Two Thoughts in Black and White
Two datapoints that sorta confirm two different discomforts:
» Wolcott: Beware of White Men Bearing Gifts
I've never bought the pre-championship palaver that the Republicans were itching keen to face Hillary Clinton in the fall, that her mere presence in the race would energize their white-dumpling demoralized base into mobilizing into peasant mobs ready to storm Frankenstein's castle. The party's true savants had underestimated Hillary when she first ran for Senate and saw Rick Lazio's ears get pinned to the mat, and were unlikely to duplicate that error. I believe that they're far more wary of the Clinton machine than the Obama phenomenon because a phenomenon can be pricked or pop of its own accord, leaving behind a melting irridescence, whereas a machine like Clinton's feeds on the negativity thrown at it, a juggernaut nightmare designed to keep the opposition guessing over every move and plunge Andrew Sullivan into clammy angst ("I woke up in a cold sweat early last Wednesday").
Agreed in full. Limbaugh's fixation in particlar (I'm sure he'd love the ratings he had back in the 90s) is rather comical to watch. Do they want to see Obama do what they never could and end the Clinton era? Or do they want to have Hillary Clinton to beat up a little more in the General? Pick your meme. And for all the talk of whether Rush gamed the Texas primary with his battle cry, it sure did seem to be a mixed message: Vote for Hillary if you live in the boonies (except for Tyler and Longview!); vote for Obama if you live in the suburbs (excluding Montgomery); vote your conscience if you live in the wealthy neighborhoods within major urban counties (the two split West U and Bellaire in Harris). I mean, sure ... Rush has a sizable audience. But is he really THAT good?
» Left Coaster: Whitewater
One thing I find interesting is the repeated mention of Whitewater by some Obama supporters - raised in a way that suggests there was some wrongdoing on the part of the Clintons. It is as if they slept through the 1990s and the panty-sniffing and extraordinarily costly investigations of Ken Starr (among others).
In fairness, thinking that the world began in 2002 is not the same as sleeping through the '90s. But as one who lived to see much of the worldview he holds somewhat near and dear benefit the world greatly in the '90s, the Obama Cult disbelief in the entire decade is more than a little off-putting. That's as much a concern regarding Obama himself as it is his supporters.
Obama said: "He (Pastor Jeremiah Wright of the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago) is like an old uncle who sometimes will say things that I don't agree with. And I suspect there are some of the people in this room who have heard relatives say some things that they don't agree with — including, on occasion, directed at African-Americans."
How about Wright's accusing the US governments of genocidal crimes against the colored peoples, Obama? Is that one of the reasons for your calls for change?
The major media should have addressed this point in their endorsements of Obama.
Remember: Ferraro had to resign simply because of her comment on Obama's skin color. Here, Obama's spiritual mentor for decades was insulting the US.
Some neo-racists have atempted to defend Wright's anti-American bigotry by citing the First Amendment. They forgot one aspect of freedom of speech, i.e., malice. Wright didn't tell the truth. Just a distorted perception of historical truths.
FoxNews replayed several comments made by Wright which will certainly affect Sen Obama's fate, if the latter doesn't personally refute his mentor/spiritual guide as "wrong headed."
Prepared statement by his campaign staff isn't enough.
Or, he may choose to drop out of the race. For, it's hard for a normal American to see Obama, at Wright's advice, praying "God damn America," instead of God bless America when he takes the oath.
Thanks Fox News for your new revelations.
ABC also had good coverage. As for CNN, apparently the editors want to give Obama and his mentor a free ride! What kind of journalism, is it, Larry King?
It's time that the veterans should be more active in serving our country.
Rush is indeed laughable. However, with slim pickings of programs at the lunch hour, he will have to do (the same for Hannity on the drive home). I welcome sound alternatives.