Why I put people who don’t want to be on camera…on camera.
This little douchebag, a McCain volunteer at the rally in Strongsville on Wednesday, didn’t want to be on camera when I asked him if he thought Barack Obama was a terrorist. Among others. A lot of commenters have asked why I would put people on camera who don’t want to be on camera.
Here’s why.
I am not a journalist. I am a blogger. Not interested in convening a blogger ethics panel, but I have an agenda. And my agenda is as follows.
People like this fellow have fucked with my country for decades. They have made America a laughingstock. They have destroyed our economy with their absurd economic dogma. They have gutted America’s standing in the world. They have reduced my country’s politics to a discussion of genitalia. They have cost my country’s military over 4,000 lives, they have failed to avenge 9/11, they have turned my country’s dream for its citizens upside down, making the little guy beg for scraps from a table built on fraud. They have turned the American Dream into a Dickensian nightmare.
This guy has no business telling me he doesn’t want to be on my videotape.
We have been subjected to this stupid fuck’s war on America for decades, and for too long we have left the battlefield to him and his ilk. We have cowered from their increasing insanity, we have given them every benefit of every doubt, until we finally are expected to bend so pathetically to their every demand that they now think they can tell us to go away, when all we do is ask them a simple question.
No more.
If this little turd doesn’t want to be on my videotape, then he’d better get his ass behind a fucking tree, because I could give two shits whether he is embarrassed by his own image at a McCain rally.
It’s time these people own their record. Time for them to own what they’ve done to my country. Time for them to pay the piper. And if the only price I can extract, myself, is their image on my blog, then I will extract it.
So if you watch a video from my blog, and you feel a bit miffed that some whining Republican thug is on tape without their consent, grow yourself a pair of onions and get the fuck over yourself.
I’m fighting for my country.
October 9th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Sounds to me like Democracy Guy found his cape!
October 9th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
You know, this is an interesting question. I’m uber-liberal and an Obama supporter from the start (I’ll always vote Democrat, reproductive rights is my issue), by the way.
The guy put himself out there by going to a rally. He was wearing his politics on his sleeve. It’s not like you broke into his house and demanded he tell you his thoughts on Obama.
Would I feel the same way if it was a conservative blogger trying to get people riled up at an Obama rally? I can’t honestly answer.
But I agree with you, on all points. I’m sick of these Republican fuckers. And I love your videos!
x
allison
October 9th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
so barack obama doesn’t have his own band of idiot supporters? Just go to San Fransisco to see the kind of people that support your candidate. Let’s also not forget the whack jobs on the left who think that September 11th was planned by the government.
Its pretty unfair to base your support for a candidate significantly on a band of average … Read Moresupporters. Right or left, every party has their crazy people.
This video blogger guy really isn’t all that rational since he is essentially committing the logical fallacy known as the “straw man “
October 9th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
“It’s time these people own their record. Time for them to own what they’ve done to my country. Time for them to pay the piper. And if the only price I can extract, myself, is their image on my blog, then I will extract it.”
Agreed. Keep up the good work.
October 9th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Damn.Perfect. Poor guy, they don’t have many trees in Strongsville that have had enough time to grow to become wide enough to hide douchebags.
October 9th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Keep up the good work. You gotta come to Butler County…the most republican rodent-infested in ohio (as evidenced by the largest support of bush & cheaney is the state of ohio and the only county that favored that idiot uncle tom ken blackwell over our current governor)
October 9th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Keep up the good work. You gotta come to Butler County…the most republican rodent-infested in ohio (as evidenced by the largest support of bush & cheaney in the state of ohio and the only county that favored that idiot uncle tom ken blackwell over our current governor)
October 10th, 2008 at 12:05 am
i live north of the border canada quebec.
and watching this whole senario unfold in the american campain
make me wonder.are u guys gonna have another civil war?
i hope obama win.but im not so sure.
god bless you and protest you.
October 10th, 2008 at 6:44 am
I am an Obama supporter but this particular post is over the top.
I don’t think it’s fair to post pictures of volunteers of any political candidate who have clearly stated they don’t want to be filmed – and then crudely personally insult them. Not sure what that adds to Obama’s campaign and it contradicts the Obama message.
There is whole heap of reasons why that is wrong, and it can quite easily escalate to a place where we don’t want to go.
October 10th, 2008 at 6:58 am
By the way, I think filming and interviewing the McCain-Palin crowds politely and without insult (or too much editorialisation) is fine.
However picking out a particular photo of someone who clearly did no want to talk and then insulting them is wrong.
You don’t need to insult anyone. Stay cool. Just let them speak.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:41 am
far from setting a “straw man” fallacy, the interviewer solicits many respondents to proclaim arguments that have been refuted exhaustively. the questions are direct and simple; the responses are utter nonsense and slanderous. the “blood line” response is the most disturbing and hateful.
“The key-word here is blackwhite.” Nineteen Eighty-four, George Orwell.
October 10th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Shalom Tim,
First, Mazel Tov on being named Best New Blog by Scene.
Second, I’m sorry to break the news to you, but you are a journalist, in the finest tradition of Finley Peter Dunne, Upton Sinclair and George Orwell.
Just because the corporate media whores have given up any sense of decency and still hang the false label of journalist around their necks, doesn’t mean you should disdain that honorable moniker.
It is always appropriate for a journalist to observe, record and report on the free actions of free citizens in a public setting. The moment we step outside our doors — physically or electronically, we freely give away any faux protection of anonymity with which we might wish to cloak our dishonorable actions.
Keep up the outstanding work.
B’shalom,
Jeff
October 10th, 2008 at 9:10 am
America was built on, and upholds, the freedom of the individual. With that freedom comes responsibility. If you wish to eschew personal responsibility for your poor decision making (that means you, Allison), then move to where they embrace Socialism.
McCain Palin supporters are students of history, and you don’t have to go back very far to find out how well Socialism works. 100 MILLION DEAD last century, but you can do better, right?
I notice your tone in the video, but more so in your blog, is quite combative, if not militant. Be careful who you pick a fight with. There are a lot of us that would lay down our lives to protect the freedoms of those that cannot protect themselves. You hear me, Allison???
October 10th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Benjamin – you write.
“There is whole heap of reasons why that is wrong, and it can quite easily escalate to a place where we don’t want to go.”
There is a lot more wrong with a guy who, when asked, refuses to answer the question “is Barack Obama a terrorist?”, when the only answer is NO.
These people have spent decades hiding in plain sight from their insane views, and that has had devastating effect on my country.
Those days are over.
Cowards like this need to man up, or get humiliated.
October 10th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Great video. I wish you had picked a better question than “Well, why did did McCain stand on stage with [Obama]?” That was juvenile nonsense. I wish you’d asked “Where did you read (or see) that Obama is a terrorist?” that might’ve been more illuminating.
October 10th, 2008 at 10:32 am
There are no doubt, extreme whackjobs on both sides- but the McCain nutjobs are Waaaaay more bloodthirsty than Obama’s. It’sa question of to what degree they will go to.
I think you need to keep digging once you open with a question- never take no for an answer untill they sufficiently give good reason!
October 10th, 2008 at 10:41 am
PatrickHenry Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 9:10 am
America was built on, and upholds, the freedom of the individual. With that freedom comes responsibility. If you wish to eschew personal responsibility for your poor decision making (that means you, Allison), then move to where they embrace Socialism.
McCain Palin supporters are students of history, and you don’t have to go back very far to find out how well Socialism works. 100 MILLION DEAD last century, but you can do better, right?
I notice your tone in the video, but more so in your blog, is quite combative, if not militant. Be careful who you pick a fight with. There are a lot of us that would lay down our lives to protect the freedoms of those that cannot protect themselves. You hear me, Allison???
Obviously, this little “turd” is cut from the same cloth that can make baseless accusations at his opponent but cannot man up and look his opponent in the eye and say it to his face.Also, taking the name Patrick Henry is hubris, my friend, by the way. You didn’t earn it.
I’ll grant SOME McCain Palin supporters are students of the Anglo Centric version of history- that much I agree with. As for socialism, being a governor of a petro-welfare state smacks of socialism to me, comrade.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:04 am
It is unnecessary.
I think taking a camera into the crowds and interviewing folk politely is good – you letting them make fools of themselves – no further comment is necessary.
However, I don’t agree with posting stills and insulting individuals, particularly if the guy has stated he doesn’t want to be on camera and has not responded to an interview.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:06 am
It is unnecessary.
I think taking a camera into the crowds to interview folk politely is good – you letting them make fools of themselves – no further comment is necessary.
However, I don’t agree with posting stills and insulting individuals, particularly if the guy has stated he doesn’t want to be on camera and has not responded to an interview.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Do you know what I immediately thought about as I was watching your Strongville videos? I was thinking to a time 18 years ago, when I was a senior at Selma High School in Selma, Alabama. The Selma City School Board had just voted to not renew the contract of the city’s first Black schools superintendent, the four white board members voting against, the three black board members voting for; he was an incredibly effective administrator, but he was his own boss and didn’t kow-tow to the city’s race-based power structure. Anyway, we, the students, engaged in a campaign of protest and civil disobedience – marches, pickets, sit-ins – and at every event, there were some sort of officials in suits who would drive up in unmarked cars and point their video cameras at the students, sometimes getting out and walking, slowly and conspicuously making their way up and down the line of students. What was the point? Hoping to capture a criminal action? Just trying to intimidate, to say, “We’re watching you”?
Well, Tim, I’m glad you’re out there for us now, letting them know that they’re being watched now. We’re all watching them, as we always have been, but now the world can see it along with us.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Wow, this is just what I expect from the ignorant left. I say ignorant left because not all on the left are ignorant. You sir, are. How do you expect anyone of any intelligence to take you seriously when you are filling your blog with name calling? You don’t even know these people. You think you can show up and ask a few ridiculous questions and get the whole story that way. Most of those people were probably answering the way you hoped they would because they didn’t take you seriously. To answer one of your questions, I have known of Obama longer than I have known Palin. All that means is that I have had more time to learn all the reasons why I think he is the absolute worst choice for President. You’ll have to accept my apologies, but I enjoy the freedoms I still have left. I am not a Socialist and do not wish to see this country socialized. I do not think Obama is a terrorist, but I know him to be friends with one and that is all I need to know.
October 10th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
What I find amazing is that you didn’t stumble on one intelligent person with a rant about why their candidate of choice is so great. I am guessing you didn’t have to edit out the smart point of view, of anybody. This political demographic appears mean, defensive, kind of scared, & sometimes antagonistic.
If some smart ass with a camera were hunting for me to say something stupid about Barack, not only would I be hard pressed to come up with something, I’d take the opportunity to talk about why I think he’s my choice to be the next president.
October 10th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Hey fuck you, Missy.
October 10th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I’m all for this. Making individuals own their words and actions, especially in a public place, we need more of it. You are dead right about what people like this have done to the country.
You’re right. You asked this guy a pretty clear question, “Is Barrack Obama a terrorist?” and the only honest answer is NO. He said nothing, but his eyes pretty much said YES. But he was ashamed so he just said he didn’t want to be on camera. He doesn’t want to be held accountable for his own freedom of speech or things he believes in.
For the crazy KOOKS showing up at these rallies, if you really want to hide your hate, just answer NO, and politely say you just support McCain for some issue. Otherwise we all know why you are, it’s written all over your face.
October 10th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
I gotta say, I agree with Benjamin. Not that the the guy you picture doesn’t deserve it, but the Obama campaign is not about recriminations or punishment. Negativity just polarizes even more.
Missy, what exactly have you learned about Obama that you don’t like?
October 10th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
There is also a legal precedent for harassment- be careful of the line you may cross. If they don’t want to talk, fine walk away. If you say, “can I ask you a question?” You are getting a verbal release from them for any liability.
If they want to jump in front of the camera like that crazy blond lady, than it’s all good- let her run her mouth off and put her in her place.
Engaging in a battle of wits with unarmed opponents will assure a swift victory.
October 10th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
you are a very sick individual. read your post- you come off as deranged. get some help, please, before you lose it more and do something worse.
October 10th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
As much as I am disturbed by the shameful behaviour of the people in these videos, I can’t see anything but more harm being brought about by dehumanising them.
October 10th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
I think Obama is dangerous in that instead of leading to more unity he leads to this kind of hate of Americans against Americans. It is wrong to put the guys pic if he doesn’t want to and he is entitled to his views even if you hate them. You get carried away with your accussations because you are blaming complex problems on a particular person or group. They are not guilty and the war is not the fault of that kid or his ilk because DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS voted for the war even if the Republican president led the charge. Dems and Repubs also ruined the economy. Remember the Nazis started by blaming the jews for all the ills of the world and look where that led. I worry seeing this kind of intolerance on both sides. And, I am totally scared that Obama will divide rather than unify the nation as he will make it okay to persecute those he perceives have done the kinds of things you mentioned. It is a very simplistic and hateful way of looking at the world. We need to come together not be divided.
October 10th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
The biggest tell here is that people who support McCain spend as much time bashing Obama as their candidate does. The facts will always win and the fact is Obama spends more time trying to build people up than tear them down as the recent report on ad tones shows us all.
Maybe these people are horrible, maybe they are misguided but this video proves that on that day they were indeed full of hate.
I don’t want a leader who incites hate towards their enemies, that’s the mentality that got us into this mess.
Obama preaches Hope. McCain spreads Hate.
My mind is made up.
October 10th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Fighting for your country?
You’re fighting for YOUR vision of how America should be, not how it is or ever was.
I’ll be very interested to see the counter to your videos showing up on YouTube, the ones where racist, angry, and paranoid
remarks from a few cherry-picked Obama supporters are put on camera.
Looking at your rant on this page, it seems like you are someone who’s only taken a recent in politics and history.
Please do yourself a favor and look at what political parties control the top 10 most corrupt cities in America. Which political party has had the most convictions for voter Fraud.
Heck read today’s headlines about Acorn for example of what’s gone on for Decades. Look up New Jersey or Illinois machine politics too.
October 10th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Cristobol Gusman: “so barack obama doesn’t have his own band of idiot supporters? Just go to San Fransisco to see the kind of people that support your candidate.”
Hey, I live in San Francisco. I’ll tell you who here supports Obama. White people, black people, Chinese-American grandmothers, Latino college students. Straight people, queer people (which I’m thinking is your not-so-subtle point), PhDs, folks who work in body shops.
I’ll tell you, too, who generally doesn’t support Obama here. People who believe in witch-hunting, people who think humans rode dinosaurs, people who shout “commie fag” and “kill him!” at rallies. People who shoot wolves from helicopters. Oh, and people like you. So I’d suggest you stay away from here, the most liberal, diverse, tolerant, cosmopolitan and maybe beautiful city in the country. Thanks!
October 10th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Some people just want to be left alone. You don’t think this turns people away from our liberal agenda? And by the way he has a right to publicity, which means he can sue you for damages for the attention he has brought your website, I kinda hope he does.
October 10th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
I am an Obama supporter, and you are wrong.
Not wrong in the evil that far-right douchebags have inflicted upon our country.
But rather, you are wrong in your belief that you can put out the fire by throwing gasoline on it.
When will this escalating cycle end? With violence? And how will you feel, knowing that you played your part in making that happen?
Rather than following McCain/Palin’s cue of rage, rage, RAGE! you should follow Obama’s example of cool, evenhanded responses to the troubles of our time.
You don’t get out of a hole by digging deeper.
October 10th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Your video reveals exactly the type of voter for McCain-Palin: Ignorant, too lazy to analyze the campaign rhetoric. A football crowd that has been trained to sit on the sidelines and cheer.
Just to provide a fair-and-balanced approach, you might want to include a slice of Obama-Biden supporters at an Obama-Biden event?
My one hope is that no Obama-Biden supporters act as ugly. Let the Republicans own their behavior 100%!
October 10th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Good Job Man. I love this blog. You need to do our country a favor by exposing these ultra right wing Nazis for who they are. I think bush/palin would be more successful if they just stopped talking all that BS at their rallies, and fed the crowd raw meat.
October 10th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
[Sorry if this double-posts; proxy issues...]
I am an Obama supporter, and you are wrong.
Not wrong in the evil that far-right douchebags have inflicted upon our country.
But rather, you are wrong in your belief that you can put out the fire by throwing gasoline on it.
When will this escalating cycle end? With violence? And how will you feel, knowing that you played your part in making that happen?
Rather than following McCain/Palin’s cue of rage, rage, RAGE! you should follow Obama’s example of cool, evenhanded responses to the troubles of our time.
You don’t get out of a hole by digging deeper.
October 10th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Hey, if the guy is in public he has no expectation of privacy and no one needs his permission to videotape him. That’s just the way it is.
Not sure whether “kanaka” knows of whence he speaks in terms of civil or criminal harassment laws in the given state — this exchange didn’t rise anything close to the legal def of harassment.
October 10th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Hey McCain-Palin supporters! You whine on and on about socialism, yet it’s the Republican party who believes in socialized losses. Some of you might want to go back to the days of robber barons, but the rest of people who have more than a GED believe that regulation is a good idea.
Also, die in a fucking fire you useless shits.
October 10th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Quoting Patrick Henry out of context; how amusing since Bush has done every thing he could do to undermine our American republic. Read the constitution
October 10th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Oh my word. You are a douchebag and an idiot.
First of all, if you were trying to make a point it has been totally ineffective. Except among other douchebag/ idiots. You seem to have initiated a festive little circle jerk. Congrats.
Second, you know nothing about this guy. All he said was that he did not want to be videotaped. Declining a comment is a perfectly legitimate thing to do, even for an individual that actually has something to do with what you are talking about, which this man clearly does not. Look at him. He’s nobody. Nobody doing nothing. So he’s at a rally for someone that you don’t agree with. There is nothing that says he agrees with him either. You know nothing in this situation, but you have placed yourself as judge jury and executioner, and come up with a nice little manifesto to boot.
this is why I have such a hard time getting behind the whole “progressive” movement. It’s like the most passive totalitarianism
ever. It is pathetic and annoying and I absolutely abhor it.
So, in light of all of that: I swear to you, after reading this post, if any idiot blogger walks up to me and continues filming after i politely ask him not to, I will happily imagine that it is you and punch him in his stupid face.
love,
avery
October 10th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
You, Tim Russo, are a scumbag. If you love Obama so much, why don’t you suck his black dick? The American people will never allow that foreign, terrorist nigger to become president. We would vote for Saddam Hussein before we would vote for Barack Hussein Obama. So go fuck your black boyfriend, you nigger-lover.
October 10th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I’m an Obama supporter. I do believe in civility, and I think you’re a bit over the top. I think you do have a right to film what you want, but I think you can understand much more if you listened politely.
don
October 10th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Keep up the good work, you are doing your country more honor than McCain has ever done.
October 10th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
This just in:
DEMOCRATS GROW BALLS!
finally!
on a somber note- anyone read the book American Fascists?
im just a bit worried about how desperate this people may get…
October 10th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Hey,
Great blog. I posted your videos on my website feel free to check it out.
http://www.liesliesmorelies.blogspot.com
I think you did every American a service by creating and posting this video.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I’m not even going to bother attempting to reason with an idiot. It’d be lost. So, why don’t you pull the cock out of your mouth for two seconds and look at your democratic party’s record. It sucks on ice. You’re one amazingly naive little boy. Whether or not this gets posted is immaterial; you read it; you feel it and you’re pissed off now. Or you’re too stupid to realize it. It’ll hit. Maybe not today, but it will hit. One day you’ll wake up severely pissed off and I’ll feel it in the “force”.
Maybe I should do the same and film the Obama-nation… No. The blank stares of fooled sheep are too sad to put on the net. Not a clue of reality among the bunch.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
People have the right to respect. Since you, my brother, do not show respect to people who ask for it you will be judged by the Lord for you wrongdoings. God bless you and maybe you find the light to salvation.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
I’m not even going to bother attempting to reason with an idiot. It’d be lost. So, why don’t you pull the cock out of your mouth for two seconds and look at your democratic party’s record. It sucks on ice. You’re one amazingly naive little boy. Whether or not this gets posted is immaterial; you read it; you feel it and you’re pissed off now. Or you’re too stupid to realize it. It’ll hit. Maybe not today, but it will hit. One day you’ll wake up severely pissed off and I’ll feel it in the “force”.
Maybe I should do the same and film the Obama-natin… No. The blank stares of fooled sheep are too sad to put on the net. Not a clue of reality among the bunch.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
To say McCain-Palin supporters are students of history is laughable to say the least. To vote for Obama is to make a statement to these right-wing nimrods in your videos. No it won’t change their feeble minds, however electing him will send them scurrying under the rocks from where they emerged after 9-11.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I have to say that I have seen my share of nastiness and name calling from Obama supporter’s. I have also grown increasingly angry at the slanted media that obama has bought and paid for.
I have heard so many things said that I thought were downright cruel and nasty and could not believe that these things would come from an adult’s mouth.
The media is bringing on a storm and they either don’t realize it or they are hoping for it, I am not sure which.
You are angry at what this crowd is saying but listen to your foul mouth. You disgust me!
October 10th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/individualProfile.asp?indid=1511
October 10th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Look. Not all people that see the danger Oblahma poses are bonheaded “neocon” racists. I’m not. I think it is wonderful and exciting that a black person is so close to becomsing the next President…but this person happens to be an awful choice, and an inferior choice to John McCain and (yes, even) Sarah Palin. YOu hate to hear that. You see, I’ve NEVER voted for any Republican before. I’ve always seen the Republican party as the for fat cat party; the against most of us party; the racist party; the party of ‘haves’, etc. But I am going to vote for John McCain and Sarah Palin. You see, the moron racists out there are moron racists. But importantly, the Oblahma crowd is conveniently ignoring th e inconvenient truth that 90% of blacks are supporting the “black” candidate. You try to disguise that in terms like “pride,” but every such attempt mirrors the same thyat has been used by white racist KKK members for decades. In the end, Oblahma is a terrific empty suit, a race-baiter, a despicable choice. Sure, anyone’s poodle will be better for us than George W. Bush. But John McCain, old as he is, and his exciting, real running mate, promise a real prospect for the kind of change we truly need — and now. I say No to Oblahma, not because of Ayers, Wright, or his skin color. He’s just a bad choice and an empty suit. I’m not detailing it here, but know that all of us who support McCain are not neanderthal racists. WE do, and we will vote accordingly.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
As an Obama supporter, I’m particularly proud Obama has taken the high road on this. A model for the rest of us. Let’s us, his supporters, either ignore the other side or not get down to their level. Calling people douchebags, fuckers, etc doesn’t take a lot of intelligence. Let them make fools of themselves, not the other way around
October 10th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Obama has voted in favor of letting babies who survive abortions to lay on a table in a dirty room until they die. How can you be so heartless and still have the compassion to care what happens to the American people?
October 10th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
As an Obama supporter (for democratic economic policies), while I appreciate your intention in exposing the kind of people McCain’s followers are (in your video), your follow-up text is not appreciated. It feels like you are doing exactly what they are doing – mudslinging. It definitely brings down the credibility that Obama has built up by his dignified silence. Whether this is a strategic move, time will tell, but atleast we would have run a decent campign
October 10th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
“You, Tim Russo, are a scumbag. If you love Obama so much, why don’t you suck…”
Sarah, is that you?
October 10th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
GOD BLESS YOU!
October 10th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Thank you, you have put into words my feelings exactly. The biggest threat to democracy the past thirty years are these whiney, shit bag republicans. I include all of them because if thier is such a thing as a moderate republican they have failed to keep the fanatics from hijacking thier party. Fuck em all and let God sort them out.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Good for you!!!!
You a hero.
These people need to be exposed- even when they want to hide their own shame. They are nothing less than the American version of Nazis- same hate, same vitriol, same irrationality. The violence that runs just under the surface in these people is truly frightening. Let unchecked, one day this violence will break through the surface. And when it does, they will not call themselves domestic terrorists, but we will know better. Hopefully, your work will help bring proper shame on these people. Sadly, I doubt their leaders will work to defuse this energy because it is all they have left to run on.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
I am just as shocked, scared, and disgusted as the next person at the people I see on your videos and the language they are using. Here’s the thing though. I think your voice as a blogger may be put to better use not by opening this partisan divide still wider, but by seeking out some more moderate voices that are being raised in support of McCain. I know they’re out there, and after this election is over, if this country is to do something other than chase it’s own tail in self-hatred over the next 8 years, we need to find them and work with them. Your blog has made me realize I need to start doing that very thing in my own blog.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
…”Obama is dangerous in that instead of leading to more unity he leads to this kind of hate of Americans against Americans.”
Lola,
It’s amazing to me that you would say such a thing when the facts are pretty clear that Senator McCain and his surrogates are trying to pit American v. American in this election. I have yet to see an Obama really boil down to the personal attacks and straight out lies that are being sewn by the McCain campaign. If you really listen, I mean clear out the all the noise from Fox News that is bouncing around your head, to Senator Obama you will hear words of hope and unity and not the polarizing poison that is coming out of the McCain campaign. It is apparent the only thing left for Senator McCain is to take this route, considering he obviously has nothing to offer you, me or our fellow citizens. Best of luck to you.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Why don’t we all agree to simply flush all those little McCain-Palin down the John where they belong. They think their shit don’t stink when their whole mindset is what smells. Stupid idiots haven’t got the sense to get in out of the rain.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
I, unfortunately, live in one of the reddest of the red states . . . Georgia. I encounter people like this daily . . . at work, at the store, driving . . . They have their “McCain-Palin” bumper stickers stuck proudly to the rear window of their cars, right where their “W” sticker used to be. They cannot listen to nor engage in intelligent discourse, so they must hurl names and use phrases they have heard from Rush or Ann . . . it reminds me of the big stupid kid on the playground in 4th grade: too stupid to argue a point on it’s merits, so they have to resort to insulting the person with whom they disagree with.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Wow man. Well said. I like that you made a point of calling it “my country” several times. That really gets me thinking. These assholes think that its their country and that since we don’t agree with them that we’re “unpatriotic”. Since when is disagreeing with the government unpatriotic?? Isn’t that one of the principles this country was founded on? Freedom of thought/speach/religion? Freedom in general. So doesn’t that mean that them calling use unpatriotic is unpatriotic??
October 10th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
# S. Temper Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
You, Tim Russo, are a scumbag. If you love Obama so much, why don’t you suck his black dick? The American people will never allow that foreign, terrorist nigger to become president. We would vote for Saddam Hussein before we would vote for Barack Hussein Obama. So go fuck your black boyfriend, you nigger-lover.
LAWL
October 10th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Liberal moonbats are the ones who’ve destroyed this country. Barney Frank, just to name one, has brought this country to a near depression.
George Bush rocks, go fuck yourself.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Personally, I think that people would be hard pressed to find Obama/Biden supporters behaving this way. The extreme right and extreme left are NOT equatable. The extreme right has a HUGE hold on the conservative movement, the extreme left is marginalized by both sides, liberals as well.
Additionally, I think that leftist supporters who you could find acting in a comparable manner would be the ones supporting a third party candidate, or not voting at all. They wouldn’t be supporting Obama/Biden, because neither Obama OR Biden ENCOURAGE this kind of behavior!!!!!!!
To be fair, I thought McCain’s statement today about Obama was in extremely good taste, but I don’t see Sarah Palin following suit, OR apologizing for the things she has said that have led to this kind of mob mentality.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
If you want to find out if your kitchen is over run with cockroaches, you’ve got to turn on the light. We’ve let the extremist right run all over us for too long. It is time to start speaking up with the truth. These videos show the truth. If the the Rethuglicans don’t like what they see, perhaps they should clean up their trash.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
great idea, then again some people act differently in large crowds…they feel so empowered the shit they spew…
obama for prez.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Kudos.
I will, however, pray for those such as the young man in the picture. It is frightening to see the degree of hatred that perpetuates this behavior.
We have to care for them, too. They are, after all, ultimately a part of us all.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
WOW! Talk about anger, and you have the nerve to say that Republican’s are being nasty. Just read the language that is coming out of the mouths of Democrat’s. Where do you get off thinking you are better when you are throwing mud right here on this blog. It’s disgusting. All you are doing is invoking anger on both sides not just one. You are proving that you are not any better. Be sure and keep that camera out of my face if I ask you to. That is just wrong!
October 10th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
you can film me anytime…the day has not dawned yet when I would be afraid to face any liberal.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
You’re a hero.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Just thought I’d say that I fully support 100% full transparency and disclosure. If this same thing were to come up at an Obama rally, I’d be 100% for showing it on the web, TV, etc. If you are stupid enough to make a fool of yourself in public, congrats. Keep up the good reporting/blogging!
October 10th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Guys, seriously! I appreciate the support for myself and my campaign However, I AM a terrorist! LAWL
October 10th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Im on the fence. In one respect I believe that people should have their privacy. On the other hand, I am pissed that our country has been reduced to this and I think it needs a swift kick in the ass. Im all for differing views, but when things this important are on the line, I feel like sometimes a more aggressive approach is needed. So, for what its worth, good job. Because hopefully someone will see this and realize how much of a douchebag they are.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Keep up your good work..
Don’t let these guys hide in their anonymity
This is how Klu Klux Klan operated
By hiding their identities.
Show to the world who they really are.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Fortunately there is a growing movement among Rednecks. We were at the Obama Rally in Asheville, NC on Oct 5th and found a strong Redneck following. You can see the video here at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr03WpZdhJo
Summing up the experience, “A poor man voting for a Republican is like a Chicken voting for Colonel Sanders.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
These McCain/Palin supporters in the video are blatant racists. If Obama were white his credentials would not come into question. I hope this McCain/Palin strategy backfires and moves the undecided to Obama’s camp. If Americans are in their right minds then Obama will be president.
KW
October 10th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
soooooooooooooo glad i moved away from the festering wasteland that is the 216 area code.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Since you have such obvious disdain for Republicans, maybe you’d be more comfortable in a single-party state. I hear China’s kind of crowded, but maybe Cuba or North Korea would take you.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
I’m an Obama supporter and feel your rage at the threats to our constitution that has slowly transpired over the past 8 years. I liked the video because you spoke quietly, asked questions without providing any input. The blog above, however, is over the top. This guy isn’t the problem – the far right wing who fires up a crowd into an angry mob as Sarah Palin and the McCains have done over the past week. To serve the cause Obama has started, speak directly without the insults. That’s how he has been leading and how I want the country to follow.
I strongly believe that if McCain’s rhetoric continues in this fashion, there will be riots in the street after the election no matter who wins.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Man, you Americans should just start the race/class/civil war and kill each other.
The world would be a much safer place for the rest of the World’s citizens with all of you gone.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
You are great!Those people are the most ignorant bunch of people I have ever seen in one place! You really are in Palin country and they are just like her, brainless slugs!!!
October 10th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Man, you Americans should just start the race/class/civil war and kill each other.
The world would be a much safer place for the rest of the World’s citizens with all of you gone.
And,btw, did you know that some agency is actively blocking comments like this to your site?
October 10th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Man, you Americans should just start the race/class/civil war.
The world would be a much safer place for the rest of the World’s citizens with all of you gone.
And,btw, did you know that some agency is actively blocking comments like this to your site?
October 10th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Heelllloooo Missy. Take a good look around you. And you can’t figure out why the guy is so pissed off? I was just watching CNN’s coverage of a McCain rally and this little ole white haired lady says to McCain that she is not going to vote for Obama because he is an Arab? For McCain’s credit, he strenuously disavowed this comment, but one has to seriously ask . . . WTF?
And Missy, what do you call it when the federal government gives the nation’s largest banks tens of billions of dollars and then takes an equity stake in those banks? That, my dear, is called socialism and the top Republicans politicos are clawing at each other to get to the head of the line so that they can take the credit for it. And, yeah, you don’t have to tell me – the lady at the very front of the line is none other than Pelosi herself.
The blogger is just pissed off. That feeling is going around as people are realizing that as a result of this last week alone, they will have to put off retirement for another couple of years. 401Ks and other retirement plans have been decimated. Many are saying that retirement is completely out of the question for the near future. So, Missy, if you are under the age of 50, you should feel fortunate that you still have many years of earnings potential and that this mess will likely sort itself out by then. There are many people, however, who are not so lucky and – hell yes – they are pissed off.
So just let the guy vent. Once he gets it out of his system, he will feel much better and will be able to reacquire a more logical perspective. Emotions are running at an all-time high as many of us are now seeing that there is still is alot of bigotry running just below the surface in this country.
Of all of the qualities our next President must have, intelligence is the most important. That qualification, alone, narrows the field to just one candidate. Sorry John, but you just don’t fit the bill.
And may I just add one more thing. I have never before understood why the so-called conservative Republicans have harbored such a deep-rooted hatred for Hillary Clinton. However, I saw John McCain’s wife speaking at a rally last night and every time I looked at her, she had this self-riteous smirk on her face. It is unfortunate to say, but after having had just a few minutes of exposure to this woman, I must honestly say that I just can’t stand her. It is probably not a fair commentary but that is just the way I feel.
I am also not a great fan of Sarah Palin but I have to admit that she is extremely talented. It is just too bad the Democrats did not have her on their ticket. You want to talk about having mastered the art of politics after such a short learning curve? It could not have been more than a few weeks between the Katie Couric interviews and her recent interviews. What a transformation. Just incredible. We will be hearing more of Sarah Palin in the years to come.
In any event, this is election year politics at its finest.
October 10th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Way to go on the video, dude! Highly entertaining, and at the same time, completely frightening.
October 10th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
So … You find it OK to exploit these people, yet hide behind your camera and your (weak) blog??? Come out of hiding tough guy!
Idiot
October 10th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
You’ve said what I’ve been trying to express for months. Thank you.
October 10th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Dude!!!!!!!!!!
One Man
One Camera
You are really making a difference.
Thanks!
October 10th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Hoisted by your own petard, to bring up a lovably trite expression. The press put you out there and offered the link to your little blog and now the whole world can see that you are just as slavering and partisan and full of untruths as those you seek to defame.This is OUR country and we have to live with you unwashed left wing rodents following your pied piper as you have to live with us. You have taken great risk in making someone famous who did not wish to be and stated so to you. No doubt your left wing tort lawyers have at least one Benedict Arnold out there that will sue you out of your camera and likely your house.I await your fate eagerly as it will bring humor into an otherwise troubling time for everyone.
October 10th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Obama’s chickens….are coming home to roost. McCain will win with 312 electoral votes. Get to work President McCain…we need Conservatism now more than ever.
October 10th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Obama’s chickens….are coming home to roost. McCain will win with 312 electoral votes.
October 10th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I enjoyed your YouTube video I watched. By “enjoy” I mean that I appreceiated your bravery, and I tend to agree with you politically and morally about the sorts of inwahs that support the conservatives.
That said, I do take exception with you statment above, “I am not a journalist. I am a blogger.”
To be a “blogger” is simply being a journalist. You have, or are attempting to sell advertising. There is nothing that distinguishes you from any other journalist other than the amount of income.
You must have heard the famous story of the London society woman disparaging the poor whores who “sold themselves for penneys.” Bertrand Russel was said to have asked, “Madam, would you go to bed with me for one million pounds?”
“Well, I would have to consider it, Sir.”
Would you sleep with me for tuppence?
The matron indignently replied, “Sir! What do you take me for?”
“We know what you are, now we are discussing price,” Russel concluded.
October 10th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
I think you’ve opened a dialog here, and it’s basically about anger. I’m with you. I’m sick of the argument that all groups need equal time. This group no longer needs equal time. We don’t give white power groups equal time. The reason? Because they are ignorant wastes of air.
It’s time to fight back. Keep up the good work and watch your ass, these people are fucking ruthless liars and killers. They will try to hurt you.
October 10th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
You need to respect people. The guy didn’t answer your question and asked not to be tapped. Also I didn’t understand why you had to incessantly ask people “why is John McCain standing next to the (supposedly) “terrorist”? I find that question weak. Otherwise, the rest of the video was very shocking yet insightful…can’t believe people would judge Obama based on his name!
October 10th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Jim, politics are endless. Most people are committed to one side or the other before they are 3 years old. They like their side best and feel it their duty to defend it. They own their party, some even show up at these rallies in earnest. They deserve respect like McCain is calling for. Like Obama is calling for. Please don’t make things worse. We need every American.
October 10th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Mr. Russo, politics are endless. Most people are committed to one side or the other before they are 3 years old. They like their side best and feel it their duty to defend it. They own their party, some even show up at these rallies in earnest. They deserve respect like McCain is calling for. Like Obama is calling for. Please don’t make things worse. We need every American.
October 10th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
you are all unbelievable. feel the hate on both sides. I don’t like what the republican machine stands for, but at the same time, are the democrats really any better? nobody is respectful to one another anymore. It seems the two year campaigns doing nothing but spread the hate, divide America, and cost tons of money. this is all just ridiculous. Why is it that, for the last 50 years every presidential contestant has campaigned on the same issues, and nothing ever changes except the size of the military industrial complex? Why, because our system is set up for the rich to stay in power, the poor to stay poor, and the middle class to take the squeeze. neither of the two candidates will do anything for anyone but the military industrial complex. Both Obama, and McCain have connections to the wrong people, and both are elitist. The last democrat we had in the white house was more republican than the current republican president we have in office now, wake up, our system means nothing. It only creates more military, more empire, and more hurt in the world. Obama is probably less military then John “Bush2 on steroids” McCain, but I guarantee the military will still get everything it wants under Obama. Yes, I‘ll vote for Obama, but it won’t change the hold military industrial complex has on America.
John
October 10th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
This kind of nastiness and hatred on both sides of the race bodes very poorly for the country. Politicians and their supporters feel they have so much at stake we’re seeing the loss of common decency, reason, a respect for truth. Those of us who aren’t ardent politicos are in line for another four years of mistreatment by the two power hungry political parties.
October 10th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
I have watched for 30 years Indian politicians loot India, divide the people, commit electoral fraud, distort democracy and laugh all the way to the bank, while people suffer, pay high taxes, and watch bureaucracy grow. But after seeing electoral fraud being institutionalized by Americans, I feel India isn’t so bad at all!
October 10th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
With shit like that coming out of your mouth I would hate to smell the crap coming out of your asshole.
October 10th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Finally, someone with some b*lls!
Bro, you got a pair. Wear ‘em proud.
October 10th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Russo, you’re hopping mad. You’re furious. You’re ready for a fight. and that’s exactly why you need to take a deep breath, walk away, and dig down deeper than this.
All that this will do is get the people you disagree with to dig their heels in deeper. Ain’t going to help, my friend, ain’t going to help.
You undermine yourself by trampling on some little kid’s dignity. Face it, you’re being rude to him and rudeness does not make your arguments any more convincing.
Hell yeah, we’re angry. But that anger needs a constructive focus. Picking fights on the web is a diversion from a whole hell of a lot more important shit that needs to be happening right now.
Peace.
October 10th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
I’ve been trying to figure out why some people are so vehemently opposed to Barack Obama as President. I think John McCain has done a tremendous amount of service for our country, fighter pilot in the Navy, Vietnam POW, US Senate, etc etc. But this is not the McCain of 2000. The GOP didn’t like him then and now that he has warmed up, ditched his ‘Maverick’ cape, he has voted in favor of Bush/Neocon policies 90% of the time. How would we vote in that kind of congruency to Bush policy in good faith? We cannot. When did America become a country that denied rights? His stance on abortion, gay marriage, and the Patriot Act are poised to take away or deny rights and choices to Americans. We have a national tradition of granting rights and freedoms, The Bill of Rights, Abolition of Slavery, Womens Sufferage, Civil Rights, Roe v Wade, etc etc. Not to mention our free market economy that is the life blood of our society. Why do we want to deny rights to any American? We dont have to agree or even get along, but we need to have respect for each others choices and freedoms.
October 10th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Wow, you know, I’m all for your enthusiasm, but even if you’re not a “journalist” you’re still representing yourself to the pubic. Not to mention, you could still be sued for slander, AND, by publishing a photo of someone without their express permission, you are violating a whole host of U.S. laws about model use and publication.
I’m not saying I don’t agree with you, I DO. Just like, if you ask me if that kid who hacked into Palin’s email to PROVE that she’s a shit and hiding stuff from the public, yes, I’m glad he did it. That doesn’t make it right though. That’s taking vigilantism to a whole new extreme, and I’m not sure I like any political community that simply decides to take matters into their own hands regardless of the consequences. Not that you’re the only one, just, is that what our political system is about?
October 10th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
I think McCain is stirring up the kind of hate that can only lead to assassination. If some asshole kills Obama, whether he’s elected or not, I will hold the hate-mongering RepublicaNazis responsible.
October 10th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
For those who have resorted to neanderthal name calling and hurling of dirty words: FAIL. Go join your buddies in the white sheets- or maybe not so white, depending on what sale you got them at at the dollar store.
there’s a Bridge to Nowhere that’s just called, they want their trolls back.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
While I understand and sympathize with the rage, frustration and concern you are expressing, I think it’s important to note that the object of your feelings should not only be the hard-core Republicans who you photograph even though they make up the majority of the McCain-Palin supporters and show up at the rallies. Bush was elected by so-called moderates–or as they like to describe themselves: “independents.” They are the ones in the middle who put him over the top (if you don’t believe the Republicans really stole the elections) and they don’t go to rallies. (They also unanimously supported the Iraq War…until they decided it was a worthless effort. Of course by then the nearly 4,000 Americans that you mention were dead, nearly 30,000 were permanently disabled and millions of Iraqi citizens were turned into refugees.) These “independents” sit on the fence, waiting until the very last minute to decide who they will support. So, if you want to express your rage where it matters, focus on them, if you could find them. They–not the people you are photographing–are the ones who will decide the direction in which America will be going.
October 11th, 2008 at 12:34 am
McCain’s little piggies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW46zqIxnx0
October 11th, 2008 at 1:01 am
You know, like Campbell Brown (prime time anchorwoman on CNN) said, “We’ve gotten overly obsessed with parity” (Steinberg, NY Times), we’ve gotten so obsessed with “being fair” to the point that it’s pathetic.
We’ve been so bound and tied by our own “rules of engagement” that, most the time now, we completely miss the point. And the point here is to take a stand, to be angry in an organized, mobilized way. Would it be responsible for us to “remain calm” and allow fearful and ignorant people to spread their ignorance — even racism? This country has seen the same lesson repeat over and over again, the lesson of idleness, of what we call “tolerance” that is, in reality, turning a blind eye. We stand by and watch others abuse [insert ANYTHING, animals, the earth, each other], while we waste time wondering if theoretically and legally the abuse is a right to be allowed (”Hmm, well, theoretically, he has the God-given freedom of will to do whatever he wants, and legally, there is no law against it. Hmm.”).
There is a time for keeping calm, but now is the time to get angry, so we can have the motivation to step up to what we haven’t had the courage to face — a system that has gone rotten, a worldview that is poisoning our young (You have to touch the doll with “gloves”), and racism, an old demon we never chased away (insinuating Obama is a terrorist because of his name is a manifestation of racism without using racist terms).
So thank you, Tim Russo, for making these videos and giving us a reason to feel, to question and to act.
October 11th, 2008 at 1:17 am
cheers buddy. keep those pixels rollin.
October 11th, 2008 at 1:57 am
THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS!!!
October 11th, 2008 at 4:34 am
Nice work friend! I too feel as though I am fighting for our country. The nonsense that has gone down since 9/11 is out of hand. I am unwilling to trade in our liberties and rights along with common sense, for a sense of false security. It has been a long time since I have felt hopeful about this countries future, and it is wholly ironic that I feel so now. Keep up the good work brother and if you get a chance to check out h8creator.com you will find that I too am pushing an agenda. Obamer!!!!!!
October 11th, 2008 at 5:09 am
Even if it wasn’t for his race (which I see as a major issue as I do not believe I can be adequately represented by somebody who cannot understand and appreciate the ‘white experience’) I still wouldn’t vote for Obama because he is a vicious hate-monger, he will prove very divisive to the nation, and he is vehemently opposed to large sections of the Constitution (Amendments 2, 9, and 10). He will probably prove to be the worst president ever, far in excess of the horrible job that Bush has done over the last eight years, and that would require quite a bit of effort in actively bungling things.
I won’t vote for McCain because he is just another big government liberal who belongs to a different party which subscribes to an identical foreign policy and anti-Constitutional platform, with the only differences being in minor cosmetic issues. They blabber on about queer rights, people flying a flag they love, how far along into a pregnancy before it’s too far, and they totally ignore the fact that our nation is being swamped by the dregs of the Third World as our borders are open wider than a New Orleans prostitute. Not to mention the fact that we are coming up to a point where it will be eight years in Afghanistan and five in Iraq, all with basically nothing to show for the effort.
In short, our politicians are all either fiddling while the nation burns, or they are helping to fan the flames.
America doesn’t need the leadership of a race-baiting demagogue who simply spins a lot of crap about “change” in the hope that people haven’t read his trite-filled manifesto or that they won’t look into his past and see who he associates with.
Likewise, America cannot afford the leadership of a man who is a mere clone of George W Bush, accompanied by a woman who is every bit the female version of Dick Cheney. Palin is nothing more than a power hungry war-mongering evangelical, a tongue talking power-abusing Pentecostal, who believes she can help usher in the end-times by steering foreign policy in a direction of war.
The only real choice for small, responsible, and responsive government was Ron Paul, but the people rejected him because the people are so far gone they are no longer able to recognize decent and honest leadership when they see it.
October 11th, 2008 at 6:28 am
Love you videos! You have every right and in fact a responsibility to film these freaks. They are out in public and have no special rights.
Those who say these are only a few isolated idiots are wrong. Go to any McCain/Palin rally and you will meet hundreds of them. They cheer the most hateful things and applaud with Obama is called a terrorist. They kind of smirk when they call him a Muslim or a terrorist. They know full well he is not. They really want to call him a “nigger” but are too ashamed so they substitute the other labels. This is what our country has become under Limbaugh and Bush.
October 11th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Finally, we have some insight to the future under the liberalism this pondscum espouses. Want some more insight? Take a close look at the ultimate liberal whores — OHB, Barney Franks and Chris Dodd. You can directly trace this freakin economic mess to those three.
October 11th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Listen-
You’re videos seem to get a lot of attention; why don’t you ask people on the street what they know about Palin and AIP?
Maybe that way more folks will learn how incredibly unpatriotic she is…..
October 11th, 2008 at 9:37 am
I agree with where your heart is about this. I’m disappointed with the state of our fellow citizens, too. And I’m glad you wanna do something about it. But I think you need to take this post down. It could get you into trouble.
Here’s why. You did not get a release from this dude. You actually got told he didn’t want to be photographed. Then you publicly showed him anyway, and called him a douchebag. In print. That’s actually against the law. It’s libel. (Even if he was a douchebag.)
The concept of “personal release” says that you must have consent of a private individual to use their image. The big exception is if the person is a “public figure,” say, Cindy McCain; she’s granted interviews in multiple publications and given public speeches for large crowds she didn’t personally know. You can photograph her without consent if she’s in public and you are legally allowed to be in the location.
At these rallies and things they work around this with a “group release.” I guarantee that somewhere near where everyone walked in, there was a sign saying something to the effect of “if you pass this sign, you consent to have your picture taken and used publicly.” You were in the parking lot, and it wouldn’t have been your sign with your company name on it anyway.
You see, attendees to a public event do not become public figures. That’s like you seeing a person at the supermarket who annoyed you in the cereal isle. So you take his picture and put it on your blog calling him a douchebag. The guy could sue you. The supermarket could also sue you.
The other gray area in this debate is if you are a journalist. As a journalist, you are allowed to capture private individuals who are “making news”. But this guy said he didn’t want to have his views expressed. And you specifically said in this post you’re not a journalist. So you couldn’t even use that one…
How do you know he even likes John McCain? He specifically said he didn’t want to talk to you. By putting this guy up and placing him as the poster child for all of the opinions you dislike about McCain followers, you are in fact doing what the woman in your video accuses you of. You are putting words in his mouth. It’s not blogger ethics. It’s regular, old fashioned law.
Again, I understand and agree with the intent. Wholeheartedly. And still think you should take the post down and re-edit the video.
October 11th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Goddamn, what a refreshing blast of clean air it is to hear someone talk about the way it is like this! Good on ya, mate, for fighting back against these bastards. I love ya. Keep up the good fight, and to hell with the whiny bastards who have laid down like sheep for far too long. We should have stormed the White House with pitchforks back in 2000 when the Bushes stole the election the first time. No more! Not this time!
October 11th, 2008 at 9:46 am
I’m not sure why someone would not want to stand up for their own convictions. If he TRULY feels Sen. Obama is a terrorist, why would he want to hid his face for speaking the truth? Confront the man by BEING a man.
October 11th, 2008 at 10:05 am
hmmmm…hard to tell which side of the camera the douchebag is on!
October 11th, 2008 at 10:10 am
I agree with where your heart is about this. I’m disappointed with the state of our fellow citizens, too. And I’m glad you wanna do something about it. But I think you need to take this post down. It could get you into trouble.
Here’s why. You did not get a release from this dude. You actually got told he didn’t want to be photographed. Then you publicly showed him anyway, and called him a douchebag. In print. That’s actually against the law. It’s libel. (Even if he was a douchebag.)
The concept of “personal release” says that you must have consent of a private individual to use their image. The big exception is if the person is a “public figure,” say, Cindy McCain; she’s granted interviews in multiple publications and given public speeches for large crowds she didn’t personally know. You can photograph her without consent if she’s in public and you are legally allowed to be in the location.
At these rallies and things they work around this with a “group release.” I guarantee that somewhere near where everyone walked in, there was a sign saying something to the effect of “if you pass this sign, you consent to have your picture taken and used publicly.” You were in the parking lot, and it wouldn’t have been your sign with your company name on it anyway.
You see, attendees to a public event do not become public figures. That’s like you seeing a person at the supermarket who annoyed you in the cereal isle. So you take his picture and put it on your blog calling him a douchebag. The guy could sue you. The supermarket could also sue you.
The other gray area in this debate is if you are a journalist. As a journalist, you are allowed to capture private individuals who are “making news”. But this guy said he didn’t want to have his views expressed. And you specifically said in this post you’re not a journalist. So you couldn’t even use that one…
How do you know he even likes John McCain? He specifically said he didn’t want to talk to you. By putting this guy up and placing him as the poster child for all of the opinions you dislike about McCain followers, you are in fact doing what the woman in your video accuses you of. You are putting words in his mouth.
It’s not blogger ethics. It’s regular, old fashioned law. I believe in my country’s laws, and this is me fighting for my country. And I say this while having a nice “pair of onions,” thanks.
Again, I understand and agree with the intent. Wholeheartedly. Screw ‘em. Just be of a higher moral character than them while you do it. I think you should take the post down and re-edit the video.
October 11th, 2008 at 10:11 am
It’s amazing that McCain would accuse anyone of being unpatriotic after violating the military code of conduct. This is not the act of a war hero. That is why I’ll be voting for Obama.
October 11th, 2008 at 10:23 am
To all of those complaining about America becoming a Socialist state, Where the FUCK have you been!!!???? After 9/11 Bush basically suspended everyone’s civil rights and now has the right to do what he damn well pleases based on the Homeland Security Bill. Now we see the government taking ownership of banks and business as the economy comes crashing down thanks to a war that never should have happened. We are a socialist state whether you want to admit or not it has been accomplished under your dumb ass noses. Socialism is alive and well in the USA.
October 11th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Allison: reproductive rights is my issue HEHEHEHEHEH…. Na ja, Allison… You know if Obama looses this election, you can always find a enw country and my first tip to you would be to taken Norway under consideration. They have taken reproductive rights to an entirely new level. Don’t believe me, eh? Check out this article:
http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1458080.ece
You could do with a donkey.
Anyway thank you you “liberal fuckers” for not only energizing us but also for reminding us what kind of idiots you are and why it is so important for Obama and his socialist buddies not to win this election. We are truly grateful to you.
October 11th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Tim Russo has exposed the cancer that has infected America over the last generation. I hope that others of his generation will pick up the banner and continue to fight this evil in America that cannot be ignored any longer. This is the kind of spirit that we need in this country.
October 11th, 2008 at 10:40 am
To all of you dumbass fuckers who complain about socialism here’s a big surprise for you. You are living in one of the biggest SOCIALIST STATES in the world right now. You have allowed a complete dumbass to take away your civil rights through the Homeland Security Bill and through the government bailout we are going to allow the government to take ownership in private business and banks thus turning them into goverment agencies and creating a Socialist economy. You have allowed a moron to take us into a war that has cost our country lives and economic greatness. The Republican party is the biggest pusher of Socialism in the world. I believe it’s time alot people grow a pair and take back what is ours, and as McCain has proven he isn’t the man he once was when he started running. He has become blinded by his bid for power and will relent to whoever or whatever will give him that power. He truly is a sad little old man!!!!!!!
October 11th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I am with you 100%. Guys like these go to McCain rallies as if it is some kind of KKK initiation ceremony. The McIdiot’s lipstick cheerleader has found a new voice since her debate, the same woman who couldn’t answer a single question during the CBS interview with Katie Couric. That’s because the McCain camp lowered the standard of their campaign to match the intellect of Ms.Palin. Gutter politics. I won’t be surprised if Sarah Palin does a strip tease on stage just to attract some Joe six-packs and hackey mams. Neither McCain nor Palin have an agenda to talk about real issues. The image of this guy you have put on screen with his armany suit is typical of the guys whose uncle is in the board or top management of some bank screwing our country. Greed and curruption is what you see in his eyes.
October 11th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
A lot of what is said about getting consent applies- even though you are in a public venue, people still have a “semblance” of privacy if they are private citizens. If they say no, back off. You do yourself or the cause no credit by post-mortem attacks. Stick to the script!
October 11th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
One thing you certainly do need is some common decency and respect in your political dialogue – it’s very easy to point fingers, shout swearwords and call names, harder to make a valid, logical point while keeping ones head. On both sides. After all, you all, as Americans, should find it to your advantage having your country run well, shouldn’t you?
October 11th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
I’ve never voted for a Republican, can’t stand the bigots who can’t think straight, and I’m very angry with the Republicans too. But you are a major jerk. Your rude tactics do us no good.
October 11th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
In response to mishi,
I have nothing against gay people, people of different races,or any of the other people that you accused me of being intolerant of. There are still people in San Fran who could be considered not so rational.
The things that take place at political demonstrations up there that make me question the rationality of their political sanity.
A clarification: some people (not all) are radicals in San Fran. Don’t take me out of context.
October 11th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
This writer is an Obot, an Obama Robot, crazed and full of kool-aid. He represents what your children have to look forward to if Obi-One becomes POTUS.
October 12th, 2008 at 1:10 am
Although I would like to slam this dude who likely hasn’t run himself down to the recruiter’s office to serve in the war that his Neocon leaders have started and serve his country as I did, now is the time to get away from things like this. Anger is good, but it needs to be constructive. We need to tell the truth to people such as the ones that have posted here with lies about how Obama is against the Constitution, is a terrorist and other such total bullshit that they read in some e-mail. It makes one realize just who the people are that get scammed by the Nigerian banker e-mails…the same ones that believe that type of crap about Obama on the say so of an e-mail without actually making an effort to educate themselves or check facts. The Republican’s, or should I say Neocon’s, record of bankrupting the country, both monetarily and morally has to stop now and the way to do that is to educate people. As for the racist or homophobic crap being spewed here by small minded people, I have this to say to you; You are a pitiful human beings and have no place in this country of mine. Please leave now as true Americans no longer want your hate in our America.
October 12th, 2008 at 6:58 am
Great work. I think your video shines a light on the darker side of this campaign/election and is a great documentary record of these times. I agree with one of the previous posters that you should respect this guy’s wish not to be filmed and take the high road. There is no need to attack him like this. It only detracts from your good work.
October 12th, 2008 at 8:16 am
I love it when idiots like Missy defend blatant racism by pretending it’s humor: Most of those people were probably answering the way you hoped they would because they didn’t take you seriously.:
I love it also when idiots like craig z pretend to be lawyers.
You don’t need release forms to make a film in a public place.
There’s definitely an ethical question about whether you shold have hown that one guy and whether you should have called him a douchebag… But you know what? You are not running away. You’re not making money out of this. And jeez louise, They knew they were going to be filmed at the rally anyway.
There is a over-riding public interest in showing this footage because you are showing the reality behind the words of the McCain campaign.
That’s what’s pissing off Missy & Craig Z. You are showing their political fellow travelers in a way which makes them feel uncomfortable.
October 12th, 2008 at 8:19 am
I love it when idiots like Missy defend blatant racism by pretending it’s humor: Most of those people were probably answering the way you hoped they would because they didn’t take you seriously.:
I love it also when idiots like craig z pretend to be lawyers.
You don’t need release forms to make a film in a public place.
There’s definitely an ethical question about whether you shold have hown that one guy and whether you should have called him a douchebag… But you know what? You are not running away. You’re not making money out of this. And jeez louise, They knew they were going to be filmed at the rally anyway.
There is a over-riding public interest in showing this footage because you are showing the reality behind the words of the McCain campaign.
That’s what’s pissing off Missy & Craig Z. You are showing their political fellow travelers in a way which makes them feel uncomfortable.
October 12th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Regardless of what Tim’s stance is- he does at least give us a glimpse into the maniacal mindset of these slavering mobs who eat up lies as bread and butter.
Just like the pastor in Iowa who had the gall to politicize from the pulpit and declare that all the non-Christians are hoping Obama wins. That clown needs to go back in time and visit with Torquemada.
October 12th, 2008 at 11:11 am
First thing- nothing is pissing me off. Like I said before, fighting the idiots who support the Conservative machine is awesome. I’m 100% pro-Obama and have been volunteering for his campaign. I just think you shouldn’t be putting people who don’t want to be filmed in your video.
Second this ‘Pet’ guy is a fool. It appears that there are ads up the the right corner of your site- (in my browser it says “advertise here: click here” and has two pro-Obama sites linked). That implies that you are in fact making money off of it. But monetary profit is not the main criteria over which you could get sued for libel. Calling him a douchebag and putting his picture on the net is.
Of course he’d personally have to find your site, and want to deal with the rigamarole of sending you a cease-and-desist, and if he was anything like the other people at that rally, I doubt he’s googling left-leaning political blogs.
So you are probably safe. Scream douchebag from the rooftop of your blog if you want. I just think it leaves a chink in your armor that the Conservative asswipes can bitch about. And makes the whole video look less graceful.
And though I’m not a lawyer, I dropped thousands of dollars talking to several about the personal rights being filmed in a project I did, and got into a bunch of these questions. Yes, you DO need release forms when filming in a public place, if you wish to do anything with the video other than watch it at your own house by yourself. So suck it, Pet.
I take back my original sentence. You’re stupid knee-jerk name calling does piss me off.
October 12th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Sorry I pissed you off Craig Z. I certainly should have spent more time on my comment. I meant to say, you don’t *necessarily* have to have consent forms for filming in a public place where the public expects to be filmed. And the crowds at a political rally should expect to be filmed. It’s a matter of balance. I don’t think making money from a blog counts as making money from the film itself. Calling someone a “douchebag” may be stupid, and it may be childish, but in the 21st century I certainly don’t think it’s libel. I am a lawyer. That may be another reason to dislike me.
I personally wouldn’t put anyone on camera who didn’t want to be filmed, except in prety special circumstances… And I wouldn’t call someone a douchebag unless I thought there was a particular reason for calling them a douchebag. But I do think that in this context, filming people going to a rally where you’ve got lots of people on film being racist asshats, there is a public interest in showing how people reat to being questioned. You know what? That’s just my opinion, and your mileage may vary, and you might be wrong, and it’s a matter of balance… But I do have some experience in these things too.
I may be a fool Craig Z, but I apologize for being rude about you, and my name isn’t Pet.
October 12th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Okay, truce.
You’re right that douchebag isn’t as defamatory these days as something else could be. And I suppose you could successfully argue the angle that showing the fact that they don’t want to be filmed “says something of public interest” about the type of people who are attending a McCain rally.
I feel you could still argue that since the guy didn’t express his opinion or even want to be filmed, by editing a video that makes him seem like he’s another ardent McCain supporter is at least manipulative to a degree that it shouldn’t be included. He could be an Obama supporter who just wanted to check out the chaos, like Tim Russo. Probably wasn’t. But could be. Whatever…
As far as the whole ads on a site being the same as making money off the video itself debate, it’s my understanding is that it’s an area where there’s bunches of head scratching right now. Is a blog like a TV channel, which also makes money via ads and not the video itself? Or is it a diary? Or is it something else? I think that it depends on how you argue it, and how good a lawyer you are… Which I unfortunately am not. So I’ll bow out now.
Mostly, my response has been because of thinking about the counter argument of those racist asshats. The video is effective without the people who don’t want to be filmed. Putting them in it gives you a lightning rod to attract the lame “you liberals put words in our mouth!” type dismissals.
And I only called you Pet cuz that’s what it says on your comment- no offense intended.
October 12th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
LOL Craigz.. My typing is so spectacularly bad today I even spelled my own name wrong
[I'm on a very dodgy connection today. apologies]
I absolutely take your point about the moral high ground. I guess my way of putting it would be I wouldn’t of shown that unless I was *sure* that he really was an asshole ;>
If you look at the mondo bizarro rationalizations the McCain/Palin camp are putting out for the Bahamian of their supporters, I think showing one extra idiot is the least of anyone’s worries. That said, I think it’s important to highlight that lots of M/P supporters seems to be unhappy with the asshats too – look at the folded arms you see in the pics of Palin rallies, and the flack they’re getting from moderate republican.
There’s lots of gray areas in the law in these matters as you rightly point out. I guess I was just saying that as a guerrilla film-maker you can be pretty relaxed about the stupid threats you get from people… But the main thing is to set out to be fair in your portrayals; not to distort; and to make an effort to show balance. (I think the questioning of people in the film here is excellent).
Apologies again for going off on one. I blame the moral collapse of society!
Px
October 12th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
To those of you criticizing Russo for his form of guerilla journalism, please consider a few points:
Point 1
Tim Russo is NOT functioning as part of the Obama campaign.
While I am sure that Tim will be somewhat relieved, as will almost all other thinking Americans, when Obama is sworn into the Oval Office, it is obvious that being an Obama cheerleader is not his purpose. It is true that a portion of Obama’s campaign is about bringing people together and healing divisions in our society, and this blog, at least partially, works at cross purposes to that mission. Nevertheless, having respect for Obama does not require that Mr. Russo adopt the philosophy, strategies and tactics of the Obama campaign also.
Point 2
Russo’s actions are no different than pulling the hood off a Klansman.
America has a subculture that values willful ignorance and mean-spirited stupidity. These cretins can only cultivate their ignorance, however, in relative anonymity or in closed groups of mutually supporting idiot peers, as intelligent people won’t put up with that garbage. While they do have a ‘right’ to cultivate their ignorance in America, the rest of us have not only a right, but a responsibility to criticize and ridicule them. Willful ignorance is what allowed the Iraq War to occur. Willful ignorance, while perfectly legal, has no place in a healthy society and certainly should be vigorously scorned in the political arena. Stupidity should not pay. In fact, stupidity should hurt.
Point 3
Obama’s “Let’s all be friends” efforts are fundamentally flawed, and Russo’s work addresses that flaw.
There is a sickeningly putrid tumor festering in the heartland of America. None of Obama’s words of hope, and none of his future actions as President will alter the malignancy of that tumor and put that cancer into remission. You can not reason with these people, or show them the logical inconsistencies of their ideas, or appeal to their compassion. Shining the light of broad public attention on the pathetic attitudes of these diseased individuals, on the other hand, can slow the spread of the cancer and even stop it from metastasizing. Exposing the individuals who make up that tumor individually and personally to public shame and humiliation will make it tough for them to recruit. Again, there is nothing wrong with making willfully ignorant people ashamed of themselves. Since you can’t touch them with reason, logic or compassion, crush them with ridicule.
Any of you who have tried to reason with these primitive mouth-breathers knows that it is impossible. You can play rhetorical Whack-a-Mole with these idiots for hours on end and never even scratch their impenetrable armor of ignorance. For how many of you is the following familiar:
Ignorant Asshat: “I ain’t gonna vote for no Muslim.”
Reasonable Dude: “Obama isn’t a Muslim. Let me explain to you why that is just not so ~~~”
Ignorant Asshat: “OK. maybe he ain’t a Muslim, but I ain’t gonna vote for no terrorist.”
Reasonable Dude: “Obama isn’t a terrorist. Let me explain to you why that is just not so ~~~”
Ignorant Asshat: “OK. maybe he ain’t a terrorist, but I ain’t gonna vote for no Muslim.”
[Reasonable Dude walks away, defeated by willful ignorance]
Contrast the above with this:
Ignorant Asshat: “I ain’t gonna vote for no Muslim.”
[crowd turns and points, laughing, at the Ignorant Asshat]
Ignorant Asshat: “OK. maybe he ain’t a Muslim, but I ain’t gonna vote for no terrorist.”
[crowd falls to the ground, laughing and pointing at Ignorant Asshat]
[Ignorant Asshat realizes that there is something wrong with his thinking and crawls back under his rock to ponder it]
Point 4
Mainstream liberal media is flawed, and journalists like Russo fill a desperate need.
First, look at this clip from CNN:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=L8__aXxXPVc
Sure, Caffferty lets Palin have it with both barrels in that clip, but Jack Cafferty’s attitude here is the exception in modern media, and Wolf Blitzer’s is the rule. At the core of modern liberal journalism is the false precept that all opinions are equally valid, and that all individuals in the news, particularly in the political and business realms, are to be treated with equal deference. The astrophysicist must be ‘balanced’ against the flat-earther; the biologist’s opinion is treated as no more valid than the young Earth creationist’s; Sarah Palin’s gaffs must be downplayed to keep her apparent status up in the vice presidential range.
The problem with this is that some f`wit who thinks the world is only 6000 years old does NOT have an opinion that is as valid as one from a paleontologist who is respected by her peers. A moron opinion is not as worthwhile as an expert opinion. This practice of artificially elevating the status of the weak out of a sense of ‘fairness’ has serious repercussions. The biggest is that now stupid people believe that they are all experts on a wide range of issues about which they haven’t a clue. Being stupid, they lack the meta-cognitive capacity to identify this problem by themselves and with no feedback from those around them to suggest otherwise, the stupid people’s faith in their own expert-ness gets reinforced.
Tim Russo provides a service to these stupid people by holding up a mirror to them, so to speak. He allows them to see themselves as they truly are. With that feedback, morons can modify their behavior to be more appropriate to their capacity.
Anyway, I think Russo is doing the right thing. Furthermore, if some douchnozzle at one of these Bund meetings DOESN’T want to be filmed or photographed, that’s all the more reason to get their pic out front and center. If they are ashamed to be there and ashamed of what they stand for, then they should be somewhere else and stand for something else. Denying them the anonymity of the mob is the right thing to do.
October 13th, 2008 at 12:48 am
Who died and made you thought police? There are morons at every political rally. Most Obama supporters will blubber some inchoate word salad of indignation and racist baloney as to why they’re voting for the Unicorn Rider. Look at you, utterly confused why a black man might not vote for Obama. What the heck is that? Black people can only vote for members of their race?
October 13th, 2008 at 1:51 am
this blogger is the exact liberal equivalent of the conservative people he interviews. offensive. lacking information. lacking civility. i hope for America’s sake that we can avoid this style of conflict resolution. we really should find someone to respect on the other side and then marginalize those who damage our society….
Good luck
bob f.
valencia, ca
October 14th, 2008 at 10:16 am
I have two opinions. First, I feel it is this person’s right to use a camera in a public place, as this the rights and responsibilities of a free person. The idea of a rally that grants secrecy to any of it’s attendees is not setting a heroic example. Second, I am doubtful about the claims that this blogger is the equivalent of those in attendance, based on the factors of volume, persistence, language, and vitriole. It is everyone’s option to greet another person in public, and I saw mostly ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions with follow-up. Maybe this individual’s sin is filming something exactly like we should see from the main stream media. A lot of the attendees were just wanting ‘their’ candidate to win, a lot were also nuts, and a few were insane. We need to come together to find a way to help the insane.
October 16th, 2008 at 10:42 am
marry me
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:06 am
YOU’RE A CONVICTED CRIMINAL….YOU SHOULDN’T EVEN HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE. SHUT UP AND STOP ANTAGONIZING PEOPLE…WHY NOT GO DO SOME GOOD AND HELP THE POOR IN AFRICA RATHER THAN CAUSE DIVISION HERE IN AMERICA. I WISH YOU STUCK THAT CAMERA IN MY FACE BECAUSE IF I ASKED YOU TO STOP AND YOU DIDN’T YOU WOULD BE VIOLATING MY PRIVACY AND I WOULD HAVE TO PUT THAT CAMERA BACK IN YOUR MOUTH.
October 24th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Oh yeah tough guy huh? Can’t wait to meet someone like you or better yet YOU when you try that shit with someone like me… It will be fun curb stomping your pathetic ass.. But hey have fun blaming the republicans, how bout them Democrats? They obviously have done nothing but help our nation… Fuck you, you will make a fine prison bitch.
Keep it up douchebag but beware some of us will make that camera of your very uncomfortable for you.
October 27th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Hello, Give something for help those hungry people from Africa and India,
I added this blog about that subject:
in http://tinyurl.com/6p6lb8