Yours Truly Called a “Bootlicking Fascist Blowhard” on Local Website
By Jim Willis on Dec 13, 2007 in Government & Politics, Society & Culture | Printable Version
Some who read this blog are friends and family in far flung locations, so you likely don’t read the Press & Sun-Bulletin, our local newspaper, nor the “story chats” posted online. Story chats allow readers to post their thoughts about a particular story, add new information, or engage in spirited debates with other readers. As you might imagine, passions can run high in the ensuing discussions. Sometimes it’s amusing, sometimes shocking.
I mention it because of a back-and-forth discussion I had today in a story chat. The chat was about a letter to the editor concerning David Rossie’s column of two weeks ago. Mr. Rossie is a P&SB editorial writer, about as far left as left goes. His original column was about how the ignorant masses are being duped by the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, and how their Svengali-like hypnotic powers have lured local bloggers, like yours truly, into blindly repeating untruths to other unsuspecting dupes like you. Yes, Mr. Rossie is arrogant!
Today’s letter to the editor chided Mr. Rossie, saying it’s not only those on the “right” who are to blame, but also those on the “left.” There was an extended debate that followed. I added my own two cents, and was actually accused of being a…well, I’ll let you read it for yourself.
Here’s my original comment:
Great question (and point) Ron [original letter writer's name]. I wonder if Mr. Rossie believes that the “true believer” lefties are “metastasizing” the “revealed fonts of truth” from Al Franken, Michael Moore, Al Gore, Arriana Huffington, the DailyKos, etc., the same way he claims they do on the right?
My thoughts on Mr. Rossie’s pout: [here I linked to my thoughts on his original column]
Then, this response from one of the commenters in the story chat:
People like RSSBinghamton.slob are nothing more than white noise in the background of real political discussion, and the funny part of this whole thing is he linked to and highlights a post by Michelle Malkin on his page. Why is that funny? Because she personally posted for all of her readers to use for illegal purposes, the names and personal phone numbers of a few protestors [sic] a couple years back. That is what freedom of speech is all about isn’t it, you bootlicking fascists blowhard?
Stop ripping on Rossie just because you are jealous you don’t have an outlet like his. No one reads your blogs, because no one cares what sort of opinions are coming out of your mother’s basement.
Whoa! A tad bit strong there, don’t you think? I felt it necessary to respond:
I find your comments enlightening [name omitted]. It’s illustrative of how the left operates. Destroy anyone with an opposing viewpoint–and do so on a personal level. You don’t mind it when Rossie says people on the right are spreading the equivalent of political “brain cancer” throughout the population, but when I respond that perhaps his real motivation, embedded in his own statements, is a yearning for less free speech rather than more, you accuse me of facism and being a slob. I certainly don’t mind your juvenile name calling–I wear it as a badge of honor.
Perhaps you should read my (apparently effective) blog post more closely. You’ll find that I think Rossie’s writing is some of the best available. I passionately disagree with his political viewpoints–but I’m not attacking him personally–only his positions and statements. My link to Michelle Malkin was to a story about the shameless CNN attacking bloggers who dared to unearth facts about the so-called “average people” they stacked the audience with for the Republican You Tube debates.
My ultimate point in the post was this: Rossie and others on the left don’t like talk radio, the blogosphere and the very free speech they pretend to exalt when they are challenged by it. Much easier to resort to personal destruction rather than defend your own indefensible positions.
To which I received this final response:
And I think you are being pretentiuos [sic] in thinking that Dave Rossie is somehow against free speech.
I agree with him that people on the right (and people on the “left”) are spreading the equivalent of brain cancer, because both sides are ignorant as to several key issues. First and foremost of which is a true discussion of class politics in America today. Everyone wants to avoid the class issue, because it can lead to a real awakening in America once the masses rise up against both “sides” that having been playing them like a violin.
And so, dear reader, that’s all for today from your bootlicking fascist Svengali. Read again tomorrow for more mind-nummed instructions. 
Technorati Tags: Binghamton, Press & Sun-Bulletin, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, conservative blogger, David Rossie, free speech
Annie | Dec 14, 2007 | Reply
Utterly amazing! I always enjoy reading your writings so I guess that means I have “brain cancer” too?
Keep up the good work!
Roger Thornhill | Dec 14, 2007 | Reply
Congratulations.
The wailings, whinings, whizzings and moanings emanating from the Left prove that you’ve hit the target. Now the target is hiding in the tall grass taking potshots.
Keep up the good work.
Roger T.
Jim Willis | Dec 14, 2007 | Reply
Thanks for commenting Annie! I appreciate the encouragement.
And thanks Roger for yet another piercingly accurate assessment. You always make me smile.
- Jim
William | Dec 15, 2007 | Reply
If I hadn’t observed this repeatedly I wouldn’t say it …. both sides, right and left suffe from hyperbole but nowhere is abject denial and lack of information more consistently ever present than on the right. It takes a certain type of mindset to accept information on ‘faith’ without evidence and in politics, it’s basically a matter of surrounding one’s self with ‘yes men’ - only people who reinforce a viewpoint regardless of the truth. Such viewpoints have resulted in misconceptions ranging from the silly to the criminal, playing upon people’s prejudice, ignorance and fear to justify all manner of abuse of power in our leadership, from signing statements to manipulated intelligence reports to the war on science. We all know how in lock step conservatives are in denying the global warming issue, but for most it’s just a ‘War on Gore’ and the liberals. An extreme case in point: On his radio show Dec 12, right-wing nationally syndicated radio show host Michael Savage attacked former Vice President Al Gore’s recent Nobel Peace Prize, saying that it was awarded to him by “the socialist perverts in Norway.” and that “90 percent of the people on the Nobel Committee are into child pornography and molestation.”
It’s a matter of evidence and reason, critical thinking and rationality, education and awareness… to such people who don’t possess these attributes, Michael Savage, Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, Michelle Malkin, and Rush Limbaugh are heros.
Jim Willis | Dec 16, 2007 | Reply
Thanks for commenting William, even though imho you’re wrong. You see, I do listen to Limbaugh and Hannity often, the others not so much. I actually *listen* to what they say (or write). And you know what? They don’t determine what I think. They *reflect* it. Which is why I enjoy listening. The left either does not get it, or refuses to believe that there is a large segment of the population that thinks for themselves and does not take orders blindly from their “leaders” on the right.
Those on the left tend to attack the person (ad hominem) and not debate the issue. This comes from lack of logic and reason. The left’s positions are indefensible, and so they prefer to attack the personalities instead–a debate tactic as old as the Sophists. I’m not here to defend Michael Savage or anyone else. I agree with some things they say, disagree with others. But I always THINK FOR MYSELF.
I base my faith on evidence, not a blind leap. I think and I reason. My reasoning is not perfect by a long stretch–neither is yours. We both live in a world stained by sin that affects everything, including our mental faculties. But I’ll tell you what, I’d much rather have a hero like Rush Limbaugh than Al Gore any day of the week. As for sheer mental prowess and skill, there’s no comparison. If I were you, I’d be careful who *you* idolize (and listen to).
william | Dec 16, 2007 | Reply
Yes Jim, You may pick your hero, the drug addict Limbaugh caught with phoney prescriptions to feed his habit, who calls our guys in Iraq “phoney soldiers.” Yes, he’s far superior to a two term VP who precided over an ecomony that boasted an unprecedented budget surplus, a Vietnam Vet, Nobel Prize winner, etc…
That’s real good judgement Jim, you’re right, no comparison.
“Feminism was established so as to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream of society.” - Rush Limbaugh
“Too many whites are getting away with drug use…Too many whites are getting away with drug sales…The answer is to go out and find the ones who are getting away with it, convict them, and send them up the river, too.”
- Rush Limbaugh
“The NAACP should have riot rehearsal. They should get a liquor store and practice robberies.” - Rush Limbaugh
“The only way to reduce the number of nuclear weapons is to use them.” - Rush Limbaugh
“There are more acres of forestland in America today than when Columbus discovered the continent in 1492.” - Rush Limbaugh
Some people will believe anything. Particularly the ones with the least education - conservatives.
http://uspolitics.about.com/library/bl_education_vote.htm
Jim Willis | Dec 17, 2007 | Reply
William, William, William. (Sigh) This is what happens when you don’t listen for yourself and you get your information from sources like the DailyKos, Media Matters, and ABC/NBC/CBS/CNN/MSNBC.
No excuses for Rush on the drug thing. He did it and got caught. Who among us will cast the first stone? Are you perfect? I don’t make excuses for him.
Many of Rush’s comments are satirical and humorous, something that tends to sail over the heads of the left (like his comments on feminism and nuclear weapons).
He’s right about the forestation of America. There are more forests today–we control forest fires that once burned out of control consuming entire states before we were here controlling them.
But let’s take a look at your guy Al Gore. Bill Clinton presided over the economy from 1992-2000, not Al. Al was along for the ride, attending state funerals.
Al flunked out of Vanderbilt divinity school! Then he did so poorly in Vanderbilt law school he dropped out of that. George Bush graduated from the Harvard MBA program. Al became a reporter (right up there with used car salesman).
Al smoked pot with his buddies. Perhaps it was on a high that he invented the Internet?
His current piece of fiction, “An Inconvenient Truth,” has disclaimers on it when shown in Europe because of the numerous factual errors.
The Nobel committee IS composed of fruit loops and socialists–and has been for years. Remember that it was started to assuage the conscience of the man who invented dynamite.
Let’s see…Al loved tobacco before it became PC to hate hit. Same for abortion. He and Tipper were the source for “Love Story”. He thinks the internal combustion engine (responsible for perhaps the greatest prosperity on earth), is the greatest threat to the earth.
Shall I go on with Gore’s whoppers? Gore is an utter fruitcake. Be careful who you choose as your role models William. And stop regurgitating the talking points from the hard left.
Roger Thornhill | Dec 17, 2007 | Reply
Roger that, Jim.
Your return fire is withering.
]
You can tell by the canned repeated rhetoric of certain liberal propagandists that regurgitated talking points, reiterated over and over with no thought processing involved, are merely calculated and thinly disguised hate speech cleverly crafted to smear Limbaugh, Bush, etc.
Rather than debate with civility (as they have no facts to back up arguments) they simply toss hatfuls of hotbutton lies into the ring and see if the mud sticks. You’ll remember that the Left called Reagan was called “The Teflon President” as they tried to slime The Gipper, and nothing stuck.
Kudos to you for seeing thru the mask of the professional shill bloggers.
Roger Thornhill
http://www.commentator.vze.com
william | Dec 17, 2007 | Reply
OK so, ABC/NBC/CBS/CNN/MSNBC is suspect. Where do I find the real news Jim?
When you compare AL Gore to GW Bush, don’t forget to mention that Gore went to vietnam while Bush, an alcholoic at the time, chose not to serve in Vietnam, received the lowest passable score as a pilot and failed to show up for a required pilot physical - the first physical that required mandatory drug testing. While you’re swiftboating Gore, it’s funny that you also swiftboat the entire mainstream media establishment. Why do you suppose this has only become an issue during the last several yrs? Do you think that it might have something to do with authoritarians who don’t want to hear the truth about their incompetent leadership?
I think so.
Roger Thornhill | Dec 17, 2007 | Reply
“Gore’s gotton so fat he can hardly get into his OWN pants” — Jay Leno (archives)
Jim Willis | Dec 17, 2007 | Reply
William, you’ve asked some very good questions. I think there’s hope yet!
I’ll write a post in the near future about sources of news to address your question about it–thanks for asking.
A quick comment on your opinion that it’s only been “the last several years” that mainstream media (MSM) has come under fire from those of us on the right. You’re likely a younger person projecting from your own experience and recent history. If I can wax nostalgic for a few moments, I remember working in Washington, D.C. during the 1980s when Sam Donaldson (ABC News) was considered Satan himself! President Reagan was attacked in the very same way Bush is now. The leftists during Reagan’s second term were determined to smear him before he left office–and it didn’t work. Neither will it work with President Bush. My point? MSM has leaned heavily left since I can remember when I started paying attention to the news in the 1970s. The only difference between then and now is that now many in the MSM have dropped all pretense of being impartial in their coverage. They are openly biased against conservatism in any form. It is no longer journalism but advocacy and sensationalism. Check your history as history often repeats itself. Once upon a time here in America (at the turn of the last century) it was called “yellow journalism.”
Final point: I will not criticize Al Gore’s military service. I appreciate and applaud all who serve our country in the military–particularly those who serve overseas. While I think he’s a nut today–a dangerous nut at that–at one time he served his country honorably. Credit where credit is due.