Suspend his campaign? WTH will that accomplish? People will still continue to hate BO. It's not as if McCain pulls out of the race people will suddenly accept BO.
Besides which, there have been plenty of ugly cases of violence and hate speech at Obama rallies - http://www.patterico.com/2008/10/12/obama-rallies-turn-ugly/ (or how about the "Sarah Palin is a Cunt" T-shirts?). Does the need to suspend a campaign only apply to Republicans?
The problem here is the degree of inappropriate behavior. It is certainly wrong, impolite and uncultured to call a woman a "cunt," unless of course they really are. I would leave that expert opinion to the Alaskans and the national wildlife organizations who have more experience with Governor Palin. Insults are rude and tasteless, but that's all they are. Being called a cunt or other personal derisive has never been considered a threat.
Calling someone a terrorist or traitor is more than an insult, it is a threat on their life. I've been called all manner of horrible things, but once I recieved a single death threat, the stakes changes dramatically. Now take that to the level of an elected official and Presidential candidate. Threats and such rear the ugly head of the American tradition of lynching. Under Federal law (which isn't apparently being enforced very well) making a threat to the President or Presidential Candidate is a criminal offense, punishable by up to 10 years in a fine government institution.
It goes without saying that the behavior of the most ignorant of the masses and the unscrupulous local organizers who directly influence them is a blight on the campaigns - both of them. I wager you this - Arrest and Charge the people on both sides making the statements. One group will go to jail and the other could be sued in civil court. One is a threat. The others are asses.
You're right about some people will always hate BO. The ones I worry about are the more ignorant and uninformed masses who follow the loudest shouts of hate instead of learning more about the person. They may never like him, but at least they might respect him. Letting the haters and enabler (trolls) in the audience influence these people instead of the candidates dismissing the hate only breeds more (ignorant) hate.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2008-10-16 07:04 am (UTC)Gotta change hat button to "scary RepublicanS".
no subject
Date: 2008-10-16 05:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-17 04:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-18 11:33 pm (UTC)Besides which, there have been plenty of ugly cases of violence and hate speech at Obama rallies - http://www.patterico.com/2008/10/12/obama-rallies-turn-ugly/ (or how about the "Sarah Palin is a Cunt" T-shirts?). Does the need to suspend a campaign only apply to Republicans?
no subject
Date: 2008-10-19 03:17 pm (UTC)Calling someone a terrorist or traitor is more than an insult, it is a threat on their life. I've been called all manner of horrible things, but once I recieved a single death threat, the stakes changes dramatically. Now take that to the level of an elected official and Presidential candidate. Threats and such rear the ugly head of the American tradition of lynching. Under Federal law (which isn't apparently being enforced very well) making a threat to the President or Presidential Candidate is a criminal offense, punishable by up to 10 years in a fine government institution.
It goes without saying that the behavior of the most ignorant of the masses and the unscrupulous local organizers who directly influence them is a blight on the campaigns - both of them. I wager you this - Arrest and Charge the people on both sides making the statements. One group will go to jail and the other could be sued in civil court. One is a threat. The others are asses.
You're right about some people will always hate BO. The ones I worry about are the more ignorant and uninformed masses who follow the loudest shouts of hate instead of learning more about the person. They may never like him, but at least they might respect him. Letting the haters and enabler (trolls) in the audience influence these people instead of the candidates dismissing the hate only breeds more (ignorant) hate.