Buzzflash
del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Mixx it!
RedditOn last night's episode of MSNBC's Hardball, Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota charged Barack Obama and other members of Congress with sharing "anti-American" views. Defending the McCain campaign's automated phone calls attacking Obama's judgment and character, Bachmann called for a news media "exposé" of the views of members of Congress.
Bachmann thinks that anyone who disagrees with her personal political agenda is unpatriotic. But she is the one who has a lot to learn about what it means to love America and what it takes to make this country great, as Katrina vanden Heuvel eloquently explained to Chris Matthews in response to Bachmann's ignorant ravings.
Let's give her lots of time to read up on her country's history and help turn her out of office in November. The race is hotly contested with her opponent Elwyn Tinklenberg, gaining ground. He served as a United Methodist Minister in Blaine, Minnesota from 1977 to 1986, was on the city council for four years and was Mayor of Blaine from 1987 to 1996. Tinklenberg also served as Governor Jesse Ventura's Commissioner of Transportation from 1999 to 2002. Charged with managing the day-to-day operations of the department's 5,500 employees and $2 billion annual budget, he worked directly with the legislature to secure funding for the state's first light rail, the development of a regional commuter plan, and a doubling of the state transportation budget.
Currently, Tinklenberg is president of The Tinklenberg Group, a consulting firm that specializes in transportation issues. I'd never heard of him before yesterday but from what I can tell he's a decent man and, in this race, given the imperative of ousting Bachmann, he's well worth supporting. Click here to donate to, volunteer for and help spread the word about Tinklenberg's campaign.
There's also a new petition to members of Congress asking that they take a stand and tell Michele Bachmann that her accusations have no place coming from one of our country's elected representatives and are, in fact, anti-American. Join your name to the campaign to tell Congress to censure Rep. Bachmann
Share this article
Peter Rothberg
Your guide to expressing informed dissent to war, racism, sexism, environmental degradation and market-based solutions to social problems.
- Atrios
- Arts and Letters Daily
- The Caucus
- Campus Progress
- Crooks and Liars
- The Daily Gotham
- Daily Kos
- Echidne of the Snakes
- Ezra Klein
- FAIR
- Feministe
- Feministing
- Firedoglake
- Glenn Greenwald
- Gothamist
- In these Times
- Hendrik Hertzberg
- Huffington Post
- Hullabaloo
- Matthew Yglesias
- Media Matters
- Mother Jones
- My DD
- New York Review of Books
- Openleft
- Pam's House Blend
- Pandagon
- Political Wire
- The Progressive
- RaceWire
- Real Clear Politics
- Roberto Lovato
- Romenesko
- Swing State Project
- Talking Points Memo
- Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Tapped
- Tech President
- Tompaine
- The Washington Note
- Utne Reader
- Wonkette
- ZNet
RSS
I get the strange feeling Bachmann may have just torpedoed her campaign. I mean, after all, LVL lives in California! Minnesotans are a rather level tolerant lot. I think her numbers will start sliding even further down now after that display in the national press.
On an aside, I NEVER NEVER NEVER want to piss off Ms. Vanden Heuvel! MAN that was by far the angriest I'd ever seen her! I hope she doesn't get like that around the office!
Posted by yutsano at 10/18/2008 @ 10:06pm
It is unfortunate that such brainless people,like this congressperson,does not realize that it is the diversity of views that makes America great.The goal of people,like this person, is to create a state of fear where only her views can be expressed in an attempt to destroy what America is and stands for.Hopefully,her desire to destroy this country will result in the destruction of her political career.
Posted by i'm nobody at 10/18/2008 @ 10:40pm
I am glad that someone in the GOP hierarchy finally put this into words. It is just the logical conclusion of the Bush/Cheney "with us or with the terrorists" mentality. Anyone who opposes the aims of the Republican party and radical rightwingers is anti-American. Death to America! :-)
Posted by sandersh at 10/18/2008 @ 10:55pm
Who are these people? Why are they here? Where have they come from? Will they never return? I am not Native American but you catch my drift.
Posted by A_Pax_On_Your_Houses at 10/18/2008 @ 11:27pm
In addition to her repugnant interview on Hardball, Bachman blamed Blacks and minorities for the financial crisis during a Congressional hearing in September. That's the same tactic used by neo-nazi hate groups who've been blaming Jewish people for the crisis. Why does she continue to be given a platform to spew her own hate group anti-Americanism?
Posted by joeplumber at 10/18/2008 @ 11:51pm
In addition to her repugnant interview on Hardball, Bachman blamed Blacks and minorities for the financial crisis during a Congressional hearing in September. That's the same tactic used by neo-nazi hate groups who've been blaming Jewish people for the crisis. Why does she continue to be given a platform to spew her own hate group anti-Americanism?
Posted by joeplumber at 10/18/2008 @ 11:51pm
even though i agree with the congresswoman, this would all be a moot point if the GOP leaders had chosen a better candidate to run against obama one that the grassroots conservatives could support. mccain is a lame duck candidate and i doubt if the race will even be close. kvh needs to get off of her high horse, socialism is going to be the downfall of this nation, and the liberals that she named are full tilt socialist. obviously they are doing nothing for this country, or we wouldn't be in the mess we are in. both parties need to look at themselves and see that they are not enacting laws that benefit americans.
Posted by pubguy at 10/19/2008 @ 12:23am
Not surprised to see the far right wingers trying to,either,justify and distort it ,as lvliberty did with his usual nonsense about the left and Obama,or to see one agree with it,as pubguy did,in their effort to destroy what America is and stands for.As we all know lvliberty hears what he wants to hear and reads into posts what he wants to read into them..Once you start pointing the anti America finger at some in congress it becomes that much easier to point that finger at even more,as history shows,but realizing that requires thought and,obviously,these two have given this no thought.LvLiberty is the last one to tell others to grow up since he has been having a tantrum ever since it became obvious that things were not looking good for McCain/Palin and has expressed how he wants God to damn America if Obama wins..
Posted by i'm nobody at 10/19/2008 @ 12:46am
the anti-americans are found on college campuses......
≤≤≥≥
from qwiki:
Just 24 hours after her appearance on Hardball, her opponent received $450,000 in new donations [90] and a campaign urging Congress to officially censure her was launched with over 35,000 signatures in the first 24 hrs.
≤≤≥≥
"In a 2001 article, Bachmann wrote extensively of her belief that the current governments of the United States and Minnesota State had plans to end the American "free market economy" and impose a centralized, state-controlled economy in its place."
ha ha!
Posted by frosty zoom at 10/19/2008 @ 01:20am
On July 11, 2007, Bachmann voted against a bill that would raise the maximum Pell grant for college students from $4,310 to $5,200 by 2011, lower interest rates over five years on subsidized student loans to 3.4 percent from 6.8 percent, and raise federal student loan limits to $30,500 from $7,500.
Posted by frosty zoom at 10/19/2008 @ 01:24am
egad!
"Committee Assignments:
Financial Services Committee:
Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises
Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations"
Posted by frosty zoom at 10/19/2008 @ 01:26am
"The fact of the matter is that Congress is standing in the way of $2-a-gallon gas."
hey, kvh. don't let this person get to you. she's really dumb.
Posted by frosty zoom at 10/19/2008 @ 01:33am
"This is their agenda," Bachmann states bluntly. "I know it is hard to believe, it's hard to fathom -- but this is 'mission accomplished' for them," she asserts. "They want Americans to take transit and move to the inner cities. They want Americans to move to the urban core, live in tenements, [and] take light rail to their government jobs. That's their vision for America."
Posted by frosty zoom at 10/19/2008 @ 01:34am
"This is nothing but the usual leftist distortion"
wow. liberty really is crazy. i thought he might have been just stupid, but as it turns out, he is just bonkers.
Posted by darladoon at 10/19/2008 @ 01:41am
oh, btw, the left wing blogs have raised over 200,000 dollars, in the last 12 hours, to help un-seat bachman this november......by supporting her challenger......
Posted by darladoon at 10/19/2008 @ 01:42am
In response to a complex question about setting up a permanent disaster fund for farmers and ranchers who raise beef cattle, Wetterling balked and admitted she didn't really understand the question or have an answer. Bachmann, by contrast, dove right in. "I appreciate the question, because on our dairy farm, we raise beef cattle as well," she began. "One thing we can never, ever, ever get away from is that we are not two separate entities: Commodities. Livestock. If there's anything that can interact, it's commodities and livestock. Without commodities, you don't have livestock. It's just that simple."
She concluded by noting that, as a mother of the sum of 28 children, she has learned that when families don't get fed, "they get cranky."
This drew a small chuckle from the crowd, but it was an uncomfortable one. One farmer turned to the one sitting next to him, shaking his head. "What the fuck is she talking about?" he wanted to know.
http://www.citypages.com/2006-10-04/news/the-chosen-one
Posted by frosty zoom at 10/19/2008 @ 01:51am
it's kinda [insert adjective] when you play the two videos at the same time.......
Posted by frosty zoom at 10/19/2008 @ 01:53am
Minnesota pays $30 a day, tax free, per foster kid.
"So if Bachmann has fostered 23 children, let's say for an average of five years, that would come out to a non-taxable $1,259,250," the Wonk-Op writes. "No wonder she's anti-abortion. Children are a cash crop for her.
Posted by frosty zoom at 10/19/2008 @ 02:08am
this woman is creepy:
http://wonkette.com/images/
thumbs/0f4a067c335a50ebeaa0f28d81e1faab.jpg
Posted by frosty zoom at 10/19/2008 @ 02:12am
Posted by lvliberty1 at 10/19/2008 @ 12:06am
Yeah, Larry, spoken like someone who has no problem with stalking or spousal abuse. Go ahead, Rev, say it now = "the victim actually brought it on him/her self. Just like that asshole McCain - "if Obama had only done what I told him to do, I might have run a different campaign". So you want to talk terrorists, Larry - let's talk G. Gordon Liddy. You know, McCain's good friend, of whom he is very proud and with who he shares many values. Using your logic, Larry, McCain values bombings, kidnappings, assassinations, the murder of ATF agents, and the establishment of an anti- and un-American dictatorship right here in this country. Which makes McCain a terrorist, and his supporters all traitors. As for Michelle Eichmann, oops, I meant to say Bachmann, she remains nothing more than your basic scum. Of course, Larry, I understand that she's a Dominionist, so I'll wait for you to tell me that I hate all Christians - you've slung that bullshit lots of times - and that you are personally being oppressed.
Posted by jmusolino at 10/19/2008 @ 02:29am
How on earth does someone like this get elected?Were Minnesotans asleep at the wheel when they elected her? Why are these Reich wingers so full of hate towards progressives?We are all americans, some of us just disagree about politics.The state of this country is more important than name calling.Bachman spends to much time bitching and not enough time doing her job in D.C. as a congress woman.To all on the right if you call your selves real Americans take blame for what you have done and help fix this mess you have made of my country and yours.Until then shut your traps about who is who and what is what and do your job.
Posted by crease at 10/19/2008 @ 02:31am
Posted by pubguy at 10/19/2008 @ 12:23am
OK, there, pubguy - the big bad "socialists" have now replaced the big bad "turr'ists" hiding under your bed. Have another beer. Then define socialism (a real definition showing understanding of the concept, like a quiz, not the usual right wing ignorance) and explain how liberal capitalists are socialists. If you can't do that, you might consider trying not to throw around crap that makes you appear, well, less than sentient.
Posted by jmusolino at 10/19/2008 @ 02:34am
The problems with the Reich is , they are sore losers.What Bachman is doing is despicable and unamerican as I see it.The Reich will continue to foment hate as long as it yields results,so far they have been shooting themselves in the foot with veep picks like Palin,McWars and others that spew hate towards the left.We on the left are americans that want every American to live a better life under an Obama adminisration than the last 28 years of Reaganomics.Neo liberlism and neo conservatism is dead as we know it come November 5th.Long live progressives.
Posted by crease at 10/19/2008 @ 02:52am
http://my.opera.com/integrator/blog/
On October 17th Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) suggested that the media should investigate members of Congress to determine if they hold anti-American views. "What I would say is that the news media should do a penetrating expose and take a look. I wish they would," Bachmann said. "I wish the American media would take a great look at the views of the people in Congress and find out, are they pro-America or anti-America. I think people would be -- would love to see an expose like that."
Scary words, if you're familiar with the late Senator Joe McCarthy or the House Committee on Un-American Activities 1938-1975....
Rep. Heather Wilson (R-NM) defending Sarah Palin recently on Face The Nation: Well, he [Obama] has talked down about America. You know, we've always had this history of saying, "Well, you know, politics ends at the water's edge." It didn't for Barack Obama. He's been critical not only of the President but of American policy and hence has kind of a negative view of America in the world.
She is basically saying that any criticism of "American Policy" is unpatriotic. The last time I checked the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guaranteed our rights to Freedom Of Speech. This gives us the right to criticize American policies, as well as our leaders. We have a responsibility to Democracy, to not give up that right. What Representatives Bachmann and Wilson imply, which is in line with what Senator McCain & Governor Palin seem to believe, is that to question the policies and motives of our government is un-American.... continued http://my.opera.com/integrator/blog/
Posted by jay97 at 10/19/2008 @ 04:47am
"But instead of sticking to specifics, like Matthews, you leftists try to insinuate that all liberals have been painted with the same brush.
Grow up.
Posted by lvliberty1 at 10/19/2008 @ 12:06am | ignore this person | warn this person "
She called for the media to investigate ALL members of Congress for anti-Americanism. She certainly wasn't insinuating that her and her ilk were guilty of it though.
She echoes your own neo-McCarthyite conspiracy-mongering about ostensible plots to set up socialism in the US.
Posted by brunowe at 10/19/2008 @ 06:00am
If this nut bucket should win, I think that there should be a concerted effort to recall her.
We could call it the
Bachmann Turn Her Over Drive
Posted by skeletonman at 10/19/2008 @ 07:13am
I love the conservative mindset: freedom and liberty are great, as long as you are subscribing to my version of it. Anything else, and you must be denounced, persecuted; etc. Don't raise a stink when we invade a sovereign nation on obviously false pretenses, but raise holy hell when a Democrat sat on a board with someone who if these flag suckers had just one brave bone in their body, would go to Chicago and perform a citizen's arrest. The cowardice, as ever, is palpable.
Posted by onthehelm at 10/19/2008 @ 10:11am
She is why I refuse to vote Republican (I used to be one)! And for any Republican...ever! Until they clean up their act and the 'hate rhetoric'! I will not vote for any of them. I have more character than to vote for people like them. They go against everything this country was founded on. All they do is sow hate and division. They are totally irresponsible in their rhetoric. Why people in this country are allowing themselves to be sucked into their type of toxic environment is frightening? They are the ones who are 'anti-American' because they are against every idea this great country was founded on. And has ever stood for. They throw the word 'Liberal' around like it was so much chafe. They accuse Harry Reid of being 'Liberal'. Well I have news for all of you I am from the great state of Nevada. He is about as 'liberal' as most of them are. Every election I vote for him because he is the least of the evils. As far as my husband and I are concerned he is way to conservative for our tastes! But, it's either him or another Republican who is willing to sow seeds of hate, fear and division to better themselves. But, until someone better comes along he is it.
Posted by ganddw42 at 10/19/2008 @ 10:30am
That pesky first amendment.
DAMNIT!
Posted by bleedingheart at 10/19/2008 @ 10:32am
That pesky first amendment.
DAMNIT!
Posted by bleedingheart at 10/19/2008 @ 10:32am
Yep, allows a person to make a moron of herself in public and for posterity.
Posted by skeletonman at 10/19/2008 @ 10:44am
bleedingheart-What does the first amendment have to do with it?
Posted by i'm nobody at 10/19/2008 @ 10:45am
bleedingheart-What does the first amendment have to do with it?
Posted by i'm nobody at 10/19/2008 @ 10:45am
I think that Mr. Potato Head is trying to point out that under the 1st Amendment, Bachmann has the right to spew such hateful drivel.
By extension, Mr. PH is implying that those who denounce her hate speech are hypocrites.
Have I got that right, Corazon de Sangre' ?
Posted by skeletonman at 10/19/2008 @ 10:54am
skeletonman-If that is what he is saying then he did not put thought into it.It is this congresswoman who wishes to violate the first amendment by saying that others words and beliefs, that she disagrees with, should be viewed as anti American.Of course,many on the right should not mention the first amendment because Romney isn't the nominee because of his religion and they try to claim that Obama is a muslim.
Posted by i'm nobody at 10/19/2008 @ 11:04am
skeletonman-If that is what he is saying then he did not put thought into it...
Posted by i'm nobody at 10/19/2008 @ 11:04am
Cha-Ching !!!
Posted by skeletonman at 10/19/2008 @ 11:06am
skel,
Vaffanculo!
Posted by bleedingheart at 10/19/2008 @ 11:08am
skel,
Vaffanculo!
Posted by bleedingheart at 10/19/2008 @ 11:08am |
Gotta love that 1st Amendment.
Posted by skeletonman at 10/19/2008 @ 11:12am
I Googled Michele Bachmann after the episode on "Hardball". This gal belongs in China, where all our money is. Pat Buchanen supported everything this gal said. Thank god for Katrina. This gal really is a fascist and I'm sorry that Pat seems to be too. I would remind Pat that this kind of excessive language helped the reaction to Kent and Ohio state, We also seem to forget Martin Luther King, Bobby Kennedy, and John Kennedy. Did I mention our history of all the lynchings, and how many people have been executed in error? Fascist is the kindest word we can apply to Michele Bachmann.
Posted by lachatte at 10/19/2008 @ 11:17am
If the objective is to censure Michele Bachmann, where was the effort to centure Reid, Pelosi, Rangel, Frank, Dodd, and Biden for the things they've said over the years. BTW what is Jefferson still doing in Congress? When is his trial?
Posted by ReaganMan at 10/19/2008 @ 11:52am
...and this is why we get absolute idiots like these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRqcfqiXCX0
Posted by leftofcenter at 10/19/2008 @ 12:11pm
Posted by ReaganMan at 10/19/2008 @ 11:52am Are Reid, Pelosi, Frank, Dodd and Biden fascists to? Last time I checked they were labeled as "Liberals." That would make them much less likely to be fascists. Fascism is a monolithically right wing phenomenon....
Posted by chaoszen at 10/19/2008 @ 12:13pm
A friend in MN says that Bachmann has built her political career on being outrageous, and exploiting the attention her behavior prompts.
Apparently the race in her district is closing & she may lose her seat to a Dem.
Posted by sloper at 10/19/2008 @ 12:31pm
Posted by chaoszen at 10/19/2008 @ 12:13pm. Sorry, did not know liberals were granted special compensations.
Posted by ReaganMan at 10/19/2008 @ 12:43pm
Bachman wants to beat opponents with the stick of anti-Americanism, but she never once specified what she means by anti-Americanism and how Obama has ever acted in anti-American way.She needs to understand that those who challenge what she thinks is best for the country have their own vision of what is best for the country.
Along with several prominent Republicans, Obama worked with Ayers to improve schools for at-risk kids.This is good for the country. Reverend Wright served our country as a Marine and has criticized our history of racial oppression and what he thinks are our foreign policy errors. This is good for the country.
Obama worked on an Alinsky model to help citizens organize themselves to press peacefully their demands upon the government. This is good for the country. It has how we came to have an eight hour work day and civil rights, and in the process became a magnet for the world.
Bachman is a political thug whose unintelligent leadership would sap the dynamism of our civil society and the vibrancy of our future.
Posted by hartal at 10/19/2008 @ 12:55pm
Posted by chaoszen at 10/19/2008 @ 12:13pm. Sorry, did not know liberals were granted special compensations.
Posted by ReaganMan at 10/19/2008 @ 12:43pm
Did you mean "dispensations?" Compensations are payments received for a service or loss or reparation. If you in fact meant "compensations", I would say liberals are indeed about to receive that on Nov 4th.
Posted by chaoszen at 10/19/2008 @ 1:19pm
What really has been missing from the political discourse of this and many other campaigns is a political dictionary. When we examine the definitions of fascism and nazism, we see state control of markets and institutions jumbled up with state-sanctioned bigotry and exclusiveness. Those are far-right ideologies. When we look at socialism and communism, we see state control, but with an assumed inclusive and egalitarian motivation. These are supposedly left-wing ideas. In other words, two roads diverged in forest, but they intersected again at socialism. People are a mixture of right and left, liberal and conservative. In the United States, we have had socialism for many years. The postal service, the standards for weights and measures, the social security system, the tax system, and all kinds of other things that we want our government to control. The term "tax and spend liberal" infuriates me. We could easily call someone a "tax and spend conservative." Governments tax, and the political apparatus decides how the money is spent, no matter what the prevailing political ideology may be. One difference between the two major political parties has to do with how they would spend taxpayer money. At this point, the Republicans appear to focus on war and maintaining a monolithic cultural perspective; the Democrats appear focused on investing in our country and championing a pluralistic society. Ironically, it seems that the Democrats have become the conservatives, because they appear more interested in saving the country from the insane cost of war.
Posted by pqr1951 at 10/19/2008 @ 1:52pm
Republican populist/fundamentalist rhetoric irresponsibly continues depicting its opponents as anti-Christian, un-American, terroristic, socialist/communist, and "not real". McCain supporters, exhibiting lemming-like madness, are being whipped into a racist and violent frenzy by McCain (by omission) and by surrogates like Palin and Bachmann (by commission.) Their actions are eerily similar to other right-wing populist movements, some of which have led to full-blown fascist states. Republicans' lack of judgment in unleashing and giving credence to these dangerous prejudices is overwhelming evidence of their unsuitability to lead.
Posted by Halt at 10/19/2008 @ 2:07pm
The McCain/Palin/Bachman continues to spew lies similar to the ugly rhetoric of the swiftboat smears in the last campaign. It is time for intelligent Americans to stop this low level of garbage. It is time to bring a thoughtful and articulate individual, Barack Obama, into the white house. Bachman looks absolutely delusional as she yacks away with her anti-American gossip. She really believes that she is making sense. What a witch! She and Palin are both totaly losers. Neither seem to have a brain that functions. Intelligent Republicans must cringe as they listen.
Posted by susijakarhu at 10/19/2008 @ 2:13pm
Posted by pqr1951 at 10/19/2008 @ 1:52pm
Great post! I will never understand why the word "socialism" has such a negative connotation. We have had many social policies in this country for many years. Things that people take for granted. Police, Fire, Roads, Bridges, Social Security, Medicare, Postal Service, Defense, State Parks, National Parks, NASA and a host of other programs that are an integral part of the commons.
Most of these with maybe the exception of the Defense Dept which tends to suck the lifeblood out of our economy and people are efficient and worthwhile institutions.
I have lived in countries that are classed as social democracies. I lived in the Netherlands for years. They are a blend of capiltalism and social policies that tend to create a strong vibrant middle class. They often provide free education through college and basic medical care. They have less crime because they are more inclusive. They have virtually no poverty and no homeless.
We should examine these ideas and adapt them to our system of government. They have laid the groundwork.
Posted by chaoszen at 10/19/2008 @ 2:30pm
It is good to censure Fascism and KvdH did a great job of it. But to counter fascism one must organize against it, and one must have some understanding of mass behavior.
IF the GOP fascists are working common neurology (fear, anger, fear-of-the-other, team/martial spirit) instead of issues, what alternatives are the left offering? Reasonableness is unlikely to counter these forces, but reasonableness is the core of liberal values. The f*ck-you Republicans don't need it. But it leaves the liberals a bit hamstrung...
Beware Palin 2012.
Posted by mikecope at 10/19/2008 @ 2:59pm
just call email to your friends and relatives in her 6th district of minnisota to vote her out. i am sure jesse venturas former transportation commisioner tinklingberg is more of a moderate.
Posted by reality check at 10/19/2008 @ 3:18pm
Same thing for Bachmann as for Palin...
K.H.T.
Keep Her Talking!
(The damage inflicted on the GOP will be UNTOLD....heheh)
Posted by Maskdelta at 10/19/2008 @ 4:24pm
What pisses me off as a woman is watching these anti-intellectual dimwits carrying water for old daddy while rational Republican women are ignored. Why doesn't Chris Matthews ask a GOP woman who supports McCain, but isn't nuts about Obama and we Liberals.
Of course they may be lying low so they DON'T have to comment. I wouldn't blame them.
Posted by eggman at 10/19/2008 @ 6:51pm
Two words come to mind listening to Michele Bachmann, scary words. Heil Reichsbitch!
Posted by G_Man at 10/19/2008 @ 7:34pm
As a former long time resident of Minnesota (1956 - 1972), and a 1972 graduate of the University of Minnesota, with family that still lives there, I strongly urge you to do all you can to get rid of Michele "Josephine McCarthy" Bachmann.
I saw her Friday, October 17, 2008, interview on Hardball on MSNBC. The woman is an odious and disgusting individual who should not be allowed anywhere near the U.S. Congress.
As a result, I contributed $50 to Mr. Tinklenberg. Please do the same.
Please make me proud to be a Minnesotan.
Posted by makapuu at 10/19/2008 @ 8:34pm
It is a sad day in America and for the world when an elected Congressional official can openly challenge and question the patriotism of not only Americans who disagree with the philosophy and beliefs of a Republican party that has lost its way but the very Congressional colleagues she has worked with in the House of Representatives as well. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, a Republican, is someone that I and John McCain as Vietnam veterans and the many women and men now serving in the military have fought for to preserve her right to express her beliefs freely as guaranteed under the Constitution of the United States. Sadly, Rep. Bachmann has lost her understanding of what it means to a "real American." She does not deserve to be censured, she deserves to be voted out of office by not being re-elected to represent any Minnesota constituent or portion of the American people. Rep. Bachmann is a disgrace not only to the office to which the people of Minnesota elected her but to the hallowed halls of the House of Representatives where there is no place for the ignorance and contempt she has displayed toward her fellow democratic Congressional colleagues. And this message is from an "Always Pro-American" African-American disabled Vietnam veteran.
Posted by alwaysproamerican at 10/19/2008 @ 8:56pm
Personally, i see very little use in engaging with these right-wingers on sites like this. Ignore them, monitor and fight back. No doubt, just as in '92, they'll be rabid mad after Obama's election and they'll go after him from any direction/angle.
17 days to go to the collapse of the Republican party... Then, Republican infighting will begin, some already on view now. Then, it will take them 12-20 years to rebuild during which the entire old guard will be replaced: rick davis, ed rodgers, michelle bachmann, mitch mcconnell, you name them. It will be something to behold... John McCain will be tossed aside like an old rag.
Unfortunately, although most Americans will immediately start feeling better about themselves and their country, there will be a long road to recovery. The situation this country has been left in by this Republican party is much worse than people realize from looking at the current financial crisis and their personal pocket books. The next industry in trouble may very well be the credit card industry as Americans en masse start sending in no more than $10/month/account. Additionally, another government debt crisis, beyond what is visible today, is brewing for some years out.
As someone pointed out in an article the other day, the British empire fell because of a (forced) realigned profit/loss calculation: in the end, it was too expensive to maintain and plundering foreign lands went out of vogue after WWII.
The mismanagement of the past 8 years has disastrous consequences. The only thing surprising, from the historical perspective, is that it all came back to haunt this administration within its 8 year term. Wouldn't they have loved to postpone this puppy till next year? I'll be anything they tried like hell! The record will tell...
Posted by xlator at 10/19/2008 @ 9:48pm
I was waiting for lvliberty's daily nonsense about Marxists and hypocritical claim of believing in the constitution and I got it and can rest easy.Of course,he had to distort what this woman said,again, just as he altered what both Falwell and Hagee said in order to keep his fantasy world nice and neat.Luvvy has no right to point the anti American finger at others since he wants God to damn America if Obama gets elected through the constitutional process and wants America destroyed and divided up,also.
Posted by i'm nobody at 10/19/2008 @ 10:13pm
Y'know Livver, I am not exactly far left, but you sure as heck are about as far right as you can be.
You don't appear to be a stupid man. You are obviously quite capable of doing an Internet search so you know very well that Obama's ties to Ayers are thin and his ties to Ayers ancient history are non-exsistent. You are just throwing things out there in the hope that some undecided nimrod will hear it and believe.
So, you are lying in the hopes of misleading. That isn't very nice and sets a pretty poor example to your kids and/or grandkids. Not the best family values there.
Don't bother insulting me. I quoted Jesus the other day regarding looking out for the poor etc. and my boss called me a communist. Funny, he goes to church every Sunday and Wednesday and marches with the anti-abortion crowd so I guess he either didn't recognize the quote or let's his preacher do his thinking-and reading-for him.
I'm so bored with lazy, anti-intellectual hypocrites. Making these arguments over and over again is as productive as repeatedly thumping my head against the wall.
Posted by eggman at 10/19/2008 @ 10:46pm
Before the citizens on Minnesota replace her in November, she should be forced to redo her 4th grade Civics class.
Posted by Hound_of_Ulster at 10/19/2008 @ 10:58pm
I just returned from a politics free weekend in MN. Well, I saw a lot of Norm Coleman signs, but he was-until I got home and read this-the only person running I knew except Al Franken.
Now I kind of wish I had backed the mini-van over a few Bachmann signs. Would have been worth the scorn of the GOPPERS and the deductible.
Posted by Pogge at 10/19/2008 @ 11:01pm
This is nothing but a skilled communicator of the usual neocon distortion.
Ms Bachmann labeled liberals anti-American as Matthews logically concluded.
She was very specific as to both her reasoning and the people like Colin Powell and Ayers whom she was specifying.
McCain proudly brought this on himself by his relations with Keating and John Birch member and soulmate Palin, herself part of an Alaskan secessionist movement.
Roasted ol' lvliberty1 at 10/19/2008 @ 12:06am |
Posted by winyahn at 10/20/2008 @ 12:00am
You get that uneasy feeling you are looking into the eyes of something very evil when you look into the glaring eyes of Bachmann.
The glare is scary but what spews forth from her mouth is alarming. Fascist comes to mind immediately.
One of the benefits of this election campaign is that everyone is getting a close look at the face and message of fascism.
Even Colon Powell is alarmed at this right wing faction of the Republican Party and it's cold and transparent agenda.
The goal of an Obama presidency can not stop there, Democrats must control the house and senate to neuter this right wing fascist element.
Posted by Hoot at 10/20/2008 @ 03:23am
Fascism in America won't come with jackboots, book burnings, mass rallies, and fevered harangues, nor will it come with black helicopters or tanks on the street. It won't come like a storm--but as a break in the weather, that sudden change of season you might feel when the wind shifts on an October evening: Everything is the same, but everything has changed. Something has gone, departed from the world, and a new reality will have taken its place. All the old forms will still be there: legislatures, elections, campaigns--plenty of bread and circuses. But "consent of the governed" will no longer apply; actual control of the state will have passed to a small and privileged group who rule for the benefit of their wealthy peers and corporate patrons.
To be sure, there will be factional conflicts among the elite, and a degree of debate will be permitted; but no one outside the privileged circle will be allowed to influence state policy. Dissidents will be marginalized--usually by "the people" themselves. Deprived of historical knowledge by a thoroughly impoverished educational system designed to produce complacent consumers, left ignorant of current events by a corporate media devoted solely to profit, many will internalize the force-fed values of the ruling elite, and act accordingly. There will be little need for overt methods of control.
The rulers will act in secret, for reasons of "national security," and the people will not be permitted to know what goes on in their name. Actions once unthinkable will be accepted as routine: government by executive fiat, state murder of "enemies" selected by the leader, undeclared wars, torture, mass detentions without charge, the looting of the national treasury, the creation of huge new "security structures" targeted at the
Posted by Hoot at 10/20/2008 @ 03:39am
targeted at the populace. In time, this will be seen as "normal," as the chill of autumn feels normal when summer is gone. It will all seem normal.
--Chris Floyd, November 10, 2001 Moscow Times (English edition)
Chris Floyd's comments are very much in context after witnessing Bachmann's performance.
If you ever doubted where the celebrity of Pat Buchanan or his dim witted sister Bay come from ... look no further than their agenda's, which to their credit, they make little effort to cover up.
Posted by Hoot at 10/20/2008 @ 03:46am
Perhaps the best reply to Bachmann was made indirectly way back on March 9, 1954 --
"We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine; and remember that we are not descended from fearful men. Not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate, and to defend causes that were for the moment unpopular. . . . The actions of the junior Senator from Wisconsin have caused alarm and dismay amongst our allies abroad, and given considerable comfort to our enemies. And whose fault is that? Not really his. He didn't create this situation of fear; he merely exploited it--and rather successfully. Cassius was right. 'The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.' Good night, and good luck." -- Edward R. Murrow
Audio, video, and text are at http://tinyurl.com/6aeu7z
Bachmann's 19th nervous breakdown was probably driven by what is revealed at http://www.mytown.ca/green-dog/
Posted by jwburgess6440 at 10/20/2008 @ 03:50am
Posted by jwburgess6440 at 10/20/2008 @ 03:50am |
Excellent piece by Murrow and well worth remembering today. Thanks for putting that up.
I believe that after 8 long years of an administration exploiting America's inherent fear of most anything outside it's borders, gives people like Bachmann reason to believe that the fear mongering will continue to work.
We can not allow this to happen again.
Posted by Hoot at 10/20/2008 @ 05:58am
The Republicans have facist tendencies, though with many exceptions. This women is perhaps a good example but it is not clear how much of what she says is for show, a political strategy only. From listening to her several times on TV, she sounds like a third-rate intellect, without much substance, but this is very difficult to say since she has never been forced to to defend details of her arguments in a public forum. So however outrageous her remarks, one cannot be sure who or what she really is. In the political theater, all is fair game, at least for some people. My personal opinion is that she belongs to a breed of Republicans that live on the surface of things and events, without core and depth. One sees it in their eyes. The best example of this type of personality is Sarah Palin. It seems America produces more than its share of this type of character. To find the greatness of America one must look elsewhere,often from outsiders, sometimes called 'anti-American'. Later these people became American heros for speaking their mind when the forces of repression were at their peak.
Leslie, New Jersey
Posted by sidelace5 at 10/20/2008 @ 06:43am
SIDELACES5,
America produces far too many characters from the Left as well. Angry, plantation liberals like Howard Dean, self flagellators like Gore, elitists like Clinton, guilt mongerors who think the world "owes" them all the time, who wouldn't know what to do with themselves if they had nothing to chastise the country over.
Hopefully Barack Obama is going to start the revolution that gets rid of all these types and unites this country again. It'll be a start, at least.
Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 10/20/2008 @ 07:41am
And Damn!, Katrina looks good when she's angry :)
Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 10/20/2008 @ 07:42am
Bachmann's comments were the rantings of the manic phase of Bi-Polar Disorder (Axis 1) and Borderline Personality Disorder (Axis 2). Maybe we are being too harsh on the mentally ill, or not.
Posted by Truthman at 10/20/2008 @ 07:57am
"But instead of sticking to specifics, like Matthews, you leftists try to insinuate that all liberals have been painted with the same brush."--loveliberty
Now with a comment like that, why would we ever insinuate something like generalizing?
Posted by onthehelm at 10/20/2008 @ 09:49am
But the part that where she said the media should take a "penetrating" survey sounded kinky. And her eyes looked most eerie. Sadist Spice?
Posted by A_Pax_On_Your_Houses at 10/20/2008 @ 09:55am
when we allow republicans to distract us with fringe issues like this--they win
let's talk about the economy let's talk about the inequitable pay scales between CEOs and entry level let's talk about the need to have a real living wage let's talk about the need to balance outsourcing with requirments for sufficient levels of domestic employment we do not have to just give away our domestic consumer markets we can require producers of goods & services to supply a certain level of employment---or NO ENTREE Get it CEOs? If you rely on consumption you must supply employment--or it won't work.
Let's stop talking about one idiotic politician and attack the real problems
Posted by mb-bythesea at 10/20/2008 @ 09:56am
when we allow ourselves to be distracted by the idiotic antics of politicians we risk losing site of bigger issues.
Let's talk about the economy Let's talk about the equitable payscales between CEOs and entry level let's talk about defining a real living wage--which is about $17/hr in most areas
Let's talk about the need to limit outsourcing in order to balance domestic employment with the advantages of globalization.
If we don't have sufficient domestic employment, we will lose the ability to buy goods & services, steadily driving down wages and prices...this is happening now.
We need to require producers to supply a certain level of US employment in order to preserve our ability to maintain consumption and keep these companies in business. this is vital.
the idiotic remarks of some minnesota airhead politician, not so much.
Posted by mb-bythesea at 10/20/2008 @ 10:09am
when we allow ourselves to be distracted by the idiotic antics of politicians we risk losing site of bigger issues.
Let's talk about the economy Let's talk about the equitable payscales between CEOs and entry level let's talk about defining a real living wage--which is about $17/hr in most areas
Let's talk about the need to limit outsourcing in order to balance domestic employment with the advantages of globalization.
If we don't have sufficient domestic employment, we will lose the ability to buy goods & services, steadily driving down wages and prices...this is happening now.
We need to require producers to supply a certain level of US employment in order to preserve our ability to maintain consumption and keep these companies in business. this is vital.
the idiotic remarks of some minnesota airhead politician, not so much.
Posted by mb-bythesea at 10/20/2008 @ 10:09am
when we allow ourselves to be distracted by the idiotic antics of politicians we risk losing site of bigger issues.
Let's talk about the economy Let's talk about the equitable payscales between CEOs and entry level let's talk about defining a real living wage--which is about $17/hr in most areas
Let's talk about the need to limit outsourcing in order to balance domestic employment with the advantages of globalization.
If we don't have sufficient domestic employment, we will lose the ability to buy goods & services, steadily driving down wages and prices...this is happening now.
We need to require producers to supply a certain level of US employment in order to preserve our ability to maintain consumption and keep these companies in business. this is vital.
the idiotic remarks of some minnesota airhead politician, not so much.
Posted by mb-bythesea at 10/20/2008 @ 10:11am
Why do we allow these people to breed?
Posted by dortmunder at 10/20/2008 @ 11:53am
Katrina vanden Heuvel is my hero!
Brilliant job. BRAVO!
Censure Michele Bachmann now!
Posted by CrushInfamy at 10/20/2008 @ 12:12pm
Beautiful response by KVH. Concise, and right on target. When I heard Bachmann's comments, live, I couldn't believe my ears. But unfortunately, I believe her stated position is just the spearhead used to test the waters for a right-wing, potentially fascist, movement to refuse to relinquish power to those who might hold their interests as primary.
On the bright side her opponent this year has gotten a huge boost from her extremism, and she may go down this fall. I immediately went to the ActBlue website and donated to his campaign. Felt much better, and could breath easier afterwards. Defeating Bachmann ought to be a huge priority for anyone interested in protecting political and civil rights, as doing so would be a denunciation of the washed up old rhetoric of McCarthy.
Posted by danfred at 10/20/2008 @ 12:18pm
I would think you'd want Bachmann to have a stage. Why would you want to suppress her?
If you truly believe she's wrong, how can she be considered a threat worth censuring?
Let people speak. Trust people to have your good sense on how to receive it.
Posted by freiheit1 at 10/20/2008 @ 12:52pm
PETER ROTHBERG suggesting punishment for speaking one's mind?
Hmmm
THAT'S not very liberal!
At the very least, what he's suggesting is no better than the trite that came out of Bachmann's mouth.
Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 10/20/2008 @ 1:12pm
Only my opinion, but the left is worse about this, but the right is guilty too. That is the drive to SILENCE opposition.
C'mon Peter. Why are you so quick to press the "centure" button on someone with whom you disagree?
How are you then any different than those on the right that called for centuring Durbin for speaking his mind in a way greatly offensive to millions of americans?
Posted by freiheit1 at 10/20/2008 @ 1:24pm
Oh and before you all start rubbing in my face, sorry, yes, I have a typo. It's "censure". :-)
Posted by freiheit1 at 10/20/2008 @ 1:27pm
Who is Durbin? I want to look up what he said to see if his words are offensive to me.
Posted by k330k at 10/20/2008 @ 1:28pm
Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) yesterday offered a tearful apology on the Senate floor for comparing the alleged abuse of prisoners by American troops to techniques used by the Nazis, the Soviets and the Khmer Rouge, as he sought to quell a frenzy of Republican-led criticism.
Durbin, the Democratic whip, acknowledged that "more than most people, a senator lives by his words" but that "occasionally words will fail us and occasionally we will fail words." Choking up, he said: "Some may believe that my remarks crossed the line. To them, I extend my heartfelt apologies."
Posted by freiheit1 at 10/20/2008 @ 1:38pm
Yes, liberals are supposed to be about open-mindedness and free speech......unless it's something they disagree with. They feel like it's perfectly legitimate to silence their opposition.
Posted by jimmylove at 10/20/2008 @ 1:38pm
That was from the Wash Post, June 25th, 2005
Posted by freiheit1 at 10/20/2008 @ 1:39pm
Why do we allow these people to breed?
Posted by dortmunder at 10/20/2008 @ 11:53am
Who do you mean? Bachmann or Vanden Heuval?
Doesn't matter. Either way what you said exposed your ignorance and immaturity.
How about Bachmann asking why we allow liberals to breed? What would be your reaction?
Do you even listen to yourself Dortmund?
Posted by freiheit1 at 10/20/2008 @ 2:25pm
I'm actually sick of so-called "America." Does that make me anti-American? Don't know, but I'm not running for Congress.
I'm certainly sick of Michelle Bachmann.
Posted by ElyDog at 10/20/2008 @ 2:36pm
Socialism. Grrrrrrr!!!!!! Many of us spent the last eight years railing about fascism. Now it seems it's the opposition's turn to spend years overusing a buzz word.
Posted by Be Good at 10/20/2008 @ 3:04pm
Socitalism
Posted by freiheit1 at 10/20/2008 @ 3:24pm
Socitalism = Socialization of losses, privatization of profits...
Posted by freiheit1 at 10/20/2008 @ 3:43pm
Katrina,may I call you Katrina?
For you really were trying and did put Buchanan in his place.He was sounding so ridiculos that it was pityful.
But you held your own and some. Congrats,and I know you will keep up the fight.
Posted by eniobob at 10/20/2008 @ 4:08pm
redriver-Actually,that's untrue,but the Palin's may not be able to get such jobs because they have friends with such anti American backgrounds.
Posted by i'm nobody at 10/20/2008 @ 5:27pm
Posted by RedRiver_. at 10/20/2008 @ 5:05pm
How did you find out about Obama's past association with Ayers, I mean enough to make your dubious claim?
Because I know more about Joe the Plumber's past than I do about Obama's from following the MSM. What are your sources?!
Posted by freiheit1 at 10/20/2008 @ 5:48pm
I thought it was funny that Bachmann mentions Ward Churchill, a professor at the University of Colorado. I attened one of Mr. Churchill's classes (required course). Even though I disagreed with what he said, I guess my physical proximation to him makes me anti-American as well. Damn, and I was SO SURE I liked America ...
Posted by DGKusel at 10/20/2008 @ 6:28pm
Looking up M. Strong. Interesting, Frei. Will find appropriate forum to discuss w/ you, hopefully.
Posted by A_Pax_On_Your_Houses at 10/20/2008 @ 6:32pm
Posted by lvliberty1 at 10/19/2008 @ 10:05pm
LVLIB chastises the Left for calling the Right "fascists"...
and then attacks the Left for being "Marxists"!
And sees no hypocrisy.....LOL
Posted by Maskdelta at 10/20/2008 @ 6:48pm
Cool Pax.
"We may get to the point where the only way of saving the world will be for industrial civilization to collapse." --Maurice Strong
Posted by freiheit1 at 10/20/2008 @ 6:53pm
I'm always late to the party, but I want to respond <i>to</i> Chip and <i>about</i> "LVLiberty."
Chip, every time someone condemns vicious and ugly comments by public figures, people like you always say, "Oh-ho! So you're in favor of <i>punishing</i> people for exercising their freedom of speech!"
To paraphrase Gandalf, don't be a fool Mr. Thornton if you can help it! Congress has the right to censure any member for any reason (including ridiculous reasons), and American citizens have as much right to exercise <i>their</i> freedom of speech by calling for such censure, as Rep Bachmann has to say idiotic things and then lie about having said them. Quit using that bogus "people who don't like what other people say are trying to deny them their rights" whine.
"LvLiberty" has been around for a long time--to the point of modifying his name several times because the majority of people kept putting him on their "ignore" list. He reminds me of Martin Luther's famous comment:<p> <i>The devil, that proude spirit, cannot bear to be mocked.</i> <P>For Liberty, change "mocked" to "ignored," and you'll know how to deal with his nonsense.
Posted by LisaJo at 10/20/2008 @ 6:54pm
Whoops, it's been so long since I've posted that I forgot that html codes don't work anymore. Sorry!
Posted by LisaJo at 10/20/2008 @ 6:55pm
Realistically I think the focus needs to shift, that Strong may be taken out of context here, because the implied outcome would be so destructive, it might as well be the Chinese Cultural Revolution, really beyond "left" or "right."
And Bachmann would lose lots of her tax base. But maybe the dipossessed former industrial workers will be available to milk her cows.
Posted by A_Pax_On_Your_Houses at 10/20/2008 @ 7:00pm
"What must we do?
The answer is to change -- to change our policies, priorities, behaviour, and the values that motivate us."
- M. Strong
CHANGE!!
Posted by A_Pax_On_Your_Houses at 10/20/2008 @ 9:08pm
I would like to sincerely thank Katrina for her eloquent rebuke of this dangerous, thoughtless rhetoric. I saw the clip on Hardball, and after Bachman had me on the fringes of exasperation, Katrina brought me hope and inspiration. I have officially found the voice in the media that I was looking for. I am a new subscriber to The Nation, and I plan on becoming a paying member as soon as I pay off my school loans. I will be hounding all of my friends until they sign up for The Nation!!! Together we can take back journalism. Thank you, The Nation, thank you!
Posted by mikefromohio13 at 10/21/2008 @ 12:05am
A shift is necessary toward lifestyles less geared to environmental damaging consumption patterns.
maurice strong
frikkin' canadians wanna rule the world.
Posted by frosty zoom at 10/21/2008 @ 02:07am
EEEEK!!!
Why is the video of Katrina Vanden Heuvel "no longer available?" Gosh, the video of Michelle Bachmann seems to work just fine.
Also, "socialism is going to be the downfall of this nation?" The nation is falling down now and it's rarely been anywhere <i>near</i> socialism!
Posted by cranford at 10/21/2008 @ 2:37pm
This nation is not falling down or apart. Its shoe laces were tied together by a few financial gimmicks which caused the current stumbling. But those laces are being unknoted and the US will skipping along without trouble before long.
She does not need the radical and fundamental changes which Obama and The Nation crowd want to give her.
Should Obama get the chance to attempt any radical restructuring he will discover himself in a constipated and paralyzed city at the edge of the country. The US won't be "ruled" by radicals of any stripe.
And that is indeed what Obama represents. Representative Bachmann is perfectly right in linking Obama to Ayers and Dohrn.
Ayers is the former Weathermen leader who has written of personally leading an attack on the Pentagon and has said, his regret now is that he did not bomb enough. He escaped jail because the govt used an illegal wiretap. His wife, Bernadine Dohrn, who extolled even attacks on the establishment, the "pigs", like the Manson murders, served jail time.
Ayers, in 1994 started a project, for which he received an Annenberg grant, which grew to $160 million, to help Chicago's decentralized schools. Whom did Ayers make Chairman of the Board that dispensed that money? Barack Obama.
Obama announced his candidacy for the Illinois legislature from Ayers living room.
Yet he explained his connection to Ayers on TV as, he was just "a guy who lives in my neighborhood."
Why should exposing such an association by a presidential candidate, be something deserving censored, a crime for which Bachmann should lose her job? The reporters and editors of The Nation and certainly those of the MSM should lose their jobs for not highlighting this damning collaboration.
Rothenberg is an idiot.
Posted by Hugo_Pirovano at 10/21/2008 @ 4:04pm
Frosty Zoom: Where are those quotes from? Where was the article published? I'd like to spread that around a little but can't without knowing the actual source. Chilling stuff.
Posted by brokher at 10/21/2008 @ 4:06pm
Posted by brokher at 10/21/2008 @ 4:06pm
just highlight a portion of whatever quote you like and search for it in google.
i just googled "michele bachmann" and "michele bachmann -2008"
Posted by frosty zoom at 10/21/2008 @ 9:39pm
I would argue that she should not be censured owing to her right to say what the hell she wants. Let the voters censure her.
Posted by jarstfer at 10/23/2008 @ 09:11am