The River

Friday, September 05, 2008


The Anti-Obama Hate-Fest

By Robert Parry
September 4, 2008

[excerpt]

Beyond the GOP's reality-challenged speeches, there was the startling image of a nearly all-white convention – where only 36 of the 2,380 delegates were black, the smallest number in at least 40 years – rollicking in ridicule and bristling with animosity toward Obama, an African-American.

With their loud chants of “drill, baby, drill” regarding energy policy and boisterous shouts of “USA, USA” about “victory” in Iraq, there was a sense that St. Paul was hosting a convention of American Falangists, rather than that of a modern national party.

The whiff of authoritarianism extended to outside where demonstrators and journalists were swept off the streets in indiscriminate arrests.

What’s less clear about the GOP convention is whether the Republicans are on to something, that perhaps the United States has crossed over into a post-rational society that cares little about facts and reality or serious policy ideas and respectful debate, but rather is a nation moved by anger and ridicule, fear and nationalism.


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On those last two paragraphs: it's more than a whiff of authoritarianism and they are definitely on to something. Can you name one rational thing about the "war on terror"?

Comments:
"Can you name one rational thing about the "war on terror"?

The question is relative, Bruce. If you are wealthy and connected, it will vastly increase your net worth.
 
True, Tim, but that isn't a rational, healthy way to go about increasing wealth.

Not saying it doesn't work. Organized crime does pay.

But can you name one rational thing about the WOT as it has been officially and politically discussed these past seven years?
 
Bruce--
Irrational people, (i.e. the ones who declared the WOT) are incapable of rational thought. That's what I meant by the use of word 'relative'. To them, it IS rational. To the rest of the planet (honest, clear-thinking people) there is no rationality to it, whatsoever.
 
You are so right, but what I want to know is, can we send all those people up to Bear Mountain for a picnic?
 
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