But one of the blogs I liked, No Quarter, has taken a different tack. The blog is headed by Larry Johnson, an ex-C.I.A. agent and friend of Valerie Plame. I liked the blog because he’s well informed and cuts straight to the center of things. Over the last several months, I’ve been amazed at how the blog has gone from what I thought it was to a hate Obama diatribe. Once it got on that course, it rapidly changed from editorial to something else. I almost can’t read it now. He’s onto Obama’s preacher now, and the tone of the blog is that Obama is a black racist – something I really doubt. Johnson and friends sound like a pro-Hillary anti-Obama version of Rush Limbaugh – filtering the news to find creative ways to trash Obama.
I suppose that such a stand would be heroic, if it were based on facts – but it’s not apparent that it is. It’s an opinion and it strikes me as way over the top. It’s a shame. His previous informed commentary has deteriorated into rants. I sometimes wonder as I read it if I sound that way about Bush and Cheney. I certainly feel like they are extremely destructive, dishonest people. But I don’t filter the news. Actually, I don’t have to. They provide enough material daily for a sea of bloggers.
I agree with your feelings about Larry and some of his other writers with no quarter. What has me a little scared is that I think he really believes that the country will be in deep trouble if the wrong person wins the nomination and he knows a lot more about national security and foreign policy than a lot of other people like me. I think that he is throwing the kitchen sink because he doesn’t want anyone who might actually make the situations in our country worse. Paul Krugman of the NYTimes is very upset too for different reasons, like health care, economy, and some of the people advising Obama he finds big trouble. Krugman has written quotes of Obama speeches where he has said they are republican talking points. Some of the other blogs like taylormarsh.com and of course firedoglake are worried too. Many retired generals like Wes Clark, Eaton, Shinseki, and the general who lost his job after investigating our soldiers mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners are supporting her. Joe Wilson and others that I respect are supporting the same person that these blogs are. Larry’s blog is going to be nothing compared to what will be thrown at the candidate who wins the nomination. Rove and his band of rotten players will beat Larry anytime. By the way, you probably know this but Larry is a registered Republican who loves his country more than his party. I wish his blog was less personal in its attacks, just facts.
“By the way, you probably know this but Larry is a registered Republican who loves his country more than his party. I wish his blog was less personal in its attacks, just facts.” I do know that. I’m not even mad at him for raising the questions he’s raising. But he’s way, way over the top from where I sit. I’m not a strong Obama supporter myself. What I’m objecting to are the personal attacks, and the guilt by association rhetoric. It feels kind of crazy to me, post after post. If he has reason for feelings that are this strong, I’d prefer that he talk about them rather that heave this kind of stuff day after day.
I like Hillary too. Larry would do her a better service to make the points you are making than join in a Limbaugh-esque feeding frenzy. It’s his choice. I just have trouble reading it without wondering what’s up with he and Susan. This has not been their style. Frankly, in another time, I have questions about both of them – Clinton or Obama. But after Bush and Cheney, I’m worried that this kind of devisiveness is going to help McCain slide into a more prominant position.
So it’s not the content of No Quarter’s opinion, it’s the form it’s coming in that’s getting to me…