Friday, March 14, 2008

The forgotten people for Obama's Personal Advancement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP-YoB5mnZs

5 comments:

Pete Wann said...

And the point of that video is exactly what?

How many slums and abandoned buildings are in Hillary Clinton's state? Are they her fault? Why hasn't Clinton solved the problems of poor people in the state of New York? This video implies that it was within Obama's power to do it as a State Senator, then it must be even easier for a US Senator.

How many of Clinton's fundraisers have done illegal things?

What about Whitewater, where her husband was accused of using his influence as Governor to secure loans for one of his friends and donors?

How about that fugitive he pardoned who was a BIG donor to his campaign?

Where are Clinton's tax returns? Where does her and Bill's money come from? Where is her list of earmarks? She's corralled BILLIONS for NY since she took office through earmarks, do you think EVERY PENNY of that money was spent in the public interest?

Your attacks on Obama have degenerated to nothing more than smears and implications. Selective retelling of the truth to paint someone in a negative light.

Obama's not perfect. Neither is Clinton. Neither one has been in public office for more than 10 years. Neither one has foreign policy experience beyond serving on a committee in the Senate, the list goes on and on of how they're similar, right down to their nearly identical platforms.

Come out with the real reasons you don't like Obama, Suzette. The half-assed smear tactics are beneath you.

(BTW, is it just me, or did the link you used to have to NORML disappear at about the same time as you posted that entry about Obama's drug use?)

Anonymous said...

Pete - the point of the video is basically to show exactly what you said, that NOBama is not perfect. His words and rhetoric far outweigh his accomplishments and dealings in Chicago politics which I feel confident we will learn more about the further into the Rezko trial that we get. (Just my opinion). Clinton has be vetted, NOBama has not which is another point of the video. The more questions I can help create regarding NOBama for people reading this blog the better, yes implications are fair game. The "real" reasons that I don't like NOBama are:
1. his seems phony to me
2. he seems untrustworthy
3. he seems pompous which includes cocky and arrogant
4. he seems a bit racist
5. the tactics he outlines in his book about his smile and making "no sudden moves" was a useful tactic in getting his way with his mother -- those words grossed me out.
6. He called his wife a "trophy wife" -- those words grossed me out.
7. He just doesn't strike me as an authentic, sincere or genuinely concerned politician.
8. I don't like it when he says that if you borrow from government to get thru college that "you will work in a "homeless shelter" and serve the people." PUH-LEEZE!!
9. Doesn't take criticism well, becomes almost volatile when criticized. (IMO)
10. As far as I can tell, he is of the opinion, that more Whites are racist than Blacks. PUH-LEEZE!!
As far as the NORML link, I believe that was included in my "Daily Addictions" link which I took off long ago because I don't visit the NORML link everyday like I do www.westandclear.com and others. I don't think you will ever see me back away from saying that I believe marijuana should be legal with the restrictions much like we have for alcohol.

Pete Wann said...

I know I'm not going to convince you of anything, but these are some pretty weak arguments. You've listed 10 things here, and only one of them is even slightly policy related.

No one has shown where Clinton is vetted and Obama is not. By any standard, they're equal in time in elected office and political experience, if you take into account their difference in ages.

1. his seems phony to me

Clinton seems phony to me. She proved it during the NAFTA bullshit. 8 years ago when she wasn't running for president, NAFTA was one of her (oops, Bill's) greatest accomplishments. During the campaign in Ohio, it was the worst treaty we've ever signed, and she wants to throw it out and start over. That's not phony?

2. he seems untrustworthy

Clinton has demonstrated that she's untrustworthy, or at least not willing to be forthcoming about where she earns her income and who she's going to bat for with earmarks. Not being willing to stand behind your actions and open them up to public scrutiny says to me that you've got something to hide. That's untrustworthy.

3. he seems pompous which includes cocky and arrogant

Clinton came into this race expecting everyone to get out of her way and become the nominee. She was totally unprepared to have to actually make an effort to win the nomination, as evidenced by how long it took for her campaign organizations to come together. That's pompus, cocky, and arrogant. There's a fine line between that and self-confidence, which is clearly what Obama has. (Additionally, I would challenge you to find me ONE politician on the national level who isn't pompus, cocky, and arrogant. You can't fault a shark for being a shark.)

4. he seems a bit racist

When and where? Show me where Barack Obama has ever said anything that could be interpreted as even slightly racist.

5. the tactics he outlines in his book about his smile and making "no sudden moves" was a useful tactic in getting his way with his mother -- those words grossed me out.

You never figured out a set of words or particular face you could put on to get what you wanted from your mom? Everyone does it. How is that gross?

6. He called his wife a "trophy wife" -- those words grossed me out.

When and where? More importantly -- who reported it? Michelle Obama is most certainly not a "trophy wife," unless your definition of that term is limited strictly to appearance. She's an accomplished executive and lawyer, a great example for people to look up to.

7. He just doesn't strike me as an authentic, sincere or genuinely concerned politician.

How many "authentic, sincere, and genuinely concerned" politicians do you know? Again, you can't fault a shark for being a shark.

8. I don't like it when he says that if you borrow from government to get thru college that "you will work in a "homeless shelter" and serve the people." PUH-LEEZE!!

I'm not sure where you got that skewed statement, but I think what you're referring to is his plan to make college available to everyone regardless of income. A requirement of receiving the tuition repayment or however the financial part is structured is a year or so of community service, similar to the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps. How can you not like that?

9. Doesn't take criticism well, becomes almost volatile when criticized. (IMO)

You don't remember Clinton practically screaming "SHAME ON YOU BARACK OBAMA!" when he DARED challenge her newfound opposition to NAFTA by brining up HER OWN PRIOR STATEMENTS in favor of it? Is that an example of taking criticism well? Everyone who's interacted with Obama has said that he listens to all sides and looks for compromises. That sounds like someone who takes criticism well to me.

10. As far as I can tell, he is of the opinion, that more Whites are racist than Blacks. PUH-LEEZE!!

I'm not going to argue this point, since you seem to be convinced that everyone everywhere is racist to some degree. And I won't claim that there aren't a whole lot of black people that don't like white people. The difference is (as Obama laid out in his speech today), there's a whole lot more history of whites using racism as a tool to oppress blacks than the other way around. Obama has NEVER, even now that he's being attacked because of something his pastor said, used his race as a crutch, defense, or fallen into the "I'm a victim" hyperbole.

(For the record, I don't give a shit about political correctness. I'm not challenging your use of "Black Bama" because it's politically incorrect. I'm challenging it because you decry blacks (Obama in particular) as racist, then you turn around and use blatantly racist language in your descriptions of Obama. Those are Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter tactics, and as I've said before, you're better than that.)

I like you, Suzette. I think we agree on WAY more things than we disagree on. Keep trying to convince me that Clinton is the better candidate, it'll make both of us better campaigners.

Anonymous said...

Gosh Pete - I don't think there is any chance whatsoever that I could convince you that Clinton is the better candidate nor could you convince me that Obama is the better candidate. You and I are at opposite ends on this one. I don't see any chance of that changing. Regarding using my "blantantly racist language in my descriptions of Obama"

My context below in the post you are referring to at www.cowtownchronicles.com

"Then you ask “Are white women who vote Clinton sexist and racist?” My answer would be: possibly but not neccessarily. What about the 99% of Black men and women who are voting Black Bama? What are they or should you even ask?"

When I used "Black Bama" I was really describing the Black Voters who are voting for Obama strictly and soley because he is Black. I'm not sure if this is clear in words, but if you can picture hundreds of the "Cousin Pookie's and Cousin Ray Rays" that Obama calls on to come to the polls and vote for him -- Black people who are voting for the first time and don't know squat about the man but know he's Black so they are going to the ballot box for that reason only.....going to the ballot box for "Black Bama." If my meaning doesn't come thru in words, oh well. I feel good about my history (past & present) and my feelings for Black people (past & present) so I'm not even going to worry about the chance of someone thinking that I am racist. If they do, so be it. If they watch/follow (or read) me for any short period of time, they will see where I spend my extra dollars and time and any thoughts of me being a racist will be put to rest.
I will say that I hope we (as a people) can continue to have conversations like this on the blogs w/out people taking one little sentence or a few words that we may say and from that, try to slam us in a box. Thanks for reading.

Pete Wann said...

You're right, Suzette. It doesn't come across that way at all without the inflection you would put on it when spoken. That's why (as I've learned in my short blogging career) it's so important to state your meaning clearly and not rely on people to know "how you meant it."

When I read it, I read it in the tone of "Little Black Sambo" or something along those lines. I guess what you meant was "Black" Bama, you know, the Black guy, not the United States Senator.

I'm sure you don't really care all that much whether Obama supporters understand how you meant it, but those folks on the fence are less likely to be swayed if things aren't clear.