Was It That Bad?
Here’s the text (also stored here).
Brian Maloney calls it “strangely divisive, downbeat and depressing.” Haven’t heard it yet (I’ll save that for tonight), but the words match his characterization.
Maybe it’s Joseph Lowery’s stuck-in-1963 race obsession that brought the markets down (video here):
I guess whiteys like myself generally on the right are cool by Lowery. Ya think? :–>
Heckuva post-racial start, guys.
Brian Maloney nailed it. It was boring, uninspiring, and forgettable. If today wasn’t depressing enough, this speech and the racist benediction following made it even moreso.
Comment by Joe C. — January 20, 2009 @ 1:47 pm
This from Baloney, I mean Maloney…
“As 58 million Americans are confronted by the stark reality that a creepy political-religious cult has taken over the country, Limbaugh is providing one of the few remaining opposition voices. That stations are already beginning to engage in Chinese-style self-censorship provides a chilling early example of the coming battle to save free speech in America.”
Ready to make nice, I see.
Good luck with that total lack of awareness.
Comment by The Reverend — January 20, 2009 @ 2:27 pm
Ready to make nice, I see.
What, the censors?
I’m quite aware. You, sadly, are largely clueless. I see that the speech didn’t exactly inspire you to new heights of human kindness.
Comment by TBlumer — January 20, 2009 @ 2:36 pm
I can understand his slam on whites..that’s the crowd Obama hangs with. But what was with the “yellow would be mellow” line? Why are the Asians non-mellow in Lowery’s racist fantasy? Perhaps because they don’t like being called “Yellow”.
Comment by Larry — January 20, 2009 @ 2:48 pm
Chinese is not exactly spared by Mr. Lowey. If we look back at what Donavan meant by “mellow yellow”, it is very insulting.
Comment by jhpgh — January 20, 2009 @ 3:05 pm
#4 and #5, many Asians have the gall to believe that they can achieve great things without the state. As such, they qualify for college admissions and higher-paying jobs at higher rates than other ethnic groups.
#5, never understood that song at all, or tried. Now (I guess) I do. In the sex object sense, I would have to agree that it is very insulting.
Comment by TBlumer — January 20, 2009 @ 4:14 pm
It made me chuckle in the face of seriousness. Spiced with equal parts of humor, compassion, and sincerity. Hopefully we can all move forward my brothers, and sisters of the human race. Today, January 20th, 2009 brought us closer together than we have ever been. May we continue to be inspired, and focused.
Thank you Mr. Obama and Rev. Lowery.
I loved it so much, I made it into a t-shirt: (NON PROFIT INTENTIONS)
BizzyBlog note: Click on the link for commenter’s name.
Comment by Christian Mendelsohn — January 20, 2009 @ 6:01 pm
[...] BizzyBlog: Was it that bad? [...]
Pingback by Inaugural Speech Reactions | The Anchoress — January 20, 2009 @ 6:10 pm
Welcome America to the next four years. If you feel unwelcome or insulted just know that the left does’t care. They figure that you are getting what you deserve.
Sleep well.
Comment by Pompey — January 20, 2009 @ 6:25 pm
Hey Pomp,
While you’re not sleeping, think about how nonwhites have been subject to such language since the beginning of our country. Even Lincoln enjoyed a good “darkie” joke. And rest assured that McCain’s “No, no, he’s a decent man” response resounded nicely in the Muslim world.
That doesn’t make the racialism right or appropriate, but the benediction is a sign that Anglo Americans have finally joined the world community in a sense. Now we can see what we’re all up against.
Comment by Red Nain — January 21, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
#10, considering the venue, your attempted justification is very, very lame.
Comment by TBlumer — January 21, 2009 @ 1:27 pm
Hmm I guess my kind ain’t welcome roun’ here.
Comment by Red Nain — January 21, 2009 @ 2:02 pm
#12, As Yoda might say it, “Very thin-skinned and victimization oriented you are.”
In #10, why is Lowery getting a pass? If Warren had said it, he’d be drummed out of public life.
Comment by TBlumer — January 21, 2009 @ 3:00 pm
#12 add — I don’t even know what “your kind” is.
Comment by TBlumer — January 21, 2009 @ 3:58 pm
#15 sorry Eric, if you’re waiting for your trackback to post, there’s an open apology needed before that happens.
LINK (Nov. 6) —
Still waiting ……
Comment by TBlumer — January 21, 2009 @ 10:15 pm
#10, I think you missed the point, as long as you tolerate the behavior then you give license for it to continue. Lowery believes he can publicly express himself the way he does because you allow him to do so. So as long as you libs condone this kind of racial talk you are equally guilty of racism.
The fact that libs pounce on a conservative or Repub on the hint of an inappropriate comment or the typical feigned outrage for political gain tells me at least libs and Dems don’t give a crap about real victims just the convenient ones to advance their power interests. All I see from libs and Dems is faux concern with the sincerity of crocodile tears.
Comment by dscott — January 22, 2009 @ 10:07 am
Wonder what would’ve happened had Rick Warren prayed:
OK, in my best Jesse Jackson voice:
“…And help us work for the day when black will quit selling crack…” or perhaps “when black will start paying child support back…” or perhaps “when black will stop running track…”
This selection proves that any inexperienced, undocumented schmoe – be he black or white – can be president. As such, all quotas & affirmative action cases should be null & void. No more special treatment based on skin color…no more trying to end racism by institutionalizing it.
I’m sure all the whites who died trying to end slavery and who marched with MLK would feel the same way…
Comment by Rose — January 22, 2009 @ 11:08 am
Hey guys, I’m not the one who played the victim here. I did not condone what Lowery said, I just tried to provide a little context. Let me know when you get tired of blaming the “libs” for racism and other prejudices – even though we all know we’re all guilty on some level. Your responses don’t make a case against Lowery (or me) of any merit because they smack of homerism. Are you really trying to say that Republicans have an unblemished track record of compassion?
Comment by Red Nain — January 27, 2009 @ 3:06 pm
#18, oh please, that stereotyping guilt card is sooooo tired.
I think I’m reading that until every racist thought disappears from Republicans, conservatives, and non-diversity-brainwashed others, charlatans like Lowery can mar formal occasions with blatant racism and that’s OK.
No it’s not.
You call that an argument?
Comment by TBlumer — January 27, 2009 @ 5:30 pm
Its amazing just how much hate there is all around.. not just in The US, but really across the globe..seems its much easier to hate each other than do anything else…or am I wrong? I wonder, if everyone was truly allowed their opinion so long as that doesnt stand in the way of you getting to your job or to your house in one piece, then does it really matter what one man or woman says? They can shout from the very mountains..they have a right to think/feel as they do…non of that will change who I really am. Whether my neighbor is racist or not, how that that get in my way? Unless of course, I want my neighbor to be “like me”? Nothing wrong with that either, only then I have to content with others also being ‘like them’ and from there we get into all manner of conflict.. perhaps its time that ‘we’ and ‘them’ tried to look at what we have in common rather than where we differ.. we might just be suprised by how much more there is in that angle. But perhaps am just dreaming..
Comment by African Miro — January 29, 2009 @ 3:35 am
#20, you’ve got great points…. pass ‘em on to the Rev. Lowery so he can work on improving.
Comment by TBlumer — January 29, 2009 @ 6:55 am
TB,
Your argument misses the mark when you lump me in with liberal stereotyping without actually looking at what I said. Besides, I’m having trouble believing that you feel as offended as you do. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe Lowery actually marred the whole day for you.
All I’m really saying is to let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Of course, politics is usually more conducive to a different ethic. Anyway, I think I’m going to bow out of this blog with a short run as a commentor. Not sure it’s been worth the headache.
Comment by Red Nain — February 2, 2009 @ 4:05 pm
#22, I’ve seen what MLK’s legacy has become. His successors squandered the good will of the vast majority of whites in the late-1960s and early 1970s, and deliberately perpetuated and grew the underclass with the so-called Great Society.
Of course it marred the day. Lowery was one of those who ruined the civil rights movement. Now he insists on ruining it even with Obama achieving the presidency.
Comment by TBlumer — February 3, 2009 @ 12:20 am