There’s a world of difference between 1) saying there are still questions about everything that happened on and leading up to 9/11 — even 9/11 commissioners have said this, and discussed how various branches of government played CYA — and 2) saying 9/11 was a U.S. government plot.
However, partisan hacks and shallow-minded editorial writers, both looking for an easy way to dismiss anyone who has different ideas on other issues (what happened to valuing diversity?) either actively blur the distinction or they let the distinction get blurred.
I don’t think I’m going to form my opinion of someone based on one group trying to slap a buzzword label on them, especially when they categorically reject the label.
That’s my 2 cents.
I think today’s political environment can thank to a large degree Karl Rove-style politicking for erasure of nuance. I distinctly remember the bulk of Bush’s years in office as an active period where any fractional dissent in public was labeled as unpatriotic by the ruling party to mute debate.
So Medina’s Howard Dean moment is Bush’s fault?
“I distinctly remember the bulk of Bush’s years in office as an active period where any fractional dissent in public was labeled as unpatriotic by the ruling party to mute debate.”
You’re going to have to produce something to support this ridiculous claim. The GOP purposely avoided questioning people’s patriotism, even when it was obviously questionable. Talk radio hosts don’t count.
Regarding Medina’s Truther moment:
“I don’t have all the evidence there, Glenn,” Medina responded. “So I’m not in a place – I have not been out publicly questioning that. I think some very good questions have been raised in that regard. There’s some very good arguments and I think the American people have not seen all the evidence there so I’ve not taken a position there.”
Sorry, but if you think that there’s still a question about the government involvement in 9/11, then you’ve been ignoring an enormous amount of evidence. If it were just issue of questioning the government, then she should have said so. As it is, it makes here look like a quack.
I wanted to support her. I really did. I was planning to vote for her in the primary, but don’t we have enough conspiracy theory wack-jobs in positions of power?
Dallasite, I’m right with you, BUT…
A victory for anyone but the regime sends a huge message in an important state. Medina’s win can stave off more McCain. IJS.
Even if she’s a truther, she can’t do that much damage. Perry’s hands are tied. He just can’t stand to be taken out of the mix.
I didn’t say “the GOP did this”. Read again.
The manner in which you harshly label my statement as “ridiculous” (read: “unpatriotic” in another context), then define the rules by which I can demonstrate my original generalization makes my point most elegantly.
And Mr. Anonymous Dallasite, I don’t talk to black boxes. (my apologies to JWP) – next time you want to start shooting down people in a public forum, take off the ski mask.
So we should vote for a lunatic just because she’s fiscally conservative? Ok, given the current political model in this country, maybe we should. I’m not sold though.
The ruling party is the sum of its parts. Its parts’ actions reflect on the party. It works that way for Obama and it works that way for Bush.
@Michael O’Neill:
“I didn’t say “the GOP did thisâ€. Read again.”
The ruling party during the Bush years wasn’t the GOP? Really? Please explain.
“The manner in which you harshly label my statement as “ridiculous†(read: “unpatriotic†in another context), “
No, ridiculous in that it never happened, but has been claimed to have happened ad-nauseum from the Left for years. nobody tried to “mute debate.”
Don’t get your panties in a wad, I didn’t question your patriotism.
“And Mr. Anonymous Dallasite, I don’t talk to black boxes. (my apologies to JWP) – next time you want to start shooting down people in a public forum, take off the ski mask.”
I appreciate the anonymity of the internet, and will continue to exercise my opinion as a “black box”. I don’t personally attack people, only their statements.
(Though I did accuse Daniel of living in his mom’s basement once. It was a hasty, albeit obviously proverbial, generalization that I apply to most hippies. :))
Dallasite, I know we share some really core values. I’m not CONVINCED Medina is a “lunatic.”
After popping off on JJM in the wee hours, I re-read all of it, and some commentary, and…
I go back to my touchstone, the Aquinas essay “On Kingship.”
(The thesis of which is anyone willing to do what it takes to be king isn’t worthy.)
So, we know she isn’t willing to…be a Perry or a KBH, or name your governor…
She can’t kiss ass in a debate or interview.
The governor is a figure head, so I’m thinking…let her have her time to serve.
Perhaps the upper management of the GOP and the White House (to clarify what I mean say “the GOP”) were judicious in branding opposition “unpatriotic”, but you and I lived on different planets during the Bush administration if you didn’t hear a fairly steady diet of “unpatriotic” branding from many Republicans in office and in the media (to clarify what I mean when I say “the ruling party”).
And, ‘m sure Daniel had it coming.
didn’t I read the other day where the Obama administration put out a statement that said questioning of his policy with regards to the (often denied) war on terror aided al quaida (sp). Sounds like someone at the White House questioning the patriotism of their critics…but of course the rules don’t really apply to the left. They can hold out an apple and say its an orange and the NY Times will discuss what kind of orange it is.
I don’t know if Medina is a lunatic or not. ….sorry I was going to say…it might just be a lunatic you’re looking for….then I thought…nah…that would be pushing it.
I think there is merit in voting out the incumbent unless the only challenger thinks Obama is doing a great job….then not so much.
“You’re going to have to produce something to support this ridiculous claim. ”
http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/11/06/gen.attack.on.terror/
“…but of course the rules don’t really apply to the left. They can hold out an apple and say its an orange and the NY Times will discuss what kind of orange it is.”
But of course. More ‘write-wing’ pablum from Phil. Where was the “left” when Judith Miller was felching Dick Cheney?
“Where was the “left†when Judith Miller was felching Dick Cheney?”
Standing in some handout line someplace waiting for a government gimme that I paid for I suspect.
Point is, Mr. Write Winger, the NYTimes gave the nominally conservative Bush administration – the “right” if you prefer – all the free propaganda it wanted for its disastrous invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq. Please twist that into another dimwitted indictment of the “left.”
@Anonymous Troll:
So to you, when Bush was referring to foreign nation’s supporting the war on terror, that was the same as questioning your patriotism, huh?
Wow.
@Michael O’Neill
“Perhaps the upper management of the GOP and the White House (to clarify what I mean say “the GOPâ€) were judicious in branding opposition “unpatrioticâ€, but you and I lived on different planets during the Bush administration if you didn’t hear a fairly steady diet of “unpatriotic†branding from many Republicans in office and in the media (to clarify what I mean when I say “the ruling partyâ€).”
All I ask for is a single article proving your point. Just one where a senior GOP official claimed that “any fractional dissent in public was labeled as unpatriotic by the ruling party to mute debate,” or something close.
The Left was so defensive about their patriotism for eight years that it is no wonder that you actually believe that it was being questioned, but I have a feeling that it’s going to be very difficult for you, or anyone else, to produce actual evidence.
“I have a feeling that it’s going to be very difficult for you, or anyone else, to produce actual evidence.”
I have a feeling you would squirm and equivocate regardless of the evidence. Isn’t it time to peel the Bush-Cheney ’04 sticker off the bumper and move on?
“Squirm and equivocate”
I’m not nervous. Bring it.
“Isn’t it time to peel the Bush-Cheney ‘04 sticker off the bumper”
I look at bumper stickers like a look at tattoos. They don’t improve the quality, value, or appearance of the vehicle they’re attached to, so I have no use for them.
Having said that, it isn’t the Right side of the political spectrum that is playing the Bush-Blame Game.
@Dallasite
This took me all of five seconds to find. I am certain I could find a hundred in ten minutes, but why bother? You cannot be convinced of common sense in history less than ten years old.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14474-2002Jun19.html
Despite your cowardly need to remain anonymous, I find it absolutely reasonable to request linkage to support a claim, so I have complied. Funny, how you’ve made several claims yourself and neglected to support with any linkage in kind. Hmmm.
I’ve indulged you more than I ought to have. So whatever final thoughts you want to snipe, it is your shot to take from your camouflaged blind.