This is my first diary, and it will be a relatively short one, because in this case, pictures really ARE worth a thousand words. (Also, YouTube embeds are outside my skill set, so I apologize in advance for the click-through action.)
It seems Scott Brown thinks expressing outrage about Elizabeth Warren's "alleged" Native American heritage is still a good idea. And, to put it mildly, Warren isn't letting him get away with it.
Considering how Brown's line of attack turns his "nice, gets-along-with-everybody, truck-driving moderate" image into a mushroom cloud, many people can't believe he's still doing it -- particularly in the face of the fact that the strategy went over like a lead balloon at their first debate. My thinking is Brown's shooting for any disaffected MA conservatives (and yes, there are lots of them) who might respond to Robme's assertion that President Obama outlook is "foreign" (i.e. "not like us white folks"). Hey, as good as the polls have been for Warren lately, this is still going to be be one of those down-to-the-wire races, so Brown needs all the "angry white guys" he can demagogue.
Warren's immediate -- and, in my view, extremely effective -- pushback has just the right mix of facts and outrage, particularly on the last line:
"Scott Brown can continue attacking my family — but I"m gonna keep fighting for yours."
Perfect.
That's how you handle bullies, folks. Right in the mush.
UPDATE:
Rec List? Seriously?! Just got back from watching Rachel Maddow and Melissa Harris-Perry demolish Brown and his "stratergy" in one of the best segments Rachel's done lately -- and, in my view, she's been absolutely stellar post-convention(s) -- and I see this! WHOO HOO!! (Doing the Happy Dance) Thanks to all, particularly to those kind souls who've advised me on YouTube embeds. You guys rock!
One thing from the comments about the title:
Part of it was inspired by Warren's immediate, unequivocal response to Brown's latest burst of idiocy. I've seen comments on other blogs about how Brown's comments are "not serious" and therefore should be ignored. I heartily disagree. While this is not on the same level of Kerry being Swift Boated in '04, you have to stop the rot before it spreads; you cannot simply hope that everyone who sees this garbage is as informed as you are. Warren understood that, and responded appropriately.
The other part of this title goes back to my childhood. I don't respond well to bullies (or bullying tactics, which Brown is engaging in) because I was bullied, in grade school and middle school, and anyone who says anti-bullying policies "threaten free speech" either never have been bullied or were/are bullies themselves. It's hell, particularly if you're the new kid on the block who's fairly socially inept to begin with. I finally found myself through theater (and being a minor Class Clown), but at the time, I was a scared little kid, and that's catnip for bullies.
And one of the most enlightening moments of my life was the day a bully who'd been working me for a while wouldn't get out of my way and I launched a wild punch at his face... and connected (and ran like hell)! And when that bully confronted me again -- in the cafeteria, in front of most of the school -- I did it again (and ran like hell again)! From that point on there were teachers and officials involved. All of them sided with me, and the bully was actually in tears. I will never forget that moment.
And that's why I won't change the title, despite my understanding that some posters do not react well to suggestions of force. There are times for talk and persuasion. There are times for understanding the other person's position, or background, or motivation. But when it comes to bullies (be they physical, emotional, or political), the only thing they really understand is a shot in the mouth.