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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Neeka who wrote (23333)	1/7/2004 3:19:40 PM
From: Lane3	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 793626

Thank you for your thoughtful response. I understand now where you're coming from, I think. <<What I have heard is criticism regarding education, the economy, health care......all valid concerns. And I have heard criticism regarding the war in Iraq, but there has been a total void regarding the issue of terrorism. I have not been paying anywhere near close attention to the campaigning of the Dems, just as I don't start paying attention to the NBA until playoff time. I accept your assessment of what they've been discussing. While I haven't been watching carefully, I don't live in a cave so I've picked up a few things and those things are consistent with your assessment. I must say that, until you mentioned it, I didn't notice the lack of attention to terrorism. I'm glad you pointed it out. I can think of two explanations. One is that they're in a position where it's hard to say anything. Here we are in Iraq. If it had been up to them, we wouldn't be there. So they can criticize Bush for putting us there, but what else can they say? We're there now. They don't get a do-over. They don't get to walk out of Iraq and do something different. So if one of them were by some miracle elected, he would have to start from where Bush left things. That doesn't leave room for some bold, different approach. A Democratic successor would probably do pretty much the same thing as Bush is doing given that Bush's actions have narrowed the options. A Dem prez might do them with more collaboration and without the swagger, and those differences might turn out significant, but would probably mostly carry on. If you were running against the incumbent and all you could offer is a qualified ditto, would you be emphasizing the subject? I think not. I've heard the Dems talk about focusing more on homeland security. And I've heard them talk about more international cooperation. That may not look like sufficient seriousness to you, but that may be all the differences there are. Bill Bradley said that the right is "obsessed" with the war on terror. My second explanation for the lack of proposals for dealing with terrorism is the same as yours, they indeed don't consider it the highest priority. You say that you would like to see a dialog on the seriousness of the war on terrorism. I would like to see that, too. I remember my reaction to 9/11. I recognized almost immediately that a paradigm shift had occurred and things would never be the same. Then I heard others saying how it changed everything. People still say it. I still say it. But I realize now that different people mean different things by it. I think it would be extremely useful if the campaign triggered another round of discussion about that, now that the incident has become over time less raw. I wouldn't sign on with the Dems if they stuck needles under my fingernails, but I, too, think there are higher priorities. I think immigration, education, and Ponzi financing are all higher priorities because they present a greater threat long term to our country than terrorism. Like you, I think we should revisit the question, but I don't see that happening in electioneering mode. It's not in the best interests of any of the candidates. It may be in the best interests of the country, but then what did that ever have to do with anything. <g> If you'd like to talk about it, I would be interested in hearing just what it is that puts terrorism at the clear and conspicuous top of your priority list. EDIT: I just saw your last post about your vacation. Enjoy it and don't worry about any of this. <g>