Kucinich speech regarding Gulf oil spill

[NorthCarolina]

Run time: 01:31 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsGDPMVu0gA   Posted on YouTube: May 21, 2010 By YouTube Member: DJKucinich Views on YouTube: 3   Posted on DU: May 21, 2010 By DU Member: NorthCarolina Views on DU: 3281

 
Why is it that serious debate and a desire to actually "fix" things resides only on the left?

[Junkdrawer]

1. The anti-Kucinich unreccing crew never sleeps...n/t

[KoKo]

2. I know...but it's INCREDIBLE what he can get in a ONE MINUTE SPEECH..that Says So Much!

You Go Dennis...You fight on like many of us....no matter what the Slings and Arrows are that "THEY" through at you. No matter how many Amendments you Put in Place to help the "least of us" and your fellow Dems try and don't succeed...but "THEY" and the BLOGOSPHERE GO AGAINST YOU rather than TARGETING Chris Dodd and Barney Frank and the rest.

You Go Dennis.......!!!!!

[ChadwickHenryWard]

13. Fuck that noise,

They say you can't keep a good man down. Let's see to it.

[hulka38]

3. How can any Democrat not like this guy?

[NorthCarolina]

4. Obviously you are referring to "Traditional" Dems, and not DLC New Dems. n/t

[sabrina 1]

11. Anti Kucinich posts help identify the rightwingers of the Democratic Party

Everything serves a purpose. Dennis is one of the best Democrats in Congress on almost every issue. So, when you see the attack posts, with the same old talking points (who writes those dumb memos anyway?) you know you are dealing with those who have infiltrated the party. Dennis to a DLCer is like a cross to a vampire. They simply go berserk when he stands up for everything the Party is supposed to represent, and they are so desperately trying to destroy.

Go Dennis, way, way ahead of his time in this regressive country, but a truly necessary voice to keep the flame of democracy lit until we get rid of the regressives in the Dem. Party and start progressing towards a better world.

[dotymed]

12. +1000

IMO, the Democratic party has been so overrun with corporatists that it is no longer a separate party from the rethugs. We need to form a new, viable, peoples party. One that represents the true values of the poorest 80% of our nation. Non-violent protests with the masses marching and demanding their rights would be the best hope for us. Unfortunately, the poor are so busy trying to survive that they don't realize how much easier it would be if they participate in the protests. Fuck D.C., we can afford to protest on our own streets. It is the only solution left. So many countries across the world have realized this and are actively demanding their rights. The resistance to these protests is subsidized by the ruling elite, mainly entrenched in America. We must tune out the propaganda and act for our future generations.
Dennis would be a valuable leader in this new party. His actions and thoughts are a great template for the platform such a party should adopt.

:patriot:

[Dr.Phool]

14. Like a cross to a vampire.

Yep, you nailed it!

[Enthusiast]

26. Nailed is right! nt

[Enthusiast]

27. That's one way I identify them.

And if they're no different than Republicans, what good are they.

[sabrina 1]

33. Good question, Enthusiast. I think we ignored them while Bush

was in office, we were so focused on getting rid of Republicans, or 'tolerated' is probably a better word. But I remember before 2004, there were very few of them on democratic boards anyhow, they seemed to start flooding the internet after that from my observations.

I really like your posts and thank you btw, for you very nice comments to me. I meant to say that before :-)

[rudy23]

37. Perfectly said. n/t

[Andronex]

41. How can this guy be a democrat...

[florida08]

5. I don't understand that either

(Why is it that serious debate and a desire to actually "fix" things resides only on the left?)

K&R :kick:

[Michigan-Arizona]

6. Thank you DK n/t

[knixphan]

7. K&R

[Iwillnevergiveup]

8. Dennis - eloquent and passionate as usual

K&R

[pundaint]

10. And speaking to an empty hall too. So are we ready to fire about 430 of those

who are turning away as they have for their entire congressional careers?

[tomp]

9. apparently only the "far left". nt

[femrap]

15. k and r

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

One of the few fighters still left in DC.

I believe he would be called an 'Unreconstituted Democrat.'

[suzie]

16. I think you meant "one of the greatest talkers left in DC".

Seems like "fraud" is the most appropriate term.

He offers no solution, no legislation, no call to the people of his state to conserve energy.

Just his usual, everyone else but me is wrong.

[Auggie]

17. -1000

I couldn't disagree more

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[suzie]

24. I live on the Gulf Coast.

This is a pretty big deal to me--but don't let that stop you from trashing me because I don't really appreciate a condescending, arrogant blowhard who never does anything trying to get in his TV time on this disaster.

One can dislike Dennis Kucinich intensely and still be a Democrat, sorry about that.

I've listened to the arrogant jerk tell off concerned Democrats in person--but I must be a Heritage Foundation paid staffer because I disagree with the condescending little do-nothing?

Yeah.

[pecwae]

19. Bless your heart.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

20. Yeah! He should just STFU!

:eyes:

[suzie]

23. Good suggestion!!

[HCE SuiGeneris]

25. Thought you would like it.

[sabrina 1]

29. I'm interested. What should a Democrat like Kucinich, one of the

few real Democrats left in the party, shut about? I notice that the DLCers who are so scared of real Democrats, never discuss Kucinich's points, just toss out useless nonsense like toddlers 'shut up'. Discussing the issues he raises would probably reveal who they really are though, so it's understandable. When challenged, they resort to 'he's unelectable', a particularly ridiculous claim since he has been re-elected over and over again in his district.


The only reason anyone would tell a real Democrat who has been right nearly 100% on all the issues over the past decade to 'shut up', would be inho, that they themselves are not real Democrats.

I will wait to see what issues you think he should shut up about. Because as far as most Democrats are concerned, we need to hear MORE Democratic Representatives speaking out as he does.

Until the DLC started infiltrating progressive political forums in large numbers, it would have been hard to find a single negative comment about DK on the issues. You had to go to rightwing forums to find that back then. Which is why my litmus test as to who is on our side, progressives, includes how people react to Dennis K. on the issues.

[suzie]

34. It's amazing. You all believe that Dennis Kucinich is WONDERFUL.

And there are numerous fantasy threads about how the public really does love him, but he can't get elected President because of the Media, the DLC, etc. And he's always right, yeah, uhhmmm.

The past decade? So you're willing to accept the years that Kucinich stood exactly with the pro-lifers and the Catholic Church and against women? Sorry, but as one who came of age pre-Roe v. Wade, that's one of the biggest deals there is. And DK spent 30 years being against women's rights.

Sorry, but talk about DLC all you want--my Congressman and my Senators are what you'd call DLCers and I don't always agree with them on much, but they never stood completely on the side of the Tea Baggers, the Pro-lifers, and all the other anti-women groups out there--as did your hateful hero Kucinich.

But do tell this woman who handed out leaflets 40 years ago for women's rights, that being able to control your own reproductive system isn't key to women of all ages, ethnic groups and income levels and that standing against women forever is some "progressive" thing. BTW, nobody talked about DLC in those days, but I'm sure you would judge all the women who spent their days working for women's rights as somehow not worthy of your precious "progressive" label.

And on the oil spill, my senator, Bill Nelson, is someone you'd proudly call a DLCer and let us all know how inferior he is to the one and only little man with the boulder size chip on his shoulder, Dennis Kucinich. But I've voted for him because he has long spoken about needing an Apollo Program for energy in this country. Long before Obama came to office and way before DK decided to start his faux presidential campaigns. Way back before DK had his sudden insight that he couldn't stand against women and go out and talk to Democrats.

Bill Nelson was speaking against drilling in the Gulf way before this spill, threatening recently to filibuster. And getting far less TV time than Kucinich--because he doesn't spend his time bashing everything.

So call me whatever, your hero does nothing except try to get on TV and work the room to try and diminish the ability of other Democrats to get anything done.

And if being "DLC" means believing that change involves actual legislation rather than angry words and TV appearances, well then call me a DLCer.

[L0oniX]

36. Whatever. The dumb asses in the USA vote for pretty boys and fraternity drunks.

Bill Nelson? WTF give us a break. That bastard voted against taxing the rich via the inheritance tax here in Florida. He's a member of the rich and just another liar who will say and do anything to get elected. Oh ...speaking of women's rights ...did you vote to get those? Along with that ...did our vote end the Vietnam war or give black equal rights? BTW ...I realize that a lot of women hate DK because he has a younger beautiful wife but I'm sure that doesn't affect your opinion of him ...does it.

[suzie]

46. Wow. As a woman who took grief for her stance for women's rights way back when it

all began, I surely do appreciate your letting me know that women are incapable of having our own opinions.

That it's just all about female jealousy.

But, hey since you started it, you're exactly what I remember from the 60s, white males who told all of the rest of us, "Back of the room, let US talk. You women make the coffee and run the mimeograph machine." Well thank you, we've come a ways since those days. But it does make sense why you find a throwback to the superior, elitist white male "progressive" of those days so attractive.

And yes, I did get to vote for women's rights, which changed property rights in the State where I lived.

People with attitudes toward women like yours might not have noticed, but all that work did change things.

[sabrina 1]

38. A predictable response.

To begin with, I don't believe I mentioned Bill Nelson, but since you did, he gets credit for the positions he takes on issues of importance to the American people. He is a moderate democrat and if I lived in his district, would probably vote for him unless there was a more progressive primary challenger with a chance to defeat the Republican.

I can point out why I disagree and back it up with facts rather than wishing he would just 'shut up' or, the predictable response from Kucinich/Real Progressive haters, call him a 'tea-bagger' etc.

As for this:

And if being "DLC" means believing that change involves actual legislation rather than angry words and TV appearances, well then call me a DLCer.

Nelson hasn't accomplished all that much in the way of 'actual legislation' considering his two terms as both a Congressman and a Senator, a total of about 17 years, with the party machine behind him and his willingness to 'cross the aisle' in a 'bi-partisan' effort. But then, NO Representative has. That is a specious argument that the DLC threw out hoping no doubt, that no one would check the records of all Reps.

Here is your Senator's record after 17 years, for the record:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=300078

Bill Nelson has sponsored 163 bills since Jan 22, 2001 of which 139 haven't made it out of committee and 10 were successfully enacted. Nelson has co-sponsored 758 bills during the same time period. (The count of enacted bills considers only bills actually sponsored by Nelson and companion bills identified by CRS that were themselves enacted, but not if they were incorporated into other bills, as that information is not readily available.)

If I were to be disingenuous I could slam him for that 'failed record' of 'getting anything done'. But, I know that his record is about average for any Rep. and have no interest in slamming anyone, just an interest in facts.

Kucinich's record is also about average for most members of Congress, as far as 'getting things done' for a Congressman who has been in office for 13 years. He has managed to get three of his sponsored bills passed.

So much for that talking point, which was completely debunked btw, during the HC debate. You need to keep up more.

And this:

And on the oil spill, my senator, Bill Nelson, is someone you'd proudly call a DLCer and let us all know how inferior he is to the one and only little man with the boulder size chip on his shoulder, Dennis Kucinich. But I've voted for him because he has long spoken about needing an Apollo Program for energy in this country.

Wrong again. Unlike you, I give credit where it is due. And if Bill Nelson were to change his mind on some of the issues I disagree with him on, I would be delighted and give him credit for that.

Just as I was delighted when Kucinich changed his mind on a woman's right to choose, or when Byrd changed his mind on his past association with the KKK or when the Republican Rep.'freedom fries' Jones, changed his mind about the war and crossed the aisle to join Kucinich in his oppostion to continued funding for it.

I find it to be an admirable courageous trait to be able to admit when you are wrong and am all for supporting people when they see the light. I suppose you'd rather they continued to be wrong, which of course makes zero sense.

So, was Kucinich wrong about the wars? Was he wrong about torture? Was he wrong about opposing privatization of Health Care, Social Security, Education? Other than the one issue you mentioned which he conceded he was wrong about, what other issues has he been wrong about?

You are a typical 'party loyalist' the kind the founding fathers warned against. It's your party, right or wrong, regardless of how wrong they are. And you simply cannot bring yourself to give credit to someone like Kucinich, no matter how right he is, because he shows up the hypocrisy of the rightwing of the democratic party, reminding people always of what a real Democrat looks like.

I guess since you have no time for people who change their minds on issues, you must be devastated by Obama's change of mind on Mandated Health Care, on Offshore Drilling, on Education, on Assassinations ordered by U.S. presidents, on FISA, on Torture, on Military Commissions Trials especially for tortured child soldiers. On refusing to hold war criminals accountable etc. etc.?

But I doubt it. You are the carbon copy of those on the right who blindly supported Bush no matter what he did and rushed to his defense whenever someone criticized him. I guess it comes down to not being sure that the leaders you support are right, and that they let you down making it hard to defend them, so rather than just admit this, it is easier to lash out at those who remain true to their values, like Kucinich.

One more thing. Singling out ONE issue and beating it to death, without any nuance, just rage and anger, is typical of what DLC and Rovian rightwing operatives do. And it doesn't work. It wins no one over. My advice, if you want to support Obama would be to drop those tactics and try being less angry when people point out indisputable facts because facts cannot be changed by rhetoric. They can sometimes be explained, I would try doing that more often if I were you.

[Kermitt Gribble]

39. Wow!!

:applause:

Kudos, sabrina 1!!

[sabrina 1]

40. Thank you. I meant to ask

about how the commenter feels about Obama's giving in to Stupak also considering her passion on the issue of women's rights regarding Kucinich. But I think I know the answer, 'it's okay if my guy does it! :-)

[HCE SuiGeneris]

42. Great reply!

You have far more patience than I.

:thumbsup:

[Greyhound]

44. Gee, I wonder if she'll reply...

:rofl:
:thumbsup:

[L0oniX]

45. My bet is that she won't reply. K & R to you.

[suzie]

47. Actually, I'm not at all the typical party loyalist.

I am someone who's been around politics a lot and has watched the Dennis Kucinich's of the right and the left posture and preen, and do nothing. They are the genuine scourges of the political process, who really don't care about anything but their precious image.

But, since you always start right up with the personal insults in any political disagreement, I will say that I've also watched the political groupies like you who have one person that can absolutely do no wrong. You don't care what they accomplish as long as they lambast others.

And really, I note that you don't mention what Kucinich actually got passed, because it's pitiful.

My experience in politics is that people who deal with one issue are usually those who are effective in getting things passed on that one issue. Because I came of age when women didn't always have reproductive rights, watching a creep like Kucinich vote with the most horrid right wingers against women and then stand before me and villify the other candidates who'd never taken his stance horrendously awful stances--well, it's one of the issues that is just real big to me.

Perhaps also because I've dealt a lot with poor women, and it wasn't one vote like the Iraq War vote that I disagreed with, Kucinich stood for decades with the right wingers who spent their time doing as much harm to poor women as possible. That isn't fixable with an overnight conversion because one wants to go in front of groups that contain a lot of women like me, who aren't groupies for one male candidate.

But hey, I'll take party loyalist over political groupie any day. I wasn't in the beginning a real big John Kerry fan. But I thought him an honorable man and he had stood with women during all the decades that Kucinich had not. As had the other candidates that I watched in 2003. I listened to and watched Kucinich trying to diminish Democratic interest in the other candidates. In 2004, when I thought it very important that we win and get Bush out.

And Dennis seemed very little interested in that, more in his own continued posturing. The same in 2008.

I sorta thought that basically letting George Bush and wrecking crew continue on encompassed a lot of other issues. But seems that, according to the political groupie mentality, elections are for suckers, it's TALKING that counts.

[sabrina 1]

48. Okay, so joining a discussion which is about a particular

politician and talking about that politician, makes someone a 'groupie'. Got it.

'Not a typical party loyalist'. Observing that someone is a party loyalist is not calling someone names btw. But one issue voters tend to be party loyalists being that each party is allowed certain issues that they can campaign on. Democrats traditionally ran on abortion rights, Republicans traditionally attract the anti-abortion voters. So, I stand by my observation.

You misinterpreted my last paragraph, btw. I was referring to your obsession with only one issue on which you disagreed with Kucinich and beating it to death while ignoring the question 'what other issues do you disagree with him on? I gave a list of the issues he's spoken about and asked which of them you disagreed with since you think he should 'shut up' I wondered about what, in your opinion, he should shut up about?

I never found it necessary to resort to name-calling such as calling people 'tea-baggers' unless they are, or 'groupies' unless they are, or falsely characterizing someone's behavior as 'posturing and preening' even if they are. Providing facts backed up with links works for me. I got bored with the online phony, name-calling 'tough guy' act pretty quickly as it is beyond ineffective.

So to you a good Democrat like Kucinich is a 'scourge' on politics? And Nelson is great ... okay, I'm not learning anything new that would change my original opinion of people who trash Kucinich. :eyes:

But since you are a one issue voter what did you think of Obama abandoning women when he caved to Republicans on the Stupak Amendment?

Finally, I laughed out loud when I read this ~ But, since you always start right up with the personal insults in any political disagreement, I will say that I've also watched the political groupies like you ... Not only was that sentence complete hyperbole, totally inaccurate but I guess you missed the irony of that statement. And I still can't find the personal insults I am supposed to have 'started up with'. Stating facts and making observations is not the same as calling names ....

[suzie]

49. "Posturing and preening", falsely characterizing?

So, I assume you've never seen Kucinich speak in person? Or watched him on television?

You can call me whatever names suit your classic Rovian tactics best. For the record, I was referencing getting legislation passed when I talked about focusing on one issue.

I know that to a Kucinichie, that's of little interest, but some of us have worked on trying to get actual laws written that affect issues we've dealt with.

And to me a "good Democrat" is not one who ever mentioned aligning himself with Ron Paul. Nope, not to this Southern Democrat, not ever.

So you go right ahead and trash the first African American president daily and lionize the disgusting fraud who calls himself a Democrat but talked about running on a ticket with KKKers.

But you won't convince this Southerner. Not ever.


And if you want to accuse me of being a "single issue voter" on this, you go right ahead. I'll be in quite good company.

[Lorien]

52. Excellent reply sabrina 1

As someone who has lived in both Kucinich and Nelson's districts 9the latter for nearly 22 years) I can honestly say that I've witnessed Kucinich's battle for his constituents first hand, while Nelson fights to maintain the status quo and consolidate corporate power. I hope that he has a Progressive challenger one of these days.

[Name removed]

43. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[laughingliberal]

22. K & R nt

[ooglymoogly]

28. KR....One of the few speaking out for this country...

He or Dean will be my write in, in the next election, because I know the Corporate media will have eliminated anyone worthy of the job.

[Uncle Joe]

30. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, NorthCarolina.

[freddie mertz]

31. K & R. For one true Democrat. DK!

No wonder the bots hate him so.

[DeSwiss]

32. K&R

I agree with your word Dennis, but they fall for the most part upon deaf ears.

- Too many deaf ears connected to too may primitive brains......

[pberq]

35. Go Dennis!!!

[avaistheone1]

50. k&r

[Lorien]

51. Bravo!

He speaks the truth.