I understand that Lefty Blogs has delisted Howling Latina. And other supposedly Democratic blogs are dropping the site from their blogrolls. The reason? Howling Latina is a proud advocate of PUMA. She dares to be a dissenting voice.
I thought the Democratic Party was a big tent. Have we gotten so out of whack that we only want to hear from the people we agree with? Heck, if that were the case, I’d be removing a pile of blogs from my blogroll – and don’t assume that the list would only be Republican ones.
When we start down the path of censoring the voices within our party, there is little that separates us from the Republicans. If your sensibilities are offended by those with whom you disagree, there is a simple answer: don’t read them.
Individual blog operators have the right to do whatever they want with their blogrolls. But I disagree with the decision by Lefty Blogs to remove Howling Latina because to do so, is an attempt to silence someone. (And we’ve seen plenty of that over at Blogger.)
It’s just not right. And because it’s my blog, I’ll continue to keep Howling Latina listed.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Eh, there’s a self-righteousness about some of these folks making proclamations about de-listing that’s tasteless. And let’s be honest: a lot of Democrats who are Obama supporters are every bit as tasteless as Mimi. None of us deserve to be commended today. None of us occupies enough moral highground to be in a position to praise or condemn in the first place.
Mimi got to express her opinion. Others got to express theirs. The two opinons are by their very nature irreconcilable because there’s no middle ground. So this isn’t praise worthy or even note worthy. This is just the way it has to work out.
I think you left out a line,
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up, because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for the kinda nuts HRC dead-enders who posted lewd and disgusting caricatures of the party’s nominee, and called other Democrats vile names, and made false accusations, and refused to accept the results of a fair democratic process long after their preferred candidate had already bowed out,
and I didn’t speak up, because I am a sane and rational person who believes in democracy.
“Quoting sources like WorldNetDaily because they suit your needs is not progressive.”
What difference does it make what the source is? (That is known as an ad hominem attack — attacking the source of the information in an effort to show that the information is false, rather than actually finding evidence that contradicts the information provided by the source in question. If they quote something that is untrue, then post the truth, with your sources.
One little aside, Vivian, when have the Republicans “[censored] the sources within [their] party”? It seems that it was those dissenting voices in the Republican Party that derailed Harriet Meyers and the Amnesty for Unlawful Immigrants bill (McCain-Kennedy). Many voices in the Republican Party also railed against the Prescription Drug benefit, too, though not as effectively.
MB,
I don’t think you should express approval as a reason to link.
On my favorites tab, I have “Bearing Drift”. I’m a Democrat but often find their “dissenting” voice to be interesting.
I don’t read things that I just agree with. There have been many credible criitiques of Barack Obama that give credence to the dissenting opinion. These are done using empirical evidence and facts, not lies, insults, and smears.
Hell, I don’t even think Ben @ NLS has crossed a line this far.
I’m not sure I understand you then, ProudVADem. Does your link to BearingDrift mean you condone the behavior of their resident clown?
No, she said it’s on her favorites bar. It just means she doesn’t want to have to type it out each time.
Thanks Spotter!
I don’t have a blog, thus no blogroll.
Like a broken clock that is right twice a day, even Bearing Drift gets it right once in awhile.
Ah. Thank you. That answers half the question, anyway.
Silence,
I agree and I have not been afraid to rip anyone who makes (or made for that matter) personal attacks against the great Senator from NY.
Trust me, my right wing brother and I had a VERY heated Thanksgiving discussion when he chose to make unfair and crude remarks about HRC. I have and wiil defend her as I will any Democrat.
As far as I’m concerned, both side crosse the line several times during the primary and it ticked me off. Thankfully, this is now over and we can look towards November.
Like Larry Flynt- Mimi can say whatever the hell she wants. The first ammendment is a great thing. Her blog is in the same sewer as Flynts magazine as far as I’m concerned.
This is a tempest in a teapot.
I don’t pretend to know why Mimi Schaeffer felt obligated to burn her bridges once Hillary Clinton lost the nomination, but she did. Mimi has repeatedly attacked and insulted every supporter of Barack Obama. That was her choice. She has done everything she can do to offend, and she finally succeeded.
That was her intention Vivian, she meant to offend. Who is she to complain that some of us have taken offense? Why are you so upset on her behalf? This is what she intended.
Many of us no longer care to associate with her. Period. Those who want to continue associating with her, well that’s their right.
It’s as simple and American as this: everyone do what they want to do.
Sean – your post @6:09 got hung up in my spam filter.
Can somebody please tell me how Lefty Blogs became aware of the graphic when it is a text-only site?
Howling Latina was delisted because she ran a profanely racist cartoon on her site. She can support whoever she wants in the upcoming election. And she can promote racism to her heart’s content. What she cannot do is expect the support of the progressive blogging community when she promotes medieval notions of racial heirarchy.
The Richmond Democrat,
I fully sympathize with your point of view, but I have to back up Vivian on this one. I am bending over backward to approach Mimi in the spirit of friendship and understanding. I don’t actually believe that what’s in her heart is represented by this hateful tantrum, but only time will tell. Until then, I still will call her a friend and will wait to see what she will do.
Skepticalbrotha,
As I said before, everyone should do what they want to do. But let’s not pretend that Mimi Schaeffer is some poor, innocent victim who was blind-sided by her de-listing. Two months ago Mimi embarked on a systematic campaign against not only Barack Obama, but also anyone who supported him. Mimi deliberately set out to offend and create hard feelings among Democrats. She did so with malice in her heart. She has drawn precisely the reaction she hoped to.
I will be interested to see if you can make sense of her behavior, but for myself, I prefer not to associate with her in the future.