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Atticus

(15,124 posts)
Wed Jan 8, 2020, 11:22 PM Jan 2020

Why do so few Democratic politicians get pissed off? By "pissed off", I mean openly and

righteously indignant; passionately and justifiably angry.

I disagree with just about everything Senator Mike Lee says or does, but he was rightfully pissed off about the "insulting" briefing Trump's people offered today as justification for killing Soleimani and he did not try to conceal that fact when he was interviewed by the press. Several Democrats were also interviewed and they also were not satisfied with the briefing. The difference was that Lee was visibly angry and disgusted. He was animated in his manner and his speech and he said the briefing was the "worst" he'd received in his nine years in the Senate. The several Democrats who spoke conveyed a sense of resignation; a somewhat sad "this is just the way things are" attitude. They said the briefing was "insufficient" and "fell short" of what they expected.

Where's the fire? Where's the quavering voice PASSION that can hardly contain itself when confronted with the daily outrages of the Trump regime?

If you want an example of what I'm talking about, listen to how my Senator, Tammy Duckworth, handed Trump his ass on the floor of the Senate today.

Say it like you mean it and want everyone to know you mean it.

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Bev54

(10,052 posts)
2. Because they are not republicans
Wed Jan 8, 2020, 11:43 PM
Jan 2020

They are serious professionals and act like it. The repubs are a bunch of bad actors playing a part for an audience of one.

Atticus

(15,124 posts)
5. Believe it or not, "righteous indignation" is a real thing and it it is possible go show GENUINE
Thu Jan 9, 2020, 12:06 AM
Jan 2020

anger and not be "playing a part".

gratuitous

(82,849 posts)
3. Because as soon as a Democrat gets righteously angry, they become "shrill" or "deranged"
Wed Jan 8, 2020, 11:57 PM
Jan 2020

A year or two ago, Hillary Clinton sat for an interview and was asked about Trump stalking her on the stage during one of the debates. If you remember, Clinton chose to ignore Trump and get on with answering questions. In an interview later, she said that maybe she should have turned on Trump and said, "Back off, you creep!"

I've thought about that, and thought how satisfying the scenario of Clinton calling out Trump would have been. Then I start thinking about how the media, led by Fox, would have treated Clinton's wholly-justified fire. "He got to her!" "She's so shrill!" "Trump didn't do anything wrong." "How would she react to that 3 a.m. phone call if Trump can get under her skin that easily?" And on. And on. And on. The story would have shot right past Trump's objectionable behavior and settled on Clinton's reaction, which would have taken on the worst spin possible in every instance.

Atticus

(15,124 posts)
6. So, now we must conceal our justified outrage for fear of offending Fox watchers? We will never
Thu Jan 9, 2020, 12:11 AM
Jan 2020

be treated fairly by the corporate media, so let's just be real.

JudyM

(29,238 posts)
9. Sanders expresses outrage and some folks right here are "turned off" by it. I agree it's warranted.
Thu Jan 9, 2020, 12:25 AM
Jan 2020

underthematrix

(5,811 posts)
4. Because I expect Democratic representatives and senators to model emotional intelligence
Wed Jan 8, 2020, 11:58 PM
Jan 2020

Civility, critical thinking, thoughtful analysis, communicating the challenges and solutions. Protecting our democracy, i.e. the rule of law by holding this administration accountable for its criminality, treason and unethical behavior.

Leith

(7,809 posts)
8. Leave the histrionics to the rethugs
Thu Jan 9, 2020, 12:24 AM
Jan 2020

If a Democrat or liberal ranted or raved like Gym Jordan, Doug Collins, or Matt Gaetz, I would not like it. Leave the overly emotional stunts to the emotionally stunted.

pecosbob

(7,538 posts)
11. Part of me want to take the high road...the other not so much
Thu Jan 9, 2020, 05:00 AM
Jan 2020

The last mud-slinger I heard in the House was Grayson from Florida, but if IIRC he turned out to be kind of a phony with his own agenda.

The Senate is typically the last place I would look for a 'champion of the oppressed', but I have long been impressed with Elizabeth Warren. I also see no duplicity in her whatsoever, also very uncommon from someone elected to our House of Lords.

There is a distinct difference between the straightforward logical arguments Warren makes in the Senate and the type of statement typically made by Republican demagogues like Lindsay Graham for example...one utilizes fear and hysteria and the other does not. One is based on lies and the other is based on logic.

Atticus

(15,124 posts)
12. Apparently, there is a flaw in the way I worded the OP. How else explain why an OP
Thu Jan 9, 2020, 09:13 AM
Jan 2020

about suggesting we display more "righteous indignation" be converted---per several responses--- into a call for "histrionics". Perhaps I--- and Tammy Duckworth and Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders--- should just shut up, lest we be judged "uncivil".
On the other hand, maybe if you cannot speak passionately about what you want to change if elected, maybe you should not be in the race and we should not be wasting our time with you.
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