the renewal of the PATRIOT Act is made a bit more palatable

[ulysses]

by the knowledge that DU is getting its rocks off tonight by bashing the hoary specter of Ralph Nader.

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. Cheney the PATRIOT Act.

<bashing head against brick wall>

[ulysses]

3. it's fucking pathetic.

The American people tonight lost on a split vote. 210-210. On a vote on the PATRIOT Act in the fucking House of Representatives. And all we can talk about is how much we despise Ralph Nader.

Fucking waste.

[jpgray]

7. I'm not sure I understand you

We also devote more posts to the same inane candidate flame wars than deaths in Iraq or the appointment of troglodytes to our courts--if DU were to be rated on giving the most posts to what was most important, we would do pretty poorly. I don't think people post most often where they feel an issue is most important, however. Argument brings people to the table, and we all agree that the Patriot Act is Cheneyed up, as someone above put it. Now, post something about how Kerry lost your vote because of the Patriot Act, or that Nader caused us to lose the advantage in the House and somehow caused the Patriot Act--then you'll get your posts. :D

[ulysses]

10. some of us used to do that,

posting Nader-related subject lines on globalization threads to attract attention. Never seemed to really work.

[greatauntoftriplets]

17. Guess people no longer care about gummint's ability to spy on us?

Ralph who?

[aquart]

2. Not even that makes it palatable.

I could bash Nader very well if the Patriot Act were rescinded.

[Dookus]

4. nah...

we can bash Nader AND the Patriot Act simultaneously.

[ulysses]

5. and with similar degrees of effectiveness.

Long live the opposition!

[Dookus]

6. Not sure what you're upset about

why does bashing Nader detract from your indignation over the Patriot Act?

In fact, the Patriot Act renewal is a done deal.... nothin' to do but bitch. We can still do all we can to bring down Nader.

Or are you just upset that people bash Nader at all? Does it really have anything to do with the Patriot Act?

[ulysses]

8. it's not as if there's any point in being upset, I suppose.

I do think it's interesting, though, that after all the complaint and gnashing of teeth that the PA has generated here over time, its renewal garners - what, five thin threads?

Meanwhile, the irrelevant Nader obsession continues apace, to the point that I'm not going to bother posting about another issue tonight because I know it'll be swamped. What's the point?

[Dookus]

9. Well if it'll make you feel better, I could

start a Patriot Act thread.

But I suspect that's not really what's bugging you.

[ulysses]

11. so, what is really bugging me, Doc?

[Dookus]

12. I suspect

you don't like threads bashing Nader.

[ulysses]

13. LOL - I've been here a long time, friend.

Threads bashing Nader are not new, and I'm not even supporting his run this year.

No. I've done my time on those threads, and have had my fun. What annoys me is when the Nader obsession distracts from much bigger threats on the right, which it often does. It's a lot easier and more fun to whack away at RN than it is to take on the entrenched wingnuts.

[Dookus]

14. I understand

and I'm funning with ya...

but I really don't believe that a thread bashing Nader in any way detracts from our outrage about things like the Patriot Act. In fact, I think they're connected.

We wouldn't have HAD a fucking Patriot Act if Nader hadn't run in 2000.

[John_H]

15. LOL! ulysses apparenly has the sad and thankless job

of being DU's last remaining defender of union busting, GOP money and technical support acceptance, providing capital to wal-mart, lying about democrats, and megalomania. Somebody's gotta do it, I guess.

[Zorra]

16. Patriot Act? What's that? Is that what Britney calls her show?

(sarcasm off)