The other day, as you all know, MSNBC host Chris Matthews made an extremely offensive comment concerning Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Nazis, and the invasion of Francise — a comment for which he has since apologized.
Now it’s my turn (however inconsequential my opinions are and for that matter most of the rest of me).
I weighed in on the thread, posting what was understandably regarded as an endorsement of Matthews statement (where it was understood as making any kind of sense whatsoever). Here’s the thing: I failed not to appreciate the seriousness and offensiveness of Matthews’ words, but rather literally failed to read his comments (and thought the diary was going to be about something he had said earlier in the day; I had shut off MSNBC by then, and was having cocktails and watching a movie with friends — “Wind River” was pretty good btw).
This is another way of saying: I very foolishly drunk wrote a comment without first actually reading the diary. Subsequently, and soberly, I was mortified to find out what Matthews had said. As I said in my attempt at an apology and explanation in the Matthews apology thread, I think his remarks sunk beneath the depths of Godwinism, and into the depths of Goldbergism (by which I mean Jonah Goldberg, who pioneered or at least popularized the idea that fascism is an ideology of the left, rather than the right, which is not just scurrilous but dumb on the level of Dinesh D'Souza). And of course it was made all the more offensive by the fact that Senator Sanders is the son of Jewish immigrants, with (given the place and time) all that implies.
So, my most sincere apologies to all I offended. I am very sorry and embarrassed. (As I side note, I don’t drink too much at this stage of my life, but when I do I have three simple rules. #1 don’t be around people you might have a conflict with #2 don’t drive [duh] and #3 never, ever drunk write anything, anywhere on the internet. I broke this important rule, and will never do that again.)
But it all got me to think — including Matthews’ pledge to elevate the discourse in the coming months. I admit to having been a little demoralized after the UK election, but all those men and women left on the debate stage would make fine president, and all could whip DJT’s backside.
This is such an important and constructive community, which has had such a powerful and powerful impact on Democratic electoral politics. So, with all that mind, I’ve decided to: go positive. I hereby pledge to only make positive comments about the remaining candidates (well, the debate-worthy ones anyhow — this way I don’t have to say anything positive about a certain rep from that island state), and will of course follow with only positive words about the eventual nominee. (I’m not btw going negative on negativity — primaries are about vetting after all; but I’ll leave that to others.)
Peace to you all, and best wishes!