# If you think the Schiavo case will "backfire" on Republicans, you're a fool **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 23, 2005, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904 "2005-03-23T17:01:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/221 "2005-03-24T22:23:46Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > Hey, the guy also thinks [there’s a vast left-wing media conspiracy who fires editors of nudie mags when they’re “outed” as Republicans,](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=308042) despite a total lack of evidence to support that view. > > You _really_ don’t want to know where **Starving Artist** gets his “ideas”… You know, **jungie** , I’ve noticed a real tendency on your part to make little drive-by snarks (as alluded to in my post above), but without ever being willing to stick around and fight it out. Pretty cowardly, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/222 "2005-03-24T22:26:38Z")
> [@Starving Artist](#): > > You know, **jungie** , I’ve noticed a real tendency on your part to make little drive-by snarks (as alluded to in my post above), but without ever being willing to stick around and fight it out. > > Pretty cowardly, IMHO. You could consider it asymmetrical warfare. It’s really no less honest than showing up to a “debate” with your eyes shut and your fingers in your ears, however. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/223 "2005-03-24T22:43:55Z")
Maybe **Starving Artist** , you should heed **Apos’** suggestion from page 2 of the thread, and just start another thread > [@Apos](#): > > entitled “Why I am not as big of a Tool as Some Think” which made me laugh out loud when I read it, but seems like great foresight in, um, hindsight. I could start one for you, but I might give it a different title. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/224 "2005-03-24T22:46:39Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > You could consider it asymmetrical warfare. > > It’s really no less honest than showing up to a “debate” with your eyes shut and your fingers in your ears, however. > > -Joe What debate? The post I made that set all this off was the second one in the thread, right after the OP. I was giving him a [quasi]-good natured gig. Then in my next post, where you’ll notice humor still very much in evidence, the most offensive remark seems to have been the one about libs lacking humor. (And boy, has this thread proven me right on that one.) The next, which was part of the same post, was my comment to **Voyager** which finally supplied everyone with the ammo they needed to come after me. The point is, there wasn’t any debate going on at the time of my first post, and virtually none by the time of my second post. Nor did I come here looking for either a fight or a debate, as I said in my post above to **Miller**. However, everyone apparently felt I was looking for a fight so they started one. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/225 "2005-03-24T22:49:46Z")
> [@Hentor the Barbarian](#): > > Maybe **Starving Artist** , you should heed **Apos’** suggestion from page 2 of the thread, and just start another thread > > which made me laugh out loud when I read it, but seems like great foresight in, um, hindsight. I could start one for you, but I might give it a different title. I don’t really care what you do. I haven’t since you went scurrying off into other threads complaining I was being mean to you during that callow time in my experience here when I decided to give back as good as I got. You came after with lots of insults and lots of venom. I gave it back to you in spades and you went crying off to whine about it in other threads. You carry no weight with me whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/226 "2005-03-24T22:55:36Z")
> [@Starving Artist](#): > > He isn’t supporting right-wing ideology! He feels a certain way about the issue due to his own conscience and sense of right and wrong. The fact that his feelings on the matter happen to coincide with the right-wing position doesn’t mean he is supporting the right-wing ideology. > > I have never…I repeat, never…claimed a left-wing media “conspiracy.” What I’ve asserted is a left-wing media bias. One is the product of intent; the other a product of ideology. > > You have got a bad case of superioritis, don’t you? Your entire post has contained one erroneous assertion after another clothed in intellectual superiorty. I strongly suggest you try to get over yourself. You sound close-minded…and worse, immature. Ok, he is supporting a right wing idea. Correction taken, my point still stands. He is being carried by the “left wing biased” media. Correction taken, my point still stands. Henceforth besides nitpick, you have made no points. I observe your other comments in the context of their source. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/227 "2005-03-24T23:04:49Z")
> [@Starving Artist](#): > > In truth, I meant those posts as quasi-goodnatured and humorous gigs at the noble opposition…pretty much like friend **rjung** is prone to do, but with nowhere near the ubiquitousness. Your seemed to get it, and your post about “murdering fetuses” was more in line with the spirit of my posts. That’s an interesting comparison, because despite the fact that he and I tend to line up philosophically on most issues, I think **rjung** is pretty much just a dick. I don’t see much of anything that’s good-natured or humorous about his posts. In fact, he tends to represent exactly what bugs me about political debate on these boards: blindly partisan, condescending to anyone who disagrees with him, and more interested in getting in cheap shots at his “enemies” than engaging in honest debate. Which, to be honest, is exactly how I read your “liberals have no sense of humor” dig. I didn’t think it was funny, and I was somewhat insulted by it. Not hugely, not enough to make a to-do about it, but it rankled a bit. In fact, it was a lot like something **rjung** would post, and I think you’re better than that. A lot better. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/228 "2005-03-24T23:07:31Z")
Jeez, go out get a haircut, and another 60 posts show up in the thread… **Hentor** , I may have posted a link to the same poll, but your link from page 2 appears to be to CBS’s main Schiavo page, while I buggered up the link to the [poll story directly.](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/03/23/opinion/polls/main682674.shtml) But even if this particular poll overrepresents Republicans, it’s still not drastically out of line with an ABC poll conducted last weekend, and a Fox poll done within the past month (I’ve posted links to those in other threads). The lowest figure I’ve seen supporting Michael Schiavo is around 60%… ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/229 "2005-03-24T23:15:11Z")
Does noone else see the brilliance of all of this? the spotlight is now off of 1. the OP’s premise and 2. **starving artist’s** complete lack of knowledge of the topic at hand. **SA** -no matter what else, you are a brilliant student of GOP spin. Notice how she (he? I’ve seen both alluded to) has changed the agenda to “intellectual elitism”. From how great a height do you deign to meet us, **SA**? Wow-I can only look on in admiration. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/230 "2005-03-24T23:22:46Z")
> [@Barbarian](#): > > Jeez, go out get a haircut, and another 60 posts show up in the thread… > **Hentor** , I may have posted a link to the same poll, but your link from page 2 appears to be to CBS’s main Schiavo page, while I buggered up the link to the [poll story directly.](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/03/23/opinion/polls/main682674.shtml) Ooof. I wonder how that happened. Dammit. > [@Barbarian](#): > > But even if this particular poll overrepresents Republicans, it’s still not drastically out of line with an ABC poll conducted last weekend, and a Fox poll done within the past month (I’ve posted links to those in other threads). The lowest figure I’ve seen supporting Michael Schiavo is around 60%… Wow, you are absolutely correct, and I didn’t even think of that. I searched a bit to see what the party affiliation of the other samples was, but I couldn’t find them. Nevertheless, your point is well taken, and it appears that in the CBS poll, an even greater number feel that Congressional intervention was wrong than in the ABC poll. So, while I continue to share the general pessimism expressed in **Apos** OP, it still seems possible to me that this issue reflects the beginning of a meaningful shift. ---
**Author:** ![Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/57b2e6/32.png) [@Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/231 "2005-03-24T23:41:15Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > I find some solace in the fact that the GOP and the religious right have absolutely no qualms about feeding their own to the jackals when it is politically expedient to do so. Judge Greer, the one who is trying to “kill” Ms. Schiavo, is a Republican and a stauch Southern Baptist. > > [From the New York Times](http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/17/national/17greer.html?pagewanted=all&position=) > > and the results of their hate campaign: > > and This made me sad. IMO, things like this are a bigger threat to an independant judiciary than recent (also terrible) events in Chicago. It’s harder to discount this as the rare insanity of a fringe nutjob. **Hamlet** , will Greer have to stand for re-election or retention? ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/232 "2005-03-24T23:52:37Z")
Just a note to say that I am going away on vaca, so won’t get to enjoy the rest of this thread. Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/233 "2005-03-24T23:55:14Z")
> [@Random](#): > > This made me sad. IMO, things like this are a bigger threat to an independant judiciary than recent (also terrible) events in Chicago. It’s harder to discount this as the rare insanity of a fringe nutjob. > > **Hamlet** , will Greer have to stand for re-election or retention? He was just re-elected last August, in a landslide victory: > [@](#): > > [http://www.miami.edu/ethics2/schiavo/timeline.htm](http://www.miami.edu/ethics2/schiavo/timeline.htm) > > August 31, 2004 > Circuit Judge George Greer, opposed for re-election by an attorney who was known to oppose Greer’s rulings in the Schiavo case, is re-elected by a large margin. > [@](#): > > [Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court: Schiavo rulings do no harm to Greer](http://www.sptimes.com/2004/09/01/Tampabay/Pinellas_Pasco_Circui.shtml) > > Published September 1, 2004 > > ST. PETERSBURG - Circuit Judge George Greer, whose rulings to remove Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube made him a political target, appeared headed to an easy re-election victory Tuesday night. > > The Pinellas-Pasco judge enjoyed nearly a 2-to-1 advantage over challenger Jan Govan, a Clearwater attorney in his first run for a judgeship. > > \ > > For Greer, the victory confirms that his tough decisionmaking in the Schiavo case, which left him vilified in some quarters, appeared to have no negative impact in the election. Higher courts have repeatedly affirmed his rulings. I pray for his safety more than I do his future re-election, _particularly_ after that judge’s husband and mother were murdered in Chicago. These nutjobs are seriously frightening. ---
**Author:** ![brownie55](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f14d63/32.png) [@brownie55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brownie55)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/234 "2005-03-24T23:59:21Z")
You seriously mean that that was the sole platform of his opposition? Og give me strength. I am coming around on my hope for this country. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/235 "2005-03-25T00:03:08Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > That’s an interesting comparison, because despite the fact that he and I tend to line up philosophically on most issues, I think **rjung** is pretty much just a dick. I don’t see much of anything that’s good-natured or humorous about his posts. In fact, he tends to represent exactly what bugs me about political debate on these boards: blindly partisan, condescending to anyone who disagrees with him, and more interested in getting in cheap shots at his “enemies” than engaging in honest debate. Which, to be honest, is exactly how I read your “liberals have no sense of humor” dig. I didn’t think it was funny, and I was somewhat insulted by it. Not hugely, not enough to make a to-do about it, but it rankled a bit. In fact, it was a lot like something **rjung** would post, and I think you’re better than that. > > A lot better. You are right, of course. But just for the record, I didn’t say liberals have no sense of humor; I said they were “so earnest.” While I realize this may appear to be hair-splitting, there is a distinction. Having no sense of humor merely means one lack the ability to discern humor in things. Being earnest, on the other hand, would seem to me to imply that one is so focused on the subject at hand that they miss humor when it occurs. Neither to me is that great an insult, but of the two I would think the latter would be much less. Now, you may not believe me, and that is your option, but I had this consciously in mind when I made that post. That is another reason why it’s been so puzzling to me that so many people got cranked over it. But you are indeed correct regarding the inadvisability of **rjung** -style posts. I shall endeavor to do better in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/236 "2005-03-25T00:05:55Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > From how great a height do you deign to meet us, **SA**? > > Wow-I can only look on in admiration. **eleanor** , I sense that perhaps you are taking my mention of you earlier too much to heart. Enjoy your vacation. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/237 "2005-03-25T00:08:44Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > I appreciate your compliments and am flattered by your offer of frienship. I see no reason why our differing political views should prevent that. Just don’t expect me to cut you any slack because of it. 😉 Fair enough. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/238 "2005-03-25T00:10:23Z")
> [@Starving Artist](#): > > You are right, of course. But just for the record, I didn’t say liberals have no sense of humor; I said they were “so earnest.” While I realize this may appear to be hair-splitting, there is a distinction. Having no sense of humor merely means one lack the ability to discern humor in things. Being earnest, on the other hand, would seem to me to imply that one is so focused on the subject at hand that they miss humor when it occurs. Neither to me is that great an insult, but of the two I would think the latter would be much less. Well, I recognized the _attempt_ at humor, at least. Wether humor was actually comitted is open to debate. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/239 "2005-03-25T00:13:50Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Wether humor was actually comitted is open to debate. 😉 Oh, I think it’s pretty safe to say it wasn’t. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/240 "2005-03-25T00:19:07Z")
> [@Random](#): > > **Hamlet** , will Greer have to stand for re-election or retention? Well, **Shayna** beat me to the punch, but I will add that he was elected for another 6 years, so he’ll hopefully be on the bench until 2010. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904.md?page=13)