There's a lot being said about Rhodes' treatment of Nader on Air America, yesterday. You know what? That's a GOOD THING!!! Why?
Because people are talking about it!!!
Why, then, are so many Democrats/liberals chastising Rhodes for doing what she did? The general consensus of those who hold the view that she did wrong is that it was too mean, too angry, and therefore not in keeping with the progressive mindset.
To them I say that there's a difference between straight anger and righteous indignation!
As Democrats/liberals, we SHOULD BE feeling righteously indignant. Look at all that the Bush Administration has done, how it has rolled back the clock on so many positive initiatives, started by progressives, and not only that, but has marginalized and slandered this party until it was very nearly a permanent minority. Worse yet, our party's leadership, so cowed by the calls of "Angry Democrat", adopted a policy of appointing the most milquetoast of leaders. Hence why should-be-has-beens like Lieberman are still regarded as representative of our overall party, and should-be-shining-stars like Howard Dean get slandered by our own inner circle!
On top of even THAT, while our party was having its soul drained, the opposition was simultaneously working to take away our voice.
Their plans were working, and will continue to work unless we show a little PASSION, for goodness' sake! Am I saying we should stoop to their level? No. We can be both righteously indignant and keep the moral high ground. We do not have to become like Limbaugh or Hannity or DeLay or Bush. We could stand to adopt some of their stronger emotion, however.
It was passionate liberalism that brought about the reforms that ended the Great Depression, which broke up monopolies and gave the workers and farmers new hope. It was passionate liberalism that freed the slaves and, years later, gave the descendants of the freed the rights they, as human beings, deserve. It was passionate liberalism that founded this country, and, by God, it is passionate liberalism that this country needs RIGHT NOW!!!