Screw Natalie Foster and Tim Kaine - MY party's logo is a DONKEY

[derby378]

The Democratic Party has embraced the donkey as its mascot because it fights back with one hell of a kick.

This D in the middle of a circle? It just sits there, inert, sterile, and ineffective. Kind of like many of our party's current leaders.

We need to embrace our inner donkey. If the Democratic Party was in good shape, Harry Reid wouldn't be in such a tight race against a batshit-crazy teabagger, and Barbara Boxer wouldn't be losing her Senate seat to a corporatist - and an incompetent one at that.

Reject the D. Embrace your inner donkey. And let's deny Republicans control of Congress.

[LostinVA]

1. K&R

[blondeatlast]

2. +1. Donkey's are both lovable as hell and fierce when crossed.

I'm with you.

[Arctic Dave]

3. DONKEYS UNITE!!!!

[blondeatlast]

4. The website redesign is great--so I don't have a gripe against Foster for that.

But the logo--as DUer Velveteen Ocelot says, is a "resounding meh."

[derby378]

6. I'm no fan of the new website, either

It's plain-Jane boring, if you ask me. It doesn't inspire or stir passion - it just sits there.

[iamtechus]

5. Apparently, "new democrats" need new symbols.

Doing away with the donkey is symbolic of what the DLC/NewDems are doing to the party. To some of us it's like taking the cross off our church.

Don't let them get away with it.

[robdogbucky]

7. I visited Hermitage this summer

the ancestral home stead of Andy Jackson and learned the origin of how the Democratic Party acquired the mascot of the donkey.

Andrew Jackson was the 7th president, and when he was running his opponents seized upon his personal life (he had a controversial marriage to a woman that was allegedly still married to someone else) and upon his name, Jackson.

The personal life part is sad indeed, but it does resonate with how the Pubs have always campaigned.

Jackson was called the Jackass candidate as a play on words/his last name. When Jackson won, he threw it back at the Pubs and proclaimed the Democratic party his party, the party of the Jackass. Hence the stubborn, irritable symbol of the rebellious donkey came to symbolize the Dems. This was way back in the 1800s.

What does this new logo conjure up that has any history or significance or symbolic meaning like the jackass did?



Just my dos centavos


robdogbucky

[bobbolink]

17. Stubborn and rebellious. heh...

Too bad we lost that along the way... along with our soul... along with our constitutents.

R.I.P. once-great Democratic Party. :cry:

[awoke_in_2003]

67. yep...

the donkeys have been replaced with jack asses

[Jackpine Radical]

64. The stupid new logo reminds me of a cattle brand.

The "Circle D." Maybe they think they can brand us and claim ownership like a rancher with his cattle.

[bobbolink]

74. That was my thought exactly.... I thought it was from having grown up and living in the west.

Looks like the big sign on posts over the entrance to a ranch... Circle D.

THIS animal won't be submissive to that crap!

[Jackpine Radical]

90. I think they may have burned THEMSELVES with this one.

Blockheads.

[bobbolink]

93. Another one in a long list.

What a shame. :(

It begins to look purposeful. :( :( :(

[Jackpine Radical]

94. Indeed.

"It begins to look purposeful."

Jackpine's Third Law:

Never attribute to mere stupidity those things that are better explained by conscious malice.

[derby378]

9. I like how Kaine calls it the symbol of "today's" Democratic Party

Today's Dem, New Dem, Old Dem - Sam Rayburn must be turning over in his grave.

To me, "New Democratic" will always be synonymous with DLC, and I say to Hell with that noise.

[metapunditedgy]

53. Did he say what was wrong with the "old" Democratic party? n/t

[Jackpine Radical]

91. That's easy. The OLD party was all crapped up

with all kinds of Special Interest things like concern for other people, supporting unions and wanting to end poverty and all that stuff. It just wasn't very friendly to TPWM (The People Who Matter). Hey, it's a post-People United world now, and you have to go where the money is.

[bobbolink]

95. Which differenciates them............How?

Dime's worth?

[Jackpine Radical]

97. 7 cents.

Deflation.

[metapunditedgy]

96. I've been thinking lately and come to the conclusion that we (as a human race)

are screwed. The internet had potential for a while, but we're running out of ways to share information that can't be monitored or manipulated by money interests "in case of emergency."

I know that sounds extreme, but it's how the scenario you described plays out...

[Jackpine Radical]

98. It's always darkest just before

it goes entirely black.

[Jackpine Radical]

65. Yes, exactly.

Everybody line up to get that Circle D branded on your butt so they can drive us to market.

[Individualist]

16. Agree!

[Green_Lantern]

8. donkeys have balls..

These guys are mules.(they're infertile)

Mules are like Dems in power....they aren't fully donkey(progressive) although they aren't fully horse(dominated by conservative).

Mules are good for carrying weight(carrying progressive principles) but they are easily led astray.

[hlthe2b]

10. I wasn't going to say what the encircled D unfortunately brings to mind

And, maybe I've seen too many violent movies involving drug crime and cartels.... nonetheless, it appears the D is being "strangled" (or even worse, "necklaced") and I will not be surprised if the RW concocts some riff to that effect. :shrug:

[blondeatlast]

12. It's just wrong on so many levels, but the GOBP is no better--

and if you take a look, it's maybe worse (I see two things in it, both pointed out by other DUers):

[hlthe2b]

14. Yeah...

My "sick" mind immediately went to what is going on with the elephant's rear...;)

[Jackpine Radical]

92. Well, it does make for an interesting projective test.

What do YOU see?

[HereSince1628]

11. But, the new logo speaks to history and future trends...

B is for blue, D is for dogs

[Kalyke]

13. Well... shouldn't we show some?

:dem: :dem: :kick: :kick: :dem: :dem: :kick: :kick: :dem: :dem: :kick: :kick: :dem: :dem: :kick: :kick: :dem: :dem: :kick: :kick: :dem: :dem:

[KoKo]

15. Yep!

:kick:

Get rid of that puny logo! Circle D..

[derby378]

18. By all means!

:applause:

[blondeatlast]

19. Changed my avatar to show my ass! nt

[derby378]

36. Good for you! In fact...

...you just inspired me to do likewise. Farewell, torch-bearer - hellooooo, donkey! :applause:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

20. Donkey logo sucks.

New logo's better, from a purely graphical design standpoint.

[Forkboy]

23. Oh Christ, and drunk 16 year old learning Photoshop could have done better.

[girl gone mad]

31. Yeah, the rest of us just haven't realized how cool it is, yet.

Like New Coke. I mean, focus groups and people with marketing degrees can't be wrong.

:rofl:

[Forkboy]

48. Even he knows it's a joke. He's just trying to look cool.

:)

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

52. The rest of you would complain about anything.

It's what you people do.

[Forkboy]

55. You're the one bitching about the old logo.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

60. Nope.

I'm just saying it's aesthetically less pleasing, when asked.

I'm not freaking out over it.

[druidity33]

62. you probably prefer

looking at buildings made of steel and glass than ones made of strawbale or post and beam. The circle D design isn't bad, but a 9th grader could've come up with it (maybe did, for all i know) and it's redundant and boring in such a corporate way that to me, it is appalling. It feels entirely inorganic and constricting. This would've gotten me a C- in my Freshman GD course. I'm not freaking out over it either, but it is dismaying that the DNC made such a big deal out of it. "Changing the face of the Democratic Party?"... please, they should have polled members to see if we even wanted a new logo to begin with. Then they should have had a contest or something, you know to "engage the voters"... maybe make us think more about how we want to be represented.

I like the donkey. Nothing wrong with that.

:)

[druidity33]

57. who are these...

"you people" you speak of?

:eyes:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

61. guess

[RaleighNCDUer]

63. Democrats. nt

[Ignis]

68. Wicked.

:thumbsup:

[Occulus]

102. It's becoming pretty obvious at this point, isn't it? n/t

[awoke_in_2003]

69. he is speaking of...

those of us who are not blue dogs, like he is.

[metapunditedgy]

100. "Complainers" vs. "non-complainers" is a very disturbing way to label

progressives vs. blue-dogs... IMO.

[awoke_in_2003]

109. I agree. nt

[Paladin]

83. We All Wish We Were Perfect Like You........ (n/t)

[metapunditedgy]

54. LOL. The (D) logo sucks in many obvious ways. At least we could have a discussion

about the donkey logo... but the (D) logo... nothing to discuss.

[Lucian]

72. Your posts seem awfully familiar to me...

Hmmm...someone who's had an OPERATION, maybe losing his MIND, or committed any CRIME?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

85. Odd, I was thinking the same of you people.

Those who honestly remember OMC will remember we were about as opposite as two posters can get.

[blondeatlast]

106. I remember some epic subthreads.

It would be amusing seeing you fight you, I must say. But I don't think you could, altho I'm a fan.

[Skidmore]

77. Even I can type a D on a computer and put a circle around it and change the color to blue.

It's lazy and throwaway.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

86. Even I can draw a donkey silhouette and make red, white, and blue.

:shrug:

[Vinca]

21. The D in a circle looks like a bad grade.

[greendog]

25. Should have been a C- instead.

[awoke_in_2003]

70. it is fitting...

and matches congressional democrats performance :(

[TK421]

22. It's like the new Coke...and we all know how that turned out n/t

[phantom power]

24. Donkey!

[PufPuf23]

26. RWB Donkey yes; blue dull graphic arts circle D no

I knew the owner (in a working sense) of a business named Circle D that used Circle D brands.

Sawmill, logging, chipping, timberland, and cattle company; logs and cows with brand stamps by hammer and hot steel respectively.

Edit: This was 30 years ago.

[Lost4words]

27. so its a rebranding now, thats the most important thing they have to do?

this is sick,...

[awoke_in_2003]

71. image is important to them...

because they are trying to cover up their lack of performance.

[RaleighNCDUer]

73. That's what corporatists do - if their product is in trouble they don't

fix the problem, they re-brand, and trust to short memories.

[Qutzupalotl]

28. Donkeys resist change.

We're about creating change, or we should be.

[girl gone mad]

32. Well, it does resemble a road sign.

[Qutzupalotl]

49. And the ubiquitous Obama bumper sticker.

[derby378]

34. We only resist change that is bad for the party and/or for America

That said...

[demmiblue]

47. Donkeys have always been reliable animals...

that hold a lot of weight on their shoulders. They carry burdens; burdens that are a life-line for their keepers. They don't resist change, they only tell us when moving in a certain direction is not advisable. And, sure as shite, they want to move on to greener pastures.


:kick:

[Qutzupalotl]

50. And they are not easily led.

That makes them on the one hand independent, on the other recalcitrant, skeptical, wary. These are not bad things.

[RaleighNCDUer]

84. Don't know many donkeys, do you?

Donkeys resist being dragged, pushed or pulled by anyone, even people they like. Give them a reason to go somewhere and they have no problem going there.

[earth mom]

29. I have never seen a more bland and boring logo in my life than that D in a circle!

WTF are they thinking?! Looks like the DLC at work! :puke:

Go REAL LEFTY DONKEYS! :kick:

[glitch]

30. They also bite. nt

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

33. I've got agree. The donkey needs some love. The effort to redo the graphic style and all

is fine, but the logo needs a rework. Hopefully, with some more ass.

[jillan]

35. It reminds me of this ---->

[derby378]

38. Strange things are afoot at the Circle D

[jillan]

44. This is really a problem for me - I just bought one of these

And it's hanging from my rear view mirror. Now I'm going to have to find a Circle D. Such a dilemma!

[derby378]

45. Nah, keep the donkey

I like it! :hi:

[blondeatlast]

56. Ooh--I want one! Where's you find it, here in the Valley? nt

[Patiod]

58. I have one of those!

I have 3-4 stuffed donkeys (including the one you pictured) with red-white-blue trimmings that I bring to the polls to use as paperweights for our flyers. Often brings a smile to the frequently-cranky voters.

[blondeatlast]

66. I love donkeys period and want one. Clue me in on where it's from, perhaps? nt

[Patiod]

110. One is a Beanie Baby

that they were selling (cheap) at McDonald's with the purchase of a meal, 2-3 Presidential elections ago. The other two are even older, and someone bought me the Pez you have pictured when she was out in Denver around the time of the convention

[RaleighNCDUer]

75. The only stuffed donkey I have is an 'Eeyore'.

Which makes him appropriate in two ways.

[Canuckistanian]

37. Yes, let's squabble over websites and logos

And I'll fight to the death anyone who disagrees with me. I'll make it my purpose in life.

[derby378]

39. It's how our party represents itself to the rest of the world

If Tim Kaine declared he was adopting the hammer and sickle as our logo, you'd be screaming bloody murder, I reckon.

[Canuckistanian]

42. I suppose

But I'm not seeing any hammer and sickle.

Move on.

[derby378]

43. That's what "they" would want me to do...

...but like a donkey, I have these stubborn fits, gosh darn it, and something is about to sport some hoofprints.

[hendo]

40. It looks like a confused copyright symbol

Just sayin'

[givemebackmycountry]

41. Delete: Something happened.

[slay]

46. Kicks the crap out of that corporate logo Circle D

come on Dems, don't make your embrace of corporate culture THAT obvious. haven't we sold our souls to corporations enough? do the Dems not know ANY artists at all? sigh.. :(

[Forkboy]

51. A 15 year old Babylon 5 fan could have kicked this logos ass.

[felix_numinous]

59. Hear hear

:kick: D

[Stinky The Clown]

76. +1

K&R

[COLGATE4]

78. Anone remember the 'New Coke'? How's that working?

[Bette Noir]

79. Who says Bee Box is going to lose? Not me.

[TomClash]

80. The donkey and the elephant were class symbols

The donkey represented the worker carrying his/her load. The elephant represented the big and well-fed bosses.

Of course, class has now been abolished as a topic in this society.

[Deep13]

81. Agree with one caveat.

It's far too easy to make the mental leap from donkey to jackass.

[Qutzupalotl]

88. Actually, that's how the donkey got started.

According to Wikipedia:

The most common mascot symbol for the party is the donkey. According to the Democratic National Committee, the party itself never officially adopted this symbol but has made use of it.<99> They say that Andrew Jackson's opponents had labeled him a jackass during the intense mudslinging that occurred during the presidential race of 1828. A political cartoon titled "A Modern Balaam and his Ass" depicting Jackson riding and directing a donkey (representing the Democratic Party) was published in 1837. A political cartoon by Thomas Nast in an 1870 edition of Harper's Weekly revived the donkey as a symbol for the Democratic Party. Cartoonists followed Nast and used the donkey to represent the Democrats, and the elephant to represent the Republicans.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_%28United_States%29#Name_and_symbols


The way I see it, since we never really adopted the donkey, we're not stuck with it.

[metapunditedgy]

99. Have "we" adopted the (D) logo? If you think so, it's ironic that you suggest

Democrats have a new symbol "adopted" for them... so undemocratically.

[Qutzupalotl]

101. It's similar to decisions in politics,

where we elect representatives and they have the final say. In this case, Kaine was appointed, so if you don't like him, it's kind of like living with an outcome of an election that didn't go your way, or a decision you don't agree with. All things are temporary.

[metapunditedgy]

103. Jawohl! With us or against us. Got it. You should probably edit

your statement that "All things are temporary." It sounds like you're suggesting that Kaine *could* be replaced, which we can only talk about after... um... after the thing happens that we should not talk about.

Seriously though, can we allow that reasonable people may dislike the (crappy) logo and the extreme attitude some folks are evincing that the party needs to change?

[Qutzupalotl]

104. All things are temporary,

including the donkey, the D (which, since it was designed to match the Obama logo, will probably change again in 2016), you, me and Kaine.

I never said "with us or against us." I said party leaders, like elected representatives, occasionally do things we disagree with.

And of course we can allow for differences of opinion, even if yours is wrong. (kidding)

[metapunditedgy]

107. That's a better way to phrase it. People don't like to be told "This is what has been decided

for you." I don't like the logo, but I'm much more concerned about being told I have to get in line for the New Party.

[Deep13]

82. Corporate apologists don't like that this is the D. symbol for many of us: ...

[Tommy_Carcetti]

87. But D could also stand for Howard Dean. And y'all love him. nt

[ClarkUSA]

89. Simplicity is hip now. The logo'll look as cool as a T-shirt graphic as the Obama08 logo did.

Since I was kid liberal activist (I started canvassing when I was 11), I've always thought the whole donkey thang was corny. Maybe it's a generational thing.

People dissed the Obama campaign logo at first, too. And look what happened there.

Anecdotally speaking, I live in a university town. There were OFA groups (we all joined up together from the surrounding area) here that was doing GOTV two days ago and we all like the new logo. We're waiting to buy T-shirts, in fact, so we can recognize each other in a crowd. :)

[derby378]

112. The Obama logo was fine...

...but this circle-D logo is truly an exercise in dumbing down. No offense to you and your fellow OFA workers, but that's how it reaches me.

And I think you'll be able to recognize my Democratic T-shirts just fine without that little bullseye.

[blondeatlast]

105. For you, derby, and many others in this thread, "About donkeys"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=9152734&mesg_id=9152734

[derby378]

111. Hey, many thanks! (n/t)

[MuseRider]

108. Well it kinda fits.

We have gone from *Give Em Hell* to *give em mild disapproval*. Pretty representative IMO, also very corporate looking.