While America has some experience with the Clinton's and Hillary specifically during her turn as First Lady and then later as New York Senator , we do not seem to be that familiar with Barack Obama. As many are now considering where to line up their loyalties and hence ultimately their vote - I have been doing some research. People who are telling me that they are considering voting for Barack for President, say it is because they view him as a candidate who will make changes.
Are the changes that Barack wants to make in line with your ideas for this county and yes, even the way that you want to live your life? When questioned, Barack's supporters insist that he is a Christian. What does that mean? In looking into the doctrine of the church that Barack claims as his own, I see that there are some major issues that would lead me to question whether they adhere to Christian principles and serve Jesus as Lord and Savior. That is what Christians do. It isn't a term for good people or nice people or people who believe that there is a God. Nope!! It is used for the followers of Christ - period. People of whatever color who have placed their very lives and eternal future in Jesus' hands and follow Him as closely as they can.
While Obama has portrayed himself as a candidate for all Americans, his closeness to his minister, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, tells a different story. For more than two decades, Wright has been Obama’s friend and sounding board, a man he consults before making important decisions like whether to run for president.
In December, Wright praised Louis Farrakhan as a man who epitomizes greatness. Farrakhan has blamed blacks’ troubles on Jews, America, and whites, whom he calls “blue-eyed devils.”
Obama’s Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago espouses what it calls the Black Value System. While the Black Value System encourages commitment to God, education, and self-discipline, it refers to “our racist competitive society” and includes the disavowal of the pursuit of “middle-classness” and a pledge of allegiance to “all black leadership who espouse and embrace the Black Value System.”
The Black Value System defines “middle-classness” as a way for American society to “snare” blacks rather than “killing them off directly” or “placing them in concentration camps,” just as the country structures “an economic environment that induces captive youth to fill the jails and prisons.”
Do we want a white President who puts down blacks or other ethnic groups and maintains that the White man is supreme? Do we want a black President who maintains that the black people are?
Beyond these troubling thoughts are those in which he wants immediate withdrawal from Iraq, leaving them ripe for the picking by the terrorist groups that maintain strength in the region. Just like children need some hand holding and training before they launch out independently , so do these people. This independence and self governing stuff is new to them. They need mentoring, protection, training of their forces - you know the attacks will come. We need to help them to be ready.
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Kathleen,
Obama can say he is a Christian, just as i can say i am tall and thin with a full head of hair.Doesn't make either of them true. The press has annointed him and given him a free ride, but if he thinks Hillary is tough wait till the general election,( think swiftboats). I think he is a very dangerous man and i hope people wake up.
Kathleen:
Obama is the biggest racist to run for president in decades.
Kathleen:
Congratulations!
This post has earned featured post status on the Silent Majority group in ActiveRain.
Kathleen,
I have decided that if the press likes a person they must be liberal to the hilt!!!
Kathleen et. al.,
In the interest of clarity, one might want to check out this link that relates to material posted here:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/church.asp
Gina -
"I have to confess that those are not statements I ever heard when I was sitting in the pews at this church. These are a series of incendiary statements that I can't object to strongly enough. Had I heard those in the church, I would have told Reverend that I profoundly disagreed with them. They didn't reflect my values and they didn't reflect my ideals" Barack
Now Barack remembers that he did indeed sit in those pews for years and hear these things said. If you do not agree with what your pastor , priest, rabbi is preaching - get up and leave. Find a church that lines up with your values & ideals.
Wright says Barack knows what it is to be a poor black man - no he does not, at least from personal experience. For one he is also 1/2 white, for another he has never been poor and attended an Ivy League college(Harvard).
Barack also had an interesting financial deal that the media has dropped. Barack admits he knew the guy was slimy but went into a deal with him anyway. Rezmar
We know the Clinton's are powerful and crooked, people need to learn more about Barack quickly.
Kathlene,
Unfortunately your prejudices and henceforth motives are verbatim repeats of right-wing radio Neo-cons. Not to mention that your attention to detail highlights the lack of credibility for not only your thought process, but all the other hateful right-wing water carriers. Sen.Obama's first name is spelled Barack and if someone feels the need to criticize his ideas that is of course your right, which I encourage to be exercised. In the future, however you will have more success if you treat opposing opinions with an equal level of respect as those who you agree with.. That means first off show the common decency to spell a person's name correctly, yes I know I mis-spelled your first name also, Kathleen... Try to do better in the future.
As a caucasian agent in the same business out in San Diego, but originally from Georgia, I've had enough contact with all types of discrimination. Some are articulate (as yours are) and some are not, however the consequences have been born over the years. Yes we still feel the effects even today, albeit significantly more subtle. Barack offers a style of leadership with a number of issues that encourages many of us that we can find real lasting solutions, as opposed sweeping problems under the rug once again.
kathleen- WOW who would have thought that someone would call you a racist for saying you would have got up and walked out of church like Rtidd just did. I dont see anything wrong with what you said! I agree with what you posted Kathleen.
I like to think of myself as someone who does not see color but the problem with this "church" as I see it can be summed up in a line from "pastor" Wrights own talking points
• "African-centered thought, unlike Eurocentrism, does not assume superiority and look at everyone else as being inferior. "
How could anyone get ahead in life with thoughts like this running through their heads. What a shame.
Gina, thanks for the link to Snopes, But I have never heard of the story of which it was addressing. I am not sure we need a third party web site explaining away parts of Obama's problems with the truth.
Kathleen, Rtidd just proved you hit a nerve with the left wing talking points crowd accusing you of spewing right wing talking points like the rest of the 'neo-cons' ( along with calling people who don't like Racism in any color 'hateful right-wing water carriers').
'Barack offers a style of leadership with a number of issues that encourages many of us that we can find real lasting solutions, as opposed sweeping problems under the rug once again'? If he can't keep his own party singing lullabies and holding hands, how is he going to do it with the rest of the nation? Marching with Farrakhan? and the newest lie regarding his flip flopping answerer's about a super liberal group endorsement during his senatorial bid. and of course the' typical white person' and older relatives that make him shudder being thrown under the bus is not the style of leadership we need. I am a 'Caucasian agent' w/ a black wife and kids, does that make me more qualified and enlightened Rtidd?
Kathleen (and Alan),
Labelling common sense ideas as 'socialism' may have worked in the past, but now we see consequences of letting wealthy rule the country. It was has proven to be a disaster, and we only need to clarify that putting power back to the regular people is a better way to go. Its not socialism, not hardly, but Capitalism with checks built in to create a level playing field, the private markets will still control day-to-day decisions.
I would not support government controlled programs any more than any one of you, but if we can't live a balanced lifestyle with a self-sustaining economy and earth replenishing ideas then you're making life harder for your children. That means living in a nation paying off our debtors, to which we owe a total well into TRILLIONS, and cities flooded with water that used to be frozen in the polar ice caps.
You is this anonymous RTidd, if you are so proud of your socialist vies and are a defender of liberalism, come forth and tell us who you are. We are not afraid for others to know how we believe in America and true vlues. You paint a picture of all of us being brainwashed. But we do not hide behind a false name.
Thank you Kathleen for voicing your opinion of Obama. You have a right, and I am glad you are using your head and not being brainwashed by the liberal media.
Rtidd is certainly a kool-aid liberal who knows everything, but says nothing. Only to condemn you for having a thought contrary to his.
RTidd - as you see I did correct my spelling error, but it was in no way intentional or prejudicial. Because I do not agree with Wright or Barack does not make me prejudiced against black people - it is not the color issue it is their thought patterns. I don't agree with you either and you say that you are Caucasian.
I am white, several of my nieces and nephews are Korean, our friends are black and white and probably green, too. Since I believe we are all descendants of Adam and Eve, who cares.
I am not wealthy but I owe a lot to people who were wealthy and put their money to good humanitarian use by building hospitals, and libraries , and other things that make life better for many.
It isn't what color you are, or who your Mama is, or how much $ you make - it is about the heart and the actions that overflow out of your heart.
Thanks for the comments all the same - I support your right to speak your piece as well.
RTidd
I agree with Nicholas. By the way what are you talking about? You mirror what Carl Marx or Mao would have liked you to sound in modern times....you take an idea and give it to the masses.. and repeat it over and over and over enough and they will eventually believe . By the way here is a picture of the most recent global warming in central Texas just a couple of weeks back. The nights have still been chilly...and usually by April you can start thinking about swimming here.
Kathleen - In a way you might be correct that Obama doesn't know what it's like to be a poor black man in the American sense. You are wrong that he's never been poor, he certainly was. He was raised without much money but in another country where the "black experience" does not exist. When he returned to the US, he was in Hawaii which has a more inclusive nature given its variety of mixes. Barack being a hapa-haole is like many others. It wouldn't be until college that he would perhaps encounter the "black experience". I could not comment on his level of wealth at that point in time.
Larry - You clearly do not understand the concept of "afro-centrism". It is not about black superiority (despite what its critics may claim), it's about putting a focus on an African view.
Tchaka- I used "Pastor" Wrights own words. How can it be healthy to think this way? But then again liberals jump all over Republicans when one of them goes astray so I can see how you might think it is normal thinking.
The whole "afro-centrism" theory can be summed up in one word as I see it. Envy
RTidd:
Don't let them razz you about showing your face. You don't have to. We know who you are.
We do need to be aware of how others things and operate but we do not need to see things as they do. We Americans are different. We do not strap bombs on babies or people in wheelchairs and send them into the "enemy" camps to kill them.
If you want to live in America and reap the benefits - then be American. Most of us have ancestors from other countries, but we live here now. It someone doesn't want to live here they can move back to the old country and live like they do there. The black people I know while cherishing their roots do not want to move to Africa and those who do are going there as missionaries to help the people. My roots are European but while it may be a nice place to visit - I live here. This is my country.
Tchaka you are correct. We are American so we don't need to see things from any other viewpoint. I am not white but I don't go around trying to get people to see things from my viewpoint. The American viewpoint is all that matters. America is the best country on this Earth.
In an earlier post you commented that Barack Obama does not know what it is like to be a poor black man in America. You are probably correct. It does not matter anyways. I have never been a poor black man. Barack has never been a disabled jewish woman. Who cares. What we do care about, however, is what people say and do. In addition, it matters who people affiliate themselves with.
Pastor Wright said some bad things about this country. As a former soldier myself, I defended his right to say those things. For Mr. Obama the problem erupts when he associates with Mr. Wright. I, as an American do not want a President who associates with someone who feels so strongly that America is bad. Tchaka I would like to be your real estate asistant but I think you and firm suck. You probably would not hire me. I would not have your businesses best goals in mind. Mr. Obama may not feel as strongly as his pastor, but if that is the case, why did he continue attending that church? To me it kicks up a red flag.
I will vote for a President who thinks America is number 1 (like I do) and who has its best interests in mind at all times.
Rtidd what do you have against the wealthy? You state that we should give power back to the "regular people". Who are the regular people? I am not white and I was raised very poor with no father. I joined the military at age 18, put myself through years of night college to attain an advanced degree, worked a second job from age 22 until age 40 while running my own business, and have just recently become what I consider rich. Am I a regular person? If not, was I more qualified to make good decisons back when I was poorer?
What is a self-sustaining economy? What are earth replenishing ideas? Please explain these terms.
I don't want Mr. Obama to be the next President. Am I a hateful right wing water carrier or do I just not like his ideas? Do you like Kathleen or are you a rascist? Maybe you don't like white people. Just because I or you disagree with someone does not mean we are racist.
Rtidd please come forth and defend yourself.
It's a valid point Patrick, you just don't get it.
Kevin, several things:
1. my comment about not seeing things from a Eurocentric was rhetorical.
2. the comment about Barack not knowing what it's like to be a poor black man in America has to do with the original blog post, which has since been modified. Unless you saw the original, it wouldn't make sense to you.
3. if you thought that both me and my company suck, you wouldn't be seeking employment from me so whether or not I hire you is moot. How that relates to Barack, I'm not sure.
4. Pastor Wright said some things about the country which came out in an unflattering manner. Before you jump on the bandwagon and condemn him as others have, how much of him do you know? How much of his speeches have you listened to? I'll tell you right now that there are some things our country does/is doing/isn't doing that are an embarrassment. But what makes you think I don't feel the US is #1? Criticism is fine. I would rather people criticize the US so that we can improve than for people to sit with their heads in their rears thinking everything is so wonderful we have no need to do even better. Then again, I always strive for #1. It is possible that there are others like me who aren't afraid to recognize our country has flaws and they also want to strive for better.
Tchaka,
Thanks for the response.
If I think your company sucks, I may want to run it. Even people who hate America want to be in charge. Maybe it was a bad analogy, but I was attempting to show that Mr. Obama attends church in a place where the pastor condemned the US. Oh, yes, I listened to the whole sermon on You Tube, and I still feel that Pastor Wright is out of line. Mr. Obama is guilty by association in that he continued attending that church. Like I stated earlier in another post, I am not white nor black, and I do not like rascist comments by anyone. No ethnic group has some kind of inferred right to speak ill of another group. Pastor Wright calls President Bush a "rich white guy" in a nasty tone. There were people in this country that kept and fought for the right to keep slaves, and there were people in this country who fought to release slaves. A large majority of both groups happened to be white. In his speech, Pastor Wright states that the US government allowed slavery. It also stopped slavery. He tells his congregation that governments fail and that the US government has failed repeatedly and that is why he yells his now famous line " God damn America".
He can believe and even say that. It is his right as an American. I happen to totally disagree with him. The problem here is his statement. If I want to be the CEO of your company, it is OK for me to criticize the company, and have a laundry list of problems that I want to fix. But I don't think that you would hire me if I say your company sucks, and to say God damn America, is akin to saying America sucks. There is more than a fine line between constructive criticism, and outright comdemnation. I realize that Mr. Obama did not use those same words, but he affiliated closely with one who did. And the problem, in this case, is right at that point.
And one more thing. I just watched another speech by Pastor Wright on YouTube. The man does not like white people or wealthy people. He is keeping his flock down by continuing to tell them that they have it bad, and our country is out to screw them. They may like the chance to vent every Sunday, but they are being kept down, by their Pastor. He won't let them free their minds. But why should he? Just my opinion.