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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGlenn Greenwald: Asshole
Chez Pazienza on May 08, 2014
... Note that Greenwalds first concern wasnt the well-being of those kidnapped. There was no couching of his brash condemnation of the response to this atrocity with the admission that he cares about the girls now in the clutches of people who intend to sell them into slavery. There was no concession that maybe, just this once, the vast resources and technological prowess at the disposal of a superpower could be used for good. There was just what there always is, an opportunity to go directly to trashing his favorite boogeyman, the singular subject that matters to him and the ultimate evil that hes made an entire career out of bashing: the big, bad West. Maybe you can make the excuse that his reaction is simply no-nonsense. Maybe you can say that the limits of Twitters format make it difficult to add context and nuance to a statement. The facts remains, though, that if you say something like this as a stand-alone comment, you are an asshole. And thats what Glenn Greenwald is: an asshole. An insufferable, pompous asshole.
The question then becomes whether it matters that Greenwald is an asshole. Charlie Pierce at Esquire famously said that it shouldnt concern anyone that he or she might not want to invite Glenn Greenwald to dinner; all that should be taken into account is the information hes providing. But I just dont think thats the case. Id argue that his personality is so pronounced hes such an asshole that it informs and impacts his journalism. His pettiness, his arrogance, and his agenda-driven single-mindedness all characteristics of being an asshole is what has tainted his reporting from the very beginning, specifically when it comes to the NSA/Snowden story. He regularly buries contrary evidence, disregards inconvenient facts, aligns himself with horrible people simply because they happen to support his one pet issue, and shouts down anyone who dares to criticize his work, even if that criticism is intended to be constructive and comes from a place of good faith. He does this because, quite simply, he can never be wrong. And what kind of person can never be wrong? Yes, an asshole.
A good journalist is open to getting as good as he or she gives. A good journalist is willing to admit when he or she is wrong. A good journalist isnt an ideologue. A good journalist is a bit of an asshole but one also imbued with empathy and humanity, with a belief that the world can be a better place (otherwise why would that person bother seeking the truth?). Glenn Greenwald has proven over and over again that he has no humanity. Hes all asshole. Most people, when having their intentions and motivations misconstrued because of something theyve said, would work to make it clear what those intentions and motivations were. Theyd do something as simple as saying, Look, this is what I meant. But not Greenwald. Of course not Greenwald. As usual, his response to criticism is to prove even further that hes an asshole by doubling-down and blaming his adversaries for having the gall to call him out ...
http://thedailybanter.com/2014/05/glenn-greenwald-asshole-2/
Vattel
(9,289 posts)How heartless!!! His first concern should have been the victims!!! Lol, how lame can these personal attacks get?
"'Questioning the efficacy of **military** action means you're indifferent to Outrage X' may be the single dumbest rhetorical tactic we have"
frazzled
(18,402 posts)There have been plenty of successful military rescue operations: The Israelis rescuing 100 hijacked air passengers at Entebbe, US Special Forces rescuing kidnapped hostages from Somali pirates, the Colombian hostage rescue in which Ingrid Betancourt was freed from her long-term Farc captors, etc.
Maybe GG was thinking of those really failed Russian government rescue attempts: the one at the movie theater and the one at the school? Those were disasters. But it doesn't have to be that way. Unless, of course, you hate governments in general and have selective memory.
DisgustipatedinCA
(12,530 posts)You know, the stuff we've done in Africa, Asia, Central, and South America.
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)Much like the U.S. air operations over Bosnia in the nineties...
frazzled
(18,402 posts)An offer to assist in finding kidnapped girls, or even simply show support for them has exactly zero to do with past transgressions by past administrations, whether in South America or Iraq. Unless, of course, you're a crazy libertarian anti-government, isolationist ideologue who has absolutely no interest in human rights.
DisgustipatedinCA
(12,530 posts)...I'm a student of history.
bahrbearian
(13,466 posts)sheshe2
(83,771 posts)Here are their names Glenn...and for you Vattel.
http://theobamadiary.com/
Still the names are incomplete now, more have been taken.
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)What do you think we could do about those kidnappings?
Another war?
I'm genuinely asking, not being snarky.
The list is very, very disturbing.
It's like naming the names of those African-Americans murdered by lawless police officers.
What to do?
treestar
(82,383 posts)for that to come second even. For Glenn the evil US came first.
brush
(53,778 posts)to reveal a couple of years ago that was going to blow some big names out of the water.
Where is it, Greenwald? Where?
Enjoy your millions you reaped from using poor Snowden who's still stuck in Russia.
pa28
(6,145 posts)Hopefully he didn't strain something writing this very very long response to Greenwald's tweet.
Cha
(297,244 posts)before this and he'll always be an asshole if his record of history is any indication.
pa28
(6,145 posts)Vattel
(9,289 posts)tridim
(45,358 posts)He's an asshole-plus.
baldguy
(36,649 posts)Electric Monk
(13,869 posts)Because if it didn't, it should have.
Cha
(297,244 posts)Vattel
(9,289 posts)baldguy
(36,649 posts)Gravitycollapse
(8,155 posts)randome
(34,845 posts)This merely confirms it.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]You should never stop having childhood dreams.[/center][/font][hr]
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)randome
(34,845 posts)He was only trying to save him some money?
Yeah, you called it 2 1/2 years ago.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]If you're not committed to anything, you're just taking up space.
Gregory Peck, Mirage (1965)[/center][/font][hr]
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)that his representation of Hale was for civil matters, to wit:
1) A patent/trademark/IP dispute between Hale and another neo-Nazi group. No supporter of Greenwald on this board has ever explained what grand civil right was being protected there; and,
2) When Hale was sued by the Center for Constitutional Rights for violations of an anti-Klan statute, Glenn stepped into the fray, and committed two ethical breaches which resulted in Hale's privilege being violated, and the case settled. Again..I'm not sure what civil right Mr. Greenwald was protecting, here.
I believe that after the SAM's incident, Mr. Hale retained an actual criminal attorney....not Greenwald. Which is lucky for Glenn, because Patrick Fitzgerald would have nailed him to a fucking wall.
Cha
(297,244 posts)thanks struggle
sheshe2
(83,771 posts)stevenleser
(32,886 posts)Greenwald doesnt.
Vattel
(9,289 posts)stevenleser
(32,886 posts)Vattel
(9,289 posts)stevenleser
(32,886 posts)Vattel
(9,289 posts)stevenleser
(32,886 posts)stevenleser
(32,886 posts)Vattel
(9,289 posts)Cha
(297,244 posts)And, I would post his pic if it weren't gag inducing.
phleshdef
(11,936 posts)Vattel
(9,289 posts)phleshdef
(11,936 posts)still_one
(92,192 posts)LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)Possibly it's the same thing you have against proper grammar? (six of one, half a dozen of the other-- and both as petulant and useless as the other...)
Vattel
(9,289 posts)okaawhatever
(9,462 posts)arely staircase
(12,482 posts)Spazito
(50,344 posts)who can't take any criticism of his criticism. Thin-skinned, libertarian asshole.
Cha
(297,244 posts)takes it to a whole new level.
Spazito
(50,344 posts)his pathological hatred of President Obama and, really, the US is truly pathetic. I do find his thin-skinned inability to take even a modicum of the criticism he dishes out says so much about him, immature, self-absorbed and self-serving in spades.
Cha
(297,244 posts)him.. or he will come at you with all the viciousness his tweets can muster.
Spazito
(50,344 posts)and brush off the criticism but, noooo, he just has to react like a two year old and hit out and, even worse, hits out not understanding the criticism he's taken aim at.
Cha
(297,244 posts)"he will come at you with all the viciousness his tweets can muster"
encountered that 1st-hand.
Cha
(297,244 posts)by being Joy. GG is still the same pompous asshole when he wakes up every morning.
Hissyspit
(45,788 posts)Not this B.S., I hope:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3099544
Jamaal510
(10,893 posts)"can't take any criticism of his criticism"
...of his supporters, sure enough.
Bobbie Jo
(14,341 posts)They can dish it out all day long, but they can't deal with the prospect of criticism hurled at their idol.
They're wigging out up in here, it's just bizarre.
Chathamization
(1,638 posts)He mistakenly used #Kony2012 or perhaps #SaveDarfur; those aren't fashionable anymore. It seems he can't keep up with the ADD minds of keyboard warriors.
These are all serious issues, but they are merely a few of the many, many serious problems that currently exist in the world. I remember being accused of lacking empathy for Saddams victims when I said an invasion of Iraq wouldn't be a good thing. It's nice to know that some lines never get old.
Cha
(297,244 posts)John Lewis ✔ @repjohnlewis
Follow
My heart aches for these young girls. #BringBackOurGirls
11:40 AM - 8 May 2014
328 Retweets 181 favorites
TOD
Mahalo Rep John Lewis
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024928092
951-Riverside
(7,234 posts)This wouldn't even be up for debate or discussion?
There would just be a pile of dead black guys with holes in their heads.
Chathamization
(1,638 posts)I don't recall people saying the US should get involved militarily back then.
SidDithers
(44,228 posts)Greenwald is a clown, and his sycophants are comedy gold.
Sid
Maynar
(769 posts)Cha
(297,244 posts)thank you, struggle~
Cha
(297,244 posts)Obnoxious_One
(97 posts)Than it is on rescuing those poor girls as well!
I mean we play policeman of the world everywhere else?!
We must be assholes too!
Character assassination? really? shame....
lostincalifornia
(3,639 posts)Obnoxious_One
(97 posts)Leader:
Storm troopers.
questions?
Cha
(297,244 posts)particular pompous-ass asshole is that he's not "always right".
Tarheel_Dem
(31,234 posts)Cha
(297,244 posts)Tarheel_Dem
(31,234 posts)was against it, and not just the war, he was for the oft derided Patriot Act as well.
Cha
(297,244 posts)whiplash 180s!
Tarheel_Dem
(31,234 posts)It's as gruesome and ghoulish as the Republicans trying to fundraise off Benghazi.
Hissyspit
(45,788 posts)struggle4progress
(118,285 posts)to harass folk who disagree with him, perhaps he should be able to handle turn-about
http://joshuafoust.com/pathetic-slap-from-lying-bully/
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Security-Watch/Backchannels/2014/0116/Joe-McCarthy-Glenn-Greenwald-and-me
Hissyspit
(45,788 posts)to post bullshit character assassination?
frylock
(34,825 posts)Cha
(297,244 posts)just ask many of his many adoring fans.
mahalo for the link, struggle..
"A Pathetic Slap from a Lying Bully" Guess who the bully is? That's right.. the pompous asshole himself.
http://joshuafoust.com/pathetic-slap-from-lying-bully/
ucrdem
(15,512 posts)And I'm very glad that pile is not in my neighborhood.
Cha
(297,244 posts)of President Obama and his failed haters..
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4928566
My neighborhood is GG junk pile of history free, too.. Thank Goodness!
ucrdem
(15,512 posts)What exactly did he tell us that we didn't already know? The only thing I learned from last summer's Benghazi-palooza is that the NSA is now operating legally and producing detailed compliance reports as instructed by Congress in 2009.
The whole revelation-of-spying business was a fraud from beginning to end, to what nefarious purposes I can only surmise, and Greenwald is a profile in shillery.
alarimer
(16,245 posts)That's all this crowd understands. You all will CLAIM to have despised him before (though really they didn't) but now that he is a prime critic of Obama, right under the bus he goes. It's getting crowded under there, with all the various journalists and others we've had to throw under there.
And now no one is actually discussing the merits of his arguments (which may or may not be correct) on the issue of the day, it's all ad hominem "he's an asshole" sort of discussion.
And the spying IS a big deal if it had been revealed when Bush was still in office, everyone on this site would be howling. But's it's all okay if it happens under Obama (in reality in predates him by years).
Fucking hypocrisy, that's all this is.
ucrdem
(15,512 posts)First of all, none of this is news, and all of it has been regularly dissected and debated since the Patriot Act passed in 2001. Secondly, the NSA has been completely made over by the Obama administration and is a far more law-abiding agency than under Bush Cheney. But that isn't what Glenn's bosses (Koch brothers and others) want us to think and Glenn is good at Dem-washing GOP depravities by pinning them on the Obama administration.
Whisp
(24,096 posts)RandiFan1290
(6,235 posts)Caretha
(2,737 posts)I've never read so many obnoxious "hate posts" in one thread. Disgusting.
bvar22
(39,909 posts)....over and over and over.
Its a lot like mutual masturbation,
but on the Internet,
but they DO seem to get some gratification from it.
It seems they are more active during the daytime while the adults are at work.
baldguy
(36,649 posts)They're "insightful journalistic criticisms".
RT & FauxSnooze got nothing on GG.
Cha
(297,244 posts)Cha
(297,244 posts)bobduca
(1,763 posts)Graahhhh!!! indeed.
The Magistrate
(95,247 posts)Bobbie Jo
(14,341 posts)MohRokTah
(15,429 posts)Greenwald is an asshole and anybody who denies that denies the facts.
BeyondGeography
(39,374 posts)You need talent for that; it also helps to be an asshole.
Cha
(297,244 posts)Orsino
(37,428 posts)...didn't even address climate change, our incarceration culture or income inequality, and deliberately avoided the fact that meat is murder. Lousy tweet. 2/10 would not bang.
Asshole.
ronnie624
(5,764 posts)A long, drawn-out ad hominem attack, meant to, yet again, distract from the truly important issues, like state surveillance, manipulation of our political power system and the perpetuation of injustice.
You and the other partisans and purveyors of the status quo may think your posts are smart and snappy, but they're not. They simply reek of desperation and self-imposed ignorance. Every last one of them.
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)ronnie624
(5,764 posts)for the killing of people in other countries by a Democratic administration, however.
Yep. I was told by the angry one, once, that it was okay for the US to flout international law, because it is "inapplicable", whatever that means.
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)ronnie624
(5,764 posts)msanthrope
(37,549 posts)ronnie624
(5,764 posts)I don't have time for little games.
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)randome
(34,845 posts)Ronnie doesn't like drones so we should never offer aid to those in need. How can you not see that?
[hr][font color="blue"][center]If you're not committed to anything, you're just taking up space.
Gregory Peck, Mirage (1965)[/center][/font][hr]
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)you know they are coming.
ronnie624
(5,764 posts)No matter how many times they've been proven incorrect, you're back in the next thread, repeating the same nonsense. I've never seen anything of substance in them.
ronnie624
(5,764 posts)that your outrage over Greenwald taping a witness, while simultaneously supporting a power system that flouts international law and commits atrocities in other countries, as long as the atrocities are committed by a Democratic administration, is highly selective. It's simply part and parcel to the irrational thinking of partisans and those who fear abandoning the status quo. If you wish to engage in pretense about this easily demonstrable truth, have at it.
I think the gist of my initial comment was very obvious. I have to prepare for work now.
Good day to you.
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)ronnie624
(5,764 posts)Lots of confusion was sown by a corrupted, rotten, lazy media establishment. I have no problem with people who have since, seen the light. Greenwald was very young and wet behind the ears at that time. I can even forgive those who voted for Bush the first time, as long as they didn't do it again.
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)His racism was apparent early on in his blogging career...
http://election.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3292783
So I'm completely unsurprised that the man who uses the word "illegals" to describe undocumented people doesn't give a shit about Nigerian children.
ronnie624
(5,764 posts)Illegal immigration is a political issue.
Your posts on this topic are ad hominem, and they seek to distract from genuinely important issues. Your opinion on Greenwald's character, is of no consequence. The truly important issues -- the ones that really matter to all of us -- are things like state power, corruption, US domestic and foreign policy and the destruction of our biosphere. Those are the things we should be interested in. I simply wish to point that out in threads like this, on occasion, not engage in pointless spats over irrelevancies, with resident egos.
I'm done here.
whatchamacallit
(15,558 posts)So powerful that the mere utterance of his name instantly transforms some people into blithering idiots!
Bobbie Jo
(14,341 posts)"hes such an asshole that it informs and impacts his journalism. His pettiness, his arrogance, and his agenda-driven single-mindedness all characteristics of being an asshole is what has tainted his reporting from the very beginning, specifically when it comes to the NSA/Snowden story. He regularly buries contrary evidence, disregards inconvenient facts, aligns himself with horrible people simply because they happen to support his one pet issue, and shouts down anyone who dares to criticize his work, even if that criticism is intended to be constructive and comes from a place of good faith. He does this because, quite simply, he can never be wrong.
Fucking nails it.
.....and his fan base shares similar qualities, which explains the rabid defensiveness on display here. It's personal.
whatchamacallit
(15,558 posts)Silly, catty, bullshit...
treestar
(82,383 posts)Rather than using them to support preexisting opinions?
Autumn
(45,092 posts)has major issues this "writer" and I used the term sarcasticly seems to be everything they hate about Glen. Sounds like petty Jealousy. Their writing seems to be filled with anger, resentment, inadequacy, and disgust. I find it funny.
DisgustipatedinCA
(12,530 posts)Then, in predictable and formulaic fashion, people pile on with accusations of "you must hate those girls" or puppies or whomever or whatever the subject at hand. Life isn't that cut and dried. The US really does do bad things on the world stage, and for reasons that aren't as advertised. We've done this for a long time. But we also sometimes act out of less selfish interests, not often, but sometimes. So it's nuanced. And it just doesn't help when bloggers such as the one posted in the OP come at a subject from a tactless, Nancy Grace-like "what about the babies" angle. It's just spoon feeding for those who aren't able to process nuance.
Daily Banter indeed.
delrem
(9,688 posts)was just posted to the AA group
http://www.democraticunderground.com/118726114
even though for the life of me I can't figure out what the post has to do with anything specific to AA sensibilities.
In a contest between which is most shallow, how would you rate the OPs?
delrem
(9,688 posts)This Chez Pazienza dude is the next Chomsky.
I swear he is. You read it here, first, people.
TM99
(8,352 posts)for boundary and contract violations.
I am not a huge supporter of mainstream media, but they got that one right.
This is entire piece is one giant adolescent ad hominem rant.
For all of the known rancor between them, can anyone for one minute imagine real journalists like Walter Cronkite calling Edward R. Murrow an asshole in public like this twit did?
We live in the age of narcissistic ignorance!
GoneFishin
(5,217 posts)You don't like the guy, fine. But harping on the guy for everything that was or was not included in one tweet is fucking desperate, and is comparable to Fox News criticizing Hillary for the color of her pants suit.
Give it a fucking rest. Your irrational hatred of the guy is showing.
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)our government loves to violate our constitutional rights.
In my view, and it is simply my opinion, Glenn Greenwald's courage and willingness to report on the the truth no matter the consequences for him personally justifies a lot of hurt feelings and bull in the china closetness.
Sometimes it take an asshole. Mencken comes to mind.
We can't all be delightful angels all the time.
The truth can be very ugly. Telling it does not cause the ugly. It's the acts that are told about that are the ugly.
Glen Greenwald is a reporter. He does his job.
Doctors, nurses, social workers, lawyers, even some teachers and real news reporters have to face a lot of the ugliness in life and have to make it public.
Don't shoot the messenger. Change the reality on which the messenger is reporting.