Four More Years of Black Irrelevance
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by BAR executive editor Glen Ford
It is easy to spend hours on the insanity that falls under the general heading of Obamamania - the imagined positions taken by the candidate, the things never promised that Black folks swear to have personally heard and seen. But the great tragedy of the
current campaign season is the total failure of what passes for Black leadership to have any influence on the growing Obama phenomenon, a corporate manifestation that has never promised anything to Blacks, yet claims to be the center of a "movement." In truth, having sold their votes for nothing, African Americans have for some time been irrelevant to the current campaign discourse. At this late date, some progressives claim readiness to challenge Rightist tendencies in the Obama machine. But time ran out on that option long ago. Next time around, we'd better have a movement.
Four More Years of Black Irrelevance
by BAR executive editor Glen Ford
"Barack Obama never lied to Black people, since he never offered African Americans anything." 
Without really trying, in fact, without committing a single purposeful act, Black America has succeeded in rendering itself totally irrelevant this election season. About 90 percent of Black America has allied itself with a candidate that never promised them a damn thing. Four years ago, virtually nobody outside Chicago had ever heard of Barack Obama. He was packaged and presented by the Democratic National Convention in August, 2004 as the New Black Look and Attitude of the Party - a guy who would show both rows of teeth while claiming: "there is no Hispanic America, there is no Black America, there is no white America; there is only the United States of America."
Obama's speech writers didn't pen those lines for you (Black folks). These were the first of many messages to whites, especially males, that were meant to convey that Obama would do his utmost to downplay race as a subject of political discourse. The effect of this strategy would be to marginalize Blacks as a group while focusing attention on Obama as an individual. But despite the clear contradictions, millions of Blacks began to vicariously feel powerful because of Obama's actual location in the bosom of real power. Of course, Obama didn't get his power from you (Black folks), but from Goldman Sachs and other rich whites.
"Obama suspected he could get virtually every Black vote for free, and he was right."
In a literal sense, Barack Obama never lied to Black people, since he never offered African Americans anything. For their part, Black voters never requested anything from Obama. From Obama's standpoint, it turned out to be a perfect arrangement. Obama suspected he could get virtually every Black vote for free, and he was right. For the rest of the campaign, Black opinion was irrelevant. Black Americans appeared to fear that if they asked for the slightest political assurances on traditional Black concerns over peace, the social safety net, and race-based public policy responses to race-based problems, Obama might go poof!...and disappear. Who could say he wouldn't, since it wasn't Blacks who had summoned him to run for the highest office, in the first place? By saying nothing that might conceivably rock the Obama boat, Black voters (and so-called leaders) made themselves completely and utterly powerless to affect his campaign - which was fine with Obama and his corporate backers.
Once white males began voting in huge numbers for Obama, the last holdouts among Black voters came around. African American support for Obama became practically unanimous. And at what cost to Obama? Nothing. Better yet, Obama was now free to more brazenly woo Republicans and Reagan Democrats, knowing Blacks had become so cowed (or even delusional) they would pretend not to hear the overtures to the enemy. In Selma, Alabama, Obama claimed that Blacks had already come "90 percent of the way to equality" - a signal to whites that the days of Black racial agitation were nearly over. In Reno, Nevada, Obama expressed deep empathy with those Reaganites who had been so repulsed by the "excesses of the 1960s and 1970s." On Katrina, Obama declared that government "incompetence" after the storm "had been colorblind." If that were true, then every act of man in the aftermath of the hurricane was racism-free. That's Obama's position.
"Most of Black ‘leadership' was now busy concocting the greatest revision of history ever attempted by people of color."
Still, not a word from African American "leadership" - most of which was now busy concocting the greatest revision of history ever attempted by people of color. Having done nothing to shape the politics of the Obama campaign, Black spokespersons began describing Black mass voter support for Obama as a "movement." In this way, they could pretend that something besides a one-shot election campaign was underway - a campaign in which they were mere ciphers.
There was no movement; it was a total invention. Movements make demands on candidates and other notables. Movements have their own agendas. The movement would have preceded Obama on the scene and shaped him. Nothing vaguely like movement activity was happening in the Obama campaign, where Black and white progressive supporters behave more like groupies than activists.
Besides, it was already far too late for Blacks to have any impact on the Obama campaign. African Americans had never bargained with Obama, and were therefore in no position to demand anything from his machine. They couldn't even claim they'd been tricked, since nobody had ever promised anybody anything.
Because Black leaders in particular, and white progressives who should know better, had refused to pressure Obama during the early primary period, when the Left traditionally forces "liberals" to temporarily behave like progressives, the opportunity to make demands has long slipped away. The general election campaign has already begun, a period in which Democrats always move to the Right. Is anyone prepared to challenge the Rightists in Obama's organization?
Hell no. Nobody on the Left has any leverage on the Obama campaign, which has always been a corporate machine. The only option open to the Left is to pretend that they are standing like sentinels to ensure Obama doesn't capitulate to the people who already own him. The most pitiful communication on this subject comes from Tom Hayden, Bill Fletcher, Barbara Ehrenreich, and Danny Glover - the last of whom I consider an honest and decent fellow.
"The opportunity to make demands has long slipped away."
The self-styled "progressives" attempt to upend history and fool everybody, including themselves. The four claim that current conditions can be compared to the 1930s, when "centrist leaders" were compelled by activists "to embrace visionary solutions." There's a huge problem with that reasoning, however. In the 1930s, there were already strong movements existent before Franklin Roosevelt's 1932 and 1936 runs for the presidency. It was the movements - many of them communist-led - that shaped the Roosevelt campaigns and the New Deal, that in fact changed history. Today's four wishful signers insist that "even though it is candidate-centered, there is no doubt that the campaign is a social movement, one greater than the candidate himself ever imagined."
Really? Believe that hogwash when any of the loyal Lefties demand Obama discard his plans to add 92,000 addition soldiers and Marines to the total U.S. military ranks, at a cost of hundreds of billions of dollars and bringing with it the certainty of more wars. Never happen. The signers have already claimed the political campaign is a movement. Would they expose themselves as poseurs and fakers by making futile demands on the campaign, which is, after all, supposed to be one with the "movement?" Would they risk being told to shut up? No, it's too late for Hayden, Fletcher, Ehrenreich, and Glover to strut around as if they have options; they pissed all that away in the initial glow of Obamamania, and from now on will have to accept their status as hangers on.
In the greatest irony of all, Black voters have convinced themselves that they are in a stronger position than ever in history, when the exact opposite is true. Having asked for nothing but Obama's autograph, they will get nothing from him for the next four years. No doubt, this will be a period of deep humiliation - as it should be. We'll call it "The Years of Living Vicariously."
There is no substitute for a real movement. The Obama stage handlers have proven that, in the absence of a movement, they know how to construct something that looks much like the real thing - at least to those who are eager to believe. This election season, we had millions of eager believers, but very few real leaders and not enough movement builders. We will have four years to correct the mistakes of 2007-'08.
BAR executive editor Glen Ford can be contacted at Glen.Ford@BlackAgendaReport.com.
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Comments
Michael Hureaux
Michael Hureaux, Who said putting Obama in the White House is enough to change the country ???
Tell me ...
Stop playing
Ambro
Who said putting Obama in the white house is enough to change the country?
Barack Obama.
www.barackobama.com
In Democrat's Clothing
For those of you saying that we are wrong for critizing Obama and
that we aren't criitcal of the white candidates, you are mistaken. I know that the Caucasian candidates don't care about African Americans. We criticize Obama because we know that he does not have our interests at heart.
He is nothing more than a Republican in Democrat's clothing!
Wolves & Foxes
It does not matter which party,
they are both canines & in need of inoculations....
Neither Party really gives a damn about US!
We are in a long protracted war...
Infiltrate Agitate Mobilize & Organize.
March 19, 2007 LA Times Article about Obama...Hmmmm?
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-ehrenstein19mar19,0,7971670,pr...
WHOA!
Kid, since I am a critic of Obama that makes me a fan of Connerly? Are you out of your mind? Ks, myself, Karim, Anon, S. Murph, Michael Pyhre and various others are supporing Mckinney! We are the the proggressives on these issues not you guys who bend and twist logic to support Obama. Show me the Fanon quote. Show it to me. I have quoted Fanon extensively on this site and I have quoted Obama as well. And given the quotes I know from both it would be the height of hypocrisy for an imperialist and capitalist to quote the anti colonialist Frantz Fanon.
Ambro I realize there are differences between the US and Venezuela but they are more alike than you think. The vast majority of the wealth still resides in very few hands of a tiny elite. Chavez is not Lenin, Castro or Mihn he has not seized their property or accounts. He has taken land away from the incredibly wealthy who do nothing with it, but this is hardly 1919 Russia. These wealthy oppose him tooth and nail. Promegate racist attacks on him comparing him to a monkey or homophobic one which contends he and Fidel Castro are lovers. They had a coup against him they are doing everything to undermine his presidency. I see no reason were Mckinney somehow, which I said would be by miracle, that her presidency would probably be similar. I also said we will never know. Now I have addressed your point. Address my question, other than he is black what do you like about Obama?
Please
I've always differentiated fair criticism of Obama, and simple, pure hatred and reading Rapidfire12104 shows how delusional Obama bashers are...
There's a BIG diference between criticizing Obama for being a mainstream politician, and pretending that Obama does not have our interests at heart...
I have seen several times some folks on this site spitting insults and racial slurs against Obama that makes me wonder if all these people are really black...
I don't like Obama the politician, but I appreciate the man...
Matt
You pretend that McKinney is "real change" knowing well that she will never get elected and she won't change nothing even if elected...
RETHORIC...
Second thing, you HAVE NOT adressed my points...
Please
Believe me, I'mnot white! I think
Barack Obama is a con artist - he has everyone convinced that he has the solution for everything. But he doesn't! Did we follow and belive every word and action of Jesse Jackson or Shirley Chislom?
No, we listened and weigh all of heir positions. Before blindly followng anyone, you should see what his positions are on important matters.
The lamest statement yet from ambro...
...and that's saying something but it is funny that you are hollering RHETORIC at others when all you offering is bad rhetoric and poorly resaoned arguments.
"You pretend that McKinney is "real change" knowing well that she will never get elected and she won't change nothing even if elected..."
She will not get elected to POTUS but you base the latter part of your assertion on nothing of substance and yet you rail on and on and on. Listen, if you want to keep pretending that if this country changed to the point that it elected a "leftist" third party progressive black woman and she wouldn't change anything or that nothing would change or had changed to bring her into office, that's up to you.
Overall, you are not asking any intelligent questions or making any substantive points. You are merely continuing to hijack mozella's original question which YOU couldn't answer.
You tried to reverse the question and bizzarely substituted McKinney for Obama and think you are saying something when in fact you, amazingly, still don't realize that your substitution is frankly, idiotic. McKinney does not equal Obama. Anyway, I'm done indulging your diversionary foolishness on this point.
Victimism is addictive
Not unlike those freedom fighters that wake to a reality that they are no longer on the honerable side of the the fight and are now nothing more than the Terrorist, refusing to subscribe to the notion that the "struggle" in this country has changed from a race issue to a issue of class makes the Glen Fords and Mark Thompsons as damaging to the "Negro" community as Osama Bin laden is to the muslim community. I purposely used the term negro to draw attention to how outdated many Black leader position's are currently in this country. Take the Jerimiah Wright issue, The single most damaging issue to Obama's campaign to date is rooted in a 60's struggle mentality of the issue. We as a people are not being psuehd to the rear of buses , or denied a seat at lunch counters, or even (surprise) being kept out of the board room, as long as we have the money to pay the genral admission.
But if you aint got the entrance fee yo butt is Left at the curb REGARDLESS OF COLOR!!!!
Wake Up, and continue the trail Dr. King surveyed, the issue is economics and class, the Middle class is under attack, and will continue to be desimated as long as the Fat Cats can convince the leaders on both sides of the middle class to continue this petty in fighting.
Obama transends this petty bickerign , and thus doesn;t align himself with polarizing figures on either side, and instead addresses the fact that we must RESPECT EACH OTHER, AND COME TOGETHER , not as Black America, or White America , or Brown America, but AMERICA.
Eric that doesnt make sense
"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop.
And I don't mind.
Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!" Martin Luther King Jr.
This is a collectivist message calling for collective struggle against a collective problem. He delivered it the night before he was assasinated in support of striking sanitation workers. Forget Barack Obama and his capitalist, imperialist worship of the individual and of "Oprah money". He has nothing to do with Dr. King nor does King have anything to do with this so called Black middle class.
Who cares?
"I don't like Obama the politician, but I appreciate the man... "- Ambro
I hear Al Gore is a hoot and Bob Dole is a crack up. Who gives a damn? Is this relevent? Are these points I have yet to address?
Ann
Hilary Clinton has voted for free trade agreements throughout latin america which will further depress wages against workers here and there. She has continued to vote for the funding of an imperial war as well as the authorization to begin it. She has said, "we have given the iraqi people the gift of freedom" in describing this murderous imperial war. This is not even addressing the horrors commited by her husband. Please investigate Hilary Clinton and the legacy of her husband more carefully.
What would Cynthia change?
Ambro,
Your needle's stuck, man. You repeatedly ask what would Cynthia McKinney change?
Why don't you vote for her and find out. I know I will.
Hey Matt
Hey Matt,
You didn't read his book,huh? You can hear it on Reich Wing radio.Obama's minister is voting for him,the nation of islam is voting for him,the new black panthers are voting for him.Gallagher plays the shit out of his Fanon comment.He loves Fanon.
The others
All the people on the list of Progressives for Obama seem to be decent people. Dennis Kucinich did a great job in calling for a just settlement for the Palestinians.
Kid I believe you but...
I have read Fanon. I have read Wretched of the Earth 3 times and constantly reread certain chapters such as the pitfalls of national consciousness. I have read Black Skins White masks but can never seem to find a dying colonialism. I have Obama's dreams of my father somewhere laying around and I have read bits of it but no not the entire thing. I have read through Audacity of Hope and I could critique that but Paul Street does a much better job and you should check out his review on Obama's literary forays.
I would like to see the direct quote thats all I am saying. Regardless of that, Obama has also said that his policies abroad would resemble Reagans. I have El Salvadorian friends who could tell you a bit of what that type of policy looks like. He has called John Mccain a good man and an American Hero. Do you believe Mccain is a good man? He said "We’re the party of Jackson, who took back the White House for the people of this country." Do you believe having ideological ties to a Genocidal maniac like Andrew Jackson is something to boast about? If you want to give him credit for a Fanon reference please explain these other proclomations about Mccain, Jackson and Reagan.
Hey Matt
Hey Matt,
If you have questions go to his wedsite.When he went to Indiana instead of Memphis it was a way to link RFK and MLK together.He use quotes about McPain,Jackson and Reagan and spin it his way. Check out Taylor Marsh blog and see what they will call him today. They call him gay and a undercover Muslim, the same with sugarand spice blog.
Kid
Yeah but Clinton is called a lesbian and a socialist. The first is irrelevent and the second absurd. These attacks are meaningless and does not mean we should run to the defense of people who do not share our values. Obama and I do not share values. Nor do I share values with that capitalist/imperialist Clinton. So when some crackhead like Coulter or Malikin attack these people I dont see why we should care. I dont see why we should care what people like that say one way or the other.
no democrat for president can now be elected in the us. the south , southwest, and west, indiana ,ohio, michigan, pennsylvania will vote republician.the us will continue its drift towards economic collapse and totalitarianism.
Let me count the ways I do not care for King Obama
Let's see, he is direspectful and condescending to women ( see Hillary Clinton), he allows people to misrepresent his record on the Iraq war-which he has totally supported financially, he is always playing the race card and that embarrasing so-called race speech was just more of his lite drivel. But I finally remember what set me against him in the first beginning- remember when the House challenged the 2004 election results in Ohio and they needed a senator to sign on with them? Right. Mr. Obama was NO WHERE TO BE FOUND. Only the California senator (Boxer) stood up. If this character had been any different from the average morally challenged politician- he would have started off his tenure in the Senate by doing the right thing. The more I hear and read about this joker, the less I like him. I am not saying the white girl (Hillary) is any better. What I am saying is that people did not get their heads beat in and lose their lives for me to vote for a weasel like King Obama.
I am a Straight Up Junkie and...
I need my Wednesday Real-News fix from BAR God-dang it!
My poor people
BAR convey to the people a clear message that sadly on few can hear. But keep up the fight.
Clinton bashing
Matt -- I have read about Sen. Clinton and your understanding of her positions on free trade and the Iraq war is false. She voted against the free trade bill with Colombia just today. All of your arguments are the BO talking lies, it's ridiculous.
If you read the speech that Hillary gave on the floor of the Senate on the day she cast her vote for the authorization for military force she made it absolutely clear that she was not authorizing war but inspections and the reason she was voting for it was because she understood the needs of a president when negotiating with a tyrant like Hussein.
BO also voted to fund the war and used none of his special skills to unite individuals to ensure a veto proof majority on war bills with timetables for withdrawal.
Sen. Clinton went to New Orleans to speak at the State of the Black Union despite the fact that she has been vilified and accused of racism by the Obama campaign. She has never shied away from speaking and standing up for the black agenda even when she is being treated like crap by people who used to be friends and colleagues.
I understand that people wish she would be more like a Kucinich with regard to the military, but as a Senator from NY she understands the need for military strength and national security. Sen. Obama runs as an anti-war candidate but yet has never stood firmly against the war, and has shown no leadership in the Senate towards ending the war, and says reckless things like if Al Queada is in Iraq he'll go back in, he'll keep a mercenary army in Iraq, and he'll bomb Pakistan. I have no idea whether he is a hawk giving a dove's speech or simply a nitwit.
And, as far as fighting for economic equality and ending poverty, Sen. Clinton is a far superior candidate to Obama and McCain. I'm guessing it's sexism or BO's successful transmutation of GOP hillary-hate into the Dem party that keeps most of you from even talking about her candidacy.
Taylor Marsh
Kid -- I frequent taylor marsh's site often and we don't call BO a muslim or gay. In fact anytime the story of the guy and the BJ come up people are quick to say that there's no truth to it and we don't want to go there. The same with the muslim argument.
The people who frequent Taylor Marsh are for Hillary and most of us hate BO because he has waged a vicious and sexist campaign against Hillary and her supporters. We are on the blogs and are assaulted day in and out by BO supporters and their name calling lies regarding Sen. Clinton. It disgusts us and we'll never support his candidacy as a result. But it is his inexperience, his arrogance, his caucus and blog bullying, and his "give you a kiss" and taking for granted approach to Hillary supporters that has turned us off. Plus, we cannot accept his 20 year relationship and attendance to and in a racist and anti-American church.
Despite his apparent view that "typical white people" are racist, the truth is that white people fought to end slavery, marched in Selma, worked for the voting rights act, and the civil rights act. This is not to take away from the great strength of black Americans and all that they have had to endure and all that they have had to fight for -- but racism against whites is as untrue and unhelpful as racism against blacks and Sen. Obama and Rev. Wright don't seem to understand that not all whites are racists.
Hey Ann
Hey Ann,
Your're Lying.Taylor Marsh, sugarandspice,hyper educated uppity woman ,called him gay,a junkie,a tom,a millitant, and said his church is racist. Rev.Wright got flavor. He told the truth. O'reilly wants to lynch his wife, BUT not just yet.My father said you can tell when a black man is doing his job by how white folks hate him. Barack is doing a GREAT JOB.I don't like how Hillary "sista soulja" him. The more me and my friends read sugars site the more Barack people you got , keep up the bad work.
Ann and crazy talk
Ann thats all crazy talk she voted for free trade with Peru and her husband passed NAFTA. Clinton is a) a liar b) a capitalist and c) an imperialist. This is the same woman who has said "we have given the Iraqis the greatest gift you can give we have given them freedom" who backed Uribe's aggression towards Ecuador and then criticized Chavez, who voted to authorize the war in Iraq and who quite simply isnt worth a damn. What black agenda has she ever stood for? Babbling about how King and Johnson worked together? Johnson was an imperialist, a racist and an asshole. Forget Clinton. I dont back Obama. I dont back Clinton. I am neither a racist nor a sexist. I am an anti capitalist and an anti imperialist.
Ann and racism against whites
Oh yes Ann because I remember when Africans kidnapped Europeans and brought them to a new continent, changed their names, forced them to work on plantations, seperated families, bred them and killed them on a whim...oh wait. I too remember when the Navajo invaded Western Europe destroyed their food supply, tricked them with biological warfare compared them to wolves, placed their leaders heads on sticks and herded them into reservations... oh wait. I remember when Mexico waged an aggresive war against the United States and stole half the country...oh wait. Or when Vietnam fire bombed the whole country and called everyone gooks...oh wait. Come to grips with history. This country was founded on racist imperialist white supremacist doctrines. Jefferson was a white supremacist so was Lincoln. The struggle against the precepts and legacies of white supremacy are far from over and pointing them out is not racist. Its factual.
Cynthia McKinney American Blackout
If anyone wants to know what Cynthia McKinney is really made of should get the video "American Blackout".
If the Democratic Party had half the heart she pocesses, this country would be on its way to recovery.
Let me count the ways I do not like King Obama #2
He is disrespectfu and condescending to Black people.Did I read on hear that Mr. Obama did not go to Memphis on the Martin Luther King, Jr. anniversary because he wanted to connect Dr.King with Mr.Robert Kennedy? Why on earth would he need to link Dr. King with a gabacho/white politician? ESPECIALLY a white politician who DID NOTHING TO STOP the terror attacks against Black people when he could have done so. He was a bystander just like his brother the president(JFK) and allowed Black folk to be injured and killed by haters. The legacy of Dr. King stands alone and does not need a payaso like King Obama to try and redefine it. He should have been in Memphis on April 4, yet once again he distances himself from anything Black as he pretends race does not matter. Who really believes he did not know what Rev. Wright was saying. Either he knew he was telling truths and believed them or he completely used Rev. Wright for his own nefarious purposes. Who could really admire an individual who has said the things he has said about Rev. Wright-even if it was a prearranged deal-and be willing to put him in the job of president of the usofa?
Touched a nerve
I'll just respond collectively to the word lashing I just received.
First, I agree -- white, male, patriarchy has been responsible for the reprehensible treatment of many minorities. If you read with your eyes open you'll see that I acknowledge that. But, it is racism to make all whites racists, and perpetrators of the crime of oppressing blacks. If you look at the world as blacks being one way and whites the other you live in a racist paradigm and there is no opportunity for racism to ever end unless we destroy our skin and become something other than who we are.
My point is to say while white imperialism and slavery were horrific, they would undoubtedly still be the tragic mindset and practice today if whites as well as blacks didn't sacrifice life and treasure for freedom. The people reading this article seem to want a candidate who will do the most to move the country forward toward economic equality and the end of racist inequality. (Or maybe I'm wrong -- maybe the readers here want black power, even if it is not in the interest of blacks ala Clarence Thomas or Condaleeza Rice. I don't know.) What I do know is that BO never talks about economic inequality or ending poverty. If you look at his Chicago district, more people are living in poverty after his terms in office than before.
I also know that sexism is a real as racism and in some ways our slavery status, although not as severe, still continues. I also know that Hillary Clinton's agendas for education, economics, health care, and energy are the most progressive and the most positive for minorities and women.
Rev. Wright is a racist. It's absurd for anyone to argue that he's not.
Ann these questions are bigger than the election
And in fact bigger than just this country. We are talking about the past 500 years of robbery and despolation in which Western Europeans slaughtered and exploited the world. The one group to escape this in modern history were the Japanese and they began doing the same to their Asian neighbors but for the most part the past 500 years has seen the theft, robbery and brutality of the European rape the world blind. I am not racist in pointing this out. It is in fact the imperialists who were the racists. And racism was merely a veneer an excuse for the true crime which was is and has always been exploitation. The so called White Man's Burden has now been replaced by Humanitarian Interventions they are virtually identical in logic and application though the offensive nature of racial superiority has been dropped. The honest reality is that America is raping weaker nations blind. A few of them White such as the countries of the fallen Soviet Bloc which are quickly racing to third world status. Racism was also applied by the British against the Irish in a great many documents, Charles Kingsley for instance referred to the Irish as "white chimpanzees." So you see racism is merely an excuse a cover a sleight of hand for the real crimes which have always been crimes of profit. It was not Spanish arrogance that robbed the New World nor British sensibility that forced India into starvation nor confused Pontiffs who justified the transatlantic slave trade. It is and has always been profit driven.
Back to the election you maybe right Clinton may very well be talking more about race and poverty than Obama. In criticism of Obama I have raised this point as well. The problem is she is a craven liar and is trying to attach herself to the horrid brutal legacy of Bill Clinton.
What did Wright say that was racist. "We are poor black people living in a country controlled by rich white men"? What made me laugh was how Obama responded to that by doing an exclusive interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, son of Gloria Vanderbilt. A Vanderbilt! Literally a Vanderbilt!
Ann,
I'm an Obama supporter, and it truly does not bother me that you are not.
My concern is your need to put the brother down to uplift hillary. WTF has hillary ever done for black people? She claims 30 years of service, show me where she has improved the lives of black people? What bills did she sponsor? what laws did she help pass?
Where was she when her husband was involved in the largest prision build up in the history of this country, and of course stocked the prisons with black and brown men. Was she baking cookies, or dodging sniper fire?
Where was hillary when bill pushed through nafta that had a crippling effect on the black caribbean island/states, where was she?
So spare me the hillary care about black people sentiments.
Hillary and Barack represent the same interest, and all things considered, I'm voting Black!
sunny
Isn't it disrecpectful and condescending from Obama bashers to claim that african americans only vote for Obama because he's black ????
Ms Ann
Ms Ann, you TalkeN Big Paternal Poo Poo!
& It Reeks...
Sorry about your feminist hopes, but "Billary" is an 'Act' long expired & will not be renewed.
& Reverend Wright is no Racist HE SPOKE the TRUTH!
America is Guilty oF Crimes Against Humanity Lady.
& Whether Politically Correct or Not...
CHICKENS DO COME HOME TO ROOST.
DO You actually think Black Folks are supposed to just take the Historical Crimes of Caucasiods against them in Stride & just Shut Up & be Happy with tha Social Crumbs of Integration??
Yes there has been some progress,
But overall, the "Masses" of Blacks are just as deprived as ever and we are daily filling Americas Prisons more than ever before!!
Missy Ann, Due to & because of 400 years of Murder, Torture, Lies & Deceit at the Hand of Euro-Americans, I am kinda sorta distrustful of some folkz...
However, a Ominous Storm is coming to America & if we don't find a way to work together and really change things, this Nations Socio-Politico Imperialist Militarist excesses is going to bring down Wrath of JUSTICE on OUR Heads.
I actually Hate the Idea of A Blackman having to take the Office of President at this Time, & inherit all this FUBAR!!
But Oh well, that's Been Our Legacy from day one ;)
SAM_NJ
Yeah right, vote for Cynthia McKinney and the world would be a better place...
Pfff... what a joke... And tell me how she would move her agenda ????
Wow
Matt -- I totally agree with you. Racism and imperialism and cultural and ethnic wars have been violent, horrific and devastating to the world community. I think it is simplistic to talk about it in terms of white and black, however. Capitalism and imperialism have transcended color to be about greed and power which knows no ethnic or racial bounds.
Rev. Wright is racist because he holds white people as responsible for all the poverty and abuse and deterioration in the black community. This is no different than a white person holding black people responsible for all crimes and violence and drug use. Neither is true and it is racism to be fighting against skin color rather than behavior.
Your accusation that Hillary is a craven liar is wrong, unhelpful and denigrates your entire argument. Look at what she's done, at what she's trying to do.
Former Pres. Clinton did many things that I didn't agree with, but his movement away from trickle down economics and the reagan strategy of building the wealth of the rich and hoping it will work its way down to the poor. President Clinton actually taxed the wealthy and gave relief to the poor such that they earned more and had more under his presidency than they had before or since.
If you listened to or read Hillary's remarks at the Black State of the Union she has a plan to make sure everyone has health care and that people are lifted out of poverty into the middle class and there is less disparity between the wealthy and the middle class.
Imhotep -- it's laughable to me that you say I can't support Hillary without putting down BO, and yet you proceed with your hillary attacks. There's no comparison -- BO and his supporters are perpetuating this "craven liar" "witch" "b*tch" "will stop at nothing" etc. line of attack against Hillary. It is completely devoid of merit and it comes from the GOP and it's abhorrent that a Democrat has chosen this strategy to attack his opponent.
She has sponsored many, many bills. She has been working to on first responder, veterans, children's and family health care initiatives since the failure of universal health care. To compare Hillary's and Barack's legislative records it is,again, laughable that Barack is even on the national stage.
As to where Hillary was while Bill was signing NAFTA, Hillary was being first lady. It is fully documented that in private she told Bill she didn't like NAFTA, but as was her role she didn't talk publicly about her position. This misunderstanding about her experience as first lady is sexist ignorance. So many don't understand that women have experience that is their own even when married. Hillary has never claimed that she was president and responsible for Bill's decisions -- she had her own experience as first lady, she did her own work, ran her own office and staff. It's safe to say she's much more knowledgeable about the role of president than most -- she had a pretty good view of what the job entails. I wasn't saying that Hillary cares about black people, personally I don't think she views the world that way -- she's more interested in ending poverty and reviving the moral and compassionate America that she believes we are.
Onwuku -- it's difficult for me to respond because your post is sexist and ridiculous. You are certain Hillary won't be the president and I am certain Obama won't be, so that leaves us with McCain. I guess the good thing about McCain as president is it will justify the hate that you harbor for America and for it's white imperialism and oppression. There is a good I suppose about having a common enemy -- it generates cohesiveness and fire within a group - a passion to unite.
I'm more of MLK activist. The crimes against humanity, against women and blacks is great...but, I fight to make change where I can and accept that having Hillary Clinton ending the war, and taxing the wealthy and getting health insurance for everyone, and having a new GI Bill of Rights, giving 12 months off for every 12 months served in active duty, and forestalling home foreclosures, and finding a cure for breast cancer, and making college affordable, and increasing the minimum wage and making it rise with inflation, and creating new jobs, and, on and on...that this is better than the alternative. Is it the end of racism, oppression and imperialism? Of course not. But if it increases the income of the average black family by 4000 dollars a month back to the level it was when Bill Clinton was in office...well that's just a small step in the right direction.
FOR THE RECORD: Qualifications of Clinton and Obama
Who is more Presidential??
“Let's take a closer look at who's really qualified and or who's really working for the good of all of us in the Senate. Obama or Clinton.
Records of these two candidates should be scrutinized in order to make an informed decision.
Senator Clinton, who has served only one full term - 6yrs. - and another year campaigning, has managed to author and pass into law - 20 - twenty pieces of legislation in her first six years.
These bills can be found on the website of the Library of Congress
www.thomas.loc.gov.
1. Establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site.
2. Support the goals and ideals of Better Hearing and Speech Month.
3. Recognize the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
4. Name courthouse after Thurgood Marshall.
5. Name courthouse after James L. Watson.
6. Name post office after Jonn A. O'Shea.
7. Designate Aug. 7, 2003 , as National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
8. Support the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
9. Honor the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the bicentennial of
his death.
10. Congratulate the Syracuse Univ. Orange Men's Lacrosse Team on winning
the championship.
11. Congratulate the Le Moyne College Dolphins Men's Lacrosse Team on
winning the championship.
12. Establish the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution
Commemorative Program.
13. Name post office after Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda.
14. Honor Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation and express
condolences on her death.
15. Honor John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, firefighters who
lost their lives on duty. Only five of Clinton 's bills are, more substan tive.
16. Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11.
17. Pay for city projects in response to 9/11
18. Assist landmine victims in other countries.
19. Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care.
20. Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as
protected in the wilderness preservation system.
There you have it, the fact's on Mrs. Clinton straight from the Senate Record.
Senator Barack Obama's, list is too far more substantive, so I'll mainly categorize.
During the first - 8 - eight years of his elected service he sponsored over 820 bills.
He introduced:
233 regarding healthcare reform,
125 on poverty and public assistance,
112 crime fighting bills,
97 economic bills,
60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills,
21 ethics reform bills,
15 gun control,
6 veterans affairs...
His first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills
and Barack Obama has co-sponsored another 427.
These included:
The Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 - became law,
The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, - became law,
The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed the Senate,
The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, - became law,
The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill, In committee...
In all, since entering the U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 bills
and Senator Barack Obama has Co-sponsored another 1096 Bills.â€
Again: these bills can be found on the website of the Library of Congress
www.thomas.loc.gov.
Hilary Clinton has absolutely no interest in ending poverty
Nor does anyone coming out of the DLC. That is just a delusional claim. Hilary Clinton has recieved enormous funding from various industries including the healthcare industry. Her plan for universal healthcare is actually a huge boon for such industries. In her speaches she continues to talk of a hidden tax everytime someone uses the emergency room without insurance. That is straight Gingrich with that kind of talk. Hilary Clinton is also an imperialist and criticizes people who are doing good things like Hugo Chavez and gives free passes to union murdering bastards like Uribe. She speaks of Iraqis taking responsibility for their country and in no way shape or form recognizes this was an imperial war for resource shrouded in ridiculous lies, just as her husband's attacks on Yugoslavia had been. There is nothing worth liking about Hilary Clinton. Also dont make the ridiculous claim I am taking Obama talking points. Look at my commentary on him.
Quoting ann
"Rev. Wright is racist because he holds white people as responsible for all the poverty and abuse and deterioration in the black community. This is no different than a white person holding black people responsible for all crimes and violence and drug use. Neither is true and it is racism to be fighting against skin color rather than behavior"
Firstly he said rich white people. While the majority of rich people in this country are white, the majority of white people are not rich. Thats a foolish mistake to make and I don't. We are all victims of the incredibly wealthy. Neither Clinton nor Obama will attack what is at the root of this. Capitalism. So I dont support either of them.
Now lets adjust your statement using the neglected use of Wright's word rich.
Rev. Wright is racist because he holds (rich) white people as responsible for all the poverty and abuse and deterioration in the black community. This is no different than a white person holding (rich) black people responsible for all crimes and violence and drug use.
Now there is a difference. One is clearly and most obviously true and the other quite ridiculous. If you care about poverty as you claim to, and I have no reason to doubt you do as you seem like a generally decent person, dont vote for Clinton. Vote Mckinney, Nader hell if you can vote for the socialist canidate Brian Moore.
Struggle
Matt
Overall...
*U* Kinda like sharp 4Real Kid.
Keep SwingingN Baby*
Congressional record false
Onwuku -- that is an incomplete record of Sen. Clinton's congressional legislation. You shouldn't be spreading that false meme -- it was created by the BO campaign and it completely misrepresents the facts.
Matt -- I apologize for the BO talking point comment. I can't tell his Hillary-hate from anyone elses. Again, I apologize.
Also, I understand your point about the money influences in WA and how BO and HRC don't really embody true activism. I heard today BO will have spent 234 million dollars on his campaign.
I don't think Hillary is a saint and I do think that progress under her administration will be progressive but not revolutionary. Less people lived in poverty under President Clinton than lived in poverty under Bush or Reagan. It isn't the end all, but it's something. If BO is the nominee I will vote for McKinney.
To your correction about Rev. Wright's speech...don't you think that there's a perception being put forth that all white people are rich? I know it's not true...but, when I hear Rev. Wright I hear racism. I don't hear him talking about class struggle and the need to end poverty, I hear him trying to energize a group of people to revolt against a common enemy and in so doing help themselves.
I really appreciate your point of view, Matt. Thanks for talking with me. ann
Fraid not Ann...
Obamas Record is correct.
If Billary's is not complete;
Then what's missing??
U R in denial...
Obama's gonna spank dat bootie in Pennsylvania...
& then walk through Nutcase McCain.
Can you say President Obama;)
Nope -- can't and won't
Onwuku -- I appreciate your optimism and your faith in your candidate. I think your Billary insult is childish and reflective of the campaign tactic that has and will, ultimately, cost BO the presidency if, in fact, he does prevail to be the nominee.
You don't really believe BO is going to win in PA do you? That's a pipe dream.
But, even if the nomination is given to BO by some self-serving Democrats like Kerry who only want to run again in 4 years and know that BO will lose, thus opening the field for Kerry next time, the hard fact is that BO needs Democrats like me to vote for him or he won't carry MA, NY, CA, PA, NJ, FL or OH, or MI. I know you BO believers think he's going to win ID, MT, SC and whatever and that you can afford to lose all the Dem strongholds. Sorry, it's another nice and crazy dream.
Fact is BO needs the very voters he has treated like crap and we're not going to vote for him. We'll vote McKinney or McCain before voting for a Dem that betrays us. McCain is awful, but at least he's supposed to be our enemy.
Ann
There really isnt a terrible ammount of difference between the canidates and both admit it. I would just as I do when talking to Obama supporters suggest voting for Mckinney.
Shame on you Ms Ann
Naw Chicka' its you that are Dreaming...
You do not want or can't handle the truth.
I think you are a sinister sexist, fiendish feminist, presumptuous patronizing rancous racist...
& Honey Chile, It really doesn't matter what you think & will ultimately do, because jez like "Billary" you would rather scourch & burn the so-called 'Democratic Party' than accept the Peoples Choice*
You are only loyal to your twisted ego,
White Supremacy is Dead... so go to McCain if you want, you will be buried with him.
A Change iz a ComiN:)
Why waste a vote
Of course McKinney is the superior candidate & in an alternate reality
she may be elected...
But in the here & now,it is not even serious thought.
Masturbation don't make babies...
America ignored Bush's Smirk & Cheney's Scowl & got FukKked...
Ignore McCains Insanity & the Nations gonna get Murdered*
Please don't waste your vote, weight & measure and make the best choice*
See that's what I'm talking about
Onwuku -- the insulting post followed by the appeal doesn't work -- not on me and not on the millions of sexist, fiendish, rancorous racists that BO and people like you have created.
BO has done more to set back race relations in the US than any progressive politician that I can name. If the contest is between McCain and BO, McCain will prevail because BO refused to recognize the voters of FL and MI and because he and his supporters treated half the Democratic Party like garbage. No matter how much you change your tune and reform your ugly, disgusting language, we won't vote for BO. He'll have to have the favor of an awful lot of Repugs in order to make up for the loss of half the democrats.
Change is coming, that's for sure. It just won't be the kind of change you're expecting.
No that's what I'm Talking about
lol
Its your story Ann
Tell it like you want too:)
But in "Realty" Mr Barack Obama has already Changed America for the "Better";)
I am so sorry that You have not been able to grasp this.
& NO Obama did not create people like you, White SicKPreamcy has been here for years...
& No matter how many of you gather together You are Actually a tiny, shrinking, Dying Minority*
Yall are "Legends in your Own Mind"
& Either by Divine Design
or Natural Selection
the World has Evolved Beyond YOU...
Fortunatly for the Species,
There are many many Healed, Healthy Progressive White People
& I Love them Dearly
& They Rally behind Senator Barack Obama!
& Sweet Heart If you Include FL & MI in a Re-Vote; Obamas going to Take That Too*
No No No I'm not changing my tune McKinny is a better candidate, but she doesn't have a realistic chance of being elected...
& Mz Thang as far as contrary language is conserned how dare you chide me you Arrogant, Pompus Condescending, Fem......lol
Ann leave me alone!
I don't want to play with *U* anymore!!
Anyway I still Love you Beloved*
& I will be Hoping & Praying that WE ALL get a Better Understanding
& Somehow Someway Come Together
& have an Orgy of Love & Cooperation!
You have a Good One Kidd
(*U* lil scrapper)
& Behave Yourself;)