tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6885340672616713863.post5629207137352242796..comments2023-09-25T04:08:57.897-04:00Comments on American Counterpoint: 3 Notes about TerrorismKeith Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115490864347645607noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6885340672616713863.post-83314883142870642932015-11-21T11:29:56.099-05:002015-11-21T11:29:56.099-05:00In light of the seriousness of what has just occur...In light of the seriousness of what has just occurred in France and in Mali, I'm disappointed in this uncharacteristically shallow and snarky post by my co-blogger! Perhaps he's become a fan of Stephen Colbert and hopes to emulate his style. I'm not going to attempt an in-depth response, but let me just make the following randomized points:<br /><br />1) You don't have to be a critic of government and our present political leadership to find the current times terrifying.<br /><br />2) Incompetence and malevolence does not constitute a spectrum - certain politicians can be way out there on both dimensions simultaneously.<br /><br />3) The out-of-power party in a two-party democracy enjoys the luxury offering up irresponsible policies, since it can generally get away with shifting blame for the consequences. Yes, the long line-up of current Republican presidential candidates seem to be carrying on this tradition, hoping to stand out from the pack. Should any of them, other than Trump, somehow become president, greater pragmatism would emerge. <br /><br />4) Demagoguery is indeed on the upswing in the current environment, egged on by our greedy and narcissistic media. Any hysteria-inducing issue from terrorism to the Confederate flag to urban police tactics is getting flogged for everything it's worth, with destructive political consequences.<br /><br />5) Although I did not, and am glad I did not, vote for Obama in either of his elections, I'm sympathetic with manner in which he has handled the issue of terrorism. I found the statement he made immediately following the Paris attacks to be both eloquent and appropriate. I made posts to this effect on a couple of right-leaning internet forums and was, of course, roundly denounced for near-treason. A symptom of the times. <br /><br />6) While I, of course, will not vote for Hillary Clinton, I do give her credit at least for sanity. So we're in agreement there.<br /><br />7) That same tolerance does not extend to the demented Bernie Sanders. <br />Mark Bachmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16864483782023806885noreply@blogger.com