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Troubling EquivalencesMickey Kaus dissects the Obama speech. I think that he hurt himself with it more than helped, though obviously the Obamaniacs will disagree. One way to know is to see if he recovers in Pennsylvania, where he's down twenty-six points (before the speech). My bottom line (still not having read the whole thing). There would seem to be four, and only four possibilities.
If (1), it seems like a political naivety that is inexcusable in a presidential candidate. If (2), what does this say about his ability or willingness to stand up to a dictator? If (3) this isn't "new politics." It's the same old cynical pandering. If (4), do we really want a president that believes this kind of thing in his heart? As I've said, take away this whole issue, and I'm still not going to vote for Obama, for a lot of reasons. But if I were, this would be a deal breaker for me. I pity the choices of Democrats this year (and generally, every year). But then, no one made them be Democrats. [Update at 9 AM EDT] Victor Davis Hanson has some related thoughts: Two corollaries always follow the Obama victimology: moral equivalence and the subtle suggestion that any who question his thesis of despair are themselves suspect. I don't think that Obama understands how offensive this speech was to many listeners, and listeners that he needs in a general election. A lot of people have pointed out that it was a speech to the super delegates, which is probably right. I guess he'll worry about binding the wounds of the rest of us at or after the convention. But the bloom is definitely off the rose. Oh, and he can't even keep his story straight: Barack Obama's campaign is not premised on making history? Could have fooled me. Let's go to the tape. [Update at 10 AM] Obama's double standard: So Imus, who peddles "toxic information," "stereotypes," and "degrading comment[s]," should be deprived of his livelihood. While Reverend Wright, who peddles in "incendiary language," a "profoundly distorted view of this country," "racially charged" remarks, and views that "rightly offend white and black alike," gets the honor of baptizing Obama's daughters. [Update a couple minutes later] Stanley Kurtz writes that Obama is just a moderate Wright: Obama's relationship to Wright is paradigmatic. Obama's own views are not precisely Wright's, but Obama understands and is attracted to Wright's radicalism and wants to win at least a gruff sort of understanding and even acceptance of it from Americans at large. What's scary is that this is all-too-similar to the way Obama thinks about Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Bashar Asad. Obama may not agree with them either, but he feels as though he understands their grievances well enough to bridge the gap between these leaders and the American people. That is why Obama is willing to speak to Ahmadinejad and Asad without preconditions. Yes, this is one of the many reasons that I would never vote for Obama. And the wrongs of Wright only highlight this problem. [Update late morning] VDH says that Obama can fix the double standard: The new sophistic Obama, however, would recount to us all the charity work and good that Imus had once done and still does, that we don't understand the joshing of the shock-jock radio genre that winks and nods at controversy in theatrical ways, that Imus was a legend and pioneer among talk show hosts, that Obama's own black relatives have on occasions expressed prejudicial statements about whites similar to what Imus does, that we all have our favorite talk shows, whose hosts occasionally cross the line, and that he can't quite remember whether he'd ever been on the Imus show, or whether he ever had heard Imus say anything that was insensitive -- and therefore he could not and would not disown a Don Imus. Don't hold your breath. 0 TrackBacksListed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Troubling Equivalences. TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.transterrestrial.com/admin/mt-tb.cgi/9255 9 CommentsLeave a comment
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I think you're saying he's on Morton's Fork here. All roads you've named damn him.
Is there a fifth way, such as "Only Nixon can go to China"?
How about if BO (BHO?) says, "I wanted to go to church and this was the best church I could find. I absolutely understand that the bankrupt ideology of being a victim is prevalent at my church and throughout America. To engage arguments made by well-meaning people, I have to stay present and not check out of my community. I belong to this community and hear its messages, but my message must transcend its antecedents."
I wanted to go to church and this was the best church I could find.
That would be an incredible statement. What would it say about Chicago churches?
Martin Marty and Jeremiah Wright are friends.
I'm sure you know who Martin Marty is. If not google him.
Would you say the same thing about Martin Marty?
I can't believe how utterly judgemental you are. God have mercy on you. When does the inquisition on Oprah Winfrey begin?
Criticize Obama on his politics, not on his pastor.
Would you say the same thing about Martin Marty?
I've never heard of Martin Marty. But so what if they're "friends"? I don't care about Martin Marty. He's not running for president.
I can't believe how utterly judgemental you are.
Why not? What's wrong with being judgmental, "utterly" or otherwise?
God have mercy on you.
I don't believe in God, nor do I think that he needs to grant me "mercy" because I'm judgmental. God himself is judgmental, or so I've heard. Do you not think that Pastor Wright is "judgmental"?
When does the inquisition on Oprah Winfrey begin?
Are you slow? I've already told you--I don't care about Oprah Winfrey. She's not running for president, and I've never watched her television show.
Criticize Obama on his politics, not on his pastor.
I'll criticize someone on any basis that I please.
Do you realize that we're laughing at you and your illogic?
Well you should find out who Martin Marty is. If the foremost Christian theologian in America is personal friends with Jeremiah Wright, perhaps you might see another side to Wright.
Or you could indulge yourself and keep watching him at his worst in the carefully selected, out of context video clips.
I think I know which option you will choose.
If the foremost Christian theologian in America is personal friends with Jeremiah Wright, perhaps you might see another side to Wright.
I don't see why. Perhaps Martin Marty is a sap. If he's personal friends with Wright, that would be strong evidence of it.
Or you could indulge yourself and keep watching him at his worst in the carefully selected, out of context video clips.
Why would I bother? Perhaps you have nothing better to do than watch video clips, and troll my blog with your foolishness, but I'm busy. I've seen the video clips once. That was more than enough. The fact that he makes money by selling them tells me all I need to know.
Martin Marty... father of John Marty, a self-proclaimed "Progressive" state senator from Minnesota who backed Dennis Kucinich for President.
So how does this shine a better light on Jeremiah Wright?
AHC, if you are so ignorant of Rand to make a comment to him such as, "God have Mercy on you", then I doubt you really know anything about Jeremiah Wright or Martin Marty. I recommend you read more of Rand's blog before being judgemental of him.
When does the inquisition on Oprah Winfrey begin?
Oprah Winfrey had the sense to quit "Reverend" Wright's church after his 9/16/2001 sermon. She apparently knows hatred when she sees it. Obama either does not, or (more likely) is willing to ignore it when suits his political goals.
And yes, saying "God have Mercy on you" to an atheist only makes you look like a self-righteous idiot.
I don't think that Obama understands how offensive this speech was to many listeners, and listeners that he needs in a general election.
Yes. We are offered a chance to absolve ourselves of our assumed racism by buying into Obama's socialism and moral equivalence.