Hail to the Chief

Re the president's visit to Memphis and the way our local paper is covering it:

In explaining why Booker T. Washington High School won the Race To The Top challenge to earn its commencement speech Monday from President Barack Obama, the White House cited statistics of various school achievements.

But anyone who watched the videos submitted by finalists could see elements in BTW's entry that numbers cannot measure -- passion, motivation and, quite clearly, an enthusiasm for Obama.

Surely a little buttery praise always helps, but there's also an historic flood going on in the region.

"He is coming into a community that is proud of his achievements and appreciative of his hard work," Hutchinson said.

It's understandable why communities who supported him at a rate of 99-1 over McCain are supportive of his hard work and achievements, but is he saying they are the only ones?

"He's an iconic figure in American history and an iconic figure in the African-American community," said Cohen, who often refers to the Obama family as the "Kennedys" of the 21st century. "His popularity is unsurpassed."

The Obamas are the new Kennedys? Sounds like a slam considering the notorious party lifestyles of Jack and Teddy compared to the solid family life of the president.

"I do think it's important to say that if this had been a George Bush commencement address, they would have fought just as hard to get it and be just as proud," Hart said. "But it is hard to ignore the historical significance -- the first African-American president coming to the first black high school in this city."

A little honesty never hurts. Of course this is more important than a Bush or even a Kerry visit. Racial pride is OK. Despite all the criticisms there's no denying that Obama is certainly an inspiration to many people who are now proud of their country for the first time.

Whether that same misty inspiration would have been there had the first black president been someone like Condi Rice is unknowable, but we'd like to think they'd have been just as proud and that the local paper would have written their story the same way.

MORE 5/15/11

This, on the other hand, is a much better effort.

A Town Hall in Memphis

Congressman Steve Cohen is holding a Town Hall on Saturday at 10 AM here in Memphis. Here's one of the fliers:



If a bunch of well-dressed opponents of govt health care show up and get loud, let it be known upfront--they weren't necessarily organized by insurance magnates or Dick Cheney, they might well have been invited by Congressman Cohen himself.

Anyway, here's hoping for a peaceful outpouring of democracy with all citizens given a voice regardless of how distasteful their views or passions might be. Remember, dissent is patriotic!

AFTERMATH 8/8/09

Sounds like a raucous time was had by all; about 500 in attendance that turned into a "shouting match". Here's one comment left at the local paper's site:

I was at this meeting. Nothing I've read in the news yet tells the story that of the 10 or 11 doctors who spoke, all but 2 are vehemently opposed to government run health care. The 2 who were for it, still did not like it in it's current form.

I'm sure the liberal Commercial Appeal will overlook this fact when it's in the Sunday paper.

Not sure, but this seems to be a developing trend.

Steve Cohen - Embarrassment

Goodness:



He clearly got it from Kos, as mentioned all over the web last week. We await somebody to provide a rational explanation for the analogy other than that Barack = Jesus, Palin = Pilate. Not sure what else we should be taking away from it, because by most accounts Christ wasn't interested in community organizing.

By the way, what's up with that hairdo?

MORE 9/10/08

Cohen speaks, again:

"I didn't and I wouldn't compare anyone to Jesus. Jesus cannot be compared to anyone. What I pointed out was that Jesus was a force of change, and those who work to accomplish change deserve respect."

And Jake Tapper responds:

On the ABC News blog "Political Punch," national correspondent Jake Tapper wrote, "Prediction: the Democrats will soon put him (Cohen) in a sack and throw him in a basement."

Ouch. Maybe a little too harsh for Congressman Steve. An apology would do fine.

By the way, his correction on Jesus' role is still not right. He was not there to become a force for change in the community or the nation, but to change hearts and save souls. He called himself a sword, pitting brother against brother, and told the Israelites to render to Caesar what was his. Remember, Palin was dissing the community organizer from heaven because she was attacked beforehand as a small-town mayor. As if the truth matters anymore.