Obama's Rhetoric is the Real Catastrophe

[agzg]

Well we were back on topic at some point today. Apparently these issues are just more interesting for people to talk about.

I think I've discovered a way to hijack the song name game thread. But, just like Chuck Norris, I don't sleep, I wait.

[agzg]

The pork is my biggest issue with many of the laws coming out of DC, but I think that's a pretty widely held sentiment among Americans who care enough to look at the stuff.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

The pork is my biggest issue with many of the laws coming out of DC, but I think that's a pretty widely held sentiment among Americans who care enough to look at the stuff.

And I think that most of us are too undisciplined to really be bothered when our communities benefit from federal money.

Am I really going to go protest my county taking more money for the local schools that might flow through the stimulus but isn't a legit federal function to me? Probably not.

[agzg]

On either side of the spectrum people are vilified for their beliefs on creationism v. evolution.

I think the issue with Palin was that for a while that was the bulk of what many people knew policywise about her. That and the Bridge to Nowhere talk. Perhaps with Jindal we just know more about his other policies?

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

On either side of the spectrum people are vilified for their beliefs on creationism v. evolution.

I think the issue with Palin was that for a while that was the bulk of what many people knew policywise about her. That and the Bridge to Nowhere talk. Perhaps with Jindal we just know more about his other policies?

Do we? I think we know he's smart, young, non-white and Republican. But I bet most people don't know anything about Louisiana policy under Jindal.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

Do we? I think we know he's smart, young, non-white and Republican. But I bet most people don't know anything about Louisiana policy under Jindal.

Besides talk about the stimulus bill? I guess you're right.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

Besides talk about the stimulus bill? I guess you're right.

Oh, I'm not calling anyone else out on their lack of deep Jindal knowledge. I don't claim to be an expert myself. Any hard look at Louisiana politics just makes me want to re-read All the King's Men.

I just occasionally peruse some sites that occasionally track and condemn his claims about faith and science.

[agzg]

I think it's too early to know the role that Biden will have in Obama's administration. He very well could put his foot in his mouth (again) and be pushed to the background.

I also think we'll never really know the role that Sarah Palin would have played in McCain's administration, had there been one. For those of us who didn't vote for McCain because of Palin, it's that unknown that was the tipping point. Not because we thought she was hotter than us.

I bet 40-some Palin is hotter than lil 20-some me. But I've got youth on my side.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by John Legend

Open Letter to the New York Post

Dear Editor:

I'm trying to understand what possible motivation you may have had for publishing that vile cartoon depicting the shooting of the chimpanzee that went crazy. I guess you thought it would be funny to suggest that whomever was responsible for writing the Economic Recovery legislation must have the intelligence and judgment of a deranged, violent chimpanzee, and should be shot to protect the larger community. Really? Did it occur to you that this suggestion would imply a connection between President Barack Obama and the deranged chimpanzee? Did it occur to you that our President has been receiving death threats since early in his candidacy? Did it occur to you that blacks have historically been compared to various apes as a way of racist insult and mockery? Did you intend to invoke these painful themes when you printed the cartoon?

If that's not what you intended, then it was stupid and willfully ignorant of you not to connect these easily connectable dots. If it is what you intended, then you obviously wanted to be grossly provocative, racist and offensive to the sensibilities of most reasonable Americans. Either way, you should not have printed this cartoon, and the fact that you did is truly reprehensible. I can't imagine what possible justification you have for this. I've read your lame statement in response to the outrage you provoked. Shame on you for dodging the real issue and then using the letter as an opportunity to attack Rev. Sharpton. This is not about Rev. Sharpton. It's about the cartoon being blatantly racist and offensive.

I believe in freedom of speech, and you have every right to print what you want. But freedom of speech still comes with responsibilities and consequences. You are responsible for printing this cartoon, and I hope you experience some real consequences for it. I'm personally boycotting your paper and won't do any interviews with any of your reporters, and I encourage all of my colleagues in the entertainment business to do so as well. I implore your advertisers to seriously reconsider their business relationships with you as well.

You should print an apology in your paper acknowledging that this cartoon was ignorant, offensive and racist and should not have been printed.

I'm well aware of our country's history of racism and violence, but I truly believe we are better than this filth. As we attempt to rise above our difficult past and look toward a better future, we don't need the New York Post to resurrect the images of Jim Crow to deride the new administration and put black folks in our place. Please feel free to criticize and honestly evaluate our new President, but do so without the incendiary images and rhetoric.

Sincerely,
John Legend

John Legend can also write letters to the editor.

[Senusret I]

John Legend really got in his feelings on that one.

Welp, he's blacker than me now.

I'd still hit, though.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

John Legend really got in his feelings on that one.

Welp, he's blacker than me now.

I'd still hit, though.

Give me the greenliiiiiiiiiiight...I'm ready to go right now!

[agzg]

Part of me hates to bump this thread but did anyone watch both the Presidential Address and the GOP response?

Jindal gave the GOP response. I can't say I disagree with him completely (because that would be a lie) and part of me wants to like him but at the same time there's another part of me that says DO NOT WANT.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

Part of me hates to bump this thread but did anyone watch both the Presidential Address and the GOP response?

Jindal gave the GOP response. I can't say I disagree with him completely (because that would be a lie) and part of me wants to like him but at the same time there's another part of me that says DO NOT WANT.

I wanted Bobby to do so much better than what he did. It's kind of tough when even the Fox News pundits are like yeah..... he sucked.

The Republican Party needs a sexy black woman.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

The Republican Party needs a sexy black woman.

Well, I'm swamped with work and I hate bipartisanism.

[DrPhil]

This was a great thread.

I didn't watch much of the speech. I have low tolerance for politics and Obama's speeches. I will eventually see or read enough of his speech and the GOP response to get the point. I only care about the point.