HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

(Cross-posted at Clintonistas for Obama)

Apparently, we have a new round of fighting occurring here at MyDD over "PUMA". Now I know it's easy to just become angry and scream about it... However, I'd like for us to all calm down and really think about what this "PUMA" phenomenon is supposed to be all about. Oh yes, and why don't we think about WHO this is supposed to be all about?

Please follow me after the flip for more...

So what does Hillary think about this "movement" being built in her name to slash and burn the Democratic Party? Well, I think we now know what the answer is. Hillary couldn't have been clearer in asking us who've supported her all the way to do what she's doing now.

And yes, I really do believe Hillary is 120% genuine now in her support for Barack Obama. Frankly, I think the "PUMAs" who are running around saying that Hillary is being "forced" to do this are onlt reinforcing the negative stereotypes of Hillary being the "conniving, power-hungry witch willing to do anything to mnake it to the top". I really think these "Hillary really doesn't support Barack" rumors are a grave dishonor to both of these wonderful Democratic leaders and everything they stand for.

OK, OK, so some of these "PUMAs" acknowledge that Hillary truly does care about the Democratic Party. So now they ask: Why should we? Aren't they throwing Hillary Clinton Democrats under the bus now? And if we don't "punish" them now, how will they ever learn their lesson?

Well, I'd rather not rehash old battles from the "primary wars". But still, even I must admit that I still have raw feelings over the much of the party staying silent while Hillary and her supporters were being viciously attacked. And yes, as a volunteers who traveled to Nevada for the Caucus there I saw for myself the unsavory lowlights of the caucus system. But hold on, how is electing John McBush an appropriate response to what happened to Hillary?

This is why my heart warmed up when I saw this from PA. Gov. Ed Rendell:

PUMA advocated that Hillary Clinton supporters do not vote for Barack Obama just for the sake of party unity. Even though we in HOUND are loyal Democrats, we agree that no one should cast a vote for President because of a desire to achieve party unity. We believe Sen. Clinton supporters should vote for Sen. Obama because, as Hillary herself said so forcefully and poignantly in her great speech a few Saturdays ago, the best way to achieve the changes she has fought so hard to bring to America, and on which she based her campaign, is to support Sen. Obama, whose policies are almost identical to hers.

The Clinton-Obama plans on health care, the economy, energy, education and on ending the war in Iraq represent the core values that made us all Democrats - values and positions that are light years apart from the conservative policies enunciated by Sen. McCain (e.g., voting against S-CHIP, voting against raising CAF standards, voting against equal pay for women, voting for increased tax credits for big oil and against extending the credit for the production of renewable energy, expanding an increase in the Bush tax cuts, promoting a war without end in Iraq, etc.) If you care about these things, and we believe PUMA members do, then you must support Sen. Obama.

No one worked harder than I did for Hillary and I believe no one could admire her and what she represents more that I do. But we must get over our disappointment and, as Hillary said, not waste time looking back and thinking about what might have been. Our country's challenges must be addressed immediately, not four years from now. Our beloved country simply cannot afford four more years of Republican do-nothing-for-people government. PUMA members risk just that - it could be a Ralph Nader 2000 redux. Don't let that happen. Close your eyes and think about Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton standing together united at a ceremony for the bill signing of legislation that guarantees every American affordable, effective healthcare.

Now yes, both Gov. Rendell and I may have complaints about certain aspects of this last primary season. And yes, there are ways for us to fix these problems within the party. However, we must not let our anger from the primaries lead us to making the fatal flaw of allowing McCain to make the nightmare of a thrid Bush-Cheney term into reality. Or as Hillary said it on Friday, we have a unique opportunity to make change happen now and "we can not let this moment slip away".

So if you agree with me and you agree with Gov. Rendell and with Hillary Clinton herself, I urge you to look beyond the misplaced anger of the "PUMAs" and take real action to take back our country. Support Barack Obama. Support Hillary Clinton. Ensure that Democrats will be able to compete and win in all 50 states. Oh yes, and why not be a HOUND for Hillary and Barack?

Tags: Barack Obama, Change, Ed Rendell, Election 2008, Future, Hillary Clinton, HOUND, presidential election, progressive values, progressives, PUMA (all tags)

Comments

92 Comments

Tips? Flames? Suggestions?

You know what to do... ;-)

by atdleft 2008-06-29 12:04PM | 0 recs
Great diary, atd!

And good for Ed! PUMA has made me incredibly sad. For people who love Hillary so much to betray her like that (though I realize that isn't how they see it) is really depressing. Here's hoping they come around soon.

by sricki 2008-06-29 12:20PM | 0 recs
I know...

I'm also hoping some of these "PUMAs" will realize how doing ANYTHING to help John McBush now is nothing more than a slap in the face to Hillary and a dishonoring spit at everything she's worked so hard for.

by atdleft 2008-06-29 12:25PM | 0 recs
I seriously question

PUMA's democratic credentials.

They sound an awful lot like Republicans looking to intentionally divide the democratic party to me.

Puma, is not pro Hillary,  in my view, it is rabidly anti-Obama.

by missliberties 2008-06-29 01:52PM | 0 recs
Re: Tips? Flames? Suggestions?

You do yeoman's work 4 real son.

by MeganLocke 2008-06-29 12:27PM | 0 recs
Thank you...

I'm glad someone here appreciates my "hack work". ;-)

by atdleft 2008-06-29 12:32PM | 0 recs
Re: Thank you...

Tim Russert was a hack--you ain't nothing of the sort!!!!!

by linfar 2008-06-29 01:20PM | 0 recs
Hey, I posted my diary at dKos,

and someone from over there is making unity shirts or something for Clinton and Obama supporters, and he wants to know if he can put our blog's URL on a shirt. I have no idea, so what should I tell him?

by sricki 2008-06-29 12:38PM | 0 recs
Sure! Why not?

Just ask him to let us know when he has it ready, and we'll feature his t-shirt on our blog. :-)

by atdleft 2008-06-29 12:41PM | 0 recs
Wow!

Great news!  Can't wait to buy one.

by psychodrew 2008-06-29 03:31PM | 0 recs
Kudos for a great diary n/t

by lollydee 2008-06-29 01:56PM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

PUMA ?

Isn't there a company making shoes using that name .

I assume there would be copyright issues ?

lol

by lori 2008-06-29 12:20PM | 0 recs
Heh, and a puma

is also a wild cat, I believe...

by sricki 2008-06-29 12:21PM | 0 recs
Re: Heh, and a puma

I would like to see the shoe company sue the animal for trademark infringement.

by CrazyDrumGuy 2008-06-29 01:34PM | 0 recs
Also known as a cougar or

a mountain lion.

I find the whole situation more comical than anything else; as in previous days I kept tabs on them and found that they were using the corporate logo of the shoe company (they since changed it), and no offense meant to anyone who might work for them but they are second tier at best, but it is a great way to falsely inflate the number of people who they can claim as PUMAs, that and the other methods such as registry squatting...

by Sanguine Giant 2008-06-30 01:21PM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

My favorite brand of soccer shoes.

by fbihop 2008-06-29 12:57PM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

Actually that would be a trademark issue, and unless they are selling shoes under that name, they probably are not infringing.  Of course that need not stop the shoe sellers from rattling their legal saber.  You have to show that you are actively defending your mark or you risk loosing it.  I once had the trademark for my technology training business challanged by a company that sells bicycles.  It went nowhere because my mark is in a totally different trade catagory from theirs, but I still had to pay my attorney to write a few letters before it all went away.

by protothad 2008-06-30 08:31AM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

Rendell doesn't get it.

It's kind of hard to get folks to support this position when he and others have dismissed and trivialized their grievances.

by feelfree 2008-06-29 12:33PM | 0 recs
But wait...

How has Ed Rendell "dismissed and trivialized" the "PUMA" grievances? I challenge you to read this...

http://www.padems.com/node/1368

And rethink what you just said.

by atdleft 2008-06-29 12:39PM | 0 recs
Re: But wait...

The damage has been done. PUMA and others have already been marginalized by the party. This didn't happen overnight. He trivializes this by labeling the outrage as disappointment.

Rendell's outreach indicates PUMA may indeed become the spoilers in November. The good news is their voices have been heard and their grievances have been acknowledged.

by feelfree 2008-06-29 01:36PM | 0 recs
Uh huh...

So you really want to be a "spoiler" for this?

http://clintonistasforobama.blogspot.com /search/label/John%20McCain

And do you think Hillary would approve of this?

http://www.therealmccain.com/

Again, I don't think Ed Rendell is minimizing our grievances. He's just reminding us to not lose sight of what's at stake in this election.

by atdleft 2008-06-29 01:40PM | 0 recs
Re: Uh huh...

In this instance it has taken the threat of spoiling the election just to be heard.

Hillary Clinton may be able to move forward in her position. As an individual she has access to power and people will listen to her. Most people don't have access. They must organize. This is what people are doing.

In my opinion people want to keep focusing on the big picture when the foundation is crumbling.

by feelfree 2008-06-29 02:16PM | 0 recs
Re: Uh huh...

"No self-respecting woman should wish or work for the success of a party that ignores her." - Susan B. Anthony

Weird sig line.  

Are you making the case that the Democratic party has IGNORED Clinton?

Interesting...'cause I don't think that anyone has ignored her...the exact opposite really.

Hillary Clinton does not support what you are doing BTW.  

by Purple with Green Stipes and Pink Polka Dots Dem 2008-06-29 02:55PM | 0 recs
Re: Uh huh...

Feel free to take the signature line literally.

I appreciate the advice Hillary has given her supporters.

However when I vote it will not be in Hillary's name or at her direction.

Thank you for your concern.

by feelfree 2008-06-29 03:36PM | 0 recs
Re: Uh huh...

"Thank you for your concern."

You're welcome.  Feel free to take that literally.

by Purple with Green Stipes and Pink Polka Dots Dem 2008-06-29 03:43PM | 0 recs
You make a good point.

John McCain does not share Hillary's values.  Those GOP assholes are pandering to Hillary's (justifiably) angry supporters.  They'll take their votes and toss them overboard the morning after the election.

by psychodrew 2008-06-29 03:39PM | 0 recs
Re: You make a good point.

Yes, they will, but so will the Democratic party under Obama.

by daria g 2008-06-29 05:04PM | 0 recs
Re: You make a good point.

We Democrats can hold Obama accountable, just as we can hold our representatives and senators accountable for putting forward a progressive agenda once we've got a Democrat in the Oval to sign off on it.

Do you think you'll have the same kind of sway over John McCain or the Republicans?

by mistersite 2008-06-29 06:51PM | 0 recs
Re: You make a good point.

We Democrats can hold Obama accountable, just as we can hold our representatives and senators accountable for putting forward a progressive agenda once we've got a Democrat in the Oval to sign off on it.

But you can let them know that's what we'll be doing by hammering him and them right now on the FISA bill.  They don't vote until July 7th, so there is plenty of time to blast their local offices and let them know that they have to deliver.  Or you can let them know that we'll just lay down...and it will be the same as it ever was.

Change can start right here....right now.  WE are the change we've been waiting for.  But we have to make the change, not the candidate or Senators.  They enact the change that we make them enact.

The call to arms is now.  Our Republic is at stake for the sake of compromise, and if it occurs we have no one else to blame.  We let it occur.

http://www.senate.gov

Get the phone list...start calling today.  Don't let up, don't let them surrender.

by TxDem08 2008-06-30 05:33AM | 0 recs
Good point...

Those GOP assholes are pandering to Hillary's (justifiably) angry supporters.  They'll take their votes and toss them overboard the morning after the election.

Ain't that the truth! And really, that's what probably angers me the most. These Rethuglicans are fawning "concern" and "sympathy" over the crappy treatment Hillary got (and we her supporters got as well) ONLY to toy with our emotions and trick us into  voting for Bush's third term. Sorry, but I won't let them geet away with fooling any of my fellow Hillary Clinton Democrats!

by atdleft 2008-06-29 05:33PM | 0 recs
Obama/Clinton health care?

Fragment of Rendell's imagination.... it's dead, never will happen, Kerry said universal or  mandated health insurance is off the table, Obama has no money allocated for it!

Makes no difference for me, who I vote for except that with McCain I'll get $7,000 towards my $22,200 premiums! No brainer!

by suzieg 2008-06-29 11:58PM | 0 recs
I'm sure that

Many of those soldiers who will die in Iraq over the next 4 years if McCain wins will thank you for choosing him.

by Mumphrey 2008-06-30 01:04PM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

Worrying about the PUMA folks will only cause us misery in the long run. Tactics like these show who we are actually dealing with in the real world.

Police on Sunday were investigating vandals' spray-painting of dozens of city vehicles here, some with disparaging messages about the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

Authorities think the vandalism to about 60 vehicles, estimated at $10,000 in damage, was done Saturday afternoon, police spokeswoman Sgt. Barbara Jones said.

The vehicles were parked across from City Hall and investigators said culprits tagged messages including "Obama smokes crack" and a racial epithet.

They even left business cards on the vehicles that disparage both the Illinois senator and his rival, Republican John McCain. The cards voice support for Sen. Hillary Clinton, Obama's former opponent.

Despite what those people would like to believe that I think, I don't think you negotiate with terrorists or give them credibility. Ignoring them makes them angrier, making them angrier only ensures that they won't be listened to.

And what is gained from the fighting? Nothing. Just like those tactics above, it might make their voices heard, but it doesn't do anything good for anyone.

by vcalzone 2008-06-29 12:35PM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

Wow, the instant assumption that childish vandalism was actually done by Hillary supporters.  

My god, it's like folks on this site have never seen a dirty trick before.  

by daria g 2008-06-29 05:05PM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

So my instant assumption should be that angry Obama supporters did this to discredit angry Clinton supporters? I'll grant that the possibility exists, but I'm looking at the most likely explanation, not trying to view things through some double-secret lens.

I think you need to question YOUR assumptions here.

by vcalzone 2008-06-29 05:24PM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

Actually, my assumption would be that it's a Republican attempt to sow more discord among Democrats.  Neither Obama's supporters nor the false progressives called PUMAs would have any reason to engage in this behavior.

by mistersite 2008-06-29 06:54PM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

Don't put words in my mouth. Thanks.

by daria g 2008-06-29 09:52PM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

I support the Democratic Party, enough said.

I'm not a PUMA, not a HOUND, just a woman Dem who supports the party and doesn't take crap from anyone, Dem or GOP. If you want my support, earn it.

by Betsy McCall 2008-06-29 12:39PM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

"If you want my support, earn it."

And how, exactly do we do that?

None of these folks seem to leave any explicit instructions, when they drop this phrase in a diary.

Could somebody please provide a list, since all we seem to get is the generic "earn it" line.

by Purple with Green Stipes and Pink Polka Dots Dem 2008-06-29 02:59PM | 0 recs
Well thats easy

Get Obama to give the nomination to Hillary, anything short is not enough, even making her VP.  The worst of these people just have to be ignored.

by Brandon 2008-06-29 03:21PM | 0 recs
Re: Well thats easy

It's starting to sound like a standard extortion line...

by Purple with Green Stipes and Pink Polka Dots Dem 2008-06-29 03:45PM | 0 recs
Start Acting Like Democrats

Stop insulting Hillary

Stop attacking Bill Clinton and disparaging his legacy of Dem success.

Stop insulting Clinton supporters simply because they're women who supported her.

Start standing up for Dem Party values.

If you can't do at least 3 of the above, give up.  You won't win us over.  

I have better things to do with my time and money than watch a group of petulant, bullying amateurs lose the presidential election in November.

by Betsy McCall 2008-06-29 04:39PM | 0 recs
Re: Start Acting Like Democrats

"Stop insulting Hillary

Stop attacking Bill Clinton and disparaging his legacy of Dem success.

Stop insulting Clinton supporters simply because they're women who supported her.

Start standing up for Dem Party values."

Gotcha.

Since I have never done items 1, 2, & 3, and always do #4, does that mean that I'm still one of the "boyz," just because I now support Obama?

Your list is silly.  It's like saying that we have to solve world hunger.  There's no way to control the actions of rogue supporters.

And if you're basing your voting preference on the actions of a few, vocal, obnoxious Obama supporters...well then good luck with that.  We can't control what people say.  I just try to vote for the best candidate, even if I don't like some of the supporters.

by Purple with Green Stipes and Pink Polka Dots Dem 2008-06-29 05:55PM | 0 recs
Re: Start Acting Like Democrats

I'm going to assume that you're talking about the DNC and/or the Obama campaign doing all those to earn your vote, not people on the internet.  In which case I ask you to provide me with at least one example of all four of your charges from either the DNC or the Obama campaign since Hillary Clinton conceded.

If you cannot provide one example of at least two things on your list, then by your own measure they have earned your vote.

And your calling Obama's supporters - of which there were just as many in the primary as there were Clinton supporters - "petulant, bullying amateurs" is incredibly insulting and belies any attempt at evenhandedness or fairness you could possibly make.  Please apologize immediately.

by mistersite 2008-06-29 06:57PM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

The Obama that ran a campaign in the primaries is now the Clinton that was defeated.  It needs to be said that I still don't konw who Obama is.

by ChitownDenny 2008-06-29 12:40PM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

I saw him talking on a financial show and he was making sense and being detailed and then the newsman asked him if there was anything he wanted to say to the business skeptics who usually trust the GOP on matters of money.

And he talked about some conference where business people were there and said ask them they will all super impressed.  And it just strikes me how different an answer it was from what Clinton would have said "I can be trusted because x y and z affect the bottom line via a, b, and c blah blah blah".

When I think in my own personal life the people who when called to make an argument point at others and say they are convinced you should be too as their response I tend to think WTF are you talking about Mr Bush??????

by dtaylor2 2008-06-29 01:00PM | 0 recs
Huh?

I don't get it. What exactly are you saying? And if you want to learn more about Barack Obama...

http://www.barackobama.com/learn/meet.ph p

It's as easy as clicking the above link. Just sayin"... :-)

by atdleft 2008-06-29 01:02PM | 0 recs
Re: Huh?

Don't bother, man.

ChitownDenny is one of the few confirmed Republicans who looks in here now and again.  Here's his web site:

http://777denny.wordpress.com/

Crazy, huh?

I can't remember who it was that originally called him out on it.  StudentGuy maybe?  Anyway, they had a heated exchange in which ChitownDenny basically told StudentGuy it was true but there was nothing he could do about it.

Since then he's gone back to denying it's him.

Not worth the time.

by spunkmeyer 2008-06-29 01:06PM | 0 recs
Thanks for warning me...

I'll remember not to worry about that McBush troll again. ;-)

by atdleft 2008-06-29 01:13PM | 0 recs
Re: Thanks for warning me...
Very disappointing, atdleft.  Why don't you click on my username and read the diaries I've posted.  Then you can ascertain my credentials as a Dem.  But to simply succumb to Kossack tactics, by the likes of the commenter you replied to; well, just disappointing.  
For the record, please notice Student Guy's support for me; support I never requested but thanked him for it.  Then reply to the commenter you just replied to and tell him he is a liar!
by ChitownDenny 2008-06-30 05:23AM | 0 recs
Re: Huh?

spunkmeyer is one of the few CONFIRMED slanderer's of ChitownDenny, since MNr. spunkmeyer is spreading the FAlSE charge that I am ChitownDenny.

I have to come to this retarded site every once in awhile because I get a trackback from the slanderers who put out my site falsely claiming that ChitownDenny is me and owns 777denny.wordpress.com.

This is how liberals react. They falsely charge someone with whom they disagree with, and without much energy to prove it one way or the other, they slander away at the person. They are ignorant asses (maybe that's why their mascot is a donkey JACKASS) that only want to encourage and massage their biases and prejudices - regardless of whether facts or reality actually back them up.

Just say NO! to an Obama nation!

NO! Obama!

by 777denny 2008-06-29 03:48PM | 0 recs
Re: Huh?

You're a fucking liar!  It's crap like you why this site's traffic is down.  You should stick to pictures of cats.  

by ChitownDenny 2008-06-29 06:24PM | 0 recs
Re: Huh?

Hey look everybody!  Twins!

;D

by spunkmeyer 2008-06-29 06:47PM | 0 recs
Re: Huh?

spoogemeyer; sock puppet, much?  what a sorry excuse for discourse when all you offer are smears and pictures of cats.

by ChitownDenny 2008-06-30 05:00AM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

Begone McTroll!

by Purple with Green Stipes and Pink Polka Dots Dem 2008-06-29 03:03PM | 0 recs
Tipped and recced

by spunkmeyer 2008-06-29 12:52PM | 0 recs
by nogo postal 2008-06-29 01:06PM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

Actually my kat wants to be a hound. Can you beat that?

by linfar 2008-06-29 01:21PM | 0 recs
Bravo!

Good job!

by kevin22262 2008-06-29 01:35PM | 0 recs
What a PUMA looks like...

Just to remind you who we're dealing with:

As Obama tried to curry favor with Hillary, looking over at her sensible, sturdy shoes and marveling, "I still don't know how she does it in heels," Carmella tore up a tissue and stuffed it in her ears.

When Obama pandered with a line about how he wouldn't "perpetuate a system in which women are paid less for the same work as men," she put her hands over her tissue-stuffed ears.


This is a 57-year-old woman acting like a ten-year-old.  These people are on the goofy fringe, just a few steps from being institutionalized for their own protection, and don't deserve to be taken the least bit seriously.

by username 2008-06-29 01:40PM | 0 recs
Re: What a PUMA looks like...

Oh, and whaddya know?  Our Favorite Farce thinks she's just swell.

by username 2008-06-29 01:41PM | 0 recs
Careful...

I'd rather not have an ARC (Alegre Related Conflict) in my thread. Thanks. :-)

by atdleft 2008-06-29 01:47PM | 0 recs
Well, of course...

There are always wacky characters on the fringe. HOWEVER, I don't think all PUMA-leaning Hillary supporters are insane. Rather, I think they're still angry and they want some way to "punish" everyone who trashed Hillary and marginalized them.

That's why I'm trying to promote more honest dialogue. The way we can win over the rational PUMA-leaners is by reasoning with them and letting them know what's at stake in this election. Just MHO. :-)

by atdleft 2008-06-29 01:44PM | 0 recs
Re: Well, of course...

I think most of the rational ones will come around (or have come around) on their own, though more low-temperature dialogue can't hurt.  

For the rest, I think that at some point they need to be shamed or shocked into seeing reason: "Do you want to look like this lunatic?  No?  Then stop doing that."  It's a bit like the Zen master who thwacks his student with his cane at the right moment to cause sudden enlightenment.

by username 2008-06-29 02:23PM | 0 recs
Yes, they'll come around...

That is, I believe we can engage in dialogue with the rational PUMA-leaners and bring them to our side. But still, I'd be a little leery of the "shame and shock"/"shock and awe" approach. While we should be shaming the Rethug trolls orchestrating this and the delusional PUMA extremists (like the Hillaryis44/No $0.25 crowd), I think we should take a different approach to the less extreme folks who may just need a little TLC to join us in Democratic Unity Land.

by atdleft 2008-06-29 03:22PM | 0 recs
Re: Well, of course...

IMHO, political blogs are plenty full of bullying and insults.  More shaming and shock tactics are nothing anyone who's supporter Hillary Clinton and read "liberal" blogs for the past year hasn't seen hundreds of thousands of times before.  Perhaps your Zen master would not consider this skillful means.  

by daria g 2008-06-29 05:35PM | 0 recs
Re: Well, of course...

That's just the internet IMHO, and if you think political blogs are bad, try technology forums (slashdot, reddit, comp.lang.*).  I expect people to be immature jerks fairly often online.  I thought this incident was interesting because it showed a middle-aged woman acting like a spoiled child in real life.

by username 2008-06-29 06:16PM | 0 recs
Re: Well, of course...

She wasn't acting like a spoiled child.  She was trying to make a point.  Also, what in the world do you meant that someone is just short of being institutionalized?  That's just silly.  No one in the United States of America should ever, ever be institutionalized for his/her political views, or for expressing those views, or threatened with it either, especially by progressives.  Don't you believe in freedom of speech?  Even speech you don't like, even expressed when you don't think it is appropriate?

And I know it's a common expression on the Internets, but I really despise it not just because it's undemocratic, but because I have friends who were institutionalized briefly, and it's no picnic, and it had f***-all to do with politics and a lot to do with a very real illness.

by daria g 2008-06-29 09:58PM | 0 recs
Institutionalized

I mean that if you saw someone stuff tissue in her ears, then cover her ears with her hands, you would think she was crazy.  She's the lady in the coffee shop who you try not to look at, and who you hope doesn't start trying to talk to you.

She was "making a point" in the same sense that a child is "making a point" by stamping her feet and screaming "I hate you daddy!"  She has every right to do it, in some sense, but she deserves all the respect we afford Hare Krishnas and street preachers.

by username 2008-06-29 10:18PM | 0 recs
Re: Well, of course...

Respectfully, how does it promote honest dialogue to tell me I'm angry and want to punish people, instead of telling me I'm insane?  Both are insulting and indicate lack of interest in what the other party actually thinks and his/her motives for action.

The talk of "punishing" others for different political views sounds like an echo of the Daily Kos.  I don't believe in it.  I'm a progressive.

by daria g 2008-06-29 05:30PM | 0 recs
That woman is

Batshit crazy.

by Brandon 2008-06-29 03:19PM | 0 recs
Agreed.

Maureen Dowd is a lunatic.

by psychodrew 2008-06-29 04:26PM | 0 recs
HOUND: Two requests for Big Eddie & one idea

I like Ed Rendell a lot and thinks he's an enormously charismatic figure.  It's great to have him as the face of HOUND.  Two requests, though:

1) I know there would be concerns about empowering the PUMAs, but Rendell should appear on cable news with one of their leaders like Will Bower.  It would sure to be a bloodbath and the YouTube video would be guaranteed to go viral.

2) The signup page for HOUND says: "Show the nation that Pennsylvania Democrats are joining Governor Rendell and Senator Clinton in supporting the next President of the United States, Barack Obama." No offense to Rendell or the fine folks of PA, but it should be a national effort.

Related to HOUND, isn't it about time someone set up a portal similar to justsaynodeal.com providing links to pro-Obama Dem blogs?  It would absolutely dwarf their listings and the quality/readership of the blogs would be overwhelming by comparison (Kos, Atrios, FDL, etc., etc.).  The psychological impact alone would be devastating.

by Rumproast 2008-06-29 01:54PM | 0 recs
Agreed!

I'd LOVE to see a NATIONAL HOUND clearinghouse site that has links to pro-Hillary/pro-Obama blogs like MyDD, Democratic Daily, Taylor Marsh, Talk Left... And of course...

http://clintonistasforobama.blogspot.com /

hehe ;-)

But anyways, I do like that idea. Email me soon at atdleftATyahooDOTcom if you'd like to strategize with me on making this happen. Oh yes, and Rendell can easily beat Bower in a debate ANY TIME! :-)

by atdleft 2008-06-29 02:12PM | 0 recs
Oh, Please

No one is truly worried about the PUMA jokes.  Except for perhaps their loved ones who are trying so hard to let them know that the cross is getting crowded and other 'saviors' want their leg room back, thanks.  Seriously?  I'm done with being kind or welcoming or whatever.  It's a fucking election.  You either vote your values or you don't.   Pick a direction, go it.   Vote for McSame or not.  Whatever.  I'm not crying a river over people too dumb to see the forest for the trees.  

by lollydee 2008-06-29 02:00PM | 0 recs
Re: Oh, Please

Well, anyone who reads my blog knows I'm not crying a river about them either, but their relentless hissy fits are taking up a lot of oxygen at the moment and the gullible media is falling for their b.s. about their numbers hook, line and sinker and/or pushing the narrative for their benefit (it makes for good TV -- unity is boring).  In truth, there were only about 12 to 14 or so PUMAs at the event yesterday maximum, but you wouldn't have known it from the media coverage.

by Rumproast 2008-06-29 02:17PM | 0 recs
Spoke to a good friend today
who was a Hillary supporters.  She and her husband don't like Obama and won't vote for him.  They won't vote for McCain either and will support other democrats but just not vote for president.  This is the second friend who's told me this.  I and my family were all Hillary supportersbut are realists who intend to vote for Obama.  As a mother of two draft age sons there is no way I would do otherwise.  Told this to my friends and also reinstated the danger of having another republican running the country for four more years.  One of them is now on the fence.
Obama and Hillary have to continue to work together to pull these people in.  Otherwise if Obama loses we're headed for disaster.
by laternighter 2008-06-29 02:09PM | 0 recs
PUMA =
Petty
Unrealistic
Moronic
Assholes
by Grissom1001 2008-06-29 04:59PM | 0 recs
To the "PUMA " crowd....

Bye. Seriously.

You can keep on living in your little soap opera because the rest of us have bigger fish to fry.

by USArmyParatrooper 2008-06-29 06:57PM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

Frankly, I don't care what Hillary would do. Furthermore,  I don't give a fig about Ed Rendell's opinion, particularly since he was one of the first Democrats to urge Al Gore to concede in 2000.

I am going to do what I am going to do because that is what seems right to me:  I will vote for the Democratic nominee in November.

Meanwhile, I am absolutely outraged at the DNC and their undemocratic primary system, their arrogant dickering with votes at the RBC meeting, their silence in face of blatant sexism voiced by the media and some party leaders.   I am so outraged that I have left the party after a lifetime of slavish activism and registered as "Decline to State."  

I am not a PUMA in the sense that I am going to vote for McCain, but I understand the fierceness of the anger that is being expressed.  It is the anger that comes from being dismissed, from being patronized, from being trivialized.  It isn't going to go away anytime soon, especially when Hillary supporters continue to be told to shut up and stand down.  Hostility on the leftie blogs only exacerbates the problem.

by Radiowalla 2008-06-29 07:00PM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

I will vote for the Democratic nominee in November.

Meanwhile, I am absolutely outraged at the DNC and their undemocratic primary

Even though I have completely opposite (and equally passionate) views when it comes to the Obama vs Clinton campaign....

I can understand the level of emotion you feel. And how hard it must be to deal with. So I commend you for being willing to do what's best for the country in spite of how voting for Obama must make you feel.

by USArmyParatrooper 2008-06-29 07:24PM | 0 recs
Thank you!

I'm not used to receiving a civil reply from Obama partisans.  A little more listening and a little more validating would be a big help.  May you become a model for others.

by Radiowalla 2008-06-29 07:40PM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

As a woman I am angry at the fact that I realize how much less progressive the party is when it comes to my status. I'm also not dumb enough to think that supporting a party that would only support policies to both hurt me as a woman and, gender aside, as an American, would be moronic. I'll say it again. I didn't support Hillary Clinton for her gender; I supported her for her qualifications. I also don't like Obama very much & am not optimistic about his chances or what he would do if in office. However, I know that as an American my best shot is by voting Democrat.  

I am very upset by many things I saw during this primary, including what I realized when it came to my gender's status in this country.  But I'm not a one issue voter and I also don't vote in a manner that would cut my nose off to spite my face.

by jrsygrl 2008-06-30 05:26AM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

Well said atdleft. Thank you for the diary.

by Hollede 2008-06-30 06:32AM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

PUMA is an idea. It has no actual, non-blog comment, existence outside of a clutch of crazies with a logically incoherent creed wearing garish t-shirts that violate copyright laws while they watch TV.

That is the extent of their involvement in the actual political process at this point. They rage against Obama online (and occasionally at small gatherings) and order paraphenalia.

Actually, that pronoun is wrong, there is no "they." There are only seperate people all imagining that there is a they, and that they belong to this they. And this make-believe movement gives them a self-bloating sense of historic purpose, and -- to the non-PUMA -- a tragic patheticism.

In short, if anti-PUMA people want to try to contort reality so as to ascribe physical substance to these sad has-been daydreams of rebellion and struggle, fine. But please don't forget that bothering with PUMA is just shadowboxing.

by Addison 2008-06-30 08:05AM | 0 recs
PUMA wants to burn down the house to save one room

Supposedly voting for McCain is a way to 'punish' the Democratic party for having a faulty primary system and choosing the 'wrong' candidate.  They claim it is all for the good the party (and by extension the country).

But have they really contemplated the consequences of having McCain in office the next four years?  We are likely heading into the hardest, longest economic downturn this country has seen since the great depression.  This crash has been brought on by a Republican policy of reckless deregulation, military over-extension, and massive deficit spending even while we give tax breaks to the most wealthy.  McCain has promised to continue those policies.

Whatever one thinks of Obama, you can be certain he will work with a Democratic congress to ease the burden on the middle class and working people.  His economic platform is standard Democratic boilerplate in that regard.  McCain's platform is standard conservative supply-side trickle down voodoo that could turn a hard recession into an outright 1930's style depression.

Now is not the time to vote for the guy who admits he is weak on economics and surrounds himself with neocon advisors.  I'm thinking a vote for the guy that Nobel prize winning economists endorse might be the better idea.

Just a thought.

by protothad 2008-06-30 08:53AM | 0 recs
by Alice Marshall 2008-06-30 09:21AM | 0 recs
Re: PUMA is astroturf

Sure looks like much of it is. The sites are registered in.... Arazona?

http://yestodemocracy.org/

by wrb 2008-06-30 12:00PM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

Hillary has too much strength of character to be "forced" to support anyone if she chooses not to.  She knows McCain is more Bush and we can't afford that route, so she supports the best remaining candidate.  I believe her.

by whognu 2008-06-30 09:21AM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

At first, it was "Everyone Hates Hillary" and, now, its "Everybody adores Hillary." Whatever you say, sweetie!

by Check077 2008-06-30 11:40AM | 0 recs
I even did not know that PUMA exist!
Thanks to your diary I know now of what PUMA is;
I found them, I visit them:
http://blog.pumapac.org/
and I join them:
http://blog.pumapac.org/join-us
Thank you Diarist! Just read that:
http://blog.pumapac.org/2008/06/08/1000-reasons-puma-democrats-are-protesting-the-2008-presidential-election/
by engels 2008-06-30 12:11PM | 0 recs
Re: HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

Ok, I'll say this as briefly, as calmly, as politely, and clearly as I possibly can as the original blog posts requests.

I can't/won't respond to all the pathetic (imo) comments above.  What I will say is you people have no clue,  NO CLUE - seriously, NO CLUE what is going on with our rage.

Have you ever worked your ass off, I mean until your feet blister and you go home and sit and cry because of the pain your feet and back are in on a regular basis - only to be groped and sexually harassed at work, to politely go to management and complain about it, and to get fired at the end of the day because of your complaint?  

Have any of you ever experienced that?

Have any of you (females) worked your ass off at a job, succeeding, and being sent to help a fellow employee who was hired at the same time and level as you, to help that person (a male) because they just weren't grasping the job and accomplishing anything as skillfully and quickly as you, only to find out later he is being paid about 17% more than you because afterall, he's a man with a family, when you being a single parent struggling to make ends meet was never taken into consideration?

Have any of you ever experienced that?

Have any of you ever been fired because you refused to wear shorter skirts and higher high heels, and  wouldn't kowtow to the misogynist behavior of your male counterparts?

Have any of you ever experienced that?

Do you seriously think that doesn't go on in every day life everywhere back when we struggled in the 70's and those who go thru it now?  Do you seriously not know this goes on today?

I sat one day watching CNN and saw with my own eyes, heard with my own ears Donna Brazile saying they (the DNC) don't need us anymore.  She said it clearly and blatantly, and it wasn't word of mouth, I heard it with my own ears and saw her lips move.

I've sat and watched the endless sneering at the mere name of Hillary Clinton from anyone at any hour on MSNBC.  'She reminds us all of our ex wives in Divorce Court'.  'She only got elected because of her husband's blow job'. 'She cried on cue'.  'The polls were wrong and Hillary won NH because people were secretly racist'.   These old women who support Hillary and are mad about Obama are racists'.  

and on and on and on and on....

We watched the DNC intentionally stop and block the Clinton campaign, we saw them intentionally from the beginning set this up so the Chosen One, the New Messiah could take over the party.  His utter and dangerous lack of credentials doesn't matter for some reason.

This employment of president of the most powerful nation in the world is being treated as so petty, that a hamburger flipper could do it.

So alas, we get the empty suit who can preach "hope" and "change" really swell to the masses and makes a "shiver go up your leg".  No qualified participants need apply-  especially if they are a woman, and especially if they are that "bitch" Hillary Clinton, the "_unt".

http://politicaldiscontent.blogspot.com/ 2008/06/this-is-salon-respected-website- for.html

I'm sorry you don't all get it. I'm sorry we can't make you see what a travesty this whole debacle of a campaign season is. I'm sorry you young women will "get it" way too late.  I'm sorry you aren't fervently outraged at the bias media block that is not doing their job.  I'm sorry you have allowed yourselves to be lowered to the level of bush- sheep,  following someone who makes you tingle over "hope" and can't smack yourself (hard) in the face and wake the fk up and see what is really there.

I'm sorry you don't get it. But that isn't going to stop us from loving our country first and foremost, no matter the tactics the obamabots take to shut us down and shut us up- and they've taken on many tactics that many of you may not be aware of.

I'm a proud liberal independent.  I've voted both sides of the aisle my whole life.   My flag is respected with the admiration it is due.  I know to never wear my beloved flag, to never let it touch the ground, to never let it fly at night without a spot light, to never let it fly when frayed and torn, to never let it fly and touch a building, to never throw it in the garbage but to destroy it properly by burning it, and to fold it properly and store it properly.  

I admittedly have teared up, choked up at seeing my flag fly, especially when my national anthem is played like at a ball game or some event.  I do get a quiver up my body of love and pride for my country.  We were raised like that back in the day.

I do understand that some of you probably just don't get that.

But it's true, that happens to many a middle aged lover of country.  

One thing I know for sure, as sure as I know my shoe size, and that's that Barack Obama, and Michelle Obama have never a day in their lives cried, choked, up or teared up at the site of their American flag.  I'm so sure of that I'd stake the life of a loved one on it.. I'm that sure of this fact.

These are people out for power- if you read up on them, really read up on them, you'd see the proof.  It's all about black power (by a half black man), and power in general.

I'm sorry you don't have enough insight to find something really disturbing about a man who writes his own "memoirs" at the minuscule age of 34.  I'm sorry you don't get that.

We went through this with bush sheep-

http://politicaldiscontent.blogspot.com/ 2008/02/this-isnt-presidential-campaign- this.html

.... and are reliving a nightmare of the American voter's blind faith, blind vote based on feeling.

No Obama, not now, not ever.  We won't support him, we won't vote for him.  We don't really give a damn who his VP is.  

We've been spit on, and thrown in the trash.  As I mentioned I'm an independent so I can't imagine the deep feeling of betrayal by life long Dems who have fully supported their party no matter what.

There's one other thing I'll mention that I heard Donna Brazile say one day.  She commented that it's not about Obama, it's not about Hillary, it's not about Obama's supporters, and it's not about Hillary's supporters, "it's about the party, about the Democratic franchise".  

Do you get it?  the DNC is no different that the RNC.  They don't give a damn about you and me- they care about the success and growth of their organization. period.  It's not about this country nor it's people, it's about corporate (in this case a massive organization) to gain growth and power.  

Themz the facts peeps.  Time for everyone to look out for themselves.

This is (sadly) why we've had to witness the deplorable treatment of Hillary this entire campaign season only to see her suck it up and campaign for and back Obama.. it's about the DNC, and nothing more.

Ok so that wasn't very short, but I've spoken my peace -

by liberalicious 2008-06-30 02:51PM | 0 recs

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