Ari Fleischer vs. Howard Dean's Democratic Opponents

[stickdog]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010926-5.html

MR. FLEISCHER: They're reminders to all Americans that they need to watch what they say, watch what they do. This is not a time for remarks like that; there never is.


Did you ever wonder who or what Fleischer was trying to protect when he said this?



*****


For a good two years after 9/11, the political dialog in this country went like this....

Mass Media: Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and monkey boy.

Cheney: Some people better watch what they say.

Ashcroft: If you try to stop me with the Constitution, I'll grow more powerful than you can possibly imagine.

Bush: I recommend tax cuts for the rich.

Mass Media: 9/11. Saddam & Osama. Some people better watch what they say.

Wellstone: (exit stage left)

Cheney: KILL! National security. KILL!

Ashcroft: Some people better watch what they say.

Bush: I recommend tax cuts for the rich.

Mass Media: God bless our Great Leader. Some people better watch what they say.

Fleischer: Some people better watch what they say.

Democratic opposition: We're behind the President 99.9% when it comes to the never-ending "War on Terror."

Mass Media: Some people better watch what they say.


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All of us activists who lived through that know that this election is about far more than just beating the naked emperor's bare bottom beet red, although that is certainly a primary objective. But what's even more important is that the issues that dominate this election season will go a long way toward determining whether or not we are going to continue to live in a country in which it is still safe to broadcast the obvious truth to a American public -- an audience that has precious little idea of what has been going on behind the scenes since the Supreme Court put a mob of wannabe dictators in charge.


*****


Considering all this, isn't it the height of irony that one of Dean's opponents' biggest criticisms of his candidacy is that he is too free speaking. Yep. One of their most prominent arguments against Dean is that he criticizes Bush too recklessly.

Do you ever wonder who or what Dean opponents are trying to protect when they say this?

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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

[stickdog]

3. Yes, your reply was.

Meanwhile, I made a quite serious point without being even slightly inflammatory.

[mitchum]

7. Well, you're right...

your argument wasn't clear-headed enough to be inflammatory. You clumsily conflated Ari's despicable warning and concerns about Dean's tendency to pop off. Most of the other candidates have no problem with Dean criticizing Bush. They do it also (but you already know that) And then you try to tack on the oh-so-sinister, "Who are they trying to protect?" Please.
Christ, I said you could do better. I have faith.

[stickdog]

8. If the other candidates don't mind Dean criticizing Bush, why are they

echoing the "Dean's too reckless" meme?

Isn't the phrasing itself a distant echo of Fleischer?

[sandnsea]

2. STUPID speaking

Not free speaking. He can criticize Bush all he wants. What Dean says is stupid. It may score points on DU, but some of us keep trying to say, DU IS NOT the real world. People don't think Bush knew about 9/11. People don't think you should have to wonder whether Saddam deserves the death penalty or not. People don't think you should have to wonder whether the world is better off without Saddam. These are just plain old no brainers. And Howard fucks them up every goddamn time. STUPID speaking. That's the problem.

[stickdog]

5. Americans are not any safer with Saddam gone. And Osama has

never been proven guilty of 9/11 -- certainly not in a court of law.

Why can't anyone simply tell the truth about this? Why are you so afraid of the truth?

[Scott Lee]

10. As this last weekend has proved.

Thank you Dr. Dean, for once again being right....although I would bet this is a bittersweet honor. No one wants more Americans killed.

[Scott Lee]

9. No better description of many of Dean's detractors' speech

Thank you for that excellent observation.

[mitchum]

12. Yeah, but how about that post 7?

[stickdog]

15. And how about that post 8?

Please tell me exactly what you think Dean's opponents are arguing he's been too reckless about if not his criticisms of Bush's 9/11 stonewalling, Bush's Iraqi quagmire and Bush's trumped up "I Caught Saddam" celebration?

[bhunt70]

4. there is a huge difference

free speaking yeah, but putting our foot in your mouth is another matter altogether, you've got to see the difference.

On one hand you've got a guy saying what he believes and on the other hand you have a guy trying to shovel the words back in his mouth after 3 days of it hanging out there.

[stickdog]

6. What are you talking about specifically?

[TeacherCreature]

11. Stickdog, you are my HERO of the day

I am tired of walking around fearing what I say and praying someone will speak up for me. Dean is speaking up for me and now I am speaking up too.

I refuse to be shocked and awed anymore.

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

13. hear hear

my thoughts EXACTLY!

Many of those against Dean don't remember a few months ago when it was still considered unpatriotic to question the administration. It was Dean (and to a smaller degree, Kucinich who unfortunately didn't get any media time) who opened up the door, making it safe to do just that.

[Padraig18]

14. Thank you!

I am so sick of the hypocrisy here that it's perfectly OK for everyone but Howard Dean to speak their mind that I could :puke:!