Obama "cult"?

[TeresaNJ]

Then read about his wife and see if she has enough "black experience" for ya.

~Amanda

His wife is not running for President, he is. It doesn't matter to me how much "black experience" he has. What bothers me is the number of people who are voting for him because he is "black". I disagree, I say he is white. 50/50, right? So I say he is white, not black. Therefore, on that basis, since he seems to be getting the majority of the black vote, on what basis are they voting on? Because he is black, bottom line for alot, which is a joke, because he is at least 50% white, and has lived much more of a "white" life.

 

[wvrevy]

I completely disagree. I think Bush has shown restraint in the statements he has made concerning those who oppose his policies. His tone has been MUCH more respectful than the venom that has been thrown at him. Of course I don't expect anything else, from the President (of either party).

Can you give me an example, of anything he has said that you find especially objectionable?

"To those who scare peace-loving people with phantoms of lost liberty,
my message is this: Your tactics only aid terrorists, for they erode
our national unity and diminish our resolve."

John Ashcroft, in testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee

There are many of them out there. Do Bush and his crowd come right out and call people traitors that disagree with them? Of course not. But if you think comments like those above aren't signed off by the very top, you're nuts.

And if you (or anyone else) do, and I don't answer right away, I have to go to my neice's basketball game. Her high school team is playing in the first round of the state playoffs, so wish the Lady Panthers luck!

As a loyal West Virginian and Mountaineer fan, it is completely against my genetic make-up to wish well any team named the "Panthers."

 

[TeresaNJ]

She was the first Best Actress winner to be of color. Techinically the first black woman to win the oscar was Hattie McDaniel for her performance as "Mammy" in Gone With the Wind (1939).

What color would that be? So when is black, black enough? 10%, 20%?? If my maternal grandmother is 100% black, but my maternal grandfather, and paternal grandparents are caucasion, can I say I'm the first black college graduate in my family. This whole first black this, black that is totally ridiculous, in my opinion.

 

[JennyMominRI]

has lived much more of a "white" life.

What the heck is a "white life"
In fact, what the heck is a "Black life" then?

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

What the heck is a "white life"
In fact, what the heck is a "Black life" then?

Yes, Teresa please do clarify.

 

[ckay87]

What color would that be? So when is black, black enough? 10%, 20%?? If my maternal grandmother is 100% black, but my maternal grandfather, and paternal grandparents are caucasion, can I say I'm the first black college graduate in my family. This whole first black this, black that is totally ridiculous, in my opinion.

Yes. You see, there was a time fairly recently that our friend Barack, for example, wouldn't even have been allowed to sit in the front of a bus. Any amount of black would have prevented that. Therefore, we as a society have come a long way. We ALL should be proud.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Therefore, on that basis, since he seems to be getting the majority of the black vote, on what basis are they voting on?

You know I keep hearing that on the news. Obama gets the black vote and Hillary gets women vote. Well Obama won Iowa. Your telling me the black vote won him Iowa... Seriously.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

So far, nobody has answered my question: How is the energy surrounding Obama any different than that which surrounded Bobby Kennedy 40 years ago?

Also, to address the "all talk" crap...when John Kennedy stood on the capitol steps and promised that America was going to the moon, did he also stand there for the next 2 hours and detail step-by-step instructions on how we would do that? Of course not. He set the goal, and led the country in that direction. THAT is the type of quality I and many others sense and respond to in Obama. The man is a natural leader, plain and simple. Yes, he has plans behind his words, but anyone with any sense knows that the president can make all the plans he wants, and it won't matter if Congress isn't on board with them. Barack can lead them towards the goals he wants to accomplish, letting them do their job in working out exactly how to get from point A to point B.

A president doesn't get to legislate (well, no president that actually understands the constitution has, anyway). All he can do is try to set the direction and get people to follow him. Barack's supporters believe he can do that as well as any president since Kennedy.

But I'd still like an answer to my question. (ETA: I wonder how people in their middle-age viewed that same energy? Certainly gives you something to think about, doesn't it?)

Damn it, revy, you're outing me for the oldie I am. But for you, I'll do it. I'm old enough to have been electrified by both John and Robert Kennedy. I was a little kid when JFK ran for President. I got into fistfights in the schoolyard with boys who called him nasty names because he was Catholic. I was a little squirt but I could kick like a mule and bloodied a number of shins before they stopped the name calling in my presence. When JFK spoke it was magic to me (and millions and millions of others). I was completely mesmerized by him. Bobby was Bobby, he wasn't JFK to me, but he was pretty wonderful and there was a buzz in the country similar to that of Senator Obama. It took me a while to really figure out what I was feeling the first few times I really listened to him speak during this campaign. I was awed by his ability to communicate during the Democratic Convention but I didn't 'listen' to him until fairly recently because I was committed to John Edwards. After the Iowa caucuses I began to really hear what Obama had to say. My 4 adult children had been talking about Obama and encouraging me to read his book and find out more about him. I did but as I said for a few days I didn't really think about what it was I was feeling and then it hit me like a brick. He communicates the way Jack Kennedy did. His message of HOPE and unity speaks to my heart and my soul. My mind has been well pleased with his plans and ideas for the country and with minor exceptions I'm on board.

Reagan did nothing for me. His 'morning in America' speech gave me the creeps, frankly. Bill Clinton's way of communicating was positive and uplifting to me but I didn't feel the way I felt when I heard Jack Kennedy as a child or Bobby as a late teenager. With Obama I do. He gives me hope for this country and for the world.

So those who snicker can continue to but as for this old broad (and my 83-year old mom, my 20 and 30something children , their spouses and my disabled Vietnam vet husband) I'll just say YES.WE.CAN!

 

[Chloe'sMom]

Oh, come off it, Bet. You mean the backlash against the Dixie Chicks - essentially ending their career on country radio to the point that the king redneck himself (Jeff Foxworthy) was still making jokes about them at this year's award ceremonies - wasn't anything more than a little criticism? You know as well as I do that there is a segment of your party that equates vocal disagreement with Bush policies with treason (see Joe's comments on another thread calling me and other "Saddam" lovers).

The tone of the debate is always set from the top. Under Bush, that tone has been "my way or else." No, they haven't gone so far as to throw people in jail for merely voicing dissent, but that doesn't mean they've encouraged it, either.

I was called an anarchist for disagreeing as well.

~Amanda

 

[wvrevy]

Yes. You see, there was a time fairly recently that our friend Barack, for example, wouldn't even have been allowed to sit in the front of a bus. Any amount of black would have prevented that. Therefore, we as a society have come a long way. We ALL should be proud.

You know, I've heard a lot of people make that comment over the last few weeks (really, since it became certain that a white male wouldn't be the party nominee), and it always bugs me. Yes, we should be proud that we've FINALLY gotten to this point, but at the same time, there should be a little shame mixed in that it took so freaking long! I get mixed emotions when I see things like Hillary commenting on her mom watching back home the other night...he mom who was born in a time when women couldn't even vote for presidents, let alone have a real chance to become one.

Sorry...just my little vent and not meant at all to take away from the fact that we've finally come to an historic day in our nation's history. It's just that "finally" part that keeps sneaking up to bite me.

 

[cats7494]

I am an Obama supporter...I am a white female in my 30's who works full time and most of my "contemporaries" are Hillary supporters. He is a breath of fresh air and I am proud to be a delegate for him
I find the rhetoric against Obama to be nonsensical and tiring. It is not "cultish" - I think that idea is one of the most ludicrous things I have heard – absolutely ridiculous!!

 

[Chloe'sMom]

His wife is not running for President, he is. It doesn't matter to me how much "black experience" he has. What bothers me is the number of people who are voting for him because he is "black". I disagree, I say he is white. 50/50, right? So I say he is white, not black. Therefore, on that basis, since he seems to be getting the majority of the black vote, on what basis are they voting on? Because he is black, bottom line for alot, which is a joke, because he is at least 50% white, and has lived much more of a "white" life.

So because he is 50/50 he is white? sorry that logic doesn't fly. And why does he have to be ONE or the OTHER. Yes there are those voting for him because he is black - there are just as many voting against him because he is black.

His wife isn't running for President - but even he will tell you she is the first person he turns to for advice and she is a smart smart woman.

I'm sorry to say this but you have focused way to much on the color of skin rather then what he is saying.

~Amanda

 

[crazyforgoofy]

His wife is not running for President, he is. It doesn't matter to me how much "black experience" he has. What bothers me is the number of people who are voting for him because he is "black". I disagree, I say he is white. 50/50, right? So I say he is white, not black. Therefore, on that basis, since he seems to be getting the majority of the black vote, on what basis are they voting on? Because he is black, bottom line for alot, which is a joke, because he is at least 50% white, and has lived much more of a "white" life.

Silly me. Here I was thinking we were finally reaching the time in our country when what % of whatever you are doesn't matter.

Frankly, for many in their 30s and younger it doesn't. My children are color blind. They've dated dark-skinned, olive-skinned and whatever other color skin there is and never thought a thing about it. I love that.

 

[wvrevy]

Damn it, revy, you're outing me for the oldie I am. But for you, I'll do it. I'm old enough to have been electrified by both John and Robert Kennedy. I was a little kid when JFK ran for President. I got into fistfights in the schoolyard with boys who called him nasty names because he was Catholic. I was a little squirt but I could kick like a mule and bloodied a number of shins before they stopped the name calling in my presence. When JFK spoke it was magic to me (and millions and millions of others). I was completely mesmerized by him. Bobby was Bobby, he wasn't JFK to me, but he was pretty wonderful and there was a buzz in the country similar to that of Senator Obama. It took me a while to really figure out what I was feeling the first few times I really listened to him speak during this campaign. I was awed by his ability to communicate during the Democratic Convention but I didn't 'listen' to him until fairly recently because I was committed to John Edwards. After the Iowa caucuses I began to really hear what Obama had to say. My 4 adult children had been talking about Obama and encouraging me to read his book and find out more about him. I did but as I said for a few days I didn't really think about what it was I was feeling and then it hit me like a brick. He communicates the way Jack Kennedy did. His message of HOPE and unity speaks to my heart and my soul. My mind has been well pleased with his plans and ideas for the country and with minor exceptions I'm on board.

Reagan did nothing for me. His 'morning in America' speech gave me the creeps, frankly. Bill Clinton's way of communicating was positive and uplifting to me but I didn't feel the way I felt when I heard Jack Kennedy as a child or Bobby as a late teenager. With Obama I do. He gives me hope for this country and for the world.

So those who snicker can continue to but as for this old broad (and my 83-year old mom, my 20 and 30something children , their spouses and my disabled Vietnam vet husband) I'll just say YES.WE.CAN!

CFG, I honestly was LOL reading your comments, while chills were making their way down my spine. See...that's the same feeling I and, I know, MANY others get when listening to Barack talk about his vision for the future, and it's the exact perspective I was looking for when I asked that question, so thank you. (And sorry for "outing" you as someone old enough to remember what it felt like to be inspired by a politician. )

 

[crazyforgoofy]

CFG, I honestly was LOL reading your comments, while chills were making their way down my spine. See...that's the same feeling I and, I know, MANY others get when listening to Barack talk about his vision for the future, and it's the exact perspective I was looking for when I asked that question, so thank you. (And sorry for "outing" you as someone old enough to remember what it felt like to be inspired by a politician. )

It was my pleasure.

 

[Charade]

Back to the good ol "How to Win Friends and Influence People" mode:

Yes We Can... who is the subject there?

Mac is Back... where is the speaker represented?

People like to be INcluded in the positivity. If you bring them into your world, they will think YOU're wonderful.

It's an old philosophy, but it works on humankind.

"we shall overcome"
"we are the champions"
"we love you Beatles, oh yes, we do"
"ask not what your country can do for you, but what YOU can do for your country"

This is the exact feeling I get when listening to Hillary. It is *all* about her.

And IMO, the statement from JFK has been totally lost and turned upside down.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

And IMO, the statement from JFK has been totally lost and turned upside down.

I'm curious - what do you mean by the above comment?

 

[NewJersey]

His wife is not running for President, he is. It doesn't matter to me how much "black experience" he has. What bothers me is the number of people who are voting for him because he is "black". I disagree, I say he is white. 50/50, right? So I say he is white, not black. Therefore, on that basis, since he seems to be getting the majority of the black vote, on what basis are they voting on? Because he is black, bottom line for alot, which is a joke, because he is at least 50% white, and has lived much more of a "white" life.

What color would that be? So when is black, black enough? 10%, 20%?? If my maternal grandmother is 100% black, but my maternal grandfather, and paternal grandparents are caucasion, can I say I'm the first black college graduate in my family. This whole first black this, black that is totally ridiculous, in my opinion.

Sorry Teresa you have lost all credibility in this thread with these two statements, especially with what I bolded. I think people on this thread have been intelligently answering your questions but your mind is so muddled with this obsession about his skin color it's clouding everything else you think about him.

I'm white and my boyfriend is black. His family is upper middle class due to hard work on their part and making a good life for themselves, but there are some who consider that a "white" life and nothing gets him more angry than someone saying that to him. What exactly is a "white" life as compared to the "black" life?

I'm sorry but you seem extremely clueless on this issue.

 

[chris1gill]

and has lived much more of a "white" life.

That's really pretty offensive and I'm sorry, quite illogical if you have listened to him in the past while he spoke of his youth. When he lived in Hawaii, he did not fit in, he was not Hawaiian, when he lived with his white family during his teen years here in the States, he was the only black person he knew, the white kids didn't want to be near him, so tell me how, that's considered living a "white" life? Cause I certainly fail to see that.... Was he able to then go on in some way to know that he was better, that he could succeed, that he could prevail? Yes, he did. In those years he was growing up, do you think those were easy years for a darker than white boy to be living with white people? Apparently he didn't think it was quite so easy as living that "white life" you mention.

We all have our crosses to bare, we all came from somewhere, and we all move on somehow, it's that somehow that makes us the person that we are.

As for who is voting for him? I hope EVERYBODY votes for him..... White, Black, Hispanic, Latino, European, take your pick....

 

[Robinrs]

This whole "black" percentage garbage is hitting very close to home for me because my son deals with it daily. It's amazing how people have to make decisions about percentages when the "one drop" rule has been prevalent for years. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-drop_rule