General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Let's be real: EVERY president and most senators and MOCs have done things in office we can condemn [View all]BlueWI
(1,736 posts)Last edited Sat Dec 1, 2018, 11:44 PM - Edit history (2)
Most certainly, I don't recall the Obama, Sanders, or Biden campaigns using a race-baiting Willie Horton style ad. I don't see how it's a moral failing to mention this, given that it's part of the legacy being discussed this week. And I do think it's a black and white issue when an already powerful person seeks greater power by purposefully stigmatizing a vulnerable population. If it's me, you, or a president, that kind of behavior deserves public censure.
I also don't recall GHWB supporting health care for all or opposing the general drift of American foreign policy towards full-on imperialism, though to be fair, all of the public figures mentioned supported some forms of multilateralism. The wars of choice (Panama, Kuwait) may well have been resolved differently by Obama, Sanders, or Biden, though in his Senate role Biden didn't ask enough hard questions in the run up to the second gulf war. To me, this is a reminder that putting political differences aside at the wrong moment can have unfortunate, long-lasting consequences.
A respectful tone is important to maintain in these conversations when possible, but given the gravity of the issues being discussed, it's fine for some to choose tribute and others to go with critique of policy.
On a good day, Democrats are a big tent party, and it seems unsurprising to me that people grieve (or do not grieve) differently.