Why Karl Rove Loves the Schiavo Distraction

[chlamor]

Rove's Tricky Decoy Dump

FALLING FOR THE FEINT

So here are the Democrats ranting and raving about the Bush Administration's Social Security "reform" lies and deceptions, about the environmental rape of the Alaskan refuge for a small amount of oil, about these ten extremist judge nominees, about the crass intrusion of GOP politics into a deeply personal medical tragedy in the Schiavo family, and so on.

Meanwhile: the war in Iraq rages on, fueled by U.S. military's neo-colonialist brutalities visited upon the local population, plus the humiliations and tortures of its men, women and children when detained in prison. Syria appears to be next on the U.S. hit list or maybe Iran or even the popular, democratically-elected government of oil-rich Venezuela. Bush isn't pressuring Israel to do what's necessary to make way for a viable Palestinian state. The national debt is ballooning into trillions and trillions, thus further reducing the diminishing social services available to the middle class and poor, etc.

<snip>

KEEPING OUR EYES ON THE PRIZE

Those of us who oppose Bush&Co. policies -- liberals, moderate Republicans, progressives, radicals, the mix of which was evident at the many anti-war demonstrations over the weekend -- need to remember to focus our energies on the major criminal/immoral policies of the Administration, while noting the decoy "chaff" that is being thrown out there to lure us away into side-skirmishes. Those lesser Bush initiatives are important to resist, to be sure, as long as we keep in mind what is really going on, what Bush&Co. really are after.

http://www.crisispapers.org/essays-w/decoy-dump.htm

[shelley806]

1. Depressingly true...Thanks for the post and the reminder that I

absolutely hate the thought that I'd be giving KKKRove any pleasure at all.

[Catch22Dem]

2. I'm not worried

The war will still be going on long after Terri is dead.

[UTUSN]

3. Because He Loves for US to Be Afraid to STAND for DEM-DAMNED Principles?

[deacon]

4. Seems to be backfiring, check this out from the bible belt

http://www.heraldsun.com/nationworld/14-589099.html

[katsy]

5. I disagree... maybe.

The Schiavo issue is the first one where a majority of Ameicans have come together. They have seen through these tricks and again, the majority of Americans see this sideshow for what it is.

Unfortunately for rove and the gop... the issue affects every one, conservative and progressive alike. It's deeply personal. It's deeply private.

Many Americans have been through the kind of torment the families involved in Schiavo are going through. To see this kind of pain trivialized for political purposes is something every family has a vested interest in stopping.

That is just not so (it SHOULD be) with peace rallies. They are far removed from the average persons life. We've all felt the pain and many of us had to make decisions involving the death or prolongment of a loved one's life.

The above is correct about the seriousness of the monkey's PNAC aspirations of conquering the world and the death and destruction he has inflicted upon American troops and innocent Iraqis.

But IMHO... if rove's plan was to use Schiavo as a decoy (and that WAS the plan), it has failed miserably. It has also cost the gop dearly. MUCH more dearly than rove could ever have dreamed it could. He could thank the bugman for making that happen.

Before the Schiavo issue blew up their faces, frist was assured of the votes he needed to go nuclear in the confirmation hearings for monkey's judges. That is not necessarily the case now. I believe (I'll check again) that Shays (R-CT) isn't on board. Maybe more moderate republicans will follow his lead. I don't think rove planned on this.

And yes, the same is true of SS. It's critical that Dems keep hammering at this. AGAIN... it's an issue that affects the well being of their families. This is not an issue to be trivialized. It may not be high on your list, but most people were raised to believe that their family's well being is the most important duty they have. And they are correct. I don't think rove planned monkey boy's crusade to privatize SS just to have it go bust. Another failure, another chip off blockhead.

I repeat... another failure. That is what will chip away monkey boy's ability to rally Americans to his destructive causes.

The Dems are correct to keep exposing the danger of this administration's policies in matters that affect American at a very basic level... close to home. Once monkey boy's facade is exposed for what it is, people will be more wary of the "major" causes.

The gop did more for the progressive movement in one short week than the Dems could have accomplished in 4 years.

They have threatened congressional action in family disputes. That threatens all Americans. They implied that the majority Americans who feel the Schiavo case doesn't belong in congress are murderers. On top of that, at a time when many Americans are hurting, they spent $7M on Schiavo! Americans understand the inequity of this and the gop's irresponsible, disgraceful political maneuvering.

They can't sell the SS privatization and have alienated seniors.

As icing on the cake, monkey boy called the private citizens who are patrolling the border "vigilantes" when he was sucking up to fox. He called private citizens "vigilantes". Right on the heels of his bugman delay all but calling Michael Schiavo a murderer. YUP. That's right. Americans are smart enough to know that if this administration can go around calling private citizens names... well, they'd come after them and theirs also.

I've seen a hundred threads begging everyone to stop talking about Schiavo. If I could start a thread... I'd start 100 new Schiavo threads. I'd take out a thousand ads in papers around the country telling people why this case would hurt them. I'd put in front and center long after the gop tries to bury the story deep!

Hurt them close to home... and the less able they'll be to cause havoc around the world. They won an election because of fear of terraism. Well it's time Americans felt the kind of terraism the gop has in store for them. Right here, close to home, and real,

Being DUers... I'm sure we can tackle all the crap this administration can dish out. But we should jump on the issues that hit close to home LOUDLY and OFTEN.

[chlamor]

9. It's a matter of losing focus

on the issues that affect our daily lives and the lives of others (Iraqi children e.g.). I'm really shocked that this Schiavo silliness not only merited a blip but has infected the forum. If nothing else would inform us to avoid this issue, in large part , the attention the MSM has devoted to it should tell us to look the other way.

Tigers are nearing extinction
Energy crunch is here
No snow on Kilimanjaro
Permanent War
Homelessness rates skyrocketing

Nero wasn't the only one fiddling

[katsy]

11. I'm in total agreement...

that the issues you listed are vital and in themselves should have generated a revolt by all Americans.

I'm not trivializing that.

But in fact, Schiavo isn't mere silliness. It touches on the separation of powers and EVERY American's right to privacy.

That is one of the issues the Dems need foot soldiers to work on. So far... this issue has cost the gop more than the tigers, energy crunch and all the other important issues.

If the Dems (or their foot soldiers on blogs) don't milk this every day until the 2006 election if possible... people will forget that they were directly insulted and threatened by these scoundrels!

Who will fix the "major" issues if Dems don't recapture the Senate, or House? And if they don't gain a majority in 2006, they are on unequal footing for the 2008 presidential race.

The neocons have demonstrated time and time again that they don't give a flying pfhuck what people think about our environment, health, their perpetual war plans. People can die on the streets of cold and they just don't give a damn! YET THEY KEPT MONKEY BOY IN THE WHITE HOUSE!

IF the Schiavo case is what will piss off enough Americans to the point they consider voting Dem next election... SO BE IT. If SS chips away at monkey boys support among senior citizens... SO BE IT! IF those good old boys guarding Arizona's borders are pissed off enough to vote Dem or NOT vote next election because monkey boy called them vigilantes... SO BE IT!

Why would any rational person object to the "quality" of the dialogue when it is clearly hurting the gop and giving us some hope that we may have a shot at winning some elections?

If we don't get the leadership we need in the white house and in congress to begin fixing what these neocons have broken, why would you think they'll start giving a damn about anti-war demonstrations or tigers?

The war, the atrocities committed upon our environment, the homeless won't be addressed unless the Dems can keep the pressure on what you think of as "lesser" issues. Not everyone embraces the issues you speak to. Some sheep react to direct threats to their privacy and if Dems have to keep the pressure up on those issues, they should.

[Lindacooks]

15. I think you have a good point.

SOMETHING had to happen to show the sheeple that the neocons will do ANYTHING to further their agenda - trampling over individual rights and interfering in the most private matters.

Maybe this will wake people up. I hope.

[katsy]

16. Thank you.

Now I hope the Dems keep reminding Americans the lengths these neocons would go to infringe on our rights AND at what cost.

Keep up the great SS and Schiavo threads!

[FreedomAngel82]

19. Yes

We have to show that the right can go into anybody's bedrooms, hospitals, schools, marriages, etc. if they see it as a political tool. Maybe someday even their churches. These people are power hungry and nuts. They don't care as long as they *think* it will help them.

[chlamor]

17. Should have received little attention

The Dems have failed miserably because they have been Rep. Lite for years. One issue that is a winner is universal health care, the Dems have failed here despite some efforts by a few. Kerry said "I would do the war better" WTF is that?

It is not about strategy -that is political pointlessness. It is about honesty, integrity, dignity. People of all stripes are yearning for some hard truths and we are heading for some hard times. Schiavo thing is a huge waste of energy-a planned distraction. Don't take the bait.

On March 31, the Selective Service System (SSS) will report to President Bush that it is ready to implement the draft within 75 days. Right now, the SSS is staffing local draft boards, training volunteer registrars to work on high school and college campuses, and streamlining its induction process. They have also gained access to the Department of Education's computer files, to ensure maximum registration.

It is clear that the Bush Administration is preparing for a draft. They are desperate for new soldiers to continue the occupation of Iraq and to prepare for new wars against Iran, Syria, and elsewhere.

At the same time that Bush is looking to youth to supply cannon fodder for his wars, he is busy cutting financial aid and slashing social programs. The same young people that Bush wants to use to fight his wars are finding it harder to pay for their education, find jobs that pay a living wage, or obtain basic necessities, like health care or affordable housing.
http://www.nodraftnoway.org/

[FreedomAngel82]

20. It makes sense

on the programs he is cutting. But yet still has his freakin tax cuts.
He wants people to go so poor they'd have to have family members join the military. Freakin s.o.b.

[katsy]

23. This is another example...

of an issue that needs to gain ground. The Dems should be all over this!

If this happens it will eclipse the Schiavo issue because it affects our children. And people are familiar with the lack of armor and equipment in Iraq. They were appalled at abu ghraib and have seen soldiers convicted. It could happen to their own.

No one wants this to happen. More Americans should have this info.

[FreedomAngel82]

18. I do agree

I think all the issues are important but this one is going to be good for us to use as well. I've read numerous accounts here on DU about people's own experiences with republicans backing up with the GOP because of this issue. It's showing how crazy these people can be and they can come into anybody's lives like this. Next year I think to help us win seats we can really use this issue, SS, health care and the minimum wage. Families are hurting and need help. I was thinking about this earlier and it can help us. I'm listening to Bernie Ward and he's talking about this issue (Schavio) and he's saying that according to CNN's poll 70% don't like it and 60% said Congress got involved for their own agenda. 2/3's who consider themselves evangelicals and conservatives didn't like Congress getting involved either. Key groups who are supporting the GOP are also high in disapproval. The only reason why it seems like people are for this issue is because of the loudmouths on the right. Bush's overal approval is now 43% and last month was 49% and people feel sympathy for both members of the family. In the Gallup Poll over 80% said they feel sympathy for the parents. 70% for the husband.

[Karenina]

24. Top. Notch. Post.

EXCELLENT!!! WELCOME TO DU, KATSY!!! :toast: :toast: toast:

[alcibiades_mystery]

6. Rove's shitting his pants over it

Worst polls of the Presidency on any issue, and the Republicans angering their own soft supporters in a number of ways. Not everything is a "distraction." Sometimes, they really and truly do miscalculate.

[cynatnite]

7. Rove's crying like a girl

They screwed up and they know it. The polls prove it.

[FreedomAngel82]

21. I think so too

At first I was wondering if he was involved or if this was something Frist and DeLay and Jeb did on their own. Then again I thought about it some and nothing happens without him involved someway since he is Bush's advisor and Bush "rushed" back to "save" her life. I do think they thought it'd work out for them but it is backfiring.

[K-W]

8. This is the Delay show now, forget about Karl Rove.

Karl Rove is in a lame duck white house engineering structural changes that will keep republicans in power. I doubt he likes what is going on right now, but Im sure he sent the president to washington so obviously he went along with the bad call, but the Republicans are trying to sort out who is going to take control of the party post-Bush, and this move really really seems to be spearheaded by Tom Delay in an attempt to solidify his control of the party before he gets hit with indictments. I think Delay is just cheating death and that this is going to hurt the party and I dont think Karl Rove is neccessarily going to be a big part of that process as Bush starts looking less and less important.

[FreedomAngel82]

22. You make good points

I was thinking about this a day/two ago and thinking if he was involved or not. Why else would that memo get put out carelessly? He always makes sure to cover his tracks. Maybe that's why Bush rushed back?? Because he's never done that before. I, personally, am not sure if Rove is involved or not. :shrug:

[seabeyond]

10. throwing away the constitution is pretty big too you know

invading private affairs, dismissing the authority in a marriage, depriving state of its power

pretty big issues dont you think

the others need ot be heard and discussed too,.......but right now we are trying to keep a pretty big piece of our individual rights

[Sparkle]

12. All of that and it kept Bulldog off the front pages.

Bastards!

[dandrhesse]

13. I hear ya on this one, one distraction after another. Do you notice that

they seem to worsen as Kerry has publicly dressed bush down? It is truly disgusting the items that they spend time and money to promote and disgrace.

[Mr_Spock]

14. I just can't keep worrying about what Rove thinks - best to beat him to

the punch - I'm sick of second guessing his motives - he can't possibly be as smart as people give him credit for. Let's go on offense and see what he does as a reaction...