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Democrats Stick Foot in Mouth Again
I'm a big fan of Bernard Goldberg. For those of you who don't know who he is, he's an ex-CBS reporter who wrote an editorial in the Wall Street Journal back in 1996 which pointed out the liberal bias in the media. Earth-shattering revelation, right? Well, it was earth-shattering enough to the big wigs in Manhattan to reduce Goldberg's role, and he eventually ended up retiring in the late 90s. Since then, he's written 3 books: Bias, Arrogance, and 100 People Who Are Screwing Up America. Liberals go into a tizzy when they read his books because a frequent target of Goldberg's is, well, liberals.
Interestingly enough, and this is what REALLY bothers liberals, he doesn't criticize them for their politics, as Goldberg himself is a lifelong liberal. He criticizes them for their actions and their statements.
Anyway, I bring Mr. Goldberg up because of an column in today's Herald which talks about how Florida Democrats are playing the "Republicans are bad" card in this year's campaigns. In other words, the Republicans have a "culture of corruption".
Let's hear it directly from 2 prominent Democratic U.S. Representatives from South Florida:
- Kendrick Meek: "The GOP culture of corruption has created an energy crisis".
- Debbie Wasserman Schultz: "Republican-controlled Washington has become infected with a culture of corruption, and the American people are . . . footing the bill.''
There you have it. The Republicans are responsible for all that is bad in this country. As a registered Republican, I am the first to admit the mistakes made with the current administration. I have absolutely no problem acknowledging mistakes, and neither do many of my like-minded friends. If Randi Rhodes or Al Franken or even Michael Moore had made those statements, we would just brush it off as big talk, just like when liberals complain about Rush Limbaugh.
However, when two respected politicians make those statements, we have a problem. It's no longer about which candidate offers the best plans and policies for the citizens, it's no longer about one-on-one debate of the issues. It's about smearing an entire party because of the actions of a few.
Speaking of which, and I was very pleased that Beth Reinhard brought it up in the column, the Democrats have their own bad guys. William Jefferson, Mandy Dawson and Gary Siplin were mentioned as Democratic examples of unethical behavior.
The moment a Republican politician makes a sweeping comment about Democrats, I will make sure to point it out as another example of awful partisan politics. I may have my opinions, but I'm fair.
If there are people on the left who still wonder why the Democrats haven't been able to win a major election in several years, all they have to do is look at Reinhard's piece as a hint.
Interestingly enough, and this is what REALLY bothers liberals, he doesn't criticize them for their politics, as Goldberg himself is a lifelong liberal. He criticizes them for their actions and their statements.
Anyway, I bring Mr. Goldberg up because of an column in today's Herald which talks about how Florida Democrats are playing the "Republicans are bad" card in this year's campaigns. In other words, the Republicans have a "culture of corruption".
Let's hear it directly from 2 prominent Democratic U.S. Representatives from South Florida:
- Kendrick Meek: "The GOP culture of corruption has created an energy crisis".
- Debbie Wasserman Schultz: "Republican-controlled Washington has become infected with a culture of corruption, and the American people are . . . footing the bill.''
There you have it. The Republicans are responsible for all that is bad in this country. As a registered Republican, I am the first to admit the mistakes made with the current administration. I have absolutely no problem acknowledging mistakes, and neither do many of my like-minded friends. If Randi Rhodes or Al Franken or even Michael Moore had made those statements, we would just brush it off as big talk, just like when liberals complain about Rush Limbaugh.
However, when two respected politicians make those statements, we have a problem. It's no longer about which candidate offers the best plans and policies for the citizens, it's no longer about one-on-one debate of the issues. It's about smearing an entire party because of the actions of a few.
Speaking of which, and I was very pleased that Beth Reinhard brought it up in the column, the Democrats have their own bad guys. William Jefferson, Mandy Dawson and Gary Siplin were mentioned as Democratic examples of unethical behavior.
The moment a Republican politician makes a sweeping comment about Democrats, I will make sure to point it out as another example of awful partisan politics. I may have my opinions, but I'm fair.
If there are people on the left who still wonder why the Democrats haven't been able to win a major election in several years, all they have to do is look at Reinhard's piece as a hint.
posted by Robert at 8:32 AM
7 Comments:
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
You're just way too reasonable.
Robert:
The Republicans came into office vowing to clean up politics after the Clinton era and have had 6 years to do just that. They've had full control of the executive branch and the legislative branch and things have only gotten worse. Please don't make me reference my list of Republicans who have been indicted and/or convicted of something or the other since then. And we're still waiting on Fitz to deliver up You Know Who.
It is a problem and the Democrats would be fools not to bring it up and use it to their advantage in the coming elections. Sorta like a blowjob in the Oval Office. That's why they call it politics, Robert.
And do I really need to address "smearing" and who does that better than anyone else? No, I don't think so.
Let's come back to this post in December after some of the "major elections" have been held. And we'll talk more about your last paragraph.
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Rick,
As I clearly stated in the post, I acknowledge the mistakes that have been made by the Republican-controlled House and Senate. Let's get that out in the open again.
Corruption is definitely a problem, regardless of the source. But you sound like you're justifying some of those over-the-top and sweeping statements Reinhard quoted Democratic politicians as saying as "politics" and as something that they should take advantage of. You didn't like it when Clinton was bashed by the right back in the late 90s, so why should you like it when people in your own party do it?
Maybe I'm naive and idealistic, but smearing doesn't belong in politics nor should we accept it. I don't care if its done by a Republican or a Democrat - it sucks.
Democrats (and a lot of Republicans) complain about the state of our country. Fine, that's their right. But maybe - just maybe - if they focused more on the issues and on offering real solutions instead of attacking and smearing, we would have true progress.
Until then, expect more of the same.
Robert:
I don't condone any of the smearing that either party does. But to say we can expect better from these two parties is like saying we should expect more from the Palestinians and Jews. This has been going on for over 200 years. To say everyone should just play nice is, as you say, a little naive and idealistic.
Yes, you acknowledge the mistakes of the conservative right, Robert. But for once I'd love to see you dissect them in detail like you do the liberal left. Let's talk about Karl Rove who once said:
"Liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers," Rove said. "Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 and the attacks and prepared for war."
and
“Conservatives saw what happened to us on 9/11 and said we will defeat our enemies. Liberals saw what happened to us and said we must understand our enemies."
This doesn't come from some congressional member. It comes straight from the White House.
Talking about these quotes and giving them equal time? Now THAT would be fair.
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OK Rick, fair enough on the Rove quotes.
Frankly, this blog isn't a daily watchdog for all the dumb things politicians say and do (unless of course it's fidel and his buddies). I pick and choose my topics, and yes I have to admit that my targets will normally be from the Democratic side, just as your targets are on the Republican side.
Fairness to me means that I will admit faults on both sides, even if I post more about one side than the other. Also, I allow and encourage dissenting comments as long as it's done respectfully and tastefully.
In closing, I have no problem being a little naive and not accept mediocrity from our elected officials. Like it or not, the people we elect reflect all of us.
I would much rather demand quality than accept crap. That's just me.
For those pinko-nazi jerks (Democrats) that want to believe that we were wrong to go into Iraq to save freedom from terrorists just look at how desperate things are getting in Israel, our number one ally:
Israeli Prime Minister: 'One More Suicide Bombing And I'll Give Them Whatever They Want'
May 30, 2006
JERUSALEM—Following a weekend bus bombing in Tel Aviv that left six dead and dozens more critically injured, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday issued an ultimatum to Palestinian extremists: "Either put an end to your deadly, mindless attacks, or we will have no choice but to dissolve the state of Israel as we know it."
Olmert makes one last, desperate plea to Palestinian extremists.
In a televised address Olmert, who characterized the latest bombing as "one short of permanently ending our century-long Zionist experiment," warned Islamic radicals that Israel would not stand any further "methodical and deeply intimidating" acts of terror, "whether outside a popular nightclub in Haifa or in a crowded marketplace in Be'er Sheva, as just one more of these atrocities will surely crush the once-resolute spirit of the Israeli people."
"Even a loud explosion in a vacant lot could shatter our solidarity at this point," Olmert added.
The prime minister, whose term has seen a surge in violence after a period of relative calm, advised those thinking of inflicting further damage upon Israel not to follow through with their "surefire plans," claiming that such a strategy would undoubtedly result in "the realization of their fondest, most cherished hopes and dreams."
"We are past the point of negotiating with these killers," Olmert said. "One more deadly, or not so deadly, attack, regardless of what form it takes—suicide bombing, school-bus shooting, car bombing—or who is behind it, will be the last straw for us."
Added Olmert: "For years we have stood defiant in the face of these cowardly attacks. But they have finally managed to completely break down our very will to exist."
Olmert urged organizations like Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, the Armed Islamic Group, the Muslim Brotherhood, and al-Qaeda not to test his conviction.
Said Olmert: "Even as I speak, the full might of the Israeli military is standing by to surrender should another suicide bombing occur."
The May 27 car bombing was the last attack of any kind Israel will tolerate before completely dissolving.
Olmert added that he hoped Israel's "strong and decisive stance" would make would-be martyrs "think twice before wiping the state of Israel off the face of the earth." He also assured militant Palestinians that there would be "no going back" after the next attack, and that if they chose violence, "they would be forced to live with the consequences of their actions."
"Mark my words, we are prepared to give in," he added. "All of Israel is poised to jump into the sea."
Olmert concluded with the threat that, should Israel endure one more act of terror, he would "respond quickly and forcefully with complete acquiescence to every one of these extremists' demands."
"This is your final warning," Olmert said.
International observers called Olmert's remarks part of a larger trend.
"This proves once and for all that terrorism, in all its forms, works," UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said. "Israel may very well be the first of many powerful, well-armed nations that will have to succumb to the foolproof tactics of these murderous fiends."
"Terrorists are very dedicated," said Netanya, Israel resident Gavriel Meltzer. "To be willing to give your life for what you believe in—it's a powerful statement. I've got to say, they've got me convinced. Maybe they're right."
*******
Fight or die - Semper Fi!!
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