Democrat’s Secret Weapon
I have come to the conclusion that the democrats have a secret weapon that nobody has recognized as being the single most effective aid in the fight against the far right. Her name is SARAH PALIN!
Many years ago I was out in Los Angeles and I saw a fantastic, very large poster. On it was a lady rider and her horse jumping an extremely high puissance fence and they were clearly not about to clear it. One could tell that the woman was going to have a very dramatic fall from her horse which was hanging a front leg disastrously too low. And in huge, bold letters was written, ” JOIN THE CALIFORNIA DRESSAGE SOCIETY!”
There you have it. Every time Sarah Palin opens her mouth like she did again the other day saying Dr. Laura should not retire from the radio but rather “RELOAD”, it’s just like paying her to go out and recruit new democrats. I mean… you just can’t buy that kind of promotional material these days. It’s absolutely brilliant to have this caricature of a politician who says so many amazingly idiotic things and helps to so beautifully and clearly define the differences between the philosophies of the 2 parties! And I’m not 100% positive but I’m pretty sure they don’t even have to pay her residuals for replaying, ” I can see Russia from my kitchen”. You have to love it, right?
Cheers!
RD
Cheers!
RD
Michelle — August 26, 2010 @ 6:01 am
Yes you do!
Sandra McGuire — August 26, 2010 @ 7:07 am
Sara Palin is the major reason I did not vote for McCain. I had respect for him and had read his biography and liked some (but not all) of the things he stood for and accomplished. I could not bring myself to vote for someone who allowed others to pick a running mate who was so under qualified to hold the highest position in the land, with such bigoted ideas. And if you’re one heartbeat away from being commander-in-chief, you should not wipe your nose with the constitution and the reason our country was founded. I had an increase in respect for Obama when he picked someone who did not always agree with him as a running mate. I do like Biden. May not always agree with him, but I like the fact that he speaks his mind and is fairly easy to understand without taking down to everyone.
As a woman, I have toyed with the idea of wearing a sign around my neck during election times that reads “she may be my gender, but she is not part of my team.” There are lots of intelligent, thoughtful, wise women out there. I’d love to see one run for president.
Robert, what about having a discussion about what qualities people look for in a leader? How do you distinguish an alpha from a bully? Maybe that’s where we need to start so that as we go to the poles each election season, we can articulate to those seeking office what it is we are looking for that go beyond policy to implementation and character.
June Scholl — August 26, 2010 @ 11:30 am
Jeepers, RD, that’s hilarious!
Jeff — August 26, 2010 @ 11:38 am
…or FEAR it because it would appear that she has quite a following. If I think about about her for too long, I suspect I will never sleep again.
Annette — August 26, 2010 @ 11:41 am
I sometimes wonder if McCain intentionally picked her so he wouldn’t win. He has always come across as very patriotic and wishing the best for the country (even if I disagreed with him.) He supposedly pushed for Lieberman up until the last minute, and the RNC wouldn’t agree because Lieberman is pro-choice. I think that showed McCain he wouldn’t have the control he thought he should as President. Would he have then chosen to intentionally pick someone completely ridiculous as his running mate to lose the election? I don’t know, but I do find the stories about how relaxed things became in the McCain campaign offices once he started losing popularity in the polls interesting.
As for that shirt - it sounds great! There are many more reasons to pick dressage, but the humor involved in that design tells you great things about dressage, too.
cindy — August 26, 2010 @ 12:56 pm
and I thought that I was the only one to get a bit of comic relief from Ms. Palin’s actions and comments. keep up the good work Robert. what happened to the whale calf?
Richard — August 26, 2010 @ 6:31 pm
To be honest, I don’t think it’s funny Robert when you make fun of people. If you want to express an opinion on a certain topic, that’s fine. However, when you make jokes at the expense of someone else, you come across as being biased. I’m all for thoughtful discussion, but what is taking place on your website (at least in this thread) is not thoughtful discussion. It’s your website, so I suppose you can do what you want with it, but I’m becoming less enthused the more I experience here. You would be far more credible if you would make your point about your political views without resorting to mudslinging.
Michelle — August 26, 2010 @ 7:06 pm
Oh Richard do you hold those in the Republican party to the same standard(Rush, Glen Beck, Hannity, Fox News I could go on and on but I won’t). Sarah might be a very nice person but she is a joke when it comes to politics. Quite frankly she scares me.
Karen — August 26, 2010 @ 7:18 pm
Now now Michelle….you openly call Sarah P a joke but what do we know about you? Go easy on those you only know a small bit about. Least someone might just call you a joke!!!!
Nice job turning your dressage orientated website into another nasty political blog Robert!
Robert Dover — August 26, 2010 @ 8:20 pm
Hey Richard and Karen. You are right - it’s my website and Karen, it’s called Dover’s World, not Dover’s Dressage World or Robert’s Thoughts On Dressage. DoversWorld is all about everything and everyone going on in my life, including my Mom, a very funny Drag Queen named Rhonda, gay, out and proud heroes of mine and yes, even my take on the political issues of the day, funny or not. Richard, you need to get a sense of humour and both of you may or may not read my site as you like, but please don’t ask me to censor myself. If you want to read only those things which make you happy, I suggest you create your own websites and make them as politically correct (and probably boring) as you wish.
Cheers!
RD
Michelle — August 26, 2010 @ 8:28 pm
Karen I’ve watched Sarah P enough to know politically she’s a joke like I said she could be very nice but as an animal lover I’m not a fan of how her policy on kill wolves and polar bears. By the way I would also be a joke running for VP…:)
OH AND RICHARD…how hypocritical of you to scold Robert for “making fun” of Sarah P after what you said to me on the Obama report card thread…I quote, “Michelle needs to take her head out of the sand. Blaming the problem in the gulf on Bush/Cheney is foolish. Comments like this are a sign that a person is a racist, bigoted buffoon.”
At least with Sarah we have hours of tv footage that Robert can base his opinion on but apparently you calling me a bigoted buffoon is ok…LOL Exactly how are my opinions bigoted?
Michelle — August 26, 2010 @ 8:32 pm
OOps a racist bigoted buffoon..would love to know how I’m racist.
Richard — August 26, 2010 @ 9:56 pm
I don’t think you would be called out Michelle if you weren’t making foolish comments and attributing things to people that have no basis in fact. When you make comments about people that are blatantly false in the name of pushing your own political agenda, you appear biased and bigoted. I’m merely calling you out for what you appear as on this website.
And Robert, why do you assume that things that are political correct are automatically boring? That’s also a very biased statement.
Robert Dover — August 26, 2010 @ 10:07 pm
Hey Richard. I didn’t say that being politically correct was “automatically boring”….. but if the pumps pinch….
Cheers!
RD
Richard — August 26, 2010 @ 10:21 pm
Robert, you said: “I suggest you create your own websites and make them as politically correct (and probably boring) as you wish.”
If you want to spend your time arguing about semantics, then fine, but I think you are definitely in the wrong with your last statement.
marie meyers — August 26, 2010 @ 10:38 pm
wow almost as much reaction as the rollkur ! when we have people who bearly ride judging one of the best riders of all time got to love free speech
Robert Dover — August 26, 2010 @ 10:39 pm
OK. Richard. No hiding behind semantics then. You are BORING! There+ happy now?
RD
Richard — August 26, 2010 @ 11:09 pm
Now look Robert, that last statement was pretty ridiculous. I called you out for making some pretty outrageous blanket statements. You then claimed that you didn’t say what I said you did. I followed by reminded you of your original statement. Finally you choose to say that you feel I am “boring”.
Do you honestly think that sort of thing is getting anywhere? All that accomplishes is making you seem even more biased than you were originally.
Why not try to be classy and say “yes, I see you are right Richard, I did say “probably” and might have assumed more than I should have.”
Michelle — August 27, 2010 @ 4:55 am
Here’s the thing Richard do the research and you will see Bush/Cheney are at fault for the Gulf oil spill. Just do a little research for God sake take the blinders off. As for Sarah P she’s the best thing that ever happened to the Democratic party. LOL
Michelle — August 27, 2010 @ 5:00 am
Here Richard it case you failed to read this on the other thread.. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
The criticisms center on a possible conflicts of interest and cronyism. Cheney received a $34 million payout when he left Halliburton to join George W. Bush’s ticket in September 2000. But the Congressional Research Service found that he “retained ties” to the company into 2003, while in government, through “unexercised stock options and deferred salary.”
In 2005 President Bush signed the Energy Policy Act, which retained the focus of Cheney’s report, into law. It included what has become known as “the Halliburton loophole,” which removed authority from the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate a potentially dangerous gas-drilling process invented by Halliburton.
So I’d say Bush/Cheney are as responsible as BP. Oh by the way I have no agenda other then the truth. Wake up
Richard — August 27, 2010 @ 6:42 am
Michelle, we are talking about Robert’s use of the word boring. If you think Bush is at fault for the spill, he isn’t, and neither is Obama.
Robert thinks I am “boring” which is clearly a ridiculous statement. He needs to be called out. He may be an expert in dressage, but in public relations, he isn’t, unless he wants to create a circus here on his website.
Michelle — August 27, 2010 @ 6:48 am
Richard I don’t think you’re boring just mis-informed:) I think Robert was kidding.
Robert Dover — August 27, 2010 @ 7:26 am
Sorry, too bored ro bother, Richard.
RD
michelle — August 27, 2010 @ 8:17 am
Hey Robert lets talk about the mosque:)
Robert Dover — August 27, 2010 @ 11:18 am
OK, Michelle. You got it.
fran Goodsell — August 27, 2010 @ 11:20 am
Robert you stole my entry! But this thread really has me laughing
out loud. That dude does need a sense of humor and edu-macation!!
Sandra McGuire — August 27, 2010 @ 11:37 am
I am sure if Sara Palin is serious about her convictions and running for president and facing off with the likes of foreign heads of state and terrorist organizations, the comments of a gay man who runs around in tights, made by himself and others on his blog should not offend her. (no offense meant Robert, I think you’re wise enough to understand the entire meaning) If they do bother her for more than a second, there is no way she will be able to handle the pressures of being the leader of our country.
Not many of us in this discussion are gay men (last I checked, I don’t have the equipment needed to be one myself (sorry, my lame attempt at humor) ). We can’t possibly know what it’s been like to live everyday where you are ridiculed about who you choose to love and spend the rest of your life with. Imagine what it’s like to not even be able to leave your home without hearing how natural disasters are the fault of “your kind”. Now do this for your entire life from the moment you discovered romantic passion. It would be hard not to develop opinions that may not be charitable, or to be strong in your convictions. Sharing those opinions is the only way the rest of us can begin to understand what it’s like and move toward making the situation better. If I don’t hear the frustration and pain, what’s the big deal? We all have our struggles, consider the source and move on.
As for resorting to words that are not politically correct, think of it like this. My horse has managed to find yet another object to impale himself on, or another horse has kicked him and left a gash. When he’s in the washrack, I need to clean it out. I start with the gentlest spray available to clean the wound, but he’s still in pain and the disinfectant makes him hurt and the smell will make him uncomfortable. If I can’t remove the dirt, I may need to up the ante and do a little scrubbing. I know that I am hurting him and it hurts me to see him in distress. This is my partner, by buddy. I need to do some things that cause him pain and it is killing me.
But to do nothing, to let the wound fester, would cause unimaginable harm to the being who has placed his trust in my hands so many times. To search for a way that would not cause him pain, and risk something that could take his life or his mobility and happiness while there is a solution is unthinkable.
Robert, thank you for opening your wounds to those of us in the straight community. (Hey, we don’t have a group, do we? I feel so disenfranchised here on your site Robert. (OK, I need a smart alec symbol) .) Now we can begin to see what we’re dealing with and form a plan.
Sandra McGuire — August 27, 2010 @ 11:46 am
And Robert, I think you would be unwise to create a circus here on your site while so many of us carry whips and wear tall boots and helmets. But if you do, you will need a few clowns. And poo patrol. Will you be holding audition?
fran Goodsell — August 27, 2010 @ 3:41 pm
OK! please somebody set me straight before I blow my lid on Sandra McGuires last two posts. read it twice and am at a loss. Is that Sara Palin talking or I am completely off my rocker? Robert, Michelle, help??
just askin! What the —-!
Michelle — August 27, 2010 @ 5:23 pm
Yes Fran this is why that group scares me. What the hell does Robert’s sexual orientation have to do with this discussion.
Michelle — August 27, 2010 @ 5:27 pm
Sarah the leader of our country..ROTFLMAO..She’s said WAY to many stupid things to ever be elected as President.
Richard — August 27, 2010 @ 6:12 pm
I’m sure Robert can borrow some shovels to help in cleaning up his blog. Maybe we should put his mother in charge. She seems like a nice lady.
Robert, I suggest you take back your comment about how you think I am boring. Why don’t you take all your frustration and direct it towards the judging problems at the international level? That would be a far better use of your time than complaining about someone you don’t know. I think you owe me an apology.
Robert Dover — August 27, 2010 @ 6:28 pm
I think you guys are all very smart and most of you are funny too! I loved the comment about me running around on a horse wearing my tights and it is so true. We prance around a rectangle doing fancy stuff on horses which are way too expensive, only to get criticised by people sitting in boxes wearing funny hats……and we pay for it! If we don’t have a sense of humour about this, we need to get a new life!
RD
Richard — August 27, 2010 @ 6:34 pm
Robert, you forgot that you owe me an apology. How about it, eh?
With all the talk about Karma and doing good deeds, I think it would be a good idea.
Robert Dover — August 27, 2010 @ 6:38 pm
Richard, my mother is a great lady with a fantastic sense of humour, something I just don’t sense you have. Sorry, but I don’t owe you anything. If you don’t want to read my site because you feel it is irreverent and not your average “Dressage Website”, so be it. I am going to keep on joking around and saying exactly what I think about exactly what I choose. That said, I am sorry if I hurt your feelings and hope you can have as much fun on Dover’s World as I’ve been having these past 2 years!
And watch out everyone because I am working hard to bring Dover’s World to the airwaves this fall so we can stop writing and start actually talking with each other on a weekly (at first) basis. Careful, Rush, Glen, and Sarah - I’m a comin for ya’ll!
Cheers!
RD
Richard — August 27, 2010 @ 6:57 pm
How would you know if I have a sense of humor or not. Honestly, I think you DO owe me an apology for calling me “boring”. why would you want to make such a statement about someone you don’t even know? Why such an insult? Do you get jollies from insulting people? Do you think it is fun to insult people?
Michelle — August 27, 2010 @ 7:28 pm
OMG Richard get over yourself..You called me a racist, bigoted buffoon and you don’t know me. By the way if you care to research or read what I posted you will see the facts about Bush/Cheney and the Gulf oil spill are on my side. But then again you don’t seem like the kinda guy that would let facts get in your way. By the way exactly how am I a racist?
Robert you have nothing to apologize for…Your opinion is your opinion.
Richard — August 27, 2010 @ 8:23 pm
Michelle, let me remind you that the Gulf oil spill is BP’s fault. NOT Bush’s fault, NOT Cheney’s fault and NOT Obama’s fault. Please start studying politics, science and logic.
Now back to the topic. Robert owes me an apology.
Robert Dover — August 27, 2010 @ 8:51 pm
OMG, Richard, not only do you apparently have no sense of humour, but you must also be reading impaired! I said in my last post to you that I was sorry if I had hurt your feelings. In most cultures that I know of, that is considered an apology. But now you have gone to far with all this crap and I think you should really find a new place to spend what is obviously just way too much time on your hands.
Good luck and happy trails!
RD
Michelle — August 27, 2010 @ 9:03 pm
Richard do the RESEARCH read what I wrote Bush/Cheney are responsible as well as BP due to their policies. UGH
fran Goodsell — August 28, 2010 @ 1:38 am
Robert your last post REALLY made me laugh AGAIN!!!
Richard — August 28, 2010 @ 7:50 am
Michelle, Bush and Cheney are no more responsible for the BP oil spill than you are.
Ok Robert here is a question for you. Why do you call Robert Ross your “boyfriend”? If you guys have been together as long as you have, why not “partner”? Doesn’t the latter imply a greater sense of commitment and longevity?
Robert Dover — August 28, 2010 @ 8:19 am
Richard, you’re still with us which means you must have accepted my apology for hurting your feelings. Yeah!
I guess in 23 years I’ve called Robert pretty much everything from boyfriend to life-partner to husband and he’s called me those and a few well-deserved more colourful ones as well from time to time. :). If we could get legally married in the 2 states where we reside, I’d figure something better now, but in the meantime I sort of like boyfriend the most. It is youthful and sexy sounding and I like the feeling when I call Robert my boyfriend - of 23 years!
Cheers!
RD
Richard — August 28, 2010 @ 8:45 am
Yes, I accept your apology. Just please don’t call me boring ever again. If you do, I’ll become more of a pain in the tuchus than the FEI is with all their judging problems. Fair enough?
So what’s the secret to your longevity with RR?
michelle — August 28, 2010 @ 9:32 am
Well Richard I will call you boring since you called me names…lol. You must have deep seated issue around being called boring…Did some women call you boring:)
michelle — August 28, 2010 @ 9:33 am
Richard yank that pretty little head of yours out of the sand…ROTFLMAO
Sandra McGuire — August 28, 2010 @ 10:51 am
Fran,
Sorry that my post was confusing. Thanks for addressing it and giving me a chance to try to clarify before jumping over it . Very appreciated. This is why it’s a good idea to use your real names, so we can ask for things to be clarified if they seem off. I think I was trying to say things and not attach a party group to the post so that it wouldn’t offend those who seem upset by it, hoping it might be neutral enough to encourage them to read another point of view. That didn’t work so well.
So here’s attempt #2. The Republican party has decided, as displayed by their actions and willingness to embrace the fundamentalist christian organizations, that they do not feel the rights of the gay community are relevant. They have worked to pass legislation banning same sex unions, the party did not speak out when Disney was called out for offering health benefits to same sex partners.
Sara Palin is a very public representative of the Republican party. She holds those same beliefs. So if she thinks the gay community is so insignificant in their opinions and needs that they can be denied rights, then why would the comments of anyone in that community offend her? If they do, then she proves herself unqualified to stand up against those who have been identified as significant by not only her party, but other world organizations.
The rest of my post was aimed at helping Richard understand that the Republican party has allowed far worse to be said about the gay community. How much will Republican candidates be allowed to deny before Americans are allowed to speak out against them and not worry about the exact choice of words used in a public forum? While I don’t fully understand what it’s like to face a denial of rights to health care and total denial of marriage, I do understand what it’s like to have people make fun of you for who you are until you decide to fight back and use a few words that people may take offense to.
The circus comment was in response to Richard, who was saying that’s what the site was being turned into. Really off the mark. Robert is wise enough not to let that happen. And my comment was a tongue-in-cheek response alluding to the fact that their are plenty of clowns in the media today, slinging all kinds of garbage around. Readers on this site tend to think about what they read and stand on their convictions when convinced they are right, or laugh and bend a little when there is room.
fran Goodsell — August 28, 2010 @ 11:43 am
Thank you Sandra for clarifying, I get it now:) Fran
Richard — August 28, 2010 @ 2:39 pm
Hello Michelle,
Alas, there is no sand in my neighborhood, so I cannot stick my head in any and then yank it out to comply with your request. Maybe you should suggest that Robert^2 invite me to Florida and then I will happily oblige you and even send photos!
fran Goodsell — August 28, 2010 @ 5:53 pm
stalker alert! I repeat– stalker alert!