Okay, so I follow lots of blogs.  And we all know I’m rather het up about the political right now.  So, when QOS finally delivered the smackdown to McPalin because of their new message, well I’m sure you can imagine that I read it with much glee.  As for what’s getting QOS’s goat now?  Oh, it’s just the race-baiting, lying, and other dishonorable activities that He and She Who Must Not Be Elected are unleashing during their last desperate efforts to apparently influence the KKK Undecided vote their way?  Although, from the message, the people I think they’re talking to represent a constituency that they should have locked down a long time ago.  I mean, come on, that part of the Republican Big Tent would  vote for Francis the Talking Mule if that was the only alternative they were offered to Barack Obama.  I am only hopeful that these are not tactics that will sway the mainstream in our country.  And I am sad because I think these tactics are being employed for no other reason than revenge.  Yes, revenge.  Because if Sen. McCain can pull off the amazing feat of winning the job of Commander-in- Chief, he will finally be able to say that he trumped the accomplishments of his other, far more illustrious ancestors: Adm. John S. "Slew" McCain – WWII-era 4 star Admiral, and Adm. John S. "Junior" McCain Jr. – Vietnam-era 4 Star Admiral.  Both of whom, it must be noted, regarded the good Senator as nothing more than a lightweight wastrel unable to succeed without pulling the family rank or marrying a Beer heiress.  And, if you think I’m making this stuff up, go and read this and then tell me I’m crazy.  So, anyway, ego and inadequacy was the combination that has led the Senator to decide now, in the twilight of his political career, to make a Faustian deal with the Rovian Devils that he consorts with.  A deal that will force him to sacrifice any honor or decency that he ever possessed, in order to finally prove everybody wrong.   

Yeah, I know, sad and sorry, isn’t it?  May the Lord protect us from failure sons with grudges to settle. Et tu W? 

And even more sadly, for him and our country, his last-ditch efforts are only proving his ancestors right, I think.  Because, while his efforts might help to ensure that he carries the far-right wing of his party, the tactics of hate, mud and smear are certainly not what is right for all of us.  Because after all the race is baited and the mud is slung, we still share this land.  Like it or not.  We still have to go to church and school together.  And somebody still has to lead us, polarized and full of hatred, and he’s not up to that task now, or ever.  And while you think about that worst-case scenario, ask yourself whether hatred is one of the beatitudes?  I don’t think so, but it’s been a while since I was in religious school.  But that’s what Senator McCain’s message is – hate everybody who isn’t like us.  And by us, I’m still trying to determine who he means?  Rich, white, and old?  Or ignorant, backward, and close-minded?  Because that’s who he’s getting with his new message.  That’s who’s listening.  And that’s the only people for whom his message of hate and race-baiting will ever resonate. 

And while you ponder that mental picture, ask yourself whether this is the face of America that we really want the rest of the world to see?  Vicious, screaming "kill him", and showing that nasty little secret that we try so hard to hide – that we are in our darkest hearts still a nation of racists?  Because, unfortunately, that’s what the world is seeing.  Oh, we try to pretend that we’ve moved beyond it, but we haven’t.  Racism in our country is one of our most damaging character defects.  You know, sort of like having pimples on your butt.  You can put on your pants and nobody sees them, but you still know they’re there, and whenever you scratch so does everybody else. 

I guess I should state here, that I, for one, think it’s sad that anybody is running a campaign based on hatred in 2008.  To be very clear, I do not hate anybody on the other side of the Political fence from me and my beliefs.  In fact, I have family members who for their own personal reasons are voting the exact opposite of my choices.  And because I know their motivations and I know their hearts, I accept their choice and honor their right to believe differently than me.  And I feel the same about anybody else in the country who has made their decision with the same thoughtful and careful examination of the facts.  I may wonder about their wisdom and their thought processes, but I will never hate anybody for believing differently than me.  However, the same cannot be said for the other side of the fence.  In fact, there are many on the other side who most certainly do hate me, and anybody else who believes like me.  They think my "live and let live" agenda is sending their country to Hell, they say I am "Unamerican" and some of them even feel that it is their god-given mission to destroy me and my ilk.  To marginalize half of our country, to take away our right to believe differently from them.  And that’s almost unbelievable, isn’t it?  To think that this is happening in our country, in 2008.  But it is. 

So, when you’re listening to the news, and you hear the hate, you, just like me, must speak out.  Vote your conscience, but do not allow hatred and racism be a part of your soul.  Know that your children are watching, the world is watching, and on this day of Atonement, we are all being judged on our merits and our faults.  It does matter.  If we let Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin win, with their new message of hate, then we all lose.  Because simply winning, no matter what the cost or consequences, is not a win for our country.  Yes, our country.  My country.  Your country.  And I don’t know about you, but I am willing to fight and die defending the right of my fellow Americans to believe differently from me, for their right to speak out and speak up, their right to be free and equal.  Freedom is not free, and it cannot be destroyed unless we stand aside and let it happen through our own failure to act.  Unless we allow people like Senator McCain & Governor Palin to spread again the poison of hatred though our great land. 

All men are created equal. 

A very great man wrote those words.  A man far greater than John Sidney McCain III could ever dream of being.  As Americans, it is our duty to see that the greatness of those words is not lost in a cloud of hatred and anger.  And with that, I’m leaving you to consider a comment that was left for QOS.  I sincerely hope that this person is in the minority, because his message to me is frightening.  Chilling.  I hate knowing that my country has produced more people like him.  People who are charming, intelligent, well-spoken, and also willing to tear apart our great nation rather than accept any compromise of beliefs with their fellow countrymen.  He is one of the people who view me as the enemy, the enemy who must be destroyed.  As you read his words, remember that this is John McCain’s new base.  And consider carefully whether this is the person who you want to represent America.  A country that courageous men and women have fought for and died defending, for more than 200 years.  The land of the Free and the home of the Brave.  

 Daniel 10.07.08 at 8:40 pm

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