Hey GCers
 

Hey Political GCers. What do you think about Muslims feeling hurt or angered because Obama has yet to personally visit Mosques or other Islamic gatherings?

Take a look at this NY Times article for example:
Muslim Voters Detect A Snub from Obama

On a side note: I should point out that Obama staffers are not in charge of seating people at rallies. I've been to an Obama rally so to my knowledge local volunteers do the seating. It is not Obama's fault those two Muslim young ladies were told they couldn't sit behind him in a rally....though it still doesn't make it right.

Also he has taken pictures with women before in Muslim dress (I saw them on CNN) I'll post some later when I find them...

I think that, if he is visiting churches and buildings affiliated with other religions, he should also visit buildings affiliated with Islam. I know that this will just provide fuel to the fire for the Republican fear tactics that are being used on Americans but hey, it's the right thing to do.

He has to be an honest man about it. Either stop going to churches (if he's going - not sure) or go to the mosques too. You really can't have it both ways.

SC

i think his handlers should back up on this. Barack Obama appeals to everyone, regardless of faith. his people don't want to seem as if he could actually be a Muslim by him going to mosques, having Muslims in the audience, etc. alienating a particular group isn't helping him at all, IMO.
i did like that he personally apologized to the two Black women who felt slighted by being forced to move at an event. i'd rather Sen. Obama not have to constantly do such b/c of his people.

Obama should visit a place of worship for every "mainstream" religion in America.

Agreed. :cool:

Just what I was thinking! He has done an Economic Tour and is scheduled to do a Biography Tour and a Foreign Policy Tour, why not a Faith Tour? He has reached out to Evangelicals and Jews, why not Muslims and other Christian groups (ie Catholics)?

I ran across this today http://www.moremuslimthanobama.com/moremuslimthanobama/...

Is there an "atheists for Obama" yet? Is atheism one of the mainstream religions in America? I know they are far outnumbered by Christians, Jews, and Muslims.

Vey interesting question. I found an Atheist for Obama online group on his website. It has over 500 members.

IMO I don't think he should touch Atheism with a ten foot pole i.e. visiting any atheist conventions, gatherings, etc. I've observed that other than someone proclaiming they worship satan that atheism seems to be the ultimate taboo for many people of faith. Not only would this definitely turn the evangelicals off, but atheists make up something like 2% of the world's population & here in the USA we're more religious than most countries so if I had to guess I'd say that percentage would probably be smaller here...They're just not big enough to make or break Obama...

Agreed! A Faith Tour would be the best way to go about giving equal attention to all three mainstream religions and would futher support his campaign theme of uniting all people.

Isn't there a difference between atheism and satanism? Atheists wouldn't believe in satan either, right?

Oh well...not to get into that...it is interesting that there's an atheists for Obama group but he needs to be careful with that. I agree with you. Campaigning to atheists would definitely alienate the nonatheists.

Yes, there is a difference. What you said sounds about right. But I wasn't really equating atheism and satanism. I was moreso talking about how atheists are viewed by people of faith. I was saying the perception associated with atheism is about as negative as one can get excepting perhaps taboo practices i.e devil worship, etc.

I agree. That's the perception and that would scare the crap out of Obama supporters who are worshippers. It would also scare the crap out of nonsupporters and be used as another thing against Obama.

hijack/
Before I actually met an atheist (a Black man in a BGLO frat), I equated atheists with people who worship the devil or who would worship ANYTHING other than God. His take on it was that he is a firm believer...that there is no Higher Power, spiritual realm, or afterlive to believe in.

I still find atheists to be confused and lost souls but they find Believers to be lost souls who are in search of SOMETHING to believe in other than humanity. :)

/hijack

I find it interesting that you met a real-life atheist (I know I sound like they are aliens or something! LOL!)

I have actually encountered a few atheists but only formally met 2. The black one was the first. The second was a man who is married to an acquaintance of mine. She came from a strict religious background so she and her family were...thrilled...when she ended up "stuck" with him. I won't get into that. :(

I know some agnostics, but I don't think that I know any atheists.

Agnostics...is that the religion where one thinks there might be something out there but they're not sure what? Are they Obama supporters?

Yes. One of my closest friends is agnostic.

Some of them are, including my friend. :)

She's white and a super-Liberal Democrat. We disagree on religion and certain aspects of politics (for one, I'm not a Dem and I'm not staunchly Liberal) but we agree on issues of race, gender, and sexual orientation. It balances out.

Obama/Biden 2008. that works for me:D i believe they'll make a great team.

I think that they will as well. I was kind of hoping for Gen Clark, especially since he called McCain out about using his POW service as a crutch. However, I think Biden, my current state senator, will be able to play that role as well. He will be able to fulfill all roles that Obama needs him to do in order to win this election and to govern the country for the next 8 years!

I love the fact that Sen. Biden is considered "loose lippped" and outspoken. LOL! I like tell-it-like-it-is folks. On top of it all, he's also known for being somewhat of a comedian. I didn't see the actual debate, but I say a clip of his response to a question merely being "Yes." It made me laugh for about three minutes. Clearly I couldn't have been in the audience or I would have been escorted out. I'm ready for the VP debates!! Sen. Biden chew up his oppenent! :D

Both men seem to be overall good guys with strong senses of purpose, good spirits, a hint of comedy, and get-it-done attitudes. Obama/Biden '08!!! :D :D

:D YIPPY!!!

TAKE THAT CINDY McCAIN!!! Bet you can NEVER speak so dynamically, nor can you ever get that type of reaction from a crowd!

I wanna be like Michelle Obama when I grow up!! :D

Why does Hillary sound like she is making an acceptance speech? :confused:

ETA: I see where she went with it. It took a while though, Hillary. I thought you were trying to pull a fast one. :side eye:

Soror to introduce Sen. Biden tonight
 

Soror Quincy Lucas will introduce Sen. Joe Biden tonight before his speech. She's from Dover, DE.

Thanks to the magic of Tivo I've caught up...

Monday:

Can I just say Michelle blew me away. I've always been impressed with her many accomplishments and her down to earth attitude but she brought the house down on Monday. And Barack and Michelle's daughters are too *cute*, especially the youngest one.

Tuesday:

Hillary made me remember why I almost considered voting for her...she had some great one liners, "No way...No McCain" was memorable & her comment about Bush & McCain meeting in the twin cities because their so much alike was classic. HC she didn't thank Bill in the beginning like she thanked her mom & Chelsea. She only mentioned Bill when she talked abot how Dems had a great president for 8 years. I was like, Hillary that is your man right??

Wednesday:

Bill had an amazing speech & Biden (he was my #1 VP Pick) was great but I dunno...I'm so tired of him calling McCain his friend...do McCain's attack ads say Biden is my friend but Obama isn't ready? IMHO he went after Guiliani and others his comments really hit home. I've heard his A game and I think what I saw last night was his B or B+ game. Stick to the point Senator Biden, later w/that friend talk.... you and McCain make up after Obama wins.

I saw part of her remarks. ....I missed the pinkie, though. :)

I was watching the live stream on CNN.com and they interrupted her intro to say that John McCain was going to announce his VP on Friday :rolleyes:

I kinda like the fact that they are calling John McCain a friend because it makes him look petty for his repeateded attacks. But everyone has done a good job so far of pointing out McCain's MANY flaws and similarities to George Bush.

I think I MAY watch a little bit of the RNC, just to see what they are going to say about (future) Pres. Obama and how they intend to separate themselves from Bush (if they can or even plan to).

I see ur point about being the better person...
****
That is the only reason ill watch the RNC to see how their gonna pull the miracle off of making Bush look good...

If my beautician starts on my perm when she's supposed to and I sit under the dryer for 2 hours, I MAY get a chance to see JHUD sing. I forgot to set the recorder. :rolleyes:

Jennifer Hudson is gon get stoopid with hers. It'll be interesting to see if it rivals what Marvin Gaye did back in the day at the NBA all-star game.

...either way, it's probably gon be on bootleg in barbershops across the fruited plain by tomorrow afternoon. :)

I missed it, but it's on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOaIHUEJJp0


Good job!

Take 6 sounds so good! :D (ETA)

That was amazing. I cannot wait until November!

Each evening after watching the DNC, I have gone asleep with the biggest smile on my face. Tonight's smile will be the biggest. I have never been this engaged in politics ever and I am so blessed and honored to be alive to see the first African American presidential candidate represent our country.

Each speech, beginning with the graceful and distinguished Michelle Obama, has been filled with such passion and emotion -- to the point that I have been getting chills throughout my body. But oh tonight, tonight was one that will always be remembered. Obama was phenomenal. I am so thrilled that I had an opportunity to witness "the dream" that Dr. Martin Luther King spoke about 45 years ago come to fruition this evening. I am ready for the change! YES WE CAN!!

She was good. As was Stevie Wonder and Take 6. Michael McDonald also had a real nice keyboard rendition of "America The Beautiful."

...so, does this mean, you are not hosting the after party for the Repubs in the Twin Cities next week? :p

I continue to be amazed at the characterizations of the Obamas, even in contrast to Obamas running mate Joe Biden.

Obama is somehow unknown and perhaps untrustworthy, while Biden seems mature and level headed.

How can Obama lack judgment and at the same time select a running mate, whom the same individuals making claims about Obamas judgement identify as level-headed?

This stuff is so deep-seated that folks sometimes don't even realize the roots.

This Just Got Really Interesting....
 

McCain picks Palin as running mate
Popular Alaska governor to be first female Republican VP nominee

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25970882/from/ET/

welll...
 

its not official...BUT, this will make the race very interesting.

I cried listening to Michael McDonald! That dude sings with so much soul.

After party at my crib? NOT!

It is very strategic for McCain to choose the governor of Alaska, but I don't know how effective it will be.

palin may pull clinton supporters (some white women)

she was chosen to appeal to those disgruntled Hillary supporters. however, the McCain camp cannot talk about Obama's inexperience. reason being, this woman has only been the governor for less than 2 years, prior to that she was the mayor of a small town. she has no real foreign policy experience and she's under investigation for using her office in a rather shady manner (getting an in- now "out-" law fired).
we'll see how this plays out.