Democrats are wimps

I was raised in a blue collar family, in a blue collar neighborhood. All of my buddies' fathers were second generation, as is my dad. All were factory workers, repairmen, etc. Back then Union wasn't a bad word, blue collar workers were democrats, and fighting for worker's rights was seen as a good thing. Your typical ethnic neighborhood, full of typical blue collar workers, who worked hard and had a certain "ethic" about them. Fast forward 30 years.

Now, the meme goes, Democrats are effete, liberal wimps who couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag, especially against the "real" Americans. You know, the sloppy fat beer guzzler who couldn't run 100 yards without the need for oxygen, but looks so "tough" in his fake cammies and carrying his AK47. Redneck is the new blue collar.

This thought first hit me as I was watching Crossfire. It was the fateful day that John Stewart was on, and Tucker Carlson was hot. He stated to John that the reason he (Stewart) defended Kerry was he was Kerry's butt-boy. Anyone remember this? When I heard that my first thought was that Tucker Carlson, in his bow tie and penny loafers, was a *****, which is a word that I don't use anymore, but which is what my buddies and I called "men" who only ran their mouths when they knew they were safe. I was thinking, Tucker wouldn't be saying that to me, or any of my buddies at the local bar, as he would have been missing a few of his teeth. One of my favorite Latin mottos is Nemo me impune lacessit, which, roughly translated is no one provokes me with impunity. I even have a cross stitching of this a friend of mine made me.

I guess I'm having a hard time adjusting to the new reality, and I know many abhor violence, but it wasn't too long ago that there was such a thing as fighting words, and you needed to step to if someone crossed the line. These republican blowhards are a prime example of that. They know that today they can speak with impunity. You don't need to worry about someone knocking fives as those days are long gone. You can spit on a senator, call him the N word, and call another one a derogatory gay slur, and end with the charge of a 3rd senator being a "wet-back", all without repercussion.

I'm not trying to stir controversy with this post, fighting vs. not fighting, as I have been thinking about this for a very long time. But when did this change? When did people stop fighting for worker's rights and instead fight for "I don't have it, so you shouldn't either." When did being a union person with benefits make you the sole cause for the economic problems of corporations? When did speaking lies constantly and changing the story as you see fit become preferred to being a man of your word? And when did mealy mouthed, bow tie wearing "conservatives", tassel shoes, brooks brothers suits and all, become the macho tough guy?

Here's to Tucker Carlson, wherever you are. Maybe you can stop by and have a beer with me real soon.

:hi:

I'm happy to recommend this post.

We are wimps.

for some good points in your post.

I m about the same mind. Im a peaceful sort these days, and doing anymore time in lock up does not appeal so much, but some days I would like to treat these sobs like I did the rednecks that started shit at the gaybar i worked at..and when I was through mopping the side walk with them I would lean over and say " You ain't so tough little straight boi, now you can go home and tell ya moma that you had your a$$ kicked around by a f*****. Course now Im a good bit older and the best I could likely manage is to knee cap em with my cane and shoot em with my pepper spray.
Some times you have to just whip their ass and this lot is the same asshats as the KKKreestians, Malicia (sic) movement etc..they are all so brave when they have guns...and so fearful of tourists.
I was taught that if a gun makes you feel brave..don't have one.

Concerning your subject title, it is too often correct.

When the RW sends one of ours to the hospital we send one of their to the hospital, but for a checkup since we are concerned about their health and well being.

Democrats play by what they perceive as being the "rules" while Republicans don't really recognize any. That doesn't make for a fair fight, but then they don't pay fair, which is why Dems too often are wimps.

And the Democrats just moved with the times...

I wonder, though, if some of this "Democrats are wimps" bullshit isn't just wishful thinking on the part of some of the loudest gun-totin' "patriots"?

I know a lot of liberals here in the Midwest and none of them that I can think of is a wimp. They may not go out of their way to mix it up with someone, but they aren't going to take much crap, either.

Personally, I've found that most of the non-psychotic loudmouths have no interest in pursuing a disagreement with someone who will get right back at them with informed and confident arguments AND squares away as if to say, "Do you REALLY want to do more than talk?" They almost always don't.

And, the truly psychotic ones? Their numbers are increasing as "mainstream" Republicans accept ever-more-nutso "soldiers" into their groups. Don't assume that if you limit yourself to words, they will, too. Report any actual threats of displays of weapons to the police---and follow up by showing up in court to testify against the crazies.

....I think it began with television. Television allowed corporations almost total control over public discourse....

....instead of going down to the Union meeting Sunday afternoon to find out what was impacting us economically and what we should do about it, we watched TV news after the TV ball game and hoped for some meaningful TV disinformation....

....instead of associating regularly with our fellow co-workers and their families, we looked to TV to help us view and understand the typical American family; everyone pro-business, everyone a white-shirt, everyone a professional, everyone unlike the majority of us Americans....

....instead of going to rallies and meetings, grabbing that prick politicians' hand, then asking him which side he was on and why, we turned to TV and received 30 second sound-bite lies on how wonderful detrimental legislation and actions would be for us (accompanied by useless irrelevant distractions)....

....without a countervailing labor media, we assumed a defacto corporate identity, complete with their corporate agenda....we still look labor, but we think corporate....

Remember the show that Tucker & Press had on CNN at 10:30 pm during the Bush-Gore election year?. It was a real nice amiable show. After that election, there were too many hard feelings to have anything like that on again.

Pundits were expected to be mean, and Tucker obliged his handlers.

But he was given a show on MSNBC and brought us Willie Feist (sp) and had the guts to have Rachel Maddow on as a guest, who at that time was only on Air America Radio. I am grateful to Tucker if for that alone.

Carville, on the other hand, on Crossfire, severely criticized Howard Dean and for that, he is unforgivable in my book. Hate them DLC'ers.

I'll join you and Tucker, but I'll have a glass of wine instead of beer, okay?

:hi: