Harriet Miers - Opinions on Nomination?

[jeff]

We're on the board to have fun, but you're mistaken if you think the playing board is warped or tilted. It's really simple: put up a better argument and you make your case. If you can't do that, and you're unable to respond to people's points with relevant points of your own, don't complain that the game is biased against you.

Also: if you make a stupid remark, like the one about "maintaining order", it's really easy to deal with that as well: grownups know how to say "That was a stupid remark I made. I retract it". Simple.

[keith]

No problem. It's a tough game when the table is warped to left. But that's ok. It's not about winning or losing, it's about having fun.

Why do so many white middle class males fantasise about being a repressed minority?

Although I hear that Hilary Clinton posts on these boards under several different screen names.

[oiuyt]

When I saw that reference to the Lottery Commission red flags started appearing all around her name! The Texas Lottery Commission!!?? Why not just the OTB Horse Racing Policy Committee Leadership while she's at it! Could there be anything less qualifying that running a corrupt state lottery commission?

Watch to see that item be white outed from her official bio when/if she's confirmed and sworn in!

The lottery connection's getting a lot of play on this thread. It was a voluntary public service position, while she was in that position she was still in private practice, as the president of a major law firm (and later, after a merger, a co-managing partner of the combined firm which was roughly twice as large). At least according to the biography I just found on the Washington Post's website the commission was mired in scandal prior to her arrival and she was a major force in cleaning it up. I think it's much more things such as running the law firm, serving as president of the Texas Bar, etc. that are considered her qualifications than the time spend reforming the Texas Lottery.

That said, does she look particularly qualified? No, not to me.

-B

[Bayou Bum]

Well, here's a reason to be against Harriet Miers: she lawyered for the Evil Empire, Microsoft, arguing that that people who were sold defective software by Microsoft weren't "injured," and couldn't participate in a class action against the company. See http://www.slingshot.org/?p=135

Sounds more like a personal reason you don't like her than a legitimate reason. I read the link you provided and see nothing wrong with her arguments. If you disagree with the ruling, you should be more angry with the presiding judge for his/her ruling. There would be more of a reason not to approve her if she had not made the argument. You can't fault her for representing her client well.

I do not know if I agree with all (or any) of her opinions, but just because I disagree is no reason not to confirm her.

[Slim]

We're on the board to have fun, but you're mistaken if you think the playing board is warped or tilted. It's really simple: put up a better argument and you make your case. If you can't do that, and you're unable to respond to people's points with relevant points of your own, don't complain that the game is biased against you.

Also: if you make a stupid remark, like the one about "maintaining order", it's really easy to deal with that as well: grownups know how to say "That was a stupid remark I made. I retract it". Simple.

Here is my comment from the thread that you cant seem to let go of:

The first order of business of ANY civilized society it to maintain order. Everything else follows.

I stand by it. I never said it was pretty or that it was always perfect or how it should be carried out. You jumped to the conclusion that I justified the actions of the police mentioned in that article. In fact, I intentionally never addressed any specifics in the article.

Actually I think you are more pissed that I accused you of playing the race card because you felt it important to make it clear that the people were black and the police were white and you were mocking them as good ole boys (Y'hear!).

[Slim]

Why do so many white middle class males fantasise about being a repressed minority?

Although I hear that Hilary Clinton posts on these boards under several different screen names.

Wow...please tell me how "left" or "right" equates to a race or how my race has anything to do with this?

[Mr Epee]

Minority status has nothing to do with race, you dullard.

[Slim]

Minority status has nothing to do with race, you dullard.

White middle class male? Nothing to do with race? Hmm. Ok.

[jeff]

Sounds more like a personal reason you don't like her than a legitimate reason. I read the link you provided and see nothing wrong with her arguments. If you disagree with the ruling, you should be more angry with the presiding judge for his/her ruling. There would be more of a reason not to approve her if she had not made the argument. You can't fault her for representing her client well.

I do not know if I agree with all (or any) of her opinions, but just because I disagree is no reason not to confirm her.

That was a frivolous post - a dig against Microsoft - not her. I run with a crowd that does Microsoftie jokes all the time; I should have put a next to it to make it clear it was a joke. My jokes don't fly all the time either!

[jeff]

Here is my comment from the thread that you cant seem to let go of:

The first order of business of ANY civilized society it to maintain order. Everything else follows.

I stand by it. I never said it was pretty or that it was always perfect or how it should be carried out. You jumped to the conclusion that I justified the actions of the police mentioned in that article. In fact, I intentionally never addressed any specifics in the article.

Actually I think you are more pissed that I accused you of playing the race card because you felt it important to make it clear that the people were black and the police were white and you were mocking them as good ole boys (Y'hear!).

You approved (and still approve, apparently) of thugs with badges frightening off with guns a group of peaceful citizens evacuating their city as they were told to do by walking across a bridge, and you call it "maintaining order". Maintaining order? That's moronic. How is that "maintaining order".

If you can't see that this is nasty, and you can't see that there was a racial element to it, then you are completely blind. Peggy Noonan picked up on this - hardly a left-wing commentator. It's amazing you can't understand this. Well, no - it isn't amazing at all, I guess.

Given that, it's no surprise that the conflict among conservatives flies right over your head, as well as keith's ironic comment.

[keith]

Wow...please tell me how "left" or "right" equates to a race or how my race has anything to do with this?

sorry weren't you muttering again about being the victim of persecution by the vast leftwing conspiracy on these boards?

Actually I'm afraid you have to be white since the board already has a token persecuted black man (Mr RL step forward for a bow) and its a well established fact that liberals only consort with a single representative of each oppressed minority.

... you may of course apply for other vacancies as they arise.


/jk - or is the judgement of a sense of humour a unique skill of 'conservatives'.

[Slim]

sorry weren't you muttering again about being the victim of persecution by the vast leftwing conspiracy on these boards?

Actually I'm afraid you have to be white since the board already has a token persecuted black man (Mr RL step forward for a bow) and its a well established fact that liberals only consort with a single representative of each oppressed minority.

... you may of course apply for other vacancies as they arise.


/jk - or is the judgement of a sense of humour a unique skill of 'conservatives'.

Please post the openings and I'll submit my CV.

Why not say "conservative, middle class male with fantasies of being a repressed minority". Why did you feel the need to say "white"? Does my skin tone matter? Can I not be a person of color and also be a conservative middle class male?

[keith]

Please post the openings and I'll submit my CV.

Why not say "conservative, middle class male with fantasies of being a repressed minority". Why did you feel the need to say "white"? Does my skin tone matter? Can I not be a person of color and also be a conservative middle class male?

dear boy it's an internet board - you can be anything you want.

Just let us know.

[Slim]

dear boy it's an internet board - you can be anything you want.

Just let us know.

Sure, but why not answer my question. Why did you feel the need to specify white?

(uncomfortable silence from Keith to follow...)

[keith]

Sure, but why not answer my question. Why did you feel the need to specify white?

well sarcasm/irony requires a target - basic comedy rule.

I'm sure you could find somebody amoungst your extenisive and diverse social circle to explain why the idea of a white male fantasising about being an oppressed minority could qualify as a humerous observation. I'll even give you a hint - it's humerous in a sense of the ridiculous kind of way.

[keith]

(uncomfortable silence from Keith to follow...)

.... or not ........

why do some people demand that you explain jokes to them?

Slim;
(enters stage right pushing aside HaveAtYou, L.O.A.S, inquartata and goujay on the way in)

"I am a brave a dedicated rhetoritician for striding into this vipers den of slovenly liberal pseudo intellectual backslapping"


Keith;

makes joke by contrasting this attitude with a white middle class male claiming to be an oppressed minority.

Slim;
Fails to get joke - repeatedly.

Keith;
Explains joke.

Slim;
Continues to think he has caught the greasy liberal out in some clever way.

Keith;
Heads to the pub for a pint.

[Slim]

well sarcasm/irony requires a target - basic comedy rule.

I'm sure you could find somebody amoungst your extenisive and diverse social circle to explain why the idea of a white male fantasising about being an oppressed minority could qualify as a humerous observation. I'll even give you a hint - it's humerous in a sense of the ridiculous kind of way.

Ah, I see. So it's ok to use someones race as a tool for humor. I see! Very good. Thanks. Im trying to understand the liberal mindset. This is a good lesson. Would you be so kind as to provide some other examples using other races in this manner? Let's not discriminate!

[keith]

Ah, I see. So it's ok to use someones race as a tool for humor. I see! Very good. Thanks. Im trying to understand the liberal mindset. This is a good lesson. Would you be so kind as to provide some other examples using other races in this manner? Let's not discriminate!

Sorry - you seem to think you have stumbled onto something quite profound here.

Maybe you should get out more?

[Slim]

.... or not ........

why do some people demand that you explain jokes to them?

Slim;
(enters stage right pushing aside HaveAtYou, L.O.A.S, inquartata and goujay on the way in)

"I am a brave a dedicated rhetoritician for striding into this vipers den of slovenly liberal pseudo intellectual backslapping"


Keith;

makes joke by contrasting this attitude with a white middle class male claiming to be an oppressed minority.

Slim;
Fails to get joke - repeatedly.

Keith;
Explains joke.

Slim;
Continues to think he has caught the greasy liberal out in some clever way.

Keith;
Heads to the pub for a pint.

It's not the humor I fail to understand.

[Slim]

Sorry - you seem to think you have stumbled onto something quite profound here.

Maybe you should get out more?

No, something quite obvious actually.