Looks like it is just starting to dawn on some lefties that Obama is ushering in an era of oppression of free speech. So it seems for Laura Varon Brown of the Detroit Free Press, at least. Oh, she isn't saying that Obama himself is trampling on free speech, but she is starting to understand that the left's penchant for political correctness is serving the function as a sort of self-imposed oppression no matter what Obama says. It's getting so bad, according to Brown, that any criticism of Obama is treated as akin to treason... at least it is in the "circles" she runs in, anyway.
Brown can count herself in the same boat as the late-night comedy shows that are finding that any criticism of The One is verboten to their left-wing audiences. Even the supposedly unshakable Bill Maher, who congratulates himself on his bravery for taking on the establishment, has found that he's had to shy from criticizing Obama. These people are seeing that attacking "The Man" is not so funny when it is their man in the crosshairs. Suddenly such folks have a new-found respect for the office and a more circumspect behavior toward the president is now du jour.
So, back to our friend Brown. She is finding herself a tad miffed that any criticism of the Obamamessiah at cocktail parties or around the water cooler is treated as the forbidden subject. She feels that her "right of self-expression is being squashed." Brown finds that even Obama's Special Olympics gaffe of a few months ago didn't elicit the sort of wild attacks that it would have if it should have been Bush in the same situation.
Can you imagine the uproar had Bush said that? He'd be banished from bowling alleys for eternity. His bowling average and IQ would have immediately been compared in Twitter messages demanding his resignation.
But instead, media and water cooler conversations the next day were about bowling scores and how tough the game can be. Anyone bringing up the insensitivity of the president's remark heard, "Come on, give the guy a chance. So he said one thing wrong. Anyone could have said something like that." End of discussion.
Yeah, imagine that, eh? The One is being given a pass for any and all gaffes even though Bush would have been crucified for the same thing. We've been saying that here for some time.
Brown feels that there are things that Obama deserves to be jabbed over, nonetheless.
Don't get me wrong, there is a whole lot to like about Obama. I want his smart ideas and policies to work. I love his youth, his inclusiveness and the way he cuts through the minutiae of public policy. But when auto execs get the boot, foreign meanies mock us and Special Olympians are insulted, I'm sorry, he rates some disapproving chatter.
Sadly for Brown, if she mentions anything of the kind among her sort of friends, she understands that she will get the cold shoulder.
So much for the more tolerant, more caring, more civilized, more freedom loving left. So much for the post-partisan era the president claimed he wanted!
All I can say is that Brown should wait and see the new era of oppression that Obama's FCC will engineer against talk radio before she imagines that free speech is only an endangered species around the water cooler!
(Photo credit: isitinus.org)
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Tyranny is "Smart" and "Fresh"
May 5, 2009 - 04:44 ET by reasonsjesterWe are beginning to see the impact of a poor, shallow education in this country. The young liberals see Obama's policies as new, smart and fresh, but his schtick was seen around the world in the 20th century; from his Fabian socialism on steroids, to national healthcare (which Reagan criticized in 1961 as an entryway to socialism), to nationalization of industry, to Fahrenheit 451 style book burnings (we're not there, yet).
It might shock some liberals to find out that Aristotle had considered and rejected socialism ("that all property might be held in common") in the fourth century B.C.E. in The Politics. That is exactly how "fresh" the idea is.
It might also surprise them that socialism was tried at Plymouth Plantations in colonial America and it led to starvation (as William Bradford describes in his logs). The next winter, individual responsibility was tried and the settlement flourished. One of the most interesting aspects of this story is that no "capitalist conspiracy" can be faulted for the failure of the socialist experiment at Plymouth Plantations. Of course there are many more examples of socialist failure since that time, if only a liberal would care enough to seriously examine them.
Obama is the quintessential demagogue - the tyrant that arises in democracies that lack any moral order. The sooner the young liberals indulge their breathtaking curiosity for history and realize that socialism and big government aren't new phenomena, the better it will be for this country.
Responsibility is the price of freedom. - Elbert Hubbard
in the fourth century
May 5, 2009 - 06:36 ET by Dan The Man 2in the fourth century B.C.E.
What is this BCE, are you succumbing to social engineering?
Glad to see you got the point
May 5, 2009 - 06:42 ET by reasonsjesterIt is a style matter. Before Common Era = Before Christ, same difference, different emphasis. I am talking about time, not religion. But thanks for commenting.
Responsibility is the price of freedom. - Elbert Hubbard
Yes, it is just a style
May 5, 2009 - 07:15 ET by motherbeltYes, it is just a style matter...
Because, after all, when does the "Common Era" begin? LOL
Just keeps them from having to say it.
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
Pretty sure
May 5, 2009 - 08:08 ET by Warner Todd HustonI am pretty sure it all got common... and pedestrian... as well as prosaic... right when Kieth Olbermann got on TV. So I'd say the "common era" started right about then.
Be sure and visit my home blog PubliusForum.com.
Let me get this straight
May 5, 2009 - 10:43 ET by reasonsjesterThe dating of history should revolve around the birth of Christ, whether you are a believer or not? Interesting take. Not really.
I'm not trying to start any trouble, but this is sophomoric. If those who write religious documents want to begin and end with Christ, go for it. As for the dating of Greek thinkers, how does Christ enter into it? He doesn't. I'm not going to assume Christianity is the one true religion, anymore than I am going to say that the flood story in Gilgamesh is true. And I don't expect anyone else to do the same.
As for the terms B.C., Before Christ, and A.D. or anno domini, "In the Year of Our Lord, " isn't it presumptious to think non-Christians would want to use such dating? And who are you to insist that they should? For tradition's sake? That's hardly a rational reason.
I am not an atheist, by the way. I believe in religious freedom along the lines of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. See especially Madison's beautiful treatise on religious freedom "Memorial and Remonstrance": http://religiousfree...
Be a Christian. Please. But don't insist others conform to your beliefs.
I also find this very ironic on a thread discussing free speech rights.
i wonder why Jesus divides
May 5, 2009 - 11:07 ET by TruthMongeri wonder why Jesus divides history for the entire world now...
JUST LUCKY I GUESS...
but thanks for your tolerant and respectful celeberation of other cultures and their impressive achievements man! i am extremely underwhelmed
government is the communists capitalism
You do not have to believe
May 5, 2009 - 11:34 ET by MrSnugglesYou do not have to believe in the divinity of Christ to admit that Jesus existed and altered history more than any one individual, before or after.
What is sophmoric is your denial that Jesus's birth marks the begining of the "common era".
Ridiculous
May 5, 2009 - 20:31 ET by Warner Todd HustonIt's simply ridiculous to claim that using BC and AD means you are being forced to believe in Christianity!
The move away from BC and AD is nothing more than a desire to tear down western culture.
Be sure and visit my home blog PubliusForum.com.
It is a style matter.
May 5, 2009 - 08:08 ET by Dan The Man 2It is a style matter. Before Common Era = Before Christ, same difference, different emphasis
Not the same and it is a slide to oblivion. We have been using BC and AD for ages and it is a big matter. It is the difference between holding your hand over your heart or saluting and not when saying the pledge of allegiance to the flag. It matters and so does our system of dating.
Its the little things they get you on, chipping at this or that until there is nothing left.
You DO know...
May 5, 2009 - 08:09 ET by Warner Todd HustonYou do know that "BCE" is sponsored by the same sophomoric "thinkers" that gave us "he and or she" instead of just "he." Right?
Be sure and visit my home blog PubliusForum.com.
as long as we're on the
May 5, 2009 - 11:15 ET by TruthMongeras long as we're on the subject can we please end all of this nonsense about the "great wall" of china and just call it that "big long brick sorta thingy" too
government is the communists capitalism
You are right on Dan
May 5, 2009 - 08:37 ET by clubchamp6the left knows they can't eliminate religion in one fell swoop so they go one small step at a time. Just look at gay marriage...now you are a biggot if you believe in traditional marriage. It has taken them years to get there but that is where we are now.
Don't let them get away with it!
All about style
May 5, 2009 - 11:52 ET by ThisnThatNope. It's about substance. Someone asked: "how can we use the initials, BC, and come up with a totally different expression using these initials -- just so we can say it's the same thing, only a style difference?" Thus was born the substantial difference BCE.
The left deals in re-definitions and equivalencies all the time, trying to get others to believe there is no difference. Unfortunately, it works on people who don't think, or who are easily intimidated. It doesn't work for us, though, so don't think you can use those tactics here and get away with it.
___________________________________
The challenge is to follow a consistent plan despite inconsistent prices - Sarah Palin, State of the State of Alaska speech
I have to disagree with the
May 5, 2009 - 05:31 ET by motherbeltI have to disagree with the contention that
These people are seeing that attacking "The Man" is not so funny when it is their man in the crosshairs.
They loved Bill Clinton, but had no problem with making fun of him.
Right from the get-go, Letterman took pokes at Clinton's "pasty white thighs." (that was when he used to go jogging)
I think they are self-censoring because they really believe that he (or his Presidency) is too important to be made the butt of a joke.
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
The only people allowed to be made fun of are ... WHITE MALES
May 5, 2009 - 05:58 ET by JaykeThis is the new racism. Like that racist hotel commercial that has a balck man sitting in the bathtub with two dorkey white guys blowing bubbles into the tub through straws. And many more like that. They have no problem poking fun at Biden. Is it just me or does BARRKY hiss like a snake when he speaks? "Uh, hiss, uh."
http://www.youtube.c...
GROUP POLITICS...
May 5, 2009 - 07:55 ET by danybhoyJayke,
I think you meant STRAIGHT WHITE MEN. Gay white men, OK. Straight white men, go to hell. In today's BS PC world, you gotta be in a victim group to have a priority to rights.
"The Fairness Doctrine = Jim Crow laws for Conservatives". Jim Quinn from "Quinn & Rose"
straight white men who
May 5, 2009 - 11:19 ET by TruthMongerstraight white men who refuse to compromise civilization's hard-won morality which allows us to be civilized in the first place - who eat meat, own guns, love NASCAR, drive large vehicles and go to church
government is the communists capitalism
Bingo
May 5, 2009 - 08:39 ET by clubchamp6Just like ADT Security commercials. All white male burglars in their commercials.
"Hello this is Matt from ADT is their a white male breaking into your house?"
white male burglars
May 5, 2009 - 09:12 ET by SickofLibsYeah, but all they want is your golf clubs.
That's not too bad.
Also notice
May 5, 2009 - 09:44 ET by Tom PaineThat it is still permissible for the talking head newsreaders to describe a gunman or a manhunt even when they don’t know the sex of the perpetrator. Also of course, while liberals want us to believe that God is a woman I have never heard any of them claim that the Devil is female.
very good,
May 5, 2009 - 11:21 ET by TruthMongervery good, (man?)
government is the communists capitalism
This is the new racism
May 5, 2009 - 09:40 ET by GothampcThis is one of my pet peeves. So many commercials against white men.
Washington Mutual had a series of commercials where a black man talked to older white men who were penned in.
A current Cheerios commercial (from Britain dubbed with American accents) where the wife is nasty and says "What else does the box say?" and the man answers "Shut up Steve" and then the wife looks happy.
American Express had two different commercials where white men were too stupid to realize they were using the wrong card.
There is currently a lawn care commercial where the wife knows more about what grass seed to use than her dumb husband.
Remember those kid's board
May 5, 2009 - 09:51 ET by SickofLibsRemember those kid's board game commercials? The Dad was the dope who never, ever won.
Now it's becoming institutionalized.
My fave recent one is where the guy and his 10-yr old daughter go into the local hardware store, where he picks out a regular lightbulb (yes, ONE lightbulb). Of course the daughter looks at him like he's an idiot and picks up a compact fluorescent instead. They walk out and he looks at her in awe because she's so much smarter than him.
Dad as dope
May 5, 2009 - 11:34 ET by GothampcI hate those commercials where the kids act like the Dad is stupid. It's so disrespectful.
Gothampc, Ah hah! Thanks
May 5, 2009 - 12:03 ET by Chris NormanGothampc,
Ah hah! Thanks for the info - now, that Cheerios commercial makes sense. I thought it was weird that an American company used such realistic looking people, complete with wrinkles and no makeup - only the British would do that. If it was American produced, the people would have probably looked like models. The rest of it was typical - clueless husband and sharp wife - it's like the fifties, only reversed. It makes the guy look like an idiot milquetoast and his wife, a paranoid harpy.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Commercials
May 5, 2009 - 13:52 ET by GothampcMany companies recycle commercials. Since the money has been paid to shoot the commercial, they can take the commercial and just do voiceovers which costs them next to nothing. In that Cheerios commercial, the box has been airbrushed to reflect American packaging. It's actually funny when they can't get it right. A few years ago there was a Riesen Chocolate candy commercial where the voiceover was so off it was funny.
It's sad that feminism has brought about bitchy wives and wimpy husbands. Look at the show "Everybody Loves Raymond". The wife started out decent, but by the end of the series, she was hell on wheels.
Oh! Bama
May 5, 2009 - 05:57 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsBrown is correct. All criticism of Obama is met with a look of contempt and a pronouncement of "C'mon, give him a chance!". It matters not that we are 3 months + into this.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
"Come on, give the guy a
May 5, 2009 - 08:05 ET by BuxomAnnieMcGreggor"Come on, give the guy a chance. So he said one thing wrong. Anyone could have said something like that." End of discussion.
I swear.... each and every blasted gaff BeelzObama commits is treated as if it is his very FIRST... the One and Only.... !!! I believe there is a vast list growing, yet people are too willing to give this guy a "racial" pass. I say, "open your eyes, people... and your mind will surely follow" (Book of B.A.M.... chapter 2, verse 33)
"We retort..... you decide."
2+ Years
May 5, 2009 - 09:26 ET by CobraMan3+ months? Try 2+ years! Any criticism of The One was verboten the moment Obama announced his candidacy.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus.
The US Supreme Court
WRITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVES PEOPLE
May 5, 2009 - 06:14 ET by Worriedabout the upcoming FCC conference on May 7. Blast them daily you're onto everything Obama and his goon squad are doing to us!
Thank God I have to still have the freedom to get on sites like this to vent! Thank God I have like-minded friends to vent!
Barack Obama is worse than I and most everyone imagined him to be. The speed at which he is moving is beyond frightening. Our liberties are being taken away in broad daylight. Each new day holds some new surprise coming out of his administration and the news just gets worse.
I don't think anyone
May 5, 2009 - 06:16 ET by ThisnThatI don't think anyone criticized Hitler or Stalin, either. Those two men
were known to use the power of their position to extract revenge.
And they both had lots of people who took notes of the behavior of the citizenery.
I'm just saying.....
___________________________________
The challenge is to follow a consistent plan despite inconsistent prices - Sarah Palin, State of the State of Alaska speech
The One's own words...
May 5, 2009 - 13:10 ET by Dan Diego'Don't Think We're Not Keeping Score, Brother'
Nothing will change
May 5, 2009 - 06:32 ET by Blogger Guy00001This is good, but nothing is going to change. Anyone who dares criticize the marxist policies of the One will be called racist. Anyone who believes differently than the official marxist dogma will be called a domestic terrorist.
SO, Brown is starting to
May 5, 2009 - 06:37 ET by nadadhimmiSO, Brown is starting to question the savior huh? She must swiftly be shown the error of her thinking. What give her the right to think she can think what she wants? Acoen didn't do all that heavy lifting on voter fraud just to have some biotch exhibit independant thinking, which is dangeroue to our progressive cause. The commissariat is aware of your dangerous, reactionary attitude Brown. You will be watched, you will be watched.
Watch the video again of
May 5, 2009 - 07:34 ET by gopsteveWatch the video again of Obama getting ahead of his teleprompter, right after there is slight laughter, notice the look in his eyes...
Mr. Thin Skin gives a quick look like "how dare you Laugh at the Messiah's expense?"
The perpetually angry do not
May 5, 2009 - 11:41 ET by MrSnugglesThe perpetually angry do not like being laughed at.
Brown can count herself in
May 5, 2009 - 07:49 ET by RagamuffinWhat about Olbermann's criticisms?
Ohh wait, we want fluff around here . . .
One person = trend!
well, you're right on one point
May 5, 2009 - 09:16 ET by SickofLibsCountdown IS a late night comedy show.
Tea Party Organizer Muzzled at City Council Meeting
May 5, 2009 - 08:37 ET by BobMcCartyWritesEarly this morning, I interviewed Steve McQueen, a man in Quincy, Ill., who, it appears, was not allowed to speak at his town's city council meeting because of his involvement in his local tea party movement. The story is here: Tea Party Organizer Muzzled at City Council Meeting.
Republicans can now get on a show
May 5, 2009 - 08:54 ET by legacyrepublicanand say, "I am here because the poor host and many in the audience cannot say anything critical of Obama without being attacked. I came in knowing I was being attacked for what I believe, so I can say what I feel whereas you cannot. Thank you for having me. I know you need me here."
Brainwashed sheep
May 5, 2009 - 08:56 ET by pcantidoteThat is the first thing that comes to mind when I read about Bill Maher's audience reaction in the linked LA Times piece. These people are so brainwashed and superficially self loathing that they can no longer appreciate humor, even when it is coming from a shock jock like Maher. Unbelievable and sad.
-Reject ALL incumbents in 2010-
Oppression of Free Speach
May 5, 2009 - 09:16 ET by richard...and here, all along, I thought Dr. Frankenstein's creation was just in the movies. What in the hell kind of monster has this countries electorate created?
A Dangerous Combination
May 5, 2009 - 10:05 ET by Tom PaineThe One’s arrogance combined with a media-enforced prohibition against any criticism of his actions is a dangerous combination indeed.
It's even more dangerous than you think
May 5, 2009 - 10:39 ET by PoolPlayerIt's even more dangerous than you think. When you are out and about and in political discussions, I notice that people whisper when criticizing the One.
PoolPlayer
May 5, 2009 - 10:45 ET by sherylsimsI do (whisper when criticizing the One) and noticed when we were out with friends who were NOT whispering that we were getting looks that could KILL from strangers sitting near us. I don't want to get into any fights over him ...
We had a guy come to our house to do some work, and I had the radio on and it was either Rush or Sean, can't remember who and he looked around and whispered, "I like him (Rush or Sean) too." He was so nervous to even SAY it. It is scary/sad.
SherylSims
May 5, 2009 - 12:35 ET by PoolPlayerIt is because the O'administration, O'media and O'hollywood (i.e. Janine G) have equated criticism to racism and it appears to be working to some degree. Scary as h...
Just imagine what they'll be saying 4 years from now!!!
May 5, 2009 - 10:39 ET by pbthinkerMuch of what we know about Obama is a myth. As the truth starts to sink in, there are going to be some surprised liberals, moderates, and conservatives in this world. Those who said, "What the hell, we need change. What can he possibly do? This is a good way to teach the Republicans a lesson." , are going to get a rude awakening.
I've been saying this for a while but one only has to look at who Obama picked for his Chief of Staff to figure out his approach to problems. The press is going to try and cover a lot of this up, but you can only cover so much and Emanuel is used to being a strong-armed politician and not a consensus politician, he will do what he does best.
Since taking office, name one time that Obama, and his White House, have been concilliatory. Their initial approach to negotiating was, "We won, you lost. Deal with it." That should say it all, don't you think?
Election 2008-God's way of showing us that elections count.
Ms Brown just needs to bide her time.
May 5, 2009 - 10:46 ET by CTWhen the Circus Tent that is the Obamanation catches fire it will go up fast. Ms Brown may then have a front row seat watching the rats run for their lives.
The Third Rail of Politics
May 5, 2009 - 12:01 ET by Anneke9I think the silence at the water cooler has to do with fear: (1) fear of being branded a racist because you have the nerve to laugh at a black man whose name is not Chris Rock or Sinbad, and (2) fear that the messiah they thought they were voting for is just a fallible man (who has needs the TOTUS as a crutch) afterall. I've actually had relatives call me a racist because I have no problem criticizing Obama's policies. I can live with a tongue-lashing from relatives, but if colleagues at the University I work for start labeling me a racist, then my job is as good as gone. As for #2, there are people whose egos just won't let them admit that they made a mistake, and they'll cling to their vision of a perfect Obama as tightly as I cling to my guns.
______________________
Camouflage conservative in Baghdad-by-the-Bay
consider
May 5, 2009 - 12:22 ET by dtaHere is something I was considering the other day:
A situation like a town-hall meeting, where you
might have the chance to ask Obama a tough question. I would
honestly think twice about doing that, and I think this environment is
chilling.
Would you do it? Even if so, wouldn't it go through
your mind, is it worth it to be excoriated in the mass media? Are you
ready for the government to search databases and come after you for any
outstanding reasons (say audit, outstanding tickets, child support)?
Are you ready for a look into your past personal history, for example,
what if you had a messy divorce? What about a full airing of your
credit history on the news, showing you as a deadbeat, and who are you
question the president's financial wisdom if your own ducks aren't in a
row. These things are entirely possible.
I find it amazing we have fallen so far so fast. It almost as if the MSM are Obama's brownshirts already.
I hate to tell Laura Varon Brown, but its about to get worse
May 5, 2009 - 15:16 ET by R D HelmOnce they have removed dissenters from the airwaves, which they are preparing to do right now, the fascist Obamanistas will be targeting the internet next.
That means us.
-Dave
This coup has gone on long enough. The time to put it down is NOW.