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The Current Crisis
She Is Gone
Anita Dunn is history, though not for what she did to Mother Teresa.
WASHINGTON — Well, that did not take long! Just weeks after initiating a war of words with Fox News and being exposed as an admirer of Chairman Mao, Anita Dunn, the White House Communications Director, is stepping down. I intimated as much a couple of weeks back, when I lumped her in with two other Obama Administration zanies who were forced to resign: environmental czar Van Jones and National Endowment for the Arts spokesman Yosi Sergant.
My point was that recent Democratic administrations always welcome to Washington a fleet of eccentrics that are not to be believed. Both the Carter and the Clinton administrations were abundant with such characters, a woman who talked to monuments late at night, a surgeon general who propounded the salubrious benefits of masturbation publicly — by which I mean speaking of it in public, not actually performing in public. Those are just two of the many bizarre figures that come to mind. Now we have the Obama Administration, and I have prophesied that its zanies will outnumber those from both previous menageries combined.
The question for the moment is which indiscretion weighed most heavily against Dunn’s tenure, the war with Fox or the praise of Mao? During her assaults on Fox she denounced the cable-news network as “a wing of the Republican Party,” and “opinion journalism masquerading as news.” In an extended shriek she said last month, “The reality of it is that Fox News often operates almost as either the research arm or the communications arm of the Republican Party.” Is that sulfur I smell?
Actually, I doubt it was her war on Fox that caused the White House Communications Director to bail. After all she is not the only White House operative to assail Fox. There have been others. Chief of staff Rahm Emanuel has claimed that Fox is not a “legitimate news organization.” White House senior advisor David Axelrod has said that Fox is “not really a news organization.” The President himself has gotten in on the act.
My guess is that Dunn’s expressed admiration for Mao is the cause of her departure. For this revelation I suppose we have to thank Fox’s Glenn Beck. He aired a tape of Dunn notifying an audience of students at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School near Washington that this cuddly little butterball of a tyrant — who oversaw the murder of some 70 million people — is one of her “favorite philosophers.” The other one, she said, is Mother Teresa, who killed no one so far as we know. Dunn adduced both as moral exemplars for the assembled youths. Her point was something about setting out to do things you really want to do regardless of criticism. If I followed her, she saw both Mao and Mother Teresa as variations on the old Sinatra standard “My Way.” In moral and practical terms, Dunn’s advice to the students was confused.
What is more she stretched the truth when asked to defend her speech. On CNN she attempted to explain that when she spoke of Mao as one of her “favorite political philosophers” she was speaking ironically. The phrase was, she claimed, “intended as irony, but clearly the effort fell flat — at least with a certain Fox commentator whose sense of irony may be missing.” Ah, Dunn’s war with Fox continues.
Yet by now many have viewed the tape that Beck aired and I doubt they perceived any irony. Was she being ironic about Mother Teresa too — if so, why? To be blunt, Dunn’s explanation is a lie. She is one of those ritualistic liberals who specialize in putting people on, in disturbing the peace. Disturbing the peace is a timeless liberal value, but sometimes the liberal misdemeanant goes too far. You cannot have a White House Communications Director advocating Mao as a role model for America’s youth. Thus she is going, going, gone. I cannot wait for the next White House zany.
About the Author
R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr. is the founder and editor in chief of The American Spectator. He is the author of The Death of Liberalism, published by Thomas Nelson Inc. His previous books include the New York Times bestseller Boy Clinton: the Political Biography; The Impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton; The Liberal Crack-Up; The Conservative Crack-Up; Public Nuisances; The Future that Doesn’t Work: Social Democracy’s Failure in Britain; Madame Hillary: The Dark Road to the White House; The Clinton Crack-Up; and After the Hangover: The Conservatives’ Road to Recovery.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (63) | Leave a comment
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Appleby| 11.12.09 @ 6:46AM
Ms. Dunn has taken refuge in the Juvenile Delinquent Riff. Whenever there is an outburst of delinquency these days, whether it be peeing on a monument to the fallen military or smashing tombstones in a Jewish Cemetery -- whether it be setting other kids on fire or sending bomb threats to the school, the inevitable protest when these brats are caught is IT WAS A JOKE, MAAAAAN!
I put this right up there with those people who say No Offence right before being outrageously offensive, or placatingly after they realize that stepping up to a total stranger and informing her that her child is morbidly obese or she needs to dye her hair a different colour is about to get her knocked on her kiester.
No doubt Ms. Dunns mother was one of those who dressed her up in revolutionary garb and described her infant sloganeering as *cute*. Now that she is an adult, she is confused when people take her seriously.
jr| 11.12.09 @ 4:58PM
I cannot pass up the opportunity to add to Appleby's comment "and described her infant sloganeering as *cute*." No doubt she also wore on her top, as a youngster, such phrases as "Princess." Mothers, and fathers as well, do not tell your offsprings that they are beautiful or brilliant or other homey stuff unless it is warranted. When they win the prize at school for being the smartest, do it, but not before. Beauty, or such, is in the eye of the beholder, and I can testify to that because I am married, and I wouldn't have wanted to marry me, if I were her.
Pingback| 11.12.09 @ 6:50AM
Twitter Trackbacks for The American Spectator : She Is Gone [spectator.org] on Topsy links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
J. Kelley| 11.12.09 @ 7:18AM
This is who Obama is. There are too many examples of Zany friends. He listened to the Reverand Wright for 20 years. 20 minutes would be a long time to listen for the average American.
Melvin| 11.12.09 @ 7:44AM
Appleby, don't you know that no card carrying Liberal would allow their child out of the house without their Che Guevara T-shirt and black beret, all the while being trundled along in their custom Tommy Hilfiger custom stroller. The meld of socialism and wealth envy.
To Ms. Dunn and the other idealistic fairies that have or would have like to have appointed in positions of power only to make our lives a living hell, of course the ends always justifies the means.
Just because Mao murdered millions upon millions of his citizens is just a small part in the greater goal of making, "C H A N G E" come about.
Those millions of Chinese that Mao and his idealistic fairies murdered, were probably Conservatives anyway.
Appleby| 11.12.09 @ 9:09AM
There was a brief surge of Toddler Chic in NY City when one saw pre-schoolers wearing t-shirts proclaiming "Bush is a Poo Poo Head."
I wonder what happens when one of these tots wants a serious career of some kind and this photo surfaces right in the middle of his campaign.
In fact, my first thought when I saw one was "What if one day this poor tot is in the College of Cardinals being considered as the next Pope when this photo shows up?" Unlikely, but smirking liberal mothers ought to consider that stuff like this never goes away.
Howard| 11.12.09 @ 7:53AM
Extremists always seem to admire the personality of the tyrant, while ignoring the number of people murdered by the regime. FDR thought Stalin was a guy he could do business with. Old Khrushchev was a country bumpkin. He was so cute banging his shoe on the table. Dunn continues the useful idiot role of glamorizing these bastards. How many Che t-shirts are out there honoring that psychotic killer?
megapotamus | 11.12.09 @ 10:06AM
There is a funny sidebar to the Tale of Kruschev's Shoe. If you can find photos or film of the event, it takes a careful eye but you can see that Kruschev is wearing two shoes as he raps on the table. So he BROUGHT a shoe with which to gavel! Another Kruschevism, in reference to the duty of the apparatchik to order others what to do, he claimed this was the one thing in life of which one never grows tired. I wouldn't know but I can believe it.
Shamus| 11.12.09 @ 2:54PM
Perhaps Kruschev simply appropriated an aide's shoe. This would be in keeping with Communist philosophy.
Hardius| 11.12.09 @ 7:56AM
In this administration, how do you tell the zanies from the liberals, how do you tell the liberals from the socialist, how do you tell if there is anyone there that is not a threat to United States?
Richard Baker| 11.12.09 @ 8:45AM
My Mother said that you are known by the company you keep. By his friends and associates, the Kenyan is known by the company HE keeps, sure.
Papa Ray| 11.12.09 @ 8:51AM
The editor of this piece (also the author) should use google more. She is not "GONE" she just moved as she said she would when she took the job. She is still on Obama's team.
Papa Ray
Bruce | 11.12.09 @ 8:59PM
Beat me to it, papa:) That is almost exactly what I was about to say. Anyone who thinks the list of commies (not "crazies", but commies) who have been "tossed under the bus" is gone from positions of influence in this degenerate administration is deluding themself. They have just been hidden out of sight - not out of mind.
Northern Rebel| 11.12.09 @ 9:00AM
It does no good to have one of "President" Anti-Christ's Communist radicals resign, if he just replaces them with another communist.
That being said, kudos to Glenn Beck for exposing
America's version of the evil empire!
(No Lullaby, I don't mean the Yankees!)
Lullaby's, Legends and Lies| 11.12.09 @ 12:25PM
You talkin' bad about my Yankees again Rebel?
This is a good sign though! It's just another small win, is a series of small wins since this summer, that keep building, and building on top of each other, until the Election to Kick Him Out Of Office in 2012 and restore sanity!!
Now, who's next?
1Freeman| 11.12.09 @ 9:20AM
Appleby, thank you for taking the time to write this morning. Comments, like yours, are why I scroll down and read the comnents section. Great points, all. Melvin, Howard... you guys too!
Louis Jenkins| 11.12.09 @ 9:30AM
She is Gone!! Horray!! Unfortunately her replacement will be just as offensive and dingy. Just remember, she'll be back in the next liberal administration.
Timothy L. Pennell| 11.12.09 @ 9:32AM
Don't forget the IDIOT Industry Czar. He gave a speech, and I'm paraphrasing: "We get it. Capitalism is a JOKE. It's the plaything for the rich. It's a PONZI SCHEME. And we agree with the wisdom of MAO, that all power flows from the barrel of a gun."
The FCC Chairman, who 'ADMIRES Hugo Chavez' for saving his 'GLORIOUS REVOLUTION' by cracking down on the MEDIA that disagreed with him.
The Science Czar who wants to put STERILENTS in the WATER SUPPLY.
His Health Guy, who thinks that the Gov't SHOULD be allowed to limit families to ONE CHILD. (Hat tip to Mao, again.)
We definitely have a PROBLEM in the White House. One can only HOPE, that the SECRET SERVICE honors their OATH. And that OATH is to the CONSTITUTION. No-one else. In ROMAN times, the Emperor had his PRETORIAN GUARD. They also had an OATH. To the EMPIRE. And more than once, they did what needed to be done. 'I swear to DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION from ALL enemies, both Foreign and DOMESTIC.'
Let's hope they meant it.
Howard| 11.12.09 @ 11:52AM
I recently read an article in Fortune Magazine coined by Steve Rattner (THE CAR CZAR). It was a total self-servicing piece of excrement detailing how wonderful BHO and team are. How there was no intention of nationalizing the auto industry, and that the UAW did not get preferential treatment by the Administration. I'm sure articles written in Pravda or Izvestia were more truthful than this fantasy written by Rattner.
Bruce | 11.12.09 @ 9:03PM
"One can only HOPE, that the SECRET SERVICE honors their OATH. And that OATH is to the CONSTITUTION. No-one else."
Don't hold your breath on that point.
How much has anyone heard about the 2 SS vehicles that ran over and killed a pedestrian the other night?
The Secret Service is imbued with the philosophy that they owe allegiance to nobody but their protectee.
Mike M| 11.12.09 @ 9:41AM
I would expect to se Mr. Nidal Malik Hasan to be the next appiontee as soon as he is well recovers.
Rudy| 11.12.09 @ 9:59AM
When I listened to her speech it seemed incredible that she could not find a homegrown philosopher appropriate for the audience!! Like--Washington--Oh! I forgot-- he is not PC --being a slaveholder trumps mass murder.
megapotamus | 11.12.09 @ 10:02AM
This is an obvious and threadbare ploy, somewhat Alinskioid since it attempts to cast the objector as too stupid to get an unmissable joke but it does not work in the age of omnipresent video. Really, it would not work even in an interview unless the interviewer is reliably compliant as the non-Foxies are. What any responsible "journalist" would inquire is, what was it about Mao's character or actions that is not only wrong but so blatantly and irredeemably wrong that his invocation cannot possibly be serious? As when the Obies object to being slandered as socialists, they are undone by a simple question. Um, so what is wrong with being socialist? This trap is easily sprung as the prey is always unwary. Try this one. As Bob often says, it is a cruel sport but vastly entertaining!
Gertrude Stein-Toklas| 11.12.09 @ 10:18AM
I'm almost sad to see this glorified journalism 101 teaching assistant with a bad attitude go...she was quite a useful idiot, a number ten on the annoying scale, kind of like Ms. Senatorette Boxer. I remember chicks like this in college, they hung out in all the cool coffee shops, demonstrating their rebellion in a safe, acceptable, conformist sort of way, rarely showered or wore make-up, and were generally angry at the world and unpleasant to be around. No wonder she likes those big sillies like Mao.
karen kelly| 11.12.09 @ 11:04AM
This is interesting but Dunn was slated to leave at the end of November anyway, not because of Glenn Beck. Besides, the scary part is not that she is leaving at all - she will maintain an office and be involved in top level decision making whilst she profits by working at a law firm who will surely win government contracts that the NY Times & co will find nothing wrong with.
Howard| 11.12.09 @ 11:55AM
Ike warned of the "Military Industrial Complex". What do we call the Administration, Main Stream Media and Wall Street Complex?
SoCon| 11.12.09 @ 8:13PM
I read this a couple of months ago, Karen; Dunn was scheduled to leave her job at the White House in November. Supposedly, she wanted to spend more 'quality time' with her young son. Poor kid.
Oldefarte| 11.12.09 @ 12:01PM
As someone on Fox recently said, Dunn will only disappear from the PUBLIC EYE. She will [probably] still be IN THE WHITE HOUSE CLOSET, so to speak. The one and only way to adequately get rid of any/all of these fanatics is for normal Americans to go vote at each/every upcoming election [local, state and federal] for any/all condidates [be they incumbants or challengers] who have conservative philosophies and who pledge to vote against any/all of Obama's/ liberals' legislation!!!!!!!!!!!
Ran / Si Vis Pacem | 11.12.09 @ 2:41PM
Mr. Tyrrell, many thanks. I have to take issue with two important matters:
Firstly, 'Mao Tse' Dunn isn't done in this Administration's humongous game of Wack-A-Mole. She will simply move deeper behind the curtain alongside Comrad Jones, busy as ever. Perhaps busier.
Secondly, these people aren't a collective of hemp-wearing sandal-shod "zanies." These people are dangerous totalitarians - highly motivated, revolutionary, very dangerous totalitarians. I do wish there were a few harmless kooks amongst this cluster, but there are none. Liberty in America is in grave danger.
stoky| 11.12.09 @ 2:51PM
I cannot think of what I would do to myself if I woke up next to Ms. Dunn. Probably resign from the human race with the immortal words, "I'm Dunn" and then watch her mouth move like it's filled with rubber marbles.
John II| 11.12.09 @ 5:06PM
Confucius say, "Friends of wise man wise; friends of fool foolish."
PCP Smoker| 11.12.09 @ 5:48PM
Don't forget that Lewinsky woman -- the fatty with the dog face-- who performed anilingus on Clinton. Yucks! Talk about a potty-mouth eccentric!!
SoCon| 11.12.09 @ 8:15PM
Geez, PCP; too much info. Yuck!
Bruce | 11.12.09 @ 9:07PM
Analingus? LOL ... no - fellatio:) Wrong end, dude!
Nancy| 11.12.09 @ 6:15PM
Obama is surrounded by these people because their views reflect his. One or two might be a mistake, but not this many.
Our President is a Marxist, who is attempting to implement here the Marxist utopias of other such charming countries as China, Venezuela or Cuba. He is doing pretty well, too. I hope to God people vote his Congressional soulmates out in 2010, or there will be no America left to save.
scythe| 11.12.09 @ 8:33PM
I didn't "perceive any irony" when I viewed that tape. But man! What the hell was was with that tongue flickering about like some prehistoric lizard and the mouth clicks? A form of Xhosa ? She must have been doing some heavy duty stuff because that is the wierdest form of "stage fright" I have ever witnessed. Sure gives "dry mouth" a new interpretation.
hunter| 11.13.09 @ 9:09AM
Must be getting awfully crowded under the bus. If this keeps up there will be enough for a baseball team. Barry is going to have to buy a bigger bus.
JeffT| 11.13.09 @ 12:03PM
It is likely they will replace her with someone equally as noxious and unctuous. It is what they do, what they are.
Sean| 11.13.09 @ 1:27PM
I threw Lew Dobbs under a bus. His head wouldn't quite fit.
Ron| 11.14.09 @ 7:19PM
At this rate they will purge the Messiah administration of lunatics in another 25 years. Is there some way we could just jump to the top and get rid of the Marxist jackass that hired these people?
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