THE CURMUDGEON CHRONICLE ©
AN IRREVERENT VIEW
Time Line: April 17, 2008
Date Line: Flemington New Jersey
There are limits to everything except Hillary Clinton’s unacceptable conduct and selfishness. Last night’s “debate” underlined both and sent a nasty message to those who care about the character of elected officials, and the even-handedness of the media
Ms. Clinton was a junkyard dog gobbling left-over scraps and growling for more. When her opponent was asked about his “relationship” with a person who served on a Charity Board with him (and who had been a member of the Weathermen thirty-six years ago), she leaped at the chance to make that non-relationship seem sinister; trying to cast doubt on her opponent’s character.
The “moderators” were anything but moderate. They attacked Mr. Obama’s loyalty, bona fides as an American, referred to the incident mentioned above and the remarks made about bombs as though it had happened yesterday. It happened when Obama was eight years old. The moderators spent more than half the total time on such non-issues before deigning to ask about social security and taxes.
Now that we know who Karl Rove’s model is, just think what a Whitehouse with Ms. Clinton at the helm would be like. She says she is a fighter, but I have seen no evidence of grit. If fighting means that you lie at worst and speak half truths at best, then I guess she is a fighter. It occurs to me that a cornered rat will fight too, but in the case of the rat his life is at stake, not his ego.
When this campaign started I had no choice among the candidates. I have watched the field narrow to the two Democratic candidates who emerged as the finalists. Having watched them I cannot conceive of anyone voting for Ms. Clinton.
Her vaunted experience is illusory. What is real is her record of tantrums, petty theft of towels from the White House, gratuitous backbiting, false smile, and canned patter that do not qualify her for the Presidency. Granted that Mr. Obama may never see his programs enacted or his agenda fulfilled, but he does not lie to us and he speaks his mind clearly. The worst things that have been said about him are that his Preacher made stupid comments and that one of his campaign contributors was a slum lord.
Both of those things are endemic. I wouldn’t expect any preacher to be right all the time, and while I have defended slumlords in the courtroom, that does not make me a slumlord or less patriotic.
By the way Mr. Gibson, check out the roster of US veterans to see how many wear the American flag. You don’t need symbols if your conduct proves your belief in the real thing. In this case the real thing is not a $2.00 flag pin, it is this country and what its Constitution guarantees.
The media moderators showed themselves to be seekers of headlines and stirrers of gossip to create false controversies: that may be part of what they do in ordinary circumstances to justify their salaries. A debate between candidates is the time and place to let the candidates describe their stances on the issues. It is not the time to monger false tales or idle gossip.
If I had a choice on my wish list it might be Barry Goldwater. Maybe he thought the world was flat, but that would be a very small potato in the stew we are offered by the likes of Hillary Clinton.
Howard Stamer
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