 |
|
Subscribe to Our Newsletter  BlogRoll
|
B-Rant- submitted by M. Smith on 11/06/2008 The Post-Election Headache: Take Two Tylenol and Some ToleranceBy Melissa Smith The day after the election was supposed to be one of relief. I was more than ready for the negative campaigning to end and the dissentious aspects of the election to be over. I had hoped that the strong opinions and arrogant attitudes that seemed to be so prevalent in my town and all throughout the country would moderate. And while I did awake to amazing scenes that should inspire hope and will certainly be unforgettable moments of history being written, I also encountered anger and fear and a continuing supply of negative and misleading propaganda. I fear my hopes for some post election moderation were extremely naïve. The day after the election the newspaper headlines proclaimed the significance of the historical election of a black man to the presidency of the United States. My television repeatedly showed scenes of black reporters, reporting from black communities, interviewing crying black people. Aged civil rights leaders praised those brave souls who laid the groundwork for this moment, often with their lives. Yet on a Google discussion forum there was talk of how soon President Obama would be assassinated. If race wasn't supposed to be an issue before the election, I wonder why it is so important the day after the election. When I walked my son to school, the other suburban mommies were shaking their heads in worry and disgust. "He's going to raise my taxes. He's going to take away all that we have worked for. His ideas on capital gains are going to kill us. This country is going down." Yet on the radio there was an interview with a man visiting the food bank. He didn't mention income levels or the fine print on small business taxation or the ramifications of Obama's plans for Iraq. He mentioned hope. "I just want to have a job and be able to feed my family.....that's what I hope for." The people of the world cheered when Obama was elected. A newspaper report proclaimed that their overriding desire was that America would be "less arrogant," less selfish and adopt a more worldly view. Obama reached out to the world in his speech offering the support of America and confirming that "...our destiny is shared." Yet my grocery store checker was visibly upset. Practically in tears, she proclaimed that, "Now that a Muslim has taken over our country he will open the door to the terrorists. We should just bomb the whole Middle East.....once and for all...and get rid of those evil people who threaten our Christianity and our American way of life." I realize that the emotional ramifications of this election are still fresh and right at the surface. But I sense that this opinionated divide seems to be widening not moderating. President Obama will encounter his hopeful supporters who have almost unrealistic, wide reaching expectations for him. They have placed an inordinate amount of pressure on one man to unite not only our country but the entire world in some magical way. Obama must also deal with the opposition who have already pre-determined that his election is alarming and frightening . He must deal with people who appear absolutely unwilling to employ even a preliminary cautionary observation of his presidency. I am standing somewhere in the middle. And I am very lonely. In his gracious concession speech, John McCain urged all Americans to "find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences... " Even contentious Republican Elizabeth Hasselbeck of The View commented that "today is victory for this country to have Barack Obama as our next president." Now if John McCain and Elizabeth Hasselbeck can move a little bit toward the middle then anyone can. I'd sure like to think that President Obama really does have the unifying qualities his supporters profess. I'd sure like to think that the extreme thinking, the negativity and the divisive attitudes I still see will soon be replaced by a true desire to relate to each other in a more positive way. I'd sure like to think that my suburban neighbors and all of America will be a bit more tolerant and a bit more willing to listen to John McCain and "bridge our differences." Perhaps that kind of America is coming. But on this day after the election, I have yet to see enough of it to give me hope. Melissa Smith is a continuously amused, always questioning, closet rebel living in materialistic, soccer mom suburbia. Her work can be seen at http://www.slightlyexaggerated.com/...read more rants   This makes me wonder where - submitted by Anonymous on 11/06/2008
This makes me wonder where you live. In suburban NY where I am, you can tell a McCain supporter this week mostly by their silence. When Democrats are talking about how wonderful it is, the lips of Republicans are sealed. I think the post-election coverage should find more room for the voices of those who are very unhappy about this. Yes, history is being made and it's an amazing story, but there are millions in this country who are very disappointed and worried and they should have a voice too. And I say this even though I am overjoyed with Obama's election! what i think - submitted by mchugh on 11/06/2008
i've been in nyc for the election week (escaped the burbs for work) and i've never felt so at home. people on the street don't think all is fixed, restored or changed but see possibility. what a fascinating situation! as my friend is walking down the street clad in obama-wear strangers are throwing high-fives and congratulating each other. this random affection and appreciation is what we need. we are still american's and still all here, we must hope there is something better than the last 8 years while hoping for people to move towards humanity, whether that is left or right shouldn't be right or wrong. Yes I did. Careful - Your bias is showing! - submitted by Anonymous on 11/06/2008
Regardless of what side of the fence I sit, I find it unbelievable that your grocery checker would say, "Now that a Muslim has taken over our country he will open the door to the terrorists. We should just bomb the whole Middle East.....once and for all...and get rid of those evil people who threaten our Christianity and our American way of life." outloud, no less. This seems a bit inflammatory towards the "Christian" ideology and that "we" are being lumped together with this type of extreme thinking. I've been listening to Seattle talk radio for the last few days and I've been appalled at how intolerant people representing the "left" (Obama supporters) have been when the "right" tries to voice their concerns (excluding the muslim links, terrorist connections, Christian-right, illegal immigrant family members, non-US-resident, refusing to hold town meetings, and "the" Reverend issue) regarding his voting record in the Senate and his inexperience as a politician. They would get so angry and emotional and then claim that any disagreement with Obama's politics was because we must be an ignorant, white, Christian racist - please! And to what degree is Elizabeth Hasselbeck of The View more contentious than Joy Behar!! Are you kidding? To be the one republican on such a liberal panel I do not see how she can go into work each day! Middle of the road might be a lonely place for some people but I don't think you're really straddling the line as much as you think...you're leaning a little to the left. missing the point - submitted by chillbabe on 11/07/2008
Whether the author is left or right politically is irrelevant. The middle ground should be with how we treat each other, express ourselves and generally get our point across. It's wonderful to have a strong viewpoint but it's not so wonderful to express it in a way that alienates and offends all those who have to listen to you express it. And this goes for both the left and the right. intolerance - submitted by AtlantaCheri on 11/07/2008
Intolerance definitely goes both ways. No matter how it manifests itself, most intolerance is fueled by ignorance and often incorrect assumptions. It's darn hard to garner respect and move forward when a base of intolerance is where you are starting from. That's my point. The author - submitted by Anonymous on 11/07/2008
That's my point. The author states that they are lonely having gone to the middle of the road but they are not using language that is "middle of the road". Inflammatory adjectives were gently folded into the commentary. If anyone has expressed "middle of the road" sentiment, it has been John McCain in his concession speech. missing the point - submitted by chillbabe on 11/07/2008
Describing a situation does not imply belief in that situation. And I believe the author did approve of John McCain's sentiments. Then what does it imply? - submitted by Anonymous on 11/08/2008
Then what does it imply? It implies nothing. The - submitted by chillbabe on 11/08/2008
It implies nothing. The author witnessing these exteme and inflamatory situations, and accurately describing them, does not make the author extreme and inflamatory. In fact, her article argues against this kind of reaction. I find it funny "anonymous" - submitted by Sara on 11/08/2008
I find it funny "anonymous" thought she leaned to the left. I kind of thought, by bringing up race and approving of John McCain, that she leaned a little to the right. The author responds... - submitted by Melissa Smith on 11/08/2008
I must say, it has been most interesting reading the comments on my article. I would like to make two additional comments of my own. The grocery store checker really did say that, outloud. And I do think that Joy Behar is just as contentious as Elizabeth Hasselbeck, perhaps even more so. dickbutt - submitted by Anonymous on 11/21/2008
dickbutt I rather let officials do - submitted by traffic101 on 12/26/2008
I rather let officials do their thing. They should have tried Advil.LOL. <a href="http://doctorfinders.com/doctors-ogden-ut.html">ogden doctors</a>  |
|
||||
©2008 Burbia Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
227 likes 
