United States vs. John Lennon... AND Wikileaks' Assange

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Wednesday December 08, 2010 · 7:20 PM PST

2010/12/08 · 19:20

In memoriam to John Lennon today, on the 30th anniversary of his death, I am reminded of the parallels to Julian Assange, another champion of social justice and war protest. John Lennon was hounded secretly and openly by the Nixon Administration and J. Edgar Hoover's FBI, for Lennon's spirited opposition to the Vietnam War.

Assange's Wikileaks airing of dirty laundry is more information-based than Lennon's advocacy, but in the end, may be no less important (and perhaps even more so when all's said and done) in retrospect. But the persecution by the powerful, be they government or the rich elite, would appear to have significant parallels.

Poll

38 votes Show Results

Is Julian Assange giving peace a chance with his leaks?

38 votes Vote Now!

Is Julian Assange giving peace a chance with his leaks?

Yes

22 votes

7 votes

Maybe... jury's still out

3 votes

Mixed bag

6 votes

NOT "self-kicking": Drunken family member metaphor

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Tuesday August 31, 2010 · 11:57 AM PDT

2010/08/31 · 11:57

A current Wreck List diary purports to equate criticism of the Obama administration and Blue Dog Democrats as excessive, abusive "self-kicking" -- as a "perfectionist" might do to him-/herself.

It further calls for a "moratorium" on such "perfectionist... self-abuse," in the interest of self-survival past the November elections, under the assumption that all such self criticism is likely to further ensure the election of Republicans, the indisputable bad guys.

First, the metaphor is all wrong. Second, this is a false dichotomy -- a classic logical "either-or" fallacy, that many of us see again and again in relation to the idea of criticizing the Obama Democrats and conservative members of our Party.

Allow me to posit an alternative metaphor, which not only suggests that it's not "ourselves" that we're "kicking," but also would lead to the uncomfortable but inevitable conclusion that criticism is, yes, reluctantly and painfully, necessary for the good of everyone involved (well, except for the asshole Republicans, of course):

Poll

49 votes Show Results

S'ingTFU until November is best for the Democrats, and the Nation (Alan Simpson's Cat Food Commission, be damned)

49 votes Vote Now!

S'ingTFU until November is best for the Democrats, and the Nation (Alan Simpson's Cat Food Commission, be damned)

True. In fact, no criticism of Democrats is good, ever

4 votes

True. No criticism of Democrats is good, at least now until November

8 votes

Maybe... but if "they" did something REALLY bad (think "tits"), I might reconsider

1 vote

False -- though it depends on the type of behavior we're criticizing, and how it's criticized

8 votes

False. If the Dems do something dumb or destructive, it's our obligation to speak up and "make them" change

28 votes

"Night of the Living Dead" (or, Come and Get Me, Troll-Zombies!!)

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Wednesday June 16, 2010 · 10:16 PM PDT

2010/06/16 · 22:16

Much like George Romero's epic horror scenario in "Night of the Living Dead," I come to gravely warn you of a real-life horror.

Some of you might not be aware of it, but Daily Kos has become infested with political brain-eating zombies, intent on sucking the cheery optimism out of every humble servant of the president on this site. There are now few (just over 300, at last count survivors as of 9:00PM PST).

Most are now barracaded into virtual shopping centers and commercial buildings, armed with what epithets and weapons they can find. But the Zombie-Trolls (Z-Ts) are relentless, and threaten all of those former ~~fan club members~~ loyal humans remaining alive.

Poll

8 votes Show Results

Will YOU survive the Zombie Trolls seeking to suck your brains, or is all lost for the fewer and fewer remaining survivors?

8 votes Vote Now!

Will YOU survive the Zombie Trolls seeking to suck your brains, or is all lost for the fewer and fewer remaining survivors?

Doomed! We're DOOMED to all be turned into Republican Zombie Trolls!! [FADE TO BLACK...]

3 votes

SO many have been lost to the Z-Ts... I can't see how we'll survive, but we must... keep... trying...

0 votes

There are so many of them, some even former family and friends converted to Z-T status. But I'm hoping we can barricade ourselves into underground bunkers and keep them at bay!

1 vote

YES! I pledge to fight these brain-sucking Zombie-Trolls to my last breath, with all the indignant, simplistic, belligerent ad hom innuendo I can muster!

4 votes

Tipping Point? ACLU "disgusted" by Obama admin.; Labor too? UPDATE

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Friday June 11, 2010 · 3:35 PM PDT

2010/06/11 · 15:35

Given the light shone on the White House's disdainful views of organized labor after the recent pyrrhic Lincoln primary victory in Arkansas, we may be reaching a critical, and potentially perilous tipping point in Democratic support for the president. This loss of support clearly now ranges well beyond "educated white progressives," and now includes increasing percentages of the traditional activist Democratic base.

Yesterday the ACLU Executive Director, Anthony Romero appears to have opened a talk at the progressive America's Future Now conference with this statement, as tweeted by Marcy Wheeler: "I'm going to start provocatively . . . I'm disgusted with this president."

I see this as further evidence that president Obama and his White House advisers have entered a Beltway bubble that may end up costing it and the Democratic Party (and by extension, US) dearly both this fall and in 2012.

Poll

230 votes Show Results

The White House is taking a big risk in alienating such a wide spectrum of the Democratic base

230 votes Vote Now!

The White House is taking a big risk in alienating such a wide spectrum of the Democratic base

True: They can ill afford to piss off so many traditionally activist supporters in such politically volatile times

148 votes

True, but given their support by Big Corporations, and the likelihood of attracting "independent" voters, it may be worth the risk

30 votes

False: It's a small gamble, at best, and labor and civil libertarians represent a minimal, barely significant portion of "the base," anyway.

14 votes

False: I question your assumptions, and Obama and Co. are doing just fine, thank you

25 votes

Who the pie knows?!? Things are bafflingly complicated these oily days...

13 votes

Study: Prosecutors Block Blacks From Southern Juries

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Tuesday June 01, 2010 · 9:54 PM PDT

2010/06/01 · 21:54

Almost 135 years ago, the U.S. Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1875 (proposed, ironically, at least in the current context, by Republicans) to eliminate racial discrimination in jury selection. Despite this, people of color continue to be excluded from jury service because of race, especially in serious criminal trials and death penalty cases.

This important study, just out today, highlights the prevailing assumption that at a de facto level, Jim Crow is alive and well in the South. The findings are that African Americans, in particular, regularly do not get fair trials by juries of their peers, given the systematic, deliberate exclusion of black jurors in criminal cases. Needless to say, this goes far to help explain the inordinate conviction rates and sentences handed down by Southern juries for people of color. And for capital murder cases, it also speaks to the higher average rates per case of death penalty sentences handed down -- not just in the South, but across the country.

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Friday May 21, 2010 · 5:01 PM PDT

2010/05/21 · 17:01

Nothing happens in isolation, and in politics even unanticipated "natural" disasters -- such as blizzards -- have brought down many a politician past. Perception is everything in politics, and in concert with other current events, including the economic peril we still face, this unfolding catastrophe in the Gulf has the potential to significantly damage Barack Obama's, and the Democratic Party's, political fortunes.

It a long way to the 2010 and 2012 elections, but this is a disaster that will keep on giving for the next 10 years or more. In a volatile, dangerous context of anti-incumbent resentment and continued joblessness, it is time for far more urgent action by the White House, both to better inoculate it and the Democratic Party from the growing political fallout, and to actually improve the inadequate disaster response up to now.

Poll

70 votes Show Results

The White House should be taking more direct control over response to this calamity

70 votes Vote Now!

The White House should be taking more direct control over response to this calamity

Agreed: They're blowing it on both the PR front and on the practical front.

55 votes

Maybe more, but overall they're doing o.k. in the public eye

4 votes

No -- they're doing all that they can, and it's the MSM and Republicans who are creating any PR problems

6 votes

No, they're doing fine, and the public will see that in the long run

3 votes

Oily pie in yer eye

2 votes

Best "Going Rogue" Book Review Ever! (... And Scary Thoughts on Palin) w/ UPDATE

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Sunday November 22, 2009 · 2:25 PM PST

2009/11/22 · 14:25

O.k., first of all, in contrast to the appalling Salon.com coverage of Palin's book that Turkana ~~eviscerates~~ discusses today (rec list), EVERYONE should read this funny, devastating review of Palin's book, from ginandtacos.com. Excerpted below, it brilliantly captures the stupidity, lies, and hilarity as no other has before it. For example:

"...the book provides ample proof that Sarah Palin’s version of her own life is like the Turkish government’s version of the Armenian Genocide - and approximately as trustworthy."

But aside from sharing a great piece of humor writing below, I also want to caution about "rational" assumptions regarding the horror-show that is Sarah Palin and the movement she's leading. In times of crisis, Palin's lies and irrationality are far more potent.

Meet me (and our brilliant, funny writer pal at ginandtacos.com) below...

Poll

251 votes Show Results

"2012 Republican Presidential Nominee, Sarah Palin," would be:

251 votes Vote Now!

"2012 Republican Presidential Nominee, Sarah Palin," would be:

The death knell for the Repugs, and great for Dems and America

39 votes

A further large step down the road to permanent Repug political marginalization

64 votes

A worrisome, but manageable challenge for Obama and Co.

39 votes

A very dangerous 3-month period for the world, given our fragile status

109 votes

Worse Than Nothing HCR Disaster? Progs CANNOT Back Down fr PO

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Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday September 10, 2009 · 10:36 PM PDT

2009/09/10 · 22:36

Three cheers to Cong. Raul Grijalva and Cong. Lynn Woolsey, co-chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, for not backing down in the face of intense pressure.

The NEW LETTER they sent today to President Obama, demanding a meeting with him to push the public option, shows they are playing hardball with the White House. Beyond our progressive heroes here and at Firedoglake, Grijalva, Woolsey and Co. are our only thread of hope (well, maybe with Tom Harkin and a few others over in the Senate, as well!) for getting a robust public option. This is particularly true after the president made it abundantly clear in recent days -- including in last night's inspiring, if somewhat underwhelming on the specifics, speech -- that the public option is purely optional right now.

Bottom line: The White House is walking into a trap if it rams through any of the non-public option alternatives, several of which will be FAR worse than nothing, and will tie all future health care disasters and discontent around the neck of the Democratic Party.

Poll

65 votes Show Results

NON-PO route for the Democratic Party:

65 votes Vote Now!

NON-PO route for the Democratic Party:

Best option available, and far BETTER than nothing!

4 votes

Good enough for now, and we can build on it later

9 votes

Could hurt the Party under certain circumstances

7 votes

Dems get trapped, killed and eaten by clever Repug and industry predators

45 votes

"Trust" but Verify! And Don't Get Rolled: Constructive Criticism is the Key

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Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday August 22, 2009 · 10:52 PM PDT

2009/08/22 · 22:52

I'm astonished by the continued vehemence of the STFU crowd on this site. As currently being vigorously debated over the last few days, the issue is about the use of the word "trust" in reference to criticism of the Obama administration's HCR efforts up to now (in reaction to Krugman's "Obama's Trust Problem" column late last week). Some say any criticism is counterproductive. The answer clearly is this: CONSTRUCTIVE criticism is healthy and productive, and in our political system it provides a critical barometer for politicians to gauge their policy positions before such positions coalesce.

Fact: We would have lost the public option by now if there had only been silence from progressive Democrats, as evidenced by the recent backpedaling from the White House after the stir caused by Sec'y Sebelius' comments appearing to throw the public option under the bus. Loud, vocal advocacy works, and is not a sign of weakness.

Poll

85 votes Show Results

The Question of Trust: Should We

85 votes Vote Now!

The Question of Trust: Should We

Trust the president to do the right thing, and remain silent to avoid giving our opponents ammunition

0 votes

Trust the president is a progressive Democrat, and with a little pressure from all of us, he'll do the right thing

8 votes

Accept that the president, and Congressional Dems, are politicians, and respond to the squeaky wheels

12 votes

Maintain constant vigilance, given the clear track record of Democrats straying from the needs of their consituents and capitulation to vested corporate interests

65 votes

UPDATED: PREDICTABLE Violence: Holocaust Mem, Tiller Attacks by Rightwing Extremists

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Wednesday June 10, 2009 · 11:50 AM PDT

2009/06/10 · 11:50

The attack today at the Holocaust Museum (see maryschoyc's diary, right on the heels of the Roeder anti-abortion terrorist murder of Dr. Tiller, was inevitable in kind, if not specifics. These attacks have been potential energy up to now, but they will escalate, thanks to a combination of right wing extremist rhetoric from "mainstream" demagogues like Glenn Blech, O'Lielly, InsHannity, et al. at Fox Noise, on talk radio, and prompted by the election of America's first black president, who, as we all know, is being painted by the wingnuts as some version of Joseph Stalin and the Anti-Christ combined.

To repeat and reemphasize: These incidents are being encouraged, plotted, and perpetrated by a growing integration of white supremacist, anti-abortion, anti-government, fundamentalist Christian radical groups and movements in the United States, some of which are collecting arms and hoping to overthrow the democratically elected U.S. government.

Vtdblue

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday May 14, 2009 · 3:31 PM PDT

2009/05/14 · 15:31

After initially being a steadfast member of the "release them NOW!" camp regarding the torture photos/videos/etc. FOIA request that the Obama administration has decided to resist, I am now somewhat rethinking my stand -- but only on the condition that an independent prosecutor is appointed. And I am hoping that the administration is thinking this, too.

Here's the argument in a nutshell: Independently investigating first, avoiding the super-charged congressional context, and letting the wheels of justice turn in their slow, methodical (expensive) fashion, will frustrate those (like me) anxious for immediate, overdue accountability, but 1) allow the full Monty to be presented to the public if and when charges are brought forth, and mute the current GOP propaganda campaign by taking much of the debate offline temporarily; and 2) It will also allow us the get the frack out of Iraq in time, before such findings emerge many months and even years from now, by which time we can take at least most of our soldiers out of harms way there (and maybe even out of Afghanistan, too, if we're lucky!) before the evidence, including the photos, are released to a horrified but less politicized public and media.

Bear with me below the fold.

Poll

24 votes Show Results

Hold off on the photos/etc. IF a Special Prosecutor is appointed?

24 votes Vote Now!

Hold off on the photos/etc. IF a Special Prosecutor is appointed?

Yes, if and only if there's an SP

13 votes

No, they should be released NOW, regardless of what if any investigation there is

7 votes

No, they should never see the light of day

2 votes

The answer is as American as apple PIE... though perhaps not as clear... or crusty... yeah, that's it!

2 votes

In Further Defense of Frank Rich (espec'lly w/ poll)

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Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday March 24, 2009 · 2:28 PM PDT

2009/03/24 · 14:28

I know it may appear to be "old news," but in fact the Frank Rich "Katrina moment" issue continues to be relevant. Thus this diary is part recap, part defense, and particularly a genuine inquiry (in the poll below) about where Kossacks stand on this and related issues.

First, for those who've been following the very "spirited" debate, this a defense of Frank Rich's "Katrina moment" analogy (and similar administration policy critiques). Yes, this defense has already been ably met in part by a number of folks like Dallasdoc and others.

But I believe the issue deserves a followup, and a poll, below, given the continued often bitter back and forth, and what I believe are lingering misunderstandings and distortions we continue to see in diaries and comments since then. And because I wanted to toss out a straw (non-scientific) poll on what the prevailing opinion is among the DKos community. As stressful and uncertain as the times are right now, I believe we CAN all get along on this, especially if we avoid confusing legitimate policy disagreements with opinions worthy of personal attacks

Poll

84 votes Show Results

What's your take on Frank Rich's "Katrina moment" analogy?

84 votes Vote Now!

What's your take on Frank Rich's "Katrina moment" analogy?

Absolute and utter bull#%@!! He was WAY out of line, and he and other disloyal whiners should just STFU.

13 votes

I'm disappointed and annoyed. Not the Frank Rich I know!

23 votes

Perhaps an impolitic analogy, but I get what he's saying

19 votes

Fully within his rights to use the analogy, since it in no way implies that Obama is Bush, or that the Geithner plan is like the actual Katrina response

26 votes

No real opinion on it either way

3 votes

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United States vs. John Lennon... AND Wikileaks' Assange

NOT "self-kicking": Drunken family member metaphor

"Night of the Living Dead" (or, Come and Get Me, Troll-Zombies!!)

Tipping Point? ACLU "disgusted" by Obama admin.; Labor too? UPDATE

Study: Prosecutors Block Blacks From Southern Juries

UPDATED: Obama's Political Prospects & Oily Public Perceptions

Best "Going Rogue" Book Review Ever! (... And Scary Thoughts on Palin) w/ UPDATE

Worse Than Nothing HCR Disaster? Progs CANNOT Back Down fr PO

"Trust" but Verify! And Don't Get Rolled: Constructive Criticism is the Key

UPDATED: PREDICTABLE Violence: Holocaust Mem, Tiller Attacks by Rightwing Extremists

Torture Catch and Release: Indep. Investigation first, photos second-UPDATED

In Further Defense of Frank Rich (espec'lly w/ poll)