On today’s opinion page of the News Journal Ron Williams makes several points.
1. He really doesn’t like bloggers, especially anonymous bloggers
2. Bloggers that use to be journalists are sorta okay, but, in general, he doesn’t like bloggers.
3. Having got that off his chest he then proceeds to write an article about a blog post.
Priceless.
Correct grammar, rich language and content? What’s the blogging world coming to?
Broken Turtle
Literature and Politics from a microcosm called Delaware. Here all the multifaceted players across the great capitalist contradiction are reduced to a few actors: a handful of banking and chemical oligarchs squatting in châteaux, a stable of artists downwind who either take inspiration for amnesia and roses or take a stand, challenging the living to repair a polluted world.
Check it out here.
The real problem we are facing today is not that the Tea Party is part of the Republican Party, it’s that the Republican Party has been absorbed by the Tea Party. When the GOP lost the middle all it was left with was its fringe. And like all fringe groups Tea Partiers aren’t willing to compromise – on anything. (Hence, the term fringe)
The Tea Party has many problems. One of the biggest is that there is no clear leader. Many are vying for that title – Palin, Beck, Rush, Bachman, Perry, Freedomworks, militia groups, patriot organizations, etc. – but none have been crowned. What we’ve ended up with essentially is a mob. And mobs are dangerous since they’re fueled by rage rather than reason. The trajectory of a mob depends on the moment. Words count because what is said to a mob can alter its path.
Oh yeah, words matter.
It was supposed to be a routine campaign stop. In a poor section of Indianapolis, 40 years ago Friday, a largely black crowd had waited an hour to hear the presidential candidate speak. The candidate, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, had been warned not to go by the city’s police chief.
As his car entered the neighborhood, his police escort left him. Once there, he stood in the back of a flatbed truck. He turned to an aide and asked, “Do they know about Martin Luther King?”
They didn’t, and it was left to Kennedy to tell them that King had been shot and killed that night in Memphis, Tenn. The crowd gasped in horror.
Kennedy spoke of King’s dedication to “love and to justice between fellow human beings,” adding that “he died in the cause of that effort.”
And Kennedy sought to heal the racial wounds that were certain to follow by referring to the death of his own brother, President John F. Kennedy.
“For those of you who are black and are tempted to … be filled with hatred and mistrust of the injustice of such an act, against all white people, I would only say that I can also feel in my own heart the same kind of feeling,” he said. “I had a member of my family killed, but he was killed by a white man.”
Many other American cities burned after King was killed. But there was no fire in Indianapolis, which heard the words of Robert Kennedy.
Bobby Kennedy’s words changed the trajectory of Indianapolis that night.
Sadly, the Republican Leadership has chosen a different course.
The most amazing thing about that video is not what’s being said, but who is saying it. Elected officials are firing up a mob they have no control over and unleashing them on society – in the hope it will pay off in the voting booth. Russian Roulette style politics. They are fanning the flames and then feigning shock when their encouragement turns into action. They are no Bobby Kennedy. Actually, they have become the kids in the hallway egging on a “Fight!” while doing nothing to break it up. There is no leadership here – only followers of a mob which will turn on anyone (including Republicans) with the slightest provocation. Dr. Frankenstein, meet your monster.
Here’s the latest: (Via Think Progress)
After picking up his 10-year old daughter from school yesterday afternoon, Nashville resident Mark Duren was driving home when he was suddenly and intentionally rammed from behind by Harry Weisiger. Enraged at the sight of Duren’s Obama bumper sticker, Weisiger gave Duren “the bird” and then hit him from behind, leading to a violent series of events. Nashville’s WKRN reports:
“He pointed at the back of my car,” Duren said, “the bumper, flipped me off, one finger salute.”
But it didn’t end there.
Duren told News 2 that Weisiger honked his horn at him for awhile, as Duren stopped at a stop sign.
Once he started driving again, down Blair Boulevard, towards his home, he said, “I looked in the rear view mirror again, and this same SUV was speeding, flying up behind me, bumped me.”
Duren said he applied his brake and the SUV smashed into the back of his car.
He then put his car in park to take care of the accident, but Weisiger started pushing the car using his SUV.
Duren said, “He pushed my car up towards the sidewalk, almost onto the sidewalk.”
But I guess it was Duren’s fault because his Obama bumper sticker intentionally provoked Weisiger. I also guess the 10 year old in the car will be labeled as “collateral damage.”
Digby explains and gives examples:
I can hardly believe it, but apparently America’s wife beaters have actually decided to use the defense that these Democrats are “asking for” death threats from the right wingers because they are “making them mad.” I documented Sere and Cantor’s warnings this morning, but there are more:
Breitbart: Congressional Black Caucus members went “searching for … racism” by walking through Tea Party crowd
Graham tells Beck — Beck! — Tea Partiers “get mad” because they “don’t like being called racist
Michael Graham: Pelosi was “asking for” response by carrying Medicare gavel
Rove warns Dems that discussing threats against them may “inflame emotions”
Bet the wife beaters are taking notes.
Everyone else is simply “collateral damage” who need to understand how upset and angry they are, and how Dems brought all this on themselves.
Via Roll Call:
Tea party protesters are reportedly planning a protest at the home of Senate Parliamentarian Alan Frumin later this week, prompting Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Terrance Gainer to work with local law enforcement officials to ensure Frumin’s safety.
But I guess this is okay since Democrats are the ones “fanning the flames” and victimizing poor Republicans. And what is it with all the home visits? Seriously, these people are out of control, and it’s a shame that Republican leadership is a-okay with it.
Obviously, given today’s GOP stance, I guess they decided… in for a penny, in for a pound.
Cantor: “Legitimate threats should be treated as security issues, and they should be dealt with by the appropriate law enforcement officials,” Cantor said. “It is reckless to use these incidents as media vehicles for political gain. That is why I have deep concerns that — some [Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee] chairman Chris Van Hollen and [Democratic National Committee] chairman Tim Kaine, in particular — are dangerously fanning the flames, by suggesting that these incidents be used as a political weapon.”
What is Cantor saying? That Dems shouldn’t report or discuss acts of violence and death threats because it looks political? And then there’s this:
National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Andy Sere said that while his organization doesn’t condone the actions of the person or people who cut a gas line at Perriello’s brother’s house (apparently under the impression that the home was the congressman’s), Perriello is not the victim.
“Central and Southside Virginians are the ones who are going to have the bear the burden of increased taxes,” Sere told The Roanoke Times. “What you’re seeing is a frustration among his constituents who believe he’s not listening to them.”
They so own this crap… and it seems they want to own it.
Hop on over to her Facebook page and find her targets – Complete with cross-hairs.
Conservatives are playing a very dangerous game.
Some are even issuing instructions…
On Friday, former militia leader Mike Vanderboegh called for anti-Democratic vandalism across the country to protest the health care bill.
Vanderboegh posted the call for action Friday on his blog, “Sipsey Street Irregulars.” Referring to the health care reform bill as “Nancy Pelosi’s Intolerable Act,” he told followers to send a message to Democrats.
“We can break their windows,” he said. “Break them NOW. And if we do a proper job, if we break the windows of hundreds, thousands, of Democrat party headquarters across this country, we might just wake up enough of them to make defending ourselves at the muzzle of a rifle unnecessary.”
And, apparently in response, there were attacks in–at least–Wichita, KS, Tucson, AZ, Rochester, NY, Niagara Falls, NY. Vanderboegh has proudly claimed credit for the coordinated attacks.
We might just wake up enough of them to make defending ourselves at the muzzle of a rifle unnecessary? And it’s not an isolated incident…
So many lone wolves. Dare we call it a pack? And it’s getting very personal.
A tea party organizer angry over Rep. Thomas Perriello’s (D-Va.) vote in favor of health care reform published what he thought was the freshman member’s home address on a blog, in case any readers “want to drop by” and provide a “personal touch” to their views.
Drop by and provide a personal touch? Maybe another brick through a window? Of course the Conservative Einstein listed the wrong Perriello. The address supplied was that of Perriello’s brother and wife who have four children under the age of 8.
Digby concludes: “I think the lesson here is that not only should members of congress who voted for universal health care tighten their their security but anyone who shares their last name should probably start looking over their shoulders as well. Word to the wise.”
And perhaps Dems should watch their children as well…
Slaughter has been at the center of the push for reform. Last Thursday she received a chilling recorded message at her campaign office. “Assassinate is the word they used…toward the children of lawmakers who voted yes.”
Of course, the President is fair game.
I could go on and on. In fact, feel free to post other examples in the thread.
So when Palin says “Don’t Retreat, Instead – RELOAD!” everyone knows what flames she’s fanning. And only a fool can’t see where all this “talk” is heading.
They really are big babies.
There is a little-known rule in the Senate stating that hearings can’t happen after 2:00 p.m. each day without unanimous consent. However, every day, at the start of business, the Senate generally agrees, by unanimous consent, to waive this rule and continue with the necessary business of holding hearings. Here is the rule.
Republicans, however, are now refusing to give unanimous consent and are blocking the hearings. Today, during a Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing on transparency, Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) announced that he had to stop the proceedings because of Republican blocks:
Typical out-of-touch Republican temper tantrum. Unless they really see this strategy of “not working” working for them?
Republicans rolled the dice when it came to killing Health Care Reform. And they lost. My question is where they go from here? Coincidentally, David Frum asked the same question:
No illusions please: This bill will not be repealed. Even if Republicans scored a 1994 style landslide in November, how many votes could we muster to re-open the “doughnut hole” and charge seniors more for prescription drugs? How many votes to re-allow insurers to rescind policies when they discover a pre-existing condition? How many votes to banish 25 year olds from their parents’ insurance coverage? And even if the votes were there – would President Obama sign such a repeal?
We followed the most radical voices in the party and the movement, and they led us to abject and irreversible defeat.
There were leaders who knew better, who would have liked to deal. But they were trapped. Conservative talkers on Fox and talk radio had whipped the Republican voting base into such a frenzy that deal-making was rendered impossible. How do you negotiate with somebody who wants to murder your grandmother? Or – more exactly – with somebody whom your voters have been persuaded to believe wants to murder their grandmother?
Talk about boxing yourself into a corner. Republicans deliberately removed themselves from the process. They marginalized themselves. The question now is how they get back into governing, if they even want to, or… after whipping their base into a frenzy is it even possible? Simply put, they left themselves no Plan B. Their choices were stop HCR or… what?
My fear is that things are about to get crazier and uglier.
Which shouldn’t be too difficult given their base. Watch the video below. This is the Republican base, and the GOP’s greatest liability.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pilG7PCV448[/youtube]
Actually, this is probably all of our greatest liability.
Given the latest Catholic Church scandal… is it time to rethink the vow of celibacy?
Senior Church figures in Germany meanwhile called for priestly celibacy to be reviewed, a tradition Benedict defended on Friday as a “the sign of full devotion” and of an “entire commitment to the Lord”.
The Church “should reflect on whether there are . . . conditions that favour abuse,” the Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily cited ZdK head Alois Glueck as saying, citing loosening celibacy regulations as “one way”.
I agree with both statements. Celibacy should be reviewed and there are conditions that favor abuse. First, the vow of celibacy immediately rules out a lot of people for priesthood by demanding the repression of one the strongest natural drives. And given the fact that only men can be priests it also strikes me as an insult to women – as if marrying or having sex with women was somehow unholy and unworthy.
As far as the “conditions that favor abuse” point I completely agree because when a priest breaks the vow of celibacy he cannot openly break it. Immediately, it becomes an act of secrecy. And control, because silence is necessary. Add to that an institution that has moved heaven and earth to cover up the sins of their priests and you achieve favorable conditions, even a safe haven for predators.
Now, I am not trying to paint all priests with the same brush (that’s not fair), but there’s no denying that the Catholic Church has a big problem – a problem that their leaders have gone out of their way to cover up rather than address. It’s pretty bad when the words “pedophile priest” go together with the same ease of “pit-bull attack.” Perhaps removing the celibacy requirement would be a good first step. And while I don’t believe celibacy leads to pedophilia I do believe the rule is so broad that it forces all infractions underground and into the shadows… where not only can’t they be discussed, but they must be covered up.
I struggled with this post mainly because the vow of celibacy cover all sexual acts – which I believe is one of the main problems. The vow of celibacy is as expansive as it is restrictive.
Note: I am not bashing anyone’s religion, nor am I promoting celibacy as the cure-all. I don’t have all the answers on this question. I only know something is not working.
We’re “springing” forward tonight, and I’m not ready. And the fact that I wasn’t aware this is happening tonight is my personal shame. I plan on mourning this lost hour until temperatures hit the high 60s, then I’ll rejoice.
It’s no secret that when it comes to abortion the Conservative/Republican motto is the more government intervention the better. Mandatory waiting periods for abortions? Fine with them. A measure “that would require a woman be given a description of ultrasound images of her unborn child and be offered those images before getting an abortion?” Why that’s a great idea! Gathering personal info on every abortion and posting it? Bring it on.
Mandatory counseling before entering the sanctity of marriage and before breaking that sacred vow? Not so much.
“How far do I want government to come into my home and your home about private personal matters?” asked Rep. Leslie Osborn, a Republican from Tuttle, in a debate. She referred to state government as a “huge monster.”
Oh, that’s rich. And typical. Moral consistency would be nice, but I’m not holding my breath. Just to be clear… government coming into my home and your home about a private personal matter is okay if the private personal matter is abortion but not if it has to do with the “sanctity of marriage?” (*unless it’s gay marriage. That can be government mandated to death.)
But hey, the mandatory divorce/marriage counseling would affect men, and we can’t have that. Hmm… maybe this legislation would stand a chance if it only required counseling for future brides and divorced women?
What is it with Conservative males and crushes?
“I was excited about Palin; I’m more excited about Liz. The same sort of excitement you get when you hear her father, except she’s this petite blonde with five kids … You have a little crush on her. It’s hard not to,” – Michael Goldfarb.
(Via Sullivan)
Actually, it’s hard not to roll your eyes at that statement. And I’ve reached the conclusion that sexualizing political figures and Republican women is becoming a GOP past-time. Sarah Palin is the most obvious example, but they did it with Scott Brown as well. And I’ve lost count of the number of times Conservatives refer to their women as hot. Which is simply another way of saying that Republican women are real women.
Now I’m not saying looks don’t play a part in politics, but this sort of overt lusting seems more suited to the privacy of Goldfarb’s bedroom. The fact that Conservatives have been pushing this theme tells me that they’re scraping bottom. We’ve heard this sort of stuff all our lives:
“She/he’s not too bright.”
“Yeah, but they’re hot!”
As if that explains everything – and in some cases it does.
But take a look at what Goldfarb goes on to say about Liz Cheney:
Cheney has already mastered media messaging. Her ambition is most transparent in how carefully she avoids alienating any faction of the conservative movement, including the tea-party wing. On TV, she has danced around fringe issues like Obama’s place of birth, careful not to deny the claim outright, even if it’s clear she doesn’t really believe it. She praised Palin’s book, Going Rogue, even though she didn’t finish it and once called the prospect of a McCain nomination “a sad day for the Republican Party.”
Is this really a complimentary statement? She dances around issues, praises a book she didn’t finish reading, and insults a member of her own party. How are these traits admirable? Guess lust is blind.
And these “starburst” moments are becoming more frequent. It’s all style over substance – which may not be a bad strategy for the GOP since they clearly lack substance.
What could possibly go wrong with this idea?
A Louisiana sheriff plans to arm volunteers with shotguns, riot shields, batons, and a .50-caliber machine gun mounted on a “war wagon,” as part of “Operation Exodus,” a program to provide security in the event of a terrorist attack or civic unrest. “It’s a calling,” he says.
The office of Sheriff Larry Deen of Bossier Parish, near Shreveport in the northwest part of the state, last month selected for the program 200 local residents — mostly ex-law-enforcement personnel — and began training them in “defensive techniques in the event of a struggle,” reports the Shreveport Times. The plan calls for the new recruits to be sent to protect food from grocery stores, gas from gas stations, and other crucial local resources, should the situation demand it.
A press release from Deen’s office announcing the program declared that “recent terror threats” had made clear that “homegrown terrorists are in our midst.” It continued: “With the easy accessibility of the internet, it is quite possible that these local and international terrorists can form a national or multiple location attack on our nation at any given moment.”
[…]
In a video of the first training session, posted on the sheriff’s office’s website, the recruits — almost all white and male, and many appearing to be past middle-age — gamely practice their hand-to-hand combat techniques:
Seriously? Seriously?
