I was chatting with Sally on the phone earlier tonight, and this subject came up. Since I've spent my life planning for contingencies, I thought I'd do a little contingency planning for the possibility that Senator Obama wins the election....and to that end, I thought a little excursion into what the possible upside would be is in order. Here are a few thoughts, and I would love to hear more:
1. The election of Barack Obama could have a positive impact on an entire generation of young African American children. Here's the deal; we all read stories about how in certain elements of black culture, studying and being smart are just not seen as being cool. With a mixed race man in the White House, perhaps the corner can be turned on the social pressure not to succeed.
2. The election of Barack Obama would undercut the persistent charge of lingering racism in America. I think this one is self-explanatory.
3. The Republican Party renaissance will come more quickly in defeat than with victory. I know this is a tough one for a lot of you to swallow, but hear me out. If McCain wins and the Congress goes heavily Democrat, the stage is set for four years of acrimony and bile. Our government will only be equipped to tackle absolute emergencies, if that. The level of incivility in Washington would be double what it is now. And the titular head of the party would not be the least bit interested in conservative ideas. Now....if Senator Obama wins, the Democrats would have virtually untrammeled capacity to pass whatever they want. The Democratic Party has always been the gift that keeps giving, and they will invariably over-reach. Additionally, Republican Party leadership would undergo a Darwinian process resulting in (hopefully), better leaders who will trade in ideas and policy. Couple better ideas with a predictable backlash against the Democrats , and you have the recipe for a Republican renaissance.
What have I missed?
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
17 comments:
And, hopefully it would be the beginning of the end for the destruction of the english language such as noted below.
How would you pronounce this as a child's name??? Le - a
Leah?? NO
Lee A?? NOPE
Lay a?? NO
Lei?? Guess Again.
Are you resorting to tongue clicks yet??
It's pronounced "Ledasha"! Oh yes...you read it right. The dash
is not
silent.
This child attends a school in Livingston Parish, Louisiana.
Her mother is irate because everyone is getting her name wrong.
When the mother was asked about the pronunciation of the name, she said
"the
dash don't be silent."
Smoothfur--when I first read your comment, I thought to delete it. Perhaps I'm being a bit overboard here, but it struck me as lacking in civility.
Then I realized that what you've written is just an "earthier" version of my #1 point above, and decided to let it stand.
While I wish you would simply have said something along the lines of "the election of an eloquent black man comfortable with standard english might deal the death blow to ebonics, which I havel always considered to be destructive to the English language and simply bad grammar....", I realize that might not be your style.
But I will use this opportunity to very strongly urge readers not to use this particular thread to indulge any of the lesser angels of your nature. This is not an opportunity to be funny, and it is not an opportunity to insult vast swaths of the American public. It is a serious question in search of serious answers.
And yes, Smoothfur's was a serious answer.
Possible marginalization of the Reverands Jackson and Sharpton as an Obama presidency may need to distance itself from them?
Two local gun stores report brisk sales of all things firearms: reloading supplies, ammunition (particularly 5.56 mm, 9 mm, .45, and .40 cal), handguns, high cap magazines, and long guns (particularly anything covered by the old "assault weapons ban"). I suspect that until Feinstein and Co. get their new bills into the next Congress, Obama's election will be a boon to gun stores. Long term--not so much. One guy, who just spent a few years going through gunsmithing school and apprenticeship in Colorado, figures he can get a machinist job somewhere. The other plans to retire. I'm one of the ones stocking up.
"The election of Barack Obama could have a positive impact on an entire generation of young African American children"
Bryan, the operative word is "could". If Obama chooses statesmanship and accord, versus railroading and rhetorical race-baiting, I suspect his legacy as it regards our youth of any color may be positive. Should his sxample be to treat his Secret Service detail, the White House housekeeping staff, and the Marines from 8th and I with disdain, as did the Clintons, I suspect his presidency may inspire black youth, but not necessarily in a positive way.
Should he get elected, let us hope he inspires with positive examples of leadership.
"The election of Barack Obama could have a positive impact on an entire generation of young African American children."
Much like the impact the selections of Colin Powell, Condeleeza Rice and Justice Clarence Thomas have had on the previous generation?
I agree with John S.; if Obama chooses the path of statesmanship and accord it could happen, but I'm not holding out hope.
I also see a potential fracturing of the democrat party as a potential upside of an Obama victory, as the more radical wing of the party seeks to assert itself in policymaking and spending decisions, driving Blue Dog democrats to the GOP
Let's hope there are more Zel Millers and Virgil Goodes out there waiting to pull the rip cord on the Demokratchik Party.
On another note, Anna and I started carving a few days early. Happy HOO-lloween!
CW, your point is appreciated and well taken.
But keep in mind the number of young black men and women who have been denied meaningful employment due to their lack of ability to communicate using proper English grammar and elocution.
If an Obama presidency or even candidacy does nothing else of import it could possibly lead to more well spoken young people.
I LOVE the marginalization of Jackson and Sharpton comment; I think we've seen some of that already...didn't Jackson wish to do urological harm to Senator Obama?
Also a big fan of the splintered Dem party theory; just wait till the Blue Dogs howl; they won't come over to our side, but they'll be useful. And just wait until we all get to see what a looney toon idiot Jim Webb is!
If I'm an Al Qaeda member, I win....eventually.
One of the biggest upsides for me is that Hollywood will have nothing about which to gripe with "Bush" gone. Then, with all that extra time on their hands they can go back to gripping personal stories on Oprah and the like regarding their struggles with cocaine, subsequent rehab, self-esteem-rebuilding plastic surgery, providing expert testimony before Congress on an issue related to their previous role in a Lifetime Movie Channel movie, finding life-partners/soulmates/etc, adopting a child a month from countries with names less than two years old, adopting a teacup chihuahua, punching a paparazzi for taking an inconvenient photo while in the embrace of a non-life partner/soulmate/etc, separating as good friends from lp/sm/etc, struggling with cocaine, rehab, etc. And thank God, none of them will have to go back on promises to leave the country because the election went their way. Whew!
There will finally be peace in the Middle East.
Of course this will be the result of Iran lobbing a few nukes in Israel's direction and the massive response from Israel's arsenal which would result. Both countries will be reduced to radioactive glass too quickly for any reaction on America's part. Not that Obama would even care.
Next: Finally Solving the Pesky Taiwanese Issue
For the first time in 8 years our president will not be encouraging the March for Life yahoos when they descend on DC in January.
"absolute emergencies" like when G.W. sat in his kindergarten class for 15 minutes after hearing that the U.S. was under attack or how the govt. handled katrina? No one could possibly do a better job than ye old Republicans, right?
Anon
Bush spent 15 minutes mulling over an attack that would change the course of history? I'll bet FDR spent at least that much time thinking about what he was going to say to the American people when he went on TV in 1929 to tell them about the stock market crash.
African-American women will be holding their men's feet to the fire and saying, "If marrying a sister is good enough for the President, it should be good enough for you"!
Post a Comment