posted October 11, 2008
I am appalled that we do not hear an outcry from all Americans, Democrats, Republicans and Independents concerning the outrageous and very dangerous shouts that have been heard at McCain/Palin rallies.
The anger and rage that has been displayed at these rallies is eating at the very fabric of American democracy.
I am not sure that McCain and Palin know exactly what to do, but it speaks volumes about both of their characters if they do not publicly and quickly denounce these. If we are not civil to each other and we have such deep resentment and loathing of others based on political ideology, then this great democratic experiment called The United States may be unraveling at the seams faster than we can fix it.
It concerns me greatly that what I am hearing and seeing at McCain and Palin rallies smacks of fascism at its purist level.
I am not one to name call and to accuse, but it is John McCain who has the responsibility to openly rebuke this kind of thing, unless he supports this kind of division. McCain loathes Barack Obama, and that one fact is McCain's greatest problem in this election. It is being noticed by all Americans and I know a number of them who have rejected McCain and Palin because of how they have publicly shown their loathing and disgust for anyone who is not a Republican.
James Brown
Chattanooga
* * *
Notice James Brown does not offer any facts - just fascism. Oh, the liberal left and their right wing fascist epitaphs. Since they do not have anything positive to say about their candidate except he will change things, I am not surprised. This election is about facts - not name calling.
It is about who is ready to lead with experience. Barack Obama has only run for President while he has been in the Senate. He has no executive experience, no sponsorship and passage of legislation record, only a liberal voting record. He was ready to see the economy fall apart and go to a debate instead of doing his job in the Senate on a critical vote.
McCain is pro-capitalism. His opponent is not. McCain is pro-life. His opponent is not. McCain is pro-military. His opponent is not. McCain has served his country in the military or National Guard. His opponent has not. McCain has no terrorist associations in his background. His opponent actually does. McCain is against making healthcare a government run fiasco. His opponent is actually looking forward to doing just that. McCain has a budget that shows how he would pay for programs. His opponent promises everything with no fiscal facts. He promises raising every government program's funding while cutting everyone's taxes. We need less government not more. Government is the problem, not the solution.
So, Mr. James Brown, drop the Nazi references and let’s talk truth about American issues. Unless that is all you’ve got.
Cliff Sarbel
* * *
Mr Sarbel, while attempting to criticize Mr Brown's letter, manages to further demonstrate the spiteful rhetoric of the extreme right. Like Mr. Brown, I, too, have been completely appalled by the obvious incitement at the McCain rallies. When someone in the crowd yells "traitor," or "kill him," there is a big problem festering.
I am glad that McCain chose to curb the rhetoric yesterday by assuring everyone that Obama is not a "Muslim, traitor," nor a "risk to our national security." He correctly stated that Obama is a good man that loves his country. This country desperately needs someone that is going to unite us rather than widen the divide.
Mr Sarbel states the Democratic supporters have nothing "positive to say about their candidate except he will "change things." How much time do you have Mr Sarbel? We could bore you to death with all of the positive things we have to say about Obama. But, rather than do that, allow me to ask if you are that thrilled with the direction this country has been going.
Are you really thrilled with the almost $10 trillion debt? How much has your income increased over the last eight years? I'll bet after being adjusted for inflation, you have seen a decrease. Thrilled with that?
How thrilled are you that our nation invaded a country that had absolutely nothing to do with the events of 9/11? Instead, wouldn't it have made more sense to focus our resources on eradicating the threat from the individual that was responsible?
How much do you think we should be spending for the occupation of Iraq, since we are only paying $10 billion a month right now. How long do you think our military personnel can keep doing "tours" in Iraq?
Are you really that happy with the way things have gone the last eight years? If you are, you are certainly a blessed individual. The overall majority of everyone I have talked with is fed up. Everyone says they are ready for a "change."
I, for one, am ready for a "change" in the way our government rewarded the rich by privatizing the profit, and nationalizing the debt of Wall Street. I am ready to see some of our hard earned tax dollars spent on the infrastructure of our nation, instead of rebuilding Iraq. I am ready for a "change" in the way we allow our companies to move jobs overseas and get a tax break for doing so.
Mr. Sarbel, I am ready for a "change" in our medical system. Health insurance for my wife and I costs $2,600 a month. You would never believe our deductibles either. If our insurance increases next year, as I suspect it will, we will have to make a major decision whether or not to continue paying such exorbitant amounts. The point is, we are blessed in that we can pay for our insurance. How many people are having to choose to drop their coverage because of such ridiculous rates?
Barack Obama never once said he wanted to socialize our medical system. He wants to work with the insurance companies to negotiate the cost down. He also wants to allow people to be able to purchase the coverage that our government employees carry if they are unable to find coverage elsewhere.
I'm puzzled by. Mr Sarbel's statement that Obama isn't for capitalism. Maybe because Obama supports putting regulations back into effect. Un-bridled capitalism has brought our economy to it's knees. I suspect Mr. Sarbel pulled that one out of the air somewhere, because I have yet to see anything to suggest that Obama isn't pro capitalism.
Mr. Sarbel states that McCain is pro life. I am too. But I recognized a long time ago that the Republican Party uses that stance as a "cause du joir." The Republican party enjoyed a majority in the House, Senate, Supreme Court and the White House for six years. During that time they could have easily enacted legislation opposing abortion, but they never did.
Mr. Sarbel states McCain is pro-military and Obama isn't. That is surprising since Obama wants to escalate the troop level in Afghanistan. I wonder if Mr. Sarbel is aware that McCain voted against every single bill that has come before the Senate that would have protected our troops in the field, or benefited our veterans at home? McCain got a "D" rating by a major veterans group, while Obama rated an "A". Doesn't sound lke McCain is for our troops to me.
Mr Sarbel states Obama has no executive experience. Neither does McCain. Mr Sarbel would be surprised to learn that Obama has sponsored legislation. Yes, Mr. Sarbel, this election is about facts.
Instead of discussing the problems facing our country, Mr. Sarbel, like McCain and Palin, chooses to attempt changing of the subject. The old saying is "if you can't dazzle them with the facts, baffle them with bull."
William Ayres is one way they are doing that. Ever heard of the Annenberg Foundation, Mr. Sarbel? That is the foundation that supports the charity where Ayres and Obama sat on the board. Ruth Annenberg is a major supporter of John McCain. She is also the one that put Ayres onto that board. I wonder if using the same reasoning would dictate that McCain is supported by terrorists? Ridiculous isn't it?
Yep, I agree. Let's start using facts when debating this election. Maybe we'll end up fixing something...anything. We need a "change."
Rod Dagnan
Hixson
roddagnan@comcast.net
* * *
Mr. Sarbel, I think the point that Mr. Brown was attempting to make is that there is a noticeable level of hostility and unacceptable “lynch mob” type behavior at the McCain/ Palin rallies. I noticed that you failed to address his concerns in your reply.
You seemed to have taken the same approach as the lovely governor from Alaska. You ignored the issue all together.
Anyone running for the two top spots in American politics has a duty to address the issue of “hate speech” at his/her rally immediately. While you may not agree with Sen. Obama’s policies, you have to agree that the two candidates need to maintain a certain amount of civility in their camps. Or maybe you don’t. Maybe you think that our citizens and politicians need to behave as if we are two warring tribes in some third world country. McCain finally addressed the issue after more moderate Republicans openly voiced their disappointment with rally participants.
Mr. Brown’s point is an easy one to grasp; there is no place in American politics for this type of behavior.
Glenn Scruggs
Harrison
* * *
If you want to see Facism at its best, go online to Rock The Vote (supposedly a bi-partisan board) and other pro-Obama sites. There you will see the other side of the coin focused against Republicans - hatred, vulgarity, racism, rumors, hacking, spamming, and horrible accusations against anyone who dares to be Independent or Republican. They may not be at the rallies, but they spew plenty of hatred online.
Across the nation, McCain supporters have had their cars keyed, signs disappear, yards destroyed when cars run down their signs in the middle of the night - even sample ballots have been marked and distributed with "X" beside Obama's name. Voter fraud is running rampant in numerous states, and we've just found out that Obama's campaign funneled $800,000 to a "get-out-the-vote" campaign through ACORN. ACORN - a taxpayer-funded organization is rolling out the vote in distressed communities - for Obama. An organization notorious for voter fraud. Is it any surprise that McCain supporters are angry. This election is being hijacked.
Online, these Obama supporters call themselves "The New Breed." If they are, then God help this country.
Mya Lane
* * *
Mr. Brown attempts to attach the word 'Fascism' to Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin. Mr. Brown needs to put down his brown bag and notice that Sen. McCain has come out against these rants, even facing boos from the crowds for offering kind words of Mr. Obama. John McCain does not appear to want to do what people who are against Obama want him to do. We do have this little thing called 'Freedom of Speech' that those such as Obama and the Democrats would like to take away from everyone that does not agree with their liberal beliefs.
How about the hate-filled speech of Jeremiah Wright? How about Farrakhan and the garbage he spews from his mouth? Is it Ok for these people to share there hate filled opinions and to try and stir up hate but not for the everyday American citizen to shout their opinion?
I do find it funny that you attach this word to the Republican candidate. While we are attaching parties that relate to leaders of other countries let us look at Mr. Obama. While some of the most popular Fascists would be Mussolini and Hitler, how about the leaders of the Socialist party. Those fine, upstanding leaders such as Castro, Lenin, Stalin, and the other communist hoodlums. While you have been drinking the Obama Kool-Aid, those of us who want to be educated voters have been studying Obama's ties to the Socialist party. That is right; as in United Soviet Socialist Republic. No wonder the USA's largest Marxist organization, the Democratic Socialists of America has consistently supported Barack Obama. It is no surprise that Obama has mixed with DSA members for many years, socially and politically. Obama states in his autobiography "Dreams From My Father" that while studying political science at New York's Columbia University, in the early 80s, he "went to socialist conferences at Cooper Union and African cultural fairs in Brooklyn.”
Before you start throwing stones, think about Obama addressing all those German zealots in Berlin - looking much like the late 1930s when Hitler mesmerized the crowds with his eloquent speeches. Of course, a Socialist regime might appeal to many supporters of Mr. Obama. Those wanting a government handout or free health care whether they work for it or not. Those wanting everyone to get an equal share regardless of education or work ethic. Those demanding higher taxes for those who work to be successful.
The more I think about it, I am having a hard time deciding if Obama is a Socialist or a Communist.
Marv Fleetwood
Fort Oglethorpe
* * *
Marv Fleetwood of Fort Oglethorpe, should be reminded that McCain only came out to denounce his supporters at those angry and hate-filled rallies after the fact. After he and his campaigners have encouraged such hateful responses for some time now and should have know the likely outcome.
After he was made to realize such negative campaigning tactics were not only backfiring on him, but also considered dangerous and is a crime (it's suppose to be a felony to threaten a public official, I think, or use words that could possibly incite and/or inspire someone or ones to do harm to a public official ). Shouts of "kill him!" And "Off with his head!" with the speakers smiling and smirking in response didn't come across as someone who denounced such behaviors.
Brenda Manghane~Washington
* * *
Ms. Manghan-Washington,
Funny you should bring up the fact that "it's suppose to be a felony to threaten a public official, I think, or use words that could possibly incite and/or inspire someone or ones to do harm to a public official." Surely, you have never heard anything like this directed toward President Bush, and I'm sure if you had, you would have spoken up then and there, informing whoever was speaking that their words were felonious?
I find it humorous how all the liberals are now acting when the shoe is on the other foot. I imagine every single liberal offering up their two cents on this subject have the same feelings toward similar comments directed at President Bush (yeah, right).
Admit it, liberals, it's not the negative comments that have you upset. It's the fact that these negative comments are now directed at your candidate of choice.
These same types of comments have been directed at our President for the last eight years. In fact, there was even a movie made about the hypothetical assassination of President Bush, and the people on here whining like little kids who don't get their way never said a single word. They sat back and enjoyed it.
Dallas Cole
Chattanooga
Dallas-Cole@hotmail.com
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Mr. Fleetwood appears to strike a nerve with Ms. Washington. Unfortunately for her, she could not find a way to tie it to racism as she normally does. What she is angry about is that the same thing she normally urges, free speech and expression for all, has reared its ugly head against her "Messiah".
The polls have actually moved closer after these people came out and expressed their views publicly and asked McCain to speak out, go after, and prosecute those responsible for our economic mess (those such as Barney Frank, Christopher Dodd, etc.). The last I checked McCain had actually picked up 1-3 points in most polls. McCain still has not grown the backbone needed to attack Obama and his associations as the vast majority of conservatives wish he would I do not understand McCain putting Jeremiah Wright and his hate-filled, riot-inciting views off limits for his campaign.
Ms. Washington should feel good right now. If Obama holds on, then the liberals should get some more freebies to bribe future voters, keep down those that are down, and tax the hardworking citizens. Recent news says Queen Pelosi is planning to call the house back into session to pass a 'Handout for Victory' bill.
Brandon Back
East Ridge
* * *
I think everyone's missed what is obvious to me: these frenzied kooks are either planted Democrats, or Ron Paul (supposed) Republicans, and I don't claim the latter any more than I do David Dukes.
Don't fall for this tactic.
John R. Smickle
Chattanooga
jsbottomfeeder@juno.com
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