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Missing the Point
April 5,
2001
by Atrios
Barbra Streisand's memo ignited a predictable round of scorn
from the talking heads. According to the latest RNC talking
points fax, if there is anything worse than being a liberal
it is being a Hollywood liberal. And, if there is anything
worse than simply being a Hollywood liberal, it is being Barbra
Streisand.
However, a few of them seemed to have actually read her memo.
And, boy were they shocked. Chris Matthews switched into extra-sweating
mode, which he usually only does when he can somehow manage
to link the news of the day to yet another potential Clinton
sex scandal. This was probably simply because he was imagining
a Clinton scandal involving Bill and Babs.
However, the other thing which got him going was the suggestion
that some Democrats out there still think that the Republicans
may have stolen the election. Chris was absolutely incredulous
about the notion such lunatics really existed. Hold on, I've
left out the most disgusting part. I do not have a transcript,
so I cannot promise that this is a precise quote, but this
is the gist of it: "you mean that there are people out there
other than the Congressional Black Caucus who actually believe
that Bush stole the election?" Nice one, Chris. If you don't
know why, I won't bother to explain it.
Following this revelation, it is a notion that has started
to be addressed by the media. Not the facts or implications
of the election theft of course, but the idea that there are
left-wing nutcases out there who are still angry.
Yes, it is true, there are many people out there who believe
this election was stolen by the Notorious Five. Yes, it is
true that it isn't just African Americans and the Congressional
Black Caucus members who believe this. Nor is it just the
usual "loony left" - face it, they all voted for Nader.
In fact, plenty of noted constitutional scholars have signed
a statement to this effect. Large numbers of average individuals
who have not previously been politically interested or active
have started to get involved. Even some wealthy Hollywood
liberals. The pundits dismiss this with the standard "get
over it" tone. And witnessing, for example, Margaret Carlson's
take on this issue, I realize that they are missing the point.
Margaret is as liberal as they get on TV these days, which
contrary to another RNC talking point, we know isn't saying
much. However, her belief, which I've seen echoed elsewhere,
is that all of us angry Dems who just can't get over it are
focusing our energies on removing W. from office. Soon. Frustrated,
she said that there just isn't anything we can do.
Margaret, we may be crazy but we are not stupid. We know
that the Notorious Five are not going to reverse their selection
decision. I mean, we wish. But that isn't the point. We're
angry. We're active. We're trying to prevent W. from overturning
our long national nightmare of peace and prosperity. We're
trying to take back the Congress in 2002. We're tying to take
what is rightfully Gore's, the White House, in 2004. We're
trying to prevent an assault on individual freedoms and workers'
rights which is already under way.
We're pissed. We're not going away. But we are not stupid,
Ms. Carlson. Get a clue. We know there's nothing we can do
to overturn this coup. Why do you think we're so angry?
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