Brilliant Thomas Sowell editorial on Obama

[6thGen]

I just want to throw a few things in here, if they?ve already been addressed I?ll offer my apologies because I am not enough of a masochist to read through this thread.

1. Obama?s plan to sit down with leaders and confront them with honest conversation loses all credibility when he lacks either the conviction or backbone to stand up to his pastor and mentor.

2. Until we purge the Rev. Wrights? and Farrakhan?s and to a lesser extent the Jesse?s and Al?s, the same way we purged David Duke and Trent Lott, I don?t think we?ll be able to have an honest discussion about race.
3. Speaking of an honest discussion, the comments about Obama opening up the lines of communication are laughable. To paraphrase a few other authors, we?ve been having an honest discussion for years. Did anyone see Crash?

4. If we really want to pin the blame, we should blame Johnson for signing the Voting Rights Act, or at least Section 5, and Bush for signing to renew it. Emerging black politicians will continue to be handicapped by not having to appeal to the populace or white voters. Black Caucus replaces Black Caucus, and ?most black? wins. That formula doesn?t work in a general.

 

[Teresa]

Obama and Clinton have shifted their bio's to increase their appeal to Dems. Have you seen the Obama's tax returns? They've been doing pretty well yet they've given us the impression that they're just squeaking by. I could really relate to Michelle Obama when she complained to a group of women in Ohio (median income of $37,000) that Barack was getting after her for spending so much money. The Obama's are just scraping by with all the dance lessons, piano lessons, summer camp, etc., they were out $10,000! It is highway robbery (actually we have several children who would love to go to camp, but we cannot afford it so we do without). Not to mention that they have not been very generous to charities even though Barack Obama wants us all to pay to reduce global poverty. I gladly give to charity and do so much more generously than the Obama's have. Another case where Barack could lead by example, but chooses not to and another reason why I don't buy into his persona.

And Clinton, we all know that she is not genuine.

cck - my you have been paying attention. but, I think all of the above is not only irrelevant to this or any political discussion, it seems petty. sorry, I think this train of thought is unproductive and surprised to see it coming from someone so bright as you.

 

[sandybanks]

 

[rapunzel]

I just want to throw a few things in here, if they?ve already been addressed I?ll offer my apologies because I am not enough of a masochist to read through this thread.

1. Obama?s plan to sit down with leaders and confront them with honest conversation loses all credibility when he lacks either the conviction or backbone to stand up to his pastor and mentor.

2. Until we purge the Rev. Wrights? and Farrakhan?s and to a lesser extent the Jesse?s and Al?s, the same way we purged David Duke and Trent Lott, I don?t think we?ll be able to have an honest discussion about race.
3. Speaking of an honest discussion, the comments about Obama opening up the lines of communication are laughable. To paraphrase a few other authors, we?ve been having an honest discussion for years. Did anyone see Crash?

4. If we really want to pin the blame, we should blame Johnson for signing the Voting Rights Act, or at least Section 5, and Bush for signing to renew it. Emerging black politicians will continue to be handicapped by not having to appeal to the populace or white voters. Black Caucus replaces Black Caucus, and ?most black? wins. That formula doesn?t work in a general.

Oh my gosh, what an angry young man you are! Thank you so much for pointing out that things are the way they are because that's the way they've always been and that we can't hope for better. And it's the liberals' fault.

Good to know where you stand. I don't agree, but thanks for sharing.

 

[6thGen]

Oh my gosh, what an angry young man you are! Thank you so much for pointing out that things are the way they are because that's the way they've always been and that we can't hope for better. And it's the liberals' fault.

Good to know where you stand. I don't agree, but thanks for sharing.

What, exactly, came across as angry? When did I say that things are the way they are because of liberals? On the VRA, I called out a southern Democrat and a Republican.

 

[Camp Creek Kid]

cck - my you have been paying attention. but, I think all of the above is not only irrelevant to this or any political discussion, it is very petty. sorry, I think this train of thought is beneath you.

I respectfully disagree. When a guy comes along and wants to raise my taxes so he can provide things for other people like free college education, free health care, free child care, extended "family leave" time, I have a right to question that, especially when it is obvious that he is not in the habit of personally sacrificing his own wealth to help many people. When I can see that I have consistently given more to charity throughout my whole life than a man who wants me to pay to reduce world poverty, then I question his motives. If he was truly concerned about world poverty it would show by his charitable contributions. From his wife's remarks, I can see that their priorities lie within their own family. I think it is very insensitive for Michelle Obama to complain about having to spend $10,000 on summer camp and dance lessons when her audience members had a median income of $37,000.

I will give until it hurts to give, but it will be my choice, not the government's.

I'm a little surprised that you would call me out personally on this. But I have a thick skin.

 

[Camp Creek Kid]

By the way, we teach our children to stand up for what they believe in, even if it isn't popular. That is how I was raised and that is how I live my life. I would rather have integrity than popularity.

 

[Teresa]

By the way, we teach our children to stand up for what they believe in, even if it isn't popular. That is how I was raised and that is how I live my life. I would rather have integrity than popularity.

and I agree with you wholeheartedly on this statement cck, my friend.

 

[rapunzel]

I respectfully disagree. When a guy comes along and wants to raise my taxes so he can provide things for other people like free college education, free health care, free child care, extended "family leave" time, I have a right to question that, especially when it is obvious that he is not in the habit of personally sacrificing his own wealth to help many people. When I can see that I have consistently given more to charity throughout my whole life than a man who wants me to pay to reduce world poverty, then I question his motives. If he was truly concerned about world poverty it would show by his charitable contributions. From his wife's remarks, I can see that their priorities lie within their own family. I think it is very insensitive for Michelle Obama to complain about having to spend $10,000 on summer camp and dance lessons when her audience members had a median income of $37,000.

I will give until it hurts to give, but it will be my choice, not the government's.

I'm a little surprised that you would call me out personally on this. But I have a thick skin.

The Obamas gave 10% of their net income to charity. I, personally, think that is admirable and and not terribly common generosity.

Your taxes will only be raised if your income, after deductions, exceeds $200,000. I'm confused. You can't afford the same luxuries for your children that the non-charitable Obamas can, and are offended by remarks a woman who grew up very poor gave to a group of working class women, but your taxes are going up? I can't figure out how that works.

 

[rapunzel]

By the way, we teach our children to stand up for what they believe in, even if it isn't popular. That is how I was raised and that is how I live my life. I would rather have integrity than popularity.

Is it okay to stand up for our beliefs even when they are popular?

Can we not have integrity and popularity? Because believe me, the popularity waxes and wanes.

I've spent many years screaming in the wilderness when everyone disagreed with me and made fun of my lib-nut opposition to the splendid little war. Keep sticking up for what you believe in. You'll be in vogue again sooner or later.