Cubit
3041
I’d argue that it is worthwhile to keep bringing up these nutballs, because the Republican party is actively recruiting and identifying with these people. At the same rally that protesters called Barney Frank a “faggot” and John Lewis a “nigger”, Republican leadership waved a “don’t tread on me” flag around. We wouldn’t see these nutballs if the Republican party didn’t give them a platform and authority to act the way they do. Republicans invite these types, and are turning them from right-wing fringe into party base.
I’d argue that paying attention to attention-seeking jerk-offs only prods them into more attention-seeking behavior. It’s fun to read about these incidents and snicker at the tea party morons, but why give them what they want?
I guess I should say that I’d much, much rather read a compassionate, well-reasoned conservative reply to HCR than to hear anything more about hate. Not that hate is something to sweep under the rug, but hate is simple and idiotic and there’s really not much to say about it except to condemn it.
Cubit
3044
But that is the thing. The fringe is no longer the fringe. These people are the new base of the rightward moving Republican party. In a two-party political system such as ours, you can’t just ignore half of the players. Their idiocy and hate needs to be exposed for what it is.
That’s really unfortunate if his latest stuff is why. I at least used to have a fair bit of respect for AEI. I hope there’s more going on than it first appears.
This is why shouldn’t have left Canada.
I think your clause is missing a subject pronoun, sir.
Just overheard on TV, there’s a Tea Party protest planned for the Senate parliamentarian’s home. WTF, dudes.
jeffd
3049
Hilariously, the current parliamentarian was hired after the GOP fired the last one because he wouldn’t sign off on their tax cut reconciliation bill.
Bruce Bartlett has some interesting comments on the Frum firing and the AEI in general.
http://capitalgainsandgames.com/blog/bruce-bartlett/1601/groupthink-right-would-make-stalin-proud
Since, he is no longer affiliated with AEI, I feel free to say publicly something he told me in private a few months ago. He asked if I had noticed any comments by AEI “scholars” on the subject of health care reform. I said no and he said that was because they had been ordered not to speak to the media because they agreed with too much of what Obama was trying to do.
It saddened me to hear this. I have always hoped that my experience was unique. But now I see that I was just the first to suffer from a closing of the conservative mind. Rigid conformity is being enforced, no dissent is allowed, and the conservative brain will slowly shrivel into dementia if it hasn’t already.
Stating the obvious, I guess. Still always good to have another confirmation.
Man, your country’s politics is waaaay more exciting than mine. We’re all civil with our “Please”, “Thank you”, and “You’re welcome!”
It’s actually done for reals.
So a pretty prominent Democratic Senator and his wife came in to the restaurant tonight for dinner. I bought the bottle of wine off his check and stopped by the table to say thanks. After some chitchat, I had to say (had to) “Well, we had a pretty good effing week.” They both got the joke, thank heavens.
Ooooh… let’s play the guessing game.
Reid?
Sadly, he’s also a retiring Democrat.
Well, that narrows it down…
