# Let's cheer the right-wing smear machine! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 12, 2005, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768 "2005-08-12T19:25:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 25
**Author:** ![Xploder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a183cd/32.png) [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2005, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/481 "2005-08-29T14:15:12Z")
> [@Sam Stone](#): > > The U.S. made all kinds of strategic errors during the war. Operation Market Garden was a colossal failure that cost the allies 4000 soldiers. Operation Market-Garden was envisioned and planned by Montgomery, not the U.S. In fact, Eisenhower only approved part of the plan due to a shortage of resources. It’s only in hindsight that one can see that ALL the Allies were overconfidant at this point and believed that the war could be over before the end of the year. Just sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/45deac/32.png) [@Evil\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_One)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/482 "2005-08-30T00:06:02Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Astonishing how much intellectual dishonesty can be expressed in so few words. Brevity is the soul of wit. > [@elucidator](#): > > “Pacificism”? What has “pacificism” to do with these issues? Of all the bitterly angry critics of the “damn fool war”, can you point to any who argue from a position of pacificism? I could spend hours combing the internet for examples of ridiculous arguements for varying degrees of pacifism. But you would ignore or discount them out of hand. Anyone who is advocating immediate withdrawal from Iraq is apparently not capable of seeing what a huge mistake that would be for a number of reasons. The only reason I can think of for advocating such a position would be someone who is letting ideology triumph over common sense. Or someone who is unwilling to let the facts get in the way of a good slogan that can be screamed at people who are trying to deal with the terrorism issue. > [@elucidator](#): > > And 9/11? To save your soul, you couldn’t provide a solid connection between Saddam and 9/11. Nor have I tried. But many on the left are trying very hard to forget the connections between Saddam and the terror infrastructure, including members of AQ. Saddam probably didn’t have anything to do with 9/11 specifically. But he was diligently working against the best interest of the United States. > [@elucidator](#): > > You have no facts to offer, only snide innuendo. I certainly don’t have the market cornered there. > [@elucidator](#): > > Yet you have the bottomless temerity to insist that those who disagree with you are unrealistic idealists, whose minds are full of moonbeams, while presenting yourself as a clear-eyed and hard-headed realist. Really listen to what Cindy Sheehan is saying. If you can get past the new age crap without the bile rising into your throat, you will notice that she apparently has no clue about how the world works. > [@elucidator](#): > > Its a _haiku_ of horseshit. Here’s a real one for you. Terror stalks our country. Some blame Bush for this sad state. A clue for them, please. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/483 "2005-08-30T01:01:58Z")
> [@Evil One](#): > > “people who are trying to deal with the terrorism issue” Do such people exist? Who are they? ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/484 "2005-08-30T01:33:38Z")
> [@Evil One](#): > > Brevity is the soul of wit. Brevity is…wit. > [@](#): > > But many on the left are trying very hard to forget the connections between Saddam and the terror infrastructure, including members of AQ. It’s difficult to forget something that didn’t exist. The most you can point out is Hussein’s “bounty” payments to people who blew themselves up in Palestine. That’s about it. > [@](#): > > Saddam probably didn’t have anything to do with 9/11 specifically. Or any other terrorist attack on the United States. Come on, go ahead, say it. > [@](#): > > But he was diligently working against the best interest of the United States. Probably, but there’s a hell of a long way from that to supporting terrorism against the US - which nobody has ever found he’s done. So tell me, skippy, if Bush was so concerned about terror, how come he diverted troops away from the al-Qaeda stronghold of Afghanistan before he ever captured ObL (who actually HAD planned and carried out attacks against the US) so they could go attack Iraq (who had NEVER used terror attacks against the US)? The answer, of course, is that Bush doesn’t give a fuck about terrorism - except incidentally. Never has, never will. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/485 "2005-08-30T01:45:53Z")
> [@Evil One](#): > > Brevity is the soul of wit. And then there are the exceptions > [@](#): > > Really listen to what Cindy Sheehan is saying. If you can get past the new age crap without the bile rising into your throat, you will notice that she apparently has no clue about how the world works. Unlike folks like you who see things with such clarity? I don’t agree with everything Sheehan says but I cut her some slack. I have far less tolerance for a lying president and administration. > [@](#): > > Terror stalks our country. > Some blame Bush for this sad state. > A clue for them, please. Tell me who blames Bush for terrorism? More horseshit!! ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/486 "2005-08-30T03:17:49Z")
> [@Evil One](#): > > The only reason I can think of for advocating such a position would be someone who is letting ideology triumph over common sense. Or someone who is unwilling to let the facts get in the way of a good slogan that can be screamed at people who are trying to deal with the terrorism issue. Funny, that is exactly what I think of your position. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/487 "2005-08-30T05:20:40Z")
**Evil One:** Dumber than a [cartoon critter.](http://www.comics.com/comics/hedge/archive/hedge-20050830.html) ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/488 "2005-08-30T05:28:36Z")
> [@Evil One](#): > > … Nor have I tried. But many on the left are trying very hard to forget the connections between Saddam and the terror infrastructure, including members of AQ… What connections? Did Saddams hairdressers mother in law have a friend who knew somebody that went to high school with Osama? You could, yourself, rattle off at least ten nations with “connections” to “terrorism”. Are you suggesting the invasion of Iraq was settled by a brisk round of “one-potato-two-potato…”? > [@](#): > > …Saddam probably didn’t have anything to do with 9/11 specifically. But he was diligently working against the best interest of the United States… An entirely fair statement, much like saying that “probably” Mother Theresa had nothing to do with the Unibomber. I think you are on very safe ground there. I’ll go you one better, since bald statements offered as irrefutable fact are your stock in trade. If Saddam knew about 9/11 in advance, he would have dropped a dime on ObL in a New York minute. Shit like this he didn’t need. Saddam would no more have aligned himself with ObL that Stalin would have given a nuke to Rasputin. > [@](#): > > Here’s a real one for you. > > Terror stalks our country. > Some blame Bush for this sad state. > A clue for them, please. 5, 7, 5. You could look it up. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/489 "2005-08-30T11:36:15Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > 5, 7, 5. You could look it up. Took note of this too, but you have to remember that “terror” is actually pronounced “terr,” as in “terrist.” A wonderful result of having a master of the language as our leader. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/45deac/32.png) [@Evil\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_One)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/490 "2005-08-30T19:59:47Z")
Guys, I suppose that I could go sentence by sentence and respond to each one of you, but it would be pointless. My ideology doesn’t match yours, and that makes me a target for mockery and derision. And that’s fine. If you feel like you’ve accomplished something or changed the world in some way by faithfully sticking to the templates of your faith, then more power to you. I don’t participate in the political threads as much as I used to because they are either an echo chamber or a snipefest if someone dares to break from the party line. And please save your “crybaby” catty comments…I’m simply pointing out things as I see them, not whining. I don’t plan to post any more or any less based on the response that I get when I do contribute. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/491 "2005-08-30T20:05:49Z")
> [@Evil One](#): > > Guys, I suppose that I could go sentence by sentence and respond to each one of you, but it would be pointless. My ideology doesn’t match yours, and that makes me a target for mockery and derision. . Wow. You guys must get those victim cards in bulk or something. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/492 "2005-08-30T20:09:27Z")
See, he was right. You’re a prick, dude. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/493 "2005-08-30T20:51:19Z")
> [@Evil One](#): > > My ideology doesn’t match yours, and that makes me a target for mockery and derision. Don’t be silly. There’s any number of intelligent, thought provoking conservative voices here that don’t get mocked or derided. It’s the assholishness that elicits the mokery and derision. > [@Evil One](#): > > And please save your “crybaby” catty comments…I’m simply pointing out things as I see them, not whining. I don’t plan to post any more or any less based on the response that I get when I do contribute. Don’t forget your ball and bat. crybaby. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/494 "2005-08-30T23:18:07Z")
> [@Airman Doors](#): > > See, he was right. You’re a prick, dude. C’mon. He’s got the balls to claim connections between Hussein and 9/11, and then Hussein and al Queda, and then dismiss Cindy Sheehan as someone who doesn’t see how the world works? Then he wants to claim this is some sort of echo chamber and he’s being mistreated because his ideology doesn’t follow the party line? Yeah, my feeling at reading that is a big fucking boo hoo. Others manage to pull off the expression of varied points of view without having to cry foul about it later. I applaud them for it. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/495 "2005-08-31T03:59:07Z")
We’ve all heard for years now about the link between Saddam and Al Queda. Nothing ever came of it (no proof that is). We’ve been told that we invaded Iran because they attacked us (holy shit! when did that happen?). We were told we would turn Afghanistan inside out and not rest until Bin Laden was captured or killed. He’s still free and laughing at us. We were told the Patriot Act would make us safer (by examining what liberry books Granny is reading). It’s all bullshit. How much longer will people keep vomiting up the same party line? It’s a pack of lies. Repeating it over and over will not make it true. To really combat terror, we haven’t done a damn thing. If anything, we made it less centralized and probably more efficient. Good job. :rolleyes ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/496 "2005-08-31T12:42:57Z")
> [@wring](#): > > Don’t be silly. There’s any number of intelligent, thought provoking conservative voices here that don’t get mocked or derided. Really? Name one. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![rayh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@rayh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayh)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/497 "2005-08-31T12:55:52Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Really? Name one. > > Regards, > Shodan Errr, well there’s… Ok, can I get back to you on that? ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/498 "2005-08-31T13:11:49Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Really? Name one. > > Regards, > Shodan **John Mace** ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/499 "2005-08-31T13:13:13Z")
> [@rayh](#): > > Errr, well there’s… > Ok, can I get back to you on that? I guess I should say I am not blaming **wring** (or you) for this. There are any number of intelligent, thought-provoking **liberal** voices here as well. I would even say that the number of intelligent liberals is greater than the number of intelligent conservatives on the SDMB. But that is because the intelligent liberals don’t get snarked at and derided and Pitted and insulted and misrepresented and piled-on at anything like the rate that intelligent conservatives do. And it is usually the same group of shit heads who do the piling on, and every contempible one of them is way left of center. They know who they are. And they make a conscious effort to prevent reasonable debate. The notion that “good conservatives don’t get attacked on the SDMB” is bullshit. Ass holes who don’t know intelligent debate when they see it don’t respect it. They toe the party line, and they attack anyone who deviates from it. Unthinkingly, like they do everything else. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/500 "2005-08-31T13:17:06Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Ass holes who don’t know intelligent debate when they see it don’t respect it. They toe the party line, and they attack anyone who deviates from it. Unthinkingly, like they do everything else. So long as you admit that this cuts both ways, I will agree with you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768.md?page=24) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768.md?page=26)