Politico: ‘Bloggers unleash fury on optimistic op-ed.’
By on Jul 31st, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Politico: ‘Bloggers unleash fury on optimistic op-ed.’
Today, the Politico covers the reaction to the “optimistic” New York Times op-ed by Brookings analysts Michael O’Hanlon and Kenneth Pollack, calling it “a more furious ideological shootout than has been sparked by any recent development on the battleground or action by the Bush administration.” From the article:
“Often Wrong, But Never In Doubt” was the headline on the progressive Think Progress blog of the Center for American Progress Action Fund. The posting, which asserted O’Hanlon and Pollack were “embarking on a public relations tour calling for stay the course,” drew 228 comments. A printout runs 56 pages. Elsewhere, the site accused the two of “shilling.”
O’Hanlon is the brother-in-law of Politico editor-in-chief John F. Harris.
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Of those 228 comments, 12 were on topic.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:45 pmO’Hanlon and Pollack are liars!…..LIARS!!!!!
LIARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
/frantic moonbat off
July 31st, 2007 at 12:45 pmA printout runs 56 pages.
Next time try using a smaller font.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:46 pmOf those 228 comments, 12 were on topic.
Comment by Egreggious, Esq
hahahaha!!
July 31st, 2007 at 12:47 pmO’Hanlon and Pollack are liars!…..LIARS!!!!!
LIARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
/frantic moonbat off
Comment by Ringo — July 31, 2007 @ 12:45 pm
I will give them the benefit of a doubt and just say they are misleading.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:47 pmThese 2 are Bush hacks!
July 31st, 2007 at 12:47 pmThey are lying and we must call them on it!
Another thread about O’Hanlon and Pollack?
With stories like this and Bush eating cheeseburgers, it must be a slow day for ThinkProgess.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:47 pmPolitico: ‘Bloggers unleash fury on [blind and stupidly] optimistic op-ed.’
There ya go, Politico, dumbasses.
Um, Politico did DISCLOSE the relationship between O’Hanlon and Harris, right?
July 31st, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Like most billionaires with diverse business interests, Joe Allbritton had political relationships of all sorts. But the coterie around him — and those who created the Politico, including the Politico’s current CEO — are plainly firmly entrenched in the right-wing political movement, with overlapping business and other ties to the Bushes, all kinds of international financial interactions with the Saudis and various right-wing governments, and long-standing ties of many kinds to the Reagan circle.
We hear incessantly about how this group or that group is funded by George Soros, as though that fact, by itself, proves the group’s political affiliations. But those groups do not purport to be nonpartisan newspapers or sources of news. The Politico claims exactly that. Surely it is notable that those who created The Politico, who are funding it, and who are in charge of its operations, are long-time Republican operatives and those firmly implanted in right-wing circles.
UPDATE IV: Politico CEO and President (and former Reagan official) Frederick Ryan donated $1,000 to George W. Bush’s presidential campaign in 1999 (earlier this year, as linked above, Bush interrupted his press conference to flamboyantly plug Ryan’s Politico). When making that donation to Bush, Ryan listed his occupation as “Allbritton Communications Co.” (h/t Casual Observer). Both Joe Allbritton and his wife donated $1,000 each in 1994 to the Republican National Committee.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:50 pmDesperately cheering for your side to lose a war is such an unattractive trait, TP.
Oh sorry, my mistake. I forgot that TP is not on our side. My bad.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:51 pmThe NYT continues to shill for a criminal policy and its occaissional handwringing is not sufficient. They must be held accountable as accessories to the crimes of this administration.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:51 pmNasty troll problems.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:51 pmI don’t see too many of the regulars here.
New visitors: If you are checking this out in response to the article referenced above, be warned that you have to wade through tall, steaming piles of troll ordure before encountering a real comment. That is why the 50+ pages.
#13 – on those grounds, you should be held accountable as an accomplice to al Qaeda’s crimes in Iraq and elsewhere. You have schilling for them since day 1. Stop aiding the enemy and start supporting our troops.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:53 pm#15 – so true. Democrats blood lust for death in Iraq is shameless. They are truly a sad, scary lot. TP should be tried for treason.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:54 pmBush is a great president. His approval rating might seem low, but it’s because the polls include too many democrats and too many independents who lean to the left. Bush’s “Real Score” approval rating is 52%.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:54 pmWhy are you moonbat chickenhawks not over there fighting alongside the brave Iraqi resistance?
July 31st, 2007 at 12:54 pmOf the 228, 171 were lame ass troll droppings…
July 31st, 2007 at 12:55 pmHow DARE they have an opinion, who the hell do Hanlon and Pollack think they are, Americans? Time to kick them out of the party and send them packing, we dont need people like these two (and Liebermann) cluttering up the party with independant thought.
Follow the tagline or GET OUT! The war is lost, it was lost before it started and Bush is responsible for all the world’s terrorism since the dark ages.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:55 pmComment by Rich Porter
I just read your post 3 times and still can’t make any sense of it. Ah, the logic of the left.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:57 pm#20 – that should tell you something. Conservatives are alive and well and very angry at the left’s Stalinist tactics over the Iraq debate. More troll dropping bode well for an anti-American defeat next fall.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:57 pmRove is setting an impeachment trap for the Democrats. Rove is hoping for nothing else than the Dems getting sidetracked and focusing on nothing else than the impeachment of Gonzales. Will the Dems be dumb enough to fall into the trap? I fuking hope so!
-Dr. Dog, PhD, MD, JD
July 31st, 2007 at 12:57 pmCynicon Implant,
“Desperately cheering for your side to lose a war is such an unattractive trait, TP.”
The loss lies with our President. The buck stops with him. That being said, our troops won the invasion. Now it’s up to the iraqi’s.
Your a terrible American. Your countrymen disagree with you, and you accuse them of rooting for a loss. Classless. Not sure that expect anything else from you however.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:58 pmHow DARE they have an opinion,
I don’t mind them having an opinion, but when that opinion is pushed as facts, it becomes propoganda.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:59 pmGee, a Dem-hating article written by Mike Allen, go figure.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:59 pm#26 – you seem fascinated though. It’s the anger in you that draws you to trolls.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:59 pmThe implication seems to be that these were two critics of the Iraq war who have suddenly seen the light.
This is not the case. The two have been cheerleaders for this war from the get-go and have been wrong, wrong, wrong, about it.
Why should we assume they are right now? They don’t have a very good track record. TP has previously pointed out at least some of the errors in their op-ed.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:00 pmComment by Rich Porter
I just read your post 3 times and still can’t make any sense of it. Ah, the logic of the left.
Comment by Cynicon Implant — July 31, 2007 @ 12:57 pm
That’s because he’s on YOUR side.
You know what’s REALLY confusing? How the trolls conflate a desire to end the war with “bloodlust” — THAT makes no sense.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:00 pm#31 Anger? Oh please…
July 31st, 2007 at 1:01 pmConsumer Confidence Hits 6-Year High
Jul 31 12:17 PM US/Eastern
By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) – Consumer confidence hit a six-year high in July, a widely watched gauge of sentiment showed on Tuesday, as Americans focused on a healthy jobs market.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:03 pmCynicon Implant,
“I just read your post 3 times and still can’t make any sense of it. Ah, the logic of the left.”
Your too dense to realize that Porter is an idiot troll like you. His lame attempt at sarcasm obviously won you over however.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:03 pmFigures that you are not smart enough to realize that the post you reference is NOT SOMEONE FROM THE LEFT but a TROLL.
Kind of like about 240 of those comments on the previous thread.
It’d be nice if TP would fix the troll problem like they’ve promised. Maybe some day …
**sigh**
Oh, and it wasn’t their false optimism that got most folks in a lather — it’s the fact that the corporate media kept saying how they were critics of Bush’s Iraq policy, despite every shred of evidence that proves otherwise.
The only ones unable to figure that out are right-wing shills.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:03 pm“The implication seems to be that these were two critics of the Iraq war who have suddenly seen the light.”
It’s not an implication, it’s a fact.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:03 pm#31, on second thought, maybe I should open a can of whupass authorita on the trolls, they seem to understand, if not worship authorita!
July 31st, 2007 at 1:04 pmyou seem fascinated though. It’s the anger in you that draws you to trolls.
Comment by Please Stop the Hate — July 31, 2007 @ 12:59 pm
Is this the same kind of “pop psychology” that Wiliam the Bloody decried when he claimed that there was “no evidence” that Sunni and Shia couldn’t live harmoniously?
Actually, what draws us to trolls is fascination with their train-wreck debate skills, stunted philosophy and dependable inconsistencies. It can be breath-taking.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:04 pm“on second thought, maybe I should open a can of whupass authorita on the trolls”
No, don’t kick the ass of ronjazz or McMetal.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:06 pmYour too dense to realize that Porter is an idiot troll like you.
Comment by Crump’s Brother
You’re right — it was so lame I didn’t recognize it. Not so much my denseness — this time — as his lameness.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:06 pm“drew 228 comments”
Every liberal comment in that thread was rebutted.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:07 pmNext time try using a smaller font.
Comment by Egreggious, Esq.
Does it bother you that a website is priting out comments here and analyizing them?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:10 pmUm, Politico did DISCLOSE the relationship between O’Hanlon and Harris, right?
*crickets chirping*
Comment by Zooey
Harris is a political liberal.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:11 pmYour a terrible American. Your countrymen disagree with you, and you accuse them of rooting for a loss.
Comment by Crump’s Brother
Well, there is good news coming out of Iraq and look at the way you are acting. What else can we call it but rooting for a loss?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:12 pmEvery liberal comment in that thread was rebutted.
Comment by Brassmask from 3DHS — July 31, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
with lies, of course.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:12 pmGee, a Dem-hating article written by Mike Allen, go figure.
Comment by Labbe Partner
Allen was in the tank for John Kerry.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:13 pmNotice how consumer confidence starts rising as Dems take over Congress and Bush approaches the end of his term?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:14 pmDoes anybody here think calling something a lie makes it so?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:15 pmAllen was in the tank for John Kerry.
Comment by Brassmask from 3DHS — July 31, 2007 @ 1:13 pm
As opposed to Dick, who was AWOL getting high with Bush?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:15 pmFor bloggers being so opinionated, irrelevant, and non-credible, the MSM sure brings them up a lot.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:15 pmUm … no it wasn’t.
Facts are facts, and the FACTS are that both of these goons supported the war.
All one needs is read what they actually wrote at the time to prove it.
Why is that so hard for you wingnuts to understand?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:15 pmAnyone who can read, fifth graders on up, could go to Glenn Greenwald’s site and see exact quotes from Mr. O&P and come to the conclusion that these gentlemen are not critics of the past and current policy, or lack there of, being instituted in the process of the war in Iraq. What’s so hard to understand here?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:15 pmDoes anybody here think calling something a lie makes it so?
Comment by Brassmask from 3DHS — July 31, 2007 @ 1:15 pm
Does anyone here think you posting a lie as a truth, makes it so?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:15 pmWell, there is good news coming out of Iraq and look at the way you are acting. What else can we call it but rooting for a loss?
Comment by Brassmask from 3DHS — July 31, 2007 @ 1:12 pm
Good news is three more American soldiers dead by Bush’s hand? some American you are.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:16 pmAs opposed to Dick, who was AWOL getting high with Bush?
Comment by MrNeoNut
Dick is a lover not a fighter.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:16 pm“there is good news coming out of Iraq …”
Nope, not even a decent try.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:16 pmThere is just more bullshit being foisted by a couple of hacks who spent a week holed up in the Verdant District.
Well, there is good news coming out of Iraq and look at the way you are acting. What else can we call it but rooting for a loss? Comment by Brassmask from 3DHS — July 31, 2007 @ 1:12 pm
Says the wingnut rooting for a losing strategy…. Pure projection…
July 31st, 2007 at 1:16 pm52. only you, stupid.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:16 pmThere’s one dude in here who is posting almost every troll post under 8 different monikers.
Wanna guess who it is?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:17 pmDick is a lover not a fighter.
Comment by Brassmask from 3DHS — July 31, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
Yeah, sayeth the chickenhawk cowardly prophets, as they lie, distort, and cometh as sheeple from the field of ignorance.. the book of Rove, Chapter 3, verse 23
July 31st, 2007 at 1:17 pmMD, Glen Greenwald has committed sockpuppetry. He commented on posts on his own site using different screenames to make it look like people agreed with his posts.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:17 pmMuslims have more respect for life than Cheney.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:18 pmThe good news?
Like having the past three months be the most deadly?
Like an hour a day of electricity?
About no political progress whatsoever?
About the Iraqi people wanting us to leave more now than ever?
About the captain of their victorious soccer team asking us to leave?
About the billions in money defrauded by contractors?
You mean that good news?
I find is stunning that the cheerleaders ask everyone to wait for September to gauge success with one breath, while claiming success due to an article by two war supporters who spent a whopping 8 days in the Green Zone in the next breath.
You guys and gals really are historically stupid.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:18 pm66. More lies from the right.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:19 pmDoes anyone here know if there are any factual errors in Greenwald’s piece?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:19 pmOf the 228, 171 were lame ass troll droppings…
Comment by RUCerious — July 31, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
Looks like this thread is going the same way.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:19 pmMD, Glen Greenwald has committed sockpuppetry. He commented on posts on his own site using different screenames to make it look like people agreed with his posts. Comment by Brassmask from 3DHS — July 31, 2007 @ 1:17 pm
How would you know who was posting on a blog you don’t own?
Smeareth those that oppose you, lieth about those that confront you with facts and truth, and pretendeth you aren’t a fool. Book of rove, Book 3, verse 42.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:19 pmGet a job, Fortruth.
Comment by Brassmask from 3DHS — July 31, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
Sayeth the wingnut with no job…
July 31st, 2007 at 1:19 pmOh sweet lord …
1. Prove it.
2. What in the holy hell does that have to do with the direct quotes from O’Hanlon and Pollack that prove they supported the war?
Again, historical stupidity.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:20 pmHarris is a political liberal.
Comment by Brassmask from 3DHS — July 31, 2007 @ 1:11 pm
I don’t care if he’s Atilla the Hun or the Dalai Lama, if Politico is doing anything — defending or trashing — and they have some relationship to one of the parties, THEY MUST DISCLOSE IT.
It’s basic journalism.
Not that you care, you would have this country destroyed, simply so you could feel “safe” with those destroying it.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:22 pmSomeone spike the trolls’ coffee this morning? This thread, in particular, seems to have attracted them like rats to fresh cheese. A number of our regular trolls have adopted new handles, apparently because they’ve been banned, but the “banning” isn’t particularly effective.
None of them are worth responding to, because none are trainable.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:22 pmMr. NeoNut, please link to any example you have of Glenn Greenwald using any alias on any of his posts to leave a comment.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:23 pmOh sweet lord …
1. Prove it.
2. What in the holy hell does that have to do with the direct quotes from O’Hanlon and Pollack that prove they supported the war?
Again, historical stupidity.
Comment by MD
No proof is provided, ever, just repetition. This troll has been spouting this particular nonsense at least since yesterday but has offered no evidence. When it does, it will be in the form of a link to some wingnut blog.
Glenn Greenwald hasn’t even had a blog since February, when he moved his column over to Salon.
This is also the troll defending Mark Foley’s predation by claiming evidence that the page was actually 18. Evidence? Another wingnut blog with no real evidence at all.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:25 pm“Get a job ForTruth”
Comment by Assmask
So this means my comment was irritating to you?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:25 pmI don’t think any of us will be able to “make love during Vietnam” it’s wayyy over with.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:26 pmSo this means my comment was irritating to you?
Comment by ForTruth
Not at all. The economy is booming, as indicated by my post above. It should be easy for you to find a job.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:27 pmI bet the Dickster was out making money during Vietnam, not love.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:27 pmYa prove it smart guy!
Comment by Glen Greenwald — July 31, 2007 @ 1:26 pm
Everyone on RedState says it’s so. You can look for yourself.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:27 pmEvidence that the surge is working and the leftwingers are working overtime to discredit it. A win in Iraq, is a loss for the Dems.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:29 pmI can see we all the interest from progressives. If this war succeeds, all their efforts will have been made in vain.
Progressives can’t risk success in Iraq. I am also concerned (for them), that if they wait for september and the surge report, support for the coalition could turn around and could jeopardize American failure in Iraq. Success in Iraq? Progressives won’t stand for that.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:29 pmthe economy is in a nosedive, as people all over the country lose their homes, and their jobs are outsourced to foreign countries. The stock market is zigzagging like Bush on a bender, and only the war criminals with ties to Halliburton are doing better. Nazi Germany has come to the USA.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:31 pmI wonder if we could reincarnate Bruce Lee for a new movie,
July 31st, 2007 at 1:31 pmProgressive Words of Fury…Haiieee!
A win in Iraq, is a loss for the Dems.
Comment by Dr. Dog, PhD, MD, JD — July 31, 2007 @ 1:29 pm
American Soldiers dying, win for the Neocons.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:32 pmNot at all. The economy is booming, as indicated by my post above. It should be easy for you to find a job. Comment by Brassmask from 3DHS — July 31, 2007 @ 1:27 pm
The economy is booming? Yeah, and all of those folks paying outrageous money for gas, and having their homes foreclosed on are just peachy keen happy!
July 31st, 2007 at 1:33 pmThe economy is booming? Yeah, and all of those folks paying outrageous money for gas, and having their homes foreclosed on are just peachy keen happy!
Comment by brasstacks
The economy is dynamic. It is more than just gas prices (which are coming down) and foreclosures (which is a good buying opportunity for first time home buyers).
July 31st, 2007 at 1:34 pmThe economy is dynamic. It is more than just gas prices (which are coming down) and foreclosures (which is a good buying opportunity for first time home buyers). Comment by Brassmask from 3DHS — July 31, 2007 @ 1:34 pm
BAHAHAHA, get down off the unicorn!
July 31st, 2007 at 1:35 pmIf you live in Nevada or Arizona, just ignore the record foreclosures being discussed in the local papers everyday, the economy is GREAT!
July 31st, 2007 at 1:35 pm“the economy is in a nosedive”
3.4% economic growth.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:35 pmAs for Clinton – he was a ‘rhodes’ scholar – you know a ’smartie’.
Comment by brasstacks
Clinton never graduated from Oxford.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:37 pmThe military used these guys, it’s that simple. They were taken on a eight day tour. The military showed them what they wanted them to see and hear. They were their buddies for eight days. No doubt they got the red carpet treatment. These two guys are analysts, not journalists so they aren’t used to seeing the dog and pony shows the government puts on when they want to sway opinion. It’ll take them a while to get their credibility back, but maybe they learned something from the experience.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:37 pm3.4% economic growth.
Comment by Brassmask from 3DHS — July 31, 2007 @ 1:35 pm
That’s because Investment in non-residential structures increased at a 22% annualized rate last quarter. If you think 3.4% is sustainable or what you’ll see next quarter, I suggest you stable that unicorn of yours and start riding a dragon…
July 31st, 2007 at 1:37 pmNot a single one of the sockpuppets that our sole troll is using can define a win in Iraq, any more than the Drunk-In-Chief. Remember “Mission Accomplished”? A worldwide embarrassment for the USA, like Katrina. Imagine that in a few short years, these men are so evil that they could destroy the reputation of a once-great nation, while at the same time losing three wars. Only Republicans could engineer such a total defeat and humiliation for America. funny that the last war we won was won by a Democrat, against the Axis powers, in less time than Bushco has taken to lose against a bunch of poor desert-dwellers. What a shameful performance by the Right, who have done their level best to avoid fighting for their country. Shameful.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:38 pmOne of the keystones to the “booming” economy were the subprime loans (failure to regulate) that are now tanking.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:38 pmMarginal borrowers were allowed (suckered) into a market they should have avoided with interest only and ARM loans with triggers that just went off. Now that the housing market has cooled off, they cant ATM their property, and off to foreclosure they go. Their credit is shredded for years, and somehow brassass sees this as a good thing..
Winning in Iraq would mean we no longer have to expend lives and resources there. I would like to win.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:38 pmDoes anyone here know if a ‘rhodes’ scholar and an Oxford graduate are the same thing?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:38 pm3.4% economic growth.
Comment by Brassmask from 3DHS — July 31, 2007 @ 1:35 pm
Add .6% from Q1, with 3.4% from Q2, and you get a GDP growth of 2% so far this year. That’s less than France! Woohoo! The economy is on fire!!!
July 31st, 2007 at 1:39 pm3.4% economic growth.
Comment by Brassmask from 3DHS — July 31, 2007 @ 1:35 pm
sorry, that’s government spending, not growth. just the Chimp putting us in deeper debt to China. You are a moron of the first order. Are you still fighting with your brother over who gets to screw your father later?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:40 pmMuslims have more respect for life than Cheney.
Comment by ronjazz — July 31, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
Is nobody going to comment on this?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:41 pm109. sorry, it’s not possible to win in Iraq as long as Bush is in charge. he fires every general that wants to win, so he can keep his veep happy with war profiteering (treason, by the way). if you want to win, we need a Dem in the White House. republicans have prevented us from winning every war since 1946.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:43 pmIs nobody going to comment on this?
Comment by r — July 31, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
No.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:43 pmHow would I destroy a Blog:
If I were a force operating to silence dissent to my position, I would do the following things.
First, I would go and identify the sources of dissent to my position that are the most popular. For instance, if I was a Right-Wing Authortarian, I might decide that Left-Wing Libertarian leaning blogs might represent a threat to my ideology. Since, in my own mind, I’m right and everyone who disagrees with me is Wrong, Evil, and Anti-American, that means that all these blogs must be destroyed for the good of the country.
Now, I can’t really do a damn thing about DailyKOS anymore. My predecessors have already wisened them up to my kind, BUT there are other blogs out there, including AmericaBLOG and Think Progress, that are popular and not hardened against the tactics I want to employ. I’ve got operatives on AmericaBLOG, and they’re telling me that the gig is almost up there — within a month, AmericaBLOG 2.0 comes up, and it promises to employ more ways to deal with people like me and my companions. Think Progress, on the other hand, is unprotected. I don’t have to register, I don’t have to keep the same name, I could post ten times in ten minutes, all with different names…
July 31st, 2007 at 1:44 pm113. Why comment on a self-evident truth? cheney hates humans more than even Al Qaeda does. he’s proven it many times. Bush also loves to kill people. it’s like an incompetent version of Stalin and Mao in our White House.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:44 pmIt would be much easier to win in Iraq if we impeached Bushco. It’s really that simple.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:46 pmMuslims have more respect for life than Cheney.
Comment by ronjazz — July 31, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
Seemed at first read like you were trying to inject irony. You know, Muslims (if you can believe that) have more respect for life than Cheney. Zingers!
July 31st, 2007 at 1:48 pmRhodes scholars are not neccesarily the same as Oxford graduates. As for Politico, apparently they like to post worthless information as well.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:50 pmComment by dim wit — July 31, 2007 @ 1:50 pm
Thank you, dim.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:51 pmTP is like Nazi propoganda. You people would make Lenin blush. You are al qaeda’s biggest ally in the WOT.
You can prove me wrong and give me a one word answer: Do you WANT to win the war in Iraq?
Until liberals can say yes to that, you are no better than bin laden himself.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:54 pm(Continued from my previous post)
Now, what would I do? First, I would borrow from the most time tested method in the internet to disrupt the flow of conversation, hijack things, and in general, create chaos and havoc: The practice of Trolling.
Now, seeing that I can change names ridiculously easily, I go out and get my two drinking buddies. We three go to Think Progress and start posting bull$#!+. Soon, it looks like there are 20 of us when there are only three. By the time we’re done, the thread is full of garbage, which drives off the regulars. I keep doing this until most of the good people are gone. Then comes phase 2.
I create another personality to act as my fake ‘Leftie Wingnut’. I then post on the board as that wingnut, posting BS like ‘I want our troops to die’ and ‘I hate the President’. By now, only a few posters remain, and they’re kept occupied by my troll personas and my buddies troll personas. I post this across key threads talking about anything and everything. I then contact my friends in the paper press, and tell them, “Go print an article including all these trolling threads. I need this out on the Six-Oclock News and the Morning Paper.”
And you end up with what happened at Politico, and what may happen at other news agencies.
If I were a Right-Wing Authoritarian who wished to destroy the image of Progressive blogs with moderates, I would have a field day here, because Think Progress has no interest in controlling the trolls. If I were of a more conspiracy oriented set of mind, I might think TP is in with the RWA trolls, deliberately attracting Left-Wing and Moderate citizens, getting a reputation amongst them, then letting the Trolls run amuk to destroy that reputation. Even if I’m not, the bottom line is that TP doesn’t seem to care to do anything about it.
So, what IS really going on?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:54 pmWhat if there was major improvement in Iraq come September? What would you democratic schills say? “It’s the democratic congress that’s winning this war.” Democrats+cowards=defeat. Murtha is the prime example.
Don’t you hacks understand what defeat means to the country. When the democrats are in power, and have the presidency, the enemies will be counting on you to a- do nothing and b- blame everything on republicans. You are helping our enemies. You are giving them stregnth. You give them hope. Because of you, they wake up each day and see that they are not winning the war on the ground, but they are winning the war of fear. They are killing more American soldiers everyday because of you. If we stood together as a country, we would have easily won this war. They would have no hope. You should be ashamed, but your to stupid and hateful to understand.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:56 pmDo you WANT to win the war in Iraq?
Comment by enough already — July 31, 2007 @ 1:54 pm
Which war is that?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:56 pmDo you WANT to win the war in Iraq?
Comment by enough already — July 31, 2007 @ 1:54 pm
Which war is that?
Comment by Egreggious, Esq. — July 31, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
Couldn’t bring yourself to say “Yes”, could you?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:58 pmComment by Johnny Swank — July 31, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
You are wacked!
July 31st, 2007 at 1:58 pmMuslims have more respect for life than Cheney.
Comment by ronjazz — July 31, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
Anything is more than nothing…
July 31st, 2007 at 1:59 pmHeh.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:59 pmHow do you ‘Win’ an Occupation?
July 31st, 2007 at 1:59 pmCouldn’t bring yourself to say “Yesâ€, could you?
Comment by r — July 31, 2007 @ 1:58 pm
I’m serious. Which war? Are you referring to the occupation? Do I want us to “win” the occupation? No.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:00 pmJohnny Swank, George W. Bush is losing two wars simultaneously against vastly inferior military powers.
The only person making America look weak is George W. Bush and his stupid tacticians.
-GSD
July 31st, 2007 at 2:00 pmJinx, RU.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:00 pmGSD thinks it’s a war. Ask him.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:01 pm#126 – thank you. Bin Laden thanks you too.
Liberals HATE our country so much, they can’t even hope that we win in Iraq. Truly disgusting.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:01 pmEggreg. Same thought, different seconds…
July 31st, 2007 at 2:02 pm#130 and 131 – thank you for proving what TRAITORS you are. No wonder you would smear anyone who disagrees with your viewpoint on the war. You are practically working for al qaeda.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:03 pmnuff, go stuff it. You ain’t even seen smear, go talk to Rove for some better stuff.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:04 pmIf I were a Right-Wing Authoritarian who wished to destroy the image of Progressive blogs with moderates, I would have a field day here, because Think Progress has no interest in controlling the trolls. If I were of a more conspiracy oriented set of mind, I might think TP is in with the RWA trolls, deliberately attracting Left-Wing and Moderate citizens, getting a reputation amongst them, then letting the Trolls run amuk to destroy that reputation. Even if I’m not, the bottom line is that TP doesn’t seem to care to do anything about it.
So, what IS really going on?
Comment by Jeremy – 2 — July 31, 2007 @ 1:54 pm
It’s exactly what I’d do, if I were a RWA — TP makes it so EASY!!
TP’s reputation is suffering, and if they won’t fix it, they ought to shut it down, because it makes CAP look ridiculous.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:04 pmYou are practically working for al qaeda.
Comment by enough already — July 31, 2007 @ 2:03 pm
Practically? I get a paycheck every two weeks.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:04 pmI have heard that if TP wants to retain its tax-free status, they can’t really keep opposing viewpoints from being made here.
Or they could just do away with the comments altogether.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:05 pmPractically? I get a paycheck every two weeks.
Comment by Egreggious, Esq. — July 31, 2007 @ 2:04 pm
They pay you!? No fair! I wanna get paid, too!
July 31st, 2007 at 2:06 pmJust because my boss’s name is Al and his last name is Kada, doesn’t mean I’m getting a paycheck from Al Kada…
July 31st, 2007 at 2:08 pmenough already sez:
And how exactly does calling Iraq what it is – an occupation – make RUCerious and Egreggious, Esq. “traitors”?
Yet another troll who has zero understanding of Article III, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution. Sad.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:09 pmOr they could just do away with the comments altogether.
Comment by Egreggious, Esq. — July 31, 2007 @ 2:05 pm
So racist, sexist, homophobic and bigoted comments are “opposing viewpoints?”
I see how it is. I’m checking out Crook and Liars today. See ya!
July 31st, 2007 at 2:09 pmEgreggious: That doesn’t explain it. Something really easy can be done to control our thread Trolling.
1) Enforce a wait-time for posting after registration.
2) Enforce one ID per poster. (This may be harder, but at least namejacking is impossible)
3) Do a simple reversal of how credentials are posted, so that the posters name is displayed first and then his or her content.
4) Allow through Java-Scripting to not display posts that have been community down-rated for trolling. (Slashdot)
Doing something is better than doing nothing. Right now, TP is doing nothing, and if the Trolls are not winning, they sure look like they’re getting close.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:11 pmTMM, I wonder if he’d like to compare Bronze Stars with me?
July 31st, 2007 at 2:11 pmSo racist, sexist, homophobic and bigoted comments are “opposing viewpoints?â€
I see how it is. I’m checking out Crook and Liars today. See ya!
Comment by Zooey — July 31, 2007 @ 2:09 pm
Ouch, Zooey! You zinged me. :)
July 31st, 2007 at 2:12 pmComment by Jeremy – 2 — July 31, 2007 @ 2:11 pm
Thanks, Jeremy. Those are all good ideas.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:13 pmI’m wacked for saying the truth? No, you are a loser with a loser mentality. You probably got beat by your mother. You are so used to losing that you know no other way. The simple fact that you and others can’t say yes or no as to if you want to win this war is enough. Your logic is based on hate for a party. You would rather burn the country down to the ground, than to have the other party win at anything. I know it’s on both sides. But I would support what is best for this country no matter who or what side was in charge. They play you, and you and I lose. Where is the dignity in seeing your country lose?
July 31st, 2007 at 2:14 pmComment by Johnny Swank — July 31, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
“What if there was major improvement in Iraq come September?”
If there was major improvement in Iraq come September, I would cheer, I would rejoice, I would thank God. Forgive me if I have doubts of this happening.
“Democrats+cowards=defeat”
If you have a definition for defeat, you must also have one for victory. What does “victory” in Iraq mean?
“When the democrats are in power, and have the presidency, the enemies will be counting on you to a- do nothing and b- blame everything on republicans. You are helping our enemies. You are giving them stregnth. You give them hope.”
If the democrats having the presidency makes us such weaklings, why did Al Qaeda wait until Bush was in power to fly into the WTC?
“Because of you, they wake up each day and see that they are not winning the war on the ground, but they are winning the war of fear. They are killing more American soldiers everyday because of you. If we stood together as a country, we would have easily won this war. They would have no hope. You should be ashamed, but your to stupid and hateful to understand.”
Gawwww–leeeee!!! We lefties have THAT much power? That clears everything up. Forget body armor. Forget reinforced combat vehicles. Forget military strategy. Forget giving the troops rest. Forget the resolve of the locals who resent being occupied by a foreign power. What we REALLY need to do is get rid of the bloggers — then we’ll “win” (whatever that means).
July 31st, 2007 at 2:15 pmAnything about the actual substance of the article, the Politico’s violation of basic journalistic ethics, or the fact that O’Hanlon and and Pollack are liars?
July 31st, 2007 at 2:17 pmComment by Jeremy – 2 — July 31, 2007 @ 2:11 pm
Your post can be summed up in one word: Slash.
All TP needs to do to fix this situation is to implement Slash. With Slash, user registration, comment moderation, and threaded discussions come standard. There would still be trolls, but their impact would be greatly reduced (more still if anonymous posting was disallowed).
Slash is open-source, and a competent admin could set up the site in an afternoon and have it ready for prime time over a weekend. So why hasn’t TP done this?
The only answer that makes sense is that for some reason, TP prefers the current chaotic state of affairs. The divination of the reasons for such a preference I will leave as an exercise for the reader.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:18 pmOuch, Zooey! You zinged me. :)
Comment by Egreggious, Esq. — July 31, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
Sorry Egg, I didn’t mean that personally. :}
July 31st, 2007 at 2:18 pmComment by TripMaster Monkey — July 31, 2007 @ 2:18 pm
Have you sent that directly to Faiz?
July 31st, 2007 at 2:19 pmWe went for WMDs. None were found.
We were then told the “war” was to remove Saddam from power. We did and he’s been executed.
We were then told that the plan was to have a democratic Iraq. They’ve held elections.
So why are we still there? Seems to me we actually won “the war” part already.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:20 pmZooey sez:
Not directly, but I’ve sent it to TP more than once, and of course, I’ve sounded off about it here innumerable times.
At any rate, I’m very skeptical that Faiz could be unaware of such code, given the line of work he’s in.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:21 pmYou are sick of the Trolls? Dissent opens your mind and forces you to think from every point of view. But you don’t want that here, and you don’t want dedate for our country? Is that what you are saying? No more debate? What would you do if you couldn’t fight with trolls anymore? You release your anger here instead of at home. You probably would be taking it out on significant others if you wern’t doing it here. The anger that comes out in these blogs is amazing. I am new to this and find most of you ugly. Your’e smart and some put up great debates, but the ugliness to your fellow man over something you have no control over is amazing. I hope my daughters generation gets along better than ours. If not, I feel sorry for all.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:28 pmComment by Johnny Swank — July 31, 2007 @ 2:28 pm
You’re funny.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:33 pmYou’re funny.
Comment by Egreggious, Esq.
Trolls never seem to get that what they do isn’t “dissent” or “debate”, but rather just noise. And the supreme irony is that they accuse progressives of being filled with hate, but bring nothing but anti-liberal hatred and viciousness to the table.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:52 pmYou have shown no desire to “debate” anything.
All you’re here to do is blame everyone else for the failures of those you support, label those who disagree with you as lesser Americans who want us to “lose” (despite the fact you haven’t shared what your idea of winning actually is), and discuss everything except the actual topic of the thread.
So yes … we don’t want trolls like you around here because you bring nothing to the table of any value. Just lies, distortions, and distractions.
Now go back under your bridge and leave facts and reality to the rest of us.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:55 pmVictory means that the Iraqi goverment, millitary, and people are self suffecient. Victory means that the middle eastern world begin to clean up it’s own messes and join the twentyfirst century. Victory means our allys know they we have their back when Islamist Terrorist come knocking. Victory means democrats cry. When you start crying, like you are today about one story written in The New York Times; the most liberal publication on the planet.
When Middle East terrorist were polled about who they wanted to be president, the majority wanted Kerry. Muslims in my neighborhood voted for him. They said, and I quote, “Kerry is what you call,a pu**y!” They were also asked who they wanted to win in congress. Same results.
They waited for Bush to become president , and then 9/11 happend. The first World Trade Center bombing, the Cobalt Towers, the USS Cole, and on and on and on. President Bill Clinton did nothing.
Ronald Reagan won the Cold War.
The bloggers have influence, but very little. You are pushing your party way to the left, which will turn off many moderates and you can’t win elections that way. The bid media outlets are influencing this war, not you. Doom and gloom twenty four seven. Most Americans are to stupid to even care. Paris Hilton gets more attention and thats the way they want it.
My best friend who is thirty four, just got back from Iraq. He signed up because he loves his country. He says the first thing you learn in Iraq, when the news guys come around, and you have positive things to say, camera off, interview over. He saw many great thjings happening over there that were not being reported.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:56 pmComment by Johnny Swank — July 31, 2007 @ 2:28 pm
Trolls like you don’t offer “dissent”. All they do is lower the signal-to-noise ratio.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:56 pmWhen are both sides going to compromise and come up with solutions to our problems? The country is split in half. That means they should be working both sides of the aisle and come up with solutions. Not name calling. Our elected leaders need to be held accountable, All Of Them, both sides. All their doing is spending money for projects in their districts and investigating the other side. They need to work together!!!
July 31st, 2007 at 3:06 pmJohnny Swank. You make too much sense. It’ll never fly here.
July 31st, 2007 at 3:30 pmComment by Johnny Swank — July 31, 2007 @ 3:06 pm
You are very, very funny.
July 31st, 2007 at 3:33 pmOne thing I’m curious about…
I’ve read a lot of comments that try to discredit O’Hanlon and Pollack using the argument that they can’t be believed because they supported the war in the beginning.
By that reasoning, I shouldn’t listen to the argument that the war is a disaster from someone who was against the war in the beginning.
By extension, can we only listen to someone who has changed their mind on the war?
The only reasonable thing to do is to listen to all sides and try to sift through it to get to the truth. Not easy, but doable.
I’m not buying O’Hanlon and Pollack completely but I think there is some truth in it.
July 31st, 2007 at 3:36 pmSays the guy who calls others names.
Again, do you have anything of substance on the topic of the thread?
Or are you just here to lament the partisanship those you support created, talk about how bad it is to call others names while calling others names, and lying about Bill Clinton (who, BTW, actually put forth a policy that caught, tried an convicted those who attacked the WTC in 1993)?
July 31st, 2007 at 3:37 pmThanks for showing your lack of reading comprehension skills.
The problem is that they were labeled as “war critics” by the corporate media. THEY ARE NOT, NOR HAVE THEY EVER BEEN, WAR CRITICS.
Why is this so damned hard for you guys to understand? Seriously … why?
There is the other part — the one about how spending 8 days in the Green Zone being given PowerPoint presentations by military commanders — that hurts their credibility. But it’s that first part that has so many riled up.
July 31st, 2007 at 3:40 pmComment by Cynicon Implant — July 31, 2007 @ 3:36 pm
What I really object to is the MSM calling them “vocal critics” of the Bush Administration without pointing out the more relevant fact that they were and are “vocal supporters” of this “war”.
July 31st, 2007 at 3:42 pmComment by MD
Who cares what the MSM calls them? The only relevant question is are they providing valuable analysis. Their label does not provide the answer to that question.
July 31st, 2007 at 3:44 pmCynicon Implant sez:
You’re misreading the argument. The objection is not that O’Hanlon and Pollack are discredited because they supported the war in the beginning, but that they are discredited because they are portraying themselves as former “vocal critics” of the war, when in fact, the truth is that they have been shilling for it since the onset.
No…by the above reasoning, you needn’t listen to the argument that the war is a disaster from someone who was against the war from the beginning, but then styled themselves a “former vocal supporter” of the war. Such a person would be just as discredited by their actions as O’Hanlon and Pollack are now by theirs.
July 31st, 2007 at 3:47 pmThank you Egreggious, Esq. Where is the alternate universe where trolls go?
July 31st, 2007 at 3:50 pmComment by TripMaster Monkey
So these guys are like the semi-anti-Kerry — they were for the before they were for it?
July 31st, 2007 at 3:52 pmsorry — before the “war”
July 31st, 2007 at 3:53 pmSo these guys are like the semi-anti-Kerry — they were for the before they were for it? Comment by Cynicon Implant — July 31, 2007 @ 3:52 pm
More like you and Ted Haggard. You were against gay sex, before you were for it…
July 31st, 2007 at 3:54 pmI’m not buying O’Hanlon and Pollack completely but I think there is some truth in it. Comment by Cynicon Implant — July 31, 2007 @ 3:36 pm
There’s always some truth in what you GOP wingnuts post. Unfortunately the truth is misrepresented to the point that it becomes irrelevant, misleading and a flat out lie…
July 31st, 2007 at 3:55 pmWhere is the alternate universe where trolls go?
Comment by Johnny Swank — July 31, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
RedState?
July 31st, 2007 at 3:56 pmMore like you and Ted Haggard. You were against gay sex, before you were for it…
Comment by VotronIsASockPuppet
I don’t even who Ted Haggard is. Are you a homophobe?
July 31st, 2007 at 3:56 pmWork struck, but I see the trolls reared their heads while I was away.
Swank comes in and tries to turn my argument against me. What he fails to grasp is that I do not desire to quash his ability to dissent, just his ability to distract.
By implementing a system where each member is tied to one and only one ID, a troll cannot drop a title that’s been painted as a Troll in favor of a new title, nor can he be more than one ID at a time. I strongly believe that a verifiable new right-wing member who comes in with strong views who debates, presenting his viewpoints and shows willingness to see our points, will be received here with a positive view, gaining positive Karma. Someone like Mr. P’s Legions who keeps posting things filled with crosses, insults, and distractions would find themselves with negative Karma. It wouldn’t keep them from posting….they’d just never show up on my screen because they’ve been filtered by my choices. Freedom of Speech doesn’t mean that I lose my freedom not to listen to your Bull$#!+…
The moment that TP implements that is the moment that the Trolls go apeshit, because that’s the moment they lose. If TP never DOES implement that, then the Trolls win and we all lose.
July 31st, 2007 at 3:57 pmI don’t even who Ted Haggard is. Are you a homophobe?
Comment by Cynicon Implant — July 31, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
You should meet him. I think you’d like him.
July 31st, 2007 at 3:57 pmBy that reasoning, I shouldn’t listen to the argument that the war is a disaster from someone who was against the war in the beginning. Comment by Cynicon Implant — July 31, 2007 @ 3:36 pm
Not true. But if those people distort their stance by saying that they used to be a GOP supporter of the war – then don’t you think that distorts their credibility? You really are a simpleton aren’t you?
By extension, can we only listen to someone who has changed their mind on the war? Comment by Cynicon Implant — July 31, 2007 @ 3:36 pm
Except that isn’t what happened here.
The only reasonable thing to do is to listen to all sides and try to sift through it to get to the truth. Not easy, but doable. Comment by Cynicon Implant — July 31, 2007 @ 3:36 pm
Or you could point out that people are distorting their stance in order to misrepresent their biased nature. Much like you try to do – liar.
I’m not buying O’Hanlon and Pollack completely but I think there is some truth in it.
Comment by Cynicon Implant — July 31, 2007 @ 3:36 pm
July 31st, 2007 at 3:57 pmI don’t even who Ted Haggard is. Are you a homophobe?
Comment by Cynicon Implant — July 31, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
You don’t know who Ted Haggard is? Liar.
You think being called gay is a slur? Because that makes you the homophobe… I think it’s very enlightened of you to realize that you’re gay – good job!
July 31st, 2007 at 3:59 pmCynicon Implant:
Ted Haggard is a vocally anti-homosexual preacher who used to work in Colorado Springs (close to where I live). Just before the election, he was outed by a gay Escort here in Denver for having sex with him and buying meth. Haggard first swore up and down that no, he didn’t have sex, nor did he buy Meth, then he said he visited the guy and bought meth, but didn’t use it, then he said he committed a ‘great sin’, left his megachurch, and went into rehab. He’s now in Arizona, I think.
He’d be one of the reasons your party lost the 2006 election. Mark Foley is another. We middies tend to get pissed when you start preaching ‘Do as I say, not as I do.” :)
July 31st, 2007 at 4:01 pmNice try, Votron. Thanks for playing.
July 31st, 2007 at 4:01 pmSo these guys are like the semi-anti-Kerry — they were for the before they were for it?
Comment by Cynicon Implant — July 31, 2007 @ 3:52 pm
They advocated for the illegal invasion and never wavered from that position. In the op-ed, they claimed they were vocal critics of the war’s handling (not the actual invasion) but their writings in the past say otherwise.
July 31st, 2007 at 4:04 pmNice try, Votron. Thanks for playing.
Comment by Cynicon Implant — July 31, 2007 @ 4:01 pm
It was all my pleasure, and I hope you enjoyed being made fun of and decimated as much as I enjoyed making fun of you.
You really should get your self loathing seen by a professional. Thanks for playing – loser!
July 31st, 2007 at 4:57 pmThe reason you guys lost 2006, and may lose 2008 badly, is because of what you just did, CI. Ignoring the middle is always a foolish move. How can you win when the middle does not support you?
July 31st, 2007 at 5:09 pm