Call it what it is: socialized _______

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Thursday September 17, 2009 · 10:30 AM PDT

2009/09/17 · 10:30

The absurd, irrational fear of "socialized" anything in this country has been an impediment to real progress for far too long. Currently it stands in the way of even tepid, quasi-socialized health insurance reform in the form of a public option. The progressive and, hell, even the not-so-progressive wing of the Democratic Party can put an end to it with some simple though perhaps tedious and long-term effort.

America's history is a tapestry woven with semantics as much as with actions. The control of vocabulary (i.e. "message control") is at least as important as control over the course of action we take. Vocabulary forms the way we discuss the issues. It's time to start identifying "socialized" with positive aspects of America, rather than letting it languish as the bastard child, Goldstein-like focus of hate the right likes to use it as.

Malumaureus

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Monday July 13, 2009 · 11:40 AM PDT

2009/07/13 · 11:40

Read this diary about the rationing of health care. Or this one (and numbers of others like it by other Kossaks here in Daily KOS) about my family's personal experience with what our health care system breeds. The policies toward health care reform matter to myself and others like me. The labels of people supporting them don't.

Or, if you prefer, read about how our nation's reputation is diminished and our moral standing in the world is sundered: Abu Gharaib; Joking about the War on Iraq, based on lies; "Liberal" hawks wrong about the war.

Or consider the nomination and acceptance of Roberts and Alito to the SCOTUS and the decisions following those events.

Consider these things and more and understand: we are embroiled in a literal fight for what it means to be a Democrat, a Republican, an American, and what we stand for.

Malumaureus

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Thursday December 18, 2008 · 3:15 AM PST

2008/12/18 · 03:15

Kos, you have this website. It's quite popular and often remarked upon in the media. It's a very potent platform, because people who don't post here still know about things they wouldn't when they hear about it when the media remarks on it. You have influence with at least some important people, as your public appearances on political shows and in other venues demonstrates.

Dick Cheney just publicly admitted to helping to "clear" the illegal actions our operatives committed, such as torture. The Bush administration--that includes Cheney--are responsible for the most egregious violation of the law and our constitution since Nixon.

Malumaureus

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Sunday October 26, 2008 · 11:46 AM PDT

2008/10/26 · 11:46

Every presidential race in which I've paid close attention to (on a critical basis, without undue outside influence or pressure), the most prized, most talked about group of people in America is that group of people labeled as one monolithic entity: "Undecideds." The media prizes them for the ratings they offer, campaigns prize them for the potential votes they offer, and the base support of any candidate derides them for their wishy-washy, spineless refusal to commit. (Note: that was, of course, a generalization; exceptions apply.)

One thing I've noticed a lack of is any really detailed, in depth analysis of what it means to be an "Undecided," and when their decision is important (as contrasted with why their vote is important). As we move into the final days of the election season, Undecideds become an increasing focus of the media. When the media report on Undecideds, it's important to consider that in the context of what makes the media tick, and what it means to be "Undecided."

Malumaureus

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Friday October 24, 2008 · 5:56 AM PDT

2008/10/24 · 05:56

I'm not that old; I have just 30 years under my belt so far. My "formative years," as they say, were the late 80s and early 90s. My father has always had an interest in politics and he's never shied away from talking to me about the subject. This isn't necessarily a good thing--he was and is a batshit crazy right-winger free-market worshipper. I spent my 6th, 10th, and 14th years of life ('84, '88, and '92) thinking that a "Democrat victory would be the death of America" (that's a direct quote from my father). I was sorely disappointed with the results in '92.

I was an avid fan of Limbaugh--got his "news" letter, listened to his show (even during school, I'd listen between classes and then to the show which I had recorded for later), read both of his first two books (received as Christmas presents I'd asked for) and generally believed and agreed with everything he said.

Malumaureus

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Thursday October 23, 2008 · 5:07 PM PDT

2008/10/23 · 17:07

States demand licenses and similar requirements for people who choose to engage in certain professions that involve the potential to bring harm to individuals and citizens individually or en masse or both. Among these are doctors, lawyers, civil and other engineers, and even cosmetologists (i.e. hair stylists and others in the "beautician" professions).

For similar reasons, we should require licenses for the officers of corporations that control segments of the economy that are so incredibly important and, apparently, potentially threatening to the American Public.

Malumaureus

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Friday October 10, 2008 · 3:52 AM PDT

2008/10/10 · 03:52

There have been dozens and dozens of diaries on Troopergate and Palin and McCain and his judgment and so forth. Today marks an important milestone as the Alaskan legislative body conducting an investigation releases its report.

Regardless of what the report contains, Troopergate should still sink the Palin/McCain ticket. "Why," might you ask? Well, this diary, containing a video of Palin lying about her reasons for dismissing Monegan, and this AP story illustrate.

You see, the Palin/McCain campaign today released its own report, before the Alaska investigation's report was released, that (surprise) clears Palin of all wrongdoing. However the preemptive exoneration just further torpedoes Palin's credibility (and McCain's judgment).

Malumaureus

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Sunday October 05, 2008 · 4:03 PM PDT

2008/10/05 · 16:03

I am sorry to see the news today. I, too, know what it's like to lose a family member to cancer.

This last March I lost my mother, 55, to colon cancer. It was discovered in 2007 about two weeks after I'd received my Master's degree in August. She had to be taken to the ER due to rectal bleeding: the ensuing surgery resulted in the removal of half of her intestine and a downward spiral from there that took her life a short 8 months later.

Rather than pollute the condolences diaries to make a point about this primary, I will use my own diary: all of my mother's travails could have been prevented.

Malumaureus

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Saturday September 13, 2008 · 9:25 AM PDT

2008/09/13 · 09:25

I write this entry because, until today, I had some small hope that the media might be salvaged from the bog it is currently in. An article I saw today on MSNBC.com has finally broken this hope.

The last few weeks could very well be used as a crash course to educate the previously disinterested citizen on modern political journalism in America. Specifically, the crash course would share this diary entry's title.

The media are all too eager to report on the controversies in any issue, especially politics, because they believe it improves their ratings. Of course this is desirable, because the media are generally owned by corporations which require profit, rather than truthful journalism, to be the driving factor behind all media decisions.

The truth, journalistic integrity, and our very democracy all suffer the ignominy of being placed second or lower on a list of media priorities. This is, of course, about as far removed from the heady days of Edward Morrow as it can get, and it's proving to be more and more dangerous to our Republic.

Malumaureus

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Saturday August 30, 2008 · 4:55 AM PDT

2008/08/30 · 04:55

Well, it seems that MSNBC has an article about Palin's potential impact on this election. The gem of a quote that follows is slapped on near the end.

Sherry Morrison, 46, a medical billing executive who lives in Roanoke called Palin's speech "a wink and a nod to the Hillary supporters. It was, 'Hey, if the Democrats are too stupid to break that glass ceiling, we will do it for them.' "

Sherry Morrison, in that ridiculous, childish, and mentally deficient 'thought' expressed above, embodies the stupidest, least desirable, and most reprehensible of all the potential views one could take as a feminist. She's exactly the gender-focused, cut-off-your-nose-to-spite-your-face woman (and especially Hillary Supporter) that McCain would love to have vote for him.

But, believe it or not, the feminism issues raised by McCain in this surprise aren't necessarily the most important things to focus on. Instead, this event should be viewed in the larger context of Republican strategy.

Malumaureus

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Monday June 23, 2008 · 11:13 AM PDT

2008/06/23 · 11:13

We all know that the right-wing in this country is given to histrionics, hypocritical, and puerile attacks against those they perceive to be enemies. Such attacks always seem to begin and end with some vituperative remark about "liberalism."

Thus it is especially enjoyable to see the fruits of their labors coming back to bite them on the ass, even if it's taken "liberals" a good 30 years to finally "get it."

In particular, there are two recent events in the general campaign that have Republicans and right-wingers everywhere frothing at the mouth with rage. The first is Obama's wise decision to refuse to enter the public financing system for elections, and the second is the Obama campaign's decision to push back on "Swift Boat" style attacks forcefully and in a timely manner.

Malumaureus

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Monday June 09, 2008 · 5:50 AM PDT

2008/06/09 · 05:50

The recent turn of events (Hillary's concession; Obama's presumptive nomination) have, as predicted, caused fear among the right-wing (politicians, pundits, and media all) to skyrocket.

I invite and encourage all readers to examine the subtle and blatant ways in which the right-wing engages in a level of self-contradictory, petty personal assaults that it would stagger a mind that hasn't become used to witnessing it.

Now that Obama is the presumptive nominee, they will of course focus their self-contradictory rages on him. It's worth examining how the initial attacks have begun, as they will clue us in on how the hysterical right will proceed as the election season progresses. As a bonus, we will see yet another manifestation of their tribal mentality.

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Call it what it is: socialized _______

Daily KOS: "Pro-Democrat." "Left-wing." "Neocon." It doesn't matter: this isn't a game

Kos, Kennedy, Bush, Cheney, and Torture

Undecided

Thoughts From a Reformed Dittohead

It's Time to Require Licensing for Corporate Officers and Executives

McCain Campaign Releases Preemptive Troopergate Report; "Clears" Palin

Biden's News: Why I Care So Much Who Wins This Fall

Promote the Controversy, Then Report On It: Or Why It's Up to Us

Thoughts on the Sherry Morrisons of This Election

Chronicles of the Hysterical Right: Chickens Roosting

Chronicles of the Hysterical Right: Paradoxical Paroxisms