Bob Herbert Gets It: "Race Is Like Pornography-But Even Porn Addicts Get Their Fill" (NYT)

[kpete]

Race is like pornography in the United States — the dirty stories and dirty pictures that everyone professes to hate but no one can resist. But I suspect that even porn addicts get their fill sometimes.

Op-Ed Columnist
Overkill and Short Shrift
By BOB HERBERT
Published: May 3, 2008

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright is no doubt (and regrettably) a big issue in the presidential campaign. But what we’ve seen over the past week is major media overkill — Jeremiah Wright all day and all night. It’s like watching the clips of a car wreck again and again.

...........

Most of the electorate understands that the U.S. is in sorry shape, which is why more than 80 percent of poll respondents say we’re on the wrong track. The Rev. Jeremiah Wright has nothing to do with any of that. The idea that his nonsense may shape the outcome of this election is both tragic and absurd.

..............

We’ve allowed the entire political process in what is perhaps the most important election in the U.S. since World War II to become thoroughly warped by the histrionics of a loony preacher from the South Side of Chicago.

There’s something wrong with us.

..................

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/5/3/5339/97862/299/508211


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/03/opinion/03herbert.html?ref=opinion

[yellowdogintexas]

1. well said. Last time I checked, Jeremiah Wright was NOT on the ballot.

you would think he was though, it is just ridiculous.

I have tons of truly racist, bigoted acquaintances and relatives. I like them. I don't have to agree with them or follow their inclinations. They obviously don't want to be influenced by mine. However we can come to common ground on other things and enjoy one another's company from time to time. This doesn't in any way change my credentials as a good Democrat, good liberal, good Methodist or good any thing else

[Coexist]

2. ...

[babylonsister]

3. K&R. nt

[Bigleaf]

4. Fuck, he does get it. A breath of fresh air. K&R

[unblock]

5. the one potential silver lining about the whole wright farce:

at least, when it comes up in the general election, obama will be able to say that this has been fully vetted and that it's old news.

let's hope the media accepts this because they're acting like the guy drowned after obama drove him off a bridge.

[TragedyandHope]

6. Race and all the other distractions

Scandal sells. It's in the corporate interest to keep people gorged on this garbage.

If we can't move beyond this, we will never be able to tackle the real problems facing the America.

[ej510]

9. This is how dumb corporate america is if everyone is unemployed then no

one can purchase cable or newspapers.

[grantcart]

7. and if the republicans try to touch it they will get pounded for not getting it

[DevonRex]

8. There is definitely something wrong with cable news and most

of the MSM. I've stayed away from most of it the last couple of weeks.