...well, besides the fact that white guys own everything, one other unfadeable advantage of being white is the ability to get away scot free with sh*t black folks get hemmed-up over.
Anyways, this whole "whites dudes get off" thing has seldom been on greater display than during this year's "historic Presidential campaign".[1] Barry Obama can get racial subliminals lobbed at him all day, but would be ethered on the spot if he merely thought about uttering something sexist in return. His somewhat controversial neighbors provided the ammo to paint him as a slumlord and ex-terrorist.[2] His wife gets reduced to mangled soundbytes and essentially painted as some sorta new-school Imelda Marcos. And most notably, he becomes guilty by association when his birdbrained preacher has the nerve to toss up the Omega sign at a press conference. But being a black man, he actually has to address this sorta nonsense, as opposed to merely giving his critics the middle finger, or telling them to "go eff' off" Dick Chaney-style. It's the tightrope-over-bed-of-nails routine every black person in Corporate America has to walk each day being played out on an international stage.
It's annoying, but it ain't surprising. It is what it is.
Cotton Hill McCain on the other hand, beats them charges like Rocky. For all the conservative jibberjabber about the free-pass Obama's received, it's amazing to me that GrandpaMac hasn't caught any flack for the numerous blemishes he's collected over the years. Scandals like The Keating Five would cast serious doubts on his "flawless integrity". His well-documented anger problem and history of holding grudges against his foes at the expense of sound legislation are troubling. His philandering and opportunistic second marriage (originally an affair) would make Slick Willie proud. The half-dozen or so campaign advisors he's had jump ship due to dubious conflicts of interest in the past month alone would lead anyone to question his decisions about whom he surrounds himself with. And I would mention his wife's drug problem, but that would just be low.
Then again, after that ignant ass Michelle-bashing GOP commercial in Tennessee last week, maybe not.
Most interesting however, is how McCain has gotten an open path to the basket despite two very dubious "endorsements" by controversial pastors of his own. Cotton Hill's "spiritual guide" Rod Parsley called on America to see the "false religion" of Islam "destroyed." McCain didn't have to deliver a brilliant but inconsequential speech about the state of religion in America, and he didn't even have to throw Parsley under any bus, because the media didn't even bother calling him on any of this BS. I guess you could chalk this up to the MSM being preoccupied with that other race, but that excuse smells like ass to me. Because the talking heads also haven't bothered giving today's minor bombshell much attention either.
In the face of mounting controversy over headline-grabbing statements from the Rev. John Hagee, CNN has learned that presumptive Republican nominee John McCain decided Thursday to reject his endorsement.Seriously, checkout this nutjob in action. He makes Rebb'n Wright look like Little Bill by comparison.
McCain told CNN's Brian Todd that he rejected the endorsement after Todd brought to his attention Hagee's comments that Adolf Hitler had been fulfilling God's will by hastening the desire of Jews to return to Israel in accordance with biblical prophecy.
"God says in Jeremiah 16: 'Behold, I will bring them the Jewish people again unto their land that I gave to their fathers. ... Behold, I will send for many fishers, and after will I send for many hunters. And they the hunters shall hunt them.' That would be the Jews. ... Then God sent a hunter. A hunter is someone who comes with a gun and he forces you. Hitler was a hunter," Hagee said, according to a transcript of his sermon.
In a statement to CNN on Thursday, McCain said "Obviously, I find these remarks and others deeply offensive and indefensible, and I repudiate them. I did not know of them before Rev. Hagee's endorsement, and I feel I must reject his endorsement as well."
Shortly after McCain's announcement Thursday afternoon, Hagee withdrew his endorsement, citing critics who had been "grossly misrepresenting" his positions.
"I am tired of these baseless attacks and fear that they have become a distraction in what should be a national debate about important issues. I have therefore decided to withdraw my endorsement of Sen. McCain for president effective today, and to remove myself from any active role in the 2008 campaign," he said in a statement.
"I hope that the Sen. McCain will accept this withdrawal so that he may focus on the issues that are most important to America and the world."
What a freakin' country! But wait, it only gets better!
Since the usual White Guy Rules apply, McCain can take pressure off himself and get an overdone issue back in the news merely by exercising the crafty tool of psychological projection.
McCain also said that his relationship with Hagee did not compare with Sen. Barack Obama's lengthy association with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, whose own inflammatory comments remain, for some Republicans, a persistent campaign issue even though Obama has denounced his former minister."That's right, get off my nutsack. I ain't tryinna hear that bullsh*t!!! What about your Pastor, huh, what about him?!?"
"I have said I do not believe Sen. Obama shares Rev. Wright's extreme views. But let me also be clear, Rev. Hagee was not and is not my pastor or spiritual adviser, and I did not attend his church for 20 years. I have denounced statements he made immediately upon learning of them, as I do again today," McCain said.
This story won't rule the airwaves for 8 straight weeks. Heck, it prolly won't even be in the news come tomorrow when you folks read this.
For those of you who want to look at this as some partisan, Dems vs Reps issue, please don't even go there. This has nothing to do with politics, and everything to do with race and how it's played out in the media.
And that's a shame, because for all the glowing articles about Senator McCain's character and dedication to his country, this strikes me as incredibly poor judgement. I don't believe for one moment that McCain harbors any of Parsley or Hagee's sentiments, anymore than I believe Obama buys into Rebb'n Wright's misguided Barbershop K-Nowledge. But one guy had to defend his loose association for months, while the other can whisk away the loopy pastors whose endorsements he actively sought for political gain in the time it takes you to leave a comment on this post.
Don't believe me? The story was barely registering on Friday morning. By the time the Sunday morning talking heads rolled around, Hagee/McCain was merely a footnote. Memorial Day weather is your lead story. I've yet to hear Hagee's comments looped repeatedly without context. Hell, CNN even ran a 15 minute precanned segment about Hagee, which barely mentioned his comments at all.
Again, what is there to apologize for when you didn't do anything wrong?
And that just ain't right.
But then again, being White in America means never having to say you're sorry. And being Black in America means having to apologize for some shit you ain't even say in the first place.
White America gets the best end of double-standards by far.
They get pure consciences and character coated with Teflon.
We get to tell sh*tty "white folks ain't go no butt" jokes on Comic View.
Seems like a fair trade to me.
Question: Do you think the Hagee/Parsley associations are any more indicative of John McCain's character than the Rebb'n Wright fiasco reflects on Obama's personal worldview?
McCain rejects Hagee's endorsement [CNN]
McCain Rejects Parsley Endorsement [ABC News]
McCain campaign advisor quits over lobbying ties [Reuters]
Michelle Obama takes heat from Tennessee GOP [CNN]
The Keating Five [Wikipedia]
McCain: A Question of Temperament [WashPost]
[1] Who else is tired of that phrase? Dang.
[2] I told ya'll I wasn't mentioning "that woman" anymore.
Average Email
Average FAQ
Average Bio
AB @ AOL BlackVoices
AB @ NPR
AB @ WashingtonPost
Posts
16 AverageComments™:
Mos Def sez:
You can laugh and criticize Michael Jackson if you wanna
Woody Allen, molested and married his step-daughter
Same press kickin dirt on Michael's name
Show Woody and Soon-Yi at the playoff game, holdin hands
Sit back and just bug, think about that
Would he get that type of dap if his name was Woody Black?
Obama has one wacky reverend and gets raked over the coals for two months... McCain has two wackier reverends and we only hear about him repudiating the remarks... that's fair and balanced reporting!
HELL, i just heard someone on the news this week, bringing up Rev. Wright and how we still don't "really know" Obama! this *ish* really burns me up!
I've watched John Hagee on TV for several years. There are some things that I agree with him on as far as theology. As for Rod Parsley, I can't vibe with him. Something just gives me the feeling that he isn't genuine. Plus, pardon me, he tries too hard to preach "blue-eyed soul" ala Paula White. I can't trust her at all.
But as for the media treatment, it's not surprising that McCain is getting a pass and Obama did not. It doesn't matter in my mind anyway. I would hope that the general elections would swing Democratic. McCain equals a third term for G-Dub, since he recently has sided with King George II on every major incident in the past two weeks.
Bring the troops home to their families. Overhaul the economy. Tell the rest of the world to fix their own problems for the next four years.
America needs to clean it's own house. Unfortunately, if elected, I think Obama will be martyred before he can get started.
EG
It certainly does pay to be a Whtie guy. It pays especially to be White period. I mean, Billary has yet to be reprimanded for asserting that White Americans are racist. There's no noise being made as to whether or not she should denounce the White Racist vote as she and Tim Russert had demanded of Obama.
Obama's being treated like any Black person who doesn't fit the mold of a "n#gger." He's an educated, inspiring, and articulate Black man. For some that's intimidating and nerve-wracking when you're only accustomed to exploited negative images.
The Black Tax is in full effect.
If the Democratic party hadn't transformed itself into a collection of Victimized Groups, each with an axe to grind, a sense of entitlement, and a pound of flesh to extract from the party, McCain wouldn't be getting a pass right now.
Seriously. Now that the top two Disenfranchised Constituencies on the left have each got a candidate within striking distance of the nomination, the Democratic party is ripping itself apart... the language of the left makes the decision mutually exclusive. If the party had a clear vision of what it wanted, and a clear message, you could hold the candidates up against the message and see which one fit better, but what you've got is identity politics and the culture of victimhood / entitlement. How the hell do you judge which of them deserves it more when you frame the question as: "which one's group is more worthy of being un-disenfranchised?"
How did the MSM frame the gas tax moratorium idea? A passing mention of McCain and a discussion of which democratic candidate agreed and which did not. Analysis of whether it's a good idea?
Never happened. The MSM was more interested in contrasting the Democrats than even discussing whether the Republican had a good idea or not.
@ spool
With all due respect to one of my favorite commenters, this issue has nothing to do with a right/left wing bias. This sh*t is purely racial.
Maybe I'm not getting the point across... or maybe I'm just wrong! :-)
What I'm trying to say is that the focus will swing hard toward McCain as soon as the convention is over... he's able to stay under the radar because the MSM are covering their favorite political topic: the opinions of Democrats. Obama getting smacked around will mostly die off as soon as the story stops being "which Democrat?", because it will shift to "reasons the Democrat is better". When you build your candidacy on identity politics, identity issues are going to be prominent. Because Obama is black, it's black identity issues that dominate. Is that racist? Probably, but only as a secondary effect of the core problem... identity politics.
This is a problem the Democrats have brought on themselves, as their model for the party suddenly creates division instead of unity.
Prediction #2: Acres of column space about personal stories (identity politics) of people who once were vehement Clinton supporters but will vote Obama in November. The MSM will make the case that the party can "come together".
Several stories about ignorant-ass hicks who are voting McCain because they don't trust darkies, or some shit like that.
Zero stories about Democrats who are sitting the election out because they don't like the D and won't vote R.
spool32,
I don't necessarily disagree with your assessment of the way the parties are covered, nor do I disagree with the claim that the Democratic party leans far too heavily on identity politics.
I do disagree with that analysis derailing the topic, though.
The disparity is a racial one, to be sure. It even plays out within the party. Hillary is getting passes where Obama would get none. Cindy McCain is largely undiscussed while Michelle Obama is oft depicted as a raving unpatriotic lunatic.
I see your point. It's one I've made to differing degrees to all my most liberal friends. But I don't think McCain's being overlooked right now because he's a Republican. It's just that reporting on him, the long-ago declared nominee, just isn't as sexy to the MSM than continually asking, "Can a black man be president?"
*Should have proofed that a little more*
Ok, so Cindy McCain v. Michelle Obama is not "within the party." But my point still stands.
One minor aside: I saw Clinton's victory speech after Pennsylvania and she said something along the lines of "Thank you all for helping me in this come-from-behind victory!" Despite the fact that the race had been called for her WEEKS ago, by a MUCH larger margin, she still is playing up herself as a victim. AND PEOPLE ARE BUYING IT! That really bugs me to no end.
Lest we not forget: McCain never joined their churches, those preachers never married them. Neither baptized McCain. You dont see Cindy McCain utter phrases reminicent of them either. There is a difference.
@spool32 Amen.
@ daedulus
I don't think either man should be held responsible for the actions of those who endorse them. Obama's not an American hater (neither is Wright), just like McCain doesn't think Hitler Roolz.
The difference is Obama's relationship with Wright was as a parissioner/pastor. He didn't ask for Wright's endorsement for political gain, and none was ever extended.
On the other hand, McCain pursued Hagee for a year, knowing that his endorsement would curry him favor with evangelicals, a crucial voting bloc he has never resonated with. That was cold, hard politricks as usual. McCain did this, knowing damn well that those comments were out there. Nobody anticipated the Wright situation being brought up re: Obama, but when that was deemed fair game, it put McCain in a situation where he had to weight the plusses and minuses of such pandering.
I applaud him for pulling the plug, and I don't think he harbors any of the sentiments of Hagee, or Parsley.
I just wonder why Obama isn't getting the same benefit of the doubt.
I feel like one of the real problems is our underrepresentation in the media. It has a lot to do with earlier post regarding BET and TVONE's inability to give a voice to our people on a news level. Bush used the media to steal the election in 2000. There was a time in America when the television media was the greatest political tool used to manipulate and control the masses. Slowly but surely we are headed back into that direction. Back then it was because television was something new and exciteing. Now it is because television has become the accepted norm and perferred medium to relay messages and ideals to the masses. "I'm conditioned brother. Even my conditioning has been conditioned." If we had a platform in which we could have representation of our issues and concerns and have a platform in which ideals and plans of action could be expressed and diciminated to our people we wouldn't be in the situation we are in right now. Joni Mitchell once said you never know what you got until its gone. Tavis Smiley and Ed Gordon were special because they gave a voice to all of the community. Tavis was a poor kid who pulled himself through his own personal hell to become a strong voice in the fight for equality. Tell me what kind of society are we living in when a politician can pretty much solicit the assasination of an opponent, cause they (she) can't win any other way with things like their (her)agenda and political strategy, and its barely newsworthy? Imagine if Obama had said he's staying in the race because he knows that someone will kill a woman president, that shit would have been on every channel.
Brother AverageBro.....white man can be assertive... Black man will be seen as aggressive.."I'm callin the police". Black man hurriedly leaves store, etc. WHITE MAN GETS DISCOUNT AND APOLOGY.
As I said on my blog, why is it I'm not seeing the Mainstream Media (MSM) running those damning videos of Hagee and Parsley every couple of hours of every day like Rev. Wright?
I intentionally watched and listened to the usual suspects all weekend long. They were more fascinated with that whole RFK gaffe, and Cotton Hill's medical records. Hagee is soooo last week.
You gotta love it. Or hate it.
We need our own damn news station.
I have no problem with BET catering to it's lowest common denominator target audience. I don't happen to be a part of this audience, so I don't really care.
But TV One should know better. Everytime I watch MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, or any or the major networks, I am constantly reminded just how poorly my PoV is represented in the MSM.
Thank God for blogs and the common sense to look through this BS.
If The good Rev. Hagee when on a self serving media tour with same disregard for McCain, and on top of that threw even more fuel on the fire, well, I'm sure the MSM might have gotten around to covering it. Face it, Pfleger, and Wright are good TV. Maybe AvgBro and friends have seen these kind of spectacles before, but I have not. And I'll admit that it is a window into a world that I do not inhabit, and it's damn fascinating. Where I go to church, people (Black, White, Hispanic) don't act as if they are at a "Def Comedy Jam" taping. As far as McCain getting the free ride, turn over to MSNBC, it does not matter what happens on the campaign trail, the general consensus by the talking heads is always, "Wow, this is good for Obama." And before bemoaning race in this campaign, it was noticeably muted, but not completely absent until the Wright exploded on the scene. I'll give it to Barack though, he has not swam in those waters, even when it would be easy for him to do so. As far as Obama being martyred, c'mon, every president has some kook who has it in for them, or want to go from obscure to notorious. People shot at Jackson, Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, T. Roosevelt, F.D.Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy, Ford, Reagan. G.W. Bush had a handgrenade tossed at him in Tiblisi,Georgia . A guy tried to crash a plane into the White House to get Nixon, (but he wasn't home.) All I'm saying is, being part African American does not make him any more, or less, for that matter, a target. It comes with the job.
Post a Comment