General Discussion

lapucelle

(21,208 posts)

184. What exactly makes Platner "progressive"? He's against an assault weapons ban,

Sun Jun 7, 2026, 12:15 PM

Sunday

has blamed sexual assault victims for the crimes committed against them, has made crude and demeaning jokes about gay men, and is so insensitive that he asked a question on a public forum about a racial stereotype that he thought to be true. None of that sounds particularly progressive to me.

David Costello (one of the of the Democrats in the race) favors an assault weapons ban and Medicare 4 All. In addition, Costello is a prominent environmental policy consultant known for his work in natural resource economics and is a seasoned legislative environmental strategist. Costello is also a former USAID Office of Transition Initiatives country program manager and regional team leader.

Sounds to me like David Costello is the progressive with experience and an impressive resume.

And there are no embarrassing videos of him dancing around in a bar with his shirt off.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

5 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

rollin74 betsuni Sewa MorbidButterflyTat greatauntoftriplets

246 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Why is so much effort being spent defending a Nazi symbol? [View all] sarisataka Saturday OP

It's either that or Collin's Trump stamp lame54 Saturday #1

So if I am understanding sarisataka Saturday #8

Kicking Collins to the curb is acceptable... lame54 Saturday #14

I have no disagreement with that sarisataka Saturday #16

I don't think the symbol is being defended Figarosmom Saturday #49

There are several posts below sarisataka Saturday #53

Who is defending a Nazi symbol, other than the far right? idahoblue Saturday #77

Read the replies sarisataka Saturday #79

So what conclusion is to be drawn about these so-called defenders CivicGrief Sunday #186

Finally, perhaps some reflection sarisataka Sunday #192

I just don't see the responses as going down the path of revisionist history. CivicGrief Sunday #193

Understandable sarisataka Sunday #197

Learning moments are good for the nation's soul. CivicGrief Sunday #198

I don't think it's being defended... buzzycrumbhunger Saturday #128

It is being defended sarisataka Saturday #131

They can still go with Janet Mills. LisaL Saturday #26

Although still on the ballot... lame54 Saturday #27

She is on the ballot and people can vote for her if they wish. LisaL Saturday #32

Maine does have Ranked Choice Voting TVguyCards Saturday #62

Welcome to DU! KS Toronado Saturday #81

Thank you :) TVguyCards Saturday #85

Janet Mills polls behind susan collins. Graham polls ahead. BComplex Saturday #88

Kind of meaningless to consider polling LisaL Saturday #134

Mills has no chance whatsoever ExtraGriz Sunday #177

They were stolen symbols and no shouldn't Blue Full Moon Sunday #175

This symbol? sarisataka Sunday #195

No, you're making a big deal of it oldmanlynn Sunday #182

I specifically did not make that connection sarisataka Sunday #196

You don't have to sell your soul iemanja Saturday #96

Mills and Costello are still on the ballot obamanut2012 Saturday #122

But why is Platner our only choice against Collins? yardwork Sunday #176

Did he really vote for Trump three times? iemanja Sunday #207

I read that he did but just checked and he said he did not. yardwork Sunday #210

Yeah, after I saw your post, I checked. iemanja Sunday #211

Hillary would have been a Great President. Cha 22 hrs ago #215

If we want to a purity test have Pete Hegseth take off his shirt Ritabert Saturday #2

Would anyone here defend Hegseth? LisaL Saturday #3

Just saying that the GOP has one standard for themselves and one for us. Ritabert Saturday #37

Here no. But Republicans and Faux News would. Ritabert Saturday #41

My bad opinion of Hegseth Mossfern Saturday #150

For real Jilly_in_VA Saturday #151

Is anyone defending his tattos sarisataka Saturday #10

Or that he got them when he was drunk? LisaL Saturday #11

As I tried pointing out- it is NOT (!!!) about any tattoo sarisataka Saturday #17

Yes ABC123Easy Saturday #20

I am agreeing with your points. LisaL Saturday #23

I didn't mean to seem in opposition sarisataka Saturday #28

Of course people here would not defend Hegesth if he got the exact same tattoo when drunk. LisaL Saturday #30

I haven't seen one post claiming it is not a Nazi symbol. nt LAS14 Saturday #64

Hegseth is a Republican. Republicans do not have to defend their behavior. JustABozoOnThisBus Saturday #31

So the argument is, if you can't beat them, join them? LisaL Saturday #33

Only if the split in the Senate is close. JustABozoOnThisBus Saturday #35

I get the sentiment Mz Pip Saturday #48

The point being: when did he get the tattoo? Ritabert Saturday #42

Too late. He's already been called a Nazi on DU. AloeVera Saturday #91

I don't think anyone's called him a Nazi and I don't think he is EX500rider Saturday #116

... and so we advocate withholding support Mossfern Saturday #121

I didn't advocate anything I just think he has a lot of red flags in my opinion EX500rider Saturday #126

What does bringing up "red flags" mean then? Mossfern Saturday #127

And Collins doesn't????? That's the choice. marble falls Saturday #160

It's means I wish Maine had found someone with less baggage to run. EX500rider Saturday #167

The point is winning against actual fascists. Envirogal Saturday #108

The fact that Franken defenders still diminish what he did is wrong EdmondDantes_ Saturday #68

I read the article and remember it well. Envirogal Sunday #199

You do realize due process is a legal term and in fact not required right? EdmondDantes_ 7 hrs ago #244

Innocent until proven guilty is also a legal term Envirogal 6 hrs ago #245

Well, hello again. n/t rzemanfl Sunday #201

Franken asked for a formal hearing. Buzz cook 6 hrs ago #246

They are the party of white supremacy iemanja Saturday #98

You really want Collins... lame54 Sunday #185

I do NOT want Collins iemanja Sunday #206

Simple -misanthroptimist Saturday #4

The same can be said for the swastika sarisataka Saturday #12

No it wouldn't be the same... -misanthroptimist Saturday #39

What is the difference? sarisataka Saturday #43

Look, until this nonsense... -misanthroptimist Saturday #45

I recognized it immediately sarisataka Saturday #51

You can say anything you want -misanthroptimist Saturday #58

Incorrect sarisataka Saturday #60

If you are not making that assertion... -misanthroptimist Saturday #66

Stop opposing Nazism and historical revisionism? sarisataka Saturday #69

Very clearly illogical -misanthroptimist Saturday #73

The question was never about the tattoo sarisataka Saturday #76

Then, as I said, the tattoo is irrelevant. -misanthroptimist Saturday #87

Let me phrase this clearly- since it doesn't matter if I type slowly sarisataka Saturday #92

Stop dodging -misanthroptimist Saturday #104

You refuse to accept what I have stated sarisataka Saturday #109

Nonsense -misanthroptimist Saturday #137

I never heard of a totenkopf until this story, either. Americanme Saturday #140

Couldn't agree more -misanthroptimist Saturday #141

Let me try explaining it. WarGamer Sunday #202

But the death head skull is NOT as universally known as a nazi hate symbol, like the swastika. Americanme Sunday #203

Do you believe he knew that? Scrivener7 Sunday #205

I'd be willing to bet a fairly large amount of money that the tattoo shop catalog where he bought it Jack Valentino Saturday #165

I would bet you are correct sarisataka Saturday #169

Speak and so it shall be so. Behind the Aegis Saturday #47

Because Fox News wants control of the senate. Initech Saturday #5

Care to share examples of the behavior in question? RockRaven Saturday #6

Post number 4 is one example sarisataka Saturday #13

Young people love lighting bolts and i never heard of them being nazi symbols before now questionseverything 14 hrs ago #228

Have you never seen this? sarisataka 11 hrs ago #241

No I haven't seen that before that I remember questionseverything 8 hrs ago #242

I am glad to have taught you something today sarisataka 7 hrs ago #243

Why is so little effort being spent promoting other D candidates in the upcoming primary? RandomNumbers Saturday #7

Why did Sanders endorse Fetterman? LisaL Saturday #9

True, but what about Warren? RandomNumbers Saturday #15

We actually had a very good democratic alternative to Fetterman in a primary. LisaL Saturday #21

Because Nazis killed Jews Danmel Saturday #18

They might for Platner MorbidButterflyTat Saturday #24

That would be interesting to see what would happen sarisataka Saturday #34

Poor Sarisataka ABC123Easy Saturday #19

I saw that but sarisataka Saturday #22

Good for you! ABC123Easy Saturday #25

I showed this thread to my children sarisataka Saturday #149

Weaponized ignorance -- excellent term. betsuni Saturday #168

Smart kids! sheshe2 14 hrs ago #234

It was an opinion piece not an article, an article implies facts questionseverything Saturday #29

Really? As one of the less hostile repliers from yesterday..... ABC123Easy Saturday #36

I saw so many swatikas in India, they must all be Nazi's too Shellback Squid Saturday #38

Does that make swastikas acceptable everywhere sarisataka Saturday #44

yes, like an ankh, I have friend who has a devil tat on his shoulder, does that make him a devil worshiper? Shellback Squid Yesterday #212

A swastika is as innocuous as as ankh sarisataka 15 hrs ago #216

the German SS was only one of many meanings... mike_c Saturday #40

Will you say the same of other Nazi symbols sarisataka Saturday #46

As an art student, I saw many designs through history that included the swastika. calimary Saturday #118

K&R WhiskeyGrinder Saturday #50

I think we need to look at intent Bluestocking Saturday #52

The skull and crossed femurs has a long history TexLaProgressive Saturday #54

No one is trying to 'rehabilitate' the Nazis RetiredParatrooper Saturday #55

Who is that guy? nt LAS14 Saturday #70

Since the photo of von Mackensen sarisataka Saturday #75

That's not a Totenkopf. Llewlladdwr 11 hrs ago #240

The rules of DU require that we support Platner if he's the nominee Kaleva Saturday #56

And at no point have I stated sarisataka Saturday #67

I haven't paid much attention to the debate about the tattoo Kaleva Saturday #161

Fair enough sarisataka Saturday #163

Same to you! Kaleva Saturday #164

At this moment, he is the PRESUMPTIVE nominee. Their primary niyad Saturday #155

True Kaleva Saturday #162

One needs only to look at other political figures to answer that. RandySF Saturday #57

No one is defending the symbol, including platner. pat_k Saturday #59

Post above your show that statement is false sarisataka Saturday #63

I see no one defending the symbol. pat_k Saturday #97

And I was never asking about any man sarisataka Saturday #103

I see no posts that say that. You have to give me verbatim quotes (in context) that you read that way. pat_k Saturday #114

Post 4 sarisataka Saturday #117

Who's defending it? Nt LAS14 Saturday #61

Have you read the replies sarisataka Saturday #65

I searched for it and found it in #4, which you referenced... LAS14 Saturday #72

There are many others in this thread sarisataka Saturday #78

I have never denied or diminished the connection. I have simply wondered... LAS14 Saturday #119

I haven't said you have denied its meaning. sarisataka Saturday #132

OK. nt LAS14 Saturday #152

Just sayin'... buzzycrumbhunger Saturday #133

Think about this. CivicGrief Saturday #71

That was not my question, as I clearly stated sarisataka Saturday #80

The question is not in a vacuum. It is in relation to Platner. CivicGrief Saturday #82

Never said that, never implied that sarisataka Saturday #86

Platner was a sexist choice Pris Saturday #113

The symbol or offensive tattoo can be fairly easily removed Grim Chieftain Saturday #74

Yes, exactly. WestMichRad Saturday #110

Yeah, it's gotten cringingly weird now Sympthsical Saturday #83

Come on folks TVguyCards Saturday #84

You get it /nt sarisataka Saturday #89

Enough! MineralMan Saturday #90

The tattoo behind all of this orangecrush Saturday #94

I will not stop opposing or rehabilitating Nazis, their legacy and symbols. sarisataka Saturday #95

Nobody has done that. MineralMan Saturday #99

They have, in this thread sarisataka Saturday #105

MM is right. AloeVera Saturday #153

I have not seen Platner called a Nazi but I have no reason to doubt it. I haven't followed every thread. sarisataka Saturday #156

I agree with you, but it's fruitless here right now obamanut2012 15 hrs ago #218

Rec'd Mossfern Saturday #154

I'm more curious as to how someone can defend an ongoing genocide, and endless wars instead of a tattoo; which Uncle Joe Saturday #93

Which genocide sarisataka Saturday #101

Any genocide, but particularly ones that our government, and our tax dollars are supporting. n/t Uncle Joe Saturday #102

Are we allowed to condemn the perpetrators of all the genocides? CivicGrief Saturday #143

Probably not the ones defended here daily for nearly 2 years. AloeVera Saturday #157

Intellectual and moral integrity iemanja Saturday #100

+1 demmiblue Saturday #106

who is defending that symbol??? LymphocyteLover Saturday #107

Again- read the replies sarisataka Saturday #111

OK, but your OP mentioned it... so I wasn't sure what you were referring to LymphocyteLover Sunday #172

Bullshit. This was not a "Nazi symbol" per se Bluetus Saturday #112

The particular symbol sarisataka Saturday #115

Be honest. When did you learn about this symbol? Bluetus Saturday #135

6th grade sarisataka Saturday #139

The totenkopf tattoo is a NAZI symbol LetMyPeopleVote Saturday #123

Nice. So if I have a T-shirt that has an arrow pointing upward, you will call me a Nazi? Bluetus Saturday #138

It is 100% a known Nazi symbol obamanut2012 15 hrs ago #220

I have yet to see anyone defend the symbol Buzz cook Saturday #120

Read the thread sarisataka Saturday #130

This tattoo really bothers me LetMyPeopleVote Saturday #124

Would a Democratically-controlled US Senate bother you, if Platner Jack Valentino Saturday #166

Isn't the tattoo still there, but covered up? lapucelle Sunday #180

I would like to see a Democrat defeat Collins but I do not believe that Platner is the right person LetMyPeopleVote Sunday #183

Well said. mcar Sunday #200

Post removed Post removed Saturday #125

Post removed Post removed Saturday #129

Before this I had now idea what a totenkopf was. Hassin Bin Sober Saturday #136

No. You absolutely did! CivicGrief Sunday #187

He had the tattoo covered many months ago. Collins is still voting to fund the GESTAPO struggle4progress Saturday #142

That there is the correct perspective -misanthroptimist Saturday #146

Why is so much effort being spent trying to destroy a Democrat on this forum? n/t luv2fly Saturday #144

I hesitate to guess -misanthroptimist Saturday #145

That would be against the SOP sarisataka Saturday #147

Graham Platner reminds me a lot of Adam Kokesh Polybius Saturday #148

Maybe its just an awkward tattoo just like Musk's hitler salute was a awkward gesture per the ADL? Eko Saturday #158

The only thing awkward about Musk's gesture sarisataka Saturday #170

I agree. Eko Saturday #171

Being offended is a choice. Intractable Saturday #159

Yeah, those six million Jews murdered under that symbol only chose to be offended iemanja Sunday #208

Being offended by Platner is a choice. Intractable Sunday #209

Chanting the magic slogan Medicare for All trumps The Curse of the Totenkopf. betsuni Sunday #173

No. They cede power by thinking they CivicGrief Sunday #179

I don't understand. betsuni Sunday #188

I'm talking about Democrats who think moving to the center (hence, centrist) right is the CivicGrief Sunday #189

It's not the tattoo, it's the attack from centrists against progressive candidates. Emile Sunday #174

What exactly makes Platner "progressive"? He's against an assault weapons ban, lapucelle Sunday #184

I love me a genuine progressive. You may even say CivicGrief Sunday #191

And his underwear?! MorbidButterflyTat Yesterday #213

It does look like he's dancing shirtless in his underwear. lapucelle 22 hrs ago #214

His family and friends at a wedding reception? mr715 15 hrs ago #217

Imagine someone taking off their shirt and pants at a wedding and dancing around. lapucelle 14 hrs ago #223

Imagine a joyful event having joy mr715 14 hrs ago #224

Weddings are joyful ceremonies. Whether or not a guest or relative taking off some clothes and doing a dance lapucelle 14 hrs ago #225

I've sang shirtless at parties at other people's request. mr715 14 hrs ago #226

Yes, but were you wearing pants? lapucelle 14 hrs ago #232

Yes but only because I have skinny chicken legs. mr715 14 hrs ago #233

"Who among us has not been asked to sing shirtless at a wedding?" lapucelle 14 hrs ago #235

Who cares? mr715 14 hrs ago #236

It's amazing how some people are comfortable commenting on others personal behavior at private Nanjeanne 13 hrs ago #237

"We are oft to blame in this... Torchlight Sunday #178

More circular firing, squad stuff right here oldmanlynn Sunday #181

Oh of course there are numerous DUers who don't care about winning elections. BannonsLiver 15 hrs ago #219

I have read and reread this very long thread before responding. cksmithy Sunday #190

I appreciate your attention and thoughtful reply sarisataka Sunday #194

Platner rso Sunday #204

Just curious about the forum rules. Can somebody clarify? Bluetus 15 hrs ago #221

What rule are you positing is being violated by this thread? What makes you think it's being violated here? tritsofme 15 hrs ago #222

"Bashing" Bluetus 14 hrs ago #227

The OP provides a factual history lesson, I'm not sure how it could plausibly be considered "bashing" tritsofme 14 hrs ago #231

I'll venture a guess. H2O Man 13 hrs ago #238

Sorry, I am not the person to ask for rule interpretations sarisataka 14 hrs ago #229

Remember when fundamentalist Xtians attacked Proctor and Gamble for its "Satanic" logo? Ponietz 14 hrs ago #230

Strawman sarisataka 12 hrs ago #239