This past Tuesday, Barack Obama, facing arguably the most challenging moment of his young political career, tried to explain his long relationship with the bigoted, Pit Bull of a Pastor, Jeremiah Wright, by delivering what I suppose will be known as, “The Race Speech,” carefully chosen for oration in Philadelphia, PA, the “City of Brotherly Love.” In just under 5,000 words* of nuance, we learned the story of Barack’s life and family, a refresher in United States history, the hardship and hope of a young female Obama supporter in South Carolina, and that Jeremiah Wright, sharp teeth and a spiked collar notwithstanding, was a “keeper.”
*(Today’s Trivia FYI: The Declaration of Independence is only 1,324 words in length).
“…I can no more disown him (Pastor Jeremiah Wright) than I can disown the Black community…” ~ Senator Barack Obama
In 1952, another young rapid riser on point for the White House, 38 year old Senator Richard Nixon, found his air brakes after a sensational headline appeared in the New York Post stating, “Secret Rich Men’s Trust Fund Keeps Nixon in Style Far Beyond His Salary.” The headline appeared just a few days after Eisenhower had chosen him as his running mate. Amid the shock and outrage that followed, many Republicans urged Eisenhower to remove Nixon from the ticket before it was too late.
Nixon, however, in what was seen as a brilliant political coup, just like Obama, threw it back, covered in nuance, to the American people via the new medium of television in a nationwide hookup. As with Obama, in just under 5,000 words, Nixon offered an explanation of his life, family and finances, a refresher in United States politics, the hardship and hope of an unidentified young female Nixon supporter, and that Nixon and the little dog named Checkers given as a present to his young daughters, were “keepers.”
“…I want to say right now that regardless of what they say, we’re going to keep it (Checkers, the dog).” ~ Senator Richard Nixon
This, of course, would forever be known as Nixon’s “Checkers Speech,” and a huge political triumph for Nixon. An ecstatic Eisenhower requested Nixon to come to West Virginia where he was campaigning and greeted Nixon at the airport with, “Dick, you’re my boy.” Ike went on to win the election by a landslide, never realizing a line with the reference to “boy” quite possibly could be a career-ender some 50 plus years into the future, giving pause that perhaps the adage should be changed to; “Old Generals do die, bad memories never fade away.”
In closing, two brilliant maneuverers and public speaking marvels in Barack Obama and Richard Nixon before him, gave us collectively 10,000 words of political rhetoric, roughly saying saying the same thing, “I’m Keeping the Mutt.”
The United States the Senate voted 60-39 yesterday to end debate on the Matthew Shepard Act, which expands existing federal hate crimes laws to include violence based on a victim’s sexual orientation, gender, disability, and other factors. Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) voted; “Nay.” Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! Larry, in essence, voted against himself! Go figure. Given the size of his current pickle, I would have pulled a John McCain (R-AZ) and not voted at all.
Larry Craig’s “no” vote should really come as no big surprise. His stance on this issue, and Civil Rights in general, is widely known, and here is a snap-shot of his past voting record:
Voted YES on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
Voted YES on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
Voted YES on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)
Rated 25% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
I’m depressed. Let’s liven things up a bit. More serious stuff to follow in a sec. I’m feelin’ the urge for a musical interlude, heY! Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, and Polly Bergen sing and dance to Ballin’ The Jack in the movie:
“That’s My Boy” (1951)
“BALLIN’ THE LARRY (JACK)”
(Whooo hoo hoo hoo, oh you dog)
First you put your two knees close up tight
You swing them to the left and then you swing them to the right
Step around the floor kinda nice and light
And then you twist around, twist around with all of your might
Spread your lovin’ arms way out in space
You do the eagle rock with such style and grace
You put your left foot out and then you bring it back
That’s what I call ballin’ the jack
Oh, don’t do me that way
Listen to that man go, he’s crazy, I swear, he’s crazy
Now follow me closely on this one, real closely and do me after me
First you put your two knees close up tight, real close, real close
Swing then to the left and then you swing them to the right,
Oh you’re delicious
Step around the floor kinda nice and light
And then you twist around, twist around with all of your might
Spread your lovin’ arms way out in space
You do the eagle rock with such style and grace
You put your left foot out and then you bring it back
That’s what I call ballin’ the jack! LARRY,
~ Old Danny Kaye tune, I think.
Here is an eye-full of the Senate vote on the measure:
It is easy to get frustrated here, but important to know, the Senate attached the hate crimes legislation to a must-pass Pentagon spending bill Thursday, and opponents have predicted it ultimately will fail.
“The president is not going to agree to this social legislation on the defense authorization bill,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R-SC), also voting; “no.” “This bill will get vetoed.” [...]
The Democratic-controlled House passed the same hate crimes legislation as a stand-alone bill earlier this year despite Bush’s veto threat. That makes a repeat of 2004, when the Senate passed a similar amendment to the same bill only to see it stripped out during negotiations with the Republican-led House, less likely this time around. President Bush, who says the bill is not needed, could then be faced with vetoing the vast defense authorization bill containing the same provision.
The White House, characteristically, had no immediate comment.
Anyhow, back to Larry – gawd this dood galls me! Clearly, the “I’m not gay” Senator Craig is no hypocrite, so it’s a really good thing he’s not a “Water-Closet” case who enjoys not so anonymous gay sex in public bathrooms. The very notion is unfathomable, because he’s a married conservative Republican who is inordinately opposed to gay civil rights. And he comes from a cowboy state. And cowboys are never gay. I saw “that” movie. Or hypocritical. So he’s not, and besides, he said so. Enuff, so stop it, heY!
