Never in the history of a Presidential campaign in America has a candidate so boldly expressed what its greater majority chooses to dismiss, ignore, pay lip service to, or disregard as one of the major root causes of divisiveness, race. Unsettling as it may have been for the conservatives, Barack Obama's speech last Tuesday openly challenged Americans of all races, classes and beliefs to confront the issues that affect the nation; in a call for the creation of a Perfect Union.
His words were incisive, his delivery unemotional, his tone conciliatory, his manner was gentle, and his attitude was open. He spoke about all sides of the issue, all disadvantages experienced by all segments comprising America, all resentments emanating from events that affect racial issues, and the basis for these resentments from the perspective of each and every segment of the nation's social structure. Barack Obama has walked the path candidates before him have avoided, preferring instead to compel a resolution of working towards the direction all Americans desire; but where the choice of methods are divided by blocs in a political spectrum influenced in large part by the extreme ends of either side.
Undoubtedly, there will be those who will nit pick certain words, phrases, or thoughts, and magnify these into major contradictions or demands and proceed to condemn the man. There will be those who would raise hypothetical questions about his background, family, bloodlines, and religion; and from these speculative queries make allegations then draw conclusions. Such is the action of the cowardly, who are experts at name calling and labeling without logical foundation; or the selfish who would not want to sacrifice for a broader unity; or the blindly partisan who would deny the truth on the basis of purely ideological and propagandistic bias and prejudice.
Obama was enviably Presidential, respectable and dignified in expressing his message
for a better America. Whether the specific issue that brought him to this point will make or break him in his campaign would depend on the maturity of the American people, and the genuine desire to rebuild a country that is in deep economic trouble, social inequality, and political malaise. And, as far as friendship goes, it does not cease from a mistake committed, because everyone makes mistakes, but never makes them a mistake. Two people may get the same information, knowledge, or influence, but their application would differ. Even Jesus never condemned Judas. This is the point where this should be taken.
Haaarrrrwwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!
His words were incisive, his delivery unemotional, his tone conciliatory, his manner was gentle, and his attitude was open. He spoke about all sides of the issue, all disadvantages experienced by all segments comprising America, all resentments emanating from events that affect racial issues, and the basis for these resentments from the perspective of each and every segment of the nation's social structure. Barack Obama has walked the path candidates before him have avoided, preferring instead to compel a resolution of working towards the direction all Americans desire; but where the choice of methods are divided by blocs in a political spectrum influenced in large part by the extreme ends of either side.
Undoubtedly, there will be those who will nit pick certain words, phrases, or thoughts, and magnify these into major contradictions or demands and proceed to condemn the man. There will be those who would raise hypothetical questions about his background, family, bloodlines, and religion; and from these speculative queries make allegations then draw conclusions. Such is the action of the cowardly, who are experts at name calling and labeling without logical foundation; or the selfish who would not want to sacrifice for a broader unity; or the blindly partisan who would deny the truth on the basis of purely ideological and propagandistic bias and prejudice.
Obama was enviably Presidential, respectable and dignified in expressing his message
for a better America. Whether the specific issue that brought him to this point will make or break him in his campaign would depend on the maturity of the American people, and the genuine desire to rebuild a country that is in deep economic trouble, social inequality, and political malaise. And, as far as friendship goes, it does not cease from a mistake committed, because everyone makes mistakes, but never makes them a mistake. Two people may get the same information, knowledge, or influence, but their application would differ. Even Jesus never condemned Judas. This is the point where this should be taken.Haaarrrrwwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!
10 comments:
Interesting take.
Debbie Hamilton
Right Truth
I think your take is right on. Too often politicians take the low road of popularity and correctness. Obama,like him or not,has manned-up and said what he believed. The ball is now in the voter's court.
It was gutsy and risky for Obama to take the chance...but everyone save the right wing pretty much saw it as a homerun. Game over for Hill which means Obama can start dismantling the old man who even without a clear cut opposition is looking his age and doing that much on his own. This one won't be close....but I said that 4 years ago as well so kinda like the tired sports analogy..."that's why they play the game."
Brad, I'm with Debbie, Interesting take. I have not posted on this event because it has so irritated me, my objectivity might be effected. This was not the only friend who is of the same cloth, ....Marietwocents has a good post on this along with Gayle....I ramble,,,,stay well...
Hi Debbie,
Thanks. I know you may have counter arguments or disagreements but opted not to express these. Is it because of Holy Week? :-)
Thanks for dropping by. --Durano, done!
Hi Rick,
Welcome!
Obama has indeed taken the bull by the horns on this one. He did it at great political risk but I think he has also put everyone on the defensive and declare their own assessment of the Race and Religion issues. If all they'll do is make cracks and innuendos, that would make them look very shallow.
All other candidates, to be credible, must present their views and stand in a similar way. If they choose to ignore this, they risk losing credibility, and the election too.--Durano, done!
Hi Tommy,
I have read the scathing remarks of some of the conservatives and right wingers, and most, if not all, are on name calling, innuendos, and drawing conclusions from allegations, derived from speculations. Not a very logical way to evaluate. As a matter of fact, these have no logical basis at all.
Some have twisted the statements outright to dis-inform. I suppose that is part of the freedom of expression that the constitutional framers wanted its conservative base to indulge in.
Those who sincerely want the truth and are concerned about where America is going should at least be open to this call for unity. If it turns out that Obama himself is not sincere in this, he should be removed. Until then, his call cannot be dismissed since these are critical times for the US, domestically and internationally. --Durano, done!
Hi Tapline,
I'm sorry about your irritation. I have not taken a look at DD2's take on this. I will look at Gayle's and Marietwocents' posts as you suggest.
I know you too would have disagreements about it but have chosen to be kind and avoid commenting. Thanks for that. But I would rather be given a different point of view than be allowed to indulge myself in a misconception, if ever, and go on believing the wrong thing.
:-) --Durano, done!
Given his avoidance of the issue altogether thru out his campaign, I was surprised he made this speech at all.
Hi Zen,
I think he may be feeling the need to put some meat and more substance in his statements. The rhetoric can get him only so far.
His advantage here is that this is a perennial issues that has never been settled and he has the most knowledge and the most to gain from its discussion.
It was a unifying call, even if it was a way of pushing his political agenda farther. A very smart move on his part.
It is also a big gamble. The Democrats may accept it, but the conservatives may now fully train their guns on him. He has definitely crossed a line here and the coming primary days will witness how much gain or loss it would give his campaign. --Durano, done!
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