I'm fascinated with the narratives coming out of this election. I particularly enjoy watching the left dredge up a contemporary rendition of their classic stand-by: that all conservatives are mean hateful people. (You can read the latest example of this storyline in the Chicago Sun-Times)
Or, for an even better example, see The Porter Bureau
The McCain-Palin ticket is constantly portrayed as racist hatemongers who use campaign rallies to stir up their supporters to violence. This narrative is particularly powerful during this election for two reasons. Obama is black. Palin is country. After reading articles like the one above, you'd think the Republican symbol was a burning cross rather than an elephant.
A few weeks ago, when it looked like Barry could actually lose, the airwaves and newspaper columns were full of accusations that racism was making the election close. Now that Obama had a strong edge, liberals are working themselves into a frenzy over the likelihood that Barry will be assasinated. That's how conservatives problem-solve, after all.
Admittedly, conservative have opened the door to this sort of thing with their "Obama doesn't see the world as we see it" rhetoric. The conservative media have done what they always do - make the public afraid of the Democratic candidate.
My question is: where does this narrative come from? When the left has a problem they protest peacefully (ex. anti-globalization protests in Seattle, or the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago), but the right goes out and kills people.
This is another arena where the response to Palin is so fascinating. I would argue there is BY FAR more hatred and vitriole directed towards her in the public arena than anything that's been said against Obama. Here are a few examples:
Inspiring artwork depicting Palin as a "Mother I'd like to Punch." Sure, it celebrates violence against women, but it's for a good cause.
A popular museum display of Palin breaking one of the left's commandments - Thou shalt not hunt. And an Obama supporter pointing a rifle at her head. Can you imagine the outcry if the media caught a McCain supporter pointing a rifle at a banner featuring Barry's likeness?
Here's a charming little bumper sticker for your minivan. The website that sells these carries the tagline: Abort Sarah Palin because she's a horrible person. Another example of rational dialogue on the issues.I don't blame Obama for this. He didn't create this intense animosity towards a mother of four from Alaska. But I am interested in why these types of portrayals are never featured on the nightly news or on the pages of the NY Times / Washington Post? The answer is really quite simple.
They don't fit the storyline.
5 comments:
It is amazing to also note the lack of press on all the violent (or planned) protesting during the Republican National Convention in St Paul, MN. Major damage was wrecked on several downtown buildings. My father works in a building that was about 10 blocks from the convention. A rather large window was broken. Cost to fix: $11,000. On top of that, many protesters were arrested carrying bodily fluids, such as urine, that they were planning to throw at people. I don't believe anything even close to that happen at the DNC.
I appreciated your post. It is sadly very true.
It just goes to show that misogyny is alive and well in America!!
I don't blame Obama for this. He didn't create this intense animosity towards a mother of four from Alaska. But I am interested in why these types of portrayals are never featured on the nightly news or on the pages of the NY Times / Washington Post? The answer is really quite simple.
They don't fit the storyline.
Oh, Pah-lah-hee-hee-zzz! Martyrs for Palin unite! As I've said before, she's not worthy of your constant defense.
Here's the difference in "narratives": The examples you cite all from from random groups in no way associated with the Obama campaign, as you say. Search your interweb and you'll find all kinds of horrific images of either candidate. But Palin is the one that said Obama "palls around with terrorists," not some fringe nut job. It is the media's job to call out this kind of incendiary speech before it gets out of hand, and as McCain's recent efforts--half hearted though they may be--to reign in his mob demonstrate, they had the very effect McPalin knew they would.
During any election you can find people from any party lobbing hate at the other side. The difference in this election is that the hate is coming from St. Palin herself, and no amount of "painting" is required to expose her for what she is.
Yes, you liberals are all about explosing people for what they really are. Let's take the latest Republican 'martyr', a guy named Joe the Plumber.
Joe needed to be exposed for what he was - someone who DARED to confront Obama about his tax plan, his plan to 'spread the wealth' around. Heaven forbid working people be allowed to question Barry's tax hikes posing as a populist campaign.
So we unleash the attacks, both by the media and by the Obama campaign. Within three days Joe has been exposed for the charlatan he is...
He doesn't make anywhere near 250,000$.
He probably won't be able to buy the business as he claimed.
He owes back taxes.
He's not even a real plumber.
His name is not even Joe, its Sam. (Joe is his middle name.)
Right now the Obama campaign is running robo-calls in Virginia from a 'real plumber' who supports Obama. Very classy.
Hopefully the sight of Joe's head on a pike will be a sign to other ordinary people wishing to express their opinion about the issues.
You will be exposed.
McCain brought up "Joe the Plumber," not Obama. As far as I can tell, there are no robo calls telling people the McCain (or Joe) is a terrorist. And that's the point. You want to say that Democrats are all about "painting" people in particular ways by comparing the fringe of the Democratic party to the actual nominee of the Republican party. As we say of poetry, it doesn't scan.
Palin, by her incendiary comments linking Obama to terrorists and by her inability to answer even basic questions, has crafted her own narrative and painted her own national portrait. To blame her failings and incompetence on others is the height of naivete. I expect better from you, I really do.
PS Rams? The Rams? Ouch
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