Barack Obama: The Human Rorschach Blot
Allegedly, his appeal rests with his "inspiring" story. Lord knows he's told his story enough: in two books, uncounted speeches and interviews and occasionally in explanations of why the story in the books seems to differ from the facts. (Obama was telling the "literary" truth, rather than getting bogged down in the literal truth.)
He overcame the oppression of being born to a well-off middle class white woman and a Harvard Ph.D. father, then he overcame the oppression of attending private schools his entire life. His story took a dark turn toward further oppression when he was admitted to Columbia University and then -- gasp -- Harvard Law School -- where he was practically lynched into the position of President of the Law Review by an overwhelming majority. Nay, an oppressive majority. From there, his life has just been a Hell of accolade and accomplishment.
The Boston Globe this week cited as an example of his oppression that children at his private school sometimes made fun of his unusual name. Please excuse me if I don't rush off to a sit-in on his behalf.
Mac Johnson even has a picture of "Oblatma" on his website. Classic stuff. Read the whole column.
19 comments:
We're going to hear about Obamanation every minute of every day (until he crashes and burns). He is, after all, the Media Party candidate.
I hate to say it, but this article only serves to bitch about Obama's small resume` even though we've been looking for a president who isn't a professional politician. If we're gonna bash Obama, we need something with substance.
How about I disagree with... wait a minute... he doesn't actually SAY ANYTHING on his website. I too am for protecting children from lead poisioning. (I have yet to meet the candidate who says "we unequivocally need more lead poisoning for our children")
wrench, you have actually made comments here that I can take seriously, what do you like/dislike about him?
Ha, I'm not serious about much.
For one, I'm concerned mainly about his stance on abortion, particularly partial birth abortion. Seriously, how could anyone in their right mind advocate that?
Obama is your typical Dem (in a slightly darker shade of melanin): pro-abortion, wants universal health care, anti-war, pro-gay rights, etc. He is neither better nor worse than Hilary.
I think it's interesting that to some blacks, Obama isn't "black enough".
The black columnist Stanley Crouch has said, “When black Americans refer to Obama as ‘one of us,’ I do not know what they are talking about.”
From Debra J. Dickerson, columnist: " I honestly can't look without feeling pity, and indeed mercy, at whites' need for absolution. For all our sakes, it seemed (again) best not to point out the obvious: You're not embracing a black man, a descendant of slaves. You're replacing the black man with an immigrant of recent African descent of whom you can approve without feeling either guilty or frightened."
"To say that Obama isn't black is merely to say that, by virtue of his white American mom and his Kenyan dad who abandoned both him and America, he is an American of African immigrant extraction. It is also to point out the continuing significance of the slave experience to the white American psyche; it's not we who can't get over it. It's you. Lumping us all together (which blacks also do from sloppiness and ignorance, and as a way to dominate the race issue and to force immigrants of African descent to subordinate their preferences to ours) erases the significance of slavery and continuing racism while giving the appearance of progress. Though actually, it is a kind of progress. And that's why I break my silence: Obama, with his non-black ass, is doing us all a favor."
Daniel: have a look. This is a comprehensive list of Obama's specific positions and accomplishments in the Senate. It also includes audio of a number of his speeches. His campaign site is largely the same, only prettier. Wikipedia has also listed and sourced a number of statements. What more would you like the man to say?
Wrench: nobody in their right mind "advocates" abortion. Liberals support women's right to commit the act, which is a very different thing from supporting them in the act.
What is your source for Obama's position? The statement I've seen repeatedly is that he believes abortions "should be legally available in accordance with Roe v. Wade." The only statement related to partial-birth abortion that I've heard was from a fundraiser letter written by his wife.
Mike: you should listen to a few of Obama's speeches. Particularly the famous keynote address at the 2004 Democratic Convention. There's more to a President than positions. Some have it, some don't.
As for the race issue, I'm obviously no expert, but my sense is that this has already begun to fade, and even if it's still a factor for some in the Democratic primaries, I'd be very surprised if the black vote wasn't solidly behind Obama in the general. Even if some don't see Obama as "one of them," he's still a closer match than the decagenarian white guy the Republicans are going to nominate.
Media Party, I like that.
Those wanting to beat Obama need only change their name to Adolph and the media folks will Embrace their diversity.
said...
Ok, I have to sound off on this...www.projectvotesmart.com is quite useful (sorry not too good at linking) and I think his record stands for itself. He votes extremely left. He speaks extremely right. At least, at first, that is what he sounds like. He is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He is much more dangerous than Hillary. At least it is clear how dangerous she is. I think (and I pray not) he will deceive many. God forbid he get elected.
Actually it's .org.
Use this link.
I'm hoping that Congressman Ron Paul from Texas decides to run for president. While he is a bit Libertarian for most people, I agree with most of his ideals which are:
* Rights belong to individuals, not groups.
* Property should be owned by people, not government.
* All voluntary associations should be permissible -- economic and social.
* The government's monetary role is to maintain the integrity of the monetary unit, not participate in fraud.
* Government exists to protect liberty, not to redistribute wealth or to grant special privileges.
* The lives and actions of people are their own responsibility, not the government's.
I don't care too much for politics, but abortion does concern me.
Obama's wife did write the fundraising letter. However, Obama has also acted to keep hearnings concerning partial birth abortion off the house and senate floor. Also, where is Obama's disagreement with his wife's views on partial birth abortion?
The media is putting on a nonstop "Obama-rama" and I find it funny and disgusting. Obama is a nice fellow, but he is a completely ordinary politician. He speaks in glittering generalities, he can talk for ten minutes without actually saying anything, just like all the rest of them.
His fan club gushes about his charisma, and how he electrifies people when he walks in the room ...
And did you hear -- the Emperor has a beautiful new set of clothes.
The media is putting on a nonstop "Obama-rama" and I find it funny and disgusting. Obama is a nice fellow, but he is a completely ordinary politician. He speaks in glittering generalities, he can talk for ten minutes without actually saying anything, just like all the rest of them.
His fan club gushes about his charisma, and how he electrifies people when he walks in the room ...
And did you hear -- the Emperor has a beautiful new set of clothes.
Anon 7:17 has a good point: Hillary Adolph Rotten-Clinton. It has kind of a ring to it, doesn't it?
And Ann Coulter has a great article about Obama on today's NewsMax.com. It is well worth reading. In it, she gives Obama as much chance of winning next year as a fart in a whirlwind.
Scottie-
Of course she does. She's about as usefull of a commentator as Al Franken.
I wouldn't worry too much about Obama. I think the "not ready for prime time" label has really stuck. What exactly do the Dems pick up with an Obama nomination? The black vote? Well, considering that they get 95% of it every time anyway I doubt that's much of a draw. Plus, considering the Democratic parties history of NOT nominating blacks to any real positions of power I would think it extremely unlikely that Obama is going to get anywhere.
I think the media is making way too much hype about the elections coming up. It's not even election year and I'm already sick of hearing about all the potential candidates.
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