Active Users:354 Time:03/07/2025 02:19:10 AM
I really have to disagree with your interpretation of that first speech. Legolas Send a noteboard - 22/08/2010 09:22:32 PM
He stressed his understanding for the people who have a problem with this mosque, yes. But by your own reasoning in the paragraph below, that doesn't mean he was choosing their side. He has a long habit of expressing understanding for those who have a different viewpoint from his own, after all. And I just don't see anything in there, neither in tone nor in the words, that expresses actual agreement with that view.

Of course, it's possible he did agree with that view, and that he just didn't want to come out and say that. But then Roland's point still stands - that he did come out and said it the next day to a different audience, thus giving the impression of prevarication and backtracking he gave. One can see why he didn't want to take a stance against the mosque at the yearly iftar - talk about awkward - but by doing it the next day instead, he only made it more awkward because of that impression of either two-facedness or caving in to the criticisms he'd gotten.
As for me, it was clear from the start. I just think that other people are too intent on reading something else into it or not understanding the issue he was addressing.

You may be overestimating your own objectivity in interpreting it that way, then.
Reply to message
An amusing column on the NYC mosque by Maureen Dowd.... - 20/08/2010 12:33:27 AM 1469 Views
wow, that was an interesting read - 20/08/2010 02:03:52 AM 834 Views
Gingrich thinks he is a deep thinker? - 20/08/2010 09:42:15 AM 685 Views
We've been through this, too, haven't we? - 20/08/2010 10:12:15 AM 977 Views
He makes historical references as often as possible, or at least in pretty much everything I've seen - 20/08/2010 12:37:02 PM 814 Views
As he was a history professor and writes histories and alternate histories, this is not surprising - 20/08/2010 05:33:48 PM 981 Views
I'm aware of that - 20/08/2010 11:47:32 PM 706 Views
Re: I'm aware of that - 21/08/2010 12:40:29 AM 993 Views
Re: I'm aware of that - 21/08/2010 01:19:37 AM 855 Views
Re: I'm aware of that - 21/08/2010 01:59:48 AM 737 Views
Conservatives love Rome. I don't know why. - 21/08/2010 01:20:27 AM 791 Views
Rome was more often than not governed by aristocrats and did, after all, invent the republic. - 21/08/2010 04:50:53 PM 1120 Views
"One man, one vote" always reminds me of Pratchett - 21/08/2010 05:03:35 PM 767 Views
Me too *NM* - 21/08/2010 06:53:22 PM 485 Views
Except there doesn't seem to be any conflict between either position. - 20/08/2010 10:06:20 AM 931 Views
When has logical consistency trumped politics? *NM* - 20/08/2010 01:50:55 PM 391 Views
True, but it does mean there's no "there" there. - 20/08/2010 02:41:49 PM 745 Views
He has to learn he needs to be crystal clear on sensitive issues - 20/08/2010 02:03:43 PM 990 Views
In Washington, one must always present the APPEARANCE of integrity... - 20/08/2010 02:40:24 PM 875 Views
Clinton lied about the BJ but what is your airtight proof that Bush lied? - 20/08/2010 07:44:53 PM 941 Views
Ask and ye shall receive: - 21/08/2010 06:42:50 PM 1116 Views
This is a bit along the lines of what I have been thinking. - 20/08/2010 07:49:15 PM 964 Views
that sort of illustrates the problem - 20/08/2010 08:56:42 PM 811 Views
It does - 22/08/2010 04:56:54 PM 721 Views
Can't find anything now on the context of the second statement. - 21/08/2010 05:05:51 PM 854 Views
I didn't see the problem either. He was simply stating the obvious. - 21/08/2010 01:39:44 AM 701 Views
maybe - 21/08/2010 02:49:40 AM 950 Views
Wow that is probably the best Dowd column I have ever read - 21/08/2010 01:35:36 AM 725 Views
Yes, his backtracking was quite pussy-ish. *NM* - 21/08/2010 04:00:31 AM 348 Views
How did he "backtrack" exactly? - 21/08/2010 04:35:33 PM 1006 Views
c'mon Joel. are you being intentionally thick? - 21/08/2010 05:02:27 PM 1024 Views
Having read those quotes I don't think he was backtracking on anything. (With link to speech) - 22/08/2010 06:27:06 AM 981 Views
*NM* - 22/08/2010 01:37:23 PM 388 Views
did you take into your consideration - 22/08/2010 03:50:59 PM 718 Views
I can't imagine why they would express concern over it. It wasn't controversial. That is on them - 22/08/2010 03:58:32 PM 918 Views
that would be - 22/08/2010 04:02:08 PM 1010 Views
But quote B just reiterated what he said the first time. - 22/08/2010 04:13:21 PM 840 Views
I agree he is not backtracking - 22/08/2010 06:49:36 PM 828 Views
I agree with you, Joel and Tash on this one. - 22/08/2010 07:52:34 PM 889 Views
While we're picking sides, I'm with Mook and Roland. - 22/08/2010 08:20:11 PM 755 Views
I never fail to be impressed with your intelligence - 22/08/2010 08:25:11 PM 906 Views
I like how he's got rhetorical talents when it works - 22/08/2010 08:32:15 PM 778 Views
nope just human *NM* - 22/08/2010 08:37:17 PM 417 Views
that's not what Paul just said. - 22/08/2010 08:42:24 PM 842 Views
He couldn't stay out, no. - 22/08/2010 08:56:47 PM 878 Views
I don't want to argue with you on a Sunday, my religion says I have to relax. - 22/08/2010 09:03:54 PM 899 Views
key word: seem - 22/08/2010 09:06:40 PM 814 Views
I was only using that term for you guys. I don't feel like beating you with a rolling pin until you - 22/08/2010 09:14:39 PM 714 Views
good thing - 22/08/2010 09:39:52 PM 1112 Views
he could have and should have stayed out - 22/08/2010 09:57:57 PM 850 Views
I think he's certainly got rhetoric talents... - 22/08/2010 08:54:11 PM 1277 Views
You don't really seem like you're taking a side to me. - 22/08/2010 09:14:02 PM 934 Views
I'm not even taking the time to comment on something so obvious as what he did. *NM* - 22/08/2010 02:53:10 AM 472 Views
Except, of course, that you just did. - 22/08/2010 12:30:00 PM 850 Views
Joel - 22/08/2010 05:37:45 AM 1030 Views
That last line was golden. *NM* - 22/08/2010 05:40:56 AM 442 Views
His phrasing in the first speech implied that it was a bad idea. But legally they have the right. - 22/08/2010 06:32:59 AM 947 Views
nonsense - 22/08/2010 03:39:30 PM 892 Views
I still don't see how it can be misinterpreted except by intent by the listener. - 22/08/2010 04:08:52 PM 867 Views
so we have reached the point of no return... - 22/08/2010 04:18:46 PM 876 Views
In your case it would have to be number 2. - 22/08/2010 07:38:20 PM 851 Views
ah, but I have no agenda here... - 22/08/2010 07:41:59 PM 683 Views
lol.<3 - 22/08/2010 08:49:35 PM 860 Views
that it is... - 22/08/2010 08:57:05 PM 830 Views
Tash you are very much a fair person in this world - 22/08/2010 08:34:38 PM 951 Views
Or there is another option: 3) He was using tact. - 22/08/2010 09:01:49 PM 856 Views
I really have to disagree with your interpretation of that first speech. - 22/08/2010 09:22:32 PM 1153 Views
On the off chance that this: - 23/08/2010 12:38:48 AM 1049 Views
I do remember your reply... - 23/08/2010 02:57:29 AM 1275 Views
Lies, prevarication and deceit again, eh? - 22/08/2010 01:17:45 PM 1344 Views
that was a decent explanation.... - 22/08/2010 05:18:18 PM 794 Views
Thanks. - 22/08/2010 05:41:28 PM 856 Views
I do feel bad for them - 22/08/2010 08:40:36 PM 750 Views
Re: Joel - 22/08/2010 07:53:51 PM 892 Views
Agreed. *NM* - 22/08/2010 08:25:38 PM 542 Views

Reply to Message