So last night I was celebrating the end of finals with some girlfriends. 2 of them are Republicans, the others are Democrats aka sane. The 2 Republicans explained to me the most hypocritical things they think democrats did this year. I will try to summarize what they told me. Brace yourself, it isn’t going to be pretty.
January- Shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Friend 1 & 2: "It was immediately blamed on Republicans and more specifically, Sarah Palin. Instead of looking at the tragedy as a deranged man who tried to kill a member of Congress it was the Republicans fault for abiding by the 2nd Amendment. Sarah Palin having a website with crosshairs = lunatic shooter must have gotten it from her." Their analogy was that Sarah Palin is guilty of the shooting just like if someone gets the HPV shot she will become promiscuous or if you see sex on film you will go out and do it. Here’s the kicker Repub Friend 1, “Doesn’t logic have a liberal bias? I guess it does when it fits your ideology, how about being consistent? It would definitely build your credibility and get more mainstream Americans on board with your policies.” I proceed to blow smoke out of my nose and sharpen my chopsticks.
February- Friend 1: "The resignation of Mubarak was marked by an immediate WOOHOO then uhh no we don’t like what’s going on." Repub Friend 2, “How long will it take you to realize that the events of the Arab Spring were an example of effective interventionist technique? Despite the constant disdain for America, it is still a force of good in the world and many places still look to us for guidance. So what do you want? We are either interventionist or we aren’t! But when Obama does it, it is a gold star on his foreign policy, but Bush was awful in his responses to conflict even though Obama would have done the same thing?” I kind of agree about the interventionist thing but…apparently we liked Mubarak??
March-No-Fly Zone over Libya. Repub Friend 2, “Once again, this was classic Obama “I don’t want to get involved.” How many other countries wanted to do the no-fly zone before we finally agreed? Yet, I can’t get over how many claims of Obama’s supreme foreign policy I hear. He is not a leader, simply a follower. When is it going to be praised when we have don’t have intervention and condemned when we do? My favorite argument is when people say, “Where was the US when…” when we try to be isolationist. Then when we DO help, “We are imperialists and the worst terrorists of the world.” Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Fortunately for you, the GOP later stole your talking point of thanking the British and French for Libya before the US military.” I liked how Obama handled Libya but I do agree that he sometimes sits and waits not that that is a bad thing…I found a clip where Marco Rubio thanks the French and British for the Libyan situation. This is what bothers me about Repubs, they will use the military as their talking point until it doesn’t suit them then they spit in their face.
April-Repub Friend 1 AND 2: "Liberals and Liberal media spend 3/4ths of daily broadcast obsessed with the British Royal Wedding. Funny thing is, there isn’t a better example of the so called “1%” than royals yet you worship the ground that these people walk on. THEN, turn down your noses at people who didn’t wake up early in the morning to watch it. Tell me, why is it ok to be enamored to European Royals compared to African or Middle Eastern Royals? Hmm…I just noticed the ethnic makeup of this year’s most popular monarchy in the world…100% white. No issues with that right? Progressive Ideals much? Canada still bows down to the Queen FYI. Monarchy is based on the same principles no matter where you are in the world. Last time I checked liberals were the ones complaining about how divine right and inheritance of millions is “inherently wrong” and is a negation of human and civil rights, etc." Yes, the media did overhype the wedding so I agree with them. Not sure if it was just liberals though?? I'm not a big fan of monarchies and from my understanding Canadians are indifferent towards them? I agree with the ethnic makeup comment and the African/Middle Eastern thing. You can't even be Catholic and retain your line of succession in modern day Britain, so whose to say that you can be biracial, african, indian, etc?
May-Death of Bin Laden. Repub friend 1: "Obama victory? Sure. Please explain this to me. I still can’t rap my head around the fact that Democrats have spun this SO much in Obama’s favor it’s ridiculous. No Thanks to Bush, it was just Obama? Puh-leeze." (Yes she did say it like that, no joke) "The only victors of that day are the Navy Seals who are nonpartisan!!!" I say good job Navy Seals & good job Obama. The economy was an inherited mess that is all Obama's fault but the killing of Bin Laden was a Bush victory?
June-Continuation of the Arab Spring. See 2-3
July- Space Shuttle Program, Repub Friend 2: "Good Job Obama. We will now raise a generation of children who do not know the wonder of space travel. The US continues its downward spiral into being the insignificant piece of crap country that it is according to many on the left. Gotta hand it to you though, your dream for this country is slowly becoming a reality." Jumps on table and strangles her.
What the heck is up with this unpatriotic bullshit? This past year has proven how much Republicans actually HATE America and want it to fail.
August- Gaddafi Government falls. Another Obama victory? See 2-3
September- Occupy Wall Street. Repub Friend 1 & 2 (BTW, both went with me to check out Occupy Tucson, I guess they weren't impressed): What was accomplished? How many people were arrested? What was the cost to American tax payers? Like Tony Blair says, "protest is not the same as a policy. Someone who’s demonstrating will often make demands, but they don’t necessarily have answers.”
Truth is, this time next year or in fact, in a couple of months no one will remember this “movement”. What have you got to show for all of the protests and havoc wrecked on public and personal property? The Tea Party is still talked about today. They are hosting debates for the future President of the US, providing solutions to the countries problems. OWS??? At this point, I am on the verge of cardiac arrest. Yesterday I wrote a diary about the effect OWS might have on next years election. I do not believe that something like this will be forgotten over night. I DID manage to watch a Tea Party/CNN debate...my head is still rolling.
October- Gaddafi killed, Friend 2: How come you guys were protesting in the streets like you did when Saddam Hussein died? I'm not really sure about this, I was probably busy being a kid while this was going on? Anyone?? I did find a few pictures of people protesting Hussein's execution but was it a widespread?
November- Jon Corzine steps down from his position as CEO of MF Global. Friend 2: He claims that he doesn’t know what 700 million went, seriously? And you’re shocked that Chris Christie won? The gravity of his actions stretches far and wide. From all of the people who are now employed to the Greek crisis. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney’s business successes are undermined and he is called a “shark”. I don’t know about you but I prefer Romney of Corzine any day especially if this man who was such as important figure to the Dems has now fallen. Again, I don't know about this, New Jersey politics never crossed my mind until 2010. I am not sure what sort of influence he had on the Democratic Party but his actions aren't a part of him being a liberal (I don't think) but more a part of unsavory business practices that effect both sides.
December- Iraq war ends. Friend 2: Add this to Obama’s accomplishments right? Yes, yes it does go on Obama's accomplishments list thank you very much!
Time for new friends me thinks, LOL.