Clarence Page, The Chicago Tribune

August 3, 2009

Clarence Page
The Chicago Tribune
435 Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611

RE: “Anti-Obama ‘birthers’ are just sore losers” – and racists too. Or so you say in this morning’s Sun-Sentinel.

Mr. Page,

If I were to say that Bud Light, the President’s choice for twilight teaching moments at the White House, is a terrible beer would that make me a racist?

If I were to say that President Obama’s main connection to slavery would have been on the gathering and selling side would that make me a racist? Considering his runaway father’s ancestry could it not be possible that one of his forebears was a principal in the Kunta Kinte saga? Maybe it’s time for a new edition of “Roots”.

If I were to say that all the Obama women belong in a “nunnery” would that make me a racist and a sexist too?

Do you remember a writer named Gary Sick? He posited the thesis that George H. W. Bush swung the 1980 election to Ronald Reagan by virtue of the original “October Surprise”. Simply put or put simply – they are interchangeable – he said that George Bush slipped away from his Secret Service detachment, his campaign handlers, and the press in October, 1980. He hopped on a SR-71, AKA “Blackbird”, and flew to Paris. While there he met with agents of the Ayatollah and set about scuttling the Carter campaign. He then got back on the plane and returned to Andrews A.F.B. in time to finish his tennis match.

Since people who believe in nothing will believe in anything Sick had the Loony Left on his side. There was pressure to conduct a Congressional investigation. Speaker of the House Thomas Foley supported this. When it was suggested that there was no evidence for any of this he said that we had to have an investigation “because there was no evidence”.

If I were to say that now I know how O.J. Simpson got off would that make me a racist?

My favorite memory of Speaker Foley was when he lit the Congressional Christmas tree in 1990 or 1991. His part was to beat a large Tom-Tom while costumed American Indians danced around the drum imploring Manitou to let the buffalo return. Do you remember Steve Martin in “The Jerk” trying to dance? At least he wasn’t 3rd in line for the Presidency.


It is in the nature of the American public to rally to absurd causes. It was harmless then; it’s harmless now. Besides, as my sainted mother would say, “It keeps them out of the pool halls”.

Since you accept correlation as causation the melanin challenged makeup of the “birthers” would be grist for your mill. Stupidity may trump all other reasons including yours.

Would you search your columns for the one[s] that you wrote condemning the “October Surprise”? When you find them could you send them to me?

Did you condemn Mrs. Clinton, specifically, did you call her a racist, for her “or so he says” answer about Senator Obama being a Muslim.

Maybe it’s time for a new category in American politics.

How does “sore winners” strike you?



Kevin Smith