In 1970 Karl Rove succeeded in disrupting a rally held for Alan J. Dixon, who was the Democratic Candidate for the office of State Treasurer in Illinois. Using a fake I.D. card, Rove gained entrance to Dixon’s campaign office and stole 1000 sheets of paper with Dixon’s letterhead. He then printed them with promises of “free beer, free food, girls and a good time for nothing", and distributed them at rock concerts and homeless shelters. Rove claims it was just a youthful prank. Ha, ha Karl, you rascally scamp. But I think it’s more akin to that twisted kid that got caught torturing animals and ended up a serial killer. Karl Rove started out pulling lame brain, sophomoric stunts to sabotage his political opponents, to a deep betrayal of everything American.
I think the comedian Bill Maher described it best in his HBO special “Bill Maher, The Decider.” He described the biggest problem with Bush, Cheney, and Rove was that they think they are the ONLY good guys, that they are the only TRUE Americans. And that this arrogance allows them to believe that any means justifies the goal of holding on to power. And the scariest thing is that these guys actually believe this. And Karl Rove has been at it from the very beginning of his political career.
In a bid to be elected National Chairman of the College Republicans in 1973, Rove sought to sabotage his opponent, Robert Edgeworth through credentials challenges, unseating his opponent’s delegates through procedural ranglings, and basically using his famous ability to throw monkey wrenches into the works and then exploiting the chaos to achieve his goals. But Rove’s biggest betrayal of the American people was his role in driving the propaganda machine that led us into the Iraq war and the fumbling of the effort in Afghanistan. I could use up pages and pages going over the multitude of shady deals, secret committees, and scandalous episodes from Rove’s past, but his role in our foreign policy is unforgivable.
And now he’s leaving the sinking G.W. Bush. I can already hear the vacuum forming in the White House. What will the president do now? It reminds me of the episode from the original Star Trek series where Spock’s brain is stolen. Will we be left with a motionless body bereft of human thought? Karl Rove’s mind is a dark, twisted mass of neo-con ideology combined with a blind sense of superiority over his fellow man. And all this hidden behind the face of the kid from “Christmas Story.” George W. Bush’s mind is complete freaking mystery.
I really don’t think much if anything will change. But it’s hard to imagine that there was not a meeting in the West Wing where this move was not seen as advantageous to their agenda.
******************
Devin Barber, Politics Correspondent Devin’s column, “Left Of The Right” published twice weekly or more to Gather Essentials: Politics is a Blue Collar Democrats take on current political news.
Devin was raised by proud Roosevelt Democrats. Being the son of parents counted among the throng of Americans displaced by the Great Depression has given Devin a deep rooted passion for causes dealing with the poor and the working class.
You can find all of Devin’s columns at http://gather.com/leftoftheright You can keep up with Devin’s postings and his Gather activity by joining his Gather network. Just click here:http://kiwina58.gather.com and then select the orange “Connect” button on the left-hand side of the page.
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Comments: 110
Ok, now you've thrown down the gauntlet buddy. How?
I truly believe this. Karl Rove, that I am aware of, never did anything that didn't have a political bend to it for the benefit of the Republican Party. His connection with George W was always with the agenda of creating a permanent Republican government. What is known as an Oligarchy, --in political philosophy, a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in a few persons. In an oligarchy, the government is controlled by a faction that acts in its own interests to the exclusion of the welfare of the people it is governing. Source: Encarta
Encyclopedia
If we manage to escape this man and his front person [Bush] we will need to thank Americans who finally began to recognize this administration for what it was.
There is one other thing here to remember. With Democrats in power in Congress even without a full majority [60] in the Senate, Karl Rove has continually come under more and more scrunity--with Bush declaring Executive Priviledge for aides who have resigned or left the administration--maybe Rove feels more safe leaving now.
All, I can say is "Hooray".
Might hurt his ability to be hired by a reputable university....although Bob Jones & others would prolly have no problem with hiring him.
But I agree that he's most likely not GONE gone. Just getting behind cover for when large amounts of fecal matter starts contacting the rotary oscillator (hits the fan). All this business of secretive individuals with large amounts of power and hidden agendas operating in the shadows really bugs me -- it's un-American to the max!!
We're better off without him
It's my feeling that, after all these years, Bush has, by now, been sufficiently trained in the Rovian philosophy that if you keep telling the same untruths long enough, people will fall for it. Little will change.
The White House said he doesn't intend to get involved in the '08 election, but like with a bad virus, you can't help but be afraid .....very afraid
Rove is going to do what he does best. Attach himself to another presidential candidate and try to keep the conservative political fun machine rolling.
Probably Rudy Giuliani or Mit Romney.
LOOKOUT - Here it comes.
By the way, if you get a chance - go see the movie "No End in Sight". I am hearing unbelievable things about it.
Rove is going to live a long time. He will do more damage before his life is over. I'm just wondering whose campaign he will be working on next.
It must be pretty difficult dealing with the pressure of always being "right".
Jack Abramoff
Tom DeLay
Larry Franklin
Donald Keyser
Halliburton
Nick Smith
Dick Cheney
Karl Rove
Jim Ellis
Chuck McGee
Allen Raymond
Alberto Gonzales
NO?
I don't know about you, but whenever I hear these names, all I can think about is right-wing, ultra conservative, big oil, big company, anti civil rights, anti environmental, blah blah blah etc, etc. etc.
Your party is a joke.
HMMMMM....... Maybe you should use these words as your tags. Then I would know which articles not to read.
By the way, Devin, good article.
Karl......Well George thats it for me, I've taught you all I'm going to. You're on
your own now.
Bu$h...... But Karl, I don't know if I remember everything, what if I forget and screw
something up.
Karl...... Don't worry. I'm just a phone call away.
Bu$h...... Please don't leave. I'll let you push the button on Tehran.
It's about the Permanent Campaign, and the idea that The End Justifies The Means, and yeah, even a little bit about the idea that it is okay to be out of control crazy partisan, as long as you are on the right side.
It's nice that this truly evil man is no longer in the White House, but if we fail to learn by this that we DO NOT want to ever see his like again in the public trust, then we have not gained anything by all this.
As for Karl, he's still got questions to answer before Congress. And with his connections to at least 3 Republican Presidential campaigns -- Romney, Giuliani, and McCain -- I don't think there's any doubt he'll be back behind the curtain.
I think that there's something cooking - and it's coming in September - and Rove is going to take his leave from the WH to oversee it. They know that the reports from Iraq are bad and getting worse every day. The surge was supposed to stabilize Baghdad so that the Iraqi government could get their shit together. Now, all the Sunni have left the cabinet and the Shiite militias are fighting each other for power. The Bush Administration knows that they have failed - but they're not going to go down easily. Mark my words - Rove is going offsite to mastermind something in September that will take everyone's minds off Iraq pretty damn quick.
Even though you are correct the the Democrats have not accomplished as much as they would have liked thanks in large part to Republican obstructionism, they still have done more in six months than the Republican congress did in six years. And this is despite their own stupid mistakes and missteps as well. Not too bad in my book. I know it's convenient for you to pretend that the Democrats don't have a mere razor thin majority and act as if you actually believe they can simply do things on their own without bipartisan cooperation.
And yes, I freely admit that it's pure and utter stupidity for Democrats to try to act like Republicans and try to outpork them and out nasty them. They would have been ever so much smarter to take the high ground and actually try to resist the lure of get-even politics. They are, however, politicians. Power corrupts as we have seen, and it's just as true of Democrats as it is with Republicans. Personally I don't see why you find what the Democrats are doing as wrong. The exact same things were fine with you when they were being done by Republicans.
And you're how old? 13? lol
Then again who knows. Maybe the country would just roll over, believe what he said, and keep parroting back whatever slogan he mouthed at them such as WMD, fight them there or they will come here, stay the course.....take your pick.
Rich, I have to agree with Carolyn that many people in America believe this way. Bu$h is a power hungry mental midget. I too believe that there is "something coming." After all there is such statements out there as "I have a gut feeling" and "alot of chatter, just like before 911". Of course there is no proof they can show the people of America. They never show proof. Their "trust me" approach isn't going to work on the majority any more. In their ivory tower, their reality continues to be their's alone. But then I guess they still have people like you to depend on, and the heard is getting thiner.
Carolyn,
I agree that Bu$h has done alot to subvert the Constitution, however this started a long time ago. It is the unConstitutional "executive order" that is really eroding the Constitution. Here is a web site that shows the history of "EO" that are unConstitutional.
sonic.net/sentinel/gvcon5.html
I will say that the republibots have always done more damage than the dumbocrats. But I can't let them off the hook. They are both just as guilty.
I herd the heard is getting thiner right from the horse's mouth... To thine own self be true!
While it is possible to use polite words in a debate it is not possible to have a debate with the someone who begins it with an unwarranted provocation - it is you that is out of line here and being inappropriate for trying to limit my free speech in America ... even if I happened to be a minor the Constitution still guarantees me that.
Black Sox
Tim Donaghy
The illegal mining of Nicaraguan harbors
Chappaquiddick
Roman Catholic Church
CBS News and Dan Rather
Joeseph McCarthy
Trent Lott and Strom Thurmond
Enron
Halliburton
JFK
Aaron Burr
Whiskey Ring
Watergate
Billygate
Abscam
Savings and Loan
Iran-Contra
Newt Gingrinch
Downing Street Memo
I could go on and on. So you see, when you ridiculously say that people are "wackos" or "nuts" because we bring up the POSSIBILITIES, that just tells me that you don't even consider the POSSIBILITIES.
Trust me, your party is not always right, liberals are not always wrong, there are plenty of Democrats who have this country's best interests at heart as there are Republicans, there have been numerous conspiracys and cover-ups all throughout history, and there will continue to be because unfortunately as we all know, there are a lot of people who are willing to do whatever it takes to make MONEY, look good in the eyes of others, create a false sense of stability, secure business deals, eliminate competition, etc..
Any opinion Carolyn?
I don't think getting out now protects him from what he has already done. I sure hope not.
Enjoyable and well-written article, Devin.
Douglas, I appreciate your comment. It infuriates me that so many allow 'them' to either redefine or totally mishandle our language. How did liberal end up being something that people who claim to have morals and compassion consider unbecoming? And why would anyone be afraid to consider the possibility of a conspiracy? It only takes two people in a agreement to make a conspiracy. I know - the answer to those questions is obvious.
Using your favorite word, remember that opions are like assholes -- everybody has one and yours stinks!
Just an observation.
Rove can always give friendly advice, kind of like Bernard Baruch.
It would be nice if one of our constitutional obsessive's could give us a summary of the constitution's specifics in this regard.
Didn't Brownie get a freedom medal?
That said, he is a very young man so it's a hard call.
The sad and unfortunate thing about Rove and his ilk is the total disdain and total arrogance they have for everyone. And that about sums up this administration.
Where do you people get this crap from? Have you ever met him? Do you know friends of his, or have you worked for him know someone, or do you just echo the same liberal crap over and over? If you've got first hand experience, then back it up, otherwise put a lid on it.
It's all right here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln5RD9BhcCo
"Doesnt ANYBODY notice the amazing resemblance between Rove and Hillary? Put the pictures side by side and you cant miss it.
Im not sure who is uglier, or more portly, or who has fatter, droopier jowels, but is it possible that he IS Hillary?
If so, of course he steps down now, just in time to begin getting ready for his (her?) campaign.
Spelling and punctuation errors aside, this is one of the funniest things I've seen in a while. (My apologies to those who intentionally write humor.)
That is just sad to me.... what type of political party sets themselves up so that the only way they can gain power is if America is defeated.
I guess in your analogy the democrats would have to be the bench warmers who are so upset that their team is "losing", all they can do is complain and hope that they lose so thoroughly that the coach will put them is charge for the next game....
I don't know, just an "observation"...
"I wouldn't go calling anyone a liar, but as we say in our quaint Texas fashion, this administration is stuffed with people who are on a first-name basis with the bottom of the deck."
I think some people people should be checked out by their local mental health provider
You make a lot of good points. I agree point that Democrats,
most of them who characterize Iraq as a total loss. I don't
think Clinton or Biden do but it forces them to dangerously
distort and weaken their definitions of themselves in order to
not alienate the far left who will boo them down if they are
too positive on the war. That is too bad, the debate over the
war has not been framed well by the Democrats.
I believe Iraq options are more than just loss too. I think we
can win and in ways we have won already. If you consider the
real reason to upset Saddam Hussein was regime change to
get rid of the games he was playing for 10 years. Also,
maintaining a presense there has an intrinsic value of keeping
pressure on Iran. Even leaving we have had a lot of good
effect, if bad press. We have also shown the world that
Islamo-Nazism is a latent possibility in most of the Muslim
world, and recognizing a threat is the first step to managing it.
The problem is that they upside is to Corporate America, the
costs are paid byt Regular Americans in lives and taxes. What
do we get for it ... security?
Let's remember the initial reports on Iraq were rosy too,
and the lack of setting clear expectations is what deflated a lot
of support for the war, at least with some people. The Republicans
have deservedly been seen as being less than truthful. There is
also the fact that it took 2 years for our Commander In Chief and
his advisors, who overruled experienced military professionals, to
come up with a strategy change. Maybe he was spending a little
too much time on vacation and reading books to take the loss of
life seriously. The Republican attitude, perhaps exemplified by the
"Free Beer" dirty trick played over and over had not raised the
Republicans in the estimation of the public. We all remember the
2000 election where George Bush came off like a choirboy saying
all the right things and doing the opposite - then running the
government in secret and going on vacation.
Isaac, since you support the President and are vouching here for
his character and intelligence and know so much about him I
assume you recall the facts behind Harken Energy that would have
brought charges from the SEC against anyone but a sitting President's
(G.H.W. Bush) son for insider trading? The TANG, alchoholism and other
things that balance out the rosy picture you paint.
George Bush is a very intelligent man with the opportunties he
has been given. Lots of other people would be too, maybe better
with those kinds of options. He barely got into Yale needing his
Grandfather's influence ... I think we all know the story. I am not
saying this to impugn Bush, most people these days will take any
road to as much success as they can, and attacking people for
that is pointless rhetoric. The point in my opinion is a lack of
character on integrity on the part of many Republicans who
because of wealth and power move in a rarified atmosphere
of elitism. People twice made the choice to ignore that because
of a perception the "elite" know how the world is run and can
govern. I think George Bush can govern. I think it shows
tremendous leadership to stand alone in front of the world and
risk your country's good name in an unpopular and
misunderstood war. It also shows incredible incompetence to
have all these resources and do the piss poor job of building
any kind of coalition to the opposition or our allies. The message
it sends is almost subliminal, and people are getting it, it is the
people do not count.
The bottom line will not be about victory in Iraq, it will be
whether the Republicans can manipulate the American
people again with things like "Free Beer", "McCain's Bastard
Black Child", "Gore is a Liar". Whether the can fool America
yet again with all the money that has gone missing or been
spent profitting corporations that we are broke and need to
blow off Social Security, Medicare, Health Care, Infrastructure,
Corporate Regulation, Education ... all the things that made
this a country and just another corporate tyranny.
I dont think it does. Furthermore, Republicans don't have to "manipulate" anyone into thinking that Gore is a liar or anything like that. I know that republicans spent money like crazy the past 6 years, and I hope that doesn't happen again. but the fact is, Bush tax cuts have given the government more revenue than ever before with the rich giving a larger percentage of it. If that is the case, the Republicans don't need to manipulate anything, just get the facts out there and hope that the American people listen.
I think that the major REpubican candidates right now will take us back to fiscal responsibility... unlike the major democratic candidates (who are very vocal about raising our taxes).
And Sheryl O:
You attempt to discount what Rove said because he was on the limbaugh show doens't make any sense... I suppose that it would have been more beleivable if it had been on MSNBC, right? Or maybe we should just discount everything Rove says ever about the president because he is a liar.... nevermind that he probably knows the president better than anyone else in the white house. The fact is, Bush is a lot smarter than people give him credit for, and the liberal media and academia in this country love to criticize his intelligence becuase they disagree with his policies. That is immature and shows the true nature of modern academia.
Bush is a lot smarter than most people give him credit for. He manages to breathe regularly and his heart pumps blood. A lot of people don't give him credit for the brain power it takes to have a functioning autonomic nervous system.
> But the fact is, a year ago, the democrats (i don't
> capitalize it on purpose) called for new leadership in
> Iraq, more military, and a new strategy. They got all
> three things in the surge
I think that was my point ... a valid point ... the right
point to focus on - ie. leadership.
To me anyway, not capitalizing Democrats is only
a usage error and means that you are talking about
propronents of Democracy, when you mean to be
talking about the political party. I find it sad that
people have to make the discussion about getting
in little digs like "Bu$h" - I just try to stay away from
it.
> but the fact is, Bush tax cuts have given the
> government more revenue than ever before
You really need to stop using this kind of appeal
to authority to up Bush.
I'm not an economist, but there are well respected
economists from both sides on boths, at least, of
every issue - taxes is one of those subjects that
can be discussed by the experts forever an no
conclusion reached, so you and I or any two people
will probably not see eye to eye, and there is not
really a productive point to made on it at least relative
to this thread.
> If that is the case, the Republicans don't need to
> manipulate anything, just get the facts out there
> and hope that the American people listen.
Another appeal to yourself and your "belief" as an authority.
> I think that the major REpubican candidates right
> now will take us back to fiscal responsibility...
Appeal to faith and Republican branding.
> unlike the major democratic candidates (who are very
> vocal about raising our taxes).
On the rich, who have benefitted. It is not going to
raise my taxes by any amount that is going to lower
my standard of living, as the Republicans tax cut didn't
make me any more of a millionaire - big whoop.
This is what I'm talking about.
If I don't respond to your next post, just assume
that I thought of it as more of the same partisan
stuff like this that doesn't deserve the energy. I
was hoping from more from you.
One word: biometrics.
The reason I don't capitalize democrats was meant to be a joke (in fact I didn't even mean to do it the first time, it was indeed a typo)... I don't go around calling Hillary any names like the Bush haters do...
To respond to your above remarks, I am sorry that you feel that I have made some error is pointing out things that are either my opinion or things that support my opinion. I hope you understand that I read many articles that are not politically motivated but rather educational and full of reasonable points of view that have helped me to come to my opinion. I am not for the war because I am a Republican. I am for the war because I beleive it is the right thing to do. I see terrorism as a global enemy that needs to be dealt with, and frankly I think that fighting them in the middle east is better than trying to defeat them in a defensive posture here at home.
Bush has made many mistakes in his leadership of the war and the country. I do not deny that. But he is far from the evil, stupid, liar that many on the left claim him to be. That is where I have the problem. When someone brings up a point about Bush that can be backed up with facts and reasonably supported, I have no probelm that. I think it was rediculous that Bush tried to pass that immigration bill, and yet I still support Bush's tax system and war effort. Can I not do that only becuase Bush is a Republican?
Did you think for a moment that perhaps I was stating my "beleif" in order to provide for you a better understanding of where I was coming from and not for the purpose of "proving" anything to you?
Also, your last comment about the democrats only raising taxes on the rich is misleading. Democrats don't lower taxes on anyone. They mandate tax increases for the "rich" which lead to higher costs of living for the middle and poor classes. I am a finance major so I understand that there are multiple points of view on this issue. Does that keep me from having my own point of view?
When I said that the government was pulling in more money that ever before, it is because under Bush tax cuts (and Republican tax cuts in general) the corporations and the rich receive breaks that allow them to reinvest in the economy. This has created more jobs, and in general more income for the businesses. Not only that but the tax cuts received by the middle and poor classes (and they did receive them) have allowed them to have larger purchasing power and in turn have created larger income for businesses.
Here is the point I am trying to make: When the rich and have larger incomes, they pay more taxes. This has been true for the past few years. They make more money, and yet pay larger portions of the total taxes taken in by the government. This may seem like a dichotemy, but it is not. This is why Bush tax cuts have worked so far.
Also, the world economy has grown tremendously over the past 6 years and far outperformed the global economy during the Clinton years.
This is not an opinion, but rather part of the state of the economy over the past 6 years. A survey just came out that said that 57% of Americans feel that they are better off today than they were 6 years ago. I know that it's just a survey, but I think it shows that the majority of Americans are optimistic about their financial situation. This is something you don't hear about in the media. Instead you hear about housing woes, stock market stuggles, and credit problems. These are all legitimate issues that need to by dealt with, but the fact is that the economy is in great shape, and the American people need to know that.
So when i say that the Republicans need to share the facts with America, I mean some of the front runners need to stand up and defend tax cuts in general and show that they are indeed working. If you disagree, thats fine. No one is forcing you to. But don't tell me that I am using "partisan" points of view to support my opinion. I don't need to.
Sure, the tax cuts ARE working for the wealthy and corporate America. But believe me my firend, they are not working for the poor souls that are fighting to keep our bridges from collapsing. And the tax cuts aren't working for our beleagered public school system that has been cut to the bare bones and is facing more. And the tax cuts aren't working for the hundreds of thousands of mentally ill who now fill our streets begging for something to eat as if we were living in Midevil Europe. And it isn't working for the millions of un-insured Americans who continually face financial ruin and possible death because of the failed health care system we now have.
Do you have any compassion or concern for these issues, or is "keeping more of MY money" that much more important to you?