tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post753737646424935730..comments2024-03-28T10:49:31.891-05:00Comments on Althouse: "They became a Wurlitzer for Barack Obama..."Ann Althousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630636239933008807noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-18645937048975467652008-09-16T20:54:00.000-05:002008-09-16T20:54:00.000-05:00If the Netroots are being played, its probably no ...If the Netroots are being played, its probably no accident because that's how BHO felt about being a "community organizer."<BR/><BR/>John Judis's recent TNR piece "Creation Myth" about BHO's experience as a community orgaizer explains how he grew disillusioned with the Alinsky model. This propelled BHO toward the law and electoral politics.<BR/><BR/>QUOTE: But Obama didn't stop there. He had a litany of criticisms of Alinsky-style organizing that he wanted to put forward. He objected to community organizers' dismissal of charismatic leadership and of movements. Instead of making the point directly, he recalled a friend telling him of an IAF trainer who complained that "movements are rotten with charismatic leaders." Obama said his friend had responded, "That's nonsense. We want a movement. I would love to have Martin Luther King here right now." Obama argued that charismatic leaders and movements bring "long-term vision," and that community organizers cannot be effective without such vision.<BR/><BR/>Obama also criticized community organizers' "suspicion of politics." "The problem we face now in terms of organizing is that politics is a major arena of power," Obama said. "That's where your major dialogue, discussion, is taking place. To marginalize yourself from that process is a damaging thing, and one that needs to be rethought."<BR/><BR/>Before he was done, Obama had rejected the guiding principles of community organizing: the elevation of self-interest [of those being organized, not the organizer] over moral vision; the disdain for charismatic leaders and their movements; and the suspicion of politics itself.Wincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15002449963597087316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-23093315909028611892008-09-16T14:46:00.001-05:002008-09-16T14:46:00.001-05:00Lefty nutroots imagine themselves in a "big strugg...<I>Lefty nutroots imagine themselves in a "big struggle" against fascism<BR/><BR/>A struggle against themselves?</I><BR/><BR/>It's symbolic of our struggle against the Romans!blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05430444326700437630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-47207996797280759682008-09-16T14:46:00.000-05:002008-09-16T14:46:00.000-05:00"So maybe I molested the babysitter, but I take da..."So maybe I molested the babysitter, but I take daily stands against those fascist neocons, so I can't be all that bad"<BR/><BR/>Hey, she's 18, it's not molestation. Besides, it's a traditional bipartisan approach.blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05430444326700437630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-6353503114354823702008-09-16T11:58:00.000-05:002008-09-16T11:58:00.000-05:00Obama bought the Wurlitzer with his own money. It...Obama bought the Wurlitzer with his own money. It was a used spinet from a local madrasah. Like millions of men nation-wide, Obama has a passion for his organ.Godothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15571750340741885887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-50361215424912023152008-09-16T09:59:00.000-05:002008-09-16T09:59:00.000-05:00So Bissage is the skulker they are looking for at ...So Bissage is the skulker they are looking for at the Franklin Institute. He was last seen taking pics of organs. Heh.I'm Full of Souphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00241724007440718575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-90006462805013673142008-09-16T09:53:00.000-05:002008-09-16T09:53:00.000-05:00That's what happens when you don't have a TV. If y...That's what happens when you don't have a TV. If you didn't hear about it from the main stream media than it really didn't happen. <BR/><BR/>Where have you been man?Trooper Yorkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01978703998566102194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-16916872283930438652008-09-16T09:49:00.000-05:002008-09-16T09:49:00.000-05:00Someone mentioned the Giants are the world champs....Someone mentioned the Giants are the world champs..when did that happen? must have missed it.Roger J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12639676792043324100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-2683949305436783902008-09-16T09:45:00.001-05:002008-09-16T09:45:00.001-05:00Also, thank you for posting photos of dogs urinati...Also, thank you for posting photos of dogs urinating and your naked body parts. It helps the work day go much faster.Trooper Yorkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01978703998566102194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-66580105014152451022008-09-16T09:45:00.000-05:002008-09-16T09:45:00.000-05:00Lefty nutroots imagine themselves in a "big strugg...<I>Lefty nutroots imagine themselves in a "big struggle" against fascism</I><BR/><BR/>A struggle against themselves?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-73729872130966741152008-09-16T09:44:00.001-05:002008-09-16T09:44:00.001-05:00I would like to echo Fen's comment and say thank y...I would like to echo Fen's comment and say thank you for letting everyone voice their opinion without censorship. Including idiots on both sides of the aisle and the occasional moron who likes to post jokes, stories and other nonsense that have nothing to do with the topic at hand.Trooper Yorkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01978703998566102194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-25525710513298954012008-09-16T09:44:00.000-05:002008-09-16T09:44:00.000-05:00With respect to netroots: I accept the fact they ...With respect to netroots: I accept the fact they are progressives; they have a world view that I don't share, but its their world view anad they have every right, indeed obligation, to use the political system to achieve their ends. <BR/><BR/>What I despise about them is their utter profanity; their total lack of a sense of humor; and their continual sense of moral outrage. Other than that, they are cool.Roger J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12639676792043324100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-81862960091629185212008-09-16T09:22:00.000-05:002008-09-16T09:22:00.000-05:00Ah, but are the netroots driving the zamboni for M...Ah, but are the netroots driving the zamboni for McCain?Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12327563444009264980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-26124553891288662872008-09-16T09:18:00.000-05:002008-09-16T09:18:00.000-05:00Big Tent Democrat has been refresingly reasonable....Big Tent Democrat has been refresingly reasonable. <BR/><BR/>I wish he had his own blog, he'd do better without Jeralyn. Ugh. She's got a shocking case of PDS, and it's annoying to wade through that crap to find BTD's posts.MChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08198032263606330137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-50354760491040044702008-09-16T09:13:00.000-05:002008-09-16T09:13:00.000-05:00"...and did I tell you? I BELIEVE! in World Peace ..."...and did I tell you? I BELIEVE! in World Peace too!"<BR/><BR/>[come sit on my lap, baby]Fenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16734571593963330215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-64930987274282139312008-09-16T09:11:00.000-05:002008-09-16T09:11:00.000-05:00Lefty nutroots imagine themselves in a "big strugg...<I>Lefty nutroots imagine themselves in a "big struggle" against fascism. </I><BR/><BR/>Those kind people always seem to have some hole in their soul. They pick up "causes" to make their life seem meaningful. <BR/><BR/>Its also an Indulgence for them, along the lines of "So maybe I molested the babysitter, but I take daily stands against those fascist neocons, so I can't be all that bad"Fenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16734571593963330215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-64719896236217850032008-09-16T09:08:00.000-05:002008-09-16T09:08:00.000-05:00What surprises me about any thoughtful partisan --...<I>What surprises me about any thoughtful partisan -- such as Big Tent Democrat or some of the conservatives who comment here -- is how focused their definition of "the right thing" is.</I><BR/><BR/>Echo.<BR/><BR/>I tend to view both parties as a partnership or marriage, interested in what's best for America. It doesn't help matters if our spouse is off in the woods throwing temper tantrums and having a mental breakdown.Fenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16734571593963330215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-12085829033194360112008-09-16T09:07:00.001-05:002008-09-16T09:07:00.001-05:00The netroots don't get no respect because the worl...The netroots don't get no respect because the world has not gone entirely nonjudgmental...yet.ricpichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01321511130788764861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-85440461875151066292008-09-16T09:07:00.000-05:002008-09-16T09:07:00.000-05:00Lefty nutroots imagine themselves in a "big strugg...Lefty nutroots imagine themselves in a "big struggle" against fascism. They are like the Fwench partisan underground in WW II. They have their cause; they have their de Gaulle; they have their occupied nation. All they need is media compliance to cement their legacy. Fortunately, they best they'll get is an endorsement from Robert Clary.chickelithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10773887469972534979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-23139479293987826362008-09-16T09:03:00.001-05:002008-09-16T09:03:00.001-05:00/edit, to be more precise, I should have written:".../edit, to be more precise, I should have written:<BR/><BR/>"As opposed to Jeralyn, who bans even loyal longtime readers for posting anything <B>that disagrees with</B> the day's mythology."<BR/><BR/>My prior remark made it sound like Jeralyn merely deletes off-topic comments.Fenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16734571593963330215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-64042177241516809942008-09-16T09:03:00.000-05:002008-09-16T09:03:00.000-05:00It was generous of you, SteveR. We should cut the...It was generous of you, SteveR. We <I>should</I> cut them some slack. Avoiding science class was the reason they went into journalism.Original Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01714345479248980398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-64465212269219007122008-09-16T09:00:00.000-05:002008-09-16T09:00:00.000-05:00A well written essay. This argument is very well p...A well written essay. This argument is very well put:<BR/><BR/><I>I am a partisan Democrat it is true. But the reason I am is because I know who we can pressure to do the right thing some of the times.</I><BR/><BR/>You pick your issues, then you pick the party that can move your issues, then you hope for the opportunity that they actually will. <BR/><BR/>This is also why I'm independent. I'm with the Democrats on several social issues. I'm with the Republicans on free trade, judges, and -- despite their utter incompetence on the issue -- fiscal restraint. Why give Republicans any credit whatsoever on that last point? Because they have Senator Coburn and the Democrats don't.<BR/><BR/>By the same token, why would I expect the Democrats to act on principle when it comes to issues like same-sex marriage? Because they have Senator Feingold and the Republicans don't.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, I disagree vehemently with Feingold and McCain on their campaign finance monstrosity.<BR/><BR/>What surprises me about any thoughtful partisan -- such as Big Tent Democrat or some of the conservatives who comment here -- is how focused their definition of "the right thing" is.Henryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14520113896946845614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-6901403326319905882008-09-16T08:58:00.000-05:002008-09-16T08:58:00.000-05:00Mike: I was trying to be nice.Mike: I was trying to be nice.Steve Reynoldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15346711129919350740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-8792044700994453212008-09-16T08:57:00.000-05:002008-09-16T08:57:00.000-05:00PLease go easy on Big Tent Democrat - I've been lu...PLease go easy on Big Tent Democrat - I've been lurking at TalkLeft the last month, and disagree with him on most things, but he's a ringleader for those in that community that are reasonable and fairminded. <BR/><BR/>As opposed to Jeralyn, who bans even loyal longtime readers for posting anything outside the day's mythology. She rountinely reminds commenters to write "Obama" instead of "Barack", threatens to ban anyone with an indpendent thought, etc.<BR/><BR/>BTD is Ivestia, Jeralyn is Pravda. <BR/><BR/>[...]<BR/><BR/>I must admit I was pleasantly surprised to find a significant minority of Democrats that aren't drinking the Kool-aide, although that might have more to do with Hillary fans who have been subjected to they typical Obama Disciples we see here.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Ann, there shouldn't be a need to thank you for being such a free-speech advocate on your own blog, but hanging out at the Totalitarian TalkLeft has given me a new appreciation for freedoms I've taken for granted. Thank you for championing free speech.Fenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16734571593963330215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-62979051835655642382008-09-16T08:47:00.000-05:002008-09-16T08:47:00.000-05:00So hatred, having the wrong focus, and hurting you...<I>So hatred, having the wrong focus, and hurting your candidate are things Democrats respect?<BR/><BR/>Wow.</I><BR/><BR/>I know you're just being ironical, but let's be fair -- he's respecting the fact that they're independent, not <I>completely</I> Axelrod's stooges, even if they sometimes seem like it. They have their own likes and dislikes, and they're not afraid to express them in the strongest possible terms, even when it hurts their candidate.Balfegorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08012196656096263507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-59298484096418852262008-09-16T08:46:00.000-05:002008-09-16T08:46:00.000-05:00why the netroots don't get respect.The nutroots ge...<I>why the netroots don't get respect.</I><BR/><BR/>The nutroots get no respect for the same reason nerds and dorks have trouble with women.<BR/><BR/>To compensate for this you need to appeal to women with a sense of humor.<BR/><BR/>The nutroots combine nerdy dorkiness with unrelenting pissed off bitterness and humorlessness.<BR/><BR/>Humorless, morally outraged dorks typing out their bitterness tend not to earn the respect of anybody.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com