For eight years in America, protest was in and all the cool kids did it. We had flamboyantly dressed Code Pinkers demonstrating at conventions and in sessions of Congress, calling Marine recruiters “traitors” and protesting wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Then there were the crazies from Acorn stalking Wall Street executives at their homes. And anti-war lefty Cindy Sheehan got so much news coverage from the major networks and top newspapers that they practically had to create a bureau to handle her antics.
Through it all, the left whined that President George Bush was a fascist – with “BusHitler” a common term among the foam-at-mouth Birkenstock set. (Google Bush and Hitler and you’ll get more than 1 million hits including a bunch of Photoshopped images of Bush in a Nazi uniform with a Hitler mustache.) We were supposed to bear with it. Dissent was patriotic we were told. Those hate-spewing anti-war activists really loved our soldiers – especially when they were mocking the war right outside a veteran’s hospital. And the endless stream of Nazi comparisons were just free speech, after all.
That all happened before January 20, when the left, along with their supporters in the news media, decided protest and dissent were suddenly unpatriotic. Welcome to hypocrisy, the millennial edition. Now everything said or done in those eight years is forgotten. America has a blank slate to build hope and change under Obama, so we are told.
Don’t dare criticize him, knock his policies or voice your opinion. Do it and you are called “mobs” or racist by the media and treated as scary forces of hate reminiscent of Waco, the Klan or Nazis. (Cue Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for one of the most idiotic statements of this or any century by linking protesters to Nazis. And she followed that by saying they’re also “un-American.”)
For the rest of this op-ed, please go to www.businessandmedia.org or click on this link.
—Dan Gainor is vice president for Business and Culture at the Media Research Center.
Editor at Large
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?
August 12, 2009 - 09:28 ET by mattmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJxmpTMGhU0
Thank you for the link!
August 12, 2009 - 09:33 ET by Free StinkerThank you for the link!
O-CARE: NOW THE DISTRACTION PHASE
August 12, 2009 - 11:39 ET by reelman46O-CARE: NOW THE DEM DISTRACTION PHASE
Now that serious voters have actually read the bill, driven some
distance to t-hall meetings, asked questions, refused to be snowed or
ignored…the democrat media machine will go true to form. Its time to
distract and smear. Anything to avoid actual real legit answers to
voter questions. So now we see the fawning biased media suckered into
reporting demo-thugs and plants as somehow coming from conservatives or
blaming conservatives. No praise as the many years when the loud
lefties had their “rent a mobs” all over TV. It was noble and American
then to disagree.
Now we will see more demo-plants into t-halls, demo union thug
plants into t-halls and name-calling media smears. Anything to avoid
legit answers to voter questions. Cancel meetings, have meetings by
phone, have one-on-one-no-witnesses or cameras meetings, call voters
names and pronounce them disrespectful (disrespectful of a congress
with approval ratings under 20% year after year) rude meanies not
worthy of the presence of congressional royalty. This is the same
congress that does not read trillion dollar bills, wants to count
illegals in the census and give the HC while borrowing trillions from
the chinese to buy votes. This is the congress of a broke nation now
attempting to rule your life in the most intimate way via tens of
thousands of medical bureaucrats (Britain has 1.5 million of them).
No, they won’t do medical tort reform or portability reform or
multi-state plan reform. The corker is congress and federal employees
are exempt from the O-care Plan.
So you wonder why there is anger? Give us all a break. The voters have
been patient for too many years. Enough. Answer WE THE PEOPLE.
Doug Schexnayder, Ph.D. (theconservativecrawfish)
Matt
August 12, 2009 - 15:12 ET by DoktorFrankenThank you for the reminder of why I read transcripts of Hillary rather than listen to that 'nails on the chalkboard' voice.
The press will protest the protesting from now forward...
August 12, 2009 - 09:28 ET by JTPThis is their presidency on the line as well as Obama's. They have done everything in their power to get this man in office and will do all in their power to prop him up and protect him. His failure is their failure and that can not come to pass for it will be the downfall of their business and ideals. They believe that the great unwashed still have belief in what they say and will follow them and their leader to the promised land. The press can not and will not be fair simply to protect themselves from the failure that is inevitably coming to them.
"Live for yourself...there's no one else more worth living for.
Begging hands and bleeding hearts will only cry out for more"- Rush--Anthem
Careful with the analogy
August 12, 2009 - 09:31 ET by KC MulvilleWe don't want to argue that our crazies have just as much right to protest as their crazies. These town hall protests aren't by crazies. I know the argument you're making, though, is that if the crazies have the right to protest, then so too do ordinary citizens.
We can't reward Democrats for their double-standard. One of the most important principles in game theory is that you can't reward people when they don't cooperate. You have to make cheating unprofitable. There has to be a cost, or they'll do it constantly. We can't forget that Democrats want to protest and march and grab media attention, but deny that anyone else has the same right.
A few years ago, when the Republicans were the majority, there was a huge debate about changing the rules - remember the "nuclear option?" The Republicans got fed up with the Democrats' obstruction, and debated whether to change the rules to go to a simple 51 vote majority instead of a 2/3 vote. It all was bypassed when the John McCain and the Gang of 14 started, because they all said that it would be a terrible day for democracy if they went to the nuclear option.
Does anybody, for a moment, doubt that the Democrats will use the nuclear option if given the slightest chance? And that Nancy Pelosi won't blink to use it? OK, she's blinking all the time (who fitted her for contact lenses?), but you get my point.
KCMulville
August 12, 2009 - 09:44 ET by east tennessee johnThey are planning to use it if for no other reason to give cover to any of their Senators who are from red or purple states. They don't miss a trick, since they invented most of them. The fawning white guilt media with its investment in BO will play their part and change the focus, by their stories, from the "bill"" to the protestors. The only time the "bill" will be mentioned is in a favorable light, dissent will be charatrize as "crazy extremeism" . Alinsky rules. 2010 is our last chance. Better take when we can.
The roles have just
August 12, 2009 - 10:40 ET by nwahsThe roles have just reversed. Those who thought it was wrong when protesters used Hitler imagery against Bush, probably think its wrong to use Hitler imagery in this debate. Hypocrites probably decide by which side is doing it.
I am the mob. Don't tread on me.
I don't think it's wrong to
August 12, 2009 - 11:10 ET by mattmI don't think it's wrong to use Hitler imagery when it fits.
The problem is that when the left does it to republicans, it doesn't fit. Republicans are for liberty, free-markets and constitutional government which is accountable to the people.
The Democrats are for big government, welfare before liberty and government which rules over the people. Both the Nazi Party and the Democratic Party promote a large and powerful centralized government.
Therefore, IF the Hitler comparisons are valid at all, they are only valid when applied to people whose policies are similar to nazism. Comparisons to Stalin and Mao may also be in order...
Re when it fits
August 12, 2009 - 11:46 ET by slickwillie2001The whole reason that they can get away with associating Hitler with Republicans is the fiction that Nazism and Fascism lies on the right side of the political spectrum. As explained by many scholars including Jonah Goldberg, Soviet communists created that fiction in the 1930's with the help of the Western media to dissociate themselves from the Nazis.
"You and I are told we must
August 12, 2009 - 13:03 ET by mattm"You and I are told we must choose between a left or right, but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down. Up to man's age-old dream -- the maximum of individual freedom consistent with order -- or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism." - Ronald Reagan
Liberal tolerance on
August 12, 2009 - 10:51 ET by wiwfLiberal tolerance on parade.
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
August 12, 2009 - 11:02 ET by jessieHI have no doubt that Nancy Pelosi will win the next DARWIN award. This is what happens when you turn your back on children. If you ask "who did it" they always blame the others.
The more things change the
August 12, 2009 - 11:43 ET by 24enakThe more things change the more they stay the same. When Bush was in office fringe lefties called him Hitler. And Anti-war protesters were Un-American. Now that the roles are reversed the only thing that has changed is which said is doing the name calling. http://www.hulu.com/watch/88936/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-healther-skelter
Drowing out others at the town hall protesters empedes the freedom of speech of others. Asking tough questions or opposing the health care bill isn't un-american and no one is calling it that. The problem many have is the nonsense questions about 'death panels' legitimate questions should be asked.
Nancy Pelosi comments weren't idiotic they were the truth. Some of the protesters were carrying swastikas. The protesters that were carrying Nazi symbols link themselves to Nazis. Pelosi also never said that the protesters were "un-American" she said. "Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American."
In the words of a wise women. "So how about in honor of the American solider you quit making things up?"
Its like a pathetic game of
August 12, 2009 - 11:59 ET by nwahsIts like a pathetic game of tag.
I am the mob. Don't tread on me.
Pelosi's incendiary comment was idiotic, and untrue
August 12, 2009 - 12:17 ET by SickofLibsOn "Nazis" via HotAir: "Obama-Hitler-poster-holding black guy at Town Hall busted as Dingell plant"
Pelosi: American who protest loudly are un-American, but illegals are "very, very patriotic", and enforcing our immigration laws is un-American.
Ultra-lib and Olbermann pal Geno Robinson: Hmm, on second thought, Palin is right about those death panels.
You just may be one of the maybe 200 people left in the US who thinks Pelosi speaks the truth... about anything.
Looks like idiot popped his head out again
August 12, 2009 - 14:06 ET by JWFWhat happened Skippy? Things were looking up and you slid right back down to idiot again.
The more things change the more they stay the same. - No Skippy. We are talking about statements coming from Elected Democrat Officials. Not individuals like you and I. Elected Democrat Officials whined for 8 years that dissent was patriotic. Now the dissent is directed to them, Elected Democrat Officials have done a 180. Elected Democrat Officials Skippy. Stop being a mouthpiece for the hack Stewart.
which said is doing the name calling - side Skippy side.
Drowing out others at the town hall protesters empedes - Drowning Skippy. Impedes Skippy. Dear Sweet mana from heaven. At least keep it down to one idiot per sentence, idiot.
Nancy Pelosi comments weren't idiotic they were the truth. - Yes, they are Skippy. She could be your sister. You do not talk about voters, you talk to them.
Some of the protesters were carrying swastikas. - A single protester had a sign with the No symbol (circle with a line over it) over a nazi symbol. ONE Skippy. One is not some. Learn the difference.
The protesters that were carrying Nazi symbols link themselves to Nazis. - Huh?
Pelosi also never said that the protesters were "un-American" she said... The man said link idiot. Read the article again. Skippy whips out the Straw man arguments with an alarming regularity.
Finally, it is called a comma. Use it. It is right next to the period on the keyboard. And for heaven's sake, FILL OUT THE SUBJECT LINE. We are not IM buddies here.
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
"The problem many have is
August 12, 2009 - 19:38 ET by ckc1227"The problem many have is the nonsense questions about 'death panels' legitimate questions should be asked."
So we have another idiot like Obama who doesn't understand metaphor. By the way, wasn't it Obama who said we should send folks home with a pain pill instead of life saving surgery? Wasn't it Oregon that refused to pay for life extending treatment, but offered to pay for assisted suicide?
No, no death panels at all. Let's all put our heads in the sand because 24 and a few others choose to be uninformed idiots.
"Pelosi also never said that the protesters were "un-American" she said. "Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American."
Ok, then Democrats and Obama aren't Nazis, they just act like Nazis. How's that work for ya? As if Nanci Pelosi knows a damn thing about what it means to be American.
And could you and Nancy the shrew mischaracterize what's happening at these town halls just a little more? It's not like folks there spend the entire time "drowning out opposing views". When it happens, it usually because they've gotten tired of hearing lie after lie for an hour or so from some condescending politician who thinks it's his/her job to steal money from people, to attack private industry and to destroy the health care system because he knows what's best for them. They should be drowned out. They get enough unopposed propaganda time on the MSM already. Maybe if they get drowned out enough they'll wake up stop peddling this crap.
Damn, if the government doing it's best to destroy everything this country stands for isn't reason enough to get a little loud, I don't know what is.
A journalist throwing a
August 12, 2009 - 12:14 ET by JerryA journalist throwing a shoe at the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES was a beautiful example of the freedom to dissent just a year ago. Now, any type of disagreement with the President is considered to be racism or bigotry or hatred.
Angry, destructive mobs were just voices of citizens struggling to be heard. Now the voices of citizens struggling to be heard are just angry, destructive mobs.
Organized rabble rousers were labeled as grass roots movements. Now grass roots movements are labeled as organized rabble rousers.
How could a party have such a perverted ideological essence?
How could a people be so easily fooled, lining up to buy the same snake oil that they have been sold for so many years?
We were warned that a day would come when good would be called evil and evil would be called good. If we aren't there yet, we are definitely in the same zip code.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
I guess we're just the wrong kind of Americans
August 12, 2009 - 15:27 ET by DoktorFrankenWe should release state secrets regarding our military and put them in jeopardy. We should belittle the people that brought us, with their lives, the right of free speech. We should tear down a financial systems that gave us the luxury and ability to protest against it. We should take the side of the enemy while demonizing ones who fight them. We should forget that, while our country is not perfect, it has continually changed for the better - obliterating the evils that were part of our worst history. We should also put murderous dictators in a place of honor. We should sit back and let the most non-American in history of this country become president. We should also aide and abet the destruction of our culture and country.
Or we could remain Conservative and shun the Left. That's my kind of America.
Unfinished Sentences
August 12, 2009 - 21:35 ET by ghblogI am starting to think that politicians are really telling us the truth, just not the whole truth. They leave out the end of their sentences so they will sound thoughful.
http://www.framingthedialogue.com/archives/the-unfinished-sentence/
Dan hit the nail on the head
August 13, 2009 - 01:59 ET by JoePhoneMonkeyDan's comparison of the two sides' comparison with regard to debate, rallying and protest was so correct, it was almost scary.
Too many times have I tried to have frank discussions with those who are on either the extreme left or right of the fence and can't get a "yes"/"no" answer out of them without deflection rhetoric being jammed in my face.
One thing about the hard hearted right folk is that they've forgotten the term "Compassionate Conservatism", that in essence, some folks are in a hole so deep they need some help. In the case of bleeding heart left folk, they come across as though they flunked world history and never knew the Nazis were the "National Socialist Party".
Go figure....