Posted on 12/03/2003 3:26:18 PM PST by NorCoGOP
SAN DIEGO -- On Nov. 17, I wrote a column that called for a progressive movement away from the polarizing stagnation of "left vs. right" in American politics. For once, I wanted to be optimistic. I wanted to believe that most of the people in this nation were sensible, compassionate individuals who could put aside differences of opinion in order to determine what was best for the nation as a whole.
As it turns out, I was completely f**king wrong.
I began to suspect this as I watched the rousing half-time show of the Dallas-Miami football game on Thanksgiving Day. There was great American crooner Toby Keith, spewing forth a load of Skoal-flavored hatred while scantily clad red, white and blue victory bunnies danced the night away. The term "pseudo-event" didn't even come close to describing what I was seeing: Brave General Keith, patriotically hung over, promises to slaughter every last dissenter he can lay his hands on, backed by an unstoppable army of silicon soldierettes. A sight for sore patriotic eyes, to be sure.
Of course, by that point in the holiday, I had already been exposed to hours worth of news footage on the "biggest event of the year." George W. Bush had single-handedly flown a Stealth bomber through exploding anti-aircraft shrapnel, landed on a completely blacked out runway and personally served hundreds of fresh turkeys to the troops.
Well, at this point in history I should be used to seeing ridiculous images on television, but this assault on the senses seemed a little uncalled for, too blatant, too extreme. Little did I know I was one of the lucky ones. While I was watching these propaganda festivals from the safe distance of my living room, some of my best friends were actually dealing with this vitriolic menace face-to-face.
The horror stories I received from friends who had spent the holiday with their far-right leaning families shattered my idealistic vision of a progressive America. One close friend barely escaped a physical beating at the hands of a favorite uncle after expressing the mildest sentiment of dissent over the conflict in Iraq. My friend was told that he was worthless scum and that he should be bombed out of existence with the rest of the terrorists. Another friend was almost ejected from his family's dinner when he expressed his displeasure with the fact that his younger brother was shipping out to Iraq in March.
My friends were not rude, disrespectful or antagonizing in expressing their perspectives on the issues, yet one of them was almost killed right there at the dinner table, and the other became the instant black sheep of his family.
So is this what it comes down to then? All it takes to get blacklisted is an unpopular opinion? It seems we have entered the Keep-Your-Goddamn-Mouth-Shut era of man. America itself has become a pseudo-event, a place where everyone likes to give lip service to big words like liberty and freedom while they do everything in their power to repress those concepts in our institutions.
I extended the olive branch, just once. I drew on reason, logic and my own understanding of the Constitution our nation was founded upon, and I actually dared to think that I could communicate with the "other side." Hell, I even thought I could remove that barrier that created an "other side." But I forgot something very important: Y'all love your barriers; you want separation, you want hate, you want repression. I thought I could deflate the conservative argument by using your own fondness for the founding fathers against you. In truth, the founding fathers never would have approved of the kind of silencing of dissent we are now seeing, but that doesn't matter much, does it? All of you brave and patriotic Americans don't really give two sh**s for the founding fathers or the Constitution. You would prefer that we not have the rights to dissent and freedom of speech guaranteed in the Constitution. Why not take it out, then y'all can finally get rid of all those pesky rebels who actually understand what liberty is.
I've been called an elitist many times but I never really owned up to the title. Well I'll tell you right now: You're goddamn right I'm an elitist. You, and by "you" I mean all those "patriots" and "neocons" and all the rest who are fueling this hate crusade in America; you are the true enemies of freedom, and you'll do more harm to this country than any terrorist could ever hope to. If you want a war with your own citizens, you'll get it. Forget about the olive branch. Until that day when you finally drag us kicking and screaming to the firing squad, we'll be fighting you tooth and nail.
Oh, horsesh!t. This is a complete and utter fabrication. I watched the Dallas-Miami halftime performance in question, and he did no such thing.
Given that the author blatantly (and unapologetically) lied about an event witnessed by millions... I have no doubts whatsoever he also lied about events purportedly occurring before an audience of half-a-dozen or so. ("One close friend barely escaped a physical beating at the hands of a favorite uncle after expressing the mildest sentiment of dissent over the conflict in Iraq.") Suuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrre he did, buttercup. :)
Evil is a reason there is a Hell.
Homo= queer
phobic = afraid of
I'm not AFRAID of queers, I just think they are mentally deranged, have disgusting personal habits, and I don't want to associate with them. I don't think "homophobic" is the correct term. Not sure if there is a buzzword that fits the true situation.
Any suggestions out there????
Yea? Just try to express a pro-life, anti-affermative action, pro-traditional family opinion around his friends and see how quickly you can get blacklisted.
He can cry on the shoulders of the Santa who explained the real meaning of Christmas to some elementary school kids.
Becki
Palestinian Geneva delegates pelted with rotten eggs
Becki
This country was founded on dissentHear hear! The most enjoyable thing about this woosy little screed by this little woos is that he thinks he invented dissent. His self-absorbtion would erase 230 years of history.
Dissent? He never read Publius.
Vitriol? He never got between Hamilton and Jefferson.
Anger? He never had to stare down John C. Calhoun.
Slander? He never stood with Abraham Lincoln. (Yeah, yeah, you Lincoln haters, find your own example and leave me this one)
Partisan? He never heard FDR.
Scoundrel? He voted for one in Clinton.
Woos? He's one.
How does one ever get this angry?
Hm. Around here, all you need to do is mention the previous Administration, or Streisand, or Sean Penn, or any other Hollywood twit. Dunno what it takes for lefties, really...never worried about it.
Snidely
If you want your bird to barf, sure!
The horror stories I received from friends who had spent the holiday with their far-right leaning families shattered my idealistic vision of a progressive America.
Good! That would be Step One of your recovery!
One close friend barely escaped a physical beating at the hands of a favorite uncle after expressing the mildest sentiment of dissent over the conflict in Iraq.
I got 5 bucks on the uncle.
My friend was told that he was worthless scum and that he should be bombed out of existence with the rest of the terrorists.
And... what? You're worried that the bombs will set off another California wildfire?
Another friend was almost ejected from his family's dinner when he expressed his displeasure with the fact that his younger brother was shipping out to Iraq in March.
Excellent, excellent. Glad to hear your idiot friends come from decent families. Maybe there's hope for them.
My friends were not rude, disrespectful or antagonizing in expressing their perspectives on the issues, yet one of them was almost killed right there at the dinner table, and the other became the instant black sheep of his family.
HA! Yes, I've seen what you children think of as not disrespectful. I've seen the self-satisfied look on your face as you deign to inform your family that they are a bunch of ignorant rednecks and you are the lone diamond shining forth from that pile of dung from which you miraculously sprang. I hope your blue-collar dad cuts your allowance.
So is this what it comes down to then? All it takes to get blacklisted is an unpopular opinion? It seems we have entered the Keep-Your-Goddamn-Mouth-Shut era of man.
No, no, no, sweetie, an unpopular opinion is "Dad, your favorite football team is past its prime." Or "Colored Christmas tree lights are tacky, use white lights!" Or "Well, you really are too old to wear that mini skirt, mom." That's unpopular. When you start saying, essentially, that this country has no right to defend itself, yeah, you deserve a good hard smack in the mouth.
That's like telling a cancer patient she shouldn't seek treatment because the electricity used to save her is contributing to the hole in the ozone, she should just give up and die. Would you expect your family to nod quietly if you said that to Grandma? Well, then, don't say it to your country. Now shyaddap, you little brat.
This guy has zero sense of self-awareness.
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