Colbert 100+. Darfur Victims 1. Galbraith 1.

[cali]

New York March against the war 2. You can say this is a false equivalency to your heart's content, but I think it's pretty telling and pretty depressing. There was an amazing and moving rally today for Darfur. There's one, maybe two threads on Darfur. Not that the genocide there ever gains much traction here. Yesterday, Galbraith died. He was one of the architects of FDR's social safety net, and the economic policies that helped us move out of the Great Depression. Galbrait was an advisor to Truman, Ambassador to India under Kennedy and advisor to pratically every other democratic President. He was a great man. He gets one thread on GD. (mine) In New York 350,000 people marched against the war.

And on DU? Hearts aflutter over the newest DU idol, who gave a sharp critique of bushco at a meaningless dinner for press, political and movie star fat cats. Colbert got more dedicated threads than Feingold did when he introduced his resolution for censure. If it had been 10 threads or thirty threads, that might have been one thing, but the total overkill that went on today? Too much of a circle.....


Sometimes I wonder.

Flame away.

[MADem]

1. No flames from me...sometimes, ya gotta wonder about what constitutes

an IMPORTANT EVENT. It's not a sports contest, with people cheering for their 'team,' it's the future of the planet, the future of our nation, that's at stake.

We do live in troubled times. The dinner was amusing, sure, it was telling, certainly, but it doesn't merit this amount of discussion, IMO. I think the reason it is getting so much play is because it's an EASY thread to START, rather than make a contribution to the discussion in an existing one.

So, like you, I wonder. Whaddaya gonna do, though?

[jpgray]

2. Number of threads indicates what people want to discuss

Not what they care about. I think most of us are in agreement on the issues you mention as receiving few threads--compassion for Darfur won't cause many arguments here.

[MazeRat7]

3. I think it has served as a much needed tension release...

Yes those are important and serious issues, but daily we find ourselves frustrated, ignored, and sometimes feeling invisible. Give them/us our day to enjoy this tiny victory as this too will pass and it will be back to business as usual.

MZr7

[cali]

7. I agree with you to a point

but the fact is, Darfur threads always sink faster than a stone. Even the huge rally today complete with *gasp* George Clooney, got relatively few responses. And as I said, 20 threads would have been blowing off steam. Over a hundred? Self-indulgent.

[Maine-ah]

18. There are lots of important issues that sink

(btw, I posted a SC thread today too)

I posted one about the fact that over 500 veterans up here now have to take HIV tests because the vet hospital wasn't disinfecting certain equipment. No one cared. So, I understand what you're saying, but someone else had it right, and after our happy hour is over, we'll be back to biz as usual.

[qanda]

16. There should be no BUT when we're talking about people dying

[Burma Jones]

4. No Flames here

:shrug:

[brentspeak]

5. More or less in agreement here

Colbert roasted Bush pretty good, but it doesn't go a whole lot deeper than that because he was supposed to roast him. It was good political commentary on his part, but I don't see any reason to get carried away with it.

The tragedy going on in Darfur is sort of a lot more important than an entertainer/comedian getting paid to do a roasting of Bush.

[zeemike]

6. People need heroes to give them hope

So don't get down on them if they some times seem foolish in there choices. What hope is there from someone dying after living a great life and doing may good things? Or what hope do we get from demonstrations no matter how big they ar or great they are when they are just ignored by the powers to be?
I know that this example is off the wall but it has a point:
A Woman started to wash the feet of Jesus and anointed his feet with an expensive oil. His disciples started to criticize her and said that the oil could have been sold to help the poor. Jesus responded by saying leave her alone, you will always have the poor with you.
Some times you need to do things that are not practical or logical just to feel better. And last night Steven Colbert made us feel better no matter if the results had any impact other than that.

[northamericancitizen]

8. Well said. eom

[alcibiades_mystery]

9. You're my hero

I was told that because I didn't think Colbert was all that significant, I should go to a diaper board because I didn't know how to play "politics DU-style". I'm beginning to think that was a compliment...

[brentspeak]

11. Likely a troll just trying to get you pi$$ed off

Please "alert" him/her to mods. The more of them kicked off these boards the better.

[dogday]

10. It does seems like the gossip threads get

the views while other threads that deserve attention get nothing... Some of the best slip away... Thanks for reminding us...:o

[Junkdrawer]

12. The unity is disgusting! Can we get back to the circular firing squad...

and stop this circle jerk!

[cali]

20. Really? You think threads on Darfur or

Galbraith or the anti war movement are causes of circular fire squad activity? And I'm sorry to inform you, but there's plenty of bickering going on in the Colbert threads.

[Journeyman]

13. It's one reason I dismiss so much of what occurs on these boards. . .

dozens of adulatory threads for Colbert's Saturday performance, but let him criticize someone on the Left on Monday and phfft. . . he'll be trashed and argued about all Tuesday afternoon. Yet the passing of someone like Galbraith, who had so much to do with establishing the quality of life we enjoy in this country, warrants hardly any mention at all. Gotta face reality, though: The majority of people in this country -- and it includes those here on DU as well -- care more about popular entertainment and cultural silliness than they do the issues of the day. To be fair, however, there were some seven threads about Galbraith today, so there are numerous people here who remembered him. I always choose to believe as well that a greater number of readers don't post to all threads, as their thoughts are either already present in the comments of other's, or they don't feel they have anything new to say.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

14. I first want to say, I jumped in with enthusiasm. I think what you saw

last night was in response to the moment.

Those of us who watched it live experienced that moment in an immediate and emotional way, which personalized it for us.

Then, you multiply that effect by the hundreds and have real time video ready and, voila, multiple threads, requiring little more than affirmation of what we had just witnessed.

I equate it with the actions of sports fans after their team has won a big game. Very unexpectedly.

We were sitting down to watch something we thought would be, at least, mildly amusing and ended up seeing our political fantasies playing out, those of gwb being handed his metaphorical hat, publicly, and in an unrepetant and in-your-face manner that resonated with many of us.

Stephen Colbert fulfilled a personal political fantasy of mine...the fantasy of seeing the insulated guy have to listen to someone who not only disagrees with him but who uses his sharp, brilliant wit to eviscerate his failed, greedy, crooked policies.

Not to mention the drubbing the press corps took from that rapier wit.

So, yeah, I jumped up and down, posted and celebrated.

And, you're very right, it definitely gives the appearance of superficiality and celebrity worship vs. discussing solutions to heartbreaking human suffering or acknowledging the passing of a liberal lion.

Thanks for the reality check. I really appreciate it and hope you can forgive us our hearty response last night. :pals: MKJ

P.S. K & R, for reminding us of our greater purpose.

[qanda]

15. You get no flames from me

It took us over an hour to get the Darfur rally on the greatest page. There was a Colbert thread made and it made the greatest page in less than ten minutes-- so, so sad.

[Jim Warren]

17. Thanks for the Galbraith thread anyway

Changed my sig in his honor

[cali]

19. Hey, great move and

great quote! I got a kick out of it.

[Jim Warren]

21. Second Coming line is good too nt

[ismnotwasm]

22. No flames here

I always miss a lot here, and it sounds like I missed some more, but Darfur is the real time nightmare that never ends. It goes on and on and on. I try to kick the Darfur threads when I see them.

It GENOCIDE that's happening right now-- This second, in Darfur.

[IndyOp]

28. Can you recommend a good website/organization on Darfur?

To keep track of what is happening?

I'll admit that I've not been attending and taking action re: Darfur as much as I do Iraq. I read and talked and donated $ and called during the years of killing economic sanctions against Iraq, the long-term effects of depleted uranium, and the war crimes we've committed since the Iraq War started. What is happening in Iraq is the direct result of US policy and over 1,000,000 Iraqis are dead.

Real Shock & Awe: After 15 Years War, Sanctions 1,000,000 Iraqis Dead

I think Darfur is gaining traction at DU and elsewhere - the news that Congressmembers (including Lantos and Jackson Lee) had been arrested Friday made it high on the Greatest.

[cali]

32. Yes!

Thanks for asking

Activism:
to send an electronic postcard to the WH: http://www.savedarfur.org/ (also has other ways to get involved on the site)

Helping financially:
To donate: http://www.darfurgenocide.org/ (this is but one of many)

Information:
http://www.darfurinfo.org/

[ismnotwasm]

36. Thanks!

:) Here's a general info site
http://www.darfurinfo.org/

For any that are interested. I just checked out Amnesty International and didn't find anything recent-- I'll look again.

edit: here are some graphic photos of the genocide WARNING graphic photos
http://www.ushmm.org/conscience/alert/darfur/steidle/

[mopinko]

23. illinois impeachment petition thread, 0

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1052363

[w8liftinglady]

24. colbert was cathartic.so often we feel impotent.

I will try to equate it to my job in a high-pressure ICU.You can only work with serious high intensity for so long.Occaisionally,you just have to release,or you will burn out.Don't let DUers burn out.Please don't criticize when we have some fun.It doesn't mean we aren't paying attention to the bigger things.

[cali]

27. At the risk of repeating myself:

Darfur threads NEVER get any traction here. The same is true of other serious matters. This is a part of a pattern: A hero emerges, tons of adulation and many threads follow, hero turns out to have clay feet, adulation turns to scorn, rinse and repeat with new cultural DU icon. As I said before, if this had been 10 or 30 threads, that would have been one thing, but this was way beyond a spasm of release from all the high tension serious topics.

[w8liftinglady]

29. I feel the same way about wounded soldiers..

..how many threads do you see about them that last more than three or 4 posts?we each have a passion in a certain area.Just because we all are not equally passionate,equally vested,doesn't mean we are not concerned.There have been plenty of times that there was an orgy of threads,like when rove and libby became targets,etc.it was funny,lots of photoshops.It felt good to laugh,after crying so much.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

31. Thanks w8liftinglady. I'm a nurse and worked in a refugee clinic.

I worked directly with Sudanese "Lost Boys", who inspired me more than almost any other patient population with whom I've been clinically involved.

They are some of the bravest and strongest souls I've ever met. What they endured, it's more than I can grasp.

So, seeing first hand the damage this is inflicting on individuals, I understand cali's frustration.

Yet, the wackiest, funniest, most off the wall nurses I ever met were hospice nurses. Humor is essential to manage that level of emotional stress.

We all need to forgive and support each other, as well as recognize the passions which we each bring. MKJ

[Stinky The Clown]

25. I have one post on each topic - Colbert and Darfur

Darfur .... total silence:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2599296&mesg_id=2599296

Colbert ...... 28 with a bullet
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2599161

I hear ya.

on edit: I've tried a few other Darfur threads and they all meet the same fate .....

[Maven]

26. Why are they mutually exclusive?

And why do you get to tell people what they should be excited about?

Let's face it, people are more interested in events that are closer to home. The Colbert incident gave everyone a bit of relief from the perception that there's an evil man behind the curtain and he doesn't even have to look at unpleasantries if he doesn't want to. Of course people were excited.

And I saw SEVERAL threads on the protest in NY. Frankly, what Colbert did last night had 1000X the impact that the protest in NY had on those in power. Make no mistake about that.

What exactly are people going to say about the death of a (great) policy advisor they didn't know besides empty expressions of sorrow?

I'm a little offended by the sanctimony in your post.

Edit: typos

[readmoreoften]

37. Very well said

Whenever a fascist leader is forced into rhetorical submission, it is a great moment. Are we ever permitted a little levity? A minor win? A ray of hope?

Or if we so much as smile, is it some kind of affront to the millions who are dying in Darfur and Baghdad. And just how do you think this tide is going to change? By every DUer focused on the death and destruction of humanity at every moment? I we supposed to count the bodies and mourn for the dead every minute of the day to the exclusion of all other things? And how will that help us?

I can educate 50 people on the horrors and atrocities that we are causing, complicit in, and silent about. But if I don't show them that it is possible to MAKE A STAND AGAINST THESE HORRORS, then what am I doing other than engaging in intelligent whining? We need people who show courage right now. There are so many people hiding in libraries and muttering under their breath about atrocities. I'll take the one person who speaks truth to the face of the fascists any day of the week.

Oh, and take note that, the OP does nothing but add ONE MORE COLBERT thread to DU anyway. Silliness.

[cali]

41. good job ignoring the obvious and totally

misinterpreting what I said. As a matter of fact, this thread has turned into a rather hopeful and useful thread with more posts about Darfur than most Darfur threads get.

As far as the whole Colbert thing goes, I made it VERY clear that I didn't begrudge people getting a kick out of Colbert last night. That you can't see that this was not a Colbert thread means nothing but that you're rather myopic. Too bad, but hardly my problem.

[mdmc]

30. thanks for the post

i posted a galbraith thread, and a protest thread.

[cali]

34. Thank you. Hey, what do you think about

a Darfur brainstorming and resource thread?

[mdmc]

38. perhaps a brainstorming and resource GROUP for Darfur on DU

you got the following Cali. Throw up a GROUP formation OP. I'll gladly give you a "SECOND" (all we need is ten votes to get a group).

I am very saddened by the Darfur scene and would love to see that become the left's main issue after the election. Or NOW!

[ismnotwasm]

39. A good idea

I'm kind of hit and miss here because of scheduling (Kind of A computer email warrior-- for instance, there is a march for Darfur here today that I had to miss) but that sounds like an excellent plan.

[cali]

42. Thank you so much.

I'm torn between starting a thread and attempting to start a group. My fears about a group are that it would simply languish. I'll think about it. I do have some ideas- some mine, some hatched in the Peace and Justice group I belong to.

[mdmc]

43. is there anything more important?

:shrug:

:patriot:

[cali]

44. There's nothing more important.

I'm just trying to figure out how to garner the most support.

[mdmc]

46. The reason I asked about the importance was because if you

started a group, it would end up being your focus here at DU. I think that it would be a great addition to DU. I think that you have the moxie to do it.

I always read your posts. I usually "R" your stuff. I think that you have a following that would make this work. You could also convince Ava to do some art for the group. I bet she would be willing.

I'm just thinkin out loud. Really.

peace and low stress to you

[Telly Savalas]

48. The thread in GD is probably a better idea.

A thirty second ad on a popular channel is more effective than an hour long informercial on a channel nobody watches, if you know what I mean.

[mdmc]

57. that makes sence

[Kurovski]

33. It's healthy human nature to express joy more quickly,

especially in these times. Any truly serious problems in allowing joy, or being unable to feel any joy--no matter the circumstances--can be helped these days with a wide range of anti-depressants.

You don't believe Colbert was important, many others find it to be an event that may well signal a turn in events. A turn that could impact every other. Art, popular or other, has often done so in the past.

I recall Galbraith on the greatest page. a tribute around the time of his funeral may well garner more attention when the festival has slowed.

Darfur is a matter that has taken an enormous amount of time to gain even the attention it now does. But there is a movement growing.

Depleted Uranium, poverty, starvation, environmental degradation and the death by cancer and ill-health that it brings, death by neglect, suicide, murder, war, an unjust death penalty, blind hatred, it goes on and on, and death is all around us in many forms in this world.

So is joy from time to time. It's best for health, and to be strong in the struggle that there is some joy every day.

[EVDebs]

35. Republicans practice all the 'convenient social virtues'

One of Galbraith's great phrases. I always admired JFK for ordering all Galbraith's cables be routed to him for reading, since he appreciated the great turns of phrase this guy could put out.

Also, in 'Ambassador's Joural' Galbraith expressed a disgust with a certain unauthorized government secret program (see page 266 ). I was hoping this would be in regards to the heroin trade in the Golden Triangle, as mentioned in Alfred McCoy's 'Politics of Heroin in SE Asia', but I was assured by Galbraith's son James (in a personal letter dated March 20, 2000 ) that

"I suspect the reference you mention in Ambassador's Journal was to supply operations for guerrillas in Tibet, rather than the Golden Triangle. At any rate, I have McCoy's book and appreciate it highly."

I had hoped that Galbraith was against BOTH operations by our bumbling intelligence agencies; but it appears that Nixon's buying down of the Turkish heroin crop merely increased the clandestine heroin operations, ongoing apparently since 1948 with the French and then US.

My condolences to John Kenneth Galbraith's family. He lived a great and long life and was a true and abiding liberal. We DUer's owe this man a deep debt of gratitude. I miss his 'cables' too !

[seemslikeadream]

40. 2400 dead soldiers

1 thread that I know of

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1057712&mesg_id=1057712

[Media_Lies_Daily]

45. When's the last time you saw anyone publicly blast His Chimpness....

...and all of his monkey-minions?

Despite your rather interesting comments, none of us have suddenly forgotten all of the other issues that we discuss here on a daily basis.

Why is it wrong to take some measure of pride in the public, and biting, comments of someone who feels the way we do?


And no, Colbert is not the "newest DU idol"...most of us have been well aware of his work for quite some time.

What's your real problem? Are you concerned that nobody is paying any attention to you today?

Get over it.

[cali]

50. My goodness, you are a delicate

little flower, aren't you? Well, I'm not. And I speak out when I wish. Don't like it? Get over it.

[EVDebs]

54. Mar 26, 2004 the media laughed with Bush, knowing it was all a lie

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3570845.stm

but it took a day later for who the real joke was on to sink in...

Keep kicking the asses that need kicking. If I'm wrong about something I want to know ASAP so I can correct it. These simple bastages keep right on going further into the 'big muddy'.

[NNadir]

47. Oh please...

You didn't mention global climate change...a matter that arguably is involved in what is happening in Dafur (where desertification has placed pressure on the competing communities) and, which, by the was certainly as an issue will dwarf Feingold's censure motion in historical import.

We don't all fixate on the same thing at the same time.

DU is excited by someone speaking the truth in Bush's presence. Plus which it was fun. We don't all have to self-flagellate continuously to be holy.

Beat the shit out of us with a stick, then...but I don't find you particularly better focused than anyone else.

[DS1]

49. You're right

I'll go find a stool and a rope

[tomreedtoon]

51. How about this: someone who can talk vs. Talking Heads.

There is a critical difference between Colbert and Feingold. Feingold talks to guys like you. Colbert talks to everybody. Which do you think will more directly affect the public's mind when they think about who they'll vote for?

Too many people here have admired the Gores and all the literate, doctoral-dissertation speeches that bypass the minds of ordinary people. The people who throw dead cats over the ramparts of the Bushies - Michael Moore, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert - get the attention of everyone.

So have your memorial for Galbraith - yes, he does deserve one. But then you might try to talk to some people who never heard of Galbraith - the people who earn minimum wage, who are struggling, but who still think Bush is the only candidate because they know Democrats don't care for them. (They think the Democrats only care for people with a B.A. at least.)

[cali]

52. Even less people

who heard about Feingold and censure will hear about Colbert. The Colbert gig was at a WH press corps dinner, broadcast only on C-SPAN. 99% of Americans didn't tune in, and they won't ever know about it.

[tomreedtoon]

53. The public will know about Colbert now.

There's something called "speaking truth to power." Colbert did it. When someone like Gore gives his speeches, it's called "speaking truth to walls."

Maybe the celebrity-driven culture bugs you. It certainly isn't as comforting as sitting around the college library discussing Proust, is it? But Colbert has managed to use that culture to draw attention to problems - and he did it within ten feet of Bush. (Again, when Gore was within ten feet of Bush, during the Presidential debates, he didn't show a fraction of Colbert's courage.)

I suspect your complaints are sour grapes. Hate the game, if you must, but don't hate the player, especially if he's good at it.

[cali]

56. You're reading far too much into my OP

and I certainly don't hate Colbert, i'm a big fan of his. Sure the celebrity driven culture can get under my skin, but it's not a huge issue for me. As for Colbert having an effect on the general public, that's unlikely. This is a topic for the chattering classes who are already tuned in, not for the vast majority of people.

[Mr_Spock]

55. Cool, another thread with Colbert in the title

He's da man :hide: