The 3 ring circus that is now the GOP is idiotically clinging to every possible criticism of the President. All of us have seen the hate-America, hate-the-sick, hate-liberals, hate-everyone-who-doesn't-agree-with-us campaign that reached a crescendo this summer that included signs of Obama as a Nazi and nativist "patriots" showing up at Presidential town halls with loaded handguns and assault weapons.
As the country has labored under the worst economic crisis in 70 years, struggled with 2 wars started by the previous President (and badly run), and faced a scandal involving torture of prisoners at the hands of the US government, President Obama has also worked diligently to enact the measures that he campaigned and was elected on...health care reform, education, diplomacy, and jobs for all Americans. In the meantime, Republicans, trying to damage the President with "his Waterloo," have opposed every single initiative, whipped up fake outrage and anger over issues that don't exist, and wailed about programs the President has not proposed. The twenty percenters, made up of deathers, birthers, nativists, and racists have signed onto every one of these astroturf issues with enthusiasm. The noise is so loud that even those paying attention can hardly hear.
The latest target? The President's national address to school kids about education and staying in school. Fox Noise, talk radio, and the right wing blogosphere has come unhinged, screaming about the President wanting to "indoctrinate" our school children. Fox even told the bald face lie (later corrected) claiming that this is "the first time in our history" that a President has addressed school children directly, ignoring President GHW Bush's address from a classroom in 1991 and Ronald Reagan's speech to school kids in 1988. Of course, the GOP jumped aboard the crazy train with Florida GOP chairman Jim Greer saying in a statement,
Even Joe Scarborough is calling for GOP leadership to get control of the party. The inmates are now running the asylum, and the exodus of responsible Americans who used to be Republicans has left the party with an odd collection of weirdos, white supremacists, nativists, and plain old nutcases whose spokesman is none other than Rush Limbaugh.
And this is all happening as millions struggle with unemployment, skyrocketing health costs, a failing education system, and the inexorable slide of America into mediocrity. Scarborough is right. It's time to put America first and stop the politics of mass destruction.
As the country has labored under the worst economic crisis in 70 years, struggled with 2 wars started by the previous President (and badly run), and faced a scandal involving torture of prisoners at the hands of the US government, President Obama has also worked diligently to enact the measures that he campaigned and was elected on...health care reform, education, diplomacy, and jobs for all Americans. In the meantime, Republicans, trying to damage the President with "his Waterloo," have opposed every single initiative, whipped up fake outrage and anger over issues that don't exist, and wailed about programs the President has not proposed. The twenty percenters, made up of deathers, birthers, nativists, and racists have signed onto every one of these astroturf issues with enthusiasm. The noise is so loud that even those paying attention can hardly hear.
The latest target? The President's national address to school kids about education and staying in school. Fox Noise, talk radio, and the right wing blogosphere has come unhinged, screaming about the President wanting to "indoctrinate" our school children. Fox even told the bald face lie (later corrected) claiming that this is "the first time in our history" that a President has addressed school children directly, ignoring President GHW Bush's address from a classroom in 1991 and Ronald Reagan's speech to school kids in 1988. Of course, the GOP jumped aboard the crazy train with Florida GOP chairman Jim Greer saying in a statement,
"As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama's socialist ideology. The idea that school children across our nation will be forced to watch the President justify his plans for government-run health care, banks, and automobile companies, increasing taxes on those who create jobs, and racking up more debt than any other President, is not only infuriating, but goes against beliefs of the majority of Americans, while bypassing American parents through an invasive abuse of power."What is the President doing to cause such a furor? Well, have a look for yourself. Here's a preview of the "socialist indoctrination" that the 20 percenters are in a frenzy about:
Even Joe Scarborough is calling for GOP leadership to get control of the party. The inmates are now running the asylum, and the exodus of responsible Americans who used to be Republicans has left the party with an odd collection of weirdos, white supremacists, nativists, and plain old nutcases whose spokesman is none other than Rush Limbaugh.
And this is all happening as millions struggle with unemployment, skyrocketing health costs, a failing education system, and the inexorable slide of America into mediocrity. Scarborough is right. It's time to put America first and stop the politics of mass destruction.
What do they really want, Scott?
They want a do-over. They lost in November. They're pissed as hell about it and they want to do it over.
And they're going to bitch and moan constantly. I wonder how long it will take before they realize it doesn't work that way?
All 3 suggestions taken in concert would be a good, no a great thing.
Getting grid of the PACS is a necessity to get Congress back to working for the people rather than for their pocketbooks.
Someone earlier asked for suggestions. I said what I thought, but here are some practical ones.
1. Bring back the fairness doctrine.
I find it ludicrous that conservatives complain about liberal bias and yet control 90 percent of talk radio. When all you hear are idiots then you become one. Just watched Karate Kid last night. As miyagi said, "there is no such thing as a bad student, just a bad teacher." I don't if that is always true, but I think so in this case.
2. Campaign finance reform
Get money out of elective politics, then we will see what the people want.
3. Ignore them
The MSM must lead this charge. If something is outrageously false then why do they give it any legs. Stupidity should not be rewarded with attention.
I'm hoping that the August screamers are getting hoarse. They sure are getting old and tiresome. Obama has started organizing his base right before Congress reconvenes. That's a good move.
I am NOT a screamer. I don't scream at my husband or my children or the pets. I don't intend to scream at strangers. I think that is part of it... REASONABLE people don't scream, they reason.
As for the lies... they are uncovered in the light of truth, just not maybe on our time frame. Most REASONABLE people have not lived to see their ideas accepted (see Copernicus).
As for the hoopla over the speech, I wrote my thoughts on the previous blog. The uneducated will get dumber, and the children who were taught abstinence only will continue to breed. The south will not beget the leaders of the future when all is said and done.
Greer is an idiot. There's nothing wrong with Obama encouraging kids to show more personal responsibility, a trait that seems diametrically opposed socialism.
guys, it's not about truth, it's about the frenzy that ensued when the people that had become convinced that they were the "permanent majority" found out that there is no such thing. How do deal with a crisis of faith that comes from thinking that you were what God wanted, and that goodness and morality flowed from one's political leanings?
It's GOT to be a trick, a trap, a nefarious plan, the workings of the devil himself.....since one CAN'T be God's special creature and be wrong at the same time.
It's hubris people, and if allowed to reign unchecked it will destroy us all. It's nearly happened before, and it took the deaths of good people in very tragic and public manners to avert.
It's quite sad and pathetic. If education and staying in school is so important, why keep your children home from school during the president's speech? The speech is not political, it's about staying in school, graduating, succeeding in life and being a productive member of society. Who are these people listening to? Again sad and pathetic. I wonder why all of sudden there is this BIG interest by some parents on what's going on at school? Hah.
I am truly sad for America. What have we come to? Particularly sad that some have become delusional with the mindset that our President is evil, Satanist, socialist and out to ruin America. This pathetic group is thoroughly convinced that the H1N1 virus is from the president, the vaccination is to kill them, Pathetic. I cannot think of another word for this travesty.
A core group of commentators on the airways feeds this ignorance and promotes hatred in the rawest form. The media outlets feed the frenzy and reactions are indicative of a modern day witch hunt. Are we reverting to ignorance as history has proven? What is next? Just when one thinks the sheer stupidity will cease the talk that President Obama has some sort of power to influence our children. Do they honestly *think* that President Obama is brainwashing children? Not too often am I at a loss for words but this one has me speechless. The president’s speech is nothing more than encouraging children to become educated, not to give up, and become the person they can be. What is wrong with this? NOTHING. Their children watched the inauguration on television. Now this encouragement from President Obama is distorted in evil, malicious and pathetic people who have lost all common sense are fabricating fear and hysteria. Pathetic.
I saw a bumper sticker on a car this week: DON’T BLAME ME, I VOTED FOR THE OLD WHITE MAN. That pretty much sums the core of it all: We have President Obama, a Black American in the White House. No one can convince me otherwise.
Hmmph...I think I like the way stexcat and I interpret the phrase "interrupt the breeding cycle" better than the author's interpretation. ;-)
"at long last, have you left no sense of decencey sir"
perhaps i should clarify....by "interrupt the breeding cycle" i mean argument-spike the bastards....you know there are going to be predictable responses to points, so plan ahead and pre-empt them(it works for me)
If you're looking for consensus, i'm afraid you are become the flying dutchman....you're talking about a group of people for whom individuality is valued over conformity to a norm. this means we're gonna have a ton of different tactics that aren't necessarily interchangeable. I can't argue the way you do, because you do it your way. I do it my way(echoes of Frank)....becuase it's what i know.
To analogise, Conservatives are strong then they have a group of them all headed in the same direction at the same time....like a stampedinig herd. Nothing can stop them directly(altho you can pick a few off and make them into beef jerky...just ask Fleckenstein). However, the herd is difficult to turn, and nearly impossible to stop....especially if they don't see the cliff ahead. But, back in the day, puny little humans armed with sharpened sticks were able to take out whole herds by using their own instincts against them and sending them right off of cliffs.
And that us...the puny little humans. we have our individual talents and tactics...but we have a shared goal. We work best in small groups, because ego's tend to rub together when you get too many individualists together in one place. However, we are adaptable and flexible in ways no thundering herd can ever be. We can come up with ideas much faster than a person who is used to recieving their opinions whole from outside sources. New information doesn't intimidate or panic us. In other words, we can change if we have to.
Obama's campaign machine was so successful why? Because it was organised at a local level. Thus was able to adapt to regional concerns far better than the republican model that only saw red state/blue state. Maybe we're thinking the wrong way here...that's all i'm saying. There's just as much strength in chaos as there is in order....you just gotta know how to use it.
Governor 39% and his would be sucsessor, KBH now find it "disturbing" that a president would want to talk to school children about getting good grades, staying in school or the obligation of being a good citizen.
Gee, I wonder how many appearances Governor Perry or KBH have made at public schools over the years to say exactly the same thing? Probably dozens.
As one commentator said somewhere else, we need a Republican to come up with a new version of the Joseph Welch line " at long last, have you no shame"? This is absurd.
But I hope we are catching the lesson the GOP is imparting. Facts are irrelevant to lots and lots of voters. Obama's election may have well been a fluke in our history, when people were inspired by his message and his life story. Lies apparently work MUCH better.
I'm with stexcat on the tardiness of "interrupting the breeding cycle". And no matter how hard some of us try to raise our kids right, some of them still end up the polar opposite of us politically.
Two of my three kids are politically conservative, not necessarily because they agree with rightwingers, but because they've been bitten by the conservative religion "bug". And we raised them in LIBERAL churches! Doesn't matter sometimes, though. Kids are gonna do what kids are gonna do, and we still love 'em.
If we just put them "in the chair" it doesn't stop them they will do like several of the posters do, create multiple personalities and talk to them selves to make their point. If we go out and make clear logical points knocking down their illogical posts or posts that just plain lie, they ignore those and just go on their sweet way as if we never said anything.
I think we're losing the battle for the most part and I'm looking for the way to stop losing. To me, it doesn't seem to help when the target is shifting, as is the discussion on Health Care. Every little shift has the vocal right winning another point and "us" losing a point.
SSTMelon: I've seen most of us reprove them time and time again. Does it work ? Nope, the anonymity of blog posters works against us. They don't worry about being embarrased or shown up for the idiots they are, they are anonymous, they use funny names. Funny names don't feel embarassment, they just keep posting blather. Its what they do.
Wombat: Stopping the breeding cycle is a good idea but somewhere around 30-40 years too late, I'm afraid.
All: I suppose I'm being a little bit the Devils Advocate here but I am looking for a consensus on how to fight the war in our little corner.
how do you fight a swarm of locusts?
interrupting the breeding cycle...
Of course (and I apologize if someone has already mentioned this), this is probably just one more thing the GOP leadership has decided to do to distract the House and Senate from deciding the most important issue at hand: The reform of our healthcare insurance system.
What are most small children able to focus on at a 3-ring circus? Absolutely nothing. Their brains and neurological systems won't allow it. But just TRYING to focus prevents them from focusing on what is TRULY important to their own wellbeing, such as their needing to go to the bathroom or needing a nap.
The same can be said for those people who are uneducated, of low ingelligence, religious fanatics, or all of the above. That "all of the above" is what I'm beginning to think the infamous "20%" is comprised of.
We're probably losing this battle, mostly because we're not giving the GOP nearly enough credit for using this strategy, thus we're not even TRYING to combat it.
this is the 21st century man, we use condoms loaded with eggs these days...much better range and damage potential.
Look folks, i'm not advocating surrender, or even ignoring the inflammatory rhetoric. I'm merely saying that you shouldn't let it inflame you. I've seen a lot of "fight fire with fire" sentiments circulating out there, and am merely saying that while it can be fun to do....it doesn't advance our agenda.
Me personally, i prefer to take them on straight up....since there is nearly always a logical flaw inherent in any made-up or exxagerated argument. Or if i see an opportunity, take their own ridiculous argument and extrapolate it into sheer lunacy. Just can't be around as much as i was during the slow season....wombats gotta eat...
Hmmmmmmmmm. Several good ideas here. I think it's important that the right decision is made.
Changing the ideology and practices of these right-wing moronic racists is useless.
As I said before, I am afraid that a small %,even 4 or 5 or 6% of the independents and moderates,who are relatively bright, but impressionable, could fall victim to this persistent idiocy. You know what they say,"You can fool some of the people ALL of the time. You can fool ALL of the people some of the time." That's a LOT of people when you add it up. In fact, I'll tell you exactly how many people that is. It's the same number of indies and non-repubs who voted for Bush in 2004.
But, it's Friday. I get off for the holiday weekend in 3 hours. I am gonna listen to our esteemed marsupial philosopher and give it all until Thanksgiving. If the lunacy of the right, their lies,insult and disrespect for our constitution, our people and our president continues....I'm gonna get a group of real patriots, some sugar for their gastanks, bananas for their tailpipes, and flaming bags of dog poop for their front doors and head out across the country with a list. The revolutionary war had Francis Marion, "the swamp fox". Century 21 has......Carguy, the Equalizer. :-)
Stay thirsty my friends.
Most intelligent, common-sense thing I've read in weeks, Scott. Thank you.
Let's see, I say take a page from my counseling notebook and ask ourselves, what do THEY want. My guess is they want to do a couple of things but have one ultimate goal: they want us to quit. They do this right now by getting media attention for their fringe beliefs. This is where the MSM needs to show a little discipline and just ignore the behavior. When you have a kid throwing a tantrum they want you to give them attention and then they want you to give in. It's not only rational, it's very rational on their part. My daughter has figured it out. She thinks she can get what she wants if she cries and screams. What's the difference between that and the GOP response? Absolutely nothing. So, you put them in the middle of the proverbial forrest and let them scream. If a jackass screams in the middle of the woods does it really matter?
So, what I would do is make one simple statement, "when you want to stop behaving like two year olds and return as adults we'll welcome you back to the table. In the meantime, those of us at the adult table will go on with the business of improving America while you fling food at each other at the kids table."
Address the behavior, not the content (and certainly not the person's presumed character or intelligence). Reprove them, if reasonably feasible, for their bad actions (i.e., let them know what they did wrong and why it was wrong - again, this isn't always advisable). But no matter what, give them a lesson in how to behave, each and every time it happens. Don't lose control, and don't raise your voice.
It's not easy and doesn't always work, but it's the best way I've found to defuse such situations. It also gives you the upper hand in the process. I've been in a bunch of bad situations (here referring to ones involving adults, not kids), and have so far always been able to defuse the situation without it getting out of control or, in a few cases, violent or even deadly.
SSTMelon:
But how do we do that ? If we just ignore them they feed on each other. One comes up with some outlandish lie and the others accept it and enlarge on it. How would the stern mom handle this one ? You can't do it with debate as we have all found out the past few months, loud argument gets us nothing but ulcers. So how do we discipline them ? I knew how to do it with my kids when they were growing up but they were rational even while misbehaving.
I guess, for me the answer si to stay away from the really irritating blogs and those you know cannot and will not be swayed by solid arguments. A really stupid argument gets my blood running hot and I retort in the same vein. Thats bad. And I promise to douse myself in cold water then next time it happens.
My question still remains about the vast numbers of voters out there that are being turned off, because of the flaming verbiage, to where they just might drift away from voting their conscience to not voting, period. These are the people who were energized by the campaign of 2008, and voted for Obama because of the message of change. Now they are not seeing what they were promised and they find their beliefs of 2008 being loudly challenged. Without something drastic happening to turn this around, 2010 could easily be a bleak year for the Dems.
Clearly, you misread what I wrote. My proposed approach isn't a "pitbull" one. It's a "stern mom dealing with deliberately misbehaving child" one. That's the corner for you, young man.
I think the problem for most reasonable people is that they don't know where this will all end. They don't know how far they will take. From the health care debate to this silly issue we are appalled at the response. I say that deliberately. Appalled. They come up with stuff that is not remotely a part of the discussion and we are left scrambling. I repeat my line from a week ago. I halfway expect them to claim we are paying for Martian medical care. When faced with loud comments (not even out of left field, but beyond the bleachers) you have two options.
1) Ignore it and hope people finally catch on
2) Shout it down EACH AND EVERY TIME
I don't know which one is better to be perfectly honest.
stexcat -- exactly!!!!!
depends on what your goal is....if you just want to pit fight with conservies in a no-holds-barred grudge match, i'm all for it. It's fun, but it doesn't really achieve anything. Inasmuch as they are NOT reasonable, they are also unconvincable.
If you want to sway moderate and independant support...you have to think about it. If one side is throwing a perpetual temper tantrum in the media, and THAT is driving people away...what is to be gained by mirroring that tactic?
THAT'S why i say be calm and reasonable, when possible. (besides, nothing pisses a conservie off more when they can't ruffle your fur despite their best efforts)
Okay, Wombat. I like what you are saying but the question is still before us. Can we win maintaining a cool rational demeanor against the flaming discourse of the irrational right ? Are we gaining ground by attempting debate with those who absolutely know they will loose a calm debate and just turn up the volume ? Or, are the rational people of the center just being turned off by what they see happening, never more to accept a message of change or hope in the political process ? Lots of questions and very few answers. I assume that the elections of 2010 will give us some of the answers and we just may not like what happens. I would like to see a more solid direction out of the White House. I would like to see some attention to all of the promises made in the election. For example, what happened to no more lobbyists or we must have the public option in HC reform ?
I still back the President, but I do have questions as to what were the promises and where have they gone.
umm, yeah....i meant that as a SIDE effect of the current tactic of treating everything obama says and does as a moral and political outrage...
whatever the motivation behind the resistance to the school speech(and we are in agreement as to the root cause) the fact of the matter is that children will interpret this through their OWN filters, and while politics may or may not make sense to them....the fact that it's a non-white guy will be readily apparent.
No.
You reason with people who at least have the capacity to be reasonable. These folks, while surely not total wingnuts in most other areas of their lives, have clearly lost their marbles with respect to Obama.
Our job is to send these people into a corner for time out. If they behave like children and fail to exhibit mature reasoning processes, then that's how they should be treated.
carol, carguy....et al...
I'm concerned, but not overley concerned. Why? Because we're dealing with type A personalities here, and they really just can't help themselves. You see, it's not enough to just maintain a level of opposition and protest...the constantly have to outdo eachother AND(here's the fun part) themselves.
It's not enough to talk about the cost of health insurance reform....even tho that's their best argumentative platform, they have to go into death panels and grandma killings....cutting off health care to republicans and other nuttiness. Just as it wasn't enough to focus on Obama's relative inexperience during the election, they had to go into his musliminity, and "he don't salute the flag....i aint never seen him do it"
OUR job is to be rational, the calm voice that people are more willing to listen to after the screeching of the zealots get on their nerves....unwavering and imperturbable
SSTM: Frankly, I am beginning to think that is a good solution.
How much does it cost to send somewhere there???
While I've not been following the news reports very carefully, I don't think the _children's_ understanding of "socialism" and "indoctrination" are at issue. The parents in question don't seem to have a problem with indoctrination, as long as it's of the "proper" variety.
Really, other than the "let's latch onto any issue whatsoever so that Obama becomes afraid even to claim that his favorite flavor of ice cream is vanilla" shtick that the Repugs have going, I think another lurking fear is that Obama might become a real role model to African-American youth. WHAT would happen to this country if blacks started taking over those plum positions at the top of the economic food chain??? Oh, perish the thought!
something else to consider....depending on the age of the children we are dealing with, do their parents expect them to be able to understand such abstracts as "socialism" and "indoctrination"?
Kids are smart, but they're also somewhat simplistic. While they may not understand political distinctions, they will most certainly be able to identify something different about this president than the last one....that has made their parents angry and scared.
And i wonder what glaring difference might be...
HOWEVER, this generation of children isn't the one we remember from our childhood. Racial unity comes from the young, not the older people who are used to things a certain way. Even in my time an interracial couple was a thing almost unheard of...not so now. We may not have gotten a lot further down the road to acceptance, but we ARE further then we were even 10 years ago. It will be interesting to see what comes of this.
The answer is clear, Comrade Carguy. We must send these antisocial elements and their families to Obama's secret re-education camps in the Nevada desert. Hard labor and daily indoctrination will cure them of their criminal thoughts.
*cue evil laughter*
This is my concern - yes, the squeaky wheel gets the most oil - and Lord knows that they are the loudest and most vocal. BUT, and this is a big one, we are losing quite a few independents that voted for Obama because they are listening -- and, sorry to say, believing the crap from these meetings and what they see even on the MSM (and don't even get me started on the President's speech to the schoolkids and the idiots that believe it's "socialist indoctrination").
Somewhere, somehow, we have GOT to get our shit together and become more focused, more vocal and more in the public eye and show the nation that there are many, many people in favor of healthcare reform.
So while I agree with wombat and carguy, I am most concerned that we are letting the most conservative of people lead us down the path that we don't want to go down and we are really going to be sorry come election time.
I usually agree with carolsb. Because, she is usually right. I am concerned.
But then, I read Wombat's post. I felt a little better. THis is NOT the majority of the country, just a few loudmouths who get the attention of the local and national media.
Then, arte, I too WAS shocked at the attitude some of our educators took on this matter. Pissed off AND shocked to be specific. The president wants to address our children SPECIFICALLY. In MY day, we would call an assembly, and EVERYBODY would be there, VOLUNTARILY and ENTHUSIASTICALLY to hear OUR PRESIDENT speak.
What the hell has happened to us and HOW THE HELL do we fix it??????
I usually agree with carolsb. Because, she is usually right. I am concerned.
But then, I read Wombat's post. I felt a little better. THis is NOT the majority of the country, just a few loudmouths who get the attention of the local and national media.
Then, arte, I too WAS shocked at the attitude some of our educators took on this matter. Pissed off AND shocked to be specific. The president wants to address our children SPECIFICALLY. In MY day, we would call an assembly, and EVERYBODY would be there, VOLUNTARILY and ENTHUSIASTICALLY to hear OUR PRESIDENT speak.
What the hell has happened to us and HOW THE HELL do we fix it??????
Our district sent out an email message saying they would tape the address and play it during social studies classes. The delay allows "concerned parents" to pull their child from that class if they choose. This is a very pro Obama area as well, but Galveston is a mixed community, so it doesn't completely surprise me. It does depress me though.
they get coverage because they're the squeaky wheel... The only question is whether all the screaming rhetoric attracts or repells people.
I didn't think these lunatics and racists could go much farther. I was wrong.
This crap is WAY BEYOND anything. It doesn't deserve more than my utter disgust. (But I'm gonna continue to write anyway)
I mentioned several days ago about the hell that Hank Aaron went through as he approached and then eclipsed Babe Ruth's HR record. ALL this just proves we haven't come very far since then.
My only consolations are that 54% voted FOR this guy. The vocal minority who regurgitate this same crap day after day, I think, represent only 21-23% of the population. But why, OH WHY, do they continue to get so much coverage and exposure.
The stories KHOU-CH 11 ran this week on this were positively disgusting and could only serve as fuel for these moronic bigots. It's clearer every day....they do NOT like a black man in THEIR white house.
There is a war on. WE better show up pretty soon.
We, the rest of the country, the sane ones,need and anti-defamation league and someone like Donald Segretti to head it. If we don't find a way to fight theswe people on "their" terms, we're gonna get massacred in 2010. They,the GOP and their legions of hate mongers, only need to move about 4-5% of the populace to their way of thinking. And, some people will believe anything they hear on TV. Right now, the irrational, idiotic, right-wing racists are dominating the airwaves and the internet.
And this shows how much our professional educators, not to mention the elected school boards ("local control" at its worst) are afraid of these thugs.
The school district administrators and boards have largely reacted with complete cowardice. The know-nothings, which apparently includes all of the GOP, win again.
But it's all consistent with the right wing denying the legitimacy of Obama's presidency. And I'm surely not the only Democrat now saying to myself that if Obama can't stand up to these people, maybe Hillary can.
On the surface it seems the Republican party is doing a great job of energizing their base. If their base is truly the screaming nut at the Town Hall meetings. Or those that don't want their kids and Grandkids to be indoctrinated through a message to work hard at their studies and stay in school. The only way we will find out is in the 2010 elections and that is a worrisome thought. As far as the Dems, they really have done nothing to energize their base. Even on the blogs it seems there are only a few who are regularly taking up the fight against the volume of right wing screamers. Have liberals started slowing down in their desire to fight the good fight ? Even the White House is backing down on campaign promises and it seems the steam is going out of the fight for change.
This talk on education is just one sign that the right is able to take what should be a simple issue and use it to rally the troops into a newsworthy issue. Where are the issues that could rally the liberals ? OMG, if health care can't really do it, where do we go from here ? What can be done to get all of the liberals as involved in the fight over issues as we were in getting the President elected ?
personally, i find this hysterical.
two observations...
1. The simplest action a parent could ever undertake to practicly guarantee that their children would seek out, download, and listen to this speech is to try to prevent them from doing so.
2. Every time Obama waves the red cape, the bull charges blindly...every time the bull charges, they make a few more moderate and independant people desire not to be associated with them.
If you know your opponent is going to act like a complete ass anyway, toss him some softballs to freak out over that help him assify himself.
Oh my frickin' gawd. While I'm not giving up on our leaders, I'm just about at the point where I'll suggest that the rest of the country build a great big huge fortified 20 foot high wall around Texas and cut off all communication with the state, to help keep the moronity and lunacy from spreading.
Pelosi's getting with the program. For example, she just stated that any health reform bill "without a strong public option will not pass the House." She'll take hell for it - she always does, not just from the right, but also from us. How long will she continue to put herself in the fray without support even from those of us who ought to be supporting her?
I'm peeved about Obama's and the Democrats' lack of fortitude and fight. I write them about it all the time. But I'm not going to roll over and declare that it's hopeless as a result. We need to rally around not just our troops, but our leaders - and _they_ are our leaders, whatever their foibles and failings. We need to help them be the leaders we need them to be.
I heard on the news today that, statewide, Texas public schools will not present Obama's speech to students. Those here in Texas who oppose Obama's message are probably the same people who favor compulsory Bible study and prayer. Talk about indoctrination!
Indeed Carol! Can you imagine what the GOP would do if they had the majority the Democrats now enjoy? They would be disciplined and relentless in legislating their agenda, with nary a care about Democratic positions. By now Obama should know that bipartisanship is not in the GOP vocabulary, and that it's high time to get things done. Nancy and Harry need to get with the program too.
Sadly, I am afraid that vikinghou is spot on.
The hate for all things Obama -- and therefore, all things progressive -- is out of control and I agree that we will probably lose many seats in the next election.
I also agree that we, as Democrats, need to get our act together - quickly!
What depresses me is that, despite this type of craziness, the GOP will probably pick up seats during the next Congressional election. The US no longer has an educated and informed electorate, and the GOP leadership knows it. Democrats must take full advantage of their majorities in both houses before November 2010--before it's too late.
I am beginning to absolutely despise the GOP.
There is a political cartoon in today's chron that says it all: the rightwing is up in arms about the President of the United States speaking to children about the importance of getting a good education; about hard work; about being a good citizen.
George W. Bush read "My Pet Goat" while planes were being flown into the Twin Towers. But the fools had no problem with that.
Presidents have been speaking to children for decades. But the fools are up in arms with their hysteria.
I called my local school district and expressed my EXTREME anger and disgust with them (for giving the parents an "opt out"). I also sent emails and got a very snotty response.
We knew these idiots would be crazed after last November's election. Now their heads are exploding.
Everytime I think they can't be any dumber, they prove me wrong. And they're reproducing - and INDOCTRINATING THEIR CHILDREN into their blind hatred.
God help us. I fear for my country.
All we can hope for I guess, is that these "hate" people eventually will run out of the energy they are using up.... "to hate."
Such a waste of time and energy.
Of course... in the case of "Fox Noise" it's also profitable. So, it will continue.
Such a shame.
Just guessing... but if you look at the States, who spend the least to educate their kids, you will find a large part of this "hate" base.
Just sayin'
People who need to hear this address the most.... won't.