Feb 08 2008
Hannity’s Afternoon Meltdown
Boy, oh boy. Something is happening with the ‘true’ conservatives on AM Talk Radio. I tuned into Hannity see what had happened today and the guy just went off on what can only be described as a lick-spittle tirade! Apparently Rich Galen wrote a piece today and noted how conservatives tearing down McCain is basically doing the liberal media’s work for them. It is a fair if slightly exaggerated point to make, especially after years of the right tearing down El Presidente Jorge Bush for disagreeing with them.
But something inside Hannity snapped over this and he was in the throws of insanity. He claimed those who question his actions are pompous, arrogant, hanger-ons who are simply trying to angle for jobs in the new administration and have sold their principles for money. And he was just getting started! The most hilarious (and pathetic) part came where he declared himself and other angry and raving talk show hosts the future of America! You could almost see him stand up and salute himself.
Clearly Hannity and his sharp-tongued friends are not as able to take criticism as they are at dishing it out (with insults and demeaning undertones). Geez, it was just one man’s view of the coalition self-destructing. I think what was most bizarre was how he kept trying to claim he was upbeat and things were great through out his tirade (Dude, there was so much anger and hurt I don’t know who you think you are kidding?). He also started the whole thing by claiming he got all these media calls today – as if to prove to himself he is still relevant. He then went on to say he had the power of the airwaves and people in DC better be careful or he would close their access. The threats were really something else and went on for quite a while.
I am not saying he is not relevant, but his emotional implosion was for the history books. It was sad on many levels, one of which is he was scheduled to have Gen Petraeus on to give an update on Iraq – but who could sit through an hour or more of this man’s mental meltdown and wait for something newsworthy? If he keeps this up he will be irrelevant and fast.
So that is enough on the symptoms we heard today, what was the cause? Haven’t got a clue. But it is something big and clearly shook Hannity up.
I will note this, though. I am seeing shades of Lieberman and Lamont here. Recall Lieberman was attacked by the rabid left for being a traitor, etc on the Iraq war. The dems took him out in the primary and the voters stuck him back in office in a landslide (for a 3 way race) in the general election. It was a clear repudiation of the fringe left.
The far right, as it inches closer or leaps over the cliff, is repeating this scenario with John McCain. They are claiming McCain cannot win without them, but bashed him and his followers (I am not one of course, though I see a lot of potential in a hero-patriot candidate). I am certain the far left felt the same way with Lieberman. The American people are intelligent and have minds of their own, and they don’t take well to brow-beaters. Hannity is one example (Levin is even worse) of where the conservative movement went off track. The movement is not dead, maybe it is just shedding the latest malcontents?
I agree with Rush Limbaugh on one point – the GOP and conservative movement will never be the same. I would assume we will see the end of anger wrapped in the mantle of Reagan lashing out at the GOP allies pretty soon. The people are not only not buying it, they are rejecting it – big time.
Sorry, but a I can’t resist this one: Sean, calm down. Or as I would say: Take chill pill.
AJ, this is my first post here. I’ve only briefly visited before but I like what I’ve read today.
I would like to commend you on calling out the absolute irrationality that has infected ‘true conservative’ talk radio. I’m retired and can listen to the various shows for a fair amount of time per day. I’ve listened to Rush for years, always considered him a true patriot and honorable man. Same with Hannity.
Something changed with Coulter’s own meltdown the other day – I’m seeing these intolerant McCain haters for what they really are – self-serving egomaniacs determined to protect their privileged positions. Pardon the name-calling (I won’t do it again, knowing how you feel!) but these pompous fools will never get me to listen to them again. Unless they back away from the ledge and vote for and support the man who will save us from the liberal hell of the spineless Democrats.
It’s not only McCain they despise, it’s anyone on the right who dares disagrees with them, as you have so accurately observed.
I feel insulted and betrayed by these people I supported for years. Thank God for Medved, Prager, Gallagher and Hewitt. Not all of them supported McCain from the beginning – in fact only Medved did – but these patriots know full well the consequences to this nation of turning over the presidency for 8 years to the left/liberals.
Say goodbye to the WOT as Hillary/Barack surrenders our foreign policy to the UN and EU, say goodbye to the Supreme Court for a generation, say hello to tax increases and mandatory universal health care. And say hello to the open borders that H/B will surely permit.
Glad to find you again and for what it’s worth I’ve bumped Michelle Malkin off my favorites list in favor of you…
🙂
AJ and Terrye,
Here is more from yesterday:
Five police, two journalists killed in Mexico
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” Five police officers and two journalists were killed in Mexico, officials said, adding to a rash of murders across the country.”
“The dead included Hidalgo city public security director Cristobal Juarez, who was shot to death as he sat in his car with his 2-year-old daughter”
“Also late Thursday, in the northwestern state of Sinaloa, gunmen killed another city public security director, Gilberto Castillo, and three of his police officers as the group stood outside a store”
“just outside Mexico City, Bonifacio Cruz, director of the weekly newspaper El Real, and his son, managing editor Alfonso Cruz, were also fatally shot Thursday as they waited to talk to a local official”
“Mexico has become one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, in part because drug gangs target reporters whose stories detail the illicit trade”
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Imagine this stuff is going on; Americans have no idea how terror is sweeping across Mexico; and kids are going to be flocking there for spring break. I hope nothing happens to them! This is just like al Qaeda!
AJ and Terrye,
Here is another one if you still don’t believe what’s happening in Mexico is out of control! This happened yesterday as well:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/09/america/LA-GEN-Mexico-Weapons-Bust.php“>Mexican police seize 41 guns, assault rifles and 12 grenades in arms bust
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“Federal police seized a weapons arsenal, cocaine and Colombian money Friday after a shootout and car chase near the Texas border, Mexican authorities said.”
“No one was injured in the exchange of fire between police and two vehicles — one with Florida license plates — that were fleeing south of Matamoros in Tamaulipas state. Two people were arrested in one vehicle, while the other was found abandoned, the Public Safety Department said in a statement.”
“Among the items seized were 19 assault rifles, 22 other guns, 12 grenades, cocaine and a small amount of Colombian pesos, the statement said.”
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AJ and Terrye,
Here is one more interesting article about one man trying to fight off the drug cartels. Amazing how Americans are completely clueless about this! This was written yesterday. I hope you two see these posts I made!:
‘Tijuana Rambo’ Takes On Drug Lords
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“He’s said to be a target for assassins, but the danger isn’t stopping one police official from taking on the most dangerous drug cartels south of the border.”
“He’s responsible for the 2,500-person police force that is meant to protect the city from drugs and violence. But now he’s also at the center of the battle.”
“Capella spoke with NBC News. He showed off the scores of bullet holes that have scarred the walls of the house he, his wife and three children no longer call home.”
“The shots, from 20 gunmen outside the house, tore through his bedroom, piercing walls and hitting almost every shirt in his closet.”
“I thought, time over. Game over,” he said.
“But Capella decided to fight back, grabbing an AR-15 assault rifle that one of his bodyguards left for him. He told NBC he ran up and down the stairs, shooting at his assailants through windows.”
“Capella said his country is in the midst of two wars. The first against drug cartels — which he said are responsible for the deadly shootout near a Tijuana school last month. The second war, he said, is against the corrupt police officers who take drug money.”
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I’m sure if this guy is ever found he will be beheaded and his family slaughtered!
By the way, what an awful position Mexico is: There is only going to be one way to stop the drug cartels and that is through local police officials. But the police are so corrupt you don’t know which one of them can be trusted. That is in addition to the corrupt government officials who are being directly controlled by these cartels as well.
Here is one more article for the night on the corruption. This was written yesterday. Mexican gangs try to bribe army as drug war flares
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“Mexican drug gangs are trying to corrupt the army into siding with them in a turf war near the U.S. border, threatening to blunt President Felipe Calderon’s offensive against the cartels.”
“Military men from generals to foot soldiers say they are being offered up to hundreds of thousands of dollars to turn a blind eye to shipments or call off anti-drugs operations in Baja California state, where there has been a surge of violence this year.”
“Traffickers now offer discreet stacks of cash instead of the drugs, jewels and prostitutes commonly used in the past to bribe police and the army, soldiers say.”
“Political analysts believe the military is so far largely untainted by corruption but that may not last.”
“The only institution in Baja California that’s not corrupt is the army, but if it is corrupted, and there is that risk, Calderon’s whole security project collapses,” said Victor Clark, a drug trade expert at San Diego State University.”
“The long-term threat is that the traffickers control senior military officers,” he added.”
“We are catching traffickers who have police radios with them, who show all the signs of working on a daily basis with police protection,” said an army major who declined to be named. “They sell information, alert the gangs to our operations.”
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I can only take so much of Hannity. He’s always been a little too emotional for me. Rush is great though–brilliant guy. And, the thing about talk radio is they often disagree (Hannity against Dubai Ports; Rush saw no problem and explained what it was really about). They’ve been great defenders of the military and the mission in Iraq, GWOT, etc. And, I think it is fair to let them criticize where they want to.
I only catch a couple hours a week; but, I appreciate talk radio because they often get into the nuts and bolts of an issue.
The MSM drives me nuts (I pick and choose a select few). And, I always say……
“if it weren’t for blogs, I’d have no news at all”. The free press is supposed to be a cornerstone of our democracy and a watchdog to keep our government honest. Our Republic is at risk with a media that is simply another activist institution. It is the blogs that now keep the media honest.
As far as 2009 goes…..I’ve just decided that no matter what happens I’m already gonna miss Bush.
The thing that worries me is that so many Americans don’t understand our enemy; and, don’t even know we are at war (and, I’m not talking about Iraq).
I’m afraid they are heading into a state of mind often repeated in history. If the truth is just too, too awful to accept…..they turn to denial.
Americans will be choosing between McCain, warrior to win this difficult war; or Obama, Savior of the People who leads them to Utopia.
——————————————
And Obama Wept
February 07, 2008 9:43 AM
Jack Tapper, ABC Political Punch
Inspiration is nice. But some folks seem to be getting out of hand.
It’s as if Tom Daschle descended from on high saying, “Be not afraid; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of Chicago a Savior, who is Barack the Democrat.”
Obama supporter Kathleen Geier writes that she’s “getting increasingly weirded out by some of Obama’s supporters. ….
Describing various encounters with Obama supporters, she writes, “Excuse me, but this sounds more like a cult than a political campaign. The language used here is the language of evangelical Christianity – the Obama volunteers speak of ‘coming to Obama’ in the same way born-again Christians talk about ‘coming to Jesus.’
>snip
Oh, crap! My “And Obama Wept” clickable didn’t work. Close; but, no cigar.
Here’s the link:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/02/and-obama-wept.html
Also, Newt Gingrich described Obama’s message perfectly:
“I love America.
You love America.
I love change.
You love change.
Let’s all change together.”
I don’t get it. Who buys into that crap?
Uh-oh! Ann Coulter may flip flop and change her mind and vote for McCain.
———————————
Q: Our party will lose through this division.
Coulter: McCain is a very weak candidate. Maybe you’ll convince me and I’ll change my mind and I’ll be called a flip-flopper. McCain is weak on foreign policy. How do you explain him wanting to close down Gitmo? Waterboarding, half the FOX news hosts have done it, and McCain is hysterical about it? It’s not a good sign. I do truly hate the Clintons so it is possible I could change my mind
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/02/ann-coulter-near-cpac.html
Sean’s an emotional man and meltdowns are common with him. His rants drive people nuts. Imagine living with someone like that for a decade.
His choice of presidential candidates-Rudy, Fred and Mitt-have dropped out of the race. And he’s not happy with McCain, but Sean will vote for McCain in November.
By the way, Rich Galen is 100% right about Sean.
Klimt:
Believe it or not Mexico has been there for years and it has always been a home for outlaws. In fact back in the days of Pancho Villa General Pershing was actually sent to border to turn back armed incursions. Almost a million people were killed in their revolution. A million dead, right next door only about a century ago.
Did you know that certain pissy conservatives are rooting for the Democrats to win in spite of the fact that their policy via Mexico is not exactly famous for being tough? Hey, but that is not a big deal is it?
So why post all that as if I am going to deny it or act as if there are no problems on the border. By the same token Texas sheriffs have banded together and formed a group to protest the border fence. All sorts of mayors and residents along that border {at ground zero} are fighting that fence. I think it will be completed, but I also think that dealing with the people who live there and do not want it will take more time than actually constructing the fence will.
The other day I read a story about a baby who died in Oklahoma. His parents were illegals, but he was a citizen. He was two years old. When he got sick his parents were afraid to take him to the hospital because of a new law that Oklahoma passed, they were afraid the family would be deported. The baby died of a ruptured appendix. There are all kinds of anecdotal stories out there people can use to make any kind of point they want.
Speaking of voting for Obama, I saw this in the comment section at Protein Wisdom:
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Comment by Gil on 2/8 @ 10:55 pm #
I’m glad that Obama is getting such a great support. He is the only one who will unite this country and get us out of Iraq.
http://www.yourdecision08.com
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Comment by J Richardson on 2/8 @ 11:03 pm #
Does that mean Obama will be coming to Asheville to stay at the Biltmore House just like Chauncey the Gardner?
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Comment by happyfeet on 2/8 @ 11:12 pm #
Ospama?
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Comment by MarkJ on 2/8 @ 11:18 pm #
Dear Gil,
When were you and your good-time buddies ever interested in “unity”…except when it was on YOUR terms? You still don’t get it, do you? Politics is, now, and forever shall be partisan. And if “Prince Charming” doesn’t know that now then, if he does ride into the White House on his Magic Pony, he’ll quickly discover that little fact once he tries to take away John Murtha’s earmarks, or is shocked to discover that his Kennedyesque charm is wasted on Al Qaeda, or if he’s bone-headed enough to try legalizing 12 million illegal aliens.
I guess it’s asking too much, but you might condescend to actually review Obama’s legislative record. If it were a Coen Brothers movie, it would be titled “The Man Who Wasn’t There
My post vanished.
Klimt, I don’t know why you are posting that stuff. I never said Mexico was Canada.
And threatening to vote Democrat will help all that…how?
This is the kind of thing Democrats make an issue of when it comes to illegals.
A dead baby.
I think they are demagoguing the issue, but then I am not the one who thinks that it is okay to jump ship and vote for them.
Then there are the people who live on the border and are fighting the fence. Hardliners complain that the Bush administration has not moved faster, but they ignore the fact that Chertoff had to go to court against local landowners and mayors and sheriffs to get the land for the fence:
The judge’s order, issued Monday in the Texas Western District Court, Del Rio division, said the United States, the plaintiff, is entitled to possession or control of the property as requested.
“Well, that seems a little heavy handed,” Eagle Pass Mayor Chad Foster said Wednesday.
Foster is the head of the Texas Border Coalition, a group of border mayors, city officials and business leaders who opposed Homeland Security’s border fence plans and have complained that they haven’t had enough input on the effects of the fence on their communities.
Ludlum ordered the property to be surrendered by Tuesday. Foster said the city of about 25,000 was served with papers from the lawsuit Tuesday and officials were busy with a council meeting and other matters and hadn’t completely reviewed the documents.
And then there are the landowners, some of whom have had property in their families for centuries and they say the feds are not welcome on their property.
Frogg:
McCain weak on foreign policy? The woman is crazy. And I already miss Bush too.
It probably dawned on her that Obama might not only close down Gitmo, he might give a pardon to its inhabitants along with a large sum of money for them to assuage any inconvenience they might have suffered.
At least McCain wants to keep them in a military prison and try them under the Military Commissions Act. Sooner or later that situation has to be resolved.
As for waterboarding….same argument. McCain might have a problem with anything he considers torture, but he is not going to just act as if there isn’t anything to defend against.
I found someone who says what I am feeling, Jules Crittenden:
These debatable points are not the central issue of this election. Nor is it, as some have suggested, the economy.
What is undeniable is that the single greatest threat the United States faces is that in four years, Iraq is abandoned, chaos and genocide take hold there, and the great expenditure of precious American blood and treasure there is rendered a waste. In four years, Iran can have a nuclear weapon. Both of these events will have wide ramifications. The nations of the Middle East and Far East can see a United States weakened and unreliable, and they will look elsewhere and to other means to defend their interests. Meanwhile, Iran, China, North Korea, Sudan, the Taliban, al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas, the Myanmar regime, Putin — I’m sorry, it’s a long list; I might have missed some — can be relied on to take advantage of our absence from the field to advance their own positions.
Because America will be perceived again to be a nation without a spine, a nation that chooses to lose, a nation that will not fight for its ideals. Is it the sixth or seventh time in the last four decades? Vietnam. Iran. Lebanon. Somalia. Al-Qaeda and Saddam in the 1990s. Our enemies know that list very well. It is their mantra, the weakness they see in us that strengthens them and keeps them going.
This retreat will be bigger and more devastating than any of those, because this time, there will be no disputing that they are correct. When the American right as well as the American left has chosen surrender to global enemies rather than set aside its domestic political fights, then America has no right to claim superpower status, and the American dream is at an end. We will become, like Europe, a sump of ideals.
Whatever else John McCain may or may not be, there is no denying that when it comes to a vigorous, sensible prosecution of a war that is fundamental to the continued existence of western ideals, the single most important issue of our day, he is committed and he is the only candidate still standing who can be relied on. He may be a severely flawed champion, but right now, he’s the only one willing and able to fight that battle. America needs him.
That means conservatives of all stripes, who pride themselves on being rational adults who have set aside childish things, need to begin acting the part.
When I came to this blog most of the posts had substance to them.
And they still do. AJ has that ability to connect a lot of dots and cut through the fog. You read his stem cell? Global Warming? The war? The best.
Klint, I don’t mean to attack you but even though I watch Hannity, I also know about Mexico. I been watching it bubble for the last 40 years. Pure corruption. Bush actually tried to do something about it. He was a Texas governor with family ties. You think he does not understand the problem? We need the Mexican government to keep their southern borders closed. It is not just about votes. Look at Chavez & friends.
regarding Ann Coulters flip flop comments – after thinking about it a couple days, I realize that all of these commentators – Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter – are going to come around and support McCain as soon as they have to face the reality that not supporting him means. I think that’s the main reason they’re all so angry – they know they’re going to have to suck it up before the end and it pisses them off.
So now the only question is how gracefully they can transition. The longer they wait the more foolish they look. Example: James Dobson, famed evangelical godfather, has claimed he could never vote for McCain but that he strongly supports Mike Huckabee. What’s he gonna do when Huckabee publicly throws his support to McCain and tells his supporters that’s the principled thing to do? (and you know that day is coming sooner or later)
People have forgotten the age old advice about making your words sweet because it’s much easier when you have to eat them.
Frogg,
You need to add the link. As I wrote before
(a href=”LINK”)your words(/a).
You did (a)your words(/a).
Cheers
Terrye:
This has nothing to do with right vs left… does everything revolve around being a democrat or republican? I’m posting it because exactly because we have terror organizations right in Mexico that are are as dangerous as al Qaeda! One day you folks may wake up and find Mexico so out of control that it’s leader is a drug lord! Some officials within the government already elected and are being controlled by drug cartels right now! But I guess this stuff isn’t worth the time to report…
Drug Cartels Make $24 billion a year
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“a senior U.S. official warned Congress on Thursday that billions of dollars in drug cartel profits have made the gangs powerful enough to challenge their governments.”
“While huge compared to past U.S. security aid to Mexico, the Plan Merida funds would pale in comparison to the $24 billion in annual drug cartel earnings from American sales, according to an estimate by the National Drug Intelligence Center.”
“A large portion of the narcotics’ profits are smuggled back into Mexico as cash, the intelligence center reports, finding their way into the Mexican economy and providing bribes for police and other officials.”
“The drug profits also buy top-of-the-line weapons for the drug gangs, who are often better armed than government forces.”
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Owl:
I agree. That’s why I come here. I was being a little harsh, so just skip over that post –sorry. … As for the Mexico posts I’m glad you know what’s going on. But I don’t think Americans know how terror is sweeping across Mexico! I consider these gangs as dangerous as al Qaeda to the point that our military could possibly have to go into Mexico to help out. Everything that comes into contact with these gangs becomes corrupted.
It’s really out of control and most Americans have no idea. I have never heard them talk about it in the MSM… perhaps if you are in Texas or along the border you hear about it — but most Americans don’t.
Yes Klimt, I am in Texas. I even agree with you that the border is much more dangerous. Close that sucker. But you need something that addresses the whole problem. I would be first in line to support some real reform. The Shamnesty Shouters have created a situation that makes that darn near impossible.