On Sunday evening, when I first posted this article , I asked for a moratorium on new posts to keep the healthcare debate in the forefront. The response has been informative, surprising in some instances, and engaging overall. I am breaking my own moratorium because the subject has run its course, other voices need to be heard, and another subject has reared an ugly head. Our esteemed colleague, Bloggingdino, brought this to our attention:
We can laugh at the refreshing candor of Barney Frank, but this is no longer funny:
We read about Ernest Hancock, an online radio host who interviewed an assault rifle-wielding associate at a recent Obama rally. Hancock, armed with a 9 millimeter pistol that he himself brought to the rally, is a vocal supporter of a right-wing anti-government militia group convicted of conspiracy and weapons charges in the 90s … plotting to blow up federal buildings.
Chants of “Heil Hitler" and the appearance of guns at meetings and rallies are meant to intimidate and silence people. It also exposes a disturbing fact: Freedom to dissemble appeals to the lowest scum ... anti-Semites, bigots, racists, white supremacists, and violence-prone militias. The GOP exploits the emotional fervor of malcontents and misfits for political leverage. In doing so, they have alienated Blacks, Hispanics, the LGBT community, academicians, artists, intellectuals, scientists, Muslims ... and now ... Jews.
As the saying goes, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." Our so-called conservative friends might agree. They seem to prefer the company of bigots for allies. In bashing "Libtards," they act more like a lynch mob massing at the jailhouse door intent on stringing up scapegoats. In failing to condemn this rabble, they approve of them with their silence; and such so-called 'friends' are no longer deserving of our trust.
Democracy is not well served when hooligans take over. There are times when a Godwin Fallacy is no longer a fallacy ... and these are such times.
They seem to delight in crimes against irony - offering health care reform is exactly like murdering 6 million people and setting fire to Europe - no irony there. Whatever it is that someone is dedicated to opposing, you insist they are guilty of it - no irony.
ReplyDeleteWho pioneered the tactic of making lies so huge and absurd and obvious that people won't question it? It wasn't the Liberals, it wasn't Barny Frank. Sure, improving health care is exactly like eating babies and communism and fascism and there's no doubt whatsoever that Obama is a Nazi, and Mother Theresa was a crack whore.
Just keep saying it and saying it and saying it. . .
Yes, sure these gun toting rednecks are being choreographed, sure they are supposed to be intimidating and the obviousness of the fact that this is the first time in history they've done it isn't even discussed. Even the most pro-gun people I know agree with me that such irresponsible stunts threaten the second amendment more than anything done to date - yet so desperate are they to interfere with democracy they're willing to risk it all, willing to risk assassination, willing to risk civil rights just to be able to keep pushing and pushing the idea that Obama is a usurper, a traitor, a tyrant, a nazi and just so evil no deed would be too criminal that threatens him.
How long ago was it that they were arresting people for wearing anti war T shirts and showing snti-Bush bumper stickers - no irony here - nothing to laugh at - just keep moving. . . .
Told ya, Captain, you should have written this. You are so much better at this than a poor mudsquiggly like me.
ReplyDeleteOh sure, I know the idiots find Barney laughable. But his wit is always devastating and often unanswerable, especially by those whose only sense of humor consists in sniggering cruelty. The joke's on them -- always.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, Octo, yes, it's time for fresh woods and pastures new. Having participated rather spiritedly (for an easygoing dino) in your experiment since that's what it called for, thought I might offer a brief assessment.
Our own bloggers' replies and observations were useful. But it takes a good deal of energy to make even a hogshide purse out of a torn and bloodied sow's ear, and it's not something I'm usually interested in doing. There simply is no intelligent opposition to substantial reform in the area of health-care access and delivery. Still, it was an excellent idea on your part, and I appreciate it.
Well, the wretchedness we see in the second clip is a reminder that the unenlightened have ever been with us, even as a black spot upon the sun, a dark shadow that obscures the aspirations of our better selves. They have been with us for centuries, sometimes wearing the black robes of the justicer, sometimes the white of the Klansman, and sometimes just dressed casually in jeans.
I see some stirrings of courage, though, in Democratic politicians and the ordinary people who support their goals. William Blake wrote, "Always be willing to speak your mind, and a base man will avoid you." Sorry about the sexism there, but it's still a good thing to say.
What needs to happen is that the majority need to recognize that they ARE the majority -- you know, all those people who voted for Barack, don't think "he make sun go away," and actually rather like the idea of passing some needed reforms.
"even as a black spot upon the sun, a dark shadow that obscures the aspirations of our better selves. "
ReplyDeleteNow to a Ham, that's heresy. We've been over two years without sunspots and the damned ionosphere might as well not be there at all.
We need sunspots. Sunspots are good. Sunspots are worth human sacrifice to bring back.
Well, you may be right, but we dinosaurs are mighty distrustful of anything that happens up there. Last time something big happened, it almost wiped us out. Almost....
ReplyDeleteI can imagine you would be, but I agree: what happens up there should stay up there.
ReplyDeleteJust noticed your photo - I had been wondering about whether you were of the Theropod or Sauropod persuasion and now the question is answered.