[maxiep]

He's being interviewed by Chris Matthews at Villanova University. When asked about how he likes to relax he stated he was a "sports nut" who was looking forward to seeing the Lakers lose in the playoffs.

As a Blazer fan, I believe there is no larger requirement than our Commander-In-Chief being a Laker Hater.

[Dan]

Can't disagree with him there.

[DaRizzle]

Oh **** this piece of ****!! I'm starting an anti McCain movement! Im in a bad mood today...but seriously...**** McCain

[dudleysghost]

Max, with all your strict allegiance to laissez faire economics and preconceived notions about what Democrats supposedly represent, I can't say anyone is in suspense about who you are going to vote for. But for sure, Laker hating is definitely a (+) in my book.

[maxiep]

Originally Posted by dudleysghost

Max, with all your strict allegiance to laissez faire economics and preconceived notions about what Democrats supposedly represent, I can't say anyone is in suspense about who you are going to vote for. But for sure, Laker hating is definitely a (+) in my book.

Wow, that was a loaded statement, and one that I frankly resent. You and I may disagree on certain issues, but I would never paint you with the statement that you have "preconceived notions" about what some group "supposedly" represents. Perhaps it's easier to believe that because we disagree, that I must be a non-thinker. It's pretty damn hard to offend me, so congratulations on succeeding so brilliantly.

And if you think McCain is laissez-faire in terms of economics, I'd invite you to take a closer examination of his positions.

[dudleysghost]

Originally Posted by maxiep

Wow, that was a loaded statement, and one that I frankly resent. You and I may disagree on certain issues, but I would never paint you with the statement that you have "preconceived notions" about what some group "supposedly" represents. Perhaps it's easier to believe that because we disagree, that I must be a non-thinker. It's pretty damn hard to offend me, so congratulations on succeeding so brilliantly.

And if you think McCain is laissez-faire in terms of economics, I'd invite you to take a closer examination of his positions.

Well, I've seen two examples of you interpreting things (Obama's recent "bitter" statement, and the Democrats superdelegate system) as somehow representing Democrat "paternalism", when there really isn't anything there of the sort. If anyone suggests the government should do nearly anything to help people, that seems to be equated with European Socialism. That's what I call a preconceived notion, but I apologize if it offends. Like Obama, I chose my words poorly, but I think the idea was sound. I've seen you feign independence on this present election, but I didn't really find it to be plausible. For most posters on this board, we can tell who they will vote for with a high degree of confidence, and you are one of us. Having made the decision, and even having preconceived notions isn't the same at all as being a non-thinker though, but I can see why it would be taken as an insult. I'm sorry for how it came out.

In any case, I don't think McCain is as strongly laissez faire as you are, but more so than the other candidates. Do you think anyone would be surprised to know you would vote for McCain, or are you still claiming to be "independent"?

[maxiep]

Originally Posted by dudleysghost

Well, I've seen two examples of you interpreting things (Obama's recent "bitter" statement, and the Democrats superdelegate system) as somehow representing Democrat "paternalism", when there really isn't anything there of the sort.

It's your opinion there isn't anything paternalistic about "superdelegates" in the Democratic Party or "unpledged delegates" in the Republican Party. I disagree. I'll just say that to state an opinion as fact is generally a bad idea.

As for what I said about Obama's statement, I found the subtext damning. Am I not allowed to have my own opinion? Do you get to decide for me? Knowing that would make my life a lot easier.

Originally Posted by dudleysghost

If anyone suggests the government should do nearly anything to help people, that seems to be equated with European Socialism. That's what I call a preconceived notion, but I apologize if it offends.

Frankly, I haven't presented enough of my positions on here for you to draw a complete conclusion. Yet, you feel comfortable enough to just fill in the rest of how I "must" think about other issues from the few items on which I have commented. Which one of us has preconceived notions again?

Clearly, from your statements, you believe me to be a simplistic demagogue. I have very few "preconceived notions". In fact, I spent five years of my life having the idea that I don't know the answer to anything until I see enough data to draw a conclusion.

Originally Posted by dudleysghost

Like Obama, I chose my words poorly, but I think the idea was sound.

Thank you for letting me know what you think of my thought process, or lack thereof. I think it's important to let people know what you think of them. It's clear I have more respect for you than you do for me. I'm comfortable with asymmetry.

Originally Posted by dudleysghost

I've seen you feign independence on this present election, but I didn't really find it to be plausible.

So, now I'm a liar? At best I'm deceiving people. I'm sorry you don't find my independence to be plausible, but your doubt doesn't mean that my independence doesn't exist. I've voted in Presidential elections since 1988. I'll bet $500 you couldn't properly list for whom I voted in those five elections.

Originally Posted by dudleysghost

Having made the decision, and even having preconceived notions isn't the same at all as being a non-thinker though, but I can see why it would be taken as an insult.

Let me refresh your memory with your initial statement:

Originally Posted by dudleysghost

Max, with all your strict allegiance to laissez faire economics and preconceived notions about what Democrats supposedly represent...

Firstly, I don't strictly adhere to anything, and especially laissez-faire economics. I've studied the field a bit, and I find "Das Kapital" as important and as persuasive a book as "The Wealth of Nations". Once again, you assume that I've just drunk the Hyde Park Kool-Aid and have shut off any critical thinking. I'd suggest you actually review the faculty at my graduate institution. One of my closest colleagues (with whom I authored three articles) is Austan Goolsbee. You may be surprised to discover what he's doing with his spare time (run a web search). Before I left school, my advisor was Richard Thaler. He's not exactly a Gene Fama acolyte.

Secondly, you assume to know what Democrats represent better than do I, since I only have preconceived notions about what they supposedly represent. Exactly what brings you to this conclusion? Your assumptions are what I find insulting. And you're smart enough to figure that out all by yourself without me having to spell it out for you.

Originally Posted by dudleysghost

In any case, I don't think McCain is as strongly laissez faire as you are, but more so than the other candidates. Do you think anyone would be surprised to know you would vote for McCain, or are you still claiming to be "independent"?

Regardless of who I'm voting for (and I have yet to decide who that is, whether you choose to believe it or not), what would that say about whether or not I was independent? I've voted for members of both parties in presidential, senatorial, congressional and local elections. Does that make me a Democrat one day, a Republican the next and a member of a particular fringe party any day after that? Wow, according to you I must be dizzy with partisanship. I'm an idependent because I don't side with either party. I have issues that are important to me that pertain to that office, I rank and weight those issues and then compare them to the candidates. I could care less of which party that person is a member.

[Balian]

What can you say about McCain? He is a smart politician since he will probably lose California. The anti-Lakers vote is much more important in this case.

[Xericx]

well, most laker fans, as convicted felons, can't vote anyways.

[DaRizzle]

^you too pot dealer

[hoojacks]

I'm liking this new maxiep vs dudleysghost thing. it's better than talkhard vs the world, but requires more critical reading skills.

[maxiep]

Originally Posted by hoojacks

I'm liking this new maxiep vs dudleysghost thing. it's better than talkhard vs the world, but requires more critical reading skills.

Why the **** does it need to be anyone against anyone? All I learned today was that we have different levels of respect for one another's critical thinking. I was terribly mistaken that Duds held me in the same esteem in which I hold him.

[crandc]

Originally Posted by Xericx

well, most laker fans, as convicted felons, can't vote anyways.

Rep! (even if not strictly true, still good)