I’m sitting here wondering if the birthers will finally go away now that President Obama has given them what they claimed they sought. I know I shouldn’t wonder such things because it’s obvious that this was never about a birth certificate, never about where the man was born. If it was as simple as that, the question was answered long ago. No, this is about intolerance, about a group of people being willing to accept any contrivance of a story that delegitimizes the man that they cannot accept as president because of his differences from them. Differences like his ideology and his intellect, where he definitely differs from them. Differences like the Muslim roots of his name. Like the color of his skin.
Though this has been a dark blot of shame on our country, I am sure it will not end even now. The hatred of these people knows no reason and will find a new lie to rally around. New conspiracies raised by the winking shepherds of this willing flock. And the media will sit by, unquestioning as it allows the lie to build.
Ah, it’s frustrating to see such unchecked hatred and idiocy.
Here’s a song, Shoot Out the Lights, from Richard Thompson. It was the title song from a highly acclaimed 1982 album from him and his then wife, Linda, that acted as a document of the end of their marriage. I’ve always liked the imagery the title brings to mind, of someone shooting out the lights to mark the finality of something ending. Let’s shoot out the lights on this birther business.
Redtree Times 