Pathetic arguments
To borrow a frequently used pop culture phrase already employed in this retort at Tondee's Tavern, the latest Bill Shipp column regarding the Democratic Party of Georgia clearly jumped the shark.
Honestly, it's so ridiculous, I haven't the foggiest idea where to begin. Could it be the fact that he builds an entire column around a singular email from someone that no one seems to know? How about the fact that the email's criticisms, as well as Shipp's, aren't grounded in reality? Or maybe it's because he penned a column without doing any research on the subject he was criticizing or even calling anyone over at the DPG for a comment?
Yeah, it's all of that and more.
As for Dr. E. Ruth Green, after looking at her questions, it's obvious that despite being a former professor at the University of Georgia, she apparently has no idea how to do independent research ...
"1. Who constitutes Georgia's slate of Democratic leaders?
Well, I went here, here, here, here, here and here to find out everything I needed to know. Shockingly enough, it was all on the same web site.
"2. What are they doing except saying 'DONATE'?
Let's leave alone the fact that raising money is essential to the success and survival of any political endeavor, and instead focus on this, this, this, and this which seem to offer some insight to some other things they're doing.
"3. Why is there seemingly nobody with credibility opposing Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-GA?
One could make the obvious argument that this is a very red state that offer little opportunity in the immediate future for Democratic success at the state and national levels, thus making it difficult to attract top-tier candidates. Granted I'd love to see Sam Nunn swoop in to save the day, but, then again, it isn't like someone like Josh Lanier, who served on a staff for Sen. Herman Talmadge among other things, isn't credible.
"4. Why do we hear nothing from the Democratic Party of Georgia on the rubber-stamp Republican government we have?
Obviously Green, and apparently Shipp, have been paying little attention to the Glenn Tax or last year's attempt to allow employees to carry handguns in their car or water conservation and so forth. And, again, when you're distinctly in the minority in a state controlled by Republicans, why should Democrats take the brunt of the blame for the foolishness of the Republicans in Atlanta?
"5. Why was there no uproar among Democrats when SR 3033 (2005) was passed by the General Assembly to urge Georgia lawmakers to support blindly all Bush nominees?
First off, the current DPG leadership wasn't even in place in 2005, so it's hardly fair to criticize them. As for other elected Democrats, SR 303 - Green actually has it wrong and Shipp was apparently too lazy to look it up and verify - was a nonbinding resolution that was largely procedural and merely stated what some Republican senators were going to do anyway. You want to know an example of another nonbinding resolution from that session? How about SR 16 which celebrated the birth of Michael Reagan Schoenberg and Jonathan Schoenburg, two twins born to Scott and Stephanie Schoenburg? I didn't have a SR honoring the birth of my child, so Democrats should arguably oppose any measures like this since they're unfair and selective!
"6. Why is there seemingly no statewide Democratic organization even though Democrats have a good chance to elect the new president?
I don't follow this at all. Since it's the primary season, the DPG, like other state parties and the national party, doesn't endorse a specific candidate but rather provides resources on the candidates seeking office in an attempt for voters to make up their minds. During the primaries, it's the responsibility of individual candidates to set up their own statewide organizations, and Barack Obama has already done that here. Of course, the 2008 Jefferson-Jackson Dinner will tentatively feature all of the current Democratic candidates for president, which is something that hasn't happened here in a long, long time.
"7. Why was there no Democratic outcry regarding Sonny Perdue's land deals?
Obviously, Green didn't follow any of the 2006 gubernatorial campaign in which Mark Taylor built his entire campaign on this issue. Besides, this is the kind of politics I don't want to see from Democrats anymore, so if there is no talk of it then I say 'yay!'
"I could not find a dazzling e-mail address for the Georgia Democratic Party, so I am sending this to others who may know how to get through.
Um, they're all right here ... located on the magical thing they call a 'home page' in the top banner.
All this column shows me is that Shipp was so desperate for material he would have written on something that he saw in Weekly World News, and that he was lazy enough to not seek additional comments on it, avoid doing the necessary research to realize Green's criticisms were ridiculous and let someone else do all the writing for him just so he can close with the catch-all comeback that he thinks neatly refutes any logical rebuttal to his, er, her argument.
It's easy to be cynical, but it looks pretty dumb to be cynical when you're so blatantly wrong.
Honestly, it's so ridiculous, I haven't the foggiest idea where to begin. Could it be the fact that he builds an entire column around a singular email from someone that no one seems to know? How about the fact that the email's criticisms, as well as Shipp's, aren't grounded in reality? Or maybe it's because he penned a column without doing any research on the subject he was criticizing or even calling anyone over at the DPG for a comment?
Yeah, it's all of that and more.
As for Dr. E. Ruth Green, after looking at her questions, it's obvious that despite being a former professor at the University of Georgia, she apparently has no idea how to do independent research ...
"1. Who constitutes Georgia's slate of Democratic leaders?
Well, I went here, here, here, here, here and here to find out everything I needed to know. Shockingly enough, it was all on the same web site.
"2. What are they doing except saying 'DONATE'?
Let's leave alone the fact that raising money is essential to the success and survival of any political endeavor, and instead focus on this, this, this, and this which seem to offer some insight to some other things they're doing.
"3. Why is there seemingly nobody with credibility opposing Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-GA?
One could make the obvious argument that this is a very red state that offer little opportunity in the immediate future for Democratic success at the state and national levels, thus making it difficult to attract top-tier candidates. Granted I'd love to see Sam Nunn swoop in to save the day, but, then again, it isn't like someone like Josh Lanier, who served on a staff for Sen. Herman Talmadge among other things, isn't credible.
"4. Why do we hear nothing from the Democratic Party of Georgia on the rubber-stamp Republican government we have?
Obviously Green, and apparently Shipp, have been paying little attention to the Glenn Tax or last year's attempt to allow employees to carry handguns in their car or water conservation and so forth. And, again, when you're distinctly in the minority in a state controlled by Republicans, why should Democrats take the brunt of the blame for the foolishness of the Republicans in Atlanta?
"5. Why was there no uproar among Democrats when SR 3033 (2005) was passed by the General Assembly to urge Georgia lawmakers to support blindly all Bush nominees?
First off, the current DPG leadership wasn't even in place in 2005, so it's hardly fair to criticize them. As for other elected Democrats, SR 303 - Green actually has it wrong and Shipp was apparently too lazy to look it up and verify - was a nonbinding resolution that was largely procedural and merely stated what some Republican senators were going to do anyway. You want to know an example of another nonbinding resolution from that session? How about SR 16 which celebrated the birth of Michael Reagan Schoenberg and Jonathan Schoenburg, two twins born to Scott and Stephanie Schoenburg? I didn't have a SR honoring the birth of my child, so Democrats should arguably oppose any measures like this since they're unfair and selective!
"6. Why is there seemingly no statewide Democratic organization even though Democrats have a good chance to elect the new president?
I don't follow this at all. Since it's the primary season, the DPG, like other state parties and the national party, doesn't endorse a specific candidate but rather provides resources on the candidates seeking office in an attempt for voters to make up their minds. During the primaries, it's the responsibility of individual candidates to set up their own statewide organizations, and Barack Obama has already done that here. Of course, the 2008 Jefferson-Jackson Dinner will tentatively feature all of the current Democratic candidates for president, which is something that hasn't happened here in a long, long time.
"7. Why was there no Democratic outcry regarding Sonny Perdue's land deals?
Obviously, Green didn't follow any of the 2006 gubernatorial campaign in which Mark Taylor built his entire campaign on this issue. Besides, this is the kind of politics I don't want to see from Democrats anymore, so if there is no talk of it then I say 'yay!'
"I could not find a dazzling e-mail address for the Georgia Democratic Party, so I am sending this to others who may know how to get through.
Um, they're all right here ... located on the magical thing they call a 'home page' in the top banner.
All this column shows me is that Shipp was so desperate for material he would have written on something that he saw in Weekly World News, and that he was lazy enough to not seek additional comments on it, avoid doing the necessary research to realize Green's criticisms were ridiculous and let someone else do all the writing for him just so he can close with the catch-all comeback that he thinks neatly refutes any logical rebuttal to his, er, her argument.
It's easy to be cynical, but it looks pretty dumb to be cynical when you're so blatantly wrong.
posted by Jmac at 10:10 AM
6 Comments:
I assure you that once I am elected to the Senate, I'll write a Senate Resolution honouring the birth of your child.
She might be 40 by then, but still... :)
Well, that won't make me switch parties Chuck, but it's appreciated my good man.
Well wrtitten response to an old man's gripes. You are your family are welcome to be part of the Watkinsville Christmas parade Saturday as either audience or parade participant - way down on barnett shoals a few minutes before 11 am
Bobby Kahn ghostwrites Shipp's columns now.
That said, and the specifics notwithstanding, it's accurate insofar as to the extent to which Dems are presently screwed in Georgia.
Not that it takes any particular insight to see that.
But these things are cyclical. Look for the Dems to return to power.
In another 130 years or so.
I agree with your comments on Shipp. He is obviously frustrated and apparently for the wrong reasons. I decided to peruse the DPG site and see what all the hoopla is about and while I could find ample stuff about volunteers and Jane Kidd standing up for working families, I could hardly find an issue or policy suggestion anywhere on the site.
Now maybe the party simply prefers candidates to define issues and take their own stances. If that how this sort of thing typically works, so be it.
However, we should seriously heed the common Republican charge that Democrats have all the gripes and no answers.
I think the site could really benefit from the party’s positions on healthcare, education and immigration. Josh Lanier’s Q and A is stellar and most likely echoes positions from many Democrats across the State.
Why isn’t something like that on the DPG site?
Two things worth noting on that ...
1. One perspective could be that the state party is responsible for providing coordination for local parties, elected oficials, eager volunteers and prospective candidates. As a result, it probably isn't as necessary to have issues up on their web page.
2. However, the DPG is currently working with a steering committee to further refine what issues are important to Democrats in Georgia and are soliciting input. Note this request from Amy Morton who is on this Platform Committee.
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