The Dangers of Poisoning the Waters

[JCMach1]

I am currently reading "The Fall of the House of Bush" by Craig Unger. While reading I had one of those awful light bulb moments concerning the present race for the WH.

The section of the book is the one related to the assassination of Rabin in Israel. Leading up to that assassination, Likud (Netanyahu et al) had systematically poisoned the waters calling Rabin a terrorist and pointing out the un-Israeliness of Rabin's supporters and supporters of the Oslo Accords.

Here is a rather telling excerpt:

Rabin's adversaries on the right jumped into the fray-- including Christian evangelicals. "I was Ambassador for four years of the peace process, and the Christian fundamentalists were vehmently opposed to the the peace process," said Itamar Rabinovich, who seved as the Israeli ambassador to the United States between 1993 and 1996 (136).

I can't help but believe the right and the McCain campaign is engaging in similar tactics vis a vis Obama. Their campaign of racist smears, Muslim innuendos, and anti-American finger pointing has served to poison and anger the right against a likely Obama Presidency.

:scared: Someone please tell me I need a :tinfoilhat:

[annabanana]

1. Aw hon. . . The RW of the Repub party has been doing that

for decades. The "bad guys du jour" used to be communists.. now they are Muslims (all of whom are, in their twisted rhetoric, radical Islamists who are bent on our destruction who will force them to renounce Christ and their women to stop driving, wear bhurkas. . and behead us at the drop of a hat.)

[JCMach1]

2. I know, but I feel this could just be the beginning once they loose the election

As I said... Please talk me down.

[annabanana]

10. look at it this way. .

If (when) they lose the election, they will not be in a position so DO much with their murderous stereotypes.

[IsItJustMe]

3. Speech does have consequences. Not always clear cut cause and effect, but cause and effect none-the

less.

[mmonk]

4. No doubt. However such gnashing of teeth on the right

may in the end prove to allow dissipation of real threats of violence sort of like when air is released from a balloon. That is my hope anyway as they have become too extreme for mainstream and is being reflected in sharper moves in the polls towards Obama.

[JCMach1]

5. Exactly, the attacks may help Obama in the election, but what are the

consequences beyond?

I will live in constant fear for Obama.

[No Elephants]

6. Do you think they do not know? After things like the guy who shot up the "lberal"

church? After the death threats shouted out at Palin rallies?

To quote Kuchinich at the Convention, "Wake up America." They know exactly what they are doing.

[JCMach1]

8. They absolutely do know! But it's not just 'simple' race-baiting...

It's more sinister... it exists at the level of coordinated POLICY.

That's the scary part.

[No Elephants]

7. Do you think they do not know? After things like the guy who shot up the "lberal"

church? After the death threats shouted out at Palin rallies?

To quote Kuchinich at the Convention, "Wake up America." They know exactly what they are doing.

[JCMach1]

9. Like Rabin's assassin, you have crazy actors like the 'B' girl

who may do ANYTHING... :cry: