<p>Wry or sahara-like dry? lol It’s all good. Glad to see you can post something I can read all of on the same screen!</p>
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<p>Not yet, bz, but I’m sure you’ll keep trying! :)</p>
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<p>Well, we make assessments based on the best information available, and should be willing to change once it is clear the information is faulty. I had no choice but to reject McCain, after once half-heartedly accepting him.</p>
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<p>Very well then. I retract my comments, as much as possible, re: McCain’s alleged insult to his wife. Based on the information I have, I am still unable to accept him as one who can best represent my interests.</p>
<p>Hin - it will be interesting to see if my posts EVER have any effect on those who are already committed to Obama. Even when faced with various & numerous reasons why McCain is the better choice for POTUS, would they change their minds?</p>
<p>OTOH - there’s always the Independents & Undecideds! Surely they’ll come around! :)</p>
<p>Drosselmeier
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<p>A few quick thoughts…</p>
<p>History has many examples of “white” people being taken and enslaved. In relatively recent American history, Africans clearly have the poignant distinction as having the most painful story. In world history, it is not necessarily the case. The examples of slavery throughout time on this planet are shocking. Jews, Arabs, Asians, Caucasians – all have stories of devastation. Slavery goes on in some places, including Africa, even today. </p>
<p>The “whites’ who began the practice of bringing African slaves to North American soil were not Americans at all, but Europeans. It is also unlikely that wide scale enslavement and trafficking of African victims between the African and North American continents could ever have occurred without the compliance and participation by African merchants overseas.</p>
<p>“The white majority” is not a phrase which should be used for reasons other than the reasonable one that it is hurtful and inflammatory. Most who make up “the white majority” come from families which arrived after slavery ended, and which came to these shores to escape abject poverty or persecution. These families also have generations of recovery from historical pain, some far into the past, some more recent. I reject the notion that they are members of “the white majority” concept which is used as a metaphor for an entity of repression.</p>
<p>It is important to eliminate anachronistic generalizations about race, and take the time to speak in more historically accurate terms. Coincidentally, it is also a means to encourage progress.</p>
<p>bz–I’ve wondered the same thing whenever I’ve argued on behalf of Obama. … I have more respect for the other side of an argument (and I pay more attention) when it’s presented to me in an interesting, reasonable manner. When someone starts shooting flames out of their ears (figuratively speaking), I stop listening. Your post in #308 is the kind I really appreciate.</p>
<p>bz2010:
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<p>I think I can understand why Obama supporters are holding on, despite clear evidence that McCain is the better candidate. Obama is the first liberal I have ever been attempted to vote for. And I am one of the last people who will ever vote for a liberal. It’s strange because I am extremely liberal socially, but I am first and foremost for a small and restricted government (which makes me a real conservative).</p>
<p>Obama is exciting because he brings such a fresh perspective. This planet needs a guy like him (but not him). People move when inspired, and he is extremely inspirational and charismatic. Unfortunately, they will follow him into Socialism (and the road there will be a curious one, since it will be navigated by someone with hardly any experience whatsoever).</p>
<p>He won’t get my vote, although I really am tempted. I have no difficulty seeing why he is so popular.</p>
<p>Well I know this won’t make me any “friends” on this forum, but I’m really getting to the point where I can barely stand to listen to Obama speak or watch him either (had to mute the t.v. and put my foot in the air to block his face yesterday!). I really tried to like him - I really did, but ther’s something about him that just really bugs me! (Maybe b/c he isn’t McCain! haha!). Let me be very very clear - it has nothing to do w/ his race! It’s just his “policies” and his style (or lack thereof!), and maybe I think he’s “undeserving” (too new & inexperienced).</p>
<p>I just don’t want to hear him anymore! (Anyone who has followed my posts knows that this has been growing for a while!). He just stutters and stammers too much & says “uh” constantly! And I don’t like * what * he has to say! I can’t take it!</p>
<p>Now Hindoo - I’m not trying to sling mud - just confessing to my faults! :)</p>
<p>Sorry guys - if he accepts JM’s challenge to the Town Hall Debates, I’ll listen. I will. It will be difficult, but I’ll do it. And I’ll listen to his major speeches. Other than that, it will probably be transcripts for me.</p>
<p>Whoever you are^^, I feel your pain. I feel exactly the same way.</p>
<p>We all lead busy lives. Why does BHO think we have all the time in the world to sit around while he decides upon the most politically expedient way to get his thoughts out? Take a chance, BHO, and try telling us what you REALLY think. Maybe you won’t be pres this time around, but we’ll respect you more.</p>
<p>P.S. I normally put Dross’ posts aside to read on a rainy day as a special treat. 
Don’t always agree, but you don’t get much better here.</p>
<p>“I really tried to like him - I really did, but ther’s something about him that just really bugs me! (Maybe b/c he isn’t McCain! haha!). Let me be very very clear - it has nothing to do w/ his race! It’s just his “policies” and his style (or lack thereof!), and maybe I think he’s “undeserving” (too new & inexperienced).”</p>
<p>For what it’s worth, that is how I feel, I change the channel if Obama is on TV. He really bugs me. However, I can’t watch McCain either. I am waiting for this whole thing to be over, finally, and it’s only July!</p>
<p>^^Agree with that, too! I can’t remember a more depressing presidential election.</p>
<p>“So sorry. Because we read and think in my home, and have many ideas that we wish to declare and explore with others, I have failed to accommodate you here.”</p>
<p>Think more, talk less.</p>
<p>^LOL! (I know - it goes for me as well)</p>
<p>I was just in my car listening to talk radio, and someone was predicting that Obama will get astronomical press coverage when he goes overseas, whereas the mainstream media largely ignored McCain’s trip.</p>
<p>A metaphor came to mind about the election: Rocky I</p>
<p>I know that some will be quick to assume that it’s a race thing, or that the analogy is ridiculous because McCain is rich. But when you think about Apollo Creed as this media-savvy powerhouse, and Rocky Balboa coming into the ring with hardly any bulbs flashing, there is something very similar here. </p>
<p>Rocky was an old athlete who won a lot of fights but never made it to “the show”. When Creed smiled, his teeth glistened – he was the good-looking, popular, charismatic superstar to Balboa’s beaten up old face and awkward demeanor.</p>
<p>Maybe John McCain needs to work out on frozen sides of beef, and drink some raw eggs.</p>
<p>lol - spidey! Great analogy!</p>
<p>(And we all know who prevailed in the end!).</p>
<p>I’m flabbergasted that the 3 major networks are sending their ANCHORS along on Obama’s trip! It’s amazing! (Wonder who they’re backing! :rolleyes:).</p>
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<p>I know, but you made me laugh–and we seem to share some of the same faults! I understand your feeling, because I have a similar gut-wrenching reaction every time I see Bush on TV. I’ve tortured myself by watching each and every one of his State of the Union speeches–all the way through–and many of his press conferences, usually while writhing in agony, swearing at the television, blocking my line of vision with a newspaper, crankily correcting his grammar … you know the routine. I’ve never had that strong and negative a reaction to any other political figure, right or left, although Cheney has the ability to scare me witless.</p>
<p>I heard that Obama’s team “invited” the press to join them in Iraq and that McCain’s forgot that minor detail when he was there. As IF the press ever required an invitation!</p>
<p>I just get happier and happier every time I see Obama on TV. :)</p>