"Don't point fingers. Don't play the blamegame. Don't politicize this."

[Sparkly]

"Don't criticize Chimpy BEFORE he screws up -- pushing massive tax cuts, ignoring counterterrorism warnings, banging war drums, vacationing during a storm -- because maybe it'll all work out fine, give it a chance, you don't have a crystal ball!"

"Don't criticize Chimpy DURING his screw ups, because now is not the time when we're in the middle of a crisis -- it doesn't help the people who are struggling, it undermines morale, it's divisive when we should all be pulling together!"

"Don't criticize Chimpy AFTER his screw ups, because we need to move on and get over it -- besides, it wasn't his fault, he didn't know, Democrats are just trying to politice this, and we have other things to deal with right now."

[skooooo]

1. NOW is the time.

Americans are tired of being told to "shut up!"

[habitual]

4. Agreed

Telling everyone to shut up and let him hurt himself is not a card I am willing to play this time. I will be a fool before i sit back and feel stupid while shithead lies his head off and gets out of this BECAUSE everyone is just sitting back hoping the public will give it to him... FUCK THAT

[skooooo]

12. I want to see what Howard Dean and John Edwards has to say about this....

I will be watching Congress very closely.

Hey, we need bumperstickers, literature, fliers, phone calls, emails, faxes -- a massive machine to push these criminal acts to the fore and HOLD THESE PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE. we need to NOT LET THE BASTARDS GET AWAY WITH THIS>

Now is the time to raise hell.

[Bluzmann57]

25. Remember in 2004 when Edwards said "Two Americas"?

This is stark illustration of that point. His words ring true.

[dajoki]

69. that's how we got in this mess, by keeping quiet...

* should be held accountable for ALL his fuck ups!!

[Plausible]

31. They abandoned Americans to die

dereliction of duty
gross incompetence
grass uncaring for the poor

Smirk needs impeached for this alone.

Of couse, all should be speaking up now.

[Cronus Protagonist]

52. Come now. He did spend a little time with the hurricane victims

[intheflow]

47. Now is definitely the time!

Hold their feet to the fire all the way.

[CrispyQ]

2. I'm so sick of the repubs always telling us

not to politicize issues when they are the first to do so when it is to their advantage.

[yorgatron]

5. now is the time.

the peasants have pitchforks and torches,they just need someone to lead the way.

[Imagevision]

36. At least wait for body count to come in...!

then let the shit hit the proverbial fan!

[Auntie Bush]

71. I agree!

[Totally Committed]

51. I'm so sick of the elected Democrats obeying this edict time after

time after time after time...

We have been left at the curb, my friends. We need to either find a way to make the epeople we elected represent us (no matter what the republicans tell them to do), or elect new people. One or the other. It's come to that.

TC

[ClassWarrior]

3. The Party of Personal Responsibility at their finest...

NGU.

[Dudley_DUright]

6. That about covers it

Already Cokie Roberts is dancing to Rove's tune. :puke:

[Six Feet Underground]

7. that's the problemo...

The media cycles have shortened the collective memory of america.

[peekaloo]

8. Sept. 11, Sept. 11, Sept. 11, Sept.11, Sept. 11, Sept. 11, Sept. 11

they should practice what they preach.

[billbuckhead]

9. Thge only time repuKKKes don't want to politicize something is when....

they're on the losing end of the politicizing.

[DinahMoeHum]

15. They better not play the 9/11 game anymore. . .it ain't gonna fly.

Steve Gilliard's blog entry:
http://stevegilliard.blogspot.com/2005/09/we-told-you-so.html

(snip)
How did your wartime President react? Like Chiang Kai-Shek when the Yellow River flooded in 1944, with corrupt indifference.

Bush, the man your fever dreams built into the next Winston Churchill when he is really the live action Chauncey Gardiner, has failed to everyone, in plain sight, without question. Rick Perry is trying to save his ass, but it ain't working. NOLA looks like ANGOLA and that ain't flying.

Say 9/11 changed everything now, motherfuckers. Ooops, 9/11, 9/11. 9/11. Doesn't work anymore? Gee, maybe the sea of alligator MRE's once known as the citizens of New Orleans has something to do with that. Now you can shut the fuck up about 9/11. Bush just proved what would happen with another 9/11. Dead Americans as far as the nose can smell.
(snip)


:grr:

[hobbit709]

20. Every time they say September 11

we should counter with "NEW ORLEANS"

[Prodemsouth]

30. No they fucked up on Sept 11th too. My Pet Goat should be

said when they say ept 11th.

[Nobody]

50. "Line"

The look you saw on bush's face on Sept 11, 2001 was the very same look I've seen hundreds of times on my friends during play practice when they forgot a line.

The difference between Bush and these good people? It took Bush seven minutes to figure out that he had no idea what to say or do. It took less than a minute for my friends in rehearsal to say something or to just ask for the line.

Bush was supposed to prove us all wrong and show that he had something in his brain after all.

He failed us then and he's failing us now.

[Roland99]

41. Aug. 29! Aug. 29! Aug. 29!

[gratuitous]

10. I think you've nailed it

And the media just play along, every goddam time.

This situation is already political, and has been for years. This is the natural consequence of the denuding of the federal Treasury and stuffing tax receipts into the pockets of the overrich. When we absolutely have to have the power of all of us marshalled together, such as in this case, the policies Republicans have relentlessly pursued for the last quarter century make sure that we're not up to the task.

The Republicans, their policies and their benefactors have transformed "can do" America into "can't do" America. Let's take the country back from the robber barons and their politicians. They don't appear to have anyone's interests at heart except their own.

[liberalitch]

11. Early to bed, early to rise and....

politicize, politicize, politicize!

...and we're in the whitehouse in 2008

[Mairead]

13. Yep, the myth of unripe time. You nailed it. (nt)

[Southsideirish]

14. They can dish it but they can't take it - typical cowardly bullies.

[bemildred]

16. Don't hold us responsible for yet another amazing display of incompetence.

Right. Accountability is only for the "little people", eh?

[TankLV]

17. You certainly nailed that one!

I am so sick of some disgusting DU'rs who have no clue and who ALWAYS just show up to tell us to sit down and shut up.

I am more than disgusted.

[Zodiak]

28. they aren't singing that tune now, and aren't here

I know because I do not have a lot of "ignored" lines on long threads....I have been accumulating them bit by bit (I can't stand listening to them, any more). This gulf coast pig that Bush unleashed can wear no lipstick, and anyone who can't recognize that is a jackass.


Enough is enough!!

[angryinoville]

57. I think the original post was a joke

[FlaGranny]

18. The story of the Bush administration

in a nutshell.

[salin]

19. waaa.... bush is a victim - stop being mean to him... he is being

persecuted... we should be praying for him just like the troops in Iraq were asked to pray... for bush... waaaa victim bush...

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

[Hubert Flottz]

21. "in the middle of a crisis"

Bush IS the crisis!

[bvar22]

29. Don't blame Bush*/ Blame Republicans

I realize it is hard to focus on something other than the figurehead of George Bush*, and he certainly deserves the criticism directed at him. But there is something that is much more important. The disaster in New Orleans is the product of a political and economic philosophy. George Bush* is NOT solely responsible. Directing anger and blame at George Bush* is not productive.

Trickle Down Conservative Compassion is responsible for the disaster in New Orleans!

George bush* will be gone, hopefully before the rest of his term . It is MORE IMPORTANT to lay the blame for THIS disaster, the Disaster in Iraq, the Energy Disaster, and the Economic Disaster where it belongs...The Conservative Philosophy as personified by george bush* and the REPUBLICANS!!!

The REPUBLICANS have been in TOTAL CONTROL of the US for over 5 years. The REPUBLICANS and Compassionate Conservatism IS the problem, not just george bush*. The Republican Party and their friends in the CorpoMedia are beginning to realize that Bush* is a liability and are abandoning him like scurrying, frightened RATS.

Don't let the Republican Party scapegoat George Bush* and distance themselves from him.
They WILL try to save themselves and the Conservative Philosophy by blaming George Bush in 2006.

*Starving Government until it can be drowned in a bathtub IS the problem!

*Tax Cuts for the RICH and Corporate Welfare for the RICHEST Corporations IS the problem!

*Redistributing money TO THE RICH instead of funding programs necessary for the National Security IS THE PROBLEM!

*Privatizing essential services and Utilities IS the problem!

*Dismantling our Social Services IS the problem!

*Corporate Merges and the growing POWER of the Corporate Owners IS the problem!

*the inherent RACISM and CLASSISM of the Republican philosophy IS the problem!

*The Dream of the RICH to Corporatize the WORLD IS the problem!

*Faith Based initiatives that direct public money to Private Pockets IS the Problem!

*Control of the Media and Communication in the hands of a few MEGA RICH Corporations IS the problem!

*Wal-Mart (generic) destruction of the economic base for communities, towns, and neighborhoods IS the Problem!

*Corrupt politicians (BOTH Partys) with obvious and transparent Conflict of Interests IS the problem!

*Trade Organizations the exist Outside and Above National Governments and Borders that DO NOT ANSWER to the PEOPLE IS the problem!

*The LACK of a Political party that represents Minorities, the Working American, and the POOR IS the problem!

*The RICH (top 1%) come first, FUCK everyone else IS the problem!


Don't just blame george*.
Blame the Republican Party!
Trickle Down Conservative Compassion IS the PROBLEM!
Blame the RICH WHITE CONSERVATIVE ASSHOLES who OWN bush*!

BLAME COMPASSIONATE CONSERVATIVES!!!


The Republican Ownership Society




The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[chomskysright]

67. Thas right! get the GOP OUT OF THE SOUTH & then whip up w/

the L.A.D.'s: lard ass Democrats who cannot get behind the progressive movement.

HONEY: I'M BACK!!! (took 70 yrs to get the spirit of Huey P. Long back).

[chomskysright]

68. & then wipe-up w/ the L.A.D.'s: lard ass Dems who cannot get on board

[muchacho]

22. part of the reason is political

to not point this out would be negligent and allow the Reps to dictate themes and divert attention AGAIN! Let's hope the gutless Dems don't roll over and snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory.

[Stinky The Clown]

23. Not only is it political .... its racial, too

And ANYONE who tries to change my mind on that point may just bend down and kiss my ass.

[Arugula Latte]

24. Congratulations -- you are qualified to work for this White House.

nt

[Zodiak]

26. This is so true

and my first recommendation on DU.

We have to get out of this circuitous thinking trap. There is no better time than NOW!

[glitch]

27. Excellent! nt.

:dem:

[stevietheman]

32. Politicizing this is NOT partisan politics.

This is the politics of NATIONAL SURVIVAL. We MUST call for Bush to RESIGN.

[Vincardog]

34. Boy Georgie resign or be impeached. Tase your whole crew with you

[volitionx]

33. AT LEAST THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS STOOD UP...

They're the only Dems with spines, apparently.

Where's Hillary? At a DLC meeting?

Bush's negligence in N.O. is IMPEACHABLE.

His buddy Mike Brown had NO experience in disaster relief, nor did Chertoff. And Bush should take the blame, because ultimately, blame should always trickle UP.

That's the shitter about being the President. You have to take RESPONSIBILITY FOR SHIT.

Poor little baby Bushie. Well, he either wanted these people do die, or he didn't even notice what was going on, because he didn't care. Sure, he's incompetent, but are EVERY SINGLE ONE of his advisors equally incompetent?

No. They don't care about poor, black Democrats in N.O. and they have other priorities.

Remember how Repugs lied about Clinton's haircut on Airforce One holding up traffic at the airport?

Well how about Bush and his servile little demon of a wife holding up relief convoys and food lines so they could "tour" a situation that they obviously don't give a fuck about and only "toured" as a photo-op?

That obstruction caused peoples LIVES.

IMPEACH THESE MURDERERS. The U.S. has been taken over by the Fascist Party.

[volitionx]

35. And another thing...

There's nothing wrong with POLITICIZING anything.

Politics is PERSONAL, first and foremost. When people say "don't politicize", what they are actually saying is "don't advocate for what you believe in".

How the fuck else can you advocate for social change through legalistic means other than by politicizing issues?

I'd hate the President if he were a Democrat, and I sure don't support every decision Clinton made, either.

It's CLEAR AS HELL that Bush is an evil FASCIST. That's a FACT, not an OPINION. So I want an evil fascist out of my government...how's that being unfair?

Don't ever hold back on your true feelings, guys.

FIGHT every day, nonstop. The world is counting on us.

Everything is political. Fine. Don't run from that fact. Politicize away!

[melissinha]

40. I agree whole-heartedly

We can't roll over anymore

It does not honor the victims to allow the faulty leaders to shirk the blame, because a lot still needs to be done.... I think we are currently shaming him into action... thats good.

we can't let it happen anywhere else, we can't let security of other communities be at risk because of the military/reconstruction budget.

And like you said, its politcs that makes this world go round, its politics that caused the failures.... its politics that is going to save it..

now if only the NON Black Caucus Democrats would strike back..... Cause frnakly the Black Caucus has been with us all along.... I think Gore is setting a good example.. and I think that positive plans need to be developed b y our good people, and they need to hsow them to the public.

[MADem]

37. We need to keep it simple, with three short words

FAILURE TO LEAD.

[wanpete]

38. when I heard Cokie say this, I thought, "here we go again"...

they want to keep us at bay because they know *co can in NO WAY weasle themselves out of this MAJOR screw up. So what do they do?? Tell us not to say anything about it. I hope this strategy will not work and that people all across america will rise up and demand first answers and then resignations!

[OregonBlue]

39. This is political. It's the politics of greed that got us here.

[ChiciB1]

42. Unfortunately.... So True!

:nuke: :nuke: :puke: :puke:

[Tinoire]

43. Recommended. n/t

[bhuddaboy]

44. When Is the Right Time to Criticize?

We are not supposed to criticize the president if he has just been appointed by the Supreme Court because we are undermining his legitimacy. We are not supposed to criticize him in the months following a terrorist attack because it will embolden the terrorists and weaken our national resolve. We are not supposed to criticize him during wartime because it disrespects our soldiers. Now we are not supposed to criticize him for the mishandling of the relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina because we would be politicizing a tragedy.

So I ask in all sincerity: when is it acceptable to be openly critical of the President of the United States?

[Sparkly]

45. The rightwing's answer: never.

The Constitution's answer: Anytime you wish!!!

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

46. And the exact opposite set of rules applied to Clinton

The double standard is so obvious, it's sickening

[NegSpin]

48. Similar to questioning War

This is similar to one of my comments on Kos a few days ago:

When It Is Ever Right To Question A War? (none / 0)

Not <I>before</I> because nothing's been decided, war will be a last resort, and none of us want it anyway.

Not <I>during</I> because you will hurt troop morale and give aid to the enemy.

Not <I>after</I> because it's all history, water under the bridge, too late now.

So the correct answer is it's never right to question a war.

[Zhade]

49. The overall message: DON'T CRITICIZE. ALLOW THE CARNAGE. GIVE UP.

To which I say, FUCK THAT.

Lead, follow, or get the fuck out of the way, you spineless enablers!

[blondeatlast]

53. Local officials have the courage to point fingers--SAY IT LOUD, DEMS!

Time after time on CNN today I've heard the stae, local, and military officials say--the Feds are at fault.

They aren't obvious about it, but they make it clear where the failures occurred.

You can do the same, Dems. Don't accuse--just ASK THE QUESTIONS. The angry press is already setting the tone.

God; every day I see such tremendous wisom on this board, but NO ONE at the DNC seems to listen, not even our chairman.

I'm a 4th gen yella dawg, raising a 5th. Don't make me regret my loyalty yet againn. Please.

Please, DNC interns--if you are lurking, tell them what you learn here.

[Garbo 2004]

54. The Repubs say that at the same time they're blaming everyone else. n/t

[blondeatlast]

55. Exactly. All the Dems need to do is echo what the press is already saying.

It makes me want to scream. I swear I'm calling the local office on Tuesday.

The press and the local and state officials have set the stage--we only need to reinforce what's been said by asking the right questions--no accusations are necessary.

[ShockediSay]

56. Why don't Bush Play Like the President of the United States

Instead of world's saviour; the right arm of righteousness against all the world's evils; somebody who was looking for any excuse to knock off Saddam?

Why did he play politics w/ 9/11, only to get a lot more people killed in Iraq and for what?

[Rude Horner]

58. EXCELLENT post

And a perfect response to those who have been telling us "now is not the time to criticize".

[El Fuego]

59. This is how it breaks down Chimpy

Listen dumbass:

You can't politicize an act of God. BUT, it's up to the federal government to clean up this situation. And guess what? The republicans ARE the federal government!! Remember now?

We will point fingers.

We will blame the republican administration.

And since we're taking about the massive failures of the federal government under the republican administration, it's going to get political, bucko.

[Ian_rd]

60. You fucking figured it out - excellent observation! Recc'ed (nt)

[applegrove]

61. As long as it is people and not Democrats criticizing... Repukes cannot

get away with labelling it as that.

[yardwork]

62. Brilliant! And a much-needed laugh today!

[are_we_united_yet]

63. Besides

"Repubs are going to make it right. W said so".

[Sleepless In NY]

64. How could a president just sit & watch while his countrymen died

of starvation & thirst? How? And we should remain quiet? And if we complain, it's "politizing it"? The way they did with 9/11?

Sometimes I wish we had a real opposition party in this country. People who spoke from the heart, people who just stood for what was right. People who weren't afraid.

I just got done watching the videos of Mary Landrieu & Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard & I think good for them, having the courage to speak out, but will they get any backing from our party? Most likely not. And thats sad & its cowardly.

No, we will hear the usual "unity" crap. And I think about the GOP convention in NY & the constant use of 9/11, the purple heart band aids, the visciousness & I wish we had just thrown them all the hell out of the city, instead of protesting peacefully. We were told if we did otherwise, it might hurt Kerry's chances of winning. A lot of good that did.

Some people say that 9/11 didnt change anything, but oh, they are so wrong. It has changed everything... for the worse, it has silenced all criticism of our gutless, inept leader, allowing him to hide behind the flag.

When I think of the suffering these people had to endure this past week, and will endure for a long time to come, it breaks my heart. It was so cruel, so unneccessary. And we should just forget about it & remain silent? What have we become?

Ironic, republicans are suppose to be the "pro life" people, unless its the life of a hurricane victim, I guess. Then it doesn't matter.

And I wonder, how could bush sit & watch the exact same thing we were seeing every nite on tv & not lift a finger? Inhuman.

Before 9/11 the Federal Emergency Management Agency listed the three most likely catastrophic disasters facing America: a terrorist attack on New York, a major earthquake in San Francisco and a hurricane strike on New Orleans. Bush was forewarned & so far he has managed to fail at 2 out 3, causing great harm to NY & New Orleans. But we arent suppose to complain or question, just put on our happy face and march off into oblivian.

This week I got an email from Senator Clinton's office, requesting we all "pray" for the hurricane victims. I pray everyday, but I sent her an email back...."When is someone going to help these people? When are you going to come out & say something?" I didnt get a response back...and that's ok...maybe when it comes time for her reelection...I wont bother to go vote.. ...just "pray" that she wins instead.

No, I think there is a valuable lesson to be learned from 2 incidents that happened in NY last weekend....while the South was drowning, Condi Rice was here living it up, having a good old time, laughing it up at the theather, shopping..........and people reacted the way we all should, especially our representatives. People began booing Rice at the theather, a shopper came right out and asked her how could she be shopping while people were dying because of a lack of water & food? Rice cut her vacation short& headed back to DC.

We need to open our mouths, not shut them, anymore.

[are_we_united_yet]

70. Obviously you missed the sarcasm

[GreenPartyVoter]

65. Ayuh. That's the size of it.

------------------------------------------------------
Save New Orleans, then save the nation!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[MojoXN]

66. How concise.

[Desertrose]

72. Excellent post Sparkly!

I figure there's no time like the present to rain on Chimpy's little parade.

[nicknameless]

73. Exactly!!! Time to impeach? Sign here:

http://www.VoteToImpeach.org

(My new form-letter equivalent post. :) )

[baron j]

74. Great post!

If I had more fingers, I'd point those at Dumbya, as well.