The other day at McCain's town hall meeting, one of his supporters claimed that she didn't trust Obama because he was an Arab. I did a quick search on Wikipedia which offered the following three criteria to define who an Arab is in the modern area.
OK so Barack does not fit any of these criteria so we can safely say that indeed he isn't an Arab. But did McCain give the proper response to that contention? He said that Barack wasn't Arab but a decent family man who is a citizen as if Arabs can't be defined by decency, love of family or citizentry. How racist and xenophobic and hateful and closed is that! So who is Barack Obama now according to McCain's ever-evolving definition. Barack Hussein Obama is a decent family man who is a citizen of the world, an un-American, unpatriotic terrorist that can't be trusted because we don't know the real him, a lyng Chicago politician. the person to blame for the economic meltdown, the man who will teach your kids about sex, and the man he deeply admires because of his accomplishments. But if you can't remember that, just call him, THAT ONE!
If you ever think you're too small to be effective, then you've never been in the dark with a mosquito!
I am Tracy DC and I approve this message!
Over the weekend, I was part of a 5 person team that registered about 200 voters right in front of good old Wal-Mart. I even convinced someone to register who proclaimed as he went into the store that his vote didn't matter. As soon as he came out, I pounced on him. This one wasn't getting away. I started off with the mosquito quote but he wasn't buying that one. After going back and forth for a while regarding the relative importance of voting, I finally went deep in my pocket and evoked Rosa Parks. I save her for occasions just like this. I asked him would he have been one of the persons who kept taking the bus or one of the ones who walked. He was silent for a moment and then said "Good point. OK I'll register." That was good enough for me. I told him that he needed to be in it to win it and encouraged him to go to the polls Nov. 4th. Felt good...
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I am deeply offended and more than a little pissed off by her patronizing, cynical and nasty remarks about Senator Obama and Michelle. She is a mean snake. You can't kill a moose, bearing a smile like hers, and not be a mean, lowdown snake. She was direct and ugly.She gave the right speech to the party that feeds on war.
Robin from NJ
THIS COUNTRY IS NOT PREY FOR MCCAIN/PALIN!!!
FIGHT!!! CALL, CANVASS, REGISTER, & DONATE!!!
Nothing like a hot microphone! Ask Jesse! See what the pundits really feel about Palin after they set aside their talking points. Hilarious and informative!
"Gimmicky"
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=CrG8w4bb3kg&eurl=http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/
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Well maybe.
I received what purports to be an internal Repug Talking Points memo in my box. Of course I was told not to distribute by email so I'm putting it on my blog and then I will distribute my blog entry by email. Clever, huh? LOL If there is one thing about the Repugs, they know how to deliver a uniform and consistent message with a straight face even if it is ridiculous and even if they disagree with it. They do not attack each other. They have each other's back. They save criticism and disgust and bewilderment and fear for dinner table talk, bedtime convo, and closed-door sessions. Case in point-read the following Repug "Talking Points" regarding Palin's daughter's pregnancy:
INTERNAL DOCUMENT - NOT TO BE EMAILED BEYOND CURRENTDISTRIBUTION LISTPlease see the following points on Gov. Palin’s family.Governor Palin and her husband Todd have a loving familyand their children mean everything to them. When theiroldest daughter Bristol came to them with news that she wasexpecting a child they embraced her and gave her nothing butunconditional love and support.This is a very personal matter for the family. We shouldall respect the love they have for the child and the desireall parents would have for their children’s privacy.The media should respect Bristol’s privacy.That’s always been the tradition and practice when itcomes to the children of candidates.(If pressed) The children of candidates do not choose to run for office and be thrust into the spotlight.
Now look at that. "If pressed...The children...do not choose to...be thrust into the spotlight. WTH? Now who did that? Didn't Gov. Palin put her pregnant daughter on stage in a black dress wearing a body blanket and newborn to cover her pregnancy for the BIG introduction but days later reveal the pregnancy with glowing pride--an announcment cloaked with hypocrisy. Guess it took awhile for the Talking Points memo to be written. Couldn't use the old one that contained buzz words like "no pre-marital sex" "abstinence", "family values", "no sex education in schools", "parental responsibility". blah blah blah. Remember that one?
OOPS, here I am discussing the pregnancy even though this topic should be off limits for Dems for strategic purposes. I forgot that every time Dems discuss this in any way allows the Rupugs to deliver their message and distract folks from the real issues we face and how McCain and his VP are BOTH ill-equipped to address them and lead this nation in a different direction. Damn I wish I had received a Talking Points memo from Dem Central. I am just not disciplined enough like the Repugs to keep my mouth shut and stick to the script. Thank goodness Barack is. I guess I will have to listen to him more carefully and follow his lead since last I checked, I just didn't get the memo.
Hmm...What should our Talking Points be?
Before we even begin to break Sarah down, we should always attack McCain first on his lack of good judgement and inabilty to make sound decisions demostrated once again with this VP pick. Clearly he did not put country first by selecting a VP candidate based solely on his ability to pander to certain segments of the society. Then we move to Sarah, herself. I just finished reading Herbert's NYT's op-ed, "Head for the High Road". http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/02/opinion/02herbert.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin
Afterwards, I got to thinking again (I know there is always danger in doing so) about what we should be focusing on for STRATEGIC purposes as well as how we should aspire to conduct ourselves in this campaign. I know it's less fun when we can't have humor while we attack but I think Barack is calling on us to do this. Who was angry when they sent the African garb picture of Barack around to ridicule him and suggest he was a Muslim? Who has been upset about the smears and vicious rumors that have been perpetuated about Obama especially in the Corsi book? Who hates it when they attack Michelle? Anyway, I'm gonna TRY to stay focused and take the high road. I say try because it is my nature to take cheap shots, find humor, promote sarcasm and otherwise be the lovable borderline elitist that I am. But I know that If we allow the Palin criticism to go too far in the wrong direction even in jest, we are toast. We can all disagree about what issues we should be focusing on but I think there has to be some concensus among us as to what kind of attack is beneath us or at the very least is simply bad strategy. For exampe, Carville on Larry King yesterday was great on the attack with regard to Palin's inexperience but when he put up that picture of the Wasilla City Hall I cringed because I know how that kind of thing offends small town America. Anyway, below are some thoughts about what should be fair game for discussion and what should be off limits. Agree. Disagree. Add. Subtract.
Fair Game
1. Lack of experience but only to a certain extent since they say our guy is inexperienced. A discussion of her inexperience is a perfect opportunity to bring up McCain’s age and health as a legitimate concern.
2. Not ready to be a potential Commander-in-Chief
3. Troopergate—abuse of power
4. Bridge-to-nowhere---flip-flopped and/or lied-goes to character, earmarks—goes to notion of her a reformer
5. Tape of her giggling while her opponent is called a cancer and bitch—lack of character/ not a champion of women
6. Big Oil connection/Environmental Issues
7. Her vision of America—social conservative out of the mainstream who wants to overturn Roe-v. Wade
8. Her association with the Alaska Independence Party
1. Anything involving pregnancy (her newborn or daughter’s) for strategic purposes only-We lose when this is discussed. It’s a distraction they welcome and gets her sympathy—You might think the daughter’s pregnancy shows that she is a hypocrite since she is against sex education and for teaching abstinence. It doesn’t matter. It make s her seem real. You might think that she needs to take care of home instead of run for VP. That can be regarded as a sexist argument and Repugs want to cry sexism as much as they can-more sympathy from base and women who seek to balance work/home life.
2. Anything involving her underage children
3. Anything about her physical look-can be regarded as sexist and petty
4. Anything about small town America----—offends-gets sympathy from small town America
5. Mocking her background as a beauty queen, PTA member, hockey mom, hunter----offends and demeans
6. Husband’s DWI over 20 years ago
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I was a Palin basher until I read the linked article. Now I must ask for forgiveness for the sake of the country.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-shrake/palin-08-bush-00_b_122512.html
MICHELLE OBAMA opens the Democratic National Convention with an amazing speech!
Such beauty. Such brilliance. Such strength. Such grace.
The Obama's story is our story-a great American story.
We need to do everything that we can to make sure they become our next First Family!
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All of us driven by a simple belief that the world as it is just won't do — that we have an obligation to fight for the world as it should be.
That is the thread that connects our hearts. That is the thread that runs through my journey and Barack's journey and so many other improbable journeys that have brought us here tonight, where the current of history meets this new tide of hope.
That is why I love this country.
Read the whole speech here!
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hfr9FfJZ2SPv6VGY7CTau3pzsE7gD92PN790C
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McCain can't seem to remember how many houses he owns. No one was there to whisper in his ear and remind him so he'll have to get back to us on that one! WTH! Barack attacks with a fabulous ad!
http://thisweekwithbarackobama.blogspot.com/2008/08/new-obama-ad-on-john-mccains-seven.html
Let's put McCain on the stand!!!
AMERICA: Senator McCain, did you or did you not order the code red? Strike that. Did you steal the "Cross in the Sand" story? America wants the truth!
MCCAIN: AMERICA CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!
Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury, I ask you-Guilty or Not Guilty?
McCain's "Cross in the Sand" Story NOW
The Vietnamese kept us imprisoned in conditions of solitary confinement or two or three to a cell. They did that because they knew they could break down our resistance. One of the techniques that they used to get information was to take ropes and tie them around your biceps, pull your biceps behind you, loop the rope around your head, pull your head down between your knees, and leave you in that position. You can imagine, it was very uncomfortable.One night I was being punished in that fashion. All of a sudden the door of the cell opened and the guard came in; a guy who was just what we called a gun guard. He just walked around the camp with a gun on his shoulder. He went like this and then he loosened the ropes. He came back about four hours later; he tightened them up again and left.
The following Christmas, because it was Christmas Day, we were allowed to stand outside of our cell for a few minutes. In those days, we were not allowed to see or communicate with each other, although we certainly did. And I was standing outside for my few minutes outside of my cell. He came walking up. He stood there for a minute. And with his sandal on the dirt in the courtyard, he drew a cross. And he stood there, and a minute later he rubbed it out and walked away. For a minute there, there was just two Christians worshiping together. I'll never forget that moment.
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/08/transcript_of_obama_mccain_at.html
McCain's "Cross in the Sand" Story in 2000 Speech
Many years ago a scared American prisoner of war in Vietnam was tied in torture ropes by his tormentors and left alone in an empty room to suffer through the night. Later in the evening a guard he had never spoken to entered the room and silently loosened the ropes to relieve his suffering. Just before morning, that same guard came back and re-tightened the ropes before his less humanitarian comrades returned. He never said a word to the grateful prisoner, but some months later, on a Christmas morning, as the prisoner stood alone in the prison courtyard, the same good Samaritan walked up to him and stood next to him for a few moments. Then with his sandal, the guard drew a cross in the dirt. Both prisoner and guard both stood wordlessly there for a minute or two, venerating the cross, until the guard rubbed it out and walked away.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9904EFDE1239F93AA15751C0A9669C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all
Either he's guilty of lying or arrogance (referring to himself in third person?).
Sentence him to Iraq for a hundred years!
We rest.
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You can't make this stuff up but apparantly McHaveNoShame can. Yesterday, at the forum hosted by Rick Warren, McCain tells the "Cross in the Dirt" war story with such emotion but was this experience really his? There is some evidence that he might have stolen the story from one of his heros and is now using it for political gain. His campaign needs a new slogan: Lies First.
Read here and please DIGG it up!
http://digg.com/search?section=all&s=Cross+in+the+Dirt
I encourage everyone to take advantage of the new online tool that allows you to write to all your local newspapers at once by entering your zip code. It's really easy to do and should prove effective. Let the media know how you feel about the important issues in this campaign. Do not allow them or anyone to distract us with the same old bulls--t! Push back and demand that the media not be complicit in perpetuating lies, half-truths, and assertions that are factually inaccurate. Force them to have journalistic integrity with honest reporting based on the facts. Lying bigots like Corsi who just released a hate-filled anti-Obama, anti-American book must be held accountable and his smears must be replaced with the truth. Join me in trying out this new tool! Make your voices heard!!!
http://my.barackobama.com/page/speakout/unfit
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/64ad536a6d
So what does the phrase, “playing the race card” mean anyway?
Wikipedia has this definition: “Playing the race card is an idiomatic phrase referring to an allegation raised against a person who has brought the issue of race or racism into a debate, perhaps to obfuscate the matter.” Many were first introduced to this phrase during the OJ Simpson trial in which Simpson, a famous sports figure, was found not guilty for the brutal murder of his ex-wife and her male friend. There were many that felt that this was a grave injustice because, in their opinion, there was enough evidence to find Simpson guilty but because Simpson’s defense team was able to successfully plant in the minds of the jurors that it was at least possible that Simpson was framed by the police, they were left with no other choice but to find Simpson not guilty because of the legal definition of reasonable doubt. Many argue that the defense was able to cast such doubt because of America’s long history of racism and the well-documented racism in the criminal justice system. The so called "playing of the race card" was bolstered by Police Officer Mark Furhman, a key witness for the prosecution, whose testimony was placed into question when the defense provided evidence of him previously using the "N" word and tampering with evidence in cases involving African-Americans. The prevailing thought of those angered by the ‘Not Guilty” verdict believed that because Simpson’s defense team successfully “played the race card”, OJ walked.
Be careful of those accusing someone of “playing the race card “as a way to minimize a legitimate claim of racism
Fast forward-Now there are those who are quick to make the claim that someone is “playing the race card” even when someone makes a legitimate claim of racism in a discussion or debate. The person who suggests or demonstrates that racism may be at the core of some act or issue, even if subtle, opens him/her self up to the attack that he/she is “playing the race card”. The one making the accusation, in the use of this tactic, feeds into the minds of those who remember oh so well the negative connotation via the Simpson trial. To gain advantage, the accuser, potentially a racist or someone who benefits from racism, seeks to divert attention from the real issues at hand and as a bonus cast a negative light on the alleged race card player in the process. To add insult to injury, he/she claims that they are the true victim. It is a clever ploy to take any hint of race off the table so he/she can deny racism is involved with regard to the issue. Usually there is an intended audience for this calculated move that the accuser seeks to reach, to tap into their deepest held prejudicial beliefs that African-Americans wrongly cry racism in every situation. They argue that anyone who criticizes an African-American is subject to being called a racist. There are indeed examples of this concept but it is called “the blaming game” and most would agree that when race is used in this way, it is deplorable (i.e. “The “Man” won’t give me a job so I can’t take care of my kids.” when it is clear that the person in question has made little effort to seek employment nor pays child support). This is an example of playing the race card illegitimately even though racism may indeed be a factor in the disproportionate number of unemployed African-American men in comparison to other demographics.
McCain accuses Obama of “playing the race card” but uses negative attack ads with racial undertones and coded and subliminal messages
McCain recently accused Barack Obama of playing the race card after Obama jokingly warned that “they” will try to say that he is a risky choice because he has a “funny name and doesn't look like other presidents on the dollar bills.” The context of the statement came while Obama was giving a speech and pointing out how certain fear tactics employed by “them” to avoid a true debate about the issues that affect the American people are to be expected. The “they” and the “them” appear to be shorthand for Republicans, the McCain campaign, extremist operatives on the right, and others who have a vested interest in not seeing Obama elected as the next President of the United States. Even though Obama had said something to this effect several times before, this time the McCain camp jumped all over it and furiously proclaimed that the race card had been played, this accusation seen by many as a continuation of their negative ad blitz subsequent to Obama’ s successful trip overseas. Interestingly enough, Obama’s statement was phrased in a preemptive way and was not designed to be a specific criticism to any one act by the McCain camp. Nevertheless, they pushed back with ferociousness. The level of the attack reminds me of the Shakespearean quote, "The lady doth protest too much, me thinks". Of course Obama rejected the notion that he had played the race card. He would later say that he believed that the McCain camp had been cynical but not racist which was an understandable response lest he risk being labeled as “the Angry Black Man.” However, it is evident that “they” and “them” have been both cynical and racist. In fact, they have engaged in the most lethal kind of racism, the insidious kind that seeps into the bloodstream of its victims slowly yet deliberately, sometimes barely noticed but the effect thereof can blind the heart, silence voices, stunt growth, and in the worse cases-destroy souls.
It is exceedingly clear that it is McCain who is using race as a means of distraction, not Obama. Take a look at five ads that the McCain camp released in order to convince the American people not so much why one should vote for him but more why one should NOT vote for Obama. Provided below is a brief synopsis of those ads where the racial subtext is shown. These ads can all be found on www.youtube.com. It is crucial that we be on guard at all times as to how these insidious messages are played out so we can hold both the people who create them and the media who perpetuates them without question accountable.
CHANGES-This ad questions what changes might occur if Obama is elected and features Obama’s face on the Statute of Liberty, Mt. Rushmore, and yes-a $100.00 bill. It is designed to portray Obama as arrogant and presumptuous for sure but the overall message being sent is that a choice in Obama will mean a change in all of the fundamental symbols and traditions Americans hold dear. When this message is reinforced to its intended audience, it confirms their fears and justifies their angst in voting for an African-American, quite possibly any African-American-ever.
TROOPS-This ad questions Obama’s support of American troops by claiming that Obama would rather visit a gym and play basketball, a sport dominated by African-Americans, instead of visiting troops. This ad was determined by several media outlets and first-hand sources to be completely false and baseless but the images being put forth are as important as the message itself. Firstly, the most disturbing aspect is that the ad actually shows Obama playing basketball with some troops he visited during his trip where they claimed he was acting too presidential. Nevertheless Obama is painted as unpatriotic and is reduced to being just another black “baller’ with a tight jump shot, a skill quite likely to breed deep envy to some of the intended spectators of this ad and thus create further disdain in them against Obama.
CELEBRITY-This ad seeks to mock Obama’s celebrity by likening his popularity to pop star Britney Spears and reality show socialite Paris Hilton, both young blondes perceived by many as self-absorbed bimbos with questionable talent. Besides the obvious insult to Obama’s intelligence and depth such a comparison draws, there is another subtext. Images of an African-American male referencing him as the world’s BIGGEST celebrity, the depiction of two Caucasian women who have a reputation of exploiting their sexuality, and flashing images of tall buildings and monuments used as phallic symbols combine to play on the fear that this black guy could be a sexual predator out to steal the affection of white women. This is not a stretch of the imagination by any means. Take a close look at the ad and remember for it to be effective, it’s the subliminal message that must linger long after it ends.
MOSES-This ad goes far beyond just treating Obama as uppity, presumptuous or not knowing his place. It actually portrays him as a prophet like Moses and even more blasphemous as the Messiah Jesus. McCain made a calculated risk that the possibility of offending Christians or anyone that respects religious freedoms and the sacred symbols and traditions many observers hold did not outweigh the political gain. Why not mock Obama who has a message of hope and ridicule his supporters by essentially equating them to cult members? Given the fact that thus far there hasn’t been an outcry from evangelicals, their bet may be paying off. They must have a sense that there are just enough churchgoers out there who might be thinking that this Obama guy might be too haughty and needs to be brought down a notch.
LATINOS-This ad aimed at Latinos seeks to exploit any racial tension, real or imagined, that might exist between African-Americans and Latinos. Using stereotypical music that many Latinos might find offensive for a political ad, the message is Obama will address everyone’s concerns but Latinos, a divisive message that is about reinforcing feelings of alienation, a message that is the antithesis of Obama’s call for unity to address the nation’s ills.
The opposition’s plan to get McCain elected is simple-appeal to the deepest fears of those who just may not be ready to vote for the Black guy. It doesn’t matter if 85% of Americans are overwhelming dissatisfied with the direction in which the country has been moving. Therefore, we must be on alert. More of these negative themes with racial undertones will be played out with greater intensity. We cannot underestimate the effectiveness of these ads. Their hope is that these images delivered over and over again will cause apprehension in voting for Obama simply because he is African-American or a so-called “outsider” versus because one honestly disagrees with his political stance or plan for this nation. Now to be fair, the McCain camp would certainly deny that it has actually engaged in racially tinged acts itself and falsely accused Obama in playing the race card for the sole purpose of detraction from their deeds. They would say that they are merely pointing out that Obama, although charismatic, popular, and talented, he isn’t ready to lead. But since in reality, they know that this isn’t the case, they must work with the cards they’ve been dealt and use the best strategy they got—play on race, play on the American people’s intelligence, and play on the worse selves of a certain part of the electorate. To loosely quote someone who is likely to be the next President of the United States, “Is this the best they can do?”
NOT THIS TIME.
With all the vicious, baseless, and sophomoric attacks this week wedged against Obama by the dishonorable McCain campaign, I take solace in the following scripture!
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. Isaiah 54:17
NOT THIS TIME!!!!!
McCain puts out yet another negative ad today likening Obama's popularity to the celebrities Britney Spears and dare I say-Paris Hilton. Real smart--show footage of how much international appeal your opponent has. At any rate, it turns out McCain has more in common with Britney Spears than Obama.
Check out this video and spread it like wildfire for a good laugh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPEV6twzxmE
Incidentally, it is reported that the Hiltons have donated to McCain's campaign. What a great way to show appreciation.
http://www.tmz.com/2008/07/30/paris-parents-to-mccain-how-dare-you/
