This is why the right wing LOVES wedge issues...

[MonkeyFunk]

DU is exploding because Hillary Clinton declined to answer a stupid question.

It never fails - the RW throws out these divisive issues and we all eat each other (in a morally-neutral way).

Remember when and how DOMA came about? Just prior to an election.

They do it again and again and again, and we keep falling for it. When are we gonna realize we're being played?

[MrSlayer]

1. There are better ways to answer the question.

But yeah, you're right.

[MonkeyFunk]

3. I think it was a fine answer

I don't want politicians to feel they're obliged to decide what is moral or immoral.

[MannyGoldstein]

6. Morality is the Basis of Law

The object of law is to prevent that which is immoral. Politicians need to have a firm grasp on this.

[MonkeyFunk]

9. And there was no law

being discussed. It was a question that had nothing to do with the law.

[DefenseLawyer]

14. The real object of law is to prevent harm

Although there are certainly plenty of examples of laws which have been created to prevent activities which harm no one, yet run afoul of the prevailing view of what is "moral" in a society. The problem with that is that the concept of what is moral is too subjective. You can look back at past and current laws against adultery or consensual sodomy or interracial marriage and literally hundreds of other examples and find lawmakers trying to prevent that which was "immoral" in their minds. The true basis of law should be preventing harm, and being offended is not the same thing as being harmed.

[MrSlayer]

11. I just think she could have answered it better.

Maybe taking the "equal rights for all under the law" while allowing people to hold "their own personal beliefs" type thing.

[rpannier]

16. IMO she should have said she didn't think it was immoral

IMO, she took what she perceived as the safest road.
It bit her in the a** and now she's playing 'catch-up'.

[ScreamingMeemie]

2. Remember how the New Jersey decision DIDN'T cost us the election?

That's what I remember. I remember a lot of people screaming about it, and how it was just another Republican trick, and was going to cost us the Senate election and then *poof* it didn't happen quite like that. One person's wedge is another person's life.

[MonkeyFunk]

4. and absolutely

nothing in Clinton's answer indicated she would deny rights to anyone. She refused to answer a stupid question, and rightly so.

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. I am responding to your wedge issue comment, not to Hillary.

DOMA being a wedge issue is what I was responding to.

[Maven]

26. If the question was stupid

it deserved a simple answer. One that she didn't have the spine to give.

Get real.

[Dhalgren]

7. The fact that there are "mainstream" Democrats who believe that the

rights, equality before the law, and the very lives of millions of American citizens constitute a "wedge issue" is the most disheartening thing to come from this hideous matter. The idea that the calling of millions of American citizens immoral by definition, by a high ranking public/government official, would be thought of as something a Democratic "leader" need not address is sad indeed.

If Clinton has no opinion on this matter, she should not be president.

[MonkeyFunk]

10. except

she didn't say homosexuality was immoral.

[Dhalgren]

13. No, she said "that is a question for someone else to answer."

I want every Democrat to answer that question, but especially the ones running for office. Saying that Clinton and others need not address Pace's statement is giving his statement the appearance of acceptance. If Clinton , when asked, just says, no comment, she is, by her silence, lending credence to Pace's words. Anyone who either can't see this or won't see this should not be president, period.

[Maven]

27. Thanks for laying this out so eloquently.

Excellent posts.

[NMMNG]

28. Bingo

By refusing to disagree with those who are saying that it is immoral, Democrats like HRC are essentially giving their implied agreement.

[Atman]

8. Reminds them of their childhood

When they were constantly getting wedgies from the cool kids.

.

[Duncan Grant]

22. Is that why your ass is still so chapped? (nt)

[KharmaTrain]

12. We Spell Out How Astroturfing Works...And People Still Fall For It

The right wing/Repugnican hate machine is still going full tilt...between the MOD to the astroturfed phone calls and guests on Washington Journal to what's the topic du jour on hate radio to building up a meme and buzz that dominates the late afternoon news and evening cable food fights. The Scooter pardon crap is a classic example...we even know who came up with the talking points (Barbara Comstock) and then you get stenographers like Andrea Greenspan saying how "a majority of American favor a pardon". It's all bullshit, but it still gets the grease.

But nothing gets their machine going than a good fight among Democrats. They've developed a whole litany of scenarios...from "tax and spend" to "cut and run" to "spat on the troops" and so on. And, be assured there's be some concern troll who will come here and try to stir up the shit.

So many times, I'm come on here and wonder who some folks here consider a bigger nemesis...the Repugnicans or the DLC.

[Dhalgren]

15. Fuck that!

Pace stood up in public and called millions of American citizens immoral by birth (which is similar to the n-word, in my opinion) and all Clinton can say is "no comment"? These citizens are a huge and vital, contributing, percentage of the Democratic base! And she can't even muster up the gumption to say anything, at all!? And now Democrats who take exception to these events are being called politically naive and divisive?

Man, good luck to Democrats in '08 if the party doesn't change its tune...

[gratefultobelib]

17. It doesn't matter if these citizens are a huge, vital part of the Dem base or not. They

should not be deemed immoral period. I know you agree with me, just pointing out the party they support (for the most part) should not matter.

[cboy4]

18. I'd rather have courage than hide in a corner worrying about

being "played."

***Oh, the right wing is going to make this into a wedge issue, boo-hoo, the sky is falling, I have no guts or confidence, we're going to lose, boo-hoo-hoo***

PATHETIC

[Bluebear]

20. You said it. nt

[WhollyHeretic]

19. Absolutely! Why the hell can't people just sit down and shut up about civil rights?

:eyes:

[Bluebear]

21. 'because Hillary Clinton declined to answer a STUPID question'

That is the point, it was an IMPORTANT question. And her answer mattered.

[Coventina]

23. Human.Fucking.Rights. NOT A WEDGE ISSUE!!!!

Holy fucking shit, I can't believe I'm seeing this attitude on DU.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

24. "homosexuality is immoral" = wedge issue?

Hmm.

[Morgana LaFey]

29. What, you hadn't noticed??

Of course it is -- for some people (homophobes). It divides the homophobes from the non-homophobes. That is the very definition of wedge issue.

[Duncan Grant]

25. I expect her to be a leader, not a bowl of tapioca pudding.

She failed me as a leader. At what point will the Democrats take the fight to the Republicans? The GOP has been handing us our ass for the last 6 years. When will we get the gumption to up the stakes and take the fight to them?

I'm so tired of the equivocation by our leaders on every important issue of the day. Lead or get out of the way.