A Return to Rhetoric

Leon A. Walker
Freelance Writer
Pensacola, Florida
leonwalker@cox.net

March 11, 2008

“Clintons Show True Colors”

Senator Hillary Clinton has recently begun to employ shocking tactics in her quest for the Democratic Party nomination for President.  The dynamics of American politics may be viewed from various perspectives and understandably so.  Still, I am perplexed by the apparent decision by Senator Clinton and her campaign affiliates to both overtly and subtly conjure up negative images of fear aimed at her opponent.  This is particularly troubling as these negative images are tied to race and religion.

I have been a staunch supporter of both the former President and Senator Clinton for nearly two decades.  I was among those who laughed and in general terms understood when Chris Rock proclaimed Bill Clinton, “The First Black President”.  I sought to believe that they, “the Clintons” were not only sympathetic to the struggles of working class Americans but particularly African Americans.  For me, they created a real vision of figures in America’s seat of power who finally, were sincerely concerned for the welfare of all Americans.  And through it all, the scandals and innuendo and yes, political missteps, I provided the “Clintons” with unwavering support and sincere appreciation.  Appreciation for what I now believe was the gift of a myth, that has now become my worst nightmare. 

As I reflect on the comments and antics of the Clintons in the past several weeks I am not only appalled but also tremendously saddened.  I am gripped in a sadness that is rooted in betrayal.  There is no need to highlight the specific comments and actions that are the source of my angst as they have been well covered by nearly every media vehicle.  The point is that it has now become apparent that the whole of the Clinton mystique was a fraud. 

I don’t fault Senator Clinton of the former President for wanting to win this contest or for their “never say die” mentality.  I can even understand that while now poised for loss, their campaign is groping for any tactic which may provide another day’s life in this fight.  I am troubled however, by the potential damage that they are seemingly willing to inflict on the Democratic Party; but that is not the basis of this writing.  This is a statement of incitement regarding questionable ethics, disrespect and trust violated.  The trust of a long time constituent, who as it turns out, was deftly manipulated and apparently used.

As best I can recall it was Shaquille O’Neal who coined the phrase “Don’t Fake The Funk”.  Senator Clinton and the former President along with their powerful and vicious campaign are attempting to ignore me.  To throw me under the bus along with many other long time supporters.  Why?  Because they don’t need me or significant numbers of African Americans, to get there hands on the nomination they seek.  Because all along, they were faking the funk!  They need poor, uneducated Americans who can be manipulated and fed images of fear and racism to erase their reality of despair, if only for a brief time.  For me to imagine, that any politician, but particularly the Clintons would orchestrate such a despicable, theatrical and twisted tragedy is absolutely stunning.
 
So our “First Black President” and “First Black First Lady” ain’t so Black after all.  It appears that when they need to be, when they feel they have to be, they are so White they make J.C. Watts look like “Fifty Cent”. They are opportunists.  They are the quintessential cogs in the traditional Washington political wheel who will manipulate, haunt, bully and fear monger should that be required to secure a selfish prize.  They are “more of the same”.

I will not cast a vote for Hillary Clinton should she gain the nomination she so ruthlessly seeks!  Further, I will avoid as best I can, ever speaking her name again.  And finally, I recognize that I am not perfect.  Heaven forbid I should ever be emotionally reduced to leveling an insult at another Black person for ethnic confusion.  But if I do, I will not refer to them as a “Tom” but rather a “Clinton”.           

L. A. Walker

© Leon A. Walker, March 2008

Comment by Leon A. Walker from Florida — March 13, 2008 @ 4:20 am

Very interesting claim - that Obama is the real deal when it comes to presidential oratory.  However, what interested me most about this essay is its title, which mentions a “return to rhetoric.”  I find it fascinating that Wagner suggests that rhetoric was somehow absent during the past eight years.  And thus I think the central issue worth commenting on here is the rhetoric of rhetoric, if you will.  Wagner implicitly suggests that rhetoric is a good thing (“rhetoric” seems to be synonymous with “poetic oratory”).  Yet, I have heard the word “rhetoric” used constantly over the past eight years to refer to Bush’s speech.  Of course, when it is used to refer to right-wing discourse (which addresses “values” and “tradition” over “hope” and “change”) rhetoric is meant to denote something much darker: a cunning and manipulative means of subversion and persuasion.  What I’m saying is that we should be more aware of the ways that a rhetoric OF rhetoric is employed towards political ends.  Obama does seem to have a way with words, but it’s yet to be seen whether his emphasis on oratorical form will expose a deficiency in intellectual content.  I still have no idea exactly what a politics of hope and “real” (does that mean “favorable to lefties”?) change is supposed to look like.  Perhaps such a politics is ALL form - the aestheticized discussion of better world stands in for the dirty business of producing it.  It’s going to be a wild six months.

Comment by Adam E from Columbia, SC — March 13, 2008 @ 8:49 am

Leon A. Walker                                                     March 15, 2008
Freelance Writer
Pensacola, Florida
leonwalker@cox.net

“Within This America”

We are in the midst of observing something incredibly thrilling and of mammoth historic significance in this country.  I predict that future generations and perhaps we, will someday reflect on the Presidential Campaign of Senator Barack Obama, as a secondary story and in truth, that is how it should be.

Several months ago I watched the movie “The Queen” starring Helen Mirren.  In my efforts to mentally locate a basis for what I wanted to express in this writing, that film seems great example.  In short, from my perspective it is in large part, a film about progress and change.  But perhaps more importantly, it is about leadership failing to take the measure of, and to respond to the will of the people.  It is a film about blinding myopia and rigid tradition which were the basis for crippled leadership. This column is also about the potential for people, citizens with deep seeded beliefs and dreams having an impact and creating real possibilities.

In spite of my optimism, clearly we cannot predict what further level of success Senator Obama will enjoy through the remainder of his campaign.  What I have come to know is that is possible, “a very real possibility” that he may become the next President of the United States.  That realization alone, speaks volumes about this country, its citizens and the reality of the American Dream. 

As a child I would sometimes rush through the wonderful birthday meal my mother had prepared, only focusing on and anticipating the birthday cake that awaited me.  Nearly completely failing to appreciate that two separate events were contained in that year’s celebration.  As we continue to go about our work on behalf of our candidate, we should be thoroughly enjoying the “fact” that through this campaign to date, we have already orchestrated what is quite possibly the most significant event in this nation’s recent political history.  I for one hope Americans never lose sight of or fail to fully appreciate this.  Without question securing the Democratic Party nomination and the White House are further critical goals to remain intently focused on.  But for many Americans such a reality is only just becoming fathomable.
Before I continue and in an effort to ensure my past ideological failings are fully exposed, let me share some insight into myself.  I am an African American, fifty four years old and a native of Cleveland, Ohio.  I am college educated and a retired U. S. Naval Officer and former business professional.  In short, politically I am significantly right of Teddy Kennedy and perhaps even Senator Obama.  So in truth, had you asked me one year ago if this level of success was remotely possible for this candidate, I would have responded that such a thing was both a pipe dream as well as a dangerous proposition.  Let me say that I no longer believe either of the foregoing, and also that I was pointedly wrong.  I was wrong in my manner of thinking, and wrong about America.  I had mentally fallen victim to visions of the same depressing political paralysis that I had long despised.
  . 
Media pundits and long time politicians repeatedly tell us that speeches, passion, dreams and movements are not the stuff that political leadership is made of.  In my view, one has only to recall even from youthful historic studies, visions of just those things as the basis for forming and defending the fledgling United States of America.  Not only have the long time political insiders seemingly forgotten this, but they also shamelessly and publicly state their disbelief in the importance and substance of it.  I can only imagine that this is due in large part to deeply ingrained institutionalized concepts and political ideology that defy them clear vision of the very America that they have committed themselves to report on or the Americans they profess to represent.  Oh yes, our career politicians want us to vote for them but they don’t think we really understand and appreciate their methods.  Then selling this hollow notion of experience, while locked in an egotistical comma, failing to respond to our many in citizens living in most every variety despair.  The reality is, they don’t fully understand and appreciate that the citizens have lost faith in their ability to adequately examine the needs of the people, or their willingness to even fully grasp and carry out such basic concepts as the “will of the people”.  I am genuinely perplexed that on the grand scale, American politicians unknowingly wander lost into this unknown place.  A place as in the aforementioned movie, where “they simply don’t understand that they don’t understand”. 

In the history of this generation there is a new story, not only that of traditional vitriolic words, callous tactics and seedy improprieties which litter the landscape of our political leadership.  There is now the far more compelling and intriguing story of the “Children of Light”, the many Americans who have loosed themselves from the grips of fear, myopia, silence and indifference.  Citizens who have become galvanized by a purposeful dream and belief in an “America Within” with the power to change America throughout.

So many have risen to work together for something wonderful in a unified quest for a new brand of leadership. I am heartened and energized by what I have seen and learned from my country of late.  In spite of our many troubles and differences, many still believe there is within our grasp a magnificent reality of untainted leadership, equity and freedom to choose that should be thoroughly considered and fully appreciated.  There is a visible movement of the many, the we, who are taking an active stance politically and simply refusing to eat “the devil’s hor dourves”.  The diverse and delicately blended we, who are galvanized casting our votes and having a voice in making our choice for next President of the United States.  We, who are joined in our effort to overturn this nation’s inefficient and rustic political machine. 

Certainly, there are many challenges and disagreements to face and battles to fight.  But now, no mater how daunting the task or how dismal the outlook, or how deeply painful the scars, I am convinced without question, that “within this America” of today, “there is something greater”.
 
L. A. Walker

© Leon A. Walker, March 2008

Comment by Leon A. Walker from Florida — March 15, 2008 @ 7:51 am

I am amazed at what I have seen among young voters in this country. I am equally amazed that this is being ignored or overlooked in the media in favor of such nonsence as passports and preachers.  These snacks of political mischief that our media continues to serve us.  Something I like to call “the devil’s hor dourvers”.  Of all of the political stories of this campaign season, the story of America’s youth activism and participation is both pridefully awe inspiring and historically significant.
 
The other day I was watching a live news report from the campus of a small college in North Carolina as I lay in bed.  At that moment I felt as if I was actually watching a Saturday pregame sports rally.  As a backdrop for the news commentators, there were several hundred excited students with signs, cheering in support of Senator Barack Obama and anticipating his forthcoming speech on their campus.  Now get this… It was 11:57 PM here in the Panhandle of Florida where I was resting comfortably.  Meaning of course, that it was nearly 1:00 AM in North Carolina!  Let me say this a different way.  When a bunch of college kids are hanging out at 1:00 AM awaiting a political rally I find that striking.  They were not at home studying, or partying or surfing the internet.  They were organinizing and participating politically!  Perhaps this is not particularly significant to you.  So let me delicately suggest that… “you start paying attention”.

The scene I have just describeded is being played out over and over again on hundreds of campuses throughout the country.  Millions of America’s youth are actively participating and their votes and voices are having a tremendous impact.  Say what you like about Generation X but what I know is, that they are a very bright and well educated generation of young people.  More importantly, they are also extremely comfortable with their idenfifications and associations across social and ethnic landscapes.  Two simple examples of this is truth, are music and their many multi-cultural and multi-racial friends, classmates and associates.  This generation of young voters is far more comfortable with each other as people in general, as individuals, rather than members of any group.  This is an aspect of their blended reality that is more significant than any prior generation in the history of this country.

Generation “X” is seemingly embracing Senator Obama because they not only believe in his message of change and his qualifications.  They are not only embracing him because they agree with his political views and in particular, his pledge to end the war in Iraq.  They are “also” embracing and supporting him because he “represents” and “looks like” them, and so many others among their friends, peers and intellectual and artistic icons. 

Generation “X” is a mixture of “Americana” that we have not inspected and appreciated for its social intrigue.  Nor for its mystical model of future generations.  Generation “X” is what what America is becoming and what America was intended to become.

At fifty four years old this whole “Obama” story is just phenomanal for me.  However, this amazing story that is Senator Obama’s life, is not nearly as surprising for my niece who is a twenty year old “Junior” in college.  Many of her close friends, classmates and associates are from international families, blended families, divorced families and from both challenged and affluent pasts.  She herself, has a father who is African (born and raised in Gambia) who is an engineer, educated in the United States.  Her mother (my sister) and our family are African Americans.
 
We Americans see things from many different perspectives and that is among the many wonderful things that make life in this country both enjoyable and challenging.  It makes being an American special and wonderful in a variety of ways.  That is also why is is so important to take note of what so many of our young people are currently engaged in politically.  Their votes and voices and activism are sending a resounding message that deserves much more consideration.  Not only should we be more loudly applauding their participation, we should be absorbing a very significant message.  We should be observing the example of these youth.  Our children and young family members are teaching us a lesson.  They are demonstrating to America what America really is.  They are “walking the American walk” in a way that is not affected or contrived.  Why?  Because the live in a technological world that is colorful and colorless.  They do not carry around old scars of political or social ideology as inescapable baggage.  Why?  Because they have information, education and experiences that are new and very different.  Different from those of the average (I dare not say “typical”) American of twenty or thirty years ago or beyond.

Generation “X” is having an incredible impact on this policical contest and they are a voting block that may well make the difference.  This is to say nothing of the fact that they have influence.  Influence on their parents and family members in encouraging their participation and swaying them to their way of thinking.  It is a pretty powerful thing when your child invites you to have an adult discussion (about anything) and requests your support.

I am so very proud of America’s youth and what I have been priveliged to see them so intensely engaged in this political season.  This is a historic story that I will continue to tell for years to come.  I would like nothing more than to see this contest for the Democratic Party nomination end as soon as possible.  In the meantime, I am focusing my attention not on the moldy media snacks, but on the “Obama” youth support movement.

I don’t care if you are a democrat or republican or independent.  I don’t care what your views on any particular candidate or issues are.  You might want to just take a momement to look over your shoulder and observe and what our young people are doing.
 
They are gathering like a storm.

L. A. Walker

© Leon A. Walker, March 2008

Comment by Leon A. Walker from Florida — March 21, 2008 @ 5:39 pm

Leon A. Walker
March 23, 2008
Freelance Writer
Pensacola, Florida
leonwalker@cox.net

“Watch What They Do”

A Simplistic Discussion About Race

I referred to myself in a previous column as a “Lifelong Democrat”.  For the most part that is accurate, but the truth is when I was in the military decades ago I voted for Ronald Regan.  I do have a very good, however selfish excuse though.  He was touting the development of a six hundred ship Navy and promising a very large pay raise.  Regan made good on his promise.  I never told anyone I voted for him and frankly it still makes me uncomfortable.  But hey, I needed the money.

It is interesting that in my reflecting on that part of my life there was another striking ambiguity with regard to race.  But first let me begin by sharing that I began my “unofficial” undergraduate studies on “race” began while attending two predominantly White Catholic Schools growing up.  In my nearly exclusively Black neighborhood we referred to people only as Black or White and we had a single derogatory word that we used in reference to each race.  I’m guessing I would have been in about fourth of fifth grade when I began to learn that there were actually many other ethnically specific derogatory tags.  There were numerous ethnicities represented in my schools.  Italians, Irishmen, Poles, Hispanics, Germans and a number of other eastern and central Europeans.  Along with a few Blacks.  All I will say further about this is that in Catholic School I learned an equal measure about both the godly and the ungodly. 

In earned my “unofficial” graduate credential on “race” in our United States Navy.  I have to say that it was an absolutely bizarre blessing.  Not only were all of the aforementioned ethnic groups again represented they were my friends and brethren in a trail mix of Americana that I still periodically reflect upon and savor.  I spent twenty years and twenty minutes in the Navy and I was fortunate to spend the first half of my career as an enlisted guy.  As a young sailor I lived in a world where the sanctity and pride in the team or unit transcended all else.  Make no mistake, the things we said among “just us” were light years beyond today’s universe of propriety.  We casually used ethnically specific words and phrases that could only be described as ghastly!  So much so, that if I related some of them today it would be shocking and scarcely believable.  The interesting thing about this was that then, and today it has never mattered.  Except to say that through it all, and experiences beyond, I learned to see the soul of a man.  I know this because at sea and in combat, in bar fights and bench clearing brawls and at weddings and funerals, we were always one.  For all of the potential faults, these experiences broadened my racial field of vision.  My associations of today are appropriately reflective and I am eternally grateful for that.

I have a thorough grasp of the concepts of respect and propriety and the many other important even grave aspects of life.  I know something about war first hand.  I have many times seen, and I understand both death and danger.  I know the difference between words and works.  I understand that there can be a “huge” difference between immaturity, ignorance and insensitivity versus racism or hate.
 
I am fortunate to have never lived in a veritable “ethnic bubble” and I know quite a bit about people.  The one common factor is that they are not perfect.  I am compelled to make it clear that I do not condone or encourage hurtful or even insensitive “words” between people and I do not allow myself to be verbally victimized.  But neither do I habitually or spontaneously leap forth to stand in judgment without invitation or good reason.  Why? Because I do not always pretend to know from whence such comments come, nor how they are intended in full content and context.  I could not possibly understand what impulses, experiences and thoughts inspire words within another person.  More importantly, experience has taught me that words however seemingly insensitive or misguided are not always the measure of the heart and soul within.  Things are not always the way they seem.

I have been listening and reading the media pundits about the importance of and the projected outcomes of the forthcoming Pennsylvania Primary Election.  I am saddened and embarrassed and even angered by the characterizations of this “blue collar” voting block that is supposedly so closed minded, myopic and rigid.  Essentially what is being reported is that they are and will vote (nearly exclusively) for Senator Clinton and attaching a subtle racial subtext.  That is a horrible sweeping generalization that is a media abomination.  Just one more high tech poison pen letter.  I will not elaborate on the many others of late.  The influence of media in America continues to cultivate dangerous seeds across a broad spectrum of topics.  “There are both benefits and hazards with regard to freedoms of speech and expression.”  This point I am making has nothing to do with votes cast or those to be cast.  I view this as a good example, given the contest spread at particularly at this late, if not hopeless juncture.  Such reporting is a prediction and statement of the very thing we claim to abhor as the question of race has surfaced nationally.  They, (the media) are making Pennsylvania out to be America’s intellectual doldrums and a veritable toilet of intolerance.  If they are hurting for jobs now, their lovely new reputation certainly won’t draw any new corporations or tourists.  This is probably an area of hypersensitivity for me, being from the Great State of Ohio, where the same characterization was made.  So I understand better than most of the “talking heads” what they think the tea leaves say.  I’m more inclined to believe that these voters were, or will be casting their “Regan Votes” as I did many years ago.   

So where are these insane “American” media threads rooted?  And why does the working class man or woman in Ohio or Pennsylvania have to be helplessly portrayed as some measure of hayseed, villain or racist because they need jobs.  I just wonder if any of the police and firemen or construction workers in Pennsylvania are veterans from my era or later.  From what I am hearing reported, as they walk in the shoes of friends, coworkers and team members, they have never had persons of color on their shifts or crews, or working along side them.  I wonder if any of them have helped someone or been helped by someone who looks different than in the face of danger or harm.  And I just wonder if in their current reality of brotherhood and sisterhood, if in their tradesman and paramilitary cultures, things have become so socially pristine that they have no appreciation of the difference between words and actions. 
Should anyone be remotely interested in my assessment of the current race discussion, I will say this first:  “A loose tongue is not the same as a barrel of a gun.”  So let’s all take a collective deep breath followed by a perspective pill.  In my experience it pays to be continually watchful but you generally need not concern yourself with the obnoxious big mouth.  Including those on talk radio or the network news.  Why in the world would you overlook your positive ethnic experiences (nearly all of us must certainly have them) or devalue your own reasoning in favor of theirs?
       
My all time favorite quarterbacks are White, Don Meredith and Joe Montana.  My all time favorite basketball players are Black, Earl Monroe and Spencer Haywood, and I would never pull for James Blake to beat Rodger Federer in a tennis match.  I loved Ozzie Smith (as shortstops go) but being from Cleveland (where this guy began) I think Omar Visquel is… well, God!  The point here being, we are just simply the result of our molded experiences and the associated emotional impacts.  I had never understood or watched a round of golf in my entire life until Tiger Wood came along.  So it took me until my forties to learn what a bogie and a birdie were.  This suggests to me that understanding and appreciation, sometimes present themselves when we present ourselves the opportunity to experience them.  And so it goes with race.   

Sure the race discussion can compel us to squirm and scratch our heads sometimes.  But I can tell you something we never have to scratch my heads about.  We are all Americans.  Yes, there are fools and hopeless intolerants out there, and they too are Americans.  Rules are rules!  So if you are inclined, when among the reasonably minded, the race discussion can be had.  I have been fortunate enough to calmly have it and more than once.  Yep me, the guy who decades past, received, and spewed “all of the worst words” like the good sailor I was.  Now, clinging to no claim of perfection or political aspiration, I provide this admission without concern or remorse.  Why?  Because I still get the occasional Christmas card or phone card from some of those “multicolored friends” from a time long ago.  Speaking secretively of unspeakable times and places and reminding me that he once covered my butt, or laughing about the memory of the time I covered his.  Most importantly, at the end of the day, I now know that it was never about what was said, and neither was it about race.  Only opportunity and experiences yielding appreciation and understanding as measured by the ultimate instrument.  Lifelong friendships.  In the vast world of “race matters” I suggest that this is a very good starting point.
 
I am seldom reduced to tales from school days, sailor stories or sports analogies.  But I believe that in many aspects of life, the impressions we absorb and the marks we make on others are most clearly visible in our “actions” rather than anything else.  So let me conclude by sharing a final bit of valued personal guidance that I received from my Grandmother:  “If you want to know what a person is made of, don’t watch what they say, watch what they do”.

For me that is germane in both daily life and particularly in politics. 

Watch what they do…

L. A. Walker

© Leon A. Walker, March 2008

Comment by Leon A. Walker — March 23, 2008 @ 10:52 pm

Leon A. Walker
April 1, 2008
Freelance Writer
Pensacola, Florida
leonwalker@cox.net

Hillary Clinton:  Lies Have Short Legs

Senator Hillary Clinton’s repeated telling of a shocking fabricated and later recanted story of her arrival in a Bosnian combat zone “under sniper fire” is absolutely ghastly.  This horrific fabrication is not only a very telling indictment of her credibility and integrity; it reveals a clear vision of a ruthless woman lost in self consumption.

I have no apprehension for having made the aforementioned scalding comments because two decades ago I myself served.  At one point in my career I was a crewmember aboard the carrier “United States Ship Independence”.  During my service on that vessel we were required to launch aircraft and drop bombs on the nations of Grenada and Lebanon.  Tensions were high and in Lebanon our aircraft were engaged and one was shot down.  Through it all I never felt particularly threatened.  Why?  Because I was an Air Traffic Controller and I sat comfortably in my air conditioned work center, dozens of miles off shore, deep within the skin of a well protected ship.  That my fellow Americans, is the maximum extent to which I can embellish these events.  Oh wait!  When “Battle Stations” were announced, I did have to put on my ball cap and tuck my pants into my socks. 

Now some years later, the First Lady of the United States, flies into Bosnia with her teenaged daughter.  As would be procedurally appropriate they got a routine briefing equivalent in significance to: “Hey Hillary, tuck your pants into your socks” followed by an uneventful landing and an informal reception on the tarmac.  From these actual routine events, came a tale so outrageous it was nearly tantamount to she, Chelsea and Sinbad slithering across the tarmac cradling rifles with night vision scopes and with bayonets in their teeth.  Thank God it was daylight or she might have claimed it was 3:00 AM.

I can not fully relate to all of the families of those who faced combat, injury or death in Bosnia or the Gulf War or Iraq or any other conflict or police action in recent American History or years prior.  Still I know that there have been so many who served under austere and life threatening conditions sacrificed through injury and those who died for this country.  So for anyone and in particular a candidate for President of the United States, to manipulate the reality of exposure to, or service in dangerous conflict as she has done is the height of depravity.  To attempt to beguile an American public which includes those who are serving, those who have served and those who have sacrificed, all of the families and all fellow citizens is beyond comprehension.  What is more, and that which can only be considered the height of gall is, to date I am aware of no apology.

At fifty four years old I have seen many things.  I have a fairly good understanding of politics and the tactics that can make politics both enjoyable and disturbing.  I am not however a political junkie so perhaps my memory data banks are some what limited.  Still, I can scarcely recall anything so calculated and outrageous in my remembrances of prior political contests.

I believe this will be the final element in Senator Clinton’s undoing in this political campaign.  She had already begun setting the bridges ablaze with her tactics throughout and more recently, the veiled threats to the Democratic Party Leadership were a mistake. Seemingly she and her campaign never figured out that something was changing.  She brought the same old script and played the leading role in the same old dreary production of “Washington Politics As Usual”. 

At the end of the day I believe this gifted woman was blinded by dangerous ambition and she lost sight of the real prize.  The real prize being the trust and confidence of the American people.  Sadly, the American people have a clear vision of that which she never hoped to reveal.  The hole in the place where her soul should be. 

Leon A. Walker

© Leon A. Walker, April 2008 – Approved for use by any recipients, viewers or holders.

Comment by Leon A. Walker from Florida — April 2, 2008 @ 12:05 am

Leon A. Walker
April 11, 2008
Free-lance Writer
Pensacola, Florida
leonwalker@cox.net

The Clintons:  “Sixty Is the New Seventy”

Former President Clinton’s recent remark about his wife being sixty and suggesting that those of that age can be expected to sometimes forget things leaves me in uncomfortable hysterics.  I am only laughing about this most recent Clinton gaff because the content and context of the comments are really of no consequence.  The reason I am somewhat uncomfortable is because the only plausible explanation for such a ridiculous statement is that the former President has actually started inhaling this time. 

How is it possible for a surrogate (who happens to be your husband and a former President) to call his wife (a candidate for President) old, senile and then to again breathe life in the biggest lie she has told in her campaign (hopefully in her life).  Never mind who is going to answer the phone.  It already is beginning to look like the inmates have taken over at the asylum!  I had no idea how old Senator Clinton was nor did I care prior to yesterday and I doubt that anyone in America really cares.  Although I am not a supporter of Senator Clinton and whatever else I think of her and her politics, I would have to characterize her as an amazingly, bright, accomplished and vibrant woman.  That said, I’m not seeing much in the way of leadership and experience from Senator Clinton in managing her campaign.  Additionally and perhaps most importantly, she is faced with a political and personal problem in her husband that may have consequences beyond any she might have ever imagined.  He is now a “prime time” political nightmare! 

In consideration of the aforementioned I have to begin to ask some questions that have begun to haunt me.  Exactly what does Bill Clinton fail to understand about the terms: “World Wide Web” and “Mass Media”?  Exactly why does he continue to stand before crowds and reporters and wag his finger (oh god, the finger) and embellish and lie as if we will all consider that it is coming from the burning bush?  How in the world will Senator Clinton’s Campaign remain credible in light of his continuing smorgasbord of embarrassments?  Has anyone on their staff realized that he has now become a walking, talking reminder of every deception and scandal that were the hallmarks of the first Clinton Administration?  Does anyone else see that right before our eyes, “Slick Willy”
has become “Silly Willy”? 

I am convinced that former President Clinton has made and can continue to make a significant contribution to the Senator’s campaign behind the scenes.  But as a front man, he has definitely lost his touch.  The sad thing is Senator Clinton may not have figured it out yet.  I can tell you this; she is going to have a good many people on her staff pointing it out to her in the very near future.  That is when things will get interesting.  Hillary is going to have to fire Bill and when that happens, many Democrats will be reminded to ask themselves this more serious question.  Are we really comfortable with the idea of another Clinton Administration?  Particularly one with the former President, a man of influence and connections wandering around making statements and working deals that may well run counter to administration policy.  Ok, alright, let’s try another question.  Does anyone really believe that Hillary can keep him on a short leash politically, ethically or otherwise?  Go ahead, you can say it.  Absolutely not!

Thankfully, I do not believe that we will be faced with another dysfunctional Clinton White House.  I feel confident that as the primary process continues to unfold she will lose herself this contest due to unsavory tactics and the embarrassing baggage that she has to tote along with her.  This is to say nothing of the earnings and business dealings that are beginning to surface and face severe scrutiny.  I predict it is all far worse than it may currently appear. 

Unfortunately, the impacts of this campaign fiasco may impact her political future beyond what I believe will be a failed run for the Presidency.  This could get so messy that after her term I the U. S. Senate, Senator Clinton may just have to put a robe on Bill and shrink from public life.

I like to think that history will record that she had a storied life through age sixty.  Even if she is a well… “old” sixty. 
 

L. A. Walker

© Leon A. Walker, April 11, 2008

Comment by Leon A. Walker — April 11, 2008 @ 11:01 pm

Leon A. Walker
April 12, 2008                                            
Freelance Writer
Pensacola, Florida
leonwalker@cox.net
We the Neglected Children of American Politics

“We the neglected children of American politics, in the sincere hope, that we will someday be embraced by this Union”.  I made that up following an inexplicable urge to scan some of this nation’s founding documents yesterday.  In doing so, I again read the following from our Declaration of Independence, the document that is the cornerstone of American freedom.  “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”.  There is no escaping the beauty, passion and eloquence of Thomas Jefferson’s words.  My man Jefferson could run it down now… but apparently he was not talking about everybody.  There were, and amazingly still are, Americans who are better described by my far less eloquent opening statement.

The exclusively White representatives that shaped the original thirteen United States were incredible visionaries.  I believe that they understood that the fledgling nation they had laid the foundation for would flourish and grow.  I also believe that they imagined that Blacks (then primarily but not exclusively a population of slaves) and women, would someday be granted the power of the vote.  These rights were not provided for in our original founding documents or laws.  It must be pointed out then, that even from the very beginning the influential few, orchestrated governmental inequities counter to their claims.  And thus, were born of this wonderful document, the first “neglected children of American politics” to be victimized by the privileged.  Women, for social reasons and slaves for economic and political reasons.

I do not believe anyone could have seen or predicted the might and majesty of this country or the socially complex jigsaw puzzle that America has become two hundred thirty two years beyond that historic signing day in 1776.  So I am sometimes compelled to consider “ideally” what America was, or is intended to be from the words “We hold these truths to be self-evident”.  We?  Then there is the Constitution of the United States.  As a gentle reminder to those of you who have not considered this topic lately (and in consideration of the www) it (the Constitution) is our nation’s legal guidance document.  The rules the Executive and Legislative Branches of our government (President and Congress) are supposed to apply and uphold.  The Constitution begins in its preamble, with the words “We the people”.  Oh!  There’s that word again “we”.  Now I ask you, exactly who are the American “we” of today?

I think that in large part Americans understand the rules, but “we” (politicians and power brokers) have become habitual benders and offenders of the rules.  I suppose having drawn on the example of the founding fathers.  It follows therefore, that there are still “neglected children of American politics”.  Massive numbers of our citizens who are being treated unfairly.  In fact there are few of us that are not in some way being victimized by political system as orchestrated by “our own” elected representatives.  There is not a single problem in American Society that politicians have not created or mismanaged to the detriment of the average American taxpayer and citizen.  Not the war in Iraq, corporate graft and greed, not gun control, dependency on foreign oil, the environment, not drugs, not illiteracy, not poverty, not immigration nor or struggling economy You name it!  All roads lead to Washington, the Office of the President and the Congress.  This nation’s capitol has become a very “dirty sandbox” where the powerful, the privileged and the politicians go to play.  A seat of power wrought with lies, distrust and mangled rules.  You see for me all that is required are two things.  First, that our elected officials follow the rules (apply the law) as clearly spelled out in our Constitution. And secondly and most importantly, serve at the pleasure of and on behalf or their constituents with sincerity and a modicum of decency and integrity.  What a concept! 

This is a great nation of people, all capable of mistakes.  But within the goodness and greatness of this nation today there is a rampant political plague.  Greed has a strangle hold on good governance and propriety has been nearly eradicated by reckless pride.  I don’t believe there is a ridged blueprint for any American dream but there seems to be a new blueprint for the new American nightmare that far too many are living.  I don’t believe that we are all the same in our ideology, dreams or desires.  Not even close, and that’s ok.  The fact that our citizens are so incredibly diverse adds to the flavor and intrigue of this country.  All most people here want is to be welcomed by the same equitable opportunity and treatment standards, and to thrive comfortably within this nation’s massive wealth.  Yet somehow “we” can’t even get that right. 

The media provides such an excellent vision of the canditates as they speak of America as if they really know what America is, or is intended to be in “glowing definitive terms”.  They even speak of Americans as if all of our citizens would (given their abysmal records) be convinced that they have a plan for solving all of our problems.  This of course leaves me wondering what they have been doing.  Two of the remaining three Presidential candidates have been hanging around Washington for decades individually and more than a lifetime in combined years.  So exactly how are they to be excused from their contribution to this nation’s current condition?

I believe the words “Public Service” and Public Office” represent actions and positions intended to benefit our citizens through proud sacrifice.  It should never be accepted, intended or understood that such service or office become a vehicle for excessive wealth, while those you supposedly serve languish in any measure of governmental neglect.  I also believe that there is a pretty good set of rules laid out for us in our founding documents.  I just simply wish the preverbal “we” would follow them.  I’m thinking that would be a very good starting point for any measure of positive change in America.  Just follow the rules!  Then possibly the words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” would become a true reality.  Even among the least of our many. 

Ironically, the first “neglected children of American politics” (women and Blacks) have their first viable candidates for the Democratic Party nomination and the Presidency of these United States.  And should this come to pass, as a representative in the lineage of those once intentionally deprived of their political voice, may the truth of our founding fathers words begin to take shape.  I will remain hopeful that of this providence will emerge a leader of judgment, prudence and propriety.  That they might contribute their weight of compassionate service upon the scales of citizenship which remain so dreadfully unbalanced by power and privilege.  And with this first giant step, that today’s “neglected children of American politics” are energized to speak out with the “voice of the vote” and continue the tide of change throughout Washington that this historic event would seemingly enable and command.  You see “we the neglected children of American politics” have to power to change this nation.  We must never, “never” forget that!  And we must be bound by an unwavering belief in that!   

As for me the following questions remain.  Why are our political leaders, like the founding fathers, facilitating the continued inequity being suffered by today’s “neglected children of American politics”?  And when are we going to do something about it?

As it stands, “we” are getting rich and “the people” are getting screwed!!! 

L. A. Walker

© Leon A. Walker, April 14, 2008

Comment by Leon A. Walker from Florida — April 14, 2008 @ 3:22 am