Uh.....what exactly is wrong with this picture? During the Bush administration, an event the slightest hint of disrespect towards the President was likely to inspire rumblings of treason on the part of the far- right. But now that a Democrat is in the Oval Office - and one of African descent no less - all bets are off.
When Is It OK To Snub the President?
So now I have to ask the question: WHEN Is it OK to snub the president of the United States?
The answer is very simple - Never. You heard me - Never. It's not about the person in the office - it's about the office. And when the President of the United States invites you to the White House - you go. Finally, whether Mitch McConnell or John Boehner like it or not we do have an African American that was duly elected to that high office. He IS our President and that office deserves a level of consideration and respect.
Racist Is As Racist Does:
Why do I think there are racial overtones in all of this? The latest incident is not trivial in and of itself, but added to the barbs and insults that have been part of the picture from the beginning - there really is no other conclusion that I can come to. The continuing questions about Obama's birth certificate, the catcalls and behavior on the republican side during the 2009 State of the Union address - it all adds up to bigotry. I've watched a lot of State of the Union addresses in my time I've never heard anything like this before. I could almost hear the word "BOY!" in the back of my mind after the words "You LIE!" were uttered. Lest we forget - the embedded video (very short) is a reminder.
Petty Is As Petty Does:
Hopefully, the American People will see this pettiness for what it is: small, stupid and polarizing. They elected the republicans to change things in Washington - not act like peevish children.
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