Fourth of July in November

In the midst of a column which glorifies the significance of how far blacks have come, and discusses nothing about this man's qualifications other than his race it's odd to see the statement:

"race played so little a part of Barack Obama’s victory"

You would think from reading the viewpoints of his fans, the above being a perfect example, Obama won because:

He is black.
He is not G.W.

How ironic that a man would be elected in large part, because of the color of his skin, rather than the content of his character. Judging from commentary such as the above, we are obviously not color blind. Not what MLK had in mind.

Obama didn't win because of the color of his skin, just like Sarah Palin didn't lose because she's a woman. Obama won because he's the best person to lead our country in these troubling times. He's bright and articulate, truly understands the issues, and has realistic plans to deal with the myriad problems our country faces.

As a person who is actually color blind, I have trouble with socks, but not race. People assume I see no color, all black & white.
I do see color, I just see it differently than others. Sometimes its hard to discern the differences as clearly as some can point out.
Being an artist of sorts, I consider it a blessing.

Putting issues aside, the downside of all of this is that because of the cult of personality surrounding Obama and his being half-Black, people are going to look to him to solve all their problems. With regard specifically to race issues, people have to get themselves involved to make sure the changes they want are made. Same thing with the issues: One can't expect Obama to do it all for them. Civilian involvement in government has been lacking for a long time, and part of this is overseeing not just what the president does, but what hostile congressional representatives and vested interests might do to thwart whatever positive actions a president will make.

The only time I ever heard a president say anything along the lines I suggest is when Clinton--while addressing health care--pointed out that part of the deal is that Americans must start taking better care on themselves.

Per the famous Kennedy quote in the second paragraph, it's reached cult-like status, but it's absolutely true. Will Obama's supporter really be willing to roll up their sleeves and get involved?

Since this is an article about race, I would point out that while many celebrated the election of Black mayors across the country which started a few decades back, once those mayors got into office the problems that they inherited from previous administrations did not go away in those cities and people are still killing each other which proves the point that unless society at large looks inward, no real positive change can happen.

I wonder why all the new optimism about our president has caused the stock market to take a dive? Could it be people trying to hide their life savings from Obama?

While everyone is so giddy about our first black president and blind to everything he stands for, those of you who have been wise enough to be saving for retirement will be interested in this "change" that is heading your way (bankrupting social security wasn't enough for our greedy government, in addition to raising taxes now they want your 401K's so we can go back to a welfare state):

Dems Target Private Retirement Accounts
Democratic leaders in the U.S. House discuss confiscating 401(k)s, IRAs

http://www.carolinajournal.com/articles/...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB12191030...

What Reagan giveth, Obama taketh away.

Obama 4:13

Read beyond the headlines, chicken littles.

This was a hearing in which the presentation cited in the headline "drew the most attention and criticism."

And, if you finally make it to the end of all the suppositions based on that.

Obama sayeth:
"I think there was a tendency to lose track of the political and community organizing and activities on the ground that are able to put together the actual coalition of powers through which you bring about redistributive change."

Yes another Obama saying that sounds intelligent but makes no sense. Can anyone tell me what that means? Most people listen to statements like that and go wow that guy is so intelligent and over my head I can't even make sense out of it! Hail Obama!

Is there an English teacher out there who can diagram that sentence for me? I'm just a dumb redneck.

Let's simplify it:

I think there was a tendency to lose track of ...
the activities...through which you bring about redistributive change.

Hmm still doesn't say anything. Except that "redistributive change" must be the subject hidden among them fancy words. That must be the new word for "welfare".

It doesn't matter, I'm just mesmerized by the charisma and the voice and the tall handsome good looks - look how he's sprawled out on that chair like Dean Martin while McCain's toes barely touch the ground...and gosh isn't he intelligent? I can't make a lick of sense out of all them words. And can you believe how far blacks have come in twenty years?

Yes, we have lost track of the activities that are bringing about welfare... oh now I get it.

A simple dictionary might help you.

activity – noun
a specific deed, action, function, or sphere of action: social activities.

wel⋅fare – noun
the good fortune, health, happiness, prosperity, etc., of a person, group, or organization; well-being: to look after a child's welfare; the physical or moral welfare of society.

"We have seen too much of the arrogant abuse of power by a president too cocksure of his hunches, too unwilling to listen to wiser heads, too ready to cook the political books, too contemptuous of the Constitution,"

Was Obama thinking of this when he voted in 2006 for the reauthorization of the Patriot Act?

It is quite appropriate for you to not understand that quote AShaw, since no self respecting "dumb redneck" (as you described yourself) is supposed to understand English.

However, you do need to get used to calling him President Barack Obama now.

"You would think from reading the viewpoints of his fans, the above being a perfect example, Obama won because:
He is black.
He is not G.W." -AShaw-

With all due respect to Barney, who saw things that us younger folks didn't see with respect to the way Blacks were treated, his articles of late seem to be more about picking open scabs than moving forward.

I know it's tempting to talk about such horrible things but what's the point here? Is it to say "I'm White but I'm one of the good ones?"

As for AShaw's comment about Obama not being G.W., I concur in the sense that G.W. has been such a nightmare on so many levels that it threw the field open for anyone percieved as being a maverick. I knew back in 2004 that we were in trouble when I started seeing "Anyone but Bush" bumper stickers. I see this election as being more about protest voting than anything else.

Since Barney's column is focusing on the racial symbolism of this election, I ask the following questions: Will Barack's presidency deal with the high rate (77% last time I heard) of out-of-wedlock births among Blacks? (With many children having no significant interaction with their fathers) Will (you progressives take note here) the never-ending War On Drugs end? These are two good issue with which to start.

How about not saddling our President/Government further. Yes, libertarians take note, these two important issue are important and our responsibility. Further these goals:
If you know of a child without a "Father-figure". Be one to that child. Regardless of your sex.
If you know of someone in crisis because of drugs or alcohol. Try to save them without judgment.
If you see someone not doing their part, encourage them.
It hasn't worked when our Government declared a "War on Drugs" or when people try to define, or declare a "War on Families."

I wouldn't hurt for all kids to see some example that no matter what your race, or whether or not you were raised with a father present, If you accomplish what you set out to do, you can succeed. Maybe even lead our great nation.

"I'm White but I'm one of the good ones?" - yes of course that's what its all about . This election is about relieving white guilt and electing the first black president. His politics and agenda are irrelevant. If there is one thing I am happy about I am glad everyone can finally get this off their chest. Now maybe we can be happy once again with a white candidate if he or she is most qualified, or any race candidate if he or she is the most qualified and finally start looking at issues and political leanings instead of race.

StandUpGuy, you finally said something I agree with, several things:
It wouldn't hurt for all kids to see some example that no matter what your race, or whether or not you were raised with a father present, If you accomplish what you set out to do, you can succeed. Maybe even lead our great nation.

I am glad you also see that gay marriage is part of the war on families.

We now have a leader who will Listen before starting a war. I feel proud to be a American. I wore a Flag pin on my uniform for the first time sence 2003.

And thanks StandUp but this is the meaning of welfare that I had in mind:

financial or other assistance to an individual or family from a city, state, or national government:

Listen to what exactly bigjim, listen to false promises and lies?
Neville Chamberlain "listened" to Hitler in Munich in September of 1938 and returned to England with this news":

"...the settlement of the Czechoslovakian problem, which has now been achieved is, in my view, only the prelude to a larger settlement in which all Europe may find peace. This morning I had another talk with the German Chancellor, Herr Hitler, and here is the paper which bears his name upon it as well as mine (waves paper to the crowd - receiving loud cheers and "Hear Hears").

Yeah I hope Obama is listening when he hears the sound of the missiles headed from Iran to Israel, or Korea to the US.

The way I remember history, it was Saddam Hussein who didn't listen for 11 years.

"gay marriage is part of the war on families."
Of course I feel the opposite. I'll be sure to address that directly on another thread. And leave the readers to draw their own conclusions about the parallels of civil equality as a race issue (this article) and any other struggle over citizens rights and privileges.

Since bringing up past injustices has been a thread in Barney's columns recently, maybe he can use his journalistic influence to talk about the silent bigotry against homeless people.

Use a racial slur, you get (rightfully) condemned and if you have a talk show, you will likely get booted off the air. Make a joke about a the homeless or locally, refer to a homeless person born and raised here as a "transient", and nothing gets said.

Of course the good ol' left-wing politically correct "progressive" town of S.B. isn't likely to take this nasty underside of itself on anytime soon.

Living out here in Northern Virginia and being a long swim away from our Nations Captital, the overwhelming majority of African-Americans, voted for Obama because he IS black. Many were asked to comment on Obama's political background, experience and leadership character? Many of our African-Americans living in around the Nation's Capital, were dumb-founded with the question in itself, many had to ask "What you say'ing, cracker?". After the question was dumbed-down or placed in Ghetto speak, the reply to the three question was, "He's a black man!". No one but the political savvy, who was African-American, could offer any reason to vote for Obama other than he is "Black". I guess, California was more articulate in its reasons for electing Obama, than his soon to become neighbors, the "Black" Community.