Come again. 
Will Oprah make a difference
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You might be right, SJ. I guess it depends on what you define as racist and whether or not intent has to be a part of it.
I shared the thread with a friend of mine- a PhD who used to teach Race Relations at the University of Illinois. He said that in his opinion, the comments were probably without malicious intent but that they could reasonably be interpreted as racist in nature on the basis that they seem to support an already existing sentiment that African Americans are incapable of judging a candidate based on merit when race is involved. He offered the following provocative question (I am paraphrasing):
For the sake of conversation, let's suppose Oprah is caucasian and that she is an avid supporter of Obama. Would seaside2 have posted comments stating the opinion that Oprah doesn't support him based on his credentials but rather only because he is of color?
My friend said that because the answer is likely no that this is support that the comments can reasonably be perceived as racist.
Then he made one last point:
he said he thought this thread was supposed to be about the fact that Oprah publicly endorsed a candidate for the first time. And the question asked was-
would it matter/would it influence how people vote/would it impact the election. So he wanted to know why race was even being discussed...
GREAT POINT!
This is my last posting on the race aspect of this thread and I apologize that I helped to derail it.
By the way, SJ. I loved the last part of your post when you said Oprah endorses him because he is the least experienced and therefore, the most honest.
Cheers, G
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geowicky,
Racist:
1.a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2.a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3.hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
For many years, the first definition has been the most applicable of the three meanings of the word, "racist." Though recently, people have began to use it incorrectly, not much different than people often misusing the word, "ironic," this is the definition by which I use in my thoughts. Again, never once were the remarks above indicating that the poster thought his or her race superior, and while we could take a pretty good shot in the dark at most people's race on this board, we don't know that the poster who wrote it isn't black.
Racist:
1.a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2.a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3.hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
For many years, the first definition has been the most applicable of the three meanings of the word, "racist." Though recently, people have began to use it incorrectly, not much different than people often misusing the word, "ironic," this is the definition by which I use in my thoughts. Again, never once were the remarks above indicating that the poster thought his or her race superior, and while we could take a pretty good shot in the dark at most people's race on this board, we don't know that the poster who wrote it isn't black.
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I'm glad you had an expert look, geowickey. I really helped derail it. Sorry.I even brought up the fact that some wanted her as pres. In answer to the original thread question, she won't make any difference to me unless she brings up issues on her show about him that could somehow change my mind, but I really doubt it because the last thing I think this country needs right now is the least experienced politrkion of all. Why would that make him more honest? There's lots of unhonest tricksters in the general population ftlog. It's not exclusive to them.
I think Oprah does have the ability to influence lots of people, especially if she can endorse him on her show for free anytime. Wonder if she can legally? That's why I was hoping she would endorse Hillary but oh well. I guess we'll have to go it without her.
Hey I did pretty good leaving out the IMHO's.
Perhaps the better word choice would have been "less corrupt," rather than "honest." I do believe that an honest and ethical person can run for office, and in some cases, even win the seat. However, I have learned that in order to remain in office, money and votes come into to play if they want to remain in office, and thus most career politicians become corrupt in the process. You cannot change things in today's poliTRICKS without having to make large sacrifices. My family has been in poliTRICKS, on many levels, from County to State and Federal, long before I was conceived, and they still play an active roll in poliTRICKS, and we even have a lobbiest (I cringe when I say that), in the family. I speak with an inside knowledge of how the system works. ;-)