October
2009
CRG wasn’t the 1st to Jump into Accusatory Politics
Once again, the group calling themselves “Citizens for Responsible Government” (CRG) is in the news and they’re busy vilifying members of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors.
CRG’s claim to fame has all been related to accusing others of wrongdoing and posturing itself as the white knight riding in to save the day but CRG didn’t exactly write the book on accusatory politics and they’re not unique.
In fact, Wisconsin has a long history of accusatory politics. In 1950, Wisconsin’s Republican Senator Joe McCarthy impugned the character of many good people. Careers were destroyed and even peoples ability to make a living was hurt for fear of an employer associating with those that McCarthy slandered. Eventually McCarthy was exposed as a cruel fraud who refused to offer any proof for his accusations.
Unfortunately his spirit is alive and well in politics today.
But before even the rise of McCarthyism, America’s first anglo settlers burned people at the stake that they believed to be witches. This past week, a CRG supporter shoved a woman who as peacefully protesting a CRG rally. The CRG assailant then knocked another man to the ground.
World history is rife with people making baseless accusations and actually earning the respect of followers. But whether it is the Salem Witch Trials, the rise and fall of McCarthyism, or today’s ravings from CRG, America will have to deal with liars and scoundrels who care little for the truth. What matters to them is only whether their supporters and their beliefs are being represented. The end, apparently, justifies the means.
Jim McGuigan
Uncategorized
Jim:
Why not report and examine what Halloway actually said about CRG and Walker? It seems that calling them klansmen and David Duke is a little closer to the tactics of Mc Carthy and Judge Hawthorne than one would like to admit.
As far as “What matters to them is only whether their supporters and their beliefs are being represented” goes–I’d hope so.
Are you seriously complaining that CRG is being unfairly treated? Why would anyone care? Crocodile tears.
For most people, at least most people with ethics, taking the actions that CRG has taken would fall outside of what is ethically and morally acceptable. The ends do not justify the means.
I know how you lke to avoid the substance of things, but I was wondering if you would address the substance of what Halloway said. I assume you looked at those comments, saw that they were offensive as I claimed, but couldn’t twist words well enough to justify them.