Graffiti and political portraits on a doorway, Amsterdam.
Just when you think right-wing Republicans can't get any more uncooperative, vindictive, or obstructive, this happens. I've said it before: these politicians only support democracy if they get their own way. And believing the rules apply only to ONE party isn't democracy; that's fascism.
It's too bad these people continue to resort to childish shouting matches and intimidation in attempts to silence reason and dissent. Guess these particular American citizens don't believe in free speech, nor do they care about the good of the country; otherwise, they'd be trying to help solve our problems, not create more. Pathetic.
From the Associated Press:
"He's become a publicity nightmare for CNN, embarrassed his boss and hosted a show that seemed to contradict the network's "no bias" brand. And on top of all that, his ratings are slipping.How does Lou Dobbs keep his job?!"
Even as the cable network's reputation continues to deteriorate, CNN management still supports Dobbs - and won't air a Media Matters ad criticising Dobbs' erroneous and misleading statements. Where I grew up in the South, we have an expression, "If enough people tell you you're drunk, you'd better sit down."
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRESIDENT OBAMA!!!!
Tara - Muchas gracias for the link & the heads up!
Posted by: Debi | 07 August 2009 at 07:18
Tara - Thanks for responding. I've been googling a bit while I had time this afternoon and have found several articles from 2005 when the Republicans were running from town hall meetings, shouted down by those who disagreed with them, backed by MoveOn.org (who made no attempt to hide the fact). So politics as usual by both sides.
Still, my big concern is the Whitehouse's call for names to be "turned in". Even if it is honestly just a call for relaying false information, President Obama still has not said what will be done with that information. When questioned about this at the W.H. press briefing (yesterday, I believe), Robert Gibbs laughed it off, made a joke.
Not a joke to many, many people, who are concerned about health care reform, not because they believe some of the silliness spread about, but because they believe it is more/too much encroachment by the Federal Government into private lives. This "flag@whitehouse.gov" feels like more of the same, but scarier, more sinister. "A tactic used by the Obama campaign to knock down false rumors & get out the facts." We are back to the same question. Exactly how was that knocking down accomplished? Did they call people? Email them? Pay them a personal visit? And if yes to any of those, then what?
This is no longer a campaign - this is the leader of our country asking people to let him know if they hear anything they feel is false or wrong, asking them to tell him who's saying these things. He isn't just asking for the names of the shouters, he's asking for the names of the e-mailers, the people engaged in casual conversations. It still feels as if dissent has suddenly become very unpatriotic.
Thanks again for the response.
Posted by: Debi | 07 August 2009 at 02:14
Debi, the White House has responded to your fears: http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/08/nobody-is-collecting-names-white-house-responds-to-charge-its-monitoring-speech-of-health-care-refor.html
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 07 August 2009 at 01:55
No doubt money has a lot to do with it - money or the lack of it seems to be running everything in America these days. But because of the disinformation about healthcare - which receives way too much airtime - and because too many people don't bother to read and find out the truth for themselves - it seems many, many people simply won't support healthcare for every American. It's a shame that the truth is so hard to find in mainstream media these days. What's even worse is that too many people are apathetic and don't care about quality healthcare or having insurance options - which should be a basic human right - until something bad happens to them or a family member. Too many people (including certain Congressmen) just let themselves be railroaded by insurance industry lobbyists. Yes, it all comes back to money; not concern for the welfare of individuals.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 06 August 2009 at 19:17
Debi, I think you're reading too much into the call for relaying false or disinformation to the White House. This was a tactic used in the Obama campaign to knock down false rumors spread by the opposition and get out the facts. There are many, many false rumors and disinformation about health care and every other subject under the sun. That's why non-partisan groups like Media Matters exist - to sift through the chaff and report the actual facts. The Republicans have been spreading a lot of false information and disrupting town halls is the least of their tactics. The best article I've read about shooting down false information is Mike Madden's article in today's Salon http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2009/08/06/healthcare/?source=newsletter. Whatever one's views about healthcare for all, every voice has the right to be heard, without being shouted down or intimidated.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 06 August 2009 at 19:06
I have come back to this post many times, reading it, re-reading it, reading the responses & comments. I know everyone here to be good people, but I admit this bothers me. This is America, these people are allowed to voice their opinions, as so many did against President Bush when he was in power. I watched many protests against Bush that were quite despicable - signs comparing him to Hitler, screaming he was a terrorist, etc., etc. Dissent was said to be the ultimate goal of a democracy. But now? Now I feel uneasy. Dissent is no longer deemed patriotic - in fact we have a Whitehouse who has issued this on their website: "There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov."
Casual conversation, emails, rumors? The federal government to be notified? This is very, very scary to me. This seems very much more about silencing dissent than anything people at a town hall meeting cound come up with. There is nothing said about what the Whitehouse plans to do with any names once they receive them. Will there be emails to these people, knocks on their doors, a list compiled? What is the purpose of this?
Free speech?
Posted by: Debi | 06 August 2009 at 18:15
[He] was endowed with a stupidity which by the least little stretch would go around the globe four times and tie.
- Mark Twain in Eruption
Amén.
Happy Birthday to a fellow Leo, Mr. President.
Posted by: Allegra | 04 August 2009 at 19:59
I'm telling ya! Lou needs to sit down! So sad he is going to be remembered for this type of ranting.
Happy Birthday indeed, to Mr. President.
: )
Posted by: Christina | 04 August 2009 at 18:55
"If enough people tell you you're drunk, you'd better sit down."
Love it. I've not heard that one before.
Posted by: ally bean | 04 August 2009 at 16:27
Sounds so reminiscent of nazi tactics, that it makes my skin crawl. It is behaviour like this that leaves me ready to believe all of Stone's JFK.
Is it so threatening to some Americans that others might have universal healthcare? Makes me wonder if the threat is about the level of money that is being made by health insurance companies.
Came to the UK to work in the NHS and I feel passionate about health care for all, if we want a healthy society, not to mention a healthy economy, we need a universal health system.
Posted by: ainelivia | 04 August 2009 at 09:42
Happy Birthday to our President. I cannot even comment on this, it is so infuriating.
Posted by: Yoli | 04 August 2009 at 06:11
BTW, Tara...love that photo. It's fabulous!
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | 04 August 2009 at 03:53
Oh you and Julian will get along famously. Both of you despise dear Lou.
Happy Birthday Barack!!! Whoot!! Have a Bud Light on the White House lawn on me! lol xo
The Republicans tended to act this way during the election...I vividly recall your posts about it. Time they grew up and cooperated like a good sibling!!!
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | 04 August 2009 at 03:52