Unh? How Many Anti-Americans?

In the words the right-wing, "anti-american" is anything that is not pro-conservative.

Chris Matthews takes a lot of heat from the left and right as either being to much of a parrot for the right wing, or a liberal tool. Some ways, I feel sorry for the guy.

But no more so than this interview with Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, who once called herself a "a fool for Christ." Hmmm.... you gotta wonder about that after watching this interview.

Matthews patiently asks Bachmann for the connection between liberalism and anti-Americanism. Bachmann flatly ignored the question and repeated the same mantra. No evidence. When Matthews asks her what percentage of Congress is anti-American? No number was offered. Why, if you didn't know better, it seems Bachmann does not have evidence to back up her accusations. Couldn't be... unh?

So, its on this paucity of evidence that we are to accept Bachmann's accusation that liberals, like Obama, Biden, Pelosi and Reed, are anti-Americans. And just what are anti-Americans? Bachmann never offers a definition.

In the last minute of the interview, Bachmann suggested that the media do an investigation into anti-Americanism.

Let me get this straight, conservatives constantly whine about bias in the media because they perceive a liberal bias and it's just oh so unfair to them. Really, all that means, is that conservatives object to the media inserting value judgments on facts and events – and rightly so. The media is only "liberal," when a report exposes something unsavory about their ideology or actions. As if, conservatives do not like to be exposed for the beliefs and actions they otherwise proudly espouse.

Ironically, Bachmann now demands that the media make such likewise value judgments. And how should the media determine who is pro-American or anti-American?

Why, exactly what right-wing conservatives like Bachmann, dictate.

While conservatives and liberals have quite natural and understandable ideological differences, you'll find few examples of liberals attacking a conservative's patriotism. In fact, you'll find many examples of liberals defending a conservative's right to their conscience.

Let's cut through the bullsheit. When a conservative talks about any other American as an "anti-American" they are accusing other Americans as being treasonous.

To the Bachmanns, Hannities, Coulters of the world, any shade of liberal equals anti-Americanism.

In the worldview of these conservatives, pro-American is slavish devotion to conservatism; anti-Americanism is anything that is not.

And I mean anything which does not constrain itself to that narrow-minded worldview.

All-in-all, I rather be accused of being a socialist – then a fascist.

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And responded in the best way I know how.  I gave $100 to the campaign of the person running against Bachmann through Act Blue.  I don't know who the person is running against her, and I don't care.  We have to get these crazy McCarthyists out of Congress.

I urge anyone else who was bothered by Bachmann's rhetoric to do the same.  Give $25, $5, or whatever you can comfortably afford.  This is one time when we CAN make a difference.

by rbruck on 10/18/2008 01:25:30 PM EST

have raised over $150K since that interview for Bachmann's opponent! Give what you can to help Tinklenberg kick her to the curb.

http://www.actblue.com/enti ty/fundraisers/18660

by cheeto on 10/18/2008 01:56:37 PM EST

The implicit message of this individual undoubtly includes one is also "unamerican" if one is not of the Christian faith. I viewed the interview too and the affect exhibited by Chris appeared to me as one of "WTF" not "who" TF am I talking to. 

As a liberal American who truely loves his country, I hesitate to brand any citizen as unamerican or unpatriotic without indisputable evidence.  However, this woman's behavior and belief system is beginning to steer me toward the same rhetoric she is spewing.  I think her shallowness of thought and viciousness of word is a product of meanness and ignorance she has been exposed to in the re thug lican ranks.  That is, some of what she said was calculated, premeditated venum characteristic of the vast majority of conservatives. Some of it evolves from, as I have stated numerous times on the forum, mindless irrational fantasy.

Her own words demonstrate just how "unamerican" SHE is.  I do not have to brand her as unamerican.  She proved it herself. 

OH! I do have to admit that I agree with her on one point as she self discribed.  She did admit to being a FOOL. Those were her words not mine. In this case I wholeheartedly must support her in that assertion

by psyche2 on 10/18/2008 03:47:21 PM EST

It really mobilized the campaign of her opponent!  Almost $500,000 raised since her appearance so far!!  Let's hear it for the blogosphere.

by desertpear on 10/18/2008 09:26:01 PM EST

It's not so simply to make a good custom essays, first of all if you are concerned.

Apparently it's easier for some than for others, spammer.

by OneHitKill on 01/31/2010 04:55:33 AM EST

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