Sound off on the 2004 Presidential Campaign

[StrangeFruit]

I know this is one subject matter that many choose not to engage in, but I've been watched the Democratic Convention and now watching the Republican Convention and I'm bothered by what I've heard from both parties.

I'm neither Democractic or Republican. I think each party have beneficial elements. I guess what it boils down to is which party has more than the other.

I don't remember his name, but a black Republican made a speech Monday night saying that his ancestors were "involuntary immigrants" and he thanked white folks ancestors for fighting to free us.

Can our enslaved ancestors really be considered immigrants? When I think of the word I don't envision slaves. I envision people from Ireland, Italy, PR, etc. I envision people coming to America with the hopes of a better life sailing pass the Statue of Liberty with butterflies in their stomachs, tears (of joy/hope) in their eyes, and plans to for their future.

I don't envision people in the bottom of ships chained possibly to dead/near dead, and others, can't see b/c they've in the dark for three months, hungry, scared, tears (of pain/fear) in their eyes.

Forgive me if I'm wrong but I will never consider my ancestors has immigrants.

What's your opinion (on anything related to this campaign).

Sound off

[reddawn18]

Originally posted by StrangeFruit
I know this is one subject matter that many choose not to engage in, but I've been watched the Democratic Convention and now watching the Republican Convention and I'm bothered by what I've heard from both parties.

I'm neither Democractic or Republican. I think each party have beneficial elements. I guess what it boils down to is which party has more than the other.

I don't remember his name, but a black Republican made a speech Monday night saying that his ancestors were "involuntary immigrants" and he thanked white folks ancestors for fighting to free us.

Can our enslaved ancestors really be considered immigrants? When I think of the word I don't envision slaves. I envision people from Ireland, Italy, PR, etc. I envision people coming to America with the hopes of a better life sailing pass the Statue of Liberty with butterflies in their stomachs, tears (of joy/hope) in their eyes, and plans to for their future.

I don't envision people in the bottom of ships chained possibly to dead/near dead, and others, can't see b/c they've in the dark for three months, hungry, scared, tears (of pain/fear) in their eyes.

Forgive me if I'm wrong but I will never consider my ancestors has immigrants.

What's your opinion (on anything related to this campaign).

Sound off

I will admit I have not been watching the convention. I have other things to do. I barely watched the Democratic convention. But I have to disagree with the Black Republican to a point.

Back in the day, their was a party flip flop. What were know as Democrats today are actually the Republicans of yesteryear. So for that senator to "thank" the republican party for our freedoms, I find fault in.

Secondly, many immigrants today enter this country in several ways. Many by the means in servitude. The slavery point could play in that part. But I would, like yourself, considered our ancestors as immigrants by today's meaning. We were immigrants by SERITUDE not by right.

[LovetoTravel]

I have to say that I've avoided watching the Republican National Convention because I can't stand their illogical rhetoric. But how dare someone classify our ancestors as immigrants! Immigrants my a**! Being forced onto a ship, chained and treated like dirt: yea, sounds like our ancestors were willing immigrants.

I am so afraid that the Republicans are going to somehow win this election. Despite the problems with the economy, the job losses, the war in Iraq, and our poor reputation in the world, why do so many people support that fool and his gang? I just don't get it.

[TheEpitome1920]

It seems that each election is voting for the lesser of two evils.

[reddawn18]

Originally posted by TheEpitome1920
It seems that each election is voting for the lesser of two evils.

For some reason, this election season has been worse than worse. For instance, no one really know what either candidates stand for. THey have been flip flopping all over the place. But this year is more poinant. We have all the problems with our economy, job security, etc., that many people don't want to return to the norm. Personally, I have not seen anything that our president has done for our generation.

Its like if you don't have a child/family, in the military or have high paying job, you have fell by the wayside. I am hoping that with this election we can get someone who can look after everyone's interests.

I am voting for a change. I believe in John EDWARDS (yes, I said Edwards. If Kerry gets elected, it will be because of Edwards) and I hope he can make a difference.

[Shelacious]

To part of your question--
I do not consider my ancestors who came to this country because of slavery traditional immigrants. They are not. However, the definition of immigrant is essentially a person who leaves one country to settle permenately in another (dictionary.com). As such, slaves fit within that definition as it does not address the issue of that immigration being voluntary.

By the same token, I refuse to minimize the significant contribution given this country by my ancestors, involunatry immigrants or not, by perpetrating the notion that America is not "our country." My ancestors have been on American soil longer than most "Americans" I encounter (I can trace at least my great great great grandparents to Texas slavery). My ancestors built this country from the bottom up right along with traditional immigrants--and to not fully leverage every opportunity and option afforded to me as an American is to minimize their contributions to its development (even if that was not the intention of the "country's founders" or certain Americans today).

[LovetoTravel]

I wholeheartedly agree with you Shelacious. It burns me up when certain people talk about how we should go back to Africa. We have been here in America when it was not even
called "America". Most of us proudly have Native American blood running through our veins. This is our country built on our forebearers' backs and with their blood.

[Virtuous Woman]

This election sucks. Bush has to go without a doubt but John Kerry is such a weak candidate. I'm still going to vote for Kerry but I've lost hope that he's going to win. John Edwards needs to work on getting himself together so that he can run for the next term. Unfortunately, I think that we're going to be stuck with Bush for the another 4 years . I'm still going to vote though. Bush WILL NOT win New York so I'm doing my part. It's just all you Ohioans, Illinoisans, and others that need to get it together.

[LovetoTravel]

Virtuous Woman,

Please do not give up hope. The polls are meaningless. Folx are registering to vote in the inner city at a record pace. If we can get them to the polls on November 2, Kerry will win. I can't stand the thought of four more years of that idiot, especially since I have an eighteen year old son. We have got to get him and his posse out of power. Think positively!

[TonyB06]

Originally posted by Virtuous Woman
Bush WILL NOT win New York so I'm doing my part. It's just all you Ohioans, Illinoisans, and others that need to get it together.

hey, hey, hey now. Just for the record, no matter whom you vote for Ohioans are BORN with it together.


If you didn't know.....now you know.

[nikki1920]

Please remember to vote after you get registered. A lot of people, especially those who register for the first time, think that they've voted..

Please dont believe the polls, they are often skewed to lead to a specific outcome.

Watch the debates, make your own decision, note the candidates positions on the issues, figure out which issues are important to you, and VOTE!!!

(IMO, if you don't vote, dont complain!!).

[Shortfuse]

Originally posted by TheEpitome1920
It seems that each election is voting for the lesser of two evils.

Exactly.


Heck I didn't watch much of the GOP convention cause I know they throw some black person up there "praising Bush" for doing more for us.


Personally I do watch much Uncle Tom Porn.