Comments on: More on Obama’s Race Speech

By: Janis

Janis — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:59:54 +0000

Naah, I don’t hate Obama either. He’s a decent candidate, too green for me. It’s the foamier of his supporters that drive me apeshit.

By: kcowley

kcowley — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:36:30 +0000

Firstly, I am not a hater of Obama. Initially I was just uncomfortable with many things he said. They just seemed too vague, and left too much wiggle room. I really didn’t like the way he spoke loftily as the anti-war candidate, despite having voted to fund it twice. I did come to disilke him and his campaign around the time of his comment about getting Hillary’s votes. There were a number of sexist remarks that offended me then as well, from him, his wife and the press. I remain appalled by Michelle’s “pride” comment- acceptable from a citizen, not from the wife of a presidential candidate. I resent the role the media has played in this campaign by either overlooking or presenting sexist statements. Racial statements by the Clinton campaign became considered racist statements I don’t like double standards. Obama spoke very strongly against Don Imus’s ugly, cruel comment which was meant to be a joke, yet he tolerates serious comments from his own pastor.

“There’s nobody on my staff who would still be working for me if they made a comment like that about anybody of any ethnic group. And I would hope that NBC ends up having that same attitude,” Obama told ABC News in an April 11 interview.

“He didn’t just cross the line,” Obama said. “He fed into some of the worst stereotypes that my two young daughters are having to deal with today in America.”

About 8 years ago while leaving Mass here in my town, I was handed pro-life literature by the priest. It offended me and I have never gone back to that church. Not returning was an easy choice to make. As in other towns, there are a number of other religious institutions I can attend. I made that choice and no one cares what I do. I am not running for president. It is troubling to me that Obama remained in that church and exposed his children to those hateful, anti american, racist sermons.

As for the speech, it’s purpose was to save his campaign from the “firestorm” regarding Wright, Obama was dishonest in his statements last week and he needed to rectify that before the press exposed him to be present at one of Wright’s hateful sermons. He is very skillful with words , employing tactics I don’t appreciate. There are fallacies in the premises of his statements and comparisons which skew the logic. One must listen too carefully to catch them. In addition, I just felt as if I was being “lectured” about race. I live in the oldest black resort town in the country. It has been known historically to be very racially tolerant. I chose to live and raise my children here in this atmosphere where people are able to be interact without consideration of shade of their skin.

By: William A. Stoddart

William A. Stoddart — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 06:53:04 +0000

As suprising as it may seem, I have to give those of you pointing out negatives to Obama’s speech some credit. He has now admitted that he was aware that his pastor sometimes delivered a message of hate. Perhaps his loyality to Pastor Wright, was a factor in not leaving this church, But I, like you, wonder why he can’t provide some instances in which he attempted to change the overall message. I have always been opposed to the adage, “America love it or leave it.” I prefer the pharase, “America, love it or change it.” It sure does look as if Barack never has had any intention of leaveing this church and has made no attempt to change it’s message in over 20 years.
I am white, and am a member of a mostly all black Baptist Church. There are only two white members. It;s a small church and our unfortunately small congregation (about 35 total) know each other by first name. I can honestly say that all members seem “color blind”. All of us admired the caliber of Obama’s words and the manner in which they were delivered. However, the language of Pastor Wright was way over the line to all of us. Basically blacks expressed embarassment and I and the other white member expressed outrage. His continued membership in this church most likely will not enhance his Presidential aspirations and his leaving at this time will be viewed only as being politicaly expeident. Either way, it may be a no win situation for him. I still support him over candidate Hillary. However, my support which had been running hot, is now, unfortunately, luke warm. Buzz

By: Darrell Prows

Darrell Prows — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 02:39:12 +0000

I remember quite clearly being among different groups of people “in the old days” where things like “we should all get together and burn down the fucking country”, etc. were quite commonplace. And both sincere, and on many levels, justified.

I haven’t had a chance yet to pay attention to what the good Reverend said, but did it top that?

Thanks for your help.

By: Peace Out For Unity

Peace Out For Unity — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 19:01:49 +0000

Fayettville’s city is empty pretty much and husbands all in Iraq as a military based area. Just an observation but Obama wasn’t introduced by the mayor or any ,area state elected official ?Some one by the name of Paul traveled into open and not sure if he’s even from NC.Let’s have a parade and stop the streets and put Clinton in a fire truck with security! Where are the marching bands? That’s what we think about racism and divide,call the fire department! Blast the the campaign theme song via firetruck siren from a jam box on the way, to outside stage to where she speaks! Call the mounted unit and let’s ride in! “Fire it up and let’s go.” Signed ,sealed and delivered ?Returned to sender ,address unknow and that’d be Elvis in the old days of rock and roll! The 60′s was arrested for doing the shag and belly roll ! We won’t re-wind the 60′s fight but will respect their historical sacrifice.Let’s go 70″s it’s time! Thanks Elton John ! It’s complicated for those from the 60′s but the 70′s is sick of it and united from it ,because of what we’ve been taught. We won’t re-wind history!! Our fight is not your fight anymore and go heal! We are the generation of understanding diversity and racial divide.We grew up with it and let us go! Cloud 9 by the Temptations,you’re a million miles from reality! Everyman is free,up,up and away! Live the life you love! Love and harmony! You wern’t listening to your own music but we did! Be hot pink and we’ll be blue but we won’t re-wind history for racial controversy because of the 60′s divide and struggle.Charlotte is on and typing fast,whatever,call edit! We’re all americans and make me the color red God ! Great speech Obama but it came a little to late after the interview with Anderson Cooper several days ago and don’t understand the lies about a pastor and why would anyone lie about their minister on national news being interviewed? I’ve never heard tell of anything like that and it’s sad ! Let’s see what Anderson Cooper reports in about it? He was defending a sensitive topic of discussion concerning and discredited in compromise of his own integrity in light of the situation? Didn’t hear anything in his speech that apologized for that,did anyone else?

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:17:56 +0000

The only risk Obama wanted to take is to save his own campaign. The Wright stuff is explosive and it could end his campaign so he must do something.

Have anyone apologize to The Clintons yet ?
Have anyone apologize the Jewish people yet?

It is astonishing that people think lying is acceptable. Obama has repeatedly treated Democratic voters as fools and infact Democratic voters are fools b/c people continue to make excuses for him.

By: Peace Out For Unity

Peace Out For Unity — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:50:05 +0000

Obama just finished his speech on Iraq in Fayetteille and the crowd ,not as large as what you may expect. He’s on at 3:30 at the Grady Cole Center in Charlote and that will hold 3000 people and sold out. There are larger accommodations to hold events, and go figure! “We need a president that has intrgrity and Obama ‘s our man?”Amazing Grace,was blind but now I see!! Obama is knocking Clinton on her judgement calls concerning the war? Where was Obama when 911 went down, was he absent voting? Fox news on interview # 1 with speech 3/18/08. Integrity?Clinton will stop the streets and we’ll line up on the sidewalks! Accommodations will be important and we’ll need a litle more than a place that holds 3000 and have that available thank-you!

By: debunker

debunker — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:34:03 +0000

Obama’s speech was nice and may have been historic because he’s the first one to publicly say what both black and white are feeling. However, why now? If he is truly wanting to heal the racial wounds of our country why has he sat in the pews of this church and listened to these hate-filled sermons of Rev. Wright for twenty years? He should have been appalled and gone to another church, as Oprah did, or speak to Rev. Wright about his remarks. However, he has remained at this church and was married by Rev. Wright , chose to have his children baptized by the Reverend, chose Rev. Wright as his “mentor” and chose Rev. Wright as his “spiritual advisor”. Obama made these choices of supporting Rev. Wright and doing nothing towards “change”. If he did not attempt or was not successful at calming the racial intolerance of his Pastor and 8,000 church members, why should we think he could make a difference with 200-million Americans? His flowery words at this time is an attempt to save his presidential campaign. We should not confuse his words now with lack of action in the past. He lost a great opportunity to turn things around in his church, make an impact, and to use that story in this “historic” speech. If he had spoken up, or left the church what a great point to make in this speech about his vision, compassion, courage, and leadership. Show us the way! Instead, he chose for two decades to sit there in a pew and missed an opportunity to heal racial wounds. For 20 years he sat in that pew…heard a lot of hate but said nothing. And today he is being praised for speaking-up and saying what no politician has said before? In my opinion, he shouldn’t be praised and we shouldn’t be impressed. He’s at least 20 years too late.

By: William A. Stoddart

William A. Stoddart — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:49:51 +0000

Well, it certainly seems that the Obama haters are trying to turn this speech into one about lying, instead of one about queling black/white racial hatred. The fact that you can scream “gotcha” obviously, in the minds of some, far outweighs
the both the risk taken and the atttempted accord he took by making this speech. Does not the Bible say, “let he who is without sin cast the first stone?” So when pressed, I guess, you could say that Obama at first did lie. This was a mistake and he had the presence of mind to both realize it and correct it. Some people have said that they don’t trust Obama because, although he is both intelligent and eloquent, he just doesn’t act like a politician. Well, now that he has been caught in a “lie”, I submit that this argument no longer holds water. Perhaps he can now be praised for playing the part of a seasoned Washington politician, for most all have been, at one time or another, been caught in lies. Did President Bush Sr. lie when he said, “Read my lips, no more taxes? Yes! Did President Clinton lie when he said, “I didn’t have sex with that woman?” Yes! Did President Bush Jr. lie when he said Iraq had, “weapons of mass destruction?” Yes! Does Hillary Clinton lie when she tries to portray Obama as a flip-flopper on his opposition to the Iraq war? Yes! (remember his “yes” votes in the Senate matched Hillary’s as they were all tied in with funding our troops) Perhaps we have to go back to George Washington, who in response to the question if he cut down the cherry tree, admitted that he had by saying, “I cannot tell a lie.” Yes, I agree, kcowley, that it is “sad, really.” What is sad, however, is not that Obama innitialy lied but that some are unable to admit the greater good his speech served. He obviously realized that a few would cast him as a liar. However, he was willing to take that risk in order to attempt to bridge the racial divide, which unfortunately still exists in this country. In my opinion, years from now, this speech will be viewed as a water shed moment in American history—yes on the par with Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and King’s “I have a dream speech.!” Those who oppose this man will never see good in him. They would have “thrown stones” if he had allowed his lie to go unaddressed. Now, that he has delivered one of the argueably best speeches in US history, they “throw stones” for him having had the guts to set the record straight, For them it’s just a perfect example of, “damed if you do and damed if you don’t!!!! Buzz

By: kcowley

kcowley — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:01:03 +0000

Well yes, he did lie, but his ability to manipulate will hopefully distract us from the repeated lies. Sad, really.