Minor Axis

I was listening to NPR today and a speaker there called President Clinton and President Bush the two most divisive presidents in our history. The comment struck me odd because when Clinton was in office things were pretty good for the country. Of course you all know the disaster that has been the Bush Presidency.

My point and question is just what made Clinton divisive? What exactly had Clinton done? By most accounts he had an excellent record as Chief Executive. The economy was surging, government spending was under control, and times were good.

My perception is that it was the Republican Party under Newt who adopted "Slash & Burn" Politics worked for 8 years spending 10's of millions of dollars to bring this President down mostly because he was not a Republican. This was also the beginning of "character assassination" politics as authored by the Republican Party. It's not good enough to say your an honorable person, but your policies are wrong. Character assassination politics is not only are your wrong, but your the scum of the earth.

If you want to look back before this, take a look at Bush Sr's Presidency. You don't see any Democrats trashing that President's character. This has become SOP- standard operating procedure for the Republican Party- question your opponents motives, character, and patriotism. I blame the Republican Party for making U.S. partisan politics what it is today.

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"I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of Men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the Age of Men comes crashing down, but it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!"

AbriannaPeto

It's true, when Clinton was in office he did a good job. He was a pretty good president... whether he is a good person, why that's a different question that has nothing to do with politics, IMO

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Not all 'young people' listen to the media.

pjbleek

ok, I can understand the prosperity in which we were under Pres. Clinton....but if you look back at Reagan's first tenure he too had a great 1st term and was bringing the USA back after the whole Iran hostage/Energy crunch etc....but it always seemed to me that this nation goes on a ten year swing. we are the worlds police and our own worst enemy. We have to look inside before we can look out. but we far too often look outward....Clinton was very lucky to have a war effort ( at the time) seemed like we had pushed back Saddam and his followers and we could reclaim a great place to live....but he got pushy with his finger and started meddling in affairs in the Middle East and he should have NOT got involved with anything in that area of the world.....it wasn't that long ago that gas prices were below two dollars a gallon...Clinton saw the writing on the wall with the USS Cole attack and he did NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!! that opened up a gap that we all will not soon forget.....

Alien Allen

You are blinded by your allegiance to the democrats Minor

If you can not think of anything Clinton did wrong then there is no point debating. We can throw out the Lewinsky scandal. That was stupid on his part but even more stupid for the reps to try to impeach him for it. The guy had a litany of issues that dogged him. When there smoke there is fire. He lit the flame and then the reps blew on it. He had a chance to be one of the very best ever and had the charisma and all the tools but make no mistake he made his own bed.

As to the reps being the only ones who play dirty that is laughable.

I don't think this shit all started recently. Maybe I am wrong but all the presidents in my life have been dogged by the other party. that is the nature of the beast unfortunately. I think why it is more noticeable today is due to the internet and the 24/7 news cycle. Plus the massive amounts of money in campaigns. With that much money it makes it too enticing to dig up dirt.

Minor Axis

I've no allegiance to the Dems. I'm an independent voter who goes with who I think is best for the country and me.

A litany of issues? Lewinsky is all the Republican's got after 8 years of harassing Clinton.

No comment about Slash and Burn, Character Assassination politics? Very convincing rebuttal.

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"I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of Men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the Age of Men comes crashing down, but it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!"

gLing

That stuff has been around since the concept of politics was invented.

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groundpounder

This week's nominee for The Most Ironic Post in OTz History





that would be correct. to think it's the creation of one party or the other is so naive, it borders on lunacy.



the beast being, partisan politics. See: current thread.





posting patterns suggest otherwise, but that's something else entirely, I would suppose....











Partisan politics blow >> this thread started off in a distinctly partisan fashion >> ergo, this thread blows.




But I like the discussion it fosters....

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Alien Allen

ah but your words betray you. You are a democrat. You just think you are an independent

IMO ........... based on what you post

Just because there was no conviction does not mean there were no crimes. Come on admit it,,, you think Regan was leading all the Contra stuff and you buy the October surprise.


Like I said the playground is full of dirt. Yet you still only see it on the other side.

Strauss

Wouldn't one of the most, if not the most, divisive presidents be Abraham Lincoln? The Civil War seemed to reveal a certain strain within the country.

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Color is the deed and sufferings of light.......Goethe

Where there is one religion, there is despotism; where there are two, civil war. Let there be thirty religions and they will live together in peace........Voltaire

groundpounder

you can NOT be serious...

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Alien Allen

Ground Pounder I know I am new here ..... and no disrespect as I like your style but..... has anybody ever said your sig is a bit irritating?? maybe a smaller video??

And as far as Strauss's comment I believe he was trying to make a point

Ironic how we can interpret things.

groundpounder

yes...






yes, I know. And I think I know where he was going with that...

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Alien Allen

ya take up half the frickin page with that damn baby video

and I think I knew you knew that

on both points

Fox Mulder

AaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaafuckingHaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!
Fucking LOL!!!!!

This guy is freaking precious man--thing is HE REALLY BELIEVES IT!!!!

PS - emphasis added by Mulder!

Fox Mulder

You would be right, sir!