America’s politics changing
Grady L. Cornish, PhD

Race has been a dominant aspect of America’s political landscape. It was present in the debates about slavery in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Unfortunately today, it is still playing a subtle role in our body politics.

As ugly as it might get,the poison of racism is being drawn out. Through newspaper Opinions, television and radio discussions it is being dragged into the open where it can be punctured and stand as concrete refutation of the claim that racism doesn’t really exist anymore. It remains real, it retains the power to warp lives and futures and souls, and you can see its craftmanship throughout our society.

However, while we acknowledge that racial bias remains a powerful subcurrent in all aspects of American life, it’s also important to distinguish the subcurrent from the mainstream. There is absolutely no doubt that America is changing quickly, and for the better. The recent Indiana, Lousiana, and Mississippi Democratic Congressional wins are powerful indicators that the politic of division, particularly race related, is "on its death bed and the only thing uncertain about it is how costly will be the funeral." These Democratic Congressional wins are powerful indicators because in all three of the recent special elections Republican opponents ran ads connecting the Democratic candidates with Obama and Reverand Wright. The outcome of those elections provide reasonable examples of the rejection of the prolongated conflict fed Obama/Rev.Wright discussions of conservative television and talk radio personalities. These personalities are struggling to maintain relevance in this changing environment.

The transforming aspect of this year’s election is evidenced in the elevated importance of how a campaign is run; it now matters. Playing on racial fear and resentment for political advantage is not getting as good a reception as in prior election years. So far, those candidates who tolerate the worst in those on the fringe risk a powerful backlash, because America is not there anymore.

Questions linger about Obama
Grady L. Cornish, PhD

Despite a well written condemnation and a pointed response, questions linger about whether or not, during twenty years of membership, Presidential candidate, Barrak Obama, heard some of the controversial and incendiary sermons by The Rev. Wright, pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago, Ill. Moreover, these questions have instigated the assertion that if Obama indeed did hear some and failed to challenge or disassociate from Rev. Wright it’s a reflection of poor judgment, lack of courage, and thus disqualifies him for the Presidency?

A prolonged conflict-feeding discussion of the Obama/ Rev. Wright connection benefits mostly people like O’Rielly, Lumbaugh, Hannity, and similar ilk, who are stretching it to the max. Limited to the context of their own premises they, along with their guest, have discussed this matter from all possible angles. Now that the Republican Party has chosen a Presidential Candidate not of their liking, this group is struggling to maintain relevance. The people buying what they are selling have already made up their minds. The tracking polls they cite claiming some shifts among voters in the undecided category are quite skewed and therefore meaningless. Generally, voters in that group are more deliberative, thoughtful and less likely to be persuaded by people of their mindset.

To conclude that Obama’s refusal to disown Rev. Wright evidences a flawed judgement and lack of courage, and therefore robs him of the fitness to be President not only stretches the bounds of reason but also turns logic on its head.

I am a Hillary Clinton supporter but I detest political hustlers from all spectrums.