Where do I begin? I guess there's no place like the beginning...
I am a black American man. I hate the term "African American". Why? It doesn't apply to blacks like me who were born with no visible ties to the mother country other than the tint of our skin. The only way brothers like me can trace their roots to Africa is through DNA testing, and even then we can expect a rude awakening when we find that even the darkest of blacks have caucasian ancestors. Going by skin tone alone, my skin color makes me about as African as Vijay Singh. (I am actually lighter than Vijay Singh, a middle complexioned black I'd say, and while testing I found I also have scandinavian ancestry as well.) Obama, on the other hand, can truthfully make that claim since his father immigrated from the country. Unfortunately, terms like "black" and "African American" are just symptomatic of the underlying racial problems this country faces, a country that has sought to divide and compartmentalize us all no matter what our ethnic and social backgrounds. I could go on all day about the perspective from my side of the racial divide, but that's a discussion for another day.
Read on....
I recently joined the dKos universe, and I love this place! I have been actively following the presidential campaign since the Iowa primaries and yes, I'm an Obama supporter. I usually spend my time in a Facebook group thats called "Barack Obama (One Million Strong for Barack)" (OK, its not actually a million yet, but half a million supporters is nothing to shake a sniper at). I check in daily at the kos. I found the "boycott" quite humorous and quite indicative of the bully mentality present in Hillaryland, but I will vent on that at a future time of my choosing as well.
I have been reluctant to post a diary about the "issues" that have surfaced in this election cycle, but recent events make it impossible to hold my piece any longer. I would like to commend dKos, TPM, HuffPost, The Nation, Open Left, FireDogLake and all the progressives in the blogosphere who have fought long and hard to force the MSM to pay attention to what's really going on in America. I shudder to think what this race would be like if you guys hadn't demanded fair and balanced reporting from the MSM. Keep fighting the good fight, people, let not the narrowminded rants of a few distract or discourage you from doing a great service to the electorate of this country.
I am new at this, and I could write an entire blog just on me I guess. But, I was drawn to comment on the underlying theme of Hillary Clinton's 2008 campaign for the presidency of these United States. It doesn't take a whole lot to understand why the post-Super Tuesday race has degenerated into the slimefest it has become:
Hillary doesn't care.
4000 dead in Iraq.
The housing market is a disaster.
China is violently cracking down on Tibet.
The "surge" is collapsing.
The economy unravels right before our eyes.
The Middle East is still a confusing, frustrating mess.
Our lame-duck President nonchalantly dances about while America crumbles.
But Hillary doesn't care.
Barack Obama has an insurmountable lead in delegates.
He leads in states won.
He leads in the popular vote.
There are only 10 contests left and Hillary needs to win them all by absurd margins to win the nomination.
McCain has clinched the nomination and every day we prolong the race increases the chances we lose come November.
Party insiders are starting to worry about the effects a brokered convention will have on our chances.
And yet Hillary doesn't care.
The right wing has amped up its attacks on Obama.
One smear after another is directed Obama's way, and he handles each one with grace and ease.
Polls show that a majority of Americans are satisfied with Obama's response.
Polls show a majority of Americans agree that we need to elevate our discourse wen it comes to race.
Hillary still doesn't care.
Hillary doesn't care that the American people would rather choose hope over fear.
She doesn't care if her attacks on Obama are aid and comfort to John McCain.
Hillary doesn't care that party faithful are being split because of race, sex and age while she triangulates till the cows come home.
Hillary doesn't care how much damage her prolonged campaign does to Obama or the party itself.
Hillary DEFINITELY doesn't care that blacks have loyally supported white Democrats for president in overwhelming numbers for nearly 40 years.
In fact, no matter the subject, no matter the discussion, no matter the venue, only one thing remains constant with Hillary Rodaham Clinton.
Hillary just doesn't care.
So, the question is: what DOES Hillary care about? Just one word will suffice as an answer:
Herself.
Yes, in spite of a foundering economy, an escalating war in Iraq, tension in Tibet, economic uncertainty in the homes of millions, an electorate that has embraced the future in Barack Obama, a blogosphere that has overwhelmingly rejected her, a housing market that is in shambles, the influx of millions of new voters to the party, the widening rift in the Democratic camp, the excitement of millions about Obama's themes and vision, the insurmountable lead in delegates, the growing uneasiness within her own party about the destructive effects of the tone of her campaign, in spite of all these things there's only one thing Hillary Rodham Clinton cares about:
Hillary Rodham Clinton.
We need to do all we can to make sure 100% of America knows this as they continue to decide which of the three remaining candidates is able to lead America into the 21st Century.
Peace.
UPDATE!
I just wanted to take the time to respond to all the positive feedback I've been getting from my diary. Its been wonderful reading all the kind words and well wishes from everyone who responded in a positive way to my musings. Its also been a lot of fun reading your witty comebacks to those poor souls who actually try to destroy the credibility of anyone who doesn't support the Hillinator. (And where praytell did they ever learn how to be so mean, humorless and condescending? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?) As time goes on I will try to be a little more in depth with my diaries. Its been a while since I've done any formal writing so I'm more than a little rusty, but I promise I can do better. Really. Anyway, I look forward to more lively discourse in the near future.
Peace! (I think I spelled it right this time?)