McCain's Panic in PA, More Than Just Ugly
The panic whipped up by the McCain campaign in PA sounds horrific because of the ugliness and hate that it pours into the election, but the real threat it poses is to our ability to get things done. If John McCain were to win the election by kicking up enough anti-Muslim, anti-African-American, anti-Liberal, conspiracy theory rage--he would have transformed the country into utter chaos in the process. Such a campaign--if victorious--would push our civic culture beyond the point where it was able to recover and function. And under such conditions, McCain would ultimately preside over a nation capable of little more than pitchforks and torches.
More and more it seems that John McCain has bet the farm on winning Pennsylvania by turning the race as ugly as possible, which means abandoning all pretense of healthy civic exchange. The results are disquieting. In recent days, a Republican group circulated an email claiming that a vote for Obama was tantamount to enabling the rise of Hitler and would lead to a 'second Holocaust.' Can it get worse than that? Apparently, it can. At a rally in Pottsville, McCain supporters gather in a threatening mob shouting 'Terrorist!' 'Communist!' 'Child Killer!' and openly call for the death of Sen. McCain's opponent. As high profile Republicans endorse Obama and reject the politics of bigotry and violence, McCain continues to stoke the rage in Pennsylvania in some vain hope that the destruction of democratic culture in one state will win him the chance to lead the country.
(video credit: www.keystoneprogress.org)
Everybody should watch this video. As disturbing as it is to see McCain supporters in Pennsylvania shout horrific and violent epithets about Sen. Obama, the sad reality is that videos shot at McCain rallies have become the key political symbols of the 2008 political race.
Either one walks away from watching these videos disgusted, or one walks away believing the voices of those shouting. The middle ground has vanished.
As the 2008 race winds down, McCain's cynical campaign in Pennsylvania and other close states has succeeded in undermining any semblance of debate over real problems in America. In shouting violent epithets, the McCain supporters in Pottsville have abandoned any interest in real problems, choosing instead to tilt at windmills. Is America in real danger of a Manchurian candidate seizing hold of the White House by hiding his true identity from billions of people the world over for decades? Sadly, that is not even the real question that concerns the country. What we should all be asking is: Can we afford to waste even one more second on useless bigotry and fear that does nothing but prevent us from working together to solve real problems?
The answer is a resounding: No!
Imagine what it would mean for the United States and the world if the mob politics of McCain's campaign were to dominate the next 8 years. It would ruin this country--destroy it every level.
A victory for McCain delivered by an enraged campaign mob would shatter any and all possibility for deliberative democracy. Democratic government based on conversation would give way to rule by mobilizing panic. If victory comes at the hands of rage and panic, governing by the same is quick to follow.
What a world it would be. A world completely devoid of solutions to any of the problems we face. A world without healthcare. A world without retirement security. A world without effective education. A world without renewable energy. A world not fueled by optimism and American pragmatism, but by constant, never ending alarm.
The McCain campaign panic Americans see in Pennsylvania is more than just a window onto an ugly side of American life. It is a warning.
© 2008 Jeffrey Feldman, Frameshop
Follow Jeffrey Feldman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JeffreyFeldman
Loading comments…
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
Now I understand why my former friend up the street here in Georgia is the way she is. She stopped speaking to me after I sent her one too many emails about Obama early in the campaign. She is originally from Pennsylvania. It all makes sense now. She's a bigotted racist. Too bad, she is raising 4 boys and now I know how they'll turn out. How very sad. I fear what is going to happen after Nov. 4 in some of these places.
Obama/Biden '08-'16
Not much to say about hate seen end heard yet again that has not already been said.
Earth Wind and Fire said Keep Your Head to the Sky
http://www
The Stylistics said People Make the World Go Round
http://www
Marvin Gaye asked What’s Going on and What’s Happening Brother
http://www
Martin provided the bottom line on this ugly subject of hate. He diagnosed its origins and prescribed the cure for its disease. Yet some are still struggling?
http://www
There is really nothing else to say other than in this year 2008 is the video of hate captured and reported upon an indication of a dwindling fringe minority or the tip of a submerged and hidden feeling of pervasive bigotry. We shall soon find out and that is the beauty of this year. There can be no spin after this year. One can only hope and trust that decency prevails and hate is driven from amongst us like dinosaurs realizing and confronted by deadly asteroids of massive realization that divide based on hate, hurts nations wholly.
***Correction -- "seen and heard"
They will be so proud when their kids get to see this from the perspective of fifteen or twenty years into the future.
I suppose, by then, they will all claim to have reborn several more times.
As disturbed and disgusted as I was by the video, I'm comforted by the outrage from everyone against the hate and racism we all saw. I rarely read every post after an article but I did this time and was encouraged by what I read. In another time, people might not have cared so much.
Now do people see what Congressman Lewis was talking about?
Can you see what Rev. Wright was so pis sed about?
Do you see WHY Michelle Obama made those "proud" comments?
Now white posters, PLEASE, tell me how a black person getting angry and pointing this video out (and similar attitudes) is racist or race-baiting? Someone rationalize that goat-rope, please try it.
I've had my eyes opened in many ways since proudly displaying my support of Sen. Obama's campaign. I've been harrassed and I have also been welcomed with open arms both in ways I could not have really imagined. Do I have a little bit better perspective as a result of it? You bet I do and I hope I never forget it. I have become a part of history by being involved in the Obama campaign and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
There's still time ... get involved ... find your local campaign office and get involved!!
http://my.
I think John McCain owes John Lewis an apology.
I think Cindy McCain owes Michelle Obama an apology.
But who are we kidding, they will never do it because they think they are always right.
John Lewis is an American hero.
THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO WATCH VIDEOS OF THEMSELVES
At this point, they'd probably be proud if they saw it. Give it time and then show it to them and see what they think.
These are simply bad people on the right.
I'm from PA, too, and John Murtha was right on the money when he said that western (and a lot of the rest of PA), is racist and redneck. I live about 60 miles east of Pittsburgh and a lot of my neighbors are uneducated, redneck, racist, ex-coal miners who are extremely bitter. These people would not vote for a black man if he promised to make each one of them a millionaire. Welcome to the world of trailer parks, double-wides, satellite dishes, four-wheel drive pickups and guns.
Yeah...I lived in Ohio outside of Cleveland for 7 years. I was stunned by the level of flat out racism. Traveling thruout Ohio and beyond, it was just as stunning for me. I'm from the Pacific Northwest and was just floored by it.
Pennsylvania was absolutely beautiful; reminded me of home.
Could you or anyone else here, offer some insight as to what is driving this rage, anger and hate?What exactly is it that Blacks have done to these people that causes this behavior? I've seen no other group display this intense degree of animus, even those who have been victims of such. I'm not trying to be glib. I would really like to here from someone White who lives or has lived amongst people like this. Please educate me.
Fox "news" and republican propaganda radio.
I was born in Europe.... so tolerance for anyone and everyone was instilled in me early.
I can't comment on the racism as I wouldn't live next to these people if you paid me. This is true white trash.....
GREAT ARTICLE!!! I am from PA & I know exactly what McCain & Palin are doing. There is a lot of hidden prejudice there & he is tapping it & stoking the fire.
It's not hidden!
I'm sure PA is a really beautiful state...bu
I'm from Arizona and you'd think this would be the reddest, red neck kind of place, but we don't EVER see stuff like that here. Ever. I have neighbors who are pro McCain but we respect each others point of view.
Pennsylvan
Actually, PA used to be a beautiful state.
It has the 2nd worst water in the US from ground pollution, its economy is dead and its people.... well..... the video speaks for itself.
I'm sure there are exceptions to the rule.....b
Unfortunately, it's NOT so hidden! I've heard it first-hand while visiting one of my daughters on her college campus (who, btw EARNED a scholarship to her college, or is that 'socialism at work???), and the N-word is alive and well in PA.
VOTE NOVEMBER 4TH!! BRING A FRIEND!!
Damn you socialists
But you know, it is moving to see the protesters (Obama supporters) in the video were different races. Not all black, not all white. I fills me up with pride in having voted for Obama.
I really want to believe that that majority of Americans are sickened by the McCain race baiting tactic, but we won't know the answer until late November 4th and find out that Obama has won despite the negative, race baiting, terror filled, hate campaign that McCain has engaged in.
An Obama win would hopefully mean the end of this type of McCain campaign because the message would have been sent that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
Will we have to see this level of nastiness when the Democrats nominate a WOMAN, or an HISPANIC, or an ASIAN for the Presidency?
Will we have to go through with all of this until it becomes commonplace for ANY American of ANY race, ethnic or religious background assumes the office?
What happened to ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL?
I don't think it'll be as bad as it is now, but we have to get through it & get over it so American can advance.
In this country there seems to be an order of advancement. After white men, its black men, then women, and then other ethnicities. People forget that when we all came here in the early 1600's, all men (white & black) had the right to vote if they owned land. A white woman could own thousands of acres of land and still not be able to vote.
JMHO, but if a black man cannot achieve it in this country, no other minority will either.
I have an idea. After the election, let's all pitch in an move everyone who wants to go up to Alaska. Palin can be their esteemed leader.
Reuben, Reuben, I've been thinking
What a grand world it would be
If the Rethugs were all transported
Way up to the Alaska sea!
I learned that as a kid in OR--with original words of course.
Don't you think that native Alaskans have suffered enough?
Great idea. They can all join The Palins Secessionist movement and Todd can lead them into the wilderness aboard his snow mobile.
The crazy man yelling and pointing his finger like a gun.......
You know that is an interesting point. As much as all these people have 'in common' (hatred), they would turn on each other in a SECOND if push came to shove.
What's sad is probably 100% of these people spewing hate will do better under a Obama/Biden administration than a McCain/Palin administration.
They're just too DUMB to realize it!!
They don't understand that McCain don't give a F&%K about them!!
All these people are the children left behind by the Boosh education program !
Good point. Although it doesn't explain the older adults. Shameful.
People vote on the basis of internal narratives and mostly on emotions of fear and anger. The noise the Republicans are making this week is the noise to stir up fear, anxiety, anger, and rage because based on stirring up those fears they hope to swing the election to McCain. Politics is played from the gut and not from the mind. This is why I fear for the Obama campaign. It may not be up to the challenge of real down and dirty screaming and yelling politics.
This video highlights some very negative people, and its easy to get discouraged watching it. However, I believe that there are more of us than them. If you want proof, VOLUNTEER for Obama. You will meet such a diverse group of positive people. Help yourself by helping Obama. If you can take the time, you will be rewarded with meeting the coolest group of people who are optimistic, smart, and open minded. Let's tune out the negativity by helping the Obama campaign get out the vote. We have 7 days to get it done! VOLUNTEER TODAY FOR A BETTER AMERICA TOMORROW.
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
