Response to a Website Lurker:
If you don't care about politics, skip this post.I got this e-mail from a person named Kevin and thought I would use it to clarify my thoughts.
Hello, my name is Kevin, I live just outside Washington D.C. Let me start off by saying that Toy Machine has been a big influence on me as a skateboarder. From the riders to the art and even just the feeling of the brand ever since I started skateboarding 15 years ago. Even during Toy's transitional years when the team was virtually 2 people it was a company I never stopped enjoying. To this day a married 25 year old skateboarder/filmer I 'm still stoked on all of the same things the riders the ads even the blog I check almost daily. I'm super bummed to see this blatant endorsement of the fascist, socialist and globalist presidential candidate Barrack Obama. Now before you start pegging me as a John Mccain supporter I need to let you know that is not true. I cannot stand that warmongering scumbag. The real truth is that both of these candidates aside from their social differences they are basically the same candidate if you actually do the research. Barrack may have great speaking skills and could possibly be a good movie narrator in the future in my opinion, but he as well as John McCain are spokesman for globalism and at the end of the day the same people that have been causing all the problems this country has been facing. Which brings me back to my original complaint. Professional skateboarders(you) are our(skateboarders) celebrities. There are younger skateboarders without real concern or ones who are weak minded really take what they hear to heart, especially from the people they look up to the most. Now I understand someone may be picking the lesser of the two evils but that simply will not work anymore it hasn't been working, people doing their own research and finding out for themselves that a third party candidate or that the Ron Paul's or Dennis Kucinich's are the real only ingredient for change in the country, and the only ones who really know and embrace the meaning of the word and don't just throw it around as a redirect. Toy Machine has always been to me about self expression, not a company to train kids to buy into the two party system or the democratic party in this case. I'm not bashing you or anyone I'm simply bringing it to your attention. I'm not sure who does the blogs I thought it was Barnett but I really don't know. I always looked up to you over the years and then today with the third endorsement on the blog I saw I just kind of got fed up, and though what's next an ad? I'm sorry to fill your inbox with this whining and complaining but it has meaning behind it. Thanks for listening Ed
Kevin,
I can agree that both Barack Obama and John McCain are both politicians, and both candidates' parties are at fault for most of what is happening right now in the country.
However, McCain has been doing it for over 25 years, so I would say fairly, that McCain has more fault on his hands than Barack Obama.
I can also agree that my viewpoints align much more with someone like Dennis Kucinich's, but he is not on the ticket. So voting for him will be a vote thrown away.
I take my position as a spokesperson or 'skate-celebrity' seriously.
I deal only in facts. I use Pro-Con.org, ProCon.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, public charity whose mission is promoting education, critical thinking, and informed citizenship by presenting controversial issues in a straightforward, nonpartisan format.
The reasons I am for Barack Obama:
He is pro choice. McCain is not.
Check the facts on Pro-Con.org
The next president will most likely appoint a new Supreme Court Judge. Since Mcain is against legal abortions, he will appoint a judge that will make the overwhelmingly anti legal abortion. That court could in theory overturn Roe v. Wade, a choice that in my opinion would be terrible.
He is against the war in Iraq. McCain is not.
Check the facts on Pro-Con.org
Are you for it? Nobody in Iraq ever did anything to us! If you want Bin Laden, he is not in Iraq, and never was. The war costs us 10 billion a month. We could use that money back home.
He is for Stem Cell research. McCain is not.
Check the facts on Pro-Con.org
I think that doing research in this field is very important. It could help find cures to diseases that would over time improve the human condition, and also create jobs and make the USA at the cutting edge of science.
He is pro health care.
Check the facts on Pro-Con.org
He is against the bush tax cuts.
Check the facts on Pro-Con.org
He is against No Child Left Behind.
Check the facts on Pro-Con.org
He is against warrantless wiretapping.
Check the facts on Pro-Con.org
He is against privatizing Social Security.
Check the facts on Pro-Con.org
He is not for NAFTA.
Check the facts on Pro-Con.org
There are a lot of issues that they are in agreement on. Some bum me out some don't.
For instance, I am bummed that they are both being wishy-washy regarding the Patriot Act.
Check the facts on Pro-Con.org
Many issues I jut don't care about that much. The ones I listed I do care about.
Choosing a president is most often a choice between the lesser of two evils. In this case, with the war, pro-choice, and stem cells, I feel like Barack Obama is the lesser evil.
I also would rather have a young and more rational person in control. I feel like Obama will take advice from his elders when making choices. Voting for a 3rd party candidate is throwing your vote away. (I voted for Ralph Nader before, because California was Al Gore's already, so I could vote my conscious without risking Bush getting elected in my state...) In a swing state, I think it is important to vote for one of the major parties.
I hope this helps you understand where I am coming from.
I value your opinion and anyone who comes to this website. -ed templeton
Posted October 7th, 2008 by Bring on the complaints...
Thats a good article,Ed.I see a lot of points here,both in yours and Kevins statements.I hope you both just enjoy the election.Remember to vote.
Posted By: Work on October 7th, 2008 at 11:24PM PST
agreed
Posted By: namelessfaceless on October 7th, 2008 at 11:55PM PST
I R OBAMA CAT I R LAFFING AT VEGAN FOODZ
Posted By: HATERTRON 9000 on October 8th, 2008 at 12:02AM PST
http://www.kronika.visoko.si/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/serious_cat.jpg
Posted By: im a lover not a fighter on October 8th, 2008 at 12:08AM PST
another political post?
damnit
http://api.ning.com/files/wilObt158LUKDlltKt0YjgOpJJn6K5s5I2vunpXFoO8_/funnypicturesboredcat.jpg
damnit
http://api.ning.com/files/wilObt158LUKDlltKt0YjgOpJJn6K5s5I2vunpXFoO8_/funnypicturesboredcat.jpg
Posted By: sniffcoke on October 8th, 2008 at 12:13AM PST
so what are you trying to say?
Posted By: cool guy on October 8th, 2008 at 12:22AM PST
i get that. just america is majority a christian nation from what i see so things like pro-choice and stem cell research might not be so favored by people. it seems to be religious thing. but i hate politics and i hate im even talking about it. is rob straser on the team yet?
Posted By: i dont make sense on October 8th, 2008 at 12:28AM PST
Unfortunately we can't always vote for someone whose views/political positions align precisely with our own. In reality I doubt that we will get many chances to do this in our lifetimes, if at all. Occasionally a truly remarkable politician comes along though. John F. Kennedy in the US, Pierre Trudeau in Canada for example. That person is able to inspire, to reach many different types of people, and to work for the common good to put it very simply. But there are always different opinions, opposition, dissent... not everyone agrees on what is the right path for the state. So in comes the role of compromise. Within a party, between party lines, and with the individual too. If you are a DOA fan, Joey Shithead ( who was nominated for the Green Party leadership in Vancouver a few years ago ) said that "politics is all about compromise". I agree with that.
That being said, and to relate to the discussion between Kevin and Ed here I think that whatever the compromise is this time, it has to be one that is going to work for the long run. We are not in a position to fuck around right now. Everything that has happened to the US economy/financial sector ( and in turn the global economy which of course has close links to the US ) can be traced back to horribly planned, neocon "laissez faire" economic policy ( unregulated greed in many cases ), which was ultimately sanctioned and encouraged by the Bush White House. They have severely exacerbated a situation that would have been a short recession a few years ago, to the point where it is now an unpredictable global economic crisis, bordering on a modern depression. To add to that, the foreign policy of the Bush White House and its aspiring copycats ( Stephen Harper's Conservatives in Canada for example ) has placed the world in a precarious position that we were not in only 8 years ago. America is in Iraq. NATO and America are in Afghanistan. American politicians seem to think it is acceptable ( or perhaps prudent ) to issue belligerent statements regarding Iran and of all countries, Russia... (The Cold War ended less than 20 years ago, no reason to bring it back now.)
I think that whoever we vote for in the American election, or the Canadian election, this time we need to get it right. I would say it is a good time to think about compromise and the greater good, and even voting strategically. I know I would vote for Obama if I were American. The main reason I say that is because he is the only major candidate the represents real change. Think about it-- in America your political system is based on two parties. Do you want a war monger old man with a white trash hockey mom as VP to run the country? Or do you want someone who is liberal, inspiring, or most importantly, ready to take your country in a new and better direction? The choice is yours. But I do guarantee that there is much more at stake this time than there was in the last two elections.
Peace.
That being said, and to relate to the discussion between Kevin and Ed here I think that whatever the compromise is this time, it has to be one that is going to work for the long run. We are not in a position to fuck around right now. Everything that has happened to the US economy/financial sector ( and in turn the global economy which of course has close links to the US ) can be traced back to horribly planned, neocon "laissez faire" economic policy ( unregulated greed in many cases ), which was ultimately sanctioned and encouraged by the Bush White House. They have severely exacerbated a situation that would have been a short recession a few years ago, to the point where it is now an unpredictable global economic crisis, bordering on a modern depression. To add to that, the foreign policy of the Bush White House and its aspiring copycats ( Stephen Harper's Conservatives in Canada for example ) has placed the world in a precarious position that we were not in only 8 years ago. America is in Iraq. NATO and America are in Afghanistan. American politicians seem to think it is acceptable ( or perhaps prudent ) to issue belligerent statements regarding Iran and of all countries, Russia... (The Cold War ended less than 20 years ago, no reason to bring it back now.)
I think that whoever we vote for in the American election, or the Canadian election, this time we need to get it right. I would say it is a good time to think about compromise and the greater good, and even voting strategically. I know I would vote for Obama if I were American. The main reason I say that is because he is the only major candidate the represents real change. Think about it-- in America your political system is based on two parties. Do you want a war monger old man with a white trash hockey mom as VP to run the country? Or do you want someone who is liberal, inspiring, or most importantly, ready to take your country in a new and better direction? The choice is yours. But I do guarantee that there is much more at stake this time than there was in the last two elections.
Peace.
Posted By: Phil on October 8th, 2008 at 12:50AM PST
Thanks Phil,
I appreciate you taking time to write that.
I appreciate you taking time to write that.
Posted By: ed on October 8th, 2008 at 02:09AM PST
Nader's still on the ballot in most states, I recommend voting for him because either way this country is too racist too vote for a black president. You guys tour the midwest all the time you should know. sure it looks like the big states are a lock and they've got a lot of electoral college clout, but look at all the "red" in the middle. But regardless who wins, it's too late and there's no hope. I already got my mexican citizenship through my dad and i am BAILING out on this dump for a cooler dump down south.
Posted By: Beartard Fooser votes in Mexico. on October 8th, 2008 at 02:38AM PST
Nader's still on the ballot in most states, I recommend voting for him because either way this country is too racist too vote for a black president. You guys tour the midwest all the time you should know. sure it looks like the big states are a lock and they've got a lot of electoral college clout, but look at all the "red" in the middle. But regardless who wins, it's too late and there's no hope. I already got my mexican citizenship through my dad and i am BAILING out on this dump for a cooler dump down south.
Posted By: Beartard Fooser votes in Mexico. on October 8th, 2008 at 02:39AM PST
The whole point of voting isn't to make one candidate win over the other. the point of voting is to get express an opinion and get a say in what is being done thus it is ok and good to vote for a 3rd party candidate. if its the duty of a citizen to vote then its the duty of the citizen to vote for who or what they think is right no matter what.
Posted By: Negro Mail on October 8th, 2008 at 02:56AM PST
ed thank you for bein so helpful with the issues on the candidates...especially all the links.
this is gonna be my first year being able to vote and while i believe america needs serious change (change beyond anything any politician could do while our disgusting monetary system is in place) i still have hope in barack obama to put us in a somewhat better position
with that being said, how the hell do i get ahold of you ed? which email do you check?
i have a link to video i think you may really enjoy
it goes through how corrupt and fucked up our country really is with extreme detail
theres things in there that amazed me...
this is gonna be my first year being able to vote and while i believe america needs serious change (change beyond anything any politician could do while our disgusting monetary system is in place) i still have hope in barack obama to put us in a somewhat better position
with that being said, how the hell do i get ahold of you ed? which email do you check?
i have a link to video i think you may really enjoy
it goes through how corrupt and fucked up our country really is with extreme detail
theres things in there that amazed me...
Posted By: kellan it on October 8th, 2008 at 03:04AM PST
McCain't.
Posted By: nope. on October 8th, 2008 at 07:22AM PST
No war for Israel!!!
Posted By: adrian on October 8th, 2008 at 08:08AM PST
first off, id like to complain.
Posted By: rob on October 8th, 2008 at 09:23AM PST
indeed it is tough to find a candidate who represents everything that you believe in, but i guess that compromise is one of the implicit experiences of democracy. i am canadian, and so i have no say, but i have been feeling lately as if the whole world wants Obama to win (i do, too), but he still may not. it's discouraging to think that the same people who elected Bush are voting again and many actually do side with McCain. but is it worth the Palin? i think that anybody who is even just human, on a basic common sense level, should be able to be completely unattracted by the idea of Sarah Palin in the white house. the woman cannot even put together a sentence containing a subject, verb, and object, and this is very troubling, when you consider extending this pattern to the possibility of running a country, and arguably the most pivotal country in the world, of course. while it does bum me out that Obama is pro-choice (sorry Ed, i don't want to start a debate, but i really don't enjoy thinking about millions of babies being cut into pieces monthly), i still think he's gotta be the man to vote for. it's sad that perhaps we must compromise for the lesser of two evils, but let's be honest about the greater of the two evils. watching McCain talk scares me to no end, and watching Sarah Palin talk baffles me fourty times more so. i'm glad toy machine is at least getting people talking about these things! thanks ed
Posted By: ben on October 8th, 2008 at 09:44AM PST
i knew you'd come through, ed.
Posted By: manatee on October 8th, 2008 at 09:47AM PST
hahaha, "i hate politics and i hate even talking about it. is rob straser on the team yet?"
this is also a very valid point.
this is also a very valid point.
Posted By: ben on October 8th, 2008 at 09:48AM PST
Ed, I respect that you make your positions clear and back them up with where you are coming from. As a 33 year old skater of 19 years, I have always enjoyed your contributions to skateboarding and have been a loyal pawn since the New Deal days. I disagree with many of Obama's positions and feel that the cult of personality that has grown around him is covering up his inexperience, connections with domestic terrorists, connections to white collar criminals, the amount of money he made from the failed mortgage companies, etc...
That being said, I don't believe McCain has any idea what he is doing either. It is very frustrating to feel like you have no voice in how your country is being run. But forums like this give people a voice and at least when you vote, you stand up to be counted.
That being said, I don't believe McCain has any idea what he is doing either. It is very frustrating to feel like you have no voice in how your country is being run. But forums like this give people a voice and at least when you vote, you stand up to be counted.
Posted By: Ray on October 8th, 2008 at 10:36AM PST
You're all dumb anyway. Don't vote.
Posted By: Sarah Palin on October 8th, 2008 at 10:38AM PST
I would like a Atheist president.that would be cool.Sarah palin is absolute shit.McCain sucks,and there's at least some hope with Obama.But I wouldn't back either candidate %100
Posted By: Jgonzalez on October 8th, 2008 at 10:40AM PST
how great would it be, though, to have a vegan president (kucinich)!?....even if he does like to talk about his encounter with aliens :/
Posted By: vegan tightass on October 8th, 2008 at 10:40AM PST
Anarchyyyyyyyy-uh!!
It's the only way to be!
It's the only way to be!
Posted By: Johnny Rotten on October 8th, 2008 at 10:40AM PST
THIS IS ALL WELL AND GOOD BUT WHERE THE SHIT IS THE SKATING!!!
Posted By: Red Hot Chilly Palpers on October 8th, 2008 at 11:02AM PST
who's Barrack Obama?
Posted By: twiggy on October 8th, 2008 at 11:04AM PST
fuck 'em all. lets hear it one time for the animals!
Posted By: tom flanigan on October 8th, 2008 at 11:39AM PST
you'll never ttruly know what either candidate is like untill they reach the white house...they'll tell you anything to get in there,
Posted By: the dude on October 8th, 2008 at 11:44AM PST
i'll get back to you on this one
Posted By: sarah palin on October 8th, 2008 at 11:46AM PST
Ben,
Millions of babies being chopped into pieces?
Do you eat meat? Support war?
I hate when people complain about babies being killed, then support the killing of adults, or animals.
(Or even more ironic, kill the doctors who perform abortions...)
A woman has the right to choose what she does with her body.
It is NOT our right as other people, and even worse, males, to try to decide for them what they do.
Just keep your yard clean and don't get an abortion. Why does your fellow American have to do exactly what you do?
Millions of babies being chopped into pieces?
Do you eat meat? Support war?
I hate when people complain about babies being killed, then support the killing of adults, or animals.
(Or even more ironic, kill the doctors who perform abortions...)
A woman has the right to choose what she does with her body.
It is NOT our right as other people, and even worse, males, to try to decide for them what they do.
Just keep your yard clean and don't get an abortion. Why does your fellow American have to do exactly what you do?
Posted By: ed on October 8th, 2008 at 12:36PM PST
The lesser of evil will still bring evil nonetheless. I appreciate your opinion as well, but when it all comes down to it, it is the same agenda running under two different faces.. One thing that I am glad about in these times is that more people are actually able to communicate and discuss what is happening rather than name calling and all of that childishness.
When you actually look at who funds these people running for office, and all of their connections, things seem pretty clear as to why progression and ideas are labeled as "rebellious" or embedding "terrorism."
Fact is, we are in an age now where we do not need to at all rely on fossil fuels, anybody able to research the name Nikola Tesla will be able to figure that out, and the fact that the history books exclude his name is a giant loss of what could be an evolving life, but instead, the oil corporations, and running candidates know better to discuss so many forms of why's and how's, and try to tell us their version of how we should grow as a country.
Sure, Obama says a lot of things, mostly materialistic promises with an entire platform based on "change", and McCain is more upfront about his plans, as in wanting an 100 year war... But if you look at the originations these people are connected to, such as the Council On Foreign Relations, members of the Bilderberg group, and had voted to support and pass bills constructing the North American Union, which had been going on behind out backs since the Bush Administration, which is to combine North America with Canada and Mexico, much like the European Union.. Can you really believe that any good can be brought from this?
It's come to the point where some people do not believe in things spoken because it is not aired on television, but you have to remember the companies that own these stations, which own and profit off the war weapons we use, such as general electric, and the major funders of what is to be said and heard... Kissinger, Rockefeller and the Rothschilds, all backing the "popular" candidates...
Yeah, I know.. I'll get lots of shit for saying this because it is not popular, but it has happened so many times over and over again.. False hope in a candidate who they think can bring change, yet the same exact results no matter which mask they pick.
Both have voted to back the "homegrown terrorism" bills in which do not at all protect us from government funded terrorism, but take rights away from people themselves.. allowing those to become arrested for criticizing the system. A friend of mine was arrested under charges of the patriot act for feeding the homeless.. Is that protecting us from cave dwelling scary boogeymen? I don't think so.. It is all about control and manipulating the people... If not, then why hadn't the media ever mentioned Ron Paul or Dennis Kuccinich? Why do hardly any people know of an alternative option of who to vote for other than what the media wants to cram down people's faces? It's the connections of who own their ideas, where the money comes from.
Beware of false hope.
And sorry for typing so much, doubt anybody will read this, but yeah... Research the North American Union and CFR.
When you actually look at who funds these people running for office, and all of their connections, things seem pretty clear as to why progression and ideas are labeled as "rebellious" or embedding "terrorism."
Fact is, we are in an age now where we do not need to at all rely on fossil fuels, anybody able to research the name Nikola Tesla will be able to figure that out, and the fact that the history books exclude his name is a giant loss of what could be an evolving life, but instead, the oil corporations, and running candidates know better to discuss so many forms of why's and how's, and try to tell us their version of how we should grow as a country.
Sure, Obama says a lot of things, mostly materialistic promises with an entire platform based on "change", and McCain is more upfront about his plans, as in wanting an 100 year war... But if you look at the originations these people are connected to, such as the Council On Foreign Relations, members of the Bilderberg group, and had voted to support and pass bills constructing the North American Union, which had been going on behind out backs since the Bush Administration, which is to combine North America with Canada and Mexico, much like the European Union.. Can you really believe that any good can be brought from this?
It's come to the point where some people do not believe in things spoken because it is not aired on television, but you have to remember the companies that own these stations, which own and profit off the war weapons we use, such as general electric, and the major funders of what is to be said and heard... Kissinger, Rockefeller and the Rothschilds, all backing the "popular" candidates...
Yeah, I know.. I'll get lots of shit for saying this because it is not popular, but it has happened so many times over and over again.. False hope in a candidate who they think can bring change, yet the same exact results no matter which mask they pick.
Both have voted to back the "homegrown terrorism" bills in which do not at all protect us from government funded terrorism, but take rights away from people themselves.. allowing those to become arrested for criticizing the system. A friend of mine was arrested under charges of the patriot act for feeding the homeless.. Is that protecting us from cave dwelling scary boogeymen? I don't think so.. It is all about control and manipulating the people... If not, then why hadn't the media ever mentioned Ron Paul or Dennis Kuccinich? Why do hardly any people know of an alternative option of who to vote for other than what the media wants to cram down people's faces? It's the connections of who own their ideas, where the money comes from.
Beware of false hope.
And sorry for typing so much, doubt anybody will read this, but yeah... Research the North American Union and CFR.
Posted By: Oh No,Not Politics on October 8th, 2008 at 12:37PM PST
Stem-cell research has advanced beyond using fetuses, you can get stem cells from other things now, so the religious have no argument against stem cells now.
Posted By: ed on October 8th, 2008 at 12:38PM PST
Thank you all for your responses!
I love this website and the people who come here!
Posted By: ed on October 8th, 2008 at 12:40PM PST
Dear Oh No,Not Politics,
You are very correct regarding the TV stations being owned by the same corporations that have vested interests in getting the candidates they want elected, and that the whole political race is presented in 'soap opera' form for us.
I have gone down that path.
I watched 'Zeitgeist', etc...
I have lots of ideas running in my head about what is really going on.
Yet still, I find no harm in trying to make a change through the only tool we have aside from RIOTING, and that is voting.
If anything, it will continue to expose the fakeness.
If everyone overwhelmingly wants Obama, and then McCain somehow wins, like Bush the last two times, then we are moving closer to those riots happening...
You are very correct regarding the TV stations being owned by the same corporations that have vested interests in getting the candidates they want elected, and that the whole political race is presented in 'soap opera' form for us.
I have gone down that path.
I watched 'Zeitgeist', etc...
I have lots of ideas running in my head about what is really going on.
Yet still, I find no harm in trying to make a change through the only tool we have aside from RIOTING, and that is voting.
If anything, it will continue to expose the fakeness.
If everyone overwhelmingly wants Obama, and then McCain somehow wins, like Bush the last two times, then we are moving closer to those riots happening...
Posted By: ed on October 8th, 2008 at 01:05PM PST
I think Nader's previous attempts have shown that we are stuck with a two party system for good or ill. I will vote for Obama not because I agree with all of his policies, but because he is the superior candidate given the realistic options. Like several of you my political beliefs aligned more closely with Kucinich's or even Clinton's, but that doesn't really matter at this point.
The candidates' policies on science greatly concern me. I believe that the sciences have the capability to create jobs and exportable technologies for our country as they have in the past. The support of intelligent design by McCain and other republicans is an attempt to redefine science to include religious beliefs. As a scientist, I could never support a candidate that endorses teaching a paper-thin explanation of life on this planet to our children under the guise of scientific theory. It should be no surprise that the handful of scientists who actually support ID are the ones being paid to do so by evangelical groups.
The funny part is that McCain doesn't even seem that religious. He just knows that he has to appease the God voters for a chance at winning and that means supporting bogus faux science like ID.
The candidates' policies on science greatly concern me. I believe that the sciences have the capability to create jobs and exportable technologies for our country as they have in the past. The support of intelligent design by McCain and other republicans is an attempt to redefine science to include religious beliefs. As a scientist, I could never support a candidate that endorses teaching a paper-thin explanation of life on this planet to our children under the guise of scientific theory. It should be no surprise that the handful of scientists who actually support ID are the ones being paid to do so by evangelical groups.
The funny part is that McCain doesn't even seem that religious. He just knows that he has to appease the God voters for a chance at winning and that means supporting bogus faux science like ID.
Posted By: Zach on October 8th, 2008 at 02:33PM PST
hmmmm ed i would have to say the difference between supporting the war and abortion would have to be who is making the choice. soldiers join the war knowing the consequence may be their own demise. for a woman that was too stupid to use protection, the day-after pill, or just simply keeping her legs closed killing a potential life, kinda might be a problem.
plus obama supporting after life abortions where people 'terminate' the baby if it discovered they have a mental disorder or something like that. then it turns into a pretty big issue.
as for the animals, good call, i hate how it has become some sexist thing that it is womanly to not eat meat..
but thats enough serious stuff for me im goin skatin!
plus obama supporting after life abortions where people 'terminate' the baby if it discovered they have a mental disorder or something like that. then it turns into a pretty big issue.
as for the animals, good call, i hate how it has become some sexist thing that it is womanly to not eat meat..
but thats enough serious stuff for me im goin skatin!
Posted By: i dont make sense on October 8th, 2008 at 03:23PM PST
vote for Ed
Posted By: Robin Williams On Fire on October 8th, 2008 at 04:16PM PST
I'm just going to say that the people who work hard should not have to pay for a scum bag's medical bill. The government can't save everyone either. To survive, you have to be self reliant (credit Bill O'Reily)
Posted By: crayons on October 8th, 2008 at 04:29PM PST
it's ridiculous to think that any one candidate is going to be the end-all-be-all for america, or what's left of it. but one of these dudes is going to be president. and the lesser of too evils is still LESS EVIL. obama has less time in washington, so maybe he's a little less beholden to the special interests and lobbying firms as mccain. america is a country of compromise and we just need to live and let live, as long as you're not messing with anybody else's ability to the same. if getting obama in the white house will make this country even slightly less fucked, i am for it. i have a feeling mccain will make it even worse. right now these two are our ONLY choices. Nader and Kucinich will not be in the white house in the forseeable future if ever. and right now i'm too petrified of a mccain white house to vote any other way.
i can't believe that people are bringing up the bill ayers thing. the stuff that guy did happened when obama was in grade school. he also had all of his charges dismissed when it came out how royally the fbi screwed it all up with their illegal methods, including illegal wiretapping, intimidation, and torture. it's not like he's going for beers with the dude on saturday nights. it's not like he was involved with the main players of a savings and loan debacle and even went on family vacations with a now imprisoned bank official. obama: once was on a committee with a former student revolutionary, hung at his house a few times. mccain: bros with a convicted felon who caused one of the biggest bank failures since the depression, an almost mirror image of what's happening right now. millions of people lost their savings. all that happened with bill ayers was a few buildings got wrecked (nobody ever was killed). still the lesser of two evils here, but let's keep it in perspective. at the very least, bill ayers had at his core a certain notion of patriotism and justice, all keating had was insatiable greed and powerful friends.
i'm more worried about the people with money who want more than i am the people with nothing who want justice.
i can't believe that people are bringing up the bill ayers thing. the stuff that guy did happened when obama was in grade school. he also had all of his charges dismissed when it came out how royally the fbi screwed it all up with their illegal methods, including illegal wiretapping, intimidation, and torture. it's not like he's going for beers with the dude on saturday nights. it's not like he was involved with the main players of a savings and loan debacle and even went on family vacations with a now imprisoned bank official. obama: once was on a committee with a former student revolutionary, hung at his house a few times. mccain: bros with a convicted felon who caused one of the biggest bank failures since the depression, an almost mirror image of what's happening right now. millions of people lost their savings. all that happened with bill ayers was a few buildings got wrecked (nobody ever was killed). still the lesser of two evils here, but let's keep it in perspective. at the very least, bill ayers had at his core a certain notion of patriotism and justice, all keating had was insatiable greed and powerful friends.
i'm more worried about the people with money who want more than i am the people with nothing who want justice.
Posted By: nat on October 8th, 2008 at 06:32PM PST
It's so rad that politics is being discussed on a skateboarding web-site. I just wish I had time to read it all. I think Bu$h has more blown-up that whole argument that "they're all the same" to complete bits. Republicans are way way way worse.
Posted By: Duckets been Vegan fool! on October 8th, 2008 at 07:08PM PST
right on "Oh No,Not Politics"
and to everyone else for carrying on with a civilized conversation.
listen to toy machine
and dig into Oh No,Not Politics's post
and to everyone else for carrying on with a civilized conversation.
listen to toy machine
and dig into Oh No,Not Politics's post
Posted By: greg on October 8th, 2008 at 07:14PM PST
Yeah Zach!
Posted By: ed on October 8th, 2008 at 07:26PM PST
I don't care about your political views, Ed. Keep being gnarly.
Posted By: Brian on October 9th, 2008 at 11:19AM PST
you can talk all you want about the liberties and freedoms we have in America, but when those liberties allow us to "choose" whether to kill our unborn babies then we have crossed a line. You can yell and scream about the war in iraq and global warming and the economy but when it comes down to it when we start to compromise our morals we crumble as a nation. I am a christian and i believe that God will judge countries by there righteouness. when is enough enough? when is ending a life considered a freedom?
Posted By: a life is a life on October 9th, 2008 at 09:03PM PST
barack will listen to his elders? like zibignew brezinski? researche his elders and promptly poop your pants in fear. you gotta be kidding me my man its been different masks on the same face for decades now. and is it just me or didnt barack vote in favor of the fisa act? wake up people
Posted By: chauncey on October 10th, 2008 at 12:28AM PST
and im not pro mcain either! im not pro anyone im just saying wake up to the fact that democracy doesnt exist in this country. both partys are funded and controlled by the same global elite out of the banking cartel and other facets of corrupt control. you cannot vote for a better life and you will not see change from these people. the only change that will come in our foreseeable future will come from an informed and educated populus. ps. i effing love toymachine keep up all the good work!
Posted By: chauncey on October 10th, 2008 at 12:36AM PST
i think we'd be friends, mr. templeton. props on supporting nader.
Posted By: Nathan on October 11th, 2008 at 06:07PM PST
ed templeton rules
Posted By: kathy on October 11th, 2008 at 06:13PM PST
i hope some high-ranking political dudes read this one day and realize skateboarders should run things. if i could vote, i hate to say it, but id go with mccain. yeah, the dickhead. if we leave iraq right now and try 'talking' to the terrorists, some bad shits goin down. war sucks, and not that its necessary, but anything we say will not change terrorists minds. huah!
Posted By: matty-poo. on October 13th, 2008 at 10:04AM PST
just one more thing. if enough people vote for the democratic candidate, it can validate more and more democratic principles, and hopefully sway the culture war against the anti-intellectuals.
Posted By: chris a. on October 13th, 2008 at 01:28PM PST
http://www.abortionfacts.com/life_or_choice/pro_choice.asp
there really is nothing i despise more than a man against abortion. it is not your uterus so stay out of it!
unless you're the one who impregnated a girl who is questioning having a child or an abortion, it is none of your business what she chooses.
there really is nothing i despise more than a man against abortion. it is not your uterus so stay out of it!
unless you're the one who impregnated a girl who is questioning having a child or an abortion, it is none of your business what she chooses.
Posted By: chuck on October 14th, 2008 at 03:47AM PST
Thanks.Yeah,vegan tight ass.Avoiding cannibal,and encounter aliens.Show your head in the microwave oven,why dont cha?
Posted By: Dont know on October 17th, 2008 at 10:21AM PST
Vegan tightass.Wouldn't it be rad to avoid cannibals and encounter aliens.
Posted By: Good on October 17th, 2008 at 10:26AM PST
Я подписался на вашу РСС ленту, но сообщения почему-то в виде каких-то значков непонятных :( Как это исправить?
Posted By: myukaht on January 4th, 2009 at 04:51PM PST
В посте много чего упрощено, в отличии от реалий... :)
Posted By: Кирилл on January 5th, 2009 at 09:58PM PST
