Sarah Palin blamed by the US Secret Service for provoking death threats against Barack Obama

[Peikko 1,575]

Oh good grief. You are at perfect liberty to make whatever jokes you see fit. I may even find them funny, who knows? However, you posted something that was incorrect, the writer did not think Obama was perfect, far from it, she was doing what you were doing, poking fun at the seemingly perfect campaign.

Personally, I enjoy satire, but I have grown weary of the predictable and lame 'Obamabot' humour. However, really, you post whatever you want to.

[rebeccajo 14]

I was disappointed because it was obvious to me that the 'truth' was allowed to take second place to 'dramatic expediency' at times, in a rather obvious way. Or so it seemed to me.

I also didn't think that his life was all that interesting or special - I am probably being somewhat pedantic about that but for me it just wasn't that interesting.

I felt quite the opposite.

For one, I entered the book as a parent hoping to see a bit of how a man learns to be one (as you probably know I have a son). It seems to me that Obama was trying to learn how not to make the same mistakes his Father had. I see that struggle in my own son.

Secondly though I found the book quite interesting as the story of a black man struggling with what to do with his color, rather than just 'be' it. How to turn away from the societal roles of victim, radical, or escapist, and turn it into something else.

[Peikko 1,575]

I didn't get the feeling that it was his real voice, or that his voice was all that clear. It seemed to me that the autobiography came too soon, before he had really resolved many of the issues that were raised within the book. He seemed unable to come to any definite conclusions as to what he was or where he was going.

[rebeccajo 14]

I didn't get the feeling that it was his real voice, or that his voice was all that clear. It seemed to me that the autobiography came too soon, before he had really resolved many of the issues that were raised within the book. He seemed unable to come to any definite conclusions as to what he was or where he was going.

I think it's the 'point in time' the book comes from. He had written the outline for it while still at Harvard.

I likely think he was hoping to make a few bucks off his fame as the first black president of Harvard Law Review and nothing else. I don't think 'big' politics was on his mind at the time of writing.

I have not yet read 'Audacity of Hope'. My son tells me that is the book which talks about policy.

[S and S 12]

Oh good grief. You are at perfect liberty to make whatever jokes you see fit. I may even find them funny, who knows? However, you posted something that was incorrect, the writer did not think Obama was perfect, far from it, she was doing what you were doing, poking fun at the seemingly perfect campaign.

Personally, I enjoy satire, but I have grown weary of the predictable and lame 'Obamabot' humour. However, really, you post whatever you want to.

Okay, I didn't initially see it as poking fun, but I can see what you mean. It is possible that is what the writer was doing and I just didn't see it that way when I read it the first time. I rather hope it was all just a big joke. In that case, I will not refrain from my joking when it suits the occassion.

[Peikko 1,575]

I have to agree, I don't think he wrote if from the perspective of 'future president'. However, I read it hoping to get a real insight into who he was, and I came away thinking, "well, if you don't know who you are, how do you expect anyone else to?"

I haven't read the other book either. I think I will now though, it's in the library.

[Niels Bohr 72]

I have to agree, I don't think he wrote if from the perspective of 'future president'. However, I read it hoping to get a real insight into who he was, and I came away thinking, "well, if you don't know who you are, how do you expect anyone else to?"

I haven't read the other book either. I think I will now though, it's in the library.

I know. You need a definite clause to close the book.

Me. I hardly know myself sometimes.

[Peikko 1,575]

Oh good grief. You are at perfect liberty to make whatever jokes you see fit. I may even find them funny, who knows? However, you posted something that was incorrect, the writer did not think Obama was perfect, far from it, she was doing what you were doing, poking fun at the seemingly perfect campaign.

Personally, I enjoy satire, but I have grown weary of the predictable and lame 'Obamabot' humour. However, really, you post whatever you want to.

Okay, I didn't initially see it as poking fun, but I can see what you mean. It is possible that is what the writer was doing and I just didn't see it that way when I read it the first time. I rather hope it was all just a big joke. In that case, I will not refrain from my joking when it suits the occassion.

I did find your poop comment funny by the way.

[Peikko 1,575]

I have to agree, I don't think he wrote if from the perspective of 'future president'. However, I read it hoping to get a real insight into who he was, and I came away thinking, "well, if you don't know who you are, how do you expect anyone else to?"

I haven't read the other book either. I think I will now though, it's in the library.

I know. You need a definite clause to close the book.

Me. I hardly know myself sometimes.

Well, there is a certain charm in being honest about one's own uncertainty, that is true. I guess as I said, I was expecting something more intriguing than what I got. That's not to say that it wasn't interesting - just not as interesting as I was hoping it was going to be. As I said, I was a little disturbed by the somewhat obvious artifice that was used to project us into his state of mind as a kid. The 'Time' article for a start - that jolted with me even when I didn't know it was made up - I just though, heck most 9 year old's don't think like that. Even my brother, who has always been somewhat esoteric, didn't think like that at 9.

Edited November 10, 2008 by Madame Cleo

[S and S 12]

Oh good grief. You are at perfect liberty to make whatever jokes you see fit. I may even find them funny, who knows? However, you posted something that was incorrect, the writer did not think Obama was perfect, far from it, she was doing what you were doing, poking fun at the seemingly perfect campaign.

Personally, I enjoy satire, but I have grown weary of the predictable and lame 'Obamabot' humour. However, really, you post whatever you want to.

Okay, I didn't initially see it as poking fun, but I can see what you mean. It is possible that is what the writer was doing and I just didn't see it that way when I read it the first time. I rather hope it was all just a big joke. In that case, I will not refrain from my joking when it suits the occassion.

I did find your poop comment funny by the way.

[Niels Bohr 72]

When I was eight, my parents and I scoured the streets to collect cans. At that time, I understood the difficulties of living. I was angry inside as well when these people drive by saying profanities, and vandalizing my family place.

We didn't have any income back them other than cans. And, we didn't know what welfare was. We were fortunate to be living underneath a friend roof.

During the vietnam war, the US bombed the HO CHI MINH trail goes through Cambodia. They carpet bombed the land ignoring the innocent civilians. They also killed a few of my family members. The good old US of A killed. The US decided to take refugees in, so here I am.

I was alot maturer in class when I was younger. I didn't have the luxury like most of the kids. I knew life at a very early age. This is why I could relate to Obama's adversities.

[rebeccajo 14]

When I was eight, my parents and I scoured the streets to collect cans. At that time, I understood the difficulties of living. I was angry inside as well when these people drive by saying profanities, and vandalizing my family place.

We didn't have any income back them other than cans. And, we didn't know what welfare was. We were fortunate to be living underneath a friend roof.

During the vietnam war, the US bombed the HO CHI MINH trail goes through Cambodia. They carpet bombed the land ignoring the innocent civilians. They also killed a few of my family members. The good old US of A killed. The US decided to take refugees in, so here I am.

I was alot maturer in class when I was younger. I didn't have the luxury like most of the kids. I knew life at a very early age. This is why I could relate to Obama's adversities.

I think that deserves a hug.

[Ling Ling 22]

Question for VW...

Is someone who bombs an abortion clinic a terrorist?

Considering your views on abortion and women's choice to govern their own bodies, I'd guess not.

Perhaps you consider that they, as is thought by extremists Muslim terrorist against the US, are doing the bidding of God.

"One man's terrorist, is another man's freedom fighter".

As to Bill Ayers, the more I think about him, the more I think he may be "....one man's freedom fighter".

There were a LOT of people who were against the Vietnam war and other actions of the government, but few that did much

about it. Wasn't it the INTENTION of the architects of our constitution and our country, that the government should

abide by the will of the people, and that the government should fear the wrath of the people, rather than her people being in fear?

Wasn't the purpose of the 1st an 2nd amendments to give voice and power to the people against tyranny?

I propose to you that in consideration of the goals and actions of Bill Ayers, perhaps he was more a Patriot than any of us could ever be.

He took risks to act against that which others would only speak of. He wasn't trying to punish America, he was trying to save her from the government.

Certainly I don't know as much about the '60s, and maybe not as much about the Revolutionary War either, so maybe I'm wrong.

[Peikko 1,575]

I think that deserves a hug.

Indeed.

Reminded me of a woman I met recently, who while we were hiking in the CA foothills proceeded to tell me of her life as a child in Cambodia as a prisoner. Her reality so totally jarred with our surroundings it was surreal and yet, that is how some people live, today without rights and without much hope. Often these people are very matter of fact about their past and they expect nothing more than understanding.

Edited November 10, 2008 by Madame Cleo

[Sofiyya 1,687]

VW, let me begin answering your question.

Obama is inspiring because of his acomplishments in the face of adversity. Growing up black has its problems. Common stereotype are a common place in the streets when most or many of black population are always viewed to be evil. To you, you probably have not notice it. Obama knows the prejudices he face, the profiling he face, as well as the difficulties in blending with the white community.

I remembered in the late 80s when my family or rather, the asian community here was the minority. The asian community was viewed as un-educated people, low-class, eat grass, and are gang members. This was the prejudices I faced when Asian was uncommon here in the 80s-90s. However, time has changed and the Asian population here is thriving quite well.

With Obama, he grew up in the 60-70s. It was still a time in infancy with the liberation of segration. There were still a large amount of groups that still viewed blacks as outsiders. He overcame it! Instead of going negative such as joining gangs to strengthen the black community because that is why the Asians started gangs, he went to school!

That is what is inspiring!

Now, back to my question. Will you not answer the question?

I'm Palestinian, but I grew up with Black people. I didn't have to read about them or imagine them because they were all around me. I went to school with them, was doctored by them, taught by them, and I'm related to several. I've even been assumed to be Black. I know LOTS of Black people who have been mightily successful in many areas, setting goals and meeting them all throughout the 1950s and 1960s, despite Jim Crow and prejudice.

The stereotypes that I had of Black people growing up was that they were accomplished, well-educated, and knowledgable. In the mixed race area where we lived, nearly everyone was gainfully employed and owned their home. One set of neighbors worked at the White House and were stauch Republicans. Many were federal government employees. Nearly all had a Masters or a Ph.D, and no less than a 4 year degree.

Their skins were every hue of Black. They quietly raised their families, didn't expect handouts and proved the negative views of Blacks wrong at every turn. It is a negative stereotype to believe that simply being Black makes life hard. There are indignities suffered at the hands of ignorant people, but the story of successful, hardworking Blacks from the turn of the century is one that needs to be told.

One of my aunts, who was Black, was an advisor to two Presidents and had many awards for her achievements. Others were superentendents of schools, principals, university professors, doctors, dentists, nurses, consultants, writers, entertainers (Roberta Flack was a friend), politicians, judges, lawyers, athletes, military officers, pilots, business owners, Supreme court clerks and historians, and so on. Many now live in multi-million dollar mansions in DC. Everyone of them pulled themselves up by their own bootstraps. I was so very blessed to know that, even before slavery, there has always been this element of the Black experience because they get little mention.

I have not one day in my life seen being Black alone as an impediment to success, nor been moved to think collectively of Blacks as blighted and victimized. There is racism, I've known that too, and that is a form of it. There are poor and beleaguered among all races. But, there has ALWAYS been opportunity, hope and change. BO is not a true example of adversity. He attended private schools, had friends of many races, traveled the world, and went to Columbia and Harvard. He was never a poor Black striving against adversity. I did read both of his books and Shelby Steele's treatment of how race has affected his pov.

This is why I find Obama less than inspiring. He is commonplace in my experience. I cannot glorify his experience in the world I know. He is simply a beneficiary of the Blacks who paved his way, and the ones who lived and worked along side Whites in everyday situations, and the ones who fought the good fight for civil rights. I see the fervor around him as so unique and defining as another Joe Biden type gaffe, that Blacks like him are "fresh, articulate and clean", as if that is such an oddity. They are only human.

End of that part.

Now, to your question; As I remember it, it's Why do conservatives name call obama supporters, but Obam supporters don't name call NcCain supporters. I take pause, because I'm wondering why you notice a few terms leveled against liberals, but fail to see any against conservatives. How is this selective sight possible? You have repeatedly participated in Republican bashing threads, LIKE THIS ONE, where derisive comments about Republicans in general, and certain Republicans have been demeaned and called all kinds of names. How do you even expect me to take this question seriously when you have taken part in what you claim doesn't happen?

I am nonplussed.