kicking Dachshunds v. kicking German Shepherds-- Molly Ivins

[TexasLawyer]

I just got back from tonight's Molly Ivins event, which was put on by Houston's popular and much-loved Progressive Forum. Molly was brilliant, sarcastic, hilarious and full of illustrative stories and Texas-isms.

Molly was definitely at her best, though, when chiding weak-kneed, cringing Washington Democrats for their pathetic lack of courage against George W and his machine. The "where's the courage" theme popped up at several points in her talk-- and I thought I'd relate one of Molly's illustrative parables. To paraphrase:

"During World War II there were some tough talking guys swaggering around kicking Dachshunds. You'd ask them why they kick the poor Dachshund and they would snarl-- "'Cause it's German!"

But notice-- these guys weren't walking around kicking German Shepherds!!!"

Molly lamented that so many Dems in Congress will just roll over and take it when they get bullied by the likes of Karl Rove-- so much so that it becomes a self-affirming cycle of abuse. The Dachshund could transform itself to the Shepherd, though, with one well-placed bite.

So, are you going to let your Congress-person act like a bully-enabling Dachshund?



Or are you going to demand that your Congress-person act like a German Shepherd?

On a personal level, what kind of dog are you going to be? What's part of the bully do you MOST want to bite?!?

Cheers!

[lonestarnot]

1. Love Molly Ivins, love german sheps, and love that pic. Thanks for the

post.

[Der Blaue Engel]

2. Kind of a weird analogy

considering a Dachshund is not at fault for the size of the boot. :shrug:

[TexasLawyer]

4. bluster

I think part of her point was that these bullies are full of bluster-- and you can see what fakes they are if you look closely at the bullies' choice of targets.

A crazed German-hater would kick all German breeds, not just the dinky ones that the bully knew would never fight back.

Kind'a like how the US called Iraq a threat and attacked it, when a North Korea-- which actually had WMD and was run by a seriously demented guy-- got left alone.

[depakid]

3. "...a self-affirming cycle of abuse."

That's EXACTLY what it is. The Dems as a party act like battered women- and they've developed so much learned helplessness that they couldn't even take advantage of the Bush and the Republicans implosion during the first 10 weeks of the year- where their pathetic act was on display for all to see with Alito, the abhorrant budget vote and the so called "response" to the State of the Union.

That, I'm afraid, has set the tone for the rest of the season- the Dems won't bite back- but instead they'll keep on enabling- and (hate to be pessimistic) but I expect that the abusers will find a way to win out again.

[loudsue]

10. It also has something to do with the republicans who've infiltrated the

Dem party...members of the DLC, primarily. THEY are what's keeping the lid on the Dems -- crippling the voice of sanity, and shilling for the corporate money.

Until we purge our party of these traitors and infiltrators, we're stuck with people calling the dems "spineless".

:kick::kick::kick:

[Brigid]

5. Don't Underestimate the Dachshund.

I see Molly Ivins's point, and I agree with her. But don't underestimate the Dachshund. They're actually pretty tough little dogs.

[ShortnFiery]

11. They dig in ... they're scrappers ... love a Dachsand's spirit!

[The Icon Painter]

16. Dachshunds

You have it right. Anybody who has ever tried to pull a dachshund from under a bed can testify that they can become all teeth when they want to.

[crizzo5137]

6. Dang it...

Im trying to post a pic of my german shepherd thats on my harddrive and cant figure it out.. Anywho, I get the post and the picture.. I just hate it when the breed is shown as being mean.. that picture reminded me of a truth.org commercial I saw recently where they had a shepherd in a cage snarling and looking evil..

I wanted to post a pic of a sweet calm shepherd...heh...

[blogslut]

7. puppy's not being mean

kitty smacked him. he's yelping. poor puppy :(

[crizzo5137]

8. lol..yeah...i just want to show off my baby... :)

[ShortnFiery]

9. Adult (fully clawed) Cat vs. German Shepard?

My money's always on the cat. Just like they teach us in Self Defense Classes, hit them HARD and run like hell. :P

[TexasLawyer]

18. I have a sweet Shepherd (mix) too

Molly Ivins' metaphor is a little bit diminished when I think of my own dog.

[Kosmos Mariner]

12. I understand what you are saying, BUT...

Dachshunds can be fierce. They are one of the most tenacious and self-confident dog breeds. They were originally bred to hunt badgers. Dachshund means badger hound in German. It takes a lot of guts to swarm into a badger hole. I WISH the national Democrats were as tough as the Dachshund, George W and the rest of the fascists would have never gotten their claws on the levers of power. Right now the national Dems are more like the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz. It's time to show America what's behind the curtain!



:dem:

[Lindacooks]

13. Wow, that's one brave cat.

Are they friends?

And the kitty looks exactly like my Truman :)

[blogslut]

14. Oh, and BTW

Molly Ivins rules. I hope she's feeling well.

[calimary]

15. Man, had to kick this for that dog and cat photo alone!

Looks like the way our cat and dog get along.

[sendero]

17. As usual..

... I agree 100% with Molly.

I hear those who are making a point about the Daschund, like many other smaller dogs (Terrier anyone?), they have nothing to apologize for - but I get her point god knows she's right.

[calimary]

19. Kickng this again

I just LOVE that cat! And the dog, too, for that matter.