The "politics of fear" - disgusting Republican tactics (1 Viewer)

[disneydude]

OK:

Here's a question to ponder. If the Republican party were REALLY concerned about national security and public safety as opposed to political gain, why have we seen every political pundit from the right, including King George attempt to capitalize on the latest terrorism plot? Their desperate attempts speak volumes as to what their true motivation is. If they were sincere in their intentions you would not have seen the incredible spin that we have over the last 24 hours. I can't wait to hear what the neo-cons have to say to defend this obvious disgusting attempt to once again prey upon the American people in hopes of political gain. Its worked for them in the past, we'll know soon if it will work again.

 

[southern_liberal]

I think Karl Rove have put his hand in the cookie jar to many times with his politics of fear. I think a lot of people, except the lock-step right wing has desensitized to the fear mongering. People want answers now, not spin. Not "stay the course" when the course is yielding no results and going nowhere fast. Also, I just can't get over the timing of all these dastardly plots that are being foiled. It seems to come at very convenient times. Like when new polls (including FOX) showing Bush between 33% and 36% favorability. But more importantly, this weeks primaries that show incumbents are in danger of being ousted, which has higher implications for the Reps. then the Dems.

 

[jfuh]

OK:

Here's a question to ponder. If the Republican party were REALLY concerned about national security and public safety as opposed to political gain, why have we seen every political pundit from the right, including King George attempt to capitalize on the latest terrorism plot? Their desperate attempts speak volumes as to what their true motivation is. If they were sincere in their intentions you would not have seen the incredible spin that we have over the last 24 hours. I can't wait to hear what the neo-cons have to say to defend this obvious disgusting attempt to once again prey upon the American people in hopes of political gain. Its worked for them in the past, we'll know soon if it will work again.

I was wondering when the color alerts would be back.

 

[Voidwar]

This is pretty simple to understand.

For the good of the country, they must defeat the terrorists abroad, and the appeasers at home. If had such a dual mission, I would time my moves accordingly. Are you upset that we have folks in charge who are savvy enough to hit two birds with one stone ?

 

[aps]

Bush knew about this on Sunday.

Keith Olbermann addressed this issue yesterday. Here's Tony Snow on Wednesday:

TONY SNOW, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN: The real question for the American people to ask themselves is: Do you take the war on terror seriously? With all the developments going on around the world, and if so, how do you fight it to win? There seem to be two approaches, and in the Connecticut race one of the approaches is ignore the difficulties and walk away. Now, when the United States walked away, in the opinion of the—of Osama bin Laden in 1991, bin Laden drew from that the conclusion that Americans were weak and wouldn‘t stay the course and that led to September 11.

Jesus Christ will they ever stop making the war on terror a political issue? Shut the f *ck up!

So then the following day, Tony Snow was asked, “Did you all know that this was going to break today, yesterday, when there was this massive response to the Connecticut primary, discussion of terrorism, al Qaeda?”

Mr. Snow‘s response was as follows: “I don‘t want to get into operational details. This was not—however, it was not explicit—let me put it this way, I don‘t want to encourage that line of thought. I don‘t think it‘s fully accurate, but I also don‘t want—I know it‘s frustrating, but we really don‘t want to get too much into who knew what, where, when.”

About a minute later, responding to a nonpolitical question, Mr. Snow let slip that Mr. Bush approved the red-alert status yesterday.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14303119/


They are pure snakes. The New York Times today said this:

Here is what we want to do in the wake of the arrests in Britain. We want to understand as much as possible about what terrorists were planning. To talk about airport security and how to make it better. To find out what worked in the British investigation and discuss how to push these efforts farther. It would be a blessed moment in modern American history if we could do that without turning this into a political game plan.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/11/opinion/11fri1.html

Sorry, NYT, the republicans are incapable of not making the war on terrorism a political issue.

 

[Voidwar]

Sorry, NYT, the republicans are incapable of not making the war on terrorism a political issue.

This is just as true of the Democrats, so what is the point here ?

When was the last time a Democrat opened his mouth and bitching about Iraq didn't come out ?

The War on Terror IS the political issue of the day, and neither party singlehandedly made that true nor can either party change it.

 

[aps]

This is just as true of the Democrats, so what is the point here ?

When was the last time a Democrat opened his mouth and bitching about Iraq didn't come out ?

The War on Terror IS the political issue of the day, and neither party singlehandedly made that true nor can either party change it.

I'm sorry, but I don't see the war in Iraq as being equivalent to or part of the war on terror. To me, the war on terror is about going after al Qaeda as a result of the September 11th attacks--you know, the war in Afghanistan. The war in Iraq has absolutely NOTHING to do with what happened on September 11th. Iraq was not a threat to us nor had they threatened us. So when the democrats are complaining about the war in Iraq, I don't see that as their trying to make a political issue about the war on terrorism.

We all know that the war in Iraq isn't going well. "Stay the course" is not a solution. The democrats should be raising this issue as much as possible because clearly this administration and the rubber stamping of the republicans in Congress aren't doing anything to change course. It's absolutely appalling.

 

[Voidwar]

I'm sorry, but I don't see the war in Iraq as being equivalent to or part of the war on terror.

Your head is deliberately in the sand then, and a lot of things that go on in American Politics are going to come as a surprise to you because you are operating off of a decidedly different set of assumptions than the rest of the nation.

I could bring you up to speed, and explain that Afghanistan was not enough, and that the Islamic world needed shoving, and the last dickhead on Team Islam to shake his fist at us was going to be put down as an example, but then you would act like these measures were somehow uncalled for, and we part ways , because I want the U.S. to win this war Islam is making on us, and you will probably issue a muffled denial that their is even one going on from your "sand helmet".

 

[aps]

Your head is deliberately in the sand then, and a lot of things that go on in American Politics are going to come as a surprise to you because you are operating off of a decidedly different set of assumptions than the rest of the nation.

I could bring you up to speed, and explain that Afghanistan was not enough, and that the Islamic world needed shoving, and the last dickhead on Team Islam to shake his fist at us was going to be put down as an example, but then you would act like these measures were somehow uncalled for, and we part ways , because I want the U.S. to win this war Islam is making on us, and you will probably issue a muffled denial that their is even one going on from your "sand helmet".

LOL Whatever makes you feel better, Voidwar. Yeah, I got my head in the sand. :lol:

 

[Voidwar]

I believe we have been here before,

and as I told you then , , ,

"whatever" is not much of a refutation

 

[aps]

I believe we have been here before,

and as I told you then , , ,

"whatever" is not much of a refutation

LOL Oops. Voidwar, you're just going to say that my head is in the sand. I am going to say your head is in the butts of the GOP. It's never going to end, and we're not going to see eye to eye on this issue. I feel kinda sad when people see the war in Iraq as somehow being part of the war on terror--really sad.

 

[disneydude]

Its not talk about the "war on terror" that I find disgusting. I think that this is perfectly fair game in the world of politics.
However, the truth of the matter is that the Republicans don't want a real debate on the "war on terror", because they know that when they do so, they lose.
So what they do is play the "politics of fear" card that I find disgusting. Rather than focus on the terrorism plots we hear the same pundits and their president time and again say "See....we are still under threat.....that's why you need to vote Republican". Its a heartless attempt to capitalize on a tragedy or near-tragedy for political gain. Bush has done it time and again because he knows that it is one of the only cards he has left. He is a complete and utter failure in every respect of his presidency and the only thing he has left to do is try to scare the American people that somehow changing course will put their lives at risk. I would love to see statistics on how many times during his presidency Bush has used the term 9-11 or Terror. I think we would all find the results to be shocking.
The bottom line is that we will continue to see more of this rhetoric and talking points as the midterm election approaches. Bush, once again squanders the opportunity to try to unite this nation and turns to fear for political gain. THAT is what I find disgusting. The man has no intelligence, honor or integrity.

 

[Voidwar]

I feel kinda sad when people see the war in Iraq as somehow being part of the war on terror--really sad.

The same sorrow a blind man must feel, thinking about how everyone else has sight.

 

[aps]

Its not talk about the "war on terror" that I find disgusting. I think that this is perfectly fair game in the world of politics.
However, the truth of the matter is that the Republicans don't want a real debate on the "war on terror", because they know that when they do so, they lose.
So what they do is play the "politics of fear" card that I find disgusting. Rather than focus on the terrorism plots we hear the same pundits and their president time and again say "See....we are still under threat.....that's why you need to vote Republican". Its a heartless attempt to capitalize on a tragedy or near-tragedy for political gain. Bush has done it time and again because he knows that it is one of the only cards he has left. He is a complete and utter failure in every respect of his presidency and the only thing he has left to do is try to scare the American people that somehow changing course will put their lives at risk. I would love to see statistics on how many times during his presidency Bush has used the term 9-11 or Terror. I think we would all find the results to be shocking.
The bottom line is that we will continue to see more of this rhetoric and talking points as the midterm election approaches. Bush, once again squanders the opportunity to try to unite this nation and turns to fear for political gain. THAT is what I find disgusting. The man has no intelligence, honor or integrity.

E.J. Dionne, Jr. has a great editorial today. Here's a paragraph that I think is applicable:

The gentlemen who have gotten us into a mess in Iraq prefer not to explain how they'll fix things. They would rather use national security for partisan purposes, and they were all out there on Wednesday, spewing incendiary talking points. Hey, they may not have sent enough troops to win a war, but they sure know how to win midterm elections.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/10/AR2006081001314.html

 

[southern_liberal]

I believe we have been here before,

and as I told you then , , ,

"whatever" is not much of a refutation

You didn't make much of a factual claim.

 

[Voidwar]

I could bring you up to speed, and explain that Afghanistan was not enough, and that the Islamic world needed shoving, and the last dickhead on Team Islam to shake his fist at us was going to be put down as an example, but then you would act like these measures were somehow uncalled for, and we part ways , because I want the U.S. to win this war Islam is making on us, and you will probably issue a muffled denial that their is even one going on from your "sand helmet".

It wasn't a factual claim, it was an opinion.

The question is whether the Iraq occupation and regime change is part of the war on terror, and I think it is safe to say that the notion that it is completely unrelated is a rather rare and inaccurate opinion.

 

[disneydude]

Just saw this:


WASHINGTON - Democrats assailed the Republicans Friday for e-mailing a fundraising appeal mentioning the war on terror hours after British authorities disclosed they had disrupted a plot to blow up aircraft headed to the United States.


"In the middle of a war on terror, we need to remain focused on furthering Republican ideas more than ever before," former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani said in a letter that asked for donations to the Republican National Committee.

The RNC blamed a low-level staffer for distributing the fundraising appeal, which the party said had been scheduled for release before news of the plot broke.

"Once the RNC learned of this error we ceased distribution of the e-mail," said Tracey Schmitt, a party spokeswoman.

Democrats didn't accept the explanation.

"The defeat of the London plot is a warning that we should redouble our efforts to defeat terrorism. It shouldn't be used as a political defibrillator by Republicans on electoral life support," said Phil Singer, a spokesman for the Senate Democrats' campaign committee.

The day the Britain plot was foiled, Republicans and Democrats accused the other of doing too little to deter the threat of attack.

"We must implement the strong recommendations of the independent 9/11 commission to improve airport security screening at checkpoints," said House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, stressing one of the party's principal campaign-year promises in its drive to gain control of Congress.

Ohio Republicans said the Democratic candidate for the Senate, Rep. Sherrod Brown (news, bio, voting record), had voted against money "for the very types of programs that helped the British thwart these vicious attacks."

"I don't question his patriotism, but the fact is if Sherrod Brown had his way, America would be less safe," said Bob Bennett, chairman of the Ohio Republican Party

 

[jfuh]

This is pretty simple to understand.

For the good of the country, they must defeat the terrorists abroad, and the appeasers at home. If had such a dual mission, I would time my moves accordingly. Are you upset that we have folks in charge who are savvy enough to hit two birds with one stone ?

If they actually were saccy enough to hit any bird with any stone, I'd shut up. However it only seems the more stones they throw out, the more birds appear out of no where.
It seems ppl don't understand that you can't defeat an ideology with sticks or stones.

 

[Voidwar]

It seems ppl don't understand that you can't defeat an ideology with sticks or stones.

This is a silly assertion, of course you can.

You just put one stick through every heart that holds that ideology.

As was done with the Thughees.

 

[mpg]

1.)People are motivated by fear. They'd be crazy if they weren't afraid of anything or if they did nothing about their fears.
2.)It's impossible forthe war on terror to not be a political issue. Anything that involves the government is political.
3.)Even if this was wrong, it's inaccurate to describe this as a "Republican tactic". Surely you guys have heard of "Mediscare".

 

[southern_liberal]

It wasn't a factual claim, it was an opinion.

The question is whether the Iraq occupation and regime change is part of the war on terror, and I think it is safe to say that the notion that it is completely unrelated is a rather rare and inaccurate opinion.

I am so glad you realized what you said was an opinion; I was worried there for a minute.

As for your second statement, I have no idea what you were trying to say. but let me say this. the only people who believe Iraq is a part of the war on terror are neocons, and keyboard warriors, like yourself. nearly two thirds of Americans disagrees with you and the other third must be that 33-36% that thinks your disaster of a president is doing a good job.

 

[southern_liberal]

This is a silly assertion, of course you can.

You just put one stick through every heart that holds that ideology.

As was done with the Thughees.

That was so childish. I swear, the more you speak the more my head hurts. You totally missed what he was saying and resorted to neocon ideology. I think it's safe to say, you should be ignored on this board by all rational thinking people. OMG. How can anyone take you serious. Stop watching fox news!!!

 

[Voidwar]

As for your second statement, I have no idea what you were trying to say. but let me say this. the only people who believe Iraq is a part of the war on terror are neocons, and keyboard warriors, like yourself. nearly two thirds of Americans disagrees with you and the other third must be that 33-36% that thinks your disaster of a president is doing a good job.

What a bunch of ad hom poppycock.

I'm definitely not a neocon, and he's your president every bit as much as he is mine.

Nearly two thirds of America just called you on the phone huh ?
Disagree with me about what ?
That Iraq is part of War on Terror ?
I Would Love to see you corroborate that outlandish claim. You might be able to find a poll where that number say they are against the occupation of Iraq, but no way you will find one with those numbers that says Iraq had nothing to do with the war on Terror. You're attempting to stretch one poll into an opinion on something else. Its dishonesty, plain and simple. You sir, are a fibber.

 

[Voidwar]

That was so childish. I swear, the more you speak the more my head hurts. You totally missed what he was saying and resorted to neocon ideology. I think it's safe to say, you should be ignored on this board by all rational thinking people. OMG. How can anyone take you serious. Stop watching fox news!!!

My post directly and rationally challenged the reasoning he was asserting.

How bout you try one post that has a little to do with the topic, and isn't about me ?

 

[jfuh]

This is a silly assertion, of course you can.

You just put one stick through every heart that holds that ideology.

As was done with the Thughees.

Ideas do not live inside only the minds of men. Ever see V for Vendetta?