Her good doctor

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Today a good man, a good doctor was murdered by a rightwing fanatic, a—yes—domestic terrorist.

Dr. George Tiller was beloved by his community, his patients, because he was far more than the shallow stereotype label, "abortion doctor," we've come to expect from the cynical politicians who trade in emotional manipulation and the shallow stenographers of the media who let the Rethug blast faxes dictate their reporting.

We've seen the tradmedia fall in line this past week as they let Rush and Newt dictate their news coverage on Sonia Sotomayor.

Will we see the same distortion and half-truths about Dr. Tiller in the news coverage this week?

Perhaps the breathless coiffed anchorbots and their producers and corporate owners should take a look at another big story this week, the GM bankruptcy, and realize that business as usual is the road to business-end.

It'd be nice to hear the full story reported on Dr. Tiller and his cold-blooded killer and those who incite such acts. Instead of the verbal wrestling that is some phony "fair and balanced."

Maybe a class action lawsuit against the inciters would get their attention. It worked for the Southern Poverty Law Center against Tom Metzger. Maybe it's time to hit these media hatemongers where it hurts the most...in their wallets.
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crossposted at firedoglake's Oxdown Gazette

Prairie Recommends: Glenn on American Aparthood

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Glenn Smith takes a look at the differences between Republicans and Democrats through the metaphor of ladders and bridges. Powerful commentary. Careful...this is lucid writing for thinking people. Could be contagious....
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She's Home

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The governor summed it up in calling Roxana Saberi a Daughter of North Dakota. And friends, neighbors, colleagues and the Governor and North Dakota's lone Congressman, Earl Pomeroy, were there amid maroon and gold balloons, the Concordia College colors, to welcome back at long last our fellow Fargoan.

The local newspaper, the Forum, promises full coverage in their Sunday issue. But here's a preview of the emotional homecoming of Roxana.
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crossposted at firedoglake's Oxdown Gazette

Enough Blame to Go Around?

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Frank Rich poses a question for his Sunday column: Who is to blame for the next attack against us? And goes on to posit that the Republicans will seize on such a happening--nay, are hoping for it in some quarters--as the only chance they have to gain ground against President Obama.

The column makes for strong food for thought, and I recommend you read it. [I'll wait....]

For me, the column edged around a strong truth--the Bush Administration, the Republicans could not have operated as they did without the collaboration / collusion / cooperation -- call it what you will, of the very self-important traditional media.

And just in case the NYT mod decides not to publish my comment, here it is:

The underpinning of too much of the mess we were left by "the bums" is the media that turned a willful blind eye to facts, cosied up to fearmongers and enabled their drumbeat to War in Iraq and torture.

The McClatchy reporters are [the] best example of a dying breed: journalists who dig out the truth and refuse to pass along spin as fact...they are to be saluted, and cherished, for their like in mainstream media is rarely seen.

Instead we are treated to tabloidized everything--from the singing Scotswoman to the new Supreme Court Justice. All coverage dumbed down and manipulated for "Mortal Combat" controversy.

No wonder people are turning away from traditional media. You are "the bums," too.

Craven, cowardly Democrats who routinely cave to the least little pressure from Repuglican spinmeisters [see any comment by Lanny Davis] deserve the scorn Rich gives them.

"I would hope" that we will see better from the Dems...but also from those who purport to be journalists yet do little more than regurgitate the spin o'the day.
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crossposted at firedoglake's Oxdown Gazette

From A to W — A Short Herstory of Rightwing Screeders

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From Ann Coulter to Wendy Long, with a sidetrip via Liz Chee-knee and Laura Ingraham and all the other blondoids [yes, Monica Crowley, you are merely one of the other blondoids....] the right has inflicted on us in recent years, the prime unifying thread is their fast talking, overtalking screedarageousness against anything Democratic or liberal or progressive, or...may I finish??????...or American.

The rightwing has honed its blonde verbal bombthrowers to a fine edge over the years, using the tools of sexual subtext...flip that mane, sweetie pie...run those talons fingers through those oxidized locks...but just maybe the tide is turning.

I do believe I did actually hear Chris Matthews abruptly cut into Wendy Long's filibuster of nonanswerousness on Hardball. Could it be the era of drooling idiot male anchorishism [with a strong emphasis on "ish"] has run its course?

Maybe there are Mrs. Matthewses and Mrs. Stephanopouli and company out there who have finally stamped their feet and said ferchrissake you look like a damn pussy-whipped pimply faced kid fool out there. Snap out of it!

Time will tell. Maybe these anchors feel they have to act the part of the yes, I'm gonna say it, hornier demographic of their audience.

But this red-headed gramma for one is going to say: enough already, guys. Shape up or get left behind. And wipe your chin.
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crossposted at firedoglake's Oxdown Gazette

Zero Degrees of Separation

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Last time I saw Frank Luntz, before the recent Q&A in the New York Times [milepost courtesy Thinkprogress], he was on Bill Maher's Show, preening in his almost/just gained? doctoral degree.

And being his usual lumpen self...

So when I came across this line in the Thinkprogress post, I was compelled to follow the link to the NYT and read the whole piece:

I’m not a policy person. I’m a language person.

It's the kind of careful distancing we see often from the consultancy, if we look closely.

As if, somehow, the stench of those they work for doesn't rub off on them....that it's just "process" or "ain't beanbag" or....

Mike Rowe would have a field day with this crowd as they gabble around, endlessly circling from one news network to another, proffering the same predictable talking points, in a cotillion of dissembling and denial that follows the same patterns and only the costumes' names change.

Last week it was Chee-knee, this week it's attacks on Sotomayor. Next week? Who knows.

But we do know this...when you dance with the skunks, you stink, too. And all the fancy degrees or K Street digs or face time with Wolfie or Tweety or whoever's on the unwatchable network won't change that.

'cause if you are, in fact, a person, then you are policy...and language...either your own or that which serial language-abusers like Luntz put in your mouth.
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crossposted at firedoglake's Oxdown Gazette

Prairie's Reading: The Final Inspection

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john in sacramento posted this poignant poem over at Oxdown Gazette -- truly a fitting reminder of what this weekend represents.

The Final Inspection

The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I aint.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I've never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep ...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept manly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If You've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne,
Where the saints often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, you soldier,
You've born your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heavens streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

~ Author Unknown


follow the link to food for thought conversation, too. Me, I'm taking a little time out to remember the dads, Clarence, USMC, and Lyle, USN.

And if you can find it, this would be a good weekend to watch Taking Chance Home. Kevin Bacon's iconic portrayal of the soldier who brought the fallen soldier home reminds us of the awful responsibility we, the people, ask of our sons and daughters when we send them to war.
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