... or, at least it’s receiving unwarranted publicity.
As I write this, I’m doing my very best not to use partisan invective to make my points, but it’s difficult –- mostly because this whole idea of a so-called "writers’ strike" -- is as ludicrous as it is counterproductive to the crucial cause of electing a Democratic president in November.
To begin with, one of the reasons I refer to a "writers’ strike" as "ludicrous," is that, as others have stated here as kos, a "strike" refers to paid employees refusing to work in lieu of better wages, working conditions, employee benefits -- or any combination of the three. Ok, one could stretch the meaning a bit and claim this so-called strike is in response to unfair working conditions, but like I said... that’s a stretch.
But, I digress...
The quasi-strike has officially left the confines of our community.
And, where it goes from here is anyone’s guess, although, I would postulate that if this dustup had happened on a weekday, the mainstream press and assorted cable-news networks would be on this story like white on rice. You see...Raw Story and even Atlantic.com have picked up our little disgruntled digest from a post over at former CIA agent Larry Johnson’s No Quarter blog.
Now, it’s no secret that Mr. Johnson’s advocacy for Hillary Clinton has met with opposition here at Dkos lately and he has not blogged here lately. That’s a shame because Johnson’s insightful analyses of the inner-workings of the CIA and intelligence in general has definitely been a plus for us here at Dkos. His many missives have significantly augmented the credibility here, which is always good, and I for one have always valued his participation and perspective at this site. I hope he'll consider coming back after the primaries are over.
Right now, Dkos is being slammed in parts of the blogosphere like I’ve never seen before, and if you think this is hyperbole, I offer these sad comments from No Quarter below:
Comment by S. Markom | 2008-03-14 21:59:16
I found precisely the same thing with one me,ber (sic) trolling me with every question I have about Obama and even stating that they don’t want Hillary supporters in Daily Kos.
Not all, but some of these people need help. More importantly who’s in charge?
With Obama going down like the Titanic at this point what will these crazies do after they’ve lost Edwards and now lose Obama?
And, then there’s this one...
Comment by A.Citizen | 2008-03-14 22:08:15
Not that GOS and the slimers over there will miss me but I also will strike. No more comments...no linking to blogswarm action, FDL is the leader in that anyway, no fraternization with the feces-flinging monkeys of CheetoLand.
I feel for the few remaining people of integrity and grit: mcjoan, scout finch, jotter, Kargo X and the irreplaceable Meteor Blades.
Hopefully when the election is over, no this won’t end with the primary, the community will look around and realize that the actions of a few A-Listers such as Kos...Bowers...Marshall have revealed an appalling lack of judgment in regards to what they’ve allowed and indeed actually done to cause the factionalization of the ’sphere all in the name of two candidates who can not by any stretch of the imagination be considered progressive.
I am on strike until those responsible for the ascension of RedState political behaviour in the progressive blogosphere publicaly (sic) apologize and, further, relinquish their self-assumed power in our community.
Clearly they do not deserve it.
And, this little ditty...
Comment by Ellis | 2008-03-14 22:35:29
I have been amazed at the vitriol that has been directed at both Clintons, but until now no one has acknowledged the double standard that exists between the treatment of Hillary and Barack. Because of the mob behavior they demonstrate I have wondered if many of these attackers in fact were nominal Republicans until it became uncool to support Republicans and the Bush administration. Their words and conduct are so excessive that I have trouble believing that they truly understand the tolerance and respect for others that underlie liberal democratic values. I’ll join this strike.
S. Markom - I’m intrigued why you believe Obama is going down like the Titanic. Any details?
But, It seems there’s at least a few Obama supporters over at Atlantic.com:
alex sums it up nicely: Hillary Clinton divides people and breeds bad feelings wherever she goes. It's her nature.
And look at the viciousness of the Clintonites: it's basically a position of where they will participate only if they get their way. Well, who needs them?
We're better off without this vindictiveness.
Another supportive comment:
Posted by cm | March 14, 2008 11:20 PM
Don't they see that Hillary fomented this? Of course the offending Obama supporters are at fault, but a majority of their actions and comments were surely the result of Hillary's refusal to drop out of a race she can no longer win, but now must steal. Something the Clinton supporters are presumably fine with.
Posted by socctty | March 14, 2008 11:20 PM
So, where’s this going to stop, folks; on a bottom-of-the-screen crawl at CNN? Are we going to start siding up on exclusive candidate blogs?
This has got to end somewhere, somehow... and soon. The Republicans are becoming more and more energized every day, which in turn will energize their fundraising. They thrive off any divisiveness permeating within the Democratic side.
It’s given them reason to hope again, and I was under the distinct impression that we Democrats had cornered the market on that particular commodity.
Was I wrong?
Can’t we all just get along?
Peace