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2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: How to explain this: Hillary Clinton praised a former president [View all]Octafish
(55,745 posts)130. Not hate, telling the truth.
The Bush Family Evil Empire
Bartcop coined the phrase to put a handle on the cabal that use their political and economic power to enrich themselves at the expense of the nation. They include the Wall Street types and their heirs who were the political and legal enemies of Gen. Smedley Butler.
Bill Moyers, Alfred W. McCoy and others have identified some of these players as part of The Secret Government. They use political and financial power under the cover of official secrecy to selfishly gain and unreservedly serve the ultra-right and ultra-rich who through their combined and concerted criminal actions have become the most powerful and undemocratic group in human history.
Among their policies that have remained in place since at least 1981 are the major tax cuts for the rich, while simultaneously increasing public spending on military hardware and now warfare and disaster capitalism without end while cutting back public expenditures, if not eliminating entirely, public education, housing, healthcare, welfare and other social-benefit programs. It also is why, by design and by law, most of the wealth created since Reaganomics has accrued in the pockets of the richest of the rich. It was supposed to.
Rather than bringing all that up, while still making them easy to identify, I call them the BFEE. Perhaps the best moniker for them is the War Party, for using their positions to make money through death, suffering and the exploitation of humanity. Its what George W Bush meant when he said, Money trumps peace. And for the record, the last president to stand up and oppose these unmitigated warmongers was President John F. Kennedy.
Anyway, that bothers some DUers. Tuesday, I made the observation that a person is only a suspect until convicted in a trial. That concept is central to our system of justice, yet I got mocked by several DUers for stating it. The idea that all are innocent until proven guilty and the idea that all are equal under the law are basic to democratic government.
Heres what I suspect these DUers dont know or dont want to acknowledge knowing. There are truly evil people in positions of power, both in and out of government. An important example is this guy, thoughtfully misidentified by Fox TV as a Democrat, the former Republican representative out of Florida, Mark Foley, BFEE:
The now-known child predator was given a position to oversee laws designed to protect children from child molesters. Whats more, Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) covered it up. In America, married households may now be a minority, but parents who have kids hate child molesters. Same for most people, in general: Child molestation generates universal hatred.
Thats why Fox and so many other news media have tried to connect Foley, by accident, to the Democrats. Even Huffington Post made the connection. Once an idea is in a persons head, it takes a LOT of Truth to drive it out. Consider the nonexistent ties between Osama and Saddam that so many Americans still believe to exist. So, if the connection between the House Republicans and Foley can be made in the minds of enough Americans, they will not vote for Republikkkens.
Eleven GOPers Fingered in Foley Cover-Up
By Justin Rood - September 30, 2006, 9:32 PM
Roll Call's John Bresnahan reports:
As of Saturday evening, nearly a dozen House GOP lawmakers and staffers have acknowledged that they knew of the initial batch of non-sexually explicit messages from Foley to a 16-year-old former House page, some of them for a year or more. These include Hastert (R-IL); Majority Leader John Boehner (Ohio); National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Reynolds (N.Y.); Reps. Rodney Alexander (La.) and John Shimkus (Ill.); Mike Stokke, the Speakers deputy chief of staff; Ted Van Der Meid, Hasterts counsel; Paula Nowakowski, Boehners chief of staff; Jeff Trandahl, the former Clerk of the House; and another Hastert aide and Alexanders chief of staff, according to public statements and GOP insiders.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/eleven-gopers-fingered-in-foley-cover-up
Not only did he chair the Congressional Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children, Foley was in the House GOP leadership. As Deputy Majority Whip, he mightve followed in the sweaty steps of his mentor, Dennis Hastert as Speaker of the House. Thats something you wont hear mentioned by John Boehner or anyone on Fox TV.
Foley never went to trial. But he should have been investigated in public, preferably by a Grand Jury led by a Special Prosecutor. Same for his colleagues in power, Dennis Hastert. A big reason they aren't around when you need one is George H.W. Bush let the special prosecutor law expire.
This is hard to write about when all the powers are with those in secret offices of government. Consider what Snowden, Assange and the other brave whistleblowers in and out of government and private industry have endured just to give us a peak at the top of the iceberg that represents the virtually unlimited spy powers applied by the FBI, NSA, DIA, CIA and who knows what else.
Then again, if DU, like Bartcop before us, and Thom Hartmann and Talking Points Memo and ConsortiumNews and the all too few others didnt, who would? Rupert Murdoch? Roger Ailes? ABCNNBCBSFakeNoiseNutworks? Not bloody likely.
Bartcop coined the phrase to put a handle on the cabal that use their political and economic power to enrich themselves at the expense of the nation. They include the Wall Street types and their heirs who were the political and legal enemies of Gen. Smedley Butler.
Bill Moyers, Alfred W. McCoy and others have identified some of these players as part of The Secret Government. They use political and financial power under the cover of official secrecy to selfishly gain and unreservedly serve the ultra-right and ultra-rich who through their combined and concerted criminal actions have become the most powerful and undemocratic group in human history.
Among their policies that have remained in place since at least 1981 are the major tax cuts for the rich, while simultaneously increasing public spending on military hardware and now warfare and disaster capitalism without end while cutting back public expenditures, if not eliminating entirely, public education, housing, healthcare, welfare and other social-benefit programs. It also is why, by design and by law, most of the wealth created since Reaganomics has accrued in the pockets of the richest of the rich. It was supposed to.
Rather than bringing all that up, while still making them easy to identify, I call them the BFEE. Perhaps the best moniker for them is the War Party, for using their positions to make money through death, suffering and the exploitation of humanity. Its what George W Bush meant when he said, Money trumps peace. And for the record, the last president to stand up and oppose these unmitigated warmongers was President John F. Kennedy.
Anyway, that bothers some DUers. Tuesday, I made the observation that a person is only a suspect until convicted in a trial. That concept is central to our system of justice, yet I got mocked by several DUers for stating it. The idea that all are innocent until proven guilty and the idea that all are equal under the law are basic to democratic government.
Heres what I suspect these DUers dont know or dont want to acknowledge knowing. There are truly evil people in positions of power, both in and out of government. An important example is this guy, thoughtfully misidentified by Fox TV as a Democrat, the former Republican representative out of Florida, Mark Foley, BFEE:
The now-known child predator was given a position to oversee laws designed to protect children from child molesters. Whats more, Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) covered it up. In America, married households may now be a minority, but parents who have kids hate child molesters. Same for most people, in general: Child molestation generates universal hatred.
Thats why Fox and so many other news media have tried to connect Foley, by accident, to the Democrats. Even Huffington Post made the connection. Once an idea is in a persons head, it takes a LOT of Truth to drive it out. Consider the nonexistent ties between Osama and Saddam that so many Americans still believe to exist. So, if the connection between the House Republicans and Foley can be made in the minds of enough Americans, they will not vote for Republikkkens.
Eleven GOPers Fingered in Foley Cover-Up
By Justin Rood - September 30, 2006, 9:32 PM
Roll Call's John Bresnahan reports:
As of Saturday evening, nearly a dozen House GOP lawmakers and staffers have acknowledged that they knew of the initial batch of non-sexually explicit messages from Foley to a 16-year-old former House page, some of them for a year or more. These include Hastert (R-IL); Majority Leader John Boehner (Ohio); National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Reynolds (N.Y.); Reps. Rodney Alexander (La.) and John Shimkus (Ill.); Mike Stokke, the Speakers deputy chief of staff; Ted Van Der Meid, Hasterts counsel; Paula Nowakowski, Boehners chief of staff; Jeff Trandahl, the former Clerk of the House; and another Hastert aide and Alexanders chief of staff, according to public statements and GOP insiders.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/eleven-gopers-fingered-in-foley-cover-up
Not only did he chair the Congressional Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children, Foley was in the House GOP leadership. As Deputy Majority Whip, he mightve followed in the sweaty steps of his mentor, Dennis Hastert as Speaker of the House. Thats something you wont hear mentioned by John Boehner or anyone on Fox TV.
Foley never went to trial. But he should have been investigated in public, preferably by a Grand Jury led by a Special Prosecutor. Same for his colleagues in power, Dennis Hastert. A big reason they aren't around when you need one is George H.W. Bush let the special prosecutor law expire.
This is hard to write about when all the powers are with those in secret offices of government. Consider what Snowden, Assange and the other brave whistleblowers in and out of government and private industry have endured just to give us a peak at the top of the iceberg that represents the virtually unlimited spy powers applied by the FBI, NSA, DIA, CIA and who knows what else.
Then again, if DU, like Bartcop before us, and Thom Hartmann and Talking Points Memo and ConsortiumNews and the all too few others didnt, who would? Rupert Murdoch? Roger Ailes? ABCNNBCBSFakeNoiseNutworks? Not bloody likely.
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Regardless of his flaws and they were many Bush never demonized Muslims or Hispanics.
DemocratSinceBirth
Jun 2016
#6
Thank you for sharing those photographs with me. I never saw them before.
DemocratSinceBirth
Jun 2016
#46
At one time George Wallace was quite progressive and was endoresed by the NAACP
BlueStateLib
Jun 2016
#217
Thank you for misrepresenting my position and sneaking in an ad hominem attack as well
DemocratSinceBirth
Jun 2016
#50
I don't believe I misrepresented your position as my commitment to veracity is my sine qua non.
DemocratSinceBirth
Jun 2016
#64
And Dubya never praised Mussolini nor Hitler! Obama should give him a Medal of Freedom award!
imagine2015
Jun 2016
#153
this is the kind of black and white thinking that cause something like the OP
treestar
Jun 2016
#211
candidate Bush in 2000 was WAY more moderate and acceptable than any of the Republican
geek tragedy
Jun 2016
#10
GWB never "demonized" Muslims sure; GWB just lied the USA into war and blew up Muslims with
PufPuf23
Jun 2016
#80
I take that as you have no intention to apologize for disrespecting, dehumaninizing....
DemocratSinceBirth
Jun 2016
#142
I refuse to respond to your attempt to denigrate, disrespect, and dehumazine me in kind.
DemocratSinceBirth
Jun 2016
#143
There is no need for us to address our fellow members in such a hurtful fashion.
DemocratSinceBirth
Jun 2016
#196
Thank you for getting another shot in and insulting me again. I refuse to respond in kind.
DemocratSinceBirth
Jun 2016
#199
You bet your fucking ass I'm bitter, I lost a Nephew in that clusterfuck so put your
Autumn
Jun 2016
#221
Presidents and First Ladies are the only ones who knows the crap they go through
yeoman6987
Jun 2016
#94
At Nancy's funeral Hillary spoke a litany of lies in service to Reagan at the expense of the truth
Bluenorthwest
Jun 2016
#12
It's good politics, appealing to centrists and Republicans uncomforatble with Trump.
YouDig
Jun 2016
#14
Every vote counts the same. If there are centrist votes available, and with Trump, there are,
YouDig
Jun 2016
#26
Some centrists do. And I can't think of too many Democrats that would vote against her
YouDig
Jun 2016
#51
By that loose definition any member of Congress who votes for defense spending is a war criminal.
DemocratSinceBirth
Jun 2016
#33
I'm sure her reaction would be the same if Bernie praised W. I'm sure of it
Ned_Devine
Jun 2016
#102
You mean how we're told that Bernie supporters are mostly angry, white,
appalachiablue
Jun 2016
#148
It's been constant forever. This past year has been like a frustrating nightmare that won't end
Ned_Devine
Jun 2016
#149
Nightmare is it. What twisted, contradictory and absurd claims offensive to many groups.
appalachiablue
Jun 2016
#152
No, she said that after the funeral, to the press without being asked about it.
Bluenorthwest
Jun 2016
#39
Why are you lying about me? I've criticized Ronald Reagan a million times on du
La Lioness Priyanka
Jun 2016
#52
You mock me for caring about the history. "No matter how obsessed you are with this" you snark
Bluenorthwest
Jun 2016
#75
You mock me for caring about the truth and seeking to bring that truth to the table.
Bluenorthwest
Jun 2016
#104
She likes war criminals - Kissinger, Netanyahu etc so her affection for the Bush crime family
Arazi
Jun 2016
#213
Legitimizing a corrupt and criminal regime that gave us torture, unjustified wars
tabasco
Jun 2016
#17
Yeah...you missed the part where they won't endorse her...of course you did.
Demsrule86
Jun 2016
#21
I know it's hard for those on the far, far end of the political spectrum to understand, but...
Tarc
Jun 2016
#28
Cordial terms do not require false or undue praise nor the revision of important history to serve
Bluenorthwest
Jun 2016
#31
Bob Hattoy at the 1992 Democratic Convention, spoken in Hillary's presence:
Bluenorthwest
Jun 2016
#93
Oh, she bashed then said 'sorry'? That means it can't be discussed? She said what she said on TV
Bluenorthwest
Jun 2016
#61
Sorry but when you take away the good works of an oppressed group and credit those actions
Bluenorthwest
Jun 2016
#84
I buried the love of my life back then, also half my friends and mentors.
Bluenorthwest
Jun 2016
#79
The readers will see you dredging up some thing Hillary said that she already apologized for
Tarc
Jun 2016
#116
Some are not sophisticated and well read enough to understand that historical context.
Trust Buster
Jun 2016
#45
To the extent that you wish to demonize everything about those Republicans that have served this
Trust Buster
Jun 2016
#97
Being a Democratic website does not mean that one must hate every aspect of Republicans.
Trust Buster
Jun 2016
#122
"Hating" is going crazy over Hillary complimenting past presidents. Projection.
Trust Buster
Jun 2016
#103
Nope, hating is being so sanctimonious as believing everything is black and white and good and evil
Trust Buster
Jun 2016
#118
I used the term "Tea Party Left" as it applies to totally demonizing the service of past presidents
Trust Buster
Jun 2016
#106
Hillary said none of that in the OP. Go re-read the OP so you have a better understanding of the
Trust Buster
Jun 2016
#229
Because she's not the "burn the whole house down and demonize everyone" person that a
Trust Buster
Jun 2016
#41
Because hating on an old man that served his country in WWII, the CIA, the vice presidency and
Trust Buster
Jun 2016
#47
Get a grip. Re-read the OP. It criticized Hillary for saying that H.W. asked her opinions and
Trust Buster
Jun 2016
#124
It's a big club, and although you're not in it, we insist you vote for it.
lumberjack_jeff
Jun 2016
#158
Some think that politicians should be kicking each other in the balls or ovaries.
grossproffit
Jun 2016
#168
If "praising" means speaking the truth. As NY Senator she relied on Bush to get the funding needed
glennward
Jun 2016
#194
It was dishonest of her to lie for the Bushes to get them a blank check for the Iraq war
Hydra
Jun 2016
#197
Huh? Lie for the Bushes? When, where? You mean voting for the war like so many other
glennward
Jun 2016
#216