Palast: KILLER, COWARD, CONMAN - GOOD RIDDANCE, RONNIE

[TheWebHead]

You're not going to like this. You shouldn't speak ill of the dead. But in this case, someone's got to.

Ronald Reagan was a conman. Reagan was a coward. Reagan was a killer.

In 1987, I found myself stuck in a crappy little town in Nicaragua named Chaguitillo. The people were kind enough, though hungry, except for one surly young man. His wife had just died of tuberculosis.

People don't die of TB if they get some antibiotics. But Ronald Reagan, big hearted guy that he was, had put a lock-down embargo on medicine to Nicaragua because he didn't like the government that the people there had elected.

more...
http://www.gregpalast.com/detail.cfm?artid=336&row=0

[malatesta1137]

1. BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE PALAST! A GREAT AMERICAN!

[Skittles]

2. yes, let's hear some TRUTH about Reagan

I've had enough of some DUers telling me how I should feel that that evil f*** is gone.

[ElectroPrincess]

49. I concur 100% ...

I used to play nice-nice with the right wing. No more - especially this election season, my hero and political role model, has changed from Donna Brazille to James Carville.

It's fine for those who insist on fairness of all things to embrace and declare their beliefs. Hell, I'll even admire your sense of fairness as having a higher quality view of political squabbles than mine. But stay out of the way of us folks who are committed to getting Democrats elected on every level using all legal means possible. And yes, that includes verbal mud-wrestling and targeted right wing character barbs of corrupt right wing leaders.

Unfortunately "cordial and polite" have no place in today's political climate. Even when most of us make a concerted effort, We can't begin to mirror the palatable hatred and vicious attacks as that portrayed each day by "cheerleaders" for radical right. Rush, Hannity, Savage, O'reily, Bortz, ect. have honed hatred of liberals and democratic representative character assassinations to a science that broadcasts "talking points" to the converted each damn weekday. The far right's corruption and organized blitz of simplistic "divide and conquer" tactics are seemingly all encompassing throughout our corporate media. We must fight these people to counterbalance their hate speech before our country turns totalitarian.

Therefore, with all due respect, I'd suggest that the forever sweet-tempered all out paragons for virtue here at DU, respect those of us in the trenches? Please hesitate to censure the more dedicated and blunt speaking members. Don't let the far right win using this OLD "divide and conquer" tactic. No doubt, this will prove to be the most viscous "no holds barred" political season to date. Guaranteed! Let the games begin. :-)

[indepat]

95. Skittles, should not credit be given where credit is due? May I recommend

for your reading pleasure "One Sweet Guy" by Arthur E. Rowse ((Consumer News Inc., Washington D.C. (1981)) which gives a comprehensive assessment of the author's take on the Gipper's early presidential accomplishments?

[Demonaut]

114. Ok Skittles, you and Palast and countless others have shown

me the light, I did not realize all that Reagan had his claw in, I only got political when * ran for pres...shouldve researched before I defended him, oh well not too old or stupid to learn....thanks.

[bicentennial_baby]

3. Bravo!!!!

Excellent piece!

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. Thanks the maker for that obit!

After retching reading the Times' sycophantic little suckup obit, nice to see someone with a somewhat largish name in the media is willing to provide a obit with the truth in it.

[kaitykaity]

5. Funny.

I don't mind first person singular writing on this Reagan
obituary. I wonder why what is? Maybe because Palast was
in a death zone, seeing people die with his own eyes???

*snarf*

[DarkPhenyx]

6. Even Pallast was an idiot this week?

Damn. This stupidity is farther reaching than I feared.

[neuvocat]

9. Weren't you supposed to have been gone by now?

[DarkPhenyx]

14. Gone?

Where? Can't think of any place I was going.

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DarkPhenyx]

43. Why would I leave?

Haven't yet seen a reason I should? Could you be a bit more specific please? Prehaps if you posted something more than jsut one live at a time. Thanks! :)

[DiverDave]

125. How bout I dont give a

shit the traitor is dead?
How bout you let the rest of us rejoice that the rat bastard is in hell?

[DarkPhenyx]

130. Because rejoicing in his death...

...is a pretty stupid thing to do. Yeah, that's pretty much it. well, that and by doing so you are making the rest of us look bad and handing our opponents yet another baseball bat to beat us with. Don't mind getting my ass kicked as long as I earn it fair and square. Just not a big fan of giving them the club to do it with.

[shooga]

18. Iran contra

I guess this cancels out the outrageous comment by the Asshole himself, Colonel Oliver "Drugs for Guns" North:

LT. COL OLIVER NORTH, NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL OFFICIAL under Reagan

"Ronald Reagan was easily the greatest president of my lifetime -- and he will be regarded as one of the greatest leaders this
country has ever had. He brought down the Evil Empire and made the world safer for my children and theirs."


.... but you almost took him down with your guns for drugs trades with Iran??

.... I guess they weren't Evil Dewars at the time.



http://www.fudgereport.net

[ElectroPrincess]

57. Are you aware ... ?

You're noted by the right wingers on other boards, at times, as the sole voice of reason. Wow, I've been far too sympathetic to the radical right in the past. Therefore, I don't feel that it's out of line to ask you if you're aware that you MAY be doing their work for them? (divide and conquer the progressive populace)

Just a thought, not a censure - I've behaved in the same manner.

edited for a typo - my bad always. :P

[DarkPhenyx]

66. Really?

:shrug: I'm not too surprised. I'm not flattered mind you, but I'm not surprised. Funny thing is that, by and large, they hate me too. To quote one RW'er recently, "your politics don't impress me". Most of the other stuff they say about me is much less coherient. They would think much more poorly of me if I spoke out about how I feel about Reagan and his policies. Nothing I have said in the last two days should ever be construed to mean that I ever supported Reagan.

<on edit>

BTW, do you have links? I'm curious how wrong they are getting the story about me.

[buff2]

96. If you really feel that the truth is stupidity

Then why are you here? From your posts,it looks like you're in the wrong group. You really should be over there with the FReekers.Personally,it's rather sickening to be degraded for having a different opinion. :puke:

[DarkPhenyx]

97. It isn't the difference of opinion.

If you were paying attention you'd see that I actually agree with the opinon, in principle at least.

[Lindacooks]

129. Ignore him

I am.

[frank frankly]

7. right on

very very good.

[Lars39]

8. Thank you, Mr. Palast!

Excellent.

[dbt]

10. But what will the poor Wingnuts think about DU when they see this

posted here? Waaaaaaah. Palast just threw the election to bu$h. Waaaaaah. We're no better than Freepers. Waaaaaaaaah. We're supposed to be above this sort of thing.

Waaaaaaaaaaah.

:evilgrin:
dbt

[kaitykaity]

16. Oh, this is sooo good.

Thank You!!!!!!!!

[rumguy]

11. I can picture freeper heads exploding over this one...

LOL

[meow mix]

25. that part has been great, omg they are sooooooooo pissed!! haha! eom

[Tatiana]

12. Beautiful. Excellent piece.

All I can say is that the truth hurts sometimes. That doesn't mean we should run from it or try to whitewash it. Reagan was a criminal. He lived a long life, a very good life. Too bad millions of others worldwide lived in misery because of him and his policies.

[meow mix]

13. i agree, and... i hope he died miserable and in pain

too many Du'ers seem to think that just because the dead arent in thier faces, no crime was ever committed. fuckin ostrichs

im gagging on all the "pay your respects" threads.

[Name removed]

58. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Forkboy]

60. ooops,there goes another gasket

easier than shooting fish in a barrel.

[meow mix]

81. hehe i was hoping for more details...

... usually means "message to continue" grr.

[Nederland]

15. Politically Stupid

Millions of "Reagan Democrats" helped put this man into office. Twice. John Kerry needs those people to vote for him this time around if he wants to win in November. I don't give a rat's ass if you think every word of this obit it true; politically, it was stupid.

Writing ill of a well liked man that no longer has any influence whatsoever is dumb.

[TheWebHead]

19. Palast isn't really a partisan Democrat

My guess is were Clinton to die, he'd have a negative editorial as well...

[fdr_hst_fan]

29. I don't believe

in "Ray-gun Democrats"; you're either a Democrat or you're a Republican. Just like I didn't believe in "Democrats for Nixon", founded by that turncoat John Connally! For the same reason.

[Nederland]

126. Disbelieve all you want

Fact is, lots of people that were registered Democratic voted for him. Whether or not you "believe" they are Democrats is irrelevant. They voted for Reagan in significant numbers and Democrats lost. Twice.

[libhill]

138. Well -

Voting repuke IS easier than thinking -

[Cat Atomic]

45. It isn't dumb. It's necessary.

The right has been building the Reagan myth for 10 years now.

The more we let them turn Reagan into some sort of political demigod, the more they'll use the myth as proof that Reagan's policies were admirable.

Ronald Reagan was a fraud and his administration was a blight on this country. His myth should be knocked down every time the right tries to build it up.

[bhunt70]

127. agreed

[buddhamama]

17. uh-oh

Greg has either become Rev Phelps or our black and white fearless leader or,

He's a man of integrity who can't won't ignore the ugly truths,
and the Real Man behind the Myth.

[bicentennial_baby]

22. Hehe

Word to that Cheryl...So good I even posted it on my blog. I love Greg Palast.

[buddhamama]

53. hey Heather,

another common factor between us, we both love Palast.

i read your bog the other day-for the first time- good stuff.

how's the non-smoking thing going for you?

i'll be traveling in Mass come July...
thought it'd be a chance to hook-up!

[bicentennial_baby]

55. 8 days, 18 hours, 32 minutes and 41 seconds

Time Smoke-Free: 8 days, 18 hours, 32 minutes and 41 seconds

Cigarettes NOT smoked: 175

Lifetime Saved: 1 day, 8 hours

Money Saved: $48.00

So far, so good!

We should hook up in July! Shoot me a pm and let me know the details! :hi:

[noiretextatique]

30. the american way of death

for some, requires that you not speak ill of the dead for a period of a few days, as some have noted. it's a custom that some adhere to regardless of who the dead person really was, what he really did, and what he advocated and enabled.
it's a lot like the decorum al gore displayed after the supreme court installed bush. and as we know, THAT was "the right thing to do" at the time. social graces, it seems, are more important than anything else, even a coup :shrug:

[Tatiana]

37. GREAT point.

Social graces have gotten us how far, exactly. I'd just settle for some plain old truth-telling and let the chips fall where they may.

[buddhamama]

41. my feelings

speaking honestly, truthfully is a social grace.

we cannot speak of Reagan the Man without honestly, and objectively,speaking of his character.

Reagan is a victim of his own creation.
Under his guidance hate speech and incivility became the norm.

This is just another example of bad karma.
Whatever ill you do to another what come back to you tenfold.

[noiretextatique]

46. absolutely concur, however, not all agree

that truth is a social grace. but, but, but...it has to be the right time, spoken in the right tone, etc, etc, etc...at least that is the current mythology. too bad republicans don't adhere to that myth.
but, karma is a m.f. :7
btw, HE is out the door soon. it was a long battle, but HE finally got it...with little animosity, thank goodness. :bounce:

[buddhamama]

61. hey,

now there's something to cheer about.

glad to hear the turmoil may soon be over. :toast:

peace, my friend! :loveya:

[noiretextatique]

76. and abundant blessings

:loveya: heaped upon infinite thanks. your optimism and support meant the world to me...it still does. thank you, my friend :loveya:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

50. My point exactly Cheryl

Under his guidance hate speech and incivility became the norm.

I know of no better way to honor him than to emulate him. So every time someone treats him with the same dehumaization that he treated all those dead Latin American citizens with...they are worshipping him far more than I ever could by calling for a day or two of decorum.


Oh..and karma isn't a right/left phenomenon....we all nurture our own. ;-)

I've been consistent on this point since I came to DU...I am a firm believer that language lays the groundwork for the culture we live in rather than the reverse. I myself would like to alter that culture and nurse it back to constructive speech.

[buddhamama]

59. i don't disagree with your point

necessarily but how constructive can speech be if it not based on truth?

yes, we create our own karma
Karma is karma, universal in nature.

in good conscience i cannot honor this Man. again, i am not dancing a jig or laughing or raising a toast
but, i ain't about to deny even for one day what he did and continues to do even in death. His influence is still felt, and will be for a long time.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

63. Did anyone ask you to deny it?

Since yesterday morning people like Armstead, myself and a few others merely requested that people temper the rhetoric and put our best foot forward...that request was greeted with cat calls such as "cryto fascist apologist" blah blah...free speech (for the vitriol crowd only...how DARE we make a fucking request.)

Not once did I say...ignore his history..his history will be with us forever...

It's funny we all worship MLK on this board....people like to quote Marivn Gaye "for only love can conquer hate"..but when push comes to shove...we aren't just pissing on Reagan's grave but Buddha's, Martin's, Marvin's, Ghandi's and every other liberal icon when we decide the language of violence is more convenient and self-serving to our emotions.

And I repeat..those using hateful rhetoric while claiming Reagan's revolution created it need to be reminded...imitation is the most sincerest form of flattery.

[Forkboy]

64. "more convenient and self-serving to our emotions."

you compared us to Fred Phelps to serve your emotions.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

68. If the shoe fits wear it

[buddhamama]

72. the Phelps comparison was BS, Teena

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

78. Oh riiight..because some expressions of hatred are more valid than others

[noiretextatique]

80. that is absolutely PC here

is it not?

[buddhamama]

84. it is not lasting

i guess because no one here was calling for the death of Reagan
or his followers that it is emotional speak but not, heartfelt hatred.

People are reacting to the news of man dying of natural causes.
someone there's not sorry to see gone.

myself, i do not hate anyone.

[Forkboy]

74. Which is why I pointed out your words to you

our self serving emotions are bad but yours are ok.

So in your desire to talk of civility you use a hateful message.You piss on those of us who would stand by your fucking side when the people who wouldn't give two shits about are worthy of decorum?

[noiretextatique]

67. mlk would have vehemently opposed reagan and all he stood for

and he would have been gracious upon his passing in public.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

69. YEAH...so that's my point...I liked MLK enough to follow his lead

[noiretextatique]

71. care to try that with nader?

the green party and the independent party? i doubt mlk would be resentful towards them either.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

77. I doubt he'd pin a medal on them either

If there's one thing King was, he was politically astute.

[noiretextatique]

79. language, etc...does this nobility apply or not?

in nader's case? i am curious...thanks.

[sangh0]

131. MLK did speak of "rightous anger"

and did not apologize for having some.

[noiretextatique]

134. thanks...i couldn't agree more

i was just wondering if all this decorum would apply if nader had passed instead of reagan. i see it would not.

[buddhamama]

75. and so you are

but i really don't see how my behavior is ungracious.

[Forkboy]

82. no she's not

she's pissed at our bad thoughts but her own get a pass.

[buddhamama]

70. hyperbole and disingenuous once again

to direct your post at me anyway.


i seek no violent revenge so i'm not pissing on anyone.
i have not spoken a violent or hateful word against the man.
i am doing exactly what has been asked of me
to remember, a day of remembrance.
the problem, what "they" want us to remember is not the whole story.
i remember and i am remembering the Man in my way.
i will continue to counter the stories of his greatness.
if i did not i would be denying.

when you know ill has been done and do not speak of it
are you not in some way culpable.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

73. I wasn't directing anything at you rather than conversing

and I don't feel either was "disingenuous" nor do I think the Phelps comparision is a non-fit....both use rotting in hell to make their point of what they perceive as wrongs...

Either way we just disagree on this point and I'm just going to step back.

[buddhamama]

83. the Phelps comparison was wrong on many levels

and i gave my reasons why in the thread.

i guess i just don't see my behavior today as
pissing on Ron or the People whom i admire.

if i had spoken with hate or violence
then you'd have a legitimate gripe, but i did not.

we can speak truthfully without mimicing our enemies.

as noiretblu said in an earlier post
the tone of truth.

mine has been almost non-emotional,
stated plain and to the point.

[playahata1]

86. MLK has been mentioned a lot the last two days.

King, near the end of his life, concluded that the nation's conscience was not going to be swayed by expressions of love and non-violence. He saw what happened with Watts and all the other urban uprisings. He saw what happened to Medgar Evers, Schwerner, Chaney and Goodman, Malcolm X and others. He saw what happened to the people marching for freedom, justice and equality to whom he'd preached non-violence. And of course, we all know the price he'd paid for his beliefs.

When he died, King had gone beyond the idealism and optimism of his "I Have a Dream" speech. We, too, need to get beyond the idea that by being "nice" and "proper" and "politic" we can change those who have no love for us. In this day and in this climate, we are THE ENEMY, and the Limbaughs, O'Reillys, Sullivans and Hannitys of the world do not hesitate to use VIOLENCE -- VERBAL AND RHETORICAL, that is -- against us. It is past time we answered them back in kind, or else we will have NOTHING to defend ourselves against the LITERAL violence that certain parties in this country would no doubt hesitate to use against us, given the opportunity.

[noiretextatique]

87. not mention the fact that king wasn't as loved while he was alive

as he is in death. and that he too was cautioned about pushing the envelope of segregationist decorum and civility.

[buddhamama]

89. the pen or words of truth are mightier than the sword

it is said that, the truth will set you free.
when spoken it has power.

his speech was also emotional,
seeking justice and equality.

perhaps that is one of the reasons Reagan
has engendered so much dislike and hatred

we have no sense of closure
because he escaped justice,
injustice and inequality lives on.

seems fitting to remember MLK and Reagan on this day.
to remind us what we are fighting against and fighting for.

[playahata1]

90. Exactly.

See his "Letter from Birmingham Jail."

[angryinoville]

20. Very well said...

My favorite part of his presidency was watching all his ass lissers eat jelly beans with gim during serious meetings. What a farce!

[mopaul]

21. YOUCH!! he's makin' us ALL look bad

man's got big cajones

[DemocratSinceBirth]

23. I'd Give Anybody Their Props

How can Reagan be a coward when he took a bullet in the chest and was able to joke about it?

That took brass ones...

[Carolina]

44. your reasoning?

He didn't take one in the chest fighting for something like FREEDOM. He took one in the chest like hundreds of Americans do every year: because some nut with a gun went berserk.

And he joked about everything as a way to deflect criticism and conceal his ignorance.

Nope, I don't see brass ones for that.

[Djinn]

115. I'm not too au fait with this tidbit

of recent history - did he joke abuot whilst lying on the ground in painn and bleeding? or was it when he was patched up and fine and dandy in a private hospital bed?

[lastliberalintexas]

136. Yes, Reagan showed how courageous he was

when he served in the Army Movies Corps of WWII. :eyes:


Both of my grandfathers served in the Pacific theater, one in the Army Air Corps and constantly in danger. Reagan, like so many other right wingers, never truly served in uniform, despite the fact that WWII was a "popular" war in which many, many men and women enlisted voluntarily. Ironic that Reagan died a day before the D-Day anniversary- a member of the "Greatest Generation" not by actions, but merely by birth.

While I don't wish assassination on anyone, I don't call getting shot while walking down the street courageous. But do so if you like...

[Malva Zebrina]

24. So what pedestal occupying DU'ers are going to say that

Palast is below them because he has truthfully and brutally brought forth the truth about the smiling, congenial , actor in chief, Ronald Reagan?

Any out there willing to call Palast on his criticism and put themselves above all of what he has pointed out, in favor of being "nice"? It is so important to some to be observed by others as being "nice".

Some are not afraid to post truth. Others want to clothe themselves in holier than thou cloaks of self righteousness and not say a damn thing about a man who has died at the age of 93, because==well because dying is to be respected so all that a person has done in his or her life should not be brought to the forefront because--well because they have died--and it might cause the family pain to say anything truthful about their loved one.

That they died at the age of 93, totally excuses them from all criticism at all because the family might be upset at any criticism.

These are indeed holier than thou--who will not be in the revolution that will not be televised, that is for sure. They will however wait for some of us who do not think we need to be "nice" because a 93 year old man whose motives are suspect has died to jump on our bandwagon, and who knows, they may even speak out againt us. LOL

[bicentennial_baby]

26. Yep

It seems some DUers have already gone there...look up.

[Forkboy]

31. seeing that up above is just adding to the pleasure I already feel

What a great weekend!

[bicentennial_baby]

32. Hehe

Great piece by Palast...posted it on my blog. If that won't get me comments, nothing will!

[DemocratSinceBirth]

27. Seriously- There's Going To Be A Revolution

Well I'm with John Lennon


You can count me out...

[Forkboy]

34. Already did

[DemocratSinceBirth]

56. When The Revolutions Starts

can you at least send me a private message so I'll have a head's up...

[Forkboy]

62. I'd say you already have your head up.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

65. I Know You Love Me

<open mouth kisses>

Brian

[Forkboy]

100. What,no tongue?

cheapskate!

[buddhamama]

36. you'll be missed

:cry:

[JanMichael]

102. I'll cancel your RSVP postehaste. Thanks.

Cheers.

[robbedvoter]

35. People here were getting sad over Barbara Olsen. Some even said:

"She is the face of 911" thereby insulting thousands of new Yorkers who didn't make vicious lyinmg their lifes' pursuit.
There's something about death that scares some people stupid.

[bicentennial_baby]

38. Wow

Glad I missed that.

[Name removed]

123. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mopaul]

28. kick for the ronniepologists

[Kathy in Cambridge]

33. Good term

I think they're ronniepologists because they actually voted for him...

[Djinn]

116. good point

all those so called reagan democrats maybe feel a little guilty, hence the "don't say nasty things about ronnie it's disrespectful" may actually translate into "don't remind me what a vile, bigoted, murderous piece of shit he was because I helped him into the Whitehouse"

[JitterbugPerfume]

39. truth is truth

and DEATH does not make a hero out of the likes of Ronnie Reagan

couple days ago he was a living criminal . Now he is a dead one

[Carolina]

47. Touche!

[King Coal]

42. Piss on Reagan

All I remember from him is hard times. Lots of layoffs and high unemployment. No sense in being phony about it just because he died.

[Amaya]

48. DAMN! That's harsh

and brutally honest.

[BeyondGeography]

51. He was a genial flim-flam man

The original credit-card prosperity provider whose appeal to racism was unmistakable. The man kicked off his 1980 campaign in Neshoba County Mississippi, down the road from the burial sites of Goodman, Cheney and Schwerner.

The Left underestimated his effectiveness as a communicator and as a politician ( I know I did), but it can be forgiven for letting the substance of the man's policies blind it to the strength of his style; the man knew his audience, whatever you want to say.

For me, and I'm glad Palast mentioned this in his article, the clincher on Reagan was his awful relationships with his children, none of whom could get close to him. Nancy was probably in the way. In the end, it was all about Dutch forgetting the awfulness of his childhood and the failed first marriage to Jane Wyman. He decided he was going to happy, HIM, and nothing else would get in the way. Not those whiny kids, those awful poor people, nobody.

Americans related to that selfishness in a way they still don't understand. Reagan understood; he built his whole professional career on it, and rode "me first" all the way into the history books. The country is all the poorer in spirit for it, not that it is even close to coming to terms with his most lasting legacy.

[lastliberalintexas]

137. You forgot that in his speech that day

he spoke glowingly of a need to restore the doctrine of states' rights. When you use that kind of language in Mississippi, racist is too kind a description for you.

Very good post, btw. I once heard or read that Reagan made it "ok" to be a racist. Well, you're right- he also made it "ok" to be selfish.

[King Coal]

52. Palast has a pair. Death doesn't eliminate truth.

[Nlighten1]

54. The Rat is Dead.

Hear hear.

Harsh but honest.

[bread_and_roses]

85. Speaking truth to power

INCLUDING when the power is that of majority opinion is of inestimable value. Good for Greg Palast. Anyone calling for "respect" for that monster is denying the pain the thousands, for all I know millions, of deaths his loathsome racist, greedy, bigoted, homophobic, cruel, oppressive regime were responsible for.

[DemoTex]

92. I was getting ready to post the same words: Speaking truth to power.

You beat me, fair and square.

[Cocoa]

98. speaking abuse to a dead guy

namecalling is not truth.

[bread_and_roses]

99. The truth is not abuse

and dead doesn't undo one single death his corrupt, evil administration caused. Dead doesn't undo the evil his influence is still causing, or free one person from the prisons he populated, or undo one minute of suffering his demonetization of the poor has caused and is causing to this day. An evil man, an evil legacy.

[Cocoa]

105. lots of fire and brimstone at DU today

lots of Jonathan Edwards sermons casting Ronnie into damnation.

[Forkboy]

101. he was an evil fuck

and that IS the truth :nopity:

[Cocoa]

103. the fact that you're using the word "evil"...

imo, people that call other people "evil" are not speaking the truth.

They're casting judgement, not just on someone's actions, but on their person, which is screwy, imo.

[Forkboy]

106. So if I call Hitler or Pol Pot evil

it's not truth to you?

Yet you think Palast is a right wing mole?

[Cocoa]

109. of course that's not truth

it's a truism, which is not the same.

If you say, "Hitler is evil" it has no meaning, it's more like chest-thumping than anything else.

[Forkboy]

110. riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight

:eyes:

[Djinn]

117. OK I wont use evil

how 'bout this:

drug running, terrorist funding, torturer training, gay bashing, bigoted, lying, racist.

[Cocoa]

88. this reinforces my theory about Palast

that he's a RW mole posing as a lefty.

[Forkboy]

91. lol

:silly:

[Amaya]

93. Oh that's rich

:crazy:

[DemoTex]

94. LOL, too! Palast is a journalist posing as a journalist.

Actually, Palast poses at nothing. He is the real deal. Thank goodness!

[minkyboodle]

107. .....

someone forgot to take their medicine
:silly:

[Djinn]

118. look to the mote in thine own eye

[Cocoa]

120. the beam, you mean?

the mote is supposed to be in my brother's eye.

[Djinn]

121. no I don't

I was taking the piss - quoting Filty Rich and Catflap.

[Forkboy]

140. Great show!

Wish the Young Ones DVD came with more episodes of it.

The Full Bottom is pretty funny too.

[Djinn]

141. Was it ever shown in the US

I always assumed Filthy and Bottowm wouldn't really have appealed to a US sense of humour - and there's so many Brit pop culture references.

Have you seen the Comic Strip Presents series?

[Forkboy]

142. I dont think it was shown here

The Young Ones DVD has a couple episodes,and that's all I've been able to see.

Bottom was recently released on DVD here and my freind and I have been trading it back and forth.It has three seasons on it,plus a lot of extra stuff (like pre Young Ones Rik Mayall stuff).

They showed CSP on Comedy Channel for awhile years and years ago.I always watched it and loved it.

Now if they would just release Alexei Sayle's Stuff on DVD I'd be a happy man :)

[JanMichael]

104. What amazes me is that the FACTS about Reagan don't seem to matter...

...to the nervous nellies.

Nothing that Palast writes in UNTRUE. It's all public flipping record at this point.

Don't deify dogs.

[ibegurpard]

108. Same as with Gore's speech

All the hand-wringers here were getting the vapors because he made us look "crazy" and "ridiculous." I really wish some of these people would fight the right wing as hard as they fight for good manners.

[Cocoa]

111. the facts are fine

but Reagan two days ago wasn't doing any of those bad things, so his dying doesn't make the world any better.

This would be a fine time to look back critically on Reagan's real legacy, but unfortunately it doesn't look like the media is eager to do it. This rant by Palast would make it infinitely more unlikely that will happen, except that Palast isn't all that much listened to so there's no real harm done.

[playahata1]

132. He may have been out of office for 15 years,

but when he was IN OFFICE, he his actions and decisions paved the way for what's happening today. In fact, he is the ENABLER for the current bunch of criminals running this country.

[Cocoa]

133. I agree completely

but the truth that I agree is in your post is completely obscured by the garbage namecalling in Palast's article. imo.

Even Khadafy, whose daughter died in a Reagan bombing, was more measured in his words than Palast, and therefore more effective.

[evil_orange_cat]

112. Palast is my hero!

He's the only commentator I've heard or read who has spoken the absolute truth about Reagan, and has said what needed to be said about Reagan's death.

GOOD RIDDANCE. I HOPE ITS EXTRA CRISPY IN HELL RONNIE YOU FUCK!

[Ms. Clio]

113. I am outraged by the outrage

To "re-paraphrase" another truly disgusting individual.

[GreenPartyVoter]

119. Palast is great. Love the guy.

[daleo]

122. Wickedly good article

Palast sums it up very nicely.

[NV1962]

124. Well done, Greg - enough with the sanctimonious drivel already!

The international terrorist is dead - good riddance.

The truth shall set us free!

[oasis]

128. Cold, but true. (n/t)

[FleshCartoon]

135. The truth hurts sometimes, doesn't it? (n/t)

[bobthedrummer]

139. Kick.

:dem::kick: