Two Big Rats

Big though the earth might be, sometimes events in an isolated part of the world seem to presage those in highly developed nations far away. Thus today we find that scientists have discovered a species of giant rat in the jungles of Indonesia, while at the same time politicial scientists are pondering the latest aberrant behavior of U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, who, while claiming to be a Democrat, has endorsed a Republican candidate for president.

Two rats in one day's news: Is this coincidence, or is it a pattern?

— Gregory Flannery
(Photo: Christopherscanlon.com)

Comments

[Not the Mamma Cass!]

Ah, the Collectivist rears his ugly head.

Because Joe Lieberman allows himself to think for himself and not subscribe to partty identity groupthink he's a "rat"?

Wow, what a nonconformist you must fancy yourself, along with all the other nonconformists.

[Gregory Flannery]

Not my Mamma, if Joe Lieberman is so good at thinking for himself, why can't he get his own party affiliation right? When he lost the Democratic primary, he ran as an independent — with support from the Republicans. Now he's endorsed a Republican for president. What is the virtue in claiming to belong — i.e., support the positions of — one party when actively working for the benefit of its opponent?

[Not the Mamma Cass!]

Greg: you're espousing Bush's "either you're with us, or you're with our enemies" false dichotomy.

Lieberman can "belong" to the Democrat party and support McCain if he thinks McCain is the best individual for the job, notwithstanding his otherwise-dominant support for the Democrat platform.

You wrote it yourself: he ran as an independent (read: unendorsed Democrat) and not as an endorsed Republican.

You suggest Lieberman should support a Dem candidate uber alles, regardless of that candidate's qualifications?

How does an endorsement equate to "active work"?

[Mark In Newport]

Gregory: Such ugliness! Wouldn't Sen. Lieberman be more of a rat if he didn't act upon his own conscience and beliefs? Or would that make him a sheep (or just a good Democrat)? I suppose you expect him to endorse and support the same cast of characters that did everything in their inept powers to end his political career last year? Payback at that level can be a bitch!

[Gregory Flannery]

Mark in Newport and Not My Mamma, you miss the point. Picking a party affiliation means limiting — i.e, literally defining — one's philosophical options, not expanding them. If someone wants a Republican president, in what sense can he be said to be a Democrat or an independent? For the highest office, Lieberman supports the candidate of that other party — not the Democratic or independent candidate. Calling Liberman a Republican — and a rat — is merely an acknowledgement of his own conduct.

[Not the Mamma Cass!]

Greg: um, no. Democrats and Republicans are functionaries who generally believe in liberal or conservative principles respectively.

"Democrat" and "Republican" have little to do with philosophy. Democrats elect certain conservatives all the time: Driehaus, Cranley, etc. Republicans elect liberals: Schwartzenegger (sp?), Guiliani, etc.

Do you consider Republicans who cross the aisle to be rats, or welcome additions?

[Aromatic Bud]

The difference between "Democrat" and "Republican" is about the same as Shell vs. BP. It's all the same money grab and continuing con on the general public. We've become too complacent to care enough to pay attention. Both parties are corrupt because they are fueled by corporate cash. There are two options for ending this. One requires the people to grow spines and take back our government in honest free elections controlled by the people; not by political jackals like Ken Blackwell and Tim Burke...two brothers from different mothers. This option is unlikely because we Americans are lazy and we buy the bull, taking the easy route by blaming everybody else. The more likely scenario is when the oil drys up and the planet's demise is hastened by wasteful consumption. When the lights go out it will be chaos and anarchy. Then Darwin's Law kicks in; and the party's over.