Thank you everyone for the kind comments. To the couple of snarky commenters: You stink, too.
I am exhausted … didn’t sleep at all last night and eventually got up at 4 a.m. … so remembering what planet I was on was a major accomplishment. Now I hear they’re forcasting mondo snowfall tomorrow so I need to hit the grocery asap for the traditional pre-snowball milk-and-bread run. I’ll blog something later if my brain doesn’t totally shut down first.
Dear Barbara,
I thoroughly enjoyed your comments and wise answers to callers on C-Span this morning! I had encouraged many from Wesley Clark’s WesPAC General Discussion blog to catch you on C-Span, and then you blew me away with your comment that you supported Wesley Clark in ’04. Well, imagine my excitement! He’s the one man with integrity and honest debate about every issue. I trust him! I also voted for him in ’04!
Anyone interested in learning more about him, please go to http://www.securingamerica.com . Sign his petitions! Read his “Real State of the Union Address!” http://www.securingamerica.com/
General Clark has dedicated his life to our country! He’s working very hard to help introduce new Democrats running for office! We should all be grateful to him!
I am so happy I caught you on C-Span. Thank you for all you do! You did a GREAT JOB! I am very pleased to know about “Mahablog!”
Unitary Executive Theory is Not a Theory Anymore!
We all must work together to take back the house in ’06!
I saw you on C-Span this morning – what a great job you did! Great enough that I visited my first ever bog site (yours). This is fun stuff! I’ll be sticking around – keep it up.
Miss,
I watched a few segments of you on C-Span a little while ago and one of the comments you made was that “you don’t feel that the current administration is keeping America saferâ€, while at the same time just today on C-Span2 Senator Sessions explained why President Bush went ahead and declassified a thwart of an attack on a Californian building by four people that are now in jail because of his “so called†illegal wire taping.
Also, you further went on to say that “you hardly see Liberals on televisionâ€. I have to say that that one of the silliest things that I have ever heard. Now, had you said “talk radio†you would have been right, but in today’s T.V. new it is so slated to the left it make me want to throw up. I watch Fox news only. They have that Judge Apaletano, Colms (who’s so far to the left I won’t watch the show) and a couple others who keep it balanced. And then there’s O’Reilly who’s the most fair and balanced.
I do agree with what you said about “liberals†being understood for who and what they are. The far left are not liberals, they are lunatics. Real Liberals believe in Liberty and justice for all, unfortunately we live in a different time now and certain rights and liberties must be exchanged for securities and yes privileges too. Such is life for us all in the land of the Free
TLC
2006
PS: Great Job On C-Span !
Saw you on C-span…you might be my new favorite blog…clear-thinking, rational, and quietly firm in your beliefs. You and other bloggers are the sanity-saving saviors of people like me who feel our voice is distorted by the right-wing noise machine that stlfles dialogue and forces the “you’re either with us or against us ” mentality. Thank you for all you do.
I agree with the posters above who said not only did you do a great job and you should get your own radio or TV program. I think real soon the technology will improve to the point that instead of text blogging, there will be voice and therefore ‘radio’? Cool eh?
I was lucky enough to get through to speak with you today. I am not a very good speaker and get nervous and forget most of what I want to say but the guy before me gave me an opening of saying he had served in the guard with the shrub. How desperate do these guys have to be to lie for him? They are sad and are on their way out; the clothes are falling off our poor incompetent dear leader.
Thanks again for your great showing this morning and now I have another blog to read, sheeze, I already read about 6 hours a day!
My first visit here. Saw you on c-span this morning so I wanted to thank you for your well understood positions. Your concise non inflammatory answers will serve the truth. Being an x republican but still conservative I can not believe their openness in shunning the working class but then reassure them with religion.
Consider
The “cartoon†issue will give new recruits to the phantom fighters in Iraq.
As U.S. resources are depleted, Iran and Syria will call Bush’s bluff. The hawks will have their war!
When fighting someone bigger and stronger than yourself, the key to victory is to sucker him into your territory, get as close as you can, take away his leverage so he can’t power punch you. Use a small knife and you can gut him like a pig.
Shakespeare said “Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot, that it do singe yourself†The U.S. will become bankrupt, tuck tail and pull out or use WMD.
Also, will Bush use the war to try for a 3rd term?
It looks like clips (if not the whole show) are available from the C-SPAN website (click on the link for “Washington Journal” in the left sidebar) for those of you who missed it or have a burning need to watch it again. It was certainly better TV than the Today Show.
WOW! caught you on C-span this AM, and am extremely proud of and heartened by, your representation of serious feminist values, intellect, and good humor. It’s going to take me a while to explore your fantastic blog, so I’ve put an icon on my desktop to reach you often. If you ever have the time, please visit my blog for a poetic version of polemic expression…I call it the Sovereignty Rag, and you can reach it at
http://the broadsside.blogspot.com
Thank you for the light you shine into these dark times.
Blessed Be, Sage,
alternate email…[email protected]
Barbara…
In my opinion…I think the “division” we see is really not there.
It is there to dupe the American people into thinking that issues are being debated in an open, free arena and something is being done where in reality, the powers that be (ptb) already have an agenda that is set in stone, all the politicians know it, and the “debates” we see are those politicians trying to get their piece of that stone pie or fight against it for their constituents, image, power etc. The American public is pacified easily by the “fact” that there is a division or that issues are being talked about. For example, the wiretapping issue is a good example. I think most politicians know that the NSA has been acting above the law all along, but there was a supposed “leak” so that the masses will be pacified once again by the talk or arguments that would ensue–this is so that, I believe, when the NSA starts doing more intrusive and blatant actions, nothing will really be done because as far as the public is concerned, they have been pacified with the “been there, done that/acceptance” pacifier and thusly, the politicians will stay status-quo as well. I guess what it comes down to is the truth is out there, and it sucks, and every now and then the ptb throws a piece of it to the masses to cause “division” to get the public to go through the basic human responses of shock, denial, anger, grief and finally acceptance of it…so that when the PTB does more of what they shouldnt, the issue will not be revisited. The point: Any division we see is a result of power grabbing or a deliberate maniplualtion of the masses. Heck, Bush and Clinton play golf together, what do you think?
Been visiting your blog for the past couple of months and watched the great presentation you made today on C-Span. I usually won’t watch on Friday, but had to hear you speak up for our side, on what I consider to be, a very right-wing attitude Brian Lamb has. Keep up the good work!
Adding to the kudos and the “gee, I’d never heard of you before your C-Span appearance” — I thought you were just great. Measured, patient with those who parrot the right-wing talking points and well informed.
Note to Frannie (comment 54) – internet radio is already here. It’s called podcasting and all the kids are doing it! Here’s hoping Mahablog is ready to be one of the kids.
Thanks Barbara for a job well done on C-SPAN. One of the most important things you said this morning was that we liberals are not afraid of terrorism to the point that we are willing to give up our liberties in order to feel safe.
You also said that the Bush administration had plenty of warnings about 9/11 and they made no effort whatsoever to stop it. If you think about it for awhile, what reason could they possibly have for their inaction in the face of plenty of actionable intelligence? The conclusion is breathtaking in it’s simplicity and it certainly is not because they were inept.
You did a great job — and on no sleep, yet. I don’t even think I could handle a normal interview/call-in show on a good night’s sleep, and you handled (a) hostile callers who (b) really wanted to answer the previous question while (c) being interviewed by the wildly overrated Brian Lamb, who seems incapable of asking two questions in a row that have anything to do with each other (it makes me crazy every time I watch him). Yet you handled it with aplomb — good on you…
“Time to “Throw the Republican Bums OUT†come November,,,stay focused,,,,,,stand strong and lets take back our Country from the Treasonous Thugs in Power now.”
And replace them with what? A bunch of terrorist appeasing limosine liberals? The next terrorist strike will be twofold compared to 9/11 and let’s see who the left will blame. It’s BoOsH’s fault!
I have news for ya, If they hit Manhattan again, don’t expect everyone to come running to your aid. The majority of Americans are sick to death of the loony lefts traitorous and backstabbing BS. And this comes from someone who witnessed people jumping and hitting the ground from the North tower on 9/11. I was there so spare me your.. “I was a mile away from the scene” schpeel.
God help us all if we have to count on losers like you.
Note back to David (61)
I didn’t know pod-casting was interactive, am I wrong?
I want back and forth voice dialogue on the net.
I just now saw you on the C-Span!
I said to myself, wow….she thinks just like me!
But what really floored me, besides the fact that you were outstanding in your general discussion and your answers to callers, was the fact that you mentioned your support for Gen. Wesley Clark!
The Patriotic General Rocks bigtime! He is Leadership personifide and is currently tirelessly stumping for many of the 60 patriotic Democratic Veterans running for house seats in Republican Districts throughout the Nation against the chickenhawks. Wes is advocating we take the fight to the Republicans on National Security as opposed to avoiding the issue. After all, Woodrow Wilson, FDR & Truman, and Kennedy (WWI, WWII and the Cuba Missile Crisis/Cold War) were all Democrats, and they kept us safe and strong in years gone by.
9/11 happened with Bush in office, and not before. The buck should stop there! When he tries to blame everyone else, it only shows how weak and unaccountable he truly is.
Evidently many Soldiers and Veterans understand better than some of the rest of us about how they were sent to fight a war that they didn’t have to fight without the right body armor and the right plan by an administration that exaggerated, cajoled, bamboozled, bullied and frightened the American people into invading the country posing the least threat to our security (if any threat at all).
There were no WMDs, but yet, we have wasted numerous human lives and billions in monetary treasure because of the incompetence and desingeniouness of this manipulative corrupt administration.
Osama Bin Laden is cutting more tapes than Outcast which this administration pathetically pulls out whenever they wish to frivolously scare unsuspecting Americans to raise their sagging poll numbers.
But I have no doubt that we will win the house back in 2006, no matter what the naysayers say. Even the normally disinterested folks can’t help but notice the bad leadership currently leading us over the edge, as absolute power continues to corrupt absolutely!
As far as the Corporate media (90% owned by 5 corporations) is concerned; their motto? “Never mind the Truth; trust us on this”!
I can’t wait for the day that America becomes a better America again!
A newfound fan of yours,
Welcome to the peculiar world of Chris Simcox, vigilante leader, right-wing dilettante and, according to one new report, a man rapidly skidding towards extremist delusion. In “Minuteman Leader Has Troubled Past,” the Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center portrays a confused and dangerous demagogue whose rapacity for conspiracy theories exploded as the Twin Towers imploded.
In Southern Arizona, he’s known as co-founder of the Minuteman Project and former owner of the Tombstone Tumbleweed newspaper. But according to the report, Simcox arrived here with a little baggage from his tumultuous Los Angeles past–one rich with wild-eyed rants, violent outbursts and an alleged molestation attempt.
The SPLC was founded in 1971 to fight hate crime and racism. In Simcox, it apparently found shades of both. The center began investigating the vigilante chieftain “because he was making very bigoted statements about Hispanics, and he sounded a bit crazy,” says Mark Potok, SPLC Intelligence Project director. “Simcox in many ways represents a lot of people in the vigilante movement.”
Contacted by the Tucson Weekly, Simcox in turn accuses the SPLC of “conducting a witch hunt.”
“I consider the Southern Poverty Law Center a hate group,” he says. “Their goal is to slander and stereotype people.”
But what SPLC reporters Susy Buchanan and David Holthouse found was a former primary school teacher who left frightened ex-spouses, bizarre behavior and plenty of firepower in his wake. If Simcox was paranoid before Sept. 11, they write, he was raving in its aftermath. “His phone messages and conversations with relatives were growing increasingly bizarre. He talked endlessly about stockpiling firearms and apocalyptic premonitions. Los Angeles was doomed, he said. Then, on Sept. 30, he fled the city for good. ‘I’m going on a great adventure,’ he told his teenaged son. ‘If I end up going to prison, you can always e-mail me.'”
But old memories die hard. Take Deborah Crews, his first ex-wife, who accused Simcox of pedophilia in 1998. “He tried to molest our daughter when he was intoxicated,” Crews told the SPLC. “When she ran out, he tried to say he was just giving her a leg massage and she got the wrong idea.
“He’s a drastic, chaotic, very dangerous guy,” Crews added. “I’m surprised he hasn’t shot anybody yet. I see him on TV and I have to turn if off, because it makes me sick to see him getting all this attention.”
Today, Simcox calls those molestation claims “a bunch of crap, considering that I just spent Christmas with my daughter, and she’s pretty estranged from her mother as well.”
The scene was little better between Simcox and his second wife, Kim Dunbar. She filed for full custody of their son “because she feared that Simcox had suffered a mental breakdown and was dangerous,” says the SPLC story.
In sworn affidavits, Dunbar testified that Simcox would fly into sudden and violent rages during their marriage. “He once took a knife from the kitchen and threatened to kill himself,” she said. “When he was angry, he broke furniture, car windows, he banged his head against the wall repeatedly and punched things.”
When their son was 4 years old, Dunbar said, Simcox slapped him with such force that the marks lasted for two days. And she reported grabbing her boy and jumping out the window another time, because Simcox was heaving furniture at them.
Her husband always emerged morose from his outbursts: “He would stare at walls, mumbling to himself,” she told the court. At one time, she reportedly tried to have him hospitalized, but he rejected all professional help. Finally, she said, “the only thing I could do was file for divorce.”
And after Sept. 11, she started filing emergency appeals. “I am convinced he has had some kind of mental lapse,” she said, “and I am now, more than ever, afraid for my son to be in Chris’ care.” At the same time, says the SPLC report, Simcox would leave ranting phone messages about terrorist attacks, nuclear bombs targeting L.A. and the fact that their then-15-year-old son sorely needed a little good gun training.
Soon Dunbar was awarded full custody.
At that point, Simcox was drifting. He tried joining the U.S. Border Patrol, but was too old. So he struck out for the borderland, eventually rambling into Tombstone and a brief gunfight actor’s gig. Then he reportedly raided his son’s college fund to buy the Tumbleweed, according to the SPLC. And that’s when the Simcox we’ve come to know started to emerge. Soon, he’d formed the Civil Homeland Defense Corps, a ragtag band of weekend warriors bent on turning back Southern Arizona’s migrant hordes.
Today, Simcox dismisses the entire SPLC report as culled “from one ugly divorce, and another with the court considering that me wanting to sign my son up for an NRA-sanctioned gun-safety course was inappropriate.
“Other than the court records,” he says, “90 percent of it is inaccurate and blatant lies. I could really care less–it has nothing to do with anything now.”
But the past may portend the future, says Potok. “This wasn’t an attempt to pillory the guy with unpleasant things his ex-wives had to say about him. I think what is most important in this story is the idea that he is a chaotic individual, a person who is acting for reasons other than the reasons he says.”
Potok calls Simcox an unstable conspiracy theorist who draws extremists to his cause. “I don’t mean to suggest that everyone in the Minutemen and other (vigilante) groups are Klansmen or off their rockers,” Potok says. “But we have seen time and again that the leadership of this movement is shot through with people who are racists, very militaristic and seem somewhat divorced from reality.
“Conspiracy theories run through these groups from top to bottom. Our overall concern is that the mixture of false conspiracy theories, a lot of weapons and a great deal of bigotry is really a tinderbox waiting to explode.”
To view the Southern Poverty Law Center report, go to http://www.splcenter.org.
http://www.tucsonweekly.com/gbase/currents/Content?oid=oid:76815
Barbara,
We need more who can articulate the progressive viewpoint as articulately as you did this morning. Great job…and thanks! I’ve just added your blog to my blogroll.
See, Maha, those of us who have been following your work for years have always told you that you are great,,a star is born indeed!I am so happy for you, I only regret none of your regular readers were able ot get thru,,, some of us stayed up all night last night searching for the perfect question to ask , and didn’t get a chance to ask it.
Those of you who have never been here before, Bookmark this site, I promise you are in for a treat.Whether you always agree or not Maha will make you think.. how inspiring in a world where everyone seems to be more interested in telling you what to think!
Maha , I think I can speak for all of your regular readers when I say thank you so much for all of you hard work over the years, thanks for being the voice of reason and a refuge for thinking people, I am so proud to see others recognize what a great gift you have..Please keep up the great work..Don’t forget about your loyal readers when your a big star…:))
BRAVA BARBARA, BRAVA!!
Great job today on C-span. I was recently turned on to your blog and now read it regularly….What a pleasure to see you on cable as well.
Great overview with Brian Lamb, responses to callers ( even though I didn’t get the whole topic of leadership qualities that so many wanted to discuss) and deft handling of the right both on air and in the blogosphere.
You are a great asset to the left side of the political spectrum!!
“I’m Baaaaaack… To the couple of snarky commenters: You stink too.” – O’Brien
Upgrade the site maybe? Simple copy ‘n paste techniques should not be a prob. ~wink~
Thanks, Jim. Save me a lot of typing.
A big thumbs up….Maha. You were great..
Does anyone out there really believe Bush is President? The man always says what you want to hear, turns around and does the complete opposite.
Cheney is the President! He has put his thieves everywhere. No one dares cross him or they are out….
By the time Cheney is finished we will be a third world country. Rich and poor. Middle class gone.
Bush is a puppet for the Neo-Cons who are running everything They now have the Supreme Court, the World Bank, The U.N., and anything else they want.
Read their plan written in 1997.
We must stop them in November.
Their arrogance and abuse of power is beyond belief.
The religious zealots must stop checking their brains in at the door of the church.
Pay attention America.
Saw you on Lamb’s Lunatic Losers today. Looking at you reminded me that apparently a few nuns did escape South American massacre! Why don’t you join the Taliban crowd, you share their negativity…and you would certainly do us all a favor by hiding your repulsive appearance behind a birka …Better yet why not go to New Orleans, they could use some big “dikes” to reduce the flooding. The purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others. Now, go change the litter box.
Shame on Carson.
You fight like Bush.
More substance and intelligence would help. Even perhaps a knowledge of current events.
The personal insults you leveled, are worthy of a person of your intellectual weakness.
Good Afternoon, Barbara ~
Like so many others today, I too saw you for the first time on C-SPAN. I got a kick out of your comment about hiding under the furniture yesterday in preparation for the big event. Let me tell you, what a terrific job you did! So articulate, eloquent, on-point, armed and ready. Glad you were able to define “liberal,” and talk about how the word’s been demonized. Count on me to be a regular 😉
Hi, saw your comment about not being a good buddhist on PBS today. Pl be reminded relationship with Buddha is of a student-teacher. Buddha sets the example, we do our part by daily practice. Me think you provide public service and is mightly good buddhist.
Hi, Barbara-
I saw you on C-Span today and thought you were FABULOUS!! I wish I could have called in regarding 9/11/01 and what my experience was. I live in Atlantic Beach, FL, near Mayport Naval Base. In July, 2001 I rode my bike on the beach up to Mayport but was stopped by a Federal Police Officer who would not allow me to continue my ride to the jetties.
I started talking to him about the reasons and he eventually stated to me, “We’ve had threats from Osama bin Laden.” This was in JULY 2001!! And I’ve never forgotten it- nor did I forget the officer’s name. The whole military knew something was going to happen- and some of us here think that Bushco knew- and let it happen to gain more control. It’s despicable and shameful. And it’s not that much different from what happened in New Orleans.
Thanks for letting me vet about my experience. Hope to see you again on C-Span.
What caught my ear on CSPAN,
1. Caller said he thought the difference between Conservative and Liberal blogs was that the former are mostly analytical and the latter are mostly emotional, you said just the opposite is true.
>>> I think someone could do a rather quick bit of sociological research; which while not definative might shed some light on the subject. I do not think it is self evident who is correct here and recital of anecdotal evidence doesn’t really qualify as an answer.
2. You said you believe in objective truth.
>>> Thank You, I wish more people said it and meant it when they said it. I assume you not only believe in objective truth but you also seek it.
I wondered what methods, techniques and mesurement tools; you employed in your daily struggle for objectivity and against the pitfalls of subjectivity and bias.
Your book marked and Ill be back often. I would say something witty to some of the hateful comments above, but they wouldn’t get it anyway. Keep up the great blog.
Great job on CSPAN. You handled the callers well, especially the Bushbots! You were very calm and logical when they made ridiculous claims such Bush is honest and strong on defense. It is still beyond me how anyone can say this after Hurricane Katrina.
I love to see and hear REAL liberals in the media. It is quite rare these days. These days we get fake, diluted bullshit like Juan Williams on Fox News!
I’m bookmarking your site. I, too, am a feminist yet I rarely check out the women’s blogs because I haven’t heard too much about them. Usually I go to dailykos, mydd, and Steve Gilliard. So, you and your links are most welcome!!!
Note to Terry(#52) – you seem to be fair but you’re certainly not balanced if you depend only on FOX for your news. I’m glad you don’t watch Hannity & Combs (not because Combs is left but because Hannity is so far right that he seems to be nothing more than a bag man for the Bush administration). At least we know that you do check out C-SPAN!
Note to Ken(#18) – Regarding Democrat fear tactics charging that the GOP would allow “children to starve, or the elderly to die” – are you unaware of the administration’s recent budget proposal that recommends cuts to such programs as food stamps, medical care and heating subsidies (to name a few). That sounds like children starving and the elderly dying to me. But maybe you are one of the few members of the country that will TRULY benefit from Bush’s very generous tax breaks. Me, I’m middle class and any tax credit I was so lucky to get has since been eaten up by MUCH higher property taxes that have resulted from decreased payments to the states which in turn have reduced payments to the cities and towns. Fees just to get my kids to school almost offset my tax savings. I could go on and on. Wake up and smell the facts!!!
Excellent job on C-SPAN this morning. You did the blogosphere proud!
Dear Barbara, it’s a great pleasure to ‘meet’ you today on C-Span, and to find your blog and all that comes with it!
As you know, this Administration’s m.o. is to divide; its their strategy, political and ‘diplomatic,’ and I’m thrilled that you and others here recognize the need for uniting, for leadership, and for General Wesley Clark.
For those who would like to join more conversations, please join us at securingamerica.com; click ‘community’ at the top of the home page. AND the home page contains lots of information about Wes Clark, including articles, speeches, op-eds, and transcripts.
Be seeing y’all!
The buzz about your terrific appearance on CSPAN is blogospheric!
I support Wes Clark for President in 2008 for reasons that must be
obvious to you supported him in 2004. Let’s hope the Democratic base vote with their heads for once in the 2008 primaries. I hope you get onto the CNN and MSNBC next!
Check out George Lakoff’s book, Don’t Think of an Elephant. It’s only $8 at Amazon.com. He is a professor of linguistics at UC Berkeley. He has thought long and hard about the different world views of conservatives and progressives. Conservatives have a “strict parent” approach to life, and progressives have a “nurturing parent” perspective. Those with a “strict parent” world view look to and need authority and their authority figures can do no wrong. The poor are morally suspect, and therefore why should society help them. “Nurturing parent” types, on the otherhand, believe that we are all in this together and must watch out for those less privileged. He has many more examples of the difference in world views, but, hey, just guess who believes in the federal role in supporting highways, public transportation, the Internet? Again, check it out. This little book helps to explain why “strict parent” types are so angry. They think everyone who doesn’t think like them is a thief.
Nice
You mentioned your life was boring. Why do you say that?
Wish I could have watched you, Barbara. I don’t own a TV, much less have cable.
It’s interesting how the people who disagreed with you and bothered to write have to, in nearly all cases, call names and denigrate your appearance. Very childish. I can only respect those who have respect.
Keep up the good work. We all need folks like you.
Thanks to CSPAN, I found you………good job!!!!
Barbara, I thought you were adorable on CSPAN. You struck me as the everyday woman with a really cool intellect and a concern for what’s happening. I liked what you said about your cat. I’m hooked. Thank you.
Ooo, we’re so close to 100. I never got 100 comments on one post before.
I saw you this morning and must say THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I am a 60 year old Black female from the East Tennessee area and if you know anything about this area – you know I am trapped in the civil war era in 2006. I have no representatives and if anyone chose to protect and defend me – they too would be attacked. I am a LIBERAL and PROUD of it, but then as I always say – if there are Black conservatives – they are misled and confused. I was a joy to hear you and I had to tell you. Whenever I am about to give up on the human race and believe that the majority of the majority are conservative bigots – I come across people like you. You stood your ground this AM and to those who think Brian Lamb is fair and balanced – just look and listen – and check out his body language. I must say he does a great job of pretending. What I loved about you this morning is – YOU were precise – accurate – assured and did the best that I have seen on what is often referred to as the “liberal media.” Looking forward to reading more – Have your blog in my favorites. THANKS AGAIN – Now get some rest – and Let’s keep up the FIGHT.
I caught you on C-span today and I just had to check out your blog! I read thru many of your prior posts and I am now even more impressed with you.I added you to my favorites list and I will check in often to get your insight into the events of the day.
I think, as others have said,we need a voice like yours to carry a reality based message to those who are ready to listen, and I believe the number of people ready to listen would increase if all could deliver it in the manner you were able to, something I noticed comes thru in what you write as well.I hope you are able to be seen more often,,the left has a powerful asset in you, and your words, I hope they recognize it!
Maha…..I just watched the tape of your C-Span 45 minutes. You certainly deserve all the great reviews you are getting here about your poise and intellect and ability to communicate succinctly exactly what is most pertinent to so very many people [and to shine so without a good night’s sleep!].
Having posted here a lot of times…..I was understandably curious to see you ‘speak in person.’ Your ability to speak temporaneously does indeed match your ability to write your great blog. I particularly enjoyed the play of expressions on your face as you listened to questioners.
Speaking of questioners, my hat is off to Frannie [#54 above] for her getting through to ask a question at the right time! Frannie was quick and brilliant in her priceless countering of the previous caller, the guy saying he had buddied with Bush in the Texas Air National Guard…..oops, she said, “he missed out on the $10,000 reward offerred [to anyone who could come forward with proof that Bush actually served]!”
Well,Maha..I’ll guarantee you get 100 comments..they may be stupid,but there will be 100.
I loved the comment on C-span from the well adjusted viewer in Georgia who said that the left has been” given over to a reprobate mind”. I noticed you didn’t respond to the statement… and then I thought, how can anybody counter such profound thinking. It was almost like hearing from God.
Frannie [#54 above] Frannie’s call stands out for me because she was so friendly and a nice contrast to the whackjobs. And I appreciate Frannie’s remembering the reward for anyone who could corroborate Bush’s guard service claims! Thanks, Frannie!
Ooo, 3 more, 3 more …
MaHa/Barbara, I saw you on C-SPAN this morning on the rebroadcast. Your capacity to do a TV interview with those particular demands is amazing. Your ability with the wingnuts was positively Budhist. One of the best skills you exhibited is knowing when to stop with a closing comment. You understand the demands of the medium, an interviewers must love your capacity to expand without steamrolling on forever. I was proud to have you as a spokesperson for us all. I join you in being over 25, a feminist, a blogger, a progressive, a centrist, and a Liberal (there I said it!). Yes we can be both. I’ll be a regular. But know that I won’t be one of those “Gushers” on a regular basis.