Monday, May 19, 2008
Boo Hoo Barry!!
This AOL piece presents a video from the Tennessee Repubican Party that Barry calls "low class". He believes that his wife should be off limits for critique. I'd agree if she wasn't front and center speaking on his behalf and saying silly things about never being proud of the USA until now. This is a terrible whine. If Michelle is bold enough to speak publicly, she, and more so Barry, should be accepting that there may be criticism of what is said. Now if she were to have stayed in the background, as some politicians' spouses do, then the complaint would be valid. But then, there'd likely have been no criticisms of her. Grab a hanky, Barry, and calm down.
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22 comments:
Who is Barry?
Exactly. I’m surprised he’d be foolish enough to say his wife is beyond criticism after she has campaigned for him. His handlers should have told him to be quiet.
Really, Neil. As long as the attacks aren't personal, but about what was said, that's ripe for critiques.
anon,
"Who is Barry?"
I dunno. Who's Bushhitler? C'mon, you know to whom I refer. Someone else questioned my use of this formerly used nickname. You're not gonna give me crap over it, are you?
Come, come, Marshall!
Such a bourgeoisie attempt to drag “Barry” down to our level. You should know he’s way beyond any such effort.
I don't get it. John Edward's wife is a shrew because she defends her husband in public. Barak is a wimp because he defends his wife in public...
...I thought spouses were supposed to present a united front in public?
Maybe she "deserves" whatever she gets for steping out in public...and maybe he's wrong for defending her...but isn't that what a man is supposed to do in "traditional" culture?
Mary Cheney campaigned for her father, but it was a horrible thing for Kerry to mention her.
When Cheney threw a fit, it was just rightous fatherly rage.
whatever.
Teresa,
You're off just a bit. I don't disagree that Barry shouldn't defend Michelle. I'm saying that he's wrong to suggest that no one critique her very public statements. As I said, if she was in the background, as some spouses prefer to be, then critiques are uncalled for. But if they insist on speaking publicly, they are fair game just as anyone else wo does so.
Years ago, Limbaugh made comments about the Clinton kid. They were terribly inappropriate at the time, for both what he said and the fact that she was just their child and nothing more. Now, she campaigns with her mother and as such, what she says in front of the crowds makes her a public speaker who's words are legitimate targets of scrutiny.
Some people may have cause to not be proud of America, but Michelle Obama is not one of them.
She lives in a country that has enabled her to rise to be a black multi-millionaire woman and a possible first lady.
Where else in the world could black people rise from penniless slaves to wealthy pretentious elitists in a mere 200 years or less?
Maybe some countries in Africa, but even in them, the only way poor black people can attain that level of wealth is to lead a Government coup.
What a country! Look at Michael Jackson. What other country can a poor black child grow up to be a rich white woman?
Few people has more reason to be proud of America than Michelle Obama. And see how she appreciates her good fortune. Pathetic.
I think that the biggest problem with the criticism, is that they first put a period where Michelle had a comma. In otherwords, they made something that meant "I'm proud for the first time in my adult life to see my country beginning to live up to my expectations. I've waited in frustration for this for a long time."
into:
"I was ashamed of my country before and hated it, and thought it was worthless."
I agree that it is par for the political course, and that such should be expected and people shoul dnot be surprised when it happens....I disagree that he is somehow being unreasonable or wimpy or childish in calling them on it.
Mark,
Some people are proud of their kids because they arn't as bad as some people's kids.
Some people are frustrated with their kids, and reserve expressions of pride for when they see them reasching to live to their full potential.
Some people are proud 'cause their country isn't as bad as others...some express their pride when they believe they see it reaching higher than just "better than others".
Some say "potato" some say "potahto".
We all need to express our thanks more for all the blessings that we enjoy and it is shameful to whine when we can look around and see others with real problems. Our example to others becomes more important as we are placed in higher positions of public view. I would like to see a President and First Lady that has a heart of praise instead of finger pointing and "woe is me" attitude. The days may not be far away until we feel something to humble us. God is still in control and deserves our honor and obedience. Mom2
Teresa,
Michelle's expectations? How is that different from what you say the right has altereed her meaning? It is what it is. She says she is proud for the first time. Had she said something like, "There were many things with which I had a problem that are now changed", we wouldn't be having this discussion. But she said she wasn't proud of her country. And she said it at two different events.
All she said is that it was the first time she was proud of her country "because it feels like hope is making a comeback." That just means that this is the first time she had been proud of her country for that particular reason. It doesn't mean that she was never proud of her country for any other reason.
Here's the precise transcript of Michelle Obama's statement during a campaign speech in Wisconsin:
"Let me tell you something. For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country, because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback."
(There is a pause for applause)
"And let me tell you something. I need to believe that we live in that kind of nation, where hope and possibility and unity is still what drives us."
Logic dictates that when someone states "for the first time in my adult life." there is no other interpretation but that she did not feel that way at any previous time in her adult life. The reason for her feeling (because...) is irrelevant.
However, this is during a campaign speech. That means two things:
1. This is rhetoric, and should be taken as such. To some, that means we should question the veracity and validity of her point. To others it is just hyperbole. I personally feel it is the latter, Michelle just trying to get the "hope and unity" message out.
2. She is not off limits for criticism. If Sen. Obama doesn't want his wife's comments and beliefs picked apart, then he should tell her to stay off the dais.
Logic dictates that when someone states "for the first time in my adult life." there is no other interpretation but that she did not feel that way at any previous time in her adult life. The reason for her feeling (because...) is irrelevant.
On the contrary, logic dictates that the wife of a presidential candidate wouldn't intend to say that she had never been proud of her country in her adult life. Therefore, the more reasonable interpretation is that this was the first time that she had these particular reasons to be proud.
Sorry, Vinny, but I do not agree, and she did not say it specifically your way. That is your inference of her intent, not the meaning of her statement. I happen to agree that it's foolhardy to think that someone of her experience would feel that way, and I believe she didn't "mean it that way." I would say it's a gaffe, and not what she intended; she has gone on record subsequently (to clarify) as saying she has always been proud of her country. I imagine she'd say it differently if she had it to do over.
By the way, if she did intend it your way, you should ask the question, "Why did you not feel proud about hope in your country ever before in your adult life?"
...or something like that...again, it's rhetoric.
Today, for the first time, I was late for work because I had a flat tire.
Would you interpret that to mean that I had never been late for work or that I had never gotten a flat tire on the way to work?
Not a bad try Vinny (though based on what few posts I've read at your blog thus far, I'm being generous)
I totally disagree upon what logic would dictate regarding her choice of words. By your defense of her, I'd say that she never felt proud of her country because of a lack of hope. This still is objectionable because for millions, hope exists and it exists among people across all demographics. It is also dishonest considering her own personal life and accomplishments, which actually could have been used to show that hope indeed exists for all. How could she possibly live the life she has and not know there is hope for a better life for everyone? So worse than anything else, and perhaps Doc didn't quite mean it this way, but considering all I've said thus far, which is plain for all to see, her comments show, especially considering it was a prepared statement, that the intent was to paint a bleak enough picture of our country to scare people into supporting her husband. I resent this strongly because as everyone knows, we on the right are the scare-mongers, damnit, and she's got no right to be a copycat. (Character, Danny)
Whether it's done or not, whether it's typical or not, it takes a real cad to do so. A cur, actually.
Be proud of the GOP. Few others are these days.
For the first time in my adult life I was late for work because I had a flat tire. This is your analogy. Diagram the sentence, and you will understand the logic, as because I had a flat tire is a subordinate clause. To rewrite it in your meaning the sentence should read: For the first time in my adult life I had a flat tire, causing me to be late for work.
Ain't English fun?
Is that my meaning though?
That sounds like I am saying that I never had a flat tire before.
Oh no. If we're going to argue about sentence structure, then I'm not visiting here anymore!
ER,
Please elaborate on your first comment. I'm not following it at all.
As to your second comment, I am not currently proud of the GOP (that's a little more specific and to the point than was Michelle Obama). I have little trouble saying so. Less so regarding my state's party.
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