A little note of incredulity
Posted on | October 10, 2008 |
I’ve just been browsing various news sites after hearing of the verdict on ‘Troopergate’, and came across this snapshot of political views recently given by various supporters of McCain.
What amazes me most about the quotes given there (e.g. “I don’t trust Obama. I have read about him and he’s an Arab”, from one Minnesotan woman) is that they reveal how great a chasm in terms of political views and knowledge exists between much of the rest of the US and this little bubble that is the Bay Area. Almost every house here has an Obama poster in the window; the republicans who do live in the area are like the democrats in generally being very well informed of the political background and policies of the presidential candidates. Once again, I think: what a huge country of extremes!
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5 Responses to “A little note of incredulity”
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October 11th, 2008 @ 9:00 am
The only positive aspect of the last few days of coverage is that there is finally a lot of attention being paid to it. The rage and venomous hatred displayed by those going to Palin, McCain rallies, is in newspapers, on TV, on web sites far outside the US. There is finally strong light on the politics of “win at any cost” and “the ends DO justify the means”. I’m hoping that those guilty of inciting and flaming this type of hatred will desist.
October 13th, 2008 @ 5:22 am
My comment doesn’t directly relate to your posting, except to say that I have remarked on the same divisiveness(and would argue that Austin is perhaps an even more extreme example of this polarization as a pool of blue surrounded by a large desert of red). Instead, I wanted to point you to Maureen Dowd’s recent column ‘Are We Rome? Tu Betchus!’ Given your background in the Classics, I thought you would find it amusing :)http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/opinion/12dowd.html?em
On another note, we are about to return to the US for a short visit to our old Texan stomping grounds–it has been nearly 3 years since we were last there. In particular, I am keen to be back to take the pulse on the ground just prior to the elections. Cheers!!
October 13th, 2008 @ 8:44 am
Anne-Marie, that’s wonderful! I will use the hybrid term ‘centurio-gate’ from now on….
Hope you have great trip back to the US! I look forward to hearing about how it goes.
Naomi xx
October 15th, 2008 @ 2:55 pm
I couldn’t resist posting these takes on the McCain session. It’s not so much of a chide against McCain as it is a recognition of how many people enjoy being vocal. . . and yet amazing uninformed.
October 20th, 2008 @ 9:17 am
Remember that the “news” media love to find people like that who have simply no idea what they are talking about and to publicize them widely. Americans are better informed than you’d think in many cases. I choose to believe that woman is more the exception than the rule.