General Discussion

MineralMan

(151,281 posts)

44. The thing is that I think Cenk, for example, is an asshat.

Fri Dec 30, 2011, 03:47 PM

Dec 2011

I would serve in the nation's military, though, to protect his right to be an asshat. In fact, I did just that. By the same token, I reserve the right to think that Cenk is an asshat. Sometimes, I explain why I think he is an asshat, but sometimes I don't.

I would not dream of silencing him or anyone else, though. If I did that, then I would agree that people can be silenced for expressing their ideas, and that would mean that I might be silenced for calling Cenk an asshat.

My opinions of Glenn Greenwald and Matt Taibbi are similar, but I chose Cenk for this reply because he has recently engaged in some serious asshattery by suggesting that Iowans not caucus for President Obama. If that is not prima facie asshattery, I do not know what is.

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I see people like Glenn Greenwald, Matt Taibbi and Cenk Uygur are being attacked in a big way [View all] Cali_Democrat Dec 2011 OP

... dionysus Dec 2011 #1

no... but it's an effort by many to destroy the truth fascisthunter Dec 2011 #41

+1 treestar Dec 2011 #132

You never really loved them!!... SidDithers Dec 2011 #206

Post removed Post removed Dec 2011 #269

Well, ProSense Dec 2011 #2

Attacking Ron Paul supporter Glenn Greenwald and "former" neo-con Cenk Uygur? TheWraith Dec 2011 #39

neo-con? hardly.nt Snotcicles Dec 2011 #89

Lol, that's why slammed the neocon's foreign policies sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #141

Glenn Greenwald is not a Ron Paul supporter or if he is he hasn't publicly endorsed him. Puregonzo1188 Dec 2011 #97

Explain his ties to the Cato Institute. -nt CakeGrrl Dec 2011 #219

He did a study on drug decriminalization in Portugal... Hissyspit Dec 2011 #230

Cenk Uygur, Neo-con? MsPithy Dec 2011 #178

Utter nonsense. Hissyspit Dec 2011 #231

You have to actually read Glenn Greenwald to understand his analytical mind. I guess it's easier sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #253

Nice Job 99th_Monkey Dec 2011 #232

completely dishonest and defamatory claim/post inna Dec 2011 #261

Why did you credit an article written by Jake Tapper to Greenwald? Luminous Animal Dec 2011 #52

No answer yet, I was going to ask the same question. sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #62

She changed the attribution on the original but now neither one Luminous Animal Dec 2011 #74

Anyone who dares to write critical pieces about the administration quinnox Dec 2011 #3

So ProSense Dec 2011 #4

bah, we all can't quinnox Dec 2011 #7

Ah ProSense Dec 2011 #11

No, but how about just reading what they say? caseymoz Dec 2011 #18

Wait ProSense Dec 2011 #23

If you disagree with it. sendero Dec 2011 #88

^^^^^^ +10 n/t Donnachaidh Dec 2011 #116

THIS Maven Dec 2011 #184

Well, ProSense Dec 2011 #192

so got root Dec 2011 #215

Are you serious? sabrina 1 Jan 2012 #273

+ a bajillion x infinity. Phlem Dec 2011 #247

You don't think campaigns can be covertly directed? caseymoz Dec 2011 #222

I liked the old ProSense better. Fuddnik Dec 2011 #237

I didn't like the old Phlem Dec 2011 #248

That argument is disingenuous. The OP pointed out that these folks were ... Scuba Dec 2011 #234

thank you and well said Slit Skirt Dec 2011 #241

Logic check! sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #65

Um ProSense Dec 2011 #77

Well, I think we agree somewhat anyhow, which I already stated: sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #90

Actually it turns out that hardly anyone is persuaded by facts Warren Stupidity Dec 2011 #151

no - they only impress INTELLIGENT people Skittles Dec 2011 #126

Yeah, ProSense Dec 2011 #197

More like anyone who lies to trash the administration goes on the list... TreasonousBastard Dec 2011 #50

+1 emilyg Dec 2011 #128

Well apparently opposing the precious pundits is displeasing to their treestar Dec 2011 #133

Yep, the reason I've been spared the public flogging tavalon Dec 2011 #243

I don't know, but it's disgusting. hifiguy Dec 2011 #5

You know ProSense Dec 2011 #8

Isn't free speech free speech? caseymoz Dec 2011 #30

Wait ProSense Dec 2011 #40

That's a gross distortion of what I said caseymoz Dec 2011 #217

+ 15 Slit Skirt Dec 2011 #242

Nope tavalon Dec 2011 #244

Since you seemed confused on a point, I'll clarify: caseymoz Dec 2011 #246

You forgot to mention how many rec'd Cenk's diary on DK. sabrina 1 Jan 2012 #275

I didn't specifically accuse anyone of anything hifiguy Dec 2011 #31

What ProSense Dec 2011 #45

Whatever. hifiguy Dec 2011 #49

Well, ProSense Dec 2011 #56

I guess you are not familiar with the term hifiguy Dec 2011 #57

Are ProSense Dec 2011 #64

My reference was back to my own post, in which I hifiguy Dec 2011 #66

And ProSense Dec 2011 #68

Meh. hifiguy Dec 2011 #70

What's the word ProSense Dec 2011 #79

You sure did move the goalposts. sabrina 1 Jan 2012 #276

You would get a better argument from one of the goalposts. n/t A Simple Game Dec 2011 #107

It's all black or white, 100% or 0% to the very busy haranguers. FredStembottom Dec 2011 #249

Don't waste your time Cali_Democrat Dec 2011 #69

Very Obvious pmorlan1 Dec 2011 #121

Are you saying you're not libertarian on civil liberties issues? JackRiddler Dec 2011 #152

Thank you for your reasoned posts. I hope this is not a preview of the coming election season sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #67

Thank you Sabrina and CaliDem! hifiguy Dec 2011 #71

By "Smearing and attacking rather than providing reasons to support Democrats." A Simple Game Dec 2011 #108

Very measured response: Betty Karlson Dec 2011 #72

No you skirt around it by saying that anybody who doesn't agree with your position mythology Dec 2011 #143

I don't expect an "echo chamber" but SomethingFishy Dec 2011 #83

Sad, isn't it? sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #101

Hear Hear!!!! n/t unionworks Dec 2011 #35

I agree... it is disgusting and an embarrassment to the Democratic Party fascisthunter Dec 2011 #38

'Do they really represent the democrats'? sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #98

As opposed to calling people trolls or cult members? mythology Dec 2011 #144

Yes, people start off with attacks on those they disagree with and that starts a vicious cycle sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #148

welcome to the war within our own party fascisthunter Jan 2012 #282

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! nt valerief Dec 2011 #81

^^WHAT^^HE^^SAID ~nt 99th_Monkey Dec 2011 #233

How does disagreement on DU with what they write and say MineralMan Dec 2011 #6

Many of these are attacks on the persons, not what is said. That is what makes them Bluenorthwest Dec 2011 #63

I see people like Obama, Biden, and Hillary are being attacked in a big way. MineralMan Dec 2011 #9

There's a difference. We pay Obama's, Hillary's, and Biden's salaries. Tierra_y_Libertad Dec 2011 #14

If you pay their salaries, does that mean you control their message? nt msanthrope Dec 2011 #37

You pay the pundits' salaries treestar Dec 2011 #134

you silencing silencer of dissent! why, i'm pretty sure you have shut down 99.999999% of all dionysus Dec 2011 #19

You mean you've seen some of their policies and appointments attacked in a big way, right? n/t eridani Dec 2011 #138

Honest description of what they actually do is not an "attack." JackRiddler Dec 2011 #153

And the attackers have DU accomplices. Kucinich of course. Wont surprise me if they rhett o rick Dec 2011 #10

Definitely Kucinich Cali_Democrat Dec 2011 #13

well, their views are too the right of him fascisthunter Dec 2011 #43

Tsk. Tsk. They are troublemakers who don't toe the party line or join the fan club. Tierra_y_Libertad Dec 2011 #12

Nailed it slay Dec 2011 #26

Bingo! nt hifiguy Dec 2011 #33

You know that darned reality gratuitous Dec 2011 #15

Hear, hear peace frog Dec 2011 #99

Picking on Cenk, commondreams, and truthout seems a bit cruel. gulliver Dec 2011 #16

I don't see how this.. 99Forever Dec 2011 #17

Who's silencing anyone? frazzled Dec 2011 #20

+1 n/t FSogol Dec 2011 #51

+1 treestar Dec 2011 #135

Damn right. peace frog Dec 2011 #189

No one is silencing anyone. It's the ridicule that's damaging. stillwaiting Dec 2011 #236

It happens in both directions frazzled Dec 2011 #240

I thought I was very clear in my post. stillwaiting Dec 2011 #259

Yes, much clearer now, thanks frazzled Dec 2011 #266

Specifics? TiberiusB Jan 2012 #272

Taibbi is very independent. I read of his life's experiences and love his writing style. JohnnyRingo Dec 2011 #21

Nobody has exposed the banksters quite like Matt Taibbi IMO Cali_Democrat Dec 2011 #29

Yes he has..... midnight Dec 2011 #104

Indeed, and he does it in my language JohnnyRingo Dec 2011 #158

ITA. I also like Greenwald, even when I disagree with him tishaLA Dec 2011 #119

Not them, their ideas and opinions. n/t savalez Dec 2011 #22

I've noticed that over the last few days as well slay Dec 2011 #24

+10 RC Dec 2011 #84

The use one logical fallacy after another- but what does that behavior reap? Poll_Blind Dec 2011 #85

You'd probably consider me guilty of that. JohnnyRingo Dec 2011 #169

I hear ya slay Dec 2011 #195

Can't ask for more than an open mind JohnnyRingo Dec 2011 #204

Paul Krugman Enrique Dec 2011 #25

I ProSense Dec 2011 #36

What crimes did these guys do to get lumped in with the Hamster? msanthrope Dec 2011 #58

All 3, for the right or wrong reasons, have spent a good deal of their careers attacking people... phleshdef Dec 2011 #27

Silenced? I have seen no damn stinking silencing going on. tabatha Dec 2011 #28

I'd like to see some opinions of the points raised discussed rather than personal attacks TheKentuckian Dec 2011 #124

When folks in their own Party cannot Take Criticism to Improve fascisthunter Dec 2011 #32

Indeed. And of course the President himself has publicly asked... Poll_Blind Dec 2011 #78

you are aware the slight difference between 'holding feet to fire' and 'toss him in the bonfire' yes Bodhi BloodWave Dec 2011 #208

that's too bad isn't it? That's how a democracy is... fascisthunter Jan 2012 #281

How can you hold the country above a political party? treestar Dec 2011 #136

So you'd rather have it the other way around? LiberalLovinLug Dec 2011 #262

Getting cozy down here. MuseRider Dec 2011 #34

The new ignore function allows for maximum comfort, too. theaocp Dec 2011 #42

The thing is that I think Cenk, for example, is an asshat. MineralMan Dec 2011 #44

I reject the idea that name calling is political discourse at all. Bluenorthwest Dec 2011 #60

You can add me too. I never understood the need to name-call which from my observations sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #82

x3 AnotherMcIntosh Dec 2011 #127

warning: agents of the dear leader(s) will have you disappeared or droned w/out trial if you persist msongs Dec 2011 #46

It's interesting that you choose the North Korean term for MineralMan Dec 2011 #48

melodrama: check persecution complex: check. dionysus Dec 2011 #55

Wow, I've only heard that term before treestar Dec 2011 #137

Who is being 'silenced'? Ikonoklast Dec 2011 #47

List? There's a list?? Spazito Dec 2011 #53

My Taibbi thread has over 150 recs. trumad Dec 2011 #54

Small and very vocal. bahrbearian Dec 2011 #95

Fall in line for what? TreasonousBastard Dec 2011 #59

Silenced? Dewey Finn Dec 2011 #61

I find it amusing Summer Hathaway Dec 2011 #73

Do you have a link to that OP? Because you must be reading something else. EFerrari Dec 2011 #80

I responded to this OP Summer Hathaway Dec 2011 #93

No, you can't be responding to the OP EFerrari Dec 2011 #190

I never said the OP mentioned lockstepping Summer Hathaway Dec 2011 #207

exactly! We can't be in "lock step" long enough to get someone elected treestar Dec 2011 #139

They're not fawning over Obama... joeybee12 Dec 2011 #75

I'd be willing to bet schoolyard name calling and shallow critiques don't bother them. pa28 Dec 2011 #76

I agree. And to think, they used to be incredibly popular here at DU Quantess Dec 2011 #86

In what crazy world is criticism the same as "being silenced"? Bucky Dec 2011 #87

Right here on this forum, apparently. CakeGrrl Jan 2012 #286

Just recently started posting here again after a long hiatus sandyd921 Dec 2011 #91

actually, it's a small - but extremely, uh, vocal - fraction of the DU (what used to be) community. inna Dec 2011 #172

When do we get the 'ignore' button back? Owlet Dec 2011 #92

It's already there mythology Dec 2011 #146

Thank you. AnotherMcIntosh Dec 2011 #216

K&R bahrbearian Dec 2011 #94

And with this post, irony gasped, shuddered, and finally died. Robb Dec 2011 #96

The hate us for our Freedoms: bvar22 Dec 2011 #100

And for valuing a rare thing in this country, objective, analytic reporting which is what Glenn sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #109

Sabrina, you are a true DU treasure and one of the few reasons to continue reading DU at this point inna Dec 2011 #167

Your post reads like bad parody. n/t Dewey Finn Dec 2011 #154

project much? (purely rhetorical) inna Dec 2011 #168

Did you have a point? Dewey Finn Dec 2011 #171

i did, and i stated it inna Dec 2011 #188

And you stated it very well, as always, inna! sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #209

How odd Dewey Finn Dec 2011 #228

Which actually doesn't make any sense Dewey Finn Dec 2011 #227

Mmm, well, I just stopped and thought about it sabrina 1 Jan 2012 #277

Agreed. Google: "Operation Mockingbird". webDude Dec 2011 #102

Taibbi has baselessly called Obama "criminally compliant" with Wall St. banned from Kos Dec 2011 #103

It's hard to find this on the web. Do you have a link to support the claim? AnotherMcIntosh Dec 2011 #114

I have a new thread up - I will make sure everyone knows what a liar Taibbi is. banned from Kos Dec 2011 #123

And the evidence-free fiesta continues TiberiusB Jan 2012 #274

Excellent, thank you. This is the kind of post that contributes something. sabrina 1 Jan 2012 #278

Look, I don't care that Taibbi hates Goldman - its his baseless smears against Obama I object to. banned from Kos Jan 2012 #279

Never happened TiberiusB Jan 2012 #283

I should make clear that the CFPB is real TiberiusB Jan 2012 #284

per: both your posts. You write effectively, btw. banned from Kos Jan 2012 #285

Thanks, and I am always interested in hearing opposing viewpoints TiberiusB Jan 2012 #287

As long as it is a discussion and not a flamefest Rex Dec 2011 #105

every election cycle NavyDavy Dec 2011 #106

Who on DU is 'supporting Paul'? sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #110

Are you claiming that either Glenn Greenwald, Matt Taibbi, or Cenk Uygur are supporting Paul? AnotherMcIntosh Dec 2011 #113

How do we know that those who are engaging in such character assasination are not neocons? AnotherMcIntosh Dec 2011 #111

Or are those engaging in character assassination against those engaging in character assassination Robb Dec 2011 #112

Yes ProSense Dec 2011 #118

After he threw this firebomb on the DU forum, he left 4 hours ago. Major Hogwash Dec 2011 #120

He who? Incidentally, you have a great moniker. AnotherMcIntosh Dec 2011 #125

I must have hurted your feelers. Major Hogwash Dec 2011 #129

More Hogwash? AnotherMcIntosh Dec 2011 #130

A rose by any other name . . . Major Hogwash Dec 2011 #147

effing disgusting inna Dec 2011 #162

As I recall Obama is criticized when he speaks up as just treestar Dec 2011 #140

or who else has to be burned at the stake for supporting Obama Whisp Dec 2011 #115

I don't know the rest but Greenwald is an idiot for saying Ron Paul was anti-crony-capitalism. joshcryer Dec 2011 #117

It's an election year Cal Carpenter Dec 2011 #122

They are "silenced?" treestar Dec 2011 #131

I personally have always been annoyed by the pundit-worship on DU. joshcryer Dec 2011 #145

Consider the source pmorlan1 Dec 2011 #142

That's what we're doing here, for crying out loud. Major Hogwash Dec 2011 #150

lol pmorlan1 Dec 2011 #155

Great post. I like that quote, and I agree, Taibbi and Greenwald do great work sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #212

There's a rotation that also includes Jane Hamsher, anyone who publishes on Counterpunch... JackRiddler Dec 2011 #149

Sounds like you need a "safe haven" forum. Robb Dec 2011 #156

Good example of the bullying - no content, telling people to leave. JackRiddler Dec 2011 #157

Good example of dishing, no taking. Robb Dec 2011 #159

I'm happy with a comparison of my post 149 to your 156. JackRiddler Dec 2011 #160

Ach! Foiled! Robb Dec 2011 #161

I guess there's no danger you ever read a book with footnotes. JackRiddler Dec 2011 #163

Never graduated from high school. Robb Dec 2011 #164

Good for you. An eminently likable quality. And you seem to own a thesaurus. JackRiddler Dec 2011 #165

Never took up paleontology. Robb Dec 2011 #170

THAT's what you consider bullying? Dewey Finn Dec 2011 #173

More important is how he has moved on after his victimhood. Robb Dec 2011 #175

Yep. Dewey Finn Dec 2011 #177

I've never seen a thinner skin than from the Obama detractors. joshcryer Dec 2011 #180

It was ProSense Dec 2011 #186

Oh I have! sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #203

Oh really? joshcryer Dec 2011 #211

Sure. JackRiddler Dec 2011 #193

You want to talk about putting words in people's mouths Robb Dec 2011 #201

Four completely unconvincing paragraphs Dewey Finn Dec 2011 #254

As opposed to a quick shot of nothing? JackRiddler Dec 2011 #257

It doesn't matter how many or how few words you throw at it. Dewey Finn Dec 2011 #260

Hey, welcome to DU, Dude! sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #200

Oh, dude! You think? JackRiddler Dec 2011 #251

Guess again. Dewey Finn Dec 2011 #252

S. Whosehisname? JackRiddler Dec 2011 #256

Ah I forgot his name started with an S. sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #271

What a perfect illustration of the poster's point. nt woo me with science Dec 2011 #185

I concede you have the moral high ground Robb Dec 2011 #187

Thank you for noticing. woo me with science Dec 2011 #250

Well said. AnotherMcIntosh Dec 2011 #179

Perfect summation. nt woo me with science Dec 2011 #183

So ProSense Dec 2011 #191

Since people can read my post for themselves, I see no need to respond to your false paraphrase. JackRiddler Dec 2011 #194

I love the Nader attacks. The man was all powerful, if you were to believe them. sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #213

Post removed Post removed Dec 2011 #166

Cool story, bro. n/t Dewey Finn Dec 2011 #174

I appreciate Summer Hathaway Dec 2011 #221

Current TV rocks! Mimosa Dec 2011 #176

Oh, I get it. if people disagree with them or their outlook, they are being "attacked" killbotfactory Dec 2011 #181

Cenk's diary won the "Thursday Worst Diary Competition" ProSense Dec 2011 #182

He should be proud of that. On DK that is a huge compliment. sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #202

No, it's not. Major Hogwash Dec 2011 #210

Thousands of liberals left that blog long ago, and sadly I am seeing some of the same kind of sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #214

And 1000s more are still there!! Major Hogwash Dec 2011 #223

No where near as many as there could have been. sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #263

"And very few worth reading anymore." Major Hogwash Dec 2011 #265

Yes, and thousands of others. sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #267

Cenk is a Republican and a fucking asshole. Major Hogwash Dec 2011 #268

I doubt he hasn't heard it before. All former Republicans tend to hear it, Kos also. sabrina 1 Dec 2011 #270

So you are criticizing critics of the criticism of three critics... bhikkhu Dec 2011 #196

you just like, blew my mind man... slay Dec 2011 #198

I'm ProSense Dec 2011 #199

K&R n/t DeSwiss Dec 2011 #205

Who's being silenced? They're being called out. NOT the same thing. CakeGrrl Dec 2011 #218

Cenk is beginning to sound like Sean Hannity more and more all of the time. Major Hogwash Dec 2011 #224

On this forum? Any thread that cites one of these authors is attacked... JackRiddler Dec 2011 #225

If folks don't march in lock-step, they will be attacked by some, even on the 'underground' got root Dec 2011 #220

I haven't been following all this, but from what little I know, I'm irritated because I feel gateley Dec 2011 #226

Yep, that's how I feel as well. nt MADem Dec 2011 #229

the little boy who said the emperor has no clothes on... madrchsod Dec 2011 #235

How dare anyone criticize, or say anything about points of weakness russspeakeasy Dec 2011 #238

K & R !!! - Thank You !!! WillyT Dec 2011 #239

What a cluster of fucks! But I guess they're making a living peddling their vitriol. MjolnirTime Dec 2011 #245

The Crux Of The Matter colsohlibgal Dec 2011 #255

Great post. Without them pulling on the left, mistertrickster Dec 2011 #258

why shouldn't they be? this is a discussion board. they say cali Dec 2011 #264

Greenwald supported the Iraq war ProSense Jan 2012 #280