The New "McCarthyism"...

[kentuck]

From Wikipedia:



My Opinion:

Once again, the Republican Party has lost itself in an extremist ideology. But this time, it is not about the "Reds", it is about "illegal immigrants" and anyone that dares to say they support the first black President, Barack Obama.

In a way, the latest reincarnation is worse than the one from the '50's. This time, they are willing to destroy our government to score political points with their extremist base. They are willing to shut down funding for defense of this country. They are willing to shut down the entire government. They want to dismantle the IRS and do away with tax collections altogether. We don't need no stinking taxes!

Their desire is to dismantle the New Deal and all the social programs that were created from the suffering of the Great Depression. They want to get rid of Social Security and Medicare. And they vow to get rid of every word of the ACA (Obamacare).

To them, Barack Obama is the Devil Incarnate. Anyone that supports Barack Obama is guilty of association with the devil. If they could, they would impeach him tomorrow. Their fears and suspicions go far beyond rational thought. Many do not believe there will be an election in 2016. Barack Obama will declare martial law and continue to rule over this country.

Right-wing radio and television broadcast anti-Obama propaganda 24 hours per day. The listeners are worked up to a frenzy over the damage this man is doing to our country. As soon as he can get control of all the guns and control the sale of bullets, he will have succeeded in taking over this country.

The hatred and the racism is rampant. They don't even try to hide it. They use it to their advantage. This is the "new" McCarthyism. Like locusts, they lay dormant for many years before they awakened to the new fears around them. If you support immigration in any form or if you support Barack Obama, then you are an enemy of the people. It is a scary time we are going through.

[Wella]

1. Please make sure people know the sign is from the 1950s; the rest is your opinion

One could be misled into thinking that this is an actual analysis by a third party.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

3. What's the difference between his opinion and a third party's?

Neither of them is anointed Holy writ, so exactly what problem would be created by someone thinking it's an opinion by somebody else? The only downside I can see is that the OP poster doesn't get 'credit' if someone mistakenly thinks that.

[kentuck]

5. My opinion is worthless...

It is only of value if it has a blue link.

[Wella]

7. There is a difference if the opinion comes from a knowledgeable or trusted source

This is not to say that the OP is not trustworthy, but it's important to know that the opinions are his alone.

[kentuck]

9. Just curious...

What are some of your trustworthy sources??

[Wella]

10. Well, usually the New York Times, although they can get it wrong sometimes

The Washington Post. Not a big fan of Time or Newsweek. Very careful of internet sites, especially since they are long on emotion and short on facts--it's all about getting you to click. And, oddly enough, John Oliver, who I think does a decent job of investigative reporting on certain issues.

[kentuck]

12. I don't know why I waste my time here.

[Wella]

15. In what way are you wasting your time?

You asked me question, I gave you an answer. Do you not like the New York Times or the Washington Post? The LA Times occasionally has some good stuff too. Maybe you can try that.

[kentuck]

17. Corporate opinions are worth more than individual citizens' opinions?

Start there.

I try to give you an opinion you won't find in the NY Times or the Washington Post. Do with it what you will.

[Wella]

18. I'd say it amounts to "vetted" opinions vs. "unvetted" opinions

I may disagree with a NYTimes writer, but I know what his/her background is, I know, in general, where to find the facts in the article, and I know that some vetting has been done of these facts. I also understand the paper's corporate bias.

Individual citizens, however, vary widely in their use of fact and vetting of it. I really have no place to start from and do not always understand their biases. Sometimes it's easy: an individual citizen can write about space aliens or fluoride in the water, for example, and I can rule them out. However, individual citizens can also write opinion pieces with little vetted fact supporting them or they can take facts from sources which distort them. Or, sometimes, individual citizens can be 100% correct and very credible.

In order to assess credibility, you have to look at the strategies a given individual employs. When an individual citizen cites a "witch hunt" piece of signage without a link and uses it as an exemplar of current rhetorical tone without providing evidence, credibility takes a hit.

To get an idea of a credible individual citizen post, take a look at this one:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6295819

The poster builds an argument with credible sources. She is not simply venting her opinion and using an inflammatory historical poster to up the emotional ante. She has a definite perspective, but the facts to back it up.

I trust marym625 because I can trace her facts and because she builds her case well.

[marym625]

6. Anyone who doesn't know when that poster is from

Well, shouldn't be on DU talking about politics.

I had no problems understanding the post or whose thoughts were posted

[Wella]

8. Some of the younger folks might not get it.

However, I agree with you. Being politically knowledgeable should be a prerequisite for discussing complex issues.

[marym625]

11. Do you really think that,

I am not saying you are wrong but it seems inconceivable to me that the McCarthy hearings are unknown to anyone who cares about politics.

[Wella]

13. They'll know about McCarthy, but they might not connect it to the signage, especially since there is

no link to the sign itself in the OP. There is a phrase that indicates that something in the OP is from wikipedia, but one might assume the whole post is taken from there. A direct link might help differentiate the cited material from the original work.

[marym625]

16. I don't think you're giving people here enough credit

My humble opinion

[Wella]

19. Fair enough. Then again, you do a very good post.

And you have a fair amount of knowledge.

[marym625]

21. Thanks!

I appreciate that.

I think Kentuck does too. But maybe I have seen more of them

[Wella]

22. Quite possible.

I look forward to more of your posts.

[marym625]

24. Thanks again! very nice of you. n/t

[zentrum]

31. Agreed. No idea

…what the fuss is about. The post is perfectly clear.

[marym625]

32. I thought so.

[ms liberty]

26. Please note...

That kentuck has been at DU since it's earliest days, and has been actively posting the entire time. The poster was clearly not modern; kentuck has the right to post his/her opinion on whatever subject they choose, and if kentuck had been posting someone else's opinion or analysis, there would have been a link...because that's how kentuck has been posting here, at least since I joined in 2003.

[spanone]

2. k&r...

[marym625]

4. If you are a liberal, a woman, a minority,

Non-Christian, et al.

"Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?"

We need another Joseph Welch and another Edward R. Murrow.

[Fred Sanders]

14. Remember these folks are the Tea Party, remember that name because this cult wants you to forget.

Acting just like a cult the first thing they tell you is everyone else is lying.

When challenged, like a cult, the cult members all have a programmed universal response.

Topical case in point.

Obama is a lawless dictator acting against the Constituition, proven by a single hard right wing
Judge's lower court ruling, there should be a Congressional Conference cause why not, and because the House passed a great bill fully funding DHS and so it is Obama's fault for not agreeing to also gut his lawless immigration EO.

Memo to media as to how to repond to the childish Tea Party prattle:

So impeach Obama, also go to Constitutional Conference on the Senate passed immigration Senate bill which, if given a simple vote in the House would be law, and Obama's EO is identical to actions of Presidents in the past.....white Presidents, granted, but also Republican Presidents.

Rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat before an unchallenging media, and on Fox.

[randys1]

25. Teaparty are very scared and angry white people who will cling to anything that also hates

all the right categories of people.

It is why the Koch bros and Walker may be successful at some point.

Hate, for an immature mind, is stronger than reason and love.

[RKP5637]

20. I feel a lot of déjà vu in all of this! n/t

[libdem4life]

23. Anyone who reads that poster, if they aren't old enough to know what Reds are, let alone Reds in the

television, then the funky nature of the sign, plus being on a political board wouldn't likely be too harmed. And everyone on this board posts their opinion...here's mine...and if not linked, it's just that.

I thought it was a good visual to support the OPs opinion...clearly stated.

[KoKo]

27. Sorry...dupe..

[edgineered]

28. REC, be it for the good opinion or the resulting comedy! nt

[Kablooie]

29. Essentially they want to eliminate all social and regulatory advances made in the 20th century.

They seem to think the 1800's were pretty fly.

[obxhead]

30. I disagree

The "new" McCarthyism comes from within our own party.

Republicans do as Republicans do, but somehow in the last 6 years there has been a loud voice to accept anything and everything from the Democratic party.

Fall in line or fuck off.