By Sheila Orysiek
SAN DIEGO — I would like to reply to the article written by Rabbi Ben Kamin “In Praise of Barack Obama” on Feb. 11, 2016, in San Diego Jewish World. My problem is where to begin? At the beginning…of course…..
Rabbi Kamin’s opening sentence in which he describes a political advisor to one of the Republican candidates making a televised statement the morning after the New Hampshire primary as “One of those mannequin-style political advisers to a particular Republican candidate…..“ certainly sets the tone for the rest of the article.
What exactly is “mannequin-style?” Is the implication the lack of the ability to think on one’s own – of being programmed? Does this extend to the staffers on the Democrat side?
Kamin goes on to write that the “mannequin” said: “We have to find a new leader who can salvage these seven wasted years under President Obama.”
Kamin labels the mannequin’s statement as “vacuous” but then goes on to substantiate it by adding: “in the midst of the creeping septicity of national politics; the raging, unchecked spread and medieval horror of ISIS, the inadequacy of airstrikes and alliances; the startling resurrection of racial conflict in America—some refer to this post-9/11, unwelcome, even nightmarish situation as ‘the great unraveling.’
The statement can’t be vacuous and yet substantive (by Kamin’s own description) at the same time. But here is how Kamin explains that: “But to brand the presidency of Barack Obama as seven wasted years? Perhaps we should start by going back eight years and taking a close look at the then-state of our economy, the libelous war in Iraq, the implosion of Afghanistan, and the general disgrace of the Bush-Cheney business cabal.”
Here is the Merriam-Webster definition of “libelous”: “containing an untrue written statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of someone.” Is Kamin referring to the controversy over WMD? There are still open questions on that topic.
As for “libelous” Kamin, after stating “and the general disgrace of the Bush-Cheney business cabal.” he cites no sources.
But it was the following statement made by Kamin which particularly caught my attention:
“Yet so many systemically dump all of it at the feet of the nation’s first black president.”
Ah – there it is. Any disagreement with President Obama is really about his being black (actually, he is as much white as black). Yes, it’s really about race – not difference of opinion.
So, does it follow if one disagrees with a President B. Sanders that one is anti-Semitic? Or a President H. Clinton – one is sexist? Or a F. D. Roosevelt one is against those with disabilities? Or a President Cruz one is anti-Hispanic/Cuban? Or a President D. Trump one is anti-…whatever.
To insinuate that those who disagree with President Obama do so because of race is to misconstrue the right of dissent, dismiss the opposition as racist and to diminish him as only seen through the lens of race.
Kamin goes on to list with fulsome praise the various graces and attributes of Barack Obama – an opinion to which he is, of course, entitled. But I didn’t understand the following statement concerning the president’s family: “unforgivably vulnerable family” Every president’s family has been vulnerable and I don’t recall the Obama family being attacked any more than any other president’s family.
And finally this: “He remains gracious about a notoriously obstructionist Congress that was much more committed to hurting him than helping us. Remember John Boehner?”
Every Congress – even when it is held by the same party – has obstructed the executive. I don’t recall either Sen. Harry Reid or Rep. Nancy Pelosi rushing to the podium to state how they will help Republican President Bush pass his agenda. It doesn’t happen that way. It wasn’t meant to happen that way.
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Orysiek is a freelance writer who specializes in arts and literature. She may be contacted via sheila.orysiek@sdjewishworld.com. Comments intended for publication in the space below must be accompanied by the letter writer’s first and last name and by his/ her city and state of residence (city and country for those outside the U.S.)
“Thank you Sheila for taking the time to deconstruct the litany of nonsense that Kamin is well known for spouting here on a regular basis. If anyone is still interested in learning the buzzwords and verbiage of an unrepentant leftist, go right ahead and have fun reading his prose. He will never admit that his idol, the first “black” president, has already left his mark as one of the biggest failures in American history, leaving the country more divided than ever, with a historically staggering debt to boot, and a Middle East devastated by his inept moves (Libya, Egypt, Iran) or total inaction (Syria). And by the way, as Sheila correctly pointed out, Obama is as much white as he is black, except in the minds of true racists like Kamin who have declared him to be black, when in fact the correct technical term should have been the first mulatto president since he is exactly 50% white and 50% black). He was the ideal unifier, but he turned out to be the great divider. Nothing to crow about.” — J.J. Surbeck, San Diego
Thank you Sheila Orysiek and J.J. Surbeck for your insightful and illuminating remarks. I have often thought myself that Kamin pulls “facts” out of thin air to justify his already preconceived notions of what ought to be.
Jerome C Liner, Cincinnati, OH