freeSpeech: Arianna Huffington

Author And Columnist Speaks About Fearmongering

(CBS)  Let’s face it: "The sky is falling" or "the nukes are coming" is a frighteningly effective sales pitch.

Don’t get me wrong: North Korea testing a nuke is real bad news. But I couldn't help but wonder what political use Karl Rove and the president would put this real bad news to. After all, banging the fear gong and trying to scare the hell out of us has worked like a charm for President Bush and the GOP.

Ever since 9/11, "be afraid" has been their No. 1 talking point. They sold us on invading Iraq with warnings from Condoleezza Rice that the "smoking gun might be a mushroom cloud" and dire predictions from Bush and Cheney about all the ways Saddam could rain death and destruction on us. And it's remarkable how the terror rhetoric always seems to hit Red just before elections.

Whether it's the specter of North Korean nukes or Iraqi insurgents making their way to Main Street USA, fear is a powerful, universal emotion — always there to be exploited. So as Election Day draws near, be on the lookout for those attempting to scare us into voting our fears.

To quote FDR, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." And those who use it for their own political purposes.

---

Arianna Huffington is a nationally syndicated columnist, author of 10 books and co-founder and editor of the HuffingtonPost.com. She is also co-host of "Left, Right & Center," public radio's popular political roundtable program. Her weekly commentary is syndicated in newspapers across the country by Tribune Media Services.

On May 9, she launched The Huffington Post, an Internet publishing venture featuring an innovative group blog where some of this country's most creative minds weigh in on topics great and small, political and cultural, important or just plain entertaining.

[cbsurv]

It is astounding that one in five Americans and one in two Southerners are trying to label Barack Obama in a way that would justify his assassination.
I am sure that we all would agree that there are some things that are worth fighting for -- our freedom and human rights, the lives of our loved ones, our strongest, highest beliefs. And if someone or some power were trying to steal these things, we might all feel that that would be worth fighting against.
People who hate what progress our country is proudly making know that these things are held sacred. All they have to do is make some nut out there believe the threat to their country and to their family is real, and one of them might feel justified to take action to mitigate it by trying to KILL OUR PRESIDENT!!!!!!!
It is a known fact that before harm is done to someone they are first labeled. The labeling of our president started with "......he's got a chip on his shoulder." " ......he's an Arab" and "he pals around with terrorists", now "........he's a racist", and "he hates white people". Then he is "trying to steal your health insurance and kill your elders in the process along with your job and your future". To show he is truly a threat that needs to justifiably be dealt with, he is "not even an American citizen" so he is the ultimate illegal alien that has stolen the highest American job! This despite the fact that he HAS submitted proof. Now he and his administration are the new Nazis. This is directed at those who would act to "protect" this country from someone who would try to harm it!!!!!!!
Those who propagate this labeling want someone, somewhere in this country, to be so driven by the fear of the above ideas that they feel justified to actually take a step to kill him. We stood by and watched it happen to doctors that performed legal abortions. That we cannot accept, and we cannot stand by and watch it happen again. Good people must stand up against the continued attempts to character-assasinate, and even worse, to encourage real assassination attempts on our President.
I hope you can use your position to shine light on this psychological scheme before it is too late.

[kailumego1]

Hamiltongrad: I logged on to the web-site WWW.MEMRI.ORG, and I personally don%u2019t see any difference in what Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was saying to his people, than Reagan%u2019s propaganda about the %u201CCold-War%u201D.

So, what, if the Islamic world hates America and England, well guess what, they aren%u2019t the only ones, so wake up, it wasn%u2019t so long ago that American%u2019s hatred for communism was just as extreme, you do remember %u201CMcCarthyism%u201D.

And, furthermore, you are just %u201Cblowing-smoke%u201D, you could care less about the degradation being committed on the women and children by the Taliban, please, give me a break. Maybe you can fool those around you with your moral oxymoron, but you can%u2019t fool me. You just jumped on that %u201Cbandwagon%u201D, because you couldn%u2019t find anything else to support your paranoia.

And if you care to research, and go beyond that small corner you have lodged yourself in, maybe you%u2019ll be able to understand why so many countries dislike, or hate the U.S., because of its hypocrisy.
Unless, you are so obsessed with your own self-aggrandizement, that even it the truth was a 2ton block of cement that felled on your head, you still would deny it existed.
And did you forget it was the U.S. that supported the infamous TALIBAN, when it was paranoid over the spread of communism throughout Europe.

[kailumego1]

First of all, I don%u2019t understand why you brought up the Native American ancestry, myself and a great deal of the U.S. population has some indigenous roots, so what.

What does this mean, that you arguably fight against injustices bestowed upon Native Americans by this country, such as their %u201Cfishing and gaming rights%u201D, or contribute financially to helping those improvised on reservations, since you so openly pontificated.

Ok, so why are you so caught up in Islamic injustices when, as you have so eloquently put it, there exist injustices towards the Native American population.

I mean there is plenty of work still to be done right here, so why not focus all that pent-up-hostility towards the Sharia, and put it to some good use right here.

[kailumego1]

The treatment of women under the Sharia law has been, as you obviously know, a centuries old dilemma, but for whom.

All civilizations have been at some period in time been lead by religious doctrine, the Chinese, by Confucian, India by Buddhism, Europeans by flagrant forms of Christianity, etc.

However, unlike, most Arab speaking nations, with increased technology, the Chinese, Europeans, etc modernized and veered away from religious doctrine being a focal part of governmental policy.

Ok, so Arab speaking countries have sought very little to modernized, therefore creating a separation between %u201Cchurch and state%u201D, but isn%u2019t that up to the Arab speaking people.

Just like the people that sought to thwart religious hegemony, in Europe and North America, vehemently protested it, however, it didn%u2019t happen over night.

Why don%u2019t you conserve your energy to fighting battles you can win, right here in America, as oppose to those you can%u2019t.

And as far as your neurotic fear that the world is going to be engulfed by Islam is ludicrous, the populous here and else where would NEVER let that happen.

[akprospector]

Kailumego -- apparently you did not completely read my post. I fully acknowledge the barbarity of the past and my point is why should we tolerate it today as manifest in Sharia law. How about living in the present? BTW, I do have first hand experience with Islam having lived in Southeast Asia for a number of years in the early to mid 1970's before the burka became commonplace. I am also 1/4 Cherokee and fully comprehend the injustices of history. My beef with Islam has to do with what I consider to be a complete subjugation of the human spirit that is fundamental to Islam -- they call it "submission" and they demand this of everyone within and without their faith. As for the burka, to me it represents a form of slavery and abuse that I am told, I must respect. Well I don't and I see it as a threat to the future of civilization. So, yes I am biased and I am not afraid to say so.

[kailumego1]

AKProspector: I'm not condoning nor defending the Sharia law, I am merely stating we, Americans, are not in any position to flagrantly criticize considering our history towards degradation on women and children.

However, you must also consider that your flagrant comments are obviously bias and tainted with this country%u2019s propaganda towards the Islamic culture.

Although latently we are no longer in the %u201Cdark-ages%u201D, but manifestly we still have some semblance of this period, in light of the discrimination that still exist towards women in America.

And for individuals like you who so %u201Cfree-handedly%u201D criticize another culture pointing out its volatility you need to remember from whence you came.

I would absolutely never, want to be under or subjected to any oppressive laws by any religious authority, but, however, you are forgetting about the religious oppression imposed by the Catholic, Protestant, and Puritans.

And I don%u2019t think the context of Ms. Huffington%u2019s commentary was in support the Sharia law, or any other fanatical fundamentalist religious organizations, even here, and yes, we have them.

The point is that individuals, such as yourself, are vehemently committed to pointing out the oppressiveness in other cultures, without admitting to the oppressive behavior of your own.

[akprospector]

So then, Kailumego, you would agree with me that Huffington would look good in a burka. Having zero interest in reading your tome, but highly amused at your foaming rage, I will say that I agree with you that my ancestors treated women and each other horribly and that it has taken centuries to overcome some of wrongs of history. And so, I ask, why would anyone want to return to the dark, evil past in the form of sharia law? Why would you defend this?

[kailumego1]

There are those whom arrogantly and ignorantly harp on the Islamic laws as subjugating and vilifying women and children through instituting laws, of which thwart or demarcate their freedoms.
However, their limited reason and accuracy of American history failed to acknowledge for period of centuries, right up until, the mid-20th century women and children here were subjugated and degradation under U.S. law.
There once was a law on the books called %u201Cthe rule of thumb%u201D, meaning a man could legally beat his wife with an object no bigger than his thumb.
Moreover, women across Europe and the U.S. were legally hanged and burnt at the stake, for %u201Cwitchcraft%u201D, for according to law, a specter of evidence.
Furthermore, this lunacy was extended to men and children of the supposed witch%u2019s family, even generational, or geographical, socio-political reasons, etc.
And speaking of fascism, for inane reasons such as they spoke out against the local pastor, or one farmer yielded more wealth than the other, individuals were singled out deliberately.

[kailumego1]

So, you so-called pontificators of American polity and champion of democracy, those who arrogantly and viciously point the finger at Islamic laws as being depressing, inhumane, and depredating when our laws, at one point in time, were tandem.

Did you forget that even after the Civil War women had to fight vehemently for the right to vote, control of her sexuality or reproduction [in which the Republicans are trying to change, they are trying to thwart abortions even for incest and rape victims], and to manage her own monetary and economic affairs.

Women didn%u2019t acquire the right to vote until the passage of the 19th Amendment in the early 20th century.
And, likewise, it wasn%u2019t until the mid-20th century that women in America started to see a partial indictment against those injustices. The early 20th century!!!

Moreover, even today the laws are still sketchy, there are still arbitrary and capriciousness within the law, for example, a woman who defends herself against an abusive husband or mate gets life for murdering him, when a man who stalks and viciously murders a woman gets, what 5-15 years, maybe.

So, as cruel and inhumane Islamic laws may appear to most Americans, we are not one to talk about this injustice without reminiscing on our horrid past.

[akprospector]

Maybe sharia law isn't all that bad. Huffington would look quite nice in a burka.

[celumnaz]

Evil Republicans are raping the planet and we're all gonna die, tomorrow, unless you elect a Democrat for office. Then everything will be fine. It's for the children. The poor disadavantaged minority disabled children.

Yeah right.

Christopher Reeves will walk again! Fear the Christian! Selectively fear the parts of the government we want you to fear! Fear the 2nd Amendment! Remember, Hitler and the Nazi's were right wing fascists, and "King George" is a right winger...

Biggest fears I see being pushed at me are things like Global Warming and Back Alley Abortions, so yes I do agree some engage in the politics of fear and I do understand how much the Democrats *CRAVE* a King.

Terrorism? No fear. Just taking care of business. Or Trying to, if politics would let us finish the job. We'd have been done a year ago if we were united instead of divided the way the leftists Always divide us.

[kailumego1]

What has been missing throughout the world is a respect and love for humanity.
Wars fought over imperialism, religion, and racial differences had dominated global spheres, then and continue on even now.
From Roman imperialism throughout Europe to England, France, Spain, Portugal, and Dutch hegemony over non-European countries, this has been the focus
Even Adolph Hitler%u2019s reasoning for exterminating over 50,000,000 Jews, Gypsies, disabled, mentally impaired, and bi-racial German citizens backdated England%u2019s quest for dominance.
He posited countries like England had spread its %u201Csphere of influence%u201D over weaker countries, like India, North America, Africa, Australia, Ireland, etc., for political, economical, and social gains for England%u2019s survival, so why not Germany.
Just as the Nordics of Scandinavia, the Ottoman Empire, the Chinese, France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Africans [within their own domain], the Japanese, and finally, the Americans had spread their %u201Csphere of influence%u201D.

[kailumego1]

All with indifference and apathy, the most powerful nations eviscerated the resources of those who were too technologically inept to withstand their military hegemony.
Turn to the history channel and you can get a %u201Cfix%u201D on these historical events, how the Industrial Revolution became the catalysis for building or fortifying one%u2019s military might over another, and then the games began.
Then the race began for who would be the first to successfully build the atomic bomb, which would show the other countries who was the %u201Calpha%u201D and who was the %u201Cbeta%u201D.
All European countries sought to compete; along, with the eagerness of the U.S., however none could comprehend the aftermath, the horrible destruction of cities, and prodigious numbers of human casualties. However, even though all that the urgency of war still remains paramount in most minds, particularly, here.
Because the media is so skewed we only here one-side, we don%u2019t see the enormous casualties on civilians, the mutilated bodies of men, women, and children.
All we care to know is America has to win, they have to murder, destroy, and eviscerate the enemy, it is our %u201Chonor%u201D that is at-stake.

[kailumego1]

world that we are the %u201Cgreatest%u201D, no matter how many millions die, I guess, they are simply %u201Ccollateral damage%u201D.
I can%u2019t understand how any decent moral upstanding human being would not be mortified at the prospect of this type of human degradation.
Are these individuals that psychotic or morally maladaptive [diseased], in which they have become so desensitized to destruction of human life?
Then what legacy will this be for future generations?
Don%u2019t reason, or try to understand the other%u2019s view, think %u201Csocial Darwinism%u201D, and restrict your emotions, to self-aggrandizement.
Well if that%u2019s what we%u2019ve become then we are no better than those who commit sadistic terrorist acts. We are no better than those terrorists who veered that 747 into the %u201Ctwin towers%u201D.
And all the ridiculous bickering over liberal vs. conservative views has become redundant, what ever happened to human welfare or humanity.
I can see now our future outlook, as a global society is bleak, and too bad that we haven%u2019t learned from the First World War. And it%u2019s a shame that what%u2019s pivotal in some individuals mind is to %u201Cconquer and conquest%u201D. To destroy our enemies, not considering it all started with the gross manipulation of those so-called enemies, by the U.S. government.

[borntwice-2009]

Matthew 25: 40 In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

[kpdkpd1]

samuel543

I agree. Rush, Sean and the Columbine parent are about the only free speech segments reasonable Americans could agree with. A point/counter point every night would at least balance some of these repugnant liberal views.

[samuel1543]

I like the idea of the "Free Speech" segment but it was also the reason for me not tuning into the CBS News w/K.Couric on a regular basis. This was because I saw the free speech segment by the Colubine parent and disagreed vehemently with him. I did not think that free speech should be allowed on a news program without some type of rebuttal. If you are watching the CBS news only occasionally or whenever you can catch it at the end of a day's work or whatever, your view of the news or the free speech is schewed. I happened to catch Hannity earlier this week and was excited to see that a rebuttal by Huffington followed the next day. I would more likely watch the show if both were on the same day, similar to the "Point/CounterPoint" that came on TV several years ago.
Sam

[kpdkpd1]

Quote by Arianna Huffinton: Huffington blog 9/27/2006 AS USUAL AFRAID TO GIVE HER TRUE LIBERAL VIEWS TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

Democrats meanwhile are facing their own fear moment of truth on the military tribunal bill (aka the torture bill). Republicans are desperately trying to finalize and pass it in time for a big pre-adjournment signing ceremony. And after making strides in refusing to give ground on the national security issue, Democrats are once again falling prey to the fear of being perceived as soft on terror -- and refusing to take a principled stand by blocking the detainee legislation.

The bill threatens to gut many of our most fundamental standards of justice, and allows the president, at his discretion and with precious few exceptions, to pick and choose which parts of the Geneva Conventions he wants to follow, and which ones he doesn't.

Voting against this radical bill should be a matter of principle, not political calculation.

Back in 2002, many Democrats, afraid of being branded as weak on security, voted to give the president the authority to decide if and when it was necessary to invade Iraq. A power he quickly abused. So now, still wracked with the fear of perception, they seem willing to give him the power to decide if and when it's okay to breach the Geneva Conventions.

Haven't the Democrats learned anything over the last 4 years? The only thing they have to fear is the fear of being true to themselves.

[scottish26]

pmatylonek sad part is how many wars of killing like that in Iraq have been fought in the name of christianity? If christians are so moral then why the need for constant killing? It's one war after another and most have some religious spin on them. It's time the people of this world took over and said no more to those in charge.

What you think the people of say Iraq couldn't handle Saddam? Well Bush has already helped kill over 600,000 in his little war had those 600,000 stood up to Saddam maybe none of this would have happened and maybe more would be alive today instead of dead. People can always win no matter the odds.

What don't believe me well let me remind those of you who doubt that back on July 4, 1776 56 couragiouis men stepped forward and out quill to paper and inked their names for all eternity that the English Colonies might be free and 6 years later despite the odds America was free. Sad to say too many Americans have forgotten what our ancestors did for us and shame on the media as a whole for not reminding us more of the freedoms we have to protect.

[scottish26]

moonjohn good comment sad that students are not taught about what the government did to American Japanese and Germans and others during WW2 all in the name of fear. I didn't learn about this until after I had finished school.