Quick clarification
I still don’t have regular internet access and I don’t watch TV, so I’m out of the loop. But I hear things — weird, disturbing, almost unbelievable things — and so I’m grabbing a few minutes here on my Dad’s computer before a family birthday party for this brief announcement:
When I wrote this post on Democratic party history back in April, I was not calling for the assassination of Barack Obama. Just thought I’d get that out there now before the Gestapo shows up at here at the house.
Sorry to post and run, but I’ll leave you with something to think about: if the collusion between the Obama campaign and the media continues like this, will that pose the most severe threat to free speech in this country since a) the Alien and Sedition Acts, b) the 1917 Espionage Act, c) the McCarthy era, or d) the Patriot Act of 2001? Discuss amongst yourselves.
*****
Update: Over at the Mighty Corrente Building, FrenchDoc is facing a fork in the road:
There is no question that a line was crossed yesterday, by the media and the so-called progressive blogosphere. Personally, it has put me on the fence: if Senator Obama becomes the nominee, do I take a break from politics until November or do I actively campaign against him?
I’ve been wrestling with the same issue, but I know now what my answer is. Barack Obama has run the dirtiest, most dishonest campaign I’ve ever seen from a Democrat on the national level. His mob-like supporters terrify me. And his media enablers are catastrophically dangerous. They must be stopped. Must be.
Update #2: Vastleft has penned the definitive self-diagnostic tool for anyone who thinks Hillary’s RFK remark was in any way ominous: Are You Fucked In The Head? (The bloggers over at Corrente obviously have internet connectivity and everything so they can actually post on this mess. I bet they’re elite latte-drinking types who live in cities and don’t have to perform prayer chants in front of a satellite dish just to get their email. Damn their eyes.)
27 Responses to “Quick clarification”
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vbonnaire says:
We are alike in no TV! Violet. Also this:
“Barack Obama has run the dirtiest, most dishonest campaign I’ve ever seen from a Democrat on the national level. His mob-like supporters terrify me.”
And he’s NON GREEN — I have it over at my place today. Yikes. Coal? Did you say go backwards 40 years or so, Obama? Geez.
Great writing, that you do.
May 25th, 2008 at 4:54 pm EST -
thebewilderness says:
I have been a news and politics junkie since I was sixteen. The first time I voted was 1968. I was delighted when CNN started up so that I could see and hear the news any time I wanted to, W00T!
Two months ago I had to turn off my teevee because I couldn’t take any more without smashing it.
While I think Obama has benefitted enormously from it so far, I do not blame him for it.
I blame the media.
They have run an even sleazier 2008 campaign than the dispicable, dishonest, deceitful campaign they ran in 2000. -
sister of ye says:
Bewilderness, I must respectfully disagree. I do blame Obama for benefitting from dirty tricks. This latest RFK flap – where Axelrod emailed Olbermann’s rant to the media, while publicly claimming the issue was past – shows that the sexism and race-baiting has been a deliberate strategy that his campaign has worked hard to foster.
You can justify almost any stategy with “well, the tactics are dirty, but you can’t blame politicians for taking advantage.” The poll tax and other Jim Crow laws were unjust. Are we going to absolve politicians who ran racist campaigns to keep black people disenfranchised because, hey, those tactic worked and you can’t blame them?
Sorry, the ends don’t justify all means, and there should be depths to which campaigns don’t stoop, particularly in the Democratic party, which labels itself the party of equality and justice.
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nightwatcher says:
“I’ve been wrestling with the same issue, but I know now what my answer is. Barack Obama has run the dirtiest, most dishonest campaign I’ve ever seen from a Democrat on the national level. His mob-like supporters terrify me. And his media enablers are catastrophically dangerous. They must be stopped. Must be.”
Yes, there is where I am, too. I think I am about to rant, and I’m sorry, but I am so damn angry right now.
I thought the Obama campaign had crossed a line after the SC ugly, dishonest accusations of the Clintons’ racism. I realized this past week that the RFK issues was my point of no return. Either Obama’s camp and fans are exploiting an insane and grotesque lie, that Clinton is waiting for (and to some, **calling for**) the assassination of her opponent, or they are so unhinged they actually believe it. Either way, that campaign is now, I firmly believe, dangerous, and I will campaign against them to stop them. I never thought I would reach that point, never in a million years, but “the Movement” has become creepy, extreme, and obsessed. Others have pointed this out in a manner more eloquent than mine, but Obama lets them run rampant, while he sits back, smug and self-righteous, descending from Mt Sinai to offer absolution for the Clinton sins his fans have been foaming at the mouth about.
And yes, I blame Obama. He said this was a movement and he bears responsibility for his followers and his campaign. He is a professional coward, and someone else is ALWAYS to blame… and one of the reasons I have no respect for him is his constant passing of the buck. Oh, it’s the media. Oh, it’s my staff. Oh, it’s just the fans. What’s he going to do when the media puts him in the White House, with executive powers?
The mainstream media being in the bag for Obama – to a ridiculous extent – adds another level of creepiness. I no longer know how Obama will be held accountable for anything. I believe you’ve posted about his calculated behavior re: the John Roberts nomination, and that says everything I need to know.
And frankly, the “oh, I have such fears for Obama’s safety” drama sickens me, quite literally sickens me. It’s fake marketing, intended to compare Obama to figures of the 1960s who were murdered… when Obama has done nothing, nothing whatsoever, to warrant the comparison, and his supporters are the ones I fear could become violent towards Senator Clinton. He doesn’t deserve the faux concern: he is nothing more than a cowardly, self-absorbed poser in a suit most of us could never hope to afford, tossing out Oprah-esque platitudes to crowds of consumers, yet asking them to take no civic action beyond voting for him.
I no longer have any doubts. I wavered, I wasn’t sure.. but now I know that I will use my vote and my voice and my donations and any other form of civic participation I possibly can to work for Obama’s electoral defeat.
My only consolation is, looking around the pro-Clinton blogs, I am not alone in my feelings. Not by a long shot.
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Violet says:
and his supporters are the ones I fear could become violent towards Senator Clinton.
There have already been death threats against Hillary posted at DailyKos in the past couple of days over this (don’t have the links right now, but I think a blog called Cannon Fire has them). The irony — or one of the ironies — is that Hillary was implicitly comparing her campaign to RFK’s. She, not Obama, is Bobby Kennedy — the come-from-behind candidate, the Senator from New York trailing in pledged delegates but with a groundswell of popular support (in places like Indiana and West Virginia). She’s a former First Lady, Bobby was the President’s brother and Attorney General. She’s Bobby. I just pray she doesn’t get killed by one of Obama’s crazed fans.
The mob are idiots who will believe anything; their problem is that they’re vicious hateful people. But the real blame rests with the media who deliberately distorted Hillary’s remarks and with the Obama campaign for fanning the flames.
The Republicans have been doing this kind of thing for years, and it just goes to show how much the Obama movement is utterly Republican in its mode and manner. I used to have bookmarked an example from NewsMax that illustrated how the wingnuts work: Hillary had given a speech in which she referred to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and how the Afghans deeply resented the Soviet attempt to force their values on them. The wingnuts at NewsMax edited her speech to make it look like she was praising the Soviets. And then that’s what went viral — Hillary praised the Soviets! She’s a communist!
The Obamabots are dangerous as hell.
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No Blood for Hubris says:
I am sickened. We need to act in our behalf. Right now. To the superdelegates, who may or may not be aware of the widespread repudiation of The Chosen On.e
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stace says:
I agree with all of the above. I am a leftist Berkeley 51 year old who will not vote for the first time in my life (or will vote for McCain). I’m also a psychotherapist. Obama is a severe narcissist. Only people with this type of character disorder elicit such aggression and blind obedience, cult behavior. He is dangerous. His followers are dangerous. They must be stopped! He’s a left version of Cheney.
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Medusa says:
I keep asking myself the same question. I know I will not vote for Obama under any circumstance, but will I actively campaign for McCain? I’ve been an politically active Dem for almost 40 years and never thought I’d vote for a Repub but I honestly feel that Obama would continue his backward march through evolution. His campaign is responsible for undoing decades of progress in race relations and gender equality. No doubt if he were to take office, he would unleash more thuggery and arrogance, both from his own narrow minded egotism and from his many devotees, some of whom have used his campaign as an outlet for a hatefulness I’ve never seen before between members of the same party. Or are we? It doesn’t feel that way to me anymore.
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kenoshaMarge says:
I think many of us have found ourselves at this conflicted crossroads. Do we just not vote? I can’t do that. I always vote. I was raised that it was my civic duty to vote and there is a fine congressional candidate that doesn’t have much of a chance to beat our entrenched Republican critter but she’s gonna get my vote. (1st Congressional District in WI now held by Paul(Bushbot)Ryan)
The part that is disturbing my sleep is not about voting, it’s do I just leave the top spot blank, write in Senator Clinton if she is not the candidate, or vote for McCain ugh! I really don’t know if I can do the latter. I’ve cast more votes against than for in my life but some lines I cannot cross. And voting for a Republican, any Republican may just be that line. I just don’t know. And unlike some, I don’t pretend that whatever I decide is the right decision. It will just have to be the right decision for me.
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Violet says:
I’m not planning to vote for McCain; I’m just planning to campaign against Obama if he’s the nominee. My goal is not to build up the Republicans but to salvage the Democrats, to preserve it as a party of ideas and values, instead of a Cult of Personality.
I may write in Hillary or vote Green.
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Delphyne says:
“The irony — or one of the ironies — is that Hillary was implicitly comparing her campaign to RFK’s. She, not Obama, is Bobby Kennedy — the come-from-behind candidate, the Senator from New York trailing in pledged delegates but with a groundswell of popular support (in places like Indiana and West Virginia). She’s a former First Lady, Bobby was the President’s brother and Attorney General. She’s Bobby. I just pray she doesn’t get killed by one of Obama’s crazed fans.”
Thank you! When I looked at that clip, it was apparent to me that she really “got,” at a visceral level, that she was in the very same position – and danger – as Bobby was. That she continues is amazing, inspirational and courageous.
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Denise says:
I’m trying to not torment myself with what I will do in November. It’s still 5 months off and I’m hoping I will know what I want to do when the time comes.
The tradeoff is: McCain now (definitely the worse outcome in the short term) with hopefully a wiser Democratic Party going forward; or Obama becomes the leader of the Democratic Party and gets to take it directions we don’t want to go.
Not clear to me yet which is worse.
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barbara says:
I am in total agreement with everyone’s assessment of Sen. Obama. I find him, and his staff, to be very scary. I do fear for the Clintons but esopecially for the American people if Sen Obama becomes the President. I do take some measure of relief in knowing, in my gut, that he will not though. I do not like that the media decides who will be the nominee and, in Nov., will decide who the President will be. They have that much power. The Obama camp and the media must be stopped but I am at odds as to how to go about making this happen. I will write in Hiallry Clinton or vote green if Sen Obama becomes the nominee. I dont know about you, but I am not afraid of Al Sharpton and his threats of “riots in the streets”.
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Ivory Bill Woodpecker says:
If FrenchDoc is facing a fork in the road, FD needs to go to the Schlossen Cutoff, get out of the car, cut off his/her schlossen, get back in the car…
I wonder if anyone else here is old enough to get that reference… :)
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Alikatze says:
Hm, Denise and others, where is it that Obama will take the party that it hasn’t already gone?? I mean, it’s already been proven in the last few months that the DNC is not a liberal organization that supports all comers. Obama is so lacking in anything but oratory skill that I see him doing little to “the party” other than maintaining the male establishment status quo. Obama will be a puppet to his advisors b/c he has no experience and no real, tried-and-true, ‘game plan’ for implementing major policy change.
As for voting, Republican bottom line is always money – that’s anathema to my core moral beliefs, so no John McSame fer me (although, I won’t weep if he manages to win over Obama in Nov). Dem bottom line used to be people, but that’s a load of horsedung at this point; so….me? I’m voting Green — ’tis the only party left that still believes in people (not just men!).
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Joan says:
Now is not the time to worry about voting in November. Now is the time to use that energy to try to stop this trainwreck. Keep agitating! I know it sounds sappy but we have to work hard for her while there’s still a chance. Don’t let his goons drown us out! I know us wimmins like to get along and keep things smooth but we need to let out our inner anarchists! Keep complaining to everyone who’s giving her a raw deal- the MSM, DNC, Fanboys, etc. Contact your superD’s. Please don’t give in to the mob. Watch RECOUNT if you need some inspiration.
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thebewilderness says:
sister of ye,
I am not absolving Senator Obama, and his campaign, of responsibility for what they have done. At the time of my earlier comment I was not aware that his campaign staff were shopping the assasination meme to the media.
Five months ago I thought this was one of the most courteous primary campaigns, on the part of the candidates, I had ever witnessed. It has become obvious that neither Senator McCain, nor Senator Obama, needed to bother with criticizm of their opponents. The partisan corporate media hacks were more than happy to do it for them.
I, too, will be voting Green.
15% is all it takes to get your candidates voice heard, and punch a hole in the two party lock on the system. -
ginmar says:
Violet, you’re my voice of safety in all the Hillary hate and Obama worship.
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donna darko says:
Hear, hear!
I swear there are 3 sane people left on the planet.
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donna darko says:
Those people/bloggers are Violet, Tom Watson and TGW. HELP!
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kenoshaMarge says:
I’ve learned one thing if nothing else; and that is that I don’t have a whole lot more respect for the Democratic Party than I do for the Republican.
I voted a straight Democratic Party ticket for 40 years. (One exception I voted for a Green Party candidate against our DINO Senator Kohl. Rae Vogler was her name and if she runs again, I hope, I’ll vote for her again.)
Perhaps what makes me maddest and saddest of all is that there are so many voice that I once respected and admired who are now right at the top of my excrement list.
One is Rachel Maddow. Who used to be a liberal. Who used to be a voice of reason. Who used to be a someone to respect. Now just another Obamacrat.
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ginmar says:
The Obama fanatics act like he’s the new Messiah and can do no wrong. It’s frightening how many otherwise sensible people have fallen for this guy. He’s got a tin ear when it comes to women and gay rights, he’s got no experience, and he’s got a poisonously huge ego. What are his plans? What’s he going to do? I can guarantee you he won’t fight for women, we’ll lose abortion, and there Obama will be, using stirring words to explain why he sold women out.
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AM says:
Another way in which Obama is like Bush (thus completing the circle of likeness) is a kind of macho man authoritarian-control miserliness and casual contempt for the needy.
OT: reclusive leftist, good to see your site back up, and hoping for your return soon. Hope all is well.
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Violet says:
Thank you, AM!
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nneoma says:
hmmm, with Clinton-supporters like you all, it seems like Mrs. Clinton has the chance of becoming the new Nader for the 2008 campaign. Seems like we should all look forward to hailing President McCain.
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ginmar says:
Look at the little concern troll! Isn’t it cute?
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falstaff says:
My son just pointed out to me that if she does become the VP nominee, she’ll be that much more exposed to the — literally — murderous rage that is directed against her. I agree with that, but I also think this swelling tsunami of misogyny that Hillary’s candidacy has triggered won’t actually make such fine distinctions. I think we’re in for nasty weather — as I said at (considerably) greater length last week: http://falstaff-falstaff.blogs.....-kill.html
