Why does the Nation pretend that JK doesn't exist?

[WildEyedLiberal]

In a recent editorial proclaiming that they would only support Democrats who were anti-war, they lauded Feingold's "strong anti-war stance" while dismissing Kerry's plan as "vague and reticent."

In the most recent issue, they are calling on all Democrats to follow *Murtha's* lead in calling for troop withdrawal. Alexander Cockburn apparently excoriates Dems for not following Murtha's plan.

WTF is their problem? Doesn't such a bastion of liberality recognize what Kerry has been trying to do? WTF is their agenda?

We should all send off an email to the Nation re: their unfair portrayal and silence regarding JK.

[_dynamicdems]

1. Sounds good to me. In these times, they need to court all the liberals

they can. And we should remind them that there are a lot of Kerry supporters out here.


edit: Hold their feet to the fire.

[ginnyinWI]

2. I know--it makes me so frustrated

They are on the far left, and only begrudgingly endorsed Kerry last year, pledging to "hold his feet to the fire" when he became president. But then they do feature experts like Juan Cole and others who say much the same things Kerry has said. In fairness, maybe they are trying not to promote any particular politicians. But you would think their readers would appreciate being informed about who was saying or voting for important issues they care about! That's more important than what their regular columnists think, after all.

I'm getting kind of fed up with The Nation, and might just let my subcription lapse in Feb. Not so much because of ignoring Kerry--I hope I'm not that petty--but because they aren't saying too much that I can't get other places, like online, for free.

[fedupinBushcountry]

3. Hope this puts a smile on your face

The response I got from the program manager of the Ed Schultz show.

Thanks for your comments.

Ed really enjoyed doing the interview with Sen. Kerry.

Kerry is right on mark with his timely topics.

When times get tough, the country needs a leader.

Sen. Kerry is a leader.

Hopefully George W will pay attention to Sen. Kerry's voice over the next 3
years or it'll be hell for all of us.

Thanks for your comments and listening to The Ed Schultz Show.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Vern Thompson
Program Manager
The Ed Schultz Show
E-mail: [e-mail]

:patriot:

[WildEyedLiberal]

5. Good for Ed

But then again, Ed isn't a frothing lefty freeper, either.

As far as I'm concerned I will never purchase an issue of the Nation as long as they continue to provide a platform for the acidic bile of America-hater Alexander Cockburn.

[fedupinBushcountry]

6. Just remember

these type of frothing lefty freeps attract mainly all the other frothing lefty freeps.

The real progressives of the party chose the real progressive democrat last year in the primary.

They can spout all they want the real democratic wing of the party rule with common sense. We need to keep our voices loud and clear.

[LittleClarkie]

21. Doesn't Cockburn have something to do with Counterpunch

or am I thinking of another frothing lefty freeper?

[WildEyedLiberal]

23. Yep. Same asshole.

Yes, the Nation publishes the Counterpunch guy, which is the primary reason I won't buy the Nation.

Usually this accusation is just so much Repuglican hogwash, but in this case, it is true: Alexander Cockburn HATES America.

[jenndar]

10. Here's the response I got:

"We've gotten a lot of comments about the Kerry interview.

All have been positive.

Thanks your comments and listening to the show.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Vern Thompson
Program Manager
The Ed Schultz Show
E-mail: [e-mail]"

YAAAAAY!!!

[ProSense]

19. Wouldn't this be great!

Thanks for your comments and listening to the program.

We'll work to get him on again.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Vern Thompson
Program Manager
The Ed Schultz Show
E-mail: [e-mail]

[karynnj]

7. But I do remember that they did before the early primaries

make the point that Kerry was considerably more liberal than Dean - in one of those little 1-2 paragraph articles they have near the beginning of the magazine. I was shocked at the intense hatred Cocksburn (sp?) has for Kerry. During the campaign I followed a link to his review of Tour of Duty. What he got out of it was that Kerry was a remorseless killer, fighting in Vietnam though he knew it was wrong. The Weelkly standard had a kinder review - they only criticized his anti-war stance afterward.

We just renewed ours - but it was an iffy decision. The concern was some liberal press is needed.

On the anti-war stuff, I think they are clearly still punishing Kerry for his vote. His plan is far more concrete than Feingold's - who they are ok with. If anything it is Feingold who was vague.

[WildEyedLiberal]

9. Get the American Prospect

Robert Reich is a standup guy, and while Matthew Yglesias (sp?) is a whining hand-wringer, I almost always get a lot more of value out of TAP than ANY other liberal mag. Of course, it is only monthly, so it focuses more on in-depth articles and opinions than on news blurbs. A few months ago they had a national security special issue which was a fascinating read.

Edit: I also really like Michael Tomasky who is an editor at TAP.

[whometense]

20. I'm with you.

I really like the American Prospect, and usually find all of their articles well written and well-reasoned.

I'm going through the same thing over the Nation. My subscription lapses in March, and I'm not sure I'll renew. I renewed once for the same reason Karyn mentioned - we need a liberal press. But I find myself hardly opening the magazine when it comes, and not wanting to read much of it.

The pre-primary period of 2003 really was a test by fire of all the magazines we get. Only the American Prospect and the New Yorker came through with flying colors. The Nation and TNR?? :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown:

[WildEyedLiberal]

22. Hahaha - three thumbs down

How do you manage that? :P

The New Yorker is great too. I have a subscription to that, though I NEVER have time to read it :blush: I work at Barnes and Noble so I usually just pick up TAP at the newsstand.

TNR is just stupid. And The Nation CAN interest me, but it just seems to be drifting further and further into the fringes, and I can't follow it much further left without rolling my eyes at every page. Also, as long as Alexander Cockface is on their payroll, never will I give them a dime.

[ProSense]

4. Another one of those

tear down the Democrats progressives.

"Calls for political reform in the United States, mostly focused on criticizing the Democratic Party for failing to provide a progressive alternative to the Republican Party, as well as strong support for Ralph Nader's presidential candidacies in the 2000 and 2004 elections."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Cockburn


Talk about a bunch of people with ulterior motives.

These are those people who are constantly screaming the Democrats have no plan (sounding like Republican shills). Their favorite line: opposition is not a plan (except when they do it).

Join the party Mr. Cockburn. Please don't "not" support us in order to give us the alternative: Bush and the Republicans.

I know Kerry's plan, I know what the Democratic Party stands for.

I'm a Democrat, so Cockburn can go to hell.

[sandnsea]

8. The reality of a leftist agenda

I suppose there's nothing wrong in believing in a far far left governing agenda. Somewhere along the line, I think maybe some people that had been previously dependable liberals went off the beam. I suppose DLC types saw it and have been trying to maneuver through it, even though they've been sorely misdirected. Those of us who have been trying to bridge that gap might need to cut bait. Maybe it is better to constantly label them Green because they are not Democrats. But I think we really need to have a clear separation between that group, the DLC, and the true Democratic base. I think working, union, families and singles, of whatever race, are the base. We need to figure out how to make our voice louder than either the lefty Green or DLC voice. Then we can start winning some elections!

[globalvillage]

11. Just got my renewal notice.

I'll write a note on it and tell them why I'm not renewing.
Ha! It's postage-paid. Good.

[WildEyedLiberal]

12. I got one of those "Try us free!" things from them

I knew I hated Cockburn, et al, so I just threw it away. I should've sent it back with the "No, I Do Not Want 4 Free Issues of The Nation" checked and written on there precisely why.

[globalvillage]

13. Send the next one. They do a lot of mailings.

I like reading The Nation, although either it's leaning lefter, or I'm just not as interested in what they're selling.
I can do without.
I'm mailing my renewal with CANCEL on the front. The message on the back reads
Sen Kerry has been working harder than anyone else in Congress, yet you continue to marginalize/denigrate him. Please cancel my subscription. Thanks.

[Mass]

14. WEL, Cockburn does not represent the Nation.

People like Corn have been writting good things about Kerry.

It is totally unfair to caracterize The Nation by Cockburn. He is an idiot and everybody knows it.

[WildEyedLiberal]

15. Well Cockburn aside, the other piece was a staff editorial

The piece lauding Feingold and dimissing Kerry's plan was a staff editorial. I do like David Corn, and I forgot he wrote for the Nation. Nevertheless, the general tone remains too shrill for me.

[Mass]

16. The point is that at least, I know where the Nation stands and so,

whatever they do does not bother me.

While, people like David Broder (WaPo) and this editorial bother me a lot.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/25/AR2005112500961.html

These people dislike Kerry more than they disagree with his ideological positions. This is what is really displeasing. The Nation may have ideological differences on issues with Kerry and it is fine, but the total display of indifference the Wapo shows towards Kerry drives me absolutely mad, particularly when they are going to promote Obama's non plan at the same time.

( I love your junior senator, but he did not present a plan, whatever Mr Broder thinks).

[wisteria]

17. For what it's worth, I wrote to Mr Broder and mentioned JK's

Georgetown speech. I also, in a nice way, told him the election was over, I had no problem understanding JK and he should consider changing his opinion of JK.

[karynnj]

18. Broder's editorial is ridiculous

Wasn't there a third respected member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who had a plan. I haven't seen any detail at all on Obama's, but if he had one I doubt it would be close to Biden's.

[ginnyinWI]

25. I like both David Corn and Eric Alterman

After my subscription lapses, I can still read them on The Nation's website, and on other sites.

I'm keeping my American Prospect subscription though--it's really, really good.

[LittleClarkie]

24. dupe

dupe

[zann725]

26. REAL competitors are often ignored.

Remember: "First they ignore you....then you win." (Ghandi)

[TayTay]

27. True dat!

It's not a bad thing sometimes to be the underdog and to not have the burden of extreme expectations on you. That way you can plan.