New Barack Thread

Don't stop thinking about Barack's lack of tomorrows.

Michael Crowley of TNR has an otherwise good assessment of the speech which includes this howler of an aside:

One of Bill Clinton's greatest political assets (before this campaign) was his ability to be a Nixon-in-China when it came to race; his successful mid-90s defense of affirmative action is a perfect example.

A Democrat defending black interests generally and affirmative action specifically - gee whiz, who could have seen that coming?  Lest Mr. Crowley has forgotten, Nixon had a decades-old reputation as a bitter anti-Communist when he made his 'I will go to China' announcement.  Clinton's promise to end welfare as we know it was more of a Nixon-China thing, although it took a Republican Congress and the threat of an election to turn that promise into reality.

Well.  This from Mr. Crowley is good, or at least, I had a similar reaction in that I completely failed to hear this segment of Obama's speech:

The second way in which Obama's speech may have come up short was the scant attention it devoted to social failures within the black community. This, again, was a theme that Bill Clinton used masterfully to establish himself as both a student of black culture and someone unwilling to indulge its worst excesses. It's true that Obama did urge blacks to avoid "becoming victims of our past," and take "full responsibility for our own lives--by demanding more from our fathers, and spending more time with our children, and reading to them." But this was a small part of his speech and not at all its tonal emphasis. Yet it seems quite likely that millions of white voters still see black America as indulgent of criminality and insufficiently devoted to education and work. Obama's fleeting lines about victimhood and reading to children do little to address that audience. As an alternative, Obama might have benefitted from invoking the example of Bill Cosby, who has morphed from comedian to one of black America's sharpest internal critics. "Your dirty laundry gets out of school at 2:30 every day, it's cursing and calling each other [the N-word] as they're walking up and down the street. They think they're hip. They can't read. They can't write. They're laughing and giggling, and they're going nowhere," Cosby told a group of black activists in 2004 (who, it should be noted, cheered him on). There was nothing like that here from Obama.

C'mon, Obama didn't even take a shot at violent, misogynistic hip-hop - even Al Sharpton is on that bus.

"OUCH" FROM KAUS:

Troublesome Equivalence II

I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother - a woman who helped raise me, a woman who sacrificed again and again for me, a woman who loves me as much as she loves anything in this world, but a woman who once confessed her fear of black men who passed by her on the street ...

The most disastrous sentence in the speech. If Obama's saying that those who fear young black men on the street are racists, the equivalents of Rev. Wright in offensiveness, then he's just insulted a whole lof ot people. If he loses the votes of everyone who fears young black men, he loses the election. People fear black men on the street--as even Jesse Jackson once momentarily admitted--because they cause a wildly disproportionate share of street crime. Does Obama want to be the candidate who says that thought is verboten?

Later he  says:

So when [whites] are told to ... that their fears about crime in urban neighborhoods are somehow prejudiced, resentment builds over time.

Who would tell them such a thing? Obama, a dozen paragraphs earlier, dissing his own grandmother.

Someone is sure to mention the famous Jesse Jackson comment - may as well be me
NewsBusters:

There is nothing more painful to me ... than to walk down the street and hear footsteps and start thinking about robbery, then look around and see somebody white and feel relieved. -- the Reverend Jesse Jackson, as quoted in US News, 3/10/96

As I recall Jackson later apologized for that remark, but the apology was for going off-message and providing ammo to, well, cranks like me.

Comments

[MayBee]

The point is in his 1995 book he never said she expressed a general fear of Black men

I see that now.
And PHEH on the grandfather who had to stir up a problem with his grandson to make his self-serving point and not get up off his ass and drive his wife to work.
I see why Obama searched out Wright, though. All the father figures in his life had rejected the white part of Obama, and he needed another one to fill the role.

[Sue]

What is it with the melodrama in these people's lives? I was reading through some liberal blogs responses to Obama's speech yesterday and the men were crying, the speech was that good. Good grief people. Man up.

[Ranger]

Someone mentioned that Obama also wrote that he abandoned a romantic relationship with a white woman because he felt it compromised his "African-ness."

Is that true?

Because if it is, there a some very serious implications to his committment to overcome difference.

[hit and run]

Summary of the Obama speech in sixteen words:

The Soft Bigotry of Low Expectations for Those Who Hold the Hard Bigotry of High Dudgeon

[GMax]

Sue

I didnt cry. It must be a metrosexual thing.

[Thomas Collins]

The interesting thing about the grandmother part of the speech is that B_O didn't need it to appeal to the superdelegates, MSM or white ethnics. Thus, I can only conclude that the grandmother part is the part expressing the true B_O without the political rhetoric. That's pretty unsettling.

[GMax]

the AP notice all the reason seem to be about politics and especially his own prospects. I am not sure that dawned on them however:

But a recent series of unsettling events convinced the Illinois senator that a full-bore address was needed, and now. They include a trend of white Democrats voting more heavily for Clinton while blacks vote overwhelmingly for him; the resignation of a major Clinton supporter who made racially contentious remarks; and, above all, intense media focus on the most inflammatory statements of Obama's longtime minister, Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

[Great Banana]

R Flanigan,

Fine - he did not "need" to deliver any hard truths to the black community (which would be that racism and discrimination at this point in time are not the overriding factors contributing to your condition, instead it is the skewed commnity value system).

However, this is being heralded as a "great" speech about race relations. thus, one would expect some hard truths to the black community as well as to the white community. It did not deliver this.

Nor did it deliver a single new idea, new insight, new solution, new policy proposal, or anything else to make it anything more than a laundry list of liberal cliches. If I am wrong, quote me something of substance from the speech that refutes me.

As to dreams from my father - that book tends to prove that he is a radicalized black man, that he is a cynical politician and that his views are indeed closer to Wright's than to main-stream america's. I think that book will be a fount of good campaign ads against him, as well as this Wright stuff, etc., in the general election.

I actually am hoping BHO is the dem nominee, b/c I believe he will lose by a huge margin in the general election.

[GMax]

OT

The new NY Democrat Governor caught in a lie already about his affairs. Seems he told his constituents that the affairs all ended long ago, and now one that happened just last year has surfaced, including her getting a government job with the Lt Gov's help.

If you are going to go public with your sordid past, why lie about it? How major stupid is this. Now both your morals and your credibility are questionable. Not a great start.

[clarice]

What is going on in the Northeast anyway? I was watching the series on Adams last night and he and Abigail would certainly be disappointed.

___

All this aside it seems to me that the world as a whole is in a very perilous spot--everyday is anything can happen day out there and America's pols seem to be at some kind of moral and intellectual low spot. Very frightening to me.

[Jane]

I actually am hoping BHO is the dem nominee, b/c I believe he will lose by a huge margin in the general election.

I firmly believe that Obama will be thrown under the bus.

[Sue]

GMax,

I didnt cry. It must be a metrosexual thing.

Liberal thing. They have more feelings than conservatives.

[Sue]

Jane,

I don't think so. The super delegates will not do it now for love nor money. And I don't see how Hillary can get enough delegates to kick him out of front runner status. Obama will get the nomination. They have backed themselves into a corner. I just hope Johnny Mac can kick him to the curb. Otherwise, this piece of drivel will be our next president.

[glasater]

I wish that BHO got nailed on the Rezko thing rather then the Wright thing.

[Pofarmer]

What is it with the melodrama in these people's lives? I was reading through some liberal blogs responses to Obama's speech yesterday and the men were crying, the speech was that good. Good grief people. Man up.

If that makes em bawl there will be rivers when McCain wins the presidency.

[clarice]

Has any crack reporter asked him why with a Harvard law degree and the editorship of the Harvard Law Review on his resume he chose to be an Acorn organizer?

[Pofarmer]

I wish that BHO got nailed on the Rezko thing rather then the Wright thing.

Eh, give it time. The trial is still going on, correct?

[Pofarmer]

He was with ACORN????? The folks that pay crackheads to make up voter names????

OH.GOOD.LORD.

[Jane]

Sue,

Bob Beckel opines that once the dems realize that BO is unelectable the Superdelagates will pretend that they have to nominate Hillary because she won the "good" states. No one will buy it, and it might start a race war, but I'm betting that is the outcome of this.

[Sue]

Jane,

I'm not betting anyone anymore. I may still lose my $100 already bet. But I just don't see them doing it. They will lose anyway if they piss off Barack's supporters.

[Jane]

They will lose anyway if they piss off Barack's supporters.

Between the non-solution in FL and MI, Reverend Wright,Hill's recently released docs which apparently show she violated about a million laws working on her husband's '96 campaign in the WH, it's shaping up to be a pretty good year for the democrats.

Well if you are a republican.

[boris]

Regardless of who would be easier for McCain to beat, for the good of the country better that Obama loses to Hillary.

[Sue]

Is anyone listening to Rush? ::grin::

[MayBee]

What's he saying, Sue?

[Sue]

He had a caller that is making a fool of herself. Bush had the bin Laden family in his house on 9/11. All the tired old stories but ramped up. And she believes them.

[MayBee]

Thanks, Sue. I love hyper informed people.

[Sue]

Rush called her an idiot. After she hung up. Which is the Obama example. As long as you are respectful to them while interacting with someone, you can say what you want later.

[clarice]

Barack and ACORN--He worked for them full-time before law school and then as their lawyer afterwards:
"back in Chicago, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) is more important than Iraq or Washington. ACORN and its associated Midwest Academy, both founded in the 1970s, continue to train and mobilize activists throughout the country, often using them to manipulate public opinion through "direct action." It's sometimes a code for illegal activities.

Prior to law school, Barack Obama worked as an organizer for their affiliates in New York and Chicago. He always has been an ACORN person -- meeting and working with them to advance their causes. Through his membership on the board of the Woods Fund for Chicago and his friendship with Teresa Heinz Kerry, Obama has helped ensure that they remain funded well.

Since he graduated from law school, Obama's work with ACORN and the Midwest Academy has ranged from training and fundraising, to legal representation and promoting their work.

Today, Barack Obama's conduct and "misgauging appearances" are the responsibility of his Democrat colleagues. In two years, it might be yours and mine. "

http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:bort_af2fxAJ:www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/datelinedc/s_488184.html+Barack+Obama+ACORN&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us>From Acorns Grow Crackhead Leftists

[PeterUK]

Did Barack H. Obama know he would have to repudiate his pastor? If this is true it puts a whole new perspective on the issue.

[Sara]

DC:"do you REALLY think that having a general fear of black males, when walking on "the street" is NOT racist ?"

When I'm out at night, I am wary of anyone, man, woman, black, white or purple, who is around. It is called being cautious and aware of my surroundings, ready to act/react, if necessary. But is it racist? Well it is now since hearing Rev. Wright. I had no idea how much seething hate the black community had against me, a white woman. I'm quite disturbed by that hatred and it frightens me, not only because I'm a white woman, but because I'm an older and partially disabled woman who is not as able to defend herself or run away as I was 20, 30, 40 years ago.

[PeterUK]

"I wish that BHO got nailed on the Rezko thing rather then the Wright thing."

What is wrong with both?

[Sara]

Is this the image of the poor black boy?

[PeterUK]

Not having a fear of the other is what did for the Dodo.

[GMax]

Maybe they can do a remake of the Steve Martin classic "the Jerk"? Cast Obama in the lead role. But the opening line will have to change to " I was born a poor white child".

Maybe add "but have been trying to overcome it since nearly day one".

[Pofarmer]

Gee mo nellie. Listening to Hanity with Bob Beckel. Talk about your willing suspension of disbeleif. It's no wonder that nobody has covered this. St. BHO could never know and support the kinds of things that Rev. Wright was doing, never.

Whatever.

I can't beleive what people will delude themselves into thinking. And now Sean has tapes of a Rev Meeks, who also has some influence with Barack and is a State Senator. What is it with Illinois, anyway???

[TexasIsHeaven]

For GMax - about the Emancipation Proclamation

"Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by virtue of the power in me vested as Commander-In-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States in time of actual armed rebellion against the authority and government of the United States, and as a fit and necessary war measure for supressing said rebellion, do, on this 1st day of January, A.D. 1863, and in accordance with my purpose so to do, publicly proclaimed for the full period of one hundred days from the first day above mentioned, order and designate as the States and parts of States wherein the people thereof, respectively, are this day in rebellion against the United States the following, to wit:

Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana (except the parishes of St. Bernard, Palquemines, Jefferson, St. John, St. Charles, St. James, Ascension, Assumption, Terrebone, Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Orleans, including the city of New Orleans), Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia (except the forty-eight counties designated as West Virginia, and also the counties of Berkeley, Accomac, Morthhampton, Elizabeth City, York, Princess Anne, and Norfolk, including the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth), and which excepted parts are for the present left precisely as if this proclamation were not issued."

"To say the North, and especially Illinois where Lincoln was from were indifferent to slavery is historical revisionism. Illinois never had slavery so never had anything to abolish."

I never said the North was indifferent to slavery - many in the North were not. I did say it was my opinion that Mr. Lincoln didn't give a damn about the slaves.

If Mr. Lincoln cared so much why didn't the Emanciation Proclamation include all of the United States at that time? He certainly could have - but he didn't.

But I'm not trying to argue with you GMax -I love reading your comments - most of the time.

[Jim Miller]

I am an older white guy, not at all physically imposing, but I have noticed more than once that I have, without meaning to, given older women a little bit of a scare. (I was terribly embarrassed a few years ago when one got off the sidewalk for me.)

And so, in recent years, I have tried to reassure them. For instance, I give them a little more space and, when coming up behind them, I will deliberately scuff my shoes, or do something similar, so I don't surprise them.

(I should add that I live in a very safe suburb of Seattle.)

From time to time, mostly when I am in downtown Seattle, I am the person worrying about an attack. In those circumstances, do I watch young men carefully? You bet I do. And I pay attention to other clues as to who might be dangerous.

And I think that most people, regardless of their race, do exactly the same thing.

[Ranger]

I did say it was my opinion that Mr. Lincoln didn't give a damn about the slaves.

If Mr. Lincoln cared so much why didn't the Emanciation Proclamation include all of the United States at that time? He certainly could have - but he didn't.

Posted by: TexasIsHeaven | March 19, 2008 at 05:28 PM

Well, there are two different issues here that you are conflating. Lincoln's Emancipation Procelamation was based on the legal theory that his authority to act in this regard was found in the act of rebellion by the Southern States. Given that, he only had the authority to free slaves in the states that were actually in rebellion. That is why the border states which had not fromally broken from the Union were exepmted. Therefore, it is not fair to attempt to discern his personal concern for the slaves on the scope of the proclamation.

Given that Lincoln had argued his entire political career that slavery as a practice was morally indefensable and that it not only should not, but could not be maintained, I would say he showed some serious concern for the slave population of the US before the Civil War.

[GMax]

Ranger thank you. And TexasisHeaven ( which view I share btw ) thanks I at least now see where you are coming from.

Ranger has it right. Plus in certain areas in the south which were already occupied by Northern troops I think he got a legal opinion that if the occupation was in place there was no rebellion so he could not force Virginia and Louisiana counties occupied to follow his executive order.

He did all of this by executive order because he did not think it would pass in the Congress. Copperheads then as now, were a problem.

Why you think that Lincoln of all people was not strongly against slavery, I can not fathom. He could only do by executive order what his attorney general said was legally enforable or risk being impeached by a Congress not at all sharing much of his sentiments.

[boris]

The reason the South rebelled in the first place was that the democratic process would have eventually ended slavery, albeit not quickly or as dramatically as the Emancipation Proclamation.

[Brophy]

It's interesting that the Civil War is brought up. I think probably many of the nonrebels that participted thought this was going to be the end of the problem the slaves had. They would have their feeedom which is what their representatives said was just. They would not need to be angry or be abused again. The Civil War was tremondously costly. There were 6 times as many people killed than in any other war we have fought not to mention the economic costs. Fast forward to 40 years of affirmative action, preferences, welfare of longer duration and we can have racial healing if we pay what we, "God damn America," should? Meanwhile we are told that opposing a man who had used WMD and put his people literally in meat grinders and might dominate a significant portion of the oil supply was not worth fighting. The U.S could have amended the constitution after the South left to prohibit further state withdrawals. End of the 'end of government by the people.' Agricultural production advances would make slavery an economic burden in 50 years. Alternatve history anyone?

[Barry]

Standard Marxist sophistry

I have to admit it's the first time I've been accused of being the standard marxist. As to the charge of sophistry, I'll plead innocent. I'm in good company, if in a minority on the view that the Civil War started as a result of economics. Neither side knew what the cost of the war would be, so an analysis based on the cost vs. the federal budget provides poor rebuttal. Both sides believed the war would be short, and quickly won. My fairly short comment on the cause of the war leaves much to be desired. Historical accounts, and views, of the root causes of the war are abundant. My view is based upon numerous factors. I did not accuse Lincoln of caring nothing about the slaves by the way. And I certainly believe that Lincoln desired to preserve the Union. Was that desire connected to the federal budgets 85% funding from the south? At least it is possible. The northern manufacturers had a desire to force the southerners to buy northern products and their moral superiority made them "right". Higher tariffs were the only way to achieve this. There is more to the wars causes than just the views of President Lincoln. Even Lincoln needed support. A reading of European writings of the era supports the economic root cause view, with some rather famous exceptions. The Euro's were hardly impartial observers of course, with many wishing to see an end to the "American experiment" and a continuation of the lucrative trade deals with the south.

That is my view, flawed as it may be. The Emacipation Proclamation changed it all of course. Union preservation, slavery, or economic root cause, from 1863 on it was a moral war.

Beard and Zinn, that one's funny.

[willem]

Ed Kaitz has an absolutely brilliant analysis up at AT.

http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/03/obamas_anger.html

[Topsecretk9]

You know Clarice , it's OT but- ACORN has the same flavor as GAIA, only with a more slightly visible approach. Acorn is a commie front as far as I am concerned.

http://www.clothingbincult.com/

A paper tried to do a story on GAIA a few years back and found them so elusive it was almost impossible to report on - they were told the clothing went to the "stans" countries.

Weird.

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