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  • Posted by NealS 8 years, 8 months ago
    One of the great things about Ben Carson is that he doesn't avoid confrontation and nonsensical rhetoric. He takes them head on, let's the accuser finish his rant, then gives a specific reply containing facts. Notice how the media then drops the subject.
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  • Posted by Herb7734 8 years, 8 months ago
    Nothing bizarre about it. He is obviously confident in his ability to win in the long run. And, a long run it is, with 13 months to go.
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    • Posted by $ 8 years, 8 months ago
      Agreed, the headline is misleading. He's promoting his new book. I do respect that he's working diligently to keep his personal money apart of his political campaign.

      You can bet dollars to donuts that if he were any less meticulous about this and something were to get out either the Rs or the MSM would make a mountain out of the matter (despite them doing the same things 100 fold).
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      • Posted by plusaf 8 years, 8 months ago
        The headline isn't misleading; it's the normal kind of sensationalizing or catastrophizing that most media outlets use to get our attention.

        Like virtually EVERY paid ad that ever appears on a web page....

        It's a sad commentary, but on the media, not Carson.

        I can't vote for him because of his conservative positions on too many topics. And no, I can't vote for Hillary or Bernie because of THEIR positions, either!
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  • Posted by robgambrill 8 years, 8 months ago
    Good for him! Shows confidence.
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    • Posted by $ 8 years, 8 months ago
      The man deserves respect. He has shown character, honesty, and a desire to reveal who he is and what he believes in. All things sorely lacking in government today and things that should be lauded by anyone.
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      • Posted by Timelord 8 years, 8 months ago
        Hi AJ, you're right, mostly. I've followed him rather lazily and I've liked what I've heard. The "controversies" of late were invented by the media by taking things out of context and every time I heard what he actually said I thought, "Good for him, he's right." His comments on disarmament of the Jews prior to WWII are precisely correct. JPFO has done extensive research in this area and published written literature and an award-winning documentary film. You can check it out at JPFO.org. These guys are the real deal when it comes to fighting against gun control. They make the NRA look like The Brady Campaign.

        But there are a few occasions when he wasn't at all forthcoming. As an objectivist I am, of course, an atheist - one of those atheists that will not let references to god by others go unchallenged. (aside: People sometimes ask, "Why did you bring that up and make a fuss about the god comment?" My reply is that I didn't bring anything up, I simply responded.) I generally don't care about the President's religion, but recently it has become an issue because the candidates have been bringing it up so much. Yeah, hi there Ted Cruze and other bible-thumping zealots who scream about honoring the Constitution in one breath and then dream of imposing a theocracy on us in the next.

        Back to Ben, he's a Seventh Day Adventist, which is an evangelical protestant religion that believes The End is Near (that's what Adventist means, Seventh Day means sabbath on Saturday). The founder had a habit of predicting the end of the world - predictions that were all incorrect. Eventually the church gave up that practice because it became tedious to spin a yarn about why they got it wrong. The impending apocalypse is one of the 28 Fundamental Beliefs. Others are that the universe was built in 6 literal days and that the bible is literal and infallible.

        Ben was recently asked how old he thought the universe was. He weaseled out of saying what he actually believed, which disappointed me. I think he's completely nuts for what he believes but I also think he shouldn't shy away from his beliefs.

        Then there was his answer about whether or not he believes in evolution, which he does NOT. He weaseled out of that one by saying he believed in "micro-evolution" wherein organisms can, through natural selection, adapt to their changing environment to ensure their survival. God designed things this way, I paraphrase, "to avoid having to start all over every 50 years."

        So while I agree that he's truly moral, honest, trustworthy, a plain speaker who backs up what he says, and very intelligent, the massive disconnect from reality with regard to religion is much more than I can overlook.

        Ben Carson was my top choice for a short while but I think I'm back with Rand Paul. He's not a libertarian but I agree with him far more than I agree with any of the others.
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      • Posted by term2 8 years, 8 months ago
        He does deserve respect, and he has mine. Except for his deep "religious" beliefs based on whats writting in some book, I think he would make a good president.

        I do think he is a bit too laid back to actually win in a popularity contest like our national election. He isnt promising enough people freebies in this socialist country, and he appears a bit too intellectually aloof , like he doesnt live where avareage citizens live.

        I would still vote for Rand Paul, Donald Trump, and Ben Carson- whoever makes it to the election.
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      • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 8 years, 8 months ago
        True. And when he did that he signed his own execution warrant. So what will they do this time? Bimbo Squad? Planted Evidence? Attack the family? it's early and we haven't reached the terminator stage of the script.
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        • Posted by BrettRocketSci 8 years, 8 months ago
          LOL. I love your commentary Michael. I am really loving how the Republican establishment has more than one outsider to contend with. I thought Carly was a third and in some ways she is, but there are indications she's a ringer.
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          • Posted by bsmith51 8 years, 8 months ago
            If you saw Bill Whittle's 2012 speech, he predicted someone from the popular culture (Trump) would quash the Republican Party's attempt to maintain the status quo in 2016.
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            • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 8 years, 8 months ago
              a. he isn't from the popular culture and b. someone could be hired to etc. etc. etc. Trump has nothing to do with the popular culture.That would be Joe The Plumber.
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              • Posted by bsmith51 8 years, 8 months ago
                So you're saying television and Trump's role in it has nothing to do with popular culture.
                I've never seen Joe the Plumber on TV, except as an Obama antagonist.
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                • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 8 years, 8 months ago
                  Don't put words in my mouth junior and not expect to get embareassed at your ......lack of .... Try a little originality with a bit of thought you too might be a blog personality one day. Allow me a demonstration.

                  Now pay attention.

                  After reading you comment I was rather dismayed to find out my hero Donald Trump was excluded from being a part of the popular culture. I'm not sure why the contrast between a $50,000 a year blue collar worker and a $50,000 a suit billionaire should exclude Mr. Trump from a position of cultural popularity. Please explain.

                  To wit the answer: You did a marvelously perfect Job BJ. I'm unable to improve on your answer. Since I haven't watched television in near twenty years I cannot speak for Jose'[s new career? Except agree with your conclusion he is part of the popular culture - witness your last two words I wholly agreeing with your conclusion..

                  That's how you put words in someones mouth.
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                  • Posted by bsmith51 8 years, 8 months ago
                    Your second set of remarks made as much sense to me as the first. Guess I'm just thick. Oh well. Enjoy your weekend.
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                    • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 8 years, 8 months ago
                      On the other hand being born in Blighty I have been known from time to time to be a bit thick myself - on occasion. To be on the safe side try it again. the answer might well lie in 'What is the popular culture and is it all that popular?"
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  • Posted by term2 8 years, 8 months ago
    I heard that Ben Carson's medical license was just revoked because he said that if the jews had been allowed to have guns, the holocaust would have been less likely to occur.

    I think thats right actually, and its stupid that the medical boards base revocation of their licenses on such statements.
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  • Posted by term2 8 years, 8 months ago
    Its a year off from the election. The election is only one thing in his life, so if he wants to make some money on a book, so be it.
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  • Posted by samrigel 8 years, 8 months ago
    Shows that he is a man of integrity and character. That is only bizarre in the current BS of politics. Dr. Carson is NOT a politician.
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    • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 8 years, 8 months ago
      That's a plus. Clancy used that same sequence to good effect in his books where the press is taken to task. "You don't have to read the tea leaves or tell us what you think was said. It is what it is no spin needed."

      That's why reporters are not taken seriously and should never confuse themselves with journalists.
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  • Posted by SamAnderson 8 years, 8 months ago
    It also shows his confidence in handling the press (as he will need to do while on the road himself) without having a coterie of staff to manage and limit their interaction with him.
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  • Posted by bsmith51 8 years, 8 months ago
    ...and did you hear he searched out and purchased ethanol-free gasoline for his lawn mower? OMG; what will become of the American farmer & environment? - //sarc/kidding
    What could be more absurd/childish than the American experience of choosing our leaders.
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  • Posted by rbuckwalter 8 years, 8 months ago
    I think Carson's rise from relative obscurity is thanks to his taking a page from Donald Trump's playbook. First, with his comments about the prospect of a Muslim president and Sharia law, then with his response to the Oregon shooting and his views on gun control. He could have been much more measured in both of these instances and choose instead to speak very plainly. Now another contrarian move, to take a hiatus from the campaign trail. This is not politics as usual and may turn out to be brilliant to avoid over-exposure? Ben and Donald may have very different styles, but they are in a competition to see who can look and sound less like a politician. The Dems have no outsiders and have all but anointed the queen. It will be interesting to see how this plays out when the primary season is over. How far will they all shift to the nebulous middle? It will be great if we have a Dem business as usual career politician VS a political outsider on the GOP side. If it's Jeb Bush VS Hillary Clinton everyone changes the channel and shows up to vote against someone on Tuesday...
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    • Posted by Timelord 8 years, 8 months ago
      [ He could have been much more measured in both of these instances and choose instead to speak very plainly.]

      That's precisely what I like about him! Just say what you mean. These days the public and the media expect 2 things: a good sound bite and 3 sentences that contain lots of words but no meaning.
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