The scariest thing I've ever seen

[Sean]

I wish McCain was right when he said that it's only a fringe element at his and Palin's rallies that were this extremist and bigotted, but I don't think he is. It seems to be a clearly notable portion of the crowd.

Thankfully, I've seen nothing comparable from Obama rallies.

[cacophony]

you could argue that rally attendees represent a small portion of the total republican voter base. and if the bigoted attendees make up only a portion of that portion, you do end up with a "fringe element" responsible for the offensiveness.

we have to be careful not to do the same thing that happened when hillary didn't get the nomination. it was easy to look at the hillary rallies and say, "wow a lot of women are angry and will vote for mccain if she doesn't get the nod." but in reality that very visible, very vocal group turned out to be an itty bitty minority and most of her supporters won't defect after all.

just because these people are visible and vocal, we can't automatically decide they represent the whole.

[jOHN rODRIGUEZ]

Originally Posted by cacophony

just because these people are visible and vocal, we can't automatically decide they represent the whole.

I agree.

Yet, when so many are being so vocal in a non-cohesive fashion, those who turn a blind eye and say nothing in regards to what is so blatantly wrong are just a guilty as the perpetrators.

[cacophony]

Originally Posted by jOHN rODRIGUEZ

Yet, when so many are being so vocal in a non-cohesive fashion, those who turn a blind eye and say nothing in regards to what is so blatantly wrong are just a guilty as the perpetrators.

absolutely.

"all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing"

[Deckard]

Originally Posted by cacophony

you could argue that rally attendees represent a small portion of the total republican voter base. and if the bigoted attendees make up only a portion of that portion, you do end up with a "fringe element" responsible for the offensiveness.

we have to be careful not to do the same thing that happened when hillary didn't get the nomination. it was easy to look at the hillary rallies and say, "wow a lot of women are angry and will vote for mccain if she doesn't get the nod." but in reality that very visible, very vocal group turned out to be an itty bitty minority and most of her supporters won't defect after all.

just because these people are visible and vocal, we can't automatically decide they represent the whole.

You're quite right. Looking back at that Hillary stage of the campaign, I think I was guilty of having lapsed into that way of thinking to some extent - I think more out of cynicism/pessimism/over-caution (delete as appropriate!) than anything else, but your point absolutely stands. One of those things we all need reminding of at some point!

Originally Posted by jOHN rODRIGUEZ

Yet, when so many are being so vocal in a non-cohesive fashion, those who turn a blind eye and say nothing in regards to what is so blatantly wrong are just a guilty as the perpetrators.

Well said jOHN. And remaining silent can contribute to that 'small vocal minority' slowly but surely turning into a majority - undoubtedly how some of the worse atrocities in the world have been allowed to occur.

[Troy McClure]

A video of the vile in Ohio speaking to Al Jazeera English TV no less. In Ohio after a Gov. Palin rally. Notice how calm the people are explaining Obama.


The line to get into a McCain rally in Pennsylvania on October 8th:


Palin rally a few weeks ago in Ohio:


part2:


I had my own experience last night at a restaurant. My mom and I each wore an Obama pin to dinner and saw a friend there. He called me a socialist and defended the man who owned the bank we both used to work at, First National Bank of Arizona. The owner Ray Lamb is profiled here in the Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article_email/...zkwODM5Wj.html I told my friend how he ruined the bank, and he wouldn't believe me. Then some guy overheard me and said if I liked socialism so much, my mom and I should move to Venezuela. But that douchebag couldn't say it to my face. He said it as he walked away from me. Both of them said that the rich people work harder than anyone else in America. I said even teachers, fire fighters, military and nurses? They said yes! Stupidity FTW!

Jason

[Deckard]

As a Brit, it really is hilarious - and bizarre - hearing Obama's policies described as socialist.

How our politics differ...!

Also people calling him an 'extreme leftist'

LOLZ! W....T....F.....?!!!

[gambit]

You're an "extreme leftist" in this country when you're not an extreme rightist. You mention universal healthcare, and suddenly, you're a socialist. It makes no sense whatsoever.

[cacophony]

Originally Posted by Troy McClure

Both of them said that the rich people work harder than anyone else in America.

i've found the opposite is true. i make pretty good scratch these days and i'm willing to go on record as saying i worked far far harder when i was making $11/hr as an assistant audio engineer.

[jOHN rODRIGUEZ]

YEAH! I BELONG.