US media and Charleston shooting

I refer to the extensive postings in theHuffington Post and other news outlets on the many related stories and sub-plots surrounding the recent killing of nine blacks at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Granted that no sane observer had attributed religion (Christian or otherwise) to the underlying issues surrounding the massacre, I find it most unhelpful giving that FOX-News/Conservative slant of the tragedy any further credence by even discussing it.

The murderer (please, forget alleged) Dylan Roof, told all his friends, victims and survivors that he came to kill blacks. Period.

Media platforms like Jon Stewart’s Daily Show and Larry Wilmore’s Nightly Show both on The Comedy Channel, and others have taken time to show the futility of that narrative invented by conservatives, flying in the face of evidence and facts. Shame on Fox Inc.

Earlier while campaigning in California, frontline Democratic presidential aspirant, Hilary Clinton, gave a speech that may well turn out to be landmark. She boldly took on the ugly monster of race relations. She took no prisoners and dispassionately addressed the historical, institutional (Jim Crow), moral and very personal aspects (red lining and differential policing) of race relations that routinely result in such outcomes typified by the outrage in Charleston, SC. It should be more profitable analysing that speech rather than dwelling on the absolute rubbish put out by Fox and company.

Perhaps, we have finally come to a tipping point. For those Republicans who insist on deluding themselves (and nobody else) on the issue of race, the current sad development is akin to having ants in their pants.

How on earth does an old school conservative deal with this? Confusion in their presidential slate has come from a most unlikely source.

What with the likes of Mitt Romney weighing in and openly calling for the lowering of the confederate flag flying from public buildings in South Carolina?

This flag has for years been an open insult and affront to the sensibilities of all blacks and the decent segment of the white population. It seems like everybody now has to stand up to be counted.

The huge turnout of white Americans at the first Sunday service at Emanuel AME Church following the killings speaks volumes. Nobody appears to be pretending to sit this one out on the fence.

I foresee the momentum sustained with the final endgame remaining a matter of pure speculation. It seems obvious that things just cannot remain the same going forward.