Oh, Those Silly, Frivolous Community Organizers!
Isn’t it time to say it? As noted here, I supported John McCain in 2000 and even today my own views on the war (unlike some who write here on TMV) are probably closer to his than to Barack Obama’s. When I vote, I take a deep breath and often surprise myself by my own vote on Election Day as I make one final calculation.
But I’m finding out in emails and conversations — and reading a host of web blogs — that not a few number of people were turned off like me by a characteristic of last night’s Republican convention: the sudden suggestion that community organizers are somehow subjects of derision who indulge in worthless activity.
Not since I worked as a stringer in the Newsweek Madrid news bureau in September 1975 and heard then Spanish dictator Gen. Francisco Franco warn about a vast masonic conspiracy (he died shortly after, most likely before he could warn of the Rotary Club and Elk conspiracy) has there been such a jarring definition of a group. (Franco actually had banned Freemasonry in 1940..)
It’s a theme that lingers from the convention. Perhaps it’s because as a journalist working on newspapers in Wichita, KS and San Diego, CA I interviewed MANY community organizers over the years. And despite their political views or group, I had great respect for the long hours they worked, the skills required to do what they needed to do effectively, their direct contact in working with people who couldn’t afford lobbyists, and their dedication to helping people when political parties and/or government failed or were shockingly deficient.
It’s no secret why suddenly here in 2008 — out of the blue — it’s now being implied that community organizers are silly, ineffectual people, wasting their time in thumb-twiddling activities that have no productive meaning or responsibilities:
It’s a way to turn an Obama positive into a negative by couching it in negative terms. That sends out the signal to supporters that it’s a negative and will be picked up by supporters, and repeated verbally and in writing. Turning a positive into a negative is a standard late 20th century political ploy perfected by Karl Rove, who is famous for it.
Forget your political affiliation for a second. Look at this diary on Daily Kos (sent to me by a reader) that recaps some of these people who wasted their time in such a trivial activity. It’s not about Democrats and Republicans but about who some of these people were.
It’s likely you know quite a few of them and respect them for what they did.
But respect for that kind of activity is suddenly out the window because it’s political season and our campaigns are increasingly about showing less and less respect in an effort to divide, define and rule.
98 Responses to “Oh, Those Silly, Frivolous Community Organizers!”
A good job of providing the troops here some new “blue meat” to chew on, Joe.
Although your amnesia about demeaning the import of small town mayors and governors of lesser populated states keeps it from being a moderate's discussion.
The “community organizer” remarks were no worse than the “small town mayor” remarks that have been coming from the Obama campaign and its supporters. While no disrespect is intended to community organizers, it can't be reasonably denied that the job of mayor more closely resembles that of being a President or Vice President. Executive power in a government is not the same as legislative nor the same as being a organizer.
While the remarks might have been a tad over the top, lets not think for one minute that Palin has a total disrepect for community organizers, after all she was a member of a PTA and that is fairly similar in that it gets folkes together to try to work through issues and make improvements. The real attack she was making was that of Obama belittling small town America, aand there is no denying that he has done just that with his campaign making remarks about small towns and rural voters over the course of the election season. She wasn't really mocking community organizers she was mocking his cultural elitism.
Siince some here seem to have such a hard time understanding why the term 'community organizer' could possibly have a negative connotation, try the following mind exercise.
Imagine that a Republican candidate had as part of his/her resume a period of time working with Evangelical Church missions in poor rural areas. Would that conjure up a strictly positive image of a selfless person foregoing a profitable job in order to help impoverished people (as it would for many conservatives) or would you have an image of involvement with an army of Christianists whose real ambition was to proselytize and insert religion into government?
Siince some here seem to have such a hard time understanding why the term 'community organizer' could possibly have a negative connotation, try the following mind exercise.
Imagine that a Republican candidate had as part of his/her resume a period of time working with Evangelical Church missions in poor rural areas. Would that conjure up a strictly positive image of a selfless person foregoing a profitable job in order to help impoverished people (as it would for many conservatives) or would you have an image of involvement with an army of Christianists whose real ambition was to proselytize and insert religion into government?
OMG!!
It turns out there's not really anything wrong with community organizers.
Now it's all about demeaning small-town America!
A talking point that appears to be widely agreed upon.
OMG!!
It turns out there's not really anything wrong with community organizers.
Now it's all about demeaning small-town America!
A talking point that appears to be widely agreed upon.
No, George, it's not a talking point to actually take the quote in context and see that it was obviously a jab based on people dissing Palin's resume as mayor.
Still, I would love for someone to define 'community organizer' as it is used by Obama. What I understood about that term was that he had a paid position (low salary) to organize people in neighborhoods to petition for local government assistance with various projects. I don't have a problem with that per se, but why is everyone acting as though that term is a blanket term for all community service work like many people do through their churches and local nonprofit organizations? They're different things, and people might have differing opinions about them.
No, George, it's not a talking point to actually take the quote in context and see that it was obviously a jab based on people dissing Palin's resume as mayor.
Still, I would love for someone to define 'community organizer' as it is used by Obama. What I understood about that term was that he had a paid position (low salary) to organize people in neighborhoods to petition for local government assistance with various projects. I don't have a problem with that per se, but why is everyone acting as though that term is a blanket term for all community service work like many people do through their churches and local nonprofit organizations? They're different things, and people might have differing opinions about them.
I don't get the impression that she was mocking community organizers in general either. Then again, I have never been one, so my lack of a personal connection probably shows. She will most likely have to have a press conference to “clarify” what she had meant to say.
But I did grow up in the middle of nowhere South Dakota on a farm 5 miles from a town of about 1200 people. I think the whole “but she has only governed a town of 5,000″ or the “Alaska has such a small population” arguments pretty insulting. It's as if to say that you cannot govern effectively unless you govern a big city. That can't be very positive for Obama's campaign, since he had so many problems connecting with those same people during the primaries.
And if having to govern a populous state is warranted for the Presidency, does that mean that since he governed Texas, George W was up to the task?
I don't get the impression that she was mocking community organizers in general either. Then again, I have never been one, so my lack of a personal connection probably shows. She will most likely have to have a press conference to “clarify” what she had meant to say.
But I did grow up in the middle of nowhere South Dakota on a farm 5 miles from a town of about 1200 people. I think the whole “but she has only governed a town of 5,000″ or the “Alaska has such a small population” arguments pretty insulting. It's as if to say that you cannot govern effectively unless you govern a big city. That can't be very positive for Obama's campaign, since he had so many problems connecting with those same people during the primaries.
And if having to govern a populous state is warranted for the Presidency, does that mean that since he governed Texas, George W was up to the task?
So, the Obama crowd tries to use his community organizer experience as being superior to her being a small town mayor, The Republicans push back.
That is being negative? And the Democrats denigrating her experience as a Mayor and a Govenor are are not negative?
That is the usual two-faced BS the Left is known for, while trying to paint the Right as the instigators.
So, the Obama crowd tries to use his community organizer experience as being superior to her being a small town mayor, The Republicans push back.
That is being negative? And the Democrats denigrating her experience as a Mayor and a Govenor are are not negative?
That is the usual two-faced BS the Left is known for, while trying to paint the Right as the instigators.
If no disrespect is meant to community organizers, why does Michael Reagan [ vide supra] call the whole thing “leftist?”
Why is being presented as a plus that she went to a third rate school and not Harvard?
It's all name calling anti-intellectualism – the same kind of thing that gave us Nixon and Bush.
If no disrespect is meant to community organizers, why does Michael Reagan [ vide supra] call the whole thing “leftist?”
Why is being presented as a plus that she went to a third rate school and not Harvard?
It's all name calling anti-intellectualism – the same kind of thing that gave us Nixon and Bush.
Can't you do better than that?
When people hear “community organizer,” it's not far from a raised fist and riots and other strife among the dirtbags in the Sixties and their brown-shirt follwers-on since then.
But at least you weren't like the lefty talk show that claims it's “code” for racism. You get a standard lefty's D rather than an F, Joe. Good going.
Can't you do better than that?
When people hear “community organizer,” it's not far from a raised fist and riots and other strife among the dirtbags in the Sixties and their brown-shirt follwers-on since then.
But at least you weren't like the lefty talk show that claims it's “code” for racism. You get a standard lefty's D rather than an F, Joe. Good going.
oops. Looks like George's comment posted while I was typing. So discussing small towns now is a talking point? If anything the whole “governor of a small state” argument has been a talking point ever since last Friday. Please let me apologize George for breaking the rules here and just talking about my own personal experience. If that's a talking point then I'm guilty.
So let's call it a draw. Obama bashed small towns–Palin bashed community organizers. Fair enough?
oops. Looks like George's comment posted while I was typing. So discussing small towns now is a talking point? If anything the whole “governor of a small state” argument has been a talking point ever since last Friday. Please let me apologize George for breaking the rules here and just talking about my own personal experience. If that's a talking point then I'm guilty.
So let's call it a draw. Obama bashed small towns–Palin bashed community organizers. Fair enough?
LOL you guys don't get it do you? Say the sentence “He is a community organizer.” What does the person you are describing look like in your mind? Basically they are using a dog whistle to call Obama an uppity negro.
LOL you guys don't get it do you? Say the sentence “He is a community organizer.” What does the person you are describing look like in your mind? Basically they are using a dog whistle to call Obama an uppity negro.
Community organizer is a term of derision.
Only in liberal run cities can people get away with being paid to foment victimhood and dependency. Trading help in getting government assistance for obedience in voting the “proper” way is a despicable practice.
Now, some are trying to equate community organizers with community volunteers. Shameful.
Community organizer is a term of derision.
Only in liberal run cities can people get away with being paid to foment victimhood and dependency. Trading help in getting government assistance for obedience in voting the “proper” way is a despicable practice.
Now, some are trying to equate community organizers with community volunteers. Shameful.
Can someone point me to the speech where Obama or Biden bashed small towns?
Can someone point me to the speech where Obama or Biden bashed small towns?
lurxst,
Obama:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/11/clinto…
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/01…
I will give Biden credit, as he backed away from saying anything about small towns or Palin's family, calling both topics off limits.
lurxst,
Obama:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/11/clinto…
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/01…
I will give Biden credit, as he backed away from saying anything about small towns or Palin's family, calling both topics off limits.
Energy issues, global warming, housing foreclosures, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq–not important. Urban community organizer vs. small town mayor–ghetto welfare queens vs. country bumpkins–who is more American, more valid, more a symbol of our American values or all that is wrong with America?
Culture war 2008-mission accomplished.
Energy issues, global warming, housing foreclosures, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq–not important. Urban community organizer vs. small town mayor–ghetto welfare queens vs. country bumpkins–who is more American, more valid, more a symbol of our American values or all that is wrong with America?
Culture war 2008-mission accomplished.
Well, I was about to get caught up in the comment war here, but denisedh said it all far better than I could have, so I'll just quote her comment in entirety:
“Energy issues, global warming, housing foreclosures, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq–not important. Urban community organizer vs. small town mayor–ghetto welfare queens vs. country bumpkins–who is more American, more valid, more a symbol of our American values or all that is wrong with America?
Culture war 2008-mission accomplished.”
Well, I was about to get caught up in the comment war here, but denisedh said it all far better than I could have, so I'll just quote her comment in entirety:
“Energy issues, global warming, housing foreclosures, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq–not important. Urban community organizer vs. small town mayor–ghetto welfare queens vs. country bumpkins–who is more American, more valid, more a symbol of our American values or all that is wrong with America?
Culture war 2008-mission accomplished.”
Thanks for the link jchem. When I see Obama's April 2008 comments in whole they are actually expressing empathy for what has happened to small towns. Taking one line from his comments and using it out of context could appear as dismissive. But thats the rub isn't it, using one line out of context compared to a carefully prepared, deliberate speech that demeans a tradition of community members helping each other.
Thanks for the link jchem. When I see Obama's April 2008 comments in whole they are actually expressing empathy for what has happened to small towns. Taking one line from his comments and using it out of context could appear as dismissive. But thats the rub isn't it, using one line out of context compared to a carefully prepared, deliberate speech that demeans a tradition of community members helping each other.
Jchem–
I actually clicked on your links and don't see any small-town bashing.
Jchem–
I actually clicked on your links and don't see any small-town bashing.
Well said denise. This is the politics of distraction from real issues.
JG : “…it’s political season and our campaigns are increasingly about showing less and less respect in an effort to divide, define and rule.”
Sad but true.
Well said denise. This is the politics of distraction from real issues.
JG : “…it’s political season and our campaigns are increasingly about showing less and less respect in an effort to divide, define and rule.”
Sad but true.
jwest say:
Am I reading a “racist” tinge to this comment. Not all community activists are urban.
http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/011208/rel…
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10670990
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firef…
Not all poor are living in urban areas. I'm familiar with northern Michigan, and nearly all those seeking assistance in rural Northern Michigan are white. Rural areas are also suffering from poverty and lack of work, are these people bitter as Obama said?
jwest say:
Am I reading a “racist” tinge to this comment. Not all community activists are urban.
http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/011208/rel…
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10670990
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firef…
Not all poor are living in urban areas. I'm familiar with northern Michigan, and nearly all those seeking assistance in rural Northern Michigan are white. Rural areas are also suffering from poverty and lack of work, are these people bitter as Obama said?
So when Hillary said “Pennsylvanians don't need a president who looks down on them, they need a president who stands up for them, who fights for them, who works hard for your futures, your jobs, your families” she isn't implying that Obama is looking down on them? See this response if the first two didn't work out for you: http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/04…
I'm sure the Republicans understand this and won't bring it up before November.
And then “My understanding is that Gov. Palin’s town, Wassilla, has I think 50 employees. We've got 2500 in this campaign. I think their budget is maybe 12 million dollars a year – we have a budget of about three times that just for the month,” Obama responded.” What's the implication here? Surely I must have missed some context.
And as far as “This is the politics of distraction from real issues”. I guess all the issues mentioned by denise were pretty important during the past week while everybody has been piling on haven't they?
So when Hillary said “Pennsylvanians don't need a president who looks down on them, they need a president who stands up for them, who fights for them, who works hard for your futures, your jobs, your families” she isn't implying that Obama is looking down on them? See this response if the first two didn't work out for you: http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/04…
I'm sure the Republicans understand this and won't bring it up before November.
And then “My understanding is that Gov. Palin’s town, Wassilla, has I think 50 employees. We've got 2500 in this campaign. I think their budget is maybe 12 million dollars a year – we have a budget of about three times that just for the month,” Obama responded.” What's the implication here? Surely I must have missed some context.
And as far as “This is the politics of distraction from real issues”. I guess all the issues mentioned by denise were pretty important during the past week while everybody has been piling on haven't they?
Rudi,
One of my many homes (McCain parody) is in Northern Michigan. How is it I’ve never heard of a community organizer up there?
The answer is it’s a cost/benefit thing. Yes there are poor people there, but no matter how many there are, there will not be enough to capture political power. It is best to concentrate in the cities where the bribe to vote ratio is lower.
I would be offended at the racist remark, but a liberal calling someone with different views a racist or Nazi is so common, it doesn’t merit reply.
Rudi,
One of my many homes (McCain parody) is in Northern Michigan. How is it I’ve never heard of a community organizer up there?
The answer is it’s a cost/benefit thing. Yes there are poor people there, but no matter how many there are, there will not be enough to capture political power. It is best to concentrate in the cities where the bribe to vote ratio is lower.
I would be offended at the racist remark, but a liberal calling someone with different views a racist or Nazi is so common, it doesn’t merit reply.
“Am I reading a “racist” tinge to this comment.”
Rudi, expect to see more and more of this the closer we get to November. As people become more emotional, we are bound to get more glimpses of what's under the veneer. This election provides the opportunity for us to be at our best, but it is likely to be an opportunity lost or cast aside by many folks.
“Am I reading a “racist” tinge to this comment.”
Rudi, expect to see more and more of this the closer we get to November. As people become more emotional, we are bound to get more glimpses of what's under the veneer. This election provides the opportunity for us to be at our best, but it is likely to be an opportunity lost or cast aside by many folks.
I already had warned about bogus racism charges being made about this.
I already had warned about bogus racism charges being made about this.
jchem : “I guess all the issues mentioned by denise were pretty important during the past week while everybody has been piling on haven't they?”
Once again, I refer you to this:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13143…
jchem : “I guess all the issues mentioned by denise were pretty important during the past week while everybody has been piling on haven't they?”
Once again, I refer you to this:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13143…
OK, let's remember, McCain did not make up the label 'community orgainzer' to describe Obama. Obama's own campaign and bio did.
SO, are those who claim it is code for 'uppity nigger' REALLY trying to say that is how Obama sees himself, and how his campaign wants him viewed?
IT IS THEIR OWN LABEL!
OK, let's remember, McCain did not make up the label 'community orgainzer' to describe Obama. Obama's own campaign and bio did.
SO, are those who claim it is code for 'uppity nigger' REALLY trying to say that is how Obama sees himself, and how his campaign wants him viewed?
IT IS THEIR OWN LABEL!