McCain Supporter: “He’s not, he’s not, he’s a…. ummm…. he’s an Arab! He’s not…”
McCain: *begins to shake his head, takes microphone* “No ma’am.”
McCain Supporter: “No?”
McCain: “No ma’am. No ma’am. He’s a decent, family man citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues.”
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I know this is old news for most of us but I was reminded of this incident today. I was shocked at the astounding ignorance on multiple levels behind that woman’s logic. It was so very sad to hear the word “Arab” used in such a fearful and derogatory tone. It was also frustrating to hear someone so blindly convinced that Barack Obama is an Arab. He is a US citizen. Duh. You have to be a native born citizen in order to even run for president. Now granted, that last tidbit may be a little obscure for some people but seriously, how stupid can someone be?
I think that in spite of my own disagreements with McCain on fundamental issues, I have to give the man props for standing up to this statement. Yes, it was necessary in order save face on many levels. But for McCain to stand up against that means he is standing up against the blind fear and motivation of many of the people who are voting for him. I grow increasingly frustrated with this demographic and its seemingly endless, staunch support of the Republican party without independent, critical thought. It also frustrates me how the mainstream Republican dialog seems to tolerate or even foster these blind fears and ignorance.
Now, no political figure in this world can say they have never neutered their own dialogue to appeal to or prevent irritating some of their more extreme constituents. This happens in every party, in every country, and in every election. I just wish that my fellow citizens, every last one of them, would use the disappearing art of critical thinking to turn each issue and each candidate over in their minds before blindly throwing their energies behind them. I have thought long and hard about these candidates and their platforms in a way that I never have before. I have even worked to learn more about past elections through the 20th century and the issues at stake and the candidates involved to gain perspective on this current one.
We are faced with the most important election of our time. Just as every voter has been faced with the most important election of their own time every four years for the past several hundred years. With the issues at hand here and now, I have personally found that Barack Obama better represents my own personal ideas of what a president should be and how a president should use that office to govern and influence the lives of this nation and, in turn, the world. I was skeptical just months ago about even voting. As a Utahn I realize the best I can do is to try and give this state a subtle tinge of maroon as it is definitely a “red” state through and through. But every vote counts, either way. It’s important that we all use our voices and work toward a better future for all of us. Some people will find that McCain will best represent them in bringing that better future closer. For others, like myself, Barack Obama is the key to both immediate and long term success as well as the revitalization of this nation.