This time we Did it to Ourselves

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This time we Did it to Ourselves

Topic Author: Scott Saxton

Posted: 4:47 PM May 16, 2008

Replies Posted: 25 comments

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This time we Did it to Ourselves

I felt sick to my stomach this week.

It wasn't something I ate. It was something I watched. The Daily Show debriefed the West Virginia primary Wednesday night in typical satirical fashion. I am a huge fan of the show by the way.

Wednesday was a different story. I knew West Virginia would get blasted nationally for going against the momentum of Barack Obama. That was not unexpected. What was unexpected was the reasoning.

Jon Stewart played three soundbites of actual interviews with apparently real West Virginians.

One admitted they couldn't vote for Obama because he's of a different race and in her words "we have so much conflict with them."

Another said they couldn't vote for a Muslim. Are we really still perpetuating that rumor?

Still another person said they had enough of the Hussein thing. For those who don't know, Barack Obama's parents gave him the middle name of Hussein.

I'm not joking.

Tell me you don't like his health care plan. You'd prefer a more comprehensive policy. Tell me you think the country needs to suspend the federal gas tax for the summer. Tell me you support further involvement in Iraq.

Tell me that and I can respect your opinion.

But don't give me that other mumbo jumbo (a phrase that has been bandied about in another campaign this season).

I am not from West Virginia. I am from Ohio, but I've lived here for a decade and really do love this area. So I get sensitive when people make fun of it.

I was in Governor Bob Wise's corner when he went after Abercrombie & Fitch for the "It's all relative" t-shirts. I applauded Governor Joe Manchin and others who stood up to the casting call director who wanted people with physical abnormalities to portray a West Virginia holler.

But this time, folks, we did it to ourselves. It was our words that perpetuated the stereotype.

I think it's terribly unfortunate.

Posted by: Mary Lou All of the Obama supporters, take and look at this and tell me you still want to vote for him. http://www.dontvoteobama.net/

Posted by: Maxine Just a guess, but I bet you voted for Obama. Yeah, some may have not voted for him because he's black, but how many blacks in WV voted for Obama because he is black. This is what ticks me off. Throughout this whole campiagn anyone not voting for Obama has been deemed a racist. If I am a racist because I'm white and I voted for a white woman than any black who voted for Obama is just as much racist. Second, as for him being Muslim. You call this a rumor and yet in his own book he claims that he will fight with Muslim if need be. If anyone doesn't have a problem voting for a Muslim with known terrorist ties who spent 20 years in church listening to anti-America message, than go for it. Obama, change you can believe in, pal those are just words, just words.

Posted by: Matt Hey Ohioan... where's all that alleged 'love' for Hillary now? Even the powerful Clinton machine couldn't get her the nomination. When she announced her candidacy, she was clearly the front runner. But once people got a whif of life with her and her dishonest husband... they went the other way. Goes to prove... just because she fooled you folks in KY, WV and OH... doesn't mean she can fool everyone else. Doesn't matter... McCain would have whipped her, anyway.

Posted by: Richard Why is we are marked Raceist when we vote for Clinton But when North Carolina Votes for Obama its ok

Posted by: JOHN I think it is funny that WV is portrayed as a bunch of toothless hillbilly rednecks. That's what you get when WV has the lowest per capita educational level in the country and at least 2 out of 10 say they will never vote for a person of a different race. God knows if 2 of 10 will admit it to a stranger, it is probably more like 5 or 6 of 10. WV has nobody to blame but WV for being such an easy target.

Posted by: DONNA I think it's a shame that people are so ignorant as to give this candacy to someone noone has ever heard of around this area. As far as I'm concerned, Obama should have made himself known around America before jumping in and running for President. He hasn't said anything about anything that really matters. Peoople are really hurting with the gas prices, health care,employment, taxes, food prices, milk, bread, eggs, things that really matter to average Americans. Government raised wages, (not enough) but enough for prices to raise tremendously. I guess I just have to vote Rep. now instead of Dem. Thanks a lot all you smart people.

Posted by: Noelle Like Scott, I'm not from this area but do get defensive when people want to make fun of West Virginians. But this time, Scott, you're absolutely right-a friend working on Election Day heard many comments about how people would not vote for a (insert racist slang here). It truly disgusts me and although I'm a Hillary fan, will vote for Obama against McCain, who will only be a continuation of the Bush administration. It amazes me that people can't see beyond the Republican rhetoric-they aren't gonna let you into their country clubs, folks, they just want you to think they will. And when, heaven forbid, they're elected back into office, we will all be far worse off for having a corporate whore still in the White House.

Posted by: Maria After hearing how everyone was disappointed with Rockefeller and Byrd, for backing Obama i found myself extremely dissapointed in my public. We put them in office because they did a good job for the state. Just because they didn't back Hillary doesn't mean that they don't know what's best for the state, or the country. I have heard so many people say they would not vote if Hillary wasn't on the ballot. Are we ready for four more years of what we have already endured? Most may not like Obama but I don't think Hillary will be on the ballot. So I am asking that every one vote in November whether it be for Obama or McCain.

Posted by: ohioan Sue, for starters, there was plenty of work. The economy was in better shape. My family had enough money after paying bills to save money, now all the money goes for everything that has been raised, in case you drive a horse and buggy, most of us are paying over $4 a gallon for gas. Which in turn has made everything else raise as well (groceries being one major item). Maybe you've always had it good, and if so that's wonderful, but my family went from doing pretty good, to now struggling and scripping every penny we can get, like most folks are now these days. MY husband and I both work hard every day for what we have. But you are entitled your opinion, and if you don't like the Clintons, that's your opinion, but the majority of people in KY, WV and OH did vote for Mrs. Clinton. It's not just my opinion, it's many opinions. I'm done with this nonsense here. You voted one way, I another, we will NEVER see eye to eye. Good day.

Posted by: Sue Ohioan: Sorry you consider pointing out facts being hateful. Hmmmm...But getting back to the facts, you still haven't given me any. Give me some good aspects of (the first) Clinton's presidency. Something I can look up and verify.

Posted by: LilaMarie I see right now, Matt is a republican pig!

Posted by: ohioan Al, you hit the nail right on the head! Good way to express! You must be citizen like myself that has to work for a living and not just have loads of money like most republicans do. I highly doubt that anyone can point out a positive effect that Bush has had on us, because there is none. I don't agree with the war, but I do support our troops, they are only doing what they are told to do for our country. Although I think it's more about Bush and his goons wanting to steal from Iraq, and not for the better of the country. God Bless all the soliders and their families. I will pray that Matt would be able to see past the lies he's believing. Poor man. And Sue, I didn't insult Matt, just stating a fact, that Hillary has many more supporters than the republican side. You don't have to be so hateful.

Posted by: Matt Yep... "ohioan" proved my point. Blinded by ol Bill's charms. Please... give me an example of how Clinton improved this country. I gave several on how he made it worse. Am I a Republican... yes. But that's because I believe in lower taxes, tougher laws against violent criminals, and limited government. I don't think Americans DESERVE anything... except the opportunity to make their lives better. Bush may not be perfect, but he's secured our country much better than Al Gore or John Kerry would have. Most Americans have no concept of the worldwide battle against terrorism, and expect results right now. As a combat veteran, I can tell you... this is like no war we've ever fought. Thanks to the liberal media, many Americans want to crucify Bush because we didn't defeat this global threat in three years. I can tell you from experience... we are doing good work in Iraq - no thanks to people like Clinton who tried their hardest to cut military funding... and left us open to attack.

Posted by: Sue Ohioan, you failed to prove your point. You gave no facts of how Clinton had improved this country. You just insulted Matt which tells me that you really don't know what you are talking about. Please provide facts if you have them. And they did say that Kerry would hands down win the last election. He didn't. At this point, I am voting for Hillary. I didn't like Bill Clinton as president for just about the same reasons that Matt stated but I do feel Hillary will be a great president. Al: About the WMDS...ask the Kurds. And if you don't know what I am talking about, look it up. He moved them out because he knew he would be invaded. I got really sick of hearing about his son's henchmen picking girls off the street so he could rape them as it satisfied his taste for virgins. In many Muslim cultures, if a girl is not a virgin, she brings shame on her family and has no chance of marriage.

Posted by: Al The facts-No weapons of mass destruction-4000 plus dead service men-The mis-use of american's Patriotism-as in if you don't support the war your not patriotic-ten fold dead Irianians, as compared to Sadaam's numbers. Billions of US dollars that our grandchildren will not be able to repay.And waiting until gas is four dollars a gallon and Americans can hardly afford to eat befor realizing--things might be headed in the wrong direction.Eight years of Bush will go down in the books as the worst in history. This stimulus package really impressed some people. If anyone can give me a positive effect that Bush has had on America-you will be the first!

Posted by: ohioan Dearest Matt; you act like I was just born in the back yard. Well, just so know, there are a lot of people who appreciated having Bill Clinton in presidency and would much appreciate having his wife Hillary in the office. You must be a die-hard republican. Well, you should prepare yourself, cause as bad a shape as this country is in, there ain't no way in hell that the majority is going to vote republican. Maybe you should read on the home page here "The Clintons to spend Monday in Eastern KY". Believe me, you are outnumbered on this one. There are way more supporters of Clinton than of your choice. Go there and read the majority of the comments left there. HA! Go Hillary! USA loves you!

Posted by: Sue Why do people perpetuate stereotypes? Because it is part of human nature to seek out what will validate your opinion. Individuals feel different ways about different people: West Virginians are stupid, New Yorkers are rude, people from New Jersey are bad drivers, etc. So when faced with alot of different information, most will unconsciously go toward what will validate their own opinions. I think it walks hand and hand with the fundemental attribution error which states that if you are given information about someone that you know nothing about, that information will be taken at face value. You can train your thinking to not do this, but first, you have to admit you do it. And then take nothing at face value.

Posted by: Debbie I don't like his nonchalant attitude toward securing our borders, or the fact he often votes "present" on important issues. That's why I don't like him. I also don't like the fact that he wrote off WV and perpetuated the stereotypes before Stewart did anything here. But I agree some of the comments here and elsewhere (yes others in other states have said the same things, what about the UK paper?) are absurd.

Posted by: Matt Ok... seriously... to respond to "ohioan"... Bill Clinton did a "Superb" job in office? Were you in this country in the 90's? Please remember, he balanced the budget - not by cutting unnecessary programs, but by taxing you back to the stone age. He slashed military funding and intelligence programs, and allowed Al Qaeda to grow in power (yes folks, they've been growing since '93... they didn't just magically appear in 2001). He refused to retaliate for the first bombing of the World Trade Center, the killing of the Marines in Tanzia, and the bombing deaths on the USS Cole. Not to mention, he tarnished the office of the President... not by having a tryst with an intern (so what), but by LYING about it to a grand jury. You try that and see how long you walk around free. But ol' Slick Willie just laughed it off, then tried desperately to 'build his legacy' in the final months of his joke of a presidency. Superb? Jeez..

Posted by: ohioan Ok, my question is, why did they only use the interviews from ignorant, uneducated people, instead of also integrating some intelligent answers as well. I think it's pathetic that some people want to exploit WV into the nation as an ignorant people. I know plenty of people who live in WV, and they are intelligent, non-racists people. What a shame that WV is being portrayed in that light. Each state, in every state has ignorant members of society, they just don't all get air time. I agree with you completley Scott. Hillary got my vote, but not because of all the non-scene that some stated, but because Bill Clinton did a superb job in office, and we sure could use a Clinton to help out the American people after what Mr Bush, whom we have to call leader, has done to us.

Posted by: Terri Have you ever noticed that shows like that always use the interview that paints our state in the worst light? Maybe the sound bites were real and maybe not, either way I hate that the rest of the country is going to see us as ignorant, uneducated, racist rednecks. I don't think that the ignorant, the uneducated, the racists, or the rednecks are limited to our state. Most of the people I have talked to voted for Mrs. Clinton because they really believe she is the best candidate and they are hoping for more years like her husband brought us. The economy is on everyone's mind and they think she can turn it around. I've lived here my entire life, Scott, and I'll never get used to the degrading remarks or the myth perpetuated that we are somehow inferior in intelligence than the rest of the country. We didn't do it to ourselves. A few ignorant people did it for us.

Posted by: Captain America Scott,you are right.The truth hurts sometimes.People don't usually take criticism well,especialy when they have a chip on their shoulder.I have lived here for 40 yrs and I used to get defensive when someone critised our state.The older I got,the more educated I got,and the more I traveled the less defensive I became.People are entitled to their own opinion,but they are not entitled to their own facts.Facts are we have a low education rate.People in West Virginia have low incomes.The population of our cities keeps dropping,and yes we will continue to be the butt of jokes.They say misery enjoys company,if you can't beat them join them,I have to laugh to keep from crying.I could keep going but whats the use?

Posted by: john we did not all vote that way,I just plain dont trust obama.you can't tell me that you can tax the oil companys profits cause they are makeing to much $.

Posted by: Anonymous get real

Posted by: Randal I must say that your station is putting the "HICK" in W. Vi. So much for being impartial and non BIAS. Your reporting of the political arena has gone beyound laughable to pathetic. Just because a desperate Cliton shows a little attention to our state you now thank that she is that big fish in a very, very small pond. Your constant snide jabs at others running for office are pathetic and shows your lack of professsionalism. Your reporting and your station reflect and encourage the complacent self flogging that West Virginians seem to so love. You ask on your web and state on the news, "So where are the others that are running?." Did you ever think that your reporting may have chased them off? Duh!!! Go figure. Your sour grapes attitude is obvious and not true REPORTING. As for myself, I'm still not sure who I will vote for but as for your shameful reporting you will not get my vote. We have a great state full of wonderful people so could you stop representing us as Yahoo's.