Dear Jon Stewart: This is why we can't have nice things.
The reviews for "The Rally to Restore Sanity" are generally favorable. We all want our political discourse to be civil and fair, right?
The pinnacle of Saturday's rally was Jon Stewart's "merging into the tunnel" speech:
And yet these millions of cars must somehow find a way to squeeze one by one into a mile long 30 foot wide tunnel carved underneath a mighty river. Carved, by the way, by people who I’m sure had their differences. And they do it. Concession by conscession. You go. Then I’ll go. You go. Then I’ll go. You go then I’ll go. Oh my God, is that an NRA sticker on your car? Is that an Obama sticker on your car? Well, that’s okay—you go and then I’ll go.
And sure, at some point there will be a selfish jerk who zips up the shoulder and cuts in at the last minute, but that individual is rare and he is scorned and not hired as an analyst.
Andrew Breitbart has been hired as an election night analyst by ABC News.
FOX News is a safe haven for any prominent right winger to get a paycheck.
And it's more than just an occasional "selfish jerk." The GOP leadership has this very week assured voters that they will not compromise with the Democrats if they win the House and/or Senate.
Here's the deal, Jon. (We love ya, but...) Take your 'merge into the tunnel' analogy: Here we are, trying to work together to get through the tunnel and resolve the problems of America.
The Right jumps in front of our car and says we don't own that car and where's the papers showing we can drive through the tunnel? We show them, over and over and over, the car's birth certificate, but the Right screams that's not the actual paper we need to drive through the tunnel. And it's their tunnel! They want their tunnel back!
We get just enough help from a few on the Right to get one or two cars through the tunnel. The Healthcare and Financial Reform cars crawl out of the tunnel, and by the time they're through they're missing tires and several cylinders, but somehow they're through. As soon as some on the Right see them emerge, they scream that the cars were "shoved down their throats" and they vow to push and repeal the cars backwards through the tunnel so it looks like it never happened. And it's their tunnel! They want their tunnel back!
The very people who told us to sit down and shut up because they had a "mandate" in 2004 insist that a "Kenyan Usurper" has "stolen" the White House. And if a Democrat points out that Obama, a US citizen, won with a ten million vote majority and 365 electoral votes? La la la la la socialism! They want their tunnel back!
One could argue that the Birthers are a small overly vocal fringe. But it's not just the birthers. The LEADERSHIP of the party now vows that any ONE of them can block the entire tunnel, because "Senate Rules." Gridlock is better than sharing the tunnel.
Michelle Bachmann is a member of Congress! And she says forget the tunnel she's taking everyone back to the DMV for two solid years of "investigations." She promises this.
And by the way, death panels exist, Social Security and VA hospital privatization are a good plan, and unemployment insurance is "unconstitutional." Those are words not from birthers or fringe elements. Those are statements from GOP candidates. And that's the GOP leadership's PLAN for the tunnel.
One cannot be "civil" to those who refute proven facts, like 'Obama is a US Citizen' or 'there are no death panels.' One can ignore them, but if they attempt to control our discourse and elections, calling them out, loudly and with a verbal punch, is the only alternative. And if they want to block progress, we must stop them from doing so, even if it costs us our civility.
One sign at the rally said, "I may disagree with you, but I probably won't step on your head." Would that the right wing goons of Rand Paul and Andrew Breitbart felt the same way.
I am for civility, honesty, and a reasonable political discourse. But attention Comedy Central: You can't have a bi-partisan discussion about civil discourse if one side is throwing cinder blocks into traffic.
If the republicans take the senate and house, I'm outa here!!! Finished.
Andrew Breitbart has been hired as an election night analyst by ABC News.
Well, I guess if the liberal bloggers can get invited to the White House...
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
Were never announced as speaking FOR the White House. I understand now that Breitbart has been moved off air to an online discussion for ABC.
When a news media outlet hires a proven liar and fact manipulator as their spokesperson, that media kills its own credibility.
Let's not get into this. The fact is that during the healthcare debate, when the public option was eliminated and now during this election, liberal blogs like C&L have carried the water for the Democrats.
"This is the best we can get." - on healthcare
"We have to vote Democratic, cause the nation is at stake".
Both of those were Democratic spins promoted by the liberal blogs.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
l"let's not get into this."
OK.
Let's do movies instead. Tuesday look good to you?
TFR
Both of those were Democratic spins promoted by the liberal blogs.
more like common sense really. Wasn't it you that advocated a "crash and burn" approach a post ago? That sounds ill-advised to me...
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
straight from the manifesto.
"the common ruin of the contending classes"
buckle your seat belt.
I know that there a shitload of right wing blogs that would love to have you.
Or just happened to look at the situation and come to the conclusion that, yes, indeed, these were the best courses of action?
Now I'm sure that you think that BoA gave billions to Amato, Bluegal and everyone else in the prog-o-sphere who happens to disagree with you, but, ya know, you're wrong.
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
Yes, carried the water.
Want more examples. We were gonna PRIMARY their asses, remember? All the blogs were ablaze with how they were going to "take back the party".
In the end, this very blog ended up saying that we need to go out and vote for Blanche Lincoln, the poster child for what's wrong with the Democratic Party, because..."it's the best we can get."
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
Who wrote it?
TFR
You want to take the party back from the people you invited in so as to win the election?
Hasa Diga Eebowai
you sir, are simply too impatient. It's only been 21 months. I suggest you give it another two years before you advocate giving up on Democrats.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
Why? Because with lesser strength in the House and Senate they'll now be able to accomplish what they couldn't with the largest majorities in decades?
Only 21 months? Um, that's pretty much a full session of Congress. It's why there's elections tomorrow.
Corruption favors the wealthy.
Because it took eight plus years to get where we were 21 months ago.
It might take more than eight years to undo the damage.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
Take as much space as you need.
Corruption favors the wealthy.
Not as much as we'd like for sure. But off the top of my head - so far - a tax break for the middle class, a bailout that is now paying dividends, the economy has actually improved, a health care system that the republicans vow to repeal that does not drop you when you become ill and will make it easier for employers to employ American workers. A reinstatement of respect for the will of congress. Support for education. That really is just a start. If we were to look at the entire list at the White house web-site there's going to be a lot more.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
Obviously you can't read.
Try THIRTY years.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
Did you have a previous understanding he was ever "hired" in the first place to do anything but show up as part of an online panel? Because that seems to be the best Breitbart himself can prove through e-mails from ABC on his own website attacking ABCfor this episode.
TFR
the huffington Post?
TFR
...the Republicans would privatize the tunnel and set up checkpoints - if you have an Obama bumper sticker on your car, good luck getting home...
Bluegal,
All true, but not what Stewart was there to talk about.
This is my take.
Cassandra Vert aka @buybk
I copied and pasted the bold paragraph. Well worth saving.
p.s. Building my own tunnel. Think I'll need it when the R's and TB's trash the country even more.
We're not going to get very far if you keep injecting logic into the conversation!
...start to finish. I am SO FRUSTRATED that a bunch of loons were allowed to hijack our politics for the past 2 years, with full endorsement by every single mainstream media outlet there is, Fox nothwithstanding.
lame stream? We know its always "THEIR" fault.
TFR
false equivalency approach. The left, historically has been for more equality among people. The right, not so much.
This new right, really pumped up with Gingrich's Contract on America, and magnified under the dirty tricks of Karl Rove, continuing on Lee Atwater's legacy, started the long lying vicious attacks on the left, moved the country to the right with an I Me Mine meme that appeals to the lizard brain.
Is the left not supposed to respond? Why is the response being called part of the problem by TDS? We see what happens with little or no response, courtesy of the Democratic Party.
This country is in deep trouble. And if the right has its way, the bootstrap method, promulgated by PR campaigns paid for by people/corporations who will reap the [short-term] benefit from no taxes, no regulation no social services for the needy/poor/disadvantaged will destroy the country.
In the meantime, these guys are supposed to get away with screaming lies that too many wannabe lottery winners drink up? Sorry Jon. Not on my watch. The right WANTS the left to STFU and FOAD. And they'll assist it with any lie they need to tell. They're that greedy.
me-oww!
The United States is like an alcoholic whore.
There will be no road to recovery, until you admit you have a problem.
The GOP keeps giving us the hard drug of promises of freedome and tax cuts, then when we're doped up they turn us over and bone us up the ass till we bleed.
The Dems are like the "good" pimp. They give us softer drugs, make us mellow and think that they really love us, fuck us gently but make sure they cum on our face so we know who's boss.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
sexual victim analogy so much?
TFR
because it is all about power, prestige, and the pleasure principle.
I thought it was because liberals didn't do sports analogies because they throw like girls.
I'm reassured.
TFR
I'm talking about people on the left. Today's Democratic party is nowhere near the left, with all their willingness to believe the shit the right says and moving rightward.
I'm talking about the left, the people concerned with easing the suffering of others, being attacked by selfish righties who want the police, fire fighters, roads and other socialised services, w/o having to pay taxes, and vilifying those who see the need for it, those who know a rising tide lifts all boats and a fair share should be paid by all. There's no comparison between the two. One is on the offense, the other is in defense mode.
me-oww!
That was a beautiful thing, perfectly said. I'm tired of all the media saying both sides are the same, both are doing it, they're both bad to the same degree. Anyone watching politics knows that is not the case but they feel they have to be "balanced" but the heck with "fair" or what the reality of the ground war is that the right is waging.
L&P has been successfully brainwashed by that media.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
So, let's play Sesame Street.
How are these two things not the same?
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
Well, if a lie is repeated five times, it is then believed to be the truth by idiots. That is the "Rovian Response." Defending one's self against liars IS taking the high road. Believing and acting like you are above the fray and not defending yourself is the height of hubris. It's also allowing your enemies the advantage especially in this time of anti-intellectualism. The GOP has been chipping away at the fabric of this country for a very long time. They seem to think they are going to reap what they've sown tomorrow. This is where inadequate education has taken those who think being smart and educated is a character defect, simply because they are not smart and educated. Oh, look! The chickens are coming home! This will at least be interesting.
I think you're mixing metaphors
Pavlov's experiment with hungry dogs
And Joseph Goebbel's propaganda.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF7AzxplsME
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
over at the Huffington Post and Bob Cesca's website. If you bring a knife to a gun fight, expect to get your head blown off! Oh, and I can't wait for The Daily Show tonight. I love Jon but, his attemps to push the right's false equivalency is every bit as weak as theirs.
I don't blame Jon for trying to infuse a message of what's right and sane. The rally showed that many, if not most, Americans are far more reasonable than the extreme rightists.
"If the US government enforced its banking laws like it did its park regulations, we wouldn't be
in this damn park in the first place." OCCUPY.!!
I beseach Obama to send the "bipartisanship" and "look forward" memes to their death. The GOP has boldly said, WE WILL NOT COMPRIMISE. That's plenty clear for me to understand.
"If the US government enforced its banking laws like it did its park regulations, we wouldn't be
in this damn park in the first place." OCCUPY.!!
to say hello to our troops preserving the sourthern part of the dagger aimed at Japan. Without them we might be cursing a larger Albanian type pensinsula instead of enjoying KIA's (official car of the NBA).
TFR
I do say hello to the troops when I see them in my neighbourhood, and even help them navigate Korea.
I think your assessment of issues on the peninsula is very simplistic and driven by propaganda. (Oh, and tired too. It reminds me of the old, "You'd be speaking German if it weren't for us," meme.)
"If the US government enforced its banking laws like it did its park regulations, we wouldn't be
in this damn park in the first place." OCCUPY.!!
In a complex world the divide between North and South Korea is about as black and white as it gets. The North Korean government doesn't do nuance. What's not to understand? The North Korean leadership is just misunderstood? They're really nice guys when you get to know them?
Hasa Diga Eebowai
You don't think S Korea can protect itself? Is Korea really a dagger pointed at Japan?
Besides, it appears the off-topic comment was meant mostly to be snarky.
"If the US government enforced its banking laws like it did its park regulations, we wouldn't be
in this damn park in the first place." OCCUPY.!!
I think he may actually change tactics, now that republican partisanship has been fully exposed and documented into history for the past 21 months. Changing tactics is now the pragmatic thing to do.
However, the Democrats are bound by the rules and laws of the political system, and that's the way it should stay. The same cannot be said of the Republicans - the real problem with the republicans.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
truth is, we can't afford nice things because our entire government is a wholly owned subsidiary of the military/industrial complex, and "bloody barack" obama is just the latest ceo, bought and paid for, hired gun, ceo.
President Obama respects the separation of powers. This is why he seems right wing to you. He can't legally get anything done - unlike the Bushies, he respects the law.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
work for you or your classmates?
I don't think following legal protocol is appeasement. do you?
Perhaps that's what republicans believe though. That's what makes them wrong. That's what makes them republicans. They don't respect the separation of powers.
Ignoring legal protocol is what gave us the Bush Presidency.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
On what planet? This is the man who declared prosecutions for torture, murder and other war crimes off the table for purely political reasons.
That is not respect for the law by any definition anywhere.
Corruption favors the wealthy.
He respects the separation of powers. don't count on republicans to do that.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
OK, so you're both right, and neither is wrong.
"If the US government enforced its banking laws like it did its park regulations, we wouldn't be
in this damn park in the first place." OCCUPY.!!
I'm Left :~P
Corruption favors the wealthy.
Yes I know that Obama appointed Holder but Holder is the only one that can bring charges and though Obama's opinion may have influenced him, I have no way of verifying it, it's still Holder's decision. The president can't prosecute anybody.
to provide a temporary respite for Republicans while they purged their party. It also alowed the accumulation of a good computerized list of HOPE filled progressives to aid in rounding up threats to our corporatocracy.
TFR
Good analogy and righteous but I would offer that's only one method.. If you don't mind getting your hands a bit dirty and maybe a couple of blisters.. When the right jumps in front of the car at the entrance of the tunnel - keep going. If the first try doesn't work keep going back for more until you break thru the tunnel entrance and you're thru - in tact with none of your parts missing.
Not necessarily easy, but gets the required result...
has jumped into the fray-I will not link to Red State-but this snippet is enough to make my head explode:
Brought down ACORN!! What bullshit! The Congress Critters did that, (notso)Breitbart had very little to do with it.
I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America, and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples, promising liberty and justice for all
You mean the Democratic Congress critters, who stood by and said NOTHING while blacks were disparaged and disenfranchised.
Which is EXACTLY what they did to blacks in the 2000 Presidential election in Florida.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liq_wYFkMoU
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
The Koch brothers and a few others astro-turf The Dick Armey and they get recognition as one of two sides?
I'm sure that was a major objective of theirs, but should we really help them do it?
I'll take a wild bet that most of the people voting for Rand Paul don't approve of stomping on womens' heads. I'll even give odds. I'm also thinking that most of those voting for Sharon Angle aren't card carrying members of the KKK. But you know what? I'm thinking that most of both groups are pretty ticked off at what's happening to this country.
And they should be. Of course, we can pick fights with them, call them idiots, and stereotype them based on a few, often media chosen, examples, Or we can recognize that there are very valid reasons to be ticked off right now.
The Tea Partier "message" is filtered through their funders then our MSM. We might hear how the reason they're ticked off is because of Obama's birth certificate or socialist/fascism but just how much are you trusting the messenger on that? Is the messenger FreedomWorks and FOX News?
The Koch brothers would like nothing better than to kick back and watch the vast majority of people in this country fight with each other instead of noticing the brothers and their country club buddies robbing us blind. There's no need to help them.
Maybe it would be more productive to actually offer a real alternative. Or maybe not. Offering up extremely corporate by arguing that the "other side" is even more corporate (oh and BTW if you don't agree you're all idiots) might be really, really effective.
We'll find out tomorrow night.
Corruption favors the wealthy.
and I don't even have a "but" to offer.
Until the media stops coddling these lying liar manipulators - and that includes Jon Stewart - we are going to be in more of an unholy mess than we are already in. To treat these power and money hungry blood suckers as though they are equal is just another lie.
I like JS and watch him every night (mainly as a lead in to Colbert, who is my favorite), I have all but stopped watching his interviews. He will let some of the most egregious neo-con, right wing hacks get away with hawking their latest white-washing book with nary a nod to their infamous pasts. The president, however, is called "dude". And he does stretch to equate Ed Schultz and Olberman with the likes of Beck, Hannity, Palin and the rest of the birthers, racists and haters.
Ick. This country is in a world of hurt. Please vote.
Let's be real... many, many of those people who watch Stewart's show and showed up were liberals. I don't even think Stewart intended for that. You just need to make fun of those who deserve to made fun of, and it just so happens that Republicans fit that role so much.
..But then, you have him, telling a bunch of Liberals to mellow out and calm down.
...That's... like preaching to a Buddhist monk about being quiet and civil.
There is nothing more infuriating than telling someone to calm down.
True. I understand the frustration. I think it all boils down to how badly the Bushies ruined everything, including the rule of law. That in conjunction with the 60 vote vs. simple majority thing.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
"We show them, over and over and over, the car's birth certificate"
sigh. analogy fail.
then it works.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://th...
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
I took Jon's message to be if the shoe fits then you might be wearing it. If not, he wasn't talking to you.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
because any inclusion of anything other than the right was both equivalent and false.
TFR
And there's always the theory that when you lower your voice or whisper, people tend to lean in more closely to hear what you are saying
For the record beck's show is half over and he hasn't mentioned Saturday's rally. He is however talking about the Joe Miller tape and the reporters. He did not correct the error about the reporters being from CBS and ranted about how they should be fired. This morning on Fox and Friends they too neglected to report the error.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
During the second half of Beck's show he does talk about the rally and at first was complimentary about it then quickly knotted his bloomers because Cat Stevens was there. I guess Beck missed the message about the breaking news of burning ants.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
Cat was only with us momentarily to begin with.
TFR
an Ozzy fan.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
of the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear: it was amazing. I did not see a single instance of rudeness or unkindness. On the contrary, it was a perfect demonstration of civility. The message was clear to anyone who cared to listen. You can have nice things. Not once did Stewart suggest one could not argue passionately for their beliefs. It was an appeal for tolerance and mutual respect. There will always be people for whom that message is empty of meaning but they mustn't be allowed to control the public discourse and the number of people who showed up convinces me they don't. I think you're going to be okay. I'm damned glad I had the opportunity to witness it.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
you wouldn't even bring a knife to the goddamn gunfight. That universal healthcare business breeds dangerous complacency.
TFR
Because both gunshot wounds and knife wounds are covered, I should be more reckless.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
Fifty four forty or something or other.
Teabags for the Tillerman.
Remember the Maine Coon Cat.
TFR
...my sentiments exactly.
And that we don't have to buy into it. And he's right.
But why are you buying into this fight bluegal? C&L has documented in numerous posts just how astro-turfed this Tea Party "movement" is. Well, is it an astro-turfed propaganda ploy or is it the genuine opposition that we have to face?
The mainstream media tell us these are the battle lines. Has Crooks and Liars been incorrect all these years in pointing out just how much the MSM lies?
Are they telling us the truth now?
Corruption favors the wealthy.
but I also saw a "Now let's be fair, each side is as bad as the other." It just is not so.
This could be the blind men and the elephant
me-oww!
But I knew that elephant
and you really must see
that two men had it wrong
and confused history
For the men they were blind
and so were the scholars
and deaf they were also
missing the elephant's hollers
Observations can change things
So said Heisenberg
And what the Fourth felt
depended much on the Third
Though they all were mistaken
Their fault was of much higher degree
For the Third grasped not a proboscis
Nor did the Fourth grasp a knee
;~)
Corruption favors the wealthy.
You need to find a new route, because the Right plans to dynamite the tunnel in 2012.
Apparently at lease one of us here thinks that Obama is dictator and can call the shots at will ... and win . The Dems never had a solid majority when you consider the blue dogs who are nothing more than Reich wingers who call themselves Democrats . The Repugs , roughly half the House and Senate , have ONLY sabotaged , obstructed , undermined 24/ 7 since Obama took office . Obama and company knew better than we what they might be able to get and what they likely could not get , they took what they could get . Ad all the opposition up , the hole that this country was ( is ) in and that it's been a whole two years ... what the F do you expect ? To say their is no difference between the Reich wing and the Democrats ... you're out of your freaking mind .Obama's biggest mistake was to ever try and reason with and govern together with the Reich wing / Republicans , that's where he blew it . And as a whole the Dems fatal flaw is that they are a bunch of pussies who do not know how to or simply will not punch back and fight . They let the Reich wing go practically unchallenged all of this time up until the last month or so and here we are , it appears that the step on a rake party has done the damn near impossible once again .
Stewart picked up the banner of those that talked a lame game in 2008 about forming a third party, comprised of reasonable, non-partisan centrists to guide the country. Of all people, the actor Sam Waterson is the only one among their ranks whose name I can recall. I think mayor Bloomberg may have been on board, too.
Are nice but what he does not want to admit is middle of the road thinking can indicate a state of mind that does not want to deal complexities and details. Stewart, in his desire to appear reasonable and above the fray, has himself backed into a corner where he needs anecdotes of extremes on the left that are prominent people. If he cannot provide them he will contradict the image that he has created as a voice of unbiased reason amongst all the insanity. What is so problematic with this is those on the left that can honestly be compared to current popular people on right are in the margins. Few people have heard of them. These comparable left wing extremists are guests of honor at communist bookstore events or they are selling newspapers at political rallies that few people attend. Stewart is an accidental political pundit. He is first and foremost an entertainer with an image to maintain.
The more extreme the position the less likely the holder of that position is to appreciate the subtleties of complex situations. I've seen it demonstrated here many times. There may be a lot more of it on the right then there is on the left at this moment in time but it surely exists.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
Even though the "Rally to Restore Sanity" was, by many accounts, a success, I still have a fear - my fear is that, should the election results not go the way the right wants them to tomorrow, then there will be violence.
What bothers me even more is that there are some among the progressive movement who haven't yet awakened and realized, "Hey! Wait a minute! These people on the right don't want to play by the rules! They don't want to be nice! They won't stop until we're wiped off the face of the Earth!"
We need to fight these right wingers with every means of communication - without resorting to violence. But if the right wants a fight, a bloody battle in the streets, then they had better be prepared for a fight, for they (and we) may finally get one if we're not careful
" One cannot be "civil" to those who refute proven facts, like 'Obama is a US Citizen' or 'there are no death panels.' "
You cannot have an intelligent debate with people who guzzle the Tea.
NOBODY 2012
Stewart says:
"And sure, at some point there will be a selfish jerk who zips up the shoulder and cuts in at the last minute, but that individual is rare and he is scorned and not hired as an analyst."
At some point? Is he kidding? I live in Sacramento and most times the lanes merge, there is some hog riding in the fast lane and then tries to cut in front of you. You can sure tell Jon lives in NYC and rarely drives. He has no clue. Hey Jon! Stick to your areas of expertise. Diving isn't one of them.
And another thing -- I live in a blue state and there are more than enough freaky right-wingers who act out on the road. My daughter was driving home from work and suddenly heard frantic honking behind her. (On a busy surface street) She checked her car, but nothing was wrong that would cause a motorist to frantically honk to warn her. He kept it up for 2 miles -- it was rush hour and cars moved pretty slow -- and he was on her bumper. She could see his face -- wild with rage. She thought, "Did I do anything to make him mad?" but could think of nothing. (She isn't like me -- I flip people off if they try to cut me off.) She turned onto a residential street, hoping to leave him on the main street. He followed her. She turned again, and then again. He was definitely following her, never stopping the screaming. She called her boyfriend/roommate to come outside when she got home, just in case. The weirdo followed her all the way to her house, where her boyfriend was waiting outside. Her boyfriend is 6'7" tall and is an African American. The freak looked at him and sped off. Typical rage-filled right-winger -- SO brave when dealing with a woman, but acts like a scared 3rd grader when he meets a man. Did I tell you the only thing that would have made him mad? My daughter still had her Obama bumper sticker on the car. That's it.
"Look, our political discourse is much too shrill and hyperbolic, we all need to calm down, talk to each other and be more reasonable. Having said that, people on the right are much more unreasonable than those on the left right now."
How would that message have possibly worked at this rally? You're offending a huge portion of the people you want to reach right off the bat. Hue numbers of people are going to hone in on the second sentence, whether they disagree with it or not, and ignore the first one. Also, given that you're working within a media that covers politics as a red vs blue, jets vs shark, alien vs predator, rock-em-sock-em robot partisan struggle, that would just write this thing off as another leftist rally.
Also, when Stewart talks about how "most people are reasonable and willing to compromise", he's not talking about our elected representatives. I think he's throwing them in with the "15% of people who are crazy and actually run things."
This blog and both the blogger and Stewart's play on the traffic analogy were hilarious given that Obama last week told the Republicans they'd have to ride in back. Maybe we can't have nice things because *everyone* on the road is an a-hole?
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