Baird ‘verbally flogged’ over pro-escalation stance.
By on Aug 28th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Baird ‘verbally flogged’ over pro-escalation stance.
For three hours during a townhall meeting last night, Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA) “was verbally flogged by hundreds of his constituents for no longer supporting the quick withdrawal of troops from Iraq.” “There is only one way to end an illegal and immoral war, and that’s to end it,” said Zamme Joi. “You have screwed up, my friend. You have screwed up and you have to change course,” another constituent said. “We don’t care what your convictions are,” said Jan Lustig of Vancouver, “you are here to represent us.” See the video below:
VoteVets’ Jon Soltz also attended. “Speaking calmly and to raucous applause,” Soltz said Baird “was fooled ‘by a dog and pony show’ and is unfortunately ‘providing cover for President Bush.‘” (HT: FDL)
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another constituent said. “We don’t care what your convictions are,†said Jan Lustig of Vancouver. “You are here to represent us.â€
Amen to that!!
August 28th, 2007 at 12:33 pm“You are here to represent us”. Thank you Jan Lustig for reminding him.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:33 pmPeople are finally starting to wake up en masse.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:33 pmhere’s what’s totally bizzare about that youtube;
biard says “they are standing up against al qaedaâ€
what is wrong with this guy?, these are insurgents that want America out of their country…this guy is repeating the bush lines like he has been zombified and is now a mariontte
August 28th, 2007 at 12:34 pmGood luck at your next job, Baird; call Lieberman while you still can and come over to the adult side of the aisle.
You wandered from the DFL reservation and now you will be discarded. Also be prepared to have every physical feature of yours ridiculed and demeaned, soon to come right here at TP.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:36 pm“We Have Very Strong Indicators That Al Qaeda Is Planning To Attack The West”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/ id/ 20466414/ site/ newsweek/ page/ 0/
August 28th, 2007 at 12:38 pmwhat is wrong with this guy?, these are insurgents that want America out of their country
And as history has proven, the best way to evict an occupying force is to slaughter your own population. Drive a few truck-bombs into the local market…that will really show the Americans!
August 28th, 2007 at 12:38 pmyou are here to represent us
August 28th, 2007 at 12:39 pmYou are here to represent us.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:39 pmHey now, look on the bright side. The libs are going to shove this guy aside next year and run some zealot along the lines of Ned Lamont, guaranteeing a repub victory.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:42 pmNo on deserves a verbal flogging more. Next step is to remove him in the primary.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:42 pmI will say, unlike the cowardly Republicans, Mr. Baird took his beating like a man.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:43 pmI bet Larry Craig would like to be flogged also, though not verbally.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:43 pmThis guy was bought and paid for by Cheney out of his black-ops funding; I know this because DU had it front page.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:44 pmcut and run! cut and run!
August 28th, 2007 at 12:44 pm“We Have Very Strong Indicators That Al Qaeda Is Planning To Attack The Westâ€
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/ id/ 20466414/ site/ newsweek/ page/ 0/
Comment by Bob — August 28, 2007 @ 12:38 pm
Good thing we’re spending all our money in Iraq, then - we certainly couldn’t use it here to prevent this imminent attack.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:44 pmBut according to neocons the left are goose steppers… they are lemmings that just follow whatever they are told… oh and they are the fascists not the neocons…heh
August 28th, 2007 at 12:45 pmI can’t see George W. Bush doing a town meeting with anyone but boot licking sycophants.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:46 pmComment by Bob — August 28, 2007 @ 12:38 pm
If your point is that Bush has failed to capture Bin Laden and bring him to justice while allowing Al Queda to grow, then you are correct to beleive president Bush is not the right person to defend our country from Al Queda.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:47 pmNow we know why Bush won’t talk before any audiences that haven’t been screened: he couldn’t handle them. I mean, psychologically, he’s never been able to handle criticism of any kind, but even Rethugs might give him a hard time about the war. He just wouldn’t be able to handle it.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:47 pmgood on TP for covering this…
but something is happening on c-span i want to point out…
ed schultz is doing his radio show live on c-span, now…
that is pretty huge… seems to me…
…
August 28th, 2007 at 12:48 pmgood riddance to baird - he didnt get elected to kiss bushes ass all day long
August 28th, 2007 at 12:48 pmVancouver, WA is not exactly a hotbed of activism. For that many angry people to show up at a town meeting in the Couv is amazing. That they felt free to shout and boo their Congressman is surreal - and an indication to all Democrats that the public wants them to get us to get out, now, not play footsie with Bush for another 6 or 8 months.
Wake up, Dems!
August 28th, 2007 at 12:48 pm9/11 was an inside job
CIA planned the fake war on terror.
Halliburton is profitting 1000% since the war on terror.
BushCo and Cheney and Rove planned 9/11.
Bush has plans to be the next world leader
August 28th, 2007 at 12:49 pmKeep in mind that it was Bushco that let Bin Laden go at Tora Bora. “Our troops? Naw, we’ll let some Afghan tribesmen get him.” Hmm, it’s almost like they didn’t want to catch him, isn’t it?
August 28th, 2007 at 12:49 pm“There is only one way to end an illegal and immoral war”
Good, I expect not to hear any more whining about the downtrodden Iraqi people, because the official liberal lines dont exactly jive. Leave them to their civil war and they can finally get it over with, we will ignore the piled bodies because our occupation was, in the end, “immoral”.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:50 pmthen you are correct to beleive president Bush is not the right person to defend our country from Al Queda.
We can only hope that Obama gets the nod in 2008, we KNOW he will go after them even if it means invading a sovereign nation.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:52 pmThis is democracy at its best.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:53 pmThe elected representative of the people heard their collective voice.
If he chooses to ignore it, then the people’s voice will be heard at the next election.
Why do you trolls have a problem with democracy in action?
No Bush uses Osama as a voodoo doll to scare Dems.
He will bring Osama out at the next election. Wait & see.
It’s all in the “New World Order” plan by Rove.
ace where r u?
August 28th, 2007 at 12:53 pmChipper, NY:
The bodies are already stacked like cordwood.
In case you haven’t noticed.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:56 pmFor that many angry people to show up at a town meeting in the Couv is amazing
Wow, that is amazing. Exactly one week ago in my itty bitty city we had over 300 people show up at city hall to protest a flood-abatement levy, not a war.
Hundreds out of how many tens or hundreds of thousands of voters…wow.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:57 pmLeave them to their civil war and they can finally get it over with, we will ignore the piled bodies because our occupation was, in the end, “immoralâ€.
Comment by Chipper-NY — August 28, 2007 @ 12:50 pm
How would this situation be any different than the current civil war we’re babysitting and the piled bodies we’re currently ignoring?
August 28th, 2007 at 12:58 pmI disagree with Baird on his stance on most issues (he is a Democrat, but a very conservative one). I agreed with his vote in 2002 on whether to give Bush the authority to invade Iraq. I disagree with his pro-escalation position now.
But regardless of how I feel about Baird politically, I admire his guts for facing his constituents and responding to their anger. It was obvious that this town hall meeting wasn’t restricted to fawning Baird-worshippers. I wish more politicians did that — especially our top leaders.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:59 pm#6 comment by Bob
From your scary link ‘I mean, we don’t have that kind of tactical detail. What we do have, though, is a couple of threads that indicate, you know, some very tactical stuff, and that’s what—you know, that’s what you’re seeing bits and pieces of, and I really can’t go much more into it.’ (Do you pick up on the contridiction in the same sentence?)
In other words be afraid Bob. Be very afraid. In the mean time the rational people of this country will attempt to start to clean up this clusterfcuk we call the Iraq war.
August 28th, 2007 at 1:00 pmThe bodies are already stacked like cordwood.
In case you haven’t noticed.
No, most of the bodies have been vaporized in car-bomb explosions.
Without American troops to deter and hunt down the savages who commit those bombings, how deep do you think the piles will get? But thats cool, Im for leaving the place too, Im just tired of hearing the left profess their undying love for the Iraqis while consigning them to the current liberal claim of an ongoing “civil war”.
August 28th, 2007 at 1:01 pmListen up bitches…I live in Baird’s district and he is not going anywhere…for some reason SW Washington is filthy with DemocRATS and they will vote him in no matter what he says or does………thats what DemocRATS do…mindless, baseless, lemmings one and all……….WATCH!
August 28th, 2007 at 1:01 pmWithout American troops to deter and hunt down the savages who commit those bombings…
Like the American troops are actually deterring or hunting down?
August 28th, 2007 at 1:03 pmMore like patrolling with bullseyes on their backs.
Comment by Chipper-NY — August 28, 2007 @ 12:50 pm
You’re so empathetic. Does your empathy extend to Darfur, Tibet, or the people’s Reublic of North Korea?
What about the children of the working poor. Maybe your empathy would allow for a healthcare program to provide them with the health insurance they need. Maybe something like SCHIP? Would you be so empathetic as to help support the needs of American families or does your empathy end at the Iraqi border?
August 28th, 2007 at 1:04 pmWill Baird listen to his constituents?
August 28th, 2007 at 1:06 pmIm just tired of hearing the left profess their undying love for the Iraqis while consigning them to the current liberal claim of an ongoing “civil warâ€.
Comment by Chipper-NY — August 28, 2007 @ 1:01 pm
If it’s not a civil war in iraq, then what is it?
August 28th, 2007 at 1:08 pmFinancially alone republicans should be screaming to end the conflict. No accountability from this administration doesn’t deter these trolls from listening to their own created fear.
If they truly wanted to trample AQ we would have had a draft a long time ago. We would have 500,000 troops in the middle east with 1.5 million more ready to pounce. Just to defend the american way.
Didn’t happen because their leaders couldn’t sell it to the american public. Plus the tidy profit centers would have been shifted and why mess with a good thing.
Trolls, you follow fools.
August 28th, 2007 at 1:10 pmWill Baird listen to his constituents?
Comment by hellinabucket — August 28, 2007 @ 1:06 pm
Again, if Baird’s constituents re-elect him, so be it.
It was refreshing to see an elected representative meet his constituents and LISTEN.
Hey, chymp? You see that?
August 28th, 2007 at 1:11 pmThat’s what ELECTED officials do in a democratic society!
No screening for lapdogs only, no ban on teeshirts with political statements. Just a meeting with the people.
What the hell are you skeert of?
missmolly
That was very objective. Unprecedented amoung the TP toadies. There is hope.
I laugh over the “you are here to represent us” comment. We are not a pure democracy our leaders are elected to represent their constituents not to be mindless water carriers for any particular segment of the are he/she represents. We should hope there are more reps like Baird who show integrity and strength of character and not blow with the winds of popular opinion like Hillary. The American people are fickle and if US foreign policy changed as often as public opinion the US would have been destroyed long ago.
August 28th, 2007 at 1:20 pm“Hey now, look on the bright side. The libs are going to shove this guy aside next year and run some zealot along the lines of Ned Lamont, guaranteeing a repub victory.
Comment by LibTeenie “
No asshat. The only reason why LIEberman won is because so many republicans voted for him. If the Democrats run a good progressive against Baird, Baird will lose and the Republican running against the progressive will lose.
America has had it with you Rethugs. You aren’t going to admit it until you wake the morning after the 2008 election. Then you are really going to go ballistic. My sympathies will not be with you.
August 28th, 2007 at 1:23 pmthis guy is repeating the bush lines like he has been zombified and is now a mariontte
Comment by me to me — August 28, 2007 @ 12:34 pm
He’s probably another wiretap victim.
August 28th, 2007 at 1:28 pmTroll, if 51% of his constituents say to get out of Iraq and he doesn’t vote that way then he isn’t showing strength of character. He’s refusing to carry the voice of the people he was elected by to congress.
You are right about Americans being fickle. Why just a few short years ago there was such an outcry against the military being the world’s police force and now look. Those same people are clamoring for our military to stay a police force.
August 28th, 2007 at 1:31 pm“He doesn’t care about the political fallout, he just wants to make his own decisions”???
Jan Lustig is correct, Brian Baird is a representative of the people, his personal opinions and beliefs are irrelevant. You work for the people, Baird!
August 28th, 2007 at 1:35 pmCan’t let the truth and the facts on the ground get in the way of your opinions, can you, ZAMME?
If some moonbat twit named Zamme Joi is on the other side, you know you are on the right path.
August 28th, 2007 at 1:37 pmwhere was the so-called “beating”? i didn’t see any beating. what i saw was yet another platform for brian to speak nonsense. just look at those photos of him w/ military? propaganda…..
August 28th, 2007 at 1:42 pm#43 - Troll
Your post makes no sense. First you say that “our leaders are elected to represent their constituents not to be mindless water carriers for any particular segment of the are he/she represents.” Besides the fact that sentence is grammatically a mess, you then turn around and contradict it by saying “We should hope there are more reps like Baird who show integrity and strength of character and not blow with the winds of popular opinion like Hillary.”
Brian Baird IS NOT representing the constituents in his district. He has become a Bush water carrier and will be punished for it at the polls in 2008. And, Hillary represents the majority opinion of the people in this country. Bush does not. Last poll says that 28% of the people in America disagree with him in Iraq. That puts him in serious minority territory.
August 28th, 2007 at 1:42 pmWhy does Stalin/Soltz hate our troops??
August 28th, 2007 at 1:43 pmComment by bilbobaggins — August 28, 2007 @ 1:42 pm
Brian Baird IS NOT representing the constituents in his district
—–
You mean, he is not representing you kook fringe moonbats!
August 28th, 2007 at 1:44 pm#46-hellinabucket
Good point. Was Baird foolish or naive to allow himself to be manipulated by the military when he was in Iraq? Baird was told what to see and what to hear in Iraq by the military and took at face value what the military told him to be true. What Baird’s constituents have to keep telling him is that he is not supporting the troops, since as long as those troops remain in that abattoir in Iraq, it dramatically increases their chances of returning to this country killed and maimed and crippled, all for no justifiable reason at all.
August 28th, 2007 at 1:47 pmand then the reporters say, “that takes a lot of guts”.
whatever!
on the other hand, he confronted an “angry mob”, rather than a “reasonable group of people.”
August 28th, 2007 at 1:47 pm“Listen up bitches…I live in Baird’s district and he is not going anywhere…for some reason SW Washington is filthy with DemocRATS and they will vote him in no matter what he says or does………thats what DemocRATS do…mindless, baseless, lemmings one and all……….WATCH!
Comment by Zed Lefflin”
No, that’s what the Rethugs do. Democrats think for themselves and vote their conscience. That’s why the party is so messy and can’t be made into a bunch of lemmings like the Rethugs who are willing to march off a cliff after Bush rather than do what is right for their constituents. It’s really funny hearing you call Democrats lemmings when it is your party that is the lemming party, always has been and always will be.
August 28th, 2007 at 1:48 pmAt the beginning of July, 23 out of the 37 members of the Iraqi cabinet voted to approve a draft oil law,
Democrats Say Leaving Iraq Might Take Years
ust 12th, 2007
2. Neither the US Republican administration nor the Democrats had any disagreement with this policy and made the approval of the oil law a benchmark for future US strategy in Iraq within the Iraqi Study Group report
http://priceofoil.org/ 2007/ 08/ 27/ what-is-holding-up-the-iraqi-oil-law/
August 28th, 2007 at 1:49 pmYou go get em my fellow Washingtonians, this idiot is supposed to represent us. And a vast majority of US want to end this criminal occupation of Iraq.
August 28th, 2007 at 1:51 pmWe are gonna hold these so called representatives responsible for their actions…my rep. (who called it right from the start correctly) Jim McDermet is voting how we the people want, and that is to get us out of there as soon as possible.
“You mean, he is not representing you kook fringe moonbats!
Comment by Swifty the Boat (PiP) “
Well, since the most recent poll shows that only 28% of the people in this country support Bush in Iraq, and Baird’s district is not a solid red district populated with 28%ers, then the fact is that Baird IS NOT representing the people in his district. If you don’t like it, too bad. Just because you say something doesn’t make it true.
BTW, 72% of the American public cannot, in any way, be called “fringe”.
August 28th, 2007 at 1:51 pmBetter check Baird’s bank account. Bush people probably placed several million of that stolen money from Iraq in there.
August 28th, 2007 at 1:55 pmWhat better way to launder stolen tax dollars - give it to Bluedog Dems to turn on their own constituents.
August 28th, 2007 at 1:56 pmBillbo
August 28th, 2007 at 1:56 pmBaird is to represent ALL of his constituents not simply the majority otherwise we would have a tyranny of the majority which the founding fathers were trying to avoid.
Troll
August 28th, 2007 at 1:57 pmSo that’s how you excuse Bush’s surge - he’s representing the minority pro-war opinion
These rep-tard trolls certainly can’t handle the truth can they? They scream and yell and stomp their feet, but that doesn’t change the truth. The truth is that a vast majority of people in this country want us out of Iraq. The truth is that the military says that we can’t continue our presence in Iraq without breaking our military system. The truth is that most generals think we should get out of Iraq, but they are not free to say that until they retire.
To all the resident trolls here. Just because you say it doesn’t make it the truth. It may the your truth, but it isn’t our truth. The 72% of Americans who think Bush is wrong on Iraq know the truth.
August 28th, 2007 at 1:57 pm“Billbo
Baird is to represent ALL of his constituents not simply the majority otherwise we would have a tyranny of the majority which the founding fathers were trying to avoid.
Comment by Troll “
Oh really. Please explain how what he is saying is representing ALL the constituents in his district. Your logic escapes me. If 72% of his district thinks we should get out of Iraq and 28% says we should stay and he says we should stay, HOW IN THE HELL is that representing ALL of the constituents. It is impossible to represent all your constituents, therefore it is up to them to represent the majority opinion in their district.
August 28th, 2007 at 2:00 pmBTW, 72% of the American public cannot, in any way, be called “fringeâ€.
Comment by bilbobaggins — August 28, 2007 @ 1:51 pm
That 72% do not necessarily embrace a quick exit from Iraq. They agree that Bush has screwed it up.
August 28th, 2007 at 2:01 pmDemocrats eating their own….Excellent…Excellent! Everything is proceeding exactly as I have foreseen….
August 28th, 2007 at 2:02 pmThe truth is the leadership of both the Dems and Repubs are ignoring the will of the people, and they think they can get away with it. Bush has gotten away with ignoring the voice of the people for at least two years now. He just does what he wants and ignores public opinion. He’s set a very dangerous precedent. And the Dem leadership thinks it can win playing his game.
August 28th, 2007 at 2:06 pmChoice and consequence.
In 2000 nearly half of those eligible to vote chose not too. A small percentage chose to vote for a 3rd party candidate that could only play the role of spoiler.
In 2004 at least a third of us chose not to vote.
Apathy is the opportunity power and corruption take advantage of (i.e. Florida 2000, Ohio 2004).
Choice and consequence. We as a country have to bear the consequences. In this case in blood and national treasure. I cannot look my children in the eye and tell them it is morally okay to start a war, take a country and its people to the brink of ruin and then walk away; regardless of whether it was morally wrong to begin the war.
I do not know whether we can ever fix what we have broken. And it is we. George W. Bush may have pulled the trigger, but we put the gun in his hand. Congressman Baird at least has the moral courage to raise the issue of national responsibility and take the heat for it.
August 28th, 2007 at 2:06 pmComment by bilbobaggins — August 28, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
He represents them all by using the information at his disposal and reason to form opinions. Representation is not simply a matter of regurgitating the opinion of the majority.
August 28th, 2007 at 2:08 pmCongressman Baird at least has the moral courage to raise the issue of national responsibility and take the heat for it.
Don’t fall for that ‘I’m just following my conscience spiel”
Baird has been paid off to carry water for the pro-war position that if we just stay a few months more, and a few months more, and do the right thing, stay a few months more.
DO the right thing??? THe right thing for everyone is to withdraw now. Not wait a few more months and let hundreds more die for a lie. That is what takes more courage.
August 28th, 2007 at 2:10 pmexlax, democrats will take care of their own in a formal town setting. Republicans take care of their own in the men’s room.
August 28th, 2007 at 2:11 pmJan Lustig is obviously unfamilar with the Burkean trustee model of representation.
August 28th, 2007 at 2:22 pmBLUEDOG
[Proud of 8 months of accomplishing…WHAT? Seriously, what? Put an election in jeopardy? Are you serious? With 80% of Democrats and 55% of Americans wanting impeachment before you even start? With the post-Nixon and post-Reagan election results known to you? With your own book in the stores arguing that the Constitution is in jeopardy? Legislative attempts to reverse things??? People don’t want another 18 months of staged “attempts” while knowing that any good bill will be vetoed, and knowing that you know it, and knowing that you know that we know that you know it. You have 18 months. Nixon took 3. Clinton took 4 with a Senate trial included. Gonzales took only the threat.]
August 28th, 2007 at 3:00 pm#68 Chris
August 28th, 2007 at 3:10 pmWhile I appreciate how you feel, and I know that many Americans believe that we have a moral obligation to fix what we have broken (including many who never even voted for Bush and who opposed the war), the problem is we can’t fix it, not unless this country commits to the sacrifices needed to do it - reinstitution of the draft to be able to send in enough troops and a tax increase to pay for it, and neither of those things are going to happen - the American people will not support the continuation of this foreign policy fiasco. In the meantime, our presence there just makes everything worse - we are an occupation army and the Iraqis want us out. And we can’t stop their civil war. Sorry.
Democrats are made of
we’ve got 233 Democrats;
40 of them are Blue Dogs, that is, conservative Democrats that frequently vote Republican.
And then we have another group that are new to the Congress in their first term elected from red state
August 28th, 2007 at 3:12 pmSo was this another ten to fourteen hour stay in the most heavily fortified areas of Iraq?
Since Iraq is just slightly larger in land area than California, and has a slightly larger population than Texas, then perhaps an extended layover at LAX or DFW would be sufficient for the frustrated traveler to submit a definitive, detailed statement about the current conditions of that entire state.
The only difference is, you could venture out into the countryside on your own in either state and have a reasonably good chance of returning alive.
August 28th, 2007 at 3:52 pmThis is a shining example of how America is supposed to work. My hat’s off to the people of Washington standing up and telling their Representitive exactly what they expect from him! Its nice that Representitive Baird is willing to change his mind on subjects, but its more important that he listen and respond to the will of his constituency. Kudos to the Washingtonians for having the courage to speak their mind.
August 28th, 2007 at 4:34 pm# 74 GeorgiaDem-
Thanks for the response (well written).
It seems that the debate is framed too much at the extremes. Walk away completely or stay there indefinitely (the 40-50 year variety). What about a strategy that sends the right message in terms of (non) occupation to the Iraqi people and shows that we have the courage to do the right thing over the long term.
To that end:
1. Immediately cease construction of the new embassy compound.
2. Immediately cease construction of all military bases in Iraq.
3. Immediately begin a slow draw down/redeployment of troops.
4. Aggressively negotiate with Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, Kuwait, Syrian, Iran and Iraq to find common ground (including shared expense) with the sole objective of a stable country that is secure and self governing. We only hear about Syria and Iran, but they are only 2 of 6 bordering countries (if I’ve got my geography correct).
5. If we manage to get no. 4 to actually happen, then pay the majority of the reconstruction costs.
6. If we cannot get no. 4 to happen, then I see no other alternative, but to throw in the towell.
Yes, this will take a courageous Congress and President, neither of which we have (yet). Yes, this will require tax increases (and again courageous leadership to make them stick). And yes, this does not even begin to be an option until we have a real leader as President; but that possibility is there beginning in 200 if we do not let apathy control the outcome.
I know I am over simplifying, but as long as we keep the debate at the extremes I believe we are doomed to fail in Iraq and probably as a nation.
August 28th, 2007 at 5:29 pmHats off to My Congressman for exercising the due dilligence, taking great personal risk in the process, drawing an objective conclusion, and having the cajones to tell it straight to his constituents. He did not come to the conclusion that I would have liked but i trust his judgement and I support his position. Baird is spot on when he says we have a moral obligation to stabilize the country if at all possible.
Baird spent nearly four hours listening patiently and respectfully to his constituents (plus one non-constituent activist) who expresed their concerns about not withdrawing immediately or at least introducing a timeline. While many raised valid points none offered a substantial refutation of the case laid out by Baird for delaying troop drawdown. Baird was a model of dignity and grace as he faced ad hominems, false accusations, and ultimatums from shouting participants.
For 4 1/2 years I had to listen to Bushie sloganeering that said to oppose the Iraq invasion/occupation was to oppose our troops. Now the anti-occupation crowd claims that to oppose immediate withdrawal/timetables is to be nothing more than a shill for Bush. Both statements are blatantly dishonest and a convenient dodge of substantive debate on the issues.
On another note it was great to see how many attendees of the town hall were pro-impeachment, and disappointing that Baird does not make the issue a higher priority. Hopefully this will change.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:36 amToo much screaming, too much threatening, not enough listening….a lost art here, it seems. I’ve never seen such rudeness and inability to reason.
LISTEN to someone who has been there and seen for himself, rather than bowing to others with NO boots on the ground experience.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:16 am“This is democracy at its best. Why do you trolls have a problem with democracy in action?”
Comment by RUCerious — August 28, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
I think they believe in following daddy (Bush) no matter what.
Right-wing trolls are authoritarian i.e. anti-democracy.
And they love simple direct action like shooting people and dropping bombs like bin Laden and co. None of that fancy nuanced thinking for them.
The anti-war crowd play along by employing equally simplistic thinking like “bring the troops home.”
August 29th, 2007 at 7:12 pm