I'd just ignore it an move on rather than giving them the satisfaction. But, then again, I'm older... and at my age I'm able to put many things in perspective, it's hard for me to get worked up about what other people think of me. Some things just aren't worth even bothering to respond to (in my opinion).

With this tweet, she is calling these hypocrites out and telling them as it is....

I think she is very confident about who she is and what she stands for and she is pointing out to them that they are not....

I think that in this era of Trump and the way the GOP has behaved, I think the younger generation especially with social media, is using the tools and tactics back at them and making them squirm.

Last edited Fri Jan 4, 2019, 10:08 AM - Edit history (1)

The Republicans are bullies. When they see someone that presents a threat they try to demean them, just like school yard bullies. AOC's generation has the "benefit" of knowing how to deal with bullies because it's been ingrained in them that this behavior isn't tolerated. She may be too young to connect that Republican societies our built on this autocratic mean-spirited social behavior. It's how they determine who the alpha is. It's that way in their churches, at work and at home.

I hope she sets a trend.

She is everything they loathe. And she is one cool congresswoman. We need more like her.

(Oh, and "LET'S IMPEACH THE MOTHERFUCKER!" in case anybody missed it from another new congresswoman.)

That and how unclever her canned retort must be. She is in a position now to speak with actions instead of words.

And her words are of a different generation

Not the phrase I’d have used but it’s quite the clapback

She has to prove herself to me. I give her some latitude and benefit of the doubt but she has a long way to go. The canned retort doesn't impress me.

She can keep on kicking them in the teeth for as long as she's in office, since she apparently drives them insane by . . . . existing.

"They," and I assume you mean Republicans, can fuck off + die as far as I am concerned. I will not waste my energy worrying about how the morons feel and if they have a problem then they have a problem.

My priority is truth and justice which have come under attack. If AOC brings whatever she has to bear on the task of advancing truth and justice then she will have my respect and my praise.

We shall see.

There is a concerted effort on the GOP side to ad hominem OAC, and, as you note, she's barely begun legislating. The RWNJs won't delegitimize her or her agenda by booing or calling her a "commie know-it-all" for having wholesome fun as a teenager.

Twitter is an awful place, but Millenials are MUCH better at it than the GenX or Boomer Trolls. Every "Canned Response" she tweets is motivating more young people to join the fray. I know; I have one in my house who revels in her fighting back.

Or is your problem really more about the fact that I don't toe your line?

She has not earned my approval. She hasn't.earned yours either, but you just don't know it.

Your multiple posts reiterating your lack of approval are... interesting. Why not just withhold judgment for a while?

There are many, many more Democrats like me and if she wants to go further she will need approval from millions like me.

It is I who doesn't need your approval.

Are you in her district? That's the only reason she'd need your approval.

Who's saying she wants to "go further"? Not OAC.

Odd.

Perhaps everyone should hold their judgment about Alexandria O-C until her actions substantiate and merit all the approval she's getting now.

There's a lot of truth to the old saying that actions speak louder than words.

The more she's in the spotlight and talks, the more I wonder about her commitment and work ethic to actually get something done. In Congress, the real work is done without the cameras, press and TV interviews. Hard, difficult, stressful and long work.

about taxing the wealthy and saving the planet.

This week, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told 60 Minutes that she believes the U.S. should consider taxing incomes above $10 million at a 70 percent rate. Specifically, the congresswoman suggested that taxing the rich at such a rate would be preferable to forgoing major investments in renewable energy, and other technologies necessary for averting catastrophic climate change.


http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/01/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-70-top-tax-rate-60-minutes-green-new-deal.html?utm_campaign=nym&utm_source=tw&utm_medium=s1&__twitter_impression=true&__twitter_impression=true

Do you know anyone who votes Republican because Democrats "are way too comfortable with ... turning the other cheek?"

I don't but I do know Republicans who gleefully call us weak, among other idiotic things, in exactly that way. I have studied these kinds of things in great depth both because of politics and because of my profession. It does seem demoralization. like saying Democrats are weak, does discourage people from bothering to vote. And Republicans are going to bash us that way.

I refuse to do that.

The Dems could have been more aggressive in fighting this shit.

Or did they use them, foolishly, to further their own agenda?

It was "canned" ... something I'd expect to hear on "Real Housewives". (Oh no she di' ent! *headbob-snap*)

When they go low, why give them the satisfaction of drawing out any sort of emotional response. Reward bad behavior, and the bad-behavior continues. And so, the pendulum has been set into motion, this back-and-forth game will likely continue for an indefinite period of time.

All I'm trying to say is, I don't think it's wrong of me to expect more from our Democratic representatives... regardless of their age or experience... young or old... freshmen or seniors. I think her response was a mistake and it reaffirms the petty and vindictive tone that the GOP is trying to establish.

For real, not petty nonsense.

WAS GREAT!! OMG! She is already on 60 minutes and making a difference. We need all the publicity we can get with Trump the publicity hog.

She so small to them why boo?

They can't stand all her network attention.

I've learned how to let things go, and not to let unimportant things work my last nerve. But I think she's dead on right about this. The Trump administration and today's Republican party is a classic example of schoolyard bullies. There's Trump (the bully), his wingmen (his cabinet), and followers (the 88% of Republicans who support him) These "fellas" all have a certain level of behavior they expect of women, that being "shut up, stay in line, and do what we tell you". I'm sure Susan Collins is their ideal.

But bullies all have one thing in common...they will crumble when confronted. These women are going to face them down. They'll look them straight in the eye, call them out as the liars they are, and tell them to go fuck off.

They went low, we tried going high. They only went lower. Screw 'em all...they asked for this.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=girl+fights+bully+when+he+takes+her+hat&&view=detail&mid=1559D781BA1C2B99D2CE1559D781BA1C2B99D2CE&rvsmid=5BCF3900A9805FA5166C5BCF3900A9805FA5166C&FORM=VDQVAP

Calling out bullies is the best way to beat them.

These new young women are more aggressive and I like that.

Here is Ayanna Pressley saying she was sent to Congress to be BOLD

Backing down will result in you being bullied even more.

[link:

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It looks like these Republicans will just have to deal with her existing.

The first lady takes off her clothes, but, OMG!! AOL is dancing in college. Next she will go sleeveless!

and I'm sure she will continue
I believe it is her policy to not let slights stand . She will respond.

The GOP are full of un-American war criminals never held accountable for the lies of the Iraq war. The emotion is still a build up of all.

From Bushco to trumptrash, Americans see that the GOP were never held accountable for lies, iraq War bs, and corruption.

this is her reaction to being booed

She's throwing it back in the bullies' faces and appears to be having a blast while doing so. I applaud her recent tweet about top tax rates under Lincoln and FDR. Many young people who may not know that history are paying attention to her and that's an important lesson for them (with hopefully many more to come). You, too, should be applauding her. Young, female, Latina... just the kind of identity politics DU embraces! Let Nancy be Nancy and AOC be AOC... neither should be stifled, especially by people with axes to grind.

But she is definitely getting under the skin of more than just the GOP!

Whether you love or hate her, you have to admit it - she is not afraid to call people out...l

I personally like her a lot and I think that while there are some things she does that I might personally handle different or even on some policy statements I think she is a bit extreme, I really like her and respect her.

I think she will be a great Congress member for her district and for the US citizens....

She's got chutzpah and the fact she's a NYer only endears me more to her.

...
Definition of chutzpah

: supreme self-confidence

Or as Eugene Robinson claims, 'sparkle'.

She is strong enough to kick sand right back in their faces

Not a bully and not a victim

I like it ... a lot

but I can say that this kind of republican behavior will only serve to make people more supportive of her. Not a particularly smart move on their part. If they act like schoolyard thugs, they will only make her that much more popular with any on the left who might have doubts.

Shrinking away and shrugging it off is just wat they want her to do. Stand up to the bullies!

They'll attack someone that doesn't have a firm footing with a lot of Democrats, but the attacks often push us to go on the defensive. I've rallied around Dems that I wasn't crazy about primarily because they were unjustly attacked by the right.

I like Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, but it is with some reserve. She is new and young. We still haven't seen what she can do. I remember feeling similarly about Barack Obama long, long ago, so we'll see. Mostly, I care about how some of these inexperienced lawmakers treat the ones who came before them, the ones who blazed the trail for them to follow. It is great to bring in fresh ideas and energy, but there should be respect for the many legislators who fought so many battles over the years.

Let's see what she can do.

Right?

I mean I am sure your not a secret closet crossdressing pub.

She was playin them in a lingo who's generation we need votes from...

She's a Democrat.

he told her she had spunk. loved it.

The vast majority of America is not afraid of skin melanin, female, youth, idealism or progressive politics. When your benefactor and sponsor is a former KGB Agent and murderer and feeds the head of the GOP in the Whitehouse; your attention needs to be elsewhere. Occasio-Cortez is not developing first strike nuclear weapons to kill you or your children.

I want to message her..tell her to get a giant pin that says ...pubs boo me ..(with a smiley face)

all they do is elevate her....

She has energy and is likeable...human. Spunky "..oh really ..you just booed me?? " she was talking to her base... I would have rather her say "Wow ..I scare you that much? "

they have no idea and ideas

They dont know difference from iphone or android or google.

Not a clue on how search engines work. wtf???

They think old ideas apply.... when its right in front of them they dont (trump)

Cant teach old dog new tricks ..lol

womp womp bark bark

OAC has had people "booing her" here at DU.

People need to understand something, the GOP/Trump party goes after people, slimes people, who have the ability to change the right wing narrative. OAC is one of those rare people who can change the narrative. Look how they demonized Nancy Pelosi the past 2 years, why, because they feared her. Al Franken was another person who could change the narrative. He is responsible for getting Bob Mueller appointed more so than anyone else. Look what happened to him.

Democrats better stop attacking AOC, we are a big tent party, we can handle vigorous debates over issues. That's what they are people, debates, they are not uprisings or turmoil. Calling debates uprisings and turmoil is a right wing talking point. Debate like hell, but in the end come up with compromise, come up with a consensus, come up with an agreement. We need more people like AOC, I can picture Auntie Maxine just like her in her younger days.

AOC is a challenge to anyone who wants the status quo - ie the powerful and their supporters
That covers a lot of gound

We've just started the new year - and there have been attacks - the most being on any progressive that looks like a threat.
It's going to get *really* ugly.

were not booed by any of their over 200 Democratic colleagues while we're talking about how people behave. That kind of rabble behavior just isn't what our reps do. This is the U.S. House of Representatives, after all, even if the corrupt hyperpartisan types Republican seats are being stuffed with don't respect it.

The number of GOP women serving in the House of Representatives.. and that's what the GOP means by "representing"

It must be hard for a woman to rigidly conform to what the Greedy Old Perverts demand.

The amount of vitriol hurled at at at 29-year-old Rep who has only been on the job for...a day ...is astounding.

As a middle class old white man, I've heard them. It's not just this one house member, it's change, it's people who they have been taught to hate and fear. It's that sinking feeling that they know they have been doing everyone wrong and reckoning is coming.

If not for their stolen wealth, these rich old white men would be nothing but old, like me. The wealth put them in power. Without it they are nothing. They are afraid someone will take back what they have spent their lifetime stealing and hoarding. And we should.

The old white Republican men are freaked out about her dancing, but not about Melanie being naked all over the web.

and some GOP are afraid of change. It bothers them to see what sort of person can make laws these days.

...I don’t know what is.

I wonder what Pelosi thinks of her actions. My bet is she's not happy because it is a huge distraction from what Pelosi is trying to do: launch an ambitious agenda for the House Democrats to broaden the party's base for the 2020 elections.

Any distraction from that is a problem.

Ms. O-C has real potential, but right now, I hope that the House leadership talks with her.

I trust Pelosi. She's got the experience and good judgement that we need right now. Pelosi doesn't showboat or grandstand. Pelosi knows that it's not about her own personal ambitions. She's working for the American People... not for herself.

All I'm trying to say here is: with age comes wisdom and patience. Wisdom is good. Patience is good.

AOL brings some excitement to the House.

I guess I just have higher standards (and higher expectations) for my representatives. If I want "excitement" then I can go to the movies or sports event. When it comes to the real world of politics, I expect knowledge and experience and someone who can work effectively for his/her constituents. I'm not interested in a boxing match, and it's my hope that our liberal and progressive representatives are mature enough to rise above it... not perpetuate it.

All I'm trying to say here is that I'm less interested in "trolling" or "tweets" (and other types of back-and-forth bickering) and I'm more interested in seeing important legislative accomplishments that make real changes and provide real benefit.

Day One - She's on 60 minutes!! Love her.

Oh brother.

That's a very simplistic way of describing it and it's also entirely inaccurate. She does, however, have an obligation to learn how things are done if she wants to be respected by her colleagues and if she hopes to become an effective legislator.

It's not that she needs to be "older" to make a difference... is that she needs some basic experience in order to be effective (and not be viewed by others as merely a novelty or just a gadfly). One needs to actually WORK and MAKE AN EFFORT to gain the knowledge (not just "hang around" and watch the clock while time passes.)

Of course we all age as time passes and while we're becoming more experienced, but it's not the "older" part that makes people more experienced (as you've implied) ... it is, obviously, the things LEARNED during that time that makes people wiser and more effective.

All I'm saying is that so far, I haven't seen any serious attempt at that, yet her fans are touting her as some sort of "powerhouse" and a "force to be reckoned with" ... when she's only been on the job for two days, and has ZERO legislative accomplishments to her name. For all of our sakes, however, I hope she doesn't squander the tremendous opportunity she has to be a part of something greater than herself. There is no I in TEAM.

AOC's meteoric rise.

yet her fans are touting her as some sort of "powerhouse" and a "force to be reckoned with" ... when she's only been on the job for two days, and has ZERO legislative accomplishments to her name.

I'm not seeing it. It's only been two days. I hope she has many accomplishments other than trolling and bickering with the GOP. Responding to their taunts only rewards them. That's what they want. When rewarded, more of the same can be expected. (I'm an old woman, I've pretty much seen it tall. It doesn't take a genius to figure out how to react to petulant and immature GOP politicians.)

But, personally speaking... I'm just not impressed with her and I can't see what all the fuss is about. I've been accused of being a "hater" and someone also said she was getting under MY skin. But, frankly, I have to say that it's the "fuss" and over-the-top praise that I find to be perplexing and bothersome (not the woman herself.) She may represent a faction or "wing" of Democrats, but I personally don't see her as being someone who represents the Democratic party.

It remains to be seen if she's ready and willing to learn her job and to take the responsibility seriously. I certainly hope she has some legislative accomplishments during her time in congress. It would be a shame if she wasted the opportunity with more "sit-in" stunts and perpetually trolling GOPers with twitter. I think she's probably smarter than that, but it's clear to me that she needs a mentor who can guide her and help her find her footing in becoming a valued and respected member of congress. I'm sure the learning curve is a steep one, but I have every confidence that she can handle it.



PS: Meteors are indeed sudden, but technically speaking, we see them as they're falling. If the meteor doesn't crash and burn, it burns up quickly in a flash... sudden and temporary... then its gone. All I'm saying is that I'm not entirely certain that this is the best metaphor for what you're trying to convey. Or maybe it is, who knows?

to convince us you aren't bothered by Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez? If so you might examine your persuasive writing style because from this outside perspective you appear bothered.

Nope.

Trying to turn this around and make it about me or my writing style is an indication of someone who is approaching this from a position of weakness, and who is avoiding discussing facts.

Oh well.

quite bothered by the newly elected Democratic Congresswoman and it amuses me. I do find myself curious as to what facts you are suggesting I am avoiding?

and obviously desperate just makes me like her that much more.

As for Democrats who still think "turn the other cheek" is an effective strategy, re-watch footage of Trump's inauguration and snap the fuck out of it.

she's a breath of fresh air!

She has a healthy confidence which I like alot.

A real live Democratic Socialist! Better than Obama/Clintons/Pelosi combined. They're ecstatic, probably thinking up attack ads starring AOC right now, to frighten their base with.

like Clinton and Pelosi and painting them as the very very edge of liberalism. It pushed idealistic leftwing personalities and policies off the map and made those who's hands and tongues were most tied (because they had to be coalition builders who didn't alienate the blue dogs, etc.) into demagogues of what was a vague and undefined liberalism. That allowed the GOP to define what liberalism was, because there was no counter-punching.

Cortez is young and unseasoned and may misspeak on occasion and get out ahead of her skis, but when they go at her she can drape herself in her policies...she can own them and shout them from teh roof-tops as the right makes the foolish(or desperate) mistake of giving her coverage and instigating tit-for-tat internet bouts that only allow her to amplify a message that is already widely popular amongst the American public.

socialists when the Left calls them centrists/establishment/Republican lite etc. when there are real Democratic Socialists is better? I don't get it.

Don't understand "drape herself in her policies." She's a Democrat. Her policies are Democratic. Americans overwhelmingly like Democratic policies as long as Republican Americans don't know the policies are Democratic.

policies championed(or not) by members of the democratic party. Its insulting.

I think I explained it pretty clearly. It is better because it avoids talking about the socialistic ideas that most americans are actually receptive to today BECAUSE they have finally gained some foothold in the American consciousness. FOX etc, have spent a long while simply avoiding these topics in favor of their made-up culture war. In fact, it was hilarious watching Hannity attempt to take apart AOC"s dangerous leftie ideas months ago, because they didn't even manage to make them sound unreasonable. Sure...we're talking Hannity, and his audience has to be dumb as dirt and will probably believe him even though they don't know why, but it was still a fascinating bungle.

Also the way the right has mischaracterized and demonized Pelosi and Clinton has made democrats rightfully take umbrage and also to rally behind them. Not that they aren't amazing in their own right, but we've let the right define the sides. We've let the right shape our own conception of who our most progressive warriors are. Again, Clinton and Pelosi, most likely have moved into incredibly influential roles in our party because they've had to make big compromises when it comes to the rhetoric they deliver and the legislation they champion. In a lot of ways I can't fault that, nor do I think it has to be cynical or self-serving of them to have done so. But neither is really that terrifying to business interests. They are progressives who want to make change...but "reasonable", incremental change. That makes the big money funding the effort to make THEM the big baddie socialists all part of a massive con on us, that we've also bought into in the democratic party. We just took the fact that the GOP has put so much effort into hating them as evidence that they are infact the most progressive of progressive.

Its the same with how people here have rallied to the defense of Amazon or CNN. And those 2 are actually shitty for what they do. And yet, all it took was for Trump to have nasty words for the news and a hardon for Bezos and we had posters celebrating Bezos taking over the world here as a finger in the eye of Trump.

Because Fox etc. is really good at what it does- "First you ignore...then you laugh at...only when those fail do you fight them"- it has taken a long time for big socialistic ideas to reemerge on the scene. Yes, climate change has gained traction in the public's understanding, and that took Gore taking a political hit for his unapologetic campaigning as a starting point. Yes, medicare-for-all is now more popular than not with the American people, and that took somebody as high profile as Hillary Clinton to really take it on the chin for introducing the idea to the nation. But then democrats retreated from that at the time rather than holding firm. Maybe it was just too new and scary to the public and came with too much political risk, but the laughing at worked and the idea died for a LONG ass time.

So yes, focusing on Pelosi and Clinton, who had both the challenge of being pioneers for women in politics, and the challenge of herding a big tent of democrats from progressive to blue dog towards some degree of progress, was brilliant(that they are women is of course part of that strategy as well) Pelosi and Clinton had their hands tied behind their backs due to 1) "decorum"...rising above...representing women as statesmen, which sadly meant being silent punching bags, 2) a fundraising structure that also relies heavily on rich industries and individuals, meaning challenging the bought and paid for nature of the GOP was off the table, and 3) a practical need to not offend or alienate our blue dogs in their own messaging.

AOC on the other hand, is unfettered in that way, both because Pelosi and Clinton have already paved the way for women in politics and now at long last, a firebrand is welcome and not universally characterized as emotional or some other misogynistic bullshit, and because obviously, she's a freshman congresswoman who isn't the leader of the entire party and due to her own fundraising, isn't at risk of alienating an important lobby, so she can just keep it real(or if you like, the real that she sees). AND thus she can punch back, and does. Every time.

more liberal than that.

Al Gore, Bill Clinton’s VP, championed climate change decades ago when it wasn’t cool and trendy.

The Clinton’s made healthcare a main priority of their tenure — decades ago.

All the above were “idealistic leftwing personalities and policies”. Insulting people’s efforts doesn’t make you more leftwing. It just means you insult people.

doesn't even necessarily make you more leftwing, because the fight requires the powerful insiders as much as it requires the AOC's and Sanders who are outside enough o still speak to these issues, and I'm not naïve enough to think otherwise...but there's no fucking way we move in the right direction without those still speaking unapologetically to the big ideas and their pragmatism.

You are right, Gore did. He also championed ethanol because he felt he needed the corn lobby. And absolutley, Hillary Clinton even proposed an amazingly progressive healthcare plan decades before. Then, she backed off of it. Even understandably. It just makes no sense to me that even in 2016 she wasn't promoting her old plan. People were ripe for it.

The issue remains that you need the insiders, because almost in every case, they've played the game in such a way that they have all the power and the coalitions...but unfortunately at the cost of watering down their progressive legislation, and even finding too many ways in which they feel the need to reach across the aisle, or allow a chunk of our own democratic representatives to do so without saying a word. But again, you also need the outsiders who call it all as they see it. You need them to make sure that the liberal issues are still the squeaky wheel, and not just the powerful interest of the rich and big corporations. That is why Sanders DID pull the democratic platform to the left, as well as Clinton's.

an admission that it is a safe position of purity that allows endless criticism of your favorite targets, all of which seem to be Democrats.

Look at how very progressive California voted, and you see how it went with politicians with reliable records of accomplishment, not someone’s ridiculous purity standards. Now you are finding fault with Gore—always finding a way to diminish actual accomplishments with questionable purity standards. I notice you don’t have the same purity standards for Vermont, which has rejected all your “unapologetic” admonishments, yet you are fine with that.

Talking doesn’t beat winning elections, and if hypocritical double standards applied to favorite politicians is all you have, then the talk is meaningless anyways. Actions/results are what matter, not lobbing insults from the sidelines.

they are going to be the people who can actually enact teh legislation. but they need somebody creating a popular pressure to do so. What about that don't you understand?

that Vermont has rejected, for instance, virtually all of Sanders platform has not been enacted in Vermont. Obviously the talking/pressure angle is not what this is really about, or there would be the same standards of accomplishment applied to Bernie, but there isn’t. Blaming Democrats across the country and holding them retroactively accountable to current “talking” standards has not worked. Winning elections is the only way to get things done.

their accomplishments is “tired”. What a perfect example of the self-serving double standards. Only Democrats are held accountable for enacting “talk”, but others can just talk and blame away with no accountability. That ship has sailed— no more double standards.

because it hasn't been achieved yet. That's fucking absurd. Do you even realize how absurd that is?

Truly absurd, and very disingenuous. Why are Democrats bad mouthed for something he can’t get done in his own state. Do *you* have any idea how absurd that is?? Looks like it takes more than talking or politicians in his state would be lining up to enact all the “talk.” So why aren’t they.

stand in the way of it. Typically Sanders isn't calling people out by name regarding this anyway. When he was head to head with Clinton of course he emphasized their differences on this issue.

What it takes is political will and that comes from public demand. So fuck yes talking matters. Fuck yes something like Sicko mattered and Sanders campaign championing these issues has helped to make them more possible. And fuck yes giving people an option to vote for matters because when that person pulls in the kind of support Sanders did, it signals to current and future candidates that you can win on these policies with the voter.

that only Democrats are held to a results standard that Sanders is exempt from. One can be very popular when blaming others for not getting results you can’t get yourself. No more.

I’m glad to see progressive California did not fall for these double standards. Looks like we preferred to elect people who can govern and get results rather than purity demagoguery.

for you...? Your posts reflect purity standards that are not applied to one Senator, and it’s very obvious. We need to stay focused on reality—which also means not excluding current news/events such as the Mueller investigation.

everybody else. Yes, my state is a progressive one and has generally good politicians, I'm certainly not fond of all of them and think we could do better. Which is why, for decades, inspite of being the richest state controlled mostly by democrats, we've had among the shittiest funding for public schools. Only recently have efforts been made to address that. Also, our prison system is massive and was impacted.

just another one-size-fits-all excuse for failing to insult incumbents enough to get people to reject them.