Mother of All Cultural Battles (Obama, conservatives and what's at stake in this election)

The Corner at National Review Online ^ | 28 March 2008 | Stanley Kurtz

[SE Mom]

After listening to these autobiographical excerpts from Barack Obama’s Dreams From My Father, read out loud by Obama himself, I’m left with the conviction that, in the 2008 election we are facing the mother of all cultural battles.... But it’s now evident that even a Hillary campaign would be tame by comparison to the cultural confrontation flowing from an Obama nomination. The transformation of the 2008 campaign into a full-fledged cultural battle is what is really emerging from the Jeremiah Wright flap.

A president who identifies with Malcolm X? A man who grew up alienated from ordinary American life and determined to avoid becoming a "sellout" by hanging with Marxist professors and radical feminists?

.... Conservatives may think the revelations of Obama’s formative radicalism and his relationship with Wright are sure to sink him. While they may ultimately have that effect, the outcome is by no means certain. Contrary to liberal denials, Obama has been damaged by the Wright affair. Yet it’s also true that association with leftist and academic radicalism is no longer disturbing to large segments of the country.

.... The Democratic left now believes that the United States is ready for a genuinely "progressive," paradigm-changing president. They are not abandoning Obama, and are not even fully capable of seeing how damaging Obama’s background and underlying worldview seem to many (although they are worried enough to try to cover for him). But the country is changing and we can no longer be certain of the impact all these revelations will have.... And if Obama should win, the culture clash of the Clinton and Bush years is sure to go on at full blast...

[Cicero]

Yes, and I believe Barack Hussein means Holy Hussein.

[Ancesthntr]

I believe Obama is a much greater menace than Hillary- and I didn’t think that was possible.

That's why I voted for her beastness in Texas a few weeks back - to stop him. Or at least to prolong the Dem fight, and make the election of either of them less likely.

They both scare me, but BO more so. He's openly counter-culture, whereas Hillary is at least a bit practical. Besides, I think that she can be beaten.

[paleorite]

Rush would be more tolerable if he wasn’t bleating out the phrase “Operation Chaos” every 15 seconds. It’s like a magical chant for him. The more he says “Operation Chaos”, the more he belives it is actually happening; that *he* is responsible for republicans crossing over. Actually, I have an idea for a drinking game. Tune in to Rush, and everytime he says “Operation Chaos”, take a shot of Jaegermeister. You’ll be wasted in no time.

[American Quilter]

This is a fascinating thread. Thanks for posting it.

[trisham]

Good article.

[SE Mom]

Maybe. I believe as long as there’s one of us who see the results of all you listed, and is willing to speak up, there is a battle.

I also think the lines of the battle have rarely been clearer.

[x]

Even the Clintons can’t compare with this sort of rearing in sixties-leftism and academic radicalism.

...

Yet it’s also true that association with leftist and academic radicalism is no longer disturbing to large segments of the country.

...

The Clintons have links to the bombthrowing New Left generation of the 60s and 70s.

The academic left of the 80s and 90s was never that serious or determined, so it's not surprising that people don't react in the same way.

What may be of more interest are the links that Hillary and Obama both have to the Old Left of the Depression-era.

Somebody out there is doubtless going to say that deconstructionists, queer theorists, multiculturalists, and postcolonialists were more dangerous than the Weathermen, but that's just silly.

[WOSG]

After listening to these autobiographical excerpts from Barack Obama’s Dreams From My Father, read out loud by Obama himself, I’m left with the conviction that, in the 2008 election we are facing the mother of all cultural battles.... But it’s now evident that even a Hillary campaign would be tame by comparison to the cultural confrontation flowing from an Obama nomination. The transformation of the 2008 campaign into a full-fledged cultural battle is what is really emerging from the Jeremiah Wright flap. A president who identifies with Malcolm X? A man who grew up alienated from ordinary American life and determined to avoid becoming a "sellout" by hanging with Marxist professors and radical feminists?

NAILS IT.

Oh, and the media is in fullbore "CoverUp of the Century" mode for Obama.

[SE Mom]

The academic left of the 80s and 90s was never that serious or determined, so it’s not surprising that people don’t react in the same way.

—

I agree- it wasn’t nearly as dramatic- but I think we’re beginning to see the results of those leftist professors - our college and high school students have been fed a great many lies and distortions.

[MEG33]

I agree..and I had thought Hillary was the worst,most dangerous of the possible Presidential possibilities..

[GVnana]

I wish I had noted the name at the time, but I didn't realize how important it was.

A couple of months ago, I was shown a book (by a liberal Democrat) written by a sociologist from UC Davis.

This was actually a handbook -- a list --describing who and what companies it was "politically correct" to do business with on the basis of their "social and ecological awareness."

The only oil company on the "approved list" -- Citgo! Hugo Chavez was portrayed as an enlightened leader! I happened to be eating a Mars candy bar at the time, and this was pointed-out to me as a "no-no." Mars is on the "bad list."

This stuff is making the rounds right under our noses.

[GVnana]

Author of, "The Better World Handbook." This is the only comprehensive guide for socially and environmentally responsible consumers available. It contains over 15 years comprehensive research distilled into a pocket-sized, shopping-friendly format, ranking every product on the shelf from A to F - turning your grocery list into a most powerful tool to change the world.

About the Author Ellis Jones has been teaching students to make a difference in the world for the past 15 years. A scholar of social responsibility, social change and everyday activism, he founded and directs the Better World Network, giving presentations throughout the US. He currently teaches sociology at University of California, Davis.

Sounds innocent? It isn't.

[harpo11]

Actually, even if Clinton steals the election, she is no different than Obama, trained under the same marxist/stalinist ideologies, and Hillary had a mentor in her early years, Saul Alinksy.

Hillary has learned the art of subterfuge and deceit so well that she has the ability to hide her driving ambitions and passions in favor of life changing leftist radicalism.

[redpoll]

I’m going to be an iconoclast about this. Yes, I think Obama’s political philosophy is everything that this article says it is. He’ll be elected anyhow by a coalition of guilty whites, gleeful blacks, leftist Democrats, and people swayed by pretty words strung together in a charismatic manner.

Yes, he’ll try to bring about the leftist change that he believes in. The media and academics will help. Those in the government who enjoy their power to regulate will also fall in line.

At this point, the leftist agenda will be laid out bare for all to see. Maybe we’ll even see some cities and states come fully under control of the left. The sight should be shocking for the unprepared and horrifying for those who have to live under leftist control.

At that point, those of us who believe in American values such as limited, constitutional government will be the alternative waiting for those oppressed by the left. I doubt it will be as bloody as the Civil War but I sense a good possibility of it being as violent as the Glorious Revolution in England in 1688 - elites fighting elites, systems of governance at loggerheads, with each side occupying territory along with occasional skirmishes. At the end of the conflict, England had chosen the side of individual freedom and rule of law - but they had to see an absolute monarch without individual rights first.

So it is with Obama. Folks probably need to see unrestrained leftist policies in action before finally understanding liberty, rights, and republican governance. In fact, experiencing the left for a while might prompt us to strengthen and improve the system in favor of liberty and rights. After all, nothing makes a free person stand up and notice than the moment that freedom has been taken away.

So I’ll vote Obama. LOL

[oprahstheantichrist]

"Rush would be more tolerable if he wasn’t bleating out the phrase “Operation Chaos” every 15 seconds."

That, and "...the drive-bys."

[cricket]

It IS all rediculous; and we need a 'ground swell' here to demand more truth in packaging here!

Those 'for Change'- who imagine an enlightenment need to hear the truth of Liberation Theology with it's revolutionary themes of changing the world; whereby embedded ideas of victimization; fashioned by anger, hate and racism (racial superiority) rumble from it's core. More need to realize, this is the same foment that erupts around the world from the messengers of radical Islam.

The hate-laced dictums of Rev. Wright are almost indistinguishable from those of any hate-filled Imam. (White European 'man' the enemy; 'Western values' - a poison; Capitalism - a crime against humanity; Democracy (and the victims created by such) couched in Marxist revolutionary themes translated from either a vengeful and punitive Black Jesus with an empathetic 'Black-Arab' world view OR, on just on behalf of an angry/vengeful/punitive Arab 'Allah'.)

If one chooses to ignore this; then there is also just the held belief of those who share his 'root bed' that like being born a 'Jew' and whether that person is Christian or otherwise; he is still considered to be 'Jewish'; Obama, likewise, is held by a huge population of Muslims, to be 'Muslim'. Interesting when Obama describes himself; he includes all his 'diversities' save for the one that holds his name.

And if Fox News and the et als choose to ignore the above; then they had better just read what it means to be an intitate of Black Liberation Theology. It has enough, all on it's own; to have our 'Freedom Bell' clanging an alarm.

[cricket]

Can handle the 'drive-bys' but Operation Chaos' stymies me and as well, I find it all just more than a bit irritating. So much so; if he goes 'too long' with this I move on - and rare for me to do this ;^).

Anyway; seems to me, the Dems are doing a great job, all on their own to screw their Party; and despite Rush's explaining; I still don't know why Rush feels compelled to add his name to the mix on this one.

But, maybe it is me here. . .'running on empty'. For sure, Rush is more than committed here. But I just don't like it.

[Xenalyte]

What the hell is up with all the capital letters?

The church could afford a $10 million home for Wright, but couldn’t pay a proofreader for its Website?