Where’s the Outrage?

In a lengthy article, the Chicago Tribune focused on a discussion that three dozen journalists had with Barack Obama last Friday. This article completely refutes the petty argument that some Democrats have thrown at Obama: He has not been vetted.

The Chicago Tribune goes into great detail about their 12 year history with Obama. This was not a 10-minute ‘hi-and bye’ but a 92-minute discussion. All questions were answered.

Let me repeat: According to the Chicago Tribune, all questions were answered.

This is an extraordinary undertaking for any politician and, in my opinion, Obama is to be commended for his efforts in being forthright.

I do understand that no matter what Obama does or what he says, it will never be good enough for some people. That is just the way life goes sometimes.

TPM Muckraker has some additional points on this subject.

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From the Chicago Tribune:

When we endorsed Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination Jan. 27, we said we had formed our opinions of him during 12 years of scrutiny. We concluded that the professional judgment and personal decency with which he has managed himself and his ambition distinguish him.

Nothing Obama said in our editorial board room Friday diminishes that verdict. [Read more →]

Tags: Election 2008 by ecthompson
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It seems that the Florida Democratic Party officially stated “Up your nose!” Of course, I’m paraphrasing but the result is the same. Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman, Karen Thurman, said that thousands of people responded to their inquiry and the consensus was clear — Florida does not want to vote again.

Really? Someone help me understand this. Florida had a primary which didn’t count. In this primary some percentage of Democratic voters voted. And some percentage of Democratic voters didn’t vote because they saw it as meaningless. So, why would a “consensus” majority of Florida Democratic voters tell the Florida Democratic Party that they did not want to re-do the primary. This doesn’t make sense– not for a Democrat. In theory, Democrats want fairness. So, is this the exception?

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From NYT:

The decision leaves the fate of the state’s 211 Democratic convention delegates in limbo, with no plan on the table for determining whether or how they will be seated at the Democratic National Convention in August. Ms. Thurman said the matter would now go back to the national party’s Rules and Bylaws Committee — the same body that stripped Florida and Michigan of delegates in the first place.

Florida and Michigan lost their delegates because they violated party rules by holding primaries early. Mrs. Clinton won both contests by substantial margins, but no delegates have been awarded. (more…)

Tags: Election 2008 by ecthompson
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I’m not sure why some folks send me things. I get plenty of crazy emails that convince me that Darwin was right. I also get some thoughtful emails like the following.

Why The United Nations Agrees with Obama’s Pastor, Jeremiah Wright
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, www.BoyceWatkins.com

Jeremiah Wright is the Pastor for Senator Barack Obama at The Trinity United Church of Christ. Pastor Wright was attacked for very strong comments he has made about race in America.

I am a huge fan of Pastor Jeremiah Wright and I consider Pastor Wright to be one of the great Americans of our country.

There, I said it. Now crucify me.

Just realize that by doing so, you will surely be on the wrong side of history. You will be on the same side as the founding fathers, who built a nation on the kind of racial bias that Pastor Jeremiah Wright and others are bold enough to honestly discuss in America. You will be on the same side as the generation before you, who swore that racism was a thing of the past and surely did not affect them. But when you look back at your grandparents’ generation, you can see their racism clearly. The problem is that your grand children will likely say the same thing about you.

[Read more →]

Tags: Domestic Issues, Election 2008, Race by ecthompson
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This “Saturday Night Live” clip is funny. Tracy Morgan, whom I have never seen before, has some funny lines. It would have been funnier if his delivery was quicker but it is good. (Hey, it ain’t Eddie Murphy or Dan Aykroyd– Now, that was really, really funny back in da day!!)

Tags: Election 2008, Race by ecthompson
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“If you don’t understand me, it’s your fault!!” That’s from the Spirit album by Earth, Wind and Fire. I think it’s saying that maybe we should stop jumping off of the deep end and take a deep breath.

There are all these accusations flying around. Reverend Jeremiah Wright has been called everything from blasphemous to a racist to a hate-monger. (In response, Obama’s church sent a press release supporting Reverend Wright.)

All of this is based on the four phrases that have been seen on YouTube, adding up to a total of 8-10 sentences. People have based their opinion on 8-10 sentences. Most of these people have never been in a Black church. They don’t understand how Black preachers get the congregation into the sermon. They don’t understand the emotion. Yet, they feel qualified out commenting on Reverend Wright’s personality based on the sound bites.

Both Hillary Clinton supporters and “hardcore” Republican have openly stated that they never trusted Barack Obama. Because he is Black? Because he worked in Illinois and not Washington? Why? Don’t give me this garbage about “I had this feeling.” And, by the way, where’s Hillary Clinton’s Reverend? Where is John McCain’s? Do these politicians go to church? They say that he has always seemed to be hiding something. What? That he goes to church?

Some have even thrown around the ridiculous notion that Obama has not been “vetted.” This is pure nonsense. All of those Americans with half-a-brain please stop for a minute and think. (To those Americans without half-a-brain: Please continue to stick your head in the gas tank to see if you’re car is running out of gas). Obama spent years in the Illinois House and Senate. The Chicago Tribune wrote numerous articles on Obama. I promise you, he has been investigated up one side and down the other. This is Chicago. The home of Mayor Daley. Every major politician gets vetted. Ask the former governor! Obama has been under scrutiny for the last four years. The scrutiny just intensified over the last two. You can’t tell me that the Washington Post or the New York Times or the LA Times haven’t been trying to find something on Barack Obama. If they haven’t, you know the Republicans have.

So, this is what they’ve come up with: 5-10 sentences that are objectionable to white people. I specifically say white people because I believe phrases like those spoken by Reverend Jeremiah Wright have been heard in Black congregations throughout this nation for the last 70 years (or more.) Until you have been at a Black church for three or four weeks, I do not believe you can adequately criticize a few sentences. Sit in the pews. Feel the emotion. Then, then come back to this blog and tell me that Reverend Jeremiah Wright said something that was blasphemous. Only then, will I take your criticism seriously.

Tags: Election 2008, Religion by ecthompson
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