McCain's Last Ditch Effort

[Sundae]

David Beckham was hanged in effigy in this country, after he was blamed for England going out of the World Cup in 1998.

I agree with Dana, I would see it differently if it was Obama, for the reasons she has stated. I don't think it's tasteful that it's Palin, I'm just not that into hate, but it doesn't have the same resonance.

Then again I've seen Thatcher masks on guys and not protested. So maybe I am seething underneath.

[classicman]

I see your point SG, but I still think it is a horrible thing to do to anyone - whatever their race, religion, sex....

[DanaC]

Over a hundred years ago, Merc? When do you think the last racially motivated lynching was? It isn't even a century since blacks were not considerd full citizens.


[eta] I am not suggesting btw that you are racist. I think your desire for a wiping clean of the account (generationally speaking) and a shared abhorrence of all discrimination in this regard, is laudable; however, you cannot just snap your fingers and say the past holds no currency in our cultural understanding of the world. The oppression of non-whites in America is not ancient history. It is far too recent to expect it not to still hold resonance for people.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by DanaC

Over a hundred years ago, Merc? When do you think the last racially motivated lynching was? It isn't even a century since blacks were not considerd full citizens.


[eta] I am not suggesting btw that you are racist. I think your desire for a wiping clean of the account (generationally speaking) and a shared abhorrence of all discrimination in this regard, is laudable; however, you cannot just snap your fingers and say the past holds no currency in our cultural understanding of the world. The oppression of non-whites in America is not ancient history. It is far too recent to expect it not to still hold resonance for people.

I understand your point. The hundred year comment was about slavery in the US as santioned. I am old enough to remember the race riots of the 60's. I understand the historical significance of it all. I do not, however, believe that I or my family should somehow carry around some bag of guilt for past deeds done by others. We also have a movement to revise history, not the history that has not been told, i.e. history books that omitted bad deeds, those should be revised and the record should be set straigt. But the removal of large conferate statues and memorials to the dead. Now I am not a Southerner by upbringing, but it still bothers me that somehow it is ok to erase evidence of Southern History. I am not talking about the Confederate flag as a component of Southern states flags, because many of those changes ocurred during the 50's at a time of segregation. But to revise history to remove factual historical elements that you disapprove of only to replace them with elements intended to invoke guilt is just wrong. Let us add those elements to balance the picture, not remove one to eliminate the other.

[Cicero]

Yep. (sam and ali) He is prime pickings to incite riots......If you want a race war, that would be how to start one. This is all very unfortunate.

This problem isn't just American though. We know that. There are lots of threats on people every day in other countries. Hell that's how people used to establish leadership alot. I mean, even ceasar was stabbed right in front of everybody....If I really think about it, less leaders might have been killed in the United States than everywhere else in the world. Hmm...maybe. That's something to think about until I get facts straight. I mean aren't there more assassination attempts globally than that of the US?

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Cicero

If I really think about it, less leaders might have been killed in the United States than everywhere else in the world. Hmm...maybe. That's something to think about until I get facts straight. I mean aren't there more assassination attempts globally than that of the US?

Most certainly there are an equal number of important people, but as heads of state in the US we have had only 4 assassinated with 17 attempts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ation_attempts

Important people world wide assassinated:
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclop...sinated-people

Heads of state assassinated:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categor...heads_of_state

[classicman]

And unfortunately there are enough assholes around who want exactly that - to incite riots and further the divide between Americans. All because of their small mindedness and bigotry. Grrrrrrr

[Cicero]

Oh then we would have to run a time line and per capita stats. I obviously got that from the corruption in the Phillippines, and looking at the stats there, only solidifies that theory. Living in only one foreign country and regular visits to others is no way to conduct a world-view learning experience. lol! I visited China, Korea, and Japan. lol!!!

I mean, wasn't your dad threatened in this manner outside of the US? No? My perception is often dead wrong. I'll admit it.

On a happier note, it appears as if there is a reason why I am so jaded, and it isn't just because I am lame. Cool.

Thanks for digging that stuff up Merc!

[DanaC]

No you're right, Cic, it isn't just America. To be honest, I very much doubt that a black candidate could make it to the top job in British politics. And I don't think any of our mainstream parties would risk fielding a black prime ministerial candidate.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by DanaC

No you're right, Cic, it isn't just America. To be honest, I very much doubt that a black candidate could make it to the top job in British politics. And I don't think any of our mainstream parties would risk fielding a black prime ministerial candidate.

Why do you think that is? I always get the impression that you guys (UK), and the Europeans in general hold themselves up to be more progressive in that sense than the US. Some how we are the more oppressive nation when compared to the advanced thinking EU. What are your thoughts on that specifically?

[ZenGum]

From CNN

Townsfolk in England have delivered their explosive verdict on Sarah Palin, stuffing a giant effigy of the U.S. Republican vice presidential nominee with fireworks and blowing her up to raucous cheers.

The unusual display was the climax of an annual bonfire celebration Saturday in the southern town of Battle, where political figures are a favorite target of a local tradition that sees a different icon destroyed each year.

This year's creation was a rather unflattering depiction of the self-declared "hockey mom," a machine gun brandished in her muscular arms, bright red lipstick surrounding a grimacing smile and a moose at her side.

Daubed beneath her was the slogan: "Too hot to handle."

The caricature of the Alaskan governor was flanked by a smaller effigy of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, wearing a military-style helmet.

Organizers of the event, which saw a procession of flaming torches march through the historic town before igniting a bonfire and detonating the effigy, say the politically-themed pyrotechnics were not meant to cause offense.

"We just felt she was one of the most interesting characters in the American elections," Matt Southam told the Rye and Battle Observer.

"It's tongue-in-cheek and she's getting more attention that the other two, so she seemed like an ideal candidate."

The event, believed to date back to 1646, has seen British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his predecessor Tony Blair go up in smoke in recent years.

Despite heavy rain, Palin's likeness went up in seconds -- a shower of sparks followed by an giant bang, and a polite and rather amused round of applause.

Pictures at the link.

[richlevy]

Cheney endorses McCain and becomes star of Obama campaign.

Personally, I think McCain would have been better off claiming an Al-Qaeda endorsement.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama highlights Vice President Dick Cheney's support for Republican nominee John McCain in a new ad out Sunday.

"I'm delighted to support John McCain," Cheney says. "I'm pleased that he's chosen a running mate with executive talent, toughness and common sense, our next vice president Sarah Palin."

The praise from Cheney, who routinely has some of the lowest approval ratings of any national political figure, came as Obama has been arguing that McCain is too closely tied to the policies of the Bush administration.

[TheMercenary]

Well these could be real pictures, really.

http://funwithmccain.com/

[glatt]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Well these could be real pictures, really.

http://funwithmccain.com/

I liked this one best.

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

Palin gang-banged in Britain

Ahem... in the US, "gang-bang" means something very different.