Do Republican Politicians Have a Gang-Like Mentality?

Gangs don't turn on each other, neither do elected Republicans who follow "Reagan's 11th commandment".

(SALEM, Ore.) - Only time will tell what the United States will do with the desires of George Bush and his ambitions to spread beleaguered American war fighters into new, illegal and unnecessary wars in the Mid-East.

The tables have turned all the way around for many who were once die hard Republicans. Many say that the reputation of the party itself has been soiled by Bush and Cheney and their gang of moral misfits who parade behind Christianity.

As the Bush Crusade lingers on, suicide rates among veterans are spiraling out of control. The nation's hard earned tax dollars are not going to the right places, and all of the Pentagon press releases in the world do not change the fact that Bush led his country into a horrible and deadly war that nobody and no systems were truly prepared for.

So we shovel billions and billions into the teeth of the Republican war machine and for what? So that we can later watch the GOP fight hard to prevent an extra $40 billion dollars from going to help the American people. For the details on that, see: Stimulus Plan Approved With Improvements from Democrats.

We drop tens of billions into the war effort without pause. While it is impossible to talk about this without mentioning the GOP, the matter goes far beyond politics. So does the GOP these days.

You have heard of how police "stick together" sometimes and cover for each other, especially in the nation's more corrupt law enforcement agencies? Gang members that I grew up around in LA do the same thing; if you cross one of their members you deal with all of them. There are no exceptions, right, wrong or indifferent, if you take on one you take them all on. Another good example of a group with a fierce dedication to its membership is a patch wearing motorcycle club like the Hell's Angels, or another group, the elected members of the nation's Republican party.

You see, you can ask most of them because they don't hide it; they call it Reagan's 11th commandment, "Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican." Their point is that regardless of whether another person is right or wrong, good or evil, you stick up for them because they are a member of the GOP. For more visit: RonaldReagan.com/campaign.

Even if you aren't talking about gang mentality, it amounts to the same thing. Any person or group of people that will come right out and tell you that the only thing that matters is towing the party line, or wearing the clubs colors, might as well be wearing a sign. In the realm of politics, there is no room for rational thought if a person refuses to take and evaluate each situation as it comes based on its merits.

I think the Republican party has many bruises that it will need to recover from in the coming years and the radical aspect of the Bush Presidency will bring an equally radical backlash in national policy as the next President takes office. We can only hope that the changes are embraced by Americans, because they are sure to come.

Reagan's 11th commandment is to never contradict another republican, on the virtue of being, well, a republican. Any reasonable thinker is going to cry foul over this approach and it wouldn't matter what party was adhering to this mentality and these "virtues" and "principals".

It is time that we take a hard look at the world we live in and try to remember what things were like before September 11th, 2001.

Let's go back and revisit that investigation and get the real details on what led up to the first domestic terrorist attack on U.S. soil that left thousands of innocent people dead.

Let's find out why the government spent more money pursuing Bill Clinton's oral sex case with an interen than they did investigating our most painful national tragedy.

Let's stop trying to show our muscle to the world and let's try diplomacy. To do otherwise is wrong. We are taught as children to try to resolve conflicts. Heck, kids get in trouble for being in a fist fight these days in a public school.

So they graduate from high school and go to Iraq? Our youth has been terribly exploited by George W. Bush and whether directly or indirectly, by his supporters.

I think we owe the people of Iraq the fairest and most logical plan we can come up with to fix what we have broken. I don't think attacking another Muslim nation is the answer, and we can only hope that Bush is unable to move his obvious plans to strike another country forward.

People in the Mid East are scared of Americans. Our news media paints these people as something they are not, all too often. Any country that is occupied is going to have resistance.

I would like to see an example of a group of people who allowed foreign invaders to set up shop without a fight. As much as we are fighting what some call religious wars, they have a lot to do with who is on who's turf, just like gang wars in our country's inner cities.

If we are indeed a Christian nation, then we should understand that our goal is to live, not take lives from others simply because they "may" be a threat to us.

We need to have courage and seek redemption for the mistakes of our misguided President, while caring for our wounded and looking after all of our heroes by putting a halt to the bloodshed and violence they continually endure.

Somehow we need to keep the people of Iraq who cooperated with our government from being slaughtered by the thousand if and when we leave.

As a world, we need to recognize how Palestinian people feel, and Israel needs to relent with more concessions than it has offered in the past. Like the United States, these countries are all full of families who love their children and work hard to make it from day to day. We owe it to humanity to put our best, most honorable foot forward.

This planet has a real chance if we can lose the war mentality of George W, Bush and save out honorable heroes for conflicts that we really have to fight.

Tim King in 2008, covering the Iraq War

Tim King: Salem-News.com Editor and Writer

Tim King has more than twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. Tim is Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. His background includes covering the war in Afghanistan in 2006 and 2007, and reporting from the Iraq war in 2008. Tim is a former U.S. Marine.

Tim holds awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing from The Associated Press the National Coalition of Motorcyclists, the Oregon Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs, Electronic Media Association and The Red Cross In a personal capacity, Tim has written 2,026 articles as of March 2012 for Salem-News.com since the new format designed by Matt Lintz was launched in December, 2005.

Serving readers with news from all over the globe, Tim's life is literally encircled by the endless news flow published by Salem-News.com, where more than 100 writers contribute stories from 20+ countries and regions.

Tim specializes in writing about political and military developments worldwide with an emphasis on Palestine and Sri Lanka, Iraq and Afghanistan, and the U.S. Marines. You can write to Tim at this address: tim@salem-news.com. Visit Tim's Facebook page (facebook.com/TimKing.Reporter)

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Helen February 22, 2008 10:33 am (Pacific time)

Monty I agree with you about it being unseemly. I met him when he visted a military installation while President, and though I did not agree with some of his policies, I could see why he was re-elected. I am originally from Arizona, have several younger brothers that are in law enforcement down there and they were big fans of Reagan. Did you know that he won nearly 70% of the vote in Arizona in 1984. Definitely no-nonsense Reagan country. Living in Oregon now, I see he also easily won this state and my next door neighbor said he won 34 of 36 counties here. I did not know Oregon had so many counties. I am sure enjoying myself visting the beautiful places in my new state. I have traveled so much it's time to set down some roots.

Monty Sells February 21, 2008 7:52 am (Pacific time)

Something unseemly seeing a former President dressed as a gang banger.

M Gomez February 20, 2008 6:57 am (Pacific time)

Mr. Ruark would it be a fair appraisal to say that you are no fan of the Republican party? I also have issues with them as well as the Democratic party, but a one party nation would simply be a dictatorship would you not agree?

Henry Ruark February 18, 2008 6:54 pm (Pacific time)

M. Gomez: Appreciate your continued interest, and hope you'll get your wife to share her inside information on an important topic. That's essential role of open, honest democratic dialog channel, sharing life experiences from diverse sides so that all learn, mutually advantageous all the way. It does demand attention to tone and spirit of good faith participation, and when controversial detail is needed for that sharing process, it sure helps to have ID for responsible, accountable reassurance. From personal experience I know how tough your wife's situation as social worker is, and her dual working experience should qualify her for solid information to share here. "Keep tuned" and keep in touch, too.

M Gomez February 18, 2008 3:20 pm (Pacific time)

My wife who is now an MSW social worker spent over ten years working for the Veterans Administration as a Psychiatric Nurse and specialized in PTSD treatment, among other psychological problems. This was before we married, but she was the main person who got my brother into an outpatient PTSD program. I will ask her what she thinks of how the media reports on PTSD lately, maybe she will post a response, but she does not care much for these types of forums, but I do know that she is very angry the way the news media has reported on PTSD in the past. She also counsels veterans, but it is mainly centered around couples counseling.

Henry Ruark February 18, 2008 1:13 pm (Pacific time)

To all: For still further solid data on what GOP-right is still hard at work to accomplish, see these two strong (even if "academic !") works, now in wide use across the nation: OFF CENTER: The Republican Revolution and The Erosion of American Democracy Jacob S. Hacker and Paul Pierson ISBN 0-300-1087002; Yale University Press; $25.00 This is by far the most penetrating and persuasive of several volumes seeking to illuminate the absolutely unprecedented shift of the GOP to the Far Right -- and the reasons it has taken place so rapidily and destructively --with some small lapses in sequence-- ever since the Reagan regime set the directions. Its 250-pp. professional dissection and review of what has happened in this nation provides documented proof in depth and with solid description of the identified actions and motivations, mainly arising from dollar-driven desecration of strong democratic principles established over 200 years of American development. To make sure “you get the picture”, I cite reviews from the book’s jacket by expert observers you know and should trust: “Off Center proves two points beyond reasonable doubt. The first is that the current paralysis and polarization of the American political system is not some split-the-difference, everyone’s to blame phenomenon. Instead its worst aspects are direct results of Republican extremist tactics over the last decade. The second is that the consequences are bad for nearly everyone in the country, except the very richest people and corporations. The book makes an important case convincingly.” ---James Fallows, national correspondent, Atlantic Monthly. “How come policies so radically at odds with what the American people say they want have been locked in for the next generation ? Hacker and Pierson brilliantly nail the case: the Republicans have rigged the system." ---Rick Perlstine, author of Before the Storm: Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of the American Consensus. “Hacker and Pierson shrewdly assess the new structures of political power in our country and the success of conservative Republicans in mobilizing resources and framing political choices.” --E. J. Dionne, Jr., author of Stand Up, Fight Back and Why Americans Hate Politics. If you can read and really understand plain English, the realities while we begin the 21st Century are just that plain to learn --which is why intentional distortion here for the readership is plainly malign and damaging.

Henry Ruark February 18, 2008 1:01 pm (Pacific time)

M.Gomez: Congratulation to your brother for such solid progress after his military experience. Can appreciate GI Bill especially since that was my ticket, too--only possible one, doing for me, my family, and my country what only a strong central government could accomplish. Re friend Jeff, it is his intentional distortions we must remedy in this channel since that both misdirects and misleads the S-N readership, entitled to good/faith open, honest dialog on issues and problems. Re status of newspapers now, we've been extremely critical of degeneration and default in meeting journalistic standards across the full media spectrum --which is one reason for S-N establishment to fill very large gap in our own coverage area. Your Comment shows we are reaching many with helpful and factual information. Good to learn of one vet's strong forward move; best wishes to him and you. "Keep tuned" here for more factual coverage of the U.S. veteran agency and its fight to do more for vets in face of Bush-cabal budget cuts, and such demanding needs as the growing suicide trend Tim just reported.

M Gomez February 18, 2008 12:06 pm (Pacific time)

I have been coming here for several months and this is my first posting. I noticed that this Jefferson seems to anger several of you, but I saw in one of his posts he simply seemed to say that the news media concentrates on all the bad news about veterans, not the good news. My brother, to help get his citizenship served in the Marines, and he saw much violence but he also said that his fellow Marines felt that the newspapers often misled people. I hope what I wrote does not offend anyone, but there is good news that should receive coverage also. My brother did get his citizenship and finished college on the GI Bill and is buying a home, and is very thankful for his time in the military. He has PTSD, but meets with other veterans for help in this matter and seems to be more open about his war memories. I guess this is better than not dealing with these feelings.

Henry Ruark February 18, 2008 10:52 am (Pacific time)

To all: Re-reading last to Ublvbl indicates to me that two other major references might be valuable to those interested in conclusions as stated: "Public Choice"'Iain McLean'ISBN 0-531-13839-0. Examines how government choice is shaped and by whom--political entrepreneurs, bureaucrats, interest groups, and ordinary citizens. Shows that self-interest in the public domain is frequently counter-productive. "Fear: History of a Political Idea:' Corey Robin; ISBN 0-19-5157020-8. Provides an acute analysis of the very idea of fear, of the role of fear as an instrument of political rule and of its unacknowledged prevalence within our liberal democratic institutions. The "dirty-work approach" by the GOP rightwing noise machine is fundamentally based on principles covered well in these two references, widely used in "academic" (!) circles for years. Both are supplied to carry still further our fundamental approach here of "see with own eyes" and evaluate with "own brain" --rather than simply accept offerings on non-ID basis with no responsibility nor accountability possible.

Henry Ruark February 18, 2008 7:10 am (Pacific time)

Unblvbl et al: Friendly tone of your response truly appreciated; especially for contrast with some-preceding. Re points-made, two major figures in modern life have said it better than I can in short space here: "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts." --Daniel Patrick Moynihan. That's why laws protecting participants from damaging retaliatory statements in the "free press" came into being, and are still in broad usage. That's why many other media channels demand "sign in" with full ID of any participant. Every publisher must be well aware and take care to protect those who, in all good faith, do share Comments publicly. "Citizens of the democratic societies should undertake a course of intellectual self-defense to protect themselves from manipulation and thought control, and to lay the base for meaningful democracy." --Noam Chomsky on www.mediaed.org That is major reason for S-N open, honest-dialog column in action: to allow sharing and mutual learning re demanding issues, problems, events in a very complex 21st Century, with that open dialog more demanded than since the first American Revolution. Chomsky is world-famed cognitive scientist, radical, but NOT "socialist" nor ever "communist" as often charged. Smear-tactic used proves up points-made. Numerous incidents following provide ample room for facts distorted,perverted. also as pointed out, always in attack on purpose and pattern of this open, honest, S-N democratic channel provided for honest good-faith use by all --at heavy costs borne solely by publishers. Responsibilities of editor and publisher are legal fact, inpossible to push aside. At least one legal action in response to personal and professionally damaging statements made here is known to me personally. Tim responded to perversion of fact on the well-documented story re vet suicides. It is a matter of obvious fact that distortion of that story was attempted, with obvious intent to harm the channel. A previous distortion, on preceding story, drew content analysis application (from me) showing that it was also and obviously a meaningful and intentional distortion, whose only use was to make story seem inaccurate and even irrelevant--revealed by choice of language-used. That is "attack mode", pure and simple, recognizable by any editor, usually demanding detailed ID (as for Letters Column elsewhere) for any publication. To allow that to pass untouched here is to open door for further irresponsibility and entire lack of proper public accountability. That is precisely what leads to more legal response, when others are inevitably also injured by such irresponsible action via similar Comments. Yours originally put editor in unfair and unnecessary bad light, since no censorship nor other (implied) bad action towards this person was in fact undertaken; and strong effort over a reasonable time period was made to clarify the real S-N working situation for him. Any "opinion", to be at all meaningful with others, must go beyond personal feelings, political or otherwise, and build from real study and information, applied to shape and strengthen its conclusions with fact and documentation. That's what Moynihan says above; Chomsky adds further motivation demanded NOW as the 21st Century sweeps far beyond what our Founders supplied for us in their First Amendment, still the foundation well respected here by actual opportunity for all --on an "equal" basis for honest, factual statements made here.

"Unblvbl" February 17, 2008 5:38 pm (Pacific time)

To all: wow Henry, is that it? My point is, Tim vows to censor Jefferson based on his opinion. God, er, Science bless the democrates.

Henry Ruark February 17, 2008 2:40 pm (Pacific time)

It was my good fortune to work in Boston at United Press with a world/class editor named Hank Minott. First lesson he taught each and every one of his proteges, including several who became famous, was that "you don't just cover any story --you surround it with complete detail built in absolute accuracy." So you will forgive me if I add still another "see with own eyes" reference to this essential-statement thread: "Unequal Protection: Rise of Corporate Dominance and the Theft of Human Rights"; Thom Hartmann: ISBN 1-57954-955-1. Hartmann is founder and former head of SEVEN fully successful corporations; author of more than a dozen books; an international relief leader; and a psychotherapist, as well as a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. He can hardly be considered a "NON-DOER", nor an "academic", nor either a socialist or commie-adherent. He is no "girly boy" either, with three grown children. I understand his books have sold more than a million copies in both hard and paperback. "See with own eyes" and evaluate what he reports "with own brain", vs what has been foisted off on YOU by some in this channel, displaying their utter contempt both for your patience and your innate wit, wisdom, and will.

Henry Ruark February 17, 2008 11:15 am (Pacific time)

To all: Still further documentation on the continued malign intent and multiplying actions of the "noise machine" is found in: "Tentacles of Rage: The Republican Propaganda Mill, a Brief History"; Lewis Lapham; Harper's magazine, Sept. 2004. Lapham is famed longtime Editor, whose report is now a classic on this topic; neither he nor Harper's can very well be termed "socialistic" or in any way "commie-inclined", in view of decades of community and national service by many thousands of pages of strong materials well documented, with many leading citizens as writers on very diverse topics ranging across every level of political and social views. With ID to Editor, I'll send PDF of my copy to any truly interested S-N reader, despite its heavy notation and underlining, old editorial habit.

Henry Ruark February 17, 2008 10:42 am (Pacific time)

To all: For rapid review of the many "big lies" used by the Far Right wingers now strongly corrupting honest, open and democratic dialog, see: "Big Lies: The Right-Wing Propaganda Machine and How It Distorts the Truth:' Joe Conason; ISBN 0-312-31561-9. Most points he makes have been recently demonstrated right here in S-N, further multipled by incessant ad hominen attack, and careful avoidance of any pertinent factual references, thus most obviously open to "see with own eyes" checkout and "use own brain" evaluation. There are at least ten other similar volumes; full list, with review points from strong U.S. and international dailies, available on request to Editor Tim with ID. To repeat: The truth will set you free --if you can recognize it, appreciate it, understand it. We do our best here to aid you' but YOU must do the rest, starting with "see with own eyes" and use of YOUR brain, with due disregard for any propagandizing from any of the many complex sources today. Your Comments welcome to build, extend, strengthen, make effective this open and honest channel, reflecting opportunity to share and learn from others with diverse view points and life experiences.

Henry Ruark February 17, 2008 6:34 am (Pacific time)

Unblvbl: Yours proves up story and action re Jeff unmistakably. Tim has overriding moral, ethical, legal and business responsibilities ethically and courageously carried out. Those of you who refuse ID do so for fear of SOMEthing, NOT because of any action here, until and unless your own Comments prove up your own purposes beyond doubt. Your refusal of ID and usage of distortion, perversion, personal/professional attack, double-entendre and smearing words (some stolen from others so engaged elsewhere) is NOT fair mode and ethical action in an open, honest dialog channel, as established by Tim for professional service to the state and region. Irresponsible, anonymous attack on participants and thus the channel itself can never be tolerated; that is why most dailies demand ID before ANY publication is allowed -for self/protection. You protect and preserve this open opportunity by your respect and honor for the use of anonymity; it is only when you move beyond that into full attack-mode, known to be the pattern for "noise machine" attack on other similar open channels, that Tim must act as he has --and will continue to do. The other negatives thus arising come from abuse by the few, demanding that owners and operators of any channel must protect the many by any means reasonable and effective. That has now occurred here for Jeff, who undertook to lie for personal political purpose in the face of ongoing open publication of many repeated deleterious and personally offensive subterfuges for rational, reasonable response, allowed by Tim --whose very professional actions he then plainly defied, denied, denigrated and damaged by flat lie in response to Tim's documented statement. That is ongoing pattern and action of "noise machine" set up and paid for that purpose in billions of dollars by a few Far Right billionaires. Without ID here we have no way of knowing who is so acting and thus subverting the honest, open dialog opportunity we offer to all. Easy solution, if you have persuasive drive for what you truly believe in, write OWN Op Ed with all responsibility and accountability demanded, since such potent statement can hardly come from unidentified source with cloud of suspicion inevitably hanging over it for source and motivation. We offered Jeff that open opportunity many times, with stress on why it was needed for his particular approach. For me, this incident proves up precisely what Tim's report stated, and is part and strong particle of the ongoing attack strategy ("WIN at ANY cost, in ANY way possible" which is the known pattern for the "noise machine" known to stll be in full operation --and heavily responsible for some of the major issues and problems we now must face in this nation. "Free speech" carries with it responsibility and full accountability, as documented by many Supreme Court and full ethical studies from other sources make crystal clear, ever since the Constitution and the Bill of Rights emerged from open, honest,personal-ID signed-stuff dialog by the Founders. SO you are in grievious error, friend Unbelievable. IF you now understand, you owe TIM and the channel an open apology. If that is NOT your response then we must ask for whom you inserted your Comment, OR any documented, fully honest and rational, reasonable reference you can make to offsetting points in rebuttal to mine above. Your further response is welcome, but on that level and with the purpose of further clarification and strengthening for this open, honest "see with own eyes" and "use own brain" channel.

unbelievable February 16, 2008 4:25 pm (Pacific time)

So, Tim, you would ban another from doing the same thing you are doing? Wow, you ARE a fair minded reporter.

Henry Ruark February 16, 2008 4:12 pm (Pacific time)

To Ben et al: Dunno your definition of "liberal", but whatever it is you will NOT find true liberalism in the Gannett monopoly daily in Salem. If you will ID self to Editor, I will send you a selection of PDF documentation covering around 30 years of observation, from death of family-owned respectable paper on through to this debacle for the profession now.

Henry Ruark February 16, 2008 10:01 am (Pacific time)

To all: A lie is a lie is a lie...even if perpetrated for personal political purposes felt strongly due to mental aberration from any source or from any experience. The best possible antivirus vs any such confrontational encounters for malign personal purposes is the truth, however found, with checkable source and responsible, accountable presenter. The more one experiences the virulence of intentional distortion and sometime perversion, in many areas today, and from many malign sources, the more essential for democratic progress becomes the truth, receivable and testable by all in their own personal defense.

Henry Ruark February 16, 2008 7:36 am (Pacific time)

To all: Why choose Rochester, NY daily for edit here ? Paul Reid of Rochester Schools was Editor of leading national educational magazine, published in Chicago, 50,000 circulation, in business for 50 years. I wrote for him from Indiana Ed. D. program. He often wrote strong Op Ed materials on education for his home-city daily --this one. With his illness, I was then asked to act as Editor; after his death I became Editor in Chicago, moving "the book" up to 150,000 circulation in 3 years. This daily continued its long strong coverage of education all those years -- leading to my attention for this one, shared with you since I KNOW I can trust the source.

Henry Ruark February 16, 2008 7:17 am (Pacific time)

To all: Waterboarding as torture to extract almost-surely pain-avoiding erroneous information from prisoners has been a character issue here, connected to lying statements re its successful use. SO here's a small shot of "truth" as seen by a noted Eastern newspaper, widely respected in the profession: Another View: Mukasey and Waterboarding An editorial from the Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle, Feb. 1, 2008: "If the Bush administration harbors any hope that Attorney General Michael Mukasey will restore the good name of a Justice Department reeling from the tenure of Alberto Gonzales, it had better help him on the question of torture and permissible interrogation. "Right now, following withering examination this week by Democratic senators on the Judiciary Committee, Mukasey looks as confused and compromised on the issue of torture as Gonzales was. "He should have a clear directive from the president to condemn torture, to declare that waterboarding is not and will not be used in the questioning of detainees and prisoners, and in general to uphold the standards of humane interrogation. "It’s apparent from his remarks that Mukasey abhors waterboarding and, as an individual, considers it out of bounds. "But it’s also apparent that the White House is holding him back, requiring him to keep the military’s options open. . }Mukasey, like his predecessor, will continue to look like the micromanaged tool of the political White House until he takes a hard and unequivocal stand on torture and the treatment of prisoners." -- The Associated Press

Henry Ruark February 16, 2008 7:02 am (Pacific time)

To all: Truth often hurts,sometimes even those somewhat misguided in seeking it out. We all react from emotion often, as cognitive science is proving for us all. BUT fact still remains fact. It is an irrefutable fact, derived from real internal GOP documents, that the very questionable "we must win at any cost" attitude is still the driving force for far too many on the right --and that the responsible old GOP was long ago captured by that irresponsible faction now devoted to winning no matter what it costs the nation in blood, treasure, damage to democracy or anything else. Unless one is to throw out the best investigative reports from world-famed specialists, widely published here and even worldwide, one must accept that reality, as widely demonstrated at every level, including the Oregon Legislature, and driven in depth by "corporate campaign contributions". Personal bias cuts no ice and will not ever refute such factual reporting by those whose objective is the truth, no matter whose cake it may slice. When that is done, then we can move ahead to a return to what this nation once had, and needs again for 21st Century progress: Civil, probing, common sense and commonweal-derived full consideration, by honestly elected representatives, of the overwhelming problems and real issues we all must face, inevitable together, for our common good and the renewal of freedoms and choices for our progeny -- in few words, a democratic, honest, open dialog based on fact and full consideration, leading to the compromises which always drive effective political action. That is NEVER accomplished by determined and defiant confrontation, accompanied by distortion/perversion of known factual realities, no matter how rapid and facile it may be in response to the truth. Our Founders knew that from their decades-long exploration of philosophers and history; it was what guided them in what they accomplished, as our legacy. "See with own eyes" and the use of own brain is the best possible defense today --which is why we have relied on it here, and will continue so to do. No fear of repetition: "You pays your money, makes your choice of source, and must live with the unavoidable consequences." It's YOUR choice, YOUR once-democratic/republic nation, and YOUR life --..."if you can keep it", as canny old Ben Franklin put it.

Matt Johnson February 16, 2008 2:15 am (Pacific time)

Wow, this really rubs you republicans the wrong way doesn't it? Well maybe you should be thinking about the sore truth this article points to. If the shoe fits... you know the rest.

Anne February 15, 2008 11:27 pm (Pacific time)

The propaganda is nothing new, but if you can tolerate sifting through it there's a decent little gem of local news every once in awhile. And it appears there's been a recent change to the Staff list eliminating the site's most rabid and abusive commentator, so things ought to be improving drastically. Kudos on that change, S-N.

Ben February 15, 2008 8:39 pm (Pacific time)

It's obvious to me now that this is not a news site, but a propoganda site. I come to this site to read news about the Salem area. If I want to hear the Liberal slant, i'll read the Stateman Journal. Disappointing.

Anonymous February 15, 2008 8:16 pm (Pacific time)

Well Ebony, if you are one of the people addressed in this article then you probably are better off going somewhere else anyway. This article underscores how friggin' ridiculous the Republican party has become, it is nothing but the truth, so good luck.

Ebony February 15, 2008 7:20 pm (Pacific time)

I will no longer come to this website because of this article against republicans. Its obvious who you want your reader's to be.

Tim King February 15, 2008 6:06 pm (Pacific time)

Jefferson, are you actually refuting the statements that veterans are experiencing an alarming rate of suicides? Sir, I will remove all of your future comments if you bring this up again. YOU WILL NOT INFLUENCE OUR VISITORS WITH DIRECT LIES published for the sake of your politics. I mean it, this is nearly it for our relationship. Do not try to tell people these things, do not try to use this site as a platform to deliver false information to the public, there is a media group called fox doing that already, we won't be part of it. Perhaps I am reading your words wrong, or maybe you are trying to play a cruel joke on the good people who visit us for news. Neither the VA or any other group is suggesting that there has not been a tremendous problem nationwide involving veteran suicide related to PTSD. We need to be concerned and educated, not dumbed down with more BS.

To Janet, Lori B. and Henry: thank you for what you said. I agree 100% that there are fantastic people who are registered Republicans, my mom was one of them. This isn't about labeling, it isn't about telling people they are bad or wrong, it is about being real with ourselves and doing it for our children and for the sake of future generations. Ronald Reagan had good points too, but we Salemites know the wrath his terms brought to mental health funding and that is just one small aspect of his presidency that impacts so many thousands continually. The idea that we should have a stronger allegiance to a party than to our country itself is pure nonsense.

Janet February 15, 2008 5:43 pm (Pacific time)

Tim, Thank you for this article. As a conservative, it does speak some truth. The republicans have constantly tried to align themselves with Ronald Reagan. "I'm a Ronald Reagan Conservative" is everywhere. We don't need a Ronald Reagan. We need a candidate who can put party aside and work to better the country. This so called 11th commandment is ridiculous. Believing in someone just because of their party affiliation is not a rational basis for decision making.

Henry Ruark February 15, 2008 12:59 pm (Pacific time)

To all: Any such story generalizing re characteristics of any group is always open to exception. This one is no different; but the fact remains that cognitive science now is finding more and more evidence that some groups show much stronger tendencies towards language distortion and even use of perversion reflecting denial than others. Surely the ongoing steady flow of political comment encountered everywhere now makes that particular development of special interest. When one then allows --as must be done-- for capture of the old/reliable/responsible GOP by a combined cabal of those rejected in party action on both sides of the aisle, the reflection of realities in this story become that much stronger and much more credible. Evidence of the reality involved here is demonstrated in the surely politically biased description of Democrat action re the attempted Clinton impeachment,described in a major magazine article this week as "one of the most irresponsible distortions of a Constitutional power ever recorded in our history." Is that statement in and of itself a "politically-biased" one ? The ONLY sure way to find out is to check the most authoritative historians in their publications...and if one has already demonstrated extreme contempt for anything academic, that makes the result "unacceptable" to some if the finding of fact happens to run counter to their chosen perception --thus surely indicating that there may be some solid basis for what Dr. Chomsky and numerous others are now reporting from well-accepted experimental and lifestream research. Common sense reflects the view that there are those so devoted to what THEY believe to be "THE ONLY TRUE WAY" that they are unable to accept ANY other, no matter what the rational, reasonable, documented evidence may be. We see that fact of life demonstrated right here in this channel every day...so, "you pays your money and takes your choice" for where you wish to place your faith. Responsibility and accountability --and demonstrated, ongoing character, too-- should surely play a major role in that decision, not overlooking the special-interest motivations highly obvious, too.

Jefferson February 15, 2008 11:12 am (Pacific time)

Tim I recall some of my associates discussing this "gang-mentality" thing going back to the Senate debates when the democrats, no matter what the evidence, would not vote to remove Clinton, even though that evidence was beyond a reasonable doubt that he was guilty of offenses that warranted his removal. At least the US Supreme Court saw fit to disbar him from that court. Watching the so-called "steroid" hearings the other day I saw another gang mentality of those attacking Clemens. Was this a "gang-like" payback for his close ties to the Bush Family? A one million dollar hearing that has no force of law! I wonder if the House got wind that maybe al qaeda was trafficking in steroids, maybe then they would give these murdering terrorists more investigative attention? LOL I'm sure we could go back and find countless examples of "ganging-up" that has been along party lines, maybe that's just the nature of human behavior and what is antecedent for us to come together and create a civilization. Tim, as per a story I saw the other day regarding veteran suicide, as per the VA, suicide rates for returning veterans are no different than their civilian cohort. Note: This happened during the Vietnam War era also re: suicides and criminal rates. In the fullness of time when the data was peer-reviewed just the opposite of what the media reported was true, i.e. veterans had a lower rate than their civilian cohorts. Hopefully it will be the same way this time...myths (and misinformation) can be so counter-productive for society, especially for our veterans who are too often wrongly stereotyped.

EBA February 15, 2008 11:06 am (Pacific time)

Let's face it, there is NO one political group, gang, or other "association" that doesn't turn on each other or others. Democrats and Liberals are no different, every person is capable of greed! Oh yeah, if the Hells Angels find out you used an image of their colors (yes thats their 'old' patch but is still THEIR patch), they will sue this news agency (and win), just check their track-record!

Vic February 15, 2008 9:38 am (Pacific time)

Right On !

Lori B. February 15, 2008 9:06 am (Pacific time)

not ALL Republicans have that mind set as you indicated here. Your article is more or less one sided and I've yet to see any Republicans come out and say, "well gee, I was wrong about all this"

I'm a Republican and I can say without guilt that I'm ashamed that I voted for Bush's second term. I'm ashamed that Bush dragged all of us in the mud in front of the world and now it's going to be quite hard to redeem ourselves unless we vote for someone who's willing to take us out of the mud and start mending fences.

Henry Ruark February 15, 2008 8:28 am (Pacific time)

Beautifully stated,Tim...and right on the money (no pun !) too. The characteristic you illuminate so clearly here is one of the components of what Chomsky and other cognitive scientists have discovered and reported in recent years. There seems to be a common set of easily discoverable personality characteristics involved including denial of reality and determination to disembowel and do away with any opposition, however rational and responsible. Pogo puts it well with that line: "We have met the enemy and he is us..." --until we become politically informed and fully aware of realities in 21st Century life.

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Do Republican Politicians Have a Gang-Like Mentality?

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