Sunday, May 27th, 2012

A Fundraising Letter Too Far

By David Weigel
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 4:58 pm

Rep. Pete Hoekstra’s (R-Mich.) ill-advised decision to send out a fundraising letter promoting his criticism of the Obama administration’s handling of last week’s botched terrorist plot is getting the full Democratic National Committee-brushback treatment. Via Ben Smith, here’s the full statement, best read aloud with a single breath:

It was shameful that Republicans like Mr. Hoekstra would attempt to play politics with our national security at all, but raising money off it is beyond the pale. Republicans are playing politics with issues of national security and terrorism, and that they would use this incident as an opportunity to fan partisan flames and raise money for political campaigns tells you all you need to know about how far the Republican party has fallen and how out of step with the American people they have become. The American people simply will not tolerate the likes of Mr. Hoekstra and the Republican Party playing politics with the serious issues of national security and terrorism — especially after the mess they left this country in both domestically and on national security after eight years of failed leadership

This muddies the waters somewhat, and it might haunt Hoekstra, but this doesn’t cure the Democrats’ mysterious malady that leads to them ceding every terror-related news cycle to Hoekstra and Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.).

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Comments

14 Comments

NattyB
Comment posted December 29, 2009 @ 5:11 pm

Are we a country of weaklings? Jeez.

Here's a hint, we can never 100% fully protect ourselves from Terrorists in a Free Society. We can either, (a) not be free; or (b) accept that living in a free society has some costs, such as, the freedom to do bad things.

I myself, am a normal law abiding person. But, if I got real angry and for some reason, wanted to, take my life, and others with me, then I'd be a Terrorist.

It's not like there'd be anything the government could do to stop that.

So, this guy put non-metal explosives in his underwear. F–k him, and he should be tried, and he'd probably go to jail for the rest of his life. Problem solved.

And, it's not like we don't “know” people who are a bit out there. We can all think of that kid from college, if, under the right circumstances, could do some crazy a$$ $hit. The kid I'm thinking of, who could do some crazy stuff one day, was just a bit troubled, to the extent that, he thought he was destined for greatness, and still can't accept that he gets mediocre girls and lives in a crap apt . . . despite being real smart. If that kid was Muslim, he'd possibly adopt the Al Qaeda movement as perhaps as a sense of identity or empowerment. whereas the kid I'm thinking of, was/is Hindu, and would go on-and-on about Hindu Nationalism.

***

When we alter or change our lives because of these douchebags, we let them win, plain and simple. I flew out of Detroit the day of the “terrorist incident” and didn't fear anything.

Furthermore, and this sounds crazy, but, it's almost as if the GOP welcomes these “incidents,” so they can get own their soap box and fundraise and declare that we need more wars and to get tough[er].

Keep up the good work Dave W. in exposing these charlatans.

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chrisjay
Comment posted December 29, 2009 @ 5:38 pm

You're not the only one who's noticed how much the repubs enjoy these incidents. They use 'em to scare the crap out of old people and easily frightened rightwingers

monkey99
Comment posted December 29, 2009 @ 5:42 pm

Yes, and they got the tactic, most likely, from Sarah Palin. They've had a year to “perfect” it, since her “death panel” nonsense, so it comes as no great surprise.

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majii
Comment posted December 29, 2009 @ 6:36 pm

The Republican Party and their sycophants control the media, and this provides them an advantage in “getting their message out” to the people. IMHO, few Independent ( besides LIEbermann) or Democratic Party members are invited onto networks because what they have to say usually don't cause ratings increases. In our society nowadays the more outrageous/flamboyant/inflammatory one's comments are means they get teevee time to spew inane comments. It's entertainment.

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NattyB
Comment posted December 29, 2009 @ 10:11 pm

Are we a country of weaklings? Jeez.

I myself, am a normal law abiding person. But, if I got real angry and for some reason, wanted to, take my life, and others with me, then I'd be a Terrorist.

It's not like there'd be anything the government could do to stop that.

So, this guy put non-metal explosives in his underwear. F–k him, and he should be tried, and he'd probably go to jail for the rest of his life. Problem solved.

***

When we alter or change our lives because of these douchebags, we let them win, plain and simple. I flew out of Detroit the day of the “terrorist incident” and didn't fear anything.

Keep up the good work Dave W. in exposing these charlatans.

chrisjay
Comment posted December 29, 2009 @ 10:38 pm

You're not the only one who's noticed how much the repubs enjoy these incidents. They use 'em to scare the crap out of old people and easily frightened rightwingers

monkey99
Comment posted December 29, 2009 @ 10:42 pm

Yes, and they got the tactic, most likely, from Sarah Palin. They've had a year to “perfect” it, since her “death panel” nonsense, so it comes as no great surprise.

majii
Comment posted December 29, 2009 @ 11:36 pm

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Comment posted May 14, 2011 @ 7:46 am

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