(no subject)

[primroseburrows]

Hmmm. Why didn't this register on my radar?.

Not that I mind a bit, because I like Arlen Specter. I wonder why he became a Democrat and not an independent, though, because he pretty much doesn't tow the party line for either camp. Which? Is why I like him. But it's all good, because now the Dems are almost filibuster-proof, and will be for real if/when Norm Coleman finally stops beating a dead horse .

In other news, I can sit sans meds without screaming this morning, but still very ow. *sigh* First physical therapy was yesterday. Craniosacral, mmmm, I like it. Hopefully it will help, because I hate Vicodin with the force of a thousand fiery pharmacists.

In still other news, Jack Layton is now following me on Twitter. I'm probably way more amused about this than I should be.

Comments

[ashkitty.livejournal.com]

Because it's difficult for Independants to win primaries in many states.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I figured that. He's got stuff to lose, and all.

[newleaf31.livejournal.com]

Yup, I agree. It was a totally opportunist move to ensure that he keeps his Senate seat at the next election.

But y'know, I really don't have a big problem with that, and not just because he moved to the Dems, which is a good thing in my view. I keep hearing people (Dem and Repub) talk about how unethical it is, how Sen. Specter is so lame for switching parties. Why? He himself said that, over his career, he was never serving his party, he was serving the people of PA. And he's done that -- he's been a fantastic senator for PA for five terms. When Joe Schmoe learns that the insurance company/investment firm/whatever that he works for is on the skids and that massive layoffs are coming, do people talk about what a jerk he is for finding a new job with a different company? Do they condemn him for disloyalty to the company that's now got his livelihood and his vocational passion hanging in the balance? No; it's no more than we expect. So why do I keep hearing so much condemnation of Sen. Specter? He thinks he has better chances on a Democratic ticket, and he almost certainly does. He'll get the backing of a hugely popular president, and he'll get to keep his status. Who WOULDN'T have done what he did?

[ashkitty.livejournal.com]

I agree completely. And respect people who decide that when the party they've been belonging to no longer represents them, they choose a new one.

[newleaf31.livejournal.com]

Well, I certainly agree with that sentiment, too... and I daresay most people would, right? To clarify my rambling above :-p, what I mean is, I think Sen. Specter's move is pretty much entirely opportunistic, NOT particularly predicated on political ideology. Yes, a great many of his political views now accord more fully with the platforms of the Democratic Party instead of the GOP, absolutely. But that's been true for years now, and he hasn't changed his party allegiance. He was pretty transparent yesterday that he was switching parties because he thought it unlikely that he could beat the conservative Republican he'd be running against in the Pennsylvania primary (who's currently whipping him in the polls), but felt confident that he could keep his seat if he ran as a Democrat with the full backing of the Democratically controlled Senate and the v. popular Prez. If Specter was changing his affiliation primarily because of political ideology, I think he wouldn't get nearly as much vitriol. He's getting shredded because his move was motivated primarily (again, not exclusively) by political expediency. But I have no problem with that expediency. That's what I meant to say. :)

ETA: I must add, though, that if he'd moved SOLELY for the sake of expediency -- i.e., if it was clear that the majority of his political views accorded better with the GOP -- then I would have a big problem with it. That would be unethical. But Specter's been his own man for decades, leaning more and more towards moderate-liberal. I always had to remind myself that he was a Republican!

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Specter's been his own man for decades, leaning more and more towards moderate-liberal. I always had to remind myself that he was a Republican!

He seems to be more independent than Democrat, though, so sure, he's doing it for expediency. But like you said, he's not a Republican pretending he's not, he's an independent making a choice. And that's okay with me. I really do like him, anyway, BECAUSE he has that independent streak. He's almost in the same league with my hero Lincoln Chafee, although I think Chafee is ideologically more of a Democrat than Specter. I think he didn't become one because of a lot of reasons, one being that his late father (an old-school GOP guy whom I also love) would roll over in his grave.

[peacey.livejournal.com]

...because I hate Vicodin with the force of a thousand fiery pharmacists.

This? Does not compute. Vicodin=love.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Vicodin=nauseating. I'm hypersensitive to opiates, so they upset my stomach. I also don't like the foggy spaciness. I have enough of that without teh drugz. Besides, it helps the pain, sure, but it's not helping the cause.

Also, icon LOVE. :)

[peacey.livejournal.com]

I'm hypersensitive to opiates, so they upset my stomach.

This makes me cry.

I also don't like the foggy spaciness.

See, now I don't get this when I take Vicodin. If anything, my senses feel heightened. I also don't feel at all spacey. The best way to describe the effect, for me, is pleasantly floaty.

...but it's not helping the cause.

When the only thing that will help the cause is major surgery that your doctor is telling you to avoid for as long as possible, pain relief is the alpha and omega.

Also, icon LOVE. :)

Isn't it great? Can't take credit, alas. I'm going to make a "Gaius approves..." one. Cuz Gaius is candy.