McCain and the Raging Right

// added October 14, 2008 // 11 comments //
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DeliaTheArtist
"Are we witnessing the reemergence of the far right as a power in American politics? Has John McCain, inadvertently perhaps, become the midwife of a new movement built around fear, xenophobia, racism and anger?

McCain has clearly become uneasy with some of the forces that have gathered around him. He has begun to insist, against the sometimes loud protests from his crowds, that Barack Obama is, among things, a "decent person."

Yet McCain's own campaign is playing with powerful extremist themes to denigrate Obama. When his running mate, Sarah Palin, first brought up Obama's association with 1960s radical Bill Ayers, who has become a centerpiece of McCain's attacks, she accused Obama of "palling around with terrorists." What other "terrorists" was she thinking about?

Since Obama was a child when Ayers was part of the Weather Underground, and since even Republicans have served on boards with Ayers, this is classic guilt by association.

Ayers has been dragged into this campaign because there is a deep frustration on the right with Obama's enthusiasm for shutting down the culture wars of the 1960s.
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Precisely because Obama is not a baby boomer, he carries none of that generation's scars. Most Americans (including most boomers) are weary of living in the past and reprising the 1960s every four years.

Yet culture war politics is relatively mild compared with the far-right appeals that are emerging this year. It is as if McCain's loyalists overshot the '60s and went back to the '50s or even the '30s.

What we are witnessing is the mainstreaming of the far right, a phenomenon that began to take shape with some of the earliest attacks on Bill Clinton in the 1990s.

False claims that Obama is Muslim, that he trained to overthrow the government and that he was educated in Wahhabi schools are a standard part of the political discussion. These fake stories come from voices on the ultra right that have dabbled in other forms of conspiracy, including classic anti-Semitism. McCain and his campaign do not pick up the most extreme charges. They just fan the flames by suggesting that voters don't really know who Obama is, hinting at a sinister back story without filling in the details. That is left to the voters' imaginations.

The tragic irony here is that McCain was the victim of some of the very same extremist forces in the 2000 South Carolina primary.

To bring McCain down, some of George W. Bush's supporters on the far right peddled all manner of falsehoods about McCain, raising despicable charges about his time as a POW and suggesting (again falsely) that he had fathered an illegitimate child of color. In the past, McCain publicly condemned some of the very people who are now going after Obama."

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11 comments // McCain and the Raging Right

  • 10ft
  • ACrisisinAmerica
    • 0
      ACrisisinAmerica  
    • Many good points here. But don't you think the prime point should always remain the separation
      of church and state? I see historically that once we start funding any institution that is faith based
      it creates divides and poverty in society.

      This is difficult for westerners to understand because most do not think about karma naturally in
      their minds, but instead it is fear, guilt, punishment and reward, and that is reward only when you
      comply. It is the "Whip and the Honey" doctrine that western society lives by. Is it not imbued in
      our currency, "In God We Trust", - the means of our livelihood? The ancient text clearly states
      this is a recipe for disaster.

      America such a young country, just a little over 200 years old, Rome lasted over 2000 years and
      was destroyed by the same religio-political crimes. It is sad that the human race cannot seem to
      learn from history.

      I have come to realize the powers that be, the world bankers and politicians that want to control
      the world have control over the financing and markets, and until that changes, and America starts
      running America in a manner that will create stability and wealth, our freedoms will continue to
      slip away. We have already lost the cornerstone of our constitution our 4th amendment rights.
      We are not united, they are working to divide us with a two party system. Only when we have a
      viable third party will it ever really change.

      Everything is cause and effect, and thus the world is an exact reflection of the collective minds of
      the people, "Esho Funi" i.e. life and environment are one. Therefore, the power of what we think
      collectively is the key to happiness and enlightenment for the entire human race. This I have
      spent a lifetime in practice and study to discern clearly. We are creating a collective karma
      everyday, like a pond that one throws multiple stones in, so are our thoughts, deeds, and actions
      rippling through the universe and creating the effect from those collective causes, either good or
      bad. It is a simple formula for happiness. Each person taking responsibility for making the right
      causes, being kind and generous; while having real and heartfelt compassion for the entire human
      race. Those are the kinds of people we need as politicians.

      Best Wishes,
      Stephen Paine

    • 1 year ago
  • missionaryhunter
    • 0
      missionaryhunter  
    • because you are ignorant you peddle vile lies that will backfire on all you country ass hick ass blind religous people in the future. prepare yourself for what you are unwittingly releasing.

    • 1 year ago
  • WhichWayIsUp
    • 0
      WhichWayIsUp  
    • Barack Obama is not a muslim nor are his wife and children, this assertion is absurd and unfortunately typical of the extreme right's sinking to the lowest smears because they have no working policies.
      Todd Palin is a secessionist, and was for many years a member of the AIP, Sarah Palin addressed the AIP conference THIS year and suggested they keep up the good work. That is much more worrying. Many american voters are Muslim, Jew, Hindu and other persuasions,its not a crime to be non-christian, religion is not a political stance. Obama is not a muslim, he is a loyal, patriotic and decent american citizen. Is Todd Palin?

    • 1 year ago
  • Nozlo
    • 0
      Nozlo  
    • My eyes are wide open and like millions of others we can see right through you and your distorted arguments. If and when you have something useful to contribute to these discussions we will be willing to listen.

    • 1 year ago
  • jon_parsons
    • 0
      jon_parsons  
    • Nozlo:

      I wonder sometimes if people like that are even worth the time and effort. Pathetic. It's no wonder the rest of the world looks at the US as a backwards, racist nation.

    • 1 year ago
  • scubbieduu
    • 0
      scubbieduu  
    • Obama is a muslin...changing his American name, Barry, to a muslin name, Hussian, is exactly what happens when one becomes a muslin. We are not all blind to facts as the Democrats are prone to be. Obama did not sit in Rev. Wrights church, be mentored by Wright without knowing what Wright believes and tells his congregation to believe. Ayres himself admits he is quilty of 'Terrorism' against America.To top it off Obama, by his own words, is racists. Open your eyes, one does not have to be very smart to see the picture here.

    • 1 year ago
  • KD0BQM
  • oblivious
  • jon_parsons
    • 0
      jon_parsons  
    • scubbieduu:

      A muslin, huh (BTW, it's MUSLIM)? You say that, then in the same paragraph, mention his CHRISTIAN pastor. Obama is not, in his own words, "racist." I think you have been misinformed. By the way, Obama was BORN Barack Hussein Obama. He didn't change it. He went by Barry when he was younger, and later decided to go by his real name. Are you really so xenophobic and bigoted that you hold his name against him? It's time to grow up. Remember, Jesus was a middle-eastern Jew, not a blue eyed Caucasian! You are living proof that the public education system is FAILING.

    • 1 year ago
  • Found_Avenue
    • 0
      Found_Avenue  
    • scubbieduu:

      LOL Scubbieduu! You keep misspelling Muslim!!! This is not the first time you've needed correcting on this forum!

      Now, before posting on here again, I suggest that you do one thing:

      Read a daily newspaper. Every day. For a week. Any newspaper - anything that carries national and world news. Just do yourself THAT favor, and try and feed your brain with some information before attempting to state your opinions clearly to others.

      Additionally, your posts are slightly unintelligible. In the future, please have someone with a better grasp on the english language proof-read your replies before you post here, if you're concerned with really getting your points across clearly.

      Thank you!

    • 1 year ago

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