Betzee said...

Betzee at 11:08 PM JST - 17th May

I think there's an excellent chance U.S. troops will be able to leave Iraq by 2013

We got into Iraq because anyone who challenged the evidence that Saddam's WMD posed an "imminent threat" to the security of the US and our allies had their patriotism questioned. Now McCain, in tossing…

Posted in Obama criticizes McCain for 'naive' foreign policy at 11:08 PM JST - 17th May
Betzee at 10:51 PM JST - 17th May

That pin is a situation that Obama cannot win. If he fights it he will lose votes, period. It's just not worth it.

So he should do whatever it takes to get votes? Sorry, that doesn't make him an attractive candidate to me. Plus, his opponents will use his flip-flop…

Posted in Obama criticizes McCain for 'naive' foreign policy at 10:51 PM JST - 17th May
Betzee at 10:30 PM JST - 17th May

Do you understand how the law works? A gay couple must have filed suit claiming discrimination under existing laws. Just as the a black girl in Kansas claimed "separate was not equal" with respect to schooling. And the judges decided, after reviewing the law, they were right.

These were not…

Posted in California's top court legalizes gay marriage at 10:30 PM JST - 17th May
Betzee at 09:58 PM JST - 17th May

SezWho, This is the logic of natural-resource reliant economies. Saudi Arabia's entire economy is dependent on oil sales. Theoretically speaking, they thus have an interest in not letting the price get too high which would spur the search for alternative technologies on the part of end-users. If such a technology…

Posted in Bush fails to win Saudi help for oil increase big enough to cut high gasoline prices at 09:58 PM JST - 17th May
Betzee at 09:49 PM JST - 17th May

As a letter to the editor of the NYT's observed in 2007:

Throughout the late 60's and into the 70's, L.B.J. Democrats and Nixon Republicans both preached the gospel of ''staying the course,'' predicting the disastrous collapse of the regime in Vietnam if we cut and run.

George McGovern lost…

Posted in McCain says Iraq war can be won by 2013 at 09:49 PM JST - 17th May
Betzee at 09:39 PM JST - 17th May

Sometimes the perception game is too much of a reality to try to change on your own and by wearing the pin he makes it a non-issue.

So go with the flow? You're wrong; by putting on that pin Obama makes it harder for anyone else in public life to…

Posted in Obama criticizes McCain for 'naive' foreign policy at 09:39 PM JST - 17th May
Betzee at 09:29 PM JST - 17th May

It seems some people here think that the role of the judiciary is to reflect public opinion. If that were the case, the disenfranchisement of women and segregation would probably still be on the books since the majority were comfortable with those restrictions and fearful of where social change might…

Posted in California's top court legalizes gay marriage at 09:29 PM JST - 17th May
Betzee at 12:03 PM JST - 17th May

Why is the oil that is currently being pumped out of the Alaskian oil wells being sent to Japan?

Look at the map. Oil extracted in Alaska has to be transported to Houston, where most American refineries are located, a journey which passes through the Panama Canal, making Asia closer.

Posted in Bush fails to win Saudi help for oil increase big enough to cut high gasoline prices at 12:03 PM JST - 17th May
Betzee at 12:00 PM JST - 17th May

the Saudis are under no obligation to create an oil glut in order to satisfy our oil gluttony.

True, however in theory they have an interest in not letting oil prices rise too high. This is because high prices spur the search for alternative technologies that would make what they…

Posted in Bush fails to win Saudi help for oil increase big enough to cut high gasoline prices at 12:00 PM JST - 17th May
Betzee at 11:37 AM JST - 17th May

This is a campaign speech. That is all.

So this is the way we should look at flip-flopping? McCain has not only been highly critical of Democrats who suggest a troop withdrawal time table but he skewered Republican rival Mitt Romney when he made such a suggestion. So, having declared…

Posted in McCain says Iraq war can be won by 2013 at 11:37 AM JST - 17th May