefit the country, but I can tell you that idiotic statements like the one Marilyn makes are part of the reason people are divisive on the subject.

Marilyn, are you saying that 35 years of proposals, bills, legislation, political unrest, media trampling, misinformation, possible backlash, etc....was really just disingenious people who want to control healthcare even though most of those people are either out of politics or will be out of government within a few years?

Are you saying that the original intent of UHC was just a coup, that noone really cared about coming up with a better system?

Are you saying that people are proposing this system KNOWING that it won't work because you obviously KNOW it won't work?

It's amazing how it must be just the Democrats whose intent is deception and the Republicans who are "concerned" for the people.

Marilyn, if you have something to say, make sure you stop putting words in other people's mouths.
Dec 15, 2009 | comments: 43
Douglas Erisman Dec 15, 2009, 12:17pm EST
Clifford,

Are you as offended by Lady Gaga, Madonna, Prince, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Elvis, etc.

I don't think you even know WHY you are offended, much like most of the country.

It is very easy to see a double standard when you take off the gay-dar glasses.

You fail to see the importance of what he expressing. I don't claim to know that the message he is sharing is important to everyone, but I can tell you that it is obviously important to him and his community.

Immorality's line is constantly being drawn by conservative thinkers and they have almost always been shown to be uptight, self-righteous, intrusive, obtuse, and threatening.

You may think that you are just giving your "opinion", but I equate it with the likes of Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Pat Robertson, Ann Coulter, and yes, even Bill O' Reilly.

These are the offensive people. These are the people who would infringe on the rights of others given the chance.
Dec 14, 2009 | recommended: 1 | comments: 10
Douglas Erisman Dec 14, 2009, 5:26pm EST
Kent,

You unknowingly give to many causes. Your taxes support public education, the military, the space program, faith-based initiatives among several denominations.

Are you saying that you are more supportive of PETA and The Humane Society than Medicare or K-12 education?
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Douglas Erisman
Orlando, Fl
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