Imponderable juxtaposition pondered
Jonah Goldberg of The National Review seems to suggest here that the election of an African-American as President of the United States is as wondrous, more or less, as the fact that his ascendancy hasn’t sparked more assassination plots or even armed revolt:
It is a wonderful thing to have the first African-American president. It is a wonderful thing that, in a country where feelings are so intense, that power can be transferred so peacefully.
Now, each of the two propositions are true enough, I guess; but I’m having a slight difficulty getting my head around their being uttered in tandem, as it were, in the same breath.
Do go read the whole thing; it’s actually only a brief piece, but obviously the pedigree of the dilemma it tip-toes around is as old as the hills.
posted by Jacob A. Stam at 11/06/2008 10:00:00 PM
3 Comments:
Yes, I'm not exactly certain just what he's getting at. The transition of power has always happened (well, 1824 and 1876 aside). One would hope there's nothing special about the transfer to this President elect.
Of more interest was this bit:
Even before Tuesday's win, the Obama campaign was discussing ways in which it might attach more conditions to institutions that receive money, according to a person familiar with the matter. Some within the Obama camp, along with Democratic lawmakers, are concerned that banks receiving some of the $250 billion earmarked for direct investments aren't using the funds for their intended purpose -- to make loans.
There's discussion within the Obama camp about whether to target some of the program toward small businesses, student loans and problem mortgages.
Well indeed! This was the problem with the original bill. US banks were lining up with the proposed handout already penciled into their bottom lines.
Yeah, re-targetting some of the bail-out package would certainly give Obama an early fillip for his broad platform of 'Change'.
And is it correct that the Dems only need three more Senate seats to get the grand slam majority for unimpeded 'change'?
I guess Goldberg's concern would be that Obama could then "wreck the country" unimpeded. I think his intention in the piece (from which I quoted) was to quell the disquiet among his political cohorts who feel palpably ripped off by the Obama win.
A bit like when McCain, in his concession speech (yes, a laudable performance! - but sadly his swansong), had to quell the grievous wailing from the crowd when he congratulated his opponent.
I note one of Goldberg's fellow commentators at National Review online is casting about for another war hero to replace McCain, seriously suggesting Petraeus! What is it with these people??
Let's not tiptoe around the daisies: in the US, they assassinate white presidents. The only black assassinations have been black "leaders", none of whom were politicians.
A "peaceful" transfer of power. Yes, a wonderful thing. No different to any other time.
I fear he is seeking drama where there is none, wishing for it, just because of Obama's "even tan".
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