Another Democrat yakfest: Howard U. debate yields important info–Biden and Obama have been tested for AIDS Update: Obama more fizzle than sizzle?
I had forgotten about the Democrat presidential debate tonight at Howard University. Thanks to LaShawn Barber for reminding me. She is one of the few credentialed conservative bloggers at the event tonight reporting on the scene. I doubt anything really new or newsworthy will come out of it, but tune in to LaShawn’s in case anything does. The snoozefest begins at 9pm Eastern on PBS.
Race will be on everyone’s mind. Look for the candidates to out-diversity one another.
I imagine the SCOTUS rulings against government racial preferences will come up–with every one of the candidates promising to appoint justices who will bring back Big Brother bean-counting in the name of “equal protection.”
9:11pm Eastern. I tuned in out of curiosity. This is the strangest presidential debate opening I’ve ever seen. It’s more like a pep rally/beauty pageant. Cornel West, Harry Belafonte, and Al Sharpton are in the crowd. Audience members are on their feet, shouting for their candidates.
Ding, ding, ding! The first question is about the SCOTUS ruling and it goes to Hillary Clinton. “For anyone to deny that race isn’t a problem is to deny reality.” Hillary calls the rulings today “turning back the clock.”
“The march is not finished…the work is not yet done.”
Oh, oh–I hear Hillary’s Selma/Kentucky Fried accent slipping through.
9:49pm Eastern update. I’ve been paying attention with half an ear. This was a little strange exchange…Joe Biden is bragging about getting tested for AIDS. Biden says he knows Obama got tested for AIDS. Is this a group confessional or a presidential debate? Camera cuts to Obama and he doesn’t seem very happy. Biden finishes bloviating and Obama interrupts to clarify that “I got tested for AIDS with [my wife] Michelle. Just so there’s no confusion.”
Oooo-kay. Clarified.
10:00pm Eastern update. Obama uses one of the most cliched civil rights soundbites in response to a question about mandatory minimum drug sentences: “We have to make sure that ‘justice’ doesn’t just mean ‘just us.’”
Rolling eyes.
10:07pm Eastern update. Weird. Journalist panelist Michel Martin asks the candidates if they would support a federal law guaranteeing the right to return to New Orleans, based on international human rights law on “displaced persons.”
Bill Richardson would support it. John Edwards doesn’t answer the question, but promises to appoint a special New Orleans adviser to report every day on what’s happening in New Orleans.
A New Orleans Czar, I guess.
Obama wants one, too.
These Dems are really…creepy.
I’m leaving the rest to LaShawn.
***
The AP files a rather pedestrian dispatch on the debate.
Did Obama fizzle or sizzle? This was supposed to be his crowd. But at least one Obama fan over at the official Obama campaign blog is not happy:
He blew it! | Report to Admin
Reply
By Dawn from Arlington, VA 41 minutes ago
My worse nightmare come true! After tonight’s debate, I think it’s going to be almost impossible for Senator Obama to wrestle the Black female vote from Hillary Clinton. I know he’s incredibly thoughtful, but he was cerebral when he needed to be inspirational! The audience wanted to love him, but he really let them (us) down. This was supposed to be a welcome home of sorts for Obama and instead he looked like a stranger in his own house. Hillary is 3 for 3 and well on her way to victory. I’ll be crying myself to sleep tonight.
See what others have said
Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.
Trackbacks
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Categories: 2008 campaign
Power Line
» More From the East Anglia Archives
Founding Bloggers
» Did The New York Times Just Tell Glenn Reynolds To “STFU”?Doug Ross @ Journal
» 'Hope is fading fast' --- the T-ShirtDoug Ross @ Journal
» BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! Boston Globe Climate Beclownment SpectacularRadio Equalizer
» Media Matters Admits Rush Didn't Make Key Racist RemarksDoug Ross @ Journal
» The CRU Climate Scam In 90 Seconds
Obama’s gonna win; he’s the blackest.
Yeah, but you can’t apologize for being white if you are black!
Here in Seattle, PBS is playing the debate at 10pm Friday night… I can’t imagine the ratings juggernaut it will be compared to the FNC debate that is being boycotted.
Oh stop. Barry just wants us all to get along. Or else…
You think I care?
Sorry, gotta disagree, John Edwards is WAAAAY blacker than Obama, and Hillary CAN be blacker if she does that funky accent.
I’ll bet she does it tonight too… and NO I wont be watching. I too flush with the smell of victory over Amnesty to ruin my day with those maggots.
Well the cerebrals at PBS or whoever is in charge of graphics left off the upper part of Michigan.
Also, just because you have money doesn’t mean you can hire teachers. Teaching is demanding and working with kids is demanding. You can pay teachers $100,000 a year and teaching would still drive people out of the profession.
Paris Hilton’s name was mentioned twice. This is the intellect from the left?
Where are the black sections of Biden’s town?
I GOT TESTED FOR AIDS???? oh my
Holy Cow! They ALL just tried to out do each other on Katrina, it’s hilarious.
Talk about a panderfest…
But Hillary is multi-lingual! She can speak Southern, Ebonics, New York, Mid-West and Bulls**t.
So almost catching AIDS is an asset?
I don’t know what was more disgraceful…… the things being said on stage or those fools in the audience cheering and applauding what was being said.
I really don’t know how anyone can get behind the Democrats’ mantra of universal everything and everyone is a victim, and that big government can fix everything. I mean at one point they even starting touting universal home owners insurance.
Good Grief!
Democrat debates are like listening to or watching a liberal talk show hosted by Mario Cuomo. Boring & creepy… a contemporary Twilight Zone.
Yeah well it’s about time that racial issues were brought up in the debates because minority issues sure as heck haven’t been mentioned in previous debates to this point (affirmative action, AIDS in minority communities, etc.).
I’m willing to bet that you all will be paying more attention to the Republican Debate held at Howard on September 27th.
I’ll be interested to seeing if any so-called “accents” come through.
What I find disgraceful is these people in Washington D.C. taking us for being complete fools. Our founding father must be turning over in their graves.
Will we see the GOP candidates called creepy then by MM and Co.?
I ment founding fathers sorry about.. it’s been a long day.
I saw something about this but I just couldn’t bring myself to watch.
Irrelevant squared IMO.
OldGuy53,
Because these issues didn’t apply to you or because the candidates didn’t apply to you?
“The right of return”!? What the heck–who’s stopping them? Strange language.
Or are we now creating our own little intafada here?
From the latest AP link.
Wow. Would think that might have garnered bigger headlines today.
Also noted here.
See if it is later excised from an “updated” version.
If the GOP panders, you can bet MM & Co. will respond
By pandering, you mean addressing the needs of the African American community? Or pandering as in using an accent not normally used?
I can assure you that if you expect vote from the African American community, and you were a presidential candidate, you would Katrina-the-heck out of the debates. God forbid 6 in 10 African Americans believe race played a role in the response.
I would be careful calling that pandering.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-09-12-katrina-poll_x.htm
Darknight: Why is it always so difficult to fathom, the Katrina response had nothing to do with race and everything to do preparedness?
What issues?
None of these guys are relevant because they can’t address the problems that matter to this country.
Like “energy independence” for example.
It’s going to take more than fluorescent light bulbs and rationing toilet paper to reduce our dependence on ME oil.
Very few can advance solutions, these guys especially.
Hoosier,
It is not difficult to see how race was a factor in the response to Hurricane Katrina. 6 in 10 African Americans feel that race was a factor in the response.
From a socio-economic standpoint, “blacks” and “whites” together were angry about how the gap between rich and poor was exposed. Those who could not leave were stranded and left behind. Most of their houses were in shambles. It amazes me because we think that it takes so much to close the gap between those have and those who have not. There is a new invention out called a “HurriQuake.” It is a nail that cost about $15 total to build an entire home and can double the strength of a house in severe weather. We must work together on closing the gap so everyone has the chance to be safe in the time of a severe storm.
From a racial standpoint, the response to the Katrina survivors was personal. When Americans watched those on the television, most were shocked that it even took 2 days for help to get there. But as 2 days became 3, 3 days became 4, 4 days became 5… African Americans began to feel as if the same standards that were used in the response to Hurricane Andrew and Hurricane Rita were not being applied to the Katrina survivors.
Then newscasters such as Bill O’Reilly (who I watch every night) became judgmental. One night he said that many of those who were left behind stayed because they ignored all of the warnings and therefore did not deserve the same level of response as others truly in need (as if he could differentiate between the two). He even (if I remember correctly) went so far as to say that many of those left behind were druggies who needed their fix. I was so angry at O’Reilly that I didn’t know what to do.
Then mix in the fact that while I was reading the AP photos of New Orleans residents who were going into empty businesses and markets, I saw captions in some photos that referred to African Americans as “refugees” and in other pictures Caucasian people were called “survivors.”
Add to the fact that was a profound disconnect between public figures and those suffering. GWB told Brownie “you’re doing a good job.” That showed disconnect enough. BUT THEN, Mrs. Barbara Bush said this in September 2005 to the New York Times when talking about survivors who were sent to Houston:
“And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway,” she said, “so this is working very well for them.”
As if having your home washed away was a good thing!?!?!?!?
This is what sent African Americans into shock and drove Kanye West to encapsulate the feeling of millions of African Americans in the country when he remarked that “George Bush doesn’t care about black people.”
Frankly, I don’t think it’s that hard to see how 6 in 10 African Americans think that the Katrina response had race written all over it.
And drilling in ANWR is going to make it all better I assume?
Anyway, the Dems have the edge on certain issues that the GOP can’t hold a candle too. When have you heard Guiliani, or Romney, or McCain address Affirmative Action? Or rising tuition costs? Or the merits of the argument if different standards were used in the response to Katrina than other hurricanes?
These are issues the GOP will probably address because they are far less relevant to their base. I think it would behoove you to investigate the impact that GOP candidates can have on the black community if only they had the courage to speak on these issues.
OTOH, I’ll be the first to concede that the GOP has the edge on certain issues as well such as gay marriage (of which African Americans are OVERWHELMINGLY opposed).
Edit: These are issues the GOP would probably NOT address…
The hypocrisy never ceases to amaze me. Affirmative action is RACIST by definition. The Brown vs. Board of Education is RACIST by definition. They said the SCOTUS ‘turned back the clock’ by making everyone equal under the law without regard to race. Racism does exist – in bad legislation that needs to be fixed.
I was a child of bussing. How do you determine where kids go to school? When I was little, we had to count the number of blacks and whites and make sure that there was the right number of each. The definition of racial profile.
The Katrina issue had to do with the President not being a leader, it had nothing to do with ‘racism’. Even if he did ‘hate black people’, I can’t imagine he would not have been able to get those people bottled WATER. WATER should have been there (airlifted in) the first day.
And my final point about the Dem hypocrisy has to do with the immigration bill and the GWOT. Democrats would have you believe that people hate America for the WOT and that we have to ‘rebuild our image’. At the same time they acknowledge people are breaking our laws to get into this ‘terrible’ country and we must help them break those laws. We don’t want to be a poor host to our ‘newcomers’ by being a terrible country with a poor global reputation (/sarc).
That last paragraph was the only thing I was going to post. There’s got to be a better way to illustrate that point but I’m still an amateur. I just get riled up when I read about affirmative action, school bussing, and then if you oppose either of those racist government sanctioned programs, you are a racist.
It isn’t the government’s job to keep people from being racist. It’s the government’s job to ensure that everyone has the same opportunity. Racist government policies only enhance resentment between the races. Affirmative Action and bussing do nothing to end racism.
The only way Republicans can lose against these people is if they are corrupt, disorganized, clueless, and without an agenda.
Say hello to President Hillary…
DarkKnight
When we stop talking about “race” and start talking about what is right for the people we will then be the best that America can be. Katrina and how 6 in 10 blacks feel about it should not be a driving factor into how best to proceed in LA we cannot continue in this country to be driven by “victimhood” or we shall surely never be the greatest country on earth. I for one am sick of “race” being a part of every discussion or “female victimhood” or “gay victimhood” enough is enough. I believe that the AMNESTY anger was proof that the rest of the country is disgusted with being called “bigots” for knowing what was right against wrong. I believe the tide has turned and Americans are not going to be made to “feel” bad about race or sexual orientation any longer. Each and every American can get up each day and choose to be somebody and work hard towards their goals regardless of any of aforementioned issues. 40+ years of liberalism has only made more victims instead of actually advancing all people and that is the legacy of liberals and their minions the “race hustlers”.
DarkKnight,
You know what your biggest problem is? You’re one of those “Hyphenated Americans”, and those are the ones who usually cause the most problems.
So when you decide to become an AMERICAN, I’ll be willing to rationally discuss anything you want.
But until then as far as I’m concerned you’re just another nutjob.
I’m guessing Obama clarified that he got tested for AIDS with his wife so that no one thinks he’s gay. That completely disgusts me. AIDS is not a “gay disease”.
What was the context of Biden bringing this up?? Absolutely bizarre.
A few points:
Affirmative action programs are racist because they give preference based on race. They do not allow that the most qualified person be given a position whether it is for employment or education.
Katrina: This was a tradgedy all around – but for all the pandering and complaining last night about the response, not once did I hear the STATE’S response mentioned. It was, and is, the State & Local government’s responsibility FIRST, to render aid and evacuation to the citizens. The Federal Government’s response comes afterwards.
Much of the suffering could have been avoided if the Governor of LA and the Mayor of N.O. had done what THEY were supposed to have done as well.
I do believe that the Federal Government’s response was poor – but to lay the blame solely on them is wrong.
Taxes: Much was made of Warren Buffet’s statement that he pays too little in income taxes, compared to his secretary. He makes about 50 million, she makes around 60 thousand ( if I was her, I’d feel cheated at that ). He pays 17%, she pays 30%. What wasn’t mentioned is that while she would have paid an estimated 18,000 in taxes – he paid 8.5 million, using those numbers.
I don’t recall the exact figures, but I believe that the wealthiest 2% of Americans pay something like 75% of all the tax monies collected.
There is nothing keeping Mr. Buffet from donating more of his money to the Government – so why doesn’t he, if he feels he’s being unfairly benefitted?
Finally – AIDS: The question last night asked how can we stop the infection of rising # of young African-American Females. While they all danced around funding this or funding that or government intervention here and there – I wanted one person to just simply say – STOP HAVING UNPROTECTED SEX! It was dabbled around, a mention of condoms here or there…but they all pandered to the ideology of ‘the government should help you’.
Medical research is very important – no question. But when does personal choice and personal responsibility get mentioned and when do people get told to their face – “If you don’t want AIDS, don’t engage in risky behavior!” ?
Kowboy,
Fully agree. However, if discussing hyphenated Americans, african-americans take the cake. You have to originate from the first place in the hyphenation. It’s rather silly but then so is referencing a rapper. I especially enjoyed the word “Caucasian”. I guess that means we can go back to using “Negro”?…
JWS, I don’t get what you’re saying at all.
DarkKnight is not a nutjob. A lot of people, including myself, feel the same way. Katrina was the most horrific thing to happen in America in my lifetime because it exposed our country’s inability to help those in extreme need. And race doubtlessly played a part in it.
And how dare someone criticize others for referring to themselves as “African-Americans”? I find it hard to be eloquent here because it’s so shocking. Kowboy, if you’re ancestors were kidnapped from their homeland and had to deal with rape, murder, and opression…maybe you’d have some more pride in your ancestors’ homeland.
I will never vote for anyone named Hussein. Have you noticed that you never read or hear Hussein’s middle name? My family will never, ever vote for anyone named Hussein. Being named Hussein is an automatic disqualification for office in America. Especially corrupt Husseins. More especially Husseins in the coliseum of corruption.
A vote for Hussein is Insane.
I agree with Kowboy, the lib hyphenation of America is tearing us apart. No one should give a rat’s ass where anyone’s ancestors came from. If you live in America, you should consider yourself an American period, no hyphens.
While slavery was a terrible and immoral thing, it’s been gone for over 100 years. No one alive was a slave, and probably none of there grandparents were either. Many of the slaves were sold to slave traders after being captured by other tribes.
Have you taken a look at what living conditions are like in most of Africa today? I seriously doubt that very many born here would rather move their family to Africa and live in those conditions. So while slavery was horrible for the people who endured it, their descendants are far better off. They should also consider themselves Americans with no hyphens.
*sigh*
Well I don’t want to hear anyone else say that it is all the liberals fault who are ruining the quality of political discourse.
I will try and answer as many of the posts as I can without writing an entire book.
To Kowboy:
I assume now that you are not talking to anyone who is Irish-American, German-American, Italian-American, Native-American, African-American, Asian-American and so on. So basically you aren’t talking to anyone. Suit yourself.
To Jaded:
I’ll be the first to tell you that I am disheartened everytime I read about race always being an issue. It eventually gets to the point where people start to tune out. For example, on CNN there is an article about Isaiah Washington claiming race played a role in his firing. Dude, you used a gay slur not once, but twice!!! If you were white your behind would be out too. But does that mean that we disregard race as a factor in some of the daily decisions made by people in our society? No, not until equality is truly reached. For example, the fact that African Americans still make less income compared with the Caucasian counterpart is wholly unfair and irresponsible. One cannot discount these statistics likely. While the issue of race not being a factor is a goal that we as a country should strive for, we still have a long way to go. I have personally seen African American leaders held to a different standard than their Caucasian counterparts. Then when people ask “How much of this criticism is professional and how much of this criticism is personal?” Then, I have no problem with those questions about race. By the way, people in today’s society don’t have to feel “bad” about anything that they don’t let themselves feel “bad” about in the first place. But where people believe that inequality is being practiced, I would hope that they speak up and make sure their voices are heard. It is not a “race card.” I’d much rather they speak up than keep silent. The “Amnesty Travesty” is a perfect example where if you feel a wrong is being committed, speak up. Discussion is democracy in action, no?
To Jrlingreenbay:
You bring up excellent points, but I would point you to the fact that the President declared LA, MS and AL disaster areas TWO DAYS before the Hurricane Struck. Federal Resources were primed and ready far in advance of landfall. And it took 5 days for relief to get there? It has been well documented that the local response was overwhelmed because their communication systems were complete down. Their satallite phone batteries died and could only be charged by their diesel generator. Once that fuel ran out, they were completely on their own. The federal government bears a ton of responsibility and most acknowledge that.
Another valid point is the fact that 28% of African American children have sex before age 15, compared with 14% of Latinos and Caucasians. This is lunacy! We can’t blame anyone else but ourselves and the responsibility to change that is ours alone. It is something we can control.
To JWS:
Wow, if you thought I was referencing a raper to make my point, that is really really sad. I would pointing out the fact the he said something that many people were feeling at the time. He was the person who said that didn’t he?
Caucasian is defined by the Oxford disctionary as “white-skinned; of European origin.” I could say non-Hispanic whites, although saying “white” and “black” is very interesting considering (with rare exceptions, neither one is). So if you were offended, I apologize. Perhaps the term “majority” would be more appropiate.
I will continue to use the term African American because I will not forget the origin of my ancestors of which I have no idea where they are from.
To Citizen:
If you are referring to Senator Barack Obama’s middle name, I doubt he had much of a chance for your vote anyway. But not voting for someone because of their name is not common.
To Sick of RINO’s:
I don’t think you want to start that fire. The state of Africa today brings up a host of issues too big for this forum.
Slavery has been gone for over 100 years? Man, I feel silly for not knowing that.
All sarcasm aside, the effects of slavery are still being felt across the country today. People who think that racism and the after-effects of slavery aren’t an integral part of American culture are deluding themselves. I think Katrina provided a stunning (albeit temporary) end to that delusion for lots of Americans.
Where we come from is a large part of who we are. Paying tribute to that with a hyphenated identity is no harm, no foul. Telling someone how to identify themself is arrogant and rude.
EDIT: I will continue to use the term African-American because I will not forget the origin of my ancestors of which specifically I have no idea where they are from. You will find many people are quite proud of they are from, though they embrance America as their country. Like Greek-American, Mexican-American and others.
Well said Rusty.
Entitlement. That’s what this is all about. Let’s get something for nothing and when we don’t get anything lets blame it on someone besides ourselves who didn’t give us that something for doing nothing. The dems are obviously playing the race card to rally support.
I, for one, have never understood why blacks favor Democratic policies. The social policies proposed and implemented by democrats are the equivalent of treating a leg injury with a crutch instead of physical therapy. Those policies have successfully held back minorities for years. By “leveling the playing field” policies such as affirmative action reward an individual for being a minority and not by their merits and actions. This shortchanges minorities by creating a culture of substandard acceptance in which they rely on entitlement to achieve a goal rather than merit.
The same can also be said of white people on welfare, who sit at home all month while the government sends them a check. It completely removes the impetus to go out and get a job.
Slavery was a horrible experience and a blythe on American history, but we don’t have a time machine to go back and change things. There will be no 40 acres and a mule and no reparations. As far as I know, there is not one person alive today who was a slave in the United States. Right or wrong, history happens.
I would think that minorities would be insulted by policies such as Affirmative Action. I would also encourage Democratic supporters to look through the “entitlement” pitch Democrats ram down your throat and understand that true success and happiness in America is attained through hard work, determination, and luck, all of which are blind to the color of skin.
Ed, good points all. It is hard for people with entitlement mentalities to ween themselves from Big GOVT and a litany of excuses for substandard personal behavior. Personal responsibility is a very tough pill to swallow for many, as evidenced by some of the inane comments above.
DarkKnight, when you stop trying to foster a victim mentality you might be surprised to see the progress that entails. Constantly asking to be separated from the pack -based on your skin color- alone (read: Affirmative Action) works against the equality ideals your purportedly espouse. Why can’t you see this glaring hypocrisy on your part? Either you use your skin color as a crutch to explain everything you can’t get or you compete in society based on merit and skill in spite of your skin color. Do you think Condi Rice made it where she did by making excuses? Oh, I forgot, the black community doesn’t recognize Condi because she isn’t a self-appointed victim (many consider her to be “white”). How exactly do you explain this type of reaction amongst the black community? Why isn’t she held up as an example of what is truly possible for blacks when excuses aren’t made? She is not the only example and you know it.
Objective introspection in the black community would do wonders (listen to brilliant leaders like Bill Cosby). Perpetuating racism to serve your own interests (i.e. sustainment of a victim identity among blacks BY blacks) is something that baffles me. I agree with Ed, why do blacks put up with this treatment from the Libs?
Gosh…you mean we can’t judge people by the content of their character? (didn’t some great American say that?)We have to take into consideration that they may be black or hispanic (whatever that means)…or indian..etc..etc…
Unfortunately, the race baiting scum and liberals have helped define black (or African American) society. They continue their importance and power by keeping race in the spotlight. I’m not naive enough to think that race/culture doesn’t play into society, but before the Great Society (Dems plan for U.S. Utopia in the 60’s) the black community had outstanding statistics with regard to marriages (high), illegitimate children (low), H.S Graduation (high) ..etc ..etc…when the government and race baiting scum like Jackson gave a whole group of Americans a reason to blame everyone but themselves, that started this entire slide down into rampant out of wedlock births, no fathers around, low marriage rates, H.S dropout rate (high), and oh yeah…PRISON for a huge percentage of young black men…low employement..etc..etc…why? because it’s not their fault..it’s always someone elses fault, after all..their great, great great grandfather was a slave. We owe them more, more, more and they don’t really have to be responsible. Are there injustices…certainly, but there have been injustices to entire groups of people here in the U.S. (Jews, Irish, Chinese..etc..etc..)and world wide…but when you give a portion of society, “special” status, you take away responsibility. I agree with Ed Dantes above, I don’t understand why most black americans vote democrat?…can anyone actually point to something specific the dems have done that has helped black americans? Years ago I was discussing Bill Clinton with this black lady, and she just loved Clinton, I asked her why, and she couldn’t give me ONE thing he had done to help her or any of her family or community, but, she still loved him. I don’t know if you can change that mindset with facts.
To quote another sterling character in recent history, “can’t we all just get along?”
Wow, getting kinda racist in here!
I guess its not fun to point out the discrepancy that exists between races because everyone everywhere just has the same access to the same quality education, right PBoilermaker? The point of AA is to try and create a level playing field. The fact of the matter is, in predominently AA commnities, the public schools don’t give the same access to education as their public suburban counterparts. They don’t have the same number of honors classes (if there are any honors classes at all), they are held to lower standards and thus not as prepared as other high school graduates who did have the same access. AA is supposed to provide a leverage system where those who did not have access to education can be lifted out of their environment and into an environment condusive to their development. I can personally speak for the fact that an AA program enabled me to go to college where college did not seem like a financially-viable option. Now I am a graduate of both undergraduate and graduate programs because of that opportunity. You want to tell me that it doesn’t work? I’m grateful for that oppotunity and has nothing to do with reparations, etc. This isn’t making excuses. This is an unfortunate reality that most people don’t want to discuss. Secretary Rice has her DOCTORATE degree so no one is saying that she is a suck-up. Some people were upset with the fact that she used the church bombing in AL most times than she should of. Notice how Colin Powell is still treated with a high level of respect by the African American community…
It’s almost not even possible to react to the statement that Jesse Jackson and others are leading African Americans down the slope regarding out of wedlock births (which is common to both races), higher marriage failure (again common to both races), higher prison rates (where blacks are statistically sent to higher jail sentances) and other injustices (where police stop blacks statistically higher than any other racial group).
Democrats realize that you win African American votes when you cater to African American issues. I didn’t see ANY republicans denounce the Supreme Court ruling yesterday. Though there were plenty of people who thought that opinion was incorrect. How about Trent Lott talking about Affirmative Action?Or John McCain talking about uninsured Americans (not on his website)? Or Brownback on the environment (not on his website)? But you’ll find statements on the right to bear arms on there. I’m willing to be that many African Americans want guns off the streets. I would be very interested in poll numbers to that effect.
Democrats know important issues and they cater to it. Can’t blame them for that.
I was hoping for better from you DK. You seemed like an independent thinker, but your Lib talking points betray your true mindset.
What a shame.
I think for no one else but myself PB. Each statement made is backed by credible articles supporting that finding. I guess you convienently forgot that I think it is a shame that African American sex rates before age 15 are twice that of other races. This is not a talking point. This is a fact.
It is also a fact that Republicans are bring up issues that appeal to their base. Democrats are doing the same and I point out examples of how this is taking place.
You asked the question about AA and how that affects peoples lives, I gave you my personal observations.
You asked how African Americans can vote overwhelmingly Democrat, I answered because the Dems cater to issues that concern them. No fault in that.
My mindset is mine only.
It’s a shame if you cannot accept that.
Why blacks vote Dem? That’s easy. After LBJ finally repealed all the Jim Crow laws, Republicans (Nixon in particular) made a conscious decision to appeal to Southern states by appealing to the Southern Dems racist tendencies.
That’ll do it everytime.
Incidentally, AA will always exist in some form. Greater learning and working environments are achieved through diversity. Smart deans and employers understand this.
Rusty, as long as we still look at individuals and make exceptions based on skin color, of course affirmative action will still exist. The sad part is that you say “diversity” as if it is strictly based on race. We don’t need affirmative action type policies to foster diversity in the workplace or at schools. Diversity also means differences in things like religion, hobies, skillsets, etc., all of which can contribute without being based on race.
DarkKnight, affirmative action does not level the playing field, if it did, it wouldn’t provide for a quota of minorities. And, your mantra of not enough honors classes etc is BS. I have very good friends who work in the New York Public school system, one of the best funded systems in the US, who will all attest to the fact that it doesn’t matter what type of classes you teach, the kids don’t listen and don’t respect authority. That’s a problem with the culture and the community that is only fueled by lowered standards and expectations. Do you honestly think that 4 more honors classes at the public schools in New York are going to make that much of a difference?
I also went to college, qualified for minimal scholarships (with my own effort), and worked 3 jobs to pay for the remaining tuition and living expenses. The point is, even without affirmative action, if you really wanted to go to college you would have found a way to afford it.
As for your last point: Of course the democrats cater to issues that concern them, but what I’m saying is that if you looked at the history of the black community over the past 40 years since blacks began to vote predominantly democrat and buy into democratic policies, you will see a steady decline, both socially and financially. So, why continue to support policies that have had such a negative impact on community and culture?
Democrats spew a mantra of entitlement policies that is a pipe dream. The socialistic policies are a crutch that, in many cases, prevents minorities from reaching a true potential. Most often, people rise to their expectations, why then would you support policies that keep those expectations so low?
EdDantes-
Bravo…..couldn’t have said it better.
DarkKnight,
Thank you for missing the point entirely. Now I’ll explain it to you. By referring to yourself as a *Pick your origin*-American, you’re only hurting any chance at reasonable dialog. You have already separated yourself into a specific group. I’m proud of my heritage, but in my mind, AMERICA is my homeland. Therefore, I am an AMERICAN, period. Hyphenation only serves separate us. When we all realize that, maybe we can find some common ground and start to fix things in this country.
I also believe that no one deserves special rights for being black, hispanic, asian, gay, or anything else. Everyone deserves exactly the same rights as everyone else. The very concept that any group deserves special rights is in contrast to the concept of equal rights.
And my apologies for the “nutjob” comment.
Rusty,
Read above. Hopefully you see my point. IMO hyphens are part of the problem.
And check the voting record in congress during the early 60’s as far as equal rights legislation goes. You’ll find that the majority of democrats voted AGAINST those measures. It was actually the republicans who carried the day.
BZ Ed!
Wow! I got a personal response from another victom! Listen ol’ DK – nobody who cannot receive your vote cares anymore. Screaming Racist! at the top of your lungs doesn’t cary the weight it used to, you know, back in the day. It’s 2007. When you decide to abolish groups like the black panthers and the congressional black caucus, and do away with the likes of affirmative action, check back in…
Shouldn’t that be African-American panthers & African-American Caucus?
ROFL…..oh I kill myself……no….really….I do
Re 1960s civil rights legislation, yes, Republicans did an awful lot of good. Southern Dems were the problem. Nixon exploited that and turned the Southern Dems into proud GOPers. Racism is what made the Republican Party of today.
I don’t personally use any hyphenated terms to describe myself. I admit Irish-Lithuanian-French-English-Portugeuse-American would be a bit much. But others choosing to call themselves African-Americans or Hispanic-Americans is harmless. The mix of cultures in this country is what makes it great and celebrating that is harmless. I don’t treat people who call themselves “Italian-American” any differently than I treat someone of Italian descent who just wants to be called an American.
My problem with AA is that it hasn’t worked. The equal rights/reverse discrimination arguments are fine in a perfect world, but we are from that. Racism and the effects of slavery are still being felt in America today.
And then JWS swoops in and takes away a good chunk of the civility we’ve been enjoying.
Poo poo to you, sir.
You may have something there. The rules change so often it’s hard to figure out what word to use to avoid the dreaded “racist” charge. “colored” is bad but then there’s the naacp; “negro” will get you shot but then there’s the uncf. Who knows…
Rusty,
Nothing I said was uncivil. The fact is that most of us are simply tired of the charges of racism and just do not care anymore…
Poo poo? If you wish. Peace to you…
The Racial Privacy Initiative should be brought to the national level if you really want to be a color-blind society. I didn’t know American was a race of people, yet I proudly call myself American.
I was on a trip when I stopped at a diner to eat. There was a man in the restaurant going from table to table. At each table he would spend several minutes talking to the people before moving on to the next one. When he came to my table he introduced himself as a city councilman. I told him my name and that I was from out of town. He promptly moved on to the next table without saying another word. Not even a “goodbye” or “nice meeting you”. You see, his interest in me completely evaporated the second he learned that under no circumstances would I be voting for him in the upcoming election. It was a waste of his time and effort to talk to me when he could be focusing his attention on someone who might actually vote for him.
This is why the Republican party pays so little attention to issues that primarily effect African-Americans. They know that no matter what they do to help African-Americans, the vast majority of the African-American community will still be voting Democrat. If you knew someone was out to fire you and hire someone else in your place no matter what, how hard would you work on making them happy when there is someone else who has the power to let you keep your job and who is much more open to doing so?
If African-Americans want the Republicans to pay more attention to them then they need to start voting for Republicans. Until it appears that the African-American vote is up for grabs, Republican politicians are going to consider it a waste of time, effort, and resources to cater to African-Americans.
Racial Privacy Initiative? Tell me more…
Except for the use of medical research & law enforcement, the RPI would have prevented California from classifying any individual by race, ethnicity, color or national origin in the operation of public education, public contracting or public employment.
DK:
You keep talking about “a level playing field” as if that’s what AA is all about.
You’re about 20 years behind the law the regulations written to enforce it. “Level playing field” has nothing to do with AA anymore. The whole idea of AA is to “tilt” the playing field – ostensibly so that there will be more “diversity” in schools, the workplace, fire depts, police depts, unions, and any other aspect of American life that AA touches – which is plenty.
If it were just about a level playing field, most Americans would support it. But it hasn’t been that way since at least 1990 when the Civil Rights Act was amended.
Nice try, though…
Interesting conversations. The hundreds of thousands of whites, if not actually a million or more, who were horribly affected by Katrina, need to know they just imagined it all. Likewise the state of Fla will be surprised to learn that no blacks live in Fla south of Miami.
I agree Rusty, but for different reasons. In its original intended form, Affirmative Action was actually a good thing. It was instituted in order to make sure that the MOST QUALIFIED applicant got the job, regardless of race, creed, religion, gender, etc. Unfortunately it was bastardized and turned into the quota system we deal with today.
This says it all:
Rusty says: Katrina was the most horrific thing to happen in America in my lifetime…And race doubtlessly played a part in it.
First – Ever heard of 9/11?
Second – Only blacks – or whatever term you prefer – were affected?
Absolutely pathetic….
Only in Liberalism is it a Badge Of Honor to be tested for AIDS. For anyone else, why should you have to, today in 2007.
We now know how the virus spreads. If you haven’t been sharing needles, if you haven’t been sleeping around, you have nothing to worry about.
Do these candidates have something to worry about?
Pretty much.
JWS, 9/11 was a horrible event that temporarily united the entire country. It was a triumph of the American spirit. Congress singing “God Bless Amrica” together was a beautiful moment.
Katrina showed an American government that had no interest in helping its poorest citizens. Of course white people were affected by Katrina. However the black community and the almost entirely black Lower Ninth Ward was hit the hardest. Little was done to prevent the flooding and little was done to help evacuate stranded Americans. The gap between black and white, rich and poor, had never been more obvious.
I was scared as anyone else during 9/11. It hit much closer to home than Katrina (I am a DC resident). But Katria remains the worst thing I have ever witnessed on American soil.
Rusty,
We’ll just have to agree to disagree. I see a country that offers limitless opportunity to those individuals who embrace to the concept of personal responsibility. That opportunity is severely muted or lost altogether to those who wallow in perpetual victimhood. We are all where we are because of the choices we have made.
Peace…
If the black voters want to vote for the Democrats in overwhelming numbers, so be it. As long as any American is legally eligible to vote, they can vote for whomever they choose. I believe that the Democrat party is anti-American in its agendas. IMO it is the wrong political party to opt for. It’s a free country so vote your choice. Each and every vote will make a difference.