Uppity…

Am I the only one who thinks that McCain/Palin treat Obama like he was an “uppity n***er?” When I was growing up in the South, that was the extremely derogatory remark used to describe African-Americans who thought that they had a place in white society. That, along with “oreo,” seemed to sum up most of the white establishment’s view of people who were ambitious enough to work hard to cross the old, vile racial barrier.

Certainly, the many comments about Obama not “being one of us,” or “sharing your background,” or being “that one” are calculated to play that racist chord. McCain’s disdain for Obama also seems to be based, in part, in this vile attitude. Unfortunately, although many in our society are past that, the racism still lives – and prospers – in the hearts of people like McCain.

And why did Cindy McCain not shake the hand of Michelle Obama? Racist?

McCain once referred to Vietnamese as “gooks,” voted against MLK day in Arizona, and has done little to dispel any evidence of a racist past (and present).

Since McCain’s wealth comes from Anheuser-Busch, we should all boycott A-B products – lets put our money where our mouth is!

Boycott Anheuser-Busch

It is time to boycott Anheuser-Busch products. A-B (the makers of Budweiser, etc.) makes the products that are sold by Cindy McCain’s family (the person responsible for the 7 houses and 12 cars).

The McCain’s treatment of the Obamas in last night’s debate was shameful. The “that one” comment, the snub by Cindy of Michelle – these are signs of the racist white establishment of the past.

Everyone who cares should, immediately, boycott all Anheuser-Busch products – and their racist distributor!

Obama, Age and Race

Noticing the 50+ crowd (of which I’m a member) complain about the upstart Obama campaign – and watching the news reports of how these folks are, if not flocking to, at least in some numbers joining, the McCain camp, I can’t help but wonder about a couple of things.

First, is this – the generation who never trusted anyone over thirty – now the generation that never trusts anyone under sixty?  After all, there does seem to be a feeling of “it’s our time” among this crowd that smacks of a bit of ageism.

Second, is all this talk about experience and age just cover for the racism that many of these folks feel?  Remember, these are the folks who championed civil rights – but never had any meaningful black friends.  These are the folks that fear black neighborhoods, but don’t know what to do about it.  These are the folks that broke cultural boundaries with their art and music, but run from the next wave – Rap and Hip-Hop – which broke cultural boundaries for the next generations.

If Obama was 60 instead, we may have a clearer picture of whether this is race or age… but to me, the underlying distrust in this country can, nearly always, be brought down to race and religion.

Why is Obama Black?

Obama is the first “black” presidential candidate.  At least that is what the press, the various campaigns, etc., are saying.  Also, Barack does more identify with his black roots than his white roots.

But here is the rub.  Barack is as black as he is white.  His mom was white, his dad was black.  He should be “grey.”

And there is the problem with the underlying racism in our society.  Racism that may (or may almost) prevent Mr. Obama from winning the presidency over a tired, cranky, old white guy who should be spending his time in an RV in Del Ray.  

A person can be white (e.g., both parents white), or something else.  The something else is never white.  It is Asian, Black, Jewish, Hispanic, Indian (US and Asian), etc.  The “impurity” is the problem

And the bigger problem is that we look at it as an impurity.

Face it, America.  We’re a racist, homophobic, xenophobic society.  We have a national religion – unaffiliated fundamentalist christianity.  

Maybe Jesus will save us – but I doubt it.  We still measure a man or woman’s worth by their race, sexual preference, religion, etc.  Jesus and god – ok, I don’t believe in either – aren’t going to bother with us as long as we buy into this crap.

Is there nothing that she will stop at?

Today’s news report finally pushed me over the edge with regard to the Clinton campaign.  After whining about sexism – and OK, I acknowledge that it exists, but where was the acknowledgment that Obama suffers both racism and misplaced anti-muslim behavior – she goes on and says that she’s in the race because “you never know what might happen” evoking the memory of Bobby Kennedy.

Geeze.  Wasn’t it her that said that only she could get the vote of white working class voters?  Wasn’t it she who pandered to every religious, social, ethnic and gender group out there?  Wasn’t it she who violated the election rules in both Florida and Michigan?  You can bet your bottom rupee that if she was on the other side of the table, she’d be arguing about how Obama can’t now expect to bend the rules.

The problem with Hillary is the same problem that we have with Bush – that moral and ethical relativity is taken to an extreme.  Certainly, no one realistically expects complete honesty from their elected officials, but the bald-faced disingenuousness of her bullshit is only equaled by the moral torpor of the Bush white house. 

This candidate needs to simply shut up and go away.  Period.

Jeremiah Wright – is he right?

I’m reading with interest the controversy over Obama’s minister, Jeremiah Wright.  Much of the controversy seems to be whether he is “anti-American” or racist.  I think not.

First, let me say that I am neither black nor Christian.  I don’t come from either of those traditions, nor do I embrace any religious tradition (in fact, I am a non-believer).  But, I do think that we, as a nation, have deluded ourselves on several major issues – issues that Rev. Wright points out (with much criticism).

1) The US commits terrorism.  What is terrorism?  Why is it different from our acts?  Does anyone think that our mortal enemies would have crashed passenger jetliners into buildings if they had B-52’s?  Of course not.  They would have sat there at a comfortable 45,000 feet pushing buttons and dropping tons of bombs.  That’s what we do to them.  Why is our action justified and theirs not?  I simply don’t understand.

2) The US committed sins against blacks.  Yes.  This is obvious.  It still does.  Duh.

3) The government has conspired to keep the black community down.  Duh, again…  of course they have.

This stuff is obvious.  The problem is that no one wants to hear it.  That’s it.

EE

Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory

I started the election cycle a solid fan of Hillary Clinton.  After all, my life was better during the Clinton years than any years since, and since I have two kids, I would want the improvements in their lives to occur too.  Plus, I really think we need single-payer health care (more on that in another post) and believe that she’s the only one who could bring that home.

But Hillary couldn’t have done a better job of botching a campaign.  This will go down in history as one of the worst campaigns ever – and now I’m a solid fan of Mr. Obama.

What did she do wrong?  

1. Pandered to the “core” democratic base – people that most of the country feels a certain amount of contempt for – union bosses, entertainment execs, party hacks.
2. Blown every opportunity to benefit from an Obama gaffe.  The latest one – Bittergate – is a perfect example.  Whether or not the next-day quaffing of a beer in a bar was pre-planned, it looked ridiculously staged.
3. Tried to pull a Dubya – by pretending to sound like a stupid white lady.  Shit, I expect her to show her sagging back tatoo soon – maybe a heart with an arrow through it, maybe some “wings.” (time to ask LA Ink whether they can quickly “age” a tatt.  Bush, for all his faults, is exceptional at sounding like a dumb redneck.  (note that I believe that Bush is as dumb as a fox – and that the Dems have consistently made the mistake of thinking he’s stupid – he isn’t).
4. Forgot to elevate the debate.  What Obama does brilliantly is pull people up by their brains.  More than anything, this country needs to start using those silly little organs to solve our problems.  Being pulled up by the brain is a good thing.

Hopefully, the final stake will be driven through the heart of the Clinton campaign by the good people of Pennsylvania.  Then we will be able to see how absolutely devoid of ideas and a plan Mr. McCain is.

EE