An AFP shot from this morning in Virginia Beach – Palin Rally October 13, 2008.
I am not sure which is worse, the Salem Witch Hunt, the Red Scare, or the McCain/Palin campaign tactics. Each election, we sit and stomach absurd tactics like this. I am an independent, but certain things are intellectually dishonest about the GOP’s tactics. In particular, this victimization role. If anything, the GOP is the party of anti-victimization, yet we hear pandering to low socioeconomic constituents every day about fighting to get religion back in school (when we widely overrate the actual threat of prayer out of school), to fight the evil media, to put the American family first, or insert fringe issue that really does not influence the average American’s life here.
There is a strong correlation between GOP tactics and the confederate south: embrace an attitude that outside aggressors are trying to destroy your way of life, when in actuality, you are the oppressor.
Marketing with fear is a powerful and penetrating tool. Since fear is a universal emotion, it can be viral and irrational. We have sustained some churches primarily through fear tactics and even preach that fear is healthy. Fear can create blind love without being critical.
I live in a southern state and it rarely snows. There is a fear that there will be an avalanche. When it snows, consumption of bread and milk goes through the roof – people stock up. Now, the irony about this is that the ice rarely comes and has never lasted for over a couple of days, but the fear causes folks to support. Who benefits? Of course, the dairy industry. Same with gas shortages.
I do not buy the argument that the campaign cannot control the audience. That is why campaigns give out posters, to control the message. Being non-racist, or non-responsive to racist actions could be viewed as tacitly agreeing. McCain is going to have to deplore actions like these. Beyond partisan politics, if McCain or Obama wins, our country needs some serious healing.
Leaving it behind a morally questionable strategy when it is so effective is tough.
But how far do you go?
My cyber-buddy on the other side of the aisle Ken rightfully questioned if I am equally offended by some of the Palin posters by die-hard left wing campaigners. I would say that depends. I don’t think all political signage is bad. (e.g., Nobama, or McSame). But, there is a difference between zealously advocating for your candidate as opposed to toying around with phrases like, “Kill him,” or “Obama Bin Laden.” On the night of Palin’s acceptance, the RNC wore buttons on the floor which read, “Hot VP, from a Cold State.”
Frankly, she has accepted the sexist comments when they are benefitial to her. The distinguishing factor is how the campaigns react to things like this. Ignoring them may be tacit or constructive acceptance of the action. At the very least, a sort of passive condoning in a sense.
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At least those signs aren’t vulgar like the one’s being worn by obama supporters about Palin.
You condemned those too, right.
Ken-
Hmmm… let’s see… which is more offensive?
Wearing vulgar t-shirts?
Or calling for a candidate’s death and decapitation?
Seems like a no-brainer to me…
I have responded above Ken.
Chaze77, we went from questionable signs, to vulgar t-shirts, to calls for death. I won’t go to the bomb, yet….
PM, the problem with the zealots, not only are they stupid, they’re scary. To both sides.
Besides, it’s not the south Obama needs to worry about. It’s Murtha’s Western PA.
Ken-
The t-shirts, the signs AND the death threats were displayed at various political rallies. Surely there’s enough of a common ground there to allow me to comment on it. It certainly isn’t out of line that I may choose to reference the death threats that have been shouted against Obama at McCain/Palin rallies, considering the author of the post referenced such horrors as the Salem Witch Hunt and the Red Scare… Beyond that, it seems to me that you actually opened the door… Getting your feelings hurt over some stupid t-shirts…
So again, I ask, which is more offensive?
Are you saying my reminding you of these most recent threats was inappropriate somehow?
Hell, as far as I can tell, my comment went right along with the premise of the post!
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