Character

I recently received a link from a friend on Plaxo. It involved an article on President Obama and his personality. Here is a link to the article.

http://patdollard.com/2009/02/the-making-of-a-fuehrer/

I read the article and found it offensive. Why?

I was sort of expecting some evidence of the alleged narcissism. The only thing offered up as evidence was the book Obama wrote that was supposed to be on race relations. He wrote an autobiography, but given that racists still try to oppress blacks in America, this could fill the intended purpose.

While racism is the "bloody red shirt" of American politics, it *also* does take place. And conservatives *need* to accept that the black experience, for the majority of blacks, is simply different than that of whites.

By experience, blacks have learned, even in the current generations, to take nothing for granted. Even young, professional blacks have sudden and jarring encounters with racism in the most unexpected places. And these are the most optimistic members of the black community, the ones that used student loans and hard work to overcome any and all obstacles to success.

I recall listening to Rush Limbaugh many years ago, 1992, I think. He was railing on the Federal Government "going after" a country club on the basis of prejudice. It refused, as a matter of policy, to admit black members. The Government used interstate commerce as it's segue into the case, arguing (successfully) that if the club had *any* members that resided out of state, that said club was therefore subject to Federal anti-discrimination laws.

As a conservative, i was mortified. Not that the Fed would do this, but that a conservative, arguably a member of the party of Lincoln, would ignore the realities of (wealthy) life. The man bringing the suit that was ultimately won argued that many high-dollar business deals were done in the informal and relaxed atmosphere of the country club and that he was being denied access to this aspect of the business he (and members of the club) were in - a violation of Federal statute.

He was absolutely right. That *is* how some business is done - on the basis of personal relationships and after taking the measure of your (potential) business partner after a round of golf or a good lunch where many things are discussed.

When asked about my politics, I describe myself as a Bull Moose Republican. Since so few Americans know what that is, even with liberals, it gives me an opportunity to explain my politics. I often get the opportunity to convince people that not all conservatives are fascists (a commonly held belief on the far left) and I've even managed to learn a thing or two.

A Bull Moose Republican is a conservative that embraces diversity. Theodore Roosevelt, our founder, was the first President to ask a black man to a state dinner at the White House. George Washington Carver, an incredible man by any measure. And he took a political beating for it, to the point he regretted the act, but *never* the opportunity.

But TR was a man of character. He was elected with Big Money contributions, but he started the process that gave us legal protection for unions, the 40 hour work week, overtime pay, and worker's comp. He had *real* character, not that which many conservatives try to trot out every four years and convince us is character.

And the man of character, the *true* man of character, requires that for an accusation to be spread about a public person's traits, that there be *some* evidence. I don't see any in the above article.

But that's just my opinion, though I am willing to sign my name to it.

Scott Hann
Indianapolis, IN