US Presidential Elections

[felix8787]

I just don't get it.. Obama is just as much white as he is black.. so what's the big deal anyway about insisting he is black?

Yeah I don't get that either, it's as if people have forgotten that he is half white, like that doesn't exist and if it did, it doesn't matter. He's black and that overrides all races.
It reminds me of when Tiger Woods race was an issue (black and asian), I was at the Bay Hill Invitational and this young black kid came up asking where Tiger was at and I thought, does he even like golf or is he here because Tiger is ?Black? I'm thinking that he doesn't even know how to swing a golf club properly or know what a divet is. The issue of his race came and went with no effect of the number of black kid/teens wanting to play golf lol to me it was just a passing fad. Tiger put in alot of time and effort since he was just in diapers to get where he is at and it had nothing to do with him being black.

felix8787

[ScottinCrimea]

Isn't it equally racist to vote for someone because he is black as it is to vote for him because he is not?

It seems the African American community introduced the issue of color into the race much more than did the Caucasian community.  Even if we look at the vote, 92% of Blacks voted for Obama while the split among whites was more equally divided.  Sure there were Whites who voted for McCain because Obama, to them, is Black, but you can't make me believe that anywhere near 92% of Blacks voted for Obama purely because they understood and agreed with his policies.

[felix8787]

Yeah it's crazy out there. Every election, it's the choice of the lesser evil LOL, there is no win win situation.

[oldernotwiser]

Actually, (and you can call me crazy), but I did consider this a win, win situation.  As I considered both candidates an improvement over our current president.

[SANDRO43]

Now we now who writes much of Berlusconi's material. Does it pay well, Sandro?

Nah, if you look at the times we made our respective statements, you'll see he actually pinched his from mine, and he didn't even offer a penny in compensation.

I was thinking I'd sue for copyright infringement, but they're about to pass a law exempting Italy's 4 major political officers (Presidents of the Republic, Council of Ministers, Chamber of Deputies, Senate) from any judicial action during their tenure. So I'd have to wait 4 years + the 10 it usually takes to have a final civil-law decision to get something, if anything at all considering the regiment of lawyers in Berl's employ, well-trained from decades of both previous and current legal battles .

[Mishenka]

With 10 million people out of work and counting, with 4 trillion in bank losses, 4 million foreclosures, Ford, Chevy and chrysler going bankrupt,  I don't see a bright 4 years ahead for USA. Regardless of who won this election things will continue the same as this year. People speak of Obama as giving them hope?  They have bought into the sales pitch. Obama should be working for GM to get them selling cars again. He could turn the company around with his smooth cars salesman talking a lot faster than another $1trillion bailout for the car industry.  Sadly its only a lot of talk with no substance.

[felix8787]

People speak of Obama as giving them hope?  They have bought into the sales pitch. Obama should be working for GM to get them selling cars again. He could turn the company around with his smooth cars salesman talking a lot faster than another $1trillion bailout for the car industry.  Sadly its only a lot of talk with no substance.

And the same can be said about McCain. People wanted change, not another term of Bushanomics, your already looking at a downfall and he hasn't even took office yet.
Sadly, there was already a bail out by the bush admin and it really hasn't change much of anything has it? But no ones talking negatively about that, why? So it's ok for the Bush admin to bailout someone but not the Obama admin? 

[msmoby_ru]

2nd time you're harping on Italians in a few lines, you're beginning to sound, hmm, 'biased' towards us ? At least, this is the impression you're creating .

Still trying to make a "joke" from a racist remark, Sandro ?

But I guess it's OK, as Phil says a blog on CNN says, "Mr B's not a racist...", and Felix is laid back about insults..

If you'd said Black or non-white, NO, that wouldn't have been offensive - you know that, really.... "Deeply Tanned" isn't scientifically correct ( 4th time) and it's not even "witty".. the sad thing is you'd rather bury this in PMs than put your hands up and admit it was a careless remark.

And this is the 3rd time you are obsessed with scientific accuracy, as if it had anything to do with the matter, even remotely.

It has EVERYTHING to do with it.. and you know it... but you continue to try to make light of it or hope I 'll PM !! :-0

Your racist comment and continued "it's just a joke - it's not "offensive" stance, became the "topic" the moment you posted it..

Ah well, I  never had you down as a chap who would be proud Mr B thought along the same lines ...

[BC]

..guess it's time for two clicks on that ignore button.

[msmoby_ru]

..guess it's time for two clicks on that ignore button.

yes let's "ignore" Racism..

Meanwhile.. for Sandro - lest he takes too much "comfort" from Gator or Felix..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7717164.stm .. the remarks have caused outrage and embarrassment in Italy ... perhaps you should listen to Italy's sole black MP.. who called the remarks "deeply disturbing"

Yep.. you're right one of us isn't getting through...

[I/O]

Well, for all this hoo haa the dude in question, BO that is, doesn't mind taking the odd shot at himself in this respect also. His press conference remark regarding the dog (One from a shelter would be a mutt just like me) kind of suggested he is pretty comfortable with and very much aware of being mixed race. Kudos for being down to earth enough to take a shot at himself. If he can continue in that vein then he is a chance of taking the people with him and becoming a "Peoples President". I certainly hope so.

This racism thing too often is blown out of proportion. BO's black, I'm not, BO's got big ears, I haven't, BO's skinny, I'm not, BO can't tie a tie (Check the terrible job he does), I can................so effing what? BO'll be written in the pages of history, I won't. The test for him is and will be, can the army (Some of them very good) of financial advisers he has assembled provide him with a workable plan he can convince the party to force through the congress and senate which will actually improve the grass roots situation for Americans......NOT African Americans, White Americans, Latin Americas or Asian Americans.............but AMERICANS.

I/O

[Gator]

I/O,

Yes Barrack did use the term “mutt” to describe himself.  He is very clever and can work a press conference, placing everyone at ease.

During the campaign I observed a couple of antagonistic comments made by African-Americans against Barrack.  Presumably these were black supremacists not liking the fact that Barrack's black blood is diluted.  One referred to his mother as “white trash” in a now deleted U-Tube clip.

[Gator]

Sandro,

I do not consider your term “darkly tanned” as a racial slur as it is not insulting.  In fact, it does not make either of two lists of racial slurs.  The closest slur is “darkie.”

http://www.rsdb.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ethnic_slurs


Racism is the darkest chapter in American history.  The effects are still with us.   Blacks can joke about blacks and whites and Mexicans and any other ethnic group.  Yet, it is not acceptable for whites to joke about blacks.  That is the way it is.

If you were a public figure and made such a jocular comment, the humor would not be appreciated.  In fact, it would create a major scandal and probably conclude with your dismissal from office except at the very top. The US Secretary of Agriculture was dismissed immediately years ago for saying in a private conversation overheard by a reporter, "the only thing the coloreds are looking for in life are tight pussy and loose shoes."

BTW, you should know that Mark will not stop until he has the last word.

[Faux Pas]

That's what got GWB elected a second time but there's absolutely nothing to support this view, in fact more and more it looks just the opposite.

It first got Reagan elected and then George H as well. It was first Reagan that said negotiate from a position of strength. This was after his administration replenished the defense budget that Carter's administration had gutted. In recent administrations the defense budget is frequently the target of democratic  administrations. Our military is protecting or assisting in the protection of countries all over the world. It's early yet and more won't be known until the bloodletting actually begins. The difference BHO over the Carter and Clinton admin's is, he will have a democratic House and Senate where they did not. Expect it to happen at a much more rapid pace. I could be wrong and hope that I am. If history is any indication it's going to happen. Time will tell.

What are you seeing that is exactly the opposite?

[GoodOlBoy]

I have just read this post and I would like to add my personal opinion. I watched the first debate and it was really SHOCKING to me how "old" John McCain looked. Barack Obama looked so "young" next to Mr. McCain. Don't get me wrong, I respect John McCain for everything he has done for our country (Military Service, POW, Senator) but I really think it is time for a different direction. BTW, I voted for Mr. McCain.

[GoodOlBoy]

Now that I think about it, I really can't remember the last time I voted for a white haired presidential candidate. Even Ronald Reagan had darkish hair (dyed I am sure). Most presidents have gray hairs after their terms, not before. Maybe John McCain should have "darkened" his hair a little.

[Faux Pas]

I just don't get it.. Obama is just as much white as he is black.. so what's the big deal anyway about insisting he is black?

Not to turn this into a race thread, just interested as to how such is interpreted.

He has identified himself as black publicly and in his books. There is no big deal. For the most part the black community has embraced him as black and has the white community. There are many mixed raced people who identify with the white community and are accepted as such.

Calling him deeply tanned is a light hearted attempt at humor and is not racist. To say or think so is way too deep in the politically correct waters. It is a description and BHO is proud to be black. Nigger, spear chunker or jiggaboo would be racist if said by a white person.

[felix8787]

Felix is laid back about insults..

  This IS effing funny!!!!!

Mark, SERIOUSLY what do you hope to accomplish by harping on this now? So everytime I hear or read something that is not politically correct I should get effing upset  and get in their face until I MAKE them see their mistake?

Mark, I enjoy reading your post and I think it is to effing funny, reading you harp on someone's post, you get fixated and a one track mind about it  , man lighten up or are you just trying to get Sandro to admit something that he is not?

FWIW, I enjoy being laid back and not carrying some chip on my shoulder worrying about petty shiot like this, I have got much better things to do then get upset over someone's words.

felix8787

[Admin]

Still trying to make a "joke" from a racist remark, Sandro ?

But I guess it's OK, as Phil says a blog on CNN says, "Mr B's not a racist...", and Felix is laid back about insults..

If you'd said Black or non-white, NO, that wouldn't have been offensive - you know that, really.... "Deeply Tanned" isn't scientifically correct ( 4th time) and it's not even "witty".. the sad thing is you'd rather bury this in PMs than put your hands up and admit it was a careless remark.



It has EVERYTHING to do with it.. and you know it... but you continue to try to make light of it or hope I 'll PM !! :-0

Your racist comment and continued "it's just a joke - it's not "offensive" stance, became the "topic" the moment you posted it..

Ah well, I  never had you down as a chap who would be proud Mr B thought along the same lines ...

Give it a rest Mark.

- Dan

[ScottinCrimea]

I've been silently following this thread to see where it would finally rest and, to be honest,I am quite surprised by Mark's insistence about all of this.  IIRC, the first comment about a "good tan" was in the Russian article and Sandro was responding to it.  I'm certainly not going to take the time to look back because it's all pretty silly and I'm wondering why Mark needs to jump into various threads as the offended party.

Being so uptight about having everything "politically correct" in my mind suggests more of a racist attitude.  I have many black friends and we can make jokes about color and various racial stereotypes toward each other with no offense taken.  We know each other and kn\ow the lighthearted manner in which it is presented.  Most of us here know Sandro well enough to take it for what it was.  Maybe Mark just needs to get to know him better before he passes judgement.

[William3rd]

Nigger, spear chunker or jiggaboo would be racist if said by a white person.

Not any more- drop by a local high school sometime. My son gets called a nigger by blacks, he calls blacks niggers, he gets telephone messages that  say- yo niggah, this is your favorite black person, what time you coming to school? Whites call whites nigger

He is Asian mix.

The words are losing their potency among the young.

They are just words. Perhaps because they school makes a big deal out of it, then kids use the words in rebellion.

In any event, the times they are a changing. . . .

[Faux Pas]

Not any more- drop by a local high school sometime. My son gets called a nigger by blacks, he calls blacks niggers, he gets telephone messages that  say- yo niggah, this is your favorite black person, what time you coming to school? Whites call whites nigger

He is Asian mix.

The words are losing their potency among the young.

They are just words. Perhaps because they school makes a big deal out of it, then kids use the words in rebellion.

In any event, the times they are a changing. . . .

Oh I agree. Both my children in they're early 20's use it regularly. But for us old white guys it's still unacceptable and I don't have a problem with it. I grew up in the deep south in different times and used it for a racial slur. For me it was wrong then and it's still wrong now.

[msmoby_ru]

I've been silently following this thread to see where it would finally rest and, to be honest,I am quite surprised by Mark's insistence about all of this.  IIRC, the first comment about a "good tan" was in the Russian article and Sandro was responding to it.  I'm certainly not going to take the time to look back because it's all pretty silly and I'm wondering why Mark needs to jump into various threads as the offended party.

Hi Scott,

1/ I've only raised the subject of Sandro's comment here in the thread started by Sandro

2/ Sandro said it first, and jokes about it being "stolen" by the Italian PM.. in Italy and in Europe his comments have caused outrage


3/ I'm now being "warned" in here and in PMs about "negativity" by Dan. It's not about being PC.. it's a racist remark .. it's offensive..

4/ Frankly I'm surprised at Sandro and other folks NOT being offended by it !

Being so uptight about having everything "politically correct" in my mind suggests more of a racist attitude.  I have many black friends and we can make jokes about color and various racial stereotypes toward each other with no offense taken.  We know each other and kn\ow the lighthearted manner in which it is presented.  Most of us here know Sandro well enough to take it for what it was.  Maybe Mark just needs to get to know him better before he passes judgement.

I thought I did know Sandro.. I have always found him to be witty and charming..

[William3rd]

Oh I agree. Both my children in they're early 20's use it regularly. But for us old white guys it's still unacceptable and I don't have a problem with it. I grew up in the deep south in different times and used it for a racial slur. For me it was wrong then and it's still wrong now.

My grand aunt used to use the term "colored people" and we would ask what color were they?

[BC]

4/ Frankly I'm surprised at Sandro and other folks NOT being offended by it !

It's sorta like when you turn into a street in your car and notice all the cars on the street are parked with headlights towards you, no cars are following you, and folks in oncoming traffic make strange faces, point at you, even flash their lights and honk their horns..