I was listening to Hal Sparks today, who is sitting in for Stephanie Miller while she is on vacation for this week. My first exposure to Hal was his role as Michael in the Canadian/US version of “Queer As Folk,” which remains as one of my top 5 choices of any television series. (Hal is straight, but played a gay man with such conviction that I never knew he was straight until I read an article after the show had finished its run) . Anyway, now days he is doing his stand up comedian act and playing/singing (for real) in a metal band. The man is brilliant, funny, and has a level of “coolness” the immediately qualifies him for mention on Birth of the Cool.
Today, he made an excellent point that I had never thought of before: Hal noted that these days there actually is a cogent, civil, and thoughtful debate taking place over legitimately important issues, which gives voice to all relevant views. Where is this debate to be found – in the Democratic party! He is absolutely right. We Democrats truly are the “big tent” party, and instead of giving “lip service” to the concept of tough debate, we embrace it. Of course by doing so, we often attract the people whose views on certain issues vary greatly. But, we allow for talking out our differences, and (almost always) when the debate is over, we adopt a united front. We don’t impugn or threaten each other. No more graphic example of this anomaly is the Bart Stupak episode. The man stood up for his belief – a belief which if taken alone would have placed him squarely outside even our big tent -- but in the end he made a courageous defense of the health care bill. For his actions he is now receiving death threats from the right wing crazies. Go figure.
Hal’s point was that we are clearly not seeing anything remotely resembling legitimate debate in the Democrat vs. Republican milieu. Instead, we have the party of “no” unleashing its slavering minions upon our political process.
As for the Democrats, good for us. I would start feeling uncomfortable if my fellow dems and I agreed on everything.
Peace out,
~ tom
3 comments:
Being a party of no is a patriotic position when confronted by liberal/socialist/Marxists. If polls are to believed, Republicans and Independents are with us. It is only the loony left that supports Obama's federal govt. power grab.
Here is a little update on David Frum, whom you put forth as representative of sage political thinking. The jerk has been fired. Let him join the loony left, where he belongs.
Dear Arthur,
This will memorialize our conversation at lunch today. Effective immediately, my position as a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute is terminated. I appreciate the consideration that delays my emptying of my office until after my return from travel next week. Premises will be vacated no later than April 9.
I have had many fruitful years at the American Enterprise Institute, and I do regret this abrupt and unexpected conclusion of our relationship.
Very truly yours,
David Frum
Here is new insight into much of America's opinion of the Obamasiah. I do not agree with all of it. I just think he is a dangerous jerk who needs to be retired from office along with is Democrat majority.
A Harris Poll released Wednesday found that 40 percent of Americans say Mr. Obama is a socialist, a third think he's a Muslim, a quarter think he was not even born in the U.S., is not eligible to be president and is a "domestic enemy that the U.S. Constitution speaks of."
The pollster asked provocative questions indeed, with equally provocative findings.
Special: Is Obama a Socialist? Do You Agree With the 40 percent? Vote Here Now.
Among other things, the poll also found that three-out-of-10 Americans think Mr. Obama "wants to turn over the sovereignty of the U.S. to a one-world government." About an equal number - 29 percent - said he had "done many things that are unconstitutional" while 27 percent said "he resents America's heritage."
Between 20 percent and 23 percent said Mr. Obama is "a racist," "anti-American" and "is doing many of the things that Hitler did." Fourteen percent went so far as to agree that Mr. Obama "may be the anti-Christ" while 13 percent said "he wants the terrorists to win."
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