The Obama/Progressive Blind Spot

The Obama/Progressive Blind Spot (Full Version)

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TheHeretic -> The Obama/Progressive Blind Spot (5/30/2008 7:28:30 PM)
Found an article well worth my lunchtime reading today on Huffington Post. As a veteran, I notice the situation it discusses fairly often. I hope those it is directed to by the author, pay attention. http://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/20080530/cm_huffpost/104206;_ylt=AqINTdMUqzis0d7fx9f2ucus0NUE It pained me to see Senator Obama miss a big opportunity at Wesleyan College. A few days before Memorial Day he delivered the commencement speech filling in for Senator Kennedy. Senator Obama mentioned serving our country and used the word service many times. He spoke of joining the Peace Corps. He talked about the good it does one's soul to be part of "something bigger than one's self." However, Senator Obama never said -- even once -- that one good option for service -- and for being part of something bigger than ourselves -- includes volunteering to serve in our military. Why? By definition a blind spot is something overlooked because it isn't on the gut-level radar screen of an individual or group -- even if they think they have it covered. In other words, they just don't get it, no ill will, just non-connection.

Alumbrado -> RE: The Obama/Progressive Blind Spot (5/30/2008 7:39:25 PM)
Load of BS... the author's premise that being progressive equates to knowing and caring nothing about the military overlooks the obvious... those who are both progressive and vets. Try telling this guy that he 'just doesn't get' the military ... http://www.rangeragainstwar.com/ http://www.rangeragainstwar.blogspot.com/

TheHeretic -> RE: The Obama/Progressive Blind Spot (5/30/2008 7:53:32 PM)
Keep in mind, Alum, that roughly 1% of the population actually chooses to take the oath. With that small a pool to start with, you become as statistically important as I was without a seatbelt. I'll certainly agree he is generalizing, but I think there is a point worthy of notice anyway There is plenty of ignorance about the military on both sides of the partisan/philosophical divide.

Alumbrado -> RE: The Obama/Progressive Blind Spot (5/30/2008 7:59:05 PM)
Fair enough...as far as Obama's speechwriting, I suspect many hours were expended on deciding who they could afford to mention, not mention, possibly offend, possibly leave room for accusations of pandering, and so forth... I don't read as much into it as the article did. The Peace Corps is often mentioned as a different sort of service from the military, particularly wartime military.

TheHeretic -> RE: The Obama/Progressive Blind Spot (5/30/2008 8:13:02 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Alumbrado Fair enough...as far as Obama's speechwriting, I suspect many hours were expended on deciding who they could afford to mention, not mention, possibly offend, possibly leave room for accusations of pandering, and so forth... I'm more inclined to agree with the author, from what I already quoted. It just never even occured to them.

celticlord2112 -> RE: The Obama/Progressive Blind Spot (5/30/2008 8:14:17 PM)
quote: Load of BS... the author's premise that being progressive equates to knowing and caring nothing about the military overlooks the obvious... those who are both progressive and vets. It is a sweeping generalization.....but there is no denying that Obama's failure to mention the military when speechifying about "service" is a level of political tone-deafness that plays right into that stereotype--and in an election cycle where that is not a stereotype he needs to be feeding. Given that Iraq is likely to be THE foreign policy issue of the general election, the author is not exactly wrong about this being something Obama can be hurt with come the fall.

NumberSix -> RE: The Obama/Progressive Blind Spot (5/30/2008 8:23:19 PM)
Well McCain is without blemish or blindspot, its fuckin tragic, it is. Viet Nam was lost the day that we approved the asassination of Diem. Iraq was lost the day we approved the asassination of Hussein. war is an extension of politics by other means Sun Tzu There isn't any sort of political goal we are apprising, in any case. 6

Alumbrado -> RE: The Obama/Progressive Blind Spot (5/30/2008 8:24:02 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: TheHeretic quote: ORIGINAL: Alumbrado Fair enough...as far as Obama's speechwriting, I suspect many hours were expended on deciding who they could afford to mention, not mention, possibly offend, possibly leave room for accusations of pandering, and so forth... I'm more inclined to agree with the author, from what I already quoted. It just never even occured to them. Ah well... if only the Democrats could have come up with a presidential candidate who had actually been in the military, even better, one with some medals and stuff... why they'd be a shoo-in to take the White House.....[:D]

Level -> RE: The Obama/Progressive Blind Spot (5/30/2008 8:27:02 PM)
What about Webb? If Obama picks him for VP, that might open the door for him.

NumberSix -> RE: The Obama/Progressive Blind Spot (5/30/2008 8:30:36 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Alumbrado quote: ORIGINAL: TheHeretic quote: ORIGINAL: Alumbrado Fair enough...as far as Obama's speechwriting, I suspect many hours were expended on deciding who they could afford to mention, not mention, possibly offend, possibly leave room for accusations of pandering, and so forth... I'm more inclined to agree with the author, from what I already quoted. It just never even occured to them. Ah well... if only the Democrats could have come up with a presidential candidate who had actually been in the military, even better, one with some medals and stuff... why they'd be a shoo-in to take the White House.....[:D] LOLOLOLOLOLOFUCKINL AL!!!!! As if the department of homeland security (under a democratic administration) won't be reduced to a couple of fellers trying to keep republicans out of airport bathrooms......... Barney Frank

TheHeretic -> RE: The Obama/Progressive Blind Spot (5/30/2008 8:32:08 PM)
Not a good choice, if you mean the last one like that they ran. He couldn't salute Private Dufflebag

NumberSix -> RE: The Obama/Progressive Blind Spot (5/30/2008 8:35:59 PM)
Kennedy never wore hats. Kerry never wore flightsuits he never owned, neither. Horse apiece. 6

TheHeretic -> RE: The Obama/Progressive Blind Spot (5/30/2008 9:51:31 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: NumberSix Kennedy never wore hats. And here I thought you were worried about people thinking you were just a goof... [8\|]

Alumbrado -> RE: The Obama/Progressive Blind Spot (5/31/2008 4:35:03 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: TheHeretic Not a good choice, if you mean the last one like that they ran. He couldn't salute Private Dufflebag Actually, I was thinking of Daniel K. Inouye... If he would just keep that whole foreign parent thing under wraps he could pick up all the votes that Obama is throwing away...[;)]

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