Comments on: Code Talkers http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/ Like Kryptonite To Stupid Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:48:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Duros62 http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95488 Duros62 Tue, 20 May 2008 20:03:05 +0000 http://www.oliverwillis.com/index.php/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95488 <i>His resume (as community organizer, civil rights lawyer, professor of constitutional law who was sufficiently highly regarded that a tenure-track position at one of the country’s top law schools would have been his for the asking) is actually a great deal more impressive than those of most candidates.</i> Indeed. I would prefer someone who knows what the Constitution says and believes in the Presidential Oath of office. Again, a feature, not a bug. <i>Instead, she has a few more years in the Senate than Obama,</i> What, by one year? Counting the Illinois state senate (which I do), Obama has more legislative experience than she does. His resume (as community organizer, civil rights lawyer, professor of constitutional law who was sufficiently highly regarded that a tenure-track position at one of the country’s top law schools would have been his for the asking) is actually a great deal more impressive than those of most candidates.

Indeed. I would prefer someone who knows what the Constitution says and believes in the Presidential Oath of office.

Again, a feature, not a bug.

Instead, she has a few more years in the Senate than Obama,

What, by one year? Counting the Illinois state senate (which I do), Obama has more legislative experience than she does.

]]> By: SpiderJ http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95482 SpiderJ Tue, 20 May 2008 19:09:05 +0000 http://www.oliverwillis.com/index.php/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95482 Well, you remember how she was First Lady for eight years? A position so integral to our nation's government that it doesn't even exist in the line of succession? Well, you remember how she was First Lady for eight years? A position so integral to our nation’s government that it doesn’t even exist in the line of succession?

]]> By: KXB http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95479 KXB Tue, 20 May 2008 18:52:27 +0000 http://www.oliverwillis.com/index.php/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95479 Charging Obama with having a thin resume would carry more weight if Clinton had a substantial one. Instead, she has a few more years in the Senate than Obama, and the only thing of note she did was to vote for the Iraq war. What else can she point to? Charging Obama with having a thin resume would carry more weight if Clinton had a substantial one. Instead, she has a few more years in the Senate than Obama, and the only thing of note she did was to vote for the Iraq war. What else can she point to?

]]> By: Steve LaBonne http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95473 Steve LaBonne Tue, 20 May 2008 17:49:56 +0000 http://www.oliverwillis.com/index.php/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95473 Also, what Kiril said. Also, what Kiril said.

]]> By: Steve LaBonne http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95472 Steve LaBonne Tue, 20 May 2008 17:49:07 +0000 http://www.oliverwillis.com/index.php/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95472 Re "thin resume": His resume (as community organizer, civil rights lawyer, professor of constitutional law who was sufficiently highly regarded that a tenure-track position at one of the country's top law schools would have been his for the asking) is actually a great deal more impressive than those of most candidates. The founders of this country (who had no notion of a professional political class) would be appalled at the idea that experience in being a politician is the only kind that counts. That's completely contrary to the kind of person they wanted to run for high office. Re “thin resume”: His resume (as community organizer, civil rights lawyer, professor of constitutional law who was sufficiently highly regarded that a tenure-track position at one of the country’s top law schools would have been his for the asking) is actually a great deal more impressive than those of most candidates. The founders of this country (who had no notion of a professional political class) would be appalled at the idea that experience in being a politician is the only kind that counts. That’s completely contrary to the kind of person they wanted to run for high office.

]]> By: C.S.Strowbridge http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95464 C.S.Strowbridge Tue, 20 May 2008 16:20:51 +0000 http://www.oliverwillis.com/index.php/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95464 "You can’t think of any plausible way that being “different” might be a liability that doesn’t involve race? Like, say, a politician that claims to be different is vulnerable to criticisms that he isn’t so different from a regular run of the mill politician?" Doesn't make sense in the context. 'Different' wouldn't be his liability, but his false assumptions that he is different would be his liability. "Or a politician that is different might be different in that he sucks worse than your average politician?" Again, doesn't first the context, as 'different' wouldn't be his liability, but his lack of ability would be his liability. "Or perhaps it could be that while 80% of the people think the country is on the wrong track, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they want a politican who is different." This is just plain retarded. There's no way different can be seen as a liability here. At worst, it is no as strong a strength as it would seem at first. "Those don’t seem implausible, and I just made them up." And you went zero for three. "(Amazing, I know.)" No, the fact that you went zero for three is not amazing. "Must be tough seeing all these code words everywhere!" It must be nice being too stupid to see the obvious. After all, you seem to enjoy your ignorance. “You can’t think of any plausible way that being “different” might be a liability that doesn’t involve race? Like, say, a politician that claims to be different is vulnerable to criticisms that he isn’t so different from a regular run of the mill politician?”

Doesn’t make sense in the context. ‘Different’ wouldn’t be his liability, but his false assumptions that he is different would be his liability.

“Or a politician that is different might be different in that he sucks worse than your average politician?”

Again, doesn’t first the context, as ‘different’ wouldn’t be his liability, but his lack of ability would be his liability.

“Or perhaps it could be that while 80% of the people think the country is on the wrong track, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they want a politican who is different.”

This is just plain retarded. There’s no way different can be seen as a liability here. At worst, it is no as strong a strength as it would seem at first.

“Those don’t seem implausible, and I just made them up.”

And you went zero for three.

“(Amazing, I know.)”

No, the fact that you went zero for three is not amazing.

“Must be tough seeing all these code words everywhere!”

It must be nice being too stupid to see the obvious. After all, you seem to enjoy your ignorance.

]]> By: Duros62 http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95459 Duros62 Tue, 20 May 2008 15:25:42 +0000 http://www.oliverwillis.com/index.php/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95459 Well, he's no Dr. Dre, I'll give him that. Well, he’s no Dr. Dre, I’ll give him that.

]]> By: Scratch http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95458 Scratch Tue, 20 May 2008 15:22:59 +0000 http://www.oliverwillis.com/index.php/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95458 <i>He doesn’t fit the mold, the racist stereotype, of the “typical black man.”</i> I see this as an asset, not a liability. He doesn’t fit the mold, the racist stereotype, of the “typical black man.”

I see this as an asset, not a liability.

]]> By: Duros62 http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95457 Duros62 Tue, 20 May 2008 15:21:32 +0000 http://www.oliverwillis.com/index.php/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95457 Amen, kiril. Amen, kiril.

]]> By: Kiril http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95447 Kiril Tue, 20 May 2008 13:53:42 +0000 http://www.oliverwillis.com/index.php/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95447 If I may, whatever Halperin intended, Obama <i>is</i> different. He's smart. And in today's America, that takes a little getting used to. If I may, whatever Halperin intended, Obama is different. He’s smart. And in today’s America, that takes a little getting used to.

]]> By: Duros62 http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95443 Duros62 Tue, 20 May 2008 13:37:10 +0000 http://www.oliverwillis.com/index.php/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95443 What'd he <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=vcZ9ku_wInw" rel="nofollow">say?</a> in·scru·ta·ble (ĭn-skrū'tə-bəl) pronunciation adj. Difficult to fathom or understand; impenetrable. See synonyms at mysterious. The only thing inscrutable is the research department of Time magazine and the rest of the TradMed. I've read his book (the second one), I've read his web site, I know his accomplishments and positions. He's the right candidate for our time. Anyone see American Experience on FDR last night? Fascinating guy, and for all his upper-crustiness, a pretty regular guy. I couldn't help but see the similarities. What’d he say?

in·scru·ta·ble (ĭn-skrū’tə-bəl) pronunciation
adj.
Difficult to fathom or understand; impenetrable. See synonyms at mysterious.

The only thing inscrutable is the research department of Time magazine and the rest of the TradMed.

I’ve read his book (the second one), I’ve read his web site, I know his accomplishments and positions. He’s the right candidate for our time.

Anyone see American Experience on FDR last night? Fascinating guy, and for all his upper-crustiness, a pretty regular guy. I couldn’t help but see the similarities.

]]> By: midderpidge http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95440 midderpidge Tue, 20 May 2008 13:16:47 +0000 http://www.oliverwillis.com/index.php/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95440 Inscrutable is a word I've rarely seen by itself. The few times I recall seeing it has been paired with the word 'oriental'. Inscrutable is a word I’ve rarely seen by itself. The few times I recall seeing it has been paired with the word ‘oriental’.

]]> By: christy kennedy http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95438 christy kennedy Tue, 20 May 2008 12:52:47 +0000 http://www.oliverwillis.com/index.php/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95438 I'm a middle-aged white woman from Kansas and I agree with Oliver. Every time I hear one talking head say to another "how much do you think race will affect" this or that I want to call (actually I'd like to smack them) and ask them to just say it straight: How many racist voters will go with the white guy/woman because (duh!) they're racist? "Mysterious/different," oh for crying out loud! Like Vanessa, I believe Obama is scary for so many because of the differences she lists, but that kind of fear/ignorance/intolerance is no different than racism. There's no clear demarcation between that and the great things about Obama that scare the GOP, the media, and some Democrats. But racism, even in its lesser levels of simple unfamiliarity, should be labeled as such. I’m a middle-aged white woman from Kansas and I agree with Oliver. Every time I hear one talking head say to another “how much do you think race will affect” this or that I want to call (actually I’d like to smack them) and ask them to just say it straight: How many racist voters will go with the white guy/woman because (duh!) they’re racist? “Mysterious/different,” oh for crying out loud! Like Vanessa, I believe Obama is scary for so many because of the differences she lists, but that kind of fear/ignorance/intolerance is no different than racism. There’s no clear demarcation between that and the great things about Obama that scare the GOP, the media, and some Democrats. But racism, even in its lesser levels of simple unfamiliarity, should be labeled as such.

]]> By: Vanessa http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95435 Vanessa Tue, 20 May 2008 11:48:48 +0000 http://www.oliverwillis.com/index.php/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95435 Futhermore, Obama is a master of nuance. He (thank god) understands that all Americans share common dreams but that we also each have distinct stories, distinct experiences and that these differing perspectives matter -- these differences are what makes America such a wonderful country. The media does NOT get nuance. The media wants to break things down into them and us because it makes for better ratings. Ok, back to my morning coffee. It's too early for these sorts of rants. :) Futhermore, Obama is a master of nuance. He (thank god) understands that all Americans share common dreams but that we also each have distinct stories, distinct experiences and that these differing perspectives matter — these differences are what makes America such a wonderful country. The media does NOT get nuance. The media wants to break things down into them and us because it makes for better ratings.

Ok, back to my morning coffee. It’s too early for these sorts of rants. :)

]]> By: Vanessa http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95434 Vanessa Tue, 20 May 2008 11:36:49 +0000 http://www.oliverwillis.com/index.php/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95434 Come on, people. I'm a white lady who's arguably never been the target of overt racism, yet I can see this. As I said before, part of the attack on Obama is that he is black AND DIFFERENT. He doesn't fit the mold, the racist stereotype, of the "typical black man." He is black and Hawaiian, black AND had a white hippie mother, black AND went to Harvard, black AND lived in Indonesia, black AND concerned with issues and concerns of ALL Americans. His middle name is Hussein and he's going to be the next president of America. How is this possible? The media is having a hard time stereotyping this guy. They can't define and pigeon hold Obama as much as they try (Rev Wright, Black Panther, Secret Muslim, etc, etc). Come on, people. I’m a white lady who’s arguably never been the target of overt racism, yet I can see this. As I said before, part of the attack on Obama is that he is black AND DIFFERENT. He doesn’t fit the mold, the racist stereotype, of the “typical black man.” He is black and Hawaiian, black AND had a white hippie mother, black AND went to Harvard, black AND lived in Indonesia, black AND concerned with issues and concerns of ALL Americans. His middle name is Hussein and he’s going to be the next president of America. How is this possible? The media is having a hard time stereotyping this guy. They can’t define and pigeon hold Obama as much as they try (Rev Wright, Black Panther, Secret Muslim, etc, etc).

]]> By: Oliver Willis http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95427 Oliver Willis Tue, 20 May 2008 07:57:19 +0000 http://www.oliverwillis.com/index.php/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95427 And different means different race. I rarely see race, but when people use it as a bludgeon I have to note it. And different means different race. I rarely see race, but when people use it as a bludgeon I have to note it.

]]> By: Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95417 Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle Tue, 20 May 2008 05:34:32 +0000 http://www.oliverwillis.com/index.php/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95417 Mark Halperin is a hack. Pure and simple. How he keeps getting jobs in the TradMed is mysterious. Mark Halperin is a hack. Pure and simple. How he keeps getting jobs in the TradMed is mysterious.

]]> By: Haplo9 http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95416 Haplo9 Tue, 20 May 2008 04:40:37 +0000 http://www.oliverwillis.com/index.php/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95416 >Different is not a liable when more than 80% of people think the country is on the wrong track. It’s only a liable if ‘different’ is a code word for something else. What could that be? It could refer to race, or it could be part of the ‘Obama is a Muslim!’ rumor the Republicans love so much. Race seems more likely considering how few people think Obama is a Muslim. You can't think of any plausible way that being "different" might be a liability that doesn't involve race? Like, say, a politician that claims to be different is vulnerable to criticisms that he isn't so different from a regular run of the mill politician? Or a politician that is different might be different in that he sucks worse than your average politician? Or perhaps it could be that while 80% of the people think the country is on the wrong track, that doesn't necessarily mean that they want a politican who is different. Those don't seem implausible, and I just made them up. (Amazing, I know.) Must be tough seeing all these code words everywhere! >Different is not a liable when more than 80% of people think the country is on the wrong track. It’s only a liable if ‘different’ is a code word for something else. What could that be? It could refer to race, or it could be part of the ‘Obama is a Muslim!’ rumor the Republicans love so much. Race seems more likely considering how few people think Obama is a Muslim.

You can’t think of any plausible way that being “different” might be a liability that doesn’t involve race? Like, say, a politician that claims to be different is vulnerable to criticisms that he isn’t so different from a regular run of the mill politician? Or a politician that is different might be different in that he sucks worse than your average politician? Or perhaps it could be that while 80% of the people think the country is on the wrong track, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they want a politican who is different.

Those don’t seem implausible, and I just made them up. (Amazing, I know.) Must be tough seeing all these code words everywhere!

]]> By: C.S.Strowbridge http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95415 C.S.Strowbridge Tue, 20 May 2008 04:20:15 +0000 http://www.oliverwillis.com/index.php/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95415 Haplo9: "Obama is running on a rather thin resume, and claims he is a different kind of politician, yet Oliver can read between those lines to determine that the adjectives 'inscrutable/mysterious/different' are somehow all about race?" Different is not a liable when more than 80% of people think the country is on the wrong track. It's only a liable if 'different' is a code word for something else. What could that be? It could refer to race, or it could be part of the 'Obama is a Muslim!' rumor the Republicans love so much. Race seems more likely considering how few people think Obama is a Muslim. Haplo9: “Obama is running on a rather thin resume, and claims he is a different kind of politician, yet Oliver can read between those lines to determine that the adjectives ‘inscrutable/mysterious/different’ are somehow all about race?”

Different is not a liable when more than 80% of people think the country is on the wrong track. It’s only a liable if ‘different’ is a code word for something else. What could that be? It could refer to race, or it could be part of the ‘Obama is a Muslim!’ rumor the Republicans love so much. Race seems more likely considering how few people think Obama is a Muslim.

]]> By: Haplo9 http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95414 Haplo9 Tue, 20 May 2008 04:10:30 +0000 http://www.oliverwillis.com/index.php/2008/05/19/code-talkers/#comment-95414 Obama is running on a rather thin resume, and claims he is a different kind of politician, yet Oliver can read between those lines to determine that the adjectives "inscrutable/mysterious/different" are somehow all about race? Here's a more plausible hypothesis - Oliver Willis is obsessed about race and sees references to it everywhere, even in ridiculous cases like this. Obama is running on a rather thin resume, and claims he is a different kind of politician, yet Oliver can read between those lines to determine that the adjectives “inscrutable/mysterious/different” are somehow all about race? Here’s a more plausible hypothesis – Oliver Willis is obsessed about race and sees references to it everywhere, even in ridiculous cases like this.

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