The New Orleans Times-Picayune endorses Barack Obama for president.
Over the past century, there have been moments when the world held its breath and looked to America for the next move: Our rescue of a broken Europe after World War II; the Cuban missile crisis; the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
We are again at a critical juncture in history. Global markets are imploding. People's life savings are dwindling. Energy needs and climate change call the very foundations of modern society into question. Rogue nations and terrorist organizations have heightened the danger of nuclear proliferation. These problems transcend national boundaries.
Here in the New Orleans area, a cataclysmic man-made flood turned our world upside down and revealed a profound national neglect of our infrastructure. Our vulnerability and the government's unpreparedness were emblematic of other disasters waiting to happen elsewhere in this country.
America is poised on the cusp of new leadership, and once again the world, transfixed, is watching. Who is equal to these challenges? Who will lead the nation that leads the free world?
Our choice: Barack Obama.
YES!!!!
UPDATE: I should have included this quote from the editorial also:
He knows cities -- historic cities, gritty cities. He came by his knowledge pounding the streets of Chicago's South Side as an organizer, grappling with the needs of poor people. For our own great and complex city, we could use a national leader who appreciates that we are more than a sentimental memory of a college romp on Bourbon Street; that we are a culturally rich American treasure, filled with resilient citizens and worth protecting from the encroaching forces of nature.
Lucky for you. The boneheads - I use the term with feeling - of the editorial page of "The State" - our local paper and SC's largest - came out today for McCain. "...integrity, principled independence" Blah...blah. Bad Senator Obama opposed the confirmation of Alito and Roberts to the Supreme Court. Blah. Boneheads!
ReplyDeleteOne of their number, Warren Bolton, is black - an African American homophobe who, during consideration two years ago of SC's proposed gay marriage ban (passed overwhelmingly, of course!) described homosexuality in an editorial as "an abomination".
Bigotry is just fine by South Carolina's mainstream press, so that you do it in blackface with a cross slung around your neck!
One of our papers here in Chicago, The Chicago Tribune, endorsed Obama-- the first Democrat they've endorsed in the 160-plus year history of the paper. Our other major paper, the Sun Times, did as well. And the New York Times.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but not surprised to hear that about SC.
ReplyDeleteThe TP editorial is much too kind to McCain, but I'll take what I can get.
There will be canceling of subscriptions by not a few residents of the towns on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, the home of those who fled the troubles of New Orleans.
Johnny Yen, welcome. I'm glad to hear that. It's all to the good.
ReplyDeleteWe must not get overconfident.
We must not get overconfident.
The NY Daily News endorsed Obama. First time they've endorsed a Democrat for president in ages.
ReplyDeleteThat's good news, Grandmère. I gather you, too, watch AmericaBlog & TPM. Newspaper after newspaper has endorsed Obama. For the few citizens in the U.S. who can actually read above a 3rd-grade level, this may help. But I'm with you: Do not be overconfident. My nightmare terror is that people will see the endorsements and polls and think they can stay home on Nov. 4. Fortunately, my polling place is literally across the street. As long as I can crawl on my hands and knees, I'll be there to cast my vote for hope. [This state doesn't allow early voting.]
ReplyDeleteYes, we can!
Hello, Grandmere Mimi. I read the article about you on HuffPo. The quality of the endorsements from our major newspapers leave behind an incontravertible record about our expectations for America.
ReplyDeleteLapinbizarre, I agree that the State's endorsement of McCain pales in its logic compared to the many great ones for Obama.
As Chicago prepares for a half-million strong crowd for Obama, its important to have the legitimate world aware that any election day tampering will not fly.
The World is watching and waiting, and blogs like these demonstrate the efforts it takes to restore this country's fundamental belief in fairness and democracy.
For more typical American viewpoints, I've enjoyed this blog too... http://blog.localvoicesforobama.com/
I look forward to more perspective here.
Grandmere, this is good news!
ReplyDeleteOur local rag endorsed McCain.
However, I hear the newspaper with the greatest circulation in Alaska endorsed Obama!! --guess they know something?!
Yes. Our local newspaper (Corpus Christi, TX) sadly endorsed McCain.
ReplyDeleteMy worst nightmare is a repeat of 2000 with Obama winning the popular vote and McCain winning the Electoral College vote.
ReplyDeleteIf this happens twice in less than 10 years, then I think violence is likely.
I'd prefer a general strike, but us Yanks haven't done anything like that since the '30s, and we've probably forgotten how.
I worry about complacency and folks thinking it's all sewed up and not going to vote.
ReplyDeleteEshock, welcome. I'll check out that blog.
What's there to say about McCain that's worthwhile?
That's funny about the Alaska newspaper. Today I saw that Ted Stevens built a road from his house to his favorite restaurant.
Jan, too bad about the Corpus Christi newspaper. The Baton Rouge. LA paper has not endorsed anyone yet, nor has the local paper.
Counterlight, I don't think that scenario is as likely this time around. I hope not.
You go, Louisiana!!!
ReplyDeleteWith love and baited breath (I'm Canadian),
Jaliya
See....'encroaching forces of nature', that's you he's talking about Grandmère.
ReplyDeleteShreveport Times endorsed Obama also.
ReplyDeleteJim, yay! That IS good news. I hope the folks in the Nawth (Louisiana) pay attention.
ReplyDeleteWell, let's hope it swings a few in that direction.
ReplyDeleteDP, I hope so. They may also suffer from a few canceled subscriptions, but they did what was right.
ReplyDeleteWho knows? You think LA will go blue this year?
ReplyDeleteMuthah, not much chance of that. If it's not a landslide for McWorse, I'll be happy. That won't bring Obama electoral votes, but it will be satisfying to me.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, Grandmere! Found you through Huffington Post. Your observations are spot on -- keep up the great writing!
ReplyDeleteShreveport is full of surprises. I always thought of it as to the right of East Texas, on the map anyway.
ReplyDeleteThe Star Telegram in Ft. Worth also endorsed Obama this weekend. In a RED STATE no less!!!
ReplyDeleteNatalie, thanks.
ReplyDeleteCounterlight, can any place be to the right of East Texas? My mother lived in tiny Carthage, TX, for 8 years. Each time we went to visit, it was culture shock.
I was surprised that the Shreveport paper came out for Obama, but not that surprised. It's much more diverse than the small towns in East Texas.
Airedale, I'm glad to hear that, too. Fort Worth is not Dallas, or so I've been told.
Ft. Worth is usually to the right of Dallas in all respects, except on the map. Fort Worth was one of the few cities where Dubya won with more that 60% of the vote in 2004. I'm very surprised.
ReplyDeleteCounterlight, you're right. My mistake. I stated the ideology of two places wrongly, and I do know better. I needed only to think of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth compared to the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas to have gotten it right. So, yes. It is a surprise. They'll probably have a number of canceled subscriptions over the endorsement.
ReplyDeleteDo you know Carthage, TX?
No, I'm afraid I don't know Carthage. My knowledge of East Texas is limited to Tyler with a little bit of Lufkin, Marshall, and Jefferson, and some experience with the Big Thicket a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteCounterlight, you have no idea what you missed.
ReplyDelete