What the hell is going in comments today? Lotsa of Progressives tearing down Clinton, Pelosi, the Democratic Party and proclaiming they have saved the Country from fascism? "we are the only thing standing against pure fascism unbridled in the US. " And. ""progressives, who have made the most important improvements to our lives."
Your comment reminds me of a previous LFAA from Heather about a week ago: “In the 1990 midterm elections, a political action committee associated with House Republican whip Newt Gingrich gave to Republican candidates a document called “Language: A Key Mechanism of Control.” It urged candidates to label Democrats with words like “decay,” “failure,” “crisis,” “pathetic,” “liberal,” “radical,” “corrupt,” and “taxes,” while defining Republicans with words like “opportunity,” “moral,” “courage,” “flag,” “children,” “common sense,” “hard work,” and “freedom.” Gingrich later told the New York Times his goal was “reshaping the entire nation through the news media.” Minds matter. Words matter. Correcting mislabeling is a big part of saving our democracy.
Yes I know words matter. I am also familiar with what you have quoted. Ever taken the implicit bias test? My point was directed at the Progressives, Centrists, Leftists etc labels within the Democratic Party. The operative word is "within". Progressives still consider themselves as within the Democratic Party right? They run as a Democratic and the DNC supports those campaigns? We need to tape ourselves together as a unified Democratic Party. Take a look at the May 27, 2022 Cook Political Report. Terrifying.
I just accidentally erased my reply and I can’t muster the time and energy to recreate it. I think we’re on the same page Barbara. I just see the Democratic Party as an institution with power because of all the work that has been put into it over decades and being a Democrat has a clear meaning. The progressive label is thrown around by many and means different things to different people and the power mongers on the right have done whatever they can to cast communist aspersions on it. So, just think it’s good practice to try to clarify what is meant.
So it is wrong to push them to do better or we should just accept the status quo and not fight for the future we hope our kids can have. Sorry I don’t blindly vote for a party and then just accept everything they do. If we can’t discuss and calmly agree to disagree on some things that is just sad.
Of course that’s not wrong. But to me, the anger at Democrats seems misplaced. Biden has been the most progressive president we’ve ever had, and it isn’t Democrats, progressive or “corporate,” who are blocking this progressive agenda. It’s the Republican Senate and the filibuster. Many of us are pushing back because we see that this constant harping on Dems for not being progressive enough actually gets in the way of one, getting things done, and two, electing a big enough Senate majority to be able to pass this desired legislation. (I’ll add three, it makes it harder for a Democrat to be elected president, a la Clinton.) Get mad at the right people: Republicans in the Senate, plus Manchin and Sinema.
I will also add that insisting on perfection at the expense of the good gets us nowhere.
Exactly. Hmmmm where dod this thread get sidetracked by history? My comment “WE” meant Professor HCR readers, not one group of us. Only those of is who love & want the truth can bring down whatever Trump they throw at us next…Der Gröpenführer again, or, if he’s in the pokey, Ivanka “Vanky” is being groomed again.
Laura, I’m very pleased to see you agreeing with me, when yours are some of the comments to which I refer. I would argue that all of us are here exactly because we seek the truth, and no one subset of us has a monopoly on that.
Here’s a helpful hint for running for office: when you use terms like “Der Gropenfuher” or “Vanky,” when you toss profanities around like candy, you don’t sound like a serious person running for a serious office to be taken seriously by voters. Anyone can read this comment thread, not just subscribers, so you might want to be more judicious with your word choices if you do decide to run for public office.
I respectfully disagree that Biden is progressive. I am not asking for perfection just do something about climate change and stop spending billions and billions on weapons. I don’t think that is too much to ask for.
Nora, regarding weapons, I think we will have to agree to disagree on the importance of arming Ukraine in the face of Russian invasion. I see that as crucial, not only for Ukrainians, but also for the future of democracy in Europe, America, and the world at large. You seem not to agree with that assessment. That’s fine. I personally think war is a terrible failure of diplomacy and an awful waste of resources and only produces suffering. Ditto our inexcusable military budget. But some wars are worth fighting; some values are worth the cost, and I think this one is worth it. I’m proud of Biden’s ability to strengthen and unify NATO in the face of its weakness post Trump.
Regarding climate change, the Biden administration HAS done something. The press coverage of the administration’s achievements is abysmal. The problem remains that without a workable Senate majority, no administration can pass all of its wish list. Its inability to pass BBB is a key illustration of this. Here’s a great summary of what the Biden administration has achieved, and where it is lacking:
Again, I see letting perfection get in the way of the good, and not recognizing progress when it is made, as a problem with many progressives. I agree that no progress short of huge on climate change is enough, but some progress is a million times better than what Republicans offer.
I do not blindly support this administration. I think their performance on Covid has been poor, and the CDC remains a shell of its former glory, to our infinite cost. I want to see an executive order banning assault rifles if Congress is unable to act. I want more on social justice than we’re getting. But I’m still happy we’re getting something, rather than falling backwards.
Why do democrats apologize while repubs just lie and throw out more red herrings to cover their lies? Lack of a moral center and a bloviated belief that they are better than others turned them into a brainless cult of TFL, who never once took responsibility for killing a million people in the US alone by COVID and still climbing. Add semi automatic unregistered and unlicensed weapons to that and you've got something to apologize for.
Huh? You didn't reply to Jeri. You threw out hyperbole and a"what about" argument. You didn't respond to her mention of the serious threat of siphoning votes and enabling the Republicans to win. I invite all Progressives to please stop with the lecturing and join the rest of us in saving Democracy for everyone. If you can do that then your ideas for Americans stand a chance. Under a Dictatorship you have zero chance. "bloviated belief that they are better than others" is how Progressives come off. Your words.
I assure you Barbara I was not thinking of Bernie at all when I wrote "progressive" but rather the historical progressives like the Roosevelts, including Eleanor, whose legacy is being stripped away by TFL and his cult who have to think they are better than others.
Damn, the Dems aren’t perfect, just keep hammering on that message for more chumps.
What the hell is going in comments today? Lotsa of Progressives tearing down Clinton, Pelosi, the Democratic Party and proclaiming they have saved the Country from fascism? "we are the only thing standing against pure fascism unbridled in the US. " And. ""progressives, who have made the most important improvements to our lives."
I am going for a walk.
Great idea, Barbara, off to the garden before the rain sets in!
I’m a progressive, theses folks are LWNs or Russians
What’s an LWN? Google was not helpful!
Sorry! I made it up I guess. Thought it might be self explanatory. The opposite of a RWN. Some people add a J on the end. Left Wing Nut.
Lol! I like that!
Ya' know I was beginning to wonder that. Also. Can we please not get too divided over the labels? We have a Democracy to save.
Your comment reminds me of a previous LFAA from Heather about a week ago: “In the 1990 midterm elections, a political action committee associated with House Republican whip Newt Gingrich gave to Republican candidates a document called “Language: A Key Mechanism of Control.” It urged candidates to label Democrats with words like “decay,” “failure,” “crisis,” “pathetic,” “liberal,” “radical,” “corrupt,” and “taxes,” while defining Republicans with words like “opportunity,” “moral,” “courage,” “flag,” “children,” “common sense,” “hard work,” and “freedom.” Gingrich later told the New York Times his goal was “reshaping the entire nation through the news media.” Minds matter. Words matter. Correcting mislabeling is a big part of saving our democracy.
Yes I know words matter. I am also familiar with what you have quoted. Ever taken the implicit bias test? My point was directed at the Progressives, Centrists, Leftists etc labels within the Democratic Party. The operative word is "within". Progressives still consider themselves as within the Democratic Party right? They run as a Democratic and the DNC supports those campaigns? We need to tape ourselves together as a unified Democratic Party. Take a look at the May 27, 2022 Cook Political Report. Terrifying.
I just accidentally erased my reply and I can’t muster the time and energy to recreate it. I think we’re on the same page Barbara. I just see the Democratic Party as an institution with power because of all the work that has been put into it over decades and being a Democrat has a clear meaning. The progressive label is thrown around by many and means different things to different people and the power mongers on the right have done whatever they can to cast communist aspersions on it. So, just think it’s good practice to try to clarify what is meant.
Agree. Have a good day.
So it is wrong to push them to do better or we should just accept the status quo and not fight for the future we hope our kids can have. Sorry I don’t blindly vote for a party and then just accept everything they do. If we can’t discuss and calmly agree to disagree on some things that is just sad.
Of course that’s not wrong. But to me, the anger at Democrats seems misplaced. Biden has been the most progressive president we’ve ever had, and it isn’t Democrats, progressive or “corporate,” who are blocking this progressive agenda. It’s the Republican Senate and the filibuster. Many of us are pushing back because we see that this constant harping on Dems for not being progressive enough actually gets in the way of one, getting things done, and two, electing a big enough Senate majority to be able to pass this desired legislation. (I’ll add three, it makes it harder for a Democrat to be elected president, a la Clinton.) Get mad at the right people: Republicans in the Senate, plus Manchin and Sinema.
I will also add that insisting on perfection at the expense of the good gets us nowhere.
Exactly. Hmmmm where dod this thread get sidetracked by history? My comment “WE” meant Professor HCR readers, not one group of us. Only those of is who love & want the truth can bring down whatever Trump they throw at us next…Der Gröpenführer again, or, if he’s in the pokey, Ivanka “Vanky” is being groomed again.
Laura, I’m very pleased to see you agreeing with me, when yours are some of the comments to which I refer. I would argue that all of us are here exactly because we seek the truth, and no one subset of us has a monopoly on that.
Here’s a helpful hint for running for office: when you use terms like “Der Gropenfuher” or “Vanky,” when you toss profanities around like candy, you don’t sound like a serious person running for a serious office to be taken seriously by voters. Anyone can read this comment thread, not just subscribers, so you might want to be more judicious with your word choices if you do decide to run for public office.
I respectfully disagree that Biden is progressive. I am not asking for perfection just do something about climate change and stop spending billions and billions on weapons. I don’t think that is too much to ask for.
Nora, regarding weapons, I think we will have to agree to disagree on the importance of arming Ukraine in the face of Russian invasion. I see that as crucial, not only for Ukrainians, but also for the future of democracy in Europe, America, and the world at large. You seem not to agree with that assessment. That’s fine. I personally think war is a terrible failure of diplomacy and an awful waste of resources and only produces suffering. Ditto our inexcusable military budget. But some wars are worth fighting; some values are worth the cost, and I think this one is worth it. I’m proud of Biden’s ability to strengthen and unify NATO in the face of its weakness post Trump.
Regarding climate change, the Biden administration HAS done something. The press coverage of the administration’s achievements is abysmal. The problem remains that without a workable Senate majority, no administration can pass all of its wish list. Its inability to pass BBB is a key illustration of this. Here’s a great summary of what the Biden administration has achieved, and where it is lacking:
https://www.wri.org/insights/biden-administration-tracking-climate-action-progress
Again, I see letting perfection get in the way of the good, and not recognizing progress when it is made, as a problem with many progressives. I agree that no progress short of huge on climate change is enough, but some progress is a million times better than what Republicans offer.
I do not blindly support this administration. I think their performance on Covid has been poor, and the CDC remains a shell of its former glory, to our infinite cost. I want to see an executive order banning assault rifles if Congress is unable to act. I want more on social justice than we’re getting. But I’m still happy we’re getting something, rather than falling backwards.
I do disagree about NATO and our involvement in Ukraine but I appreciate your tone and respect. Also thanks for the article.
Why do democrats apologize while repubs just lie and throw out more red herrings to cover their lies? Lack of a moral center and a bloviated belief that they are better than others turned them into a brainless cult of TFL, who never once took responsibility for killing a million people in the US alone by COVID and still climbing. Add semi automatic unregistered and unlicensed weapons to that and you've got something to apologize for.
Huh? You didn't reply to Jeri. You threw out hyperbole and a"what about" argument. You didn't respond to her mention of the serious threat of siphoning votes and enabling the Republicans to win. I invite all Progressives to please stop with the lecturing and join the rest of us in saving Democracy for everyone. If you can do that then your ideas for Americans stand a chance. Under a Dictatorship you have zero chance. "bloviated belief that they are better than others" is how Progressives come off. Your words.
https://www.newsweek.com/bernie-sanders-trump-2016-election-654320#:~:text=Bernie%20Sanders%20Voters%20Helped%20Trump%20Win%20and%20Here%27s%20Proof
Let the historian write about history and look to 2024. We need to unite.
I assure you Barbara I was not thinking of Bernie at all when I wrote "progressive" but rather the historical progressives like the Roosevelts, including Eleanor, whose legacy is being stripped away by TFL and his cult who have to think they are better than others.