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

[thelakelander]

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

Except for a few big casino owners, aren't we all?

[Driven1]

Oil just hit 134 dollars a barrel..Our kids are getting shot to death and exploded in Iraq.
We are going to be sorting through the process of restoring our constitution for another 8 years because of the damage done to it ove the past 8. The Republican Party is not the alternative to a problem like a questionable pastor (none of our business) or a centrist platform. My opinion is because of my conservative belief in the power of liberty and because of our beloved Constitution. 
It is under attack and is more important than the vagaries of the day.

huh?  anyone understand this?

[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.

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.

They already do.  The Big Dig, I-95, Main Street, Charlotte's light rail, New Orleans's levees are all examples of things heavily funded with federal tax dollars that improve the quality of life in their respective regions.

[thelakelander]

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...

Our ethnic and regional cuisine, as well as architecture and traditions are all forms of American Culture.

[Driven1]

Oil just hit 134 dollars a barrel..Our kids are getting shot to death and exploded in Iraq.
We are going to be sorting through the process of restoring our constitution for another 8 years because of the damage done to it ove the past 8. The Republican Party is not the alternative to a problem like a questionable pastor (none of our business) or a centrist platform. My opinion is because of my conservative belief in the power of liberty and because of our beloved Constitution. 
It is under attack and is more important than the vagaries of the day.

huh?  anyone understand this?

So why take it to the insulting level?

If you cant win your arguments on the merits, why debate at all?  unless your point is simply to raise negativity?

Stephendare, is it too much to ask for you to present a coherent argument?  Just simply present your argument with some logic, merits and coherency and see if you get a better response.

[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.

They already do.  The Big Dig, I-95, Main Street, Charlotte's light rail, New Orleans's levees are all examples of things heavily funded with federal tax dollars that improve the quality of life in their respective regions.

i would agree...i see that as more infrastructure stuff though.  when you are saying neighborhoods, i'm thinking about broader topics than just infrastructure stuff - like Jax being MurderCapital, USA and Duval County having a 40% high school drop-out rate.  that is drilling down to the neighborhoods.  the others are more regional.  i personally don't think it is the business of federal gov't to get involved in neighborhood problems like the ones I've mentioned.  

[vicupstate]

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.

I repeat: Where/when  does he say that white churches did NOT do these things.  He DIDN'T, YOU did. Stop putting YOUR interpretation on someone else's words and attributing your interpretation to them.  You WANT him to be racist, so you read his words through that prism.

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?  GOP circa 1960's Which party wanted to continue slavery?  That would be the Democratic party.Democrats circa 1860's -- let stay in the modern era shall we?

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.

BS. That is EXACTLY what he was talking about.  They questioner stated that they did not understand why working class voters voted GOP when they had lost their jobs to trade deals.   Obama was actually DEFENDING them.   Again, you WANT Obama to sound racist/elitist, so you interpret his words through a prism that colors them that way. Do you have any insight into the man's thinking ?  Have you met him, talked to him?    Why don't you try 'listening' to what he says

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]

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.

They already do.  The Big Dig, I-95, Main Street, Charlotte's light rail, New Orleans's levees are all examples of things heavily funded with federal tax dollars that improve the quality of life in their respective regions.

i would agree...i see that as more infrastructure stuff though.  when you are saying neighborhoods, i'm thinking about broader topics than just infrastructure stuff - like Jax being MurderCapital, USA and Duval County having a 40% high school drop-out rate.  that is drilling down to the neighborhoods.  the others are more regional.  i personally don't think it is the business of federal gov't to get involved in neighborhood problems like the ones I've mentioned.  

My theory is, investing in things like infrastructure can be an in-direct way to turn the economy around and lead to the restoration of neighborhoods impacted by these elements, as well.  But yes, the local government should get more involved as well.

[Driven1]

here is your answer...from Wikipedia...

Many liberals support:

gun control
pre-birth murder (abortion)
labor unions
no death penalty
progressive tax (those who make under a certain amount pay ZERO taxes)
social "safety nets"
gay marriage
regulatory laws

[Jimmy]

My theory is, investing in things like infrastructure can be an in-direct way to turn the economy around and lead to the restoration of neighborhoods impacted by these elements, as well.  But yes, the local government should get more involved as well.

Absolutely.  Public works projects that put people to work, send tax money into business bank accounts, and produce better roads, bridges, and other infrastructure are quite good for the economy.  But only if those projects are done here in the USA rather than in, say, Sadr City.

And in the 1990's, the Administration reduced violent crime all over America by using Federal money to add over 100k new police officers to the streets, improving cities' community policing capacity. (http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/05/12/clinton.police/)

[vicupstate]

 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??

60 votes are needed to end a fillibuster, not pass legislation.   In 2006, Democrats defeated 40% of the 15 GOP incumbent senators up for reelection, and lost none of their own.  If that were to happen again this year, (40% of 23 GOP seats), the Democrats would pick up the 9 seats they need to get to 60 seats.

Looking at it seat by seat, there is one Democratic seat 'in play' out of 12.  The GOP has between 12 and 14 seats currently 'in play'.  At this moment there are 10 GOP-held seats were the Democrat is either leading (6) or is within single digits(4).  The Dem. Senate Congressonal Commitee has $37.6 mm cash on hand and their GOP counterpart has $19.4mm.

As of today, the most likely scenario would be a Dem senate pickup of 7 or 8 seats.

Even if the Democrats reach only 58 or 59, their would still be 3-5 moderate GOP senators available to break a fillabuster.    

[Driven1]

here is your answer...from Wikipedia...

Many liberals support:

gun control
pre-birth murder (abortion)
labor unions
no death penalty
progressive tax (those who make under a certain amount pay ZERO taxes)
social "safety nets"
gay marriage
regulatory laws

there it is.  right above these words.

[jaxhater]

Most Democracts understand Obamas role.
He is our black Hitler, he will round up and build the prison camps to imprison and execute Bush - Cheney and their Republican followers.
We should also see long prison sentences for anyone who voted or supported Bush-Cheney.
Their evil must not go unpunished.
Obama will wipe out what America now knows is the problem.
The past eight years America has been controled by what has now been exposed as nothing less than a satanic cult.
Everyday I read stories about how these people murder their own child to collect insurance money, so that they continue to feed their drug habits.
The Republicans are the greatest evil to ever walk the face of the earth and will be wiped out by the Black Hitler.
VOTE OBAMA!!!!!!

[Downtown Dweller]

LOL, need I say anymore?

[Johnny]

Downtown Dweller,

If I were the type of person that cared about other people's religious views, I would definitely find this more disturbing than Wright's sermon, which basically boiled down to As America Judges So Shall She Be Judged, and an unrighteous nation shall be judged by their wickedness.

I grew up in fundamentalist churches, so Jeremiah Wright's sermons don't bother me at all.

However, this guy is kind of scary:

John Hagee, the controversial evangelical leader and endorser of Sen. John McCain, argued in a late 1990s sermon that the Nazis had operated on God's behalf to chase the Jews from Europe and shepherd them to Palestine. According to the Reverend, Adolph Hitler was a "hunter," sent by God, who was tasked with expediting God's will of having the Jews re-establish a state of Israel.

Are we really at the point where we believe that Adolph Hitler was an instrument of God?

How does someone endorsing a candidate compare to a candidate sitting in the pew and having a person as their pastor & mentor for 20 years? The answer is it doesn't. That was a stab at McCain by mentioning he was endorsed by him. I don't know who the guy is nor do I care. Half of the crap being discussed in this thread doesn't make a bit of difference. I am all for having a woman or man, black or white, yellow, green or purple as the next president. Unfortunately, the black man and the white woman currently running doesn't appear to be the best choice in my opinion. Please, call me a racist and sexist because of that.

I can't understand where your posts are going Stephen, I know you are an Obama supporter. I think we've all grasped that by now. Your spin and oddball questions (ie. Is the NRA liberal?, Is Warren Buffet a liberal?, Is cajun cooking American?, etc...) are just wierd and I can only assume more spin and changing of the subject. Why is it ok for you to like Obama and someone else not to? It's not a stab at you or your beliefs, but you are claiming to be conservative when Obama is not. I think that's the big question people have for you. This whole he said/she said, you suck bigot, etc.. is freakin ridiculous.

I do own a gun and I am a Christian. Neither makes me bitter. Now, the fact that both are attacked on a frequent basis, in some way does give me a bitter taste in my mouth. I don't think Obama's comment held any water. That being said, i'm not judging my opinion on Obama over one stupid comment. Experience? Junior Senator since 2005 (doesn't seem qualified to run this country, especially at a time of war). Speaking of war, he want's to pull out of Iraq immediately. Whether you believe the war is a good thing or not, pulling out as is, IMO, is beyond stupidity. He also wants to disable much of our military, you can find him stating that in his own words online if you do a quick look. All of this "CHANGE" that he is speaking of costs money. How is it that the government, which can't run a decent school system, VA health care or anything else, have a better idea of how to spend my money? It's going to eventually be big government controlling all of us and us all sharing the money between everyone.... sounds like marxism/communism (gvmt control). His health care views are socialist views. We already have free health care for children that cannot afford it by the way, so let's not say that everyone should have health care and that it will change when the next great President is in office.

Now, those are some, not all, of my opinions on Mr. Obama. I've not bashed him in any way. I think he's a great speaker and he may have great intentions, but I do feel he is a little over his head at the moment and I think maybe another decade in the political system with some foreign policy experience may help his resume and maybe he does toe the line and reach across the aisle to the conservatives. I'm not big on partisanship, I'm conservative though and even though the current administration has spent a lot of money, I don't believe that is an accurate portrayal of the Republican party.