From Philadelphia:
Talk show hosts and conservative commentators built entire careers unmasking bogus claims of racism while dismissing legitimate discussions of racial injustice and inequality as mere political correctness or reverse racism.
Just as black anger often proved counterproductive, so have these white resentments distracted attention from the real culprits of the middle class squeeze – a corporate culture rife with inside dealing, questionable accounting practices, and short-term greed; a Washington dominated by lobbyists and special interests; economic policies that favor the few over the many. And yet, to wish away the resentments of white Americans, to label them as misguided or even racist, without recognizing they are grounded in legitimate concerns – this too widens the racial divide, and blocks the path to understanding.
This is where we are right now. It’s a racial stalemate we’ve been stuck in for years. Contrary to the claims of some of my critics, black and white, I have never been so naïve as to believe that we can get beyond our racial divisions in a single election cycle, or with a single candidacy – particularly a candidacy as imperfect as my own.
But I have asserted a firm conviction – a conviction rooted in my faith in God and my faith in the American people – that working together we can move beyond some of our old racial wounds, and that in fact we have no choice if we are to continue on the path of a more perfect union.
Very impressive.
Related posts:
- Can white liberals keep their eye on the prize when racism comes a knockin?
- Blowback Coming on Obama School Speech
- Obama’s Cairo Speech: New Directions, New Modalities, Renewed Hope?
- Frank Gaffney: Obama is America’s First Muslim President, and Just Like Hitler. Also.
- Uncle Pat: MSNBC’s Knowing Promotion of White Supremacy and Racial Hatred
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We will be hearing this speech for years. It is for all men and all Americans
I like how he’s handling this.
It’s wonderful that he won’t disown Wright, but says Wright is a part of him and a part of America. Perfect response.
Hiya Jane!
Spectacular!
This will forever be known as “The Speech”
I am terrified the SCLM will pull a few clips out of this speech and twist them to mean something entirely different…..what else is new? :-(
He is speaking on this issue with honesty and clarity
His speech writers should have gone thru the speech in advance to make sure that couldn’t happen.
It’s one of the best crafted speeches I’ve read. A tremendous speech virtually demanding thoughtful comment.
…so I wouldn’t watch ‘Fox & Friends’ tomorrow.
Obama: “Cocktail weenies require DeeCee, and DeeCee requires cocktail weenies.”
(((Waccamaw))) It’s time for us to stop living in fear, we have no reason to. His speech is aimed at ALL of America and how americans respond to tis message is indicative of where their mentaility is at
my ears are pleased,and reassured,he thinks,he analyzes…he speaks his OWN words truth to power…omg!
Is anyone other than MSNBC covering Obama’s speech?
This is a calm and reasoned speech that is far from the strictly emotional appeal that he has been said to have used for all his progress to this point.
he’s said one of my favorite phrases…”zero-sum game”!
This speech is giving me chills. It’s powerful.
I’ve the live stream from CNN.com.
Try this again (damn Whiskey headache)
ET–
CNN, NYTimes on realtime…
I am watching and it is a magnificent speech.
I think that would have been impossible. He would not have been able to say what he needs to say. He cannot be afraid of speaking the truth. He cannot avoid the truth because others will twist his words.
…a racial stalemate we’ve been stuck in for years…
…we have no choice but to move beyond it if we are to continue toward a more perfect union…
jeebus, he’s going after it head frickin’ on – dayum
BREAKING NEWS”: Obama ATTACKS old white lady as racist … no, not Geraldine but the same woman who raised him … *g*
One major tool I’ve used to combat racism all my life is snark and comebacks like Jon & Stephen do … hold the spotlight up to their idiotic remarks enough and they change their perspective …
Race is an issue this nation can’t afford to ignore right now.
how true
I love you Petrocelli. That is the way to do it.
Ladies and Gentlemen, you’re now watching the next president of the United States.
America can change.
THEY ARE HIS words…he believes it,and lives it everyday
Well, I don’t know anything about political speech writing, so I assumed that was a standard part of the process, like opposition research is an integral part of running for high political office. Think it’s entirely possible to say what you mean without producing sound bites for the opposition.
status quo= CONSEVATISM
conservatism
cynisim
“Your dreams do not have to come at the expense of my dreams.”
That to me is the difference between liberals and conservatives and should be the basis of his campaign against McCain.
Obama’s current pastor, Otis Moss, is younger than Obama and speaks as well or better than Obama about these issues. There are some videos of him floating around YouTube.
This is a good speech, heartfelt, honest and should resonate with the people. He is calm and he is using religion as it should be – moral values… how we treat each other.
I like his calm too.
Extreme apologies for the OT, but I did not know my “memeo to Michelle Hirshamn” post was going up yesterday. After I put it in draft I closed down my computer and went to hear Valerie Plame speak at the Spy Club in Manhattan and Missed jane’s email telling me about the time the post would go up.
I replied to a bunch of questions at the end of the thread. I didn’t want anyone who was posing questions to think I blew them off. Sorry for the late resposes.
Even more OT, I got to spend a good measure of time shooting the breeze with Blue AMerica cnadidate Diane Benson at least night’s event. She is delightful and will make a fabulous addition the Congress
Sorry, but it sounds like an apologist for hatred and demagoguery. Remember Tawana Brawley and Rev. Sharpton? She lied and he excused it. There is no excuse for Wright’s building his career on inflammatory, misleading propaganda which convinces legitimate victims that their only hope is through violence, fire and guns.
change,stop the distractions,here,here
Let’s here it Hil, “just words”.
am watching on the Fear and Ballast channel – just for that reason – and so far they’ve distorted nothing in their on screen synopsis
I hope Obama does not back down or claim he was unaware of Wright’s opinions. I don’t know how often he goes to church or how intently he listens to sermons. Most people would be hard pressed to remember what their priest, rabbi or minister said two weeks ago. Obama must face the nationalist’s desire to believe the country, and its administrators, are beyond criticism. Implicit in Obama’s call for “change” is the acknowledgement that we have done wrong, otherwise why change?
I also think Obama should rehire the lady who called Hillary a “monster” and admit he made a mistake accepting her resignation. The lady meant Hillary is unprincipled, not that she is Godzilla. If Obama wants to demonstrate “toughness”, it begins by not turning his back on allies or claiming something no one will believe (I never heard him say any of that).
*mwaah* … right back at ya ! *g*
And I think you just made Ed*ard Teller’s day with that statement
Which speech are you listening to? Surely you are not listening to the one I am.
Absolutely brilliant speech.
This provides stark contrast to the difference between the Clinton and Obama campaigns.
shorter – the hell with fears of that person of color taking your job. howz bout the Corporation that is shipping it overseas
I just read the text at the NYT site–read it on purpose. He can deliver a lousy speech well. I wanted to read the words. Incredibly moving.
he reminds me of the young Kennedy brothers
Just the parts he want to.
My oh my. I needn’t to read something inspirational this morning. I had no idea it would be here. This is fearlessness. Our country desperately needs this NOW.
If speechwriters had the ability to do that, pols could never utter another word. And even if they did, the SCLM would still find a way to twist it. How many people in this country will listen to or read anything more than soundbites.? Apologies for being so “down” this morning; it’s from watching what the media has done to the Wright thing in the last week or so.
I hope the MSM Talking Heads are smart enough to understand and report this speech accurately.
Yes!! That line will live on and on and on…(to paraphrase Billy Joel)
talk about audacity of hope!
i have not seen or heard such,simple heartfelt intelligence expressed,in i dont even know HOW many years
I read the speech. It’s inspiring and pulls no punches. It could have been written by any number of our top posters here on FDL, but no, it was written by a politician. The man has the makings of a Lincoln. He didn’t leave a crack for the thuggish MSM to slip through. His case was air tight. And he took Martin Luther King’s gambit: Put it to the American people. Are you for equality or not? Which is it? We don’t know the answer to that question yet, but whichever answer comes out, it’s best to be laid out in the open where the whole world can see who we really are, for better or for worse.
That was supposed to read needed to @52. Dog musta bumped my arm.
Thanks cbl2, please keep us posted on their comments after the speech …
Boy, what would it have felt like to have an intelligent leader like this for the last 7 years!!
He made the speech to all americans and every american is going to come away with their own interpretation, You have shared yours, thanks
i love the guy…oh no Candy Crowley
do you know for a fact who wrote the speech?
Oh crap, Scarborough is the “commenter” on MSNBC. And of course Wolfie is on CNN.
Thanks for the wonderful company as we watched this. We just watched and cheered on history.
Leslie Blitzer…he tried to speak from his heart….ohjeebus
very, very well done. (except for the part about israel and islam).
Yea, great, wonder what Rush thinks?
With tears I turned off the pundits.
I dare them to rip his words apart and to miss its message.
All I can say is “WOW”
I don’t know who wrote it. I supposed that he drafted it and that the staff went over it. He’s been quiet lately, which suggests he was putting in the work.
Leslie,you are a tool
Obama already has!
{{{{{lhp!}}}}}
Pass the word – and donate to Diane Benson. We’re fighting the sleaziest, most foul-mouthed member of congress – Don Young – on one hand, and an out-of-state carpetbagger – Ethan Berkowitz – on the other.
they immediately went to Britt Hume who called it a highly effective speech with great appeal
- unlike Banjo Boy who immediately went to the Wright vids !
I could give a shit stain what Rush thinks
Surprisingly, scar was half-way decent in *his* analysis…….oh Dog, here comes the stoopid arse panel again!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23690567/
Link to transcript of the speech.
For the first time Obama mentions that he’s white—last night he referred to his father as “african-american”- I presume that was a slip–his father is/was Kenyan as I understand it.
I’ll bet he says the same thing this clown did.
CNN is better
Buchanan wasn’t listening to that speech at all. He is now saying blacks blame whites and whites won’t appreciate that.
AHHH I have to mute MSNBC he os comparng now to Farrakahn….keep spinning and shitting on a proud moment, Pat
Actually, your comment is misleading and inflammatory. I will give you the benefit of the doubt and not call it a racist attack. Of course, most of the attacks on Rev. Wright have been pure racism.
A masterful speech.
Marred only by the followup chatterati like Pat Buchanan who lives down to his image as on old white racist Eff.
It was a beautifully crafted speech. It was nicely nuanced, intelligently layered and, for a politician, quite honest.
The delivery, for any other politician would have been good, but was below Obama’s usual standard of excellence.
In terms of the immediate politics of this speech, I am less certain. Remember, most folks will hear this speech through a filter and in a different context than those of us here.
Yes.
Actually, your comment is misleading and inflammatory.
and bullshit
Awesome speech. I particularly noted the same passage Jane highlighted. He did what I always want politicians to do — point out that the difficulties faced by white people who harbor resentments about affirmative action and such are real, but they’re being lied to by conservatives about who is to blame. And because he’s a lot better speaker than me, he told them they’ve been misled without saying they’re stupid for believing it.
His book “Dreams From My Father” tackles many of these same issues, and just as eloquently and was written nearly 15 years ago. This guy has the “experience” that matters to me, rather than time spent in the DeeCee cocktail weenie circuit.
yep
But let him keep talking, he sounds like a racist idiot (and he is). He is not going to change the mind of most folks
Right on, Jane. Obama was my third choice. But as his campaign unfolded I have become a true believer. I am working for his campaign here in Pa, not as some starry eyed pilgrim, but as one seeing a real chance for some change. No other candidate offers that.
clapping! Right on as usual, Raven
Rachel is going to chew him out on KO …
My respect for Obama is officially skyrocketing. Awesome.
“A More Perfect Union”
“The fact that so many people are surprised to hear that anger in some of Reverend Wright’s sermons simply reminds us of the old truism that the most segregated hour in American life occurs on Sunday morning. That anger is not always productive; indeed, all too often it distracts attention from solving real problems; it keeps us from squarely facing our own complicity in our condition, and prevents the African-American community from forging the alliances it needs to bring about real change. But the anger is real; it is powerful; and to simply wish it away, to condemn it without understanding its roots, only serves to widen the chasm of misunderstanding that exists between the races.”
As soon as it’s available, link to the original source speech in its entirety and spread it everywhere, for the chatterati slice-n-dice will try to diminish it and bring it down to the mundane.
I think it is time to make a youtube and make sure it gores viral about ol’racist Pat Buchannan’s speech at the ReTHUG convention where he preached hate , homophobia, and lost the election for Poppy Bush!
me neither. i just think it’s important that in our enthusiasm for such an inspiring (at least to me) speech, that we keep our heads engaged and keep firmly grounded in reality.
General Electric,arms dealers MSNBC…..needs this WAR get it
His speech was brilliant. I fear, however, that the MSM will continue with their shallow, divisive brand of “journalism.” Not only is the economy, the war, the environment the problem but the media is as big a problem as well.
it’ll be a long day in the meantime with his hand-slashing vitriol for all to see.
I thought (given the subject) that this was the best speech he has given up to date.
Wow. Just Wow.
I know now that I’ve made the right choice.
words we’ve need to hear
No matter IF you support Obama as a candidate or not…THIS speech will help the progressive agenda….we must all take the reins and run with this…we need these conversations!
He (eventually) took the high road in responding to Faux news and their attack on his ex preacher. Nice job I’d say. Probably won’t stop Faux from trying to prove that he heard some of Wright’s sermons that he claimed he didn’t.
1,794 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…
Citizen Hamsher and the Firepup Freedom Fighters:
“…a high drive to deep center field…it’s goin’goin’goin’…it’s GONE!! HOME RUN…THE GAME IS OVER!!”
The little insects like Pat Buchanan are gunna try and spin this back to “hate” and”Black anger” but it ain’t gunna work…as Obama said “Not this time…not this time.”
KEEP THE FAITH, YOU’VE JEST HEARD THE TRUTH AND GOD WAS LISTENIN’ TOO!!
For anyone who ever gets any right e-mail about him, a suggestion, reply with a link to this speech if it gets on YouTube.
I think it is nice that wobblybits would be so understanding. Not my strong suit.
is pat still slamming him
Can we all ask for McCain to give a 30 minute speech on Hagee and fundamentalists in general? The contrast would be astounding.
Ahem…people please. Say it Wright! Er, I mean “talk right!”. The proper phrase is, “I couldn’t give a shit what Rush thinks.” It is NOT correct to say, “I could give a shit…” Think about it for a sec.
When you say, “I could not give a shit…” you are stating that you think so little of whomever/whatever is the target that you could not even rustle up the energy to take a dump in their honor. If you state, “I could give a shit” it means that you still retain enough concern and respect for the target that you can find the time and energy to take a dump in their honor.
No one here, I believe, could find enough “concern” or “respect” for Rush, etc, to exert the energy needed to take a dump in their honor.
Sorry for the scatalogical diversion but it is a pet peeve of mine.
Yep, can someone on MSNBC ask Pat which parts of his speech at the Repug Convention was similar to Pastor Wrights and whether he has apologized for it ?
Perhaps Rachel will, if she reads this blog …
am on the phone with MSNBC right now !
and am protesting the comments of Pat ‘We Must Take Back Our Heritage!’ Buchanan
Petrocelli – I owes ya a coke !
gotta go, have an FDL day y’all
Obama has a way of communicating which shows he grasps the facts and does more than spout sound bites. He is able to move people and he is dangerous to the likes of W and Rs who can’t move and communicate.
He is very inspiring as an American. People who listen can’t help but finding his message attractive.
Gotta scramble and get client work done. It’s not often I stop everything and just sit down to hear, but I did this morning for Barack Obama. My daughter called, with the tremble of tears in her voice, heading to her own work.
Do unto others… And spread the word.
But could ya find the energy to take a dump ON their honor?
Wow. I just finished listening. Any subsequent comments or elaborations sound trivial and shallow.
You’re talking to msnbc now? You go girl!
You *could* say the media is the biggest problem of all; how can the public learn of truth concerning the others?
I had to be in meeting. I missed it. My wife taped it for me. Was it truly awesome!? Was it cool as I knew it could be!?
Was it the watershed event that my grandchildren will read about and I can say, “Yeah, I missed that but FDL clued me in.”
Deal with it
oh jeeeeeze… why now??? ….ambitious man,andCeasar was an ambitious man
Just wanted to weigh in. My take is Obama hit this one out of the park, very much so. He may have convinced a whole lot of new voters to vote for him with this speech alone. Hillary won’t be able to beat this speech. I don’t think she can even approach it. He’s just way more talented than she is. It’s like he’s got all of her husband’s talents (maybe even more) and she can barely keep up. He totally overshadows her at every turn. She could win this race against an ordinary bunch of politicians. She can win against Dodd, Biden, Edwards. I don’t see how she can win against Obama.
Oh yes, absolutely! I’m almost eager…
Okay, if it makes you feel better:
i couldn’t give a flying fuck what Rush or anyone else thinks.
I think it was. He didn’t buckle, he didn’t paint some rosey picture of the past, present or future. He told it like it is and said let’s work together to change it.
“Talk show hosts and conservative commentators built entire careers unmasking bogus claims of racism while dismissing legitimate discussions of racial injustice and inequality as mere political correctness or reverse racism.”
And Scarborough and Buchannan didn’t get it at all……Obama put them in their place knowing that they would open their mouth and put their collectve feet in….amazing. Keith and Rachel are laughing loudly at the two.
ive been saying this for 8 years
agree
I thought Obama sounded like a grown up and thinks maybe we are too.
This bimbo on CNN keeps saying over and over that he should have left the church.
great speech! Stephanie Miller aired it, and supposed Hillary might follow up with a speech about the history of the women’s movement. Not likely!
((( Norske )))
Every time Pat and his Neocon buddies spew hateful and racist remarks, the standard response should begin, “Americans have listened to your bullshit and remained silent for too long. Not.this.time ! …
1,794 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…
Citizen gailonfong:
“THIS speech will help the progressive agenda…we must all take the reigns and run with it…”
Beautifully said, sister gailonfong, and that is in fact what Obama’s campaign is all about isn’t it, getting people to take the message and make it real. No one who heard this speech will ever be fooled again by politicians like Pat Buchanan or Mrs. Clinton when they try and turn Black anger into hate and a death sentence for the movement for the advancement of justice and democracy.
To quote Obama “Not this time…not this time.”
KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE AMMUNITION…NOW WE KNOW WHO THE ENEMY IS NOT!!!
Speaking of: CNN twerp sayin’ what about you can’t choose your grandmother, you can choose your pastor.
k, really getting back to work now. Focus, Prairie, focus.
Ah, wait, there’s the jazz channel. DirectTV 850….
Yes, wouldn’t it be nice to have the grown-ups in charge?
amen.
i think this is exactly right.
and she is EXTREMELY well paid to say that…all of them are
Leslie Blitzer =huge toady
Blitzer doing his best to drive Obama speech into the ditch.
Awesome!
I’m giddy over the prospect of watching the MSM squirm and try and make it something else–guess what guys, you’re the ones who built it up and now there’s thousands of people who’ve seen the WHOLE speech, not just some little out of contexted clip. I just talked with my wife and she said Pat B. was spinning like mad and sounding like the old racist fart that he is. Too bad Patty, I’ve got the tape and you’re a lier!
the bar is set high for Obama then you raise it higher.
Blitzer=Israeli citizen
Yes, you hit a very important point. With our soundbite culture, everyone is assumed to have the intelligence and attention span of a 12 year old. Obama finally is showing that it is possible to respect the intellect of the American people and to appeal to them directly, without using the soundbites as a conduit.
As others on the thread already have suggested, we must make links to the text and YouTube of this speech the biggest viral files of all time. They must be the response whenever Rush or Pat spews. Those guys just don’t have a chance against this. I think that even a surprising number of dittoheads are capable of understanding this if they hear it enough.
Contrast, please, in your imagination the speech Hillary would produce to address some “issue” that was created to attack her.
Bill, for all his other faults, was a masterful speaker. Obama is this and inspiring to boot. Hillary…is just down here with us mere mortals in that regard.
I had been planning to sit out my state’s primary because it is normally the case that by the time the primary gets here, the candidate is long since chosen. Until very recently I had still been considering sitting out the primary because of my lack of real interest in either Obama or Clinton but with the sickening attacks on Obama (by the Clintonistas AND the GOPers) and on the democratic process (by Clinton with her trying to snatch delegates regardless of what the PEOPLE choose) I will likely vote in the primary for Obama. This Obama speech adds a little juice to my considerations in this regard.
They have to generate a controversy …think shit starters or mess cats. But I don’t think it is going to work this time, this speech addressed a serious issue in this country that transcends political parties, income and educational levels
and CNN NEVER DISCLOSES he worked at the Jerusalem Post for many years…tell people(your viewer) Cnn….
I read the speech instead of watching it. I’m very impressed, and I’m no Obama supporter.
I agree with Gnome, he was fearless. That kind of honesty is refreshing and inspiring.
Wolfie needs to stay eligible fora job at Fox so he will always to that to Obama or any Democrat.
What “reality” are you talking about? Given his entire career and life history of excelling, whether in school or professionally, the reality is that he probably wrote the majority or all of the speech himself.
That falls under a similar maxim in comedy circles, “Never follow Robin Williams.” She’ll never match the energy.
Wow, is this interesting — particularly in view of something else that I landed on during my morning blog check-in of a random assortment of viewpoints and perspectives. Today, there’s a post at http://blog.beliefnet.com/godspolitics/ about race, religion, Obama, and US politics that I found eye-opening.
Let’s just say that I never expected to hear these words from a white, middle aged, evangelical.
Entirely apart from which Dem candidate I support, what I find quite interesting is to see this discussion moving forward. Particularly against the background of the GOP-led, GOP-enabled bailout of gamblers and criminals on Wall Street, for which the rest of us are all expected to pay.
We live in interesting times.
The entire White House Press Corp will be fired (except Helen) if Obama wins the Presidency … they’ll need intelligent people to attend the pressers, these bloggers had better get ready for career changes …
Disclaimer: Of course, I did not include Faux Noise in my analysis …
Obama has just sealed his fate. He will be the next President. He has taken these attacks and counter punched with the precision of Cassius Clay.
Obama is the right man for the right time and will need our support and protection from the status quo, ie “Executive Oil” and the lot who will do anything to protect the present energy delivery system which has fueled and created the “American Corporate Aristocrat, seeking to usurp constitutional safeguards in the name of endless profit! Cash cows and your liberty (gas tank)!
“The Iraq Oil Plot,” continues or Liberate America!!!!!!
Perhaps he consciously decided to stay “calm” when delivering this to contrast himself with Rev. Wright. Seems like a good idea.
There are pockets, islands, of real journalism that informs and enlightens but not anything that reaches a mass audience. The mass audience is serviced by the traditional MSM which has become nothing more than a profit center for their corporate ownership. When profit, rather than education and enlightenment of the public, is the rationale for the “news” the MSM, with few exceptions, will always pander, sensationalize and obscure any higher truth in the interest of ratings.
and he worked for Pat Robertson,at Christian Broadcast network…he has to bash Obama
What you see is his nature, calm. Even during the debates, he never gets upset just calmly disagrees and states his position
That’s possible. I also think he was deliberately calm to counter the previous characterization that his appeal was purely emotional and based on the frenzy he can create in crowds. This was the opposite, and an emotion that slowly built and will be lasting for a very long time in our country.
thanks goddess for YouTube
Bill always sounded to me like he was reading a great speech that was written by someone else. Obama sounds like these are his own words and feelings …
The Philadelphia Speech
yup,he is calm and…thoughtfull
I agree wholeheartedly with you about Buchanan, he’s just a dyed in the wool bigot who can’t help himself. He’s never gonna change. But I really think Scarborough did better than I expected him to, and that he gets it. He said that he felt inspired by the speech, but he also needed to look at it from a political perspective, since that what the show does. That doesn’t mean that he doesn’t get it. He didn’t say anything about Obama being wrong. In fact, he said to Buchanan after doing a clip, “What’s wrong with that?”
These days I usually wish they were a little *less* interesting. *g*
Yes. Likewise commentary. Be sure to check out Attaturk’s earlier thread and follow the link to E.J. Dionne.
Here’s a link the the National Constitution Center where he gave the speech. He couldn’t have picked a more choice location imo.
I can see Obama shouting to Frazier/McCain … “What’s my name? What’s my name?” …
Roland Martin on CNN now… Obama’s speech transcended just the Wright controversy, gave us a timeline for the race experience in America. Challenged us on the issue of race… America, we must all look at ourselves.
the reality is that we don’t know.
isn’t it enough that this is the speech he chose to give? why make claims of authorship w/o any evidence? wishing it to be true does not make it so.
maybe he did write it, and if you find out, i’d like to know.
i’m still impressed, either way.
i don’t like how he said ”grandma was a racist, too”
and
i have a biiiig problem with this part of his speech…the last line.
”But the remarks that have caused this recent firestorm weren’t simply controversial. They weren’t simply a religious leader’s effort to speak out against perceived injustice. Instead, they expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country – a view that sees white racism as endemic, and that elevates what is wrong with America above all that we know is right with America;
a view that sees the conflicts in the Middle East as rooted primarily in the actions of stalwart allies like Israel, instead of emanating from the perverse and hateful ideologies of radical Islam. ”
Americans have more trouble looking at themselves than anything else. We seem to assume that we are the best, the brightest, first in everything. If we look at ourselves, we might not be in this mess now.
I would be more optimistic if, rather than turn on CNN, FOX, MSNBC, CBS, ABC,et al Americans started their day reading FDL, DailyKos or watching YouTube. Too many Americans are “informed” by rich bloviators that prefer to keep their intentions obscured.
Minor quibble- Obama’s speech makes it sound as if the constitution already existed at the time of the declaration of independance.
I’m just reporting, so don’t jump on me.
About half the callers (about 8) to the Brian Lehrer show on wnyc loved the speech and about half were unimpressed. All seemed to be liberal.
The sentiment of the favorable callers has already been expressed in comments here, so no need to be redundant.
Here’s a sample of the critiques. One thought Wright was an abomination to all the things that progressives have tried to do and could not understand how Obama would associate with him. Speech did nothing to convince him. For another, it was Wright’s anti-semitism and again, what Obama said in the speech was not sufficient to reassure her. Another crticized him for hypocrisy, in the sense that Obama claimed it was a non-political speech but then tooks swipes at his political & other opponents.
Thought it was an interesting mix of sentiments, from non-media types who are well up on politics and are articulate.
Exactly so.
If you want to get the lay of the land on where old school Democratic tunnel vision is melding with the conservative attack machine, just check out MyDD
Talk about disgusting. If this speech can penetrate an obtuse argument from that quarter, then it truly was a homerun. But these people absolutely FEAR the prospect of change because it might mean losing power. It is pathetic to watch the shallow minds squirm. But, oh…so…fun!
Agree strongly.
Also, I think someone over at beliefnet.com, and a whole lot of other places, must be reading Jane Hamsher, because some of the views articulated so well here are showing up other places. Good to see.
the bar is set high for Obama then you raise it higher.
Snowbird, I call them as I see and hear them. I expect others to do the same.
i like how he said his grandma made racist remarks (maybe because i can relate?).
but i agree completely on the I/P issue.
Yes….it has a ring to it!!!!!
The speech caused me to applaud Obama in my living room and also to laugh out loud. The old adage “be careful what you ask for” came to my mind as the conservatives who started this attack since their “he’s a Muslim” didn’t take hold. They must be cringing now with this powerful response. They caused him to be given a platform to be heard nationally and discussed by all major outlets in positive terms (exccept Fox, of course).
I hope this settles the issue so to speak but of course it won’t. A frank discussion of our attitudes about racism is a necessary component of our future success.
Wow a bunch of Obama supporters doing a circle jerk……….who would have thought! This guy is going to be so swift boated if he gets the nod.So be it. You know I have been thinking latelly about the OJ trial and I keep going back to those days just before the jury was set to come back with a verdict and how the fear was in the air….”If they convict OJ there are going to be riots…..I live in LA and I know there was fear about that and if you recall there was adn army of Police around the court house. I feel the same thing in the air regarding Obama and the nomination not that there would be riots but that there will be anger and resentment and the black vote will abandon the Dems. ANd you know what that attitude goes right back to the thoughts process of spirtual leaders like Wright…..we are oppressed so we are mad so we will threaten you with…..fill in the blank!
You’ve been thinking. . . .
It’s interesting to imagine what today’s right-wing propaganda media would have done with classic speeches from history. For Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address I picture the camera catching Chris Matthews with a hoagie hanging out of his mouth.
“What? That was it? That was less than two hundred words! We run commercials that last longer? That’s IT? What are the American taxpayers paying for at that word rate, does anyone know? Look it up! That was probably the most expensive speech per word in recorded history. What a joke!”
Oh, wait, Lincoln was a Republican. Well, in that case they would have loved it…
It looks like he did:
From today’s NYTimes.
Circle jerk! You must be playing with yourself??
Yes, of course it is enough that he chose to give the speech, but I wanted to point out that they said on national TV (as if that means anything) that he has been working on the speech both Sunday and Monday nights. My question is, was it on a teleprompter? I was also impressed with the delivery.
CNN script reader asking Gloria Borger whether they’d be talking about Rev. Wright or race?
Borger: we’ll be talking about Obama.
Thinking too close to Humboldt County, maybe…
little teeny weeny minds agree
Well he was showing that he couldn’t disown Wright becauseof hiw views that are sheared by some in the black community, so to do so would be to do that to the black community and his grandma said racist thing but that also would not disavow her.
Showing that there are these feelings exist on both sides is to speak honestly about the issue and how he personally (as many of us are) tied to people that say things that we don’t agree with but still love
The crappy N.Y. Times headline:
“Assessing Race in America, Obama Calls Pastor Divisive”
And he also stands by his man, Grey Lady.
and i keep meaning to tell you, that barack obama does write ’some’ of his speeches, however, one of his speechwriters is ted sorenson, one of jfk and rfk’s speechwriters…..
so, the kennedy comparison he gets after some of his speeches is kinda earned through the back door……..
of course he sounds ’kennedyesque’ sometimes, it was probably written by their speech writer………
and i’m NOT slammin’ barack, just tellin’ ya info. so, keep your tripe lassoed.
extremely highly paid script readers,dont forget…must tow corporate line always
How did OJ get brought inot it? LOL Oh my, is this the best you have? Nothing new in the arsenal? Well when you come up with a new ‘concern’ or ‘thought’ come back and share, will ya?
knee jerk reactions abound….this ADD country argh!@#$%^&*
I doubt he lives in LA and if he does he needs to indicate what part because there is a difference between East side, West side, South, etc.
Wow, I’d love to see what Robert Greenwald would do with this idea ;-)
Good point.
Well it’s not like we didn’t know that people weren’t going to come out and shit all over it. I have my umbrella and hip boots so they can shit away. It is always the case that people will cherry pick the words, images or sentences that they didn’t like and refuse to see it in it’s larger context of the speech. So be it, I refuse to cast pearls before swine (waste my breath trying to convince them otherwise)
Be afraid. Be very afraid. At all times.
BOO!
Yes, but what is a lot more interesting is to look at where Wright is coming from. But that’s not of interest to the MSM, because they don’t ‘get it’.
That Marvin Gaye ‘What’s Going On’ YouTube says the same thing with a lot more sweetness, but it’s in the same realm of human experience.
That was my favorite part of the speech. Not only did he acknowledge that we sometimes inadvertently hurt the people we most love by our subconscious (or conscious) biases, but we also often love the people who hurt us in that way.
It was a very well-delivered speech, and I’m not surprised at the over the top reaction from his supporters. “Speaking truth to power?” Really? He didn’t give this speech because he thought it was time for America to hear his important message of hope, he gave it because his campaign was in trouble. This is why so many of us who are not on the Obama bandwagon see so many of his followers as starry-eyed. He basically dissembled when he had to respond to this situation, until he could write a speech and deliver it to a friendly audience. Yes, it had a lot of good points in it. But c’mon, “This will forever be known as “The Speech”? Let’s get a little grounded in reality here.
As for not throwing Wright under the bus, whoever thought he would? How could he have? He’s smart enough to know that distancing himself totally from the guy after being so closely tied to him for 20 years was simply not credible. Anyway, he already called the guy a crazy uncle. I guess that counts as support in Obama land.
I’m surprised so many of you can see to type through the tears.
I think that Hillary could answer simply, “I agree wholeheartedly with the thesis and logic and the perspective of Senator Obama’s speech. If I were to give a speech on the same subject, to the same audience, I would have chosen different words, and different examples, but I could not have said it better.” This answer would show that the differences between the candidates on this issue are small, and that she recognizes that he is a worthy candidate for the office she aspires to.
My dear poster, could you possibly write in a less inflammatory manner? If you want to elicit emotional responses, continue writing as you have in this post. If, however, you want to have an intelligent discussion, comparing thoughts and ideas, please tone it down.
As an aside, did you read or listen to Obama’s speech today? Because your post sounds like you did not. Best to be informed before posting.
Little billy kristol and his ilk threw this fear bomb into play for their
candidates, McCain and Clinton, and Obama threw it right back into their
laps… the speech just supplies more evidence that Obama is the cure
for this political do loop we have been in since 1968, that is why he
is such a threat to the MSM/DLC shadow Republican establishment. Be of
good cheer, we can beat them, they just let us know again by this reversion to the old tactics of divide et imperium.
sadly at 194—
(expletive deleted by mommenter)
i am not a knee-jerk commenter……..
the ’gma was a racist’ smacked of the ’well, they do it, too’ kindof remark, that’s what i didn’t like about it………call it a weak analogy.
and i always think before i hit submit………
and i don’t appreciate your habitual crap throwing when i comment.
Thanks for this – it explains a lot of the reason for the Kennedy comparison.
Maybe you’re right Chris. Maybe it didn’t compare to “I’ve crossed the threshold, and certainly, Senator McCain has. Senator Obama will have to answer for himself.”
Well, I for one am not an Obama supporter. There is nothing wrong with saying the guy made a great speech.
Sorry. I didn’t realize there was a link to the speech and my post was well after the fact. We should vote for him for no other reason than he gives good speech.
You might have a point, but I’ll be damned it I can understand what it is.
If that’s your point, it’s week. His campaign is still ahead by any rational approach to real delegate counts. It isn’t the Obama campaign in trouble, my friend, it is America that is in trouble.
I would have preferred he not need to give this speech at all but 4 out of 5 racist bastards agree that Obama had to answer their abject non-sequitur in the media spin cycle. So, he did. And it sounds like he rocked. Too bad for you. You have my sympathy.
wobbly at 197-
i was not trying to ’shit all over it’
i thought this was a thread about obama’s speech…….
those are the parts that bothered me about it.
i’m allowed to express that………doesn’t make me a swine.
doesn’t mean i wasn’t able to take in the entire context of his speech………
everybody approaches assimilating information in different ways, according to how our brains work…..
you and a few others do it differently than i do………doesn’t mean i’m lesser than you……
this place used to be a place of open discourse, it has changed, and not for the better.
Let’s please avoid personal insults directed at other commenters.
Thanks.
Yeah, she coulda done that. But there’d be absolutely no magic in it, even if she had said the words first.
Here’s a shallow analogy. Go look up Hallelujah on YouTube. Leonard Cohen wrote then damn thing and you’d think he does it well…THEN, go watch the Jeff Buckley version. That’s what it’s like for me to juxtapose Obama and Hillary. Yes the words are frequently the same, but the MAGIC in the performance just grabs me by the nuts! It’s a bias I fall victim to, with perfect consent.
I think you need to read that post before you start censoring people. We are discussing a speech and someone who I have never seen jumps in and says we’re having a circle jerk. You know I respect the work all of you do but what I said was nothing compared to the attacks launched here.
i was NOT addressing you…i was disscussing pundits on tee vee,but if the shoe fits,have at it
is not the important factor that he gave the speech? It is a painful converstaion that we have needed to have in this counrty and instead have ignored and allowed the animosity and anger to fester.
Your characterization of how any one of us may have reacted to his speech says volumes more about you than it could ever say about us. Some of us liked the speech and did so for a myriad of reasons and you didn’t….moving on
ChrisO and dmac, I enjoyed reading your perspectives on the speech. I don’t know why some are so threatened by opinions that differ from their own. It is good to be exposed to different perspectives on subjective matters like this.
I never said that and my sit comments weren’t directed at you (there is a concern troll in our midst). What I said to you, I said to you about Obama’s grandmother.
We are all entitled to our opinions but I don’t see how you are addressing me on something that I didn’t say about YOU
wobbly at 189 yellowsnapdragon at 100—thanks, that’s what i was goin’ for, another view on it.
and guess what? rush is flamin’ on the gma remark……….i was just trying to tell ya that there is a problem with the two parts of the speech that i pointed out………gonna be a problem.
It is always good to have different opinions and perspectives even if we disagree
See how well the ‘distraction technique” works … now they’ve got you talking about your words than the issues … *g*
Of course it is, he is a rightwing mouth piece (hence my umbrella and boots remark). Nothing that he was going to say was going to please those folks, so I’m pleasantly not surprised as none of us should be. The point is, I don’t care what they think. They don’t get todefine and shape the discourse for me and we should push back on letting ANY mouthpiece shape our national discourse.
This speech was perhaps the best one I have ever been witness to. He articulated so many true things that have been unspoken in our society for so many years. It was magnificient and what criticism that will ensue from his political enemies will shortly die out because of those true things. The only criticism with any traction is that he could have chosen to leave his church. Over 20 years the pastor has probably given a thousand sermons and they may very well be on the whole-uplifting and mainstream, but we will never know, because the right and MSM will not acknowledge them. In any event, if a person must disassociate himself from people if they say things that he disagrees with then I would be friendless for the most part for I would be losing all my right wing acquaintances. Perhaps on reflection good riddance, but an unrealistic requirement and burden for one to place on another. This speech will go down in history. It is just the beginning.
Dude!
You totally CAUSED it. It’s time for you to stand up and take responsibility!
Post hoc ergo propter hoc!
What’s a gma?
Yep *g*
I was more than ready because I know what I said and who I said it to.
yup…..the speech sukked…..hahaha
sadly quoted your response to me, then you quoted sadly, then sadly quoted you, on it went……..
so since the original comment was mine, i took it to be aimed at me………you two go back and forth as a tag team sometimes about a commenter, so, i assumed that is what was going on.
if it wasn’t, cool, if it was, well, i have a problem with it.
Oldgold, I’ve always found your opinions rational and worthy of discussion. You have to admit that Chris’ entry included sarcasm and a implied ad hominem argument that Obama supporters are some sort of starry eyed dreamers. Therefore, this 65-year-old, veteran, retired air traffic controller dreamer answered him in kind.
I believe that that was the most grown up speech I have ever heard coming from the lips of a presidential candidate. I say that because I think he was saying what needed to be said hoping but not knowing if it would help his candidacy. He presumed that a majority in his audience, all of America, was thoughtful and intelligent and reflective and fair. That is courageous and what hope is, indeed, all about.
i was an Edwards supporter,but Obama suffers a fatal flaw,in some peeps mind…the flaw…he has an OPEN mind….shucks
gma = Grandma, I assume
my 228 was for wobblybits
grandma
Seems the Rush types have their tightie whities all in a bunch because Obama said his Grandma has made some rascist remarks (but he did not call her a racist). The larger picture is lost of course that Obama was juxtaposing Wright and his grandmother, both who have made comments but Obama can’t repudiate either one of them
Duh, I thought it was Good Morning America
Why I oughta … *g*
i was adressing the media…period,i dont give a rats ass,what one persons opinions are,opinions are like asswholes everybody has them”g”
This speech must really be read to be appreciated.
It is a sober look at race in the United States from a person who has lived in both worlds. I just read it a second time.
He brings out an understanding of why both side feel that way,
then brings it together with mutual struggle and aspirations.
I am sure we will hear “Not the time!” done in a fiery
manner when he is our nominee against McCain.
Less jobs and more war? Not this time.
I did not hear the speech, but I read the text. I was in tears.
It was tremendous, and an amazing capsule of what many of us believe and have been working towards for so long. It seemed to me the next installment of “The Dream.”
Tag team? We were addressing your comment, independently. I’m sorry that you feel ganged up on, but that isn’t what happened
Sen. Obama is a brave and inspirational man. A man of color as POTUS will be a great thing for this counrty both domestically and internationally. I truely hope he wins the Dem nomination because Hillary is a monster.
However, as much as we all would like to believe that Obama is the right man at the right time, he is an opportunist taking advantage of a politically expedient time. He is a creation of Hillary Clinton. If there hadn’t been a woman front runner for POTUS since 2004, Obama would not be running now. Only the fact that this was going to be a historical election because of the first real chance for a person other than a rich white guy to be elected, was it possible for Obama to run. I propose that he would not be running at all if Hillary wasn’t the front runner comming in. If he had entered the race against only rich white guys, he would never have been concidered seriously.
Therefore, as much as we would like to concider ourselves, as a people and a party, above race, we are not and realistically, Obama’s candacy is, bottom line, primarily about his race.
Linky?
My earlier impression of this as an apologia for wayward paster has been totally changed by a reading of the entire speech, (in NYTimes.com). Not since August 28, 1963 has a more important speech and more powerful speech on race and progress been made. Hats off to Obama, though I’m still for Hillary.
Crosstimbers, Yes, I admit that. Like you, I attempt to keep discussions civil and productive. That is what my comment was trying to encourage.
As is Sadly responded that her remarks were aimed at pundits, so no tag team happened.
Spellcheck please
I disagree on most levels. I would have preferred the message offered by John Edwards, as I believe rampant corporatism is almost more prevalent and needs more attention than anything else; but, I didn’t get that choice. John was a rich, white guy. Maybe he wasn’t fat enough?
Sorry but he is not there because of Hillary, they are BOTH there because of those that came before them (women like Shirley Chisolm as an example)
petro at 221–”
See how well the ‘distraction technique” works … now they’ve got you talking about your words than the issues … *g*”
petro, my heart hurts that you would write this………….i’m a ’they’ now?…..i’m using ’distraction techniques’?…..i was addressing things that i found disettling…….
what the hell has happened to this place.
No worries, the Lake abides. The surface may seem troubled but the waters are cool, and oh so deep. I love this place!
I couldn’t disagree more. It is true Obama is an opportunist in that he saw an opening and pushed, but aren’t we all opportunists in that sense? If Obama is a product of anything, it is George Bush. Obama knows he’s black and he knows racism is alive and well in this country, but he also knows the country is in deep enough doo doo to turn to a black man for salvation. Obama is obviously intelligent, thoughtful, and right about the war in Iraq. What more do you want?
yeah, i did feel ganged up on, and as i read it again, i still feel that way.
but you say, no, so, i guess i’ll let it go………but i’m someone slow to offense, and don’t ever look for a fight, so, i’m findin’ it hard to believe that that’s not what was going on.
but you say, no, so, ok.
my bad……
but i have been thinking how it’s funny how this shite didn’t go on here before, except on rare occasions.
and now it’s regular fare.
No dmac, I was not referring to anyone as being distracting and most certainly not you but the technique … this is part of an ongoing discussion I’ve been having with wobblybits about countering racism and prejudice and is not aimed at you …
… hugs and kisses …
It’s my fault
Overall the content of the speech was very honest and the delivery was one that would be most appropriate given the subject. What people take from it or the MSM does with it, is another thing all together but this a subject that not only needed to be discussed in this country but all over the world (as I look to my country of Brasil)
Meanwhile, over in Jordan…
Will the MSM stop playing “scary black man” videos long enough to contemplate the implications of elevating this man to the presidency?
But Hillary tells us this idiot has “passed the threshold” to be commander-in-chief. Just kill me now.
And that was partly my point. She doesn’t match Obama on eloquence, although she isn’t a bad speaker. Make the issue the issue, and move on. If the two candidates don’t differ on the issue, then don’t look for different word choices to manufacture false divergence of position on the issue.
BTW, Hallelujah is one of my favourite songs. Cohen wrote it, and any very good singer can transfix an audience with it. An excellent singer can make it an experience to remember. See also Rufus Wainwright, KD Lang, John Cale, Allison Crowe, Kurt Nilsen. All excellent versions. Is it the song or the singer? Sometimes it’s both.
But this is Obama’s issue, and if I were Clinton, once he’s addressed the issue, and he now has, I’d move on.
i love me some 3 stooges….always have …thanks
No apologies necessary. Thanks for the heads up.
Yo Raven, perhaps you can impart some of your wisdom …
One of my girls asked me, “Why do they make flavored condoms?”
Luckily, we were near a Krispy Kreme and I turned it for a diversion, but I’m sure it will come up again …
… any thoughts ?
I disagree. I will briefly outline the reasons. We have found the best candidate. It is not because he is black, he just happens to be black. Given the history of this country, that becomes an issue. It is not the rationale for his candidacy. The rationale is that as he is quite recently descended from both white and black he has unique insights into these issues.
He is a unity candidate of tremendous skills that represents the brighter future of this country instead of its dimmer past. Any attempt to use the politics of the past to defeat him will fail, as he absorbs those blows and turns them to his own advantage. I would agree that in that way he is an opportunist.
all I can give you for assurance is my word that there was no calculation on my part, just responding to your OP about his using his grandma.
Primary fatigue and division. Emotions running extra high and bubbling underneath the surface. I think it will clam down after the primaries
(spews water)
Yep, then we’ll be flaming Neocons/Repugs … *g*
he is 1/2 white too,he has unusual perspective,but our TORTURED media hardly ever explains this
sadly at 215
the shoe DIDN’T fit, that’s why it pissed me off so much.
and it woulda pissed you off too, if you thought it was directed at you.
i’ve seen you get pissed at less.
shoe didn’t fit. and i didn’t like the color. /s
There is a huge difference between being an opportunist and seizing an opportunity.
That cost me a dozen assorted and a dozen glazed … and I’m a meditation teacher … I’m not supposed to be caught unawares … *g*
oh but Leslie Blitzer ASSURED me it was NOT over
Dang it, now you got me thinking about donuts.
After being DX’s here for about a half an hour I better maintain a low profile on that one!
I’m all ready for them repugs…BRING IT
If Obama abandons Wright, he abandons his White grandmother who also has made racist statements, but also raised him.
I think that we must realize that this is the same thing that Howard Dean and John Edwards have said about Whites that have espoused racist attitudes. One doesn’t abandon them, one EDUCATES them.
Black Americans often have misguided, and erroneous, views on the causes and sources of their situations. From frustration they are often susceptible to conspiracy theories and beliefs that come from lack of information, education and fear.
But so does America…remember the whole “conspiracy theory” promoted from the highest sources in this country? The one about how Al Qaida and Iraq conspired to attack America on 9/11…and were acting as an “Axis of Evil” (with Iran and North Korea) to develop Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Do we as Americans demand that all who believed this conspiracy theory be rejected as participants in the political process? Or do we open their minds to new ways of seeing, open the windows of the White House records to the antiseptic Truth?
Similarly, the Democratic Party sits at a nexus in its history. It can choose to ABANDON and renounce the Black Community…because I can bet that many, if not most, have friends and family that have believed these conspiracy theories about drugs, HIV, and terrorism. Do the Democrats require that Blacks denounce their family members, or do we encourage them through EDUCATION to broaden their understanding and improve their understanding of the situation. Because Obama will not.
He will reject erroneous and divisive ideas. And that’s whether it comes from Southern Whites or urban Blacks or Republican voters from gated-communities.
So will the Democrats at large throw its long-term commitment to Black America and other minorities away? That’s really the choice going on here.
What? Oh, please. Obama is nothing like Sharpton. If you can’t see that, then you just plain ain’t gonna. The dealer passes….
raven at 254
rofl, i just love you to death, my man/brother, yes, it’s all your fault!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just stay close to a Krispy Kreme for a few years.
… the glazed ones were just being made, flowing along like a neverending stream of white glazed heaven …
*channeling Homer* (not the poet, the famous one) *g*
Ok unawares but who is prepared for that question?
how about a cup cake?
http://www.icecreamireland.com…..upcake.jpg
Wait wait, here’s the answer but you have to watch the whole GAG
sorry but uugggh too much sugar for me but change that to lemon bars and we have a deal *g*
I haven’t seen any starry eyed Obama supporters at FDL.
Please point them out by pseudonym.
*drool*
My older one has the mind of a legal beagle … analyzes facts at the speed of light … I’m sure she’ll hem me in a corner and ask it again and I really appreciate anyone giving input on how to answer this …
raven at 271–
what’s DX’S?
I mean when the drive by jumped ugly and whacked us for being a bunch of jerk off’s I needed Quaker Girl to help me turn the other cheek!!
Army term, dump, get rid of. As in “We should have DX’d the whole mufukin place”!
Elliott, see me @ 260 … thought I’d ask since we’re in EPUville …
Dang it, error message pops up “We’re sorry but this video is not available.”
Petro, I’m getting the video ok.
I’m on a Mac and cannot view it …
go to comedy central and search for Starbuck’s Eclipse. It’s nasty but relevant to your query.
Safari?
Uh, explain to her that this is one of the rare things it would be better if she heard from friends, rather than had explained rationally and scientifically by a parent.
Works on mac safari here.
Hmmm. I’ve read the speech but haven’t listened to it. Random thoughts:
Overall, a phenomenal speech. I’d’ve cut three things, though: (1) The book plug. Not necessary. I think he put it in there just to say, “Why did Team Clinton bring this issue up? Are they morons? I’ve already written a best seller about this!” (2) The Israel/Islam line. Not pertinent to the topic, and the Israel/Palestine issue is a LOT more complicated than that. (3) The little girl anecdote. The rest of the speech pretty much threw away the script and started from scratch. I wish he hadn’t ended it with this. It felt very State-of-the-Union.
More thoughts after I watch the video.
Nope, I must be missing a player … video on CNN and MSNBC works fine though …
I’m sure it’s not over, and I imagine the media will be seeking comment from the Clinton campaign. I think Obama has placed the issue in context, and Clinton probably has little to add. I think that setting the campaign aside, she probably agrees with Obama’s position on this. If she is seen making this an issue of difference between her campaign and Obama’s, she’ll be seen as divisive. If she lets the MSM do with it what they will, without inserting herself into this particular debate, she loses nothing with her constituency. This is Obama’s issue to step up on, not Clinton’s, but what should Clinton say when the media come calling?
I was just emphasizing your Homer aspect with his patented *drool*
My 9 year old neice told me how babies were made last weekend, using the seed analogy. I was somewhat disturbed that she seemed to know so much about the details of planting a seed, but nothing about the human anatomy that she was clearly able to comprehend. Of course I couldn’t correct her since she is not my child.
I’d rather get the candy condom question, any day. Simple, honest answer, “For oral sex,” and the conversation will be cut off by child.
petro, good, i was thrown……
and your daughter? tell her the truth on a level that she can absorb it………with information on a level that she can understand it.
i forget how old she is……
my best friends kept their daughters informed as soon as they were able to read……there are many books at the library that you can get for her that will give her an understanding to base future more explicit conversations on…….just remember to instill in her that sex is compatible with love and relationship, if that’s what you believe, and no one set of answers to her questions will rock her boat too much if she has the big picture based in love and trust from you.
their youngest is at mt. holyoke now, and we suspect she is a virgin……..and she knows all about everything. i remember disagreeing when her mom gave her the first book and they read it together…….i thought she was too young, but my friend said, she needs to know about her own body, and about sex, it defines so much in our lives, is important.
i agree with her now.
I was struck by how much the Rev. Wright looked like MY GRANDFATHER. And what was the most ironic is that my Grandfather espoused White racist views at times (he was from East Texas). So here you have people who essentially look the same…who could cross-over to the other “race” (by altering their attire and speech) and yet carry almost the the same bigoted views (at least on occasion) about the other.
So I can REALLY relate to what Obama says.
I know, but I would like input for my 260 … pretty please, with sprinkles on top … *g*
Guess it depends on how much detail you want to get into. My parents were always very straight forward with me so I would do the same. I think I would draw the analogy between regular lip gloss and flavored (okay bad pun? *g*) Condoms are used for protection, many people engage in oral sex and use condoms for protection and flavored adds to the enjoyment?
Beautiful eloquent speech that will be rememered for a long time. It must really be freaking the wingers out as the comments at Huffington Post are negative in the first page or so. Apparently our old pal Nedra Pickler wrote something for the AP that is typically slanted.
“>Starbucks 2
In Canada, the kids learn about reproduction in Grade 4 … parents can opt out if they choose … and it’s the scientific/biological approach complete with proper names for the body parts …
Damn, short round
Right now, as most democratic Americans are reveling in this brilliant Obama speech, republicans all over the nation are looking for a way to defame, desecrate and destroy it in every way possible. Add Hillary to that republican list.
The older one is 11 and I thought about saying, well in case of emergency, it can be used as food … *g*
Seriously, I’m 58 and don’t have kids. I have no idea how I would deal with any of the stuff parents are faced with.
If Hillary had any class/patriotism, she’d say, “this is our candidate. he says it better than I, or any member of the Democratic party could. he enunciates our values. I’m pleased to support him, and I’m outta here as a candidate.”
In my dreams.
We have racist running through my family (race is a complicated thing in Brasil) but I ust really appreciated the paradox and how you can’t just disavow people like that as they are a part of who you are and we, as their offspring, student, etc. don’t necessarily carry these views forward. hell if they did, I wouldn’t be here.
raven, yeah quaker woulda know what to do……….and usually i’m the turn the other cheek girl…….
think, liberty lee……….
Already begun by the likes of Buchanan, Fox, Limbaugh.
I’ve had tons of experience being around my siblings’ kids and their friends but every once in a while, this kid will ask a question that I have to think very carefully before answering …
Okay but don’t do what my parents did and tell me that it’s like a fruit rollup for adults. I spent so much time trying to get a hold of a fruit roll up condom
Jeeze, should be younger.
dmac @ 301:
… just remember to instill in her that sex is compatible with love and relationship …
We’ve already had this talk, some of her friends have been dating and know 13 year olds who’ve ‘done it’ … she’s not comfortable with either and I’ve said your exact words to her …
They learn about inappropriate touching and behavior in Grade 1 & 2 …
In Grade 6, they learn about sex education/intercourse (cucumbers and condoms)
Not in Georgia they don’t!
I was only talking about the schools in Canada … not the religious ones though …
Worked for a sex information hotline for about 5 years, and I got lots of “kid questions” from real live kids. The conversations would go something like this (they often called in groups):
Q: What’s a candy condom?
A. It’s a condom that’s made to taste good.
Q. (Giggling all around) Why?
A. They are used for oral sex.
Q. (Seriously listening now that they realize that they are going to actually get an answer) What’s oral sex?
A. That’s when one person puts their mouth on another person’s penis or vagina.
Q. Why?
A. Because it feels good.
Q. Oh. (Often ask another question about sex because they know they will get a real answer.)
*gasp* what raw food recipe requires that ?!! *g*
Yep but then the next question from her will be … Did you and mommy ever do that ? *g*
LOL none, at the time I was a omnivore and 9 years old *g*
I’m actually working on a raw version of brownies that aren’t so darn sticky. Lemon bars are next
‘kay, do let me know how they turn out …
Have a great day, y’all !
LOL she would ask? I NEVER wanted to know if my parents were doing some of the stuff I was asking about….way too gross LOL
now of course my nieces and nephews have asked and the response was to the effect of ..just because their is snow on the roof doesn’t mean there isn’t any heat in the furnace. I thought it was a cool sentiment but my sister turned red..maybe it wasn’t the best Christmas dinner discussion to have ( being the baby jesus’s birthday and all)
And the answer to that is a simple, honest, “Yes.” The child will most likely stop there to let the information sink in. S/he will then be more likely to come back and ask you for more information when s/he needs it.
I would have preferred Edwards myself, but he was a victim of being the only viable white guy in the historical election (not that I don’t appreciate the irony of that). It’s not that I don’t think Obama is a good candidate, but he is Hillary light on policy issues.
However, the entire reason for this speech is to dispel the racial divisiveness of his past relationship with Rev. White but not to recognize that he could only be the front runner for the nomination at this point in history because he is black. If he were white, saying the exact same things he is saying in the exact same way, he would be home planning his Senate re-election campaign and Hillary would have locked up the nomination Super Tuesday.
petro at 310–
well, you can tell her it’s one way to keep things fun and interesting in a relationship………
or you can tell her it’s kinda like having chocolate sprinkles on your vanilla ice cream……..
definitely better that the fruit roll up line I got
thanks for the quote – I’m at work so couldn’t watch the speech – but that part by itself is downright thrilling.
How wonderful to have even a candidate for high office who can actually SPEAK! (in all senses of the word)
http://www.afn.org/~dks/race/clinton-e6.html
http://usinfo.state.gov/journa…../tocsv.htm
You are so wrong. I liked Obama from the beginning. He’s articulate, obviously intelligent, and more principled than most politicians. Nevertheless I drifted towards Edwards, not because I thought him better, I did not, but because I didn’t believe then a black man could be elected. I know quite a few people who say they won’t vote for a black man. I hope when faced with a choice between McCain and Obama, they will do the right thing. Obama is where he is because he’s a great candidate, not because he’s black. It’s more in spite of his being black.
My mentality is fine, thank you. How do I know that his speech is not a complete phoney? How do I know that it is honest? Why must I believe that he distances himself with the Rev. Wright all those years he was his mentor, his friend — his paster — but only publicly does it now when he is about to be nominated the Democratic candidate for the presidency. Does he go home after the service and tell his daughters not to pay attention to the reverend — that his hateful message are not the ones he wants them to learn? Why is it upon our white shoulders to acknowledge that WE have the problem with racial diversity — when it is the Rev. Wright who has been spewing hateful and hostile speech and adds to the division of hatred between the blacks and whites. Yes, very clever, it is a fine time in this campaign to finally talk about race in America. What I want to know is, How does BO and his wife really feel other than the fact that he is a great orator. He has that gift, give him that.
How does one know that the comment you just made isn’t a complete phoney?
You don’t!!! Goes both ways!!!
Here is the soundtrack..
http://www.npr.org/templates/s…..d=88478467
of course click sound…
Here is a clear progressive with a voice that does speak for me…
and of course a song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaI5IRuS2aE
Peace/dance/resist/Love
One of the best things about Obama is that he does not talk down to his audience. This mornings speech is history making and will be quoted for years to come regardless what happens in this election. If the media steamrolls him over Pastor Wright causing his defeat, race relations will be set back 50 years. This speech brought chills, tears and the hope for what might be.
I think people are hearing in Obama’s speech what they want to hear.
Normally we expect a speech to make us feel good. Sometimes we hope for uplifting feelings. Rarely we get enlightening.
Whether by plan or accident, if he has achieved a speech which inspires the Republicans to reveal their dark nature with regard to race, then it is even better. It can help to change the dividing point on this political issue, so that the vast majority of Americans will side with Obama and the Democrats and not the hate-filled Republicans.
Good speech, nice setting, pretty good response from the chatterati press & pundits.
Okay, Obama made his move, now we see how everybody else responds for the months to come.
Here’s a lineup that’ll cause you to groan and smile.
Robin Williams
Jim Carrey (sp)
Steven Wright
More grownups in charge, fewer groan-ups.
“ladders of opportunity” is a nice phrase which reflects a Liberal intent.
“realize that your dreams do not have to come at the expense of my dreams” really reflects the sentiment of all those who have worked for Civil Rights in the past 50 years and at the same time gets to the heart of what America has always been about.
“investing” in social benefits will help us all “prosper” nicely ties together the current situation where we need health care reform not just to have better health, but for economic sanity.
Nice stuff.
You are right, of course. Thanks