Comments on: Did You Know That Barack Obama Is Black?

By: dairy

dairy — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:55:56 +0000

…am avoiding the MM threads like the plague, thanks - can do without the aggro of the rants (or is that idealistic as well…?)

By: Mic

Mic — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:01:18 +0000

It’s a bit idealistic dairy, never mind simplistic.

The fact is that most people are uncomfortable if they can’t pigeonhole things, people, actions, etc.

Having decided into which hole the pigeon fits, there are then a set of pre-prepared criteria and behaviour standards that have to be applied to the residents of that particular hole.

…and boy, are you in the shit if you don’t comply!

See any discussion on any MM thread where the terms ‘pro’ or ‘anti’ crop up.

By: dairy

dairy — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:53:21 +0000

5
Cheryl Says:

June 21st, 2008 at 7:53 pm
bi-racial children being raised in a Caucasian home could put down Caucasian if they wanted to or Black if they preferred.

what I cannot understand is why it should make any difference to anything, with the possible exception of blood or genetic disease issues…? why do these people insist on being divisive at every opportunity?
the issue of who is best equipped to run America is surely a question of intelligence, commitment and ability, with the correct support around them (OK let’s avoid the subject of Dubya and intelligence - I’m there already..), not what colour their skin is - if this election were taking place at a time before TV became pandemic, people would not be able to tell what colour the candidate was, to a large extent.
paranoia and old hatreds are vicious tools and the process is becoming destructive rather than positive because of them.
the question on the ballot paper should surely be “who will be the best person to lead the US for the future?”, not “what shade is his skin?” or “what’s his middle name?” - or is this too simplistic?

By: AgendaWide

AgendaWide — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 07:08:43 +0000

7 Terry Carty
Perhaps the Obama camp could work on the pint of Guiness symbolism? Is it black or white?
I watched a music documentary a while ago and one story mentioned was about Phil Lynott (from an Irish band Thin Lizzy) who was asked
‘What is it like being black and Irish’
He replied, ‘Like a pint of Guiness’

By: Terry Carty

Terry Carty — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:38:00 +0000

AgendaWide - Yes I know the quote. Love your variation.

By: AgendaWide

AgendaWide — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:59:01 +0000

2 Terry Carty
Here’s a variant on a Winston Churchill/Lady Astor exchange for the US presidential candidates.

John McCain: ‘Mr Abama, you sir are half black!’
Barack Obama: ‘And you sir are white. But tomorrow, I shall be half white!

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 18:53:02 +0000

PeterMac, bi-racial people are still looked on as Black. Remember in schools when they sent the forms home on first day of school to fill in? One had to pick the race: Caucasian, Black, Asian, Hispanic, etc. None for Bi-racial. Several years ago here at the schools in my county in VA that form was changed - all the others are listed but a new category put in: “Race you most closely relate to…” left the door wide open…bi-racial children being raised in a Caucasian home could put down Caucasian if they wanted to or Black if they preferred.

By: PeterMac

PeterMac — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:57:48 +0000

Why does having one black parent make you black ?
They did this in the States many years ago, pure blood, half caste, quadroon, octaroon, and it ended in tears.
As it did in Nazi Germany when having one Jewish grandparent was suffient to send you to Auschwitz.
Why cannot people grow up.
He is NOT BLACK.
His father was from Africa, his mother’s ancestors were from Britain and Ireland. And about as white as you can get.

By: AgendaWide

AgendaWide — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:44:01 +0000

2. Terry Carty Says:
Personally I think Clinton was a missed opportunity.
—————–
Hi Terry,
I’m inclined to agree although perhaps she might have been the US Gordon Brown, having sort of done it all before so to speak (although not ‘with that woman’ of course).

BTW -I love the Churchill quote -that man was so witty

By: Terry Carty

Terry Carty — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:51:58 +0000

I’m a Brit who runs a small business in Florida and I come into contact with yanks on a daily basis. Talking to American voters I have come to the rather depressing conclusion that this election will fundamentally be decided on the grounds of racism, ageism and masogynism people voting for the one that they find the least offensive. Well one down two to go. I am sure that the campaign managers of both remaining contenders realise this rather unfortunate fact and are sweating their clients relative assets - I’m old and experienced -I’m young and black - or conversely - he’s an old and knackered warhorse - he’s young, inexperienced and heaven forbid black - for all they are worth. Much as I am an ardent supporter of democracy some people just don’t deserve the vote.

Personally I think Clinton was a missed opportunity. Anyway as Winston Churchill once said “Americans can always be relied on to do the right thing, but only after they have exhausted all the alternatives.” After Dubya lets hope they get it right this time for all our sakes.

By: JuneJohnson

JuneJohnson — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:52:06 +0000

Hopefully the next incumbent in the White House has the wellbeing of the Western world at heart…..and isn’t so keen on warfare as some