Yes, she's a woman, so that means Somerby insults her.
But she also"interrupted a presidential campaign event."
Oh, the horror!
Who does she think she is? A citizen in a democracy?
As with most Somerby obsessions, this one goes back to Clinton -- specifically to Hillary Clinton.
In 1996, in support of her husband's crime bill, she gave a speech in which she stated, "They are often the kinds of kids that are called 'super-predators.' No conscience, no empathy, we can talk about why they ended up that way, but first we have to bring them to heel."
The 'super-predator' was a myth, a falsehood.
And she gave a speech using the term.
Now she's running to be president of the United States and Bob Somerby thinks no one should ever question someone so exalted.
Anne Gearan and Abby Phillips (WASHINGTON POST) reported what happened after Hillary saw Ashley's sign:
The last part of the quote was written on a large, hand-lettered sign that Williams held up as Clinton spoke to her donors and supporters.
Clinton took note of the sign and read it aloud, squinting to read it and apparently unaware that it was her own quote.
Williams addressed Clinton, asking whether Clinton would "apologize to black people for mass incarceration." Williams added, "I'm not a super predator, Hillary Clinton."
Clinton first told Williams, "we'll talk about it," but grew irritated as Williams continued to speak. “Do you want to hear the facts, or do you just want to talk?” Clinton asked sharply.
Off camera, guests at the fundraiser, apparently held in a private home, can be heard saying "shhhhh," which then turns to such comments as "this is inappropriate," and "you're being rude." Williams asked again about Clinton's words from 1996, as a man approached Williams to escort her out.
"You know what? Nobody’s ever asked me before. You’re the first person to do that, and I’m happy to address it," Clinton said, but did not elaborate.
Bob has rushed to rescue Clinton (his knee jerk response intact).
He's attacked Ashley repeatedly.
In doing so, he's made statements he can't back up.
Did Hillary use the term only once?
Bob says she did.
Apparently, he kept a daily journal of every sentence she ever uttered.
Ashley is African-American.
The issue matters to her and it matters to her for personal reasons (which he has also mocked) that include what she saw growing up.
He mocks her for telling Hillary "I am not a super-predator."
He mocks her and insists Hillary never called her that.
He fails to grasp -- he intentionally fails to grasp -- that Ashley is putting a face on her community.
The super-predator myth has long been discredited.
Bob ignores that.
He also ignores that Hillary never addressed the issue at the event.
He also ignores that Hillary has a big problem with young voters and maybe referring to young people as "dear" and getting testy with them isn't the best campaign strategy?
Hillary made the statement.
She needs to be held accountable for it.
Unless you're Bob Somerby.
