First they went after Free Speech… Now it’s the Free Press (updated with video link)
Published by Mike Stark November 4th, 2006 in UncategorizedToday, in my capacity as field reporter for Air America and The Young Turks, I attended a political rally for George Allen. If given the opportunity, I intended to ask the Senator about his remarks concerning his opponents and his desire to “knock their soft teeth down their whiny throats“. I was wondering if that desire had anything to do with him deciding to do nothing when his campaign staff and supporters assaulted me last Tuesday.
Well, his supporters supported him again today. They really are a bunch of jock straps.
As the Senator finished his speech, I tried to ask my question. They did something that is absolutely acceptable. They shouted louder than me. “Six more years. Six more years!” Fair enough. They crowded between me and the Senator. Equally fair.
I however, saw an opening. There was no obstruction between me and the door through which the Senator had to pass in order to get to the tarmac. I made haste to establish position so that I could ask my question before the Senator left. I had just about arrived when I saw a blur out of my peripheral vision. A kid that had stood in front of me during Allen’s speech (whispering things back and forth to whom I thought was his mom) just barely clipped my arm and took a dive.
There was a cop right there. “Why did you push him?” he asked as he grabbed my arms and began the process of handcuffing me. Of course, I did nothing of the sort. I knew the entire time that I was at that event that I needed to be on my best behavior. And I was.
I had been questioned hostily throughout the wait for the Senator and I answered all questions with patience, sincerity and politeness.
The beautiful part about all of this? There’s video of everything that happened. Look for it soon.
In the meantime, I thought I’d help Senator Allen with his oppo research. He will certainly be putting out another press release detailing my sordid past. I want to get out in front of that and confess some stuff.
- ’tis tru that when I was in the sixth grade, I burped obnoxiously and disrupted class. For that, I was sent to the principle’s office. It is a part of my permanent record.
- More than once, I’ve gone to bed at night without brushing my teeth.
- I sometimes sit too close to the TV
- I once grew my hair long and listened to heavy metal music.
- In my past, I engaged in pre-marital sex. Usually after drinking too much. Sometimes I regretted it.
- I’m a Darwinist. Yes, that’s right, I believe in that radical thing called science …
- I was once married to a Jewish girl. We divorced, and now I am one half of an inter-racial marraige. And we’ve created progeny.
Anyway, that stuff is a little juicier than the stuff in his last hit piece - that I actually engage in the electoral process and write about it on the internets…
Don’t give up Mike.
Stay with it… We’ve got your back, cuz you’ve got ours!
peace
Stop stalking the guy. You’ve had your 15 minutes. Get over it.
The unbelievable nerve of Allen’s campaign to try crap while the country is watching. My bad, he’s in the mold of the GWB cabal. Keep it up Mike, we’ve got them on the ropes.
I also want to add this great quote from Mark Twain that may be apropos to your situation (at least as I see it.)
“In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot.”
In addition to the criminal proceedings against his staffers, Mike please consider civil suits against Allen, his campaign staff, and perhaps their tame cop. Methinks Macaca needs schooling!
I have to commend you for your persistence. I lost faith in the press a long time ago. It doesn’t hurt to try and make an impact, though, so keep it up!
Allen’s people are just plain dumb. There are precious few news cycles between now and when the polls open. There is absolutely no percentage for Allen in having more Mike Stark stories written and aired. Especially if the video shows Mike doing nothing while the kid takes a dive.
Mike-
Nice attempt today. You want everyone to answer your questions, yet, while you’re being led out of a rally in shame with your hands in cuffs behind your back you don’t want to answer anyone else’s questions. Wait, unless there is a camera involved. You’re nothing more than a cheap hack dying for publicity. You represent everything wrong with the world and remind every moderate what a liberal really is. You want recognition and your best shot is to make yourself look like a fool. You aren’t making an impact, you shame the University of Virginia and you shame yourself. I want you to come to every single political event for George Allen, I want you to continue doing what you do because with every appearance you make you reinforce another vote for Allen. Everytime your mouth opens you guarantee the support of another moderate for George Allen. So thank you.
Eric
Good job, Mike. You have real courage.
And many at UVA Law are very proud of you.
LOL So Stark gets peeved when the “take a dive” tactic that he used at the Omni is used against him.
Again I ask, when do you switch to Squeaky Fromme tactics, Mike? Was there a gun in your backpack today?
Eric’s Freeper checklist
Attack the messenger - Check
Ad hominem - Check
Hyperbole - Check
Complete absence of factual information - Check
Kudos lil’ freeper, “mission accomplished”
Absence of factual information? Let’s just say that I was very much there and your hero didn’t say a word unless he was confident a camera was on him, and then he was all about talking. Ad hominem? Stark has NOTHING but ad hominem attacks in his bag of tricks. Asking if Allen spit on his first wife? Give me a break. How can you sit there and defend the guy? If Stark had anything remotely important to talk about he has plenty of outlets to do it. He can use this blog, he can write op-eds and he can call all of the media he wants. The fact of the matter is, Mike Stark contributes NOTHING to political discussion. He is a punchline to a bad joke. You want factual information? There it is, not a single falsehood. Give me three legitimate things Stark wants to talk about. Erroneous personal attacks and asking why he got thrown to the ground are NOT legitimate issues. Protecting this country from terrorists and taxes are. If Mike Stark wants to make a difference, I suggest he try that route. Like all other things, he too shall pass.
You go Mike, Congrats on the AAR and YT work. Can’t wait for the video.
In the mean time, my owner made this vid of me and my ‘lover’. He has a thing for puppy porno.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qrd2200ON3Y
Eric…One word of advice. Xanax. Mike Stark is not running for office. G. Felix Allen is. Allen, and You, are scared shitless of the damage that Allen staffers caused to the congressman’s campaign in the first encounter. Hence, your presence here, and the reaction today. I have no doubt that the Allen camp has Mike under surveillance when he attends your events. No fear…you only have four days of the torment left, and then Allen can move on to his after-career lobbying. Calm down and take a xanax until then. It will be all over but the crying soon.
Hush lil freeper, don’t say a word
Macaca’s gonna let you parrot his words.
You being there does not make your account factual. There is your typical approach: what you say is factual, what anyone else says that disagrees with you is fictional. Gainsay is not acceptable.
Defending Mike and defending his right to speak are two separate things and I ascribe to the latter. The truly sad thing is that you should too. You say you love your country but look at the horrendous things that your party has done to the country that I, too love. The difference between us is that I am capable of admitting my fallability. You and those of your party never, ever under any circumstances accept blame. You are all so busy pointing the finger at everyone but yourselves that you can’t even be honest. So I cannot waste my time on someone who is physically incapable of change. Sorry.
Oh and btw, I didn’t give you your 3 things because you cannot dictate the terms of our discourse without making it a monologue. If you need three of his points, read the blog. I haven’t the time to spoonfeed you.
Here ya go, no “monologue”
- read the blog and i figured it out, he can’t get a real media job
- i may not agree with what he says but he’s free to do it, i don’t have a problem if he wants to discuss an actual issue - it hasn’t happened yet
- yeah, the GOP has strayed from its roots, but the liberals have strayed further… you all used to stand for something other than “opposite of what that guy says”
- let’s address the macaca thing - GET SOMETHING NEW, be creative for once, Dr. Seuss rhymes don’t get you anywhere
- finally, for you chickfu, for someone that doesnt have the time to “spoonfeed” you sure are hanging around for awhile
Jeff- it’s becoming quite clear that it is YOU who needs the Xanax. to stoop so low as to recommend an anxiety drug? i knew you folks were low, but thats pretty bad. it’s going to be a long night for you on Tuesday, so i’ll save some Xanax for you
Two attacks by Allen’s robots, and two vids to back up your actions and prove your case. The first one is an easy lawsuit- go with it. The second one- the set up- should be used as an opportunity for discovery- if the Mom & kid, plus the cop are in on a set up, then they all need a deposition, and then maybe a suit, to let them know what reality is.
In both cases, you were within your Constitutional rights to be there and ask questions, the first as a private citizen, the second as a member of the press. In neither case were the actions against you legal- in both cases they were also acts of intimidation.
America needs more of you- this is what a patriot is, and you’re a Marine, to boot. Certainly more of an American than those pansy draft dodgers that rn this country and think they have the room to criticize those who have served.
But meanwhile, i love to read the trolls here, that try to attack what you are doing, try to tie you to Webb, try to lie about you, try about anything to slander or smear you, and, every time, they slink away when the truth is told. They are amusing, as it shows fully the desperate tactics the repugs will use to try to save their corrupt lying asses. Pathetic, weak attempts, one and all.
This is what I hate about activists: the ego. This campaign is not about you. It’s about George Allen and Jim Webb. Stop trying to make yourself a story. Regardless of who’s right and who’s wrong, there is absolutely no reason to spend the final days of the campaign debating your antics in tussling with random Allen people. Again, this is all as lame as the constant stealing of lawn signs and other such rabble-rousing: it accomplishes nothing, proves nothing, and just wastes everyone’s time while drawing the campaigns off the message they have planned.
Eric….I’ll be here Wednesday A.M. first thing…stop on by for a chat, and I’ll give you a few comforting words, because you are in for a HUGE letdown Tuesday night. The era of the Neo-Con comes to a close in oh…about 38 hours by my watch. See you then…I’ll be the one passing our complementary crying towels to folks like you…that’s called compassionate liberalism.
Good on ya’ Mike. Thanks.
Eric said:
Here ya go, no “monologue”
- read the blog and i figured it out, he can’t get a real media job
Personal attack. Didn’t you see a dozen or so of his points?
- i may not agree with what he says but he’s free to do it, i don’t have a problem if he wants to discuss an actual issue - it hasn’t happened yet
Wrong. If Allen spat on his wife, that’s assault. Your camp is only concerned with the criminal wrongdoings of those with whom you disagree? Be consistent.
- yeah, the GOP has strayed from its roots, but the liberals have strayed further… you all used to stand for something other than “opposite of what that guy says”
Poor logic. “I may be bad but the other guy is worse.” No personal responsibility there, and I thought the Republican party was the party of personal responsibility.
- let’s address the macaca thing - GET SOMETHING NEW, be creative for once, Dr. Seuss rhymes don’t get you anywhere
Wrong on both counts. First that was not Dr. Suess but words to a song. Second, and more importantly, racism doesn’t bother you? Well, not enough to be a man and say he was wrong.
- finally, for you chickfu, for someone that doesnt have the time to “spoonfeed” you sure are hanging around for awhile
I am writing a long paper on hypertension and I come back here for a study break. Seems as though we are both hanging around here but it’s only bad for me? Hypocrite. To be more fair to you than you would ever be to your greatest enemy, the people you hate more than terrorists, those gawdawful librals, I misspoke. I should have said I don’t have the patience to spoon feed you.
Eric, aka Borat:
The best defense for Allen to prove that Mike Stark was all those things you claim was to stop, be polite and answer him.
If Stark was everything you say, Allen’s best behavior would have brought it out and Stark would have walked away with his tail between his legs while Allen would havve been described as “composed and senatorial”
Instead of smart, Allen chose force and let his goon squad squash a dissenting voice.
Above average Senators do not do this
Borat, on the other hand, might allow it.
http://www.e-Merges.com
What is so amusing about you, Mike, is that you’re too narccisistic and clueless to realize that people just don’t like pushy assholes. So while your little cheerleading section here jerks off to the thought of you yelling at Allen, I suspect many of those undecided voters will associate Webb with that dickhead kid who disrupts Allen events and thinks he’s big shit. Really Mike, you’re a silly child. And your self-aggrandizing tactics are likely to cost webb some undecided votes. Thanks asswipe; I’ll look for you at webbs concession speech.
I’ve been watching a show on the History Channel about the KKK and I swear I saw Macaca Allen as a teenager. Here’s his new GOTV ad ~ GOP style:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCn-QAw_nmU&eurl=
Before you can begin to think about politics at all, you have to abandon the notion that there is a war between good men and bad men.
-Walter Lippmann
I’m currently a 2L… and looking back at my 1L year, I barely had time to eat. How do you manage to follow a politian around the state and maintain a full-time blog? Just remember this when finals come knocking at your door. And they’re right around the corner.
mike is now a field reporter for the young turks and air america…he therefore cannot be considered “a stalker”
mike has put the fear of god into the allen campaign
shouting him down? isnt that rather childish?
taking a dive so that he can be arrested?
why not let him ask his questions, the senator can ignore it and it becomes a non story
they wont do that because mike speaks the truth
chickfu
i have the luxury of being able to tool around on here, so it doesnt make me a hypocrite to be on here. im not the one who said you didnt have time to spoonfeed me. so basically you lack simple logic skills. typical
you have to know your enemies to defeat them, so yeah, ill drop a personal attack, im not above it.
the spitting thing? get real, his ex-wife said it was a crock. its a moot point (im assuming you know what that means)
a “Dr. Seuss rhyme” isnt a literal thing. i made the assumption that you would understand what that is. in case you dont, its a term for a simple rhyme. so im sorry for assuming that you’d get it. racism? are you kidding me? keep beating that drum
“Poor logic. “I may be bad but the other guy is worse.” No personal responsibility there…” WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? i never said anything remotely close, so im assuming that you’re making stuff up (big surprise). oh wait! i forgot about your poor logic skills
do yourself a favor, write your hypertension paper, maybe that’s a topic you make sense on
and yeah…. an off topic point….. but everything that is wrong with American can be found in the mind of a liberal
FREEDOM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm2OXQh3duI
Eric Nov 4th, 2006 at 10:13 pm
and yeah…. an off topic point….. but everything that is wrong with American can be found in the mind of a liberal
Proof of principle: you are a fool and not worth the bandwidth.
good response chickfu… well said… your intellect amazes me
Eric Nov 4th, 2006 at 10:13 pm
and yeah…. an off topic point….. but everything that is wrong with American can be found in the…
ACTIONS of the GOP
http://leenrage.blogspot.com/2006/05/gop-culture-of-corruption-indeed_18.html
That’s more like it…
The $100 One Breath challenge.
These sort of antics should show everyone why Air America is going belly-up.
Cindy Shaheen called. She wants her schtick back.
Mr. Stark,
I’d like to thank you for your actions the past few days. This is exactly the direction political discourse should take–crazy youngsters yelling hysterical accusations at a political candidate for national office. Why, I fathered this very tactic when I demanded to know of Mr. Hamilton why he punched a baby in the mouth for three shillings.
I’d also like to congratulate you on being hired by that epitome of prestige in the radio world, Air America. Your salary is certainly a worthy expense, bankrupt radio network or not.
Finally, allow me to express my gratitude for drawing such positive attention to the school I founded, the University of Virginia. Let there be no doubt that when I expressed my desire for a legal education to be provided at my university, I hoped that one day it would cater to such well-balanced, polite, and dignified people such as yourself.
I am especially grateful for the administration to accept you. Long ago I suggested a form of affirmative action for hysterical morons. I am glad to see the current dean has embraced the concept and allowed you to attend.
For, indeed, this is America. And in America you’re allowed to make a fool of yourself. You’re allowed to become the butt of jokes in your own law school. You’re allowed to disgrace my institution, to drag an already-low Senate race even lower into the muck, and you’re allowed to add to the cacophony that drowns out serious discourse. If we weren’t allowed to do such, we’d be living in Canada.
So thank you, Mike. Thank you for not allowing us to become Canada–which, as far as I know, remains a British territory to this day.
Sincerely,
Thomas Jefferson
PS. Tell Adams I died first, the uninformed bastard!
“They won’t do that because Mike speaks the truth.”
Uuummmm bacci, just what truth are you talking about? This is why I can’t stand liberals. Mike and his goofy cheerleaders want to get all huffy and indignant and say that mikey was just exercising his right to ask a question. But your statement that “he speaks the truth” exposes all that nonsense as the bullshit it is. Mikey is a silly child who really doesn’t even have a point to make. It’s all about his own fragile ego and the attention he gets from acting like a fool. As for why Allen doesn’t answer his “questions” - beside the fact that mikey is an obnoxious little zit who isn’t worthy of Allens time - is that mikey’s antics are only making webb look bad. Do you seriously think there’s some undecided voter out there thinking, gosh I’m gonna go with webb now that some hysterical child yelled an obnoxious question to Allen??? I’m sure delusional mikey does, but do you really believe that? It’s more likely that some undecided voter is watching mikey act like an ass, and associating his childish tantrums with the webb campaign. Maybe I’m wrong, but I think Allen will benefit from mikeys antics.
Here are a couple more stories
http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/4567107.html
http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/4567637.html
“The first story claims “Two supporters say Stark pushed them to the gound as he tried to ask Allen questions.”
“The two supporters say they’re not sure if they will press charges yet.”
Pretty soon they’ll say you knocked down 10 people.
The second story identifies and shows the people you supposedly knocked down.
“Stark says he brushed by an Alex Davis who fell.
Davis didn’t comment on the incident but other Allen supporters told a different story.
Ann Taetzsch says she was pushed as Stark rushed by.
“I was in a crowd of folks and Mr. Stark pushed me out of the way and into the camera in order to get around the folks to get to the senator,” says Taetzsch.”
I wonder if this is the same Anne Taetzsch who according to this site:
http://www.swacgop.org/Staunton.html
is identified as The Chairman of the Staunton City Republican Committee?
I’m sure she’d have no reason to claim something that wasn’t true, would she?
Mike,
Any chance you can go after Goodlatte next? I had the misfortune of sitting next to him at a pep rally at Old Dominion Job Corps Center, when I was the Director of Education there in 2005. He kept trying to make small talk and then insinuated that Job Corps only existed because somebody has to “dig the ditches and flip the burgers”. Then he proceeded to vote against the grant legislation for black and hispanics, a few months later. I’m telling you, the guy has a Klan hoody hanging in his closet. He reminds me of Homer Stokes in “Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou?”.
Amazing amount of trollage here since Mike was Macaca’d. You can always tell how much they are hurt by a story by how many operatives they dispatch to hurl invectives and disinformation. Rather than defend their candidate’s record, they have to attack the other guy. Pity.
“This is exactly the direction political discourse should take–crazy youngsters yelling hysterical accusations at a political candidate for national office.”
…I’m not sure, but I don’t think a 36 year old is a “youngster”. I could be wrong.
Although, I’m quite sure that Mr. “look-at-me”, surrounded by other 1L’s (average age: 22) would love to be considered a “youngster”.
Thanks for posting a link to the youtube video over on DK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cowy6y0-55Y
It’s clear from looking at the speed you are walking, and the reaction of the guy that falls, that he did “take a dive”.
“Amazing amount of trollage here since Mike was Macaca’d. You can always tell how much they are hurt by a story by how many operatives they dispatch to hurl invectives and disinformation. Rather than defend their candidate’s record, they have to attack the other guy. Pity.”
Everything with chickfu’s name attached to it is ridiculous. “Macaca’d?” What does that even mean… are you making up words over there? I’ve yet to see an incentive or some disinformation come from a Republican here. Again, I think you’re just making stuff up as you go along.
Allen has a record of fighting terrorists and taxes. He’s fighting terrorists at home and abroad. Liberals want to pick up and leave Iraq, let it turn into a bastion of terrorism. You should be ashamed. Your people have the gall to stand and say that Iraq was better off with Saddam Hussein. Tell that to the millions of dead Iraqis who were persecuted and executed by a tyrannous regime. You say you support the war on terror, yet you allow men like John Kerry to allude that our fighting men and women are dumb.
Allen understands fiscal and economic policy. He won’t trick the working class into supporting a mimimum wage that anyone who has taken an Econ 101 class know will only put those people out of work. He understands that low taxes mean economic expansion. You laugh and tow the party line of “tax cuts only help the wealthy.” Erroneous.
You want talk about issues? Let’s talk about issues. Mike, your 15 minutes of fame are over.
Where does all this hate come from anyway? If you don’t like the guy, don’t vote for him man. Going to his rally’s looking for a fight puts you right up there with that religous nut group that protests around military funerals declaring ‘God hates gays.’ Don’t get all whiney and indignant because a bigger kid gave you a bloody nose after you took a swing at him. This isn’t trolling or adgenda pushing, hell I usually vote independent or democrat, but curiousity brought me here and listening to you boast about basically being a smartassed jerk like it’s some kind of virtue is depressing and childish, and inspired a response. Sorry if it’s not one any of you like, but given what I have seen of you and your beliefs, a response is exactly the kind of thing you crave. Maybe it’s justification, or maybe it’s just attention of any kind you live for.
Thanks for contributing to the polarization of this country, in which right and wrong are no longer black and white, but rather Conservative and Democrat. People like you, Ann Coulter, etc continue to make me proud to be Independent.
Hey Mike, the kid in the video took a dive faster than a pro wrestler on Friday Night Smackdown. You can tell he’s been ‘learned’ real well. I blame his parents. Actually the whole crowd acted like a bunch of ‘MORANS’! *Note the right tilt.
I’ve given a bunch of money to Jim Webb’s campaign and I don’t even live in Virginia. I want to see him win. What you are doing is not helping. Lay off.
The unedited video was interesting but sadly did not get the angle of the “dive” the kid took. However, I’m sure other angles from other cameras will surface.
Telling tidbits: the LOUD voice that claims “HEY! He knocked down that kid” didn’t sound rehearsed what so ever. The guy in an orange shirt push Mike just as the cops starting walking out with him. The “reporters” questioning Mike during the perp walk to the cop car. Too bad the camera panned down to the hood of the car and not show the faces of the guys asking the loaded questions and giving information.
I’m glad Mike went on record to say he regretted saying “He’ll own this county”. It sounded a tad too melodramatic. Notice Mike did not resist arrest and cooperated fully.
By this way, this is not Civil Disobediance. Mike completely followed the law, in an act of civil obediance. Faking an assault (likely performed by the kid) however is against the law and should be followed up on IF there’s video evidence showing that the kid did it on purpose. It would be even better should there be a matter of public record of the kid saying it happened yet declined to press charges. Should be interesting, so long as the video exists.
Mike, keep up the good work, while you can. Enjoy your studies and let’s hope you don’t experience repurcussions 5 to 10 years down the road. The public’s memory is short, not those in power.
Mr. Stark:
I’ve been a Webb supporter since before there was a Webb Campaign. I was one of the earlier members in the “Draft James Webb” movement. I have poured my heart and soul into this campaign. I have dedicated much of this year to helping a group of dedicated Democrats take Webb from 30 points down to a slim lead. A lead that could easily disappear.
DON’T ROCK THE BOAT!
I have to put to much into this campaign to have the last few days become about your antics (and the question WAS inappropriate) and let those antics kill this Webb momentum we have worked so hard to attain. Stop making noise, and stop changing the subject of discussion. These last few days should be about why Jim Webb should be United States Senator, and how he has failed Virginians in every way WHEN IT COMES TO THE ISSUES. We don’t need to know if George Allen spit on his wife, because it doesn’t matter. We already know his character, and it is weak. No need to further reinforce it by acting in a way that leads to police officers.
I ask you to keep silent for these last few days, and let Jim Webb run his own campaign. Let’s make these last few days about the corruption in Congress. Let’s make these last few days about Iraq. Let’s make these last few days about Health Care, Social Security, and College Tuition costs. Let’s make these few days about change. I don’t want to pick up the paper and see your face. I don’t want to see you on the local news. This isn’t Mike Stark’s time. This is Jim Webb’s. The news should be about him, not about you.
All you are doing is linking your own actions with Jim Webb. Now, you should know that a man of honor and integrity, like Jim Webb, would never condone your actions. He wouldn’t encourage them, and he certainly wouldn’t be “pleased.” He has never attacked Allen over these charges, as Jim Webb has chosen to focus on the issues. Do as Jim Webb would do, and talk about the issues. Drop some lit, make some phone calls. DO NOT try to start something that could cut our slim lead apart.
Mr. Stark, I’m sure you are a dedicated Democrat. But this campaign isn’t about Guerilla politics. It’s about honor and integrity. Jim Webb is a war hero, and he got that reputation by facing his foes with courage and honor. There is nothing honorable about interrupting an Allen rally accusing George Allen of spitting on his wife. For the love of God, shut up. Stop talking about yourself, and start talking about Jim Webb, a REAL hero.
Dannyboy
(Dan Geroe)
http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/4567637.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cowy6y0-55Y&NR
Interesting thing about the top link, you’ll see the overweight, blond woman in a blue cardigan blatantly rallying the crowd at the beginning. This suggests she has a prominent role in the group. Next, you see her yelling right at Mike Stark (you’d think you’d yell toward the senator you’re supporting, but I digress). Lastly, you see her right at where Mike gets taken hold of by the police on the other side of the room.
Is this the woman Mike was talking about? Is this the “mother” of Alex Davis (the “victim” in the black shirt and white pants) he saw whispering to Alex prior to the dive? Either way, she made her way around the rally to be right where Mike was at.
I like how Anne Taetzsch said “I was trying to protect the Senator”. Good to know, what with the hostile crowd surrounding the Senator.
The youtube video is good but ends a bit early. Good to know who was around Alex during the fall. Plus, I’d like another angle of the man in the orange shirt that pushes Mike after the police take custody of him.
Sorry Charlie, but mikey isn’t likely to be around in 5-10 years. He’s a suicide statistic waiting to happen when the election ends and he realizes he’s still a nobody. Mikey is a child throwing a temper tantrum. He lives in an alternate reality where he really matters - hence the 5-year-old “I’ll own this county” idiocy. His stunts have nothing to do with Allen. He’s just a bitter little boy, desperate to be noticed, and this is his way of assauging his feelings of worthlessness. It’s all about him. And judging from his melodramatic narccisism, he’ll probably blow his brains out and leave the mess for his family. Personally, I think he should go with self immolation to protest Allens victory over webb.
I thought Mike acquitted himself very well in the “unedited” version of the local CBS video. Unfortunately, the footage does not show the actual incident. (But if that kid’s dive was as good as Mike said, he should consider changing his nationality and trying out for the Italian national soccer team.)
You are engaging in criminal stalking activity.
You belong in prison or in a rubber room. I know that you may have problems with reality and cannot understand what I say, but you want to stop these stalking activities.
SOME IDIOT SAID: “Allen has a record of fighting terrorists and taxes. He’s fighting terrorists at home and abroad. Liberals want to pick up and leave Iraq, let it turn into a bastion of terrorism. You should be ashamed.”
Sorry, you wingnut, but voting 96% with Bush is not the same as “fighting terrorists”.
• The terrorists are in Afghanistan…yet we are hopelessly mired in Iraq babysitting a country that has fallen into kaos, with absolutely no hope of maintaining the democracy Bush tried to sell the American public at a cost the lives of three thousand American troops and over a third of a trillion dollars.
• Osama Been Forgotten is still breathing free air five and a half years after the largest attack on American soil in American History.
• North Korea has PROVEN to have Nukes. And we do not have the resources to blocade because we are hopelessly mired in Iraq.
• The Military Times newspapers are slated to publish an editorial tomorrow morning calling for the resignation or fireing of Donald Rumsfeld….when the TROOPS are no longer confident in the failed Iraq war policy of the Bush Administration or the Republican rubber-stamping of those policies in congress…what is it going to take for people like you to pull your collective heads out of your collective asses and FINALLY support them?
America needs change now. America is calling for change now. Face it, Eric…for you and people who think like you, it’s all over but the crying come Tuesday.
I admire those who aspire to larger-than-life nitwittery. Way to go Mike! Truly, the libs aren’t quite extreme enough in my estimation.
“Truth is always the enemy of power. And power the enemy of truth.”
The ugly reality of the American political system is right here for all to see. Republicans using the word liberal as if it’s some sort of pejorative. Name calling. Personal attacks. Little discussion of the real issues.
Democrats telling a dissenting citizen to “be quiet.” I was so shocked by that I had to go back and read it again.
The Republicans and the Democrats want to keep everything wrapped up into two nice little packages, and maintain their control and power. In their world, you’re either conservative or liberal. Republican or Democrat. Apparently,there’s no political recourse to bring an end to our never-ending lack of choice between the “evil of two lessers” that we have suffered through for the last 50 years of so. The system keeps getting worse, not better. We seem mired in a dive for the lowest common denominator, and it gets lower every four years.
The United States government is not a democracy and has never been. It is a representative republic in which representatives to the central government are chosen in a winner-take-all popular vote and have no responsibility to follow the will of the people once elected into office. Elections are funded by corporate and individual bribery, trading political contributions for political favor.
“A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.”
Well, I’ve got some news for you, folks. There are actual thinking people on this continent that aren’t buying tickets to the national charade. Both of these parties are an embarrassment. All of you should be ashamed of yourselves for supporting any of these knuckle dragging louts.
All of you are little more than foot soldiers for the power parties. They want to keep the party going. Keep the military industrial complex humming along. Think about it. Approximately 300,000 soldiers in 130 countries. All for American capitalism.
It’s all about keeping markets open. Clinton was damn good at it. Bush and his toadies are the ultimate. At least Clinton was smart and interesting.
“The tragedy of modern war is not so much that the young men die but that they die fighting each other–instead of their real enemies back home in the capitals.”
My suggestion is to stop wasting time with folks like Allen. Do you think he’s really going to answer a question about his pathetic moral character? Do you really think any Democrat is going to truly work to bring about meaningful change?
Since when? On the core issues, both of the major parties are in lock step with one another. Open your eyes.
And when you do, start working to build real democracy in your communities. Democracy is found there, not in War$hington.
Be careful.
The focus in the next two days should be solely on Jim Webb.
These kinds of stories can easily backfire, and turn sympathy (however unmerited) towards Allen, especially in the minds of mature voters. I.e., some college kids will enjoy the kerfuffles but older voters will find it annoying and perhaps publicity-seeking.
There is no connection between the Webb campaign and Mike. NO CONNECTION!!
I am happy to see other members of the angry, bitter left chime in with us really cool progressives and let the truth be told that Bush Lies and People Dies and that Karl Rove is the puppeteer while smirking Bush is the puppet. If not for Internet chat boards, the really cool progressives might not have a voice to compete with the jingoistic flag-waving of the corporate controlled media.
The angry, bitter left all know for a fact that Bush’s war for oil in Iraq is illegal. By speaking out on Internet chat boards and using the façade of communist/socialist groups like A.N.S.W.E.R. and MoveOn.org, the really cool progressives are becoming a powerful force on the Internet chat boards.
The Internet also allows us really cool progressives to question authority. Really cool progressives like me and the Web Fairy question authority and have intellectual discussion on the fact that it was squib charges and holograms used on 9/11, not the propaganda put out by the corporate controlled media of 19 hijackers and jet airplanes.
I am somewhat of an expert on 9/11. I can look at a 72 dpi image on a really cool progressive Web site and tell you more than any aerospace or civil engineer what really happened.
There’s a lot more going on in the 9/11 cover-up than meets the eye. People who buy every word that the corporate-controlled media says should go buy George Orwell’s 1984 and practice up; it won’t be long before the hopelessly indoctrinated manage to get the clocks to thirteen here. Peace. – Scott Laughrey
Jim Webb must be proud of this bi-polar nut.
Congratulations, you have become a Liberal Icon in the likes of Cindy Sheehan. You are a publicity turd!!! I believe voters will express that they find most Democrat candidates as contemptible as you are on Tuesday. I can’t wait!!!
Mr. UVA Law School Student,
First of all, it’s spelled principal, not principle.
Second of all, I couldn’t agree with Eric more. Keep showing your ugly face at his rallys. Everytime you show up and open your mouth, you just reinforce that Allen is the right choice for our state. You show the idiotic and asinine liberal agenda for what it’s worth.
Your 15 seconds of fame are definitely over. Do you intend to keep this nonsense up for the next 6 years when Sen. Allen is re-elected on Tuesday? Because if so, for the sake of our commonwealth, I hope the next guy DOES decide to press charges.
You just continue to support the “vast-right-wing” cause by your obnoxious tirades, so for all of us “vast-right-wing-water-carriers in the commonwealth of VA”, I say, please, keep right on talking. Oh, and thanks for your help in re-electing a fine, upstanding Senator.
Meg wrote: “There is no connection between the Webb campaign and Mike. NO CONNECTION!!”
Meg, there’s an implicit connection in the minds of Virginia voters. It’s inevitable. That’s why, imho, I’d prefer Mike stay out of the limelight…. we’re SO CLOSE to Webb winning. We don’t need to create scenes. All the trends are going against Allen. He’s buried himself. We don’t need to aid him any further. He’s doing a fine job by himself.
Yep, Eric & the usual bunch of hypocritical republican trolls are still here, trying their best to distract attention away from the real issues. Pray tell, trolls, how do you defend the “Free Speech Zones”, the long existing Repub tactic of hauling away dissenters, of misusing law enforcement? How do you defend the intimidation tactics of your fellow so called conservatives? You don’t- you, as usual, use projection, name calling & smear, to hide your far worse tactics.
Tell you what, though, let’s rewind by to the days when you idiots were howling after Bill Clinton, and see if any of your arguments make sense. They don’t- you were guilty of far worse when you were working to find anything to bring down President Bill Clinton- your gang of thugs asked a lot of insulting questions, spread lies all over, even attacked his daughter because you though she wasn’t attractive. You lied, you smeared, you intimidated, you asked loaded questions, and you expect us to forget that and accept your sanctimony & righteous indignation? You are truly dense, if you do.
And i will wager that few, if any, of you, have served. And I wager few, if any have read the Constitution all the way through, and have sworn to defend it, as Mike has. Your responses on this board are all anti American- you refuse to acknowledge that it is Mike’s right, as it is anyone’s right, to attend and ask questions of the people who want to represent him. Mike has never been insulting, certainly not like you clowns were insulting to President Clinton, and has stayed within the law. You don’t like what Mike has done and want to stop him? Then leave America, for you damn sure don’t give a rat’s ass about the Bill of Rights & the Constitution and the principles of the founding fathers. Leave now, before you drag America down any further. Maybe you can get a place next to Bush in Paraguay- looks like Bush is setting up his very own banana republic and i am sure you will be welcome there.
“there’s an implicit connection in the minds of Virginia voters”
I know, and it worries me. If you dislike Allen, somehow, you are automatically working for the Webb campaign. Hmmm…
WOW - 2 more days and this nonsense MIGHT come to an end (there could be court challenges etc. if the Va. Senate election is as close as all the polls show). To Eric and all the other Allen Kool-Aid drinkers ….. this thing does not look good for you. The undecideds are breaking for Webb and all the recent polls I have seen show Allen losing after once having a huge lead. I do not live in Va. (thank God ) but I do want the Dems to take control of the Senate so, of course, I have been watching several races closely - and I now like our chances BUT we have to get that vote out on Tuesday. It would make me very happy to see a couple of things early Wed. morning - Allen making a concession speech and Hannity, Rush, Coulter etc.
spinning “how the GOP losing both the House AND Senate was not so horrible and because the DEMS didn’t do it as impressively as they should have, then that just shows how weak the Dems really are.” Mark my words, if the Dems do win the Senate (the House is over - sorry GOP) the forementioned spinning will be the Republican talking point and I will be giggling. The stuck pig always squeal the loudest and right now the GOP sure is squaling.
Wow… I go to sleep for a couple of hours and there’s nonsense posted EVERYWHERE here. It’s a whole case of characters! It’s almost as if I’m reading a script for “Let’s See How Stupid We Can Sound!”
We’ve got a guy a who thinks he’s “somewhat of an expert on 9/11″ who can take us all to a progressive website and make all of our dreams come true. There’s also a guy who think that “voting 96% with Bush” is not the same as fighting terrorists. OF COURSE ITS NOT! However, instead of reciting a TV ad, look at the voting record, there’s a lot of terrorist fighting in there. Nice non sequiter though, you and Mike read the same playbook. We’ve got another person who doesn’t condone “projection, name calling & smear,” yet wants to call conservatives “Republican trolls,” “clowns” and “anti-American.” AND then has the nerve to call me a hypocrite. We’ve got another guy who thinks I belong to a cult and am ready to take a Kool-Aid slumber. That’s cute, it’s not like we haven’t heard that one before.
You people blow my mind. You call my a hypocrite, then do the same thing. You embrace the liberal agenda because I have YET to hear anything other than the typical, “Iraq this, Ira
q that” paired with “Allen’s going to lose, other people will cry.” Come up with a policy or something; if you’ve got one. Which, if you toe the party line, like it seems you all do, you don’t have a single idea in your brains. You win the House and the Senate, I can’t wait to see this crap you idiots push through. Maybe it will be then that Americans realize how bankrupt the Democrat party is, and how it’s full of people like you. Thankfully, that’s not going to happen, pray tell that one day it will and Americans will realize why they should always vote Republican.
Eric…if all that is true, then why are you here? Go away and the pain will stop.
Unless you are some sort of a masochist..It’s okay…we all know that you conservitives, our “bastions of morality” are the biggest closet kink freaks in the world. Preaching morality over a bullhorn while fondling a little boy under the lecturn.
Answer the question Eric…if you are feeling so attacked and that liberals are evil and cannot be debated with, what purpose do you serve by coming back to be beat up over and over again?
Seems to me only an IDIOT would do that.
And miss hearing that kind of crap? You’ve gotta be kidding me. There’s no pain here, and there’s even less beating. You think you can beat me down with your name calling? Think again. My purpose here was to tell Mike to keep doing what he’s doing, because I love hearing that voters “aren’t voting for that Webb fellow because of that law student boy on TV.”
There it is Jeff, there’s your answer. I’ve yet to have my question answered. By any of you. So I’ll just hang out and wait to hear what the Democrat party actually stands for. Or do you guys even know?
Do you really think that this makes you look good? You’re thirty-eight years old. The statute of limitations on the “youthful indiscretion” defense passed a decade ago. What was acceptable, even “charming,” of a twenty year old undergrad looks ridiculous at your age. You bring negative publicity to yourself, to your school, and to your political cause, as you remind people constantly that a vote for Jim Webb is not merely a vote for a Vietnam hero but for the less moderate factions of the Democratic Party.
We’ll see if Eric has the balls to post after Tuesday. He probably will, but he’ll be “spinning” the same BS Coulter has already started …… that the Dems should have won even BIGGER ! - Just a couple of weeks ago, these right wingers were saying that they were actually going to hold on to the House. I do not hear even one goofy enough to predict that now. How about it, Eric? Does your beloved GOP maintain control of the House? I predict we will hear no answer to that one from our boy, Eric.
I think its premature to be predicting a GOP hold of the House. It’s an uphill battle, no point in arguing against that. However, I think that it will come down to the wire. IF the GOP holds, it won’t be by more than 3 seats. I think you all are counting your chickens before they hatch. It will be an interesting night for the House of Representatives. That being said, it will be VERY difficult for the GOP to hold the House.
The Senate is a different story. A GOP hold is far more likely. I predict a three seat loss for the GOP, maintaining a three seat majority.
Nance, consider yourself proven wrong.
Still no word of Democrat stands on issues. I predicted nobody would come up with anything.
Eric…How do I put this….it seems you are basing your “predictions” more on wishful thinking than on any form of facts or reality.
There is not one single reliable pollster today that is predicting a GOP hold in any way, and many are now putting the range of DEM pickups on the 22-35 bracket, with the upper number reaching as high as 42-50 Even electionprojection.com, which is a FAR RIGHT CONSERVITIVE REPUBLICAN maintained site shows the DEMS gaining 16 seats.
As for the senate…even the McLaughlan Group..INCLUDING TONY BLANKLY Placed their predictions on the senate races as odds-on favorite for a Dem takeover of the senate.
Nobody here is picking out drapes and carpet, son…we are just stating the obvious dire prediciment the GOP is in this election cycle….and with two days left, there ain’t much turf left for your imaginary “uphill battle” to take place.
Talk about whistling on the way to the gallows.
……but you just keep singing “the sun will come out, tomorrow” if that helps you to maintain your obviously tennuous grasp on sanity.
Jeff… let’s get two things straight…. I’m not your son and I’m no expert, nor do I pretend to be. I was asked my opinion, and I freely gave it. My own opinion, not a regurgitated one from a pundit.
My access to “forms of facts and reality” is… how do I say this… better than yours.
If you want to live your life on the whims of a poll, by all means do it. If you want to hold hands with a pundit, by all means do it.
Yeah, my prediction is an extremely positive one, but that’s why they call it a prediction.
Still waiting for an issue…….
SOME IDIOT SAID: “There it is Jeff, there’s your answer. I’ve yet to have my question answered. By any of you. So I’ll just hang out and wait to hear what the Democrat party actually stands for. Or do you guys even know?”
What do Democrats stand for? Well, Eric..you sure won’t find the answer listening to Rush or Sean or with your head stuck up FAUX News’ ass.
Howzabout DNCC Chair Rahm Emanuel on Meet The Press this morning…(sorry…that’s not a show on Fox, but it’ll have to do) We can start with the Democratic plan for Iraq…I know reading big words gives people like you a headache, but try to stick with it, SON.
REP. EMANUEL: Here’s what we’re going to do: We’re not going to divert our resources from focusing on capturing Osama bin Laden five years after 9/11; we are going to work with our allies on making sure that North Korea, when we issue a red line, doesn’t cross it without any sense of consequences; and we are going to work also at making sure that Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon. So let me say one thing clear about the principles we’re going to have. Whether Senator Biden’s idea on Iraq—which I think is a strong idea—Senator Levin’s program, Congressman Jack Murtha, and Congressman Ike Skelton, there are five basic principles that hold Democrats together on our approach to Iraq: First, regional cooperation; second, reconciliation among the parties; third, reconstruction of the economy; fourth, responsibility for results; and fifth is redeployment from Iraq. Those are the five principles. All Democrats say we have to change the policy. These guys have—the Republicans and the president—and I’ll say this, the president’s got what he needed for this war totally from Congress, except for the one thing that the Republicans have denied him, and that’s oversight and accountability.
MR. RUSSERT: Would the Democrats consider cutting off funding for the war?
REP. EMANUEL: No, we’re not going to hurt our troops like that. We’re going to make sure we have a new policy, and when the Baker…
MR. RUSSERT: OK, OK.
REP. EMANUEL: And when the Baker and Lee Hamilton approach comes, our approach will not be what the vice president said, steam—full steam ahead. We’re going to listen to that approach, and work in a bipartisan fashion to solve the worst national security challenge America’s faced in over two generations.
What say you now, Eric?
Oh…and ERIC, In case you have never heard of the Biden Plan, here is a synopsis from the August 24 editorial Biden wrote in the Washington Post:
“First, the plan calls for maintaining a unified Iraq by decentralizing it and giving Kurds, Shiites and Sunnis their own regions. The central government would be left in charge of common interests, such as border security and the distribution of oil revenue.
Second, it would bind the Sunnis to the deal by guaranteeing them a proportionate share of oil revenue. Each group would have an incentive to maximize oil production, making oil the glue that binds the country together.
Third, the plan would create a massive jobs program while increasing reconstruction aid — especially from the oil-rich Gulf states — but tying it to the protection of minority rights.
Fourth, it would convene an international conference that would produce a regional nonaggression pact and create a Contact Group to enforce regional commitments.
Fifth, it would begin the phased redeployment of U.S. forces this year and withdraw most of them by the end of 2007, while maintaining a small follow-on force to keep the neighbors honest and to strike any concentration of terrorists.
This plan is consistent with Iraq’s constitution, which already provides for the country’s 18 provinces to join together in regions, with their own security forces and control over most day-to-day issues. This plan is the only idea on the table for dealing with the militias, which are likely to retreat to their respective regions instead of engaging in acts of violence. This plan is consistent with a strong central government that has clearly defined responsibilities. Indeed, it provides an agenda for that government, whose mere existence will not end sectarian violence. This plan is not partition — in fact, it may be the only way to prevent violent partition and preserve a unified Iraq.”
So, now, howabout you do us all a favor and quit spewing the lame-assed talking point that “Libs and dems don’t have a plan” It is beneath contempt for ANYONE to continue spreading that meme.
Here’s what I say to that son, quote Rahm Emanuel all you want. I prefer to shy away from socialists, but to each his own right.
There’s nothing in there that I haven’t heard before. Which leads me to rephrase my previous statement. The Democrat party is a party of one issue. They don’t like the war in Iraq. That’s fair.
The 5 principle plan that Emanuel speaks of is exactly that. Its a plan of principle, not a plan of action.
If you want to play hardball with me you’re going to need a little more than Rahm Emanuel.
Still a plan of principle. Biden and Emanuel want to create jobs? HOW? By picking up and leaving?
Hell, I’m all for accountability of Iraqis for their own security. I just don’t think you’re going to get that without being there.
It’s a difference of opinion….
And you’re STILL a one issue party
Eric…you either failed to read, or failed to absorb the things you TRIED to read.
What a loser you are.
Name calling…. you’ve gotta be in middle school still
Oh…Did I mention Pelosi’s plan for the first 100 hours?
As in the first 100 hours the House meets after Democrats — in her fondest wish — win control in the Nov. 7 midterm elections and Pelosi takes the gavel as the first Madam Speaker in history.
Day One: Put new rules in place to “break the link between lobbyists and legislation.”
Day Two: Enact all the recommendations made by the commission that investigated the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Time remaining until 100 hours: Raise the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour, maybe in one step. Cut the interest rate on student loans in half. Allow the government to negotiate directly with the pharmaceutical companies for lower drug prices for Medicare patients.
Broaden the types of stem cell research allowed with federal funds — “I hope with a veto-proof majority,” she added in an Associated Press interview Thursday.
All the days after that: “Pay as you go,” meaning no increasing the deficit, whether the issue is middle class tax relief, health care or some other priority.
To do that, she said, Bush-era tax cuts would have to be rolled back for those above “a certain level.” She mentioned annual incomes of $250,000 or $300,000 a year and higher, and said tax rates for those individuals might revert to those of the Clinton era.
Sure sounds like more than one issue to me, son…but then again, your side condemned her for having “no plan” and then attacked her on announcing it for “picking the carpet and drapes”. Can’t have it both ways.
Man…you must feel like a real idiot right about now. Sorry for making you look so uninformed….but, unfortunately, that’s what happens to “FAUX Noos” viewers.
Eric…stating that you are an uninformed idiot is not name calling…it’s a simple observation. Stating that you are a LOSER, is borderline…so I’ll ammend it…Today, you are only an Imminent loser….Come TUESDAY, you will most certainly be a full-fledged loser. Hows that? Feel better now?
ROTFLMAO
As was foretold, the proof is on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cowy6y0-55Y
Watch the end where the kid takes a dive … the look on Mike’s face is priceless.
First Allen hid behind the wife’s skirt and now he has a kid tell lies to the police. A complete absence of character.
Her “100 hour plan” is going to a moot point because a veto-proof majority won’t exist. But I’ll humor you and talk about this 100 hour plan. Actually, I’m going to skip the ridiculous stuff and go straight to what really SHINES here.
Raising the minimum wage. I hope to god you guys do this. Let all those people lose their jobs, then they’ll see what they did with their vote. You raise the minimum wage and congratulations, you alienate your base, minimum wage workers. You can’t raise the minimum wage by 40% without increasing unemployment. Clearly, neither you nor Nancy Pelosi has taken an Econ 101 class.
Pay as you go economics. Congratulations, you’ve discovered the worst economic policy in history. Rolling back the tax cuts that have spurred this economy won’t help anything. Washington doesn’t have a revenue problem, they have a spending problem. Revenues are at an all time high, so clearly that isn’t a problem.
Negotiating with big pharma. Great idea! Let’s screw up the economy even more! Why do liberals hate business? Forcing pharmaceuticals to change their business practices only raises prices. Same with oil companies. You want to tax them higher? Say hello to high gas prices again. Again, basic economics.
I applaud Pelosi for wanting to enact the recommenations of the September 11th Commission. I just hope she isn’t blowing smoke.
With the exception of that single idea, her “plan” is little more than a 100 hour countdown towards economic destruction. Congratulations, you’ve proposed to send us back into a recession.
Jeff, I’ll let you make the character statements. I’ll stick to the issues with you.
More good news for you folks…. check out Pew’s newest generic congressional ballot.
Not like these things show anything anyways.
So, don’t put too much faith in these “polls” and neither will I
Oh…here’s a few from Democrats.org Next time you want to know what democrats stand for, don’t try to find it in a Bush campaign stump speech. Try doing a little digging for yourself…it’s called “research”…it’s what SMART people do, son.
HONEST AND OPEN GOVERNMENT
Democrats will end the Republican culture of corruption and restore a government as good as the people it serves, starting with real ethics reform. The Democratic Party is committed to real ethics reform and meaningful campaign finance reform that protects our rights and ensures that elected officials act ethically — not just within the law, but within the spirit of the law. Democrats offer an aggressive reform package to reverse Republican excesses and restore the public trust. We are committed to immediate change to lead our country in a new direction, to put an end to Republican business as usual, and to make certain our nation’s leaders serve the people’s interests, not special interests. For us, this commitment spans our lifetime, as we were elected to represent the people, not the powerful. Our goal is to restore accountability, honesty and openness at all levels of government. To do so, we will create and enforce rules that demand the highest ethics from every public servant, sever unethical ties between lawmakers and lobbyists, and establish clear standards that prevent the trading of official business for gifts.
REAL SECURITY
Democrats will protect Americans at home and lead the world by telling the truth to our troops, our citizens and our allies. We believe in a strong national defense that is both tough and smart, recognizing that homeland security begins with hometown security. Democrats have a plan that is comprehensive– from repairing our military, to winning the war on terror, to protecting our homeland security, to ensuring success in Iraq and freeing America of its dependence on foreign oil–and it will finally prepare America for the security needs of the 21st Century. And we honor the sacrifices our troops, their families and veterans by making sure we take care of them when they come home. Democrats are unwavering in our commitment to keep our nation safe. For Democrats, homeland security begins with hometown security. That’s why we led the fight to create the Department of Homeland Security and continue to fight to ensure that our ports, nuclear and chemical plants, and other sensitive facilities are secured against attack and support increased funding for our first responders and programs like the COPS program so we keep our communities safe. We want to close the remaining gaps in our security by enacting the 9/11 Commission recommendations.
ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
Democrats will create a cleaner, greener and stronger America by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, eliminating billions in subsidies for oil and gas companies and use the savings to provide consumer relief and develop energy alternatives, and investing in energy independent technology. Energy independence puts America in the driver’s seat to pursue affordable and efficient energy solutions that will benefit all Americans, improve America’s security, reduce the burden on American families, and help clean our environment. American families should not have to pay the price for a failed national energy policy. They deserve an energy policy that creates a cleaner and stronger America that reduces our dependence on foreign oil and also creates new jobs for American workers. By clearing the pathways to innovation, investing in our workers and infrastructure, and providing American consumers with broader, more responsible choices, the Democratic plan will provide the tools to help move America forward, toward real energy security for the 21st century.
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Democrats will create jobs that stay in America and restore opportunity for all Americans, starting with raising the minimum wage, expanding Pell grants and making college tuition tax deductible. We also believe in budget discipline that reduces our deficit. Democrats believe that the most effective way to increase opportunity for our families is a high quality, good paying job. The Democratic Party supports fair trade agreements that raise standards for all workers here and abroad, while making American businesses more competitive, and we don’t believe in tax giveaways that reward companies for moving American jobs overseas. We also believe in balanced budgets and paying down our national debt, while Republicans continue to put huge burdens on future generations by borrowing hundreds of billions of dollars from foreign nations. We want to restore the budget discipline of the 1990s that helped eliminate deficits and spur record economic growth. Democrats know that the key to expanding opportunity is to provide every child with a strong foundation of education. We will also help expand educational opportunities for college by making college tuition tax deductible, expanding Pell Grants, and cut student loan interest rates.
A HEALTHCARE SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE
Democrats will join 36 other industrialized nations in making sure everyone has access to affordable health care, starting by fixing the prescription drug program and investing in stem cell and other medical research. In the wealthiest, most powerful nation on earth, no one should have to choose between taking their child to a doctor and paying the rent. Democrats are committed to making sure every single American has access to affordable, effective health care coverage. We want to fix the disastrous Medicare Part D and ensure our seniors can afford their prescription drugs. We also believe in investing in life saving stem cell and other medical research that offers real hope for cures and treatment for millions of Americans.
RETIREMENT SECURITY
We will ensure that a retirement with dignity is the right and expectation of every single American, starting with pension reform, expanding saving incentives and preventing the privatization of social security. Democrats believe that after a life of hard work, you earn a secure retirement. Our commitment to protecting the promise of Social Security is absolute. Democrats also recognize that Americans rely on more than just Social Security for a secure and dignified retirement. Democrats will continue to fight for genuine pension reform that protects employees’ financial security from future Enron-style abuse. We also want to work on new ways to help hard-working Americans create retirement savings.
ENVIRONMENT
The Democratic Party believes that it is our responsibility to protect America’s extraordinary natural resources. The health of our families and the strength of our economy depend on our stewardship of the environment. We reject the false choice between a healthy economy and a healthy environment. Farming, fishing, tourism, and other industries require a healthy environment. New technologies that protect the environment will create new high-paying jobs. A cleaner environment means a stronger economy. Far too many Americans live with unhealthy air or water quality. Democrats will fight to strengthen the laws that ensure we have clean air to breathe and clean water to drink. And Democrats will make sure these laws are enforced. Democrats know that a sensible energy policy is key to a strong economy, our national security, and a clean environment. Democrats are committed to the next generation of affordable and renewable energy for the 21st century and to conservation measures that will immediately reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
CIVIL RIGHTS & JUSTICE
Democrats are unwavering in our support of equal opportunity for all Americans. That’s why we’ve worked to pass every one of our nation’s Civil Rights laws, and every law that protects workers. Most recently, Democrats stood together to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act. On every civil rights issue, Democrats have led the fight. We support vigorous enforcement of existing laws, and remain committed to protecting fundamental civil rights in America.
ELECTION REFORM
A fundamental tenet of our democracy is the right to vote and have that vote counted. We must be vigilant in protecting this right and ensuring that our voting system is fair for every American. Democrats are determined to reform the voting system in this country so that it includes verification, accountability, and accuracy. It is imperative that we modernize election equipment, and guarantee access to polls with common sense reforms such as Election Day registration, shorter lines, and early voting. The Democratic Party is committed to election reform and will fight for federal standards that restore confidence in our voting process.
Guess you never heard any of that on FAUX NOOZ, didja, ERIC?
Eric…There you have it….irregardless of if you agree with their plans and what they stand for, even you have to agree that congressional democrats,
1.) DO have a plan for Iraq,
and
2.) They HAVE publicly stated what their stance is on virtually every topic important to voters.
So drop the silly “NO PLAN/DON’T STAND FOR ANYTHING” meme that the likes of Hannity and Limbaugh spoon-feed people like you, and face the fact that there exists an overwhelming number of American voters who are voting Democratic this time NOT because they “hate Bush”, as you would like to believe, but because they are sick and tired of what a Republican-controlled congress has done to this Nation.
that’s cute… posting the party platform
You have got to be kidding me! You think that’s research?
Give me a break.
“Try doing a little digging for yourself…it’s called “research”…it’s what SMART people do, son.”
That’s a miserable attempt at an insult. If you want to compare intellect I’ll gladly play that game. It isn’t why we’re here though. I mean, it may be why you’re here, but I don’t think I need to compare brain pads with a child. Oh, and there shouldn’t be a comma after ‘do.’ Clearly neither policy nor grammar are your strong suits.
Unlike you, I don’t need the party line to know what the issues are.
Some idiot said: “Raising the minimum wage. I hope to god you guys do this. Let all those people lose their jobs, then they’ll see what they did with their vote. You raise the minimum wage and congratulations, you alienate your base, minimum wage workers. You can’t raise the minimum wage by 40% without increasing unemployment. Clearly, neither you nor Nancy Pelosi has taken an Econ 101 class.”
Okay, Mr. Economics 101…Explain to me why, your scenerio has NOT occurred in the nine states that have reised the minimum wage state-wide…In fact, the OPPOSITE has occurred in every instance. Why is that happening, Mr. Doom and Gloom?
Eric, as proof that you are wrong, hereare excerpts from an article by Wall Street Journal reporter Deborah Solomon from the edition last Friday:
“During the 2002 debate in Oregon, foes of a minimum-wage increase argued that it would chase away business and cripple an economy that traditionally had higher unemployment than the national average. “With so many Oregonians already unemployed, raising the minimum wage and then increasing it annually would devastate our economic recovery,” Bill Perry, head of the Oregon Restaurant Association, wrote at the time….Four years later, though it is impossible to say what would have happened had the minimum not been raised, Oregon’s experience suggests the most strident doomsayers were wrong. Private, nonfarm payrolls are up 8% over the past four years, nearly twice the national increase. Wages are up, too. Job growth is strong in industries employing many minimum-wage workers, such as restaurants and hotels. Oregon’s estimated 5.4% unemployment rate for 2006, though higher than the national average, is down from 7.6% in 2002, when the state was emerging from a recession….Academic economists traditionally have argued that raising the minimum wage inevitably leads employers to hire fewer workers. The experience of the late 1990s and a landmark study of employment in the fast-food industry by economists David Card and Alan Krueger in New Jersey (which raised its wage) and Pennsylvania (which didn’t), has undermined that view.”
Wow…sounds like just the OPPOSITE happened to me.
FIRST, SOME IDIOT SAID: I’ll just hang out and wait to hear what the Democrat party actually stands for. Or do you guys even know?”
THEN, THE SAME IDIOT SAID: “that’s cute… posting the party platform You have got to be kidding me!”
ERIC…UMMM…let me dumb it down so you can understand….A “PARTY PLATFORM” is a statement of exactly “what the party stands for”, you ninny.
Do you even understand how silly you look right now?
While I don’t have the space to give you an economics lesson, I’ll give you the Reader’s Digest version.
Your statement that unemployment hasn’