Should Vilsack be fired for being such a willing tool of Andrew Breibart?

[IndianaGreen]

ABC News video:

Video Taken Out of Context? Ousted USDA Official Denies Racism

Former Agriculture Department Official Denies Racism; Secretary Vilsack Stands By Her Firing

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/07/former-agriculture-department-office-denies-racism-secretary-vilsack-stands-by-her-firing.html

Vilsack was snookered by the rightwing, and he is still holding firm on his firing of Shirley Sherrod, and that despite clear evidence the video was altered by rightwingers. Vilsack showed bad judgment by reacting to a rightwing news report without bothering to find out what the facts were.

The question for DUers:

Should Vilsack be shit canned?

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Guess thebigger question is will he pay any price at all for being such a schmuck?

AND I hope Sherrod sues, gets her job back...AND some compensatory money for psychological damages.

[Nite Owl]

2. Don't they ever learn?

Especially after the ACORN fiasco.

[DURHAM D]

3. It was reported on NPR that the NAACP asked Vilsack to fire her. nt

Edit: The NAACP removed their original post on the matter wherein they wanted her gone.

[IndianaGreen]

6. And the NAACP has just reversed itself

NAACP had originally approved of the firing. They just issued an statement in which they acknowledge the video was heavily edited to change the context and the meaning.

[DURHAM D]

12. I am aware of that and more.

The point is Vislack responded to pressure from the NAACP - not Buttbart or Fox.

[IndianaGreen]

18. Without even taking the time to find out what the facts were?

Isn't that the poor judgment that made a lot of people believe in the bullshit that Saddam had WMD?

[Empowerer]

33. I'm not sure that that is accurate . . .

I believe that the NAACP expressed support fo Vilsak's action AFTER it was made but did not pressure for her firing.

That being said, while it may be convenient to blame the NAACP for putting pressure on Vilsak, it's hardly in keeping with his past actions. The NAACP has been pressuring Vilsak for months to pay the black farmers the restitution they are owed and Vilsak has ignored them. I hardly think that he suddenly got so scared of the NAACP that he immediately fired an employee just because they called on him to do so.

[DURHAM D]

41. Now are you suggesting that NPR is lying. nt

[Empowerer]

46. Please provide a link to NPR's report that the NAACP pressured Vilsack to fire Sherrod

[DURHAM D]

53. You must surely be aware that you can not link to a live radio program.

gheez

[IndianaGreen]

55. They do have transcripts and stories

Like Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, the NAACP initially denounced Sherrod. It has since said it's re-evaluating its position because there may be more to the story than it initially was aware of.

One additional factor that CNN reporting: Sherrod's father was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan in 1965

http://www.npr.mobi/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/07/20/128645840/ex-usda-official-s-tale-just-another-racial-landmine

Google rocks!

[Empowerer]

63. The NAACP did denounce Sherrod, but I don't believe they pressured Vilsack to fire her.

And, of course, they have withdrawn their denunciation and apologized to Ms. Sherrod.

[Mimosa]

69. ^ OMG ^

Nobody should be fired because of an anecdote in a speech -even from their own mouths, without an investigation.

[Empowerer]

62. NPR posts their radio broadcasts and transcripts.

And since you're claiming that they reported something that contradicts what I said, I thought you'd at least offer something to back it up.

In fact, I DID go to NPR's website and the only report I could find from them on this said that the NAACP issued a statement in support of Vilsack's action. I can find nothing in which they reported that the NAACP pressured Vilsack to fire Ms. Sherrod nor could I find any other such report.

So, unless you can present something more than what you've offered so far, I stand by my point.

[Oregone]

4. Give him a "pragmatic" boot to the ass

[FrenchieCat]

11. More like a "reactionary" Boot.......

I don't believe Vilsak should lose his job over this.

I am amazed that the guy who posted the videotape,
and Fox news are still not out of business,
but hey....guess it is always easier to continue
to attack the admin than the forces outside of it
that do the real damage.

The NAACP favored her losing her job....
should they be fired too? Cause that's exactly
what those RW manipulators want you to ask,
and then agree!

They want us all to do the circle jerk,
and they have just stepped out of the circle.

We just got unemployment passed,
and instead of being glad for that,
some are calling for the head of the Agriculture dept,
for the fact that they were set up for the fail
regardless of what that videotape showed.

[vaberella]

15. Thank you. What is wrong with these people?! n/t

[Oregone]

44. I merely like putting "pragmatic" in quotes

Its fun. You should try it too.

[Celebration]

He should be fired

At least the NAACP has come around on this. If not, they should have been fired too.

I give him one more day to make amends.

[Oregone]

42. Your sig line....

"6-30-2010"

:rofl:

~20K hours left till the next election. EVERYBODY RUN!

[FrenchieCat]

47. You don't even live in this country......

Yet you think we should do as you direct from your safe haven? PlueaZZZZe! :eyes:

[Oregone]

48. Im pretty sure I have about 20,000 hours to move back....

After all, you gotta be immersed in the idiocracy to properly criticize or help the idiocracy

[IndianaGreen]

51. May I point out that one of the most beloved posters in DU is a Canadian

By insulting this Canadian, you are insulting her, and you are insulting me, and you are insulting all the DUers (including those of us that may be Canadian someday)!

[bvar22]

50. Vilsack should have NEVER had this job (Sec. of Ag.)

Google "Vilsack ties to Monsanto".

Vilsack will never rock the corporate boat.
Business as usual.

[Emeritus]

5. He won't be fired

Because the White House stated they support the firing.

[BrklynLiberal]

8. That is DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the repukes win again....

[IndianaGreen]

9. Based on an erroneous story, which they didn't bother to check!

Allowing this firing to stand, will make people question the judgment of those involved in this decision.

[DebbieCDC]

7. He should just be fired period.

[JoePhilly]

10. Now we knee jerk???

Maybe a few breaths are in order??

Let's give the story ... oh ... a day ... at least more than 10 minutes.

It does appear that this was a huge error ... but the firing of some one with very little data is always dumb.

[vaberella]

14. Exactly. n/t

[IndianaGreen]

16. I pray the same decision process is not used to determine whether to launch our ICBMs

Vilsack showed poor judgment in the way he fired Sharrod, and has shown a total lack of integrity (if not downright racism) by refusing to reverse himself or even reconsider the decision.

[FrenchieCat]

21. Thus far, the knee jerks are winning!

The hypocrisy is thick around here these days.....
you get to judge no one without the full scoop,
but we can and will judge you right here, and right now.

[vaberella]

13. He should be suspended for firing her and definitely owes her an apology.

But not fired. This is a bit of a weird reason to fire him. That decision would make the entire thing even worse.

[bvar22]

54. "He should be suspended for firing her."

Isn't THAT decision also a knee-jerk reaction....
something you decried just a couple of posts ago?

[vaberella]

61. Possibly...but I say calling out someone to be fired for this extreme. n/t

[rocktivity]

17. We need to start a letter-writing campaign or something.

This is a great opportunity for Vilsack AND Obama to show then can stand up to the Rethugs if they're smart.

:headbang:
rocktivity

[mod mom]

19. Vilsack-another DLC scmuck! Loved TPM commentary:

Way To Stay Strong, Tom
David Kurtz | July 20, 2010, 6:27PM

It's easy to pop Andrew Breitbart in this whole mess, but Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack isn't exactly covering himself with glory. Vilsack was on CNN earlier essentially saying that it doesn't matter whether Breitbart's video turns out to be a bogus smear of Shirley Sherrod. No, Vilsack demanded Sherrod's resignation because the whole episode could open her up to charges of racism in the future and impair her ability to do her job.

So I guess if I were to write that Tom Vilsack doesn't have his people's back and won't even do a cursory investigation before throwing his employees to the wolves, then that could open him up to charges that he doesn't have the confidence of USDA employees and impair his ability to do his job.

Dangerous logic.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/07/way_to_stay_strong_tom.php?ref=fpblg

[patrice]

25. It could just as easily be said that the whole episode opens her up to charges of fairness, because

she corrected her mistake.

[bvar22]

52. Vilsack's ties to Monsanto open him up to charges of corruption,

AND impair his ability to work in the interests of the American people.

[mod mom]

57. Unfortunately it's probably those ties that got him the job in the first place.

:mad:

[No Elephants]

65. Do his Monsanto ties xplain why Kagan chose to have her office take Monsanto's side

before the Supremes, arguing that the USDA should be able to ignore a requirementof Federal law (EPA study) before allowing Monsanto to sell engineered alfalfa seeds, planting of which might FOREVER end organic crops?

[jenmito]

20. The NAACP showed the same bad judgment. Once they saw the whole video, though,

they retracted their statement and are now asking Vilsack to reconsider. If he DOES reconsider and rehires her, he shouldn't be fired.

[patrice]

22. Admitting you were wrong displays Strength. He SHOULD do this.

[jenmito]

24. I agree. n/t

[fascisthunter]

26. I agree with this

it's embarrassing but it needs to be done

[Spazito]

31. I agree! n/t

[fascisthunter]

23. the fact that ANYONE fell for this shit again

wow... doesn't say much for those who did, that is all I can say.

[patrice]

28. I fear that it displays an over-eagerness to pay off IOUs by appointing someone else.

[fascisthunter]

34. hmmm... keen observer

[patrice]

49. been there, seen that, sorry to say.

[jgraz]

27. The problem with firing Vilsack

Is he'll need to get in line behind Rahm, Timmeh, Summers, Arne, Salazar, Valerie Jarrett and now Liz Fucking Fowler.

:banghead:

[FrenchieCat]

30. Hell, let's just fire the President, and get it over with!

Then you'll be happy.

[jgraz]

32. I'll be happy if he just starts doing his job.

Cuz if he doesn't, I don't think we'll have to worry about him past 2012.

[FrenchieCat]

37. I'm sure you feel that way....no doubt!

[jgraz]

39. Of course. I don't want him to lose in 2012. Why do you?

Why, Frenchie, why? Why do you continue to support behavior that will cost us the election? Do you hate Democrats? Are you secretly a PUMA?

YOU'VE ALWAYS HATED THE PRESIDENT!!! This is a DEMOCRATIC BOARD and if you can't support a DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT you should just GTFO!!!

[FrenchieCat]

43. What are you complaining about?

Considering that things are exactly how you would like it,
since you can't have everything.

A President that continues to pass sweeping legislation that
is more progressive than regressive,
and then you get to shit on him all at the same time!
Sounds like you get the best of both worlds,
since you can't have it all!

[Mimosa]

29. There should have been an investigation

As for the continuing drumbeat from the right methinks the White House has no idea how to employ effective P.R. Robert Gibbs is so wrong as the 'face of the White House.' He comes across as belligerent and unfriendly. The best press secretary for a president in my memory was Dee Dee Myers.

[IntravenousDemilo]

35. Whenever Tom Vilsack is mentioned, I think of this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ydw4kj9P90w

[mod mom]

38. rofl!

:rofl:

[Sebastian Doyle]

36. VilSuck should be fired for being a willing tool of the DLC and MonSatan

not to mention that ANYBODY remotely connected with the 2004 Iowa caucus has no business being anywhere but on trial for treason with the Bush Crime Family. Because that fiasco was a direct enabling of their crimes.

[Bluenorthwest]

40. He never should have been hired, so fire away

[blm]

45. quite possibly

,

[bvar22]

56. Hey, hey!

K&R
AND it went UP to +1!

Monsanto Vilsack should have NEVER been appointed to Sec of Ag.
ANOTHER Fox guarding the Hen House.
Business as usual.

The DLC New Team

(Screen Capped from the DLC Website)

[Raine]

58. Absolutely! nt

[jefferson_dem]

59. Yes.

Unless he has a really good explanation, he should be gone.

[ellie]

60. Yes

This is just nuts. Since when do people listen to right wing assholes?

[niyad]

64. take a deep breath--then fire him for terminal stupidity in falling for reichwing bs

[TheKentuckian]

66. Meh...maybe but he should be fired for being a corporate stooge of the 1st magnitude

for sure.

This crew of "pragmatists" is an anchor around the necks of the administration, the party, the country, and the future.

[flpoljunkie]

67. No. Calling for Vilsack's firing is also a rush to judgment. But, perhaps not, after reading this.

Mod Mom's post...

Way To Stay Strong, Tom
David Kurtz | July 20, 2010, 6:27PM

It's easy to pop Andrew Breitbart in this whole mess, but Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack isn't exactly covering himself with glory. Vilsack was on CNN earlier essentially saying that it doesn't matter whether Breitbart's video turns out to be a bogus smear of Shirley Sherrod. No, Vilsack demanded Sherrod's resignation because the whole episode could open her up to charges of racism in the future and impair her ability to do her job.

So I guess if I were to write that Tom Vilsack doesn't have his people's back and won't even do a cursory investigation before throwing his employees to the wolves, then that could open him up to charges that he doesn't have the confidence of USDA employees and impair his ability to do his job.

Dangerous logic.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/07/way_t...

[IndianaGreen]

68. Thank GAWD Vilsack is not in charge of firing our ICBMs in case of nuclear attack

He is liable to launch our missiles on account of a flight of geese.