Historically, the best known Wookie was named Chewbacca
Posted on 03/18/2010 5:02:00 AM PDT by Kaslin
In early March, the head of the Tennessee and Greater Nashville hospitality associations sent an email to a dozen or so people that compared First Lady Michelle Obama to a chimpanzee. As word leaked of this offensive humor, pressure built and the man responsible was soon fired.
To those who oppose the current health care proposal, the massive spending, and the endless barrage of new ways for government to invade our wallets and private lives, here is a message: Don't attack a good first lady.
In late 2008, I wrote a column praising Laura Bush. It brought me a totally unexpected personal note of thanks from then-President Bush. I'm not holding my breath on getting the same kind of response from this president. But no matter. I think it's important to take the opportunity brought about by this incident surrounding Michelle Obama to make three important points.
First, this stuff is more widespread than just one guy doing it in one state. I'm well aware of other such comparisons and tasteless jokes. They are more than offensive and inappropriate. They also do practical harm by painting all those who oppose the most liberal administration since Franklin Roosevelt as racist Neanderthals. That's the last possible image Obama's political opponents and detractors should be sending, especially right now, with so many key issues hanging in the balance.
Second, I must admit that I've been pleasantly surprised at the first lady's disciplined willingness to avoid playing political games most of the time. Michelle Obama is a bright and accomplished woman. When the president was sworn in, I felt sure she was going to be a sort of surrogate vice president, much as Hillary Clinton was.
Mostly that hasn't happened. Yes, she recently asked food manufacturers to speed up production of healthy food for kids, but that's hardly a radical cause. And she delivered the message as a request and not an ultimatum. She has her causes, but we see little evidence of Michelle Obama with her sleeves rolled up, burning the midnight oil with her own staff to, for example, get a massive health care bill passed.
The first lady is also proving to be an exemplary model parent. It's plain that she's actively involved in the lives of her two daughters. The commitment that she and President Obama are demonstrating toward having a normal family life surely should be gaining the positive notice of the African-American community. By the admission of many of its top leaders and officials, this is a demographic that has suffered a decrease in the number of traditional families. Far too many young black women are left with children, but with no father in sight.
Third and finally, there is the risk we could face when Barack Obama is up for re-election in about two-and-a-half years. Recent articles have been published in which some blacks have criticized the president for not doing enough to ease their financial pain. Several surveys, particularly in hard-hit Southern states with heavy African-American populations, indicate that the blacks there are experiencing some heartburn with the president.
But make no mistake, when Obama runs for re-election, he most likely will enjoy much the same level of black support that he got in 2008. And what if he were to be defeated? What would be the reaction of the African-American community the day after the election?
There's no reason to presume it would be anything but tranquil, as it is in America following any Election Day. Unless, that is, Obama's possible defeat followed a perceived pattern of those who oppose his policies indulging in racist hijinks such as comparing the president or his wife to a chimp. My guess is that such ugliness might then lead to a post-election situation that could tear the nation apart.
Let me be clear: I believe that among conservatives and others who oppose the policies of President Obama and the Democrats, the percentage is very small of those who would even think of making these kinds of "jokes" and other disparaging remarks about the president or first lady.
Now let's be clear again: Unfairly disparaging Michelle Obama, or making any tasteless characterization of this sort, cannot be tolerated. And Democrats and those on the more liberal side of the political aisle should know that the vast majority of Republicans, conservatives and independents share this view.
I saw a great one yesterday. It was a Smart Car and after it passed me I noticed it had one of the Florida vanity license plates. Irony of ironies, the plate was one that encourages organ donation! I wish I could have gotten a picture, but I know better than to take pictures of anything from my car when others will see me doing it. I have been a professional shooter for years and nothing gets you in trouble as quickly as looking like a photographer, having what is obviously not a consumer grade camera and taking pictures of someone in public.
The irony of someone driving a car that is generally regarded as a death trap and having an organ donor tag is just too much! Reminded me of the old joke from the 70’s “Kawasaki! Japanese for kidney donor!”
I see no reason to insult a chimp!!
Suicide clown cars ... And what to do when the government says being forced into buying insurance isn’t enough, now we must be forced to buy a government motors suicide clown cars.
Once you cross the threshold, the sky’s the limit. Got to get your grazing ‘green food’ from the government.
I think people riding in these death traps are just plain stupid.
I won’t stop making fun of some of those outfits she wears. I also won’t stop criticising her for sticking her nose in our business.
Right now, she is out there taking on the role of America’s food restrictor. She is not qualified, nor was she elected to meddle in the freedom of America.
She has been given a giant budget to strongarm her agenda. She has even hired Dennis Kookcinich’s Amazon wife(a brit) to push her agenda. (makes you understand why DK is giving a yes vote on Deathcare)
Historically, the best known Wookie was named Chewbacca
Woah... wait a minute here.... So because the president and his wife have a few cruel jokes told about them (as have other presidents) we should be sure we don't offend the black vote because they will tear the nation apart? Is it just me or does the specter of that threat send chills down your spine? We need to elect whom they want or things will go disastrous? I don't like that one bit
“And what if he were to be defeated? What would be the reaction of the African-American community the day after the election?”
Is he saying that everyone should live in fear of looting and rioting when Obie loses the next GE? That’s rather racist in itself. The author might want to step down to a shorter horse.
Recent articles have been published in which some blacks have criticized the president for not doing enough to ease their financial pain.
Why couldn’t JOBS ease the financial pain?
Buzz off, Matt.
We could all behave like Miss Manners and we would STILL be considered racist Neanderthals as long as we oppose O's destructive policies.
I'm sick of lectures about taking the high ground while being dragged through the muck for voicing an opinion.
I'm sick of being lectured about considering the 'feelings' of my political opponents while they toss every foul, unjust and downright false epithet they can find at me.
I'm sick of being lectured about how the progressive concept of social justice really ISN'T an attempt to rewrite the birthright of all Americans.
In short, the gloves are off. Conservatives need to STOP trying to perch on the high ground and get just as down and dirty.
IMHO, it's the only way to win the fight, because that kind of fight is the ONLY kind liberals recognize.
Yeah, a bright and accomplished woman with ‘a court ordered inactive [law license] status.’
:-)
The problem is that the MSM insists on thrusting Michelle Obama onto center stage. This could just be ignored until they designate her ‘the perfect role model of physical fitness’. I’m sorry, but she’s an overweight middle aged woman who obviously lacks the discipline in her eating habits that she’s preaching to America’s children. Even kids can see through this kind of hypocrisy. That said, I do believe family members are, or at least should be, off limits so long as they don’t engage in promotion of the political agenda. In that department, Michelle is no Hillary.
That general thought was thrown out during the 2008 elections, so it is nothing new.
The Wookie looks better than she.
Yeah, offensive to all chimpanzees, because chimps are better looking.
These people are not even qualified to live in the White House. I think I would take my message elsewhere....maybe DU
Actually, I see it as an opportunity.
An opportunity to finally set this country straight, in our lifetimes, so that our descendants need not suffer this nonsense. Thus, when liberal hacks write this nonsense, my first thought is "bring it".
I was thinking the author needs to transition to a shorter bong, because the one he's puffin' on now is obviously getting him too loaded.
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