tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21516766.post2764982110723836358..comments2024-03-15T02:19:39.552-05:00Comments on Cause For Concern: The're Still Doing the Unpatriotic DanceRicky Shambleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09507937845795960725noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21516766.post-34909756006499487862010-06-17T18:03:58.405-05:002010-06-17T18:03:58.405-05:00Chris - your ever-thoughtful comments are always w...Chris - your ever-thoughtful comments are always welcome. Your are spot on in the Right positioning Obama as the "other" to marginalize him right along with the amazing double standards coming out of the woodwork of opposition to policies and bills and ideas that Republicans lauded under the rule of Bush.<br /><br />And that's why the wrap around the pinky of un-patriotic. It's a loaded idea, and so subjective that it's easy to discriminate.<br /><br />What? He doesn't want you to carry firearms on the White House lawn? Unpatriotic! What, he's not a die-hard crazy-dedicated Christian? Unpatriotic! Republicans don't like him? Unpatriotic!<br /><br />Unfortunately, it's a painted peg on which to hang a much bigger hat. And fears of foreigner, Muslim (or lesser Christian), and - yes - Black just scare the shit out of people, even some people who didn't realize their bias until after they voted for him and then resented him for being in the White House.<br /><br />The worst is that many of those who supported Obama in high, high hopes fall to disappointment, but because their vigor and attention faded, they can't really vocalize exactly why they feel let down and gravitate towards the Right's arguments by default. I know. Ewww.<br /><br />This Nov will be a big egg to crack. Two years from now - well, let's just hope for the best.Ricky Shambleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09507937845795960725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21516766.post-53290026806728396132010-06-17T09:33:49.484-05:002010-06-17T09:33:49.484-05:00Mr. Shambles -
As always, I appreciate you teasin...Mr. Shambles -<br /><br />As always, I appreciate you teasing out how language affects perception. <br /><br />As you point out, the subtle shift in a verb can wildly alter the meaning, providing nefarious intent where none exists.<br /><br />Though you have to admit, this example fits nicely with the larger trope that Obama is <i>other</i> and therefore outside of the approved categories. Kenyan, Muslim, Socialist, and (dare I say out loud?) Black, are all examples of positioning him as <i>other</i>.<br /><br />However, the examples I listed above are so 'over the top' that many Americans can dismiss them. But your example - subtle and playing on a values appeal, is the more insidious kind, in my opinion, as it slowly erodes confidence of those in the middle without a conscious fight.<br /><br />If you call him a socialist I can refute that pretty easily in my head. But the subtle questioning of patriotism? That's more difficult. And because its is done with an example, I'm led into disjunctive thinking where I must place him in one of two categories... Is he or isn't he?<br /><br />Keep it up! Angry or not.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11732503451364194381noreply@blogger.com