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Frankenstein's Monster
Author: BobR    Date: 08/05/2009 12:45:08

Whoops.

What happens when you appeal to a crazy person's id? What happens when you rev up the emotions of an angry mob? It seems that certain elements in the political world are beginning to realize that they are the Frankensteins that are losing control of the monster they created.

It's hard to categorize them exactly. They are the "birthers" that think Obama is not really a U.S. citizen. They are the "teabaggers" that don't want to pay taxes and consider any government program "socialism". They are the haters that can't stand the thought that the president is a half-black man with "Hussein" as a middle name, and that they're in the minority of people thinking that is a problem. The most disturbed are those that belong in all three camps, but it's safe to assume that most members of one camp belong to another as well.

The Dr. Frankenstein in this case would be FOX News. John Stewart called them out on it Monday night:
Showing a clip from a recent town hall attended by Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) and Health and Human Services chief Kathleen Sebelius, Stewart highlighted a Fox talking point that was repeated by an off-camera woman.

“You want us to believe that a government that can’t even run a cash for clunkers program is going to run 1/7th of our U.S. economy?” she rattled into the mic to a growing chorus of cheers. “No sir! No.”

“Does every town in America have one of those ladies?” asked Stewart. “Or has that lady been going around to every town?”

In a mocking tone, he added: “This tyranny will not stand! Now, can I have a ride to the bus station? I have a school board meeting to disrupt in Akron.”

“By the way, if you’re wondering why all these town hall disruptions continue to happen, it’s actually a product of a closed-loop, self-sustaining, outrage-generating ecosystem…” began Stewart, cutting quickly to a series of Fox clips.

In the clips, host Steve Doocy is seen knocking proposals to provide healthcare to poor Americans, suggesting that since the “Cash for Clunkers” program was so effective in driving up auto sales, the government could not possibly fund a segment of healthcare.

While FOX may be the mad doctor, who would be the Igor bringing the fresh meat? That is being covered by "Conservatives for Patient Rights" who just so happen to be the same group of folks who organized the Swiftboaters against Kerry. They are the ones shipping "that lady" around to all the Democratic congresscritter's town hall meetings. Even Chuck Norris is jumping into the fray to kick some serious non-birther ass.

Perhaps it is the realization that this is heading to a bad place which prompted Glen Beck (yes - Glen Beck) to ask these folks to keep it peaceful:
In what was perhaps an admission that his core supporters are less than entirely sane, Fox News’ Glenn Beck implored his viewers Monday night not to resort to violence.

Beck told viewers to “let Congress know that you are watching them like a hawk… you let them feel your burning gaze on them. But … your interaction with them needs to be respectful, polite, forceful and peaceful.”

Beck suggested that one act of (presumably right-wing extremist) violence could upend the conservative opposition to President Barack Obama and the Democrat-controlled Congress.

“If anyone thinks it would be a good idea to turn violent, think again. It would destroy the republic,” Beck said.

Of course - the REAL reason for all this craziness is to derail healthcare reform. The people against healthcare reform come from two camps: Those that have a financial interest in it not going through (insurance and drug companies), and those that would cut off their nose to spite their face to maintain ideological purity (small government adherents). The latter group would rather suffer with no healthcare than suffer under the "tyranny" of "socialism".

The White House has struck back at the nonsense, releasing a 3 minute video to punch back at the lies being put out by Drudge Report and others. The DNC has put out a video as well (see the Conservatives for Patient's Rights link, above). It's nice to see them being proactive. One can only hope that the nutjobs' continued shrill, disruptive behavior will only serve to further discredit their own message.

The "cash for clunkers" message hasn't resonated well. The "healthcare reform will kill your Grandma" message has about run its course. The next one? Taxpayer dollars will pay for abortions.

Stay tuned...

 

68 comments (Latest Comment: 08/06/2009 00:17:55 by livingonli)
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