Third Party & Independents: Archives

My wish would be that Democrats would disavow the strident rhetoric of Deanism, that culture of resentment and hatred of George Bush at all costs which has nurtured and created this response by prominemt Democratic blogger Kos at the sight of American corpses dragged through the streets of Fallujah:

“They aren’t in Iraq because of orders, or because they are there trying to help the people make Iraq a better place. They are there to wage war for profit. Screw them.”

My wish would be that Democrats would disavow the strident rhetoric of Deanism, that culture of resentment and hatred of George Bush at all costs which has nurtured and created this response by prominemt Democratic blogger Kos at the sight of American corpses dragged through the streets of Fallujah:

If Deanism (as you call it) was the main drive of the Democrats, then Dean would be our candidate. What Dead did, though, was shock us out of our attempts to try and out-conservative the conservatives. he reminded us that for once we had to act as the opposition party, and not merely the alternative.

I think you neglect the possibility that Dean’s success, and Kerry’s current neck and neck performance against Bush might be generated by real frustration an with Bush’s policies, and the sense that Bush did not, as president present them with the persona of the leader he advertised himself to be in the 2000 election, or the leader he promised to be on 9/11.

Of course, you’ll disagree. Of course. But I’m only telling the sense I got of Democrat frustration with their leaders for not confronting Bush directly on his policies.

Haha! Nice try Martin, Kos is talking about the US govt. funded civilian security personnel. ie - Mercenaries.

Here’s the full post:

Every death should be on the front page

Let the people see what war is like. This isn’t an Xbox game. There are real repercussions to Bush’s folly.

That said, I feel nothing over the death of merceneries. They aren’t in Iraq because of orders, or because they are there trying to help the people make Iraq a better place. They are there to wage war for profit. Screw them.

And here’s a subseqent post by him that puts it into perspective:

I was angry that five soldiers — the real heroes in my mind — were killed the same day and got far lower billing in the newscasts. I was angry that 51 American soldiers paid the ultimate price for Bush’s folly in Iraq in March alone. I was angry that these mercenaries make more in a day than our brave men and women in uniform make in an entire month.

Unlike the vast majority of people in this country, I actually grew up in a war zone. I witnessed communist guerillas execute students accused of being government collaborators. I was 8 years old, and I remember stepping over a dead body, warm blood flowing from a fresh wound. Dodging bullets while at market. I lived in the midsts of hate the likes of which most of you will never understand (Clinton and Bush hatred is nothing compared to that generated when people kill each other for politics or race or nationality). There’s no way I could ever describe the ways this experience colors my worldview.

…our men and women in uniform are there under orders, trying to make the best of an impossible situation. The war is not their fault, and I will always defend their honor and bravery to the end of my days. But the mercenary is a whole different deal. They willingly enter a war zone, and do so because of the paycheck. They’re not there for humanitarian reasons (I doubt they’d donate half their paycheck to the Red Cross or whatever). They’re there because the money is DAMN good. They answer to no one except their CEO. They are dangerous, hence international efforts (however fruitless they may be) to ban their use.

That’s an interesting perspective on US govt. funded civilian security services, but has nothing to do with Dean or the Democrats.

Martin, it seems like you’re the only person posting here who is filled with resentment and hatred?

Take some deep breaths, dude. :)

I don’t care, Lee, what Kos says the day after his comments caused about half the advertisers on his blog to pull their ads. And he’s only dug his hole deeper. Who gives a care how much those guys made for GUARDING SHIPMENTS OF FOOD to Fallujah for the love of god! They did not deserve to be killed, mutilated and hanged from a bridge—it’s really that simple, but for some reason Democratic rhetoric forbids saying it. Saying “I felt nothing” for them and casting such a sick comment as support for the troops (who nobody thinks are anything but real heroes) is nauseating and morally repulsive beyond belief. And I’m the one filled with resentment and hate? Just incredible.

And now this off John Kerry’s website:

“In light of the unacceptable statement about the death of Americans made by Daily Kos, we have removed the link to this blog from our website. As John Kerry said in a statement earlier this week, “My deepest sympathies are with the families of those lost today. Americans know that all who serve in Iraq - soldier and civilian alike - do so in an effort to build a better future for Iraqis. These horrific attacks remind us of the viciousness of the enemies of Iraq’s future. United in sadness, we are also united in our resolve that these enemies will not prevail.”

That just makes my point, Martin. What Kos said is not representative of Dean or Democrats, and I resent you trying to imply that it is.