The truth about Kerry

[gldstwmn]

http://www.laweekly.com/ink/04/14/news-ireland.php

Ralph’s Dark Side
Mr. Nader and the Newmanites

When Ralph Nader announced his presidential candidacy on Meet the Press, that he’s running wasn’t as surprising as his rationale for doing so. Nader offered as his principal reason his “desire to retire” George Bush. Just how did Nader assert his candidacy would do that? Why, because he’ll take votes from “conservatives furious with Bush over the deficit” and “liberal Republicans who see their party being taken away from them.” The notion that Nader this year could ever peel off enough right-wing votes from Bush to tip the election against him is, quite simply, delusional. Pretending he could do so is only the latest evidence that Nader has completely lost his judgment.

Full disclosure: I wrote columns in support of Nader’s 2000 candidacy, and I was one of just two dozen hardy writers and intellectuals who signed a New York Times ad supporting him in 1996, as my personal protest against the Clintons’ destruction of the New Deal heritage. But the political context this year is dramatically different.

(snip)

Worse, Nader has now jumped into bed with the ultrasectarian cult-racket formerly known as the New Alliance Party and its guru, Fred Newman: Ralph was the star attraction at a January conference of “independents” that was just a front for the Newmanite crazies. By rejecting the Greens’ ballot line, Nader will have huge difficulties getting his name on the ballot. So he went shopping for help in ballot access from the Newmanites. The New York Times reported Nader says he’ll “link up” with existing “independent” parties in New York and elsewhere — which can only mean the Newmanites (who control New York’s Independence Party and similar remnants of the Reform Party in many states).



This cult is the antithesis of every value Nader holds dear. A Maoist grouplet in the ’70s, the Newmanites morphed into supporters of Pat Buchanan in the Hitler-coddling commentator’s 2000 takeover of the Reform Party. Newman recruits and controls his followers through a brainwashing scheme baptized “social therapy,” designed to create blind allegiance to Newman. He has frequently dipped his rhetoric in the poisonous blood-libel of anti-Semitism, denouncing Jews as “storm troopers of decadent capitalism.” By French-kissing the cultists to get on the ballot, Nader has allowed himself to be used as bait to lure the unsuspecting into the Newmanite orbit, where they risk being sucked into the cult. That’s a betrayal of the many young people to whom Nader is still a hero. And an acid commentary on Nader’s judgment.

The groundswell of support Nader claims exists only in his mind. When the Times asked him if he wasn’t troubled by the fact that, on Meetup.com, only 375 people had registered for him — compared to 188,000 for Dean, 45,000 for Kerry, 23,000 for Kucinich and 9,000 for Edwards — Nader’s mind-boggling response was: “I really don’t deal with the Web. There isn’t time in the day to go into virtual reality.”

That doesn’t wash with former Dean supporters whose votes Nader hopes for. As Matt Stoller, one of the more thoughtful pro-Dean bloggers, put it, “Nader has lost the audience he needs most . . . because he isn’t talking to them, but at them. His dismissal of the Internet is a case in point — he has lost touch with what drives the American conversation and [so] is less and less relevant.”

Nader did not have to run for president to pursue the issues he cares about. Large contributors associated with MoveOn.org had offered to raise money for a travel/research operation for Ralph as an alternative to running — mobilizing broader public sentiment for Nader’s issues by reaching ears closed to his candidacy.

But Nader rejected the MoveOn folks’ offer, since he considers any opposition to his running “censorship.” Nader, of course, has a perfect right to run for president if he wants to. Those of his friends and former supporters who like myself urged him not to run were not exercising any power of censorship, but deploying wisdom in the service of shared political goals. And it is wisdom and a sense of American realities that are absent from Nader’s decision to run again this year.

[dissention]

Originally posted by gldstwmn
Worse, Nader has now jumped into bed with the ultrasectarian cult-racket formerly known as the New Alliance Party and its guru, Fred Newman: Ralph was the star attraction at a January conference of “independents” that was just a front for the Newmanite crazies. By rejecting the Greens’ ballot line, Nader will have huge difficulties getting his name on the ballot. So he went shopping for help in ballot access from the Newmanites. The New York Times reported Nader says he’ll “link up” with existing “independent” parties in New York and elsewhere — which can only mean the Newmanites (who control New York’s Independence Party and similar remnants of the Reform Party in many states).

How long before he downs the Fla-Vor-Aid and cyanide cocktail?

I'm shocked that he's in cahoots with that wet fart of a human turd they call Newman. Utterly shocked.

[gldstwmn]

McCain 'Would Entertain' Being Kerry's VP


WASHINGTON - Republican Sen. John McCain allowed a glimmer of hope Wednesday for Democrats fantasizing about a bipartisan dream team to defeat President Bush — a far-flung notion the senator's staff quickly squashed.

McCain said in a television interview that he would consider the unorthodox step of running for vice president on the Democratic ticket — in the unlikely event he received such an offer from the presidential candidate.

"John Kerry is a close friend of mine. We have been friends for years," McCain said Wednesday when pressed to squelch speculation about a Kerry-McCain ticket. "Obviously I would entertain it."

"It's impossible to imagine the Democratic Party seeking a pro-life, free-trading, non-protectionist, deficit hawk," the senator told ABC's "Good Morning America" during an interview about illegal steroid use. "They'd have to be taking some steroids, I think, in order to let that happen."

Unlike some other Republican senators, he hasn't railed against Kerry, a fellow Vietnam veteran. McCain called the Kerry-Bush contest "the nastiest campaign so far that we have seen" and said he preferred campaigning for candidates instead of against their opponents.



http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...p/kerry_mccain

[estranged4life]

but according to some reporter who was on Faux News (Formerly Fox News) this afternoon there is a possible darkhorse for the VP position...His name is Tom Brokaw (Yes, that Tom Brokaw of NBC!!!)

Brian "Goes back to destroying my hearing" j.

[dissention]

Originally posted by estranged4life
but according to some reporter who was on Faux News (Formerly Fox News) this afternoon there is a possible darkhorse for the VP position...His name is Tom Brokaw (Yes, that Tom Brokaw of NBC!!!)

Brian "Goes back to destroying my hearing" j.

Get out!! No way!!

[estranged4life]

Originally posted by dissention
Get out!! No way!!

Yes way ...

I found it rather funny at first, But then the reporter mentioned that Brokaw is leaving at the end of this year, And being a liberal at heart that Brokaw wants to try his hand at politics.

So why not...I like Brokaw!!

Brian j.

[CarneVaca]

Originally posted by dissention
How long before he downs the Fla-Vor-Aid and cyanide cocktail?

I'm shocked that he's in cahoots with that wet fart of a human turd they call Newman. Utterly shocked.

I'm sure there's more to this than what this guy says. He's also doing a lot of speculation, which means he doesn't have enough facts to give us the real picture. Attacks on Ralph's character, which is unassailable, will become par for the course this year.

Furthermore, this guys is so full of crap, he stinks. He says this:

Why, because he’ll take votes from “conservatives furious with Bush over the deficit” and “liberal Republicans who see their party being taken away from them.” The notion that Nader this year could ever peel off enough right-wing votes from Bush to tip the election against him is, quite simply, delusional. Pretending he could do so is only the latest evidence that Nader has completely lost his judgment.

Yet, the very first polls after Ralph announced -- you know the ones that had him at 6 percent? -- showed that he was pulling more Bush supporters than Kerry supporters.

Of course the rubber-spine Democrats are going to spin this to fit their fear tactics. Fact is their candidate cannot inspire new voters to take to the polls. They could've done that, but they opted to destroy the guy who would have.

[CarneVaca]

Originally posted by gldstwmn
WASHINGTON - Republican Sen. John McCain allowed a glimmer of hope Wednesday for Democrats fantasizing about a bipartisan dream team to defeat President Bush — a far-flung notion the senator's staff quickly squashed.

Sure, why not? Since he's been voting with the Republicans for the last three years, why not just pick a Republican running mate?

I will say this for him: At least in this case there would be no doubt the guy is Republican, unlike with the choice of Lieberman by Gore. Why does Lieberman even call himself a Democrat?

What a joke. A sad joke, really. This would only continue to disenfranchise the people who already think the two party-system does not represent them.

[dissention]

Originally posted by CarneVaca
I'm sure there's more to this than what this guy says. He's also doing a lot of speculation, which means he doesn't have enough facts to give us the real picture. Attacks on Ralph's character, which is unassailable, will become par for the course this year.

I won't attack Nader's character because I have a great deal of respect for the man, but I certainly question his political judgement.

Newman was the leader of the New Alliance Part and that is one cult that scares the **** out of me. The right-wingers on this board like to call us loonies, but those f*ckers are insane. I fail to understand why Nader would align himself with that group of people. Either Nader likes to take a hand in brainwashing people, or Newman got to him and brainwashed him; it's one or the other. There is no logical explanation as to why a great man like Nader is in cahoots with these whack jobs.

Maybe he wants to get as much support as possible, so he's joining up with the Newmanites. But, if that's the case, it would say an awful lot about Nader's character and would reflect quite badly on him. Why the hell doesn't he just join the crazies at the Church of Scientology and call it a day?

For someone who has aspirations of being the president, he sure knows how to f*ck up his campaign. I voted for him in 2000 and if I had planned on voting for him in 2004, I would certainly rethink that idea with this latest revelation.

[dissention]

Originally posted by CarneVaca
What a joke. A sad joke, really. This would only continue to disenfranchise the people who already think the two party-system does not represent them.

I'd rather be represented by one of the two parties than a Newmanite, er, I mean Nader. j/k

[CarneVaca]

Originally posted by dissention
Newman was the leader of the New Alliance Part and that is one cult that scares the **** out of me. The right-wingers on this board like to call us loonies, but those f*ckers are insane. I fail to understand why Nader would align himself with that group of people.

I think you're drawing way too many conclusions from this particular columnist's attack on Ralph. This strikes me a little bit as the same kind of tactics that were used to discredit the WTO demonstrators. They were all painted as loony Marxists when in fact the Marxist contingent was a small minority.

Beware of hidden agendas.

[dissention]

Originally posted by CarneVaca
I think you're drawing way too many conclusions from this particular columnist's attack on Ralph. This strikes me a little bit as the same kind of tactics that were used to discredit the WTO demonstrators. They were all painted as loony Marxists when in fact the Marxist contingent was a small minority.

Beware of hidden agendas.

I don't see a hidden agenda and that article did nothing but clue me in on Nader's affiliations. I had heard rumours of it, but nothing concrete. The fact is that Nader was the keynote speaker at a conference that Newman himself organized and paid for. Nader should've known better than to involve himself in anything that has to do with Newman and his cult, regardless of the independent support he would get. It's mind boggling.

[CarneVaca]

Originally posted by dissention
I don't see a hidden agenda and that article did nothing but clue me in on Nader's affiliations. I had heard rumours of it, but nothing concrete. The fact is that Nader was the keynote speaker at a conference that Newman himself organized and paid for. Nader should've known better than to involve himself in anything that has to do with Newman and his cult, regardless of the independent support he would get. It's mind boggling.

Yeah, god forbid Ralph make a mistake. You know, imagine if he had voted for a war waged under false pretenses that had produced more than 10,000 unnecessary deaths and aggravated the terrorism problem. Imagine if he had voted for $80 billion in aid to perpetuate that war while people are losing their benefits and their jobs left and right back here. Imagine if he had sided with the Sharon government every time it decides to violate UN sanctions yet again. Imagine if he had voted for No Child Left Behind and put crippling, unreasonable testing demands on school districts struggling to survive. Imagine if he had voted for Nafta and contributed to hundreds of thousands of jobs being imported to Mexico and China.

You make me laugh. You're willing to forgive Kerry all the violations of your own principles, all the transgressions in the world. But you read one stupid little column about an appearance Ralph makes and that's enough to question the character of a great American who has done more fo you and me than Kerry could ever hope to.

Sorry, but that doesn't even pass rationality test.

[strandinthewind]

Originally posted by CarneVaca
. . . and that's enough to question the character of a great American who has done more fo you and me than Kerry could ever hope to.

But would he be able to lead? Would he be able to deal with foreign nations where nuance is everything (and everything W does not have) ? Would he be able to have legislation put in that would accomplish any of his goals of stopping the corps. from controlling govt.? I do not think so because I have seen people like him eaten alive - See Jimmy Carter. That is why I am not voting for him even though I agree most of his watchdog tactics did alot of good even if at times he too out there for me But, being a watchdog does not make a great politician. Thus, off I go to support the slightly left leaning status quo with a defeated expression on my face

[CarneVaca]

Originally posted by strandinthewind
But would he be able to lead? Would he be able to deal with foreign nations where nuance is everything (and everything W does not have) ? Would he be able to have legislation put in that would accomplish any of his goals of stopping the corps. from controlling govt.?

Legitimate questions.

I do not believe he could get into office and force through all his programs at the blink of an eye, no. But it sure would change the game. With Kerry, you'll get the status quo -- flip-flopping, kowtowing, and sticking it to the little guy.

I saw Donna Brazil on the tube this morning saying Kerry will end the war in Iraq. For the life of me, I can't see a difference between Kerry's foreign policy and Dubya's. Besides, the last time a candidate promised us he would end a war, Nixon, he ended up expanding it to two other countries.

Lastly, why the hell is Donna Brazil even giving interviews? No offense, but I have yet to see this woman make a cogent argument as to why I should vote for her candidate. And this goes back to the Gore campaign. She simply cannot articulate her candidate's platform. Of course, neither can Kerry...