How NOT to Bash Hillary But Still Criticize Her On Real Issues

[ihavenobias]

I couldn't agree more that the BS criticism that often surrounds Hillary (regarding her laugh, how much she tips or doesn't, if she "cries" or not, etc.) is, well, a bunch of BS. But as someone who doesn't support Hillary, I think the most annoying thing about this useless criticism is that it takes us away from the *real and credible* reasons to criticize her.

Lately there's been post after post about how bad DU has become and how people are rude, sexist, racist, and on and on. Since I'm relatively new here, I have no frame of reference to know if it's any better ow worse than before. But it IS clear there is a lot of anger and frustration going around, which is unfortunate.

With that said, I can't help but think that *some* of the people talking about how candidate X is always bashed just want people to not criticize *their* candidate of choice. I think that's a critical, fundamental distinction that needs to be made.

We SHOULD fight the awful, unproductive bashing, but NOT to the exclusion of thoughtful and relevant criticism that doesn't rely on personal attacks and *actual* racism/sexism (and sometimes tempers will flare which is ok, *to an extent*). There is a difference and we're in real danger of confusing the two.

PS---I like this new article at Huffington Post that a fellow DUer put up earlier today. It starts off by defending Hillary against the BS but then explains that there IS in fact a good reason to criticize her. It's exactly this type of criticism that people can have a reasonable disagreement about without wanting to strangle each other (or so I hope):

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cenk-uygur/the-real-case-against-hil_b_81248.html

[NastyRiffraff]

1. Well said.

And that goes for ANY candidate, not just Hillary Clinton.

[ihavenobias]

7. Yes, this does apply to ALL of the candidates

It's just that I believe Hillary supporters are *rightfully* more defensive because she gets more *coverage* of the BS criticism against her.

Of course as an Edwards supporter I'm frustrated about his *lack* of coverage...but that's another issue!

At any rate, here's a great example of the BS that's been said against Edwards and Obama (thanks to Fox Attacks):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Yp-MeXSysE

And Chris Matthews doesn't ONLY rip Hillary, as evidenced by his interview with Elizabeth Edwards...I was incredulous at his response when the topic of trial lawyers came up. I'm heading out soon otherwise I'd post that link too (the absurdity begins about 6 minutes into the clip which is just over 8 minutes).

[still_one]

2. I agree, there are enough real issues to critcize her on rather than getting personal

The most obvious ones concerning the war are the IWR, the Patriot Act, and the Kyle/Lieberman amendment

Personal attacks only distract, and lose what ever argument or position you want to try and convience your opponent to adopt

[damntexdem]

3. Actually, I'd rather bash her on real issues.

But, yes, there is a lot of worthless crap thrown at her on DU, as at Obama, Edwards, and Kucinich. She's bad enough on positions and issues. I don't give a damn about whether she cries, or even whether she fakes crying. Stuff like that just echoes what the MSM has long made of politics: a silly game behind which corporate interests can hide and push their agendas to the detriment of the rest of us.

[Marrah_G]

4. I made the decision today to ignore people who are continually bashing any of our candidates

I encourage others to do the same.

I'm not talking about critical posts, I am talking about the nasty divisive ones. There is a difference between debating the issues and deliberately posting hit pieces. Any reasonable person can see the difference. I hope more people do the same.

[hayu_lol]

5. Excellent post. I'd like to see more like it...or at least posts in a more positive frame...

of reference to all our candidates.

Our three leaders are all middle aged. One does not reach middle age without picking up baggage from the journey. There is truth which we all need to know to make informed decisions. There are also the disinformation, the bent truths, and the outright lies that detract from what our purpose is this year. In simple terms, it is time for us all to participate in separating the chaff from the wheat.

DU, in 2000 was not so visious and poisonous. Most of us back then tried to furnish needed information. This time around, it is all cutthroat.

We need to stop. We need to think and have rational and productive discourse. Many already have posted agreement with this idea. Some of you have not yet accepted the idea. Some only come here to be entertained.

Stop the mindless attacks now.

[ihavenobias]

8. Thanks!

[aquart]

6. Ah. Good thing there's absolutely nothing to criticize about Obama.

[ihavenobias]

9. You didn't click the Fox Attacks link, did you? n/t