On April 1st, 2010, former talk radio personality Eddie Burke announced his decision to run for Lt. Governor against Jay Ramras on the Republican ticket. Unfortunately, this isn't a joke, and already there is controversy given the inflammatory character Burke possesses. In theory, I don't particularly care who is in office so long as they do their job, don't violate the ethical codices and procedural guidelines governing their position, and strive to uphold the trust of those who have elected them into office. Obviously, given the political drama that has ensued over the past several years, I've yet to entertain that lackadaisical perspective towards the workings of government, and I cannot sit idly by while Burke attempts to ascend to a position that calls for abilities he does not possess.
I've met Eddie, I've seen him in action at the Assembly Meetings, his antics during the Ordinance 64 hearings, and who can forget the infamous "maggot-eating-baby-killers" remark towards the women who were protesting former Gov. Sarah Palin's Vice Presidential nomination? In fact, that "baby killer" statement has been launched multiple times during his tenure in radio against Democratic Lt. Gubernatorial candidate Diane Benson, once against revealing his character in more ways than one.
Defenders of Burke state that while he is far right, his antics on the radio were more for entertainment since inflammatory statements are the hallmark of a professional shock jock. However, in order to even hold such a position a person needs to be comfortable with the use of hate speech towards those he or she does not agree with. When you spend years cultivating a reputation for being an antagonist and proponent of verbal abuse towards groups or individuals differing from yourself, people aren't inclined to expect anything different. In their minds, that's who you are, and wearing an asinine shirt proclaiming yourself as a, "...homophobic, red shirt, bible-thumping nazi, gay bashing, tea bagging racist, white guy, bigot..." isn't going to challenge that assumption. This is the consequence Eddie Burke faces, and he has no one to blame but himself.
Also, there's the infamous picture of his son in black face with two African-American co-horts, and the caption "me and my niggaz". Poor taste doesn't even begin to cover this one, but during an interview on KTVA the image was bought up by the reporter as a means to question Burke's parenting. I admit, it was a cheap shot since my parents raised me with the philosophy that once I hit adulthood they were no longer responsible for my stupidity, and I would have to deal with the fallout of my own poor conduct. In essence, Burke's son is a grown man, and needs to take responsibility for his own actions. That is what Eddie should have said to the reporter, demonstrating a clear disapproval for his son's behavior without taking the blame for it, but he didn't, and the interview went downhill right along with public opinion.
Basically, Burke doesn't show the emotional maturity or personal integrity one expects from a public servant, and doesn't seem to understand that before he even thinks of running for office he needs to do some serious damage control after years of abuse from behind the microphone. Yet, Burke aside, I feel this entire situation is a perfect example of what is wrong with modern politics and the campaign trail. It seems that instead of debating the issues, making a strong argument, and demonstrating good judgment and character the accepted M.O. is slandering and abusing your opponent in every way conceivable. I am no more fond of Burke's antics than those of the Tea Baggers, Glenn Beck, or members of the Progressive movement who like tossing around the "Flippy McQuitter" moniker.
Enough!
If you wish to appear better than your opponent in both integrity and character, then you don't stoop to their level. Both sides need to condemn the extremist elements within their ranks, expose their adolescent behaviors for what they are, and distance themselves from the proponents of those factions. We need to inspire trust and confidence in our constituents, not rely on Machiavellian philosophies of divide and conquer through the manipulation of public opinion and personal beliefs.
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I've met Eddie, I've seen him in action at the Assembly Meetings, his antics during the Ordinance 64 hearings, and who can forget the infamous "maggot-eating-baby-killers" remark towards the women who were protesting former Gov. Sarah Palin's Vice Presidential nomination? In fact, that "baby killer" statement has been launched multiple times during his tenure in radio against Democratic Lt. Gubernatorial candidate Diane Benson, once against revealing his character in more ways than one.
Defenders of Burke state that while he is far right, his antics on the radio were more for entertainment since inflammatory statements are the hallmark of a professional shock jock. However, in order to even hold such a position a person needs to be comfortable with the use of hate speech towards those he or she does not agree with. When you spend years cultivating a reputation for being an antagonist and proponent of verbal abuse towards groups or individuals differing from yourself, people aren't inclined to expect anything different. In their minds, that's who you are, and wearing an asinine shirt proclaiming yourself as a, "...homophobic, red shirt, bible-thumping nazi, gay bashing, tea bagging racist, white guy, bigot..." isn't going to challenge that assumption. This is the consequence Eddie Burke faces, and he has no one to blame but himself.
Also, there's the infamous picture of his son in black face with two African-American co-horts, and the caption "me and my niggaz". Poor taste doesn't even begin to cover this one, but during an interview on KTVA the image was bought up by the reporter as a means to question Burke's parenting. I admit, it was a cheap shot since my parents raised me with the philosophy that once I hit adulthood they were no longer responsible for my stupidity, and I would have to deal with the fallout of my own poor conduct. In essence, Burke's son is a grown man, and needs to take responsibility for his own actions. That is what Eddie should have said to the reporter, demonstrating a clear disapproval for his son's behavior without taking the blame for it, but he didn't, and the interview went downhill right along with public opinion.
Basically, Burke doesn't show the emotional maturity or personal integrity one expects from a public servant, and doesn't seem to understand that before he even thinks of running for office he needs to do some serious damage control after years of abuse from behind the microphone. Yet, Burke aside, I feel this entire situation is a perfect example of what is wrong with modern politics and the campaign trail. It seems that instead of debating the issues, making a strong argument, and demonstrating good judgment and character the accepted M.O. is slandering and abusing your opponent in every way conceivable. I am no more fond of Burke's antics than those of the Tea Baggers, Glenn Beck, or members of the Progressive movement who like tossing around the "Flippy McQuitter" moniker.
Enough!
If you wish to appear better than your opponent in both integrity and character, then you don't stoop to their level. Both sides need to condemn the extremist elements within their ranks, expose their adolescent behaviors for what they are, and distance themselves from the proponents of those factions. We need to inspire trust and confidence in our constituents, not rely on Machiavellian philosophies of divide and conquer through the manipulation of public opinion and personal beliefs.
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