POLITICS

At Arm’s Length

They used to be close. Kind of. Jesse and Barack's awkward past.

By Allison Samuels | NEWSWEEK
Published Jul 12, 2008
From the magazine issue dated Jul 21, 2008

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  • Posted By: Thewhitesmiter @ 07/22/2008 12:34:38 PM

    "generational divide"? What a load of hogwash! All it takes is one look at Africa or the inner city and you
    may understand how black men's power struggles become violent whenever money and power are involved. It's just pathetic that the politically correct press cannot state the truth but instead pretends
    that b-tch-ness is something only women are capable of.

  • Posted By: ICYEYES800 @ 07/19/2008 9:47:27 PM

    BUSH is and always has been a PRESIDENT with some bA^%S..He's tolerated, and might I say honorably, the bashing of the extreme left, those who wish him ill will....BUT, HISTORY will be much more gracious, because among all his credits..EVERYONE has to admit, we haven't had another terrorist attack..Even though most AMERICANS have a short memory and have put it in their distant past...NEXT time it happens, you may be wishing for George W...If Clinton hadn't been so busy keeping interns on their knees in the Oval office, would have had more time to CLEARLY see that the terrorists kept ramping up thier terrorism...SO, we got a guy who KNOWS...when to fold 'em and when to hold 'em....can't blame him for drawing that line and saying NO MORE OF YOUR BULLL>.....I LOVE GEORGE W, I loved his Dad too.....Men with some spine.

  • Posted By: ICYEYES800 @ 07/19/2008 12:00:26 AM

    Let's SEE, Imus was FIRED for using the slang infamous "N" word instead of negro...SO, what's the penalty for Jesse? Wasn't he the one who had a burial of the NEGRO word??? Talk about irony...this is black on black crime at it's BEST. I just love the fact that a minority of people are trying to FORCE the MAJORITY of people in this country to speak the way they would like???? FREEDOM OF SPEECH is still for ALL...like it or not...All Americans can say anything they want and always have, always will.....

  • Posted By: HolyRoller @ 07/18/2008 3:10:35 PM

    bottom line.....It's all Whitey's fault.

    NOBAMA!!!

  • Posted By: haitipro@bellsouth.net @ 07/12/2008 5:44:14 PM

    There is an old saying...In Vino Verite - perhaps I have spelled that wrong but the meaning is clear. Jackson meant what he said - and more. He is not sorry for what he said. He is sorry that he was caught and must now pay the price as people will treat him politely...and then ignore him.
    This is payback fr all of the grief he has caused others, without recourse for those injured parties.
    What goes around...comes aroud.

    • Posted By: GreatDane @ 07/18/2008 4:24:22 AM

      I've noticed over the months that liberals always end up apologizing when they have been caught saying what they really think.

  • Posted By: reisbergsgal @ 07/14/2008 5:49:29 PM

    Jesse Jackson could never be President because like so many other black Americans, he cannot get over his self-hatred. Obama is doing his best to keep race out of this campaign, which as a black man is impressive. Jackson has always hid behind the idea that if you speak about racism, you're fighting it. What he has yet to learn is that by continuing to speak about race over and over only adds fuel to the fire. Racism will only go away when we let it go away. Jesse Jackson will never let that happen because race is his bread and butter. I have heard Obama talk about his own race and the issues he faces and I appreciate his aloof-ness about it. He always seems to answer the question asked, and then change the subject to something more important. By making it a non-issue, hopefully one day it will become a non-issue.

    I am the daughter of a white mother and a black father and I have grown up listening to my father disect and criticize the black race. He doesn't understand why blacks have let him (and myself) down time and time again. I would get frustrated because I couldn't understand why such a large group of people couldn't get it together. I now understand that it is because we don't allow ourselves to move past race because it protects us. It gives us excuses, benefits, set backs, advantages, loss and gains. But more than anything blacks have used their race to build a wall, keeping them away from what they want to acheive. Whites are not the reason for the destruction of blacks. Whites have intimidated blacks into thinking that they are inferior, but blacks have solidified it. We are responsible for our own demise. This is something Jesse Jackson will never, ever accept.

    • Posted By: SPORTLOCK09 @ 07/14/2008 6:14:43 PM

      Hard to tell folk they cannot succeed in life because they are black if the president of the US is half black himself. Probably cost Jesse and Al millions a year

      • Posted By: BLACKSS @ 07/14/2008 7:08:52 PM

        Reisbergsgal, I completely agree with your comment. Our ancesters had to endure so much more than what many of us claim to have experienced and they stilled managed to succeed in getting the same rights and opportunities as white america. I am one of many african americans who have made the comment to other african americans that we need to work on ourselves and quit using "the white man" as an excuse. I encourage Obama to stand his ground and keep speaking on this issue. No more excuses it is time for change!!!!

        • Posted By: sharenews @ 07/17/2008 5:16:18 PM

          I have to tell you BLACKSS, I do respect Obama for his recent speech focused on instilling in african americans fathers (it was at the NAACP I believe) - actually, any fathers out there for that matter - that they should take responsibility for their children financially and emotionally ; to basically be there for them. I really do believe if fathers embrace this belief Obama has that this would make a great impact on our children and our country moving forward.

          • Posted By: sirhc @ 07/17/2008 9:53:39 PM

            THIS IS THE MOST RIDICULOUS DRIVEL I'VE EVER READ. YOU ARE ALL VERY, VERY IGNORANT

            1. JESSE JACKSON HAS DONE MORE FOR PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY IN A MORNING THAN ALL OF YOU PUT TOGETHER. HE HAS PUT HIS LIFE ON THE LINE ABOUT A 1000 TIMES, MARCHED WITH AND SOMETIMES IN FRONT OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, GOTTEN WHITE POW'S OUT OF WAR TORN COUNTRIES, WAS INFRONT OF THE TERRY SCHAIVO CASE(WHITE GIRL) IN FLORIDA TO KEEP HER ALIVE....ETC-EDUCATE YOURSELVES BEFORE YOU LET THE HANNITY'S AND RUSH'S OF THE WORLD ROBOT YOUR AZZ

            2. WHAT IS THIS SELF HATE STEREOTYPE-MAYBE REISBERG YOUR FATHER HAS IT AND THAT'S WHY HE MARRIED A WHITE WOMAN. I LIVE, EAT, SHOP AND LIVE BY BLACKS. I DON'T HEAR THAT NOR DO I HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT WHITES(EXCEPT THE EXTREME DISLIKE FOR GEORGE BUSH-THAT'S UNDERSTANBLE) SURE YOU HEAR BLACKS CALL OTHER BLACKS THEY "KNOW" THE N WORD-BUT ANSWER THIS-THE LAST 1 MILLION TIMES YOU'VE HEARD WHITE TRASH-WHO WAS SAYING IT-THANK YOU!. WHAT WE DO HATE IS HOW WE'RE NOT SEEN AS AMERICANS EVENTHOUGH WE BUILT THIS COUNTRY FOR FREE FOR 4 CENTURIES AND FOUGHT IN ALMOST EVERY WAR ONLY TO COME BACK TO BEING 2ND CLASS CITIZENS. 3 OF MY GREAT UNCLES SERVED IN NAM ONLY TO COMEBACK TO ALABAMA TO BE TREATED LESS THAN A WHITE MAN'S DOG.

            3. SPORTLOCK-JUST BECAUSE OBAMA IS HALF BLACK MEANS THINGS WILL BE BETTER-HELL-LOOK ALL THE HELL HE'S CATCHING BEING CALLED RACIST EVENTHOUGH HE HAS A WHITE MOM, RAISED BY WHIE GRANDPARENTS, HELED GET AN EX CARD CARRYING MEMEBER OF THE KKK REELECTED(BYRD) AND IS NOW HELPING PAY OFF A WHITE WOMAN'S DEBT THAT GOT INTO DEBT BY SEMARING HIM-WHAT HE GETS? BEING CALLED TAR BABY, TIGER WOODS, BOY, CURIOUS GEORGE THE MONKEY....ETC

            4. HERE'S A HISTORY LESSON-UP UNTIL 1980 BLACKS GOT MARRIED AND STAYED MARRIED MUCH MORE THAN WHITES. ALMOST 2 TO 1 PERCENTAGE RATIO. WHAT HAPPENED-YOU BOY REAGAN CAME IN AND WIPPED ALL THE WORK AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS THAT BENEFITED BLACKS SO GREATLY. WE HAVE THE SAME ISSUES-WORKING ALOT AND CAN'T WATCH THE KIDS-JUST MAKING ALOT LESS. ADD A LIQUOR STORE ON EVERY CORNER AND THE FAKE WAR ON DRUGS....60% OF BLACK MEN ARE IN JAIL ON NON VIOLENT DRUG OFFENSES.........

            5. I ONLY RESPONDED TO THIS BECAUSE A FEW OF YOU CLAIMED TO REPRESENT BLACKS BUT NO BALCKS I KNOW IS THIS SELF -DEPRECATING. THE STATS AND FACTS SHOW THAT WE HAVE A HELL OF A TIME GETTING OVER. A BLACK MAN IS 5 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO GET A 3 TIMES HARSHER SENTENCE THAN HIS WHITE COUNTERPART FOR THE SAME CRIME WITH THE SAME CRIMINAL HSITORY.....EVEN THE CONSERVATIVE SUPREME COURT SAID 4 MONTHS AGO THAT SENTENCING OF BLACKMEN HAVE BEEN " DISTATSEFUL, PUNITIVE AND HORRIBLE" BUT THAT GOT IGNORED BY MSM. BY THE WAY-LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU HEAR ABOUT A WHITE PERSON UNARMED-GETTING SHOT AT 40-50 TIMES BY POLICE FOR NOTHING LIKE AMADAUO DIALLO AND SEAN BELL...........UNTIL THEN STFU.

    • Posted By: SPORTLOCK09 @ 07/14/2008 6:05:15 PM

      Say what? Whites have intimidated blacks into thinking they are inferior? I see Al telling you you cant succeed. Ive seen Jesse telling blacks they cant succeed. Now, please, tell me. What white person, any white person, has told blacks they cqnt succeed? One name will be fine.

      • Posted By: Yuseff @ 07/15/2008 1:03:13 PM

        Since we are talking politics I can easily think of Senators Strom Thurmond and Jesse Helms who worked for years to keep Jim Crow in place and keep Blacks out of equal education and good jobs.

        But then again they didn't tell Blacks they couldn't succeed. They worked hard to make it so.

  • Posted By: Concerned Ctzn @ 07/16/2008 6:40:17 PM

    LIKEITIS,

    RE: Your post from below (07/16/2008 14:28:00)

    Comment: FIRST, I AM VOTING FOR OBAMA.............BUT..............THE GUY WHO CAME UP W/ THE PIN WAS A PLANT, JUST LIKE THE GUY WHO HELD UP THE SIGN "IRON MY SHIRTS" FOR HILLARY WAS A PLANT ALSO!

    MY COMMENT/RESPONSE:

    This is probably the ONE AND ONLY TIME that you and I will agree on anything. I too believe that a lot of the stuff that happens on the daily campaign trail (surrogate gaffes, etc) is strategically planned by the campaign advisors on both sides.

    It all boils down to who (which team) can play the game best.

    In fact, I wouldn't doubt that Jesse's latest "oops" wasn't a planned thing too. The title of this article says it all:

    At Arm's Length

    Jesse's latest gaffe allows BO to distance himself from the Rev., which of course he needs to do to have any real chance of becoming Prez. One thing BO's camp does well:

    Throwing people under the bus! IT'S ALL STRATEGIC OF COURSE!!

    Well, this kid ain't buying it. Keep the Hippy Bus rollin' Driver ... there's more road kill out there. LMFAO!

    • Posted By: sharenews @ 07/17/2008 5:05:53 PM

      Remember Obamas Water-Bottle-Gate with Obama fans fainting at random ralleys that took place in our 57 states? LOL

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dySlhGY6Zyo&feature=related

  • Posted By: Chloe123 @ 07/16/2008 3:48:41 PM

    Fruitless though his efforts were, Obama devoted more than 100 pages to his experiences at Altgeld Gardens and surrounding areas. Michelle Obama has said his work as a community organizer helped him decide ???how he would impact the world,??? assisting people to improve their lives. Yet, in a revealing passage in his book, Obama wrote, ???When classmates in college asked me just what it was that a community organizer did, I couldn???t answer them directly.???

    Thus, Obama admitted that he accomplished little but that he was able to cover that up with fancy talk about change.
    Contrary to Obama???s portrayal of himself as a unifier, on every bipartisan effort in the Senate to forge compromises on tough issues, Obama has been missing in action.

    In sum, it would be difficult to imagine a more mediocre record. Most candidates for dog catcher have contributed more to society. Yet with the help of adoring reporters, Obama has managed to parlay extraordinary speaking and political skills into a presidential campaign built on sand.

    The idea that America might entrust its security and future to someone who has never demonstrated an ability to get anything of significance done is scary.

    Look for John McCain to begin exploiting this vulnerability after Labor Day

  • Posted By: ralphied @ 07/16/2008 3:08:36 AM

    Excuse me SPORTLOCK09 but most blacks when they do not get their way it all of a sudden becomes a race issue. The way I see it a lot of blacks do not want to improve their life style, they prefer to call the race issue. Blacks who have not called the race issue have improved their lives. They are people to look up to and admire and I can not say the same for the ones who are ready to call the race issue on any issue. Jesse tells it like it is but Obama tells you what you want to hear. Obama who???? .

  • Posted By: treyton @ 07/14/2008 1:12:19 AM

    Obama supporters better get used to the derogatory comments. A quarter of Clinton supporters are racist pigs. And the xenopobic GOP?.....well they have never found a minority they cannot and will not demonize! And the right-wingers? Like I said, this Jesse Jackson comment is nothing, most people can see it for what it is, just a man who found that he can no longer play the victim role.

    • Posted By: onepoker @ 07/15/2008 3:06:11 AM

      Treyton- George Bush had the most diverse cabinet in Presidential history. He appointed Collin Powel as Secretary of State and then when he stepped down he followed it up with Condi RIce.. So quit bagging on us Conservatives we aren't racists if you would take the time to get to know us instead of judging on your prejudices you would realize that.

      • Posted By: Yuseff @ 07/15/2008 1:09:21 PM

        George Bush had two Blacks in his cabinet plus Gonzales as AG. Bill Clinton had 4 Black cabinet members and a hispanic (sec. of housing) plus a Black (Togo West) secretary of the army, and two Black Surgeons General, although those last two posts aren't cabinet positions.

        • Posted By: onepoker @ 07/15/2008 4:05:00 PM

          When Bush named his cabinet it was widely reported that he had the most minorities in his cabinet of any president including Clinton. Not that we should be arguing over who has the most blacks on their team I was just trying to point out that Conservatives are not racists.

      • Posted By: tippology1 @ 07/15/2008 9:05:54 AM

        You know I agree with you, as I have been preaching this since Bush has been in office. Bush in my eyes has done a good job at reaching across the table to embrace all races of people as well as McCain and what do they get to show for it, a slap in the face. I have respect for Bush because at least he isn't soft and Obama is plain and simple. I am an Black American and my vote is for McCain because I don't see Obama reaching across the table like McCain will do. I see in Obama a man who wants to win at any cost and that is not strong character, to me that is selvish and low. I have no respect for anyone who will trash talk a sitting president and so many Americans has done so showing the world just how colorful we are, because no other country would step so low to do that about their leader. The one that hurts me the most is Black Americans because we have shown our true colors in this election, voting for a man the is similiar to us in traits only. The way the democrats tossed Hillary aside like that I hope with every ounce of air in me that they lose this fall. The democrats has shown no loyality for our country, no repsect for our president, and has shown they are just as dirty as the next man when it comes to politics.

    • Posted By: SPORTLOCK09 @ 07/14/2008 6:18:07 PM

      Bill Clinto bent so far backwards for the black community he was scraping the back of hios head on the ground. Now please, say you were just kidding. If you were a racist you certainly didnt vote for William Jefferson Clinton. Racist moron

    • Posted By: sharenews @ 07/14/2008 5:28:56 AM

      Trey . . . a quarter of the Clinton supporters are racist pigs? Are you kidding me based on what Bill Clinton did for the black community back in the '90s? And by the way, I dont know about what others said about Jesse Jackson Srs comments, although I do not support Obama at this point, I did not think his comments had any effect on the outcome of Obamas campaigne. Case closed.

      • Posted By: chindognyc @ 07/14/2008 7:49:58 AM

        sharenews, trey said Clinton supporters. They did say racist comments. I am supporting Obama all the way.

  • Posted By: love234america @ 07/12/2008 5:54:53 PM

    Obama just does not make the right decisions: he has a fund raiser last night and the man he chose to entertain made terrible jokes and Obama had to apologize; he was friends with Jackson, went to Wright's church filled with hate sermons for 20 yrs., was friends w Nation of Islam, Rekzo, etc. He had a 'presidential seal' made for his campaign, now he wears a flag pin after criticising people who worn one, he lies all the time. He's not presidential material. Why did the Democrats get fooled like they did?

    • Posted By: Yuseff @ 07/15/2008 1:25:34 PM

      Barack Obama was friends with a man whose daughter interviewed Min. Louis Farrakhan once....ten years ago. That does not make Obama friends with the Nation of Islam.

      Obama started wearing a flag lapel pin after a guy came up to him at a rally in W. Virgina and asked him to wear it.

    • Posted By: sharenews @ 07/12/2008 8:49:54 PM

      There stills is a good amt of democrats/independents who are undecided that can change any predicted outcome of this presidential race. Thats why the polls are so close, give or take depending on which one you view.

  • Posted By: ConservativeChick @ 07/13/2008 5:04:21 PM

    Jackson and Obama...love hate relationship....Jackson meant what he said about Obama and cutting off body parts....black leaders might be the problem in the black community. Instead of black leaders whinning and sniffling with regards to more entitlements and affirmative action social, state and federal jobs, why not encourage blacks to mature and take responsibility. Part of the learned responsibility would be to tell blacks to not purchase homes, cars, etc. that they cannot afford, thus causing housing crisis in U.S. Stop allowing their children to listen to "Rap Crap"...."hike your pants up so that they can walk naturally"....of course, this is on the record.

    • Posted By: Yuseff @ 07/15/2008 1:17:27 PM

      Yes more Marilyn Manson and NSync is the answer.

    • Posted By: dking312 @ 07/13/2008 9:46:46 PM

      Stop letting your kids listen to that satin noise. Stop letting your little slobs cuss you out in grocery stores like 2 dollar whores. Stop letting your kids do all those crazy drugs and come shooting up schools cause they are mad you never paid them any attention.

      Stop allowing your kids to try and "imitate" a sag with those tight nasty looking jeans on. Stop letting your kids die their hair purplr, green, and pink. That ain't cute. Stop letting little Johnny and his friends sexually assult victims (and much worse), and paying to get them off the hook, only to commit an enev worse crime.

      Race ain't nothing. Black white who cares. But you stupid people? OH!! Y'all need to find a new planet. You idiots like this nutcake really blow my mind.

      Stop letting these corrupt people who deregulate everything so they can take all they can get run our country!! P.S> white folks can't afford everything they buy either.

      You should rename yourself "CrackChick". You sound like a misearable wife with a gay husband who screws his cousin or something.

  • Posted By: ackridgek @ 07/14/2008 4:20:42 PM

    Jackson is upset because Mr. Obama is doing it his way and not the way they want him to do it. I never heard him talk down to anyone. He is the best candidate at this point and time, I know most of the posts on here are from zealots who fear having a black president. He beat Hilary because he is a class act, she couldn't one up him so she tried to tie all of these negative attacks, but Mr. Obama is keeping his eye on the prize. For all of the people on this site who are scared of having some one in the White House that doen't identify look like them get over it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Posted By: SPORTLOCK09 @ 07/14/2008 6:09:08 PM

      He beat Hilary because If Oprah smells a book it turns into a best seller and the fact the good ole boys just trounced the girl in the class to show her her place. Oprah has NEVER indorsed a candidate before Obama. Take a guess what the difference is between Obama and every other democratic candidate we have had. Suuuuuure its not about race to blacks. Noway can you say he pulled 94% of the black vote after he said he was black enough because he is black. Couldn't be. Would you say the 94% of blacks voted for Obamination because of their fear of having another white president?

      • Posted By: Yuseff @ 07/15/2008 1:04:46 PM

        Remember back when Al Sharpton ran for president. He never got more than 35% of the Black vote at any time.

  • Posted By: jalisuf @ 07/15/2008 9:00:07 AM

    i don`t really know why some group of hyphocrite kept on emphasizin that senator obama is a muslim cos i think being the president of united state of america has nothing to do with religion or race,it`s only base on personality and achievement which i feel he posses it all.so i`m appealing 2 all american`s 2 vote 4 senator obama.

  • Posted By: BLACKSS @ 07/14/2008 6:59:23 PM

    As an african american I am so sick of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton not admitting to the responsibilty that needs to be taken in many of the African American Communities. They both seem to step into different issues say a few worthless words for a free photo Opportunity. People LIke Bill Cosby and Barrack Obama have the courage and the intelligence to admit and encourage the communities to step up and acknowledge what needs to be changed and make those changes. Jesse Jackson is clearly jealous that Obama has gotten alot farther than he did when he attempted to run for president. Whether Obama is elected or not I hope this is encouragement to African Americans that anything is possible and there should be no more excuses!!!!

  • Posted By: SPORTLOCK09 @ 07/14/2008 6:13:33 PM

    Todays front page news. 33% of blacks in Cinacinnati Ohio say that if Obama loses it will be a huge step backwards in race relationsand almost certainly cause racial tensions...... Imagine that......Source...........Cincinnati enquirer 07-14-08 Sounds like race is a factor in Cincy among blacks. Honestly, the ONLY factor

  • Posted By: Rocky2001 @ 07/14/2008 11:25:40 AM

    Jackson's mistake was assuming Barry has balls. From all indications, he is a pu$$y.

    • Posted By: reisbergsgal @ 07/14/2008 5:29:35 PM

      Why would you say that? A response by Obama would prove nothing and accomplish nothing. You don't respond to every person that thinks you're an a--hole do you? Hopefully it's because you already know that the ones saying things about you have an entire bucket of issues that has nothing to do with you. Therefore no response is needed. Can you do me a favor-- next time you read an article-- keep it to yourself.

      America thanks you.

  • Posted By: pissed-off @ 07/14/2008 9:11:29 AM

    this might soud crazy but Obama should win'''if so here my plan our advice give him 15 trillion dollars break down is he could fix most thing;s in htree years/ by using governor's and mayors' at lesat health care and the housing market.job's and some poverty/ payback --raise taxes on the rich and some on the regular folks ,giving two more stimulus packages,federal workforce a one time 8% for three years sell off un-used gov;building and supplies,invest directly in agriculture and forestry and market or trading policies through them,pull over half the troops from Iraq create a new corp's of nation guards for disasters make all immigrant comply on path to citizen-ship while paying taxes asap and stopping NASA"S or cutting thier budget by 3/4 for they produce a lot of unecesssary ozone layer contaminates and at least we won't be in much of a finacial burden

  • Posted By: pissed-off @ 07/14/2008 8:23:04 AM

    Hey we are heading in for the GOLD nobody is scared of Jessie,Bill Hillary, AL,Wright,or anyone other than GOD we are keeping our eyes on the prize the fear cartoon's only show imaturaty this is about our future,present yester years and the relationship's from past and future's to come,the nation's of our neighbor's abroad and enimees to see something different we can change a lot this go round and while saving the planet for the next generation so all hater's need to just sit back and don't get involved oh I forgot their are a lot of Drum Majors out their (KING)'' if that you sit down hey it's time for a change it was either a Black man or a Woman he one did not go in debt and is trying hard to stand up for that change for we needed''

  • Posted By: martilau @ 07/12/2008 9:26:16 PM

    Barack is an overcomer.....just as the white Irish, the Chinese, the Japanese, and the Jews, and the "white trash" of the south and even more recently the Arabs in American, first endured then overcame and finally rose above petty prejudice he refuses to play the martyr for all eterity. That is why he will be president while Jesse Jackson who loves and cherishes and clutches to his roll as a victim will always be a failed also ran. Because leaders are not victims they rise above, they drop the mantle of victim and proudly stand as victors.
    Lick your wounds and eat your sour grapes Jesse......You are who you are, because you cannot rise above failure. As long as everything ,including the fact the black fathers are noticibly absent from their families is someone elses (slave owners from 100 years ago) fault then there will never be self accoutability amoung your people nor will they be able to flourish. Even Latin Americans are forging strong and healthy political power becuase they don't lounge in the poor me paradise of poverty, Since the legal slave trade ended there have been "many slaves" of many colors but the true slaves today are the blacks who continue to shackle themselves with victimhood.

    • Posted By: Nins @ 07/13/2008 12:06:47 AM

      Dear Marti, although i agree with you in general and I can see a world of difference between Jackson and Obama, I do think that some of that difference is generational as well as characterological. It sure does look like Obama has better character than Jackson. However, some of Jackson's victim mentality comes from the fact that he grew up in the 40s and 50s, when black men still were lynched and he was "just a nig*er." At his birth, his mother could have expected that if her son were lucky enough not to be murdered, he might be able to make his way as a bellboy or dishwasher. At Obama's birth, his mother could have expected that if her son were lucky enough, he might go to college and get a good job, even though he still would face some discrimination.

      These kinds of social realities do shape people's minds, and can indeed lead to the bad attitudes we have seen in the words of Jackson, Sharpton and Wright. Hardly anyone has it in them to be a MLK or a Ghandi when faced with adversity. Even though I don't care for the bitter anger of Jackson, et al, I can see where it is coming from and give him at least half a break. Nevertheless, i still prefer Obama.

      • Posted By: observer101 @ 07/13/2008 9:28:53 PM

        Thats understandable what you are saying nins, for once I agree with you about something..Jackson is still and always will have found his fame on the coattails of MLK though..

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