Look at the ridiculous ad that Rove's swift idiots have up already!!!

[No Mandate Here.]

AARP hates America (especially soldiers) and wants gay marriage, so says Rove's stooges' ad in the American Spectator.

(courtesy of Josh Marshall)



(from the American Spectator)

Absolutely unbelievable. I dropped my AARP membership when they sold us out for the drug benefit (!???!), but will start it up again if they have to fight this absolute HATE.

I hope the level of political discourse in this country can recover from these idiots.

edit: (Added spectator and fixed spelling)

[Dickie Flatt]

1. What the hell?

Does AARP even have a position on the war, our troops, or gay marriage?

I don't fucking think so. Are they just recycling ads from the Pres. campaign and replacing "Kerry" with "AARP"?

[blm]

12. The media let this group get away with it before, so they did it again.

No surprise. They KNOW the GOP controls most of the media so they have NOTHING to fear.

[calimary]

90. Well, maybe it's time for Operation Sinclair Broadcasting again.

We made some headway with that one, too.

And please check this out, too:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1614680#1614774

[The Backlash Cometh]

106. It's hard to believe that in America, where we have generations

of people who won't fall for t.v. commercials, will fall for a political ad which is a lie and a non sequiter argument.

[John_H]

118. We HELPED the media get away with it.

Guess who's still running the Dem rapid response operation. Make you feel better?

[roguevalley]

30. They are out to break AARP.

[pbartch]

44. AARP only costs 12 bucks to join right??

fine, I'm signing up.

This is gonna fit the fan. The seniors love AARP and will see this for the LIE it is.

[bahrbearian]

54. They can save you hundreds on your Auto insurance

Hartford insurance for AARP members is really cheap, thats why we never canceled our membership.

[RebelOne]

104. I have my auto insurance with Hartford also.

There was no way I was going to drop my membership over the drug thing and lose my insurance.

[zann725]

98. AARP has a strong legal department. They're NOT going to roll-over on this

And they're based in D.C.!

[chomskysright]

135. RIGHT!!! I'm a member.....

yes, Du'ers...the 50 somethings are hanging out here and all you gotta be is 50 to join AARP (or lie about it)...

[Pirate Smile]

35. I wonder if this ad is on any other RW websites.

[zann725]

97. It's disgraceful!

n/t

[skypilot]

2. Wait a minute!!!!

How the hell are they linking the AARP to gay marriage and the military? Maybe I've been staring at my computer screen for too long but I don't see the connection.

[msongs]

5. there is no connection....its just republican hate shit. eom

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[skypilot]

6. I see.

Gay marriage is the new Code Orange.

[goddess40]

28. The AARP sold out with the drug issue, now they won't go along with the SS

Now that the AARP won't go along with the Social Security gutting plan the right plans to take the AARP down. Better no AARP then one they can't control.

[dandrhesse]

34. AARP has not sold out on the Rx issue as far as I know. I use their

fax service all the time and even got a flyer when that legislation was being pushed and they were very opposed to it. They are still lobbying for better Rx coverage and okay for canadian imports.

[Pirate Smile]

55. They endorsed and pushed for Bush's Drug Bill.

"Meanwhile, Democrats stung by AARP's endorsement of a GOP-backed Medicare prescription drug bill are lashing out at their longtime ally, claiming the seniors' group is too closely tied to the insurance industry, and more to the point, Republicans.

AARP said this week it would throw the support of its 35 million members behind what it called "not a perfect bill, but a good first step" in giving seniors insurance for their prescription drugs. It is running a massive television ad campaign to that effect in dozens of cities."

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/11/22/politics/main585094.shtml

You can tell how much Bush appreciated their support. BushCo uses groups for what they can and then will destroy them in an instant if they get in their way.

[KittyWampus]

63. It Wasn't AARP, In Reality It Was A Bush Lackey Installed As It's Head

They installed a lackey in the top spot of AARP... so it was like when Teamster's endorse a Bush agenda when in fact, most of the memebership and leadership reject it.

[MADem]

83. His name is Robert Novelli, and AARP gets back my respect

...when he is OUT OF THERE.

That said, this is going to blow back in a BIG WAY. It is a lousy campaign, there is no nexus, and they have totally jumped the shark. If you think some people have buyer's remorse now over chimpy, this, added to the grass and coke tapes, the Gannon thing, and his shitty reception in Europe, will take us one step further to ensuring that his entire failed agenda jumps the shark, once and for all.

[DirtyDawg]

119. Actually, his name is...

...William (you can call me Bill) Novelli. You may be thinking of Bob Nardelli, the current head of Home Depot, a big-time fundraiser for bushco - and very public about it, I might add - and the reason that I'll drive miles out of my way to shop at Loews, pull for Jimmy Johnson against Tony Stewart and generally not allow anything orange into the house - of course, Tennessee, Florida, Auburn and Clemson may have something to do with that as well.

Either way, I too had canceled my AARP membership over the drug thing, but this should be a lesson to Novelli, or whoever, that you can't do business with this bunch. They'll turn on you like a rattlesnake (What'd you expect Novelli, you knew they were 'effin' snakes) if they think it'll further their 'cause'.

I believe it was one of geedubya's dead relatives that established the strategy of 'Claim anything, deny everything and admit nothing' - that's this bunch to a 'T'.

[MADem]

141. I stand corrected!

I had the guy right, the first name wrong!

[0007]

68. That isn't the way I saw it! They back junior drug plan.

[rodeodance]

84. yes, the AARP made a mistake and now want to redeem themselves

but with the swifty people after them--it wlll be difficulat.

[msongs]

3. this is what dems oughta be doing (except different content)....

but they will not until they become a REAL OPPOSITION PARTY which means sticking together and OPPOSING..

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[Sandpiper]

4. And this has what to do with Social Security?

These people can't sell any of their ideas on their own merits.

They have to stoop to gutter politics right out of the gate.

[Riding this Donkey]

43. I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.......

some far fetched conspiracy between gay people and marines!!!! Looking to put the elderly into poverty!

[crikkett]

52. Well that's an easy one

some far fetched conspiracy between gay people and marines!!!!

That would be Gannon...propaGannon...
:P

[NJCher]

49. the meritocrazy?

These people can't sell any of their ideas on their own merits.

Their ideas have merit? News to me! :)


Cher

[CindyDale]

7. LOL

[glitch]

8. I take it AARP not getting on board with the SS Looting, like they did

for the insurance give-away. Tsk tsk.

[katinmn]

9. I sent a note to AARP.

This has to piss them off.

[katinmn]

11. AARP is dicussing it on their online forum

and they are NOT happy.

http://community.aarp.org/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=rp-legislative&msg=18245.1&ctx=1

They will lie to get what Bush wants. This is so horrible
look at all the money they will waste (thats republicans for you folks) just to get what Bush wants pushed thru.

This is a sad day for all SENIOR AMERICANS and AARP who is trying to fight this machine on behalf OF ALL OF US SENIORS!!!!!

BUSH AND YOU SWIFTIES WE SENIORS DO NOT WANT OUR BENEFITS CUT OR TAKEN AWAY !!!!!

Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord and if they steal from us seniors by cutting our benefits or worse than I leave them in the hands of the Lord to deal with each and every one of them and let His venegeance get them.

The other thing you can do is to NEVER NEVER NEVER VOTE for another Repub for the rest of our life!!!!!

For those of us Christians the repubs are not christian when they steal our benefits!!

[sunnystarr]

124. Triad Connection from the AARP online forum

I went to the AARP site to join in a show of support for their fight and ran across this:

From: Benedictine2 Feb-21 11:35 pm
To: Alert2005 (2 of 3)

2769.2 in reply to 2769.1

USA Next=LNH=Triad Election Systems

Share this around. This is NewsWorthy if anything is. Apparently USA Next- which is running the smear campaign against the AARP via Richard Mellon Scaife and Bill Bennet is owned by LNH Inc. LNH Inc. is TRIAD ELECTION SYSTEMS: Providers of the Voting Machines that gave everyone those pesky problems in Ohio.

So - what is the provider of Voting Machines to the Federal Government doing whoring for the likes of Scaife and his right wing attack dogs? Wouldn't we all like to know??

The USA Next website is registered to a William Brindley-

Org Name: LNH Inc.
OrgID: LNH
Address: 260 Chapman Road
Address: Suite 205
City: Newark
StateProv: DE


Sound Familiar?? It should- the DailyKos had some info on these guys from the Ohio Election posted.

LNH Inc. is linked to Triad - From Kos Own Blog:
http://www.electionsonthe.net/oh/
http://www.electionsonthe.net/oh/brown/
http://www.electionsonthe.net/oh/clinton/


From Triad webpage:

Have you seen our "one-stop" place for election information? www.electionsonthe.net


From Netcraft:

Domain Name IP Netblock Owner
triadgsi.com Microsoft-IIS/5.0 66.241.236.181 LNH Inc.
electionsonthe.net Microsoft-IIS/6.0 65.36.185.219 LNH Inc.


The link to this on Kos is right here:
OHIO County BoE webpages HOSTED by TRIAD
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/12/13/223158/61
Benedictine | Email | Homepage | 02.21.05 - 10:48 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The USA Next organization is right in the DC area. Their address is: USA NEXT
3900 Jermantown Road #450
Fairfax, Virginia 22030

[chomskysright]

136. thanks! passed it on to NC Verfiable Voting who are....

hammering on the paper ballot, etc matter.

[katinmn]

139. Good find. The AARP folks are on the ball.

[mod mom]

140. Isn't Triad Election Systems owned by the Rapp Family of Xenia OH? (Bad

apples-yes, but unless you have new info on the sale of Triad Election systems, I think your info might be wrong.)

[LittleClarkie]

10. Riiiiiight. This reminds me of the wolf ad. It's freaking hysterical.

Oh sure, old people only care about kissing each other. Not about the soldiers or about Social Security or about not eating cat food in their "twilight years."

Oh, puhlease. This is just desperation. Who's gonna buy this shit.

[Hissyspit]

125. People have been buying all the other shit.

Lots of stupid people out there. It works. That's why they do it.
The Swift Boat ads shouldn't have worked, but they did for the most part. They were clearly shown to be false and manipulative, but they made their way into general public conciousness and discourse.

[SomewhereOutThere424]

133. The GOP are heartless SOBs

I remember the wolf ad too. They use those who are too weak to stand up for themselves or don't have a voice, such as the elderly confused masses of senior citizens or the misinterpreted animals that are wolves.

The sad thing is, there are too many ignorant people who believe them. Watch, I bet you just along with the anti wolf proposals bush and the repubs are making, they'll try to pass euthinizing or something absurd like that now. They have no morals and if ever I saw terrorists, it's those who attack the voiceless and make them afraid, attacking senior citizens and animals should show the american people what power we should really fight to protect america...but sadly it doesn't.

[Pirate Smile]

13. OMG. I thought this was satire but it is real on the American Spectator

website.

I liked this prediction:

"The prize to Marshall Wittman for the first choice prediction of what we'll likely see from Rove's SwiftBoatesque bludgeon-AARP astroturf campaign: "What's next - a Regnery book titled Unfit to Age?"

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/

http://www.spectator.org/

You click on the add and it sends you to the USA Next web site

http://www.usanext.org/

Which has a banner stating "Tired of the AARP's Liberal Games - click here to tell us why"

"TOP NEWS STORY
Charlie Jarvis Appears on The O'Reilly Factor
Charlie Jarvis, USA Next's Chairman & CEO, recently appeared on Fox News' The Factor with Bill O'Reilly to discuss why so many Americans are turning to USA Next as an alternative to the liberal AARP."

What a shock to see Faux as part of their plan.

Who is financing this group?

[starroute]

21. The drug industry is their main source of funding

http://www.citizen.org/congress/campaign/special_interest/articles.cfm?ID=7999

United Seniors Association: Hired Guns for PhRMA and Other Corporate Interests - July 2002 Report

Though the United Seniors Association (USA) is a conservative, grassroots organization for the elderly, the organization is just as likely to be flacking for corporate special interests as it is to be representing seniors. And as the debate on Medicare prescription drug coverage gears up to become a major federal election issue, the pharmaceutical industry is using USA as a front for its TV and radio "issue" ad campaigns.

The prescription drug industry is not the only corporate interest enlisting USA as a hired gun, however. In 2001, as Congress began considering President Bush's national energy plan, USA was also used by several corporate energy front groups pushing for the GOP legislation.

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=United_Seniors_Association

# USA President and CEO Charles Jarvis served as deputy under secretary at the Department of Interior during the Reagan and Bush administrations. Jarvis was also the executive vice president of Focus on the Family.

# Craig Shirley, a USA board member, has long been a Republican Party public relations powerhouse. His public relations firm Shirley & Banister Public Affairs currently represents the Republican National Committee (RNC). During the 1984 presidential campaign, he was the director of communications for the National Conservative Political Action Committee, America's largest independent political committee. More recently, he co-founded Conservatives for Effective Leadership, an organization devoted to defeating Hillary Clinton in her Senate bid.

# The New York Times called USA board member Jack Abramoff "one of the most influential - and, at $500 an hour, best compensated - lobbyists in Washington."

# USA lobbyist David A. Keene is chairman of the American Conservative Union, the nation's largest conservative grassroots organization. Keene is a lobbyist with the Carmen Group.

# Lawyer Curtis Herge, USA's corporate counsel, served as a member of Reagan's Presidential Transition Team. He later held positions as the assistant to the secretary and chief of staff at the Department of the Interior.

All these people have long and discreditable careers in the dirty tricks wing of the Republican Party. Craig Shirley was connected with both the Willie Horton ad and "Stolen Honor." David Keene was formerly Shirley's business partner. Herge has connections with Brent Bozell going back to the 80's. Jack Abramoff is currently up to his neck in a major scandal involving Indian casino gambling.

[idiosyncratic]

14. Okay, I'm confused. On this same page they have an ad with these pics

http://www.spectator.org/





Doesn't that have echos of James/Jeff/Guckert/Gannon to it?

Is this a "satire" site?

[katinmn]

15. USA Next is on an anti-AARP campaign. Wow.

http://www.usanext.org/voices.cfm

[in_cog_ni_to]

16. wtf??? does AARP have to do with gay marriage?

Are they out of their friggin' minds? YES! They are! Did AARP come out in support of gay marriage or against amending the constitution> Did I miss something?

[Liberty Belle]

17. AARP should sue the crap out of AS.

[Bouncy Ball]

18. When are the repukes and smearies just going to

spit it out and start running their "WE'RE AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!!" campaign?

[Ian David]

26. I vaguely remember AARP being against anti-gay amendments

because it would hurt gay AND STRAIGHT seniors who are living together.


Issue 1 about more than gay marriage
Proposed law could impact unwed couples, employers

By JIM SIEGEL
Gannett News Service

The AARP said Issue 1 would deny unmarried older couples a variety of vital rights, including inheritance and power of attorney. The League of Women Voters of Ohio said the amendment would "legitimize discrimination in the Ohio Constitution."

Karen Holbrook, president of Ohio State University, which offers domestic partner benefits, called it "harmful to our institution's ability to remain competitive with other employers and institutions of higher learning."

Firing back at those who oppose the amendment, Burress called Petro a "pro-homosexual activist." He calls OSU and the League of Women Voters "left-wing social activists."

"The people who run the AARP must be senile," he added.

More:
http://www.newarkadvocate.com/news/stories/20041018/localnews/1435725.html



Ohio Gay Marriage Supporters Gain Powerful Ally
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: October 4, 2004 8:19 pm ET

(Columbus, Ohio) The American Association of Retired People has announced its opposition to a proposed amendment to the Ohio state constitution that would ban same-sex marriage. Voters will decide the gay marriage issue in November.

The AARP which has some 35 million members nationwide said that if the amendment is accepted it "will have unfair and injurious consequences for many older adults."

“State Issue One would deny property ownership rights, inheritance, pensions, power of attorney and other matters of vital interest to the health and well being of unmarried older couples," AARP Ohio said in a statement.

The support from the association is a major boost for opponents of the proposed amendment. Older citizens are more likely to vote.
More:
http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/10/100404ohioOld.htm

[LittleClarkie]

19. Man what a bunch of radicals!

Take a look!

http://www.aarp.org/

:eyes:

[DemoTex]

20. The Swift Boat Liars are the new hatchet men of the GOP mob.

If they will lie about a genuine war hero's service record (to benefit an AWOL Chickenhawk), they will lie about anything. But why is their lie so illogical? It is mind boggling. It reminds me of Cornyn's box turtle rant and Jon Stewart's mileage with it.

[Ishoutandscream]

22. Ah, hubris. The Bushies are barking up the wrong tree

They want to mess with AARP,huh? Whoa boy, they are taking the fight to the wrong folks.

[ashmanonar]

48. i can't wait for the seniors to get pissed off about this.

they'll vote the next repub right out, probably most of congress too.

pissing off the seniors is the last thing they should have done.

[Toots]

117. The Republicans don't need anyone's vote they have Diebold

They have realized they can destroy anyone they wish as they are now invincible. Diebold has made them unbeatable.

[mod mom]

23. WAKE UP MSM-YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU! NT

[katinmn]

27. We should stop calling them "Mainstream Media"

They don't represent or serve the mainstream.
They are the Corporate Media, bought and paid for.

[ashmanonar]

91. the corporate propagandists? n/t

[followthemoney]

121. "Corpos" is what Sinclair Lewis called the MSM in his 1935 novel

entitled "It Can't Happen Here". Is there anything new under the sun?
He refers to the Corpo tyranny.

[dameocrat]

24. If Kerry had put up just a little bit of a fight against them

He could have won. He didn't.

[alittlelark]

101. Their accusations were sooo ridiculous that he likely felt

it was beneath him to respond. He had yet to recognize that the MSM is the disinformation arm of the Corporatocracy.

Perhaps he learned a lesson, and will pass it on to other Dems.

[bluedog]

25. use.bush gannon and rove ...........................

theyhave to no limits......and neither should we.............fight them bastards..fire with fire.........

[dandrhesse]

29. who are they going after next Unicef?

[AntiCoup2K4]

37. Wouldn't surprise me....

You can't have someone like Unicef going around giving out food and blankets for free when Halliburton could make a nice profit doing the same thing. That's unamerican!

[mod mom]

41. My bet is PUPPIES are next! nt

[starroute]

57. Environmental regulations and then intellectual property

Here's a list I made up a few months ago of their major causes:

Family values (now getting a little tired) - anti-abortion, anti-gay rights

Anti-affirmative action, anti-immigrant

Pro-defense, pro-gun, anti-crime

Anti-liberal media, anti-liberals on campus

Anti-government, anti-regulation, anti-environment, anti-tax, pro-free market, anti-open source

The last bunch is definitely where the current action is on the right, in part because a lot of these organizations (including the fake seniors groups) are nothing but corporate fronts and get a lot of industry funding. It includes such current big names as Club for Growth, Institute for Policy Innovation (Dick Armey), Americans for Tax Reform (Grover Norquist), Competitive Enterprise Institute, and United Seniors Association/USA Next.

Environmental regulations are clearly next on their agenda after Social Security. The other thing I see them as gearing up on is intellectual property/open source issues. This came out a little during the Microsoft anti-trust suit, but I think it's going to get a lot bigger. These guys often spend a decade or more laying the groundwork for their next assault (as they did in convincing people that Social Society was doomed), and I'm sure they already have their plans laid for at least the next ten years.

[bunkerbuster1]

73. During the tsunami relief efforts. Usenet freepers were dissing UNICEF

claiming that Kofi's son would be sucking up all the charitable contributions.

I kid you not.

[Guaranteed]

31. Oh, so THAT'S why they endorsed Bush's Medicare bill! nt

[Guaranteed]

32. This is ridiculous. LOOK at that ad!

I guess they're Jew-lovers too, right?

[arcane1]

33. why didn't they use a picture of two women getting married?

I think I know :eyes:

[dandrhesse]

38. probably because in their warped minds it would be "softer" looking!

It's all sick, next they will be attacking Head Start saying that it will make your kids homosexuals! Sick stuff, they have some real mental issues, what a bunch of paranoid wierdos!

[liberal43110]

36. Is this a joke?

Is this image a real ad, or did you make it? I can hardly believe it.

:wtf:

[Guaranteed]

39. Seriously...speaking of SS...

This is just the lowest of propaganda. It has nothing to do with anything about Social Security. It's just....Hitler shit.

[zann725]

99. They are so evil, and not hiding it any longer. They're simply horrifying.

n/t

[No Mandate Here.]

42. It is All TOO REAL.

www.spectator.org

second ad down on the right. Be sure to wash up after you erase the site from the cache and history.

[liberal43110]

53. That's horrendous

I have never seen anything that brazen. I don't believe what I saw!

[Griffy]

80. Then you didnt see the Dems BAN THE BIBLE mailer!

listen here to NPR bit on this

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4056255

heres the flyer some people recieved!

http://www.steveclemons.com/GOPMailer.htm


They use very targeting mailing sytems to customize the message..

PROPAGANDA is the key, break that and all else will fall!

thanks Gannon :)

[liberal43110]

103. I had heard about that

That was just plain insane, but the graphics weren't quite as outrageous as this new piece.

BTW, my dad's name was Griff. :)

[ohkay]

40. The Real Bush Agenda...

<>

[proud2BlibKansan]

56. LOL

Good one!

[crikkett]

87. reminds me of that pretzel incident...

Remember the incident where Bush explained away a bruise on his face as having fallen off the couch after eating a pretzel?

Was that a mark, or an impression, I wonder?
:tinfoilhat:

[Petrushka]

92. First time I laughed out loud today. Thanks! (n/t)

[meow2u3]

115. Good, but here's a suggestion for improvement

On pic one, show an old homeless lady; on pic two, show Guckert/Gannon going down on *! :evilgrin:

[Contrary1]

45. Ok folks, let's do what corporate America understands the best...

Find out what companies are sponsoring the programs associated with these ads,
whether it be on TV, radio, newspaper, or web, and start writing letters letting them
know that we are through doing business with them as long as they are a part of it.

It worked with Clear Channel, whether they want to admit it, or not.

[Misunderestimator]

46. How sad that such a beautiful picture of two men in love vs. a soldier ...

sent to his death for lies and power has the effect it has rather than the one it should. Why shouldn't an organization support love versus war. That's fucking sad to me.

[BamaBecky]

47. You know, this just might BACK FIRE big time.....

I know a whole bunch of gray haired folks that voted Republican...:P

[LittleClarkie]

50. That's what I was thinking

Yeah, piss of those greyhairs. And the bluehairs too. Bwahahaha!

[Blue_In_AK]

51. Looks like a non sequitur to me

What in the world does AARP have to do with gay marriage???

[snippy]

58. They are Bush's "swift idiots," not Rove's.

Republicans are delighted when democrats criticize Rove rather than Bush. Democrats should begin insisting, or at least implying, that Bush is responsible for the things that he and his administration and party do.

[Pirate Smile]

60. Good point.

[No Mandate Here.]

62. Point taken, but the edit period was up.

It might serve you well to make this a new thread. I encourage you.

If we continue to do what they expect, then we will not make any headway against these criminals, will we?

[bunkerbuster1]

74. Oh, hell, let's not attribute it to anything but what it is: Fascism.

In a way, these pigs are right about one thing--they don't need Bush's approval to act, any more than al-Quaeda cells need Bin Laden's ok to act. It's thuggery, pure and simple, and part of me is glad they picked this particular battle because it's one we not only can win, we must win.

[zulchzulu]

59. I might join AARP for these reasons

True to being a loyal Democrat, I hate the troops and absolutely love gay marraige. Perhaps they forgot that I love baby-killers too and go to abortion parties on a regular basis. That's usually when we burn Bibles and American flags too. Satan! Satan! Satan!

/sarcasm

[Contrary1]

61. I just emailed American Spectator's comment page...

"Thanks for the heads up. I will be calling AARP first thing in the morning to join."

http://www.usanext.org/voices.cfm

[blondeatlast]

64. Think 2006. It's a setup for the midterms, too.

How old does one have to be to join AARP?

[2Design]

67. 50 n/t

[Willy Lee]

113. Anyone can join as an "associate" for $12.50/year. eom

[Edgewater_Joe]

65. I Literally Do Not Understand This Ad

First of all, when has the AARP EVER talked about either troops or gay marriage? I mean, EVER?!?!

Second, if the purpose of the ad is to scare seniors out of listening to the AARP, does this somehow assume that seniors ONLY listen to the AARP on issues like this?

Third, even if this ad somehow does demonize the AARP, does it then "open up" these seniors to suddenly be more receptive to ... um ... pro-troop anti-gay forces?

What made the Swift Boat Liars so outrageous is the nerve of Rove attacking Kerry right at the heart of his personal story, but THIS ... this is just absurdism. It's trying to connect an apple with fish. A smear has to at least have a passing relationship with that thing they are trying to smear, and I don't see how this does that. This is just ... weird to the extreme.

That, and it's being directed to other Wingnuts, right? So exactly what is this trying to prove? Who is its audience?

Help me out here, people. I'm dumbfounded.

[NVMojo]

66. and I am really sick of this type of shit clogging up the arteries of

my country ...

[babsbunny]

69. I'm a proud member!

Come on you guys! I am so sick of this shit! What can we do????

[mzmolly]

70. What I don't get is that they say they don't want their kids exposed

to the so called "gay agenda" yet they pay for billboards, pictures on busses etc. with two men kissing? How do THEY explain THAT to their kids?

I asked my conservative friend if his collection of "girl on girl" porn was against his faux morals? He uhm, didn't know how to reply.

:evilgrin:

[NYC Liberal]

71. Two can play THIS game:

[mzmolly]

77. WOW, very powerful!

:toast:

[KennedyGuy]

72. Sadly..its all too effective..

They won an election this way..if we don't do something about it, they'll win this issue with it as well. Gay people make way too effective a boogeyman for the repugs. Its sad...its sickening, but its sadly effective.

[rodeodance]

75. Keith Olberman just mentioned and showed the ad on Countdown

[No Mandate Here.]

79. He must be reading Kos, Atrios, Americablog, et al, perhaps DU,

because this just showed up after 4:00 this afternoon.

This is great! Their absurdity is being shown right away. Let's keep it up.

[msongs]

93. and gave the ad FREE publicity, just like with the swift boat vets.......

the repubs are brilliant and dems are...................not.


Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[karynnj]

120. Great Point

If they only had the time they paid for, they would never have had the impact they did. They are as outrageous in this ad as the anti-Kerry ones. Clearly they feel this method work once ...

Hard question though is Kerry was ultimately criticized for not overtly striking back hard immediately instead of his more low key dispute the charges and give proof to media So, what should the Democrats or AARP do? I agree with you that WE should not try to get the media to pick it up, but don't you think the Rep media will pull it up anyway anyway.

[mzmolly]

76. I think we should take out an add that says "The REAL Republican Agenda"

and show "JEFF GANNON'S" web photos.

[The Zanti Regent]

78. Will AARP fight back or will they lay down and die like Kerry did?

That is the question.

Bonesman Kerry laid down and died for his Bonesman pal. All I got was a dead son, my only child, dead at 19. His life is over and my heart has been torn out of my chest.

Will AARP fight back this time or will they lay down and die like they did on the Medicare destruction?

[sellitman]

81. I'm so sorry

I have 2 boys and cannot imagine what you are going through.

My deepest sympathy. :hug:

[babsbunny]

82. Please

go to www.bushsamerica.com! Dailykos has counter ad you will love!

[Ioo]

88. I posted most of the others from DailyKOS as well

http://www.bushsamerica.com/index.php?title=a_new_low_from_the_gop_a_sad_day_in_amer&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1">All of them are here on BushsAmerica.com (My site, Cheap Plug)

[allalone]

85. I don't get it

[s1rkull]

86. Don't question right-wing authority

Or they'll accuse you of whatever they think will get the most people to fear and hate you. Apparently it isn't that big of a leap for the Worshipers to conclude that opposing Bush's privatization of Social Security is tantamount to being anti-military and opposed to the right-wing nut-jobs' "morals". Personally, I don't see the connection.

[smoogatz]

89. Hilarious, and entirely predictable.

You're looking at the two themes that won the election for Bush (i.e., kept the margin close enough to cook). This is apparently all they've got--anyone who opposes them hates the troops and tongue-kisses other men. That's what American politics have come to. Thanks, Karl!

[Kimber Scott]

94. I hope they make a commercial out of this idea and air it in prime time.

Then everybody will know just how f*ed up these Bushbots are.

BRING IT ON!

[nascarblue]

95. Can someone photoshop Gannon kissing Rove on that?

That would be genious. Hack their site and replace the photo.

[zann725]

96. I'm sorry...is this projection??? How can the WH seriously accuse ANYONE

of having a gay agenda???? Especially little old retirees? Please!

Like my mammy told me, "People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones!" How dare they! Every time I think they can stoop no lower...

[JoMama49]

100. Yeh, i dropped my membership over the medicare thing too -

but they are on the "right" side of the social security scam. Let's give them some kudos for this!

[zalinda]

107. Well, I've put off joining because

I couldn't quite admit that I was old enough (even if only to myself). This has changed my mind, I will be joining today. I hope their membership soars.

zalinda

[kcass1954]

123. I turned 50 last year, and wouldn't join for the same reason.

My youngest child is 8. I can't possibly be old enough to join AARP!

Even though I'm not pleased with AARP supporting *'s prescription drug plan, I realized that AARP is the lesser of 2 evils. And we most certainly do need some type of organized campaign to fight *.

I joined yesterday.

[applegrove]

102. They have to keep the hate alive and the baser instincts keen - otherwise

followers may notice Iraq is a big story.

[KayLaw]

105. People need to learn

You can't cross the Lord God Bush or this sort of thing will happen. Look how well he smeared McCain and Kerry--two war heroes who risked their lives for their countries while he boozed it up, used drugs and went AWOL. He and his corporate cronies can get away with anything they want--and they want your Social Security money funneled right into their pockets.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

108. Joining AARP Today

I came across the membership forms in my neglected mail basket yesterday.

Today, I'm joining. Count me as one of millions of "seniors" this shit is going to piss off.

What a pack of idiots!! They're pissing off people who vote every time and pay attention to who they vote for.

BTW, that magazine should be called American Dictator!!!

[dandrhesse]

109. My mom AARP member 66 years old shared these thoughts with me

I just finished reading ONLY one article on TruthOut....swift boats crap people attacking the AARP! So what do these people want besides power and money? They want to eliminate all poor, white/black and in between, all old people and that means anyone over 60 who has not invested in "their" projects and is on the other side of the fence. They are truly of the devil. We have the folks who are ranting and raving about "gay marriage"...excuse...meanwhile what are the fat cats doing while they have the mice running around in circles? Getting ready for the mass kill....the next thing will be simply to line up those over 60 and especially over 70 and 80 and shoot them. That remedy would make it so much easier for the Bush administation to achieve their objective...which seems to be to have a wealthy white American class with a few token Mexicans and Blacks placed where they can't "do to much damage".

My mom has always called as she sees it! Thought you might like her perspective.

[Carl Lloyd]

110. Terrorists and Social Security

Some say that the terrorist are hoping Bush can get us to put all of our Social Security money in the stock market.

That way, their next strike will wipe each American citizen out in the present and the future!

[dandrhesse]

116. no doubt, that would be a good plan for them. I think personally

that bush and his friends have already "cooked the books" and spent the Social Security trust fund and now are trying to cover for themselves. Or that they just want to give their friends on Wall Street some more business, in any of these scenarios the american public gets the short end of the stick, gee there is something new!

[inchhigh]

111. I guess this is all you need to know about USA Next

Formerly known as the United Seniors Association, USA Next was founded in 1991 by Richard Viguerie, a Republican pioneer and mastermind of direct mailings, who raised millions of dollars from older Americans using solicitations that sent alarming messages about Social Security. In 1992, there were allegations that the group was used as a device to enrich other companies owned by Mr. Viguerie, drawing criticism from watchdog groups and Democratic lawmakers.

From the NYT. Sorry I don't have a link but is should be front page.

[Mr_Spock]

112. Rove is getting insane!

This is gonna expose him for the angry RW nut-job that he is.

[GiovanniC]

114. This Is More Fitting

[UL_Approved]

122. The link to the picture is broken

I don't know if it showed up earlier, but it seems to be gone now. What was in the picture that you put up?

[yorkdane]

126. Interesting and just wondering...

Just announced by CNN's Judy Wooddruff:
Jarvis is slated to be a guest tomorrow on CNN's Inside Politics. I didn't catch the time... Of course, there will NOT be an AARP guest to debunk the lies and misquotes!

These two links at AARP's website contain excellent facts:

http://aarp.typepad.com/socialsecurity/
http://aarp.typepad.com/socialsecurity/2005/02/to_help_you_sif.html

I just wonder if it's too wordy for many people. I hope they intend to be very agressive in presenting their well-researched facts. Why isn't AARP getting the facts out to the public using CNN, MSNBC, FOX, MSM? Why the silence?

[annabanana]

127. Mallard Fillmore jumped right on the swiftboat line today.

stupid duck

[Catchawave]

128. AARP's Ad,,,,,

Is this what they're upset about:

(Full page from the Norfolk, Va. Virginian-Pilot,2/22/05, p.A9)

"IF YOU have a problem with the sink,
YOU DON'T tear down the house" ....and much more on that page.

AARP's position on SS is at their website, www.aarp.org

If BushCo is calling out Rovine Damage Control and the Swifties, they must be worried?

I don't think the Bushies should be messin' with AARP, I don't think they roll over on their backs in submission?

[Raksha]

129. I saw this last night, and I absolutely can't figure out...

...WHAT they think they're going to get out of it. Social Security reform has NOTHING to do with "supporting our troops" (or not supporting them) and it has NOTHING to do with gay marriage! The whole ad is a total non sequitur. Its highly questionable "effectiveness" depends purely on guilt by association--and a very weak and pointless association at that. I can't imagine who is supposed to fall for this, or WHY. Rove & Co. must thing AARP stands for "American Association of Retarded Persons."

[cosmicdot]

130. wish they could find grounds to sue ... no more civil discourse ...

with the right-wing mob mentality/hate/propaganda machine ... they just can't disagree, they wish to destroy through misrepresentation, distortions and lies ...

I wish I had the answer to nip this all the bud ... open to thoughts/suggestions on what can be done ...

"truth-in" laws?

how can our elected officials address this?

[countryjake]

131. The swift boat liar's ad has been removed...

I wasn't paying attention, but heard them talking about removing it on CNN. Now I come in here to see it & your link no longer goes to the page with that picture. Did anybody save the damn thing? Are they going to pretend they never created such trash?

[Dave Sund]

132. Daily Kos had it up

Should still be there.

[countryjake]

134. Thanks, they're saying that it's been pulled too!

Here's the link to a copy of the ad KOS has saved, for any others who missed it. Man, that was fast! I saw it on TV last night & wondered how such blatant ageism could be allowed! Sounds like someone may be getting sued...wish I'd listened when CNN was talking about the retraction!

http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/003763.php

[CO Liberal]

137. I'm an AARP Member, Too

I hope they counter these lies. Maybe with a nice libel/slander lawsuit.....

(BTW, if you're 50 or older, you can join AARP, too. It's $12.50 a year for you and your spouse. We recovered the yearly membership cost in AARP hotel discounts during our trip to Texas last September.)

[MsMagnificent]

138. Bush/Rove now outright attacking their own base!

Who are the most close minded to gay marriage and the most pro-war?
Our older folks.

They riled them up, got them to vote Reprobatican, and now are turning on them because they can't get their way.

Thank God that arrogance has built-in overreaching!

Maybe we should have a little Californian-type "Recall" for the last presidential election, don't you think? ...or is that valid only when it benefits the Reprobates?

[RickyMonet]

142. Help We are the couple in the AD and it was used without permission

We need your help, our marriage and photo was used without our permission in an anti-AARP ad being produced by the same people who made the Swiftboat Vet ads against John Kerry.

The Great People over in the DailyKOS broke this story and emailed me to let me know about this injustice; thanks guys.

This is the ad targeting the AARP because of their opposition to the President's social security plan. How this relates to the images of our nuptials and an American soldier is beyond me. But the ad ran Monday February 21, 2005 on the conservative magsite http://www.spectator.org Paid for by www.USAnext.org

It's being used on rightwing websites to somehow use anti-gay bigotry and blind patriotism to rally people against the AARP and, by extension, against preserving Social Security.

We were unaware of this action and these sites until someone in the DailyKOS broke this story and wrote to tell us about it Monday. We are at a loss as to what to do about this matter; we do not want our image used in this way.
We’ve I found out from The Portland Tribune that the image was stolen from their website and they do not have a model release from us; they broke the law didn’t they?
Now that we have been defamed, demoralized, humiliated and belittled around the world on every major news show as just "those gays" in that ad is a personal attack on our marriage, love and commitment to each other.
We are human people and this hurts!
Thank you
Rick Raymen~Monet
Steven Hansen~Monet
Portland, OR
www.rickymonet.com

When you have clarity & fervent desire for truth, when you ask for assistance, you create an opening for the Light to come, & the Light will complete all the actions we cannot.

We are trying to set up a legal fund (PayPal address [e-mail]) to fight the illegal use of our image in the anti-AARP ad. Or to the DNC link http://www.democrats.org/epatriots/give.html?sourcecode=E008356

[Coastie for Truth]

143. What is the Swift Boat Veterans' Real Position On Our Troops

What is the Swift Boat Veterans' Leaderships' Real Position On Our Troops -- as in "Friendly Fire" Deaths, and Cover-Ups of Negligence of their own Swift Boat Leadership's Gross Negligence in "Friendly Fire Deaths"--

O'Neill, Langston, and Hoffmann are insults to the Naval Service.

Read--
1. http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/WEBCUTTERS/Point_Welcome.html
2. http://www.aug.edu/~libwrw/ptwelcome/PointWelcome2.html
3. http://www.usni.org/navalhistory/Articles98/NHwells.htm

These are the scum bag buddy f**kers who are blasting the AARP. Consider the source - O'Neill, Langston, Hoffmann.

"Coastie for Truth" tells the truth - unlike O'Neill, Langston, and Hoffmann.

Semper Paratus.