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Extremists

Right Wing Extremism Dominates Terroristic Threats

by Grace Kelly on April 20, 2013

circlesizeillussionimagesWhen a violent attack happens we get stereotyped false statements from the right wing. Even from right wing leaders who are considered rational, like Senator Susan Collins, we get statements like this:

“Whenever we have an attack like this it’s difficult not to think that it’s somehow involved in Islamic extremism,” said Maine Sen. Susan Collins, until recently a top member of the Homeland Security committee and still a prime mover on security bills. “I don’t have evidence to back that up. That’s just based on previous attacks.”

Actually when one looks the real evidence, right wing extremism provides the most terrorism threats. Of course that excludes the consideration of corporate greed terrorism that killed at least 14 people in the West Fertilizer Explosion in Texas this week alone.

 

In the graphic above, it is difficult to see the identical circles because of the surrounding perspective. We can fix our perspective with real information. The In the rest of article, I lay out graphs of where our real terrorism threats exist.
…READ MORE

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Right Wingers Gather; Best News? “Draft Emmer!” Or…

by TwoPuttTommy on January 31, 2013

“Let’s Do The Time Warp Again!”

The call went out, to far and wide (even Facebook!) for The WingNut Faithful to gather at a bar in Arden Hills (where presumably, they didn’t have to tip because Waitrons make $100,000 a year! for a special, heart-searching event: “MnGOP Panel: Where Do We Go From Here? – What went wrong in 2012, and moving forward in 2013″

And what a panel it was!  ”Moderated” by EXTREME right wingers Mitch Berg and Jeff Johnson, Senator Dave Thompson, Walter Hudson, Andy Parrish, Sarah Janecek, Dan “Dac” Severson, Marianne Stebbins and Mark Westphal were the main draws!  

I didn’t go; watching the action on Twitter Hashtags #wdwgfh & #MnGOP13) was entertainment enough for yours truly, the ol’ TwoPutter!

And clearly, these assembled party faithful have not a clue.

Which, for a Progressive, is GREAT news!  But, the best news, is the apparent formation of a “Draft Emmer” clown car – here’s the tweet that clued me in!!!

 

And here’s the photo in that tweet!

YES!!!  That’s THE ticket!!!

Dear Tom Emmer – I hear Brad Biers is available!  Of course, that might get Brad in a little hot water with his boss….

In all seriousness, I didn’t catch a tweet that got to the nub of what is wrong with today’s scandal-plagued Mn GOP; especially how you couldn’t trust the GOP then, you still can’t now, and tomorrow won’t be any different – “right”, Senator Hann?

For those that are interested in what’s REALLY wrong with today’s GOP, Hamline Professor David Schultz recently penned “The Moral Crisis of the Republican Party”.  I highly recommend those reading this, read it.

Obviously, those in attendence last night hadn’t.

Here’s an example of the candidacy of Tom Emmer in 2010, and why those GOPers that are electable are not endorsable (and those GOPers endorsable are not electable) in today’s MnGOP – via YouTube:  

 

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Michele Bachmann: self-immolation of longtime ally and fan Sen. Jim DeMInt

by Bill Prendergast on December 7, 2012

Those of you betting that “Michele Bachmann’s national influence is over, post-election:” you guys scored big today.

Senator Jim DeMint, a high profile “Teavangelical” hero and ally of Bachmann–announced today that he is retiring. Weird, because: US Senators serve six year terms, and DeMint was just re-elected to a second term two years ago.

With four years remaining in that term and a safely conservative seat to run for again in 2016, DeMint has no obvious personal political motivation to leave the Senate now, immediately. People are giving “official” explanations (discussed below)–but they’re not credible explanations.

So it’s a stunner for a powerful Senate ultraconservative to decide that “this huge budget, tax hike, big government battle”–is the perfect moment to abandon ship and his career-long fight against the liberals.

Conclusion one: DeMint thinks Republicans are about to lose this battle and approve tax hikes. And he’s right; yesterday Speaker Boehner announced that he would approve some tax hikes and they would hit “guess who, the rich.” DeMint doesn’t want to be around when that happens and the Senate approves it–so he’s fleeing the scene.

Conclusion two: Better to flee to a conservative “city of refuge,” than to stick around in office looking impotent and useless, as conservative control of US policy caves in all around you. Thus, DeMint is leaving to take a top spot at the conservative policy gestation laboratory–the Heritage Foundation.

DeMint is “doing a Sarah Palin”–running out on his duties as an elected official before he gets tangled up in any more ‘votes of record.’ If it’s all about their money and career, Palin and DeMint were right to flee. Here’s why:
(CONTINUED)
If you depart office before the tough votes are taken and the policy outcomes are decided–you can sit on the conservative sidelines and criticize the game of Republicans who do have to govern via compromise. Choosing to sit on the sidelines is cowardly, spineless. But a big name conservative can make good money doing that–and keep his or her reputation “as an uncompromising, loud-mouthed conservative” intact.

There’s good precedent for this strategy. Ronald Reagan didn’t get traction as a conservative candidate for president until after he left the governor’s office in California. So long as he was out of office during the seventies, there were no “official” Reagan decisions for opponents to attack. Once Reagan re-entered private life, he was free to pretend to be whatever kind of conservative suited his political ambitions at the moment. He could claim to be hardline conservative when speaking to conservatives, and could deny he was a hardline conservative when he debated Carter–because there were no recent government policy decisions to hold against him.

Ditto Romney in the last election (he could claim to be anything, because he’d been out of government so long.)

Romney and Palin’s fate and reputations show that the strategy doesn’t always work. It’s not fail-safe. It’s just a path of possible political survival for ambitious conservatives faced with liberal times. Stick around in office while liberals are winning to fight a principled fight for small government: you acquire the track record and reputation of a “loser.” But if you leave office and run out on the fight in government when the liberals are winning–you may have a comeback, a shot at being “another Reagan.”

We’re facing liberal times in American government. The economy is positioned for growth, and the Dem White House will get credit for that. Fox News announced that it’s sending Karl Rove and Dick Morris into remission for now. Rubio (proposed as the next savior of the national GOP) just admitted that the earth is about 4.5 billion years old. Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona just punched a reporter who asked her a question about climate change (Really, that just happened. Google it.)

And Obama’s approval rating just reached a three year high. And Boehner is exiling tea party congressmembers to non-factor committee assignments. And the GOP Congress’ surrender to Obama will cripple current GOP officeholders, making them vulnerable in the next primaries.

But I put Michele Bachmann’s name in the headline of this post. Bachmann and DeMint were political Siamese Twins when it came to the tea party and conservative evangelical positions. It must trouble her to see DeMint deserting a sinking ship. Other Bachmann allies remain in the House, but they’re being marginalized.

She’s in danger of sticking around in office to cast two more years of impotent tea party votes–thus acquiring that “loser” reputation among conservatives that DeMint and Palin manage to duck by leaving office.

So score another one this week, for the political junkies who are convinced that “Bachmann’s over.”

LINK: The Kos on the DeMint resignation…
http://www.dailykos.com/story/…  

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Poll – Label the 2011 GOPer Legislative Freshman!

by TwoPuttTommy on May 26, 2011

Here’s where we’re at:  The GOPer controlled Minnesota Legislature refused to send DFL Governor Mark Dayton a budget Dayton could/would sign.  The session ended at Midnight on Monday, May 23rd.  The Press asked the Governor what was the wrench in the gears of government, holding up a deal.  The Governor pointed at all the newbie, Freshmen GOPer Legislators; he called them (correctly, IMNSHO) “right wing extremists.”  

Here’s what Minnesota Public Radio reported on Wednesday, 5-25:

Throughout the five months of the legislative session, Dayton aimed most of his criticism at GOP legislative leaders. But in recent days, he’s been critical of the roughly 50 new members of the Legislature.

He blamed what he called “an extremist right-wing group” of Republican legislators for refusing to move off their position that the state should spend $34 billion over the next two years and not a penny more.

“First it’s $34 billion, then they prefer $32 billion, and then $31 billion,” Dayton said. “They don’t even know what those numbers mean. They never developed a budget for 32 or 31. All they know is the number 31 is less than 32. And that makes it a good idea because they’re just anti-government.”

Again, IMNSHO, Gov Dayton is correct; those GOPers don’t seem to have a clue about the history of that $31/$32/$34 Billion they keep talking about.  And many of those thin-skinned  - when the barbs are pointed THEIR direction – Freshman went ballistic about being called “extremist.”  Some of ‘em held a presser and everything!  At it, GOPer Sen Ted Lillie claimed “We’re not being extreme.  We’re being mainstream.”  “Mainstream”?  Yeah, “right.”  Others, such as Sean Nienow, took to twitter:

So, I responded:

So far, GOPer Rep. Nienow has declined to say what he considers himself.  

So I figured we should have a poll!

Now for some background – from the May 13th Politics In Minnesota:

By last Monday, posters had begun popping up on Republican legislators’ office doors depicting an overflowing bag of cash with “$34 billion” stenciled on the front and the legend “Not a Penny More” inscribed above. Many of the members who have hung the signs are new to the Capitol, including freshman Assistant Majority Leader Kurt Daudt as well as Reps. Mary Franson and Doug Wardlow.

The Rochester PostBulletin’s Heather Carlson has a photo of that “Not A Penny More” sack, to the right, in a story about a visit to a Freshman GOPer Legislator.  Carlson reports:

Recently stopped by Rochester Rep. Mike Benson’s office and couldn’t help but notice the big poster on his door declaring “Not a penny more.” So what’s the story behind the poster?

Benson said a group of 34 GOP House members have joined the Not a Penny More Caucus pledging that they will not approve any budget solution that would go beyond $34 billion. That’s the figure House and Senate Republicans’ budgets are based on, which relies on no new tax increases to balance the state’s projected $5 billion budget deficit.

Bottom line?  There is no doubt that the 50 or so newbie, GOPer Freshmen Legislators have influence.  There is no doubt those Freshmen Fifty are against a budget compromise – newbie GOPers didn’t get endorsed by the GOPer Faithful to go on the November 2010 ballot by running on a “work together and compromise” platform.  There is no doubt they don’t like that “right wing extremist” label.  

So what are they?  Now is where you, Gentle Reader, step in – vote!

Final results in a couple of days…..

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Today’s Example Of GOPers Glorifying Guns And Violence: “A Perfect Solution”

by TwoPuttTommy on January 18, 2011

The last example we looked at was Brodkorb’s Blog; this time we’re looking at what some GOPer WingNuts think is a “joke” – but it’s not.  In fact, sources tell me that one GOPer actually sent the following to a DFL State Lawmaker, with the subject line of:  “They Have My Endorsement”

While discussing the upcoming Universal Health Care Program with my sister-in-law the other day, I think we have found the solution. I am sure you have heard the ideas that if you’re a senior you need to suck it up and give up the idea that you need any health care. A new hip? Unheard of. We simply can’t afford to take care of you anymore. You don’t need any medications for your high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, etc. Let’s take care of the young people. After all, they will be ruling the world very soon.

So here is the solution. When you turn 70, you get a gun and 4 bullets. You are allowed to shoot 2 senators and 2 representatives.

Of course, you will be sent to prison where you will get 3 meals a day, a roof over your head and all the health care you need!!! New teeth, great!!! Need glasses, no problem. New hip, knee, kidney, lung, heart? Well bring it on. And who will be paying for all of this. The same government that just told you that you are too old for health care. And, since you are a prisoner, you don’t have to pay any income tax.

I really think we have a Perfect Solution!!!

Some variations of this chain email sent out and forwarded and reForwarded and reFORWARDED AGAIN by “conservatives” have a different version:

You are allowed to shoot 2 liberal senators and 2 liberal congressmen that support this bill.

Funny funny; ha ha – NOT.

Does anyone really wonder why Governor Mark Dayton is meeting with legislative leaders today about Capitol security?

And, will GOPer Tom Hackbarth be included in the meeting?  If so, will Hackbarth be packing?  After all, some GOPers think that’s just a swell idea…

Too many of today’s GOPers have an unnatural if not downright immature fixation on “guns.”  Let me be perfectly clear:  assualt rifles, Glocks, et al are NOT “guns” – they are WEAPONS.  Not “everyone” should have one because – simply put –  in the wrong hands they are dangerous.  

As can be words.  

Words that – hopefully –  the GOPer “leaders” attending today’s Capitol security meeting take seriously.  

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Today’s Example Of GOPers Glorifying Guns And Violence: Brodkorb’s Blog

by TwoPuttTommy on January 9, 2011

“Oh, but TwoPutt:  Brodkorb doesn’t own that blog anymore!”

Yeah, “right.”

Until it’s registered to somebody, it’s still Brodkorb’s blog and all the filth and slime that still is on it is simply the continuation of Mud Slinger Mike’s “work.”  And this “work” is the stuff that continues to stoke the GOP’s extremist base; the base, for example, that rallied behind candidates such as Tom Emmer, who said: “I don’t think you can call yourself a freedom-loving American and be a Democrat.”

Or, for example, Michele Bachmann, who stated on right wing radio:

“I want people in Minnesota armed and dangerous on this issue of the energy tax because we need to fight back. Thomas Jefferson told us, having a revolution every now and then is a good thing, and the people – we the people – are going to have to fight back hard if we’re not going to lose our country. “

Take a look at the  YouTube below the ad Brodkorb’s Blog named the “3rd Best Political Ad of 2010.  For a full minute, you have an exceedingly angry former Marine acting like a crazed cowboy; waving a rifle around and then firing a round to land God knows where.

By now, you should have seen the map Palin put on her website, “targeting” Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.  It’s now been taken down.

Will Brodkorb take back his gushing plattitudes for Bachmann and Palin, who Brodkorb called the GOP’s “Gold Standard“?

Don’t hold your breath.

Then again, maybe you won’t have to; some GOPer with a gun just might take your breath away.

It’s been said if you’re not a part of the solution you’re part of the problem.

Brodkorb, Brodkorb’s Blog, and Brodkorb’s “Gold Standard” mentality are the epitome of the problem.

That YouTube  ”featured” on Brodkorb’s Blog’s “3rd best ad” is below the fold.


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“Has enough kerosene been poured on the flames?”

by TwoPuttTommy on August 14, 2009

That’s a question that should be asked, if – IF – Kline and Paulsen actually schedule, and Bachmann actually follows through, with Town Hall Meetings.

The question should also be asked of GOP State Chair Tony Sutton, and GOP State Deputy Chair Michael Brodkorb.

There’s a powder keg out there, with a short fuse.  And today’s GOP leadership is sending out sparks.  If one of those sparks catches, well……you can be sure, the GOP will blame it on anybody and everybody but themselves.

Here’s Rachel Maddow:

And speaking of the “MOB” – I noted this:

Moving The MOB
August 13th, 2009 by Mitch Berg
Well, the verdict (throwing out all the votest for “crashing Drinking Liberally”) was pretty decisive.  People want the MOB Summer Party moved to September 12.

So moved it shall be!

Location to be officially announced later.

Who knows? Might be a real barnburner….

(h/t to CrooksAndLiars.com)

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Love Thy Neighbor (China) or Spread Fear and Talk of Catastrophe: America, Post Economic Crisis

by Holly Cairns on May 2, 2009

I passed by, hesitated, and plucked Fareed Zakaria’s “The Post American World” off the shelf.  I had to investigate.

Instead of predicting our American demise it invited me to accept a new concept.  Zakaria supposes we’ll share the global arena’s top spot rather than continue on as the only superpower.  

I agree.  Our global, economic crisis will most likely result in the rise of one or two new superpowers.  We can graciously accept new, shared world leadership and look for global solution or spread fear and talk about world catastrophe.

One thing is certain.  It would be detrimental to turn into ourselves.  Isolationism, combined with nationalism, has caused many wars.  We could also go on the offensive and use weaponry to ensure our superiority, but we aren’t the only ones who have nuclear capability and there is no winner in a nuclear war.

Instead of fearing foreigners and finger pointing, let’s search for a new global fit which benefits us the most.

We might embrace change by showing respect where it is due.  Let’s focus our attention on the world’s number two country, China and prepare ourselves for a new, stronger friend.

More on China:  
Although China is officially a one-party, Communistic state, it has incorporated a mix of economic policy for some time. China was our ally in WWI and WWII.  It is one of the few countries still experiencing robust growth, and it most likely will look to expand its interests.  

“Just how peacefully China can rise will be determined by a combination of Chinese actions, other countries’ reactions, and the systemic effects that this interaction produces.” (Zakaria, pg 115)

Economic factor:
In the 1990′s labor became mobile. Jobs now move to people (outsourcing) and the expansion of communications means the world is deeply connected.  How can we use this to our best advantage?

Less violence, world situation:
“It feels like a dangerous world.  But it isn’t.  Your chances of dying as a consequence of organized violence of any kind are lower and getting lower.” (Zakaria, pg 9).  

Statistically, the world is a safer place.  We might ask ourselves:  As we go forward, how do we best maintain a peaceful world?

Pandemic worry:
Swine flu has many viewing others with suspicion and hatred.  People are pointing fingers even more.  

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