[Daddys///M3]

Originally Posted by MadManofBethesda

Biased and extremely partisan? Seriously? You mean like this statement from the author of the article:

"Is there some way to talk about people who wave around tea bags to make political points without mentioning the tea bags? Generally, I think there is, and I go to some lengths not to make crude jokes when I write about the Tea Party movement."

Yeah, I see how you can be so dismissive of him based on his position to treat the Tea Party movement with respect.

You got me on that one. It appears that I skimmed it quickly and misconstrued some of what was said as sarcastic or perhaps it was the comments section that ruffled my feathers. I am certainly most willing to own that mistake. I will also admit that although I don't personally align with the Tea Party, I may have taken some of this discussion personally and let it cloud my reasoning and comprehension. I do stand by much of what I have said though.

Originally Posted by MadManofBethesda

Ooh, that cut me to the quick. Does that mean that you are one of the people who voted for Red Lobster as best seafood restaurant? C'mon you can tell us! It was you who voted multiple times for them wasn't it?

Speak up! Confession is good for the soul. (Or should that be sole since we're discussing seafood?)

Not trying to attack you. Simply pointing out that your last thread was a sleight against all Las Vegans based on a irrelevant newspaper poll and as such my opinion of your opinion (which I'm sure matters very little to you and that is fine) reflects that.

And no, I cannot stand Red Lobster or any seafood for that matter. I do enjoy a nice steakhouse now and again, but prefer to char my own as I am somewhat of a perfectionist when it comes to my steaks.

So, all of the personal pleasentries aside, I made my point which I will again explain. The slander and demeaning take away from the message and further the rift, regardless of your political affiliation. I will no longer argue who originated the reference that started this discussion (although I am not fully satisfied that my requests for validation regarding opposing viewpoints were met, I will not request them any further at this point). We may simply have to agree to disagree at this point. Let's leave it at that.

[olecapt]

Well I am almost done too.

Reid is in fact a very conservative democrat. He is not a conservative. But he is way too the right of the democratic party. In fact so far right that it is amazing he was ever able to maintain the demo nomination.

Now that does not say he is not to the left of much of the right wing movement. He certainly is. But he should be perhaps the most acceptable of the unacceptable democrats.

Try it. Which issues is it that makes Reid unsuitable? Give me five or ten real quick. Oh and on each tell me the Lowden or Tarktanian position that is more acceptable.

I suspect you will punt...but I would be interested in why Reid gets to number 1 on the kill list when he is actually the least offending.

[teach1234]

While I can sympathize with the tea party's aims, their (collective) lack of action for the last ten years while we invaded various countries, spent trillions of dollars better spent in America, trashed our founding fathers' aims of democratic ideals (witness our secret prisons and lack of judicial process), and allowed our Congress to pass such poisonous laws as the treasonous Patriot Act--where, I ask, were you then? If we can spend a trillion dollars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as thousands of deaths and injuries, (American only, there's hundreds of thousands of off-brand lives that have been lost) why can't we spend a trillion on our own infrastructure?

I guess that would be called socialism.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by aqualung8705

Don't listen to the teabaggers, LVD. I wouldn't trust them to shine my shoes.

Just for my enlightenment, where was the sexually explicit pejorative? Whadi miss?

[las vegas drunk]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

Just for my enlightenment, where was the sexually explicit pejorative? Whadi miss?

Urban Dictionary: teabagger

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by Daddys///M3

Not trying to attack you. Simply pointing out that your last thread was a sleight against all Las Vegans based on a irrelevant newspaper poll and as such my opinion of your opinion (which I'm sure matters very little to you and that is fine) reflects that.

Hey, no problem. No harm, no foul.

I actually started that thread as a sort of tongue-in-cheek admonition of the voters in the poll. I didn't anticipate people getting seriously upset about it or thinking that I was denigrating the people who dine at chain restaurants.

I love Las Vegans. I've been here less than a month and I still can't get over how friendly everyone is regardless of the locale. In grocery stores, shopping malls, restaurants, casinos off the strip, etc. I've had more conversations with strangers in the last three weeks than I did in 25 years in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

And sales people going out of their way to assist you or to help you find something. Are you kidding me?! In D.C. you're lucky to be able to track down any sales help, and once you do, you have to wait for them to finish their personal phone calls. Once you get them off the phone, they act like they're doing you a favor by taking your money and actually waiting on you.

Again, I apologize if my thread offended anyone. I love Las Vegas and Las Vegans.

[gregoo]

Originally Posted by las vegas drunk

We have a good 100 or so locals who are consistently post here. Only 4 members wanted to go. Obviously this is now canceled, and I am not going to be there regardless.

My husband and I would come but we both work Friday nights.

[Daddys///M3]

Originally Posted by olecapt

Well I am almost done too.

Reid is in fact a very conservative democrat. He is not a conservative. But he is way too the right of the democratic party. In fact so far right that it is amazing he was ever able to maintain the demo nomination.

Now that does not say he is not to the left of much of the right wing movement. He certainly is. But he should be perhaps the most acceptable of the unacceptable democrats.

Try it. Which issues is it that makes Reid unsuitable? Give me five or ten real quick. Oh and on each tell me the Lowden or Tarktanian position that is more acceptable.

I suspect you will punt...but I would be interested in why Reid gets to number 1 on the kill list when he is actually the least offending.

You suspect I will punt? I have addressed everything put forth to me and will do so again. Now, I can't claim to know whay Reid is #1 on the Tea Party's hit list, other than his involvement in the health care bill (and IMO that's enough) but I can certainly list multiple issues that I take exception to his position on.

He voted no on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions. That would essentially be federal funding for abortions, would it not? I am certainly pro-choice but I don't want to pay for it.

He's voted yes on over $1 trillion in stimulus spending (not including the $1 trillion plus on the health care bill). This alone is enough reason for me to want to see him ousted. He also voted no on a $40 billion reduction on government spending in 2005. He voted no on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts. He voted no on a Balanced Budget amendment. I think I've proven that there is nothing conservative in his fiscal policy.

His stance on affirmative action is extremely liberal. He also voted yes on loosening restrictions for cell phone wiretapping. Yep, sounds pretty conservative (and please don't confuse conservative with Republican like you have been confusing the Libertarian/libertarian thing. Republicans may be for the trampling of civil liberties but true conservatives are not).

His stance on education (massive spending and a very high approval rating from the ovewhelmingly liberal NEA), his stance on energy (no drilling in ANWR, no exploration and drilling subsidies, no on Senate debate for Cap and Trade), a yes vote for Cash for Clunkers, a no vote to cap foreign aid, etc.

Wait, there is more:


Voted YES on Congressional pay raise. (Really? During the Great Recession?)
Voted NO on requiring photo ID to vote in federal elections.
Voted YES on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress.
Voted YES on funding for National Endowment for the Arts.
Voted NO on banning more types of Congressional gifts.
Voted YES on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities".
Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform.
Voted NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government.
Voted NO on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. Voted NO on limit welfare for immigrants.

And of course the most telling stat:

Voted with Democratic Party 95.1% of 326 votes.

Yeah, I can see why one might think that he were conservative. Did I answer this question to your satisfaction, or do you feel that I punted it?

BTW, not a fan of Tarkanian or Lowden.

Originally Posted by teach1234

While I can sympathize with the tea party's aims, their (collective) lack of action for the last ten years while we invaded various countries, spent trillions of dollars better spent in America, trashed our founding fathers' aims of democratic ideals (witness our secret prisons and lack of judicial process), and allowed our Congress to pass such poisonous laws as the treasonous Patriot Act--where, I ask, were you then? If we can spend a trillion dollars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as thousands of deaths and injuries, (American only, there's hundreds of thousands of off-brand lives that have been lost) why can't we spend a trillion on our own infrastructure?

I guess that would be called socialism.

I agree, and I would agree with spending on infrastructure if the stimulus and Cash for Clunkers did not prove that government spending is not the answer and will not fix anything. Unfortunately the government, at all levels, has proven itself time and again to be completely wasteful and inefficient. And if you are asking where I personally was during the Bush years, I was the same place that I am now. Sitting on the couch yelling at the TV.

FWIW, using taxpayer funds to do something that is expressly provided for in the Constitution is not Socialism. Forcing one person to pay for another's health care is. And instituting a mandate forcing you to buy a good or service as a condition of citizenship or face fines and penalties is unconstitutional, and quite possibly somewhat tyrannical.

Originally Posted by MadManofBethesda

Hey, no problem. No harm, no foul.

I actually started that thread as a sort of tongue-in-cheek admonition of the voters in the poll. I didn't anticipate people getting seriously upset about it or thinking that I was denigrating the people who dine at chain restaurants.

I love Las Vegans. I've been here less than a month and I still can't get over how friendly everyone is regardless of the locale. In grocery stores, shopping malls, restaurants, casinos off the strip, etc. I've had more conversations with strangers in the last three weeks than I did in 25 years in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

And sales people going out of their way to assist you or to help you find something. Are you kidding me?! In D.C. you're lucky to be able to track down any sales help, and once you do, you have to wait for them to finish their personal phone calls. Once you get them off the phone, they act like they're doing you a favor by taking your money and actually waiting on you.

Again, I apologize if my thread offended anyone. I love Las Vegas and Las Vegans.

My mistake then. It is difficult to glean intent and interpret satire over a computer screen.

[Golfinnova]

Originally Posted by MadManofBethesda

Hey, no problem. No harm, no foul.

I actually started that thread as a sort of tongue-in-cheek admonition of the voters in the poll. I didn't anticipate people getting seriously upset about it or thinking that I was denigrating the people who dine at chain restaurants.

I love Las Vegans. I've been here less than a month and I still can't get over how friendly everyone is regardless of the locale. In grocery stores, shopping malls, restaurants, casinos off the strip, etc. I've had more conversations with strangers in the last three weeks than I did in 25 years in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

And sales people going out of their way to assist you or to help you find something. Are you kidding me?! In D.C. you're lucky to be able to track down any sales help, and once you do, you have to wait for them to finish their personal phone calls. Once you get them off the phone, they act like they're doing you a favor by taking your money and actually waiting on you.

Again, I apologize if my thread offended anyone. I love Las Vegas and Las Vegans.

Spot on post MadMan, I too am completely blown away by people out here actually caring about another whereas in Ashburn, people were too obsessed about their pristine cars, lawns, lifestyle, it was living in Stepford which is what a lot of people think of Ashburn and parts of Loudoun County.

Since we've moved here, we are constantly invited to parties, dinners, events and we do the same inviting our friends over for Super Bowl Sunday, Thanksgiving, etc. The ladies in our neighborhood come over every Tuesday for coffee and chat (gossip) which reminds me so much of Wysteria Lane

Definately no regrets about leaving DC.

[MomMom]

Originally Posted by Golfinnova

Spot on post MadMan, I too am completely blown away by people out here actually caring about another whereas in Ashburn, people were too obsessed about their pristine cars, lawns, lifestyle, it was living in Stepford which is what a lot of people think of Ashburn and parts of Loudoun County.

Since we've moved here, we are constantly invited to parties, dinners, events and we do the same inviting our friends over for Super Bowl Sunday, Thanksgiving, etc. The ladies in our neighborhood come over every Tuesday for coffee and chat (gossip) which reminds me so much of Wysteria Lane

Definately no regrets about leaving DC.

Great post, both of you. So you can see why some of us long timers here in LV are so surprised when a troll posts..."there's no community here", "there are no friendly people here", "everyone is rude" and so on.

Thanks for sharing your real life experiences thus far!