When Tom Brokaw asked Colin Powell on Sunday’s “Meet the Press” about those who would suggest his endorsement of Barack Obama is race-based, the former secretary of state said:
“If I had only had that in mind, I could have done this six, eight, 10 months ago. I really have been going back and forth between somebody I have the highest respect and regard for, John McCain, and somebody I was getting to know, Barack Obama. And, it was only in the last couple of months that I settled on this.
“And, I can't deny that it will be a historic event for an African-American to become president. And, should that happen, all Americans should be proud - not just African-Americans, but all Americans - that we have reached this point in our national history where such a thing could happen. It will also not only electrify our country, I think it'll electrify the world.”
***
“I just want to button this up, because the Drive-Bys had a tizzy over my allegation that his nomination was about race. Well, let me say it louder, and let me say it even more plainly: it was totally about race! The Powell nomination, or endorsement, IT WAS TOTALLY ABOUT RACE!”
- Rush Limbaugh, radio talk show host, 20 October 2008.
Sigh.
Gen. Powell’s reasons for endorsing Obama are clear enough and can be found in yesterday’s post.
Rush Limbaugh just doesn’t want his Dittoheads to hear or understand them.
After all, his devotees got that nickname from calling into his radio show and saying, “Ditto, Rush.”
10.21.2008
10.20.2008
What Powell said
Let’s move beyond the Monday morning headline, “Colin Powell endorses Obama,” splashed in various words across the nation’s front pages.
The importance of Powell’s endorsement lies not only in who he will vote for, but in what he said – powerful words of wisdom, spoken with genuine sincerity.
Many saw Colin Powell’s appearance yesterday with moderator Tom Brokaw on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Many did not. Many today will be limited to soundbites from, in my opinion, one of the most significant statements of this long presidential campaign.
If only every voting-age American could hear Powell’s words.
VIEW THE MSNBC VIDEO, or read the TRANSCRIPT below of Powell’s brief statement:
“Meet the Press,” NBC, 19 October 2008:
MR. TOM BROKAW, moderator: Gen. Powell, actually you gave a campaign contribution to Sen. McCain. You have met twice at least with Barack Obama. Are you prepared to make a public declaration of which of these two candidates that you're prepared to support?
GEN. COLIN POWELL, former Secretary of State: Yes, but let me lead into it this way. I know both of these individuals very well now. I've known John for 25 years as your setup said. And, I've gotten to know Mr. Obama quite well over the past two years. Both of them are distinguished Americans who are patriotic, who are dedicated to the welfare of our country. Either one of them, I think, would be a good president.
I have said to Mr. McCain that I admire all he has done. I have some concerns about the direction that the (Republican) Party has taken in recent years. It has moved more to the right than I would like to see it, but that's a choice the Party makes. And,
I've said to Mr. Obama, "You have to pass a test of “do you have enough experience, and do you bring the judgment to the table that would give us confidence that you would be a good president?" And, I've watched him over the past two years, frankly, and I've had this conversation with him.
I have especially watched over the last six or seven weeks as both of them have really taken a final exam with respect to this economic crisis that we are in and coming out of the conventions. And, I must say that I've gotten a good measure of both. In the case of Mr. McCain, I found that he was a little unsure as to deal with the economic problems that we were having and almost every day there was a different approach to the problem. And, that concerned me, sensing that he didn't have a complete grasp of the economic problems that we had.
And, I was also concerned at the selection of Gov. Palin. She's a very distinguished woman, and she's to be admired; but at the same time, now that we have had a chance to watch her for some seven weeks, I don't believe she's ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president. And, so that raised some question in my mind as to the judgment that Sen. McCain made.
On the Obama side, I watched Mr. Obama, and I watched him during this seven-week period. And, he displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge and an approach to looking at problems like this and picking a vice president that, I think, is ready to be president on day one. And also, in not just jumping in and changing every day, but showing intellectual vigor. I think that he has a, a definitive way of doing business that would serve us well.
I also believe that on the Republican side over the last seven weeks, the approach of the Republican Party and Mr. McCain has become narrower and narrower. Mr. Obama, at the same time, has given us a more inclusive, broader reach into the needs and aspirations of our people. He's crossing lines - ethnic lines, racial lines, generational lines. He's thinking about all villages have values, all towns have values, not just small towns have values.
And, I've also been disappointed, frankly, by some of the approaches that Sen. McCain has taken recently, or his campaign ads, on issues that are not really central to the problems that the American people are worried about. This Bill Ayers situation that's been going on for weeks became something of a central point of the campaign. But, Mr. McCain says that he's “a washed-out terrorist.” Well, then, why do we keep talking about him? And, why do we have these robocalls going on around the country trying to suggest that, because of this very, very limited relationship that Sen. Obama has had with Mr. Ayers, somehow, Mr. Obama is tainted? What they're trying to connect him to is some kind of terrorist feelings. And, I think that's inappropriate.
Now, I understand what politics is all about. I know how you can go after one another, and that's good. But, I think this goes too far. And, I think it has made the McCain campaign look a little narrow. It's not what the American people are looking for. And, I look at these kinds of approaches to the campaign, and they trouble me. And, the Party has moved even further to the right, and Gov. Palin has indicated a further rightward shift.
I would have difficulty with two more conservative appointments to the Supreme Court, but that's what we'd be looking at in a McCain administration.
I'm also troubled by, not what Sen. McCain says, but what members of the Party say. And, it is permitted to be said such things as, "Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim." Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim, he's a Christian. He's always been a Christian. But, the really right answer is, “What if he is?” Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's “No, that's not America.” Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president? Yet, I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion, "He's a Muslim, and he might be associated with terrorists." This is not the way we should be doing it in America.
I feel strongly about this particular point because of a picture I saw in a magazine. It was a photo essay about troops who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. And, one picture at the tail end of this photo essay was of a mother in Arlington Cemetery, and she had her head on the headstone of her son's grave. And, as the picture focused in, you could see the writing on the headstone, and it gave his awards - Purple Heart, Bronze Star - showed that he died in Iraq, gave his date of birth, date of death. He was 20 years old. And then, at the very top of the headstone, it didn't have a Christian cross, it didn't have the Star of David, it had a crescent and a star of the Islamic faith. And, his name was Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, and he was an American. He was born in New Jersey. He was 14 years old at the time of 9/11, and he waited until he could go serve his country, and he gave his life.
Now, we have got to stop polarizing ourselves in this way. And, John McCain is as nondiscriminatory as anyone I know. But, I'm troubled about the fact that, within the Party, we have these kinds of expressions.
So, when I look at all of this, and I think back to my Army career, we've got two individuals, either one of them could be a good president. But, which is the president that we need now? Which is the individual that serves the needs of the nation for the next period of time? And, I come to the conclusion that because of his ability to inspire, because of the inclusive nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities -and we have to take that into account - as well as his substance - he has both style and substance - he has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president. I think he is a transformational figure. He is a new generation coming into the world, onto the world stage, onto the American stage, and for that reason, I'll be voting for Sen. Barack Obama.
-END-
Mr. Brokaw met head-on any suggestions that Powell’s endorsement is race-based. For the complete interview, click the links above.
***
Thank you, Gen. Powell, for reminding us who we are.
The importance of Powell’s endorsement lies not only in who he will vote for, but in what he said – powerful words of wisdom, spoken with genuine sincerity.
Many saw Colin Powell’s appearance yesterday with moderator Tom Brokaw on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Many did not. Many today will be limited to soundbites from, in my opinion, one of the most significant statements of this long presidential campaign.
If only every voting-age American could hear Powell’s words.
VIEW THE MSNBC VIDEO, or read the TRANSCRIPT below of Powell’s brief statement:
“Meet the Press,” NBC, 19 October 2008:
MR. TOM BROKAW, moderator: Gen. Powell, actually you gave a campaign contribution to Sen. McCain. You have met twice at least with Barack Obama. Are you prepared to make a public declaration of which of these two candidates that you're prepared to support?
GEN. COLIN POWELL, former Secretary of State: Yes, but let me lead into it this way. I know both of these individuals very well now. I've known John for 25 years as your setup said. And, I've gotten to know Mr. Obama quite well over the past two years. Both of them are distinguished Americans who are patriotic, who are dedicated to the welfare of our country. Either one of them, I think, would be a good president.
I have said to Mr. McCain that I admire all he has done. I have some concerns about the direction that the (Republican) Party has taken in recent years. It has moved more to the right than I would like to see it, but that's a choice the Party makes. And,
I've said to Mr. Obama, "You have to pass a test of “do you have enough experience, and do you bring the judgment to the table that would give us confidence that you would be a good president?" And, I've watched him over the past two years, frankly, and I've had this conversation with him.
I have especially watched over the last six or seven weeks as both of them have really taken a final exam with respect to this economic crisis that we are in and coming out of the conventions. And, I must say that I've gotten a good measure of both. In the case of Mr. McCain, I found that he was a little unsure as to deal with the economic problems that we were having and almost every day there was a different approach to the problem. And, that concerned me, sensing that he didn't have a complete grasp of the economic problems that we had.
And, I was also concerned at the selection of Gov. Palin. She's a very distinguished woman, and she's to be admired; but at the same time, now that we have had a chance to watch her for some seven weeks, I don't believe she's ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president. And, so that raised some question in my mind as to the judgment that Sen. McCain made.
On the Obama side, I watched Mr. Obama, and I watched him during this seven-week period. And, he displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge and an approach to looking at problems like this and picking a vice president that, I think, is ready to be president on day one. And also, in not just jumping in and changing every day, but showing intellectual vigor. I think that he has a, a definitive way of doing business that would serve us well.
I also believe that on the Republican side over the last seven weeks, the approach of the Republican Party and Mr. McCain has become narrower and narrower. Mr. Obama, at the same time, has given us a more inclusive, broader reach into the needs and aspirations of our people. He's crossing lines - ethnic lines, racial lines, generational lines. He's thinking about all villages have values, all towns have values, not just small towns have values.
And, I've also been disappointed, frankly, by some of the approaches that Sen. McCain has taken recently, or his campaign ads, on issues that are not really central to the problems that the American people are worried about. This Bill Ayers situation that's been going on for weeks became something of a central point of the campaign. But, Mr. McCain says that he's “a washed-out terrorist.” Well, then, why do we keep talking about him? And, why do we have these robocalls going on around the country trying to suggest that, because of this very, very limited relationship that Sen. Obama has had with Mr. Ayers, somehow, Mr. Obama is tainted? What they're trying to connect him to is some kind of terrorist feelings. And, I think that's inappropriate.
Now, I understand what politics is all about. I know how you can go after one another, and that's good. But, I think this goes too far. And, I think it has made the McCain campaign look a little narrow. It's not what the American people are looking for. And, I look at these kinds of approaches to the campaign, and they trouble me. And, the Party has moved even further to the right, and Gov. Palin has indicated a further rightward shift.
I would have difficulty with two more conservative appointments to the Supreme Court, but that's what we'd be looking at in a McCain administration.
I'm also troubled by, not what Sen. McCain says, but what members of the Party say. And, it is permitted to be said such things as, "Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim." Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim, he's a Christian. He's always been a Christian. But, the really right answer is, “What if he is?” Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's “No, that's not America.” Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president? Yet, I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion, "He's a Muslim, and he might be associated with terrorists." This is not the way we should be doing it in America.
I feel strongly about this particular point because of a picture I saw in a magazine. It was a photo essay about troops who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. And, one picture at the tail end of this photo essay was of a mother in Arlington Cemetery, and she had her head on the headstone of her son's grave. And, as the picture focused in, you could see the writing on the headstone, and it gave his awards - Purple Heart, Bronze Star - showed that he died in Iraq, gave his date of birth, date of death. He was 20 years old. And then, at the very top of the headstone, it didn't have a Christian cross, it didn't have the Star of David, it had a crescent and a star of the Islamic faith. And, his name was Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, and he was an American. He was born in New Jersey. He was 14 years old at the time of 9/11, and he waited until he could go serve his country, and he gave his life.
Now, we have got to stop polarizing ourselves in this way. And, John McCain is as nondiscriminatory as anyone I know. But, I'm troubled about the fact that, within the Party, we have these kinds of expressions.
So, when I look at all of this, and I think back to my Army career, we've got two individuals, either one of them could be a good president. But, which is the president that we need now? Which is the individual that serves the needs of the nation for the next period of time? And, I come to the conclusion that because of his ability to inspire, because of the inclusive nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities -and we have to take that into account - as well as his substance - he has both style and substance - he has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president. I think he is a transformational figure. He is a new generation coming into the world, onto the world stage, onto the American stage, and for that reason, I'll be voting for Sen. Barack Obama.
-END-
Mr. Brokaw met head-on any suggestions that Powell’s endorsement is race-based. For the complete interview, click the links above.
***
Thank you, Gen. Powell, for reminding us who we are.
10.19.2008
Tell us it's just satire, please!
OK, if you read my post yesterday - “The Obama Potentate flag?” - about the Web author who mistook the Ohio state flag for an “Obama Potentate flag,” it’s time to embarrass this guy!
His site is “thatsrightnate,” and you can probe his mind HERE. Good luck!
After being razzed off the planet over his Ohio state flag post, here’s a piece of his mind:
“UPDATE: Since I made this post I have been attacked by many well-known bastions of anti-American socialism like Daily KOS, The Opinion Mill and cookinglight.com. My only regret is that my mistake gave these ideologues fodder for their rage against a country I love so well."
He ends with: "Furthermore, a politician has a responsibility to not only avoid impropriety, but also the appearance of impropriety. The fact that we all so easily believed this about Obama leaves the blame squarely on his doorstep. If he had avoided the appearance of being so vain, none of us would have so easily believed this. I call upon Mister Obama to apologize to people like myself and Bob Grant who had our credibility hurt by this flag fiasco."
Oh, wait. This just gets better! Read on:
I rarely check the Site Meter on DemWit to see my visitors’ locations, but this morning I discovered I had an onslaught of new visitors from all over the country. Being naturally curious, I clicked on a “referring URL” and discovered that a “thread” had been established on cookinglight.com (LINK) which featured my entire post, the photo of the Ohio flag and a link to DemWit. Hence, all the new visitors.
On this site, I found many comments about my “The Obama Potentate flag?” post, including this one which is, well, just priceless:
“OK, it gets better: I found the original blog (thatsrightnate), and someone wrote this comment:
‘You think THAT’s bad. Huh - what ‘til you see the flag Obama had made for campaigning in South Carolina! It has a CRESCENT and a PALM TREE … clearly a REFERENCE to Osama bin Ladin, ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!’
“And after that, the blogger (thatsrightnate) added this update!!”
“UPDATE - A reader has just pointed out to me that Obama has also made a flag for campaigning in South Carolina that contains a flag (sic, he means palm tree) and a crescent moon. I don’t think you can get much clearer evidence of his true motives. As for those of you who are saying it is the Ohio state flag–that doesn’t make it right. I don’t care if Obama makes flags for all 50 states–Old Glory is the only flag I need. When will this man stop? Will he be happy before all 50 states have their own flag? What happened to unity?”
Now, no matter how many times I’ve read this last thatsrightnate post, I can ascertain no other meaning than this: he thinks Obama is having each of the 50 states create a flag supporting him?
Please, I beg of you, dear readers, don’t lose your faith in democracy just because lunatics like this have votes which carry as much weight as your own!
And to thatsrightnate: tell us that your site is clever satire, please. We really would sleep better at night.
His site is “thatsrightnate,” and you can probe his mind HERE. Good luck!
After being razzed off the planet over his Ohio state flag post, here’s a piece of his mind:
“UPDATE: Since I made this post I have been attacked by many well-known bastions of anti-American socialism like Daily KOS, The Opinion Mill and cookinglight.com. My only regret is that my mistake gave these ideologues fodder for their rage against a country I love so well."
He ends with: "Furthermore, a politician has a responsibility to not only avoid impropriety, but also the appearance of impropriety. The fact that we all so easily believed this about Obama leaves the blame squarely on his doorstep. If he had avoided the appearance of being so vain, none of us would have so easily believed this. I call upon Mister Obama to apologize to people like myself and Bob Grant who had our credibility hurt by this flag fiasco."
Oh, wait. This just gets better! Read on:
I rarely check the Site Meter on DemWit to see my visitors’ locations, but this morning I discovered I had an onslaught of new visitors from all over the country. Being naturally curious, I clicked on a “referring URL” and discovered that a “thread” had been established on cookinglight.com (LINK) which featured my entire post, the photo of the Ohio flag and a link to DemWit. Hence, all the new visitors.
On this site, I found many comments about my “The Obama Potentate flag?” post, including this one which is, well, just priceless:
“OK, it gets better: I found the original blog (thatsrightnate), and someone wrote this comment:
‘You think THAT’s bad. Huh - what ‘til you see the flag Obama had made for campaigning in South Carolina! It has a CRESCENT and a PALM TREE … clearly a REFERENCE to Osama bin Ladin, ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!’
“And after that, the blogger (thatsrightnate) added this update!!”
“UPDATE - A reader has just pointed out to me that Obama has also made a flag for campaigning in South Carolina that contains a flag (sic, he means palm tree) and a crescent moon. I don’t think you can get much clearer evidence of his true motives. As for those of you who are saying it is the Ohio state flag–that doesn’t make it right. I don’t care if Obama makes flags for all 50 states–Old Glory is the only flag I need. When will this man stop? Will he be happy before all 50 states have their own flag? What happened to unity?”
Now, no matter how many times I’ve read this last thatsrightnate post, I can ascertain no other meaning than this: he thinks Obama is having each of the 50 states create a flag supporting him?
Please, I beg of you, dear readers, don’t lose your faith in democracy just because lunatics like this have votes which carry as much weight as your own!
And to thatsrightnate: tell us that your site is clever satire, please. We really would sleep better at night.
***
JUST FOR LAUGHS: Go back to the cookinglight.com thread HERE. (For some reason, the site opens at the bottom of the page, so scroll up.) All the comments feature photos of the various state flags with hilarious tongue-in-cheek remarks linking them to Obama. For example, these remarks about the California state flag: “A Russian bear and a red star. Need I say more?” Enjoy!
JUST FOR LAUGHS: Go back to the cookinglight.com thread HERE. (For some reason, the site opens at the bottom of the page, so scroll up.) All the comments feature photos of the various state flags with hilarious tongue-in-cheek remarks linking them to Obama. For example, these remarks about the California state flag: “A Russian bear and a red star. Need I say more?” Enjoy!
10.18.2008
The Obama Potentate flag?
Frequent readers know source links are always supplied here, but in this case I will spare the quoted site author embarrassment.
In keeping with the theme of DemWit, described to your left, I submit the following post, pulled from a Web site, as proof, once more, that ignorance is the greatest enemy of America.
-BEGIN-
Now Obama Has His Own Flag–I Bet the Colors Run
This has really just gone way too far. At an Ohio campaign stop last week Obama gave a speech with a background of American flags which is quite common. However, if you look closely some of the flags are not American flags. The blue field has been changed to show an Obama seal. Yes, there are also stars but have no pattern and they do not add up to 50. Look at that disgusting thing flying with Old Glory.
I can’t believe that the mainstream media won’t report on this. Fortunately, we conservatives have radio. Stalwart reporter Bob Grant immediately called Obama out on the flag saying, “What is that flag that Obama has been standing in front of that looks like an American flag, but instead of having the field of 50 stars representing the 50 states there’s a circle. Would somebody please tell me what that is? Is that the O for Obama, is that what it is?…Did you notice that Obama is not content with having just several American flags, plain old American flags with 50 states represented by 50 stars…He had the flag painted over and the O for Obama. Now these things are symptomatic of a man who would like to be a potentate, a dictator.”
This is why Bob Grant is a great journalist and great reporter. He’s willing to call it like he sees it and not fall in line behind the Obama party line.
What’s really disgusting to me is while watching the least political of American political institutions–a college football game–I saw a state funded university during their halftime show form the Obama flag. This is beyond disgusting. This is an abuse of our tax dollars. If this was a private institution I could understand it, but this was the Ohio State Marching Band–Woody Hayes’ old school. This must not be tolerated. The phone number for the Ohio State University athletic department is (614) 292-7280. Call them and no (sic) that you do not want federally funded Universities engaging in such blatant politicing.
-END-
The above post, errors intact, had only one comment, and here it is:
“That’s the state flag of Ohio, you f***ing moron!”
Succinct.
God bless the USA!
In keeping with the theme of DemWit, described to your left, I submit the following post, pulled from a Web site, as proof, once more, that ignorance is the greatest enemy of America.
-BEGIN-
Now Obama Has His Own Flag–I Bet the Colors Run
This has really just gone way too far. At an Ohio campaign stop last week Obama gave a speech with a background of American flags which is quite common. However, if you look closely some of the flags are not American flags. The blue field has been changed to show an Obama seal. Yes, there are also stars but have no pattern and they do not add up to 50. Look at that disgusting thing flying with Old Glory.
I can’t believe that the mainstream media won’t report on this. Fortunately, we conservatives have radio. Stalwart reporter Bob Grant immediately called Obama out on the flag saying, “What is that flag that Obama has been standing in front of that looks like an American flag, but instead of having the field of 50 stars representing the 50 states there’s a circle. Would somebody please tell me what that is? Is that the O for Obama, is that what it is?…Did you notice that Obama is not content with having just several American flags, plain old American flags with 50 states represented by 50 stars…He had the flag painted over and the O for Obama. Now these things are symptomatic of a man who would like to be a potentate, a dictator.”
This is why Bob Grant is a great journalist and great reporter. He’s willing to call it like he sees it and not fall in line behind the Obama party line.
What’s really disgusting to me is while watching the least political of American political institutions–a college football game–I saw a state funded university during their halftime show form the Obama flag. This is beyond disgusting. This is an abuse of our tax dollars. If this was a private institution I could understand it, but this was the Ohio State Marching Band–Woody Hayes’ old school. This must not be tolerated. The phone number for the Ohio State University athletic department is (614) 292-7280. Call them and no (sic) that you do not want federally funded Universities engaging in such blatant politicing.
-END-
The above post, errors intact, had only one comment, and here it is:
“That’s the state flag of Ohio, you f***ing moron!”
Succinct.
God bless the USA!
10.17.2008
The moccasin mile-walk
Somewhere along the way, I’m sure we’ve all heard the maxim, “Never criticize an Indian until you have walked a mile in his moccasins.”
If you need a higher authority than me, how about “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” More simply, “Love one another.”
For me, all of these were early lessons about discrimination. They gently put me in my place and have kept me there.
My friend Mat O’Keefe over at “Papamoka Straight Talk” learned about such things on his grandparents’ knees. As immigrants from the counties Claire and Cork in Ireland, they were met in America with overt discrimination.
Papamoka has shared his thoughts on such discrimination in a post, “True colors in politics,” which features two video examples of overt racism by Republicans. (Unfortunately, I am on a dial-up, or low-speed, connection which prevents me from viewing videos.)
Go HERE to read Mat’s straight talk and view the videos and, by all means, leave him a comment expressing your own views.
Here are mine:
Sadly, there will always be those who believe they are the models of perfection for all persons. I don’t believe this is a phenomenon systemic to or based ONLY in the Republican Party.
As a Southerner who lived through – indeed, was an eyewitness to - past civil rights struggles, I can say with some authority that such hatred - or fear - of others is based in ignorance – the lack of education. Not the rudimentaries required to “get a job,” but a well-rounded, liberal education which exposes one to the world outside a narrow-minded existence.
Ironically, as I type this at 4 a.m. Friday, “CBS Up to the Minute” is airing a segment on how poorly America’s education system stacks up against others in the world.
I’ve always heard that “man fears most that which he does not understand.” What is needed is more understanding.
Finally, let’s not make the mistake – in the event Barack Obama is defeated – of blaming every vote for John McCain on racism. The dedication to conservatism in this country remains very strong, and it existed long before an African-American was at the top of a political party ticket.
***
In every (every!) political race, when candidates are at the post and come out running, there are always promises of meaningful improvements in America’s education systems. In the end, as we juggle all the issues important to us and to this nation, education always seems to fall precipitously to the bottom of the priorities list.
I would argue, it remains the single most important issue, the key to solving all the others.
If this country is so damn great, would someone please explain to me why we continue to neglect the minds of its children?
***
Read more “Papamoka Straight Talk:” LINK
If you need a higher authority than me, how about “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” More simply, “Love one another.”
For me, all of these were early lessons about discrimination. They gently put me in my place and have kept me there.
My friend Mat O’Keefe over at “Papamoka Straight Talk” learned about such things on his grandparents’ knees. As immigrants from the counties Claire and Cork in Ireland, they were met in America with overt discrimination.
Papamoka has shared his thoughts on such discrimination in a post, “True colors in politics,” which features two video examples of overt racism by Republicans. (Unfortunately, I am on a dial-up, or low-speed, connection which prevents me from viewing videos.)
Go HERE to read Mat’s straight talk and view the videos and, by all means, leave him a comment expressing your own views.
Here are mine:
Sadly, there will always be those who believe they are the models of perfection for all persons. I don’t believe this is a phenomenon systemic to or based ONLY in the Republican Party.
As a Southerner who lived through – indeed, was an eyewitness to - past civil rights struggles, I can say with some authority that such hatred - or fear - of others is based in ignorance – the lack of education. Not the rudimentaries required to “get a job,” but a well-rounded, liberal education which exposes one to the world outside a narrow-minded existence.
Ironically, as I type this at 4 a.m. Friday, “CBS Up to the Minute” is airing a segment on how poorly America’s education system stacks up against others in the world.
I’ve always heard that “man fears most that which he does not understand.” What is needed is more understanding.
Finally, let’s not make the mistake – in the event Barack Obama is defeated – of blaming every vote for John McCain on racism. The dedication to conservatism in this country remains very strong, and it existed long before an African-American was at the top of a political party ticket.
***
In every (every!) political race, when candidates are at the post and come out running, there are always promises of meaningful improvements in America’s education systems. In the end, as we juggle all the issues important to us and to this nation, education always seems to fall precipitously to the bottom of the priorities list.
I would argue, it remains the single most important issue, the key to solving all the others.
If this country is so damn great, would someone please explain to me why we continue to neglect the minds of its children?
***
Read more “Papamoka Straight Talk:” LINK
10.16.2008
Joe the Plumber
(Originally published as “Joe Conservative” on “I See My Dreams,” 14 February 2007. Author unknown.)
Joe the Plumber gets up at 6 a.m. and fills his coffee pot with water to prepare his morning coffee. The water is clean and good, because some tree-hugging liberal fought for minimum water-quality standards.
With his first swallow, he takes his daily medication. His medications are safe to take. because some stupid commie liberal fought to ensure their safety and that they work as advertised.
All but $10 of his medications are paid for by his employer's medical plan, because some liberal union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance - now Joe gets it, too.
He prepares his morning breakfast: bacon and eggs. Joe's bacon is safe to eat, because some girly-man liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry.
In the morning shower, Joe reaches for his shampoo. His bottle is properly labeled with each ingredient and its amount in the total contents, because some crybaby liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body and how much his shampoo contained.
Joe dresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean, because some environmentalist wacko liberal fought for the laws to stop industries from polluting our air.
He walks on the government-provided sidewalk to the subway station for his government-subsidized ride to work. It saves him considerable money in parking and transportation fees – not to mention fuel costs - because some fancy-pants liberal fought for affordable public transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor.
Joe the Plumber begins his work day. He has a good job with excellent pay, medical benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacations, because some lazy liberal union members fought and died for these working standards. Joe's employer pays these standards, because Joe's employer doesn't want his employees to call the union.
If Joe is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed, he'll get a worker compensation or unemployment check, because some stupid liberal didn't think he should lose his home because of his temporary misfortune.
It’s noontime, and Joe needs to make a bank deposit so he can pay some bills. Joe's deposit is federally insured by the FDIC, because some godless liberal wanted to protect Joe's money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the Great Depression.
Joe has to pay his below-market federal student loan, because some elitist liberal decided that Joe and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money over his lifetime.
Joe also forgets that in addition to his federally subsidized student loans, he attended a state-funded university.
5:30 p.m. and Joe is home from work. He plans to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country. He gets in his car for the drive. His car is among the safest in the world, because some America-hating liberal fought for car safety standards to go along with the taxpayer-funded roads.
He arrives at his boyhood home. His was the third generation to live in the house, financed by the Farmers Home Administration (FHA) because bankers didn't want to make rural loans.
The house didn't have electricity until some big-government liberal stuck his nose where it didn't belong and demanded rural electrification.
He is happy to see his father, who is now retired. His father lives on Social Security and a union pension, because some wine-drinking, cheese-eating liberal made sure he could take care of himself so Joe wouldn't have to.
Joe gets back in his car for the ride home, and turns on a radio talk show. The radio host keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives are good. He doesn't mention that the beloved conservatives have fought against every protection and benefit Joe enjoys throughout his day. Joe agrees: "We don't need those big-government liberals ruining our lives! After all, I'm a self-made man who believes people should take care of themselves, just like I have."
***
BJ Update:
Joe the Plumber had his 15 minutes of fame at last night’s presidential debate. He wants to start his own business, but he doesn’t want to pay the taxes candidate McCain claims he’ll be stuck with. “Spread the wealth around,” McCain tells him, equating taxation with socialism. Joe doesn’t bother to visit candidate Obama’s official Web site to find out exactly how he’ll be affected.
Joe sleeps soundly at night. He expects his government to protect him, but be damned if those far-left, bleeding-heart liberals are going to raise his taxes!
Joe fully supported the pre-emptive, unilateral invasion of Iraq, while the U.S. was already engaged in Afghanistan. Wars can be pretty expensive, but Joe prefers that someone else’s taxes pay the tab.
Joe probably doesn’t know that the Bush administration and rubber-stamp Republican Congress worked very hard for years to overturn many of the benefits he enjoys every day.
That radio (or TV) host keeps his mind occupied with those ever-present red herrings: “God, guns and gays,” “the liberal media elite” and, of course, “Democrats want to raise your taxes.”
Joe’s conscience is clear. He knows he’s not one of those “piglets at the nipple” of government benefits his pal Rush Limbaugh warns about.
Joe the Plumber calls it a night, telephone by his bedside, secure in the knowledge three little numbers will put him in touch with government-provided emergency services.
He says his prayers, thanking the Almighty he lives McCain’s “American dream.” He just doesn’t want to help pay for it.
Joe the Plumber gets up at 6 a.m. and fills his coffee pot with water to prepare his morning coffee. The water is clean and good, because some tree-hugging liberal fought for minimum water-quality standards.
With his first swallow, he takes his daily medication. His medications are safe to take. because some stupid commie liberal fought to ensure their safety and that they work as advertised.
All but $10 of his medications are paid for by his employer's medical plan, because some liberal union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance - now Joe gets it, too.
He prepares his morning breakfast: bacon and eggs. Joe's bacon is safe to eat, because some girly-man liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry.
In the morning shower, Joe reaches for his shampoo. His bottle is properly labeled with each ingredient and its amount in the total contents, because some crybaby liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body and how much his shampoo contained.
Joe dresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean, because some environmentalist wacko liberal fought for the laws to stop industries from polluting our air.
He walks on the government-provided sidewalk to the subway station for his government-subsidized ride to work. It saves him considerable money in parking and transportation fees – not to mention fuel costs - because some fancy-pants liberal fought for affordable public transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor.
Joe the Plumber begins his work day. He has a good job with excellent pay, medical benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacations, because some lazy liberal union members fought and died for these working standards. Joe's employer pays these standards, because Joe's employer doesn't want his employees to call the union.
If Joe is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed, he'll get a worker compensation or unemployment check, because some stupid liberal didn't think he should lose his home because of his temporary misfortune.
It’s noontime, and Joe needs to make a bank deposit so he can pay some bills. Joe's deposit is federally insured by the FDIC, because some godless liberal wanted to protect Joe's money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the Great Depression.
Joe has to pay his below-market federal student loan, because some elitist liberal decided that Joe and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money over his lifetime.
Joe also forgets that in addition to his federally subsidized student loans, he attended a state-funded university.
5:30 p.m. and Joe is home from work. He plans to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country. He gets in his car for the drive. His car is among the safest in the world, because some America-hating liberal fought for car safety standards to go along with the taxpayer-funded roads.
He arrives at his boyhood home. His was the third generation to live in the house, financed by the Farmers Home Administration (FHA) because bankers didn't want to make rural loans.
The house didn't have electricity until some big-government liberal stuck his nose where it didn't belong and demanded rural electrification.
He is happy to see his father, who is now retired. His father lives on Social Security and a union pension, because some wine-drinking, cheese-eating liberal made sure he could take care of himself so Joe wouldn't have to.
Joe gets back in his car for the ride home, and turns on a radio talk show. The radio host keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives are good. He doesn't mention that the beloved conservatives have fought against every protection and benefit Joe enjoys throughout his day. Joe agrees: "We don't need those big-government liberals ruining our lives! After all, I'm a self-made man who believes people should take care of themselves, just like I have."
***
BJ Update:
Joe the Plumber had his 15 minutes of fame at last night’s presidential debate. He wants to start his own business, but he doesn’t want to pay the taxes candidate McCain claims he’ll be stuck with. “Spread the wealth around,” McCain tells him, equating taxation with socialism. Joe doesn’t bother to visit candidate Obama’s official Web site to find out exactly how he’ll be affected.
Joe sleeps soundly at night. He expects his government to protect him, but be damned if those far-left, bleeding-heart liberals are going to raise his taxes!
Joe fully supported the pre-emptive, unilateral invasion of Iraq, while the U.S. was already engaged in Afghanistan. Wars can be pretty expensive, but Joe prefers that someone else’s taxes pay the tab.
Joe probably doesn’t know that the Bush administration and rubber-stamp Republican Congress worked very hard for years to overturn many of the benefits he enjoys every day.
That radio (or TV) host keeps his mind occupied with those ever-present red herrings: “God, guns and gays,” “the liberal media elite” and, of course, “Democrats want to raise your taxes.”
Joe’s conscience is clear. He knows he’s not one of those “piglets at the nipple” of government benefits his pal Rush Limbaugh warns about.
Joe the Plumber calls it a night, telephone by his bedside, secure in the knowledge three little numbers will put him in touch with government-provided emergency services.
He says his prayers, thanking the Almighty he lives McCain’s “American dream.” He just doesn’t want to help pay for it.
10.15.2008
'Great gettin'-up morning'
You’ve heard the phrase. You’ve read it. So many times, it might sound trite. This morning, MY HEART IS FILLED WITH JOY.
Right out of cataract surgery yesterday morning, I began to see improvement in every aspect of my vision. Having lost so much of it in such a brief span of time, I’ve never appreciated sight more than I do this morning.
Outside, the “white fog” has lifted. I can see the pines beyond my porch – green against a blue sky. I can see the neighbor’s car and tell it’s white. How can I put into words what it means to open my front door and not be greeted by a wall of white glare?
At home yesterday I gave myself little “eye tests” all day. I can see television, the faces of the news. Hell, I can read the crawler! I can read can labels. I can enjoy my framed art prints – “Rose” and “Calla Lily,” representing three women I admire: Rose Kennedy, Rosa Parks and Katharine Hepburn. I’m gushing.
I can see a light bulb, no longer in a blinding pool of glare!
Fonts – words – on my computer and videomagnifier are crisp and clear, no longer lost in blurred whiteness. I will have to get used to sitting up straight in my computer chair, my nose no longer touching my monitor’s screen.
On the phone last night, my great-nephew Michael Bradshaw told me to “watch ‘Charlie Wilson’s War.’ “ The movie, based on one of my favorite books from last year’s reading (“talking books”) list, was “On Demand” when I was in Mississippi. We all watched it, and Michael remembered me saying, “I just wish I could see it.” I told him, it’s on my agenda!
Can you imagine being excited over paying a bill? I just saw a return address in the corner of an envelope and could see the check I wrote to pay the bill it held!
Effusive? Yes! And, feeling what William Wordsworth felt when he stumbled upon “a host of golden daffodils.”
Thanks to all of you who care. And, to Charlie, Teresa and Chris for their help.
I am thankful to God for leading me to the skilled hand and good judgment of Dr. Boris Ilg.
Retinitis pigmentosa might eventually rob me of my sight, but that fickle foe can never take from me my feelings on this “great gettin’-up morning.”
Right out of cataract surgery yesterday morning, I began to see improvement in every aspect of my vision. Having lost so much of it in such a brief span of time, I’ve never appreciated sight more than I do this morning.
Outside, the “white fog” has lifted. I can see the pines beyond my porch – green against a blue sky. I can see the neighbor’s car and tell it’s white. How can I put into words what it means to open my front door and not be greeted by a wall of white glare?
At home yesterday I gave myself little “eye tests” all day. I can see television, the faces of the news. Hell, I can read the crawler! I can read can labels. I can enjoy my framed art prints – “Rose” and “Calla Lily,” representing three women I admire: Rose Kennedy, Rosa Parks and Katharine Hepburn. I’m gushing.
I can see a light bulb, no longer in a blinding pool of glare!
Fonts – words – on my computer and videomagnifier are crisp and clear, no longer lost in blurred whiteness. I will have to get used to sitting up straight in my computer chair, my nose no longer touching my monitor’s screen.
On the phone last night, my great-nephew Michael Bradshaw told me to “watch ‘Charlie Wilson’s War.’ “ The movie, based on one of my favorite books from last year’s reading (“talking books”) list, was “On Demand” when I was in Mississippi. We all watched it, and Michael remembered me saying, “I just wish I could see it.” I told him, it’s on my agenda!
Can you imagine being excited over paying a bill? I just saw a return address in the corner of an envelope and could see the check I wrote to pay the bill it held!
Effusive? Yes! And, feeling what William Wordsworth felt when he stumbled upon “a host of golden daffodils.”
Thanks to all of you who care. And, to Charlie, Teresa and Chris for their help.
I am thankful to God for leading me to the skilled hand and good judgment of Dr. Boris Ilg.
Retinitis pigmentosa might eventually rob me of my sight, but that fickle foe can never take from me my feelings on this “great gettin’-up morning.”
10.13.2008
What's in a name?
Much has been made by those on the right who love to stir up racial and religious fear of the name Barack Hussein Obama.
Yesterday, in a salute to Paul Newman, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) aired “Exodus,” based on Leon Uris’ great novel about the events leading up to the founding of Israel as a Jewish state.
An explanation of his father’s name by the Jewish hero Ari Ben Canaan (played by Newman) caught my ear. His father – Barak Ben Canaan - he explained was named for the Biblical hero who aided the Jewess warrior Deborah in defeat Sisera in Judges, chapter 4. LINK TO SCRIPTURE
Barak, pronounced Barack.
Barack is Semitic in origin and means “to bless” or “blessed.” In the original Hebrew, Barak, or blessed, is found throughout the Old Testament, beginning in Genesis, chapter 1.
Hussein is from the Semitic word Hasan, meaning both “handsome” and “good.”
Casting aspersion upon a person’s name is just a technique used to rile those not versed in history. The same uninformed persons could be made to go ballistic against World War II General Omar Bradley, our faithful ally the late King Hussein of Jordan, or, for that matter, my personal hero Benjamin Franklin, all of whom have names of Semitic origin.
So many American names are of such origin, you know.
Here’s what Juan Cole, president of the Global American Institute, has to say about that (LINK):
“Let us take Benjamin Franklin. His first name is from the Hebrew Bin Yamin, the son of the Right (hand), or son of strength, or the son of the South (yamin, or right, has lots of connotations). The ‘Bin’ means ‘son of,’ just as in modern colloquial Arabic. Bin Yamin Franklin is not a dishonorable name because of its Semitic root. By the way, there are lots of Muslims named Bin Yamin.
“As for an American president bearing a name derived from a Semitic language, that is hardly unprecedented.
“John Adams really only had Semitic names. His first name is from the Hebrew Yochanan, or gift of God, which became Johan and then John. … Adams is from the Biblical Adam, which also just means ‘human being.’ In Arabic, one way of saying ‘human being’ is ‘Bani Adam,’ the children of men.
“Thomas Jefferson's first name is from the Aramaic Tuma, meaning ‘twin.’ Aramaic is a Semitic language spoken by Jesus, which is related to Hebrew and Arabic. In Arabic, twin is tau'am, so you can see the similarity.
“James Madison, James Monroe and James Polk all had a Semitic first name, derived from the Hebrew Ya'aqov or Jacob, which is Ya`qub in Arabic. It became Iacobus in Latin, then was corrupted to Iacomus, and from there became James in English.
“Zachary Taylor's first name is from the Hebrew Zachariah, which means ‘the Lord has remembered.’
“Abraham Lincoln, of course, is named for the patriarch Abraham, from the Semitic word for father, Ab, and the word for ‘multitude,’ raham. Abu, ‘father of,’ is a common element in Arab names today.”
Sure, we have immediate responses to certain names – Jack the Ripper, Quisling, Adolph Hitler, Caligula, Attila the Hun, Marquis de Sade – but our reactions are based on actions.
Barack Hussein Obama II, age 47, is both an American, born in Hawaii, and a Christian. Of these facts, only the last is not a qualification for president, according to the Constitution of the United States of America.
He was named for his daddy and his granddaddy. I was named for my mother’s pet goat. Please don’t hold it against us.
As a candidate for president, he represents the hopes and ideals of millions of good Americans who understand our country must move in new directions to restore its status in the world – and the confidence of its citizens.
If he can accomplish this, his name will go down in history – as a modern-day Founding Father.
Yesterday, in a salute to Paul Newman, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) aired “Exodus,” based on Leon Uris’ great novel about the events leading up to the founding of Israel as a Jewish state.
An explanation of his father’s name by the Jewish hero Ari Ben Canaan (played by Newman) caught my ear. His father – Barak Ben Canaan - he explained was named for the Biblical hero who aided the Jewess warrior Deborah in defeat Sisera in Judges, chapter 4. LINK TO SCRIPTURE
Barak, pronounced Barack.
Barack is Semitic in origin and means “to bless” or “blessed.” In the original Hebrew, Barak, or blessed, is found throughout the Old Testament, beginning in Genesis, chapter 1.
Hussein is from the Semitic word Hasan, meaning both “handsome” and “good.”
Casting aspersion upon a person’s name is just a technique used to rile those not versed in history. The same uninformed persons could be made to go ballistic against World War II General Omar Bradley, our faithful ally the late King Hussein of Jordan, or, for that matter, my personal hero Benjamin Franklin, all of whom have names of Semitic origin.
So many American names are of such origin, you know.
Here’s what Juan Cole, president of the Global American Institute, has to say about that (LINK):
“Let us take Benjamin Franklin. His first name is from the Hebrew Bin Yamin, the son of the Right (hand), or son of strength, or the son of the South (yamin, or right, has lots of connotations). The ‘Bin’ means ‘son of,’ just as in modern colloquial Arabic. Bin Yamin Franklin is not a dishonorable name because of its Semitic root. By the way, there are lots of Muslims named Bin Yamin.
“As for an American president bearing a name derived from a Semitic language, that is hardly unprecedented.
“John Adams really only had Semitic names. His first name is from the Hebrew Yochanan, or gift of God, which became Johan and then John. … Adams is from the Biblical Adam, which also just means ‘human being.’ In Arabic, one way of saying ‘human being’ is ‘Bani Adam,’ the children of men.
“Thomas Jefferson's first name is from the Aramaic Tuma, meaning ‘twin.’ Aramaic is a Semitic language spoken by Jesus, which is related to Hebrew and Arabic. In Arabic, twin is tau'am, so you can see the similarity.
“James Madison, James Monroe and James Polk all had a Semitic first name, derived from the Hebrew Ya'aqov or Jacob, which is Ya`qub in Arabic. It became Iacobus in Latin, then was corrupted to Iacomus, and from there became James in English.
“Zachary Taylor's first name is from the Hebrew Zachariah, which means ‘the Lord has remembered.’
“Abraham Lincoln, of course, is named for the patriarch Abraham, from the Semitic word for father, Ab, and the word for ‘multitude,’ raham. Abu, ‘father of,’ is a common element in Arab names today.”
Sure, we have immediate responses to certain names – Jack the Ripper, Quisling, Adolph Hitler, Caligula, Attila the Hun, Marquis de Sade – but our reactions are based on actions.
Barack Hussein Obama II, age 47, is both an American, born in Hawaii, and a Christian. Of these facts, only the last is not a qualification for president, according to the Constitution of the United States of America.
He was named for his daddy and his granddaddy. I was named for my mother’s pet goat. Please don’t hold it against us.
As a candidate for president, he represents the hopes and ideals of millions of good Americans who understand our country must move in new directions to restore its status in the world – and the confidence of its citizens.
If he can accomplish this, his name will go down in history – as a modern-day Founding Father.
10.04.2008
'Cronkite's Moment' revisited
To avoid becoming as bogged down in this post as we are in Iraq, I will make my own words as succinct as possible, then offer an article from a trusted source, which I feel is worthy of your time,
Today’s thoughts are in reference to yesterday’s post, “Those were the days, my friend.”
Briefly, that post – off the top of my head and from the bottom of my heart – concerned my agreement with retired CNN anchor Bernard Shaw’s critique of today’s media.
Shaw spoke nostalgically of the days of more ethical and ressponsible journalism, particularly the days of his hero Walter Cronkite at the helm of CBS Evening News.
Neither Shaw nor I approve of the subjectivity, the editorializing which has found its way into today’s straight, or hard, news reporting.
A regular reader left this comment:
“Frodo, for the sake of perspective, notes that it was the sainted Mr.Cronkite who uttered an on-air opinion about the Vietnam War, in the midst of his evening newscast, which Lyndon Johnson later admitted demonstrated the futility of his own policy in the determination of public opinion. It is easy to remember what we want to remember and forget that which doesn't add to our arguments. Journalism has changed, technology has changed the way we all get information, and Frodo thinks change is good. He is also glad that today's talking heads wear short skirts.”
It is, indeed, easy to remember that which we want to remember.
In 1968 when Mr. Cronkite made the cited remarks about Vietnam, television news programs delineated “opinion” from “news” in special “editorial” segments, just as newspapers continue to do today. There is no such delineation in today’s broadcast news. The remarks that Mr. Cronkite made came at the end of his newscast, and he labeled them, up front, as both “opinion” and “subjective.”
Anyone who plays chess knows a “stalemate” is declared when none of the remaining moves on the board will result in checkmate. Mr. Cronkite, contrary to popular belief, never really had a “Cronkite Moment” where he declared all was lost in Vietnam. Rather, he stated the U.S. and North Vietnam were “mired in stalemate.”
President Johnson did state that if he had lost Cronkite, he had lost the country. But, there were many other forces at play which affected Johnson, including public opinion.
So, Mr. Cronkite did not utter opinion “in the midst of his evening newscast.” Nor did his remarks bring about an end to the Vietnam war, as some define the myth of “The Cronkite Moment.” That would come five years later, or as long as we’ve been in Iraq.
Here is the transcript of Walter Cronkite’s “editorial,” which closed his newscast on the evening of 27 February 1968: LINK
Editor and Publisher – the bible of print journalists – is and has always been a trusted source. Here is an article (LINK) on the subject of this post witten by its editor for CBS’ “Public Eye:”
CBS “PUBLIC EYE” NOTE: Each week CBS’ Public Eye invites someone from outside PE to weigh in with their thoughts about CBS News and the media at large. Greg Mitchell is the editor of Editor & Publisher and author of seven books on politics and history, including "The Campaign of the Century" and "Tricky Dick and the Pink Lady." Today, Mitchell takes a look at the media's comparison of Rep. John Murtha's call for a withdrawal from Iraq to CBS "Evening News" Anchor Walter Cronkite's February 1968 Vietnam epiphany.
What Makes A "Cronkite Moment"?
By Greg Mitchell, editor, Editor & Publisher, December 23, 2005
When the hawkish Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) suddenly came out for a speedy U.S. withdrawal from Iraq last month it caused many media commentators to just-as-hastily call it a possible “Cronkite Moment.” I was one of them; in fact, I was probably the first, in a column at the Editor & Publisher Web site. What we all meant was: This shot across the bow of the Bush war policy from a well-respected mainstream figure might one day be seen as a “turning point” in setting the U.S. on a different path in an unpopular war, similar to what happened, allegedly, following CBS anchor Walter Cronkite’s legendary and equally unexpected soul-baring on February 27, 1968.
In one typical instant reaction, on Nov. 19, Wolf Blitzer on CNN’s “Situation Room” told his colleague Bill Schneider:
“Bill, you'll remember what President Johnson said when he heard what Walter Cronkite had said at that point, after coming back from Vietnam. He said if he's lost Walter Cronkite, he's probably lost the country. And I suppose that some Republicans are saying now if they've lost John Murtha, a very moderate-conservative Democrat, a strong supporter of the military, they probably realize they've got some serious problems."
Indeed, many Republicans fired back at Murtha, a Vietnam veteran, causing current CBS anchor Bob Schieffer to observe, "Republicans accused him of wanting to cut and run, and all but challenged the patriotism of war critics."
Of course, this is not the first so-called “Cronkite Moment” since the original. Some even invoked Uncle Walter last summer after Cindy Sheehan, mother of a U.S. soldier killed in Iraq, galvanized antiwar protest. In any case, it’s hard to guess what long-term effect the Murtha “Cronkite Moment” will have, but it did, for the first time, put pullout on the national agenda, provoked angry media and congressional debate, and forced the president to outline his own plan for withdrawal (i.e. “A Plan for Victory”).
So, it is possible that it will one day be seen as some kind of major or minor key “Cronkite Moment.” But, the analogy is strained. As many have pointed out, there is no mainstream figure quite like Cronkite today (even Johnny Carson is now gone). As CBS knows all too well, viewership of the nightly news on all networks has plunged and with hundreds of cable channels to choose from, no single media figure will ever come close to Cronkite’s standing and influence. So, sorry Bob, Brian and whoever the hell is anchoring ABC right now.
But, let me stop right here and raise the type of question that should always emerge at this point: Maybe this whole “Cronkite Moment” hype is overblown from its inception. Did the original moment really have the impact claimed for it, mainly by people too young to experience it at the time?
I happen to be old enough to have been involved in the Vietnam struggle as a potential draftee and (not coincidentally) your basic college protester. I can’t say that I remember watching the Cronkite epiphany on that late-February 1968 evening, as I did not have easy access to a TV, or noticing any immediate upheaval. But, I do recall the screaming front-page headlines, a few weeks earlier, about the American setbacks in the Tet offensive, which sparked Cronkite’s trip to Vietnam, which in turn led to his broadcast “moment.”
For those who have only heard about what he said, but never actually read it (no doubt that includes nearly all of you), here is a handy LINK to the transcript.
It climaxes with Cronkite declaring, “To say that we are mired in stalemate seems the only realistic, yet unsatisfactory, conclusion.” His equivalent of calling for a pullout was to propose negotiating seriously with the enemy, “not as victors, but as an honorable people who lived up to their pledge to defend democracy, and did the best they could. This is Walter Cronkite. Good night.”
Perhaps this column will inspire someone out there to conduct in-depth study of the lasting impact of those few sentences (if it hasn’t already been done). I know this: Those who claim that it created a seismic shift on the war overlook the fact that there was much opposition to the conflict already. In fact, the late Sen. Eugene McCarthy was about to drive President Lyndon Johnson into retirement.
In the meantime, I’ve done a quick and dirty search of Gallup poll results, producing some interesting hints.
They show that the percentage of those who felt the U.S. made a mistake in sending troops to Vietnam jumped from 41% to 47% in October 1967, four months before Cronkite’s moment. That climbed a bit to 49% in a poll completed just before his TV talk in February. It then dipped one point in the next poll (early April), then shot up to 53% in August. But in April 1970, the number stood at 51% -- only two points higher than the last pre-Cronkite epiphany poll.
Another question from Gallup yielded a more dramatic result. Asked in early 1968 if they viewed themselves as hawks or doves, the number of hawks dropped from 58% in February (pre-Cronkite Moment) to 41% in April. Proof at last! But hold on. In the same period, those who said they “approved” LBJ’s handling of the war jumped from 32% to 42%.
So perhaps Cronkite’s effect on Main Street has been wildly overstated -- but that doesn’t mean he didn’t cause tremors in newsrooms, in the military, in the White House and on Capitol Hill. Perhaps someday, the same will be said of Rep. Jack Murtha’s “Cronkite Moment.”
Today’s thoughts are in reference to yesterday’s post, “Those were the days, my friend.”
Briefly, that post – off the top of my head and from the bottom of my heart – concerned my agreement with retired CNN anchor Bernard Shaw’s critique of today’s media.
Shaw spoke nostalgically of the days of more ethical and ressponsible journalism, particularly the days of his hero Walter Cronkite at the helm of CBS Evening News.
Neither Shaw nor I approve of the subjectivity, the editorializing which has found its way into today’s straight, or hard, news reporting.
A regular reader left this comment:
“Frodo, for the sake of perspective, notes that it was the sainted Mr.Cronkite who uttered an on-air opinion about the Vietnam War, in the midst of his evening newscast, which Lyndon Johnson later admitted demonstrated the futility of his own policy in the determination of public opinion. It is easy to remember what we want to remember and forget that which doesn't add to our arguments. Journalism has changed, technology has changed the way we all get information, and Frodo thinks change is good. He is also glad that today's talking heads wear short skirts.”
It is, indeed, easy to remember that which we want to remember.
In 1968 when Mr. Cronkite made the cited remarks about Vietnam, television news programs delineated “opinion” from “news” in special “editorial” segments, just as newspapers continue to do today. There is no such delineation in today’s broadcast news. The remarks that Mr. Cronkite made came at the end of his newscast, and he labeled them, up front, as both “opinion” and “subjective.”
Anyone who plays chess knows a “stalemate” is declared when none of the remaining moves on the board will result in checkmate. Mr. Cronkite, contrary to popular belief, never really had a “Cronkite Moment” where he declared all was lost in Vietnam. Rather, he stated the U.S. and North Vietnam were “mired in stalemate.”
President Johnson did state that if he had lost Cronkite, he had lost the country. But, there were many other forces at play which affected Johnson, including public opinion.
So, Mr. Cronkite did not utter opinion “in the midst of his evening newscast.” Nor did his remarks bring about an end to the Vietnam war, as some define the myth of “The Cronkite Moment.” That would come five years later, or as long as we’ve been in Iraq.
Here is the transcript of Walter Cronkite’s “editorial,” which closed his newscast on the evening of 27 February 1968: LINK
Editor and Publisher – the bible of print journalists – is and has always been a trusted source. Here is an article (LINK) on the subject of this post witten by its editor for CBS’ “Public Eye:”
CBS “PUBLIC EYE” NOTE: Each week CBS’ Public Eye invites someone from outside PE to weigh in with their thoughts about CBS News and the media at large. Greg Mitchell is the editor of Editor & Publisher and author of seven books on politics and history, including "The Campaign of the Century" and "Tricky Dick and the Pink Lady." Today, Mitchell takes a look at the media's comparison of Rep. John Murtha's call for a withdrawal from Iraq to CBS "Evening News" Anchor Walter Cronkite's February 1968 Vietnam epiphany.
What Makes A "Cronkite Moment"?
By Greg Mitchell, editor, Editor & Publisher, December 23, 2005
When the hawkish Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) suddenly came out for a speedy U.S. withdrawal from Iraq last month it caused many media commentators to just-as-hastily call it a possible “Cronkite Moment.” I was one of them; in fact, I was probably the first, in a column at the Editor & Publisher Web site. What we all meant was: This shot across the bow of the Bush war policy from a well-respected mainstream figure might one day be seen as a “turning point” in setting the U.S. on a different path in an unpopular war, similar to what happened, allegedly, following CBS anchor Walter Cronkite’s legendary and equally unexpected soul-baring on February 27, 1968.
In one typical instant reaction, on Nov. 19, Wolf Blitzer on CNN’s “Situation Room” told his colleague Bill Schneider:
“Bill, you'll remember what President Johnson said when he heard what Walter Cronkite had said at that point, after coming back from Vietnam. He said if he's lost Walter Cronkite, he's probably lost the country. And I suppose that some Republicans are saying now if they've lost John Murtha, a very moderate-conservative Democrat, a strong supporter of the military, they probably realize they've got some serious problems."
Indeed, many Republicans fired back at Murtha, a Vietnam veteran, causing current CBS anchor Bob Schieffer to observe, "Republicans accused him of wanting to cut and run, and all but challenged the patriotism of war critics."
Of course, this is not the first so-called “Cronkite Moment” since the original. Some even invoked Uncle Walter last summer after Cindy Sheehan, mother of a U.S. soldier killed in Iraq, galvanized antiwar protest. In any case, it’s hard to guess what long-term effect the Murtha “Cronkite Moment” will have, but it did, for the first time, put pullout on the national agenda, provoked angry media and congressional debate, and forced the president to outline his own plan for withdrawal (i.e. “A Plan for Victory”).
So, it is possible that it will one day be seen as some kind of major or minor key “Cronkite Moment.” But, the analogy is strained. As many have pointed out, there is no mainstream figure quite like Cronkite today (even Johnny Carson is now gone). As CBS knows all too well, viewership of the nightly news on all networks has plunged and with hundreds of cable channels to choose from, no single media figure will ever come close to Cronkite’s standing and influence. So, sorry Bob, Brian and whoever the hell is anchoring ABC right now.
But, let me stop right here and raise the type of question that should always emerge at this point: Maybe this whole “Cronkite Moment” hype is overblown from its inception. Did the original moment really have the impact claimed for it, mainly by people too young to experience it at the time?
I happen to be old enough to have been involved in the Vietnam struggle as a potential draftee and (not coincidentally) your basic college protester. I can’t say that I remember watching the Cronkite epiphany on that late-February 1968 evening, as I did not have easy access to a TV, or noticing any immediate upheaval. But, I do recall the screaming front-page headlines, a few weeks earlier, about the American setbacks in the Tet offensive, which sparked Cronkite’s trip to Vietnam, which in turn led to his broadcast “moment.”
For those who have only heard about what he said, but never actually read it (no doubt that includes nearly all of you), here is a handy LINK to the transcript.
It climaxes with Cronkite declaring, “To say that we are mired in stalemate seems the only realistic, yet unsatisfactory, conclusion.” His equivalent of calling for a pullout was to propose negotiating seriously with the enemy, “not as victors, but as an honorable people who lived up to their pledge to defend democracy, and did the best they could. This is Walter Cronkite. Good night.”
Perhaps this column will inspire someone out there to conduct in-depth study of the lasting impact of those few sentences (if it hasn’t already been done). I know this: Those who claim that it created a seismic shift on the war overlook the fact that there was much opposition to the conflict already. In fact, the late Sen. Eugene McCarthy was about to drive President Lyndon Johnson into retirement.
In the meantime, I’ve done a quick and dirty search of Gallup poll results, producing some interesting hints.
They show that the percentage of those who felt the U.S. made a mistake in sending troops to Vietnam jumped from 41% to 47% in October 1967, four months before Cronkite’s moment. That climbed a bit to 49% in a poll completed just before his TV talk in February. It then dipped one point in the next poll (early April), then shot up to 53% in August. But in April 1970, the number stood at 51% -- only two points higher than the last pre-Cronkite epiphany poll.
Another question from Gallup yielded a more dramatic result. Asked in early 1968 if they viewed themselves as hawks or doves, the number of hawks dropped from 58% in February (pre-Cronkite Moment) to 41% in April. Proof at last! But hold on. In the same period, those who said they “approved” LBJ’s handling of the war jumped from 32% to 42%.
So perhaps Cronkite’s effect on Main Street has been wildly overstated -- but that doesn’t mean he didn’t cause tremors in newsrooms, in the military, in the White House and on Capitol Hill. Perhaps someday, the same will be said of Rep. Jack Murtha’s “Cronkite Moment.”
10.03.2008
Those were the days, my friend
Remember Bernie Shaw? He was the face of CNN back when news was delivered straight and taken seriously.
Bernard Shaw, Peter Arnett and John Holliman were the three sterling journalists holed up on the ninth floor of Baghdad’s Al-Rashid Hotel in 1991, giving the world a front-row seat to the Allied bombing of the city. Their coverage marked an historical event: the first coverage of a war live from both sides.
Peter Arnett was one of those voices silenced at the beginning of the Iraq War - for daring to do the same.
John Holliman was killed in an Atlanta car crash in 1998 at age 49.
Having been with CNN since its launch as a 24-hour news network, Bernie Shaw retired as its principal anchor in 2001, just six months before what would have been the biggest story of his award-winning journalism career.
It was good to hear Shaw’s voice as he joined CNN’s Wolf Blitzer in “The Situation Room” Thursday afternoon to discuss the moderator’s role in the upcoming Biden-Palen debate.
Bernie and I are old-school journalists, inspired at an early age by heroes of a profession which we saw as noble – The Fourth Estate to which we would aspire. He, a Marine who came face to face with Walter Cronkite, and I, a little kid awed by comic-strip reporter Brenda Starr. Both with an appreciation of history and the impact of the printing press.
Perhaps that’s why his words touch me so when Blitzer asked him to critique media coverage of the current presidential campaign.
“Well,” Shaw replied, “my lone regret is that there has been some sloshing over from just straight journalism, news reporting and hard news reporting to actually enabling writers and people on the air - television and radio - out of one side of their mouths to report the news and out of the other to actually tell readers and listeners and viewers what they personally think about the news. I am an old-fashioned journalist when it comes to that. My idols were Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite. I don't believe people should know my personal opinions. I have strong personal opinions, and they have no place in reporting the news and certainly not in reporting presidential news, but I am staggered at what I see and read and observe on the Internet.”
Imagine, Bernie, a whole new generation coming along with no idea that’s the way it used to be.
Just two old journalists sharing a moment.
Semper Fi.
Bernard Shaw, Peter Arnett and John Holliman were the three sterling journalists holed up on the ninth floor of Baghdad’s Al-Rashid Hotel in 1991, giving the world a front-row seat to the Allied bombing of the city. Their coverage marked an historical event: the first coverage of a war live from both sides.
Peter Arnett was one of those voices silenced at the beginning of the Iraq War - for daring to do the same.
John Holliman was killed in an Atlanta car crash in 1998 at age 49.
Having been with CNN since its launch as a 24-hour news network, Bernie Shaw retired as its principal anchor in 2001, just six months before what would have been the biggest story of his award-winning journalism career.
It was good to hear Shaw’s voice as he joined CNN’s Wolf Blitzer in “The Situation Room” Thursday afternoon to discuss the moderator’s role in the upcoming Biden-Palen debate.
Bernie and I are old-school journalists, inspired at an early age by heroes of a profession which we saw as noble – The Fourth Estate to which we would aspire. He, a Marine who came face to face with Walter Cronkite, and I, a little kid awed by comic-strip reporter Brenda Starr. Both with an appreciation of history and the impact of the printing press.
Perhaps that’s why his words touch me so when Blitzer asked him to critique media coverage of the current presidential campaign.
“Well,” Shaw replied, “my lone regret is that there has been some sloshing over from just straight journalism, news reporting and hard news reporting to actually enabling writers and people on the air - television and radio - out of one side of their mouths to report the news and out of the other to actually tell readers and listeners and viewers what they personally think about the news. I am an old-fashioned journalist when it comes to that. My idols were Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite. I don't believe people should know my personal opinions. I have strong personal opinions, and they have no place in reporting the news and certainly not in reporting presidential news, but I am staggered at what I see and read and observe on the Internet.”
Imagine, Bernie, a whole new generation coming along with no idea that’s the way it used to be.
Just two old journalists sharing a moment.
Semper Fi.
9.24.2008
Mississippi homecoming
Every little kid growing up in Mississippi knows it’s spelled, “M i crooked letter crooked letter i, crooked letter crooked letter i, humpback humpback i.” Last week I made my first trip in eight years to my home state of 43 years.
Family and friends are a little older, the little kids have gotten bigger and babies have come along. I now have great-great-nieces and –nephews!
My buddy Chris Smith accompanied me on the trip, made possible when my niece Jeanette Hill Bradshaw and her husband Ray made two 1,000-mile roundtrips to fetch us, then bring us home.
The week-long stay was in the Richland home of Jeanette, Ray and their son Michael. All three did everything to make the visit perfect. (I should say that Michael’s Nissan Versa, loaned for the trip, was the smoothest backseat ride I’ve ever had!)
On Sunday, 14 September, Jeanette and Ray hosted “B.J.’s Homecoming Party,” attended by family and friends, at a beautiful park near their home (photos below). Everyone had a ball visiting and enjoying covered-dish specialties of great Southern cooks – male and female.
In Mississippi, it’s a given, “It always turns cold just before the State Fair.” So, with sunny days and nippy breezes, we escaped the state’s unrelenting humidty and heat. Chris and Michael spent Monday afternoon in the pool and came out shivering. The patio hot tub was on the fritz so I missed a first – and a chance to do a little Autumn skinny-dipping. (Are you getting a visual?)
Monday night we made a trip into the city where we dined at The Elite, landmark restaurant at the heart of Jackson on Capitol Street.
On Tuesday my brother Isaac Lafayette Turner, Jr. and his wife Glo of Wesson came to spend the day, and Isaac’s tales of battling his son Brad’s (shall we say aggressive) Nubian ram will one day make their way onto this blog – expletives deleted! We laughed the afternoon away!
My son, Ladd Frazier, hosted a dinner at his Pearl home on Tuesday night. Everyone talked the night away on his deck after baby-back ribs, potato salad, baked beans, rolls and iced tea.
Jeanette, Michael, Ladd, Chris and I spent Wednesday in historic Vicksburg enjoying a terrific luncheon buffet at the Rainbow casino and “free play” on the slots at the Horizon. Four of us won a little cash and Ladd made up for his loss at the all-you-can-eat buffet!
We posed for photos in front of beautiful murals, painted along the Mississippi River levee and with Civil War cannons, which defended the town during the Yankee siege.
We crossed the river bridge, with the state line marker at its midpoint, for two reasons: so Chris could say he traveled in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, and to build high hopes when each of us bought a $163 million Powerball ticket!
Our final two days were restful and fun with Jeanette and Ray showing off their cooking skills (recipes below). You’ve gotta love a man who slips into the kitchen at 10 p.m. to make us a fresh peach cobbler and shares jars of his home-canned muscadine jelly and red pepper jelly. Jeanette is carrying on the good-cook tradition of her mother (and my sister) Mary Bell Turner Hill and grandmother, Ruth Marie Timmons Turner, my mother.
Friday there were souvenirs to buy for Chris’ folks and a must-have purchase of two things I cannot get in South Carolina: Blackburn’s Syrup and Mississippi tomatoes. Of course, no trip home is complete without Krystal burgers and catfish and hushpuppies!
Bathroom scales? What bathroom scales?
Mississippi is known not only as “The Magnolia State,” but as “The Hospitality State” as well. My hearfelt thanks to all who made the week extra special for Chris and me. Good eating is a Southern tradition, so I’ll close with these words from newspaper “socieity pages” of the past:
“Delicious refreshments were served, and a good time was had by all.”
***
Four photos and five fantastic, taste-tested recipes follow this post. Enjoy!
Family and friends are a little older, the little kids have gotten bigger and babies have come along. I now have great-great-nieces and –nephews!
My buddy Chris Smith accompanied me on the trip, made possible when my niece Jeanette Hill Bradshaw and her husband Ray made two 1,000-mile roundtrips to fetch us, then bring us home.
The week-long stay was in the Richland home of Jeanette, Ray and their son Michael. All three did everything to make the visit perfect. (I should say that Michael’s Nissan Versa, loaned for the trip, was the smoothest backseat ride I’ve ever had!)
On Sunday, 14 September, Jeanette and Ray hosted “B.J.’s Homecoming Party,” attended by family and friends, at a beautiful park near their home (photos below). Everyone had a ball visiting and enjoying covered-dish specialties of great Southern cooks – male and female.
In Mississippi, it’s a given, “It always turns cold just before the State Fair.” So, with sunny days and nippy breezes, we escaped the state’s unrelenting humidty and heat. Chris and Michael spent Monday afternoon in the pool and came out shivering. The patio hot tub was on the fritz so I missed a first – and a chance to do a little Autumn skinny-dipping. (Are you getting a visual?)
Monday night we made a trip into the city where we dined at The Elite, landmark restaurant at the heart of Jackson on Capitol Street.
On Tuesday my brother Isaac Lafayette Turner, Jr. and his wife Glo of Wesson came to spend the day, and Isaac’s tales of battling his son Brad’s (shall we say aggressive) Nubian ram will one day make their way onto this blog – expletives deleted! We laughed the afternoon away!
My son, Ladd Frazier, hosted a dinner at his Pearl home on Tuesday night. Everyone talked the night away on his deck after baby-back ribs, potato salad, baked beans, rolls and iced tea.
Jeanette, Michael, Ladd, Chris and I spent Wednesday in historic Vicksburg enjoying a terrific luncheon buffet at the Rainbow casino and “free play” on the slots at the Horizon. Four of us won a little cash and Ladd made up for his loss at the all-you-can-eat buffet!
We posed for photos in front of beautiful murals, painted along the Mississippi River levee and with Civil War cannons, which defended the town during the Yankee siege.
We crossed the river bridge, with the state line marker at its midpoint, for two reasons: so Chris could say he traveled in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, and to build high hopes when each of us bought a $163 million Powerball ticket!
Our final two days were restful and fun with Jeanette and Ray showing off their cooking skills (recipes below). You’ve gotta love a man who slips into the kitchen at 10 p.m. to make us a fresh peach cobbler and shares jars of his home-canned muscadine jelly and red pepper jelly. Jeanette is carrying on the good-cook tradition of her mother (and my sister) Mary Bell Turner Hill and grandmother, Ruth Marie Timmons Turner, my mother.
Friday there were souvenirs to buy for Chris’ folks and a must-have purchase of two things I cannot get in South Carolina: Blackburn’s Syrup and Mississippi tomatoes. Of course, no trip home is complete without Krystal burgers and catfish and hushpuppies!
Bathroom scales? What bathroom scales?
Mississippi is known not only as “The Magnolia State,” but as “The Hospitality State” as well. My hearfelt thanks to all who made the week extra special for Chris and me. Good eating is a Southern tradition, so I’ll close with these words from newspaper “socieity pages” of the past:
“Delicious refreshments were served, and a good time was had by all.”
***
Four photos and five fantastic, taste-tested recipes follow this post. Enjoy!
'B. J.'s Homecoming Party'
FAMILY & FRIENDS, representing 10 Mississippi towns and Slidell, Louiana. Kneeling in front: Friends David Edwards, Pete Aleman and Cari Trompeter. Seated: Ladd Frazier (son), Shari Nevels (friend), Martha Hanson (sister), B.J. Trotter, Chris Smith (friend), Jeanette Hill Bradshaw (niece), Third row, standing: Preston Patton, Sr., Debra Sims Patton (niece), Susan Hill, John Hill (nephew), Linda Hill, Sharon Sims Hust (niece), Samuel Edwards (friend), Abigail Edwards (friend), Raylynn Bradshaw (great-great-niece), Michael Bradshaw (great-nephew) holding Thomas Bradshaw (great-great nephew), Fourth row, standing: Robert Hill (nephew), Jack Hust, Annelle Poole (friend), Phil Poole (friend), Ray Bradshaw, Joanna Bradshaw, Brian Bradshaw (great-nephew). Unable to attend: Leroy (brother) and Glenda Turner, Isaac (brother) and Glo Turner and other family members. (Photo by Debra Sims Patton)
A houseful of boys
Attending, not pictured in above group photo: Kim Turner Runyan (niece) holding her nephew Ty Turner (B.J.’s great-nephew), son Blake, adopted son Quentin, son Bryce, husband Dean and son Brandon. (Photo by Debra Sims Patton)
Two special guys
My son Ladd Frazier, B.J. Trotter and Chris Smith, my South Carolina buddy. (Photo by Debra Sims Patton)
Taco Cornbread
3 small boxes Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
1 lb. ground beef
1 can whole kernal corn
1 can Rotel tomatoes (diced)
1 small can sliced black olives
1 envelope taco seasoning
2 cups mild cheddar cheese (grated)
Mix Jiffy Muffin Mix according to pkg. directions. Add one cup on water to the mix to thin for pouring. Pour half of muffin mix into greased 9X13 baking pan. Brown ground beef and drain fat. Add taco seasoning, Rotel tomatoes with juice, corn and black olives drained. Simmer on low 5 minutes. Spoon this mixure, juice and all, over the layer of muffin mix. Sprinkle with 2 cups of cheese, then spread remaining muffin mix over top. Bake at 400 degrees aproximately 30 minutes or until golden brown.
I serve hot with dollops of sour cream and chunky salsa on top. Great main dish. Can be served with a salad or guacamole. – From the kitchen of Jeanette Hill Bradshaw.
1 lb. ground beef
1 can whole kernal corn
1 can Rotel tomatoes (diced)
1 small can sliced black olives
1 envelope taco seasoning
2 cups mild cheddar cheese (grated)
Mix Jiffy Muffin Mix according to pkg. directions. Add one cup on water to the mix to thin for pouring. Pour half of muffin mix into greased 9X13 baking pan. Brown ground beef and drain fat. Add taco seasoning, Rotel tomatoes with juice, corn and black olives drained. Simmer on low 5 minutes. Spoon this mixure, juice and all, over the layer of muffin mix. Sprinkle with 2 cups of cheese, then spread remaining muffin mix over top. Bake at 400 degrees aproximately 30 minutes or until golden brown.
I serve hot with dollops of sour cream and chunky salsa on top. Great main dish. Can be served with a salad or guacamole. – From the kitchen of Jeanette Hill Bradshaw.
Grape Salad
1 8-oz. package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
1 8-oz. container sour cream
3 pounds seedless grapes, whole (I use red grapes)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Mix first three ingredients in mixer until smooth. Fold in sour cream and add grapes. Spoon mixture into 9x13-inch pan. Mix brown sugar and pecans. Sprinkle over grape mixture. Refrigerate a few hours before serving. – From the kitchen of Annelle Poole.
1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
1 8-oz. container sour cream
3 pounds seedless grapes, whole (I use red grapes)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Mix first three ingredients in mixer until smooth. Fold in sour cream and add grapes. Spoon mixture into 9x13-inch pan. Mix brown sugar and pecans. Sprinkle over grape mixture. Refrigerate a few hours before serving. – From the kitchen of Annelle Poole.
Broccoli, Cheese & Rice
2 cups cooked rice (hot)
1 can Rotel diced tomatoes
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 box chopped broccoli (cooked and drained)
1 small jar Cheese Whiz
Mix all together while rice is hot to melt Cheese Whiz. Pour into casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes until browning and bubbly. – From the kitchen of niee Jeanette Hill Bradshaw.
1 can Rotel diced tomatoes
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 box chopped broccoli (cooked and drained)
1 small jar Cheese Whiz
Mix all together while rice is hot to melt Cheese Whiz. Pour into casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes until browning and bubbly. – From the kitchen of niee Jeanette Hill Bradshaw.
Mississippi Mud Cake
The jig is up! I have made the original antebellum Natchez recipe for years. For the past two or three years, I have made it with Duncan Hines Walnut Brownie Mix (family size). Taste about the same. So, here is the shortcut recipe:
Bake Duncan Hines Walnut Brownies (family size). according to package directions for 9x13 pan. During last two or three minutes of cooking, sprinkle 1/2 bag miniature marshmallows over top of brownies and return to oven. (ONLY A COUPLE OF MINUTES.) Have frosting prepared to pour over hot brownies.
Frosting:
1/2 stick margarine, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup cocoa
1 box powdered sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Mix and pour over warm cake. Allow to cool completely, uncovered. Don't be alarmed, this will look melted but will set up as it cools. – From the kitchen of Jeanette Hill Bradsaw.
Bake Duncan Hines Walnut Brownies (family size). according to package directions for 9x13 pan. During last two or three minutes of cooking, sprinkle 1/2 bag miniature marshmallows over top of brownies and return to oven. (ONLY A COUPLE OF MINUTES.) Have frosting prepared to pour over hot brownies.
Frosting:
1/2 stick margarine, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup cocoa
1 box powdered sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Mix and pour over warm cake. Allow to cool completely, uncovered. Don't be alarmed, this will look melted but will set up as it cools. – From the kitchen of Jeanette Hill Bradsaw.
Corn & Cheese Casserole
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
2 cans cream-style corn
5 beaten eggs
1 small box Jiffy Corn Muffin mix
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
3/4 cup oil
1/2 onion, chopped
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
Add oil to eggs. Add other ingredients. Mix well. Pour into greased casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until center is firm. – From the kitchen of longtime friend Annelle Poole.
2 cans cream-style corn
5 beaten eggs
1 small box Jiffy Corn Muffin mix
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
3/4 cup oil
1/2 onion, chopped
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
Add oil to eggs. Add other ingredients. Mix well. Pour into greased casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until center is firm. – From the kitchen of longtime friend Annelle Poole.
9.03.2008
The real shame
At the risk of dating myself, when I was a teenager the best deterrent for finding oneself in “the family way” was shame.
Sex aside, argueably a major contributor to teenage pregnancy today is the absence of shame.
The real shame, though, is the exploitation of a 17-year-old girl for political purposes and the selling of media sensationalism.
According to CNN, the left-wing blog, Daily Kos, was the source of the rumor that Sarah Palin’s daughter is the mother of the 4-month old baby with Down’s syndrome. Pretty neat trick, since the daughter is five months pregnant.
Has it occurred to anyone that left-wing propaganda is just as despicable as attacks from the right?
Republicans are not without blame. Fox News spent the hours after the introduction of Sarah Palin to the GOP ticket parading one right-wing pundit after another delivering talking points about how great it was that Palin didn’t abort her afflicted baby.
Now, they have used Bristol Palin’s pregnancy to try to turn this election once more on the issue of abortion – a maneuver meant to mask eight years of ineptitude.
George W. Bush once addressed a fundraiser crowd, “Some call you rich; I call you my base.” Nothing like a culture war to bring low- and middle-income folks into the fold and make them forget they’re the ones being screwed.
As for Democrats, I thought we were the good guys. We’re beginning to sound more like the right than the right.
Even in our patriarchal society, no one accuses fathers of abandoning their family role when seeking - and serving in - public office.
We had better back off, or we might just find that bullet we’ve shot into our collective foot is sexism.
I’m ashamed.
Sex aside, argueably a major contributor to teenage pregnancy today is the absence of shame.
The real shame, though, is the exploitation of a 17-year-old girl for political purposes and the selling of media sensationalism.
According to CNN, the left-wing blog, Daily Kos, was the source of the rumor that Sarah Palin’s daughter is the mother of the 4-month old baby with Down’s syndrome. Pretty neat trick, since the daughter is five months pregnant.
Has it occurred to anyone that left-wing propaganda is just as despicable as attacks from the right?
Republicans are not without blame. Fox News spent the hours after the introduction of Sarah Palin to the GOP ticket parading one right-wing pundit after another delivering talking points about how great it was that Palin didn’t abort her afflicted baby.
Now, they have used Bristol Palin’s pregnancy to try to turn this election once more on the issue of abortion – a maneuver meant to mask eight years of ineptitude.
George W. Bush once addressed a fundraiser crowd, “Some call you rich; I call you my base.” Nothing like a culture war to bring low- and middle-income folks into the fold and make them forget they’re the ones being screwed.
As for Democrats, I thought we were the good guys. We’re beginning to sound more like the right than the right.
Even in our patriarchal society, no one accuses fathers of abandoning their family role when seeking - and serving in - public office.
We had better back off, or we might just find that bullet we’ve shot into our collective foot is sexism.
I’m ashamed.
8.29.2008
The Katrina Syndrome
Every blogger on the planet is writing this morning about Obama’s acceptance speech and McCain’s running mate.
I think Mike Barnacle on "Morning Joke" (MSNBC) just summed up Obama's speech perfectly: "Not grand and soaring, but specific and concrete." If you saw the wonderful Alan Sorkin movie, "The American President," you would have recognized some great lines delivered by the fictional President Andrew Shepherd.
As for McCain’s running mate, frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.
Ordinarily, when people have nothing to say, they talk about the weather. But, today, across the Deep South, the weather is the topic du jour.
The governor of Mississippi has declared a state of emergency. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has told residents he will not hestitate to order a mandatory evacuation. MSNBC is hyping Gustav’s threat so they can talk about “split-screen coverage” of a major hurricane and a Republican convention.
Reports on The Weather Channel are much less alarmist.
Friends and family in Mississippi and Louisiana are reporting a near-panic.
The Katrina syndrome.
In their words:
From central Mississippi: “Well, I have been caught totally off guard by the mass grab taking place today of people preparing for the pending hurricane. Which, by the way, could hit anywhere from Texas to Florida. I guess people were SOOO not ready for Katrina that it has caused a panic. Gas here went up 29 cents overnight. People are lined up at the gas pumps and fighting for a place in line. A friend went to two stations before getting gas last night because the stations had sold out. No water on the shelves of any of the stores here, or batteries. I am praying this thing just fizzles out in the Gulf. Wishful thinking, huh? I have some gas in the car and a few groceries. I will not panic until we get a better forecast.”
From a friend getting her master’s online: “I'm busting it trying to get all my homework done early in case this hurricane turns out to be like Katrina and knocks my power out for a week ... been at it every evening. People are freaking out and have bought all the water, gas and batteries, and are standing in line at Home Depot, waiting on generators. I filled up both my cars, and that is about it. I never have food so why start now? Ha. Got no money to run stock up on all this crap anyway. I just need INTERNET service, which I cannot store. And gas, which I’ve gotten alredy.”
From Mississippi: “I will not get crazy about the weather. I think folks around here are stopping nothing short of building a bomb shelter. All I can think that we need is a loaf of bread. If the shelves are bare this weekend, I will bake one. LOL No, seriously, I hope I am right and this is no Katrina or worse yet, Camille.”
The latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center:
“Center of TS Gustav moving west of Jamaica … 18.3 N/78.3 W … moving to W/NW at 8 mph … maximum sustained winds at 65 mph with tropical storm force winds extending up to 140 miles outward from center … minimum central pressure at 988 MB/29.18 inches … storm surge at 1 to 3 feet above normal tide … total rainfall accumulations of 6 to 12 inches across Jamaica and the Cayman Islands with maximum amounts of up to 25 inches possible.”
Then this simple cautionary note: “Interests throughout the Gulf of Mexico should monitor the progress of Gustav.”
It’s always best to err on the side of caution and, as the Boy Scouts of America motto goes, “Be prepared,” but with five additional tropical disturbances in the Atlantic, “crying wolf” and creating unnecessary panic can upset life routines as well.
Best to get reports from a source without an alarmist edge. All the latest – and official - news on Gustav (and Hannah) is available at the National Hurricane Center Web site HERE.
I think Mike Barnacle on "Morning Joke" (MSNBC) just summed up Obama's speech perfectly: "Not grand and soaring, but specific and concrete." If you saw the wonderful Alan Sorkin movie, "The American President," you would have recognized some great lines delivered by the fictional President Andrew Shepherd.
As for McCain’s running mate, frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.
Ordinarily, when people have nothing to say, they talk about the weather. But, today, across the Deep South, the weather is the topic du jour.
The governor of Mississippi has declared a state of emergency. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has told residents he will not hestitate to order a mandatory evacuation. MSNBC is hyping Gustav’s threat so they can talk about “split-screen coverage” of a major hurricane and a Republican convention.
Reports on The Weather Channel are much less alarmist.
Friends and family in Mississippi and Louisiana are reporting a near-panic.
The Katrina syndrome.
In their words:
From central Mississippi: “Well, I have been caught totally off guard by the mass grab taking place today of people preparing for the pending hurricane. Which, by the way, could hit anywhere from Texas to Florida. I guess people were SOOO not ready for Katrina that it has caused a panic. Gas here went up 29 cents overnight. People are lined up at the gas pumps and fighting for a place in line. A friend went to two stations before getting gas last night because the stations had sold out. No water on the shelves of any of the stores here, or batteries. I am praying this thing just fizzles out in the Gulf. Wishful thinking, huh? I have some gas in the car and a few groceries. I will not panic until we get a better forecast.”
From a friend getting her master’s online: “I'm busting it trying to get all my homework done early in case this hurricane turns out to be like Katrina and knocks my power out for a week ... been at it every evening. People are freaking out and have bought all the water, gas and batteries, and are standing in line at Home Depot, waiting on generators. I filled up both my cars, and that is about it. I never have food so why start now? Ha. Got no money to run stock up on all this crap anyway. I just need INTERNET service, which I cannot store. And gas, which I’ve gotten alredy.”
From Mississippi: “I will not get crazy about the weather. I think folks around here are stopping nothing short of building a bomb shelter. All I can think that we need is a loaf of bread. If the shelves are bare this weekend, I will bake one. LOL No, seriously, I hope I am right and this is no Katrina or worse yet, Camille.”
The latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center:
“Center of TS Gustav moving west of Jamaica … 18.3 N/78.3 W … moving to W/NW at 8 mph … maximum sustained winds at 65 mph with tropical storm force winds extending up to 140 miles outward from center … minimum central pressure at 988 MB/29.18 inches … storm surge at 1 to 3 feet above normal tide … total rainfall accumulations of 6 to 12 inches across Jamaica and the Cayman Islands with maximum amounts of up to 25 inches possible.”
Then this simple cautionary note: “Interests throughout the Gulf of Mexico should monitor the progress of Gustav.”
It’s always best to err on the side of caution and, as the Boy Scouts of America motto goes, “Be prepared,” but with five additional tropical disturbances in the Atlantic, “crying wolf” and creating unnecessary panic can upset life routines as well.
Best to get reports from a source without an alarmist edge. All the latest – and official - news on Gustav (and Hannah) is available at the National Hurricane Center Web site HERE.
8.28.2008
An old email
Around midnight on 27 July 2004, I sent out a brief email to all in my address book. I’ve never forgotten its message.
Last night I spent two hours using the fantastic search engine google has provided for locating personal computer files. Finally, after scanning a dozen or so CDs holding my computer documents of nine years, I located the old email and wrote a post around it.
Then, I got an error message: “run-time error,” which zapped the post.
I must preface what follows by explaining that I am totally dependent on Microsoft Word. I can see nothing in my AOL inbox and cannot read emails or even determine who they are from until I copy and paste them into Microsoft Word where the messages open up to me in 18-point bold font, white on a black background. The screen before me is now the only thing on God’s green earth I can see. Perhaps that’s why I enjoy this medium so much.
I opened up a new Microsoft Word file to begin again only to be met with a message box I couldn’t read, headed “File Recovery Something Or Other.” I am the Pearl Pureheart of freaking computer situations. Every time I opened a new Word file, there was that damn box, rendering Word unsusable. Finally, after another two hours of clicking on this or that, the annoying messge box disappeared into the computer’s nether niches.
The occasion of the old email was moments after Barack Obama’s keynote address – “The Audacity of Hope” – at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, once an incubator for an infant nation.
The subject line of the email is: “PREDICTION.”
I wrote:
“Barack Obama. Keep an eye on this guy. His political star will rise. BJ”
I confess I find the meteoric speed unsettling, but the prediction came true, made official last night.
Like all journalists, I thrill at observing history in the making.
Such moments in time are often fraught with tragedy. Many bring injustice. Others are filled with prmise.
A miracle is needed to deliver as much as has been promised.
Time will tell.
***
THE 2004 KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Last night I spent two hours using the fantastic search engine google has provided for locating personal computer files. Finally, after scanning a dozen or so CDs holding my computer documents of nine years, I located the old email and wrote a post around it.
Then, I got an error message: “run-time error,” which zapped the post.
I must preface what follows by explaining that I am totally dependent on Microsoft Word. I can see nothing in my AOL inbox and cannot read emails or even determine who they are from until I copy and paste them into Microsoft Word where the messages open up to me in 18-point bold font, white on a black background. The screen before me is now the only thing on God’s green earth I can see. Perhaps that’s why I enjoy this medium so much.
I opened up a new Microsoft Word file to begin again only to be met with a message box I couldn’t read, headed “File Recovery Something Or Other.” I am the Pearl Pureheart of freaking computer situations. Every time I opened a new Word file, there was that damn box, rendering Word unsusable. Finally, after another two hours of clicking on this or that, the annoying messge box disappeared into the computer’s nether niches.
The occasion of the old email was moments after Barack Obama’s keynote address – “The Audacity of Hope” – at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, once an incubator for an infant nation.
The subject line of the email is: “PREDICTION.”
I wrote:
“Barack Obama. Keep an eye on this guy. His political star will rise. BJ”
I confess I find the meteoric speed unsettling, but the prediction came true, made official last night.
Like all journalists, I thrill at observing history in the making.
Such moments in time are often fraught with tragedy. Many bring injustice. Others are filled with prmise.
A miracle is needed to deliver as much as has been promised.
Time will tell.
***
THE 2004 KEYNOTE ADDRESS
8.27.2008
From Hillary's viewpoint
" ‘If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If there's shouting after you, keep going. Don't ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.’
“And, even in the darkest moments, that is what Americans have done. We have found the faith to keep going.”
As she evoked Harriet Tubman’s rescue of slaves escaping to freedom along the Underground Railroad, it was clear to me that Hillary Rodham Clinton had just described her public life before and during her run for the presidency.
In her address last night to Democrats gathered in Denver, Senator Clinton, with these words, evoked for me so many memories of a pack of media mad dogs at her heels.
Incredulously, the rabid right was joined in the pursuit by Simon Legrees of the left.
No matter what her critics dished out, she maintained her dignity. And, she never let me down.
In my inbox this morning:
Dear B. J.,
Standing on that stage tonight in front of 20,000 Democrats unified behind Senator Obama, I saw a bright future for America. I saw millions of people across the country working as one to elect the next Democratic President. I saw a new President and a new Congress giving a voice to the voiceless. I saw America, the land of endless potential, regaining its role as a leader in the world.
I couldn't be prouder of our party, of our nominee, and of all the work you and I have done together over the course of this campaign on behalf of the American people.
I knew that as I stood in front of that podium, I wasn't alone. I had you, and everyone who has supported me, standing right up there with me. And that means the world to me.
Thank you again for everything you've done. Now, let's get to work helping elect Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and all of our great Democratic candidates!
Sincerely,
Hillary
Many times as a blogger I attempted to extol the merits of this great American only to be met with comments such as:
“Now, for some fun, the next time you see Mrs. Clinton prancing around a stage, wireless microphone in hand, turn down the sound and begin to sing ‘The hills are alive. . .’ "
At the outset of the Democratic primaries, I wrote that my support of Hillary had nothing to do with gender or race, but was a decision made after many years of following this amazing woman’s life choices.
Last night as she exited the convention stage, Hillary passed through a room full of Obama staffers who rose in unison and gave her a standing ovation.
Obama supporters want Hillary’s faithful to come into his camp. I hope, in turn, they will come to realize this woman has something neither money nor votes can buy – class.
“And, even in the darkest moments, that is what Americans have done. We have found the faith to keep going.”
As she evoked Harriet Tubman’s rescue of slaves escaping to freedom along the Underground Railroad, it was clear to me that Hillary Rodham Clinton had just described her public life before and during her run for the presidency.
In her address last night to Democrats gathered in Denver, Senator Clinton, with these words, evoked for me so many memories of a pack of media mad dogs at her heels.
Incredulously, the rabid right was joined in the pursuit by Simon Legrees of the left.
No matter what her critics dished out, she maintained her dignity. And, she never let me down.
In my inbox this morning:
Dear B. J.,
Standing on that stage tonight in front of 20,000 Democrats unified behind Senator Obama, I saw a bright future for America. I saw millions of people across the country working as one to elect the next Democratic President. I saw a new President and a new Congress giving a voice to the voiceless. I saw America, the land of endless potential, regaining its role as a leader in the world.
I couldn't be prouder of our party, of our nominee, and of all the work you and I have done together over the course of this campaign on behalf of the American people.
I knew that as I stood in front of that podium, I wasn't alone. I had you, and everyone who has supported me, standing right up there with me. And that means the world to me.
Thank you again for everything you've done. Now, let's get to work helping elect Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and all of our great Democratic candidates!
Sincerely,
Hillary
Many times as a blogger I attempted to extol the merits of this great American only to be met with comments such as:
“Now, for some fun, the next time you see Mrs. Clinton prancing around a stage, wireless microphone in hand, turn down the sound and begin to sing ‘The hills are alive. . .’ "
At the outset of the Democratic primaries, I wrote that my support of Hillary had nothing to do with gender or race, but was a decision made after many years of following this amazing woman’s life choices.
Last night as she exited the convention stage, Hillary passed through a room full of Obama staffers who rose in unison and gave her a standing ovation.
Obama supporters want Hillary’s faithful to come into his camp. I hope, in turn, they will come to realize this woman has something neither money nor votes can buy – class.
8.22.2008
That little checkbox
So, who’s paying for those big parties coming up? The ones with all the funny hats, buttons, banners and balloons?
When you check that little box on your tax return - the one asking if you’d like to help with the current political campaign – you aren’t really contributing a penny. Or, are you?
According to a CNN report this morning, your check mark actually gives Congress permission to use everyone’s tax dollars to foot convention bills.
Allocated for the big blowouts: $34 million - $17 million to each party – and an additional $70 million from the Justice Department for security – that’s $70 million to EACH party.
Wanna bet a few more tax bucks are involved?
Next week you can come home from work, collapse into your easy chair, watch ‘em pop the corks and toot the horns secure in the knowledge that all that $174 million in fun you’re watching on the tube just took a bite out of your paycheck.
You might want to wear your “Are we having fun yet?” T-shirt.
When you check that little box on your tax return - the one asking if you’d like to help with the current political campaign – you aren’t really contributing a penny. Or, are you?
According to a CNN report this morning, your check mark actually gives Congress permission to use everyone’s tax dollars to foot convention bills.
Allocated for the big blowouts: $34 million - $17 million to each party – and an additional $70 million from the Justice Department for security – that’s $70 million to EACH party.
Wanna bet a few more tax bucks are involved?
Next week you can come home from work, collapse into your easy chair, watch ‘em pop the corks and toot the horns secure in the knowledge that all that $174 million in fun you’re watching on the tube just took a bite out of your paycheck.
You might want to wear your “Are we having fun yet?” T-shirt.
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