What I Hate and Love About Politics 582.1
Watching the Democratic Convention and listening to the Republicans' responses reminded me of what I hate and love about politics and our political system.
I hate the self-righteousness of unbridled partisanship, snide personal attacks, insincerity, half truths, and lack of fair-mindedness and objectivity on both sides.
But there is something grand and noble about America’s full-throttle version of democracy and the way we play out our disagreements on the public stage. I love that we’ve been able to embrace such a wide range of differences within a two-party system defined by ideological views as to how the country should be run.
I was moved to tears witnessing the nomination of an African American for President and the symbolism of doing so on the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I have a dream” speech. That his nomination was the result of a razor-close contest with a woman was a profound reminder of how far we’ve come in my lifetime.
I enjoyed the spectacle -- the intermixture of fabulous visuals, films, music, and monumental political speeches. It reminded me of the Beijing Olympic Games.
And though the political calculation behind the actions was evident, I still thought it was classy of John McCain to run an ad congratulating Barack Obama and for Senator Obama and other speakers to respectfully acknowledge Senator McCain’s personal courage and great contributions to his country.
How wonderful would it be if that tone of mutual respect could be maintained during the campaign.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
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Comments
Obama is NOT black. He is of mixed race. Please refrain from referring to him as "black" as it gives a very false impression.
Posted by: Cheryl Gilbert | September 1, 2008 3:25 PM
HOPEFULLY YOU WILL ALSO WRITE OF THE INSENSITIVE ATTACKS ON SARAH PALIN IMMEDIATELY AFTER SHE WAS ANNOUNCED AS THE REPUBLICAN VP PICK. IT WAS UNREAL! SHE HAD NOT EVEN SPOKEN IN PUBLIC YET AND THE ATTACKS WERE COMING FROM EVERY DIRECTION.
BECAUSE THE MEDIA IS SO BIASED, I TRY TO WATCH MOST OF THE POLiTICAL EVENTS ON C-SPAN AND MAKE UP MY OWN MIND. WHERE WE LIVE, EVEN THE HEADLINES & BYLINES IN THE NEWSPAPERS ARE SLANTED TO THROW A NEGATIVE LIGHT ON THE PARTY THE EDITORS DISLIKE. IF YOU KNOW OF A TRULY BIPARTISAN REPORTER, PLEASE LET US KNOW!
Posted by: AUDREY TORREY | September 4, 2008 5:23 PM
I am a South African teaching in Taiwan. The word 'partisan' should not be used to refer to a good reporter. What you need is someone who reports the facts...except in the oped pages and maybe some columns.
Yeah, Barack isn't black...he's a person.
Posted by: Donald Knight | September 5, 2008 2:13 AM
Obama is no more black than McCain is pinky-white. Obama is no more African-Asian-American than McCain is German-Polish-Scottish-American. As citizens of this great and compassionate country of people -- Obama, McCain, you and I are all Americans.
Posted by: Wally Hofmann | September 5, 2008 9:52 AM
I guess Cheryl didn't read the article very carefully or let biased eyes interpret words to fit her perceptions.
Mr. Josephson refered to Barack Obama as an African American. Just for clarification, Mr. Obama's father is from Kenya which just so happens to be on the African continent. His mother is from the USA which is on the North American continent. African American sure seems to fit his heritage.
As for ethnicity, that is for Mr. Obama to claim. Not Cheryl or anyone else.
What a shame that the greater message of Mr. Josephson's words appears lost in a label.
Posted by: Laurie Hering | September 5, 2008 2:01 PM