The Angry Right

I wrote a post after the RNC about Bush's "angry left" comment, deciding not to be offended by it because we have the right to be angry, and truthfully have not been angry enough.

In observing developments over the past few weeks, though, I am astounded at how angry those on the right truly are--as evidenced by this very scary clip of John McCain supporters screaming at members of the media.

We've all seen the reporters of attendees at McCain/Palin rallies yelling out despicable things like "terrorist" and "traitor" about Barack Obama. McCain's defense is that at any large gathering you will have "fringe" elements and when those incidents occur, the candidates make it clear they are not acceptable (funny thing is, I've seen many clips where this happened at a Palin rally and she said nothing). Sen. McCain also notes, "you should hear the things they say about me at Sen. Obama's rallies."

Really? Because I went to a rally for Obama about a month ago, and for an event with more than 20,000 people, the crowd was exceptionally courteous and polite--there was no name-calling, no booing, people were even trading spots with each other to make sure everybody got a chance to see Obama speaking--even if it was only for a few moments and from a distance. At another recent Obama appearance, there were some boos when McCain was mentioned, and the Senator immediately quieted the crowd, saying there was no need for that.

Just my opinion, but "boo" is far less incendiary than "terrorist." I'm sorry, Sen. McCain, that you were booed.

The big question is, why are they so angry? Is it because they are losing? Well, for Sen. McCain, I think that's half the reason. The other half, I believe history shows us, is that he is just an angry man. As for his supporters? Well, they're following their leaders. McCain and Palin are both using fear of the "unknown" and a victim mindset to stir anger.

For example, when there is clearly nothing to the Obama/Ayers relationship, and the McCain campaign can't show that there is, they create this fear that there's something more by saying Obama has not been truthful and open about the relationship. Well, if the "truth" is so hideous, and you apparently know what it is, why don't you share it with us Sen. McCain? Maybe because all there is to the Ayers connection is what has already been told to us, and the "fear" of something more is more damaging than the truth. Fear-mongering at its best--or rather worst.

To give credence to the conspiracy theory, they blame the liberal media for "attacking" McCain unfairly (here's the victim mindset) and turning a blind eye to what might be in Obama's closet--why isn't the media looking as closely at Obama as they are Palin? or Joe the Plumber?

Hmmm....let me see....I guess because they have been uncovering every skeleton in Obama's closet for 20 months! 24 hours news channels got weeks worth of content just from Rev. Jeremiah Wright alone, so don't tell me Obama hasn't been scrutinized.

This is all just more of the blame game and substituting fear for a real discussion on issues. So I am angry because the extreme right-wing Republicans have run this country into the ground, believing somehow they have an edict to govern as they choose, rather than as the Constitution and will of the people dictate. I am angry because America has lost its moral standing, innocent lives have been lost because of political grandstanding and politicians have sown the seeds of hate and diviseness all in the name of winning elections.

And the right? Best I can tell, they are angry because it looks like they are going to lose to a black, liberal, "elitist," who apparently, since he's not a Republican, is also not a "real" American. Fine. Let 'em be angry. We have seethed for eight years while they ruined our country, so personally, I don't care if they sit closed-minded and pissed off for eight years while we get a chance to fix it.