Mindless Attacks

Somewhere during my time at AOL I made contact with a very political minded person that I will call Spider. Over the years he has sent me periodic mails about his political ideas, some of which I agree with and some of which I don't. And unlike most political "forwarders" Spider actually writes things for himself, he has sent me several Op-Ed pieces that he's had published.

However, some days he misses the boat by so much I feel compelled to reply. Today was such a day. Here's what he sent:

::insert HUGE picture of Barack Obama::

My fellow Identity-Americans:

As your future president I want to thank my supporters, for their... well, support.

Your mindless support of me, despite my complete lack of any legislative achievement, my pastor's relations with Louis Farrakhan and Libyan dictator Moamar Quadafi, or my blatantly leftist voting record while I present myself as some sort of bi-partisan agent of change.

I also like how my supporters claim my youthful drug use and criminal behavior somehow qualifies me for the Presidency after 8 years of claiming Bush's youthful drinking disqualifies him. Your hypocrisy is a beacon of hope shining over a sea of political posing.

I would also like to thank the Kennedys for coming out in support of me. There's a lot of glamour behind the Kennedy name, even though JFK started the Vietnam War, his brother Robert illegally wiretapped Martin Luther King Jr. and Teddy killed a teenage girl. And I'm not going anywhere near the cousins, both literally and figuratively.

And I'd like to thank Oprah Winfrey for her support. Her love of meaningless empty platitudes will be the force that propels me to the White House.

Americans should vote for me, not because of my lack of experience or achievement, but because I make people feel good. Voting for me causes some white folk to feel relieved of their imagined, racist guilt.

I say things that sound meaningful, but don't really mean anything because Americans are tired of things having meaning. If things have meaning, then that means you have to think about them.

Americans are tired of thinking.

It's time to shut down the brain, and open up the heart.

So when you go to vote in the primaries, remember don't think, just do.

And do it for me.

Thank You.

Sen. B. Hussein Obama

Anyone that knows me knows I'm not a Democrat (ok, not a registered Democrat, but that's for a different post). So, I'm not defending my candidate, but I am so sick and embarrassed by the smear campaigns being lodged against Obama that I felt I had to respond. Here is my response:

This mail was worthless drek. While I don't always agree with you, normally your mails are at least interesting and thought provoking. This mail is a perfect example of the drivel that has become so much a part of the mindless forwarding culture that continues to grow on the internet.

I'm surprised that it didn't mention all the other anti-Obama memes out there; latest pics of him in Kenyan garb, no flag on lapel, et al.

Come on Spider, if you're going to send me stuff, at least make it relevant, thought provoking and interesting...

Rereading my reponse, it does come off a bit harsh. And I didn't really add much to the debate instead, I basically called Spider names for sending me something I took issue with; which is not right.

Anyway, Spider replied:

I'm fainting! Ohhhh, God, my hero, Barack....
I'll vote for him because he's soooo... black.
Your response was worthless dreck.
Barack Hussein Obama has done WHAT of substance, exactly, during
his TWO years in the U.S. Senate?
Tell me, oh wise one.
And what have you ever sent me that was interesting or thought provoking?
You send nothing at all. You don't even make an effort.
You're a taker, not a giver.
You should probably vote for Hussein. It might alleviate some of your
pent-up racist guilt.

While mostly off the mark, he definitely nailed me on being a taker and not a giver. So, I guess I really need to quit crying about the 5 years of blogging I lost and get back on the case.

Here is my response to Spider. And I will address the bigger theme of the smearing in a later post.

FWIW, I am still an undecided voter. I've always voted Republican and would feel guilty sending my mother to an (sort of) early grave by voting otherwise...so I'm leaning towards McCain. As for being a taker and not a giver, I'll plead guilty on that one. I used to blog politics much more than I do now.

I completely agree that Barack has insufficient experience for the job, and I would guess that most of his supporters feel the same way. (In fact, I'm guessing a lot of folks are supporting him for that very reason). I'm sure some folks will vote for him because he's black; just like some other folks will vote for McCain because he's not. I bet he will get democratic votes because for no other reason than he's a man. All of these motivations for voting are ridiculous and should be insulting to any American with any pride in this republic.

What I object to are the immature smears against him. For example, both you and the author of the original mail make a point in calling him "Hussein". It is my opinion that the reason you (and many others) do this is to somehow align him with Saddam and/or radical Islamists. I find that to be baseless, reprehensible and lazy. Address his policy statements (or lack thereof) don't try and use his parent's choice of a middle name as a reason not to vote for him. That's like saying don't vote for McCain because his namesake shot Lincoln.

Intelligent debate is what is needed. And often that's what you send out. However, on this account you missed the boat. (hmmm, maybe you instead caught a swift boat?)

Thanks for the push Spider...