Today, we are taking a break from politics as usual, and that's a good thing.Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama have called a truce in their increasingly nasty and bitter campaigns to honor the victims of the 9-11 terrorist attacks seven years ago (my, how time flies). They are both scheduled to address a forum on public service being held in New York City, which will be covered by the cable news networks.
It is appropriate that the campaigns call off their attack dogs on the anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. Heck, this would have been a good idea anyway, even if 9-11 never happened. The campaign rhetoric has been at a boiling point. For instance, Obama had to defend himself against charges that he was using the phrase "lipstick on a pig" to insult McCain's running-mate Sarah Palin. I don't think it was sexist and MSNBC's Keith Olbermann pointed out that McCain used the same phrase to attack Hillary Clinton.
Do we really want to elect the leader of the free world based on a horrid cliche? Come people, we've got big problems. The economy is a mess. Wall Street is in shambles. Housing prices are plunging. Millions of Americanis lack health insurance. Oh yeah, we are fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and may fight another one in Iran.
We must pick a leader who can lead us through these troubled times. I back Obama. I know it's a shock that a member of the media is backing him, but I honestly believe that a McCain administration will bring more of the same and we can't afford another Bush term. Check out this site if you want to calculate your tax cut under Obama's plan.
But even this Democrat has been taken aback by the vitriol of the rhetoric of some of the people I support. Olbermann, in particular, gets more shrill by the day. Some of the discussion about Palin's fitness as a mother has also crossed the line. Sometimes I think the country needs to spike the water supply with Prozac.
The lessons of 9-11 is that life is precious and that what unites us as Americans is far more important than what divides us. As the November election draws near, we will look back fondly on this cease fire. If you think the discourse was nasty before, hold onto your hats because you ain't seen nothing yet.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-11-2008 @ 12:21PM
Miranda said...
Thanks for this post. I wish that we could stop with the theatrics and actually talk about policy issues. Because, really, when you look at things, Obama's policies are what will be best for America and her people as a whole.
That's what the memory of 9/11 should evoke: A brief period of time in the aftermath in which everyone pulled together for the good of the country.
9-11-2008 @ 1:06PM
John said...
McCain actually was talking about Hillary's healthcare plan and not Hillary. Go back and read what was said.
Besides Keith Olberman is total blow hard, a complete loser, and a Jack Ass. I love your blog, but how could positively spin anything HE says.
9-11-2008 @ 4:43PM
jeff said...
if this were true, it would mean the pig is McCain and Palin is the lipstick. not sexist either way.
9-11-2008 @ 6:01PM
kid mercury said...
it is crucial to note that 9/11 was an inside job. while the corporate media has refused to give this serious attention, it is beyond dispute. there are plenty of members in governments -- local, federal, and international -- that can confirm this, as well as eyewitnesses, firefighters, police officers, and plenty of other people. see for yourself: www.patriotsquestion911.com
the fraudulent wars started in the wake of 9/11 have enabled the tripling of the size of the federal government, all of which has been financed by an expansion of the money supply, which is why inflation is at 14%+ this year.
economic and political healing begins with 9/11 truth.
9-11-2008 @ 11:45PM
fdeblauwe said...
I really think the events of 9/11 are not being used to the same level they were in 2004's presidential campaign. On my Word Face-Off blog, I compared the Google-popularity of "9/11," "Flight 93," etc. and there is a marked difference between 2004 and 2008.