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JUST SAY NO
It ain't easy being Republican. I know that, and I don't
fault anybody who is. It ain't easy being a Democrat in
Georgia, except in Athens. It is so hard for Republicans here
that they got us to do away with political distinctions in local
government, so that they can operate without having that
red "R" stamped on their foreheads. Even so, their control in
Atlanta served them well in splitting Athens in twain to assure
that we're served by two Republican state senators, both of
whose main constituency is concentrated in the more rural,
conservative counties surrounding us. Thanks, Ralph: we'll
never forget you. Bill won't, either.
On the national scene Republicans have gone from con
trolling everytning to just saying "no." So it is of course no
surprise that they are saying "no" to President Obama's nomi
nation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court.
They know Judge Sotomayor will be confirmed, unless they
can find out that she hasn't paid her taxes or is romantically
involved with her illegal-immigrant maid and not withholding
Social Security on her, either. And of course they may find it,
given the track record of Obama nominees so far. Failing some
killer detail like that, though, the Republicans have got to find
another way to say "no." Right now they're basically saying
she's unfit for the Court because she's got "empathy," which
allows them to attack her for being an Hispanic woman with
out attacking her because she's an Hispanic woman.
Their antics are reminiscent of the period around here when
local Republicans were attacking Mayor Gwen O'Looney—
mainly because she was a Democrat and they couldn't control
her, but also because she
...the Republicans just
look increasingly sexist
and racist—two traits
they already own.
was an uppity woman,
though they couldn't say
that, either.
So far, President
Obama is playing the
Republicans the same way
President Clinton did, kind
of like the Roadrunner with Wile E. Coyote, helping them blow
themselves up. They don't like Judge Sotomayor because she'll
bring her Latina experience to bear on the Court, but they
love Justice Alito and Justice Thomas because they bring their
ethnic experience to bear on the Court, as does Chief Justice
Roberts his WASP ethnicity.
Meanwhile, the Republicans just look increasingly sexist and
racist—two traits they already own. Why don't they show some
creativity and go after Sotomayor where she's really vulner
able? They've proven time and again they don't mind getting
ugly. Why not rip off the gloves and hit her in the pancreas?
Can we afford to have a woman sitting on the highest court in
the land who is, you know, diabetic? Just think what Rush can
do with this tactic. The woman is a drug addict, and everybody
knows that all drug addicts are liberals, at least those who get
their drugs through needles. Poppin' pills is another matter.
This woman can't get through an ordinary day without shoot
ing up. It's true. What kind of rulings is she going to make in
the War on Drugs? Do you want the United States Constitution
committed to the safekeeping of a woman shot full of insulin?
Well, Rush and those who answer to him in Congress cer
tainly don't need my help. I'm sure they'll think of something.
In politics, when you're the minority party and out of step with
the nation, you become expert at distracting people from the
real issues. The nomination of Judge Sotomayor just happens
to highlight again how the whole process works.
Maybe one of our local Republicans can tip the national
party to the benefits of non-partisan elections. Their attacks
on Judge Sotomayor would carry a lot more weight if they
weren't hampered by the Republican brand. But since they
are, think about what a perfect opportunity this could have
been for the Republicans to catch the President off balance
and exhibit a magnanimous bipartisanship in the face of a
nomination they aren't going to defeat anyway. Unfortunately,
the Republican leadership—Limbaugh, Cheney and Rove
included—are so blinded by ideology they assume the
President is, too. They can't support the issues most important
to the American people: like saving the economy, reforming
health care, getting us out of ruinous wars and appointing
good judges. They're addicted to blind opposition. All they can
do is needle.
Pete McCommons editor@flagpole.com
City Dope 4
Athens News and Views
With the ACC budget now passed, will this summer have its own version of the streetlight fiasco?
Comment 7
Paul Broun, Jr. Is Crazy—Part 1
Somebody had to say it! The first of two parts.
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Art Notes 9
Animal, Vegetable, Mineral
Erin McIntosh and Stacy Isenbarger’s artwork at Cine embraces the color and chaos of nature.
Film Notebook ......... 12
News of Athens’ Cinema Scene
ACC Library screens Garbage Warrior, a doc about eco-friendly housing made from reclaimed materials.
[MUSG©
The English Beat 15
Bringing Divergent Cultures and Generations Together
British 2 Tone ska band has led the dance revolution for three decades.
Lost and Found 16
The Ginger Envelope’s Invitation Air
Local, melodic Americana act debuts new lineup and new material on the 40 Watt stage.
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