I think it's a sad day in America if you listen to the news; even sadder if you listen to certain news stations. Seems even some media giants have issues with reporting the news and events, shall we say, fairly. Not to say that people can or should take everything that comes out of the media as the gospel truth. I would want to believe by now that folks know enough to do some investigating and research on the events and topics that are brought to light by the media. It's still up to each individual to validate information that is publicly broadcast; however, I think many of us know that doesn't happen.
Perhaps that's why so many people are foaming at the ears and behaving in manners somewhat reminiscient of the early days of the Civil Rights Movement. Name calling, racial slurs, public displays of disrespect in Congressional Halls and Meeting rooms, even people spitting at members of Congress as they make their way to meetings. Yeah, even spitting. Well, ain't that just misbehavin? The irony is that after Mr. Barack Obama was elected President of these UNITED STATES, papers were quick to publish articles claiming that "the dream had been fulfilled", Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s battle to lead the nation towards civil rights and social reconciliation "had been achieved". Reading the papers and listening to the news, a person might almost believe that goals of the civil rights movement had been achieved, racism had been eliminated and the country had healed all of the untreated wounds left from a history of slavery and oppression of the poor and down-trodden. Yep, that's right, the second coming of JESUS has happened and we must have missed it somewhere amidst all of the celebrating, comaraderie and unity going on.
Supposedly the country was going to enter a state of healing and harmony never seen before according to some. High hopes were there for the taking and everybody was going to be entitiled to take their share. High is an opportune word based on how things really are going; people seem to have lost their flippin' minds. The public displays of disrespect being shown President Obama are appalling at the least. What's really aggravating is the disrespect being shown by people who don't like President Obama and the only reason they can come up with that's valid is because he's him. WTF does that mean? Sounds like he isn't liked because he's a person who believes in America. He believes in the value of family. He wants every American to have a chance to achieve the "Promise of America". He's intelligent, articulate and cool in heated situations. He has a game plan and a commitment to that plan regardless of how the "powers that have been" feel about his plan. He is willing to challenge "Wall Street", Insurance Companies and Corporate Greed. They don't like President Obama because he's a president of the people for the people. Wait, does anybody else see a pattern here? Are people really choosing to disrespect and dislike the President of the United States of America because he has their interest at heart? Are they actually holding rallies using vile, racist terms, fear and trying to incite riots? Well, Aint That Just MisBehavin'?
Okay, in fairness, not everybody has to like the President of the United States. That's part of the freedom we enjoy in America. You don't have to LIKE anybody but you should be decent enough to at least RESPECT others. What's happened to people on a basic level when they can't respect somebody who is trying to do the right thing for everybody? What kind of people hate somebody they don't know? How intelligent, how smart is somebody who can't think of anything to really have issue with so they turn to racists comments? When you can't find any actual reason to dislike somebody or to give somebody a chance, the same chance you afford everybody else, what does that say about you? I think it takes a simple-minded fool to go be against the President just because he's black? Or am I the only one who thinks that? Maybe I am. I have to admit that it turns my stomach to see, hear, read about and research the events, arguments and rallies being held under the disguise of town hall meetings and forums simply to bash the President. It's one thing to poke fun at things the President does, much like everybody was doing with the previous President but the degree of dislike, disrespect and disdain being shown President Obama is of historic proportions.
It seems like everything surrounding President Obama is of "historic proportions". I mean, yeah, he's the first black President of the United States. Many people never thought that would happen for many lifetimes to come. His election opens the doors for "historic moments" because "HE'S THE FIRST"! What's disturbing is how the world is starting to view America. America had a chance to begin putting the pieces back together after the election but some people chose to be even more divisive. President Obama was to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize but believe it or not some Americans had an issue with that AND found a way to have the media fan the flames of discontent. Not wanting to rush into things, it's got to be acknowledged that the media is playing an important and impactful role in how much hate is being directed towards President Obama. Imagine the impact an entire news organization/media organization could have on whipping people into a frenzy by feeding them skewed information. Folks that run these media conglomerates are well aware of their effect on the American people. They get report after report showing graphs and demographics and how the stories and information that was presented has been received by people. Presidents and CEO's of news media organizations know the power they have over people's lives. We expect them to act in a manner that is above prejudice, treating everybody the same, with one pen for all; however, some don't. Well, Aint That Just MisBehavin?
So, will people ever stop fighting President Obama on almost every step of his Presidency and the plans for helping America regain it's place as a respected world leader, a beacon of hope, righteousness, integrity, strength and stability? The interest of some, hyped up by the media hypemakers, is being portrayed as the interest of the majority. What people are starting to forget is that the "majority" showed there desires by turning out at the polls and electing Mr. Obama as the President of the United States. The real majority is sitting back probably appalled at the behavior of a segment of America towards the President. Appalled that many of the issues raised are smoke screens thinly veiling what many think are racist overtones and actions. Appalled that a President who is trying to balance the tables so that people who feel disenfranchised and forgotten can once again feel like part of America, part of the process of being an American. So what's going to happen when people finally tire of all of the attacks on the character of President Obama, the insinuated threats and hopes for harm and the constant attempts to derail what could indeed be great for America? What then, when people put their feet down, dig in and prepare to push back against the wave of malcontent and start to take actions of their own? History is full of stories about folks who finally had enough and railed against those who were trying to oppress, mislead and misuse them. Their actions are recorded for all to see. Actions that can cause disruptions in the forward progress of our country but actions that seem like they must be taken, that qualify as, "Well, Just MisBehavin"
(note: I'm fully aware of my grammar and slang in my ramblings. Get over it. This is just me musing over the state of affairs as I see them. If you got a problem with that, GET A LIFE.)
VH
3/2010
"Musings Of My Mind"
"Social Commentary Humor"