He said, he said.
Of course, you know whom I'm talking about.
There's nothing as riveting and at the same time painful as witnessing the public meltdown of a personal relationship. When the drama is being driven by chattering friends and other gossips, ones who really can't wait for the blood to be spilt or for someone to be thrown in the grinder, the public breakup takes on another dimension as Must-See-Entertainment.
Meanwhile, two people are nursing hurt feelings and the rupture of a long-term friendship. Wondering how the other could betray the other. Wondering how their friend could violate what they affirmed as their bedrock moral codes. Wondering how the other could have forgotten the love they had for one another.
They almost pulled it out, you know. The one we think of as the class orator had been getting flack for days about what his friend, the guy who preached, said months and years ago in his church. The orator was told that since the preacher said all these nasty, nasty things, he needed to get rid of him. Tell him that he was a racist and a lousy human being and throw him out of his life because he'd only Weigh Him Down in the future. The gossips wanted to see fealty to themselves and blood before they would promote the orator. The orator instead went to the crowd. Pulled off a brilliant speech - he said that he didn't believe in the objectionable things the preacher had said, but that the preacher was a great man and a great friend. And I'm not going to betray a friend.
And then it went wrong. The preacher was feeling at first like the gossips had torn him into thousand little pieces, and then restored whole in 10 minutes of words. Felt both invulnerable and defensive. Torn down by man and restored by Man with the grace of God. Said that You're Not Gettin' Rid of Me That Easy to the gossips. I am a man of God, and I am here to Prophesize to your ignorant asses!
And so the preacher made a complete fool out of himself.
It is no surprise that the Devil uses pride to undermine preachers so often.
Handed their tools by the guy they wanted to tar, the gossips made short work of the preacher. The orator, shocked by his friend's behaviour and words, accordingly threw away the friendship. As they wanted all along.
And I imagine tonight that the orator and the preacher this evening are grieving over the loss of each other in their lives, while at the same time venting their anger at one another's defections and betrayals.
And the gossips pass the sordid details into the wee hours of the morn, counting the esteem of the crowd.
22 comments:
Well done Id.
While I still feel that Rev. Wright speaks truth to power, his attitude was offensive to so many. Really impudent. I still agree with most of what he says. Then again, if I'm going to hear sermons, I like veracity and bluster in them.
Obama could not continue with the ball and chain act. Not if he wants to be President. Some say, it's good that it's a clean break, even help him in the long run. I'm not so sure. This happening now will help him in the GE but really hurts in the primary. Hopefully his lead is insurmountable.
I still feel he is a much superior candidate. Something fresh and new for this country, "21st century". We cannot continue the old style politics. If the Dino Dems are not willing to change, they must be weeded out.
And if this rallies Hillary for a primary win, I feel, she will have no choice but select him as V/P. It would appear to me that the Democratic Party will really need him on a unity ticket.
I dunno, looks like they both saw it coming - from an article snark found dated 4/30/07:
Mr. Wright, who has long prided himself on criticizing the establishment, said he knew that he may not play well in Mr. Obama’s audition for the ultimate establishment job.
“If Barack gets past the primary, he might have to publicly distance himself from me,” Mr. Wright said with a shrug. “I said it to Barack personally, and he said yeah, that might have to happen.”
I guess Obama was "hoping" he'd keep his mouth shut, and Wright made it pretty clear he wasn't going to do it. Oh well.
I've never jumped onto the "Obama as a transformative political figure" bandwagon. And I feel even less inclined to do so now. I will of course support and vote for him in Novemeber if he's the nominee. That goes without saying. But I just don't understand the mania surrounding his candidacy.
This article linked by fafnir in the TLC Open Thread this morning pretty well sums up my feelings about Obama. He's just another politician.
And I have the unsettlingly rising fear that his presidency is going to be a terrible disaster. Because I don't think he's ready. I think he bought the hype. I think he should have served out his term in the Senate before running for president as he said he would. But it seems the die is cast. Hope I'm wrong.
And I have the unsettlingly rising fear that his presidency is going to be a terrible disaster.
I think he'll surround himself with the best and brightest to help dig us out of this hole. He's too smart to fuck this up.
First of all, I'm going to send you to Street Prophets - http://www.streetprophets.com/story/2008/4/29/105240/578
One of the things Dan says is that pastors that have prophetic rarely shut up out of considerations other than spiritual. And the Times article, and personal experience, supports that.
While I haven't jumped on the bandwagon and committed as Seven has, I've felt more comfortable towards the Obama campaign in the last few months than I did last year. I still have issue with a lot of his walking the line, but his campaign has been well-run, and the emotion and motivation that is affecting his supporters and workers is infectious and certainly not pie-eyed - as much as some quarters would have you believe. I believe that in the end, while an Obama presidency would start out rough, much like the Clinton 41 first-term (without the sex, hopefully), it would sane and competent once his Administration got experienced. Which would be nice change from the status quo.
It is not the man that I think shows promise for an Obama presidency, but the support and (sigh) hope that the campaign is generating for people that is the transformative element. It's absolutely undeniable to me after seeing the people face-to-face at the caucus last January. His supporters are motivated and excited.
Senator's Clinton's support in comparison . . well . . it's not a good comparison.
I think he'll surround himself with the best and brightest to help dig us out of this hole.
Yeah, yeah, he's just going to sit around and "inspire people." We get it. Rather than subcontract the job to the "best and brightest," wouldn't it be better to get the "best and brightest" in the job in the first place? *smirk*
I believe that in the end, while an Obama presidency would start out rough, much like the Clinton 41 first-term (without the sex, hopefully), it would sane and competent once his Administration got experienced. Which would be nice change from the status quo.
I think The first year of an Obama administration will be exactly like the first year of the Clinton administration. The times are a bit different however. My biggest fear is that the administration will get caught up in living up to it's own hype. That sound policy decisions will inevitably pass through the "does this fit our change and unity and anti-status quo theme" filter and not necessarily come out the better on the other end. There is going to be enormous pressure on them in that respect from many many angles. The media narrative of "dashed expectations" almost writes itself.
Sorry to be down on 'the concept' but I'm just skeptical.
While I haven't jumped on the bandwagon and committed as Seven has...
While I wouldn't use the term "jumped on the bandwagon", it's my true distaste for Clinton style politics.
Rather than subcontract the job to the "best and brightest," wouldn't it be better to get the "best and brightest" in the job in the first place? *smirk*
See, the only difference is that Obama's "best and brightest" won't owe corporate America anything.
Can you define "Clinton-style" politics? I keep hearing it, but no one really gives examples, or when they do, it's some vague reference to stuff like "she darkened Obama's face in an ad" or "she's the one who put Wright in the pulpit." I get the feeling it's just as mythical as Obama's "leadership ability," where he's been a staunch anti-war guy all because of one speech years and years ago.
Oh, and the reason Obama doesn't "owe" corporate america anything is because he's already given them the bankruptcy law. You know, the one that Clinton voted against? When you "owe" something, doesn't that mean you haven't (heh) ponied up (heh) yet?
Can you define "Clinton-style" politics?
The kind defined by former Clinton supporters Bill Richardson and Robert Reich.
I guess it's more like, desperation politics. Throw that last bit of integrity out the window in order to try and secure the nomination.
So, it's just an epithet with no basis in fact, then. As I suspected.
Let's see define Clinton style politics, OK: If Bill and Hillary don't get "their Presidency" back they will spew as much personal venom, exaggerations, malicious rumors, repulsive behavior in order to ensure that their "sense of entitlement" comes true. They will tear down the opposing candidate in order to win, even agreeing with Republi-con talking points to win.
From Robert Reich:
“Bill Clinton’s ill-tempered and ill-founded attacks on Barack Obama are doing no credit to the former president, his legacy, or his wife’s campaign.
Nor are they helping the Democratic Party."
Idio, beautiful piece and extremely sad.
Removing the Hillary vs Barack element of this thread, and bringing it back to your writing - you humanized this situation in a way that I have seen no one else do.
I feel that it is even more than a pastor/parishinor relationship that has been damaged; the reports have been that Wright served as a kind of surrogate father and personal identity with being "black" that Obama lacked previously in his life.
Also, it is my understanding that a church (especially one of this size with it many ministries) is much more than a place of worship and serves as a community within itself.
The feelings of betrayal and the internal struggle that this whole blow-up involved are immense and I think that it was handled far better than I could have.
I see the whole thing like this ridiculous school yard circle where the press is gathered around the two men yelling "fight, fight, fight" and they were pushed to the point where Wright gave them exactly want they wanted in this "charicature" of himself - an over-the-top portrayal of all of the crap that he was being smeared with and accused of and Obama was left having to deal with this media-made-pushed-over-the-edge performance that he offered.
It was sad and it was a spectacle.
I believe that Obama handled it with an integrity and gentleness that not many people in the public eye would have.
I have long preferred Obama over Clinton though I will support whatever candidate wins the nom.
I believe that Obama offers this country a break from the past and a chance at a new kind of leadership.
The whole meme of Obama supporters as "robotic followers" is a Clinton narrative and came directly out of her camp as does a whole lot of this BS. Hillary says it, the media picks it up, it becomes a "truth".
Obama as an empty shirt, just words, blah, blah, blah is more Clinton narrative. You can watch it happen by reading her press releases and following through the media and the blogger pick up.
Obama is steady and consistent. His main point is that we can have thousands of great policy plans (and he does) but none of those matter if you cannot get the policies through. We will not be able to get any policies through if we continue the gridlock in our current politics.
A Clinton administration will be pure gridlock and a Clinton nominination will completely unite the Republicans to come out and vote en masse against her.
I think that Bill and Hillary were once idealistic and thought that they could make great change...however, they have been soured. They seem to tell us that "oh, that hope that it can be different is so cute and so niaive. We were there once, tried that, but it is not the way it works. You ignorant young fools...leave it to me, I'll take care of it for you. I know how this all really works."
Obama says, "screw how it really works. This is the people's government and with the people involved and behind us, we can take back our Country and get rid of the powers that be."
Right now, the corporations run our country. Our politicians, our 'representatives' do not. We all know this.
I am ready to take a chance on a people governed nation - the same chance that our founding fathers took.
I'm ready to take that chance too.
I'm just not as optimistic as some.
OK: If Bill and Hillary don't get "their Presidency" back they will spew as much personal venom...
Hang on, that's not evidence, that's opinion, based on the nebulous claim of "Clinton-style politics." Funny how that always happens when I ask for clarification on "Clinton/Rove" crap. I'm looking for examples of "spewing personal venom," or even of them saying that it's "their presidency." I've never heard them say that, so I'd be grateful for the link where they did. I've heard people say the Clintons think they're "entitled" yet I've never seen evidence that they've said such a thing. Obama has, though; didn't he say "It's our turn?" And your proof of the Clinton perfidy is some guy who used to work for Clinton who put out a book that was a highly critical and reportedly inaccurate account of his time in the Cabinet, who's endorsed Obama, and we're supposed to believe since he says the same vague "Clinton-style" shit, that his opinion is evidence of evil deeds? Sorry, SoS, but just because everyone says the Clintons are doing Rove shit, doesn't mean it's true.
I believe that Obama handled it with an integrity and gentleness that not many people in the public eye would have.
Wha?? He was "outraged" called him a crazy uncle and said he didn't know him anymore. That's gentle? Gad, I'd hate to see him when he's "hard" on someone; wait, we have, haven't we, with the little smirky, knife twisty crap, and now the attempt to blame Hillary for the Wright garbage.
I feel like I'm taking crazy pills, here!
and now the attempt to blame Hillary for the Wright garbage.
Just where does he do that?
Because there are media reports does not mean that Obama is behind them. WTF?
Back when the first Wright tapes came out, he gave him the benefit of the doubt and did not "throw him under the bus" as so many people were clamoring for him to do.
He was still giving him the benefit of the doubt until he saw his performance in the Q&A at the Ntl Press Club.
He was saddened and disappointed.
What way would have been better to handle this?
Listen, I read a whole hell of a lot of anti-Obama rhetoric and I open my eyes to it and do extra research. I am not googly-eyed, and consider myself realistic. I also spend a lot of time defending Hillary when I feel the attacks are unfair.
It would be really easy to approach everything through the lens of pro-Obama or pro-Hillary; I try to be as objective as possible and I also try not to denigrade Hillary - though her actions make it really easy to do.
I get it. You cannot stand Obama. You hate him with a passion that I find bizarre. Fine.
But this election is so much bigger than Hillary or Obama. This is about saving our Country from its final slide into complete facism and a McCain presidency pretty much guarantees that. Which is why I will do whatever I can to get whatever Dem candidate elected in the fall.
I liked the Clinton years and I think that so much more could have been done if they did not have to spend so much energy defending themselves from constant right wing attacks. The spectacle that the Republicans put us through during that time period was obscene.
Now, however, those same personal attacks are being thrown at Obama and it isn't helpful.
I have read very little on policy attacks but there is endless info on attacks of character. The same BS that Bill Clinton endured.
I think that the Clintons learned from their experience that you "need to play the game" - I am tired of game playing.
...that's opinion...
You actually believe that Bill and Hillary don't think they are entitled to the Presidency? Especially after having been their for 8 years?
Yes, it came from pretty reliable sources.
I took my quotes directly from Bill Richardson, after he was called Judas by Carville. (that's not Rove like)
"That's typical of many of the people around Senator Clinton," Richardson said. "They think they have a sense of entitlement to the presidency."
So you don't think Richardson ever talked with Bill or Hillary?
Sorry, SoS, but just because everyone says the Clintons are doing Rove shit, doesn't mean it's true.
Wow... you have Bill and Hillary on such a high pedestal.
So the Clinton's are not pulling out all the stops to win the primary. What's holding them back?
...now the attempt to blame Hillary for the Wright garbage.
I don't buy that either, never have.
I do have to give Obama credit, he's a one person candidate fighting against the Clinton political machine.
But this election is so much bigger than Hillary or Obama.
So, only Obama supporters know this? 'Cos that's the impression I get every time one of them tells me this like I don't know it.
Hey, sorry for this getting messy.
I just haven't had the time to comment on most of this crap. Been taking care of Dad, Mom's been sick.
And... the never ending honey-do list!
It's all Id's fault!
I've been trying to stay away, but the lies drive me nuts, and now the meme that the way to beat Hillary is to literally beat her, or kill her, even makes me furious! I've turned off Air America, stopped going to the more aggregious sites, etc, but it seeps in everywhere you look.
Sorry your mom's sick, SoS, hope she gets better soon.
Now I'll go back to ignoring again. Life was so much more peaceful when I don't pay attention. I got all my dahlia bulbs planted, got my house spiffed up, watched tons of movies, and even tried to convince my brother that he should vote dem in Nov. since all his beliefs are in line with Dem and against McCain. I even argued he needs to vote Obama. And he said he thinks the guy's an asshole. Not much more I can do there.
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