# \[Sen. Joe Lieberman\] What is wrong with people in Connecticut? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 10, 2005, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039 "2005-12-10T14:03:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Wake\_up\_call](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dec6dc/32.png) [@Wake\_up\_call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wake_up_call)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039/41 "2005-12-12T08:41:54Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > All that because _you_ disapprove of some of the actions of one of their Senators? No. All that because the majority of the voters in the state elected that Senator. Just look at the rest of the world and see how they judge the majority of American voters for re-electing George W. Bush. Here is a [front page](http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/docs/Mirror/0007ACB8-ADCE-118B-9E4F80C328EC0000.pdf)of our main “Ally” newspaper, let alone all the other countries that disagreed with the US invasion and occupation of Iraq. ---
**Author:** ![KSO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@KSO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KSO)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039/42 "2005-12-12T14:29:58Z")
Just out of curiosity, where do you live, Wake Up Call? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039/43 "2005-12-12T14:53:42Z")
As a current resident of North Carolina, I welcome **Wake Up Call’s** decision not to visit our state, just as I’m sure the French welcome Bill O’Reilly’s decision not to visit their country. That’s some good company you keep, **Wake**. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039/44 "2005-12-12T15:23:31Z")
> [@Wake up call](#): > > Just look at the rest of the world and see how they judge the majority of American voters for re-electing George W. Bush. Here is a [front page](http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/docs/Mirror/0007ACB8-ADCE-118B-9E4F80C328EC0000.pdf)of our main “Ally” newspaper, let alone all the other countries that disagreed with the US invasion and occupation of Iraq. I’m not sure I agree that that’s their leading paper, it has a reputation for being left-leaning, and I don’t see how this supports your point. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039/45 "2005-12-12T18:09:21Z")
> [@Wake up call](#): > > No. All that because the majority of the voters in the state elected that Senator. > > Just look at the rest of the world and see how they judge the majority of American voters for re-electing George W. Bush. Here is a [front page](http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/docs/Mirror/0007ACB8-ADCE-118B-9E4F80C328EC0000.pdf)of our main “Ally” newspaper, let alone all the other countries that disagreed with the US invasion and occupation of Iraq. Why don’t you boycott the entire US? After all, the majority of voters voted for Bush. ---
**Author:** ![Renob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8c91f0/32.png) [@Renob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renob)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039/46 "2005-12-12T19:32:55Z")
> [@Wake up call](#): > > Actually, the [Free Ham](http://swap.qth.com/) confrontations with Joseph Lieberman go back a [long way](http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/elec19.htm). Just ask William Bennett. Your links do nothing to illustrate the relevance of your anti-Semitic remark. As to the question, it’s a ridiculous position to take. If you are so shallow as to refuse to associate with someone based on how that person votes then that’s a profound statement on the flaws in your own character. Having friends who voted for Bush, Kerry, and Badnarik, I fail to see how any of them are somehow evil because of their voting preference. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039/47 "2005-12-12T19:57:49Z")
The Democratic Party is a big tent. They don’t kick people out for disagreeing with the party on any one issue. You’re confusing them with that other party. I still like Lieberman- I just feel that he is absolutely wrong about the Iraq war. But on most other things, he’d represent me just fine. In time, support for the war will count as an electoral plus or minus, depending on where you are and how the war goes. My crystal ball is out of warranty, so I’m not going to guess how he’ll fare next election. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039/48 "2005-12-12T20:07:56Z")
> [@Captain Amazing](#): > > Isn’t it sort of traditional, though, not to criticize the president in times of war, or to argue about foreign policy generally? You know, that whole “Politics stops at the water’s edge” sort of thing? Sad to say that was from a time when national unity was more important than party allegiance. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039/49 "2005-12-12T20:19:54Z")
> [@KSO](#): > > Just out of curiosity, where do you live, Wake Up Call? Apparently from the land of chirping crickets. I’ve never kept a tally but there might be a link between the distance from common sense and the desire to post enormously. I’d like to take this time to point out the end result in such arbitrary dismissal of people who differ from one’s own opinion. If you take that philosophy to heart and relocate away from an ENTIRE STATE then likeminded people will eventually leave that state (both physically and figuratively) in the hands of those in opposition. Thus creating a more powerful political opponent. The next question that begs answering from Wake Up Call. Do you know of a single politician that agrees with you on every issue and do you live in that politician’s state? If yes, are all the politician’s in your state in total agreement with you? If I had to eliminate all my friends because of political differences I would be the lesser for it and so would they. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039/50 "2005-12-12T20:25:27Z")
That would be “post anonymously”. Didn’t read the spell check correctly. Bifocals suck when your monitor is mounted high. Wish this site supported larger text. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039/51 "2005-12-12T20:55:25Z")
> [@Renob](#): > > Your links do nothing to illustrate the relevance of your anti-Semitic remark. Is there some background I’m missing that leads to your calling his remark anti-Semitic? Mentioning a Jew in the same sentence as the word ham does not an anti-semite make; unless there’s some history here that I’m unaware of, you’re going off half-cocked. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039/52 "2005-12-12T21:11:42Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > Is there some background I’m missing that leads to your calling his remark anti-Semitic? Mentioning a Jew in the same sentence as the word ham does not an anti-semite make; unless there’s some history here that I’m unaware of, you’re going off half-cocked. It’s a mildly anti-Semitic joke. “What’s a Jew’s greatest dilemma?” “A free ham.” Jews are, of course, forbidden to eat pork products. The joke is mildly anti-Semitic because it plays off the stereotype that Jews are cheap. So the dilemma for the Jew in the joke is that he’s being offered something free, which as a Jew, because of his cheapness, he would normally take, but it’s a ham, which he is unable to eat or take. Hence the dilemma. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039/53 "2005-12-12T21:25:04Z")
> [@Captain Amazing](#): > > It’s a mildly anti-Semitic joke. > > “What’s a Jew’s greatest dilemma?” “A free ham.” Ah, I see. Thanks for the explanation, and my apologies, **Renob** : you’re entirely correct to call **Wake Up** out for antisemitism. **Wake Up** , I renew my invitation for you not to visit North Carolina. We’ve got quite enough of your kind here already, and we really don’t need any more. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039/54 "2005-12-12T21:51:35Z")
Wow. Who would’ve thought my opinion of **Wake up call** could get lower? On the other hand, with what I remember of his posts about September 11th, this isn’t surprising. ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039/55 "2005-12-12T22:43:21Z")
> [@ITR champion](#): > > I don’t suppose you’d like to provide a cite for Lieberman being A-OK with a form of censorship. So far you haven’t. You did underline the quote “in matters of war we undermine presidential crediblity at our nation’s peril.” That’s not a call for censorship. That’s the truth. Undermining the President’s credibility is obviously dangerous. That’s why it’s usually a good idea to elect a credible president. Unfortunately the American people didn’t do so. You ARE kidding about this, right? Google Joe Lieberman and Video Games and you should come up with plenty of evidence of his support for censorship in one particular industry. To say nothing of his recent remarks which have already been cited. Joe Lieberman is not an enemy of censorship by any means. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039/56 "2005-12-12T22:57:21Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > As a current resident of North Carolina, I welcome **Wake Up Call’s** decision not to visit our state, just as I’m sure the French welcome Bill O’Reilly’s decision not to visit their country. That’s some good company you keep, **Wake**. > > Daniel I bet the French are all crying because Billy O won’t be visiting. Just like San Francisco is crying because Billy O won’t be visiting. They are both probably saying “Good. We don’t want him here anyway”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039/57 "2005-12-12T23:23:06Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > The Democratic Party is a big tent. They don’t kick people out for disagreeing with the party on any one issue. You’re confusing them with that other party. Which party is that? Who was the last person to be kicked out because of a disagreement over one issue? ---
**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:** [December 12, 2005, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039/58 "2005-12-12T23:30:55Z")
> [@crazyjoe](#): > > You ARE kidding about this, right? > > Google Joe Lieberman and Video Games and you should come up with plenty of evidence of his support for censorship in one particular industry. To say nothing of his recent remarks which have already been cited. Joe Lieberman is not an enemy of censorship by any means. He doesn’t like the movies, either. During the 2000 camapaign, one of his favorite topics was that the government had to help parents protect their kids from “Hollywood.” Always, he would protest, within the bounds of the 1st ammendment, but I don’t think he ever explained what the government should do, that it’s not already doing, without reducing the scope of the ammendment significantly. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2005, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039/59 "2005-12-13T00:06:32Z")
He is already Republican, except in name. > [@New York Post columnist Ron Dreher](#): > > Aug. 9, “with the possible exception of Pat Moynihan, Honest Joe is **every Republicans favorite Democrat**.” He “has earned friends and admirers on the cultural right as a leading cultural critic of sex and violence in the entertainment industry.” He is on the outs, or will be soon. > [@Washington Post](#): > > Five years after running as the vice-presidential nominee on the Democratic ticket and a year after his own presidential bid, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut has become an **increasingly unwelcome figure** within his party, with some Democrats seeing him more as a wayward son than a favorite son. > In the last few days, the senator has riled Democratic activists and politicians here and in his home state with his vigorous defense of President Bush’s handling of the Iraq war at a time some Democrats are pressuring the administration to begin a withdrawal…“The American people want to hold George Bush accountable for the failed policy in Iraq, and Senator Lieberman doesn’t.”…Although some Democrats are upset with Mr. Lieberman, Republicans are embracing him, with President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld singling him out, and his support for the war, for praise in speeches this week. Well, he can register REpublican then. He is a White House cheerleader and shill. They can have him. > [@Lieberman on Iraq](#): > > "I have just returned from my fourth trip to Iraq in the past 17 months and can report real progress there. **More work needs to be done** , of course, but the Iraqi people are in reach of **a watershed transformation** from the primitive, killing tyranny of Saddam to modern, self-governing, self-securing nationhood–unless the great American military that has given them and us this unexpected opportunity is prematurely withdrawn… Pure White House spin, just with a different “face” giving it. More stay the course. > [@Lieberman on Iraq again](#): > > ``` > And, I am convinced, almost all of the progress in Iraq and throughout the Middle East will be lost if those forces are withdrawn faster than the Iraqi military is capable of securing the country. > > ``` > > The leaders of Iraq’s duly elected government **understand this, and they asked me for reassurance about America’s commitment**. The question is whether the American people and enough of their representatives in Congress from both parties understand this. The Iraqi government wants us out, and they want a timetable for withdrawal. They have said so. > [@From the AP](#): > > Leaders of Iraq’s sharply divided Shiites, Kurds and Sunnis **called Monday for a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces** in the country And yes, he does like censorship, apparently in several areas. All I had to do was Google two words - Liberman censorship. It was that easy. > [@Wikipedia](#): > > Lieberman has been criticized by many computer and video game players for his stance on video games; he is a **strong supporter of video game censorship**. He has also been vocal in the censorship of many controversial musical artists. In the late 90’s Lieberman was **vocal in lobbying for censorship against shock rocker Marilyn Manson** , calling his group “one of the sickest” he had ever seen. As a senator he inspired the advent of the Entertainment Software Rating Board. The Entertainment Software Association is against governmental regulation of or restriction on video games. Therefore, the organization opposes Lieberman. He has been known many times to denounce the violence contained in video games and has **made attempts to regulate sales** of violent video games to minors. Does anyone remember when Lieberman backed Jeb Bush’s law that called for the reinsertion of Teri Schiavo’s feeding tube? Or that he supported the death penalty for offenders under 18 at the time of their crimes? That he was willing to work with Bush on social security? Maybe I should slow down a little? He is a warhawk neocon. He is, for someone elected to serve U.S. interests, too friendly with the more militant politicians in Israel. He is a stealth Republican. He is a White House shill. He is pro censorship. He was on the wrong side in the Schiavo battles. He supported the failed White House attempt to savage Social Security. Bye Bye Lonesome Joe, don’t let the door hit yer ass on the way out. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2005, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039/60 "2005-12-13T00:55:34Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > The Iraqi government wants us out, and they want a timetable for withdrawal. They have said so. No, that was not an official act of the government. Notice the use of “leaders” in that story, not “legislators”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039.md?page=4)