Therein lies the problem in much of discourse in American politics (on any side). As long as we do not sit down with them, get to know them - then "THEY" can remain a demon or an impersonal character of what we dislike. When we sit down and/or dig deeper in relationships people are harder to demonize and more often common ground can be found to dialogue within.

 

 

Then how could any of us vote for any candidate? Since I assume most of us won't have a chance to sit down with the candidates or Rev. Wright for that matter. I agree that we should not be quick to judge, but at some point you have to go one way or the other on a person, (at least when you step into the voting booth.) jmho.

Then how could any of us vote for any candidate? Since I assume most of us won't have a chance to sit down with the candidates or Rev. Wright for that matter. I agree that we should not be quick to judge, but at some point you have to go one way or the other on a person, (at least when you step into the voting booth.) jmho.

 

 

I'm talking about getting away from labels we attach to people based on soundbites and commentary from our favorite sources. I've seen a lot of this for years in any forum and I think it's the only way to break the cycle of demonization and rhetoric.

 

The funny thing is I'm not even voting for Obama or Democrat but probably McCain. Yet I look like some closet Clinton man because I choose to avoid making vitriolic statements based on a few sermons and associations.

I'm talking about getting away from labels we attach to people based on soundbites and commentary from our favorite sources. I've seen a lot of this for years in any forum and I think it's the only way to break the cycle of demonization and rhetoric.

 

The funny thing is I'm not even voting for Obama or Democrat but probably McCain. Yet I look like some closet Clinton man because I choose to avoid making vitriolic statements based on a few sermons and associations.

 

I agree, the problem is, how will we ever know the truth about any candidate? Most if not all will do or say whatever it takes to get elected. I guess the only thing that we can look at with even a small chance of being untainted are previous actions. (ie. votes cast in the senate, support of certain bills, choice of those look to for guidance etc...) I just think in the case with Sen. Obama, he close linkage to Rev. Wright draws at the very least some question of judgement into the equation. Granted it has been blown way out of purportion, but I do feel that there are many legetimate questions about Sen. Obama's character have arisen due to all of this drama. Although I am sure some will argue that they have no problem with the fact that Obama is just now renouncing several statements by his minister over the past 20 years. To each their own. :thumb:

I agree, the problem is, how will we ever know the truth about any candidate? Most if not all will do or say whatever it takes to get elected. I guess the only thing that we can look at with even a small chance of being untainted are previous actions. (ie. votes cast in the senate, support of certain bills, choice of those look to for guidance etc...) I just think in the case with Sen. Obama, he close linkage to Rev. Wright draws at the very least some question of judgement into the equation. Granted it has been blown way out of purportion, but I do feel that there are many legetimate questions about Sen. Obama's character have arisen due to all of this drama. Although I am sure some will argue that they have no problem with the fact that Obama is just now renouncing several statements by his minister over the past 20 years. To each their own. :thumb:

 

B.O. is an African American - as such many people that he is linked to are also A.A. and many of them harbor these same thoughts, b/c that is their history. That is what they know and have experienced.

B.O. is an African American - as such many people that he is linked to are also A.A. and many of them harbor these same thoughts, b/c that is their history. That is what they know and have experienced.

 

 

I am unclear as to what this has to do with my post. Can you elaborate?

B.O. is an African American - as such many people that he is linked to are also A.A. and many of them harbor these same thoughts, b/c that is their history. That is what they know and have experienced.

 

Is he? His mother is white.

 

Listened to his pastor speak Sunday morning on BET. He was making the point that some people in the AA community have concerns that Barak is not black enough for them.

 

If he is considered AA because his father was black, why couldn't he be considered white since his mother was white?

Is he? His mother is white.

 

Listened to his pastor speak Sunday morning on BET. He was making the point that some people in the AA community have concerns that Barak is not black enough for them.

 

If he is considered AA because his father was black, why couldn't he be considered white since his mother was white?

 

That is how our society defines it, right or wrong.

I am unclear as to what this has to do with my post. Can you elaborate?

 

you said that his close linkage to Rev. Wright calls his judgment into question. I am simply pointing out that he would be hardpressed to find a lot of people in the Reverand's age group who do not harbor similar feelings. Given that . . . I think his judgment is okay.

you said that his close linkage to Rev. Wright calls his judgment into question. I am simply pointing out that he would be hardpressed to find a lot of people in the Reverand's age group who do not harbor similar feelings. Given that . . . I think his judgment is okay.

 

So you think his judgement is okay even though Obama has renounced some of his statements and has removed him from his campain? I find that interesting. But like I said, each to their own.

you said that his close linkage to Rev. Wright calls his judgment into question. I am simply pointing out that he would be hardpressed to find a lot of people in the Reverand's age group who do not harbor similar feelings. Given that . . . I think his judgment is okay.

 

So we can now excuse attitudes based on the age of the person and if enough people feel the same way? Unfortunately there are a older white people who still harbor feelings tolerant to segregation. Is their judgement OK?

So we can now excuse attitudes based on the age of the person and if enough people feel the same way? Unfortunately there are a older white people who still harbor feelings tolerant to segregation. Is their judgement OK?

 

The question isn't whether Reverend Wright's judgement is okay -It isn't. The question is Senator Obama's judgement nd his judgement is just fine with me.

Mike Huckabee on Wright

As easy as it is for those of us who are white, to look back and say “That’s a terrible statement!”…I grew up in a very segregated south. And I think that you have to cut some slack — and I’m gonna be probably the only Conservative in America who’s gonna say something like this, but I’m just tellin’ you — we’ve gotta cut some slack to people who grew up being called names, being told “you have to sit in the balcony when you go to the movie. You have to go to the back door to go into the restaurant. And you can’t sit out there with everyone else. There’s a separate waiting room in the doctor’s office. Here’s where you sit on the bus…” And you know what? Sometimes people do have a chip on their shoulder and resentment. And you have to just say, I probably would too. I probably would too. In fact, I may have had more of a chip on my shoulder had it been me.-- Huckabee (link)

Mike Huckabee on Wright

As easy as it is for those of us who are white, to look back and say “That’s a terrible statement!”…I grew up in a very segregated south. And I think that you have to cut some slack — and I’m gonna be probably the only Conservative in America who’s gonna say something like this, but I’m just tellin’ you — we’ve gotta cut some slack to people who grew up being called names, being told “you have to sit in the balcony when you go to the movie. You have to go to the back door to go into the restaurant. And you can’t sit out there with everyone else. There’s a separate waiting room in the doctor’s office. Here’s where you sit on the bus…” And you know what? Sometimes people do have a chip on their shoulder and resentment. And you have to just say, I probably would too. I probably would too. In fact, I may have had more of a chip on my shoulder had it been me.-- Huckabee (link)

 

 

Wow, I find his words to be refreshing in an era when few will pause to reflect on another person's life experience.

Therein lies the problem in much of discourse in American politics (on any side). As long as we do not sit down with them, get to know them - then "THEY" can remain a demon or an impersonal character of what we dislike. When we sit down and/or dig deeper in relationships people are harder to demonize and more often common ground can be found to dialogue within.

How many famous people do you know on a close personal basis? I am guessing not many. Have you not formed opinions of President Bush, Bill Clinton, David Duke, the Dalai Lama and others without getting to know them personally, but based on their words and actions?

 

If so, then what makes Rev. Wright any different? Rev. Wright has left a trail of deeds and words behind him for the past 20 years. Why is it unfair to judge him on that basis? Do you have reason to doubt Rev. Wright's claim that Trinity is a black liberation theology church or that he is an admirer of James Cone, the founder of the black liberation theology movement in this country?

 

I don't know if you took time to listen to James Cone's 20 minute interview describing black liberation theology and its roots, but if you have not done so, it might be worth your while. While I was not there physically, it was a one on one freewheeling interview that made me feel as if I was there. I would be glad to sit down with Rev. Wright but I believe that he has decided to adopt a much lower profile for the next few months.:lol:

 

I am skeptical that you, or any other BGP poster, have gone through life refusing to form and express opinions on about any public figures simply because you do not know them personally. I get the feeling that most Obama supporters do not want to know more about Jeremiah Wright and that they would prefer than everybody else turn a blind eye to his racist, anti-American rants.

Not surprising that Pat Buchanan wrote this.

First, America has been the best country on earth for black folks. It was here that 600,000 black people, brought from Africa in slave ships, grew into a community of 40 million, were introduced to Christian salvation, and reached the greatest levels of freedom and prosperity blacks have ever known.

 

Wright ought to go down on his knees and thank God he is an American.--link[/b][/b]