Washington Prowler
Such a Thing as Free Press
A left-wing letter unravels a vast left-wing conspiracy.
The leftist organization Free Press, sensing that it is losing the political and policy battle at the Federal Communications Commission over “net neutrality,” organized a letter from about 150 nonprofit and charitable organizations in support of federal government regulation of the Internet, or “net neutrality.”
Free Press is the astroturf and political organization founded by Marxist and Obama supporter, Robert McChesney. The group has advocated for government regulation of the Internet and taxpayer-supported media, among other issues. It is an organization that has refused to divulge its funding sources, but of late, the MacArthur and Ford Foundations have admitted to giving millions to the organization, and sources with knowledge of the group claim that Free Press also receives funds from the Tides Foundation and such labor organizations as the SEIU.
The Tides is a leftist nonprofit that accepts funds from other leftist foundations and donors and pools the funds and disperses them to groups. In this way, the true sources of the funds are obscured.
Well-known leftists like Bill Moyers, among others, have profited from entities that support the Tides, and they in turn have also supported Free Press.
But the letter sent on Wednesday morning to the FCC is notable because it reveals a number of small, local entities with ties to Free Press and its benefactors, such as the Tides, and indicates just how widespread the network of leftist groups is. For example, the Women Donors Network, which signed on to the letter, is an organization that receives Tides funding. As well, such signatories as Color of Change; UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc.; National Alliance for Media Arts & Culture; the Center for Media Justice; Community Technology; Participatory Culture Foundation; Media Alliance; Center for Community Technology Services; Center for Resilient Cities; Coastal Community Foundation; Community Frontiers; Healthy Families San Angelo; Room to Roam; Smart People Foundation; Social Actions; among others, all have ties to Tides donors and Free Press. A number of the organizations based in San Francisco have ties to disgraced Obama Administration aide Van Jones, who worked extensively with Free Press before being hired as a White House staffer last year.
“Hillary Clinton talked about the vast right-wing conspiracy? This letter kind of lays out the vast left-wing conspiracy,” says a House staffer for a Blue Dog Democrat. “It’s like a satire of left-wing and community activists networks. There is no way my boss could possibly get on board something like this.”
In fact, it appears Free Press and its minions understood how toxic their organization’s positions have become, because several nonprofits that signed on to the letter claimed they had not understood the nature of the letter before their organization’s names were added to the list.
By mid-day on Wednesday at least one signer had demanded that its name be removed from the letter, claiming they were unaware of the political nature of the “net neutrality” issue. Other organizations that signed on were indicating they too would be seeking to have their names removed.
It’s unclear what impact the flawed letter might have at the FCC. “Frankly, Free Press and its people have worn out their welcome here,” says an FCC staffer, who works with the three Democrat members of the commission. “I’m sympathetic to their issues, but their tone and tactics make it almost impossible to deal with them.”
Recently Free Press complained that they had not been invited to what they termed “secret” meetings at the FCC. Only after they complained was it revealed that they had more than 30 similar meetings with senior FCC officials, and a number of similar meetings at the White House.
“They can’t seem to control themselves, and it just comes back to bite them in the ass,” says the FCC staffer. “For supposedly politically savvy operators, they sure don’t seem to care that they have burned just about every reasonable bridge they’ve got.”
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Kylie Estwick| 7.1.10 @ 6:38AM
Once again, another AS column spewing the word "leftist" like it's something to be ashamed of.
I remember when the AS used to be a bastion of independent intelligent conservative philosophy; not a hate spewing opinion rag.
Good luck with the hate. We former conservatives turned moderate (but labeled as evil Marxist Nazi tree hugging libbies by Faux News) have left the Republican party to become part of the solution, not part of the problem.
Donna| 7.1.10 @ 7:03AM
Kylie, I hope that moderate Dem stuff works for you. The more we conservatives loose people who are not committed to making the American Dream work for everyone, the better. HOPE you find a solution that will CHANGE your world into peace, love and happiness. Just keep it for yourself because we’re tired of being imposed upon by your group affiliations all this government control change. We conservatives already know what the solution is and we’re part of it already. Best of Luck to you
SC Mike| 7.1.10 @ 7:15AM
Kylie -
“Leftist” in this context strikes me as descriptive and, as the rest of the post indicates, apt. Read down a bit and you’ll find that the author describes a doctrinaire outfit whose members are so forceful in pressing their viewpoint that they antagonize potential allies. And that viewpoint, their version of what’s euphemistically called “net neutrality,” seeks to deprive the providers -- the companies that lay the fiber and cable, install the routers, manage the networks, etc. -- of the means and incentives to profit from their substantial investments.
Consider its use as descriptive as “right-wing” or “rightist.” Is not such clear use of language useful?
I’m not sure what moderates have as core beliefs -- perhaps the point is that they have none -- but you should welcome the clear, unambiguous use of language. Also bear in mind that keeping folks like Free Press away from the levers of power is rather important because they’re the sort that will wield power in an effort to diminish our enjoyment of the fruits of our labor.
Sam Vaughn| 7.1.10 @ 7:44AM
Kylie, it's pretty obvious, this board has been a place to debate. Even Alan Brooks, a liberal on this board engages in debate. There is no way you're a former conservative. So, we have another Alinsky mole obfuscating and trying to isolate those who actually engage in debate. Good luck with that here. There are a lot of intelligent, informed people, liberal and conservative. And by the way not all liberals are leftists, just confused by their own good intentions....
Dave M. (now in S. Korea)| 7.1.10 @ 7:49AM
Actually being a "leftist" is something to be ashamed of. Haven't you noticed how leftists never call themselves such and recently have changed their moniker from "liberal" to "progressive." Now, why would they do that? Because they were ashamed of be called liberals. On the other hand, I have never met a conservative who is ashamed of being a right winger. We don't have to change the name of our affiliation. We have nothing to be ashamed of.
Now, here are some more great moments in "moderate" history . . .
Sam| 7.1.10 @ 1:36PM
Kylie,
I am a moderate who leans left on most social issues and I'll be honest, I'm worried about what the Democrats have in mind to hurt free speech in the name of fairness. My view of fairness is that if your ideas aren't making money (like non-existent liberal talk radio), it isn't fair to complain to the government about how both sides need to be represented. Consumers decide- it's as simple as that.
Deborah Leigh| 7.2.10 @ 5:16PM
Well said, Dave. I suspect that Kylie was never a Conservative, because real Conservatives don't go Lefty since they know and understand the nature of that beast.
Lance| 7.1.10 @ 7:50AM
I'm sorry.. what was "hate spewing" in that article. Sounds like someone needs a nap.
Son Of Sam| 7.1.10 @ 8:30AM
more like he needs a shot of Demerol and some clean sheets. Preferably in a padded room with no sharp corners or breakables.
Bilwick| 7.1.10 @ 8:50AM
If Kylie is a former conservative, I'm the Duke of Earl.
Since "Leftism" consists of using the State to coerce the rest of us into is submission to its dogma (while lifting our wallets), it is in fact a synonym for "bullying" and "legalized looting." So unless you're proud to be a bully and a thief, it actually is something to be ashamed of.
CopyKatnj| 7.1.10 @ 9:38AM
My thoughts exactly.
dabby| 7.1.10 @ 2:25PM
Second that.
Fairbanks99| 7.1.10 @ 3:54PM
I sell bumper stickers on Zazzle that say "Liberalism is Legalized Looting" Reading Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged inspired me.
Melvin| 7.1.10 @ 8:13AM
Think for one moment your above statement. You wield this billy club of, "hate," like it was some type of Progressive holy grail.
Progressivism is just another term for Democrat Light. "We're not just as Democrat as a Democrat."
This hate that you so like to wear around your neck like a Progressive rosary, where is it?
Yes, people who post here offer opinions and fact, but there is none of this,"Hate" that you speak of.
Or has Liberal Democrats and Progressive Republicans redefined the definition of hate by lowering the bar to where disagreements of debate in politics is now, "Hate," and not merely just a disagreement.
Please, think independently, you post appears to be nothing more that regurgitated talking points.
gypsie| 7.1.10 @ 8:32AM
Hey Kylie, hands off my Internet you Stalinist wanker.
Blackwatch| 7.1.10 @ 7:01PM
oh the hate!
JimH| 7.1.10 @ 8:43AM
Moderate? Like Lenin as opposed to Trotsky maybe.
Matt| 7.1.10 @ 9:14AM
'leftist' and 'liberal' and 'progressive' are words people are ashamed of. Why? because it is anti-traditional American values of independence and Capitalism. If you have these views, as Kylie does, why hide it. if you are a "evil Marxist Nazi tree hugging libbies" please admit it--thanks Kylie for being so open about it!
Clinton nee Publius | 7.1.10 @ 9:48AM
If I were in Kylie's position I would be screaming too. When you are caught red-handed, the only tactic left to the completely corrupt liberal-progressive movement is to try and use distraction.
Good luck with that former conservative line about having gone moderate, comrade. I hope it works for you and the rest of the world socialism movement. The fact is we aren't going to have censorship and we aren't going to put up with people like you who support it. In the near future we are going to force you to emigrate from our country. You no more have the right to call yourself an American than I am Hugo Chavez. The difference is that you have gotten away with your little game for long enough. Now we are big enough that we are going to put an end to this sad charade.
The times, they are a-changin'.
Time to move along, hombre. The posse is going to be hot on your ass.
ShortNSweet| 7.1.10 @ 9:49AM
I would be ashamed to be referred to as "Leftist". It is synonymous with such terms as big governement, government take-overs, Pro-choice, Gay Marriage.....Hello! Just saying.
Bob Miller| 7.1.10 @ 9:51AM
Time for "truth in advertising" as applied to blog comments?
Kylie, most likely, is not a moderate, not a former conservative...but, rather, a leftist taking umbrage at valid criticism of the Left.
Doctor Right| 7.1.10 @ 10:44AM
Marx was a leftist.
Lenin was a leftist.
Stalin was a leftist.
Mussolini was a leftist.
Hitler was a leftist (YES...He was. Learn your history)
Mao was a leftist.
Castro is a leftist.
Pol Pot was a leftist.
Over 100 million people have needlessly died to satisfy the utopian fantasies of the Left, and the Left NEVER learns from their mistakes, or their crimes.
Leftism is a cancer because it NEVER changes. It is NOT introspective.
David Horowitz, a former communist, said it best:
"The true self vision of the Left is an army of saints on the march against injustice, lacking in itself the capacity for evil."
Leftism itself IS evil. It is "The BIG Lie", the idea that man (or, certain, self-anointed men) can, by virtue of their own incredible personalities and intellect, remold society and make it into a BETTER place - a Utopia.
History does not bear them out.
If you are a Leftist accusing others of "hate", then not only are you evil, you're also stupid.
Margie| 7.1.10 @ 12:26PM
David Horowitz continues on the subject of Socialism and Communism, "For behind the revolutionary pursuit of the impossible ideal lies a deep hatred for the human norm, an unquenchable desire for its annihilation. It was the INhumanity of our radical ambition that made the evil of the Communist epoch so total. Self-hatred is the dark side of the ambition to exceed all previous human possibility, and the ultimate root of the revolutionary ideal. Totalitarian terror is the necessary means for an agenda whose aim is to erase the past and remake the human soul. The totalitarian state was not an aberation of the progressive spirit, but its consumation. The radical project is a war against nature." ~From his book, "The Politics of Bad Faith: The Radical Assault on America's Future."
David Horowitz is a very wise man, after all, it takes a Communist to know a Communist. He indeed is a repentant Communist. He also explains how Libertarianism is also Leftist with it's fantasy Utopian desires, and anti-war platform.
Doctor Right| 7.1.10 @ 1:57PM
Margie:
I'm glad you agree about David Horowitz, but I don't know why you feel the strange need to insert a negative comment about Libertarianism at every opportunity.
First of all, I'm NOT a Libertarian, or a Paulist. While I agree with many of Dr. Paul's positions on domestic policy, particularly on economics, I wholeheartedly disagree with his embrace of non-interventionalism, and I absolutely bristle at his suggestion that our policies are somehow to blame for terrorism.
For these reasons, I don't think I could ever vote for Dr. Paul, unless he's running against Obama.
That said, I don't discount the man's wisdom, because he has a great deal of it. He's simply not infallible - like all of us, I might add.
Additionally, I don't recall EVER having heard David Horowitz describe Libertarianism as Leftist, either in a speech or in print. Libertarianism is NOT leftist. Leftism, despite all it's posing and preening, is the ANTITHESIS of Libertarianism. Leftism is about control of the people by the government; Libertarianism is the opposite.
That does not mean that certain people "of the left" might not enjoy certain aspects of Libertarianism. For example, Libertarians would probably not support an all-out ban on the use of recreational drugs, particularly pot. They would probably say "We don't recommend the use of recreational drugs, but it's really none of our business." And frankly, although I don't completely agree, there is truth in that viewpoint.
Your constant harangues of Libertarianism are pointless. Libertarians have far more in common with Conservatives than with Liberals. You'll never convince everyone; why try?
BTW...I am a die-hard Conservative. I don't feel have to justify myself to you - I simply want to be clear, for the record. And I think the record of my past posts on these forums will back that claim.
Margie| 7.1.10 @ 2:38PM
I do it because I want people to know it's true. I took the opportunity to do so because you mentioned Horowitz in a good light and thought that if that came from you, people would want to take Horowitz seriously and look further into what else he has to say. So I did not mean it towards you personally, though you took it that way, but as how I just explained.
I posted a whole section of how Libertarianism is indeed Leftist in another thread where the wonderful Libertarians were shredding me to peices. They consider Horowitz just another Neo-Con, Israel-Firster, blah, blah, blah, as they do me.
I'm going to post the link here again. In any event~ I only care about the truth, not fantasy. If you, or anyone cares about the truth you will want to smash all thoughts of Libertarianism as being conservative in any way, shape or form. The planks of their party are specifically anti-war, pro legalization of drugs, gother things. NOT conservative at all.
I will leave you with this, and say, God bless.
http://frontpagemag.com/2010/0.....ur-of-the-“ron-paul-revolutionary”-mind-2/
LiveFreeOrDie| 7.1.10 @ 2:57PM
"NOT conservative at all. "
Conservatives and Libertarians have more in common than either of them with liberals. Agree or disagree?
Margie| 7.1.10 @ 3:15PM
No, I can't, LiveFreeOrDie. I read their platform. How can I agree to an anti-war agenda being anything that closely resembles conservatism? You see, they believe that we should pull out of all of our Military operations completely that are overaseas. Their website basically said that we were terroristic for going to war. This is insanity and completey unhinged. They also are for the legalization of just about anything on the basis of "it's against our individual rights." So~ what's left after this to be considered conservative? If you want to say fiscal responsibility~ well, rabid anti-war activists are that, too. No, I say they ARE Liberal in fact.
This is why they cannot get elected when they run as Libertarians. They must run as Republicans, and there's a good reason for it.
I understand the issue of freedom, but lawlessness isn't freeing to anyone, nor is becoming "fortress America."
you see, what I fear about them getting any kind of foothold is what I just explained. I do not want a soul who believes that our Military are terrorists because we bomb the enemy because they are our enemies. And I don't want to see America become like Sweden with the legalization of drugs and the anything goes type of "freedom" that they believe in. I like our country the way it is, and want to protect and keep it that way.
Len| 7.1.10 @ 3:42PM
US constitution....provide for the common Defence ....... of the United States
Margie....provide for the defense of whoever we think we should, forget those silly things called limited powers. Constitution, we don't need no stinking constitution.
Len| 7.1.10 @ 3:57PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rXPrfnU3G0
LiveFreeOrDie| 7.1.10 @ 4:34PM
I appreciate your comments but I'm not sure you really answered my question. I'm not asking if you agree with the libertarian platform. I'm just trying to convince you that libertarians are less 'left' than the nazi/commie/liberal/leftist cone heads. Conservatives and libertarians have more in common with each other than either of them with the left. Small government, personal freedom, fiscal responsibility etc.
As far as the libertarian anti-war position... it is at least an honest position from people with a different opinion. You can debate differences of opinion in an honest way. The propaganda from the left is always disingenuous and you can't debate with them because their true agenda is indefensible so they turn to the typical name-calling, obfuscating BS.
Margie| 7.1.10 @ 5:09PM
Actually, the first word I said was, "No." So I did answer your question. And I went on to explain my answer to you.
Small government? Well if that were really true they wouldn't want to do away with the laws on the books, it seems to me they want no government. It's closer to anarchism.
Personal freedom? Again~ anything goes, "as long as it doesn't hurt you." And they want abortion legal.
Also~ just because anti-war is an "honest position," which actually it is NOT, doesn't make it right or acceptable. Anti-war individuals who hold this position, at least every single one I have ever talked to, actually come right out and say that they consider us terrorists for going to war, (see the video that Len posted), and blame us for the terrorists being terrorists. That's an "honest position" too. One I'm not interested in sharing.
How this can in any way be considered close to conservatism, or "closer" than Leftism, is beyond me. It IS Leftism.
So my answer is still no.
And as for the name calling and obfuscating of the Left~ those who believe in the anti-war doctrine of the Libertarian platform are EXACTLY as virulent as the Left. And they cannot stand conservatives such as Sean Hannity, David Horowitz, Michelle Malkin, and anyone else who dares disagree with their philosophy.
As I said, they can't get elected as Libertarians for the above reasons, so they run as Republicans. Once an anti-war candidate is found out though, I doubt he'll be around for too long because what happens if we need to go to war?
But I say let them go ahead and run as Republicans, it's a free country. If they govern conservatively then I guess they'll stay in office. If not, they'll be voted out.
LiveFreeOrDie| 7.1.10 @ 6:32PM
"Small government? Well if that were really true they wouldn't want to do away with the laws on the books, it seems to me they want no government. It's closer to anarchism. "
We, as conservatives, would like to see entire regulatory agencies done away with as well as unnecessary, intrusive and unconstitutional laws. That doesn't make them or us anarchists.
"...Libertarian platform are EXACTLY as virulent as the Left."
This has not been my experience. I guess there's always going to be a small minority of idiots in any group no matter what their ideology. The people I have met who claimed to be libertarian were cordial, polite and willing to discuss things in a rational way. With liberals my experience is the opposite in most cases, with the occasional exception.
Now being anti-war and blaming ourselves for terrorists being terrorists are two very different things. It's a bit of a stretch to tie those things together. I don't blame anyone for being anti-war. Aren't we ALL anti-war in the sense that nobody wants to kill people except when absolutely necessary?
Margie| 7.1.10 @ 10:12PM
Hi again LibertyOrDeath!
I will be in agreement with everything that you've said, that we all want the same things (except for those that don't feel the same, and that is their choice of course), and I will hope for the very best for our country and for Libertarians and conservatives, and will pray for the Liberals to come to their right minds! Because some of us too, were Liberals and God brought us around, didn't He?
Dr. Right is...well.. right. And if Libertarians all don't believe in the anti-war philosophy then that's excellent, and I welcome them to unite with us in bringing down the Obama nation.
That's what really matters anyway, isn't it? And thanks again for the kind words. It's people like you who make it all worthwhile.
God bless!
Len| 7.1.10 @ 3:28PM
Margie is a small minded person who has chosen not to actually think but spew venom at anyone thinking different from her. She believes that the US constitution actually contains grants of power to be involved throughout the world militarily, and that there is even a particular clause stating that we are to referee in the Middle East. She also believes that what a person chooses to consume is her business and that she has a right to dictate to that person in their life choices.
She also claims to be a christian, yet has repeatedly slandered me in here, attributed positions to me which I never took, and funnily enough called me, as a Jew, an anti-semite.
She also refuses to ever back her political positions with any actual references to the US constitution or the ratifying conventions. Even further, when I asked her to back her claims up concerning what Christians are supposed to do as far as government is concerned, she would not provide any scriptural references.
It might give cause to think that she is posing as a conservative in order to put conservatives in a bad light.
Margie| 7.1.10 @ 3:56PM
Len,
I am not bashing people, but an ideology. As for venom, I hope you have mirror handy, sir.
Further, if I have ever said anything to or about you that isn't true, I am truly sorry.
LiveFreeOrDie| 7.1.10 @ 4:37PM
Venom spewing? Hardly. Margie might be the nicest and most polite person that posts here.
Len| 7.1.10 @ 5:01PM
Really? In the past she called me a fool, an anti-semite, a liar, and as I said earlier attributed positions to me that I never took. She accused me of being part of a cult, due to the fact that I have espoused views along libertarian lines, when I am actually the one giving reasons for my views, and she gives no reasons for her views and depends on the statements of others to forward her position. She also called me a Christian basher when I had said nothing about Christians.
Margie| 7.1.10 @ 5:19PM
Len,
Did you not see my above post? The "conversations" between us in the past went both ways. Please consider my appeal to you. Do you wish to clear the slate here and now? I am willing if you are.
Len| 7.1.10 @ 5:44PM
Margie, it was not until you called me a fool in one of your postings that I took a less than friendly tone. I will agree to a startover here. I do ask that where you believe I am wrong you back yourself up with actual reasoned arguments that rely either on the constitution and the historical background to it, or actual scriptural proof where God says that Christians are to use the government for bringing about good.
Margie| 7.1.10 @ 5:57PM
Len,
I don't know if that's true as I remember how things went down, but for the sake of my conscience, I will concede to you. In my own defense though, I do come from my own thoughts when speaking. If I happen to be in agreement with other strong conservatives, do not hold that against me, as that truly would not be fair.
It is extremely hard (in my honest to goodness opinion), to argue with you on the basis of the Constitution because we seem to disagree. I will try my best in the future though. And it is the case with Scripture too, I fear. We may have to agree to disagree in future conversations but I will try my best to refrain from any name calling.
Thanks so much for the start over, I'm truly glad.
God bless.
Len| 7.1.10 @ 6:10PM
Margie my point concerning disagreements concerning the US constitution is that rather than just say that you believe something is constitutional, make an actual argument from the constitution or cite someone considered an authority or someone involved in framing or ratifying the US constitution.
An example would be along the following lines; the commerce clause is used as cover or justification for the federal government being involved in health care. Well, I would then cite someone like Oliver Ellsworth who was present at the federal convention and said in regard to the commerce clause that it was to protect state against state, and that in addition commerce was spoken of apart from industry and agriculture and was considered to be an aid to them, thus the power to regulate commerce cannot be a power over business. I am not just saying something is unconstitutional, but backing my position with evidence.
More than likely in the future one of the columnists will write something saying how we need to be involved militarily overseas. If an argument is made either way, then surely some clause from the US constitution needs to be put forward, along with citing those considered to be founding fathers.
Margie| 7.1.10 @ 6:20PM
Ah, understood, then. I will try but it will cause me to have to hit the books so to speak. Well with the internet I am sure I can find whatever I'm looking for. You are well more versed than I, obviously.
I see that you revere the Constitution, as do I. I honestly do.
Thank you.
Margie| 7.1.10 @ 6:15PM
p.s. And I do truly apologize for calling you a fool. It was in the heat of the moment and I regret it. The Bible says to "call no one a fool."
Mt. 5:22 says~ "But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire."
I was trying to find that verse, that's what took me so long.
Margie| 7.1.10 @ 5:32PM
Thanks LiveFreeOrDie, but I don't think "nice" would describe me, honestly. Polite? Sometimes. More like a grizzly bear Sarah Palin style. Well, I can try to attain it, anyway. It isn't easy sometimes when the fur flies. And sometimes it goes both ways.
LiveFreeOrDie| 7.1.10 @ 6:43PM
I've become accustomed to rude people who hide behind the anonymity of the net to say things to people they wouldn't have the guts to say to them in person. Believe me, you are an oasis of nice in a desert of ****'s.
LurkingConservative| 7.4.10 @ 10:58AM
I second that opinion.
Go Margie Go.
RCV| 7.4.10 @ 11:48PM
Even this liberal Democrat agrees.
ShortNSweet| 7.1.10 @ 12:36PM
Amen! Well Said!
Gretchen| 7.1.10 @ 2:32PM
You are right about Hitler; Nazi stands for National SOCIALIST!
Margie| 7.1.10 @ 3:45PM
That's correct. That was the official name of the Nazi party! The National Socialist German Worker's Party, to be exact.
RCV| 7.6.10 @ 12:00AM
North Korea calls itself the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, but that doesn't make them democratic.
Mo| 7.1.10 @ 12:12PM
Bye Now!!!
Dave Smith| 7.1.10 @ 1:48PM
Ha ha. Funny letter. Are you one of the Witches of Estwick?
Burtseriously, just for the sake of argument, I'll pretend to believe your "political conversion" (wink wink, nudge, nudge, say no more) to madness...
If you are truly no longer a "conservative" but a "leftist", then congratulations. Do you know how rare it is for rats to leap on board a sinking ship?
DaveS| 7.1.10 @ 2:52PM
Your last was pretty funny. Here' something even less likely to be observed: creating more demand for an item (health care) and seeing the cost drop.
stuart| 7.1.10 @ 2:07PM
Every poll indicates that moderates are flocking to the right and more people than ever now identify themselves as "conservative." Who, exactly, are these conservatives who are moving to the center. If the left isn't ashamed of being called liberal, why did they have to come up with a new moniker: progressive. What exactly does it mean.
MikeBee| 7.2.10 @ 5:04PM
Stuart,
Actually, "progressive" is an old moniker. In the 1930s, the Communist party USA called itself the Progressive party, attempting to hide who they really were. Also, the name implied that the destruction of U.S. society, a goal of theirs, was actually something related to progress. Again, hiding their true intentions under the cloak of words.
RCV| 7.4.10 @ 11:54PM
The Progressive Party is indeed an old moniker, but its origin was with Teddy Roosevelt who formed it in 1912 when he lost the Republican nomination to Taft. If the communists adopted it in the 30s, they did so to try to appropriate its association with a well-respected American as TR was.
GW| 7.1.10 @ 2:20PM
Yet moderate Democrats find the coalition troubling. So, are you a moderate or actually an "evil Marxist Nazi tree hugging libbie" like you so emphatically deny?
"Moderate"| 7.1.10 @ 2:38PM
"Moderate" = "I don't know a thing about politics other than what I'm told, but I choose to call myself this because I think it makes me sound fair and reasonable."
DaveS| 7.1.10 @ 2:50PM
As Captain Jack Sparrow said, to wit: keep telling yourself that, love.
Robbins Mitchell| 7.1.10 @ 3:48PM
How many cutesy little lefty buzz words can you use in a post?...'spewing','opinion rag','hate','Faux News',....boilerplate much?
Marc Jeric| 7.1.10 @ 5:16PM
For this former refugee from a communist hell you are just an ignorant bloviating gasbag.
AMENBRO| 7.1.10 @ 6:05PM
You are like one of the ORGS hauliong ass for the exits Kyle. You haven't a clue with which you MODERATELY affiliate yourself with..
You were, are, nor will ever be anything approaching a conservative sir. Add liar to confused as to why you associate HATRED with difference of opinion. . I don't hate you. I'm just disgusted with ipchits like yourself that haven't a clue just want to be COOOOOOOL.
Margie| 7.1.10 @ 6:35PM
Kylie,
Check this out from the Bible:
"A wise man's heart inclines him toward the right, but a fool's heart toward the left." Ecc. 10:2.
What do you think?
crookedwren| 7.1.10 @ 7:39PM
Wow. I've been watching FOX for sometime now. I've yet to hear anyone considered a Nazi -- oh, except for Tea Partiers -- and THAT came from that delightful "moderate" -- Nancy Pelosi.
Kylie, This isn't about hate. It's about fighting evil. Marxism/Communism/Maoism are evil. The ideological battle is vital to the health of our country and our world.
I'm a lifelong moderate Democrat -- who is heading toward the Republicans. Why?
Because the Dems have been usurped by statists (since you don't like the term "leftist"). And they consider the Constitution to be an outmoded document. They are sending us into socialism -- you know, the "ism" that is destroying Europe -- the "ism" that has been long described by Communists and fellow travelers as a precursor to truer Marx/Maoism.
That's not hate, Kylie. That's called Truth.
Margie| 7.1.10 @ 10:15PM
crookedwren,
You're awesome! Welcome home. :^)
Nobama| 7.2.10 @ 10:02PM
Nicely stated, crookedwren
Osamas Pajamas| 7.2.10 @ 1:40AM
Of course being a "leftist" is something to be ashamed of. It means adhering to the tenets of statism --- which means the denial of human rights.
I speak of the inalienable and perfectly-natural and universally-valid human rights of life, liberty, private property, and the pursuit of personal happiness.
The first article of private property is "the self" and all other rights are derivatives of and flow from these cardinal rights. These rights ----The Rights of Man ---- are the gift of nature or of nature's god ---- and they belong to all human beings, everywhere.
Show me a leftist who subscribes to all of the above, without qualifications or weasel words. All you leftists are a bunch of lying, thieving, sticky-fingered, bloodsxcking, predatory humanitarian thugs.
Grzmlyk| 7.2.10 @ 8:48AM
My, how many intellectually vapid bromides can one troll jam into a (thankfully) relatively brief post? "Faux News?" What a clever, clever boy you are! I wrote that one down.
Why, the very definition of a "leftist" is someone for whom any sense of shame has been exported and projected onto any real adult who doesn't buy into your infantile - and ultimately nihilistic - worldview. You live completely shame free thanks to the morally relative fun house in which you reside. You wear your obstinate refusal to acknowledge reality with an iron-clad pride.
Come on; you aren't kidding anyone. Try to be honest (I kid, of course, as honesty is the first piece of jetsam thrown overboard on the Good Ship Liberal): You were never a conservative.
By the way, as any real conservative (erstwhile and otherwise) knows, the Republican party only occasionally represents conservative values.
And of course whatever you liberals disagree with is ipso facto "hate." Uh, sorry: That bit of emotional manipulation has lost its potency. But then that is the nature of the puerile LEFT. You're like children at the grocery store pouting after mommy says you can't buy the shiny trinket you just gleaned in the check-out aisle: "Whaaaaaaaa! You won't let me have that! You hate me!"
Look around you, Kylie: The political violence that has occurred in this century is virtually the exclusive dominion of the left. The recent G-20 conference is just the latest example, but as you know – since you are a student of history, right? - more people have been slaughtered in the name of leftist ideals in the 20th century that have ever been killed by Fox News denizens or their forebears
But I’m sure that, according to you, all of these leftist protesters wreaking destruction and inflicting bodily harm were just exhibiting tough love, right?
So tell me, Kylie: To which of the above organizations have you pledged allegiance, and how much lucre are you currently sucking off the government teat?
richard mcenroe | 7.2.10 @ 11:55AM
Kylie, I was a 'moderate Democrat' for over thirty years starting with my first vote for Jimmy Carter 'to teach those Republicans a lesson.'
Guess which party I'm registered in now? I attend two weekly support the troops/screw the lefties rallies here in Los Angeles. EVERY SINGLE PERSON who attends them is a former Democrat.
Keep up the good work, you and yours.
Nobama| 7.2.10 @ 9:59PM
It IS something to be ashamed of. And I'm not buying your story. Call your boss at Media Matters and tell them it didn't work. You're spouting too much of your own hate to be a "former conservative" . True conservatives don't suddenly lose their wits and turn left.
Radegunda| 7.3.10 @ 12:09AM
Kylie, your use of the terms "hate-spewing" and "Faux News" (wow, how original!) strongly suggest that you were never a conservative and are not now a moderate.
How is it hateful to label a person or organization "leftist"--unless you believe that being a leftist is indeed a bad thing?
And who on Fox News has ever said that "former conservatives turned moderate" are actually "evil Marxist Nazi Tree hugging libbies"--or even just one of those things? It's likely that you don't even watch Fox News at all.
What's most noteworthy about your comment is that it completely fails to address the substance of the article in any way at all.
American Eagle| 7.3.10 @ 9:39AM
Dear Kylie,
Leftist IS a bad thing to be. There is not an iota of dignity in being a Leftist. And yes, we liberty-lovers HATE leftists, simply because they want to take away our birthright---liberty---and hence are evil. There is no secret about it. For example, your leftists murdered 150 million citizens last century. Not to mention scores of millions dying because of their evil policies---try DDT for 20 million.
We hate because you want to take away our liberty. You hate, SO you want to take away our liberties. Source of hate in both cases is --- YOU. And you are in no way 'part of the solution' (ah what a cliche). You ARE the problem.
However, this column is not 'spewing hate' as you Leftistically claim. It is just exposing Leftist hatred of everything that is good in human beings. Get used to our hatred for the likes of you, and get used to this column. Simply because you ain't got no choice. Because, 'sooner or later, the truth's gonna get'ya.' And judging by the current suicidal drive of the Left towards annihilating the Republic, the truth is gonna get'ya SOONER rather than later. Ciou, baby.
RCV| 7.5.10 @ 12:08AM
Kylie - Good post. Even though I'm a liberal Democrat, I used to subscribe to TAS because Emmet Tyrrell had wit and style even if his ideas were a little tilted toward the dark side. I still enjoy his columns, and those of Ben Stein, but most of what appears now is childish and simplistic rants, pretty devoid of intellectual content.
megapotamus| 7.5.10 @ 8:59AM
This person laments the AS that was because of today's denunciation of "Leftists"? I've been reading the Spectator since I was thirteen or so and the term Leftist has neither gained nor lost any repute with Tyrell's tyros, I guarantee. This is a moby operator and a poorly clad one at that. Who was the last Republican you voted for, Kylie? And why? Whatever. For myself, I only rarely use the terms conservative and liberal as they are far too fungible especially across national borders like in Canada or the UK. Left and Right are more timelessly accurate, I think, because they are so arbitrary. Really, isn't it far easier to define the Left or Right position on an issue than conservative or liberal? There are plenty of "Liberal" pro-lifers for example. Plenty of "Conservatives" against the GWOT or nearly ANY war, check Buchanan. Is this guy not conservative? But the real kicker is the "hate", as others observe. The Leftist sees hate in any obstruction to their projects much as the muslim sees mortal sin in any obstruction to the global caliphate. Here lies much of the mysterious affinity of the hippie counter-culture with the beheaders and bombelters.
A. Bellows| 7.16.10 @ 2:52PM
Like you were EVER conservative.
Mick Lee| 7.1.10 @ 7:11AM
Anyone who believes the government knows better than you, wants more centralization of power, and wants the narrow your choices so that you don't make the wrong ones, should be ashamed. Not that such a person would even consider being ashamed.
Most leftists I know are decent, good people. They pay their taxes, obey the law, and have bothered to educate themselves. But all good people make bad choices. Yes, everyone has a right to be a leftist. It is entirely a different question as to whether it is honorable to do so.
Ned | 7.1.10 @ 10:28AM
Most leftists I know are morons. They unequivocally buy into sob-story lies such as that the infant mortality rate in the US is the highest among the developed nations, when in fact the others falsify their stats just to look good (e.g. France & Germany). Or that the US has the worst medical care system on the planet... which is why people come here from all over the world for major surgeries.
Instead of using what few brains they may have to consider the bald ideology of the garbage they are fed, they invent fantasy conspiracies to vilify those who disagree with their “ideas”. They willfully ignore the nonsensical statements and inherent contradictions spouted by their cheering section in the “media” while pretending that they actually know what they are talking about. And not one of them, from Barry Bullshit on down (or is that "up"?), has ever read a serious word about economics.
My favorite discussion with a leftist twit occurred recently when one of ‘them’, completely unable to debate the merits of their ‘ideas’, capped the conversation with the pronouncement that we should all “Shut up and listen to ME.” You can well imagine that that didn’t happen.
"Nasty Nancy says this is true, and I believe it!" wasn't even a good discussion technique in the third grade, and it sure isn't now.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 7.1.10 @ 7:42AM
Thought for the day:
There are two sides to every issue: one side is right and the other is wrong, but the middle is always evil.
Ayn Rand
Bob Miller| 7.1.10 @ 9:53AM
Rand was not in the middle, but was evil all the same.
Streetfighter| 7.1.10 @ 10:18AM
Most of what Ayn Rand explained is becoming reality today. Kylie is that your sockpuppet?
Osamas Pajamas| 7.2.10 @ 1:45AM
Miller---according to you, Ayn Rand was evil becasue she wasn't. You just think that it's wrong to be right. Pull your head out of your butt and see the sun shine, sport.
Speedbump| 7.1.10 @ 7:49AM
The longer this Kabuki Dance the left is dancing goes on, the more it's clear that we seriously misunderstood Khruschev when he said "We will bury you"...everyone who heard that thought he meant economically or militarily...his victory was that they planned to subvert our culture and completely turn a significant portion of our populace into communists...useful idiots intent on destroying our republic...he's now laughing in his grave...
martin j smith| 7.1.10 @ 8:04AM
Klye is a troll. This article is about the Left tendency to support supression of free speech. This is an objective fact and I also include RINOS in the crowd as well. What they hate is the political exposure and criticism for their behavior whie feeling free to deamonize anyone who disagrees with them. and I fail to see anything wrong with the term Leftist. As for me, since 9/11 I no longer trust any Democrat as a supporter of our nation and also since 9/11 I have come to understand thru lessons of GWB that moderate Repubs ( RINOS ) are not so hot either( John McC is also in this grouping ) I think it is up to an individual politicain to just that in word and deed that s/he can be trusted period. That includes taking a stand against any effort to supress free speech.
Rebecca| 7.1.10 @ 8:50AM
Is Kyle Charlie Crist?
Indiana Alex| 7.1.10 @ 9:28AM
The funny part is they continue to change what they call themselves, because sooner or later people realize how repulsive thier ideas are.
They had to stop calling themselves progressives early in the 20th century becuase people finally had enough of them when they started pushing eugenics as a solution to the perfect society.
pete| 7.1.10 @ 9:52AM
Day after day the governmenal ; left vs. right;spin upon spin NONSENSE goes on and on.
Just think for openers...has freedom of speech, the right to bear arms been an essential part to our liberty, freedom and "gifted" way of life since July 4, 1776?
How many individuals since the beginning have made the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE to protect our
liberty and freedom. Yes, they gave all of us the
ULTIMATE GIFT! I feel like day after day what this administration is doing is analogous to putting a BULLDOZER to Arlington National Cemetery.
Electing the puppet BHO and his "REGIME" will go down as a surprise...much bigger than Pearl Harbor and 911 combined.
Every problem in this country can be traced back to the government. So let's hope in November
we have an election process which is totally free of fraud and corruption. Let's hope we as a populace can take that most important step in draining the swamp in DC . REMEMBER NOVEMBER TO
TAKE BACK AMERICA !
Qwilly| 7.1.10 @ 9:57AM
Kyle, my wish would be that you were hot or cold
but, because you are lukewarm, you will be spewed out.
owyheewine| 7.1.10 @ 10:09AM
Kylie and all of those lefty organizations are an answer to the question: Where do all of those liberal arts graduates go to earn a living? They obviously have no skills applicable at producing value, so they huddle together in candle lit circles and plot ways to screw those evil producers in our society. Wonder who they think runs the supply chain for those candles?
Dixie Pixie| 7.1.10 @ 11:08AM
What always bothered me about the alphabet soup of Liberal Funding Agents. Where does the money come from? There are only two sources, the public sector and the private sector.
If the money came from the public sector, that is the public's money that the left embezzled with the support of the political class.
If the money came from the private sector, why are we supporting these idiots by buying their products.
Either way, we are paying for the Liberal fun and admusements without our consent.
blotto| 7.1.10 @ 5:00PM
Dixie: Good point. I say that we tax all political charities and foundations at 99% as well as unions and the winnings from class action lawsuits that law firms are awarded. That way we can dispose of most if not all the lefty 527s and groups like MM, CAP and the rest of the alphabet lefty groups.
They are the bane of our existence. And always will be until we crush them.
James Pawlak | 7.1.10 @ 12:09PM
" Congress shall make no law..."
martin j smith| 7.1.10 @ 1:44PM
IPete, I practice my voting skills every day.
Alabama Sand| 7.1.10 @ 2:39PM
Everyone has to hate/dislike something...
Right -Left
Rep - Dem
Us - Them
The last time American's united was 9-12..
richard mcenroe | 7.2.10 @ 11:58AM
We were NOT united on 9/12. The NYT was running Bill Ayres editorials, Kerry, Reid and Pelosi were already meeting to decide how to turn the attack to their partisan advantage, and the lefties were already marching to warn us raaaaacists not to pick on the poor Muslims.
Northern Rebel| 7.1.10 @ 4:43PM
Gosh Kylie:
Look at the fuss you kicked up!
Since this is a conservative magazine, most of us happen to view politics from the opposite spectrum, which is to say:
Righties are right!
But we don't want to offend anyone here at the AmSpec forum, so we'll just refer to you as a southpaw, OK?
;o)
LeftWINGnut| 7.1.10 @ 5:45PM
Kylie Estwick IS a LEFT WING TROLL=PLANT. Do NOT BE FOOLED. Have a nice day!"-)
Yosemeti Sam| 7.2.10 @ 1:07AM
Um, this Rand Paul dude - the hairdo, it seems kind of Caesarian.
Osamas Pajamas| 7.2.10 @ 1:47AM
Yeah, but look at Nazi Pelosi's hair.
Osamas Pajamas| 7.2.10 @ 1:50AM
Kylie is not a Republican, a conservative, or a libertarian --- and she never was. She's jrkg us off and blowing smoke up our bxtts at the same time. Kylie is a very talented gal.
Radegunda| 7.3.10 @ 12:12AM
If she were talented, she would have done a better job of disguising herself, and would have avoided the most tediously overworked terminology ("hate-spewing," "Faux News"), and would have come up with an argument that makes sense.
Solo| 7.3.10 @ 10:31AM
Len Wrote:
"Margie is a small minded person who has chosen not to actually think but spew venom at anyone thinking different from her. She believes that the US constitution actually contains grants of power to be involved throughout the world militarily, and that there is even a particular clause stating that we are to referee in the Middle East."
You are correct, Len, in that there is no specific "Grants Of Power" to be involved militarily in the world, nor is there a specific "Clause" as to referee in the Middle East.
There is, however, no prohibition against same.
The mandate, the "Prime Directive", if you will, to the Federal government is to "Protect and Defend" the United States. As such....there is no limiting "Clause" within the Constitution towards that end.
The history of the Founders is replete with examples of projecting power abroad in order to secure our interests here at home.
Read about Jefferson's visions of "An Empire For Liberty".
The Monroe Doctrine.
Read Hamilton's appeal for a Federal Navy in order to project power abroad in "Federalists # 11" to name just a few examples.
Some Founders wanted to avoid "Foreign entanglements" (Washington springs to mind) but others saw these "entanglements" as necessary to secure our future. It was a difference of opinion--much as it is today.
The Constitution neither mandates nor prohibits either track.
Margie| 7.3.10 @ 10:07PM
Great post. And, FYI, I actually never did say anything about a particular clause concerning the Mid East. That is a lie.
UGGSSALE | 7.19.10 @ 9:55PM
Great post. And, FYI, I actually never did say anything about a particular clause concerning the Mid East. That is a lie.
vcvd