i guess, in a republic where folks of color find difficulty hailing taxis. and are hailed by law enforcement types all too frequently…it had to happen.
now, will the poll numbers slide?

(Jed Clampett)

I wonder if there is anyone out there capable of speaking in such a manner, without hyperbole or recriminations. Any republincant’s out there who can speak intelligently and openly about the issues we all know need to be addressed yet continue to be exploited by the 5% who think that for their dream to succeed, mine must falter?

jed you are hitting it on the head today. finally someone is addressing the issue that true liberals have known and seen for quite some time

(Jed Clampett)

When I hear him speak it reminds me of reading the words of sittin bull and chief joseph. men of spirit with the voice of truth and justice.

Truly a great speech. Unfortunately most won’t hear it in it’s entirety. After the media gets through butchering it, I hope that it still retains the spirit and true statesmanship that the full speech so eloquently displays. Jed’s right, no republican could ever speak so honestly, or with such humility, and he didn’t tear down a single person doing it.

(Jed Clampett)

John stewart said it perfectly!!! At 11 am sen obama spoke to americans about race like they are adults.

Here’s a difficult question for all the candidates… How do you feel about the current struggle of the people of TIBET as it relates to the struggle of oppressed people of earth? Tibetans in china. Kosovars in bosnia. Mapuches in Chile. Aymaras in Peru. Luos in Kenya.
Please take pause in answering this question. As it relates to not only flashpoints of unrest around the world, but also to cultural sensitivities on both sides. Please also remember diplomacy and heart as the world will relate your answer to how you will carry out your foreign policy. Let’s put the cards on the table and let’s see who’s holding the royal flush.

I wonder how many people realize they can actually watch the entire speech on the window up top. Any hitcounts TD?

It’s kind of unfair; the man is a great thinker and tremendous, powerful speaker. Not that that in itself is SO meaningful, but in this age of instant/powerful/extensive communications, it’s a big help.

It was a joy to watch JFK speak, especially in a press conference. It was always clear he knew more than the reporters. I’ve missed that.

(Jed Clampett)

compare and contrast this speech with today’s Shrub speech, loaded with hyperbole, innuendo, metaphors and double entendres. You will notice, if you have understanding, the differences in spiritual fulfilment and purpose of being within the orators. One is to deceive and agitate, the other to enlighten and motivate.

To call this a race speech is to actually miss the point and purpose of the oratory… call it a Unity Speech or perhaps an AWAKENING SPEECH, to call it a Race Speech is to play into the wave of negative publicity being piled on in the matter. At what point do members of the media start a wave to counter the deception going on in our society today? Perhaps they prefer to enjoy a little extra profit for now without any thought for the future and what it will entail for the greater majority.

When you think about it, reverend Wright wasn’t all that wrong.

Oliver North bought cocaine from the FARC and moved through Panama to be sold in east LA in order to fund the war against the democratically elected government of nicaragua contrary to law. They sold the product in the black neighboorhoods of south central and started an epidemic greater than that of powdered cocaine in hollywood. Then they created laws to make crack cocaine 10 times more punishable than powder, basically because more blacks and latinos used crack than rich white kids who happen to prefer the powder. Then, prisons were privatized and the contracts given to well connected political allies of both parties. To give themselves a free source of wealth, a taxpayer subsidized prison boom started so as to keep up with the increased rate of imprisonment. By contrast, the amount of money spent on education, which could be a point of crime prevention, is a mere fraction of the incarceration budget. Obviously our political leaders are more intent on making us prisoners than teaching the appropiate way of living and contributing to the community. When you think of the proposals being passed around about making prisoners pay for their ordeal by forcing them to work. Seems to me we are importing more from China than poisonous products, poisonous ideology seems to be making it’s way across the sea as well.

I too found the speach to be extraordinary.
The sober and eloquent challenge to seek positive sum solutions is in daunting contrast with the campaign process itself, its zero or negative sum outcome, and much of the media’s determination to play it only that way.
CNN was advertizing that AC will be following Obama all day today in North Carolina. I wonder if anything will be different.

If one can see this speech and not see the content of this man’s character, then they will be blind to everything else as well. Proverbially, he threw Rev. Wright off the bus without throwing him under it. Anyone white person over 40 has probably heard their parents, grandparents, or other family member, speak negatively of African-Americans. Does that mean we should disavow them and never speak to them again? I’ve heard priests throughout my life tell me that I’m damned to hell for everything from pre-marital sex, to masturbation, to my belief in a woman’s right to choose. Do I agree with them? No. Opinions are like a$$holes, everyone has one, and rightly so.

Good not great, He said what He needed to say,and showed a great understanding of the race issue. The Economic and War parts were good. I dont think Hes finished if He is its the right wing medias fault Hawk news is the most regressive organization in America, and that preppie Scarborough isnt much better.

(Jed Clampett)

He spoke to america as if they are adults capable of understanding complex issues without resorting to mudslinging.

A LAT blog is saying BHO told ABC News he thought OJ did it. I’d be curious to know why he felt compelled to volunteer THAT information.

The blog also reports that Gallup says, among Dems, HRC’s gaining strength (HRC – 49% BHO – 42%).

Methinks a whole BUNCH of people had better get ready to graciously concede come convention time or it’ll be the Cons all over again.

(Jed Clampett)

Because, like me, he undestands it was another case where justice was foiled.

Tis yet a long time to the end to be calling it a victory.
Isn’t that how Bush got into the presidency with a margin of 524 votes in florida?
Fox called it prematurely for him, setting up the other broadcasters to follow suit and make the coditions appropiate for the firestorm that followed.

DD

I saw the ABC piece. He was just talking about the reaction of the black community in the wake of OJ’s acquittal. He said that although he was not proud of the way African-Americans reacted, he understood why they felt that way, that a victory against an unjust criminal system was a victory for the black community.(their thoughts, not his.) He then added that he was one of the ones who thought OJ did it. But come on, who didn’t? })

BD,

Obviously some among the jury didn’t b u y into it. Wait, make that “didn’t care.”

All I’m saying is it opens an unnecessary can of worms. There’s probably many in the black community who went, “Say what?” upon hearing that. Who needs another issue on the table. If BHO is running this Summer, you KNOW the Cons will be beating him over the head about it. I know I would.

Of course, maybe he WANTS them to attack him on the matter. It DOES make for interesting theater and for thee and me that’s about the best you can say for all this.

(Jed Clampett)

Interesting how people can opine with such conviction when they haven’t bothered to catch the interview. When you allow yourself to be ‘informed’ by sound bites and 30 second spots, you deserve to live with the choices you made. Have we not had enough with Bushney to reject that kind of ideology and tactics outright and denounce them for what they are. Desperate attemps to divert the focus from truth.

Mr. Obama is not likely to get my vote. As a man with a Military background, a man of General Colin Powell’s stature is my choice. He has distinguished himself with his career as a leader of men, tried under fire, and unscathed and unswerving in his loyalty to America. Race has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with this presidential race. Qualifications do. Why didn’t the Democrats chose a man such as Powell. Idiots at the helm?

Mr. Obama is not likely to get my vote. As a man with a Military background, a man of General Colin Powell’s stature is my choice. He has distinguished himself with his career as a leader of men, tried under fire, and unscathed and unswerving in his loyalty to America. Race has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with this presidential race. Qualifications do. Why didn’t the Democrats chose a man such as Powell. Idiots at the helm?

Jack,

Sorry, no can do. If you’ve followed anything on this website, you will realize that if you didn’t oppose the war, you’re automatically disqualified from being president. It must be in the Constitution somewhere.