Rocky came out swinging (couldn’t resist–sorry) and built his case for a Presidential impeachment.
Our most-cherished values as Americans have been betrayed in unprecedented fashion. Either we condone what he has done through our inaction or we impeach him.
The cost of the war to the Iraqi people, who are much worse off now than before the invasion of Iraq, have been massive and tragic. Resentment and hatred of the United States have increased dramatically because of Bush’s atrocities.
Hannity countered with ad hominem attacks that my high school students could have identified easily—
Why won’t you show intellectual honesty and have the Democrats removed from office?
Calling Anderson Salt Lake City’s “part-time mayor and full-time protester,” Hannity suggested that Anderson should be impeached for not demanding that Democrats who supported the President in going to war should also be impeached.
The Salt Lake Tribune covered it here—I like the commenter that pointed out that the Dems Hannity was calling out for supporting the war (Kerry, Clinton, Kennedy, etc.) aren’t at the service of all Americans, but the President is. If their states/voters don’t like them, they can impeach them, but we all have a right to demand our President represent us honorably.
Hannity demanded to know why Anderson had voted for Kerry in 2004, and Anderson shot back, “You don’t know who I voted for–I voted for Green Party candidate Ralph Nader.” Hannity probably didn’t know that many Utahns who supported Kerry participated in “vote pairing” to minimize Nader’s impact in swing states yet still help the Green Party get their 5% of the vote. Not that that’s what Rocky did, but everyone knows in Utah our electoral votes go Republican regardless of who the liberals/progressives vote for.
In one of Hannity’s odder assertions, his sarcasm got in the way of his logic—
Everything is George Bush’s fault. Some of you women may get pregnant. If you do, it’s not your fault, it’s George Bush’s fault.
You’re right, Sean—Bush did cut birth control funding to the bone. Thanks for bringing that up.
Rocky summed up his argument succinctly—
To remove the president would send a resounding message to the world. To remain silent is complicit.
Word.
Comments 2
I agree…but exchanges like this don’t change minds and continue to show how great the divide is, especially here in Utah. It was silly to call it a debate…it was show boating on both sides. I heart Rocky anyway.
Posted 06 May 2007 at 6:53 am ¶My sentiments exactly. I agree it wasn’t a “debate,” and we haven’t seen a real debate in–well, ever (remember Bush and Kerry? puh-leese) but I was worried Rocky wouldn’t even be able to get a word in against a crowd heavy with SH supporters. I’m just glad he came through relatively unscathed and was able to hold his own in a ridiculous situation. Regardless of the legitimacy of the “debate,” the world was watching (well, maybe not the world, but not just Utah–or even just the US) and Rocky came out looking like a reasonable alternative, not like a “nutcake” as Orrin Hatch would say.
I know this may not change minds in the US, but I hope the rest of the world is getting the message, through people like Rocky Anderson and Jon Stewart, that many of us are horrified by the sham that is our President.
Posted 06 May 2007 at 10:05 am ¶