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babylonsister

(171,032 posts)
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 08:05 PM Jun 2018

Commentary: Maxine Waters deserves better from her party

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-maxine-waters-democrats-trump-pelosi-0629-20180628-story.html

Commentary: Maxine Waters deserves better from her party
Solomon Jones


After U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., implored Americans of good conscience to publicly confront White House officials over their policies, leading Democrats joined with Republicans to denounce Waters’ comments as uncivil.

It was one of the few acts of bipartisanship that Democrats have engaged in since the advent of the Trump administration, and it was by far the most harmful. Not only because Waters, who lived through the civil rights movement, understands that oppressors do not buckle to civility. It was harmful because Waters’ fellow Democrats — including leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer — wrongly believe that tyranny can be combated with polite discourse.


snip//

House Minority Leader Pelosi called Waters’ comments “unacceptable” before tweeting that “we must strive to make America beautiful again. Trump’s daily lack of civility has provoked responses that are predictable but unacceptable. As we go forward, we must conduct elections in a way that achieves unity from sea to shining sea.”

Then there was Senate Minority Leader Schumer, who took to the Senate floor to denounce Waters. “We all have to remember to treat our fellow Americans, all of our fellow Americans, with the kind of civility and respect we expect will be afforded to us,” he said. “No one should call for the harassment of political opponents. That's not right. That’s not American.”

Except harassing political opponents is profoundly American. Ask black survivors of the civil rights movement who faced the political effort to deny them the vote. Ask Native Americans about the political machinations that landed them on reservations. Ask those who look at the present political climate and see a repeat of the past.

We live in a time when discriminatory policies come out of the White House and are seemingly rubber-stamped by the Supreme Court.

When America’s highest court upholds a ban on travelers from mostly Muslim countries, and supports what lower courts have called racist gerrymandering in Texas, and affirms voter suppression through the purging of voter rolls in Ohio, dissent cannot be polite, and opposition must not be muted.

The officials in the Trump administration work for us. And if they are not working in our best interests, we must confront them. We must rebuke them. We must correct them.

If Waters’ fellow Democrats aren’t willing to do that, they should step aside and let Waters lead.

85 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Commentary: Maxine Waters deserves better from her party (Original Post) babylonsister Jun 2018 OP
ImWithMaxine. oasis Jun 2018 #1
Me too! Leadership should embrace Maxine and her policy of resistance InAbLuEsTaTe Jun 2018 #51
"Reclaiming my time". oasis Jul 2018 #57
Why I absolutely LOVE Maxine and stand with her!! Back down? Fuck no... give em hell Maxine!! InAbLuEsTaTe Jul 2018 #58
I am definitely with Maxine. Called my Senator, Schumer, to jrthin Jun 2018 #2
all dems who stick their necks out are getting pounded on talk radio all day certainot Jun 2018 #45
Post removed Post removed Jun 2018 #3
Let Maxine Lead! #ImWithMaxine sharedvalues Jun 2018 #4
She is phenomenal and has been such a strong voice. NY_20th Jun 2018 #5
I am with Maxine 100%. Chickensoup Jun 2018 #6
Post removed Post removed Jun 2018 #7
Take a wrong turn? n/t femmedem Jun 2018 #8
No, that has been my view al along Chickensoup Jul 2018 #61
My reply wasn't to you but to a troll whose post has since been removed. femmedem Jul 2018 #85
If the Democratic leadership won't stand up for one of their own, why should we believe scarletwoman Jun 2018 #9
I'm with you. nt Ferrets are Cool Jun 2018 #23
Great question. Many already don't, which is why KPN Jun 2018 #27
Right on!! FUCK civility!! Go Maxine!! InAbLuEsTaTe Jul 2018 #59
Yes she does ellie Jun 2018 #10
#I'mWithMaxine MustLoveBeagles Jun 2018 #11
That's my conclusion also. sprinkleeninow Jun 2018 #36
The part of MLK's letter that white progressives seem to forget Tarc Jun 2018 #12
Absolutely dead on shadowmayor Jun 2018 #15
Bingo and thread winner! BumRushDaShow Jun 2018 #26
Thanks for.this awesome post and quote from MLK. KPN Jun 2018 #29
Excellent ... (nt) mr_lebowski Jun 2018 #56
This is why MLK was so special. He was definitely a few Jedi levels higher than most. nt Lucky Luciano Jul 2018 #67
Exactly, they want to bring a butter knife radius777 Jul 2018 #76
Democratic leadership needs a good beating. The Wizard Jun 2018 #13
I agree with everything you said, Wizard! pazzyanne Jun 2018 #20
Agree 100%. What the hell do we do about it though? Ferrets are Cool Jun 2018 #24
Change the leadership. Tatiana Jun 2018 #40
At this point, I'm ready for a change in leadership. So long as... Garrett78 Jun 2018 #47
Pow! Duppers Jun 2018 #39
The Republicans change the goal posts when people are civil. femmedem Jun 2018 #14
Tire of our party of good germans dembotoz Jun 2018 #16
BSanders defended SSanders, too.. Cha Jun 2018 #22
Dinner is different from destruction of a democracy dembotoz Jun 2018 #30
I'm with Maxine. CrispyQ Jun 2018 #17
I'm CERTAINLY with Maxine. calimary Jun 2018 #18
Maxine rocks!!! pazzyanne Jun 2018 #19
Yeah, I am hereby calling out Schumer and Nancy Cha Jun 2018 #21
Right on! Kath2 Jun 2018 #31
Hey Kath.. we Have Maxine's Back! Cha Jun 2018 #35
Always! Kath2 Jun 2018 #38
I'm going to repeat what I posted the other day about "political differences." Garrett78 Jun 2018 #49
Exactly, Garrett.. I was just thinking that Cha Jun 2018 #52
Exactly, Cha. Since when is putting kids in cages a mere "political difference"? SunSeeker Jul 2018 #68
It's like they weren't Thinking it Through.. Cha Jul 2018 #81
What the hell is wrong with my Dem leaders?? Hekate Jun 2018 #25
I know.. even if they disagree they don't Cha Jun 2018 #41
This sort of shit is one of the reasons why the GOP has been allowed to become so extreme. Garrett78 Jun 2018 #46
It is a big problem.. it pisses off. The Cha Jun 2018 #50
Good idea. I'll call her office on Monday. I'll also call Pelosi's and Schumer's. Garrett78 Jun 2018 #53
Thank You! Cha Jun 2018 #54
I stand with Maxine! Raster Jun 2018 #28
Max-out Maxine! JHB Jun 2018 #32
As if what she said was outrageous. Garrett78 Jun 2018 #33
Like it or not, agree with it or not, the dems are perceived as weak. CrispyQ Jul 2018 #75
I completely agree. mountain grammy Jun 2018 #34
It is good she has a voice and uses it, and speaks Direct, about what she has to say. Civic Justice Jun 2018 #37
K&R! nt Mountain Mule Jun 2018 #42
This message was self-deleted by its author Duppers Jun 2018 #43
I'm with Maxine! smirkymonkey Jun 2018 #44
I'm with Maxine... HipChick Jun 2018 #48
I'm with Maxine! mr_lebowski Jun 2018 #55
Kick oasis Jul 2018 #60
She did her part. Those who criticized her did theirs. gulliver Jul 2018 #62
I'm with Maxine watoos Jul 2018 #63
Schumer made the classic Dem mistake of accepting the RWs coded language talking points pecosbob Jul 2018 #64
The party (base Dems) are with Maxine. SunSeeker Jul 2018 #65
Go Maxine! Nancy and Chuck - step aside. nt Lucky Luciano Jul 2018 #66
i agree with Schumer pintobean Jul 2018 #69
Now Republicans are Demanding Political Correctness? What a Joke! dlk Jul 2018 #70
THE ENTIRE COUNTRY DESERVES BETTER. usaf-vet Jul 2018 #71
I stand with Maxine. cate94 Jul 2018 #72
This is no time for civility... I'M WITH MAXINE!!! YOU GO, GIRLFRIEND! secondwind Jul 2018 #73
Discourse equals remorse. The message right now should be VOTE. McCamy Taylor Jul 2018 #74
schumer and pelosi heaven05 Jul 2018 #77
I do not understand why some people Chickensoup Jul 2018 #78
and Maxine's comment was about resisting radius777 Jul 2018 #79
We need more people like Maxine in Congress. jalan48 Jul 2018 #80
By not supporting Maxine, Schumer and other Ds are basically admitting that stopbush Jul 2018 #82
Disagreement in our ranks is a great healthy thing to have, at least in the democratic ... SWBTATTReg Jul 2018 #83
"pulling together" is essential if the Democratic Party is to survive. oasis Jul 2018 #84

InAbLuEsTaTe

(24,121 posts)
51. Me too! Leadership should embrace Maxine and her policy of resistance
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 11:32 PM
Jun 2018

instead of unfairly criticizing her.

InAbLuEsTaTe

(24,121 posts)
58. Why I absolutely LOVE Maxine and stand with her!! Back down? Fuck no... give em hell Maxine!!
Sun Jul 1, 2018, 01:23 AM
Jul 2018

Can you hear us Chuck?

jrthin

(4,833 posts)
2. I am definitely with Maxine. Called my Senator, Schumer, to
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 08:11 PM
Jun 2018

tell him how disgusted I was with him that he hung her out to dry.

 

certainot

(9,090 posts)
45. all dems who stick their necks out are getting pounded on talk radio all day
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 11:16 PM
Jun 2018

national and local blowhards have been attacking maxine for years, like they have hillary for decades, and every dem who sticks their neck out

and they'll start attacking swing vote SCOTUS senators - that's probably why limbaugh took a long weekend - so the heritage foundation can prep him. or maybe mueller's questioning him about his cyprus bank acct. and his work for putin for a decade.

and democrats have no fucking clue because they think trump and the gop's most important media weapon is fox and money

and the'll be going after her tomorrow on your local station sunday shows and limbaugh will be adding to the attack on monday along with a couple of hours distorting and demeaning all the protests this weekend. then they will continue all week on that so republican reps don't have to pay attention to protestors.

and as long as the left ignores talk radio that's the way it will be

Response to babylonsister (Original post)

Response to babylonsister (Original post)

femmedem

(8,196 posts)
85. My reply wasn't to you but to a troll whose post has since been removed.
Tue Jul 3, 2018, 06:01 AM
Jul 2018

I support Maxine and think civility is overrated by people who benefit from the status quo.

scarletwoman

(31,893 posts)
9. If the Democratic leadership won't stand up for one of their own, why should we believe
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 08:32 PM
Jun 2018

that they will stand up for us?

Pelosi and Schumer are obviously not the kind of leaders we need when we are in the fight of our lives against the fascism that's taking over our country. If all they have to offer is this kind of pathetic drivel:

"As we go forward, we must conduct elections in a way that achieves unity from sea to shining sea." “We all have to remember to treat our fellow Americans, all of our fellow Americans, with the kind of civility and respect we expect will be afforded to us...”

it's proof that we badly need new leadership.

KPN

(15,635 posts)
27. Great question. Many already don't, which is why
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 10:06 PM
Jun 2018

some didn’t vote or registered “protest” votes in 2016. The reality is the people know who and what is working for them and who/what is not. As a party, we better wake up to this fact.

BTW, I like Nancy Pelosi for the most part. But she is way off on this one. She better start showing her moxie — she has it and needs to use it. Schumer? He is not the right person at this time. In another time, a more collegial time, fine ... but not now.

ellie

(6,928 posts)
10. Yes she does
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 08:33 PM
Jun 2018

I tweet at Nancy Pelosi and asked her to send me the links of her condemning the threats against Maxine but have not heard back yet. This civility bullshit is bullshit. Our Democratic leaders are going to let the repukes polite us right into the concentration camps.

MustLoveBeagles

(11,583 posts)
11. #I'mWithMaxine
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 08:42 PM
Jun 2018

I like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Shumer and I'm mostly happy with their leadership, but they are 100% wrong on this one. If they couldn't support her stance then they should've just kept their mouths shut about it. Their appeasement has only emboldened the crazies. Have they come out and denounced the racist comments and death threats against her or does civility only apply to Democrats?

Tarc

(10,472 posts)
12. The part of MLK's letter that white progressives seem to forget
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 08:45 PM
Jun 2018
First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.

shadowmayor

(1,325 posts)
15. Absolutely dead on
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 08:59 PM
Jun 2018

You should consider starting a post with just this quote from MLK. In a world of junk yard dogs, wolves and packs running the streets, the democrats come across like the pampered cocker spaniel living in an apartment that has never spent the night outside, let alone wandered the neighborhood without a leash.

radius777

(3,635 posts)
76. Exactly, they want to bring a butter knife
Sun Jul 1, 2018, 06:21 PM
Jul 2018

to a gun fight, as Malcolm Nance said the other day.

Too much handwringing and pearl-clutching, we are dealing with fascists for crying out loud, who stole an election, stole Obama's pick and are now trying to steal SCOTUS for a generation.

Hillary was correct with 'basket of deplorables' during the campaign, as well as her speech in India talking about how the deplorables resent the rise of PoC/women etc, and how she won all the diverse/growing areas. In both instances she got plenty of pushback from the (white) left, especially the populist types who are sympathetic to deplorables in many ways.

You have to go after these slugs, it's all they understand.

The Wizard

(12,534 posts)
13. Democratic leadership needs a good beating.
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 08:46 PM
Jun 2018

Last edited Sat Jun 30, 2018, 11:11 PM - Edit history (1)

They demanded Al Franken resign over fabricated charges. Remember Van Jones, Remember Shirley Sherrod, Remember ACORN. A leadership that will abandon its people out of fear is not leadership, it's cowardice. Republicans shit on us and Schumer says we have to remain civil. Alan Grayson should be the next Speaker. Michael Avenatti and Stephen Colbert should be the ticket in 2020.
We need leaders willing to sucker punch (not figuratively) Mitch McConnell when he violates the rules.
If the Democrats snatch defeat from the jaws of victory as they are wont to do, then we the base must smack the shit out of leadership.

Tatiana

(14,167 posts)
40. Change the leadership.
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 10:53 PM
Jun 2018

The California Dems are showing us the way.

Kamala Harris.

Eric Swalwell.

Maxine Waters.

Ted Lieu.

Barbara Lee (the only Democrat who CORRECTLY voted against authorizing military force after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks).


Garrett78

(10,721 posts)
47. At this point, I'm ready for a change in leadership. So long as...
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 11:28 PM
Jun 2018

...it's not a change in the direction of Tim Ryan and others who think "identity politics" is our problem.

femmedem

(8,196 posts)
14. The Republicans change the goal posts when people are civil.
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 08:49 PM
Jun 2018

When progressives stand silently and civilly with signs, the Republicans yell, "Get a job!"

And what could possibly be more civil than taking a knee?

But it's fine for them to threaten people online? To intimidate peaceful protesters by making a big show of being armed? To drive into peaceful protesters? To massacre journalists? To steal thousands of children? Are these things really equivalent to yelling Shame?

My own local paper has run several op-eds on the need for civility, but I'm sure the editors wouldn't be calling for civility if it were their own children being stolen. I'm with Maxine: the perpetrators--the architects and enforcers of this administration's monstrous policies--should be shamed wherever they go.



Cha

(296,800 posts)
22. BSanders defended SSanders, too..
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 09:57 PM
Jun 2018
"Bernie Sanders Defends Sarah Sanders: People Have a Right To Go to a Restaurant for Dinner"

snip//

On MSNBC on Wednesday, former democrat presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders defended White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on the currently dominant political topic of civility in politics.

“Look, as I’ve said before, yeah, I think people have the right to go into a restaurant and have dinner,” said Sanders (Bernie) about Saunders (Sarah) being kicked out of a restaurant with her family over political differences.

Host Kristen Welker was asking the Vermont senator about the lack of civility in general at first, and he said he’s “not a great fan of shouting down people or being rude to people,” but that people have a right to be angry.

https://www.mediaite.com/tv/bernie-sanders-defends-sarah-sanders-people-have-a-right-to-go-to-a-restaurant-for-dinner/

Stephanie Wilkinson was protesting the draconian policies of the Fraud. Not "political differences" She asked her employees to vote on it.








dembotoz

(16,785 posts)
30. Dinner is different from destruction of a democracy
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 10:26 PM
Jun 2018

I don't care much about Sarah and her feedings. Rather make her life miserable in other ways.

CrispyQ

(36,421 posts)
17. I'm with Maxine.
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 09:19 PM
Jun 2018

My post from a few days ago & my disgust with dem leadership's cries for civility while tossing one of their own under the bus...again: https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=10796136

Like it or not, agree with it or not, the dems are viewed as weak & this is partly why.

Representative Waters, you rock & remind us that well behaved women don't make history.

Let's make history.

Cha

(296,800 posts)
21. Yeah, I am hereby calling out Schumer and Nancy
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 09:55 PM
Jun 2018

and saying they are Wrong.. that goes for Bernie Sanders, too..

"Bernie Sanders Defends Sarah Sanders: People Have a Right To Go to a Restaurant for Dinner"

snip//

On MSNBC on Wednesday, former democrat presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders defended White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on the currently dominant political topic of civility in politics.

“Look, as I’ve said before, yeah, I think people have the right to go into a restaurant and have dinner,” said Sanders (Bernie) about Saunders (Sarah) being kicked out of a restaurant with her family over political differences.

Host Kristen Welker was asking the Vermont senator about the lack of civility in general at first, and he said he’s “not a great fan of shouting down people or being rude to people,” but that people have a right to be angry.

https://www.mediaite.com/tv/bernie-sanders-defends-sarah-sanders-people-have-a-right-to-go-to-a-restaurant-for-dinner/

Stephanie Wilkinson was protesting the draconian policies of the Fraud. Not "political differences" She asked her employees to vote on it.










Let Maxine Lead..

Garrett78

(10,721 posts)
49. I'm going to repeat what I posted the other day about "political differences."
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 11:30 PM
Jun 2018
It's not about f***ing "political differences."

It's one thing to agree on facts but differ about how to respond to said facts, or about the causes. It's one thing to differ over the role of government. It's one thing to differ over tax rates. And so on.

But constantly lying, misleading and obfuscating is another thing.

Denying facts and inventing "alternative facts" is another thing.

Fomenting and exploiting racism, sexism, misogyny and xenophobia is another thing.

Separating families, and caging asylum-seekers (including children) is another thing.

Bragging openly about sexual assault and defending serial assaulters is another thing.

Suggesting that your supporters find a "2nd amendment solution" for your political opponent is another thing.

Refusing to show your tax returns, stiffing contractors and operating a phony "University" is another thing.

Violating the emoluments clause (that alone would have had Obama impeached) is another thing.

Race-based voter suppression and gerrymandering is another thing.

Obstructing justice is another thing.

Blatant hypocrisy about SCOTUS nominees - and everything else under the sun - is another thing.

Colluding with a foreign adversary is another thing.

Befriending vicious dictators and alienating vital allies is another thing.

There's nothing "uncivil" about protesting any and all of that. There's nothing uncivil about protesting those who are committing crimes against an entire nation, or aiding and abetting said criminals. On the contrary, it would be indecent to not do so.

So, anyone who is concerned about supposed acts of incivility toward SHS or Stephen Miller or Nielsen or McConnell or any of the Trumps, just fuck off. Those inhumane criminals are actively destroying lives and any semblance of democracy that remained. I don't give a shit if they can't eat dinner in peace or if they get shouted at. They should be in prison.

Political differences?!? Are you fucking kidding me?!?

Cha

(296,800 posts)
52. Exactly, Garrett.. I was just thinking that
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 11:38 PM
Jun 2018

when I posted to you on that other thread.

Very Well said and ended.. "Political differences?!? Are you fucking kidding me?!?"

We're living in the fucking Fascist Twilight Zone Nightmare.. and these pols are worried about Fucking DECORUM!

It's Freaking Exhausting But We Carry ON

https://waters.house.gov/contact Contact Maxine!

SunSeeker

(51,508 posts)
68. Exactly, Cha. Since when is putting kids in cages a mere "political difference"?
Sun Jul 1, 2018, 01:38 PM
Jul 2018

We are protesting barbarism and racism, not fine points of political discussion.

Cha

(296,800 posts)
81. It's like they weren't Thinking it Through..
Sun Jul 1, 2018, 06:53 PM
Jul 2018

It's so Unbelievably frustrating, SunSeeker.. When the sane side doesn't see what's going on.

Citizens have a right to protest by any reasonable means necessary.

Garrett78

(10,721 posts)
46. This sort of shit is one of the reasons why the GOP has been allowed to become so extreme.
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 11:25 PM
Jun 2018

When the likes of McCain and Collins are "moderates" and what Waters said is unacceptable, we have a real problem.

Cha

(296,800 posts)
50. It is a big problem.. it pisses off. The
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 11:30 PM
Jun 2018

country has been taken over by Fucking Fascists rigged in by the Fucking Russians and he calls out Maxine on the Senate Floor? And Nancy in the House..

We need to send Maxine words of Support!:

https://waters.house.gov/contact

Raster

(20,998 posts)
28. I stand with Maxine!
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 10:18 PM
Jun 2018
"Except harassing political opponents is profoundly American. Ask black survivors of the civil rights movement who faced the political effort to deny them the vote. Ask Native Americans about the political machinations that landed them on reservations. Ask those who look at the present political climate and see a repeat of the past.

We live in a time when discriminatory policies come out of the White House and are seemingly rubber-stamped by the Supreme Court."

NOW IS THE TIME for Civil Disobedience. NOW IS THE TIME for confrontation. The Trump* Administration and his sycophants, both in the White House and in Congress, are a Clear and Present Danger to the Constitution of the United States of American.

JHB

(37,154 posts)
32. Max-out Maxine!
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 10:30 PM
Jun 2018

Thirty years of paying attention to what Republicans actually want says Maxine has the right of this.

Garrett78

(10,721 posts)
33. As if what she said was outrageous.
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 10:34 PM
Jun 2018

Under the circumstances, what Congresswoman Waters said was downright tame.

“Let’s make sure we show up wherever we have to show up,” Waters said during videotaped remarks at a Los Angeles rally. “And if you see anybody from that Cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd. And you push back on them. And you tell them they’re not welcome anymore, anywhere. We’ve got to get the children connected to their parents.

“We don’t know what damage has been done to these children,“ she added. ”All that we know is they’re in cages. They’re in prisons. They’re in jails. I don’t care what they call it, that’s where they are, and Mr. President, we will see you every day, every hour of the day, everywhere that we are, to let you know you cannot get away with this.”


Republicans make horrific statements and carry out horrific policy, yet you don't see them eating their own.

A Democrat calls for nonviolent protest of horrific policies carried out by Republicans, and both Republicans and Democrats scold her.

Russia, voter suppression, gerrymandering, ignoramuses (on the right and left), and the media make things difficult enough...why the hell would Pelosi, Schumer and others make matters even worse?!? Are they really *that* strategically inept?

CrispyQ

(36,421 posts)
75. Like it or not, agree with it or not, the dems are perceived as weak.
Sun Jul 1, 2018, 06:01 PM
Jul 2018

And this is partially why. They've been cowering from the GOP & media ever since Reagan mocked them for being liberals. They let this double standard come about by not challenging back. Sure the media favors the GOP corporate agenda, so you fight harder to get your message out there. You call the networks & demand that US congresspersons be put on the air & you arrive with a set of talking points & be ready to challenge any lies you hear. Instead of cowering from the word liberal, they should have said, "Hell yes we're liberal & here's why," & then recited that Joe Conservative essay. They make up an entire list of talking points from that essay, but they never do.

mountain grammy

(26,598 posts)
34. I completely agree.
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 10:37 PM
Jun 2018

Frankly, I was surprised and certainly disappointed. I agreed with everything Maxine said.

Response to babylonsister (Original post)

 

watoos

(7,142 posts)
63. I'm with Maxine
Sun Jul 1, 2018, 01:06 PM
Jul 2018

Jesus H. Christ, "Talking Points Memo" has a freaking poll if Maxine should resign.

I know that the M$M is reich wing but now Josh Marshall?

pecosbob

(7,533 posts)
64. Schumer made the classic Dem mistake of accepting the RWs coded language talking points
Sun Jul 1, 2018, 01:19 PM
Jul 2018

instead of correcting their misuse of terms and restating the issue in clear, unambiguous language. Ms. Waters use of the term harass was of course intended to indicate non-violent shunning of these unprincipled, uncivilized people. The right wing media immediately chose to frame the term as a threat of violence. Schumer's acceptance of the term as such and failure to re-frame was a cardinal mistake in countering RW propaganda.

Adding to that, this spinelessness is not the kind of thing I want to hear from party leadership.

Does anyone in this party understand how the game is being played by the other guys?

Bottom line...Dem leadership seriously needs to grow a pair, but THIS IS MOST DEFINITELY NOT THE TIME FOR CHANGES IN LEADERSHIP. Seriously, folks...changing leadership heading into mid-terms? Wouldn't the other guys just love that.

SunSeeker

(51,508 posts)
65. The party (base Dems) are with Maxine.
Sun Jul 1, 2018, 01:20 PM
Jul 2018

Pelosi and Schumer made a mistake criticizing Maxine, however obliquely they did it. I think they will come to realize this. It is tough for genteel institutionalists like Pelosi and Schumer to accept the sad fact that we are operating in a different America now, requiring different tactics.

usaf-vet

(6,161 posts)
71. THE ENTIRE COUNTRY DESERVES BETTER.
Sun Jul 1, 2018, 03:26 PM
Jul 2018

Why is it that the only battle plan the democrats seem to have is "defense". IMO we NEVER challenge the repugs until it's way to late. Case in point. SCOTUS seat. Now everyday dozens of emails from dozens of groups running around with their hair on fire AFTER the Kennedy resignation. All looking for money of course.

It now personally feels to me like throwing good money after bad. Of all the checks I have written and petitions I have signed
I have never been told or shown that my effort really helped.

Not even once. Was there a clear back and white result where anyone wrote and said Thank you, because you and 1000, 100,000 or 1,000,000 other people gave and sign we won this one battle.

Where was the outrage when McConnell STOLE Merrick Garland's / Obama's seat. GDamn it! fight as if your life depends on winning BECAUSE it does. The life of this democracy is on advance life support right now.

I have to wonder if we are not seeing a similar situation that we have recently seen on a smaller scale. The case where Stormy Daniel's original attorney was privately selling her down the road by colluding with Trump's attorney Cohen. Colluding against her all along.

What the hell have the DNC and the DCCC been doing to protect our interests. Colluding for their personal benefits. It seems like for congress members and their decisions it is ME FIRST, PARTY SECOND, never all Americans.

cate94

(2,808 posts)
72. I stand with Maxine.
Sun Jul 1, 2018, 04:58 PM
Jul 2018

And now, because I older, I will tell a story.
In the 80’s I lived in a small far western suburb of Chicago. My partner and I were leaving a local store, when two younger men approached. One of the men looked at the other and said “ Oh man look at the,dykes.” I looked at my partner and said “Oh my god, how did he know?” And we burst out laughing. They both looked like they had been kicked in the balls, and hurried past us into the store.

My point is that anyone asking Pelosi or Schumer about Maxine’s replies, could have received an easy and somewhat humorous reply. ‘Have you seen Mr. Presidents tweets?’ ‘ Did you see Melania jacket?’ I mean, it doesn’t take a genius to hold up a mirror to stupidity. Laughing at them, as they deserve, is far more effective than hurting your own team mate. I like both Pelosi and Schumer, but honestly, if I saw them in public, I’d give them some shit. Not as much as if I saw any Republican politician. Geebuz, it isn’t rocket science, don’t attack your allies.

McCamy Taylor

(19,240 posts)
74. Discourse equals remorse. The message right now should be VOTE.
Sun Jul 1, 2018, 05:13 PM
Jul 2018

And since the GOP is trying to throw up obstacles to keep us from voting, voting is about to become a very dangerous endeavor in this country. Not for the faint of heart.

 

heaven05

(18,124 posts)
77. schumer and pelosi
Sun Jul 1, 2018, 06:27 PM
Jul 2018

Last edited Mon Jul 2, 2018, 12:35 PM - Edit history (1)

lack requisite courage to face bullies of the their own social and racial class. Maxine been fighting wypipo for a hell of a long time and knows civil will get you run over and dead. A gross majority of Racist WHITE PEOPLE cannot be reasoned with. Pelosi and schumer do not have the requisite life experience to deal with crude racists such as trump and his base. Go Maxine. Middle finger here to both pelosi and schumer.

The democratic Party leadership needs us for numbers. That's is all the Party has ever neded the minority vote for. They do not respect minorities. Hell their extreme quiet when President Obama faced white obstructionism and racist hate from the RW is not forgotten. Their extreme quiet when the First Lady, Michelle Obama was called monkey and worse, is not forgotten. When we held the majority in Congress President Obama's first 2 years, the racist 'bluedogs' obstructed him also. The 'southern strategy' BOYS AND GIRLS. Remember them, they are still with our Party. I have not forgotten.

I will never forget. The only way I am like the repthugliKKKan icon, the elephant, is my memory of WHITE RACISM AND INJUSTICE in my 70 years on this stinking ball of spinning dirt. And now a minority of racist white people has the majority of trumps racist base thinking the "good old days" have returned. Well they haven't. This is a new day NEVER to return to white supremacist evil, hated and ignorance. White supremacist/trump nationalists are the epitome of pigs in their pen wallowing mindlessly in their shit and mud. They better "take it easy". storm's a brewin'....

Chickensoup

(650 posts)
78. I do not understand why some people
Sun Jul 1, 2018, 06:46 PM
Jul 2018

think that the choice we have is either vote or resist.
Voting and legally resisting are not
mutually exclusive.
Voting is a must so is resisting,
marching,and shaming them. Any one who dose not see the seriousness of the situation we are in should remember the British prime minister Lord chamberlain who signed a peace agreement with Hitler that did not prevent WWII. He was certainly a civil gentleman!!!!! and a naive leader.
Democratic leadership wake up and smell
the coffee.

radius777

(3,635 posts)
79. and Maxine's comment was about resisting
Sun Jul 1, 2018, 06:48 PM
Jul 2018

greater evil... that context seems have been deliberately stripped out in the way this story has been covered.

stopbush

(24,392 posts)
82. By not supporting Maxine, Schumer and other Ds are basically admitting that
Sun Jul 1, 2018, 07:35 PM
Jul 2018

it’s all about politics, that they are exaggerating how bad tRump is, that Rs aren’t really all that different from anyone else when it comes to civility.

Idiots.

SWBTATTReg

(22,065 posts)
83. Disagreement in our ranks is a great healthy thing to have, at least in the democratic ...
Sun Jul 1, 2018, 07:53 PM
Jul 2018

party, among ourselves, we can agree to disagree on things. This is one of the great things about the democratic party that I really like. It's like having many cultures, many ethic groups of all varieties, etc. all in one group, which in truth, is a big big chunk of America as it truly is. Wonderful!

When it comes down to it, when it gets tough, we get tough, we get together, and pull together, all of us, out of the morass that Washington DC has become, governed for the donors by the republican party, and not us, the average American on the street. Just watch us in Nov. 2018, 2020, and 2022. Just watch.

oasis

(49,324 posts)
84. "pulling together" is essential if the Democratic Party is to survive.
Sun Jul 1, 2018, 08:16 PM
Jul 2018

Our American democracy depends on its survival.

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