So now people who think that maybe we should live within our means are terrorists and extremists?
I think that they’re trying this gambit now because they’ve finally figured out that “racist” doesn’t work any more — the race card has become the joker.
Jonah Goldberg: To hell with you people:
…president Obama, our national-healer, gives a speech. It was a good speech. Indeed it was one of the first speeches in a long while that got anything like bipartisan support. Civility. New tone. No more martial metaphors. These were the takeaways.
So flashforward to this week. Tom Friedman — who knows a bit about Hezbollah — calls the tea partiers the “Hezbollah faction” of the GOP bent on taking the country on a “suicide mission.” All over the place, conservative Republicans are “hostage takers” and “terrorists,” “terrorists” and “traitors.” They want to “end life as we know it on this planet,” says Nancy Pelosi. They are betraying the Founders, too. Chris Matthews all but signs up for the “Make an Ass of Yourself” contest at the State Fair. Joe Nocera writes today that “the Tea Party Republicans can put aside their suicide vests.” Lord knows what Krugman and Olbermann have said.
Then last night, on the very day Gabby Giffords heroically returns to cast her first vote since that tragic attack seven months ago, the vice president of the United States calls the Republican party a bunch of terrorists.
No one cares. I hate the “if this were Bush” game so we’re in luck. Instead imagine if this was Dick Cheney calling the Progressive Caucus (or whatever they’re called) a “bunch of terrorists” on the day Giffords returned to the Congress. Would the mainstream media notice or care? Would Meet the Press debate whether this raises “troubling questions” about the White House’s sensitivity? Would Andrea Mitchell find some way to blame Sarah Palin for Dick Cheney’s viciousness? Would Keith Olbermann explode like a mouse subjected to the Ramone’s music in Rock and Roll High School? Something inside me hidden away shouts, “Hell yes they would!”
Also, America held hostage: 41% self identify as extremist fringe tea-bagging terrorists.
I don’t think this is going to end well for the statists.
[Update mid afternoon]
Jim Treacher: “‘Waaaaah! Stop being mean to me! You’re a terrorist!!!’ — The adults in the room.”
[Evening update]
More from Treacher: “So we’re terrorists for “holding the country hostage”? Okay, then: For what you’re doing to future generations, you are pedophiles. Own it.”
Somehow, I don’t think that the talking heads are going to pick up that meme any time soon.
[Bumped]
Not mention all the delicious new recipes being offered by the Dem’s: Sugar-coated Satan sandwiches with a side of Satan fries. We’ll have to ask Chavez if that comes with an extra helping of sulfur.
You are assuming Conservative equals Tea Party. As Senator McCain shows you may still self-identify as a Conservative and see the Tea Party as a fringe group.
McCain isn’t much more a conservative than any Democrat in the Senate. He’s for the status-quo which is unsustainable.
I’m growing partial to “Tea Party Taliban” wherein the Left ironically projects all of their iconoclasm onto conservative retirees.
It’s a good thing we’re law abiding terrorists since we have most of the private firearms. I mean, just think if we were to occupy state office buildings or bring 500 people to someone’s home and scare children out of their minds.
In terms of a poll like this it doesn’t matter what YOU think he is, it his image of himself as a conservative that matter.
“As Senator McCain shows you may still self-identify as a Conservative…”
Poor choice. He’s self-identify as Mickey Mouse if it got him elected.
“Chris Matthews all but signs up for the “Make an Ass of Yourself” contest at the State Fair.”
Chris Matthews, the guy who said, “You seem to be one of the happy Indians. By the way, the tea partiers, the original ones, dressed up like Indians and put on a little show. These guys are running around burning down houses. It’s a different kind of tea party.”
He has had a lot of gems over the past few days too.
Thomas Matula Says:
“You are assuming Conservative equals Tea Party. As Senator McCain shows you may still self-identify as a Conservative and see the Tea Party as a fringe group.”
That is true but right now according to all the public appearances by liberals/progressives, they view all conservatives as tea-bagging terrorists. It doesn’t matter what they think of themselves but what the left would like to label them.
Yes, the TP/JBS followers have conned many into thinking they are Conservative and Republicans, but as Senator McCain’s shows, folks are recognizing them for what they are, namely self-centered wolves in patriot clothing.
That poll ain’t quite saying what you think it says… Not all conservatives are represented in that 41%… looking at the raw data on gallup, that number looks to be closer to 21%, which would fit with the results of recent elections…
Rand Simberg in over stated hyperbole on his blog? Film at 11…
Only Thomas is so stupid as to keep claiming the Tea Party movement has any relationship to the John Birch Society, but then he’s consistently stupid. You have to give him that.
Yes, I have no idea why Thomas keeps bringing up JBS. He called me a “fellow traveler” which I recall to be code for communist. In so far as the JBS views line up with mine they are not extremist. It is their other views (which I disagree with) that cause them to be considered an extremist organization.
“for what they are, namely self-centered wolves in patriot clothing.”
If they were self centered wouldn’t they be fighting for a place at the trough of big government instead of supporting cutting the federal budget even when it means their state might be getting less money?
Keep in mind that Thomas isn’t deluded. He knows exactly what he’s doing and who butters his bread. He’s proud to call McCain and himself conservatives.
Not all conservatives are represented in that 41%…
Right Dave. 30+11=21. And note the Independent breakdown; twice as many ID as “conservative” vs. “liberal”.
What’s the matter, too long since a make-my-day massacre?
Demonization of a group has always been the Lefts first jab, followed by an endless set of stories in the press flaying the heads of the target group. Obviously this will fail because most tea party members are self identifying therefor primarily anonymous. But more importantly they are deeply angered by the demonizers and the media. There will be hell to pay in a few more months. Most of the Left will not know what hit them.
Yes, the TP/JBS followers have conned many into thinking they are Conservative and Republicans, but as Senator McCain’s shows, folks are recognizing them for what they are, namely self-centered wolves in patriot clothing.
Written by the troll that claims to be a conservative Republican but voted for Harry Reid. Pretty much tells others all they need to know.
I believe that no person has a claim on the life of any other, that all associations of human beings should be voluntary and based on each person serving his own rational self-interest, and that all property should be privately held. I practice these convictions to the maximum extent possible in today’s world.
However, I *describe* myself as an extreme Left Wing Progressive, so that’s all that counts.
MfK illustrates why “right” and “left” are of little use in serious political discussion. What they mean varies so much depending on the speaker.
Larry,
Let’s see. The Koch Brothers father started/funded the JBS, just as they started/funded the Tea Party movement. The two have the identical political agendas. The only difference is the Koch Brothers learned from the failure of the JBS that is you don’t have a formal central organization. Instead its easier to inflation your numbers and avoid responsibility if you keep it a grassroot (astroturf) movement.
Thatway folks like you are pulled into the movement while believing its your own idea.
No, he illustrates why self-description as something one is not is completely bogus.
McCain is a statist, and more a Democrat than Joe Lieberman was. Lieberman ever was. He can “self-describe” as a conservative, or as an astronaut, or as the Tooth Fairy — and it would make him none of those things. Similarly, me self-description as an extreme Leftist Progressive doesn’t maker one, and my convictions and actions make me the opposite.
Left and Right are indeed nonsensical…but that isn’t what my post about.
Tom, if you pop off the earphones for a bit, you’ll probably hear a recorded woman’s voice hooting anxiously through the smoke in the cockpit Pull up! Pull up! Pull up!
namely self-centered wolves in patriot clothing
Yes, the buggers. Such predatory behaviour! Running around and telling government to leave people the hell alone. Stronger civil rights! Lower taxes! Fewer laws! Less interference with your property, your decisions, your health and well-being. Scary days, folks.
I know I sure feel like chaining my door and fetching the 590 from the upstairs closet. Brrr!
Speaking of the John Birch Society, do you know the difference between a Turing Machine and a John Birch Machine?
Every time a John Birch machine performs a step in a calculation it moves the paper tape one space to the right.
Man, I wondered when Matula would appear. I’ll bet he’s pissed he wasn’t the first commenter.
PS: Thomas! That sound — the whistling tea kettle… It’s coming from inside the house!
I find it interesting that Thomas Matula would have a writhing hate for the John Birch Society. The JBS’s crime? Being too careless about fighting a totalitarian system that killed 100 million people. Matula has no problem with that system itself, probably because, being a paper-pushing sissy himself, it makes him feel tough to ally himself with mass murderers.
Incidentally, I’m one of the 1% of very liberal Republicans. Using the correct definition of “liberal,” that is.
“PS: Thomas! That sound — the whistling tea kettle… It’s coming from inside the house!”
No Andrea, it is the wind, whistling thru the great traverse between his ears.
He’s just observing the time-honored tradition: “there are no enemies on the Left.” That’s why he trolls here instead DKos, for example.
Of course, the JBS turned out to be largely correct about Communist infiltration and subversion of our major institutions. The evidence is all around us now. The joke is on us.
What Mr. Matula clearly doesn’t understand is that I could not care less what the JBS thinks about various issues. Does he think that telling me that I agree with them will cause me to somehow think my views are extremist? Well, I’m pretty sure that the JBS believes the sun rises in the east, and that an object dropped will generally fall to the ground. In so far as those are the JBS’s views I agree with them, and I’d surmise that Mr. Matula does as well. What does that prove? Pretty much nothing whatsoever.
If any one person or event is credited by history for starting the Tea Party movement, then this rant must surely deserve mention:
youtube.com/watch?v=QOJpF9aS1zo
Related:
“Terrorists!”
What’s really stupid about Thomas’s slander and libel is that virtually no one had heard or thought a thing about the John Birch Society in over 20 years until he brought it up. Add to that the fact that the biggest “crime” of the John Birch Society is that they were anti-communist. Would it be reasonable to argue that if Thomas is opposed to anti-communists, then he must be pro-communist?
The quality of trolls here has taken a noticeable drop in recent months. Before, most were just obnoxious. Now, they’re really stupid, too.
I’m imagining an infomercial: “Folks, you can’t live another moment without the new Matula! It’s an idiot! It’s an asshole! It’s both at the same time!”
I wonder if a Koch brother took a shit in Tom’s Wheaties one morning?
Don’t you know that according to the Left, the Koch brothers are the living embodiment of evil on Earth today? Why, they’re rich and they give money to conservative political causes!! That’s entirely different from all the rich folks (e.g. Soros, Hollywood, Wall Street) who give money to liberal causes and therefore spare themselves from criticism (for now). No, there is no free speech for conservatives unless they say what liberals want to hear.
Thomas is such an ass.
Miles Monroe: War?
Dr. Orva: Yes. According to history, over 100 years ago, a man named Albert Shanker got a hold of a nuclear warhead.
I was riffing off the typical serial-killer-phoning-the-victim scene in slasher movies to make fun of Matula’s paranoia. I am now reminded of something I read about the experience of trying to explain a joke to Ayn Rand. Note to self: limit pop culture references on libertarian sites to Heinlein and Asimov quotes.
Calling Thomas an ass or other names is doing nothing to convince him.
Do the Koch brothers have anything to do with that Santelli rant that I linked above? Because it is that video which went viral, and more than any other single event was the catalyst for starting the Tea party movement – and not just in the USA either, there are Tea Parties springing up all over the Anglosphere.
“I wonder if a Koch brother took a shit in Tom’s Wheaties one morning?
And then they traded the half eaten bowl on Craigslist for a used sombrero and a bent golf club — those evil greedy bastards!!
So we’re terrorists for “holding the country hostage”? Okay, then: For what you’re doing to future generations, you are pedophiles. Own it.
Great reply. I also like Palin’s comment:
If we were really domestic terrorists, shoot, President Obama would be wanting to pal around with us wouldn’t he? I mean he didn’t have a problem with paling around with Bill Ayers back in the day when he kicked off his political career in Bill Ayers apartment, and shaking hands with Chavez and saying he doesn’t need any preconditions with meeting dictators or wanting to read US Miranda rights to alleged suspected foreign terrorists. No if we were real domestic terrorists I think President Obama wouldn’t have a problem with us.
Also, if we were really terrorists, the administration would be giving us free machine guns, like they did with the Mexican cartels.
Ed,
I understand what you mean about name calling. But convincing Matula about anything other than his own greatness is not why he is here. If I thought Matula had the least bit of interest in rational conversation, then I for one would engage him in such conversation as I am you.
I’ve heard the Rick Santelli rant shortly after it occured. Indeed, many people consider it the rallying cry. Perhaps, it is for many people who woke up that day to realize that politicians were interested in buying votes rather than protecting freedom and justice. Alas, I’ve known prior to 2008, indeed before 2006, that it is wrong for the government to award bad behaviour. That’s why I opposed Republican congressmen in 2006, and oppose Democrat congressmen and spend thrift Presidential candidates of either party. That’s why I’m no fan of Rick Perry, although I’d take him over Obama. I’m willing to discuss my concerns, while understanding that compromise is necessary.
People like Matula, Obama, and Biden don’t want compromise. They say the word, but their true complaints about the TP is that the TP won’t do what Matula, Obama, and Biden says. That’s why you get quotes like this from the seemingly perplexed Andrea Mitchell:
There has always been anger and animus in among leaders and among the followers – the rank and file, the caucus. But these new members really are willing to tear the place down. And they not only don’t care whether or not are re-elected – they don’t want pork (laughs). There are no inducements to get them to follow the speaker or the other leaders. So they don’t want the traditional methods of buying loyalty here and that was a reform that now has changed the dynamic.
Get it, the Tea Party can’t be bought off to undermine their principles. This is terroristic to politicians used to using taxpayers’ dollars to buy votes. When people come in saying, “no, I won’t take your bribe especially when it requires you taking others people money”; guys like Matula get apoplectic. He can no longer make rational arguments because his world of rhetoric and bribing doesn’t work.
So some us are kind to Matula. We engage in his world. We just use rhetoric, so he’ll feel more comfortable. Call it compassionate conservatism, and while I know it doesn’t work, it does make one feel good.
I guess since Sarah Palin’s movie flopped she needs to stir the waters to generate an alternative revenue stream.
Groups like the JBS generally stay under the radar when times are good. It’s only when times are bad and folks are looking for a scapegoat they emerge to take advantage of the situation. Like the bugs in MIB they thrive on chaos and carnage.
Poor Thomas, he sees Birchers behind every rock and likely checks for them under his bed at night.
Also, notice how he was unable to address any of the analysis of his worldview and went straight back to his Koch brothers/JBS/attacking Sarah Palin talking points.
“Also, if we were really terrorists, the administration would be giving us free machine guns, like they did with the Mexican cartels.”
Mmm… free machine guns… Hey, does this suicide vest make me look fat? Wait! Where are you going! ¡Viva la revolución! Wait!…
Oh well. Back to Plan A…