The Master of Passive-Aggression
(Guest Post by Nina M.)
To be perfectly blunt, I thought I’d burned out on being offended by Obama’s rhetoric sometime in October. I didn’t even raise an eyebrow this morning when I saw the news about Rick Warren preaching at the inauguration.
But this latest item has gotten stuck in my craw. HuffPo –- which I know, I know I should never look at -– has a “leaked” copy of the transition team’s talking points. It’s a holiday pinata of passive-aggressive language (and I bet that little schmuck Favreau had a hand in writing it).
To wit:
“This will be the most open, accessible, and inclusive Inauguration in American history.”
READ: If you object to the elevation of Rick Warren to this highest of honorary platforms, you are closed-minded, exclusive, and un-American.
“As he’s said again and again, the President-elect is committed to bringing together all sides of the faith discussion in search of common ground.”
READ: People will always disagree about religion, but we all have to get along [sighs in exasperation].
Of course, Rick Warren’s faith is not the issue. The actions he has taken to advance those beliefs are. Nor is this a “discussion,” as in “did Adam and Eve have navels?” or “why did God make men with nipples?” A change in law is a fait accompli.
And it is so disingenuous – particularly for a former ConLaw professor — to represent the issue of equal treatment under the law as a matter of “faith.” If anything, the conflict over gay marriage stems from the demand by certain believers that their personal faith be codifed into law and enforced by the government. Rather than accepting the Jeffersonian principle that government should not favor one religion over another –- the very principle that has allowed sects like Rick Warren’s to flourish in a faith “free market” –- these people want their beliefs imposed on all citizens of all religions. (And to a person of no religion, this makes about as much sense as demanding that the government ban Coke and promote Pepsi).
“That’s the only way we’ll be able to unite this country with the resolve and common purpose necessary to solve the challenges we face.”
READ: If you’re not with me and Rick, you’re with the terrorists.
“The President-elect disagrees with Pastor Warren on issues that affect the LGBT community. They disagree on other issues as well.”
READ: Only a minority of people are affected, and offended, by the political actions of Rick Warren, and maybe some other stuff that isn’t even worth mentioning.
Now this is really where the distasteful object met the unmovable craw. The President-elect disagrees with Rick Warren on a matter that affects everyone, not only the LGBTIQ community. All of us; all of our interests are tied to the concept of basic equality, of equal treatment under the law. All of us benefit from state neutrality in matters of religion. All of us benefit when government can’t randomly discriminate against you because somebody doesn’t like the way you and your friend have haa-haas and hoo-hoos that are too matchy-matchy. And I’ll thank you kindly, Mr. I’m Not Even Sworn In Yet, to refrain from telling me which issues do and do not affect me.
“But what’s important is that they agree on many issues vital to the pursuit of social justice, including poverty relief and moving toward a sustainable planet; and they share a commitment to renewing America’s promise by expanding opportunity at home and restoring our moral leadership abroad.”
READ: The President-elect and Pastor Rick care about poverty, the environment, and America’s place among nations. Why don’t you?
Alternate READ: There are far more important matters to think about than your rights.
“And for the very first time, there will be a group representing the interests of LGBT Americans participating in the Inaugural Parade.”
READ: No need for my help - that one speaks for itself.
78 Responses to “The Master of Passive-Aggression”
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Violet says:
I’m currently a disembodied spirit in the Smoking Lounge, but I wanted to waft down here in a cloud of ectoplasm and thank Nina M. for this guest post. I think this is actually the first-ever guest post on the blog (not counting the regrettable incidents with BlogWarBot, The Virus, and MiniTrue).
December 19th, 2008 at 1:42 am EST -
Mary Tracy9 says:
“you and your friend have haa-haas and hoo-hoos that are too matchy-matchy”
LOL!!!
Very good post :D
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Cyn says:
Excellent rant and right on the money! On behalf of my sisters, thank you for venturing into HuffPo Land and bringing back this information.
It is going to be a long 4 years. I bet Obama will do more damage to equality in his first year than Dubya did in two terms.
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Cyn says:
Another thought. This is a time when Obama could have shown that he truly wants to unite America. Choosing a pastor that believes certain individuals, including gays and women, are not equal or deserving of all rights, is a racist choice.
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Anna Belle says:
Great post. Here’s my translation of Obama’s talking points:
“See! I’m not Bill Clinton! I agree with you people about GLBT folks! And look how I rolled back his advances in putting those pesky women in charge. See! I’m on your side!”
This is all to the oligarchy, of course, and their wimpy little minions we call Teh Village.
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Anna Belle says:
One more question: Is anyone organizing to protest his inauguration? I could probably fly in for that weekend.
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sister of ye says:
Having a “liberal” like Obama espouse these positions is far more dangerous than when a “conservative” like Bush does. At least some of our alleged but not provable protectors of liberty, the Dems, would fight changes sought by a Dubya, if only for the PR value.
But when Obama is for inequality, well, gosh darm, they can’t oppose him, he’s their president, right? And he’s a liberal, so it can’t be that bad, right? And he’s, like, black, so he can’t be for inequality, right?
Say bye-bye women’s rights, GLBT rights, decent wages for the working class, protections for retirees, universal health care, restraints on rich corporations and individuals, and other social justice issues that benefit Americans as a whole. Because Obama is a liberal, see, and he wouldn’t undermine those things unless it was necessary or they were unimportant in the first place.
Obama’s talking points vs Bush’s talking points = second verse, same as the first. The words all mean: STFU you silly peasants. It’s good to be the king.
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Greenconsciousness says:
Protesting his inaugural will just make us look weak and stupid in the face of millions who are celebrating it. If you can defeat Carolyn Kennedy in New York it would be a far more effective blow to the Obama oligarchy. It would demand respect. Sign the petition. Support Representative Carolyn Maloney for Senator (which is code for supporting Hillary). Write the governor. See Allegre’s Journal for more info.
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julia says:
Wow, it’s not even 2009 and I can already say “I told you so!”. I knew it would happen, just not this soon.
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Ciccina says:
@ Julia
I know! I wandered over to John Aravosis’ AmericaBlog to read the comments and gloat for a while…. and then it hit me:
“We’re all bitter old white women now, suckers!”
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Kiuku says:
I disagree. I think protesting his inauguration is appropriate and would not make us look weak. Sign up for his impeachment as well.
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Sis says:
They already think we’re weak and stupid. That’s why we’re here.
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Kiuku says:
““The President-elect disagrees with Pastor Warren on issues that affect the LGBT community. They disagree on other issues as well.”
I know. I love how we are “other issues” (if that?)
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haelig says:
All I can do sit back and laugh at the Obama supporters who are aghast at this turn of events: The signs were all there! The moment that Obama accepted Rick Warren’s invite to that faith debate with McCain, their relationship was sealed–you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours. Obama has been in contact with Warren since at least 2006, if not earlier, and his previous associations with other evangelical and gospel leaders has been there for all to see. Moreover, Obama’s actions as defacto leader of the Democratic Party and his evolving cabinet clearly prove something we’ve always known: he’s far more conservative than the Obamabots’ fantasy version of him.
I also didn’t expect to see the disillusionment set in among supporters so quickly, but it’s quite a sight to behold.
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Northwest rain says:
You know what? Back in the 60s & 70s when women had a place and women “knew” their place (ha) — the sexism was there. All text books used HE exclusively — sex role stereotyping was just the way it was.
So we’ve come a long way (NOT) — because people should KNOW better by now — women should have respect — and women should have equal rights.
Sexism is really worse — it is mean and evil and in our faces. I refuse to watch tv any longer — the sex objectification of women is worse — and the media is worse. How on earth are today’s girls supposed to have a positive self image.
ALL of this has happened — or become more overt with the campaign of Obama who has gone out of his way to demonstrate that he can show women just what their place is in American society — not much has changed in 40 years. Not much at all. BECAUSE AMERICA SHOULD KNOW BETTER.
And rather than giving women respect — simple human rights — well . . .
There’s a con man, sexist pig heading for the white house — which I call the cult of the penis worshipers. I’m beyond being polite or PC — at this point.
Yes Obama is the Master of the Passive-Aggressive — and he is also the master at creating chaos. I’m predicting that this will be his management style — Chaos.
Damn — I knew my Psych degree would come in handy. Not for much — but when you see a guy who is so “text book” psychopathology — it is hard to miss.
What about the next generation of girls — they’re getting a really wonderful message (NOT).
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yttik says:
“We’re all bitter old white women now, suckers!”
Bahahah! That’s the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time. I wonder if it would fit on a bumper sticker?
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purplefinn says:
“As he’s said again and again, the President-elect is committed to bringing together all sides of the faith discussion in search of common ground.”
Show me the common ground!
Is this it?:
“But what’s important is that they agree on many issues vital to the pursuit of social justice, including poverty relief and moving toward a sustainable planet; and they share a commitment to renewing America’s promise by expanding opportunity at home and restoring our moral leadership abroad.”
If so, what do we need a discussion for except to point out that “restoring our moral leadership abroad” is ill served by discriminating against LGBT and women.
Otherwise lets get to work on the other areas of agreement. Discussion over. Do something Barack! Do something!
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InsightAnalytical-GRL says:
Let’s get real and start looking toward our INNER MOONs!!
Seriously, we need to get back in touch with our power source!
Over the next few days we’ll be offering respite from the crush of the holiday machine…1. The Heart of the Season: Wise Words from a Young Old Soul
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kenoshaMarge says:
From sister of ye:
Obama’s talking points vs Bush’s talking points = second verse, same as the first. The words all mean: STFU you silly peasants. It’s good to be the king.
What’s mind-boggling is that the same people that would eviscerate these talking points from Bush will applaud them coming from Obama. Their tiny little brains must resemble corkscrews trying to twist the truth to fit their preconceived notions.
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CoolAunt says:
InsightAnalytical-GRL says: Let’s get real and start looking toward our INNER MOONs!!
Are you suggesting a group mooning at Obama’s inauguration? Count me in. :p
Seriously, until the kool-aid wears off and folks realize who they elected, we can’t do much more than we’ve been doing. They just can’t see through the fog yet.
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FembotsForObama says:
I totally agree with the author and the posters here. Obama’s using the “common ground” phrase to set up us up for further disempowerment in our own country and abroad.
Weasel Words — plain and simple
Remember, we have to find “common ground” with those Muslims who want to impose Sharia law on the majority of Muslims who don’t want it. And, thus we’ll be forced to find said ground with those who spray acid in women’s faces because its a “cultural thing.” What happened to liberals fighting for social justice?
Bitter old white woman here speaking
(cause even women in their 30’s are now considered old)
I’m so glad to join the group because I don’t want to have anything to do with those Obamagirls who are more interested in getting fake boobs and swinging on stripper poles than standing up for their rights as women. Haven’t we learned that the “daddy” won’t save us; it’s up to us women to save ourselves? -
Kiuku says:
OH Holy crap I can’t believe I totally missed that. OBAMA is going to restore our moral leadership abroad? LMAO GET REAL OBAMA. YOU KNOW MOST OTHER COUNTRIES RESPECT WOMEN. This isn’t Kenya ass****
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parallel says:
OBAMA is going to restore our moral leadership abroad?
dear Americans - you never had moral leadership abroad
YOU KNOW MOST OTHER COUNTRIES RESPECT WOMEN.
No we/they don’t
This isn’t Kenya ass****
O-M-F-G
why not just tell him to get back to the jungle where he belongs ? Right ? Bloody hell people.
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Kiuku says:
That’s absolutely where he belongs. Somewhere where he doesn’t have to be a decent human being, much less a President.
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CoolAunt says:
parallel says:
OBAMA is going to restore our moral leadership abroad?
dear Americans - you never had moral leadership abroad
Did you read the post? The crap about restoring out moral leadership abroad are the words of Obama’s transition team.
YOU KNOW MOST OTHER COUNTRIES RESPECT WOMEN.
No we/they don’t
You’re right on that one.
This isn’t Kenya ass****
O-M-F-G
why not just tell him to get back to the jungle where he belongs ? Right ? Bloody hell people.
His father’s family is from Kenya. His grandmother and brother still live there. He spent part of his childhood in Kenya, where he also held citizenship (and may still to this day). And even though Kenya’s been one of his homes, no one wished him back to Kenya. You’re really reaching here to play the race card.If I straight-up I wished him back to Chicago where he belongs, could you squeeze some racism out of that, too?
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Kiuku says:
The sad thing is Aunt, while women are oppressed by men everywhere, other countries show a rate of progression far exceeding America. We have never had a woman president here.
The sexism and misogyny of our country is worthy of no respect anywhere in the world. It is embarrassing.
If Obama intend to “restore our moral leadership” with sexism and misogyny, with pushing women out of leadership positions and heralding the likes of Favreau, then that sounds like the moral leadership of countries like Kenya, not progressive ones.
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parallel says:
Well go on then CoolAunt, and for a moment setting aside the questionability of the phrase “race card”, just what do you think “this isn’t Kenya …” means ?
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Kiuku says:
It means that this is AMERICA. Not KENYA. And Obama should act accordingly. I don’t know what else you think it means, Parallel
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octogalore says:
Parallel — if what was meant was — anyone from Kenya (who would likely be black) is misogynist — then yes, I think that is problematic.
If what was meant was that Kenya is not progressive wrt women’s rights, as articles such as http://www.ielrc.org/content/a9501.pdf make clear, and this was picked because that’s where Obama was from — then while it’s still confusing and therefore best avoided, it may not have been intended to be race-related.
Probably best to avoid “this isn’t ____” where there’s a racial demographic diffrence between ____ and the U.S., but I think the jury’s out on intent here, better to ask first before making assumptions.
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parallel says:
this is AMERICA. Not KENYA. And Obama should act accordingly.
So how would someone acting in accordance with being a resident of Keyna be behaving then ?
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octogalore says:
I’m having trouble posting and posted something similar twice (hasn’t shown up yet) — feel free to remove one of them.
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Kiuku says:
Alright I searched this site for any posts from you Parallel and I didn’t find any.
So my question is, Parallel, what do you think it means that you’re posting on an article about Obama administration hypocrisy, appearing as if you haven’t even read the article, and decide that your main complaint is not going to regard women’s oppression, but what you think is racism against poor Obama in my post. Are you seriously going to champion Obama here against the evil racist Feminist?
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Kiuku says:
Odinga ran on a platform of imposing Sharia law against women to quell the masses in Kenya. Obama supported him in this effort. This was considered restoring morality.
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Kiuku says:
So seriously beside being a very funny joke by Favreau (mr. groper) how is Obama going to restore our “moral leadership” in the world by being an sexist, misogynist, immoral dirty corrupt politician from Chicago? How is he going to restore our moral leadership anywhere in the progressive world by smacking his wife on the ass, heralding sexual assault, and imposing a sexist pastor on us? This is a joke, right Favreau?
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parallel says:
Alright I searched this site for any posts from you Parallel and I didn’t find any.
try advanced search in google and this site only. I don’t post much, but they’re there.
your main complaint is not going to regard women’s oppression
Yes, I *never* bang on about women’s oppression. Ever. At all.
what you think is racism against poor Obama in my post. Are you seriously going to champion Obama here against the evil racist Feminist?
Yes, he is my totally favouritist person ever, and all feminists are totally horrid…
… but still, I’m curious about “this is AMERICA not KENYA” what comparison are you drawing ?
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Kiuku says:
America:
http://www.smartraveller.gov.a.....of_America
Kenya:
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Kiuku says:
Anyway..
Sounding racist to Obama may be your primary concern right now, Parallel, but it is the least of mine. Back to the topic.
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parallel says:
So - the way to object to Obama’s behaviour is to point out he comes from Kenya, a lawless place where even Australians should be careful if visting, and how dare he try and impose such primitive misogynist ways on The Greatest Country on Earth (TM).
I mean there’s nowhere else he could have possibly learnt such backwardness from is there ?
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Kiuku says:
Parellel I like you. You’re pretty smart. But I won’t be told the proper way to object to Obama’s hypocrisy, sexism, and misogyny throughout this years election and our future.
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Nina M. says:
Sigh.
Here I thought we’d be talking about trashing the Constitution, homophobia, sexism, and how a skilled writer can send a message that the majority is the “real” good guys - the “real” America - by using a minority as a foil. The more I think about it, I wonder if Obama’s team didn’t *want* to spark outrage from the gay and lesbian and feminist communities (not that feminists, besides The New Agenda and Linda Hirshman and our dear Violet, of course, are really saying much). The more we complain, the more “normal” and “middle America” Obama looks. “Look,” he can say, “the forces of political correctness pick on me just like they pick on you.”
But instead, we’re deporting people to Kenya and helping Australians with their travel plans.
There’s no point in blaming Kenya for America’s problems. Obama’s been passive-aggressive from day one - “look at us, *we’re* the ones who believe in change and hope and America (not like those corrupt, evil, racist Hillary supporters)” - and progressives, a lot of feminists, and a lot of gay opinion leaders ate it up. They loved being part of the in-crowd (while it lasted).
This is an American problem - our problem - no one else’s.
(And though I wrote “American” - that doesn’t mean its okay to blame the Canadians and the Mexicans, either, dammit).
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Kiuku says:
Especially when there are people who aren’t objecting -at all-
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yttik says:
I’m objecting. Vehemently.
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CoolAunt says:
Kiuku, for what it’s worth, I don’t believe you were wishing Obama into the cornfield - I mean into the jungle or anything racist. That’s the last I’ll say about it because Nina’s right. We need to focus on our problems here and what can be done about them.
So, how does one go about protesting an inauguration?
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parallel says:
I won’t be told the proper way to object to Obama’s hypocrisy, sexism, and misogyny
If you are going to slate Obama on the grounds that he/his policies are crap because he (his father) hails from a crap country, and that’s where his crap policies belong, then some people will point out the racism of that.
It is racist because you are saying that his attitudes and policies are wrong, not because of their wrong-ness but because of his Kenyan-ness.
That is a very basic understanding of racism, no reaching or cards required.
Also, what underlines that you have a problem here is that you interpret my objection as defending or “championing” Obama, when in fact what I’m defending or championing is to have a discussion of Obama’s (any politicians) flaws without resorting to bigotry.
Think “Wassilla Hillbillies” and so on. Same principle.
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yttik says:
Apparently Caroline Kennedy can be sold to the American public because she has “good political genes.”Obama was marketed as being “born of Selma marches,” the great son of Kenya, allegedly full of liberal values because of his genes. I don’t buy either argument, but we’re stuck in a bit of a bind here because if you try to point out that Obama’s father was actually a corrupt local politician in a country that has some big troubles with sexism, people think you’re being racist.Obama is the one that offered Kenya and his father as a character reference for his politics, as a selling point. Well, I think it’s a faulty selling point.
Things are kind of twisted. I mean is it sexist to think Caroline should not be appointed because she has no qualifications and she would be granted the senate seat simply because of who she is? Probably because several unqualified male politicians are able to enter politics simply because of who they are and who they know, rather than their qualifications. If we would select somebody like Obama who offered his genes and lots of promises instead of an actual track record of experience, then why not provide the same opportunity for a female? How about Bush, you want me to believe he got where he was because he’s so intelligent?
Is it not somewhat condescending and racist to be afraid to discuss Obama’s race and his fathers country in a negative light? LOL, shouldn’t Obama be entitled to the same abuse we dump on other politicians?
The man is now in a position of power.The people here on the bottom are not in a position to oppress him with racism. Personally I’m not going to walk on eggshells when critisizing him. He’s shown an appalling disregard for women’s issues. And gay rights. And those people in Chicago who went without heat for four months.
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parallel says:
Is it not somewhat condescending and racist to be afraid to discuss Obama’s race and his fathers country in a negative light?
It is nothing to do with being afraid of discussion. A criticism of a country’s or person’s policies is quite different from the content of a discussion where someone’s race is talked about “in a negative light”, again, basic racism.
LOL, shouldn’t Obama be entitled to the same abuse we dump on other politicians?
Are you really saying that you think it is acceptable to use sexist or racist or ageist or homophobic or any other bigotry to express your opinions of politicians ? Or that just some of those prejudices are OK ? Or that it’s OK as long as you personally don’t like the target ?
The man is now in a position of power.The people here on the bottom are not in a position to oppress him with racism.
Oh FFS. As long as there are people who *are* being shat upon by racism (or sexism or homophobia or …) then racist (sexist,homophobic …) taunts, digs, images, behaviour - even when aimed at someone “in power” - then this is still an exercise in bigotry.
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CoolAunt says:
So, does anyone want to talk about protesting an inauguration?
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yttik says:
“Are you really saying that you think it is acceptable to use sexist or racist or ageist or homophobic or any other bigotry to express your opinions of politicians ?”
I’m saying I refuse to walk on eggshells constantly obsessed with the political correctness of my criticisms.
I’m saying we’re trying to criticize a man in power, who holds all the cards, who is engaging in some pretty oppressive behavior towards women and gays. But everytime people try to complain about it, it seems like somebody comes along and tries to shift the focus to Obama’s alleged victimization.
Reality says to me that a comment such as “This isn’t Kenya ass****” is not going to harm Obama one bit. However, Obama’s bigotry combined with his power is likely to impact us all thru his policy decisions.
“This isn’t Kenya ass****” was probably a reference to a country where women’s life expectancy is 43 yrs old because they work themselves to death. A country where hundreds of girls flee female genital mutilation and seek refuge in churches this time of year. Where poverty and political corruption run rampant.A place where they are fighting the invasion of sharia law.
In the face of all those horrors being referenced, it makes me angry to have those concerns simply dismissed in an automatic assumption that the intent of the Kenyan reference was racist.
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Branjor says:
Let me see - kiuku did not say Obama “should go back to the jungle” (which, IMO, would have been racist), she said “this is America, not Kenya.” Now if Obama was of Saudi Arab descent, would we think it was racist if she said “this is America, not Saudi Arabia”? No, because we know what Saudi Arabia is like. Well, Kenya is not much better. It is both Christian and Muslim and now has Sharia law. So the country is what it is, black or not, and it is not racist to say so. Anyway, that’s my take on it.
Now, back to protesting that inauguration! I heard there are going to be thousands of porta potties set up on the Mall for the inauguration - it will go down in history as “the Porta Potty Inauguration”. LOL!
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Anna Belle says:
My last comment got modded.
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bob coley jr says:
Usually I can read the map of a discussion, but today I’m lost. I guess we’re not in Kansas anymore!
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soopermouse says:
Parallel is still using the “racist ” riposte.
And can someone please explain to me what is worng with wishing OBama into the cornfield? -
Greenconsciousness says:
It gets boring repeating stuff everyone should know by now. BO supported and funded Kenya politicians who promised to bring back sharia.
The point the poster was trying to make is to compare it to what Barack Obama has done for Muslim women in Kenya. BO supports his brother in Kenya, Abongo Obama a politician who wants to bring back Sharia AND his cousin, Odinga, who made campaign promises to bring back Sharia.
This is from a letter from people who live in Kenya:
“Before his announcement to run Obama went to Kenya, spent a lot of money campaigning actively (with Dick Morris) on behalf of his Luo tribe Cousin Odinga, then the opposition leader, who is a marxist-islamist fanatic and provised to islamist councils (signed memo) that if elected, SHARIA LAW would be the law of the land! He wants full cover for women and chastity laws, and Barack knew this and approved!
In December, Odinga lost the election (only 10% Kenyans are muslim, rest Christians in this formerly Democratic country) and his murderous supporters and gangs started last Dec. raping families and burned down 55 churches–Barack had given them money under the “friends” corporate logo!
Barack called Condi Rice last Jan. and asked her if he could write a “Healing Speech for the Kenyan civil war” raging as result of his support of his cousin. The (former) president Kikuyu had registered his strong objection to Obama’s direct interference in his sovereign country’s affairs.
Hundreds of refugees are suffering and women and children have been hurt hte most–thanks to Obama’s support of his murderous cousin Odinga, who is now President!”
Obama campaigned for Odinga to such an extent that Kenya made a formal complaint to the state dept. Both are Muslim extremist who hate Israel with all the craziness of that breed
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m Andrea says:
Parallel, the one sentence which you chose to interpret as racist was: “This isn’t Kenya ass****”
Normally, I would agree with you that the above linguistic formulae is racist, ok? But context is important and a couple factors must be taken into account. One, that Obama does indeed have very close political AND family ties to Kenya; and two, that Kenya is an incredibly misogynistic society.
So the sentence to which you are declaring as racist is a little problematic, and doesn’t make for a great example of Kiuku’s alledged racism — especially given that Kiuku has a long history of expousing racial justice.
It is racist because you are saying that his attitudes and policies are wrong, not because of their wrong-ness but because of his Kenyan-ness.
That is a very basic understanding of racism, no reaching or cards required.
It was saying “get your ass back to misogyny land where your views fit right in”. Your framing fits the narrative that “even white feminists are racist”, but that narrative isn’t true. While white feminists are most likely unaware of all the ways in which WOC are made to feel uncomfortable, actively hating WOC isn’t really likely… So screaming “THAT’S RACIST OMG” is highly offensive to people who hate racism.
OMG Parallel, you are misogynistic!! Gah, I can’t believe how misogynistic you are!! Still think your accusation sounds reasonable?
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Kiuku says:
Hey guess what? I don’t care if it comes across as racist. I won’t be told the proper way to process my outrage at Obama.
And I don’t think I need to be held to a higher moral standard than my enemy. To object is all that is necessary. The sense of needing to take the higher moral ground often prevent people from objecting.
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Kiuku says:
I think very negatively about Kenya; much more than the US. I have a low opinion of Kenya and Kenyan influence -in men-. know I would rather live in the US than in Kenya and that is just being honest with myself. But I think it is absurd to consider that To Be-President Obama needs a racist champion on the Feminist forum.
The issue is the article, not what might be racist in one commenters posts.
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Kiuku says:
No one here was being racist.
How about that protest?
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Anna Belle says:
Please don’t publish my comment after all, Violet. Upon re-reading, it was harsher than I meant it to be; pre-coffee, yada, yada, yada.
Suffice it to say that I was defending Kuiku, because I clearly see the correlation she was attempting to make between Odingo trying to establish Sharia law under the auspices of morality and Obama trying to invoke acceptance of a kind of American equivalent of Sharia, specifically the fundamentalist response to gays, under the auspices of morality. Her statement regarding Kenya was clearly an analogy of action, and not parentage.
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Violet says:
parallel, I tell you this frankly: you’re an idiot. You’re the kind of person who thinks it’s racist to even refer to a country where the population is black.
Kenya is a country where women are severely oppressed. Obama is half-Kenyan. It’s a simple allusion.
If Obama were half-Bulgarian we could say “this isn’t Bulgaria” in response to whatever gross corruption Obama is going to commit/has committed.
For chrissake.
I don’t want to hear any more of this bullshit.
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Alwaysthinking says:
We may not be able to have a physical protest during the inauguration in DC, but we can leave our television sets off that day.
As for dysfunctional presidents, we’ve gone from a man with Daddy issues (and according to some sources, also Mommy issues) to one who clearly blames his Mommy. I wonder if his grandmother died broken-hearted. I think she did.
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Nina M. says:
I have an idea for a protest.
This would be possible if one could round up a crew of stage designers and carpenters.
I see an “art installation,” outdoors, of an oversized, round kitchen table surrounded by a number of chairs. [ I'm thinking the scale of the items that used be sold in the "Big" store in Manhattan in the eighties, the giant pencil, baseball glove, etc, also like in the movie "Big."]
The idea is “Rick Warren’s America.” Several figures - cartoonish, puppet-like, very simple - would be seated around the table. One would be Pastor Rick; there would also be a married couple, maybe one or two others. Then there would be a number of empty chairs, with a sign hung on the back of each that says”REJECTED for being gay” “REJECTED for being lesbian” “REJECTED for being Jewish” “REJECTED - for divorcing abusive husband” and so on.
I probably saw a version of this somewhere and am just repeating it without remembering the source.
I have no idea how this would be constructed, but I’ve watched enough home makeover shows to believe anything is possible (cough). Of course someone would need to provide the space to stage the thing - I doubt anyone could get a permit to do this on public land.
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Puma for Life says:
Check out the hardhitting analysis on Dissenting Justice. The aritlce is followed by a lot of links on the subject. Excellent resource.
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madamab says:
Ya notice how Obama says “all sides of the faith community,” but somehow, Jews, Muslims and other religions never seem to be part of that community?
Don’t mind Obama. He’s just dancing with the ones that brung him.
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CoolAunt says:
On CNN early this morning, they aired a clip of Warren addressing a live audience, I’m not sure if it was a church congregation or some political gathering. Anyway, in his tiny, hateful, little mind, he’s apparently setting the record straight by stating that he loves blacks and Muslims and (fill in name of group), and then finally, that he loves gays and lesbians. Then the audience cheered and he beamed as if his declaration of love for gays and lesbians makes everything all right.
(Am I the only one who’s reminded of Separate but Equal at this point? “We love them coloreds. We’s jes’ loves ‘em better when they stay over yonder with their own kind.” Yeah, Warren and his fauxgressives love gays and lesbians. They just love them better when they don’t love each other.)
SO, Warren loves gays and lesbians. Well, who cares? I don’t care that he supposedly loves gays and lesbians and I bet gays and lesbians don’t give a flying f#ck that he loves them, either. I don’t think gays and lesbians are looking for the love and approval of Warren, me or any other hets. What they rightfully want is for Warren and other hets to stop supporting efforts denying them the basic rights that are granted to all other US citizens. And I’m sure Warren knows this even if the cheering audience didn’t quite grasp it, hence the huge, shit-eating grin on his face as the audience cheered.
Stay with me here; it gets worse.
The clip ends and back at the news desk, a statement from Obama about his choice of Warren and Americans accepting one another’s differences; I wish I could remember the quote exactly but I’m sure you’ve heard similarly weak quotes from him and have a good idea about this one, too. At this point, the talking heads, both women fwiw, shrug at each other and smile sheepishly, as if to say, “Oh, well. What are you gonna’ do?” It was obvious that they were trying to play down something significant and important to make it appear small and quirky. “Beaver just won’t stop feeding the dog under the dining table, Ward.” Or “Daddy just insists on wearing that silly hat every Thanksgiving.” Response, “Oh, well. What are you gonna’ do?” Sheepish grin and shrug inserted here.
I guess there’s not much more that they can do right now but try to play it down, try to pretend that it’s no big deal. After all, they (the supposed journalists and reporters of the MSM) ignored Obama’s sexist and anti-gay and -lesbian remarks and positions during the campaigns, choosing instead to sell him to us as The One, our only Hope for Change. He’s not even sworn into office yet, and has, in fact, chosen to make an anti-equal rights for women and anti-equal rights for gays and lesbians at his swearing-in event. Short of yelling, “Stop the presses! We f#cked big time,” what can they do?
It’s all so surreal. When did I land in this parallel universe and how did I get here? More importantly, how do I get back to the real universe, the one that makes sense?
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CoolAunt says:
On CNN early this morning, they aired a clip of Warren addressing a live audience, I’m not sure if it was a church congregation or some political gathering. Anyway, in his tiny, hateful, little mind, he’s apparently setting the record straight by stating that he loves blacks and Muslims and (fill in name of group), and then finally, that he loves gays and lesbians. Then the audience cheered and he beamed as if his declaration of love for gays and lesbians makes everything all right.
(Am I the only one who’s reminded of Separate but Equal at this point? “We love them coloreds. We’s jes’ loves ‘em better when they stay over yonder with their own kind.” Yeah, Warren and his fauxgressives love gays and lesbians. They just love them better when they don’t love each other.)
SO, Warren loves gays and lesbians. Well, who cares? I don’t care that he supposedly loves gays and lesbians and I bet gays and lesbians don’t give a flying f#ck that he loves them, either. I don’t think gays and lesbians are looking for the love and approval of Warren, me or any other hets. What they rightfully want is for Warren and other hets to stop supporting efforts denying them the basic rights that are granted to all other US citizens. And I’m sure Warren knows this even if the cheering audience didn’t quite grasp it, hence the huge, shit-eating grin on his face as the audience cheered.
Stay with me here; it gets worse.
The clip ends and back at the news desk, a statement from Obama about his choice of Warren and Americans accepting one another’s differences; I wish I could remember the quote exactly but I’m sure you’ve heard similarly weak quotes from him and have a good idea about this one, too. At this point, the talking heads, both women fwiw, shrug at each other and smile sheepishly, as if to say, “Oh, well. What are you gonna’ do?” It was obvious that they were trying to play down something significant and important to make it appear small and quirky. “Beaver just won’t stop feeding the dog under the dining table, Ward.” Or “Daddy just insists on wearing that silly hat every Thanksgiving.” Response, “Oh, well. What are you gonna’ do?” Sheepish grin and shrug inserted here.
I guess there’s not much more than can do right now but try to play it down, try to pretend that it’s no big deal. After all, they (the supposed journalists and reporters of the MSM) ignored Obama’s sexist and anti-gay and -lesbian remarks and positions during the campaigns, choosing instead to sell him to us as The One, our only Hope for Change. He’s not even sworn into office yet, and has, in fact, chosen to make an anti-equal rights for women and anti-equal rights for gays and lesbians at his swearing-in event. Short of yelling, “Stop the presses! We f#cked big time,” what can they do?
It’s all so surreal. When did I land in this parallel universe and how did I get here? More importantly, how do I get back to the real universe, the one that makes sense?
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Alwaysthinking says:
Often in public relations and marketing, new names are created to convey a new image. This does not always work at some levels because the new words come to mean the same thing as the old words.
HOWEVER, why are we woMEN and feMALE? Why aren’t we our own persons, separate and distinct? We need to begin drawing distinctions and demonstrating that we ARE our own selves. We need a new name and a brave new face. Let’s put this new image on the protests we must undertake.
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Kiuku says:
Ever notice how Obama always has that same smug, insecure grin look going?
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Sis says:
Parallel is the one being racist. I have difficulty explaining it, but used to refer to it as “reverse racism”. That’s an old term. It’s just plain racism, but “reverse” racism is what lefty progressives do to be politically correct. They fawn over persons of colour, work on POC causes (appropriation), become over-zealous on labelling everything racism to prove how with-it they are, often marry persons of colour, collecting them, having a kind of fetish. Wanna-be’s.
I hate the fuckers.
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Sis says:
What happened to my post? Did it get vaporized because I said f**kers?
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yttik says:
“Ever notice how Obama always has that same smug, insecure grin look going?”
Yes, looks exactly like the smirk our last president wore. I think it says, “the joke’s on you, suckers.”
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CoolAunt says:
Sis says:
What happened to my post? Did it get vaporized because I said f**kers?
My comment yesterday never showed up, either.
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Violet says:
Sorry, folks, your comments accidentally went into the spam filter (false positive). I rescued them.
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julia says:
My only thought is WHY would he invite Warren? He could have had any number of brilliant speakers who are feminist, lesbian, gay or at least an ally. He also could have appointed someone who really cares about kids ( i.e., not a fan of No Child Worth a Dime) for Secretary of Education.
Maybe I should take up meditation. This is going to be a nerve-wracking 4 years.
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Anna Belle says:
Sis, the best thing about you is that you speak your mind perfectly. What I love about it is that I so often agree. Rock on, Sis.
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julia says:
Has anyone seen the cover of Utne Reader? Proof that this year’s campaign was pure marketing. It makes me want ot laught and throw up at the same time.
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Sis says:
Thanks Anna I see it did appear after all.
CoolAunt that is magnificent. I may have to use the Beaver and feeding the dog under the table line soon.
Off now to eat as much sugar and fat as possible.
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FembotsForObama says:
madamab says:
“Ya notice how Obama says “all sides of the faith community,” but somehow, Jews, Muslims and other religions never seem to be part of that community?Don’t mind Obama. He’s just dancing with the ones that brung him.”
Thanks for repointing this out madamb! I think Obama has a serious problem because he has only affiliated with one type of Christian church which he equated with the condition of ALL Black churches in the US during his speech on racism. This was maddening to the point of insanity. These kinds of racist and misogynist churches seem like home to him.
So it was ok for Obama to call his church (and ALL Black churches) racist, but when we do it we are racist. I’m tired of the race card being played by Obama; how much longer are we going to have to endure it?
just my two cents
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Lisa says:
I turned on the TV tonight (I cut off the cable, and normally only watch movies, but accidentally I turned it on and Obama was talking. I was so frantic to get him off the tv that I started yelling at my poor little 9 year old to find the remote! When I got the channel changed I apologized to him- he understood. (he knows how I feel about Obama). How I’m going to survive the next four years I don’t know…
Kiuku you always put a grin on my face. I get to vent vicariously.
