Not being a fan of right-wing conspiracy blogs/commentators, it was only a couple of days ago that I became aware of the latest “outrage” perpetrated by the Obama Administration–a Halloween party kept secret until now, where liberal Hollywood stars mixed with costumed members of the First Family and Staff in an expensive, decadent party paid for by our tax dollars.
I saw a clip of Rush Limbaugh–red-faced and shouting, vein in neck throbbing (okay, that’s his normal look)–accusing the White House of cavorting at taxpayer expense while average Americans suffer through the recession, and darkly asking “If they hide these extravagant, indulgent parties from the American People, what else might they be hiding??”
I consulted the Google oracle to find out more, and discovered that those crafty Obamas managed to “hide” the fact of this party, which turned out to have been held for the children of veterans, by posting about it on the White House Web site, Facebook and Twitter, and inviting the media to attend.
Oh, those crafty Obamas–it’s the Purloined Letter all over again! Hiding in plain sight!
It’s tempting to simply dismiss this silliness as another manifestation of Obama Derangement Syndrome, but there’s a darker side to these constant attempts to demonize the administration. Remember the Boy Who Cried Wolf? He was a shepherd who kept insisting he saw a wolf menacing his flock. When the real wolf came, no one believed him.
When everything Obama does–including, apparently, breathing–prompts accusations of high crimes and misdemeanors, what happens if and when the administration actually does engage in behavior that we really should worry about?
When the level of outrage is set on maximum all the time, how do we distinguish between a Halloween party for the children of our fighting men and signing the Defense Authorization Act?
I agree it’s a problem. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that most Obama supporters have more often than not failed to be able to see/admit it when the President actually does wrong. After all, a liberal (even centrist) Democrat might not agree with him, but they’ll never vote for the far right Republicans that make Obama’s centrist positions seem radical. Our Democracy needs more than two choices to ensure it is meaningful. Unfortunately, ballot access standards are set so high by both Democrats AND Republicans that even those two parties are having a hard time qualifying for the ballot. Ballot access reform is critical to a healthier US democracy.
I didn’t vote for BHO the first time around but am seriously considering it now. I can’t stand the clowns the REpub/retards are offering. Newt? Gimme a break. Mitt? Dog abuser. NO. Bachman and Palin? Too much hairspray clouds their judgement. Perry? Theocrat. NOOO.
Jay, I disagree that most Obama supporters are unable to see when he does wrong. I was an enthusiastic supporter of his during his election and first few years, but after a few things I have a real problem with, my support is lukewarm at best. And I know that many of my close friends and acquaintances have been similarly disappointed.