Since I’ve been following politics closely and especially since I moved back to the DC area to work in the industry (more or less), one of the things I have never understood has been the liberal/Democratic reluctance to call something a lie. When Al Franken wrote his book Lies And The Lying Liars Who Tell Them, I am certain that the forthright way in which he called out something as a lie was a pivotal element of its success. In 2000, and especially 2004, Al Gore and John Kerry drove me batty with their constant rhetoric that something was “a falsehood” or that someone “misled”. They just never came out and said George Bush and the Republican party and the conservative noise machine were just filthy liars.
So I’m mighty happy to read this quote from Sen. Obama in the course of discussing the phony flag pin flap pushed by the right wing.
Obama continued, saying “so I make this comment. suddenly a bunch of these, you know, TV commentators and bloggers (say) ‘Obama is disrespecting people who wear flag pins.’ Well, that’s just not true. Also, another way of saying it is, it’s a lie.”
It seems like such a small thing, but I’m so happy he said it.
Finally! I’ve been saying for years that the Left doesn’t get it – if someone lies to your face and you don’t call them aa liar, you look weak. It doesn’t matter how “right” you are, or how noble your cause is, you are seen as a coward and you lose. I’ve been waiting for someone to FINALLY use the “L” word – I’m so glad he did it. I hope he keeps it up – there aae plenty of lies coming his way, and the only way to deal with them is to call the liars out.
“Also, another way of saying it is, it’s a lie.”
And someone who lies is a liar. I can’t understand why so many people are afraid of calling people who lie liars.
QUOTE
Instead the Illinois senator answered the question at length, explaining that he no longer wears such a pin, at least in part, because of the Iraq War.
“You know, the truth is that right after 9/11, I had a pin,” Obama said. “Shortly after 9/11, particularly because as we’re talking about the Iraq War, that became a substitute for I think true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security, I decided I won’t wear that pin on my chest.
“Instead,” he said, “I’m going to try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great, and hopefully that will be a testimony to my patriotism.”
ENDQUOTE
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=3690000
They just never came out and said George Bush and the Republican party and the conservative noise machine were just filthy liars.
Back in the 2004 election there was one of those “open microphone” gaffs where Kerry was heard to say something like (when referring to Republicans) “I’ve never seen such a group of blatant liars in my life”.
I thought this should have become Kerry’s unofficial campaign motto. Unofficially and thru any spokespeople they could muster this should become the common response to any questions coming from the right about swiftboaters, etc.
Get it to the point that all you had to do was start to say “You know, I’ve never seen…” then pause briefly and continue with the more politically acceptable response that everyone would know is not what you mean. Make it common knowledge and the punch line of late night jokes that everyone known the Repubs and right wing were the biggest group of blatant liars you would ever see.
Alas, of course, we were dealing with Kerry and the Dems who are the most blatant wimps you’d ever see in your life.
Yes, Obama is straight forward and to the point and it’s so fucking refreshing. This is just one of many reasons why he is our next president.
when did it become “patriotic” to wear lapel jewelry made in Chinese sweatshops?
The minimum is 14 pieces of flair.
I like what I heard on person say in the radio today. “Instead of looking at what foreign-made pin they’re wearing on their lapel, let’s check and see if there’s and American-made label inside their suit.”
Seriously. Where was your suit made? Wouldn’t someone who is really patriotic make sure the whole suit said so, instead of just the lapel pin? Let’s make that a challenge given to the next person and anyone who complains about lapel pins.
“when did it become “patriotic” to wear lapel jewelry made in Chinese sweatshops?”
All the planning started on January 20th, 2001.