New Ala. gov: Just Christians are his family

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I am very glad to see politicians truly speak their mind. I wish more of them would be honest about what they truly believe and what motivates their actions. While this honesty would no doubt end many political careers, it would bring about a great improvement in the quality of our elected officials. I don't hold any illusions that this honesty is likely to occur anytime soon! PC speech is not required of politicians, rather it is their choice to engage in dishonesty in order to achieve elected office under false pretenses!

I disagree. Look at the info from wikileaks. Foreign diplomats often have to tiptoe around what they say and how they say it or risk ruining any progress in foreign relations. It is no different from elected officials here and their constituents, particularly now with members of Congress and all the gerrymandering that's been done with redistricting. In this day and age when every little soundbite can be reverberated on the internet the moment a politician opens his mouth, elected officials have to be a bit more cautious about what they say and how they say it. It doesn't necessarily mean they must betray their own POV, it just means they have to be really good communicators.

[^_^ 5,021]

It doesn't necessarily mean they must betray their own POV, it just means they have to be really good communicators.

If you believe Jews won't go to heaven, how do you massage that message to make it sound something Jews won't resent hearing?

You could simply not talk about it, but if you do, there's just no way. No self respecting non-Christian buys into the sanctimonious baloney of how much they love us.

[james&olya 1,121]

I disagree. Look at the info from wikileaks. Foreign diplomats often have to tiptoe around what they say and how they say it or risk ruining any progress in foreign relations. It is no different from elected officials here and their constituents, particularly now with members of Congress and all the gerrymandering that's been done with redistricting. In this day and age when every little soundbite can be reverberated on the internet the moment a politician opens his mouth, elected officials have to be a bit more cautious about what they say and how they say it. It doesn't necessarily mean they must betray their own POV, it just means they have to be really good communicators.

You are right and I did not mean my comments to be taken as applying to diplomacy especially. What I refer to is the notion that people are somehow constrained by some 'thought police' on saying what they actually believe. I wish we had more honesty. I don't want my leaders to be tactless, but you can be tactful without being dishonest!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

You are right and I did not mean my comments to be taken as applying to diplomacy especially. What I refer to is the notion that people are somehow constrained by some 'thought police' on saying what they actually believe. I wish we had more honesty. I don't want my leaders to be tactless, but you can be tactful without being dishonest!

My Civics teacher in HS used to say, "There's no such thing as an honest politician," and he was essentially right. Now that I'm older though, I'd say that nugget of wisdom applies to just about everyone in life - brutal honesty can be harmful. There are ways to maintain integrity without being brutally honest, IMO.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

If you believe Jews won't go to heaven, how do you massage that message to make it sound something Jews won't resent hearing?

You could simply not talk about it, but if you do, there's just no way. No self respecting non-Christian buys into the sanctimonious baloney of how much they love us.

You don't have to tell your constituents, every religious belief you have as a politician, IMO. The Press, however, has an obligation to the public to expose any such beliefs that might interfere with a politicians capacity to effectively govern.

[james&olya 1,121]

You don't have to tell your constituents, every religious belief you have as a politician, IMO. The Press, however, has an obligation to the public to expose any such beliefs that might interfere with a politicians capacity to effectively govern.

I do think that politicians owe their constituents an honest assessment of whether their religious beliefs will play a role in their policy decisions. If he or she believes that their religious belief can trump other considerations the public deserves to know that and then must also know what are those religious beliefs. If the politician can honestly say that their religious belief will not be used as a basis for the conduct of their elected office, then I believe those beliefs become of little relevance.

[Danno 1,228]

Within context, I fail to see the issue.

Context is everything.....

Of course for some, this is how one should speak when adddressing the faithful...... with deep sincerity.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Context is everything.....

Of course for some, this is how one should speak when adddressing the faithful...... with deep sincerity.

Danno, that is a fairly common occurrence for politicians. Just look at speeches for any politician in Florida, Virginia, Missouri, Tennessee, or Georgia.

[Danno 1,228]

Danno, that is a fairly common occurrence for politicians. Just look at speeches for any politician in Florida, Virginia, Missouri, Tennessee, or Georgia.

Really? I posted an example, why don't you?

[james&olya 1,121]

Really? I posted an example, why don't you?

In college I had a roommate that had grown up in Texas. While away from there for prolonged periods he would lose most of his accent. But when he would then visit, even briefly, on his return we could barely understand his 'English' for several days. Hillary Clinton lived many years in Arkansas. I would guess that she reverts to a southern accent without even thinking of it when in the company of those who speak that way.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Really? I posted an example, why don't you?

Because I don't care enough to. Unlike you, i'm not going to be disingenuous about it.

[^_^ 5,021]

In college I had a roommate that had grown up in Texas. While away from there for prolonged periods he would lose most of his accent. But when he would then visit, even briefly, on his return we could barely understand his 'English' for several days. Hillary Clinton lived many years in Arkansas. I would guess that she reverts to a southern accent without even thinking of it when in the company of those who speak that way.

I just spend 2 weeks in India and I come back sounding like a Metro PCS call center supervisor named Chad.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I just spend 2 weeks in India and I come back sounding like a Metro PCS call center supervisor named Chad.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I just spend 2 weeks in India and I come back sounding like a Metro PCS call center supervisor named Chad.

Not Ranjit?

I think most people pick up colloquialisms quite easily. I went to college in South Carolina, I sound like a redneck when returning just from homecoming weekend.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Not Ranjit?

I think most people pick up colloquialisms quite easily. I went to college in South Carolina, I sound like a redneck when returning just from homecoming weekend.

I talk to my 2 year old just like he's a colleague of mine, that way he'll be better prepared for the real world.