Is The GOP Trying To Instigate Race and/or Religious War Accidentally Or On Purpose?
So now John McCain is attacking Obama for his association with Prof. Rashid Khalidi. Khalidi is a Palestinian-American who has consistently supported Palestinian recognition of Israel, has opposed terrorism, and promoted Washington's efforts to produce an Israeli-Palestinian agreement. Yes, he is connected to the PLO, the organization Israel negotiates with (Netanyahu negotiated and shook hands with Arafat, for heaven's sake) and recognizes as the "legitimate representative of the Palestinian people."
But, as you can see here, McCain likens Khalidi to a neo-Nazi. Why? Not because he believes it (McCain has a long-time association with Khalidi too) but because the Republicans' latest strategy is to count on (1) Jews being such such racists that, so far as we are concerned, any association with any Arab is bad and (2) hey, this is what the McCain Republicans do.
Of course, this does not compare with McCain and Palin's embrace of that liar in Pennsylvania who claimed a black guy carved a B into her face. If McCain or Palin had the slightest shred of patriotism in them, they would not have run with that story even if it was true. Even if it was true, it would have had nothing to do with the Democrats and, a story that incendiary, could cause innocent people to be killed. (Even they must know the long terrible history of where blood libels against black men have led in this country).
But they grabbed the scarlet B, embraced it, hugged it to their collective bosoms, and found out within hours that it was a hoax perpetrated by their supporters.
No matter. So what if people died? Not their problem. Just like they happily use incitement at their rallies and if, God forbid, it leads to the national tragedy we all have nightmares about, so what. Not their problem.
So McCain will certainly not apologize to Jews, African-Americans and now Arab-Americans (who, even more than the other two groups, are now the popular target of hate crimes). Heck, have Republicans ever considered apologizing to gays and lesbians for inciting against them for 30 years now?
Being a rightwinger means never having to say you are sorry. For anything.
There are two kinds of Republicans. There is the Colin Powell kind who worries about the feelings of a seven year old Muslim American kid who has to endure the smears against him and his family by the GOP. Then there is the McCain-Palin kind of Republican who happily victimize any vulnerable group or individual that fits the bill.
It's called scapegoating and it has a long, long history.
Can Republicans honestly believe that Jews, Jews of all people, will fall for that? How dumb do they think we are?
There is no question that this is deliberate. They would rather burn down the house than see Democrats in charge. They are the worst sort of losers who throw tantrums that would embarrass a 4 year old.
October 29, 2008 2:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
At the very least they hope to set the house on fire, so they can complain that Obama let it burn, or hasn't put it out yet.
October 30, 2008 10:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
This was dreamed up in the so-called "minds" at Kristol's National Review. You can tell by the stench o'hate.
Yes, they are trying to instigate a race/religious war. Duh.
October 29, 2008 2:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
errgh, Weekly Standard. National Review is Lowry's rag.
October 29, 2008 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
These folks try as hard as they can to script reality. They often have worked out positions sitting on the shelf so they can exploit any opportunity they can imagine.
I'm reminded of the Dalai Lama's response to the question, "Why were the Chinese able to conquer Tibet after so many failed attempts?" The Dalai Lama replied, "I know what you mean but this time they were so organized."
It's not that these folks are particularly brilliant or insightful. They are extremely organized and well funded. They set up all these "think tanks" and have folks working night and day coming up with narratives and training surrogates. They can't help but take risks but they try not to leave anything to chance.
Everybody worries about an "October Surprise." Everybody should remember the "You don't roll out a new product right before labor day" remark. I also recall someone saying, "I'm not sure we have anything sitting on the shelf to address that issues." Look at all the stuff PNAC put together while the current regime was out of power.
They take propaganda very seriously and employ very sophisticated ways of manipulating language itself and hire experts to help them with this. They look for issues that cause an emotional response strong enough to cut off cognitive centers.
The problem, for which we pay the price, is that their judgment is bad and, as a result, the outcomes are disasters. You might say they excel at doing the wrong thing well.
October 29, 2008 2:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is also the minor detail that the Republicans in general, and John McCain in particular, have actually funded Khalidi in the past:
See: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/28/mccain-funded-work-of-pal_n_138606.html
October 29, 2008 3:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/10/mccain-miami-rally-getting-ugly-down.html
His followers, as well as Palin's, are getting a whole lot closer to the sort of "neo-nazi" allegations he makes against Khalidi than anything Obama, Khalidi, or anyone else on "our" side approaches. McCain and his followers are veering into the basest corners of the human psyche for their material lately, and it will remain a disgrace on what remains of his reputation for a very long time.
The dustbin of history may be too good for them when all is said and written about this sorry excuse fr a Republican campaign.
October 29, 2008 3:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
On purpose.
October 29, 2008 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rashid Khalidi is an American citizen born in the "not-American" part of this country known as NYC. As a Jew I know his positions well (he's an excellent writer) and I don't agree with many, but I'd love to meet him and talk with him. We wouldn't convince each other of much I suspect, but we'd respect each even more afterwards. As we say, Shalom.
How dare those jew-and-arab-haters in the republican party disrespect such an important and talented man. You don't have to agree with everyone; just show some respect. When the person gives you reason to disrespect them, then it's different. But McJackass and Failing don't know the man and what he's accomplished and thus are jerks at best.
October 29, 2008 4:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
When are people going to recognize that McCain is nothing like what the news media portrayed him to be? The man is clearly intelligence challenged, morality challenged, and patriotism challenged. Just look back at his real life story, and not the fake one the news media dreamed up. This is not a nice man, by any measure.
Once you recognize the real John McCain the rest is easy to understand. He is doing just what the real McCain should have been expected to do.
October 29, 2008 6:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hoppy Dude: last weekend, a startling letter authored by Dr. Ana Dubey regards her experiences with McCain while on a vacation to Fiji in 2000 was removed from the website of singer/songwriter Neil Young. If you're not familiar with it, I highly suggest you check it out, because it has been put back in place: http://www.neilyoung.com/lwwtoday/index.html
Seeing that it was gone, I sent Mr. Young a message seeking clarification. I said that I thought that he owed everyone an explanation. I guess that I embarrassed him. Whatever, the doctor lives is San Francisco and practices as a psychologist. It is very much worth a look. No response from Neil as yet.
October 30, 2008 4:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
The neilyoung site is a MUST READ!! First hand account of what a scary, crazy, mean, nasty a-hole John McCain is. Very powerful and highly disturbing. Thanks for the link. Here it is again so you don't have to break a sweat scrolling up.
http://www.neilyoung.com/lwwtoday/index.html
As an adopted Asian, I find his statements about his daughter to be flat out child abuse. I can't speak for all adopted pan asian peoples, but I find the ethnocentric attitude of McCain, an assumption that all orphans are blessed to be rescued by a rich, white, angry, mean, American racist, is a deeply egocentric fantasy. Who calls their daughter 'that thing' and 'ugly, black, cripple'? Way to rock the charitable (not) side of your character, McCain. I'd rather live in a mud hut and eat dirt in India than be adopted by that old thing McCain.
http://www.neilyoung.com/lwwtoday/index.html
October 30, 2008 10:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Likely the reason it was taken down was that the provenance of that letter is unknown. I don't know that it's bogus, but to the best of my knowledge, it has not been fully authenticated, either, and it's pretty incendiary material to put on your page without being sure that it's genuine.
See: http://www.snopes.com/politics/mccain/vacation.asp
October 30, 2008 3:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why doesn't the LA Times release the tape?
By keeping it secret, the credibility of those saying Obama is "toasting a terrorist" is increased.
Release it and let the chips fall. This is ridiculous. The LA Times is making matters worse.
October 29, 2008 6:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Times promised confidentiality to that source. (Apparently this is only important when it's good for the GOP. [/s])
October 29, 2008 6:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd like to see Sen. Obama call on the LA Times to release the tape in a statement that says (a) he has fundamental disagreements with Khalidi about how best to keep Israel secure while promoting a two-state solution, and (b) calling McCain positively unhinged for this attack considering McCain helped fund Khalidi's group in the 90's.
October 29, 2008 7:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Te Republican Party has long been affiliated with anti-Constitutional "states' rights" nuts groups such as "The Federalist Society" (which is not about "Federalism"; it is about anti-Federalism)and the "Neo-Confederates" -- both of which oppose the Federal Constitution and gov't, and at least one of which is intent on "finishing" the Civil War the way they want it ended.
So the notion that the Republicans are trying to start a race war -- reignite the Civil War -- is not only the fact but also not exactly news.
October 30, 2008 2:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
xenophobia hard at work here--his name's Rashid, he must be evil.
Obama doesn't adopt the opinions of everyone he associates with--he's not zelig. (Woody Allen movie reference.)
What has become so clear during this election is that diversity is not one of the founding principles of the GOP.
I think the visual contrast of the people that attended the Democratic convention and those that attended the GOP convention, as well as those who have attended the different parties' rallies is so striking and transparent and telling.
Diversity is the founding principle of America.
We need an inclusive leader that can exercise global intelligence.
We can't overestimate the importance of international collaboration in the 21st century.
I know Obama gets this.
But when I hear Palin speak, it seems that in her mind, America is the only country on the planet.
October 30, 2008 10:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
diversity is not one of the founding principles of the GOP.
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The GOP is about the diversity of White Only. And not-so-secretly that doesn't include, as most prominent examples, Jews, Irish, or Catholics.
October 30, 2008 2:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess the McShame campaign had to go back to Muslim-baiting because of the news that McShame met unconditionally with the Chilean Dictator Agusto Pinochet.
October 30, 2008 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Diversity is the founding principle of America.
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The reality if not actually the principle. Jefferson agonized that his "religious freedom" statute would "legalize" being Catholic -- but he did it anyway.
Ben Franklin's "Almanac" was publushed in several languages, including German.
Basically, the colonists who founded the various "British" colonies weren't all from Britain.
October 30, 2008 2:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
There are two kinds of Republicans. There is the Colin Powell kind who worries about the feelings of a seven year old Muslim American kid who has to endure the smears against him and his family by the GOP.
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But not about the feelings of the hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians -- "ALL" of them being Musilim -- killed and maimed by the US's illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq, facilitated by the "admirable" Powell more than anyone else.
Aned not the feelings of the unknown number of Muslims who, being found guilty of nothing more than targets for the attributed "terrorist" label, we subjected to the war crime of torture, in the planning and imposition of which Powell voluntarily participated.
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Then there is the McCain-Palin kind of Republican who happily victimize any vulnerable group or individual that fits the bill.
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Gee, that sounds just like Powell -- the first to "investigate" -- and cover up -- the My Lai massacre.
The willing participant in the planning and imposing of the war crime of torture onto Muslim "terrorists".
October 30, 2008 2:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
W T B D...Worse Than Bob Dole!
He calls this a campaign run?
October 30, 2008 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Last night on Bill Moyers Journal, Glenn Loury of Brown University said: "You do what you have to do to win an election. But then after the election the person has to govern. And now what has been said about that person continues to echo in the minds of citizens. And I'm worried that in this case the suggestion that Obama is somehow going to get in the White House and... sell out the country will hurt all of us should he win and need to govern."
On a more personal note: Tuesday will be the tenth time that I vote in a Presidential election. Thanks to the Republican campaign style, it will also be the tenth time that I have been told by the opposing campaign or its surrogates that my vote is somehow either naive, traitorous, perverse, un-American, or sinful. Like Loury says, you do what you have to do to win an election, but enough, already! How often do I have to be told that I'm voting against God?
November 1, 2008 5:15 AM | Reply | Permalink