Obama is Renewing the American Sense of Identity. Unbelievable to Watch

[Charleston native]

What was the context of this speech?  Was he speaking to an AME convention, or some other black religious group? Where/when  does he say that white churches did NOT do these things.  He DIDN'T, YOU did. You choose to imply was racial because you want it to be racial

OK, vic, believe that if you want to.  BTW, you might want to read more closely where that speech was given. It was a keynote address delivered at a conference for a "religious-left" magazine called Sojourners. So this wasn't some sermon to get the congregation fired up.

The modern GOP, particularly in the South, has been built on racial politics. Immigration is just the latest example. Sorry, if the truth hurts.

BS. Which party wanted to continue segregation? Which party wanted to continue slavery? That would be the Democratic party.

There is not one word of the above that is not true. There are entire regions of states (Pee Dee SC for one)  that have been left out of the prosperity that the trade deals of the' 90's and 2000's brought to OTHER regions.  Pointing that out is not racial or elitist.  And pointing out that using 'red meat' emotional social issues to divert attention from that, isn't either.

That is not what Obama was pointing out and you know it. I wish people would actually think about what this man says before blindly just soaking it in.

Actually, it would be refreshing  ( and unprecedented) if his RECORD was examined instead of twisting his words.

Consider that I will gladly try to so later when I'm not at work.

[thelakelander]

From an Independent's point of view, if this is all the GOP has to hang on Obama, he'll end up being the next President hands down.  Imo, the GOP would be better served debating the issues they stand for, painting Obama as being inexperienced and proving that McCain is the best to lead this country out of Bush's mess.  This isn't Jessie Jackson running for the Oval office.  Scare tactics probably won't work this time.

On the contrary, he may not be Jessie Jackson incarnate, but his actions and words sure provide a mirror image.

Lake, I'm saddened that you really don't see the underlying messages in Obama's rhetoric, particularly with the "bitter people" diatribe. I'm particularly concerned about your bitterness. I'm a Christian, I believe in the right to own a gun, and I'm not bitter. Despite what I and most others know about "small-town people" and "Christians", the statements show alot about what he thinks. His explanation of his prior statements does sound more benign, but his true beliefs are echoed with what he had time and preparation to say before the criticism. I believe that Obama has pre-conceived notions about the majority of Americans, and we need to pay attention to what he says before he has the benefit of hindsight.

I'm bitter in the form of that I don't like the direction our country has taken recently and would like to see change in governmental policy, both foreign and domestic, because what we currently have is not working.  However, this does not mean I'm not proud of my country.

And I have to disagree with you about our nation's diversity as being its best feature. Diversity in races, yes that is great, but not diversity in culture. Culture, language, and tradition is what unifies a country and gives it an identity. If you take away its identity, or severely mix it up into a hodgepodge mess, you have nothing to really unify the people.

America's cultural identity has always been diverse.  I believe us being a melting pot of culture and tradition is our identity and what unifies us.  

[Driven1]

liberals do not typically believe in strong defense.  they will never say that of course, they just veto the spending and move it towards other things they favor like:

-over-funding the failed public school system
-expanding social programs like welfare and medicaid
-expanding gov't in general

oh yeah - and liberals believe in increased taxes.  because they know that conservatives (the ones with more money - by your own admission Stephendare) foot most of that bill.  they like spending other people's $$.  

Liberals are like the 16 year old kid who maxes out the credit card on liabilities.  Conservatives are the mom and dad investing away in assets for their own future and still required to pay off the kid's credit card.    

[Charleston native]

so, cajun cooking, fast food mexican, German Keilbasa's in jersey, St. Patrick's Day, Chinese Take out, Sushi and the Mafia arent American?

Oh my word...did I say that food was a part of culture and language? I need a drink...

[Driven1]

And I have to disagree with you about our nation's diversity as being its best feature. Diversity in races, yes that is great, but not diversity in culture. Culture, language, and tradition is what unifies a country and gives it an identity. If you take away its identity, or severely mix it up into a hodgepodge mess, you have nothing to really unify the people.

so, cajun cooking, fast food mexican, German Keilbasa's in jersey, St. Patrick's Day, Chinese Take out, Sushi and the Mafia arent American?

are you serious?  to answer you - largely, no.

cajun - yes, this is actually American
mexican - Mexico
German Keilbasa - Germany
Sush - Japanese
Mafia - Italy

any of the above could be/are in other countries...example:  mexican food is in Italy too, Chinese take out is in Costa Rica,

[thelakelander]

Driven1, just wondering.  Do you consider our current Administration in city hall to be liberals or conservatives?

[Driven1]

I'm bitter in the form of that I don't like the direction our country has taken recently and would like to see CHANGE in governmental policy, both foreign and domestic, because what we currently have is not working.  However, this does not mean I'm not proud of my country.

the bold and all-caps is mine above.  Lake, there is that CHANGE word again.  Please, give us more substance.  What will Dear Change Leader Obama actually change???  And keep in mind that the Senate requires 60 votes to pass new legislation and even the best forecasts for a pro-left vote in November doesn't have the Dems having 60 Senators.  But, even if they did, what is all this "change" about??

[Downtown Dweller]

The problem here is division, not the melting pot we would all like to be, well most of us.

One question should settle this once and for all. Base don the comments posted, switch around the intended targets, take Obama, and replace it with McCain and what would happen?

I liked Obama, and had the same overall tingly feeling <Stephen has> when I first heard him speak. Then  all the little bits and pieces started coming to the forefront, the comments and background that started to destroy the picture I had of him. My excitement has drastically cooled, so much so that I am in fact left wondering why yet again I am being forced into voting Republican.

btw, Cajun's are immigrants just like all the others.....

[Driven1]

Driven1, just wondering.  Do you consider our current Administration in city hall to be liberals or conservatives?

fiscally liberal.  and you?

[Driven1]

My excitement has drastically cooled, so much so that I am in fact left wondering why yet again I am being forced into voting Republican.

this has been my experience as well.  i think the answer lies in the fact that the Democratic party has yet to offer us, the American people, anyone who is center, or even center-left, and has true leadership experience and/or potential.  so we are left to vote Republican and hope that they become conservative.

[thelakelander]

Driven1, just wondering.  Do you consider our current Administration in city hall to be liberals or conservatives?

fiscally liberal.  and you?

Lost.  I don't think either fits the bill.

[Driven1]

liberals do not typically believe in strong defense.  they will never say that of course, they just veto the spending and move it towards other things they favor like:

-over-funding the failed public school system
-expanding social programs like welfare and medicaid
-expanding gov't in general

oh yeah - and liberals believe in increased taxes.  because they know that conservatives (the ones with more money - by your own admission Stephendare) foot most of that bill.  they like spending other people's $$. 

Liberals are like the 16 year old kid who maxes out the credit card on liabilities.  Conservatives are the mom and dad investing away in assets for their own future and still required to pay off the kid's credit card.   

I thought you said that Warren Buffet was a liberal?   Isnt he the richest man?

Soros is quite rich too.  both he and Buffet are liberals.  and yet we both agree that evil Republicans are the ones with the most wealth in general.  i guess we are both smart enough to know that there are exceptions to every rule.

ps-while i strongly disagree with buffet politically, he is hard to argue with investment wise.  in particular, i like his recent additional purchase of UnitedHealth.  selling at a P/E of 10.

[Driven1]

Driven1, just wondering.  Do you consider our current Administration in city hall to be liberals or conservatives?

fiscally liberal.  and you?

Lost.  I don't think either fits the bill.

lol...good point.  had the option of "Lost" been presented to me, you could've guessed what I would've selected.

[thelakelander]

I'm bitter in the form of that I don't like the direction our country has taken recently and would like to see CHANGE in governmental policy, both foreign and domestic, because what we currently have is not working.  However, this does not mean I'm not proud of my country.

the bold and all-caps is mine above.  Lake, there is that CHANGE word again.  Please, give us more substance.  What will Dear Change Leader Obama actually change???  And keep in mind that the Senate requires 60 votes to pass new legislation and even the best forecasts for a pro-left vote in November doesn't have the Dems having 60 Senators.  But, even if they did, what is all this "change" about??

I can't speak for Obama or any other candidate running, but I'd like to see more of our tax dollars redirected back to this country and invested in our own cities to enhance our quality of lives.  This means I would like to see a little more money put into our infrastructure and neighborhoods, as opposed to being spent overseas.   This to me would qualify as a change.

[Driven1]

I'm bitter in the form of that I don't like the direction our country has taken recently and would like to see CHANGE in governmental policy, both foreign and domestic, because what we currently have is not working.  However, this does not mean I'm not proud of my country.

the bold and all-caps is mine above.  Lake, there is that CHANGE word again.  Please, give us more substance.  What will Dear Change Leader Obama actually change???  And keep in mind that the Senate requires 60 votes to pass new legislation and even the best forecasts for a pro-left vote in November doesn't have the Dems having 60 Senators.  But, even if they did, what is all this "change" about??

I can't speak for Obama or any other candidate running, but I'd like to see more of our tax dollars redirected back to this country and invested in our own cities to enhance our quality of lives.  This means I would like to see a little more money put into our infrastructure and neighborhoods, as opposed to being spent overseas.   This to me would qualify as a change.

i can see easily how the govt should be responsible for putting more $$ into infrastructure, but how do you see federal tax dollars going to support individual neighborhoods???  i can't think of how this would not be pork barrel spending.  i think that would be more on a local level.  i would agree with you on the more is needed on the infrastructure part though.