In adjacency to Senator McCain’s contrite demeanor when addressing that woman who called Senator Barack Obama an Arab, now we have the same Senator McCain vowing to “Whip” Senator Barack Obama’s “you know what” We all know what the latter means. But one has to wonder if he (Senator McCain) has morphed into an entirely different man than he was years ago. To me relaying that one wishes to whip an opponent’s “you know what” tells me he has forgotten that the office he seeks is not about him, but we the people.
I have to ask this pointed question: Is the choice of words used in how he will confront Senator Obama a carry-over from last week’s rallies which exposed for all to see racial hate, or was it intended as some underlying message thereby stoking a new fire of racial hate? It is hard to tell not knowing the senator, but one does have to question his use of words.
As he switched gears in that one rally by committing an act of contrition, it was not well received as he was booed. But, by choosing the word whip it can surround him with the accolades he needs from his audience. Does he wish to appear contrite or bellicose? That is for him to answer.
Last week appearing onstage at one rally was Senator McCain’s daughter Meagan. She has even appeared on Larry King Live. Since the Republican national convention one has not seen Bridgette who was adopted as a baby by the McCains’. I do not like to speak of any candidate’s children since I feel they are off-limits. But I have to wonder why she has been absent while her parents travel the campaign trail. Has she seen that miscreant waiting in line to see Sarah Palin holding a monkey with a bumper sticker above it with Senator Obama’s name? What must she think of this expression of hate? Have the McCain’s shielded this daughter from this hate? I do hope they have. No child deserves to be exposed to such hatred, but in reality they are.
Cindy McCain recently lashed out at Senator Barack Obama for not supporting the troops and using her son as an example. Why has she not stepped in to protect her daughter Bridgette from this hate? That is her job as a mom.
Do those lunatics at these rallies even realize that Senator McCain has a dark-skinned child as one soundman from the media was told by an attendee to “Sit down boy”? What would their reaction be if she walked onto the stage in front of them? This is for them to confront, but one hopes that she does not. Bridgette does not need to hear such racial epithets.
Now we move onto Sarah Palin who dropped the ceremonial puck at a Philadelphia Flyers game. First of all that franchise should have revoked that invitation given that the city they are based is known as the ‘City of brotherly love’ and Palin has done everything but shown this emotion in her verbiage. Hockey-mom or not, she deserved no reward for stoking up the fires of hate.
Our history proves we cannot relive this ugly time once again when so much damage was done to our country. We should all say, never again.
I also want to address how Palin’s daughters attended this event with their mother. As a hockey-fan myself and having attended games, I have seen items such as beer bottles thrown onto the ice. That truly bothers me as a fan of this action-filled game. Now we all know how Palin has attracted the lunatic fringe of her party, but one has to wonder of the odd-ball(s) that are out there who can throw bottles onto the ice. What would have happened if something like a beer bottle or a heavier object was thrown in the direction of her daughters and actually hit them thereby harming them or worse causing their death? Violent words do bring out the worst in some of us and perhaps Palin should not bring her children to any further rallies or events. Her first responsibility is to be their mom and to protect them. After all the Secret Service cannot have eyes on thousands of people all at once.
Being selected to run as a vice presidential candidate should be a positive experience from the eyes of a child of this candidate. I do feel the boos heard in that crowd may have caused an opposite reaction coming from her daughters.
As for being a hockey-fan the only thing I like to see thrown onto the ice are hats after a team-member has scored a hat-trick. For those of you who are not familiar with the game it is when one team-member scores three goals within a game.
Senator Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are to be commended for keeping their two small daughters out of this campaign and are clearly thinking of their safety. After all the Obama daughters do not need to be exposed to such hatred directed towards their father. Perhaps the McCains’ and the Palins’ can emulate them by ratcheting down the hateful bigotry where we are all being exposed to it.
The children across America do not deserve to be exposed to this hate and the Republican candidates are indeed leaving America’s children behind. Their behavior does not seek to unite this country, but further divide it. We cannot forget what they have done in the past week and a half. If we are to truly hold presidential candidates to a higher standard then they must earn our respect and so far this Republican ticket has not done so.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
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