Rhetoric of the Right: Radical - the Reproach du Jour

It's time to Break It Down!

In what often appears to be a relentless effort to insult, disgrace, and otherwise minimize the President of the United States, the voices of the Right have discovered a new flavor. The Right-leaning Reproach du jour for President Obama is Radical.

The journey to claim the highest office in the land and to subsequently execute the duties and responsibilities of the office has been littered with a litany of sometimes clever, occasionally mean, always denigrating affronts. The spurious attacks emanate from quite an array of sources, ranging from the likes of the recognizably non-traditional Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck to the usually measured in scope and tone, House Minority Leader, John Boehner and former Presidential candidate, Senator John McCain.

In between the two poles lie a host of other Right-wing notables, including Tea Party members, other House and Senate members, as well and a host of folks incited by the vitriol and inflammatory speech.

A short list of the terms that these groups and individuals have used to describe President Obama includes, but is not limited to:

• 20) Elite

• 19) Uppity

• 18) NoBama

• 17) Community Organizer (My personal favorite)/(Sarah Palin)

• 16) Terrorist Pal (Sarah Palin)

• 15) Anti-American

• 14) Socialist

• 13) Marxist

• 12) The Joker

• 11) Liar (You Lie – Joe Wilson)

• 10) Racist (Hates White culture – Rush Limbaugh)

• 9) Not American (Birthers)

• 8) Not Christian

• 7) Far Left Lunatic

• 6) Destroyer of Republican Party

• 5) Left-wing bastards

• 4) The Grim Reaper

• 3) Kenyan

• 2) Barack Ogabe (Rush Limbugh)

•   Radical

Over time I have discussed the nature of the political environment in this Country. Increasingly, anything goes, it seems. Certainly the Republican Party has embraced the idea that the way to regain a power advantage in Congress and to take possession of the Presidency once again is by enthusiastically, and relentlessly opposing President Obama. Not only do they oppose him, but they frequently characterize him, his motives, and his accomplishments as un-American. Newt Gingrich, who is currently considering making a run for the Office of President, referred recently to Mr. Obama as the most radical President we have ever had. One gets the feeling Mr. Gingrich, a historian, is ratcheting up the hyperbole machine in advance of his potential campaign.

Several Commanders-in Chief likely possess a legacy of radicalism more robust that President Obama, including:

• George Washington: Mr. Washington was a central figure in the American Revolution, and then went on to become the first President of the “New World.” Anyway one looks at it, that is some big-time radical cred

• Abraham Lincoln: Mr. Lincoln led the country into a war against itself, ostensibly to save the Union. But intentionality or not, his role in ending slavery in a country that was predisposed, both socially and economically to the benefits of the institution, cannot be minimized

• Franklin Roosevelt: Mr. Roosevelt broke the mold on term limits, managing to be elected four times. However, all you need to know is, he was the architect of Social Security; enough said

• George W. Bush: Mr. Bush introduced his own “Doctrine,” which allowed preemptive invasions of foreign countries. He also eschewed paying for the wars we engaged in while he was in office. Finally, he empowered various authorities to “spy” on American Citizens in ways that had never before been permitted

Mr. Obama has occupied the White House for less than a year and a half. Given time and opportunity, he may still build a legacy to rivals those on this list. As for this point in time, it simply has not happened yet. All historians should demand a higher standard of accountability. Perhaps Mr. Gingrich is being graded on the bell curve’ maybe he is auditing this course.

What is clear is, he is definitely a student of the “Rhetoric of the Right: (and) Radical (is) the Reproach Du Jour. I’m done; holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com/. A new post is published each Wednesday. For more detailed information on a variety of aspects relating to this post, consult the links below:

http://crazymotion.net/michael-savage-attacks-obama-supporting-academics-and-media/wIFoiephR2TsjAy.html

http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/04/13/avlon.radical.presidents/index.html?hpt=C2

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,590822,00.html

http://www.newshounds.us/2010/04/13/greta_van_susteren_doesnt_challenge_newt_gingrichs_extremist_radical_allegations_against_president_obama.php

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andy-ostroy/ya-wanna-talk-radical-beh_b_533703.html

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jTW8-

http://www.necn.com/04/09/10/Gingrich-labels-Obama-most-radical-presi/landing.html?blockID=212940&feedID=4215

http://www.mediaite.com/online/haley-barbour-concedes-obama-not-most-radical-president-in-history/

http://www.mediaite.com/online/virginia-to-celebrate-treason-defeat-with-confederate-history-month/

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2010/04/12/2265635.aspx

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/04/11/interview_with_mississippi_gov_haley_barbour_on_state_of_the_union_105138.html