King County Republicans continue their undercover efforts within the city limits of Seattle, and they are not to be misunderestimated. I spotted an obvious GOP cointelpro operative today at Caffe Ladro, on California Ave. SW in West Seattle. The message was a handy one, in political terms: it's not just your everyday Lefty moonbats and whole-grain Seattle bookstores that are filled with unhinged Bush-hatred. No - supporters of organized labor have gone off the tracks, too.
A guy in a Ford Ranger truck pulls up to the coffee shop, parks three feet off the curb, and goes in. On his rear bumper, three stickers. One says "The Labor Movement: The People Who Brought You The Weekend." The next two bear the name of an outfit called JailBush.com. One says, "George Bush is A Lying Sack Of S***." Classy, huh? The other one says, "I Love My Country; It's The Criminals In Charge I Can't Stand." The truck's driver is in line next to me. I take a good look. Short, burly, bearded, late 40s, work boots, plaid shirt, Bud Light cap. Playing the part to the hilt.
This is the kind of stuff, along with de rigeur stiff-arming of "out" Republicans or Republican-friendly individuals at social gatherings in Blue Cities, that pushes the long-suffering closeted Seattle moderates and conservatives into political action. The more such intolerant displays evident in the city, the more nourishment for GOP grassroots efforts.
So a big doff of the ol' chapeau to savvy GOP strategists. Of course, I realize they can't own up to this wicked good ground war strategem. Savvy spooks never take credit. Yet it complements brilliantly their secret pact with Tim Keck, publisher of The Stranger, detailed here, and here.
Posted by Matt Rosenberg at April 05, 2005 05:29 PM | Email ThisI think you are definitely onto something here. Other than the bumper stickers, this guy sure sounds like a Republican.
Posted by: Unkl Witz on April 5, 2005 06:13 PMhttp://www.thenewpr.com/wiki/pmwiki.php/Resources/CEOBlogsList
(Posted by "Respectfully Republican" http://www.plucrs.blospot.com"
Posted by: Patrick E. Bell on April 5, 2005 06:15 PMIt's the fourth of July. A beautiful summer day, evening stretches into night, waiting for the fireworks. And someone finds out that you're conservative.
It's a boat, for heaven's sake...there's a gazillion people on board, adult fluids in abundance....
...and you're calculating to yourself how many hours you need to survive in order to beat a hasty and safe exit...
The polls regularly show that there are tens of thousands of conservative voters in the Sea area...but where are they when you're cornered like a rat???? And how, exactly, did I become responsible for all the sins of man????
Perilous times, these...
The real problem, of course, is that one either speaks up with confidence or totally clams up. There's no reasoning with alcohol.
Not that they'd understand, even if sober.
Posted by: scott158 on April 5, 2005 06:25 PMExcellent analogy Scott.
Hope everything came out OK.
Posted by: Unkl Witz on April 5, 2005 07:46 PMYou have to hold your ground, look them in the eye, and ask "Shall I embarrass you one at a time, or all at once?"
Posted by: Larry on April 5, 2005 08:08 PM(Sorry Matt..Common sense and decency made me say that even though you may have meant well. Your original post on Rosenblog was much better written and applies to bigots in general.)
Timman
Posted by: Timman on April 5, 2005 09:27 PMas it happens, I DID open my mouth. and then walked to shore when I wanted to.
deal.
I mean, really. Considering they know very little about history and economics, it's not that tough when they're sober. Heck, I use to have to defend views before profs that disagreed...
do you really fall for every bit of bait that you see? don't open the door if it's a fuller brush salesman. you'd never make it as a steelhead, even if the moniker fits.
Posted by: scott158 on April 5, 2005 10:38 PMIt's been awhile since I've heard of anyone walking on water. I am impressed!
You don't have to know much about either history or economics to know more than most folks. But I've found that a detailed knowledge of either doesn't really have much to do with their political orientation. In other words, learned people in both history and economics end up on both sides of the aisle.
Ideology seems to come from something much more emotional and deep seated. And it often remains steadfast, despite the obvious contradictions that appear in logic and behavior.
There are facts on both sides that are simply indefensible: for instance Bill Clinton's service record and his sexual peccadillos. Other obvious examples are George Bush's service record and his ill advised war in Iraq. And yes, sadly, here at home on the shores of Puget Sound, the performance of our King County Election folks. It's enough to make one hang their head in despair.
If I were really the type to believe in conspiracies, I would posit that Chris Vance had somehow infiltrated Dean Logan's group last year and wrecked the havoc we now see unfolding each day. But I don't give him that much credit. Anymore than I'd be willing to credit Karl Rove for planting the material that embarrassed Dan Rather.
In the end, I guess we just have to grin and bear it. My best advice would be to avoid political discussions at social gatherings, particularly on boats. Same goes for religion and sex.
Posted by: Unkl Witz on April 6, 2005 08:46 AMLearned people in history and economics invariably end up on the right side of the aisle. Pseudo-academic losers and bloated fools like Ward Churchill and J.K. Galbreath sit very comfortably on the left, and you follow them like a true believer. Your best feature is that you are quite comfortable in your knowledge and it shows. Prattle on there genious.
Posted by: Amused by liberals on April 6, 2005 09:37 AMI always thought it was because the Clinton and Clinton memoirs, the Franken steins and other authors' books were selling in the real world, so Costco got them real cheap.
Posted by: swatter on April 6, 2005 10:27 AMFor some reason, I was under the impression we had agreed you would discontinue reading my posts as they displeased you and affected your blood pressure so. I guess old habits are hard to break.
Thank you for your comment, I am gratified that you remain among my loyal readers.
You are quite evidently under all sorts of impressions. I am not waiting for any of them to make any sense, but they are amusing.
Exhibit more of your deep political insights, maybe something about the numerous famous liberal economists you have studied. Are you a fiery Noam Chomsky-ist like headless or do you settle for the more prudent and staid economic theories of Ted Kennedy?
Posted by: Amused by liberals on April 6, 2005 12:29 PMDo you live in a closet somewhere?
Posted by: Amused by liberals on April 6, 2005 01:42 PM