The Democrats do not need to "push" this story...

By "pushing" the story, it only gives the Repubs the excuse that the Democrats are "playing politics" with the scandal. This story has legs longer than a catwalk model. There's no need to try and push it for any reason.

However, we should not hesitate to make sure it is kept in focus. If it is about "politics", it is about international politics, not Democrats vs Repubs. The entire world is watching us to see how we handle this. George Bush is under the microscope. And so is Donald Rumsfeld. And the international press will not be so kind or lapdoggish as the American press.

The Democrats only need to remind people that we need to get to the bottom and let the cards fall where they may. We do not care if Rummy stays or goes. That is a decision that George W Bush will have to make. But, America stands for more than what we have seen in these photos or videotapes. America must decide if that is the type of country we want to be or do we want to be more?

If Bushco* gets to make the photographs "classified" due to "national security", this story dies like all the rest.

We need the sex tapes more than anything else. They need to be "leaked" onto the internet like a Paris Hilton home video. The media is running this story because it has everything; sex, sadism, violence, rape, murder, and all the visual aids to go along with 24X7 television news. If you stop the flow of the visual aids, the story will go away.

And they will do their best to keep as many photos and videos secret as possible...

:evilgrin:

peace

it would almost be karmic justice for the tape of the Iraqi boy being raped is released on about October 28th.

:P

I'm sure he will do what is best for the country... :)

they will be acussed of playing politics. If the dems do not "push" this story, they will be acussed of playing politics. No way to win with Pravda.

that the videos and pix be shown..We can't permit them to hide them. They've been taking advantage of the citizens long enough.

"Of course I'm playing politics, I'm a fucking politician. What do you want me to play, badminton?"

Funny, the Republicans never seem to be concerned about being seen "playing politics," they just do it.

:)

And remain afraid of being accused of "playing politics."

Bush doesn't seem to be afraid of it.
Cheney doesn't seem to be afraid of it.

Not a single goddamn Republican seems to be afraid of it.

Why should we?

This has gone a bit past being a "game" - people are dead, raped, and tortured. Remaining silent about it in the hopes that somehow invisible forces will restore accountability seems wrong.

They only accuse you of playing "politics".. No. I'm not playing politics. Don't fall for that simple little trap. Lie like a dog. No! We are not playing politics! You got it? :)

silence is not an option.

Bush, Rumsfeld, and the rest must be held accountable. This atrocity is at their feet, not ours.

But if we accept it, if we murmur a few Liebermanesque phrases... its at our feet too.

To be so cowardly in the face of this kind of horror would almost be...

"playing politics."

and see how far you get. You have to outsmart them. You never admit to playing politics but of course, you are. You just do not want to be the one that is holding the politics stick when the people are looking to see where the stink is coming from. Politics is like war. It is psychological warfare. It is serious business and if your opponent lies and distorts your position, you have a right to adjust your position to better fit your argument. You don't have to accept their painting you as "playing politics"...It's a complex subject....sort of like chess. They will fuck with your head. :)

its an absurd, bullshit charge - like most anything the Republicans do.

YOU'RE the one that's accepting this "playing politics" thing and counseling not acting based on it.

And its a recipe for more elections like 2002 - boy, the "don't play politics" thing really worked wonders back then, huh?

And thank you for informing me that politics is complex, "like chess."

I had no idea, I was under the impression that this was a forum for discussing macrame.

But like a famous actor said one time. Don't let 'em catch you acting. Of course, it's all about politics. Both parties are playing "politics". But why should you feel that you have to accept the baggage of that charge? Do you not see any other way to counter their argument? And the louder you say that Rummy should go, the more they accuse you of being a partisan and playing politics. And we just want to scream to the people that these assholes are lying! But, do you really think that is a good strategy? :)

"But why should you feel that you have to accept the baggage of that charge? Do you not see any other way to counter their argument?"

Look, how many times do I have to explain this?

I DO NOT ACCEPT THE CHARGE.

I DO NOT ACCEPT THE BAGGAGE.

I do not see a reason to counter their argument, because it ISN'T an argument. Its a fucking distraction. They are caught redhanded doing something monstrous and have no possible way of spinning it other than turning it back on us and going on the attack.

"And the louder you say that Rummy should go, the more they accuse you of being a partisan and playing politics."

Are you honestly going to tell me that the SOFTER we say Rummy should go, the more silent we are, the more pliable, the LESS they will accuse us being "partisan" and "playing politics"?

Do you HONESTLY believe that by following this brillliant advice, the Republicans will stop trotting out their asanine catch phrase "playing politics"?

The answer is to IGNORE the charge, turn the tables on them, and stop being frightened of what they'll say.

Because they'll say it anyway.

:)...just don't ever admit to playing politics. You are the person that is telling the truth It is they that are playing politics and it is they that will need to face the reality that is before them. It is bigger than Rumsfeld. It is bigger than Bush. It is about our country. It is about what we stand for as a nation. Our message is better than their message.

Doesn't matter how Daschelian we all get on an issue, they'll claim we're "playing politics."

On the other hand, the rule is, if your opponent is doing a fine job sinking his own ship, your best course is to stand aside and let him. So you're right in that sense. But it has nothing to do with what they're going to say. They're going to say "Playing politics!" no matter what.

and you couldn't have said it better. I don't care if Rummy goes or stays--in fact, he is more likely to be held accountable if he stays.

Well said!

You guys are right - I've seen the error of my ways.

Why, all along I was under the impression that these were horrible war crimes that will shame our nation forever. Silly me! I was playing politics.

Now, the thing to do would be for all the Democrats to PRAISE Rumsfeld in language even more extravagant than Bush, then we'd rocket to victory in November, because... uh... uh...

Well, I haven't worked out that part yet.

But if SILENCE is an effective tactic, then PRAISE would be even MORE effective!

It's about a fine-tuned message...One that sticks it in the Repubs ass...but not following their script. But, as for horrible war crimes that are a shame to our nation, you are right. You are absolutely fucking right and we are not going to let these assholes escape any responsibility for their acts by simply accusing the Democrats of playing politics and then they slide away once again.... We will pin their asses on this one.

Open your mind just a little...:)

wanting to keep the story out there, but what I'm trying to say is that once a spark ignites, it's pretty hard to put it out. This firestorm has taken off.

which, of course, is exactly why he shouldn't be all over it.

Kerry's game plan is to let BushCo self-destruct.

(We were discussing Kerry's focus on healthcare recently)... "When a guy puts a bomb down his pants and lights the fuse, what's your best move -- sticking around or going someplace else?"

Dallas Morning News columnist Mark Davis wrote about this yesterday ala Rush, and I say he is PLAYING POLITICS. You don't see any of them backing off from pushing their version of how innocuous this is, and that type of nonsense requires push-BACK.

:thumbsup:

...to accuse Dems of 'playing politics'. Bush* constantly uses dead bodies, fear and 9-11 in his political campaign...yet they accuse any Dem who even mentions 9-11 as 'playing politics'. You're dealing with hypocrites and the only way to handle them is to fight fire with fire.

- The Right now EXPECTS the Democrats to back down every time they ACCUSE them of something. Perhaps it's time we disappoint them? Sorry...but I'm tired of this whimpy approach to politics.

:) Think psychology. Think of how your argument would be accepted in a small group of people, all non-partisan. Then when someone stands up and says you are playing politics, all you can do is get red in the face and say, "Am not!"

I am saying that we are failing to communicate our argument as a Party. We have everything on our side and we continue to blow it. Why? But do not mistake it for a second. It is about POLITICS. But we are the only ones that get charged with "playing politics". We say, it's all because of the media. But is it really?

They say jump and you say "how high?"

Rumsfeld at this moment is sweating BB's...So is George W Bush. What happens if he steps down right now?. Just be patient. You are holding all the cards.

...but I'm sure they'd like us to think they're backed into a corner. As stated above...they EXPECT us to back off and wait while they spin their media in another direction. Remember...this is the administration that many on DU said were 'going down in flames at least a dozen times now.

- All they have to do is find a scapegoat and plausible deniability for Bush*. Half of this country will vote for him no matter WHAT he does. The other half is flailing about and being so timid about the many Bush* scandals that they're giving Americans the impression that there's nothing to worry about.

Kentuck. All day long I kept hearing the repukes exclaiming "the dirty dems are playing politics with this". "They don't care about our soldiers". Screech, screech, screech. Yada yada yada. We can just sit back and watch them hang themselves. They will always do it. It did take them longer than I thought it would but still........

Yeah...sure...:) It's about politics alright but it's not about Democrat or Republican. It's about what America stands for... If yu don't want to lead our nation in the right direction, we will find someone that will. Simple enough message for Americans to understand.