End the madness

As the election draws ever closer, the candidates are getting more and more aggressive. Actually, aggressive probably isn't the right word. Their behavior could be likened more to desperately starved hyenas approaching a recently deceased gazelle carcass soaked in A1 steak sauce. And the sad part is that people actually eat this shit up.

Looks like the latest catch phrase from the right is "career first, country second," referring to Obama's association with former weatherman Bill Ayers. Are you f@#$ing kidding me? Perhaps it wasn't the best move on Obama's part to launch a state senate campaign in the home of a former terrorist. That said, however, the man, Ayers that is, hasn't been involved in any shady dealings since the 60's. He's an distinguished professor at the University of Illinois and has received numerous recognitions for his contributions to the educational and local community.

But the most important aspect of these attacks to consider is the way they drive political discourse. Every political campaign has its share of crazies, racists and straight up lunatics. That's to be expected, particularly in an election as historic as this. However, the character assassinations put forth by McCain's campaign have taken these voices and brought them to the mainstream, evidenced by participants at McCain's rallies that are willing to say things like ""I can't trust Obama. I have read about him and he's not, he's not uh — he's an Arab. He's not — ". (McCain cuts off the woman).

What does that say about our country? How can democracy work effectively if that kind of unabashed ignorance holds sway in the political arena? Again, I can only blame McCain himself. Sure he cut off the woman (crazy nut ball) and actually defended Obama. But it was his campaign that allowed this kind of commentary to exist. It was his onslaught of attack advertisements and public smears that made it OK for the xenophobic idiots to hijack the limelight from thoughtful conservatives with a real point to make.

Readers might notice at this point that I've focused pretty much entirely on McCain. And yes, perhaps I am a bit liberal, but that's not to say that Obama hasn't upped his attacks. There is no doubt that the fire is coming from both sides. However, I do feel strongly that the attacks coming from the right are harsher and more damaging to character than the attacks from the left which seem to be primarily policy oriented - with exceptions of course.

Anyhow, I can only worry about the weeks to come until Election Day. Will the current political conversations set precedent for future political campaign? Will the Karl Rove politics, characterized by a total lack of respect or any shred of real evidence become the rule of the game? I guess we can only wait and see.