Tim, thank you for your comments, which clearly show why my asking for comments on a Bush-bashing forum would be futile.
I gather that the quotes I cited did not change your opinion one iota. Given your comments and citations, I see why. Thank you.
In response to Murrey's comment, I appreciate the opportunity to clarify. I am not interested in an argument. Nor am I interested in kicking a dead horse. And I am not part of the school that says 'my mind's made up, don't confuse me with the facts.'
I am interested in the exchange of ideas & being educated (and educating).
Personally, when the U.S. began our war with Iraq I reluctantly trusted our government, though I wished there was evidence of a 'smoking gun.' As wstera 02 has so stridently posited, there was plenty of reason to go after Saddam, regardless.
Over time, I think our government's stance has changed. As it has, I wonder to what extent the informed public's stance has changed. And that is why I asked for Tim's input.
I am not interested in an argument. I am interested in checking the pulse. I thought it was significant that Powell said he'd seen no connection between Hussein and al-Qaida. And I had difficulty quantifying the Carnegie think tank's evaluation of the hunt for weapons of mass destruction. (I am prepared to conclude that those here did not see these 'news' items as being as newsworthy as I did.)
I wonder about how public opinion is formed and how it sways. I wonder about how this'll play into the forthcoming election. That's what I'm trying to gauge.
I wouldn't learn a damned thing asking a bunch of liberals if something that appeared good for them changed their opinion.
I don't think we learn much by talking to people who are prone to agreeing with us. I think we learn more by having a polite, perhaps intense, discussion of ideas, not an argument.
It was that brilliant Republican Senator, Everett Dirksen who said we can disagree without being disagreeable, wasn't it?
As usual, I appreciate all your opinions. I don't seek to ruffle feathers, just see how they're flappin'. |
