General Discussion

quakerboy

(14,923 posts)

116. If Greenwald was talking about his partner, you might have a point. But he isn't, and you don't.

Tue Aug 20, 2013, 09:40 PM

Aug 2013

Whens the last time you heard a news agency or any serious participant in discussion call Michelle Obama the Presidents "girlfriend"?

Married. Partner, or Husband. If they were casually seeing one another, boyfriend might be appropriate. In a personalized, possibly jocular situation, sure, Ive got a Hot date with my favorite girlfriend tonight. But that's not what this is. This is a discussion of a pair of married men brought to our attention in a news venue.

But when referring to a person who is married, calling him a "lover" or "boyfriend" is clearly intended to diminish the relationship they have.

Who would want to diminish that relationship?

A defender of the presidents NSA spying policy, I suppose, or a homophobe. A defender of the president might also have been upset with comments by others who have actually attacke the president, as well as his policies. Michelle Bachman comes to mind as a prime offender, whose spouse has also come into the lime light. In how many DU conversations has anyone referred to Marcus Bachman as Michelles Lover. Or as Michelle's Boyfriend?

It seems quite clear that calling a married man a "boyfriend" or "lover" is clearly intended to diminish them. And the apparent underlying mechanism is Homophobia. Words matter.

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Highlight:

Terrorism Under Veil of Journalism is Still Terrorism [View all] michigandem58 Aug 2013 OP

Teenagers have 'boyfriends' leftstreet Aug 2013 #1

Homophobes use the diminutives 'boyfriend' or 'lover,' rather than HardTimes99 Aug 2013 #10

--Homophobes-- railsback Aug 2013 #54

Excuse me, I wasn't the one who referred to Greenwald's 'boyfriend'. This OP HardTimes99 Aug 2013 #57

So you don't think gay men refer to their partners as 'boyfriends'? railsback Aug 2013 #59

Post removed Post removed Aug 2013 #63

Yeah, the stupid definitely burns bad railsback Aug 2013 #75

If Greenwald was talking about his partner, you might have a point. But he isn't, and you don't. quakerboy Aug 2013 #116

Rachel Maddow used the "boyfriend" term on her show George II Aug 2013 #130

Maybe Im wrong. quakerboy Aug 2013 #131

She referred to him as "his partner, life partner, boyfriend", about 4 minutes into the segment.... George II Aug 2013 #132

I havnt seen specific mention of being married quakerboy Aug 2013 #134

You were correct. They are married. EOTE Aug 2013 #157

....deleted and reposted, i responded to my own post, not the one I intended to respond to... George II Aug 2013 #168

Whether they are married or not really isn't the point, and it makes no difference to me... George II Aug 2013 #169

It kind of IS the point. EOTE Aug 2013 #185

They are married. EOTE Aug 2013 #156

Yes. pnwmom Aug 2013 #133

Do you think anyone regardless of gender or orientation, refers to their husband as their boyfriend? EOTE Aug 2013 #155

Ok, so then Rachel Maddow is ALSO a homophobe railsback Aug 2013 #167

Because a GLBT person says something stupid doesn't make it any less so. EOTE Aug 2013 #184

Like I said... railsback Aug 2013 #195

You're right. It's way beyond ridiculous that people continue to throw out lies and smears EOTE Aug 2013 #204

Yes, you're right railsback Aug 2013 #206

It was Rachel Maddow herself who referred to him as Greenwald's "boyfriend" - the OP... George II Aug 2013 #128

Saying someone has a 'boyfriend' is being homophobic? Cali_Democrat Aug 2013 #88

God damn, you can't see why this would be an issue? boston bean Aug 2013 #93

I didn't know they were married Cali_Democrat Aug 2013 #94

You might also note that the 'writer' uses the word 'partner' very pointley directly after the Bluenorthwest Aug 2013 #109

Every reference I've seen anywhere, including by Greenwald himself, is "partner", not "spouse"! George II Aug 2013 #118

See my other posts earlier - it was MADDOW who called Miranda Greenwald's "boyfriend", dammit! George II Aug 2013 #129

Oh my gosh Iliyah Aug 2013 #120

Amazing, isn't it? George II Aug 2013 #151

HEY! Did you even BOTHER to check out what Rachel Maddow actually said????? George II Aug 2013 #125

There is nothing homophobic about "boyfriend". Thats stupid. phleshdef Aug 2013 #191

Rachel used the term boyfriend Nancy Waterman Aug 2013 #158

Uncle Fester writes a new blog post. Yay, it's my favorite time of the day. DisgustipatedinCA Aug 2013 #2

Miranda isn't a "journalist" his partner is, Snowden is holed up in the remnants of the Soviet Union George II Aug 2013 #152

He can't even do the light bulb thing. Egalitarian Thug Aug 2013 #162

I don't believe Britain follows the 4th Amendment... Deep13 Aug 2013 #3

And there you go...journalism is the new terrorism. dkf Aug 2013 #4

It's amazing how people can get played by FOX and others... just to get played again. TheBlackAdder Aug 2013 #9

Who's left?....... socialist_n_TN Aug 2013 #55

Except terrorism by journalism is not new. Check your history. It is well documented. kelliekat44 Aug 2013 #23

+10000000 railsback Aug 2013 #27

McCarthy was a Congress member abusing his power not a journalist. He was more like the NSA itself Bluenorthwest Aug 2013 #45

Hmmmmm. 2ndAmForComputers Aug 2013 #172

Your other right. n/t Cerridwen Aug 2013 #5

A tourist in GB can take a picture of a landmark and get collared for terrorism. n/t TheBlackAdder Aug 2013 #6

Have you no sense of decency, sir or madam? At long last HardTimes99 Aug 2013 #7

The police state thanks you for your service, citizen. NuclearDem Aug 2013 #8

To me the test is whether you would approve of the spying if Bush was still in charge. alarimer Aug 2013 #11

LOL! I only have this as a response to your hilariously ridiculous post! Vinnie From Indy Aug 2013 #12

Thank you so much for this LearningCurve Aug 2013 #33

LOL leftstreet Aug 2013 #69

LOL! AsahinaKimi Aug 2013 #98

So much better than the OP. East Coast Pirate Aug 2013 #122

Rachel is not insane... one_voice Aug 2013 #13

About The Peoples View. sheshe2 Aug 2013 #14

just yet another right-wing wanker advertising as a "self-described" liberal frylock Aug 2013 #44

Now-now, I don't think Spam-Dan is a "right-wing..." Wilms Aug 2013 #100

He admits to hating Obama! These DUers that rec Rex Aug 2013 #179

Spandan the Executive Assistant is correcting Dr. Rachel Maddow... WorseBeforeBetter Aug 2013 #108

basically, some blowhard loser. KG Aug 2013 #183

Yep. And ol' Spandan/deaniac83 supports the ACLU... WorseBeforeBetter Aug 2013 #197

He supports Obama too...oh wait, no he doesn't at all. Rex Aug 2013 #201

I just waded into that cesspool known as People's View, and today's topic is "media bullying." WorseBeforeBetter Aug 2013 #207

Spandan: "Good riddance, Barack Obama" WorseBeforeBetter Aug 2013 #110

I've seen homophobic writing on that blog. Not impressed. boston bean Aug 2013 #160

Supporting an Obama hater...why am I not surprised Rex Aug 2013 #176

OH MY GOD. BART GELLMAN OF THE WASHINGTON POST IS A TERRORIST!!!! Luminous Animal Aug 2013 #15

"journalist" who frighten the government are terrorist and should be treated as such Douglas Carpenter Aug 2013 #16

In a democracy it is the people who are the boss of those in the government... cascadiance Aug 2013 #40

you talk like you think this is a liberal discussion forum Douglas Carpenter Aug 2013 #66

Are we missing a sarcasm icon in this section of this thread?... cascadiance Aug 2013 #68

in absence of a sarcasm Icon I hope my signature live reveal my literal views Douglas Carpenter Aug 2013 #71

"This blog is devoted to examining issues from a liberal perspective..." michigandem58 Aug 2013 #17

I play football like a pro... joeybee12 Aug 2013 #22

LMAO LondonReign2 Aug 2013 #36

i'm an astronaut! frylock Aug 2013 #46

That is nice I can lie too if I want to...so why didn't he vote for Obama? Rex Aug 2013 #174

That is some AAA-grade, high octane stupid bullshit. geek tragedy Aug 2013 #18

There's a phrase to remember MFrohike Aug 2013 #91

Exactly.. complain about it if the USA hints at telling another country what Cha Aug 2013 #19

Maddox never claimed to be a Democrat or support Obama. She has a job where she is paid to talk. freshwest Aug 2013 #215

Let me get this straight. Greenwald is terrorizing the USofA. Read the definition again. rhett o rick Aug 2013 #20

People's View rec... SidDithers Aug 2013 #21

What is a neo-Duer? I like to keep up with all the hip lingo. Luminous Animal Aug 2013 #29

Evidently a phrase the neo-cons on this site came up with villager Aug 2013 #35

Undoubtedly that is true but I'd like to know the definition. Luminous Animal Aug 2013 #48

from earlier context i figured it was analogous to neo-liberal third way "new Dem" nashville_brook Aug 2013 #89

^^^this^^^ L0oniX Aug 2013 #77

Maybe it's someone who can actually vote for Democrats. n/t QC Aug 2013 #121

Boom! HangOnKids Aug 2013 #189

A term the Liberal bashing, Obama haters came up with. Rex Aug 2013 #180

Actually, it was used by an Obama supporter in reference to Snowden supporters. Luminous Animal Aug 2013 #181

Which Obama supporter? Rex Aug 2013 #182

Hey, noob. I've been here awhile, and I don't like the site either DisgustipatedinCA Aug 2013 #53

^this too^ L0oniX Aug 2013 #79

Haaaaa! HangOnKids Aug 2013 #193

The recs for a blogger that hates Obama but bashes the Left! Rex Aug 2013 #200

The People's View:"Good Riddance Barack Obama" Fumesucker Aug 2013 #58

The Liberal Bashers on this site have no shame at all. Rex Aug 2013 #175

now there's a brilliant reason to rec something. Not for what it says but cali Aug 2013 #138

Par the course for that one. Rex Aug 2013 #186

Rec for a guy that refused to vote for Obama? Rex Aug 2013 #173

michigandem58 is a King George Democrat AZ Progressive Aug 2013 #24

Thanks alot! Vinnie From Indy Aug 2013 #41

LOL leftstreet Aug 2013 #52

I usually like The People's View but I disagree with this post Number23 Aug 2013 #25

To whom was he "pedaling" documents? Luminous Animal Aug 2013 #30

Every reasonable account says he was the relaying info to Poitras and Greenwald Number23 Aug 2013 #32

What do you think the definition of peddling is? Luminous Animal Aug 2013 #47

The documents were stolen. They will ALWAYS be stolen. Wrap your head around that. Number23 Aug 2013 #50

And the Pentagon Papers were stolen and they will ALWAYS be stolen... Luminous Animal Aug 2013 #56

And what EXACTLY does that have to do with the current discussion? Number23 Aug 2013 #62

Characterizing journalism as terrorism (see the title of the OP) is persecution. Luminous Animal Aug 2013 #70

There is probably a very good reason that you have decided to "bless" my posts with your Number23 Aug 2013 #72

Number23 says, "Who has called for the "persecution" of journalists?" I merely pointed out who has.. Luminous Animal Aug 2013 #81

I'm sure peddling is a distinctive strength of yours. Toodles. Number23 Aug 2013 #85

Hmmm. Not exactly. Ellsberg had more of a right to those documents. He helped write them. stevenleser Aug 2013 #105

History will determine if Snowden was a hero or a traitor. ... spin Aug 2013 #26

That's really it right there. nt NorthCarolina Aug 2013 #107

I disagree with the idea that it is terrorism, but rec'd for an interesting perspective. nt stevenleser Aug 2013 #28

it is amazing what one can read on liberal/progressive board these days Douglas Carpenter Aug 2013 #31

That is neither liberal, nor progressive, you mean? villager Aug 2013 #37

It's just a small, noisy group that take these perspectives...... socialist_n_TN Aug 2013 #60

Whatever their motivation, they're certainly noisy as hell! villager Aug 2013 #127

Is the author of this blog a fucking moron? LondonReign2 Aug 2013 #34

+Infinity! - nt HardTimes99 Aug 2013 #67

The author is a member of DU. Democracyinkind Aug 2013 #73

What screen name? morningfog Aug 2013 #144

I just realized that I misread, sorry. Democracyinkind Aug 2013 #145

Post removed Post removed Aug 2013 #205

+10000 Katashi_itto Aug 2013 #136

Which idiot wrote this homophobic crap? Bluenorthwest Aug 2013 #38

Worse, which idiot keeps linking to it on a Democratic board? LondonReign2 Aug 2013 #153

Why do you refere to it as "homophobic"? George II Aug 2013 #170

Bad. This is the same government which has used domestic terrorism against the Occupy movement. Fire Walk With Me Aug 2013 #39

Yeah, calling so many people "terrorists" arbitrarily smacks of the techniques used by the Stasi... cascadiance Aug 2013 #51

Another tired #5 PSPS Aug 2013 #42

Wow, that was helpful. xfundy Aug 2013 #78

This message was self-deleted by its author HangOnKids Aug 2013 #211

So. Threats of truth telling should be treated like threats of violence? DirkGently Aug 2013 #43

From !.A, all activities that break the law are terrorism mindwalker_i Aug 2013 #49

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah... idwiyo Aug 2013 #61

Don't forget those quakers or that 82 year old nun. Pholus Aug 2013 #64

I said this before. So the US and UK should just ignore Snowden and let all the info out. kelliekat44 Aug 2013 #65

Cowardly Journalists ? Rumold Aug 2013 #104

Whatchu mean "US" and "UK"? eridani Aug 2013 #135

An entire nation held hostage and blackmailed? HangOnKids Aug 2013 #212

I can't believe that people can write such stuff and think of themselves as liberal. Democracyinkind Aug 2013 #74

So, you agree with this ASSessment? xfundy Aug 2013 #76

strong is the fail, with this one.... mike_c Aug 2013 #80

I don't agree with Britain using anti-terror laws in this manner Proud Liberal Dem Aug 2013 #82

can we now at least knock off this bullshit denial about how the pro-surveillance apologist are not Douglas Carpenter Aug 2013 #83

I accept that some are just very blindly partisan. Or nihilistic. DirkGently Aug 2013 #87

you are probably right - but civil liberties principles include the principle that it applies to Douglas Carpenter Aug 2013 #92

Yes. It's not a left / right issue at all. Authoritarians DirkGently Aug 2013 #95

Obviously this fucked up US government thinks journalists are probable terrorists. L0oniX Aug 2013 #84

What makes me crazy about this "putting lives in danger" meme is... CincyDem Aug 2013 #86

Thank you! K&R! She also loves Cory Booker, the same guy who defended Bain Capital and Mitt Romney. Liberal_Stalwart71 Aug 2013 #90

Trouble with this Stalwart is that the OP also LOVES Cory Booker I just left a thread about how the Bluenorthwest Aug 2013 #112

Yes, and it's a fucking shame, too. There was nothing wrong with the more Liberal_Stalwart71 Aug 2013 #159

If you can only save our President . . . another_liberal Aug 2013 #96

And that's why fascism is okay with michigandem58 Android3.14 Aug 2013 #97

... Hell Hath No Fury Aug 2013 #99

This peoplesview blog is hilarious. Thanks for the daily updates. cthulu2016 Aug 2013 #101

We're not allowed to link to pro-socialist websites NuclearDem Aug 2013 #102

the author of that is a terrorist for using the terrorism charge coercively stupidicus Aug 2013 #103

Tyranny under the veil of "security" is still tyranny. 99Forever Aug 2013 #106

From the headline JEB Aug 2013 #111

they don't mind Miller or Katherine Harris: I remember that they didn't in 2002 (or Yoo) MisterP Aug 2013 #114

It�s obvious that anyone who thinks critically, honestly or with empathy is a terrorist. 20score Aug 2013 #113

OK, but who's to decide what is "terrorism"...John Roberts? Ocelot Aug 2013 #115

There is an old adage "the pen is mightier than the sword" Half-Century Man Aug 2013 #117

Of course it is. Cleita Aug 2013 #119

Seriously-- is there ANYONE at DU who wants to read this shit? Marr Aug 2013 #123

Why post this drivel? Blecht Aug 2013 #124

With quislings like Spandan, who needs terrorists to fuck up this country? n/t whatchamacallit Aug 2013 #126

Your on the wrong website. Katashi_itto Aug 2013 #137

the author of that pathetic website is seriously stupid. cali Aug 2013 #139

I think it's the OP's own website...? Quantess Aug 2013 #146

It's embarrassing that this crap got 22 recs. cali Aug 2013 #140

no kidding Puzzledtraveller Aug 2013 #188

Not embaressing, revealing. Rex Aug 2013 #192

Remove both bling words: Terrorism and Journalism Little Milly Aug 2013 #141

Terrorism and Journalism are bling words? HangOnKids Aug 2013 #213

There we go. Been looking for someone to come right out and morningfog Aug 2013 #142

Thanks for the suggestion to watch Rachel Maddow's clip. Quantess Aug 2013 #143

Unmitigated right-wing bullshit. This is fascist apologia. morningfog Aug 2013 #147

To those who post or recommend this crap: Have you left no sense of decency? muriel_volestrangler Aug 2013 #148

A shameful lot. Really scary to see how low they go. morningfog Aug 2013 #154

Honestly. Puglover Aug 2013 #171

Not surprised about the thread starter; one or two of the recommenders used to have muriel_volestrangler Aug 2013 #202

Yes I agree. Puglover Aug 2013 #203

Or so you were led to believe maybe? Rex Aug 2013 #214

and stupidity under the veil of bigotry is still stupidity. hobbit709 Aug 2013 #149

Kick for visibility Bonobo Aug 2013 #150

Your kick is appreciated michigandem58 Aug 2013 #161

And if MLK knew you were using his photo, Bonobo Aug 2013 #164

Yeah NOTE that the blog owner hates Obama and loves to bash the Left Rex Aug 2013 #178

I don't suppose you have a definition for terrorism, do you? n/t Egalitarian Thug Aug 2013 #163

Good Lord michigandem58 Aug 2013 #165

I don't help spammers fake their clicks-for-cash scams. n/t Egalitarian Thug Aug 2013 #166

Anything that doesn't agree with the current government is terrorism burnodo Aug 2013 #209

So you support a guy that hates Obama and bashes the left? Rex Aug 2013 #177

Actually, I'm far more supportive of President Obama michigandem58 Aug 2013 #194

Not you the idiot blogger you linked to. Rex Aug 2013 #196

Wow Puzzledtraveller Aug 2013 #187

Something you would expect to read in 1984. Rex Aug 2013 #190

My theory is this is just the disgusting display Puzzledtraveller Aug 2013 #198

For some I can see that being the case. The blog owner the thread is linked to...no not at all. Rex Aug 2013 #199

LOL. love the pretzel logic. La Lioness Priyanka Aug 2013 #208

Right Wing Garbage Under Veil of Progressive Analysis is Still Right Wing Garbage Matariki Aug 2013 #210

I find it very interesting that the OP was blasted for using a specific term in reference to..... George II Aug 2013 #216