No longer filming Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, Janeane Garofalo has apparently decided to not only limit her future audience, but to shrink it down to such miniscule numbers that no one will really care. It pains me that she was not in one — but two —Seinfeld episodes in the 1990’s. Looking back, that’s about two too many.
Garofalo, recently interviewed by Keith Olbermann on Current TV, began displaying what can only be described as an unhinged rant about Herman Cain’s Presidential candidacy. To hear Ms. Garofalo, you would be hard-pressed not to come away with the impression that she would have fit right in with the Southern white racists who controlled the Democrat Party in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
For Garofalo, a white “comedian,” to accuse Cain of either being some kind of sell-out to his race or a victim of Stockholm Syndrome is repugnant. The racial double-standard that allows members of the lunatic left to enage in such vile racist invective is quite astounding. But, I suppose that’s to be expected in Barack Obama’s “post-racial” America.
With only hardcore liberals watching Countdown with Keith Olbermann, one could say that Garofalo was “preaching to the choir.” As a pastor, I can certainly relate. But, apart from the diehard leftists, who will be persuaded by anything that Janeane Garofalo says? Does she truly want to win people to her side of the argument? If she does, she seems to be going about it the wrong way.
Not only do most Americans — regardless of their political leanings — have little tolerance for bullies and hate-filled individuals, most people are fair-minded and want to be treated with respect and dignity. They do not take kindly to unfair personal attacks, particularly when the race card is played by one so ill-equipped as Ms. Garofalo.
I was reminded of how liberals once were able to share their message in a gentle and respectful way. As I was channel surfing on Sunday night, I stopped on PBS. For me, that is rare. What got me to stop and watch? A special about the 1960’s musical trio, Peter, Paul, and Mary. As a conservative, the liberal message of Peter, Paul, and Mary should not resonate with me. But, I have to admit that I have been a fan of this wonderful trio since college. On paper, I should loathe Peter, Paul, and Mary, but, just as I loved “A Mighty Wind,” a hilarious send-up of the folk music culture, I love the musical stylings of the three legends.
From “Puff the Magic Dragon” (and no, this is not a song about drugs — it’s about a boy and his imaginary dragon) to “Blowin in the Wind,” I am captivated by the messages in song. I don’t necessarily agree with all the politics contained in the songs, but at least I’m listening. Why is that? Because Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey, and the late Mary Travers delivered that message — as liberal as it was — in a winsome way. They came across as both genuine and nice. Quite the opposite of a Ms. Garofalo and her ilk. Liberals (and conservatives) could learn a lot from Peter, Paul and Mary. Unfortunately, their voices have been drowned out by the increasingly shrill — and unhinged — sounds coming from Janeane Garofalo and her fellow travelers. In the end, that’s not gonna be good for anyone.