Katy Weber Abram was my date for the senior prom.
I just saw Lawrence O'Donnell sitting in on Hardball try to give Abram a hard time and get her to denounce Medicare as socialist. She did well not to bite, and he blew an opportunity to follow up on something she had just said which was incredible. That war is so common that it hadn't occurred to her to feel political about it. She said it seemed we were always having conflicts.
Incredible. The treasure and blood spent on war making is so much the background noise of existential hum in our country, as to not elicit a blip from this woman. She's obviously telling us the truth. War is normal. It's health care that's got her riled up.
But is it really? What do you think?
The military is highly socialized and no one, esp. anyone on the right, seems to either notice or care.
ReplyDeleteChew on that.
I find it hard to believe it hadn't occurred to her. People have been protesting the wars/occupation and the response from the right has largely been "unamerican" and "not supporting our troops".
ReplyDeleteNow that insurance and pharmaceutical companies see their meal-ticket at risk they are riling up well-meaning people with half-truths (at best - I'm being charitable here) to create a diversion on their behalf.
I don't think ill of Katy and I don't think she was paid to speak out. I do think she's been watching a lot of "news" presented in an unbalanced way from the far-
right point of view and acted reasonably based on that perspective. She was riled
up by half-truths provided by someone else. A sincere, passionate, naive, well-
meaning American, but a mouthpiece for corporate interests she probably didn't realize she was
supporting just the same.
She also contradicted herself on Hardball citing 'millions' of debates with a friend on the other end of the political spectrum - that sounds like some level of
political awareness to me.
I'm sure she was nervous (I would have been too) but I have failed to see (in any of her interviews) what I would consider a solid grasp of what she wants changed to bring us back to the constitution. She should be able to quantify what needs to be reconciled, at least in general terms. For example: the Patriot Act should be revoked, as it impedes our civil liberties, such as privacy.
I would also argue that providing a public option helps "promote the general welfare" much like having fire-fighters, police officers, running water and electricity do.
That said, nobody should be harassing her or her family. It's a free country and she spoke her mind - it's her right.
How sad for you
ReplyDelete