New GOP Meme: Please, DON'T Fall for THIS One!!! [View All]

There's a new meme in the media lately -- one I suggest we watch out for. It goes something like this (a summary paraphase):

"Democrats, in an effort to garner votes since they're such losers, are suddenly talking about being strong on national security. They seem to be coming around to acknowledging the need for the threat of military action.

The Democratic party carries a lot of baggage since Vietnam, and is conflicted about the military and war. Despite its confusion, the party realizes it needs to appeal to voters who care about national security.

So now, Democrats seek a stance that makes them look comfortable and strong on issues of defense, more like Republicans. It's a shift from their former opposition to the Iraq war.


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Recognize any such article or editorial for what it is: BULLSHIT.

Democrats have fought, bled and died in our military; they've protested the Vietnam war (and now the Iraq war) even after fighting, bleeding, and losing comrades. Informed understanding of our military is not a sudden change or pretense in our party's position.

Democrats have used the THREAT of military action in order to avoid invasion and war, as one tool along with diplomatic persuasion, economic carrots and sticks, and legal action. Effective use of military threat is not a sudden change or pretense in our party's position.

Democrats have worked effectively for peace and human rights around the world, despite Republican opposition. Democrats proposed the Department of Homeland Security; the 1996 Gore Commission proposed airline security measures; Clinton's counter-terrorism efforts were strong, and strongly ignored by the Bush administration the moment it took office. Emphasis on global peace and national security is not a sudden change or pretense in our party's position.

Democrats including George McGovern, Wesley Clark, John Kerry and Max Cleland risked their lives in combat for this country; the leaders in the current administration didn't. Sacrifice, duty, and commitment to national security are not a sudden change or pretense in our party's position.

Don't let their newest line fool you. Don't criticize Democrats as being "Repug-lite" in standing for smart, effective, courageous defense of our country. These issues are NOT the monopoly of the current Republican party -- they only talk the talk; our party has walked the walk. They want to claim the flag, the troops, and national security itself as THEIR issue. Don't let them do it! Intelligence, courage, and patriorism are not a sudden change or pretense in our party's position.

They'll hold up Reagan's spending on defense as evidence that the GOP is "strong." Even IF people thought Star Wars made sense then, it doesn't now, and combined with tax cuts that were supposed to "trickle down" all we got was a debt that's been stifling our economy ever since. Democrats fought for funding of counter-terrorism, and stand for balanced budgets, and continue to fight Republicans for adequate equipment for active duty and benefits for veterans. Support for our troops and sound military spending is not a sudden change or pretense in our party's position.

They'll hold up Democrats' votes for the IWR as support for BushCo's misuse of it, and then hold up other Democrats' stands against the Iraq war as inconsistent with statements of strength on national defense. Support for effective national defense, while opposing BushCo's invasion of Iraq, is not a sudden change or pretense OR inconsistency in our party's position.

Don't be fooled! Don't let them get away with this new meme! Most of all, don't let them divide US with this, pretending this is a matter of Repug-lite vs. True-Dem. It ISN'T. We can debate policy among ourselves just fine, but what I've outlined here is a phony, lie-filled, propagandist WEDGE designed to continue their 30-yr campaign to portray Democrats as "weak," and now to divide us within the party, imho.

Don't LET them do this!!! The things they cite as "new" and phony within our party are neither new nor phony.

OURS is the party that stands up when it matters -- don't let them persuade you that these things represent a change or pretense in our party's position!!