# I'm sick of the Hillary Bashing **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 11, 2008, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147 "2008-02-11T14:51:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147/61 "2008-02-12T04:13:27Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] I am a government employee, and therefore cannot endorse or campaign for ANY candidate, Democratic or Republican. [/QUOTE] Federal or state? I’m pretty sure that federal government employees are allowed to endorse candidates, so long as they don’t do it while working. You can’t wear a McCain pin at work, but you can have McCain bumper stickers on your car. I’m a newbie, so I could be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147/62 "2008-02-12T04:39:28Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] I am a government employee, and therefore cannot endorse or campaign for ANY candidate, Democratic or Republican. [/QUOTE] Excuse me? You are telling me that because you work for the government your 1st amendment rights are suspended? I don’t believe it. How do you account for all my blatantly partisan PUBLIC school teachers? How do you account for my American Government teacher who (instead of teaching the curriculum) spent the whole semester bashing Reagan? WTF are you talking about? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147/63 "2008-02-12T04:48:11Z")
What “endorse” means in particular for **jayjay** I don’t know, but it’s not THAT unique a position he’s in. I’m a journalist, and getting involved with a campaign (volunteering, or donating, I think) would violate the terms of my employment. I think that a bumper sticker on my car or signs at my house, although in reality I have neither, would also violate my contract. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147/64 "2008-02-12T04:54:16Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] What “endorse” means in particular for **jayjay** I don’t know, but it’s not THAT unique a position he’s in. I’m a journalist, and getting involved with a campaign (volunteering, or donating, I think) would violate the terms of my employment. I think that a bumper sticker on my car or signs at my house, although in reality I have neither, would also violate my contract. [/QUOTE] Journalists are another kettle of fish. Why should my garbage man be censored? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147/65 "2008-02-12T05:03:50Z")
Actually, on review of the [relevant materials](http://www.scsc.state.pa.us/scsc/cwp/view.asp?a=377&q=126899), I CAN express political opinion. I just can’t do it while on duty. Which I was this afternoon, anyway. I had an imperfect understanding of my limitations, and erred on the side of caution… ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147/66 "2008-02-12T08:44:22Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] Actually, on review of the [relevant materials](http://www.scsc.state.pa.us/scsc/cwp/view.asp?a=377&q=126899), I CAN express political opinion. I just can’t do it while on duty. Which I was this afternoon, anyway. I had an imperfect understanding of my limitations, and erred on the side of caution… [/QUOTE] The dope has liberated you from your silence! ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147/67 "2008-02-12T14:04:40Z")
[QUOTE=Happy Wanderer] Excuse me? You are telling me that because you work for the government your 1st amendment rights are suspended? I don’t believe it. How do you account for all my blatantly partisan PUBLIC school teachers? How do you account for my American Government teacher who (instead of teaching the curriculum) spent the whole semester bashing Reagan? WTF are you talking about? [/QUOTE] No, we have First Amendment rights to express our opinion about a candidate. We cannot campaign for a candidate. That means no signage or such. This is because, in the bad old days, state workers were basically required to either work on their political benefactor’s campaigns or donate to them if they wanted to keep their jobs. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147/68 "2008-02-12T14:15:43Z")
[QUOTE=lisacurl] No, we have First Amendment rights to express our opinion about a candidate. We cannot campaign for a candidate. That means no signage or such. [/QUOTE] I do not think you understand the first amendment. If you cannot campaign or put up a sign, your rights HAVE been abridged. Not that I care. I wouldn’t mind if government workers were forbidden from voting. Same goes for those on the dole. How about a rule? You become eligible to vote when you start paying taxes from a private sector job. After all, a pickpocket will always vote to keep himself in business. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147/69 "2008-02-12T16:52:45Z")
[QUOTE=lisacurl] No, we have First Amendment rights to express our opinion about a candidate. We cannot campaign for a candidate. That means no signage or such. This is because, in the bad old days, state workers were basically required to either work on their political benefactor’s campaigns or donate to them if they wanted to keep their jobs. [/QUOTE] You cannot campaign for a candidate as a government employee, but you may put up a lawn sign, head a caucus delegation, write letters to the editor in support of your candidate, donate money or time to their campaign, and encourage your union to endorse your candidate. Civil Service laws keep non-exempt government workers from being forced to act as agents of a political party. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147/70 "2008-02-12T19:09:43Z")
[QUOTE=saoirse] You cannot campaign for a candidate as a government employee, but you may put up a lawn sign, head a caucus delegation, write letters to the editor in support of your candidate, donate money or time to their campaign, and encourage your union to endorse your candidate. Civil Service laws keep non-exempt government workers from being forced to act as agents of a political party. [/QUOTE] Your Civil Service rules must be different than mine. [http://www.civilservice.la.gov/OtherInfo/StateEmployeesInfo/other\_info\_POLITICAL\_ACTIVITY.asp](http://www.civilservice.la.gov/OtherInfo/StateEmployeesInfo/other_info_POLITICAL_ACTIVITY.asp) ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147/71 "2008-02-12T19:16:40Z")
[QUOTE=Happy Wanderer] I do not think you understand the first amendment. If you cannot campaign or put up a sign, your rights HAVE been abridged. Not that I care. I wouldn’t mind if government workers were forbidden from voting. Same goes for those on the dole. How about a rule? You become eligible to vote when you start paying taxes from a private sector job. After all, a pickpocket will always vote to keep himself in business. [/QUOTE] Well, I don’t think I have much of a case to prove my rights are being abridged, as apparently it’s been tested and the Supreme Court has come down on the side of the states, saying they have the right to restrict their employees’ political activity to avoid even the appearance of support for one candidate or political party over the common good. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147/72 "2008-02-12T20:14:54Z")
[QUOTE=Duck Duck Goose] Wait, we can’t bash public figures vitriolically any more? Or we can only bash them vitriolically for a certain time period, or a certain amount of Pit threads, and then we all have to make nice? [/QUOTE] Let’s put it this way: Pro-Obama Dems should say nothing about HRC during the primaries that, if she should get the nom – **as she might** – would make them embarrassed to vote for her in the general, or reinforce the memes the Pubs will be using against her. Unless you want another Pub administration for the next four years. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147/73 "2008-02-12T20:31:54Z")
[QUOTE=lisacurl] Your Civil Service rules must be different than mine. [http://www.civilservice.la.gov/OtherInfo/StateEmployeesInfo/other\_info\_POLITICAL\_ACTIVITY.asp](http://www.civilservice.la.gov/OtherInfo/StateEmployeesInfo/other_info_POLITICAL_ACTIVITY.asp) [/QUOTE] That appears to be the case. Those rules are very wise. They are probably why there is so little political corruption in Louisiana. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147/74 "2008-02-12T22:40:57Z")
[QUOTE=saoirse] That appears to be the case. Those rules are very wise. They are probably why there is so little political corruption in Louisiana. [/QUOte] 😛 My pocketbook could stand a little corruption. You notice the legislators and their staffs don’t have to comply with those rules. Although our new and messianic governor is supposed to change all that. He’s going to wipe out corruption with his mighty charisma and the sheer force of his place in history! ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147/75 "2008-02-12T22:59:33Z")
[QUOTE=The Flying Dutchman] I can’t count how many times Hillary is refered to as a bitch around here. Or hate her. May I remind you that her candidacy is supported by half, more or less of the democratic primary voters ? [/QUOTE] Somewhat _less_ as of this afternoon: [U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 110th Congress - 2nd Session](http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00015#top) > [@](#): > > Statement of Purpose: To strike the provisions providing immunity from civil liability to electronic communication service providers for certain assistance provided to the Government. > … > Obama (D-IL), Yea > Clinton (D-NY), Not Voting Bitch or no, not showing up is _not_ acceptable. ---
**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:** [February 13, 2008, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147/76 "2008-02-13T00:44:56Z")
[QUOTE=Squink] Somewhat _less_ as of this afternoon: [U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 110th Congress - 2nd Session](http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00015#top)Bitch or no, not showing up is _not_ acceptable. [/QUOTE] Ah, bollocks. Those votes were a bullshit fait accompli once that agreement was established. Each amendment was set to require just over the number of votes they knew they would get (some needing 50 and some 60). It was just further Democratic “bipartisan” complicity. Her vote wouldn’t have made one bit of difference, and that’s been known for about a week. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147/77 "2008-02-13T00:48:29Z")
[QUOTE=Hentor the Barbarian] It was just further Democratic “bipartisan” complicity. [/QUOTE] Yet Obama wasn’t complicit, while Hillary was. I’d sooner have Feingold than either of them, be we don’t always get our first choice. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147/78 "2008-02-13T00:51:18Z")
Fuck that bitch. Let her go back to Wal Mart. ---
**Author:** ![brownie55](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f14d63/32.png) [@brownie55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brownie55)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147/79 "2008-02-13T01:08:04Z")
You say you are tired of Hillary bashing? Tell your candidate to stop saying shit like [this](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080212/ap_on_el_pr/campaign_dems_analysis): Caucus states, the former first lady says, are undemocratic and cater only to party activists. Southern states, like Louisiana, have “a very strong and very proud African-American electorate” naturally predisposed to favor a black candidate. And so-called “red” states like North Dakota, Idaho and Kansas — all of which Obama won on Super Tuesday — will never choose a Democrat in the general election anyway. This Libertarian is hoping he can vote for Barack Obama come the general election. ---
**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:** [February 13, 2008, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147/80 "2008-02-13T01:11:43Z")
[QUOTE=Squink] Bitch or no, not showing up is _not_ acceptable. [/QUOTE] Given that you feel this way, it must be terribly disappointing that Obama didn’t show up for the final vote. From Glenn Greenwald at [Salon.com](http://Salon.com): > [@](#): > > UPDATE V: Final passage in the Senate of the Cheney/Rockefeller bill was 68-29. 19 Democrats joined all Republicans to vote in favor of warrantless eavesdropping and telecom amnesty: Conrad, Rockefeller, Baucus, Webb, Kohl, Whitehouse, Bayh, Johnson, Bill Nelson, Mikulski, McCaskill, Lincoln, Casey, Salazar, Inouye, Ben Nelson, Pryor, Carper, and Landrieu. **Neither Obama nor Clinton voted on final passage.** Bolding mine. Not acceptable, right? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-of-the-hillary-bashing/437147.md?page=5)