Nathan Moore's Thoughts
Jesse the Snipper
By now, everyone has heard about Jesse Jackson’s hot mic commentary on neutering Barack Obama.
That is, unless you get your news from The New York Times, in which case you would have to scour your way to A14 to get a glimpse of it. One would think that the preeminent civil rights leader of a generation’s desire to metaphorically castrate the first black presidential nominee would be newsworthy.
The only thing buried deeper is Obama’s vote for the revised FISA bill, which was found on A16, which has leftist groups shrieking to the heavens. As the media arm of the Obama campaign, The Times is doing its job well.
There is a real story in the Jesse Jackson clip, as funny as it was standing alone. Jackson has realized something the rest of us knew, that Obama thinks little of the electorate he is attempting to swoon. Jesse’s desire to neuter him comes from just that perception, that Obama is “talking down to black people,” something which Jesse Jackson knows all too well about. The analysis is broader, however, as Obama is talking down to all people.
This is natural and ought to be expected once one thinks of the tenet principles of modern-day liberalism, where the answer to every question is the federal government. By the nature of this core belief, one must think the people individually incapable of doing for themselves, or else one wouldn’t desire the government to do so much for so many. Nevermind the policies engendered by this kind of thought chips away, and ultimately destroys, the human spirit. It is castration by Leviathon.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Why are conservatives so fascinated with the placement of articles in the NY Times. Don’t most people who read that paper go beyond the first page? If not, why pay so much for it?
July 10th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Whether it’s television or print, the most important items are the lead items. There is a huge difference between above the fold on 1A and a buried piece on 16A that should mean more.
Every cable news outlet, to include Obama’s video arm at MSNBC, is leading with the Jesse Jackson story. The Times instead leads with passage of the FISA bill above the fold (not mentioning Obama’s vote for it), and below the fold shines light on a whiffle ball court in Connecticut, and a commune farm outside Chicago.
Yeah, placement matters.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:59 am
I think most reasonable people would agree the FISA is more important than what some washed up civil rights leader said under his breath to someone sitting next to him.
Did they mention in their FISA story that McCain refused to vote on the bill?
July 10th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Seems to be a trend among liberals, BO sure has the knack down pat,even Sean is throwing poor old Jesse “under the bus”.
Your side says they want to be leaders for all Americans, well, I guess it’s just political talk anyway.
Jesse is just ticked that this young wipper snapper, with no resume worth a dime, has out done him.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:54 am
The Right was far more infatuated with Jesse Jackson than my fellow liberals. Though, it could also be a generational thing.