According to Wikipedia, it's origin is the Jonestown Massacre, but it means to accept wholeheartedly or blindly wihout critical examination:
"Drinking the Kool-Aid" is a metaphor, used in the United States and Canada, that means to become an unquestioning believer in some ideology, or to accept an argument or philosophy wholeheartedly or blindly without critical examination. The phrase can sometimes have a negative connotation, or can be used ironically. The basis of the term is a reference to the November 1978 Jonestown Massacre,[1][2] where members of the Peoples Temple were said to have committed suicide by drinking a "Kool-Aid"-like drink laced with cyanide.[3]
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Objections notwithstanding, the phrase is commonly used in a variety of contexts to describe blind, uncritical acceptance or following, generally in a derogatory sense.
While similar, Urban Dictionary's second definition is a bit more simple: To completely buy into an idea or system, whether good or bad.
In a political sense, liberals will often say that people who align themselves with the tea-party movement are 'drinking the Kool-Aid.' And conservatives will often use the phrase for union members.
Considering the negative political connotations, you would think that a political group - like, say the Maumee Democrats (Ohio), would be 'sensitive' to the phrase, especially when it comes to handing out treats at a festival.
Apparently, the irony was lost on this group of Democrats as this is what they distributed to kids during the Maumee Summer Fair parade on Saturday:
Can you say 'stuck on stupid'???
***Thanks to my friend Friedrich VonHerrenhausen (not his real name) for sharing this with me!
6 comments:
Maggie, I was back with the Maumee Republicans and our proud parade caravan. We would have loved seeing this. We were passing out Spangler Dum-Dum Suckers, a local treat to all the parade goers. You can't say anything bad about that Bryan, Ohio Company. Several Spanglers have lived in Maumee going back to the 18th Century. It is just too bizarre and symbolic the Maumee Democrats chose to pass out Kool-Aid.
All I can say is ,"WOW!" My daughter was born the end of September 1978. I saw all this up close and personal. Read a book on the subject, and one of the boys in my neighborhood had to go down there to take care of the bodies (he was in the Army). It was so bad, he would not talk about it to anyone. So, to hand out Kool-Aide - poor taste.
Yes I can! They are 'stuck on stupid'! :)
I really hope this is not true...
This is a silly mistake and I am sure that it was not intended to symbolize what is being discussed here. Clearly has been taken the wrong way.
Hopefully we are able to move past these types of petty issues and focus on what Maumee really needs which is strong leadership for the future.
Chairman, Maumee Republican Club:
This is not "petty" - it's ironic. There is a difference and as chairman of a local Republican Club, you should know that.
Variations of the phrase 'drinking the Kool-Aid' are used a lot in the political realm and often by the left when criticizing conservative talk radio, conservative blogs, and conservative philosophies as well as tea party groups and members. To have a local Democrat Club hand out Kool-Aid is nothing BUT ironic.
And that's what is being discussed here: the irony of the situation and their choice of handouts.
It is timely, worthwhile and valid to point out the irony and it has absolutely nothing to do with the upcoming elections in the city.
Chairman, maumee republican club who just created a blogger profile in the last few days,
Indeed it is true and, as for hoping it's a "mistake", why would you?
The GOP has been listening to the moonbat brigades of the democratic party tag conservatives as "kool-aid drinkers" for years.
The irony is that they're now supplying it...literally.
I find it funny that they'd openly make such a foolish mistake...other than electing Obama.
Stealing yard signs is petty. Passing out a metaphoric drink for the brainwashed with your party's name affixed to the label is priceless!
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