Comments on: Cup of Endorsements http://cupofcha.com/2008/01/30/cup-of-endorsements.html This is China Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:55:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Scott http://cupofcha.com/2008/01/30/cup-of-endorsements.html#comment-542 Scott Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:28:56 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/2008/01/30/cup-of-endorsements.html#comment-542 Well, I see your endoresment gave Mr. Obama a huge bump. Gallup shows a rise of three percent the day after your endoresment. I will reveal my endoresment in just a few lines. As far as Obama/Hillary, I guess I will have to read the transcripts of the Kodak debate to decide. I wouldn't rush to claim Obama is quite the uniter (quote Wednesday courtesy of the Associated Press): "Obama depicted Clinton as a calculating, poll-tested divisive figure who will only inspire greater partisan divisions as she sides with Republicans on issues like trade, the role of lobbyists in politics and national security." So, being bipartisan makes for greater partisan divisions? It sounds to me like he is saying 'F the Republicans' (sounds cool, doesn't it?), but wouldn't that make him more divisive? Man, the two-party system sucks. To be honest, I don't like any of the candidates, but there is no way in hell I am voting Libertarian. I am leaning towards George Noory in 2012 so at least we can get the Roswell Files opened, but for now, my humble endoresment is ..... (drum roll crescendo) ......!!!!!!!!!!! http://tinyurl.com/2oslkk Happy Year of the Rat!! Well, I see your endoresment gave Mr. Obama a huge bump. Gallup shows a rise of three percent the day after your endoresment. I will reveal my endoresment in just a few lines. As far as Obama/Hillary, I guess I will have to read the transcripts of the Kodak debate to decide. I wouldn’t rush to claim Obama is quite the uniter (quote Wednesday courtesy of the Associated Press):

“Obama depicted Clinton as a calculating, poll-tested divisive figure who will only inspire greater partisan divisions as she sides with Republicans on issues like trade, the role of lobbyists in politics and national security.”

So, being bipartisan makes for greater partisan divisions? It sounds to me like he is saying ‘F the Republicans’ (sounds cool, doesn’t it?), but wouldn’t that make him more divisive? Man, the two-party system sucks. To be honest, I don’t like any of the candidates, but there is no way in hell I am voting Libertarian. I am leaning towards George Noory in 2012 so at least we can get the Roswell Files opened, but for now, my humble endoresment is ….. (drum roll crescendo) ……!!!!!!!!!!!

http://tinyurl.com/2oslkk

Happy Year of the Rat!!

]]> By: The ShangHighRoller http://cupofcha.com/2008/01/30/cup-of-endorsements.html#comment-540 The ShangHighRoller Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:56:54 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/2008/01/30/cup-of-endorsements.html#comment-540 You make some sound points here.　Obama is a brilliant leader. He could set a new tone for the USA in the 21st century. I also understand that your support for him is based on many factors, including his clear-eyed stance on the war. But I want to tug on your coat a little about his rhetoric, which has done so much to endear him to so many people. My critique is not limited to Obama alone. I want to to discuss what I see as a serious flaw in the way we evaluate and follow leaders. Charismatic leaders should stay at the community organizer level. They need to get people's attention, win their hearts, and push hard for change. In this way they make a great contribution to the society, arguably more than any politician can. Give me a flavorless technocrat at the helm of the ship of state any day. National leaders already have an overwhelmingly powerful media apparatus to get their message across. If they are able to get the masses all riled up as well, it can be a mess. It's much more important for them to staff the bureaucracy with talented people, to demand accountability, and to keep their hands out of the till. America's problems are deep rooted. No leader, however charming or eloquent, can resolve them. Personal loyalty to a "big man" has kind of a prehistoric feel to it. The institution or office, if it is based on popular consent, deserves respect. The politician should be a place-holder. I realize that this flies in the face of thousands of years of Western political tradition extending back to Cicero and Demosthenes. We love the quickened pulse, the roar of the crowd, "Ich bin ein Berliner" . But just as often this feeling of glorious affinity with a leader can warp and mutilate the mass consciousness. The 20th century is littered with examples. Earlier history is less so, largely because media penetration was not so deep. There is a place for stirring rhetoric. But it is not at the head of state. If I support Obama, it will be despite his rhetoric and because of his obvious intellect and potential to reverse a disastrous eight years of US and world history. You make some sound points here.　Obama is a brilliant leader. He could set a new tone for the USA in the 21st century. I also understand that your support for him is based on many factors, including his clear-eyed stance on the war. But I want to tug on your coat a little about his rhetoric, which has done so much to endear him to so many people. My critique is not limited to Obama alone. I want to to discuss what I see as a serious flaw in the way we evaluate and follow leaders.

Charismatic leaders should stay at the community organizer level. They need to get people’s attention, win their hearts, and push hard for change. In this way they make a great contribution to the society, arguably more than any politician can.

Give me a flavorless technocrat at the helm of the ship of state any day. National leaders already have an overwhelmingly powerful media apparatus to get their message across. If they are able to get the masses all riled up as well, it can be a mess. It’s much more important for them to staff the bureaucracy with talented people, to demand accountability, and to keep their hands out of the till.

America’s problems are deep rooted. No leader, however charming or eloquent, can resolve them. Personal loyalty to a “big man” has kind of a prehistoric feel to it. The institution or office, if it is based on popular consent, deserves respect. The politician should be a place-holder.

I realize that this flies in the face of thousands of years of Western political tradition extending back to Cicero and Demosthenes. We love the quickened pulse, the roar of the crowd, “Ich bin ein Berliner” . But just as often this feeling of glorious affinity with a leader can warp and mutilate the mass consciousness. The 20th century is littered with examples. Earlier history is less so, largely because media penetration was not so deep.

There is a place for stirring rhetoric. But it is not at the head of state. If I support Obama, it will be despite his rhetoric and because of his obvious intellect and potential to reverse a disastrous eight years of US and world history.

]]> By: Josh http://cupofcha.com/2008/01/30/cup-of-endorsements.html#comment-535 Josh Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:07:43 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/2008/01/30/cup-of-endorsements.html#comment-535 Duncan Hunter Duncan Hunter

]]> By: Richard http://cupofcha.com/2008/01/30/cup-of-endorsements.html#comment-534 Richard Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:25:22 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/2008/01/30/cup-of-endorsements.html#comment-534 I agree that this is a huge endorsement, right up there with the two Kennedys. I hope Obama appreciates it. So who are you endorsing among the Republicans, Josh? {:-) I agree that this is a huge endorsement, right up there with the two Kennedys. I hope Obama appreciates it. So who are you endorsing among the Republicans, Josh? {:-)

]]> By: Eric http://cupofcha.com/2008/01/30/cup-of-endorsements.html#comment-532 Eric Thu, 31 Jan 2008 05:01:34 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/2008/01/30/cup-of-endorsements.html#comment-532 :) honored :) honored

]]> By: Marcus http://cupofcha.com/2008/01/30/cup-of-endorsements.html#comment-530 Marcus Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:40:25 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/2008/01/30/cup-of-endorsements.html#comment-530 Well, the way the Democratic primary is playing out, Obama will be used to the muck-raking that is sure to come out in the general election. Every time I started to think 'well, Hillary wouldn't be too bad', Bill opened his mouth and cleared that thought out quickly. I guess the downside of the primaries is that it is hitting the war chests big time, and it will be interesting to see where the money stands after the nominations (Dem vs. Rep). I worry a bit about Obama/Clinton getting way too divisive as the race really heats up. Either side will have some residual resentment, which may help the GOP, especially among the Dems who really say 'I'm independent, but vote Democrat' (by the way, I'm an independent so I fit in here). Anyway, at least with all the money being spent, it is helping out the msm, which is hurting for cash. Well, the way the Democratic primary is playing out, Obama will be used to the muck-raking that is sure to come out in the general election. Every time I started to think ‘well, Hillary wouldn’t be too bad’, Bill opened his mouth and cleared that thought out quickly. I guess the downside of the primaries is that it is hitting the war chests big time, and it will be interesting to see where the money stands after the nominations (Dem vs. Rep). I worry a bit about Obama/Clinton getting way too divisive as the race really heats up. Either side will have some residual resentment, which may help the GOP, especially among the Dems who really say ‘I’m independent, but vote Democrat’ (by the way, I’m an independent so I fit in here). Anyway, at least with all the money being spent, it is helping out the msm, which is hurting for cash.

]]> By: Will Lewis http://cupofcha.com/2008/01/30/cup-of-endorsements.html#comment-528 Will Lewis Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:24:29 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/2008/01/30/cup-of-endorsements.html#comment-528 Hi Five on Obama! High-Five on accurately breaking down Hilary's boatloads of experience [!?!?]. When I opened up Ye Inter-tube in class today and saw that Edwards had dropped out, I blurted out "Thank God!" way too loud. The stares may have had something to with this being a Catholic university... Hi Five on Obama! High-Five on accurately breaking down Hilary’s boatloads of experience [!?!?]. When I opened up Ye Inter-tube in class today and saw that Edwards had dropped out, I blurted out “Thank God!” way too loud. The stares may have had something to with this being a Catholic university…

]]> By: Josh http://cupofcha.com/2008/01/30/cup-of-endorsements.html#comment-522 Josh Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:57:07 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/2008/01/30/cup-of-endorsements.html#comment-522 Eric is my new favorite reader. Eric is my new favorite reader.

]]> By: Eric http://cupofcha.com/2008/01/30/cup-of-endorsements.html#comment-521 Eric Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:38:03 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/2008/01/30/cup-of-endorsements.html#comment-521 With McCain poised to win the republican nomination and Edwards dropping out of the race about 30 minutes ago, and three major endorsements, (caroline and ted kennedy and cup of cha of course). its really really really tempting to join the Obama bandwagon/chorus. With McCain poised to win the republican nomination and Edwards dropping out of the race about 30 minutes ago, and three major endorsements, (caroline and ted kennedy and cup of cha of course).
its really really really tempting to join the Obama bandwagon/chorus.

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