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The Ugly Politics of Sameness and Otherness

If James Joyce were writing his Ulysses today, would the hero be an average Jew living an average life on the damp streets of Dublin? Would he fantasize in secret about his wife's affairs, quietly mopping up the messes she makes all the while sniffing mutton steak and hoping the society at large doesn't cast stones at his thoughts and her indiscretions? Would Joyce, if he were alive today, and better yet, if he happened to live in the US be at all inclined to endow average-ness and mediocrity with anything worth reading about?

We all fight our battles differently, I guess, and maybe some day, I will simply learn my lesson and stop altogether, realizing finally the futility of my efforts, but I am not quite there yet. For today, if never again, I'd like to address a few things that have been making me damn near physically sick over the last week. I want to talk about the "otherness" of one of the candidates for the presidency of this country.

Barack Hussein Obama is half black, young, and had the misfortune of being born in the only state we still have a problem spelling, with its exotic landscapes and people. He also has a misfortune of having lived in a largely Muslim country when he was a kid, and, of course, of having a Kenyan Muslim father. All these things are summed up in the name alone. He is no Leopold Bloom - or Joe Six-Pack. We can say it doesn't matter to the average American (whatever that entity might be), but we'd all be lying, because judging by everything that has been brought into question regarding this man, we do care, intensely. The over-riding fear and concern that he might, oh my god I can't believe I am actually gonna say it, have at some point in his life when in elementary school been registered as Indonesian and Muslim... The gaffe about the 57 states that Rush will never get over... The patriotic Americans with Palin/McCain signs screaming "terrorist" and "kill him" at rallies... And some unfortunate kid getting shot at for simply wearing an Obama t-shirt.

Which brings me to the not-so-delicate issue of who we are, as a people, as a nation. Do we still dream in Black and White, only now with hatred for all things Arabic sounding? Are we, indeed, so fundamentally arrogant that we really believe our way is the only way, and to hell with everyone else? What happened to "all men were created equal"?

I wish I could say that it's just a few bigots here and there, but watching the reactions of the audience at those aforementioned rallies squashes that hope. We don't fight our enemies, we fight those we are afraid of, and we are afraid of everything that is unlike us. It seems that now Obama and his supporters are the enemy. Where will we be on November 5^th, regardless of who wins this election?

I sincerely hope that the ugliness of this election serves as a reminder of what this country was founded on, and maybe, just maybe it's time to stare bigotry in the face. Maybe it's time for a civil rights movement, because we are being anything but civil or civilized.

cause i rock...

Posted by Inna Hardison-ha media group Design, Printing, Web on 10/10/2008 06:08 PM

Comments (65)

obama, elections 08, americans as bigots, ugly politics of race

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65 Comments on The Ugly Politics of Sameness and Otherness

OCT

2008

Absolutely freaking beautiful My Inna!

Enough said!!

I don't know why I continue to be shocked by the bigotry in America, but I am. After all this time, why have we not learned how to behave? How to think for ourselves? To learn about people based on their words and actions rather than their skin color or their name? It's inexcusable.

iNNA,

You know I think Obama is the worst possible thing that can happen to this country. Given the choice between my state being blown up by a nuclear explosin and Obama being elected I think the country would rebound from nuclear explosion quicker. But if he is elected i will be praying for him from that day foward. The problem I see with your sentiments is that both sides are just as bad in this. If you call Obama a terrorist for hanging around with terrorists how is that racial? If you question the fact that he can't produce a birth certificate how is that racial? When McCain was endorsed by Hagey it was rightfully denounced but noone called it racial. But if Obama is questioned for going to a Church with a pastor with extremely un Christian views it is called a racial attack. I truly believe he is playing it for all it is worth and one thing I agree with you on is that it is not good for the country. I do not think there are many people who hate Obama because he is black alythough I do think there is still alot of prejudice against Muslims and the more he plays the race card the more he plays into that. IN my Opinion. One think for sure though, whether it is race or not, whick I sincerely hope it isn't. The hatred for Obama is very strong in conservative circles, and believe me I,m not just talking about the fun we have on AR. I heard a joke wahile ago that caused me to already be praying for Obama, because although it was only some J O's opinion of a joke it was pretty scary. Comments like the one about people clinging to their bibles and guns are dividing this country alot more than the media will ever tell us. Continually telling people the war was a mistake while their sons and daughters are dieng is a dangerous move. I pray that for his sake he realizes that no matter who wins the election there is going to be close to half the country that dosn't agree with the choice. McCain is getting lambasted because so many people hate Bush. Obama is getting lambasted because so many people hate him. That is very dangerous position to be in. I just pray that the Lord keeps his hand of protection over us and does not let this thing get out of hand.

Sorry for the long comment, I know there are plenty of lines for people to section out and bash me for but as a whole it really wasn't meant that way.

My Inna - Not all the dislike for Obama is due to his race or religion. I could care less what color he is or what religion he practices. My father is Arabic and Muslim. Race and Religion play no part in how I vote, I just don't agree with his policies, but for that matter I don't agree with McCain either. And I hate the fact McCain is attacking Obama instead of talking about the issues and what policies he is proposing.

How unfortunate, and true...

We sin under a cloak of righteousness and conviction. Insisting that "God" has a will, and a plan, while we discard his universal teachings, believing that we are making a sacrifice for something greater than ourselves.

I wonder how long it will be before we start resegregating our schools. Welcome to the new world, I guess.

I'm disgusted! (and very angry!)
I just learned that different (i.e., Black, Muslim, Gay, Chinese, etc...) is wrong in the US. If you're not on the list yet, don't worry. You will be.

My Jennifer - well - thank you:-) MWA-

Chris - laws change, people don't. At least so it seems, sadly. Thank you for dropping by and commenting, and hopefully, a few generations from now fear of otherness will not be an issue, though history tells us otherwise.

Back in a few.

It is appalling to see the vehement anger by some of those in attendance at McCain rallies. I do understand that it is not the majority of his followers and that McCain asked them to ratchet down the rhetoric. The fever pitch of that angry rhetoric has hopefully not gotten to the point of no return. I believe that attacks based on race and gender are fading into the shameful pages of history. This does not mean the struggle for equality and civil rights is over. What it means is that the oppressed/ostracized/marginalized has changed to a more acceptable target for the moment. What is not known by the oppressor is that it is this behavior that is not acceptable.

When good people in any country cease their vigilance and struggle, then evil men prevail.

-Pearl S. Buck

Hugh, Plese stop threatening us with predictions of "angry white christians". Who do you think Reagan's constituency was? What do you think the other half of the country was doing, when it was forced to endure the Reagan years? Are you saying that Obama is the only politician who has made insensitive comments?

Your lament about "victimized", gun totin' evangelical christians at the hands of Obama is held up in contrast to some American history:

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/remem...eagan_6-7.html

.....Domestic policy

GWEN IFILL: Roger, let's talk about his domestic policy. Pick up where Michael left off and say how did this Reaganism translate into domestic policy in a way that still reverberates today.

WilkinsROGER WILKINS: Well, Reagan was an incredible combination of a person who was very optimistic, upbeat, but underneath there were some really ugly parts of his politics.

He was, I said once before on this program, he capitalized on anti-black populism by going to Philadelphia and Mississippi , for example, in the beginning of his campaign in 1980.

Nobody had ever heard of Philadelphia and Mississippi outside of Mississippi , except as the place where three civil rights workers had been lynched - in 1964 - he said I believe in states rights.

Everybody knew what that meant. He went to Stone Mountain , Georgia , where the Ku Klux Klan used to burn its crosses, and he said Jefferson Davis is a hero of mine.

He was rebuked by the Atlanta newspapers - they said we don't need that any more here. He went to Charlotte, North Carolina one of the most successful busing for integration programs in the country and he said I'm against busing and again the Charlotte papers rebuked him. And the impact of that plus his attacks on welfare women, welfare queens in Cadillacs, for example. And his call for cutting the government. He didn't cut the government; the military bloomed in his time. But programs for poor people day diminished entirely and America became a less civilized and less decent place. .....

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=1962220

...In 1976, Reagan sought the Republican nomination against the incumbent President Gerald Ford. Reagan's campaign was on the ropes until the primaries hit the Southern states, where he won his first key victory in North Carolina. Throughout the South that spring and summer, Reagan portrayed himself as Goldwater's heir while criticizing Ford as a captive of Eastern establishment Republicans fixated on forced integration.

Reagan lost the nomination to Ford in 1976. But when the former California governor ran for the presidency again in 1980, he began his campaign with a controversial appearance in Philadelphia, Miss., where three civil rights workers had been brutally killed. It was at that sore spot on the racial map that Reagan revived talk about states' rights and curbing the power of the federal government.

To many it sounded like code for announcing himself as the candidate for white segregationists. After he defeated President Carter, a native Southerner, Reagan led an administration that seemed to cater to Southerners still angry over the passage of the Civil Rights Act after 16 years. The Reagan team condemned busing for school integration, opposed affirmative action and even threatened to veto a proposed extension of the Voting Rights Act (the sequel to the 1964 Civil Rights Act passed a year later and focused on election participation). President Reagan also tried to allow Bob Jones University, a segregated Southern school, to reclaim federal tax credits that had long been denied to racially discriminatory institutions.

The genial Californian Republican denied there was any racism implicit in those policies. Even when he was characterizing poor women as welfare queens driving around in pink Cadillacs, he said it was a merely matter of encouraging people to pull themselves up by the bootstraps. The America he seemed to envision had no need to deal with racial divisions, and he said his only desire was to encourage self-sufficiency for all Americans and to reduce all Americans' dependence on government programs.

Today it is hard to believe that Reagan had such success using the Civil Rights Act as a whipping boy. The Civil Rights Act is now so widely accepted that it doesn't attract controversy in any region of the country -- including the South. There is no debate about the right of black people, Hispanics or Asians to stay in a hotel, shop in a store or to apply for a job without fear of racial discrimination...... ....

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstra...A80894DA484D81
ABROAD AT HOME; SHUCKS, IT'S ONLY THE LAW; [Op-Ed]
Lewis, Anthony. New York Times. Jan 21, 1982. pg. A.23

A three-judge Federal court, in an opinion by a distinguished judge, decides an important question of Federal law. The Supreme Court affirms the decision. Other courts follow it. The Federal Government incorporates it in rules, and three Presidents enforce them over a 10-year period.

Then a new President reverses the rules. He explains to a press conference that he did so because they had ''no basis in the law.'' That is what President Reagan said at his press conference Tuesday by way of explaining his decision to give tax exemptions to schools and colleges that discriminate against black Americans. The only thing more amazing than his explanation was the reaction of the reporters in the room. Nobody laughed.

Presidents say a good many foolish things, and I have heard them for 30 years. But I do not think I have heard anything more preposterous, lame, cynical or outrageous than what Ronald Reagan had to say about ''the law'' and racist schools.

Inna, GREAT post! I just love it when the religious right continues to spew their vitriol lies about Obama. They've heard the truth about his association with Bill Ayers, yet prefer their lies to the truth. They've heard the truth about his birth place, yet prefer their lies to the truth. They've heard the truth about his religion (not that it should matter to anyone in this century) yet they prefer their lies to the truth. Could one surmise from their posturing that they basically are living their own lives in a lie? I saw McSame tonight having to defend Obama against the very same people he and his campaign have lied to. Kinda took the wind out of their hate-mongering sails. It was a sweet moment to behold.

Pearl:

I agree... "When good people in any country cease their vigilance and struggle, then evil men prevail." But then there are the Historians. Bring up something like Lynchburg, and no one knows what you're talking about. Bottom line, the victor always writes the history, so it's lessons are often flawed.

Hello Inna,

I love reading your blog! You have "guts" ....me, I'm chicken (read still thinking) to talk politics. I have a feeling that this year, I will not know who gets my vote until I'm inside the curtain. Scary isn't it? I read that you went off to see SNL on Thursday?? as did I, and of course I'm more confused than ever. They have a way with satire that makes me think.....how true.

Dick Beals

Terry, the amazing thing is that they say and do all that you described, racially insensitive, out of this world rants....regurgitated talking points of conservative media/RNC, under their real names, complete with photos of themselves, and contact info. At least the klansmen had the street smarts to wear hoods....

All of this irrelevancy is spewed in the context of comedic tragedy.....these are America's business class, and they won't veer back to paying attention and discussing the issues of wasting senseless war, even as it has driven a huge increase in the national debt, alongside a now disintegrating economy and the equity in homes and stock investments of all. As these issues are pushed aside in favor of God, gays, guns, Jeremiah Wright, Bill Ayers, Obama's middle name and the status of his birth certificate....it isn't the majority of Obama supporters who are seeing their business revenue and personal equity shrink.....it is the folks who want to regurgitate the talking points....hoping that it will be enough to stave off "the other"....the Obama.....if only the gipper, Reagan were still here....he'd turn the tide with a smile for his "base".....

Ed, You are probably one of the most angry people I have come accross. I should probably have just emailed this to Inna but you are a perfect example of what I am speaking about. There are loonies on both sides of the fence here and i just wish people would stop trying to make it racial it is not good for anyone and I think BOTH sides are very guilty.

Hey Ed, you stole my title. I used to be called the angriest person here. Hope you're as flattered as I was :-)

Tery I said he was one of the angriest I was thinking about you and didn't want to take away your title.

Rich: Why did I call you Pearl? Oh! It's the quote! I'm nuts. Ha ha ha... (Sorry)

I would just like to let it be known that Inna is someone I have alot of respect for , alot like my arguments with KAS we never agree but usually manage to keep things civil between us. What is the point of debating if you don't even try to make the other side concede some of your points.

Hugh - thank you for your dropping by and sharing your thoughts. I don't think in these latest instances Obama is the one playing the race card, and in any event, this blog was less about race than our perception of those different from ourselves in ways only possible in the modern world. I do agree with you that either way this is going to turn out, it is truly a scary thought how divided we are... The violent outbursts at rallies are probably a prelude to a much larger conflict, sadly.

Rich, well said my friend. Thank you! (and i apologize for the hubby calling you Pearl:-))

Ed - I appreciate your input, but it would probably be easier for folks on here if we could put an actual identity to your name. The whole anonymous thing really irks me. You can speak your opinions here, freeely and without fear of retribution, you really can. I am a pretty fair moderator, so they tell me, so why not join AR, and blog. You have a remarkable grasp of politics and history, and obviously research quite a bit. I am sure you'll acquire more friends than enemies.

Hugh, I have plenty to be angry about..... but in the era I grew to maturity in and have spent my adult years living through, the overwhelming collective bulk of "the anger" has come from the right, directed at the center right....the "left" having been permanently destroyed after it achieved it's high watermark....

San Diego Reader | The Rise and Fall of the Copley Pressand CJR, Sept/Oct 92

Billy Graham Apologizes to Jews For His Remarks on Nixon Tapes ...

."..In the conversation with President Nixon, the evangelist complained about what he saw as Jewish domination of the news media.

''You believe that?'' Nixon asked in response.

''Yes, sir,'' Mr. Graham said.

''Oh, boy. So do I,'' Nixon said. ''I can't ever say that, but I believe it.''

''No, but if you get elected a second time, then we might be able to do something,'' Mr. Graham said...."

I may be angry, but I have good reason for it....the right in the US has a history of dividing and attempting to destroy the country. I doubt that center right Obama, if he is elected, will do anything that changes that fact. If you think I am wrong, compare the environment the average "leftist" Frenchman lives in, in his country, with the "survival of the fittest", right wing dominated condition of the everyday life of the average American. Pre-existing medical condition??? Serves you right...suck up...declare bankruptcy.....unrealistically low minimum wage.....go take out student loans and "get an education".... IT ALL SOUNDS PRETTY ANGRY IN THE US, compared to life in France, Hugh, and this is not a consequence of my politics or any misinformed belief I harbor about the "Jew" Media, or the "Liberal Press", I can assure you.... I know the media, as are most things....are owned and controlled by WASP, right wing folks..... intending the appearance of an opposition where none, in reality, actually exists, just as is the case in US politics.

I understand,Inna....but I will not post any political opinion publicly attributing my identity, on the internet, or in any other instance where a record of it would be established. Respectfully, I'll confine myself to lurking in the background at your blog.

American Civil Liberties Union : ACLU Condemns New FBI Guidelines
...."The attorney general today gave the FBI a blank check to open investigations of innocent Americans based on no meaningful suspicion of wrongdoing," said Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the ACLU. "The new guidelines provide no safeguards against the FBI's improperly using race and religion as grounds for suspicion. They also fail to sufficiently prevent the government from infiltrating groups whose viewpoints it doesn't like. The FBI has shown time and time again that is incapable of policing itself and there is good reason to believe that these guidelines will lead to more abuse."...

In other words Ed, you are an angry coward. Enough said. You can spew all this diatribe and keep yourself from ever being attached to your words. Well, nobody should listen to you, because you are not true to yourself or your country. This is still a free country to express anything, right or wrong, and when people like you try to make this country into the KGB it insults everybodies intelligence.

"insults everybodies intelligence"

LOL

Hi Inna. Great post :)

I am only going to comment on Ed, the angry curious sort thing for a moment, and get back to the rest of the comments individually in the a.m.

Ed - fair enough, and I won't question it so long as you keep within the basic, albeit marginal rules of civility, you are by all means free to state your opinions.

Nicholas - please refrain from calling the commenters on this blog names, if at all possible. I appreciate the diversity of opinions expressed, but name calling doesn't have much room on my blog. You can be passionate about your opinions and positions and you are encouraged to state them here, but refrain from personal insults.

Hi Paul:-)

Hi Inna. That is horrible behavior at those rallies, but it wouldn't be the first time America has seen a "mob mentality" and what it can do and look like. The people that don't want to see the truth won't............ever. No matter how many people show them.

Inna - Time after time the members of the R party touting themselves as Christians disappoint me my displaying hatred and intolerance. These are not the principles taught in my bible and they are not the principles this country was founded on. I will say that McCain impressed me tonight by standing up to his own supporters and stating that he respects Obama. I thought it was the most presidential thing he has done recently.

OCT

2008

My Sandra - of course it's not all race or religion, but there is somethig to be said for how happy the mob is to attack things that they don't understand or see as drastically different from their own views, at times, to the point of violence. I do agree with you on the rest of your comment:-) MWA...

Terry - I missed tonight's redemptive speech by McCain, but will try to find it tomorrow. Thank you for your reply:-)

Jon Hardison - hi baby, and love you!!! You are sadly right that victors get to write history... Maybe that, too, will change with the advents in technology... Thank you for being here, and hugs...

Ed - not surprising, given the latest modifications to our constitution. I can't wait for all the "what are you afraid of, if you don't have anything to hide" comments. I have visited that road in a previous blog a while back, and sadly, this only confirms that this isn't ending any time soon.

Dick Beals - hi, and you are no chicken:-) I have not seen great SNL skits in years, and this is pretty much the first time when I am paying attention again. Of course, Tina Fey as Palin had something to do with it.:-) I am actually mildly annoyed that NBC conceded to modifying on eof the segments they ran on the financial mess. That's not like them-

Nicholas - why all the references to the KGB? I don't see the relevance to the subject at hand, or to anything in the comments... Just puzzled.

Pamela - the mob mentality is always scary, but to an extent, it's to be expected during election times. I think this year for the first time since I've moved here, I see that much hatred and incites to violence towards someone who has a fifty fifty chance of being the President, and that's truly scary.

Erik - thank you for your thoughtful response. I am sure theologians everywhere ought to be scared shitless at watching what's being done in the name of GOd and righteousness. You'd think the human race was past that.... As for McCain's speech, I have to look it up:-)

The people you are seeing at the McCain rallies now are the extreme end of the spectrum. I think they even scared McCain, that's why he tried to calm them down. I really think that the majority of Americans DON'T care about the issues you mentioned, and that is why Obama is winning.

Leslie - i think it was more McCain caving into pressure of bad press these outbursts at the rallies have generated, than any fear, less maybe that of losing the election.

As for the rest of your sentiment: I really didn't mean to make this about race or any other element of Obama's past and present individually. I was really trying to just address a wider scope of our prejudices, the kind that can't be cured by a law on the books, or a constututional ammendment. Thank you for commenting:-)

Inna - why am I always so late to your parties? I have read the comments. I again marvel in your sincere innocence, your beautiful reaction to a tawdry society and the sweet support you receive from that other jon.

Racism is borne in fear. Prejudice is a natural defense mechanism. Hate is the absolute abdication of moral responsibility each of us has to coexhist peacefully or fact ultimate extinction.

Race is a factor. The Bradley effect is documented. I will not belabor every point brought up in this current election. Those that complain that Obama is too liberal and part of that "tax and spend" Democratic party are overlooking that the line between the two parties has vanished. We have gone from a surplus to a ten trillion dollar deficit and the earning power of every American has diminished in the last 8 years.

Those that say everyone that is denouncing our invasion of Iraq is a blight on the memories of all those that have died in the effort are using an emotional argument that has no basis in fact. To make the point, I would only ask if those that denounced slavery as inherently evil were to blame for the hundreds of thousands of lives that were lost in the civil war?

If one were to step back and look at the condition of this country and how things have developed based on the policies of those that were in power from 2000 to 2006, it might be determined that the mid-term elections merely portended this years presidential election.

McCain is a throw away sacrificial lamb. He is repugnant to the conservative base. They do not want to win and be responsible for the next few years. They do not want to have to deal with the war, the economy or our position in the world theatre. They have done everything possible to lose. And yet, the race remains close.

If Obama were Bill or George or Larry or Tom or Dick or Harry.......and white.........the polls would reflect much greated separation. The race is tight, not because of ideaologies or beliefs, no, the race is tight because a black man is on the ticket.

Sarah Palin is a bad joke on women across the country. She is a token the the RNC can forever put forth as representative of their support for women. She strongly supports over turning Roe v. Wade. She believes that cavemen fought dinosaurs. She used her job to get rid of her ex-brother in-law. She abused the position she had as govenor for 18 months. There is an empty seat in a PTA room crying for her return. There is an empty seat in the stands at a hockey game crying for her return. You betcha.

McCain/Palin has made more mistakes, been more erratic and more nasty than any campaign. They point to Obama's religion...he is either a muslim or member of a radical black church. They paint pictures dripping with hate and fear. They point to his associations with terrorists. They keep the fear and hate level high.

If Americans truly sat back and weighed the issues, there would be no race. The problem is all about race in the race.

It shouldn't be close. It is. Obama, in the eyes of the fearful, is not purely white, ergo he is black. Jokes about him are told. Lies about him are told. All the jokes and all the lies are race based and fear founded.

The RNC wants no part of tomorrow. I can only hope that their desire to wash their collective hands with the disastors they have created will not be outweighed by a fearful nation.

Are we ready? In my dreams, I hope so. In my heart, I do not believe it will happen.

jmac

My Dear dear J-Mac.... Between this stream of wisdom and what you said to our Sardi on his blog - there isn't much left to say... Only, if you are ever on the activist side of the fence again - I'll be right along there with you:-) Thank you, John, and have a blast in Rico:-)

BTW: I want to think we are ready!!!

Any rational thinking person here, should read the Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein. Will open your eyes wider than they've ever been opened.

Terry, thanks for the info. See how many take you up on that:-)

Oh I've already read the shock doctrine....my daughter has it. :) People can go onto google and watch the 6 part series and see Naomi talking about her book. Gives them an idea of what it is about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka3Pb_StJn4

OCT

2008

Pamela - thank you for those. Definitely worth the time to watch.:-)

OCT

2008

Inna - That's a very thought provoking piece you have written. I can't remember an election in all my years, that has exhausted me as much as this one. I am a registered Independent, and even toyed with the idea of writing in "None of the Above" on my absentee ballot, and sending it in.

What I know is that what has been going on the last 8 years is definitely not working. I am hopeful, that whoever gets into the White house in January, will do so with their feet running. There is much work to be done to get us back on track, and on an even keel.

OCT

2008

Myrl - thank you for the compliments on the post. I can't remember an election like this one either, and I believe the whole nation feels quite exhausted.... Sadly, there is probably not going to be all that much any president will be able to do over the next four years to fix this...:-(

OCT

2008

Inna-Great post, as usual. The hidden, and sometimes not so hidden, message from the McCain campaign, and Sarah Palin in particular, is that "he is not like us". Sarah certainly fires up the crowds so that they are yelling things like "terrorist" and "kill him". CNN ran a recent report on a mock crucifixion of Barack Obama. Coincidentally, despite McCain's comment that Obama is "a decent man" (for which he was booed) the RNC is doing "robocalls" in which they portray Obama as radical and dangerous. Such rhetoric is contemptable. Unfortunately, there is a lot of hate coming from the Republican side. They are afraid that they are losing, but that is not an excuse for that type of campaigning. It promotes hatred and possible violence.

Your post is hits the main issue directly. Many people in this country equate different to bad, whether that be race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. Diversity is one of the greatest strengths of this country, and it is something worth preserving, not suppressing.

Inna - both the shooting and the shout "kill him" have been demonstrated to be incorrect. The teen was mistakenly shot as a burgler while participating in toilet papering a house. As for the shout, the only one who apparantly heard it was a reporter. I have seen many reporters talk about that phrase but have yet to clearly hear it on a recording of the event.

As for the hidden message, nobody in the McCain/Palin campaign has brought it up, that he is not like us. The first person to bring that up was Obama himself, accusing those who would oppose him of going to be using that approach.

As I mentioned on another blog post, neither side holds the moral high ground in this election cycle, or past election cycles. Regardless of how eloquent or thoughtful your writing, it contains misinformation that is being presented as true.

Rich - thank you for your kind comment. It is truly sad that some here won't even acknowledge that the fear of otherness is an ugly ugly way to buy votes... Sadder still that so many in this country are indeed afraid of those unlike them, and 'different' is the new bad word of the season.

Mike - Mike S. - the shooting may have been not related to the shirt, i haven't seen anything on that one way or the other since. However, the many ugly outbursts at both McCain and Palin appearances did happen, and were recorded. There are youtube videos on the net with people shouting those things at Obama - as well as many other nasty remarks at him. And the times McCain did try to squash the outbursts, I am sure to preserve some shred of dignity and after realizing that he was losing points because of the ugliness at his rallies, he got booed. Apparently, the voters he attracts to his rallies want fistfights and violence. Your quintessential mob.

I have to disagree with you on your last sentiment as well. Obama's side absolutely holds the moral high ground in this cycle - and if you look at every single poll that was done on the tone of each campaign, the majority of the country agree with me on that, repubs and dems alike.

Inna - we will just have to disagree on the moral high ground bit. As for the shot teen here is the story link. I am not going to go tit for tat with you on remarks, I can start with Randi Rhodes, go to Keith Olbermann, Daily Kos, Huffington Post, many posts and comments on this site alone.

Mike - this is a totally different incident as far as I can tell.

As for all the 'resources' you referenced, i didn't realize that my blog had to take responsibility for someone else's words... so I am confused why you brought that up. By all means, find the inaccuracies in my blog, and I will gladly correct any misinformation should I find it that I was, in fact, wrong.

Inna - then what incident are you referring to. And I never brought up your blog, I brought up this site, Active Rain as well as other liberal and democratic sites/people who have had ugly, nasty, vicious outbursts and attacks. As for polls, I don't know of any moral high ground poll. I do know that polls show they believe McCain's ads are more negative than Obama's, but that is not a moral high ground. I also know that when all the vicious attacks against Palin when she was first announced were considered in reprehensible by both democrats and republicans according to polls.

And McCain early on repudiated those who attacked Obama for other than the issues, such as his middle name.

Mike, here is the link to the shooting article. Click Here.

On your other points, in your earlier comment to me you stated that, and I quote: "Regardless of how eloquent or thoughtful your writing, it contains misinformation that is being presented as true."

I would like you to point me in the direction of "misinformation" that I presented on this blog.

Oh, and bytheway, do you really think McCain's camp would be using the messages on the robocall they are currently using if McCain was opposed to it, on moral grounds, of course?

Inna,

You do angry so well ; self controled not too nasty and just a touch of sarcasm. really wish you weren't so fay away you'd make a great dinner guest. It would be fun to see how long you would stay respectful until I pushed you over the edge.

Inna - let's start with some unfortunate kid getting shot at for simply wearing an Obama t-shirt. The only kid was in the story that I presented. Additionally, the story you are referring to was a 36 year old man in England. Granted, he was wearing an Obama shirt, however, while the man says it was for wearing an Obama T-shirt, there is never any mention of the shooter saying anything about Obama, only some racist comments. But, I guess you want to make McCain responsible for people in England.

So, that is the first misinformation. There was a kid shot (a teen) wearing an Obama T-shirt, not for wearing an Obama t-shirt. There was a man in England shot while wearing an Obama t-shirt. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not justifying the shooting (with a non-hand gun). You still have not posted a reference to a clear recording of someone in the crowd yelling to kill Obama. As for the robocall, I believe that is reflecting what really happenned, Barack Obama voted against providing care to a baby surviving an attempted abortion. Is that the one you are referring to? If it is, what is false about that?

OCT

2008

Hugh - hmmmm, I don't see where I was angry in my replies to any of the comments on this blog. Sarcasm, on the other hand, i was born with.:-) I'd have dinner with you any time!

Mike, here is the one at McCain's rally, quite clearly screaming "terrorist". click here

Here is another one: click here.

OCT

2008

Inna, and I suppose you think it is not angry for the NY Times to write a scathing article on Cindy McCain ? Let's get real here, you can't attack he Obama platform without being called racist.

I wanted Condelezza Rice to run, she's black. Opposing the Obama campaign is not rascist and I am sick of this. If you noticed McCain has defended Obama's religion ( whichever one it really is) He told the lady in the crowd Obama was a good and decent man.

Also my oppostion has NOTHING to do with fear but support for the lesser of 2 evils.

Missy - I think you misread the point of this post. I was simply stating my opinion that this election has turned into a rather ugly thing in many respects, with the most, again in my opinion, being the desperate attempt on McCain camp's part to paing his opponent as "not like us", as somehow "different from most Americans". Between the weird suggestiveness of his "terrorist" ties, place of birth, faith and all the rest of it, the goal seems to be to make people in this country afraid of him. It is not about the issues. I hope you are wise enough to see that.

OCT

2008

Missy and the others on here who do not think anything terribly one sided and hostile is going on: What are your thoughts on phone messages that were left at a couple of ACORN offices recently? I believe a few were calling for physical violence against blacks (actually, they refered to them as niggers), to the tune of how they should be hanging from oak trees. Of course that included Obama and all his supporters, cause they are all niggers or nigger-lovers.

The messages are quite a bit more graphic than what I am putting in here, and currently under investigation, but by all means, look it up, google it, and then get back to me on 'not racist'

OCT

2008

Oh, and Mike S - i didn't mean to ignore your robocall question: those calls had nothing to do with abortion. The scripts were written to imply that Obama is best buddies with terrorists who want nothing more than to destroy this country, and to suggest that he is basically a very dangerous man. Some people in call centers quit their jobs because of how blatantly hatefull those messages they were supposed to leave for people were.

OCT

2008

Hi Inna. I received a couple of those calls from McCains camp and I am a registered Democrat so I'm not sure how that happened, but regardless they had nothing to do with abortion issues they had everything to do with slandering Obama and talked about him being friends with terrorists. So you were right...I'm not sure why some people are completely missing the point on this post and as far as someone mentioning that the liberals and democrats have..wait let me find it...

Active Rain as well as other liberal and democratic sites/people who have had ugly, nasty, vicious outbursts and attacks.----Mike made this statement

so have Republicans. What is your point?? Both sides have people that need to discuss things in a more mature manner are you insinuating its only the democrats and liberals who behave this way? On most posts on AR (not Inna's) it has become pointless because people have no desire to discuss, but merely to point and put down those who don't agree with them. Regardless of who wins we as a nation need to start helping one another to turn this country around and head in the right direction.

Pamela, - I haven't gotten any, thank God, though I have been getting quite a bit of printed junk from the Florida R Party and McCain's camp... I guess with their limited budget TV ads are simply a lot more expensive than a few call centers and direct mail pieces.... Good to know that what I was reading about the robocalls is indeed accurate. Thank you!:-)

NOV

2008

Hey, who won?

Hi Inna :)

Hi Paul:-)

PS: I always win, and that's all that matters...

Late to the post!!! This is a great. I was reading on Salon that if your place is on fire- you don't care what color the firefighter is. In this case Americans voted with their hearts as they truly believed that Obama was the better candidate. I know the right must have cringed during the debates when McCain would lurch around and get flustered while Obama would be cool and collected.

One of the quandries facing the GOP now is how to deal with their "ethnic" problem. Minorities with the execption of the well off, have all but abandoned the party. With the party's indifference towards, minorities, gays and immigrants its no wonder McCain lost the election.

Hate is a human condition we have to live with. As our society progresses, it will evenutally be eradicated in America.

Noqui - thank you for dropping by and welcome to my little bit of AR madness. It's never late to address these issues, though I must say your outlook seems a heck of a lot more optimistic than mine. If anything, this election opened my eyes to the fact that it seems acceptable again, for the first time in decades, for one to voice thier bigotry and prejudices, openly, proudly... I think we've got a very long way to go toward eradicating hate in this country, especially the kind borne of fear.

In this case, we won, but if it were not for the "otherness" of Obama, a democratic ticket this election should have won by a much larger margin. Let's hope for the best, and do our small part to help!
Peace-

NOV

2008

Inna,

Like the new PIC.

John, thank you! That's what I get for having a hubby who takes awesome pictures!!!

Jon Hardison - if you are reading this - you rock, baby!

Inna ~ Nice hair, but it blocks your shana punim.

NOV

2008

Absolutely Inna. People powered politics is what got us to where we are. I would ask my fellow AR'ers to donate, even if it just 5 bucks to Martin's campaign, to help us get the filibuster proof majority and show the Republicans that they are not safe, even down in Georgia.

Alaska looks to break our way, Minnesota is too close too call and we have Georgia. Let's git er dun folks!

This was a wonderfully written post Inna, I'm sorry that I had missed it up until this point. America like any where else on the planet is not impervious to bigotry or racism. And sadly in all honesty, when any one heard that there was a black man running for president, how could you not expect thick headed morons that have nothing better to do but hate the world at large to have an issue with this. I'd like to say that we as a nation have moved past all those deep seeded feelings, but the fact of the matter is that racism comes in all shapes, sizes, creeds, and colors. There are white people that hate black people and black people that hate white people, there is no race under the Sun that's innocent in this.

I would like to say that we have evolved past these issues as a nation, but who the hell am I kidding, we haven't evolved past this as humans. It's human nature to fear what we don't understand, and rather than show fear, it's easier to hide behind anger as if that will make us stronger......or at least seem stronger to what we see as the opposition.

As far as politicians go, regardless of their race, religion, or party, I don't like any of them. That includes both of this years presidential candidates. But, now that it is all over with, I can honestly say that I am glad to have been alive to see history take place. And one day I will hopefully have children and grandchildren that will come home with their textbooks and I can tell them all about "I remember when" as they roll their eyes in disgust at the thought of some old man rambling on once more through an endless story.

I Apologize for this comment being so long, it did not intend for it to be. As long as we have people on Earth, we will have the problems that people create. The only thing wrong with humanity is all the humans.

NOV

2008

Nicholas - cute:-) Definitely a worthwhile contribution to this blog...

Nogui - I am pretty sure the Republicans already know they are not safe - the margins we pretty darn big, and getting a few traditionally red states certainly helped. Plus, it seems the GOP can't get over its love affair with Gov. Palin - which might just mean that we'll stay safely Blue in 2012:-)

JL - I am just as late to your comment, so I guess we are even. Thank you for the very well thought out response. Of course, sadly, you are right. I am going to try to be optimistic though and hope that we are intelligent enough as a species to be able to move beyond our fear of 'otherness' in any shape, form or color.

My view of humanity is that we are constantly evolving. The Civil Rights, the Labor Movement, Women's Rights movements are a perfect example of what humanity can do, when we strive to make the world a better place for all.

Unfortunately, humans are a still a greedy, bigoted, selfish bunch. GM is on the ropes after years of refusing to devolop the tecchnology that would have made them rich today, instead gave in to their greed and continued to create the demand for products (gas guzzlers), leaving us seriously behind the curve on green car technology.

The deregulation of the financial industry also opened the door wide for greed to walk in, proving that free reign capitalism without some type of rules is akin to giving a baby a torch while sitting on a bale of hay.

Nogui - that is, indeed, a very neat way of looking at the human race. I think I am just becoming a bit too cynical for my taste. I firmly believe a few people can change the laws of the land they occupy, though at times it takes longer than the lives spent pursuing one cause or another. I doubt anyone can change human nature per se, though. I think all we can do is make it economically and culturally more appealing for people to want to do the right thing. At the end, it doesn't really matter if an auto manufacturer switches to green technology becuase no doing so would put them out of business, as opposed to because of the genuine desire on their part to leave this planet less trampled on for future generations. The end result will be the same.

I hope Obama is enough of a pragmatist to base policies on our worst instincts as well as our best:-)

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