Eccentric Flower talk:200906/Sane

Peebles:

I have a hard time believing that Obama is actually morally opposed to same-sex marriage. (I can, however, believe it's not a priority for him. And given the other stuff on his plate at the moment, maybe it shouldn't be.) In addition to being thoughtful and equivocal, Obama is also a masterful politician. I think he recognizes that he doesn't have the political capital to be in favor of gay marriage during his first term. If waiting four more years for a repeal of DOMA means that we get to avoid the horror of a Palin-Huckabee administration, I'll wait quiet with my hands folded, boy howdy.

-- 18:52, 17 June 2009 (BST)

ProfRobert:

"But, my god, it's such a relief to see someone whom, even when he decides to move in a direction I don't like, has clearly given the matter thought, who appears to be honestly trying to do the sane thing."

You know, I have an analogous thought with some judges I've appeared before. They've read the briefs, they've asked me intelligent questions at oral argument, they clearly understand the issues and the argument I'm making, and they disagree. As much as I hate losing, it's a lot easier when I know they got my point, but just didn't buy it (even when I really believe I'm right) -- it's worse when it's plain the judge just didn't understand the argument or rejected it for the wrong reason. (Perhaps perversely, it's also discomforting when I win for the wrong reason -- I not only want to be right; I want to be right for the right reasons!)

-- 21:29, 17 June 2009 (BST)

Columbina:

I not only want to be right; I want to be right for the right reasons!

Story of my life.

-- 21:48, 17 June 2009 (BST)

Ursula:

Obama does things I disagree with, but in general I figure he's got good, considered reasons. If he hasn't closed Guantanamo yet, I know it's not because he thinks it's neat to torture people. The issue is complicated, he'll work it out. If Obama does the occasional sleazy or even kind of evil thing, I feel like he probably had a good reason for it... Like he's not doing bad things because he WANTS to, but because the world is complex and sometimes you have to do bad for the greater good, or because there's simply no good solution.

Jesus, it's a relief to have adults in charge, so I can afford to be lazy about following the news again. I HAD to become a political person during W's reign of terror, and it didn't suit me.

-- 02:34, 18 June 2009 (BST)