Jack and Jill Politics - Latest Comments in Sunday Open Thread

Re: Sunday Open Thread

Anonymous — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:28:00 -0000

BAGHDAD (AFP) — French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on Sunday that the security situation in Iraq was improving and reaffirmed France's willingness to help rebuild the war-ravaged country.

"I have the feeling that things are better. Statistics show a drop in security incidents," Kouchner told AFP after a working lunch with his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari on the last day of his two-day visit to Iraq.

There is "an improvement in the situation in Iraq," he said.

Kouchner also voiced satisfaction at efforts by the Iraqis to take charge of their own country, saying they were making "progress."

Re: Sunday Open Thread

rikyrah — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:28:00 -0000

I was watching the local news today, and the response of Trinity to the local news media was, 'you have the letter from Senator Obama, now get off our property or we'll call the police'.

I had to laugh at that.

Re: Sunday Open Thread

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:16:00 -0000

Any thoughts on this latest Rassmussen poll?

"When it comes to the economy, 47% of voters trust John McCain more than Barack Obama. Obama is trusted more by 41%. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey also found that, when it comes to the War in Iraq, McCain is trusted more by 49% of voters. Obama is preferred by 37%. McCain has an even larger edge—53% to 31%–on the broader topic of National Security. These results are little changed from a month ago.

Obama enjoys a 43% to 39% advantage when it comes to government ethics and reducing corruption. McCain has a 44% to 38% advantage on taxes."

A majority of voters oppose tax increases, and almost two-thirds oppose an increase in capital-gains tax rates. Both positions have been the central policy of the Obama campaign.

The war is not popular, however, Americans do not favor an immediate withdrawal and apparently don’t trust Obama to get that correct. The 12-point gap on Iraq and the 22-point gap on national security shows McCain how he can defeat Obama, and it shows why the McCain campaign has emphasized Obama’s lack of effort on both Iraq and Afghanistan to get his own information rather than just pandering to MoveOn.

Now that Obama has broken with Trinity United, it will call his judgment into question yet again. How adept would a President Obama be at diagnosing foreign crises? Acknowledging TUCC’s issues this late underscores the growing notion that Obama is lacking the judgment and experience necessary to b president.

Obama and the Democrats have a big problem against McCain.

Re: Sunday Open Thread

justice58 — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:54:00 -0000

Craig,

Congrats on your trip to Denver!

I also dropped a message for you at Daily Kos!

Re: Sunday Open Thread

rikyrah — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 22:08:00 -0000

Vanity Fair Article on Bubba Clinton

Re: Sunday Open Thread

rikyrah — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 21:35:00 -0000

DNC's Brazile Says Clinton Camp Refused Obama 'Olive Branch'

Re: Sunday Open Thread

D. — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 21:25:00 -0000

If Republicans actually felt that they has a realistic chance to win a significant share of black independents, they would feel more empowered than ever before

...and my opinion, the way to do that is to show that every major "promise" that was made by the dems in the last election cycles-including Obama's, should he win the general- was not kept.

That's the selling point. The dems talk big, but don't/can't follow through.

Re: Sunday Open Thread

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 21:17:00 -0000

pamela,

Other than your support of Obama, and immediate wihdrawal from Iraq, we are on the same page.

I would like to see us leave Iraq but in a way that demonstrates to our enemies that the US has the national will and military capability to fight terrorism and state sponsors of terrorism in a theatre that al-Qaeda itself considers to be the central front in the war. I also want the troops to leave knowing that the Iraqi people and government know that we are a force for good and freedom, and that they have an ally dedicated to their stability, freedom and success.

Leaving in this way will improve our credibility in the world and more importantly, prove our resolve to weaken and undermine and defeat those who wish us and our allies harm.

I also agree that both political parties would be improved if the black voters in this country were to become independent. If Republicans actually felt that they has a realistic chance to win a significant share of black independents, they would feel more empowered than ever before.

If Obama wins, the chance of black voters leaving the party is slim to none, and the activist, far left, big government, high taxing wing of the party will be firmly in control.

Re: Sunday Open Thread

D. — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:57:00 -0000

Congrats, Craig.

Get Clinton in the VP slot for us McCainiacs.

:)

Re: Sunday Open Thread

Craig Hickman — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:31:00 -0000

I still can't believe it, y'all.

I just can't.

Re: Sunday Open Thread

TruthSeeker — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:13:00 -0000

Congratulations Craig!!

You'll get to make history!!

Re: Sunday Open Thread

rikyrah — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:02:00 -0000

OMG CRAIG!!!

WOO HOO!!!

THIS ABSOLUTELY ROCKS!!

So thrilled.

You know you're going to have to find a computer to give us those on-the-ground reports.

Craig, this rocks!!!

You are gonna have to take a computer with you. Give us the inside lowdown.

Re: Sunday Open Thread

Craig Hickman — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 19:36:00 -0000

I'm Going to Denver!

Re: Sunday Open Thread

D. — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:20:00 -0000

Golden,
Those of us who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are called "baby killers," "rapists," and "murderers" now.

Where's the honor in that?

Re: Sunday Open Thread

GoldenAh — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:41:00 -0000

No matter who becomes President, this person has to be ruthless. It is a necessary component. Frankly, I was worried that Obama wasn't going to be steely enough.

He's going to disappoint more people in the future when, not if, he moves to the "center." That's fine with me.

---

I'm not a Dem or Repub. I honestly believe there should be (mostly black) left leaning and/or conservative alternatives to influence the "main" parties. I feel "we" bargain away our power too easily: behaving like it does not exist. It does. Billary got a taste of it this year.

----

Whether our troops leave Iraq fast or slow they'll be honored.

Re: Sunday Open Thread

caspie — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:47:00 -0000

Great discussion going on in the comments here about an anti-racist white blogger: "avoid the topic of race, especially whiteness." I like his blog's insights. Anyone else read it?

Re: Sunday Open Thread

teacher — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:27:00 -0000

So sorry. Make that separates.

Re: Sunday Open Thread

teacher — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:25:00 -0000

Friends, I also love the kitties. Cats are my #1 favorite animal, & lucky me, I own the most beautiful cat in the world.

Pamela, thank you for your honest & sincere response to my query. I asked because I'm shopping for a new political affiliation, & because I don't really have an opportunity to talk to any Black republicans.

Even though we are not a monolithic people, I think your sentiments reflect those of a majority of AA's (of a certain class). I can't disagree with a majority of what you said. My personal exception would be that I prefer gov involvement in certain circumstances, & I think the military should be for defense rather than to try to take over the world (I'm not saying you said the military should take over the world-k?). Like yourself, I have been to 20+ countries & our gov support really seperates us from 3rd world nations, imo. In 3rd world countries you can really get the idea of what "you're on your own" means. I know so many immigrants who appreciate so much about our country. I have been to countries without compulsory education & I'm glad that we have it. I'm glad that my tax dollars help rebuild towns that have been devastated by natural disasters. If we could get socialized medicine, I wouldn't have much else to complain about. I also believe that people must pursue education or else they won't get one. It's all about self-determination. Yet I wouldn't want the educational resources to be doled out based on tax base alone.

I would also discourage abortion, but I believe in personal choice. I believe in marriage, though close to 75% of Black females are unmarried. To me, it seems like many repubs don't know any black people. My stereotypic image of them is someone like Mitt Romney, who would refer to the whole race as "you people," because, even as a politician, businessman or organizer of a large event, he wouldn't have met or gotten to know any people outside of his demographic. Yeah, he knows they exist because he's seen them on tv or heard others talk about them, but he isn't in the least bit curious to get to know about the diversity that exists among God's children. They have no interest in anything outside of their white world, unless it involves finding the cheapest labor pool in a Brown country. Am I wrong?

Re: Sunday Open Thread

Sepia — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 15:32:00 -0000

@ S.

You failed to mention that the article you posted is an EDITORIAL.

Re: Sunday Open Thread

D. — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 14:40:00 -0000

Pamela,
Support for Obama and willingness to consign our country to surrender aside, God bless you.

Re: Sunday Open Thread

Pamela — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 14:26:00 -0000

Texas girl, thank you.

Reposted per your suggestion:

Teacher to answer your questions as to why I am a Republican....

Everyone assumes that because I am black I should be a Democrat. I never liked the idea that no one considered what issues actually affect me or which parties values may align better with my personal values. It's always you are black so you must be a Democrat.

But why?

I'm not a big fan of social programs. I believe that people can succeed by working hard, getting the best education possible and believing in themselves, and taking personal responsibilty for their actions.

I am conservative. I am Catholic. I have strong family values. I don't believe in divorce. I believe a child raised in a home with two parents is better then one. I don't believe in abortion (for myself, although I think a woman should be able to do what she wants with her body). I want lower taxes. I want less government intervention. I'm a military brat, have tremendous respect for our men and woman in uniform and think that this country should have big defense organization. However I think we should get the hell out of Iraq and knowing what I know now I don't think we should have ever gone in. But I admit in the beginning I was cheering the war. Yep, I feel stupid for that one.

The Republican party aligns with a lot of my interests and beliefs, although not all of them. And there are many extreme right-wing members of the party that I can't stand, Hannity comes to mind. But people really fit into more then two groups so you are going to run into extremists no matter what party you affliate with.

I have never seen the Democratic party, who has 90% support from our community, really worry about listening to what black people are really saying and really, why should they, they are going to get 90% of the vote no matter what.

Imagine the voting power if people actually thought about why they were Democrats and more found that they are more Independent then they originally thought or even more Conservative. If the Republican party thought they had a chance to win a significant part of the black community then voices would be heard. If the Democrats thought they would lose a significant part of the black community then voices would be heard.

And I always hear, Republicans don't like black people. I don't think Republicans are any more racists then Democrats, we can see that from this election. Hell, the Clinton's are the ones that are suppose to be down with us so imagine what everyone else is thinking. I'm not sure where that argument started but it's pointless. Some people are just idiots and they come in all shapes, sizes and affiliations..

At the end of the day I vote for the best candidate and right now I think that is Obama. I disagree with some of his policies and am dreading my taxes going up but the war is a big issue for me so I'll suck it up. I also think his ability to inspire people of all races young and old is what our country needs right now because it's been a rough couple of years. And on top of it all I do want to see a black President. And I think he is going to be great in the position.

Re: Sunday Open Thread

texas girl in l.a. — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 14:15:00 -0000

Hi Pamela,

I read your article on the other thread and I think you should re-post it here on the open thread. It was well written with many good points.

I have been a registered Independent for some time now.

Re: Sunday Open Thread

rikyrah — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Time for a challenger for Alcee Hastings

Hastings boycotting Democratic convention

Re: Sunday Open Thread

Pamela — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:20:00 -0000

Teacher, if you are reading through this open thread I wanted to let you know that I responded to your question about why I am a Republican in the the Rules and Bylaws open thread. I logged off before you asked the question and did not see t till this morning.

Re: Sunday Open Thread

nyc/caribbean ragazza — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:16:00 -0000

I worry about HRC supporters like this one:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=...

Thanks Billary and Harold for helping divide the party.