It is a sad and shameful sight to see our front page polluted with nasty attacks and vile commentary on the failed "candidacy" (if, indeed, that is the appropriate term for contending for the nomination of a governor) of Caroline Kennedy.Caroline Kennedy, no matter what you think of her experience, qualifications, or, indeed, her politics, has done nothing to deserve the sort of petty nastiness featured on the front page. We, as a movement, a community, and as individuals, are better than this. Have we fallen so low? Lost so much of our vision and drive that we are distracted by every bare throat from the principles that guide us?
I have seen this community come together in times of disaster, be it personal, regional, or global. I have seen helping hands extended to those who need assistance, and comfort given to the bereaved. I have seen this community celebrate its victories, and even mourn its losses. And never; never, have I felt so disappointed. Not in the members of this community, but in its titular leaders.
It is not the mere nastiness of the comments made this evening, but the unnecessary nastiness, that is so frustrating. Caroline Kennedy has withdrawn her name from contention. At least for the moment, she is not seeking public office. More than that, she has done so when her odds of "victory" (again, perhaps not the best word, but it will suffice) seemed rather high. She has not done so because of some great moral ill. Nor indeed has she done anything remotely deserving of nasty prom date comparisons.
So then what possible purpose does tonight's mockery serve? To place injury upon defeat? To aggrandize the "vanquishers" however irrelevant their contribution? As a giant "I told you so"? Perhaps merely to gloat. Whatever the reason, it is needless. These are the reasonings of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, graceless, unnecessary, and crude. We are better than this.
It does not matter what you may think of Caroline Kennedy. I hold no particular fondness or distaste towards her. Regardless of your opinion, we are better than this. Kos is better than this. SusanG. is better than this. So I ask, that as a community we send some sort of message that we are better than this, and that we want more from our front pagers than this.
Thank you.