It's gone too far. (And a thank you to some conservatives)

[cali]

When someone as far to the right as David Frum says this,

"Those who press this Ayers line of attack are whipping Republicans and conservatives into a fury that is going to be very hard to calm after November."

you know we've entered uncharted territory. I'm not going to draw the obvious comparisons. There are a lot of them, and no doubt they're valid, but they're not even needed to point out that this is ugly and unbridled hate. It's off the leash that normally keeps this kind of rage limited to partisans on blogs. And once is out in the open, if unchecked, it can lead to calamity.

Day after day we see unhinged utterances at McCain/Palin events. And today was the worst. The man who stood up today, shaking with rage and shrieked about the socialists and the response he received was a direct result of the sanctioning of such behavior by Palin and McCain. They have deliberately unleashed something fearful and potent.

So what's to be done? The best thing, of course, would be for McCain and Palin to condemn such outbursts and to cut the xenophobic, racist dog whistling out. But they won't. Beyond that, the MSM should stop calling these kinds of outbursts "passionate" and call them for what they are- expressions of hate and out of control rage. But they won't.

Serious people know how dangerous this desperate gambit on the part of McCain/Palin is. And that includes, thankfully, some conservatives. In fact, David Brooks, George Will, Kathleen Parker and now David Frum, are doing a far better job articulating what's going on than the MSM or most democrats.

[scarletwoman]

1. Is there a link to Frum's statement? Or was this from a TV appearance. (nt)

[cali]

2. oh, sorry, here it is.

http://frum.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NmE5Njk3NDBlZGZhYWU4YTMyMGFkNjYyNjJmNzYwNTg=

[scarletwoman]

4. Thank you. Editing my post now that I've read the article...

First, David Frum is still every bit the stupid jerk he's always been.

Second, I can't help but wonder what planet he's been living on for the last 20-30 years -- "Anger is a very bad political adviser. It can isolate us and push us to the extremes..." -- how has he managed not to notice that "anger" and "extremes" have been the very heart and soul of the right wing for decades?

Anyway, it's always fascinating to see how the David Frums of the world manage their cognitive dissonance.

sw

[Laelth]

12. Nicely said.

None of the Bush apologists in the OP's list is redeemed, imho, by criticizing McCain's campaign strategy. They might move toward redemption if they actually condemned the uncivilized behavior, but you won't see that.

-Laelth


Edit:Laelth--toned down the rhetoric a bit.

[crossroads]

3. Yes it has gone too far already!

The only thing the McSame camp has been effective at - is deflecting the voters anger and hatred toward the failings of the present GOP administration! These people are angry and now Obama is the target of their anger! This needs to stop NOW! Shame on McSame and Failing! This resembled a KKK rally! :wow:
CR

[cali]

5. I don't think you're right.

I don't think they've deflected anger and hatred. I think they're channeling it. They're riding it. And I do believe it's going to throw them.

[David__77]

6. Obama's job is to exude leadership and confidence. He can restore the country.

The Bush-McCain agenda has failed the country, as we see from the financial and economic collapse. Let the right conduct their little ideological struggle. They will fail in the political realm.

[sufrommich]

7. What is also frightening is the reaction this kind of

frothing hatred will whip up when Obama wins.These nuts believe he's a terrorist and are encouraged to believe it by the republican party! I would never have imagined the republicans could actually sink any further into the mud than they have in the past,but this is beyond the pale.Their pigs are squealing for blood. I'm furious at the press for pretending that this is politics as usual,it's like nothing I've seen before and it has nothing to do with "politics". Here's an example of freeper rage,whipped up by their masters:

To: pissant
He cant get angy all MSM will show is

ANGRY OLD MAN...RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT

THAT IS THE JOB OF OUR BELOVED SARAH!!!!

THAT IS OUR JOB!!! NEVER LET UP!!!

AMERICA IS THE GREATEST COUNTRY OUR KIDS ARE FIGHTING FOR IT!!

OBAMA WANTS TO DESTROY HER!!!!

OBAMA WANTS A BURKA ON HER!!

OBAMA IS DANGEROUS AND MUST BE DEFEATED!!



12 posted on Thursday, October 09, 2008 6:56:36 PM by Texas4ever (!WHO IS OBAMA?)
< Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies>

[cali]

8. they're insane, driven around the bend by hate

and irrational fear. And yes, it deeply disturbing that the MSM is pretending that this is business as usual.

[redwitch]

22. "Obama wants a burka on her"?????

What percentage of Americans are this nuts? Any guesstimates? Jeebus.

[Prophet 451]

26. Roughly 20% apparently

Not coincidently, that's the same figure as believe the sun orbits the earth.

[redwitch]

28. As long as it is only 20% I think we can take 'em.

I thought it was about 30% so 20% looks not so bad.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

9. Take some action!

Contact the McCain camp and tell them ENOUGH!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7388950

[AlCzervik]

10. this stuff enrages me and Frum is right, the hate is not going to die down after the election

and people are going to get hurt.

WHERE ARE THE ADULTS!!!!!????

This day just sucks on so many levels.

[cali]

11. It really is discouraging

and it sure is sobering. Some rough beast slouching.....

[tledford]

13. WTF are we talking about? Are you SURPRISED that racists are pissed that Obama will win?!?!?! eom

[cali]

16. no. I'm not surprised that racists are pissed about Obama.

And that's hardly what the phenomenon I was addressing. Do try reading for comprehension, dear.

[Bluerthanblue]

14. what can we do? you are so right Cali, but what can we

do???

This is driving me even more crazy than I am.



:shrug:

[Tatiana]

15. It absolutely has gone too far. The question is, what should we do about it? n/t

[IsItJustMe]

17. I agree. Very dangerous and I think the Republicans will regret it when it is all said and done.

It's the law of physics. For every action there is an opostive and equal reaction. If McCain happened to win, he will find at least half this country absolutly hating his guts.

[notaboutus]

18. Boycott MSM and tell them why

Do certain days for certain networks leave FOX (lost cause)out but start with the worse one. Write their advertisers too. Post it on every website and blog you can. It is our fault too for not fighting back against the MSM they have been McPalin's biggest pundit. Instead of calling them out about it we watch in silence.

[BlooInBloo]

19. (shrug) They've been saying a "race war" is about to happen for forever.

[markevil]

20. A-holes

These people had everything they ever wanted for eight years... A republican president, 2 wars (they really do love war), and license to steal from middle america... And they are still not satisfied...Step aside its our time now YOU HAD YOURS. Stop the hate and just step aside. McCain will regret this campaign on his deathbed. Have a little class John and live out your last year or two at peace with yourself.

[theothersnippywshrub]

21. Win or lose, the Campaign of Hate is going to have long lasting consequences.

McCain is begging his followers to join him in the politics of hatred. In doing so, he has betrayed the oath he took when he entered the United States Naval Academy. He has betrayed the oath he took when he was sworn into the United States Navy. He has betrayed the oath he took each time he was sworn into office. He has betrayed his country.

He has become a powerful symbol of hatred and betrayal of the United States of America. And he is frantically attempting to persuade millions of Americans that only hatred and betrayal can save the nation. And he is having more than a little success in that attempt. Many of those millions will not be psychologically able to believe otherwise on November 5th.

[Georgiadawg]

23. I just wrote to both my senators in GA

Both are republicans but I think it's worth a try. I asked them to stand up to the hate-mongering coming out of the McCain campaign -- it hurts us all.

[Barack_America]

24. Interesting that he draws a distinction between "Republicans" and "conservatives". nt

[loudsue]

25. MoveOn should use them in an ad, asking if THIS is the America we need for another president.

I think a helluva lot of people are sickened by this. The knuckle-draggers love it. The really stupid people love it. But 100% of the civilized world hates it.

[janx]

27. Do you have a link to the shaking, shrieking man?

I don't think I've heard about that one yet.

[chicagoexpat]

29. After ID'ing Obama as a Terrorist, it's even harder than trying to calm down some of Hillary's suppo