So Let's Talk About Assassination, Shall We?
Yes. I heard it. But Hillary Clinton's only one of the most recent public figures to bring up that dirty little unmentionable in American political history. She inferred, more than once, that she, in effect, might as well stay in because -- well -- something could happen (presumably to her Democratic competitor, Barack Obama), maybe even something similar to what befell Robert F. Kennedy 40 years ago. She brought it up at all in an attempt to name at least two examples of primary campaigns continuing into June, the other example being her husband's first presidential run. However, the record now shows that most of her listeners concluded something completely different.
The most miserable part of this is the fact, the sad fact, that those fears and dreads even have to exist, that they're even there, lurking in the back of our minds, whenever we see some political figure rise from the herd to offer leadership and inspiration. It's sadder still that those fears and dreads are based on tragedies that are very real, very cataclysmic, and very heart wrenching. Frankly, I'm sure that a similar sense of dread has crossed the minds of Clinton's supporters understandably worried about her safety. In fact, I'd bet on it.
So okay then, let's talk about assassination. It's the crazy uncle we all try to keep shut away in the attic where nobody really has to deal with it or face it. But there's talking about it and then there's talking about it.
I don't find Hillary Clinton's statement nearly as offensive as I do the callous, cavalier, reckless, at best ill-advised, smart-ass remark by another woman who should know better, far better than even Clinton should. Exhibit A: veteran newswoman and Fox News Channel commentator Liz Trotta, who should be severely reprimanded, or suspended -- or more -- for the following:
"And now we have what, uh, some are reading as a suggestion that somebody knock off Osama, um uh, Obama, well both if we could (laughs)."
Way to go, Liz. Voice that repulsive, thoughtless, criminally-negligent arrogance on a cable network already distinguished, along with most of its viewers, for not standing up and saluting Barack Obama. In the interest of being truly "fair and balanced," I will say she apologized the next day, at the end of a long segment, but only after prompting from interviewer Bill Hemmer.
I once admired Liz Trotta for the foundational work she did -- as a woman covering wars and international news in a time when women seldom if ever had a chance to prove themselves on such beats. She was a pioneer for women in broadcast journalism, and cut paths through uncharted terrain for all the rest of us women who came after her. Many of us saw her as an inspiration and a role model, in the same pantheon as Pauline Frederick, Catherine Mackin, and Barbara Walters.
It's with shock and a deep sense of disgust that I say shame on you, Liz Trotta. At age 71, with all those decades of experience in locales ranging from the nation's capital to the biggest network newsrooms to any number of overseas war fronts, you should have known better. You're a battle-tested professional who's been at it way long enough not to make as glaring and stupid a "slip-up" as that regardless your personal politics, much less to offer an apology that sounded more like a mea culpa for having thrown the white underwear in with the red bath towels.
Hillary's apology hasn't exactly been hailed by all quarters for its sincerity, either, but at least she had sense enough not to smirk. Trotta's contribution -- perhaps because of the sideways smile that accompanied it -- had all the sensitivity of a Dick Cheney torture-rationalization meeting. Further, she compounded the unsavory taste of her statements by referring to this as "a very colorful political season." Meaning what, Liz? In any other context that might be a relatively droll line, but you've now established your "credibility" on this subject. Therefore it will be justifiably tweezered, scrutinized, and slammed.
Roger Simon of Politico.com, guesting on MSNBC's "Hardball," asserted "you just don't go there." Unfortunately, some people have done just that. The visuals alone from a mid-month Georgia weekly magazine (The Roswell Beacon) cover featuring a picture of Barack Obama in the cross hairs of a rifle are stomach-turning enough. This whole sordid sub-chapter in the campaign also got a fairly high-octane boost recently when Mike Huckabee weighed in with a literally funereal attempt at a joke. His didn't merely wish, off-handedly, that somebody would rub Obama out, but instead painted a "hilarious" scene in which Obama allegedly heard a gunshot and dove under a table in the back of the room at a big NRA gathering. A real laugh-riot, that one -- NOT. The former McCain opponent also should have known better. Much better.
Huckabee, you slay me.
Roswell Beacon editors, you damn near horrify me.
Trotta, you deeply disappoint me.
Senator Clinton, please don't go there anymore, especially since the 40th anniversary of RFK's assassination is upon us. And for heaven's sake, don't start joking about it.
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
Whose flag is the bloodiest? America's flag is the bloodiest!
Her comments are real and they are the parroting of what she probably hears from her African-American supporters.
There are two reasons that African-Amerticans are hesitant to vote for Obama.
1. He cannot win because white people will not vote for him so why waste my vote.....d
2. They will never let him take office
These are the two arguments that Hillary and her supporters use to divide the party and also will attempt to use to unite the party if she is given the nomination.
So don't believe her when she says her words have no meaning...
I would hope the African Americans Hillary supporters wouldn't be
so stupid as to relay that to Clinton--especially since she can
count and knows--as you say-- that first point is false. But truly, I know
she has written the black vote off and doesn't care through her desperation.
And as to number two ---the only "they" that's working hard to keep Obama out
would be Hillary and her minions. So again, I would like to think the intelligence
level of her supporters would be a bit higher. But delusion is running rampant over
there, so you may be correct.
This African American supporter of Obama (formerly Hillary, before she
lost her mind) hopes everyone gets back on track, stops talking about killing people
and remember who we really have to beat in November.
Both 1 and 2 are ignorant reasons. As a black southern in the 60's people said that white people would never end segregation. Change came and Change is coming, man may slow change down but they will never stop it. Why? Because everything is the Will of God.
I am really sick of people who keep referring to this talk of assassination as a gaffe, a slip-up, a poor choice of words, mis-speaking etc.
Sounds to me like you're all just trying to excuse the speaker for what he/she said. You refuse to call it exactly what it is: baiting!
If these persons in these positions of importance like Huckabee, Hillary and Trotta, not only repeat things like this but utter them after the have already been uttered by someone else, I am way past thinking that what they said was a mistake. I do not buy that for a minute so please stop trying to sell me that story.
These people are despicable for the mere suggestion of such a thing happening to anyone, especially the most prominent black candidate this country has ever seen. What they said was obviously in their thoughts all along and I am appalled that anyone would try to diminish the impact by telling me they mis-spoke.
That people continue to vote for and support a candidate who would utter such a thing speaks a lot to the type of people making up the American electorate. Sometimes people really do end up with the candidate they deserve.
I AGREE 100%!
IT IS NO Miss-Spoke!
When Ed Rendell Said That Some White People In Pennsylvania will not be ready to vote for a black candidate. How The Hell He Know This To Be The Fact? Does He Have Friends That Said They Are Racist and Would Not Vote For The Dark Skin Guy?
EVENT IF THIS IS THE FACT, WHY BRING IT UP ON NATIONAL 'Right Wing" TV Towards a Fellow Democrat?
HE KNEW VERY WELL WHAT HE WAS DOING, Provoking and Stirring Up Racial Prejudice!
AS A WHITE Jew, A BLACK, Hispanic or Indian Man Coming To My Town To Campaign, I WOULD "NEVER" MAKE RACIALLY CHARGE STATEMENTS LIKE THAT Especially On National Tv, Repeatedly.
"All that is necessary for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing." -Churchill I am so heartened by the commentary I read by good people posting here and in other places. I am committed to never letting Huckabee speak on air again in peace. Nor Trotta. I will write stations and advertisers in perpetuity. Because people like Huckabee, Trotter and sadly, even Clinton think they're so much cleverer than the American public and that we have short memories and attention spans. But what they've done strikes at the core of Constitutional free speech in that the right to free speech comes with certain responsibilities this trio has smugly chosen to ignore. I feel duty bound as an American citizen to call them out, forever, for their arrogance and contempt.
Surely you can't be so disingenuous as to believe Hillary's comment had merit even as a means of providing examples of other long-lasting campaigns? Her examples had all begun later and ended long before this point in the runnings, much shorter. If she's not tasteless and perhaps evil, then she is at least stupid or willing to fudge the facts in making her point, neither of which our nation can afford after the current leadership.
Given Trotta's professional accomplishments, which this article makes certain to point out, can we really be so naive to think her distasteful comments were at all an accident? I think not. Just as EVERYTHING that exits Hillary Clinton's mouth is calculated, Liz Trotta can certainly be held to the same higher standard.
Are we now supposed to believe that TV shows do not have directors, producers, scripts and delay circuits which were all not used to stop the "Slipup"? That crack was no slip. It was crafted to associate Barack Obama with Osama Bin Laden.
The suggestion being that he is a fair sniper target because he is guilty of the crime of having rhyming name!
Here is a truth for you: We the people are tired of being sold out by the parasites in Washington who are choking the life out of our nation. The more intense your flailing to stop Barack Obama, the more certain we become that he is not owned by you. The more certain we become that you are vulnerable and our nation can be saved from you parasites. All he would have to do to become the greatest president in history would be to put back the legal political and financial system which was in place pre 1930. A new Camelot the American dream for all Americans.
Mike Huckabee, Hillary, and now Trotta....
When Huckabee made it remark or "joke", whatever, i thought it was stupid, but right know, after Trotta's, I am now convinced that it was calculated. There is a pattern to this. Drop the idea to these crazy people out there and then apologize. But their apologies does not stop those nuts they sent their messages to from thinking about it, does it?
Politic is a noble thing, but these are the kind of people that makes it a dirty game. God forbid, if anything should happen to Obama, these people sure have a lot of explaining to do.
PS
The sound that preceded Huckabee's comment. That i now believe might have being stage so that he drop his "joke". That should be investigated.
Yikes! Of course Mugabe and Obama should be mentioned and compared in the same breath! Obama is tearing down the Democrat Party's only *viable* candidate in this important election, just like Mugabe is going to kill his victorious opponent, and all his adherents! What a bloodbath is in the cusps!
And you *still* want such a controversial person, one who clearly advocates the notion that America is diminished, the 225+ year dream now dead, that we must be relegated to driving clown cars and eating third-world food to be our leader??
Gimmee a break! :-)
Are you medicated or what?
"That's a good way to get yourself into SERIOUS trouble. This is America, not arabia.
posted by Atticus, 05/28/2008 at 13:59:36 "
This is America, not upper whitelandia lower crackeristan.
"Sorry, anyone who knows anything about regression analysis knows that its accuracy probability is about 45%. posted by Atticus 05/28/2008 at 12:25:42"
the accuracy probability for all regression analysis's is about 45%? IT IS YOU WHO KNOWS NOTHING OF REGRESSION ANALYSIS
"Only the libs are upset abouit this most-American of political realities.
posted by Atticus (with regards to Assassination) 05/28/2008 at 15:04:08"
That's because nobody's ever been assassinated for maintaining the status quo.
You act as apologist and spin doctor. Don't you get it? You feign disgust at Trotta.. but at the same time you discount the fact that Clinton enabled her to do that.
She lost.
She did it to herself.
Thankfully, Clinton will drag her carpetbag home (wherever that is), soon... and we can just allll forget about that divisive, destructive, self-serving power-addict.
A crazy nut job attempted to take down the Republican's white middle class golden boy Reagan!
Why doesn't anyone believe that this is a real threat for the Sen.Obama, and why would Clinton mention such a thing?
Given the shrill tenor of some of her supporters, if somebody'll do it for Jodie Foster, somebody'll definitely do it for Hillary Clinton... now THERE's a cult of personalit
I think this is all blown out of proportion.
To me, as an American and Obama supporter, the most offensive statement made by HRC during the whole campaign is comparing this election to the current situation in Zimbabwe. that should be insulting to all Americans.
Is there voter fraud + intimidation here? probably in small pockets in the country.
Is the primary system perfect? No. Did both candidates agree to be governed by certain rules that are currently in place? yes.
However, none of any of the so-called inequalities can be compared to the reign of terror Mugabe has imposed over the better part of 3 decades in that poor, poor countrry.
This election season is painfully long, and somet things said are going to be poorly worded and lack some tact. I'm sure she wishes she could take back the RFK statement, but i don't see any malice in it. just too sense.
There is a comparison between Zimbabwe and the Democratic primary. However, in this case it is Clinton, not Mugabe, who is trying to rig the election by changing the previously agreed upon rules.
Naivete perpetuates this unending deceit. Clinton is a seasoned veteran...
Wow... Hillary Clinton is making a case for herself by undercutting the credibility of American democracy? Her exceptionalism knows no bounds.
Look, its like referring to the holocaust--not in scope obviously--but in kind.
When referring to the holocaust a smart and sensitive person is aware that they are handling an issue of cultural trauma--and so a thoughtful wise person thinks very carefully about how he or she invokes the reference. It is the same here--again, not in scope at all--but certainly JFK, RFK, and MLK's assassinations are cultural traumas. These were all figures arguing for social change.
I mean, people remember where they were when Jack and Bobby and Martin were killed. A lot of people feel anxious about the change they want now so badly being destroyed--just like the RFK assassination ended the change he promised.
HRC was unwise, insensitive, thoughtless, and most significantly--she was definitively un-presidential when she made the RFK assassination remarks.
Like the article---but you mean "imply" not "infer"
"She inferred, more than once, that she, in effect, might as well stay in because -- well -- something could happen (presumably to her Democratic competitor, Barack Obama), maybe even something similar to what befell Robert F. Kennedy 40 years ago."
This means that she has arrived at this conclusion based upon suggestions from OTHERS who are implying this position.
You meant "imply." What you meant to say was that SHE has suggested this position without explicitly stating it. In other words--she wants us to do the inferring.
Sorry---sorry---
I attended an Obama rally last Friday in Sunrise, FL. While I understand the uproar over the assassination comments, I must confess that at the height of the Obama rally--when the positive energy being generated by Obama and the crowd's reaction to him was almost overwhelming--the thought that crossed my mind was that if he gets elected, he becomes a very serious threat to the status quo, and in turn he would be in serious danger.
I guess one thing the younger Obama supporters should try to remember about older liberals--Obama supporters or not--is that we know what it is to see the lunatic fringe of the Establishment rise up and slay those who would give us hope for the future. What the lunatic fringe accomplished in the late 1960s set the stage for all of the deplorable criminality and bogus policy-making seen in the running of the US government for the last 40 years [Jimmy Carter's administration being a notable exception].
Fair warning to the Lunatic Fringe: you will not shock us into submission again.
voiced in a manner that can only be done so by someone who lived through tragedy .. i know many people who feel this way, but without the words to articulate it as you just did
I ATTENDED THE RALLY ALSO, In Sunrise Florida, and I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING!!
HE Brings Hope and the Possibility of this Country and the Record Crowd, Over 16,000 that Kept Coming, Felt that as well!!
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
