AARP the Magazine boasts a circulation that's seven times greater than that of Time. For the first half of this year, AARP the Magazine's circulation averaged more than 24 million copies.
AARP claims it's a "nonpartisan organization," an assertion increasingly challenged by senior citizens. The magazine's September-October issue may give members more evidence for that conclusion. It carries a cover story on rocker Bruce Springsteen, prominent in the presidential campaigns of both Barack Obama and John Kerry. The piece is adulatory, noting that Springsteen at his upcoming concerts "will play several roles - hero, leader, preacher, rebel - the performances unfolding like a novel."
The magazine devotes several pages to observations from his friends. One is liberal activist Bonnie Raitt:
It was an incredible boost when Bruce committed to joining the No Nukes concerts. From the groundbreaking Amnesty International tour, to helping stop Contra aid in the '80s, to a steady stream of benefits, I don't know if any American artist has made as profound a difference.
Story Continues Below Ad ↓
Other Springsteen friends quoted are author Ron Kovic, Jersey Girl and "truth commission" advocate Kristen Breitweiser, and Senator John Kerry, who states of the singer: "In good times and bad, he had my back. . ."
In another article, "Jill Biden's 'Acts of Kindness,'" the vice president's wife is interviewed. It starts:
Last spring President Barack Obama signed a $5.7 billion bill that, among other things, provides stipends and scholarships to citizens over 55 who contribute their skills and time to communities in need.
We're relieved to learn that Jill "Biden has emerged, along with First Lady Michelle Obama, as one of the more visible and enthusiastic foot soldiers for the White House in its campaign to encourage Americans to give back."
It's good the Biden's are giving something back. In 2007 and with an adjusted gross income of more than $300,000, the Bidens gave a paltry $995 to charity.
A third piece, "The New Patriotism," begins:
Presidents since Lincoln have urged us to follow our "better angels." Now Barack Obama's call for national service is inspiring a new era of people helping people.
If the Stars and Stripes are the truest symbol of national pride, then patriotism seems to be flying high. You can feel it as much as see it. At coffee bars in Seattle, in midwestern farm communities, on college campuses, in New York City subways, Americans from all walks of life - old, young, white, black, Republican and Democratic - are fervently, happily, waving the flag, both literally and figuratively, and bursting with a renewed spirit that is helping redefine what it means to be a patriot.
After several more sentences of recounting the pure joy, "a welcome shift in mood," we're told it's "fueled in part by President Barack Obama's resonant and reiterated call to service. . . "
AARP the Magazine doesn't devote all its pages to promoting Obama, of course. It also carries vital news, like informing its readers that "The Norman Lear Collection" is now available on DVD.
Two weeks ago, CBS News reported up to 60,000 people had canceled their AARP memberships since July 1; these were attributed to AARP's position on health care reform. AARP the Magazine and its fawning coverage of Obama and other liberals aren't likely to draw these former members back.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
→ No Nukes
August 31, 2009 - 23:22 ET by Cool ArrowAre we to believe the elderly would rather freeze to death than warm their homes with nuclear power?
AARP doesn't look any better in that leather jacket and swim trunks than Fonzie did.
We will Barry you! - Russian prophecy
Right on!
August 31, 2009 - 23:58 ET by Scout FinchAARP doesn't look any better in that leather jacket and swim trunks than Fonzie did.
About as *hott* as Al Gore packing a sock in his pants on the cover of Rolling Stone. Blecchh!
→ Scout
September 1, 2009 - 00:02 ET by Cool ArrowThat was a sweet potato, wasn't it?
We will Barry you! - Russian prophecy
Was that a banana in his pants?
September 1, 2009 - 00:07 ET by Scout FinchOr was he just proud and, er, *cocky*, about appearing on the *cover of Rolling Stone*?
"On the cover of Rolling Stone..."
September 1, 2009 - 02:03 ET by Indiana Joe"We sing about beauty and we sing about truth... at $10,000 a show."
I think AG's rates are adjusted for inflation.
"Of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people, commencing demagogues and ending tyrants." - Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 1
No, no, I revealed the
September 1, 2009 - 05:17 ET by motherbeltNo, no, I revealed the secret a couple of days ago.....well, Don't Feed the Trolls provided the hint, with his "brief safe" comment here
PS: RS later admitted the photo was airbrushed (shocked the heck out of me, I tell you!)
bogus
August 31, 2009 - 23:27 ET by seesalrunthey lost a tad more, as my rural flyover Country mother told them to stick it, and I as an approaching potential member will only shred their shrill and mail it back in their postage paid envelope.
Start backtracking....and redacting... and... and...AARP you are done.
good idea
September 1, 2009 - 07:31 ET by AJBThanks for the idea. I keep getting their solicitations and I'll do what you suggest. I'll write NO LIBERALS on a sheet of paper, then stuff the envelope with their torn material and drop back in my mailbox.
I had thought there was an attempt to get a conservative AARP going. Too bad the acronym CARP wouldn't be a good selling tool :-)
Exactly
September 1, 2009 - 09:14 ET by doug1950what I did yesterday. I have been getting their "temporary" membership cards for years and I have been just throwing them in the trash. I got one last week, send it through the shredder, wrote in big red letters on their application to leave me the hell alone and mailed it back to them in their own envelope.
AARP
August 31, 2009 - 23:36 ET by brain trustI got my first invitation to join last week. I sent back the billing invoice with "When hell freezes over" written on it. Democrat hacks!
Before we have a government that can supply us with everything we will have a government that can provide us with nothing.
Me too, bt
September 1, 2009 - 00:13 ET by SeftonI've gotten two invitations (membership card and the works) in the last month and I only opened them so they'd fit in the shredder easier.
I don't even bring mine in
September 1, 2009 - 05:21 ET by motherbeltI don't even bring mine in the house....I throw them in the recycle bin in the garage on the way in from the mailbox.
How can any org. that solicits members at 50 years old, in their peak earning years, call itself a rep. of "retired persons"...and btw, what the hell ever happened to the word "people"??????
OK I'm done now.
hmmm
September 1, 2009 - 07:07 ET by nwahsI throw them in the recycle bin in the garage on the way in from the mailbox.
Closet liberal...
:)
"O..L..I..G..A..R..H.. one letter is missing."- Glenn Beck
I am not a member of the
August 31, 2009 - 23:46 ET by Seabeach4348I am not a member of the AARP, nor do I ever intend to become one. And I personally know three people who have canceled their membership primarily because of the AARP's position on state controlled health care.
<<Now Barack Obama's call for national service is inspiring a new era of people helping people.>>
So are we to come away with the myth that people never helped one another until the Kenyan Village Idiot inspired them to do so? I'm certain that the scum and perverts in the MSM will be slobbering over this shortly.
And honestly who gives a rat's butt about Bruce Springsteen's view of the world. Sorry, but he didn't change a thing.
I must say that he is consistent: he always backs the wrong guy.
Ok, I get that Democrats are
August 31, 2009 - 23:53 ET by arkansaszippersOk, I get that Democrats are the enemy here, but I wouldn't say Barack Obama is a "village idiot," regardless of how you might feel about his views.
→ Agreed zippers
August 31, 2009 - 23:59 ET by Cool ArrowIf he were an idiot, he wouldn't simultaneously have my disdain and your worship.
I'm doing everything I can to insulate myself against the storm he's brewing up in this melting pot.
I suggest you steel yourself against it also, when you find out everything you know is wrong.
We will Barry you! - Russian prophecy
Just because I'm not a
September 1, 2009 - 07:45 ET by arkansaszippersJust because I'm not a far-right extremist doesn't mean I worship everybody on the other side. I'm just saying, he's not some kind of brainless moron; you just don't agree with his political views.
ARzippers,
September 1, 2009 - 08:27 ET by AgnosticYou're right he is not a moron. He has taken ideas from some of the most brilliant and active minds in history and modern day activism and put together a team of sychophants who together with a complacent media are pushing the failed ideas of great thinkers like Marx, Lenin, Mao and one who should be talked about more Machiavelli. The modern day wannabe thinkers who are nothing more than regurgitated socialist screaming victimhood are in full compliance and offering their support; Ayers, Abunimah, Wright, Gates, Khalidi(?), Minow, Pfleger, Klonsky, Davidson, Rudd, Darling-Hammond, Ladson-Billings, Melody Barnes (here is a strong connection to Soros.
By
A person may be won over with logic and reason but the masses must be bought with spectacle and platitudes. - 2008 Elections
dup1
September 1, 2009 - 08:28 ET by Agnosticdup1
dup2
September 1, 2009 - 08:29 ET by AgnosticDup2
dup3
September 1, 2009 - 08:29 ET by Agnosticdup3
Dup4
September 1, 2009 - 08:30 ET by AgnosticDup4
Dup5
September 1, 2009 - 08:30 ET by AgnosticDup5
Dup6
September 1, 2009 - 08:31 ET by AgnosticDup6
ARzippers,
September 1, 2009 - 08:27 ET by AgnosticYou're right he is not a moron. He has taken ideas from some of the most brilliant and active minds in history and modern day activism and put together a team of sychophants who together with a complacent media are pushing the failed ideas of great thinkers like Marx, Lenin, Mao and one who should be talked about more Machiavelli. The modern day wannabe thinkers who are nothing more than regurgitated socialist screaming victimhood are in full compliance and offering their support; Ayers, Abunimah, Wright, Gates, Khalidi(?), Minow, Pfleger, Klonsky, Davidson, Rudd, Darling-Hammond, Ladson-Billings, Melody Barnes (here is a strong connection to Soros.
By the way, does anyone
A person may be won over with logic and reason but the masses must be bought with spectacle and platitudes. - 2008 Elections
~That's quite a stutter
September 1, 2009 - 08:29 ET by choselife3xDissent: It's not just for liberals anymore.-kudzupolitics, USA Today
Choselife3x,
September 1, 2009 - 08:33 ET by AgnosticI know and I didn't even hit 'Post'. I was just typing along and all of a sudden the screen shows my post multiple times. Must of gotten impatient with my rather slow typing.
~The same thing happened
September 1, 2009 - 08:50 ET by choselife3xTo sherylsims in January. Her posts kept getting shorter with every repetition, too. But hers repeated 32 times, so consider yourself lucky!
Dissent: It's not just for liberals anymore.-kudzupolitics, USA Today
Ok then, that works.
September 1, 2009 - 08:34 ET by arkansaszippersOk then, that works.
works at some level
September 1, 2009 - 08:42 ET by AgnosticIf people weren't so worried about what President Obama was doing (or could do) you would have to be impressed by the circle of friends and influence he was able to hold together. He has either sold his soul to a lot of people of questionable character or he is truly a great statesmen to those who would follow a path of victimhood to the goal of a socialist utopia.
A person may be won over with logic and reason but the masses must be bought with spectacle and platitudes. - 2008 Elections
I'm pretty sure to even get
September 1, 2009 - 08:46 ET by arkansaszippersI'm pretty sure to even get considered for the job of president, you probably have to sell your soul countless times over. If you didn't, you wouldn't even get nominated. Neither party is going to nominate somebody that hasn't proven time and again that he knows which backs to scratch. I mean, c'mon, duh.
good point
September 2, 2009 - 07:45 ET by Agnosticand probably one reason I never fully supported Bush, Clinton or Bush. But I also frequently have to say that -
I will never forgive the liberals for making me defend President Bush. The relentless and pointless attacks were too much and often at detrimental times to the character and moral of America.
A person may be won over with logic and reason but the masses must be bought with spectacle and platitudes. - 2008 Elections
Oh yeah, he got it worse
September 2, 2009 - 11:12 ET by arkansaszippersOh yeah, he got it worse than anybody I ever remember. I mean I'm still pretty young, but he probably got it at least as bad as anybody ever. It got pretty brutal near the end there.
And how many times did the
September 1, 2009 - 00:01 ET by Seabeach4348And how many times did the left refer to George Bush as an idiot, and much, much worse, over the past 8 years because they didn't agree with his views?
Thanks, Seabeach! I was
September 1, 2009 - 05:23 ET by motherbeltThanks, Seabeach! I was just preparing to reply with exactly that comparison, when I saw yours.
See reply to Seabeach
September 1, 2009 - 07:57 ET by arkansaszippersSee reply to Seabeach below...
So now you can become what
September 1, 2009 - 07:47 ET by arkansaszippersSo now you can become what you claimed to hate for almost a decade? I mean, if that works for you, then who am I to stop you?
Last time I looked we still
September 1, 2009 - 08:16 ET by Seabeach4348Last time I looked we still had free speech in this county for the time being at least in all 57 states.
My point was that when the left did it (and continues to do it !!) with Bush, it was OK. And if someone defended Bush, then for sure that person was somehow mentally deficient and was ridiculed. Do it with Obozo, and watch out for " incoming" and the usual whining about how it's not fair.
This guy will be the ruination of our country, our freedom, and our way of life if he has his way with us, and I hope he fails miserably in his efforts to do so. So if I want to refer to him as an idiot, so be it, whether or not you think it's hypocritical is not my concern.
Hey, I've seen much worse language describing this guy haven't you?
No, that's true, I guess
September 1, 2009 - 08:19 ET by arkansaszippersNo, that's true, I guess village idiot is pretty tame when compared to some other things I've seen around here...
Apparently you DON'T get it, Zippy
September 1, 2009 - 00:05 ET by Scout FinchThe point would be, that as AARP claims "non-partisanship", the cheerleading stance toward Obama, "no nukes", blue-jeans-and-leather-jacket type of hipness is out of touch with most Americans—and thus is losing membership. That they're losing membership is a fact. Draw whatever conclusion you wish for the loss.
Ok, chill out. I was just
September 1, 2009 - 07:49 ET by arkansaszippersOk, chill out. I was just saying he's not a villiage idiot - I wasn't defending the AARP.
arkansas
September 1, 2009 - 03:24 ET by well99Wrong and wrong.The leftist are the enemy.My representive is a Dem but he does his job.He voted against the porkilus and all the other garbage.Now Obama is so smart that he thinks there are 57 states.Or that his uncle help liberate Aushwitz.Here is a hint.It was in Poland and liberated by the Soviet Army.What about him coming to be because of Selma.He was born in 61 Selma was 65.Take away his teleprompter and he is lost.
Let me add...................................
September 1, 2009 - 05:22 ET by old croFO
Naw
September 1, 2009 - 06:07 ET by kilrodNaw Zip, 0-dumb-uh aint just a village idiot, he's "world class" as Perot used to say.!!~~!!
(grins) kilrod
If an unborn child cannot trust you, why should I,??
not an idiot?
September 1, 2009 - 07:34 ET by AJBCan he speak without a teleprompter? no. How many hours did he bill at the law firm? Something like 350 over three years. How many bills did he get passed while in the Illinois legislature? One and it never amounted to a real park, just a pretend park. How many days was he a senator until Soros hand-picked him to be his go-to boy in the election? About 150. Yes, there is a village in Kenya missing an idiot.
Ok, well if you want to slap
September 1, 2009 - 07:56 ET by arkansaszippersOk, well if you want to slap the idiot label on everybody who has trouble with speech, you'll have to also include one of your own...
Obamateur
September 1, 2009 - 10:42 ET by CPT_ClawI prefer Obamateur.
Zip, at least
September 1, 2009 - 10:52 ET by boomerconBush was an open book. Transcripts, military records, employment history, etc. etc. all out there for all the world to see. Good and bad.
Obama is an empty suit: no history, no transcript, no paper trail, just a whisp in a suit, with a teleprompter, and someone behind the curtain pulling the strings.
Open book Bush
September 1, 2009 - 11:02 ET by Mike BatesRumor has it some people have even seen his birth certificate.
Maybe so, but he clearly
September 1, 2009 - 11:09 ET by arkansaszippersMaybe so, but Bush clearly wins in the "Village Idiot" department. Of course, Obama has only been in office for a short period of time, so I'm going to reserve judgement until 2016.
"Maybe so, but Bush clearly
September 1, 2009 - 11:49 ET by ckc1227"Maybe so, but Bush clearly wins in the "Village Idiot" department."
And yet, I'm betting Bush knows there aren't 60 states. If Bush is the village idiot, that makes Mr. citizen of the world the clear winner in the "Global Idiot" department.
Probably they're both
September 1, 2009 - 11:52 ET by arkansaszippersProbably they're both idiots. How's that sound?
President Bush vs Bamster?
September 1, 2009 - 12:47 ET by slickwillie2001I am willing to bet that President George W. Bush's SAT scores were better than the Bamster's. Of course it's a pretty safe bet because the Bamster's numbers have been buried along with most of his records.
OOps
September 1, 2009 - 14:59 ET by UtherpendHe kind of has you there AK. When you hide your past and only allow out what you think makes you look good then it proves there is something to hide. PEBO knew his documents would come back to haunt him so they locked it all up.
"For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security."
I put a link here about 10
September 1, 2009 - 00:02 ET by bigtimerI put a link here about 10 days or more ago regarding this...funny when I checked it out before putting here, they had to remove their content...well, heck, found it elsewhere.
'Go Green...Recycle Congress!'
AARP has fooled a lot of
September 1, 2009 - 00:19 ET by nyyankee55AARP has fooled a lot of people for a long time and trust me 60,000 members cancelling is just the beginning. AARP offers nothing that you can't get elsewhere.
As for Springsteen, I was invited to one of his concerts at MSG years ago, floor seats. I walked out about 15 minutes into the show.
All of his songs sound the same, it's long one long drone.
And we do have confirmation about BHO- a village in Kenyan called and their idiot is missing
Nearly joined...
September 1, 2009 - 05:16 ET by Army BratDamn sure won't now.
islam is a lie and Truth is killing it.
That is the reason why.....
September 1, 2009 - 13:18 ET by pantrymanI quit AARP... way the hell too liberal for me.
I love that, bt! Gonna
September 1, 2009 - 05:25 ET by motherbeltI love that, bt! Gonna send the link to lots of people!! LOL
I knew long ago that AARP
September 1, 2009 - 07:09 ET by pitter43I knew long ago that AARP was way to liberal to join so never did. Nothing they've done so far has changed my mind.Like most politicians, all they care about is your money. Here's a group similar to AARP that I find more Conservative and did join.
http://60plus.org/
What is AARP?
September 1, 2009 - 11:01 ET by Mike BatesFormer Sen Alan Simpson described AARP in 1995 as a group of people "bound together by a common love of airline discounts and automobile discounts and pharmacy discounts, and they haven't the slightest idea what the organization is asking for."
Alternatives to AARP
September 1, 2009 - 13:29 ET by Mike BatesAnother organization that conservatives may consider is the American Seniors Association. One of its four "pillars" reads:
Keeping Citizen Benefits out of the hands of illegal aliens
The AARP can kiss those
September 1, 2009 - 08:20 ET by Red JeepThe AARP can kiss those visions of showers of Baby Boomer dollars bye-bye. The Baby boomers, the largest population group in the country are beginning to/have retire(d). I don't think most will agree with AARP's vision for the future.
The AARP were advocates of the Clinton Health Care Scheme too.
These so called Musicians
September 1, 2009 - 08:36 ET by MozillaThese so called Musicians and Actors are losing it. They support tyranny now it seems. All the crap from the 70s and now some of those musicians who promoted freedom, once upon a time, are becoming socialists or have been but now we see it for what it is. Bonnie Raitt, Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Billy Joel, Bob Dylan and others have all jumped the shark joining potheads and rappers in promoting left causes and agendas harmful to the country. They have no credibility left. They have decided to be part of the problem in America instead of being level headed and realizing their man Obama is ruining America. Them and the others including all those fools you saw at the inauguration, if you even saw it, are poisoning America. They supported The Most Dangerous Man of Our Times.
It's no longer a situation of ideology or parties or about which side your on or even what you think about issues, either you are for freedom or your not. And they are not it seems. The hollywood liberals, each one of them who actively campaigned and spoke for Obama are a disgrace to this Country.
It's a sad commentary, but I say that if Hitler, and I don't use his name lightly, were supporting their causes or a democrat or blabbing in his teleprompter like Obama, they more than likely would have supported him too. It's so easy for them to fall under the spell, you know.
Anyone and I mean anyone who speaks in support of Obama is against America and I dislike. It's easy to see where he is leading America now. The AARP is just another hack liberal group too.
I am really hoping that we in America can stop these fools from taking over. I think we have a chance still espcially if Obama does have a major set back in agenda this fall and Conservative candidates win next year.
That all seems just a little
September 1, 2009 - 08:43 ET by arkansaszippersThat all seems just a little extreme - here, check this out
But which president in
September 1, 2009 - 09:31 ET by KarmaBut which president in question is a cheerleader and fundraiser for the "right" to exterminate tens of millions of it's future citizens?
Healthcare...Food...Education...Housing... - What sprouted as free for some is maturing into a free-for-all.
Oh my gosh, I totally see
September 1, 2009 - 10:07 ET by arkansaszippersOh my gosh, I totally see it now. I mean, he's EXACTLY like Hitler! I'm being totally serious here, that's not a stretch at all...
Please. You can do better than that.
No need.
September 1, 2009 - 10:50 ET by KarmaYou seem to have gotten my point already. However, you may want to tone down your exuberance in your newfound enlightenment. It makes you seem a bit over the top.
Healthcare...Food...Education...Housing... - What sprouted as free for some is maturing into a free-for-all.
Sorry, it's just hard to
September 1, 2009 - 11:12 ET by arkansaszippersSorry, it's just hard to contain yourself when experiencing an epiphany of that magnitude. There's still some ringing in my ears; at least the nosebleed let up...
Money in insurance
September 1, 2009 - 09:14 ET by slickwillie2001To hurt the AARP I suspect it will be far more effective to cancel any insurance of any form that you have purchased through them, or not to renew. They likely make far more from the insurance than they do any membership/subscription fees.
AARP insurance
September 1, 2009 - 10:51 ET by Mike BatesYet another thing about AARP that irritates me is its car insurance ad, the one with the woman saying something like, "Old policy, old rates. That makes a lot of sense."
Wouldn't a person usually want to keep the old (cheaper) rate? Not many items have dropped in price over the years.
No Nukes
September 1, 2009 - 09:46 ET by Sam GrantI seem to remember Bonnie Raitt asking James Taylor backstage "why are they booing?" When informed (I think by Jackson Browne) that they were screaming "Bruuuce!"....she then asked something to the effect of "is he that big here?"...
September 1, 2009 - 10:17 ET by jessieHBonnie Raitt & Bruce Springsteen. Two more liberals who will never get a penny out of me. AARP will never get any money either. I always thought they were not legit. I'll bet money they are tied to ACORN.
You really have to wonder
September 1, 2009 - 11:40 ET by R D HelmYou really have to wonder about an organization that supports a premature death for its target membership.
-Dave
Even when the government tries to kiss you, it is just a prelude to a good screwing. -Neal Boortz
Always thought old people
September 1, 2009 - 17:56 ET by RR GOPAlways thought old people were supposed to be wise. Guess that doesn't count if they were busy getting high and laid during the 1960s.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
Leftist Propaganda
September 1, 2009 - 20:04 ET by NorthCoasterI got fed up with the constant stream of Leftist apologia, propaganda and fawning stories. They were nothing that I wanted to support so I left after a year or so. There are so many good stories and self help discussions that could include left, right and independent thought, that it was tiring to read about things from only one viewpoint. I got an eyeful of their work "on my behalf" in Washington and decided that my money wasn't going to be spent for leftist programs. I was reminded of how incensed I was when unions that I had to join, spent my money similarly so I left. I still get promotions for insurance etc., even though I've not been a member for at least 4 years.