That's pretty disgusting. This is what irritates me about both sides (yes, liberals play the game, too). The extreme views of both parties usually offer only name-calling, and insidious hyperbole as way to get their messages across. That's why I usually stick with more moderate groups and candidates.

Carla, Off topic, but you won our bet. What charity do you want me to send the $50 to? Dave

Jason, Your equivalency is false. I defy you to find a single Democratic party county group who ever used graphic acts of violence to make their point, whereas as recent months have shown, violent and racists images are not all that uncommon among Republican groups.

Carla, It's on its way. We'll have some more betting opportunities come November. Dave

Mitch Greenlick is a State Representative, not a State Senator

big pink supersoakers

filled with.............

Carla's comments remind me of something you might expect from a rabid dog. She refuses to acknowledge the theatrical nature of what she reports upon. Carla - Time to put your blinding hatred of all things Right aside and rise above your partisan methods. You want progress? then take the high road for a change.

“What the American people hope – what they deserve – is for all of us, Democrats and Republicans, to work through our differences; to overcome the numbing weight of our politics,” the president said.

@Dan Petegorsky: Exactly. People these days equate blue with Democrats, and red with Republicans. You can blame the media for that one...by doing that, they've basically taken the whole "red" out of "Reds". Then again, you have to realize that the majority of the people who turn out to WaCoGOP events are probably old enough to still have plenty of Cold War propaganda still fairly fresh in their memories. The only reason I even can equate "red" with Socialism is because I was a precocious rascal and was registered with the Democratic Socialist Party of Oregon back in college in the 90's. Most people younger than 40, though would say "huh, wonder why that Republican is mugging that poor Democrat". In fact, I'd strongly support WaCoDems using that logo with a little caption change.

BigBog,

I never said democrats have done the exact same thing. But if you're going to insist that democrats (in general) never take cheap-shorts, or are guilt-free of bashing, and insensitivity, then you're completely delusional.

I agree that the graphics on the GOP page are way out-of-line. Sheesh, don't get your panties in such a wod.

I reported this image to FB as inciting and encouraging violence. It is totally unacceptable, let alone inaccurate. Democrats are NOT Socialists. Get an education! I am a Socialist! The Democratic Party today is center to center-right in their politics (not to say every single member, but in general).

It is unfortunate that our country continues to move further and further to the right when liberals do not act liberal. Liberals are all heart and no balls. Conservatives are all balls and no heart.

It upsets me when people get so polarized with this Democrat and Republican nonsense. We need to realize that what's more important are the policies that are implemented, not the name or color of the party. And to be honest, at this point in time, with this economic crisis that we're dealing with I'm having difficulty agreeing with either side. President Obama has policies of excessive deficit spending that could eventually lead our nation to destruction, however the Republicans don't seem to offer solid solutions to fix the situation either. Let's put aside this party nonsense and focus on solving issues!

At first glance, I saw it as a Rep shooting a Dem lobbyist.

As Vice Chair of The Washco Dems, I would encourage all good Democrats in the area who are free tonight to go to the event, arrive early, sit up front, listen to the Legislators and ask intelligent questions. Don't be antagonistic to the GOP "guests" but set the standard for decorum and civility. They hate that.

Silly and over the top as the above graphic is, it's no less classy than throwing around derogatory terms like "teabagger". Decorum & civility seem to be in short supply at both camps.

I hate to break this to you Brian but the teabaggers called themselves that early on, and only stopped when somebody told them what teabagging actually is.

Hey, "hopey changey" - you don't see anything wrong with comparing someone to a rabid dog and then exhorting them to take the high road? Rightwing "logic" in action, folks.

Hate to break it to you Anthony, but you're full of shit. The tea party crowd did not label themselves as "teabaggers". Of course you already knew that and understood the name calling aspect. Among the hypocritical purists, most understand that tasteless reference. If you want to play that game, referring to Dennis Kucinich as "The Cleveland Steamer" should not be objectionable to you, right?

Hey Half A Doz...Short,

Got your attention did I? Good.

Carla, I was at the meeting tonight. (I spoke out against the woman who was trying to prevent you from taking photos.) As a member of a group who advocates against gun violence, I wrote a letter to the local press calling WaCoGOP's use of violent metaphors unacceptable and asking them to meet with gun-safety and violence-prevention advocates. Thanks for coming to the meeting and thank you for posting this!

Hate to break it to you, Brian C., but YOU are full of shit, so says a conservative source the National review:

http://nrd.nationalreview.com/article/?q=Mjk1YmRjNzIxNmUwMTI0ZWYxZWU4OWU2MzFiOWJmNDE

The first big day for this movement was Tax Day, April 15. And organizers had a gimmick. They asked people to send a tea bag to the Oval Office. One of the exhortations was “Tea Bag the Fools in D.C.” A protester was spotted with a sign saying, “Tea Bag the Liberal Dems Before They Tea Bag You.” So, conservatives started it: started with this terminology. But others ran with it and ran with it.

So, though the right coined the term, they meant it to be insulting. I don't recall them self identifying as "teabaggers", as opposed to TEA protester, or TEA activist. If they find "teabagger" demeaning, then I have no problem regarding it so. Fine. I'll only use it to demean.

I really don't get though, how each side can't see they're acting against their principles, just to be pissy. Moderate liberals are the most surprising. I'm talking the "who feels it knows it party" (with apologies to RNM- bday on Tuesday,btw). The original preachers that "words hit as hard as a fist", saying, basically, that you are stupid to be offended. Personally, I would tend to agree. But then I am often despised by them because I don't have the correct reaction to the plight of whichever group they've decided to "help" this week. Every time that happens, we're told to lay facts aside and concentrate on the one important fact, that those people really, really, feel poorly about whatever. This is hypocrisy of the first magnitude.

On the other side, conservatives are the "suck it up", "sticks and stones" crowd, and they're carrying on like ninnies. It has very much the ring of, "we really hate your constant molly coddlying idiots that should have known better, but while we're at it, we'd like a serving, thank you"

Hopey, I'm hoping someone Changies your diapers soon.

And yeah, steaming piles of poo generally do get my attention. I like to avoid stepping in them.

Ya flaming hypocrite.

"Hopey" is bored. Here, play with this. Learn to use Photoshop (or better Gimp).

And people have to wonder why I am a Democratic Socialist? The Democrats and Republicans seem blind to the fact that they're both conservative parties and have almost no difference between each other. I'm sure this frustrates our nation's only Socialist senator (Bernie Sanders, VT) to no end...

Washington County has seen enormous change in the past couple of decades. Once exurban and rural, it has seen an influx of tech professionals, high-density housing and industrial development. The stay-off-my-property-don't-tread-on-me set, once dominant, has been reduced to a minority. They are apparently pissed off, and believe that this graphic will appeal to like-minded people (which may be true). Let 'em have their fun. They do not wish to contribute to society, and that is their right. In another generation, they will be gone.

Posted by: Zarathustra | Jan 28, 2010 10:55:30 PM

"Hopey" is bored. Here, play with this. Learn to use Photoshop (or better Gimp).

If you're going to edit out the image tag, then kill the whole post and/or leave a placeholder. It is pretty fucking aggravating what you have time to edit, while allowing link spam for anything people care to sell. Don't edit for content/censorship? That's the ONLY reason you edit.

Dared question the sacred "hope" image...

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Jason, while I agree with your sentiment, I suspect you miscalculated your word choice. I believe you meant to say, "InVidious"?

Meanings on comparison, here:

Invidious: 1. calculated to create ill will or resentment or give offense; hateful: invidious remarks.
2. offensively or unfairly discriminating; injurious: invidious comparisons.
3. causing or tending to cause animosity, resentment, or envy: an invidious honor.

Insidious: 1. calculated to create ill will or resentment or give offense; hateful: invidious remarks.
2. offensively or unfairly discriminating; injurious: invidious comparisons.
3. causing or tending to cause animosity, resentment, or envy: an invidious honor.

DAMMIT. Bolluxed my copy and paste:

HERE - inSidious -

1. intended to entrap or beguile: an insidious plan.
2. stealthily treacherous or deceitful: an insidious enemy.
3. operating or proceeding in an inconspicuous or seemingly harmless way but actually with grave effect: an insidious disease.

Zak: perchance, are you speaking of Israel and Palestine? I rather lost the thread of connection there, thanks for helping me out.

Obviously, the graphic refers to the transfer of wealth through taxation and government spending from economically vibrant blue states and regions to economically stagnant red states and regions.

Leftists and Moderates seeking to compromise with the contemporary Right are deluded--the Right's extremism and self-righteous paranoia cannot be mollified. Make them meet US at least halfway to our agenda not 9/10s of the way to theirs, and stand up to their threats like you would to any other schoolyard bully every single time.

imho, the biggest problem is that the bullying inspires more and that, in turn, is leading to the paranoia being justified. I am dismayed at the number of progressives I know that have been going to TEA rallies to gather names, contact data, license numbers, photos, video, etc., and are creating a gigabyte range dB linking participants to their business and such. It makes one wonder what they intend to do with all that, and what comes to mind is more than a little boycott. I really get the feeling that the current sentiment- inspired also by tepid Dems calling themselves progressive- is that if the far right want to call them Nazis, they can sure do a bang up job on something akin to Krystalnacht.

That 9/10s bit is sooo true. I was just thinking about that looking at "Alberto's" dittohead posts on Cuba. If you read the blogs those people frequent (the Bay of Pigs undead), they really believe that conservatives in this country have done very little- certainly nowhere near enough- for their cause. Mon dieu. If you look at how conservatives have jerked US policy around to "make a statement" to Castro, for 50 years...and those people REALLY believe they have gotten very little. It's part and parcel of far right positions that there can be zero compromise.

Actually, I don't think they're that immature. I think that attitude betrays that they want far more. They think 50% is good too. Thing is, they're only telling us 5% of what they would like, so, on the way to 50%, that 5% is 100% non-negotiable.

Why do I bother? Blueoregon=Bitbucket. >/dev/null, to Unix types.

I defy you to find a single Democratic party county group who ever used graphic acts of violence to make their point, whereas as recent months have shown, violent and racists images are not all that uncommon among Republican groups.

There's a photograph of Joe Lieberman with a bullseye target superimposed over his face making the rounds on a FB group. I won't embarrass the Blue Oregon blogger here who started the group.

I don't doubt there are extremist and violent images and messages on the left against the right. I have personally seen none. If I did, I would immediately condemn it.

I would suggest is that these examples are rare, and obscure. And when they do come to light, there is a much faster and more widespread denunciation of such tactics by those on the left.

On the other hand, clearly violent imagery and messages against the left, the President, etc. from folks including the tea party people are rarely called out and are often embraced, defended and repeated by party officials and actual congresspeople.

Hey Half a Doz Short and Z-Windbag,

Yes I am bored with the hatred that I read here day in and day out. It is tiresome extreme leftist retread. What a way to make a living. What a message to teach your children. No wonder they are still living in the basement in your home.

"Socialism" means Republicans robbing Democrats at gunpoint? Ooo-kay...

Carla,

Thank you for illustrating my point earlier. I am sure your children are proud of you. Since you did not seem to catch on the first time I will repeat myself:

Time to put your blinding hatred of all things Right aside and rise above your partisan methods. You want progress? then take the high road for a change.

“What the American people hope – what they deserve – is for all of us, Democrats and Republicans, to work through our differences; to overcome the numbing weight of our politics,” the president said.

Carla,

Here enters the lession:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/01/29/obama.gop/index.html?hpt=T2

Hopey: thank you for stepping up to the challenge. COuld you do us a favor? Chris Lowe has been missing for a while, and his always - courteous tone and clearly open/curious mind are balm on blustery days up here.

Your point about taking the high road is a good one. And I think it would be really nice if you would insistently do so. Really. Nothing shames a reactive poster more quickly into humbleness than a tempered response that refuses to be angry or vinegary. Can't say I show much talent in this wise myself, but you perhaps can bring some of this to the blog?

It is an exercise our national leaders clearly believe to be below them,don't you think? So maybe it's totally up to us down here.

"Bridge". That separates the progressives from the party animals. I hear that difference as data driven versus party driven. Data, well collected and analyzed, leads to communality. My favorite example was the Soviet "space shuttle". It looks almost identical to the US'. The CIA started looking for a mole, but, the fact of the matter is that wind tunnels give consistent results. Given the requirements of the mission and the objective data, you tend to get a very similar result. Soviet and capitalist ideology melt away and we are left with a working space plane. Our challenges aren't rocket science. The social intrigue makes it nearly so. Unfortunately it seems to simply come down to personality variables, which way you see it, and the data seeking personality is maybe 5% of the population. Of course, in our major wars, they've been about 50% of the generals with important commands. Maybe this conversation is happening because we are at that desperate point where the country sucks it up and puts up with those damned data driven types. It cuts at the heart of "party". If someone is data driven, you can't count on their loyalty. But that is our point. Great. You shouldn't count on it. Earn it.

If you want prime examples of the data seeking personality and their social skills and Americans' reaction to it, look no further than MacArthur and Eisenhower. "Old data seekers never die, they just give up, eventually...".

What is that? A voice of reason in the wilderness (rw)? Not going to shoot me with a super soaker? Not going to take photos of me attending a public discussion for militant purposes? Which 'us' are you referring to? The 'us' that includes all citizens of our great nation or the ‘us’ that divides them? I pleased to make your aquaintance either way.

I draw your attention to the recent post by 'Bridge' (my alter ego):

"Both sides can take some blame for a sour climate on Capitol Hill," Obama said, adding that Democrats and Republicans need to be careful in choosing their rhetoric. "A ton of civility instead of slash and burn would be helpful."

Posted by: hopey changey | Jan 29, 2010 11:57:31 AM

Hey Half a Doz Short and Z-Windbag,

I'm German, so calling me a windbag is racist.

It's 1978. The Soviet tanks start rolling across West Germany, and three NATO officers are captured behind the lines, spying and are to be summarily executed; an American, a West German, and a Brit. Each are given a last request. The American said, "I would like a 5 pound steak". OK. The West German officer said, "I would like to be allowed to give one final speech to my men". Odd, but OK. Finally the Brit officer requested, "Do you think you could arrange to have me shot, before that bloke gives his last speech"?

Carla, A nit perhaps. and the Repubs are completely hapless Are you sure you meant what you wrote? hapless - unlucky; luckless; unfortunate I would have used feckless - ineffective; incompetent; futile instead. But then again I don't do this for a living...

Well, Hopey: I'm watching you and Carla "fart in each other's general direction" ala Monty Python... let's try a new tack!

O dear... please please turn off itals. :)...

takes two, for some reason...

Dopey-Strangey writes: Thank you for illustrating my point earlier. I am sure your children are proud of you. Since you did not seem to catch on the first time I will repeat myself:

Time to put your blinding hatred of all things Right aside and rise above your partisan methods. You want progress? then take the high road for a change.

Hey, Dopey, just trying to be helpful here, but you left out the part where you compared Carla to a rabid dog. Like this:

Carla's comments remind me of something you might expect from a rabid dog.

Nice attempt, revisionist. :p

I stand by my statements as accurate characterizations based on the facts that can be observed on BO day in and day out. I wonder if we as a Country will ever truly be united again or simply the sum of 2 parties as Ms Axtman sadly illustrates. I leave the puzzle that is Six Short of a Dozen's Comments as an student excercise for extra credit. I submit this idea: When your personal views are so polarized that you can not longer participate in civil discourse perhaps it is time to examine your motivations.

Carla,

If getting torqued up about civility on BO results in "a ton of community civility" as the President calls for them yes I think that investing some effort is worthwhile. What have you done that has been as constructive as this idea in the past 6 months here on BO?

Carla-

I attended the meeting and would really like to get your impressions of it. There were a number of folks there who probably attended as a result of that Facebook post.

The question from the guy who said he was going to lay off five people from his assisted living facility struck me as insincere. Other than that, the meeting was really pretty routine with no one really taking the "red meat" from the GOP post.

Thoughts?

BO--the question was a Democratic Party county group.

Do you know for a fact that anyone in the FB group is a pct. person who attends county party meetings every month?

If not, you are comparing apples and oranges.

Carla - Just please keep the elderberry burps down to a gutsy rumble, eh? Farting in Mopey-Rangy's general direction has been a little entertaining, opportunity for us to play at Word/Name, that is sure.

Well, time to sign off. Nosebleed, quiches and crunches all baked, bird is mad at me again. And Gropey-Mangy isn't here to play anymore.

Nitey Nite

Dopey-Strangey continues to spew venom and hypocrisy, writing: I wonder if we as a Country will ever truly be united again or simply the sum of 2 parties as Ms Axtman sadly illustrates. I leave the puzzle that is Six Short of a Dozen's Comments as an student excercise for extra credit. I submit this idea: When your personal views are so polarized that you can not longer participate in civil discourse perhaps it is time to examine your motivations. (emphasis mine)

Dopey, ol' pal, there really is no puzzle to my comments. You're a hypocrite, someone espousing a set of values which you do not actually live by, and I've been calling you on it consistently.

You come in, you insult Carla by comparing her to a rabid dog, and in the same breath you wag your finger at her, announcing that she needs to "take the high road."

Your insults and name-calling are at odds with high-minded statements such as "take the high road" and what you've said above about participating in civil discourse. Unfortunately, most of us here have no patience for the "do as I say, not as I do" mindset which, while found everywhere, is typical of the rightwing.

You are obviously unable to "participate in civil discourse." Perhaps, before exhorting others to do so, you will take the time to "examine your own motivations." Personally, I'm amazed you can see the mote in others' eyes around that beam in your own.

Posted by: Six_of_One | Jan 30, 2010 9:54:03 AM

Dopey-Strangey

I like "Gropey-mangy" better. My first thought was "Hopeless-stingy".

You come in, you insult Carla by comparing her to a rabid dog, and in the same breath you wag your finger at her, announcing that she needs to "take the high road."

The BO "classy editor" telling yet another GOP body to stay classy is bear bating the trolls. This was a solid story, and could have been presented straight out, without the "classy" lecture. If Hopelessly-stingy had come in trolling after that kind of intro, it would have made the point. Instead you have someone in a glass house chucking boulders and the intelligencia decide that it's the fault of the vandal outside for tossing one back.

Typical.

Actually, if "hopey" would settle down, I think s(he) is probably pretty much spot on. BO encourages the rush of blood to the head when the word "progressive" is stuck on the masthead, and the content is 80% "the Dems have done it right again". It's no different than if I started an independent's blog and called it Democratic because it wasn't Republican. Tepid Dems use of progressive to mean "not a liberal like Rush sez" is infuriating to those to whom it means many affirmative things.

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Lucy

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<h2>6 Short of a Doz: I am not your Pal. If Carla was insulted by my comments (unlikely) then she has chosen the wrong profession. Consider to what Z-Windbag has to say and use the brain God gave you to find middle ground. I did offer extra credit so you may stay after class now as punishment for your lack of vision. What are you motivations sir? - You are a divider unable to see beyond your own hatred of those who do not agree with you agenda. I have no further use for you - thank you for the humorous example. I leave you with another thought (I seem be the only one of us two having some original ones): Words can be used for many purposes: as a contrast foil, as a sharp stick to draw out reactions, as a means to express ideas both heart felt and otherwise. Thanks for playing - tell'em what he's won Ed.</h2>