Luke

You could have said that an hour ago and avoided this entire conversation.

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Formerly VanillaPrice

36 Karat

No, no I could not have and that statement makes no logical sense. But here's a kitten:

Nimreitz

Just for the record, most people in the "thinking world" are just as dumb as most Americans. That they all say they would vote for Obama doesn't mean anything.

36 Karat

Yes, yes it does. Their opinion reflects a lot of factors, and the notion that their opinion doesn't mean anything? Seriously?

Luke

You said that the majority of sophisticated, reasonable people in my area may very well not be voting for Obama. Which insinuates that there sophisticated and reasonable people that will vote for Romney. The tone in your original post led me to believe that you did not believe this, despite using "majority" as opposed to using a word like all, or everyone.

There's plenty of stupid people voting for Obama and there's plenty of sophisticated, reasonable people voting for Romney. And vice versa.

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Formerly VanillaPrice

36 Karat

The "tone" in my original post (tone not being applicable on a message board, grammar our only option) must also be taken into context, considering the fact that I was replying to E.H. based off my original post. My "original post" you speak of, was not in fact my original post. All due respect, I think you were simply taking offense where no offense was implied. Again, the bane of a message board.

This sentence is true.

Nimreitz

I think it means something, but that something is not necessarily that Obama is objectively the best candidate.

36 Karat

That's a fair statement as well.

However, when viewed through the lens of foreign policy and our relationship with the rest of the world and how they perceive us, I think it does bid consideration.

Mr. Hobbes

It doesn't really matter who's in charge, it matters how they behave. The pattern has been set for generations, so has the international perception.

I'm guessing most of the world just raised an eyebrow when Obama got elected.

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don't edit me bro

Nimreitz

I just think it means that they were raised with the paradigm that the center is a lot further left that it is in the US. Obama is more right wing than most of the mainstream conservative parties in these countries.

36 Karat

..so in that sense it does in fact matter who is in charge, for if it is about how they behave (which you are generally right in that assumption), different candidates bring different mannerisms, idiosyncrasies, etc to the proverbial negotiating table. Some interesting, albeit not current but still relevant graphs illustrating worldwide perception of those of us stateside:

36 Karat

Precisely, although I believe Obama would be viewed as more moderate in many of said countries. So what does that say of the conservative movement in this country in respect to the political and social trajectory of other developed nations? In my view, it suggests much the same as our rates of incarceration. In such a very 'modern' world it's hilarious that we still have such barbaric elements.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...rceration_rate

Mr. Hobbes

Karat I was speaking from experience. That world cop thing pisses a lot of people off.

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don't edit me bro

36 Karat

..and I'm agreeing with you, and I hope it's something I have the privilege of seeing reversed in my lifetime.

Nimreitz

He murders his own citizens without due process and doesn't believe in single payer health care. He would not be a centrist.

I agree with your take on the Republican Party.