Mo, you're right: Wright is not only a "wackadoodle," he is a flaming egotist who has himself discredited all his learned and compassionate talk with Bill Moyers last Friday. He is not only saying "God damn America" in the abstract, he is saying "God damn America and everybody in it who doesn't recognize me as the supreme last word on the black church in America and God damn Barack Obama the politician," even though Obama has been the best hope for America as a presidential candidate who has had a real chance to take us at last in a direction we all hunger for.
I've seen a press conference in which Barack reluctantly denounced Wright's barnstorming tour of egotism of the last few days, and it's clear that the infantile behavior of the man has taken a lot of fight out of Barack. I know why. Barack said this:
"I have spent my entire adult life trying to bridge the gap between different kinds of people. That's in my DNA, trying to promote mutual understanding to insist that we all share common hopes and common dreams as Americans and as human beings. That's who I am, that's what I believe, and that's what this campaign has been about."
I fear that those words are going to be this good man's epitaph. I wish it were not so but I don't believe in miracles the way I once did.
Two other African-Americans, Gene Robertson in the Washington post and Bob Herbert in the New York Times, have said that Reverend Wright does not speak for them or for most of the black community but for himself. E.J. Dionne in the Post said that the campaign has shrunk from a great to a small one.
Small campaigns for small people. The chickens have come home to roost, indeed. The press eats this shit up and we eat it up. We get what we deserve.
Footnote: By the way, even though I damn Wright for his wackadoodle behavior, I believe that he has been rendered wacky by the endless loop sound-bite of his sermons that have dismissed and caricatured the man. In his shoes I think I'd do the same thing he has done. The chickens have come home to roost. R.I.P.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
The Media Strike Again
Mo, Dear Mo, you are as shallow as the 24/7 Fixed Noise people when all you get out of -- or all you choose to report of -- Reverend Wright's interview by Bill Moyers is that he totally damned Barack -- or so you would like to leave the impression he did, by lifting the sound bite about sic semper "politicians" -- and ignoring everything else. But he's a "wackadoodle" -- isn't he? -- so you can dismiss all he said and all that was reported of the distinguished life of this intelligent, learned, righteous, patriotic man. And by the way, I saw Barack in person a few days ago and he was bubbly as ever. I noted you commented on his clothes. At least no earth tones. Hillary get her pantsuits from Penney's? Where does McCain get his clothes? Navy surplus? Get a life, Mo. Be relevant. I know you can.
Irked but hoping the best is yet to come,
J.T. Evans
Also, Elizabeth Edwards (yes, wife of Senator John Edwards) had an excellent op-ed worth one's attention. It was about the lame-brained media's inability to investigate and report on things of vital interest to the citizens of this nation.
Irked but hoping the best is yet to come,
J.T. Evans
Also, Elizabeth Edwards (yes, wife of Senator John Edwards) had an excellent op-ed worth one's attention. It was about the lame-brained media's inability to investigate and report on things of vital interest to the citizens of this nation.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Reverend Wright with Bill Moyers
Here is the transcript of the interview of the Reverend Jeremiah Wright by Bill Moyers on the April 25th airing of Bill Moyers' journal. Please read it. This good, learned, righteous, patriotic man is an asset to Barack Obama, not a liability. His words were inspiring to me.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Reply to a Loved One about the Town Hall Meeting
Glad you enjoyed the post. I enjoyed writing it and am grateful for the response I got. I wish there were a downtown office in Madison where I could go and volunteer for Barack twelve hours a day. It felt really wonderful to be there with the people. It was a time of peace and harmony and joy. I'm glad I went.
I think Barack very much wants to take the high road and he is, as he says, kept from doing so by "distractions." He's taking a lot of hits right now from the media, who think they are being "fair and balanced" because the Clintons have accused them of being easy on him and hard on them. The Clintons are like Bobby Knight, who was always yelling at and intimidating the refs to try to influence their calls.
I mentioned the race of people at the gathering and I was thinking about it. The population of Indiana is 9% black, which is less than the total national proportion, which is maybe 12% now, and I guessed that maybe 20-30% of the folks at the town hall meeting were black, and there might have been more than that. Yes, I am very aware of race, and I think it's time we integrated this land and got together and did away with all the irrelevant nonsense. The media are shit-stirrers (note my mention of Chris Matthews, one of the worst) and are trying to see problems and divisions where none exist -- so they will have something to talk about between commercials. If you want to know how I feel about race, read the speech that Barack wrote, or better yet, watch and listen to it. I loved Barack when he defended the Reverend Wright, saying, "I can no more disown him than I can disown the African-American community." That was what a "mensch" -- a good, moral, courageous person -- would do. Honestly, I believe all the other candidates of recent times -- especially Hillary Clinton -- would disown a friend and mentor, who had been damned in one endlessly aired sound-bite which distorted and misrepresented the truth, and would disown him in a New York minute. At least for the public record.
I think Barack very much wants to take the high road and he is, as he says, kept from doing so by "distractions." He's taking a lot of hits right now from the media, who think they are being "fair and balanced" because the Clintons have accused them of being easy on him and hard on them. The Clintons are like Bobby Knight, who was always yelling at and intimidating the refs to try to influence their calls.
I mentioned the race of people at the gathering and I was thinking about it. The population of Indiana is 9% black, which is less than the total national proportion, which is maybe 12% now, and I guessed that maybe 20-30% of the folks at the town hall meeting were black, and there might have been more than that. Yes, I am very aware of race, and I think it's time we integrated this land and got together and did away with all the irrelevant nonsense. The media are shit-stirrers (note my mention of Chris Matthews, one of the worst) and are trying to see problems and divisions where none exist -- so they will have something to talk about between commercials. If you want to know how I feel about race, read the speech that Barack wrote, or better yet, watch and listen to it. I loved Barack when he defended the Reverend Wright, saying, "I can no more disown him than I can disown the African-American community." That was what a "mensch" -- a good, moral, courageous person -- would do. Honestly, I believe all the other candidates of recent times -- especially Hillary Clinton -- would disown a friend and mentor, who had been damned in one endlessly aired sound-bite which distorted and misrepresented the truth, and would disown him in a New York minute. At least for the public record.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
A Face in the Crowd
4/23/2008. Half-past ten. In the midst of the Obama crowd. I'm glad I came. Festive. Maybe it's time to party at last!
The place is filling up, the gym at IU Southeast in New Albany. Got here soon after nine o'clock and a long queue had already formed in the parking lot. I got in line and soon a Courier-Journal reporter interviewed a lady next to me and then me. Finally! My first ink in the C-J, maybe. She asked me if Barack might do something which would ensure my vote. My reply: "Choose Lee Hamilton for Vice President or Secretary of State."
Stood two hours in the bright, increasingly warm sun. Quite pleasant, but glad I had my hat because my hair is getting thin at the crown of my scalp, as Mandy warned me last year.
Visited with a couple probably in their mid-fifties, white, who were probably of my ilk: watchers of Countdown, among other things. The woman particularly disliked Hillary. She asked me if I would vote for Hillary should the old girl get the nomination instead of Barack and I said I would -- given the truly gruesome alternative -- but would be damned unhappy about it. I hope the question soon becomes moot. [*See below.]
Gorgeous spring day. The doors stand open and people keep filing in. Redbud blooms are splendid this year. A corridor of redbud runs along Indiana Road 3 for miles before it reaches Charlestown. It just so happens that a detour has routed traffic along it on the route to the Falls Cities. I gobbled up the eye candy en route to the town hall meeting this morning. A joy I can't describe, let alone explain.
Young woman with a tot, both of them sitting on the asphalt, give me a bottle of water. I offer to pay her but she refuses. Came here without sense enough to have brought even a drink. Haven't broken fast today and I hope I'm not one of those unfortunates to pass out. I DOUBT IT: I can live on my fat for six months.
All kinds of people, all sizes and shapes and colors. Young, old, black, white. Plenty of older whites like me. Couple of kids from Corydon in the lot: one confesses he ditched today. I say I won't tell. Field trips are educational too. They ask us to save their place while they go smoke. I say I will if they quit. They promise. It's at the top of their list. I reflect that my step-grandson, Bee Jay, couldn't spell politics until Barack. Now he's informed on the issues and talks animatedly about them. (He's a father now, Rosie a great-grandmother -- Magnolia Reid Elles, "Maggie," b. 2008-April-05.)
Haven't seen anyone from Madison. Not surprised and not greatly disappointed. Sure the Democrats there all fell in love with Hillary when they saw her knocking back a shot and a beer and talking guns and shit. She's just one of the boys with her $109 million last year. Of course I'm an elitist. Don't deny it. I stand apart in pity and look at real men vote against their economic interests because the Republicans AND HILLARY distract them with ... distractions. They take the bait every time. It is really, really sad.
Well, if Barack doesn't win we're going to be *Bushed!* again by one or the other of his opponents for the foreseeable future. They will be whores to the special interests in a way I believe Barack will not. God help us.
***
Woke at 6:55 by the alarm clock, a rare experience. Was able to get my e-ticket printed. Had tea with milk and sugar, and poured some coffee to take with me but didn't remember to drink any of it until I was almost here and it was cold. Got away c. eight and took the detour (356 & 203 & 3) back to 62, then came across the Lee H. Hamilton Hwy & I was here.
Several vendors were selling T-shirts and campaign buttons. Noble-poor, I bought none, although there were some neat ones. One or two people were campaigning for themselves, one a Libertarian. His son gave me a pencil. I thanked him.
Lots of security. A cop outside had a German shepherd to sniff bombs or whatever but he (she) looked too happy and playful to help much. I see one secret service guy with his spiral white cord behind his left ear. He too seems amiable and not menacing. Went through metal detectors, like at the airport.
Many good-looking women of all ages. That's always a plus for me. Particularly struck by a pink-complexioned blonde, Scandinavian looks, perfect, traipsing around trying to sign up volunteers. I ask her if she's a Democrat. She says, "I'm a liberal Democrat." I say I am too and tell her I wish there were more like her at Hanover College. "Maybe they're beginning to wake up and smell the coffee," I say. "I hope so," she says, and smiles.
I guess the only person I will recognize as soon as I see him will be Barack. Suppose it's just as well. I visit with a tall, well-built African-American man, with generous gray in his hair and a Bible and a Daily Bread devotional booklet. He has a front tooth with a silver cap. He is a minister. He asks me if I have a church home. I talk about my religious journey. He listens and does not judge. I like him and am sure the feeling is mutual. He is informed on the issues and is committed to Barack.
It's 11:18 and they're still coming into this gym and there's a good bit of room yet, although the really choice seats are pretty well gone. Hell, I could have had a good breakfast and taken my time.
I think I've seen only one Latino -- Latina, actually, young, nearby. Many African-Americans. And of course the TV yakkers (morons all) will say that that is the reason for Barack's appeal.
It just now occurs that a perfect person to have come with me today would have been Warnie. Wish I'd thought of him before now.
Actually, I think the "Latina" is Asian.
Enough. Enough of the electioneering. Leave that to Chris Matthews and the rest of the morons. What will be, will be.
CNN & the locals are here to televise. Rock music playing on the p.a. Sounds good. But no Jimmy Smith. Barack and Michelle probably don't listen to Jimmy Smith. Would they not know who he is?** Chicago? Highly educated? Active in the community? I'd bet even money they do know who he is.
**[There was an organ rendition of "America" playing and I said to the pastor that I'd like to hear it by Jimmy Smith. He didn't know who Jimmy Smith was! I asked the girl beside me, black, if she knew who Jimmy Smith was. She didn't. I have a lot to learn myself. A white girl in front was half-in on the chatter and she didn't know either. I got a laugh from them all by standing up and yelling "Does anybody here know who Jimmy Smith is?" I didn't really "yell," just pretended to, cupping my hands around my mouth like a megaphone. The white girl said she'd like it if John Mellencamp were here to warm up the crowd. (He has been for both Hillary and Barack.) Everybody knew who John Mellencamp was. And I'm sure the pastor more nearly my age would know Motown names if I mentioned them (except I don't know very many).] Excuse this digression, which I added later.
I didn't write any more after that, i.e. at IUS, in my spiral-bound notebook with my fountain pen. Had no intention to when my main man showed.
He did, and the buildup was exciting. He had an adoring crowd and he did great. The particulars are in the C-J story I mentioned above. His talk was not directed at trashing Hillary. He mentioned her as his opponent in the primary but he is already focusing on John McCain's shortcomings and he was convincing. He answered questions fully and clearly. He looked and sounded presidential to me. It was a great experience for this old Peace Corpse, reminiscent of the youthful excitement we felt when JFK was in his glory. I long for my lost youth and would like to be a tireless campaign worker for "the skinny kid with the funny name."
* One sour note. An editorial in the New York Times on April 23rd, "The Low Road to Victory," needs attention paid to it. It speaks for itself.
The place is filling up, the gym at IU Southeast in New Albany. Got here soon after nine o'clock and a long queue had already formed in the parking lot. I got in line and soon a Courier-Journal reporter interviewed a lady next to me and then me. Finally! My first ink in the C-J, maybe. She asked me if Barack might do something which would ensure my vote. My reply: "Choose Lee Hamilton for Vice President or Secretary of State."
Stood two hours in the bright, increasingly warm sun. Quite pleasant, but glad I had my hat because my hair is getting thin at the crown of my scalp, as Mandy warned me last year.
Visited with a couple probably in their mid-fifties, white, who were probably of my ilk: watchers of Countdown, among other things. The woman particularly disliked Hillary. She asked me if I would vote for Hillary should the old girl get the nomination instead of Barack and I said I would -- given the truly gruesome alternative -- but would be damned unhappy about it. I hope the question soon becomes moot. [*See below.]
Gorgeous spring day. The doors stand open and people keep filing in. Redbud blooms are splendid this year. A corridor of redbud runs along Indiana Road 3 for miles before it reaches Charlestown. It just so happens that a detour has routed traffic along it on the route to the Falls Cities. I gobbled up the eye candy en route to the town hall meeting this morning. A joy I can't describe, let alone explain.
Young woman with a tot, both of them sitting on the asphalt, give me a bottle of water. I offer to pay her but she refuses. Came here without sense enough to have brought even a drink. Haven't broken fast today and I hope I'm not one of those unfortunates to pass out. I DOUBT IT: I can live on my fat for six months.
All kinds of people, all sizes and shapes and colors. Young, old, black, white. Plenty of older whites like me. Couple of kids from Corydon in the lot: one confesses he ditched today. I say I won't tell. Field trips are educational too. They ask us to save their place while they go smoke. I say I will if they quit. They promise. It's at the top of their list. I reflect that my step-grandson, Bee Jay, couldn't spell politics until Barack. Now he's informed on the issues and talks animatedly about them. (He's a father now, Rosie a great-grandmother -- Magnolia Reid Elles, "Maggie," b. 2008-April-05.)
Haven't seen anyone from Madison. Not surprised and not greatly disappointed. Sure the Democrats there all fell in love with Hillary when they saw her knocking back a shot and a beer and talking guns and shit. She's just one of the boys with her $109 million last year. Of course I'm an elitist. Don't deny it. I stand apart in pity and look at real men vote against their economic interests because the Republicans AND HILLARY distract them with ... distractions. They take the bait every time. It is really, really sad.
Well, if Barack doesn't win we're going to be *Bushed!* again by one or the other of his opponents for the foreseeable future. They will be whores to the special interests in a way I believe Barack will not. God help us.
***
Woke at 6:55 by the alarm clock, a rare experience. Was able to get my e-ticket printed. Had tea with milk and sugar, and poured some coffee to take with me but didn't remember to drink any of it until I was almost here and it was cold. Got away c. eight and took the detour (356 & 203 & 3) back to 62, then came across the Lee H. Hamilton Hwy & I was here.
Several vendors were selling T-shirts and campaign buttons. Noble-poor, I bought none, although there were some neat ones. One or two people were campaigning for themselves, one a Libertarian. His son gave me a pencil. I thanked him.
Lots of security. A cop outside had a German shepherd to sniff bombs or whatever but he (she) looked too happy and playful to help much. I see one secret service guy with his spiral white cord behind his left ear. He too seems amiable and not menacing. Went through metal detectors, like at the airport.
Many good-looking women of all ages. That's always a plus for me. Particularly struck by a pink-complexioned blonde, Scandinavian looks, perfect, traipsing around trying to sign up volunteers. I ask her if she's a Democrat. She says, "I'm a liberal Democrat." I say I am too and tell her I wish there were more like her at Hanover College. "Maybe they're beginning to wake up and smell the coffee," I say. "I hope so," she says, and smiles.
I guess the only person I will recognize as soon as I see him will be Barack. Suppose it's just as well. I visit with a tall, well-built African-American man, with generous gray in his hair and a Bible and a Daily Bread devotional booklet. He has a front tooth with a silver cap. He is a minister. He asks me if I have a church home. I talk about my religious journey. He listens and does not judge. I like him and am sure the feeling is mutual. He is informed on the issues and is committed to Barack.
It's 11:18 and they're still coming into this gym and there's a good bit of room yet, although the really choice seats are pretty well gone. Hell, I could have had a good breakfast and taken my time.
I think I've seen only one Latino -- Latina, actually, young, nearby. Many African-Americans. And of course the TV yakkers (morons all) will say that that is the reason for Barack's appeal.
It just now occurs that a perfect person to have come with me today would have been Warnie. Wish I'd thought of him before now.
Actually, I think the "Latina" is Asian.
Enough. Enough of the electioneering. Leave that to Chris Matthews and the rest of the morons. What will be, will be.
CNN & the locals are here to televise. Rock music playing on the p.a. Sounds good. But no Jimmy Smith. Barack and Michelle probably don't listen to Jimmy Smith. Would they not know who he is?** Chicago? Highly educated? Active in the community? I'd bet even money they do know who he is.
**[There was an organ rendition of "America" playing and I said to the pastor that I'd like to hear it by Jimmy Smith. He didn't know who Jimmy Smith was! I asked the girl beside me, black, if she knew who Jimmy Smith was. She didn't. I have a lot to learn myself. A white girl in front was half-in on the chatter and she didn't know either. I got a laugh from them all by standing up and yelling "Does anybody here know who Jimmy Smith is?" I didn't really "yell," just pretended to, cupping my hands around my mouth like a megaphone. The white girl said she'd like it if John Mellencamp were here to warm up the crowd. (He has been for both Hillary and Barack.) Everybody knew who John Mellencamp was. And I'm sure the pastor more nearly my age would know Motown names if I mentioned them (except I don't know very many).] Excuse this digression, which I added later.
I didn't write any more after that, i.e. at IUS, in my spiral-bound notebook with my fountain pen. Had no intention to when my main man showed.
He did, and the buildup was exciting. He had an adoring crowd and he did great. The particulars are in the C-J story I mentioned above. His talk was not directed at trashing Hillary. He mentioned her as his opponent in the primary but he is already focusing on John McCain's shortcomings and he was convincing. He answered questions fully and clearly. He looked and sounded presidential to me. It was a great experience for this old Peace Corpse, reminiscent of the youthful excitement we felt when JFK was in his glory. I long for my lost youth and would like to be a tireless campaign worker for "the skinny kid with the funny name."
* One sour note. An editorial in the New York Times on April 23rd, "The Low Road to Victory," needs attention paid to it. It speaks for itself.
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