General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Obamabots moniker was coined by the RW...and used by those who lean that direction.
it's a shitty name to describe his supporters
djean111
(14,255 posts)Actually, is it better or worse if a pejorative is coined by those who used to be on the same team......
Also, appending 'bots" onto anything at all is not a GOP invention.
GoCubsGo
(32,084 posts)I don't understand why supposed Democrats feel the need to use pejoratives on each other, regardless of how vehemently they might disagree. This is all just more "divide and conquer".
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)GoCubsGo
(32,084 posts)Welcome to my ignore list.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)wow...talk about paranoid! Must have struck a raw nerve huh?
GoCubsGo
(32,084 posts)No nerves struck. Just don't understand why you keep harping on me when I told you I'm not interested in engaging in a fight over whatever bug you have up your ass.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)And people simply replying to you are neither stalking nor "harping" on you....do you have some kind of complex? This is a FORUM for that sort of thing you know...
GoCubsGo
(32,084 posts)Adios.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)buh bye!
SMDH...why people think THEIR ignore list is such harsh punishment cracks me up...
AgingAmerican
(12,958 posts)in slow motion.
Sarah Ibarruri
(21,043 posts)VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)and if you are constantly bashing democrats thinking this is going to help move the country to the Left....you are sadly mistaken. The circular firing squad doesn't look like winning.....
Sarah Ibarruri
(21,043 posts)it won't matter if we're moderate lib, hard-leaning lib, or any sort of lib. It just won't matter if we waste votes, as was done with Nader. It's been tried, and it doesn't work. The only thing that WILL work is to turn the country to sanity again and away from right wing ideology, and to vote out the GOP. From there, we move forward and left.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)there is nothing wrong with constructive criticism...but what is allowed to go on on DU is beyond the pale. I hope there is soon going to be a cut off point for this riff raff....it is NOT productive to allow it to continue much longer...
Sarah Ibarruri
(21,043 posts)VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)Sarah Ibarruri
(21,043 posts)VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)but its just "constructive criticism" after all. There is no hate on DU!
Sarah Ibarruri
(21,043 posts)than ever.
If there were not so much bashing by the Repukes and by the tiny handful of negative so-called libs, I might perhaps look at President Obama more closely. With a magnifying glass, even. But the insane attacks by the GOP and by the tiny handful of libs, is making me love that man.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)it MUST be great!
Sarah Ibarruri
(21,043 posts)about it. No one else has ever even come close to anything. No one else had ever offered anything that helped insured the uninsurable. No one ever has had this success, and he did it despite the hatred and refusal of Repugs. I'm grateful and very glad.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)I am grateful.....even if some jerks are taking their benefit and then running it into the ground like the hypocrites they are...
AgingAmerican
(12,958 posts)And live by your own words.
CJCRANE
(18,184 posts)Some of these seem to be self-inflicted insults made up by people trying to stir things up.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)it might have been used at one time....but saying someone is "emotional" is hardly the same as calling someone a non-thinking robot.
WorseBeforeBetter
(11,441 posts)Sensible Centrist crap blogs to chose from, but think it was People's Spew.
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)CJCRANE
(18,184 posts)One DUer posted an OP about "Moonbats" which is a term DUers have never used against each other, which is what I mean by self-inflicted.
Sometimes there is an attempt to create a perception by inserting pejoratives and unnecessary namecalling into the debate.
(In fact, IIRC it was the same poster who popularized the term "emo-progs" .
Ed Suspicious
(8,879 posts)11 Bravo
(23,926 posts)Ed Suspicious
(8,879 posts)LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)Well, at least you pretend to be... and for many people, the pretense is all that matters.
11 Bravo
(23,926 posts)of being universally recognized as the most self-important person on the planet.)
pnwmom
(108,978 posts)more than you do.
Ed Suspicious
(8,879 posts)Last edited Thu Mar 27, 2014, 12:25 AM - Edit history (1)
It is more like "demonstrates a lack of capacity to put principles before party" when defending the current president for stuff that would in no way get a pass for the former president that's the base of my standard.
Bottom line is, If you act like the president wears a red S on his shirt just because he has a D after his name, when clearly some aspect of his behavior and policy positions are more in line with people who are proud to pull the lever in the voting booth for the candidate from the party identified by the letter R, then G, I think you might be a hypocritical fanatic.
I support the president on Facebook and in conversation with my less politically oriented friends. I vote for democrats always because I know the republican alternative is insane. I sell President Obama and democrats in general as the better alternative much more than I critique them, but when I'm in the big tent, when I'm surrounded by democrats who are for the patriot act, after they were against it, I need to weigh in and help lend voice to the "extremist liberal left" that said position and others like it are not acceptable to all democrats.
I put myself out there... I put my brand on the line when I spread the word about the Democratic party. I do not want to sell republican lite. I want to sell progressive principles. I want to sell change I can believe in.
alp227
(32,025 posts)The book of on a shoddy premise by calling Millennials the "most affluent" during a recession.
The author went on Thom Hartmann to discuss the book:
And David Pakman
frylock
(34,825 posts)so, if the foo shits......
Capt. Obvious
(9,002 posts)LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)As is rationalizing the continued use of a pejorative...
LondonReign2
(5,213 posts)CJCRANE
(18,184 posts)if you think back to the first times the term was used, and judging by these definitions:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Obamabot
Capt. Obvious
(9,002 posts)CJCRANE
(18,184 posts)That's a well-known RW tactic!
(Yes I get the joke now!)
Jamaal510
(10,893 posts)what place that moniker has on this site, anyway. As posters on DemocraticUnderground, shouldn't we all be supporting the (Democratic) President and wanting him to do well?
LondonReign2
(5,213 posts)When he does not-so-Democratic (as in the party) things? Not so much.
Asked and answered a million times on DU...are we supposed to support him because of the D behind his name, or based on his actions and policies?
randome
(34,845 posts)But some want to call Obama a 'piece of shit' or blame him for 'expanding' the NSA instead of reigning it in. That kind of juvenile nonsense does a disservice to everyone.
Call him to account when necessary but don't play games.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]You have to play the game to find out why you're playing the game. -Existenz[/center][/font][hr]
treestar
(82,383 posts)and create schisms. What are "Democratic" things? This is absurd. When he has to compromise because congress is full of Republicans?
He's not all powerful. Now there's a Tea party Congress. And they go unusually out of their way to be oppositional due to their racism.
that calls for support of the first Black President. When they wouldn't agree on the budget, for example. We know why they would not agree and made it as tough as possible and shut down the government.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)bvar22
(39,909 posts)Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right.
Any other attitude in an American citizen is both base and servile. [font size=3]To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.[/font]"
T. Roosevelt in the Kansas City Star,
May 7, 1918
treestar
(82,383 posts)Nobody said that. But on a board for Democrats, people who think a Democrat is always wrong are to be wondered at. Never did Teddy say we must do nothing but criticize. And find lame reasons to, because we just have to in order to prove we are too cool to support anybody in an office.
cui bono
(19,926 posts)grasswire
(50,130 posts)Thank you.
tsuki
(11,994 posts)Democratic Underground, a site that supports Democratic policies, not Democratic personalities.
lumpy
(13,704 posts)Show us, not just your opinion.
Thomas Drake
Stephen Jim-Woo Kim
Jeffery Sterling
Chelsea Manning
Liebowitz
Assange
The Third Way
Peter G. Peterson
CPI
Catfood Commission
Chris Hedges
Matt Taibbi
CJCRANE
(18,184 posts)Rex
(65,616 posts)What you been up to all this time?
Demonaut
(8,918 posts)and it makes me frustrated
Whisp
(24,096 posts)The more occasions of that vile 'Obama the shit guy' type of post, the more room and opportunity there is for the RWs to come slithering in. And they are coming in great numbers because they have cover from some who have been here for a long while. The bar keeps getting lower and lower and lower.
For gosh sakes There are 'impeach Obama' ads here, there were some awful RW ads against Wendy Davis displayed here. Why shouldn't the fuckers think they belong here when they browser the site before registering, it sounds like it's their kind of place.
The midterms will suffer and there is a possibility of a Repug Pres up next.
THEN the screaming will still be about Obama - he was such an awful man to LET that happen. I can hear the familiar voices/clicky keyboards already.
Rex
(65,616 posts)nt.
cui bono
(19,926 posts)Surely those upset you as well then right? Where is your mention of those? Or do you not think those are divisive?
11 Bravo
(23,926 posts)is invalid, correct?
Shit, I should probably thank you for so quickly offering up such a sterling example of what is beginning to make DU suck. In the meantime, here's a friendly suggestion: If you have a particular concern START YOUR OWN MOTHER-FUCKING THREAD! But for fuck's sake don't expect every poster to address every issue that has your knickers in a twist.
cui bono
(19,926 posts)Last edited Wed Mar 26, 2014, 05:32 PM - Edit history (1)
I made no mention of any pet peeve. Where have I ever stated that that is my pet peeve? Please provide a link to that. Thanks.
Why, exactly, is asking if there is an even handed criticism "such a sterling example of what is beginning to make DU suck."? I don't understand. Please explain.
As to the rest of your post, do you not think that is "a sterling example of what is beginning to make DU suck."? Or is that how you would like all of us to post?
And btw... I purposely do not use "Obamabot" as it is divisive. How do you like them apples?
Kolesar
(31,182 posts)Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: alerter needs to leave
Get some fresh air, whatever, just leave
Juror #2 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Can we just work on being a little bit more civil please?
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Meh. The language is vulgar/coarse, but I don't see the post as over the top.
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Seems like a pretty level-headed response to an immensely ridiculous question. Seriously, what was the point of CB's post at all? And to answer CB's later question, yes there should be more fucks in threads. If I knew and ogre and a donkey I'd try to find them a Fucks in Threads to hang out with.
lol
cui bono
(19,926 posts)It would be laughable if it weren't so pathetic.
ConservativeDemocrat
(2,720 posts)Juries exist to weed out patently disingenuous trolling and outright abuse. They don't exist to impose a minority ideology on the Democratic mainstream by baiting DUers into making intemperate remarks.
If you want to deriding those who talk about "ODS" (e.g. "Obama Derangement Syndrome" - blaming Obama for everything that has happens that you don't like in the U.S., even (or especially) when it was actually started long before he was President - go ahead. Hell, I'll be more than happy to implicitly kick such a piece by pointing out how much extremists on both ends of the spectrum do this.
But do it in your own thread.
- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community
11 Bravo
(23,926 posts)We all need to get down on our knees right this very minute and give thanks that we have you here now to explain to us mere mortals how things ought to work!
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)Number23
(24,544 posts)Kolesar
(31,182 posts)treestar
(82,383 posts)or wouldn't be an attempt at labeling yourselves with some reasonable label you do not deserve.
cui bono
(19,926 posts)Haha...
That, of course, was not the point of my post at all. The point was that the OP is only complaining about one derogatory term aimed at a particular group of people. So in the interest of finding out if they were even handed or biased I asked if them about the other terms.
grasswire
(50,130 posts)Democrats who voted for Obama were termed "Taliban" for their policy differences with Obama.
This place has sunk so low. I regret having donated to support this crap.
CJCRANE
(18,184 posts)grasswire
(50,130 posts)CJCRANE
(18,184 posts)It was a slur against Greenwald.
Read the whole post again.
giftedgirl77
(4,713 posts)That DUer was quoting Kos & she said from the quote "Frankly, the only people whose moral assessments of Obama resemble Greenwald's are the Taliban and the Tea Party."
That was just wrong to try & spin it the way you did.
Number23
(24,544 posts)will try to get away with. No distortion or flat out lie too big.
The whole block of text was a quote from the Kos article. I didn't type anything but the bit at the bottom.
grasswire
(50,130 posts)You affirmed the Kos poster's sentiment that people who agree with Greenwald are Taliban/Teaparty. You said it was TRUTH. Many people who are good Democrats are in agreement with Greenwald's criticisms of Obama. Ergo, in your mind and that of the Kos member, Taliban/Teaparty.
Marr
(20,317 posts)The comment was sickening enough, and Number 23's quoting it and zestfully clapping for it was even more gross. Denying it means what it very obviously means when called on it is, I think, to expected from such a person.
grasswire
(50,130 posts)The zest with which that sentence was applauded! Bolded, even, for emphasis!
Number23
(24,544 posts)That is the quote. There is no reference to Democrats which you (and the person who just simply had to chime in to this exchange as he is simply compelled to do so EVERY TIME HE SEES MY NAME) are seeing. The comment was in reference to the type of people that share Greenwald's unhinged and paranoid assessment of this president.
The fact that you (and my exceptionally well noted stalker) have ascribed this as a trait belonging to Democrats is unwise. Most Democrats don't share Greenwald's assessment of Obama in any way shape or form as numerous and well documented opinion and policy polling have shown for some time. How very interesting that you believe that and are getting so bent out of shape over it.
giftedgirl77
(4,713 posts)asses I guess. This place blows my mind.
Number23
(24,544 posts)With poll after poll after poll showing very clearly how the Dem base feels about this president, the fact that anyone here thinks that Greenwald speaks for some large section of Dems blows my mind too.
Almost as much as the ability some have to never pass up an opportunity to display their unhealthy fascination with other posters. That REALLY blows my mind.
grasswire
(50,130 posts)Please tell me.
giftedgirl77
(4,713 posts)in which you have provided a link trying to back up a previous statement that DUers were comparing democrats to the Taliban & the Tea Party.
grasswire
(50,130 posts)Palsies. BFF, perhaps.
Number23
(24,544 posts)Is that supposed to mean anything? So someone who calls out your really sad attempts to mischaracterize what I'm saying is somehow my BFF? This new line of attack is even more feeble than your first one, and almost as dishonest.
grasswire
(50,130 posts)You are the one who strongly approved of the statement that those who agree with Greenwald (presumably meaning many Democrats here) are Taliban/Teapartiers.
If that is not what you intended by your bolding the statement, calling the statement TRUTH and posting it here on DU, perhaps you could tell us why you did just that.
Number23
(24,544 posts)spittle flying stupidity that matches Greenwald's really obvious dislike of this President comes from Tea Partiers and other assorted lunatics. Contrary to what you believe, people here have the right to agree or disagree with statements. If that bothers you, take it up with George Washington.
The fact that you have to lie and say that I or the person I quoted are saying that DEMOCRATS are like the Tea Party/Taliban is the real issue which is why three different people have now called you on it and the one who agreed with you has a well documented history of following me around this site so I wouldn't put too much weight into his opinion. Though I notice that you are now adding that comment could have been "presumably" about Democrats so I guess that's you conceding that you are pulling stuff out of nowhere in order to argue about nothing.
Perhaps you might want to do a little self-reflection and figure out why you are taking that comment so personally. Hit too close to home, did it?
grasswire
(50,130 posts)I rest my case.
Number23
(24,544 posts)Response to grasswire (Reply #102)
giftedgirl77 This message was self-deleted by its author.
Number23
(24,544 posts)WhaTHellsgoingonhere
(5,252 posts)Teabaggers until they discover it's a dirty word.
Why I became an "Obamabot"
http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2014/03/why-i-became-obamabot.html
bad idea
Gormy Cuss
(30,884 posts)but there are some who will not allow any criticism of the president, his policies, or the ACA.
A lot of us are Obama supporters but we don't think that criticizing the administration is a sign of disloyalty.
cui bono
(19,926 posts)Thanks!
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)11 Bravo
(23,926 posts)concern du jour. Sheesh, get with the program!
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)Tarheel_Dem
(31,234 posts)quinnox
(20,600 posts)Hell, one thread proudly claimed the term, and was saying they were proud to be called an Obamabot!
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)mindwalker_i
(4,407 posts)who went crazy at anything Obama wanted to do. Also, the term "Obama haters" was used in reference to them. Now, both terms are used regularly against anyone here who disagree with domestic spying, TPP, or other things that some think are really bad ideas. I've seen a push lately to "stop bashing Obama."
This post is saying that the derogatory term "Obamabot" shouldn't be used against people who unquestioningly support Obama no matter what the issue. It's as hypocritical as a kid hitting someone, getting hit back, then complaining to the teacher that they got hit.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)the term Obamabots...should not be used by fellow supposed Democrats against those who support the twice elected by majority (do you know how rare that is) DEMOCRATIC President on an DEMOCRATIC forum....and there shouldn't be Democrats that reflect the abject hatred for him in the general population....but somehow but somehow they do...and somehow they expect to NOT get flack for it on a DEMOCRATIC forum...
THAT is the difference....
mindwalker_i
(4,407 posts)Specifically, by calling people "haters." Are there people here who hate everything Obama does? There might be, but I usually find that people like some things Obama does, but dislike others. However, I see people who criticize some things, like warrentless data collection, called haters and accused of having ODS - I've been accused of that - and that completely undermines the argument of the original post.
It would probably be best if both sides stopped using snide terms like hater or Obamabot. It would also help if people considered both sides of arguments rationally.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)is that your problem with it? Do you think NO one on DU is guilty of it because you don't believe in it?
mindwalker_i
(4,407 posts)As I said, they are possibly people who disagree with everything Obama does. That's not a good way to go - I much prefer to look at each issue separately and form opinions on them. And then there's you. No matter what the issue, you defend Obama then call anyone who disagrees with him a "hater." So when you get mad at people calling you an Obamabot, I really can't have much sympathy.\
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)if you think there is not Obama hatred here....you have not been paying attention....or you are one...THIS is a Democratic forum to support Democrat candidates.....the vitriol should NOT be like this....this is like telling Republicans that the Teabaggers don't exist among them....
mindwalker_i
(4,407 posts)Each time I point out that there are two sides to the argument, you're response is, "but there are haters!" Furthermore, "But I'm proving why you are wrong, because there are haters." You won't even acknowledge that you do the same thing as the "haters," and appear to be incapable to even considering any argument that doesn't support Obama. Are some things that people say against Obama over the top? Definitely. Then there's you, supporting a person no matter what the issue.
When I can replace you with a 2-line BASIC program and get, essentially, the same result, that illustrates how little you contribute to the conversation.
Yeah I know. "But there are haters!"
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)I know you are but what am I!
mindwalker_i
(4,407 posts)Think of it like this: when all you ever do is come into a discussion and defend Obama, regardless of the issue, you're just adding noise to the conversation. you're not thinking through an argument, just pushing your opinion which remains completely unchanged. You're like a program that takes no input. Why should anyone listen to you? They shouldn't, until you have something useful to offer.
So now any argument I make is just a peewee herman defense? Yeah, you're a robot.
cui bono
(19,926 posts)Why do you continue to use the term "hater" when you don't like people to use "Obamabot"?
And which do you think is used more on DU?
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)If what you say day after day after day closely resembles what the Right is saying about the President....then YOU might be a hater....If you never ever have a single positive thing to say about President Obama or any other democrat (besides the sainted Elizabeth Warren) on a supposedly Democratic forum...then YOU too might be a hater....If you are here day after day to BASH those that do....you might be a hater...denying you are doesn't necessarily mean you aren't a hater...
cui bono
(19,926 posts)Why is it okay for you to use "hater" when you don't want anyone to use "Obamabot"?
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)and his policies....
cui bono
(19,926 posts)And I'm not in jr. high school where I think I have to do whatever someone dares me to do.
If I thought you were interested in having any sort of meaningful conversation I might indulge you, but I know that you are not interested in any such thing, as evidenced by almost every post of yours on DU.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)11 Bravo
(23,926 posts)your side does it more!"
My sons are young men now, but thanks for the trip down memory lane ... back to when they were two year olds.
cui bono
(19,926 posts)if he knew his supporters were posting posts such as the ones you keep posting to me today? Do you think he would be proud?
Cha
(297,265 posts)http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4688008
They can keep denying it all they want.. just means that want to cover it up.
lumpy
(13,704 posts)undue blame pointed at the the Prez, sprinkled with some DUers favorite word, Fuck,fucking, fucked etc.
Cha
(297,265 posts)treestar
(82,383 posts)We've had no reason to question our support.
Someone who never finds him in the right on anything ever, really is likely to be a hater. Issue after issue someone comes up with something to use and if we don't fall for that one, they get more and more frustrated they can't get us to join their bashfest.
And you are concluding that your positions on domestic spying and TPP are correct without argument. If we don't agree about those issues, it is not blind support of Obama. It's that we don't agree Obama is a big poppyhead because of those issues. They are all issues so far used, and there will be new ones, to drum up opposition to the Democrats.
mindwalker_i
(4,407 posts)So your argument is, "We're right"? That's just as bad as a religious person saying, "You're all going to hell because you don't believe in God" and being unwilling to consider the possibility that they're not. It's faith-based at that point. When things like the TPP or the NSA come up, and you continuously defend Obama no matter what, without, apparently, questioning any of it, then additionally calling other people "haters" or saying they have ODS, then you are behaving like a robot.
cali
(114,904 posts)adorers and worshipers- which is is a lot less offensive than being called a racist for opposing him on such issues as the TPP or the chained CPI.
And trying to shut people up by insinuating that the only reason they'd criticize him over such things is racism is a much shittier thing to do then calling someone an "Obamabot".
quinnox
(20,600 posts)libertarian troll, Ron Paul-ite, Obama hater/basher", and so on constantly.
grasswire
(50,130 posts).....was "Taliban" and "Teabagger"
Demonaut
(8,918 posts)with some of Obama's actions.
I just see too much infighting and I wonder if we have RW agitators who've found success lately
in creating more dissent and division with some DU'er's who are susceptible to these influences.
cui bono
(19,926 posts)chose a "side". Why did you do that? Why did you not mention a term used against anyone who criticizes Obama, such as ODS or hater?
If you're going to earnestly complain about infighting you can't fuel the fire.
Demonaut
(8,918 posts)and I'm not blindly supporting everything the POTUS does.
An earlier response to this post mentioned I should have tossed in a few more distasteful monikers..and maybe I should've
I didn't
11 Bravo
(23,926 posts)I have to say, that's pretty fucking convenient.
lumpy
(13,704 posts)Doubt that anyone on DU tries to shut up anyone by criticizing them of racism; but if you say so...
If so, I certainly would agree that is a 'shitty thing to do.
Really you should realize that it is insulting to accuse people of merely/only adoring and worshiping Obama without another thought.
frazzled
(18,402 posts)It's a judgment (often with no basis in reality) that is a shorthand peremptory (syns: brusque, imperious, high-handed, brisk, abrupt, summary, commanding, dictatorial, autocratic, overbearing, dogmatic, arrogant, overweening, lordly, magisterial, authoritarian ) way of simply dismissing a poster out of hand.
People could start appending that insulting suffix to a number of other "types" they perceive to be operational on the board, but would get pretty ugly now, wouldn't it? It might be interesting to start letting the bots fly, to see how people enjoy being labeled in this way.
JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)... tend to think that if you don't agree with their hair-on-fire rantings, you must approve and agree with every action the President has taken. Even things he hasn't actually done.
Let them rant.
They also use "authoritarian", "Fascist", "DLCer", "3rdway" and on and on and on.
The perpetually disgruntled can use what ever terms they want.
This is the internet.
I think that when one is on a message board for democrats where we support them and try and get them elected, then to actually do such a thing, supporting the president and democrats, wouldn't be such a bad thing. I would think it would be better than say supporting known "libertarians" and making those libertarians into some kind of hero.
Cha
(297,265 posts)but, I'd sure as hell rather be called an "Obamabot" than a greenwaldot-bot whatever.
Besides we own Obamabot now and Obamacare.. just like we own "Dirty Fucking Hippies"
steve http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024717704
Marr
(20,317 posts)And "Bushbot" was a pretty widely used term.
Demonaut
(8,918 posts)Marr
(20,317 posts)You said the word "Obamabot" was created by the right-wing. That's not true. I think it popped up spontaneously in lots of places, because it describes a real phenomenon and it isn't exactly a creative leap as names go.
Bushbot was in wide use.
Auntie Bush
(17,528 posts)If you are called a Third Way Democrat...that is not a compliment. It is not neutral. Neutral would be to refer to them as center right. It's deliberately meant to have a negative connotation. Obamabot is not nice either as it is a nasty right wing slang for an Obama supporter.
"Can't we all get along"? Can't we Democrats be nice and respectful to one another? We don't even know who's running yet. After the primaries is long enough to throw around derogatory comments. Now is when we should be united and build up confidence in Democrats.
pragmatic_dem
(410 posts)Note that the "Grand Bargain" is a Third Way idea.
Our ideas have been used by the President, members of Congress, governors, mayors and countless political candidates. Based on our record, the media has labeled us the future of think tanks, incorrigible pragmatists, radical centrists, and the best source for new ideas in public policy.
What is the Third Way? See if you can detect a common theme here...
Mr. Vogelstein is the Chairman of New Providence Asset Management, LLC and Senior Advisor to Warburg Pincus, LLC.
Mr. Schwartz is Chairman and CEO of BLS Investments, LLC. Mr. Schwartz retired in March 2006 after 34 years as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Loral Space & Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: LORL), and its predecessor, Loral Corporation, headquartered in New York City.
Mr. Heller lives in New York City and was formerly the Global Head of Equity Trading for Goldman Sachs. He sat on the firms Securities Division Operating Committee, Firmwide Risk Committee, Business Practices Committee, Finance Committee and Compensation Committee. Mr. Heller joined Goldman in 1989 in New York as an Equity Derivatives Trader. He worked for Goldman in Japan from 1993-1998, initially as an Equity Derivatives Trader and eventually as the co-head of Goldmans Japanese equity business. Mr. Heller transferred to London in 1999 to become the Global Head of Equity Derivatives Trading and returned to New York in 2002. Mr. Heller loved his overseas experiences, both professional and personal, and continues to travel to Europe and Japan regularly.
William D. Bill Budinger is the founder of Rodel, Inc., where he served for 33 years as its chairman and CEO. Rodel was instrumental in developing portions of the semiconductor manufacturing process and is currently the global leader in high-precision planarization technology for semiconductors, silicon wafers, and storage media substrates. Rodel grew from its origin in a garage to a major manufacturing company with plants in Delaware, Arizona, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, France and Malaysia serving both U.S. and foreign markets. It was a privately-held company until it joined Rohm and Haas Shipley Electronics Group in 1997 2001, and is now part of Dow. Mr. Budinger is also an inventor and the holder of more than three dozen patents.
Mr. Budinger has been honored as the SBA Small Business Person of the Year, the Eastern Technology Councils Legendary CEO, and received the Henry Crown Leadership award. He was co-founder of the project to protect and restore Thomas Edisons New Jersey laboratories and workshops. He also helped found the National Small Business Technology Council to assist entrepreneurial technology companies working with the federal government. He was an elected delegate and chair of the White House Conference on Small Business, and a panelist for Mikhail Gorbachevs State of the World Forum.
Mr. Coulter serves as Managing Director and Senior Advisor at Warburg Pincus, focusing on the firms financial services practice.
Mr. Cowan, like the other co-founders of Third Way, has over 15 years experience at senior levels of progressive politics and government. Prior to co-founding Third Way, Mr. Cowan founded and ran Americans for Gun Safety, which The Washington Post dubbed the dominant group on the gun safety side of that debate. In the spring of 2000, Mr. Cowan was a Visiting Fellow at Harvard Universitys Institute of Politics, teaching a course on youth and political advocacy. During the second Clinton administration, Mr. Cowan served as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban development, helping to manage a federal agency of 9,000 employees with a $27 billion annual budget. Previously, he was Senior Advisor to the HUD Secretary and was Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs. In 1992, he co-founded Lead or Leave, which became the nations leading Generation X advocacy group. He co-authored Revolution X and has been featured in many media outlets including The New York Times, The Washington P
Mr. Cullman was the Founder and President of Cullman Ventures, Inc., a diversified corporation that included the At-A-Glance group, which manufactures and markets diaries, calendars, and appointment books. He graduated from Yale University in 1941, earned a Masters degree from New York University in 1942, and served as an officer in the U.S. Navy until the end of the war. Mr. Cullman was also awarded an honorary Doctorate from Purdue University.
William Daley served as President Obamas Chief of Staff from January 2011 until January 2012. He was involved in all aspects and issues faced by the president and the administration, both domestic and foreign.
Mr. Dyson is Chairman of Millbrook Capital Management, Inc.(MCM), a private investment firm. MCMs business activities include managing a manufacturing company, a vineyard and wine group and a hedge fund. In addition, MCM manages direct investments and indirect investments for the Dyson Family and MCMs executives.
Andrew Feldstein is the Co-Founder and CEO of BlueMountain Capital Management, a leading alternative asset manager with $17 billion in assets under management and over 200 professionals worldwide. Prior to co-founding BlueMountain in 2003, Mr. Feldstein spent over a decade at JPMorgan where he was a Managing Director and served as Head of Structured Credit; Head of High Yield Sales, Trading and Research; and Head of Global Credit Portfolio. Mr. Feldstein is a member of the board of directors of PNC Financial Services Group Inc. He is also a board member of the Upper West Success Academy, a New York City based charter school, and a member of the Harvard Law School Leadership Council. In 2007, Mr. Feldstein co-founded the Darfur Project, a Clinton Global Initiative recipient that from 2007-2009 sponsored air lifts of relief supplies to Southern Sudan.
Mr. Frank is a Director and Portfolio Manager at MSD Capital, L.P., the private investment firm founded by Michael Dell. Brian manages a fund, MSD Energy Investments, LLC, that is focused on investments in public and private companies in the energy sector. Prior to joining MSD, he was a portfolio manager at Cumberland Associates from 2005 to 2008. Before joining Cumberland, Brian served as a Director of Harman International, a Principal at W.R. Hambrecht + Co, and an Analyst in the merger & acquisitions group at Lazard Freres.
Mr. Goldberg joined Kelso & Company in 1991 as a Partner and Managing Director. Prior to joining the firm, he spent two years as a Managing Director and co-head of the mergers and acquisitions department at The First Boston Corporation. From 1977 to 1988, Mr. Goldberg practiced corporate law in the mergers and acquisitions group of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, becoming a Partner in 1980. He was an Associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore from 1972 to 1977. Mr. Goldberg is a Director of Buckeye GP LLC, Hilite International, Inc. and RHI Entertainment, LLC.
Peter A. Joseph is the Chairman of Trenton Fuel Works LLC, an enterprise that is commercializing a technology originally funded by NYSERDA to convert compostable food waste generated in urban settings into various chemical and energy products.
Derek Kaufman is Head of Global Fixed Income at Citadel LLC and a member of Citadels Portfolio Committee.
Prior to joining Citadel in 2008, Mr. Kaufman was a Managing Director at JPMorgan Chase, where he most recently served as Global Head of Fixed Income in the Proprietary Positioning Business. He started at J.P. Morgan in 1996.
Mr. Kaufman is a member of the Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee and the Federal Reserve Bank of New Yorks Investor Advisory Committee on Financial Markets. He is also a member of the Economic Club of New York.
Mr. Kirkland is a Managing Director and Co-Head of the Global Financial Institutions Group at Morgan Stanleys Financial Institutions Group in Investment Banking. The largest industry group within Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley, the FIG group includes 125 professionals around the world and has been a leader in its field for many years. Mr. Kirkland has been, at various times in the past, the head or co-head of the insurance practice, the bank practice, the European practice and the mergers and acquisitions practice.
Ronald A. Ron Klain is President of Case Holdings, and General Counsel of Revolution LLC. He earlier served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Revolution LLC from its launch in 2005 through 2008. Prior to joining Revolution, Ron was a partner and National Practice Group Chair at OMelveny & Myers LLP for four years.
Peter B. Lewis, born November 11, 1933 in Cleveland, Ohio, is the non-executive Chairman of Progressive Corporation, of which he acquired control in 1965 in an early leveraged buyout. At that time, the small insurance company with $6 million in revenues specialized in insuring those drivers who had difficulty finding auto insurance. For 45 years since, 35 as CEO, Lewis has overseen the transformation of the 100 employee company into a full-line auto insurer with 26,000 employees and annual sales of $14 billion. Today Progressive is the nations fourth largest auto insurer.
Mr. Marshall is a partner at Bingham McCutchen LLP, and a Principal of Bingham Consulting Group. Mr. Marshall counsels and devises strategies for advancing clients interests before Congress, the executive branch and independent regulatory agencies. He provides guidance regarding ethics compliance and corporate governance. He has developed legislative and regulatory strategies for clients involved in corporate mergers, professional and amateur sports, commercial aviation, utility and banking regulation, and legal process reforms.
Mr. Marshall was previously with Government Affairs Group at Swidler Berlin LLP, which merged with Bingham McCutchen LLP in February of 2006. Prior to joining Swidler Berlin LLP, Mr. Marshall served as a member of the White House senior staff, holding the position of Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary from 1997 to 2001. In that position, he was the liaison between the President and the agencies of the Executive Branch. He also directed the White Houses response to natural disasters and transportation emergencies, including commercial aircraft crashes. Mr. Marshall served as Vice Chair of the White House Olympic Task Force and, in that capacity, coordinated the involvement of the Federal Government in its preparations for the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Prior to his appointment as Cabinet Secretary in July 1997, Mr. Marshall was the Director of Legislative Affairs and Deputy Counsel for Vice President Al Gore. He managed all of the Vice Presidents legislative activities, held a position on the Senate leadership staff, and played a leading role on a wide range of legislative priorities throughout the first term of the Clinton Administration. Mr. Marshall served previously as a counsel with the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation, as well as the Governmental Affairs Committee. He worked extensively on legislative initiatives ranging from antitrust, criminal procedure, corporate crime, insurance, intellectual property, and telecommunications, to consumer protection, transportation safety, and product liability.
Mr. Marshall began his legal career as a law clerk to the United States District Judge Barrington D. Parker (D.D.C.) and practiced corporate law before moving to Capitol Hill.
Susan McCue Back to Top ▲
Ms. McCue is President of Message-Global, LLC, a strategic communications and public affairs firm she founded in January 2008 to advance progressive campaigns, activism and issue advocacy in the U.S. and globally.
Ms. McCue served as the Chief of Staff for U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) from 19982006 where she built and managed his leadership, policy and political operations. In 2004, The Almanac of the Unelected said Ms. McCue can be found at the center of nearly every major debate and agreement in the Senate. She also oversaw Reids leadership and Nevada races. When he was elected Democratic Leader in 2004, she created a cutting-edge communications operation that successfully brought together House and Senate caucuses along with interest groups across the country. She was a key strategist in the historic 2006 mid-term elections for Democrats and has helped shape many winning campaigns for progressives.
Mr. Miller, former CEO and Chairman of The Mills Corporation, one of Americas most innovative and successful mall developers and managers, founded Western Development Corporation (WDC) in 1967 and serves as its Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Stockholder.
Mr. Novogratz has been President and Director of Fortress Investment Group LLC since February 2007 and was a principal and a member of the Management Committee since March 2002. Mr. Novogratz is responsible for the liquid markets business which includes running the Drawbridge Global Macro Fund. Prior to joining Fortress, Mr. Novogratz spent 11 years at Goldman Sachs, where he became a Partner in 1998. Mr. Novogratz held the positions of President of Goldman Sachs Latin America, and the Head of Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities Risk in Asia, where he lived from 1992 to 1999. Mr. Novogratz received a Bachelors degree in Economics from Princeton University, and served as a helicopter pilot in the US Army.
Andrew Parmentier Back to Top ▲
Mr. Parmentier is a Founding and Managing Partner of Height Analytics. He and fellow Managing Partner John Akridge formed the company in January 2009. He has worked in the financial services industry since 1997 both in Washington, DC and London, England, with a brief tenure on Capitol Hill where he worked on financial services and capital markets issues for Majority Leader Richard Armey and House Banking Committee Chairman Jim Leach. Most recently, he was Group Head and Managing Director at FBR Capital Markets, where he founded and managed FBRs Washington Policy Analysis team from 2000 until his December 2008 departure.
Dr. Rossman is a President and Founder of Mesirow Advanced Strategies, Inc. and a Vice Chairman of its parent, Mesirow Financial Holdings Inc. He is responsible for all aspects of fund management, including manager due diligence, strategy analysis and asset allocation. Since 1983, he has been responsible for providing institutional consulting and advisory services in the area of nontraditional investments and for developing funds utilizing alternative strategies. As the author of many articles on alternative strategies, Dr. Rossman has spoken at conferences on nontraditional investing and asset allocation. He is a graduate of Princeton University in sociology/economics and received advanced degrees from The California Institute of Integral Studies and the University of Oregon.
Ted Trimpa is the Principal and President of Trimpa Group, LLC, a progressive consulting, philanthropic and political investment advising, and government relations firm specializing in public policy advocacy and political strategy at the state and federal levels. Trimpa brings more than a decade of government relations and political consulting experience with a proven record of results. Trimpa is one of the countrys most sought-after advocates resulting from his deep understanding of the national and multi-state public policy, political and nonprofit landscape. He has been recognized in national publications, including The Atlantic Monthly, National Review, The Advocate, and The Weekly Standard for his central role in designing cutting-edge public policy strategies.
Mrs. Vogelstein is a 1976 graduate of Vassar College, with an Bachelors degree in Economics, and a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Mr. Zimlich is the Chief Executive Officer of Bohemian Companies, a group of family-owned real estate and private equity holdings. Previously, Mr. Zimlich served as a manager in mergers and acquisitions, and as a specialist in the not-for-profit and banking industries, at an international accounting firm. He has also worked at the director level for Fortune 500 companies, in the technology and food products industries. Additionally, he has served at the executive level for privately held companies in the technology industry, as well as for a number of start-up businesses.
Auntie Bush
(17,528 posts)I don't care what the third way means till it's necessary. I just KNOW I think it's used as a derogatory comment against Hillary. Just refer to her as center or left of center. Is that so hard to understand? "You people" (I can be derogatory too) don't even know her platform yet...maybe she doesn't either...certainly I don't.
pragmatic_dem
(410 posts)which she was a member of, so I'll ask again, is she a third way candidate or not?
Auntie Bush
(17,528 posts)pragmatic_dem
(410 posts)is a real live and VERY rich group with dozens of backers, 90% of whom are ultra-rich Wall Street investment bankers or funds managers, etc.
Citizens United has enabled the 1% to seize control of our government. The 3rd way is economically conservative (Reaganomics on steroids) and socially liberal (they have liberal lifestyles they enjoy).
i.e. they want gay marriage AND tax cuts for the rich.
Auntie Bush
(17,528 posts)the Heritage Foundation and many others. I want the Democrat to win this election! They just have to! I won't think anything less of anyone else who
accepts money from the rich. If we are going to win we HAVE to. Of course it would be much nicer if our candidates didn't have to accept their money...but come on...It's a necessity if we want to win the election. Consequently lets face it and I hate to say...we may never have a truly Progressive candidate like Bernie. So far we haven't been very successful. I won't bother to mention all our failures as you know who they are. No candidate on either side can win without big money and where is big money? Wall Street! Thanks to SC's Citizen United. It was hard before but now it's impossible. If Bill Clinton hadn't done it we never would have had a Dem in office for those 8 years.
pragmatic_dem
(410 posts)seriously, be careful for what you wish. The investment bankers who are running Washington are counting on blind loyalty to one party or the other.
I intend to hold Democrats just as accountable for the stupid and destructive things they do as any Republican.
You have to understand the game has changed. Most of us do not have money, but we do have votes. The Wall Street barons who finance elections are counting on the fact that loyalists will NEVER be critical of anything because after all, what's your other option?
I absolutely cannot vote for a name be it Democrat or Republican. We need real people looking out for the public's best interests. I won't let my vote (the only influence I have) be taken for granted.
Every economic indicator has been horrible for last 40 years. We have to admit that Democratic Party really has not been successful changing that in significant ways. ACA was a small step for the poorest Americans, but left many in middle class out (like me). It isn't just Republican obstruction, it is compromise instead of getting populist support on your side.
So you have to understand people's sensitivity to it.
I expect Democrats to aggressively promote more liberal economic policies to improve quality of life but really what has happened is Democratic economics have gotten more conservative (e.g. "Grand Bargain" .
Third-way association is important because it signifies whether things are going to continue to get worse for workers and their families or not. The third way guarantees things will get worse as they double down on trickle-down, much worse.
Third way is surrender of Washington to pay-to-play Government.
Auntie Bush
(17,528 posts)Winning the presidency is my ultimate goal. I want all the progressive ideas as much as you...but I'm just being realistic.
pragmatic_dem
(410 posts)Realism is admitting that we need to send jobs to India and China, because of their good test scores and the fact they work in slave labor conditions for pennies on the dollar.
Realism is admitting the Wall Street felons deserve amnesty for trillions of theft and fraud.
Realism is admitting that NSA spying is quite OK.
Realism is admitting Monsanto needs federal protection to force genetically modified food into our diets.
Satire is people as they are;
romanticism, people as they would like to be;
realism, people as they seem with their insides left out.
Dawn Powell
Auntie Bush
(17,528 posts)I remember telling you I was a progressive. What progressive would believe in all those ideas and ways. It's getting late...we must both be getting tired and hard to communicate our beliefs.
To sum things up...I still like Obama and Hillary and trust them to do the best they can for us with a ReThug held congress. No matter what...I will vote Democratic no matter who runs. I want to win this election and we'd have it in the bag if we stick together and stop badmouthing our possible candidates.. That's my final word. Good night!
LOL One more thing...a lot of ReThugs and Indies like Clinton and will vote for her.
I think they'd also vote for a Dem senator to help her with her agenda. I guess what I'm trying to say is Hillary will help us hold the Senate and maybe even take the House.
Response to Auntie Bush (Reply #133)
Marr This message was self-deleted by its author.
pragmatic_dem
(410 posts)It is a reasonable name for the sort of robotic response to some of the most important issues of our generation:
When Obama was against wiretapping...
Finally we have a presidential candidate who will stand up for the 4th amendment and protect against government over reach into citizens lives... good riddance GW Bush
Subsequently, when Obama was for wiretapping...
As commander in chief, Obama needs every tool at his disposal to keep America safe... wonderful chess move, why are you such a hater...?
When candidate Obama was for environmental protection...
"Finally we have a president who is going to fight oil companies and unleash massive new investment in alternative energy...
As fracking spreads like wild fire, poisoning water supplies across the country, and drill baby drill was passed in Gulf of Mexico along with Monsanto Protection Act...
Fracking and deep water drilling just makes pragmatic sense, we can't be dependent on Middle East oil, the president needs every option available and genetically modified foods are 100% safe for the environment and our health. Obama was clear about his stand on this. If you don't like it, why did you vote for him and why are you such a hater...?
Nothing to be gained by more examples. I'm sure the point is made.
So Obamabot is simply a term which is used to describe a robotic, predictable defense to ANY criticism of the President. It is a defensive posture so awkwardly scripted, it might have been generated by a computer program that has only one output, regardless of the input.
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)Anybody uses it here, I'm considering you part of the enemy camp.
Sick. Of. This. Shit.
baldguy
(36,649 posts)Are usually the ones promoting lunatic RW libertarians as "Heroes Of The Revolution".
Then they wonder why Democrats can't seem to get anything done...
Marr
(20,317 posts)Cha
(297,265 posts)Greenwald was calling Obama supporters "Obamabots" quite awhile ago.. that wouldn't be a big coincidence would it?
Logical
(22,457 posts)they are talking about. It is the people defending EVERYTHING he does. Like people defended Bush.
Skittles
(153,164 posts)it's just the usual bullshit
JoeyT
(6,785 posts)How about "Blame America First"? What about the bullshit about liberals hating America? You know, the stuff spewed regularly whenever a bunch of those horrible leftists have the temerity to suggest we aren't #1 or question our foreign policy or dare to bring up any kind of history in our fireworks shootin' flag wavin' threads.
http://election.democraticunderground.com/10024674859
Some of the people hugging themselves and crying in this thread were gleefully screeching right wing propaganda in that one. And for a triple dose of irony, would be the first to rec a thread about how hypocritical Republicans are.
How about ODS, which is just an uncreative theft of the BDS meme? It's largely used for the same purpose. Anyone that criticizes the president doesn't have a point to be argued, they're just mentally ill.
I've never seen a bigger fountain of right wing memes on any progressive site anywhere than some of the president's defenders are here.
pragmatic_dem
(410 posts)and defend conservative principals like spying, social security cuts, police state, big oil, fracking, nuclear power, etc etc etc
There is a new shitty kind of 3rd way conservative - they consider themselves "economically conservative" and "socially liberal", you know they enjoy all the civil benefits from traditional Democrats while maintaining their money entitlements without any sacrifice.
What that really means is that they support gay marriage, wall street deregulation and tax cuts for the rich and they can't get all of that with the tea party. Democratic Leadership is willing to compromise on any principal for the right price, so they have bought their way into the party.
JoeyT
(6,785 posts)economically conservative and socially liberal claiming to be some Third Way that bridges the gap is that there's already a name for someone that's economically conservative and socially liberal: Libertarian.
Which makes the libertarian hunters among them even funnier.
You forgot one of the biggies that are being defended, btw. Free trade is the holy grail of libertarianism. They may vary on policy on every other issue, but you will never meet a libertarian that doesn't support free trade with all their heart.
Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)meaning, bogus
Cha
(297,265 posts)source and grateful I'm not a greenwaldotbot.
Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)I always like to say that people and words only have as much power over me as I let them have.
that line i tend to keep firmly in mind when on forums.
Cha
(297,265 posts)99Forever
(14,524 posts)Ever.
But I've certainly been called worse by those who get labeled that.