Commentary: Maxine Waters deserves better from her party

instead of unfairly criticizing her.

Maxine won't back down. No way.

Can you hear us Chuck?

tell him how disgusted I was with him that he hung her out to dry.

national and local blowhards have been attacking maxine for years, like they have hillary for decades, and every dem who sticks their neck out

and they'll start attacking swing vote SCOTUS senators - that's probably why limbaugh took a long weekend - so the heritage foundation can prep him. or maybe mueller's questioning him about his cyprus bank acct. and his work for putin for a decade.

and democrats have no fucking clue because they think trump and the gop's most important media weapon is fox and money

and the'll be going after her tomorrow on your local station sunday shows and limbaugh will be adding to the attack on monday along with a couple of hours distorting and demeaning all the protests this weekend. then they will continue all week on that so republican reps don't have to pay attention to protestors.

and as long as the left ignores talk radio that's the way it will be

Love her.

When we are facing the barbarians
civility is a losing strategy.

I support Maxine and think civility is overrated by people who benefit from the status quo.

that they will stand up for us?

Pelosi and Schumer are obviously not the kind of leaders we need when we are in the fight of our lives against the fascism that's taking over our country. If all they have to offer is this kind of pathetic drivel:

it's proof that we badly need new leadership.

some didn’t vote or registered “protest” votes in 2016. The reality is the people know who and what is working for them and who/what is not. As a party, we better wake up to this fact.

BTW, I like Nancy Pelosi for the most part. But she is way off on this one. She better start showing her moxie — she has it and needs to use it. Schumer? He is not the right person at this time. In another time, a more collegial time, fine ... but not now.

I tweet at Nancy Pelosi and asked her to send me the links of her condemning the threats against Maxine but have not heard back yet. This civility bullshit is bullshit. Our Democratic leaders are going to let the repukes polite us right into the concentration camps.

I like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Shumer and I'm mostly happy with their leadership, but they are 100% wrong on this one. If they couldn't support her stance then they should've just kept their mouths shut about it. Their appeasement has only emboldened the crazies. Have they come out and denounced the racist comments and death threats against her or does civility only apply to Democrats?

Better if they had said 'no thing'.
💙🇺🇸🌊

You should consider starting a post with just this quote from MLK. In a world of junk yard dogs, wolves and packs running the streets, the democrats come across like the pampered cocker spaniel living in an apartment that has never spent the night outside, let alone wandered the neighborhood without a leash.

to a gun fight, as Malcolm Nance said the other day.

Too much handwringing and pearl-clutching, we are dealing with fascists for crying out loud, who stole an election, stole Obama's pick and are now trying to steal SCOTUS for a generation.

Hillary was correct with 'basket of deplorables' during the campaign, as well as her speech in India talking about how the deplorables resent the rise of PoC/women etc, and how she won all the diverse/growing areas. In both instances she got plenty of pushback from the (white) left, especially the populist types who are sympathetic to deplorables in many ways.

You have to go after these slugs, it's all they understand.

They demanded Al Franken resign over fabricated charges. Remember Van Jones, Remember Shirley Sherrod, Remember ACORN. A leadership that will abandon its people out of fear is not leadership, it's cowardice. Republicans shit on us and Schumer says we have to remain civil. Alan Grayson should be the next Speaker. Michael Avenatti and Stephen Colbert should be the ticket in 2020.
We need leaders willing to sucker punch (not figuratively) Mitch McConnell when he violates the rules.
If the Democrats snatch defeat from the jaws of victory as they are wont to do, then we the base must smack the shit out of leadership.

Their cowardice has gotten us NOTHING.

The California Dems are showing us the way.

Kamala Harris.

Eric Swalwell.

Maxine Waters.

Ted Lieu.

Barbara Lee (the only Democrat who CORRECTLY voted against authorizing military force after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks).

...it's not a change in the direction of Tim Ryan and others who think "identity politics" is our problem.

Totally agree. The stakes are too high to play mamby pamby right now.

When progressives stand silently and civilly with signs, the Republicans yell, "Get a job!"

And what could possibly be more civil than taking a knee?

But it's fine for them to threaten people online? To intimidate peaceful protesters by making a big show of being armed? To drive into peaceful protesters? To massacre journalists? To steal thousands of children? Are these things really equivalent to yelling Shame?

My own local paper has run several op-eds on the need for civility, but I'm sure the editors wouldn't be calling for civility if it were their own children being stolen. I'm with Maxine: the perpetrators--the architects and enforcers of this administration's monstrous policies--should be shamed wherever they go.

"Bernie Sanders Defends Sarah Sanders: People Have a Right To Go to a Restaurant for Dinner"

snip//

On MSNBC on Wednesday, former democrat presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders defended White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on the currently dominant political topic of civility in politics.

“Look, as I’ve said before, yeah, I think people have the right to go into a restaurant and have dinner,” said Sanders (Bernie) about Saunders (Sarah) being kicked out of a restaurant with her family over political differences.

Host Kristen Welker was asking the Vermont senator about the lack of civility in general at first, and he said he’s “not a great fan of shouting down people or being rude to people,” but that people have a right to be angry.

https://www.mediaite.com/tv/bernie-sanders-defends-sarah-sanders-people-have-a-right-to-go-to-a-restaurant-for-dinner/

Stephanie Wilkinson was protesting the draconian policies of the Fraud. Not "political differences" She asked her employees to vote on it.

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

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I don't care much about Sarah and her feedings. Rather make her life miserable in other ways.

My post from a few days ago & my disgust with dem leadership's cries for civility while tossing one of their own under the bus...again: https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=10796136

Like it or not, agree with it or not, the dems are viewed as weak & this is partly why.

Representative Waters, you rock & remind us that well behaved women don't make history.

Let's make history.

She’s my gal. Long may she ROAR!!!

I'm with her.

and saying they are Wrong.. that goes for Bernie Sanders, too..

"Bernie Sanders Defends Sarah Sanders: People Have a Right To Go to a Restaurant for Dinner"

snip//

On MSNBC on Wednesday, former democrat presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders defended White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on the currently dominant political topic of civility in politics.

“Look, as I’ve said before, yeah, I think people have the right to go into a restaurant and have dinner,” said Sanders (Bernie) about Saunders (Sarah) being kicked out of a restaurant with her family over political differences.

Host Kristen Welker was asking the Vermont senator about the lack of civility in general at first, and he said he’s “not a great fan of shouting down people or being rude to people,” but that people have a right to be angry.

https://www.mediaite.com/tv/bernie-sanders-defends-sarah-sanders-people-have-a-right-to-go-to-a-restaurant-for-dinner/

Stephanie Wilkinson was protesting the draconian policies of the Fraud. Not "political differences" She asked her employees to vote on it.

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Let Maxine Lead..

Let Maxine Lead..YES!!!

She is doing the heavy lifting against fascism!

It's not about f***ing "political differences."

It's one thing to agree on facts but differ about how to respond to said facts, or about the causes. It's one thing to differ over the role of government. It's one thing to differ over tax rates. And so on.

But constantly lying, misleading and obfuscating is another thing.

Denying facts and inventing "alternative facts" is another thing.

Fomenting and exploiting racism, sexism, misogyny and xenophobia is another thing.

Separating families, and caging asylum-seekers (including children) is another thing.

Bragging openly about sexual assault and defending serial assaulters is another thing.

Suggesting that your supporters find a "2nd amendment solution" for your political opponent is another thing.

Refusing to show your tax returns, stiffing contractors and operating a phony "University" is another thing.

Violating the emoluments clause (that alone would have had Obama impeached) is another thing.

Race-based voter suppression and gerrymandering is another thing.

Obstructing justice is another thing.

Blatant hypocrisy about SCOTUS nominees - and everything else under the sun - is another thing.

Colluding with a foreign adversary is another thing.

Befriending vicious dictators and alienating vital allies is another thing.

There's nothing "uncivil" about protesting any and all of that. There's nothing uncivil about protesting those who are committing crimes against an entire nation, or aiding and abetting said criminals. On the contrary, it would be indecent to not do so.

So, anyone who is concerned about supposed acts of incivility toward SHS or Stephen Miller or Nielsen or McConnell or any of the Trumps, just fuck off. Those inhumane criminals are actively destroying lives and any semblance of democracy that remained. I don't give a shit if they can't eat dinner in peace or if they get shouted at. They should be in prison.

Political differences?!? Are you fucking kidding me?!?

when I posted to you on that other thread.

Very Well said and ended.. "Political differences?!? Are you fucking kidding me?!?"

We're living in the fucking Fascist Twilight Zone Nightmare.. and these pols are worried about Fucking DECORUM!

It's Freaking Exhausting But We Carry ON

https://waters.house.gov/contact Contact Maxine!

We are protesting barbarism and racism, not fine points of political discussion.

It's so Unbelievably frustrating, SunSeeker.. When the sane side doesn't see what's going on.

Citizens have a right to protest by any reasonable means necessary.

have to make her sound like a damn pariah.

When the likes of McCain and Collins are "moderates" and what Waters said is unacceptable, we have a real problem.

country has been taken over by Fucking Fascists rigged in by the Fucking Russians and he calls out Maxine on the Senate Floor? And Nancy in the House..

We need to send Maxine words of Support!:

https://waters.house.gov/contact

Thirty years of paying attention to what Republicans actually want says Maxine has the right of this.

Under the circumstances, what Congresswoman Waters said was downright tame.

“Let’s make sure we show up wherever we have to show up,” Waters said during videotaped remarks at a Los Angeles rally. “And if you see anybody from that Cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd. And you push back on them. And you tell them they’re not welcome anymore, anywhere. We’ve got to get the children connected to their parents.

“We don’t know what damage has been done to these children,“ she added. ”All that we know is they’re in cages. They’re in prisons. They’re in jails. I don’t care what they call it, that’s where they are, and Mr. President, we will see you every day, every hour of the day, everywhere that we are, to let you know you cannot get away with this.”

Republicans make horrific statements and carry out horrific policy, yet you don't see them eating their own.

A Democrat calls for nonviolent protest of horrific policies carried out by Republicans, and both Republicans and Democrats scold her.

Russia, voter suppression, gerrymandering, ignoramuses (on the right and left), and the media make things difficult enough...why the hell would Pelosi, Schumer and others make matters even worse?!? Are they really *that* strategically inept?

And this is partially why. They've been cowering from the GOP & media ever since Reagan mocked them for being liberals. They let this double standard come about by not challenging back. Sure the media favors the GOP corporate agenda, so you fight harder to get your message out there. You call the networks & demand that US congresspersons be put on the air & you arrive with a set of talking points & be ready to challenge any lies you hear. Instead of cowering from the word liberal, they should have said, "Hell yes we're liberal & here's why," & then recited that Joe Conservative essay. They make up an entire list of talking points from that essay, but they never do.

Frankly, I was surprised and certainly disappointed. I agreed with everything Maxine said.

I'm happy with the result.

Jesus H. Christ, "Talking Points Memo" has a freaking poll if Maxine should resign.

I know that the M$M is reich wing but now Josh Marshall?

instead of correcting their misuse of terms and restating the issue in clear, unambiguous language. Ms. Waters use of the term harass was of course intended to indicate non-violent shunning of these unprincipled, uncivilized people. The right wing media immediately chose to frame the term as a threat of violence. Schumer's acceptance of the term as such and failure to re-frame was a cardinal mistake in countering RW propaganda.

Adding to that, this spinelessness is not the kind of thing I want to hear from party leadership.

Does anyone in this party understand how the game is being played by the other guys?

Bottom line...Dem leadership seriously needs to grow a pair, but THIS IS MOST DEFINITELY NOT THE TIME FOR CHANGES IN LEADERSHIP. Seriously, folks...changing leadership heading into mid-terms? Wouldn't the other guys just love that.

Pelosi and Schumer made a mistake criticizing Maxine, however obliquely they did it. I think they will come to realize this. It is tough for genteel institutionalists like Pelosi and Schumer to accept the sad fact that we are operating in a different America now, requiring different tactics.

and I think it's the best stance for a minority party wanting to win elections.

Why is it that the only battle plan the democrats seem to have is "defense". IMO we NEVER challenge the repugs until it's way to late. Case in point. SCOTUS seat. Now everyday dozens of emails from dozens of groups running around with their hair on fire AFTER the Kennedy resignation. All looking for money of course.

It now personally feels to me like throwing good money after bad. Of all the checks I have written and petitions I have signed
I have never been told or shown that my effort really helped.

Not even once. Was there a clear back and white result where anyone wrote and said Thank you, because you and 1000, 100,000 or 1,000,000 other people gave and sign we won this one battle.

Where was the outrage when McConnell STOLE Merrick Garland's / Obama's seat. GDamn it! fight as if your life depends on winning BECAUSE it does. The life of this democracy is on advance life support right now.

I have to wonder if we are not seeing a similar situation that we have recently seen on a smaller scale. The case where Stormy Daniel's original attorney was privately selling her down the road by colluding with Trump's attorney Cohen. Colluding against her all along.

What the hell have the DNC and the DCCC been doing to protect our interests. Colluding for their personal benefits. It seems like for congress members and their decisions it is ME FIRST, PARTY SECOND, never all Americans.

And now, because I older, I will tell a story.
In the 80’s I lived in a small far western suburb of Chicago. My partner and I were leaving a local store, when two younger men approached. One of the men looked at the other and said “ Oh man look at the,dykes.” I looked at my partner and said “Oh my god, how did he know?” And we burst out laughing. They both looked like they had been kicked in the balls, and hurried past us into the store.

My point is that anyone asking Pelosi or Schumer about Maxine’s replies, could have received an easy and somewhat humorous reply. ‘Have you seen Mr. Presidents tweets?’ ‘ Did you see Melania jacket?’ I mean, it doesn’t take a genius to hold up a mirror to stupidity. Laughing at them, as they deserve, is far more effective than hurting your own team mate. I like both Pelosi and Schumer, but honestly, if I saw them in public, I’d give them some shit. Not as much as if I saw any Republican politician. Geebuz, it isn’t rocket science, don’t attack your allies.

And since the GOP is trying to throw up obstacles to keep us from voting, voting is about to become a very dangerous endeavor in this country. Not for the faint of heart.

lack requisite courage to face bullies of the their own social and racial class. Maxine been fighting wypipo for a hell of a long time and knows civil will get you run over and dead. A gross majority of Racist WHITE PEOPLE cannot be reasoned with. Pelosi and schumer do not have the requisite life experience to deal with crude racists such as trump and his base. Go Maxine. Middle finger here to both pelosi and schumer.

The democratic Party leadership needs us for numbers. That's is all the Party has ever neded the minority vote for. They do not respect minorities. Hell their extreme quiet when President Obama faced white obstructionism and racist hate from the RW is not forgotten. Their extreme quiet when the First Lady, Michelle Obama was called monkey and worse, is not forgotten. When we held the majority in Congress President Obama's first 2 years, the racist 'bluedogs' obstructed him also. The 'southern strategy' BOYS AND GIRLS. Remember them, they are still with our Party. I have not forgotten.

I will never forget. The only way I am like the repthugliKKKan icon, the elephant, is my memory of WHITE RACISM AND INJUSTICE in my 70 years on this stinking ball of spinning dirt. And now a minority of racist white people has the majority of trumps racist base thinking the "good old days" have returned. Well they haven't. This is a new day NEVER to return to white supremacist evil, hated and ignorance. White supremacist/trump nationalists are the epitome of pigs in their pen wallowing mindlessly in their shit and mud. They better "take it easy". storm's a brewin'....

think that the choice we have is either vote or resist.
Voting and legally resisting are not
mutually exclusive.
Voting is a must so is resisting,
marching,and shaming them. Any one who dose not see the seriousness of the situation we are in should remember the British prime minister Lord chamberlain who signed a peace agreement with Hitler that did not prevent WWII. He was certainly a civil gentleman!!!!! and a naive leader.
Democratic leadership wake up and smell
the coffee.

greater evil... that context seems have been deliberately stripped out in the way this story has been covered.

it’s all about politics, that they are exaggerating how bad tRump is, that Rs aren’t really all that different from anyone else when it comes to civility.

Idiots.

party, among ourselves, we can agree to disagree on things. This is one of the great things about the democratic party that I really like. It's like having many cultures, many ethic groups of all varieties, etc. all in one group, which in truth, is a big big chunk of America as it truly is. Wonderful!

When it comes down to it, when it gets tough, we get tough, we get together, and pull together, all of us, out of the morass that Washington DC has become, governed for the donors by the republican party, and not us, the average American on the street. Just watch us in Nov. 2018, 2020, and 2022. Just watch.

Our American democracy depends on its survival.