tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post92561843157782295..comments2023-09-13T11:06:15.170-04:00Comments on Alan Keyes is LOYAL TO LIBERTY: Palin's Choice: Duty or DerelictionAlan Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00205437413964197871noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-81446795568929987242009-07-18T00:07:53.815-04:002009-07-18T00:07:53.815-04:00Chiu,
I am glad you found him. He becomes a credi...Chiu,<br /><br />I am glad you found him. He becomes a credit to any debate whether you agree, disagree, or get left in in the dust.pbunyonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11640995263537667360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-90348014455827659912009-07-17T19:41:25.955-04:002009-07-17T19:41:25.955-04:00I...did recognize his face immediately when I look...I...did recognize his face immediately when I looked up the name (which I definitely recognized). And his articles track as being cogent and relevant to my interests. Particularly the last one, about the Moon. Which is slightly ironic since my own interest has practical implications directly opposed to permitting further human activity there.<br /><br />I wouldn't say that our thoughts are identical. For example (leaving behind the Moon, about which we think similarly, but from different perspectives), he says that the Iranian protesters need "mass" (I take that to mean a combination of popularity and momentum) to succeed. While it is true that those would be helpful, what they really need is some practical way to stop the regime from killing them. "Mass" can accomplish that through moral and social suasion, making it hard for regime supporters to believe there is any further point to making themselves the (hated) servants of oppression. But while that is the tool some prefer others to use, it is <i>not</i> how Americans won their freedom. When the British started shooting into crowds, those crowds started shooting back (in fact, exactly which side counts as having started the shooting is debatable).<br /><br />But overall, our agreement is greater than our disagreement. The essential problem is not that the administration lacks an effective strategy for helping the protesters, the problem is that Obama is not on their side in the first place. So it is up to the Iranians to supply the will and means to fight for themselves, whatever means they choose.<br /><br />Anyway, it will be a pleasure reading his articles.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-18061805628283325422009-07-17T15:01:36.809-04:002009-07-17T15:01:36.809-04:00Chiu_Chunling,
I know that you must have at least...Chiu_Chunling,<br /><br />I know that you must have at least listened to or read Charles Krauthammer commentaries. You may not be the same person but you sure come across with, what seems to me, a similar mind to reason. Am I way off?<br /><br />-PBpbunyonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11640995263537667360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-36735329647119972232009-07-17T07:15:20.043-04:002009-07-17T07:15:20.043-04:00I'm not seeking any office.
My state is a goo...I'm not seeking any office.<br /><br />My state is a good example of what you're talking about with regard to Democrats voting opposite their party. Indeed, my own dad is a lifelong registered Democrat, but he's very conservative by contrast to average Democrats. He's really just a moderate, though. Which is to say he's ... a right-liberal (he's also a big Sarah Palin fan, btw). And, yes, Dad loves to talk about what the Democrat party <i>used</i> to stand for, i.e., everything he currently stands for.Terry Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00166609562028309038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-13789101187936002322009-07-17T05:08:30.266-04:002009-07-17T05:08:30.266-04:00Well, the "average Democrat" doesn't...Well, the "average Democrat" doesn't think about such things that much. Political theory can be a fun past-time, but the average person just isn't that into it. Heck, even most politicians aren't that interested in it.<br /><br />There are a number of "Democrats" who really have voted against their own party for the last few elections. Not as many as would have had the Republicans presented a distinct alternative to Progressivism, but there are quite a few. If you talk to the typical Democrat about preserving small businesses enterprise and avoiding monopolies and personal responsibility, they'll claim that sort of thing is exactly what the Democrat party is all about (or used to be all about).<br /><br />It's not that they're stupid. Okay, it's not <i>just</i> stupidity. Regular government isn't <i>natural</i> to humans, and thinking about it in terms more complex than personal like or dislike of prominent individuals isn't normal. That doesn't just apply to Democrats, it applies to most former Republicans too.<br /><br />Sure, Progressives are exploiting that dynamic to overthrow the American republic. That doesn't mean you're going to win by ignoring such a basic fact about how humans decide who to follow. It isn't rational or particularly sane. Even one such as myself can gather a following, which just goes to show how much humans depend on exceptional individual role-models for a sense of direction. It almost doesn't matter <i>how</i> someone stands out, people have such a need for the extraordinary.<br /><br />And, to be fair, in times like this it is clear that America needs something <i>different</i>. Most people are not particularly expert at thinking out exactly what that might be and then looking for an exact match. Which is how "hope" and "change" won. You can decry it, but if you want to lead humans (or try to avoid having them follow you), you need to understand how they decide their allegiances.<br /><br />Theories about fundamental freedoms and rights are important to good government. But they won't propel you into office.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-6145702328859600222009-07-17T01:44:03.515-04:002009-07-17T01:44:03.515-04:00As for the "conservative Democrats" thin...<i>As for the "conservative Democrats" thing, apparently "Gov. Sarah Palin believes all Americans must work together for the future, regardless of their party affiliation.</i><br /><br />I guess there's certainly something noble in the sentiment, but it doesn't change the basic problem which is that Democrats are generally liberals. If they're registered democrats, then they're at very least tacitly agreeing with the democrat(ic) platform. <br /><br />I know some self-professed "conservative democrats," but I've never been able to figure out exactly how it is that they seriously make such a claim when the platform of the party they align themselves with is so very hostile to fundamental conservative values -- the open avowal of feminism (I'm not talking about the radical militant form of feminism, I'm talking about the more subtle and dangerous form) as a governing principle of a well functioning society and all that that implies for the nuclear family, the acceptance of multiculturalism as a self-evident positive good for American society, the "proposition nation" bologna (give us your tired, your poor, and all that), etc.<br /><br />How do people who have fundamentally opposing worldviews 'work together' for America's future? I mean, it sounds good'n'all, but <i>how</i>? Maybe the answer lies in decentralization of political power. But does the average Democrat believe in government decentralization? Certainly not.Terry Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00166609562028309038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-37324250429282520682009-07-16T20:39:26.594-04:002009-07-16T20:39:26.594-04:00Now see Chiu, I say something simple like Sarah ne...Now see Chiu, I say something simple like Sarah never having been a Republican due to the obvious reasons. Here you go spelling it all out so it would be hard to dissagree. I sometimes scratch my head at your reasoning but I can hardly argue with it. I hope you keep it coming.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />PBpbunyonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11640995263537667360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-35421717341967764782009-07-16T18:26:25.995-04:002009-07-16T18:26:25.995-04:00Yeah...if I'd actually been joking I'd be ...Yeah...if I'd actually been <i>joking</i> I'd be more disappointed.<br /><br />As for the "conservative Democrats" thing, apparently "Gov. Sarah Palin believes all Americans must work together for the future, regardless of their party affiliation. Gov. Palin is the honorary chair of SarahPac, and its supporters are Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and those unaffiliated with any political party." I'm sure she's gotten a contribution or two that came with one of those "I've been a Democrat my whole life, up until [pick your Obamanation]" letters. Which is her cue to say, "I WILL support others who seek to serve, in or out of office, for the RIGHT reasons, and I don't care what party they're in or no party at all."<br /><br />Beyond that, I think she's just making a point about electoral politics that is usually not particularly contentious, except when she's the one making it.<br /><br />I do recall that when I read her criteria for the kinds of politicians who would be getting her support, I had to laugh. Not at the suggestion that 'conservative Democrats' might qualify, that's just normal non-partisanship language. I was amused by the apparently earnest expectation that there would be <i>Republicans</i> able to qualify as being that conservative.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-48082149122982938982009-07-16T13:00:35.816-04:002009-07-16T13:00:35.816-04:00I would be laughing at the commentary if my stomac...I would be laughing at the commentary if my stomach wasn't turning over it all. I did manage to cough up a little laugh. I guess you could call it up-chuckling. Great stuff guys.pbunyonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11640995263537667360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-91826477422785542582009-07-16T12:14:45.344-04:002009-07-16T12:14:45.344-04:00What is a "conservative democrat?"What is a "conservative democrat?"Terry Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00166609562028309038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-21068062242542242712009-07-15T23:14:09.750-04:002009-07-15T23:14:09.750-04:00Now you know you are sick! You cracked me up all t...Now you know you are sick! You cracked me up all through that one Chiu! You HAVE to fit Barry and Soetero in there somehow!<br /><br />Oh, I must get rest this week because vice prince Biden is coming to VA to tell us how well the CRIMINALUS Bill is working. What a joke these people are. It took me forever to get through Maryland last week because of them paving a road THAT WAS FINE!!! <br /><br />Then this afternoon on Beck or Hannity or one of the conservative radio programs, it was said that the rumor is Govornor Palin is goiung to stomp for 'conservative' democrats.<br /><br />I am gonna take a week and not read anything except my Bible and listen to no news. I bet i will be amazed at how much willl change in that short amount of time. JESUS said it would be like a woman in labor at the end...gilbertabretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11021337304973752919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-10243094425917722802009-07-15T19:42:51.824-04:002009-07-15T19:42:51.824-04:00Well, I do hope that Palin devotes some of her eff...Well, I do hope that Palin devotes some of her efforts to Alaska's politicians, but at the state government level she's pretty much swept what she can. The problems you saw had a lot to do with why she entered the arena, after all. Signs are she'll be devoting at least some support to help conservatives win at the state level elsewhere, though I'm guessing she wants to focus on changing the landscape in Congress.<br /><br />Dreams die hard, after all. When someone has succeeded beyond all expectation in cleaning up one corrupt government, it can result in unrealistic expectations for what might be done to save another. Palin's definitely a dreamer.<br /><br />But I don't hate that. I like to dream too, after all.<br /><br />The really great thing about Barack Hussein Obama is that each name has a distinctive sound and thus fits different occasions. "Barack" is a perfect replacement for most common explicatives. It also can be used as a verb, since it's etymologically derived from one--as in "Barack that!" or "That's Baracked up!"<br /><br />"Hussein" is great for a drawn out scream. "H<i>u</i>ss<i>ein!</i>" Like when you find out a bureaucrat decided saving your mother's life wasn't "cost effective". "H<i>u</i>ss<i>ein!</i>" Or that a group of American soldiers came under fire and weren't allowed to call in an airstrike because airstrikes kill innocent Muslims, so American soldiers died instead. "H<i>u</i>ss<i>ein!</i>" Or when they let some terrorist mastermind escape because he's in a Olly-olly-all-come-free zone. "H<i>u</i>ss<i>ein!</i>" Or they've actually got one in custody, and Obama lets him go. "H<i>u</i>ss<i>ein!</i> H<i>u</i>ss<i>ein!</i> <b>H<i>u</i>ss<i>ein!</i></b>"<br /><br />Finally, "Obama" is perfect for those moments when you're just too disgusted to muster the energy for anything else. Like pretty much any financial headline this year. "Obama". Also useful to describing any otherwise indescribable moron. "What an Obama." It even combines with 'nation' to form a multi-purpose, multi-level derogatory term for pretty much anything obamay. "Baracked Obamanation." "What a Baracking Obamanation." "What the Barack is that Obamanation?"<br /><br />"H<i>u</i>ss<i>ein!</i>"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-53304727815508718862009-07-15T02:40:44.751-04:002009-07-15T02:40:44.751-04:00Well, as I've said elsewhere, I'm really b...Well, as I've said elsewhere, I'm really beginning to turn my attention more inwardly, which is to say towards the goings-on in my own State, and to heck with Washington DC. I'm more concerned with the local and State pols than I am with the national ones. Washington DC is corrupt beyond repair, I'm firmly convinced of that. The Republican party is no longer a viable vehicle for conservatism in my view, so it's basically useless as far as I'm concerned. <br /><br />As for Sarah Palin, I hope she'll stay in her State and try to effect change-for-the-better there, as opposed to trying to do so at the national level where she has <i>no hope</i> of success. Lord knows they have some serious problems in Alaska. At least they did when I lived there. Indeed, it was because of their teaching of homosexual behavior in the AK public schools (this was in the early '90s) that my wife and I first began to contemplate homeschooling.<br /><br />On your remarks about Hussein's name, when I first became aware of the guy back during his Senate run in Illinois, I said then that his name <i>should</i>, in a sane America, be enough to end his political career then and there. But I already knew America had gone over the edge at that point.Terry Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00166609562028309038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-40154374066602768082009-07-15T02:02:33.725-04:002009-07-15T02:02:33.725-04:00See, I'm not such a nice person that I can eve...See, I'm not such a nice person that I can even <i>aspire</i> to not be sour about God's influence on my life. Downright bitter, I am. But I'm fine with that.<br /><br />I <i>would</i> call Obama names...except I can't think of any worse than his own. Barack Hussein Obama. That's almost enough obscenity to describe him.<br /><br />Anyway, back to the topic, I don't deny that there are some Republicans who are genuine enough in their commitment to the foundational ideal of rule of law which defines a republic. And there are plenty more who aren't actively determined to overthrow the Constitution and the sovereignty of America, but are just confused. Then you have those who are corrupted by the lure of power and wealth unbounded by laws. And a few are genuine wolves in sheep's clothing.<br /><br />I don't much care which category any given individual falls into. I'm not the judge of men's hearts, after all (and I wouldn't want to be either...ick). But one shouldn't ignore what people <i>do</i> just because you can't know <i>why</i>. The reasons don't really matter to you anyway.<br /><br />On the other hand, they do matter to me...while the actions don't. Hmmm...I guess that's the difference between actually living in the world and just being amused by it. If I were my boss I would <i>so</i> fire me....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-52650212816049500552009-07-14T23:45:21.601-04:002009-07-14T23:45:21.601-04:00I used to be like Thomas - show me the scars - but...I used to be like Thomas - show me the scars - but I have learned that faith in GOD (for me) is NOT about me. It is about letting HIM do what HE needs to do in my life and not being sour about it. HIS plan always works out for the best - for HIM & for me, if I allow it to be that way. If I grumble, then I know I am disappointing HIM AND blocking my own blessing (as Patti LaBelle would say). <br /><br />AND I would still not vote for that crab, O'Drama. I feel bad when I call him names, but then I remember two of the first things he did when he moved into OUR White House - send millions we did not have to murder innocent babies in the womb and give a major address to the Arab World before he addressed the USA. SORRY! Innaugural Addresses do not count! They come with the territory that day...gilbertabretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11021337304973752919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-17963560264107991562009-07-14T21:32:52.444-04:002009-07-14T21:32:52.444-04:00Well, I don't think they've all betrayed m...Well, I don't think they've <i>all</i> betrayed me. At least not purposely so.<br /><br />Anyway, I wouldn't say that "trust but verify" with respect to God is extreme. And if <i>most</i> people would consider it extreme, as you assert, I can hardly see why. To me personally, "trust but verify" isn't really distrusting God as much as it is distrusting oneself, or, one's ability to discern God's will. But that's just me.Terry Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00166609562028309038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-15589753805626327832009-07-14T17:43:21.891-04:002009-07-14T17:43:21.891-04:00Admittedly, I wouldn't trust in humans even if...Admittedly, I wouldn't trust in humans even if doing so weren't specifically condemned by God. I have a hard time even trusting God, or perhaps one could say I "trust, but verify". I can understand that most people would regard that attitude as a little bit extreme.<br /><br />That being said, why trust those who have already repeatedly betrayed you?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-89210478060176338812009-07-14T14:36:57.727-04:002009-07-14T14:36:57.727-04:00OK. I am sorry. I did not mean to come across as i...OK. I am sorry. I did not mean to come across as insulting - just how strongly I feel about voting. I was actually in PA during the last presidential debacle and those antiques we voted on did not allow you write anyone in. SO... I HAD to make a quick choice. For me there was no competition because I would never vote for a snake like O'Drama, even though I think McCain is a butt smoocher a lot of the time and does not seem to THINK like someone who would run the office of US president. STILL, I would not vote for slick willy...<br /><br />Either which way, I just think we HAVE to use what we have. Maybe that is why they can't keep ammunition around here in VA now...<br /><br />I personally believe that GOD has allowed us to get what we deserve. Sorry, but the Christians have to suffer through this. We will either grow some backbone and use our GOD given voices, or we will continue to worry about our 501(c)(3) status...<br /><br />If we have a country left in 2010, we might be able to make a REAL change...gilbertabretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11021337304973752919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-292774316487200232009-07-14T13:15:34.039-04:002009-07-14T13:15:34.039-04:00Chiu, I acknowledge that there's likely a lot ...Chiu, I acknowledge that there's likely a lot of truth to what you're saying in your last post. I personally tend to be a little less cynical than you are about it though. To you that's probably an indication that I'm naive, or that I have a blind spot in the way I view the world of politics. Which certainly could be the case. But in order to keep my sanity, I don't want to go about distrusting everyone's motives all the time. If it comes to that in the end, well, I guess that's what it comes to.Terry Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00166609562028309038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-67354630601841753932009-07-13T17:29:10.238-04:002009-07-13T17:29:10.238-04:00No...they see it isn't "working" and...No...they see it isn't "working" and they know damn well why, and that is their plan.<br /><br />Republican In Name Only. Why are these people in control of the Republican Party organization? Because it's the most effective way to prevent you from casting an effective vote against Progressive policies. They aren't really that concerned with getting elected themselves, so much as cultivating their contacts "across the aisle" and with the social and financial elite.<br /><br />It is pure icing that, in the process of pretending to be Republicans, they get to mislead many hapless novice candidates as to the requirements of "electability". But make no mistake, the entire point is to keep qualified conservatives out of office, and portray any who do get there as lunatics or morons.<br /><br />They miscalculated badly with Palin, and you can tell it really scared them if you look at what they say about her (which they started even before the election, in case you thought they were actually trying to win).<br /><br />I'm baffled that so many otherwise intelligent people seem so ready to forget what the term RINO implies. These people didn't take over the party to get into office. Their main goal is to keep <i>you</i> out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-56109333445189228102009-07-13T08:57:15.092-04:002009-07-13T08:57:15.092-04:00You're right, Chiu. I'd like to get that ...You're right, Chiu. I'd like to get that changed in Oklahoma, and I need to start some letter writing campaigns to help initiate the process. We've been doing some internal house sweeping in Oklahoma over the last few election cycles. The Republicans are now in control in both houses of the State Congress for the first time since statehood. They've been doing some pretty good work on a number of issues which the democrats created all those years they were at the helm, but I don't think they've yet gotten around to fixing the problems with our elections. I think they will eventually.<br /><br />On my concern about my ballot being thrown out...<br /><br />I never thought it was a foregone conclusion that it would be, I just thought there was a <i>chance</i> that it would be (a chance I wasn't willing to take since I wanted my votes counted in the Statewide elections and on the State questions, also in the Congressional races.).<br /><br />I make no claims as to the 'superiority' of my choice to abstain in the presidential race except on a purely personal level, just to be clear. In fact, I've defended people who voted McCain-Palin because they felt it the only choice they had. I have no beef against people that voted the ticket as opposed to Obama or simply sitting out the election. Particularly those, as I said above, who live in swing states. To my way of thinking Gilberabret made the right decision given his particular circumstances. But I have one piece of advice for the Republicans -- if they want me to vote for their candidates in the future, they'd better put up someone I can live with voting for. But they're not really after my vote because I'm one of them radical right-wingers they so much despise with the democrat brethren. No; they went out and got themselves a great big tent and set it up on the fairgrounds. They've been promoting this 'big tent compassionate conservatism' for quite a while now. But for some reason or another they ain't smart enough to see that it isn't working.Terry Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00166609562028309038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-3809785258228099672009-07-13T05:02:15.962-04:002009-07-13T05:02:15.962-04:00Oh, many of the people I talked to were planning w...Oh, many of the people I talked to were planning write-ins anyway (before Palin, at least). That does make it seem...really unlikely to make a difference. And I frankly admitted it at the time as well as now.<br /><br />Your particular concern about possibly having your ballot thrown out is not one I addressed, though the lack of provision for write-in ballots doesn't speak well of any electoral process. Throwing out ballots which don't go to a 'pre-approved' candidate...I'm not even going to bother grinding my teeth. I will click them together a bit, though.<br /><br />Anyway, you turned in a ballot, so that's a vote. And I'll say you cast it better than most. Whether you did it better than those who voted "against Obama" or not is a matter of opinion (though, as you mentioned, 'against' votes don't mean much in non-swing states). I don't take any firm position on the issue of whether to 'throw my vote away' or 'choose the lesser evil'.<br /><br />My point is just that those who threw their votes away shouldn't be lumped in with those who didn't bother to vote. Particularly if one is going to have harsh words for those who don't vote.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-42018178926557505832009-07-13T02:54:41.046-04:002009-07-13T02:54:41.046-04:00Well, like I said, Keyes wasn't on the OK ball...Well, like I said, Keyes wasn't on the OK ballot. Had he been, he'da damn sure got my vote without the slightest hesitation, and for the same reasons you mentioned in the other thread.Terry Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00166609562028309038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-39165510320787313382009-07-13T02:33:40.171-04:002009-07-13T02:33:40.171-04:00I recommended that patriotic Americans vote for Ke...I recommended that patriotic Americans vote for Keyes in the last election. Yes, some would consider it the same as not voting at all...but such a contention isn't worth any answer. Not voting does send a message, but it is not the same message that voting for a specific alternative candidate sends. Which message an eligible citizen wishes to send is a matter of personal choice...but a matter of choice it remains.<br /><br />I know that most people I so advised ended up voting for Palin instead, but I'm not one to hold a grudge over such a thing. She's now looking for candidates to support. I'll wish her luck in finding them. It seems she might need more than I would have expected.<br /><br />Who would have thought that those who wish to save America would be so embarrassed of those who want it saved?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7401694557024894060.post-31037227867063738282009-07-13T00:43:20.456-04:002009-07-13T00:43:20.456-04:00Gilbert wrote:
Anyone with an ounce of common sen...Gilbert wrote:<br /><br /><i>Anyone with an ounce of common sense knows that until we build up another party in this country, by sitting by and NOT voting you ARE supporting someone by YOUR dereliction of duty.</i><br /><br />So you're suggesting that I possess less than an ounce of common sense, Gilbert, and that I'm a traitor of some kind? Thanks. Anyway...<br /><br />You argue in favor of a very false notion. IF the electoral college didn't exist, then you might be right. As it is, though, my abstaining from the presidential election didn't effect the outcome in any way, shape, or form. And I got to keep my integrity to boot. For me personally, abstaining in the late presidential election (which I'd never done before) was the only principled option I had. Dr. Keyes wasn't on Oklahoma's ballot, nor Ron Paul, Chuck Baldwin, et al. I thought about writing in Tancredo, but I didn't want to deface the ballot and take a chance on having it cast out since I did vote in the State elections.<br /><br />I realize that VA was a swing state this cycle. Were I a Virginian I would most likely have held my nose and voted for the RINO McAmnesty. But I ain't a Virginian.Terry Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00166609562028309038noreply@blogger.com