Shouldn’t we tone down the partisan Rhetoric
Posted: August 2, 2011 Filed under: Politics 19 Comments »
let me be clear. The Republican Party are mostly no good bastards that regularly lie to America, so as to ensure a steady migration of wealth from the middle class to the upper-upper class. They pose on principles, but their god is money and greed is their holy ghost. Jack Mitchell
My friend Jack Mitchell made this statement in a Post on Left in Lowell concerning next years Senate re-election of Scott Brown and who his opponents might be. This came a few weeks after he (in my view) smacked around City Council Candidate John MacDonald for having good creative people for supporters who happen to be Republicans.
It also came at a time when rhetoric and talk like this was dividing Washington and putting this country on the brink of financial ruin.
I have always found it somewhat strange that for State and National Elections people like Jack and Lynne on Left in Lowell are so partisan yet claim that they are and can be non-partisan when it comes to the city elections. I don’t understand the concept of being so firm and partisan in my beliefs on the state/national level but being able to ignore them on the city level. By the way I too am a Democrat but have never been a strict blind follower, 1 party regardless of the person type. I choose the individual over the party.
I think Jack has made it clear that he doesn’t like some people because they are Republicans (especially and at least John MacDonald) but not all. In Jack’s own words “John MacDonald is a Republican. That doesn’t make him a bad egg. I voted for Joe Mendonca, a Republican, in 2009 because I prefer his sensibilities towards governing. In a city race, party is a mute point in many regards.”
I think it should be a moot point in ALL regards, especially if one is a voice/frontman for a supposedly non-partisan group of concerned citizens has Jack is with Move Lowell Forward. I am curious how you claim to be part of a non-partisan group when you constantly post partisan rhetoric bashing the republicans and why Cliff and Joe Mendonca don’t reply to such negative bashing of their party.
I myself don’t consider Cliff Krieger, George Anthes, Tom O’Brien , Mike Conway, Mary Burns, Mike Sullivan, John MacDonald or Joe Mendonca to name a few “no good bastards that regularly lie“. I like and respect them for who they are not what party they belong too. I am not in favor of painting people with such a big broad brush.
I am a great believer and advocate for Freedom of Speech and while I rant and disagree with people on issues, I don’t think I use vulgar language or resort to nasty name calling because of what party they belong too. I don’t think anyone should be gagged has long as they are not threatening, slandering or encouraging people to do harm to someone but I also think that we has a country need to tone down the hate speech in partisan politics and in my opinion stating The Republican Party are mostly no good bastards” does nothing to enhance the dialogue, discussion or sharing of ideas. Can’t we disagree without resorting to name calling like a 10th grade bully?
At a time when the country was facing the real possibility of not paying its bill because of partisan politics,I was wondering if his Post stating ” The Republican Party are mostly no good bastards” would have any negative effect on the way current City Councilors or challengers view Jack or the Move Lowell Forward PAC because he is spokesperson of that group.
Would any councilor or challenger have an issue with such harsh statements especially in light of what he did to John MacDonald ( calling him a farm teamer, and stating he is using the council has stepping stone) and would they still respond to MLF and Jack ignoring his attack on Republicans and the fact that because of such partisan bashing the United States was facing financial turmoil and needed to work together and not be party bashing.
Not surprisingly only a few responded, the question was asked in the same tone Jack used, basically asking if they would reply to MLF a supposedly non-partisan group after two attacks against Republicans by Jack Mitchell. Only 3 had the courage of their convictions to respond from the 8 that I asked.
“My answer is Yes.I read Jack’s blog and was surprised by the statement, however Jack Mitchell is a veteran who has defended our right of Free Speech. I don’t agree with his comments, but I support his right to make them.” BTW-My mother is a life-long Republican. Thanks! Jim Milanazzo
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In regards to Jack Mitchell’s comments… Although I do not share or agree with all of Jack’s opinions I certainly do respect his courage and right to share them. Differing opinions and ideas, shared respectfully and coupled with compromise can accomplish great things. In regards to Move Lowell Forward, Jack is one member and I again respect his participation and others that are part of the organization in wanting to see the city succeed.
If Move Lowell Forward endorses my candidacy I would gladly accept it. If not my admiration for what they seek to accomplish would not waver.
Sincerely,
John MacDonald
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Jack Mitchell is a veteran and a person I respect. We may disagree on things and the PAC didn’t support me last time and I am not going after their support this time but he has the freedom of speech that is part of what makes this country great on his side. Paul Belley
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What is your feeling about this type of partisan rhetoric? Should we be able to have our differences and have discussion on them without resorting to vulgar language and name calling? Is that language okay and allowed because we live in the state of MA and he is talking about Republicans?
I’m not for it and don’t agree with it, we should be able to have great discussions and debate without resorting to calling someone a Bastard or worse.
re: Jack Mitchell – the guy is, obviously, “touched” in the head
simply ignore him
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt…Abraham Lincoln
Perfectly said.
“Speech is the mirror of the soul; as a man speaks, so is he.”
Publilius Syrus (Roman author, 1st century B.C.)
The old quotes are great. How enlightened we are, now.
.
Please follow this link to a Youtube video which quotes politcal rhetoric used by Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.
Jack seems to be a complete moron. He’s what’s wrong with politics.
Yup. Nothing says “we’re above name calling” more than name calling. Way to go, poopyhead.
Don’t blame Jack, he’s with the “General Betray-us” group.
I think I found the video version of a lot of the responses here.
yikes, is Jack a “sodomite”?? (not that there’s anything wrong with that….)
I think that we should separate the Blog “Left in Lowell” (Jack Blogs there since the recent past) from the PAC Move Lowell Forward. I certainly don’t think that Move Lowell forward is a reflection of or is driven by “Left in Lowell”, any more than it is by my Blog, “Right Side of Lowell”. Jack is not the “Spokesperson” for Move Lowell Forward. That said, he is a member. He is one of a number of members and he has a voice within MLF. One that commands a hearing because it is informed and thoughtful.
There is no doubt in my mind that Jack has stirred up a number of folks in Lowell, on both sides of the political divide, although with non-partisan city elections it is sometimes not obvious where a given person’s “national” political loyalties sit. I site George Anthes.
On the other hand, I sometimes think that Gerry Nutter is always nattering on about Move Lowell Forward for some reason he keeps close to his heart. I know he says it is because MLF is a PAC, but then how can it be anything else? If 15 friends got together and picked nine folks to back for City Council and each threw a C-Note into a hat to pay for an Advert in The Sun, would that not be a circumvention of campaign finance laws? I like the idea that we do it the regular way, according to the rules and not just as another local cabal, somewhat hidden from the voters as a whole.
I am just not sure what is the real burr under Gerry’s saddle.
So, to wrap up. I am the spokesman for MLF, as I am the chairman. I am also the Chairman of the Ward 1 Republican Committee. But, MLF is non-partisan and focused on Lowell Elections, which are non-partisan. Looking at Move Lowell Forward, the members of MLF become more and more fragmented as we move up in election levels, which is why we stick to the local scene.
And, Jack didn’t earn the right to free speech through his service to the nation, for which I thank him. He received that right by being born in this nation, which recognizes that we are all endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable Rights. Lest you think I am putting Jack down, I think he was part of a discussion on my own Blog Site a while back that included others (vets and non) in which it was agreed that Service did not give you more rights, or even more of a right, but just helped preserve the rights of all.
Thanks
Regards — Cliff
JACK IS A CYBER-BULLY
Jack is my friend. What Jack offers is straight forward, unfiltered comment. What we have now, with most politicians and some of the bloggers, is fluff generated by political consultants. After a half hour with any of today’s politicians we have no idea what they said. We don’t have to ask Jack; “What did you say?”
To those who are offended; there is too much at stake to play “paddy cakes”. This country needs forward thinkers who are forward.
John Nappi
I like Jack , but I do have a hard time understanding how one can on one hand say ” The Republican Party are mostly no good bastards that regularly lie to America,”
and still t say they are Non -partisan when it comes to City Elections yet still Post about a challenger who IS a Republican ” John MacDonald is running for City Council with the intent of quickly jumping up the politcal ladder a campaign that is head and shoulders beyond the realm of the typical city council race. He is effectively running the caliber of campaign seen in US Congressional races. I surmise the intent is to demonstrate that “grassroots” folks can be trusted with running effective high level campaigns. Some may remember the rift created when monied GOPers lined up behind Jon Golnik, as opposed to the local activists’ fave, Sam Meas. It sure don’t hurt to prove to the MAGOP that the locals ain’t yoke
and expect people to beleive he is non-partisan?
Cliff may not think Jack is an “official Spokesperson” but since he is an outgoing / outspoken person with a large presence people connect him with MLF & Left in Lowell and can’t / will not distinguish between the groups.
Jack is NOT non-partisan! LeftInLowell is NOT non-partisan! But MoveLowelForward IS non-partisan! How can i say this? Jack expresses his PARTISAN opinions on LeftInLowell and in MLF meetings. *I* express my PARTISAN opinions here, on LeftInLowell and in MLF meetings. But when MLF issues an official MLF statement or document it is after having considered all PARTISAN inputs producing a NON-partisan output. MLF’s endorsement process has used in the past and will use again in 2011 an OBJECTIVE scoresheet with at least 4 “scorers” having their scores avaeraged to produce 9 candidates that best represent MLF’s goals and objectives for the city. This was all described in detail at MLF’s public meeting last month
Paul,
I fully grasp the concept but it is my belief that MOST people don’t believe that you can be so Left leaning that you attack another party with so much hate by casting them as lying bastards and attack a candidate in a non partisan race for being Republican and being associated with other republicans and still expect people to take the entire group as being objective and fair.
I understand MLF is a small group of concern citizens, but if you ask the people who even know about the group (not the members) they could probably identify Jack, Cliff, Lynne, Mimi, maybe you and Kim Scott has members. I would add Mr. Lynne, John Nappi and Joe Smith as others I think might be in the group but since most of us have no idea and the group doesn’t list it’s members or officers the average person doesn’t know much about MLF
When 3 of your most identifiable members are Left Leaning bloggers it is tough to take the groups claim serious that they are non-partisan and are anything but what a Political Action Committee Is by definition. Cliff can try to pass the group of friends and neighbors spiel all he wants but by making this small group a PAC you are in fact
A committee formed by a special-interest group to raise money for their favorite political candidates and not just a concerned citizens group like the Elks or East End Club.
Tell me about the East End Club.
Regards — Cliff
Some day over coffee Cliff ..
Gerry you did not come to out public meeting. How can you blindly state our motives without doing the least bit of investigation? Just by living in Centralville in the vicinity of the East End Club, you know more about that than you do MoveLowellForward. You talk on another post about being blinded to the facts. Here the facts have been available to you but you’ve chosen to blindly criticize! I geuss the old saying is correct: you can lead a blind man to water but you can’t make him drink.
Why would I go to a PAC meeting when I don’t support PACS?? MLF has been explained to me by Jack and Cliff , I fully understand the good intentions of this band of people but have no interest in political action committees.
I only point out that people identify Jack has Left in Lowell/MLF becuase like me he is an outspoken person.