General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHillary ignores questions about Ferguson and walks out of store.
Westhampton Beach, New York (CNN) Hillary Clinton, who has yet to comment about the protests over the death of an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, ignored questions about the incident on Sunday.
After signing more than 700 books at Books & Books in Westhampton Beach, Clinton was asked by two reporters for her reaction to the controversy.
Clinton ignored both questions and left the bookstore.
Liberal activists and civil rights leaders have asked Clinton for her response, saying she is the presumed front-runner for her party's presidential nomination in 2016 and that she has commented on major news stories in the past.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/08/24/clinton-ignores-questions-on-ferguson/
Chakab
(1,727 posts)riversedge
(70,299 posts)Chakab
(1,727 posts)otohara
(24,135 posts)Your horns are showing.
JJChambers
(1,115 posts)sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)a MLK. Hillary is not that person. But she could have been. How sad.
stillwaiting
(3,795 posts)On matters of foreign policy and economic policy she's very, very brave in serving those who she intends on serving.
I'm afraid that extends to matters of the surveillance and police state as well.
Chasstev365
(5,191 posts)However, there are times when you have to rise up the single minded pursuit of "political strategy" and say what is right, even when some may disagree or you risk alienating people.
roguevalley
(40,656 posts)InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Divernan
(15,480 posts)Sniper Fire, and Holes In Clinton's Recollection
(Photo caption) Hillary Rodham Clinton gets a kiss from Emina Bicakcic, 8, after landing at Tuzla Air Base during a March 1996 trip to Bosnia.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Hillary Clinton has been regaling supporters on the campaign trail with hair-raising tales of a trip she made to Bosnia in March 1996. In her retelling, she was sent to places that her husband, President Bill Clinton, could not go because they were "too dangerous." When her account was challenged by one of her traveling companions, the comedian Sinbad, she upped the ante and injected even more drama into the story. In a speech earlier this week, she talked about "landing under sniper fire" and running for safety with "our heads down."
There are numerous problems with Clinton's version of events.
THE FACTS
As a reporter who visited Bosnia soon after the December 1995 Dayton peace agreement, I can attest that the physical risks were minimal during this period, particularly at a heavily fortified U.S. air base, such as Tuzla. Contrary to the claims of Hillary Clinton and former Army secretary Togo West, Bosnia was not "too dangerous" a place for President Clinton to visit in early 1996. In fact, the first Clinton to visit the Tuzla Air Base was not Hillary, but Bill, on Jan. 13, 1996.
Had Hillary Clinton's plane come "under sniper fire" in March 1996, we would certainly have heard about it long before now. Numerous reporters, including The Washington Post's John Pomfret, covered her trip. A review of nearly 100 news accounts of her visit shows that not a single newspaper or television station reported any security threat to the first lady. "As a former AP wire-service hack, I can safely say that it would have been in my lead had anything like that happened," Pomfret said.
According to Pomfret, the Tuzla airport was "one of the safest places in Bosnia" in March 1996 and "firmly under the control" of the 1st Armored Division.
Far from running to an airport building with their heads down, Clinton and her party were greeted on the tarmac by smiling U.S. and Bosnian officials. An 8-year-old Muslim girl, Emina Bicakcic, read a poem in English. An Associated Press photograph of the greeting ceremony, below, shows a smiling Clinton bending down to receive a kiss.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Divernan
(15,480 posts)Brave Lady Robin ran away.
("No!"
Bravely ran away away.
("I didn't!"
When danger reared it's ugly head,
She bravely turned her tail and fled.
("no!"
Yes, brave Lady Robin turned about
("She didn't!"
And gallantly she chickened out.
****Bravely**** taking ("I never did!" to her feet,
She beat a very brave retreat.
("all lies!"
Bravest of the braaaave, Lady Robin!
("She never!"
Read more: Monty Python - Brave Sir Robin Ran Away Lyrics | MetroLyrics
tabasco
(22,974 posts)ohnoyoudidnt
(1,858 posts)But maybe I am expecting too much.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)her disdain for the masses. Wasn't it H. Clinto-Sachs that said, "Let them eat cake"??
JaydenD
(294 posts)rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)lose her votes. I don't think of her as a coward but cunning. She knew what she was doing when she gave her support to The Bush Crime Family.
Jackpine Radical
(45,274 posts)that incoming fire in Bosnia!
FarPoint
(12,437 posts)The word clueless comes to mind immediately.
Chakab
(1,727 posts)It boggles the mind how people like you can worship any of these morally bankrupt politicians.
FarPoint
(12,437 posts)rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)Therefore I can only conclude that you support her position and you too support the Aristocracy.
hifiguy
(33,688 posts)Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)and she can't bother to weigh in on it?
Fuck her.
RandySF
(59,224 posts)If she cannot make a statement on police brutality, how is she going to handle an international crisis?
magical thyme
(14,881 posts)Divernan
(15,480 posts)Hillary and her staff are clearly between a rock and a hard place on this matter, and was unable to either anticipate the question OR think on her feet enough to come up with ANYTHING to say!
It's 3 A.M. and the phone rings at the White House. It's forwarded to an answering machine.
And as others have observed, it's August and all her corporate handlers are on vacation and unavailable to give instruction or approval to whatever she might possibly say. I mean, even the Masters of the Universe have to have some down time!
JaydenD
(294 posts)it was because she is old and it was past her bedtime and when you are old you say stupid things. And that she apologized immediately. More lies.
Chakab
(1,727 posts)who are NEVER going to fucking vote for her.
It's obvious that she's nowhere near the politician that some people assumed her to be because of her relationship with Bubba. She's making all of the same mistakes with the base that she did last time out.
I can't fucking wait to see her go down in flames again.
Louisiana1976
(3,962 posts)FarPoint
(12,437 posts)I support her choice at this time. No need to divert attention in her direction off of the real issues of Ferguson. All attention would focus on Hillary because the GOP is hunting for just such an opportunity ...why do them a favor,? Smart move by Hillary.
Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)Blacks live in a constant state of fear of being executed while unarmed.
But it appears Hillary can't be bothered with that petty issue.
FarPoint
(12,437 posts)Her speaking out even modestly serves the oppressors... I sense her heartfelt pain is equal to ours.
JaydenD
(294 posts)her heartfelt pain.... o now you got me rolling with laughter but I still can't bring myself to use those dreadful smilies.
Chakab
(1,727 posts)the Right Wing media won't engage in their standard dishonest, reflexive attacks.
Hillary, Bubba and their crack team of corporatist shills who lost them the last primary are furiously triangulating exactly when said "perfect moment" will occur as we speak.
FarPoint
(12,437 posts)Think they know the ropes of politics....
Chakab
(1,727 posts)more support from the media, party base and elected officials in her party than a non-incumbent going into a primary in US political history.
JaydenD
(294 posts)After all this time of silence on Ferguson she couldn't be prepared with even a simple, Clintonian non speak reply to that question she and her crack team Knew would be waiting...
Can't wait for the debates.
SammyWinstonJack
(44,130 posts)LiberalElite
(14,691 posts)FarPoint
(12,437 posts)It's a smart move on her part for all of us in this fight.
roguevalley
(40,656 posts)Damned. Anyone who would criticize even words meaning nothing but compassion for a family would be no opposition. She just fucking doesn't care.
heaven05
(18,124 posts)roguevalley
(40,656 posts)Paul condemned this. She is dead to me.
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)She's been dead to me a long time.
roguevalley
(40,656 posts)Teamster Jeff
(1,598 posts)Ecumenist
(6,086 posts)soul? Look, We people of African descent deserve to expect to be treated with respect and fairness, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER HUMAN BEING WHO IS AMERICAN. If this "woman" cannot be bothered to say "BOO" about something SO VERY IMPORTANT, FUCK HER. This is NOT a good start. I remember the bullshit she spouted the first time around regarding the comments her potential voters said regarding America's darker skinned children. FUCK HER and there IS NO excuse. PERIOD!!!
GETTINGTIRED
(330 posts)Noted
karynnj
(59,504 posts)but by this time, she or someone on her side should have crafted a high minded, non controversial answer. THAT, would have gotten less response than refusing to answer.
I am not a politician, but something expressing condolences to his family and saying that beyond that, let's let the investigations and legal actions proceed without playing politics - seems obvious.
A Simple Game
(9,214 posts)two years out from the election. What is your hurry? Are you afraid of something, exposure perhaps?
RufusTFirefly
(8,812 posts)KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)when there are hundreds of people lined up and a limited amount of time to get them through the line?
You and everyone else on the line gets their book signed, a quick hello from the talent and out you go. No dallying.
Anyone who attempts to dally can face not the book store staff but the secret service.
DJ13
(23,671 posts)Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)Raine1967
(11,589 posts)I had heard this stat before, but seeing literally in black and white disturbs me.
I know it was her husbands administration, but what I want to see is Ms. Clinton speak out against this.
KoKo
(84,711 posts)as part of winding down the Wars that Bush built up. MRAPS didn't get out there until soldiers were being bombed in jeeps and they needed better equipment. It was 2007..when I looked it up on Wicki...Clinton didn't have us in Iraq or Afghanistan. His era was just office equipment...some old guns and stuff used in Bosnia that would be so outdated today it's already in the dump or was sent to China for scrap.
Response to RandySF (Original post)
Chakab This message was self-deleted by its author.
magical thyme
(14,881 posts)Stand with the 1% or with the rest of us?
Certainly the wife of our "first black president" knows where she stands? Doesn't she?
ChisolmTrailDem
(9,463 posts)Away, that is.
4now
(1,596 posts)Rand Paul writes an op-ed for Time. Saying many of the things the Dems should be saying.
and Hillary runs away from any questions.
Seriously can't she come up with the usual political double speak that politicians use all the time.
I am shocked.
tblue37
(65,487 posts)reporters asking uncomfortable questions:
Rand Paul runs away from Dreamers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=PI8rCleTbSo
Michelle Bachmann almost breaks 4-minute mile racing down hallway to avoid reporter's questions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=BVBxYlb0rAY
Sometimes they even hide--like Bachmann, whose head can barely be seen from behind those bushes!
JaydenD
(294 posts)4now
(1,596 posts)Doesn't fill me with a lot of hope.
Are there videos of Obama running away from reporters on the campaign trail?
tblue37
(65,487 posts)JaydenD
(294 posts)At the very least. What a continuing treasure trove of disappointment.
Divernan
(15,480 posts)sadoldgirl
(3,431 posts)that HRC is not politically savvy, nor can she connect well with people.
Even I could have come up with the rather neutral answer: "It was a very sad tragedy."
The fact that she could not find a word about it, and instead ignored the questions totally shows how badly
she reacts - just politically speaking - when unprepared or without a handler.
Mind you, since I am not running for office, I call it a bloody murder.
Louisiana1976
(3,962 posts)Erich Bloodaxe BSN
(14,733 posts)They probably should have gotten books, gotten in line, and asked their questions while she was signing.
darkangel218
(13,985 posts)KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)Absolutely no one else goes into that store on the day Hillary/Politician is doing a book signing.
The store has been closed early that day, staff background checked, bomb-sniffing dogs gone through.
Nobody asks Hillary/famous politician anything. You get your books signed and move on.
That's it.
And there are hundreds and hundreds of people in line.
Dragonfli
(10,622 posts)could hardly expect a conversation let alone to have questions answered.
The problem is that it was not questions asked by those standing in line to get a book signed, it was questions asked by reporters after she signed 700 books, you did not appear to read the OP. Or you do not understand that reporters ask questions of politicians and ignoring them and running away, although certainly an option, is at best poor political judgement and at worst cowardice regarding the question.
tularetom
(23,664 posts)Trashing the foreign policy of the black president who gave her a job, then clamming up when asked to comment on murder of a black teenager by police, isn't going to do a lot to endear her to a voting bloc she needs if she has any hope of being elected.
Louisiana1976
(3,962 posts)are also white women who care about what happened in Ferguson.
Chakab
(1,727 posts)professionals, young voters and black people when the chips were down at the end of the last primary.
I know that a lot of people like to pretend that it never happened, but we haven't forgotten.
JaydenD
(294 posts)As if the divisions between race and gender in the Democratic Party hadnt been further exposed through Tuesday nights exit polls and by a very heated exchange on CNN between Donna Brazile and Paul Begala Senator Hillary Rodham Clintons interview with USA Today on Wednesday is further mining those tense depths.
I have a much broader base to build a winning coalition on, she said in the interview, citing an article by The Associated Press.
It found how Senator Obamas support among working, hard-working Americans, white Americans, is weakening again, and how whites in both states who had not completed college were supporting me.
Theres a pattern emerging here, she said.
BKH70041
(961 posts)That's not a concern.
Dragonfli
(10,622 posts)will vote for her because, "who else are you going to vote for, a Republican?". It is the DLC mantra and a major tenant of their philosophy and why they often ignore everyone left of center right. A mantra they have been chanting to themselves for so many years they believe that there are no limits to the power of this New Democratic strategy.
No need to over think it, the same reason applies to her neocon and anti-Obama rantings of late, it is the standard DLC playbook, appeal to the Reaganites and the center right (and often even farther right) and just trust in the "who else you gonna vote for" strategy to take care of voters left of the right.
The sad part is, she may well be correct as this strategy has worked for nearly thirty years.
KoKo
(84,711 posts)She's got us...and she's going for the Republicans to cut off the Tea Party. It's what her "advisers" have told her to do. Hillary listens to Mark Penn and other Third Way advisers and the Think Tanks and Wall Steet Guru's who fund her and who are her "guides."
She's got us...because we have no where else to go.
tularetom
(23,664 posts)I'm not going to vote for a republican regardless of which party nominates him or her.
DCBob
(24,689 posts)It actually surprising she is holding back. Its not really that difficult to come up with something that shows she is at least interested and cares about what going on.
ariesgem
(1,634 posts)It seems as though the only time we (black folks) are on her radar is when she's on the campaign trail fishing for our votes. I always found her a day late and dollar short on issues that matter to me. If she runs and secures the nomination, you'll see her in the black churches turning on her preachy voice to ask for our votes. She'll find out that we have long memories and will NOT just give her a pass on her silence about Ferguson and related matters of police abuse. This issue runs DEEP with us.
Its insulting that she does not care enough to speak out about this. And btw, I haven't heard anything about her husband, "our 1st black President" commenting about this either.
Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)If she thinks she can succeed by alienating one of the largest voting blocs the party has to offer - especially if she runs against Obama, who has soaring approval among black voters - she's going to be in for a difficult time.
winter is coming
(11,785 posts)mulsh
(2,959 posts)n/t
jeff47
(26,549 posts)And unless you have a candidate that can beat her in polling right now you have to just suck it up.
And pay no attention to the guy with a funny name who didn't even get to single-digits in 2006 polls.
stupidicus
(2,570 posts)"what is it about cluster bombs and their use that you love so much?" http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/12/21/425303/-Hillary-Clinton-Voted-to-Continue-Cluster-Bombing-Civilians
Divernan
(15,480 posts)As many as 98 per cent of victims of cluster bombs over the past three decades have been civilians, a third of them children, a report has disclosed.
The study of 24 countries and regions by the humanitarian pressure group Handicap International showed that the weapons, still being used by government forces including those of the UK, have killed or maimed 11,044 people.
This is the first attempt to collate data about cluster-bomb victims worldwide, and it warns that under-reporting of cases in places such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Vietnam means the real figure could be almost 10 times higher.
Around 27 per cent of the (reported) victims were children, mainly boys who were working or playing in areas where the munition had been used.
Hey, hey! All you preachers of inevitability - got the courage to look at these photos of child victims?
https://www.google.com/search?q=Cluster+bombs+children+photo
JaydenD
(294 posts)Divernan
(15,480 posts)I found it shocking that she paraded Chelsea up in front of a roomful of people to announce Chelsea's pregnancy, WITHOUT Chelsea's husband by her side!
I used to think that if we had more elected women in congress, let alone the white house, that our government wouldn't be so ready to go to war. You know, less testosterone floating around. And that mothers, being nurturing, would not heartlessly sacrifice the nation's young to the gods of war. I still hope that is the case, and that HRC is just an aberrant +3 deviation to the normal bell curve.
JaydenD
(294 posts)but the special snowflakes never have to worry about that.
stupidicus
(2,570 posts)some seemed to be a bit surprised a while back to find out she isn't a supporter of single-payer.
I've grown weary of having to make the lesser of two evils choice. The only thing that keeps me hooked are the SCOTUS appointments, and I sincerely hope that who she'd put there becomes a question she's compelled to answer well before the election.
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)She has fought for Civil Rights for a very long time. If you read and listen to the news lately every word she says is twisted, vetted, abused, and simply lied in interruptions. She hasn't announced her candidacy and may not ever. Go trash Rand Paul or Paul Ryan.
RandySF
(59,224 posts)She's all but declared and, despite everything, our likely candidate. So it's sure as hell better to call her out now and make her think about these missteps before September, 2016.
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)davidpdx
(22,000 posts)God does not pick the Democratic nominee, the voters do. I guess the crown and throne will have to wait.
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)It is absolutely nothing but hundreds of people getting their book signed. No questions, conversations.
BeyondGeography
(39,379 posts)unconditionally re. Gaza. These were recent events and now all of a sudden she's on lockdown.
It's stupid to avoid these questions. She's either flat-footed or taking Bill's bad advice again.
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)The way things are handled. After her interview and the distortion which resulted no comments is the results. Good idea to let the tabloids do the talking, we know they are not truthful.
BeyondGeography
(39,379 posts)With the book, it seemed a clumsy attempt to mimic the rollout impact of Obama/Audacity of Hope, but that didn't come out until the fall of 2006.
Which gives us two problems with the book; it came out too early and it tanked. Three if you count the related interview faux pas.
I'm fully on board with her taking a low profile, but she still has to promote the book, which puts her in public. Someone really messed up on the publication date. Wrong Choice.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)...if she's not running, it's moot.
But lets not kid ourselves. We all know she's running, and the President needs to deal with what is going on in the nation, even if they haven't had time to focus-test their positions.
rufus dog
(8,419 posts)Utilizing a prevent defense strategy two years prior to the election will be her downfall.
indivisibleman
(482 posts)The more she avoids speaking on this issue the less apt I am to vote for her if she runs.
Divernan
(15,480 posts)(From the OP's link)
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)It's called being deaf.
George II
(67,782 posts)Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)She has fought for civil rights for many years, we know where she stands.
George II
(67,782 posts)"She does not currently hold a public office, it is time for those in public office to speak up."
So do you agree with me?
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)Let those in official capabilities speak out.
albino65
(484 posts)rsmith6621
(6,942 posts).....who wish to oppress the middle class. She is not as much for the middle class as her Husband was. With Hilary corporation will still continue from sending their profits offshore, she will let unions continue to be attacked and use of Big OIL will continue to rule the USA, Hilary does not support alternative energy policy's.
Hilary has to reward her true friends that work to defeat YOU and I.
Divernan
(15,480 posts)The same reason they make well publicized contributions to that vanity non-profit Clinton Family Foundation - good ole quid pro quo.
X_Digger
(18,585 posts)JaydenD
(294 posts)They know this can't be avoided, or at least they should know, but her teams aren't exactly the cream of the crop either.
Early this week she will say something short and non descript and Be Done With It! feh, go away you pesky little people.
Divernan
(15,480 posts)Look at the mess in the Clinton foundation, as revealed in that searing New York Times expose. Those were old and trusted Clinton hands who proved unable to control either Clinton. The Clintons are notorious for not being able to separate charitable actions from money making opportunities.
Baitball Blogger
(46,757 posts)MisterP
(23,730 posts)LittleBlue
(10,362 posts)Divernan
(15,480 posts)And don't anyone call me ageist - I'm 72! We call them "senior moments" when we can't recall something. So maybe her handlers have put together a statement, but she was so exhausted after signing all those books, she couldn't remember it.
ForgoTheConsequence
(4,869 posts)Weak and shameful fits well.
Divernan
(15,480 posts)The morning of the state funeral hundreds and hundreds of us were in line to get into the Cathedral. It was to start at 11:30, but we are Republicans: we were in line at 9:15. I saw Bob Kimmitt, formerly of the National Security Council, and Marlin Fitzwater, former Reagan press secretary, who sometimes came into my office to lie on the couch and smoke his cigar and hide out from reporters. . . . .
Suddenly at the fence, looking down at us, were Sam Donaldson and Barbara Walters. They had come by to say hello. Sam called down to us in a merry way, and we answered. Then I said to everyone around me, "In honor of the boss, when Sam talks to us let's cup our ears and say, 'I can't hear you!' " Everyone laughed.
Sam said something. We put our hands to our ears. "We can't hear you!," we ch"anted. Sam called down something else. "We can't hear you!," we chanted. "It's the helicopter! Sorry!
cantbeserious
(13,039 posts)eom
madville
(7,412 posts)If she is the nominee she is pretty much guaranteed 85%+ of the African-American vote whether she comments or not, who else are they going to vote for?
tularetom
(23,664 posts)She's making a big mistake if she thinks that she can get elected without African American voters.
She's making an even bigger mistake if she thinks they will vote for her because "who else are they going to vote for".
If we don't get rid of this anchor around our necks we will wind up with President Rand Paul. Think about that for a minute. If Hilarity doesn't clean up her act she will not win a general election. President Rand Paul?? You okay with that?
Not me.
Iggo
(47,565 posts)She lookin' past the primary again? Bad move.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)Oilwellian
(12,647 posts)The Clintons could give a shit about minorities and have been overtly racist for years.
ariesgem
(1,634 posts)nt..
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)ariesgem
(1,634 posts)Clinton's 2008 campaign against Obama was disgusting....it forever left a bad taste with me.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)ecstatic
(32,731 posts)People aren't necessarily looking for someone to agree with 100% of the time. They just want someone who is straight forward without too much flip flopping, double speak or concern about the fallout or polls. Even when we don't agree, most of us can respect someone who shares their honest opinions.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)ForgoTheConsequence
(4,869 posts)Don't worry, when this whole thing is over Hillary will be first out front with a speech, I'm sure she has a couple already written depending on what the outcome is.
The strong leader America needs!
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)You buy the book the day before, line up with hundreds and hundreds of other people and then wait in line until finally you hand your book over to staff who then gives it to Hillary/Politician and they sign it, she says hello to you and you move out the store.
It doesn't matter if it was a "reporter". If it was a book signing THERE ARE NO CONVERSATIONS.
The staff of the bookstore has been background checked. Bomb sniffing dogs have gone through the building, secret service men are scattered throughout the store.
And I highly doubt the "reporters" were anything more than bloggers who decided they'd try the impossible and then smear Hillary.
There are so many reasons not to want Hillary for POTUS but DU and some of the ideologues on the Left are really ridiculous.
BKH70041
(961 posts)There's nothing concrete to discuss except that a law officer shot and killed an 18 year old. The facts have not been established, there has been no arrest or charges made, and there's no evidence it was racially motivated. Of course there are individuals making these claims, but that's all it is; opinions.
So what is she supposed to say? She's sorry it happened? She's sorry for the family of the young man and for the officer and his family for all they're going through?
She certainly shouldn't say what the majority of the members of this site are saying. That would be the height of stupidity.
trublu992
(489 posts)Not mine Hillary