Kerry bashing continues

Conservatives, like all good playground bullies, continue to take sport in belittling John Kerry. Even if they have to make shit up to do it. James Taranto does it today:

John Kerry, the haughty, French-looking Massachusetts Democrat, who by the way served in Vietnam*, showed up yesterday at a Boston event, where he was "using crutches as he recovers from knee surgery," reports the Associated Press. He was also using emotional crutches as he recovers from last year's election:

"Last year too many people were denied their right to vote, too many who tried to vote were intimidated," the Massachusetts senator said at an event sponsored by the state League of Women Voters. . . .

Kerry also cited examples Sunday of how people were duped into not voting.

"Leaflets are handed out saying Democrats vote on Wednesday, Republicans vote on Tuesday. People are told in telephone calls that if you've ever had a parking ticket, you're not allowed to vote," he said.

Where did Kerry come up with that idea about leaflets saying "Democrats on Wednesday"? Probably from this story, which appeared a week before the election:

With the knowledge that the minority vote will be crucial in the upcoming presidential election, Republican Party officials are urging blacks, Hispanics, and other minorities to make their presence felt at the polls on Wednesday, Nov. 3. . . .

"You can't walk through a black neighborhood here in Miami without seeing our 'Don't Forget Big Wednesday!' message up on a billboard, tacked to a phone booth, or taped to a bus shelter," Monreal added. "The Republican Party has spared no expense in this endeavor."

Before Kerry embarrasses himself further, someone ought to take him aside and explain to him that the Onion is a satirical publication...

The Onion is funny, unlike Taranto. But they'll also far closer to the truth on this one. And who is surprised by that in today's America, where truth is stranger than fiction, where the ability to satirize is almost lost?

The following are several incidents from the Election Incident Reporting System that show exactly the kind of scenarios Mr. Kerry describes:

031926 11/02/04, 6:59 AM PST Other Phildadelphia, Phildalphia County, Pennsylvania Mother received a phone call with recorded message (President Clinton's voice) telling her that democracts vote tomorrow, not today.

031968 11/02/04, 6:52 AM PST Other Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania Voter received auto-call reminding him to vote "tomorrow" (i.e., 11/3) Caller id phone number was blocked.

032198 11/02/04, 7:10 AM PST Other strofront on 12th street, Philadelphia, philadelphia county County, Pennsylvania AFter she voted and came home at 915 she found a message on her answering machine. It was a prerecorded message by Bill Clinton telling democrats to vote tomorrow (November 3!!!) At the end of the tape it said the organization is America Coming Together. 215-922-0112 is the number on the tape.

 040589 11/02/04, 12:38 PM PST Other Lakewood, , cuyahoga County, Ohio Received recorded call saying "This is Working America. Don't forget to Vote for Kerry tomorrow " (11/3). (Caller did a *67 to determine origin of call) Sister in Columbus OH saw a flyer "Republicans vote on Tues, Democrats vote on Wed." [P]

047143 11/02/04, 4:22 PM PST Other Cuyahoga County, Ohio this person was at the grocery store and heard people telling folks that republicans voted today and democrats voted to tomorrow (11/3). also people were told they could vote after 7:30 tonight (polls close at 7:30)

050956 11/03/04, 7:44 AM PST Other Maple Heights, Cuyahoga County, Ohio Election worker got reports from 2 elderly voters that they got phone calls early today saying that Republicans vote today and Democrats vote tomorrow. Worker thinks the calls targeted Democratic voters.

052287      11/04/04, 8:27 AM PST      Other      Maple Heights, Cuyahoga County, Ohio      Calling voters at home stating: - if you have parking tickets - child support outstanding.

032940      11/02/04, 7:47 AM PST      Other      philadelphia County, Pennsylvania      Rumor that Scout's law prevents you from voting. Person afraid that if shows up to vote will be arrested bc has lots of outstanding tickets against him. That's the rumor floating around. I clarified the rumor is false.

There were rumors of this in 2000 as well.

Kerry also did not say that any of this cost him the election, just that this kind of garbage has no place in the electoral process. Just as slashing the tires on Republican vans in Wisconsin has no place either. If one person is denied their right to vote in this way then it's one person too many.

Of course, the point of this hit piece by Taranto is not to discuss an issue. It's to get in a dig and heap ridicule and scorn on an opponent. That's how the right thinks they win, by turning their opponents into caricatures. Disagreement and debate are really beside the point. The point is to say "Ha ha funny French stupid crutches windsurfing botox tanning cream ha ha!!!" And these are the people who whine and cry about how libruls "hate Bush."

You know what you do with bullies, don't you? You punch them in the face. Once. Hard. They'll run away. We'll see in 2006 whether or not Democrats pull the punch.