Brent Bozell (Media Research Center) is on CSPAN now, and he's pushing

[Mist]

the idea that Democrats have demonized Repubs, and that's contributing to the overall uncivil discourse.

The Dems being held responsible again.

No mention of the many years of RW demonizing of the left.

On edit: now Bozell's going on about "occult" aspects of Loughner's activites, which he feels is "far, far more frightening than" uncivil discourse.

[patricia92243]

1. Demonizing and violence are NOT the same thing. If I call someone a nutjob that may be demonizing

them. If I say kill or maim them - that is violence and NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Political parties have always "demonized" each other. The current, leading Republican talking heads advocate violence. That is a whole other topic from demonizing.

[madokie]

2. The stuck pig squeals

is what this is all about

[Mist]

3. Good point. There's a distinction to be made there. Thanks for pointing that out. nt

[kentuck]

5. Bingo!

You should make a stand-alone post on this distinction. Name-calling and criticism is part of our political history. We have always done it. Sarah Palin is not exempt and neither is Barack Obama.


However, free speech is not to be confused with violence and threats. Let a few leftists show up at a Palin event with guns strapped to their legs and signs about the blood of patriots and see how you are welcomed. Hell, people weren't even allowed to have bumper stickers or T-shirts near George W Bush events. Some were arrested.

Some people have not forgotten the "free speech" zones.

[Sancho]

4. I turned it off - I couldn't take Bozell any more...

:puke:

[HereSince1628]

6. People, left, right and center, have a need to feel safe

a large part of the security we need is peace of mind.

One way some Americans can get peace of mind is moving to a gated community or strapping on a firearm and believing they are protecting themselves.

But, you can't really strap on a gun on a political chat board like DU. So, we see the use of rhetoric to create 'distance' and distinctions that place us into a perceived safe category that produces peace of mind.

We get peace of mind by structuring our perception of risk so that it is far away and distinct from our lives and those we associate with.

--It can't happen here , or we blame it on 'them': it was the republicans, it was the democrats, it was the tea-baggers, it was the moon bat extremists, it was the occult, it was the crazy...pick a group that disturbs you, design yourself as not in that group, and then blame them. Rinse and repeat as needed.

Until we get our little peace of mind, we'll be seeing and posting about all manner of accusations and suggested solutions. Some of this is rational, some of it is not.

That's what it looks like when human nature meets free speech and produces the Mulligan stew of public discourse.

[Doctor_J]

7. Fascist Friday on CSPAN

don't suppose there will be someone like Thom or Malloy on to "refudiate" these lies

[ck4829]

8. Brent Bozell is is the poster boy for why we need the estate tax and against inherited power

If this guy was anyone else, he'd be restricted to catapulting his propaganda on a street corner.

But since he's the nephew of William Buckley, that means he gets time on CSPAN.

[Mist]

9. Actually, I hadn't known Bozell was Wm. Buckley's nephew. nt

[City Lights]

10. Same shit, different day.

I'm sick of the steaming piles of shit the Republicans peddle day in and day out. Their "us versus them" mentality has ruined civil discourse in this country. I despise Republicans and their mouthpieces with every fiber of my being. And for me, there is no going back.