Jean Rohe (New School) responds to McCain aide's smear of her

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jean-rohe/response-to-mccains-aide_b_21442.html

Excerpt:

I'd like to say first of all, that I don't believe that anything I've written to the public so far has been quite as nasty to Senator McCain as Mr. Salter was to me. On the contrary, I think that my writing clearly reflected my values, which is to say, never was I rude to the Senator nor did I show any disrespect. In fact, I think my compassion was made clear. To pick on me in such a bullying and sarcastic way is a clear admission on Mr. Salter's part that his fear is far deeper than any I might have felt when sticking up for myself.

The following is addressed directly to Mr. Salter:

Without taking issue with your statement point by point, I'd just like to draw attention for a moment to a few things you said. Firstly, it was clear to me why Senator McCain chose to give the same speech at every school. It was meant to show consistency in his message, and, contrary to what you suggested, there is no place in my speech or my other writing where I take issue with that. However, interestingly, it is precisely because the senator's speech had nothing to do with our graduation or anyone else's that it worked so marvelously in all settings. It was equally out of place no matter where it was delivered.

In addition, you make many assumptions about who I am and what I stand for. You assume that the words shouted from the audience reflected at all times my opinions and values. You assume that I have made myself look like an idiot, which, I can tell you, is just not true. You assume I have taken no risks. I'm curious to see which doors have been permanently closed to me in the future, simply because I've spoken up. You assume that I did what I did simply to draw attention to myself for my own personal benefit. I have said in my writing, and I will say it again, I would never have asked for this responsibility in a million years. The entire event was stomach-churning and unpleasant because it was something I didn't want to do, but knew I had to out of an obligation to my own values. You assume that I have no experience making a living. I have been a full-time college student and have worked a job to pay my own rent and my own expenses for the past two years. You assume that I live in an "echo chamber" of liberal head-patting, when, in fact, I live in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, a neighborhood notorious for its cultural diversity and sometimes, conflict. I live in New York City where every human interaction is a test of our willingness to coexist as citizens. And finally, I think it is unfair to assume that I have not considered the hardships of Senator McCain's life. Indeed, one of my first feelings upon seeing him in the flesh was compassion for how much he must have endured in his time as a POW. If there's one thing that I know about myself, it is that I care for people, and in that sense I have a great deal of character. Please don't try to bully me anymore.

Recommended

We are not lost if we have youth like this. Bravo Ms. Rohe!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2006/05/21/top-mccain-aide-insults-e_n_21405.html

and to an earlier thread post on Rohe's story:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1246742

"Well, Gosh. I wonder if this is the same letter he sent to the Bush campaign after they maligned McCain back in 2000. Hmmm, no, that would have taken a bit more guts than taking on some college kids."

Heartily kicked and recommended!

McCain probably put him up to it!

probably sitting by with that bushwhacked evil grin dictating the words.

to begin with. The wanted to knock him out of the presidential race. Not to mention what they did to Clelland, an amputee because he served his country, having ads run comparing him to osoma bin laden. And McCain talks about respect and compassion? Where was his or his party's?

How about the respect accorded to John Kerry? McCain backstabbed Kerry by asking that Kerry's ads showing McCain going after bush for questioning his war record be pulled. Kerry did, only to have McCain come to NY and bash him, and his military service at the RNC convention. Some Respect for a fellow veteran!

As for Bob Kerrey I wish he would go back to Nebraska and stay there. He's another two faced bastard who stands up for no one but himself. He deliberatly kept quiet about info regarding the 9/11 Commission report, because he "promised" not to say anything until AFTER the election. That he remains in NY after what he did is truly galling.

Thank you Jean for speaking up...after 9/11 NY owes bush and his republican ilk anything but "respect".

You did good. And they can't take that away from you.

What an asshole. He's pissed off because she made him look stupid for having written a mediocre boilerplate commencement speech that a college student was able to pick apart easily and with very little preparation. So of course his reaction is to call her--and all of her classmates--spoiled liberal brats and play the "McCain was tortured as a POW" card. Look for that card to be played whenever McCain does something that gets him into trouble. Try not to barf as you contemplate the irony of that card being played by the same political party that brought us the Swift Boat Vets Against Kerry campaign and purple heart band-aids. You ran a 2004 presidential campaign that was based on mocking a veteran and discrediting the suffering inflicted on him during his service, and now we're supposed to think McCain is God because he's a veteran who suffered during his service?

Also, can I just point out that a candidate whose main speechwriter is telling the students of the New School that they have a lot to learn about tolerance from Liberty University has pretty much traded in his "moderate" credentials?

Anyway, at least now we know he's not trying for the youth vote.

Oy,

The Plaid Adder

put to bed the fallacy that "Liberals love mccain"..

Snips~
"Al Gore's Unlikely Helpers

By Sebastian Mallaby
Monday, May 22, 2006; Page A17

Liberals famously love John McCain, but that's not the weirdest political coupling. The oil industry and its Republican allies are rooting for Al Gore, albeit unintentionally.

Ordinarily this film would never have been made, let alone scheduled for release in hundreds of theaters. But President Bush and the congressional Republicans have created a Ross Perot moment: a hunger for a leader with diagrams and charts, for a nerd who lays out basic facts ignored by blinkered government. By their contempt for expert opinion on everything from Iraqi reconstruction to the cost of their tax cuts, Republicans have turned Diagram Gore into a hero. By their serial dishonesty, Republicans have created a market for "An Inconvenient Truth" -- the title of Gore's movie."


Much more...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/21/AR2006052101183.html

She has experienced the bullying and shallowness of rethugs. Her speech shows how stupid they are. Three cheers for Jean!

Somebody recruit her for a future in politics!

...this one line from Mr. Salter's comment very hypocritical and telling.

"Should you grow up and ever get down to the hard business of making a living and finding a purpose for your lives beyond self-indulgence some of you might then know a happiness far more sublime than the fleeting pleasure of living in an echo chamber."

On one hand we have a young woman going to school working with children, on the other hand we have a political hack preparing speeches, looking at poll numbers, etc. My question is who actually appears to be living in an "echo chamber"? Who is actually more "self-indulgent"? Who is actually more likely to have only "fleeting happiness". I'll bet anything that more likely Mr. Salter will end up with an addiction or have less joy in his golden years than Ms. Rohe.

Keep speaking truth to power! Some day they may catch on or then again we may just get more responses like Mr. Salter's.

These guys remind me of the bullies we had in elementary school. They are really no different in my opinion. Rather than discuss the issues she brought forth, he put her down, belittled her, and showed no respect whatsoever. But what does anyone expect? It's election time baby, integrity and respect are no where to be found in the republican's game plan.

Kudos to Jean Rohe for having the courage to speak her mind, knowing that in this day and age actually having an independent thought will be treated as an act of treason. Hearing from her, as well as from many other of the college graduates this year willing to speak out, gives me a little more hope for the future.

& demigods. Saw it starting during the Reagan era.

They should have done their research BEFORE.
The character of McCain is a myth like the competence of Condi.
McCain was part of the Keating Five crooked scheme - got off by ratting the others.
McCain kissed W's ass in spite knowing he stole South Carolina primary & attacking his wife& child.
He is one of the most pathetic bush stooges that the media has cozied up to for years for some mysterious reason.

...and articulate.

Jean Rohe is no exception. I love the way she writes - very clear and to the point

Bravo!

check out Moyer's speech at http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2640579&mesg_id=2640579

I was at my sister's graduation from Georgetown University this weekend, and the documentary filmmaker Ken Burns gave a fantastic speech. He walked a very thin line by really speaking to the graduates, while making his disappointment with the Bushies heard LOUD AND CLEAR. I was surprised i didn't see the Secret Service pulling up afterwards...

I can't find a transcript right now, but if anyone turns one up it's definitely worth a read.

Indeed!

McLame is imploading.His handlers are assholes as he is also. He puts out this phony image of himself but slowly but surely his actual personality and his RW bullshit are emerging.

His whole speech was nothing but a plug for his stupid book. Everyone is my program, including the prfs, were all bored and practically fell asleep.

I am saving important stories on this protest as well as new stories as they happen at this forum:
http://p2.forumforfree.com/the-new-school-vs-john-m-vp9428-rbcommunity.html

This story is rapidly expanding and may cripple John McCain's presidential bed.

I was at the graduation and the forum includes my own write up.

when I click on link, I get log in/sign up page.....when I go to forums and click on discussions, I get listings of polls....what am I doing wrong??

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

she's an impressive young woman who returned fire today gracefully. I didn't agree with those who shouted down McCain. They should have listened civily. Perhaps holding up signs. But this young woman put forward civilized and courageous dissent. She's a model for all of us.

http://intrepidliberaljournal.blogspot.com

to speak out? mccain ought to know that he leaves himself wide-ass open to criticism and ridicule in an non government controlled venue. If he doesn't like being criticized for making bad judgments, perhaps he shouldn't make bad judgments.

"To pick on me in such a bullying and sarcastic way is a clear admission on Mr. Salter's part that his fear is far deeper than any I might have felt when sticking up for myself."

Jean Rohe is so eloquent and true that the tiny minds of mccain, salter and their ilk are just Digging a Deeper Hole for themselves.

I hope the DNC is offering her job ...better yet..I hope Comedy Central is looking for a third person to cut throught the BS and report on what is going on in America

It seems fate has something HUGE in store for Jean Rohe and our Democracy!

I'm sorry he had to go through that. It was awful. But it is not a free pass for the rest of his life to skirt criticism of any kind. Face it, McCain was giving a stump speech at the graduations. He was a terrible choice for that school.. WTF was Bob Kerrey thinking in hiring him?

This letter would knock anyone off their feet.

Seems like a good kid - very normal :D

School commencement was designed, in conjunction with the Liberty appearance, to pump up McCain's "conservative" credentials by getting into a pissing match with liberal students, on purpose.

A senator's aide engaging in a snide tit for tat on HuffPo with a college student. Really now. I'm convinced the whole thing is a put up job to generate "red meat" for the knuckle dragging "base". Some "maverick".

some liberal.

have freedom of speech. Bravo Jean Rohe!!

The sad part is that I considered McCain someone the Dem's could work with until he started all of this by pandering to the base. John Stewart had it right about him going to "crazy base land", and the response from his spokes person was just shameful. You would thank he would know what that felt like after the thrashing his own party gave him in South Carolina. I would really like to be bi-partisan but there is not a single repub that I have any amount of respect for. Hopefully people like Jean Rohe will continue to speak there minds, and not be bullied into submission by a creeping fascist administration.

Good for Jean Rohe and America.:yourock:

That is exactly what McCain did with his snarky remark. Then he sent out his spokesman to really shove the foot in the mouth.

When will they ever learn. Had McCain simply stayed positive instead of attacking a very recent college grad there would have been no story.

But this little episode should be troubling to those planning on supporting McCain in 2008. Do America really want somebody this thin skinned sitting in the oval office.:patriot:

...as the Bush Youth, or for that matter, the Kerry Youth. Where, after all, were the Rohes at Kerry's big pro-war rally at the Democratic Convention? Let us not forget the merry billionaire ran on a promise of fighting the Iraq war better than Bush; let us not forgive him, either.

Good job Rohe and the New School. Your courage might lead the lost Democratic Party away from its eager appeasement of the warmakers.