Bomb Throwers and Their Friends
By absentee Posted in 2008 | Barack Obama | Bill Ayers | Character — Comments (39) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
On the list of people I'd compare Barack Obama to, you won't find Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts. You might find him on Barack's list of people he'd like to be compared to, but that's not my list. The fact that Obama gave constitutional law classes in his (non-professorial) capacity as "Senior Lecturer" at the University of Chicago doesn't rise to the level of expertise and professionalism necessary for the comparison.
There is, however, some value in comparing how the left and the media dealt with Roberts during his confirmation hearings, and how they deal with Senator Obama now.
When George Stephanopoulos challenged Barack Obama about Weather Underground member Bill Ayers, the wounded outcry from the left was stupefying. ABC had fired the first salvo in the destruction of Western Democracy, and the press as we know it was officially dead. A viral video obituary of Stephanopoulos made the rounds. New York magazine asked "Do Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos Hate America?"
Why all the hubbub, bub? Well it's not fair, you see. As with the current process of baptizing the Wright Reverend's stain from Obama, the left and the media think it's unjust to draw conclusions about Senator Obama's character based on his links.
Let's think about character. Senator Obama wants you to think about his character, inasmuch as you base your thoughts on his primary campaign speeches rather than the judgement he's shown in his life. He thinks that what is in your heart matters. In fact, that's why he opposed John Roberts' nomination to the Supreme Court. back in 2005.
In those 5 percent of hard cases, the constitutional text will not be directly on point. The language of the statute will not be perfectly clear. Legal process alone will not lead you to a rule of decision. In those circumstances, your decisions about whether affirmative action is an appropriate response to the history of discrimination in this country or whether a general right of privacy encompasses a more specific right of women to control their reproductive decisions or whether the commerce clause empowers Congress to speak on those issues of broad national concern that may be only tangentially related to what is easily defined as interstate commerce, whether a person who is disabled has the right to be accommodated so they can work alongside those who are nondisabled -- in those difficult cases, the critical ingredient is supplied by what is in the judge's heart.
Senator Obama wasn't the only one questioning John Roberts' character during his nomination hearings. In fact, NARAL put out an ad, which they later pulled and have since cleansed from their site, which tried to link Roberts to domestic terrorism:
NARAL Attack Ad
As FactCheck.org pointed out, the ad made false claims. Rush Limbaugh did a hilarious parody of the ad in a segment about CNN running it, which 24/7 members can find here.
Of course, the leftosphere thought the ad was fine and truthful. As Rush noted, CNN was going to run the ad anyway, even after it was determined false by an internal investigation. Some in the media objected in so far as there wasn't enough wiggle room. Still, there were those on the left that genuinely objected ... the facts were just that wrong. The media and NARAL eventually caved to those facts, but the important point is that left pundits and especially blogs thought the premise of the ad was just. Not to mention, unlike the much-maligned ABC anchors, NARAL was handled with kid gloves for their "overreach." (Maybe they just "misspoke?")
Contrast that with Bill Ayers. The consensus among Barack Obama supporters is that the topic is irrelevant; that the fact that Obama associates with this admitted, unrepentant bomber is no reflection on the Senator. One can only presume this is due to the fact that he didn't bomb an abortion clinic. Imagine the uproar if he had.
The ad has a problem with ideaology that leads one "to excuse violence against other Americans." The left hates that, unless the excuse involves chickens and where they may roost. Then it's totally cool excusing violence against Americans.
The underlying message here is one of connections. As I said last week, you can't judge a man exclusively by the company he keeps, but you better make darn sure it's an important part of your algorithm. Some links are tenuous. Some are twenty pew-parked years long. Some are huge lies, like linking Justice Roberts to Eric Rudolph. Some, though, are undeniably true, like the fact that Obama has elected to truck with Weather Underground members, a fact one hopes prevents him from being elected.
NARAL was wrong in this ad because the facts were wrong, and the ad was false. However, they got one thing right, supporting domestic terrorism is bad.
If you're running with people who bomb other Americans, you shouldn't be running for the highest office in the land.
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Bomb Throwers and Their Friends 39 Comments (0 topical, 39 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
Kill the terrorists
Protect the borders
Punch the hippies -- Frank J
And they don't even understand why its wrong
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
That is so true. They don't even understand why its wrong.
Bah. Lousy media. Ptuh.
absentee
Also now available at Political Machine.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
The media understands perfectly well why it is wrong. They simply do not care that it is wrong -- "the ends justify the means" and all that.
[*] Recommended
I had to make my own virtual recommend checkbox, since we can't recommend front-pages.
There's so much here that's right on point here that I have trouble making one comment that'll sufficiently convey my 'me too' sentiments.
Thank God the alternative media are gaining more traction in the American political scene. Not near enough yet, but gaining.
Kill the terrorists
Protect the borders
Punch the hippies -- Frank J
http://www.law.uchicago.edu/media/index.html
You can argue semantics that "Senior Lecturer" is not equal to "Professor" but the truth of the matter is he was a professor.
There are various eyes. Even the Sphinx has eyes: and as a
result there are various truths, and as a result there is no truth.
~Friedrich Nietzsche
"He was regarded as a professor"
... And Frank Abagnale was regarded as a pilot.
absentee
Also now available at Political Machine.
he is but he isn't quite and when he isn't he is except when he might not be! Is that 'wright'??
[X] Highly recommend
5 BIG stars!!!
Accipe Hoc
The University of Chicago considered him a professor which is significantly different than dailykos calling him one.
A stupid man's report of what a clever man says can never be accurate, because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something he can understand.
~Bertrand Russell
yes he was a professer. and he'll make sure theres no short-term bogus fixes at serious problems. and he spoke out firmly the issue of high fuel.
He is saying it would save consumers little and do nothing to stop rich republicans from using gas.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is the same as Senator John McCain.
Obama wont lie to us.
He is hillarys rival.
obama 08
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_projection
There are various eyes. Even the Sphinx has eyes: and as a result there are various truths, and as a result there is no truth.
~Friedrich Nietzsche
I dont follow you.
But still obama is the one.
I will not change my mind. I hope you dont either.
obama 08
you better look at this.
Wisconsin: Obama beats McCain, Clinton loses
by kos
Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:27:12 PM PDT
U of Wisconsin. 4/15-24. Likely votes. MoE 5.3% (No trend lines)
McCain (R) 43
Obama (D) 47
McCain (R) 47
Clinton (D) 41
That's a 9-point advantage for Obama over Clinton in Wisconsin. Clinton consistently scores weak numbers in traditionally Blue states Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Hawaii, Connecticut, Washington and Oregon -- all states that Obama wins comfortably. The original Wright controversy seems to have passed. Now we'll see if Wright II: Electric Boogaloo, has a similar trend.
Elaborate Troll
What about Obama and ethanol subsidies? Talk about a bogus fix. It takes more oil to harvest the corn and make the ethanol than the benefit of it as an additive to our fuel. It's also partly why food prices are skyrocketing and subsidizing it is a huge wasteful government handout.
Lets face it, Obama would not have won the Iowa primary without supporting ethanol subsidies. Without winning the Iowa primary he would not have had the momentum to win other contests and prove he is a serious contender.
His pandering on ethanol subsidies may have won him the Iowa primary, but it's a quick bogus fix. There's only one guy running that had the moral courage to say he did not support ethanol subsidies, even though it cost him that primary. That guy is John McCain!
I dont agree
barack obama's heavily promoted interview with Chris Wallace yesterday on FNS was not analysed today on American Election HQ. Megyn Kelly and Bill Hemmer mensioned twice that Obama stated during the interview that the issues about high fuel are legitimate.
obama 08
why dont you answer my question about high fuel?
at least I know something about how Clinton and McCain have similar approaches to this.
> obama 08
I am not going to call you the T word yet, I want to, but you have not done anything troll worthy yet. I have a sixth sense about those who will be banned, I actually hope you prove me wrong, it will be fun to see a well done high wire dance.
so far you have
1) said you oppose the gas tax break
2) defended Obama as a "professor"
3) called the Basra offensive a dissapointment
You may not be a troll per se, but obviously you are not much of a conservative Republican as far as I can tell.
___________________________________________________________
Molon Labe!
And I always liked your tagline (Molon Labe).
Kill the terrorists
Protect the borders
Punch the hippies -- Frank J
___________________________________________________________
Molon Labe!
was a canadian beer.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
Kill the terrorists
Protect the borders
Punch the hippies -- Frank J
"Senior Lecturer" = "Professor" = Windbag
I got no arguments with that.
Now also found at The Minority Report
Anne: I just wish the Reverend will go away (preferably on a S-L-O-W boat to China) and that he will take BUBBA Clinton with him!
With malice towards none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see right.
One of the least congruous statements I have ever seen (and I troll Kos daily..tells you something)
Senator Obama should REFUSE to ever "debate" again on any ABCNews media platform. Period. Even in the General Election process. The DNC and Democrats should back his REFUSAL. ABCNews should never again be validated or trusted in this matter. Further, once Senator Obama wins the Election -- regaining CONTROL of the FCC and re-regulation of MEDIA should be a PRIORITY. Democracy depends upon Constitutionally protected freedom of the press. Consequently, the question really should be do Charlie and George LOVE America...and, perhaps that should be a requirement for a job in JOURNALISM in future??? Also, all friends of JOURNALISTS must love America -- and be able to prove it.
Turn the page, America. We have hit rock bottom across the board. Nowhere to go but up, but we have to do our part by voting OUR interests and not be gamed...this time.
Report
BY RENATAM on 04/17/2008 at 9:31pm
Emphasis mine.
So freedom of the press = regulation.
Got it.
Now also found at The Minority Report
Sort of like taxing the oil companies to lower gasoline prices.
--
Gone 2500 years, still not PC.
Job Requirement to be a journalist: Love America.
However, Loving America not a job requirement to be the President or their party's nominee.
How do you disinfect your computer????
3 kinds of lies: Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics
which I generally find to be hate. That's it. That site is full of hate for the right. We have hate over here, but they are pros at it.
Now also found at The Minority Report
maybe I am blind.
___________________________________________________________
Molon Labe!
some of the "witty" names that commenters come up with to describe the other side...
Now also found at The Minority Report
is a lefty thing to do. the upside down McCain stickers were never symbols of hatred, but of disagreement. Mischaracterization is unflattering to either side.
you will clearly see hate...not disagreement.
And thanks for the ad hominem attack.
Now also found at The Minority Report
the stickers - not the discussion. If I misunderstood, my apologies. And I have read the discussions. I see sharp disagreement. I don't see hatred. I have a pretty strict criteria for hatred: it includes actual hate.
This was not even remotely an ad hominem attack. My point was nothing other than being sure the motives of those involved with the upside down sticker thing (myself included) were not erroneously defined.
and telling me that I am using liberal tactics is quite insulting to me.
Liberal...ptuh.
:)
Now also found at The Minority Report
... says the organization for the advancement of babykilling.
Just a typical, small town, white girl...
...Barack Obama:Rev. Wright::Rev. Hagee:John McCain
Barack sat in Wright's pews for 20 years, had Wright conduct his wedding and baptize his children, gave Wright's church tens of thousands of dollars, took the title of his book from a Wright sermon, brought on Wright as a campaign advisor (in the beginning, anyway), etc., etc., etc.
John McCain had the misfortune of being endorsed by John Hagee.
Yeah. That's the same.