Jack and Jill Politics - Latest Comments in Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

TruthSeeker — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:52:00 -0000

hearsandflowers,

Thanks for the response. I don't think the things said of Michelle are indicative of devaluing black women. I think it is to challenge Barack's candidacy where Michelle is simply a conduit to attack him.

If Andyfrombrooklyn is correct, then I think that was the way to handle it. Really, had Barack responded directly I can imaging what that conversation would have been like. Barack would have ended up the loser no doubt. I don't think Barack to rise to the bait of every low-life, self-serving tv host.

Lou Dobbs tries to bait Obama also, by demanding an apology. The worst thing is for Obama to publicly acknowledge them and help their ratings, which is what they want.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

andyfrombrooklyn — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:10:00 -0000

hearts and flowers, oreilly apologised within 48 hours on t.v.
my theory is that barack had a talk with him behind the scenes that included mention of the secret service and threatening violence towards candidates and their families. in exchange for the apology the campaign remained silent and the secret service did not pursue the matter. just a theory

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

heartsandflowers — Tue, 06 May 2008 03:07:00 -0000

I wasn't asking him to fight for all Black women but the attack on Michelle is indicative of the devaluing of Black women as a whole. And she is his wife and he should have said something in response to O'Reilly talking about putting together a lynching party for her! Even Bush condemned lynching recently in response to the Jena Six case. One sentence would have adequately addressed it - besides her words were intentionally misconstrued. Their could have been a clarification. He could have said he was running for office not his wife and there are some lines that should not crossed - perhaps some of those wimpy accusations wouldn't have the weight they do if he had.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

TruthSeeker — Tue, 06 May 2008 01:23:00 -0000

I don't think the presidential campaign is the place to demonstrate that black women are worth fighting for.

Michelle is not under attack. Barack's bid for the Presidency is under attack via Michelle.

Axelrod said Michelle gives them heartburn with her frankness and humour. Clearly, this is within the context of a campaign where everything you say is scrutinized. It's not an insult. It just means they're nervous about her outspokenness. What should Barack do, tell them off to defend his woman? I'll bet he's nervous too.

Barack cannot satisfy all our needs. He cannot be the defender of black women, the hope of the Black church, champion of black masculinity and race czar.

I don't know if Barack will survive our neediness.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

Ms.Martin — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:20:00 -0000

Truthseeker:

"......there is still room for a little boldness."

I agree, I've been waiting on him to take a really tough stand with HRC that would be viewed on the national level.

They're are trying to emasculate him now that the public has said they're tired of hearing about Wright and I don't know that I could ignore that were if I were him.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

heartsandflowers — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:08:00 -0000

TWL 7:45 Comment

It was right on the money. It is a major problem I have with Obama. I especially do NOT like the way he did not come to Michelle's defense. It sets a tone that Black women aren't worth fighting for. I believe he has let some things go that he should have taken a stand for. Axelrod even said something about Michelle giving some of the campaign staff heartburn. WTF was that all about! I think he'd be more compromising in ways that would turn off Black voters if not for Michelle and some of his staff. I guess he really believes in the reconciliation aspects of racial harmony because he was raised by white people and being considered talented and attractive allows for more positive experiences. He does not react well to people being openly hostile to him, he retreats and gets intellectual. He did repudiate Rev Wright but I could see the pained expression on his face. I don't think he wanted to do it where as the Clintons would have done it immediately. I think as the years of political life wear on him he'll learn to toughen up a bit more - I hope!

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

TruthSeeker — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:44:00 -0000

ms.martin,

Could be... I think he is being wisely restrained; however, there is still room for a little boldness.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

TruthSeeker — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:37:00 -0000

tlw,

Because those things are said of Obama by his opponents within the context of a political campaign. The person who called him a boy had to apologize. Barack was not competing with Wright...or so he thought. Wright injected himself into the campaign and Obama had to eject him.

We put up with things all the time in order to achieve a greater end. Obama's been getting death threats, compared to that, these things are petty.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

andyfrombrooklyn — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:29:00 -0000

no day goes by in my modest and relatively easy life where i don't lose my cool over some little thing. so i give barack and michelle huge respect and admiration and thanks for the incredible job they are doing for us and their country under unimaginable pressure. they are in fact, of course, the true patriots.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

andyfrombrooklyn — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:21:00 -0000

ms. martin,
composure in the face of hate...think jackie robinson. think mlk....and bill HAS seriously damaged his reputation. people see him as a huge ass. my wife speculates on his mental health every time he is on the t.v. he looks more and more like an evil w.c. fields. and he is all out of next acts to repair the damage.

i like michelle too, but i really, really want to win. i'm not saying sell out. i'm saying no more unforced errors.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

Anonymous — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:20:00 -0000

Colored people aren't supposed to look white people in the eye when they talk to them.

Colored people are not supposed to "sass" white people.

Colored people, especially colored men, are not supposed to disrespect Missy.

Colored people are supposed to bow and scrape and say Yassir Massa and Nossa Massa.

Colored people are not supposed to stand together, there are the Field Negroes and the House Negros and never the two shall meet.

To coin a phrase from my other favorite AA Blog, The Field Negroe, Reverend Wright is a Field Negroe. Reverend Wright is a grown a$$ man. If Barack Obama doesn't watch it, he's going to be a Lawn Jockey.

If the media and the Clinton's can make Obama denounce his PASTOR whats' to keep them from making him denounce black folks????? This is setting whats known as a "precedent". Next he is going to have to denounce Michelle or his mother in law, or his brother in law. It's a slippery slope.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

TLW — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:14:00 -0000

Clearly the consensus on this board is that Obama can do no wrong and anyone who criticizes him is clearly the anti-christ. I think I am going to check out of this convo.

Peace!!!

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

TLW — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:06:00 -0000

Truthseeker:

So why did Obama have to denounce Wright and nobody else? He is quick to denounce Wright for "insulting White sensibilities" but not anyone else who insults not only his family and his former friend, but the Black community as a whole with the race-baiting. That isn't subject to condemnation but Wright's comments are? Seems to me Obama is playing favorites.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

jelana — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:01:00 -0000

Truly, I don't understand all the argument over this. Barack will
SURELY be better than Hillary or

McCain. Just how much of a discussion do you think

either of them will actually have on

race. WE are ALSO holding him to

a double standard.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

TruthSeeker — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:00:00 -0000

@ tlw,

If Barack took your advice, he would lose for sure. Is that what you want? This is not a vanity campaign. This is not his opportunity to prove how racist America is so he can return to the pulpit and rail about it. Barack is not a loser, he is playing to win!

People say rotten things all the time, we don't go off and retaliate. Barack is not like Conyers' wife, who's become a laughing stock and object of derision to a much less accomplished reporter, not to mention the 8th grader.

These people can talk, but they can't physically hurt Barack or his family, why should he destroy his entire career. He is stronger for not always taking the bait.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

Ms.Martin — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:55:00 -0000

Truth, CPL

I really believe he thought addressing Wright in the book would test the waters for public opinion and thhought if someone was going to bring it up they would have done it early on to dispose of him.

I don't honestly think he or anyone else thought that he would actually make it this far.

What do you think?

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

TLW — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:54:00 -0000

Ms. Martin

You don't have to base your life on it, but you might want to give some consideration to your campaign for the POTUS.

Now, that's all I have.

Me: If becoming president means I have to become a chump, wimp and a coward and not speak the truth and throw old friends who do speak the truth into an endless abyss, then I say to hell with that because my soul and dignity is NOT for sale just to make White folks feel comfortable. Wish I could say the same for Obama, and many people on this board who co-sign these actions and are willing to vote for somebody who feels this way.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

TLW — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:47:00 -0000

Truthseeker

If that is all you can come up with as to why he had to call a press conference and denounce his pastor, then he is even worse than I thought. People have said even worse things about him his own wife and Rev. Wright before Wright finally went on the offensive and he couldn't be moved to say or do anything. All the race-baiting that was occuring didn't move him to respond or the straight up insults to Black people. Not a word, Not a single fricking word. But when Rev. Wright "insults" the sensibilities of "Mainstream America" he called a press conference and stated that HIS actions were Divisive, objectionable, destructive, pick any other negative adjective and that is what he used to describe Wrights words. But the previous actions are okay and just politics as usual. I am starting to see a pattern develop and it ain't good for Black folks.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

TruthSeeker — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:44:00 -0000

@ The Christian Progressive Liberal,

I agree that Barack SEEMS to get backed into things. It would be comforting to see him take more proactive steps.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

Ms.Martin — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:43:00 -0000

Andy

I guess I misunderstood you. I'm sensitive about Michelle, I think she is judged harshly. Look at what Bill Clinton is getting away with "the Bubba campaign" do you honestly think Michelle could do any identity based campaigning as TLW and the crew would suggest and not be ripped for it.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

Ms.Martin — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:38:00 -0000

"....... like Black folks who base their lives on what white folks think and feel...."

You don't have to base your life on it, but you might want to give some consideration to your campaign for the POTUS.

Now, that's all I have.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

andyfrombrooklyn — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:38:00 -0000

ms. martin, wtf! jumping on me about calling michelle a deviant. we are all deviants to the mainstream. being deviant is a compliment. who wants to be "common folk" or "regular" anyhow.
that said, michelle is angry and it shows. her first time proud quote was one of the first of the swiftboats. i am just saying lets not give them any more ammunition. what gets me about wright is not what he said but why was he saying it right now in this way. so i can imagine that michelle is seriously pissed but she would do well to realise they are just waiting to jump all over her for not smiling just so.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

TruthSeeker — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:24:00 -0000

tlw,

The HIV thing was pretty embarrassing from a man who should know better. All he could offer as evidence when asked about it, was a single book. That's like saying you believe in woodland creatures and offering Enid Blyton as evidence.

He mocked the Kennedy's. He knows they endorsed Barack. he could have found a better way to state his point about language. In fact, his point was lost in the tomfoolery. You don't hear anyone analyzing the wisdom of his speech like they did about Barack's race speech. All I hear is sadness at his betrayal.

He was rude to the young woman asking the questions. Is that any way for a distinguished older man to treat a young woman?

What was up with the "talk about my Mama" stuff? Craig may be right about the bipolar disorder. Either that, or Wright was showing off. He went from calm and sedate on Moyers to manic and out of control at the Press Club.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

JJ — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:04:00 -0000

Ms. Martin

Rikyrah

We have gone over this and over this and over this with folks who want to defend Wright and can't see the forest for the trees and I just don't have the energy and I immediately thought of Granny - she kept it real.

Granny kept it real like Black folks who base their lives on what white folks think and feel. Granny, is seeking white folks approval..whereas Wright was not. Granny thinks it is okay to throw other Black folks under the bus when it is politically expedient to so so...Black folks feelings don't matter (does anyone here not think that Wright didn't feel "stabbed in the chest")only White folks feelings (and perceptions do).

Like Tlw said..Obama didn't denounce Wrights BEHAVIOUR he denounced what he SAID. That's two different issue.

Ms. Martin

Seeing the forest for the trees is knowing that a man who is willing to throw his pastor under the bus, a man who married him and baptized his kids, who he claims bought him to Christ and was like a father to him...is capable of throwing ANYONE under the bus..i.e. getting in office and not addressing issues that seem "too Black" because he doesn't want to be seen as the "Black" candidate so he can get a second term.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

The Christian Progressive Libe — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:03:00 -0000

I think Roland Martin of CNN had the best take on this:

Obama needs to say that He's the one running for POTUS and not Dr. Wright.

Wright can't stop foreclosing of homes in this tanking economy.

Wright can't stop the flow of jobs leaving this country under NAFTA, CAFTA and any-other-AFTA.

Wright can't stop the Iraq war and bring the troops home.

For the first time in a long time, Donna Brazile has gone back to making sense. Hallelujah for that. She is absolutely right in that Obama had the opportunity to address this way back; in fact, when he announced he was running (and interrupted Tavis Smiley's Negro Super Bowl to make the announcement and C-Span did the cutaway to cover it), the fact that he "disinvited" Dr. Wright to be in attendance should have facilitated the question about his Pastor's absence, or at the very least, a discussion of why he was beginning to distance himself then.

He was stuck like Chuck then and NOW.

He can't govern the country in this manner - smoozing until backed into a corner. Y'all know what "everyone" else will say about that, and if he doesn't want FAKE News to be even more WATBs about this, further denouncing isn't going to cut it; all it does is hand down more ammunition for them to keep shooting at him.