The Simple Life at Home

Ok, now I'm just mad.

Why is it ok for Sarah Palin to be hung in effigy and we say it's covered under free speech rights, but when it's Barack Obama being hung in effigy, people are arrested and are being threatened with expulsion from their university.

Personally, I think that it's a hideous thing to do. I think it is reminiscent of a time in America that we would all like to think is far, far behind us. It brings up painful memories of the past, certainly more painful for African Americans than for others.

But that shouldn't mean that it's ok to "hang" white people, regardless of what you think of their politics. The fact that no charges were filed or were ever even considered angers me.

I think that race is being played in the election in a way that is so subtle. No one dare say anything negative about Barack Obama for fear of being labeled a racist. Did you know that a study was done that reports that late night comedians told jokes directed at Republican candidates 7 times more often than those directed at the Democratic ticket? 7 to 1. During no other election has the ratio been even 2:1, let alone more than three times that amount.

Listen, I don't care if Barack Obama is black, white or purple. I think he's a very charismatic guy who tells people what they want to hear. And when times are tough economically, that's all you need to win an election. Or at least win in the polls.

It just angers me that it's almost taboo for anyone in the media to even question his background, his positions, or even to make a joke at his expense. Regardless of his color, he should be subject to the same scrutiny and harsh light of day that McCain and Palin are weathering.