Do you agree with Obama that we wouldn't be a great country without social programs?

theplaydrive said:

She was born in 1964 - meaning adulthood around 1984. What amazing things happened in the United States between 1984 and 2008?

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Whovian said:

Something 'amazing' has to happen for you to be proud of your country? That's sad.

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Mellie said:

Uh, hello. How about how we all banded together on 9/11/01 and weeks after praying for lost loved ones, volunteering to help search, sending cards, flowers, giving money, giving time, giving supplies.........we were all just Americans in those days, not right and left. I'm very proud of that. Aren't you?

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Mellie said:

Uh, hello. How about how we all banded together on 9/11/01 and weeks after praying for lost loved ones, volunteering to help search, sending cards, flowers, giving money, giving time, giving supplies.........we were all just Americans in those days, not right and left. I'm very proud of that. Aren't you?

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theplaydrive said:

That hurts coming from you. :coffeepap

Nonetheless - we're not talking about "proud", we're talking about "really proud". Let me give you examples of times when Americans were "really proud" of their country - winning the revolutionary war, victory after WWII, passage of the Civil Rights of 1864, etc.. She was talking about pivotal moment in history where you think to yourself - "this is what America is all about". Got it yet?

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Whovian said:

Oh good God... you're whining because you claim a difference between 'proud' and 'really proud'? That's like the difference between blue and really blue. Get a grip.

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Whovian said:

You mean, when she said this?


She deserved heat for that. That was the first time as an adult she was proud of her country? Wow.

Go ahead PB... spin it so it doesn't 'really' mean that.

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theplaydrive said:

Given the context of her statement, the difference is clear. She is referring to a moment in history that stands out from the everyday life of being American. It would make sense to look at her adult life for similar moments to understand the comment. But I wouldn't expect you to do anymore than a surface analysis.

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theplaydrive said:

She was born in 1964 - meaning adulthood around 1984. What amazing things happened in the United States between 1984 and 2008?

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Whovian said:

As was told to me in another thread, those are YOUR interpretations of her words.

I don't interpret. I take the words as spoken.

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theplaydrive said:

Actually, what you do is ignore context.

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Before the Wisconsin primary in mid-February, Michelle Obama made a remark that Republicans will use to hammer her husband should he win the Democratic nomination. "For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback," she said. Almost immediately, Cindy McCain told reporters, "I have and always will be proud of my country." Both Michelle and her husband tried to explain that what she really meant was that was proud to see so many people turn out to vote. But a lot of voters did and will wonder: how could someone who graduated from Princeton and Harvard Law School and won a job at a high-paying Chicago law firm—who was in some way a beneficiary of affirmative action—sound so alienated from her country?

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Whovian said:

Here's some context for ya...
Michelle Obama's 'Proud' Remarks - Newsweek


Cindy McCain was ALWAYS proud of her country. She didn't need to see a large voter turnout to declare she was suddenly proud of the US.

THAT.... is context.

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Jetboogieman said:

Every single time a president speaks, the opposition grasps for straws. This straw is pretty flimsy.

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MaggieD said:

Define great.

I think a country can be judged, just like a person, by how "he treats the least of us." I would hate to live in a country that didn't care enough for its poor or its seniors to provide them with the basic necessities of life.

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Mellie said:

You're right. No one believes we shouldn't help the needy. However, there is a difference between individual, voluntary charity and forced charity from the government.

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theplaydrive said:

This has shown me nothing except that Cindy McCain took advantage of your inability to put quotes into context to make herself look better.

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mac said:

Don't forget that all the Democracies of the world....are following us. Define that.

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Whovian said:

Yeah... Cindy McCain took advantage of poor little Michelle... :rofl:

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sazerac said:

So we're talking about welfare? It's probably a smaller percentage of spending than corporate welfare.

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marduc said:

:mrgreen:

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hazlnut said:

The right-wing media spreads so much misinformation about safety net programs, their huge senior audience won't know what hit them if/when the GOP rolls out their own death panels.

That's right Grandma, all you have to do is go online and download a PDF file, fill it out and send it back... shouldn't be too hard for you. Then we'll send you your Health Coupons... Don't send it all in one place.

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mac said:

What's your point? Our world has always had a leader. In every case, it has been that countries own people that brought it down. I suppose you are one of those people.

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marduc said:

I am one of those people? how do you get to that inference and accusation (who are those people that I am allegedly one of?) from a simple insertion of a far side cartoon? You wanted a definition for all the countries of the world following us, I gave you one.. humorously.. lemmings.

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