Hippie Punching 101: The Real Story
To say I'm blunt would be an understatement (although if I were a man, I like to think that people would call me "refreshingly direct", like John McCain)! So when I got to ask the last question on a White House conference call yesterday, I asked two things.
I asked David Axelrod if he knew what I meant by "hippie punching," and I also mentioned the Mike Lux article on Open Left this week. (Mike says voters are more easily persuaded by ads run by outside groups, but that Obama for America - later to be Organizing for America -- starved the liberal groups of needed cash by telling big donors to give them the money instead. That position apparently continued after the election, too).
I asked Axelrod if he saw that now as a tactical error.
That question was a response to a long explanation by Axelrod that the Democrats were under siege because the Republicans had all the outside special interest groups running attack ads for them, and that was why the Dems needed our help. That was why I asked the equivalent of Dr. Phil's "So how's that donation block working for ya?" (He said he didn't know anything about it. Uh huh.)
It was kind of funny to ask a White House advisor if he understood what I meant by "hippie punching", it amused me. (I needed a diversion, because a dear friend had surgery to remove a brain tumor yesterday and I hadn't heard from her family yet.)
But I was also trying to help. You know, as in: "If you want help from people, you need to stop bad mouthing them."
He got a little pissy at me because he tried to change what I said and I wouldn't let him. Whatevs! The call was over, and I hung up.
But then the emails started. Highly complimentary emails, which led me to the conclusion that a lot of people on that call agreed with me, but didn't feel comfortable enough to say it publicly. (Which really doesn't bother me. No matter what people say about the Veal Pen, the fact is, people have to make a living and they'll try to keep their jobs -- especially now. So I'm not casting aspersions on anyone else for not saying things like this. I'm in the uniquely dangerous position of having nothing left to lose.)
And then Greg Sargent wrote about it at the Washington Post. And all the nasty wingnut tweets started, crowing over the hippies bolting from the Democratic party. Swell.
Anyway, for the record:
- The version I wrote on my blog was supposed to be funny. I figured the "Casablanca" quote would tip people off that it wasn't verbatim, but apparently not. Not even the Jerry Springer-like tone wasn't enough.
- No, I wasn't using a date rape analogy.
- I just have to laugh at the pearlclutchers who are upset about my language. Obviously, they've never worked on a professional campaign. Trust me, that was mild and I'm sure Axelrod wasn't the tiniest bit shocked. And do I have to point out that ultimately, these people work for us, and not vice versa?
- I wasn't whining about my feelings, for heaven's sake. I mean, who cares? It would take a remarkable lack of self-awareness (the kind Republicans have) to think that Axelrod wanted or needed to hear about my feelings. I was talking about the Netroots, laying it on the line: If I take you at your word, that you need netroots support, you need to stop treating us like the girl you're embarrassed to have your friends see you with. Help us help you by knocking off the condescending digs. (And that wasn't even touching the many policy differences we have.)
Despite it all, the White House does recognize our power. That's why bloggers were the first people to talk to Elizabeth Warren, and that's why we got 45 minutes with Axelrod today. Is it enough? Of course not. It's a start, though.
Oddly enough, the wingnut tweets and blog posts in response to my question are what has finally closed the mid-term enthusiasm gap for me. Because while I am less than thrilled about this administration, spite is a very powerful force and I'll be goddamned if I'm going to spend the next two years reading a bunch of right-wing nut jobs crowing over winning this election.
Why, I'm getting enthusiastic just thinking about it!
since my hippie friend's sexual assault in CA earlier this week (in which she likely broke the assaulter's nose with her right fist), I assumed it was a term that our side used constructively... ;)
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
be ignored by the powers that be from here on out. Thanks for giving it your best shot, even if it was your last one.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Some other person on those calls will step up to the plate.
A former award-winning journalist and lifelong class warrior, keeping a jaundiced eye on the Washington elite.
Would love to give the entire Admin a firm beating. Verbally, or otherwise. I think it would build some desperately needed character...
Sadly, I doubt they would take my calls.
=P
this just proves their where else are they gonna go approach to governing.
The Democrats will continue to ignore progressives until progressives punish them politically.
Unfortunately, the Democrats could adopt the entire GOP platform at this point and not lose very many progressive voters, as the media is so successful at focusing people's attention on crazy Republicans.
The only problem is that if the progressives stay home because they're ignored and the Dems lose, the spin will be that it was because the Dems were "too far to the left".
Is there any way we can learn from the evangelical takeover of the Republican party? Maybe instead of a 3rd party, we can do the same thing with the Dems?
Progressives can't take over the Democrats because the party machinery blocks left-wing candidates. On the other hand, it might be possible to force the GOP to the left on at least some issues if progressives had the nerve to support Republican candidates. Of course that would take a LOT of nerve on the part of progressives, but there's really no other viable option at this point.
by the occasional misguided progressive is Ron Paul
We won't do it because we'd rather have people in office who at least pay lip service to our values, rather than those that are openly hostile to this country at every turn...
McCain may have been able to capture a couple of progressive votes a decade ago.
However, no progressive would cast a vote for McCain nowadays. We tend to be values voters. The GOP establishment is morally bankrupt, and the Tea Party is just crazy stupid..
That leaves the democrats.
There's the Tea Party, and I'm not kidding. If you look at the Tea Party by regions, you'll notice things like the fact that in Arizona and New Mexico, for instance, the codifying issue for teabaggers is immigration. Look in the Deep South, and the issue is anything that looks like a government handout -- because they perceive any such program, (including Social Security) as being welfare, and that means to them, "black folks." In more industrialized areas, where most teabaggers' incomes are all connected to large corporations, you'll find all sorts of meme about free-enterprise, because they buy into the absurd notion that it is government regulation (and not greed) that causes corporations to outsource jobs or move to an island in the Caribbean and what not.
WE know the Tea Party is a radical wing of the GOP. WE know the Tea Party is Dick Army and the Koch Brothers. But just from listening to them, you'll learn the average teabagger really does believe the Tea Party is a new animal. And the beauty is, the ones who know the Tea Party is the GOP can't say so! That'd blow everything!
It would be so easy to co-opt the Tea Party. I'm not kidding. All any group would need is to make this their issue: K Street. Lobbies. And the irony is, all our problems with the Dems would be solved if we solved the problem of K Street. We should form our on "faction" of the Tea Party, go viral, and take the damn thing over. We could do it. Again, not kidding.
I prefer coffee.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
;)
the Tea Party has already become synonymous with old, white, ignorant and racist..
I won't try to "take it back". You can have it.
I said take it over.
When I was a kid growing up in Jim Crow Mississippi, the Democratic Party was the party of the segregationists. How did that change, if not for the wiliness of some forward thinking liberals?
they became Republicans. And the most of the few Southern Democrats remaining -- Blanche Lincoln, Mary Landrieu, Mark Pryor -- are essentially Republicans.
Not talking about Blue Dogs. Mary Landrieu wasn't even a smile on her papas face in the time I'm talking about. The southern Dems I'm talking about who did, in fact, take over the party, produced the likes of Jimmy Carter -- hardly a Blue Dog.
Jimmy Carter and his type took over the party. Reagan's "southern strategy" was designed to woo segregationist Dems to the Republican Party. As Paul Krugman put it, “Republican politicians ... understand quite well that the GOP’s national success since the 1970s owes everything to the partisan switch of Southern whites.” Krugman continued by observing that Reagan, who “began his political career by campaigning against California’s Fair Housing Act, started his 1980 campaign with a speech supporting states’ rights delivered just outside Philadelphia, Miss., where three civil rights workers were murdered.”
More here.
I shouldn't have said the southern Dems like Carter took over the party. Really, it was the northern Dems who infiltrated the southern Dems via men like Carter and the Civil Rights movement, beginning with the debates in April 1960.
All I'm saying, Big Daddy, is that the Democratic Party in which Medgar and Charles Evers, for instances, found themselves a viable role was not the Democratic Party (or Dixicrats) of George Wallace.
And the point of all of this was my first point: Parties can be commandeered and taken over by the most unlikely people if they're smart and have a will to do it.
Kind of. During Carter's time, the media wasn't dominated by the likes of Glenn Beck. When you have that kind of media support, like the teabaggers do, it's easy to commandeer a party.
I'd much sooner throw my hat in with the Green Party...
To attempt to "take over" the TP at some point would require validation of the Tea Party. It's openly hostile to what I stand for.
I'd no sooner want to "take over" the Tea Party than I would the KKK.
For pretty much the same reasons..
As I said.
You can have it.
You're right, it's not an entrenched party. It's a bowl of spaghetti. But it represents a voting block that we could get something we need out of it. Right now, we need to put fear and loathing of K Street into the hearts of Congress. Who gives a shit how we do it as long as we get it done?
Obama wasn't as progressive as he appeared to be, and I also don't think most Republicans are as conservative as they appear to be. In fact, if there's anything I've learned in life, it's that people often turn out to be the exact OPPOSITE of what they appear to be. Therefore, it's quite possible that a Republican President could - at least in some ways - be more progressive than a Democratic President. For example, Bill Clinton never raised CAFE standards during the entire 8 years of his Presidency, while George W. Satan did raise CAFE standards. Of course Bush did a lot of bad things as well, but so did Clinton (NAFTA, the repeal of Glass-Stegall, Defense of Marriage Act, etc.). Clearly progressives are being really superficial and naive to view American politics in simple manichaean terms.
But I believe in voting.
If you wingnuts would stop being morons, and start finding reasonable candidates some of them might even get my vote. Sadly, it seems that you are more interested in creating a race to bottom. (Rand, O'Donnell, et al) .. I'll always vote. Just not for stupid.
I didn't vote for him.*
But I'm still glad he one. I liked him because believe it or not - he ran as a moderate. (as Jon Steward said) He governs as a functionary. I saw it then, and I still see it. My biggest beef with him is his selection of his 1st term staff - the people that help undermine him with his base.
The fact that you'd call me naive based on my statement above says far more about you than it does about me - or have you figured out that you have exactly ZERO credibility around here yet?. And for the record, I'd rather have Obama in office than Grampa Wall-nuts and Mooselini...
* I always vote 3rd party in presidential elections, because I live in a solid blue state. I don't even care if I like the candidate. I like the idea of matching federal funds for 3rd parties. I want to see them in the debates. I want them to have the finances to get the message out - even if I don't agree. I do not care for our 1 party system that masquerades as a 2 party system.
one/won
clearly, I haven't consumed enough coffee yet..
Join the tea party...
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
maybe that explains why act like they do...
not enough coffee?
thanks for being the voice of reason on this thread...
staying home on election day does not send a message.
Low voter turnout will simply be misinterpreted by Dems and the Media, if not entirely ignored.
That's your opinion, and you're entitled to it.
If the Democrats continue to ignore a poitical fact like a pervasive loss, particularly of its voting base, then they will cease be relevant as a political force.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
is born out after every election cycle that leaves the right wing in charge is enough comfort for me thanks... but I'm just empirically minded like that...
good luck with your *message* and all of those deaf ears.
As for me, I'll be a good citizen and vote.
The "fact" of your opinion is not based in anything.
Fact, the GOP won with NORMAL turnout.
Fact, the Dems won with EXTRAORDINARY turnout, particularly in the Presidential election.
Fact, the new voters voted for a change from the status quo.
Fact, they didn't get it.
Fact, voting levels will return to historic norms.
Fact, the GOP will win with NORMAL turnout.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
2012 might be better. If we are really upset with this administration, then we can find another candidate then. Yesterday morning I agreed with you. Yesterday afternoon I had became enraged after accidentally listening to Limbaugh or whomever was blathering in his place. The depth of the dishonesty got my back up. They are so sure they're going to take the power back that NOTHING else is important other than proving them wrong. They cannot possibly believe the outrageous crap they are spouting. Therefore, they are evil. They are not insane, sick, or misinformed. They are evil. I will not lay down my beliefs in the face of this travesty. They have to go.
I'd rather support a challenger against Obama in the primary.
A former award-winning journalist and lifelong class warrior, keeping a jaundiced eye on the Washington elite.
wanting to let the right wing nutjobs take more control of our country than they already have. I'm not happy with the pathetic political abilities of the Dem party and current Admin but like you the more the far right idiots lie and run their mouths the madder I get.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jpNcAQKQO8&fe...
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
but you will vote for them and still get nothing, you should of followed up with why would we trust them again?
while I am less than thrilled about this administration, spite is a very powerful force and I'll be goddamned if I'm going to spend the next two years reading a bunch of right-wing nut jobs crowing over winning this election.
So, at the end of the day...your pride in not wanting to hear the wingnuts trumps your alleged high principles.
Got it.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
To describe the blogging version of a "Sister Souljah" moment -- namely, a centrist Dem attacking online progressives publicly to prove they don't take us seriously. (And "hippie" is a reference to Atrios and his DFHs (dirty f*cking hippies), which is what the party establishment thinks of us.)
It's been happening a lot lately.
A former award-winning journalist and lifelong class warrior, keeping a jaundiced eye on the Washington elite.
I've got to get around more...
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
of the deep and abiding respect that has always been shown to them in return. Politics is a rough business isn't it?
Hasa Diga Eebowai
You think that Organizing for America sucked up all your oxygen and those masses of donors would have sent their money farther left if only they'd known you were there. Trust me, they knew you were there. The people on that band of the political spectrum might have better luck fund raising if they took some pains to conceal the contempt in which they hold anyone with a more moderate position.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
I don't know, I am not as happy with Obama as I was 01/10/09.
Maybe "we" were expecting to much. Who knew that the GOTP would be not just be the party of "NO" but the party of "HELL NO, F**K OFF"?
Listen to what the Right want to do to all of us, and ell me if being mad with the Dems is worth letting the crazies take over?
‘The worst evils in the world are not done by evil people, but by good people who do not know they are not doing good’ – Reinhold Niebuhr
Republicans take far right positions simply in order to shift the Democrats to the right. This strategy has been extremely successful, as what passes for the *center* now was the mainstream GOP position during the Clinton era.
What other topics was Axelrod questioned about? What were his other responses?
I'm sure if you Google it, you'll find something.
A former award-winning journalist and lifelong class warrior, keeping a jaundiced eye on the Washington elite.
I'm seriously thiinking of ways to go undercover (as an Independent) and infilrtate their organizations from the inside. Not really sure of how/what I'd do at this point, but just kicking the idea around.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
All these threads about how the "extreme left" has to get out and support the Dems. I guess it's getting pretty desperate when the "professional left" falls in line and starts blogging to the foot soldiers about how we have be supportive and "get in line" to protect the status quo, in the hope that things will "change" later because this time the Democrats really really really, promise promise promise, with sugar on top that they learned their lesson.
I guess that means that we have to accept that the President is not going to rescind DADT via executive order and that Harry Reid is not going to bring the Bush tax cuts to a vote before the election.
But...the Dems PROMISE, once they get back in office that they're realllly realllly reallly going to address all this.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
And I wish it were. There will be some very real consequences if the Rs take over, and I'm not quite sure the country can bounce back this time.
A former award-winning journalist and lifelong class warrior, keeping a jaundiced eye on the Washington elite.
Elections have consequences.
The Dems didn't seem to think about that when they were bending over all over the place.
As for the country, neither you or I are here to save the country. The country will get what it deserves.
Our role is to do what our conscience tells us to do based on our experiences.
My 50+ years of experience and my conscience tells me to sit this one out, cause election results are the ONLY thing politicians care about or pay attention to.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
that no-conscience republicans can get you to sit this election out based on your conscience?
it would be funny, if it weren't sad.
My own Party...which has no conscience...has driven me to sit out this election.
I have no power, in the form of a vote, over a Party I would NEVER vote for, but I do have that power over my own Party.
But such subtlety may escape you. You'll understand when you grow up.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
IMO, there is no excuse for not voting.
Show me the third party on the ballots...candidates that have progressive views and don't believe that reptilian aliens control the fed, the the Illuminati brought about 9/11 and that the alien saucers are presently hiding behind Jupiter waiting for Dec. 2012.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
voting for 3rd party for the sake of supporting 3rd parties?
Here in lil old Washington State, we have plenty of Green Party candidates...
You don't have to like them for office in order to support the idea of 3rd party runs.. A voter exodus to 3rd parties (any 3rd parties) would send a *real* message, while staying at home accomplishes exactly nothing - except for the fact that you want an excuse to shirk your civic duty?
Since when has low voter turnout accomplished *anything* in this country?
Show me a viable third party candidate in my state and I'll vote for them.
The choices in NY State are crazy and less crazy.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
The message you will be sending is: Obstructionism works
good for you!
No. The message is to the Democratic Party is..."GET IN LINE and remember WHO who are, WHAT we are and what we're SUPPOSED to stand for."
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
if you don't vote, they don't hear from you at all. You may as well just be deceased to them, which doesn't make you heard in any way.
Just my opinion.
FB
FB
99%
Oh...they will hear me and many more progressives and minorities when they LOSE.
Losing elections is the only thing politicians and political parties understand.
Perhaps an electoral bloodbath will get the attention of the Democratic leadership.
See...you are caught up with individual politicians...who are nobodies.
The PARTY calls the shots, and the direction and policies of the Party are set by the people with power. When the Party loses voters...they know it's time to change.
Do you really believe Rahm is leaving to run for office in Chicago?!?!
He's leaving because he is the architect of this disaster.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
That you've convinced yourself the Ds will take away the same message from a loss that you think you're sending.
I think if they lose, they'll think it's because they were "too liberal." Yeah, that'll teach them!
A former award-winning journalist and lifelong class warrior, keeping a jaundiced eye on the Washington elite.
think if they lose, they'll think it's because they were "too liberal." Yeah, that'll teach them
Stop it, Susie.
EVERY POLL shows the country wants the tax cuts to the rich to expire. EVERY POLL shows that when the question is asked fairly that that the country wants single payer.
Puleeeeease. You're statement flies in the face of WHY this blog even exists.
This blog has spent YEARS bitching about how the Democrats are ignoring political reality. Ed Schultz, KO and Rachel talk about it EVERY day.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
Single-Payer Polling
Poll: 78 percent favor repealing 'Don't ask, don't tell'
A new CBS News poll finds that a majority of Americans, 56 percent, say the tax cuts should expire for households earning over $250,000 per year, as Democrats have proposed.
If the Deliberately Obtuse Democrats would simply step up to the plate on these three issues, the mid-term election would be theirs. Unfortunately, it's too late on two of them.
issues mattered a rat's ass to the respondent.
On health care, when they do ask, a plurality say a Congressman's vote will make no difference in whether thay are more likely or less likely to vote for them. That is a sure fire way to erase the media manufactured "enthusiasm gap."
I would imagine DADT would draw similar results.
TFR
If the way a congress member votes doesn't affect the way voters feel about that congress member, why, then, did, say, Blanche Lincoln vote against DADT?
If voters' opinions aren't affected by the way congress votes, why, then, did so many Democrats vote for the Iraq War fraud? If issues don't matter to voters, why don't Brown & Boxer support Prop 19?
I am just reacting to your comment that doing the right thing on these three issues would make Dem's the clear winner this November.
By your logic the Dems should launch a six week PR blitz against the so called Ground Zerop mosque. Polls show.....
TFR
By your logic the Dems should launch a six week PR blitz against the so called Ground Zerop mosque. Polls show.....
Not if they want to attract progressive votes, which Axelrod et al. seem to want.
If your assertion that voting records don't matter to voters is true, why, then, are we seeing this effort on the part of Dems to mollify progressives?
Why is it lose-lose for progressives? I mean, your logic is flawed. On the one hand, you're saying voting records don't matter to voters. But on the other hand, you're saying that congressional dems vote the way they do out of fear of pissing off moderates. Which is it?
Stop stating facts!
It destroys the Democratic Party's Election Platform - "Vote for Us. We Suck Less."
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
Veterans Failing Shows Hazards of For-Profit Schools in GI Bill
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/print/2010-09-2...
"Since the post-9/11 GI Bill with expanded education benefits for returning soldiers took effect Aug. 1, 2009, for- profit colleges have snared $618 million, or 35 percent, of the almost $1.8 billion in tuition and fees spent by U.S. taxpayers, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The industry, which has tripled revenue in the past decade to almost $30 billion by taking advantage of federal loans and grants, is now targeting the more than 1.2 million war veterans deployed since 2001 in Iraq and Afghanistan, and their rich college grants."
_______________________________________________________
Hmmmm....who controlled the Congress in 2009?
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
GI bill expansion would have been an excellent move. Of course doing so doomed the expansion bill's passage you would add it to the list of things you criticize Democrats for not getting done.
Proprietary schools also benefitted from the first GI bill passed by the ball impaired and spineless Harry Truman and Congress back in 1945 according to your link. I bet some sleazy construction folks get contrct to do solar retrofits under PACE. It would be so much easier if the Dem's just outlawed private sector participation altogether.
TFR
I don't disagree with your second point.
What did the original bill look like before the Dems caved to GOP pressure to have private schools dip into the government treasure chest.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
I doubt they were ever excluded entirely. Everybody want to go to college in their pajamas.
TFR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2dxVAw_Vpk
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Who was thinking about consequences when they rolled over and committed the country to illegal war.
Who was thinking about consequences when they didn't fillibuster against GOP Federal judge appointments...or the Bush tax cuts...or the Schiavo vote...or the bitch about the "reconciliation process" the way the GOP does.
WHERE?!?!
Please, don't talk to me about consequences. I've lived with 30 YEARS of GOP consequences. I can live with another 4, if that's what it takes for the people and the Democrats to finally figure it out.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
And it will be another 30 years or more if we don't start replacing some of the conservatives on the supreme court.
The bulk of our judicial appointments to lower-level federal courts is also overwhelmingly republinazis...
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Good luck with that.
How many Obama appointments has the DEMOCRATIC Congress pushed through over the objections of the GOP.
Lowest amount in the history of ANY Presidency.
Ohhhh...but we need to vote these assholes back in...because THIS TIME...it's gonna be different.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
Harry Reid's weakness and lack of political acumen is obvious from the simple fact that he's fighting for his political life against a small time political hack with the IQ of a handball.
The lavatory attendant didn't even have the political stones to take away Joe Lieberman's chairmanships and tell him to go fuck himself.
If a SENATE MAJORITY LEADER can't even keep order in the ranks of his own Party, then how can he possibly be qualified to be Senate Majority Leader?
Harry Reid should have been thrown over the side by his own party years ago.
Now, that political shortsightedness is going to possibly cost us another seat.
How's the bipartisany thing working out?
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
Progressives have to move to the GOP. It's obvious that the sole cause of the political and economic turmoil in this country is the imbalance created by the rightward shift of the Democrats. The problem is that it can't be corrected within the confines of the Democratic Party, since progressives will always be either scapegoated or ignored by the party leadership. Therefore, in order to restore balance to the country, there is going to have to be a leftward shift in the GOP, which means progressives have to start supporting Republicans.
try moving a mountain. I'll give you this freequark, you are a rich source of humor.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
Exactly correct. In my opinion there WILL be very real consequences. We will get closer to what would have happened if McCain would have won. I almost think that would be good. Just to show these jokers what they missed., And it will not end well. It they think it is bad now they have no idea what bad can be.
If all these Republican idiots get elected in November things will happen that will screw the economy. There will not be any more unemployment benefit extensions for just one tiny example. That in itself will screw the economy. All those people without money to spend will cause a ripple effect that will cause more things to not happen and lookout. Couple that with other inaction and we could be worse than when Bush was in.
I guess the people don't want those benefits anymore. They want the freedom to be driven into the poor house.
I'm sure that the GOP agenda will also address that issue, with new legislation for workhouses and additions in the budget to build new prisons.
That way the country will be safe from crime.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
I will enjoy watching the pitchforks and torches being pulled out in Blue Dog states when those people come to the realization of just what "freedom" and "free markets" mean.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw5pmDgWMaU
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
And lastly...was the Democratic Party thinking about "consequences" every time they insulted their base.?
Of course not, they expected us to "get in line".
Basically now...in my opinion...they can all go fuck themselves.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
If the president rescinds DADT by executive order will that allow gays to serve openly and honorably in the armed forces?
Hasa Diga Eebowai
They only took up hippy punching when the cows learned to duck...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HRMO6f75ik
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
I left the democratic party in 2007 when they refused to stop the wars. I understand a lot more about politics now, but I can't say I've seen many republicans worth voting for...and I still vote. If conservatives know they do it they have to know us hippies bite the bullet too right? At least we don't have to back Vitter haha.
Meanwhile swarms of former Obama supporters, Democrats, left-leaning Indies, socialists and Seniors will be sitting this one and the 2012 election out.
Additionally, some will vote Repub, Tea Party or Third-Party.
We've checked out...and Ain't coming back, regardless of how easily you Proggies get "Enthused".
That's called political reality.
Something that the Democratic Party doesn't believe in.
They live in some twilight world where politics is like a sand box and the children are all going to play nice.
They live in some twilight world where they think that their historical base of labor, minorities, immigrants, progressives and liberals are going to continue to support them after decades of being ignored or flat out shat upon.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
Vampires who glitter like a disco ball?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Vampires are blood sucking Republicans.
Democrats are illegal alien wolves.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
Actually there are classes of vampires that suck the very breath out of you,
As well as being blamed for sterility in women and impotence in men
Try to visualize how they do that.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Somehow I never equated vampires with class.
As to your second point...no thanks.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
incubate for a while.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
Actually they do have an incubation stage.
They walk around as shadowy creatures, screaming, throwing shit, and spooking the animals
Kind of like teabaggers...
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Of course then there's the priccolici, a class of vampires (sometimes werewolves) made up of unbaptized babies who squeak in the trees.
I suppose they're blamed for the livestock and women who go dry (which was often blamed on vampires).
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Pricolici
No k...k?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Mister America
Walk on by
Your schools that do not teach
Mister America
Walk on by
The minds that won't be reached
Mister America
Try to hide
The emptiness that's you inside
When once you find that the way you lied
And all the corny tricks you tried
Will not forestall the rising tide of
Hungry freaks, Daddy .
-Zappa
as they say, the words of the prophet are written on the subway walls.
on a related note, michael kinsley has attempted an intellectual bashing of an entire generation with his latest puff piece from the atlantic,
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2...
pretty pathetic, but deeply insulting.
as someone who went to work at age 13 if you count paper routes, and has worked for an hourly wage for 42 years (since age 15) it makes my blood boil to be called "self-indulgent". as a working class person it just kills me for these soft headed, soft handed, east coast college types, like axelrod and kinsley , to assume they know squat about the lives of ordinary americans.
i read axelrods bio, at thirtenn he was selling campaign buttons for rfk, how swell, truly admirable; at thirteen i was getting up at four-thirty in the morning every day of the week to haul a 50 pound paper bag 2 miles. this is exactly the disconnect that is killing the democratic party, and it is class-based, purely class-based; and it is why they will not effect the systemic change needed in our country.
of Kinsley's comments, BTW.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
"Well it's all right now. I've learned my lesson well.
See you can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself."
--Ricky Nelson
______________________________________________________
Not according to christine o'donnell...
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
I've decided to vote for my congressman Zack Space for two reasons: First the SEIU sent a mailer out attacking him for voting against the health care reform and claiming that he was essentially in the pay of the insurance industry and second Space came out and promised that under no circumstances would he vote for any cut of Social Security including raising the retirement age. I called his office and told them why I was voting for him, but I will not vote for the other candidates.
Although I still don't know the whole donor situation, I am glad you are following it, I am glad you are calling Axlerod out on this - and making some noise in general...
Clearly I don't always agree with you. But I wanted to say thank you.
Because you deserve it.
Thank you.
Susie, why didn't you ask this question.
When is Rahm REALLY leaving, and why hasn't he left yet?
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
It needs to be made clear this is not about the base's "feelings" either. It is not as if being nice to us is going to motivate us. This is about the White House's ACTIONS. You motivated people with the promise of change, and then played the same old game when you got into power. What did you expect?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyBcHUe4WeQ
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
but in my imagination I sense the seconds of silence following the Ms. Madrak's fifteen minutes of fame question about his knowledge of the term "hippie punching" were filled with a conscience wrestling decision not to say,
"Get a job."
TFR
http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/hippie... possibly not in journalism. Activist maybe.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
for sure.
TFR
when she paraphrased a speech from Casablanca.
Or maybe you didn't recognize it?
L&P ...
I mean this is an anti-Republiklan blog isn't it? Not a pro-Democrat?
When I vote I don't vote FOR Democrats, I vote to keep the R's hands off the ball ... period. That’s all there is.
I mean I voted for Howard Dean before he was assassinated by the media because I was behind him, but other then that every vote has been anti GOP ... and I'm not ashamed of that in the least.
Yeah it sucks that “our guys” don’t give us what we want but that’s no reason to give power back to the GOP … it’s not the same thing.
Dems aren’t WHOLLY BEHOLDEN to the corporations like the R’s are. Close, but no, it’s not the same.
So it’s never a problem for me to “vote them back in because this time it will be different” … I vote AGAINST the Republican party.
My affiliation is anti-Republican … and I’m sure there are plenty like me that come here.
Don’t let your spite over not getting what you wanted poison the water for others to not care and try and teach the bums a lesson by letting the R’s back in power.
The GOP would like nothing more then for you to keep doing what you are doing!
I mean this is an anti-Republiklan blog isn't it? Not a pro-Democrat?
So if I disagree with my party, I should post at Red State?
Interesting view of free speech.
Dems aren’t WHOLLY BEHOLDEN to the corporations like the R’s are. Close, but no, it’s not the same
I'm sure that that will be news to Rahm Emanual and the Pharma corps.
And I'm not venting my spleen out of hatred. I'm stating my position with regard to my casting or not casting my vote.
Voting is not a sport. I don't vote against the GOP. I vote or do not vote to state my view on the positions of my Party.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
So, at the end of the day, Axlerod taking those few moments of his precious time to whip the DFHs into shape worked.
Maybe it was my years in the "entertainment" industry, where you could guarantee yourself positive coverage if you could trot out a B, C, or even an A list sleb for an interview with the local papers or teevee, and they'd be so overwhelmed by their awesomeness that a stream of gushing hype would surely follow.
It's depressing that getting to talk to a DC sleb has the same cynical power.
That said, I have no intention of sitting out the election. That also said, I have no intention of voting for a Blue Dog or corporoDem if that's what's offered. MY conscience will not allow that any more. I will be voting to empower true progressive candidates from true progressive parties if the Dems just present more of the same.
This whole "fear" thing is a colossal charade. If the Dems are unable to get legislation passed with "60" votes in the Senate, in the unlikely event the Repubs gained even 15 or 18 new Senators they would be equally unable to get anything passed our beloved Dems.
Wouldn't they? Or am I missing something regarding the makeup of the Senate?
Love ya, Susie, but on this one, you're wrong.
If you were the person being viciously and personally attacked on wingnut websites right now.
And the "celeb" remark is insulting. I was a journalist for 20 years, I interviewed lots of celebrities. They just don't impress me. I was inoculated against celebrity at age 15, when I was invited to a party with a famous singer-songwriter after a local show. He started talking to me, and I was thrilled -- until he slid down the wall onto the floor and then peed himself, because he was so drunk.
That's when I first learned that people in the spotlight are always a little off, it goes with the turf.
A former award-winning journalist and lifelong class warrior, keeping a jaundiced eye on the Washington elite.
No insult intended, appy polly logies regardless.
I was just pointing out that Axlerod's little game worked.
When Bill Clinton told progressives to "GET IN LINE" and when Mr. Gibbs, both member of MY PARTY, insulted us...that WAS personal.
I've been called names on many blogs, by people on the right and the left.
As far as your enemies calling you names, you need to have thicker skin. What...are you Harry Reid...all shocked to shit when people don't act all bipartisany.
This is politics, Susie. Suck it up. It's not for the weak hearted.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
Being attacked on wingnut websites would not make me feel differently. That is precisely what's wrong with Democrats. Who gives a rat's ass what the wingnuts think? They have been proven wrong again and again. The fact that Axelrod or anyone else in the administration give a shit what Andrew motherfucking Breitbart and his ilk thinks is utterly pathetic.
That is precisely what's wrong with Democrats. Who gives a rat's ass what the wingnuts think?
Exactly.
If this blog is simply to bitch about being insulted, then it should be renamed WATB & Sheeple.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
It's seeing how vicious and out of control they are that reminds me how dangerous it would be to have them in charge -- not whether they're hurting my feelings. If that was my priority, I wouldn't write here, would I?
A former award-winning journalist and lifelong class warrior, keeping a jaundiced eye on the Washington elite.
If you were the person being viciously and personally attacked on wingnut websites right now.
That comment has nothing to do with your concerns. It's about your personal affront to being insulted, and that is the comment I was referencing in my post.
If, as you say, your concern is that these are "bad people" running for office...my answer is...duuuuh.
The Democrats should have addressed our concern about the "bad people" by not insulting us, and putting forward policies that we support, so that that we would vote for THEM...instead of the "bad people'.
Did they? Did they fight the "bad people"? NO...they enabled them. And now they expect us to reward them for that.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
is voting to end funding for Acorn because of a fraudulently edited video, then a few months later, firing Shirley Sherrod when the same whack job releases yet another fraudulently edited video. THAT'S deliberately obtuse. Lashing out at the "professional left" while knuckling under to obvious liars is deliberately obtuse. Firing Van Jones because of something written in WorlNetDaily is deliberately obtuse.
expecting the "professional left" to support you in an upcoming election after you've done all of the above? Also deliberately obtuse.
You've got the hide for the job.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
"Well it's all right now. I've learned my lesson well.
See you can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself."
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Yes. The motivation was made quite clear:
" It was kind of funny to ask a White House advisor if he understood what I meant by "hippie punching", it amused me. (I needed a diversion, because a dear friend had surgery to remove a brain tumor yesterday and I hadn't heard from her family yet.) "
TFR
It only takes 40 to filibuster, and for the longest time their 60th was that quisling liebermann, and only recently Al Franken.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
So, since the Dems will surely maintain at least 40 senators, there is no threat from a Republican takeover, and the big scary problem isn't a problem at all.
I'll be voting Progressive, not Democratic (although I'm staying registered as a Dem, just in case their spine ever re-appears).
Barbara Boxer, who has seen fit to vote For all manner of Conservative legislative agendas, needs to be defeated, along with every other Conservative Democratic incumbent. The California Green Party's Duane Roberts is running against Boxer. No surprise, but he supports the end of Prohibition 2.0 and the re-legalization of cannabis -- Boxer does not. Laura Wells is the California Green Party candidate running against Jerry Brown for Governor. No surprise, but she supports the end of Prohibition 2.0 and the re-legalization of cannabis -- Brown does not.
Many California Democrats really haven't been given much reason to turn up at the polls in November, given the "Republican-lite" nature of today's Democratic Party. One thing will bring them to the polls -- voting in favor of Proposition 19, which will re-legalize cannabis in California for the first time in 80+ years. That is why I have avoided giving ActBlue or BlueAmerica money out of my pocket for the fall campaign. My money is going to the California Green Party. The DLC-led Democratic Party deserves whatever happens to it in the mid-term elections.
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
-- John F. Kennedy
represent what is really wrong with Democrats because I suspect that privately, they both support pot legalization, but they are too scared to take a stand publicly.
and supports legalization if he's elected. Not the way I'd like to see it done, but...
Were I still a CA resident, I'd vote for him.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
to motivate the punch drunk hippie vote.
TFR
Have the Democrats nailed down the punch buggy vote yet?
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
First of all, one is not required to be a consumer of cannabis in order to advocate for it's re-legalization. Prohibition 2.0 has been the fascist police state "camel's nose under the tent flap" for 73+ years. And with the exception of individual States exercising their rights to differ from the Federal government, like Medical Marijuana, there has been no liberalizing movement toward ending Prohibition 2.0. I don't like police states, which is one good reason why I am so disappointed with Obama and the DLC Democrats.
We have the opportunity to vote for the evil-to-the-bone fascist Republicans, or the not-quite-so-evil "compassionate conservative" fascist Democrats. That's not much of a choice, really. < http://www.therealdifference.org/issues.html > spells it out.
I have never ever voted Republican, except in an open primary, and that was only to screw up the Republican side of the ballot. I have been known to vote Democratic from time to time, but I am an independent leftist, and the only times that Obama and the DLC crowd make nice with my sort is in the 60 days before an election -- Obama turned left-ward right on schedule, again. I am not impressed.
On a more personal note, Ricky, didn't you admit last month to me on-line that you were caught up in the Texas penal system for some time? Ex-cons in Texas cannot vote, so I am wondering why you continue to post here on C&L. It's not as if you have a stake in the game, is it?
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
-- John F. Kennedy
Waaay back when...there was allll kind of noise made on this blog about "primarying their asses".
Well...the establishment of the Democratic Party undercut alll those efforts, and after that they felt no need to satisfy the desires of the "professional left". So, the professional left "got in line" and is now beseeching true progressives to support the status quo.
Well, by not forcing the Democratic Party to purge itself of corrupt incumbents, as the Tea Party did in the GOP, we have now left it to the GOP to do the job that we should have done ourselves.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
The GOP should not benefit because of our disgust with the current crop of Blue Dogs and Dinos. There must be other ways to get rid of them.
Ooooh...we can primary their ass! We can replace Blanche Lincoln with a more progressive...uhhh...ohhh...hello President Clinton...yes...yes, sir...thank you...may I have your autograph?...uhh...I have to get in line first?...uh...ok...what are ya doin here...ohh...Ms. Lincoln?...yesss...love her...LOOOOOVE HER!!
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
Dems. I absolutely do not care what happens to them, especially Lincoln, that arrogant bitch. The only thing I can have an effect on is here in NY. Blanche doesn't live here. I do not listen to right wing radio on purpose. But the things I heard yesterday on my car radio were so outrageous that I have to stop this where I can. Whoever I heard (it was during Limbaugh's time scheduled time but it didn't sound like him) said Obamacare would reduce Medicare benefits by $50 billion dollars. This scares the hell out of seniors who rely on it. It would be a death sentence for them if it were true. I must fight back against this. I had to change my mind about voting, but only for this election, just in case it actually counts.
Rock on. I actually find myself thinking dirty sexy thoughts about Ralph Nader these days the way the white house has been acting.
"The version I wrote on my blog was supposed to be funny."
Not the dirty f*cking hippies. Regardless of what people like Ed Schultz say. Period.
Barack Obama: Change we can only imagine
the whitehouse is reaching out to Bloggers....right before an election.
come November third, bloggers will once again be the aids monkey in the room.
You said your piece and stated our grievances. Now, I'm also with you on not wanting to let the wingnuts win and have to listen to them crowing about their huge gains. Did you guys see The Daily Show last night? Stewart was masterful in his takedown of the GOP's bullshit pledge and how it was the same garbage they've been feeding us for years. I would hope that Dems will get out there and vote, not just because we can't afford to have these idiots in power again but, also to sit back on election night and watch them crying like babies when they get the shit kicked out of them. It would be worth it just to see the baggers with that stunned look of disbelief on their faces, unable to blame ACORN. I'm in!
The pallor of demoralization first made itself apparent to me when liberals began calling themselves "progressives." Some of you like the term, I know, and I catch myself using it too, but, in a way, I see it as throwing in the towel. And, now, here I'm reading how all that's left for liberals in this country is to vote for lame-ass Democrats and hope they'll throw us a bone. No, no, no, my brothers and sisters, remember Watership Down?
"All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies. And whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first, they must catch you, digger, listener, runner. Prince with a swift warning. Be cunning, and full of tricks, and your people will never be destroyed."
... now we have our own version of the teabaggers.
Logic" F*uck NO!
Moderate a position to actually get something ACCOMPLISHED?
F*ck NO!
Cut off your nose to spite your face if you don't get EVERYTHING you want even if it is eons ahead of where you'd be if the Rethugs were in power:
yeah, yeah, yeah - where do I sign up?
Yup sound very teabaggish to me!
How special
Yea, well, what do we do if we don't get ANYTHING we want? Get back in the soup line and wait for a messiah to appear?
NO SOUP FOR YOU!!
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OsjBYxrR0c
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Impugning your sense of humor, interpreting an offhand comment as a reference to rape, denouncing your language, framing the response as though it were all about your emotions and feelings -- pretty much all ll the things cited here are the standard knee-jerk online response to a female poster saying something the commenter disagrees with.
emotions and feelings"
Meet the framer and introducer of humor:
" It was kind of funny to ask a White House advisor if he understood what I meant by "hippie punching", it amused me. (I needed a diversion, because a dear friend had surgery to remove a brain tumor yesterday and I hadn't heard from her family yet.) "
Interpreting an offhand comment as a reference to rape:
Meet the interpreter via the Plum Line:
"We're the girl you'll take under the bleachers but you won't be seen with in the light of day," the blogger, Susan Madrak of Crooks and Liars, pointedly told Axelrod on the call."
TFR
It's about someone who'll have some sort of mutually agreeable contact with you when no one else is around (especially the cool kids), then gives you the high hat, cold shoulder, blank stare back in the hallway. It's about being used, not raped.
me-oww!
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