Out. Of. The. Park.

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As cynical as I am, there were tears streaming down my face as I listened to Barack Obama just now.

Wow.


'Nuff said.

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Thats a half hour of my life I'll never get back...

He didn't say ANYTHING that most intelligent people didnt already know...

I found it somewhat monotonous and dull, actually...I was disappointed....

thanks...

by bobo1 on 03/18/2008 11:40:11 AM EST


did you take notes.

by MRFred on 03/18/2008 11:48:05 AM EST

[ Parent ]
After listening for 30 minutes, I have now re-read the entire transcript and still dont see the reason Tony Harris on CNN is having an orgasm...

Maybe Im destined to be lost in this world, but I sure didnt see any monumental point of that speech...

It started off as a Freshman level civics course and then he twisted and turned about Pastor Wright, while never actually coming out and saying anything definitive about him... He can talk a good talk, but thats all it is...talk.

I'll give Obama this - he's a Heck of a prepared speaker but he's still a politician...I want to know how he's gonna tackle all these issues together with the group that currently resides in congress...IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO!!!

Please enlighten me, Fred...

Thanks...

by bobo1 on 03/18/2008 11:57:33 AM EST

[ Parent ]
"...while never actually coming out and saying anything definitive about [Pastor Wright]..."

And you want me to believe that you actually listened to the speech?  Or are you really an secret Republican trying to do some damage control?

Being wowed by a speech is never required.  But your criticisms should at least have some basis in reality.

Oh!  You wanted something simple like "Wright bad, whites good".  Yes, that would be easier to comprehend, wouldn't it?  I'm sorry that so much of the speech was so far over your head.

by EveningStarNM on 03/18/2008 12:26:15 PM EST

[ Parent ]
What did he say that he hadnt already said before?

Tell me what was in that speech that isnt already common knowledge, especially to you Obamabots.

The basis of reality is that he made a speech. He got 30 minutes of free airtime, with days of commentary to follow. Thats it...

Was it great - no, not in my opinion.

Was it decent - sure, but he could read the phonebook and make it decent...

I guess I was let down because I thought perhaps that the key, the secret of Obama's appeal would reveal itself to us, the common middle American White Male - But alas, it did not... just another long winded monotonous speech on how we are different and how we need to overlook it to make it better...

His comments on Pastor Wright were anything but definitive ("I dont like what he said, but hes still my brother and were still in the stuggle") didnt help his cause there with the confused/angry White crowd, either...

I guess Im just not buying that he is something different than any of these other guys... I haven't seen anything from him to lend me a hand...He still isnt speaking to issues that affect me, so whatever.

If hes the nominee, so be it - he's got a long road to travel to convince me (and millions of others). If voting against McCain is your only or strongest strategy for winning, I think that speaks volumes for his abilities and character... and yours...

Thanks...

by bobo1 on 03/18/2008 12:41:01 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Did you miss the part in the announcements all over the internet and TV that he was giving a major speech on RACE this morning? Why in the hell would you expect to hear a platform speech? Get real.

"...the common middle American White Male..."

Mighty big britches you put on there. Better wear a belt.

What part of "I CANNOT disown this man. I WILL not disown this man" didn't you understand? Even that isn't definitive enough for you? You call that "twisting and turning?"

Bad bobo throwing poop around just to see where it will stick. BAD bobo!!

by MedfordTim on 03/18/2008 12:59:20 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Bad Bobo - thats rich!!!

Anyway Tim, I am glad that the speech meant something to you... I really dont want to take away from that experience...

I was under the impression that the speech was to address the racial divide in this country, and what he was going to do about it... And yes, he addressed race ad nauseum...but did he really say anything that wasnt already established and known already?

Did he say anything that would make one think there had been some sort of change in ideas or philosophy? - No

Did he try to 'heal any wounds" that might have been caused by the fuss over Pastor Wright? - No. In fact, in the long run, I think he has hurt himself more with the white voter because he has chosen to stand by this man as fervently as he seemingly has...I suppose that's as definitive as anything else here...

He basically sat there for a half hour and told us we need to get over it, and that we need a higher level, a higher meaning and basis for discussion on race - This is where Obamas seeming arrogance gets in his way... He wants to be abovre the fray, but his voters THE PEOPLE are the fray, and he chooses not to work in that context... So instead of dealing with it, he diverts it and says hes above it... Classic Politician ala Bill Clinton...

I hope the media doesn't give him 3 days of free pass and fawn over his this speech and its "Historical Significance" . Thats what Obama and his people want, and it just wasnt there...

Maybe Im wrong - yes, its happened before - but I just dont see the hype... One can talk about a different type of politics all they want, but they cant have it both ways - you cant be a politician and claim to be above politics - people who accept this line of reasoning are just kidding themselves...

thanks...

by bobo1 on 03/18/2008 01:16:05 PM EST

[ Parent ]
He claims to want to do politics in a different kind of way.  He's already shown he can do that.  He's released his tax returns so we know he's honest.  He's worked tirelessly for governmental transparency -- here's a hint about those who like politics as usual, they HATE transparency.

Are you REALLY criticizing Obama for trying to raise the level of discourse from where it is now?

by jarett on 03/18/2008 03:50:41 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Bobo cant, or won't distiguish between politicians , politics and polemic.

The goodnews is there's a sale on Garmin GPS systems I hear 

by MRFred on 03/18/2008 01:34:17 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I dont know if een a Garmin GPS could help me find my way through this Bullshit...

I need one of those staffs that Moses carried around to part the seas of doubt and fear to find a clear path to salvation in these politcally overcharged times...

And I dont think even you Obamabots are claiming divinity on his part... but I could be wrong...

Thanks...

by bobo1 on 03/18/2008 01:41:52 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Im not sure were you get the idea I am an "Obamabot" whatever that is.

However you may want to rethink the staff analogy. The "staff" represents Obama's ability, and his speech, perfectly.

Then God demonstrated to him the miraculous potential in that seemingly insignificant staff–and Moses actually fled in terror from his own walking stick! But when instructed to pick up the snake by the tail, once again, it returned into a staff in his own hand.

Something simple and common, turned into a powerful authoritative tool, and then back to something simple and common.

When God finished showing to Moses that his staff was an instrument of divine power and authority, it was all he needed to fulfill his task. With that rod Moses defeated the magicians of Egypt, stripped Pharaoh of his power, humiliated Egypt's gods and brought Israel out from slavery to freedom.

From Derek Prince's essay on intercession entitled "Proclaim! Thank! Praise!" 

Obama has a gift, to our Evangelistic friends, God given gift of, words and oratory, which is the essence of a good politician.

With that rod Obama defeated the magicians of Spin, stripped the Republican of his power, humiliated greed's gods and brought the USA out from slavery to freedom.

Hows that?

by MRFred on 03/18/2008 02:05:48 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Obama said, "I have already condemned the statements of Reverend Wright..."

What is not definitive about that?

You claim to want change.  But you also make clear that you could vote for McCain if you're not "convinced" by Obama, as if there were no significant differences between them.

My whole complaint about you is that you just don't think.  Even KenTX uses more of his brain than you, and he's a liar and a hipocrit who enjoys hurting people!  But you'll say anything that fits your prejudices without ever having examined your assumptions.  You regularly say things that make absolutely no sense at allYou regularly contradict yourself and you don't even know that you're doing it!

I'm not angry with KenTX.  He was probably born that way and can't help being what he is.  But people like you who just don't bother to use your brains but who are in positions of responsibility over children really piss me off.

Oh, and when are these classes that you supposedly teach?  You have posted comments every day of the week at all times during the day.  I can't figure out when you have time to teach.


by EveningStarNM on 03/18/2008 01:50:48 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Im on Spring Break, so thats why Im on this week (as if its any of your business anyway, but there it is)

Juarez, I have never said I would vote for McCain. You can ask anyone on here who has regular conversations about these things to know I despise Grandpa Death above all... Remember, I live here in AZ, I know what he really is... 

Senator Obama was definitive in one way you could say - he was definitively going to stand by a man who says things like he does against America and against Senator Clinton and against white people in general... OK, you win that one...

I'm sorry that a voice of reason (or discontent) is bothering you on this site. Im sorry that you as a full fledged Obamabot cannot take criticism of yourself or your candidate. Im sorry that you believe that we can change the world just by wishing it so... I cannot prescribe to those fallacies, and I will always be in opposition to such stupidity.... 

I enjoy being a voice of the common regular person here...So many of you have forgotten who actually lives and function in normal American soceity... Its certainly not represented by the majority bloggers on these Liberal sites...

I thought you were going to have other converstaions with other people, anyway? Why are you so worried about me? If im so irrelevant, why bother? Isnt this what got you all in a tizzy before?

Thanks for your opinions...I appreciate continued issue related discussions...

by bobo1 on 03/18/2008 02:06:06 PM EST

[ Parent ]

You've said that Obama must "convince" you before you can vote for him.  If don't become convinced, who will you vote for besides McCain?  I don't know the laws in Arizona; can you write in a candidate there?

by EveningStarNM on 03/18/2008 03:55:20 PM EST

[ Parent ]
If I dont like the candidates, I simply will not vote for them. Thats the remedy, Evening Star...

Remember, we dont directly elect Presidents in this country..Just look at 2000 and 2004...

Just because one chooses not to vote doesnt mean that they cannot be a part of the discussion...

Thanks...

 

by bobo1 on 03/18/2008 06:48:34 PM EST

[ Parent ]
 
but thats all it is...talk.
Obviously you missed the point of the speech, everything we do for the most part begins as "talk" followed by action, in this case racism and is perpetuated by the failure to talk , again about race.  No talk...no change. (1)

I would suggest a good GPS system. 

by MRFred on 03/18/2008 12:28:42 PM EST

[ Parent ]

We will make you a true believer, Dr. Jones.

Just kidding.  I haven't even listened to the speech yet. But I promise I will.

by OneHitKill on 03/18/2008 12:25:54 PM EST

[ Parent ]

I can't help myself!  I must vote for Obama!

Hey!  Y'know what?  I like it!

That was truly a wonderful speech.  This guy is the leader we need.

by EveningStarNM on 03/18/2008 12:04:17 PM EST


I cried.  It was the blockbuster speech of the spring. 

 I'm trying to figure out why I feel so moved by this speech and this discussion.  Is it white guilt?  I'm 31, and I grew up in a highly segregated city where the white people had all the advantages of a public school system that produced many ivy league students.  A block away over the State Line resides one of the worst school systems in the country that is dominated by black students.  One of our nation's murder capitals right next to one of the richest suburbs in the country. 

Maybe I'm just so excited at the prospect of changing this effed up system that I get emotional about it.  

by schmoab on 03/18/2008 12:18:33 PM EST


At this point, everyone has already chosen sides, and isn't listening to the other because they're too busy yelling.

Obama detractors have latched on to Jeremiah Wright and are going to hold onto that for keeps.

Maybe I'm the most cynical of all, but I think none of Obama's albeit outstanding speech, will resonate with anyone that hasn't already rallied behind him. 

by djm912 on 03/18/2008 01:07:07 PM EST


Was on FOX News, because that's the station the break room TV was on.  I was thrilled to see it there, that's the venue to reach the people who needed to hear it the most, IMNSDHO.

SAM: What's new, Normie?
NORM: Terrorists, Sam. They've taken over my stomach and they're demanding beer.

by Spinny on 03/18/2008 01:17:45 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I enjoy net abbreviations and acronyms, but IMSNDHO?  I'll have to report this to David.


I'm sorry.

by ihavenobias on 03/18/2008 01:46:29 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Guilty, as charged.

SAM: What's new, Normie?
NORM: Terrorists, Sam. They've taken over my stomach and they're demanding beer.

by Spinny on 03/18/2008 02:09:00 PM EST

[ Parent ]
What's IMSNDHO?

by 1xx3xy on 03/18/2008 08:06:38 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I apologize for the confusion.

SAM: What's new, Normie?
NORM: Terrorists, Sam. They've taken over my stomach and they're demanding beer.

by Spinny on 03/18/2008 08:08:02 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Please don't apologize.  I just didn't get it.

by 1xx3xy on 03/18/2008 09:57:54 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Since he needs to keep the people that have already rallied behind him.

by Chinese Democracy on 03/18/2008 02:23:17 PM EST

[ Parent ]
But after that speech, his intelligence and grasp of this very thorny issue are so utterly clear, that I must do so now.  Senator Clinton is an excellent politician, but when she derides Senat or Obama for his speech making skill, I must counter, isn't that the most important skill for a politician to have?  Yes, we need experience and the willingness to fight, but we are entering a time in this country that will be very trying.  It will take more than political savvy to get us through it, it will take heart and belief, and it is going to be vital that we are inspired by our leaders.  I respect and value both of our remaining candidates, but I am inspired by Obama. 

by elasg on 03/18/2008 09:29:54 PM EST

[ Parent ]
"I hadn't rallied behind him before today"

Does anyone else feel the same way? Was anyone else on the fence, and this speech convinced them that "Yes We Can!"?

Conversely, has anyone been convinced in the opposite direction, that the Reverend Wright controversy is insurmountable?

I'm an objective third party who is just trying to help.

Thank you for your time.

God Bless

by KenTX on 03/19/2008 01:57:34 AM EST

[ Parent ]
But its the lead story  on HuffingtonPost.com

by Chinese Democracy on 03/18/2008 02:24:17 PM EST

[ Parent ]
This is more like it. This is the type of response that I wanted to see on Friday! Obama is truely a gifted and talented man when it comes to giving a sermon.

Was it all BS, absolutely! but the issue here wasn't substance, it was about stemming the tide. He did that quite effectively. He gave his supporters  a reason to love him again.

I give credit where credit is due and Obama did a nice job today but he has to add substance and add it soon.

by LORD FOUL on 03/18/2008 02:32:36 PM EST


Substance or no substance, is anybody listening that wasn't already behind him?

by djm912 on 03/18/2008 03:21:21 PM EST

[ Parent ]
that is the 64 million dollar question

Obama had to stop the bleeding, at least among his own supporters and to that extent he was quite successful.

by LORD FOUL on 03/18/2008 03:42:12 PM EST

[ Parent ]

"Was it all BS, absolutely!"

Is that really how you feel?  You honestly believe that everything he said is bullshit?  I'm sure Hillary believes that too.  That's why she cannot fathom why people are choosing Obama over her. 

Is this idealism?  Yeah, maybe so, but you know what?  It's healthy from time to time for idealism to come rushing in to sweep away the cynism like an ocean tide washing away dried turds on the beach.  It keeps the sand clean.

Now, do you want to be part of the tide or one of the turds?  

by bfaul on 03/18/2008 03:59:21 PM EST

[ Parent ]
We are all dried turds in the end, my friend... thats the point that the Obama people are missing in all of this

Idealism is a great aspiration, but it does not function in reality... Wishing it so does not make it so... Yeah, it was an OK speech, but Obama is a politician seeking office...wouldnt he say anything to get there?

Im waiting for the General Election now... If Im wrong about Obama, Ok whatever, The world is safe, we are happy, races will all just get along blah blah blah. But if Im right...well...

We shall see...

by bobo1 on 03/18/2008 07:21:41 PM EST

[ Parent ]

" We are all dried turds in the end, my friend"

OK, I'm prepared to admit that may be at least partially true.  In any case I like the coarse existential ring of it.

"Obama is a politician seeking office...wouldnt he say anything to get there?"

Of course he is.  Let me try to explain what I think the difference is.  They all make speeches, they all pontificate, but the content of his speeches are honest.  He's prepared to stipulate certain things.  I read his speech about the Iraq war made in 2002 and it was a bullseye, right on the money.  His views were an almost perfect match of my own (Note: I first read those remarks in 2007, in 2002 I was a lot more conflicted about it because Powell's speech had convinced me that there was much more to it than they could reveal, the lying prick), but Obama saw it clearly way back then.  I watched Hillary's remarks on the same subject at around the same time and she hit all of Bush's talking points, the WMDs, the UN resolutions, all of that tired old crap, while neglecting to mention that even as she spoke, inspectors were there on the ground telling them that they could find no indications that there were any remaining WMDs.  I also read Obama's remarks in August of last year on the subject of the Iraq war and it's relationship to Al Qaida. It was then that I decided he was the guy.

He was, and still is, the only one of the candidates that really hits the nail on the head in the issue of the war on terror.  They keep saying, "well he gives a great speech, but what's he going to do?".  I already know McCain's answer: The same thing we've been doing.  Hillary's, as near as I can tell, is "We'll see".

The first half of solving a problem is to see the problem clearly and define it in concise terms.  I have yet to see Hillary complete this basic first step, while McCain is out there in lala land with Bush.

by bfaul on 03/18/2008 11:01:02 PM EST

[ Parent ]
"We are all dried turds in the end..."

According to that short-sighted philosophy, the only logical conclusion is that we might as well give up now because nothing is worth doing.  Please do, bobo1.  Please be true to your philosophy.  Please give up now and quit holding the rest of us back.  What does it matter to you?  Our ideals are pointless, right?  As you so clearly imply, you might as well be dead for all the good that living will do you.

You should start following your ideas to their logical conclusions.

by EveningStarNM on 03/19/2008 01:10:42 AM EST

[ Parent ]
You know, for as much as you and other Liberals preach about acceptance and tolerance, many people including you on this site are extremely intolerant of opposing viewpoints. You just cannot stand to believe that viewpoints other than your own are valid or correct or even just worthy of discussion...

I would hate to see what kind of world we would live in if you with your hate and intolerance were in control.

God Forbid people express themselves in a way you find offensive...

God Forbid one disagrees with ones version of truth...

God Forbid one questions Obama, because he/she will automatically be called a "racist" and be disqualified from further discussion...

I never said your ideas were pointless. I said your faith in idealism and hope was ill conceived and not realistic. Your reliance on a Politician to solve your own issues of guilt and biases are not going to come to fruition.  
 
You go ahead and believe what you will, Juarez...Let me do the same, and let us continue discussing issues that need this sort of discussion to come to some sort of resolution...

I live life to the fullest. I enjoy my children, my work and ability to freely live on this planet. It is you people who are saddled with guilt. It is you vengeful souls who must argue and bicker and pick and whine and bemoan the tragedies that you concieve. It is you who waits on a false hope of redemption that will never come, not I... 

I understand what the world has always been. I have come to terms with reality and accepted my role in as much. I dont need to worship at any idol, living, existential or supernatural... I dont need a Messiah like you obviously do... 

And please dont insinuate that I should just go into a corner and die..that shows a lot of class on your part - You are really representing yourself and the Obama followers well...

For all of this tolerance and "above the fray" your man Obama is preaching, you guys sure dont listen very well. I thought that was what his speech/sermon was supposed to point out today?!
 
"You have to deal with the sinners before you can become a saint..."

La Chaim!


by bobo1 on 03/19/2008 01:53:34 AM EST

[ Parent ]

1. You know he wasn't saying he wanted you dead so spare me the fake indignation.

2. Who's called you a racist because you don't support Obama?

3. "I live life to the fullest. I enjoy my children, my work and ability to freely live on this planet."  Everyone doesn't have the option to sit back and enjoy life like you do.  That's why politics matters.  I don't see why you busy yourself watching a political show when you clearly have no faith in our system to ever do anything right ever.  I guess you're just sitting enjoying life and waiting for someone else to start that revolution you always talk about, though I don't see why you need it since everything is so perfect.

4. Quit your damn whining about how intolerant we are here at TYT!  We still read your posts, don't we?  And nine times out of ten we even respond to them.  We can all be abrasive and opinionated, but it hardly qualifies as intolerance (I mean Ken is still here for fucks sake).  And quit getting all bent out of shape every time someone says something that you take personal.  YOU are usually the one throwing the first personal attack into the argument.

Feel free to ignore everything I've said though, because after all, I AM younger than you and that means you win by default. 

by Spencer on 03/19/2008 05:48:15 AM EST

[ Parent ]
With what words did I "tell" you to die?  You're failing to think again.

by EveningStarNM on 03/19/2008 05:50:04 AM EST

[ Parent ]
What is the ideal, to call people who disagree with you turds?

Another attack on Clinton. You talk like Clinton is at 25% in the polls. Fact is Dems are almost evenly devided over the 2 candidates.

I wonder why Obama supporters can't fathom why people are choosing her over him? Would that be fair for me to say?

I reserve judgement on Senator Obama, simply because I don't know him and he has little track record to show me anything. Plus he has not been properly vetted, the REv. Wright story is just the beginning

Let me ask you 2 questions. First, tell me when Senator Obama led a fiillibuster against the war? Second, tell me how many times has Senator Obama voted to not fund the war?

by LORD FOUL on 03/19/2008 03:32:43 PM EST

[ Parent ]
To say that you would have to believe that Senator Obama is extremely shallow, playing only for the audience, and that nothing he spoke about reflects his fundamental principles.

I choose to believe that he's a good man and that he spoke honestly.  I am convinced that he did not lie.  I believe that he will follow through on what he said and do what he can to help solve the problems that he described.

by EveningStarNM on 03/19/2008 01:01:03 AM EST

[ Parent ]
At a fairly diverse political board where I moderate--the majority membership tends to the Constitutional conservative and/or libertarian--I just read a post from a regular who is pretty conservative (and a committed Christian).  He said the speech gave him "chills" and "I thought it was one of the great American speeches and the greatest of our time."

Just one data point, and from someone who's not an Obamabot, but yes, the speech is reaching some people.

SAM: What's new, Normie?
NORM: Terrorists, Sam. They've taken over my stomach and they're demanding beer.

by Spinny on 03/18/2008 03:51:31 PM EST


This is a very interesting observation.  I wonder if this happens often or is it just a blip?

I think the things he says just ring true and people naturally respond to that.

by bfaul on 03/18/2008 05:16:19 PM EST

[ Parent ]
"I think the things he says just ring true and people naturally respond to that."

I think there's a lot of truth in that observation.  And, if his greatest strength does happen to be his speechifyin', why is that a bad thing.  Hell, isn't it possible that a strong leader who's capable of inspiring and motivating the people might be just the very thing this country needs at this point?

For that matter, who else is showing any of this thing people are demanding called "substance?"  We hear how it's all going to be about the Repig Slime Machine, over and over and over.  Where's the substance in that?  If the election is going to be decided on the basis of who can draw the most compelling picture, well, then, why the hell are people clamoring for "substance" from Obama?  Isn't that being naive about where he needs to be strong?  If he can take the bullshit flung at him, turn it around and flower it up into another inspiring speech that moves people to tears?  Tell me why that's a bad thing, I'd really like to hear that kind of reasoning.

SAM: What's new, Normie?
NORM: Terrorists, Sam. They've taken over my stomach and they're demanding beer.

by Spinny on 03/18/2008 07:50:01 PM EST

[ Parent ]
It was a great speech and his presentation of it was excellent as well.

by Tom Paine Jr on 03/18/2008 04:29:59 PM EST


This poster is a hardcore free market conservative.

"I am not an Obama supporter, and his campaign since the beginning has had me begging for specifics and answers, but that speech was unreal.

Say what you will, but that took major BALLS to put it out on the table like that, and at such at such an opportune time.

FINALLY someone said "it" (rather than cowering like all the other candidates have so far from what is affecting us all)."

SAM: What's new, Normie?
NORM: Terrorists, Sam. They've taken over my stomach and they're demanding beer.

by Spinny on 03/18/2008 04:49:54 PM EST


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