Disappointment
I always knew that by this time I'd be sick of the election. There was no way that the campaigning could go on for this long and still have me engaged and interested. What I wasn't counting on was how utterly disappointed-- and frankly upset and angry-- I'd be with the way things have fallen out.
This election has gone far beyond normal negative campaigning. This election has gone so far beyond normal negative campaigning that as far as I'm concerned it's verged into outright libel and slander. Where the disappointment comes in is that it's come entirely from John McCain. There was a time when I thought he had a conscience. There was a time I thought he had the courage of his convictions. But what has become clear is that he is a petty, angry, vindictive, and at best Machiavellian bastard who clearly doesn't care if he drags the entire country down with him.
My problems with the McCain campaign really fall into 4 groups: Muslim, Terrorist, Socialist, and "Real America." There is absolutely no question whatsoever that the McCain campaign has encouraged the completely wrong and many times disproven idea that Obama is a "secret Muslim." There is no question that the McCain campaign has suggested repeatedly that Obama is a Terrorist. There is no question that the McCain campaign believes that if they call Obama a Socialist it will stir up latent "Red Scare" fears. And there is no question that the McCain campaign is deliberately trying to force an outright culture war by creating the concept of two Americas.
The reason this goes completely beyond the pale is that the McCain campaign is actively pushing their hard-core supporters into a frenzy of hate and fear that hasn't been seen since Birmingham in 1963 or Selma in 1965. They simply cannot claim ignorance of this. There are recordings of McCain supporters calling for Obama's death. Interviews with many anti-Obama people show clear signs of racism. The "Real America" comments verge on the re-establishment of Joe McCarthy's Un-American Activities Committee.
Is this really what McCain wants? Is this what the supposed war hero who spent five years in the Hanoi Hilton while fighting for democracy and freedom really wants? A state of mass hysteria and fear just so that he can get elected? I'm sorry, but no "Real American" should stand for this sort of bullshit. And it's a damn shame that Obama can't sue for slander without appearing overly defensive. Unfortunately all he can do is continue to take the high road and only attack McCain on the issues.
McCain must come forward and put an unequivocal end to this. He must come forward and state clearly and without qualification that Barack Obama is not a terrorist. That Obama does not associate with terrorists. That his supporters should be ashamed of their behavior and that if that sort of behavior continues he doesn't want their support. That there is only one America, and that is the America where children are judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
But he won't. Because if McCain was judged by the content of his character he would be found severely lacking.
This election has gone far beyond normal negative campaigning. This election has gone so far beyond normal negative campaigning that as far as I'm concerned it's verged into outright libel and slander. Where the disappointment comes in is that it's come entirely from John McCain. There was a time when I thought he had a conscience. There was a time I thought he had the courage of his convictions. But what has become clear is that he is a petty, angry, vindictive, and at best Machiavellian bastard who clearly doesn't care if he drags the entire country down with him.
My problems with the McCain campaign really fall into 4 groups: Muslim, Terrorist, Socialist, and "Real America." There is absolutely no question whatsoever that the McCain campaign has encouraged the completely wrong and many times disproven idea that Obama is a "secret Muslim." There is no question that the McCain campaign has suggested repeatedly that Obama is a Terrorist. There is no question that the McCain campaign believes that if they call Obama a Socialist it will stir up latent "Red Scare" fears. And there is no question that the McCain campaign is deliberately trying to force an outright culture war by creating the concept of two Americas.
The reason this goes completely beyond the pale is that the McCain campaign is actively pushing their hard-core supporters into a frenzy of hate and fear that hasn't been seen since Birmingham in 1963 or Selma in 1965. They simply cannot claim ignorance of this. There are recordings of McCain supporters calling for Obama's death. Interviews with many anti-Obama people show clear signs of racism. The "Real America" comments verge on the re-establishment of Joe McCarthy's Un-American Activities Committee.
Is this really what McCain wants? Is this what the supposed war hero who spent five years in the Hanoi Hilton while fighting for democracy and freedom really wants? A state of mass hysteria and fear just so that he can get elected? I'm sorry, but no "Real American" should stand for this sort of bullshit. And it's a damn shame that Obama can't sue for slander without appearing overly defensive. Unfortunately all he can do is continue to take the high road and only attack McCain on the issues.
McCain must come forward and put an unequivocal end to this. He must come forward and state clearly and without qualification that Barack Obama is not a terrorist. That Obama does not associate with terrorists. That his supporters should be ashamed of their behavior and that if that sort of behavior continues he doesn't want their support. That there is only one America, and that is the America where children are judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
But he won't. Because if McCain was judged by the content of his character he would be found severely lacking.
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