Politics 2008:The Caucuses and The Dem/Rep Conventions

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

So, in different ways, preciousjeni, HoneyKiss, and I believe the suspicion is unfounded. Agree or disagree, it's all just speculation that shouldn't be taken seriously.

But this isn't just about Billy Graham which is why I want us to "get over ourselves" and think "good grief, people" a lot of times when I hear (usually, black) people talk about the Obama presidency.

If an Obama presidency is going to spark this type of unfounded paranoia and unfounded speculation then this is going to be a tiring presidency. There's nothing POSITIVE about conspiracy theorizing if POSITIVITY is what people are going for. There's a difference in tone when addressing the realities or possibilities (which is what discussions of race and racism are really about) versus being suspicious or expecting the worst. Unfounded paranoia and unfounded suspicion of intents and motives (i.e. Billy Graham's) is silly whether it's coming from disappointed McCain supporters or Obama supporters. Period.

Obama isn't going to be told "yes" everytime a decision needs to be made during this presidency. If that's going to be interpreted in a racially charged manner more often than not, even in the absence of some type of evidence, then we have a long and bumpy road ahead of us.

But these people with a strong desire to disparage President Obama ad nauseum are not operating with a full deck. It is not like, hey, I disagree with this aspects of his policies. It is about I HATE--after that it blocks one's ability to listen.

Now as far as Billy Graham's concern, he is a very sick old man. He cannot speak like he use to for presidents past. Do I think its racism because he cannot? No. I think like you said his age and illnesses are affecting him.

Yes, President Obama is definitely going to make mistakes in his presidency. And the pundits will grossly disparage him like prey. And it will be his first misstep, where they will exclaim, "SEE WE TOLD YOU SO!!!" with seething anger to implement his policies progression... Then again, it might now happen and hopefully it won't happen in that manner.

But I suggest not to be shocked when that tiny misdeed, smaller than other presidencies past, will not be overblown by the pundits... No, we are not talking about criticism. That is different. We are talking about blatant slander, withholding information, ignoring gag orders, etc. Criminal activities.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

But these people with a strong desire to disparage President Obama ad nauseum are not operating with a full deck.

Neither are some (if not, many) of Obama's supporters. The crazy and the silly go both ways. I just want people on both sides to breathe easy.

There are plenty of straws to go around without having to grasp for them.

[SummerChild]

DrPhil,

My comment re POSITIVITY is the thread directed to what President-Elect Obama should do first when he gets into office. Why don't you go over there instead of just nitpicking things in this thread?

I think that most folk don't want to contribute to anything re POSITIVITY.

ETA: Why don't ya'll ALL go over to my thread about CHANGE and POSITIVITY instead of nitpicking with DrPhil about this. Some energy is better spent ignoring some folk and taking an active approach for change. This argument is like the one in which women get together and commesurate about how there are no good men. Some will never believe otherwise and yet, you are spending the time that you could be going out and finding a mate (if it means that much too you, big whup) or you can spend your time disputing this issue with the women that are convinced and want to believe what they want to believe and are happier just nitpicking everything.

Threads on this message board go on for pages and pages about whether Michelle's dress was not attractive, how it's hard to find a man, and other tons of silly, petty and/or negative crap - take your pick. Positive threads hardly get any traction at all. This is one of the only substantive positive threads that has gotten any traction. Let's keep it that way and lend our energy to others like it. Focus on positivity. The other stuff is just draining and useless.

Now get over to my other thread!!

SC

Originally Posted by DrPhil

So, in different ways, preciousjeni, HoneyKiss, and I believe the suspicion is unfounded. Agree or disagree, it's all just speculation that shouldn't be taken seriously.

But this isn't just about Billy Graham which is why I want us to "get over ourselves" and think "good grief, people" a lot of times when I hear (usually, black) people talk about the Obama presidency.

If an Obama presidency is going to spark this type of unfounded paranoia and unfounded speculation then this is going to be a tiring presidency. There's nothing POSITIVE about conspiracy theorizing if POSITIVITY is what people are going for. There's a difference in tone when addressing the realities or possibilities (which is what discussions of race and racism are really about) versus being suspicious or expecting the worst. Unfounded paranoia and unfounded suspicion of intents and motives (i.e. Billy Graham's) is silly whether it's coming from disappointed McCain supporters or Obama supporters. Period.

Obama isn't going to be told "yes" everytime a decision needs to be made during this presidency. If that's going to be interpreted in a racially charged manner more often than not, even in the absence of some type of evidence, then we have a long and bumpy road ahead of us.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by SummerChild

Why don't you go over there instead of just nitpicking things in this thread?

Originally Posted by SummerChild

Some energy is better spent ignoring some folk and taking an active approach for change.

But you didn't ignore me.

Some people get the point of this discussion and don't view it as a negative. I consider it to be an active approach for change for a number of reasons. You don't have to so you do what you consider to be an active approach for change. Dialogue isn't one-sided and you can't govern others' participation in discussions on or off the internet. Those of you who don't see the point of this topic and think it's nitpicky can govern yourselves by typing about whatever else you want to type about. Pretty basic message board guidelines.

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by SummerChild

President-Elect Obama's educational background was two to three times that of John McCain and the mental lightweight, Sarah Palin. Yet, they were virtually tied in the polls for many weeks, very late into the election period. This country is suffering from the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression yet, again, they were tied in the polls for many weeks, very late into the election period. There are STILL people saying that they, "just don't like that man." They just cannot put their finger on it, his economic policies benefit THEM - yet, they just don't like him. Yes, racism is pervasive in this country. We will continue to talk about it if we think it's going on. Just like you would like for posters in this thread to get over themselves, I would challenge America to get over itself. There have been 43 white men - in a row - who have held the highest office in this land. Yet, now that there is JUST ONE who is not of that description, folk are wearing black to work and stating that they are in mourning, there have been uprisings in schools by white students in Georgia, it is pathetic. So, this is why there is suspicion. Every instance of something that cannot be proved starts with suspicion...whether it is race-based or not. So what's wrong with it? Especially given the history of this country, I don't think that it's ridiculous.

Well said. I want to add something in particular in reference to the statement you made that I put in bold. There are MANY people who would benefit from Obama's policies, but refused to vote for him. Joe the "plumber" is one of them. In fact, I smirked for a good hour on election day when a reporter called Joe out on this very issue. The reporter pointed out that Joe's salary barely hit the $34,000 mark and that he would actually be helped under Obama's plan. The reporter then proceeded to ask Joe why he still chose to vote for McCain. Joe immediately became irate and I never heard such stuttering in all my life. Basically he couldn't even articulate a reason as to why he wanted to vote for McCain in light of that information. Disgusting, but it generally shows the racial attitudes of people in this country.

[DrPhil]

The Ronald Reagan seance comment was stupid. I cringed. Obama called Nancy Reagan to apologize. I think the conservatives have had enough of nitpicking so aside from some remarks about it they will let it slide.

Obama's going to need to think more on his feet and not get too comfortable/cocky. He talks slow enough and does enough "uh...."s to be thinking about what he says. Leave the off-hand jokes in your head, Obama. Now we need more substance and less talking.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/07/obama.seance/