Delaware Dem

Wednesday Open Thread [11.18.15]

I have seen some liberals say that they are worried about the refugee situation and the Paris Attacks and about how the media is creating a narrative where, naturally, liberals will lose and the nation will march to war again. And because of that, they say, we should preemptively capitulate and give into the narrative. Kevin Drum is an example. I have a couple more in my Facebook feed.

That is what I did in 2002. I was one of those bedwetting liberals who went along to get along in 2002. I will not do it again. I, and we, have learned our lesson. Booman tells us what we must do:

I know damn well that the Republicans have the winning political argument when they say that they’ll protect the country at all costs, even down to denying three year-old orphans a sanctuary, [and] that they’re going to do even better if they can keep that pulse [of America] raised to just short of panic-level.

So, what’s the counter to that? Do we agree with them? Do we also try to make people more afraid?

The problem is that we disagree substantively, not politically. And if we’re compelled to take the losing political argument because it’s the right thing to do, then we should at least point out that our opponents are bedwetters who become incontinent every time they think of a Muslim terrorist- even when that Muslim terrorist is shackled in Guantanamo and being fed orange-glazed chicken, rice pilaf and two kinds of fruit.

Frankly, it’s not mockery that I am going for, but shame. I want to shame grown men into being embarrassed to admit that they pee themselves in fear. If nothing else, it keeps me sane when I’m surrounded by the worst kind of charlatans and demagogues.

Exactly right. I will not stop mocking them. I will not stop shaming them. I will call them cowards. Bedwetters. Even traitors. And if we lose the political battle, so be it. But at least this time I keep my integrity. And I am not entirely sure we will lose that political battle. A new poll out of New Hampshire shows only 38% of GOP voters support sending new troops to Syria or the Middle East. Maybe, finally, people have discovered their memories.

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Adams for Congress?

A reader has contacted us with a question about whether former State Senator and Senate President Pro Tem Thurman Adams ever considered or launched a congressional campaign, because he found a button recently saying “Adams for Congress.”

I think I vaguely recall seeing an Adams for Congress button at one point, on the Internet somewhere. But I told our reader that it was most likely from a Return Day celebration in Georgetown, since candidates and official holders “test the waters,” either seriously or as a joke, in “announcing” campaigns for higher office by having supporters wear buttons during the parade and celebration. For example, in 2008, Carney supporters were wearing buttons saying Carney for Congress. So it could be that Thurman Adams did the same thing, as a joke or seriously.

But I will ask you all, the vast hive mind of Delaware political knowledge: did Thurman Adams ever try to run for Congress?

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Tuesday Open Thread [11.17.15]

Once again, you can always count on the GOP to overreact to the extreme, so much so that their overreaction becomes the story rather than the original concern over national security and terrorism. Their cowardice and bedwetting when it comes to the Syrian refugees is but our latest example. You take an issue where, historically yet bizarrely, Republicans do better than Democrats, and you have a terrorist attack that highlights that issue. And instead of pressing the advantage, Republicans have decided to let their bigotry rule the day, and turn the issue of terrorism and national security into just another immigration issue where one can sound xenophoic as they want. It really is amazing to watch. Seriously, if you are a registered Republican at this very moment, you are a confirmed cowardly bigot. And you have allowed your bigotry to overrule your sense of political strategy.

And given that ISIS wants us to reject the Syrian refugees, you are also a traitor, since you are aiding the enemy.

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The Cowardice of the Republican Party

The last time I saw this much bedwetting I was three years old. A number of Republicans in our state legislature, as well as Republicans in our state, are quite distressed at the potential prospect of our state accepting placement of thoroughly vetted Syrian refugees.

State GOP officials and one gubernatorial candidate, Delaware state Sen. Colin Bonini, R-Dover, said Markell should follow [the example of certain Republican Governors across the country who also happen to be cowards].

Charlie Copeland, Delaware GOP chairman, said in a letter to Markell that the United States has to protect its borders, and that includes not allowing Syrian refugees into the state or country. Copeland also asked Markell to, “demand that the Obama administration halt all efforts to allow these individuals to cross American borders.” […]

Bonini, who is running for governor in 2016, said that the state needs to, “hold off until we have a much greater comfort level with the security background checks.”

This, despite the fact that French and Belgium citizens were the ones responsible for the Paris Attacks, not Syrian refugees. So in addition to being betwetting cowards, Mr. Copeland, Mr. Bonini, and any Republican who agrees with them are also mindbogglingly racist.

I hereby invite Mr. Copeland, Mr. Bonini, and any other coward currently serving in the legislature or identifying as a Republican to accept delivery of case of Depends for Men.

Let me know if you want your bottle of milk warmed up Charlie.

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Monday Open Thread [11.16.15]

Steven Benen says the GOP Candidates this weekend offered a lesson on how not to respond to terrorism. You don’t respond with fear, panic, sectarian rage, and bigotry.

To be sure, there are too many reactionary, overly simplistic attitudes on the right, which seem to give Republicans some emotional satisfaction without much regard for responsible policymaking. But there’s also the unnerving track record of many Republican officials – including would-be presidents – who seem to fall to pieces every time there’s a crisis. The benefit of a lengthy national campaign is that it gives voters a chance to see who’s made of sterner stuff, and who isn’t.

I don’t mean to be callous here, but the Paris Attacks are not 9/11. They are not the end of the world. It is a tragedy to be sure. Horrific. But it was a terrorist attack. And terror attacks are going to happen in this world. What we have to do now is investigate, track down those responsible, kill or capture them, but most importantly, respond smartly.

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