A retraction, and an apology to Mark Shields.
A retraction, and an apology to Mark Shields.
Yesterday, ThinkProgress reported that syndicated columnist Mark Shields said this weekend on Inside Washington, referring to Obama’s Afghanistan war decision, that he is “nostalgic” for the days when the U.S. “had a manly man in the White House who could say, ‘Let’s kick some tail and ask questions afterwards.’” Shields contacted ThinkProgress this morning and kindly informed us that his comments were intended to be sarcastic. We regret our error in misinterpreting his comments and for questioning his motives. Shields told us that his comments were meant to disparage those who consistently argue that more war will solve America’s problems and that his statement was directed at co-panelist and right-wing neoconservative Charles Krauthammer, who, according to Shields, was displeased with the remark. With a deeper appreciation for his wit, we extend our sincere apologies to Mr. Shields.
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I too, will to the classy thing. Mr. Shields, I apologize.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:44 amSometimes sarcasm is hard to get. Look at all of the teabaggers with Robert Erickson. That was a thing of beauty.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:44 amThats what I thought Sheilds’ intent was. I’ve read and listened to him for years. I can tell you, a neo-con he’s not.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:44 amAnd kudos to TP for this.
This is what separates TP from garbage news such as Fox News, and is exactly why I come to this site. Responsible reporting, which means standing up and taking responsibility for errors. Keep up the great work TP.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:45 amThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Aye.
Sorry, Mark.
And thank you, TP.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:46 amI too will apologize to Mr. Shields.
I said some spiteful things about him, assuming what he said was his belief.
I will NOT issue a non apology apology!
Mr. Shields, I am sorry for attacking your character.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:47 amThought so…
…especially after having listened to Mark for many years.
I assumed that, while I hadn’t heard much from him lately, he must’ve contracted that “Makes-New-Friends-Every-Day” affliction that Ronnie Raygun had.
In 1982.
I’m so relieved that Mark is not an apple juice short of a Happy Meal.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:48 amWell, as long as it displeased Krauthammer it’s ok with me. How exactly do you tell that he is displeased though? He has a permanent look on his face like he is constantly smelling a turd. I guess that’s just the result of the steamers continually dropping from his mouth. Maybe next time Mr. Shields should skip the barbs and just kick Krauthammer square in the jimmies, thank the neocon for his years of failed advice and anti-American views and then quietly sit down for the interview.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:48 amThis should be documented and held up to all as an example of an honest apology. Good job, TP. And my apologies as well to Mr. Shields.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:50 amSpoken like a true manly man.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:54 amThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
I apologize to Mr. Shields and to those that have defended his remarks as sarcasm.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:55 amIn my defense, my computer at work doesn’t have speakers.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:56 ampeterwest,
November 17th, 2009 at 11:56 amThanks for your concern.
Good job, ThinkProgress, for acknowledging a mistake and making an actual apology. I’m tired of the non-apologies from other sources who refuse to admit they are capable of making mistakes.
Can anyone remember when any right-whiner ever admitted to making a mistake and apologized for doing so?
November 17th, 2009 at 11:56 amYeah, just the fact that rush, beck, ann, all gop senators and congressmen call TP the enemy and TP is quoted on major media regularly……
Play it down all you can. It won’t make it go away.
Don’t you wish palen could make some sense and be taken seriously? She can’t and she won’t.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:57 amI get so touchy as well and often react without realizing the acutal intent. Being sarcastic is sometimes the only way to express yourself without going completely nuts from being so frustrated. My apologies as well, and kudos to TP for trying to maintain integrity – can’t say the same thing for almost any right-wing org.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:57 amI love how nirvana tappinjaw states that “nobody” important saw the OP, yet he referenced it.
So, he just admitted being a nobody.
Gotta love when trolls slam themselves.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:58 amNice apology.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:59 ampeterwest you’re a day late and a dollar short cupcake. This post is an honest apology, something “serious news outlets” have forgotten. I’d say TP is a step above for their timely and honest correction. I suspect that TP only read the transcript, a format wherein irony and sarcasm can be easily confused. It happens pete, get over it.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:59 amThanks for taking the high road, Think Progress.
“No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong.”
François de la Rochefoucauld
November 17th, 2009 at 12:00 pmIt is truly bizarre and I am dumbfounded as to how anyone could not see what Mark was doing. One can accept that the blogosphere may be ignorant as to who Mark Shields is, but NOT thinkprogress. Mark Shields is the most reasonable of all progressive columnists, has been on the best show in American News History, that being the MacNeil Lehrer Newshour, (now The Newshour with Jim Lehrer). He’s was on CNN for years on The Capital Gang and he’s also a regular on Inside Washington. I heard Stephanie Miller trashing Mark Shields this morning and I knew something was wrong. Sure enough, it would seem that progressives are putting all their eggs in the internet, and that this medium has left them vulnerable. It will be interesting to see if such a gaffe can re-occur as we put all our intellectual faith in the internet. Thinkprogress really needs a spanking for this one….
November 17th, 2009 at 12:03 pmMark Koldys *Hearts* Keith
I read it twice but was pretty sure what you were trying to say…..
November 17th, 2009 at 12:04 pmgood job, TP… thanks!
November 17th, 2009 at 12:05 pmWas I ripping on Shields? I meant Krauthammer……hehehe
Thanks for clarifying, TP. Can’t blame you for my knee jerk reaction, though – that’s on me and me only for not questioning and digging deeper.
Kudos to all those who stood up for Shields and called the post into question.
Wouldn’t see this type of retraction (TP’s) and contrition on a rightwing site.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:05 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
@31, PLEEZE! TP apologized. Every news organization makes mistakes, the fact TP owned up to it says a lot. I’m sure Faux News and the rest of the right-wing media WOULD never apologize or even make a retraction. Get off your high horse.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:13 pmFoswia, we’re not republicans, we’re progressives. Everyone makes mistakes. We admit it. Does the right?
Guess you never got anything wrong in your professional life.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:14 pmYour “concerns” have been fully noted Foswia
November 17th, 2009 at 12:15 pmFoswia, if doctors didn’t make mistakes they wouldn’t need malpractice insurance…….
They can’t just apologize.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:17 pmAn excellent apology, TP.
Having watched Mark Shields for many years on the Newshour, first in the McNeil/Lehrer version and then without the Mc, I’d have never expected Mr. Shields to take the sort of whack at President Obama as was described. After listening to the clip, it’s obvious he didn’t; it’s a tone of voice thing, you can tell when Mr. Shields is being sarcastic or applying some smarm. If some other comments had been included by YouTube, it might have been even more apparent. Glad to hear that CrapHammer was peeved.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:18 pmFred: I do get things wrong in my professional life but I not something this obvious. Mark Shields is very well known.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:18 pmI turn to TP each morning as my first news website. I do this because of their integrity and thoroughness. That is why this apology doesn’t surprise me. It is easy, at times, to misunderstand sarcasm. However, what I won’t forgive are the commenters to the original post who couldn’t wait to jump on the wrong train and bash Mark Shields as a type of chicken-hawk armchair-warrior scumbag. When I saw the video and read the terrible comments I went to Wikipedia and learned that Mr. Shields served as a Marine during the sixties. The comments on the earlier post are quite informative. It’s not only the trolls, but even many of the so-called supporters who are limp-brained pansy-assed cowardly (and) lazy dip-shits. We have the privilege of reading anything we want but with that comes the responsibility of using our big brains to make sure that our reactions are intelligent.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:22 pmpeterwest@12, wilfrid55@27, Foswia@31…
none of those posters showed up at the original thread to raise those concerns…
huh…
whodduthinkit…
November 17th, 2009 at 12:23 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Well TP made one mistake and corrected and apologized for it.
Do you want me to start listing the outright lies of faux etc. for which they never admit wrongdoing let alone apologize for it?
You need to go over there right now and let them have it. You have done your part here now get over to faux and don’t let up until they correct their lies and distortions.
see glen beck and oliely.
Here’s the part you should have to eat. They call themselves a news organization. TP is a blog.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:24 pmjeez… try again: whodduthunkit…
November 17th, 2009 at 12:24 pmWho do you think you are kidding. Medical malpractice is a repeat offender crime. 90% of all malpractice is done by someone who has done it before.
That’s why the insurance is so high. If they actually policed them it would not be that way.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:26 pmExcellent apology TP. I likewise will extend my apology to Mr. Shields.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:27 pmKaty: I’m glad you care so much about my health but I was laying in bed with gastroenteritis.
Fred: I don’t dispute that Fox News is much worse at this. I think you take me for some kind of conservative. If any of the staff writers have similar concerns, email me with the address I signed up, I can provide names of ThinkProgress interns that will vouch for my political views.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:28 pmNow we know what we are dealing with. An idiot.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:29 pmThis apology brought a few additional posters identifying themselves as staunch liberals/progressives. I look forward to their future posts and enlightened contribution to our community.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:29 pmFoswia says:
If Fox News made a mistake this blindly obvious they would apologize
————————-
Ummm… They HAVE made mistakes this obvious and have never offered apologies or even admission of making a mistake in the first place.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:29 pmturns out he was being sarcastic, but what if he wasn’t?
maybe you shouldn’t be so quick to try to trash someone who you generally agree with if they occasionally dare to not go hard left at every turn.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:30 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Fred: Stick to talking about what you know. I don’t dispute medmal is repeat, I do dispute the idea that this is a mistake like cutting off the wrong foot… It is more like treating a patient for acne with clonazepam.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:30 pmHirvi
And nobody at ALL will ever take an ignorant punkass troll like you seriously so why dont you just STFU
November 17th, 2009 at 12:32 pmFos, You are contradicting yourself:
first you said this:
And when I called you on it you said this:
You tell me to stick to talking about things I know about? Maybe you can resolve the disparity in your statements before you start disparaging other peoples knowledge.
I just don’t see how doctors are losing licenses if they are repeat offenders……..you explain that for me K?
November 17th, 2009 at 12:37 pmI am so glad to read this apology. I’ve been a long time fan of Mark Shields, and couldn’t believe that it wasn’t sarcasm. I also had the great pleasure of meeting him at an Obama rally before the election. He was just plain dear.
hirvi tappajan, if this is just TP, why are you bothering to be on it? Go back to your right wing blogs, and play with your own kind.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:38 pmFoswia
A couple of things. Several posters said they thought it was sarcastic, also the rightwing has virtually made satire obsolete since they have become as was said satire itself. Things any normal person would swear had to be sarcastic they say sincerely. So TP screwed up. I dont think anyone here NEEDS you to be the rooms pious scold. If you want that job become a schoolmaarm.
FOX, Lou and Billy O can all take lessons from this appology. Notice it was NOT a non appology appology like saying IF we offended you we are sorry. It has all the traits of a REAL appology. An outright admission of guilt and regret and a direct unqualified appology.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:40 pmFred: Logic fail.
All people who commit medmal may lose their license but not all but not all of those who commit medmal do lose their license. It all depends on how egregious the malpractice was.
If you want to put a mistake like this into a medical analogy, this was extraordinarily egregious.
Example: Lower level is where the wrong foot is amputated, upper level is when the doctor had no reason to even be performing an amputation and does one for an ear infection.
I’d submit that this Think Progress mistake would be more like the upper level mistake.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:42 pmEugeneDebs: The apology was fantastic and everything Shields could want. But, TP really needs to look at its editing and staffing decisions. This mistake wasn’t just reckless, it was negligent.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:45 pmsaccoment
If it HADNT been sarcastic then he DESERVED the criticism. Hard left? Please, I doubt you know what the term means. If Shields had MEANT what he said that would have been a lot more than not being hard left. In an ethical world you hold yourself, your friends AND your enemies to the same standards.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:46 pmFoswia, I’m over caring what you think.
You obviously have an agenda to make TP look bad while ignoring serious and repeated offenses by faux etc. so you make yourself irrelivant.
It is you who has failed to make a point.
If you want to be the cop on the beat, stop discriminating.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:47 pm“He has a permanent look on his face like he is constantly smelling a turd.”
In answer to the earlier post on this, Krautenheimer has a severe bowel control problem. To make matters worse, it’s impossible for him to anticipate when and where it will strike him. Sometimes, it heads down his large intestines and exits in his Depends. Sometimes, it heads up and comes out of his mouth.
p.s. — thanks for setting the record straight on Shields’ comment, TP; it is as I thought — sarcasm
November 17th, 2009 at 12:47 pmFred, your siege mentality has blinded you. My agenda isn’t to make TP look bad, my agenda is for CAP to clean up TP’s procedures. If this mistake could happen with mark shields, it could happen to nearly anyone, and it could be very embarrassing.
I do like how you ignore that I correctly pointed your inept logic faculties. Simple minded absolutism is as unacceptable on our side as it is on theirs.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:53 pmFoswia says: This mistake wasn’t just reckless, it was negligent.
Well, I am certain everyone understands your judgment. Since you are so concerned, maybe you should consider finding a place where your perfection is better appreciated.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:54 pmAn apology is fine, but the issue here is that an attack has been made on someone you do not know… and the fact that you do not know who Mark Shields is indicative of your limited information sources. A good analogy is the wing-nut who ONLY listens to talk-radio as opposed to the loon who ONLY reads blogs. A gaffe like this is troubling as far as I am concerned. My advice ? Get your news fix from NPR and PBS !
November 17th, 2009 at 12:55 pmFoswia,
November 17th, 2009 at 12:55 pmThanks for you concern.
Fos, you said you are a progressive. Say something progressive to prove it if you are able to let it pass your lips.
I have seen lots of fake progressives. You can be anything you want on the web, eh?
You pointed out nothing. You made contradictory statements to support your plausible fallacy. Nothing new. Nothing special.
see post 53
November 17th, 2009 at 12:56 pmwilfrid55,
November 17th, 2009 at 12:57 pmThanks for your concern.
Well, I am relieved to have this matter cleared up.
I was incredulous that Shields would have made the comments so uncharacteristic of him.
Thanks Think Progress for admitting your error. Such a full (and red-faced) apology would never occur on a less-classy site.
About 7 or 8 years ago, I wrote an email to Shields, expressing my dismay with some of the decisions and actions of Bush&Company — Shields returned a personal reply; something I didn’t expect, but greatly appreciated.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:58 pmI offer my apology for some unwarranted remarks about Mr. Shields.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:00 pmLeslieBurton says:
hirvi tappajan, if this is just TP, why are you bothering to be on it? Go back to your right wing blogs, and play with your own kind
I was going to give a real answer but then I realized….OMFG you really don’t know do you? I can’t believe you are that naive, do you have any brains in that space between your ears where they were meant to be?
Now I expect some idiot to post…
So, you admit that you are just here to troll and disrupt and bla bla bla. Big 10-4 there buddy.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:02 pmHoodathunk: The “nobody is perfect” defense? In a a fraction of the time it took them to write the post, they could have figured out who Mark Shields is (And who doesn’t know that?) and they would realized it was way out of character. This isn’t a hobby, TP bloggers are paid.
Fred: For your major logical issue please see post 61, if you would like I can diagram my statements.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:03 pmnirvana tappinjaw,
So, you admit that you are just here to troll and disrupt and bla bla bla?
Big 10-4 there buddy?
November 17th, 2009 at 1:03 pmThanks TP for retracting the error.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:05 pm61 looks like something a 7th grader put together and makes no sense.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:06 pmGood point Fred, let me issue my correction and say it was post 56.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:07 pmFos, still waiting for you to say something progressive.
As opposed to saying faux would have apologized which we all know is a lie.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:08 pmfos, from 56:
and from 53:
we call that “moving the goalposts” and it happens when you are losing.
If you are a progressive, why have you offended so many here this morning?
November 17th, 2009 at 1:10 pmFred: I don’t really feel the need to prove my progressive background to a groupthink hack who hangs out on TP msg boards instead of effecting change.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:12 pmand fos, that was after I called you on it with this:
You’re on the defense because you don’t know how this works. You’re an amature.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:12 pmVery impressive that TP published this correction.
You folks took “the high road”…again, I’m impressed.
There needs to be a lot more of this by the MSM as well as the NotMSM types like FauxNoise.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:14 pmThat’s funny. You know nothing about me but I now know all I need to know about you.
back to the bench.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:15 pmFred: I know a lot about you. 1) You never took a logic course in school 2) You post a lost on think progress (link), 3) You view the world in the same black and white way Dubbya did so everyone who disagrees with you must be a reactionary. You just think your simple mind is superior because it is on the left.
If “back to the bench” was meant to tell me you’re a judge, i’ll admit I’ve met some very unqualified judges.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:23 pmFoxwia says:
Fred: I don’t really feel the need to prove my progressive background to a groupthink hack who hangs out on TP msg boards instead of effecting change.
Thanks for your concern!
November 17th, 2009 at 1:24 pmHitler Murdered Many A Leftist says:
Way to go dipshits. You nearly had a friend on the right and you ruined it. Although I will admit it is hard to read sarcasm online.
Thanks for your concern.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:25 pmFoxwia whines:
2) You post a lost on think progress (link)…
Wha???
In order for one to realize that someone posts a LOT on TP, one must visit constantly visit here.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:28 pmSo much for you “effecting change”, eh?
No you don’t. You presume a lot and only if it fits your agenda.
For a progressive you sure like to make fun of progressives and lefties. Odd that.
back to the bench means to sit down and send in a 1st stringer. You’re losing the game in the last quarter.
Oh yeah, you lost it already and now your team is disolving.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:28 pmBottom line:
TP and others (including myself) made a mistake.
Was it reprehensible?
Was it a true travesty to journalism world wide?
No.
But it was a mistake, and TP et al took full responsibility and issued a true apology.
Looking to read between the lines is just rubbish, and is trolling.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:32 pmDRxJ: I think the link I included shows how I deduced he posted a lot. Reading comprehension problems?
Fred: I haven’t made fun of progressives, I have only made fun of group think wanabes like yourself. Thanks for playing.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:32 pmFoswia = right wing concern troll
very predictable and always superior and thier facts don’t require any support, just their say so.
good day troll.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:36 pmWhat link?
November 17th, 2009 at 1:39 pmDrxJ, it says the word “link’ on post #82. Isn’t that special?
November 17th, 2009 at 1:44 pmIf any TP staffers are reading my posts and are reaching the same ridiculous conclusion as Fred, please take me up on the offer to email me so I can give my bio and use former TP people as references.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:51 pmNow that’s what I call an apology.
Stay classy, TP. (no sarcasm :P )
November 17th, 2009 at 1:52 pmPost it. I will be much more objective than you have been here this morning.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:55 pmHitler
just kill yourself you worthless pile of dogshit
November 17th, 2009 at 1:57 pmOkay, I’ll bite.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:59 pmWhat’s your email address?
To all who took the time to seriously acknowledge this mistake, well done!
November 17th, 2009 at 2:02 pmDRxJ, I’m betting her references to old TP people would be Pee or mantastic, etc.
November 17th, 2009 at 2:04 pmFos, are you going to lie about this too. Do you say anything that is true?
I can’t say I’m surprised. I knew you were lying all along.
November 17th, 2009 at 2:23 pmThe minute I saw TP’s article about Mark Shields I knew that you would have to retract it. As I said last night, I have watched Mark Shields for over 25 years now and he has to be one of the very best in the business when it comes to commentary and inside knowledge of what is going on in DC. Mark has been around a long time and he worked for several years on the Senate side and trust me, he is a really smart, nice and very funny guy.
Thanks for the retraction and the apology…..because I cringed when I saw the comments that were made and felt it was terribly unfair and not true. In fact, this White House would be wise to listen to Mark Shields.
November 17th, 2009 at 2:45 pmWhat a relief to hear that Mr. Shields’ “manly man” comment was taken completely out of context and hats off to TP for the exemplary manner in which it has sought to correct the record. I agree with those who say that TP made an sloppy mistake (I don’t know Mark Shields that well but that kind of comment seemed out of character coming from him) but credibility has been more than redeemed. On many news/opinion/analysis sites this is the kind of post that would have just been removed from its website without a word. Way to take responsibility for the error, TP, instead of simply burying it.
November 17th, 2009 at 2:50 pmWow! When I read that post, I thought I was on Red State instead of TP……..Phew, Mark Shields is back on my good list. Thanks for the retraction, TP…..Thank God, I’m not living in an alternate universe!
November 17th, 2009 at 2:56 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Foswia, your thoughtful concern expressed in post #31 has caused you to be maligned as a concern troll by a critical mass of regulars on this message board. There is no practical way to shake this ignominious badge of shame. Just accept it and move on. It’s the best use of your time.
Been there.
November 17th, 2009 at 3:08 pmOne piece of advice to the TP team: I think it would be wise to make a list of all the important players in the political media world, and in your research include some relevant information about their history. That way you might avoid future blunders, and as well, speak with more authority.
Lastly: “Caution seldom goes far enough.” -Whitman
November 17th, 2009 at 3:09 pmMr DUKE
My goodness. You are the stupidest thing since cutglass toilet paper and YOU are talking about someone ELSE being stupid? HA. Check that MOUNTAIN of stupidity that is YOU. I didnt watch. I dont watch TV news its a waste of time if you want to actually be informed. Then again moron that you are you wouldnt know that or really anything else. I know Shields from way back so I personally phrased my complaints as someone who would say such a thing. Or THOSE kind of people. BOttom line here anyone NEAR as stupid as you shouldnt be casting aspersions. McFLY? My GOD you are such a moron
November 17th, 2009 at 3:16 pmGlad it’s cleared up, and well done. We all make mistakes, and recognizing and apologizing when we’re in the wrong is classy, and a sign of strength of character.
November 17th, 2009 at 3:20 pmKeep up the good work.
Apparently missing the point (huge surprise there), Hitler thinks Mark Shields would have consituted a friend on the right. As Huck Finn said “If I was as ignorant as you, I wouldn’t let on.”
November 17th, 2009 at 4:22 pmWhy would TP think Mark Shields would think that.
This guy is a long term top notch professional who is progressive.
Come on TP- You all should know better.
At least you all did the right thing though.
Mark Shields is awesome!
November 17th, 2009 at 5:18 pmThank you, Think Progress, for clearing that up. I’m still a little baffled that TP would assume that Mark Shields was serious. I would assume that by now TP and most of the liberal left would know where Mr. Shields is coming from. But all the same, I appreciate the correction.
Carry on…
November 17th, 2009 at 5:31 pmThanks for the clarification TP – although I did recognize the sarcasm after an astute member of the site pointed it out.
None the less, I apologize for the collective unjust attack on your character.
November 17th, 2009 at 5:37 pmI’m glad to know this was a mistake. Thanks for the correction.
November 17th, 2009 at 6:28 pmI figured Mark Shields’ comment was sarcastic, but I now know who it was directed at, Charles Krauthammer, the Charles Krauthammer who counts himself as one of the neo-con “intellectuals” in the Republican Party, along with Bloody Bill Kristol, which makes one wonder exactly how low the average I.Q. of Republicans really is, relative to the Democratic and Independent parts of our population.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I know some smart and educated Republicans, some even displaying compassion and caring for their fellow citizens (not just money and making a profit at the expense of others).
But there is the Gullibility Factor (G.F.) that must be figured into the I.Q. equation regarding Republicans, and anyone who watches and gets their “news” regularly from Faux News has a 100 percent G.F., which literally dumbs them down. And dumb people say and do dumb things…just look at the Teabaggers.
November 17th, 2009 at 10:27 pmI know Mark Shields………that was no Mark Shields….I thought I heard someone say that yesterday……..it was probably me.
November 17th, 2009 at 10:37 pmOkay, good. Better than good. It was so weird to see this site so full of misdirected ire. You made me register at 3 am!
I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. Thanks, TP and all the TPers who apologized to Mark Shields.
November 18th, 2009 at 1:35 amReddy says:
It was so weird to see this site so full of misdirected ire.
Actually it was completely normal.
November 18th, 2009 at 3:42 amFOIA Gras: Heh, so true but it is funny to see the groupthinkers here attack contrary opinion with the same fervor as literalists attacking “heretics.” It seems we’ve become a group where dissent must be quashed while affirmation is promoted.
November 18th, 2009 at 6:34 am