Yesterday evening I heard about the comment that Michelle Obama made about for the first time in her adult life being proud of her country. I took this to mean that the she feels personal pride of her country because she is excited about the way many are for the first time getting excited about politics and the possibility of "change" in that arena.
I was somewhat bothered to learn that the people were acting offended at this comment. The "offended" were mainly people that have something to gain from controversy with the Obama camp. Nobody stops to think about what she meant they just take it at face value and twist it so that the whole statement no longer has any meaning. I think it's obvious that she has pride in her country they way that everyone has pride that we live in a free nation where most people can be anything that they want to be. I think that if people cared to actually think about what she was saying rather than use it to their political advantage then they would have seen that she was talking about the political process and how she has been touched by it and that seeing Americans care about issues and be involved in the political process makes her proud.
At the real heart of the issue, and probably what really bothers me, is the way we, as a society are so willing and almost excited to pick people apart and tear them down, sometimes for our own gain, sometimes not. People in the media and politics especially are full of criticism for everyone. I know I am not innocent in this issue but it's interesting to think about what drives us towards the negative rather than the positive. Wouldn't we all gain so much more as individuals and as a society to find the positive in others rather than focus on the negative?
Obviously, in the political arena this type of behavior is magnified and it is sad that most people can no longer identify with someone running for office. It is also disheartening to hear and watch the media focus on negative issues like this and I am hopeful that no one thinks that is a true representation of mankind as there are so many good and giving people out there.
A woman can't even express pride in her own country with out having to release a "Statement of Clarification". If people would just let something be what it is instead of turning it into something
Michelle Obama Clarifies `proud' Remark
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The wife of Democratic presidential contender
BarackObama sought Wednesday to clarify her comment that for the first time
she's really proud of her country.On Monday, Michelle Obama told an audience in Milwaukee that "For the firsttime in my adult life, I am really proud of my country. Not just becauseBarack is doing well, but I think people are hungry for change." CindyMcCain, wife of Republican presidential contender John McCain,
later soughtto capitalize on the remark, saying "I have, and always will be,
proud of mycountry."Asked by WJAR-TV if she would like to clarify her
comment, Obama repliedthat she has been struck by the number of people going to
rallies andwatching debates, as well as record voter turnouts.
"What I was clearly talking about was that I'm proud in how Americans
areengaging in the political process," she said. "For the first time in my
lifetime, I'm seeing people rolling up theirsleeves in a way that I haven't seen
and really trying to figure this out —and that's the source of pride that I was
talking about," she added.
When asked if she had always been proud of her country, she
replied"absolutely" and said she and her husband would not be where they are now
if not for the opportunities of America.Obama himself gave a similar explanation during an interview Tuesday with WOAI radio in San Antonio, Texas. Expressing frustration that his wife's remarks had been taken out of context and turned into political fodder, the Illinois senator said, "What she meant was,
this is the first time thatshe's been proud of the politics of America, because
she's pretty cynicalabout the political process, and with good reason, and she's
not alone. But she has seen large numbers of people get involved in the process,
and she'sencouraged."
Michelle Obama was campaigning in Rhode Island two weeks before the
state's March 4 primary. She planned a rally later with her brother, Craig
Robinson,the coach of the Brown University men's basketball team.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
So quick to criticize
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6 comments:
I agree, Katie. It is very disheartening, and now today another negative about McCain. I am really hoping that this does not turn out to be true. I would, maybe just this once, like to see an election where we hear what each candidate has to say about the issues, instead of what the media wants us to hear and react to.
I heard once that the people often elect Presidents based on who they would prefer to "have a drink with". In a weird way it is eerily true, if you look back and compare the candidates from the past and look at who won, it is usually the more charismatic, not necessarily the best person for the job. I definitely wish we could be more issue oriented as well, but alas in our celebrity and gossip obsessed culture it seems we aren't getting our wish any time soon :(
i have more to say on this but before i forget i have started blogging again... wanted to let you know.
i just have to think that if the people running for the presidency would rather focus on what the others are doing or saying or whatever then maybe that is what they will do as president. i would prefer someone to focus on the here and the now and the point. tell me what you want to do and not what the others are not going to do and then i will be able to make a wise and educated, i hope, decision.
i am never going to be one that supports bush, but at least he could care less what people think and what anyone else is doing... maybe that will be his legacy!
beth you mean that you do not care what britney is doing this week... come on dont lie
I didn't say I was immune to our celebrity/gossip obsessed culture ;)
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