# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2005, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/101 "2005-08-13T03:05:57Z")
I’ve read about this, and I find the whole thing sad. To me, this particular situation has nothing to do with politics, and I don’t think there is anyone or anything to blame. I feel terrible for the woman who lost her son. I feel worse for her that she’s unable to find some kind of resolution or understanding of it that enables her her to find her own way through her grief. I feel bad that she’s fixated on Bush. She’s already had one meeting with him, and from the interview I read she apparently chewed him out some in that meeting. I don’t see how a second meeting is going to help her come to terms with the whole thing. I think she’s making a mistake by trying to search outside herself for a meaning or way to come to terms with her son’s death, especially when the first meeting failed. Even if I hated Bush I would have to concede that the fact that he’s made the effort to meet with the families of deceased servicemen a good thing. Whatever you think of the war it at least shows that he’s cognizant and respectful of the cost, and seeking to help the families of those who died come to terms with it. I think it’s sad that this woman’s pain has become a cause celebre in the media, and that she’s being used by both sides. If I were Bush I’d give her another meeting. I’d tell her that whatever she thinks of my leadership has no bearing on the fact of her son’s bravery and sacrifice. I’d tell her that I hope she finds peace and I’d sit there politely and let her say whatever she wanted to say. If the media asked me about it afterward, I’d say that I thought she sought the second meeting sincerely, out of pain, and that I hope she achieved some measure of satisfaction from meeting with me again. In the final analysis though, her son was a volunteer, and we no longer have the opportunity to know how he felt about his service and his sacrifice. Since he was the one who made it, as far as I’m concerned his is the only opinion that really counts. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2005, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/102 "2005-08-13T03:09:42Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > Sure. > > Originally, it was called [Operation Iraqi Liberation](http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/04/20030401-2.html)…until they realized the acronym of same was either A-too honest or B-a Freudian slip. You know what. I always thought that was an exaggeration of the true liberal media and that you were kidding, but on the transcript one can still see what did they call the operation: > [@](#): > > MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the point the President is making is he is visiting many of the places that are involved in **Operation Iraqi Liberation**. I am beginning to trust more on my local Air America radio. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2005, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/103 "2005-08-13T03:32:58Z")
All I can say is _thank you_ for taking the time to actually read the links provided, **GIGO**. Without getting into nail-cross territory, you have no idea how many links of minesimply get ignored. This one, case in point. Most of America’s been in a stupor for way too long – and it has a LOT to do with your countrymen not taking the time to read what’s out there for all to see. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2005, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/104 "2005-08-13T03:38:09Z")
Oh, I know! Because like the acronym of the tentative name having ironic meaning is actually significant! Thank God there’s a furriner here to point this stuff out, because none of us Americans could notice this or see how truly important this is! Dipshit. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2005, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/105 "2005-08-13T03:46:15Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > Oh, I know! Because like the acronym of the tentative name having ironic meaning is actually significant! > > Thank God there’s a furriner here to point this stuff out, because none of us Americans could notice this or see how truly important this is! > > Dipshit. Well now you are just being captain obvious here, but the important point in my opinion is not that it was called O.I.L. it was the crude attempt at rewriting history that shows who the dipshits are. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2005, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/106 "2005-08-13T03:47:48Z")
I have to agree with Scylla. This poor woman isn’t going to get anything out of a meeting with Bush; he will tell her what he’s been saying for two years, she won’t believe it, and she’ll either give up in frustration and grief or she’ll hound home some more. There’s nothing Bush is going to say that will make her feel better about losing her son. She’s decided it’s his fault and that’s that. Whether she is right or wrong, I can’t see confronting him will help matters. She needs the support of her family and grief counselling, not a photo op with Bush. Her life is broken, and it’s not going to be mended by a politician. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2005, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/107 "2005-08-13T03:51:35Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I have to agree with Scylla. > > This poor woman isn’t going to get anything out of a meeting with Bush; he will tell her what he’s been saying for two years, she won’t believe it, and she’ll either give up in frustration and grief or she’ll hound home some more. > > There’s nothing Bush is going to say that will make her feel better about losing her son. She’s decided it’s his fault and that’s that. Whether she is right or wrong, I can’t see confronting him will help matters. > > She needs the support of her family and grief counselling, not a photo op with Bush. Her life is broken, and it’s not going to be mended by a politician. Have you considered the possibility that what she is doing now (protesting) IS part of that mending? ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2005, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/108 "2005-08-13T04:02:54Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > I’m hardly “desperate.” In fact, I’m sorta glad. I like seeing the mainstream media focus on this lunatic liberal whackjob while utterly ignoring the ‘Able Danger’ story (the Clinton administration had Atta in its sights prior to 9/11 but decided not to let the FBI know about it? This after the WTC had been bombed in '93? No big deal, right?) or the AirHead America scandal (money for children and Alzheimer’s patients somehow winds up in the coffers of Air America? No big deal, right?)…while their ratings continue to vanish and their circulations continue to dwindle. Do the right-wing spin points go directly from your eyes to your keyboard without ever being processed by your brain? It sure seems so. (I’m waiting for you to bring up Monica Lewinsky, Robert Byrd and the KKK and Chappaquiddick. I’m sure you won’t disappoint.) ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2005, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/109 "2005-08-13T04:14:43Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > Oh, I know! Because like the acronym of the tentative name having ironic meaning is actually significant! Obviously, the WH thought so. Otherwise they wouldn’t have revised it, brainiac. > [@](#): > > Thank God there’s a furriner here to point this stuff out, because none of us Americans could notice this or see how truly important this is! Plenty _did_, thus the name change. Just not locksteppin’, leave-your-brain-at-the-door, warmongering cumstains such as yourself. As for the “importance” of the original Op Call, not much all – what you see happening in Iraq now has nothing to do with your propensity to choose Hollywood sounding movie titles for your ops. Just another example of your idol’s ineptitude in even chosing a name for their bumbling, murderous, invasion of Iraq. But hey! Keep waving them Pom-poms. You’re the prototype of imbecil that made Bush possible. There’s something to be proud of. For a member of the 101st Keyboarders like you anyway. Which reminds me, how many ragheads did you kill from your puter-chair today anway? Look up “tough guy” in Webster’s and no doubt your pic is right next to the definition. I’d do it, but not much into looking at assholes. Respectfully, ~Red ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2005, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/110 "2005-08-13T07:35:16Z")
> [@John Carter of Mars](#): > > Dude! Ever since you’ve been posting here, you’ve been pissed off at the right’s efforts. Well, if they’d stop being assholes… 😉 > [@Zebra](#): > > I also think this is another ‘really slow news day’ for this to be on TV. “Someone’s protesting the war” is not news. To be balanced, covering the President on vacation is apparently a _really_ boring news assignment. The reporters at Crawford are probably dancing with glee to have something more substantive to cover than GWB’s staged brush-clearing photo ops. > [@Southern Gentleman](#): > > If people who support Bush and the war were to join up and back up their words, we’d have no college republicans. Then where would we be? A much smarter nation? 😃 > [@John Mace](#): > > And your point is what, that the president MUST do everything that he is not forbiden by law from doing? I thought he’d demonstrate some of that so-called “compassionate conservatism,” myself. I mean, if I were in his shoes and had no intention of ever meeting Mrs. Sheehan, I could at least send an aide out with a pitcher of lemonade, or a portable tent, or even a porta-potty, just as a bit of goodwill. But then again, my compassion doesn’t need a catchy label, so who am I to talk? ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2005, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/111 "2005-08-13T11:57:46Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > Obviously, the WH thought so. Otherwise they wouldn’t have revised it, brainiac. I’m sure they revised it because they guessed some asshole would make a dig deal about the acronym and pretend it’s significant if they didn’ > [@](#): > > As for the “importance” of the original Op Call, not much all – what you see happening in Iraq now has nothing to do with your propensity to choose Hollywood sounding movie titles for your ops. Just another example of your idol’s ineptitude in even chosing a name for their bumbling, murderous, invasion of Iraq. Oh yeah? Well, I hope we bomb your country next, give the operation a cool name, have Bruce Willis star in the commercials, Jerry Bruckheimer direct it, and when we’re done, I hope all the restaurants in your country get turned into McDonalds! > [@](#): > > But hey! Keep waving them Pom-poms. You’re the prototype of imbecil that made Bush possible. Ironic. > [@](#): > > There’s something to be proud of. For a member of the 101st Keyboarders like you anyway. Which reminds me, how many ragheads did you kill from your puter-chair today anway? Those who sit and type also serve > [@](#): > > Look up “tough guy” in Webster’s and no doubt your pic is right next to the definition. Damn right! I’m so tough my danglees are made out of beef jerky. ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2005, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/112 "2005-08-13T14:21:50Z")
**Scylla** , I don’t have anything weighty or profound to say. I am just popping in to say that it is good to see you posting again, man. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2005, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/113 "2005-08-13T14:33:43Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > This poor woman isn’t going to get anything out of a meeting with Bush; he will tell her what he’s been saying for two years, she won’t believe it, and she’ll either give up in frustration and grief or she’ll hound home some more. Have you considered that perhaps she isn’t out only for herself? That her motivations might be those of a citizen as well as of a grieving mother? That the attitudes and feelings she wishes to change might not be her own, but _Bush’s_? His isolation from anyone who has differing views is well-known, and has undeniably degraded his decisionmaking ability as well as his political standing. He simply has never been confronted with the discrepancies between the real world and his preferred conception of it. It has never been clear that he understood the gravity of what he was doing by starting this war, nor that he understands any better now, nor that he is able to consider any other course of action other than “Bring 'em on” and “Stay the course”. Bush has never been forced to be accountable for his actions to the citizenry that employs him. Could it actually be that Ms. Sheehan is trying to address that problem and thereby save other soldiers’ lives? Can you conceive of that possibility? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2005, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/114 "2005-08-13T14:36:48Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > Those who sit and type also serve > … > Damn right! I’m so tough my danglees are made out of beef jerky. So what did the recruiting sergeant tell you about your eligibility when you went to the enlistment center, tough guy? Or did you take up the time telling him about your Big Dog Theory? You got some 'splaining to do if you ever want to regain any credibility here. Time to start. ---
**Author:** ![Sevastopol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Sevastopol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevastopol)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2005, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/115 "2005-08-13T14:55:12Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > I think the concern over what will happen if we pull out is a legitimate one. Chaos and civil war? Thats what we have now. How long do we wait to see real progress? How much should it cost us? How much will it cost us in the future? Is it progress against terrorism? That is the concern of right-minded people of course. To the people actually making the decisions the iraqis are immaterial. The sole question is whether the premature withdrawl can be sold as something that promotes the loyalty of the Republican voting consituency in time for 2006. Nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2005, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/116 "2005-08-13T16:04:23Z")
By way the much esteemed _Daily Kos_ [http://www.dailykos.com/](http://www.dailykos.com/) > [@](#): > > Right-wing radio personality Mike Gallagher, who appears with regularity on FOX News to give his very important opinions on things, is very put out by the audacity of Cindy Sheehan, mother of a soldier killed in Iraq, who is sitting by the side of a country road waiting for some answers from her currently-vacationing president. > > So Gallagher is having a counterprotest in Crawford, TX. against her, tonight. He’s calling it the “Pro-America Bus Trip”. Since, you know, Cindy Sheehan is presumably “Anti-America”. > > Mr. Gallagher has four sons, all of prime military age. None are serving, or plan to. > > Mr. Gallagher himself has never served in the military. > > However, here is a picture of him dressed in full military uniform, which he uses to promote “Gallager’s Army”… a charity drive to “support the families of our men and women in uniform.” > > Perhaps someone else can fully digest all the various levels of creepiness here. But I can’t even begin Offered without comment. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2005, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/117 "2005-08-13T17:10:02Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > I thought he’d demonstrate some of that so-called “compassionate conservatism,” myself. I mean, if I were in his shoes and had no intention of ever meeting Mrs. Sheehan, I could at least send an aide out with a pitcher of lemonade, or a portable tent, or even a porta-potty, just as a bit of goodwill. But then again, my compassion doesn’t need a catchy label, so who am I to talk? Yeah, I mean after all, Bush did FORCE HER AT GUNPOINT to set up her protest where she did, The least he could to is make her comfortable. :rolleyes: Since your compasion is so much purer, why don’t you send her some fucking lemonade, you moron. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2005, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/118 "2005-08-13T17:25:09Z")
Just off the top of my head, because **rjung** didn’t get her son killed? ---
**Author:** ![Garfield226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2005, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/119 "2005-08-13T17:40:18Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Bush has never been forced to be accountable for his actions to the citizenry that employs him. Well no…unless you count that one day last November. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2005, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768/120 "2005-08-13T18:32:56Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Just off the top of my head, because **rjung** didn’t get her son killed? Compasion is predicated on getting someone’s son killed? I didn’t know that… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-the-right-wing-smear-machine/316768.md?page=7)