I can't speak for others Jim, but this is the first time in months I've followed this blog with interest. I think it's refreshing to have a REAL discussion every once in a while - anybody really want to have a spirited discussion about eye pieces instead? Helps me realize that not all amateur astronomers spend so much time looking up that they have no sense of what is going on around them politically. It's human nature just to go about believing what we want to believe (i.e. Iraq War is a good use of our tax dollars. Global Climate Change is a hoax. Republican Leadership is really looking out for the little guy. Framers of the U.S. Constitution were Christians. etc.) Science is asking hard uncomfortable questions, challenging the status quo, being rebuked by nay-sayers and conventionalists, failing in the end, or proving the establishment glaringly wrong. There have always been two camps of sky watchers: Astronomers and Astrologers. Based on this thread, I'm beginning to think that Neo-Cons are the modern day astrologers. "The "stars" (Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, etc.) predict based on absolutely no evidence, AND in the face of tons of evidence against (abundantly available to anybody who has been paying attention the last 8 years and not still burping up the Bush Kool-aid) that Obama will take this country in the wrong direction. While the progressives are the political equivalent of Astronomers. "Any new direction can only be better! Taking the country to the far right has been catastrophically wrong since Reagan. Trickle-down didn't work for 8 years of Reagan, 4 years of Herbert Walker, and 8 more of "W". Trying the same thing after it failed 3 times yet expecting different results is not only non-science, it's also the mark of insanity! How many times would you try looking through your lens cap before realizing better seeing comes from taking it off? While I'm convinced there's plenty of room for both camps under the umbrella of Amateur Astronomy I think it is always good to find new ways to distinguish. Perhaps the modern day Astrologer is the believer and the modern day Astronomer is the doubter? I believe in Obama and doubt that makes most of you happy. But since I also believe Vets gave us the right to think out loud and because I doubt REAL vets would feel any less appreciated if my free speech differs from theirs, I thought I would celebrate veterans day by sharing my thoughts. - Kevin Poe Son of a Military Vet and 40 year veteran of one of those "not in the constitution" government agencies that not even Neo Con Republicans dare to gut or privatize because just talking about doing so usually leads un-election - the NPS Grandson of a 4-term Colorado Senator - a Democrat in a 60% Republican district. On Tue, Nov 11, 2008 at 12:05 PM, Jim Cobb <james@cobbzilla.net> wrote:
<zaurak@digis.net> wrote:
The few, the proud....... the Bush supporters (24% approval). By the way unemployment is skyrocketing and Reagan and Bush grew government greatly, along with the deficit. Who was in charge during 9-11, can it really be claimed Bush protected our country.
Thank You to all veterans, I hope your service was a pleasure. To all veterans: Unlike zaurak's smirking salute, I am truly grateful for your service.
Regarding the Bush bashing, perhaps no one cares, but if this obnoxious thread doesn't end soon, I'm outta here. I bet there others that have already departed.
Jim Cobb
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