An Interesting Analysis By Eugene Robinson

[jillian]

A national deficit of trust

By Eugene Robinson
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Trust might as well be a four-letter word. American public opinion seems to have become an unguided Weapon of Mass Suspicion, and it's not hard to understand why. But those who would exploit distrust, dissatisfaction and anger for political gain had better worry about collateral damage.

The overhyped Tea Party phenomenon is more about symbolism and screaming than anything else. A "movement" that encompasses gun nuts, tax protesters, devotees of the gold standard, Sarah Palin, insurance company lobbyists, "constitutionalists" who have not read the Constitution, Medicare recipients who oppose government-run health care, crazy "birthers" who claim President Obama was born in another country, a contingent of outright racists (come on, people, let's be real) and a bunch of fat-cat professional politicians pretending to be "outsiders" is not a coherent intellectual or political force.

But even people who wouldn't be caught dead at a Tea Party rally have lost trust in powerful institutions that are supposed to be working in the public's interest -- with considerable reason. Just look at the headlines.

washingtonpost.com

 

[Xenophon]

The description of the tea party movement is ludicrous thus making anything he wanted to say pointless.

When these jerks start understanding that the protests are not by 'nuts' but regular people they may get somewhere.

 

[Zona]

I met him at a mlk celebrating diversity thing here last year. He is a very bright man. Very.

 

[Zona]

The description of the tea party movement is ludicrous thus making anything he wanted to say pointless.

When these jerks start understanding that the protests are not by 'nuts' but regular people they may get somewhere.

By angry, do you mean angry white people who really cant get specific when asked what they are angry about. Those "regular" People.

Notice how they dont represent all of america, only a specific (fox viewing) few.

 

[Xenophon]

By angry, do you mean angry white people who really cant get specific when asked what they are angry about. Those "regular" People.

Notice how they dont represent all of america, only a specific (fox viewing) few.

Your fantasies are not at issue, and if you think people don't know what they are protesting about, you are even simpler then you appear.

 

[rightwinger]

A "movement" that encompasses gun nuts, tax protesters, devotees of the gold standard, Sarah Palin, insurance company lobbyists, "constitutionalists" who have not read the Constitution, Medicare recipients who oppose government-run health care, crazy "birthers" who claim President Obama was born in another country, a contingent of outright racists (come on, people, let's be real) and a bunch of fat-cat professional politicians pretending to be "outsiders" is not a coherent intellectual or political force.

Best description of the TP yet

 

[Sinatra]

Eugene Robinson?

 

[Soggy in NOLA]

Whatever... the left is comprised of a bunch of willfully ignorant mouthbreathing bums anyway.. who cares. Tell them to go educate themselves a bit and then come back.

 

[Soggy in NOLA]

The description of the tea party movement is ludicrous thus making anything he wanted to say pointless.

When these jerks start understanding that the protests are not by 'nuts' but regular people they may get somewhere.

By angry, do you mean angry white people who really cant get specific when asked what they are angry about. Those "regular" People.

Notice how they dont represent all of america, only a specific (fox viewing) few.

And what is it that you are angry about genius? Angry that people don't want to pay for others' needs?

Fucktard.

 

[jillian]

The description of the tea party movement is ludicrous thus making anything he wanted to say pointless.

When these jerks start understanding that the protests are not by 'nuts' but regular people they may get somewhere.

you might want to deny what the polls show, or you might object to the characterization. but he's pretty much dead on about who comprises that 25%.

 

[Zona]

Eugene Robinson?

He won the pulitzer prize. So he can write and stuff. You betcha.

 

[Zona]

The description of the tea party movement is ludicrous thus making anything he wanted to say pointless.

When these jerks start understanding that the protests are not by 'nuts' but regular people they may get somewhere.

By angry, do you mean angry white people who really cant get specific when asked what they are angry about. Those "regular" People.

Notice how they dont represent all of america, only a specific (fox viewing) few.

And what is it that you are angry about genius? Angry that people don't want to pay for others' needs?

Fucktard.

ON tax day, a95% of them got a tax break. The taxes are the lowest in 50 years right now.....

The gun nuts....what exactly has Obama done, insuated or hinted at ....about taking away your guns?


What exactly are you fucking idiots mad about?

The worse was last year when they were complaininig about taxes as most of them got refunds.

Idiots. They really, honestly have no idea what they are angry about..

 

[Rinata]

The right wing nuts are getting their asses kicked in this thread.

 

[Xenophon]

The description of the tea party movement is ludicrous thus making anything he wanted to say pointless.

When these jerks start understanding that the protests are not by 'nuts' but regular people they may get somewhere.

you might want to deny what the polls show, or you might object to the characterization. but he's pretty much dead on about who comprises that 25%.

No my dear, he's dead wrong, and therein is his problem.

 

[Avatar4321]

I dont agree with everything he said, but he is right about one thing. There is a trust deficit. But we have a trust deficit for a good reason. We are a dishonest society.

 

[Stephanie]

Eugene Robertson, a washington compost stooge.

boy was that article soooooo enlightening. nothing but leftist venom and stupid unfounded accusations. no wonder Jilly would admire him.

 

[Avatar4321]

Eugene Robinson?

He won the pulitzer prize. So he can write and stuff. You betcha.

Anyone can write. You just proved it.

 

[gautama]

A national deficit of trust

By Eugene Robinson
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Trust might as well be a four-letter word. American public opinion seems to have become an unguided Weapon of Mass Suspicion, and it's not hard to understand why. But those who would exploit distrust, dissatisfaction and anger for political gain had better worry about collateral damage.

The overhyped Tea Party phenomenon is more about symbolism and screaming than anything else. A "movement" that encompasses gun nuts, tax protesters, devotees of the gold standard, Sarah Palin, insurance company lobbyists, "constitutionalists" who have not read the Constitution, Medicare recipients who oppose government-run health care, crazy "birthers" who claim President Obama was born in another country, a contingent of outright racists (come on, people, let's be real) and a bunch of fat-cat professional politicians pretending to be "outsiders" is not a coherent intellectual or political force.

But even people who wouldn't be caught dead at a Tea Party rally have lost trust in powerful institutions that are supposed to be working in the public's interest -- with considerable reason. Just look at the headlines.

washingtonpost.com

Jillian aka the self-confessed fan of Jerry Rubin (whose idol was Charlie Manson).

Anything that you may say, or recommend is BULLSHIT.

I'm going to take a chance and NOT read your crap on the premise that anything coming out of an established BULLSHITTER is BULLSHIT.

The RATIONAL readers of this post will know the validity of my conclusion.

 

[Procrustes Stretched]

A national deficit of trust

By Eugene Robinson
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Trust might as well be a four-letter word. American public opinion seems to have become an unguided Weapon of Mass Suspicion, and it's not hard to understand why. But those who would exploit distrust, dissatisfaction and anger for political gain had better worry about collateral damage.

The overhyped Tea Party phenomenon is more about symbolism and screaming than anything else. A "movement" that encompasses gun nuts, tax protesters, devotees of the gold standard, Sarah Palin, insurance company lobbyists, "constitutionalists" who have not read the Constitution, Medicare recipients who oppose government-run health care, crazy "birthers" who claim President Obama was born in another country, a contingent of outright racists (come on, people, let's be real) and a bunch of fat-cat professional politicians pretending to be "outsiders" is not a coherent intellectual or political force.

But even people who wouldn't be caught dead at a Tea Party rally have lost trust in powerful institutions that are supposed to be working in the public's interest -- with considerable reason. Just look at the headlines.

washingtonpost.com

I've been saying the same thing since going to a rally. But Gene is missing the big picture. Symbolism is a very powerful force, more so than words.

 

[Flopper]

A national deficit of trust

By Eugene Robinson
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Trust might as well be a four-letter word. American public opinion seems to have become an unguided Weapon of Mass Suspicion, and it's not hard to understand why. But those who would exploit distrust, dissatisfaction and anger for political gain had better worry about collateral damage.

The overhyped Tea Party phenomenon is more about symbolism and screaming than anything else. A "movement" that encompasses gun nuts, tax protesters, devotees of the gold standard, Sarah Palin, insurance company lobbyists, "constitutionalists" who have not read the Constitution, Medicare recipients who oppose government-run health care, crazy "birthers" who claim President Obama was born in another country, a contingent of outright racists (come on, people, let's be real) and a bunch of fat-cat professional politicians pretending to be "outsiders" is not a coherent intellectual or political force.

But even people who wouldn't be caught dead at a Tea Party rally have lost trust in powerful institutions that are supposed to be working in the public's interest -- with considerable reason. Just look at the headlines.

washingtonpost.com

The one tea party I attended, the speakers were pretty much what you would expect, critical of Obama, loads of condemnation of big government, and forecasts of gloom and doom if we don't change direction. Very little of your description of teabaggers seemed to apply, HOWEVER when I spoke to some very nice people offline about the issues I found your description was pretty much on target. I don't think they realize that the philosophy that they expond is not conservatism but an anarchism.