www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall TIME's Man of the Year

Oh, no, Alice, he is the penultimate "Big Tiny!"


Of that I have no doubt! One of the many reasons I do not plan to visit Russia any time soon. Who knows how many of those Putin cult-worshippers are reading these posts? They've probably already made plans of what to do with me if I should ever visit there!

Alexis

Nathan,

Which one are you on your website? Is that you with the glasses?

Alice

Thanks to the pygmies!

Romney is "disgusted" by this pick: http://www.glennbeck.com/news/12192007c.shtml

He said: "Well, you know, he imprisoned his political opponents. There have been a number of highly suspicious murders. He has squelched public dissent and free press. And to suggest that someone like that is the man of the year is really disgusting. I'm just appalled. Clearly General Petraeus is the person or one of a few people who would certainly merit that designation and I know Time magazine makes a distinction."

Not that I agree or disagree with any of the points he made, I bring this up because I believe that Romney sounds less Presidential on this matter than other matters.

Terry

WOW!! Indeed, I am the one who is *appalled*--appalled that we could even consider having a President who would speak of another standing President like that!

-- Talk about wanting to start another 'cold war'. I really cannot believe that a politician would be so unrestrained with his feelings and words.

Alice

People talk like that about Hugo Chavez, Alice, and he's another standing President. People have said far worse things about him, and rightfully so. Just because a man (or woman) is President of Such-and-Such doesn't make them immune to criticism by other world leaders. In fact, their actions should be all the more scrutinized and people should be all the more free to criticize them.

Alexis

P.S. I hope our differences in point of view as expressed on this thread are just said: small disagreements between friends!

Comments on Chavez by free citizens is a completely different matter, or on Putin. People should be free to be public about negative personal opinions on public figures.

It is just that for a President or an official representative of a State, words can have consequences. If a President were to speak of another head-of-state in a dismissive manner and carry on an ad hominem attack, it must be supported by a strategy vaster than his personal opinion. Otherwise, if unhinged and careless, the President may severely affect his ethos.

I would not want our President to describe another head-of-state in a capricious manner. There is a point at which truth and diplomacy collide. When that point is reached silence is often the wiser choice, or a focus on positives and common interests.

Terry

An unfortunate event.
Ed

Did they mention any of his recent sales to Iran?

Yes.

Exactly! Thanks for understanding my post and articulating my sentiments clearly.

Garrett--there is a vast difference between what a regular person like you and I can say, and what a politician running for the president of the United States says!

My only comment would be, too bad Mr Putin doesn't have a brother to run for president in this country. He beats all that are running here hands down. Who knows, maybe someday an Orthodox America will arise. Much to the dismay of the George Soros' and the Clintonistas out there.

Alexandr

Oh, by the way, I think Russia should monitor the US Presidential Elections this November. With a history of gross ballot fraud and unfair election practices in this country, maybe Russia should critique our voting processes. Or maybe, even better yet, maybe Russia should support organized crime elements in the election and sponsor street protests against any candidate that opposes Russian foreign policy. After all, fair is fair!

Don't be silly. We're going to call out Jimmy Carter.

"With a history of gross ballot fraud and unfair election practices in this country, maybe Russia should critique our voting processes."

Alexandr,

Ha! Some states are worse than others at regulating their polls. I've been an assistant election judge (no big title and it's usually once a year). In Texas, if someone claims an error has been made and that they should have been on the voting roll they can write a special ballot. This person not registered with the precinct will have to sign an affidavit and there are only special cases where the vote will be counted. Those cases are rare.

I would be worried about states which allow oral testimony to be enough to verify a person's eligibility; especially if the DNC and GOP bus in an enormous amount of "poll workers" into the state. If a study is done which shows that more people voted in a county than are eligible, it will be difficult to make a case against groups or individuals that could stand up to the legal process.

I share your sentiments for that remark, though I would say it could be unfair to say that Mr. Putin or a twin of his would be a good American politician. I don't see a parallel to how political power is distributed in Russia to how the political system works in America. If a parallel existed or can be proven, I could agree with your first comment.

Terry

Yeap, I'm the guy in the glasses, and my dad is the "old man".

I need to update that website, but I've been working on a commercial dvd in all my free time.