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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gromit on February 14, 2005, at 0:21:25
This board is really quiet, are there no conservatives here? The only one to speak out that I remember hasn't posted in a while. Maybe she felt she was being shouted down? It's hard to have a debate when there's only one side.
Posted by AuntieMel on February 15, 2005, at 15:06:11
In reply to Board Quiet, posted by gromit on February 14, 2005, at 0:21:25
It is quiet - you are right.
But I don't like to label people as conservative or liberal as if there aren't shades of grey.
Perhaps if you start something about a current event?
Posted by franco neuro on February 17, 2005, at 22:22:58
In reply to Board Quiet, posted by gromit on February 14, 2005, at 0:21:25
> This board is really quiet, are there no conservatives here? The only one to speak out that I remember hasn't posted in a while. Maybe she felt she was being shouted down? It's hard to have a debate when there's only one side.
>
>You wanted it you got it! I signed onto to this post to talk meds and psyche issues, but i can't pass up a good political debate. So bring it on you looney left-wing bastards...haha! Be it home grown America haters or jealous foreigns...commie or nazi...islamo-fascist apologist or just your typical annoying frenchman...spread the word...the "King of all Pill Poppin' Patriots" has arrived! Hmmm...I may need to make that my new psycho babble name...
Posted by AuntieMel on February 18, 2005, at 9:28:35
In reply to Re: Board Quiet » gromit, posted by franco neuro on February 17, 2005, at 22:22:58
Posted by franco neuro on February 18, 2005, at 10:36:36
In reply to Re: there are still civility rules (nm) » franco neuro, posted by AuntieMel on February 18, 2005, at 9:28:35
My most heartfelt apologies AuntieM. For the presentation that is, rather than the context. I just got a little worked up after reading a few anti-American posts. Maybe I should just stick with the psycho-babble. My blood pressure is already high enough...
Posted by franco neuro on February 18, 2005, at 10:46:38
In reply to Re: there are still civility rules (nm) » franco neuro, posted by AuntieMel on February 18, 2005, at 9:28:35
My most heartfelt apologies AuntieM. For the presentation that is, rather than the content. I just got a little worked up after reading a few anti-American posts. Maybe I should just stick with the psycho-babble. My blood pressure is already high enough...
That should have been "content" instead of "context". I just couldn't let it go...neurotic perfectionism...one of my many problems...
Posted by rayww on February 18, 2005, at 11:02:23
In reply to Re: Board Quiet » gromit, posted by franco neuro on February 17, 2005, at 22:22:58
New name? if you last long enough to get one. there is an understanding on the psych boards that bipolars are reactive and have extreme swings in any and all directions. To successfully write on PB we have to learn how to recognize when our talk is off the wall, and know when to reign it in a notch. I'd say you probably need to reign it in a notch or two. You sound like an interesting fellow and I hope you find the words to continue to share your ideas and insights. We all tend to get blocked from time to time, but the _____________ always come back to babble. Me? "The World's Greatest idiot" That's my label. And I always come back.
Posted by AuntieMel on February 18, 2005, at 15:47:08
In reply to Re: there are still civility rules, posted by franco neuro on February 18, 2005, at 10:36:36
Posted by gromit on February 21, 2005, at 18:52:30
In reply to Re: Board Quiet » gromit, posted by franco neuro on February 17, 2005, at 22:22:58
> You wanted it you got it! I signed onto to this post to talk meds and psyche issues, but i can't pass up a good political debate. So bring it on you looney left-wing bastards...haha! Be it home grown America haters or jealous foreigns...commie or nazi...islamo-fascist apologist or just your typical annoying frenchman...spread the word...the "King of all Pill Poppin' Patriots" has arrived! Hmmm...I may need to make that my new psycho babble name...
I'm not that easily offended, I don't mind being called a looney left-winger and besides you seem to be joking around. Why is it though that some (alot) right wingers seem to think they are somehow more patriotic then liberals. I don't consider myself either one, there is plenty to like and dislike about both sides.
Posted by gromit on February 21, 2005, at 19:17:55
In reply to Re: Board Quiet » gromit, posted by AuntieMel on February 15, 2005, at 15:06:11
> But I don't like to label people as conservative or liberal as if there aren't shades of grey.
Yes you are right.
> Perhaps if you start something about a current event?Ok.
In California we voted that some patients should be given access to prescription marijuana. Other states have simular laws. Recently the administration went to the Supreme Court to try to nullify our vote. Yet when we were getting scammed by Enron, a Texas company I believe, the President refused to step in saying it was a problem for the state to deal with. Is it me or is this crazy world? Either you are for less central government or you are not. It's more important to deny people medication than stopping criminals? Many of these people are going to die and are suffering horribly. Is it the moral thing to do, to take away the only thing that may help ease their pain? What you do in your own home is your business as long as you don't hurt anyone else.
Fire away,
Rick
Posted by AuntieMel on February 22, 2005, at 10:37:02
In reply to Re: Board Quiet, posted by gromit on February 21, 2005, at 19:17:55
I'm with you on that one. But then, I always seem to be swimming upstream.
Drug laws and such were always considered to be the state's business. The fed was to limit itself to interstate affairs unless a state was being discriminitory in some unconstitutional manner.
If I remember right, this changed with Nixon. He got the first federal drug law passed because, in his paranoia(?) he believed that he was going to have trouble with the black population. [aside: this was around the time of some large race riots]
He also believed that blacks were more likely than whites to use drugs. So by making federal drug laws he had "cause" for more arrests.
It seems highly ironic that a republican would dismiss state's rights - until you consider some history:
For a large number of years, the republican party was more "liberal" than the democratic party. While Lincoln (republican) was fighting for emancipation the south, consisting of democrats, was fighting for state's rights.
The line began to blur around the time of FDR, when northern democrats began to be considered "liberal" but the southern democrats were the most "conservative" bunch in the country. George Wallace was a democrat after all.
Only with Reagan did the south become a republican majority.
By the way - those of us down here in oil country probably would have listened to Cal. more about Enron if we didn't believe Californians were always crying wolf.
Posted by franco neuro on February 22, 2005, at 15:52:18
In reply to Re: Board Quiet, posted by gromit on February 21, 2005, at 18:52:30
Hey a liberal with a sense of humor...that's gotta be a first! :-) I swore I would stay away from the politics page but what can I say. I guess I won't be happy until my blood pressure is 400/250.
You're right I was being tongue in cheek with my previous post...mostly. I hardly consider myself a "right winger." As a matter of fact I consider the far right and far left to be the same people with different hairstyles. It's basically the totalitarians on one side and the democrats (that's a small "d" folks) on the other.
Within the context of current American politics, if i had to have a label, I guess I'm what some would call a libertarian conservative. In other words, I agree it should be legal to burn the American flag, just don't let me catch you doing it! >-[
I guess I take it personally. I served in the military. My father and 3 uncles fought in WWII. One of whom was killed in Normandy by a Nazi bastard. I will not stand by with hands in pockets as somebody attempts to torch Old Glory! No way no how. 'Nuff said...I'll get down off of the soapbox now.
I don't think either side can claim to have a monopoly on patriotism. It's just that I've always found it hard to get any of my liberal friends to say anything positive about America. It's like they want to say something but the words seem to get stuck in their throat.
I'm fairly certain that America wasn't responsible for the earthquake that caused the recent tragic tsunami, or the extintion of the dinosaurs, or the comet that crashed into Jupiter a few years back. But I could be wrong about that last one.
And why is it that liberals are so concerned with what the French and Germans think of us? They feel a need to apologize to the world. For what? For Saddam Hussein not being able to gas his own people anymore? For the Taliban no longer being in power and stoning women? Are they sorry that Jacque Chirac (ugh) is no longer able to line his pockets with Iraqi blood money? Please someone help me with this? I really am interested in the psychology behind this.I mean I wasn't exactly thrilled with Bill Clinton as president, but once he was elected he was my president. I didn't feel the need to apologize to France for his bombing Serbia! Please liberals...why is there such a need to be liked? Isn't it more important to do what's right?
And what's with political correctness? Does anyone else find this disturbing?
How is it that Iraqis and Afghans can manage to cast a vote in a warzone, yet Democrats somehow can't figure out how to do it in Florida and Ohio? First they don't bother to register or forget how, than they get lost on the way to the polls, than they refuse to stand in line for 10 minutes, than they can't pull a lever or press a button or punch a whole in a card...what the heck is going on? My grandparents couldn't speak English and they managed to figure it out when they got here. And believe me no one went out of their way to print a ballot in Italian!
Why are liberals so averse to the idea of personal responsibility? Can you have a free society without the understanding that adults are indeed responsible for their own actions?
And what's with the negativity and cynicism? Will you not be happy until every 12 year old in the country throws up their hands and says, "Oh what's the use..." Is there nothing more heartbreaking than a cynical 12 year old? I'm depressed, anhedonic and under-medicated yet campared to the Democratic party I'm a barrel of laughs.
Why liberals...why? For God's sake why? I know you probably don't believe in God...it's just a figure of speech ;)
[Disclaimer: If anyone was offended by this post and/or any portion of this post I assure you no offense was intended. Except with regard to the French. In which case, offense was indeed intended. I reserve the right to refer to Nazis as bastards. Any reference to God was merely a reference. God was not actually involved in the writing of this post. Any spelling errors or improper grammar were not intended to offend the English language or anyone who speaks it. The use of the English language was not intended to offend any other language. I did not intend to offend my keyboard by typing such a long post. To any person, animal, plant, or inanimate object that is now or ever has been offended by anything said, written, or thought in the history of the universe, I am truly sorry. Excepting, of course, the French. All rights reserved. Psycho-babbler currently known as franco neuro, 2005.]
Posted by AuntieMel on February 22, 2005, at 17:04:52
In reply to Ok liberals...here it is... » gromit, posted by franco neuro on February 22, 2005, at 15:52:18
Very amusing post, coming from a conservative. I thought you guys didn't have any humor in you. At least if you listen to the Rushes or fox news it's easy to get that impression....
My guess is that there is only a small fringe on the far far right or left.
And I believe that we all love our country equally. We just don't always agree on the details. And we certainly don't make a law that makes it legal to hold people without charges and legal counsel and call it a 'patriot' act.
And I've got no problem with someone burning a flag - as long as they paid for and own the flag. It's a property issue.
And my ex was in Nam, and my son was in the air force. Geez, I was anti-vietnam war but I had enough sense not to blame the guys that went over there. It sure wasn't their fault.
And not all liberals think we should apologize to Germany or (I'm with you here) france. But we do live in the same world and should try to get along. If only the world had babble's civility laws.
And whether you agree with Clinton's definition of sex, at least we had a balanced budget.
But. You asked why we are so cynical. The budget for one. The preoccupation with so-called morality issues while cutting any and all programs for the poor. More and more federal control. Mandatory sentencing. Fighting roe v wade, but cutting any funding to help those kids when they get here.
The talking about the Clintons and Kennedys with such venom [note to dr. bob - i'm talking pundits here mostly, but i've heard people talk that way too.] Ignoring the country while focusing on an impeachment - for something that had nothing to do with his job.
For Tom Delay.
For the "Swift Boat Veterans"
You see the thing is that I love my country so much that when I see those things going on it pains me to no end. And no - that wasn't hard to say at all.
[disclaimer: I was going to try to answer with some humorous wisecracks, but this is a topic that is close to my heart.]
Posted by gromit on February 22, 2005, at 18:01:17
In reply to Re: federal laws » gromit, posted by AuntieMel on February 22, 2005, at 10:37:02
Interesting stuff, I paid only enough attention to history in school to barely squeak by. I just don't get why so many people in some of the poorest states would vote republican, it boggles the mind. Yeah we have some real winners in California, we had some local politician who didn't like the master/slave naming of hard drive interfaces and tried to force companies who did business with the county to change the terms.
Posted by gromit on February 22, 2005, at 18:06:33
In reply to Re: another funny liberal here » franco neuro, posted by AuntieMel on February 22, 2005, at 17:04:52
I can't find anything in either of your posts that I really disagree with, I wonder what that says about me. Just one quibble, Fox News was mispelled, it's actually Faux News.
Posted by AuntieMel on February 23, 2005, at 8:01:30
In reply to franco neuro and AuntieMel, posted by gromit on February 22, 2005, at 18:06:33
I think that it says, despite labels, we are all somewhere in the middle.
And I think it says that we are polarized by outside forces and lack of choices more than by our beliefs.
I'm just deeply sad that I can't find something more controversial to say so we could keep this going.
Posted by franco neuro on February 26, 2005, at 12:00:02
In reply to Re: franco neuro and AuntieMel - what it says » gromit, posted by AuntieMel on February 23, 2005, at 8:01:30
Sorry. I've been out of it for a few days. Medication alteration. You know how it goes. Decided the .5mg of klonoplin I've been taking every night for the past couple of months to help me sleep was making my depression worse. So, I decided to stop. Needless to say, I haven't slept much in the past few days.
But anyway, I'm glad to see we managed to find some common ground. Even if it's only our shared annoyance with the Frunch. It's true most people fall somewhere in the middle of things. Tilting one way or the other over one or two issues. Albeit, sometimes rather important issues.
I think our differences are always magnified during election time. And let's face it, the media (aka the "great satan" to those of us with a more conservative stripe) doesn't help matters. I defy anyone to try and watch Crossfire and not want to strangle one of the hosts. Or more likely both. Really. Just the site of Paul Begala or James Carville and I'm on the verge of violance. I'm sure I'd feel this way even if I ever did agree with them on anything. :-)
This is pretty much why I avoid political type shows. In fact, lately, I try to avoid the news altogether. Let's face it. What we commonly refer to as "the news" is in reality "the bad news."
As a matter of fact, this is my advice to anyone currently taking psychomeds, or to anyone who doesn't want to end up taking psychomeds...tune out. Not "drop out" mind you. Just tune out. Cancel the cable (as I have). Smash your TV (as I haven't...yet). Get off of the internet (except for dr-bob.org of course). And make an effort to enjoy the few meager years we get on this wacky planet.
Ok I don't want to disappoint anyone. I know this is psycho-babble political so I'll stop with the philosophy and leave you with this minor tirade.
The War on Terror, The Patriot Act, GTMO, Etc.:
-Ok my views on this have largely been shaped by my having witnessed 9/11/2001 live and in person. My concern is that we're not torturing these bastards enough. I know this sounds harsh, but we're not dealing with an "army" or a rational enemy here. We're dealing with islamo-fascist, sociopathic, brain washed, crazies who are stuck in the 7th century and are bent on nothing less than our complete annihilation. That mindset coupled with 21st century technology makes them the greatest threat to civilization the world has yet seen. I'm sure the government is being a lot easier on them than I would. I'm sure they're just applying "psychological pressure." I say pull their finger nails off...roast them over a spit...force them to repeatedly watch the Grammies! If it helps to prevent us from getting nuked I'm all for it. Granted I might feel a little differently if I lived in Idaho, or the Yukon Territory, or the Australian outback. But, I live, along with most of my family and friends, uncomfortably close to the giant bullseye also known as New York City. I'm not even going to mention the "atrocities" at Abu Gharib because, while stupid, they were hardly atrocities and were incredibly over-blown by aforementioned idiotic "media". The real unreported story of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq is that our military has been nothing short of spectacular. And they've waged perhaps the most humane war ever waged. And they did it (and are still doing it) against the most inhumane of enemies. Ok I'm starting to ramble...heart rate increasing...blood pressure rising...time to put on my headphones and listen to a meditation cd and zone out...
Posted by AuntieMel on February 26, 2005, at 16:47:27
In reply to Can't we all just get along? Apparently, yes..., posted by franco neuro on February 26, 2005, at 12:00:02
Whew! Did you take a breath?
I don't see the media as the "great satan" as much as you do. But I don't rely on one source, either. I get mine from CNN, newspapers and a lot of online newspapers (NYT being one of my favorite) from here and abroad, conservative and liberal.
My brother only watches Fox News and thinks he knows it all.
I didn't witness 911 in person, but that doesn't mean I didn't feel it intensly. I happened to be home that morning watching the tube when they broke in with the beginnings of the coverage. I watched every second of it in horror, watching the people jump, watching the second plane in realtime, the people run, the screams.....
I watched knowing I had been in those buildings myself and I have friends in NY.
My daughter went into labor and had her first on that day. She knows people there, too, as she was part of the group that investigated the encephalitis later labeled (by her group) as west nile. Her friends all went straight to NY and DC. Her husband had to leave for DC immediately after the baby was born - by car of course - because he was on a group named by HHS to work on bioterror prevention and first response.
She still has a degree of PTSD from this.
We still haven't had a birthday party on the actual date.
All that aside I *still* don't believe in torture, and while I was gung-ho Afghanistan I disagree with Iraq.
And spreading things so thin we're going to pull folks out of Germany and Japan and (yikes!) Korea.
Now - I don't always disagree with the GOP on foreign policy - they sometimes have it right.
By biggest problem is with the tendency toward legislating morality - getting into personal business while ignoring the sins of corporate America. And - call liberals 'tax and spend' as long you want, this particular govt is 'spend and spend. Not a single thing vetoed in four years? Outrageous!
Time for me to take a breath....
And just for fun, you might like this link. It's irreverent, but accurate. [Dr. Bob - only posting this because it's funny. Not meaning to put anyone down. hey - I work for a french company]
This is the end of the thread.
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