aaronr2000

WOW!!! What a sea of people! The only explanation I can think of is the world didn't know what it had in a nation like ours to lead the international community with steadfast unity and compassion until it lost it for the past eight years. Now they see a shot at getting it back again. I shudder to think what will happen if even after all of this he loses and McCain wins, carrying on the war mongering belligerent legacy of Bush these people like us are dying to escape. posted 07/24/2008 at 16:59:29

While I totally agree with your assessment of the hip-hop culture, I wouldn't necessarily rank it up there with Fox "News". The key difference is hip-hop is art and entertainment while Fox is passing its propaganda off as news. What news you receive has much more powerful ramification than what song you listen to or what videos you chose to watch. While the impact of hip-hop is significant, journalism should be far more sacrosanct than art. It's the gateway to what's happening in the world and should be the people's agent to keep those in power in check. posted 07/24/2008 at 09:14:05

LOL!!! posted 07/23/2008 at 12:10:38

Very well said! posted 07/23/2008 at 12:09:42

That's so unfair. So your point is when he attends black events, if he attends black events since you don't think he does, then that's altruistic. But when he pays respect to the memory of the victims of the holocaust that's a photo op? I can't believe we're even discussing this.

Take it from a former fan of Tavis Smiley, he needs to get over himself. He is trying, as he has successfully done with you, to make himself out to be the face, the standard bearer, and the gatekeeper of "Black America". They offered to send Michelle Obama to the State of the Black Union because Barack Obama had prior engagements, but Smiley outright rejected her, a worthy surrogate for her husband's campaign, because he deserves no less than the candidate himself.

As for Dr. King's anniversary, he can't go to every event on the planet. He spoke at Dr. King's church the day before his birthday ( see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf0x_TpDris ). Should Obama become president I hope that every black event planner doesn't get his or her feelings hurt because he couldn't make it to their event. posted 07/23/2008 at 11:42:22

Remember when you were in high school and someone was throwing a huge party, and all the cool people were going to be there, but you weren't invited (don't act like it was just me). That's gotta hurt. posted 07/23/2008 at 10:01:50

The Obama camp probably didn't think anyone from Fox "News" wanted to go to the Middle East anyway, being that there are so many people over there with the name Hussein. posted 07/23/2008 at 07:41:16

I too shared your concerns, but then again I took a closer look at the statement and I think I know what's at play here. He's not doing a Pelosi, which would be "prosecution is off the table". Instead he's trying to put the people who would buy the "vote McCain or Obama would drag every Republican through the courts" at ease while leaving the door open for prosecutions. The word "egredious" is relative. That's my story and I'm sticking to it., because if this administration gets more off the hook than Congress has already allowed them then I'm losing all faith in our country as being a nation of laws. posted 07/22/2008 at 22:56:26

So what are you going to tell your kids when they say "Mommy, Daddy, I thought you said it always pays to tell the truth."? posted 07/21/2008 at 15:26:08

Bill Maher nailed this a long time ago when General Petraeus testified before Congress that 1. The surge is working, 2. we shouldn't pull out of Iraq anytime soon and 3. his words are his own. Bill said that Bush has this interesting scam going. First he puts words into his stooges' mouths, and then he quotes them. posted 07/21/2008 at 14:33:57

Ford wants it both ways. On one hand he wants to take his centrist message mainstream throughout the nation, even when the political climate is perfect for a shift to the leftt, and on the other hand he wants to hide behind his conservative local district in Memphis when asked to account for his centrist voting record that offends the left.

Speaking of accountability, I was deeply offended by this statement:

"I think that accountability was brought in 2006 when [the GOP] lost in the House and the Senate," Ford responded said. "And we have only eight more months of George W. Bush..."

By Harold Ford's logic, Bush should feel vindicated , as he does, by his malfeasance during his first term as president because he was elected to a second one. If all an elected official has to lose by breaking the law is a bid for re-election then that puts him above the law and makes those responsible for holding them to account derelicts.

You'd think a lawyer would know better to make such a claim. The person in the audience was right to ask about prison time for law breakers. posted 07/19/2008 at 08:20:13

No good, with all due respect.

1. The largest block of people who don't care about the Palestinian people are those who give Israel a blank check to do whatever it wants. Please stop short circuiting legitimate debate and complaints about Israel by saying that its critics don't care about the Palestinians anyway. Because we have such a media blackout of anything negative about Israel, the people who know anything about the subject have to do some real research to know what they are talking about. To me that's caring, especially since it's our taxes that's funding this exercise in apartheid.

2. The people of Palestine are a victim of their own government because their own government is a victim of the Israeli government. Althought the Geneva Convention dictates that an occupying power is responsible for securing and treating with humanity the subjects they are occupying, Israel has tasked the Palestinian government with protecting Israel first, turning international law on its head. Instead of tending to the needs of the people whose conditions are deplorable and worsened by the occupation and countless checkpoints, the Palestinian leaders are made to ignore that and account for every rogue terrorist that strikes at Israel, even if they have nothing to do with it or condemn it outright. posted 07/16/2008 at 12:04:31

Then impeach Cheney first. Because if I hear the words Cheney and "faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States" I'm going to burst into flames. posted 07/10/2008 at 20:24:29

"Please raise your right hand and repeat after me.

I Richard Bruce Cheney (I Richard Bruce Cheney) do solomly swear to uphold and protect the constitution of the United States of America against all enemies..."

I'm sorry. I can't continue that thought. I'm gonna go throw up now. posted 07/10/2008 at 20:00:42

Can Michael make a come back? I don't think so. Not because he doesn't have talent, but because he is psychologically disjointed from the new world he finds himself in. He is incapable of accepting the fact that ever since he could remember until his late thirties he's been a larger than life icon, the apple of the eye of a surreal fan base. Now he is this enigma, a pin doll of ratings driven media that couldn't get enough of him when he was on his way up and now can't get enough of watching his train wrecked life as his star fades on his way down. He was born in the spotlight, and even if it takes making as caricature of himself he will surely die in it.

Michael's biggest missed opportunity to step off of center stage with some kind of dignity was when every hot new star on the planet paid tribute to him during a 30th anniversary special (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PGC1MHxZ8Y&feature=related). With a best selling album of all time, instead of humbly accepting his spot in history, his addiction to the only life he's ever known makes him that glory days pitcher errors so much before someone work up the nerve to walk to the mound and asks for the ball. posted 07/11/2008 at 01:35:21

Oh Phill Gramm, you who authored the Enron loophole which lead to the largest corporate collapse in US history, which lead to the loss of 21000 jobs while the executives plundered workers' 401K, college savings and pensions, which allowed Enron to pimp slap California for a year with rolling blackouts and record high enenrgy prices, which allows the speculators to jack up our gas prices with hypothetical futures values, and you who are buried up to your eyeballs in this mortgage foreclosure crisis and who is trying to advise a potential future president of the United States, how long must you put up with our whining? I'll try to take it like a man. Ah, that Republican compassionate conservatism pull yourself up by your boot strap stuff, refreshing as the morning dew. posted 07/10/2008 at 13:10:07

LOL!!!! I didn't see that one coming. posted 07/09/2008 at 20:13:08

Civil discourse entails debating issues and exchanging points of opinions and facts, not name calling.

I'm not saying impeach Pelosi. I'm saying she is rendering the constitution useless if she doesn't execute its provisions as intended. Nothing cries out for impeachment than the Bush/Cheney criminal enterprise. posted 07/09/2008 at 20:31:21

What's not being taking seriously is the fact that the speaker of the house is just as much in contempt of the constitution by taking impeachment off the table as those in the Bush administration deserving of it. posted 07/09/2008 at 01:49:56

Somebody get me Nancy Pelosi. posted 07/09/2008 at 00:41:02

Oh truthynesslover. Can't you tell when someone is just regurgitating carefully crafted talking points versus speaking intellectually about the issues that concerns us all? Whenever you hear words like "socialized medicine, socialist, socialism, etc", just ask the JanP's of the world to define it. Assuming that they know what it really is, and even then assuming that they can tell you why that's a bad thing, they probably could only tell you what the rich pharmaceutical companies told them - it's a Soviet Union style red tape filled bureaucratic beast that treats each person like a number, a place where people go to die while waiting in long lines for quality health care. I wouldn't take the bait next time if I were you, except to ask them are they sure they know what they are talking about. posted 07/07/2008 at 12:06:18

#3 & #5

BULLSEYE!! Someone needs to tell Harold Ford this. He's been preaching this gospel of centrism just because that's what got Bill Clinton elected. The political landscape has changed significantly since then. The difference is the issues that Bill Clinton had to move to the center on weren't nearly as dire as what is at stake now. Say what you want about the previous Republican presidents, no one has systemically and deliberately aggravated the constitutional rule of law like this current president has.

Bush's end run on the constitution is so bold and audacious, and the response to that is not to concede that ground to those naive enough to put him in office not once but twice. That would be appeasement. Instead we should reach out to them to reconsider their affection for his presidency and join us in putting Humpty Dumpty back together again. posted 07/03/2008 at 13:14:17

Those are familiar talking points Jeff1958. Israel sites the 1947 UN resolution as proof of its legitimacy to exist as a nation, yet when the Arab nations in the region offered to accept it as a neighbor in exchange to return to the 1967 borders as carved out by that same UN resolution, Israel said no. So who missed that opportunity? To Israel, that's not an opportunity, that's returning land that was stolen fare and square.

I have to break it to you that atomic is absolutely right. posted 07/03/2008 at 13:50:13

Who wants to bet that AIPAC make Congress adopt a resolution expressing sympathy for the Israeli victims or better yet make Congress cut what little aid we give the Palestinians (especially compared to what we give Israel), exacerbating the human rights crisis that already exists in the occupied territories? posted 07/02/2008 at 12:46:42

I agree with the premis that we should condemn violence on both ends. But I'm curious, if you were in the Palestinians' shoes what would you do? Honor the cease fires and see what happens? They do that a lot, and the conditions of the occupations worsens. No one gives them credit for months of cease fires dispite the deplorable conditions they live in at the hand of their occupiers. No one pressures Israel to make good on their end of the bargain during that time. But instead the power and land grab continues in silence until incidents like this happens, which gives Israel the "See they started!" moment they are looking for as an excuse to push forward with their already cemented plan to drive them completely out of their land or have them humbly accept their no state status. posted 07/02/2008 at 12:39:48

PREVIOUSLY ON 24

Pres. Palmer: Jack is there any doubt in your mind that this guy is tied to the events of today?
Jack Bauer: No sir Mr. President.
Palmer: Then you have my complete authority to kick his ass!

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN 9AM AND 10AM

Okay I made that last part up, but with Jack he might as well have said that.

I think Haysbert has a point. I don't think he's saying that Obama owes his candidacy to him. He's saying that a popular TV show with a cult following for three years portrayed a black guy as an effective and likable president of the United States may have had some impact on the American psyche and groomed them to the idea that it's possible.

The reason we can believe in a President Obama (and a ficticious President Palmer) and not a "President Jesse Jackson" and a "President Al Sharpton" is because race is not a hot button issue with him. Unlike Jackson and Sharpton (who have done some good things for the country - let's be fair), Obama knows how to bring light and not heat to a subject like race that already has a lot of heat. posted 07/02/2008 at 09:48:50

LOL!!! posted 07/02/2008 at 11:42:02

Has he declared a state of emergency for

Louisiana yet? The whole country is in a state of emergency until January 20, 2009. posted 06/29/2008 at 00:46:37

Great point. I notice that when I'm in the south Fox News is the station of choice, constantly playing in restaurants and bars. We just came from the outer banks in North Carolina, and the beach house we stayed at didn't even get MSNBC. posted 06/27/2008 at 07:08:49

Actually this point is a valid one. It is considered by many conservative to be the only place to get news that's fair to Republicans, and by fair I mean massages their idealogical predisposition. Fox owns this demographic outright. Judging by your name I think you know this already, just a hunch.

I don't think this is even a fair comparison. CNN/MSNBC is to Fox News like New York Times/Washington Post is to The New York Post. It is the electronic tabloid of what passes for news. And just like tabloid readers, studies show that Fox News watchers are more likely to be the least educated and most uninformed about the issues of our time. For example, the majority of them still believe that Saddam Hussein had something to do with the 9/11 terrorist attacks. posted 06/27/2008 at 06:33:09

CONFIRMED: THE TOP POLITICAL APPOINTEES IN THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WILL NOT PROSECUTE THE PEOPLE WHO HIRED THEM, NOR WILL CONGRESS IMPEACH THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. posted 06/24/2008 at 21:37:27

I too agree. I'm still shocked that we're even discussing this. It shouldn't even have come to the senate. The People's House suck! posted 06/22/2008 at 02:17:22

To those who say that this bill does not give immunity to the telecom companies and the Bush administration, are you sure about that? Please prove this to me because I want to believe that. Remember Bush is pleased with this bill and Bush doesn't approve of anything that doesn't give him and his criminal enterprise a pass, the troops and our civil liberties be damned.

As if this is possible but aren't we running out of crap to impeach Bush for? The framers of the Constitution deliberately gave the people's House the ace in the hole to trump an out of control executive branch with an ingenious system of checks and balances, but leave it to a Democratic controlled Congress to fold even when dealt a royal flush.

I think I had a dream last night that this was all just a nightmare. I was once hopeful, but now I feel like I'm getting my hopes up. I don't want Obama to be the better candidate but the best one. I want to pick a president, not pick my poison. posted 06/21/2008 at 15:05:56

This is a straw man's argument. Even if these anti-Israel quotes aren't grossly exaggerated, people claim death to America all the time with a major uptick in anti-Americanism in the last seven years (hmmm I wonder why). Does that mean we get to bomb them to pieces?

Every country does have a right to defend itself, against real threats, not perceived ones. By the way do the Palestinians have a right to defend themselves, or does your argument only applies to "countries"?

If you're going to evoke memories of the Cold War to make your case for Israel's behavior, how ironic that you do not consider the way the Cold War was won - through intense diplomacy of several presidents both Republican and Democratic.

What will get blown back to the Stone Ages is the good will of the world as a whole and the Iranian people toward the US for allowing its out of control surrogate Israel to invade their sovereignty with absolute impunity. That country has a very young generation that doesn't know or care much about the bitter American/Iranian relations of the 70's and actually were beginning to like us, but leave it to Israel to screw that up. When is the last time, if ever, has Israel made this country proud? I'm so embarrassed that it is considered our ally. posted 06/20/2008 at 14:50:31

The C word dehumanizes women and shocks the conscience far more than the B word. Every time I see video or images of McCain and his hot wife (let's be honest, she's really easy on the eyes) I'm moved to nausea at the thought of could this be true. If I got word that Barack Obama called Michelle Obama that, he'd get an ear full from me. I wouldn't stop writing him or bringing it up in every town hall debate he appeared in until he make a prime time Jimmy Swaggart style apology for his transgressions. Even then I still will be struggling to vote for him (only because the alternative is worst - voting for someone who wants to continue a deadly war). Even wannabe gansta rappers don't stoop this low and throw that word around liberally. posted 06/18/2008 at 17:06:22

You nailed it! LOL!! posted 06/18/2008 at 16:52:15

LOL!!! posted 06/16/2008 at 20:10:13

It wasn't meant to be a bumper sticker pandering speech full of quotable sound bites. It was for adults to adults. That's one thing I like about Barack Obama. He speaks to his audience like they are intelligent, not with condescending talking points. That is so refreshing. posted 06/19/2008 at 13:40:14

I wouldn't worry about Obama being ostracized like Cosby was when giving a black self help message. The key difference is whether the solutions to the ailments of black youths lies within confronting one"s own demons or elected officials combating the systemic shortcomings that result in unequal educational environments, Bill Cosby"s message had an either/or ring to it while Barack Obama"s approach was both/and. Cosby"s message seemed to have implied that while racism still exists in America, the problems that faces young African Americans are self inflicted. It treated racism as not a key ingredient in the problems they face, but as mere background noise that serves only as a distraction from the real problem - themselves.

Obama"s message, on the other hand, offers up solutions that can be implemented both by the parents and by sound, fair public policies. Both in conjunction can resolve a lot of issues that affect our children"s chance at a proper education and a decent chance to become strong and discipline members of society.

This explains why overnight Bill Cosby had become the media darling of Fox News and the conservative talking machines while simultaneously being rejected in the African American communities. The message of self help and self help alone is a favorite theme of the conservative movement, especially when espoused by someone who looks like those who could use some help. posted 06/15/2008 at 19:51:45

This is a tricky one. Jesse Jackson was right after one of the debates when he said Hillary can say wouldn't it be great for a woman to finally occupy the White House whereas Barack cannot say wouldn't it be great for an African American to finally occupy the White House. Everybody on the panel unanimously agreed that it would have a totally different ring to it. In the same way, if a white guy gives a moving speech about how white men should step up and lead the charge in raising their families it will have a white supremacist ring to it.

That's a white man's burden. You can't control the corridors of power and have a special interest group like white women and minorities can, not without looking like a racist. I'm not saying that's the way it ought to be, but that's just the way it is. If McCain were to give a similar speech aimed specifically toward white men he would have to address it to all of America and hope that those for whom the shoe fit will wear it.

But to your larger point, like levibatgirl said, boy wouldn't it be great to have a leader who can inspire us with powerful words that calls us to action. posted 06/15/2008 at 19:37:28

I agree. You can read an Obama speech all day and still miss the passion and electricity that can only come with hearing and seeing him deliver it. That's what I tell people who say they read instead of hearing the Philadelphia speech on race in America. posted 06/15/2008 at 19:19:16

"...and it will be entertaining and revealing to see how you handle yourself outside of the rigorously controlled environment of the orgy of self-congratulation and demagoguery called "Lou Dobbs Tonight."

Very well articulated comment. This is the best description of Lou Dobbs Tonight I've read or heard. I listen to C-Span viewers call in and I think it is safe to say that he has played a major role in the anti-immigrant/borderline racist sentiments in this country toward Mexicans.

Whether he is a closet Republican remains to be seen, but his view of Independents is consistent with what I've come to hate about that group. Yes I can't stand Republicans brand of politics and I'm sometimes discontent with my party as a Democrat, but Independents kill me with their self-righteous platform of "we're so much more righteous and better than the two major parties", and he plays that roll very well. Maybe one time on C-Span did I hear an Independent give a thoughtful analysis of "This is how the Republicans and the Democrats missed the mark, and this is a better alternative". Other than that it's all condescending, "how can you be so stupid to vote Democratic or Republican", all the time. posted 06/14/2008 at 23:32:04

My message to Hillaryclinton.com earlier today:

Hillary, for the love of all that is good in America, do the right thing and concede this election. Humility is a strength possessed by a very few in politics. You are putting a dark cloud over an already historic accomplishment. Please do not go down this path further by using the astounding 18 million people who voted for you as leverage to massage a massive and insatiable political ego.

We had a deep bench of great candidates this season and I would have been proud to have either of you as the nominee. Your husband's presidential accomplishments are unimpeachable, and I was proud of what he did to move the country forward. You are in an unenviable position to be able to do the same, perhaps not in the role you would have liked, by helping us recover from a travesty of a Bush administration. The results of you not bringing the party together and handing this election over to McCain could be equally as catastrophic.

Best wishes,
------------------------

That was my little two cents. We can thank in part Charlie Rangal, her fellow New Yorker who calls her "their favorite daughter". I think her lead the charge of her most loyal supporters in getting her to concede. posted 06/04/2008 at 20:04:42

I agree. It's like that parent who for no good reason is ticked off at the neighbor and to settle some score would not let her children go and party with the neighbor's children. She could have conceded last night so that her supporters, who like Obama supporters are also Democrats first - especially her African American supporters, could have participated and relished in the historic achievement of the first African American Democratic nominee. I'm not saying her supporters don't have a mind of their own, but they love her and supported her and got their queues from her. She should have repaid that support in kind by bowing out graciously. I was so disappointed in her. posted 06/04/2008 at 19:51:56

Here's the overly simplified, reader's digest version:

After WW2 three issues resulted in one solution.

1) Europe - How can a war ravaged Europe, ground zero for the systemic attempt to annihilate the Jews, make amends to while distancing itself from the Jewish victims of the holocaust
2) US - How should the world position itself against a rising Russian threat, which would eventually become the cold war
3) Zionists - Where should we establish a Jewish state

Although the idea to move the European Jews to South America was considered, the answer to all three questions was to establish a "Jewish" State of Israel for the Zionists, an ally in the heart of the Palestinian land, the oil capital of the world in order to counter Russia's influence in the region for US strategic advantage, and not in Europe for the Europeans.

Apparently the Palestinians didn't take too kindly to being ousted with fatal impunity.

As for AIPAC, most informed Americans hate them because they use their poltical influence in this country to force our politicians to support Israel's unfair land and power grab on the dime of the American tax payers. Politicians who give anything but absolute support to Israel are toast, in part due to the voting block of Pastor John Hagee and his Christians United for Israel organization.

The most worth while video to watch on this can be seen at http://freedocumentaries.org/film.php?id=173 posted 06/04/2008 at 21:11:55

What specifically? The history of the Middle East conflict, why Israel has absolutely no other friends in the world, or why anyone with a brain worth his weight in salt who follows American politics and world affairs HATES AIPAC? posted 06/04/2008 at 17:01:06