Krugman: False equivalences

[johan helge]

Krugman (http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/05/one-of-these-things-is-not-like-the-other/):

A number of people in the news analysis business seem to be equating the role of liberal activists in making trouble for Republicans back in 2005, during the debate over Social Security privatization, with that of conservative activists in making trouble for Democrats over health care reform.

Indeed, activists made trouble in 2005 by asking Congressmen tough questions about policy. Activists are making trouble now by shouting Congressmen down so they can’t be heard.

It’s exactly the same thing, right?

Seriously, I’ve been searching through news reports on the Social Security town halls, and I can’t find any examples of the kind of behavior we’re seeing now. Yes, there were noisy demonstrations — but they were outside the events. That was even true during the first month or two, when Republicans actually tried having open town halls. Congressmen were very upset by the reception they received, but not, at least according to any of the report I can find, because opponents were disruptive — crowds booed lines they didn’t like, but that was about it.

After that, the events were open only to demonstrated loyalists; you may recall the people arrested at a Bush Social Security event in Denver for the crime of … not being Bush supporters.

So please, no false equivalences. The campaign against Social Security privatization was energetic and no doubt rude, but did not involve intimidation and disruption.

[BlooInBloo]

1. Non-bright people LOVE false equivalences.

[johan helge]

5. Yes, it's a big problem

Some people think they are wise when they consider Repubs and Dems as equally good. But democracy is not a symmetric game, it is, to put it simply, a fight between the rich & mighty and the poor & powerless. And the rich & mighty fight in a less ethical way, partly because they easier can get away with it.

[Laelth]

7. Hear, hear! Well said. n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[hedgehog]

2. It's all from Nixon's playbook:

1. Democrats do something to express their disagreement, possibly silly. (See: Dick Tuck)

2. Republicans react with extreme umbrage, and blow Democratic activity all out of proportion, promising revenge.

3. Republicans proceed with revenge by engaging in major, destructive activity, possibly illegal (See: Watergate)

[spooky3]

3. Another false equivalence

heard in the media, repeatedly:

Republicans' voting to confirm (or not) Sotomayor is comparable to Democrats' voting to confirm (or not) Roberts.

Sotomayor is by all accounts a moderate, not left-leaning. Roberts was and is a rather extreme conservative. The court at the time he was appointed already had 3 like him or even a bit more extreme, plus a fourth (Kennedy) who leans to the right. Appointing him made the court even more imbalanced. There are no extreme lefties on the bench and only two who even lean to the left on some issues.

Further, the Dems. raised concerns based on the pattern of actual decisions Roberts made, not on his background, personal views as distorted by critics, etc.

[high density]

4. The media lives on the false equivalance

What we are seeing currently is the most successful roll-out of it since the 2004 election disinformation campaigns.

[DrDan]

6. as usual - Krugman right on target

[mother earth]

8. Again, MSM, does not do it's job in reporting that the

disruptors in these town meetings are not using a process of asking questions they truly have concerns with, in the hope of learning or debating what health care reform issues are at stake, instead they are attending these town hall events to only disrupt, cause trouble and do whatever it takes to distract from ANY meaningful. Why doesn't the MSM point these facts out, or that this is the ruse of choice for people who choose to use disinformation and deflection to put an end to meaningful discussion?

Hey, take a lesson from BushCO and make arrests of these idiots...that's all they are idiots. Just like the teabaggers, nobody's got a friggin clue, or they are paid schills by the party of NO. The rethugs are brazenly becoming intimidators (also nothing new) and showing themselves for the lyin liars they have always been, this is not new behavior, it's just more obvious and more blatant.

So when do we get MSM to call it like it is & expose these charlatans? Never, we've got to do it. MSM is bought & paid for too. The rednecks that attend these events to do rethug bidding are not dealing with a full deck. Anybody remember the purple heart band-aids at the rethug convention mocking Kerry? They are human slime, plain and simple. This isn't about dissent! This is about moronic displays meant to put an end to discussion of any kind. Arrest the slimeballs and keep them in jail as long as possible, it can only do them good, taking them off the streets and preventing attacks on innocent people. They don't understand dissent, they are too stupid, and wouldn't give a flying fig if they knew the meaning of it. Stupid is as stupid does.

I'm glad to see ads at least spreading the word to less savvy or more busy people who truly want health care reform. Bravo to at least this welcome new adjunct in a good defense/offense for our party. Love the Harry & Louise steal too.