Stabbed in the Back Narrative Begins

[Northgate]

I just want to ask one simple question. Who is in charge of this country right now?

Republicans. They control the presidency. They control congress. They control a majority of the governorships. The courts are in their pockets.

What I find extraordinary is how quickly the "We've been stabbed in the back by the American left and the Drive-By media" theme has surfaced on the radio and the talking yap dogs on cable news and blogs.

Basically, conservatives and Republicans are working very hard the blame the consequences of the war in Iraq and their failed War on Terror on Democrats and the media rather than the right-wing leaders who are actually in charge of it all.

This shouldn't come as a surprise as this is politics as usual from the "Blame America's Ex-President's First" crowd has no choice but to lay blame elsewhere than at their own feet.

[midwinter]

Well, it plays a lot better than "Everything we touch turns to shit! It must be the liberals' fault!"

[dmz]

The people are in control of the country -- but they lack a vision, are imagining a vain thing, etc.

(and, short of miracle, there's no simple solution)

[addabox]

Originally posted by dmz
The people are in control of the country -- but they lack a vision, are imagining a vain thing, etc.

(and, short of miracle, there's no simple solution)

This "a pox on all their houses, but for I and a select few there would be no integrity at all" thing is getting old. dude.

Insofar as you have thrown your lot in with a political faction, you've thrown you lot in with a gang of incompetent, corrupt demagogues.

Now apparently (and you're not the only one to go down this path), face saving requires you to strenuously assert that there could not be nor has there ever been anything better; that this particular gang of incompetent, corrupt demagogues are perfectly representative of the fruits of American democracy and electing different people with different ideologies is just changing deck chairs on the Titanic of materialism, or pseudo-christianity, or whatever you're sighing over lately.

In other words, in order to justify your allegiance to dwarves you have to make of everyone else a pigmy.

I'm just starting to wonder why all the lovely patriots that have been played for fools by the right but can't let go of their cellular animosity for the left have such a low opinion of the country.

Just clucking your tongue at how depraved everyone is is lazy and off-puttingly arrogant.

[trumptman]

Originally posted by Northgate
I just want to ask one simple question. Who is in charge of this country right now?

Republicans. They control the presidency. They control congress. They control a majority of the governorships. The courts are in their pockets.

What I find extraordinary is how quickly the "We've been stabbed in the back by the American left and the Drive-By media" theme has surfaced on the radio and the talking yap dogs on cable news and blogs.

Basically, conservatives and Republicans are working very hard the blame the consequences of the war in Iraq and their failed War on Terror on Democrats and the media rather than the right-wing leaders who are actually in charge of it all.

This shouldn't come as a surprise as this is politics as usual from the "Blame America's Ex-President's First" crowd has no choice but to lay blame elsewhere than at their own feet.

Well what sort of theme would you expect them to put forward when the only thing that can be reported on Iraq are the number of dead, a prison scandal and one incident where servicemen shot civilians and covered it up?

I'll give you the opportunity to prove this wrong. Simply cite a single story involving Iraq that has been positive and been played up in the media enough to have everyone know it.

Nick

[dmz]

Originally posted by addabox
This "a pox on all their houses, but for I and a select few there would be no integrity at all" thing is getting old. dude.

Insofar as you have thrown your lot in with a political faction, you've thrown you lot in with a gang of incompetent, corrupt demagogues.

Now apparently (and you're not the only one to go down this path), face saving requires you to strenuously assert that there could not be nor has there ever been anything better; that this particular gang of incompetent, corrupt demagogues are perfectly representative of the fruits of American democracy and electing different people with different ideologies is just changing deck chairs on the Titanic of materialism, or pseudo-christianity, or whatever you're sighing over lately.

In other words, in order to justify your allegiance to dwarves you have to make of everyone else a pigmy.

I'm just starting to wonder why all the lovely patriots that have been played for fools by the right but can't let go of their cellular animosity for the left have such a low opinion of the country.

Just clucking your tongue at how depraved everyone is is lazy and off-puttingly arrogant.
It's a representative democracy, addabox -- have you read Democracy in America? there's no chapter where Tocqueville describes how "'the man' was keepin' the people down".

Yes, it's easier to externalize and project your problems elsewhere, but 'if Congress is a parliament of whores, in a democracy, that makes us the whores.'

For a materialist, there is no morality or overarching unity principle that is an essential, integral part of how society can come together in an ultimately constructive way. Because of that fact, you and many others see the problem as lack of information 'if we only had the right policies on welfare, immigration and gay marriage -- if we only passed the right laws -- everything would fall into place.'

Well, what if 'the people' [<-- dangerous abstraction], the same people who need a 'scientific study' to tell them if it's okay to slap their 18-month old's hand if he reaches for the stove, don't get it? A country that anguishes over spanking but uses ritalin on a lark, has bigger issues than locating 'the man' so he can stop 'holding them down'.

"So often times it happens, that we live our lives in chains, and we never even know we have the key."

(read my sig)

[Harald]

Originally posted by trumptman
Well what sort of theme would you expect them to put forward when the only thing that can be reported on Iraq are the number of dead, a prison scandal and one incident where servicemen shot civilians and covered it up?

I'll give you the opportunity to prove this wrong. Simply cite a single story involving Iraq that has been positive and been played up in the media enough to have everyone know it.

Nick

Nick -- can you objectively give us *the sort* of story that in terms of 'story value' or importance is greater then a massacre 24 people, murder and violence in a US-run jail or a carbomb that killed (say) 50 people?

I'm interested.

[trumptman]

Originally posted by Harald
Nick -- can you objectively give us *the sort* of story that in terms of 'story value' or importance is greater then a massacre 24 people, murder and violence in a US-run jail or a carbomb that killed (say) 50 people?

I'm interested.

Your reasoning here is zero-sum. It assumes that the entire media can only report on one story on Iraq at a time and cannot report on a different story until they stop reporting on the previous one.

I did not try to devalue any of the scandals, claim that reporting on them was wrong, or anything else like that.

I simply asked for someone to mention one positive story that has come out of Iraq that has been reported on often enough that we would all be able to know it.

Nick

[SDW2001]

Originally posted by Northgate
I just want to ask one simple question. Who is in charge of this country right now?

Republicans. They control the presidency. They control congress. They control a majority of the governorships. The courts are in their pockets.

What I find extraordinary is how quickly the "We've been stabbed in the back by the American left and the Drive-By media" theme has surfaced on the radio and the talking yap dogs on cable news and blogs.

Basically, conservatives and Republicans are working very hard the blame the consequences of the war in Iraq and their failed War on Terror on Democrats and the media rather than the right-wing leaders who are actually in charge of it all.

This shouldn't come as a surprise as this is politics as usual from the "Blame America's Ex-President's First" crowd has no choice but to lay blame elsewhere than at their own feet.

Clever portrayal of "everything going to hell." That premise is really at the center of your ridiculous rhetoric above.

How is the overall WOT a disaster?

Is the economy not going well?

Is Saddam not gone?

Are the mass graves being filled?

Are the Taliban running Afghanistan?

Do you really believe Republicans control the overall court system?

Now:

Which party has called the President a liar as he conducts a war?

Which party has practiced class warfare?

Which party has prevented us from securing additional domestic oil and prevented us from building nuclear reactors and more oil refineries?

Which party has called our troops cold blooded killers?

Which party has deemed Republicans part of a "culture of corruption"?

Which party controls the old media?

I see. Republicans are runnning things, so they aren't allowed to complain about outrageous media bias, obstructionist Democrats and those more obsessed with getting back their own power than they are in governing the country.

[Northgate]

Originally posted by trumptman
Well what sort of theme would you expect them to put forward when the only thing that can be reported on Iraq are the number of dead, a prison scandal and one incident where servicemen shot civilians and covered it up?

I'll give you the opportunity to prove this wrong. Simply cite a single story involving Iraq that has been positive and been played up in the media enough to have everyone know it.

Nick

Purple fingers.

[Northgate]

Originally posted by SDW2001
Clever portrayal of "everything going to hell." That premise is really at the center of your ridiculous rhetoric above.

How is the overall WOT a disaster?

Is the economy not going well?

Is Saddam not gone?

Are the mass graves being filled?

Are the Taliban running Afghanistan?

Do you really believe Republicans control the overall court system?

Now:

Which party has called the President a liar as he conducts a war?

Which party has practiced class warfare?

Which party has prevented us from securing additional domestic oil and prevented us from building nuclear reactors and more oil refineries?

Which party has called our troops cold blooded killers?

Which party has deemed Republicans part of a "culture of corruption"?

Which party controls the old media?

I see. Republicans are runnning things, so they aren't allowed to complain about outrageous media bias, obstructionist Democrats and those more obsessed with getting back their own power than they are in governing the country.

Democrats do not control the agenda.

Democrats are not suggesting dismantling Social Security.

Democrats support new alternative fuels if only they'd get funding.

Republican representatives have colled our troops cold blooded killers.

Republicans are emboiled in a culture of corruption.

Old media? Are you kidding?

Republicans ARE running things. They've been COMPLAINING since the day they took over. They've been COMPLAINING since the fucking 1970's.

[Northgate]

Here's the bottom line. You cannot blame Democrats and bloggers for the failures of your administration. Not when the entire Federal government is at your finger tips.

Example. We could be talking about health care, prescription drugs, gas prices, anything. But what agenda has your illustrious party decided to debate?

Hate ammendments and flag burning.

Nice. Gotta love those Democrats for...nevermind.

[midwinter]

Originally posted by Northgate
Republicans ARE running things. They've been COMPLAINING since the day they took over. They've been COMPLAINING since the fucking 1970's.

Not complaining. Whining. "Ooh! Oooh! Everything we touch turns to shit! Must be the liberals' fault!"

[Chris Cuilla]

Originally posted by Northgate
Democrats do not control the agenda.

"The agenda"? There's only one?

Originally posted by Northgate
Democrats support new alternative fuels if only they'd get funding.

But first we need incentives for alternative fuels...and I hear a lot of people (lots of D's as I recall) whining about the biggest incentive to emerge in the past 6-12 months.

Originally posted by Northgate
Republicans are emboiled in a culture of corruption.

And they are the only ones. **cough** William Jefferson **cough** Don't pretend that the R's have a patent on corruption.

Originally posted by Northgate
Republicans ARE running things.

But apparently not enough to get their pet amendment passed.

Originally posted by Northgate
They've been COMPLAINING...

Funny, all I hear around here is liberals complaining about...well...everything.

[Northgate]

Damn, Shawn, you beat me to it. I'm sure we can name five or six corrupted Republicans to the one Jefferson. But they know who they are too. They're just being cute.

[Chris Cuilla]

Originally posted by ShawnJ
Because systemic corruption is the same thing as one isolated case of corruption.

Because one "isolated case of corruption" is well..."isolated case of corruption".

Get off it. You sound foolish trying to make it seem like the D's are somehow less corrupt (or have fewer corrupt players).

:rolleyes:

[Northgate]

Originally posted by Chris Cuilla
"The agenda"? There's only one?

Yeah, the agenda. You know, that thing Congress uses to decide what they're going to screw up next. You know, the power to create committees or investigate fucked up shit. Stuff like that.

But first we need incentives for alternative fuels...and I hear a lot of people (lots of D's as I recall) whining about the biggest incentive to emerge in the past 6-12 months.

Gas prices aren't enough?

And they are the only ones. **cough** William Jefferson **cough** Don't pretend that the R's have a patent on corruption.

That's ONE.

But apparently not enough to get their pet amendment passed.

You'll get your flag burning ammendment. Don't worry.

Funny, all I hear around here is liberals complaining about...well...everything.

Kinda like Republicans during the Clinton administration. Well at least we learned a few things from you guys. :lol:

[Chris Cuilla]

The only reason I keep responding to you is out of sheer boredom...

Originally posted by Northgate
Gas prices aren't enough?

Apparently not (http://www.macombdaily.com/stories/052606/loc_gasprice001.shtml). But some people (http://www.democrats.com/gas) think so.

Originally posted by Northgate
You'll get your flag burning ammendment. Don't worry.

You crack me up. Well, no, not really.

Originally posted by Northgate
Kinda like Republicans during the Clinton administration.

Funny you should mention that example. D's today sound exactly like R's back then. It's nuts.

[midwinter]

Originally posted by Chris Cuilla
Funny you should mention that example. D's today sound exactly like R's back then. It's nuts.

What's even funnier is that the R's sound exactly like they did back then, too. It's like they haven't noticed they're in charge.

[ronaldo]

Originally posted by Northgate
Yeah, the agenda. You know, that thing Congress uses to decide what they're going to screw up next. You know, the power to create committees or investigate fucked up shit. Stuff like that.



Gas prices aren't enough?



That's ONE.



You'll get your flag burning ammendment. Don't worry.



Kinda like Republicans during the Clinton administration. Well at least we
learned a few things from you guys. :lol: [/B]


That flag burning amendment is another waste of congressional time. That one will not pass either.

[ronaldo]

Originally posted by ronaldo
That flag burning amendment is another waste of congressional time. That one will not pass either.

www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/opinion/14756282.htm

and these are the knuckle head senators (almost all Republican) that co-sponsored that bill back in 1999
Sen Cleland, Max [GA] - 3/17/1999
Sen Abraham, Spencer [MI] - 3/17/1999
Sen Allard, Wayne [CO] - 3/17/1999
Sen Ashcroft, John [MO] - 3/17/1999
Sen Baucus, Max [MT] - 3/17/1999
Sen Bond, Christopher S. [MO] - 3/17/1999
Sen Breaux, John B. [LA] - 3/17/1999
Sen Brownback, Sam [KS] - 3/17/1999
Sen Bunning, Jim [KY] - 3/17/1999
Sen Burns, Conrad R. [MT] - 3/17/1999
Sen Campbell, Ben Nighthorse [CO] - 3/17/1999
Sen Collins, Susan M. [ME] - 3/17/1999
Sen Coverdell, Paul [GA] - 3/17/1999
Sen Craig, Larry E. [ID] - 3/17/1999
Sen Crapo, Mike [ID] - 3/17/1999
Sen DeWine, Mike [OH] - 3/17/1999
Sen Domenici, Pete V. [NM] - 3/17/1999
Sen Enzi, Michael B. [WY] - 3/17/1999
Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] - 3/17/1999
Sen Fitzgerald, Peter [IL] - 3/17/1999
Sen Frist, William H. [TN] - 3/17/1999
Sen Gorton, Slade [WA] - 3/17/1999
Sen Graham, Bob [FL] - 3/17/1999
Sen Gramm, Phil [TX] - 3/17/1999
Sen Grams, Rod [MN] - 3/17/1999
Sen Grassley, Chuck [IA] - 3/17/1999
Sen Gregg, Judd [NH] - 3/17/1999
Sen Hagel, Chuck [NE] - 3/17/1999
Sen Helms, Jesse [NC] - 3/17/1999
Sen Hollings, Ernest F. [SC] - 3/17/1999
Sen Hutchinson, Tim [AR] - 3/17/1999
Sen Hutchison, Kay Bailey [TX] - 3/17/1999
Sen Inhofe, James M. [OK] - 3/17/1999
Sen Johnson, Tim [SD] - 3/17/1999
Sen Kyl, Jon [AZ] - 3/17/1999
Sen Lincoln, Blanche L. [AR] - 3/17/1999
Sen Lott, Trent [MS] - 3/17/1999
Sen Lugar, Richard G. [IN] - 3/17/1999
Sen Mack, Connie, III [FL] - 3/17/1999
Sen McCain, John [AZ] - 3/17/1999
Sen Murkowski, Frank H. [AK] - 3/17/1999
Sen Nickles, Don [OK] - 3/17/1999
Sen Reid, Harry [NV] - 3/17/1999
Sen Roberts, Pat [KS] - 3/17/1999
Sen Roth Jr., William V. [DE] - 3/17/1999
Sen Santorum, Rick [PA] - 3/17/1999
Sen Sessions, Jeff [AL] - 3/17/1999
Sen Shelby, Richard C. [AL] - 3/17/1999
Sen Smith, Bob [NH] - 3/17/1999
Sen Snowe, Olympia J. [ME] - 3/17/1999
Sen Specter, Arlen [PA] - 3/17/1999
Sen Stevens, Ted [AK] - 3/17/1999
Sen Thomas, Craig [WY] - 3/17/1999
Sen Thompson, Fred [TN] - 3/17/1999
Sen Thurmond, Strom [SC] - 3/17/1999
Sen Warner, John [VA] - 3/17/1999
Sen Voinovich, George V. [OH] - 3/24/1999
Sen Miller, Zell [GA] - 10/12/2000