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I have been attempting – from the pound, in bad form and with stylistic incontinence – to convince the pups of the necessity to build bridges by pointing out all the footings already in place. The current intellectual constipation of the progressives is going to see the majority of what remains of the middle class loose their shirts and shorts, and then be flayed and filleted to the bone, such that the whole country can ultimately be served up as the piece de resistance at the oligarchy’s banquet. Goya did a masterful interpretation of this tableau, way back when.
Since I don’t frequent the MSM Koolaid bar, my only contact with its offerings is when I have a question about specific issues or positions of interest to me, at which point I google. This morning I googled hostess Jane, and noticed her political evolution on Dylan Ratigan. (I’m still surprised that Dylan has his job.)
Anyone who watches Dylan, has read Taibbi, or frequents Washington’s blog, among other sources, would know that the path this country is on, notwithstanding the best efforts of the Democrats which we know to amount to a hill of beans making its way through the digestive tract of a rat, will ultimately result in a complete human catastrophe. So my knee jerk question stands: What the fuck is it with this perpetual finding mission the majority of FDL, Dkos and the conservogressives are so hooked on? There is nothing more to discover, other than to admit the obvious: it’s the people v. the entrenched and sociopathic Fascisti. It’s the 11th hour and we need to start acting accordingly.
Perhaps I’m reading too much into this, if so, I’ll surely be corrected. I’m quite content to grasp at straws of hope while getting down and dirty in the mud. The big bad wolf is a fascist creature: he’ll huff and puff away the house of straw. But what do you get when you mix straw with mud, and add a sunny disposition? ;) That’s right: an adobe abode – a chance to withstand the big blow, and then to blow back ourselves.
The Paulites, at least, do seem to be looking for footings in the embankment:
Jane Hamsher Mentions Daily Paul on Dylan Ratigan Show | Ron Paul 2012
Slowly, lugubriously, Jane – with Dylan’s prodding – is moving on as well. Way to go, though still ways to go. How about it pups?
35 Comments
No. Sorry. I’ll take Rand Paul and his fathers votes when they advance the Liberal/Progressive agenda, but making common cause with them beyond that is counter productive to that very agenda.
They do not represent a liberal or progressive point of view, they are more than willing to let most vulnerable of our citizens just fall flat. They are more than willing to let the giant corporations continue their rapine of the nation. Those two problems alone are enough for me to stay at arms length from them. When you sup with the devil, best to use a very, very long spoon.
Thanks for bringing up Dylan Ratigan, now I can hang my diary here, and not bump anything. It is germain enough and I read all your’s.
It would be nice if there was a subsection where tv could be worked over, it doesn’t seem quite a worthy topic for diaries. Too derived from propaganda, much less “news” but then again it is a part of the inputs.
One of my current, heretofore that is, favorites, has been Dylan Ratigan, but I am seeing some big cracks develop there.
How is it that Ratigan can say things antagonistic to Wall st. and “Banksters” and impune Obama’s and Holder’s inaction in the face of financial lawlessness might be a good question, in a way, but it’s a little nebulous.
What harm is done? The appearence of doing harm is no harm per se. In fact it is like firing a popgun at a tank, not going to cause any damage, but it’s hostile, and whoever gets on the peeshooter side of the fight is only stroking their own ego.
Media is up to the job of perpetrating “Howard Beale” straw dogs, but watch em and see through the act. Now understand… I mean it’s a long way from what really would be real, in the REAL world.
Yesterday for example, they had on this new upstart He came in #6 on the CPAC convention last week, who they build up as.. pro marijuana legalizer, and pro gay rights advocate, fiscal mainstreet conservative, republican from New Mexico… Gary Johnson.
The interview starts with the liberal credibility that this Republican has, and then moves quickly to the set up: As his voice gained about two octaves I thought what a great understudy for…. Paul Lind, or who’s that guy with the goatee that tells you how to decorate the house? Now that’s not being rude, I am just saying, that is the impression I get… and my issue here:
They put that guy on there, he has a mission. On that little interview, he comes out and plays to the pot people, and the gay people, and the liberal people who like to be “kinder and gentler people,” and then his voice ( I suspect estrogen therapy… ) his voice went up and he went off on “Social Security and how it needs to be cut. It was all just so he could get those licks in on ss, I see this every day.
Mark my words… He will be the next……… the next {“first of a kind”} and as you may see in the interview, not a very “presidential” hahaha, type to caste. But that is so passe.
Gessus Kristoffer, can you see how it’s all just a set up mill? The whole modus operandi of the program is to lead the folks up and then, kaboom, they lay the big turd.
now then today they have Mat on and he’s slick, but he had on Joe Kline and some Bloomberg tool, to go anti union all over the place, and conflate Wall St. bonuses with public sector pension obligations, this was a real classic so don’t miss it.
There has to be a quid pro quo for dylan to have so much free hand. It may be this clever stealthy form of laying in the sound bites strategically. Social Security, is job one.
Forging alliances with scary people with scary ideas and scary plans is, well, scary. Possibly even more scary than making the decision to finally get out there and do something. Is the fear justified? I honestly don’t know. And that’s what makes it scary: you won’t know until after they’ve turned on you and robbed you blind.
If you love the Pauls so much why don’t you join the campaign? I’m sure they would love to have you. And don’t try using Jane. She won’t like it.
He had on Darrel Issa concerning investigating the Countrywide VIP program and further steps. Cripes; Isaa came off fine on that issue; he might do more than Holder will ever do to investigate accounting and other mortgage fraud. But given his stated other aims to just tank the Obama administration, I have to be a bit anxious about his motives. And I don’t mean i care what happens to the administration as long as they uncover the truth about ALL the fraudsters. That said, I listen to Ratigan a lot. (He of the five-minute set-up questions) ;o)
Jane is starting to soup with them, which is good, imo. Why she doesn’t toot-toot it here is what I’m curious about.
Not if up fron you realize that on some issues they are indeed scary and prepare accordingly.
Right now however, you ought to be far more scared of your Government as constituted. That, is real, real scaaarry!
Write a diary. Twain would have ripped this government and your loving Dems a new one the size of a black hole.
As for the: ‘they would live to have you’, -yeah right, they would love to have an old world style libertarian socialist in their midst.
As for Jane, do you see me holding a gun to her head? That’s Jane sounding like missling, there.
Observations about successful political activism:
* Principles Count. Must articulate the principles to which one adheres, and be unwavering in support.
* Homework/research Counts. Knowing the issue(s) and being unwavering about the principle to which it belongs is crucial. So does the homework about who potential allies are.
* Overlap/Limits. Venn Diagrams are useful so that one only makes alliances where the overlapping interest is advanced, but not others which undermine one’s stated principles. In other words, “Yes, I agree with position A, but disagree on B and C.”
Jane has done all of these.
I’d suggest you do further homework missling. You have a lot of catching up to do on how Jane was vilified as regards “Audit The Fed” with Norquist, as well as much of the healthcare debate with the corporate giveaways.
You are opining in the dark here as far as any “evolution” is concerned.
You rock, Kelly.
“vilified as regards “Audit The Fed” with Norquist” – And then she went all quiet, while Wall Street and the Fed is the source of all the miseries around. Bradley Manning is a victim of Wall Street by way of Empire, as all the dollars originate with the Fed, pass through Wall Street on their way out, and back in.
Help focus FDL on the source of the problem, Kelly. That is all I am about!
You haven’t done any of the 3 bullet points I’ve pointed out.
And to walk in here, and crap one the floor in Jane’s house is 1) Offensive, and 2) ultimately unsuccessful.
If you think you’re “teaching” Jane, I think you’re ultimately the one who’s going to learn a lesson.
As to Venn Diagrams:
Plot two.
One: Progressives and American Libertarians (as opposed to Euro Libs)
Two: Progressives and Fascists (Current Gov. collusion with Wall Street, as opposed to the Dems of times gone by)
Where lies the greater and more immanent danger?
I am reminded of Michele Bachmann trumpeting the Founding Fathers, thereby attempting to attach herself to their determination and thought…
And so completely wrong that the searing headache it inspires is to be avoided at any cost.
* Principles Count. Must articulate the principles to which one adheres, and be unwavering in support.
What are Janes core, unwavering principles, since you know her so well?
I’ve done my research. War comes First. Bankers come Second. Thereafter comes a fight for some form of socialism.
Where does your research lead you to?
On points of agreement, I think we need to work together. If we merely ended the War on Terror and the War on Drugs, that alone would be a monumental improvement upon the current state of affairs.
I wrote a diary post directed at people who often like to crap on this floor. Thanks for your comments. You’re right – people need to do their homework.
I’ve encouraged people to a throw down here:
http://my.firedoglake.com/marsdragon/2011/02/18/throw-down-dont-criticize-instead-share-and-organize/
but it appears some prefer to cast stones on their own terms. You’re on FDL more often than I am, so I’m glad you can call a spade a spade! But more importantly, thanks for reminding everyone of the importance of establishing the core principles first, and then navigating from there.
First, I’d join forces with the Libertarians and 60% of the population and defund Wars, kill the Homeland Security department, CIA and the whole ‘security’ apparat.
Then, I’d the turn the banks into utilities, and outsource the hedge funds to Afghanistan. Kill all corporate subsidies, close all corporate tax loopholes, Tax all capital gains upwards of 75%, while reducing the tax burden on the middle class and zeroing out taxes on the 5th quintile.
That’s it for stage one, and stage one is all we should be concerned about, if we can agree on it.
I agree.
Lets all do our part with the protests in Wisconsin/Rust Belt right now. That’s a key part of the changes that are coming. We can all split and debate on theories and platforms and planks all day long.
But ACTION IS HAPPENING NOW. WE have to join our voices to it. Lets rock and roll.
And what core principles has Mr.Canfield established here? I must have missed something, so please recap.
I hear what you’re saying missling. FDL tends to be a little “sensitive” at times.
Continue on with your content and your style. I don’t agree with everything you say, but many important issues DO overlap between Progressives and Libertarians. One thing I like about Liberts is that I think most of them honestly care about the good of the country as a whole, even if their philosophy stresses individual independence. This I think they share with Progs. Conservatives on the other hand really don’t give a shit about the country. They care about their families, close friends and their wallets. The rest of the country can go to hell.
I agree that we are approaching the 11th hr and it is time for all hands on deck. I’ll fight shoulder to shoulder with a Libert against the oligarchy. We’ll have all sorts of time to squabble after the war is won, inshallah!
When Facts Don’t Matter
Left Reflections on Backfire, Propaganda, and How to Fight (or Not Fight) the Right
By Paul Street
http://www.zcommunications.org/when-facts-don-t-matter-by-paul-street
thanks for your kind words, GDC707
Coalition: Most political parties, most independents, most citizens favor: Ending the Wars, ending Prohibition, and restoring Civil Rights. On these 3 issues, a Libertarian/Progressive coalition forms a majority of the country, maybe electable.
(On another subject, I am sorry to see the bullying commenter following you around.
That person cruelly bullied me with anger and inaccurate criticisms until another commenter chimed in pointing out that person’s bullying. Maybe if that person reads this, a memory that bullying is wrong will return.)
“They are more than willing to let the giant corporations continue their rapine of the nation”
That’s just not true Bill. The Libertarians would deny the corporations ownership of the government. That’s the necessary first step. AFTER the government is restored to the people you can fight over regulation which the Libertarians will oppose. As matters stand there is no regulation. Only collusion. I don’t see where you have anything to lose except your identity politics.
The core of our problem(s) that must be excised is the corrupt, debt-based monetary system we use.
“First, I’d join forces with the Libertarians and 60% of the population and defund Wars, kill the Homeland Security department, CIA and the whole ‘security’ apparat.
Then, I’d the turn the banks into utilities, and outsource the hedge funds to Afghanistan. Kill all corporate subsidies, close all corporate tax loopholes, Tax all capital gains upwards of 75%, while reducing the tax burden on the middle class and zeroing out taxes on the 5th quintile.
That’s it for stage one, and stage one is all we should be concerned about, if we can agree on it.”
Well, missling, we seem to have outsourced the New York Stock Exchange to the Germans – does that help? I’m a bit reminded of A.A. Milne’s shipwrecked sailor, though I’d put a more positive slant on our inability to decide what’s most important to do. I think there’s a kind of a jet stream operating around the world right now. Sooner or later it’s gonna dip down right in your own back yard. Just go with the flow.
I like that Egyptian shout, “One hand!”
I tend to agree, but cautiously. Joining forces on specific issues can be beneficial, and at this desperate juncture, I think it’s worth pursuing.
missling:
I am a bit perplexed. Why do you continue to play solitaire with a deck of 51 given to you by some of the rather unsavory thugs around here and hope or expect to win?
RE Gary Johnson ,New Mexico; if anyone has been watching DN’s coverage of Wisconsin, it was clearly stated that what Walker is trying to do was NEVER part of his election campaign efforts or rhetoric; Johnson is the same type of politico.
It does seem as “The enemy of my enemy is my friend” has become a reality for the so called ‘progressives’:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_enemy_of_my_enemy_is_my_friend
And,FWIW, I ‘label’ myself as a populist libertarian. Just wish the Constitution stated ‘provide for the general welfare’ rather than ‘promote the general welfare’.(Though Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution does read: “The Congress shall have the Power to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. . .”
Of course times have REALLY changed since 1776 but ensuring that people don’t go hungry, have shelter from the elements, have education be a ‘right’ as it’s certainly in the interest of a nation to have a well educated populace, and have their health issues be treated in a manner that doesn’t present a burden to society would all seem to fit under ‘promoting the general welfare’.
I would agree with that as well. That is the logical first step to tearing down the MIC and ensuring that corporations start regulating themselves. You have to take away the legal and financial protections of government.
Legal and financial protections not having to do with contract law that is.
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”
Mahatma Gandhi
” But given his stated other aims to just tank the Obama administration,…”
I think Obama is doing just fine on his own.
A) I’m not likely to ally myself with people who wish me harm like a good fraction of the ‘baggers do.
B) Acting like you are sage and above the fray is entirely at odds with your commenting history.
C) I have seen a lot of arrogance in my time but nothing approaches you thinking that you can school Jane Hamsher on anything.
D) Your swill is nothing more than third way bullshit in a shiny package. Not buying it.
E) You are clueless, clueless about what’s been going on at this blog through it’s history. You are taking a snapshot and believing that you know the entire history from that one still photograph.
F) This is your grade on this post.
Well, thank you Margaret!
As I am a firm believer that we are living in a upside down world, that’s quite a compliment. (curtsies)