THE PROFESSIONAL LEFT IS NOT YOUR FRIEND

[NJMaverick]

EXAMPLE: GLENN GREENWALD

Quote:Sometimes, you have to wonder what side some of the Professional Lefties are on. There are two clear sides to the politics at the moment, and to deny that just defies simple logic. There is no doubt the Republican Party has been taken over by extremists, and we have to get rid of them. I don’t mean we just have to defeat them and get a majority; I mean we have to annihilate them in the voting booth. This is no longer a horserace between two political parties with different views of where the United States should go. This is a contest between one political party that is perhaps wrongheaded at times but means well, and one that truly wants to tear apart the fabric of this country and go against everything we supposedly stand for.
But take a look at this post from Salon this morning, written by the self-absorbed Glenn Greenwald. Greenwald is so incredibly anti-Obama and anti-Democrat that it’s simply not possible to think he’s actually a progressive. (Once more, the root word of progressive is “progress”. Keep that in mind as you read this tripe.) Though the article is entitled “Here’s what attempted co-opting of OWS looks like,” He starts off with his standard rip of Obama. But he doubles down this time, and ends up looking ridiculous. (Red emphasis added)

Quote:The 2012 election is almost a full year away and nobody knows who is running against President Obama, but that didn’t stop Mary Kay Henry, the D.C.-based National President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), from announcing last week that her organization endorses President Obama for re-election. That’s not surprising — while many unions have exhibited political independence, SEIU officials have long been among Obama’s closest and most loyal allies in Washington — but what was notable here was how brazenly Henry exploited the language of the Occupy movement to justify her endorsement of the Democratic Party leader: “We need a leader willing to fight for the needs of the 99 percent . . . .Our economy and democracy have been taken over by the wealthiest one percent.”

But now SEIU’s effort to convert and degrade the Occupy movement into what SEIU’s national leadership is — a loyal arm of the DNC and the Obama White House — has become even more overt (…)

Seriously, Glenn? You’re SHOCKED that a LABOR UNION might actually already endorse President Obama for a second term, even though there’s a WHOLE YEAR before the election? Gee, I wonder why that might be? Might it be because the entire Republican Party leadership has pretty much declared war on the labor movement? Have you even been paying attention? Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida and Michigan, among others, have faced the attempted destruction of their collective bargaining rights, and the Republican Party has been trying to break the unions that represent federal employees for years. Do you think their natural tendency might be to lean Democratic right now, given those realities? And in what alternate universe is NOT endorsing a candidate considered “exhibit(ing) political independence”? Seems to me, if NO ONE ELSE has endorsed Obama as yet, SEIU is actually demonstrating “political independence” by endorsing Obama, don’t you think?

Who does the political genius Greenwald imagine might win the Republican nomination and turn SEIU’s political head between now and next year? The only one of the current GOP Klown Kar of presidential candidates who isn’t odious is Jon Huntsman, and he has zero chance of getting the nomination. The only two candidates with a chance of winning the nomination are Romney and Gingrich; which one of those two do you imagine will be union-friendly whilst they try to shore up the Republican base?

Much more

http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/main....html#more

[cannae1]

Each one of them is speaking for himself. As is their right. If, at a given point in time, a statement or article makes sense, fine. It will take it in. Eventually, a record is established and I consider a writer to be credible.
I do not consider Greenwald to be sensible. For all that I know, Greenwald would consider being called 'sensible' an insult.

[NJMaverick]

(11-23-2011 07:39 AM)cannae1 Wrote:  Each one of them is speaking for himself. As is their right. If, at a given point in time, a statement or article makes sense, fine. It will take it in. Eventually, a record is established and I consider a writer to be credible.
I do not consider Greenwald to be sensible. For all that I know, Greenwald would consider being called 'sensible' an insult.

Glenn is all about Glenn. He will say and do anything that will aid in his self promotion. He is motivated by getting readers to read him and getting appearances on TV where he can misrepresent himself as "the left". Glenn cares about our nation and our future about as much as your typical tea bagger.

[Peacetrain]

Mav.. I have been down this road so many times .. with our Democrats getting kneecapped by people who say they support our party. Funny thing is, they for the most part are not Democrats.. but they sure as hell want us to do it their way or hit the highway..

I have never ever ever had a self proclaimed socialist, communist, P Left, sit next to me at any point in time when the rubber hits the road during a campaign.

And you know what.. I never expected them to.. they have a different party affiliation than I do.

The only thing that drives me completely over the edge, is when they demand that our party which ran on one set of principals.. check out our party platform.. be roasted over the open fire of their disgust with the system.. because we are not running on their party platform

Dear people of the extremes.. run your own canidates and be honest about it.. instead of doing the dirty work of the rabid of the other side. that is all I ask .. just be honest instead of how they always always in their self righteous.. "we are better than a Democratic party member, because we are willing to destroy you" attitudes.

[NJMaverick]

(11-23-2011 07:46 AM)Peacetrain Wrote:  Mav.. I have been down this road so many times .. with our Democrats getting kneecapped by people who say they support our party. Funny thing is, they for the most part are not Democrats.. but they sure as hell want us to do it their way or hit the highway..

I have never ever ever had a self proclaimed socialist, communist, P Left, sit next to me at any point in time when the rubber hits the road during a campaign.

And you know what.. I never expected them to.. they have a different party affiliation than I do.

The only thing that drives me completely over the edge, is when they demand that our party which ran on one set of principals.. check out our party platform.. be roasted over the open fire of their disgust with the system.. because we are not running on their party platform

Dear people of the extremes.. run your own canidates and be honest about it.. instead of doing the dirty work of the rabid of the other side. that is all I ask .. just be honest instead of how they always always in their self righteous.. "we are better than a Democratic party member, because we are willing to destroy you" attitudes.

Well said PT. The problem with the people you talk about is they have never had to produce any real world results. They never had to get anything done. They are completely ignorant of what the real world and real politics are like. As a result they have no idea that compromise is what gets things done in the real world. They have no idea that our nation's political system is designed to slow rather than speed up change. Finally they have no idea what it takes to be successful. In many cases I suspect they don't even care. They enjoy the hell out of themselves sitting back and whining, complaining and knee capping those that are making a real difference.

[Treestar]

(11-23-2011 07:52 AM)NJMaverick Wrote:  Well said PT. The problem with the people you talk about is they have never had to produce any real world results. They never had to get anything done. They are completely ignorant of what the real world and real politics are like. As a result they have no idea that compromise is what gets things done in the real world. They have no idea that our nation's political system is designed to slow rather than speed up change. Finally they have no idea what it takes to be successful. In many cases I suspect they don't even care. They enjoy the hell out of themselves sitting back and whining, complaining and knee capping those that are making a real difference.

Well said, NJM.

[Cha]

(11-23-2011 07:46 AM)Peacetrain Wrote:  Mav.. I have been down this road so many times .. with our Democrats getting kneecapped by people who say they support our party. Funny thing is, they for the most part are not Democrats.. but they sure as hell want us to do it their way or hit the highway..

I have never ever ever had a self proclaimed socialist, communist, P Left, sit next to me at any point in time when the rubber hits the road during a campaign.

And you know what.. I never expected them to.. they have a different party affiliation than I do.

The only thing that drives me completely over the edge, is when they demand that our party which ran on one set of principals.. check out our party platform.. be roasted over the open fire of their disgust with the system.. because we are not running on their party platform

Dear people of the extremes.. run your own canidates and be honest about it.. instead of doing the dirty work of the rabid of the other side. that is all I ask .. just be honest instead of how they always always in their self righteous.. "we are better than a Democratic party member, because we are willing to destroy you" attitudes.

"honest"? I don't think that's in their vocabulary, Peacetrain.

[kahuna]

(11-23-2011 07:46 AM)Peacetrain Wrote:  Mav.. I have been down this road so many times .. with our Democrats getting kneecapped by people who say they support our party. Funny thing is, they for the most part are not Democrats.. but they sure as hell want us to do it their way or hit the highway..

I have never ever ever had a self proclaimed socialist, communist, P Left, sit next to me at any point in time when the rubber hits the road during a campaign.

And you know what.. I never expected them to.. they have a different party affiliation than I do.

The only thing that drives me completely over the edge, is when they demand that our party which ran on one set of principals.. check out our party platform.. be roasted over the open fire of their disgust with the system.. because we are not running on their party platform

Dear people of the extremes.. run your own canidates and be honest about it.. instead of doing the dirty work of the rabid of the other side. that is all I ask .. just be honest instead of how they always always in their self righteous.. "we are better than a Democratic party member, because we are willing to destroy you" attitudes.

I'm in 100% agreement with this statement.

As we speak, MM is drafting a list of DEMANDS for OWS, which reads, in part like a socialist manifesto, including a few constitutional amendments.

Now, if these DEMANDS are adopted by the OWS GA, what's next? I got into a bit of a snit with a poster on another board who said that they would never be presented to any political party to be part of a party platform. Really???? What then is the purpose of having DEMANDS unless you plan to DEMAND something of someone? Aye! And then what party do you think this list of DEMANDS will be presented to? tick tock...tick tock..The Democrats of course!

As you stated, run your own socialists candidates. Be out front about it. Who knows, in time maybe your ideas will catch on with the rest of America. But because they are so impatient and DEMAND that elected Democrats make a 180 turn on the voting public they will never gain any traction.

[jaxx]

Quote:Dear people of the extremes.. run your own canidates and be honest about it.. instead of doing the dirty work of the rabid of the other side. that is all I ask .. just be honest instead of how they always always in their self righteous.. "we are better than a Democratic party member, because we are willing to destroy you" attitudes.

Well said Peacetrain. I can do without their purist attitudes.

[cannae1]

I am no lover of political purism. Politics is the art of the possible and doing what you can when you can.
The so called "professional left" are not really Democrats. They are entertainers and pundits in search of an audience. Some of them may actually be sincere, but I do not know that.
I do not watch TV ( only sports), so it is reading that I do. If a writer consistently makes sense, I take him/her seriously. I respect someone who can make an argument, whether I agree or not.
Thus, I respect Krauthammer and Will; I respect Krugman and Dionne. I do not respect Hamsher and Moore ( they are comedians).

[Treestar]

No kidding.

On the OWS issue, is the PL just using them and jumping on their bandwagon, or are they identified with them?

I think Michael Moore and the like should STHU until they pitch a tent and are actually there (which may be the case).

[Cha]

Glenn Greenwald is a pandering opportunist in the jane hamsher mold. Milt Shook of Please Cut The Crap asks Michael Moore to Cut It, too...

"Cutting the Crap: Michael Moore on DHS Conspiracy"

http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/main...iracy.html

[Treestar]

That was a good read, Cha.

[Cha]

(11-23-2011 03:30 PM)Treestar Wrote:  That was a good read, Cha.

Happy Thanksgiving, Treestar!

[KonaKane]

Oh gee - professional leftist criticizing Michael Moore. Dilemma!

[There Is No Spoon]

(11-23-2011 04:24 PM)KonaKane Wrote:  Oh gee - professional leftist criticizing Michael Moore. Dilemma!

[jaxx]

Funny odd Michael Moore tweet today:

MMFlint Michael Moore
With my homes... twitpic.com/7ih80z



Did he meant his HOME in Michigan?



Nope, he was corrected:

MelSpitfire MΞL SIДҜI
RT @MMFlint With my homes... twitpic.com/7ih80z ---> it's "homies." get it right, homie.

ExSubSpy ExSubSpy
Oh, I thought you meant your $1.5mil house on a Private Lake, behind Gates? Stupid me...RT @MMFlint With my homes... twitpic.com/7ih80z

[KonaKane]

(11-23-2011 06:05 PM)jaxx Wrote:  Funny odd Michael Moore tweet today:

Soooo I suppose we should likewise badmouth others who grew up in meager circumstances but now have large homes, like maybe George Soros, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates.

You know, the "enemy", right?

[jaxx]

(11-23-2011 08:44 PM)KonaKane Wrote:  

(11-23-2011 06:05 PM)jaxx Wrote:  Funny odd Michael Moore tweet today:

Soooo I suppose we should likewise badmouth others who grew up in meager circumstances but now have large homes, like maybe George Soros, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates.

You know, the "enemy", right?

[Cha]

(11-23-2011 08:52 PM)jaxx Wrote:  

(11-23-2011 08:44 PM)KonaKane Wrote:  Soooo I suppose we should likewise badmouth others who grew up in meager circumstances but now have large homes, like maybe George Soros, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates.

You know, the "enemy", right?

Perfect!

[There Is No Spoon]

[KonaKane]

Just about the answer I expected.

[Baltoman991]

I'm sorry, has Sorros or Buffet been running around slamming Obama at every turn? Don't think so.

Really, why continue to slam those of us who see Moore for what he is?

[Cha]

(11-23-2011 09:18 PM)Baltoman991 Wrote:  I'm sorry, has Sorros or Buffet been running around slamming Obama at every turn? Don't think so.

Really, why continue to slam those of us who see Moore for what he is?

Yeah, it's Michael Fucking Moore who's being called out on every pragmagic Progressive board I visit and even here there are those who don't give him a pass.

I don't even care anymore who slams me around here for speaking my mind about MM. I was tiptoeing around the subject on this board because of being sensitive to others who felt vehemently 180 degrees. But, that's over. The Moore stink bomb got thrown out right in the middle of the room so..bring it. Yeah, it feels good to have it out in the open.

Just so you know, Baltoman..I appreciate you posting on dfp.

[KonaKane]

For what he is, or what your angry ego has determined he is? That is the question. Meanwhile, dozens of your DEMOCRATIC congresspeople have been shanking Obama ....and you....while you grouse over Moore.

Energy well spent?

[There Is No Spoon]

Ahhh, if only MM would shut up, that would be the end of the Professional Left. DU would fold, FDL would go bankrupt and Arianna Huffington would move back to Greece.

What a day that would be!

[KonaKane]

The doors of Hell would close, the cosmic rift would seal, the Great Age would be upon us etc etc etc....

[kahuna]

Keep in mind that many on the left (professional and otherwise) ARE NOT Democrats. Many of them supported nader in 2000. They were not Democrats then, and unless they have since announced that they have become Democrats, I assume that they still are not. Funny how many of us assume that they are.

[KonaKane]

(11-24-2011 07:14 AM)kahuna Wrote:  Keep in mind that many on the left (professional and otherwise) ARE NOT Democrats. Many of them supported nader in 2000. They were not Democrats then, and unless they have since announced that they have become Democrats, I assume that they still are not. Funny how many of us assume that they are.

"With a narrowing of the mind comes the haze of confusion. Allies become enemies, enemies becoming friends, to the point where both are indistinguishable; and the self cocoons into a self defeating army of One."

- Areo Zorra

[kahuna]

(11-24-2011 01:40 PM)KonaKane Wrote:  

(11-24-2011 07:14 AM)kahuna Wrote:  Keep in mind that many on the left (professional and otherwise) ARE NOT Democrats. Many of them supported nader in 2000. They were not Democrats then, and unless they have since announced that they have become Democrats, I assume that they still are not. Funny how many of us assume that they are.

"With a narrowing of the mind comes the haze of confusion. Allies become enemies, enemies becoming friends, to the point where both are indistinguishable; and the self cocoons into a self defeating army of One."

- Areo Zorra

For the very last time. You may consider MM a friend. That is your right. Just as it is the right of the rest of us to not consider him a friend. You're the only one who's getting personal about it. Save your pious quotes implying that anybody who doesn't love MM ( :nopity: ) has a narrow mind that suffers from the haze of confusion. That's not really a nice thing to say or imply.

[KonaKane]

(11-24-2011 03:59 PM)kahuna Wrote:  For the very last time. You may consider MM a friend. That is your right. Just as it is the right of the rest of us to not consider him a friend. You're the only one who's getting personal about it. Save your pious quotes implying that anybody who doesn't love MM ( :nopity: ) has a narrow mind that suffers from the haze of confusion. That's not really a nice thing to say or imply.

And it would be erroneous of you to do so. The quote, I thought, was appropriate because if we get too ensconced, too isolated in our thinking and our egos, we can let a relatively small problem get more attention than a much bigger one.

Michael Moore is no personal friend of mine. He doesn't even know I exist. But it neither picks my pocket or breaks my leg (apologies to Jefferson) to acknowledge some great services he has done for our ideological perspective, even with all the warts. If that is such an offense to you, I guess nothing more be said at this point.

[kahuna]

(11-24-2011 04:49 PM)KonaKane Wrote:  

(11-24-2011 03:59 PM)kahuna Wrote:  For the very last time. You may consider MM a friend. That is your right. Just as it is the right of the rest of us to not consider him a friend. You're the only one who's getting personal about it. Save your pious quotes implying that anybody who doesn't love MM ( :nopity: ) has a narrow mind that suffers from the haze of confusion. That's not really a nice thing to say or imply.

And it would be erroneous of you to do so. The quote, I thought, was appropriate because if we get too ensconced, too isolated in our thinking and our egos, we can let a relatively small problem get more attention than a much bigger one.

Michael Moore is no personal friend of mine. He doesn't even know I exist. But it neither picks my pocket or breaks my leg (apologies to Jefferson) to acknowledge some great services he has done for our ideological perspective, even with all the warts. If that is such an offense to you, I guess nothing more be said at this point.

Here we go again...for YOUR ideological perspective. Your mistake is assuming everybody has the same perspective that you have. Speak for yourself.

[KonaKane]

(11-24-2011 06:21 PM)kahuna Wrote:  Here we go again...for YOUR ideological perspective. Your mistake is assuming everybody has the same perspective that you have. Speak for yourself.

If it weren't my perspective, why would I bother posting it with my name under the little pic to the left?

[jaxx]

I saw something about that Kahuna, MM cozy with OWS and making the demands list with them. I thought it was very odd. Also saw that MM is filming there for a future documentary. Nothing is done without an ulterior motive. $$$

[kahuna]

(11-24-2011 08:01 AM)jaxx Wrote:  I saw something about that Kahuna, MM cozy with OWS and making the demands list with them. I thought it was very odd. Also saw that MM is filming there for a future documentary. Nothing is done without an ulterior motive. $$$

But nooooo...MM isn't trying to co-opt OWS. He would never do that.
That's all we need is for MM to be the voice of OWS. Do you think the Dems would embrace OWS if that were to happen? MM has to know that he is just shit-stirring by becoming the face and voice of OWS in an election year.

[jaxx]

I think OWS is a lot bigger than MM will ever be. OWS started with a whisper and has grown into a world-wide movement without anyone's help. Hopefully people won't equate OWS with MM, but allow it to be the voice of the people by the people.

[kahuna]

(11-24-2011 08:19 AM)jaxx Wrote:  I think OWS is a lot bigger than MM will ever be. OWS started with a whisper and has grown into a world-wide movement without anyone's help. Hopefully people won't equate OWS with MM, but allow it to be the voice of the people by the people.

You have more faith than I do, my friend. But I certainly do hope you are right. Otherwise, things could get very ugly for election 2012. I'm thinking Chicago, 1968.

[There Is No Spoon]

(made my point, inappropriate picture removed)

[jaxx]

Gee TINS, I'm anti-gun so that target doesn't appeal to me at all. I don't think it's funny. Just the idea of it makes me sick. There is too much killing and hurting others, reminds me of Sister Sarah's targets on her map and then Gabby Giffords got shot by some nut with a gun.

I don't like MM running his mouth against PBO, but I'd never want anyone to hurt him. He has every right to be an asshole and I have every right to say I don't like it.

[There Is No Spoon]

The right-wing apparently hates him so much they want to shoot him.

Poor fellow has no friends.

[KonaKane]

How Sarah Palin of you, TINS. Wow, the lunacy here intensifies. Disappointing to say the least.

[There Is No Spoon]

(11-24-2011 01:34 PM)KonaKane Wrote:  How Sarah Palin of you, TINS. Wow, the lunacy here intensifies. Disappointing to say the least.

Hey, I thought we were supposed to attack MM in this thread?

Did I miss something?

(obviously I don't think anybody should shoot anybody)

[KonaKane]

(11-24-2011 01:50 PM)There Is No Spoon Wrote:  ....

(obviously I don't think anybody should shoot anybody)

You'd think, but after seeing some of the vitriol lobbed at Moore here, it makes you wonder.

[There Is No Spoon]

(11-24-2011 02:56 PM)KonaKane Wrote:  

(11-24-2011 01:50 PM)There Is No Spoon Wrote:  ....

(obviously I don't think anybody should shoot anybody)

You'd think, but after seeing some of the vitriol lobbed at Moore here, it makes you wonder.

He is the boogieman after all. The leader of the "PL". The enemy of all enemies and he will remain such for all eternity. Or at least until Keith Olbermann goes off on a rant again. Or Rachel Maddow. Or Ed Shultz. Or Arianna Huffington. Or Lawrence O'Donnell. Or Chris Matthews. Or Paul Krugman. Or...

[kahuna]

(11-24-2011 01:34 PM)KonaKane Wrote:  How Sarah Palin of you, TINS. Wow, the lunacy here intensifies. Disappointing to say the least.

Next you'll be saying you didn't accuse anybody here of lunacy. WHEN DID I SAY THAT????

[cannae1]

The 'professional left' serves a purpose. Politically, this grouping is not really suoppsed to 'make sense'. The purpose, in addition to entertainment, is tub thumping; to rally the mass. And, to hold the feet of the PTB to the fire.
This group is not supposed to be 'realistic' ( realism is difficult, as cynicism can easily impersonate realism).

Many of them can not be expected to acquire the real target, and fire for effect. Sometimes, there will be a 'blue on blue'. Sometimes, an observer will be unsure of their target. Sometimes, they, themselves, are.

At the end of the day, they will say what they will say. For good reason, bad reason or no reason.