Max
I just saw your piece on the Huffington blog, sent by a
friend, to me.
Great work.
Of course, the ‘gonzo’ journalism style is going to get
you in trouble, unless you do a little smart work first:
print some official I.D. cards, and laminate them,
and lanyard them.
They do not have to be untrue, just official looking.
And badges; a trophy store will make official Max Blog
badges for small money.
These things will stop petty security, until they get
official reports that you are not authorized.
Keep up the good work
Brilliant video. However your strategic mistake was in
choosing interpretive dance as your medium. Had you
brought along some drummers and done a rhythm tap number,
you would have gotten the whole room engaged. Remember:
RHYTHM is ORGANIZING.
Some folks inherit
star spangled eyes,
Ooh, they send you down to war.
And when you ask them,
“How much should we give?”
They only answer “More! More! More!”
Max,
Great stuff. Really great stuff. I am really sick of the “fightin’ over there” crap that these kids are becoming saturated with. And the “our God is better and bigger than their God.”
Whenever someone gives me the Islamofascism thing, I refer them to that crazy Baptist preacher/church in Kansas that harasses families at soldiers’ funerals. Is that Baptistmofascism?
I LOVE the Tom DeLay comparason between abortion and immigration. What a leap! 40,000 aborted babies if had they grown up would counter immigration….amazing. No, they probably would be 40,000 more people on the welfare rolls and collecting social security. So that should have made him happy.
What an awesome video. It truly exposes the hypocrisy of republicans – lead by the president and vice president. If you are unwilling to serve, shut up about fighting “them” anywhere.
Great stuff. Congrats for such brave work in the belly of the best. I confronted Bush at a private fundraiser once (alone), so I know how scary Republicans can be!
This is genius… you’re my hero! You should come to Florida to help ambush those legislators that support the bill that would ban gay marriage in Florida.
As a Gold Star wife who visits Arlington National Cemetery with my little girl, to see “Daddy’s Spot,” - and as a longtime Republican, this video just makes me hurt. Absolutely excellent, excellent, excellent. I’m going to chat about this on my radio show today, and probably for a long time. Way to keep it real.
Amazing how many college age kids aren’t “fit” for the military…
You need to ask them why the series of attacks in England
were perpetrated by home grown terrorists… No one “followed
anyone home”. These were Doctor’s and other professional people.
Max, you should be very proud of yourself, you did a great job. I can tell all the hard work paid off. I think with each video you’re turning into a first-rate documentarian and satirist.
Max… what a nice job! I like the juxtaposition of fallen
troops vs. lost souls at the Sheraton. These college guys…
sure their snark is rough around the edges, their
mastery of verbal jousting is years away, and they didn’t
see you coming! But it’s clear these guys are the soldiers
primped to fight on the wrong side of tomorrow’s war on
truth.
Can you believe Tom DeLay? Apparently, employers have been
forced to break the law by hiring cheap mexican laborers
because Americans aborted fetii that might have otherwise
developed into an exploitable underclass?
Wow, you’re a brave soul, Max. Those Republicans remind me of those brainwashed Northh Koreans who worship Kim Jong-Il no matter what they do to them, although they’re doing it by choice. That said, I do worry if the left might someday turn into that sort of fact-deficient cult.
I caught your video on C&L, very good stuff. I am a veteran of the Iraq War/Occupation and a grad student at Univ. of IL. I would love to have an open debate with that one Repuke that you showed on the video from my University. The only thing is I don’t think he would be packing a big enough lunch! Thanks, you made my day.
They support the troops and espouse patroitism and pride on behalf of their country.
And you hate them for that.
I’m a combat decorated Marine and I ask what have you done to contribute to defeating those that would cut your throat?
You make snide little films–what a big man.
Very interesting - more of the “Support OUR Troops” crowd!
Like Cheney, Rummie, Condi, Paul W., (Bush?) not one
of them is serving / has served the County in uniform!
Just gotta love those College deferments; just gotta
love those College Republicans.
I say: BRING BACK THE DRAFT - NOW…
Because, while everyone just has to have a RIBBON -
not many are really willing to walk their talk -
especially NOT Republicans - College-age or older !
Max -
Saw the video on TPM. I just came here to give you the highest possible praise for using the Funkadelic song in the intro. Very appropriate for the subject matter, and sufficiently obscure to have lurkers leave a comment(!)
does tom delay really say that? surely i misheard?:
“If you don’t believe abortion affects you, I contend it affects you in immigration. If we had those forty million children that were killed over the last thirty years, we wouldn’t need the illegal immigrants to fill the jobs that they are doing today.”
Hey Max, that was a GREAT job!! I didn’t want to
watch your video at first, just in case there
was some kind of a log-on “counter” which would
incorrectly register my “hit” as an endorsement.
But I’m glad I did watch, because you have successfully
converted me. I found myself agreeing with you, 110%.
I only wish that our dreams could come true, and
the US government would start keeping their noses out
of everyone’s business. Let’s start by pulling the plug
on Israel, and saving a few bucks! After all, we only help countries that have natural resources to offer us, right? Then when they
start getting annihilated by everyone in the middle east,
we can sit from afar, and say; “hey! not “our” problem…”
Max,
congrats. Loved It, Loved It, Loved It.
Keep up the Good work. I will Post this,
You should send a Copy to MsNBC Keith Olberman,
I would love to see mainstream America’s reaction
to this….
A Fan Forever
It truly is amazing. The Republicans in my generation are racist, spoiled, rich, and fucking stupid. If Bush-loving, Dick Cheney-style pussies is the future face of the Republican Party than they stand no chance.
Excellent job Max….I give this one an A…(TBA was a B- and CPAC was an A+)
Lmao..The funniest part was the “Congratulations! You’re not gay!!”
I always carry Army recruitment brochures with me, as well
as the local recruitment station’s phone number whenever I
attend rallies. Walking over to pro-war members and
offering pamphlets and asking them to call the local
station to enlist always elicits interesting responses.
Support the war! Enlist!
Matt ! Where have you been, buddy? Since your literary
style represents the rhetoric from the vast majority
of mainstream liberals, your absence on this blog has indeed, been
“deafening.” In fact, this blog has been so
vulgarity-free, that I was beginning to wonder if Max had
installed some high-tech “embarassment” filters to exclude
your element, but I’m glad to FINALLY see that this IS
an all-inclusive blog. You need to start gathering up
some of your buddies, bring them here and get busy
posting, because the faux-intellectual liberal debates happening
here is not a true reflection of your party. Now don’t
get too crazy with that word “party;” you know which
definition of “party” I’m talking about, big guy…
Just when I was beginning to miss the “post your thoughts”
threads on AOL, you stepped in here to fill that void.
I kinda miss writing an “essay” pertaining to our need to be in Iraq,
and getting the 1,000 typical, liberal responces of:
“Oh yeah Bushie, well fuck-off and die.”
Things were so much simpler then.
I’m impressed at your social hacking skills, getting
people to give their honest beliefs in front of a
camera. I hope a career as a successful investigative
journalist is ahead of you!
Great video! Would they have kicked you out had you not started your interpretive dance? Oh btw, I think the quote you pulled from DeLay was on Olbermann tonight….
I just watched it on YouTube then came over here. Excellent. No wonder they don’t want you filming them. Their stupidity is their worst enemy. Just show them as they are.
I agree with your thesis, but I honestly didn’t feel like the video was convincing on any of the ways it tried to support its statement. You asked people point blank why they weren’t serving if they supported the war, and one of the first people shown responding in your video hit the nail on the head when he replied, “I don’t think you can’t talk about this issue if you’re not serving.”
If you instead support the immediate withdrawl of the troops, does that mean you can be expected to be ready to pick them up tomorrow at the airport to give them a lift home?
I just didn’t find as much oomph as expected on the follow-through.
Brilliant. I always thought interpretative dance was legal?
Keep up the good work. There is an incredible disconnect between these images in their heads versus what is REAL. It might be interesting to really delve into this in a future vidoe.
The Tom Delay line is priceless. Even more incredible is that he probably really believes that…
As sad as the political landscape is in the US,
it´s always nice to see it just takes one witty
person to reveal the absurdity of this nobrain
opportunist gibberish.
…any of you guys will always be welcome as asylum
seekers in my place. Just in case you lose your
country to the rule of Idiocracy.
Like whoa Lizard, “dude”. You should really learn how to write “coherently” and not over-use “quotes” to no purpose. I think you know what quotes I’m talking about.
While it was regretful you were removed from the conference, I don’t think the interpretive dance helped your cause. If you want people to treat you like a respectable member of the media, then report the facts and turn the camera away from you and onto your subjects.
Not everyone is cut out to be in the military and for those “Cheney’s” out there with better things to do, I encourage them to do it. The establishment of the warrior class post hunter-gather to agrarian-farming shift afforded people the opportunity to specialize in various skills and fields of knowledge. Let the politicians politic. Leave the fighting to free men.
Max,
So simple and so true. These wankers - and that includes the illiterate Lizard - should be holding their convention in a sandbox full of toy soldiers. At the end of the day (a phrae that means nothing when so often uttered by these children and their leaders before spewing a talking point) they could go home to mommy to get their noses wiped and get tucked into bed, so they can come back to play again tomorrow.
Max,
So simple and so true. These wankers - and that includes the illiterate Lizard - should be holding their convention in a sandbox full of toy soldiers. At the end of the day (a phrase that means nothing when so often uttered by these children and their leaders before spewing a talking point) they could go home to mommy to get their noses wiped and get tucked into bed, so they can come back to play again tomorrow.
Great doc but… Pleaseeeee!!!!
Do not make the same mistakes as others (like old Moore) and avoid crazy acts… :/
It just ruined the most important part (the ending) of the doc and allow critics to dismiss you.
The ending is what stays in the mind, and the crazy dance is not a good idea at all.
Keep it sober and simple; these guys don’t need any extra antics to show how hypocrites they are.
Avoid any theatrical acts and your docs will be perfect.
That was the most pointed representation of the hypocrisy of modern conservatism that I’ve ever seen. “Everyone feels gay at some point, but God saves them.” That guy is undoubtedly on track for a nomination for national office. Thank you for shooting this video.
I strongly believe it is right for my garbage to be picked up every Wednesday. But I’m not going to get a job as a garbage man.
I strongly believe that my septic tank should be cleaned every couple o f years. But I’m not going to do it myself.
I strongly believe that raving lunatic murders waving guns around the shopping mall should be stopped and arrested, but I’m not going to become a cop.
The “chickenhawk” argument is lame and doesn’t make sense. Just because I personally don’t want to be a soldier doesn’t mean that I can’t want our military to do things for the country..
Just to say, from portugal, that i posted the vídeo on my blog.
Excellent work, specially the part of permormancing dance.
And as a portuguese i can only feel sorry and sadness for the
health problems that the american youth is experiencing.
It´s very disturbing and prevents one from doing long trips by
plain to visit exotic contries in the world.
Very sad, indeed.
And it was in that spirit that you, MAX, did this story, to try
calling attention and alert the american people for the deeply
underprevileged young republican americans in college.
Their absolut suffering.
One of the american classes most damaged by the politics
of your president.
Really great stuff Max. The un-gay part reminded me of
something I read by David Rackoff.
“The protestors held signs that read ‘Adam and Eve- not
Adam and Steve.’Adam and Steve? Of course not. Never Adam
and Steve. It’s Adam and Steven.”
I just saw this video at YouTube and had to come find your
website. You did an excellent job. Those people are
brianwashed beyond believe.
Just think, those same idiots might be our guards at the
Fema Camps.
I enjoyed this video and you really didn’t show anything new. However, I do applaud the actual effort you put into going out there and actually filming some of these interviews. Bravo. You gotta love how they support it all the way up to their own lives, it’s just incredible. They support putting everyone else’s lives in danger except their own.
I am a very strong opponent of this “war” (is it really a war at this point?), but don’t get me wrong–I would defend the country if it needed defending. Fighting someone on the opposite side of the planet for a little bit of oil in the desert isn’t exactly something I consider defending our country.
Regardless, the more that kids such as these get into power, the worse off the US will be. Our standard of living will end up crashing down at some point and I definitely await to see what the actual catalyst to that will be.
There are a couple of areas where the US is trailing foreign nations the only question is when will it actually affect us?
-We trail leading nations on internet and technology.
-We trail other nations in healthcare.
-We trail other nations on providing educated workers to the job industry.
-Our dollar is falling in value fast and the Euro is worth far more.
-We trail other nations in biomed research.
So the question is, will it happen with oil pricing? Will another country discover a cure to a major disease before us? Will our technology leaders move offshore to provide goods and services to other, growing nations where they can drastically increase their profits?
It will be an interesting coming 20-30 years for me for sure
This is a fantastic and necessary piece of filmmaking.
However: I think you detract from the message somewhat with the Karate Kid schtick.
It’s one thing to point out the wild inconsistencies and internal contradictions of
Repulican thinking, but quite another to engage in outright mockery.
Which isn’t to say that I disagree with the sentiment! I’m just worry that interpretive
dance antics undercut the message and make it far easier to dismiss.
Hey Mr. Blumenthal, great piece. Humor is a great way
to deliver a message. Unfortunately, as we have
witnessed by incidents such as Colbert being invited
to speak in front of the W, we now understand that
the segment of population which is so dogmatic simply
cannot reach conclusions for themselves. Thus, the point
is lost with them, and they just feel picked on. The media
in general often fails to provide the conclusion for
the more dense brained. For example, WHY is it funny
that these people can’t justify their positions? Does it
make them hypocrits? Does it insinuate that they don’t
understand the full cost of what their advocating? Does it
mean they don’t care if they’re wrong? Does it mean they
prioritizing personal interests (pandering to Repubs
for a job) over moral honesty? Nonetheless I give your
piec an A +, and will be circulating it. Have a great
career!
The choir will understand these conclusions, which is why
about half the population thinks Sicko is funny, because
they get the unstated premise.
Matt, great little video. You inspired me to do a blog entry on it about the marriage of fear and conservatism that runs through the history of authoritarian movements. Take a look here.
Lizard, don’t you know that we’re supporting Israel in order to stop the march of Islamofascism? It’s part of our strategery of containment by keeping Islam out of our Judeochristian holy land.
That kid whom The Lord struck the gay from was completely spot on with his analysis. If a straight man like him can’t marry someone of the same sex, gay men shouldn’t either.
Why get to the cause of these yahoos? The moneymachine needs mouthpieces, so much the better then they are are
the better when the are demonstarbably stupid. As if that ever stopped anyone’s career. Useful idiots afetr all is a modern e
Why get to the cause of these yahoos? The moneymachine needs mouthpieces, so much the better when they are stupid. They will go far. I suppose Rome burning was entertaining but do we have to watch?
Unless the distain for government is transformed, we can only expect worse. I just don’t see why you should be a clown too.
The black guy in the red shirt. . . set my “gaydar” warning off. Not only is he balck and republican, but probably a closeted homosexual (why not go all the way if you’re in denial).
great video, very brave of you, but if it’s two years old,
it might be good to make that clear. the people who
pointed me to it are mistakenly presenting it as though it
just happened.
but it’s hard to believe young republicans are up to the
exact same tricks (watching tom delay, empty rhetoric on
iraq) two years later. actually, no it isn’t hard to
believe.
Hey Max, since I added the video 2 days ago it’s gotten well over 5,000 hits and tons of comments. This one comment I thought I’d copy here for you to see:
“tom500k (5 hours ago) Marked as spam
As someone who did medical research in Iraq for the Canadian Branch of the Noble Peace Prize recipient, IPPNW and as member of the Iraq Peace Team, I want to congratulate you for this brilliant video!”
Lizard,
You really need a life, your obsession here is making you look like the ass you are.
Well, couple this with the Washington City Paper’s http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=2008&page=&comments=show&state=commented and the
Alternet’s http://www.alternet.org/story/57001 and I’m going to have to stop trying to say that the lazy, immature, chickenshit attitude of the Republican party is a series of isolated incidents based on the personalities of the people interviewed. I mean, just because all the Repugnicans I’ve ever met have been this way doesn’t mean they all are…. oops, looks like it’s a widespread problem.
Well, a 4 out of 5. A bit strident at the closing, sometimes it is better to let the message stand on its own merits without attempting to jack it up with final summatiion. This was one of those times.
BJ, I’m just trying to give Max the “warm kudos” that
he deserves, little buddy! Look, Max reamed ‘us’
a “new one,” fair and square. How an adult liberal
was able to successfully dupe some conservative
high school kids, with a few parlor tricks, is beyond
comprehension. Plain and simple, those damned kids
just dropped the ball there for those few minutes
by assuming that Max was a genuine human being.
And you know what happens when we “assume?”–yuck,
yuck, yuck. Anywhooo, I’m just trying to recognize
a true liberal icon. Any adult liberal who can swindle
some kids, deserves the “Nobel Prize” that you’re
aligning him with. Max is truely on the cerebral
envelope of deep-thinking for your liberal causes.
I’m just worried that the big guy is going to climax
his career too soon. This movie is dangerously close
to the pinnacle of liberal capability; he’s simply
setting the bar too high. Well, I guess he does have to
make up for some lost time. After all, he missed
an opportunity to interview Ronald Reagan on the Alzheimer’s
ward, and then claim that he’s “smarter” than a conservative
president! There might be something left; maybe you guys
can help him work on that whimpy persona of his?–he did
look genuinely scared when they were escorting him out!
You need to help him toughen up his image. Maybe you
could send him on a hunting trip at the Metropolitan
Zoo, then claim that he’s a “master sportsman?” !!!
Toodles…
#5,7,8. Hey guys, this is kinda’ urgent here..
Would one of you be so kind as to disclose the age
of Max, and of the average poster on this blog?
Crimany-sakes !!.. The last thing I want right now, is
to be accused of lurking on kiddie sites!
Max, your video has me fired up! These punks are the
epitome of the chicken hawk/chicken shit repug culture,
and I’m ready to get it on with these pukes!! I wish
I could physically encounter these pussies, so I could get
in their face and tell them: You support this fucking
war? Then sign up and GET SOME of it!! But they are
following in the footsteps of their Dear Leader, the
Chimpenfuhrer - they can talk tough, but they’re no-shows
when the call goes out for signing up.
I’m a retired Marine grunt officer, living on Okinawa,
and my conclusion is that maybe 1 in 10 of these pukes
could even make it through any of the services’ Officer
Candidate School training. If their collective excuse
right now is that they are college students, then fine:
get their degrees and THEN SIGN UP FOR OCS in the
service of their choice. They all should leaping at the
chance to serve in a leadership position in this global
war against islamo-fascism. If they really have the
‘nads, then they’ll sign up for a combat arms slot in
the U.S. Army or Marine Corps. And if their balls are
in the extra-large size category, then they’ll insist
that they be given an infantry officer MOS upon graduation
from OCS. But you and I both realize that none of these
punks will ever make that choice.
Fucking repug pukes — GET SOME OR SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!
I am amazed you aren’t getting more comments. Your video is everwhere. I have to laugh at “lizard”, the troll. Obviously, you struck a nerve.
BTW, lizard old boy, these aren’t “high school” kids. They are all in college. If you didn’t notice, they are your best and brightest. That’s saying something, champ.
I’ve got to second the nomination of the big guy saying he was definitely “not gay” as the highlihgt. I blew a shot of pepsi through my nose on that one.
That’s some tight shit, dog. It takes chops to fly under the radar like that, and the material you got is very good. Keep bringing the high production-values, and I have no doubt your work will find an increasingly wide audience.
What you losers fail to recognize is that there ALREADY
are a bunch of Republicans over there. Pol breakdown in
the armed services is probably 10-1 Repub to Dem.
Don’t forget too that there was and always will be a draft
exemption for college students, so they don’t even need
an excuse. It’s the equivalent of your running to Canada.
Max, this site is FANTASTIC! You’ve got a LOTTTTTT of short-witted sycophants to post to your site, and I think that’s terrific. I hope none of the people on this site spend any time depending on the police, or the fire department, or any other Civil Service vocation that may require those in the service to give their lives in their efforts. because, according to the “Chickenhawk” label, one has to be in support of a war, but not in support enough to volunteer to go off to war.
It’s such a ridiculous idea that, in order to support a just cause for war, we have to also enlist in the war to fight it personally. we all want to fight the war on crime, the war on drugs, but I bet none of the people posting here (save for the anecdotal one or two antiwar policemen or firefighters) are fighting THOSE fights.
But, at the end of the day, all of you speak from a position of political weakness–I’m glad there are still a few people left in washington with balls in their pants to want to fight Al Qaeda. I don’t agree with how the war is going–but it’s stupid to bring them home. we need a change of direction, of strategy, in Iraq. We don’t need to just give up.
SUBLIME!!
EXCELLENT!!
College Republicans haven’t an original thought in their
collective heads. “…We’re fighting them there…”
If I have to hear that rediculous peice of drivel again
my ass will fall off.
The levels of cowardice and circular logic is
awe-inspiring.
Sorry, but your video just reminded me why I’ve dumped a whole lot of left-wing blogs from my regular-check list.
You begin with a stroll through Arlington. Doesn’t that make you as unprincipled an opportunist as anyone else building reputations on the bodies of the dead?
You denigrate an entire cohort with silly or misguided comments from a few.
You got yourself hustled out of the place — as nearly as one can tell from the edited version of the video — primarily for playing the fool. (For similar behavior, you’d have been booted from more than Young Republican meetings.)
You present no data, not even speculation, that you’d have found more noble or heroic behavior and comments from a group of similarly-well-off young Democrats.
Sure, those are the Republicans of the future, some of whom may turn out no better than Bush or Wolfowitz. But if you are the future of journalism, that too is bad news.
And just out of curiosity, have you served in the military? If so, you ought to have indicated it; if not, you ought to keep your mouth shut.
I’d ahve to say the ending where they literally, physicically push you out of the room was the most shocking part to me. “Of course, we’re not going to physically make you leave” YEAH RIGHT! Thanks for exposing these meetings fo what they are: the antithesis of what they say they support..
Great video man, very cleverly done. One comment, I love the narration but ease off on the Michael Moore impression. It sounds like you are actually trying to mimic Moore’s voice and manner of speech. I found that distracting and it somewhat compromised what could be a very powerful little video.
It’s a fairly decent video, but you interviewed far too many high school’ers. High school’ers are the definition of “clueless” regardless of party-affiliation. Some of them were so naive that they didn’t even realize you were blatantly insulting them.
Lizard I’m going to call you Elizabeth…Do you mind if I call you that?
To me you sound like a deeply angered, middle-aged conservative woman with a horrible sex life and a lack of self confidence.
But anyway, I’m glad you missed me!
I’ve come to the conclusion that trying to engage in political dialogue with someone claiming to be a “conservative” that still hasn’t figured out there was never a connection between Saddam and 9/11 is really just a waste of my time. Like those idiots in the video. Maybe that’s why I added some swear words? Or maybe I just swear a lot and I don’t think it’s a big deal? I dunnno!
But Max stuck to his calm vibe and kept it strictly on the topic of humorous questions when talking to them. I’m sure (after reading Max in the past) that he could have easily slammed all of their “argument’s” apart, but it would have required facts and honesty and trying to get facts and honesty out of a college Republican is just an impossible task.
You missed writing an essay on our need to be in Iraq? Well that sucks I guess…
If they made sense I suppose me and Preston would miss them…But they don’t!
Sorry Elizabeth!
Ooo, Elizabeth! I actually like that one than the nickname I gave him: Lizzie. I’ve grown tired of responding to Lizzie; I’ve learned in the past that it’s nearly impossible to reason or even hold a conversation with a far-right bigot. His hatred and obsession with Max has become quite creepy, to say the least. I know if I were Max I would ban his ass, especially for those hateful, Anti-Semitic remarks he continues to sprew with pride.
Yet, deep down inside, I feel sorry for poor ol’ Lizzie. When someone thinks that Ms. Skeletor herself, i.e. Ann Coulter, is hot (I can’t even see Rosie O’Donnell herself chasing after her) then all attempts to reason with this person in a debate flies completely out of the window.
Yeah I know how this works Preston..You libs wrap
yourself in the American flag when you hurl out
the most putrid, bile, anti-Christian hate-mongering
remarks-which these archives are “chock-full-of”-
then you recoil into a fetal position and pull out your
“anti-defamation-minority-carte-blanche-free-pass
card,” crying “ban the bigot, blah,blah” when someone challenges you. Suddenly,
the people of “tolerance” become the people of
“censorship.” I disagree with almost everything you
and Max stand for..notice the word “almost”..
but I don’t becry your eradication. I WANT people to
see the whacked antics of Max trampling on graves at
Arlington and such, so that ALL can view your
eccentricity and start second-guessing their judgement
on supporting this disrespect of unparelleled
magnitude.
Advice: If you’re so thin-skinned that you become
this volitile when challenged, maybe you should
find someplace a little less stressful to hang out;
say..like a model car chatroom or something.
Lizard, I’m gonna keep it real with you: I don’t agree with censorship. In fact, as a college student studying film—someone who considers himself pretty cynical against the world—I do not agree with censoring people whom I disagree with when my own politics on various issues are sacrilegious. I bring up me being a film student because I know how important it is as an artist to express oneself veraciously. Hey, I think the film “Birth of A Nation” is quite disgusting when viewing the minstrel portrayal of blacks as subhuman creatures; however, looking pass Griffith’s racism, and judging the film by its technical craft, i.e., editing, composition, continuity, etc., the film is aesthetically a work of art, and I wouldn’t advise anyone to censor the film for fearing it would offend. I feel the film is an important moment not only in film history—being that it’s the first narrative film—but also it’s important because it shows us how misguided and poisonous a person’s racism such as Griffith’s can be when using film as insidious propaganda.
Thus, I don’t agree with censoring people whom I disagree with politically. Yet your knee-jerking comments and verkrampte behavior, where you hatefully brought up Max’s ethnicity to disparage him and others who are Jewish, was very wrong, Lizard; if you’re really the Christian you say you are, then even you have to admit your attacks against him were racist. Stating how Max and his people are ungrateful Americans, and if they don’t like it here, they should go back it Israel—how is that challenging one’s argument or opinion? That was an ad hominem attack against Max that had nothing to do with his video or the topic at hand. You have become obsessed in degrading Max and your remarks does not advance or enrich the conversations here; you say things just to for the sake of creating cause célèbres. That’s a troll.
Sure, your rationalization for attacking Max is that he solicits “anti-Christian hate-mongering remarks” to the masses. But, Lizard, we’ve been over this repeatedly and it just doesn’t register with you: Max criticizes The Christian Right, which, in my opinion, is a complete bastardization and regressive form of Christianity. Are you aware there are some Christians themselves who aren’t fans of “The Christian Right” and find their fascist tactics to flush out any form of secularism and science in our country despicable? You haven’t pointed to a single article of Max’s that proves he trashes Christians as a whole, and your failure to contradistinguish between The Christian Right and Christianity is myopic and lazy.
Your entire argument is sophistry. For example, David Horowitz on his website FrontPage writes some of the most racist things imaginable against blacks, to where it rivals Dinish D’Sousa’s and Charles Murray’s racist work. Now, David is Jewish like Max, but do you think I’m going to take a nutcase like David and say he’s the exemplification of how ALL Jews feel towards people of my race and they should all go back to Israel? Or we could look at this another way: Khallid Muhammad, Louis Farrakhan, Steve Cokely and Len Jeffries are all Anti-Semites, but it would be just as disingenuous and lazy to say these crackpots represent the “black community’s” hatred towards the Jews. Therefore, if Max was/is a Christian bigot, what does that have to do with the whole Jewish Community and Israel? Do a few represent all and everyone must be punished when someone out of their “clan” steps out of line? To me your remarks are the equivalent of people saying that I should shut-up about racism and be grateful that I’m living in America, because in Africa I would not have such luxury (completely ignoring the fact my people been here since the 1600s and helped made America the great superpower it is today). Again, Lizard, your argument is mere sophistry.
In closing, I do feel sorry for you, Lizard, because I don’t think you’ll ever resolve your vulgarian beliefs towards minorities and “liberals.” You’re so stuck in your ideology, blinded by your hate, you can’t see anything rationally even when it’s thoroughly pointed out to you. Sad.
I like how Preston specifically pointed out the difference between the Christian-Right and Christians in general. Although a huge percentage of Christians identify themselves as being part of the right, it’s usually for reasons like abortion. But far too many of them have warped Christianity into this medieval-style cult used as a basis for degrading minorities and justifying a war that has done nothing for the US other than the deaths of over 3,500 soldiers. Please tell me Elizabeth …What good has come out of invading Iraq? And what will in the future?
You recite the all too familiar conservative rhetoric on liberals when it comes to a time of war: “They hate America!”… “Liberals side with the enemy”… “They don’t support the troops” ect…
This bull shit is laughable at best, and is used as nothing more than to overshadow the topics at hand: Where are the WMD? Why were we lied too? What good has come from invading Iraq? Why were we told that there was a connection between Saddam and Al-Qaeda? Why has the justification for this war changed from “the threat of weapons of mass destruction” to “fighting for freedom”???
In other words, because liberals believe that we shouldn’t be randomly invading sovereign countries in the Middle East on the basis of securing future supplies of oil, were traitors…we hate America…and we agree with the “enemy”. That’s how smart right-wingers are.
What’s funny though is that although conservatives don’t have an argument when they call liberals anti-American, liberals do have an argument when they call right-wingers Nazi’s.
Prediction number two:
If Elizabeth isn’t a middle-aged ornery conservative women with no sex life, he is a Jewish transsexual who went to school with Max and secretly loves him.
It was very interesting how you asked men why they didn’t enlist in the military and forgot to ask the women students why they also didn’t enlist in the military is they were also for the bar. It’s like their pro-Iraq answer just didn’t register much because they were women…
Overally, it is an excellent video and I enjoyed watching it very much. Good job!
Prediction number two:
If Elizabeth isn’t a middle-aged ornery conservative women
with no sex life, he is a Jewish transsexual who went to
school with Max and secretly loves him.
Prediction number two: If Elizabeth isn’t a middle-aged ornery conservative women with no sex life, he is a Jewish transsexual who went to school with Max and secretly loves him.
LMAO! Damn, Matt, that was cold, but not unfunny though.
As a Harvard Professor I am embaressed at how stupid and arrogant
Max Blumenhtal actually is, I agree with the above poster,
he is a liberal cunt, oh, and poster “matt” go F U C K yourself
Wow, Matt! Awesome! I went to school down South with these tough-talking weenies - they’re perfectly willing to pontificate about sacrifice and taking ‘em on - as long as they’re sure it’s gonna be a bunch of poor black boys doing their fighting for them. If there was a draft with no wavers for rich, spoiled offspring you’d see a whole different tune on this Iraq issue from the Republicans. And, JEEZ - even their own generals say there was NO Al Quaida in Iraq before we went over there and opened up a hole for them. They remind me of that fat Southern politician in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas - every time the facts come up they just do that little side-step and SLIDE off on some other topic.
Max great job. Wish I’d known you were going to do this
before you did. Those weasels claim
asthma or football injury? as a reason for not enlisting.
They need to know that soldiers with insulin dependent
diabetes (became diabetic while on active duty) are
serving in Iraq…walking patrols, wearing 40 pounds of
equipment in 120 deg. heat. Diabetes has always been a
“get out of the military card” because of the problems of
Insulin, insulin shock, sanitation etc. but now because of
the wonderful republicans they are serving. These brats
need to be told they should get their buns to the re-
cruiters.
I really enjoyed this video project of yours.
Too bad you were “discovered” before you could get
around some more. I wonder how they found out about you.
One thing I enjoyed was hearing all the lame excuses. I didn’t
know the military had excuses now when they’re taking druggies.
I also am wondering why they pushed you out of the room where
Tom DeLay was speaking where moments before they said they
wouldn’t physically push you out but they ended up doing so.
Gotta love it don’t ya? I also didn’t see you hit that woman
and I watched it twice to make sure. Well you did a great
job and I totally have a new crush.
To the person talking about the republicans of your generation
I think that’s for pretty much majority of the generations.
Well at least the one’s who are the biggest loudmouths.
We don’t have anymore Barry Goldwater types even if I did
have my own issues with him.
Oh Lizard. I guess you forgot there are Christian’s who are liberal.
I used to be one but now I’m a Christian who is a socialist.
I guess only you guys are allowed to call the flag yours.
Who knew? I guess my great ancestor Ben Franklin would have
something to say about that.
To Preston Powell you’re right on the “Christian Right.”
I’m a Christian and I don’t like them and what they’re doing
either. I guess I’m hating on myself? Eh. I suggest
the book “American Fascists” which talks about the
“Christian Right” and he’s a Christian as well who was
raised in the church and I believe his dad was a pastor
and he even went to seminary school as well.
Oh on “American Fascists” the author is Chris Hedges.
Sorry I forgot to mention the name. I also suggest
“American Theocracy” by Kevin Philips who is hardly
some liberal.
Preston, I also thought that was uproariously funny;
“funny” that I’m engaging in a “battle” of wits, with two
unarmed opponents. Can’t imagine the “fun” you’d be
having if I listed my screen-name as Jesus Gonzalez!
Well Preston, judging by your “delight,” it’s painfully
obvious that I’ve given you far too much credit as being
scholarly; you’re only a paper tiger. You’ve relied
on your outer facade to shield you from exposure
of your true liberal DNA. I once gave you credit for
being in the top “.001%,” of your* class, but I’m going
to have to change that to read: “smack-squarely-in-the
-middle.” I am not humorless, but honestly, that joke
was as uninteresting as watching paint dry.
I think this blog should have a log-in process which
discloses the ages of Mother Max and his ducklings. This could
be posted adjacent to the screen-name. Cripes! The
last thing I want is to be accused of lurking on
kiddie sites. I was going to respond to your previous
comments, but what’s the point? No need to waste
perfectly good bandwidth.
*Legal disclaimer: The context of the word “your,” within
this document, is hereby, without reference to a specific
race,creed,gender,religion,sexual orientation, or
nationality. The intent for usage is; as a substitute
descriptor of a particular subculture, that possesses
an eclectic chronic, severely deficient, mental capacity,
-otherwise known as “liberalism,”- of which there is
no known cure. At present, this group does not encompass
the protected status from discrimination.
Now that’s “funny!!!”
Grammatical errors noted..signed off without proof-reading.
I’m a 59 year old male who gets what you were trying to show the world with you video of the Young College Republicans. Just want to say you are reaching a very diverse audience. Today as I was driving with the wife to do some shopping in Gettysburg PA; I was listening to a local radio station where I was surprised to hear some audio from you latest video. The show is called “United for Progress” and you can also listen to them on line here: http://www.unitedforprogress.com/
I hope you continue exposing the neo-con uber-alles wing of the Republican Party for what they truly are: Fascists
Since the nut doesn’t fall far from the tree, those bobbing heads you spoke with at the hotel are more than likely the future of that wing of the Republican Party. Then to hear Tom Delay, the biggest Hypocrite in the Republican Party, say that 40 million abortions are not lost human beings but lost peons that aren’t here to do take the jobs that the elitist crowd he is lecturing won’t do. How screwed up is that logic.
Lizard, if you honestly think I wouldn’t be as aggressive towards your comments if you were a Latino, then you’re dead wrong, bub, for nothing irks me more than far-right conservative minorities—“pet minorities” what I like to call them. Therefore, your insinuation that I would somehow welcome you warmly without critical examination because you’re a minority is pretty laughable. You don’t know jack about me, bub, and I’m not that easy to categorize with your “black and white” binary classifications.
I’m going to keep this short; I have more important things to do than argue with you. But it should be duly noted that I responded back to you when you patronizingly pat me on the head with that so-called nice remark about me being smart; however, Max hasn’t authorized the post to go through yet due to its length. Furthermore, I have decided not to respond to you anymore. Though I pity you and your extremist beliefs you hold so proudly, you’re someone that’s impossible to reach or even converse with intelligently. I do wonder what you meant when you said I relied on my “outer façade to shield” my “true Liberal DNA.” I never denied being a liberal, progressive, leftist—whatever you want to call me. I did say I have/had my issues with many Liberals, including The Clintons, and I’m not a water carrier for any candidate or political party. And, no, I’m not a centrist either because I’m very liberal on mostly ALL issues; I’m what you could call an independent. I never tried to hide the fact I’m liberal; there’s no shame in me admitting that.
Anyway, save your half-assed compliments or responses to me, I’m not going to play your “bait-the-liberal-with-insults” game anymore. I’m done.
for a quick instant i confused you with sidney blumenthal…but no matter; really enjoyed this video and admire how you kept your cool and a straight face while the chicken hawks flapped and squawked.
I am Sending the YouTube Link to all People I possibly can.
RepigliKKKans with medical problems that can’t serve because
they’re in college. LMAO talk about piss weak excuses.
Sounds just like George “Wheres’ My Drink” Bush,
Rush “Assboiled” Limbaugh and Dickless Cheneys type of
excuses.
Please keep up the pressure MAX. Don’t Stop.
America needs more people like you to stop these
“NEO_SAPIANS” from fullfilling their New World Order
plans and using Americas Dumbest college grads to fulfill
their plans.
CHECK OUT THIS OLD CARTOON - PEOPLE GETTING CHIPPED -
By the NEO-SAPIANS CALLING FOR A NEW WORLD ORDER http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKr4uAUxot4
Thanks for that link, Matt, I’ll bookmark the site and check it out. I occasionally post at Media Matters when they carry some stories that perk my interests, but I’ll definitely check out the forum you just linked.
You’re rooting for Obama? I dunno, I have my issues with him (and it has nothing to do with Obama’s “blackness” or lack thereof for those who are reading and thinking that could be the case. Such superficialities are silly and shallow to me). We do have to admit that Hillary’s been kicking his ass in the debates for the past few months. I’m not even rooting for Hillary, but TWICE she stole the debates from Obama that were held at HBCs, and it was embarrassing to watch. He’s pretty stiff and robotic, and he needs to shape up a bit if he’s expecting to steal the black vote from her.
I’m a bit undecided over who I’m rooting for at this point. I like Edwards and the message he brings forth about poverty and education, but I’m not sure he’s capable of winning the nomination. If anything, it’s Edwards that the Republican Party is afraid of more than the other candidates.
LIZARD: How an adult liberal was able to successfully dupe some conservative high school kids, with a few parlor tricks, is beyond comprehension.
ENTERIK: I was wondering how many posts it would take you to get around to adressing the video at hand, just to see what sort of spin is deemed as damage control. I see you went with the “immoral liberal adults molesting naive conservative children” schtick. How quaint. But after actually watching the video, it seems to me the majority of those offering their opinions are adults participating in the COLLEGE Republican National Convention. They seemed to be offering their sincere answers to clear questions regarding the occupation of Iraq and their non-participation in said occupation (or invasion). So where is the duping? Where are the parlor tricks? Where are the kids?
LIZARD: Plain and simple, those damned kids just dropped the ball there for those few minutes by assuming that Max was a genuine human being. And you know what happens when we “assume?”–yuck, yuck, yuck.
ENTERIK: What ball do you think these college aged adults were carrying? The ball of carefully crafted talking points? The ball of obscuring ones true opinions? The ball of studied conformity? Or the ball of silence? What could these future leaders have possibly assumed about a man asking simple questions regarding their support for the Occupation of Iraq and their decision not to participate in that occupation? How could these young Republican leaders not understand the political liabilities of baldly stating their personal hypocrisy?
LIZARD: Anywhooo, I’m just trying to recognize a true liberal icon. Any adult liberal who can swindle some kids, deserves the “Nobel Prize” that you’re aligning him with. Max is truely on the cerebral envelope of deep-thinking for your liberal causes. I’m just worried that the big guy is going to climax his career too soon. This movie is dangerously close to the pinnacle of liberal capability; he’s simply setting the bar too high.
ENTERIK: Your lame attempt to insinuate “liberal careerist mediocrity” falls flat. What you mock as requiring deep-thought is patently obvious. This video conveys the simple and effective message that there is a disparity between College Republican word and deed. The College Republicans statements of personal belief about and excuse from the Iraq occupation are what give the video impact.
LIZARD: Well, I guess he does have to make up for some lost time. After all, he missed an opportunity to interview Ronald Reagan on the Alzheimer’s ward, and then claim that he’s “smarter” than a conservative president!
ENTERIK: Rather than accuse you of attempting a Pied Piper-style retreat into a fantasy world of conservative hyperbole, I’ll just ask you to explain how that last sentence has any bearing on reality? How does it help you rehabilitate the misguided opinions of the GOPs rising stars?
LIZARD: There might be something left; maybe you guys can help him work on that whimpy persona of his?–he did look genuinely scared when they were escorting him out! You need to help him toughen up his image. Maybe you could send him on a hunting trip at the Metropolitan Zoo, then claim that he’s a “master sportsman?” !!! Toodles…
ENTERIK: The liberal estimation of a man does not require displays of machismo, but it does esteem courage. Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway (that’s a John Wayne quote by the way). Your misundestanding aside, in the video Mr. Blumenthal maintains his composure, his tone didn’t waver, he continued to courageously question those physically forcing him from the venue, almost as if the inner sanctum of College Republicans could not bear the light of public scrutiny, they were acting almost as if they knew their little conclave has embarassing aspects that many find offputting.
1) Hillary’s great, but lets be real…
She stands no chance with a huge percentage of moderate swing voters.
Plus, people are tired of the Clintons. As much as I hate to say it she still drags with her the smell of the late 90’s scandals that polarized the Clinton white house. The great things that man did for this country will always be overshadowed by the impeachment trial.
2) Obama mainly swings left on issues, but has a lot of stances to the right that appeal to more moderate Republicans. I think he stands a huge chance at winning.
3) Edwards is alright…but just doesn’t appeal to people.
I’m still keeping my options open, but after his speech in 2004 I’ve been hooked.
Your right about Hillary kicking his ass in the debates…
But I think Obama will get most of the black vote. A lot of black people (even if they like Hillary more) are going to vote for Obama specifically because he’s black and it would be a milestone for the country. So would a women I guess, but its sort of like a “stick to your people” race in the Democratic party. Women for Hillary, black people for Obama.
I don’t know if it’s going to be that easy for Obama to win the black vote simply because of his race. Historically, black folks have been deceived many times by wolves and sheep’s clothing, and are aware that just because the person is of the same color doesn’t mean that person will have their best interests at heart or deep group solidarity (e.g., Clarence Thomas and Condeleeza Rice). Women and black voters are a lot more sophisticated than many perceive them to be, and I’m sure both groups are going to vote for the candidate that can win an election in a landslide. Personally, as a black man, I’m not voting for Obama because he’s brother, I want him to show that he has leadership skills, and stop peddling the same neoliberal sound bites that makes him appear as calculating and insincere as Hillary Clinton. In the debate last night he conjured up the name Ronald Reagan at least three times—almost like the Republicans in their past debates—and that type of pandering and calculation to win rural voters will do him in, much like his buddy Harold Ford, Jr. Surely Obama is aware that Reagan’s history with black folks in this country wasn’t that great, and to reference him so positively with this carefree attitude made me question Obama’s sincerity and how “liberal” he really is. If anything, I view Obama as a centrist and master manipulator like Bill Clinton, the proliferator of neoliberal pimpology.
Now, if the Democratic Party could produce a candidate like, say, I dunno, a Kucinich with electability, then we might be getting somewhere.
However, I should add that I would vote for ANY Democrat before a Republican. lol So if it’s either Obama, Hillary or Edwards as the nominee, I would vote for any of them before the crop of Republican candidates. Any of them would be better than the last eight years of Bush.
I assume that you will be picking up a rifle and standing a post yourself? If not I suggest you do something constructive to help support the troops that are defending our way of life and are in harms way. Without those brave men and women - you wouldn’t have an opportunity to piss away your trust fund on making these little videos.
Preston says:
“…master manipulator like Bill Clinton, the proliferator
of neoliberal pimpology.”
Outstanding! I finally found something that I agree with
coming out of Preston!! Hey Preston, check out post
#150! I think that’s a fair assessment of the liberal
perception of minorities. Maybe someone should get
this Vietnam-era protester, LSD tripping , time-warp
hippie, up to date?
What a bunch of trash. Lets try this at the Dems.
I served in Vietnam if you scummy poticos would
let the military do what all of you sickos sent them
to do this war would be over. 98% of the senate voted
for this war. You like wars when they are popular and run
like scalded dogs when things get tough. War is hell get
over it.
Your “Generation Chickenhawk” video also provides a revealing glimpse of the homilies preached to the choir at the College Republican National Convention (CRNC). It seems as if all manner of crusaders want to let their little lights shine, discretely under the bushel.
From CRNC National Chairman Paul “Direct Mail Fraud for the Elderly” Gourley’s bleeding woman-type (Matthew 9) witness of his fanboy brush with the hem of the Bush Administration, to the Tom DeLay clobber quote blaming the problem of illegal penny-pinching employers on the absense of a readily exploitable underclass, to McCarthy era fossil Fulton Lewis III exhorting consevrative non-soldiers onto the campus battlefield, what passes for Republican deep-thinking proves to be little more than a cannonball Sunday tent revival for the true believers.
Do you plan a video highlighting more of the speakers?
What an eye opening video! It exposed their complete hypocrsy.
I call them armchair patriots because that is exactly
what they are. They are beneath contempt. And the sad
part is we’re looking at our ‘future leaders’ in this
video.
john Says:
July 24th, 2007 at 10:33 am
Your karate kid impersonation showed what an arrogant f#$k you are
That’s because right wing neonuts have NO sense of humor.
My wife and I were rolling on the floor when he went
into his ‘karate kid’ thing. That’s because we on the
Left do not take ourselves as seriously as you people
take yourselves. But I can’t blame you - your leader
is Jesus’ twin brother (in his demented mind anyway0
Marine MP Says:
July 19th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
They support the troops and espouse patroitism and pride on behalf of their country.
As a former Viet Nam era army person I have often asked
myself and others in my unit “what is it that makes
marines so dumb and blind?” But I think the answer is
obvious - you suffer the most casualties in any
engagement because you all are little John Waynes
rushing off to war without ever thinking about the
criminality of it. The invasion of Iraq was illegal.
Bush and company are guilty of crimes against humanity
and numerous war crimes. Maybe you should read the
Nurenburg War Crimes transcripts before attacking a
real patriot.
max if all the college republicans elisted and went to war? hey nice plan max - this would leave nothing but liberals and democrats in power. then america would be in serious trouble. we would probably give our country over to the U.N. what is your point max other than propaganda. you and churchill must sit around and have pow wows.
“Chickenhawk” is perhaps one of the best pieces of video journalism I have ever seen. Max Blumenthall, you enrich of our democracy. Those kids dont believe in the war any more than most Americans. It was like you took an X-Ray and published it.
John, I know it seems like a bunch of goofy college kids are currently running the executive branch. However, the College Republican National Committee is NOT IN POWER. Liberals and democrats are not likely to replace them in the CRNC leadership were the deeds of young republican leaders to match the words of young republican leaders.
Your comments also seem to imply that participation in the Occupation of Iraq that young republican leaders feel is so important to American domestic security is a literal dead end, almost as if you believe they won’t be coming back.
The video reveals more than the future GOP leaders’ personal hypocracy(sic), it also reveals what appears to be their startling lack of intellectual autonomy. When queried most seem to regurgitate that misguiding talking point “fighting them over there, so we don’t have to fight them over here”. This observation is exceptional for the uniformity of grammar and delivery that suggests to me that most have been programmed with a thought pre-empting slogan that keeps them from thinking deeply about any issue involving the indefinite Occupation of Iraq or the toll it taking on our military service members. In this regard, I liken the College Republicans in the video to gluttonous patrons of the Bush Betrayal Buffet.
These College Republicans have binged on the President’s georgian feast of greed, ignominy and death that is the endless Occupation of Iraq. They just hit the grub without an exit strategy or even an occupation strategy. The president refused to properly prepare and equip our soldiers while blaming Congress? The President has consistantly tried to reduce Veterans Administration funding and pay increases for soldiers during a time of increased need, in so doing he has betrayed their sense of duty and good faith efforts on our behalf. College Republicans gobbled it up his tripe as if it were freedom mignon (formerly filet mignon).
Like a parent that is responsible for food the health and safety of their child’s food supply, Congress has the Constitution authority to inspect, direct and even terminate the nation’s overall Iraq Occupation strategy. As commander of the military, not of Congress and not of the Public, it is the President’s job to serve what comes out of the Congressional kitchen. Congress is the Decider and has a duty to evaluate the ongoing occupation and set reasonable timetables. The President betrays the nation and our troops again in refusing such common sense standards. The vomitoreum College Republicans self-indulgence lends an air of acceptability to the gluttony of a would-be unitary executive.
max-
you’re unbelievable. first, you pick the weakest representatives at the convention to answer your questions (see guy in white shirt trying to explain his view on sexuality). second, you don’t allow any of your subjects to separate political views from professional aspirations– you don’t have to be in the army to support a war. you support environmental conservation. yet, i don’t see you driving a fuel efficient hybrid or walking for that matter. why not? are you not man enough to fully support the environment, or do you have better ways of supporting that cause using the resources you have been blessed with? i’m going to assume the latter, maybe you should consider that the next time you go around asking your subjects outrageous, leading questions. or, if you feel the need to trap all your subjects the way you did in this video, maybe you should expand on the people you interview. just ask the same question to all the democratic candidates who voted for the war–i bet the results would be strikingly similar. finally, your dance at the end was completely unprofessional and inappropriate. as an activist you should aim to transform the views of the opposition, not harden them by acting like an immature, heckling reporter. i have no problem with your political views or urge to question those politically opposed to you, just act like an adult when you do it.
ANDY: max-you’re unbelievable. first, you pick the weakest representatives at the convention to answer your questions (see guy in white shirt trying to explain his view on sexuality).
ENTERIK: You mean like mumbling future fullbright awardee Justin York(06:51)? You’re kidding, right? You didn’t watch the video all that closely did you? I suspect not, here’s another reason why I think your opinion half-baked. Max Kues (white T-shirt guy) interupts Max’s interview of his classmate, Sarah Billingham, to offer his own witness of ex-gay theology (03:22). He picked Max! I suspect you may be reacting strongly to his admission secret desires because the “conservative” point of view sees this as an embarassing flaw and personal weakness. Conversely, for liberals such a display triggers empathy for Mr. Kues plight and revulsion for repressive conservative morality.
ANDY: second, you don’t allow any of your subjects to separate political views from professional aspirations– you don’t have to be in the army to support a war.
ENTERIK: Didn’t allow? Clealry, all were asked two separate questions, “Do you support the occupation of Iraq?” and “Why aren’t you serving in Iraq”? The answers by their very nature were separate. That aside, I direct your attention to the comments of Ralph Kettel (05:51) who says exactly what you say was not in the video. Now his body language pretty much negates any sense of sincerity one might have attached to his statement. So, the simple fact remains, these future Republican leaders are content to stay at home while others do their bidding in Occupying Iraq.
ANDY: you support environmental conservation. yet, i don’t see you driving a fuel efficient hybrid or walking for that matter. why not? are you not man enough to fully support the environment, or do you have better ways of supporting that cause using the resources you have been blessed with? i’m going to assume the latter…
ENTERIK: I don’t doubt that Max supports environmental conservation, although I can’t find such sentiments expressed in this or other videos and writings. None the less, I’ll address your silly comparison. First and most importantly, no environmentalist is asking anyone to risk life and limb as a direct consequence of the cause they support, not so for those who support the indefinite occupation of Iraq. Second, Max is not wealthy, he edits video in his bedroom and drives a third generation Toyota Camry LE. As a liberal internet video journalist, a hybrid is probably beyong his means, and given the embodied energy in his existing car, the opportunity cost and distant breakeven point after purchase of a hybrid, he has probably made a sound environmental and actuarial choice in driving his jalopy into the ground. Therefore, the examples are not equivalent or comparable.
ANDY:…maybe you should consider that the next time you go around asking your subjects outrageous, leading questions.
ENTERIK: The only thing outrageous and leading about Max’s questions were the canned talking point answers and excuses for personal choice that he received after asking them.
ANDY: or, if you feel the need to trap all your subjects the way you did in this video, maybe you should expand on the people you interview. just ask the same question to all the democratic candidates who voted for the war–i bet the results would be strikingly similar.
ENTERIK: at the risk of enabling you to veer off onto well trolled grounds, the 2002 AUMF authorized the United States to use military force to “defend the national security of the United States against t
July 19th, 2007 at 10:50 am
Max
I just saw your piece on the Huffington blog, sent by a
friend, to me.
Great work.
Of course, the ‘gonzo’ journalism style is going to get
you in trouble, unless you do a little smart work first:
print some official I.D. cards, and laminate them,
and lanyard them.
They do not have to be untrue, just official looking.
And badges; a trophy store will make official Max Blog
badges for small money.
These things will stop petty security, until they get
official reports that you are not authorized.
Keep up the good work
July 19th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Max,
Brilliant video. However your strategic mistake was in
choosing interpretive dance as your medium. Had you
brought along some drummers and done a rhythm tap number,
you would have gotten the whole room engaged. Remember:
RHYTHM is ORGANIZING.
Add beer and you would have been there.
Next time…
July 19th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Some folks inherit
star spangled eyes,
Ooh, they send you down to war.
And when you ask them,
“How much should we give?”
They only answer “More! More! More!”
Amen. Beautiful piece.
July 19th, 2007 at 11:08 am
I am busy posting it around the internets Max
THANKS!
July 19th, 2007 at 11:21 am
I saw this on Huffington Post and just wanted to say thank you, thank you, thank you.
July 19th, 2007 at 11:37 am
Max, this is BRILLIANT work. Awesome.
Thanks for Tube-ing it. I will post it.
July 19th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Max,
Great stuff. Really great stuff. I am really sick of the “fightin’ over there” crap that these kids are becoming saturated with. And the “our God is better and bigger than their God.”
Whenever someone gives me the Islamofascism thing, I refer them to that crazy Baptist preacher/church in Kansas that harasses families at soldiers’ funerals. Is that Baptistmofascism?
I LOVE the Tom DeLay comparason between abortion and immigration. What a leap! 40,000 aborted babies if had they grown up would counter immigration….amazing. No, they probably would be 40,000 more people on the welfare rolls and collecting social security. So that should have made him happy.
July 19th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
What an awesome video. It truly exposes the hypocrisy of republicans – lead by the president and vice president. If you are unwilling to serve, shut up about fighting “them” anywhere.
Thanks!
July 19th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Great stuff. Congrats for such brave work in the belly of the best. I confronted Bush at a private fundraiser once (alone), so I know how scary Republicans can be!
July 19th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
This is genius… you’re my hero! You should come to Florida to help ambush those legislators that support the bill that would ban gay marriage in Florida.
July 19th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
As a Gold Star wife who visits Arlington National Cemetery with my little girl, to see “Daddy’s Spot,” - and as a longtime Republican, this video just makes me hurt. Absolutely excellent, excellent, excellent. I’m going to chat about this on my radio show today, and probably for a long time. Way to keep it real.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Great work…
Amazing how many college age kids aren’t “fit” for the military…
You need to ask them why the series of attacks in England
were perpetrated by home grown terrorists… No one “followed
anyone home”. These were Doctor’s and other professional people.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Max, you should be very proud of yourself, you did a great job. I can tell all the hard work paid off. I think with each video you’re turning into a first-rate documentarian and satirist.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Brilliant work! I am quite fond of the moment in the video
where Delay relates Roe v. Wade to the current immigration
problem.
July 19th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Max… what a nice job! I like the juxtaposition of fallen
troops vs. lost souls at the Sheraton. These college guys…
sure their snark is rough around the edges, their
mastery of verbal jousting is years away, and they didn’t
see you coming! But it’s clear these guys are the soldiers
primped to fight on the wrong side of tomorrow’s war on
truth.
July 19th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Can you believe Tom DeLay? Apparently, employers have been
forced to break the law by hiring cheap mexican laborers
because Americans aborted fetii that might have otherwise
developed into an exploitable underclass?
Now that is a values platform :-/
July 19th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Thank you Max! Really well done.
July 19th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Wow, you’re a brave soul, Max. Those Republicans remind me of those brainwashed Northh Koreans who worship Kim Jong-Il no matter what they do to them, although they’re doing it by choice. That said, I do worry if the left might someday turn into that sort of fact-deficient cult.
July 19th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Where can I get that fantastic bumper sticker?
July 19th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Bravo, Max ! You are a brave man. Thank you for pointing out the hypocrisy
these chickenhawks.
July 19th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Max,
I caught your video on C&L, very good stuff. I am a veteran of the Iraq War/Occupation and a grad student at Univ. of IL. I would love to have an open debate with that one Repuke that you showed on the video from my University. The only thing is I don’t think he would be packing a big enough lunch! Thanks, you made my day.
July 19th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
They support the troops and espouse patroitism and pride on behalf of their country.
And you hate them for that.
I’m a combat decorated Marine and I ask what have you done to contribute to defeating those that would cut your throat?
You make snide little films–what a big man.
July 19th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Who are you and where do I sign up?
Found this via Ro’s blog.
You’re smokin.
Already love ya.
July 19th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
excellent work!
July 19th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
Very interesting - more of the “Support OUR Troops” crowd!
Like Cheney, Rummie, Condi, Paul W., (Bush?) not one
of them is serving / has served the County in uniform!
Just gotta love those College deferments; just gotta
love those College Republicans.
I say: BRING BACK THE DRAFT - NOW…
Because, while everyone just has to have a RIBBON -
not many are really willing to walk their talk -
especially NOT Republicans - College-age or older !
July 19th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Great!
Now, where can I get one of those bumper stickers?
July 19th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Max -
Saw the video on TPM. I just came here to give you the highest possible praise for using the Funkadelic song in the intro. Very appropriate for the subject matter, and sufficiently obscure to have lurkers leave a comment(!)
July 19th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
thanks max…stay the course!
July 19th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
does tom delay really say that? surely i misheard?:
“If you don’t believe abortion affects you, I contend it affects you in immigration. If we had those forty million children that were killed over the last thirty years, we wouldn’t need the illegal immigrants to fill the jobs that they are doing today.”
July 19th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
at: 3:46.
July 19th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
The car with the bumper sticker…excellent.
Keep showing them for who they really are.
Doris
July 19th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
I noticed that you asked several of the College Republicans why they had no enlisted. Why haven’t you you enlisted?
July 19th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Excellent work…really enjoyed it
July 19th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Hey max, I added it to youtube yesterday, just got online for the first time today.. and it’s got tones of kudo’s to you!! mazal tov!
it is here:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3inspkrGVbw
July 19th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Hey Max, that was a GREAT job!! I didn’t want to
watch your video at first, just in case there
was some kind of a log-on “counter” which would
incorrectly register my “hit” as an endorsement.
But I’m glad I did watch, because you have successfully
converted me. I found myself agreeing with you, 110%.
I only wish that our dreams could come true, and
the US government would start keeping their noses out
of everyone’s business. Let’s start by pulling the plug
on Israel, and saving a few bucks! After all, we only help countries that have natural resources to offer us, right? Then when they
start getting annihilated by everyone in the middle east,
we can sit from afar, and say; “hey! not “our” problem…”
You are a true genius! ..A new fan !
July 19th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
are you familiar w/ Fark’s KaiserSoze?
July 19th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
Excellent, I will post it at my Blog
The next Michael Moore?
July 19th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
Max,
congrats. Loved It, Loved It, Loved It.
Keep up the Good work. I will Post this,
You should send a Copy to MsNBC Keith Olberman,
I would love to see mainstream America’s reaction
to this….
A Fan Forever
July 19th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
It truly is amazing. The Republicans in my generation are racist, spoiled, rich, and fucking stupid. If Bush-loving, Dick Cheney-style pussies is the future face of the Republican Party than they stand no chance.
Excellent job Max….I give this one an A…(TBA was a B- and CPAC was an A+)
Lmao..The funniest part was the “Congratulations! You’re not gay!!”
July 19th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
I always carry Army recruitment brochures with me, as well
as the local recruitment station’s phone number whenever I
attend rallies. Walking over to pro-war members and
offering pamphlets and asking them to call the local
station to enlist always elicits interesting responses.
Support the war! Enlist!
July 19th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
Great, great job! Don’t stop exposing these disgusting people.
July 19th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
Amen. Keep them coming.
July 19th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Matt ! Where have you been, buddy? Since your literary
style represents the rhetoric from the vast majority
of mainstream liberals, your absence on this blog has indeed, been
“deafening.” In fact, this blog has been so
vulgarity-free, that I was beginning to wonder if Max had
installed some high-tech “embarassment” filters to exclude
your element, but I’m glad to FINALLY see that this IS
an all-inclusive blog. You need to start gathering up
some of your buddies, bring them here and get busy
posting, because the faux-intellectual liberal debates happening
here is not a true reflection of your party. Now don’t
get too crazy with that word “party;” you know which
definition of “party” I’m talking about, big guy…
Just when I was beginning to miss the “post your thoughts”
threads on AOL, you stepped in here to fill that void.
I kinda miss writing an “essay” pertaining to our need to be in Iraq,
and getting the 1,000 typical, liberal responces of:
“Oh yeah Bushie, well fuck-off and die.”
Things were so much simpler then.
July 19th, 2007 at 11:35 pm
What the fuck was that guy Lizard selling?
July 19th, 2007 at 11:46 pm
I’m impressed at your social hacking skills, getting
people to give their honest beliefs in front of a
camera. I hope a career as a successful investigative
journalist is ahead of you!
July 19th, 2007 at 11:58 pm
Great video! Would they have kicked you out had you not started your interpretive dance? Oh btw, I think the quote you pulled from DeLay was on Olbermann tonight….
July 20th, 2007 at 12:02 am
I just watched it on YouTube then came over here. Excellent. No wonder they don’t want you filming them. Their stupidity is their worst enemy. Just show them as they are.
July 20th, 2007 at 12:37 am
The guy you labeled as Paul Gourley was actually National Secretary Dan Schuberth
For more information on Mr. Schuberth:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/10/29/115257/63
July 20th, 2007 at 1:13 am
WOW great video! Good work!
It makes me glad that I put my money where my mouth is.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:39 am
I enjoyed your film and I agree 100%. I’m left with one
question though. What was your excuse for not enlisting?
July 20th, 2007 at 1:52 am
I agree with your thesis, but I honestly didn’t feel like the video was convincing on any of the ways it tried to support its statement. You asked people point blank why they weren’t serving if they supported the war, and one of the first people shown responding in your video hit the nail on the head when he replied, “I don’t think you can’t talk about this issue if you’re not serving.”
If you instead support the immediate withdrawl of the troops, does that mean you can be expected to be ready to pick them up tomorrow at the airport to give them a lift home?
I just didn’t find as much oomph as expected on the follow-through.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:55 am
Brilliant. I always thought interpretative dance was legal?
Keep up the good work. There is an incredible disconnect between these images in their heads versus what is REAL. It might be interesting to really delve into this in a future vidoe.
The Tom Delay line is priceless. Even more incredible is that he probably really believes that…
July 20th, 2007 at 2:31 am
Hilarious!
Best greetings from Good Old Europe.
As sad as the political landscape is in the US,
it´s always nice to see it just takes one witty
person to reveal the absurdity of this nobrain
opportunist gibberish.
…any of you guys will always be welcome as asylum
seekers in my place. Just in case you lose your
country to the rule of Idiocracy.
- Greetingsregierung.
July 20th, 2007 at 2:53 am
No-one ever *needed* to be in Iraq in the first place.
July 20th, 2007 at 3:04 am
Like whoa Lizard, “dude”. You should really learn how to write “coherently” and not over-use “quotes” to no purpose. I think you know what quotes I’m talking about.
July 20th, 2007 at 4:50 am
You are an idiot.
July 20th, 2007 at 4:58 am
“draft colledge republicans”
spot on my friend.
July 20th, 2007 at 5:02 am
“draft college republicans”
spot on my friend.
July 20th, 2007 at 5:04 am
Max,
While it was regretful you were removed from the conference, I don’t think the interpretive dance helped your cause. If you want people to treat you like a respectable member of the media, then report the facts and turn the camera away from you and onto your subjects.
Not everyone is cut out to be in the military and for those “Cheney’s” out there with better things to do, I encourage them to do it. The establishment of the warrior class post hunter-gather to agrarian-farming shift afforded people the opportunity to specialize in various skills and fields of knowledge. Let the politicians politic. Leave the fighting to free men.
July 20th, 2007 at 5:44 am
Max,
So simple and so true. These wankers - and that includes the illiterate Lizard - should be holding their convention in a sandbox full of toy soldiers. At the end of the day (a phrae that means nothing when so often uttered by these children and their leaders before spewing a talking point) they could go home to mommy to get their noses wiped and get tucked into bed, so they can come back to play again tomorrow.
July 20th, 2007 at 5:46 am
Max,
So simple and so true. These wankers - and that includes the illiterate Lizard - should be holding their convention in a sandbox full of toy soldiers. At the end of the day (a phrase that means nothing when so often uttered by these children and their leaders before spewing a talking point) they could go home to mommy to get their noses wiped and get tucked into bed, so they can come back to play again tomorrow.
July 20th, 2007 at 6:52 am
Great little film … more of the same Max!!!
July 20th, 2007 at 7:07 am
Great doc but… Pleaseeeee!!!!
Do not make the same mistakes as others (like old Moore) and avoid crazy acts… :/
It just ruined the most important part (the ending) of the doc and allow critics to dismiss you.
The ending is what stays in the mind, and the crazy dance is not a good idea at all.
Keep it sober and simple; these guys don’t need any extra antics to show how hypocrites they are.
Avoid any theatrical acts and your docs will be perfect.
July 20th, 2007 at 7:28 am
That was the most pointed representation of the hypocrisy of modern conservatism that I’ve ever seen. “Everyone feels gay at some point, but God saves them.” That guy is undoubtedly on track for a nomination for national office. Thank you for shooting this video.
July 20th, 2007 at 7:43 am
Very, very good. Helps show what hypocrites the younger genereations of REpuplicans are turning out to be.
July 20th, 2007 at 8:09 am
Hey LizardHater, you got a problem with truth and honesty?
July 20th, 2007 at 8:37 am
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article2766040.ece
This clip made my week. Thanks for all your work!
July 20th, 2007 at 8:40 am
Bravo, Max. Where can I get one of those bumper stickers?
July 20th, 2007 at 8:42 am
I strongly believe it is right for my garbage to be picked up every Wednesday. But I’m not going to get a job as a garbage man.
I strongly believe that my septic tank should be cleaned every couple o f years. But I’m not going to do it myself.
I strongly believe that raving lunatic murders waving guns around the shopping mall should be stopped and arrested, but I’m not going to become a cop.
The “chickenhawk” argument is lame and doesn’t make sense. Just because I personally don’t want to be a soldier doesn’t mean that I can’t want our military to do things for the country..
July 20th, 2007 at 8:54 am
Just to say, from portugal, that i posted the vídeo on my blog.
Excellent work, specially the part of permormancing dance.
And as a portuguese i can only feel sorry and sadness for the
health problems that the american youth is experiencing.
It´s very disturbing and prevents one from doing long trips by
plain to visit exotic contries in the world.
Very sad, indeed.
And it was in that spirit that you, MAX, did this story, to try
calling attention and alert the american people for the deeply
underprevileged young republican americans in college.
Their absolut suffering.
One of the american classes most damaged by the politics
of your president.
PS: i´m being ironic.
July 20th, 2007 at 9:28 am
I enjoyed your YouTube post.
It is very sad that Conservatives are no longer Conservative.
July 20th, 2007 at 9:32 am
Really great stuff Max. The un-gay part reminded me of
something I read by David Rackoff.
“The protestors held signs that read ‘Adam and Eve- not
Adam and Steve.’Adam and Steve? Of course not. Never Adam
and Steve. It’s Adam and Steven.”
July 20th, 2007 at 9:39 am
I just saw this video at YouTube and had to come find your
website. You did an excellent job. Those people are
brianwashed beyond believe.
Just think, those same idiots might be our guards at the
Fema Camps.
July 20th, 2007 at 9:59 am
The guy who pushed you out the door should have been arrested for assault.
July 20th, 2007 at 10:18 am
Why don’t you file assault charges against these Rethuglicancowards and hypocrites?
July 20th, 2007 at 10:27 am
I enjoyed this video and you really didn’t show anything new. However, I do applaud the actual effort you put into going out there and actually filming some of these interviews. Bravo. You gotta love how they support it all the way up to their own lives, it’s just incredible. They support putting everyone else’s lives in danger except their own.
I am a very strong opponent of this “war” (is it really a war at this point?), but don’t get me wrong–I would defend the country if it needed defending. Fighting someone on the opposite side of the planet for a little bit of oil in the desert isn’t exactly something I consider defending our country.
Regardless, the more that kids such as these get into power, the worse off the US will be. Our standard of living will end up crashing down at some point and I definitely await to see what the actual catalyst to that will be.
There are a couple of areas where the US is trailing foreign nations the only question is when will it actually affect us?
-We trail leading nations on internet and technology.
-We trail other nations in healthcare.
-We trail other nations on providing educated workers to the job industry.
-Our dollar is falling in value fast and the Euro is worth far more.
-We trail other nations in biomed research.
So the question is, will it happen with oil pricing? Will another country discover a cure to a major disease before us? Will our technology leaders move offshore to provide goods and services to other, growing nations where they can drastically increase their profits?
It will be an interesting coming 20-30 years for me for sure
July 20th, 2007 at 10:28 am
Which person were you in the video, Lizard? The big gay christian or one of the “unhealthy” people?
July 20th, 2007 at 10:31 am
Fucking Brilliant.
July 20th, 2007 at 10:41 am
Lizard,
Who cares what you think about the guy who made it.
Everybody knows we’re short on recruits in Iraq.
Why?
There are millions of young, able Republicans.
Serious question. Simple question. Please reply.
I’d love to hear a cogent response, if one exists.
Thanks!
July 20th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Max, why didn’t you ask the women why they weren’t serving?
July 20th, 2007 at 10:52 am
This is a fantastic and necessary piece of filmmaking.
However: I think you detract from the message somewhat with the Karate Kid schtick.
It’s one thing to point out the wild inconsistencies and internal contradictions of
Repulican thinking, but quite another to engage in outright mockery.
Which isn’t to say that I disagree with the sentiment! I’m just worry that interpretive
dance antics undercut the message and make it far easier to dismiss.
But this is a minor quibble. Good show!
July 20th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Dude…this video is simply brilliant!
Thanks!!
July 20th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Max,
Great stuff.
- Gonzo
July 20th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Brilliant video, Max. I hope you don’t mind, but I posted your vid on youtube as well. It currently has over 35,000 views.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-QcQg4LBmU
July 20th, 2007 at 11:14 am
“Repugnantcan”
July 20th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Hey Mr. Blumenthal, great piece. Humor is a great way
to deliver a message. Unfortunately, as we have
witnessed by incidents such as Colbert being invited
to speak in front of the W, we now understand that
the segment of population which is so dogmatic simply
cannot reach conclusions for themselves. Thus, the point
is lost with them, and they just feel picked on. The media
in general often fails to provide the conclusion for
the more dense brained. For example, WHY is it funny
that these people can’t justify their positions? Does it
make them hypocrits? Does it insinuate that they don’t
understand the full cost of what their advocating? Does it
mean they don’t care if they’re wrong? Does it mean they
prioritizing personal interests (pandering to Repubs
for a job) over moral honesty? Nonetheless I give your
piec an A +, and will be circulating it. Have a great
career!
The choir will understand these conclusions, which is why
about half the population thinks Sicko is funny, because
they get the unstated premise.
July 20th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Love it, nice to see the creative excuses used so that they can sit back and enjoy “Keggers” while someone else fights thier war.
July 20th, 2007 at 11:45 am
Matt, great little video. You inspired me to do a blog entry on it about the marriage of fear and conservatism that runs through the history of authoritarian movements. Take a look here.
July 20th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
I support the war, and I am not serving for the same reasona you are no marching at Washington. Nice try wannabe Michael Moore.
July 20th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Lizard, don’t you know that we’re supporting Israel in order to stop the march of Islamofascism? It’s part of our strategery of containment by keeping Islam out of our Judeochristian holy land.
That kid whom The Lord struck the gay from was completely spot on with his analysis. If a straight man like him can’t marry someone of the same sex, gay men shouldn’t either.
July 20th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
“I’m sorry I’m doing an interpretative dance.” — Wow, he is so high.
July 20th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Why get to the cause of these yahoos? The moneymachine needs mouthpieces, so much the better then they are are
the better when the are demonstarbably stupid. As if that ever stopped anyone’s career. Useful idiots afetr all is a modern e
July 20th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Why get to the cause of these yahoos? The moneymachine needs mouthpieces, so much the better when they are stupid. They will go far. I suppose Rome burning was entertaining but do we have to watch?
Unless the distain for government is transformed, we can only expect worse. I just don’t see why you should be a clown too.
July 20th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Thank you. Thank you.
July 20th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
The black guy in the red shirt. . . set my “gaydar” warning off. Not only is he balck and republican, but probably a closeted homosexual (why not go all the way if you’re in denial).
July 20th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Where does one score one of those “Draft College Republican” stickers?
July 20th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
I loved it!
I’m 61 years old and those guys were douchebags back when
I was in school.
Bravo!
July 20th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
great video, very brave of you, but if it’s two years old,
it might be good to make that clear. the people who
pointed me to it are mistakenly presenting it as though it
just happened.
i remember this article, because it was awesome:
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20050711/blumenthal
but it’s hard to believe young republicans are up to the
exact same tricks (watching tom delay, empty rhetoric on
iraq) two years later. actually, no it isn’t hard to
believe.
July 20th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
So when will you be enlisting in the GWOT, Lizard?
July 20th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Max, You are beautiful! Keep up the good work.
July 20th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Thanx Max, that was so funny when that gay kid said he wasn’t gay. He was so gay.
July 20th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Max Blumethal, king of the straw men. This is probably the the most childish and nieve attack I’ve seen yet on war supporters.
July 20th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Max, you owe me a beer. I pimped your video out and got the following youtube honors….so far:
#15 - Most Viewed (Today)
#4 - Most Viewed (Today) - News & Politics
#35 - Most Viewed (This Week) - News & Politics
#59 - Top Rated (Today)
#8 - Top Rated (Today) - News & Politics
#13 - Most Discussed (Today) - News & Politics
#12 - Top Favorites (Today) - News & Politics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-QcQg4LBmU
July 20th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Excellent! I just viewed it on www.onegoodmove.org
Right on!
July 20th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Hey Max, since I added the video 2 days ago it’s gotten well over 5,000 hits and tons of comments. This one comment I thought I’d copy here for you to see:
“tom500k (5 hours ago) Marked as spam
As someone who did medical research in Iraq for the Canadian Branch of the Noble Peace Prize recipient, IPPNW and as member of the Iraq Peace Team, I want to congratulate you for this brilliant video!”
Lizard,
You really need a life, your obsession here is making you look like the ass you are.
July 20th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Can you write a transcript of the video? I’m at work and can’t play it with sound
July 20th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Absolutely brilliant!
July 20th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Well, couple this with the Washington City Paper’s http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=2008&page=&comments=show&state=commented and the
Alternet’s http://www.alternet.org/story/57001 and I’m going to have to stop trying to say that the lazy, immature, chickenshit attitude of the Republican party is a series of isolated incidents based on the personalities of the people interviewed. I mean, just because all the Repugnicans I’ve ever met have been this way doesn’t mean they all are…. oops, looks like it’s a widespread problem.
Ugh, they disgust me.
July 20th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Great Video man! The interpretive dance thing…eh, you were certainly going to be kicked out for that, but thats not a bad thing.
July 20th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Well, a 4 out of 5. A bit strident at the closing, sometimes it is better to let the message stand on its own merits without attempting to jack it up with final summatiion. This was one of those times.
July 20th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
BJ, I’m just trying to give Max the “warm kudos” that
he deserves, little buddy! Look, Max reamed ‘us’
a “new one,” fair and square. How an adult liberal
was able to successfully dupe some conservative
high school kids, with a few parlor tricks, is beyond
comprehension. Plain and simple, those damned kids
just dropped the ball there for those few minutes
by assuming that Max was a genuine human being.
And you know what happens when we “assume?”–yuck,
yuck, yuck. Anywhooo, I’m just trying to recognize
a true liberal icon. Any adult liberal who can swindle
some kids, deserves the “Nobel Prize” that you’re
aligning him with. Max is truely on the cerebral
envelope of deep-thinking for your liberal causes.
I’m just worried that the big guy is going to climax
his career too soon. This movie is dangerously close
to the pinnacle of liberal capability; he’s simply
setting the bar too high. Well, I guess he does have to
make up for some lost time. After all, he missed
an opportunity to interview Ronald Reagan on the Alzheimer’s
ward, and then claim that he’s “smarter” than a conservative
president! There might be something left; maybe you guys
can help him work on that whimpy persona of his?–he did
look genuinely scared when they were escorting him out!
You need to help him toughen up his image. Maybe you
could send him on a hunting trip at the Metropolitan
Zoo, then claim that he’s a “master sportsman?” !!!
Toodles…
July 20th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
#5,7,8. Hey guys, this is kinda’ urgent here..
Would one of you be so kind as to disclose the age
of Max, and of the average poster on this blog?
Crimany-sakes !!.. The last thing I want right now, is
to be accused of lurking on kiddie sites!
July 20th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
“Lizard”=classic Repugnican. Nothing to do but drop his drawers and show the world his shortcomings.
Well, it’s better than braving IEDs over there so you won’t have to brave them here, eh LKizzy?
July 20th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Max, your video has me fired up! These punks are the
epitome of the chicken hawk/chicken shit repug culture,
and I’m ready to get it on with these pukes!! I wish
I could physically encounter these pussies, so I could get
in their face and tell them: You support this fucking
war? Then sign up and GET SOME of it!! But they are
following in the footsteps of their Dear Leader, the
Chimpenfuhrer - they can talk tough, but they’re no-shows
when the call goes out for signing up.
I’m a retired Marine grunt officer, living on Okinawa,
and my conclusion is that maybe 1 in 10 of these pukes
could even make it through any of the services’ Officer
Candidate School training. If their collective excuse
right now is that they are college students, then fine:
get their degrees and THEN SIGN UP FOR OCS in the
service of their choice. They all should leaping at the
chance to serve in a leadership position in this global
war against islamo-fascism. If they really have the
‘nads, then they’ll sign up for a combat arms slot in
the U.S. Army or Marine Corps. And if their balls are
in the extra-large size category, then they’ll insist
that they be given an infantry officer MOS upon graduation
from OCS. But you and I both realize that none of these
punks will ever make that choice.
Fucking repug pukes — GET SOME OR SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!
Dave in Okinawa
July 20th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Max-you rock! You’ve exposed the College Republicans
for the self-seeking loons they are.
July 20th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
A person could go to any dumbocratic convention and do the
same thing.
July 21st, 2007 at 1:02 am
Max:
I am amazed you aren’t getting more comments. Your video is everwhere. I have to laugh at “lizard”, the troll. Obviously, you struck a nerve.
BTW, lizard old boy, these aren’t “high school” kids. They are all in college. If you didn’t notice, they are your best and brightest. That’s saying something, champ.
I’ve got to second the nomination of the big guy saying he was definitely “not gay” as the highlihgt. I blew a shot of pepsi through my nose on that one.
All the best,
brew
July 21st, 2007 at 3:21 am
That’s some tight shit, dog. It takes chops to fly under the radar like that, and the material you got is very good. Keep bringing the high production-values, and I have no doubt your work will find an increasingly wide audience.
July 21st, 2007 at 7:21 am
What you losers fail to recognize is that there ALREADY
are a bunch of Republicans over there. Pol breakdown in
the armed services is probably 10-1 Repub to Dem.
Don’t forget too that there was and always will be a draft
exemption for college students, so they don’t even need
an excuse. It’s the equivalent of your running to Canada.
– Choad
LCDR, USN
Iraq 2006-2007
July 21st, 2007 at 8:40 am
Max, this site is FANTASTIC! You’ve got a LOTTTTTT of short-witted sycophants to post to your site, and I think that’s terrific. I hope none of the people on this site spend any time depending on the police, or the fire department, or any other Civil Service vocation that may require those in the service to give their lives in their efforts. because, according to the “Chickenhawk” label, one has to be in support of a war, but not in support enough to volunteer to go off to war.
It’s such a ridiculous idea that, in order to support a just cause for war, we have to also enlist in the war to fight it personally. we all want to fight the war on crime, the war on drugs, but I bet none of the people posting here (save for the anecdotal one or two antiwar policemen or firefighters) are fighting THOSE fights.
But, at the end of the day, all of you speak from a position of political weakness–I’m glad there are still a few people left in washington with balls in their pants to want to fight Al Qaeda. I don’t agree with how the war is going–but it’s stupid to bring them home. we need a change of direction, of strategy, in Iraq. We don’t need to just give up.
shame on you all.
July 21st, 2007 at 8:57 am
SUBLIME!!
EXCELLENT!!
College Republicans haven’t an original thought in their
collective heads. “…We’re fighting them there…”
If I have to hear that rediculous peice of drivel again
my ass will fall off.
The levels of cowardice and circular logic is
awe-inspiring.
Matt B. keep the light shining bright!
July 21st, 2007 at 9:05 am
Sorry, but your video just reminded me why I’ve dumped a whole lot of left-wing blogs from my regular-check list.
You begin with a stroll through Arlington. Doesn’t that make you as unprincipled an opportunist as anyone else building reputations on the bodies of the dead?
You denigrate an entire cohort with silly or misguided comments from a few.
You got yourself hustled out of the place — as nearly as one can tell from the edited version of the video — primarily for playing the fool. (For similar behavior, you’d have been booted from more than Young Republican meetings.)
You present no data, not even speculation, that you’d have found more noble or heroic behavior and comments from a group of similarly-well-off young Democrats.
Sure, those are the Republicans of the future, some of whom may turn out no better than Bush or Wolfowitz. But if you are the future of journalism, that too is bad news.
And just out of curiosity, have you served in the military? If so, you ought to have indicated it; if not, you ought to keep your mouth shut.
[still waiting action on previous day’s post]
July 21st, 2007 at 9:43 am
I’d ahve to say the ending where they literally, physicically push you out of the room was the most shocking part to me. “Of course, we’re not going to physically make you leave” YEAH RIGHT! Thanks for exposing these meetings fo what they are: the antithesis of what they say they support..
July 21st, 2007 at 10:18 am
Great video man, very cleverly done. One comment, I love the narration but ease off on the Michael Moore impression. It sounds like you are actually trying to mimic Moore’s voice and manner of speech. I found that distracting and it somewhat compromised what could be a very powerful little video.
July 21st, 2007 at 11:04 am
It’s a fairly decent video, but you interviewed far too many high school’ers. High school’ers are the definition of “clueless” regardless of party-affiliation. Some of them were so naive that they didn’t even realize you were blatantly insulting them.
July 21st, 2007 at 11:06 am
Although I did find Tom DeLay’s immigration logic hilarious.
July 21st, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Lizard I’m going to call you Elizabeth…Do you mind if I call you that?
To me you sound like a deeply angered, middle-aged conservative woman with a horrible sex life and a lack of self confidence.
But anyway, I’m glad you missed me!
I’ve come to the conclusion that trying to engage in political dialogue with someone claiming to be a “conservative” that still hasn’t figured out there was never a connection between Saddam and 9/11 is really just a waste of my time. Like those idiots in the video. Maybe that’s why I added some swear words? Or maybe I just swear a lot and I don’t think it’s a big deal? I dunnno!
But Max stuck to his calm vibe and kept it strictly on the topic of humorous questions when talking to them. I’m sure (after reading Max in the past) that he could have easily slammed all of their “argument’s” apart, but it would have required facts and honesty and trying to get facts and honesty out of a college Republican is just an impossible task.
You missed writing an essay on our need to be in Iraq? Well that sucks I guess…
If they made sense I suppose me and Preston would miss them…But they don’t!
Sorry Elizabeth!
July 21st, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Max,
Great video!
I applaud you for asking these kids those hard-hitting
questions.
The new generation of young republicans are developing a
very radical mentality. And this is very scary!
Best.
July 21st, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Max — genius! thanks for this.
debra
July 21st, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Ooo, Elizabeth! I actually like that one than the nickname I gave him: Lizzie. I’ve grown tired of responding to Lizzie; I’ve learned in the past that it’s nearly impossible to reason or even hold a conversation with a far-right bigot. His hatred and obsession with Max has become quite creepy, to say the least. I know if I were Max I would ban his ass, especially for those hateful, Anti-Semitic remarks he continues to sprew with pride.
Yet, deep down inside, I feel sorry for poor ol’ Lizzie. When someone thinks that Ms. Skeletor herself, i.e. Ann Coulter, is hot (I can’t even see Rosie O’Donnell herself chasing after her) then all attempts to reason with this person in a debate flies completely out of the window.
July 21st, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Yeah I know how this works Preston..You libs wrap
yourself in the American flag when you hurl out
the most putrid, bile, anti-Christian hate-mongering
remarks-which these archives are “chock-full-of”-
then you recoil into a fetal position and pull out your
“anti-defamation-minority-carte-blanche-free-pass
card,” crying “ban the bigot, blah,blah” when someone challenges you. Suddenly,
the people of “tolerance” become the people of
“censorship.” I disagree with almost everything you
and Max stand for..notice the word “almost”..
but I don’t becry your eradication. I WANT people to
see the whacked antics of Max trampling on graves at
Arlington and such, so that ALL can view your
eccentricity and start second-guessing their judgement
on supporting this disrespect of unparelleled
magnitude.
Advice: If you’re so thin-skinned that you become
this volitile when challenged, maybe you should
find someplace a little less stressful to hang out;
say..like a model car chatroom or something.
July 21st, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Edit: “volAtile”..”Decry”…for the grammar police.
July 21st, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Hi Max.
I saw your video on boingboing. I love it.
July 21st, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Lizard, I’m gonna keep it real with you: I don’t agree with censorship. In fact, as a college student studying film—someone who considers himself pretty cynical against the world—I do not agree with censoring people whom I disagree with when my own politics on various issues are sacrilegious. I bring up me being a film student because I know how important it is as an artist to express oneself veraciously. Hey, I think the film “Birth of A Nation” is quite disgusting when viewing the minstrel portrayal of blacks as subhuman creatures; however, looking pass Griffith’s racism, and judging the film by its technical craft, i.e., editing, composition, continuity, etc., the film is aesthetically a work of art, and I wouldn’t advise anyone to censor the film for fearing it would offend. I feel the film is an important moment not only in film history—being that it’s the first narrative film—but also it’s important because it shows us how misguided and poisonous a person’s racism such as Griffith’s can be when using film as insidious propaganda.
Thus, I don’t agree with censoring people whom I disagree with politically. Yet your knee-jerking comments and verkrampte behavior, where you hatefully brought up Max’s ethnicity to disparage him and others who are Jewish, was very wrong, Lizard; if you’re really the Christian you say you are, then even you have to admit your attacks against him were racist. Stating how Max and his people are ungrateful Americans, and if they don’t like it here, they should go back it Israel—how is that challenging one’s argument or opinion? That was an ad hominem attack against Max that had nothing to do with his video or the topic at hand. You have become obsessed in degrading Max and your remarks does not advance or enrich the conversations here; you say things just to for the sake of creating cause célèbres. That’s a troll.
Sure, your rationalization for attacking Max is that he solicits “anti-Christian hate-mongering remarks” to the masses. But, Lizard, we’ve been over this repeatedly and it just doesn’t register with you: Max criticizes The Christian Right, which, in my opinion, is a complete bastardization and regressive form of Christianity. Are you aware there are some Christians themselves who aren’t fans of “The Christian Right” and find their fascist tactics to flush out any form of secularism and science in our country despicable? You haven’t pointed to a single article of Max’s that proves he trashes Christians as a whole, and your failure to contradistinguish between The Christian Right and Christianity is myopic and lazy.
Your entire argument is sophistry. For example, David Horowitz on his website FrontPage writes some of the most racist things imaginable against blacks, to where it rivals Dinish D’Sousa’s and Charles Murray’s racist work. Now, David is Jewish like Max, but do you think I’m going to take a nutcase like David and say he’s the exemplification of how ALL Jews feel towards people of my race and they should all go back to Israel? Or we could look at this another way: Khallid Muhammad, Louis Farrakhan, Steve Cokely and Len Jeffries are all Anti-Semites, but it would be just as disingenuous and lazy to say these crackpots represent the “black community’s” hatred towards the Jews. Therefore, if Max was/is a Christian bigot, what does that have to do with the whole Jewish Community and Israel? Do a few represent all and everyone must be punished when someone out of their “clan” steps out of line? To me your remarks are the equivalent of people saying that I should shut-up about racism and be grateful that I’m living in America, because in Africa I would not have such luxury (completely ignoring the fact my people been here since the 1600s and helped made America the great superpower it is today). Again, Lizard, your argument is mere sophistry.
In closing, I do feel sorry for you, Lizard, because I don’t think you’ll ever resolve your vulgarian beliefs towards minorities and “liberals.” You’re so stuck in your ideology, blinded by your hate, you can’t see anything rationally even when it’s thoroughly pointed out to you. Sad.
July 21st, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Awesome. Truly what the internet is for.
It’s post like these that stop me from disconnecting my
cable and retiring to an island somewhere.
July 21st, 2007 at 8:26 pm
I like how Preston specifically pointed out the difference between the Christian-Right and Christians in general. Although a huge percentage of Christians identify themselves as being part of the right, it’s usually for reasons like abortion. But far too many of them have warped Christianity into this medieval-style cult used as a basis for degrading minorities and justifying a war that has done nothing for the US other than the deaths of over 3,500 soldiers. Please tell me Elizabeth …What good has come out of invading Iraq? And what will in the future?
You recite the all too familiar conservative rhetoric on liberals when it comes to a time of war: “They hate America!”… “Liberals side with the enemy”… “They don’t support the troops” ect…
This bull shit is laughable at best, and is used as nothing more than to overshadow the topics at hand: Where are the WMD? Why were we lied too? What good has come from invading Iraq? Why were we told that there was a connection between Saddam and Al-Qaeda? Why has the justification for this war changed from “the threat of weapons of mass destruction” to “fighting for freedom”???
In other words, because liberals believe that we shouldn’t be randomly invading sovereign countries in the Middle East on the basis of securing future supplies of oil, were traitors…we hate America…and we agree with the “enemy”. That’s how smart right-wingers are.
What’s funny though is that although conservatives don’t have an argument when they call liberals anti-American, liberals do have an argument when they call right-wingers Nazi’s.
Prediction number two:
If Elizabeth isn’t a middle-aged ornery conservative women with no sex life, he is a Jewish transsexual who went to school with Max and secretly loves him.
July 21st, 2007 at 8:27 pm
woman*
July 21st, 2007 at 8:41 pm
Hey Max, I’m guessing you live in or around DC…
Are you familiar with the CODEPINK girls?
July 21st, 2007 at 9:11 pm
Great film. They have deluded themselves that they are not hypocrits, amazing. How do I get one of those cool bumper stickers?
July 21st, 2007 at 9:12 pm
It was very interesting how you asked men why they didn’t enlist in the military and forgot to ask the women students why they also didn’t enlist in the military is they were also for the bar. It’s like their pro-Iraq answer just didn’t register much because they were women…
Overally, it is an excellent video and I enjoyed watching it very much. Good job!
July 21st, 2007 at 9:21 pm
I meant “why they also didn’t enlist in the military since they were also for the war” (not bar).
July 21st, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Prediction number two:
If Elizabeth isn’t a middle-aged ornery conservative women
with no sex life, he is a Jewish transsexual who went to
school with Max and secretly loves him.
Dude, why are you raggin’ on Jewish transexuals?
July 21st, 2007 at 11:01 pm
You know, it raises a great point. I support the war, but I’m not a soldier.
I support the ‘war on drugs’ but I’m not a narcotics police officer.
I support restrictions on animal testing, but I have not joined even one protest rally.
I think everyone should have the right to vote, but I don’t participate in voter registration drives.
I just do my job, every day, the best I can. And I vote. And I love my family.
What kind of dirty hypocrite am I?
July 22nd, 2007 at 3:55 am
The psuedonym “Lizard” suits the writer well.
Max did not trick those kids at all. He asked them straight questions.
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:36 am
Max,
great work, keep it up. The best way to expose these
idiots is to just let them talk.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:13 am
LMAO! Damn, Matt, that was cold, but not unfunny though.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:03 pm
This liberal filth just demonstrates the weaknesses of the democratic pary
Go F U C K yourself Max “the liberal cunt” Blumenthal
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:06 pm
As a Harvard Professor I am embaressed at how stupid and arrogant
Max Blumenhtal actually is, I agree with the above poster,
he is a liberal cunt, oh, and poster “matt” go F U C K yourself
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Not sure when I’ll stop laughing.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Wow, Matt! Awesome! I went to school down South with these tough-talking weenies - they’re perfectly willing to pontificate about sacrifice and taking ‘em on - as long as they’re sure it’s gonna be a bunch of poor black boys doing their fighting for them. If there was a draft with no wavers for rich, spoiled offspring you’d see a whole different tune on this Iraq issue from the Republicans. And, JEEZ - even their own generals say there was NO Al Quaida in Iraq before we went over there and opened up a hole for them. They remind me of that fat Southern politician in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas - every time the facts come up they just do that little side-step and SLIDE off on some other topic.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Powerful stuff, Max! Great buildup and strong finish - this rocks! Lets get this posted everywhere.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Max great job. Wish I’d known you were going to do this
before you did. Those weasels claim
asthma or football injury? as a reason for not enlisting.
They need to know that soldiers with insulin dependent
diabetes (became diabetic while on active duty) are
serving in Iraq…walking patrols, wearing 40 pounds of
equipment in 120 deg. heat. Diabetes has always been a
“get out of the military card” because of the problems of
Insulin, insulin shock, sanitation etc. but now because of
the wonderful republicans they are serving. These brats
need to be told they should get their buns to the re-
cruiters.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:44 pm
I really enjoyed this video project of yours.
Too bad you were “discovered” before you could get
around some more. I wonder how they found out about you.
One thing I enjoyed was hearing all the lame excuses. I didn’t
know the military had excuses now when they’re taking druggies.
I also am wondering why they pushed you out of the room where
Tom DeLay was speaking where moments before they said they
wouldn’t physically push you out but they ended up doing so.
Gotta love it don’t ya? I also didn’t see you hit that woman
and I watched it twice to make sure. Well you did a great
job and I totally have a new crush.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:46 pm
To the person talking about the republicans of your generation
I think that’s for pretty much majority of the generations.
Well at least the one’s who are the biggest loudmouths.
We don’t have anymore Barry Goldwater types even if I did
have my own issues with him.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Oh Lizard. I guess you forgot there are Christian’s who are liberal.
I used to be one but now I’m a Christian who is a socialist.
I guess only you guys are allowed to call the flag yours.
Who knew? I guess my great ancestor Ben Franklin would have
something to say about that.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:53 pm
To Preston Powell you’re right on the “Christian Right.”
I’m a Christian and I don’t like them and what they’re doing
either. I guess I’m hating on myself? Eh. I suggest
the book “American Fascists” which talks about the
“Christian Right” and he’s a Christian as well who was
raised in the church and I believe his dad was a pastor
and he even went to seminary school as well.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Oh on “American Fascists” the author is Chris Hedges.
Sorry I forgot to mention the name. I also suggest
“American Theocracy” by Kevin Philips who is hardly
some liberal.
July 22nd, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Preston, I also thought that was uproariously funny;
“funny” that I’m engaging in a “battle” of wits, with two
unarmed opponents. Can’t imagine the “fun” you’d be
having if I listed my screen-name as Jesus Gonzalez!
Well Preston, judging by your “delight,” it’s painfully
obvious that I’ve given you far too much credit as being
scholarly; you’re only a paper tiger. You’ve relied
on your outer facade to shield you from exposure
of your true liberal DNA. I once gave you credit for
being in the top “.001%,” of your* class, but I’m going
to have to change that to read: “smack-squarely-in-the
-middle.” I am not humorless, but honestly, that joke
was as uninteresting as watching paint dry.
I think this blog should have a log-in process which
discloses the ages of Mother Max and his ducklings. This could
be posted adjacent to the screen-name. Cripes! The
last thing I want is to be accused of lurking on
kiddie sites. I was going to respond to your previous
comments, but what’s the point? No need to waste
perfectly good bandwidth.
*Legal disclaimer: The context of the word “your,” within
this document, is hereby, without reference to a specific
race,creed,gender,religion,sexual orientation, or
nationality. The intent for usage is; as a substitute
descriptor of a particular subculture, that possesses
an eclectic chronic, severely deficient, mental capacity,
-otherwise known as “liberalism,”- of which there is
no known cure. At present, this group does not encompass
the protected status from discrimination.
Now that’s “funny!!!”
Grammatical errors noted..signed off without proof-reading.
July 22nd, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Edit: accidentally omitted “sexual DISorientation,”
in the disclaimer..Just want to make sure that Matt and
his transsexual buddies are covered!
July 22nd, 2007 at 5:19 pm
Max,
I’m a 59 year old male who gets what you were trying to show the world with you video of the Young College Republicans. Just want to say you are reaching a very diverse audience. Today as I was driving with the wife to do some shopping in Gettysburg PA; I was listening to a local radio station where I was surprised to hear some audio from you latest video. The show is called “United for Progress” and you can also listen to them on line here: http://www.unitedforprogress.com/
I hope you continue exposing the neo-con uber-alles wing of the Republican Party for what they truly are: Fascists
Since the nut doesn’t fall far from the tree, those bobbing heads you spoke with at the hotel are more than likely the future of that wing of the Republican Party. Then to hear Tom Delay, the biggest Hypocrite in the Republican Party, say that 40 million abortions are not lost human beings but lost peons that aren’t here to do take the jobs that the elitist crowd he is lecturing won’t do. How screwed up is that logic.
July 22nd, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Lizard, if you honestly think I wouldn’t be as aggressive towards your comments if you were a Latino, then you’re dead wrong, bub, for nothing irks me more than far-right conservative minorities—“pet minorities” what I like to call them. Therefore, your insinuation that I would somehow welcome you warmly without critical examination because you’re a minority is pretty laughable. You don’t know jack about me, bub, and I’m not that easy to categorize with your “black and white” binary classifications.
I’m going to keep this short; I have more important things to do than argue with you. But it should be duly noted that I responded back to you when you patronizingly pat me on the head with that so-called nice remark about me being smart; however, Max hasn’t authorized the post to go through yet due to its length. Furthermore, I have decided not to respond to you anymore. Though I pity you and your extremist beliefs you hold so proudly, you’re someone that’s impossible to reach or even converse with intelligently. I do wonder what you meant when you said I relied on my “outer façade to shield” my “true Liberal DNA.” I never denied being a liberal, progressive, leftist—whatever you want to call me. I did say I have/had my issues with many Liberals, including The Clintons, and I’m not a water carrier for any candidate or political party. And, no, I’m not a centrist either because I’m very liberal on mostly ALL issues; I’m what you could call an independent. I never tried to hide the fact I’m liberal; there’s no shame in me admitting that.
Anyway, save your half-assed compliments or responses to me, I’m not going to play your “bait-the-liberal-with-insults” game anymore. I’m done.
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:20 pm
Preston do you ever post on political forums?
Come to this one:
www.politicsandcurrentaffairs.com
I’m “Obamaaa”
July 23rd, 2007 at 12:07 am
That video was great! It was funny yet very disturbing! Draft College Republicans, brilliant!
July 23rd, 2007 at 12:38 am
for a quick instant i confused you with sidney blumenthal…but no matter; really enjoyed this video and admire how you kept your cool and a straight face while the chicken hawks flapped and squawked.
July 23rd, 2007 at 12:43 am
Fantastic Clip there MAX.
I am Sending the YouTube Link to all People I possibly can.
RepigliKKKans with medical problems that can’t serve because
they’re in college. LMAO talk about piss weak excuses.
Sounds just like George “Wheres’ My Drink” Bush,
Rush “Assboiled” Limbaugh and Dickless Cheneys type of
excuses.
Please keep up the pressure MAX. Don’t Stop.
America needs more people like you to stop these
“NEO_SAPIANS” from fullfilling their New World Order
plans and using Americas Dumbest college grads to fulfill
their plans.
CHECK OUT THIS OLD CARTOON - PEOPLE GETTING CHIPPED -
By the NEO-SAPIANS CALLING FOR A NEW WORLD ORDER http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKr4uAUxot4
Can MAX BLUMTHAL save us time?
July 23rd, 2007 at 6:35 am
is there a RSS feed for this blog?
July 23rd, 2007 at 7:53 am
FANTASTIC!!!!
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:52 am
Thanks for that link, Matt, I’ll bookmark the site and check it out. I occasionally post at Media Matters when they carry some stories that perk my interests, but I’ll definitely check out the forum you just linked.
You’re rooting for Obama? I dunno, I have my issues with him (and it has nothing to do with Obama’s “blackness” or lack thereof for those who are reading and thinking that could be the case. Such superficialities are silly and shallow to me). We do have to admit that Hillary’s been kicking his ass in the debates for the past few months. I’m not even rooting for Hillary, but TWICE she stole the debates from Obama that were held at HBCs, and it was embarrassing to watch. He’s pretty stiff and robotic, and he needs to shape up a bit if he’s expecting to steal the black vote from her.
I’m a bit undecided over who I’m rooting for at this point. I like Edwards and the message he brings forth about poverty and education, but I’m not sure he’s capable of winning the nomination. If anything, it’s Edwards that the Republican Party is afraid of more than the other candidates.
July 23rd, 2007 at 1:16 pm
LIZARD: How an adult liberal was able to successfully dupe some conservative high school kids, with a few parlor tricks, is beyond comprehension.
ENTERIK: I was wondering how many posts it would take you to get around to adressing the video at hand, just to see what sort of spin is deemed as damage control. I see you went with the “immoral liberal adults molesting naive conservative children” schtick. How quaint. But after actually watching the video, it seems to me the majority of those offering their opinions are adults participating in the COLLEGE Republican National Convention. They seemed to be offering their sincere answers to clear questions regarding the occupation of Iraq and their non-participation in said occupation (or invasion). So where is the duping? Where are the parlor tricks? Where are the kids?
LIZARD: Plain and simple, those damned kids just dropped the ball there for those few minutes by assuming that Max was a genuine human being. And you know what happens when we “assume?”–yuck, yuck, yuck.
ENTERIK: What ball do you think these college aged adults were carrying? The ball of carefully crafted talking points? The ball of obscuring ones true opinions? The ball of studied conformity? Or the ball of silence? What could these future leaders have possibly assumed about a man asking simple questions regarding their support for the Occupation of Iraq and their decision not to participate in that occupation? How could these young Republican leaders not understand the political liabilities of baldly stating their personal hypocrisy?
LIZARD: Anywhooo, I’m just trying to recognize a true liberal icon. Any adult liberal who can swindle some kids, deserves the “Nobel Prize” that you’re aligning him with. Max is truely on the cerebral envelope of deep-thinking for your liberal causes. I’m just worried that the big guy is going to climax his career too soon. This movie is dangerously close to the pinnacle of liberal capability; he’s simply setting the bar too high.
ENTERIK: Your lame attempt to insinuate “liberal careerist mediocrity” falls flat. What you mock as requiring deep-thought is patently obvious. This video conveys the simple and effective message that there is a disparity between College Republican word and deed. The College Republicans statements of personal belief about and excuse from the Iraq occupation are what give the video impact.
LIZARD: Well, I guess he does have to make up for some lost time. After all, he missed an opportunity to interview Ronald Reagan on the Alzheimer’s ward, and then claim that he’s “smarter” than a conservative president!
ENTERIK: Rather than accuse you of attempting a Pied Piper-style retreat into a fantasy world of conservative hyperbole, I’ll just ask you to explain how that last sentence has any bearing on reality? How does it help you rehabilitate the misguided opinions of the GOPs rising stars?
LIZARD: There might be something left; maybe you guys can help him work on that whimpy persona of his?–he did look genuinely scared when they were escorting him out! You need to help him toughen up his image. Maybe you could send him on a hunting trip at the Metropolitan Zoo, then claim that he’s a “master sportsman?” !!! Toodles…
ENTERIK: The liberal estimation of a man does not require displays of machismo, but it does esteem courage. Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway (that’s a John Wayne quote by the way). Your misundestanding aside, in the video Mr. Blumenthal maintains his composure, his tone didn’t waver, he continued to courageously question those physically forcing him from the venue, almost as if the inner sanctum of College Republicans could not bear the light of public scrutiny, they were acting almost as if they knew their little conclave has embarassing aspects that many find offputting.
July 23rd, 2007 at 7:08 pm
I like Obama for a few general reasons:
1) Hillary’s great, but lets be real…
She stands no chance with a huge percentage of moderate swing voters.
Plus, people are tired of the Clintons. As much as I hate to say it she still drags with her the smell of the late 90’s scandals that polarized the Clinton white house. The great things that man did for this country will always be overshadowed by the impeachment trial.
2) Obama mainly swings left on issues, but has a lot of stances to the right that appeal to more moderate Republicans. I think he stands a huge chance at winning.
3) Edwards is alright…but just doesn’t appeal to people.
I’m still keeping my options open, but after his speech in 2004 I’ve been hooked.
July 23rd, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Your right about Hillary kicking his ass in the debates…
But I think Obama will get most of the black vote. A lot of black people (even if they like Hillary more) are going to vote for Obama specifically because he’s black and it would be a milestone for the country. So would a women I guess, but its sort of like a “stick to your people” race in the Democratic party. Women for Hillary, black people for Obama.
July 23rd, 2007 at 7:11 pm
WOMAN* AHHH! lol
July 24th, 2007 at 8:19 am
Max,
Very nice…kinda Michael Moore lite thou.. and get a new
car man.. I mean driving around in a 92 Toyota…..
how ’bout a Hi-Bread?
July 24th, 2007 at 10:31 am
You are an idiot. Grow up and stop being so egotistical. You have no idea what’s going on.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:33 am
Your karate kid impersonation showed what an arrogant f#$k you are. Can’t wait for you to censor me.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:39 am
Well done. (Except the interpretive dance thing).
July 24th, 2007 at 11:52 am
I don’t know if it’s going to be that easy for Obama to win the black vote simply because of his race. Historically, black folks have been deceived many times by wolves and sheep’s clothing, and are aware that just because the person is of the same color doesn’t mean that person will have their best interests at heart or deep group solidarity (e.g., Clarence Thomas and Condeleeza Rice). Women and black voters are a lot more sophisticated than many perceive them to be, and I’m sure both groups are going to vote for the candidate that can win an election in a landslide. Personally, as a black man, I’m not voting for Obama because he’s brother, I want him to show that he has leadership skills, and stop peddling the same neoliberal sound bites that makes him appear as calculating and insincere as Hillary Clinton. In the debate last night he conjured up the name Ronald Reagan at least three times—almost like the Republicans in their past debates—and that type of pandering and calculation to win rural voters will do him in, much like his buddy Harold Ford, Jr. Surely Obama is aware that Reagan’s history with black folks in this country wasn’t that great, and to reference him so positively with this carefree attitude made me question Obama’s sincerity and how “liberal” he really is. If anything, I view Obama as a centrist and master manipulator like Bill Clinton, the proliferator of neoliberal pimpology.
Now, if the Democratic Party could produce a candidate like, say, I dunno, a Kucinich with electability, then we might be getting somewhere.
July 24th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
However, I should add that I would vote for ANY Democrat before a Republican. lol So if it’s either Obama, Hillary or Edwards as the nominee, I would vote for any of them before the crop of Republican candidates. Any of them would be better than the last eight years of Bush.
July 24th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Max:
I assume that you will be picking up a rifle and standing a post yourself? If not I suggest you do something constructive to help support the troops that are defending our way of life and are in harms way. Without those brave men and women - you wouldn’t have an opportunity to piss away your trust fund on making these little videos.
July 24th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Absolutely brilliant.
July 25th, 2007 at 2:32 am
Preston says:
“…master manipulator like Bill Clinton, the proliferator
of neoliberal pimpology.”
Outstanding! I finally found something that I agree with
coming out of Preston!! Hey Preston, check out post
#150! I think that’s a fair assessment of the liberal
perception of minorities. Maybe someone should get
this Vietnam-era protester, LSD tripping , time-warp
hippie, up to date?
July 25th, 2007 at 11:10 am
What a bunch of trash. Lets try this at the Dems.
I served in Vietnam if you scummy poticos would
let the military do what all of you sickos sent them
to do this war would be over. 98% of the senate voted
for this war. You like wars when they are popular and run
like scalded dogs when things get tough. War is hell get
over it.
July 25th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Your “Generation Chickenhawk” video also provides a revealing glimpse of the homilies preached to the choir at the College Republican National Convention (CRNC). It seems as if all manner of crusaders want to let their little lights shine, discretely under the bushel.
From CRNC National Chairman Paul “Direct Mail Fraud for the Elderly” Gourley’s bleeding woman-type (Matthew 9) witness of his fanboy brush with the hem of the Bush Administration, to the Tom DeLay clobber quote blaming the problem of illegal penny-pinching employers on the absense of a readily exploitable underclass, to McCarthy era fossil Fulton Lewis III exhorting consevrative non-soldiers onto the campus battlefield, what passes for Republican deep-thinking proves to be little more than a cannonball Sunday tent revival for the true believers.
Do you plan a video highlighting more of the speakers?
July 25th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Saw it on www.thismodernworld.com. Brilliant!
July 26th, 2007 at 6:06 am
What an eye opening video! It exposed their complete hypocrsy.
I call them armchair patriots because that is exactly
what they are. They are beneath contempt. And the sad
part is we’re looking at our ‘future leaders’ in this
video.
July 26th, 2007 at 6:10 am
Sgt. Slaughter Says:
July 24th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Max:
I assume that you will be picking up a rifle and standing a post yourself?
Instead of waving the flag maybe you should address
the specific points of his video.
July 26th, 2007 at 6:19 am
john Says:
July 24th, 2007 at 10:33 am
Your karate kid impersonation showed what an arrogant f#$k you are
That’s because right wing neonuts have NO sense of humor.
My wife and I were rolling on the floor when he went
into his ‘karate kid’ thing. That’s because we on the
Left do not take ourselves as seriously as you people
take yourselves. But I can’t blame you - your leader
is Jesus’ twin brother (in his demented mind anyway0
July 26th, 2007 at 6:23 am
Marine MP Says:
July 19th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
They support the troops and espouse patroitism and pride on behalf of their country.
As a former Viet Nam era army person I have often asked
myself and others in my unit “what is it that makes
marines so dumb and blind?” But I think the answer is
obvious - you suffer the most casualties in any
engagement because you all are little John Waynes
rushing off to war without ever thinking about the
criminality of it. The invasion of Iraq was illegal.
Bush and company are guilty of crimes against humanity
and numerous war crimes. Maybe you should read the
Nurenburg War Crimes transcripts before attacking a
real patriot.
July 26th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
max if all the college republicans elisted and went to war? hey nice plan max - this would leave nothing but liberals and democrats in power. then america would be in serious trouble. we would probably give our country over to the U.N. what is your point max other than propaganda. you and churchill must sit around and have pow wows.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
“Chickenhawk” is perhaps one of the best pieces of video journalism I have ever seen. Max Blumenthall, you enrich of our democracy. Those kids dont believe in the war any more than most Americans. It was like you took an X-Ray and published it.
July 27th, 2007 at 7:51 am
Hey Max! Ya did good kid, now where do you go from here ?
Uncle Jesse
July 27th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
John, I know it seems like a bunch of goofy college kids are currently running the executive branch. However, the College Republican National Committee is NOT IN POWER. Liberals and democrats are not likely to replace them in the CRNC leadership were the deeds of young republican leaders to match the words of young republican leaders.
Your comments also seem to imply that participation in the Occupation of Iraq that young republican leaders feel is so important to American domestic security is a literal dead end, almost as if you believe they won’t be coming back.
The video reveals more than the future GOP leaders’ personal hypocracy(sic), it also reveals what appears to be their startling lack of intellectual autonomy. When queried most seem to regurgitate that misguiding talking point “fighting them over there, so we don’t have to fight them over here”. This observation is exceptional for the uniformity of grammar and delivery that suggests to me that most have been programmed with a thought pre-empting slogan that keeps them from thinking deeply about any issue involving the indefinite Occupation of Iraq or the toll it taking on our military service members. In this regard, I liken the College Republicans in the video to gluttonous patrons of the Bush Betrayal Buffet.
These College Republicans have binged on the President’s georgian feast of greed, ignominy and death that is the endless Occupation of Iraq. They just hit the grub without an exit strategy or even an occupation strategy. The president refused to properly prepare and equip our soldiers while blaming Congress? The President has consistantly tried to reduce Veterans Administration funding and pay increases for soldiers during a time of increased need, in so doing he has betrayed their sense of duty and good faith efforts on our behalf. College Republicans gobbled it up his tripe as if it were freedom mignon (formerly filet mignon).
Like a parent that is responsible for food the health and safety of their child’s food supply, Congress has the Constitution authority to inspect, direct and even terminate the nation’s overall Iraq Occupation strategy. As commander of the military, not of Congress and not of the Public, it is the President’s job to serve what comes out of the Congressional kitchen. Congress is the Decider and has a duty to evaluate the ongoing occupation and set reasonable timetables. The President betrays the nation and our troops again in refusing such common sense standards. The vomitoreum College Republicans self-indulgence lends an air of acceptability to the gluttony of a would-be unitary executive.
July 29th, 2007 at 9:56 am
max-
you’re unbelievable. first, you pick the weakest representatives at the convention to answer your questions (see guy in white shirt trying to explain his view on sexuality). second, you don’t allow any of your subjects to separate political views from professional aspirations– you don’t have to be in the army to support a war. you support environmental conservation. yet, i don’t see you driving a fuel efficient hybrid or walking for that matter. why not? are you not man enough to fully support the environment, or do you have better ways of supporting that cause using the resources you have been blessed with? i’m going to assume the latter, maybe you should consider that the next time you go around asking your subjects outrageous, leading questions. or, if you feel the need to trap all your subjects the way you did in this video, maybe you should expand on the people you interview. just ask the same question to all the democratic candidates who voted for the war–i bet the results would be strikingly similar. finally, your dance at the end was completely unprofessional and inappropriate. as an activist you should aim to transform the views of the opposition, not harden them by acting like an immature, heckling reporter. i have no problem with your political views or urge to question those politically opposed to you, just act like an adult when you do it.
July 29th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
Excellent work!!! A young Michael Moore??? I think so!
July 30th, 2007 at 4:27 am
Thank You. So bad I cant have that sticker on my car. Im in the military and they will not have runing around the base with that.
July 30th, 2007 at 9:28 am
ANDY: max-you’re unbelievable. first, you pick the weakest representatives at the convention to answer your questions (see guy in white shirt trying to explain his view on sexuality).
ENTERIK: You mean like mumbling future fullbright awardee Justin York(06:51)? You’re kidding, right? You didn’t watch the video all that closely did you? I suspect not, here’s another reason why I think your opinion half-baked. Max Kues (white T-shirt guy) interupts Max’s interview of his classmate, Sarah Billingham, to offer his own witness of ex-gay theology (03:22). He picked Max! I suspect you may be reacting strongly to his admission secret desires because the “conservative” point of view sees this as an embarassing flaw and personal weakness. Conversely, for liberals such a display triggers empathy for Mr. Kues plight and revulsion for repressive conservative morality.
ANDY: second, you don’t allow any of your subjects to separate political views from professional aspirations– you don’t have to be in the army to support a war.
ENTERIK: Didn’t allow? Clealry, all were asked two separate questions, “Do you support the occupation of Iraq?” and “Why aren’t you serving in Iraq”? The answers by their very nature were separate. That aside, I direct your attention to the comments of Ralph Kettel (05:51) who says exactly what you say was not in the video. Now his body language pretty much negates any sense of sincerity one might have attached to his statement. So, the simple fact remains, these future Republican leaders are content to stay at home while others do their bidding in Occupying Iraq.
ANDY: you support environmental conservation. yet, i don’t see you driving a fuel efficient hybrid or walking for that matter. why not? are you not man enough to fully support the environment, or do you have better ways of supporting that cause using the resources you have been blessed with? i’m going to assume the latter…
ENTERIK: I don’t doubt that Max supports environmental conservation, although I can’t find such sentiments expressed in this or other videos and writings. None the less, I’ll address your silly comparison. First and most importantly, no environmentalist is asking anyone to risk life and limb as a direct consequence of the cause they support, not so for those who support the indefinite occupation of Iraq. Second, Max is not wealthy, he edits video in his bedroom and drives a third generation Toyota Camry LE. As a liberal internet video journalist, a hybrid is probably beyong his means, and given the embodied energy in his existing car, the opportunity cost and distant breakeven point after purchase of a hybrid, he has probably made a sound environmental and actuarial choice in driving his jalopy into the ground. Therefore, the examples are not equivalent or comparable.
ANDY:…maybe you should consider that the next time you go around asking your subjects outrageous, leading questions.
ENTERIK: The only thing outrageous and leading about Max’s questions were the canned talking point answers and excuses for personal choice that he received after asking them.
ANDY: or, if you feel the need to trap all your subjects the way you did in this video, maybe you should expand on the people you interview. just ask the same question to all the democratic candidates who voted for the war–i bet the results would be strikingly similar.
ENTERIK: at the risk of enabling you to veer off onto well trolled grounds, the 2002 AUMF authorized the United States to use military force to “defend the national security of the United States against t