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I agree with John McCain that “we can’t turn a blind eye to aggression and international lawlessness”. There. I’ve said it. Bite me. Unfortunately, however, the Republican candidate for president was talking about Russia’s exploits in Georgia and not George W Bush’s foray into Iraq. Plus ça change …

It’s a Thursday night in a steamy Washington DC and I’ve just forced myself to watch McCain’s acceptance speech at the GOP convention. Lots of red. Even more white. Even the occasional sprinkling of colour. And by that I don’t mean the blue balloons. How’s that for reaching across party lines!

Granted, I did not focus all my attention on the speech. But who could? It was, well, somewhat parev. For those au fait with the intricacies of the laws of Kashrut, the term parev refers to a food that is neither meat nor dairy. Colloquially, it’s used to describe something nondescript, neither here nor there. Beige. The speech was beige.

“I will reach out my hand to anyone to help me get this country working again”, said the senator from Arizona. Of course, he was talking about his penchant – as we are told – for non-partisan action. But, as the Democrats tell us over and over (and over) again, McCain has voted with his president over 90% of the time.

They’re right. But what this average (from the duration of the imperial presidency) hides is the trend from a relatively independent – OK maverick – streak a number of years ago to a position that is largely indistinguishable from Dubya’s these days. So much so that there are now 25 Republican senators who have agreed with Bush less often than McCain over the eight years.

So while I wasn’t watching the show I was chatting to a friend on Facebook about wanting to do something, anything, to support the Obama campaign. So appalled was I by the speech that I quickly followed up on my friend’s suggestion and made contact with Democrats in Northern Virginia. Starting tomorrow afternoon, I’ll be doing voter registration in one of the swing states that is poised to turn blue.

After so much CNN I too am starting to look a little pale. Perhaps not as pasty as the overwhelming majority of the crowd in St. Paul, Minnesota, but a little off colour nevertheless. So I guess it is time for a good night’s rest before another hot and humid day in this crazy nation’s capital. Who knows what kak will be on the political agenda tomorrow.




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12 Responses to “A paler shade of white”

What complete shite you write!! Barrack Empty Suit Obama has three years experience and pretty words and you libs fall over yourselves in a froth.

McCain has a lifetime of real service and he is not up to the job of being president? You compare his campaign in 2000 to now? Maybe he ran a etter campaign now. Maybe it is his time.

Complete twaddle buddy. I will be mustering my side to get people to vote McCain-Palin.

(Report abuse)

MB on September 5th, 2008 at 9:50 am

I saw Mr John Sidney Mcain II this morning. It was a great speech except for only one thing. It was a speech that was meant to further narrow what America is. It was a speech designed to define who the true patriots are. It was a speech designed to arrogate the definition of American to a certain section of society. It was also a speech that stopped short of narrowing the demograhic of the working class.

It was a speech designed to inspire a former of Abu Ghraib or Guantanamo inmate, or victim of rendition,to rise above his or her POW status and fight.

It was a speech of religious fundamentalism.

It was a speech designed to make sure that Russia changes its mind about leaving Georgia and ensure that Russia vetoes any sanctions resolution against Iran.

I have listened to the US campaigns full of bigotry and religious insults. I have heard Mrs Parlin declare a Jihad. Unfortunately many a white person is now using all sorts of excuses not to vote for a black candidate.

(Report abuse)

Mark on September 5th, 2008 at 10:49 am

Jon, obama will an oprahfied version of Jimmy Carter. He is no moshiach.

(Report abuse)

Joel on September 5th, 2008 at 11:28 am

Joel, Moshiach lo ba, ve’gam lo m’talpen!

(Report abuse)

Jonathan Berger on September 5th, 2008 at 3:53 pm

Democrat Republican what is the difference? The corporations run America and they don’t get voted in.
The best democracy money can buy

(Report abuse)

Che on September 5th, 2008 at 7:48 pm

@ Jonathan

Please do those of us that can actually use our brains for something more than trying to be Mr COOL at all cost, and help Obama some more so that you can get the government you deserve, as the peecee liberals in South Africa are experiencing right now. Of course now they are bailing out as fast as they can to avoid the result of their arrogant, self-centered actions when they “helped” to place the ANC into power.

In South Africa politicians are also “elected” on the basis of race and inflammatory rhetoric and not demonstrated competence. I hope you get what you wish for and, in the process shed some of that white guilt which is obviously in your way as a COOL psuedoYank.

(Report abuse)

Eagle on September 5th, 2008 at 7:50 pm

MB wants a fight. He should get off steriods or stop drinking; or else get educated.

(Report abuse)

MidaFo on September 6th, 2008 at 3:03 am

You mean Obama and the immensely popular and efficient Democratic congress, right…?

(Report abuse)

Hard Rain on September 6th, 2008 at 9:25 am

What is this that Jonothan and all his critics are smoking?
All of you go join all the other elevated and privileged whites tucking themselves away in Moçambique, Zambia or Malawi and have the proverbial BASH and carry on smokin to your hearts contents.
You reckon USA is the worlds biggest warlord!
Take a look closer to home - we have our own Zoom Zuum guns & KillKill Maledy, Vaving up the small crowds.

(Report abuse)

Vince on September 6th, 2008 at 9:27 am

1. What’s wrong with being like George Bush? He is a two term president. What’s wrong with that? Aren’t the Democrats hoping Obama will be like Bush in this?
2. Everyone who votes Obama is voting for the promotion of an applicant with lesser qualifications. Is there anybody in the workforce for a length of time, anywhere in the world, who hasn’t suffered this injustice against themselves? Blacks in America have had this as a main grievance against racist Whites. Now they get a chance to show they are not like racist Whites, and they fail. Blacks voting for Obama are aping racist Whites who promote lesser qualified White people over Black applicants more qualified for the job. Blacks voting for Obama are putting their race before their great country. Whites voting for Obama are grateful that at last they can get the monkey of racism off their backs. Nobody can call them racist now that they are voting for Obama. These Whites are putting appeasing that monkey on their backs before the good of their great country. Poor, poor America.

(Report abuse)

Azra on September 7th, 2008 at 1:47 am

Azra,

Are you serious to ask what’s wrong with being like Bush. The man has been a disaster for the US and the rest of the world. And his first election was stolen - the Supreme Court’s decision in Gore vs. Bush is a disgrace.

What kind of experience does one need? Five years as a POW in Vietnam? Governor of a state with a population slightly greater than that of Khayelitsha? Americans are voting for Obama because he’s got a vision for the US that it desperately needs right now.

JB

(Report abuse)

Jonathan Berger on September 7th, 2008 at 5:28 pm

@ Jonathan

“What sort of experience does one need?” I cannot believe this question. The list of experience and demonstrated competence needed for the most important job in the country, if not the world, is as long as my arm.

You have to look no further than South Africa to see the immense harm that has been caused by inexperienced people occupying posts in government and essential services. Not to mention the farce of AA and BEE. Or the immense harm caused by peecee liberals like yourself, who operate purely from a basis of groupspeak psychobabble, not experience or independent thought.

(Report abuse)

Eagle on September 8th, 2008 at 9:23 am

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Jonathan Berger is a lawyer by training and a troublemaker by profession.
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