Oh NO!! A Democrat demonstrated Strength!. . .

[pat_k]

. . .Bad Sen. Kerry, Bad!! Why did you Stand Up for Yourself?? You're hurting the Party. Yikes!

The "chicken little" strategists are out in force. As usual, the consensus is the OPPOSITE of reality.

The Biggest problem members of the Democratic Party face is the perception that they are Weak. Every time a Democrat stands up and shows strength it challenges the Weak Dem image and gives the entire Party a boost.

The "conventional wisdom" inside the bubble was exactly the same after Clinton forcefully confronted Chris Wallace's propaganda (Terrible thing for the Dems. . .) Of course, within a day, it became clear that pushing back was probably the best thing Clinton has done for the Party all year.

It is long past time for our our so-called "Party leaders" to recognize the irrationality of "strategic thinking" that comes to the SAME conclusion 100% of the time -- i.e., to take the path of least resistance by (1) betraying principle through action or inaction; (2) taking the least "controversial" stand, or (3) putting off the difficult or principled action to a later date.

Like the "I'll quit tomorrow" addict, they assuage guilt and shame by telling themselves "we'll do the right thing and fight back, later." Tragically for the nation, "later" never comes because, like the addicts they are, the "strategerists" always identify reasons that "now" is bad time to bite the bullet.

If the chicken littles keep calling the shots, they are going to kill the Party.

[stepnw1f]

1. lol... keep that powder dry

same folks different jokes.

[tblue]

2. After hearing his press conference, I've never been prouder of John Kerry

Now, THAT'S speaking truth to power. That's how it's done!

[pat_k]

13. For the sake of the nation, may his colleagues learn a thing or two. . .

. . .When he came back to fight for the Alito filibuster was another great Kerry moment. Tragically, the Democratic caucus couldn't rally the troops to actually DO SOMETHING.

The words are wonderful. It's a start. The next step is to back strong words with strong acts.

They will become true leaders when they finally take their Congressional oath seriously, confront reality head on, and stand and fight for the soul of the nation by notifying the public the Constitution is under attack and that the only defense is to remove the attackers -- Bush and Cheney -- from office.

To fulfill their oath they must be "on the look out" for threats (turning a "blind eye" is not an option). When they identify a threat, their First Duty is to notify us and tell us what they believe we must do to defend against it. (Not what they think we will do; not what they think they can do; not what they think other members of Congress might do. They have a duty to tell us what they personally believe the nation must do.)

[babylonsister]

3. Pat_k, great post! I highly recommend this!

[emulatorloo]

5. kick and rec n/t

[OzarkDem]

4. Dem candidates have been doing this all year

and very well, I might add.

This is their race, not Kerry's. Let's let them discuss these issues as they have been doing so well.

[emulatorloo]

7. RoveCo drug Kerry into this -- Blame Rove, not Kerry

Kerry was right to defend himself and all democrats. Video and Transcript here:

http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=4601

Kerry ; And no Democrat is going to be bullied by these people, by these kinds of attacks that have no place in Aerican politics.

[pat_k]

10. It was particularly great because. . .

. . .the news-ertainment commentators were clearly rubbing their hands, looking for him to come out with some mealy-mouthed "I was misunderstood. Sorry if it. . ." (As they have come to expect from Dems.)

It was delightful when he came out with that first line: "Let me make it crystal clear, as crystal clear as I know how: I apologize to no one. . ."

You could almost hear the whir of the talking heads spinning.

[pat_k]

8. Doing what well?

. . Like telling the truth about the all out attack on our Constitution? (Opps, can't do that 'cause if we did we'd have to break the establishment's "impeachment is off limits" edict. Can't accuse them of their crimes if we aren't willing to do anything about those crimes.)

Like joining Sen. Barbara Boxer in objecting to the illegitimate Ohio electors? (Naw, too extreme. Let's give some "supportive" speeches. That'll be much better than actual support -- we don't want to tick anyone off by actually doing something.)

Like saying no to Bush as unitary authoritarian executive by co-sponsoring Feingold's censure resolution? (Naw, can't do that either. Don't want the people who are already calling us names to call us more names.)

By filibustering Alito, a leading proponent of the unitary Pres. fascist fantasy? (Naw. Couldn't do that, somebody might call us "obstructionists." Let's just have an empty show of "opposition" by voting for cloture, paving his way to the court, and then voting "against" on the floor. That's taking a stand, isn't it?)

Like saying "Impeachment Is Our Positive Agenda" -- Bush and Cheney are destroying the Constitution; our common contract. They are violating our laws and refusing to enforce the good laws we have on the books already. Trying to pass new laws while the Constitution is in breach makes no more sense than trying to renovate a house that has been knocked off it's foundation." (Naw, couldn't do that. The strategists tell us Americans want an end to partisanship. Never mind that there's nothing partisan about rescuing the Constitution -- gotta go along to get along!)

[DemonFighterLives]

6. Kerry didn't take it back and Maxine Waters covered it good for Kerry

on CNN while Paula Zahn tried to make a big deal out of it and John Fund. :rofl:

[pat_k]

9. Haven't seen the Honorable Maxine Waters for awhile -- wish I'd caught it. . .

. . .she can be wonderful!

[WildEyedLiberal]

11. THANK YOU

Jesus, some SENSE around here.... happy to K&R this.

[Gregorian]

12. Are we weak, or are they just a bunch of bullies?

But yes, how dare we speak up. Somebody apologize right now!


I don't think it's weak as much as it is honesty. We didn't expect this kind of bullying and dishonesty. It's as though we are still playing by the rules, and finally we've realized they're cheating. Then a ten year delayed response.


Argh. I have to rush this. Colbert is on......

[pat_k]

14. Battered Democrats syndrome accounts for a lot. . .

When an abuser attacks, the victim's reaction is often "I can't believe this is happening." It is paradoxical, because victims of repeated abuse are also hypervigilant, on the lookout for, and fearful of, the next attack. But when it comes there is still disbelief.

A battered woman can only hope to escape when she stops obsessing about her abuser ("what is he gonna do?" or "what can I do to placate him?" or "will he beat me tonight?") and starts focusing on her options and the practical steps she must take to attend to her own interests -- and to hell with what he might do in response.

The obsession is driven by very real fears. To let it go can feel like a terrible risk. In reality, it is the obsession that creates risk because it immobilizes. The sense of control the obsession provides is an illusion. Your abuser is going to keep abusing you whatever you do. Since you have no real control over the abusers actions, you might as well stop trying to read their mind and do what you have to get out.

Our Party is suffering from a terrible case of battered Democrats syndrome. If we hope to recover, our fears about how "they" will react cannot be allowed to play a role in our decisions. Deciding whether or not to stand and fight must be based solely on whether or not the goal is worth fighting for.

"Battered Dem syndrome" explains a lot, but it isn't the whole story. There are also a number of counterproductive tendencies that are characteristic of the reality-based community. We must recognize how these tendencies immobilize us and undermine our efforts. When we understand the traps, we can strive to keep our counter-productive tendencies in check and develop more effective habits.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2302569"> Reality-Based Community: Do Our Strengths = Our Downfall??

A person's greatest strength can also be their greatest weakness. The same can be true of groups.

So, what about the reality-based community? (aka "our side," anti-fascists, or whatever your preferred label).

We value reason and rationality. We pride ourselves on being realistic and pragmatic. But as we fight for the soul of the nation, too often it is the things we consider our greatest strengths that render us impotent.

The Reality-Based Community's
Top Five Losing Tendencies

1. Pragmatism and "realism" that blinds us to the reality of infinite possibility;


2. Assumption that. . .

. . .

Saving Ourselves from Ourselves
Top Five Winning Habits:

1. Instead of only going for what our pragmatism and "realism" tells us we can get (and achieving far less than that), we need to cultivate the habit of going for the whole shebang. We need to take up the good fights, even if we "know" it will just be a "charge of the light brigade" (claiming to "know" the outcome isn't "realism" -- it is not rational to believe in our own omniscience);


2. . . .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2302569">More. . .

[Gregorian]

15. Thank you. That was good.

I'm surprised that post is archived already. What a shame. I wanted to kick it. Oh well.


I can't believe how I was just driving home thinking about this, and there's your post. Except I am real estate battered. And this still applies. I absolutely have to leave my place. I cannot tolerate living here. It's not too far removed from the garden of Eden. But the people SUCK! And the logging is intolerable. I've been agonizing over finding the right home for nearly 15 years now. And I am at the point where each day is one less day on this stinking planet. When I used to get up at 6am and bolt for my tractor, and enjoy working. Now I am getting headaches for the first time in my life. I'm furious. On the way home I realized I may have to abandon my dream of "home". Just get out. An alternative to my stubborn goal.

It's time to turn it all upside down and rethink what it's all about.