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Ted Cruz Walks Out Of Nelson Mandela Memorial Service In Protest

Truth is rarely weak... unless as interpreted so by those with the previously existing condition of feeble opinions. Maybe Obamacare has something for that, eh?

Nah, as regards Obamadontcare, you and yours had your shot, you blew it... a complete and utter air ball. Probably lose the Senate in fairly dramatic fashion... we will more than retain the House, then override Oblahblahblah's veto, if any. Can you believe the country will have to live with that imbecile for three more years...he is clueless...

Maybe that sign language guy can get a message through somehow, tho. :lamo:lamo:lamo


Good luck with that one. You obviously don't know much about politics outside what your right-wing radio pundits tell you. The reality is even in the unlikely event that the GOP takes the senate, you will not see a repeal. The Republicans know that by then people who have not be able to get healthcare for years will have it and the GOP isn't going to yank it away from them without consequences. They know that. But the reality is, the Republicans have as much of a chance of regaining the senate as Ted Cruz does of being elected President. In other words....aint ever gonna happen.
 
Yes and no. The public option would have been a much better program and wouldn't have had all the problems inherent in the mandate.

Even with the public option, that was never seriously considered by the administration, anyway, how the ACA is constructed makes it vital to the system functioning. Without it, the entire way the system functions doesn't work


Because the party of NO refused to even seriously work on health care and because a handful of bluedogs wouldn't vote for the public option, we got the basic Republican plan....its a start, but it needs to be taken further.

While the republicans hardly added anything of merit to the HC debate, you don't seem to know what you are talking about: the public option was never seriously considered and was simply used as a bargaining chip by the admin. Not to mention, it has absolutely nothing to do with how the personal mandate functions within the ACA

Truth about the public option momentarily emerges, quickly scampers back into hiding - Salon.com

Truth Emerges about the Public Option : Columbia Journalism Review
 
Good luck with that one. You obviously don't know much about politics outside what your right-wing radio pundits tell you. The reality is even in the unlikely event that the GOP takes the senate, you will not see a repeal. The Republicans know that by then people who have not be able to get healthcare for years will have it and the GOP isn't going to yank it away from them without consequences. They know that. But the reality is, the Republicans have as much of a chance of regaining the senate as Ted Cruz does of being elected President. In other words....aint ever gonna happen.
Fact is many of the ones, even the ones that voted for Oblablah, are being adversely affected. They were sold a bill of goods, now realizing their mistake... too many simply cannot afford the affordable care act. So...
One of us is going to be surprised, of that we can be sure.

Think I will look elsewhere for astute political predictions. Thanks anyhow. ;)
 
Do you have any way to know Cruz knew Castro would be there?

Let's not play this game, alright? Whenever the President travels abroad his security knows what dignitaries are slated to attend such functions much as they know who is likely to attend a UN summit meeting. And being that Sen. Cruz was part of the President's delegation, it's not unreasonable to assume he had to known Raul Castro might be in attendance. But like I said, I can sympathize with him, but he still acted inappropriately.
 
Let's not play this game, alright? Whenever the President travels abroad his security knows what dignitaries are slated to attend such functions much as they know who is likely to attend a UN summit meeting. And being that Sen. Cruz was part of the President's delegation, it's not unreasonable to assume he had to known Raul Castro might be in attendance. But like I said, I can sympathize with him, but he still acted inappropriately.

He did not act inappropriately.

Any other Cuban would have done the same.

Like I asked before, would you stay to listen to a speech given by Osama Bin Laden if you have numerous family members die in the twin towers?
 
Fact is many of the ones, even the ones that voted for Oblablah, are being adversely affected. They were sold a bill of goods, now realizing their mistake... too many simply cannot afford the affordable care act. So...
One of us is going to be surprised, of that we can be sure.

Think I will look elsewhere for astute political predictions. Thanks anyhow. ;)

You've been listening to your right-wing pundits too much.....the stories you are talking about a far and few....
 
Being a Floridian I know lots of Cubans. They are passionate in their hate for Castro. Cruz's father was born in Cuba and had a bad experience with the Castro junta. I would expect no less from Cruz than to walk out on Raul's speech. It's not a conservative, liberal, republican or democrat thing. It's a Cuban thing.
 
He did not act inappropriately.

Any other Cuban would have done the same.

Like I asked before, would you stay to listen to a speech given by Osama Bin Laden if you have numerous family members die in the twin towers?

If I were there of my own accord, probably not. In fact, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't. However, the point I'm trying to make is Sen. Cruz was NOT there of his own accord. He was there as a member of President Obama's U.S. delegation and, as such, as one of several representatives of the United States government. In that regard, he should have behaved himself in a more dignified manner. In this case, he should have swallowed his pride, set aside his misgivings and presented himself as a humble Ambassador of the U.S. If he didn't believe he could do that, he shouldn't have come on the trip OR he should have excused himself long before the U.S. delegation or the President himself made the Cuban President's acquaintance. Instead, he apparently (and perhaps deliberately) choose to make his exit right as the President greeted the Cuban leader. IMO, he did so only so he could later stand up among his anti-Communist, Republican-Conservative allies and decree how he stood firm against aligning himself with Communist dictators (which for the record is reminiscent of what anti-Communist, Republican-Conservatives did immediately following WWII and well into the Vietnam war era) whereas the U.S. President did not. Instead, he's once again mingling with "terrorist/Socialist/Communist..." another opportunity to bring his relationships/alliances into question. :roll: In any case, it's obvious to anyone who is truly paying attention and understand alittle bit about political posturing that this Republican at least is trying his hardest to repeat history among his more Republican-Conservative base.

In a nutshell, all I'm saying here (again) is if Sen. Cruz knew in advance that Raul Casto was going to be there and he'd have to make his acquaintance in a formal manner, i.e., shake the man's hand, he either shouldn't have come or he should have excused himself long beforehand.
 
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Being a Floridian I know lots of Cubans. They are passionate in their hate for Castro. Cruz's father was born in Cuba and had a bad experience with the Castro junta. I would expect no less from Cruz than to walk out on Raul's speech. It's not a conservative, liberal, republican or democrat thing. It's a Cuban thing.

I understand the hatred and mistrust most Cuban-Americans have of the Castro regime. I get it; really I do. But again I have to make the point, Sen. Cruz is no longer just another American citizen. Moreover, he wasn't there of his own accord. As such, he should have shown a lot more restraint.
 
If I were there of my own accord, probably not. In fact, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't. However, the point I'm trying to make is Sen. Cruz was NOT there of his own accord. He was there as a member of President Obama's U.S. delegation and, as such, as one of several representatives of the United States government. In that regard, he should have behaved himself in a more dignified manner. In this case, he should have swallowed his pride, set aside his misgivings and presented himself as a humble Ambassador of the U.S. If he didn't believe he could do that, he shouldn't have come on the trip OR he should have excused himself long before the U.S. delegation or the President himself made the Cuban President's acquaintance. Instead, he apparently (and perhaps deliberately) choose to make his exit right as the President greeted the Cuban leader. IMO, he did so only so he could later stand up among his anti-Communist, Republican-Conservative allies and decree how he stood firm against aligning himself with Communist dictators (which for the record is reminiscent of what anti-Communist, Republican-Conservatives did immediately following WWII and well into the Vietnam war era) whereas the U.S. President did not. Instead, he's once again mingling with "terrorist/Socialist/Communist..." another opportunity to bring his relationships/alliances into question. :roll: In any case, it's obvious to anyone who is truly paying attention and understand alittle bit about political posturing that this Republican at least is trying his hardest to repeat history among his more Republican-Conservative base.

In a nutshell, all I'm saying here (again) is if Sen. Cruz knew in advance that Raul Casto was going to be there and he'd have to make his acquaintance in a formal manner, i.e., shake the man's hand, he either shouldn't have come or he should have excused himself long beforehand.

I pretty much agree with what you're saying.

Just think of it this way: If he didn't do what he did, most of us would probably not be aware that he was even there in the first place. Getting his name in the headlines is very important is he's running in '16.
 
If I were there of my own accord, probably not. In fact, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't. However, the point I'm trying to make is Sen. Cruz was NOT there of his own accord. He was there as a member of President Obama's U.S. delegation and, as such, as one of several representatives of the United States government. In that regard, he should have behaved himself in a more dignified manner. In this case, he should have swallowed his pride, set aside his misgivings and presented himself as a humble Ambassador of the U.S. If he didn't believe he could do that, he shouldn't have come on the trip OR he should have excused himself long before the U.S. delegation or the President himself made the Cuban President's acquaintance. Instead, he apparently (and perhaps deliberately) choose to make his exit right as the President greeted the Cuban leader. IMO, he did so only so he could later stand up among his anti-Communist, Republican-Conservative allies and decree how he stood firm against aligning himself with Communist dictators (which for the record is reminiscent of what anti-Communist, Republican-Conservatives did immediately following WWII and well into the Vietnam war era) whereas the U.S. President did not. Instead, he's once again mingling with "terrorist/Socialist/Communist..." another opportunity to bring his relationships/alliances into question. :roll: In any case, it's obvious to anyone who is truly paying attention and understand alittle bit about political posturing that this Republican at least is trying his hardest to repeat history among his more Republican-Conservative base.

In a nutshell, all I'm saying here (again) is if Sen. Cruz knew in advance that Raul Casto was going to be there and he'd have to make his acquaintance in a formal manner, i.e., shake the man's hand, he either shouldn't have come or he should have excused himself long beforehand.

I understand your point of view, but I think you underestimate the felling Cubans have for the Castros.

I haven't read anywhere that he knew Castro was going to be there or giving a speech.

Have you seen that somewhere?
 
I understand the hatred and mistrust most Cuban-Americans have of the Castro regime. I get it; really I do. But again I have to make the point, Sen. Cruz is no longer just another American citizen. Moreover, he wasn't there of his own accord. As such, he should have shown a lot more restraint.

What I have read about Rafael Bienvenido Cruz, Ted's father, was that as a teen he was imprisoned and tortured by Batista and when Castro came along he joined him and fought in the revolution. He became disillusioned with Castro when he started to confiscate private property and punishing dissent. In the 50's, he fled Cuba and was a rampant anti communist. I don't see how, as a son and as a Cuban American he had the obligation to sit though a speech presented by someone who had negatively impacted his family. I understand why he left and support his decision.
 
Yeah yeah yeah... try telling that to some lib that might actually fall for it.

No need. The reality is, despite the obstacles and problems a great number of individuals have enrolled and the Republicans are not going to be able to take their insurance away without consequences. We need to work towards a single payer system...but this is a first step in that direction.
 
No need. The reality is, despite the obstacles and problems a great number of individuals have enrolled and the Republicans are not going to be able to take their insurance away without consequences. We need to work towards a single payer system...but this is a first step in that direction.
How many is it now that have signed up, actually signed up? Has it hit 300K yet? Mostly the ones needing, not the ones needed to make the system work... and how many of them have actually purchased? Death spiral anyone?

This, simply put, is a major debacle...no avoiding that.

NO, what we need is a single prayer system, should go something like this, " Good Lord, please help us be rid of this awful, unaffordable and unhealthy transfer of wealth system".

Amen.
 
What I have read about Rafael Bienvenido Cruz, Ted's father, was that as a teen he was imprisoned and tortured by Batista and when Castro came along he joined him and fought in the revolution. He became disillusioned with Castro when he started to confiscate private property and punishing dissent. In the 50's, he fled Cuba and was a rampant anti communist. I don't see how, as a son and as a Cuban American he had the obligation to sit though a speech presented by someone who had negatively impacted his family. I understand why he left and support his decision.

I'm not questioning why he left or saying he necessarily had to stayed due to his personal objections. I'm just saying that under the circumstances based on why he was there, he should have exercised a higher level of decorum. That's all. Instead, his actions give the impression that he was only there to showboat. And in my opinion based on the nature of the event he attended and what his presence there represented, he should have swallowed his pride OR left sooner.
 
Who paid his fare to go there and not be noticed leaving? I would want a refund.
 
I understand your point of view, but I think you underestimate the felling Cubans have for the Castros.

I haven't read anywhere that he knew Castro was going to be there or giving a speech.

Have you seen that somewhere
?

No, and that's why I continue to preface my position on the matter with "if he knew" or "he had to have known" based on the fact that he was there as part of a presidential delegation. I can certainly sympathies with him. I just think his actions were prompted along the lines of being more self-serving than out of contempt.
 
I'm not questioning why he left or saying he necessarily had to stayed due to his personal objections. I'm just saying that under the circumstances based on why he was there, he should have exercised a higher level of decorum. That's all. Instead, his actions give the impression that he was only there to showboat. And in my opinion based on the nature of the event he attended and what his presence there represented, he should have swallowed his pride OR left sooner.

Or conversely, perhaps he felt it was important to express the dissatisfaction of Cuban Americans with the Castro regime. Obama has been involved in secret discussions with Cuba over normalization of relations or so I've read. Perhaps he left for Obama's benefit. I don't know but I understand his passion and could care less about his decorum.
 
Or conversely, perhaps he felt it was important to express the dissatisfaction of Cuban Americans with the Castro regime. Obama has been involved in secret discussions with Cuba over normalization of relations or so I've read. Perhaps he left for Obama's benefit. I don't know but I understand his passion and could care less about his decorum.

At an extremely high profile memorial service in South Africa? That smacks of showboating.
 
At an extremely high profile memorial service in South Africa? That smacks of showboating.

Imagine you were at a memorial service for someone you most respected and a speaker rose who you thought was genuinely evil and that speaker had forced your family to leave their native country. Would you sit and listen to the bull**** or would you get your happy ass out of there. I know what I would do.
 
At least there is one Politician in Washington who has some courage.
 
Imagine you were at a memorial service for someone you most respected and a speaker rose who you thought was genuinely evil and that speaker had forced your family to leave their native country. Would you sit and listen to the bull**** or would you get your happy ass out of there. I know what I would do.

It wasn't Fidel, it was his brother.
 
It wasn't Fidel, it was his brother.

Fidel and Raul fought in the revolution together and have wielded power in the government most of their adult lives.
 
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