Comments on the final debate

Third presidential debate. Or, "The First Presidential Debate, Part Deux, Redone". Not much new with this one. Both sides pretty much rehashing the same issues and even regurgitating, word for word, the same tired sound bites. But there were a few new tidbits.

Bush: My opponent just this weekend talked about how terrorism could be reduced to a nuisance, comparing it to prostitution, illegal gambling. I think that attitude and that point of view is dangerous.

Yeah, wow. It's damn dangerous to have a vision of defeating terrorism so thoroughly that it is relegated to a problem as benign as prostitution. Much better that we elect a leader who will insure that we never succeed, thereby remaining embroiled in endless battles and the American people remain scared shitless for an indefinite period of time so that Reich Wing extremists can continue to strip us of our liberty! That's really the better plan.

BUSH: Gosh, I just don't think I ever said I'm not worried about Osama bin Laden. It's kind of one of those exaggerations.

Um, let's see here. Where's that quote. Oh yeah: "I don't know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don't care. It's not that important. It's not our priority."- G.W. Bush, 3/13/02 And: "I am truly not that concerned about him."- G.W. Bush, responding to a question about bin Laden's whereabouts, 3/13/02. Boy, that John Kerry. I tell ya. He sure does exaggerate!

Bush: Got four more years, I've got more to do to continue to raise standards, to continue to reward teachers and school districts that are working, to emphasize math and science in the classrooms...

Why would Bush emphasize science in the classrooms when he doesn't even emphasize it in his own administration? Global warming? Bah! Stem cell research? Pshaw!

Bush: I think it's very important that we protect marriage as an institution, between a man and a woman.

I proposed a constitutional amendment. The reason I did so was because I was worried that activist judges are actually defining the definition of marriage...

"Defining the definition"? Okay, I'm picking nits. But why is it okay for Bush to define marriage (man-woman), but not for anyone else, in this case judges?

KERRY: We're all God's children, Bob.

That's it! I'm not voting for Kerry! Just kidding.

Kerry: The president and I share the belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. I believe that. I believe marriage is between a man and a woman.

You fool!

Kerry: But I also believe that because we are the United States of America, we're a country with a great, unbelievable Constitution, with rights that we afford people, that...you can't discriminate in the rights that you afford people.

Well, at least he's acknowledging that he can't force his beliefs on others and discriminate against homosexuals.

Kerry: There's a great passage of the Bible that says, What does it mean, my brother, to say you have faith if there are no deeds? Faith without works is dead.

Kerry fires the first salvo in the Scripture-quotin' smackdown.

Bush: My opponent, in that he's out of the mainstream, voted against that law (to ban "partial birth" abortions).

Judas Priest! Bush and Kerry both basically agree on the social issues of abortion and gay marriage. Why is Bush so frantic to separate himself in EVERY possible way from Kerry? He's even afraid to be seen as similar to Kerry on the things on which they both agree! I wish Bush would quit pandering to his extremist base of Bonk Jobs! Those are the people who are truly out of the mainstream!

Bush: The last debate, my opponent said his wife was involved with those programs (of getting children adopted). That's great. I appreciate that very much.

Finally, some level of acknowledgement that they agree. The ONLY difference between Bush and Kerry on this subject (and it's subtle, but very important) is that, while neither supports abortion, Kerry realizes that it's not his or the governments decision to make; whereas, Bush seems to find himself the supreme ruler of morality and would impose his will on the world.

Bush: I believe in background checks at gun shows or anywhere to make sure that guns don't get in the hands of people that shouldn't have them.

That's nice to hear. Although it would be nicer for Bush to stand up to the NRA and actually do something so that all gun purchases require a background check.

Bush: I tell the people on the campaign trail, when I asked Laura to marry me, she said, Fine, just so long as I never have to give a speech. I said, OK, you've got a deal. Fortunately, she didn't hold me to that deal. And she's out campaigning along with our girls. And she speaks English a lot better than I do.

Oh boy! An open door! I'm sorry, I just can't resist...most six year olds speak better English than Bush does!