Auntie...Why You Listen to People You Don't Agree With?

Like most of you venturing over to For All Intents, I watched or listened to every single moment of the Republican National Convention (except of course, when the Williams sisters were playing in the Open). I chuckled with the slew of Hispanic and black speakers gracing the podium along with the sprinkling of diversity captured by the folks behind the cameras of CNN, MSNBC, and in FOX. I truly tried not to get angry when hearing what I personally perceive as lies, delusions of grandeur, and aggrandized deceptions. In general, or at least in my opinion, I was able to remain pretty steady until Ann Romney espoused Mitt's unwillingness to talk about his generosity via monetary contributions and charitable acts - although we heard quite a bit about it before taking that ceremonial walk to the podium to accept the nomination as if practicing for a State of the Union Address before Congress.

I was so irritated by Ann Romney's attempt to paint her husband as the "humble benefactor" that I took to  Facebook with the following status update:  

So, I'm watching the convention and just wondering if these folks live in the same world I do! UGH!!! So, Mitt doesn't brag. He can't cause he's too busy sharing his wealth with countries sheltering his wealth! Good Grief!!!

As expected, I received a slew of "likes", "amens", and "got that rights". But, what I didn't expect was a question/comment from one of my four brilliant, wonderful, and beautiful nieces. She very simply and eloquently stated:

Auntie, I can't help but to wonder why you would watch people sharing views you don't agree with.

Now, I explained why I'm put myself through this political masochism in an effort to stay informed and up on the issues and general discourse facing us in general, and in this election specifically. I believed that then and I believe that now. But! OMG! Last night my Niece's words shouted out at me as I watched Sean Hannity (H)! I know. I know. Masochism at its best - or worst depending your frame of reference.

During the first segment I caught,  H interviewed two African Americans. One woman and one man. Don't know their names or their claims to fame, except that the male (I think) is a civil rights attorney out of NYC (can you say oxymoron?). Of course, I pegged him as a Cornell West wannabe and could not get pass the fact that he - like Cornell need a comb. The woman, put me in the mind of Condolezza Rice in tone, mannerism, and dress. The focus of the segment centered around how the POTUS, his surrogates, and the media (except FOX, of course) are perpetuating a (the) racial divide between and among the American citizenry. It was ridiculous, but because I want to try to gain an understanding about differing political views, I suffered through the segment.

Commercial break....whew...I'm cool...really....

During the next segment, H had a panel-type discussion with that young man that generally wears a bow tie, a Republican strategist (woman), and one other person - of course all white. H's intent in this segment was to go after Joe Biden for his "I’m Joe Bidenopoulos" remark characterizing it as yet another Biden gaff with racial/ethnic implications. Thankfully, that didn't go too far, much to H's shagrin. Hmmm...must say Biden's remark just reminded me that on March 17 everybody's Irish.

Commercial break...whew...I'm good...but, next up Michelle Malkin (MM)...Lord Help Me!

Now for this segment, I knew I was going to have to brace myself. You see, MM was out promoting a white paper (no pun intended?) of sorts she's entitled, The Condensed Liberal Handbook of Racial Code Words. If you want to read it you'll have to find it on Google. I refuse to provide a link to to her rhetoric. The mention of her name is a real push! Anyway, it was pretty clear that H's cholesterol levels shot up 200 point with all the red meat he was devouring as plated up by MM.

Amid eyerolls and snickers, MM explained how words or phrases including "angry, golf, professor, Chicago, Obamacare, Food Stamp President, Constitution" and others are, according to the Liberal Left, are actually racist code words. With each snidely pronounced definition offered by MM and H sucking it all up, I found myself getting more and more irritated...more and more angry. I mean, really, who are they trying to convince? Or was this just another ploy by this ilk to tell their constituency to keep on doing what their doing? 

And then, I heard my Niece saying "Auntie, I can't help but to wonder why you would watch people sharing views you don't agree with."

So, I turned the channel catching the last part of the late great Bernie Mac's Kings of Comedy routine. 

Whew! Now define THAT MM!


For All Intents & Purposes, So Glad You Stopped By!

HeB

---

HeB is the owner of For All Intents & Purposes. As a SwAAW (Strong-willed African-American Woman), HeB reserves the right to speak her mind, voice her opinion, and just tell it like it is. A Baby-boomer - whose voice was shaped by the Last Poets, the Funkadelics, Malcolm, Martin, incense, and black-lights - HeB's voice is not dictated by her employer, professional,social, philanthropic, academic, educational or service or organization of which she is a member or affiliated.

---