White House Warns Rush: Nazi Talk Puts You On "Thin Ice"

[steel71]

The heat is on! Interesting that it was OK when they did the same against President Bush...hypocrites...

The White House struck back hard on Friday against conservative pundits and town hall protesters who have compared the President to Hitler and his policies to Nazism, saying that the critics are "on thin ice" and should "take that temperature down a bit."

Asked about the breakout of boisterous and occasionally violent protests at Democratic town hall events throughout the country, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs declared that the demonstrators were showing less civility and manners than his six-year-old daughter.

"Behave yourselves like your mom would probably tell you to do," Gibbs said when asked what piece of advice he would give to the demonstrators.

But it wasn't all fun and games for the Obama spokesman. Pressed on the analogies between Obama and Hitler that conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh made during Thursday's program, Gibbs' voice turned stern.

"I know the president feels strongly that we can discuss these issues without personally maligning... that we are doing so in a way that respects the dignity of each individual," he said. "I think anytime you make references to what happened in Germany in the 30's and 40's, I think you are talking about an event that has no equivalent. And I think anytime anyone ventures to compare anything to that, they are on thin ice, and it is best not employed."

"But I think what the most important thing is, is that we can have a discussion in our democracy about where we want to go," he added. "The president strongly believes we can do so without yelling at each other, pushing at each other or degrading each other. We have seen some stuff, I mentioned it a week ago, we have all seen imagery that just shocks and surprises us and I think the best thing to do is just take that temperature down a bit."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/0..._n_254147.html

[SF0]

The president strongly believes we can do so without yelling at each other, pushing at each other or degrading each other.

They deserve a whole lot more for wanting to turn our beloved constitutional republic into a constitution-less socialist state.

[ACE844]

Originally Posted by steel71

"The president strongly believes we can do so without yelling at each other, pushing at each other or degrading each other.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/0..._n_254147.html

Yet, that is exactly the same tactic the 'President' utilized and encouraged during his campaign and through out his years as a community organizer. It seems we're back to the 'do as I say not as I do,' version of policy making....

[Pete]

Originally Posted by steel71

Gibbs says....."But I think what the most important thing is, is that we can have a discussion in our democracy about where we want to go," he added. "The president strongly believes we can do so without yelling at each other, pushing at each other or degrading each other. ...

And then Deputy CoC Jim Messina says ".....If you get hit, we will punch back twice as hard,” Messina said, according to an official who attended the meeting. ......."

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/25891.html

Two Face or the Joker - You be the judge

[Richard]

FWIW - and I am certainly not a fan of BHO - I do agree with the necessity for civility in regards to open and worthwhile debate - the shrillness and overtly aggressive behaviors (tacky - as my Mom would say) of the people I've seen on the townhall meeting videos makes me shake my head in wearisome frustration - little to nothing will come of such flagrantly boorish behavior - except the loss of any moral high ground or real debate to the other side in these important matters - IMO these disrupters almost make Michael Moore seem (shudder...and I cannot believe I am saying this) rational in his silly anti-conservative monologues.

As is the case in countering radical Islamic or any other thought - better ideas, more persuasive arguments, and consistently moral behavior are needed to eventually carry the day - not inflexibility and vocal stridency.

IMO - the weight of an argument lies in the strength of its fundamental reasoning, not the volume of its speaker.

MOO - YMMV

[Dad]

The people, and those who promote, the disruption of the town hall meetings sound a lot more like Abbie Hoffman and the Yippies than Republicans. The Republicans I know present coherent arguments based on facts. They don't need to resort to this type of behaviour. Truth, integrity and honesty are the best way to present an argument

[dac]

Absolutely true, but that only works when both sides are open to reason and logic. When one side already knows what is best for you (whether you like it or not) it is hard to win an argument on merit. Half of his policies are all part of an effort to build a monument to himself so reason and logic are purely annoyances.

Ask anyone with an ex-wife.

I don't condone or appreciate what those people are doing, but I understand the sentiment. I think most republicans I talk to also are less hostile, but they also don't know what we can do to as a collective to get things "back on the right track".

[Richard]

FYI - here's what MoveOn.Org is saying and doing:

Dear MoveOn member,

It's getting ugly out there.

All across the country, right-wing extremists are disrupting congressional town-hall meetings with venomous attacks on President Obama's plans for health care and clean energy.

Last night in Tampa, Florida, a town hall meeting erupted into violence, with the police being called to break up fist fights and shoving matches.1

A Texas Democrat was shouted down by right-wing hecklers, many of whom admitted they didn't even live in his district.2

One North Carolina representative announced he wouldn't be holding any town-hall meetings after his office began receiving death threats.3

And in Maryland, protesters hung a Democratic congressman in effigy to oppose health-care reform.4

We've got a plan to fight back against these radical right-wingers. We've hired skilled grassroots organizers who are working with thousands of local volunteers to show Congress that ordinary Americans continue to support President Obama's agenda for change. And we're building new online tools to track events across the country and make sure MoveOn members turn out at each one.

But we need to scale up our efforts quickly to make sure this plan works. To really swing into action during this month's congressional recess, we need to raise at least $250,000 immediately. Can you chip in $25 to support our work?

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/august...62-TMkWTLx&t=1

If the shouts of the right-wing mobs are the only voices our senators and representatives hear over the recess, we'll have a hard time passing health care and clean energy legislation.

That's why we're launching our Heat Up Congress campaign so quickly to fight back, using new technology to implement rapid response town hall turnout, organizing personal phone calls from small business leaders and donors to their representatives, running new ads, and activating an energized network of on-the-ground organizers and volunteers.

This month could decide the future of health care and clean energy in America—and we're already one week in. If you've been sitting on the sidelines, now's the time to get involved. Talk to your neighbors, go to a town hall meeting—and today, please chip in $25 to support our work:

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/august...62-TMkWTLx&t=2
Thanks for all you do.

Richard's $.02

[ZooKeeper]

Originally Posted by Richard

IMO - the weight of an argument lies in the strength of its fundamental reasoning, not the volume of its speaker.

I agree, but I think people are blowing up because their elected officials can not be reasoned with. These people live in a different world.

I don't like what I see on tv or the reports. It give congress & the administration more ammo, but I do like the passion I am seeing. People are starting to get active and pay attention to what is going on. It might be too little, too late.

[Paslode]

Interesting how they react when they get hassled with their own tactics, then it is nearly a crime and those participating are 'Radicals', Right Wing Extremists' and on the 'Fringe'.

[ZooKeeper]

Originally Posted by Paslode

Interesting how they react when they get hassled with their own tactics, then it is nearly a crime and those participating are 'Radicals', Right Wing Extremists' and on the 'Fringe'.

Typical elitist...do as I say, not as I do.

[Guy]

Kinda reminds me of the Code Pink protests of the military in Berkerly, CA.

Stay safe.

[FCWood]

I'm not one to condone rowdy behavior at a town meeting, but it can send a message though. The problem is not just how the voters react in the meeting, but who is reacting.

For these protests to really matter it needs to be democrats protesting democratic leaders in these disctricts. In some instances the protestors are from out of state, much less the wrong district (see NPR story 8-7-09 http://www.npr.org/templates/player/...56&m=111672536).

Ask your self this, "If I were a member of congress and people came into my town hall meeting disrupting the discussion with real voters, how would I react?" Regardless of your opinion or party you will want to know the opinion of only those who can actually vote for/against you.

No matter what people may say, real voters matter in the end to congressmen/women. By all means go to the meetings, but in your own district. Don't get rowdy, instead ask real/intelliget but tough questions. Demand answers, but don't allow anyone to make you look like a fool by becoming uncivil.

Another idea, use the pen or computer to make your statement. Healthcare reform looks to be the first time I will have written my senators and representative.

Use these to find where to mail it.

http://www.senate.gov/general/contac...nators_cfm.cfm

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml


FCW

p.s. I don't believe that we can compare either former President Bush or President Obama to Adolf Hitler. I mean, the man had over 9 million people killed in concentration and death camps. Both presidents may be unpopular with certain groups, but neither can compare to the hell on earth Hilter created. That's just plain stupid.

Originally Posted by FCWood

p.s. I don't believe that we can compare either former President Bush or President Obama to Adolf Hitler. I mean, the man had over 9 million people killed in concentration and death camps. Both presidents may be unpopular with certain groups, but neither can compare to the hell on earth Hilter created. That's just plain stupid.

I know of no one who has made the comparison on the basis of the deeds, but they do make comparison to the beliefs and actions that led to the deeds.

[Richard]

I know of no one who has made the comparison on the basis of the deeds, but they do make comparison to the beliefs and actions that led to the deeds.

They would only do that if they had no real knowledge of who AH was, what he thought, what he was trying to do, and what he did - and I would certainly not be listening to anyone who thought the comparisons were valid.

Richard's $.02