David Sirota - On Dave Obey, "Idiot Liberals" and Ending the War

[Mass]

Sirota says it all in this article - Read it all before you comment.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/on-dave-obey-idiot-libe_b_43105.html

David Sirota David Sirota

On Dave Obey, "Idiot Liberals" and Ending the War

The blogosphere is abuzz with talk of Wisconsin Rep. Dave Obey's (D) frustrated outburst about Iraq caught on YouTube. Antiwar activists are high-fiving each other, almost as if catching Obey's outburst about "idiot liberals" is as big a YouTube feat as catching George Allen saying "macaca." This is deeply troubling on a number of levels, and an opportunity for a bit of constructive self-reflection about where we as a progressive movement are.

I'm going to say a few things here that some of my readers aren't going to like - some things that I've been pondering as I am writing my new book. But it's important at times to look at ourselves and our movement critically if we are to continue advancing. Here's the deal folks: There are some "idiot liberals" out there, and this episode actually highlights that reality.

...
Now, you can argue whether his tactics right now are smart. You can have a reasoned disagreement about whether he should be pushing a supplemental appropriations bill that includes new money for veterans medical care and binding language to end the war by March of 2008. There is a very legitimate case to be made that Democrats shouldn't support any money to continue the war and that the supplemental appropriations bill that Obey is carrying does also do that.

However, berating one of the antiwar movement's longtime leaders and then trying to mount his head on the virtual YouTube wall over a debate about the best WAY to end the war suggests that the antiwar movement fundamentally does not understand the very power structure it is trying to influence. It's the same fundamental misunderstanding we at the Progressive States Network experienced when a few antiwar activists attacked us for pushing resolutions in state legislatures that "only" call for Congress to defund the Iraq escalation, as opposed to ending the war entirely (which, by the way, many of these resolutions do - Progressive States, unlike some other organizations on the left, is not in the top-down habit of dictating to state legislators what they exactly have to do - we provide models and templates and support so the effort is actually homegrown, and in that process our models and templates are customized).

[NYCGirl]

1. Happily recommended. NT

[deutsey]

2. "...the antiwar movement fundamentally does not understand the very power structure

it is trying to influence."

Bingo.

As I put it in another post, I've been very active in the anti-war movement since 2002 and I believe our grassroots groups, God bless them, really need to become more politically savvy.

[enigmatic]

3. K&R n/t

[Mass]

4. One of my favorite parts

...
The idea that Jack Murtha - the guy who voted for the war, the guy who was one of the most outspoken pro-war Democrats, the guy who has never seen a defense bill he didn't try to increase - is now an antiwar saint beyond reproach, but Dave Obey is some sort of pro-war villain is so fundamentally absurd it suggests that at least some who liken themselves as progressive movement leaders really are "idiot liberals" because they have positively no idea how the hell basic movement building or power works (mind you - I'm not saying Jack Murtha hasn't been courageous in opposing the war of late- he has, which is why I thought he should have been Majority Leader - but the point is that the basic understanding of "allies" and "enemies" can be wholly misunderstood).
...

[zippy890]

5. kick for sirota

good points
:dem:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. I'm not trying to "influence the power structure". I'm trying to get rid of it.

"..dictating to state legislatures.."

Last I heard, this is still a democracy and the "leaders" aren't bosses. We are supposed to "dictate" what they exactly have to do. It's our responsibility as citizens.

Maybe Sirota should have a look at the first amendment. That part about "petitioning the government for redress of grievances" which is what that citizen did. Not to mention Obey who thinks criticism of his plan to keep funding the war is "off the table".

[w4rma]

9. Do you think your tactics have been successful? (nt)

[Jonathan50]

7. Obey should have insulted the Republics

Not someone on his own side.

All he has done is give the media more ammunition against the anti war activists.

[bettyellen]

8. which makes Obey the big idiot in all this... he could have made it

what they call a"a teachable moment" but he had to use a RW meme, what a foolish thing to do......
but maybe he's a tad defensive because his own approach is so very debatable. much like that poor moms.
asshole. he's the pro, he should have more respect for his constituents and conduct himself in a way that doesn't bring shame to his office.

[demnan]

10. Fuck this shit

impeach the whole goddamned lot. This country's government is broken.