Lieberman calls primary a "crusade or jihad" against him

Hey JOE , BITE ME (4.00 / 1)

Not one person in this state OWES you his or her vote.

Either inspire enough People to come out and vote fot you in the Primary or get your Whiny little Ass out of our Senate office,Period!!

I just returned from the Branford Festival where Ned Lamont was Greeting People and Taking Questions.He greeted any and all takers and there were no "handlers" between him and anyone who wanted to talk to him or ask him any question on their mind.

Joe Lieberman is Sheduled to appear there tommorrow where I'm certain his handlers will make sure Joe neither Greets Strangers or Answer Questions and thats been true for 12 0f the 17 years he's held the senate seat.Joe Lieberman is a DC creature Now NOT a Connecticut Resident.

Connecticut,to Joe, is just somewhere He's forced to come every 6 yrs to get enough votes  to continue his use of our kids as cannon fodder for his belief in US domination of the World through military force.After all,There's BIG MONEY to be made and Big Campaign contributions to be had in the scam Liebermans been foisting on this country and He knows how to get his share of both.

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by: ctkeith @ Sat Jun 17, 2006 at 12:19:49 PM CDT

updated tinetogojoe.com (0.00 / 0)

Lieberman opposes Democracy.

The question is not what you are, we already determined that, we are now negotiating price.
electrealdemocrats.com Online since 3/07 -- TimetogoJoe.com Online s

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by: Met00 @ Sat Jun 17, 2006 at 13:26:13 PM CDT

Diversity of Opinion??? (4.00 / 2)

Lieberman's logic continues to stupify.

-When Joe disagrees with nearly all of his contituents on issues, he says we should "accept diversity of opinion."

-When the constituents express an opinion with which Joe disagrees, it's a "crusade or jihad" against him.

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by: Neal Fink @ Sat Jun 17, 2006 at 14:01:26 PM CDT

That's Bush's logic -- "You are either with us or against us" (4.00 / 1)

Lieberman is hoping that bush's logic works for him.

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by: Larkspur @ Sat Jun 17, 2006 at 14:32:02 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

The man is an absolute disgrace (4.00 / 3)

Never in my life have I seen anyone so arrogant.  I cannot believe how detached from the people of this state and the people in his party he has become. 

How dare he compare Democrats who oppose his support for the Iraq War with terrorists on a jihad?  And how dare a former party chairman suggest that those supporting Ned Lamont are "terrorizing" Lieberman?  Absolutely revolting!

I can tell you that it is time for Connecticut Democratic officials to begin telling Lieberman to back off.  It was bad enough for Lieberman to accuse those opposing Bush of weakening American security.  But to call us terrorists is dispicable.

Nancy DiNardo had better speak up for Democrats in this state- and fast.  Our Democratic congressmen and congressional candidates need to speak up and tell Lieberman that he is wrong to smear Democrats- and fast.

I am utterly disgusted at Lieberman.  He is a disgrace and has to go!

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by: thomashooker @ Sat Jun 17, 2006 at 15:08:53 PM CDT

Joe also Cheapens the Words Jihad and Crusade (4.00 / 1)

as if he's important enough to employ  as a tactic the meaning of either of these two words.This is a simple Primary Joe,Not a religious earthquake.

When Joe Loses on August 8th will he consider it a Holocaust and cheapen the meaning of that word too in order to overinflate his importance?

What a Total PUTZ.

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by: ctkeith @ Sat Jun 17, 2006 at 16:00:37 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Inappropriate to the Max (0.00 / 0)

These are super-charged words that should not be thrown around so blithely.

Perhaps he would like to toss in a Holocost metaphor, while he is at it.

"I am not a Blogger...But I play one on the internet."

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by: tessa @ Sat Jun 17, 2006 at 16:47:31 PM CDT

His service is over . . . (0.00 / 0)

From Yale Freedom Rider, to the state Senate, to the AG, Joe was always a fighter for the working man and woman. But a funny thing happened on the way to the Forum. Joe forgot about those at home.

He forgot about Kiniesha Smith, age 22 with 2 children on Dixwell Avenue, in New Haven. Joe forgot about Jack Caffery, age 74, a Waterbury Korean War Vet struggling with his benefits. Joe forgot about those and more. Joe forgot about those who serve those in need, like the teachers, the police, and those who labor in the Federal Health Centers, trying to provide health care to the poor.

So, Joe's service to our nation is over. This election on August 8 is not about the past, but about the future of our nation. Joe is not part of that future. And that decision was made by Joe Lieberman, not me.

Iraq is Arabic for Viet Nam

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by: bobeedee @ Sat Jun 17, 2006 at 17:36:24 PM CDT

This is a jihad???? (0.00 / 0)

Joe, this is a democracy - the people decide, not you. I thought jihad was a term commonly used by Muslims meaning "holy war" Keep religion out of it!!!!!!!

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by: oriole fan @ Sat Jun 17, 2006 at 18:15:52 PM CDT

Jihad = struggle, not holy war (0.00 / 0)

No matter how you interpret it, Lieberman's statement was out of line.

I do agree with you that religion should be kept out of it (it being just about everything), but jihad (AFAIK) is not a religious word.

|Spazeboy.net|Spazeboy's Guide to Political Videoblogging|

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by: spazeboy @ Sat Jun 17, 2006 at 18:33:19 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Technically, yes (4.00 / 1)

..practically, no.

Jihad is an Arabic word that means "striving in the way of God." This striving can take a number of forms, including the daily inner struggle to be a better person. However, jihad is often used to refer to an armed struggle fought in defense of Islam.

More on the term here.

http://www.answers.com/topic/jihad

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by: Scarce @ Sat Jun 17, 2006 at 18:59:40 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Jihads and Crusades (4.00 / 1)

You are right, spazeboy, the term "jihad" translates into "struggle" and not "holy war". However, like the term "crusade", the term "jihad" has BOTH religious AND secular meanings.

For example, on one hand the term "crusade" refers to the slaughter and forced conversions of non-Christians during the 11th-13th centuries.

However, "crusade" also has a secular meaning. When the leaders of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) state that they are on a "crusade" against drunk driving, they are not talking about a religious struggle--but a struggle nonetheless.

The term jihad is similar in this respect. It can have both religious and secular meanings. The Quran mentions the word "jihad" many times and it mostly refers to an inner moral struggle. For example, when one faces the choice between doing what is morally right and what is politically expedient, they are facing an "internal jihad". The only time the Quran permits an armed jihad is in the case of self-defense--and even then there are strict prohibitions against the killing of civillians and the destroying of enemy crops, etc. Do all Muslims observe these prohibitions? Obviously not, which is why "jihad" gets associated with terrorism. There is a good National Geographic article on this topic that I feel could contribute to greater understanding of this term.

The fact is that if some asshole wants to commit a violent act, they can always distort the meaning of Biblical/Quranic scripture to justify it. This is as true for the Christian fundamentalist who bombs the abortion clinic as it is for the Muslim fundamentalist who blows himself up in a Tel Aviv cafe. 

Millions of Muslims, Jews, and other non-Christians suffered greatly during the Crusades...and, therefore, I think the way Joe used the term "crusade" is just as offensive as the way he used the word "jihad".
I think it is little disappointing that people here are only offended by the latter term and not the former term.

I would have preferred it if the subject heading of this diary was something like, "Joe calls primary "crusade" and "jihad"; likens democratic process to religious war".

Both the terms "jihad" and "crusade" are very loaded and, to use EITHER of these terms to describe a democratic primary election, is completely shameful and unconscionable. Joe Lieberman is a disgrace to the Democratic party, a disgrace to the State of Connecticut, and a disgrace to this nation.

I hope all quarters of the Connecticut Democratic establishment publicly condemn the use of Joe's religious fundamentalist rhetoric.

 

"If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy."--James Madison

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by: sufi @ Sat Jun 17, 2006 at 21:07:42 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Title updated (4.00 / 2)

Thanks for your very thoughtful perspective, Sufi.  I changed the title per your suggestion.

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by: Maura @ Sat Jun 17, 2006 at 22:06:43 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I think Quell is a more appopriate word when speaking of (0.00 / 0)

Getting rid of Lieberman.Not only is it more "American" but it's the name of the Shampoo recommended for the Removal of Head Lice or Crabs.

Now doesn't that little itch associated with crabs descirbe how important Joe Liebeman is more than any Crusade or Jihad?

I thought so.....

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by: ctkeith @ Sat Jun 17, 2006 at 19:13:21 PM CDT

Is "Jihad" going to be the next word for "Nazism"? (4.00 / 1)

Uhh, just when I think Joe has gone off the deep end... well, I guess he finds a deeper end?
Anyhow, People on both sides tend to overuse comparisons to Nazism or "like Hitler", and at the same time bitch at the other side for using it. (I'm guilty too I'm sure).
NOW, we have a new "buzz word" like "Jihad"? Ergo in Joe's context, I or other supporters of Ned Lamont are Jihadists? And as much as we (or various bloggers) might know about the real meaning of "Jihad", it rings a certain alarm in most people who will automatically relate the word to Fundementalist Muslim terrorists (i.e. Al Qeada).

This is a klassic Rovian move on Lieberman's part. Use buzz words and quick soundbites so that people on the fence who don't visit the websites on a regular basis, will believe what they read in Sunday's Op-Ed or in a 30 second TV ad.

Wait and see, you'll see "Jihad" being tossed around on the Senate and House Floor a lot more as we get closer to the elections. A "Jihad" against Christian Values, A "Jihad" against businesses (aka big corporations), A "jihad" against the White House, A "Jihad" against the military (if we don't support the war, then we don't support the troops, right?)

Well, I hope someone calls Lieberman on this. That cartoon ad was, well, just fucked up, and so wrong in so many ways. But the Jihad reference went beyond.

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by: Bobonze @ Sat Jun 17, 2006 at 22:37:15 PM CDT

Well, why do you think he used the word "crusade" also? (0.00 / 0)

Does Joe see the primary battle as a religious war waged on him by Christians and Muslims? Has he lost his mind?

"If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy."--James Madison

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by: sufi @ Sat Jun 17, 2006 at 22:40:44 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Point well taken and understood (0.00 / 0)

Sufi, I agree the words "jihad" and "crusade" have no place in any of this election. They can get used interchangeably and merely are there to try and confuse everybody. Shame Shame on Joe for bringing it up!

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by: oriole fan @ Sun Jun 18, 2006 at 07:49:48 AM CDT

we have all made a mistake here (0.00 / 0)

we need to stop assuming joe lieberman has enough intellectual prowess to have use these words with an understanding of the philosophical, linguistic, and marketing savvy of the impact.

maybe the guy is just plain stupid.

"I am not a Blogger...But I play one on the internet."

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by: tessa @ Sun Jun 18, 2006 at 08:36:31 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm a Pagan and we don't go on crusades or jihads (0.00 / 0)

but I sure would like to indict Joe Lieberman for war crimes per Article 6 of the Nuremburg Trials

Article 6 of the Charter of the Nuremburg Trials http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/nuremberg/NurembergIndictments.html  defines the planning of “wars of aggression” as a crime.  It also states “Leaders, organizers, instigators, and accomplices participating in the formulation or execution of a Common Plan or Conspiracy to commit any of the foregoing crimes are responsible for all acts performed by any persons in execution of such plan.”

Sen. Lieberman aided and abetted President Bush's pre-emptive war against Iraq by assertively lobbying his fellow Democrats to vote for the 2002 Iraq War Resolution and with his continued public support of the President’s war.  Shouldn't that at least get Sen. Lieberman indicted for war crimes?

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by: Larkspur @ Sun Jun 18, 2006 at 13:01:43 PM CDT

Joe Made His Choice (0.00 / 0)

Hey Joe,

You made your choice when you let W kiss you.

You chose him over the people of CT.

Stop your damn whining and realize that we're makin' a choice now.

We owe you nuthin'.

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by: glattonfolly @ Sun Jun 18, 2006 at 18:18:57 PM CDT