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In reply to the discussion: Obama with Hitler mustache at the 'Stop Watching Us' Rally [View all]BluegrassStateBlues
(881 posts)34. A large majority of the organizers behind this rally are far right groups.
That's why Salon ran an article warning liberals not to attend.
Stop trying to defend the indefensible.
Yet my progressive friends would take the stage with the representatives of this political movement? Why? The loss is much greater than the gain. Organizers trade their own good names and reputations to stand alongside and convey legitimacy to a party that opposes communitarian participation in liberal society, and rejects the very role of government itself. And their own argument for privacy is weakened by the pollution of an ideology that uses its few positive civil liberties positions as a predator uses candy with a child.
This is an abandonment of core principles, in my view, out of anger over Edward Snowdens still-recent revelations about the National Security Agency and its spying activity, particularly domestic access to telephone and online networks and metadata. It represents trading long-held beliefs in social and economic justice for a current hot-button issue that while clearly of concern to all Americans doesnt come close to trumping a host of other issues areas that require the long game of electoral politics and organizing. Going all in with the libertarian purists is a fatal and unnecessary compromise; reform is clearly needed, but the presence of anti-government laissez-faire wingers at the beating heart of the privacy movement will surely sour the very political actors that movement desperately needs to make actual and not symbolic, link bait progress in its fight.
This is an abandonment of core principles, in my view, out of anger over Edward Snowdens still-recent revelations about the National Security Agency and its spying activity, particularly domestic access to telephone and online networks and metadata. It represents trading long-held beliefs in social and economic justice for a current hot-button issue that while clearly of concern to all Americans doesnt come close to trumping a host of other issues areas that require the long game of electoral politics and organizing. Going all in with the libertarian purists is a fatal and unnecessary compromise; reform is clearly needed, but the presence of anti-government laissez-faire wingers at the beating heart of the privacy movement will surely sour the very political actors that movement desperately needs to make actual and not symbolic, link bait progress in its fight.
Political change requires choices and compromise, as well as action. If too many young organizers focus entirely on privacy and security and abandon the front lines on crucial economic issues, civil rights and inequality, the rights of workers, criminal justice reform, environmental regulation, and the pursuit social justice, their gains will be too little and societys loss too great.
Or libertarianism itself will rise, and our loss of liberty will be greater still. Thats because libertarianism is a form of authoritarianism disguised in a narrow slice of civil liberties. In trumpeting the all-knowing, ever wise wonders of the totally free and unencumbered market, it bestows all the power on those with access to capital. You may say were there already, but under a pure libertarian system, things would get much worse.
Or libertarianism itself will rise, and our loss of liberty will be greater still. Thats because libertarianism is a form of authoritarianism disguised in a narrow slice of civil liberties. In trumpeting the all-knowing, ever wise wonders of the totally free and unencumbered market, it bestows all the power on those with access to capital. You may say were there already, but under a pure libertarian system, things would get much worse.
http://www.salon.com/2013/10/21/dont_ally_with_libertarians_ideologues_co_opt_an_anti_nsa_rally/
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Obama with Hitler mustache at the 'Stop Watching Us' Rally [View all]
BluegrassStateBlues
Oct 2013
OP
If only some DUrs would employ the same level of consideration as Barney Frank.
baldguy
Oct 2013
#101
"Trying to have a conversation with you would be like arguing with the dinning room table"
icymist
Oct 2013
#139
Keep legitimizing the far right agenda of those that organized this sham.
BluegrassStateBlues
Oct 2013
#9
You can't get much more far right than an NSA-owned and operated Police State.
Octafish
Oct 2013
#31
So if Sarah Palin...Louie Gohmert and Ted Cruz were there...you would still support it..good to know
VanillaRhapsody
Oct 2013
#102
Your attempts at "dumbing down" or whatever does not mitigate your public embarrassment.
VanillaRhapsody
Oct 2013
#93
Funny how the groups that need watched the most are promoting it the loudest.
BluegrassStateBlues
Oct 2013
#92
Would you like to add something in support of Glenn Beck...your new BFF?
VanillaRhapsody
Oct 2013
#97
Justin Amash is one of the architects of the government shutdown. nt
BluegrassStateBlues
Oct 2013
#38
So... You are just going to ignore that there are groups of all stripes involved?
Ohio Joe
Oct 2013
#41
If you really believe these far right groups want to form a constructive coalition with you,
BluegrassStateBlues
Oct 2013
#44
List of groups linked here... Why do you keep ignoring all the liberal groups involved?
Ohio Joe
Oct 2013
#48
Told you it was a fucking LaRouche crazy. They did the same thing during the Bush Admin.
Luminous Animal
Oct 2013
#65
A large majority of the organizers behind this rally are far right groups.
BluegrassStateBlues
Oct 2013
#34
CEI, Freedom Works, YAL, Libertarian Party, Students For Liberty...
BluegrassStateBlues
Oct 2013
#46
So, you went through that entire list, did you? To determine left from right, eh?
Luminous Animal
Oct 2013
#62
FFS. Oh, just great. They should take their moustache back to Glennbeckistan.
freshwest
Oct 2013
#39
If anyone thinks these Koch-funded groups want to form a coalition with them...
BluegrassStateBlues
Oct 2013
#42
That's my feelings as well, but I keep getting accused of saying that spying on Americans is OK. nt
BluegrassStateBlues
Oct 2013
#52
"We are all black people now," says emcee at Stop Watching Us rally.
BluegrassStateBlues
Oct 2013
#49
I'm against the NSA spying and I am also against the teabaggers at that rally.
Vashta Nerada
Oct 2013
#85
I noticed this hippie puncher started posting here 2 days after michigandem58 was PPRd.
Electric Monk
Oct 2013
#121
So I shouldn't be offended that they are accusing me of being that guy? nt
BluegrassStateBlues
Oct 2013
#131
Looks likethe particular fuckhead you're sticking up for isn't around anymore.
DisgustipatedinCA
Oct 2013
#161
What we have here is a loyalist telling liberals to avoid criticizing the NSA.
NuclearDem
Oct 2013
#119
So, in your world, any unity over an extremely important issue is to be avoided
solarhydrocan
Oct 2013
#141
I'm sure a few LaRouchies have gone stealth into PBO rallies just to disrupt...just saying....
steve2470
Oct 2013
#143