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Title: Jim Webb, Iron Intellectual
Source: The Trail
URL Source: http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the- ... im_webb_iron_intellectual.html
Published: Jun 6, 2008
Author: Alec MacGillis
Post Date: 2008-06-06 19:33:05 by a vast rightwing conspirator
Keywords: None
Views: 3042
Comments: 219

Barack Obama

Jim Webb, Iron Intellectual

By Alec MacGillis
Lost in the hubbub over Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton's secret rendezvous at Sen. Dianne Feinstein's house last night were some of the intriguing ramifications of Obama's previous appointment, a rally at the Nissan Pavilion in the Northern Virginia exurbs that was also attended by Sen. Jim Webb and Gov. Tim Kaine.

Both men, of course, have been mentioned as possible running mates for Obama -- and, in the eyes of the veep-obsessed press, that made the event into an audition of sorts.


This was particularly true for Webb, who, unlike Kaine, was making his first appearance in the role of an Obama booster, having stayed neutral throughout the primaries. One thing quickly became clear, as the red-haired senator introduced the presumptive nominee: those pushing for Webb because they think he will bring muscular, regular-guy credentials -- Marine hero in Vietnam, former Navy secretary, Scots-Irish roots -- may need to think again.

There's no doubt that Webb is tough. He's stood up to President Bush at a White House reception and has a concealed-carry gun license. But he also sees himself as a serious, free-thinking intellectual. He has a bevy of fairly well-regarded books under his belt and prides himself on writing his own stump material.

If yesterday's joint appearance was any indication, far from canceling out Obama's Ivy League pedigree, an Obama-Webb ticket could be one of the most literary pairings ever to take the field.

Whereas Kaine served up a fairly conventional Democratic rallying cry, Webb embarked on a meditation on American history and self-conception over the past forty years. He noted that it was the 40th anniversary not only of Bobby Kennedy's assassination but also of his own swearing into the Marine Corps. He took the audience back to that "tumultuous year" -- the assassinations, the Tet offensive, the riots in which "the African American sections in many American cities had erupted with frequent violence" and the Democratic convention in Chicago.

Webb said he was giving the history tour "because we all know that the United States of 2008 is also a troubled and divided place in a quiet but equally disturbing way."

"The tumult of those earlier years," he went on, "convinced me and others that we needed to learn our love our country more deeply for all its ugly flaws, because it required us to sit back and reconsider the beliefs and values that had once been handed to us as our national legacy. We went through an intellectual challenge in justifying America's uniqueness on fresh grounds and this caused us to believe all the more strongly that ... that this was the moral beacon of the world, that for all or problems we had the will to solve them, the patience to undergo the painful debates that might identify solutions ... and the constitutional system that will provide remedies and thus hold us together as a people."

After a bit more in this vein, Webb got around to introducing Obama -- whom he praised, before all else, not for his toughness or determination, the qualities one might expect the ex-Marine to highlight, but for his brains.

"He is man of great intellect," said Webb. He then drove home the praise by punctuating the final sentence of his introduction with a loud fist pound on the podium.

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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 37.

#1. To: All (#0)

I can see a big problem with an Obama/Webb ticket. They would find it difficult to get the stupids vote. The stupids are likely to vote for McCain or to stay home and watch Cialis infomercials.

a vast rightwing conspirator  posted on  2008-06-06   19:35:19 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#2. To: a vast rightwing conspirator, Arator, Hate Speech lovers (#1)

Senator Webb, another defender of our 1st Amendment. Quite a guy!

2007-2008 (110th Congress)

S. 1105: Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007

A bill to provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes, and for other purposes.
Overview
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Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-06-06   20:03:06 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#3. To: Jethro Tull (#2)

This is it? Is this all you got?

It looks like an embarrassment of... what's the opposite of 'riches' in this context? Penury? You mean you don't have nothing on his supermarket cashier's boyfriend? Maybe he's burning Arab-supplied gasoline in his car? Any moonshinig convictions on his grandpa's record?

a vast rightwing conspirator  posted on  2008-06-06   20:17:50 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#4. To: a vast rightwing conspirator (#3)

This is it? Is this all you got?

Signing on to legislation that criminalizes speech might be fine for the feckless Obamaites like you, and your freakish pals, but real Americans toss scum like Webb into the socialist waste basket where he belongs.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-06-06   20:27:11 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#10. To: Jethro Tull (#4)

Say it again: "there's not one iota of difference between Obama/Webb and Hilly/Steinheim, McCain/Condi or W/Cheney. They are all the same and it makes no difference who gets the job.

Yes? Say it again, please. It's so entertaining. It's dumb, of course but it's funny too.

a vast rightwing conspirator  posted on  2008-06-06   20:53:09 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#19. To: a vast rightwing conspirator, Jethro Tull (#10) (Edited)

Say it again: "there's not one iota of difference between Obama/Webb and Hilly/Steinheim, McCain/Condi or W/Cheney. They are all the same and it makes no difference who gets the job.

Yes? Say it again, please. It's so entertaining. It's dumb, of course but it's funny too.

LOL.

I'm with you, avrwc. JT wasn't always so dumb. Maybe he just plays dumb to provoke. I think deep down he knows better.

He's attracted a posse that's stump stupid, though. Too bad their candidate (Hillary I, Queen of Appalachia and Contessa of San Juan) didn't come through for them. And, now, a black man shall rule over them, one possessing exceptional intellect and political skills, and the prospect positively terrifies them. In this way, the stars have aligned so that the very universe mocks and laughs at their puerile and retrograde pigmentation-based pretensions.

Arator  posted on  2008-06-06   22:39:32 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#23. To: Arator, a vast rightwing conspirator, Jethro Tull (#19)

OH'Bummer is owned by the same people who own Hitlery and McNuts.

He has made obeisance to the Marxist-Zionist State and kissed Olmerts "Pinky Ring".

His proposed foreign policy is nothing but vague and vacuous blather about change with meaning or meaningless changes or something like that.

He's another owned whore.

Any contention otherwise is simply self delusion.

Original_Intent  posted on  2008-06-06   23:05:34 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#25. To: Original_Intent (#23)

Any contention otherwise is simply self delusion

but, according to Arator, we who are not self deluded are "stump stupid."

christine  posted on  2008-06-06   23:25:21 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#26. To: christine (#25)

but, according to Arator, we who are not self deluded are "stump stupid."

No, only those whose reflexive Obama-hatred is rooted in racism.

Arator  posted on  2008-06-06   23:28:26 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#32. To: Arator (#26)

now, a black man shall rule over them, one possessing exceptional intellect and political skills, and the prospect positively terrifies them. In this way, the 'stars have aligned so that very universe mocks and laughs at their puerile and retrograde pigmentation-based pretensions".

From your writings, one sees indications you are either a person of color or a self hating white person that sees racism in every aspect of their life.

Regardless of your color or lack there of, this..."stars have aligned so that very universe mocks and laughs at their puerile and retrograde pigmentation-based pretensions"....is sure sign of a person that has been off the deep end for quite some time.

Rather than one in need of professional help, my view is that you are person with a narrow mind, steeped in self righteousness, with no self esteem and a total lack of character. A person that needs to live on their knees for the sins of this world of racists.

In total, a social outcast that wants to be loved by those that despise you.

Cynicom  posted on  2008-06-07   0:06:47 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#37. To: Cynicom (#32) (Edited)

From your writings, one sees indications you are either a person of color or a self hating white person that sees racism in every aspect of their life.

I see racism only rarely -- in some posts here on 4um (or other fora) and in my small town kin (some of whom actually think Obama is a crypto-Muslim agent of al Qaida). Otherwise, not.

My only aquaintance with self-identified "white" or "European-American" pigmentation-based identity groups/websites has been via posts here on 4um (and, previously, on Liberty Forum). As you probably gathered, I have nothing but contempt for those who vest their identity in mere skin color. Skin color is probably the most superficial basis for "community" possible. If that's all some folks have to hang their identity upon, it probably means that they suffer for lack anything more meaningful. Hence, rather than being a mark of membership in some great civilization or high culture (as "white" supremacists like to pretend), it (ironically) signals the bleeding edge of an ongoing civilizational collapse towards barbarism.

Arator  posted on  2008-06-07   1:56:49 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


Replies to Comment # 37.

#38. To: Arator (#37)

My only aquaintance with self-identified "white" or "European-American" pigmentation-based identity groups/websites has been via posts here on 4um. As you probably gathered, I have nothing but contempt for those who vest their identity in mere skin color. Skin color is probably the most superficial basis for "community" possible. If that's all some folks have to hang their identity upon, it probably means that they suffer for lack anything more meaningful. Hence, rather than a being a mark of membership in some great civilization or high culture (as "white" supremacists like to pretend), it (ironically) signals a civilizational collapse towards barbarism.

I started to agree with your post and then you took off on your sanctimonious path to the tall grass.

I don't have any respect for either white OR black supremicists. Both groups are extremists in their respective groups and neither show any insight or connection to their respective racial groups. What mainstream whites or blacks identify with them? None, zero, nada.

However to diss the contributions of whites in Western nations is too PC blind on your part. Without a doubt the greatest inventions, the greatest progess in the arts and sciences have been accomplished through the intelligence and creativity of whites. Puhleaze...get real. Progress = whites.

scrapper2  posted on  2008-06-07 02:16:01 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#46. To: Arator (#37)

(as "white" supremacists like to pretend), it (ironically) signals the bleeding edge of an ongoing civilizational collapse towards barbarism.

You seem to be fascinated with certain words such as "pigmentation". Most of us accept "color" as sufficient, unless of course you feel some need to impress people. If that is so, then feel free to impress for whatever self satisfaction you receive. We do not mind, however, in doing so you are painting a physical and character portrait of yourself.

What we see so far is not a portrait of honesty nor of acceptable social character.

Cynicom  posted on  2008-06-07 05:47:29 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


End Trace Mode for Comment # 37.

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