I thought McCarthyism was a relic from the past. I thought McCarthyism was a post-WWII overreaction by some zealots to the perils of communism. I thought McCarthyism was dinosaur thinking whose imprint was left back in the late 40’s and the decade of the 50’s. Looks like I was way off base. It is alive and well as evidenced by an interview with Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann.
Congresswoman Bachmann is calling for the American news media to do ‘a penetrating exposé of Congress for un-American views.’ Would this be the same Mainstream Media all the darlings of the far right howl about on daily basis?
MSNBC pit-bull Chris ‘Hardball’ Matthews tries to hone in on exactly what Ms. Bachmann really means when she uses the terms ‘liberal’, ‘leftist’, and ‘anti-American’. Congresswoman (shudder) Bachmann is wound up tight and has her talking-points microchip all energized as she withstands a good grilling by Matthews. She doesn’t miss a beat while she castigates Presidential Candidate Obama as one who ‘pals around with terrorists.’
You have to see it to believe it.
Good news. Yes, there is something you CAN do about this outrage:
Petition for Congress
http://www.censurebachmann.com/
More good news. Bachmann is being challenged by a guy named Tinklenberg.
Bachmann’s challenger on Nov. 4th (trailing by single digits)
http://www.tinklenberg08.com/
Chicago Tribune
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/10/rep_michele_bachmann_tells_chr.html
You can’t censor her. But you CAN post around the world that what she is doing IS Un-American. She is thwarting free speech, freedom of beliefs, and every other kind of freedom you can imagine. How do these losers get into positions of any authority?
Congress can censUre one of their own though and that is what the petition is calling for: a sharp rebuke.
No, she can’t be censOred. But can we put duct tape on her mouth?
Hey everyone, maybe Robert Duecaster isn’t so bad after all. This woman has more goverment authority, AND she is more frightening to listen too.
So, you want to censure her for asking the media to do its job? You don’t want the truth to come out? She isn’t asking them to censor, or to report untruthfully or unfairly, she is only asking them to report the truth and that upsets you? The political views of our leaders ARE newsworthy, despite what unAmericans such as yourself believe.
Also too, another bright side:
We have identified the one woman holding office in America LESS qualified to be President than Sarah Palin.
Palin/Bachman 2012!
Yeah, but this is how people like Duecaster and Stewart are allowed to move up the food chain. Stop it at its source!
“How do these losers get into positions of any authority?”
Give any blowhard with no experience/talent equal footing to that of hard-working, experienced scholars/policy makers. Place them side by side so they appear as equals – amke this the norm and sooner rather than later you have bumbling idiots being positioned nexted to seasoned intellectuals and everyone thinks they’re valid contrasts.
It’s called the dumbing down of America.
Oh, “censure” not “censor.” Duh. That’s what I get for posting before I drink coffee!
“Give any blowhard with no experience/talent equal footing to that of hard-working, experienced scholars/policy makers.” Yeah, Bubba. David Horowitz is a perfect example!
As an equal opportunity bullshit detector, I have a feeling “John Doe” is another parody. I can’t believe there is anyone advanced enough to be able to type that watched that video and concluded that we should truly and really have an investigation of Congress for Un-American Activities. I’m not a history expert, but as I recall we already tried that and it didn’t work out very well for the (aaaaag! I was going to say “American ideals” but you know these darn McCarthy wannabes are confusing me about what “American” really means!!!!! I hate that.)
Take that back. I’m not confused about what “American” means. But when you see people like this Bachmann nut case using the word to attack people they don’t agree with, it bends and twists the words in an Orwellian sense.
For instance, the “Patriot” Act had nothing to do with patriotism other than it exploited it. The “Clear Skies” Initiative, etc.
NGL:
“Take that back. I’m not confused about what “American” means. But when you see people like this Bachmann nut case using the word to attack people they don’t agree with, it bends and twists the words in an Orwellian sense.
For instance, the “Patriot” Act had nothing to do with patriotism other than it exploited it. The “Clear Skies” Initiative, etc.”
….gives a whole new meaning to “Economic Stimulus Package” doesn’t it? *shudder*
There is nothing more American than expressing our views which we do on Anti all the time.
I think she was trying to do a Sarah Palin pitbull imitation. She had her talking points memorized and she wasn’t going to stray from them. If her challenger has a chance of winning, I’m tempted to send him $50.
The worst McCarthyism I’ve encountered is right here on anti. A few weeks ago I posted somewhat regularly here with views at odds with those of some of the regulars. I’ll add that Elena seemed the most reasonable in the group. The other regulars are not open to considering any arguments or facts that are at odds with their existing opinions. I was looking for intelligent, reasoned debate but rather than finding objective discussions I was simply labled racist, nativist, and even anti-semitic. I threw up my arms in disgust and frustration and moved on with the decision not to post on anti again. Today is an exception. Moon-howler should do some serious self-examination before calling anyone else a McCarthyite.
Save the Middle Class,
I prescribe self-examination for you as well.
I just donated money to Elwyn Tinklenberg. This is way bigger than macaca. She is truly dangerous. She has to go.
Save the Middle Class, I come on this blog every day, and I don’t remember you being here before. I’m sorry if people disagreeing with you is hard to deal with emotionally. There are other blogs where the chance of being challenged to self-examine are much less. If you chose to stay here, toughen up! These are only ideas we are exchanging. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but competing ideas will never hurt you.
JustinT, I agree, “Let’s investigate Congress for Unamerican thinking” is worse than Macaca. I will donate too.
Tinklenberg seems to have a chance of pulling it off. I made a donation to help him on his way. It’s a small way of just saying “no” to an ugly American such as Bachmann.
Well Middle class, who have I called out and accused of communism? Feel free to explain to me what I have done to you and who I have McCartey’ed. He certainly isn’t a person I respect and if I am ferreting out private citizens for unAmerican activities, I sure want to know about it.
Save the Middle Class,
I believe I recall the exchange you are talking about, no one called you racist or anything of that nature, if they did, please repost what was specifically said to you. You posted your feelings about the reaction and people responded with more indepth explanation. Certainly, Moon-Howler even defends Second Alamo and his right to say what he thinks, as long as he is respectful, MH is more than happy to engage in debate.
I am more interested in what your thoughts are on the this congresswoman and her beliefs, which are clearly more impactful to all citizens than a blog like antibvbl.
Three cheers for Mr. Immelman, a Republican, for standing up for running more decent campaigns.
http://www.sctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008110180040
I’m going to donate money to Tinklenberg. Congresswoman Bachmann is not fit for public office.
To the administrator of this site,
I apologize for posting in the incorrect thread in this blog however I would like to mention I have received less than hospitable treatment in this forum. After reading your topic message I have come to find that the actions and/or words of your members do not seem to reflect issues that immigrants may seem important. I have read on this blog in the last few days many mentions of communications, study circles and other useful methods of getting a dialogue started however the posts from members such as “notgreg” seriously detract from your chosen message. I’m not entirely positive as to what your message actually is about. It truly appears as this is a private blog with certain people vetted by some person. I initially thought that this could not be, however when I view the posts above from another person who was indeed pounced on quite suddenly by “notgreg” I have become convinced. My advice to the administrator would be to moderate all comments and/or require a membership to the blog and lock out all others i.e. make the blog private since that is what it appears to be already.
some of the posts I have read here are quite distasteful, in fact many of them appear very hateful. I have recently viewed the other blog you discussed earlier. I have come to decide that although the other forum is extremely distasteful, this blog is closely approaching the hatefulness of them.
James I have to say I smell a rat here. This blog should not obsess you like this if you are, as you claim, entirely uninitiated.
The blog is not the topic of the blog.
No blog is the topic of any blog.
The only people who come here obsessed with the blog itself (and none of the issues) are people who are intimately familiar with recent PWC events – and heavily invested in some other agenda. I doubt the sincerity of your obsession.
James, I am going to suggest that you try AWCheney’s blog. She has very specific rules of decorum that you might find more to your liking. Additionally, her blog is extremely well researched. Be prepared to think and learn. Here is the address. You can either go there directly or link up from this blog.
http://scheney.wordpress.com/
This blog is not moderated and therefore you are probably going to find some things that are distasteful. Were I you, I would just ignore that which you find unpleasant. No one has to respond to anything they don’t like.
Would you like someone from here to send you study circle information? Cindy B can get you hooked up. You might have some valuable insight to add to that group.
Congresswoman Bachmann’s sentiments about wanting the media to investigate which members of Congress possess anti-American “views” isn’t all that alarming, to be honest. I would, however, be far more alarmed if she wanted a Congressional Committee to conduct such investigations.
But indeed, while she herself has her own views, they go beyond a particular limit because she would seek to attach action to her views. And the objective of that action would be to silence those whose views differ from hers.
The key to this issue with Bachmann: she doesn’t seek investigation upon actions, but only upon “views”. That’s why her words carry a great weight of reprehensibility, especially considering that she as an elected member of Congress took an oath to uphold the Constitution.
Damn. Robb Pearson, you said it all!
Robb,
You’re much more eloquent and astute than the pundits on TV.
I think as always an unbiased assessment of the situation in terms of truth and reputing un-truth is needed on both sides of this political debate to understand what is good and bad about this Congresswoman’s remarks.
Define:”views”:
Define: “associations”
Define: “friends”
Define: “American”
Define: “Un-American”
Define: “National Threats”
I agree with MoonHowler that McArthyism was an “over-reaction” or fear of communism, but a fear based on a very real and long-term political and national threat perpetrated by some of the worst political criminals in history (the Soviet politboro).
I do not however think this video can be claimed to be a similar “over-reaction” or fear of “Liberalism”, or “un-Americanism, because we have no solid definition of it like we had for “communism” or even for “socialism”, both of which were linked at the time of greatest threat to “democracy” with the Democratic party, and a real and valid threat to the “America” of the time.
First we need to understand what is “American” and “what is not”. You need to understand what a “democracy” is and what an “individual right” is before you can claim you are an American, when you really may not be for “democracy” or for “individual rights”, but instead for “groups rights”, socialism and autocracy. That whould be a very real threat to this nation, and it is becoming more and more prevalent in society today, especially among “illegal” immigrants. Being a “liberal” is not “un-american”, but many people who wish to harm the US as a nation and to intentionally do it permanent politcal, social and financial harm are indeed in the liberal segment of the population and are indeed radical members of the Democratic party.
As Robb said, the focus needs to be on “actions” and law-breaking, and not on “free speech views”. Recognize however that all nations are taken over by radical militant efforts in the political parties who would allow them to operate and that through theses political associations and “militant press and politcal rallies where they express their “views” are the tools and the means they use to overthrow “democracy” and subvert government and national politics (gaining political power such as Stalin did). It is a “threat” to express their radical nation destroying Anti-American “views” publically as radical need for politcal “change”. This is how criminals get into power and cannot later be stopped. Obama is not a criminal, or a radical militant, but his associates may be, and so this knowledge must be made public by the public media (an obligation to report truth, and prevent secrecy from destroying the country by “secret political societies” whose political actions, political maneuvering and brainwashing of the common people (As hitler did to get elected Chancellor) can and very often does overthrow a nation by taking over one of it’s parties.
Think carefully before you disclaim that tyranny can exist even in the highest levels of political parties. The open truth is what prevents bad people from operating and convincing good people to vote for them. I seriously doubt Obama is a politcal “threat” to Americanism, and seriously doubt he is “un-american, but some of the very radical people of anger and hatred who he has been in contact with may be a very real threat to the future of “American” ideology, and may morph it into something very destructive, far, far removed from “democracy”.
When Stalin rose to political power, it only took 15 people in a “secret” society to take over the dominant political party. It took 65 years to get the worst of this damage removed to a cost of about 20 million lives and the current Soviet Union has still not recovered to a “Democracy”, from the “Communist/socialist” ideology they once were.
You are naive if you do not think there are zero “political elements” in the Democratic party that would overthrow the US government if they could and replace it with socialism, dictatorship or autocracy and oppress the rest of us with that ideology and criminalization of the political infrastructure.
thank you very much for the information, I will be moving over to the awcheney blog. I have read some passages here and she does seem very knowledgeable on may subjects. thank you for the information.
as for “shellyb” please dont look for a rat under everything, it really complicates enjoyment of life. I find blogs a very good source of knowledge about the way human beings operate in society. you can notice from various interactions how various portions of society interface with one another. This blog is not an exception! But, I am not interested in entertainment but knowledge of my adopted country and county. I dont believe I’ll be finding this here however the other blog mentioned above appears like it will.
Bachman’s opponent raised a million dollars over the weekend.
James and anyone else who is interested, you are welcome to check out the Prince William Study circles at http://www.pwsc.org. Saturday, Oct. 25 will be the last day to join the current circle, which meets on Saturdays, Oct. 25 through Nov. 22 at George Mason University’s Prince William Campus from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. All different perspectives and viewpoints welcome. Register on the Web site for more information or placement in the next circle. We encourage youth participation as well — high school students welcome.
Thank you Cindy B., Your ears must have been burning. I just told James you would provide him with the information.
James, you can at least go and check this out. If you like it, great. If you don’t, well, that’s ok also. I think you will like AWCheney’s blog. It is very informative. If you have questions, she will answer them for you. She was also an immigrant. Feel free to come back here though if you want to.
MH
Cindy B,
I’m so glad you posted all the information for the study circles. I will see you Saturday.
Marie,
If you are out there.. I hope to see you too!
James,
I would encourage you to at least give the study circles a try. You will see a group of people with varying views regarding immigration. I’m very opposed to illegal immigration, and there are others there that are my polar opposite. It truly does give you the chance to find common ground with those that you might think you couldn’t even stand to be in the same room with. I feel it is of the utmost importance to say it is a respectful environment. Why not join us? Heck, bring a friend or two. You would be more than welcomed there.
Chris, please let us know how many friends James brings to the study circle.
NotGL,
You know I’ve committed to these study circles, and have reached out/invited many from the community. James is no exception.
I wish knew some high school students to invite. I think it’s important they become involved. I think they would bring an interesting perspective to say the least. There are high school students they will be able to vote in a couple of weeks. We need the youth involved now. I do not want to the youth become complacent as I feel many adults have.
I will be happy to provide an update for you.
NotGL,
How about you? Care to join us?
Chris, you are living proof that people can be opposed to illegal immigration and seek sane, humane solutions without sounds bites and incendiary rhetoric. Thank you for all you do for your community. I know your journey has not always been easy.
Chris, another thought. Why don’t you call guidance at Stonewall and OP and ask if they can recommend some students to you who are interested in immigration topics. If guidance can’t help you, perhaps the social studies dept. chairs can.
Moon-howler,
Thank you for suggestion. I am also, thinking maybe the “Student Government” might also be a good place. I will get on this tomorrow. Of course, I am always a little skeptical when it comes to the schools. They might feel this is too divisive of an issue to be touched by them. I will try none the less.
I’ve never felt the need to use the same old beat rhetoric. I have true life experiences that can support why I feel the way I do. I never thought once when addressing the board about reading statistics or news articles from outside of the county. I speak just fine for myself, and am not shy about it.
chris and moonhowler,
i’m very touched at your outreach and your invitation. I will ensure my wife and I do attend these study circles as they seem very interesting. I am sure as recent immigrants we will have something to provide to the discussion. at the very least it will provide some avenue of socialization outside our normal means.
thank you very much for your offer and for your information.
james
You are more than welcome, James. Stay in touch and I hope our suggestions will work for you.
James,
EVERYONE has something to add to the discussion. Well, if you make to the first group of study circles be sure to introduce yourself, and your wife. Hope to see you there along with everybody else.
Chris, I hate to make you do extra work when you are already dealing with fictional characters. But can you tell me what it is we are working toward at the Study Circles? I feel like the whole battle is over to be honest. Immigration was never really the issue in PWC. It couldn’t be the issue because we are a local government; not the federal government. We were dealing with a rash of organized prejudice. We dealt with it as well as we could, and now it’s over. We just have a tainted Chairman who has embarrassed himself to such a degree that I no longer feel embarrassed by him, although I am slightly embarrassed for him.
Anyway, I don’t mean to sound rude, and you really don’t have to answer any more than pasting a mission statement up if you like. I’d just like to know what sort of “immigration” issues we’re going to face as a county with comprehensive reform at the federal level right around the corner.
I don’t know if this woman is for real or not. Does she really mean the things that she says? Is she just pandering to the Letiecqs and Limbaughs of her constituency? Or is she just following the shrinking crowd? Within me I can’t understand why someone would say those things or think that way.
–We were dealing with a rash of organized prejudice. We dealt with it as well as we could, and now it’s over.–
No WAY is it over, NGL! It’s never over, unfortunately. There will always be prejudiced people and the only way we can keep them out of our local government is to keep exposing their lies, hatred, and intolerance.
El Guapo, she is on the congressional list so I am assuming she is all too real. UFB!
It appears to me that she is just auditioning for a position in a McCain administration; maybe an ambassadorship or perhaps Home Land Security.
Well she may have blown the election for herself because her opponent has raised well over $1 million since she made the statement Friday evening.