THOMAS FRANK: Obama's Touch of Class (barf alert)

Wall Street Journal ^ | April 21, 2008 | THOMAS FRANK

[neverdem]

Allow me to introduce myself. According to the general clucking of the national punditry, my 2004 book – "What's the Matter With Kansas?" – is supposed to have persuaded Barack Obama to describe the yeomanry of Pennsylvania as "bitter" people who "cling to guns or religion or . . . anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." Mr. Obama's offense is so grave that the custodians of our national consensus have elevated it to gatehood: "Bittergate."

In truth, I have no way of knowing whether some passage of mine inspired Mr. Obama's tactless assertion that the hard-done-by clutch guns and irrationally oppose free-trade deals. In point of fact, I oppose many of those trade deals myself.

But I know one thing with absolute certainty. The media flurry kicked up by Mr. Obama's gaffe powerfully confirms an argument I actually did make: That as they return again to the culture war, what the soldiers on all sides are doing is talking about class without actually addressing the economic basis of the subject.

Consider, for example, the one fateful charge that the punditry and the other candidates have fastened upon Mr. Obama – "elitism." No one means by this term that Mr. Obama is a wealthy person (he wasn't until last year), or even that he is an ally of the wealthy (although he might be that). What they mean is that he has committed a crime of attitude, and revealed his disdain for the common folk.

It is a stereotype you have heard many times before: Besotted with latte-fueled arrogance, the liberal looks down on average people, confident that he is a superior being. He scoffs at religion because he finds it to be a form of false consciousness. He believes in regulation because he thinks he knows better...

[Past Your Eyes]

Now if only he could learn to throw.....

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

Yeomanry?

Shall we have a study of the squires, footmen, and wastrels of the Philadelphia suburbs next? Not to mention, the Court Jesters?

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

the Rosetta Stone of media bias

You could be right, for all I know - but for my part, I confess that I need a translation.

Have you discussed this elsewhere, in a post or blog you could refer me to?

[atomic conspiracy]

FR 6-28-04, "Outlook, the Reagan Effect"

"This thoroughly researched cultural history documents the symbiotic relationships that developed among the media, the advertising industry, the so-called counterculture, and left-wing politics during the 1960s. Frank contends that these relationships, and the attitudes they spawned, still dominate media culture and commercial pop culture to this day.

It is an intricate and fascinating story, but the conclusion is relatively simple: the "left" as we know it today is little more than an advertising gimmick run amok. This, according to Frank, is the real reason for the prevalence of left-wing ideology in popular culture and its associated media and advertising industries.

The scales fell from my eyes when I read Conquest of Cool. I think it is the most important book of the last 10 years."

FR 6-18-04, "Soros and the Coming Election Crisis"

"Soros has almost certainly read The Conquest of Cool Business Culture, Counterculture, and the Rise of Hip Consumerism by Thomas Frank. Excuse my presumption, but everyone here should read it, too. It is the most important book of the last 10 years. It explains how, and more importantly, why, the big media have a vested, corporate, profit-driven interest in supporting totalitarian ideology, and how this interest has corrupted American poltical life and social evolution for over 40 years. I am convinced that this relationship is what Soros has recognized. It is implicit in his every move."

The important thing is the relationship between the 60s counterculture, which Frank maintains is still dominant within the media industry itself, and the origin of that counterculture as a commercial advertising ploy; that is, the media's bread and butter.

[neverdem]

Obama Special

Obama's 'mainstream' friends

Another Obama Marxist

Obama Tackles Bread-and-Butter Issues in Indiana Change in style & message

From time to time, I’ll ping on noteworthy articles about politics, foreign and military affairs. FReepmail me if you want on or off my list.

[neverdem]

Thanks for the link.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Got the book from the library; lets see if it floats my boat as well as it does yours.