I read Kevin Drum’s blog most days to see what the left is talking and writing about. I also regard Kevin as an honest reporter who has done a better job than the MSM on such topics as Bush’s ANG service. I followed his research a couple of years ago until he decided that there was no evidence for the myth that Bush had been AWOL. A few months later, CBS ran upon the shoal that Kevin avoided and Dan Rather ended up the principle casualty. Mary Mapes was also a casualty of sorts but she is a nut. I have pretty much stopped commenting on Kevin’s blog because the moderators delete my comments without even acknowledging that they were ever there. I complained once to Kevin, who I still e-mail occasionally, but he replied that he has no control over that anymore. They are paying him to blog so I guess the Golden Rule applies. Yesterday, I posted a few comments on a thread about Rudy Giuliani and the story of how he took his security detail with him when he visited his present wife while he was still married to the former one, Donna Hanover. I don’t think this is nearly as important a story as the lefties do because, after Bill Clinton, nothing short of child sacrifice would affect a presidential election. As a famous Louisiana governor once said, “Nothing could keep me from being elected again except finding a dead girl or a live boy in my bed.” That was 25 years ago. Live boys are less of a problem now. Anyway, I got the usual abusive responses to my comments but at least they weren’t deleted so I persisted. This morning, all my comments have been deleted but the replies are still there, referring to the now vanished comments by yours truly.
This experience, by now routine, would not be worth a post except for the CNN scandal. The Democrats refused to debate on Fox News although it was not clear if they feared a biased panel (The debate was to be sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus) or exposure to the Fox News audience, presumably more sophisticated than the couch potatoes who still watch the Ratherless CBS. The Republicans showed no such reluctance to debate in a forum put on by CNN, formerly known as The Clinton News Network for the kid glove treatment afforded the Clintons during the 90s. The treatment seems to be persistent through the present campaign. Then CNN filled the questioner ranks with plants from Democratic campagn and union activists. So much for “citizen participation.” Actually, from what little I saw, the planted questions were pretty well handled although Giuliani stumbled on the illegal immigrant questions. The questions were also kind of lame and show all the caricatures that Democrats believe about Republicans. My response to the gay general was that the “Don’t ask. Don’t tell” policy was working pretty well if he had a 42 year career that ended with him retiring as a general.
Anyway, why do Democrats, especially the left wing of the party, avoid chances to interact with people who politely disagree? This may be related to the question of why they react with obscenity and personal abuse to such people when encountered in blog comments? And now, they avoid them altogether by deleting comments. Some, like the SF Chroncle, try to fool the commenter into thinking they haven’t deleted it. I don’t care if they delete my comment with a notice: “Attention, this comment is deleted because we don’t have any answer to it.” That would be OK. I tend to think Democrats, and especially the lefty members, have weak self images. Maybe that’s why they keep coming up with these “self respect” courses in the public schools. It’s easier than actually learning stuff. Anyway, the world has a habit of bursting balloons so we’ll see if the Pelosi foreign policy is as popular as they think it is next fall.
UPDATE: The left is now complaining about the revelations of CNN plants. Poor babies.
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This reminds me of the surveys where close to half of conservatives report happiness/satisfaction with life, while only one quarter of liberals report such.
I think conservatives can be a little bit calmer because our arsenal includes self reliance and the ability to go it alone. I think of Ted Nugent parachuting into the Alaska wilderness, and hiking out. What prominent liberal could do this?
Liberals require “the village” to maintain their existence, so they get a little more desperate when the village order is questioned.
I have never had a conversation with a liberal regarding any political issue who did not almost instantaneously launch into some pre-rehearsed emotional rant. No matter how calm or quiet one is when presenting a different pov or questioning the thought process that led to the lib’s conclusions on an issue, they inevitably explode.
Its exhausting just thinking about trying to dialogue w/a lib…
This is terrible news about Kevin Drum’s moderators deleting your comments. My guess is they’re interns or assistants.
A while back, House and Senate Republicans seemed to be an extremely well-disciplined group, staying on message and staying away from the personal attacks. That seemed to go the way of Tom Delay.
As to the CNN debates, I don’t mind Democrats submitting questions to Republicans; the problem is, if Fred Barnes is to be believed, Democrats are also the ones submitting questions to Democratic candidates too, all sponsored by our unbiased media.
A quote from Barnes: Remember the CNN debate in Las Vegas where they had a soldier get up with his mother, and he — but did he challenge the Democrats who were against the war? No. He was against the war, too. He ratified their position.
So you can see the completely different ways CNN handled that—one to screw Republicans, one to boost Democrats.
I had wanted to post this on my own blog, and I still might!
I don’t blame Kevin. I think the Washington Monthly people don’t want a debate; they want a unified POV on that blog. The trouble is that it is a BDS POV. When Kevin had Calpundit, his own blog, there was none of ths nonsense and we had a few good debates. That was before the war when emotions on the left got out of control. The left is gradually getting farther away from reality and they will not discuss their opinions. It is a religion.
The left is gradually getting farther away from reality and they will not discuss their opinions. It is a religion.
It’s been that way for years in the academic world.
This is terrible news about Kevin Drum’s moderators deleting your comments. My guess is they’re interns or assistants.
By the way, I found out a couple of days ago that it’s perfectly acceptable to post malicious, libelous comments about certain Iraq war veterans at the Swamp. Just thought y’all should know…
Hi, Dr. LaRoche: Different people care about different things. What is a horrific incident to one person is not a big deal to another, and vice versa. I’m sorry to hear what you write above, but it was not a new event, right?
but it was not a new event, right?
Hi Eric. Regrettably, it wasn’t. Oh well, live and learn.
Dear Dr. LaRoche. Tru dat, even dubl tru as the hiphoppish would proclaim. But I have found that not all animals are created equal, so I doubt the situation you describe will change. No need to fight; that’s just how it is. You know you are not wrong (i.e., I agree with you, but it never got me anywhere).
No need to tell you this, but there is only so much energy available. Do the things that matter to you most, my friend. I have always enjoyed your posts and insights (whether or not we agreed on a given issue). But I have found I was putting too much of my time into fractious pursuits—so now I spend more time in other pursuits.
I hope to see you around here when you have time or inclination. After all, we are brothers in academic arms!
I hope to see you around here when you have time or inclination. After all, we are brothers in academic arms!
Thanks, Eric. It might be awhile before I post an entry or comment again at the Swamp, though.
Presently, I’m not really comfortable being associated with a blog which permits outright slander to be posted about someone who is a personal friend and has served his country with honor. Perhaps my colleagues at the Swamp don’t understand the serious nature of “Chavez” even suggesting that a military officer received an official reprimand for his conduct.
Having many friends and relatives (including immediate family) who have served in the armed forces, I do understand how despicable such an insult is. And I will have no part of it.
I don’t know the details, Professor LaRoche, as I have been doing other things than following discussions there (I wish them well, of course). But as I wrote before, I think it is important to spend time in a place where you feel good about the environment. Everyone is different, and has different tastes. Why spend time at a place that makes you unhappy or angry? It is better to find positive things, and I think you are doing so.
I agree with you that many people need to show more respect for members of the Armed Forces. They are doing a difficult, dangerous job, and merit our respect and support. Funny how political types tend to use those men and women for their own purposes (and on both sides of the aisle, to be nonpolitical about it).
Please thank your friend and your family members for their service, Professor LaRoche.
Dear Dr. LaRoche:
I put the above poorly. I meant to write: please thank them on my behalf.
I missed the “Chavez” incident as I only skim the swamp these days. I fear we are going to see Gresham’s Law in force over there.