Ad by Americans for Herman Cain
In the aftermath of the sexual harassment allegations against Herman Cain, the group Americans for Herman Cain released the following ad:
The only way this ad makes any sense is if you know zilch about U.S. news/politics of the last 25 years.
1. Blaming Herman Cain's problems on the left is baseless because we don't know who gave the story to Politico. Cain himself can't seem to make up his mind on who he wants to blame for the sexual harassment allegations coming to light. So far, he's pointed his finger at the left, the Rick Perry campaign and the media. Next, he'll be blaming the rain or the boogie!
2 .As for Politico breaking the story and the "so-called" mainstream media covering it, what were they supposed to do?! I hate to break it to Cain and his supporters, but the fact that he is running for president makes these sexual harassment allegations a news story. If you think it's only black conservatives who get media coverage when scandal touches their political career, tell that to Bill Clinton, Eliot Spitzer, John Edwards, Anthony Weiner and a host of others.
3. The "left hates black conservatives" talking point used by some on the right is a classic case of a straw man argument. I hear people on the right claim they don't see color. If this were true, they wouldn't cry foul whenever a black conservative gets criticism based on the issues. Why should a black conservative get special treatment simply because of the color of their skin?
4.To say "they" (aka "the left") can't argue with Herman Cain on policy is a lie. Cain's "9-9-9" plan and his stances on such issues as foreign policy, abortion, and immigration have been criticized by the left. Also, people on the GOP side have been critical of Herman Cain on various issues as well. I guess IOKIYAR.
As I've stated before, there's nothing wrong with blacks being conservative. The problem I have with black conservatives like Herman Cain is that they downplay racism until they get into trouble. Just last month, Cain stated that racism isn't holding anyone back. However, he played the race card awfully quick as soon as his ass got into hot water. What's even worse is that he even admitted there was no evidence to support his claim!
Of all the people Herman Cain has pointed the finger at for the sexual harassment allegations and the ensuing media firestorm, to the best of my knowledge he has yet to blame himself. Had he taken some personal responsibility (the conservative/GOP mantra), he wouldn't be in this mess.
Touré's Take On the Discussion of Racism
During his segment on Friday's installment of The Dylan Ratigan Show, writer/TV personality Touré talks about how some on the right are trying to squash any rational discussions we have on racism.
Although I disagree with Touré's assertion that efforts to end discussions about racism is racism itself, he hit all the right notes with the rest of his commentary. There are serious discussions that need to be had on the subject of racism in this country and they should involve people of all political viewpoints. Rush doesn't want that to happen because if it does, he's finished. Rush's calling cards are divisiveness and stoking fear/resentment. To expect him to have an honest and intelligent discussion on the subject of racism is a waste of time. Let's leave the "I'm rubber, you're glue"-style accusations of racism to people like Rush. While he and his ilk engage in their simple minded approach to race/racism, the rest of us can get down to business.
By the way, that Louis C.K. clip was hilariously on point!
What are your thoughts on the Americans for Herman Cain ad and Touré's comments on how we talk about racism?
5 comments:
"Why should a black conservative get special treatment simply because of the color of their skin? "
This is what I have been saying all along to the Democrats who have argued that Obams should be above criticism because of his skin color.
One specific case I got into arguments with lots of Democrats was over when Obama was called "arrogant". They claimed it was racist. When the truth is Presidents get called arrogant all the time. A Google check at that time showed that white George W. Bush got called arrogant more than Barack Obama.
To hold Obama above the exact same criticism white Presidents get is a form of racism.
Dmarks: Although the "arrogance" claim could have had tinges of racism with some people who used the term against President Obama, it's impossible to prove. I think the arrogance claim often boils down to partisanship. Having said that, I think there are still people who have issues with a confident black man who isn't afraid to speak up for himself.
In case you missed my question at the bottom of the post, here it is again:
What are your thoughts on the Americans for Herman Cain ad and Touré's comments on how we talk about racism?
I won't go into the Herman Cain ad except to say that I don't think it's very good. It takes bits and pieces from people who you're not sure about what they're referencing and then clumps them all together to show how everyone is attacking Cain purely because of his color but without really showing any evidence to prove it. It's disingenuous at best.
But Touré is right. It was Edmund Burke who said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” That was true during slavery and during the Civil Rights movement. It was true in Nazi Germany and the many tribal and religious conflicts that have covered the world.
Racism exists and not to say that it exists is to pretend something that isn't true. By not saying anything allows it remain below the surface, festering and growing like a cancer until one day it erupts in such a way that it becomes the only thing we can focus on. Meanwhile, just like Plessey vs Ferguson, all the things that we could have done or said to prevent things going from bad to worse are just left as symbols of benign neglect. This is an act of racism if ever there was one.
I was disappointed to see the Cain camp play the race card. I also doubt these allegations come from the left. Who has the most to gain from this? Perry and Romney.
If the dems had this info, they would be smart to sit on it in the eventuality he got the GOP nod and then drop the bomb.
As for more dialog on race, God please spare us. I served in the military for over 20 years with all kinds of people. We got along and we didn't have to talk about it all the time.
Curious: I realize there are time limits to an ad, but it didn’t do a good job of proving that "the left" is working to destroy Herman Cain. I recently caught a portion of the 11/4 episode of the PBS talk show "To the Contrary". One of the guests was Angela McGowan (she appears in the Cain ad twice talking about how liberals hit below the belt because they can’t argue on the issues). During the “To the Contrary” episode, she stated that she didn’t think the left was behind the leaking of the Cain sexual harassment story.
I’ll never understand how people can honestly say racism is a thing of the past. Although I hate to see anyone in a situation where they are touched by racism (either real or imagined), maybe that’s what it takes for these ostriches to pull their head out of the proverbial sand. After all, look how quickly Herman Cain changed his tune after the sexual harassment story came out.
Silverfiddle: Although the Romney and Perry camps may not have been directly involved in leaking the sexual harassment story, I think it was someone on the right who wants to make sure Cain doesn’t get the nomination. I wouldn’t be surprised if we learn that Karl Rove was behind the leak.
I’m not saying we have to talk about race/racism all the time. However, not talking about it at all only exacerbates the problem. You say you got along with all kinds of people while in the military. I too have been in situations with diverse groups in which race wasn’t a problem. However, that doesn’t mean racism has disappeared.
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