Letters to the Editor
Reality-based Liberal
Published Letters: 774 Editor's Choice: 100
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One other point
[Read the article: The difference between Jeremiah Wright and radical, white evangelical ministers]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Given the numerous posts, I'm sure this view has been espoused, but it bears repeating. There is a difference between "deserves" and having ones "chickens come home to roost." Someone who drives drunk doesn't "deserve" to die in a car crash, but his chickens would be coming home if he did.
And when we compare chickens, there is a huge moral difference between saying gay rights helped bring about 9/11 and saying 50 years of imperialist militarism helped bring it about. It is inherently racist to simply claim that whole populations are mad at us because they are clinically insane and that our overthrowing of their governments -- including democratically elected ones -- has no role. Shit, a country we don't like simply having weapons we don't want them to have is cause for us to kill -- an accepted point of view in MSM -- yet we can actually use our weapons and someone is insane to harbor a grudge, let alone think about "defending" themselves?
Wright may be a little kooky, but he is not the insane person in our national conversation -- not by a long shot.
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@ kimbah
[Read the article: The crazy uncles in Obama's attic]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]FYI, Clinton's healthcare plan has a stronger role for government than Obama's. In fact, Obama is considered more liberal because his supporters tend to be more liberal -- but on his votes and policies (except for early opposition to the war) he is, if any different, to the right of Clinton.
The reason bigger liberals like him is that his campaign creates a bigger mandate for change -- which opens the door for liberalism. It's a gamble for us liberals. He could be just like B. Clinton, promising hope and delivering the status quo, but the mere chance for something different is enough given the assurance that H. Clinton and McCain come from the establishment.
So I could argue that the most you could say ideologically is that Obama might be anti-establishment (or less pro-establishment). Calling him more of a "big government" liberal is just not supported by either the record or the rhetoric.
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@ odog11
[Read the article: The crazy uncles in Obama's attic]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]So you are saying that Hillary Clinton is responsible for everything Bill Clinton, and everyone she's ever been associated with, did or said? If so, I will admit you are consistent.
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@ odog11
[Read the article: The crazy uncles in Obama's attic]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Look, either Clinton is responsible for everyone she's interacted with and so is Obama, or neither is. You pick your standards. If you choose different standards, then I know all I need to know about you.
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@ odog11
[Read the article: The crazy uncles in Obama's attic]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]So to be clear, you believe that Obama and Clinton should be judged by different standards -- and that you belive Glenn Greenwald will back you up.
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@ kimbah
[Read the article: The crazy uncles in Obama's attic]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Sorry -- didn't mean to mischaracterize your comments. I think we're too distant in world views. I love this nation, but I am ashamed by its behavior. I think you can be outraged by your own history and still love your nation -- like a good friend who drinks too much. I guess we just have to agree to disagree.
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@ kimbah
[Read the article: The crazy uncles in Obama's attic]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I was not saying you drank too much. I mean our nation. I can still love America and think that it's got a lot to apologize for, like a relative who isn't living up to his/her potential. That's all I meant to imply. I don't think Rev. Wright is insane -- we are a nation with much to account for, but that does not mean we are inherently evil, and I am an American, regardless of my political views. I want to make my nation the best that it can be, even when it's not.
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Joan!
[Read the article: Was Obama's speech enough?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Why doesn't he just bow out? Is that what you want?
Not all great people are perfect. Wright has clearly lifted the lives of thousands of people throughout his life. This has been a relatively universal view of the man until one of his parish ran for president, and only then did his imperfections come to define him. You and others want to see a few Wright speeches that make whites who never went to his church uncomfortable seared into Obama like a cattle brand. Why? Because you think Obama should lose, not because this is any kind of justified behavior.
I asked in another string (with no answer): Is Clinton responsible for everything Walmart ever did? She was on their board, she didn't just shop there. Is Clinton responsible for everything her husband did -- EVERYTHING -- she didn't go to his church, she married him -- and remains married to him.
Of course Clinton is not responsible for everyone who's crossed her path. So let it fucking go and look at the candidate. Your claim that it's about Obama's statements on which sermons he heard and which ones he didn't doesn't hold water: first, who cares? Second, it's not like Clinton's excuses for things in her actual line of work haven't "evolved."
You like the other candidate. Only someone who likes the other candidate can see the outrage in Wright without the ability to recognize your bizarre double standards.
Shame on you!
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I'll add
[Read the article: Was Obama's speech enough?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The attacks on Wright -- especially after this speech -- is so below the belt that the only people who enjoy it are dyed in the wool Clinton fans. I imagine that this kind of shit shows just how empty the Clinton tank is and will backfire. Every normal person that doesn't live in the bullshit beltway world knows exactly what it's like to have people you care about who aren't perfect. If everyone dumped their close friends and associates every time someone said something dumb, no one would have friends. People get that.