The challenge for the grass roots left

[ryoder 1,590]

quade

***The question I am posing is; can democrats harness the energy of the alt-left without being co-opted by it?

Are you writing a comic book?

There is no "alt-left."

What would that even be?

What a coincidence;
The first thing that Google picks up is that Sean Hannity was using the term yesterday: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/02/08/sean-hannity-alt-left-seeks-to-take-down-trump-at-americas-expense.html

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[brenthutch 444]

For the purposes of my post, it is shorthand for: anarchists, communists, socialist, radical feminists, environmental extremists and Lena Dunham.

[jakee 1,500]

brenthutch

******The fight is for the center, a fight that, for now, the Tea Party has demonstrably won.

What is the evidence that the Tea Party has won the centre?

White House, Senate, House of Reps.

Controlled by the Republican Party, yes (well, the White House is debatable on that one). What is the evidence that the Tea Party faction is responsible for that success?

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[jakee 1,500]

ryoder

What a coincidence;
The first thing that Google picks up is that Sean Hannity was using the term yesterday: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/02/08/sean-hannity-alt-left-seeks-to-take-down-trump-at-americas-expense.html

Wow. He is, with a straight face, moaning that the Democrats are slowing down Trump's agenda in an unfair manner. You know, I guess Trump does have a point about the very very dishonest media

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[quade 4]

brenthutch

For the purposes of my post, it is shorthand for: anarchists, communists, socialist, radical feminists, environmental extremists and Lena Dunham.

So then, you ARE writing a comic book. Hey, let me know if you need an artist. I have a couple I can hook you up with.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[brenthutch 444]

hannity? He is a clown. Here is where I first heard it.

http://townhall.com/columnists/katiekieffer/2016/09/19/meet-the-altleft-n2220273

[brenthutch 444]

quade

***For the purposes of my post, it is shorthand for: anarchists, communists, socialist, radical feminists, environmental extremists and Lena Dunham.

So then, you ARE writing a comic book. Hey, let me know if you need an artist. I have a couple I can hook you up with.

No thanks, as I have stated earlier, I am friends with a lot of Democrats.

[quade 4]

brenthutch

hannity? He is a clown. Here is where I first heard it.

http://townhall.com/columnists/katiekieffer/2016/09/19/meet-the-altleft-n2220273

Katie Kieffer's definition seem to be at odds with your own.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[brenthutch 444]

So? For the purposes of this thread, I defined it. Given the post-election events, I thing she would agree with my refinement.

[wmw999 2,456]

Howzabout we figure that equating "alt-left" (which is really a backformation to muddle the self-identified and self-named alt-right) with run-of-the-mill democrats is about the same as equating alt-right with republicans.
Of course, that doesn't lend itself as well to facile generalizations and sarcastic put downs, but I'm sure you're up to the challenge.

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[jakee 1,500]

brenthutch

So? For the purposes of this thread, I defined it. Given the post-election events, I thing she would agree with my refinement.

Why would you think that?

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[ryoder 1,590]

wmw999

Howzabout we figure that equating "alt-left" (which is really a backformation to muddle the self-identified and self-named alt-right) with run-of-the-mill democrats is about the same as equating alt-right with republicans.
Of course, that doesn't lend itself as well to facile generalizations and sarcastic put downs, but I'm sure you're up to the challenge.

Wendy P.

+1 !!!

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[brenthutch 444]

Ok for the sake of clarity, I will withdraw "alt-left"
The question I am posing is; can democrats harness the energy of the anarchists, communists, socialist, radical feminists, environmental extremists and Lena Dunham without being co-opted by them. It seems to me the strategy of pandering to grievance/identity politics has backfired and party leadership is unwilling or unable to turn the page.

[jakee 1,500]

brenthutch

Ok for the sake of clarity, I will withdraw "alt-left"

For the sake of clarity, will you also indicate that you understand the Tea Party is not the same thing as the Republican party?

Quote

It seems to me the strategy of pandering to grievance/identity politics has backfired...

Seems to me it worked brilliantly for Trump.

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[wmw999 2,456]

I'm not sure that run-of-the-mill democrats embrace the anarchists, communists etc as warmly as run-of-the-mill republicans seem to embrace militia types and racists. I don't think that most liberal equate "pissing off conservatives" as being automatically good; it does kind of seem sometimes that vocal trumpeters and trumpettes do, in fact, equate pissed-off liberals with good.

Me, Most social and political things are a little more complex than will work with an either-or approach.

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[brenthutch 444]

Ring the bell, class is in session

1. The Tea Party was a grass roots movement
2. The Tea Party self policed and eliminated radical and subversive elements to the extent the general public did not conflate the tea party with the kkk or neo nazis.
3. The Tea Party was instrumental in the Republican victory in 2010
4. This put Republicans in charge of redistricting, relegating the Democratic Party to long term minority status

Ding ding, class dismissed

Now that the history lesson is done, I will pose my question.

Can the Democratic Party harness the energy of the Million Vagina March, eschew the hate and turn it into political power, like the Republicans did with the Tea Party?

[quade 4]

brenthutch

Can the Democratic Party harness the energy of the Million Vagina March, eschew the hate and turn it into political power, like the Republicans did with the Tea Party?

Pssst. Your blatant misogyny is showing.

You'll have more success in discussions by not doing that.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[normiss 806]

At least Bannon is savory...
Actually, I think he's another religiously insane ass.
He clearly wants a christian jihad and caliphate.

[brenthutch 444]

Lighten up Francis, I'm just poking a bit of fun.

[normiss 806]

That's the problem with those that enjoy misogynistic bullying.
They think it's fun.

[brenthutch 444]

normiss

At least Bannon is savory...
Actually, I think he's another religiously insane ass.
He clearly wants a christian jihad and caliphate.

Sounds like a great topic for another thread.

[normiss 806]

Ah, so calling out that the alt-white wing has crazies in it same way you did about the left is bad.
Snow flake?

[gowlerk 2,216]

brenthutch

For the purposes of my post, it is shorthand for: anarchists, communists, socialist, radical feminists, environmental extremists and Lena Dunham.

Out of curiosity, what is alt-right shorthand for in your mind?

Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free.

[gowlerk 2,216]

Quote

Can the Democratic Party harness the energy of the Million Vagina March,

Do you really think you can post that and expect to be taken as a decent human being? Just by calling it joking?

Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free.

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

gowlerk

Quote

Can the Democratic Party harness the energy of the Million Vagina March,

Do you really think you can post that and expect to be taken as a decent human being? Just by calling it joking?

Why not?

Trump was recorded bragging about committing sexual assault and apparently his supporters think he's a "decent human being".

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo