NFL players hounded for supporting Bush
What better way to start the day than with a BDS outbreak story from my old hometown of Seattle (hat tip – reader Zach):
Are you still fans of Matt Hasselbeck and Mack Strong after they visited President Bush last week in Bellevue? Or have their political leanings turned you against them?
The Seahawks quarterback and fullback gave the 43rd president a No. 43 jersey with his name on it at a $1,000-a-plate fundraiser for Rep. Dave Reichert at the Hyatt.
At the time, Hasselbeck called it a thrill and said it was a win-win, this opportunity to meet the president and get out of a team meeting.
But as soon as he saw the picture of the two players with Bush, Gary Wright, the team’s vice president of administration, said he was concerned about negative reaction.
Maybe in really red Republican states, it would not have been a big deal. But Washington is a blue state, and deep, deep Democratic blue in King County. So objections were raised, and Hasselbeck heard them and read them. He got nasty voice mails, e-mails and text messages.
“I had no idea,” Hasselbeck said.
One guy told him: “I hate you, I’ll never wear your jersey, I’ll never like the Seahawks again.”
“Huh?” Hasselbeck thought. “Seriously?”
“Politics can be very mean and dirty,” he said. “The things politicians say about each other, and what activists say, I had a brief glimpse of that for a couple of days.
“If I ever had any questions about whether I wanted to run for office, I now know the answer — I don’t.”
Welcome to our world.
Some comments about Hasselbeck left at the P-I site:
“How dare Hasselbeck declare Bush an honorary Seahawk,” wrote one. “Who is Matt speaking for? Bush is no Seahawk. He is the worst president of my lifetime, and I’m almost 60. Shame on you, Matt.”
“To learn that two of the most popular Seahawks are strong (Bush) supporters ruins the season for me and my family,” wrote another.
And Timothy P. wrote: “Just goes to show you that being a great athlete doesn’t make you smart.”
He’ll know he’s arrived when Geraldo threatens to spit on him…
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Categories: Bush Derangement Syndrome
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My answer is yes yes yes! For every one fan who wont stay by their team in Seattle 100 more are waiting. It’s a free Country Tip for upset boo ho Seahawk fans…”Get a Life” signed, Life Long Seahawk Fan. Go Hawks! Matt and Mack!
Heard about this yeserday on Rush … when I heard it I stared at the radio and was caught between a big “you gotta be kidding” and “what a bunch of BDS idiots there are living in Seattle”
Being an avid sports fan I root big time for my favorite teams … but come on … give me a break … rooting for my favorite teams has nothing to do with politics on either side of the aisle …
odds are the 2 players did not even have to pay the $1000-a-plate but were instead invited to attend the function … for Bush it was a photo-op and for the Seahawks free news coverage on all the TV stations with the new season just getting underway …
And then the claim that Gary Wright, the team’s vice president of administration, was concerned when he saw the picture? … BS … Pro sports players do not just up and decide they are going to skip a team meeting and go to something like this … their actions and off-field appearances during the season are controlled by the front office … so acting surprised is just a crock of it … the front office had to approve the whole event … and probably the team provided the jersey … which would have had to be arranged for in advance to have the name put on it … DUH????? …
Just noticed … “Matt and Mack” … another MM we can add to the list … lol
‘Tis one of the reasons why I’m starting Hasselbeck every week I can in the league I have him in.
Of course, the fact that he’s the best QB on that roster is the main one.
The man who said Bush is the worst president of his lifetime then said he is almost 60, must have been referring to his own IQ. We wonder why the jihads think the way they do and why their children follow. Now we see examples in our own culture of what 40 years (not centuries like the muslims)of liberal media and govt NEA dominated schools have done to a vast segment of the population.
Geez it’s not like they were killing a bunch of pit-bulls or something. and I’m betting if these upset wierdos had an opportunity to go to the White House they would in a heartbeat no matter who was President. DL, you are exactly 100% correct the front office handles all this.
oh puke Geraldo is on fox now , wheres my clicker!???
I was already a Hasselbeck fan, now just a little more so.
Maybe in really red Republican states, it would not have been a big deal. But Washington is a blue state, and deep, deep Democratic blue in King County. So objections were raised, and Hasselbeck heard them and read them. He got nasty voice mails, e-mails and text messages.
It surprises me, but it doesn’t, speaking of the liberal reaction.
It’s a sad state of affairs when anyone who associates him/herself with Bush becomes public enemy #1. It shows how extreme the democrats have become.
Not just the liberals. It’s the liberals who are controlling the democrat party.
I think it’s pretty cool. No one should be surprised, though. Matt Hasselbeck’s brother is married to Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Sounds like a pretty intelligent family.
I just need Matt to throw a few touchdowns this weekend to help my fantasy team out
So – Americans have a hissy fit when another American gets a chance to visit with the President of the United States – but they have no problem when the Speaker of the House visits the leader of a terrorist-sponsored country, or when that same leader is visited by a Democratic Presidential Candidate who proceeds to berate our own Country’s leader while there?
These left-wing idiots are completely insane.
It’s a free country – these two are entitled to do what they did.
If Seattle won the Super Bowl, would these fans want their team invited to the White House?
It makes want to go out and wear a Seahawks jersey!
No surprises here.
If the Seahawks win the Superbowl and accept an invitation to visit Mr. Bush in the Whitehouse, I believe the good people of Seattle would vote to build them a new stadium in Portland.
The left coast of the US has trouble seeing right from wrong everyday on almost every issue.
I am a fan of Matt Hasselback ever since his wife Elizabeth forced Rosie to leave the View.
Wait a second here…
Are these the same people that were jumping up and down about the Dixie Chicks and how great their comments were about President Bush?
The same ones who said it was their “riht” to say what they want, WITHOUT any vindications?
And the TRUTH shall set you free!
Oh this is funny!!
I love sports. Namely the Red Sox. It bothered me to no end when Curt Schilling was campaigning for Bush after our 2004 World Seried victory. It made me less of a Curt Schilling fan. I would never buy a Schilling jersey because of this. I still root for him when he takes the hill every fifth day.
I’m a diehard fan, so I can seperate politics from athletics. But why should a casual fan root for someone who supports something they vehemently disagree with? If politics is that much more important to you, I can understand the reaction. If I were a Hawks fan, I’d be annoyed if Bush were made an honorary member of my team.
This isn’t BDS. As a sports fan, I find it a little silly. Surely we can appreciate that these liberals are fairweather fans if they’re willing to give up on their team so easily. But it’s not an unreasonable decision if it doesn’t matter that much to you.
Just a Grunt,
You have the wrong Hasslebeck. Matt Hasslebeck is Elizabeth’s brother-in-law. Elizabeth is married to Tim.
Um, go Boston College!
She is his brothers wife.
I am not surprised in the least by the reaction in Seattle about Hasselback and Strong. BDS is terrible disease.
What I AM surprised about, and I really would like Michelle to address, is why there has been NO mention on Fox about Geraldo’s remarks. Unless I’ve missed something (just saw Geraldo on Fox & Friends) NOBODY has asked him about it, and that kind of honks me off, how about you??
According to liberals, “freedom” cannot apply to conservatives, Christians, or any other group that doesn’t meet their criteria for “diversity.”
I can’t believe there are some people who still think liberals are the tolerant ones…look at how they treat anyone who disagrees with or dares to challenge their views and ideologies.
They are intolerant, they are spiteful, and they are petty.
If the Seahawks won the Super Bowl the fans would complain either way … they would be upset they associated with Bush … and if the team didn’t get an invitation they would gripe about that as well … you can’t please these fools no matter what … they are every bit as intolerant as the Jihadists … they may not behead you for failing to conform to their views and beliefs … but they will crucify you and try to destroy your family and your life for disagreeing with them …
Wow, if they dislike these two they must really hate Shaun Alexander..you know…being a Christian and all.
Rusty, you’re contradicting yourself.
You say that you can separate politics from athletics, but go on to say that you’d never buy a Schilling Jersey and made you less a fan of his. You’d also be annoyed if Bush was made an honorary member of your Hawk’s team.
What difference does it make who your favorite player supports politically? He has his right to do so – and if he continues to play well on the field, who cares?
As for ‘honorary’ membership – they give those to them because they are the President, not necessarily because of their party affiliation.
Just wondering – you have a Michael Vick jersey?
Who knew Rosie had so many sockpuppets?
Yep – once again those lovers of diversity show their true colors.
When I seperate politics from sports, I mean I will support my team no matter what. I don’t have to like the players’ beliefs. And why would I buy a jersey of a guy I didn’t like when he has 24 teammates who I support just as much?
That is a weird question. It makes no sense. Why would I own a Vick jersey if I’m a Patriots fan?
Crazy.
But speaking of the NFL, Keith Olberman was on the halftime show for last night’s game. WORST halftime show ever. He named himself ‘worst person in the NFL’ which, if your going to do a stupid segment highlighting the worst person in the NFL, then make it count…bu in an attempt at self deprecating humor that went THUD on the ground, he named himself ‘worst person in the NFL’. It was so unbelievably LAME. I was like, what was that?
So I have to ask my fellow Malkinites, who is the most obnoxious stooge in the world today?
Keith Olberman, Geraldo Rivera, or Scott Blum, the Mark Cuban wannabe loser from Buy.com commercials?
BTW, if you’re pro-life and the star player on your favorite team came out as a huge Planned Parenthood volunteer and organized fundraisers for them, I doubt you’d be buying their jerseys either.
Wrong Rusty. I don’t care. I’m pro-life, and I don’t care what a player’s beliefs are as long as they are not criminal or detrimental to the rest of the citizens.
I have pro-choice friends. We disagree – so what? Does that mean that I can’t be their friend?
Zip-up, Rusty, your liberal tolerance is showing.
As for the Michael Vick comment – sorry, I erred. I’m only on coffee cup #1 this morning and my brain put “Hawks” together with “Falcons”….
My bad. Need to drink faster.
Rusty,
You’re making me embarrassed to be a Sox and Pats fan.
Then again Patriots is too political for a sports team up in this area. Maybe the New England Progressives?
DesertLover said:
IfWhen the Seahawks won the Super Bowl the fans would complain either way.fixed it for ya my desert brother… lol
To my relief I didnt have to endure Olbermoron. Yay! I was under the impression he was going to be in the booth. whew. Didnt even have to see his disgusting face or hear his putrid voice for one second. Thank God.
The thing for Rusty and others with the same view to remember is that while Matt and other conservatives like Schilling may campaign for and/or support Bush, they are not out there berating anyone who holds the opposite view.
They are not putting down others or making negative statements about anyone else.
Then you have Olbermann who makes a living of presenting misleading news stories and berating conservatives on a daily basis, but this guy should get a gig on a national football broadcast?
Ridiculous.
( And, before you bring it up – I didn’t think Rush Limbaugh belonged in the football booth either. )
Wait! Hold up! Steve Largent, the most storied Seahawk in franchise history is conservative & a republican. I beg the question, do you bleed blue or do you bleed Seahawk blue?
This is definitely BDS. If sports didn’t matter that much to these people, they wouldn’t care either way. Their hatred runs so deep that they’re willing to give up on the Seahawks. A reasonable person would admit that not everyone is going to agree with them politically and just shrug it off.
Nice catch, ackrite55!
I’m sure those fans have long-since disowned him.
Funny how liberals want us to keep our mouths shut when it comes to having Imams spout hatred in the Mosques in our country, but when a football player exercises his Constitutional right to support a President with an opposing viewpoint to theirs, they go bat-$#!& and throw them under the bus.
I love sports. Namely the Red Sox. It bothered me to no end when Curt Schilling was campaigning for Bush after our 2004 World Series victory. It made me less of a Curt Schilling fan.
Yah well, John Henry the owner and Theo Epstein the general manager are flaming liberals. And I STILL LOVE the Red Sox.
And I’m a HUGE fan of Curt Schilling.
jrlingreenbay: I’ll have to look past the Green Bay part of your name hehe (Vikings fan here).. Completely agree with you. I’ve personally run into people out here who put politics ahead of everything. There is no tolerance amongst some of them. I’ve had a relationship end because she couldn’t deal with my conservative beliefs. Another one had to deal with constant ridicule from her friends because she was dating a conservative.
Exactly, Ryan ( I’ll tolerate the Viking’s affection )….
For God’s sake – look at Carville & Matlin! By all accounts, they have a great marriage – A MARRIAGE!!!! that survives RADICALLY different political ideology!
But these people can’t like their team’s player because he’s a conservative?
That is definitely BDS – no two ways about it.
If it was a Conservative holding the same view about a liberal player – they’d be calling us intolerant.
The question is are the ones spewing this crap towards Matt and Mack smarter than a 5th grader? Answer is “No” and they are acting like 3rd graders.
Yup, jrl, I’d hate to think that a player’s party membership should be a criteria instead of the players abilities. My team could use a few good defensive backs. As long as they don’t miss tackles, they can be Marxists for all I care.
lol peep.
You have to remember liberal logic. Hollywood types fawning over socialist dictators acceptable, Football players appearing with conservatives verbotten. Go Hawks.
Hollywood – interesting addition to the argument….
How many actors are shunned due to their conservative beliefs?
Yet we have ones like Tim Robbins who LIE openly about our country and military, and – hey, it’s ok.
I must say this news almost, but not quite, makes me sorry my Steelers beat the Seahawks in the Superbowl.
On the other hand, in spite of the negative reaction I still do plan to visit Seattle someday (well, the Boeing factory really).
Dont go there DKian you had the refs on you’re side.
Blank
Remember this: Washington State Calls NASCAR Fans “Rednecks” & “Trash”
(VIDEO)
jrlingreenbay said:
That’s why I have respect for Jon Voight (yes … Angelina Jolie’s father) and Denzel Washington (his son in a Marine and has been in the war zone) … they openly support the President and the troops … I know there are others but these 2 always come to mind right away …
Ha. The Pittsburgh Steelers had the best football team, period. Sour grapes get you nothing but vinegar.
Something interesting to think about:
Clinton Portis, starting running back for the Washington Redskins decided to pop off about the Micheal Vick case soon after it broke, saying that basically a man can do whatever he wants with his own dogs in a free country and it’s no one else’s business, and that he’s from Laurel, Mississippi and could show you some backroads where dogfighting took place when he was growing up, and it’s like no big deal to him. Are there any Redskins fans who are disowning the team, vowing never to support them again?
Maybe some others are upset that we already have another Clinton carrying the ball in Washington:)
I saw a 60 minutes piece (rerun on SPEED channel) where Mike Wallace put on his foreign correspondant hat and paid a visit to Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Daytona Speedway. It was a pretty interesting interview for the most part, about the death of Dale Sr. and how it affected him. There was one thing that bugged me badly though. He asked out of the blue, “you’re a Republican, right?” Jr. said “yeah, I am” and Wallace, in his most incredulous tone of voice said “Why?”
What does that have to do with anything? Republicans in the public eye seem to always get the inquisition treatment,
like there is something wrong with them. Liberal celebrities never get that, just fawning admiration and agreement, like all is right with the world.
That just bugs me.
DL – good point, I’d forgot about Denzel…
Interesting though how when the MSM shows Hollywood personalities expressing their opinions about the war – it’s never the ones who are SUPPORTIVE of it.
Fox News is the only place I’ve seen Voight’s views be covered to any extent.
Maybe Seahawks fans will appreciate it more when Obama supporter Steven Jackson runs over their beloved team for big yards and many touchdowns this season since he backs a candidate more to their liking.
God, these moonbats are such idiots.
Sincerely,
A Rams fan who will continue to root for them and their star RB despite said RB’s support for a candidate I abhor.
Brian72:
That Wallace / Earnhardt story is one I hadn’t seen.
It’s almost as if, when he’s asking him why he’s Republican in, as you said, an incredulous manner, the rationale is :
‘You’re famous, well-liked, nice guy….
Why the hell are you a Republican?’ as if conservatives have to fit a certain mold of mean, bigoted, devils.
Seattle blues – politics and rain, maybe depression brings on liberal thinking?
Hateful bunch , aren’t they? It’s no wonder we dislike the Seahawks so much here in Colorado, and we kicked their arses for 30 years too ( before they hid in the NFC.)
I’m in Titans country, and I do not care who, if anyone, Vince Young supports for President. I just want touchdowns, no strings attached.
You have the right attitude about this, like most normal people.
Did I just call a Rams fan “normal”?
There really is hope for mankind.
Say it three times click you’re heels and you may make it out of oz someday.
That’s the feeling I got from him, like “What the hell is the matter with you boy? Didn’t you get the DNC celebrity memo?”
If you know anything about the Earnhardt family, they are as blue-collar as it gets, and they are Republicans. That must have gotten to Wallace, who thinks of North Carolina blue-collar as Democrat Unionized mill workers, ala John “Phony Pony” Edwards. He seemed miffed, to me. Like I said, Wallace had to get his passport in order to visit NASCARland. It’s an alien landscape to his MSM eyes.
GREAT POINTS!
I’m living in Oz? What game did you watch? The Steelers outplayed the Seahawks, whether there were a few bad calls by the refs or not. I have nothing against the ‘Hawks, I like Mike Holmgren as a coach. They just ran into a better team on that day. The Seahawks might get another shot soon, so don’t dispair. I’m still hurting from 1999, Titans one yard short. Damn Rams.
Well, I’m in Austin, TX, and root for VY to do as well in the pros as he did when he was here, so you should call me normal!!
Right on! Hook ‘em Horns!
I just hope VY is alot smater than Mike Vick was.
I don’t think you have much to worry about on that. VY spent this last offseason buying his receivers plane tickets and hotel rooms to come work out with him in Houston. MV spent it running dogfight.
In short:
VY: Pre-occupied with beoming a better NFL QB.
MV: Pre-occupied with “keepin’ it real”.
He’s got the talent to be the next big thing. VY seems to read defenses better than Vick did, and he’s a far more accurate passer. He’s got the personality of a leader, it’s his team now. I’m hopeful the rest of the team can catch up to him. the future is bright in Tennessee:)
A few bad calls sunk the Titanic also, ok no more on this game from me. I’m over it I tell ya. I am, I am, I am!!!
I know, it hurts for years after. Like I said, I have an 8 year grudge against the Rams for that ‘99 Super Bowl. Not rational, but yet there it is.
The only cure is another win:)
That’s one thing VY has in abundant quantities – leadership ability (something Vick never had). You don’t lead your team to two consecutive 4th-quarter comeback wins in the Rose Bowl (both from double-digit deficits) without it. He has a knack for getting the players around him to play harder and believe that they’re never out of the game.
I still think the Titans need to upgrade some of the surrounding offensive talent, but if VY continues developing as I think he will, they are set at QB for at least the next decade.
I love me some VY!
Check his sweet new intro…
Seattle is the capitol of groupthink.
From the clothes to the coffee the music the politics and even sports, everything is a fad. If you fall outside of the approved cognitive paramaters you’re ripped apart worse than if you wore stripes with poka-dots to Mr. Blackwell’s funeral.
What’s comical is that Seattleites are arrogant about it. They call themselves “intelligent,” “progressive,” “liberal,” and “tolerant” when in reality they are as unthinking, rigid, dictatorial and judgemental as any conservative foil in any Hollywood production.
If you can imagine a 90 square mile college campus, you’d be pretty much on the mark.
I’m with Rush
What a bunch of pansies!
I’m a huge Charger fan and if LT and Gates proved to be a bunch of Hillary supporters I’d be unhappy but it wouldn’t ruin the season or cause me to stop liking the Chargers. Hell we even have left wing moonbats on the Charger forum I frequent, politics are nuts but we all have fun with football.
These seahawk fans are an embarassment to all football fans
Ahh…the great northwest…
Where a newsroom erupts in cheers when Karl Rove steps down ( yeah, they’re fair and balanced )….
Where effigies of US Soldiers are burned in public…..
Makes you all warm and fuzzy and brings a patriotic tear to your eye…
Bunch of hippy cry-babies.
Isn’t football a little violent for these peaceful types anyway?
The BDS is rampant…It’s hard to believe these people think it’s ok for one president to abuse women the next president, although respectful to all and holds our country’s best interest as his top priority, is to be disgraced at every opportunity. I hope they are enjoying their freedoms.
Seattle is a 6 o’clock town- like SFO. Overrated venues. I love the Niners and I’ll be damned if either the Raiders or the Niners will ever beat the SeaHags as long as Holmgren is the coach.
Not putting down the people just their collective respective images of themselves they project in their promo tourista materials.
Who cares what Seattle thinks? SFO?
And while we’re at it, does anybody really care about Rusty’s ethics of sport and politics?
I’d rather get a bad runny rash than endure his articulation of this any further. He reminds me of MikeBuhBuhBeeeeee.
(Image: Bear1909 pointing his remote and Rusty and pressing “MUTE” or, for all of you in solidarity with our friends from Blexico,”MUDO” -so’s I don’ haffa lissen to Rohsty in spaneesh)
As a die hard supporter of President Bush, and a rabid NFL fan, I can tell you that while the NFL itself has to zealously guard its image, and be apolotical, the players are private citizens, with the same freedom of speech rights as anyone else.
Marc Cuban can fund left wing causes, and nobody bats an eyelash, yet “The Dub,” can’t be given a jersey? Sheesh!
Also, as somebody who has been to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, The Hall of Fame in Ohio, and the Draft in NYC, I can tell you that the NFL is a very Pro-American, patriotic, pro-military organization.
Soldiers are routinely honored at games and other NFL functions, jets fly overhead at games, and policemen, firefighters and EMTs are celebrated.
Also, unlike other areas of life such as the US Senate, where criminals go unpunished, the National Football League has a commissioner in Roger Goodell that actually respects the rule of law and cracks down hard when it is disobyed.
So yes, it would make sense that the better citizens of the league like Matt Hasselbeck would be Bush supporters.
http://blacktygrrrr.wordpress.com/2007/08/11/life-begins-again/
Members of the NY Jets and Giants played a vital psychological role in helping ease the pain of some after 9/11, and the New Orleans Saints helped after Katrina.
I say let these players speak more!
Respectfully,
eric
All of that is true, and I’ll link this story to add to yours, but you also have a whole lot of military folks up there, too.
Ft. Lewis is where our Stryker Brigade Combat Teams come from.
There is McChord Air Force Base, a critical C-17 Globemaster airlift hub.
Here is a complete list of military bases in the state of Washington.
I’ve never been up there, but it seems like a great place to go for a visit, unless a nutbag anti-war whacko decides he hates the t-shirt you have on, and you get assaulted:)
ajmontana,
Long story short, there are 5 Vince Lombardy trophies in Pittsburgh. That’s enough for now.
Earned 4
Oh the Steelers last Super Bowl…the game of the invisible penalties.
yup
I am not a sports fan. But I think I have a team to root for this year. Go Seahawks!
Mark
Wasn’t just Saints who helped out after Katrina–I think just about every NFL player who grew up and/or played college near the Gulf Coast donated time and money to the recovery.
Anyway. You can go here to see who gives to whom.
I haven’t been much of a sports fan since the baseball players went on strike in 1981 & I was bagging groceries at Strack & Van Til in Schererville, IN, wondering why this guys were striking when they made so much money but I digress. But why does it matter to liberals like the pro choice Rusty if those players are fans of Bush. The libs are always telling us how wonderful the garbage out of Hollywood and the music that the BDS singers put out there is something that is just wonderful and we should all love it, yet, when there is someone who disagrees with their BDS who may play sports they refuse to buy their jersey (not very pro choice of you Rusty and you’re all about choice as we know). Isn’t the fun part of being a sports fan and buying their jersey is because you like what they do on their playing field? I mean aren’t these people able to have their own political thoughts and feelings? I mean we’re always told to put up and shut up with the BDS from the Hollywood, music crowd but guess you don’t want it when it’s not something you agree with. Liberals-do as we say, not as we do that’s your message.
This from the same community that put Nazi flags on veterans’ graves not too long ago.
What a bunch of scum.
Hasselbeck’s a smart guy. Here’s a story about how he outsmarted the Panthers in a title game…
I am a huge Seahawk fan, have been since I was a little girl. It’s amazing the reaction from the idiots up in Seattle. The hypocrisy is astounding. I have my Shaun Alexander jersey, now I have to get M & M’s as well!!
Luckily, I live on the East side of the Cascades, where conservatism is the mainstream.
Ladies and gentlemen, something is going very wrong with our country.
While “boycotts” are somewhat of a tradition in the USA (mostly left-originated, but also from the right), and while expression of opinion is also enshrined in our way of life, I am seeing behavior that chills and alarms me.
The expression of invective against Matt Hasselbeck and Mack Strong are symptoms of what is happening to our body politic. It was caused, no doubt, by the perception by the left that Hasselbeck and Strong were “bushiites” or “Bushies.” And they hate Bush supporters almost as much as Bush.
That is not to say that the right doesn’t do the same or similar. The Dixie Chicks, Tim Robbins, Sean Penn, and Susan Sarandon are despised for their stands.
The danger we face is that the current political polarization crosses the line from name calling to something more, to acts of political violence.
The left has already begun the process. Read Michelle’s Unhinged for specific examples. I haven’t heard of too many local DEMOCRATIC Party offices being vandalized, but the stories of breakins, trashings, and even firing rounds into REPUBLCIAN Party offices are readily found on the ‘net. The incident in Milwaukee where 5 Democrats, one the son of a CONGRESSWOMAN, slashed the tires of vans rented by Republicans on election day 2004, has not, to my knowledge, ever been duplicated by Republicans against Democrats.
The Democrats have lowered the bar; they seem to have cornered a monopoly on political violence, at least for now. And they did it because they view, personally and politically, that the “ends justify the means.” And in their minds, Republicans must be destroyed because Republicans are evil and Democrats/liberals/Progressives are the epitome of good. Anything they do, therefore, is a “good thing,” even if innocent people who just happen to have a different point of view are hurt.
Such is bad enough, certainly. But I’m sensing a ratcheting up of the “heat” from the left. I’m sensing an undercurrent of violence that is coming exclusively from the left. The same mindset that led to our troops being called “babykillers” and personally acts of violence and assault when they returned from Vietnam — the spitting, the pushing, and worse — is about to recur.
I’m sensing that the bridge between the right and left is almost destroyed. Certainly, civility and comity are gone. Witness the newsrooms cheers at Rove’s departure, and the attacks on Matt Hasselbeck and Mack Strong.
I personally think that if Democrats continue their hatred (it’s no longer mere “dissent”) of Republicans, and the ever more violent expressions of it, that there WILL be a backlash. At some point, I am afraid, that this backlash will ignite open violence.
America is unique because since the Revolution (with one notable exception), the use of violence instead of elections to settle our internal disputes has been extremely rare.
That exception, of course, was the Civil War. And even then, had not the Confederacy (formerly southern Democrats) fired first at Ft. Sumter, the majority of Northerners, Democrats and Republicans alike, were willing to consider letting the South go in peace.
The Democrats of 2007 are very close to making the same mistake that their party did in 1861. God help them if they “light the fire,” because they won’t survive the result.
Please forgive the length of this message.
I hope I never get too old and I become a Democrat?
I have absolutely no interest in football. Thanks to the two Matts and Vick I now know the names of three football players. That’s news I can use! Being a New Yorker I do hate the Red Sox, but I don’t know why.
Since I don’t have the fan gene, I don’t understand the negative reaction to giving Bush a jersey with his name and number. He’s the president, for pete’s sake. It was a cool thing to do. BDS must be far more debilitating to a person’s overall mental health than I imagined. We must make sure BDS sufferers don’t achieve more power.
Oh, so NOW they complain of celebrities making political endorsements.
Love the Hawks, love Hasselbeck and Strong…will gladly take any season tickets that are turned in…..
Seattle is full of deranged liberals…too many lattes..too much rain…makes your brains rust….too many ferries…….
For the record, Peyton Manning donated to Bush in 04.
georgej-
You made alot good points and for the record, the MSM ignored what happened in Milwaukee since it didn’t happen to the pc victims.
Now if it had targeted some minorities living near Marquette, then the Journal-Sentienl would have been all over it.
Good grief – such poor sports fans!
I’m not a fan of any sport (other than the personal ones like hunting, fishing, mountain climbing, camping (not really a ’sport,’) and exploring the great outdoors.
I gave up on the others long ago – because of very poor sportsmanship – among the VIEWERS! Ha… you can have it, I want no part of it.