Dare I suggest that there have been shills planted by the campaign regime in the audiences to further intensify the hate/name calling? What's sad about that thought is I totally believe it could be true.

The right were drilled in anger and hatred as children. Some learn beter as adults that minorities have good and bad people, and have made spectacular contributions to society. But most carry the childish hatreds with them right into retirement. There's no talking to them. But Greenwald is right to speak out on this. And we should all speak out. It's probably the best way to counter the hysterical right.

and hoping not to see Kristalnacht II. I realize it's a Godwin violation but the execrable rhetoric coming from the McCain campaign serves no purpose other than to unleash the inner brownshirt that seems to lurk so close to the surface of their most ardent supporters.

On a similar thread over at Emptywheel, I suggested that we need to find an organization to start running Public Service Announcements, right away, stating that violence is never the answer. I'm thinking something massive and with lots of celebrity participation, preferably also with politicians from both parties. In the best of all worlds, Obama and McCain would appear in them. What would be the best organization to approach?

Sadly, virtually every organization I can think of that would have the funds probably wouldn't have the courage or is too compromised for one side or the other. I am stumped about where to start. Anyone have any ideas? We've got less than four weeks to pull this off. I honestly believe we have to get something on the air before the election.

to at least avoid an unspeakably tragic end to their 8 years of world-shattering incompetence is to publicly condemn and renounce ugly, bigoted, line-crossing political rhetoric and innuendo.

Even Karl Rove must be horrified by what his minions and proteges have unleashed. It's time for the sowers to cut short the whirlwind.

(And an apology from Alan Greenspan would be nice, too.)

To be honest, I'm getting a little worried. Either half the country will think we elected a terrorist, or the other half will think it got stolen from the black guy.

Now add on top of that the fact that everybody's retirement plan just disappeared in a cloud of smoke on Wall Street, and we're bailing out the rich guys.

People are getting really, really pissed off. I'm not a big fan of guns, but if there's ever been a time to think about the possibility of needing to defend oneself, this is getting close.

http://correntewire.com/equivalating

The GOP and the US Right have become so extreme, that any argument that the GOP and its allies aren't fascists is ludicrous. The crowd reaction in McCain and Palin campaign rallies are only the tip of the iceberg. If Obama wins in November, I'd expect scenes reminiscent of Germany circa 1938. The US has very strong fascist elements and they've been cultivated by the GOP for many years. I don't expect them to accept an Obama win, inevitable unless the GOP steals this election again, without a very violent reaction.

Perhaps Mr. Balz lacks...

Balls?

This demonstrates that there are no leaders in the leadership of the GOP. Otherwise, they'd be trying to make their supporters better citizens, not mobs. Shame on them, and shame on those people for allowing themselves to be turned into mindless schmucks.

--Ron

Different treatment of the same material:

Chants of "Nobama, Nobama" mingled with cries of "terrorist," as one banner in the crowd declared: "Go ahead, let the dogs out."

The stream of vicious attacks against Obama, who has left McCain trailing in the polls, were ramped up at the weekend by Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin who accused the Chicago senator of "palling around with terrorists."

Palin was referring to Bill Ayers, a founding member of the Weathermen, a radical leftist group in the 1960s, who served with Obama as a board member on a charitable foundation from 1999 to 2001.

Now when she mentions Obama, some of the crowds' responses have escalated beyond boos and hisses, and there are fears among some observers that the attacks are going too far.

Biden on Wednesday repudiated Palin's "ugly inferences" and personal attacks as "beyond disappointing."

"They're trying to take the low road to the highest office in the land," Biden said.

On Thursday, the McCain campaign issued a hard-hitting negative commercial, slamming his rival's judgement and candor and accusing him of not telling the truth about the extent of his acquaintance with Ayers.

"Inflammatory Republican rallies raise concerns"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081009/ts_alt_afp/usvotecrowds;_ylt=AtpSaY8Q22IVGnEAAO3etKSM5QcF

The worst thing about all this to me is that these people that McCain is leading (or following) into hatred toward Obama will never return to the fold. McCain is condoning total polarization. He and Obama will not be able to shake hands at the end of this and work for the common good. And his followers will sit and wait to see "the socialist" fall on his face, or worse, continue screaming "Kill him" whenever his name comes up until some fool does it.

How can one Senator call another Senator a terrorist (not just in a moment of anger followed by a public apology) and expect to work together for positive change no matter the outcome of the election? How can he question Obama's patriotism? This behavior on the part of McCain is truly scary. It is cruel and heartless, and coming from a would-be President of the United States.

I can't begin to tell you the dislike I feel for McCain at this moment.

This whole toilet bowl campaign that McCrusty Crab and Ms. Plankton are running is offensive. Johnny needs to get his punk ass kicked. He can't face Obama because he's scared. He has to hide behind his girlfriend and his wife. Period. I'd take him on, any day, anywhere. And I'm just your average white guy who probably sits on the couch too much but would gladly walk 100 miles to do it. O.k., maybe I'm overreacting but I'm pissed!