The Ferrett (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} theferrett) wrote,@ 2008-03-25 14:37:00 |
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An Experiment: Can I Type Blind?
So Barack Obama's pastor said some nasty things about America, highlighting two of Barack's biggest vulnerabilities - the fact that he straddles a very uncomfortable racial divide, and that with a name like "Barack Hussein Obama" and a black skin, he clearly must be an American-hatin' Muslim in disguise. As a result, Barack's numbers have plummeted, the Republicans are rethinking who'd be easier to beat, and Barack may ultimately lose the nomination if the superdelegates abandon him. Even if he does win the nomination, what his pastor said may cost Barack the election.
And let me be clear: Barack's my guy. I've given over $300 to his campaign, and just shelled out an extra $65 yesterday. I've read his book, I like what he says, I like how he thinks... And this one pastor's remarks may have torpedoed what I think is the best hope for America's resurgence.
To which I say: Good.
A lot of people seemed to take umbrage at my Ralph Nader post, effectively saying, "Who is this Nader dick? Why should he have any special right to say who gets elected? Why should he have any right to interfere in the smooth machines of the Democratic and Republican parties? I'm not saying that my guy should win, just that Nader should step down if he's going to interfere with a Democrat's election chances."
To which I said, "The right to free speech is one other men have fought and died to keep. And the right for anyone to run for President because he thinks he can make a change in America? Same deal. People should have that right to act, because that's what America is about - everyone getting their say."
Am I thrilled by what the pastor said? Hell no. But I support the right for anyone to say what's on their mind, even if I disagree with it. Even if it hurts My Guy. Even if it stands against everything I believe in. Because that's what free speech is about, motherfuckers.
Free speech is easy when it comes for free. Letting someone stand on the podium and shout, "I think bunnies are cute!" may technically be free speech, but realistically it means pretty much nothing. Nobody's going to argue. But it does mean something when you let the other guy have his say, and what he says goes against your core beliefs, and your ideas might not be compelling enough to defeat. And when the truth as others see it is uncovered, sometimes it hurts others.
Arguing in America shouldn't consist of shoving a pillow over your opponent's face to shut him up, but rather airing out those ideas and opinions and convincing people with your arguments and rhetoric. And that's not just the elected officials, but anyone with a mouth and an idea. The glory of it is that anyone can make a difference, if they convince enough other people.
Does it always work properly? Nah. Ideas can be twisted, the defenders of your beliefs can fail to fight back effectively (calling Mister Kerry), and holding up a baby is always going to be more effective than discussing the fine details of the Bear Stearns disaster. And yeah, I'm convinced that a combination of great spin from the Republicans combined with a cringing terror from the Democrats ("Please don't call me 'liberal,' sir!") has kept the people I think should be running the country on the back foot for a long time.
But I believe strongly that the more opinions we have, the better. It doesn't always work out in the short run. But in the long run? I think it does. (And I think the Democrats' lack of ability to present compelling opinions is what costs them, ultimately.)
My guy may go down, simply because some pastor didn't get the notice that "Hey, the right guy's about to be elected, stop saying uncomfortable things so he gets in." Yet I'm all for his right to ignore that, because the right for each man and woman to say what's on their mind is, ultimately, more important than the spin factory of any election. The pastor had something he felt was important to say. And I say, let the man speak, no matter what the cost, as long as others can still talk when he's done.
At least that's what I'll say when I'm on the podium. You? Say whatever you like. Because I won't tell you to shut up.
So Barack Obama's pastor said some nasty things about America, highlighting two of Barack's biggest vulnerabilities - the fact that he straddles a very uncomfortable racial divide, and that with a name like "Barack Hussein Obama" and a black skin, he clearly must be an American-hatin' Muslim in disguise. As a result, Barack's numbers have plummeted, the Republicans are rethinking who'd be easier to beat, and Barack may ultimately lose the nomination if the superdelegates abandon him. Even if he does win the nomination, what his pastor said may cost Barack the election.
And let me be clear: Barack's my guy. I've given over $300 to his campaign, and just shelled out an extra $65 yesterday. I've read his book, I like what he says, I like how he thinks... And this one pastor's remarks may have torpedoed what I think is the best hope for America's resurgence.
To which I say: Good.
A lot of people seemed to take umbrage at my Ralph Nader post, effectively saying, "Who is this Nader dick? Why should he have any special right to say who gets elected? Why should he have any right to interfere in the smooth machines of the Democratic and Republican parties? I'm not saying that my guy should win, just that Nader should step down if he's going to interfere with a Democrat's election chances."
To which I said, "The right to free speech is one other men have fought and died to keep. And the right for anyone to run for President because he thinks he can make a change in America? Same deal. People should have that right to act, because that's what America is about - everyone getting their say."
Am I thrilled by what the pastor said? Hell no. But I support the right for anyone to say what's on their mind, even if I disagree with it. Even if it hurts My Guy. Even if it stands against everything I believe in. Because that's what free speech is about, motherfuckers.
Free speech is easy when it comes for free. Letting someone stand on the podium and shout, "I think bunnies are cute!" may technically be free speech, but realistically it means pretty much nothing. Nobody's going to argue. But it does mean something when you let the other guy have his say, and what he says goes against your core beliefs, and your ideas might not be compelling enough to defeat. And when the truth as others see it is uncovered, sometimes it hurts others.
Arguing in America shouldn't consist of shoving a pillow over your opponent's face to shut him up, but rather airing out those ideas and opinions and convincing people with your arguments and rhetoric. And that's not just the elected officials, but anyone with a mouth and an idea. The glory of it is that anyone can make a difference, if they convince enough other people.
Does it always work properly? Nah. Ideas can be twisted, the defenders of your beliefs can fail to fight back effectively (calling Mister Kerry), and holding up a baby is always going to be more effective than discussing the fine details of the Bear Stearns disaster. And yeah, I'm convinced that a combination of great spin from the Republicans combined with a cringing terror from the Democrats ("Please don't call me 'liberal,' sir!") has kept the people I think should be running the country on the back foot for a long time.
But I believe strongly that the more opinions we have, the better. It doesn't always work out in the short run. But in the long run? I think it does. (And I think the Democrats' lack of ability to present compelling opinions is what costs them, ultimately.)
My guy may go down, simply because some pastor didn't get the notice that "Hey, the right guy's about to be elected, stop saying uncomfortable things so he gets in." Yet I'm all for his right to ignore that, because the right for each man and woman to say what's on their mind is, ultimately, more important than the spin factory of any election. The pastor had something he felt was important to say. And I say, let the man speak, no matter what the cost, as long as others can still talk when he's done.
At least that's what I'll say when I'm on the podium. You? Say whatever you like. Because I won't tell you to shut up.
