Will Pitt's eloquent, articulate, and well informed posts to DU

[ConsAreLiars]

and essays on TruthOut have contributed much to my understanding of what is going on behind the spin and foggery. And, as a natural consequence of his insightful commentary and those of others on TruthOut, he seems to have great talent for aggravating reactionaries of all stripes, and in many forums like DU, dittoheads of all stripes find their panties in a severe twist and try to counterattack by insinuation, disinformation, and casting doubt by any means possible. By these actions, they may confuse some readers, as is their intent, but they also expose themselves and their loyalties.

By doing this, Will Pitt performs a double service, not simply helping us pull back the curtain, but also helping us understand how others work to obscure what is revealed.

For this, I thank him, and so very many others who do the same noble work. With luck and hard work, the lies that feed the powerful will be revealed and instead of the daunting task of "speaking truth to power," we will reach a day when simply "speaking truth" will suffice.

Thank you, and all other truthtellers.

(edit to add a line)

[Mythsaje]

1. He's an important contributor...

and his work is invaluable to all of us.

Will Pitt gets "it."

K&R

[ConsAreLiars]

9. I had the good fortune to see Will at a Hightower Rolling Thunder

festival. He was speaking to a group about his experiences at the Democratic Convention (I think???) and I was impressed ny his candor and objectivity. Not trying to spin, make points, or pretend omniscience. Just trying to share what he saw and experienced, from his own perspective, of course, but very candid. I didn't go up and praise him, and when I came across Jim McDermott talking to others I didn't interrupt him but told his wife to pass on my good wishes. And sadly, the site of one of my last conversations with Andy Stephenson, a good man.

So this thread is just a way to say hello and thank you to him, and to Jim, and to Andy, and all others who have done so much.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Laurab]

21. Ah, it's always great to see you pop up

to bash Will and, while doing it, throw in a little self-promotion about something wonderful that you did. Will is human, makes mistakes, makes them publicly AND admits them and apologizes. I saw all the Andy threads, I remember Will's apology. I also remember Will having put his name and reputation on the line in order to help raise money for Andy, so perhaps he had a bit more at stake than you did? "Insisted on giving the Eulogy"? Somehow I don't see Andy's friends and family allowing someone to "insist".

Not to take away from the tribute you created, that I'm sure was wonderful, but your attacks and self-promotion are getting a little maddening. Jealousy, or whatever it is you're suffering from, is not attractive, and the venom you're spewing is really very ugly and hateful.

[Seabiscuit]

26. We should pay our respects to both Symbolman and Will Pitt.

It's sad that they don't seem to get along any more.

They both have contributed a lot.

And they're both human - everyone makes mistakes, and everyone has an ego to defend. I just don't like seeing the conflict, and also don't like seeing people on DU bashing either of them in response to their conflict when it becomes public.

[grace0418]

27. AMEN AMEN AMEN Laurab

My thoughts exactly. It's human to err, and it takes a lot of integrity to admit such a large mistake publicly. Will is both human and full of integrity. I was really grossed out by symbolman's post, and it makes me not want to see his tribute to Andy.

[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Snivi Yllom]

30. Will loves welshing on those $1000 bets

And it's not the first time he welshed on a bet on DU

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=255772&mesg_id=257030

[Laurab]

31. Actually I don't know Will Pitt, I only know what I've read

I didn't see either of the posts you referred to, either. I did see one that he self-deleted. I HAVE seen your posts - all over the place. In each one, you bash him, and promote something you've done. I don't understand what you hope to accomplish.

If, in fact someone comes on here drunk, and I didn't know, I'd know NOW, wouldn't I? Because once again you've trashed him in a post, and I'm guessing you're friendly with this "someone" over at DailyKos, too.

I'm pretty sure Skinner can defend himself, and I'm quite sure you defended yourself. I know Will can defend himself, too. He doesn't need me defending him. The anger and the hate in your posts is what gets to me. Obviously you have a personal problem with the guy, but do you have to post these hateful things all over DU?

I respect Will Pitt immensely for his writing, for all of the things I've learned from him through his writing, and for his ability to admit when he's wrong, which he does, often. Also for his heart, which comes through so often in his writing. Obviously he's human, as we all are. If you have a problem with him, maybe there's another way to deal with it? I don't think it belongs here.

[symbolman]

32. Oh but I am NOT human

so I can't make mistakes, and if I try to talk about my credentials then I am promoting myself.. and let's not forget that YOU have been in the background on some legal issues I had with someone else, so of course you'll say anything about me HERE because the parties cannot make disparaging remarks.. so you attack ME for THEM..

I'd LOVE to tell THAT story.

and that is why YOU follow ME around and bash me every chance you get.

I know who you are and why you do it, and most of the reason has nothing to do with Will Pitt.

OF course you won't admit it, but you are a Saint, how wonderful for you.. attack someone and then project that they attacked YOU. You're not very good at it by the way.

[Laurab]

33. HUH?????????????

WHAT story? I know NOTHING about you - except that you bash a certain person in a lot of threads. You know NOTHING about me. I don't "follow you around" - you're everywhere.

You know who I am? Damn! I'd love to know who I was, because I don't have a clue what you're talking about.

Instead, I think I'll take the advice of a person down thread, and have you be the FIRST person on DU I put on ignore since I joined in 2004.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

36. That's his standard response to anyone that fails to be properly....

...intimidated by his commentary. After my little run-in with that guy this morning, I'm going to follow your lead and put him on ignore.

Let someone else deal with his ranting nonsense.

[sellitman]

28. Now I understand why Will has you on ignore.

No need to answer this post back because I am going to follow his lead. DU will instantly become a better place because of it.

[Hutzpa]

2. Here...here....finally the curtain is coming down or going up

which ever way you do it you still win, thats the fun part.



:beer:

[Hekate]

3. For getting the news right far more often than wrong...

...many thanks, Will.

Hekate

[applegrove]

4. If Truthout story was a set-up, the word of the week will be Sourciness!

Say it ya'll! Sourciness. Sourciness. Sourciness.

Journalists can no more get information without sources than you or I can. If Leopold was so burned.. it may have been meant to put the fear of god into all journalists. To make them bend over again. Cause they were all beginning to straighten up.

Leopold was never bent. One way or another there is a story here folks. And it has nothing to do with Truthout or Will Pitt or Leopold. As always.. the story is the administration and the GOP machine.

[ConsAreLiars]

12. Exactly

"...the story is the administration and the GOP machine." I'm confident that Truthout and Leopold have credible sources behind the reports, but if they somehow got played, then exposing that scam and those behind it will be the next story.

[symbolman]

16. Leopold has a History of outing sources

he's very nearly ruined a lot of lives doing it too.. and not right wing stooges, who of course are the BEST SOURCES, especially when EVERYONE KNOWS THEY LIE.. so the excuse set up in advance is to BLAME THE SOURCE, not the person who CHOSE THEM?

DO a little research on this guy, pretend it's a dentist and you want a good one, that won't pull out the wrong tooth :)

[applegrove]

25. Hey - I don't care who he is. He is a writer and I rely on reporters and

writers to get me information so I can make up my own mind. If someone wants to change all the rules of journalism on this guy - he isn't the one with the problem.

Keep your focus buddy. I would want my dentist to have the right information and to be able to actually see into my mouth. Also - I'd like him to be halfway interested in the outcome of my oral health. If I go to a dentist who tells me "Don't let anyone touch your teeth - they so gorgeous they should be the model for Canadian Cigarettes packages" (who put cancerous teeth on the pack) - that is a neocon. That last dentist just wants me .. out of the fucking way.

[Kire]

40. I blame the source.

For providing speculation and no proof. I blame Leopold, too.

Am I a dittohead, now?

I just want a document, or a verification from a different media outlet. Is that too much to ask?

[Skittles]

5. and he is cute too

yes INDEED :thumbsup:

[NVMojo]

6. smart and cute! Rare combination!

:yourock: Will Pitt!

[Skittles]

7. and his mom is cool too

he is a fortunate guy!

[demobabe]

8. Everyone give Will Pitt a hug...

{{{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}}}}

it appears he may have had a rough day.

[leftstreet]

10. Oh FFS

This ego orgy makes DU look stupid.

[ConsAreLiars]

13. Ahh! It's the "makes us look bad"

argument that comes out so easily when all else fails. Some fascist will criticize "us" for this. Run away! Predictable, but not pursuasive.

[leftstreet]

38. whatever

:eyes:

[Bluebear]

39. "Oh FFS"

I am going to steal that :)

[Name removed]

11. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Vidar]

14. Three cheers for Will!

[Kutjara]

15. In the interest of fairness and balance:

YAY!!!!! WILL IS THE GREATEST!!!!! HE ROCKS!!! YAY!!!!

BOO!!! WILL IS CRAP!!! HE SUCKS!!!! BOO!!!

There, I think I've applied the same standards of balance as any msm news report.

[cantstandbush]

18. I agree, but it seems that the truth tellers can tell the truth about

anything EXCEPT Israel and the policies of its government. Then we get slammed or banned. Even Will Pitt leaves this subject alone.

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[nolies32fouettes]

20. will Pitt is taking a beating on this

but it's important to remember that not ever poster at DU is really a progressive. Some like to stir just enough trouble to shake us up but not so much that they get banned.

[Jigarotta]

22. Hi Will! was wondering what your other handle was.

kekeke.
sorry, couldn't resist. I am bad.

[Laurab]

23. Thanks for this post !

I too thank Will and the others I learn so much from, for the excellent writing, the passion for the truth, and the inspiration they give me, so many times when things really start getting to me.

[deaniac21]

24. He hasn't sold millions of his books for no reason!

[AuntiBush]

34. Same here, ConsAreLiars.

Thank you for stating my exact feelings so eloquently.

[ConsAreLiars]

35. I think the view I stated is widely shared by those who read his essays

and the other content at TruthOut. Will, in particular, has a talent for using words in a way that expresses the feeling side of what is happening as well as the "how things work" side. When both aspects of reality get expressed so fluently, the words have a much deeper impact, and the consequence is that the reader is not simply moved or informed, but moved to act in an informed way. This makes him, and TruthOut, a threat.

And thus a target. Of course, some may attack because of personal frictions or simple egoism, whatever, but others will work to spread distrust, disinformation, and otherwise attempt to stifle such voices primarily because they speak the truth.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

37. Excellent post. Thanks!