[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqQD4dzVkwk[/youtube]
Sadly, I think this election may be one of the more violent in recent memory, judging from this truly reprehensible tactic being adopted by some Democrat operatives:
While most serious campaigns on both sides use campaign trackers — staffers whose job is to record on video every public appearance and statement by an opponent — House Democrats are taking it to another level. They’re now recording video of the homes of GOP congressmen and candidates and posting the raw footage on the Internet for all to see.
That ratcheting up of the video surveillance game is unnerving Republicans who insist that even by political standards, it’s a gross invasion of privacy. Worse, they say, it creates a safety risk for members of Congress and their families at a time when they are already on edge after a deranged gunman shot former Arizona Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords 18 months ago.
Wisconsin GOP Rep. Reid Ribble who said he’s also been followed by a cameraman when shopping for groceries, said the home videos cross a line.
“I feel it’s totally inappropriate,” said Ribble, a freshman facing a competitive race for reelection. “It was disturbing to me that they would put that online. I don’t understand any political benefit that can be achieved with that.”
Go here to Politico to read the rest. Leave aside the invasion of personal privacy that even politicians are entitled to for their families, what possible political purpose is served by posting these videos on the internet? Aren’t such postings an open invitation for some deranged wacko in internetland to go to the candidate’s house in pursuit of mayhem? This is yet another step down the road of transforming politics in this country into something akin to a low-level civil war with almost no boundaries of decency. Someone is going to die in this campaign if this is the level to which political tactics are falling.
“They” will try to assassinate Romney, and may succeed. Indeed, given the recent Secret Service scandals, why should men from a government agency whose loyalty is to Obama be trusted to protect Romney? OK, I am paranoid. But no, I am not a conspiracy theorist. I just think that if Obama senses he will lose, he will stop at nothing. Lrt’s hope and pray that my fears are unhinged.
This is the “new civility” Obama’s been talking about since he took control.
He pretty much has us finished. Stick a fork in the USA.
That goes way beyond anything I say in my post Paul. What I am saying is that this type of tactic can only serve to encourage deranged individuals to attack the homes of candidates they oppose. I can think of no other reason to post the videos on youtube, and thus it is a truly a despicable tactic.
T. Shaw, your pessimism is unwarranted and unworthy of a man of Irish blood. This is a time to stand up and toss out the rascals at the polls!
I make cash contributions to the NRA, not the GOP.
The GOP is no better than the Dum party.
I will vote.
It’s not about pessimism, it’s about preparation.
If Obama wins in November, it is all over. Go see what it will be like. Watch those currently popular zombie and “saw” horror flicks.
Suppose you were an idiot. And, suppose you were the Chief Justice of the US. But, I repeat myself.
This could be interesting.
Let’s track who is on the kill list.
Charles Gasparino likely is near the top.
“Our president has a funny way with words when it comes to describing the lousy economy. Even for an election year, some of his whoppers would be laughable — if they weren’t coming from a man who wants to remain in charge of the country and its floundering economy for another four years
“Speaking after last Friday’s jobs report, President Obama said the economy is taking a ‘step in the right direction.’ Really?
“Economic growth as measured by gross domestic product is falling; it’s now less than 2 percent. The Friday report showed that 80,000 jobs were created last month, vs. 77,000 the month before. So, yes, there was an increase — but, earlier in the year, the economy created an average of 226,000 jobs a month. The trend line is actually falling — i.e., we’re headed in the wrong direction.”
Somebody tell the Bernank!
If the country survived 12 years of FDR T. Shaw it could survive four more years of Obama in the extremely unlikely event that he gets re-elected. He would be facing a GOP House and probably a GOP Senate and any legislative agenda he had for a second term would be DOA.
Americans have always been busy-bodies and never more so than in the age of YouTube and the like in which virtually every banal event is recorded for our collective “amusement.” TV is the “soma” of the age, to use Aldous Huxley’s word in Brave New World. Neil Postman brilliantly captured this cultural phenomenon in “Amusing Ourselves to Death” three decades ago. It’s pure entertainment, nothing more.
Welcome to the United States of Chicago.
If the country survived 12 years of FDR T. Shaw it could survive four more years of Obama in the extremely unlikely event that he gets re-elected. He would be facing a GOP House and probably a GOP Senate and any legislative agenda he had for a second term would be DOA.
“This,” as all the young hep cats say with their zany lingo.
If the opposition party is unwilling to oppose, then we’ll have problems. Don’t forget the salient fact that most governors and state houses are now solidly GOP, too. Enough with the woe-is-me, rolling-over-to-show-your-belly-reaction. The system is designed for gridlock, and it looks to work rather nicely should the President win. It might even force some necessary change, but that is my wildly-optimistic side showing.
The opposition party . . .
What opposition party? It ain’t the GOP.
There aren’t enough TEA party candidates.
Dubya gave us Medicare D drug entitlement and “no child left behind”, and I get frisked every time I fly.
Stifle yourself, Edith. I am not one of those ignorant libertarians that employ the perfect as the enemy of the good.
Would you expect anything better from a political organization that is filled with people who support the murder of 52,000,000 unborn human beings? A political organization whose ends justify the means? How would any Catholic, especially the clergy want to give their name and support to such an organization, an organization that in Church teachings on the 5th Commandment is a sin to belong to (Life in Christ – Instructions in the Catholic Faith published 1958 and revised in 1995)?
I suppose, reluctantly , that the title of the post is right, and that Donald McCleary’s meaning that wackos may be encouraged in their wackiness is correct. That is a concern. Another big concern is that non-wackos: law enforcers, judges etc are encouraged in their selective enforcement and prejudicial interpretations, to the extent that someone is not necessarily killed, but could be jailed for things like publicly opposing gay marriage, and generally teaching preaching and living out Catholic Church teaching which is opposed by the administration and by the media
The calliopes on the merry-go-rounds of the partying admin & supporters have been replaced by sound bites and phrases of bullying, mocking, derision, and disrespect of any who might question. This vilification of the ‘rich’ who earn money (not donated by partyers which is what the ‘work’ for this country has been these past four years), religious consciences, and the basically wholesome and innocent citizens who see any of the outrage being ordered, legislated, and stirred up is in itself deadly enough to ruin their health – these are the unknown deaths already happening from the ‘news’ of turns of events.
“Why don’t they like this country they swore to serve?” “Why can’t they say something good?” “why can’t they let kids be kids?” “What’s wrong with the saluting the flag?” “What’s wrong with believing in God?” “What’s wrong with trying to earn a living and pay my own way?” “What’s wrong with standing against – killing babies ?” “What happened to right and wrong?” “What about good and bad?”
“Mitt Romney likes this country and wants to be its leader. Isn’t that better than voting for someone who doesn’t and isn’t?” United, not divided.
I, too, think that someone will get killed over this election cycle – or perhaps many someones. But the key to understanding where this comes from is the fact that the left is largely taxpayer-funded and thus has an army of people who can, day in and day out, advance the cause of the left. Someone is paying for these efforts to intimidate and somewhere along the line the funding is tax free (ie, someone is donating it to someone and getting a tax break for it). And that leaves out the number of leftist groups which are entirely on the government dole – and use the funding to advance the left. The way to win – finally and completely – is to eliminate the direct and indirect taxpayer funding of the left. If these people had to get jobs they wouldn’t have time to be nasty – our politics would clean itself up because filth would no longer flow freely in to it.
The good news is that if Romney does win (and I think he will, resoundingly) then he’s going to have to cut spending. Its not a matter of “if” but “what” gets cut…and the logical place for him to cut, the place which will cost him the least, is precisely in those areas of government where the liberals are thickest and most determined to destroy.
“That goes way beyond anything I say in my post Paul….”
You are correct, Donald. In fact, I think that Obama will stop at nothing to keep power, whether that be stirring up the rabid left into paroxysms of hatred and violence or using his own resources. Obama murders babies. Obama will murder adults.
Come on now; admit it. You people absolutely love the things you’re bitching about. It enables you to build the myth of the “persecuted” Christian — especially the radical right wing “nut” variety of Christian. You’re a disgrace to the Catholic Church in particular and to Christianity in general. Grow up.
William L. Zimmerman, Sacred Heart Parish, Altoona, Pennsylvania
Why thank you Mr. Zimmerman! It had been a while since we had seen your humorous drive by troll comments. For our readers, here is a link below to earlier comedic stylings of Mr. Zimmerman:
https://the-american-catholic.com/2012/02/27/the-american-catholic-in-good-company/
The good news is that if Romney does win (and I think he will, resoundingly) then he’s going to have to cut spending. Its not a matter of “if” but “what” gets cut…and the logical place for him to cut, the place which will cost him the least, is precisely in those areas of government where the liberals are thickest and most determined to destroy.
Congress will have to cut spending. One hopes Mr. Romney will make vigorous suggestions and accede to it.
Defenders of the House of Representatives, ca. 2001, contended they routinely passed reform legislation – which then died in the Senate. Mr. McConnell needs to contrive a set of parliamentary rules which allows his legislative body to function. Not holding my breath
This is Marxism in action as adapted to American conditions. It is useless to appeal to any moral code; for the Marxist the good is that which furthers his cause. There is a straight line from Marx to Trotsky to Radek to Alinksy. Fix em, freeze em with their own restraints and destroy em as they did to Tsarist Russia. It is not for nothing that Americans from a sturdier time treated such people as they would the plague. Expanding on this would probably get me banned so I’ll just leave now.
Watch out Yahoo, there is a new bombastic article title-er (guy who writes titles) in town.
America is the only nation on the face of the earth that has a Constitution guaranteeing Liberty. Those who wreck havoc on other peoples’ lives must be brought to the Rule of Law and shown their error. Unauthorized use of another person’s privacy needs to be rectified and like stealing must have restitution. Privacy infringement is like copyright infringement.
“Come on now; admit it. You people absolutely love the things you’re bitching about. It enables you to build the myth of the “persecuted” Christian — especially the radical right wing “nut” variety of Christian. You’re a disgrace to the Catholic Church in particular and to Christianity in general. Grow up.
William L. Zimmerman, Sacred Heart Parish, Altoona, Pennsylvania”
Not really. I had an optimistic, Pollyannaish view of our leaders until I became involved in an effort to get an abortion provider out of the high schools in our area. The lies, the hostility, and the intimidation our area’s school district used was shocking to me, and they did this with the complicity of the news media. They even broke federal law by releasing federally protected, private information about my children to the news media, which published it on the internet. It was then picked up by a television news station and broadcast across a large metropolitan area. Mr. Zimmerman, the opposition hates us. I personally think, after seeing it up close and personal, that they would like to find a rationalization to make us go away, however that might be accomplished.
I saw this on tv the other day & left me wondering where it will all end. I am worried about the future of this country if Obama is re-elected. I just keep praying somehow Romney wins. Obama just panders to groups, anything to get their votes.
Obama and his gang have made it “them or us.”
In July 1980, Jimmeh (since January 2009, the second worst US president) Carter led in the polls by 8 points over Ronald Reagan.
PS: Last month, Obama created more disability pensioners – 85,000 – than jobs – 80,000. During a real economic recovery, Ronald Reagan was creating 400,000 monthly.
Destitute serfs are easier to control.
However, don’t get over-confident.
“Obama Refuses To Concede, Cites Massive Voter Fraud by GOP”
This sets up months of litigation and recounts, during which time his agents can “miraculously” find boxes and boxes of overlooked absentee ballots in Chicago, Gary, San Francisco, Newark, Detroit and other places (oddly) controlled by the Dum party, the irony of which will never be examined by the Dum propaganda machine.
Fiction? Maybe before 2008 and the Black Panther intimidaions – which were thrown out by AG Eric Himmler Holder.
I think that Obama’s reaction WK, should he lose, will be a private sigh of relief. I can recall no President in my lifetime who apparently dislikes the job more than him. I expect him to leave office quietly, and pursuant to the Constitution, if, as I expect, he comes up short on election day. MIchelle, on the other hand, may have to be dragged from the White House, kicking and screaming! 🙂
I personally think, after seeing it up close and personal, that they would like to find a rationalization to make us go away, however that might be accomplished.
Have a look at the internal governance of higher education; at recent legal excursions in Canada, Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden; and at the serial collusive frauds cooked up by our appellate judges, law professoriate, and public interest bar. You can see how they intend to accomplish matters.
“…the myth of the “persecuted” Christian” does not alleviate or change the TRUTH that Obama murders human beings to get what he wants. What is to stop Obama from any evil to get what he wants? When you stop obliterating the facts, you will find yourself enslaved. Lenin promised Religious Freedom. Go to any church you will. Lenin destroyed every church in Russia. Obama promised the people HOPE and CHANGE. People cannot find HOPE because Obama denies their souls and their humanity. This loss of dignity and sovereignty is the CHANGE.
Donald R. McClarey says:
“I think that Obama’s reaction WK, should he lose, will be a private sigh of relief. I can recall no President in my lifetime who apparently dislikes the job more than him. I expect him to leave office quietly, and pursuant to the Constitution, if, as I expect, he comes up short on election day. MIchelle, on the other hand, may have to be dragged from the White House, kicking and screaming!”
I hope she leaves the china. I like the china there.
Mary De Voe wrote, “I hope she leaves the china. I like the china there.”
Perhaps one might hope – if I may play with that pun – that she will emigrate to China!
😉
Wrong, McClarey
I’m not a drive by. I’m here to stay. (At least until my exorcism of your kind from Catholicism is complete).
William L. Zimmerman
Hilarious Mr. Zimmerman. You will have a long wait since orthodox Catholics have been around since the time of the Crucifixion, and we will be here until the Final Judgment.
Why, McClarey, you talk as if YOU “have been around since the time of the Crucifixion”; which I rather doubt. Otherwise you would understand how much dissension there really was in early Christianity. As for your trying to tell yourself that guys like me are “humorous”, well using comedy as a defense mechanism is sort of like whistling in the dark: It lets little guys like you pretend that my sort aren’t really so scary. Why are your knees knocking together so hard, Don?
William L. Zimmerman
My favorite part is where he writes his name at the bottom of the comments. I mean, it’s right there at the top, but he really wants to let us know that William. L. Zimmerman is on the case!
Now if I could only remember what parish he was from . . .
Paul Zummo, by way of New York City, current whereabouts unknown.
“Paul Zummo, by way of New York City, current whereabouts unknown.”
Why not keep it that way, Paul, you silly boob.
This isn’t my blog, but why aren’t individuals like Zimmerman banned? Why give them credence by allowing them to voice their opinions? There are plenty of places on the internet where their trash spews forth in a gush, a torrent of filth, rot and putrid decay otherwise know as liberalism and progressivism.
Or maybe the point is to allow them to voice their opinions so that they show the kind of persons that leftists really are?
Well, it’s not my blog………..but probably by my own rules I would have had to ban myself long ago! 😉
Now, now, Paul. There, there. Don’t cry. I really should be so mean to you (especially given you doctorate from an official Catholic diploma mill).
It’s just so hard not to sound condescending when arguing with people who are so incredibly ignorant.
William L. Zimmerman,
Sacred Heart Parish, Altoona, Pa.
(just in case you “forgot”)
William L. Zimmerman What’s your point?
? why do you do this ? just curious
“? why do you do this ?”
What does it matter to you, anzlyne? (just curious)
but why aren’t individuals like Zimmerman banned?
Usually they are, but sometimes it’s useful to let such individuals be heard because they defeat their own cause. That said, I believe that Mr. Zimmerman’s utility is running out.
It doesn’t really matter to me Mr. Zimmerman. I was just wondering what your motive is. If you don’t want to answer, that’s fine, it doesn’t really matter to me. Just curious.
Maybe there really is no answer. A mystery.
I’m just trying to figure out William’s point. He mentions the “myth of the ‘persecuted’ Christian.” Does that mean Christians have never been persecuted or that what is going on now is not persecution?
William – I participate on a lot of sites where I don’t share the majority opinion. I do it by agreeing where I can agree, and being constructive and/or persuasive where I can’t agree. Denouncing a site (even if it’s one worth denouncing) doesn’t accomplish anything.
IF this site has a lot of people who enjoy feeling persecuted, do you think you’re going to persuade them at all by showing up and condemning them? No, you’re going to harden them. It’s a tough thing to do, but we should be trying to correct each other.
“I’m just trying to figure out William’s point. He mentions the “myth of the ‘persecuted’ Christian.” Does that mean Christians have never been persecuted or that what is going on now is not persecution?” – Phillip
I can answer that. Christians have never been persecuted. It was simply the Romans asking that Christians do what everyone else is expected to do, by burning incense to Caesar. Obviously, a penalty can be assessed for failure to do so. Likewise, in England, they were simply asked to recognize the sovereign’s right to love the person of his choice, and it was rather intolerant for some to oppose this. It became necessary for the state to step in and ensure marriage equality for sovereigns by providing necessary regulation for religious institutions. In France, priests had been preying on unsuspecting Catholic peasants, and it was necessary to stop that by ridding the country of both predatory priests and Catholic peasants. Had only the priests been targeted for correction, the problem would have only been half solved. A thorough solution to the problem of priests taking advantage of their flocks by addressing both the priest and the flock.
I can’t for the life of me understand why some on the right wish to call this “persecution” when these are legitimate problems that need to be addressed by a comprehensive goverment policy. Without government intervention, inequities can occur. Outcomes need to be equalized. It’s a known fact that the religious marketplace is unstable, and subject to fluctuations that can have bad outcomes, like hellfire and perdition. Why should everyone else have to pay with hellfire and perdition, and the wealthy not have to pay their fair share? The godless and the fornicators have to pay far more than everyone else, and this is unfair. Therefore, it’s necessary for a just distribution of outcomes to punish the good. To further this end, we should encourage the progressives in their “Occupy the Church Militant” movement.
“Why, McClarey, you talk as if YOU “have been around since the time of the Crucifixion”; which I rather doubt”
It is called reading widely in the history of the Church Mr. Zimmerman, something I doubt you have done much of. There have always been heretics who have bedeviled the Church as best they could, but they have always failed to destroy Her.
“This isn’t my blog, but why aren’t individuals like Zimmerman banned?”
Because I enjoy verbal slapstick, and I blog for fun. I will probably ban Mr. Zimmerman when I tire of his antics, but I haven’t yet. Someone who could write this and truly believe it as Mr. Zimmerman did, had better hope that God possesses as robust a sense of the absurd as I do:
“We Cathoics are like scared school children, even as adults; awaiting Father’s or Sister’s approval before making moral decisions of the sort that can only be done on an individual level. What is right in one situation is wrong in another context. There are no short cuts in moral decision making. But there are a million shades of grey. Catholic Bishops should learn that. But, of course, they are not theologians — they are politicians, interested primarily in retaining their own power, wealth and position at the expense of “their sheep” (us). There is no theological basis for the notion that life begins at conception than there is that it begins at ejaculation. But these right thinking old fools are intent on imposing their views on all of us.
William L. Zimmerman, Sacred Heart Parish, Altoona, PA”
Someone claiming the title Catholic who is a pro-abort, a devotee of situational ethics and has only contempt for the Bishops of the Church! It would take a heart of stone not to laugh at the absurdity that is Mr. Zimmerman’s credo.
Zimbo,
Where did you get’cher PhD?
Free investment advice: buy Sturm Ruger stock and gold.
I have placed Mr. Zimmerman on moderation however. When he seems to be amusing I will approve his comment and let him perform for us like a two-headed dog, a bearded lady or an honest Congressman.
Not to worry. I’m moderating me.