I posted last year about how dangerous and damaging I believed the propensity of the Obama administration and the press to cry "racism" is. I still believe that. And I am not alone. I still believe that they are giving cover to real racists, but I also believe that their latest trick may have been an overplaying of their hand.
We've heard, ad nauseum, from the echo-chamber media about those horrible, nasty racists shouting epithets at the congressmen passing through the crowd on Obamacare Sunday. And yet, two weeks later, still no proof that this happened, in spite of a multitude of recording devices. So were they faking?
They are not likely to give up. Marginalizing conservatives, and especially the Tea Party movement is too important to their plans, and this has long been their go-to accustion. But at the same time, there seems to be a bit of attention being given--finally--to who Tea Partiers really are. No surprise to those of us who've attended a Tea party or two, they look a lot like America.
Racism is evil. There is no other word for it. And using race--or the threat of being called racist--as a club to beat your opponent into submission, is a dangerous game. I believe that those on the left who continue in this path are not only giving cover to real racists but are also, in a very real and sick way, feeding their hate and encouraging them.
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Monday, April 05, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Fed up
I wrote back in the fall about my frustration with the lies liberals tell about those with whom they disagree about health care. It is true in other areas, but seems magnified in that discussion.
It hasn't gotten any better. As the Democrats continue to try to push through their monstrosity of a bill, against the will of the American people, their defenders get more angry. They continue to call conservatives selfish, greedy, and stupid. They continue to make it sound like this bill is the only chance to make changes in our health care system. But they refuse to engage in a logical, reasonable discussion about the facts of our health care system and the ways that the proposed legislation does or does not address them.
In response to facts about the current system, they respond with anecdotal sad stories. "People are dying!" But the fact is, people die under every health care system, and will continue to die, whatever reforms may come. That's part of life this side of Heaven. Stories aren't facts. As part of this same tactic, they assume that those who disagree with them have never experienced poverty, an illness without insurance, having to go without treatment, or other elements of the stories they tell. They are wrong.
In response to arguments about the specific problems with this plan we get cries of "Selfish!" or "Talking points!" Of course, if they would READ the bill they would see that some talking points are true. If they would be open to the reality that some of the "facts" that whirl around in the media echo chamber are, in fact, false and would look beyond the Huffington Post, Daily Kos, MSNBC, and NY Times for their "news," they might learn that all is not as they have believed.
Because that's what we're dealing with, in many cases. Belief. A nearly religious belief in the truth of the claims of the sages of the left and the rightness of ramming through THIS legislation no matter the cost to our society. They don't care about the evidence from studies that refute many of the tenets of their faith about who the uninsured are, how their health is impacted, and what the many factors in the high cost of health care are. They don't care about the facts behind the numbers in the widely touted World Health Organization rankings. They don't care about the many economists and experts who agree that this plan leaves many fundamental issues untouched and creates new problems. They refuse to acknowledge the problems endemic to many government run health systems.
They're like children sticking their fingers in their ears while yelling: "Selfish!!" "Partisan!" "Stupid!" "Insurance companies!" "Teabagger!" and always when they can't come up with anything else, "Well, BUSH...."
I've nearly given up on trying. The frustration of trying to discuss with people who refuse to even address facts is almost too much. And yet, this is too important to give up. If even one person who is wavering actually looks at the facts, then it won't have been in vain.
Postscript: This doesn't mean that I don't believe that there are liberals with well-thought out ideas and arguments for them. I'm just not seeing any of them.
It hasn't gotten any better. As the Democrats continue to try to push through their monstrosity of a bill, against the will of the American people, their defenders get more angry. They continue to call conservatives selfish, greedy, and stupid. They continue to make it sound like this bill is the only chance to make changes in our health care system. But they refuse to engage in a logical, reasonable discussion about the facts of our health care system and the ways that the proposed legislation does or does not address them.
In response to facts about the current system, they respond with anecdotal sad stories. "People are dying!" But the fact is, people die under every health care system, and will continue to die, whatever reforms may come. That's part of life this side of Heaven. Stories aren't facts. As part of this same tactic, they assume that those who disagree with them have never experienced poverty, an illness without insurance, having to go without treatment, or other elements of the stories they tell. They are wrong.
In response to arguments about the specific problems with this plan we get cries of "Selfish!" or "Talking points!" Of course, if they would READ the bill they would see that some talking points are true. If they would be open to the reality that some of the "facts" that whirl around in the media echo chamber are, in fact, false and would look beyond the Huffington Post, Daily Kos, MSNBC, and NY Times for their "news," they might learn that all is not as they have believed.
Because that's what we're dealing with, in many cases. Belief. A nearly religious belief in the truth of the claims of the sages of the left and the rightness of ramming through THIS legislation no matter the cost to our society. They don't care about the evidence from studies that refute many of the tenets of their faith about who the uninsured are, how their health is impacted, and what the many factors in the high cost of health care are. They don't care about the facts behind the numbers in the widely touted World Health Organization rankings. They don't care about the many economists and experts who agree that this plan leaves many fundamental issues untouched and creates new problems. They refuse to acknowledge the problems endemic to many government run health systems.
They're like children sticking their fingers in their ears while yelling: "Selfish!!" "Partisan!" "Stupid!" "Insurance companies!" "Teabagger!" and always when they can't come up with anything else, "Well, BUSH...."
I've nearly given up on trying. The frustration of trying to discuss with people who refuse to even address facts is almost too much. And yet, this is too important to give up. If even one person who is wavering actually looks at the facts, then it won't have been in vain.
Postscript: This doesn't mean that I don't believe that there are liberals with well-thought out ideas and arguments for them. I'm just not seeing any of them.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
State of the Union?
I found myself wondering many things last night as I listened to the State of the Union address.
I wondered if this is what our founders had in mind. An hour or more of partisan rhetoric and a laundry list of ways to spend our money, along with an attack on the Supreme Court, and well over 100 references to self instead of country doesn't seem like what they had in mind with, "He [the President] shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient." Of course, the Congress--supposedly the recipient of the report--is now just a prop as the president plays to the camera and talks to the American people.
I found myself wondering what it would feel like to be able--inwardly--to stand up and lie in front of millions of people. Multiple times. And to obfuscate, blur, overstate, understate, and--did I mention--lie? To parse a phrase so that it might be technically, possibly, not absolutely false, but also certainly not true? The AP covers the most obvious today, but in many ways the tone and message of the speech was one sustained lie.
I wondered how much of what he was saying he believed. And then I saw when the passion kicked in. He found his passion when he was blaming, talking down to, or excoriating others.
I found myself wondering whether the president, with his vaunted Ivy League education, has read any economics or history.
I found myself wondering whether he is really as out of touch with average Americans as he appears, or if he is too stubborn, or as some have posited, narcissistic, to believe that anyone--let alone tens of millions--can disagree with him.
And I wondered once again, how on earth we got to this point, and if we will come out of it with our country intact.
I wondered if this is what our founders had in mind. An hour or more of partisan rhetoric and a laundry list of ways to spend our money, along with an attack on the Supreme Court, and well over 100 references to self instead of country doesn't seem like what they had in mind with, "He [the President] shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient." Of course, the Congress--supposedly the recipient of the report--is now just a prop as the president plays to the camera and talks to the American people.
I found myself wondering what it would feel like to be able--inwardly--to stand up and lie in front of millions of people. Multiple times. And to obfuscate, blur, overstate, understate, and--did I mention--lie? To parse a phrase so that it might be technically, possibly, not absolutely false, but also certainly not true? The AP covers the most obvious today, but in many ways the tone and message of the speech was one sustained lie.
I wondered how much of what he was saying he believed. And then I saw when the passion kicked in. He found his passion when he was blaming, talking down to, or excoriating others.
I found myself wondering whether the president, with his vaunted Ivy League education, has read any economics or history.
I found myself wondering whether he is really as out of touch with average Americans as he appears, or if he is too stubborn, or as some have posited, narcissistic, to believe that anyone--let alone tens of millions--can disagree with him.
And I wondered once again, how on earth we got to this point, and if we will come out of it with our country intact.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The language of the backs of cars
I'm a reader. Even when I'm driving, I'm a reader. So I notice bumper stickers and license plates to what I am told is an unusual degree. So, I can say with a great deal of confidence that there were a far greater than average number of "arts" and "environmental" license plates in the lot when I dropped Jonathan off for rehearsal last night. My van was the right choice for the evening, since it sports the environmental license plate, supporting the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Specialty license plates in Indiana went through a boom a few years back when the regular plate was ugly. Now, with a more attractive regular plate, and the "In God We Trust" option, you don't see as many specialty plates around, so the concentration of them in that parking lot showed me that these were people who would put their money where their mouths were.
Of course, bumper stickers are the most obvious car speech. I'm noticing a trend.
The Obama/Biden hopeychangey bumper stickers are disappearing. Quickly. There are cars that I recognize because I see them often that have recently dropped them. I've noticed that the saturation in the campus parking lot is way down. What does this mean? Buyer's remorse, maybe? I'll continue watching this trend.
Specialty license plates in Indiana went through a boom a few years back when the regular plate was ugly. Now, with a more attractive regular plate, and the "In God We Trust" option, you don't see as many specialty plates around, so the concentration of them in that parking lot showed me that these were people who would put their money where their mouths were.
Of course, bumper stickers are the most obvious car speech. I'm noticing a trend.
The Obama/Biden hopeychangey bumper stickers are disappearing. Quickly. There are cars that I recognize because I see them often that have recently dropped them. I've noticed that the saturation in the campus parking lot is way down. What does this mean? Buyer's remorse, maybe? I'll continue watching this trend.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Time for a political post
I haven't posted much about politics for a while. This is partly because I haven't been in the mood, partly because it makes me cranky, and partly because I just tweet it, instead.
But Victor David Hanson has such an excellent piece at NRO that I had to post it. He examines the five trends that converged to elect Obama, thhe assumptions that seem to underly the Obama administration's actions, and the truths that they need to understand. Go check it out.
Update: Here's another from RCP. Obama vs. the President He Said He'd Be
But Victor David Hanson has such an excellent piece at NRO that I had to post it. He examines the five trends that converged to elect Obama, thhe assumptions that seem to underly the Obama administration's actions, and the truths that they need to understand. Go check it out.
Update: Here's another from RCP. Obama vs. the President He Said He'd Be
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Evil and dangerous words
This piece highlights what I think is one of the most maddening and potentially dangerous things that the Obama administration and left-wing media are doing.
Much of what goes on in Washington right now stuns and saddens me, but I think that the attempt to paint anyone who disagrees with Obama--or who is against this particular plan for health care reform--as a racist is the worst. This suggestion that ideas differing from Obama's necessarily spring from the most odious of sources has the potential to create new wounds and create new divisions where none previously existed.
Jonah Goldberg writes about this playing of the race card:
In my title I used the word evil. I do believe that this is evil. Those who wish to marginalize conservatives and who have shown a willingness to shut down expression that does not match their agenda are using one of the most heinous accusations--requiring no proof on their part, because we long ago learned that the accusation of racism is tantamount to conviction in the media--to accomplish their goals. Racism is a tremendous evil and ought not be tolerated, but I fear that injudicious playing of the race card with ever-increasing frequency may only empower it and add racists--on both sides--to the fold.
Much of what goes on in Washington right now stuns and saddens me, but I think that the attempt to paint anyone who disagrees with Obama--or who is against this particular plan for health care reform--as a racist is the worst. This suggestion that ideas differing from Obama's necessarily spring from the most odious of sources has the potential to create new wounds and create new divisions where none previously existed.
Jonah Goldberg writes about this playing of the race card:
This would seem so obvious as to not require stating. Unfortunately, it seems that it does.
Sure, racists don’t like Obama. (In less shocking news, bears continue to use our national forests as toilets.) But that doesn’t mean everyone who dislikes Obama is therefore a racist.
In my title I used the word evil. I do believe that this is evil. Those who wish to marginalize conservatives and who have shown a willingness to shut down expression that does not match their agenda are using one of the most heinous accusations--requiring no proof on their part, because we long ago learned that the accusation of racism is tantamount to conviction in the media--to accomplish their goals. Racism is a tremendous evil and ought not be tolerated, but I fear that injudicious playing of the race card with ever-increasing frequency may only empower it and add racists--on both sides--to the fold.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Guess the 'prompter can't do everything
The American Spectator has a piece today looking at the president's body language after the so-called beer summit. It is very telling. They also draw some interesting connections to the president's health care reform plans.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Why tea party?
I hadn't been paying much attention to the left's characterization of the Tea Party movement until today. When I figured out that I wasn't going to be able to get to Indianapolis for today's event, I decided that I would follow the parties on the news and Twitter.
The left is in a tizzy. The malice and nastiness is amazing. They are either purposely misrepresenting the Tea Parties or have managed to maintain their ignorance about what they are about. They have made up conspiracy stories about the origin, even though many of us who are active online at TCOT and Smart Girl Politics and on Twitter watched the idea grow and spread organically.
They are not anti-Obama. There may be some people who are stridently anti-Obama in attendance, but that isn't the purpose. I would venture a guess that you would find as much disgust with Republican politicians and congressional Democrats among the protesters as with Obama. When I go to our local tea party on Saturday, one of our signs will be questioning our Republican congressman and his vote for the bailout.
They aren't simplistically anti-tax. The vast majority of the people attending the Tea Parties have been paying taxes for years and expect to need to pay taxes to fund the government. There is probably a wide variation among those in attendance over what they believe is legitimate government spending. They aren't about, as one pundit said, the taxes on the wealthy going up 3%.
What they are about is spending. They are about bailouts, whether for Wall Street, GM, or the neighbor down the street who refinanced, bought that big screen, and now can't afford his mortgage and owes more than his house is worth. They are about unbridled spending under the guise of rescuing the economy, and passing an ever-growing debt on to our children. They are about politicians passing spending bills when they don't know what's in them.
They are about concerns that our constitution is being shunted aside by a federal government that insists that states and companies take funds they don't want and that seems almost daily to stretch the limits of its power. They are about the printing of more money, more foreign ownership of our debt, and the devaluation of our currency and inflation that many economists believe is coming.
The left is in a tizzy. The malice and nastiness is amazing. They are either purposely misrepresenting the Tea Parties or have managed to maintain their ignorance about what they are about. They have made up conspiracy stories about the origin, even though many of us who are active online at TCOT and Smart Girl Politics and on Twitter watched the idea grow and spread organically.
They are not anti-Obama. There may be some people who are stridently anti-Obama in attendance, but that isn't the purpose. I would venture a guess that you would find as much disgust with Republican politicians and congressional Democrats among the protesters as with Obama. When I go to our local tea party on Saturday, one of our signs will be questioning our Republican congressman and his vote for the bailout.
They aren't simplistically anti-tax. The vast majority of the people attending the Tea Parties have been paying taxes for years and expect to need to pay taxes to fund the government. There is probably a wide variation among those in attendance over what they believe is legitimate government spending. They aren't about, as one pundit said, the taxes on the wealthy going up 3%.
What they are about is spending. They are about bailouts, whether for Wall Street, GM, or the neighbor down the street who refinanced, bought that big screen, and now can't afford his mortgage and owes more than his house is worth. They are about unbridled spending under the guise of rescuing the economy, and passing an ever-growing debt on to our children. They are about politicians passing spending bills when they don't know what's in them.
They are about concerns that our constitution is being shunted aside by a federal government that insists that states and companies take funds they don't want and that seems almost daily to stretch the limits of its power. They are about the printing of more money, more foreign ownership of our debt, and the devaluation of our currency and inflation that many economists believe is coming.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Obama's teleprompter
If you aren't hearing about Obama's teleprompter, you probably aren't paying attention. Or maybe you only watch MSNBC and read Kos. But the discussion is everywhere, serious and otherwise, about this president's dependence on his teleprompter.
We saw in the campaign that he had a little trouble speaking off the cuff. Last night he appeared on Jay Leno's show--which is another topic--and showed once again that he REALLY needs his 'prompter.
So, for your reading pleasure, Obama's teleprompter. Aka, TOTUS. And his book.
We saw in the campaign that he had a little trouble speaking off the cuff. Last night he appeared on Jay Leno's show--which is another topic--and showed once again that he REALLY needs his 'prompter.
So, for your reading pleasure, Obama's teleprompter. Aka, TOTUS. And his book.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
A few good reads
Thought I'd share a couple of good articles that I've read today. Kind of a mini carnival of common sense.
First, President Obama's constant misrepresentation of those who disagree with him is getting old. Already. Read Obama's Straw Men.
The Black Sphere posts Obama's War on Achievement. While you're at his blog read the last several postings. He's good.
Why does the stock market continue to drop?
Is this what we need from our president right now?
And if you're one of the envious out there who just wants those rich people to suffer, take a look at this from the WSJ. If you think raising taxes only on those who make over $250,000/year will pay for Obama's recreation of America...well, I don't even know what to say to you.
First, President Obama's constant misrepresentation of those who disagree with him is getting old. Already. Read Obama's Straw Men.
The Black Sphere posts Obama's War on Achievement. While you're at his blog read the last several postings. He's good.
Why does the stock market continue to drop?
Is this what we need from our president right now?
And if you're one of the envious out there who just wants those rich people to suffer, take a look at this from the WSJ. If you think raising taxes only on those who make over $250,000/year will pay for Obama's recreation of America...well, I don't even know what to say to you.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Audacity of deceit
President Obama seems to have learned well this lesson, perfected by the left over the past eight years: If you lie about history and events enough, the lie becomes the truth as far as most people are concerned.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Why?
Why would President Obama be trying to take the census away from the Commerce Department?
Here's an idea. Can you say power grab? This argument against it is from a former census director.
This guy is brazen.
Here's an idea. Can you say power grab? This argument against it is from a former census director.
This guy is brazen.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Hypocrisy watch
I'm sorry. I will post something upbeat later. But I despise hypocrisy.
I love The Black Sphere.
I really would like an Obama fan to defend this. Have you ever heard one of them honestly address the issues of Fannie/Freddie, Franklin Raines, Chris Dodd, etc. ? I haven't.
I love The Black Sphere.
I really would like an Obama fan to defend this. Have you ever heard one of them honestly address the issues of Fannie/Freddie, Franklin Raines, Chris Dodd, etc. ? I haven't.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Seventeen and counting
I was challenged by a drive-by commenter on a post in which I called President Obama a hypocrite. I stand by that. He is a hypocrite.
Did anyone besides me see his big no-lobbyists-in-this-administration speech? It was all show. He has already exempted 17 lobbyists from the rule. And as this story notes, you won't hear that in the American media. It was left to the Times of India to cover what is really happening in our government.
We can add a second tax cheat to his cabinet when Tom Daschle is confirmed. (Oh, yeah, by the way Daschle is a lobbyist and so is his wife.)
Did anyone besides me see his big no-lobbyists-in-this-administration speech? It was all show. He has already exempted 17 lobbyists from the rule. And as this story notes, you won't hear that in the American media. It was left to the Times of India to cover what is really happening in our government.
We can add a second tax cheat to his cabinet when Tom Daschle is confirmed. (Oh, yeah, by the way Daschle is a lobbyist and so is his wife.)
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Week One in the Obamanation
Well, the first week is over and, unfortunately, I am not surprised. Obama is, so far, exactly what I thought he would be.
He's arrogant. He's a hypocrite. And did anyone really believe he meant it about reducing abortions? His veep thinks that paying taxes is patriotic; I guess his Treasury nominee didn't get the memo.
We know that the press is in the tank, so there are things we aren't likely to hear much about. Like the horrible irony that a disproportionate number of African-American babies are victims of the abortions that Obama supports.
He's arrogant. He's a hypocrite. And did anyone really believe he meant it about reducing abortions? His veep thinks that paying taxes is patriotic; I guess his Treasury nominee didn't get the memo.
We know that the press is in the tank, so there are things we aren't likely to hear much about. Like the horrible irony that a disproportionate number of African-American babies are victims of the abortions that Obama supports.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
So much to say
It's hard to know where to start. Maybe here with a Treasury Secretary designee who has a problem with paying the taxes he owes. Of course, not paying $34,000 in taxes is a "minor infraction" according to Obama aides. I'm sure that the IRS would look at it like that if it was you or me.
Is anyone paying more attention to these guys yet? Or these facts? I can almost guarantee that she won't. Although, as the Daily Tech article states, "Cold is more damaging than heat, " the left has hung it's hopes on global warming, and they aren't letting go. It's about power,not truth.
And then there's this. Why exactly Has Hillary been nominated to be Secretary of State?
On the positive side, I had a really yummy sushi lunch today with a friend from college who I had not seen since the spring of 1985. Thanks, Facebook!
Is anyone paying more attention to these guys yet? Or these facts? I can almost guarantee that she won't. Although, as the Daily Tech article states, "Cold is more damaging than heat, " the left has hung it's hopes on global warming, and they aren't letting go. It's about power,not truth.
And then there's this. Why exactly Has Hillary been nominated to be Secretary of State?
On the positive side, I had a really yummy sushi lunch today with a friend from college who I had not seen since the spring of 1985. Thanks, Facebook!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Man of the Year
I'm not surprised Barack Obama was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year. It would have been far more surprising if he hadn't been.
I am surprised that they used the Soviet propaganda poster style picture for the cover. Or maybe not. He seems to be engaging in plenty of newspeak.
I am surprised that they used the Soviet propaganda poster style picture for the cover. Or maybe not. He seems to be engaging in plenty of newspeak.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Is it over?
Alan Keyes has filed a lawsuit. Philip Berg's Writ of Certiorari, filed in the U.S. Supreme Court is awaiting a response from Obama and the DNC, which is due by Dec. 1. If you can't read the entire thing, at least read Berg's Writ through the Table of Contents.
Aside from the specific questions about Obama's citizenship, there are the larger questions: Who insures that candidates are eligible to run for president? Who has the right to challenge their qualifications and where? How much does our constitution matter?
Interesting stuff.
HT: Die Schreiben von Schreiber
Aside from the specific questions about Obama's citizenship, there are the larger questions: Who insures that candidates are eligible to run for president? Who has the right to challenge their qualifications and where? How much does our constitution matter?
Interesting stuff.
HT: Die Schreiben von Schreiber
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