 |
|
Add to My Group
|
April 19, 2008 at 06:14:41
Clinton Slams "Activist Base of the Democratic Party"--Private Remarks Reveal Contempt for Dems by Dean Powers Page 1 of 1 page(s) |
|
|
Almost 24 hours have passed since the Huffington Post published a damning audio of Clinton disparaging the “activist base of the Democratic Party,” and the New York Times has absolutely ignored it. By this time last week, the Times had written about 258 stories about Obama’s “elitist” views, as revealed in, like, 16 words in San Francisco. Just after her defeats on Super Tuesday last February, Hillary told the VIPs, "We have been less successful in caucuses because it brings out the activist base of the Democratic Party. MoveOn didn't even want us to go into Afghanistan. I mean, that's what we're dealing with. And you know they turn out in great numbers. And they are very driven by their view of our positions, and it's primarily national security and foreign policy that drives them. I don't agree with them. They know I don't agree with them. So they flood into these caucuses and dominate them and really intimidate people who actually show up to support me." Talk about elitist…When are we who believe the Iraq War is bad for our treasury, bad for our soldiers and their families, bad for the environment, bad for Democracy, bad for our foreign relations, bad for gas prices, and bad for American jobs, green collar or otherwise, going to stop being treated like third-rate citizens? When will our opinions have an audience with a Democrat in Washington, let alone the Republicans? When will the millions of Americans, diverse in race and gender and gender orientation and socioeconomic status, stop being lumped together in the “kook fringe” category and dismissed every time they decide to think differently than well-connected Washington insiders? It’s degrading, and offensive to be reduced to a category box and written off. People of color in America deal with it every day, on a far more emotionally challenging level, and women deal with it, but it is offensive and degrading nonetheless. I’d expect this breathtaking haughtiness from a Republican, but from Hillary Clinton? If there are any Democrats left in Pennsylvania who still think that Clinton cares about their interest in pulling out of Iraq, to escape war with Iran, to escape the American escalation of conflict throughout the world…reconsider now. After running a campaign that openly shuns the “activist base of the Democratic Party,” how can we expect her to differ substantively from Senator Trent Lott (R-Miss.)? 
“Activist base of the Democratic Party.” “I don’t agree with them.” “Activist base of the Democratic Party.” “I don’t agree with them.” “I don’t agree with the activist base of the Democratic Party.”
Let’s break out the microscope that the media used to dissect Obama’s “bitter” comments because I don’t quite understand what she’s really trying to say here.
Where is the media now? If they love controversy, they have the biggest, most newsworthy controversy since the primaries began. Here is Clinton basically repudiating her base, and its coming out on the eve of THE BIGGEST Pennsylvania primary ever. This tape is going to absolutely destroy the Clinton campaign.
The calls for her resignation will treble by the end of this weekend. With every new sign of her contempt for the very voters she wants to step on in her ascent to the presidency, it ought to be clear that these voters are voting for their own silencing and negation when they vote for Clinton. It ought to be clear that they are voting against the very beliefs that make the Democratic Party the greatest party in the world. If Clinton isn’t proud of that tradition, then she shouldn’t be running as a Democrat. If Clinton isn’t proud of the Democratic base, then the Democratic base in Pennsylvania ought to leave it up to the Republicans to win Clinton the primary nomination.
Clinton ought to know that the Democratic base doesn’t split...not these days. In the last several years, the Democratic base has grown strong together, united by the disparagements of the right wing, which for too long and too often mocked and taunted “Northeast liberals.” We grew stronger together, and we stood strongly together when we all shared in the victories of 2006. All of us, united as a party in a way we had grown unaccustomed to.
In Washington, allies and foes are perhaps mutable and changing every day. That may explain how Clinton can do shots with John McCain one night, and with blue collar workers at a bar in Indiana the next, but the Democratic Party doesn’t split today. Not today. Not now.
We are Democrats all, united in brotherhood and sisterhood, who watched George W. Bush steal the elections in 2000 and 2004. We are Democrats all who opposed this useless, wasteful war in Iraq, whether at rallies or in spirit. We are Democrats all who care about green energy, and good jobs and health care and peace and the end of corporate intimidation, recklessness and hegemony. We always have stood together, through the high opinion polls for George W. Bush and the low. And we always will.
So Clinton keeps showing us exactly how she feels about us, but she keeps forgetting that the primaries aren’t over yet. She keeps forgetting that before she can dismiss the Democratic base and rehire Mark Penn, to negotiate free trade agreements; and forget about ending the war in Iraq and begin a new war in Iran, that she has to win OUR nod. The nomination of OUR PARTY: the proud “activist” party of the civil rights movement; the proud “activist” party during the grape strikes for Cesar Chavez’s laborers; the proud “activist” party that lobbied for de-escalation in Vietnam.
Our “activist base” is every registered Democrat because to even register as a Democrat in these days in America is to invite ugly homophobic attacks from the right wing; is to invite comparisons to Communists and Stalinists. To register Democrat is to display courage when the overwhelming majority of media pundits and journalists slant to the extreme conservative branch of the corporate Republican Party.
Clinton ought to apologize to the supporters she has fooled so far, and explain clearly to Democratic voters in Pennsylvania that their opinions will not be welcome anymore after their ballot has been cast. She ought to apologize to the Democratic Party for confusing its visions of peace, and energy independence and international respect with those of William Kristol. Clinton must account for her remarks and her attitude toward the Democratic base.
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
 Contact Author |
Contact Editor |
 View Authors' Articles |
|
|
|
|
| 39 comments |
|
It's bad enough when Republicans advise Democrats
You know. Find a hunk to stand up against that most viral McCain--that sort of drivel. But then comes Hillary oblivious to the obvious that Democrats come in old and new models. Worse, she would have to herd those cats if she should happen to make it to the White House. I defer to one of my hunches. Bill Clinton is more hip to the changes which came after 92 than she is. But she's in the driver's seat, and he is acting as her GPS. It gets no farther than around the next corner. I guess you can say she is expecting the older white women who feel let down that she couldn't get them healthcare insurance the first time around. So long ago! So irrelevant now! Could it be that Hillary believes that McCain is a powerful threat and she knows how to outspeak him? That would be one be misspoken campaign, methinks. by Margaret Bassett (45 articles, 2909 quicklinks, 42 diaries, 1851 comments [99 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 8:28:51 AM  (0+)
|
|
Greatist party in the world.
Yes it is, a children's birthday party, a party just like the other lot who couldn't care less about the working class. Clinton tells us she had a grandmother, well that's astonishing news in itself but does she know her granddad. If the Democrats had any interest in working families there would be a health care system second to none. There would be houses built of solid materials instead of plastic sheet nailed onto a wooden frame ready to scatter at the first sign of a strong wind. The USA is mostly third world and it is so because of the two political parties partying instead of doing their job. Of course the whole hoax works because the people are dumbed down from the moment they're born with religion and patriotic dogma. 9/11 would have been exposed on 9/12 in a democracy, the Iraq invasion could never take place in a democracy only in a Fascist state could these events occur. The greatest tragedy is that the USA could and should have been a beacon for democracy but it could never be even from the start given its roots of religion and slavery. by douglas kay (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 83 comments) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 8:38:20 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Thanks for saying the "F" word
The more people who acknowledge that we are living in a fascist nation the better the reality quotient will be. by Gregory Wonderwheel (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 99 comments) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 5:51:42 PM (0+)
|
|
Spoken Like The Lackey She Is
Mrs. Rodham-Clinton's festering contempt for the 'little people' and the garish process called democracy is apparent to all who have bothered to look. This is a woman who routinely bellows about being some sort of champion for working class values but is nothing but another of the prostitutes of Wall Street, Big Pharma, Agribusiness, the Military Industrial Complex and big media (her recent consorting with Richard Mellon Scaife and Rupert Murdoch are great examples). What you have here is the indignant caterwauling of one who loathes her sense of entitlement being challenged, like Tracy Flick in the movie "Election" she is a relentless, self-centered force of nature determined to slime her way into the Oval Office and control of the corporate money spigots. This is no surprise whatsoever, the former Wal-Mart board member has always despised the unwashed masses who are nothing more than pawns and props to her. Hillary Rodham-Clinton is symbolic of the rot that has poisoned the party of FDR and JFK and contributed to the decline of the empire itself as we sit perched on the edge of the abyss after the success of Ronald Reagan's twenty five year war against the middle class. And all she want's to talk about are flag pins, overblown relationships with 60's radicals and the big lie of her opponent being anti-American. Sadly there will never be any mention of her own anti-American affiliations with the Bilderberg Group and other corporate elite globalist organizations. Shame on her, shame on us all. Just my two cents EE by Ed Encho (12 articles, 20 quicklinks, 65 diaries, 438 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 9:18:23 AM (0+)
|
|
She's Damien not Dorothy!
How long will our party prop up these Charlatans? McPain's only path to becoming POTUS is having Hillary as his foil. It must be apparent to most by now, how utterly disingenuous the Clintons really are. Hindsight being 20/20, what a shame that Bill Clinton wasn't removed from office for his so called dalliances in the White House. So now we are left with Hillary's doomsday scenario, the party torn asunder and the promise of a 'Battle Royale' at the convention. Hillary and Bill will deftly attempt to hijack the nomination by the auspices of the credentials committee and Superdelegate upheaval. To be honest, after enduring the Clintons at their shameful worst, I'm inclined to revise my conclusion for what's best for the Democratic party. Perhaps our best strategy is to have that showdown in August. Let's redefine the rules of engagement, if she wants a fight let's give it to her! In the movie "The Omen" Gregory Peck was lucky. In less than two hours he was able to acquire the seven daggers needed to vanquish his unholy child. As Democrats we have been far less fortunate, force fed our marching orders all these years from Hillary and Bill in lockstep with the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) and the Neocon Hate Machine. Maybe by the time we get to Denver the party will find the courage to throw the bucket of water on Hillary. Once we take her broomstick, we can finally leave Oz and go home. by Scott2008 (7 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 5 comments) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 9:55:01 AM (0+)
|
|
She lost me
...definitely when she started to use typical Republican arguments, in a move akin to Kerry's Republican swiftboating--you accuse your oponent of being exactly what you are--an armchair warrior who did not go to Vietnam like Bush resorting to shills to call a Vietnam vet like Kerry a coward, a rich white woman like HC calling BO an elitist. And the fact she is willing to ruin the party to win: no ethics! by francine (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 385 comments) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 9:57:18 AM (0+)
|
|
IMHO
the worst from Hillary is promising jobs to those in the rust belt who are truly desperate, with no earthly idea of how to, or intent, of producing those jobs. Having such a law would certainly give them pause to offering chickens and delivering feathers. by Mike Folkerth (120 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 566 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 10:30:36 AM (0+)
|
|
A little whine with your dinner, Madame, Monsieur?
We know all the faults of our beloved republic; we know because the leftists keep repeating the mantra. Tell us something we don't know--like how to solve the problems. That is the "activist" base to which Hillary alludes. They have been nettling the government on all levels for decades. They are being outmaneuvered and outshouted and outblogged by the far right and all they can do is play the blame game; it ain't me...it's someone else...it's the awful Clintons. Yawn. It's all of us--over-fed, undereducated and unwilling to actually make the sacrifices necessary to affect real change. You people think one man (in the case, Obama) can bring back the salad days of FDR and post-war America where we owned the world. Won't happen; those days, as in the case of the great Greek age of Pericles, are over. Forever. Get used to it. (And I might add, parenthetically, Greek civilization was never the model of democratic principle we have been led to believe; it was flawed, as well. There was democracy of a sort--for men of property; women were not accorded the vote in that system; there were slaves and endless wars of conquest exhausting physical and economic resources until the government collapsed under its own excesses. Sound familiar? That made the city-states vulnerable to outside invasion. I think that is where we are now in our societal evolution: vulnerable to outside invasion. Are any lights going on upstairs?) We have three choices for president in November--and that will be whittled down to two by the end of the primaries or the Dem convention. You can choose an inexperienced poseur or an experienced, though some find flawed senior citizen and woman, or a whack-job, who apparently has tasted the kool aide and thinks his experience as a war prisoner qualifies him in international affairs. Other than that prospect, you can declare war on the U.S. like the Weather Undergroud did, go literally underground and start blowing up buildings. Your choice. If you are a true red-blooded leftist, you will choose the latter. And contrary to popular belief, I am not receiving any compensation from the Hillary campaign for my comments; if the check is in the mail, I haven't received it yet; please expedite. by Marilyn Frith (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 194 comments) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 11:27:40 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Hark....I Hear A Hack
Good God Marilyn, you are such a transparent Clinton hack who has absolutely nothing to add other than obfuscation, smears and rebuttals of the facts. You certainly have a right to be heard and free speech entitles to you to your opinion but can you please just shelve the talking points? It's insulting to the intelligence of others who post here. EE by Ed Encho (12 articles, 20 quicklinks, 65 diaries, 438 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 1:37:15 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Enough of your 90's style self-justifying self-defeatism
Look -- next time you decide to patronize everyone else who's reading with your cynical rants, why don't you try having something actually coherent to say to begin with? by Michael Lubin (17 articles, 2 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 49 comments) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 2:16:22 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Are you under the misimpression that you're being clever?
You doubtless think it's clever to write "a little whine with your dinner." You probably think your tossing off blather about Pericles & Greek democracy is sort of stylish. Actually, though, what stands out in your post is its complete lack of substance. You don't make points based on the interests & positions the Clintons actually represent. Instead, you rely on over-simplistic 'gotcha' phrases like "Get used to it." This kind of thing probably makes you feel that you're ordering everyone else around -- which is pretty much what animates the imperious & utterly unprincipled power-seeker, Hillary. In your considered opinion, a "a true red-blooded leftist" would now be embarking on a program of blowing up buildings. This is a laughably inane asssertion, which makes one doubt you even know what a leftist is. (You probably think a "leftist" is an antiwar person who opposes Hillary.) Why don't you try naming for us some of the "leftists" you've been reading, who advocate anything of the sort? by Richard Mynick (2 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 1552 comments [255 recommended, 5 rejected]) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 2:39:51 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: RE: "start blowing up buildings.."
Funny little bit of wordplay there Marilyn. Kind of plays into that whole manufactured covert Muslim terrorist thing too - Barack HUSSEIN Obama who doesn't wear a flag pin and hates America. You also take the next logical step in demonizing non Clinton Democrats and independents as being al CIAda operatives too. Wanna talk about blowing up buildings? My tax money is still paying for the blowing up of buildings (mainly containing women and children) in Iraq in the illegal war that Tracy Flick Clinton voted for that you find so much pride in cheerleading in favor of. Hell, how many Iraqi civilians have been killed since we have even been having this conversation? At least have the courtesy to go and find some new talking points next time EE by Ed Encho (12 articles, 20 quicklinks, 65 diaries, 438 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 3:01:26 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Sorry but she is not "experienced"
Every time I hear someone say Clinton is "experienced," I wonder "In what?". Thanks for the laugh. by Gregory Wonderwheel (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 99 comments) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 6:08:10 PM (0+)
|
|
Elitist?
"We have been less successful in caucuses because it brings out the activist base of the Democratic Party. MoveOn didn't even want us to go into Afghanistan. I mean, that's what we're dealing with. And you know they turn out in great numbers." You wouldn't know that we "turn out in great numbers" by what is represented on the Main Stream Media. In fact, censorship through aggressive, "free speech zones" and carefully monitoring who attends what rallies, limiting the questions and framing the debates has further threatened our democracy. Those in power continue to strengthen their hold on the American people. And Clinton's phrase, "I don't agree with them" shows us all just exactly how out of touch she is with the American people. That said, Obama is bundling and accepting money from interests that could compromise his campaign and positions on important choices like global warming, environmental concerns and military industrial complex choices. He does, however, seem more open to change - but that remains to be seen - we need a better report card on every single one of our elected officials - what they promised - what they delivered and who gets the financial benefits of those decisions - the people or those in power. by August Adams (11 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 585 comments [11 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 11:38:17 AM (0+)
|
|
Democrats Antidemocratic
Barack Obama will be another Bill Clinton Thank God for Ralph Nader and my candidate of choice, Cynthia McKinney. by Michael Cavlan (15 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 538 comments [131 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 1:11:52 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Michael, a moment of clarity
Your comment is about the only one that makes any sense; I am finding it more and more difficult to take anyone seriously who actually defends Bill Ayres and Bernadine Dohrn. Or seriously dismisses Obama's love affair with radical elements of any stripe--homegrown or alien. That's his base..... What the h________? As you say, BO is just a showhorse of another color and all the hype and hoopla and grandstanding won't turn this frog into a prince nor a president make. We get what we deserve and I guess we are going to get it big time. Many will be surprised when it hits the fan because they have their heads so deep in the sand, it will take time to come up for air. by Marilyn Frith (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 194 comments) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 2:29:32 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Hey Marilyn - How Bout Marc Rich?
I would certainly think that Mrs. Clinton's association with scoundrels and global criminals the likes of Rich would be of far more concern given the decay of every institution over the past 25 years than some hippie radical back in the 60's. And who excactly coughed up all the dough for the Clinton Library? You surrogates are so predictable in trying to flip flop the debate back into the same ridiculous 1960's culture wars that have been the Republican's bread and butter and allowed corporatist toadies like the Clintons and the DLC to betray the party of JFK and FDR. So I'll see your Ayers and raise you a Marc Rich EE by Ed Encho (12 articles, 20 quicklinks, 65 diaries, 438 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 2:37:24 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Hey Marilyn, what's wrong with Ayers?
Bill Ayres isn't in jail today. In fact he is a "Distinguished Professor" at the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Education. Why would knowing him or befriending him be a political issue? Only right wing nuts would make Ayers into any kind of ipolitical ssue. by Gregory Wonderwheel (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 99 comments) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 5:42:47 PM (0+)
|
|
My hard work
As one of those activist democrats who has signed at least 100 petitions regarding this quackmire, torture, constitutional rights, care for our soldiers, etc etc. I resent the statement Hillary said and I am BITTER. Bitter as hell! As far as this so called Democratic Party, to hell with them. I am now more than ever convinced to vote 3rd party--to hell with conservative judges and all the reasons to vote for a Democrat. I am bitter, resentful, pissed off and angry as hell and I think I will call on Satan and take his power away from Dick Cheney! Btw, give "Merelyn"(can't recall the spelling--apology) some cheese. by shirley reese (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 592 comments [98 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 2:10:48 PM (0+)
|
|
the heat is on
the heat is on and she is showing her true colors--i hope she can duck this like she ducked bullets over u know where---not!!!!!!!! by TRADESMAN (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 335 comments [40 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 2:17:12 PM (0+)
|
|
NYT has targeted Obama for political failure
The important point is not that Hillary hates the activists, that's to be expected, the interesting point you raise is that the NYT is showing it has put the horse's head into Obama's political bed. By refusing to pick up this story after so many days of attacking Obama as an "elite" the silence of the NYT shows that Obama is no longer approved by certain elites. Obama has flirted too closely with the left base of the Party and so will be trashed by the power brokers speaking through the NYT signaling that Obama is no longer on the reservation. The more the NYT tips their hand against Obama the better he looks to me. by Gregory Wonderwheel (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 99 comments) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 5:29:00 PM (0+)
|
|
Hillary Clinton is a Republican operative
What people fail to realize is, it doesn't matter what McCain and the Republicans intend to throw at Obama, Clinton betrayed the Democratic party and all it stands for. Nobody crosses that line. Nobody. The sore loser kitchen sink tactics that are 'toughening him up' are not for a fellow democrat, who has no chance of winning, to do! She is a traitor. A horrible team player who cannot be trusted. Hillary has proven time and time again, that she is disloyal to the party and people who made her first lady and a senator. She has cursed, spat upon and even taken a crap on the Democratic party, and there is no end in sight. It's fine for Sean Hannity, Fox and Republican 527s to do it, but eating your own young is a cannibalism that will forever define the monstrous character of Hillary Rodham Clinton. by Wanakee (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 5:31:14 PM (0+)
|
|
The article itself is full of ludicrous claims, such as --
Here is Clinton basically repudiating her base, and its coming out on the eve of THE BIGGEST Pennsylvania primary ever. This tape is going to absolutely destroy the Clinton campaign....The calls for her resignation will treble by the end of this weekend.... - On the contrary, nothing of the sort will happen. It ought to be clear that they are voting against the very beliefs that make the Democratic Party the greatest party in the world.... - Let's be serious. There has never been a party that's less "great." What is this writer smoking? Clinton ought to know that the Democratic base doesn’t split...not these days. In the last several years, the Democratic base has grown strong together, united by the disparagements of the right wing... - Oh come on. Many are rightly leaving the party altogether. And of those who remain, many Obama-ites will vote for Nader if Hillary steals the nomination, while many Hillary fans will probably vote for McCain, should Hillary's Rovian tactics somehow fall short. Hillary herself, ruthless sleazebag that she is, basically stated for the record that McCain has somehow proved himself fit to be "commander in chief," while Obama has not. We are Democrats all, united in brotherhood and sisterhood, who watched George W. Bush steal the elections in 2000 and 2004. We are Democrats all who opposed this useless, wasteful war in Iraq....We are Democrats all who care about green energy, and good jobs and health care and peace .....We always have stood together.... And we always will.... - It's embarrassing to listen to such baloney. The Dem Party hardly even squeaked in protest while all these crimes were being perpetrated. Pelosi is Bush & Cheney's principal protector. This year's Dem campaign hasn't so much as mentioned Bush's crimes, except for Kucinich & Gravel -- who were promptly banned, without a word of protest from any of the remaining candidates. by Richard Mynick (2 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 1552 comments [255 recommended, 5 rejected]) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 5:47:19 PM (0+)
|
|
Hey, chill, people
Have you noticed and if not, I want to point it out to most commentors on this thread...I haven't called anyone names; I haven't alluded to anything but the fact that the whining and twisted logic is nothing new. No one here, and I would almost bet on it, has more verifible credentials to call themselves a liberal than I do and I carry my card proudly. For over thirty five years and still going strong. Petitions? Lost count of my signatures long ago; online causes?--everything from saving marine life to saving veteran's medical rights; marched in favor of NAARL and wrote a letter for a mailer on that issue; attended forums and picnics supporting Democratic candidates and stood in the cold November wind to pass out leaflets for Mondale, Dukakis and wore President Clinton's campaign button in 1992. When he was still considered a good Democrat. Cried when Al Gore was hijacked in '00 and sat numb when Kerry conceded in '04 and nearly gave up on politics because it was so damn corrupted by greed by the me-firsters in D.C. Why? Because I give a care; because it is bigger than I am and America should be leading in all the fights to better the planet, raise awareness and hold out a hand of hope. So all these scourges mentioned with so much passion are hardly new to me. On a very small income, I still have managed to give to charities of every description and for every need regardless of color or creed. "The death of any man diminishes me as I am involved with mankind." I do more than talk the talk and I have put much on the line. It has cost me dearly. Unlike certain connected libertines and felons, I could not cash in on my history; no book on how I got away with crimes and learned to live the good life. I could say buzz the hell off...but I will just say, ignorance is bliss and leads to self-satisfaction. All this sound and fury means nothing unless you put it into action--peacefully and without malice. by Marilyn Frith (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 194 comments) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 5:54:25 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: No Offense Marilyn But...
... you just consistently come across as a shill for the Clintons, you hit the talking points far to well to be anything other than another of the legion of perception management folks dispatched to hit the blogs to slime Obama as some sort of anti-American Manchurian Candidate, claim that he is unpatriotic for lack of a flag pin (I am wearing three flag pins as I write this Marilyn, now many do you have on?) and all of the other horse hockey. I am particulary offended at the bombing buildings comment though because it crosses into the Hannity-Beck-O'Reilly realm of using fear mongering and exploiting 9/11 to make anyone who doesn't support the McClinton right wing neocon agenda as somehow being anti-American. History shows Marilyn that Senator McCarthy was nothing but a petty little tool and fear mongering demagogue and his followers to be parnoid petty little people seeking to blame others for the misfortunes that they brought upon themselves for their support of the fascist right wing and it will do the same when all of this garbage has come to pass. Just my two cents EE by Ed Encho (12 articles, 20 quicklinks, 65 diaries, 438 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 6:07:29 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: In effect, you did indeed "call people names."
That is, you insulted their intelligence. For example, you wrote, You can choose an inexperienced poseur or an experienced, though some find flawed senior citizen and woman, or a whack-job... Other than that prospect, you can declare war on the U.S. like the Weather Undergroud did, go literally underground and start blowing up buildings. Your choice. If you are a true red-blooded leftist, you will choose the latter... This passage is insulting & poisonous in at least 3 ways. First you reduce the Obama-Hillary contest to a match-up between a "poseur" and an "experienced woman." I'm not an Obama supporter -- he doesn't advocate a viewpoint that's particularly close to mine. But it's clear that of the two of them, Obama is the only one from whom progressives can even hope for anything positive. A more accurate description of Hillary than the one you offered would be "a ruthless, lying & utterly unprincipled pro-war corporatist; a dirty fighter." Did you hear her whooping it up about Obama's "ties" to Farrakan & Hamas, the other night? Piling on Obama, after the job Stephanopoulos & Gibson did on him? Did you hear her "explanation" of her recent lie about coming under sniper fire in Bosnia? She basically acknowledged she'd been caught red-handed in a lie, then tried to laugh it off, as though it was no big deal. Did you hear her not-so-subtly implying that Obama might secretly be a Muslim, a few weeks ago? Second, you are telling people that the only alternative to voting for one of these 3 Republicrats is to blow up buildings. Third, you are claiming that "true leftists" would in fact choose blowing up buildings. All these opinions insult the intelligence of those you're addressing. Why don't you try answering the questions that have been posed to you? Above, you were asked to explain exactly what's so bad about casually knowing Bill Ayers. You were asked why pardoning Marc Rich isn't more objectionable than casually knowing Ayers (now a 'Distinguished Professor'). You were asked to name some leftists who advocate "bombing buildings." Your feeble protest that you "do more than talk the talk" doesn't begin to answer these questions. by Richard Mynick (2 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 1552 comments [255 recommended, 5 rejected]) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 7:19:46 PM (0+)
|
|
misinterpreted my post?
Or was it a "one up" thing, Marilyn? I wasn't even trying to "claim" all that I've done as in 'competition' with You. You certainly went that route. I was claiming that "activists" are ppl who change things or at least give it a good swift kick to get going. No way in hell did I mean that. I don't care for recognition. I do it for my love of my constitution. What my complaint is/was/continues to be is the condescending and down grade of activism. I know where Hillary was going, she was going with that "newspeak" crap of "liberals, godless liberals, stalins and Marxism liberalism, socialist liberals" and all the other hooey that the right wing fascists and republican talibanish religious sheeple speak. (Oh, I feel better). Activists make the changes happen if there is any hope of the cause "going forward". I am not ashamed to proclaim I am a liberal. The Founders were liberals if you would go research their writings. By every definition of the word, Madison was as Liberal as Adams and Jefferson and Washington were more Liberal than that. Einstein would have been a flower child in his time...possibly. :] With all due respect Marilyn, I wasn't "bragging" about my works or efforts, I was feeling slapped in the face for those "patriotic" efforts. True patriotism doesn't come as a pin on a shirt or magnet slapped on your car. True patriotism comes from the seeds you grow that helps humanity and promoting freedom. I'm not talking about garden seed here. As a proud member of HRW(Human rights watch), Media Matters, Moveon, Patriots of America, ACLU, and several other oganizations, I spend many hours everyday informing myself and others as to what is happening in the Supreme Court, the Congress, and around the world. I do this because I love my country and I MISS my Democracy and my constitution. I miss the Bill of Rights. I hate fearing my own Gov. as they now have the power to sweep me away and put me in one of those "special" FEMA camps or Black camps for "speaking out". They BLAMe the Liberals. The liberals and Libertarians are the ONLY ppl fighting to restore the Rule of Law. Bruce Fein and a few Repubs conservatives are as well but very few on that side of the aisle. Hillary stumps for the repubs and echoes the Rovian spin machine. With Rupert Murdoch a contributor of hers, she is obviously dedicated to the repubs and would like to BAN Liberal Democrats like me. I will write Howard Dean ANOTHER letter but regarding " this" matter this time. In closing: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has". By Margaret Mead. I need to cool down before I can "chill". I feel like a boiling teapot right now. "Fired up and ready to go". :D by shirley reese (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 592 comments [98 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 8:10:00 PM (0+)
|
|
lost my copy and that really makes me mad!
Had a good comment and somehow it disappeared so I will rethink and rewrite--nothing new. Maybe I can condense my report and include all the latter comments above. Firstly I am not one-upping anyone; good work is good work and should be cited. But I have been called a shill and I find that patently silly. If anything, I am a congenital iconoclast. That doesn't make me a candidate for woman of the year in any book. Certainly not flacking for Hill. Secondly, if anyone can be convicted of spouting talking points, its the Obama devotees. It boggles the mind how they can be so gullible. Are you channeling Karl Rove? Now I don't mean to start off offending anyone but turn about is fair play...my reference to name calling referred to us bloggers, not politicians nor murderous felons, which I fell free to insult at will--that is part of the fun but I don't resort to profanity. Usually. The tack of explcating passages and framing them and demanding sources is getting a bit much; of course we are entitled to opinions. But if you want some deposition--forgedabodit! I have repeated my themes over and over, written articles and comments for about two months now and they simply get lost in transit. And then factor in the roughly ten to one ratio of BO voters to Hillary's and there goes the neighborhood; it is gang warfare. I am probably underestimating that figure, actually. More like twenty to one. So this is for Ed, Dean, and my fans too numberable to mention: You want proof? I will give you two excellent examples of solid argument. Read it and weep: http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/4/17/132242/305 (A video titled: "So Who Is This Bill Ayres??") http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/02/22/obama-tries-to-hide-ayers-tie/ The last is self-explanatory...some people in the know just do not trust BO. Some bio on the stars of the Weather Underground, Bill Ayres and his wife, Bernadine Dohrn. Government case fell through when it was found illegal methods were used to establish guilt. They were set free on a technicality. The only charges filed were crossing state lines to incite riots and destruction of property (even these less serious charges were dropped). Dohrn was on probation for 3 yrs. for a previous misdeamor committed in '69 during an anti-war protest; however she spnt 8 mos. in jail in '82 for refusing to testify before a grand jury in the Brinks' robbery trial of her fellow WU member, Boudin; two policemen and a security guard were killed during the shootout. Other policemen were killed during a bombing in CA and a researcher was killed at an Army lab housed at the U. of Wisconsin in Madison. At Wikipedia, you can find a chronology of the Weather U.'s terrorist acts. Millions of dollars in damage and lives lost. Bernadine Dohrn now enjoys a prestigious job at Northwestern U. in Chicago; unable to obtain a law license, she teaches and does consultant work for various charities. She was employed at the Sidley Austin Law firm in the city from 1984 to 1988. That is the same firm where Obama and his wife, Michelle, worked; if memory serves, the times overlap. Ayres is also a professor at a Chicago University. The Dohrn/Ayres couple brought Obama into the Chicago political scene of highrollers and kingmakers; they are more than acquaintances. Obama is lying about the relationship, as he is lying about ties to Rezko and Auchi. What is he hiding from the American people? by Marilyn Frith (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 194 comments) on Saturday, Apr 19, 2008 at 9:27:45 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Marilyn,
Once again we have a lengthy thread about Hillary where you have posted several times, but you don't have much to say about Hillary. You simply slander Obama at every turn with the Neocon talking points charging him with a lack of patriotism due to your opinion of folks he knows, or works with, or lives near, or may have passed on the street; and events that took place in his childhood for which he is being held responsible now. As thoroughly ridiculous as these assertions are on their face, you still don't have a sales pitch for Hillary. Is that because there is no way to justify a vote for her? I'm sure there is no way I can justify a vote for her, even to block McCain, because she has shown me that she is simply a vessel for her own ambition, willing to tell any lie, slander any opponent, burn any bridge to get her way. With that in mind, along with her husband's record of taking away Republican campaign positions on trade, regulation and welfare by enacting them as law, I have to conclude that Hillary is much closer in spirit to McCain than even her DLC supporters. I further conclude that a President Hillary Rodham Clinton would be virtually indistinguishable from President George W. Bush. by John Sanchez Jr. (9 articles, 0 quicklinks, 25 diaries, 1791 comments [148 recommended, 3 rejected]) on Sunday, Apr 20, 2008 at 1:53:54 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: What About Marc Rich?
Did you lose that post too Marilyn? Who coughed up the coin for the Clinton Library? Why do you make scurillous insinuations that Americans want to blow up buildings if they oppose Mrs. Clinton and finally Marilyn, what about all of that cocaine that Ollie North was flying through Mena when Mrs. Clinton was in the Governor's office? You are all hat no cattle when it comes to answering real questions and whatever you are getting paid for throwing out all of these silly propaganda posts is too much. Just my two cents EE by Ed Encho (12 articles, 20 quicklinks, 65 diaries, 438 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Apr 20, 2008 at 7:39:44 AM (0+)
|
|
HILLARY OFFENDS MOST DEMOCRATS
MoveOn.org was formed because of the Republcan assault against her husband during those obscene impeachment hearings. She ardently courted their support up until last month when it became apparent they wouldn't support her; what could she expect when she supported this waste of a war in Iraq without apology (until she was forced to because she wants to be president and realized that she needed to repudiate her vote)? She had to have known that with another Democrat in the race who had opposed the war from the start, who is charismatic, and, frankly, everything she is not (in a positive way), she had no hope in hell of getting their support. What is really disturbing is that Hillary has a habit of writing off large segments of the population who offend her for whatever reason. After the 1996 election, it was working class, southern whites who were persona non grata. It was THEIR FAULT those congressional seats were lost (it was sheer stupidity fed by a lot of conservative commenatary, much of it from the mainstream media, which has become a tool of big business, that caused it more than anything); her reaction to her husband was, and I quote, "SCREW THEM'. Now it's MoveOn.org. Many southernors vote Republican, but writing them off as a group is pretty telling. However, a Democrat CAN'T win without grassroots organizations, and MoveOn is one of the largest and best organized. Hillary needs those voters: UNLESS SHE IS A REPUBLICAN!!!!! She has shown too many times just how much contempt she has for large sections of the population. If you disagree with her, or vote for her opponent, there is something wrong with you. Let's face it, she has been less than kind with many of her comments concerning the people who support Barack Obama. If you listen to what she's actually said, and you support the Illinois senator, you might think long and hard about supporting her if she is the nominee (fat chance). After all, she seems to think you are an idiot, and she has lumped you into one very large group of what she seems to consider as easily led sheep. Just listen to the disdain she expresses every time she speaks about her "opponent's supporters". She doesn't like those Democrats much, either. In short, Hillary has managed to alienate large segments of the Democratic voting public in this country. She continues to inflict damage upon herself while she acts and campaigns like a Republican. Karl Rove's campaign maneuvers have no place in a Democratic primary. She's now offending the Democrats she hasn't already offended with her direct insults indirectly by her words and deeds. The entire Clinton campaign has become a train wreck, which she's shown she's perfectly willing to use to destroy her party's chance to get into the White House if she isn't the nominee. She's like the child who decides to take her toys and go home if she can't get her own way: spoiled, conceited, and overdue for a large dose of grown up behavior. Apparently, no one has told Hillary that she has to earn the White House, and she can't do that if she offends most of her political base, or the base of her own party. That's politics 101. Hopefully, voters are waking up to the coldhearted disregard that this woman has toward them. She doesn't deserve their votes, or their sympathy; God forbid she get the nomination. She's just a Republican hiding in a Democrat's clothing: the former Goldwater girl has come out to play. Don't get me wrong. If by some unforseen, horrifying miracle she becomes the nominee I'll have no choice but to support her: heaven knows I could never vote for McBush! But I, and a lot of people like me, would not only have to hold our noses, we'd have to take long, hot showers afterwards as well. by Sharon COOPER (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 10 comments) on Sunday, Apr 20, 2008 at 1:16:42 AM (0+)
|
|
OMG; all the angry young turks
My support for Hillary has been stated over and over with ample docus. You just haven't been paying attention. Do you have access to my articles? Please see "When did Hillary lose her soul," an article posted at the diaries column which satirized the old "Hillary has lost her soul" shtick. You cite Bill's sins and ommissions. Are you saying HIllary and Bill are joined at the brain? (And may I say in defense of my writing style: most on the board are very literate and enjoy a little satire and an occasional literary allusions.) Mark Rich? Small potatoes. Let us talk about Mr. Auchi--one of the world's richest men--who Obama barely remembers meeting at a Rezko coming out party back when he was underwriting Obama's really big adventure to the U.S. Senate. I'll see your MarK Rich and raise you one Auchi. (And please let us not forget Mr. Auchi is an Iraqi who was in league with Saddam to assassinate the then-president of Iraq, when Iraq was a democracy.) BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY: Now hear this, gentlemen and a few ladies, who seem to be sipping the Kool Aid, as well, trying to turn this conversation around from what is wrong with Obama to what is right will Hillary won't work...as they say in Texas, that old dog won't hunt. Hillary Clinton is not her husband and she should be allowed to run on her own merits, which are legion, and not weighted with the baggage of a prior administration; the drooling Cons always try to do the switzeroo when confronted with truth of Bush, Inc.'s misappropriations and malfeasance: "Clinton did it; or Clinton did it, too!" Well Hillary did not have a vote from 1992 to 2000; she only took her senate seat in 2001. Count from there on. So spare us all the falderoll and let us be grown up about it. My support of Hillary is a given. I am giving you reasons to reassess your candidate. No mention of the stories in the provided links...now why doesn't that surprise? Defend Barack and his nefarious associates; defend his inbred contempt for my country, which he disingenuously says he wants to lead into the light. Stop the petty nonsense and nasty personal attacks. I am not Hillary nor a politician. I am a well-meaning citizen trying to save your bacon. And you don't even appreciate it. lol But more importantly, save the country from the Obamarama that is infecting the society like a virus. It isn't real people; it's all a Madison Avenue commercial, slick and entertaining but lacking in any redeeming social value. (That's the definition of pornography; Joan Didion wrote a very telling book on political porn about 8 years ago. Get it and read how it's done.) And in closing, I would submit for your edification a very insightful article by Steve Sailer at Vdare on Michelle Obama (the "rock" behind the Barack campaign). http://www.vdare.com/sailer/080225_michelle_obama.html Mrs. Obama has some serious issues regard her racial heritage; seems she is angry because...well, just because. And, as I pointed out in one of my own articles, she is really the more ambitious one in their political partnership. by Marilyn Frith (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 194 comments) on Sunday, Apr 20, 2008 at 9:08:14 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: OMG - A Nattering Nabob Of Nonsense
Spin it Marilyn! You are a four star general when it comes to mustering up armies of straw men. You really do fit the technical definition of a troll though with your one topic focus, your lies, smears and fallacious attacks. Sorry but your dismissal of Marc Rich global arch criminal as "small potatoes" doesn't sell here, by the way Scooter Libby was his lawyer wasn't he? Why did Bill Clinton pardon Rich, who coughed up the coin for the Clinton Library, what was going on in Mena with Ollie North and Daddy Bush's gun and drug running while Hillary was in the Governor's mansion? Answer the questions Marilyn and stop spinning your intricate little webs of falsehoods and preposterous bits of folderol. EE by Ed Encho (12 articles, 20 quicklinks, 65 diaries, 438 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Apr 20, 2008 at 9:44:50 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: And Marilyn, You Need to Tone Down the Racism
Your constant insinuations that Muslims and Arabs are demonic, America hating terrorists is pretty close to crossing the line into outright racism. The fear mongering of Arabs in this country after 9/11 only causes more festering animosity, scapegoating and encourages people to commit hate crimes. Just a warning because you could get flagged for such outright racist statements so keep your little straw men out of their white sheets ok? EE by Ed Encho (12 articles, 20 quicklinks, 65 diaries, 438 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Apr 20, 2008 at 10:07:49 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: I've been flagged for less
Can't remember what it was, but it was something relatively minor; if I recall, I will confess, Ed. And I have had one comment "hidden" which I wear as a badge of honor. You are using the Obama tried and true charge of racism when we get too close the the elemental fire of truth about Mr. and Mrs. Obama. Did you read the article by Sailer, Ed? No, didn't think so. Flag him for his insensitivity and truthiness if it offends your liberal sensibilities When Hill is being outspent 4 to 1 (and now where is all that 'Boma money coming from?--Father Christmas? Or maybe Wall Street bundlers--oops, is that a snide, in-your-face retort? ) and being outflanked about 200-to-one on the supposedly progressive Web sites, it just makes you wonder who is zooming whom? Where in all the above pro-Barack paeans is there any hint of other than a Hillary scorched-earth screed? And yet attacks are coming in droves that I am practicing poor form... what a bunch of expletive deleted! I heard a rumor and did a little checking: I found at the 2006 DNC meeting in New Orleans, the ground was already being quietly laid for an Obama run. The upfront excuse was to allow more diversity in the "open window" primaries; the facts were a little less transparent. In Ohio, for example, more delegates were allowed in largely black precincts because they were loyal to Kerry in 2004. Oh, right...like President Kerry carried the election in Ohio. Black delegates for Obama. See? This is all smoke and mirrors. I don't know why I bother even dialoguing. It is really a pointless waste of time. Barack Obama was anointed a long time ago and he will win the Presidency; all else is just entertainment. And Michelle Obama will carry all her baggage into the White House and Lord knows what will come of it. I don't care; I am thinking about leaving the country. You people can deal with the coming super highway and merging of Canada, Mexico and the U.S. You deserve it. Barack won't stop it; he is one of the oligarch's paid front men. by Marilyn Frith (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 194 comments) on Sunday, Apr 20, 2008 at 5:21:18 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Marilyn - You Are Flogging A Dead Horse
Your arguments and distortions are futile because you can't even be bothered to answer questions about Marc Rich, Mena or how a Wal-Mart board member could possibly have any sort of real connection to all of those "bitter" folks. You only continue to spin, obfuscate and conjure up straw men. Look, if you are looking to use this to get someplace go over to Daily Kos, FREEP or any other magnet site for brain dead lemmings because for the most part people who post here are more intelligent than to fall for such ridiculous and consistently mediocre drivel. Hell, I wasn't threatening to flag you, go ahead and spread your garbage about how Arabs are subhuman, Obama is a closet member of Al CIAda and the swarthy Muslims need to be killed before they kill us for our coveted way of life (mindless and immoral consumerism, debt slavery, general idiocy and bloodthirsty warmongering) but you are just flogging a dead horse. Or more appropriately jackass... And WHO did cough up the coin for the Clinton Library? EE by Ed Encho (12 articles, 20 quicklinks, 65 diaries, 438 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Apr 20, 2008 at 5:36:19 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: And Marilyn, You Make Such an Ass of Yourself...
With all of your spin and standard talking points that I wouldn't encourage ANYONE to flag you simply because your stuff is piss in your pants funny in the same sort of ironic way that Fox News is.... Nothing personal of course but you really need to get that wallowing with the pigs thing down before you try to soar with the eagles. Please email me if the folks who are paying you for your tripe need some help, I am always looking to sock away a few bucks and you really make it look easy when it comes time to whoring yourself out as a 'blogger' for hire. My two cents EE by Ed Encho (12 articles, 20 quicklinks, 65 diaries, 438 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Apr 20, 2008 at 5:58:10 PM (0+)
|
|
Thank God For McKinney and Nader
My Dear Sweet God in Heaven, Reading this has just made me (and other real progressives) all the more thankful for the presidential campaigns of Cynthia McKinney and Ralph Nader. Oddly, neither campaigns are ever really, seriously mentioned in those psuedo radical, pretend progressive media outlets such as Air America or the Nation magazine. Me, I support Cynthia McKinney and her Power To The People campaign but consider Ralph Nader supporters and Ron Paul supporters as allies. by Michael Cavlan (15 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 538 comments [131 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Sunday, Apr 20, 2008 at 2:48:04 PM (0+)
|
|
Bill and Hillary joined at the brain?
No, I can't see them truly joined anywhere but the billfold and rolodex. by John Sanchez Jr. (9 articles, 0 quicklinks, 25 diaries, 1791 comments [148 recommended, 3 rejected]) on Sunday, Apr 20, 2008 at 3:51:50 PM (0+)
|
Want to post your own comment on this Article? 
|
||||
|
||||||||||||||
Must Read (0) 
Well Said (0) 
News (0) 
Touching (0) 
Funny (0) 
Supported (0) 
Interesting (0) 
Inspiring (0) 
Valuable (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tell a Friend:
|
Copyright © 2002-2009, OpEdNews |
