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Empty Threats

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Media
Posted on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:27:17 PM EST
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By Big Tent Democrat

Speaking for me only.

What is John Aravosis threatening?

So, what will the Republicans throw at Hillary in the fall? Lots. But I'm not going to detail those things today because I'm, surprisingly, still pulling punches with regards to what I write about Hillary. I don't want to damage Hillary should she become our nominee, as increasingly unlikely as that appears. I don't want to write about very real scandals in Hillary's past, scandals that we will be forced to revisit for the next 8 months, and 8 years. I don't want to write about the rumors about Bill that no one has written about to date, even though the rumors include lots of details which are at least just as true as Obama being a Muslim.
(Emphasis supplied.) I really liked the "at least as true as Obama being a Muslim" part. Obama is not a Muslim. So is Aravosis threatening to print lies? And what is his purpose in doing so? BTW, does Aravosis REALLY think he has something that has not been printed by the Right Wing Noise Machine? But I urge John to print his charges, if he has evidence of them. We can read the lies about Hillary anywhere. But real issues should ALL be aired. Don't pull your punches John. Let it hang out.

Note, comments closed.

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    Empty Threats | 129 comments (129 topical)
    thats funny (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:30:10 PM EST
    I posted a paragraph from that post earlier without using his name.
    it made me spit up coffee on the keyboard.
    but he has had a lot of those lately.
    my favorite part was this:
    "I'm, surprisingly, still pulling punches with regards to what I write about Hillary"
    well that gives us all something to look forward to  doesnt it?
    I was a regular at that blog until fairly recently.
    so, is aravosis saying (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by Turkana on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:30:12 PM EST
    he's at least as credible as drudge?

    I don't know what he is saying (5.00 / 3) (#5)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:32:18 PM EST
    I would like to hear what people think he is threatening.

    I found the post quite bizarre.

    Parent

    honestly (5.00 / 2) (#8)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:34:29 PM EST
    without bashing another blog (trying hard) it has really been bizarro world there lately.
    I mean, lots of blogs are bashing Hillary but it seems to have taken on a whole new dimension there.
    seriously.


    Parent
    I must say (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:35:21 PM EST
    this is by far the most bizarre blog post from an A-list blogger that I have ever read.

    Parent
    I would say (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:39:22 PM EST
    check in more often.  you wont be disappointed.
    and if you really want to lose some sleep, go into the comments.


    Parent
    Do you realize you are an A-list blogger? (none / 0) (#25)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:42:21 PM EST
    if Aravosis is...

    When folks come out with stuff like this I always figure it's for ratings.

    Here's a current Alexa comparison

    So stop bashing A-list blogs, will you ;-)!

    Parent

    No (none / 0) (#32)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:45:01 PM EST
    John gets big traffic. About 4 times as much as we do.

    Parent
    You're ranked nearly where he is (none / 0) (#39)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:50:22 PM EST
    on a lot of days, lately, according to the link I posted in my previous email.

    Parent
    Actually (none / 0) (#42)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:51:16 PM EST
    he gets 1/3 more.

    Parent
    have his hits dropped (5.00 / 1) (#65)
    by Kathy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:04:34 PM EST
    since the site took a more pro-Obama stance?  I know that lots of folks have said they stopped going there.

    I suppose when you have invested so much personally into one person, when that person is not doing as well as you would like, you take it as a dig against your very being.  I can understand that.  It's something that would've been better done in private.  For instance, hitting a pillow.

    The take-away from this election, no matter who gets the nom, is going to be that we sometimes become the thing we most hate.

    Parent

    I suspect (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:08:33 PM EST
    probably they have picked up at least as much, if not more, as they have lost.
    by the time I left very few of the people I had been  chatting with for years were still there.
    but there were lots of new ones.


    Parent
    i no longer go there and based on this (none / 0) (#108)
    by hellothere on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:23:29 PM EST
    it looks like i won't back very soon.

    Parent
    x (none / 0) (#116)
    by CognitiveDissonance on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:27:17 PM EST
    Yes. Many of these blogs have become as unbalanced and vitriolic as the MSM they were supposedly against. That's why I appreciate Talk Left and the few others who have kept their integrity. They will be the ones I continue to read on a daily basis.


    Parent
    Ok (none / 0) (#80)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:10:12 PM EST


    Parent
    It sounds like... (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by mindfulmission on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:36:12 PM EST
    ... he is asserting that there is all kinds of Clinton gossip that are loosely linked with facts that is aware of.  

    It seemed like he "knew" things, including with "evidence," until he inserted that odd line about Obama being Muslim.

    If it is "at least just as true as Obama being a Muslim," then they will obviously be blatant lies.

    Aravosis really lost a lot of credibility with me years ago though.  I read him because he is interesting, not because he is factual.  And even the interesting part is quickly going away.

    Parent

    Well (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:37:29 PM EST
    Ok. I just found it incredibly bizarre.

    Parent
    I agree. (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by mindfulmission on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:39:39 PM EST
    It is definitely bizarre.  But that is basically what I expect from him, especially lately.

    Parent
    I think it's this ... (none / 0) (#81)
    by Robot Porter on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:10:37 PM EST
    the idea that Obama's vetting could destroy him in the fall has taken hold, and he's just trying to claim that what can be done to Obama can also be done to Hillary.

    So just as some have said the charges about Obama don't have to be true to work.

    He's arguing that holds for Hillary as well.

    Does that make sense?

    Parent

    It Does If You Leave In Bizarro Universe (none / 0) (#119)
    by BDB on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:29:10 PM EST
    While I can't speak of others, when I speak about vetting Obama, I mean finding out the facts of Rezko or finding out that he's never held a subcommittee hearing.  You know, trying to find out more true things about the guy and then deciding whether or not they are relevant to his qualifications to be president.  I most definitely do not mean finding out if he's secretly a Muslim, who he sleeps with, or whether he says the Pledge of Allegiance.  Which seems to be what this post implies - that scurrilous rumors about Hillary are the same as vetting Obama.  Now, if someone has info on true information about Hillary, something arguably relevant, then I'd like to know that, too.  But that does not appear to be what he's talking about.

    And even if scurrilous rumors were somehow relevant, I suspect he's still living in some alternate universe to suggest that there is some huge smear around that he and only he knows about regarding Hillary Clinton.  A lot of folks have reported that the Obama Muslim email smear was tame compared to what they get regarding Hillary, going so far to point out that the Washington Post could never run a story on the Clinton emails because they couldn't reprint them.  So I somehow doubt there's a lot of new smears out there.  

    Sure, there are probably some that the average voter hasn't heard, but even they won't be new.  Lesbian?  Been there, done that.  Adulterer?  Been there, done that.  Murderer?  Been there, done that.  Corrupt, harpy shrew?  Been there, done that.  Alien life form?  Been there, done that.

    As for Bill Clinton, I'd expect any rumor about him to be met with a giant shrug.  If folks cared about Bill Clinton's sex life, we would've been done with both Clintons in 1992.

    The post simply makes no sense.  And so I suggest only one possible explanation - Clinton Derangement Syndrome.  So very sad to see it claim another victim, especially one who not so long ago was pretty angry at Obama over the McClurkin fiasco.

    Parent

    Just to be clear (none / 0) (#123)
    by BDB on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:30:49 PM EST
    By "you" in the subject I didn't mean you, I meant Avarois.  You seem perfectly sane.  Heh.

    Parent
    And By Leave, I Mean Live (none / 0) (#128)
    by BDB on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:31:40 PM EST
    Because I am an idiot.  But not one who suffers from Clinton Derangement Syndrome. So I got that going for me.

    Parent
    When I lost respect for John A... (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by p lukasiak on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:51:00 PM EST
    ...it was during the Mark Foley scandal.  Foley's chief enabler in the scandal was Jeff Trandahl, who at the time was one of those "everybody knows he's gay, but he won't out and say it" Republicans who was about as DC Gay A-List as you could get.

    When the Foley scandal broke, Trandahl had already left the Clerkship, officially came out, and got himself a seat on the board of the Human Rights Campaign Fund -- the "respectable" gay lobby.  

    I asked John to make an issue of this -- IMHO, gay organizations should not have people sitting on their boards that enable and cover-up for people like Foley who use their positions of power to seduce underage men.   Avarosis refused, accusing me of trying to embarrass the gay community.  

    It was at that point I realized that Avarosis wasn't this radical gay activist outing hypocrites -- but someone who cared more about his party invites than the GLBT communities.

    Parent

    Heck of a problerm (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:09:55 PM EST
    for a guy now willing to go all out against Hillary.

    Parent
    I used to respect (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by nemo52 on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:12:54 PM EST
    and read John's blog, too, brom way back when he was tormenting Dr. Laura, but I have stopped checking out his blog since it has become such a Hillary bashing tank.  (Not that his is the only blog I no longer visit).  The treatment of Hillary also opened my eyes to the casual misogyny of several of the BBBs (the Big Blogger Boyz), so they have lost my traffic, forever.

    Parent
    oops, typo (5.00 / 1) (#90)
    by nemo52 on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:13:22 PM EST
    brom should be from!

    Parent
    I sort of reached the same opinion (none / 0) (#101)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:18:33 PM EST
    he loves to drop names like one that I thought was so bizarro I saved it:

    Take this with a grain of salt
    by John Aravosis (DC) · 2/19/2008 07:12:00 PM ET · Link
    Discuss this post here: Comments (165) · reddit · FARK ·· Digg It!

    My buddy Jim Geraghty, the kind of leaked exit polls, says it's a blow-out for Obama over Clinton in Wisconsin. But I'll wait to see the actual results.

    Parent

    Rumors (none / 0) (#52)
    by Socraticsilence on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:55:34 PM EST
    For Hillary, outside of the Huma stuff, I'm can't think of anything, but for Bill there's some seriously seedy stuff people could rumor-monger (and some odd stuff that's true).

    Parent
    What is the Huma stuff? (none / 0) (#77)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:09:06 PM EST


    Parent
    Google (none / 0) (#97)
    by tree on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:16:29 PM EST
    Hilary and Huma. That's what I did.

    Parent
    More of the same (none / 0) (#106)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:21:53 PM EST
    This is not going to knock the socks off of anybody.

    Parent
    How kind of him... (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by ahazydelirium on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:31:47 PM EST
    ...to write at length about how he's not going to write on Hillary's past. He can't quite keep his promise even in this post. I guess the thrill of attacking her is just too great?

    He seems to be trying to damage Hillary by insinuation. "I'm not going to tell you why she's awful but, boy, is she awful!"

    Your observation concerning Obama just supports the idea that he has nothing but insinuation.

    I believe it's called (5.00 / 2) (#88)
    by Kathy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:12:49 PM EST
    a paralepsis when you argue a point by saying you're not going to argue a point.

    "I'm not saying she's ugly, but..."  

    You get the idea.

    I dunno, I realize that folks here understandably have some--maybe enjoyment isn't the right word?  Relief?  Sense of comeuppance?  Scheudenfraud?--that this has happened, but I feel like I am watching a train wreck.  This is the kind of vile sputtering off that the netroots were meant to counter, and here it is coming from our own "side."

    Bleh.  

    Parent

    Or is it (none / 0) (#95)
    by nemo52 on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:15:06 PM EST
    occupatio?  "I would never say that my esteemed opponent is a trash-picking scumbag. . . . but. . ."

    Parent
    It's sad that (none / 0) (#124)
    by ahazydelirium on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:30:54 PM EST
    this election cycle has brought out so many ugly sentiments on the progressive side. I thought we were above it.

    Parent
    yes, the (none / 0) (#125)
    by kangeroo on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:30:54 PM EST
    schadenfreude notion has occurred to me many times.  i see it a lot coming from obama supporters.

    Parent
    He's saying... (5.00 / 3) (#6)
    by racymind on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:33:55 PM EST
    John is saying he would print the rumors if and when it agreed with or furthered his personal political objectives, truth of the rumors be damned.

    What else is new?

    this is a little mean (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:36:37 PM EST
    and maybe even a little unfair. (a little)
    but the man does have some serious blind spots.
    What is funny to me though (5.00 / 3) (#13)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:36:41 PM EST
    is does Aravosis think Hillary is going to read his blog post and decide to drop out because of it? What a bizarre post.

    doesn't everyone (5.00 / 4) (#22)
    by Turkana on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:39:43 PM EST
    base their political careers on his opinions?

    Parent
    I thought they based it on my opinions (5.00 / 2) (#24)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:41:31 PM EST
    That is why I am mad at Obama. He is not doing what I say. And I will drop my bombs on him. They will look like the ones I drop already though.

    Parent
    everyone knows that all REAL leaders (5.00 / 3) (#35)
    by Turkana on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:45:40 PM EST
    base their policies on my opinions!

    seriously, though, it wouldn't hurt a politician to have a staffer scan the dk wreck list for candidate diaries, and base all strategy on the opposite.

    Parent

    Heh (5.00 / 1) (#75)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:08:36 PM EST


    Parent
    I think you may have (5.00 / 1) (#134)
    by Mike Pridmore on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:33:53 PM EST
    something there.

    Parent
    I love the inflated ego (5.00 / 3) (#28)
    by Nasarius on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:42:57 PM EST
    I don't want to damage Hillary should she become our nominee

    That was definitely my favorite part of the post. Oh noes, your readers who hate Hillary might...hate her even more once they read the drug-induced fantasies of Rush Limbaugh?

    Parent
    reminds me of a fish I once had (5.00 / 3) (#58)
    by Kathy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:00:11 PM EST
    who jumped out of the tank.  I found him sputtering on the counter top, mouth flopping open.  I put him back in the water, of course, but that image stuck.

    What, indeed, does this Intrepid Investigator know?

    I think this ties back into what others were saying about a certain air of desperation coming from the Obama camp.  First, they called for her to quit.  Then, they said she was splitting up the party.  NOW, they're saying she'll quit if she knows what's good for her because they know all this bad stuff and ho-boy, is it bad and just back out with your hands in the air, lady, because I've got both guns drawn.

    This post would've never come up if Obama was polling ahead.

    Parent

    That's it. (none / 0) (#109)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:24:01 PM EST
    Bad polling must be the reason the threats are coming out. Or other things that are about to break.

    Parent
    John has done so (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by Mike Pridmore on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:36:51 PM EST
    much, especially for the cause of gay Americans.  He is on the wrong side of the issue I think.  Obama's snub of Gavin Newsom and his use of McClurkin stand in stark contrast to Hillary's acceptance of GLBT rights.  Video here.

    or the cause of gay Americans (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:42:56 PM EST
    he has. and it is why I hung on as long as I did. but lets talk about gay rights.
    the same letter that was panned here the other day for the comments about "people needing to be convinced" was posted there with great fanfare and absolutely no attention paid to the details discussed here.


    Parent
    McClurkin (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by NYMARJ on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:44:16 PM EST
    During the McClurkin episode, he was so livid with Obama, certainly seems all is forgiven.

    Parent
    yeah (5.00 / 2) (#33)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:45:02 PM EST
    the turnabout was absolutely whiplash inducing.

    Parent
    I am asking about this post (none / 0) (#17)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:38:08 PM EST
    John may be a great American, but what is THIS post about?

    Parent
    Do you really want to know? (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by Mike Pridmore on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:55:23 PM EST
    I think he feels that Obama is fading because of the hits he is taking on Rezco and NAFTA and is lashing out.  I am from AR and know almost all of the Clinton rumors by heart, starting back thirty years ago.  I actually go back further because I had the same music teacher as Bill, just two decades later.  There aren't any really skeletons left after that $50 million witchhunt in the nineties.

    Parent
    I think we all know all ther rumors by heart (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:08:05 PM EST


    Parent
    being also from arkansas (none / 0) (#55)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:57:17 PM EST
    I tried to push this idea at americablog.
    it was a little like peeing into the wind.

    Parent
    I have a similar (none / 0) (#73)
    by Mike Pridmore on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:08:19 PM EST
    feeling at the Great Orange Satan, among other places, these days.  But I still post there some.  I hope all the pod people who are currently occupying the minds and bodies of people I once liked will return those minds and bodies to their rightful owners after the primaries.  But I am beginning to wonder if that will happen even then.

    Parent
    He is threatening to expose (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by MichaelGale on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:08:46 PM EST
    Clinton should she win something.

    That is emotion speaking.  A little angry and scared.


    Parent

    more than a little (5.00 / 1) (#84)
    by Mike Pridmore on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:11:24 PM EST


    Parent
    scared- no, angry-beyond that! disgusted- (none / 0) (#133)
    by hellothere on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:33:31 PM EST
    you bet. willing to show my displeasure, you can bet on that also. i'll never darken his site again. i don't care for snide references like that. speak out or be quiet.

    Parent
    Reminder: Another "EX-Republican" (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:38:24 PM EST
    who doesn't know how to quit (hating) the Clintons.

    He really needs to bring all this Clinton filth out in the open, because the woman needs vetting!

    Honestly, I want to hear it -- today, not after she wins Ohio...NOW.  Better to damage her now than after she wins the nom (if that's even possible anymore).

    Oh my (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:39:17 PM EST
    A "Hillary is a lesbian" charge? That's it? Well that is certainly original.

    Sheesh. Let her rip JA.

    you laugh (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:44:20 PM EST
    but that was brought up constantly in the comments there.
    constantly.


    Parent
    So (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:45:38 PM EST
    that can't be it. We have heard that forever.

    Parent
    well (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:51:19 PM EST
    actually, if I am getting this right, they have "new" accusations.
    not the 10 year old ones. new ones.

    Parent
    so (none / 0) (#50)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:55:24 PM EST
    I guess this changes the discussion from if it would be more politically seismic to elect a woman or a black man to if it would be more politically seismic to elect a black man or a possible lesbian.
    personally it would make me want to vote for her about 10 times more.
    but thats just me.


    Parent
    Oh, I'm sure... (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by p lukasiak on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:55:00 PM EST
    Oh, I'm sure that John has more juicy "details" to share with us.  I bet he even knows a date when Hillary let one of her female friends stay at her home in DC when Bill was out of town!

    Parent
    Um (none / 0) (#70)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:07:20 PM EST
    I assume there is more to it than that.

    Parent
    Right-wingers -- (none / 0) (#99)
    by nemo52 on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:17:49 PM EST
    Weren't they noising about a rumor back in the fall?

    Parent
    I wish she was gay (none / 0) (#103)
    by Kathy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:20:27 PM EST
    I'd do her.

    Seriously--one of my very best friends used to be a speech writer for a person on the Clinton staff and she said that the most remarkable thing she realized about spending time with the Clintons is that they really love each other.

    The only reason the gay rumors are alive and well is because ANY WOMAN IN POWER is charged with being a "dyke" at some point.  Why else would she want power?  Why else would she not be content to stay at home and serve her man?  

    That's an old attack against all women who advance; it's a fear that even holds some women back.  If that's the charge that is going to come out, then I will no longer feel sorry for him.

    Let's just hope he's spouting off because he's afraid he's going to "lose" (whatever that means)

    Parent

    Heh...Kathy (none / 0) (#115)
    by americanincanada on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:27:13 PM EST
    Kathy you crack me up! I don't know if you are gay or not but I hope we have you on our side!

    I'm a lesbian and I'd do her too. LMAO

    Also, like I said, that story will do nothing except cause people to blow it off after saying, "if she is, she has great taste."

    I agree it is about men being afraid of a woman in power. (and a few women being afraid as well)

    The frenzy on the blogs today reeks of desperation and fear.

    Parent

    And let me just add (none / 0) (#117)
    by americanincanada on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:27:54 PM EST
    I believe the Clinton's love eachother powerfully.

    Parent
    Can you be a little more respectful (none / 0) (#121)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:30:19 PM EST
    to someone who may be our President than to say "I'd do her?"

    I really hate this thread.

    Parent

    you dedication to balance and respect (none / 0) (#136)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:35:01 PM EST
    really is wonderful.
    even when its irritating.


    Parent
    I apologize for offending you (none / 0) (#137)
    by Kathy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:38:53 PM EST


    Parent
    response (none / 0) (#53)
    by Socraticsilence on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:56:52 PM EST
    Hey then Obama could say "Hillary's not a lesbian, as far as I know."

    Parent
    If he wants (none / 0) (#69)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:06:52 PM EST
    I doubt he will be asked though.

    Parent
    Empty threats (5.00 / 0) (#51)
    by flyerhawk on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:55:31 PM EST
    mean so very little.

    Either he has real juice, in which he should just spit it out, or he's got nothing in which he case he shouldn't be wasting people's time.  

    He can't have anything.. (none / 0) (#68)
    by cmugirl on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:05:54 PM EST
    If he hates her this much, he would have printed it long ago and knocked her out of the race.

    Parent
    I have no idea (none / 0) (#71)
    by flyerhawk on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:07:37 PM EST
    if he hates or not.  

    Parent
    What in world happened to the "left"? (5.00 / 3) (#59)
    by GOPmurderedconscience on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:00:22 PM EST
    What has happened to the "progressive" blogosphere is beyond me.

    What is about advancing a progressive agenda or advancing Barack Obama? Hillary is being treated by those people like some sort of usurper.

    Even if you have another preference, never forget that Hillary Clinton is and will always be a proud Democrat. She has been out there for 40 years now.

    Geeez!!!

    frankly some are sounding more like the (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by hellothere on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:21:53 PM EST
    right wing noise machine than the right wing noise machine. color me beyond disgusted with this trash.

    Parent
    It's certainly (none / 0) (#111)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:25:26 PM EST
    no longer about issues. Media that has trashed us consistently is now our "friends". It's just crazy to me.

    Parent
    Thanks (5.00 / 1) (#93)
    by barbarajmay on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:14:51 PM EST
    I love Americablog, but I am really disturbed by the constant pounding of the war drum against Hillary.  I will support our candidate, whomever that may be, with my heart and soul and wallet.  I don't get how it benefits any of us to try so desperately to undermine the person that may be OUR candidate.  I appreciate your even tone and open mind.  I may have to really alter my blog habits to avoid the constant poison I get these days.  Do any of you out there really believe we would be disserved by either a Clinton or Obama presidency?

    no (5.00 / 1) (#105)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:21:39 PM EST
    thats why I left americablog.
    welcome to peacfull shores.

    Parent
    btw (5.00 / 1) (#110)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:24:19 PM EST
    if you can take it go back and bring some of the others who I know in their hearts agree with us.
    I cant take it.

    Parent
    yes (none / 0) (#113)
    by myed2x on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:25:35 PM EST
    But its similar here in regards to Obama.

    There are two factions equally fervent for their candidate.  Nothing surprising there.  What the pitfall would be is to widen the divide of animosity between the two as the nomination process continues, which the GOP will more than likely try to encourage more so.

    Parent

    No its not (5.00 / 1) (#138)
    by tree on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:40:28 PM EST
    People argue on the issues and even if it gets heated it doesn't drag into personal animosity and nastiness, and if someone slips up or slips in J and BTD to delete. I've seen so many comment threads elsewhere that easily devolve into p*ssing contests and flame wars.

    Parent
    Pssst (5.00 / 1) (#98)
    by Stellaaa on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:16:45 PM EST
    I am a third rate blog reader.  Could not stand Kos ever, TPM was ok for headlines, Huff for the movie gossip, Yglesias annoys me, Crooks and Liars, great video.  heard of Aravois but never bothered to read him.  So, in the scheme of the universe, not that I am the universe, who cares.  Sounds French anyway, and that is wayyy too much like Kerry and the whole French thing.  Used to read TL regularly never commented, these guys have puffed themselves way out of proportion.  

    it's greek but whatever (none / 0) (#114)
    by myed2x on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:26:35 PM EST
    ;)

    Parent
    although (none / 0) (#118)
    by myed2x on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:28:49 PM EST
    I do agree, I used to give him a hard time when his comments were hovering in the 20s or 30s per post...called him Johnny Hollywood, he had a knack for sensationalism even back then...

    Parent
    Naw... (none / 0) (#132)
    by Stellaaa on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:33:17 PM EST
    Greek would be Aravasopoulos, or Aravasakis, or Aravasoudakis

    Parent
    actually it was the french part with the (none / 0) (#140)
    by hellothere on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:41:21 PM EST
    photos and stories i liked best there.

    Parent
    I'm all agog. (none / 0) (#1)
    by kmblue on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:29:57 PM EST


    LOL I met (none / 0) (#23)
    by Mike Pridmore on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:41:12 PM EST
    Mike Rodgers at the yearlykos convention last year and he seems more of a "gay mafia" type to me.  He has outed a lot of Republicans who were outwardly hostile to gays.   I don't know JA well enough to comment on the social climber part though.

    This strikes me as more than a bit (none / 0) (#26)
    by Virginian on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:42:37 PM EST
    disingenuous.

    "I'm not going to write about how much I hate Hillary, because I don't want everyone to know I hate Hillary"

    Cat is out of the bag right?

    "I'm pulling punches by not saying anything like the fact that I believe scandal will follow Hillary because of CDS...I would never write that"

    I stopped reading A-blog a few weeks (none / 0) (#31)
    by MarkL on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:44:37 PM EST
    ago, because Aravosis was so sexist and hate-filled and irrational. I see he has gotten better.
    By a funny coincidence, I just read a since-deleted diary by Delaware Dem at Orange Republic in which he said it's time to "go nuclear" on Clinton.
    One wonders if they got the same memo from the Obama team, although one hopes note.

    They are sensing the tide may be turning (none / 0) (#37)
    by Paladin on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:49:17 PM EST
    and are ratcheting up the attack.  I read it as a threat but more likely it's just him venting frustration that Hillary isn't going away.

    I can't wait for more Clinton gossip (none / 0) (#38)
    by Slado on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:49:31 PM EST
    I listned to Gennifer Flowers on Howard Stern the other day and it took me back.

    Here's to reliving the Clinton years during a Clinton McCain matchup.

    Vote for Hillary!

    Thanks for the update. (none / 0) (#40)
    by lectric lady on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:50:43 PM EST
    I quit reading his blog weeks ago. Glad to know there is no reason to go back.

    I know what he's talking about. (none / 0) (#44)
    by vicsan on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:51:21 PM EST
    There's 2 newspapers sitting on stories that I will not repeat here, but they have been all over the internet for months and months, so everyone here probably knows what they are and they're garbage. They're waiting to see who wins the nomination. If Hillary wins, they will go to print. The papers are the NYT and the LA Times. Ring a bell with anyone?

    Nobody cares about (none / 0) (#54)
    by americanincanada on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:56:58 PM EST
    Hillary and Huma.

    Half will not give a crap and the other half will think Hillary has good taste.

    What does he have besides that? We all already know about that.

    Parent

    What is Huma? (none / 0) (#64)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:04:31 PM EST


    Parent
    Just googled (none / 0) (#91)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:13:35 PM EST
    This is more of the same.

    Who cares?

    Parent

    LOL.. I know nothing about "Huma." (none / 0) (#92)
    by vicsan on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:14:12 PM EST
     I know about 2 other stories the newspapers are sitting on. They don't involve Hillary though.

    I've never heard of this Huma story.:)

    Parent

    I have no idea what you are talking about (none / 0) (#63)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:04:10 PM EST


    Parent
    I thought that (none / 0) (#94)
    by Mike Pridmore on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:15:05 PM EST
    was an oblique reference to a piece(s) by Larry Johnson where he mentioned the stories in the press about Obama.

    Parent
    Larry Johnson is Larry Johnson (none / 0) (#102)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:20:17 PM EST
    He writes what he wants to write. Is that the standard now?

    Parent
    I have no idea what (none / 0) (#120)
    by Mike Pridmore on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:29:13 PM EST
    the standard is.  I just thought that is who the post referred to.  

    I do know Larry has been a friend to the cause of the Fighting Dems, before the 2006 election, and was a regular contributor to the Fighting Dems News Service published by my friend Noel Schultz and edited by the late Randy Risener.  

    He helped me with research questions I sent to him during that time on veteran related issues.  Larry also remains a close friend of Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame.

    Parent

    Larry Johnson's blog is a friend (none / 0) (#127)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:31:11 PM EST
    of this blog.

    Parent
    Reminder (none / 0) (#45)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:54:19 PM EST
    I would not have written this post. I changed the title to remove John's name from it.

    John Aravosis is a friend of TalkLeft. Keep your comments to a discussion, including criticism, of what he wrote in this post. Do not attack him or his blog personally.

    I am asking quesrtions (none / 0) (#61)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:03:42 PM EST


    Parent
    It's the comments in response to this post (none / 0) (#66)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:04:42 PM EST
    I'm addressing.

    Parent
    Ah well (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:12:26 PM EST
    Let me say this, the blog post from John invites some questions about what he is talking about.

    I am disturbed by the post I must admit.


    Parent

    No disrespect intended (none / 0) (#100)
    by Mike Pridmore on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:18:08 PM EST
    but a lot of pro-Obama bloggers, big names and small ones, seem to have forgotten old friendships of late if those old friends are Hillary supporters.

    Parent
    Aravosis post is being picked up at Open Left (none / 0) (#47)
    by TomLincoln on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:55:07 PM EST
    at The Clinton Campaign's Contradiction On Media and Electability. I find it curious that that post states:

    Unless the Clinton campaign is arguing that some sort of media conspiracy to build Obama up during the primary, only to later knock him down in the general, this doesn't add up. The irony of holding the latter position is that it is exactly the sort of crazy conspiracy that wingnuts and pundits alike have accused the Clintons of engaging in for the past twenty years.

    Chris apparently does not read TalkLeft, where it has been stated time and again (at least by commenters) that Obama is now the media darling, but will have to compete for media darling status with John McCain, etc.

    I don't think Chris (none / 0) (#60)
    by Mike Pridmore on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:03:00 PM EST
    reads many blogs at all other than his own, and sometimes those of other big name bloggers, unless he is doing research for something.

    Parent
    many of thier posts (none / 0) (#67)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:05:51 PM EST
    have been picked up and quoted by other blogs lately.
    go figure.

    Parent
    who's john aravosis, (none / 0) (#49)
    by cpinva on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:55:23 PM EST
    and why should i care what he thinks? anyone stupid enough to believe there's some deep, dark secrets in either clinton's pasts, that haven't already seen the light of day, whether true or (mostly) not must be on some kind of drugs.

    where can i get some?

    over the edge (none / 0) (#57)
    by tree on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 04:58:56 PM EST
    I think there is a subgroup of Obama supporters that have gone over the edge and John is one of them. No matter what Hillary says, they now manage to find something sinister in it.

    It sound like JA is mad about the 60 minutes interview wherein Hillary was asked if she believed Obama was a Muslim and had the raw unmitigated malicious malevolent foul hateful offensive hideous vile and wicked nerve to use the words "as far as I know", when answering in the negative. Yup, that's what causes outrage these days. That's why JA is plotting revenge. Totally off the deep end.

    Obama supporters, please note, I am only talking about a subgroup, not about you personally.

    FTR (1.00 / 1) (#86)
    by flyerhawk on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:12:17 PM EST
    Hillary hardly showered herself in glory with that comment.  

    She could have made herself look pretty good by simply saying "Barack Obama is an upstanding citizen and devout Christian".   But she didn't.  Instead she left it open ended for no reason.

    Parent

    You missed the rest (5.00 / 1) (#104)
    by Mike Pridmore on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:21:26 PM EST
    of that quote.  She said it was silly to say that about him, that he was a Muslim I mean.

    Parent
    It's not her business to comment on (5.00 / 1) (#126)
    by MarkL on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:30:54 PM EST
    Obama's religion---period.
    Suppose she had been asked to deny that Obama is a Jew---would you be ok with that?

    Parent
    If you watch the ... (none / 0) (#112)
    by Robot Porter on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:25:32 PM EST
    video it's much more innocuous than it looks in print.

    And her "not that I'm aware of" was said in a humorously challenging tone to Kroft.  Like, "why are you trying to make an issue of this?"

    Not a great moment for Hillary, but hardly sinister.

    Parent

    I said this before (5.00 / 1) (#122)
    by Kathy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:30:27 PM EST
    but she gave an Obama response.  Is it a resounding no?  Is it screamed from the mountaintops in outrage?  No.

    Why is she held up to a different standard?  Why is it her job to take up for him?  Had he said ONE THING in defense of her daughter being attacked by Shuster, I would agree with you.  But, now?

    What goes around comes around.

    Parent

    Actually I would have found it (5.00 / 1) (#130)
    by MarkL on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:32:24 PM EST
    quite inappropriate if she had said that Obama is a good Christian. THAT is the kind of sanctimonious talk up with which I will not abide.

    Parent
    over the edge (none / 0) (#62)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:04:08 PM EST
    I can tell you with some confidence that there are very few, VERY few, commentors there who would ever consider voting for Hillary.
    any who would were, like me, driven away some time ago.


    Parent
    I absolutely hate this thread (none / 0) (#129)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:31:46 PM EST
    Please hurry and get the comments up to 200 so I can close it.

    I'll close it now. (none / 0) (#131)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:32:54 PM EST
    I disliked JA's post.

    Parent
    Comments now closed (none / 0) (#135)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 05:34:09 PM EST


    Empty Threats | 129 comments (129 topical)