I don't often write in response to Richard Cohen's columns in the Post, mostly because his columns are usually so uninteresting that they aren't worth the effort. But today's piece is different, and it demands a response. Here's the short version.
Cohen: Obama attends a church in the South Side of Chicago. That church, like all churches, has a newsletter. Last year, that newsletter gave an award to Louis Farrakhan. As a member of that church, Obama must answer for this. Sure thing, we have no reason to think Obama agrees with this - in fact, we have plenty of reasons to be confident he does not - but nevertheless, he must answer for this.
Got that? Obama is to be held responsible for what is printed in his church newsletter.
And pundits wonder why they are ignored by average Americans.
Look. For the record, yes, Farrakhan is an idiot. Everyone knows this. Cohen knows this. Cohen knows Obama knows this. Nevertheless, Cohen believes that this presents Obama with an important "test" that will show his "mettle."
The future of our republic apparently hinges on Obama's response to his church newsletter.
Brilliant.
UPDATE: Greg Sargent gets a response from Obama:
I decry racism and anti-Semitism in every form and strongly condemn the anti-Semitic statements made by Minister Farrakhan. I assume that Trumpet Magazine made its own decision to honor Farrakhan based on his efforts to rehabilitate ex-offenders, but it is not a decision with which I agree.
Subscribe to this blog's feed
