The New Road

Now now, at least one of your readers seems to agree with the dogs in this picture :)

Aw come on. 40% of the U.S. says he's doing a good job. Thats around 117 million of us!

I'm sure you are jumping for joy to see the 5% jump in one poll that shows Bush out of the deep weeds. But what you fail to recognize is the below 60% is really, really, bad. It means you have a president that people want to distance themselves from. One that can't get things done.

When Presidents take the oath of office they swear to protect and defend the constitution. To be a President for all of us. Not just the freakish right wingers. An example, during all of this, his party did manage to sign a 100 billion dollar tax cut for the super rich. During war time when we have at least 350 billion dollars worth of debt on Iraq alone. That tax cut helps people who pay the AMT tax, have you ever, in your life, payed AMT? These people don't care about you. They are USING YOU.

Hey, why is it that even after you impeached Clinton his poll numbers were well above 60%? And your King who was selected by the grace of God to be his right hand on earth has troubles getting out of the 30s. Surely all American believe as you do that Clinton had a 'trail of bodies around him' and should have been 'assassinated', right? You are the average American, right?

Oh, I recognize the numbers are bad. The constant and viscious attacks from your side on the war and the individuals in the Administration, along with the abandonment of support from our side during the Harriet Myers nomination and the silence from the White House have brought the approval ratings down. When W (who, I repeat, is NOT my god-king)gets his act together and his feet solidly on the ground again - which he is well on his way to doing - his numbers will be back up. When he does what he was elected to do, his numbers soar.

The AMT was scheduled to take effect on my tax bracket next year. And I guarantee you, I am not "the rich".

I never called for Clinton's assassination. That's just crazy talk - probably quoted from an angry freeper, who again, doesn't represent all of us in the conservative movement. I would never want an American president assassinated. That would be tragic - for all of us.

I don't know if I'm the average American. I usually don't strive for average . . .

"In this recurring nightmare of a presidency, we have a national debate about whether he [President Clinton] 'did it,' even though all sentient people know he did. Otherwise there would be debate only about whether to impeach or assassinate."

-Ann Coulter

"I love Ann Coulter's essay on this."

"I think Ann Coulter is funny as hell"

-Jacqueline

That zany Ann Coulter. She is funny.

It would be funny if I said the same thing about Bush?

Which essay was I endorsing? I've been trying to find it, but your quote looks like it's from the Time magazine article - which I'm pretty sure we weren't talking about when I said "I love Ann Coulter's essay on this".

At any rate, twisting aside, were you to blurt out in a conversation that we should assissinate Bush, I probably wouldn't think it's funny.

Now, if you made a silly face and maybe did some slapstick along with it, I might laugh. If you were to incorporate humor into your dialog and make a name for yourself as an outrageous, outspoken, confrontational, funny commentator, I might think some of your stuff is funny - even if it was controversial. I still think Al Franken is funny sometimes - and he can be hateful, too.

Please don't bring Al Franken into this. Neither myself, nor Al, have ever threatened a president. Nor would I ever.

I know you think that people who haven't come to Christ have no morals. But my morals tell me that threatening peoples lives is wrong, and I don't need a book to tell me that.

Since you live through Christ and would do what Jesus would do, can you tell me where in the bible it teaches that threatening peoples lives is funny.

I'm pointing out (again) that politics is ugly and brutal and that both sides use all weapons available - intellect, humor, fear, hatred, love - whatever it takes to get their own ideology turned into palatable rhetoric. Then they use that to get themselves into a more powerful position.

You'd like to think your side is above it, but they're not. AL FRANKEN included.

Randi Rhodes is the one who had the commercial with the audio of retirees gunning down the president. That was on your beloved Air America Radio. Don't preach to me.

And certainly don't preach to me about my faith. Whatever assumptions you are making about my views on morality are exactly that - assumptions. You don't know me.

The bible doesn't use a lot of sarcastic humor. In fact, I don't find much humor in it at all. It does, however, have verse upon verse about violence as a just weapon.

And here's just one on arrogance:
Samuel II 2:3
3 "Do not keep talking so proudly
or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the LORD is a God who knows,
and by him deeds are weighed.

All this from a picture of the democratically-elected leader of the free world with a couple of dogs.

I disagree with this statement: "...both sides use all weapons available..." I certainly don't. I don't call people traitors. I don't call people un-American. I don't cause harm to other people, or threaten to cause harm to other people.

I haven't heard that commercial. But from what you describe (a sound effect) it's certainly not a direct call for death. Once again, I have never said such a thing. Nor will I ever. And I have never heard Al Franken say such a thing.

I didn't ask you if the bible is funny. I asked you if the bible tells you that you should be laughing about death threats.

About making assumptions. You call yourself a Christian. Christians follow the bible. The bible contains commandments. These are the core principles upon which all Christians agree. The sixth commandment is, "Though shalt not kill." Sounds pretty clear to me. So how is that threatening to kill someone is funny?

About arrogance, let's check that out, shall we:

Arrogance: The act or habit of arrogating, or making undue claims in an overbearing manner; that species of pride which consists in exorbitant claims of rank, dignity, estimation, or power, or which exalts the worth or importance of the person to an undue degree; proud contempt of others; lordliness; haughtiness; self-assumption; presumption.

Ok, I'll admit to the whole "presumption" thing after having claimed you were Christian that you actually followed the bible. And, hey, yeah, pride, that's me.

But what about this:

"I think they should be destroyed, not just to make an example for the rest of them, but because they have no right to exist and their ideas should be crushed." -Jacqueline

Does that fall under "making undue claims in an overbearing manner" or "that species of pride which consists in exorbitant claims of ... power"?

BTW, fascinating reading around the ten commandments in this area. I would agree on it's face that a threat to kill someone is not in fact killing someone. But it turns out that further reading around this claims otherwise:

http://landru.i-link-2.net/shnyves/types_of_sin.htm

"CCC 2303 Deliberate hatred is contrary to charity. Hatred of the neighbor is a sin when one deliberately wishes him evil. Hatred of the neighbor is a grave sin when one deliberately desires him grave harm. "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven." Mt 5:44-45."

So just wishing someone evil or grave harm is a sin. I like that. I've always loved the sermon on the mount.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."

If only that were true.

of all of us.

Mmmmm, ok. You know, I can see both points of view here. Obviously you think you are defending freedom and democracy. And conversely I feel the same way.

But what I see is the key difference is that your side is on the offense. You want Christian theology taught in public schools. You want to overturn Roe. You attack countries and want to attack more countries. You want to restrict the civil rights of certain groups of people.

Let's take gay rights as an example. Picture this, I'm walking down the street, I see a guy beating up a gay person, I intervene and stop it. I'm the peacemaker, right? How is that attempting to stop laws that are written to restrict gay rights is any different? Anti-gay laws are just legal gay bashing.

Yeah, my rhetoric is inflammatory. Your damn right that when I or my friends are attacked I get pissed. Wouldn't you?

Seriously, who called whom a traitor between the two of us. You did. Certainly that's not peacemaking. And certainly, if I'm called a traitor, I have the right to defend myself.

Back to the salient point, I guess I'll just chalk up your silence on "So how is that threatening to kill someone is funny?" to indicate that it just is funny to you to make death threats.

That's just not fair. I never said making death threats was funny. In fact, I pointed out that Randi Rhondes was the one who made a comedy bit about it on her national radio program. Yes, Ann Coulter used it as comedy too. But I, personally, just as you, personally, have never endorsed death threats as comedy.

I was only silent because I went home for the weekend and did not turn on my computer once.

So what about Coulter's comment is funny:

"In this recurring nightmare of a presidency, we have a national debate about whether he [President Clinton] 'did it,' even though all sentient people know he did. Otherwise there would be debate only about whether to impeach or assassinate."

I don't see any humor in this at all. There is no set up. There is no punch line. All I see is you looking at a death threat from someone you like and justifying it as comedy.

Before you knew it was Ann Coulter you said:

"That's just crazy talk - probably quoted from an angry freeper, who again, doesn't represent all of us in the conservative movement. I would never want an American president assassinated. That would be tragic - for all of us."

After you hear it was Ann you said it was comedy.

She's known as a satirist. When you consider the source, you can judge the intent. An angry freeper was the first source I thought of who would express that sentiment.

Also, you are totally mischaractraizing my response. You didn't present the entire quote when I said it was probably an angry freeper. You had the word "assassinated" in quotes.

Come on, Jack, fight fair. This isn't like you.

Ok, to your points. This page:

http://anncoulter.com/cgi-local/content.cgi?name=bio

Ann Coulter's own bio talks about her as an 'author' a 'legal correspondent', a 'frequent guest', a 'Public Intellectual', a 'litigator', and an 'editor'. Nowhere in her own bio is 'satirist' or 'comedian' or anything like it mentioned.

Amazon lists her books under 'Media & Politics' and other related categories. They are not listed under humor. (BTW, Al's books are in both politics and humor.)

Frankly, I have hear Rush self-describe as a 'comedian' (particularly when he gets himself into hot water). I have never, not once, heard Ann Coulter described by anyone as a 'satirist'. I looked up on Google and it appears the only time 'satirist' is mentioned is when someone is defending her, and there are a lot of counter arguments about whether she is or is not a satirist. I think her own bio is the most accurate source.

As to my 'misuse' of your words. Really? I don't think so. Ann used the word directly. Your response was, rightly, that was a horrific thing to say. But when I pointed out that it was Ann, someone you have said in the past that you find funny, you went on the defensive. Clearly, you find death threats amusing. Either that, or Ann isn't funny and you are offended. Which is it? Are you offended by Ann's statement or not.

As to the issue of timing my responses. Your response to this "So how is that threatening to kill someone is funny?" was the very succint "of all of us." It is often a pattern in our conversations that you leave questions that you would rather not answer hanging. And, clearly, in this case you feel uncomfortable saying that you find Ann's "humor" (as you see it) offensive.

I denounce anyone, left or right, who threatens any presidnt with assasination. Can you say the same?

Here are just a couple of on Michelle Malkin's site regarding liberals who would like to "assassinate bush". They even made t-shirts, magnets, buttons & keychains!

Sorry, but the pictures of the swag didn't show up. If you would, please link to Michelle Malkin's site and grab them for me?

UNHINGED LIBERAL PRODUCTS FOR SALE
By Michelle Malkin · April 12, 2005 07:15 AM
Yesterday, Drudge linked to a nasty anti-Tom Delay t-shirt being hawked at Cafe Press. The shirt urged the GOP congressman to commit suicide. Sold by artist Christopher Godwin, the product has now been removed (though you can still see it on Cafe Press's search engine complete with the caption "We can dream, can't we?").

Not to worry. There are plenty of other hate-filled, liberal knick-knacks and apparel items still on sale.

Like this "Kill Bush" magnet depicting the president holding a gun to his head with the caption "End Terrorism Now:"

Or this bright yellow "Kill Bush" t-shirt splattered with blood:

Or this handy "Kill Bush" messenger bag with a macho pic of John Kerry:

And before the "everybody does it" apologists pooh-pooh this lunatic anti-Bush merchandise: There's tasteless political paraphernalia on both sides of the aisle, but I've already searched and there are currently no "Kill Kerry" products, blood-spattered or otherwise, being sold at Cafe Press.

"Oh, but it's all in good fun," the libs will shrug. Yeah, just like the Guardian's call last fall for someone to kill Bush. Just like the wave of campus attacks on conservatives. Just like the vicious anti-troops, anti-Bush slogans: "We Support Our Troops, When They Shoot their Officers" and "Bush is the disease. Death is the cure."

"Where's your sense of humor?" the libs will ask.

Where's their decency? Their sanity?

Welcome to the sick world of the pro-assassination Left.

Update: Yes, thanks for all the e-mails on the assassination exhibit at Columbia College of Art in Chicago. Power Line and Jeff Quinton have more.

Update: 4/14. CafePress has yanked the "Kill Bush" products.

That was #1 did you like it? Here's #2: (JW)

AIR AMERICA'S ASSASSINATION CHIC
By Michelle Malkin · April 27, 2005 09:32 AM
Assuming you've seen the Drudge Report flash
on the Air America skit broadcast yesterday and now apparently under investigation for its assassination overtones.

Randi Rhodes has used this rhetoric before. From May 2004:

Comparing Bush and his family to the Corleones of "Godfather" fame, Air America host Randi Rhodes reportedly unleashed this zinger during her Monday night broadcast: "Like Fredo, somebody ought to take him out fishing and phuw. "
Rhodes then imitated the sound of a gunshot.

In "Godfather II," Fredo Corleone is executed by brother Michael at the end of the film.

Is this her cheap, sick attempt to boost those pathetic ratings?

The MSM will no doubt follow-up with sympathetic profiles of Rhodes, as the Washington Post did last fall--check out how the writer nonchalantly mentions the Fredo/assassination skit. Now, compare that treatment with the fate of conservative talk show hosts punished or canned for controversial speech.

Update: Here's a link to the Randi Rhodes show's broadcasts. And here are the MP3 audio files: 1 2. (Hat tip: Wes R.)

That's all for now. (JW)

I'm sure you can make this post prettier and more accessible. I just wanted to give you a few people to denounce on your side.

I guess I'm the only person who finds Ann Coulter funny. Maybe she really meant it, that the options were impeach or assassinate. That's not nice. I guess she's just mean and I think it's funny. Maybe it's because she's laughing when she says it. Nope. I'm reading some of her quotes right now and I'm laughing. Maybe I should have used the word "sarcasm" or "hyperbole" like wikipedia does to describe her style.

But here's how one liberal feels about her:

"Why don't the "liberal media" and the "left wing radicals" call for this bitch's assassination? Sometimes I wish that we had some of the hate mongering war hawks on our side...no, what I really wish for is that her own party would turn on her like they have on Lott, Newt, b***, Brown, delay, and F****.

Posted by: J at September 29, 2005 02:05 PM"

Assassination all around!!

As for my response "of all of us". It was simply in response to your final statement:

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."

If only that were true - of all of us.

Peace only works if everyone is peaceful.

I'm just amazed. Amidst all of the cloud of information you put up, you still haven't said that Ann Coulter was wrong to call for assasination. The closes you get is "That's not nice."

I, on the other hand, have (as Hannity would say) the "moral courage" to condemn anyone, left or right, who would say such a thing. Going on 20 postings now and the closest you have come is to say that it wasn't nice.

As to, "Peace only works if everyone is peaceful." You are right. But frankly it's not in me to just lay down when myself and my friends are attacked. And it seems to be the Republicans who are always on the attack.

Well wake up and look around. Everyone is on the attack in the political world. It's ugly.

If everyone - collectively - will "give peace a chance" it will work. That is, until someone wants what someone else has. Then, it's back to bickering and fighting and the more it escalates and feelings and people get hurt, the worse it gets - until you're in a divided world with conflicts that span generations. And you have people who take advantage of the chaos to further their own, selfish causes.

As for you wanting me to condemn people for speaking their minds - do you think I didn't learn my lesson when you pushed me into agreeing with your definition of a traitor?

That's why we have the first amendment. Randi Rhodes didn't get punished for it. Ann Coulter didn't. Our society obviously doesn't denounce it. I think some of Ann Coulter's writing is funny, and I'm not going to personally denounce her for that comment.

I'm unaware of any change in your position on me as a traitor. Have you had a change of heart?

http://new.wavlist.com/soundfx/014/cricket-1.wav