While you were arguing over Caroline Kennedy another 20 Iraqis were murdered.

[last1standing]

http://www.iraqbodycount.org/database/recent/

And 4209 American soldiers are still dead.
http://icasualties.org/oif/

Don't you think it's time to get over the inter-partisan wars and start focusing on what really matters? :shrug:

[MarkInCA]

1. K&R for bringing up a good point

I haven't clicked on many of the Kennedy threads and few of the cabinet pick threads because of this.

Besides just Iraq, there is other topics which could create as vigorous of a debate.

However, those who wish to hash over cabinet picks are free to do so and you are free to bring up other topics.

[Lex]

2. While we were doing *anything* those soldiers died.

nt

[last1standing]

3. Yep. Too bad we weren't spending that time demanding that our troops are pulled.

But the point, in case you didn't get it, is that there are real issues facing this country but whether Caroline Kennedy is appointed to the senate for two years isn't one of them.

[Lex]

5. Apples and oranges.

Of course it is important to demand that our troops come home. Probably the most important issue we face, but it doesn't mean other issues shouldn't be debated and decided.

[last1standing]

6. Other issues should be debated and decided. Kennedy just isn't an issue.

n/t

[leftstreet]

4. Caroline Kennedy for Ambassador to Iraq !!!!!!!!111111

:silly:

[Jennicut]

7. LOL.

[WinkyDink]

8. And that would be how? By electing Obama, maybe? Oh, wait.....

[last1standing]

11. Just pulling a lever every four years isn't enough.

We need to keep on top of real issues, not this American Idol fanclub mentality that seems to be pervading DU. I'm expecting to see political trading cards and diary entries about how much people love/hate their elected officials next.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

9. 20 Iraqis were murdered thanks to an incompetent politician from a political dynasty.

:shrug:

[last1standing]

10. So we should deny all those who have relatives in office from running?

Are you really suggesting that this is causative and not just anecdotal? If so, then you must agree that FDR should never have been president. Right?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

12. One instance of Nepotism worked out in the past...

therefore it is OK?

[last1standing]

13. It's neither OK nor not OK. It's irrelevant.

And FDR is a pretty big exception to your rule. It kind of renders your whole concept moot.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

14. Nepotism is not OK.

You can't be a progressive and look the other way at Nepotism.

[last1standing]

15. You chose the word, not me.

Personally, I don't think FDR was a case of nepotism and I don't think it's my business to interject my opinions into New York's choice to replace Hillary unless there is something so very corrupt and foul about the replacement as to warrant a general revolt on the subject. When one is from Michigan - or Oregon - that person should probably be more concerned with their own senators and local politicians.

Unless you really think that Caroline Kennedy would be such a horrible choice that she could single-handedly diminish the country within the next two years. :shrug:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

16. Listen, if it were just local politics, I wouldn't give a shit.

This is the U.S. Congress we're talking about, not some local hillbilly office.

Now I'm personally against the racism and sexism inherent in Nepotism, so I'm against it on principal, same basic reason I'm against prop. 8, even though I'm not from California. So pardon me if I speak out a blatant example.

[last1standing]

17. In that case, Obama is Cheney's cousin a few times removed.

Does this disqualify him or is there a limit on how far removed someone must be in your mind to stand for office? Is nepotism racist and sexist? It can be, and I'm not rooting for Caroline Kennedy, or any other politician, in this appointment. However, to equate prop. 8, which denies people their basic civil liberties, and an appointment made for two years between many qualified candidates, is not very realistic. It's like saying that a black man once robbed you so you have a right to hate all African Americans (an excuse an uncle once gave me for his racism). You definitely have a right to speak out against an injustice, you just don't have the right to conflate that with a gross generality and expect others to take you seriously.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

18. Reductio ad absurdum.

Obama isn't famous because he's got a famous last name.

"Is nepotism racist and sexist?"

Yup.

"However, to equate prop. 8, which denies people their basic civil liberties"

Both prop. 8 and nepotism deny people their basic civil liberties.

[last1standing]

19. Look there, pa! He knows that there latin I hear'd 'bout.

LOL!

We're not going to agree on this so I suggest we leave it at that. I just think that you've taken it to the absurd equating this possible appointment with prop. 8 and you think I'm absurd for not seeing things your way. Such is life.