Jack and Jill Politics - Latest Comments in Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

Ms.Martin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:38:00 -0000

Truthseeker:

Your point was well made and I agree!

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

Nita — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:23:00 -0000

thank you cm, and also truthseeker.
that last one was out of the ballpark.

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

Anonymous — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:49:00 -0000

@Truthseeker,

No butt kicking! All I can say is OUCH! I'm not going to "preach".

Never underestimate the HOLY SPIRIT!

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

TruthSeeker — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:38:00 -0000

What is more absurd, a woman conceiving without sperm being involved ,or the idea that US foreign policy was instrumental in causing 9/11? But of course, it's the so-called Anti-American rhetoric that Obama is accused of sticking around to listen to. Here is an intelliectual man educated at Harvard. He has been taught evolution and logic; yet, no one points out the absurdity of him ascribing to a religion that teaches virgin birth or Genesis. Obama is attacked on the things said by Wright which are more logical and more likely to be true.

My point is that the whole thing is nuts: the virgin birth, Genesis, Govt. engineering HIV, men in the bellies of whales, women worth less than men...it's ALL crazy...who are we kidding?

My other point is we don't go to church for what makes sense and is logical - 'cause clearly, none of it is. We go out of habit, tradition and in small degree, what feels good. So, Obama opponents can't impose the logical test of asking "why did you stay?" on a behaviour that is inherently illogical!

Now, all the Christians are going to kick my ass.

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

Anonymous — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:31:00 -0000

@ Truthseeker

OUCH!

@ CM

Where are the religious leaders that support Hillary? Continuing to throw Obama under the bus as well as their own s/b pride and dignity by overlooking the race baiting she started in the first place. At the very least, Clinton is speaking the language that appeal to racists and they either sit by and do nothing or even worse, defend it! YUCK!

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

TruthSeeker — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:26:00 -0000

The obsession with Wright is a foil for anxieties about nominating Obama. They are anxious about the kind of change he offers. We cannot pretend religion matches our values...

Women sit in the pews and listen to how they should be submissive and silent. Homosexuals listen to anti-gay messages. People continue to sit in pews and listen to sermons long after those sermons cease to match their beliefs. Religion is static, while people are not. We grow and become more compassionate and understanding, while preachers teach 6000 year old rhetoric. We listen to stories of "God's chosen" conquering nations and being instructed to kill all the men and keep the virgins for themselves: sexual slavery. That we enter the church at all is absurd!

I suppose, we enjoy the sense of fellowship, the music and community outreach...sermon notwithstanding.

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

cm — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:49:00 -0000

From the Huffington Post:
As I recall both Clintons have been in plenty of black churches and understand the preaching style. If the Clintons were authentic progressives, or even authentic patriots, or just ordinary decent Americans, or just members of the Democratic Party who wanted their party to win in November, they would have led a furious defense of Obama and his pastor by putting things in perspective.

If the Clintons were decent people Obama would never have had to give a speech on being black and being a presidential candidate, let alone explain his pastor. The Clintons would have stepped up for him. And if FOX News, MSNBC, CNN et al. weren't playing a filthy game for ratings this wouldn't be a story.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-schaeffer/mccains-church-hates-ame_b_92140.html

It's surprising that the religious people who are publicly defending Wright (and Obama), and putting it in historical context, are from the right - Shaeffer and Huckabee.

Seriously, where are the black religious leaders who are backing the Clintons on this? The only person I've been seeing is Rev. Eugene Rivers (a Hillary supporter I believe) getting down on Obama for not being forceful enough in denouncing Wright.

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

Latoya — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:47:00 -0000

I was so moved when I heard Obama's speech. I felt like we were really going to have a positive discussion on race....And then I turned on the TV. WTF! I can't believe I watched the same speech as some of these guys. Of all that was said, people came away with "He threw his grandmother under the bus". These people really can't see the forest for the trees.

I don't understand the people saying he should have left the church or made his objections known. How do we know he didn't make them known? That's a pretty big church. Should he have jumped up and ran down the aisle. How do we know he didn't have an offline conversation with him? I know that I've disagreed with my Pastor before and we've just agreed to disagree on things. I didn't leave the church because I wasn't there for HIM, I was there to praise GOD. If you go to church to only hear the preacher say things that you will like, then you'll never grow. How many Catholics left the church after supporting child molesters?

Any why are so many people shocked that social/political issues are discussed in the black church. White politicians have known this for years. That’s why every election season they tramp up in the pulpit and clap offbeat and rock the wrong way (including the Clinton’s). At least one good thing came out of this though; we can put the Muslim rumors to rest.

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

Anonymous — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:37:00 -0000

@ Nita

I'm usually suspect at SNL also but I did see the clip of Tracy Morgan and he said, I heard Tina Fey's comments about Bitch being the new black, but I just want you to know that Black is the new President, Bitch. (Not word for word)

It was really funny.

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

B-Serious — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:54:00 -0000

@ nita,

As crazy as it sounds, an SNL spoof of the Wright controversy could help Obama if it's done in the right way.

Imagine SNL making fun of the absurdity that is Fox News and their obsession over this issue. How do you think that would play?

Personally, I'd rather SNL leave it alone. But something tells me the writers are cooking up something right now.

But I'm with you. SNL is a little supsect to me as well.

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

Nita — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:41:00 -0000

@roger, i'm wary of Saturday Night Live and I trust nothing of them. They don't get a second chance with me, after the Tina Fey endorsement of Hillary live on the air; and the NBC endorsement of Clinton after that.

Is Tracey Morgan a writer for the show? or is he just mouthing what is given to him?

SNL is suspect.

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

Nita — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:38:00 -0000

Hillary's response: “I wanted to start out by saying I did not have the chance to see or to read yet Senator Obama’s speech,” said Clinton. “But I am very glad he gave it. It’s an important topic.”

McCain's response: (crickets)

which is the worse response?

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

roger — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:37:00 -0000

"Who is Hillary Clinton?"

"A crazy white lady with too much money and not enough lovin'"(Tracey Morgan, SNL, March 15, 2008)

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

B-Serious — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:28:00 -0000

@ anonymous 6:13,

I don't know his thoughts.

But, to me, Juan Williams looks like he's starting to cross over into Larry Elders territory. My impression of him is that he's increasingly eager to say whatever it takes to gain favor from his conservative friends at Fox.

He's anticipating conservative talking points to appear more independent-minded - especially during such polarizing times.

It's not a matter of what he says. He seems more concerned with the reaction he'll get from people like O'Reilly, Hannity and other conservative pundits.

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

Rhonda — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:24:00 -0000

B-Serious, Your 100 percent right, anyone who is willing to still hold on to this as if it were an issue then they were never thinking about voting for him in the first place.

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

Rhonda — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:21:00 -0000

Who is Hillary Clinton?

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

B-Serious — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:16:00 -0000

@rhonda,

I mentioned this on my blog. Obama has actually begun to marginalize his critics on this issue.

When you've got John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Peggy Noonan, the 700 Club as well as liberal media and a majority of the MSM praising Obama's speech, you've basically painted Sean Hannity and Fox News for the "haters" they are. They lose credibility. They're stuck on this story like a broken record. People move on. I think people will begin to see Fox and the like as merely being focused on some personal mission to destroy Obama's candidacy. They lose credibility (not that I think they have any) when they do that.

Obama's speech wasn't aimed at conservative or liberal; democrat or republican; white or black. Obama's speech was aimed at our greater angels. His speech was made to evoke rationale, critical thought.

Most reasonbale people (regardless of whom they support) look at that speech and say it's sincere. Again, unless you're talking to the conservative Hannity crowd (and perhaps die-hard Hillary supporters) you're gonna have a hard time convincing people that Obama hates America.

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

Rhonda — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:12:00 -0000

"I love how all the "serious" media people on GMA, Today, etc. - Russert, Stephanopolous - talk about how great the speech was but the American people are too stupid to get it. Uh, aren't those people watching the morning shows?"

Unfortunate because I am not and I am sick of wat has happened to the news media. It has really been dumbed down. I can't watch because i'm smarter than everyone on the major cable news networks.

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

Rhonda — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:20:00 -0000

Rikyrah, ditto.

B-Serious, I co-sign...if anyone wants to hold onto this then they were never in support of him or were unsure of him from the beginning.

Cranky, we all know here what Wright was talking about. Many people in this country are still unaware of the institutionalized racism that exists in this country-education, media, government (criminal justice system, policies etc)etc.. I am yet to see anyone in the media tackle that. Any of that however we are dealing with a white opinion dominated corporate media. You will never hear a different perspective. One guy after the speech claimed that Obama still has to explain himself. He is trying to turn this on the American people when he should be answering questions as to why he entertained a racist and anti-american preacher. That just shows me how obvious it is that people dont get it. They wont. They are trying to keep this up cause they get a kick out of calling a black man racist and they dont want to hear about the realities of race in America. However I believe that this speech was effective and once again if anyone wants to still pull back their vote for Obama then they were never that dedicated to him to begin with.

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

Ronnie B — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:17:00 -0000

The Speech--as I've dubbed it--was definitely MLK and Lincolnian. It's already poised for the history books; already qeued up for the yearly Black History Month vignets. I made my two sons watch it; and though they're 13 and 15, they were captivated at not only what they heard, but were inspired by what is possible. That an ordinary man of dual heritage could be so vitally important to a nation consumed with a multi-generational duel of heritages.

The Speech was what it was. Part politics. Part nuance. All unvarnished and unequivocal truth--truth in a day when some people are mortally afraid of it, and wholly dependent on spin and obfuscation.

The Speech was a smorgasbord of truthful inspiration for any and all to partake. Those who claim to have found nothing of inspiration, really don't want to be inspired anyway.

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

Anonymous — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:13:00 -0000

What's the deal with Juan Williams? You expect stupidity from Hannity because, well, he's stupid. Williams was on GMA, and after Peggy Noonan, PEGGY NOONAN folks!, praised Obama's speech for being serious and honest, Williams says "NO, he said he didn't hear him say things and then he admitted he heard them, wah wah."

I love how all the "serious" media people on GMA, Today, etc. - Russert, Stephanopolous - talk about how great the speech was but the American people are too stupid to get it. Uh, aren't those people watching the morning shows?

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

B-Serious — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 06:12:00 -0000

P.S.

Obama's speech was unprecedented in modern day politics.

You don't see that type of speech from a politician these days. He spoke to us like adults. His speech trusts that we're smart and open enough to get it.

He's basically saying, "I know you're smarter than the media gives you credit for. I have faith in YOU, the people."

Hmm . . . a President with faith in the intellect of his electorate. What a concept. Very refreshing.

Absolutely amazing!

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

B-Serious — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 06:07:00 -0000

@ rikyrah,

I couldn't agree more with your assessment of Mrs. Dyson and other Hillary supporters on Larry King.

Like Ms. Martin said, it was truly pathetic. Like a jealous little sybling screaming for attention, "Look what I can do. Look what I can do!" Trying to piggyback off of Obama's good press. I don't even know why they were invited.

I loved when they teased the idea that Hillary could do a similar speech on gender. Well . . . good for her (rolls eyes). This was not a policy speech, it was an honest, heartfelt response to the crap he's been getting for the past week. Stop trying to steal a brotha's shine! (lol!)

It'd be like Peyton Manning showing up at Eli's press conference to say, "hey, remember me guys, I can win a superbowl too." Hey Hillary . . . this ain't about you!

Man, I wish the media would stop trying to join Barack and Hillary at the hip.

Obama's speech wasn't some pre-planned publicity stunt. It was a reaction to growing racial tensions and a rabid conservative media that was trying to paint him and his family as racist anti-americans.

You had idiots like Sean Hannity calling for Obama's RESIGNATION from the Senate.

But, props to Ed Shultz for reminding everyone that Obama voluntarily did this under immense media scrutiny. Obama took a risk when he didn't have to. He could have released another statement or held a short press conference. He could have disowned his church. He could have spoken to the American people like children rather than challenging them as adults.

But he didn't. You learn a lot about a person when their back is up against the wall. Obama gave a politically risky speech and tackled the issue head on. His back was pushed up against the wall and, rather than attack, Obama talked to the american people like adults and conveyed the complexity (and beauty) of race in America.

The blogosphere absolutely loved Obama's speech. So did probably 85% of the mainstream media. That will trickled down to the "working class white voter," over the next few weeks.

There's NO WAY you can listen to that speech and think that Obama hates America.

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

Anonymous — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 05:26:00 -0000

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

There's alot to admire in this speech, but this part struck an awkward note. While the rest of the speech was about making people confront difficult subjects, including their own chauvinisms, this was, quite the contrary, pandering to Jewish interest groups. We'll have to wait a while longer before anyone asks America's organised Jewish groups to confront their own chauvinisms in the way that Obama asked many others to confront theirs in Pennsylvania.

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

TruthSeeker — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 05:19:00 -0000

..So, Roland's happy, most of the pundits are happy, even the Repubs. Sigh...what makes them happy is not necessarily what will make Barack happy.

I hope Barack will be happy when it's all said and done.