Remaking of RSmitty (with alternate titles)
Mar 17th, 2009 by RSmitty
Alternate Titles:
- I Blame Maria, You All Can Blame Me
- Maria is Dangerous, Heed Her Words or Hide
- A Brick Smacked My Head, it Had Initials M.E. On It
- Maria Kicked My Dog; Not Really, But It Sure Seemed Like It
For the more serious:
- Why Now and Not Before?
- Apparently, I’m NOT Alone
Within hours of my come-to-Smitty post called “Not the GOP Anymore,” I received a couple of calls, several emails, and even a mysterious brick labelled “M.E.” that bounced off my head. OK, the brick didn’t literally happen, but figuratively, it did.
In one sense, it worked. I discovered I am hardly alone in my views and frustrations. From a few spots were requests to reconsider. From others were people holding the door wide open, urging me to follow through. Lastly, there was the group (two people) that basically gave the shoulder treatment with the figurative “whatever.”
Why did I even do that post was a common question. It was on the heels of bowing down to a very specific segment represented by Rush Limbaugh. I heard the circumstances that led to it and to this day, I don’t care. The apology should never have happened, period. All Chairman Steele was in this case, another in a growing line of Republican Congresspeople or leaders making sure they apologize to Rush, in fear of offending the radio personality. As a party, we should not care one iota about Rush’s feelings. Sorry, but we shouldn’t. Whoops, I apologized. Dang it, I blame the trend. He is a radio personality. How would you feel about Tom Ross publically apologizing to Rick Jensen? Seriously, what is the difference? How about apologizing to Dan Gaffney? Get the point?
Whether you like it or not (and I honestly don’t care, because I am firm in this), Chairman Steele was correct in his assessment of Limbaugh’s show. He is incendiary and he is devisive. He is entertainment. Well, not to me, but certainly to millions he is. If he wants the pulpit to drive his political agenda and build his movement as a party segment, then fine, he should, but he should be honest about it.
That’s what I want, honesty. I want every segment of the Republican Party to be able to look at itself and not others and discover what is wrong about them. Don’t tell me why my moderate views are wrong for the party, rather tell me (figuratively) why your views may not be right for the future of the party. I’ve done this exercise in the past week and understand where I am at. I also understand what I was doing that didn’t help.
Now, for the very public flogging that will commence upon completion of this post. I completed the form to change my registration to “I”. Part of the requirement, though, is to mail a hard-copy so the change is complete. I printed it, have it in an envelope, but it remained in my bag. Part because I am forgetful with all that is going on, and part because of the response I received from my post. I referenced Maria because she easily was the most influential person (plus I fear for the safety of my dog that I do not have) to put things into perspective for me. She was one of a few, though. After talking with her and others, I am convinced things will indeed changed. The Republican Party will evolve and become modern. It will not happen overnight. Look in the mirror hard, and you will see that we are not trusted. It is self-criticisms like this (and many more) that will start to realign us. Now, I have to contact the COE and determine if my change is valid or not.
UPDATE: Not valid without the hardcopy.
Rush called. He offered to lick the stamp for you.
Well, damn it, he should. The stamp that sends him to the south pole where he can march the penguins. Then again, that would be a hell of a lot of postage.
Go get ‘em, Smitty.
BTW, I like you just the way you are, um… were, no – are!
Whatever, you get the point.
I say, “Good for Maria”. Toss that form in the trash, my friend. We have work to do. Did you see the latest outrage–we want to see if we can bill vets for their service related care.
RSmitty,
“He who hesitates is lost.” – English Idiom
Specifically, who are the national leaders of the repub party that are going to change or moderate the party in the next 4 years or even 10 years? Limbaugh? Romney? Palin? Huckabee? Paul? Gingrich? Face reality, there are not any.
And how about locally? Castle? Protack? Copeland?
Any woman who supports a party that wants to have the state control her privacy rights and reproductive health choices isn’t working on all cylinders, so you can ignore Maria’s pleadings. She doesn’t want you to leave because she doesn’t want to face her own cognitive dissonance.
Gov. Russell Peterson recognized where the party was headed and left the repubs in October 1996. He was right then, and he is even more right today. It is time you joined him. Better late than never.
Don’t be a loser. Send it in.
anonone
Then let them beat me down, a1. Don’t disparage Maria, either. She and I are seeing this from the same angle.
Current state is what it is, but if you can not or refuse to believe in change (hey, it’s not copyrighted), then what do you have?
Dear RSmitty,
Wishing won’t make it so.
The party has long left you.
Even repub Saint Reagan left the Democratic Party when he felt that they were becoming too liberal.
Leaving a party that you feel has gone over the ideological cliff is not a bad thing to do. You can to.
There is no evidence whatsoever to support your statement “The Republican Party will evolve and become modern.” None. Nada. Zip. (Unless you think that Steele’s appeal to hip-hop has merit.)
You should be persuading Maria, not the other way around. How many more years are you going to waste? How many more anvils are you gonna drown with?
And think about this: you’re making Protack very happy.
(I know, that was low.)
And think about this: you’re making Protack very happy.
Actually, no, my presence probably pisses him off to high levels.
anonone- Castle IS a moderate Republican. He fought Bush over embryonic stem cells, he lobbied the GOP Congress to NOT impeach Clinton, he has a good environmental record and the list goes on…
As far as my rights go, my reproductive rights survived 8 years of a Bush Administration virtually unscathed, and I fear more for my privacy under the control of Democrats than Republicans.
Ah, Maria chimes in!
“He fought Bush over embryonic stem cells”
And lost. Did he ever win anything against Bush/Cheney? Of course not. Did he ever seriously try? Of course not.
“he lobbied the GOP Congress to NOT impeach Clinton”
And then he voted to impeach Clinton.
“he has a good environmental record”
For example? He did what to help the environment as governor?
“and the list goes on…”
You mean his do-nothing record or his hypocrisy?
Face it. Castle hasn’t done anything as a moderate repub. By the way, is he your hope for the future of your party? Is he really the best you can do? Neither RSmitty nor you answered my first questions – who are your future leaders that you expect to save your party?
“my reproductive rights survived 8 years of a Bush”
Aren’t you lucky? Unfortunately, thanks to the global gag rule reinstated by Bush on his first day in office, millions of women’s reproductive choices were curtailed. But empathy for other people is not something self-centered repubs like you are known for. What do you care?
Fortunately, President Obama rescinded the global gag rule.
“I fear more for my privacy under the control of Democrats than Republicans.”
Yes, because all those Bush/Cheney policies allowing torture, stifling of free speech, politicized justice department, domestic spying, etc. all happened under the evil democRATS, right Maria?
I can’t believe RSmitty fell for this nonsense.
anonone Castle went against Bush on embryonic stem cells, that’s more than most Democrats in Congress did during the Bush years, face it. He also tried to stop the impeachment vote, but yes, he did end up voting yes on an article of impeachment that was…gasp…true, but again, going against the party. Castle was also endorsed time and time again by the League of Conservation voters, and here’s how they describe Castle’s environmental record:
But I guess you know more than they do about Castle’s record.
And the “global gag rule” is the best example you can come up with? That’s what you’re trying to trash me with when it comes to abortion? The fact that Bush wouldn’t pay for women’s abortions in other countries? Gee, I’m devastated and feel that I can no longer call myself “pro choice” because of your comment. Try again, Junior.
As for your last point, why did a Senate lead by a Democrat majority vote in favor for the Patriot Act 98-1? Democrats are just as “evil” when it comes to taking away my privacy, they just publicly lament screwing us more so people like you think there’s some kind of a difference.
Excuse me if I’m not swayed.
One more point, anonone…
You keep asking who GOPers have on the bench, who the future of the party is…well who was the Democrats’ future a few scant years ago? All you guys had to offer was Kerry, another tired old career-in-congress-liberal. Things change.
Dear Maria,
It must be some kind of weird twisted repub logic that says when you vote with your party for impeachment that is somehow “going against the party.” So voting “with” is going “against.” Your cognitive dissonance is enormous.
In regards to your other points:
“Castle went against Bush on embryonic stem cells, that’s more than most Democrats in Congress did during the Bush years, face it.”
Wrong. Stem cell research was supported by a large majorities of the Democratic caucuses in both houses. Democratic caucus majorities often voted against the Bush and the repubs in both houses.
“Castle was also endorsed time and time again by the League of Conservation voters”
You’re right, his environmental record is better than most repubs, though that is not saying much, as most of his votes made no difference in any significant piece of legislation.
And when he had a chance as DE governor for two terms, he did little to improve Delaware’s air and water quality. (Not that Minner or Carper were much better.)
So Castle’s environmental record is about the same as a moderate dem’s. So I’ll concede that. But is he still your best hope?
“The fact that Bush wouldn’t pay for women’s abortions in other countries?”
You really might try doing some research before you get affectionate with me. The global gag rule wasn’t about just paying for abortions:
“The policy required non-governmental organizations to “agree as a condition of their receipt of [U.S.] federal funds” that they would “neither perform nor actively promote abortion as a method of family planning in other nations”
It was about NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT ABORTION as an option for women, whether or not the woman could pay for it. Do you even know what “gag” means? I could show you.
“why did a Senate lead by a Democrat majority vote in favor for the Patriot Act 98-1?”
If Bush had been paying attention and defending our country, 9/11 would never have happened and the PATRIOT act would never have happened either. I am not defending that monstrosity. But the executive controls the machinations of law enforcement and national security, not the Congress. Bush/Cheney went way beyond even the PATRIOT law.
“well who was the Democrats’ future a few scant years ago”
That is easy: Dean (who kicked your side’s butt as head of the DNC).
Then we had Clinton, Edwards, Obama, Richardson, Kerry (again) and even Biden, who were all solid as mainstream Democratic party leaders.
Who’d you have then? Who you got now? Steele as head of RNC. LOL
Then Palin, Huckabee, Romney, Limbaugh, Hannity, McCain, Paul, Gingrich, Crist – did I miss anybody?
By the way, this isn’t a discussion of RSmitty going R to D; it is just R to I. You should fill out the same form and mail them in together.
anonone your distorted view of Castle’s record is laughable. After Minner’s two environmentally DISASTEROUS terms as Governor, Delaware Democrats have no room to criticize Castle.
In fact, Delaware Democrats really don’t have room to criticize anyone about reproductive rights, the environment, personal privacy or any other “value” after they threw their alleged “values” out of a window like they were on fire to court, recruit and run John Atkins for the House.
Maria,
“Atkins” is the best you got in a discussion of national political party leadership? LOL And where did I defend Minner or Carper?
And I am not suggesting R to D, just R to I.
I guess all you can do is deflect because you certainly can’t defend.
Who you got?
anonone I did defend. When I brought up Castle’s environmental record you poo pooed it. He bucked the GOP on impeachment and stem cells, again, not good enough for you. I won’t even bother with off shore drilling because somehow I suspect that won’t be good enough for you, either.
I know exactly what the “global gag rule” is. All of the whining liberals did about Bush and abortion and the only thing you’ve got to show for it is the global gag rule. A rule, incidentally, that did not take away anyone’s right anywhere on the planet to have an abortion.
And I like the way you deflected on the Patriot Act. “Waa, it’s Bush’s fault.” No, it’s not. A Senate LEAD by Democrats passed it 98-1 and, incidentally, a Democrat, Bob Graham from Florida, helped write it. Go cry to them about the way they happily conspired to hack away at your right to privacy.
As far as your suggestion about me going from R to I, you can jam it up your A. Consider it my suggestion box.
Maria,
There you go again. He “bucked the GOP on impeachment” by voting for it. Uh Huh. Stem cells, ANWAR, and off shore drilling are all pretty much main stream Dem positions.
In regards to abortion, not only did the “gag rule” prevent women from having abortions, it prevented them from even knowing it was an option. Rights, in the absence of the ability to exercise them or even know you have them, are meaningless. Even a repub like you should be able to understand that.
And if you think the SCOTUS isn’t one vote away from overturning Roe v Wade because of all the repub justices, you’re kidding yourself. And if you want to go into abortion even more, look at the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, and hope that your life or someone you love’s life is never endangered by a late-term pregnancy.
And I never defended the PATRIOT act. Never.
But, hey, you want to talk about anything else but the future of the repub party because you can’t win that one. You’re kidding yourself and RSmitty if you think it is going to moderate. All you can do is deflect because you certainly can’t defend.
C’mon, Maria, who ya got?
Hey you two. I just got here. Can you keep it going? I’m loving this thread.
BTW, anon1, I actually missed the question about future leadership. That is absolutely an issue. I guess it will have to be me. It is a burden, you know, being….me.
I kid, of course.
In my world view, social conservatism as well as social liberalism is a personal choice. I would much rather our government focus on fiscal issues and international relations and co-habitation (which we all need to realize what living on this planet means: co-habitation), which includes things such as environment, climate, etc.
What I’d really be interested in reading is a post by Maria stating what she likes about the Republican Party, what she feels needs to change and where she thinks they went wrong in this last election.
RSmitty,
Maria’s got nobody.
Send in the card.
anonone Castle is a moderate, the fact that you admit that many of his stands are also “mainstream Dem positions” illustrates that nicely. Thank you.
Now you’re bringing up the Partial Birth Abortion Ban? That would not have passed without the support of Democrats in both the House and Senate.
And you brought the Patriot Act into the mix when you brought up “domestic spying.” The Patriot Act opened up that door. It doesn’t matter if you support it or not, a Senate lead by Democrats passed it 98-1.
Maybe before you suggest that Republicans change parties, you should work on your own party first, that’s what I plan on doing.
As far as the future of the Republican Party, I don’t know what candidates will emerge in 2010 and 2012, but I do know that the future is looking much brighter when people like Smitty decide to stay and fight.
She’s got me.
A1, sorry bud (or buddette…I don’t even know!!!), but one thing about me is I can’t go without a fight. This certainly is no low-hanging fruit, either. I know I have serious cards stacked against me, especially with my ideologies. I just can’t walk, though, it’s not that simple for me. There certainly can be a day where that is the remaining option, but I can’t let it be an option at all when I haven’t even really tried to make a difference.
While I know the thought of any Republican makes you want to go find a vat of acid to jump into (not the trippy kind, but the ouch-that-really-hurts kind), but imagine if my brand rises.
I’m not dead yet!
pandora-#16 explains where my suggestion box is located.
Up A1′s arse? Ewwww….
Maria writes:
“As far as the future of the Republican Party, I don’t know what candidates will emerge in 2010 and 2012, but I do know that the future is looking much brighter when people like Smitty decide to stay and fight.”
You got nothing. There is no leadership anywhere to turn your party around. Patriots like former repub Gov. Russell Peterson figured this out in 1996. Now, here it is 12 years later, and you’re still wishing. Rush Limbaugh is leading your party by the nose while you’re whistling in the dark.
Did you ever watch blue crabs in a bushel? Whenever one tries to climb out, all the others reach up an pull ‘em back down. That’s the repubs. Maria, you’re just pulling RSmitty back down into the bushel so he can get cooked with the rest of you.
Don’t let her do it, RSmitty. She’s got nobody. Nothing. The battle she wants you want to fight was lost years ago.
Send in the card.
Dave Burris wrote:
“Rewind a few years and A1 would be calling Russ Peterson a kowtower”
Utterly wrong. I have admired him his whole career. Unlike the current crop of repub leaders, Peterson was a heroic and courageous governor, a fighter for social justice and equal rights, and an outstanding environmentalist.
“Crist and Huntsman in the center to Jindal, Ryan and Cantor on the right. They join established people in the party like Gingrich, Romney, Jeb Bush & Sanford.”
I respect your courage to name some names, but they range from crooks (Gingrich) to whack job liars (Jindal) to Bush lapdogs (Cantor). Fat chance the country will ever elect another Bush (Jeb) and a Mormon (Romney) hasn’t got a shot with your Fundies.
And you conveniently ignored your party’s really big “stars”: Palin and Huckabee. And good luck with Michael Steele and Rush Limbaugh leading the way to pull it all together.
But what about Crist and Huntsman? I’m keeping my eye on them, and really need to learn more, but these two seem to be distancing themselves from the pack.
What I’ve learned so far:
)
- Maria’s suggestion box can be found in A1′s arse
- We have no idea about A1′s gender
- DB isn’t arrogant or foolish enough to tell me what to do (probably because he’d know what I’d do back
- Are Crist and Hunstman be the figures that stoke concern to D’s?
- If A1 ever tosses me an anvil, it will have a tender-nothing-personal kind of note tied to it, and maybe even an offer to take care of my family after I am gone…all out of respect, of course!
- The social conservatives starting to ignore my declarations while the center and left begin to fight over them…is the Smitty the figure to be dealt with?
- The Smitty needs a nice, cold beer after such an ego stroke as the one he gave himself just above.
Concerned? Not yet, mainly because they haven’t been subject to the full force of social conservatives. Time will tell.
Pandora,
Hunstman is to repubs as Lieberman is to Dems. Small state, no national base, social moderate. Not likely to win support from Limbaugh, social conservatives, or fundies.
Crist may be more formidable as a “moderate” repub since he starts from a bigger state. I don’t know much about his record, and he hasn’t been on the national stage much.
I don’t know how either will play with the Bush/Cheney lovin’ repub base.
“The Smitty needs a nice, cold beer after such an ego stroke as the one he gave himself just above.”
Send your card in first.
Dave,
Maria asked who was on the D’s bench in 2005. Of course, you aren’t going to like them, but you have to admit, it was a lot stronger for D’s in 2005 than it is for R’s in 2009.
And, “Captain Superficial” routed your “Angry Old Man and Bimbo” – plus the D’s have the House and Senate in larger majorities than your side ever had in the last 20 years.
What are you looking at winning back next?
Dave wrote:
“Occasionally, we have to put liberals in charge so that the American public can be reminded of what a STUPID IDEA it is. The Carter years were necessary, and so are the Obama years.”
So YOU REPUBLIKINS conservatorys erected Obama. Gawdam, man, what brilliant and unkonvensional strategery. Now, I’m thinkin dat the democRATS erected Bush/Cheney as part of their strategery to get Obama e5rected and fakin you guys out. Fawkin brilliant, dude. What do U think or do u think?
anonone
And the Bush years? What will they remind the public of?
Seriously? What about what happened to the economy? How about the Iraq War? These seem noteworthy – and I’m not talking about in a partisan fashion.
Dave, I wanna be a republikin conservatory just like U and Maria and RSMitty. Republikins rock and democRATS sOck! If I bcum a republikin, I am going to violate for Sarah Palin and Mike FUckabee 4 Presidant. Is that cool with U?
I’ll need to get a card lik rsmitty, but I’ll SEND MYN IN! Usinfg the UNited STaes Male Service.
Who du U want for governator? Mike Propane? He is trying hard to make a nu republikin store in Delaware. Isnt that gud?
Good pless U and Good pless the republikin partaaaaaaaa!!!!!
I am going to lssen to Shan Handit now. He is a gratmerican.
anonone
pandora,
Leaf Bush ALOOOONE! It isn;t fair. It isn;t his fawlt – it was all Klinton and Obomo’s faawlts. Presdent Bush is a gud man. He was a gud conservatory lik Rush Lembaw. He likd to drink and et pretzls like a rgular guy. He did not start the iRaq war the democRATS did just to get him in truble.
He willbe dismembered as a gud pursun who luvd baseball and his dog. Leaf Bush ALOOOOONE!
anonone
Sheesh, anonone….really…quite while you’re ahead. LOL.
a1 – can you at least misspell your names on these rants. It would add a little more spice to your dish.
Oh, instead of RSMitty…mix up the caps a little. RSmItTy has more the look of a lunatic than does consecutive caps.