BCT Editorial – 8/24/10

This editorial is a hoot.  The editorial tells us “Some Americans aren’t letting documented facts get in the way of their politics - or prejudice - when it comes to President Barack Obama. … Look, this isn’t about disagreeing with the president’s health-care plan, opposing his administration’s effort to pump up the economy, or concern over mounting federal debt.  It’s about willfully and repeatedly ignoring documented facts.”  Change “Barack Obama” to “George W. Bush” and some of the issues and this sentence would describe the Times.

As for our alleged “ignorance,” this is the second editorial on this topic in five days.  Apparently the Times is desperate to rehabilitate Mr. Obama (and Democrats by extension?) in our eyes.

Here’s an interesting excerpt: “His book should be required reading for anyone who wants to understand what is taking place in the United States today - the decline of our nation’s liberal democracy (in the classical definition of ‘liberal,’ not the current one) into nationalist populism.”  In case you don’t know, “the classical definition of ‘liberal,’ not the current one” is same as today’s definition of “conservative.”  That’s why I found it interesting a lefty outlet would make that comment, seeing it appears to lament our country moving from conservative principles to liberalism/progressivism/etc.

A link to the referenced Pew poll is here.  If a poll respondent said they believe Mr. Obama is Muslim, the poll asked, “And how did you learn about Barack Obama’s religion?”  Below are the results.  (The total does not add to 100% because respondents were allowed to give up to three responses.)  With all the Times whining about the Internet and talk radio, note where these sources ranked.  You’ll note both “Internet” and “Radio” together (8%) are less than “Obama’s behaviors or his own words” (11%).  Add in “Obama’s ancestry – family background, name, appearance,” “Obama’s policies towards Muslim countries or religion in the U.S.,” and “Obama’s book(s)” and the disparity (8% vs. 17%) is even greater.