Where in the heck did this "cult" meme originate anyway?

[alphafemale]

I do know of a certain political strategist famous for attacking people for their strengths, though.

Obama is popular. People are excited about participating again. He's raising money in an amazing way and largely in small amounts.

Yes. It must be a cult. :eyes:

Let's echo chamber that around for awhile, ehh?




And before it's asked.

Yes, I'd vote for Hillary if I had to in November.

[FrenchieCat]

1. Yes, it is attacking his strength........guess someone's been on the phone

spreading the new meme!

[Apollo11]

15. What!? You mean President Clinton started it!?

Maybe he is on the phone with his lawyers, asking them to find out "Who is this FrenchieCat?" ;-)

[NMMNG]

2. Ask the media

It's all over the place. It's not as if DUers are the only ones saying it.

[alphafemale]

3. Exactly. And who is famous for attacking people for their strenghts?

I really doubt this will stick though.

It's just too silly.

[NMMNG]

6. Google the articles and read them

Try to do it with an objective mind. May be you'll get the answer to your question. It's not silly at all.

You could also read this if you want. But I doubt you will. You don't want the answers, you want to stick your head in the sand and pretend everybody is just dissin' poor Obama.

[alphafemale]

8. Wow. Talk about cherry picking. Or is it sour grapes?

You really want me to consider that seriously?

With as much support as Obama has across the boards of course there will be some blog posts like that here and there.

I'm pretty sure every candidate has a few like those.

There are such things as political groupies you know.

Ask Monica. :rofl:

[sandnsea]

10. Not just sour but totally pickled n/t

[NMMNG]

12. I really don't give a damn what you consider seriously

As I said, I didn't think you were looking for answers to your question. You were simply expecting affirmations of your own opinions from like-minded people. You won't get them from me.

[alphafemale]

14. Why am I not surprised that you don't give a damn what people think?

After all Hillary "deserves" the Presidency.

It doesn't matter what the people think.

[NMMNG]

16. Where the hell did I say Hillary "deserves" the presidency?

I voted for her, but I don't believe she "deserves" the presidency.

Nonetheless, if you think I should care what you think or that I should bend over backwards to impress some stranger on an Internet message board then please tell me why. You certainly don't seem to care what people think.

[sandnsea]

9. I shook the hand

that shook the hand of John F. Kennedy and was totally stoked about it.

It was even cooler that she shook his hand during segregation and I shook hers at a Barack Obama event.

Sorry you don't get it.

[alphafemale]

17. I met someone at an anti-war event a few years ago that was at Kent State.

Yes. On THAT day.

I was pleased to shake her hand too.

[Jawja]

60. Kinda like when I shook

the hand of a bartender who shook the hand of Sharon Stone.

I get it.

[sandnsea]

4. Yeah that Obama lovin' media

I wonder where in the world they could have ALL gotten the same idea at the exact same moment.

[NMMNG]

7. They didn't get it at the same time

It's been out there for a while.

[Dogmudgeon]

5. For me, the conversion stories

There's also something about several thousand people at a rally chanting in unison that has a cult-like feel to it.

Meaningless slogans.

Us-vs-Them thinking.

Starting a mass social movement just to win an elected position -- in a democracy.

Telling your field staff to avoid talking about policy -- talk about feelings instead.

There are a number of other clues.

The odd thing is that most Obama supporters consider themselves to be supreme intellectuals. Subscribing to a cultish political mass movement seems like it would be alien to them, and someday it may be. But for today, they love The Movement.

It's understandable.

But I hope you understand that it scares some of us, regardless of partisanship.

--p!

[Levgreee]

11. shut up, you have no idea what we as supporters of Obama think

I have reasons just as intelligent as any "right-minded Hillary supporter", some related to studying history, social movements, philosophy, etc., based on the research of Obama's issues, the specifics of the messages he brings (it is not just "hope", if you listen carefully), and other reasons I don't feel like listing because I'm tired.

I would be ready to stop supporting Obama on a dime if something compromised my view of him, but I don't figure that will happen because he seems honest and heartfelt. I am no cult member.

[Dogmudgeon]

61. A little sensitive, aren't you?

I answered the question in the OP. It's my honest opinion about what caused me to think that the Obama campaign was developing a cultish element -- not that you yourself are a cult member.

"Shut up" -- ? I won't be silenced, especially not by silly and hypersensitive bullies who are finally having to deal with people they intimidate and smear fighting back. If the charge of cultism hurts you, change it by warning the Obama camp from inside that they're playing with fire. Read some of those conversion stories and you'll see what I mean.

--p!

[Sapphocrat]

13. From the behavior of his supporters...

...and their constant "Why don't you want CHANGE?! Why can't you HOPE?!" auto-responses to reasonable questions about WTF Obama is actually going to do.

Anyone who lived through the 1970s, and remembers Jim Jones -- and made it through the gauntlet of Scientologists and "est" zombies without being sucked in -- recognizes the cult aspect of the "Don't ask questions! Just belieeeeeeeeeeeve! Follow meeeeeeeeeee!" meme we're slapped with every damned day.

Obama slam? Nope, not this time. You asked a question, and I am giving you an honest answer. Obama supporters scare the fuck out of me, because most of them sound EXACTLY like every People's Temple / Scientology / est groupie I ever met.

Don't like the answer? Then don't ask it again.

[FrenchieCat]

18. and you look silly.

pushing this meme after millions have voted.

Y'all should have gotten started earlier. It might have worked before Iowa....like it did with Howard Dean. Maybe it would have been better than trying to portray Barack as just another Black Preacher.

[alphafemale]

20. Well at least they aren't comparing his wins to Jesse Jackson anymore.

:D

[Sapphocrat]

22. Who's the "they" you're lumping me in with, and...

...why haven't you answered my reply to your OP directly?

[Sapphocrat]

21. Yet another non sequitur.

You are so reliable that way.

And stop insinuating I'm a racist. That bullshit hasn't worked for you yet -- and if you haven't noticed, even the vast majority of Obama supporters on DU are seeing right through your cheap shots.

You have no shame. Your desperate tactics are thoroughly disgusting.

Oh, but thanks for replying -- you reminded me to put you on my ignore list.

[sandnsea]

19. And then I come along and post his damn record

and off you all scurry away to do regurgitate Hillary's lies and piss all over any joy or hope that any of us want to see in the world.

Again... BEEF, and if you want to know what he's going to do, it's at barackobama.com.

[alphafemale]

26. Jim Jones? You're comparing this to Jim Jones?

How many Obama supporters are selling their homes and moving to Guyana?

:rofl:

Wow. Quite a stretch.

[Sapphocrat]

28. You asked about the reason for the "cult" meme.

I gave you an honest answer.

In truth, I expected you to ridicule me, but I gave you an honest answer anyway, on the slim chance you were being sincere. Sadly, you were not.

If you had lived through the 1970s, you would recognize the behavior.

[ellisonz]

29. "If you had lived through the 1970s, you would recognize the behavior."

:eyes:

[Sapphocrat]

30. And your problem is... what, exactly? n/t

[NMMNG]

31. His problem is he doesn't understand WTF you're talking about

And he doesn't want to make the effort to learn. Therefore he'll stick his fingers in his ears and go "la la la la" while ridiculing you.

[ellisonz]

36. Ahh...the condescension.

Again: :eyes:

[NMMNG]

39. Yeah, the eye roll is so non-condescending

Not.

Don't expect what you don't give and have never given.

[ellisonz]

45. I fight fire with fire.

I would note that I also did not call tens of millions of Americans cultists, or did you miss this part of Sapphocrats rant: "Obama supporters scare the fuck out of me, because most of them sound EXACTLY like every People's Temple / Scientology / est groupie I ever met."

And I'm not the only one calling bullshit...

:popcorn:

[NMMNG]

47. I noticed it

I've read the entire Blog Post.

So what if you're not the only one calling bullshit? Sapph isn't the only one scared shitless. There are many of us who are.

I'll take your :popcorn: and raise you a

[ellisonz]

48. You've been drinking:

Better a cultist than a reactionary...

:spray:

[NMMNG]

53. That's so original

Why don't you tell me to "keep the hate alive".

Oh yeah, that's the pre-programmed response of one of your comrades.


But at least you find yourself amusing.


Just for future reference: Not everybody who doesn't ascribe to the Obama program is a "hater" or a racist. Maybe if people would stop accusing others of nefarious motives for not falling in behind the Obama "phenomenon" others wouldn't be thinking odd things of the Obama supporters.

[ellisonz]

55. "Not everybody who doesn't ascribe to the Obama program is a "hater" or a racist."

Therein lays the butt of your problem.

+2 ignore list.

[NMMNG]

56. Back at ya

[alphafemale]

32. I DID live through the 70's. This is NOTHING like Jim Jones.

I guess inventing such delusions may be entertaining for you though.

Carry on.

[Sapphocrat]

35. It's not entertaining at all.

It's frightening.

It's especially frightening that you don't see it. But you will.

[HeeBGBz]

40. I lived through the 70's and think it's bullshit

WTF? Every campaign I've ever seen, someone chants something. While I preferred Gore,Kucinich or Edwards, I went with Obama. I'm pretty indifferent in my support of him. Between the two choices I have, he's the one I can stomach. The cult meme is really lame.

edited back because I was in the right reply zone after all

[Sapphocrat]

41. I don't agree with you.

What more do you want? :shrug:

[HeeBGBz]

46. How about coffee and a bagel?

Or a brand new car!

[sniffa]

33. Beyond stretched

[Sapphocrat]

38. sniffa, if you have a problem with me...

...please have the courtesy to address me directly. I tried to PM you, but you have me blocked.

[depakid]

23. It's hardly a meme -it's a set of characteristics and a set of processes

that a number of insightful people have noted in both the leader and the followers.

I hasten to add, that Bush and his core supporters share those characteristics, too.

[alphafemale]

24. .

:rofl:

[NMMNG]

25. You're going to get one of two responses

1. "La la la la I can't hear you"
2. :grr:

[FrenchieCat]

27. Who did you support? pray tell? Hope it wasn't Edwards.....

cause that was bordering on a cult, from where I sat.

[depakid]

37. Never really had a dog in this fight

Despite misgivings about his Senate record, I probably would have voted for Edwards by default, as he was the only potentially viable candidate this year bringing both the issues and approaches to the table that would result in real progressive policy changes. He also had the best chance to win come November.

From what I recall, there were quite a few posters who felt this way- we thought critically about policy and procedure- who the candidates associated with, who they took money from, who they pandered to.

My guess is that many of us held out some vain hope that Gore would step up- the nomination and the presidency were his for the asking, but after reading Assault on Reason, it was pretty clear why he wasn't going to. And good on him- probably the right decision, considering what the next 4 years will likely look like....

[FrenchieCat]

54. Why do you think Edwards had "the best chance" for November?

Because he wasn't Black and a woman, and came from the South? See, to me, that sounds like the ideal Republican candidate. I never believed that Democrats were supposed to look just like Republicans in order to win.

[Sapphocrat]

34. I hear you, depakid.

All too well.

I guess they'll have to go through it themselves to understand it.

[depakid]

44. Been seeing some of the attributes for a while now

and have posted about them for several months.

I think looking at the elections from the outside (Oz) -and being able to watch and read honest and objective news (ABC is great) gives one a healthy perspective, unclouded by distorions in the American corporate media.

It's all too easy to get caught up in that crap- even if you "know" what's going on....

[Sapphocrat]

49. Oz, as in Australia?

If so... I spent some time Down Under, and the news was quite a wake-up for me (even though I thought I had a handle on more objective non-U.S. news). To see one's country from half a world away was... just wow.

If you have a chance, would you link me to what you're written about the "attributes" (or are they in your DU journal)? I'd be most interested in reading.

[depakid]

58. PM Kevin Rudd & Deputy Julia Gillard....

Nice to be in a country with a sane government again....

We're going to be in Canberra next week, for The Apology to the stolen generation. Looking very forward to that and to having a look at Question Time!

It's such a pleasure (especially for my partner who suffered through the Howard era) to see the Liberal MP's squim and scowl as they head back on Tuesday. They were so arrogant and dismissive- and now they act like petualant children

Kelly O'Brien had Brendan Nelson on the 7:30 report last night, made mincemeat out of him- it was truly a thing of beauty. A journalist actually questioning and pointing out his inconsistencies. He's tough on Rudd as well- takes no prisoners, though since Rudd is forthright, tactful and honest- he comes across with an air of competence and assurance.

Not keeping a journal here, but some of the things I've noticed come up on a keyword search with my user name and "cult"

The attributes I've observed are pretty well documented in the literature. Once people come to "believe," the leader can say or do things that followers or supporters would have found objectional before. When it happens, rationalizations follow- and sometimes they get absurd.

When someone raises a valid criticism of something that's said or done, that person is attacked and labelled (and it doesn't matter what the person's credentials are or were.

It's as if some people give up their critical thinking to the judgment of the leader. The leader says something, and other rush to find justifications for it without skepticism- without thinking hmm, what's this all about.

Another curious thing that happens is that as time goes on, the leaders begin to believe much of the adulation about themselves. It's infectuous, and it leads to a sense of infallability that's brought down many a politician and evangelical.

BTW: the above OF COURSE doesn't apply to all (or perhaps even most) Obama supporters; it's just an set of things that I've noticed druing the campaign, going back at least to the McClurkin deal.

[MagsDem]

42. I think it comes from the media creation that is Obama

The guy is wholly unqualified to be POTUS, thin on substance, panders to rethugs, voted against dem anti war proposals from the day he was sworn into the senate until he decided to run for president. Has timid proposals compared to almost every other dem that was running. Yet the base swoons over him as if he was a god because the media tells you to. That is cultish.

[Madam Mossfern]

43. Hillary supporters act the same way

and yes, I did live through the 70's and 60's and 50's. I witnessed the rise of Moonies and Krishna Consciousness and Scientology. I can say without reservation that enthusiastic support of a political candidate is nothing like that. You know very well that using the term 'cult' is derogatory and insinuates that those who support Obama are not reasoning people. How about supporting a candidate based on gender and the cult-like worship of her spouse?

""What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man."

[MagsDem]

50. Well from where i sit, it doesn't seem very reasoned to...

insist your guy is the anti-war candidate when he voted against timetables for withdrawal from Iraq prior to deciding to run for POTUS. Doesn't seem reasonable to vote for a dem whose healthcare proposal only covers half the uninsured, but costs the govt almost as much as one that covers all the uninsured, and costs individuals 80% more than the one that covers all uninsured.

Doesn't seem reasoned to me to vote for a guy for POTUS who's highest office before this first senate term, which is only halfway complete, was a state senator. Doesn't seem reasoned to me to put a guy that has never run even a statewide campaign against an actual contender up against rethugs when we actually have a chance at winning with an experienced candidate. Doesn't make sense to me to support a guy that panders to rethugs, but can't win a single southern state in the GE.

[FrenchieCat]

51. This guy was scary too! Guess that was the 60s Cult. Totally acceptable.

[Meshuga]

52. It's used to insult those who disagree with them

There is no other reason to echo this stuff other than insulting a group of people with a broad brush. It doesn't accomplish much, unless insulting someone (including even those who are not arguing with them at the time) is the goal.

And both sides have the same share of people who claim that they are not going to support the other candidate in the GE. Which in my opinion is one of the worse decisions one could make: giving McCain a better chance to win the election.

[Adelante]

57. It's the politics of fear at work

:scared:

It is very sad to see how it's managed to take hold at DU. Very sad.

[tishaLA]

59. ding ding ding!

we have a winner. Division and fear. Saying anything to disparage your perceived enemies.