Torture vs. A Rapper: Not Equivalent

A "Sista Souljah" moment, which has fascinated the DC chattering class for decades but hasn't really even happened since 1992, equals rhetorically distancing from a divisive figure to earn moderate love. It does not equal defying a court order and using warped logic to argue against transparency in the most authoritarian way possible. Obama doesn't need to use "optics" at this point. He already has all the support he needs. His generals came and whined to him that releasing detainee abuse photos would hurt the troops, and he agreed.

Meanwhile, this is the second time Ray Odierno has basically rolled Barack Obama. In the end, I'll bet this decision has more to do with the military throwing their weight around than anything. And as Tom Ricks said, ultimately there's only one commander in chief.

...you know what Ray Odierno could worry himself about a little more? Making sure his soldiers get enough water so they don't have to steal it. I know it doesn't rise to the level of photographs, but it seems important, at least to me.

The Worm Turns

It appears that Sista Souljah is Sista Souljah-ing contemporary hip-hop. This will get her a lot of credibility in Washington.

Not So Souljah

Was Barack Obama's Father's Day speech about families and the black community a Sista Souljah moment? Only if you watch it in a vacuum. Yes, Obama reconstituted the Bill Cosby argument and took black fathers to task for their failures of personal responsibility, but he didn't recognize areas of institutional racism, growing inequality, the struggles of breaking out of the permanent underclass, profiling, and other things that tend to hinder family development. However, he DOES address them in his urban policy plan, which talks about improving education and job opportunities in the inner city, with better housing, tax incentives, and anti-poverty programs. So you have to offer a fuller picture to judge whether he was denouncing black fathers unfairly.

...also, you have to see how he extended out the concept of responsibility.

[O]ur young boys and girls see…when you are ignoring or mistreating your wife. They see when you are inconsiderate at home; or when you are distant; or when you are thinking only of yourself. And so it’s no surprise when we see that behavior in our schools or on our streets. That’s why we pass on the values of empathy and kindness to our children by living them. We need to show our kids that you’re not strong by putting other people down – you’re strong by lifting them up. That’s our responsibility as fathers.

And by the way – it’s a responsibility that also extends to Washington. Because if fathers are doing their part; if they’re taking our responsibilities seriously to be there for their children, and set high expectations for them, and instill in them a sense of excellence and empathy, then our government should meet them halfway.