Being skeptical and being gullible are the opposite, not the same.
Ahh, so argue semantics and don't admit you were wrong. You are quite apt at trying to change the direction of the discussion when you are not quite right.
Saying "what was that whisper all about? Let's investigate and find out" is much, much different than saying "Romney was being fed answers, look here's proof!" So, don't position yourself as being mildly quizzical, go back and read the thread, you are challenging my assertion that the easiest and simplest answer is also the likely correct one (Occam's Razor, in other words). I'm also curious who said it and why, but I can tell you what's stupid to think: that it was somebody telling Mitt Romney what to say throughout the debate (that nobody else standing mere feet from him happened to notice, including our own Dr. Ron Paul, by the way).
I never said I was mildly quizzical, I'm very quizzical and I want to know the truth. And you guys who were saying that it's Tim Russert being coached just don't make any sense, no more sense than the ones who are saying it came out of an earpiece. And you are not the authority on what is stupid to ponder and what isn't. The simplest answer is not what you were proposing. The simplest answer, in my opinion, is that someone who had a mike accidentally said it out loud hoping that Romney knew it. But I don't leave out the possibility that he was being coached either. He's a very rich and powerful man who has many resources. It would be foolish to think that a flip-flopping, guy who lies about daddy marching with MLK to pander (once again) is an honest guy who plays fair.
And just because it's fun, let's see how you first addressed my statement:
Why are you defending Romney against this and that "who let the dogs out" video?
Why did MSNBC post something about it then immediately get rid of it with no explanation?
Why did Romney edit it out from his YouTube video?
I still don't see the problem with asking those questions. I often look at the source the information is coming from. I asked why MSNBC was giving the appearance of hiding it, and I asked why Romney was giving the appearance of hiding it. All important factors in deciding what was going on with this issue. Not sure why that's fun for you, it took me asking the questions several times to actually get you to answer them.
I had to remind you I'm not "defending" anybody, I'm saying that this whisper is not part of a secret plan to give Mitt Romney answers in his debates. I don't think you learned that type of rhetoric in debate class either. We now understand why MSNBC deleted it, so I don't have to answer that question for you. And we agree that any youtube video that edits it out is pointless, and I further question if "Romney" edited anything from a youtube video, but if I had to answer, it would be because it flows better without, but it's clearly complete folly to say he would edit any video to suppress truth when there are a billion of the same clips right next to it unedited.
What kind of rhetoric are you talking about? I don't think I'm some glib master of language here. And you didn't have to remind me, you simply imply that I'm stupid for asking the questions. I understand what you said about MSNBC deleting it, I also read the official response on why it was deleted. Different explanation than yours I might add. Speculation is a good mental exercise, but you were quite off from their explanation.
And I daresay that your explanation as to why Romney edited it out is also very likely incorrect.
I will say I should not have been so hard on you specifically, my disdain is for the ones who are freaking out with their hair on fire because they're convinced they have found a new Bilderberger conspiracy. It makes the whole campaign look idiotic because........ it's idiotic. Being inquisitive and skeptical is good, seeing patterns and conspiracies where they simply do not exist is foolish.
Listen, I agree that the conspiracy stuff here makes us look really bad. I won't mention specifics, but I actually looked at the 'hot topics' section, because it's like a train wreck and I'm curious. The only concrete good I've ever done with some conspiracy theorists is I've actually demonstrated how it is used against us in reality and got one conspiracist to realize that he has to post that crap on another forum. I'll send you a link to the article on Wonkette to show you precisely how they can use this forum and the 'fringe supporters' against us. I know this doesn't make much sense without links, but I will give you details if you're interested.
I also know, quite certainly, that you will never, ever persuade anyone to 'pipe down and behave' by calling them stupid and blowing off what they believe, only by showing the effects of their actions. If they are a true supporter, they will understand this. If they don't understand it, well, they need help or they aren't really a supporter.
Having said all of this, how awesome if I'm completely wrong and there's a massive scandal tomorrow?
It'd certainly make things interesting.
Okay, this thread is far too long as it is and has all the attention it deserves. On to more productive things?