During the election there was a lot of concern over the patriotism of Obama associate Reverend Wright. His "infectious hate" for America delivered during his many sermons was considered unpatriotic, unAmerican, and unacceptable. Obama disavowed his relationship with Wright.
Now, Rick Perry (governor of Texas) has threatened to destroy the union with threats of Texas secession. GOP association with secessionists is well established. Sarah Palin's husband Todd was a member of the Alaskan secession party. In the mid-1990s Texas secessionists holed themselves up and lives were lost. Perry, facing a primary against K. Hutchinson leading up to the 2010 gubernatorial election, is pulling out all the stops to court the Texas far right. The "true Americans" seem quick to quit the union they profess to love so much. Both Wright and Perry served in the military. Wright seems more like Grant and Perry more like Lee these days... The true Americans have a strange way of showing their love. Too quick to quit. Liberals accepted the rules of the game and decided to "flee to Canada" when things didn't go their way. Conservatives want to take whole states with them.
Of course all of this talk is foolish. Rick Perry is a politician being a politician. He's firming up his right flank ahead of some tough primaries. Wright was reflecting the anger of his congregation regarding government policies they did not agree with (Iraq war, etc.). Both sets of commentary were over the top. However, Perry is an elected official of a notable state. He should be more responsible with his words. If he truly believes what he says, he's no better than Wright. He's creating an us versus them framework between himself and the US just as Wright was. There is equivalency that many may not recognize or be comfortable with. Such absurdities should be pointed out by the press versus pandering to. Perry's comments should be pointed out for their irresponsibility versus the titillation they provide.
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