Have you ever sat there, watching the talking heads and designated questioners toss softballs and dodgeballs at candidates, and wished you could somehow slip into their heads, ask a real question, and then get out of there before you were tackled by "security?"
Boy, I sure do. I think the best question I ever saw was in the documentary "Feed," when a young man asked then-candidate Bill Clinton if he was for a woman's right to get an abortion. When Bill said "Yes, yes I am," the kid asked "How many have you caused?"
There was a moment when Bill's face froze, and you could see something harden behind his eyes. He caught himself once, then twice, and then, slowly putting a hand on his questioner's shoulder, patted him like they were chums sharing a joke. He caught himself a third time and said "zero" and "none" and repeated the mantra as he walked away, trying to laugh.
(The kid explained to the camera that he just asked to see what he'd say, and said, yes, he'd vote for him. He had a great sense of humor.)
I would have given anything to be that young man, right then. And I would have given twice that and more to have been able to ask that on live television, in a public debate. Because in that moment, I think we saw the real man shine through for just a second -- far apart from all the gloss and spin and weaseling that came to typify his time in the Oval Office.
So, in that spirit I've got some questions of my own. Some are rude, some are obvious, and some are probably self-evident statements, but anything to liven up the proceedings and see some real thought spark behind those glazed, smiling eyes is a good thing, I think.
And if I hear the word 'Change' one more time I'm going to be sick.
Hillary Clinton: Senator Clinton, these last few days in the campaign you've talked a lot about change. Speaking in terms of change, what guarantee do we have that, should your husband become the first gentleman, he won't bring the same shame and dishonor to that post that he brought to the Presidency, itself, by chasing after interns?
Duncan Hunter: Sir, with all respect, what were you thinking when you accepted a man who said "Screw the Buddhists and kill the Muslims" to be your campaign advisor in South Carolina? I know you booted him as soon as the controversy started swirling, but I'd like to know what you were thinking in the first place.
John McCain: Senator McCain, in past elections you've been savagely and underhandedly undercut by your fellow Republicans during the Primary phases of the campaign. When are you expecting to be boxed into a corner, and will you do what's necessary to stay viable this time?
John Edwards: Sir, when are you planning on going on the offensive in this Primary? And if you're not planning to do so, whose Vice President would you like to be?
Fred Thompson: Sir, now that you have admitted that you don't really care whether you are elected President or not, when are you going to admit that the only reason you're running is because a large number of people wanted you to run, and bow out of the race while you still have some dignity left?
Barack Obama: Senator Obama, the Islamophobic right is still making a talking point out of whether or not you were a Muslim while a boy in Indonesia. When are you going to tell them, in no uncertain terms, that it doesn't really matter, and take them to task for trying for demonize Muslims as a whole? Or are you afraid of something?
Ron Paul: Sir, I realize it isn't fair to disparage a candidate because of his supporters, but it does seem as though your campaign has attracted the support of white supremacists, racists and other such persons. Can you tell us why you think you've gained their support?
Dennis Kucinich: Sir, with respect, the United Nations can't manage to do anything in the countries they peacekeep in but not fire their guns, have sex with the locals and take advantage of the bad situation. Why WOULD the Iraqi people want them to take over from America's armed forces?
Mitt Romney: Sir, you've said that you're running for the President as an American, and not a Mormon. But if the Mormon Church ever decided to reverse its relatively recent decision regarding Black people and their spiritual welfare, what guarantee do we have that you will be able to uphold the Constitution equally for all citizens?
J. Edward Tremlett is a lot of things, currently. He's back in the states after a seven-year stint in Dubai, UAE. He's been published in such diverse places as The American Partisan, the International American, The End is Nigh, Pyramid Magazine and Worlds of Cthulhu. He has a story in the "Echoes of Terror" horror anthology. He's also ready to get back in the saddle and kick some ass after too long of a radio silence.
The Mormon Church has had Blacks as members since the 1830's. And an extermination order was signed by Missouri Governor Boggs against the Mormons in part due to the Mormons' opposition to slavery.
That's more than the Southern Baptists can say. Mitt's father did indeed march with Martin Luther King, as reported in a 1963 Detroit News article.
Your question shows a lack of understanding of the issue. There are hundreds of thousands of Blacks as members today.
by
Bot (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 6 comments)
on Monday, January 7, 2008 at 11:17:15 PM
Sorry, Willard Mitt Romney has been debunked. George Romney never marched with King, although they both marched in related events at different times. Please get YOUR facts straight, there are many correct accounts.
Yes, perhaps Mitt Romney should have chosen the words "I saw my father support MLK" instead of saying "I saw my father march with MLK," but the POINT of his message was TRUTH -- his father was a strong supporter of MLK.
Those scorners who "watch for iniquity," "make a man an offendor for a word," and "lay a snare for him." (Isaiah 29:20-21) are actually telling a LIE -- that Mitt was lying about his father's support of civil rights for blacks.
Tracy Hall Jr
hthalljr'gmail'com
by
Tracy Hall jr (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 10 comments)
on Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 5:47:47 PM
Isn't it amazing how the message of freedom and liberty unites everyone in its cause, even the small-minded and narrow-viewed? Our campaign is supported by organized groups from every spectrum. Catholics and Protestants, Arabs and Jews, pro-life and pro-choice, Evangelicals and casino owners, and even one racist that we've been told about. And all of these hundreds of thousands of people are allowing us to use their property, their donations, to champion the Constitution.
This question is a real softball for Paul. In fact, every question is a softball when your closet is tidily skeleton-free. But then I thought some of the other questions were softballs too. Every single candidate should be asked about relationship with the Council on Foreign Relations (cfr.org).
by
Helena Handbasket (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments)
on Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 10:20:58 AM
"But if the Mormon Church ever decided to reverse its relatively recent [th: 3 decades ago!] decision regarding Black people and their spiritual welfare, what guarantee do we have that you will be able to uphold the Constitution equally for all citizens?"
Asked: again, and again, and again! Answered: again, and again, and again!
"Let me assure you that no authorities of my church, or of any other church for that matter, will ever exert influence on presidential decisions. Their authority is theirs, within the province of church affairs, and it ends where the affairs of the nation begin."
"As governor, I tried to do the right as best I knew it, serving the law and answering to the Constitution. I did not confuse the particular teachings of my church with the obligations of the office and of the Constitution - and of course, I would not do so as president. I will put no doctrine of any church above the plain duties of the office and the sovereign authority of the law."
Also, from the web site of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,"
"The Church does not:
Endorse, promote or oppose political parties, candidates or platforms.
Allow its church buildings, membership lists or other resources to be used for partisan political purposes.
Attempt to direct its members as to which candidate or party they should give their votes to. This policy applies whether or not a candidate for office is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Attempt to direct or dictate to a government leader."
The straw man here, of course, is the implication that Church ever opposed civil rights for all or even neglected the "spiritual welfare" of any race. To this day Jews restrict the priesthood to a tiny patriarchal heriditary tribal caste -- the Levites. Does this make Jews racist? Does this imply that Jews oppose equal civil rights for all or neglect the "spiritual welfare" of anyone?
Finally, the rapid growth of the Church in Africa, Brazil, the inner cities the U.S., and world-wide, makes this suggestion ridiculous.
If elected, Romney, by residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20500, will belong to the inner city Washington DC 3rd Ward at 3423 Holmead Pl. NW. A majority of his fellow ward members will be black. Check it out yourself at "worship with us" at mormon.org.
Tracy Hall Jr hthalljr'gmail'com
by
Tracy Hall jr (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 10 comments)
on Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 6:37:04 PM
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