Lost in last Friday’s news dump was the stunning-although-not-surprising admission by George W. Bush that he was not only aware of but approved the meetings held by his top advisers to discuss and approve the CIA’s use of torture.
The president of the United States admitted that his administration violated (and continues to violate) the War Crimes Act and the Geneva Convention.
Apparently just another ho-hum admission by this band of war criminals because where was our “liberal” media? Fanning the flames about “elitist” Barack Obama who rightly pointed out that this country’s poor and disenfranchised feel abandoned by their government. (Does that “elitist” label sound familiar? The media attached that word to Al Gore and John Kerry. Remember what happened to them? And have you noticed Hillary Clinton is now smearing Obama with the same word despite the fact that in 1991 Bill Clinton spoke a similar truth about economically insecure people?)
No wonder the Bush administration does whatever it damn well pleases; the media is like those parents who don’t offer guidance or supervision as their toddlers run wild in public places. It doesn’t matter how heinous the BuchCo crimes, they’ve learned there’s no accountability. The lapdog talking heads – Russert, Matthews, Stephanopoulos – will avert their gaze and focus instead on how out of touch Obama is because he can’t bowl. Why wouldn’t BushCo strive for the very bottom of the barrel?
I’m horrified to live in a country run by a government that openly admits to torture. I cannot believe we’ve reached this point. As unpleasant as it is to face the ugly facts, it is worse to remain silent on this issue. So I apologize for beginning the week this way but torture isn’t one of those family secrets that can be safely locked away. We need to shed light on this ugliness.
CrooksandLiars.com has joined the ACLU in its call for an independent counsel to investigate BushCo for its complicity in torture. You may add your name/voice there.
Tracy Abell 
It’s absolutely horrifying. Sometimes I wonder if we as a country have lost our decency and sense.
Thanks for the link, Tracy–I added my name.
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We’ve certainly veered off the path, haven’t we? I do believe, though, we’re going to return to sanity; it’s just going to take some time. A long time.
Thanks for adding your name, Lorraine.
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It’s absolutely horrifying. Sometimes I wonder if we as a country have lost our decency and sense.
Thanks for the link, Tracy–I added my name.
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nothing to see here. move along.
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Exactly.
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Thank you for posting this, Tracy. On the issue of Obama’s statements last week, I don’t completely agree, but as to the whole of your entry, we’re on the same page.
My heart is heavy…I grieve for all these criminals have done in our name (and to our name). So yes, I’ll add my name to the ACLU list.
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Thank you for adding your name, Melodye. I’m curious about your opinion on the Obama statements from last week (if you want to share).
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I agree that “the poor and disenfranchised feel abandoned by their government.” That’s certainly understandable and supportable with evidence. But that’s not what Mr. Obama said, except in the retelling, when he was trying to make syrup out of vinegar. He said they were “bitter,” which adds another layer of meaning, not positive. Also, I found it objectionable that Obama suggested that “bitter”ness made them “cling” to personal values and cultural traditions. What’s the inverse of that, I wonder?
Unfortunately, this self-inflicted injury also hurt a wide range of potential constituents and possibly the Democratic party. The wounds may take quite some time to heal. Sadly, and as you said so eloquently above, it’s distracting everyone’s attentions from other, urgent issues.
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I think Obama would agree he could’ve phrased his meaning more eloquently. But I truly have no problem with anything he said:
“And it’s not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”
It’s clear to me that he’s speaking of the GOP game plan which is to get people who are frustrated and angry about getting left behind to focus, not on the corporate reasons for their disenfranchisement, but on issues the GOP knows they will rally around such as perceived threats to their gun ownership or religious values or those brown people sneaking across the border to steal all our good jobs. I read WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH KANSAS? last summer which is all about this very thing. The reason the GOP has successfully rallied people on gays, guns, god, abortion, etc. is because the Democrats haven’t offered anyone who is substantially different on economic issues (John Edwards was that candidate this year and look how he was treated) so people support the candidates who speak to their strong feelings/fears on these other social issues.
I don’t see anything wrong with stating the obvious which is that many, many people in this country are bitter. I’m bitter and I’m angry and I’m horrified and I’m very worried for my children’s future. I know many people who feel the same way. I’m grateful whenever someone pulls back the curtain and tells it the way it is (although I can still wish they’d worded it more carefully).
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Just read your added remarks about his comment hurting potential constituents and hurting the Democratic party and so wanted to offer this link off Crooksand Liars:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/04/13/foxnews-rural-pennsylvanians-find-little-to-argue-with-barack-obama/
Interesting that the older white guy says Obama is spot-on in his assessment of people being bitter and that Obama is intelligent, etc. but then goes on to say he won’t vote for him. Hmm.
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I respect your reasoned opinion, Tracy, and though I don’t really think my personal views really matter all that much, I agree with almost everything you’ve said.
Still, we’re writers, you and I. We know that words carry different meanings for different people, and perceptions sometimes carry more weight than reasoned arguments. And what Obama originally said, whether intentional or not, really bothered me and (so it seems) many others.
I worry that Obama’s explanatory statements won’t resonate with people. I’d love to see a representative poll, not a man-on-the-street survey, that allays my concerns.
I love that we can have a respectful dialogue about this. Thank you! xo
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“I love that we can have a respectful dialogue about this. Thank you! xo”
Back atcha, Melodye! Thanks for taking the time to share your opinions. I appreciate that very much.
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Thank you for posting this, Tracy. On the issue of Obama’s statements last week, I don’t completely agree, but as to the whole of your entry, we’re on the same page.
My heart is heavy…I grieve for all these criminals have done in our name (and to our name). So yes, I’ll add my name to the ACLU list.
LikeLike
We’ve certainly veered off the path, haven’t we? I do believe, though, we’re going to return to sanity; it’s just going to take some time. A long time.
Thanks for adding your name, Lorraine.
LikeLike
I agree that “the poor and disenfranchised feel abandoned by their government.” That’s certainly understandable and supportable with evidence. But that’s not what Mr. Obama said, except in the retelling, when he was trying to make syrup out of vinegar. He said they were “bitter,” which adds another layer of meaning, not positive. Also, I found it objectionable that Obama suggested that “bitter”ness made them “cling” to personal values and cultural traditions. What’s the inverse of that, I wonder?
Unfortunately, this self-inflicted injury also hurt a wide range of potential constituents and possibly the Democratic party. The wounds may take quite some time to heal. Sadly, and as you said so eloquently above, it’s distracting everyone’s attentions from other, urgent issues.
LikeLike
I think Obama would agree he could’ve phrased his meaning more eloquently. But I truly have no problem with anything he said:
“And it’s not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”
It’s clear to me that he’s speaking of the GOP game plan which is to get people who are frustrated and angry about getting left behind to focus, not on the corporate reasons for their disenfranchisement, but on issues the GOP knows they will rally around such as perceived threats to their gun ownership or religious values or those brown people sneaking across the border to steal all our good jobs. I read WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH KANSAS? last summer which is all about this very thing. The reason the GOP has successfully rallied people on gays, guns, god, abortion, etc. is because the Democrats haven’t offered anyone who is substantially different on economic issues (John Edwards was that candidate this year and look how he was treated) so people support the candidates who speak to their strong feelings/fears on these other social issues.
I don’t see anything wrong with stating the obvious which is that many, many people in this country are bitter. I’m bitter and I’m angry and I’m horrified and I’m very worried for my children’s future. I know many people who feel the same way. I’m grateful whenever someone pulls back the curtain and tells it the way it is (although I can still wish they’d worded it more carefully).
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Just read your added remarks about his comment hurting potential constituents and hurting the Democratic party and so wanted to offer this link off Crooksand Liars:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/04/13/foxnews-rural-pennsylvanians-find-little-to-argue-with-barack-obama/
Interesting that the older white guy says Obama is spot-on in his assessment of people being bitter and that Obama is intelligent, etc. but then goes on to say he won’t vote for him. Hmm.
LikeLike
I respect your reasoned opinion, Tracy, and though I don’t really think my personal views really matter all that much, I agree with almost everything you’ve said.
Still, we’re writers, you and I. We know that words carry different meanings for different people, and perceptions sometimes carry more weight than reasoned arguments. And what Obama originally said, whether intentional or not, really bothered me and (so it seems) many others.
I worry that Obama’s explanatory statements won’t resonate with people. I’d love to see a representative poll, not a man-on-the-street survey, that allays my concerns.
I love that we can have a respectful dialogue about this. Thank you! xo
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My kids have been learning alot about our president lately and they are just as gobsmacked as I am. How did this guy get anywhere near power?!!! I don’t like election time either because it brings out the worst in candidates. I’m glad it will all be over soon.
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My kids are appalled, too, about the horrible and expensive legacy we’re leaving them. I’ll be glad when the election is over but then the hard work will just be starting. We gotta turn this thing around!
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Great post, Tracy. I’m sickened, too.
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Thank you for stopping by to read, Dot. I think it’s a universal sickness at this point. Sigh.
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“I love that we can have a respectful dialogue about this. Thank you! xo”
Back atcha, Melodye! Thanks for taking the time to share your opinions. I appreciate that very much.
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