Disingenuousness Defined

By Frank Rich, in today's column that the editors labeled "The All-White Elephant in the Room." In this little rant, Rich expresses his frustration at how the press is so soft on Republicans and so hard on Democrats(!). He notes: "The Clintons and Mr. Obama are always held accountable for their racial stands, as they should be, but the elephant in the room of our politics is rarely acknowledged: In the 21st century, the so-called party of Lincoln does not have a single African-American among its collective 247 senators and representatives in Washington." He then closes with this gem:

Anyone who does the math knows that America is on track to become a white-minority nation in three to four decades. Yet if there’s any coherent message to be gleaned from the hypocrisy whipped up by Hurricane Jeremiah, it’s that this nation’s perennially promised candid conversation on race has yet to begin.

Yeah, sure - Frank Rich wants a candid conversation about race about as much as Stalin wanted a candid conversation about Socialism. Here's an example of one of Mr. Rich's "candid conversations" about race, a screed against Clarence Thomas and how soft the press is on him(!). Does it sound like he's interested in speaking candidly? It would be interesting to imagine what Frank Rich would consider his ideal candid conversation:

White Man: I vote Republican because I'm afraid black men will break into my house and rape my wife and daughters and steal my flat-screen TV.
Frank Rich: Don't you see that the Republicans just plant these fears into your head to distract you from larger issues such as health care and tax breaks for the wealthy and trans-gender rights?
White Man: Of course you're right. How could I be so gullible?
Black Man: All I want is for all people to live in harmony and have the opportunity to fully develop their potential, no matter their color or gender preference.
Rich: Thank you, gentlemen, for this candid conversation.