Speaking of Obama in the third person while he is next to you on the stage while avoiding eye contact and then referring to him with contempt as "that one" speaks volumes about McCain's shallow character.
This remark by McCain was disrespectful and especially offensive since such terms as "this one" and "that one" have been used throughout history by racists to dehumanize people. For this reason, I will not display such a sticker with that racist term on my bumper or anywhere else.
My question is how will people who did not watch the debate or who do not know the context of the logo interpret it's meaning?
posted on October 9, 2008 09:22:28 AM new
I found McCain's remark contemptible, dismissive and rude, but I disagree that it was a racist remark or had any racial connotations. Could be I've just never heard it used in that way but I don't live in a "white bread" world and never have, so I believe I would've heard it somewhere in my 52 years.
As for interpreting the meaning of the logo, I'm sure there are those who live under a rock and won't "get it".
You may be right and I probably overreacted because I was just reading a book and was influenced by that. The book, A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gains is about a black man who is wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to death.
In this case, rather than the use of "that one" the defence lawyer uses "this one" to dehuminize the fellow in the eyes of the jury.
The lawyer says, "Gentlemen of the jury, be merciful. For God's sake, be merciful. He is innocent of all charges brought against him. "But let us say he was not. Let us for a moment say he was not. What justice would there be to take this life? Justice, gentlemen." Why, I would just as soon put a hog in the electirc chair as this.
So...I probably overreacted to the use of the logo which referenced McCain's use of the term, "that one"...but maybe not.
In any case please don't feel that I was being critical of you or your acceptance of the logo. Certainly better minds than mine designed the logo and are using it to raise money for a good cause.
posted on October 9, 2008 10:44:21 AM new
About using that logo as a bumper sticker: Sometimes a bumper sticker is just for bringing a smile into people's lives. Sometimes it's an attempt to persuade. Sometimes it's reaching out to like-minded people.
I don't have that on one of our cars, but my feeling is that it's not meant to persuade, since many won't know what it means (in others words, they didn't watch the debate and they haven't seen one of the dozens of discussions about that phrase on any of the TV channels they watch).
In this case, I'd use it for reaching out to like-minded people AND bringing a smile to those "in the know" who are informed voters, who watch the debates, and who vote intelligently based on keeping up with what's happening and making informed choices.
_____________________
posted on October 9, 2008 11:15:44 AM new
A few years ago I had a bumper sticker that seemed to bring a smile to like-minded drivers: it was a mock-up of the 2004 logo the George Bush campaign used...the W with the 04 flag attached to the upper right of the W. My bumper sticker had that logo and the added letters "easel" to the W...Weasel. A glance in the rear-view mirror showed smiles, frowns, and often a quizzical look at red lights.
My latest favorite shows the date GW leaves office 1-20-09. It says "Bush's Last Day" I've had people pull up and ask me where I got it. I carried extras for awhile to accomodate those who wanted one. =)
Helenjw, under the circumstances you describe, your reaction is completely understandable.
posted on October 9, 2008 05:19:54 PM new
I'm glad that everyone I know (including some who are republicans) thought McCain's remark was condescending, rude and extremely disrespectful. It spoke volumes about McCain's integrity.
Cheryl
Whitman said she and McCain share a philosophy of scaling back the role of government. a point of view partly shaped by her EBay experience. "The EBay model is very Republican in its essence -- it's about making a small number of rules and getting out of the way while not overtaxing the community," she said.
