I had a conversation with a few of my more liberal Friends the last week and they are asking me if I am thrilled with the historic day that shall be tomorrow. That is the searing in of the Obama and all that the history that comes with it. I get a sense they think I shall have to give the very PC answer.
First I am looking forward to the event and there is some important history but I am not sharing in all the glee that I am seeing put forth by reporters and the non stop coverage.
There are a few reasons for this.
First- Usually the line has gone like this- Isn't it great that through hard work and determination that anyone can achieve anything such as Obama becoming President.
Well yes and as to Obama it shows a man that was raised on the mean streets of Hawaii and went to private schools and then Harvard can become President. When I respond this way I get a look of FU.
To me at least his challenges were similar to Clinton in many ways who had a pretty fascinating story and hardships. BUT he is the first African American President and he is going to live in House built by Slaves!!! Don't get me wrong I find this moment important and in fact I recognize it means something. Though it is a tad sad that it now appears everyone has adopted with thinking the old racist one drop rule- That is the fact that this is a Biracial President (which I think is something else) is totally ignored. Related to this is the fact there is so little we know about the President Elect upbringing and early years. There is a tad of myth still.
Second , and this is the main reason I suppose I am not as excited (besides being a Republican) is that I am sort of historic moment outed on Obama.
The news media has made sure (as they should have) of pointing out the various historic firsts that Obama has done the last year and made darn sure we talked about it. They include by the media
Isn't it something that Obama a Black man is a serious contender for President
Wow Barack Obama a black man has won IOWA in the Dem Primary. Lets us pause just to soak in the moment
Obama has made history by winning South Carolina- Amazing
Obama has now got the delegates he needs lock up the Democrat nomination lets go live to Iowa where Obama is marking this historic occasion and lets pause to reflect on all this (Oh and what is McCain doing on the TV getting in the way of Obama's big moment)
Obama has given his big speech in at the Democrat Convention on the anniversary of King's I have a Dream Speech in what is in a atmosphere of Celebration. Lets pause and reflect on this great moment for several hours
Needless to say it occurred for days after he was elected.
So with all due respect I even as a poltical junkie have sort of been there done that a million times by now. I suspect when Obama gives his first State of the Union this line will done again.
It is a big moment but this reminds in some ways when I compared the both Bush's swearing in events compared to Bill Clintons. One got a sense we were all suppose to be celebrating more.
Last but not least I am very worried about the executive orders that Obama will do in the days right after the big moment.
I have found the lack of taste and the obvious desire to not even wait for the inauguration to be the president somewhat amazing. I cannot recall an incoming president-elect requesting to move into Blair house before the usual time and having to be turned down by the incumbent... I suppose it would have been nice if the Bush family had vacated the White House early for this amazing personage. Never before have I seen such an effort on the part of an elected-but-not-yet-incumbent to be treated this way by the media or acting as if he were already the de facto president. I am already tired of it... don't know if I can stand to hear about the liberals' 'messiah's activities for four or eight years with the swooning media.
ReplyDeleteI pretty much agree. Again I appreciate the historic significane and also I like these vestiages of our Civic Religion. Still Obama is getting treatment that no recent Prez Elect has gotten in my view. OF course I was not around for the JFK Swearing IN so I don't know if even that was comparable
ReplyDeleteThe only thing that his election proves is that America is racist! That is the only conclusion you can come to. How else could a man with virtually no experience, very little time in the Senate, with no specific plans for America (at least not revealed), who attended a church where the minister repeatedly tells America to shove it up it's ***, get nominated for president, let alone win the election. He was given a free pass by the media specifically because he was black. The whirlwind hysteria is exactly about his race not about him. It is exactly the opposite of what Dr. Martin Luther King preached; a colorless society.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the definition of racist if but not making decisions and deriving one's attitude about someone on the basis of race and race only. A white liberal with the same background, who had a preacher spewing hatred about America would have never been nominated. I rest my case.