Who are the real, useful idiots?

The Lewisville Leader ^ | Brent Flynn

[Exton1]

Who are the real, useful idiots? Brent Flynn Practically Rational
So the Lenins of the world think the anti-war protestors are nothing more than unpatriotic, ill-informed stooges of brutal dictators everywhere. Useful idiot is the term commonly used by right wing ideologues to describe the naïve peaceniks that are supposedly giving aid and comfort to Saddam Hussein by opposing the impending invasion of Iraq. Instead of characterizing the marchers as ordinary, loyal Americans who decided to get off their duffs for once and speak out against what they see as an unprovoked invasion of a weak country, the marchers are made out to be blame-America-first communists under the organizational leadership of Iraqi spies. Well, I have a different take on the subject. I would say that people who hold up the First Amendment as an example of America's greatness but then disparage those who exercise that right to peaceably assemble are the real, useful idiots. Those cynics cherish freedom and democracy as abstract principles but loathe those same ideals when they are put into practice in support of a cause with which they disagree. They see the mass demonstrations of democracy as a threat to the country, not as a show of its strength. They are the useful idiots of John Ashcroft. The right to an attorney, habeas corpus (probable cause) and the presumption of innocence-- all cornerstones of our American democracy-- are under attack by an Attorney General who believes constitutionally guaranteed rights can be denied, depending on the crime. Now, the mouthpieces of the far right are concocting hypothetical "ticking bomb" scenarios to scare Americans into believing that we need to take another look at torture as an interrogation method. Ben Franklin's words of wisdom should be required reading for these fascists in red, white and blue clothing. He got it right when he said that, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." The neo-conservatives in charge of our government talk about sparking a democratic revolution in the Middle East, but by their arm-twisting and pay-offs to foreign governments they are circumventing the will of the people in those countries-- who are overwhelmingly against the war. Democracy abroad is a grand concept to this group of useful idiots, except when it expresses itself in the form of a Turkish parliamentary vote prohibiting US troops from deploying there. They are even more infuriated when democratic principles manifest in the form of the German electorate voting an anti-war Chancellor into office or the French Prime Minister actually listening to his people. These useful idiots wouldn't recognize true democracy if it marched past their front door on the way to the voting booth, but, oh, how they love the symbols of democracy. They even want to put you in jail for disrespecting the flag. What they don't understand is that by abridging your freedom of speech-- even the unpatriotic and offensive act of burning the flag in protest-- they are setting fire to the Bill of Rights. They apparently forgot that the flag is just a piece of cloth if it has no democratic ideals to represent. If it sounds like I take these attacks personally, that's because I do. I went to my first anti-war protest last month (actually it was my first time at any kind of protest). When I was walking through the streets of downtown Dallas with thousands (and there were thousands) of fellow Dallasites, Texans, Americans, it was one of the proudest moments of my life. And no amount of brow-beating and comparisons to Lenin's unwitting dupes will change that. No, the protesters aren't unpatriotic, un-American or useful idiots, but people who criticize them for practicing democracy in its purest form have a few things to learn about citizenship in a democratic republic. It is not merely your right to dissent when you disagree with your government's policies, IT IS YOUR CIVIC OBLIGATION. Before the Bush hawks start exporting democracy to the Middle East through the use of military force, maybe we should make sure we've got it right in America. -- Columnist's note: This was my last column to appear in the Star Community Newspaper cluster. It is ironic that after writing a forceful essay in support of the first amendment, my column was cancelled. I was told that because I had attended an anti-war rally, I had violated the newspaper's ethics policy that prohibits members of the editorial staff from participating in any political activity other than voting. I was also told that my objectivity as a reporter would be called into question. However, my opposition to an invasion of Iraq was well documented in previous columns before I revealed that I had participated in the protest. But instead of taking me off of my beat as a staff reporter or reprimanding me, my opinion column was cancelled-- the aspect of my job that was enhanced by my participation in the rally. I am convinced that if my column was supportive of the war and it was a pro-war rally that I attended, they would not have dared to cancel my column. In my opinion, a powerful liberal voice was unwelcome in the conservative Republican county served by my newspaper. The fact that the column was cancelled just days before the start of the US invasion of Iraq raises serious questions about the motives for the cancellation. -- Contact Brent Flynn at brent@brentflynn.com if you would like to receive future columns weekly via email. home

[headsonpikes]

"Democracy,....democracy,....democracy,....democracy,....democracy,....

He wants to be a cheerleader for the 'Useful Idiots'.

Consider this an audition.

[lelio]

I would say that people who hold up the First Amendment as an example of America's greatness but then disparage those who exercise that right to peaceably assemble are the real, useful idiots.
He doesn't get it. By pointing out that you're a moron that's not disparaging your right to be one.

The neo-conservatives in charge of our government talk about sparking a democratic revolution in the Middle East, but by their arm-twisting and pay-offs to foreign governments they are circumventing the will of the people in those countries-- who are overwhelmingly against the war.
He's missing a couple of key points:
- that's the way these foreign governments operate, by hitting us up for cash at every turn
- hrmm, citizens of a non-democratic country are against installing a democratic government. Nah, their decisions couldn't be influenced by government thugs or liberal elites.

One wonders what Brent's doing to help the people of Iraq. By marching against removing a dictator? The Iraqi people I'm sure are thanking you in their own way.

[stop_fascism]

Certainly the peace creeps have a right to march and protest. However, a lot of them say they support our troops and hate Hussein. However, their actions encourage hussein to continue , thereby leading to more American and Iraqi casualties. In addition, if they were successful, Saddam (the guy they say they hate) would remain in power indefinitely. So, it seems safe to say that these people are idiots, since an idiot's actions oppose his goals. However, Since Bush and 80% of the American people are ignoring them, it doesn't seem that they are particularly useful. Perhaps it would be better to call them useless idiots. Like Voltaire, I will defend to the death their right to be useless idiots. Strange,they don't seem to be willing to give the rest of us equal rights of free speach.

[sergeantdave]

One can always tell when a "useful idiot" has entered the room because he calls everyone else a "useful idiot."

[Euro-American Scum]

I would say that people who hold up the First Amendment as an example of America's greatness but then disparage those who exercise that right to peaceably assemble are the real, useful idiots.

Right. Like all the First Amendment freedom of expression for conservatives on American universities.

[WhiteGuy]

The protesters aren't unpatriotic, un-American or useful idiots, but people who criticize them for practicing democracy in its purest form have a few things to learn about citizenship in a democratic republic. It is not merely your right to dissent when you disagree with your government's policies, IT IS YOUR CIVIC OBLIGATION.

Well said.

[jackbill]

This guy is too stupid to realize that he was fired because he is too stupid.

[exit82]

"This guy is too stupid to realize that he was fired because he is too stupid."

Had to read that twice -you got it right, too.

Guess he didn't think anyone would hold him accountable to the paper's policies. Another trait of useful idiots--no concept of accountability.

[Mark]

"Columnist's note: This was my last column to appear in the Star Community Newspaper cluster. It is ironic that after writing a forceful essay in support of the first amendment, my column was cancelled. I was told that because I had attended an anti-war rally,...."

Poor baby! Useful IDIOT.

[Celtjew Libertarian]

Maybe I should send this to the author of the column.

I would say that people who hold up the First Amendment as an example of America's greatness but then disparage those who exercise that right to peaceably assemble are the real, useful idiots.

The first amendment is a symbol of American greatness. It is a sign of its greatness in that you have the right to peaceably assemble and I have the right to call you an idiot for doing it.

Those cynics cherish freedom and democracy as abstract principles but loathe those same ideals when they are put into practice in support of a cause with which they disagree. They see the mass demonstrations of democracy as a threat to the country, not as a show of its strength.

I don't loathe the ideal, when put into practice. I loathe the cause you are supporting.

[Maria S]

It's always interesting to me to see how far 1st Amendments 'privileges' can be expanded when necessary to justify a situation, and how much 2nd Amendment 'privileges' can be shrunk when necessary to justify another set of beliefs.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

The protesters aren't unpatriotic, un-American or useful idiots,

Yes, they are. Because they can not answer any serious questions about exactly what they are protesting for. Go ahead. Ask them exactly what has them so upset. They can’t give you a well thought out answer. There is no logic or thought behind these protests. Just silly slogans and name calling. A fourth grade debating team could argue them into the ground.

but people who criticize them for practicing democracy in its purest form have a few things to learn about citizenship in a democratic republic.

Democracy in it's purest form. Majority rules. Practicing democracy in its purest form would be to vote on whether the protesters should be hung from the lamp posts and then doing it if the vote is over 50%. In other words mob rule. Is that what this person would like to see?

It is not merely your right to dissent when you disagree with your government's policies, IT IS YOUR CIVIC OBLIGATION.

It is also not only your right but your civic obligation to point out when your fellow citizens are being idiots as well. Hurrah for the freedom to speak your mind. Even if it does offend the idiots.

[Kudsman]

Zot bump

[Sofa King]

"So the Lenins of the world think the anti-war protestors are nothing more than unpatriotic, ill-informed stooges of brutal dictators everywhere."

Never mind that Lenin was as about as big a leftist as they come....

"Instead of characterizing the marchers as ordinary, loyal Americans who decided to get off their duffs for once and speak out against what they see as an unprovoked invasion of a weak country, the marchers are made out to be blame-America-first communists under the organizational leadership of Iraqi spies."

Never mind the fact that they're latest plans involve trying to prevent US troops from getting supplies....

"I would say that people who hold up the First Amendment as an example of America's greatness but then disparage those who exercise that right to peaceably assemble are the real, useful idiots."

Never mind the fact that you're attacking us for exercising OUR freedom of speech, as well as our freedom to buy products from and support the people of our choice....

"Those cynics cherish freedom and democracy as abstract principles but loathe those same ideals when they are put into practice in support of a cause with which they disagree. They see the mass demonstrations of democracy as a threat to the country, not as a show of its strength."

Never mind the fact that freedom and democracy never included civil disobedience, rioting, lynching, and mob violence.....

"They are the useful idiots of John Ashcroft. The right to an attorney, habeas corpus (probable cause) and the presumption of innocence-- all cornerstones of our American democracy-- are under attack by an Attorney General who believes constitutionally guaranteed rights can be denied, depending on the crime."

Never mind the fact Clinton's administration was the one that habitually ignored constitutional restraints...

"Now, the mouthpieces of the far right are concocting hypothetical "ticking bomb" scenarios to scare Americans into believing that we need to take another look at torture as an interrogation method."

Never mind the fact that the mouthpieces of the far right have been doing no such thing...,

"Ben Franklin's words of wisdom should be required reading for these fascists in red, white and blue clothing. He got it right when he said that, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

Never mind the fact that the left is the group demanding that we give up our 2nd amendment rights in the name of reducing crime....

"The neo-conservatives in charge of our government talk about sparking a democratic revolution in the Middle East, but by their arm-twisting and pay-offs to foreign governments they are circumventing the will of the people in those countries-- who are overwhelmingly against the war."

Never mind all of the Iraqis who are quite happy to see us....

"Democracy abroad is a grand concept to this group of useful idiots, except when it expresses itself in the form of a Turkish parliamentary vote prohibiting US troops from deploying there. They are even more infuriated when democratic principles manifest in the form of the German electorate voting an anti-war Chancellor into office or the French Prime Minister actually listening to his people."

Never mind the fact that someone having the right to do something and whether or not you LIKING the fact that they're doing it are completely unrealated...

"These useful idiots wouldn't recognize true democracy if it marched past their front door on the way to the voting booth, but, oh, how they love the symbols of democracy. They even want to put you in jail for disrespecting the flag. What they don't understand is that by abridging your freedom of speech-- even the unpatriotic and offensive act of burning the flag in protest-- they are setting fire to the Bill of Rights. They apparently forgot that the flag is just a piece of cloth if it has no democratic ideals to represent."

Never mind the fact that the left wants to restrict the practice of religion, which is an actual intended application of first amendment rights....

" Columnist's note: This was my last column to appear in the Star Community Newspaper cluster. It is ironic that after writing a forceful essay in support of the first amendment, my column was cancelled. I was told that because I had attended an anti-war rally, I had violated the newspaper's ethics policy that prohibits members of the editorial staff from participating in any political activity other than voting. I was also told that my objectivity as a reporter would be called into question. However, my opposition to an invasion of Iraq was well documented in previous columns before I revealed that I had participated in the protest. But instead of taking me off of my beat as a staff reporter or reprimanding me, my opinion column was cancelled-- the aspect of my job that was enhanced by my participation in the rally. I am convinced that if my column was supportive of the war and it was a pro-war rally that I attended, they would not have dared to cancel my column. In my opinion, a powerful liberal voice was unwelcome in the conservative Republican county served by my newspaper. The fact that the column was cancelled just days before the start of the US invasion of Iraq raises serious questions about the motives for the cancellation."

I'll take you serioulsy when you get fired for doing something that you WEREN'T specifically told not to do.

[Texas Eagle]

I see this guy's point. He's a USELESS idiot. And damn proud of it.

[LibertarianInExile]

I nominate you for quote of the day.

[Windcatcher]

Actually "useful idiot" is a Communist term. We conservatives didn't coin it; we're applying it *as it was defined by the Communists themselves*.

This leftie knows it to be true, so he's doing what he can--deflect attention by accusing his political opponents of something heinous.

They do this all the time when they're wrong and they know it.

[weegee]

Freedom of speech permits us on the right to spread the word of who is funding the opposition to the war (communists) even when Big Media chooses not to.

This is not a peace movement. This is not a grass roots effort.

Maybe they think that protestors holding up signs with Stalin's picture are American loving individuals but I have a different take.

Maybe they think that protestors who hold up signs proclaiming that they "support our troops when they shoot their officers" really do support the troops and aren't unAmerican.

Maybe they think that protestors supporting the Palestinian war AND the Palestinian use of suicide bombers is the sign of a peace movement. I beg to differ.

[Eaker]

The protesters aren't unpatriotic, un-American or useful idiots.

Yes they are. I have meet them at Houston FReeps and yes they are.