Sunday, December 6, 2009
Wisdom and the Wiseman Brothers: A Modest Proposal
Posted by Jackson Baker on Sun, Dec 6, 2009 at 11:04 PM
- Russell Wiseman (left) and Lang Wiseman
The most extravagant claims, accusations, and braggadocio reign in such places. Overstatement and outrageousness are as commonplace on the Web as ink is in the remaining bastions of print.
Does that excuse the over-the-top bombast employed by Arlington mayor Russell Wiseman in his now infamous Facebook rant about President Barack Obama? No, but it partly explains it.
Obama a Muslim? Scheming to prevent righteous Christian children from seeing Charlie Brown on TV? (And using no less than a major address on defense policy to do so?) Add to that a challenge to Obama’s supporters to go live in a Muslim country and, perhaps most flagrant of all, the assertion that only property owners should be allowed to vote in America. All of this said in the most petulant, carelessly provocative manner possible.
Absurd, arrogant, intolerant, and abominable on its very face, this kind of flame-talk is not uncommon in the stylized and self-willed derangement of Internet argumentiveness. Though it might get its author banned as pseudonymous commenter on a political website, such a pseudonymous or anonymous comment itself, alas, would look perfectly at home there.
But this piece was signed, and by the chief political officer of a Memphis suburb. It is not for nothing that political discourse is — or used to be — guarded, platitudinous, and loaded with hair-splitting equivocations. Public officials — and candidates for office — are attempting to speak for large and diverse aggregates of people, and what they say has to spread wide, even thin, to incorporate them all safely. It is the opposite of cyber-speak.
Aside from the purposely contemptuous nature of Wiseman’s comments themselves, they were a disservice to the population he represents. Any first-amendment defense of what Wiseman wrote is wildly off point. Public officials represent their publics. It is the very nature of our political system.
Though it wouldn’t be exculpatory, it would be a step toward redemption if Mayor Wiseman would do the obvious: Admit error and apologize. Not to do so makes the people of Arlington complicit in his ill-considered philippic.
And there’s yet another disservice he needs to requite — the one committed against the only other public person named Wiseman in these parts, his brother Lang Wiseman, who is not only the chairman of the Shelby County Republican Party but has for the most part comported himself effectively, even far-sightedly, and, perhaps most importantly, discreetly. It would be tempting to call the GOP chairman a “moderate,” only that’s a descriptor as unacceptable to the contemporary Republican as “liberal” is to your average office-holding Democrat.
Lang Wiseman has so far held his peace on the matter of the Facebook entry. It would be wise (as it were) for him to continue to do so, unless his brother declines to avail himself of the apologetic course just suggested. In that case, the chairman might need to supply the remedy himself, as embarrassing to both brothers as that might be.
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UPDATE: Russell Wiseman Issues Statement
Russell Wiseman has now issued his own statement in response to his Facebook comments.
- Dec 7, 2009
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Thanks for connecting the dots. Both seem to have a rather high opinion of themselves; and I really don't like Lang's style of argument...makes me miss John Ryder's sarcasm!
Russ Wiseman didn't do any favors for his fellow citizens of Arlington. But the real damage was to his employer, the First Capital Bank, where he is a loan officer. Banks are always under suspicion of being discriminatory in their loan practices. Wiseman put himself on record as belittling other Christian faiths, he said he liked the original constitution which allowed slavery and counted blacks in servitude as 3/5 people. Plus, he better hope there are no disgruntled current or former employees who could use some leverage in a wrongful termination suit. Wiseman gave that person just the evidence he or she could want:
There is a blog outlining these issues:
http://stoptennesseebigot.blogspot.com/
I never heard the chairperson of the SCDP try to defend our city mayor's craziness or a call for one to do so. This is Russell's doing, not Lang's.
Agreed, Tom. The burden is on Russell Wiseman to take a public mea culpa. But if he should remain silent and unrepentant, that ipso facto would begin to put pressure on brother Lang to break his own silence. Else, as not only First Brother but the acknowledged spokesperson for Shelby County's Republicans, he would appear, fairly or unfairly, to condone the remarks.
In other words, Russell could -- and should -- take Lang off the hook. (And the SCRP, as well.)
Just sayin'.
Russell Wiseman did right by all real Americans. So we're supporting him and Sarah Palin in 2012! Go Palin / Wiseman! www.sarahpalinrussellwiseman2012.com
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
...Part Duex
2009
EVERY WHO DOWN IN WHOVILLE LIKED CHRISTMAS A LOT,
BUT THE GRINCH, WHO LIVED JUST NORTH OF WHOVILLE, DID NOT.
THE GRINCH HATED CHRISTMAS THE WHOLE CHRISTMAS SEASON
NO ONE KNOWS WHY, NO ONE KNOWS QUITE THE REASON.
IT COULD HAVE BEEN THAT THE GRINCH WAS JEW,
BUT HE WASN’T THE GRINCH SIMPLY HATED EACH WHO.
HE HATED THEM ALL SINCE THEY ALL SEEMED SO HAPPY
AND THE GRINCH’S POOR LIFE WAS COMPARATIVELY CRAPPY.
THE GRINCH WAS AN ATHIEST, GAY, AND A COMMIE
(SOMETHING HE’D LEARNED FROM HIS DAD AND HIS MOMMIE).
HE DIDN’T MIND WINTER SOLSTICE OR KWANZAA
BUT THE “CHRIST” NAME IN CHRISTMAS DROVE THAT GRUMPY GRINCH GONZA.
BECAUSE JESUS TAUGHT LOVE, GOODNESS, MORALS, AND SUCH
THINGS THAT THE GRINCH DIDN’T PRACTICE THAT MUCH.
BUT YOU KNOW THAT OLD GRINCH WAS SO SMOOTH AND SO SLICK
THAT HE THOUGHT UP A PLAN AND HE THOUGHT IT UP QUICK.
THIS YEAR NO SANTA SUIT, NO TASTY ROAST BEAST
NO TRUSTY DOG MAX OR CRASHING THE FEAST
NO MORE BROODING IN SILENCE, NO CINDY LOU WHO
NO…. THIS YEAR THE GRINCH WOULD CALL the ACLU .
SO THE GRINCH GRABBED HIS CELL PHONE, HE GOT ON THE HORN
AND CALLED ON THE MOST VILE LAWYERS E’ER BORN.
ATTORNEYS AMORAL, AGGRESSIVE AND MEAN
WHO WORK IN THE WHOLE “HATE AMERICA” SCENE.
AND YES ALL THESE LAWYERS WERE ALL CLOSET COMMIES
(SOMETHING THEY’D LEARNED FROM THEIR DADDIES AND MOMMIES).
AND THOUGH THEY WERE BAD FROM SHOELACES TO FACES
THEY’D ALL BECOME RICH ON A CONTINGENCY BASIS.
THEN HE CALLED MICHAEL NEWDOW, WHO REALLY HATES GOD
AND SOME MUSLIM LAWYER NAMED TAWFIQ HADAD.
WITH HIS DEVILS IN PLACE AND READY TO SUE
THE GRINCH NOW WAS READY TO SCREW EVERY WHO
ALL THE WINDOWS WERE DARK, QUIET SNOW FILLED THE AIR
ALL THE WHOS WERE ALL DREAMING SWEET DREAMS WITHOUT CARE.
WHEN HE CAME TO THE BRIGHT LIGHTS RIGHT THERE ON THE SQUARE.
THE GRINCH SAID, “THIS BANNER SIMPLY MUST GO
IT SAYS ‘MERRY CHRISTMAS’ IT CLEARLY SAYS SO.
I DON’T BELIEVE IN THIS JESUS CHRIST FELLOW.”
THEN THE ACLU GUYS ALL STARTED TO BELLOW,
“THIS BANNER’S ILLEGAL, INTOLERANT, INTRUSIVE.
THE WHOS MUST REPLACE IT WITH SOMETHING INCLUSIVE.”
SO THE BANNER CAME DOWN AND THE WHOS HAD SOME MEETINGS
AND PUT UP A NEW ONE THAT SAID “SEASONS GREETINGS.”
WITH THE BANNER NOW HISTORY, THE GRINCH STARTED ON
THE SWEET MANGER SCENE ON THE CITY HALL LAWN.
THE ACLU GUYS SAID, “THIS TOO MUST GO.
PUT A KWANZAA DISPLAY UP RIGHT THERE IN THE SNOW!”
MIKE NEWDOW THEN SAID,"WE'VE GOT THESE WHOS OVER BARRELS,
SO IN ALL THE WHOS SCHOOLS WE'LL ELIMINATE CAROLS!
AND WHILE ALL THIS WAS HAPPENING WHAT DID THE WHOS DO?
WHY THEY DID NOTHING BUT CRY BOO-HOO-HOO
WE DON’T HAVE THE MONEY. WE DON’T HAVE THE TIME.
THE COURTS ARE AGAINST US. IT’S SUCH A TOUGH CLIMB.
I GUESS WE’LL JUST LUMP IT. THIS MUST BE OUR FATE.
AND THEY CRIED AND THEY WHINED UNTIL ALL WAS TOO LATE.
THEN THE GRINCH AND THE LAWYERS RAN RAMPANT THROUGH TOWN.
TEARING EVERY REFERENCE TO JESUS CHRIST DOWN.
NOW ITS MANY YEARS LATER AND CHRIST IS ALL GONE
AND THE WHOS ARE ALL WONDERING WHERE DID WE GO WRONG.
OH, SURE, SANTA'S STILL THERE WITH HIS REINDEER AND ELVES
BUT AS THE WHOS SNOOZED THEY LOST PART OF THEMSELVES.
WITH CHRIST GONE FROM CHRISTMAS THE SPIRIT LEFT, TOO
AND LEFT A BIG, GAPING HOLE IN EACH SOUL IN EACH WHO.
AND WHAT OF THE GRINCH, NO, HE, STILL IS UNHAPPY
BUT IT MAKES HIM FEEL BETTER NOW THAT EVERYONE’S CRAPPY.
SO, NOW CHRISTMAS TIME’S JUST A MEM’RY FOR WHOS
WHO LET IT ALL GO TO THE ACLU’S.
by
Steve Mitton
With apologies to Dr. Seuss
www.stevesradio.com
Real Americans? A real American zero....
If I'm Lang my reply is "What brother?"
What I find humorous is that American Christians seem to think that THEIR winter holiday is the most important and oldest...SORRY GUYS HANUKKAH AND SOLSTICE WHERE HERE BEFORE CHRISTMAS...And I don't see anybody forcing the Happy Holidays on anyone...If you don't like it don't shop or do business with people that use it...Quit whining.
poor white, conservative Christians. that overarching "under-siege" mentality must be exhausting.
How dare you all condemn his family, his entire career and his very Christianity because of this joke (poorly chosen and foolishly posted) that was horribly reported by a columnist who has written two more articles with no additional information, just touting himself for writing such an inflammatory article. That is much worse that anything Mayor Wiseman did. Find out some facts about the man before writing such trash based on one article. I am ashamed of the hate from both sides.
smitton seems to be a shameless blog-ho.
Russell to Lang: "Mom always liked you best."
I found this out about Mayor Wiseman, Why_I_left_Mem: His frontal lobotomy was an unequivocal success.
Smitton, I think Dr. Seuss would slap you upside your Whohead. In case you didn't notice, their's no Christ in Whoville, no crosses, churches, no bellicose preachers or pulpit pounding screachers. Whoville is, to all appearances, a socialist paradise in which the people are the reason for the season.
The Grinch couldn't stand all their trappings, presents, Christmas lights and decorations and Christmas trees. Why? Because none of those things had anything to do with Christ. They didn't celebrate Christmas for Christ, they celebrated Christmas to celebrate. And when he took away all the pagan trappings of their secular holiday, they still celebrated - by singing a socialist hymn celebrating the community of Who's.
Just take a look at some of the words to their song.
Fah who for-aze! Dah who dor-aze!
Welcome Christmas, Come this way!
Christmas day is in our grasp,
so long as we have hands to clasp.
Welcome Christmas, bring your cheer.
Welcome all Who's far and near.
So, I welcome you to reexamine the real meaning of Christmas and the real meaning of Dr. Seuss' timeless story of intolerance and forgiveness. I don't think Christ would want you to celebrate his birthday by sitting up in your cave, hating everyone who doesn't celebrate the holidays they way you want them to. And don't just apologize to Dr. Seuss, you should get down on your knees and kiss his big secular toe.
i'm curious if Wisemann pays a mortgage... if so, I guess he wouldn't technically be allowed to vote.
these pics show the two vacuous bros side by side...they look like products of test tube experiments...they're political views attest to that.
these pics show the two vacuous bros side by side...they look like products of test tube experiments...their political views attest to that.
These radical religious rights make me sick. While hiding behind the Bible they are the most devious, hypocritical liars on earth. They incite hate, anger, racism and radical behavior. This is Christianity?
When are churches going to be removed from their tax free status when they
"preach" politics from the pulpit and with their communications?
Jeff wins the thread. Jesus was probably born in August anyway, so it's all a wash if you ask me.
"When are churches going to be removed from their tax free status when they
"preach" politics from the pulpit and with their communications"
Abso-freaking-lutely. this needs to happen NOW. tax exempt status has for far too long afforded hatemongers and charlatans cover.
Damn! All of the good rebuttals have been taken. Let me just say Jeff, Auto, and katiec are all squarely on target.
This family is the Arlington's Spuckler's. Rusty, the slack-jawed yokel and his brother Old "Lang" Syne have a sister, Cramdine, who has auditioned to compete with Michelle Duggar to see if she can have at least 22 kids in the next five years on the brand new Wiseman Family Values show on the Southern Christian Network. Gotta love them Born Agains and their Biblically based versions of reality, where everyone is white, uptight, and proud not to be too bright.
Cue up those banjoes and fiddles when you read little Rusty's apology. He's a runnin. For Prezzeedent of Tea Party Nation.....ooops...'scuse me...that'd be VICE President of Tea Party Nation. We already got our lil gal Sayra runnin for Prezzeedent. She's a hot thang, that thar lil Sayra and she's been blessed by her preecher man and been told she ain't no witch, so she' got a reeeel good chance of winnin and everythang.
His statement confirms EVERYTHING that people outside of Tennessee believe about the state: BACKWARDS.
Why am I , as a Christian, lumped in with this guy in the overall trashing of Christianity. I don't like what the guy said any more than anyone else, but to attack Christianity and their organizations is the same thing this guy did with the President and the Muslim faith. Seems a bit hypocritical.
It's the same reason that I, as a male white from Tennessee, am automatically viewed and considered a hick and klansman by outsiders; because of the things that people like Wiseman say.
Jumping on the christianity is bad bandwagon is always easy to, but I do believe that most of the comments have been directed towards the uber-conservative, born again, it's our way or the highway, scared straight crowd that Wiseman seemed to be pandering to. I must admit it is fun to get them all riled up though!
Is that Henry Rollins fron Sons of Anarchy?
Maybe Wiseman should write a book that will be full of contradictions, idiotic statements...just make sure it panders to angry white folks who are "right" about everything.
Only the truth hurts. Russell Wiseman must have said something right in order to be so badly criticized by a bunch of rednecks whose border is the Mississipi River.
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