Ratcheting Up the Hate
It's outrageous to hear McCain and Palin pandering to the basest instincts of voters, like McCain asking "Who is the real Barack Obama?" as though there is some dark evil hidden in the man, and Palin accusing Obama of "paling around with terrorists."
But it's outright alarming to hear the reactions to such blatantly false insinuations and distortions — one man answered McCain's question by shouting a terrorist, and another responded to Palin's insinuations of Obama-as-terrorist by shouting Kill him.
Steve Benen posts on these and other results of the candidates' hate-mongering here. And while Benen says he doesn't hold "McCain and Palin responsible for lunatics who shout insane comments at their rallies," I beg to differ. Anyone who so recklessly and deliberately stokes the fires of hate in gullible minds better be ready to accept responsibility for what they set in motion.
Comments
I agree with you, Abi. In fact, I hold responsible any voters who vote for them since it sends the message that they approve of the hate, lies and distortions.
Posted by: Kathy | October 7, 2008 03:53 PM
The reality is politicians are representative of at least part of the community they come out of.
I guess in November we find out just how representative tis pair are. Not very, I hope.
But we all have that ugly side in our societies.
Posted by: Dennis Cartledge | October 7, 2008 04:30 PM
Good point, Kathy. Voters can be enablers in a very real sense.
Cart, that's a really disheartening thought. But you're right. I'd hate to think these two hate mongers are representative of American society at large. We'll find out next month.
Posted by: abi | October 8, 2008 11:20 AM