Anyone familiar with the workings of the Sopranos Family, which is pretty much everyone, knows that family members not involved in family business are treated as "civilians". During family business disputes, the civilians are off limits, if, and only if, they keep their mouths shut. These common-sense rules-of-engagement apply in similar situations, such as political campaigns.Michelle Obama, who shares bed, breakfast table, and speaker's podium, with her husband, while campaigning with a candidate for the Presidency of the United States, is by definition not a civilian, most especially not if she deigns to enunciate opinions about the Nation she hopes, and actively supports in that hope, her husband will lead.
When Barack Obama warns his opponents, and anyone who supports his opponents, to treat his wife as a civilian, he is ignoring the possibility that not everyone who votes is ignorant of these common-sense rules-of-engagement. If Mrs. Obama restricted herself to making positive statements about herself, her husband, and her Nation, she would still not qualify for civilian status, but she would accrue a certain polite immunity from criticism for any such remarks. But if she makes derogatory remarks about her Nation, which she most certainly has made, it is the duty of her husband's opponents and those who support his opponents, to take both Obamas to task for her repugnant views.
No comments:
Post a Comment