Blog

YourHub.com \\ Longmont \\ Blogs \\ News & Politics \\ Commentary

Blog Entry 166 of 174 The Subversive Liberal

"If by a "liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people — their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights and their civil liberties — someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "liberal." – President John F. Kennedy...................... Some people find me and that sentiment subversive. I'm here to set the record straight and offer the real typical liberal point of view. Some call it subversive, I call it patriotic.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~BingVanGorden

Entries:

Re-Create 68 Re-dux

e-mail to a friend | print this | link to this

Contributed by: Bing Van Gorden on 4/29/2008

Originally featured on LongmontAdvocate.com podcast week ending 4.27.08

I guess I know where I am on the political spectrum. Just to the right of Glen Spagnolo. His group Re-Create '68 goes a little too far for me. In 1968 the Democratic Convention in Chicago was marred by ugly violence. The reality was, our own government found it wasn't the peace loving and well meaning hippies that started the riot it was the "man." The perception was however, quite different. For 40 years this one incident has been a rallying cry for conservatives. One could argue it has even made people become conservatives. And, more importantly, it's turned people away from liberalism and against liberal causes. It's given an avenue for conservatives to redefine the term. This one event, or rather the perception of that event has shaped politics in this country for 4 decades.

I don't mean to belittle Glen. I don't know him, but I've heard him and if you're familiar with Longmont politics you remember that he got fired from the city for using the resources he was given for work, you know, for personal use. For the record I think he got a raw deal. Most of us use our company's cell phones or computers to check email. And my politics do align themselves to his in a lot of ways. I want the war to end too. It's his methods I must disavow with his group Re-create '68.

Re-Create68 plans to protest during Denver's hosting of the Democratic National Convention. I've heard Glen say that they plan to test the legal limit if they can't work something out with the city. I respect a rabble rouser as much as I respect the government. Both are necessary to the process. But just like the riots in '68 being started by an arm of government, they occasionally go too far. It's easy to tap into dissatisfaction. To represent those who feel they are not being heard loudly enough. But be careful how you speak for them, and be mindful of what is paramount.

If you want to stop a war, asking for a confrontation from law enforcement is not the way to get it done. There are more effective methods of getting your message across. Like it or not, perception doesn't rely on right or wrong. If this group makes national news for disrupting the convention they will be remembered as defeating their purpose. It'll be fodder for the campaign for President. It will be fodder for right wing pundits to associate their perception to the public to other left leaning groups. Don't think so? I'm still called a communist now and then. Stereotypes stick. Perceptions stick.

If no confrontation occurs. Then what? What has the group accomplished. A little press maybe, that no doubt will focus on the superficial and not the mission of the group. Maybe some politicians will notice, maybe not. Yes, you have the right to test the limits of government and to peaceably assemble. But will that garner desired results? Probably not. Either way the group is probably dismissed by many and their message belittled. The best of intentions leads where exactly? That's right kiddies, H.E. double hockey-sticks. Not only is your group made a mockery of, a movement is made a mockery of.

If confrontation occurs. Media coverage. It will be bad. It won't show iconic pictures of placing flowers in the barrels of guns. Re-create won't be greeted as liberators. Especially when their web site has a link under construction that says "Weapons used by the pigs to take your rights away." More fuel for the right wing fire. This group could wind up giving the greatest gift a right wing talker could hope for.

What should they do? Less rousing of the rabble and better marketing. Climb the golden gate bridge and hang a banner. Organize and do good works for the troops. Utilize the media positively for the cause of stopping the war in Iraq. Offer ideas to bring that about. And change the logo! A raised fist in the air connotes one thing. Confrontation. You believe in peace don't you? Act like it!

< Previous: 'Longmont Report is a joke' | Next: 'DNC v McCain' >

[Report this as objectionable content.]

SUBMIT COMMENT

Rate the above blog

Current Rating

Based on 4 user ratings.

Talk Back : submit comments to the blog

*Note: you need to log-in to add a comment or rating.

Thank you! Your comment has been updated.

Showing 1-7 of 7 comments

Submitted By: Doug Wray

posted on 5/2/2008 @ 10:46:05 PM

Rated Blog Entry

I hope good sense prevails. The problem is, Glen's group will be held up as a symbol - and America is very symbol-minded.

[Report as objectionable]

Submitted By: Bing Van Gorden

posted on 5/1/2008 @ 8:52:59 AM

(Not Rated)

Thanks all. It's good to know I'm not the only one a-feared of what these guys might do.

[Report as objectionable]

Submitted By: Michael Rule

posted on 5/1/2008 @ 6:43:23 AM

Rated Blog Entry

Far left liberals and their means of protesting give everyone with any dose of moderation in them a bad name. I'm with you, Bing. Tell Glen to climb something tall (like the Quest building), hang his banner, then jump. Now that would make the news!

[Report as objectionable]

Submitted By: Doug Wray

posted on 5/1/2008 @ 12:14:12 AM

Rated Blog Entry

Of course, I should also mention that I was living in Philadelphia during the MOVE debacle (close enough to see the flames and smell the smoke - not happy) - you know the one, where the Phila Police department toasted an entire BLOCK of row-homes? To the GROUND. Annihilated. Luckily they evacuated everyone first - telling them not to worry and leave their belongings - and then torching the place. Don't mess with the Philly police - they'll burn your house and MAKE YOU WATCH. Collossal screwup no matter how you wrap it.

[Report as objectionable]

Submitted By: Kaye Fissinger

posted on 4/30/2008 @ 10:46:22 PM

Rated Blog Entry

You've done an excellent job, Bing, in explaining the violence at the Democratic Convention in 1968, and its aftermath. The very name Re-create '68 sends shivers down my spine. This group does not have my support. I lived in the greater Chicago area in 1968. I remember the violence all too well. I oppose the war in Iraq. I admire those who had the good judgment to see the lies and deceit through all the propaganda and saber rattling. The only way to end this war is to change the war-hungry party in the White House, and even then it won't happen overnight. If Re-Create '68 engages in activities that I fear it will, they will only succeed in prolonging the war they claim to hate.

[Report as objectionable]

Submitted By: Bing Van Gorden

posted on 4/30/2008 @ 4:47:43 PM

(Not Rated)

I'm with you Doug.

[Report as objectionable]

Submitted By: Doug Wray

posted on 4/29/2008 @ 6:19:12 PM

Rated Blog Entry

The worst of it all - what this does to the police officers themselves. It's one thing to disagree with their MANAGERS and the POLITICIANS behind the war, but to actively attack and abuse the men and women that keep us safe is just not right. Disagree all you want with POLICY, but remember, those folks in blue are people too. Here's hoping neither Rush NOR Glen get their wish.

[Report as objectionable]

Showing 1-7 of 7 comments

CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Bing Van Gorden

Longmont , CO

Bing Van Gorden has posted 174 blog entries and 606 comments since joining on 3/28/2007. Bing Van Gorden 's average blog rating is 3.84.

view profile » view other postings from Bing Van Gorden »

SAVE AND SHARE THIS BLOG ENTRY

digg	Google
del.icio.us	Yahoo!
reddit	Newsvine

What is this?

BLOG ENTRY RSS FEEDS

All blog entries

All blog entries in Longmont

All blog entries by Bing Van Gorden

BLOG LIST

WANT TO WRITE FOR YOURHUB.COM?

Want to see the stories you write and the photos you shoot featured in the YourHub.com Thursday print section available all over the Front Range and with home subscriptions of the Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post? All you have to do is register, then post a story or column, start a blog or tell everyonewhat events are happening in town. We will print the best stories, columns, event listings, photos and blog entries in our print sections.

Loading Ad