Whispers, and Bad Jokes.

Before I get into this, I feel the need to pretext this post with a few facts that you should understand, to get the context of this post.

First off, I live in Arkansas. I live in the NW corner of that state which is home to the University of Arkansas, Wal-Mart home office, and is one of the fastest growing areas in the U.S. I illustrate the area, because I want to make clear that I do not live in the boondocks, but I do live in Arkansas. We have good-ol-boys, great hunting and lots of trucks.

Second, I’ve been a long time Obama supporter, and as anyone can understand, after pushing the issues of my candidate for this long, I was bound to make some….not enemies, but let’s say that I’m not on certain people’s Christmas card list. However, Sarah Palin is now on mine.

With that being said, here is the post.

I’ve noticed something over the past few months that really gives me pause. During the last month, via e-mail, texts and comments, I’ve noticed a trend towards jokingly referring to the death of now President Elect Barack Obama. It started with a simple joke, told to me by someone I highly respect.

Obama stands at the pearly gates of heaven, and Saint Peter opens the book of deeds. “I can’t seem to find your name in here, what was your name again?” Obama replies “I’m Barack Obama, I am a Christian, and I was even President of the United States.” Saint peter looks confused, and asks “I can’t find you anywhere. When did you become President of the United States?” “About 10 minutes ago.”

Even if you are a Catholic, you laugh at priest jokes. Even if you are a redneck, you laugh at redneck jokes. I understand that there are jokes that can be funny, even if they are offensive, because many of the jokes I laugh at are offensively dirty.

However over the past few days, I’ve heard comments that are not jokes and don’t tend to mask themselves as jokes. “I hope someone takes him out, so we can restore this country.” “Don’t worry; he won’t make it to the next election.” These really give me pause. Not because I think that any of the people who say this would do anything, most of them are not able to do anything except sound ignorant, but it’s the tone….the underlying current, which is not being corrected or deterred, is what gives me pause.

For the past 8 years, George W. Bush has had many things said against him. I’ve said more than most. I think he’s stubborn, has a narrow view of policy, religion, what’s good for America and justifications for war. I think he’s smart in some areas, but overall- under qualified for the position that he holds. However I do not question his patriotism. I think few can. I think he means well, but is not effective in executing those intentions in the best ways for the good of the country. For example, the motivation of getting rid of Saddam Hussein took us into this war, which was done with lies and falsehoods. Needless to say, George W. Bush is NOT on my Christmas card list.

Now, over the past 8 years of his administration, I never heard anyone say “don’t worry, he won’t make it to the next election” or “I hope someone takes him out.” Even when Cheney was pumping birdshot into people’s faces, I didn’t hear it. (I’m not saying people didn’t say it somewhere, but I didn’t hear it) It’s not something we, as Americans do. We are haunted by frame by frame memories of JFK’s assassination. We wonder what Lincoln would have done if he had more time. I was too young to remember when Reagan was shot, but I’m sure that all Americans worried while he was in surgery. That is who are, as Americans. We may not agree with the policies or ideals of some of our elected officials, but we value their participation in the Democratic system.

We do not wish for harm or death to come to them.

Until now. Why is that?

While looking at random articles on Wiki, I found a quote from John Wayne, referring to the newly elected John F. Kennedy, which read “I didn’t vote for him, but he’s my president, and I hope he does well.” See? John Wayne gets it. Sometimes in a Democracy, the other guy wins. Sometimes, it’s not always about you, or your party, or your time. Sometimes, 65,189,669 American voices cry out for a change……and they did.

Now, lots of the people who feel it’s acceptable to make these threats may think it’s harmless, but what does that say about them? They didn’t say it about George W. Bush, or Bill Clinton, or George H.W. Bush, or Reagan, but now it’s acceptable? These are people who were calling members of my party unpatriotic, because of our independent thoughts. You are saying I’m unpatriotic because I don’t fall lock and step into the Britney Spears montage of “I think we should just trust our president in every decision that he makes and we should just support that.”, but you have the audacity to make jokes, insinuations and positive comments surrounding the idea of a president (or president elect) being assassinated? This is not funny, or acceptable. It’s protected by the 1st, but to convey these ideals, while under the impression that the flak which was “unpatriotic democrats” doesn’t apply to you, is ignorant and curious.

I know some who are reading this may assume that it’s a race thing. In some cases, it probably is. Welcome to the real world, and in the real world, there are racists. I think others do it because this was a very unusual election. It’s been hard on a lot of people, for reasons that I plan to write about at a later time.

But here’s my point….

If you decide to voice these thoughts to me, then don’t plan to not get called on it. I’ll ask you why and I’ll push, because for me, it’s unpatriotic to sit idly by while someone condones violence against the leader of the nation you love…maybe as unpatriotic as you saying those things about the leader of your own country.

Greg