new post »
see more posts »
There is something people don't understand in Obama, and it is not his race. People know black people; they're familiar. Obama is just alien, unusual, WEIRD. The name, the background, everything about him. You know this is true, as much as you may try to deny it, you cannot make it go away.
105 replies [ Reply | Watch | Options ]ohmigod - my last name is weird - it starts of with three consonants - so that must be why no one likes me!
[ Reply | Options ]-
What I don't understand is why somebody like him would do community service? Why try and get people to vote and improve education? Why work to improve the lot of your fellow man in Chicago? Illinois? the US of A? Why not just fuck everyone you can and get rich? I mean he was top dog. A black man with a Columbia undergrad and Harvard Law and he goes to work for $12K?
[ Reply | Options ]NP: I know, I found the whole GOP convention joking about "community service" thing really offensive. Har har helping people yuk yuk what a laugh riot. PS Rudy -- > your career is so over so laugh's on us!
[ Reply | Options ]ita, i mean jeez - Martin Luther King, Jr was a community organizer, so was Gandhi, and Mandela, Cesar Chavez.
[ Reply | Options ]-
They mock it not because it isn't noble work, but because he, Obama, tried to claim that being a community organizer is on a equal level of responsibility with being a mayor or Governor, which anyone with a brain knows to be false. She was making fun of the comparison that they are equal jobs, not the job itself
[ Reply | Options ]
He did get rich. He was making 4mil a year. His boss at his "Community Service organization" said he was more of a figurehead and the program did nothing to help schools in the end.
[ Reply | Options ]What???? Go back and do your homework for real this time. I can't stomach any more of you GOP robots who spout "facts" that are so fictional it's laughable.
[ Reply | Options ]-
I hope to god you're being sarcastic.... I'm astonished at the absolute stupidity...
[ Reply | Options ]Of course I am. :-) Someone from the McCain campaign or some other sort of right wing operative has clearly chosen to grace us today. They have been all over the board making outrageous claims about Obama and claiming they can be supported by "Google".
[ Reply | Options ]-
np: i teach my dcs that doing their homework means that they have to do it themselves. This community organizer background info is not difficult to find from RELIABLE sources although you may have to think while you read - which, based on your posts today looks like it might be a stretch for you
[ Reply | Options ]So what you're saying is "google it" what a hypocrite. Just admit that you don't have the facts to back yourself up
[ Reply | Options ]Alright - lets look at your logic. You throw a statement up there and ask people to work for you to "disprove" what you've said. And if no one does within 5 minutes (generally because they've become bored of your ignorance, you say that then it must be fact. I like this game: John McCain is a practicing member of the KKK and has lynched 16 men, women and children. I googled this, so it must be true. Disprove it or admit that you don't have the sources to argue against my brilliant fact.
[ Reply | Options ]
-
Obama himself became disillusioned with the whole community activist methodology. He concluded that he could not really achieve anything significant and that is why he turned to politics. Also, no one making 12k a year lives in the most exclusive enclave of Hyde Park
[ Reply | Options ]NP: He bought the house very recently (within the last few years) out of proceeds from his books.
[ Reply | Options ]The point is that the poster was trying to paint Obama as a man who'd work for no money but we all see that he too, chases the almighty buck or else he'd post his work for free.
[ Reply | Options ]I took the OR's post to mean that given a choice of two career paths, Obama chose the less lucrative one. Is that really up for argument? I mean, I went to law school, and it's not like when you're sitting there deciding between Biglaw and public interest, you think to yourself "hey, maybe I can go the public interest route, but I'll write a best seller and get rich anyway!"
[ Reply | Options ]
-
He did not make $4M a year as community organizer. He is making that now because he wrote two bestsellers.
[ Reply | Options ]
Sure and that's why I don't like him. He hasn't revealed himself. Or maybe he has no true self.
[ Reply | Options ]You know what I don't understand? Why, in the context of everything that is going on in this country right now, THIS is the kind of politics John McCain and his supporters have decided Americans need and want. Do they have a plan for the country lurking anywhere under these vague aspersions and outright attacks?
[ Reply | Options ]-
No, both sides are not EQUALLY guilty of this - the dems have had to waste their time fighting these stupid battles because the repubs keep diving into the shitpile. If the repubs would just focus on the real issues then maybe we could all learn something. Oh, that's right, they don't have any answers.
[ Reply | Options ]According to the Dems the real answer to all of our problems is a socialistic society based on wealth distribution. Super Duper!
[ Reply | Options ]That's absurd. Corporate welfare seems like the just right cup of tea for the GOP administration actually.
[ Reply | Options ]np- the thing I don't like is that he's trying to come off as a moderate liberal democrat but in reality he is far left. I believe that the extremes of both parties are dangerous and I worry that he will reveal his true colors once elected
[ Reply | Options ]And what reality have you been living for the last 8 years? Corporate welfare, at it's finest. Social bailouts, at their finest, and a war that is as tragically misguided and a gross wast of out tax dollars. That is my reality. If a clear ccritical thinker, capable of surrounding himself with wise advisors and a keen understanding of where we need to get, the challenges that face us is the Democratic nominee than he gets my vote. I'm done with the fear driven agenda to keep us all in out insular fox holes. I love my country and want it back!
[ Reply | Options ]
That is funny. I think he is the perfect American success story. What does America stand for anyway. Is it not the land of opportunity? Give me your tired, your poor, your funny looking? Funny named? Let them come here and strive for excellence? That IS America. Or it used to be, now we just bomb people.
[ Reply | Options ]i would have no problem with his name/race or any personal attributes, if he were not a radical/leftist/marxist america-hater. everybody who's so in love with him, you should watch this video about his very, very deep connections to the weather underground terrorists (Ayers and Dohrn gave Obama launched his political career) and how he funneled millions to the annenberg project. THE VIDEO IS FROM CNN. so it's hard to call it biased. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNkCv2nvvn8
[ Reply | Options ]-
Sarah Palin: "Politics isn't just a game of clashing parties and competing interests. The right reason is to challenge the status quo, to serve the common good, and to leave this nation better than we found it. No one expects us to agree on everything. But we are expected to govern with integrity, good will, clear convictions, and ... a servant's heart." Too bad the only form of "service" that McCain and Palin respect is that of those that agree with them, and they are willing to support this sort mean-spirited and false attack on the values and patriotism of their opponent.
[ Reply | Options ]
-
As a Black person (probably one of the only ones on here) this is FURTHEST from the truth. He and Michelle are VERY familiar to us. Please. I have a sister in law who is half African and half white from Wisconsin. I know MANY women like Michelle and see some of myself in her. Please.
[ Reply | Options ]How can he know completely what it is to be an inner city black? He was raised in a white world by a white mother. The only thing black about him his his skin color except that he's very light skinned. I know for a fact that there is light/dark skinned discrimination within the black culture.
[ Reply | Options ]NOT ALL OF US ARE FROM THE INNER CITY. That is one. I am from the suburbs and lived in a "white world" as well. I am also light skin. What the HELL are you saying?!?!?!
[ Reply | Options ]I am saying that Obama does not identify with inner city blacks. If you are not from the inner city, then this statement does not apply to you so don't get your panties in a twist.
[ Reply | Options ]Again what does relating to inner city Black people have to do with anything??? All 40 million of us are not inner city so why would he have to relate to just them? How about us upper middle class African Americans?!
[ Reply | Options ]Must I repeat myself? O-B-A-M-A has said on more than one occasion that he personally can identify with inner city blacks. I have never heard him say that he identifies with middle class blacks although he has been one his whole life. It is disingenuous to say you know from experience about the suffering when you have really only observed it
[ Reply | Options ]
You need to crawl back under that rock you've been hiding under. Is McCain in touch with the "inner city blacks" - whatever the hell that means?
[ Reply | Options ]McCain does not purport to identify with inner city blacks, Obama does. Why is it that when the topic is race, I must walk on egg shells so as not to offend by even mentioning the inner city. News flash: There are blacks who live in the inner city. There are also whites, hispanics and asians. Obama tries to make us believe that he has lived the inner city struggle of the black man. He hasn't. simple
[ Reply | Options ]BTW - I am the person above who said not all of us are from the inner city and from the suburbs... But best believe as a woman of color, I can relate to what all women of color have to go through. You will never ever understand this. Don't try to... Obama gets it and we get him. Period.
[ Reply | Options ]Yeah, I'm sure you know what it's like to go hungry and not have adequate schooling or housing. How sanctimonious.
[ Reply | Options ]-
i am so sick of tip toeing around any issue that involves race. any small criticism of barack obama and his campgaign cries "racism"! it'll be very sad to live in a country for the next 4 yrs where nobody is allowed to criticize the president, god forbid, it could be deemed offensive by the PC police.
[ Reply | Options ]
-
Where'd you get your 'facts' regarding discrimination among shades of African Americans? Did you google the issue? Seriously woman(i'm assuming), what in the world are you on about? "I'm a seriously fair skinned Hispanic woman(you would NEVER know; Scary I bet) who's "in touch w/inner city Blacks". I don't know if you can possibly understand that we have a bond between us that defies any separations by color. Inner city, suburban, exurban and even rural people of color will not vote simply on color, so your point serves mainly to highlight your ignorance and overt racism. Hush now, Hagatha; won't you?
[ Reply | Options ]
I find posts like this frightening. It's like you're living in the pre-Civil War South or something. Do you not recognize what a racist you are?
[ Reply | Options ]As notorious white supremacist Thomas Sowell puts it (kidding, he's black): "But the country does not deserve to be put in the hands of a glib and cocky know-it-all, who has accomplished absolutely nothing beyond the advancement of his own career with rhetoric, and who has for years allied himself with a succession of people who have openly expressed their hatred of America."
[ Reply | Options ]Thomas Sowell has an axe to grind against Obama and other successful African Americans. I find nothing neither glib nor cocky about Obama, and find it appalling that we have such low standards for our leaders that we're suspicious simply when a candidate is well spoken and well informed.
[ Reply | Options ]
The only reason this is weird is because we Americans don't travel enough to see the mixing that is happening all over the world. My wife is part Black and Greek; raised in Athens and in Germany and Obama's story is nothing new or different to her. My Black father We see still this country through lens of the Civil Rights movement- where you are Black or White and Latinos and Asians are a small piece of the puzzle. Even Blacks didn't initially know what to make of Obama because he is not a descendant of slaves.
[ Reply | Options ]Didn't get to finish my post. My Black FIL speaks fluent Greek and when he comes to New York it's off to Astoria we go. Those waiters don't know what to make of a Blackman who speaks better than them! The confusion on their faces is hilarious. Obama is not weird at all. Go to Canada, UK or Europe and you'll all types of people falliing in love and having families across all lines.
[ Reply | Options ]
YES! I am so with you on this. I hate to say this, but to me he just doesn't seem American to me. And for the record, it has nothing to do with race or his having lived abroad (for me at least).
[ Reply | Options ]there is something I don't understand about YOU! What a stupid, pathetic statement!
[ Reply | Options ]-
I'm knew here. My first post. Obama fan. I'm Black. Never liked the term African-American but that's another discussion. I'm intrigued by Obama's background. But what's troubling for me is people believing growing up in Hawaii is something other. As if Hawaiians are not Americans and they are. Hawaii also has one of the most racially diversed populations comparable to New York and lot of that has to do with the military being there for some time. I remember when people were comparing 9-11 to the attack on Pearl Harbor when it first happened, but suddenly 7 years later it's elitist or exotic to grow up or vacation in Hawaii. Hawaii has great weather and beautiful scenery as anyone who is a Lost fan can tell you. But the citizens pay very high taxes, are having a housing crisis, food is very expensive and their "ghettos" will rival any other high-crime nabes in other metropolitan cities. That is not to say there aren't very wealthy areas. I believe Michelle Pfieffer and Michael Jordan own 3 houses a piece in gated community on Oahu. But Hawaii is struggling with their public school system and healthcare concerns just like the rest of the country. I've actually drove thrugh the neighborhoold Obama grew up in, and it's straight up working class. Not a rough area, but certainly not a middle-class or upper middle class area either. Just working folk who most likely work for the airline or are civilian employees of the military.
[ Reply | Options ]
-
Aa Black woman, who grew up in Harlem during the crack hey-day, and raised by a single-mother crack-head, I very much identify with Michelle and Barack and I know we have NOTHING in common, except for our alma maters. I think the connection is something etheral and unspoken that a lot of White people don't get. That's not a diss. It's just one of those things. Just like I don't understand certain connections other racial groups have within their own community and I never will, though I'm a willing learner.
[ Reply | Options ]np: I am also an Ivy-educated black woman, and though I had a middle class upbringing, something that I think most blacks in this country can relate to are the expectations placed upon us based on our skin color. I generally believe most people don't buy into those assumptions, but unfortunately there are people like OP who still do buy into the stereotypes and a black (or biracial person with darker skin) can relate to living with those stereotypes regardless of class, education, background.
[ Reply | Options ]
There is nothing weird about a man with an unusual name, darker slin, tremendous credentials and no known track record and odd associattions with leftist symepathizes. However, there are both benign and malignant conclusions that can be drawn about this mans motives and judgement. No amount of carping can answer the question of who is Obama - he could try but he chooses to dissemble on the topic and that raises reasonable fears in many peoples minds. The media could dig deeper but chooses not to. Likely he will be elected and we all find out if his motives and jdygement are in fact disturbingly out of touch lefists or he is a pragmatic leader in the mold of clinton. Its scary that we will just have to wait ( as a prediction i beleive he is a ambitious, high cynical person who has used Chicago lefitists to advance his career and he will jetison their interests in a desire to stay in power but thats just conjecture - we just dont know)
[ Reply | Options ]
UrbanBaby Asks...
When I ride in a taxi cab with my DC I:
- Use a carseat
- Buckle him/her in his/her own seat
- Hold him/her on my lap
- I'd never ride in a taxi with my DC, it's much too dangerous!
Already voted? View Results
Boards Help
Abbreviations
More Boards Help
Site Feedback Thank you for your feedback about the new site. We are paying close attention to your comments and we will incorporate them as we make improvements to the site. Please continue to report problems and offer feedback on the Site Feedback Board and visit our Site Talk blog for answers to some of your questions and updates on specific issues.
More Boards Help
Site Feedback Thank you for your feedback about the new site. We are paying close attention to your comments and we will incorporate them as we make improvements to the site. Please continue to report problems and offer feedback on the Site Feedback Board and visit our Site Talk blog for answers to some of your questions and updates on specific issues.
Flashback
