Reply #57: Since when do these folks have the power to determine the bounds of ...

[harlinnchi]

...the 1st amendment to the constitution? How do they get the right to tell me what my limits are with respect to whether an action shows classiness or classlessness, manners or their lack, good taste or boorishness?

They are trying to tell the King family (and as an extension, Blacks in general) how an acceptable funeral should be held -- or at least how it shouldn't. They're trying to tell Sen. Clinton what are her bounds when she utters any remarks about the president. The RNC chair, Mehlman, the president and several of the components of the GOP propaganda machine are now alluding to the 'type' of 2006 election season they expect, asserting that the American people want a less angry, less name-calling and less character questioning process in the upcoming congressional elections. Isn't that special.

That wouldn't in itself be too bad if it weren't for the fact that the GOP asserts that simply speaking the truth is to be considered, as Tucker would say, bad manners and bad form, as if this country were some English prep school in the 1910's.

If I had the chance, I'd tell him that bad form is starting a war of choice by ignoring any adviser who revealed intelligence which didn't agree with the idea of going to war, i.e., that Saddam had no WMD's, then stating that everyone believed he did have them. Good form requires truth-telling. I'd tell him that it is somewhat more than bad manners, it is downright rude to have reports sent to the White House saying that levees were subject to breeching pre-Katrina, then were breeched in post-Katrina NOLA and then, as late as two-months ago, claim that he thought there was simply flooding with no levee breech, as an attempt to excuse the atrocious response. Good manners involve taking responsibility, particularly for one's failures. But speaking of good form and good manners, has any other president been photographed giving someone the middle finger 'eff you' sign?

I'd also submit that he, Tucker, has about as much of a right to instruct Blacks in their (my!) cultural activities as does an oak tree, and probably fewer chances for success.