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We can be afraid, or we can be informed.
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Member Since: 1/2006Last Seen: 8/05/2009

I'm Not Running for President, but ...

News Type: Opinion — Seeded on Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:56 PM EST
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Michael Bloomburg is ready to announce his decision on whether or not to mount an independent run for the Presidency. In doing so, he makes some very interesting and valid points. It'll be interesting to see whether or not he winds up playing a big role in the election.

From the article:

Over the past year, I have been working to raise issues that are important to New Yorkers and all Americans — and to speak plainly about common sense solutions. Some of these solutions have traditionally been seen as Republican, while others have been seen as Democratic. As a businessman, I never believed that either party had all the answers and, as mayor, I have seen just how true that is.

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{"commentId":1516357,"authorDomain":"bradfarris"}
Brad Farris

After explaining the conditions under which he might become involved in the race, Bloomburg closes with this:

These forces that prevent meaningful progress are powerful, and they exist in both parties. I believe that the candidate who recognizes that the party is over — and begins enlisting all of us to clean up the mess — will be the winner this November, and will lead our country to a great and boundless future.

We can only hope.

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  • 4 votes
Reply#1 - Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:58 PM EST
{"commentId":1517222,"authorDomain":"jfxgillis"}
jfxgillis

Brad:

I'm ashamed of you. "Interesting"? Not even close. It's the same blah-blah imaginary liberal-elite consensus that this class of annointed have been pushing for decades with a few specfics swapped out for outdated ones.

I think David Broder must've ghost-written it.

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  • 1 vote
Reply#2 - Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:17 AM EST
{"commentId":1517466,"authorDomain":"bradfarris"}
Brad Farris

Hi, Jack - thanks for the comment.

"Interesting"? Not even close.

Perhaps you and I have differing areas of "interest?"

;-)

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  • 1 vote
#2.1 - Thu Feb 28, 2008 10:18 AM EST
{"commentId":1517512,"authorDomain":"jfxgillis"}
jfxgillis

Brad:

Honest to God, I read it last night and thought "Hmmm. That might be the most boring op-ed I ever read except for news value of the announcement."

Really. This could've been a one-sentence op-ed.

Basically, it's another pointless reiteration of the Beltway elite's fantasy they everyone in the country secretly wants what the elite wants.

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  • 1 vote
#2.2 - Thu Feb 28, 2008 10:27 AM EST
{"commentId":1517635,"authorDomain":"bradfarris"}
Brad Farris
Honest to God, I read it last night and thought "Hmmm. That might be the most boring op-ed I ever read except for news value of the announcement."

You're a lot smarter than I am, Jack. What can I say? I keep magnets on my desk because I'm fascinated by the way they stick together. I'm easily amused, and my interest is easily captured. So sue me.

;-)

Basically, it's another pointless reiteration of the Beltway elite's fantasy they everyone in the country secretly wants what the elite wants.

Agreed. You don't think that's an interesting idea?

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  • 1 vote
#2.3 - Thu Feb 28, 2008 10:55 AM EST
{"commentId":1518352,"authorDomain":"jfxgillis"}
jfxgillis

Brad:

I have to admit, coming from Bloomberg's ghostwriter it was at least phrased in a diferent prose style that every one of the senile David Broder's columns for the last fifteen years, so it was a little intriguing on that count.

What was fascinating was the baldness of the claim of consensus where none exist, like:

1. ... we can't fix our economy and create jobs by isolating America from global trade.

2. ... we can't fix our immigration problems with border security alone.

3. ... we can't fix our schools without holding teachers, principals and parents accountable for results.

4. ... fighting global warming is not a costless challenge.

5. .... we can't keep illegal guns out of the hands of criminals unless we crack down on the black market for them.

To the extent we "know" that those things are problems, the disagreement goes to SOLUTIONS--and that's if we agree the problem(s) exists at all.

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  • 1 vote
#2.4 - Thu Feb 28, 2008 1:41 PM EST
{"commentId":1518675,"authorDomain":"bradfarris"}
Brad Farris
What was fascinating was the baldness of the claim of consensus where none exist...

I definitely find that interesting. It almost seems as though he's trying to make the reader believe that it's just a matter of "rolling up our sleeves" and getting the world's problems solved. No need to seek solutions - he's already found the solutions, and just needs someone to implement them.

{"commentId":1518675,"threadId":"226286","contentId":"1330943","authorDomain":"bradfarris"}
  • 1 vote
#2.5 - Thu Feb 28, 2008 3:03 PM EST
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