I am not sure how parts of this this will be received, but here goes.
The story of Powell and Todd.
When General Powell endorsed Obama in what seems a lifetime ago, I was pretty much blase’ about it. Undoubtedly you can guess why. Like many people I was pretty turned off by Powell’s UN presentation. It consisted of suppositions presented as facts, and was one of the major pieces in Bush’s push to an unnecessary war. (I am very anti-war).
Sure Powell still has massive appeal to many Americans, but for me he was a tarnished figure.
Now, the aftermath of Powell’s endorsement was interesting to watch. He was attacked by members of the Right media pretty harshly, and from quarters unexpected. His endorsement was reduced to “Of course he endorsed Obama, he is black after all”.
And you know? rightly or wrongly that made me feel better about Powell. He is not my favorite person in the world, but I do have more sympathy for his position in this election now. The attempt to discredit him had exactly the opposite effect on me, it made me view him more favorably.
Strange huh? A behavior no doubt because I am ‘liberal’ and it was the right wingers who did the attacking right?
Well, consider.
The past few days has seen a little dust up over a McCain campaign worker, Todd, who claimed she was attacked and mutilated by a black man who was, supposedly, an Obama supporter. Only, today it turns out she was ling. There was no attack and the ‘mutilation’ was a scratch and probably some makeup.
So, Todd engaged in filing a false police report and trying her hand at amateurish race baiting. Pretty reprehensible to say the least.
And the howls on sites such at Dkos are pretty strong, people calling for ‘an example to make out of her’, a ‘line in the sand to be drawn’… etc. and I understand why people are so upset, it was a pretty assholish thing of her to do.
You know, I also understand why those on the right feel betrayed by Powell, despite my agreeing with Powell. We would say the same things if, say, Bill Clinton seemed to be wavering in his support of Obama, ooops, I guess we have already eh?
Now, Todd obviously has to face the music. Charges are going to filed against her, and that is right and proper. Perhaps she should also get some therapy type help (I hope she does). The more people rage and call for her head, the more inclined I am to say… let the police and courts decide what should be done, and we should let the matter drop after a day of media coverage. I honestly hope Todd comes out of the process with the help and support she needs to understand the severity of her actions. And that means something more than just punishment for our sakes. Being ‘made an example of’ rarely, if ever works to deter such behavior in the future.
Extremist behavior and language on any side makes me run away from it. Makes me sneer and not want to have anything to do with those perpetuating it.
inshallah
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