[lbo-talk] Nader and His Detractors

Nathan Newman nathanne at nathannewman.org
Mon Oct 11 08:44:24 PDT 2004


----- Original Message ----- From: "Doug Henwood" <dhenwood at panix.com>

Nathan Newman wrote:


>Instead of insulting other peoples activism

Doug replied -Nathan, though I happen to agree with your posish in this case, your -habit of treating criticsm as a form of insult reminds me of Bush's -characterization of Kerry as denigrating U.S. troops and our glorious -Polish allies.

Doug, I don't think all criticism is a form of insult. But when you basically say the NAACP, which is coordinating its voting efforts as part of the Dem-led voting efforts, is the same as the Bush vote suppression efforts, you go from criticism to insult.

And if Yoshie didn't meant to equate the NAACP with Trent Lott, who is this "Democratic Party" she is talking about? Big funders like George Soros, who also funds many voting rights non-profits? Labor unions, who are funding hundreds of lawyers fighting vote suppression this fall?

I've actually gone out of my way in criticizing Nader and his supporters not to condemn them or their motives, just condemning their strategy. I have rarely seen similar respect from the third party folks, who regularly and repeatedly insult the motives of long-time progressive Democratic leaders and activists.

-- Nathan Newman



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