We Need Edith Bunker to Sort Us Out!
by Dolores Klein, Peoria, IL
The late Nixon speechwriter who took credit for Spiro Agnew’s “nattering nabobs of negativism,” William Saffire (who critics accused of trumpeting various Clinton scandals that were never borne out by facts), is described in recent obituaries: “He started grabbing bits of information and wrapping them in the tightest partisan, what-if spin possible; when the accusation unraveled, he’d simply ignore the thud of his charges hitting the floor.” Like most of today’s claimants of Bill Buckley’s conservatism, Saffire helped tarnish the definition of that good word.
Limbaugh wannabes like Glenn Beck, attract followers who act and organize today on the basis of their attacks on liberals (portrayed as in the McCarthy days as Commies and Socialists).
Currently, controversies revolve around Limbaugh being denied ownership of a football franchise, and gay marriage and “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
Limbaugh, far from just being racist in his comments, is generally a Bigot. He offended everybody early on, with his calling a 13 year old Chelsea Clinton “A dog.” His attitudes towards gays and women/feminists suited those who liked hearing their own prejudices said right out loud. Much as we enjoyed a loveable Archie Bunker, an unexpected effect across the country found bigots reveling in hearing it all said out loud! And as Archie’s daughter and son-in-law countered him “from the left,” Edith’s loving common-sense humanity sorted them out.
How many fans remember how Archie and Edith way back then faced institutional homophobia at least twice, with Edith winning out? Edith Bunkers are needed today to sort us all out.
