Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt An article in today's San Francisco Chronicle discusses the increasingly negative attacks on the Obama Administration from the conservative media. <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2009/04/09/MN1I16TJEN.DTL" target="_blank">http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/...TJEN.DTL</a> >>The liberal watchdog group Media Matters has established a "Red Scare Index" to track the pundits' descriptions of Obama. It shows that "since the inauguration, there have been over 3,000 references to socialism, fascism, communism" in describing the president, says spokeswoman Erikka Knuti. The lobbing of such high-powered, even incendiary, labels shows that the critics "obviously have no understanding of the history of the world, of national socialism or of fascism," says Michael Semler, a political science professor at Cal State Sacramento. "They're looking for symbols in language," aiming for maximum impact - and firing blanks, he said.<<
Originally Posted By pecos bill The problem with Obama, as far as the conservative point of view, is that people seem to like and trust him, not just in America, but around the world. Even if and when mistakes are made, at least people can believe that his administration is trying to do the right thing. As has been said, the conservative media has no real ammo, so they fall back on the classic scare tactics. These work fine for those already locked in to that mindset, but more and more people are wising up and ignoring this drivel. These attacks have become so elementary and predictable, that even relative dummies can see how desperate and disgusting they are.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney "As has been said, the conservative media has no real ammo, so they fall back on the classic scare tactics. These work fine for those already locked in to that mindset, but more and more people are wising up and ignoring this drivel." Unfortunately, some otherwise intelligent people are falling for it too. Yesterday in a short time with my mom I heard how we are losing our freedoms, how Obama, Pelosi and Reid are the new axis of evil, how we are cow-towing to Communism by sending someone to talk to Castro, and how appaling it was that Obama actually bowed to the prince of Saudi Arabia. I am so sick of this. I wish the Socialism would kick in already and put the Conservative media out to pasture!
Originally Posted By ecdc Yeah, last night Glenn Beck had a meltdown and freaked out, as usual, about a lot of important things like Obama supposedly bowing to the Saudi king (who cares) and more ranting about socialism, fascism, and too much dandruff. So he pulled out a can of gasoline and mocked Obama by saying he's pouring gasoline all over the average American. What a tool. These people are insane.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt In a way, I wish that the Obama administration would address this situation directly with the American public. I know that everyone isn't going to be on board with this President, but the storm these media whacks are stirring up has the potential to create serious long term problems for our country.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney >>>but the storm these media whacks are stirring up has the potential to create serious long term problems for our country.<<< Exactly! It's coming and they are literally arming themselves for it. I know a few besides my mom and they are very angry and scared. Bad combination.
Originally Posted By pecos bill I hear you guys. We all seem to know someone who is dead serious about this stuff, the fear and paranoia these people generate truly makes one take notice. It is kind of freaky to have someone you care deeply about, earnestly parroting this nonsense as if they were in some wide eyed religious trance!
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Don't worry guys, there are a LOT of people that voted GOP last time out that are disgusted with it. It is "obvious" to many of us "relative dummies." I'm not sure I would say, "I wish the Socialism would kick in already" but it isn't as bad as you think. <<<bowing to the Saudi king (who cares)>>> Yeah what ever came of this? Did he or not? I sort of do care about that one. <<<the storm these media whacks are stirring up has the potential to create serious long term problems for our country>>> Not really. They aren't really saying anything new. It's the same old crap just redressed. <<<Do real socialists even support Obama?>>> Hummm... interesting question. It's just par for the course. No matter who would have won, the opposing side would be caught up in all out media warfare. In fact, I think it would be worse if McCain were in office. The good news is, the sun will rise again, every single day in spite of what Hannity and Rush say. (I've actually quit listening to them.) I think we won't know how effective he's being for a while. I wish everyone would at least give him a chance. I think he truly is doing what he thinks is the best for the US and the rest of the world for that matter. I am by far not the only conservative that feels this way.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad I'll still hold on to my conservative label for now, but I'm done with the GOP.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 <<In a way, I wish that the Obama administration would address this situation directly with the American public. I know that everyone isn't going to be on board with this President, but the storm these media whacks are stirring up has the potential to create serious long term problems for our country.>> I agree, Hans. The fact that many Americans view these crass and vapid entertainers as legitimate political analysts would be laughable if the potential consequences of this mass hysteria weren't so tragic. Somebody needs to tell the easily-deluded to "Snap out of it!" I think Obama could carry off delivering this message without sounding defensive or offensive. It's not material for a "State Of The Union" address, perhaps. But he could do it on a more casual YouTube video, or even at a press conference. God, it's so sad that the right has come to give schlock more creedence than it gives actual facts.
Originally Posted By pecos bill If he says anything about this he would instantly be accused of hindering their rights to free speech, and you can well guess where they would take it from there. It would be like putting out fire with gasoline.
Originally Posted By ecdc >>I'll still hold on to my conservative label for now, but I'm done with the GOP.<< That's probably because you're a real conservative and not part of the cover band that's playing these days Real conservatism and real liberalism are important concepts that make our country a better place when they have tension between them. But the GOP has turned that on its head with the "you're either with us or against us" talk. Instead of recognizing that the marketplace of ideas is a collective good, they say "my way or the highway." It used to be that Congressman would debate and fiercely disagree on Capitol Hill, then head over to Bullfeathers for a drink together. How can you do that when you've so thoroughly demonized the other party as American-hating, terrorist-loving, socialists?
Originally Posted By tiggertoo <<Not really. They aren't really saying anything new. It's the same old crap just redressed...It's just par for the course.>> I hope you are right DVC Dad. I’ve been seeing this, and honestly it’s scaring the dickens out of me. We’ve already have the fruitcake who murdered a three officers in Pittsburg because he feared Obama taking his guns. And I don’t think he will be the last. I’ve poked my head around the net and the rhetoric is more heated than I’ve ever seen it. Talk of armed revolution, military coup, and all sorts of crazy talk. I’ve never seen the rhetoric this bad in my memory. But it’s great to see some Republicans not buying into the bluster.
Originally Posted By tiggertoo <<but I'm done with the GOP.>> Welcome to the club. I had been a GOPer since I first voted in 1992. But finally formally left the party this year. Maybe someday they will regain their heads, but I fear it will not be anytime soon.
Originally Posted By DAR There's been attacks from the opposition against the Presidents since Washington. And many times it's good to have constructive criticism against any President. But that has clearly gone out the window.
Originally Posted By Mr X The operative word there, DAR, is "constructive". If you can point to some constructive criticism, I'd be glad to read about it and comment (the guy ain't perfect, we ALL know that!). But "hey, he's a Muslim terrorist!", and "we need to take up arms!"... That ain't constructive.
