SodaHead - right this time's Questions

GOODBYE!

2009-10-15T13:43:38Z

GOODBYE!

8 answers, +4 raves

I have threatened several times in the past to leave Sodahead and I think it is well past time for me to do so. Though I have enjoyed the thought provoking comments many of you have shared I find myself wishing that we had met "in real life" rather than in this absurdest alternative reality. Sodahead consumes too much time for me and most of the time I am going on it not to learn anything new or have my consciousness expanded but simply to respond to some nut job's attack. Other times I go on just to feel confirmed by people who think like me. Neither one of those strikes me as a mature use of my time. Let me hasten to add that this is not an indictment of those who truly enjoy Sodahead and get something out of it. It is just that I don't think it is for me. The other reason I am going to leave is that I fight a constant battle to keep spy ware and viruses off my computer whenever I use Sodahead too much. If anyone wants to stay in touch send me a note otherwise I will be getting off for good some time at the beginning of the week. Again some of you seem like really exceptional people and I will miss you.

100% (8 answers)

Is George W. Bush responsible for the economy?

2009-08-23T03:43:07Z

Is George W. Bush responsible for the economy?

13 answers, +3 raves

Just prior to the inauguration of President Obama it became popular for right wing talking heads, from Fox News to Rush Limbaugh, to begin referring to the "Obama Recession." After Obama was officially sworn in these same partisans wasted no time saying that his Presidency was already a disaster. Further more any suggestion that Obama inherited an economic mess from George Bush was brushed aside as blame placing and excuse making. Now comes the problem for the GOP and hard-right talking points. Housing sales just hit a ten year high. Several leading economists have actually credited the "cash for clunkers" deal as having had a positive stimulative impact on the economy. A massive banking crash unlike anything since the Great Depression has been averted and some banks are starting to pay back their loans from the government with interest. The stock market has hit its highest mark of the year. Unemployment seems to be starting to level off some. Factory production and demand is up. So with Obama's team apparently pulling off what many would have thought was a miracle six months ago what do the Republicans do now? History is one clue. When Bill Clinton turned around a staggering economy, floated all boats on an economic tide of prosperity, balanced the Federal Budget and created a surplus, the Republicans began to say that this was really the work of George H. W. Bush. Even though the economy looked terrible during his administration, they argued, he did all of the right things that would eventually create prosperity during Clinton's Presidency. Clinton was just taking credit for the hard work of his predecessor. So the question is if things are starting to get better sooner than anyone thought possible will the new Republican talking point be that it was really George W. Bush who saved the day for President Obama?

If the economy is bad it is Obama's fault but if it gets better it will be because of Bush.	8% (1 answers)
Is this a trick question?	8% (1 answers)
Here is what I think . . .	85% (11 answers)

GREAT ECONOMIC NEWS FOR WORKING AMERICANS -98% have received a tax cut.

2009-08-10T15:40:16Z

GREAT ECONOMIC NEWS FOR WORKING AMERICANS -98% have received a tax cut.

14 answers, 0 raves

Nate Silver, the razor sharp statistician who consistently gets it right, has pointed out that taxes have now been cut for 98% of working Americans under the Obama Administration. Nate you may recall was one of the first analysts to not only predict an Obama victory but who pretty much nailed the margin and electoral count. He predicted Norm Coleman would lose the recount in Minnesota and that unemployment would not hit 10% nationally. Though Nate is a pretty humble guy who admits he is just as capable of being wrong I have yet to catch him being wrong on any important national political question. Using his considerable mathematical skills he repeatedly pokes holes in national polls which either contain a bias or which fail simple rules of mathematics. His recent research on Obama's tax cuts puts to rest more lies and disinformation being perpetuated by the wing nuts.

Hooray! Obama's economic plan is starting to work.	21% (3 answers)
I don't care if most of us did get a tax cut. I am just not ever going to say anything good about this guy.	0% (0 answers)
Undecided	79% (11 answers)

BILL O'REILLY AND BARACK OBAMA?

2009-08-10T13:40:38Z

BILL O'REILLY AND BARACK OBAMA?

7 answers, +2 raves

Bill O'Reilly this past week wrote an article for Parade Magazine in which he praises Obama as an excellent model for children. Among the things he feels the President is teaching children are the following five lessons: Forgivness, Repect, Persistence, Hard Work and that we can make Our Dreams Come True because Anything In America is Possible. Is it possible that the extreme right is going to actually quit demonizing all things Barack or is this a calculated effort on Bill O'Reilly's part to look more "fair and balanced?"

O'Reilly has decided to separate himself a little bit from the wing nuts.	57% (4 answers)
Bill'O The Clown is just up to his usual fun tricks.	14% (1 answers)
O'Reilly is a wind bag but I do respect our President.	0% (0 answers)
I don't care what O'Reilly says, Obama is a Muslim Christian Fascist Socialist Lying Liberal Communist Anti-American Terrorist.	14% (1 answers)
Undecided	14% (1 answers)

IS THERE ANY HOPE FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY?

2009-08-08T16:50:10Z

IS THERE ANY HOPE FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY?

14 answers, +7 raves

Political pundits and people smarter than I have looked at this question from several different angles. Republicans are losing the Latino vote by a 2 to 1 margin and that was BEFORE the recent Supreme Court nomination process. They are losing African Americans by a statistical margin that is astounding. They get beat in the 18 to 30 year old category by 2 to 1 margins or better. One of the most likely ways not to end up not being Republican according to the statistics is to be a college graduate. Almost every way you slice the American demographic pie Republicans come out losers. Unlike the Democratic Party which contains liberals, conservatives and moderates, the Republicans are reduced down primarily to right wing and hard right wing adherents. Their ranks are comprised primarily of white Anglos -88%. Outside of the South they have no real organization left. Add to this that they have become the party that is defined (fairly or unfairly) by racism, birthers, professional lobbyists, people who believe the earth is only 5000 years old and a vast array of conspiracy theorists. Is there any hope the GOP can turn around their sinking ship?

They are pretty much done for except as a regional party.	0% (0 answers)
They can survive if the leadership could exercise some discipline over those within the party who resort to racial attacks and spreading lies about everyone in the country who doesn't look, think or act like they do.	14% (2 answers)
Remember they thought Hitler was finished too. Then he wrote Mien Kampf and found that the more lies you tell and the bigger they are the more you can get a following.	0% (0 answers)
You're dreaming. The Republican Party has suffered a minor set back, is alive and well and will come roaring back in 2012.	29% (4 answers)
Undecided	57% (8 answers)

STAIGHT GUYS AND GAY MEN

2009-08-08T16:18:59Z

STAIGHT GUYS AND GAY MEN

11 answers, +4 raves

THESIS AND THEORY: If a heterosexual male is comfortable with his sexuality he will enjoy the company of homosexual males. My theory is that in the grand evolutionary scheme of things heterosexual men have a vestigial, mainly repressed urge to compete with other males. This competition probably evolved out of hunting, gathering and competition for mates. As a result men run a very low anxiety around other males they perceive as being a threat or competition until the issue of competition is resolved. Sometimes a guy will report instinctually not liking another guy until they work through this unconscious competition, sometimes finding after the resolution they can become best friends. A heterosexual male would normally be more relaxed around a homosexual male from the beginning because there would not be the underlying urge to fight for the favor of females. Since one of the ways of fighting for females would be in establishing dominance over the other males, the heterosexual male can relax his hunting and gathering prowess around the homosexual, allowing him "down time" to just relax and just be a friend.

Yes, I think that is what I like about my gay friends. I don't have to be as macho.	0% (0 answers)
You are really weird. I don't know what you are talking about.	0% (0 answers)
Actually, here is what I think . . .	100% (11 answers)

A CONVERSATION WITH A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN on SodaHead.

2009-08-05T21:45:36Z

A CONVERSATION WITH A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN on SodaHead.

101 answers, +30 raves

The following is a composite of many conversations. Though it is fictitious it reflects what I feel like is the same conversation I have been seeing over and over with Conservative Republicans. CONCERNED CITIZEN: I really think we need a public health care option to give a little competition to the insurance companies. CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN: I DON'T WANT NO OBAMA SOCIALIZED MEDICINE! CONCERNED CITIZEN: Well, actually if won't be socialized -that's Great Britain. It won't even be single-payer -that's Canada. CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN: OMG! YOU ARE SO F--KING FUL OF S--T! CONCERNED CITIZEN: No really, you can go to FactCheck.org and see the difference. CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN: REALLY BEEN DRINKING THE COOL AID HAVEN'T YOU! YOU CAN SHOVE ALL OF YOUR LIBERAL SOURCES. LISTEN TO GLENN BECK IF YOU WANT THE REAL STORY. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WHEN THE GOVERNMENT KILLS YOUR PARENTS TO PAY FOR THEIR LITTLE PLAN?!!! CONCERNED CITIZEN: Actually that is a myth. CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN: YOU'RE A SOCIALIST! CONCERNED CITIZEN: (unable to respond because he has been blocked)

Yes, that is exactly how the conversation goes.	27% (27 answers)
That is almost exactly the way the conversation goes.	15% (15 answers)
That's not quite how it goes but it is similar.	21% (21 answers)
WHAT ARE YOU A F--KING SOCIALIST !!?!	38% (38 answers)

Is Bobby Jindal a light weight?

2009-08-03T17:58:59Z

Is Bobby Jindal a light weight?

5 answers, 0 raves

Ever since Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal was chosen to give the Republican response to one of President Obama's first addresses to the nation people have been wondering where his place is in the political pantheon. Popular in Louisiana Governor Jindal comes across as stilted and awkward on the national stage. It is his slight build, his unfamiliar mannerisms, his jerky speaking style or his lack of substance? Recently in a CNN interview as he offered the "Republican alternative to health reform" he referred to The Lewin Group as a non-partisan policy group on health reform. When Wolf Blitzer pointed out that the Lewin Group is owned by one of the insurance giants working to defeat health care reform the Governor quickly changed the subject. So is Bobby Jindal ready for prime time or just another of a recent string of Republican "flashes in the pan?"

Bobby Jindal is a light weight and the Republicans better find someone of substance fast.	100% (5 answers)
Bobby Jindal is a person of gravitas, has statesman like bearing and is the hope of the Republican Party.	0% (0 answers)

NEW VERSION: WHO IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST SOURCE OF FALSE ATTACKS ON HEALTH REFORM?

2009-08-03T16:16:33Z

NEW VERSION: WHO IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST SOURCE OF FALSE ATTACKS ON HEALTH REFORM?

11 answers, +3 raves

In the recent past the Senate has voted 100 to 0 to save the government run Medicare program because it is the single most popular health care option of the American people. In spite of that there has been a well orchestrated attack on "all things government" when it comes to Health Reform. Fanciful and far-fetched accusations have included the notion that a suicide option will be in the bill, that abortions will be paid for instead of claims filed by seniors or that private insurance will be outlawed in five years. A wonderful source to check out lies on the Internet is About.com -urban legends, email rumors & internet hoaxes. Here you can find out that those photos taken of the recent Air France crash are phony, that Megan Fox is not a transsexual and that we are not all going to be encouraged to commit suicide by the new health care bill. Another great place to check out the facts of America's on-going public debates is Fact Check.org, a non-partisan research group funded by the Annenberg Foundation. They have systematically refuted the notion that we are heading for Socialized Medicine. For further incite into the mind set that conceived of the anti-health reform campaign check out the Bill Moyers interview with Wendell Potter who for 20 years was the public relations man for Cigna Health Insurance. So the question remains who is the single biggest source of false attacks? Arguably the health insurance companies with their record profits and salaries have money to burn -so far $1.4 million a day is being spent on defeating health care reform. But perhaps someone else has been more effective or has higher visibility when it comes to poisoning public opinion with this hit parade of prevarication. Who do you think is the one source who has muddied the waters the most? IMPORTANT: This poll is being reintroduced for two reasons. One is that while typing before I had a computer interruption and was not able to finish writing the poll as I intended. The second reason is to remind people that this is not a poll to trash Obama. I ask that you respectfully stick to the question. If for instance you feel that the insurance companies are doing a find job and are being unfairly criticized state your opinion and give your facts and you will be treated with respect. PEOPLE WHO SIMPLY WANT TO ATTACK WITH MORE LIES WILL BE REPORTED AND BLOCKED.

Rush Limbaugh is telling the biggest fattest lies about health care reform.	0% (0 answers)
It's "Americans for Prosperity," "Conservatives for Patients Rights," and all of those other groups that get quoted by conservative politicians but which are actually fake groups receiving money from the insurance companies.	9% (1 answers)
Glen Beck: with the logic of an 8th grader he cries, then lies about health reform.	0% (0 answers)
Conservative pollster Frank Luntz who when caught red-handed raising false charges against health reform said, "I'm not a policy person, I'm a language person."	0% (0 answers)
The Lewin Group: This favorite "non-partisan" source for conservatives is actually owned by one of the largest insurance companies fighting health care reform.	0% (0 answers)
The Health Insurance Industry: They are spending $1.4 million a day spreading false rumors to continue to be exempt from American anti-trust laws.	18% (2 answers)
Sean Hannity: Pretty, not smart, he can't help it that he has become the biggest tool of anti-competition monopolies.	0% (0 answers)
Undecided	27% (3 answers)
All of the above	45% (5 answers)

Which of the lies used in attacking health care reform do you find the most hilarious?

2009-07-31T20:36:02Z

Which of the lies used in attacking health care reform do you find the most hilarious?

6 answers, 0 raves

Doctors, business leaders, health care advocates, hospitals, the AARP, economists and public interest groups all agree that our current health care system is at the breaking point. With a majority of Americans agreeing that health reform is needed it behooves our nation to have a serious conversation. However in the midst of this conversation some absolutely outrageous things have been said with a perfectly straight face. To be sure these have been put out by either insurance advocates who don't want to come under American anti-trust laws or they have been said by partisan hacks. But amazingly even as reputable news sources report these as the lies they are they are able to do so without giggling. What are the lies that you have heard attacking health reform that make you want to burst out laughing?

That the government is going to ask us every five years how we want to commit suicide.	17% (1 answers)
That you will be herded like cattle away from your private insurer into a government program.	0% (0 answers)
That once you are in a public program you will not get service and you will not be able to go back to a private plan.	17% (1 answers)
That routine medical examination will be performed by alien abduction.	17% (1 answers)
The most outrageous lie against health reform that I have heard is . . . .	50% (3 answers)