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I'm always uncomfortable with referring to groups of people by the singular pronoun. It leads to muddy thinking. In this case thinking of "The Democratic party" in the singular obscures the fact that it is a large disparate group, including old cynical Congresscritters, Power hungry Presidential aspirants, young idealistic city councelmen and hordes of people who don't even bother to decide to call themselves Democrats until they show up to vote in a primary.
In the meantime, we - by which I mean all Americans who don't like to see evil acts committed in their name need to stay involved and apply pressure wherever they can.
I personally think that media criticism is a particularly effective point of attack because determining the "master narrative" has a huge effect on how the people who aren't involved on a daily basis think. A vast majority of Americans are kind decent people (and yes - many are Republicans) but when they are subject to a deliberate and careful campaign to confuse them about important issues, aided and abetted by a clique of journalists and "insiders" (many of whom are nevertheless democrats), then they can't be counted on to do the right thing all the time. Eventually, but not always.
In the meantime our efforts here are important and its also important to celebrate progress when it happens.
I'm quite unsurprised to learn about the destruction of the videotapes. I also find that I'm not feeling particualrly outraged about it. The truth is, that the existence or non-existence of evidence doesn't change the evil of what went on in those rooms in the first place.
Its just another example of how the lack of oversight and accountability will invariably bring out the worst even in the best of us.
Shooter of course absolutely relies on the fallacy that it can't be wrong if we're the ones doing it, but the Universe knows better. I worry to about the effects of the interrogation methods on the perpetrators. To be in that position can't be good for your soul.
People are still piling on about Joe's fact-deficient FISA reporting totally failing to note that his current effort is just as cringe-inducing.
Bush apparently had another August moment and TPM is the only outlet that seems to think its actually worthy of investigation.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/060387.php
We havbe just determined that the border between justifiable and unjustifiable action, that is to say between good and evil, resides at the phase transition between an orderly and chaotic system as modeled by the beginning of an avalanche.
hmmmmm.....
Many a truth has been offered in jest!
about invading privacy in the service of the cause has been ignoring the fact that there is an ongoing "but they do it too" battle going on involving the wingnut brigades and their various attacks onh peoples privacy.
http://michellemalkin.com/2007/12/04/questions-about-the-journalists-on-mitt-romneys-lawn/
The link is Michelle Malkin defending her past conduct by comparing it to the Boston Globe reporters who were able to catch Romney's gardeners in action.
Sometimes refraining from certain behavior is a tactical decision and not just a moral one.
I guess my problem is I can't see how Hillary really profits from the "Secret Muslim" smear. Unless she's actually targeting wingnuts......Oh!
Never mind!....
While we are here discussing which tactics might be "over the top" over at TPM is a discussion concerning a member of the Clinton campaign spreading the "Obama is a secret Muslim e-mail".
http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/12/guy_who_received_obama_muslim_smear_email_from_hillary_county_chair_speaks.php
The person has been dealt with, but what surprises me the number of people perfectly willing to believe that this was sanctioned by the candidate.
I guess my point is that one of the advantages of taking the high road is that whenever a question comes up people don't immediately assume the worst!
Then what basis do you have to complain about their behavior?
If anything goes, then it all comes down to who has more weaponry. Never underestimate the power of being right. In the end, it actually DOES matter.
schoolyard analogies was Jonah Goldberg telling us that Every ten years or so, the United States needs to pick up some small crappy little country and throw it against the wall, just to show the world we mean business." I'd say that we need to keep looking if we want a proper frame to contain calls to direct action.
The "dealing with bullies" frame just isn't doing it for me.
AOL
HBO
TBS
New Line Cinema
Warner Brothers Entertainment
Don't forget:
Time Inc. is one of the largest content companies in the world, with a portfolio of approximately 125 titles, including some of the world’s most popular, powerful and trusted brands.
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/businesses/detail/time_inc/index.html
All You
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FSB: Fortune Small Business
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Teen People
This Old House
Time For Kids
Time Asia
Time Atlantic
Time Canada
Time U.S.
At least Time-corporate appears to be acting entirely out of self-interest and protecting its backside. JK on the other hand seemed to be beating himself over the head with a shovel anytime he wrote anything on the topic.