Here is what the AP report of the McCain/Palin event today in Ohio describes — now a regular, daily feature of their events:“We’ve all heard what he’s said. But it’s less clear what he’s done, or what he will do,” McCain told supporters in the battleground state of Pennsylvania.
McCain’s remarks about Obama were interrupted with shouts of “socialist,” “terrorist” and “liar.”
Just look at the videotapes of the angry, hateful hordes attending these rallies — screaming that Obama is a socialist; that he’s both a Muslim and a terrorist as proven by his “bloodline” and his name; that his supporters are “commie faggots”; that he’s guilty of treason; underscored by increasing racial invective and even punctuated in one case by a call from an audience member for someone to be killed. These aren’t just isolated individuals; these sentiments are common at these rallies and becoming increasingly virulent and enraged — at the rallies and otherwise:A billboard in West Plains, Mo., showing a caricature of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama wearing a turban has caused quite a stir in town.
The sign, located south of West Plains on U.S. 63 across from the Dairy Queen, says: “Barack ‘Hussein’ Obama equals more abortions, same sex marriages, taxes, gun regulations.”
And worst of all, all of this rage and this innuendo is taking place in the most volatile climate of all — one of severe economic distress and anxiety — and these mobs are increasingly becoming convinced, because the Right and the McCain/Palin campaign is leading them to believe it, that this economic crisis is the fault of the black candidate — Obama — for making banks give mortgages to racial minorities.
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From an Agence France Presse wire story today:WAUKESHA, Wisconsin (AFP) - Shouts of “terrorist” and “treason” aimed at Barack Obama have echoed around Republican rallies, whipping up into alarming, hate-filled frenzies against the Democratic White House hopeful.
Republican presidential nominee John McCain has taken to asking, “Who is the real Barack Obama?” at rallies this week, leading one supporter in Pennsylvania, a blue-collar battleground state to shout back, “he is a bomb.”
Chants of “Nobama, Nobama” mingled with cries of “terrorist,” as one banner in the crowd declared: “Go ahead, let the dogs out.”
In the video, the interviewees don't appear to believe what they are saying so much as to feel the need to repeat it. Terrorist is understood to be very flexible. "Well maybe's he's not really a terrorist but...yeah he's a terrorist. I think so!"
First comment at Greenwald's speculates that these people might be planted by the campaign. It is odd how all these stories just surfaced this week - it's almost like unveiling a new campaign slogan or series of ads. At the very least, this stuff is being tolerated. It's hardly a vote-winning strategy - which is really scary, because then you need to ask what kind of strategy is it?
ReplyDelete"First comment at Greenwald's speculates that these people might be planted by the campaign."
ReplyDeleteit has that look i agree.
"it's almost like unveiling a new campaign slogan or series of ads."
like carl schmitt opened a pr agency, friend or enemy, more terrorising, just everyone in terror, on every channel - bloomberg, msnbc, fox. the dark knight turns out to be a documentary.
as if the elections themselves are dangerous, the whole process fraught with terror, with violence and chaos to result either way it goes.
better just to have stable management, like a corporation or a bank. like what's his name dreaming of elegant gentlemen "with names like Mellon and Rockerfeller..." from "white shoe firms"...with public spirit, benevolently and wisely managing. Everything else is too "political" and "divisive"; we see even markets are chaotic when the riff raff with their fears and greed are involved.
"Another portfolio manager made an interesting point about the manner in which large portfolios have chosen to operate recently. He suggests that many funds have moved to private equity funds from public stock. He also notes that many had retreated from individual stocks and bonds for the glitz of hedge fund returns.
The problem there is that the new technique of management parks money in a place from which it is not extracted with ease, speed and dexterity. So the only stuff that is not nailed down and available for sale is Treasury and mortgage paper."
http://acrossthecurve.com/