In late October 2011, the Republican Party of Virginia sent out a cartoon-drawn Halloween card. Reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” the card portrayed in one section mindless zombies in lockstep, shouting out “O–Bama;” other sections had ghoulish depictions of Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama with a bullet hole in his head. On June 17, 2012, the Helena, Montana Independent Record reported that the Republican Party of Idaho’s convention hosted Rush Limbaugh as guest speaker. Outside the convention hall there was an outhouse. A sign declared it to be “Obama’s Presidential Library”; it too was riddled with bullet holes, and inside the outhouse hung the president’s “birth certificate” as well as scrawled messages regarding the sexual availability of Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Nancy Pelosi. In both cases, Republican Party spokespersons downplayed these incidents as minor infringements of good taste.I don't think this type of attitude and action can be explained by overly-exuberant politics.
What is going on here? These are uncertain times, but it is worth asking: When, in presidential politics, is it okay to create hate?
I believe whenever we encounter inexplicable Obama hate, the reason is racism.
What do you think?
So how would you characterize all the hate toward President G. W. Bush?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.zombietime.com/zomblog/?p=621
So when the right does it it's racism, but when the left does it it's...what? Why can't you just say that we as a nation are becoming more polarized and radical, and BOTH sides are exhibiting that behavior? And that BOTH sides are to blame? You might try looking at the radical left vs the radical right and ask yourself who appears to be the most violent? It should be interesting to see your response, provided you even bother to.
"So how would you characterize all the hate toward President G. W. Bush? "
DeleteJustified, but of course that's my personal opinion and it has nothing to do with what we're talking about. The viciousness aimed at Obama is more than the usual crap that all presidents receive from their opponents.
Are you old enough to remember Nixon. Perfect example. The thinking people hated him and with good reason, but what he received in mockery and personal attack was nothing like what Obama, the first Black president, gets.
It has everything to do with what we are talking about. The hate poured on Bush was much worse than Obama is getting, although you may be excused for not knowing it since it wasn't reported nearly as often as what's thrown at Obama. I'm not sure I've ever seen a case where Obama was burned in effigy as Bush was, although if you know of a case please let me know.
DeleteI was too young to vote when Nixon was President, although I do remember him. Thinking people? Really? I take it you were on their side on that, too... LOL. Your choice of words shows your contempt for those that disagree with you. They must not be "thinking people". That actually lessens your value to me as I am looking for a thoughtful discussion. Which is a shame.
Mikeb, you assert things without evidence time and time again. If you're going to insist on these attacks being racist, you have to show how that's so. It's not enough just to claim it. But your biases influence everything that you think.
DeleteJim, You're right, "thinking people" was a bit too sarcastic. But, don't get on a high horse and act so easily offended. Do you never use sarcasm to make your points? Do you have nothing but respect and admiration for those who disagree with you?
DeleteAbout Bush being burned in effigy, you may have a point. The extreme attitudes towards Obama could still be due to racism.
Mikeb:
Delete1. Why do you care? Are there racists in this world? Yes. Do you want to ban or regulate them as well?
2. Just because you don't understand something doesn't make it racist or a conspiracy.
Every president has been hated. This is nothing new and nothing unique. Did you imagine that because Obama is the first black president, he'd get a pass? Politics is a rough-and-tumble business--not nearly as much as it was in the early decades of this country, by the way. Those who can't handle it should stay out.
ReplyDeleteHe is not hated because of his race, or as a person. His beliefs and personal outlook on the U.S. and its people is whats hated. I dont care if is half black, full black, brown, yellow, purple or green.
ReplyDeleteHe is an IDIOT!!
The dislike of Obama is inexplicable to Mikeb because he supports much of what the president wants. He can't comprehend how any reasonable person could disagree. Control freaks always feel that way. To me, Obama is wrong in a number of ways and wimpy in everything.
ReplyDeleteI dont know about wimpy. It's been pretty bold for this idiot to rule by abusing executive powers as has. Even his own party has been running away from a lot of things he has pulled. What's been wimpy is the people in power not taking a more meaningful stand against his clearly illegal tactics. But I guess he could be considered wimpy for the simple fact that if he tried to get passed the laws thru normal law making process they would fall on its face, so he had to abuse his power.
DeleteEvery president gets it, but not like this. With Obama it has gone for beyond "dislike" and it begs the question why.
DeleteHis problem is that he compromises with himself before he goes up against those who oppose him. He caves in. And yes, Mikeb, the attacks on him are the same as on any other president. Look at our history. Politics didn't learn everything it needed to know in kindergarten.
Delete