Discouraged Empty Nester
Ann Dupee
Posted: 03.22.2008 / 5:49 PM EDT
Sad to hear a retired and once very active and involved man say he was discouraged with the whole thing and has stopped listening to most of the rhetoric and giving money to a party. Said he had voted absentee for McCain but was not getting further involved. How many more feel this way?Tried to get talk going among a group of older, local women but not much interest. One was concerned with what was going on, or not going on, in Lake County for not getting its Comprehensive Plan done and moving on with important issues landwise that are stacking up. The women seated around me were upset with the remarks of the Rev. Wright.
March 23rd, 2008 at 9:05 am
With relatives in U.S.A. and enthusiastic reader of the Christian Science Monitor I found this Article really hit home for me, CONGRATULATIONS.
March 24th, 2008 at 7:08 am
I, too, was very upset by the Wright tapes and even more by Mr. Obama’s characterization of his grandmother as prejudiced, and specially by his attitude that the old people of the country are racists. He seems to have a real problem with older people in general, comparing the reverend to a crazy old uncle.
So, I can completely understand your friends’ preference for taking action on things they can change as opposed to worrying about the presidential election, which is a done deal and looks very bad for us older Americans. At least with local politics, you’re dealing with forces on which you can have some effect.
One important thing for us is to resist the temptation to attribute Wright’s attitude to every black person we meet.
Hang in there, Ann.
Lynda
March 24th, 2008 at 7:56 am
Sounds like many older Americans missed the point of Senator Obama’s speech. His grandmother may well have been prejudiced, but she is one individual. Only the most ignorant reads the “everyone” into the “individual.” Not all grandmothers are racist any more than all uncles are crazy, and the statement about Sen. Obama having a problem with old people is just another excuse to conceal one’s own racism. Sen. Obama has a problem with racists, whether they believe themselves to be racist or not.
March 24th, 2008 at 8:44 am
“By their works, ye shall know them.” Not the troublesome words of their former pastor (Obama), or Senate religious study groups (Clinton), or Pastor Hagee (McCain) - but his or her own works should inform our judgment of each of the Senators. Repudiation is good enough for me. Hopefully the media can get back to the issues at hand on who is the best candidate for the leadership we need in America at this time. Enough with the sideshows.
March 24th, 2008 at 10:36 am
As for the offense at a prejudiced grandmother - mine was! And my wonderful Mother always freely admitted to being raised that way. She always struggled with her preconceived notions! And she worked to end systemic oppression, access to medical care, in short a civil rights activist! Not just a women who “marched in demonstrations”, but a woman who “demonstrated the march” in her constant work and volunteering in places, with people, one-on-one to empower folks and to model that change is possible!
April 16th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
The biggest problem among the retired community is the misconception that Fox News Channel is actually a news channel. I frequently discover my neighbors with their TV left on to keep them company, and they sometimes ask about things broadcast on Fox. O’Reilly and Hannity are not news reporters. They are shock jocks who will be talking about Reverend Wright for another six months.
Another thing: you’re simply in denial if you don’t think the majority of little old white ladies aren’t afraid of black men.