Last week the former mayor of New York City and wannabe teabagger, Rudy Giuliani, publicly stated that he didn't believe President Obama loved America. It was a racist and idiotic statement, and Giuliani immediately tried to back justify it. The most ridiculous of his justifications was that he couldn't be a racist since President Obama's mother was white.
It's fairly easy for me to write off the statement by Giuliani, because he's always shot off his mouth before thinking about what he saying and he's been trying to win over the GOP teabaggers for a while now (possibly for a future presidential run?). But the results of this poll are not so easy to dismiss. It seems that about a third of all Americans (and almost two-thirds of Republicans) agree with Giuliani.
That's rather shocking. It's one thing to disagree with the president (or any other politician) about policy issues -- but it's quite another to accuse anyone of not loving their country (the country they were born and raised in).
This kind of accusation hasn't been made against any other president, no matter how unpopular the president or his policies and actions. The right-wing hated President Clinton, and even tried to impeach him, but they didn't accuse him of not loving his country. And those of us on the left had no love for President George W. Bush and his failed policies, but it never occurred to us to accuse him of not loving his country. An accusation like that is just beyond the pale.
So why would such an accusation be hurled at President Obama? What makes him different than all our past presidents (many of whom were unpopular during their term)? Could it be race? That's the only reason I can think of -- because his actions and policies certainly have not been that extreme. In truth, he's pretty moderate (and has been a disappointment both to the right and left because of that).
That 35% of Americans should be ashamed of themselves for even considering such a heinous belief. They need to check themselves, and make sure there isn't some racism lingering in their dark hearts.
The chart was made from a recent Rasmussen Poll -- done on February 22nd and 23rd of a random national sample of 800 likely voters, with a margin of error of 3.5 points.
this post got me to thinking that these same 35 % of the people are the same ones who scream about patriotism and that they are the only "true" patriots. the thoughts made me question patriotism verses false patriotism which took me to samuel johnsons statement that "patriotism is defined as the last resort of a scoundrel". this brought me to a very interesting piece concerning this statement and who he may have been directing it at, edmund burke. http://www.samueljohnson.com/qotw02q2.html#0630
ReplyDeleteseems to me that what he was really saying was that if you want to overthrow the present authority, make it seem that you and your movement are the true patriots. build a movement on that idea, using the term of patriotism as a rallying point for the express purpose of overthrowing your government is the act of a scoundrel.
when that 35% state the they can define love of country and who owns it, they show great disrespect for the people of this nation and the nation itself. these are the false patriots.
Big Deal!!! I've done 20yrs in the military with honorable discharge. And I DO NOT LOVE AMERICA!!!!
ReplyDeleteBy definition you do not love a thing, but people.
I like America but I'm not 'love blind' to America, it has warts and ugly spots, and living in Europe can really show these ugly parts.
And I vote so as to help make things better....But LOVE???? Here is a better question....
What is LOVE??? Don't rush as it is a hard one to answer.