Somewhere, Joe McCarthy is smiling . . .
On today's Meet The Press, Rachel Maddow demanded to know whether Dick Armey was a member of a coalition with the Tea Party Patriots, a group she alleges to promote "violence." Moderator David Gregory joined in the cross-examination of Armey, head of Freedom Works.
DAVID GREGORY: So you repudiate the Nazi imagery and all of that: you repudiate that?Some observations:
DICK ARMEY: Absolutely.
GREGORY: That has no place in the debate?
ARMEY: As I said, I repudiated it when MoveOn.org did it to George Bush. Did anybody here at this table repudiate it?
RACHEL MADDOW: You're a member of the --
ARMEY: We've just heard that it's all right when MoveOn.org did it.
MADDOW: That's not true.
ARMEY: But it's not alright when anybody does it.
MADDOW: The Tea Party Patriots is an organization that your organization is a member of a coalition with. It's called the Tea Party Patriots Health Care Freedom Coalition Partner. That's what Freedom Works is, that's what Americans For Prosperity is. Tea Party Patriots, what they've got on their front page of their web site, the top item, is a video showing the violence at the town hall in Ybor City, in Tampa, Florida. Essentially promoting that as if that was a good thing that happened, that showed what the Health Care Freedom Coalition wants to happen in that debate. Freedom Works is part of that coalition. You can say that you denounce it but the organization that you head is part of it.
ARMEY: One of the fascinating things about the Tea Party movement is that it is an enormously impressive grassroots uprising across the country, loosely affiliated people. And there's probably 100, 200 websites by different people.
MADDOW: Are you a member of the Tea Party Patriots Health Care Freedom Coalition?
ARMEY: I'm a member of Freedom Works, and Freedom Works works with many people who fight for and argue on behalf of individual liberty.
By pressing Armey to repudiate "Nazi imagery," some viewers might have been led to think that ObamaCare protesters are turning up in brown shirts, etc. In fact, of course, some protesters have analogized Dem leaders to Nazis. You can debate the wisdom of the tactic, but this is just the opposite of using "Nazi imagery" to embrace it.
I'm not sure which video of Ybor City Maddow is referring to. The Tea Party web site has an entire page of videos, 39 of them. It includes this one of a demonstration in Tampa, but there is nothing vaguely violent about it. I did find another site with several videos from the event. While there is mutual finger-pointing aplenty, it seems clear that SEIU union members were at least as likely responsible for the brouhaha as anyone else. Morever, the protesters were angered about the fact that the Dem elected officials who organized the event used two doors: one to let in supporters, another apparently to keep out protesters. For Maddow to point the finger exclusively at the Tea Party is patently unfair.
Far from promoting violence, here are, from the Tea Party web site, its instructions to protesters:
- "It is important to make sure all attendees are aware that we are always to be respectful of other opinions and don't engage in shouting matches. We need to win by debating in a civilized manner and by being informed on the issues and ideas and not trying to out shout each other."
- "Assume that while you are out at any Tea Party Patriots event (even if it is not sponsored by TPP but could be linked back to TPP in some way) that you are being recorded. Everything your say or do could be used to attempt to paint Tea Party Patriots in a negative light by the opposition. Act accordingly."
So what's next for Maddow? A dramatic announcement, perhaps, that "I have in my pocket a list with the names of 205 Tea Party Patriots"?
Note: There is, of course, a significant difference between McCarthy and Maddow. The MSNBC host falsely paints the ObamaCare protest movement as riddled with violence, whereas the Wisconsin senator rightly alleged that there were many Communists in government at the time.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.




















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Welllll ... I wasn't aware
August 16, 2009 - 17:35 ET by QueenMumWelllll ... I wasn't aware of the finger pointing. Now that there is going a bit too far. Can't blame the SEIU for pushing back. (sarc off)
This interview should have taken place on the Comedy Channel. Even Maddow can't be taking her questions seriously. Ridiculous.
"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out
of other people's money."
—Margaret Thatcher
Where are People Like Armey Getting Their Advice?
August 16, 2009 - 19:36 ET by farstar99They shouldn't be legitimizing a digital party rag like MSNBC by going on in the first place!
Democrats need to be taught that they can't be Nazis and still pretend to be members of our society.
WE NEED TO SHUN THEM.
We need to let them know that - no, it is not all right to be what they are.
If their reporters attempt to speak to us, we should literally turn our backs on them.
We should be doing this in every aspect of our lives. Instead, we make nice with the Democrat couple across the street like nothing is happening and like their behavior is acceptable.They must be MARGINALIZED.
At a local parade, some Democrat jerk shouted obscenities at the GOP float and flipped them off. Some people quietly admonished him and thought that was enough. They were upset that there were kids right up front who saw and heard the whole thing. That, apparently, was too much. Everything else was okay.
Well, it's not okay. So when the Democrat float came by, I turned my back on it. As I looked around, others were doing it, too. Eventually people on both sides of the street had shunned them. THAT is what we should be doing.
Make MSNBC and CNN pariahs. Show the world they're not worth watching.
Meet the Press
August 16, 2009 - 20:12 ET by allanfUntil Repbulicans are prepared to say --- "The premise of your question is based on a lie, you are smearing good people" , they will be road kill for the leftist propagandists on the networks.
If they can float
August 16, 2009 - 20:47 ET by SnappyIf they can float advertising bans on shows like Beck etc then I see no reason why conservatives shouldnt respond in like form by merely not showing up for those networks. If they think their ratings are in the dumpster now, just wait till they have no guests of quality.
As usual...Maddow is a lying cow.
August 16, 2009 - 17:38 ET by superconhttp://teapartypatriots.org/
I saw no video of violence.
" if Republicans are able to stop Barack Obama on health care, 'it will be his Waterloo, it will break him...." -Sen. Jim DeMint
Maddow is a lying cow
August 16, 2009 - 17:55 ET by QueenMumMaddow is a lying cow -Eeyi, eeyi, oh.
Edited to add: Seriously. Maddow must have found all that finger-pointing just a bit too intense for her liberal sensitivities. Why, when you see a conservative pointing a finger at you, you'd better duck and cover. You know how much they love their guns. Finger-pointing is "code" for "I'm going to shoot you when we get outside."
How do people like Maddow live with themselves? Or have the powers-that-be convinced them that they're on some sort of scripted "reality" show where drama, intrigue, and pathos are the order of the day?
"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out
of other people's money."
—Margaret Thatcher
You're right!
August 16, 2009 - 19:17 ET by hockeytemperMoveOn.org did indeed produce an ad comparing Bush to Hitler!
All it took to find was about 5 seconds of research on You Tube.
You can watch it right here:
http://www.youtube.c...
Media Matters is already reporting that Maddow "corrected" Armey. We need to bring this all out lie out in the open and confront Maddow with her ignorance right away!
Wow...
August 16, 2009 - 20:36 ET by superconMaybe MSNBC doesn't have access to that thing you mentioned. What's it called again...Yoo tube...?
Not everyone is some sort of information finding, web surfing
e-detective like you. They are only a news company. Cut them some
slack.
" if Republicans are able to stop Barack Obama on health care, 'it will be his Waterloo, it will break him...." -Sen. Jim DeMint
I saw this exchange this
August 16, 2009 - 17:43 ET by bigtimerI saw this exchange this morning...Maddow was made the fool she is by Armey as far as I was concerned.
I couldn't take the whole thing when the interruptions started and kept going on intermittently...
What did make me angry, was to see Maddow there in the first place.
NBC will stop at nothing to promote their filthy leftist talking heads. ...ah heck, all agenda...it's all in the game.
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh
Bt, there is no reason to argue with these true believers...
August 16, 2009 - 18:27 ET by ThalpyBt, there is no reason to argue with these true believers; they'll not hear of it. There is no fact that you can provide them that will change their minds. On the one hand, they have belief, while on the other, we have reason--they will forever hold these beliefs dear, remaining horribly lost for the rest of their lives because truth has such little value to them unless it supports their orthodoxy. We must move beyond them and as David Swindle suggests, "find fertile leftist soil for conservative seed." What other choice do we have when dealing with people who find the truth unacceptable?
Afternoon Thalpy... Amen
August 16, 2009 - 18:30 ET by bigtimerAfternoon Thalpy...
Amen to every word in your post...especially your last two sentences.
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh
Wow, BT!
August 17, 2009 - 23:09 ET by DoktorFrankenSo much . . . justified hate delivered to such a deserving target.
Ditto.
Check out this story,
http://www.wbir.com/...
If you read everything that these subhumans have done it almost makes Maddow seem human.
Poor Rachel Maddow
August 16, 2009 - 18:01 ET by BondPlainBondBless her little, black, and hate-filled heart. So much ugly anger seeps through that perfect complexion.
perfect complexion
August 16, 2009 - 18:49 ET by jdlybrandWell Bond; there is that nasty little neck mole she sports... or is it just a really slow moving house fly?
"What a revoltin' development this is!"
Chester Riley
jdlybrand
August 17, 2009 - 01:40 ET by BondPlainBondHuh.... never noticed the slow-moving house fly on her neck before; makes sense, though... on what do flies prefer to alight?
*GRIN*
Flies?
August 17, 2009 - 23:51 ET by DoktorFranken''Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.''
the Other Marx
Hey Brownshirts !!
August 16, 2009 - 18:15 ET by Free StinkerHey Brownshirts !!
I, Free Stinker, have attended every Tea Party held in Morristown, NJ.
And I am going to do it again.
Job opportunity
August 16, 2009 - 18:24 ET by evilcontractorAt least as long as MSNBC stays on the air, liberals will always have a great job. No specific qualifications are required. Except: must look okay and say whatever Debtocratic Party and Kos tell you to. The other really good thing about the job is you can say whatever you want because nobody is watching.
www.btreasures.com
And David Gregory has such a
August 16, 2009 - 18:30 ET by d1carterAnd David Gregory had such a promising career...
rachel
August 16, 2009 - 19:04 ET by Jay in NHThe idiocy here is not so much Rachel's comportment and demeanor on the show, as the fact that she was on it to begin with. NBC and MSNBC are so committed to this cross promotion stuff, that it does not occur to the producers of the interview show that inviting this lunatic-fringe idealogue itself debases the program.
Is Rachel sportin' a
August 16, 2009 - 18:49 ET by BKeyserIs Rachel sportin' a comb-over?
Yep...she's been reverting
August 16, 2009 - 19:11 ET by bigtimerYep...she's been reverting to her normal look this last month..next up...she will remove her make-up like she used to present herself...then last but not least, back to her normal wardrobe she used to wear on the shows...talk about butch...let alone you ought to see those real football shoulders she sports on the really weird neck of hers.
I normally don't talk about a person like this, but for heaven's sake, been watching her since her beginning on the TV screen...she is portraying herself about as phony as they come....of course she fits right in with the rest of the leftist party when it comes to that.
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh
And Maddow isn't trying to
August 16, 2009 - 19:15 ET by balboaAnd Maddow isn't trying to ruin anyone's life with a witch hunt.
boa... her along with her
August 16, 2009 - 19:23 ET by bigtimerboa... her along with her ilk are desperately doing their best to silence millions of us via intimidation/fear tactics, this is exactly what the leftist hypocrites are screeching about...
Free assembly/free speech only applies to those on the left...the rest of us had better just shut the heck up and retreat.
I call it a witch hunt...she fits the bill.
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh
Who is Maddow
August 16, 2009 - 19:33 ET by balboaWho is Maddow intimidating?
And this is nowhere near McCarthyism. Nowhere.
→ Maddow?
August 16, 2009 - 19:40 ET by Cool ArrowShe's imitating someone whose agenda it is to front for the Obama Healthcare plan.
At that, she seems very adept.
But unlike her Right Wing counterparts, she does it on the public dime rather than the marketplace.
Were it not for the close association she and her Network enjoy with the Administration, she'd have no job.
She knows her parent company, GE, can contribute to the maiming and killing of US servicemen with impunity. That's a green light for suckup journalism if ever there was one.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
As an individual, I don't
August 16, 2009 - 19:52 ET by PeskyDaneAs an individual, I don't think she's very intimidating... I find her more clownish with her ernest expressions and her smarmy and condescending speech. Every time she speaks its like a combination of a high school debater and an avid reader of self-help books.
That's "imitating." I don't
August 16, 2009 - 19:57 ET by balboaThat's "imitating." I don't see Maddow "intimidating" anyone. She has no real power to do so.
Sure, I'll give you that
August 16, 2009 - 20:04 ET by general companyBut, its the thought that counts?
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
→ gc
August 16, 2009 - 20:16 ET by Cool ArrowI was just thrilled he didn't deny her affiliation with Government TARP money and the Company she works for.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Yep
August 16, 2009 - 20:26 ET by general companyEasy to see why they are Obama's propaganda machine, if they wernt Timmy might cut their pay
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Bal, I have seldom replied
August 16, 2009 - 21:53 ET by ConservativeRexBal, I have seldom replied to any of your post, I figure let you say what you will and watch everyone else skewer you. You mostly take in stride, which I appreciate.
But I have to agree with you on this issue. Maddow is nowhere near McCarthyism. She is 180 degress from Joseph McCarthy. You see, Bal, Joseph McCarthy was and remains correct. Whereas Maddow is a nothing, and will in history remain a nothing.
McCarthy may have been
August 17, 2009 - 09:32 ET by balboaMcCarthy may have been correct, but the way he went about it was despicable.
~Balboa
August 17, 2009 - 09:40 ET by choselife3xMcCarthy may have been correct, but the way he went about it was despicable.
Please elaborate.
Dissent: It's not just for liberals anymore.-kudzupolitics, USA Today
...and no one tried to
August 16, 2009 - 19:46 ET by PeskyDane...and no one tried to destroy the Palin family...
I vonder ...
August 16, 2009 - 19:17 ET by SentryDanI vonder vhat Rachel vould look like vith a small mustache under her nozin und she combed her hair down over the right part of her forehead?
Do you think she might give odl Adolph a run for his money?
Remember folks, Freedom isn't Free. It was bought with the blood and sacrifice of the men and women who are serving and who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
For those who fought for it, Freedom has a flavor that the protected will never know.
Also remember folks, that the way to SUPPORT THE TROOPS is to support their mission. Anyone who says that they support the troops but don't support their mission is lying about supporting the troops. And if you want to know, yes I do have a dog in the fight, he is a United States Marine.
SentryDan... I'm laughing
August 16, 2009 - 19:24 ET by bigtimerSentryDan...
I'm laughing here just picturing it...works for me!
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh
Of Course There Is!!!
August 16, 2009 - 19:27 ET by sic721"There is, of course, a significant difference between McCarthy and Maddow."
Yes, one of them has a penis and man-hands, and the other was a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin!
There was a Texas Ranger one time who said that there's no stopping a man who knows he's in the right and keeps a-coming.--Louis L'Amour
Well, since anyone who raises his or her voice...
August 16, 2009 - 19:37 ET by Prester John....is "un-American" by the standards of the Speaker of the House, I would imagine she will be re-establishing the House Unamerican Activities Committee.
Now then, who would be appropriate members of that committee?
Conyers of course, Kucinich, Barbara Lee, McDermott, Murtha....
How's that for a start?
You can add
August 16, 2009 - 20:02 ET by general companyDurbin, Read, Frank, and Boxer, oh and Pelosi .
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
And,
August 16, 2009 - 20:21 ET by UpNorthwe'll have to get Cynthia McKinney re-elected, she'd be a great Chairperson..
And for Bal, this definition of McCarthyism, from Wiki, hate to use them, but the evening is late and I'm tired. "The term is also now used more generally to describe reckless,
unsubstantiated accusations, as well as demagogic attacks on the
character or patriotism of political adversaries". Certainly applies to Reid, Pelousy, various House and Senate dems, and, yes, the president.
Forgot the most important one.
August 16, 2009 - 21:43 ET by pbthinkerYou forgot the real inquisitor, Henry Waxman, no committee like that would be complete without old Henry.
Election 2008-God's way of showing us that elections count.
3 Congressman and a liberal activist
August 16, 2009 - 20:12 ET by math4lifeWhy was Maddow on the panel? There were 2 Republican Congressmen, one Democrat former Senator, and Rachel. She is not a politician. She recited the same talking points (go after Republicans) that she always states on her show. When presented with the fact that Medicare is 47 trillion in the red, she never addresses that or any other fact. They should have allowed another Democrat to voice his or her thoughts, not that self-righteous hypocrite.
Why was Maddow there?
August 17, 2009 - 06:00 ET by SickofLibsOh, but Maddow is now a prominent national figure.
That and the fact the all the other NBC libtards probably blew town for the weekend.
And they wonder why they are viewed as a joke.
MadCow
August 17, 2009 - 07:16 ET by GeneralAlThey should have allowed another Democrat to voice his or her thoughts, not that self-righteous hypocrite. It wouldn't matter! Any Democrat would have recited the same lines. Democrats don't think for themselves, they recite out of a playbook updated daily by the Frat, er White House, Pelousy, Reid, and the DNC. If they don't, they can kiss it all good by! Can you say Zell Miller or Bob Trafficant?
Spin
August 16, 2009 - 20:55 ET by nkviking75Rachel Maddow on Meet the Press?
Tim Russert is spinning in his grave about now.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Only the dumb ones, Mark
August 16, 2009 - 21:16 ET by nwahsBy pressing Armey to repudiate "Nazi imagery," some viewers might have
been led to think that ObamaCare protesters are turning up in brown
shirts, etc. In fact, of course, some protesters have analogized Dem leaders
to Nazis. You can debate the wisdom of the tactic, but this is just
the opposite of using "Nazi imagery" to embrace it.
Only the absolutely dumb ones, Mark. The ones with double digit IQ's will probably understand its wrong to haphazardly invoke Third Reich parallels with something you disagree with, no matter who the hell you are - right or left. The corrupt ones will defend it.
Let me tell you a story, Mark. When I was child and my siblings and I would come home from school, my mother would make us do our homework before going outside. I remember one of my brothers saying "its not fair, all the other kids are outside playing."
My mother said that most of the time, doing the right thing is harder than doing the wrong thing. Its not about fair. Its about right.
How about dropping the "tit for tat" childish crap and try "better for tat" or "right for tat" ?
I am the mob. Don't tread on me.
→ nwahs
August 16, 2009 - 21:19 ET by Cool ArrowThose other kids that got to play outside while you were doing your homework are today's Liberals.
The world still owes them a living and free healthcare.
Favorite words are "if only"
It's easy to buy into the "imagery" as long as it explains one's own shortcomings.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
TEA Party
August 16, 2009 - 21:18 ET by justbob223Armey should have replied, "Hell, yes, I'm a member of the TEA Party Coalition! What are you going to do about it?"
Meet the Press is going down the tubes.
August 16, 2009 - 21:32 ET by pbthinkerYou couldn't watch David Gregory, when he was the grand inquisitor at the White House, and not know his politics. When I heard he was going to be the host of Meet the Press, my gut told me he wouldn't be any different. I did give him the benefit of the doubt, and watched a few shows. When I saw that he would put on 3 liberals against one conservative, during the discussions at the end of the show, I knew the show had changed. When I saw the questions come out of him, I knew the show had changed.
By bringing in Rachel Maddow to represent one side of the debate with Dick Armey, first you know he had an agenda because Dick Armey's organization has been accused of organizing the town hall protesters. I would think that, by now, most people realize that didn't happen (except for Gregory and Maddow of course) but that didn't stop this from happening.
Rachel Maddow has no business on a legitimate news show. That being said, I guess it's alright for her to be on Meet the Press. I seriously doubt Tim Russert would have even thought of having her on which shows how far down the show has gone.
Election 2008-God's way of showing us that elections count.
Meet the Press
August 16, 2009 - 22:04 ET by blazermaniacIt officially went down the tubes, the minute Tim Russert passed away. Although a liberal, at least Tim Russert was fair to his guests and allowed them to speak. Just the fact that Meet The Press has Rachel Maddow on proves that this show has no hope at all. Why doesn't Meet the Press next week have Maddow, Olbermann, Matthews & Shuster as panelists? That would be a comedy of errors.
Did I miss a meeting again?
August 16, 2009 - 22:26 ET by JWFWho is advocating violence? There has been little in the way of violence in the town halls or tea party protests. Take out the SEIU and you can say none. Nor was the original Boston tea party violent.
Nor has there been a plethora of nazi images. There were a few on signs, all of them anti-nazi. No one anywhere that I have seen advocates naziism. So what exactly would there be to repudiate?
Here is the core principles on the Tea Party Patriots webpage - fiscal responsibility, limited government, free market, poundin' on hippies.
Ok, the hippies part was all me. The rest though don't sound all that bad.
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
Re Violence
August 17, 2009 - 11:07 ET by slickwillie2001There was not a trace of violence until the Bamster ordered in his SSEIU goons. Their mission was clear, –block, disrupt, displace, overwhelm and intimidate. Thuggish unions like the SSEIU have a decades-long history of that kind of activity. In many cases it's how companies became unionized in the first place.
One union, under Obama
August 17, 2009 - 11:16 ET by QueenMumYa know what really ticks me off slick? It's the fact that people who are forced into unions in order to obtain a job are also forced to pay the union dues which fund these goon squads.
There's a small rubber shop in my area that is not unionized. Pickets have been outside the shop for about 6 months now. These are people who are paid by whatever union it is to sit around outside holding signs and waving at passersby on a daily basis. They are not employees of this shop. Picketing for the union is a full-time job for them. In fact, they take weekends and holidays off. They've picketed this shop in the past for at least a year at a time.
"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out
of other people's money."
—Margaret Thatcher
Re Unions
August 17, 2009 - 15:17 ET by slickwillie2001Agreed, my absolute burning hatred for unions is of their leaders, organizers, tactics, supporters and the laws that have allowed the corrupt relationship between unions and government to thrive. I do understand though that there are plenty of good folks that are stuck in unions because they have no choice.
When Republicans get back into power to any significant extent, the corrupt special interests in the form of the unions must be addressed. They have far too much power over government. Take Eisenhower's warnings about the military-industrial complex and substitute the unions.
Madcow sounds like she's reciting DailyKos....
August 17, 2009 - 00:51 ET by OxyCon...or one of the other far left moonbat websites which are full of despicable people.
Joe McCarthy
August 17, 2009 - 07:07 ET by GeneralAlThe interesting thing about Joe McCarthy, besides that he was right about Communist in the government, is that Robert F. Kennedy was on his staff! Bobby was as big a Commie hunter as Uncle Joe! Hmmmm! How come we never hear about Kennedyism?
eye of beholder
August 17, 2009 - 08:07 ET by CatherwoodThat Maddow is one tough dude is he not?
August 17, 2009 - 10:41 ET by jessieHHere is a list of the violent parties. ACORN, MOVE-ON.ORG, SEIU, COLOUR of CHANGE, ect.,ect.. Now a list of instigators. OBAMA, PELOSI, BOXER, HOYER, SPECTER, WAXMANN, the DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS, the REPUBLICAN SENATE, the ILLEGAL CZARS, MSNBC, CBS, CNN, ABC ect., ect.. Maddow is un informed on the truth. Or he/she is just lying.....
Again I will type it. There
August 17, 2009 - 17:46 ET by The Peoples DJAgain I will type it. There are more people reading this post right here than watches that dumb _itch's show every night.