A current Wreck List diary purports to equate criticism of the Obama administration and Blue Dog Democrats as excessive, abusive "self-kicking" -- as a "perfectionist" might do to him-/herself.
It further calls for a "moratorium" on such "perfectionist... self-abuse," in the interest of self-survival past the November elections, under the assumption that all such self criticism is likely to further ensure the election of Republicans, the indisputable bad guys.
First, the metaphor is all wrong. Second, this is a false dichotomy -- a classic logical "either-or" fallacy, that many of us see again and again in relation to the idea of criticizing the Obama Democrats and conservative members of our Party.
Allow me to posit an alternative metaphor, which not only suggests that it's not "ourselves" that we're "kicking," but also would lead to the uncomfortable but inevitable conclusion that criticism is, yes, reluctantly and painfully, necessary for the good of everyone involved (well, except for the asshole Republicans, of course):
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