Has Hillary Finally Gone Too Far?

I didn't hear her statement at all. My wife told me about it while I was involved in a heated discussion on another topic, and I didn't even connect the dots. I saw what she supposedly said and I still had to reach as the report only involved one sentence she said. This morning I find that she was basically saying she was staying in just in case something happened to Obama, and then the democrats would need a candidate. That was from an opinion piece though. I see her logic, and I know that she only has the best interest of the party at heart. After all, this is a Clinton... a family that America has loved and revered for nearly 16 years now. I applaud her dedication and sacrifice to a party that has basically turned their back on her for an unknown upstart who has yet to finish his first term. I think it is big of her to be ready to step in just in case something unfortunate may befall Obama. I agree that the "A" word was unfortunate, but hey... it was just a LITTLE Freudian slip. Surely America can be big enough to overlook such a thing. After all, she has half a million invested in her campaign and I figure that she is wearing down and getting tired. Mistakes happen, and as we all know... It's the thought that counts.

Did you happen to hear what she said in its entirety, after she made the Kennedy reference? I can't find a link to it where it give her whole statement but it was as if she maybe knew she messed up and she really did just ramble on, making no real sense. I honestly can't remember her exact words, it was like she was desperately rattling on to change the subject or the focus of her words. It wasn't as if it were a threat or anything, it's just that the whole idea of assassination is something that just isn't said aloud in political circles, it's almost like a superstition of some kind or just a taboo subject. Like in the back of her mind she's saying she has to hang in there "just in case" or something. Annie

I feel compelled to comment on your last sentence first - many Presidential campaigns certainly HAVE gotten a lot uglier than this, and I've been saying this for months now, here in particular because it seems many fellow myLotters either don't remember past elections or it's just because this one is happening right now that it just seems like the dirtiest ever. I agree, even being the liberal I am, PCism has gotten a bit out of hand in every facet of our lives but I think this is a bit beyond the typical case of political correctness. The "A" word is one of those things that's like the 800 pound gorilla in the room that nobody talks about; we all know the threat and the possibility exists but nobody wants to acknowledge it because it's too ugly and painful. Hillary's initial "apology" that wasn't really much of an apology will probably not be the last we hear from her on this and I doubt she meant it in the context some seem to be taking it but it certainly wasn't the right thing to say. One thing several commentators I heard said was that while she did apologize to the Kennedy family, which was certainly appropriate especially considering Ted Kennedy's recent diagnosis, but she didn't apologize to either Obama or McCain and she should have. I'm opinionated when it comes to politics, as everyone here knows well, but when it comes right down to it anyone holding or running for any office, regardless of party, are human beings first and politicians second and I'd never want to see harm come to anyone. Annie

Wow, I guess I can consider myself scolded! I must say, while I conceded there is too much "PCism" as you call it going on, I really don't think this qualifies, in fact the more I think about it the angrier I get over these remarks. I simply used the "A" word to illustrate that it is a word not thrown around lightly, at least not on the shows I watch regularly. Trust me, if I meant "a$$hole", I'd SAY (or in this case TYPE) "a$$hole". You say you'll take honesty over PC anytime, but for me that would certainly depend on how you define PC. Am I to take you to mean you think hate speech is perfectly acceptable since the person using it is being "honest"? You admit there are crazies in this world, and I'll add they aren't limited to a particular candidate or political party. Given some of the tragedies that have already happened it's really not that much of a stretch to fear some nutcase could have heard Hillary's words and taken them as a hint to go and do the "unspeakable". You'd surely argue that it wouldn't be Hillary's fault, it would be the nutty person's fault and I'd have to agree however that doesn't mean it's perfectly acceptable for those in the public eye to say things that could be taken by the wrong person as an open invitation to commit murder. There are plenty of people who "hate" each of the three remaining Presidential candidates and the vast majority of them are thankfully just talk but there are those very few who, in their sick and twisted minds, may believe they've been called upon to rid the world of the danger they see that candidate as posing. My feelings about this have nothing to do with my political opinions; I'm not and never have been "anti-Hillary" but I really think she made a major blunder this time. It's not the end of the world but it's also not something to be taken lightly. Annie

Hello Annie, Scolded??? No, not at all! Though, I believe your decision to substitute 'the A word' for the word assassination is a clear demonstration of just how pervasive PCism has become. That was the point of my last response. (quote - Annie) "Am I to take you to mean you think hate speech is perfectly acceptable since the person using it is being "honest"?" As long as we effort ourselves to support 'freedom of speech', then 'hate speech' is just as protected an expression as any other speech. While I would never support Rhandi Rhode's comments calling for the assassination of George W. Bush, Mike Huckabee's NRA Convention comments, or anyone else's hateful tyrades, I will tirelessly support their right to speak their minds. Though, at the same time, I will effort myself to promote 'responsibility' by suggesting that others should 'shun' those hateful remarks. In doing so, I both respect the Constitution, and support personal responsiblity, by leaving the choice up to my fellow citizens, while at the same time following my conscience. If I effort myself toward the legal condemnation, or retribution for 'hate speech', then I would be asserting my will over the will of -- say Randi Rhodes, or Mike Huckabee. And, that is contrary to the values that formed this great nation, and which I hold so dear. We cannot reasonably mandate or legislate against speech, unless we also agree to mandate or legislate against thought, because neither demonstrates a harmful action taken against another. To do so would be just wayyyy toooo Orwellian for my taste! Should we prohibit people from making utterances that 'might' or 'could' be misconstrued by another? I believe that you already know my answer to that question. Though, how would you answer it? Moreover, how would others in our MyLot community answer that question? I'm open to hearing others' perspective on this. I agree that Hillary's was a major blunder. Though, she has the right to make it. How we respond to her blunder is the more important question. Do we scold her? Shun her remarks, or her personally for making the remark? Or, take the plunge down the 'rabbit hole' to demand retribution for it?

Don't we already have to cross ourselves before mentioning Lincoln? Oh, I was mistaken, that's Reagan...lol. I do understand what you're saying, and now that a few days has passed it seems the harshness, or perceived harshness of her words has lessened considerably. Assassination isn't a "forbidden" word but just one that isn't tossed around casually among political circles because it does bring back painful memories to so many people and , let's face it, it's a frightening prospect of having something like that happen again to anyone in our country. I've seen "PC" used in reference to this a couple times now and I still don't think it applies here, not in the conventional sense. Anyway, I think when Hillary said what she said it was easy for some to interpret more into it than I'm sure she meant, to think they could read her mind almost. Bobby Kennedy's own son has said he wasn't offended by her words and Obama said he didn't read anything more into it than what she said she meant, that she was stating how primary campaigns have gone into June in the past, etc. Most campaigns in recent years have been over months ago but in the past it wasn't at all unusual for them to run into June, but of course the first primary wasn't until much later than this year. Thanks for your response. Annie

I think it was an unfortunate comment, to say the least. I don't think she meant it in a horrible way or anything but it was a very poor choice of words, much worse than some things has gotten beaten up over. Annie