Comments Posted By Todd
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'SILENCE EQUALS ASSENT:' WHY POINTING OUT CONSERVATIVE LUNACY MUST BE DONE
@Freedom Truth, National Socialism was NOT like Communism in that the underlying ideology was very different. I'm well aware of what NSDAP stood for as I speak fluent German. Nazism was a far-right movement--Communism a far left movement. Also, as was pointed out by busboy (#67), socialism is yet another thing. People call Obama a socialist--sadly, he's not...definitely not.
Comment Posted By Todd On 3.10.2009 @ 00:16
M Beranek, comment 53, thanks. Your quote is not unlike my 6th grade math teacher: He was a big fat black guy with a jerry curl (1980) who would bellow, "don't just sit there lookin' fat, dumb, and happy,--solve the problem!" God bless you, Mr. Grady--you were wiser than you knew...
G'night from Siberia...
Comment Posted By Todd On 1.10.2009 @ 14:17
busboy, thanks for the link--I hadn't heard about that :-) I find it really sad that so many people call Obama a Nazi and Communist when the two are diametrically opposed. The Nazi movement was a hardcore right-wing movement in Germany and the Nazis imprisoned thousands of Communists and exterminated most of them along with the Jews, Gays, Gypsies, etc. Also, the original socialist revolution in Russia was completely anti-central government: The revolutionaries (aided by Kronstadt sailors) deposed (bloodlessly) the Czar and set up a series of councils called soviets. Each soviet was run by and was responsible to its members. In a way, it was the ultimate democratic system and was based in freedom for all and peace (they immediately wanted to withdraw from the war with Germany and the Axis Powers). It wasn't until the Bolsheviks, lead by Lenin, introduced Marxist ideology that it began to go awry (partially because Marxism was completely incompatible with an agrarian society like Russia and the other republics). When the White Armies (which later included some US soldiers) and Red Army started fighting, Lenin was able to consolidate his power and later turned on the Kronstadt soldiers (after he survived an assassination attempt by one of the original revolutionaries). Stalin came to power after Lenin's death and what had been leftist attempt at a just and peaceful society became a totalitarian police state due to paranoia and fear.
As an educator, I'm pretty depressed at the sheer ignorance of history in the US. There are buffoons on TV hurling Nazi, Communist, secret Muslim, etc. all in the same sentence and they have NO clue what any of it means. It gets everyone riled up though, and then you have the obscene posters of the 9/12 protests and people carrying guns to peaceful rallies and wackos writing articles advocating military coups. Tragic, the whole mess.
Bit of irony: I'm about to get ready to go to a German beerhouse on Lenin Avenue.
Comment Posted By Todd On 1.10.2009 @ 06:01
I agree with Shel's response to Petruk #44 (Was that meant to be serious??)
The Right now lives in a world of paranoia, slamming events that haven't happened. Nobody has come for anyone (unless you count the Bush years), nobody is imposing a nondemocratic form of government (although there are many on the Right advocating the overthrow of our democratically elected government), nobody's guns have been taken away (unfortunately), and on and on. From and anthropological point of view, it's an interesting study in mass hysteria. However, as a citizen of the country being ripped apart by this mess, I hope it ends soon.
Comment Posted By Todd On 30.09.2009 @ 22:45
David, your response will be too logical for many: Once people have decided to be angry and afraid, it's hard to change their mind. Weird that the GOP talks about security and that GWB puffed his chest out for 8 years, yet all they have to offer is FEAR!
Comment Posted By Todd On 30.09.2009 @ 19:15
FT, our tax system is a nightmare. I don't love European VAT for sure, but I envy the simplicity of taxes there. I think that it's pretty darned hypocritical though for conservatives to rail against raising taxes to pay down the deficit when it was the GOP that dug this giant hole in the first place--your boy Bush and his GOP Congress made Libs look like misers. They bloated the government (adding whole new branches) and started 2 wars which we're still stuck in and which have and will continue to cost us bizillions. And don't forget, it was Bush and Paulson that constructed TARP, and nobody even knows where that $700 billion went!
I totally agree with funny man (7:27am, comment #16)
Comment Posted By Todd On 30.09.2009 @ 12:18
I don't watch Olbermann (and I've called him out in the past), don't read dKos, disagree with you on Media Matters, am disappointed in Rahm, and do not follow a party ideology (many of us on the left don't). I only recently rejoined the Dems and am leaving already again--will likely support the Green Party again as well as fair-minded independents. My political beliefs are deeply rooted in our amazing founding documents which spoke of equality and fairness for all. I'm VERY active in our democracy and I see it in true peril due to horrifying levels of financial corruption. I'm also a Jesus fan--perhaps the most liberal figure in history (strangely hijacked by the fringe of the right). Moral of the story: Don't paint the left with a broad brush stroke since you don't like it either.
I found this definition of "liberal" online. It fits me and many like me to a T, and I also think it reflects the principles upon which our country was founded. I cannot for the life of me figure out why you all find it to be such a terrible label (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/liberal):
–adjective
Comment Posted By Todd On 30.09.2009 @ 11:39
1. favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.
2. (often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform.
3. of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism.
4. favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, esp. as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.
5. favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers.
6. of or pertaining to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies.
7. free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners.
8. open-minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.
9. characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts: a liberal donor.
10. given freely or abundantly; generous: a liberal donation.
11. not strict or rigorous; free; not literal: a liberal interpretation of a rule.
12. of, pertaining to, or based on the liberal arts.
13. of, pertaining to, or befitting a freeman.
By the way, as perhaps the token liberal on this thread, I want to say that I wrote to Rep. Grayson to express my complete displeasure at his antics on the floor yesterday--no better than Bachmann or any of those other poorly behaved pinheads in Congress.
This is interesting and along the lines of this topic: http://www.irshadmanji.com/moral-courage-project
Comment Posted By Todd On 30.09.2009 @ 08:35
I want to add a couple of things (I'm so excited to see a forum of reasonable conservatives): First off, Obama is not as radically Left as many on the Right claim--I can say that because those of us who are truly liberal are quite frustrated with him. Secondly, why are you all using our closest allies to bash Obama? Even Israel has public healthcare--it's just not the Marxist monster everyone wants it to be. Europeans read our news too and they've noticed how they're used as examples of what our country will become if we're not careful of evil socialist Obama. We should be so lucky to have the stability of Germany or Sweden...
Comment Posted By Todd On 30.09.2009 @ 06:16
Thank you!!!! OMG, I pray this is the beginning of a new trend among Conservatives. I'll say up front that I'm a lefty liberal, but I truly believe that a responsible, productive voice from the right is helpful (and vice-versa when power balance is reversed). What's happening now in the GOP is freakish and dangerous. I had a family FULL of Republicans, but many of them are leaving the party because of this radical right turn into lunacy. I've been stunned by the silence of moderate conservatives and this Nazi/Marxist bit (which is historically so stupid that it is case-and-point to Obama's desire to focus on education) is truly out of line. Not only is it hyperbole designed to make people afraid, it is an affront to the millions who suffered/died under Nazism and Soviet "communism." PLEASE, non-crazy Conservatives, get this dialog back on track!! We have huge problems facing our country, and looking to Glenn Beck or Joe the Plumber is not a good way to go. We need intelligent discussion, robust debate (productive and professional), and solutions! Where are the Chuck Hagels and the Colin Powells of the party? Why are Michelle Bachmann and Sarah Palin the new face (and substandard intellect) of the GOP?
Comment Posted By Todd On 30.09.2009 @ 06:07
