Racist voters spell trouble for Obama in West Virginia?

One thing is crystal clear, the trouble will come when the arcane realize It's going to be a powerfully sad when those that can't embrace the future for their in ability to let go of the past realize we are one giant step closer to not only equality but actual humanity.

I believe that at this point, in this globalized world, the race issue is not a determining factor - in the end, the president, black or white, male or female, must still report to the private (and public) interests and meet the needs of the party and the government. Nevertheless, GO OBAMA!
Speaking of biased media, I just shot and edited a video about an Italian political event by Beppe Grillo, a political comedian - it took place a couple of weeks ago, right before the elections of Berlusconi at the new government. The video takes its cues from the sopranos credits, and goes on with people showing the V sign (Vaffanculo - fuck off) to protest against the biased news and the corrupted and old school govt, which at this point transcends left and right.
Check out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWVTGaypuO8

JohnA,

This is what voters typically do, black people have shown support for a candidate that they feel will work for them. This is not a racist move. This is the move of an oppressed people still searching for hope. Black people have supported white candidates and continue to struggle, maybe we want a CHANGE.

As we've been reminded, many black people weren't for Obama in the beginning because they weren't sure if he shared the same life experience to be able to represent. We Black people watched and listened and found that not only did he share and/or witness the same issues but white people took him seriously. He could unite people. White people are talking about black people and their progress or lack thereof. And not just talking about black people, but listening, with fairly open minds. Yeah, there's still plenty of ignorance, but the ignorance has been muffled for way so long. I'm glad to see these discussion, if for no other reason, but people to see the complaints that black people make everyday about how they're treated in the workplace, restaurants and malls are real.

Black people aren't racist because they are voting for the candidate that more closely represent them. And white people who vote for Hillary aren't racist because they aren't voting for Obama. BUT, the 60% who are willing to change their vote for someone who shares nothing but the color of their skin is racist.

Someone tell me how 90% of black voters can vote for Obama and they are not racists, but the 60% of whites that vote against him are?

Not sure what you mean PatrickEdwardMurray?

The title of the story is “Racist voters spell trouble for Obama in West Virginia?” I was not inferring that anyone in particular is a racist.

I was referring to the “racists” in the title of the story who will not vote for a candidate based on the candidate's race. Whites who will not vote for Obama because of his father and blacks who will not vote for him because of his mother.

I know the Hillary supporters have taken a beating as of late, but I was in no way inferring that non-voters of Obama are racists just because they don’t want to vote for him.

Pwdrskir,

Funny thing about folks who call other folks a name,...
No one but God can tell what is inside a human heart.

In response the the article,

People didn't have a problem with Condi & Powell because they were appointed, not elected. As soon as Powell formed his own opinion against a Bush administration decision, he was pushed out, remember.

I'll have to response to your comments later, after a careful read, I'm sure I have a lot to say.

Racists exist everywhere and take all forms.

Obama has a black father and white mother, the racists can take their pick. The rest of us will elect him and get on with important business.

And your reason is that out of context bit about his grandmother and his teenage drug use? With all the other issues going on in this country the war, the economy, climate change, the make up of the courts, education, etc…you’re going to base your vote (or non vote) on that? Um…okay. Your vote is your own, do with it what you want. But I’d suggest you might be getting caught up in the distractions and missing the bigger picture.

I wish you luck working it out.

I don't see an option.

For the first time in my life, I may have to sit this election out. Now, I don't like that idea but my vote is just as special as anyone elses and I don't give it to anyone who doesn't deserve it.

There is no way for Hillary to win. So what are your options? McCain, Nader?

Marilyn,

No doubt about it that you have chosen him.
Many millions of other Americans haven't.

Look we had Hillary, and Barack to choose from. It really looks to me that we have pretty much chosen Barack. Next we have Barack and John to choose from. Look at their positions and make a decision about which one is closer to your way of thinking. Vote for that person. Leave the descriptive labels out of it and it should be very easy to choose. Ignore the media unless they can start reporting the news about what these people say and do, not anything else.

Aaronklong,

Exactly....but.

If there was a black candidate, say a United States Senator, that had real experience, more than 1 term in the Senate, someone who had made a name for himself as an advocate for the poor or for some environmental problem and had attained some notoriety for that and other things he had done...he would be a good candidate for president.

The simple fact is that Mr. Obama has made some fairly bad mistakes...mistakes that most of us might never make in public and never if we were running for president.

Calling my own grandmother, a "Typical White Woman" would be something I have never done and certainly would never do in a public setting if I were running for office...and I have run for office..for delegate before...

And I would especially not do that if I was black or half black...it's just something you don't do.

What I mean to say is that at some point in your life you decide what you would like to do and you decide how to conduct yourself...

And that includes behaviour like drug use, because it's important...so vitally important today as we have a
drug problem and employers give tests for illicit drug use.

I can just hear some teen saying of Obama:

But daddy, The President of The United States did drugs too when he was a teen so why can't I?

Fact is these kinds of things are judgement calls...

And looking the other way..when Gas prices are at their highest levels and not saying that a reprieve in Federal taxes on gas wouldn't ease the pain a bit?

It just looks like this guy isn't ready yet and may never be ready....

Obama is only getting so many delegates right now because people are actually looking at his platform. Their two choices are a black man and a woman, so the two fall under prejudice that is practically mutually canceling. My biggest worry is that people will forget about Obama's platform when he is facing a white man because that is one of the first things people will notice.

*sigh* it seems we have a long way to go. ok, a couple quickies. Racism is real, even though there's no such thing as race. This is a sad truth. It's interesting where we have a chance to prove to the world that we are at least somewhat coherent in terms of national politics, global awareness, and making social progress, all in one fell swoop. And there are people who will not want this to happen based on a very ugly part of our history that still affects us all today. We got a lot of problems, man. Taking care of this would be a real good start in the right direction.

I feel that the United States is not ready to see a Black president. I feel that there is too much going on right now in the world that people would not be willing to look to a Black man to help lead the way. Also, I don't think folks are ready to look to a woman to lead the way either--Hillary Clinton. I feel that in this time of crisis, folks are going to point their finger toward the "strong white male" for leadership, which is not the right solution, but the one that has been engraved in this country since the beginning. As a member of the Black community, I feel that although time has moved on, Black folks--and People of Color-- are still second class in the United States, and by being second class, I don't feel that a majority of folks would point toward a Person of Color for leadership.

Ricky84,

You see, I did take into account that just possibly you might have some different ancestry...

See, one of the problems about history is that...and I'm remembering what I learned about current and semi current...just past say last 10 years..when you are in Elementary & High School is that:

It hardly gets touched on at all because it's literally just days before summer vacation and I'm quite sure that unless you are taking an honors course maybe or college course...you don't get it unless you do it yourself.

And most don't.

So, it doesn't surprise me that you wouldn't know much about say what happened in 1984 or until relatively recently in your life.

And truthfully, it's pretty hard to get some of the detail, say on conventions unless you know someone that has been there.

Maltesian, Clintons Father was a small business owner, they lived in a quiet upper middle class suburb called Park Ridge outside of Chicago. She went to college on a grant yes, but a grant is far better than a student loan which you don't have to pay back, and no federal pell grant is going to work magic for todays students. She met Bill at College before going to work for Carter, She worked on the Nixon impeachement after she met Bill, in fact after she was Married to Bill. Carter wasn't elected until 1976 remember. She wasn't a peacekeeper in his campaign, she was the head of its Indiana election campaign and then she went home to help Bill try and get elected to Congress and later get him alected the atorney general. I had a neighbor who worked for her back then at the Indiana campaign office and who later became the highest ranking democratic comiteewoman from my city at the time she passed away. Your timeline is a little askew Malesetitan. It does however point out that most of her experience is campaign based. The argument is she can make a wonderful campaign. Something she hasn't done this time. She has acrued more than eleven million dollars in campaign debt just to herself and has had problems paying for simple things like the rent check in New Hampshire which was overdue and caused her landlord to send the check as a donation to Obama. There is also an argument against her and perhaps the cheif one, that she's been on the campaign trail so long that she's no longer authentic as a result. She has had the fortune to have earned her thirty five years of expereince at a seven sisters college, an ivy league school, in the Arkansas Governors Mansion, The White House, and upscale New York homes. She hasn't pumped gas for herself in almost twenty years. Her husband who shares with his wife more than a hundred million dollars in assets still recieves an office, staff, health insurance, secret service for life, and other perks courtesy of our tax dollars in adition to thier already massive wealth. She isn't some working class heroine she's one of the wealthiest and most influental people in the world and I take umbrage to the fact that a whiskey shot and a potentialy dangerous gas tax holliday are how she chose to apeal to working class voters in my state. How many working class "folks" (in parenthesis because I hate that word, its not a compliment from any polititian. I cringe when Obama uses it as well.) had the assistance of maids and housekeeping staff while raising children?

I understand that the above paragraph is off topic. In that it doesn't adress race in this election. I think that however its rediculous to discuss race or sex as detractions for either candidate. I think that as I said anyone in the media who prefaces serious discussion or serious criticism with the issue of race or gender are hampering thier argument or atempting to shield it as its a weak one. We can elevate the debate or we can enflame it and I think the media is frankly incapable of elevated discourse. The media loves a bloodbath, loves ill will and to my mind has been all to happy to allow it to grow amongst progressives this election cycle. Afterall its often the case that if it bleeds it leads.

Patrick I am half Irish. I am sorry I did not clarify that in earlier posts. My family on my Irish side has a personal log of our family stretching all the way back to the fifteen hundreds. So I have been able to imagine what type of oppression my family has dealt with. I plan on honoring my father, mother and my ancestors by calling shenanigans when I see it. If you would like to actually discuss the topic of this article I would be more than happy to join you. Thanks for reminding me that I was born in 1984. You’re a clever man Patrick. I am glad to know my elders are overflowing with such wisdom!

Thanks Raheim for the response. I realize now that I should not try to reshape your opinion about race because I agree with your stance based on where you come from. Besides that you already said you believe that the issue has been overplayed. So even though we differ on certain details I wish you the best and promise I won’t keep my mouth shut when I see racism.

I should of expanded on my beliefs a little more. My problem is arrogance. I grew up multiracial so I see bigotry in its varied forms and I tend to roll my eyes at it instead of actually dealing with it. That is the problem with me, I can be too content.

I watched the video about the devastation coal mining does to WV. the people of this state should not be worrying about race. They have to realize their problems are caused by a Republican administration whose main purpose is to make sure big business if free to exploit the people of WV regardless of the results. They really believe the government should not regulate big business in any way. Wake up, the enemy is not race, the enemy is the necon's in control of our government. If you vote for McCain you will continue to see your state devastated in the name of profit. Their basic philosphy (the Republicans) is that the private sector will regulate themselves, as you can see that has worked really well. No who the real enemy is, don't wast time on things that mean nothing.

maltesetitan

Please do yourself a favor an reread that .pdf file one more time. I have posted it here for you and everyone else to read.

"Those so identified as separated from the rest of the people by:
Killing them off directly, and/or fostering a social system that encourages them to kill off
one another.
Placing them in concentration camps, and/or structuring an economic environment that
induces captive youth to fill the jails and prisons.
Seducing them into a socioeconomic class system which while training them to earn more dollars, hypnotizes them into believing they are better than others and teaches them to think in terms of “we” and “they” instead of “us”. So, while it is permissible to chase “middle-incomeness” with all our might, we must avoid the third separation method-the psychological entrapment of Black “middleclassness”: If we avoid the snare, we will also diminish our “voluntary” contributions to methods A and B. And more importantly, Black people no longer will
be deprived of their birthright, the leadership, resourcefulness, and example of their own
talented persons."

Even out of the context of the document, it is easy to understand that the "Killing them off directly, and/or fostering a social system that encourages them to kill off one another. Placing them in concentration camps, and/or structuring an economic environment that induces captive youth to fill the jails and prisons"
is refering to the black communities propensity towards black on black violence, the high incarceration rate among black youths, the horrible conditions of the ghettos of america and a culture that is dominated by negative sensationalized images of the drug culture and violence in the black community (ie. 80% of popular hip hop culture).

Unfortunetly age is never an indication of intelligence, knowledge, wisdom, tact or reason as you have proven with the majority of your posts. I hope you will in the future only post on topics you have sufficiently researched. But dont worry I am not going to waste any more of my time disecting or responding to further posts by you... so feel free to continue to post factually inaccurate items

Ricky84,

Are you either Italian or Irish?
If not, you don't really know now do you?
I'm not Black and I don't claim to know what
your life has been like either.

All of us oldsters though were young but you haven't lived more than maybe 20 or so years and there's a lot you haven't seen yet or had to contend with.

We have.

Honor thy Father & Mother, remember? And that includes adults that are older than you:)

Maltesetitan, Touch Art and Native American..
Hooray!!!

Ricky84...if you were born in 1984, I was already an elected Delegate.

And Korouke,sorry but Hillary is already into her

2nd Term while Obama has just served 1/2 term and has DONE NOTHING yet...

He hasn't even given himself a chance to....:(

And he claims to be ready...

Well, if you believe that then I have some land to sell you..on the moon!

I’ve spent the last 45 minuets reading though all of these posts and most of the links (we’ve all seen maltesetian’s cut and paste smear jobs before…so it’s easy to skip his) and this has to be one of the most “spirited” threads on the site. Thank you Julie for starting the discussion.

My take is this. Yes there is racism. Yes the media plays it up for ratings. Yes the republicans will try to use is against Obama in the general, just as the Clinton campaign did (though I suspect less subtly). And yes many of the “progressive” posters on this thread aren’t above using race as an issue because they are now upset that their candidate has lost. But to these people I suggest that Obama beat the best brand name in the party. He beat the inevitable candidate, the one with the most money (at the time), the most endorsements (at the time) and the best ground game ever created (at the time). So…if you were so wrong about that, why should we believe you when you say there is no way he can beat McCain? Why should we think it’s anything more than sour grapes when you say that America is too racist to elect a black president?

I won’t say that he’s definitely going to win. I think he will based on what he’s accomplished so far. But nobody knows for sure. The idea that we would consider not confirming the candidate that won the nomination (however close) because we’re worried that he might not win the general due to his skin color is so backward that it boggles my mind. If we all agree that race shouldn’t matter, why would we even consider such a thing? Why wouldn’t we lead by example, even if we were convinced he would lose (though most of us are not)? The country isn’t perfect, but why wouldn’t we appeal to what is the best in us, rather than focus on the things that tear us apart?

Thanks to raheims and ricky84 for your insights and broadening the way I look at this issue. And thanks to maltestitan for the funniest (however unintentional) single post when you compared not having hair to racial discrimination. If nothing else that helped put some things in perspective. I guess I didn’t skip all of your posts after all.

You know, it's an awfully sad day in this country when one nominee for the Democratic Party is favored over another solely because of skin color.

If Obama is the nominee and doesn't pass simply because he is black, then it simply says something about our country period. America not ready for a 'black president simply translates to a country still full of bigots who fear change. For those who would be so callous as to compare Hitler, one of the most vile individuals to have walked this earth, to Obama, a man who had to work for everything he's got like any American, a man who has decided to go for the ultimate American dream, not as a black man, but as simply a man, is disingenuous and mostly, a Guardian of all things status quo... and also a coward.

How about we fight fair. Keep out the name calling and argue on the issues. I'm sure you'll find it very difficult to bring up the Hitler analogy.

korourke, Give up there is just no fixing some things.

So we are supposed to believe the lady that was under sniper fire in Bosnia? Yeah, Right.

HERE IT IS

http://facts.hillaryhub.com/archive/?id=6802

False Advertising: New Obama Ad Falsely Claims He Does Not Accept Money From Oil Companies

"It’s unfortunate that Senator Obama is using false advertising to explain why he can be trusted to do something about energy prices. Senator Obama says he doesn’t take campaign contributions from oil companies but the reality is that Exxon, Shell, and others are among his donors. I wonder if they’ll fix the ad.” – Clinton Campaign Spokesman Phil Singer

A new ad by Sen. Obama running in Pennsylvania falsely claims that Sen. Obama does not accept money from the oil industry. In the ad, Sen. Obama says "I'm Barack Obama and I don't take money from oil companies or lobbyists and I wont let them block change anymore."

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Sen. Obama has received over $160,000 from the oil and gas companies. Two major bundlers for his campaign -- George Kaiser and Robert Cavnar – are oil company CEOs. Sen. Obama has accepted money from Exxon, Shell, BP, Chevron and just about every other major oil company.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?con...

In 2005, Sen. Obama voted for the Dick Cheney energy bill, which Cheney wrote in secret with the oil industry. Hillary Clinton opposed Cheney's energy bill, has a plan to eliminate oil industry tax breaks, and would require oil companies to contribute to a $50 billion strategic energy fund to jumpstart research and investment in clean energy technologies.

Watch the ad HERE.

3/28/2008 1:52:14 PM #

http://www.citizen.org/cmep/energy_enviro_nuclear/electricity/energybill/2005/ar...

LOOK FOR YOUR SELF!

SENATE VOTES! SENATE WEB SITE!
Copy and paste into browser complete:
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?con...
te=00213

SEE THE VOTES! FOR YOUR SELF! or remanin in the dark.

http://www.citizen.org/cmep/energy_enviro_nuclear/electricity/energybill/2005/ar...

http://facts.hillaryhub.com/archive/?id=6802

korourke,
1. I stated clearly Hillary's experience if you are some how unable to read that is your problem not mine, I do not repeat myself.

2.With youth comes misunderstanding I understand that you have no CLUE and did not read what I wrote. but to add one more point to help you along this maybe you will learn if you listen next time in class.Hillary while being First Lady started to create Universal Heath Care in 1995 this was defeated by the republican Congress which did not what anything to do with it and the Repulican Senate who had the majority at the time.

"The bill created created by the First Lady Hillary Clinton and backed by to Democratic Senators and signed be President Bill Clinton was rejected by the House of Representatives and the Senate majority."

3. The First Lady Hillary Clinton did more then any First lady before her read your History before your being to speak of things you know nothing about.

4. As far as the Black Value System you better read a little closer and when you read it if you read it you better read were it speaks of KILLINNG THEM OFF, AND PUTTING THEM IN CONSCENTRATION CAMPS, PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE to th BLACK VALUE SYSTEM and the BLACK LEADERSHIP. That is why it relates to Hitler's Storm Troopers. If you ever read about th Holocuast you know how this relates!

5. Obama does not salute the American Flag this is the reason why he has said a Pledge of Allegiance to the Black Value System.

6. Are you that stupid that you believe that he is going to tell you everything about himself do you think he is that truthful are you that much fooled.

7. Answered to Your Question about Obama yes he is lining his pockets with your money from oil companies he voted for the Bush-Cheney Energy bill that is putting $150,000 in his pockets that we know of. He voted with the republicans 74 to 26 and Hillary voted against it you can see it on the Senate voted web site look for yourself.
Read this and click onto the links. now after you are done you can come back and tell me how this did not help you either. If that is the case you are LOST!

Signed Col K Cecil

Malcolm X Taught

MARTIN L. KING Had NOTHING TO DO WITH Malcolm X he did not like him. I grew up in that time I did not read it in a History book I lived it.

Louis Farrakhan Taught

The Black Panthers a Racist Group in Chicago that started fights a held to a extermist view.

They disappeared in the early 70's.

Then appeared:
Rev.J.Wright who taught
Obama for 20 years from his own mouth.
The Black Value System is the Doctrine.here is a part of what he was taught.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/03/17/trinity-united-church-of-christ-makes-ch...

GO TO PDF FILE third Link at bottom of Page!
If you do not read the PDF File all of it really the part talking about Killing them, and putting them in conscentration camps, and The Pledge of Allegaiance to the Black Value System then you will really not under stand what I'm talking about. I did not believe it the first time I saw it either. I had to have someone else read it.
Here is another thing you might be interested in.
www.obamatruth.org

There will ALWAYS be about 27% of people in America, who are retarded BEYOND repair! It's the same crowd that STILL supports Bush. So why bother w/ these people, give them guns, so they can take each other out. These are the same people who send their money to preachers and lose it forever, same crowd that falls for the Nigerian scams, same people that serve me fries, the same people that don't know the truth if it was fucking their spouse upstairs.

My own aunt, said that if he wins, "African Americans" will take over or enslave us, or some kind of insane notion she said, wow!

1) Obama is half white, so people are voting against themselves.
2) He has enough experience, he wown't be making all the decisions, EVERY president has ADVISORS. How much experience did BUSH have, not much. What Obama has is good judgment, genuine good intent, being positive, and brilliant.
3) When will these hateful racists DIE OUT? Sooner or later, there will be a "minority" president, the Latin/African-American populations are growing.
4) People need to look past labels and realize that end of the day, a good person is a good person, whether white, Asian, Indian, black, or Latino.
5) I bet enough racist haters are ALREADY pissed that he made it that far. These people just need to get over it, it's like going to the dentist, the sooner, the better.
6) I hope he wins, because the choice is clear: War vs. Peace, Money for rich vs. poor, help the economy or the rich, respect constitution or fear, past vs. future.
7) I'm glad enough of clear minded people, especially whites, counteract all the clowns, so enough white peepz see the light.
8) If there ever was a perfect candidate, white or black, Obama is IT. He's a gift in this down and dark time in our history. Obama is the anti-venom for Bush's 8 years of Republican poison.

to maltesetitan

A. You ignored my question regarding the factual basis of your claim that Obama was taking money from oil companies, so I can only assume it was false.

B. I went and read the .pdf file from FOX news and other than being a rather begnin document that simply espouses black unity, self determination and education, something that any ethnic community should unite around, especially one as troubled as the black american community, I find it hard to see how you are linking this somehow to Hitler. So i would like to hear you elaborate what is so damning about that document, which Obama has never discussed as part of his platform as a candidate.

C. Of the random list of facts you created, only these two pertain to Hilary's experience as an individual, not as a tag along on the Bill Clinton express
"2. One Hillary was involved in the impeachment of President Nixon,
3. Hillary was asked my President Carter to be his Peace Keeper and she flew to 30 countries keeping foregin relations good during his administration"

and how those things pertain to her running the country effectively, im not quite sure.

I started my previous post a joke lined with truth, but again the reality is the race is over, and has been for months now. My real point is that it is irrelevant what kind of candidate Hillary is at this point, and I only hope that you are not one of those people (although I would not be suprised) that would rather see McCain in office to spite a better man who has a darker skin tone.

Yes, yes, Malt....I've heard it all before....goodnight man. Nothing like a good laugh before you go to sleep. Thanks for the debate.

Peace

raheims, What gets me is you act like you all were slaves. It is time to stop waving the race card. Everybody has hard times. Some people have less Hair then others we need to call that a racist issue. I mean my gosh. I could complain that I get treated with racial because I'm not black. It seems like and is very true black people filing for food stamps get more then white people that is racist.
When it comes to treatment for a job blacks get job preference over whites. when I would fill out for a job it was always a black person that would get the job because they had to fill a center amount. Not because I was more qualified.

That is what is happening with the candidates right now! This country has forgotten whats important.
Does not matter if this person can run the country or has the experience he is of a color that has not been in the White House before. So I've been treated bad too don't see me still whinning about it every chance I get.

Martin L. king did not he did not stand for it. he was not a President he was not anything but a man with a believe in the fact that people should be treated equally but not keep crying about it. He did not believe in what Obama believes in. I will show you why.

Coincidences have been around. I think recognizing their relevance to a higher perspective is blosoming. But I dont hear enough about the fact that its the black man and the woman. to perfect distractions.

Whos ensuring that my vote ACTUALLY counts this time?

Is it obvious that Cane will be the face in front of the curtain

foolmarch, You have been FOOLED that is.

Obama thinks about only himself he is receiveing money from Oil companies for voting for the Bush- Cheney Energy bill that Hillary voted against. the vote was 74 for he voted with the republicans 26 against. he put out an Ad that was FALSE ADVERTISEMENT. He was caught on it. that is why he is know longer dicussing it. Unless he is talking about it at rallies were he or places he is not on camera.

he is a Lier READ FOR YOURSELF! VOTE for a person n that will really help this country I know I'm on Medicare I'm on Social Security I have to pay a Co pay for Insurance now. I know because I was one that a doctor told me my life was not worth his time to do surgery unless I had $5000 dollars up front. I know what it is like to lose a loved one to a Diabetes, I've got steel rods and bolts in my back. I've been in a wheel chair, I lived in a Hospital bed, I worked, gone to college, done all that, I have only to worry about my wife's health and my Grand childrens future and I know where this country has been. I want a future for all of you all so you can have what I do not. BUT, Obama will not give it to you, He does not have the experience to do what this country needs to be done. And that is the Truth.
Read the Story of the Pied Piper for this is were this is headed.
I'm a Colonel and my life was cut short don't let your future be by following this man.

Well all know that the media controls the message. Thats why we all use Current. Therefore if the media wants to make race a bigger part of the story then it should be, I guess it should be expected. They want ratings, and all you have to do is look at how many people responded to this story, to see why race is such a huge draw. It may not be right, but can we blame them?

Peace

Ricky84,

You viewpoint is very inciteful, and if it weren't for the nature of the black experience in America, I would be all for it. My problem with your comparisions are based soley on history. Asking a black person to move on and let the bullshit roll off his shoulders sounds good, but would you ask that of a holocaust survivor. 400 years of oppression is not corrected in 40 years. Even if the laws have changed. My mother used segregated bathrooms with her mother. I myself have had to face police and job racism. Yet we persevere. While you make a great point, I believe that it is in reverse order. We must solve the racial problems in America before you can ask blacks to let America off the hook. Obama thought he could escape race in America by appearing to be above it, (almost like you) and America (not the media) showed Obama that when your black, race is always an issue. Even if its not an issue in your mind, it definelty is in someone elses. Ricky, I share your desire for a nation where we don't have to discuss race. A nation where I can be proud to be black, but even prouder to be American. I don't see my race as a crutch, and I don't think any black man should, but he damn well better see his race for what it is in America, because trust me, America does.

anjela3,

Thank You ,I would really like to speak to you more offen.
I do hope you send me a email soon so I may respond.

I Have been following this campaign very closely and I see that Hillary has more then a spot at pulling this off.

The Super Delegates have been around and they know what took place with Dukakis, McGovern,Kerry. McGovern and Kerry have endorsed Obama so that they are not the ones in the front of this list anymore.

They want someone else to go down in the flames. And they know if they vote for Obama this will happen and it will be all of it.

But the problem with that way of thinking is so will the country. We can not play games with what is going on with this country. We can not. This is not the year for it we do not have the ability too. It is a must that we get Senator Hillary Clinton into the White House and her Husband and get this country back on its feet.

The economy was the best it had been in 25 years under the Clinton/Gore Administration and the over sea relationships were great. You could go to the Bank and get a CD with $500.00 and get 7.5% interest rate I know I did many times over. When President Clinton was in office I made on CD's over $3,000.
And the young college kids now like their computers when do they think AMD came about. It was an IPO that started at around $18.00 a share and went up to $42.00 a share before it went back down. They started while the economy was doing so good under President Clinton and his wife the First Lady Hillary, and former Vice President Al Gore.
Now these Kids have faster computers. And they are voting for a person that had nothing to due with that economy and cutting down the people that made that economy put forth companies that are making their lives better.
AND THIS IS THE THANKS THEY GET!

the media has its collective head up its ass. they decide what's racist and what's not. none of this has anything to do with anything. i agree with julie, america is not an inherently racist country. while racism obviously exists as does sexism the resistance to obama has less to do with the color of his skin than it does with the audacity of his ideas.

the more he points out the useless foolishness of politics as usual the more the dinosaurs stomp up and down and blow up more smoke trying to change the subject. does he wear a flag pin? is he an elitist? can he bowl? it's all a lot of horseshit.

what's really important is that unless we tackle the real problems together we'll continue in this downward spiral we find ourselves in.

wake up america! gas is four dollars a gallon and going up. china controls our money. the war in iraq has made the situation in the mideast even worse global warming threatens the entire planet - while all that's happening our presidential primary is filled with the divisive gotcha politics of the past. if we remain distracted by media noise and fail to come together to tackle the real problems that face us... we're sunk.

obama offers us real hope for real change. can he pull it off? i think so, but truth is i dunno. in the end it's up to all of us - but unless we're willing to take that first step we ain't goin' nowhere.

my thoughts?

i don't like how the media uses demographic polls to paint clinton as someone who only appeals to the old, the uneducated, and the racist, and obama as someone who only appeals to the young, the affluent, and the intellectual.

in both cases, it is damaging to the candidate's image.

fuckin' media.

Please stay on topic people. This is not a discussion about whether or not Obama should be president or sexism. Take a deep breath; separate yourself from your political affiliations at debate the topic at hand. It is so annoying when people rant about stuff that has nothing to do with what we’re supposed to be talking about.

Well, She might visit Obama in the White House, but she isn't going to live there. If she had the best interest of the country at heart she would fold her tent and help unite the Democratic party now. My guess is she will continue on her destructive path with no regard for the damage she is doing. It is a shame I had hope after Indiana that she was going to retain some dignity by conceding.

Ricky84, Idid not say!

southerners are racists! Please show me were I said that. You have me mixed up with someone else.

raheims, No not crazy just like to state the FACT.

korourke, You are one that has know knowledge of History.
Hillary's Dad after getting out of the Navy worked at a factory.
1. Hillary worked to put her self threw college after getting a Pell Grant and you do not get a Grant like that unless your family does not make very much money.
2. One Hillary was involved in the impeachment of President Nixon,
3. Hillary was asked my President Carter to be his Peace Keeper and she flew to 30 countries keeping foregin relations good during his administration.
4. Later Hillary meet Bill Clinton at college were they later got married.
5. He llater became the Governor of Arkansas.
6. Later He Became President and she became First Lady.
7. Later she became a Senator.

NOW after your History Listen! One she Has over 20 Years experience.
Have respect for her a former First Lady and for her husband a former President of this country.
Being you were too young to care at that time I wasn't to young. I'm a Colonel and I'm well your Senior.

And I was around when President John F.Kennedy was shot.
You and many others like you need to have respect for a former President and First Lady. The facts remain you have a lot of growing up to do.

Here is a qiz for you. If you were going to get married and you were picking a photographer for your wedding who would you want. REMEMBER THIS IS YOUR MONEY KNOW ONE IS PAYING FOR THIS PUT YOU!

Would you want, 1. The Best Photographer at the cheapest price.
Or 2. would you want your Good friend with his Camera!

Now if you Picked 1. I would say you have some sense about you.

If you picked 2. Then I would say you really do not care about your marriage or the person you were to marry.

That is way I want Hillary in the White House she has experience.
Obama only has 3 1/2 years not enough time to be a manager of a Department Store much less the President of the United States. Get the Picture.

I do hope you read about the Black Value System this is not a Joke it is the real thing. This is the most extermist view I have seen since Hitlers Storm Troopers.

Here is the link Check out the PDF File for your self. Remember this is on Trinity's United Church of Christ web site it is there Doctrine that means there belief and teaching. Obama is still a member of that location.

This is why he does not salute the American Flag.

Mailtesetitan,

Either your crazy, or you were hoping I was....better fact check one more time....

Peace

Thanks for all the good words about the reality and complexities of racism and sexism.

My initial remarks were meant to be general and not directed at anyone in particular.

It is my experience working with people of all cultures and races nationally, that, although much progress has been made since I was a child in the late 50s, African Americans, all People of Color still experience racism too frequently, and women of all races experience sexism.

I was always taught to speak out against bigotry and injustice, and to follow Dr. King's admonition, that, "It is always the right time to do what is right."

Dr. King dreamed of a day when everyone would "be judged, not on the color of their skin, but on the content of their character."

His words, are in the words of Faithkeeper Oren Lyons, that "not just a casual term, they are instructions for survival."

But that doesn't mean we are blind to the reality of racism, sexism, injustice and poverty in our country and the world. Recognizing racism is real, does not make a person a racist, it is just an objective observation.

If we recognize racism and sexism exist, we can work to eliminate them and all bigotry that separates people.

One first step is to realize that, as Russell Means says, "It's not an owie contest." In other words, many of our communities have experienced oppression, and it serves no one to say our oppression out trumps anothers, nor to diminish another community's oppression.

Another step is to recognize that to women, the foul name-calling, and sexist vitriole directed at Hillary Clinton, is part of an increasingly hostile environment for women and children worldwide.

Women live in a world where a girl can be raped in Saudi Arabia, then convicted and buried up to her neck in sand and stoned to death in the plaza. Women live in a world where millions of young girls and women are tricked or sold into sexual slavery world wide and in America. Women live in a world where entire populations are forced to live their lives enshrouded in burqas and forbidden to learn to read and write. Women live in a world where young girls in Africa are subjected to female circumsicion that sometimes leads to infection and death. Women live in a world where young women in Juarez are raped, murdered and buried in the desert by the hundreds, and the murderers are never brought to justice. Women live in a world where an Islamic woman can be put to death for showing her forearm in public, and where women in many parts of the world are not allowed to be educated, to drive a car, or to work outside the home. Women live in a world where they and their children suffer the greatest consequences of war, violence, rape, environmental degradation, famine and disaster. Women live in an America where they are the vast majority of the 38 million living in poverty.

So, when people call Senator Hillary Clinton, the former First Lady, sexist names, woman hear that they also will not be protected from the venom that justifies hatred and mistreatment of women worldwide.

Good grief Titan, You must be filled with hate. I don't care how many times people refute the garbage you keep spouting off you just keep after it don't you? That your stuff is pure bull crap, doesn't stop you. You just put it in upper case and do it again. What the hell do you plan to do when Obama is not only the nominee, but gets elected? What's the problem, does it bother you that he is smarter, better educated, and richer than you? He came from working class people and managed to rise above humble a beginning to get where he is all with his own talent. You post these long obnoxious rants everywhere you go, do you think people read them? They don't because they are just hate filled rants. Spend some time researching what you are posting and make sure it is verified by reputable sources then people might take you seriously.

Maltesetitan you are starting to worry me. First off I didn’t call you Matt I called you Malt. Secondly I am multiracial. I do not have breasts and a penis. Sometimes I wish I did, but sadly I don’t. My handle is also Ricky84, but you can call me whatever you want as long as it is not none-black guy. Pay attention Malt, read everything It my post word for word. I’m not endorsing Obama. I didn’t post a response on this article to endorse Obama.

I’m not trying to push my “controlling believes” on anyone cause I don’t think I have any “controlling believes.” This is what I said. I’m going to state it as simply as I can.

1 The media is doing America a disservice by making race such a big issue. Instead of talking about racism we should be covering what Obama really stands for.

2 Stop saying southerners are racists because that in itself is a form of bigotry.

Reheims I like what you have to say but in the end I disagree with you. While it was important for the media to cover the civil rights movement your analogy does not compare to this particular issue. First off blacks were second class citizens before the civil rights movement. So there really were grounds to make such a fuss about it.

Barak Obama is not a second class politician. He is not getting hosed at rallies, no one is sending German shepard’s after him. The reason I don’t like hearing the race issue is exactly as you said it. It’s overplayed; way too much attention is placed on that sole issue. Then again I’m not saying we should completely ignore racism, however we shouldn’t try to make money off the topic. I think that’s exactly what the media is doing today. Why cover boring details when you can make money off of dirt?

I see racism all the time from black people and white people. They get so worked up over the issue that they lose perspective. What about Italians and Irish people? They were regarded as drunkards and undesirables at one time. They got past it and so can black people. Don’t get so worked up about it man, just relax. Call bullshit when you see it but more importantly call it when it will actually make a difference. Just because you are right doesn’t mean people are actually going to care.

Voyager Films, please step off your high horse. I am a real person. I do not have to vote for Obama to be a real person. Obama may be your answer to the world's errors, but he is far from mine. I see little hope in this man. If he could not see through Reverend Wright for the past 20 years I see a man with poor judgment skills. Tell me how you can defend Obama when it comes to his 20 year association with Rev. Racist Wright? I would sure like to know.

I swear, if I hear one more person talk about Hilary's "experience"... Just because you are a groupie that is along for the tour, and you know all of the words to the songs, doesnt mean you can take the stage and perform. And just because you've been sleeping with the lead singer, doesnt mean that you can be the leader of the band.

And that is exactly what she is and has been for most of her life, a groupie to the Bill Clinton show and is now so bitter that she cant even admit defeat gracefully, and stop from further dividing the party and costing the Dems. the election and this country a possible future.

She and Obama are both first term senators, that is the only experience they have that counts. Does anyone really think that she was collarborating with Bill while he was in the White House? Did they forget that he spent most of his time either in affairs or backtracking over previous ones? Not really condusive to late night bedside chats if you ask me.

Does anyone think that our foreign policy which has destroyed this countries economy, world perception, over extended our military and eroded our civil rights would actually change under Clinton, who speaks of "obliterating Iran"? Is that her idea of dimplomacy? If we have a shot at getting an audience with important currently hostile nations in the middle east, who better than a black man with a muslim parent? That would show the middle east and the world that the U.S. is indeed progressive despite the bumbling neanderthal that was elected twice to office... wake up America, the world hates the U.S. and if we want to change that, we have to change our perception, and a bitter angry woman who was publicly humilated by her philandering husband is not someone to lead the country...

But all of this is a moot point, Obama now has the superdelegate lead, the primary is over, has been over, and it is time to unite dems. to support the one man that is going to offer a real possible positive change for this country.

And in response to maltesetitan's "fact" based posts...
I went to the opensecret.org website that you quoted and could find no factual basis for your claims, either regarding the two exec's you mentioned or any of the oil companies as contributors. If the links and facts do exist, please post, otherwise, get off your sinking racist ship... the race is over. Here is an link to the people that Exxon did actually contribute to.

http://www.opensecrets.org/usearch/searchresults_detailed.php?srch_term=Exxon%20...

http://facts.hillaryhub.com/archive/?id=6802

False Advertising: New Obama Ad Falsely Claims He Does Not Accept Money From Oil Companies

"It’s unfortunate that Senator Obama is using false advertising to explain why he can be trusted to do something about energy prices. Senator Obama says he doesn’t take campaign contributions from oil companies but the reality is that Exxon, Shell, and others are among his donors. I wonder if they’ll fix the ad.” – Clinton Campaign Spokesman Phil Singer

A new ad by Sen. Obama running in Pennsylvania falsely claims that Sen. Obama does not accept money from the oil industry. In the ad, Sen. Obama says "I'm Barack Obama and I don't take money from oil companies or lobbyists and I wont let them block change anymore."

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Sen. Obama has received over $160,000 from the oil and gas companies. Two major bundlers for his campaign -- George Kaiser and Robert Cavnar – are oil company CEOs. Sen. Obama has accepted money from Exxon, Shell, BP, Chevron and just about every other major oil company.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?con...

In 2005, Sen. Obama voted for the Dick Cheney energy bill, which Cheney wrote in secret with the oil industry. Hillary Clinton opposed Cheney's energy bill, has a plan to eliminate oil industry tax breaks, and would require oil companies to contribute to a $50 billion strategic energy fund to jumpstart research and investment in clean energy technologies.

Watch the ad HERE.

3/28/2008 1:52:14 PM #

http://www.citizen.org/cmep/energy_enviro_nuclear/electricity/energybill/2005/ar...

LOOK FOR YOUR SELF!

SENATE VOTES! SENATE WEB SITE!
Copy and paste into browser complete:
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?con...
te=00213

SEE THE VOTES! FOR YOUR SELF! or remanin in the dark.

http://www.citizen.org/cmep/energy_enviro_nuclear/electricity/energybill/2005/ar...

http://facts.hillaryhub.com/archive/?id=6802

Is the comparison of Obama and Hitler fair? Probably not. Here is some information that may shed light on the comparison. Adolph Hitler was very cunning. He had a hidden agenda. He avoided questions or didn't answer questions in a straight forward way about how he was going to unite the people and change the government, change the economics of Germany or anything thing else. He Twisted the words of his opponents show how untrustworthy, dishonest and disingenuous they were. After Adolph was elected he showed his true agenda. Obama hasn't been elected yet. Hitler had to defend his friends and the white Aryan church there too. He had great inspiring rosy speeches that caused the people of Germany to fall in love with him. The German Arch Bishop of the Catholic Church Declared Adolph Hitler a Saint before the election. He spoke of hope, change, uniting all of the German people, the government, the military very eloquently and in a very inspiring way. Many Jewish people went to the gas chambers expecting Hitler to save them. They all believed his inspiring speeches. Check your history. My next door neighbors lived it. Everybody I have talked to who lived it has said the same things I'm saying in this post. I have read it in history books. In fact most of the speaking tactics used by Hitler are similar to those being used by Obama. Obama's connections to Rezco, Wright, Farrakhan, etc... Obama's ability to excite people and make people feel good in his speeches. This is why so many people compare Obama to Hitler fair or not. Unfortunately there are similarities in some ways. I would like to think that Obama does'nt have a hidden agenda. By the appearances of the simularities I suppose it's a possibility thats why my Jewish friends who lived during the this horrilbe time in Germany are not voting for Obama. The brave survivors I have talked to are voting for Hillary. Is the comparison of Obama and Hitler fair? The decision belongs to the individual voter.

Thank you maltesetitan. My only hope is that folks will actually:

1. read what you posted AND
2. "get it"

While those of that are like minded aren't flooding the blogs like others, we are out there (in LARGE numbers), we are for real and you have stated it for us quite well.

Obama may have the young and easily impressionable, the elite "I don't wanna be called racist" volvo crowd and the black vote, but he clearly does not have a clue about the rest of America. The blogoshpere clearly indicates his supporters could also care less about the rest of America.....and now that rest of America shall be the racist America...of course unless they are the Clinton supporters (as discussed by maltesetitan).
And make no mistake, this is why Obama will lose.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/03/17/trinity-united-church-of-christ-makes-ch...

I believe it is the right thing to do showing who candidates associate with. We need to look at these relationships more

closely when we choose who is to lead this country. We have to first ask ourselves do we want a person with very little

experience, 3 1/2 years, one that takes and allows their own family members to hear and be subjected to teachings that talk

of hate towards the United States. Should we not hold the politicians that send or military to the same standard that we hold

are US Military too.

Should they also protect the Constitution of the United States of America and be held accountable if they violate that trust.

Should the ones that run for office salute the American Flag and show their patriotism for those who have died for this

country.

Obama does not and goes around every question when asked why he does not.
Here is the reason he does not.

Please Spread this Around and tell everyone you can, this is something so powerful that the military will want to know about

it.

Want To Know Why OBAMA Does Not Salute THE AMERICAN FLAG.

CHECK THIS OUT!

PUT THIS IN A GOOGLE SEARCH / TRINITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST CHANGED WEB SITE

You will find the archived Web Site From that church at the middle of the page Three LINKS.

ARCHIVED WEB SITE

WEB SITE AS IT IS NOW

AND A PDF FILE FROM ARCHIVED WEB SITE

IT IS THE TEACHING OF THAT LOCATION CALLED THE BLACK VALUE SYSTEM THIS WAS LOCATED AND SAVED BY FOX

NEWS SO THEY CAN USE IF OBAMA WAS TO WIN THE NOMINATION. THIS THEY REMOVED FROM THE WEB SITE

BEFORE THE SITE WAS CHANGED SO AS NO ONE ELSE FOUND THIS OUT AND SO THIS WAS NOT PUBLISHED TO THE

GENERAL PUBLIC. WITH THIS INFORMATION YOU AS AN INFORMED CITIZEN CAN MAKE A REAL DECISION AS TO IF

YOU WHAT SOMEONE RUNNING THIS COUNTRY THAT FOLLOWS THESE BELIEVES.

IT IS CALLED THE BLACK VALUE SYSTEM.

PLEASE DO NOT BELIEVE ME! I WANT YOU TO READ THIS FOR YOURSELF.

THIS IS NOT A JOKE! THIS IS ON A WEB SITE THAT IF IT WERE NOT TRUE COULD BE SUED FOR ALL IT IS WORTH.

THIS IS STILL ON THE TRINITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST WEB SITE BUT YOU REALLY HAVE TO SEARCH FOR IT

BECAUSE THEY HIDDEN IT'S LOCATION SO IT IS NOT EASILY FOUND ON THEIR WEB SITE.

THIS ALSO EXPLAINS WHY THE BLACK PANTHERS ARE SUPPORTING OBAMA, AND WHY YOU NO LONG HEAR ABOUT

THEM AS YOU DID IN THE LATE 60's.

THE ONLY GROUP CLOSE TO HAVING A DOCTRINE OR TEACHING AS SICK AS THIS WAS HITLER'S STROM TROOPERS.
AND WE KNOW WHAT HE WAS ALL ABOUT.

NO ONE NOW NEEDS TO WONDER WHY OBAMA GOES AROUND THE QUESTION WHEN ASKED WHY HE DOES NOT

SALUTE THE AMERICAN FLAG, AS HE DID TO THE LADY IN PENNSYLVANIA. AS HE SAID TO HER,
THERE IS KNOW WHERE ELSE I CAN DO WHAT I'M DOING! DID HE MEAN STAND UP IN FRONT OF PEOPLE AND TALK

AROUND THE QUESTION HE WAS ASKED AN THINK HE IS GOING TO GET AWAY WITH IT ? OR DID HE MEAN IN NO

OTHER COUNTRY COULD HE GET AWAY WITH HIS LIES WITH OUT GETTING SHOT BY THE GOVERNMENT THERE.

HE NEVER ANSWERED THE QUESTION .

QUESTION WAS: WHY DO YOU NOT SALUTE THE AMERICAN FLAG.

NOW HE WILL NOT SAY BECAUSE HE HAS PLEDGED ALLEGIANCE TO THE BLACK VALUE SYSTEM.

WHICH HE STATED HE WILL NOT LEAVE THAT LOCATION NOW YOU KNOW WHY.

EVERY TIME HE OPENS A SPEECH NOTICE HOW HE MENTIONS A BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN PERSON TO MAKE

HIMSELF FEEL AS IF HE IS SPEAKING TO AFRICAN AMERICANS.

REMEMBER HE LEARNED TO SPEAK TO PEOPLE IN A AFRICAN AMERICAN GROUP SETTING AND FROM JEREMIAH

WRIGHT TAUGHT HIM AND STILL ADVISES HIM, A BLACK VALUE SYSTEM CHURCH.

WHAT KIND OF THINGS IS HE GOING TO DO IF YOU LET HIM.

READ THIS PDF FILE FOR YOURSELF.

HERE IS A LINK TO IT.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/03/17/trinity-united-church-of-christ-makes-ch...

Please advise everyone you know of this info and please place this info on your web site this needs to be told.

raheims, This campaign is not about race. It was about issues.. Obama was to ride the coat tails of the race issue so he can get elected due to his color and that is why so many people are voting for him not because he has common sense or the experience but because he is a black man that is not worth crape. The reason race really came into play into this campaign is when he was found to be connected to the racist location Trinity United, and Wright and the Black Value System. I know about this because I informed the campaign about this info on this and Hannity on Fox has talked to a Black Man by the name of Eric Rush a Columnist that told Hannity about it. Obama is trying to cover up the question why he does not salute the American Flag. Not wear a Pin! SALUTE THE FLAG at the National Athem. with others. When he was asked that qestion in Pennsylvania he was so scared that he did not know how to answer he was told my Wright that he was going to get asked this and he was not ready.
Here read for yourself.

nativeAmerican, very good about Rezko. Obama has made the statement he will announce he is the parties nominee my May 21st. it takes 2209 delegates to win the nomination not 2025. So here is the delegate rating as of this date:
New York Times Count of Super delegates
http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/superdelegates/index.htm...

He thinks he is still I Chicago and can run over people. The ting about it he doesn't know that there are people in this world that have been around and have the strength to stop him in his tracks.

He is like a people I meet when I visited a friend that was in prison. Almost everyone I meet in there seemed to have the same attitude, and that was
They Wanted What They Wanted When They Wanted It And It Did Not Matter How Or What It Took For Them To Get It!
That is what I see and hear when I hear Obama speak.

Blacks backing Clinton cite pressure to side with Obama

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/yahoolatestnews/stories/042108dnp...

Race is an issue and it will continue to be an issue for as long as we subscribe to ignorance as a way of thinking. By ignoring the issue for the sake of a little temporary peace, we are hoping for change instead of working towards change. The media did not create racism, or classism in America. In large part, it is because of the media's coverage during the Civil Rights Movement that many of the racial issues affecting America came to light.

What would the civil rights movement have been without the images of people being abused at sit-in's, or being attacked by police dogs? Iconic images such as the 84th Airborne division escorting black high school children into school n Arkansas. All of these things were as critical to the movement as Dr. King himself. What were people saying about the media then?

The same things we are saying now. People were saying that their towns had no race problems, and if the media just left it alone things would be fine. All the while, Blacks were being lynched, and civil rights were being oppressed. Today, blacks are not being hosed down in the streets with water hoses, but communities are still de-facto segregated, the legal system is still racially biased, and the poorest communities in America are usually largely populated by blacks. Has the media paid much attention to this? Not at all. That is because America is back in a state of racial ignorance. We as a nation have decided to pretend that it is not an issue, while living amongst its residuals daily.

The Barack Obama campaign is the living embodiment of this American way of life. His campaign work feverously to avoid bringing race into the debate, when we all could look at his skin and see that he was a black man. We all knew the historical importance of his candidacy. Yet he was asking the American public to do something that no white Presidential nominee has ever had to ask the populous, and that was to transcend his race. We were asked to look past his skin color. Why might I ask? Why would his campaign ask the American people to transcend his blackness from the very beginning, if his blackness was not an issue in America?

The media did not create the theme of his Presidency. Yes, they may be guilty of over sensationalizing stories such as the Reverend Wright ordeal, but if David Duke endorsed John McCain, McCain would fair no better in today's media, but what about the populous? Would John McCain be asked to make a speech on race? Probably not. The problems of race in America are not media driven, but are driven in the hearts of men. Some unhealed, some bigoted, and some silent, but all part of the problem. If we continue to use the media as a scapegoat we will miss our chance just like the generation before us missed theirs. Now is our time to use the media to have this civilized debate. It is our time to figure out how to heal those who can be healed, and forgive those who cannot. However, in no way, can we allow ourselves to miss the opportunity, by being silent. If we remain silent, we are continuing to ask blacks to forget they are black, while asking whites to forgive them for being so. Thus the cycle will continue. Let us talk.

Peace

Ricky64, Two TouchArt was correcting you not insulting you and the fact that you are young and I'm sure people don't care if you are green or anybody else is just don't try to push your controlling believes on to the world when we are older then you and have more experience then those of you that are of and age that did not experience the things or the Administrations nor the things that you speak off. You might be of a mixed gender but you have not experienced what we have experienced. The problem is that this person ( Obama ) does not have the experience needed to even be running for President.
This job requires someone with brains and that he does not have. He lies at every corner and tries to think of a way out of a question with the most uneducated statements I have ever heard by sides Michell Moore.

Here listen for yourself as he puts FDA and EPA and others in the same relationship as Nuclear Power.

Sen. Barack Obama on nuclear power from SentinelSource

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRxl2cVFTLw

He is a JOKE! And some young people can not see any farther then this story about race and it makes them feel all warm inside.

I want everyone on this earth to be taken care of not just the White Americans,Black Americans, Yellow Americans, Red Americans, Green Americans, Purple Americans, etc.

BOY I feel all warm inside!

I'm still voting for the one with experience Hillary!

Touch of Art you are right on the nail. Funny , anyone whom speaks aginst Obama is a racist. One thing my grandfather taught me was , " Attorneys' are buried 12 feet deep instead of 6 feet, because,you'll find the good in them really down deep==== Meaning , never Trust an Attorney, especially one that is running for a Political Position!!!! If Obama, had a Platform , Instead of the old Rehtoric"WE NEED CHANGE", well hell yes Obama we do , What is your Plan???? Speak up!!!!What is it!!! He is another George Bush , running the same BS , as George Bush did!! "I've got a Plan!!!!So did George " Bushwacker "Bush, IraQ!! I am sorry , but Obama is not our saint , and time will prove it by July(Federal Court in Chicago), His best friend and Bussiness Partner from the Slums of Chicago(OBAMA was a Slum Lord ) will come out in court very , very soon, and he is racing the clock, and Obama knows it . Thanks Touch of art, great Posting . nativeAmerican Chaske Weaee(good Luck)

Which, honestly, makes me laugh. Because not only has she been slammed for being too feminine (i.e., the New Hampshire voice break that got blown up into a crying jag), but she’s also been slammed as a cold, calculating ballbuster. IOW, she’s got to walk the same line as any other woman who’s trying to get ahead in a male-dominated field, and she’s being subjected to the same impossible standards of being tough but not too tough, feminine but not too feminine, etc., etc., etc. And she, like a lot of other women, just can’t win.
So to circle back to what I said in November 2006:
These insults aren’t meant just for the recipients. They’re meant for everyone else in that group, too. So detailed descriptions of your fantasy that “corporate whore” really means real whore doesn’t just hurt Tauscher, the intended target. It hurts Pelosi, too. And it’s meant to — that’s what insults based on a group characteristic or stereotype are for. They’re meant to convey the message to any member of a non-dominant group that they might be accepted for now, but we all know that they’re really just a c#nt and a whore, like those women we don’t like.
Keep this in mind when you read critiques of the gender-based slurs and framing and tactics and dismissals of Clinton. That all women, and tolerating or excusing them just makes it harder for women to be taken seriously.
t’s bigger than this one candidate, and it’s bigger than the election.

Those constant reminders took away from her ability to teach, and therefore from her ability to get ahead. “Well, her students don’t respect her,” or “She doesn’t have classroom authority,” or “She doesn’t spend enough time teaching,” were probably the reasons given when she was passed over for consideration for a full-time position. And yet the problem, at the root, was sexism.
And sexism is also at the root of much of the “A woman, but not her” phenomenon. There are some very interesting examples of why Clinton is in a catch-22 with regard to being the female candidate:
Jean Yarnal, who has worked in local government for 41 years, says she was unnerved recently when a man she knew came into her office and asked for help with a zoning issue. When talk turned to politics, she says, he denounced Sen. Clinton as a “lesbian” and used several slurs. Ms. Yarnal says she didn’t respond, but thought to herself, “That’s the last time I do you a favor.”
“It’s like the feelings against women are getting stronger,” says Ms. Yarnal. “It’s like men are saying, ‘We want to put you women in your place — watch out, don’t go too fast.’”
Charles McCollester, a professor of industrial relations at Indiana University of Pennsylvania who works with union members, says he is ready for a woman president, “just not this woman.” He supports Sen. Obama. “Several of my really close female friends feel this is unleashing some kind of antiwoman sentiment. But I don’t see it. We love women. She has set out to become as male as all the rest of the boys.”
Some women in town say they don’t bring up politics at work. “The consensus in my office is that women are too emotional and won’t make a good president,” says Terri George, a paralegal in a law office.
“It isn’t easy being a woman in academia,” says Amanda Moniz, a 36-year-old Ph.D. candidate in history at the University of Michigan. “I want a woman candidate who is strong, but also feminine, and who doesn’t feel she has to be tougher than men to succeed,” she says. “Although Hillary has achieved a lot on her own, she wouldn’t be where she was if not for her husband — and that isn’t an inspiring lesson.”
Alexa Steinberg, 25, a graduate student at the University of New Hampshire, says she recognizes “that women only make 78 cents for every male dollar, and there are still hurdles for women that I’ll face.” She says she thinks it’s only a matter of time before she’ll be supporting a female candidate for U.S. president — but it won’t be Sen. Clinton. “Politically and personally, she’s trying to take on the male persona, and isn’t a woman in the way I want a woman candidate to be,” she says.
Ms. Steinberg is only 25 who supports Sen. Obama, so perhaps she does not remember that Hillary Clinton, when Bill ran for President, also had her own career and made more than her husband. However, you may note a theme in the “just not this woman” rationales given here: It’s not that I don’t want a woman to run, it’s just that Hillary’s not a “real woman” because she’s trying too hard to be a man.

What I’ve been most disturbed by recently is the number of feminists and feminist allies who are willing to overlook misogynist framing and attacks on Clinton because they don’t want her to win, or are willing to dismiss such framing and attacks because “Clinton’s a racist,” or “She went negative first,” or what have you.
That doesn’t fly when someone dismisses Michelle Malkin in racist, sexist terms rather than engage her ideas — even though she herself has made a living off racist, sexist and xenophobic commentary. It doesn’t fly when someone makes tranny jokes about Ann Coulter rather than engage the substance of her ideas, even though she makes a living spewing eliminationist rhetoric. And it doesn’t fly when someone dismisses Jonah Goldberg for being fat rather than attacking his really, truly, breathtakingly idiotic positions.
So why should it fly just because you don’t want Hillary Clinton to get the nomination?
Do you want to be contributing to this kind of marginalization?
Katherine Putnam, president of Package Machinery Co., a West Springfield, Mass., equipment manufacturer, recalls that at a lunch she attended recently, a group of male chief executives “started talking about what an awful b—- Hillary was and how they’d never vote for her.” She says she kept quiet. “I didn’t want to jeopardize my relationship with them,” she says. “But their remarks were a clear reminder that although I could sit there eating and drinking with them, and work with them, instinctively their reaction to me isn’t positive.”
Think this kind of thing doesn’t have an effect on ordinary women? Think again.
Heather Arnet, a Clinton supporter who runs a Pittsburgh organization that lobbies for more women on public commissions and corporate boards, recently surveyed the Internet and found more than 50 anti-Hillary Clinton sites on Facebook. One of them, entitled “Hillary Clinton Stop Running for President and Make Me a Sandwich,” had more than 38,000 members.
“What if one of these 38,000 guys is someone you, as a woman, have to go to and negotiate a raise?” she asks.
One of the things that was so very appalling about the AutoAdmit fiasco was the glimpse into the unvarnished thoughts of male law students and associates. These would be the people that Jill and the other women targeted were going to go work with, and for. Their toxic attitudes would be carried into the work world and would influence them as they interacted with their coworkers, superiors and subordinates. And in a thousand different ways, they would find some kind of expression, or would be used to justify keeping women from advancing. As the WSJ notes:
At U.S. law firms, women accounted for 17.9% of partners in 2006, up from 14.2% of partners 1996, according to the directory of legal employers compiled by the National Association for Law Placement, even though women received 48% of law degrees granted in 2006 and 43.5% in 1996.
It’s very rare that anyone outright denies someone a promotion because she’s a woman. It’s usually the result of a thousand little decisions and diversions along the way. Such as a refusal to acknowledge authority:
An hour away in Indiana, Pa., a working-class town, Jill Fiore, who teaches part-time at a local college and has a doctorate in English, says she constantly has to remind students to call her “Dr. Fiore” — the same way they address male professors — rather than “Jill” or “Mrs. Fiore.” Unable to get a full-time college teaching job, she made just $8,000 last year cobbling together part-time work, and she recently decided to open a yoga business.

If you can’t attack the positions of a rabid antifeminist commentator or a deep-in-the-pockets-of-Big-Pharma politician without resorting to insults designed to highlight not just their gender, but their relative worth as fucktoys, then you have no business writing what passes for commentary.
It’s easy to reach first for the gender-based insult. And it’s wrong.
And, seriously, how can you sit there and be shocked, shocked, that people you don’t agree with are attacking Nancy Pelosi for her femaleness and not realize that you’re contributing to the problem by portraying a United States Congresswoman as a cumguzzling two-dollar whore? By whining that women are too sensitive because they complain when you call a media figure a c#nt?…
These insults aren’t meant just for the recipients. They’re meant for everyone else in that group, too. So detailed descriptions of your fantasy that “corporate wh#re” really means real wh#re doesn’t just hurt Tauscher, the intended target. It hurts Pelosi, too. And it’s meant to — that’s what insults based on a group characteristic or stereotype are for. They’re meant to convey the message to any member of a non-dominant group that they might be accepted for now, but we all know that they’re really just a cunt and a wh#re, like those women we don’t like.

So, having listed my feminist bona fides, allow me to explain why calling out the misogynist shit thrown at Hillary Clinton, even if you think that Clinton is a party-destroying, warmongering succubus feeding at the corporate teat, is important. The Wall Street Journal has helpfully provided a framework for discussion:
When Sen. Clinton started her presidential campaign more than a year ago, she said she wanted to shatter the ultimate glass ceiling. But many of her supporters see something troubling in the sometimes bitter resistance to her campaign and the looming possibility of her defeat: a seeming backlash against the opportunities women have gained….
But her campaign has also prompted slurs and inflammatory language that many women thought had been banished from public discourse. Some women worry that regardless of how the election turns out, the resistance to Sen. Clinton may embolden some men to resist women’s efforts to share power with them in business, politics and elsewhere.
This is why I continue to call out the use of misogyny and sexist insults in this campaign. It’s not so much that I’m defending Clinton (though I think she’s getting an unfair shake in the media and in the blogosphere, and that annoys me), but that I’m calling this shit out because this shit hurts women. Women like me. Women like many of you. Women like your daughters, your sisters, your mothers, your friends, your spouses, your SOs. If it’s okay to dehumanize a US Senator and presidential candidate as “that thing” or dismiss her as “that bitch,” or set up a 527 called “Citizens United Not Timid” (aka C.U.N.T.) to “educate the American public about what Hillary Clinton really is,” then we now have an environment in which it’s okay to dehumanize, demean and diminish ordinary women because they’re women.
But even some women who don’t support Sen. Clinton express unease about the tone of some attacks on her. “Why is it OK to say such horrible things about a woman?” asks Erika Wirkkala, who runs a Pittsburgh public-relations firm. “People feel they can be misogynists, and that’s OK. No one says those kinds of things about Obama because they don’t want to be seen as racist.”

Blog from feministe.us
March 30, 2008

Why calling out misogyny matters
Posted by: zuzu in Elections, Feminism, Misogyny
I’ve gotten a lot of criticism lately whenever I do a post about the primary, and, specifically, about misogynistic language or sexist framing used to tear down Hillary Clinton. Invariably, someone accuses (and it’s always an accusation) me of being a Clinton shill, or grills me about why I don’t write a whole bunch of balancing posts about racist language and framing being used against Obama, or tries to dismiss what I have to say because Clinton did X, Y or Z that the commenter found offensive.
I’m focusing on the misogynistic stuff thrown at Clinton because this, as you may recall, is a feminist blog. And while there are hundreds if not thousands of other blogs as well as entire networks and mainstream media outlets rushing to the defense of Obama (thus rendering anything I have to say pretty well redundant), there are few outlets calling out misogynistic attacks on Clinton and/or on her supporters. And it matters that somebody’s calling it out. It’s got nothing to do with who’s the better candidate, who should win, the “delegate math,” or what have you. Vote for whomever you feel like voting for; I’ve been on record from the beginning of the primary that feminists don’t have to vote for Clinton to be feminists, since feminists get to make up their minds the same as anyone else does. Of course, I’m also on record for letting the process play out, which seems to equate in some people’s minds to being pro-Clinton.
However, I have also been on record, for a very long time now, that using misogynistic language and framing to dismiss and diminish a woman you disagree with on the issues is damaging to all women. And I’ve been on record (as have my cobloggers) for a very long time that using such language and framing (and any other identity-based language and framing, such as homophobic, transphobic or fatphobic) is unacceptable even if the person you’re attacking is a really, really awful person who holds really, really awful ideas. Yes, it’s wrong even if the person uses sexist, racist or similar attacks against other people. As I said on one such occasion in November 2006:
We’ve been down this road before, kids. With Ann Coulter. With Michelle Malkin. With “pu#@y.” For that matter, with fat jokes. [And, as Lauren reminds me, with blackface.] And those arguments are no more valid now than they were then.

Of course the media is making a bigger deal out of it than it is! That shouldn't suggest that the vast majority of this country isn't ready to look past the color of somebody's skin or their gender to elect who we each are entitled to trust. Well, I would hope we've progressed enough to do so.

There is no trouble for Obama, it's just media propaganda to try to manipulate the American public. If it isn't a Federal crime, it certainly should be.

dabne, diode, clayjj05, maltest-whatever, JohnA - if you were a real person, you would know what to do and who to vote for. You are only susceptible to the manipulations because you allow yourself the same and similar self-deception. I pray for your souls. In the meantime, you would be best advised to not continue to deceive yourselves and pretend to know and understand the consequence of your position.

Thanks for participating in the "life experiment". At the end of this "life experience", you WILL be told where to go and what to do. Thank you!

For the rest of you; Vote for the politician who actually offers integrity, Vote for Obama.

Ricky64, One my name is not Matt

Personally, I decided to not vote for Obama when I saw that he had been worshiping with a racist,bigot for the past 20 years. Why would I want someone in the White House who spends 20 years with this racist and then when he runs for president all the sudden condemns him. Hmmm? He's not my president.

Obama's race will cost him some votes. Hillary's gender would cost her some votes. McCain's age will cost him some votes. What's the big deal? Romney's religion cost him the Republican nomination. That's just the way it is in America. Everyone has a bias! White, black, Republican, Democrat, it doesn't matter. People get behind people who think and act like they do. Everyone is different. A perfect world where everyone tolerates one another will never exist. Yes, there are some white people who will not vote for Obama because he is black. Yet, there are also some black people who will vote for Obama only because he is black. What's the difference?

Yes Malt when someone tries to deny my heritage I will be rude. Please make a note of this so you do not suffer the wrath of a pissed off Ricky. Respect is also a two way street. I didn’t insult Touchart on her opinion in respect to this discussion. I did so because she made an offensive accusation. If she is truly pained for those who suffer at the hands of racism then she should be smart enough to know that it is incredibly insulting for a black person to be told he is not black.

Current staffers made me edit my post. Ok I’m a hothead but I’m cute and I usually get away with this stuff. Apparently current staffers are A-sexual. Anyways I do think the media is spinning a lot of hype. I was born in the south and I’ve lived here my entire life and I know what it is like. I see the results of integration all the time. Hell I am the result of integration.

If Obama fails to get the white vote it will be because of a media and not racist southerners. Just the idea of southerners being inherently racist is RACIST!

I have been listening to Obama's speeches everywhere he has campaigned on youtube. This man is just a bunch of fluff. He has no specifics, he repeats himself over and over with the same speech just moves his words around to make the speech sound different.

I also noticed that he and his campaign PREYS ON THE YOUNG COLLEGE KIDS. Just as soon as he gets into your state, his campaign will hit those colleges because he knows these kids are vunerble. THIS MAN IS A PHONY AND HE IS A CON. He will not take any questions about his past and his associates like Rezko or terrosist Bill Ayers...etc. his comment is the following: "Look, I want to get beyond this, I want to look foward to the future, people don't want to hear about this," He will not answer specifics, all we know is that he stated on the last debate that he will raise taxes. He has no clue on the economy without taking Warren Buffet's words and using them as his own. PLEASE THINK BEFORE WE PLACE THIS INEXPERIENCE PERSON IN THE WHITE HOUSE

Ricky64, You are rude, The fact is Obama so many are getting stuck on trying to make them selves out to be a non racist as if that is going to get you somewhere or make you feel all warm inside.

But in short you are SEXIST because while you are trying to make yourself out to be something your not you are doing a former First Lady of the United States injustice and she is a Women. Put WAIT you can justify that.

TouchArt is Older then You and so am I we have been around longer then you and the problem is called respect.
Want some HEAT I can throw you plenty

Julie: From my previous response: Unfortunately however, the media will simply lump all of us into one neat little category and call us all racists. I suppose that is so much easier for them to do than actually having to discuss issues. In other words I agree with you but again, I also believe that for some it is a reason.

Wow, what a lively discussion after I invited everyone in my contact list to contribute. I think some people aren't addressing the issue in the article -- I'm not asking, "Does racism exist?" because we know that it does. I'm wondering if you guys think, as I do, that the media hyping of voters choosing foremost to not vote for a candidate based on race is accurate or not. If it's a self-fulfilling prophecy or not.

I think hotheaded Ricky84 and his whole flipping family (LOL) have it right that "The media is distracting everyone with race instead of promoting a healthy discussion" but look how easy it is to get distracted, offended and derailed by issues of race even amongst ourselves.

Racists in Virginia can spell? They probably don't vote anyway.

It doesnt matter what "racist" people think any ways! Lets all just point and laugh at them for being racist!

Wow TouchArt I really wanted to leave this alone but I’m sorry you’ve made me do this. Shady made it perfectly clear that he was white so you couldn’t have been talking to him. Marilynn’s remarks do not fit the bill either because she was pointing out an inconsistency in the reasoning of white people. Slow drive agrees with the article. John A’s remarks, while a little off key were addressing Obama supporters using the race card. This I disagree with by the way because what Obama was trying to say is that we shouldn’t make this an issue. He was not trying to say vote for me cause I’m part black and I’m oppressed.

Furthermore the article says exactly what you are saying so your comments can’t be directed at it or the white individuals interviewed within. So who the hell could you be directing your comment about not being black too? You go on to say that you respect every ones right to be but you fail to mention this elusive person who doesn’t believe in racism, and as you said is certainly not black. Really? I mean, REALLY? If I have made an error I’m sorry but it just seems a little ridiculous(or as you like to say comical) that you can’t even clarify who you were truly talking to.

You can’t say just because you have kids you get my generation anymore than you can say you understand black people just because you have black friends. Even if you were the coolest mom on the planet I don’t think you can say you get my generation. I’m sorry I just don’t buy it.

On a lighter note I apologize for coming off as inappropriate and offensive. Then again if you can’t take the heat get out of the kitchen. Heated debates will be just that. I’m not going to politely tell you that I am a southerner or multiracial if you challenge my credibility intentionally or unintentionally. If you’re going to engage in an online debate I suggest you keep that in mind.

I live in a state very simmilar only West Virginia has a higher pollution rating. Property values are low as well, and there is much poverty, and a large portion of our population is made up of the displaced appalachian steel and coal workers. My own grandmother came from the poorest county of Kentucky for that reason. That apalachian grandmother is a sixteenth african and is the great grand daughter of a freed slave and a Creek Indian. People are more complex than we often give them credit for. Appalachian voters are one of the disenfranchised groups in this country. I think that Baracks message of unity, and the Democratic plarform behind it is potent and it wont be prefaced by race. I think that the problem that most Obama supporters have with racialy charged comments is that they are often made with the preface, I'm not racist but, I don't want to be labeled as racist, and then that same preface is put in places where it doesn't belong. In reasoned debate, or in agruments as to experience. It invokes the spectre of race needlessy and thats irksome.

That video trailer is intense Jan, maybe I'll check that video out. Where can I get it?

I think Obama's style of politics just might not attract certain people like it does others. Some people are of course racist and will not even give Barack a fair shake, but I think that those people are a minority in this country. I also think a good amount of those people probably weren't going to vote Democrat in November anyways.

I think the real issue is Obama's rhetoric is not connecting with a certain culture in this country. I wouldn't pin it all on racism though.

Maybe Obama supporters (like myself) taking them seriously is a good way to get them to take Obama seriously.

Ricky84's response has nothing to do with what I wrote, nor what I think. I never gave one moment of thought to his race, where he comes from or who his family and white friends who he wants to flip me off to are. I respect his and every being's right to be.

His assumption that I am some old white woman who doesn't have a right to an opinion about "his people" is wrong. Raging at and about me is inappropriate.

The accusation that I am not in touch with young people is comical to my adult children 17, 20, 25 and 27 and all the people I work with of all generations, religions, races and ethnicities.

"divisive and condescending attitudes (hello touchArt)" is another of the many examples of the insults that Obama supporters and operatives hurl at people who won't join their "movement".

I am older than some on current and younger than others. My age and experience in many communities means I have seen things others may have not. As I respect your right to have your perspective and express your political opinion without insulting you, I expect that you will proffer the same human respect. Unfortunately, that has not been the tenor here too often. It is my understanding that the current community was created to expand communication.

Actually race was a factor with Colin Powell, one of the reasons he did not run for president was because he received death threats.

Let's not be naive, there are many racists in America who will never vote for a black person. That's not to say that there are many who could care less but to think that this attitude does not exist would be to deny the truth.

What gets me is how guarded the candidates are, lately, when trying to say something without offending anyone in the process. Is this where we've ended up? Dancing around the obvious so as to not feed the Media Machine? Bleh.

I have all the faith in the world that race will not be an issue in this campaign. Where are all the sexist, ageist slurs that Obama has thrown? I haven't heard them. The general population has questioned the wisdom of electing someone as old as McCain, with good reason he is seventy-two years old. Hillary is hands down the dirtiest campaigner in this race. Every time Obama tries to bring up the issues with McCain Hillary attacks him personally about being young inexperienced, naive.

lots of latent racism on this page.

that's a nice catch, Julie. I think that you exactly right, the race card was played by the media and not the Obama campaign. McCain speaks at Falwell's Liberty University and no one says boo. A black preacher says (before his insane rant at the NPC) 'godamn america' and suddenly people, because of the media, are up in arms.

i too think a vast majority of whites are ready to vote for a black man, just as there are plenty of men willing to vote for a woman. but divisive and condescending attitudes (hello touchArt) perpetuate and sustain silly labels and categories.

In West Virginia it could also be due to his pandering to the coal industry that is blowing up their state to strip mine it that many may not vote for him. Although, I do think there are those who will not vote for him because he is black just as I am sure there are those who have voted for him because he is black. The reality is that race is an issue to some just as gender is.

His race means nothing to me personally. His policies on climate change, war and terrorism, and healthcare do not excite me and I do not believe he is ready to lead this country. Unfortunately however, the media will simply lump all of us into one neat little category and call us all racists. I suppose that is so much easier for them to do than actually having to discuss issues.

Easy, those two didnt run for president. Theres always going to be prejudice and racism here in the US and all over the world. Some things are never going to change so all we can do is live with it.

Touch Art race will also be an issue to some but the point is that if we keep crying about it will only do more damage. We need to focus on the real issues. If Americas white population is not predominately racist (which I believe) then as I stated before, it only hurts us to keep race in the discussion. By the way I love how you try to say that I’m not black and have no idea how southern people feel.

If I was petty I’d send you a video of my white southern grandfather, my white southern father, my black mother and I. After that I’ll make a video of all my white friends. BTW I live in Florida. It doesn’t get any more southern than where I am at. See that’s the problem with the internet. People are allowed to make stupid accusations that they would never get away with in a face to face discussion.

Guessing from your AV I would say you’re much older than me. I’m going to assume this because I have no need to make baseless accusations. I went to primary school in a time where race was barely an issue. With every new generation negative sentiment between blacks and whites dissolves. So while I’m sure you have plenty of painful experiences with racism I doubt you really know what is going on with my peers today. Please I don’t need a white woman with an ulterior political motivation taking up the cause of MY people.

I’m here thank you. I can handle this discussion just fine. As an added note I’m not openly endorsing Obama so what is the purpose of bringing up his bad intentions? Wait a second! That’s right! We should be talking about real issues and not race. You see what I’m talking about now?

Hey I read the article you just failed to see the point I was trying to make. Just because Obama is the first real black contender (whatever that means) doesn’t make it that historically significant. Is air force one going to get hydraulics? Is the national anthem going to be revamped by Jay-z? What does it really mean to have a real black contender or president, seriously? It’s a footnote at best and it’s shoved down our throats by

A People who hold up our progressive ways like a kid displaying his crayon drawing to his mother

And

B Pessimists who have to say that a black guy will never be elected whether they endorse him or not.

The media is distracting everyone with race instead of promoting a healthy discussion. Every time a white person reads an article about this stupid issue his/her mind is diverted from what really matters. Why do we need to discuss race when we could be talking about what Obama really stands for? Like Julie said this is exactly what we don’t need.

West Virginia is not as backward as the article claims. I’ve been there several times. When I would go out to take advantage of the hills on my skateboard I didn’t cause an uproar. People were not running around their wrap around porches screaming, “Johnny go get the picture taker its one of those half breeds!” If the media would grow up and cover this election like adults Obama could have a chance.

Obama will lose in November, if the Dems don't count the votes of Florida and Michigan and put him up the the nomination against McCain.

It is almost comical to read how people think racism will not play into the race. Makes one wonder whether they've done much traveling across America. Makes one pretty certain, they are not black or people of color. Most of us, know from painful experience, just how much racism still pervades our country.

With the way Obama and his supporters have slung sexist and ageist slurs at Hillary Clinton and now Obama is taking the lead at throwing ageist attacks at McCain, he shouldn't be surprised that the Republican attack machine will turn around and throw racist and anti-muslim slurs at him.

People who throw stones, most often get stones thrown back at them. Obama says he takes a higher ground, but his words and actions, show a different Obama than the hope his followers want so desperately to believe in.

Judging from some of the comments here, I'm assuming some of you haven't read the LA Times article this post links to. If you think Obama being black in a state like West Virginia is a non-issue, you're delusional.

Part of the reason his candidacy is historic is because of his race. Contrary to some statements made here, Obama makes every effort to AVOID playing the "black candidate" card that many who've come before him have, but obviously the media will be unrelenting on this point.. considering it IS so incredible he's the first black person to be a serious contender for the president.

From the article:

"Neil Gillies, an Obama supporter who runs a local environmental nonprofit group, glumly recounted the gibes that his wife, a schoolteacher, hears regularly from her students. "They're convinced [Obama] is a Muslim, a terrorist, a guy who's coming to take away their guns," Gillies said. "It's just sad.""