Blogged by Brad Friedman on 3/30/2005 12:37PM  
CNS Performs RNC Grunt Work by Attempting to Minimize Active Partisan Connections of Self-Declared
...And they take a few 'liberal' pot-shots at BRAD BLOG and Velvet Revolution in the bargain...

Our hope when speaking to Cybercast "News" Services' Kathleen Rhodes about the recent BRAD BLOG special coverage exposing the American Center for Voting Rights (ACVR) as little more than a bogus front group created by desperate high-level GOP operatives to create a smoke-screen for the real problems in the 2004 general election, was that the clear evidence for the sleaziness of this obvious and cynical bunch would be impossible for even a Rightwing "news" service to cover for.

Apparently we were wrong. Is there any GOP turd that can't be polished by their friends in the "Conservative" media?

The CNS article out this morning is exactly what we've come to expect from the hard-right groups who deceptively label themselves as "news" services in hopes of swindling a gullible American populace and inculcating them with "conservative" propaganda.

On that level, Ms. Rhodes and CNS have succeeded spectacularly!

Displaying an apparent contempt for the sacred privilege of casting a vote in the world's greatest democracy, she succeeds in minimizing and apologizing for the known ACVR ring-leaders' active ties to the RNC and Bush/Cheney '00/'04 Inc., attempts to legitimize the tax-payer subsidized status of the ACVR as a "non-partisan" 501(c)3 corporation, recharacterize them as a "Voting Fraud Watchdog Group" and attempt to villify those who would criticize them for their cynical and brazen attempts to undermine democracy in America.

We have sent the following letter to the Editors and Ms. Rhodes at CNS...

It's simply astounding that you would publish an article by Kathleen Rhodes ("Liberal Bloggers Pounce on Voting Fraud Watchdog Group") apologizing for the bogus and insulting "American Center for Voting Rights" (ACVR) by describing the ring-leaders of the group as "non-partisan", having "Past GOP connections" and being "formerly involved in Republican politics".

Both of the known ACVR participants are anything but non-partisan as they are current and active high-level RNC operatives.

Thor Hearne, who gave testimony for the group before congress, representing the only "voting rights" group called to testified at last week's U.S. House Administration Committee hearings on the 2004 Election in Ohio, is currently slated as the key-note speaker at the RNC-funded Republican National Lawyers Association reception next month in Florida. He is still an active member of that organization.

As well, hard-right partisan ACVR spokesperson Jim Dyke continues his work with the RNC and serves as a "GOP News Analyst" for Fox "News".

Hardly "former". Hardly "past". Hardly "non-partisan".

Your article also fails to mention that this group of snake-oil salesmen appeared on the Internet on Thursday, March 17th and gave testimony as experts on the issue of "Voting Rights" to Congress just three days later on Monday, March 21.

In the meantime, real "Voting Rights" organizations, who have been working on these issues for months and years were not even notified of these hearings. It's also more than notable that Hearne never bothered to mention his active affiliation with Bush/Cheney '04 Inc. and other Republican organizations during his congressional testimony. He referred to himself deceptively as simply "a longtime advocate of voter rights."

Furthermore, you advance the notion that this "non-partisan", tax-exempt 501(c)3 group, actually has filed the paper work to receive the privileges granted with that status, yet fail --- as they did --- to produce any documentation to demonstrate that in fact they have the access they claim on their website. A website, mind you, that gives no way to donate to the company, and was claimed to be registered by some unnamed company in Dallas, the name of which nobody at this front group seems to be able to remember despite having built the website just days ago. (The address, by the way, is a post office box in a Dallas, TX UPS store, yet none of the known operatives for this bunch actually lives or works in Dallas!)

This front group, set up solely to counter the hundreds and thousands of credible and verifiable claims of voter disenfranchisement, and miscounted and uncounted votes of the American people in the 2004 election is an insult to the Americans who have died both in this country and overseas fighting for the right to a free and fair vote. On the 40th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon Johnson after American were killed and beaten fighting for the right to vote in Selma, Alabama, such a phony organization is all the more insulting and outrageous.

For you to support and feed in to their fiction displays the hard-right bias of "news" organizations such as yours claiming to offer "balance" to what you see as a "Liberal" media bias.

You further reveal your rightwing bias in the meantime, by giving a valuable direct link to the ACVR's website from your story, yet you somehow overlooked providing a direct link to either my blog (BradBlog.com) or Velvet Revolution (VelvetRevolution.us) which is a real voters rights organization comprised of nearly 100 similar groups who have been working on such issues for months and, in many cases, years!

For a "news" service which claims to offer "balance" to the myth of a "liberal" media, you have succeeded in proving little but your own bona fides as a deceitfully manipulative hard-right slanted propaganda arm of the Republican Party.

Jim Dyke, the 2004 Communications Director for the RNC cum newly self-declared "voting rights" advocate at ACVR would be proud.

Brad Friedman
VelvetRevolution.us Co-Founder

...CONTACT...
CNS Editors - Letters@cnsnews.com
Kathleen Rhodes - Krhodes@cnsnews.com
Click here to send them both Email!

UPDATE: CNS has now added live links to BRAD BLOG and Velvet Revolution. Now if they'll just make a live link to the other blog they reference in their story, Why Are We Back in Iraq?, CNS will have one less thing that can be used to demonstrate their enormously biased pro-Republican slant.

FURTHER UPDATE: More on the Extremist Rightwing "News" hucksters of CNS here...

For more information on the "non-partisan" tax-exempt ACVR scam and the snakeoil salesmen who invented it, Bush/Cheney '04 National General Counsel Mark F. "Thor" Hearne and RNC Communications Director Jim Dyke, please see BRAD BLOG's full Special Coverage of the "American Center for Voting Rights" at http://www.BradBlog.com/ACVR.
Buzz this story! C2NN: Submit it!


READER COMMENTS ON
"Right-Wing Extremist 'News' Service Attempts to Legitimize Phony GOP 'Voting Rights' Group!"
(96 Responses so far...)

COMMENT #1 [Permalink]
... Ron Brynaert said on 3/30/2005 @ 1:39 pm PT...


No surprise.

Cybercast News Service is the "news" organization that Bobby Eberle picked to replace Talon News at GOPUSA.com.

And...Cybercast News Service also picks up Jeff Gannon's "news" articles and distributes them all across the Internet.


COMMENT #2 [Permalink]
... Bejammin075 said on 3/30/2005 @ 1:43 pm PT...


Once again Brad, top notch.


COMMENT #3 [Permalink]
... Ron Brynaert said on 3/30/2005 @ 1:47 pm PT...


Oh my...I'm mentioned in that article too...not the sort of acclaim I've been looking for...lol

Gotta love the way most of that article is copy and pasted from the AC4VR press releases.


COMMENT #4 [Permalink]
... Republicans are Fascists said on 3/30/2005 @ 1:47 pm PT...


Well, it appears the RNC is actually using this trumped up front group's info for their own direct mailings. Read this post on the Democratic Underground,

http://www.democraticund...address=104×3388419

This group sprung to life over night , they were quickly used in a high level postion, now their bogus disinformation is being spread internet wide ( and I predict soon to be used by the MSM) as truth. This is the same exact pattern used in the Gannon/Guckert scandal. They could care less who knows of their M.O. They have the all corporate media in their pocket and feel they can get away with everything.

I hope from the beginning this information has been shared with Rep. Conyers and Slaughter. If there is one issue that needs to be addressed and fixed before the 2006 election it's election reform.

Rove starting early once again.

Thanks for following this subject closely.


COMMENT #5 [Permalink]
... GeneK said on 3/30/2005 @ 2:06 pm PT...


Let me get this straight, ACVR is bad because it has conservatives on it's board but....

It's ok for Kos to accept $ from Dean?
Have you looked at the board of Media Matters?
Is Democracy Corp the bastion of non-partisanship?
Isn't The Center for American Progress a Clinton organization?

Hypocrisy... it's not just a word it's a liberal way of life.


COMMENT #6 [Permalink]
... Ron Brynaert said on 3/30/2005 @ 2:12 pm PT...


Genek,

I speak for myself...but I'm a liberal that doesn't think the stuff you listed is a-ok.

But this is an entirely different matter. And you're a fool not to recognize that.

The American Center has not disclosed the info that Brad , Joseph Cannon and me have blogged about.


COMMENT #7 [Permalink]
... GeneK said on 3/30/2005 @ 2:27 pm PT...


Ron,

Thank you very much for your admission --- you're honestly the first liberal that I've ever heard admit that a progressive front group may have an agenda.

I don't see any difference between ACVR and the many, many "non-partisan" progressive organizations. I think that Media Matters and Democracy Corp are perfect examples.

What I'd like to know is if you, Brad and Joseph blogged about the connections between Media Matters or Democracy Corp and the DNC, DCCC, etc. with the same vitriol and hatred that you attacked ACVR.

However, don't get me wrong - I'm NOT defending ACVR (I don't know enough about them yet), nor am I attacking any of you personally (I think blogging is vital).... I'm simply pointing out the hypocrisy.


COMMENT #8 [Permalink]
... Steve said on 3/30/2005 @ 2:30 pm PT...


Brad-

I just e-mailed the following to CNS and Ms. Rhodes:

"You people just don't get it! You are obviously smug and feeling ascendant in your current grip on the American "democracy" but you WILL NOT long keep down what I am certain is a significant majority of the American people who do feel that truly fair, open, honest and verifiable elections are critical to a real American Democracy."


COMMENT #9 [Permalink]
... Ron Brynaert said on 3/30/2005 @ 2:50 pm PT...


Frank Rich at The New York Times, Salon, Watching The Watcher, The Raw Story, Zephyr Teachout are among the liberals who have written about the Kos-Trippi affair.

As far as "hatred and vitriol." I've never seen hatred on the brad blog nor on any other liberal blogs.

But I've probably been harsher and angrier about some of the hypocricy on my side.

But since you like to leave comments without even looking into anything...I'm telling you more than you deserve to hear.

Media Matters, Daily Kos and all the rest are not run by top dogs from the Democratic Party...They also didn't get to speak at congressional hearings without revealing their backgrounds.

You're absolutely wrong...And you're just like the wingnuts who attack liberals with lies. I have no problem with Republicans or true conservatives...but none of them have any power now...and none of them reflect your party or your blogs.

But this is my last word on the subject...if you don't believe me check out my blog...you'll see that I criticize anyone on either side that I consider hypocritical...and I'm far from alone on that.


COMMENT #10 [Permalink]
... Brad said on 3/30/2005 @ 2:59 pm PT...


GeneK said:

ACVR is bad because it has conservatives on it's board but....

No. That's not a problem, Gene. As you mentioned, you haven't looked into them. You may wish to.

Here's a link to the Key Articles in the Series so far.

Read 'em, and then let us know how they compare to any of the groups you've mentioned (hint: they don't).


COMMENT #11 [Permalink]
... Republicans are Fascists said on 3/30/2005 @ 3:21 pm PT...


-----
" Let me get this straight, ACVR is bad because it has conservatives on it's board but....

It's ok for Kos to accept $ from Dean?
Have you looked at the board of Media Matters?
Is Democracy Corp the bastion of non-partisanship?
Isn't The Center for American Progress a Clinton organization?

Hypocrisy... it's not just a word it's a liberal way of life."

GeneK
-----

Pull your head out of your ass you complete imbecile. This is a republican front group posing as "nonpartisan" to spread disinformation in hopes of having talking points to counter legitimate election fraud used exhaustively by your party in what is easily the largest powergrab in the history of our country.

Instead of being concerned at this direct attack on our democracy ( for the sake of argument ... republic...I know you nitwits like that word) you sit back spouting out rehearsed bullshit spoonfed by the Hannity's and the Limpballs in this world.

Become your own man, make an earnest attempt to educate yourself on the republican back electronic voting machine manufactures and the " proprietary source code" they use to operate them.

Also, catch up on history. Read more on the rise of fascism in 1930's Germany. You and the party you so identify with are truly modern day fascists. Facts, history and definitions don't lie.


COMMENT #12 [Permalink]
... Republicans are Fascists said on 3/30/2005 @ 3:36 pm PT...


----
"As far as "hatred and vitriol." I've never seen hatred on the brad blog nor on any other liberal blogs."

Ron Brynaert
----

Don't be baited into this republicans slander game. The "hateful democratic" talking points have got to be the most ineffective and overly used garbage ever derived by Frank "Putz" Luntz

They so easy brush aside Limpball's "feminazi" references dating back into the late 80's or Coulter's racist remarks about Helen thomas as an "old arab".

The playing field is never level when dealing with these swine.

Get my point?


COMMENT #13 [Permalink]
... Teresa said on 3/30/2005 @ 3:56 pm PT...


"Limpballs"...Ha ha!!

I've never seen 5 uglier creeps in my life.


COMMENT #14 [Permalink]
... Kira said on 3/30/2005 @ 4:11 pm PT...


COMMENT #15 [Permalink]
... GeneK said on 3/30/2005 @ 5:03 pm PT...


"Read more on the rise of fascism in 1930's Germany."

Very nice, only 11 comments before Godwin's Law is proven yet again (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_law). Pretty typical for dumb shits like you - can't stand up to the truth about your hypocrisy and immediately start name calling and Hitler references.

BTW, turn on the news and take a look at the extermination for convenience that's taking place in FL before you start throwing around Hitler charges. Blow your fascist comments out your ass you sniveling, hypocritical, tinfoil-hat wearing, dumb ass.

If you want to have a calm, rational discussion I'd be happy to respond - but I'm sure that's too much to hope for. I've yet to meet a liberal that can carry a fact based conversation without resorting to personal attacks and name calling (Ron may have been the exception - but the rest of you ass-hats ruined it).


COMMENT #16 [Permalink]
... Kira said on 3/30/2005 @ 5:14 pm PT...


Nobody I know who wants to have a "calm, rational discussion" introduces themselves by calling the other party derogatory names.

(From your 1st post here: "Hypocrisy... it's not just a word it's a liberal way of life.")

Whaddya expect?


COMMENT #17 [Permalink]
... Teresa said on 3/30/2005 @ 5:15 pm PT...


Gene, If I may ask, why does the reference to Hitler frighten you so much?


COMMENT #18 [Permalink]
... Republicans are Fascists said on 3/30/2005 @ 5:56 pm PT...


-----
"BTW, turn on the news and take a look at the extermination for convenience that's taking place in FL before you start throwing around Hitler charges. Blow your fascist comments out your ass you sniveling, hypocritical, tinfoil-hat wearing, dumb ass.
-----

LOL, you predictable trained monkey, more rehearsed rightwing talking points I see. Perhaps you didn't get the memo but 82% of the country find people like you appalling for using that poor women to further your political agenda.

-----
"If you want to have a calm, rational discussion I'd be happy to respond - but I'm sure that's too much to hope for. I've yet to meet a liberal that can carry a fact based conversation without resorting to personal attacks and name calling (Ron may have been the exception - but the rest of you ass-hats ruined it)."
-----

The last thing I want is a calm discussion with lying spineless slimeball like yourself. I'de much rather beat your ass silly for all the harm you termites have done to our once great country.

-----
"Very nice, only 11 comments before Godwin's Law is proven yet again (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_law). Pretty typical for dumb shits like you - can't stand up to the truth about your hypocrisy and immediately start name calling and Hitler references."
-----

rest assured brown shirt, long before crossing paths with you I have been clueing many people into the almost mirror image your boy Rove has used in following Joseph Goebbels.

Now go study up, i'm done with ya.


COMMENT #19 [Permalink]
... supersoling said on 3/30/2005 @ 6:26 pm PT...


heh heh


COMMENT #20 [Permalink]
... Peg C said on 3/30/2005 @ 6:34 pm PT...


Kira #14 -


COMMENT #21 [Permalink]
... GeneK said on 3/30/2005 @ 7:32 pm PT...


"brown shirt" "fascists" "Hitler" "beat your ass silly"

ooooo.... name calling and threats - the last refuge of someone who's lost the argument and has no facts on their side.

whimper, whine, cry and threaten all you want, but the truth, values and ideals will crush you and your ilk.

What's sad is that you can't face the truth - the democratic party is a "has been". You don't stand for anything, only against progress. Look at the demographics and election results - unions are shrinking, minorities don't buy your B.S., and the country realizes that you have no core beliefs or values - you're on your way out.


COMMENT #22 [Permalink]
... Horkus said on 3/30/2005 @ 7:53 pm PT...


GeneK said

It's ok for Kos to accept $ from Dean?

Gene, the Markos Moulistas had been up front from the beginning and never pretended to be non-partisan. The money he was paid with legally came from campign contributions to do real work. The blog that he runs is his. Nobody pays him to run it.

Have you looked at the board of Media Matters?

If there's something that the board of media matters has done in violation of ethics, please let us know and tell us the specifics. We'd be more than happy to kick the Tom DeLay's of the world out of the left.

Is Democracy Corp the bastion of non-partisanship?
Isn't The Center for American Progress a Clinton organization?

You just can't leave the Clinton thing alone can you? Republican congress, Republican Whitehouse,
Republican Supreme Court Justices for the past five years. And if anything goes wrong , it's still Clinton's fault.

By the way, Clinton was a Democrat only in his first term. In the his second term, he was all Republican, ie...Dick Morris.

And like I said to another right wing troll, you wouldn't be here if the left wing blogs weren't making waves. Nice to hear from ya!


COMMENT #23 [Permalink]
... Toni said on 3/30/2005 @ 10:23 pm PT...


I just e-mailed them too. Hopefully, we liberal bloggers can make an impression on their soft brains.


COMMENT #24 [Permalink]
... Brad said on 3/31/2005 @ 1:51 am PT...


GeneK said (apparently without irony):

take a look at the extermination for convenience that's taking place in FL before you start throwing around Hitler charges

While I don't much care for Hitler charges myself unless they are warranted (including absurd "extermination" claims), it's odd that you don't mention the 6 month old baby that just had it's plug pulled in Texas --- against the mother's wishes --- due to the law your leader George W. Bush signed allowing hospitals to kill any such patient if they can't afford to pay the bills.

No outrage there, chief? Just curious.

Hypocrisy... it's not just a word it's a fake conservative's way of life, I guess.


COMMENT #25 [Permalink]
... Republicans are Fascists said on 3/31/2005 @ 5:12 am PT...


-----
"While I don't much care for Hitler charges myself unless they are warranted "

Brad
-----

Brad, I never referenced Hitler, I referenced 'fascists". There is a huge difference in the comparison and the sooner people understand and seperate the two the sooner they will understand the ideology of this modern day republican party.

I'll post this summary of an article wrtten by Dr. Lawrence Britt listing the common characteristics of all fascist regimes to date. Understand this is but a speck of info dealing with the subject for the sake of space.

The 14 Defining Characteristics of Fascism

Dr. Lawrence Britt has examined the fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia) and several Latin American regimes. Britt found 14 defining characteristics common to each:

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism - Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause - The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

4. Supremacy of the Military - Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

5. Rampant Sexism - The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.

6. Controlled Mass Media - Sometimes the media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.

7. Obsession with National Security - Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.

8. Religion and Government are Intertwined - Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed
to the government's policies or actions.

9. Corporate Power is Protected - The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.

10. Labor Power is Suppressed - Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.

11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts - Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts and letters is openly attacked.

12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment - Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.

13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption - Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.

14. Fraudulent Elections - Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.


COMMENT #26 [Permalink]
... Republicans are Fascists said on 3/31/2005 @ 5:35 am PT...


-----
"ooooo.... name calling and threats - the last refuge of someone who's lost the argument and has no facts on their side.

GeneK
-----

I recommend you contact your beloved Sean "Insanity" Hannity and start preaching to him as well. We don't want anymore of this "hate" talk right? Lord knows it's the root of the moral decay in this country right? LoL, trained monkeys , every last one of ya.

http://www.oliverwillis..../files/hannityvmoran.mp3

Take note, all fascist regimes through out history had relatively short lived reigns of power. All those responsible for its rise are eventually held accountable.


COMMENT #27 [Permalink]
... Mark Lloyd Baker said on 3/31/2005 @ 6:08 am PT...


If we called the Republicans "corporatists" most would take it as a compliment or at least nod assent ("free enterprise"!), but in the words of Mussolini, "Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power."


COMMENT #28 [Permalink]
... GeneK said on 3/31/2005 @ 7:34 am PT...


Teddy Kennedy protesting the “simulated drowning” of interrogation subjects = HYPOCRASY (apparently actually drowning your girlfriend and then covering it up for personal political gain is ok)

Protesting the treatment of prisoners at Abu Graib yet cheering for a woman to starve to death = HYPOCRASY

Liberals bitching about the ACVR yet giving Media Matters et al a pass = HYPOCRASY

Calling the death of a guilty person by lethal injection or electrocution cruel and unusual punishment yet calling the starvation death of an innocent woman a good thing = HYPOCRASY

Media Matters attacking Fox news yet giving CBS a pass on the Rathergate forgery = HYPOCRASY

Media Matters completely ignoring the forged Schiavo “talking points” memo = HYPOCRASY

The ACLU protesting the Minute Man project’s right to free speech and freedom of assembly = HYPOCRASY

Supporting the extermination of fetuses and the disabled simply because of convenience yet calling conservatives Nazis = HYPOCRASY

Supporting big gov’t, the seizure of private property, socialized healthcare, redistribution of wealth yet calling conservatives fascists = HYPOCRASY

Sorry folks but you loose again.

BTW… Brad #24 – I don’t support pulling the tube on the 6 month old – remember that I’m from the pro-life party.

This is great – when confronted with the truth you simply resort to your talking points and scripted lines from DU, Mikey Moore, Soros, etc. When that doesn’t work you start name calling and personal attacks (btw, I don’t support Hannity, Coulter or Limbaugh for this very reason). I have yet to have a calm, rational, factual discussion with a group of liberals without the hate speech from the left.


COMMENT #29 [Permalink]
... Republicans are Fascists said on 3/31/2005 @ 8:26 am PT...


-----
"(btw, I don’t support Hannity, Coulter or Limbaugh for this very reason)"

GeneK
-----

They are the modern voice of your party. Question is, if you say you don't support these people why the hell are you in a party where they take leadership postions?

GeneK, the more you talk the more apparent it is how misinformed you actually are.

Remember my suggestion, become your own man not another trained chimp.


COMMENT #30 [Permalink]
... Manananana said on 3/31/2005 @ 8:38 am PT...


where they take leadership postions?

Leadership positions? Secretary of Defense Limbaugh? Secretary of State Coulter? UN Amabassador Hannity? WTF are you talking about? They're radio talk show performers, TV stars, and columnists. The left has none of these? How about a little honesty, if that is possible.


COMMENT #31 [Permalink]
... Republicans are Fascists said on 3/31/2005 @ 9:01 am PT...


-----
" Leadership positions? Secretary of Defense Limbaugh? Secretary of State Coulter? UN Amabassador Hannity? WTF are you talking about? They're radio talk show performers, TV stars, and columnists. The left has none of these? How about a little honesty, if that is possible."

Manananana
-----

For the sake of skewed argument another trained chimp steps in to downplay the role of the mighty voice of the party.

Apparently this poster also has a hard time with reading comprehension. What part of "modern voice of your party" don't you understand?

Drawing misguided assumptions between politically appointed leadership and mass media leadership doesn't reflect to well on your ability to differentiate between facts.


COMMENT #32 [Permalink]
... GeneK said on 3/31/2005 @ 9:06 am PT...


AGREED Manananana!!!

Although Limbaugh, Coulter and Hannity often "attack" the liberals they are simply performers. Even O'Reilly, the favorite whipping boy of the left, is simply a news ANALYST and COMMENTATOR. We could compare the hatred spewing from similar people on the left like Franken, Kos, or Rhodes. Of course, we could also mention the supposed impartial reporters like Rather, the memo by ABCNEWS Political Director Mark Halperin, or any of the other mouthpieces of the left.

But instead, let's look at the hatred and personal attacks spewing from Kennedy, Dean, McAuliffe, Boxer etc. These are the LEADERS of the democrats.


COMMENT #33 [Permalink]
... CTPatriot said on 3/31/2005 @ 9:31 am PT...


Gene, Gene, Gene ... oh how well you play the freeper game - just attack and demonize relentlessly while at the same time including all the usual GOP talking points. And you wonder why it's so hard for you to have a dialogue with people from the left?

Take a hint - it's because we finally got around to realizing that there is no such thing as dialogue with you people. As I recall, it was one of your party's respected leaders who made the claim that bipartisanship is like date rape. And other leaders of your party, both through words and actions, have made it clear to us that they have one overriding goal - A ONE PARTY STATE.

Your presence here is for one purpose and that is to play your role in assisting in the GOP's stranglehold on all the levers of power in this country. The camparison's that other posters have made between your ilk and "brownshirts" is entirely apt. Either you are blind to it, or you wear it proudly.


COMMENT #34 [Permalink]
... Manananana said on 3/31/2005 @ 9:33 am PT...


Apparently this poster also has a hard time with reading comprehension.

I have no such problem. You said:

Question is, if you say you don't support these people why the hell are you in a party where they take leadership postions?

My reading of this sentence is that you are asking why someone is in a party where they (meaning the aforementioned entertainers) take leadership positions. It is not unreasonable to conclude that you meant leadership positions in the party. If not you may have constructed a sentence with a problem in subject-verb agreement.

In any case, they're just entertainers. But I find it interesting that they strike so much fear in your heart that you must demonize a bunch of grandstanding entertainers. Their witty barbs must be causing some pain or you'd just be laughing at them like I do with Alan Colmes (Fox's token lib) or Paul Krugman (clueless economist for the NYT) or that zoo gone mad called Air America. To me they're a bunch of irrelevant fools not to be taken seriously. But I don't hate them. I pity them. So lost. So angry over imagined wrongs. And So wrong. But what the heck, if they can consume Soros' and other libs' dollars for no good purpose, let 'em rant.


COMMENT #35 [Permalink]
... GeneK said on 3/31/2005 @ 9:58 am PT...


CT --- Trust me, I've tried to have factual discourses with the "tinfoil hat, moonbat" crowd (granted, I'm not sure if everyone on this site qualifies - I'm hoping there are a few calm libs here).

Here's one sample - http://proudliberaldem.p...splay&num=1107224950

(you may have to search for the whole thread, as I was banned from the board)

BTW - If Grover Norquist is a LEADER of the Repub party than Soros and Moore must be leaders of yours. are you sure that you want to trade quotes based on those rules?

How have leaders of "my" party made it clear that they want a "one-party state"? Was it that they ran for office? Was it that they opposed Liberal ideas?

Why don't you stick to actual, in-context, quotes from elected representatives?

I'll start... Howard Dean advancing the theory that Bush knew about 9/11 ahead of time. Dennis Kucinich said Bush is targeting civilians for assassination. Joe Biden said Bush is
brain dead. Al Gore screaming that Bush is a traitor and betrayed the US. Boxer and Dayton calling Condi Rice a liar. These are current (and one former) elected leaders of your party spewing the hate.


COMMENT #36 [Permalink]
... Republicans are Fascists said on 3/31/2005 @ 10:11 am PT...


"My reading of this sentence is that you are asking why someone is in a party where they (meaning the aforementioned entertainers) take leadership positions."
-----
hence my comment on your reading comprehension.

LOL, "entertainers" they are now huh? WOW, considering networks like NBC and CNN often use quotes by Limpballs and Drudge as "news" how often do we hear from Will Smith's take on Iraq? Let's not even consider that these characters make up the bulk of FAUX "News" ratings.

"strike fear"? Don't confuse fear with pity and disgust because soon it's going to come back and bite you in the ass....really, you need to lay off the kool-aid for awhile.

"So lost. So angry over imagined wrongs."

Only in the warped world of the republicans can talking points like this hold any meaning.

" if they can consume Soros' and other libs' dollars"

What is with the hard on you rightwing nitwits have with Soros? Is it the fact that he is a billionare that suffered through Nazi occupied Budapest who sees history repeating itself all over again?

Another thing, why in the same breath as Soros do we not hear you nitwits mention Rupert Murdoch or Richard Mellon Scaife? I ask that rhetorically of course.


COMMENT #37 [Permalink]
... GeneK said on 3/31/2005 @ 10:51 am PT...


"considering networks like NBC and CNN often use quotes by Limpballs and Drudge as "news"" - I have never heard a quote by Limbaugh used as news (other than the actual news reg. his addiction) but this only speaks to the problem with the MSM and their news gathering ability.

I have many problems with Soros - but it'll have to wait for a later post... sorry.


COMMENT #38 [Permalink]
... Manananana said on 3/31/2005 @ 10:58 am PT...


...why in the same breath as Soros do we not hear you nitwits mention ...

It might have something to do with the fact that my mention of Soros was in reference to financers of Air America. Those you mentioned are not likely to be sending AA any money.

"entertainers" they are now huh?

Uh, yea.


COMMENT #39 [Permalink]
... Steve said on 3/31/2005 @ 11:43 am PT...


RE: GENEK, #28:

I assume you’re trying to spell hypocrisy, but I’ll address your points anyway:

1) “Teddy Kennedy protesting the “simulated drowning” of interrogation subjects = HYPOCRASY (apparently actually drowning your girlfriend and then covering it up for personal political gain is ok)”

-Kennedy is a person with great faults and I doubt many of us forgive his performance in the Chappaquiddick incident but what does that have to do with anything? You’re throwing out smoke and mirrors. The “simulated drowning” you speak of is a government sponsored activity and far more serious in its implications for our society than the behaviors, or even hypocrisy of an individual. Everybody, including Kennedy, should speak out against it, including you.

2) “Protesting the treatment of prisoners at Abu Graib yet cheering for a woman to starve to death = HYPOCRASY”

- You are completely distorting and inflammatory about the Schiavo incident. I have heard or know of no one who “cheered” or had any happiness about her plight on either side. That wasn’t the issue at all. It was whether the government should be a party in such personal decisions at the end of life. You apparently think so. Have you ever had to deal with the tragedy of a loved one who has suffered a catastrophic brain injury with no hope of recovery and you knew what their prior stated wishes were in the event of such a tragedy? I have and the experience and decisions are heart-wrenching, no matter what choices you make. Would you want the government intervening in such decisions if they were your personal matters? Why can’t people like you allow the possibility that Mr. Schiavo was truly trying to do what he knew his utterly hopeless and helpless wife wanted him to.

3) Liberals bitching about the ACVR yet giving Media Matters et al a pass = HYPOCRASY

-What is your problem with Media Matters? It must really hurt that one of your own decided to go over to the other side and tell it like it is. The story of Media Matters is pretty upfront and they are certainly not trying to represent themselves as bipartisan, just as debunkers of the many rightwing lies and spin that are SO prevalent in the media now.

4) Calling the death of a guilty person by lethal injection or electrocution cruel and unusual punishment yet calling the starvation death of an innocent woman a good thing = HYPOCRASY

I refer back to my previous answer. Mrs. Schiavo’s story is a tragic one. Unlike you, I think the vast majority of the American population is able to sympathize with both parties in the dispute and realizes the pain and difficulty in such decisions. One more reason why the government shouldn’t be involved. Also, see below regarding capital punishment.

5) Media Matters attacking Fox news yet giving CBS a pass on the Rathergate forgery = HYPOCRASY

- We’re not giving the media a pass on anything. Their corporatization and fall as the voice of the people is a huge concern to all of us who aren’t brainwashed into the “left-wing media bias” mantra the right continues to push. CBS is no better than the rest of the MSM. Maybe the reason that Media Matters attacks Fox is because CBS at least tried to investigate and produce corrections and consequences for the overblown “Rathergate” affair. No one expects Faux news to ever investigate or admit their lies. Did Britt Hume ever admit his distortions about FDR’s plans for Social Security. Is O’Reilly investigated by Fox when he is caught in one of the many lies Media Matters points out or when he engages in sexual harassment? No, they actually come to his defense. Plenty of hypocrisy to go around here.

6) Media Matters completely ignoring the forged Schiavo “talking points” memo = HYPOCRASY

- Where has it been proven that the “Talking Points Memo” was forged? Can you not see any possibility that, in the aftermath of their unpopular, misguided and unequivocally political effort to bring the federal government into the Schiavo tragedy, not to mention violating the separation of powers stipulated in the Constitution, they might want to push the idea that the “Talking Points” were forged by the left. Of course you can’t see that, you’ve drank too much of the Rightwing Kool-Aid.

7) The ACLU protesting the Minute Man project’s right to free speech and freedom of assembly = HYPOCRASY

- Even your own leader had this to say: "I'm against vigilantes in the United States of America," Mr. Bush said at a joint press conference. "I'm for enforcing the law in a rational way."

8) Supporting the extermination of fetuses and the disabled simply because of convenience yet calling conservatives Nazis = HYPOCRASY

- Again, an absolute distortion of the argument. Only people like you would equate these issues with “support of extermination”. No one is “promoting” the termination of any viable life, only recognizing that people in their own, personal circumstances should be able to make difficult decisions about their lives and the lives of loved ones within the boundaries of the law, without parts of the government intervening, especially for political reasons. Also, we are not calling conservatives Nazis, but the Neocons that have gained a death grip on the Republican Party are not conservatives. I also refer you to the excellent description of fascism posted on #25 above. If you can’t see why we are concerned, then you are not capable of a dialogue.

9) Supporting big gov’t, the seizure of private property, socialized healthcare, redistribution of wealth yet calling conservatives fascists = HYPOCRASY

-So the current government isn’t BIG government or redistributing wealth (to the wealthy), or seizing private property? I guess you only object when big government is for social welfare instead of for trumped up, illegal wars (that kill far more people than abortions or end of life assisted deaths), out of control defense spending and throwing money into the pockets of Energy companies and the Pharmaceutical Industries (eg- the Medicare Reform disaster) who make record profits while moving us further and further from the kind of real reform we need to deal with the real problems looming in the very near future. I am a physician working in our broken healthcare industry that has been taken over by the Insurance industry and big business, so don’t lecture us about the ills of socialized or any other healthcare. In regards to fascism, I again suggest you check the excellent description posted on #25 above to refresh your understanding of the concept.

10) Sorry folks but you loose again.

-The only way we L O S E (correct spelling) is when people with “loose” screws like you are able to gain control of a once great country.

11) BTW… Brad #24 – I don’t support pulling the tube on the 6 month old – remember that I’m from the pro-life party.

- You mistake pro-fetus party with pro-life party. Does your “pro-life” stance include opposition to the death penalty? Your party has no interest in promoting policies that are “pro-life” to the millions of children in this country and around the world who are born into poverty or neglect, the millions who could be saved from AIDS by promoting “safe sex” education, the millions in this country who can’t afford healthcare because of a system run amok, the innocent millions who die in wars waged by us or to promote our selfish “interests”.

12) and scripted lines from DU, Mikey Moore, Soros, etc. When that doesn’t work you start name calling and personal attacks (btw, I don’t support Hannity, Coulter or Limbaugh for this very reason). I have yet to have a calm, rational, factual discussion with a group of liberals without the hate speech from the left.

You are about as far from being able to engage in civil dialogue without name-calling and vitriol as anyone I’ve seen. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.


COMMENT #40 [Permalink]
... GeneK said on 3/31/2005 @ 12:10 pm PT...


Steve -

EXCELLENT post!!!

Thank you very much (esp. catching the spelling errors - it's kind of embarrassing to have spelled hypocrisy wrong).

I’ll try and take the time to respond to your points as thoughtfully and in-depth as you did mine. However, I don’t have the time to respond to all of them right now.

I’ll only address 2 points right now…

First - The “simulated drowning” you speak of is a government sponsored activity and far more serious in its implications for our society than the behaviors, or even hypocrisy of an individual. Everybody, including Kennedy, should speak out against it, including you.

I actually have a bit of experience with interrogation and “water boarding” as I am a former Military Pilot and went through SERE Training and I spent some time as an Intelligence Officer exposed to EPW interrogations. I am absolutely against “torture” not only because it’s inhumane (and we’re the good guys), but it quite simply doesn’t work very well. I am in favor of aggressive interrogations including sleep depravation, water boarding, tag team questioning, calorie reduction, etc. Pretty much anything that wouldn’t cause a normal person lasting physical or psychological damage. Additionally, there needs to be strict limitations and command level sign-off on using these techniques. I know (from first and second hand experience) how well these techniques work and I have experienced many of them myself (in a training environment).

Also - You mistake pro-fetus party with pro-life party. Does your “pro-life” stance include opposition to the death penalty?

I am pro-life (with a couple of very limited exceptions). However, I don’t believe that the federal gov’t should be involved in the issue. I am also pro death penalty. These two points are not mutually exclusive, the problem comes from the language used in describing the positions. I believe that life begins at conception and I am against the taking of innocent life. The key word is “innocent”. If the state (legally) determines that someone’s crime is serious enough to warrant taking their life – I’m all for it. I have no problem with safe-sex education, condoms, birth control, etc. I oppose using abortion for birth control.


COMMENT #41 [Permalink]
... Joseph M Berry said on 3/31/2005 @ 3:42 pm PT...


:angry:I get so dishearten by the deceptive practice the Republicans portray on the American people. I was reminded with a feeling of a " lost cause" knot in my throat that causes me to shallow a deep sense of defeat that started with the 2004 presidential elections. Now I see this Republican practice to mask everything they are trying to do with a "something you really need" face. One example of this is when they cut entitlements they say to the American people we need a gov. that does not control your life. By cutting a benefit or funding, the Republicans are setting us free. If this is Freedom, I would rather not have it. This voter fraud Bill runs parallel to the Demarcates claims and effort to seek voter reform; the Republicans will mask their Bill as addressing the voter fraud issue thus defeating the Democrats by putting something into play that will shorten the minority vote.

Maybe you have a solution to this dynamic of deception; I don't.

Joseph


COMMENT #42 [Permalink]
... Manananana said on 3/31/2005 @ 3:50 pm PT...


#41 Joseph

If it is any consolation, you're feelings of defeat and rising dead at being marginalized by the party in power are right on. It is the reason to seek power, you know. Hope this helps.


COMMENT #43 [Permalink]
... GeneK said on 3/31/2005 @ 5:46 pm PT...


#41 joseph

"If this is Freedom, I would rather not have it."

Unfortunately, this is the exact attitude that the Democratic Party preys upon.... you'd rather accept complete and total gov't control of your life rather than making your own decisions.

This feeling is why the Democratic Party and union membership is declining so rapidly... Americans don't want to be told when, where and what to think and do. It’s kind of like in the movie The Matrix – you are starting to wake up and see the Democrats for what they are and that they want to “manage” every waking moment of your life. Don’t worry. The feeling is uncomfortable at first, but as you get used to the freedom and as you start to become more and more self reliant, you will find it exhilarating and empowering. Pretty soon, you’ll start wondering were all your tax money is going.


COMMENT #44 [Permalink]
... Republicans are Fascists said on 3/31/2005 @ 7:13 pm PT...


GeneK, you are a brainwashed beyond belief.

Why haven't you followed up with further comments to posts upthread rather then continue to spout more of your warped vision of America? I mean what lunatic makes a comment like this?..."The feeling is uncomfortable at first, but as you get used to the freedom and as you start to become more and more self reliant, you will find it exhilarating and empowering." ...bizarre beyond words.

Don't you see how crazy your thought process is? Do you honestly think that is a rational statement? Take a step back, a deep breath and regroup because i'm telling ya you're overdosing on the fascist republican kool-aid. It isn't normal to think this way. Have you ever sought counselling...seriously? What you imagine to be strong political beliefs are really deranged fantasies of how you think the world works.

Wow


COMMENT #45 [Permalink]
... Savantster said on 3/31/2005 @ 7:43 pm PT...


GeneK, to comment on the "Godwin's Law" thing.. you must not have read it very carefully.. I did..

"Godwin's standard answer to this objection is to note that Godwin's law does not dispute whether, in a particular instance, a reference or comparison to Hitler or the Nazis might be apt. It is precisely because such a reference or comparison may sometimes be appropriate, Godwin has argued, that hyperbolic overuse of the Hitler/Nazi comparison should be avoided. Avoiding such hyperbole, he argues, is a way of ensuring that when valid comparisons to Hitler or Nazis are made, such comparisons have the appropriate semantic impact."

and

"Fundamentally, Godwin's Law serves to exclude normative considerations from a positivist discussion. Frequently, a reference to Hitler is used as an evocation of evil. Thus a discussion which is proceeding on a positivist examination of facts is considered terminated when this objective consideration is transformed into a normative discussion of subjective right and wrong. It is exacerbated by the frequent fallacy of since Hitler did A, therefore A is evil. However, as noted, the exceptions to Godwin's Law are when Hitler is invoked in a positivist manner (i.e. objective facts) that does not have a normative dimension and is therefore permitted."

You see, the POINT is, this country -is- marching down the same 'nationalistic' road as 1930 Germany. We've already started back in the war against Islam. Then what? The christian-right wants a Theocracy in this country.. They have already started preaching hate toward "gays".. who's next? What happens when the leaders of the Theocracy decide it's time to start putting those "sinners" in jail ? and when the jails get too crowded?

The entire -point- of Godwin's Law is to show that using Hitler/Nazi Germany to 'minimalize a valid argument' is something that happens.. but it's also -clear- that there are times when the conversation is -APPROPRIATE-, like here.

Again, read up on Fascism..

Also, nice how you point to 2 of the 12 points.. even when you specifically asked to have some covered.. when they are, you back away from them.. Nice flip-flop on the Schiavo thing too. Once your "association to negative connotations" was shown to be wrong, you quick flip on the issue.. how very "Kerry" of you. I see you didn't discuss the "government staying out of your life" when mentioning her case, then just left it out all together in the rebuttle to the point.

Also, "water boarding" -is- torture.. the -point- of it is to convince someone they might die (just getting a head dunked for the less-than-a-second it takes to get your head wet wouldn't do much, would it). Sleep deprivation also causes a slight psychosis (which typically reverses once you get sleep again), is that the kind of person you want info from? someone who is losing their mind? While I can also agree with you that we need to interrogate prisoners, I don't believe we should -ever- be 'torturing' people (in any context).

Even though you "believe that life begins at conception and I am against the taking of innocent life", the definition of "life" is up for debate. You think it's when there are 2 cells dividing, I think it's when the divisions get far enough along to form internal organs and the possibility of brain activity starts. That's not until after the 8th week of gestation. So, while you believe it's at 2 cells, I believe it's at functional organ formation. Here's the kicker.. you said "I am pro-life (with a couple of very limited exceptions). However, I don’t believe that the federal gov’t should be involved in the issue.", which by definition means you are PRO-CHOICE as far as the matter of law. If not, then you DO suppor the government getting involved by making it illegal for someone to have a differing opinion than you.

Here's your real problem (not trying to be fecitious here). You are not really a Republican.. you just don't like the things you hear about most "liberals" and Democrats. You hear all the 1/2 truths and twisted words comming from the right (things like they have "morals" and "values" but Dems/Liberals don't?? how do you figure?) and it "sounds" good. The problem is, what they preach is NOT what they practice. The 'real' hypocracy is all over the