Bush Policies a Failure, Retired U.S. Diplomats Say

[Truth Soldier]

Does fallout's opinion carry any weight with anyone here? I don't think so. I don't know why he bothers.

[fallout]

Originally Posted by Truth Soldier

Does fallout's opinion carry any weight with anyone here? I don't think so. I don't know why he bothers.

I take it you assume things you post here work to convert people and such?

Originally Posted by fallout

Than we definelty use words differently.

I speak of weight where it counts and you make arbitrary distinctions such as adding "to me". Why not add "to right wing fundamentalists" or "nazi sympathizers" or "to the NAACP". Nobody has ever heard of these 26 people before this letter thing and even now, you would be hard pressed to name one without looking back.

True, I would be hard pressed to name one. But I think most reasonable people would give more weight to the opnions of this group than to Hannity's - even most right-winders on this site. That many fewer people will hear their opinion (and thus Hannity might possibly convince more people, assuming any moderates listen to the guy. I'm guessing he is singing to the choir, not convincing anyone.) doesn't change my view of how much weight each carries.

But, I'm happy to use a different phrase if you prefer.

[fallout]

Originally Posted by Lucy

True, I would be hard pressed to name one. But I think most reasonable people would give more weight to the opnions of this group than to Hannity's - even most right-winders on this site. That many fewer people will hear their opinion (and thus Hannity might possibly convince more people, assuming any moderates listen to the guy. I'm guessing he is singing to the choir, not convincing anyone.) doesn't change my view of how much weight each carries.

But, I'm happy to use a different phrase if you prefer.

How about this. The 26 have more credibility, but hannity's opinion carries more weight. Then we could agree.

[Harry]

Originally Posted by fallout

Great. Now lets talk about the American voters, you know, where it counts.

Whose opinion carries the most weight?

a) harry
b) fallout
c) these 26 unknowns
d) Hannity, who has nationally syndicated radio and tv shows

Or do you think the only place it matters is what you personally think?

For people with a brain, Hannity's opinion counts far less than those 26 diplomats and generals.

[Harry]

Originally Posted by Will Durant

And today's final goes to Harry in the Reading Comprehension (or lack thereof) Department.

You might want to retrace the posts in this thread and put on your own


I wrote:

26 former ambassadors/politicians/military people are criticizing the president and saying his policies hurt the US. Considering their backgrounds, their opinion carries some weight. I guess it would really be news if Sean Hannity criticized the president. I mean, his opinion really counts.

Fallout responded with how he feels about Hannity's opinion. My point? Not whose opinion that voters THINK is more valuable, but whose opinion ACTUALLY is more valuable.

[Harry]

Originally Posted by Lucy

This is one of those "we use words differently" arguements. If you asked "whose opinion is more influential with the American electorate, I might guess Hannity, although I'm not sure about this. After all, what matters is who is more influential among potential swing voters, and I doubt they listen to Hannity, but I could be wrong here.

BUT, that's not what you asked, you asked "whose opinion carries more weight". I'd say that the opinion of 26 diplomats and military commanders carries a great deal more weight than that of a right-wing entertainer.

Exactly. I hope Will can grasp this concept now.

[doubter]

Many of you think it is significant that a bunch of Democrat ex-diplomats are against Bush and agree that his foreign policy is a failure. Do you find it equally significant that a lot of ex-navy officers feel Kerry is unfit to be commander in chief?
swift boat veterans for truth

Your conduct is such as to raise substantive concerns as to your honesty and your ability to serve, as you currently seek, as Commander-in-Chief of the military services.

Originally Posted by Harry

Exactly. I hope Will can grasp this concept now.

WITH YOU. What is so difficult about the idea that this is not true in general. You, Harry and Lucy, are more swayed by these 26 diplomats and military commanders. Hell, you may even be right in that their opinions SHOULD carry more weight. But all the in the world isn't going to change the fact that Hannity in fact DOES carry more weight.

Or does "carry weight" mean something else in lala-land?

[Harry]

Originally Posted by Will Durant

WITH YOU. What is so difficult about the idea that this is not true in general. You, Harry and Lucy, are more swayed by these 26 diplomats and military commanders. Hell, you may even be right in that their opinions SHOULD carry more weight. But all the in the world isn't going to change the fact that Hannity in fact DOES carry more weight.

Or does "carry weight" mean something else in lala-land?

Whose opinion "carries more weight" means who knows more about the issue being discussed. At least, that was the context in this thread until Fallout drifted. By your logic, if Hannity starts spouting off about physics, his theories will have more weight than Stephen Hawking's.