2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumBill Maher Goes Where The Media Won’t By Calling Republican Obstruction Treason
Bill Maher Goes Where The Media Wont By Calling Republican Obstruction Treason
Bill Maher did something that the mainstream media wont. He made the case that the Republican obstruction of Obama has crossed over into treason.
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Maher and Moores discussion brings up an interesting point. Republicans started out by hating this president. Their hate was reflected in obstruction. By obstructing and opposing everything that this president has tried to accomplish, Republicans created the perception that they hate government. Since the American people, not only elect the government, but count on the government to provide safety and security, obstruction has created the perception that Republicans hate the American people.
The mainstream media is so busy treating Obama hate and conspiracy theories as a legitimate point of view that they never stop to consider whether or not they are playing a role in damaging the country. The media loves to talk about the dysfunction in Washington, but they will never acknowledge the role that they continue to play in legitimizing Republican obstruction.
The media is so terrified of the right that they will never bring up the fact that congressional Republicans have violated their oaths of office by refusing to do the duties that they were elected to carry out. This behavior has gotten so extreme that Republicans have taken to boycotting committee hearings for Obama nominees.
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Full article here: http://www.politicususa.com/bill-maher-media-calling-republican-obstruction-treason.html
Kolesar
(31,182 posts)Cha
(297,196 posts)to bring it down. Why is that different than being a double agent in the FBI and passing secrets to enemy agents? Same objective.
Flashmann
(2,140 posts)That the GOP is a continuing,ongoing criminal enterprise,that should be subject to RICO statute charges...I don't think Mahers claim that they're treasonous is a stretch.
longship
(40,416 posts)And here it is in Article III:
I despise the Congressional Republicans and their followers, but calling their actions as treason does not seem to meet the Constitutional definition.
Maher is using hyperbole here, something for which we call out the Republicans all the time. If we're not to be called hypocritical, I suggest we limit calls of treason to something that rises to that level, as specifically defined.
What they are doing is despicable and against their oath of office, but does not seem to be treasonous. (IANAL.)
busterbrown
(8,515 posts)We have one guy who is not afraid to go to the edge and instead of saying good for you. We end up being critical of his schtick...Which in this case is pretty darn close to the truth.
longship
(40,416 posts)So it couldn't be used for political reasons. Treason is a very serious crime which has often been used to suppress political opposition in history.
That's why treason is defined in the Constitution. And that's why calling somebody out for treason should only be done when it comes close to the definition.
The loony right wing have been screaming treason for some time now. I remember it in the fifties and sixties when it was oft used by the John Birchers.
I guess I don't like to see good people use those tactics. You may disagree, but I have to stand by my convictions on this. The Republicans are despicable and without conscience, but they are guilty of being dirty political opponents, not treason.
Cosmocat
(14,564 posts)Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)Media does not mean 'cable commentary shows that pose as news' media is inclusive of all forms of mass communications. Bill's show has a larger audience than most of the cable punditry hours on Fox and MSNBC an CNN. Media does not mean 'the news' and cable commentary show are not the news anyway.
This politicusa website is a mess.