Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

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

To: Ilaine who wrote (78754)	10/18/2004 8:14:23 PM
From: Captain Jack	Respond to of 793911

<"nor anybody on his team publicly speculates whether the treatment rendered Kerry impotent"> but it is speculated even if he is not Threasa does not know it. <"Edwards' wife is grossly obese,"> and he tells her he is impotent too...

To: Ilaine who wrote (78754)	10/18/2004 8:14:47 PM
From: Maurice Winn	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 793911

<Perhaps in New Zealand politicians talk about each other's bowel movements and sexual preferences and other such things, but it's considered Bad Form here. Perhaps we're simply fuddy-duddies. > CB, for a long time I've admired the civilized discourse of USA politicians in public discussion [Dick Cheney notwithstanding]. NZ politicians are far less mannered. The USA is fairly fuddy-duddy. While at the same time being a producer of the grossest cultural norms [in media if not so much in reality]. A peculiar dichotomy to do with freedom of speech. It's at times quite hilarious how puritan the USA is. Yet the grossest of activities take place beneath the surface, by tv evangelists and holier than thou politicians. Bill Clinton's blue dress efforts etc while clutching his bible. It was hilarious when the Democratic presidential contender stupidly challenged reporters, and they accepted the challenge and caught him in the act [that was about 1990 and he had to withdraw]. I forget his name. Girl-chaser. Sanctimonious Republicans similarly were caught out as hypocrites. In NZ we have Georgina Beyer [a transvestite Member of Parliament] georginabeyer.com We have all sorts. It's an eclectic mix. There are lesbian ministers and I think even animals have stood for parliament. But underneath, we are more puritan than the USA. 20 and 30 years ago, sexual preference was a good way to attack a politician, with Colin Moyle being hounded out by Muldoon. Now, there's no mileage in it. It would almost be a badge of honour to be weird in some way. It's pretty much anything goes here, though there are libel and slander laws which protect politicians as much as private individuals, unlike in the USA, so people have to be circumspect in what they say, though parliamentary privilege allows anything to be said by MPs in parliament. "Repeat that out of the House" is a constant challenge. There are also rules on what can be said in the House, such as it's unacceptable to call a Member a liar. Which is funny. Mqurice