Many So-Called Liberals On DU Need To Learn From Ted Kennedy

[KittyWampus]

It isn't just about having a liberal platform or agenda.

It's about keeping a positive Can-Do attitude and not giving up,
It's about inspiring others to do their best.

Why am I posting this?

Because it's another week and another round of negative, defeatist crap from DU'ers who like to identify with Ted Kennedy because he espoused liberal policies but totally FAIL when it comes to emulating his approach.

Pleases, if you're going to post on DU about how Obama is nothing but a corporate tool and you knew that right from the beginning, the Health Care Bill will be totally meaningless and so on. please consider not using a Ted Kennedy avatar.

Senator Kennedy was committed to fighting for change from within the Democratic party. He didn't give up and by all accounts he was good at firing people up to work for change.

"There's Nothing To It!"

[redqueen]

1. K&R!

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. K&R

Getting real sick of the people that keep spouting shit like "Kennedy wouldn't capitulate!!" when the truth is that he would be the first one to strike a deal to get SOMETHING, anything positive done.

[Kahuna]

3. Another K&R!

:applause:

[Buzz Clik]

4. k&r

Ted also was not prone to silliness and hysteria.

[liberal N proud]

5. We need question why those who are so negative are here?

Why are they posting such negativity on DU? Do they have a bigger motive? Are they plants that have managed to do their negative work without being detected as impostors as most are here on DU?

Those are some questions I ask every time I see these barrage of negativity aimed at Obama on this site. We spent many years working to get someone half as good as Obama in office and now that we have him, suddenly he isn't good enough? Come on!

[Hansel]

24. It's been widely acknowledge anti-reform people are posting on liberal blogs

Why wouldn't they? It's cheaper and more effective than organizing Tea Parties. They work on the inside of free blogs to gain trust and then demoralize those people who trust them with hand wringing, nay saying posts. If people don't think this is going on they haven't been paying attention.

I'm sure that there are at least some posters here who are being paid and have been professionally trained to demoralize in order to choke off pro-reform passion. When you see posters consistently posting negative posts and "woe is me" concern troll comments you have to wonder what their motive is. It can be summed up in one word: demoralization. It is contagious and pretty soon it permeates the entire board.





Edited because I'm a crap speller.

[The Wielding Truth]

6. I am a Liberal because of the JFK definition and Teddy's example.

What do our opponents mean when they apply to us the label "Liberal?" If by "Liberal" they mean, as they want people to believe, someone who is soft in his policies abroad, who is against local government, and who is unconcerned with the taxpayer's dollar, then the record of this party and its members demonstrate that we are not that kind of "Liberal." But if by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal."

JFK

[johnnie]

10. I like this

[liberal N proud]

11. +1

Thanks for posting that quote

[Spazito]

7. Well said! n/t

[BlooInBloo]

8. (shrug) Their horse didn't win, so they pretended to go along with us...

and are now showing their true colors. There's nothing complicated about it.

They're not going to stop - little point in complaining about it.

[Sukie]

17. Actually, there is plenty the point to complaining about it.

It allows those of us who hate the defeatist attitude that has begun to prevail on DU to see how many are sick and tired of it. Conservative mentality has little that I admire, but I do believe that they ban together through thick and thin much better than the liberals on DU seem capable of. Thank you so much for this post. I had begun to dread coming here to get any news or perspective on the news, since a great deal of that perspective began to take a very negative feel to it. K&R, bigtime!

[BlooInBloo]

51. Fair enough. I'm just used to it - but true, I'm not the only person in the world.

:)

[Uzybone]

9. liberals who actually stand up, fight and rally others are much admired

liberals who sit around and whine all the time are the caricatures that have allowed liberal to become a dirty word.

Excellent post.

[Captain Hilts]

12. They're responding to defeatism crap by Democratic politicians who are giving into the Rs. nt

[KittyWampus]

20. In other words, they/you are reactionary screamers rather than pro-active fighters

[Captain Hilts]

22. And what makes you think I'm not a 'pro-active' fighter and am a "reactionary screamer?"

[KittyWampus]

23. from your posts in this thread, you can't differentiate tween "let's roll our sleeves up"

and "everything is rigged and is totally useless".

I have no problem with being upset about spineless sellouts.

My point is, you keep fighting and attracting as much energy to YOUR GOALS.

Dwelling on the negative and giving up does nothing to help further your/our cause.

[Echo In Light]

25. And one way people within mass society can do that is to keep their skeptical voices raised

[KittyWampus]

32. Either roll up your sleeves and fight or get out of the way. You aren't skeptical. You're cynical.

And Cynicism professes to want progress but in reality work against it since the status quo reinforces their philosophy.

[Echo In Light]

38. One person's cynicism is another's realism.

Different situations call for different ways of rolling up one's sleeves. I don't know how you "fight" but it's hardly plausible for you to assume that any and all exist in a way that leaves them in a position to be doing exactly as you are.

And as George Carlin said,

"Don't confuse my point of view with cynicism. The real cynics are the ones who tell you that everything's gonna be all right."

[KittyWampus]

43. Go ahead and define your Reality in negative terms. You are in the way then. And Carlin could take

pot shots from the outside to an audience who agreed with him , but he never changed anything for the better the way Kennedy did.

[Echo In Light]

46. I did not. You, however, do. Bye.

[Captain Hilts]

33. I've expressed strong support for his making his speech next week and taking

control of this debate.

I also strongly supported the way he spoke about it at his press conference.

But the White House and the Dems have generated a great deal of confusion by their statements. I kind of expect this of Congress, but not within the White House.

I want him to manage this debate, kick Tom Daschle out of the White House, and strong arm Max Baucus.

[Spazito]

35. I find it interesting you feel that way....

given your sig line is a quote from a very big defeatist, the Republican quitter Palin.

[Captain Hilts]

54. The quotation makes her look stupid. nt

[Spazito]

56. Hmmm, gosh, and I think this one is 'way dumber'...

"Only dead fish go with the flow." --Sarah Palin, quitting, July 3, 2009

that is, if one is actually looking for 'stupid' quotes from Palin but each to their own I guess.

[RandomThoughts]

13. Many of the negative posts are probably not progressives.

Just like in some media.

Personally I am upbeat, and think it will get done, because it is so obvious what is at stake.

[Captain Hilts]

14. It's NOT progressive to be upset about Dems giving into the Rs on healthcare? nt

[KittyWampus]

19. It's not progressive to ONLY post that crap and never bring anything else to the table.

Why don't these so-called liberals ever post anything pro-active?

There's nothing progressive or liberal about being a reactionary screamer.

You want something, you fight for it.

[redqueen]

27. Hear fucking hear.

I'm beyond sick and tired of the Eeyore routine.

[Kahuna]

37. +1

:applause:

[Echo In Light]

21. The most obvious pro for-profit reform will be wildly exalted by these same "upbeat" types

While likewise tsk-tsking any who dare state the obvious. Guaranteed. There's a personality type that perceives situations that way - no different than how conservatives will bemoan "liberals" for being "negative." And of course the criteria for that supposed negativity is that they perceive things in an objective, factual manner, as opposed to relying on emotionally charged reactions per their deeply entrenched belief system.

I'm the first to say I hope I'm wrong re HC, but given the track record of the corporate/state nexus that controls this country, it's perfectly natural to remain very skeptical until ... until we see what is.

[KittyWampus]

29. See, you have nothing to offer. Just a snipe at those who want to see a fighting spirit

With your attitude, people can just go sit in the fdark and curl up in a ball and everything WILL be just as crappy as you expected it to.

[Echo In Light]

40. Ask yourself, is that what my posts make YOU do?

[redqueen]

41. The ones that only complain...

and offer nothing but defeatest attitude... well you didn't ask me, but I'll tell you... they make me want to lecture you on what "constructive" vs. "destructive" means... because a negative, Eeyore-like attitude is nothing but destructive... and the point of the OP is that Teddy knew that, and those who haven't realized it yet should take a lesson.


on edit: Sorry to KW for butting in... but GD it the Eeyore schtick pisses me off to no end!

[Echo In Light]

44. Fine. Than be pissed off.

[redqueen]

45. Glad to see you're only here to help make things better.

:toast:

[Echo In Light]

47. I'd suggest you're taking internet forums a tad too seriously n/t

[redqueen]

49. What... cause 8 months of solid whining and complaining is too much?

I think I've been very patient with the "nothing but complaints & defeatism" crew.

[LiberalAndProud]

31. Blue Dogs

Not Republicans,

Blue Dogs.

[Captain Hilts]

34. We need to ignore the Republicans and strong arm the blue dogs. nt

[LiberalAndProud]

52. I've been working on Ben, but he's playing his cards close

to the vest.

[Captain Hilts]

53. Chris van Hollen has a completely safe seat, so I'd like him to play rock 'em, sock 'em. nt

[jonnyblitz]

30. yeah my virulent anti-war escalation stance is PROOF I am not

a "real" progressive. :crazy: :sarcasm:

REAL progressives are Obamabots. :rofl:

what a bunch of fucking loons.

[Captain Hilts]

55. Indeed. Live and learn! nt

[DevonRex]

15. I wish I could rec this more than once. That's EXACTLY right.

Teddy never gave up and neither should we.

[WilliamPitt]

16. Well said.

:toast:

[dhpgetsit]

18. You're right.

That is not to say that whatever passes this year as healthcare reform will be perfect. Nor would I say is Barack Obama perfect.

Kennedy always fought for something better. He never threw up his hands in defeat.
The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.

[politicasista]

26. Kick.

Especially when they trash one of his pupils. :kick:

[Jennicut]

28. I respect legitimate criticism but not fighting and giving up is something I will never get

Teddy NEVER gave up.

[ddeclue]

36. UNRECC'D for bashing people for standing up for PRINCIPLE

instead of caving in as Obama is apparently doing. Teddy would be ashamed.

Kucinich '12 or Dean '12 for me!

Doug D.
Orlando, FL

[KittyWampus]

39. So you have nothing to offer in the fight for Health Care. Congratulations for contributing nothing

useful. Just your daily dose of negative crap.

[ddeclue]

48. HR676 is best, a public option is second best, triggers are what's crap.

I'm offering PRINCIPLES. Sorry if you don't know what they are.

[Yuugal]

57. Nothing to offer?

We got him and a huge majority of dems elected didn't we? Our job was over. All Obama and the party needed to do was change the medicare act to read "everyone gets it" instead of 65 and over, then pass it on a party line vote. Instead, Obama chose to put it out on the town-hall circuit to be ridiculed by people he knew damn well would dislike anything he proposed. How come the billions in wealthcare given to banks, ins cos, etc didn't get the same treatment? The answer is simple, he knew damn well it would be shot down by both partys.

At what point will you worshipers finally admit we got had? I remember 8 yrs of Clinton doing the most ungodly neocon crap like workfare and nafta and the worshipers telling me that DLC corporatist scum really weren't that bad after all because at least our team won. I don't think we won anything, we just compromised our principles and diluted our brand until it stood for nothing and that was proved at the polls for ten years.

Now, after 8 yrs of pure neocon hell, we are being told by the same people that same bullshit third-way crap that so hurt both the country and the party is the answer. Obama has packed his admin with these people and turned the deaf ear to everything we wanted and forgotten everything he promised.

Promise to end war in Iraq in 16 months: Broken
End rendition and gitmo: Nope
Started his "green jobs revolution" with windmills and solar: LOL Heres a tax break, maybe, now go away, I'm busy appointing clear-cutters and coal mining industry stooges to my admin.
Gonna help us working class scum get a house or keep a house: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
College for all....ok, how bout just pump up the assistance money.....oh fuck. Here comes another round of "tax breaks" for people to send their kids to school, when they know damn well the people needing the help don't pay taxes.

Those are just my pet peeves, there are many others.

If Obama was a new fling, I'd have written him off as a booty call by now. He came on all hot and heavy but I haven't gotten a phone call for like 8 months now and even the most stoic of lovers has to admit its not just over, there was never anything to begin with. I'm sure he'll call in a couple years, prolly all drunk, and want to hook up again but no dice. He's just a playa and who needs that shit. I'll give him Al From's number and maybe they can cry in each other's beer.

[sabrina 1]

59. Kucinich and others have offered what should be the only

acceptable Healthcare system for people who claim they want Healthcare reform.

That is bringing something to the table. I support Single Payer. The fact is the leadership of our party does not.

Now, you say we must remain hopeful and positive. We have control of all three branches of the government. The excuse for NOT getting anything done over the past eight years, was that we did NOT have control and we should work towards getting that, and not be 'whining and giving up'.

Well, we did that. What is the excuse now? Are you in favor of a few tweaks to an already disastrous, shameful, mess of a healthcare system that is allowing thousands of people to die every year, where the main goal is to protect the Insurance Industry over and above the interests of the American people?

Because that is what it looks like we're about to get right now. The Insurance Industry ought to be the least of anyone's concern when we have lost over a quarter of a million Americans for lack of coverage since 9/11. And that death toll will continue unless someone has the guts to put their own careers on the line to put a stop to it. Sorry if it offends you that some of us worry about these things.

What is your bottom line of what is acceptable? And what do you mean by 'bringing nothing to the table'? Is Single Payer nothing? Why was it NOT at Obama's table? Are these questions not to be asked? And if so, why?

We are all sick and tired. You're not the only one. Eight years of being sick of excuses is what you are seeing and Democrats better pay attention, because it isn't just people on blogs, it is millions of Americans who want a healthcare system that works for the people. You might silence a few people on blogs, but that won't help Democrats if they fail to produce a decent bill that covers all Americans.

[DevonRex]

42. It's bashing people who gave up already. That never works.

So, I wonder at the motives of the folks who encourage others to give up. But maybe that's just me. :shrug:

I thought we ALL knew we had to FIGHT to get this done. All you folks who have thrown in the towel are HURTING our chances. Why the hell would we reward you for THAT?

[Hansel]

50. Obama campaigned on providing access to affordable health care...

for anyone who wants it. There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that the has caved on his campaign promises.

I would like a single payer system or some kind of public option, but I would be satisfied with Obama just keeping his campaign promise to provide affordable health care for anyone who wants it.

[DCKit]

58. Someone needs to sent that "Terra-fying" pic to W.

He's ascared of horsies. Doubly so when there's a Dem on top.

[Mythsaje]

60. I've posted negative shit and positive shit

and now I'm fairly positive we're in the shit. Mandates without a public option are political, social, and economic suicide, so they'd best not be thinking THAT shit will fly with any but the terminally stupid.

Maybe some of us aren't really satisfied with a pat on the head and a "we're doing the best we can" when it's clear that the "best they can" could just as easily be a massive fuck-up of monumental proportions. And we're not comfortable with "oh, we trust them" as a reason not to be breathing down their necks. Fuck that. They need to know we're breathing down their necks, that we're watching their every move. THAT'S the point of doing this shit in the first place. That's why we're obsessed with politics, and why we post somewhere like DU. Because we think it's important enough to take seriously.

What some of you think of as negative, others take a different way. I think a lot of them HAVE sold us out. But not all of them. And it doesn't hurt to remind those that have that we're not unaware of it. And warn the others that we'll know if they do the same. Anyone willing to roll over and take it, and expect something different the next time, is wasting his or her time, our bandwidth, and the effort of hundreds of thousands of hapless electrons.

If you don't care enough to criticize when things go awry, why bother in the first place? Politicians have plenty of ass-kissers on staff. They don't need the rest of us to play along with that game. They need people willing to hold them to their promises and keep them on the straight and narrow. And not to take a bunch of lame excuses in lieu of real useful legislation.