The Strange Case of Phil Gramm, Pt. 1
Peter Giordano
Let me make this clear up front - If there was a Constitutional
amendment requiring all those running for president to have
served in the military I would support it - In fact, I'd make
it a requirement for voting - However, since there is no such
law or requirement I think that it's a non-issue
I bring up the following not to cast stones at Phil Gramm's
military record but as a comment on his logic:
Yesterday on FACE THE NATION he claimed that he was serving
in the military by teaching economics to students (some of
whom were in ROTC) - He also said that because he was so smart
he knew that they wouldn't use him well in the military so that's
why he didn't join - Anybody who was ever in the service or knows
anything about the military should think about what this means -
Imagine having the luxury of deciding if the job the army assigns
to you is worthy of you
Peter Giordano
Here's some more wonderful Gramm logic:
When asked why, if he's such a budget genius and cutter), does he never
vote to cut pork for his own state (i.e. searches for UFOs etc.) Gramm
carefully explained that it's his job to cut the budget, but not
for Texas - Now it does take long to figure out that if 100 senators
beleive that then the budget will never be cut
Tim Ruhnke
Peter Giordano (pgio...@williams.edu) wrote:
: Here's some more wonderful Gramm logic:
that's someone elses job, to TAKE THE CUTS!! phil will decide who, and
how much. me, i'm mystified how anyone can take this guy seriously,
except for that he has a pretty good jabber for the full mooners.
time
Emil T. Chuck
(Peter Giordano) wrote:
> Yesterday on FACE THE NATION he claimed that he was serving
> in the military by teaching economics to students (some of
> whom were in ROTC) - He also said that because he was so smart
> he knew that they wouldn't use him well in the military so that's
> why he didn't join - Anybody who was ever in the service or knows
> anything about the military should think about what this means -
> Imagine having the luxury of deciding if the job the army assigns
> to you is worthy of you
Didn't you get an exemption if you were a faculty member teaching classes?
Granted he may not have been paid by the military, but didn't he get an
exemption still?
Besides, teaching classes isn't my idea of an alternative to serving in
the military. And to my knowledge, he didn't protest against his country
while teaching econ.
Jeff Capell
No, because there's 98 senators who don't represent Texas. That would be a
98-2 vote. Same with every other state. Phil Gramm's job, like every other
Senator, is to both represent his state and his country. He seems to do both
just fine.
Jeff Capell
Peter Giordano
I did not see the 60 MINUTES segment (I am the only person in
America who has never seen a whole 60 MINUTES program?) - However,
any questions regarding Phil Gramm's wife being Korean border on
the racist and have no place in any political discourse - There's
plenty to loath about Phil Gramm but his wife is not a suitable or
fair target
Patrick L Humphrey
Virginia -- have you ever even been to Texas?
I'd appreciate it if you'd try speaking of something you have working
knowledge of -- and this doesn't fall in that category.
Gramm is the quintessential east Texas politician -- preach fiscal
responsibility, but throw that out the window if he can skim some more off to
bribe the home folks into keeping him in office. (I've only lived here since
1965, so I've been around to watch his dog and pony show as long as he's been
in office.)
--Patrick L. "and people wonder why some of us are for secession" Humphrey
Chris Woodward (PSY)
Gramm is famous for this (or infamous, depending on which side of the
aisle you're on). In fact, talking one way and then voting another is
now referred to as "Gramm-standing" on budget matters.
--
[ Chris Woodard, M.A. ]
[ Anheuser-Busch Chair of Computational Theology ]
[ University of Ediacara ]
[ "Open-mindedness is not synonymous with blind gullibility." ]
Peter Giordano
>No, because there's 98 senators who don't represent Texas. That would be a
>98-2 vote. Same with every other state. Phil Gramm's job, like every other
>Senator, is to both represent his state and his country. He seems to do both
>just fine.
Hum, the above defies logic - If every Senator does everything possible
(cut deals, etc.) to preserve the "pork" for each state, it stands
to reason that the budget will never be reduced - Gramm can't claim
to be a budget cutter and at the same time crow about delivering the
goods for his state - If he wants to be a leader then he has to lead
and that means doing something unpopular sometimes
Peter Giordano
>
> Phil Gramm was in his mid-twenties and in graduate school
>and teaching during the Vietnam War.
> You better get used to candidates and presidents who
>didn't have to lie and cheat to avoid going to Vietnam. The
>future White Houses will be full of them.
1) I'd hardly call questioning the logic of Gramm's claim of military
service an attack
2) without going into whether or not anybody lied or cheated, there
are several things wrong with Gramm's logic
a. He claims to have better served his country as a college professor
because the army wouldn't have given him a good enough job - If everybody
decided which job was the best one for him in the army then nobody
would be willing to fight
b. He claims that teaching economics to students who MIGHT have been
in ROTC was military service - That's like saying if you delivered the
Sunday paper to the general's house then you helped win the war
I don't condemn Gramm for not serving and taking advantage of deferments -
I do question his attempts to make himself look macho by claiming a
military background he never earned
Chris Woodward (PSY)
In an interesting twist of fate, Susan Smith (the NC woman who drowned
her two kids in the car) has said (and court records confirm) that her
stepfather molested her when she was a child.
Her stepdad was the leader of the local Republican Party, and unless
I am mistaken he was also a leader of the local chapter of the Christian
Coalition. What kind of perverts is Ralph Reed letting into his or-
ganization?
Dave Read
>
>In an interesting twist of fate, Susan Smith (the NC woman who drowned
>her two kids in the car) has said (and court records confirm) that her
>stepfather molested her when she was a child.
>
>Her stepdad was the leader of the local Republican Party, and unless
>I am mistaken he was also a leader of the local chapter of the Christian
>Coalition. What kind of perverts is Ralph Reed letting into his or-
>ganization?
Nice try at painting all the Christian Coalition folks as perverts, but if your
premise is true then Democrats are all perverts since their membership includes
an Arkansas governor who dropped his pants and asked a woman he just met to
perform oral sex on him, and a senator who drunkenly drove his car off a bridge,
caused a woman's death, and then lied about it afterward. Perfect non sequiturs,
all of them. Better luck next slur.
>
>--
>[ Chris Woodard, M.A. ]
>[ Anheuser-Busch Chair of Computational Theology ]
>[ University of Ediacara ]
>[ "Open-mindedness is not synonymous with blind gullibility." ]
--
______ ......................................................................
| /// | TM David Read Dave...@kentrox.com
| ADC|Kentrox P.O. Box 10704
|______| Portland, Oregon 97210 800-733-5511 x6263
Paul Havemann
>
> In an interesting twist of fate, Susan Smith (the NC woman who drowned
> her two kids in the car) has said (and court records confirm) that her
> stepfather molested her when she was a child.
>
> Her stepdad was the leader of the local Republican Party, and unless
> I am mistaken he was also a leader of the local chapter of the Christian
> Coalition. What kind of perverts is Ralph Reed letting into his or-
> ganization?
Is this simply mindless flamebait, Chris, or should one assume you tried
to insert a point somewhere in there?
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Paul Havemann (pa...@hsh.com) Resident Cynic, a.f.d-q
"There... I've run rings 'round you logically."
-- Monty Python's Flying Circus
Andrew Hall
Peter> Chris Woodward (PSY) (wood...@luna.ec.usf.edu.) wrote:
>> In an interesting twist of fate, Susan Smith (the NC woman who drowned
>> her two kids in the car) has said (and court records confirm) that her
>> stepfather molested her when she was a child.
>> Her stepdad was the leader of the local Republican Party, and unless
>> I am mistaken he was also a leader of the local chapter of the Christian
>> Coalition. What kind of perverts is Ralph Reed letting into his or-
>> ganization?
Peter> Exactly what are you saying? That all Republicans are child
Peter> molesters?
He in no way said that. Why not read what he said?
ah
=======================================================================
Keep the war alive.
-- A White House official, describing President Bush's
1992 reelection strategy.
Cgbg
I don't think even Phil Gramm's supporters (and, yes,
I am one) would view him as being macho. His strengths
are in other areas.
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convince you it's real."
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Andrew Hall
>>>>> Paul Havemann writes:
Paul> wood...@luna.ec.usf.edu. (Chris Woodward (PSY)) sez:
>>
>> In an interesting twist of fate, Susan Smith (the NC woman who drowned
>> her two kids in the car) has said (and court records confirm) that her
>> stepfather molested her when she was a child.
>>
>> Her stepdad was the leader of the local Republican Party, and unless
>> I am mistaken he was also a leader of the local chapter of the Christian
>> Coalition. What kind of perverts is Ralph Reed letting into his or-
>> ganization?
Paul> Is this simply mindless flamebait, Chris, or should one assume you tried
Paul> to insert a point somewhere in there?
The irony should be self evident. Or don't you remember that Newt
blamed her actions on "liberal democrats"?
ah
=======================================================================
Message: I care.
-- Ex President George Bush, in New Hampshire.
Jeff Capell
> >No, because there's 98 senators who don't represent Texas. That would be a
> >98-2 vote. Same with every other state. Phil Gramm's job, like every other
> >Senator, is to both represent his state and his country. He seems to do both
> >just fine.
>
>That's easy for *you* to say. You're sitting up there in Columbus, living in
>Virginia -- have you ever even been to Texas?
>I'd appreciate it if you'd try speaking of something you have working
>knowledge of -- and this doesn't fall in that category.
Oh, I get it. Because you're from Texas (presumably), and you say Phil Gramm
is bad, therefore he's bad and no one outside of Texas can disagree with you.
Yet he still has a job as a United States Senator. You don't speak for all of
Texas, obviously.
Jeff Capell
ha...@dump.com
IA>>>>>> Paul Havemann writes:
IA> Paul> wood...@luna.ec.usf.edu. (Chris Woodward (PSY)) sez:
IA> >>
IA> >> In an interesting twist of fate, Susan Smith (the NC woman who drowned
IA> >> her two kids in the car) has said (and court records confirm) that her
IA> >> stepfather molested her when she was a child.
IA> >>
IA> >> Her stepdad was the leader of the local Republican Party, and unless
IA> >> I am mistaken he was also a leader of the local chapter of the Christi
IA> >> Coalition. What kind of perverts is Ralph Reed letting into his or-
IA> >> ganization?
IA> Paul> Is this simply mindless flamebait, Chris, or should one assume you
IA>tried
IA> Paul> to insert a point somewhere in there?
IA>The irony should be self evident. Or don't you remember that Newt
IA>blamed her actions on "liberal democrats"?
IA>ah
IA>=======================================================================
IA>Message: I care.
IA> -- Ex President George Bush, in New Hampshire.
Newt was utterly without shame and principle when he exploited this
tragedy to take a shot at his enemies. Two little kids die horribly,
and all he can see is a handy sound bite. That doesn't justify decent
people taking a shot at the "Christians" and conservatives, one of whom
happens to be a child molester. I am sure there are any number of
moderate and liberal people who have molested children as well. Many of
I suppose many of them are not republicans. Of course, it is sweet to
see Newt's obscenity come back in his face. But think of the children.
Hanse
Tim Ruhnke
Dan Day (d...@se.houston.geoquest.slb.com) wrote:
: In article <3iac55$i...@jake.esu.edu> tru...@esu.edu (Tim Ruhnke) writes:
: >
: >it is this simple:
: > phil gramm-american hypocrite
: Well, simple analyses for simple minds.
: --
: "Don't tread on me"
i've been watching phil gramm for years. every aspect of his political
life has been, do as i say, not as i do. he fought for BIG public
spending projects in TX, and yet gets his nose in w/rudman, whose boots
he couldn't even shine. mr. war hawk COULD HAVE joined the service, as
the original post implied, but CHOSE not to. i don't give a shit what
the defense dept. would have had him doing. if he thought the war and
coerced service were important, he could have done his time. and it's a
plus that he DIDN'T oppose the war? my old man had his ass on a
destroyer during the post war occupation, and he about went to miami to
protest the war during the 72 gop covention. gramm would have been one
of the folks in there saying what a good idea it was to wage war against
a people w/strong nationalistic leanings. newt's always talking movies
(there's another war hypocrite, representing the highest subsidized
county in the nation), here's a documentary you should check out:
vietnam, the 10,000 day war.
so my original response stands: phil gramm, american hypocrite.
tim
ps. someone should tell phil if he doesn't want his mama to live under
govt. run health care, maybe HE can pay her medicare share.
Matthew James Hunter
: > You REALLY need to watch a tape of that show. He never
: > said this.
: >
: > What he said was that he has NEVER voted to increase the
: > deficit. However, once the spending was set (budget
: > for the year) it was his job to get as much favorable
: > treatment for Texas as possible. He said that once
: > money was budgeted, (it was going to be spent in some
: > state somewhere) it was his job to try to see it spent
: > in Texas.
: >
: > What is wrong with that? As a Texas Senator, do you expect
: > him to try to get all budgeted money spent in Virginia
: > rather than Texas?
: >
: > This is your second post where you make up statements and
: > attribute them to Graham. If you are going to lie, try
: > to be a little more cagey about it!!!
: Duh, figure it out for yourself - 100 senators, 50 states to protect =
: no budget reduction - Saying that he never voted to raise the deficit
: is a lie if he goes on to say that he never made any hard choices to
: cut the deficit either - It stands to reason that if he (like every
: other politican) argues that it's his job to bring home the bacon then
: we're going to be paying for that bacon
That doesn't speak to the point that you LIED about what
the man said on the show! It is not what YOU reason, it
is what the man said. And what HE said is NOT what you
claim he said! Pure and simple, YOU lied.
--
Matt Hunter
"I really hate it when I'm always right"
- Ian Malcom
Jurassic Park
Matthew James Hunter
: IT>Dan Day (d...@se.houston.geoquest.slb.com) wrote:
: IT>: In article <3iac55$i...@jake.esu.edu> tru...@esu.edu (Tim Ruhnke) writes:
: IT>: >
: IT>: >it is this simple:
: IT>: > phil gramm-american hypocrite
: IT>: Well, simple analyses for simple minds.
: IT>: --
: IT>: "Don't tread on me"
: IT> i've been watching phil gramm for years. every aspect of his political
: IT>life has been, do as i say, not as i do. he fought for BIG public
: IT>spending projects in TX, and yet gets his nose in w/rudman, whose boots
: IT>he couldn't even shine. mr. war hawk COULD HAVE joined the service, as
: IT>the original post implied, but CHOSE not to. i don't give a shit what
: IT>the defense dept. would have had him doing. if he thought the war and
: IT>coerced service were important, he could have done his time. and it's a
: IT>plus that he DIDN'T oppose the war? my old man had his ass on a
: IT>destroyer during the post war occupation, and he about went to miami to
: IT>protest the war during the 72 gop covention. gramm would have been one
: IT>of the folks in there saying what a good idea it was to wage war against
: IT>a people w/strong nationalistic leanings. newt's always talking movies
: IT>(there's another war hypocrite, representing the highest subsidized
: IT>county in the nation), here's a documentary you should check out:
: IT>vietnam, the 10,000 day war.
: IT> so my original response stands: phil gramm, american hypocrite.
: IT>tim
: IT>ps. someone should tell phil if he doesn't want his mama to live under
: IT>govt. run health care, maybe HE can pay her medicare share.
Good post. I am initially supporting Gramm. However, your post
is a expression of you opinions. You tackled what you saw as
flaws in the man WITHOUT LYING about what he has said. You
are quite correct in that Gramm could have enlisted but chose
not to. He didn't DODGE the draft but chose to accept a
deferrment rather than volunteer to support it vigorously.
One could also argue that he should have fought vigorously
to keep some of the PORK spending OUT of the budget and
could have fought wasting some of the money in Texas on
principle and let it go to pave more roads in W. Va. after
the budget was passed.
Then there are the LIES of the next poster. Oh well, educated
discourse can be rare.
: RIght; Philbert has been honored by a new word, "Grammstanding". It
: means taking credit for something one has done his best to oppose. That
: he dodged the draft dosen't bother me much;
I am glad it doesn't bother you because he DIDN't dodge
the draft! You had better get used to that fact that
many people in public life chose not to go. Most of
them had, as Phil did, LEGAL deferrments. We have had
a number of Presidents since the Civil War who did the
same thing. Two, paid someone else to serve in the Civil
War so they wouldn't have to. It was a LEGAL act, ethics
aside!
: I went even though I kneew
: w the war was wrong, but I do dislike him for being a hypocrite. He
: says he didn't go because his talents would just be wasted defending his
: in the military.
The big LIE! Gramm never said the above attribution.
: Why didn't I thing of that? "Hey sarge, I think my
: talents are being wasted here. Can I go home?" Hmmmm....
: Hanse
Maybe you should have. I served recently and my Dad spent
26 months in Vietnam. Both he and I saw a number of soldiers
get exactly what you describe. They simply "asked" to go
home, refused to serve, and were discharged with "Failure
to adapt" 214's. In addition, do you have the figures for
the number serving vs the number that actually set foot in
Vietnam? Pretty big difference.
ha...@dump.com
IP>In article <3infdj$2...@s-cwis.unomaha.edu>, mhu...@s-cwis.unomaha.edu
IP>(Matthew James Hunter) says:
IP>>
IP>.
IP>Somebody else said:
IP>>: I went even though I kneew
IP>>: w the war was wrong, but I do dislike him for being a hypocrite. He
IP>>: says he didn't go because his talents would just be wasted defending his
IP>>: in the military.
IP>>
IP>> The big LIE! Gramm never said the above attribution.
IP>I'll bet you $100 that that is indeed what he said - At least
IP>in paraphrase - He said that if he went in the army his job wouldn't
IP>be good enough for him - Millions of people heard him say it and anybody
IP>can buy a transcript of the show - To futher his hypocracy, during his
IP>annnouncment this week he wrapped himself in every possible military
IP>symbol -
IP>The bet is this - I say (for $100) that Phil Gramm publicly claimed that
IP>the army wasn't going to give him a good enough job so he stayed out -
IP>And he also claimed that teaching economics to ROTC students was military
IP>service -
This quote was recently printed in the Dallas Morning news. A library
in any large city ought to have it on microfilm. Or you can get a
reprint from the paper. If you think this hypocrisy is bad, you just
don't know enough about Philbert.
Hanse
Matthew James Hunter
: In article <3ij9pf$n...@s-cwis.unomaha.edu>, mhu...@s-cwis.unomaha.edu (Matthew James Hunter) says:
: .> That doesn't speak to the point that you LIED about what
: > the man said on the show! It is not what YOU reason, it
: > is what the man said. And what HE said is NOT what you
: > claim he said! Pure and simple, YOU lied.
: Yeh, you're right - I lied in order to destroy Gramm's
: political career - I'm a big liar and Gramm is an American
: hero - Yeh, right
Ah the lies continue! I never stated, as you imply, that Gramm
is an American hero. You just got caught bud!
Peter Giordano
>
>Peter Giordano (pgio...@williams.edu) wrote:
>: In article <3ij9pf$n...@s-cwis.unomaha.edu>, mhu...@s-cwis.unomaha.edu (Matthew James Hunter) says:
>: .> That doesn't speak to the point that you LIED about what
>: > the man said on the show! It is not what YOU reason, it
>: > is what the man said. And what HE said is NOT what you
>: > claim he said! Pure and simple, YOU lied.
>: ..
>
>: Yeh, you're right - I lied in order to destroy Gramm's
>: political career - I'm a big liar and Gramm is an American
>: hero - Yeh, right
>
> Ah the lies continue! I never stated, as you imply, that Gramm
> is an American hero. You just got caught bud!
>
So if I lied then you'll take me up on my bet
You sure trhow the word "lie" around a lot - I guess you think
that Limbaugh's a liar too