Editor's note: Walter Mosley is the author of more than 34 books, including the mystery series featuring Easy Rawlins and his latest featuring Leonid McGill. He has won an O. Henry Award, a Grammy and PEN America's Lifetime Achievement Award. His newest book is "All I Did Was Shoot My Man" (Riverhead Books).
By Walter Mosley, Special to CNN
(CNN) - Newt Gingrich is a political opportunist. His job is to pack as much powerfully charged meaning into every sentence as he can, which makes him a working poet. So he knows full well that calling someone a "food stamp president" brings up the working person's fear, looming reality, and in some cases the actual experience, of unemployment - while making a shout-out to racism and affixing a stigma to poverty. All the while hiding behind the symbol of a flag.
It is the bane of America and Americans that too often, those who best grasp the language of hatred and fear are those who are most likely to lead. This is simply because tacticians like Gingrich are well-versed in the traditional battle-cry and have no fear of the outcome of political civil war. Why should they be afraid ? They will never be down in the streets suffering with the people.
Gingrich says his words were misinterpreted, that anybody who criticizes his characterization of President Obama is attacking the very fiber of American democracy. He sounds like a lawyer explaining away a crime by influencing the point of view of the jury with doubletalk. "It is not that my client isn't guilty but that you cannot prove that he is."
Woe be it to America when our lawyers become our poets.
What defines you? Maybe it’s the shade of your skin, the place you grew up, the accent in your words, the make up of your family, the gender you were born with, the intimate relationships you chose to have or your generation? As the American identity changes we will be there to report it. In America is a venue for creative and timely sharing of news that explores who we are. Reach us at inamerica@cnn.com.
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Mosley, even with all that bragging in your introduction, you clearly can't handle the truth. Obama is the food stamp president. He wants everyone dependant on government. Just open your eyes and stop being so partisan.
With a last name like yours...i can tell you r probably from deep south possibly alabama...and that you are relatively OLD. This country needs YOUNG FRESH republicans w/o values lke u were raised on I pitty your kind,,,,,you remind me of bush, Republican spkr of the house, and Palin (PLAYED OUT W/TEA PARTY) smile.....Seriously I feel sorry for you....DO U GO TO CHURCH.....GET THE HATE OUT OF YOUR HEART....THERE"s only a few of you left..//GET UR SOUL RIGHT!!!!!!!!
Can anyone tell me what is wrong with someone getting food stamps if they need it? explain to me like a fifth grader!!
Most people do not think it is wrong for hungry people to get Food Stamps, but that is not the point. What Gingrich was referring to is that under President Obama more people have become so poor that they qualify for Food Stamps then at any other time in our history. Obama is the Food Stamp President because his policys make people poor...
Happy to have a Meek, Umble, non wife cheater, Intelligent, Nationally respected and honored by most foreign countries and head officials. SOME OF HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Taking Ben LADIN DOWN......R
FACT: obama is the food stamp president. Anyone who thinks different does not have or is not using his brain.
Censorship is evil.
solutions777, please state the numbers to verify your fact. A lot of what Newt says is rhetoric.